TWM Top Story - May 6, 2024
SARCAN holds grand opening of new depot in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Through continued growth, support from the local area and extending a positive partnership, members of the SARCAN depot in Watrous hosted a grand opening.
Commemorating the new facility after relocating from its Main Street location to 110 3rd Ave. W. (across the street from the Watrous Centennial Arena), with dignitaries and members of the public in attendance, the ribbon was cut Apr. 30.
Operated by Interlake Human Resources, the new Watrous SARCAN depot provides additional space, improved lighting and enhanced efficiency, with a larger area for items including the Drop and Go program. In addition, the facility features enhanced container compaction equipment to help lower the environmental footprint.
Excited about the new building and being a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, Executive Director at Interlake Human Resources Angela Silzer said they are proud to be one of the original SARCAN depots in the province, first opening in the summer of 1988.
Making a few moves as demand grew and more space was needed, Silzer noted SARCAN in Watrous went from a small building in the alley one block off Main Street to a building along Hwy. 2 around 11 years later. Then in June 2004, Interlake purchased a 2,400 square foot facility at 105 Main Street which was where the depot operated out of until 2024. “Each move has been necessitated by the need for more space and an improved location in order to serve our customers’ recycling needs better. The moves were also made to adapt along with the growth and direction of our system and our depot as well as the ever-evolving recycling processes and operations. We purchased this 3,200 square foot building last July and immediately began a process of renovating it to suit our needs.”
From consultation to design to completion, once the relocation was made in January (during the two coldest days of the winter), Silzer said, “It has resulted in improved customer and staff areas as well as processes for the people in our community and surrounding areas to bring their containers and materials to recycle.”
With a completely accessible automatic front door and a bulk drop off space at the rear of the building to accommodate big orders and bottle drives, the new space also includes a large off-street parking area. “These improvements enable all of our customers to access our depot more easily and safely and for staff to process orders more efficiently with additional space and improved equipment. The benefits to not only the community but to our staff are numerous.”
Sharing how integral the staff have been over the years at the depot, Silzer said they “are the backbone of the operation and we are pleased to provide an improved space and work environment for them with the relocation of our depot to this new home.”
One of those staff members, Watrous SARCAN depot Manager Patti Goliboski, was excited about the move. “The bigger space has been tremendous. We service so many areas, not just Watrous. We have people coming out from Saskatoon, bottle drives arrive from Clavet, Allan, Vanscoy, Lanigan and Holdfast and with the Drop and Go option for our customers, they love it. They also enjoy the automatic doors and the off-street parking.”
Sharing the community has been great when it comes to supporting the place, Goliboski also credits her colleagues at the depot. “Everything runs efficiently here and I could not have asked for a better team.”
Established since the first days of SARCAN, Silzer shared the following jaw-dropping statistics of how the local depot has benefitted the area and environment:
• since day one of operations in 1988 at Watrous SARCAN, the depot has diverted 67,520,485 beverage containers from surrounding landfills and waterways;
• a total of 39,800,447 aluminum cans, 18,794,204 plastic bottles, 5,911,418 glass bottles, and 2,705,492 cartons have been recycled since 1988;
• since 2006, Watrous patrons have kept 36,714 litres of household paint that is equal to 113,307 pounds of paint and paint containers out of landfills;
• since 2007, 523,124 pounds of end of useful life of electronics have been kept out of landfills;
• since 2021, 2,043 pounds of batteries have been kept out of landfills;
• Watrous SARCAN depot has booked 244,739 customers through its doors since 1988; and
• in Watrous SARCAN’s last fiscal year alone, they recycled 2.94 million containers.
“These are some impressive stats and they are all made possible through our local patrons, our dedicated hard-working staff and the partnership between Interlake Human Resources and SARCAN,” said Silzer. “We are thankful for where we have been and for how far we have come and we are excited for the future of our Watrous SARCAN depot and all the benefits and opportunities that it provides. Not only to our local staff, customers and communities but to the global community as a whole.”
In attendance for the grand opening, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson was pleased to see the new facility and the support it has received. “It is good to see the growth and the community, not just Watrous, but the whole district, doing their part to recycle. It is also really positive to hear they are able to offer employment opportunities to a very
diverse group that maybe couldn’t find employment elsewhere. It is a great thing they can offer that in our community and all in all it is great to have them here and I am sure it is just going to continue to grow.”
Along with cutting the ribbon at the new depot, the day coincided with a signing of a new four year agreement between the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres (SARC). The agreement, which includes program funding of more than $36 million in 2024-‘25, ensures that SARCAN can continue its excellent work managing and operating the provincial beverage container program’s depot collection system.
In Watrous for the Apr. 30 event, Environment Minister Christine Tell said, “I want to express my gratitude to the hard-working employees of SARCAN. Your dedication to recycling and environmental stewardship has not gone unnoticed. Responsible waste management is crucial, and SARCAN is an essential partner in our province’s journey toward waste reduction.”
Explaining how in 2023, SARCAN recycled 501,913,551 beverage containers - the highest number of beverage containers collected in SARCAN’s history - Tell shared SARCAN also collected 84 percent of beverage containers sold in the province last year. Placing Saskatchewan’s beverage container recycling system as one of the most effective recycling systems in North America, the Environment Minister said, “Annually, SARCAN prevents more than 46 million pounds of valuable resources from ending up in Saskatchewan’s landfills and waterways. Instead these resources are recycled into new products through downstream recycling partners in North America.”
Noting how the opening of the facility in Watrous supports the province’s solid waste management strategy, Tell indicated the strategy aims to reduce waste per person by 30 percent by 2030 and by 50 percent by 2040.
“I commend all the excellent work that SARCAN has accomplished so far this year and I look forward to what is to come.”
Speaking after Tell in Watrous, SARC Executive Director Amy McNeil was pleased with the recent signing of the four-year contract. “The commitment shown by the Government of Saskatchewan provides stability, allows for further system improvements, and enables SARCAN to continue to offer the province one of the most efficient and effective beverage container recycling programs in Canada. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the signing of this new contract than with the opening of a new, modern and efficient SARCAN depot in Watrous. We are proud to partner with Interlake Human Resources to operate this quicker, brighter and more efficient recycling depot that helps advance the sustainable development of Watrous and surrounding communities.”
Extending her appreciation to those who came together with a vision, McNeil said, “The Board of Interlake and the leadership of Interlake took an amazing step and acquired this building and then worked hard to get it ready to set it forward to serve the community of Watrous for many many years to come.”
Filled with joy as she helped cut the ribbon, McNeil said the day acted as “a symbol of growth and progress that we have made over the past three and a half decades. SARCAN opened its doors in 32 communities in 1988 with Watrous being one of those original communities and Interlake has been part of the SARCAN family since then. The 73 depots and two processing plants that make up the SARCAN system are supported by an amazing group of employees who are also community based environmental ambassadors.”
Daniel Bushman
Through continued growth, support from the local area and extending a positive partnership, members of the SARCAN depot in Watrous hosted a grand opening.
Commemorating the new facility after relocating from its Main Street location to 110 3rd Ave. W. (across the street from the Watrous Centennial Arena), with dignitaries and members of the public in attendance, the ribbon was cut Apr. 30.
Operated by Interlake Human Resources, the new Watrous SARCAN depot provides additional space, improved lighting and enhanced efficiency, with a larger area for items including the Drop and Go program. In addition, the facility features enhanced container compaction equipment to help lower the environmental footprint.
Excited about the new building and being a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, Executive Director at Interlake Human Resources Angela Silzer said they are proud to be one of the original SARCAN depots in the province, first opening in the summer of 1988.
Making a few moves as demand grew and more space was needed, Silzer noted SARCAN in Watrous went from a small building in the alley one block off Main Street to a building along Hwy. 2 around 11 years later. Then in June 2004, Interlake purchased a 2,400 square foot facility at 105 Main Street which was where the depot operated out of until 2024. “Each move has been necessitated by the need for more space and an improved location in order to serve our customers’ recycling needs better. The moves were also made to adapt along with the growth and direction of our system and our depot as well as the ever-evolving recycling processes and operations. We purchased this 3,200 square foot building last July and immediately began a process of renovating it to suit our needs.”
From consultation to design to completion, once the relocation was made in January (during the two coldest days of the winter), Silzer said, “It has resulted in improved customer and staff areas as well as processes for the people in our community and surrounding areas to bring their containers and materials to recycle.”
With a completely accessible automatic front door and a bulk drop off space at the rear of the building to accommodate big orders and bottle drives, the new space also includes a large off-street parking area. “These improvements enable all of our customers to access our depot more easily and safely and for staff to process orders more efficiently with additional space and improved equipment. The benefits to not only the community but to our staff are numerous.”
Sharing how integral the staff have been over the years at the depot, Silzer said they “are the backbone of the operation and we are pleased to provide an improved space and work environment for them with the relocation of our depot to this new home.”
One of those staff members, Watrous SARCAN depot Manager Patti Goliboski, was excited about the move. “The bigger space has been tremendous. We service so many areas, not just Watrous. We have people coming out from Saskatoon, bottle drives arrive from Clavet, Allan, Vanscoy, Lanigan and Holdfast and with the Drop and Go option for our customers, they love it. They also enjoy the automatic doors and the off-street parking.”
Sharing the community has been great when it comes to supporting the place, Goliboski also credits her colleagues at the depot. “Everything runs efficiently here and I could not have asked for a better team.”
Established since the first days of SARCAN, Silzer shared the following jaw-dropping statistics of how the local depot has benefitted the area and environment:
• since day one of operations in 1988 at Watrous SARCAN, the depot has diverted 67,520,485 beverage containers from surrounding landfills and waterways;
• a total of 39,800,447 aluminum cans, 18,794,204 plastic bottles, 5,911,418 glass bottles, and 2,705,492 cartons have been recycled since 1988;
• since 2006, Watrous patrons have kept 36,714 litres of household paint that is equal to 113,307 pounds of paint and paint containers out of landfills;
• since 2007, 523,124 pounds of end of useful life of electronics have been kept out of landfills;
• since 2021, 2,043 pounds of batteries have been kept out of landfills;
• Watrous SARCAN depot has booked 244,739 customers through its doors since 1988; and
• in Watrous SARCAN’s last fiscal year alone, they recycled 2.94 million containers.
“These are some impressive stats and they are all made possible through our local patrons, our dedicated hard-working staff and the partnership between Interlake Human Resources and SARCAN,” said Silzer. “We are thankful for where we have been and for how far we have come and we are excited for the future of our Watrous SARCAN depot and all the benefits and opportunities that it provides. Not only to our local staff, customers and communities but to the global community as a whole.”
In attendance for the grand opening, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson was pleased to see the new facility and the support it has received. “It is good to see the growth and the community, not just Watrous, but the whole district, doing their part to recycle. It is also really positive to hear they are able to offer employment opportunities to a very
diverse group that maybe couldn’t find employment elsewhere. It is a great thing they can offer that in our community and all in all it is great to have them here and I am sure it is just going to continue to grow.”
Along with cutting the ribbon at the new depot, the day coincided with a signing of a new four year agreement between the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres (SARC). The agreement, which includes program funding of more than $36 million in 2024-‘25, ensures that SARCAN can continue its excellent work managing and operating the provincial beverage container program’s depot collection system.
In Watrous for the Apr. 30 event, Environment Minister Christine Tell said, “I want to express my gratitude to the hard-working employees of SARCAN. Your dedication to recycling and environmental stewardship has not gone unnoticed. Responsible waste management is crucial, and SARCAN is an essential partner in our province’s journey toward waste reduction.”
Explaining how in 2023, SARCAN recycled 501,913,551 beverage containers - the highest number of beverage containers collected in SARCAN’s history - Tell shared SARCAN also collected 84 percent of beverage containers sold in the province last year. Placing Saskatchewan’s beverage container recycling system as one of the most effective recycling systems in North America, the Environment Minister said, “Annually, SARCAN prevents more than 46 million pounds of valuable resources from ending up in Saskatchewan’s landfills and waterways. Instead these resources are recycled into new products through downstream recycling partners in North America.”
Noting how the opening of the facility in Watrous supports the province’s solid waste management strategy, Tell indicated the strategy aims to reduce waste per person by 30 percent by 2030 and by 50 percent by 2040.
“I commend all the excellent work that SARCAN has accomplished so far this year and I look forward to what is to come.”
Speaking after Tell in Watrous, SARC Executive Director Amy McNeil was pleased with the recent signing of the four-year contract. “The commitment shown by the Government of Saskatchewan provides stability, allows for further system improvements, and enables SARCAN to continue to offer the province one of the most efficient and effective beverage container recycling programs in Canada. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the signing of this new contract than with the opening of a new, modern and efficient SARCAN depot in Watrous. We are proud to partner with Interlake Human Resources to operate this quicker, brighter and more efficient recycling depot that helps advance the sustainable development of Watrous and surrounding communities.”
Extending her appreciation to those who came together with a vision, McNeil said, “The Board of Interlake and the leadership of Interlake took an amazing step and acquired this building and then worked hard to get it ready to set it forward to serve the community of Watrous for many many years to come.”
Filled with joy as she helped cut the ribbon, McNeil said the day acted as “a symbol of growth and progress that we have made over the past three and a half decades. SARCAN opened its doors in 32 communities in 1988 with Watrous being one of those original communities and Interlake has been part of the SARCAN family since then. The 73 depots and two processing plants that make up the SARCAN system are supported by an amazing group of employees who are also community based environmental ambassadors.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 29, 2024
WHS student receives prestigious scholarship
*photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
Awarded based on academics, leadership and contributions to school and community life, a Gr. 12 student at Winston High School has received the University of Saskatchewan’s highest valued renewable entrance scholarship.
Planning to take a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences at the U of S, Ishita Sharma applied for and was awarded a Best and Brightest Entrance Scholarship. Valued at $24,000 ($6,000 per year over four years), Sharma was elated when she found out she had been selected. “I had goosebumps and could not hold back my joy! It was a huge surprise as I was unaware I would be receiving this until the representative arrived at the school. It took me a long time to register what had truly happened, and I was extremely proud to represent my school and community on a larger scale.”
With tremendous dedication and hard work academically while immersing herself within the community through volunteering, entering her Gr. 12 year, Sharma thought she would apply for the scholarship. Required to demonstrate leadership skills and contributions to her school and community, Ishita detailed her volunteering experiences in Watrous and the various activities she participated in at school. Writing about the journey that shaped and influenced her personality, Sharma indicated the application for the scholarship was “an engaging process that required commitment and time.”
After completing her application and sending it away, Sharma was not only thrilled when she had been chosen but said the U of S scholarship provides her with further motivation. “This will help financially as I will now be able to solely focus on my education full-time. It will also ease the transition from high school to college although there is always uncertainties with any new experience.”
Interested in the field of Biomedical Sciences, Ishita is eager to learn more about the structure and functions of the body. “It provides me with an opportunity to learn continuously and will challenge me, allowing me to grow further and think critically. I will learn about healthcare advancements and have opportunities to participate in research that opens many doors in the future. I get to be an active participant in medical research to have a tangible impact on people’s lives.”
Citing her passion for healthcare started at a young age when she began volunteering at Manitou Lodge, she also watched as her parents provided medical services for many within the local area. “The sense of fulfillment and satisfaction I saw in their eyes solidified my desire to work in healthcare.”
With a strong passion to help others, along the way, the daughter of Dr. Chander Sharma and Dr. Kavita Choudhary shared she has been fortunate to receive tremendous support from family, teachers and friends.
“My parents and grandparents have always been my pillar of support. They have guided me to be true to myself and always supported me. My friends have been there for me through thick and thin. Their unspoken and unwavering support has kept me balanced. My teachers are my mentors and role models, who have always encouraged me. Their kindness and empathy towards their students have inspired me to become a well-rounded person and follow in their footsteps. Their impact goes way beyond tests and assignments, and I am grateful for their lasting influence on my life.”
Speaking on behalf of Winston High School, Principal Terry Braman said, “I was beyond proud to get the call that Ishita won this scholarship. She is an incredible young woman who has worked very hard to achieve something of this nature. I know that she is headed towards a great future and I can’t wait to see it all come to fruition. We will be sad to see Ishita leave, I am proud to call her a Wildcat!”
Enjoying her time at Winston High School, as the final few months of high school approach, Ishita is looking forward to the future. “I am excited to take the first step toward achieving my goals and gain new experiences at the University of Saskatchewan. Having the opportunity to enrol in university is an experience like no other. I know I will learn and grow every day and will take my past experiences and build upon them.”
*photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
Awarded based on academics, leadership and contributions to school and community life, a Gr. 12 student at Winston High School has received the University of Saskatchewan’s highest valued renewable entrance scholarship.
Planning to take a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences at the U of S, Ishita Sharma applied for and was awarded a Best and Brightest Entrance Scholarship. Valued at $24,000 ($6,000 per year over four years), Sharma was elated when she found out she had been selected. “I had goosebumps and could not hold back my joy! It was a huge surprise as I was unaware I would be receiving this until the representative arrived at the school. It took me a long time to register what had truly happened, and I was extremely proud to represent my school and community on a larger scale.”
With tremendous dedication and hard work academically while immersing herself within the community through volunteering, entering her Gr. 12 year, Sharma thought she would apply for the scholarship. Required to demonstrate leadership skills and contributions to her school and community, Ishita detailed her volunteering experiences in Watrous and the various activities she participated in at school. Writing about the journey that shaped and influenced her personality, Sharma indicated the application for the scholarship was “an engaging process that required commitment and time.”
After completing her application and sending it away, Sharma was not only thrilled when she had been chosen but said the U of S scholarship provides her with further motivation. “This will help financially as I will now be able to solely focus on my education full-time. It will also ease the transition from high school to college although there is always uncertainties with any new experience.”
Interested in the field of Biomedical Sciences, Ishita is eager to learn more about the structure and functions of the body. “It provides me with an opportunity to learn continuously and will challenge me, allowing me to grow further and think critically. I will learn about healthcare advancements and have opportunities to participate in research that opens many doors in the future. I get to be an active participant in medical research to have a tangible impact on people’s lives.”
Citing her passion for healthcare started at a young age when she began volunteering at Manitou Lodge, she also watched as her parents provided medical services for many within the local area. “The sense of fulfillment and satisfaction I saw in their eyes solidified my desire to work in healthcare.”
With a strong passion to help others, along the way, the daughter of Dr. Chander Sharma and Dr. Kavita Choudhary shared she has been fortunate to receive tremendous support from family, teachers and friends.
“My parents and grandparents have always been my pillar of support. They have guided me to be true to myself and always supported me. My friends have been there for me through thick and thin. Their unspoken and unwavering support has kept me balanced. My teachers are my mentors and role models, who have always encouraged me. Their kindness and empathy towards their students have inspired me to become a well-rounded person and follow in their footsteps. Their impact goes way beyond tests and assignments, and I am grateful for their lasting influence on my life.”
Speaking on behalf of Winston High School, Principal Terry Braman said, “I was beyond proud to get the call that Ishita won this scholarship. She is an incredible young woman who has worked very hard to achieve something of this nature. I know that she is headed towards a great future and I can’t wait to see it all come to fruition. We will be sad to see Ishita leave, I am proud to call her a Wildcat!”
Enjoying her time at Winston High School, as the final few months of high school approach, Ishita is looking forward to the future. “I am excited to take the first step toward achieving my goals and gain new experiences at the University of Saskatchewan. Having the opportunity to enrol in university is an experience like no other. I know I will learn and grow every day and will take my past experiences and build upon them.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 22, 2024
SaskPower selects Burns & McDonnell to build Aspen Power Station
media release and photo courtesy SaskPower
SaskPower has selected Burns & McDonnell to be its engineer, procure and construct (EPC) partner for the Aspen Power Station project, which will be built in the Lanigan area. The 370-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle turbine natural gas facility is expected to come online in 2027.
In a media release, SaskPower stated Burns & McDonnell, which was selected via a competitive procurement process, brings a wealth of experience to the project having already worked with SaskPower as EPC partner for both the Chinook and Great Plains Power Stations.
“We are pleased to work with Burns & McDonnell on another combined-cycle natural gas facility that will provide reliable power for our province,” said Dustin Duncan, Minister Responsible for SaskPower. “Aspen marks the third major natural gas facility to break ground in the last eight years, with a combined total of 1,100 additional megawatts of generation needed to power our growing province. The Aspen Power Station will also play a critical role during our energy transition in ensuring that SaskPower has sufficient generating capacity when renewables like wind and solar are unavailable.”
With construction on Aspen set to begin this spring, SaskPower and Burns & McDonnell will soon hold outreach sessions for local contractors and suppliers to learn what opportunities are available. Vendors interested in providing services for this project are encouraged to reach out to Burns & McDonnell directly as well.
“Participation from local and Indigenous companies, contractors and workers has been critically important in helping build Great Plains Power Station in Moose Jaw,” said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President and CEO. “We are committed to achieving the same or a higher level of local and Indigenous support on the Aspen Power Station Project.”
SaskPower continues to diversify and grow its power system to meet the needs of its customers while working toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This includes a buildout of up to 3,000 MW of wind and solar capacity by 2035.
Once constructed, the new Aspen Power Station will provide enough power for about 370,000 homes in Saskatchewan while supporting renewable power generation and the transition away from conventional coal.
To connect the new Aspen Power Station to the power grid, SaskPower will build a new 230-kilovolt (kV) line. The line which will be about three kilometres will connect from the existing Wolverine Switching Station located directly west.
Following the groundbreaking at the site of the new power station Apr. 12, work will commence with the station to be fully constructed in 2027.
media release and photo courtesy SaskPower
SaskPower has selected Burns & McDonnell to be its engineer, procure and construct (EPC) partner for the Aspen Power Station project, which will be built in the Lanigan area. The 370-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle turbine natural gas facility is expected to come online in 2027.
In a media release, SaskPower stated Burns & McDonnell, which was selected via a competitive procurement process, brings a wealth of experience to the project having already worked with SaskPower as EPC partner for both the Chinook and Great Plains Power Stations.
“We are pleased to work with Burns & McDonnell on another combined-cycle natural gas facility that will provide reliable power for our province,” said Dustin Duncan, Minister Responsible for SaskPower. “Aspen marks the third major natural gas facility to break ground in the last eight years, with a combined total of 1,100 additional megawatts of generation needed to power our growing province. The Aspen Power Station will also play a critical role during our energy transition in ensuring that SaskPower has sufficient generating capacity when renewables like wind and solar are unavailable.”
With construction on Aspen set to begin this spring, SaskPower and Burns & McDonnell will soon hold outreach sessions for local contractors and suppliers to learn what opportunities are available. Vendors interested in providing services for this project are encouraged to reach out to Burns & McDonnell directly as well.
“Participation from local and Indigenous companies, contractors and workers has been critically important in helping build Great Plains Power Station in Moose Jaw,” said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President and CEO. “We are committed to achieving the same or a higher level of local and Indigenous support on the Aspen Power Station Project.”
SaskPower continues to diversify and grow its power system to meet the needs of its customers while working toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This includes a buildout of up to 3,000 MW of wind and solar capacity by 2035.
Once constructed, the new Aspen Power Station will provide enough power for about 370,000 homes in Saskatchewan while supporting renewable power generation and the transition away from conventional coal.
To connect the new Aspen Power Station to the power grid, SaskPower will build a new 230-kilovolt (kV) line. The line which will be about three kilometres will connect from the existing Wolverine Switching Station located directly west.
Following the groundbreaking at the site of the new power station Apr. 12, work will commence with the station to be fully constructed in 2027.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 15, 2024
Do-Gooders leave lasting legacy
Daniel Bushman
*photo submitted
What first started out as a way of doing something good for their community and with a motto of not doing any work, fast forward two decades later and with over a dozen members, the Watrous Do-Gooders invested nearly $17,000 into local projects and beneficial causes.
After noticing a number of middle-aged ladies like herself in church one day, Watrous resident Joan Harding wanted to create an opportunity where like-minded women could get together, fellowship and benefit the community. Making some phone calls, Harding garnered enough interest and with five others, the Do-Gooders were formed in March 1999.
Gathering for a potluck every second Tuesday of the month, the non-denominational Do-Gooders decided to each donate $10 - whether present or not - to a worthy project. With Elma Klassen, Dorothy Smith, Florence Lamont, Shirley McRae, and Barb Potts joining Harding, after a few months the ladies moved from potlucks to eating at local area restaurants.
Despite being a smaller group, the monthly monetary pot continued to grow and soon the Do-Gooders chose to have a sign created for the Watrous United Church as its first project. From there, and with some thought, the Do-Gooders pooled their funds together for a flower bed and a directory at the cemetery.
“Steve Schmidt from Watrous was called upon and we explained our wishes,” shared Harding of the task. “We stood back and watched him work his wonders. We decided that we could plant and care for the flowers and updating the directory followed.”
As each year went by, the group, the funds and the list of projects kept growing. By 2017, members numbered 13, meeting every second Tuesday of the month for lunch. By that time, they had accumulated $14,430 and dispersed $12,631.52 of it.
“We enjoy helping out in the community and it is fun to get together once a month,” Harding said during a 2017 interview with The Watrous Manitou. “We pay for our own meals and donate $10 each before we leave. I thought it is an easy way for us to put aside a bit of money and use it for good things.”
Betty Carlson, who was a member of the Do-Gooders also shared it was hard to believe how much money they had been able to raise over the years. “That has translated into various benefits for Watrous and its residents.”
As time marched on and projects got done, the fellowship aspect remained a big part of the group. While some of the members have since passed away, Harding said those who are still able to gather never forget the ones who are no longer there. “We had a good group of ladies over the years and we miss the ones who have passed away or who are unable to attend. It was a lot of fun to get together and we still enjoy gathering with those who are able.”
Looking back over the years, as the Do-Gooders marked 20 years in 2019, Harding was pleased with how the idea back in 1999 came to fruition. “We started out wanting to help our community while not doing any work and I think we accomplished that.”
With a total of $16,041.41 invested into the local area throughout the duration of the Do-Gooders, Harding shared what that all included:
• the Watrous United Church sign (1999);
• flower planters (2001), a directory (2003) and metal directory sign (2004) at the Watrous Cemetery;
• chairs for Mandal House (2005);
• sun shade at the Watrous Swimming Pool (2006);
• a gaming console at Manitou Lodge (2008);
• signage, lighting and landscaping at the Wheatland Regional Library Watrous Branch (2010);
• dishes for the Town of Watrous (2010 and 2011);
• bench and directory border at the Watrous Cemetery (2011);
• painting for Manitou Lodge (2012);
• visitor signage in the players’ box at Watrous Centennial Arena (2012);
• brooms and sliders at the Watrous Curling Rink (2013);
• donation towards the Watrous Elementary School playground equipment (2014);
• landscaping at the Wheatland Regional Library Watrous Branch (2014);
• Watrous First Responders jackets (2016);
• a 46 inch television for Manitou Lodge (2016);
• coffee butlers for the Winston High School’s senior tea (2016);
• a barbecue for Manitou Lodge (2018);
• dishes for the Watrous Seniors Centre (2018);
• donation to the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre (2018);
• supporting Watrous Fire Fighters demonstration (2018);
• fountain at the Watrous Cemetery (2019); and
• donation to Memory Board (2020).
“We sincerely appreciate Steve Schmidt, Michael Gaudet, Frank Woiden, CIC Electric, Butch Monk, Ron Ediger, and the Town of Watrous staff for all of their help over the years. With each project, we just extended our needs and wishes and it was done.”
Harding said the experience of helping the community was great but as the group grew older, they concluded it was time to step away. “A few years ago we felt the flower bed at the cemetery was becoming a job so with the help of Steve, Michael and Watrous Town Council, we redesigned the flower bed to become a water fountain. Once that was completed and after 21 years and nearly $17,000 invested into our community, we felt our job was done.”
While the Do-Gooders decided it was time to retire, their legacy and kindness carries on. Their generosity can be found within the community through a variety of completed projects and initiatives. And while they no longer do anymore projects, Harding said those who are able still meet once a month. “But only for lunch and fellowship.”
Members of the Do-Gooders since the group’s inception include: Joan Harding, Carol Gross, Eleanor Allan, Mae Ravndahl, Thelma Sather, Beth Martin, Betty Carlson, Margaret Learned, Pat Isherwood, Iris Woods, Jan Mitchell, Bev Bradbeer, Mary Oakes, Joan Hanson, Jean Hanson, Rita Allin, Sylvia Dubeczy and Sylvia Falkowsky.
Daniel Bushman
*photo submitted
What first started out as a way of doing something good for their community and with a motto of not doing any work, fast forward two decades later and with over a dozen members, the Watrous Do-Gooders invested nearly $17,000 into local projects and beneficial causes.
After noticing a number of middle-aged ladies like herself in church one day, Watrous resident Joan Harding wanted to create an opportunity where like-minded women could get together, fellowship and benefit the community. Making some phone calls, Harding garnered enough interest and with five others, the Do-Gooders were formed in March 1999.
Gathering for a potluck every second Tuesday of the month, the non-denominational Do-Gooders decided to each donate $10 - whether present or not - to a worthy project. With Elma Klassen, Dorothy Smith, Florence Lamont, Shirley McRae, and Barb Potts joining Harding, after a few months the ladies moved from potlucks to eating at local area restaurants.
Despite being a smaller group, the monthly monetary pot continued to grow and soon the Do-Gooders chose to have a sign created for the Watrous United Church as its first project. From there, and with some thought, the Do-Gooders pooled their funds together for a flower bed and a directory at the cemetery.
“Steve Schmidt from Watrous was called upon and we explained our wishes,” shared Harding of the task. “We stood back and watched him work his wonders. We decided that we could plant and care for the flowers and updating the directory followed.”
As each year went by, the group, the funds and the list of projects kept growing. By 2017, members numbered 13, meeting every second Tuesday of the month for lunch. By that time, they had accumulated $14,430 and dispersed $12,631.52 of it.
“We enjoy helping out in the community and it is fun to get together once a month,” Harding said during a 2017 interview with The Watrous Manitou. “We pay for our own meals and donate $10 each before we leave. I thought it is an easy way for us to put aside a bit of money and use it for good things.”
Betty Carlson, who was a member of the Do-Gooders also shared it was hard to believe how much money they had been able to raise over the years. “That has translated into various benefits for Watrous and its residents.”
As time marched on and projects got done, the fellowship aspect remained a big part of the group. While some of the members have since passed away, Harding said those who are still able to gather never forget the ones who are no longer there. “We had a good group of ladies over the years and we miss the ones who have passed away or who are unable to attend. It was a lot of fun to get together and we still enjoy gathering with those who are able.”
Looking back over the years, as the Do-Gooders marked 20 years in 2019, Harding was pleased with how the idea back in 1999 came to fruition. “We started out wanting to help our community while not doing any work and I think we accomplished that.”
With a total of $16,041.41 invested into the local area throughout the duration of the Do-Gooders, Harding shared what that all included:
• the Watrous United Church sign (1999);
• flower planters (2001), a directory (2003) and metal directory sign (2004) at the Watrous Cemetery;
• chairs for Mandal House (2005);
• sun shade at the Watrous Swimming Pool (2006);
• a gaming console at Manitou Lodge (2008);
• signage, lighting and landscaping at the Wheatland Regional Library Watrous Branch (2010);
• dishes for the Town of Watrous (2010 and 2011);
• bench and directory border at the Watrous Cemetery (2011);
• painting for Manitou Lodge (2012);
• visitor signage in the players’ box at Watrous Centennial Arena (2012);
• brooms and sliders at the Watrous Curling Rink (2013);
• donation towards the Watrous Elementary School playground equipment (2014);
• landscaping at the Wheatland Regional Library Watrous Branch (2014);
• Watrous First Responders jackets (2016);
• a 46 inch television for Manitou Lodge (2016);
• coffee butlers for the Winston High School’s senior tea (2016);
• a barbecue for Manitou Lodge (2018);
• dishes for the Watrous Seniors Centre (2018);
• donation to the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre (2018);
• supporting Watrous Fire Fighters demonstration (2018);
• fountain at the Watrous Cemetery (2019); and
• donation to Memory Board (2020).
“We sincerely appreciate Steve Schmidt, Michael Gaudet, Frank Woiden, CIC Electric, Butch Monk, Ron Ediger, and the Town of Watrous staff for all of their help over the years. With each project, we just extended our needs and wishes and it was done.”
Harding said the experience of helping the community was great but as the group grew older, they concluded it was time to step away. “A few years ago we felt the flower bed at the cemetery was becoming a job so with the help of Steve, Michael and Watrous Town Council, we redesigned the flower bed to become a water fountain. Once that was completed and after 21 years and nearly $17,000 invested into our community, we felt our job was done.”
While the Do-Gooders decided it was time to retire, their legacy and kindness carries on. Their generosity can be found within the community through a variety of completed projects and initiatives. And while they no longer do anymore projects, Harding said those who are able still meet once a month. “But only for lunch and fellowship.”
Members of the Do-Gooders since the group’s inception include: Joan Harding, Carol Gross, Eleanor Allan, Mae Ravndahl, Thelma Sather, Beth Martin, Betty Carlson, Margaret Learned, Pat Isherwood, Iris Woods, Jan Mitchell, Bev Bradbeer, Mary Oakes, Joan Hanson, Jean Hanson, Rita Allin, Sylvia Dubeczy and Sylvia Falkowsky.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 8, 2024
Passion for music earns multiple SCMA nominations for local resident
Daniel Bushman
With a love for writing, mixing and even playing music while working with award winning talent, it should come as no surprise that Aspen Beveridge and SkullCreek Studios out of Watrous has been nominated for a number of prestigious awards.
Already a Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Awards nominee in 2022 and 2023 for Recording Studio of the Year, in 2024, Beveridge and SkullCreek Studios have been spotted in multiple categories. Nominated under Songwriter of the Year with Berk Jodoin for Aces & 8’s, Beveridge received two nominations for Record Producer of the Year, one with Jodoin for Aces & 8’s and the other for Drink Me a Lullaby performed by Joshua Stumpf. And for a third straight year, SkullCreek Studios found itself under the Recording Studio of the Year category.
With the 35th annual SCMA Awards ceremony being held in Lloydminster June 22, Beveridge was pleased to be recognized once again but remains focused on creating music and connecting with his clients. “I appreciate being nominated but I am really busy doing my own thing. My priority is to make the people I work with satisfied with what the end product is so it is not too much about the awards, but they are nice.”
Since relocating his studio from Saskatoon to Watrous during the summer of 2022, Beveridge has been amped up at the response of those who utilize his talents. Mixing, writing and recording music in his upstairs studio on the west side of Watrous, the home’s angled walls cater to the acoustics while the overall space provides the perfect ambiance.
“When my wife and I started to look for a place to live, Watrous checked off all the right boxes,” shared the 38-year-old owner of the unique studio. Mix in an area known for its arts and having a prior connection to Watrous with family who used to reside in the community, Aspen felt supported right from the outset.
“There was just that collaborative and art type vibe about Watrous and Manitou Beach. With an art gallery, music festivals, Danceland, and the beach nearby, we just really felt it was a good place to put down roots.”
A passion for music right from a young age and the ability to connect with artists of all genres, the former youth worker has settled into his small town surroundings nicely. That includes those who make the trek to Watrous to record music as well. The welcoming atmosphere aided by the hospitality from his parents are not lost on his guests. Having a living room filled with people is not an uncommon sight at the Beveridge residence nor is the relaxing atmosphere in his upstairs studio.
Welcoming talent like Leot Hanson, formerly of the Sheepdogs and Eliza Doyle, who used to be with Dead South, among others, Aspen aims to have them feel right at home. Creating a trust between the artist and himself, that is Beveridge’s favourite part of recording and mixing music. “When that trust has been built and we are comfortable around each other, I can tell that they feel free just trying anything and that is when the magic happens. I think when people are comfortable, they are more confident, they perform better and are more open and that is when I think the creativity has room to grow.”
Just judging by the accolades Beveridge and SkullCreek Studios have already received and the awards won by some of those he has worked with, it is no wonder why more and more people are seeking Beveridge’s talents. That includes Doyle, who a few years ago contacted Aspen out of the blue. “She recorded an entire album in Nashville and asked me to mix her album,” shared Aspen who was honoured to be thought of. “She came to Watrous and stayed here at least a week and then came back another time for another few days and we mixed the whole thing together.”
Beveridge, who has studied music and plays it as well also credits the small town feel and the quiet setting as another drawing card for many artists, some making the trip from as far away as Alberta and B.C. Continuing to build upon those relationships and his own experiences, Aspen has really enjoyed watching the process of seeing each project come together. “For many years it was really difficult but getting the right gear, learning how to use it, knowing what the buttons do, it takes a little while. But these days there is not much stress, just enjoyable and challenging.”
Daniel Bushman
With a love for writing, mixing and even playing music while working with award winning talent, it should come as no surprise that Aspen Beveridge and SkullCreek Studios out of Watrous has been nominated for a number of prestigious awards.
Already a Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Awards nominee in 2022 and 2023 for Recording Studio of the Year, in 2024, Beveridge and SkullCreek Studios have been spotted in multiple categories. Nominated under Songwriter of the Year with Berk Jodoin for Aces & 8’s, Beveridge received two nominations for Record Producer of the Year, one with Jodoin for Aces & 8’s and the other for Drink Me a Lullaby performed by Joshua Stumpf. And for a third straight year, SkullCreek Studios found itself under the Recording Studio of the Year category.
With the 35th annual SCMA Awards ceremony being held in Lloydminster June 22, Beveridge was pleased to be recognized once again but remains focused on creating music and connecting with his clients. “I appreciate being nominated but I am really busy doing my own thing. My priority is to make the people I work with satisfied with what the end product is so it is not too much about the awards, but they are nice.”
Since relocating his studio from Saskatoon to Watrous during the summer of 2022, Beveridge has been amped up at the response of those who utilize his talents. Mixing, writing and recording music in his upstairs studio on the west side of Watrous, the home’s angled walls cater to the acoustics while the overall space provides the perfect ambiance.
“When my wife and I started to look for a place to live, Watrous checked off all the right boxes,” shared the 38-year-old owner of the unique studio. Mix in an area known for its arts and having a prior connection to Watrous with family who used to reside in the community, Aspen felt supported right from the outset.
“There was just that collaborative and art type vibe about Watrous and Manitou Beach. With an art gallery, music festivals, Danceland, and the beach nearby, we just really felt it was a good place to put down roots.”
A passion for music right from a young age and the ability to connect with artists of all genres, the former youth worker has settled into his small town surroundings nicely. That includes those who make the trek to Watrous to record music as well. The welcoming atmosphere aided by the hospitality from his parents are not lost on his guests. Having a living room filled with people is not an uncommon sight at the Beveridge residence nor is the relaxing atmosphere in his upstairs studio.
Welcoming talent like Leot Hanson, formerly of the Sheepdogs and Eliza Doyle, who used to be with Dead South, among others, Aspen aims to have them feel right at home. Creating a trust between the artist and himself, that is Beveridge’s favourite part of recording and mixing music. “When that trust has been built and we are comfortable around each other, I can tell that they feel free just trying anything and that is when the magic happens. I think when people are comfortable, they are more confident, they perform better and are more open and that is when I think the creativity has room to grow.”
Just judging by the accolades Beveridge and SkullCreek Studios have already received and the awards won by some of those he has worked with, it is no wonder why more and more people are seeking Beveridge’s talents. That includes Doyle, who a few years ago contacted Aspen out of the blue. “She recorded an entire album in Nashville and asked me to mix her album,” shared Aspen who was honoured to be thought of. “She came to Watrous and stayed here at least a week and then came back another time for another few days and we mixed the whole thing together.”
Beveridge, who has studied music and plays it as well also credits the small town feel and the quiet setting as another drawing card for many artists, some making the trip from as far away as Alberta and B.C. Continuing to build upon those relationships and his own experiences, Aspen has really enjoyed watching the process of seeing each project come together. “For many years it was really difficult but getting the right gear, learning how to use it, knowing what the buttons do, it takes a little while. But these days there is not much stress, just enjoyable and challenging.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 1, 2024
Harpauer delivers her final budget
Daniel Bushman
With record investments made in school operating funding, health funding and municipal revenue sharing, Humboldt Watrous MLA, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer delivered her final budget before leaving office come the next provincial election.
Unveiling her seventh budget during her tenure as Finance Minister, Harpauer said, “Saskatchewan is growing at its fastest pace in more than a century and will reach 1.25 million people sometime this year. This budget addresses the challenges of a growing province by reinvesting the benefits of growth in the areas that matter most to Saskatchewan people - education, health and our communities.”
In the tabled budget, Harpauer noted no new taxes or increases were made, continuing with more than $2 billion in previously announced tax reductions and other affordability measures while removing the federal carbon tax on home heating.
According to the numbers, the $19.9 billion revenue forecast for the 2024-‘25 Budget is up $184.2 million from last year. The increase is primarily due to growth in all revenue categories, except non-renewable resources largely due to the moderation of potash prices.
Total expense is projected at $20.1 billion in the 2024-‘25 Budget, an increase of $1.5 billion, or 7.9 percent over last year’s budget. The 2024-‘25 Budget has a projected deficit of $273.2 million, but is expected to return to a surplus position in 2025-‘26 due to increasing revenues driven by a growing population, labour force and economy.
Spending months preparing for the budget and reflecting back nearly a week after it was tabled, Harpauer said, “It is always a busy day and you don’t have time to dwell on it being the last budget. I would have liked to have introduced a balanced budget for my last budget but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. It has a slight deficit. It is modest and we are quite confident it will balance next year.”
Despite not unveiling a balanced budget as she would have preferred, Harpauer did share having her family in attendance made it a memorable one. “It was so exciting and last year with this budget, I thought my family was as large as it would be for the next number of years. This year there was a little miracle baby that I got to introduce. My one daughter was told she would not be able to have children and she successfully delivered the most beautiful little baby girl who was eight days old and in the assembly on budget day. I have to say I was one proud grandma.”
As for the budget itself, Harpauer explained she put an emphasis on education and health care expenditures. “It needed to be done, we are a growing province. We have more kids in our classrooms and we have more people going through the doors of our health care facilities and needing services.”
With a record investment of $3.3 billion for the Ministry of Education, up 8.1 percent over last year’s budget, it was an increase of $247.8 million. As part of that, Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions will receive $2.2 billion in school operating funding for the 2024-‘25 school year - a record increase of $180 million, or 8.8 percent, over the previous year.
“Overall, this budget provides $356.6 million in classroom supports, which is up $45.6 million over last year and is a significant commitment to address classroom size and complexity. This includes funding the Teacher Innovation and Support Fund Pilot and the Specialized Support Classrooms Pilot to help provide better student and teacher experiences.”
The budget invests $216 million for Prekindergarten to Grade 12 education capital projects, an increase of 41.8 percent over last year. This includes ongoing funding for 11 projects including the new Lanigan school and three major renovations currently underway across Saskatchewan, as well as funding for planning nine new schools and two renovations.
For Horizon School Division, Harpauer said the division received a 7.6 percent increase in funding, bringing its total budget to $87.05 million along with a projected 0.7 percent increase in student enrollment.
Having the largest-ever increase in health care funding, this year’s Ministry of Health budget is $7.59 billion, an increase of $726.4 million, or 10.6 percent, over the previous year. The Saskatchewan Health Authority will receive a $248.3 million, or a 5.6 percent increase for a total highest-ever budget of $4.68 billion.
Harpauer said the budget will increase patient access to primary and community-based care, supporting Saskatchewan residents in receiving care closer to home and alleviating pressures on the acute care system through investments totaling $59.4 million.
This year’s Health budget will receive a $29.2 million increase for the Health Human Resources Action Plan, including $11.6 million to fully fund the commitment to add 250 new or enhanced permanent full-time positions in rural and remote locations. A $6.7 million investment for the Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive will fund existing recipients of the program and extend the initiative for another year.
With incentives in place and the increase in funding, Harpauer feels the action plan is making headway. “It is taking time but it is working and we are getting those positions filled so we can add more services in our rural facilities.”
Locally, the Deputy Premier noted Watrous is in a much better place right now for health care providers while they are still looking to fill some positions in Lanigan.
When it comes to Municipal Revenue Sharing, Harpauer shared it also is at an all-time high. For the Town of Lanigan, she explained they will see an increase of 14.45 percent in their municipal revenue sharing bringing the government’s contribution to $398,573. For the Town of Watrous, Harpauer said there will be a 14.47 percent increase, bringing their revenue sharing in the budget to $511,753.
While there is no real major infrastructure announcements contained in the budget for Lanigan and Watrous, Harpauer said the new school being built in Lanigan continues to come together.
As for childcare, Harpauer explained there is a number of spaces in development that will be supported in the budget. “That is 30 spaces in Lanigan and the funding will be there to continue to find a provider and space. In Watrous it is 26 more spaces that we are trying to develop there.”
Understanding not everyone will be happy with the budget and while it did not end up being balanced as she had hoped, Harpauer is optimistic for the future. “This budget is going to display that there is quite a decrease in our potash revenues and then subsequently the corporate income tax; however, it means we don’t have the massive surplus that we can invest in bringing down our debt. But it is levels that are more historically normal which is still strong revenues that we rely on for those services. This budget that I am projecting is more of a historic normal with growth and I see that growth continuing going forward.”
Hoping people are able to find something in the budget that works for them, when asked what her favourite budget was to deliver during her tenure as Finance Minister of Saskatchewan, she said it was one that ended up not getting tabled. “The budget we had prepared and were going to table was the day the pandemic was declared. It was so solid and it was balanced and had a substantial surplus. Of course the pandemic was declared and everything went south from there.”
Despite not receiving the opportunity to present that budget a few years ago, reflecting back on her career, one of the things that has stuck out is the support she’s received from each of the premiers she has served with.
“I have served under really incredible leaders starting with Elwin Hermanson and then Lyle Stewart was an interim, then Brad Wall, and now Scott Moe. They were all extremely different but they were the right leader at the right time. I have been so blessed to be able to serve with them and I have learned so much from them. I have admired them a great deal.”
With Harpauer’s time in politics coming to a conclusion later this year after electing not to run again, the longest serving female cabinet minister in Canada said overall it has been a rewarding and surprising experience. “I am still not comfortable with the term Honourable, I am just Donna when I am out and about in my constituency. It has been my home for so many years. I have said this so many times, I am a politician that happens to be a woman and I just enjoy listening to people and doing my best. I can’t solve every problem and I will never deliver a perfect budget but I do my best and I have enjoyed my years.”
Daniel Bushman
With record investments made in school operating funding, health funding and municipal revenue sharing, Humboldt Watrous MLA, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer delivered her final budget before leaving office come the next provincial election.
Unveiling her seventh budget during her tenure as Finance Minister, Harpauer said, “Saskatchewan is growing at its fastest pace in more than a century and will reach 1.25 million people sometime this year. This budget addresses the challenges of a growing province by reinvesting the benefits of growth in the areas that matter most to Saskatchewan people - education, health and our communities.”
In the tabled budget, Harpauer noted no new taxes or increases were made, continuing with more than $2 billion in previously announced tax reductions and other affordability measures while removing the federal carbon tax on home heating.
According to the numbers, the $19.9 billion revenue forecast for the 2024-‘25 Budget is up $184.2 million from last year. The increase is primarily due to growth in all revenue categories, except non-renewable resources largely due to the moderation of potash prices.
Total expense is projected at $20.1 billion in the 2024-‘25 Budget, an increase of $1.5 billion, or 7.9 percent over last year’s budget. The 2024-‘25 Budget has a projected deficit of $273.2 million, but is expected to return to a surplus position in 2025-‘26 due to increasing revenues driven by a growing population, labour force and economy.
Spending months preparing for the budget and reflecting back nearly a week after it was tabled, Harpauer said, “It is always a busy day and you don’t have time to dwell on it being the last budget. I would have liked to have introduced a balanced budget for my last budget but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. It has a slight deficit. It is modest and we are quite confident it will balance next year.”
Despite not unveiling a balanced budget as she would have preferred, Harpauer did share having her family in attendance made it a memorable one. “It was so exciting and last year with this budget, I thought my family was as large as it would be for the next number of years. This year there was a little miracle baby that I got to introduce. My one daughter was told she would not be able to have children and she successfully delivered the most beautiful little baby girl who was eight days old and in the assembly on budget day. I have to say I was one proud grandma.”
As for the budget itself, Harpauer explained she put an emphasis on education and health care expenditures. “It needed to be done, we are a growing province. We have more kids in our classrooms and we have more people going through the doors of our health care facilities and needing services.”
With a record investment of $3.3 billion for the Ministry of Education, up 8.1 percent over last year’s budget, it was an increase of $247.8 million. As part of that, Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions will receive $2.2 billion in school operating funding for the 2024-‘25 school year - a record increase of $180 million, or 8.8 percent, over the previous year.
“Overall, this budget provides $356.6 million in classroom supports, which is up $45.6 million over last year and is a significant commitment to address classroom size and complexity. This includes funding the Teacher Innovation and Support Fund Pilot and the Specialized Support Classrooms Pilot to help provide better student and teacher experiences.”
The budget invests $216 million for Prekindergarten to Grade 12 education capital projects, an increase of 41.8 percent over last year. This includes ongoing funding for 11 projects including the new Lanigan school and three major renovations currently underway across Saskatchewan, as well as funding for planning nine new schools and two renovations.
For Horizon School Division, Harpauer said the division received a 7.6 percent increase in funding, bringing its total budget to $87.05 million along with a projected 0.7 percent increase in student enrollment.
Having the largest-ever increase in health care funding, this year’s Ministry of Health budget is $7.59 billion, an increase of $726.4 million, or 10.6 percent, over the previous year. The Saskatchewan Health Authority will receive a $248.3 million, or a 5.6 percent increase for a total highest-ever budget of $4.68 billion.
Harpauer said the budget will increase patient access to primary and community-based care, supporting Saskatchewan residents in receiving care closer to home and alleviating pressures on the acute care system through investments totaling $59.4 million.
This year’s Health budget will receive a $29.2 million increase for the Health Human Resources Action Plan, including $11.6 million to fully fund the commitment to add 250 new or enhanced permanent full-time positions in rural and remote locations. A $6.7 million investment for the Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive will fund existing recipients of the program and extend the initiative for another year.
With incentives in place and the increase in funding, Harpauer feels the action plan is making headway. “It is taking time but it is working and we are getting those positions filled so we can add more services in our rural facilities.”
Locally, the Deputy Premier noted Watrous is in a much better place right now for health care providers while they are still looking to fill some positions in Lanigan.
When it comes to Municipal Revenue Sharing, Harpauer shared it also is at an all-time high. For the Town of Lanigan, she explained they will see an increase of 14.45 percent in their municipal revenue sharing bringing the government’s contribution to $398,573. For the Town of Watrous, Harpauer said there will be a 14.47 percent increase, bringing their revenue sharing in the budget to $511,753.
While there is no real major infrastructure announcements contained in the budget for Lanigan and Watrous, Harpauer said the new school being built in Lanigan continues to come together.
As for childcare, Harpauer explained there is a number of spaces in development that will be supported in the budget. “That is 30 spaces in Lanigan and the funding will be there to continue to find a provider and space. In Watrous it is 26 more spaces that we are trying to develop there.”
Understanding not everyone will be happy with the budget and while it did not end up being balanced as she had hoped, Harpauer is optimistic for the future. “This budget is going to display that there is quite a decrease in our potash revenues and then subsequently the corporate income tax; however, it means we don’t have the massive surplus that we can invest in bringing down our debt. But it is levels that are more historically normal which is still strong revenues that we rely on for those services. This budget that I am projecting is more of a historic normal with growth and I see that growth continuing going forward.”
Hoping people are able to find something in the budget that works for them, when asked what her favourite budget was to deliver during her tenure as Finance Minister of Saskatchewan, she said it was one that ended up not getting tabled. “The budget we had prepared and were going to table was the day the pandemic was declared. It was so solid and it was balanced and had a substantial surplus. Of course the pandemic was declared and everything went south from there.”
Despite not receiving the opportunity to present that budget a few years ago, reflecting back on her career, one of the things that has stuck out is the support she’s received from each of the premiers she has served with.
“I have served under really incredible leaders starting with Elwin Hermanson and then Lyle Stewart was an interim, then Brad Wall, and now Scott Moe. They were all extremely different but they were the right leader at the right time. I have been so blessed to be able to serve with them and I have learned so much from them. I have admired them a great deal.”
With Harpauer’s time in politics coming to a conclusion later this year after electing not to run again, the longest serving female cabinet minister in Canada said overall it has been a rewarding and surprising experience. “I am still not comfortable with the term Honourable, I am just Donna when I am out and about in my constituency. It has been my home for so many years. I have said this so many times, I am a politician that happens to be a woman and I just enjoy listening to people and doing my best. I can’t solve every problem and I will never deliver a perfect budget but I do my best and I have enjoyed my years.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 25, 2024
Former Watrous residents help make Brier a success
* photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
Energetic crowds, an opportunity for history to be made and the home province making the final, the 2024 Montana’s Brier in Regina could not have been scripted much better. With overall attendance pushing past 101,000 during the Mar. 1 to 10 event at the Brandt Centre and Team Saskatchewan reaching the final against highly touted Team Canada, it was a Brier for the ages.
While Saskatchewan got on a roll and swept to within one win of erasing the wheat province’s 44-year championship drought, Team Canada’s skip Brad Gushue, third Mark Nichols and lead Geoff Walker would make their own imprint, earning a third straight Brier championship while tying a Brier record with their sixth overall title.
Wanting to see the national event thrive both on and off the ice, following a successful bid and years of planning, organizers were ready to roll. Two of those people significantly involved with the 2024 Montana’s Brier were former Watrous residents Brendan Manz and Jamie Regier. Manz, who used to be the local Community Development Officer is now part of Tourism Saskatchewan and Regier, who served as the Watrous Curling Club’s ice technician for a number of years is now with CurlSask. With both residing in Regina, the pair were able to directly be a part of the Brier and lend their expertise.
Appointed Vice-Chair of Facilities for the Brier, Manz had the task of overseeing 100 volunteers in areas such as the arena’s rocks and ice, set up and tear down, stats and timers and media. “It was a large portfolio but I have to give all the credit to my Directors in those areas (Garry Schultz, Edd Wisniewski, Larry Manz, Greg Eaket, and Darren Gress). Many of them had previous experience in these roles and were on top of things from the start. I also have to give much love to the staff at Curling Canada. They make the event easy on the host committee and the volunteers, and are experts at running these events across Canada. I was blown away by their organization and professionalism right from the beginning.”
While some of the organizers and volunteers were part of the big event after Regina was named host city, Manz was involved right from day one. During his previous role as Events and Convention Business Development Manager with Economic Development Regina, Manz helped lead the bid to bring the 2024 Brier to Regina. “We began meeting with Curling Canada as far back as April of 2021, in the thralls of the pandemic, discussing the idea of a Brier in 2024. Regina’s bid was submitted in May of 2022 and the event was awarded officially in December, later that year. As I was no longer in that role at EDR by then, I was asked to sit as a co-chair of the host committee.”
Once the Brier found its home for 2024, Manz explained things really kicked into high gear this past fall. “We named our directors, the volunteer portal opened, and Curling Canada and TSN came for a site visit. From there we really focused on working with community partners and the media to build excitement and sell tickets. We were also fortunate to have the Brier Tankard in our possession since October and worked with CurlSask and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame to have it at events across the province. People were excited to see the trophy and get their picture with it.”
Getting closer to March, Manz explained it was a crazy couple of weeks leading up to the Brier as volunteers received their uniforms, media requests were granted and the Brandt Centre had its hockey ice transformed into curling sheets. From the official awarding of the bid to the event itself, Manz said it took about 16 months of hard work. Then once curlers swept into Regina, the co-chair was able to see everything unfold and the hard work pay off.
Leaning on past experiences to help make the Brier a success, Manz credits his many experiences in Watrous-Manitou including helping to run provincial curling events, the RCMP Musical Ride, The Big Float, and the Chainsaw Carving Competition. “They all gave me the experience and confidence to take on such a role at a Brier.”
A curler himself, Manz understands that an event like the Brier and the magnitude it brings can take a village of people to make it come together. “Having been involved with the Watrous Curling Club for so many years, it was great to see people from the area volunteer for the week as well. It was just an overall incredible experience being able to be co-chair of the 2024 Montana’s Brier Host Committee in Regina. I was honoured to work alongside my other co-chairs, Terri Klyne and Shannon England. You couldn’t have scripted a much better result for the host committee. To see Team Saskatchewan make their first Brier final since 1995 and to make a run like that in front of your home crowd was pretty special. The Brier is one of the most iconic annual sporting events we have in Canada and the largest curling event in the world – to be a part of it and see the province support it the way they did – the experience was beyond anything I could have imagined.”
While the final stats will not be available for a few months, all indications are they either exceeded or met revenue and ticket sales targets of those from the 2018 Brier in Regina. “That year it was an incredibly successful event and to meet or exceed those numbers is really a testament to the support we received and the hard work put into the event.”
For the work Manz invested within the event and those of Klyne and England, Curling Canada presented the trio with framed Saskatchewan jerseys signed by all of the curlers at the Brier. “Getting a chance to head down to the ice surface during the fifth end break of the final game, and be acknowledged by 6,000 people was a very special and unexpected moment. The jersey signed by every participant in this year’s Brier is a special keepsake from the event and will have a special place on the wall in our home.”
With a passion for curling right from a young age, Regier was also kept busy leading up to and during the Brier. The Wednesday before the Brier, as teams arrived in Regina, Regier took the trophy to the airport to greet them. “It was set up and a bagpiper was there to welcome some of the teams coming down the escalator. This was very special as the teams worked hard to represent their province.”
Representing CurlSask, Regier was able to connect with teams arriving to the Queen City and during the Brier, talked with Saskatchewan curling clubs about ways to see the sport increase in their communities. “Seeing people come out and support Saskatchewan’s provincial sport was outstanding.”
In addition to his role as Community Development Coordinator, Regier also volunteered as part of the arena, rocks and ice team. Helping to install curling ice sheets at the Brandt Centre, he also readied the arena with carpets, set up scoreboards and advertisement screens and maintained the ice and playing area during and after the draws. “Lots of work was needed,” he shared. “We vacuumed between games, swept ice, cleaned up the snow and changed bumpers at the fifth end break. It was awesome having such an important role of working on the ice during the whole event.”
Being a part of the first-ever Montana’s Brier, Regier said seeing the fans come together to cheer for Team Saskatchewan was a real highlight. “When Saskatchewan was playing, it was electric at the Brandt Centre. When playoffs were on, it was even louder as more seats were filled. It felt like the 2013 Grey Cup when Saskatchewan won. I have never seen it so loud at a Brier before. Seeing Saskatchewan play in the final for the first time since 1995 was epic. They fell short in the final but represented Saskatchewan well.”
With so many fans from across the nation in attendance, Manz agreed with Regier and said the atmosphere during the Brier’s entirety was really special. Add a few upsets during round-robin play to help build excitement throughout the week while watching Saskatchewan march to the top of the standings and it generated quite the buzz. “If you’ve never attended a major curling event live before, it’s unlike any other sport. The facilities at REAL, with the Brier Patch located under the same roof as the venue, also created a really unique visitor experience that other Briers outside of Regina can’t offer. Another unique aspect was having thousands of local school groups be given tickets to morning draws throughout the week. Not only does it expose so many kids to the sport, it made for a loud and fun atmosphere to the morning draws that are typically pretty quiet.”
As both Manz and Regier watched Team Canada win the Brier, having the chance to process the enormity of the event and all it contained, Regier wanted to encourage people to volunteer if ever given the chance. “Being part of the Brier was a great experience. It was fun to volunteer with the ice, as I was an ice technician for 10 years. An opportunity like this doesn’t happen very often and it’s a great opportunity to be a part of. The 2025 BKT Tire World Men’s Curling Championship is coming to Moose Jaw Mar. 29 to Apr. 6, 2025 and there are so many volunteer opportunities for people to sign up for that. It is definitely a great experience.”
For Manz, winning the Brier bid will always be a career highlight for him; however, as a fan of the sport and the players, he noted it was an incredible highlight to meet so many of them. “The event brings together so many past participants and champions who are still involved in the sport. As a “tourism guy”, it is always great to see so many visitors and volunteers travelling from across Canada – and we even had a volunteer from France – all come together and make the event such a celebration. It was also an honour to be part of the first Montana’s Brier. I know we have set the bar high for future cities to replicate the 2024 event.”
* photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
Energetic crowds, an opportunity for history to be made and the home province making the final, the 2024 Montana’s Brier in Regina could not have been scripted much better. With overall attendance pushing past 101,000 during the Mar. 1 to 10 event at the Brandt Centre and Team Saskatchewan reaching the final against highly touted Team Canada, it was a Brier for the ages.
While Saskatchewan got on a roll and swept to within one win of erasing the wheat province’s 44-year championship drought, Team Canada’s skip Brad Gushue, third Mark Nichols and lead Geoff Walker would make their own imprint, earning a third straight Brier championship while tying a Brier record with their sixth overall title.
Wanting to see the national event thrive both on and off the ice, following a successful bid and years of planning, organizers were ready to roll. Two of those people significantly involved with the 2024 Montana’s Brier were former Watrous residents Brendan Manz and Jamie Regier. Manz, who used to be the local Community Development Officer is now part of Tourism Saskatchewan and Regier, who served as the Watrous Curling Club’s ice technician for a number of years is now with CurlSask. With both residing in Regina, the pair were able to directly be a part of the Brier and lend their expertise.
Appointed Vice-Chair of Facilities for the Brier, Manz had the task of overseeing 100 volunteers in areas such as the arena’s rocks and ice, set up and tear down, stats and timers and media. “It was a large portfolio but I have to give all the credit to my Directors in those areas (Garry Schultz, Edd Wisniewski, Larry Manz, Greg Eaket, and Darren Gress). Many of them had previous experience in these roles and were on top of things from the start. I also have to give much love to the staff at Curling Canada. They make the event easy on the host committee and the volunteers, and are experts at running these events across Canada. I was blown away by their organization and professionalism right from the beginning.”
While some of the organizers and volunteers were part of the big event after Regina was named host city, Manz was involved right from day one. During his previous role as Events and Convention Business Development Manager with Economic Development Regina, Manz helped lead the bid to bring the 2024 Brier to Regina. “We began meeting with Curling Canada as far back as April of 2021, in the thralls of the pandemic, discussing the idea of a Brier in 2024. Regina’s bid was submitted in May of 2022 and the event was awarded officially in December, later that year. As I was no longer in that role at EDR by then, I was asked to sit as a co-chair of the host committee.”
Once the Brier found its home for 2024, Manz explained things really kicked into high gear this past fall. “We named our directors, the volunteer portal opened, and Curling Canada and TSN came for a site visit. From there we really focused on working with community partners and the media to build excitement and sell tickets. We were also fortunate to have the Brier Tankard in our possession since October and worked with CurlSask and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame to have it at events across the province. People were excited to see the trophy and get their picture with it.”
Getting closer to March, Manz explained it was a crazy couple of weeks leading up to the Brier as volunteers received their uniforms, media requests were granted and the Brandt Centre had its hockey ice transformed into curling sheets. From the official awarding of the bid to the event itself, Manz said it took about 16 months of hard work. Then once curlers swept into Regina, the co-chair was able to see everything unfold and the hard work pay off.
Leaning on past experiences to help make the Brier a success, Manz credits his many experiences in Watrous-Manitou including helping to run provincial curling events, the RCMP Musical Ride, The Big Float, and the Chainsaw Carving Competition. “They all gave me the experience and confidence to take on such a role at a Brier.”
A curler himself, Manz understands that an event like the Brier and the magnitude it brings can take a village of people to make it come together. “Having been involved with the Watrous Curling Club for so many years, it was great to see people from the area volunteer for the week as well. It was just an overall incredible experience being able to be co-chair of the 2024 Montana’s Brier Host Committee in Regina. I was honoured to work alongside my other co-chairs, Terri Klyne and Shannon England. You couldn’t have scripted a much better result for the host committee. To see Team Saskatchewan make their first Brier final since 1995 and to make a run like that in front of your home crowd was pretty special. The Brier is one of the most iconic annual sporting events we have in Canada and the largest curling event in the world – to be a part of it and see the province support it the way they did – the experience was beyond anything I could have imagined.”
While the final stats will not be available for a few months, all indications are they either exceeded or met revenue and ticket sales targets of those from the 2018 Brier in Regina. “That year it was an incredibly successful event and to meet or exceed those numbers is really a testament to the support we received and the hard work put into the event.”
For the work Manz invested within the event and those of Klyne and England, Curling Canada presented the trio with framed Saskatchewan jerseys signed by all of the curlers at the Brier. “Getting a chance to head down to the ice surface during the fifth end break of the final game, and be acknowledged by 6,000 people was a very special and unexpected moment. The jersey signed by every participant in this year’s Brier is a special keepsake from the event and will have a special place on the wall in our home.”
With a passion for curling right from a young age, Regier was also kept busy leading up to and during the Brier. The Wednesday before the Brier, as teams arrived in Regina, Regier took the trophy to the airport to greet them. “It was set up and a bagpiper was there to welcome some of the teams coming down the escalator. This was very special as the teams worked hard to represent their province.”
Representing CurlSask, Regier was able to connect with teams arriving to the Queen City and during the Brier, talked with Saskatchewan curling clubs about ways to see the sport increase in their communities. “Seeing people come out and support Saskatchewan’s provincial sport was outstanding.”
In addition to his role as Community Development Coordinator, Regier also volunteered as part of the arena, rocks and ice team. Helping to install curling ice sheets at the Brandt Centre, he also readied the arena with carpets, set up scoreboards and advertisement screens and maintained the ice and playing area during and after the draws. “Lots of work was needed,” he shared. “We vacuumed between games, swept ice, cleaned up the snow and changed bumpers at the fifth end break. It was awesome having such an important role of working on the ice during the whole event.”
Being a part of the first-ever Montana’s Brier, Regier said seeing the fans come together to cheer for Team Saskatchewan was a real highlight. “When Saskatchewan was playing, it was electric at the Brandt Centre. When playoffs were on, it was even louder as more seats were filled. It felt like the 2013 Grey Cup when Saskatchewan won. I have never seen it so loud at a Brier before. Seeing Saskatchewan play in the final for the first time since 1995 was epic. They fell short in the final but represented Saskatchewan well.”
With so many fans from across the nation in attendance, Manz agreed with Regier and said the atmosphere during the Brier’s entirety was really special. Add a few upsets during round-robin play to help build excitement throughout the week while watching Saskatchewan march to the top of the standings and it generated quite the buzz. “If you’ve never attended a major curling event live before, it’s unlike any other sport. The facilities at REAL, with the Brier Patch located under the same roof as the venue, also created a really unique visitor experience that other Briers outside of Regina can’t offer. Another unique aspect was having thousands of local school groups be given tickets to morning draws throughout the week. Not only does it expose so many kids to the sport, it made for a loud and fun atmosphere to the morning draws that are typically pretty quiet.”
As both Manz and Regier watched Team Canada win the Brier, having the chance to process the enormity of the event and all it contained, Regier wanted to encourage people to volunteer if ever given the chance. “Being part of the Brier was a great experience. It was fun to volunteer with the ice, as I was an ice technician for 10 years. An opportunity like this doesn’t happen very often and it’s a great opportunity to be a part of. The 2025 BKT Tire World Men’s Curling Championship is coming to Moose Jaw Mar. 29 to Apr. 6, 2025 and there are so many volunteer opportunities for people to sign up for that. It is definitely a great experience.”
For Manz, winning the Brier bid will always be a career highlight for him; however, as a fan of the sport and the players, he noted it was an incredible highlight to meet so many of them. “The event brings together so many past participants and champions who are still involved in the sport. As a “tourism guy”, it is always great to see so many visitors and volunteers travelling from across Canada – and we even had a volunteer from France – all come together and make the event such a celebration. It was also an honour to be part of the first Montana’s Brier. I know we have set the bar high for future cities to replicate the 2024 event.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 18, 2024
Seib collects pair of gold medals at prestigious events
*photo courtesy Glen Miller
Daniel Bushman
Since Warren Seib could first flip his opponent on the judo mats when he was seven years old, the local area athlete’s passion for the sport has fuelled him to become a dedicated and decorated competitor. Earning medals and accolades over the years - even training in Montreal to be on the national team - it was not until the 31-year-old recently took a step back competitively where he found himself with a pair of personal milestones.
Entering the Quebec Open in Montreal this past November and qualifying for the Elite 8 Nationals in Edmonton in January, Seib fought his way to the top, earning gold at both. “It was very rewarding to win,” shared Seib who has competed at both events in the past but never placed first.
Feeling like he underperformed during his earlier days because of the intense hours of work, dedication and pressure he placed upon himself, as this year’s competitions arrived, he took a different approach. “Because I am not fighting as much as I did previously, doing it more for the recreation and love of the sport, I did not put as much pressure on myself. To go out and to be able to win them, even though I am training less, it was bitter-sweet because maybe if I figured that out earlier I could have won when I was younger. I am just really happy I figured it out and got it done now.”
Finishing second and third on a couple of occasions at the Quebec Open, it was through those experiences, including spending six years living and training in Montreal where Seib was able to grow and excel. Qualifying for national events and earning awards along the way, while Warren was never able to quite reach the pinnacle of winning both the Quebec Open and Elite 8 Nationals, that was all about to change.
Starting at the Quebec Open in November, Seib knew what it took to get to the top. No stranger to the event, having attended multiple times over the past decade, the goal of always wanting to win remained. Despite electing to work at his craft less in an effort to complete his Masters in Agriculture Economics at the University of Saskatchewan while also farming, when Seib headed east Nov. 11 to 12, he remained focused on finding success.
“For this tournament, most of the very skilled and competitive people are in and around Montreal and Toronto so the tournament is quite big. If you want to win, I think I had six fights a day, and in judo if you lose one fight normally you can’t make it to the gold medal match.”
With 33 people vying for gold within the same division as Seib, the local athlete battled hard in the Senior Mens -81 kg category (which includes anyone over the age of 21 and also can contain a few 18-year-old competitors). Classified as one of the older fighters, Seib went toe-to-toe with some stiff competition but did not look back. At the end of the day, Warren ensured he was the last one standing and brought home a gold medal for his efforts.
A very rewarding experience overall and with a bit of time to enjoy the victory, it was not long after when Seib got the call to attend the Elite 8 Nationals in Edmonton Jan. 13 to 14. Inviting only the top ranked fighters in the country, Seib’s efforts in Montreal earned him a spot out west. “You don’t have easy fights at that event because everyone there is nationally ranked at the top.”
With athletes from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Seib representing Saskatchewan in his weight category, due to one competitor not being able to attend, the group of seven were placed into two pools. Meeting a pair of fighters he competed against at the Quebec Open, Seib lost his first fight at the Elite 8 on penalties but was able to win the next. Keeping an eye on the remaining results, at the end of round-robin fighting, his pool ended in a three way tie. That meant another couple bouts for Seib and he rose to the occasion, beating both his competitors. Coming out on top from his pool, Seib then advanced to the semifinal and following another victory, moved to the final.
Similar to the Quebec Open, previously Seib had placed second and third in the Elite 8 but he was hoping to add a first place result to his resume. Already with momentum from Montreal and with victories from the round-robin and semifinal, Seib faced a fighter who he had never beaten. Despite the challenge, as has been the case during his career, the graduate of Winston High School pushed forward with determination.
“Going into the gold medal match, I put less pressure on myself. Instead of being afraid to lose the final, I went in with a good mental state and just went out and took my shots. That was pretty key and helped me to win that one. I have been after winning nationals for quite a while and I think my first one I went to was when I was 14 in Lethbridge and I got bronze. Since then I have gone to nationals almost every year and hadn’t won so this year, after some persistence and getting into the right frame of mind, to put it together, I was pretty excited.”
Going into golden score, Seib explained he threw his competitor using a technique he went over with his coach during their pre-game plan. “You love it when you can do what you are supposed to and it works.”
Thrilled with how everything fell into place, Seib came out with a gold, his second in as many months. Bringing home the pair of medals, Seib, who also coaches, was also able to share his excitement with the next generation back in Watrous.
“It was pretty cool when Ju-No-Ri coach Glen Miller asked me to bring my medals to show the kids. It was very fun to see their faces and meant a lot to me. It is one of the main reasons I try to coach as much as I can because I was one of those kids and it is hard to think you can go to these tournaments when you are seven or eight years old. When you see someone who came from the same circumstances as you, it makes it very possible.”
Remembering when he was a youngster watching Frazer Will from small town Star City competing at the Beijing Olympics, Seib said, “I thought if he can do it, I can too. It is always good to have those role models and I love to see the kids get excited about doing judo.”
Helping coach in Saskatoon while also lending a hand back home with the club he grew up training at, Seib shared how important his coaches were to him. “My first coaches were Glen Miller, the late Daryl Potts, and Harry Heaton who have been big impacts on my life. Glen is still super supportive of any of the athletes doing judo. He always makes time and gets them to go to tournaments and training camps and makes it easy for kids to do judo. It is very important and selfless of him so I am forever in their debt and just trying to pay it back in my own way by coaching and helping as much as I can.”
Miller who coached his own kids a number of years ago before they graduated and moved away continues to be heavily involved within the sport. Thrilled to watch Seib reach the podium at the Quebec Open and the Elite 8 Nationals, he said, “Warren is an excellent example of what a person can achieve. During his time with Ju-No-Ri in Watrous he put in hard work and dedication and because of it has excelled. He tries to make it out to Watrous to give back and the kids enjoy him being there and I enjoy it. He brings a fresh aspect with throws and techniques and the kids look up to him.”
The long-time coach added it was really special when his former student brought the medals from the national competitions to a practice for the kids to check out. “It is neat to see him excel in the sport. He is one of the most dedicated athletes that I have seen in the sport. When he comes, everyone wants to fight with him and he encourages the kids and is always willing to teach. He is really good at it and we are fortunate to have someone like Warren willing to help the next generation.”
*photo courtesy Glen Miller
Daniel Bushman
Since Warren Seib could first flip his opponent on the judo mats when he was seven years old, the local area athlete’s passion for the sport has fuelled him to become a dedicated and decorated competitor. Earning medals and accolades over the years - even training in Montreal to be on the national team - it was not until the 31-year-old recently took a step back competitively where he found himself with a pair of personal milestones.
Entering the Quebec Open in Montreal this past November and qualifying for the Elite 8 Nationals in Edmonton in January, Seib fought his way to the top, earning gold at both. “It was very rewarding to win,” shared Seib who has competed at both events in the past but never placed first.
Feeling like he underperformed during his earlier days because of the intense hours of work, dedication and pressure he placed upon himself, as this year’s competitions arrived, he took a different approach. “Because I am not fighting as much as I did previously, doing it more for the recreation and love of the sport, I did not put as much pressure on myself. To go out and to be able to win them, even though I am training less, it was bitter-sweet because maybe if I figured that out earlier I could have won when I was younger. I am just really happy I figured it out and got it done now.”
Finishing second and third on a couple of occasions at the Quebec Open, it was through those experiences, including spending six years living and training in Montreal where Seib was able to grow and excel. Qualifying for national events and earning awards along the way, while Warren was never able to quite reach the pinnacle of winning both the Quebec Open and Elite 8 Nationals, that was all about to change.
Starting at the Quebec Open in November, Seib knew what it took to get to the top. No stranger to the event, having attended multiple times over the past decade, the goal of always wanting to win remained. Despite electing to work at his craft less in an effort to complete his Masters in Agriculture Economics at the University of Saskatchewan while also farming, when Seib headed east Nov. 11 to 12, he remained focused on finding success.
“For this tournament, most of the very skilled and competitive people are in and around Montreal and Toronto so the tournament is quite big. If you want to win, I think I had six fights a day, and in judo if you lose one fight normally you can’t make it to the gold medal match.”
With 33 people vying for gold within the same division as Seib, the local athlete battled hard in the Senior Mens -81 kg category (which includes anyone over the age of 21 and also can contain a few 18-year-old competitors). Classified as one of the older fighters, Seib went toe-to-toe with some stiff competition but did not look back. At the end of the day, Warren ensured he was the last one standing and brought home a gold medal for his efforts.
A very rewarding experience overall and with a bit of time to enjoy the victory, it was not long after when Seib got the call to attend the Elite 8 Nationals in Edmonton Jan. 13 to 14. Inviting only the top ranked fighters in the country, Seib’s efforts in Montreal earned him a spot out west. “You don’t have easy fights at that event because everyone there is nationally ranked at the top.”
With athletes from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Seib representing Saskatchewan in his weight category, due to one competitor not being able to attend, the group of seven were placed into two pools. Meeting a pair of fighters he competed against at the Quebec Open, Seib lost his first fight at the Elite 8 on penalties but was able to win the next. Keeping an eye on the remaining results, at the end of round-robin fighting, his pool ended in a three way tie. That meant another couple bouts for Seib and he rose to the occasion, beating both his competitors. Coming out on top from his pool, Seib then advanced to the semifinal and following another victory, moved to the final.
Similar to the Quebec Open, previously Seib had placed second and third in the Elite 8 but he was hoping to add a first place result to his resume. Already with momentum from Montreal and with victories from the round-robin and semifinal, Seib faced a fighter who he had never beaten. Despite the challenge, as has been the case during his career, the graduate of Winston High School pushed forward with determination.
“Going into the gold medal match, I put less pressure on myself. Instead of being afraid to lose the final, I went in with a good mental state and just went out and took my shots. That was pretty key and helped me to win that one. I have been after winning nationals for quite a while and I think my first one I went to was when I was 14 in Lethbridge and I got bronze. Since then I have gone to nationals almost every year and hadn’t won so this year, after some persistence and getting into the right frame of mind, to put it together, I was pretty excited.”
Going into golden score, Seib explained he threw his competitor using a technique he went over with his coach during their pre-game plan. “You love it when you can do what you are supposed to and it works.”
Thrilled with how everything fell into place, Seib came out with a gold, his second in as many months. Bringing home the pair of medals, Seib, who also coaches, was also able to share his excitement with the next generation back in Watrous.
“It was pretty cool when Ju-No-Ri coach Glen Miller asked me to bring my medals to show the kids. It was very fun to see their faces and meant a lot to me. It is one of the main reasons I try to coach as much as I can because I was one of those kids and it is hard to think you can go to these tournaments when you are seven or eight years old. When you see someone who came from the same circumstances as you, it makes it very possible.”
Remembering when he was a youngster watching Frazer Will from small town Star City competing at the Beijing Olympics, Seib said, “I thought if he can do it, I can too. It is always good to have those role models and I love to see the kids get excited about doing judo.”
Helping coach in Saskatoon while also lending a hand back home with the club he grew up training at, Seib shared how important his coaches were to him. “My first coaches were Glen Miller, the late Daryl Potts, and Harry Heaton who have been big impacts on my life. Glen is still super supportive of any of the athletes doing judo. He always makes time and gets them to go to tournaments and training camps and makes it easy for kids to do judo. It is very important and selfless of him so I am forever in their debt and just trying to pay it back in my own way by coaching and helping as much as I can.”
Miller who coached his own kids a number of years ago before they graduated and moved away continues to be heavily involved within the sport. Thrilled to watch Seib reach the podium at the Quebec Open and the Elite 8 Nationals, he said, “Warren is an excellent example of what a person can achieve. During his time with Ju-No-Ri in Watrous he put in hard work and dedication and because of it has excelled. He tries to make it out to Watrous to give back and the kids enjoy him being there and I enjoy it. He brings a fresh aspect with throws and techniques and the kids look up to him.”
The long-time coach added it was really special when his former student brought the medals from the national competitions to a practice for the kids to check out. “It is neat to see him excel in the sport. He is one of the most dedicated athletes that I have seen in the sport. When he comes, everyone wants to fight with him and he encourages the kids and is always willing to teach. He is really good at it and we are fortunate to have someone like Warren willing to help the next generation.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 11, 2024
March roars in like a lion as winter storm blankets province
Daniel Bushman
Instead of cars and trucks found on roads during the first weekend of March it was snowmobiles and snowblowers making their way up and down the streets of many rural Saskatchewan communities. Roaring in like a lion, the month started off with a substantial snowfall event, blanketing a large part of the province.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), snow hit central and southern Saskatchewan with the heaviest amounts falling along the Yellowhead corridor and southeastern parts of the province. Leading up to the Mar. 2 to 3 event, a snowfall warning was issued by ECCC as a low pressure system arrived from the Dakotas. Along with heavy snow and gusty winds, the system headed northeast through Saskatchewan and travel was not recommended. Some highways also closed and many activities were postponed. Saskatchewan RCMP’s Division Operational Communications Centre said from noon, Mar. 2 until Monday morning, Mar. 4 it received 87 weather related calls for service (reports of collisions, road hazards or requests for assistance).
With lots of snow and strong winds creating near zero visibility in some areas Sunday, things like church services and sporting events were cancelled while in Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan, a number of malls and other places shut their doors. Prairie Spirit School Division announced all schools and offices were closed Monday, Mar. 4 and within Horizon School Division, due to the snowfall, all transportation was cancelled.
As the system vacated southern and central parts of Saskatchewan late Sunday and into Monday, further north in areas like Prince Albert National Park and LaRonge, the heavy snowfall continued. Additional snowfall amounts were limited to less than 10 cm as snow dropped into the evening before tapering off.
Strong winds from the system also resulted in large snow drifts, making snow measurements difficult. By the time everything had settled, ECCC’s snowfall reports, as of 12 p.m. Mar. 4, indicated Saskatoon observed anywhere from 30 to 40 cm. Other places also saw substantial
amounts including Eatonia (35 cm), Conquest (33 cm), Watrous (31 cm), Ile-a-la-Crosse (30 cm), Clavet (25 cm), Waskesiu Lake (25 cm), Estevan (21 cm), Bredenbury (20 cm), Strasbourg (19 cm), Kindersley (16 cm), Regina (10 to 20 cm), Prince Albert (11 to 13 cm), and Limerick (8 cm).
Following the large amount of snow arriving within the local area which will aid producers leading up to seeding, ECCC’s David Phillips said, “It is certainly double what you would normally get in a winter month. On average, after Mar. 1 typically you get about 25 percent of your annual snowfall that occurs. You probably had about 25 percent in that particular snowfall that you got.”
As for winter itself, despite there being larger snowfall amounts in October, November, and early March, temperature wise, Phillips said it was much milder than normal. “February turned out to be almost five degrees warmer than normal, December was eight degrees warmer than normal and November was three and a half to four degrees warmer than normal.”
That left a lot of places looking more like spring instead of winter before the March wallop arrived. While January did have a frigid spell where it got to -30˚C during the middle of the month, at the start and end, it remained mild which evened out its average. Phillips further shared the number of days where it dropped to -30˚C would normally be at 11 by the end of February but this year that number registered at six. Factoring in days that hit below -20˚C, normally there are 38 by the start of March and this winter there had been just 14. “When you average November through February, you can see that it has been generally a milder winter.”
As for what people can expect heading towards the remainder of March and into spring, Phillips said models are forecasting normal to a little warmer than normal. He also cautioned that just because spring arrives Mar. 19 that does not mean the snow will disappear. “I am always amazed that Canadians think winter is over. This was not necessarily winter’s last hurrah . . . you typically can still get snow into April and even May. And the days below -10˚C, on average from Mar. 1 on, you could still get maybe 12 or 15 of those days. That would be a normal kind of a spring for March, April and early May.”
Daniel Bushman
Instead of cars and trucks found on roads during the first weekend of March it was snowmobiles and snowblowers making their way up and down the streets of many rural Saskatchewan communities. Roaring in like a lion, the month started off with a substantial snowfall event, blanketing a large part of the province.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), snow hit central and southern Saskatchewan with the heaviest amounts falling along the Yellowhead corridor and southeastern parts of the province. Leading up to the Mar. 2 to 3 event, a snowfall warning was issued by ECCC as a low pressure system arrived from the Dakotas. Along with heavy snow and gusty winds, the system headed northeast through Saskatchewan and travel was not recommended. Some highways also closed and many activities were postponed. Saskatchewan RCMP’s Division Operational Communications Centre said from noon, Mar. 2 until Monday morning, Mar. 4 it received 87 weather related calls for service (reports of collisions, road hazards or requests for assistance).
With lots of snow and strong winds creating near zero visibility in some areas Sunday, things like church services and sporting events were cancelled while in Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan, a number of malls and other places shut their doors. Prairie Spirit School Division announced all schools and offices were closed Monday, Mar. 4 and within Horizon School Division, due to the snowfall, all transportation was cancelled.
As the system vacated southern and central parts of Saskatchewan late Sunday and into Monday, further north in areas like Prince Albert National Park and LaRonge, the heavy snowfall continued. Additional snowfall amounts were limited to less than 10 cm as snow dropped into the evening before tapering off.
Strong winds from the system also resulted in large snow drifts, making snow measurements difficult. By the time everything had settled, ECCC’s snowfall reports, as of 12 p.m. Mar. 4, indicated Saskatoon observed anywhere from 30 to 40 cm. Other places also saw substantial
amounts including Eatonia (35 cm), Conquest (33 cm), Watrous (31 cm), Ile-a-la-Crosse (30 cm), Clavet (25 cm), Waskesiu Lake (25 cm), Estevan (21 cm), Bredenbury (20 cm), Strasbourg (19 cm), Kindersley (16 cm), Regina (10 to 20 cm), Prince Albert (11 to 13 cm), and Limerick (8 cm).
Following the large amount of snow arriving within the local area which will aid producers leading up to seeding, ECCC’s David Phillips said, “It is certainly double what you would normally get in a winter month. On average, after Mar. 1 typically you get about 25 percent of your annual snowfall that occurs. You probably had about 25 percent in that particular snowfall that you got.”
As for winter itself, despite there being larger snowfall amounts in October, November, and early March, temperature wise, Phillips said it was much milder than normal. “February turned out to be almost five degrees warmer than normal, December was eight degrees warmer than normal and November was three and a half to four degrees warmer than normal.”
That left a lot of places looking more like spring instead of winter before the March wallop arrived. While January did have a frigid spell where it got to -30˚C during the middle of the month, at the start and end, it remained mild which evened out its average. Phillips further shared the number of days where it dropped to -30˚C would normally be at 11 by the end of February but this year that number registered at six. Factoring in days that hit below -20˚C, normally there are 38 by the start of March and this winter there had been just 14. “When you average November through February, you can see that it has been generally a milder winter.”
As for what people can expect heading towards the remainder of March and into spring, Phillips said models are forecasting normal to a little warmer than normal. He also cautioned that just because spring arrives Mar. 19 that does not mean the snow will disappear. “I am always amazed that Canadians think winter is over. This was not necessarily winter’s last hurrah . . . you typically can still get snow into April and even May. And the days below -10˚C, on average from Mar. 1 on, you could still get maybe 12 or 15 of those days. That would be a normal kind of a spring for March, April and early May.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 4, 2024
Over $6.1 million raised for TeleMiracle
Daniel Bushman
The generosity of those within the province of Saskatchewan and beyond was on full display once again as TeleMiracle 48 took centre stage Feb. 24 and 25. Dubbed ‘Saskatchewan’s Charity’ and receiving donations from around the province including within the local area, when the 48th edition wrapped up Feb. 25 in Regina, the final numbers on the video board showed a total of $6,112,717 had been raised.
TeleMiracle 48 Chair Tyler Hall said, “TeleMiracle remains rooted in Saskatchewan and the generosity of Saskatchewan people really shined through once again this weekend. These donations are going to help so many people across the province.”
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, assistance with medical travel, and new and innovative health care equipment. The Foundation typically receives over 1,000 applications for assistance annually.
With such a need for support annually, communities, organizations and individuals step up every year to help. That has included the local area and 2024 was no different.
Attending the Feb. 24 and 25th event in Regina, members of the Watrous Kin, on behalf of the community and surrounding areas, presented a cheque Sunday morning for $34,048.48.
Watrous Kinette President Sara Dunne said the telethon was a tremendous experience for those able to attend the live event in Regina. “It is always a weekend of tons of laughter, some tears shed, and very little sleep. We had some first timers with us this year, which is always so fun to see it through their eyes. The production of TeleMiracle has changed a lot over the years, so it is always neat to see what is being done this year, and what is happening behind the scenes.”
With Watrous Kinette members Chalsey Diment, Terry Potts, Kensey Gross and Leanne Goodwin joined by Watrous Kinsmen members Dylan Schmidt, Wyatt Anderson and Rylan Dueck to present the local total on stage in Regina, Dunne said they are always blown away by how much the community gets behind them. “It is such an honour to be able to go to TeleMiracle every year and proudly present on behalf of our whole community. We are so proud of every dollar fundraised and we love when we see the schools and businesses organizing their own fundraisers to help our total climb higher.”
Locally, Dunne shared where some of the funds came from this year. “Winston High School hosted an elimination draw, Watrous Elementary School held a couple of hot lunches, Watrous Mainline Motors GM held a chili cook-off with local ‘celebrity’ judges, and the Watrous Kinettes hosted their annual online auction which involves tons of support from our local businesses. We had many personal donations including a large contribution from the Ediger family, as well as other funds from Kinsmen and Kinette projects.”
With another memorable year at TeleMiracle, Dunne said if anyone is ever interested in checking out a local Kinsmen or Kinette meeting, they can get in touch with herself or Dylan Schmidt. “TeleMiracle is a part of the package and such a huge thing to be a part of. We are coming up to the 50th TeleMiracle and our clubs would love to set a big goal!”
Along with the Watrous Kin presenting funds, during the weekend local area residents Lorna McEwan and Terri Hamilton and Sidney Gray of Lanigan performed as part of this year’s Saskatchewan Talent. In total 75 performers chosen through an audition process were featured throughout the 20-hour telethon, including the “Countdown to TeleMiracle” pre-show, the Main Show, and the Overnight segment.
Not only did the acts showcase tremendous talent from every corner of the province, they also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented their donation of $100,000 just before the end of the broadcast.
“Every dollar counts and we are so grateful to the people of Saskatchewan for their continuing support,” stated Hall. “The best part is that all the money raised stays right here in Saskatchewan, to help their friends, neighbours and communities.”
With the incredible generosity of over $6.1 million raised from this year, the total for TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $165,112,717.
Daniel Bushman
The generosity of those within the province of Saskatchewan and beyond was on full display once again as TeleMiracle 48 took centre stage Feb. 24 and 25. Dubbed ‘Saskatchewan’s Charity’ and receiving donations from around the province including within the local area, when the 48th edition wrapped up Feb. 25 in Regina, the final numbers on the video board showed a total of $6,112,717 had been raised.
TeleMiracle 48 Chair Tyler Hall said, “TeleMiracle remains rooted in Saskatchewan and the generosity of Saskatchewan people really shined through once again this weekend. These donations are going to help so many people across the province.”
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, assistance with medical travel, and new and innovative health care equipment. The Foundation typically receives over 1,000 applications for assistance annually.
With such a need for support annually, communities, organizations and individuals step up every year to help. That has included the local area and 2024 was no different.
Attending the Feb. 24 and 25th event in Regina, members of the Watrous Kin, on behalf of the community and surrounding areas, presented a cheque Sunday morning for $34,048.48.
Watrous Kinette President Sara Dunne said the telethon was a tremendous experience for those able to attend the live event in Regina. “It is always a weekend of tons of laughter, some tears shed, and very little sleep. We had some first timers with us this year, which is always so fun to see it through their eyes. The production of TeleMiracle has changed a lot over the years, so it is always neat to see what is being done this year, and what is happening behind the scenes.”
With Watrous Kinette members Chalsey Diment, Terry Potts, Kensey Gross and Leanne Goodwin joined by Watrous Kinsmen members Dylan Schmidt, Wyatt Anderson and Rylan Dueck to present the local total on stage in Regina, Dunne said they are always blown away by how much the community gets behind them. “It is such an honour to be able to go to TeleMiracle every year and proudly present on behalf of our whole community. We are so proud of every dollar fundraised and we love when we see the schools and businesses organizing their own fundraisers to help our total climb higher.”
Locally, Dunne shared where some of the funds came from this year. “Winston High School hosted an elimination draw, Watrous Elementary School held a couple of hot lunches, Watrous Mainline Motors GM held a chili cook-off with local ‘celebrity’ judges, and the Watrous Kinettes hosted their annual online auction which involves tons of support from our local businesses. We had many personal donations including a large contribution from the Ediger family, as well as other funds from Kinsmen and Kinette projects.”
With another memorable year at TeleMiracle, Dunne said if anyone is ever interested in checking out a local Kinsmen or Kinette meeting, they can get in touch with herself or Dylan Schmidt. “TeleMiracle is a part of the package and such a huge thing to be a part of. We are coming up to the 50th TeleMiracle and our clubs would love to set a big goal!”
Along with the Watrous Kin presenting funds, during the weekend local area residents Lorna McEwan and Terri Hamilton and Sidney Gray of Lanigan performed as part of this year’s Saskatchewan Talent. In total 75 performers chosen through an audition process were featured throughout the 20-hour telethon, including the “Countdown to TeleMiracle” pre-show, the Main Show, and the Overnight segment.
Not only did the acts showcase tremendous talent from every corner of the province, they also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented their donation of $100,000 just before the end of the broadcast.
“Every dollar counts and we are so grateful to the people of Saskatchewan for their continuing support,” stated Hall. “The best part is that all the money raised stays right here in Saskatchewan, to help their friends, neighbours and communities.”
With the incredible generosity of over $6.1 million raised from this year, the total for TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $165,112,717.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 19, 2024
Harpauer elects not to run in next election
Daniel Bushman
Serving the local area and the province of Saskatchewan in a variety of roles including as Deputy Premier and Finance Minister, following a lengthy career in politics, Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer announced Feb. 6 that she will not be seeking re-election.
“It is not an easy decision to make because it has been a job that I have loved,” shared Harpauer who grew up on a farm near Guernsey. “I have enjoyed representing the constituents and I thank them for their support throughout these years.”
First elected in 1999, Harpauer has represented the local area for a number of years, being re-elected five times. In addition to her many portfolios, on Jan. 4, 2024 the graduate of Lanigan Central High School became the longest serving female cabinet minister ever in Canada at either the federal or provincial level.
Noting she has worked with some amazing leadership and colleagues during her time in office, Harpauer explained it will be 25 years at the end of 2024 and she felt it was time to step back and let someone else bring a fresh perspective. She also added stepping away from politics will allow her to spend more time with family. “My three daughters have been with me from day one and they were pretty young when I was first elected and now my grandchildren are older than when my youngest daughter was when I was first elected. That support has meant everything and the fact that I was able to do this job and still retain a close relationship with all three of them has made it possible.”
In a release from the Saskatchewan Party which noted Harpauer along with Don McMorris, Dustin Duncan and Gord Wyant will not be seeking re-election, Premier Scott Moe said, “That’s over 80 years of combined political experience and service to the people of Saskatchewan and that’s not easy to replace. But at the same time, every government and every party needs renewal, and I respect the decision that Donna, Don, Dustin and Gord all made - that it’s time for renewal in their constituencies and for a new chapter in each of their lives.
“I want to thank Donna, Don, Dustin and Gord for their service and commitment to their constituents and our province, for all their hard work and for their friendship.”
Appreciating the trust Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe placed in Harpauer, the Deputy Premier and Finance Minister said it has been an amazing journey. “I have served under four leaders, Elwin Hermanson, interim leader Lyle Stewart, Brad Wall and now Scott Moe. I have said this to others, four extremely different leadership styles and personalities, but in my view they were the right person at the right time. I stand by that. They were very strong for what we needed at that time and it is has been an honour to serve with all of them.”
Grateful to represent the local area and the people of Saskatchewan, over the years Harpauer has served as Minister for a number of portfolios. When asked what were a couple of highlights that stick out, she cited being in Social Services and Finance, both for different reasons.
“It was the relationships I built in Social Services. Groups that represent the most vulnerable and I felt like I could make a difference. You can’t fix it all, and there is always more to be done but I will never forget the day where I announced the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disabilities (SAID) program.
“I enjoy finance and that is because I am of the personality where I love math and spreadsheets. It gives you a massive view of all of government but maybe isn’t as personal one on one with stakeholders but it is a portfolio that I have enjoyed.”
While there can certainly be rewarding experiences in government, Harpauer shared what has been the hardest part for her over the years. “There is always situations where you have a constituent or someone from the province that comes forward with a situation where you just can’t fix. It is frustrating and that is a challenge. You cannot fix everything immediately.”
Trying to do her best, Harpauer acknowledged the role as a politician can sometimes be a roller coaster but explained the support of her constituents has remained a constant over the years. “They are the number one employer for me. I have always said you lose your way if you forget who brought you to the dance. Ultimately with each and every election, the people who bring me to the dance has been my constituents and I can’t thank them enough.”
Another person who has been alongside the Humboldt-Watrous MLA from day one is constituency assistant Susan Dunne. “Susan has been with me right from the beginning and I can’t say enough about Susan. She is the one that is always cheerful, always helpful and I don’t think there is many constituency assistants as good as that woman.”
Despite announcing she will not be seeking re-election later this year, Harpauer said there is still a lot of work to do including completing the provincial budget in time for spring session in March. Following that, she said, “I am going to be working full on until the election is called. There is always things you need to be looking at and that is not going to change for me.”
Daniel Bushman
Serving the local area and the province of Saskatchewan in a variety of roles including as Deputy Premier and Finance Minister, following a lengthy career in politics, Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer announced Feb. 6 that she will not be seeking re-election.
“It is not an easy decision to make because it has been a job that I have loved,” shared Harpauer who grew up on a farm near Guernsey. “I have enjoyed representing the constituents and I thank them for their support throughout these years.”
First elected in 1999, Harpauer has represented the local area for a number of years, being re-elected five times. In addition to her many portfolios, on Jan. 4, 2024 the graduate of Lanigan Central High School became the longest serving female cabinet minister ever in Canada at either the federal or provincial level.
Noting she has worked with some amazing leadership and colleagues during her time in office, Harpauer explained it will be 25 years at the end of 2024 and she felt it was time to step back and let someone else bring a fresh perspective. She also added stepping away from politics will allow her to spend more time with family. “My three daughters have been with me from day one and they were pretty young when I was first elected and now my grandchildren are older than when my youngest daughter was when I was first elected. That support has meant everything and the fact that I was able to do this job and still retain a close relationship with all three of them has made it possible.”
In a release from the Saskatchewan Party which noted Harpauer along with Don McMorris, Dustin Duncan and Gord Wyant will not be seeking re-election, Premier Scott Moe said, “That’s over 80 years of combined political experience and service to the people of Saskatchewan and that’s not easy to replace. But at the same time, every government and every party needs renewal, and I respect the decision that Donna, Don, Dustin and Gord all made - that it’s time for renewal in their constituencies and for a new chapter in each of their lives.
“I want to thank Donna, Don, Dustin and Gord for their service and commitment to their constituents and our province, for all their hard work and for their friendship.”
Appreciating the trust Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe placed in Harpauer, the Deputy Premier and Finance Minister said it has been an amazing journey. “I have served under four leaders, Elwin Hermanson, interim leader Lyle Stewart, Brad Wall and now Scott Moe. I have said this to others, four extremely different leadership styles and personalities, but in my view they were the right person at the right time. I stand by that. They were very strong for what we needed at that time and it is has been an honour to serve with all of them.”
Grateful to represent the local area and the people of Saskatchewan, over the years Harpauer has served as Minister for a number of portfolios. When asked what were a couple of highlights that stick out, she cited being in Social Services and Finance, both for different reasons.
“It was the relationships I built in Social Services. Groups that represent the most vulnerable and I felt like I could make a difference. You can’t fix it all, and there is always more to be done but I will never forget the day where I announced the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disabilities (SAID) program.
“I enjoy finance and that is because I am of the personality where I love math and spreadsheets. It gives you a massive view of all of government but maybe isn’t as personal one on one with stakeholders but it is a portfolio that I have enjoyed.”
While there can certainly be rewarding experiences in government, Harpauer shared what has been the hardest part for her over the years. “There is always situations where you have a constituent or someone from the province that comes forward with a situation where you just can’t fix. It is frustrating and that is a challenge. You cannot fix everything immediately.”
Trying to do her best, Harpauer acknowledged the role as a politician can sometimes be a roller coaster but explained the support of her constituents has remained a constant over the years. “They are the number one employer for me. I have always said you lose your way if you forget who brought you to the dance. Ultimately with each and every election, the people who bring me to the dance has been my constituents and I can’t thank them enough.”
Another person who has been alongside the Humboldt-Watrous MLA from day one is constituency assistant Susan Dunne. “Susan has been with me right from the beginning and I can’t say enough about Susan. She is the one that is always cheerful, always helpful and I don’t think there is many constituency assistants as good as that woman.”
Despite announcing she will not be seeking re-election later this year, Harpauer said there is still a lot of work to do including completing the provincial budget in time for spring session in March. Following that, she said, “I am going to be working full on until the election is called. There is always things you need to be looking at and that is not going to change for me.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 12, 2024
Local athletes reflect on memorable event
Daniel Bushman
With the official start of softball season still a few months away, the memories of competing internationally this past year remain at the forefront for a trio of local athletes and their coach. Capturing the U19AA provincial championship in early July before competing at the Canada Cup International Softball Championship shortly after, it was during the global tournament where the Prairie Renegades not only made an impact on the field, but off of it as well.
As the newly formed team based out of Watrous learned it would be facing a club from Ukraine at the Surrey, B.C. event, the team heard Softball Canada had raised $60,000 in an effort to bring the group from Ukraine to the international championship. Touched by the gesture and also wanting to help their opponents, the Prairie Renegades, which included players Tehya Armstrong (Watrous), Naomi Schmidt (Watrous), and Jamison Langlois (Liberty) conducted bottle drives leading up to the tournament.
Accumulating funds through the initiative aided by the generosity of those within each community, following the July 13 contest against Ukraine, the girls from Prairie Renegades presented the team with $1,400.
“We were honoured to be able to play Team Ukraine at the Canada Cup,” said head coach and Watrous resident Alana Armstrong. “The girls felt it was very important to do something for these brave Ukrainian women after learning more about what they were going through to play the sport they love. With no adult involvement, they organized bottle drives and there was massive community support. When we had an opportunity to share our donation with them it was very emotional and there were lots of tears.”
Learning about the situation in Ukraine, Tehya, Naomi and Jamison along with their team wanted to show their support. “We were looking to find an idea that everyone could do in their community because we had athletes from all over Saskatchewan on our team,” shared Schmidt while Armstrong added, “The idea of a bottle drive came up because of previous very successful bottle drives through other sports and the generosity by the communities they were held in.”
With bottle drives conducted in places like Watrous, Imperial, Tisdale, Moose Jaw, and Kinistino, the players who appreciated the support also collected donations from people in surrounding areas. Looking back, Langlois said, “The communities were great. It was a good cause and people are always looking to get rid of their bottles and cans!”
Able to bring in $1,400 for Team Ukraine, when the girls presented their opponents with the money following their game, all three explained it was something they will not soon forget. “There were lots of tears,” shared Langlois. “They were hugely appreciative of our efforts and just thought it was such a kind and generous gesture.”
Explaining Team Ukraine had made a number of sacrifices just to attend the event in B.C, Armstrong said even during the competition there was an announcement of the cities they lived in being bombed prior to the game and players and coaches were unsure if their families were safe.
“We were able to talk with the coaches and hear stories of the girls living in bomb shelters. We got a peek into what their lives were like back home,” explained Schmidt. “After the ceremony the coach came and spoke to our team, he brought handmade key chains from Ukraine which are very sentimental for the girls and the team.
“If we asked all the girls on our team, 100 percent they would all say this was the highlight of the week,” noted Armstrong and Schmidt. “They brought a lot of intensity and sportsmanship to the field as well as after the games. All the girls were very kind and thankful for our donation, they were in good spirits and taking full advantage of the experience they were given.”
Feeling like they were able to help in some way, the trio added they also learned a lot about the experiences their competitors from Ukraine were going through. “We need to be thankful for all the little things in our lives and not take for granted the safety of our community and country. We understood that these girls were from Ukraine and that it was at war, but we didn’t understand the severity until we heard it from them personally.”
While the Renegades ended up finishing in the top 12 during the extremely competitive international event, for the girls, this particular tournament was not just about wins and losses. “Competing against Ukraine was very special. We ended up getting to play them twice. We each won one game, which was perfect.”
Daniel Bushman
With the official start of softball season still a few months away, the memories of competing internationally this past year remain at the forefront for a trio of local athletes and their coach. Capturing the U19AA provincial championship in early July before competing at the Canada Cup International Softball Championship shortly after, it was during the global tournament where the Prairie Renegades not only made an impact on the field, but off of it as well.
As the newly formed team based out of Watrous learned it would be facing a club from Ukraine at the Surrey, B.C. event, the team heard Softball Canada had raised $60,000 in an effort to bring the group from Ukraine to the international championship. Touched by the gesture and also wanting to help their opponents, the Prairie Renegades, which included players Tehya Armstrong (Watrous), Naomi Schmidt (Watrous), and Jamison Langlois (Liberty) conducted bottle drives leading up to the tournament.
Accumulating funds through the initiative aided by the generosity of those within each community, following the July 13 contest against Ukraine, the girls from Prairie Renegades presented the team with $1,400.
“We were honoured to be able to play Team Ukraine at the Canada Cup,” said head coach and Watrous resident Alana Armstrong. “The girls felt it was very important to do something for these brave Ukrainian women after learning more about what they were going through to play the sport they love. With no adult involvement, they organized bottle drives and there was massive community support. When we had an opportunity to share our donation with them it was very emotional and there were lots of tears.”
Learning about the situation in Ukraine, Tehya, Naomi and Jamison along with their team wanted to show their support. “We were looking to find an idea that everyone could do in their community because we had athletes from all over Saskatchewan on our team,” shared Schmidt while Armstrong added, “The idea of a bottle drive came up because of previous very successful bottle drives through other sports and the generosity by the communities they were held in.”
With bottle drives conducted in places like Watrous, Imperial, Tisdale, Moose Jaw, and Kinistino, the players who appreciated the support also collected donations from people in surrounding areas. Looking back, Langlois said, “The communities were great. It was a good cause and people are always looking to get rid of their bottles and cans!”
Able to bring in $1,400 for Team Ukraine, when the girls presented their opponents with the money following their game, all three explained it was something they will not soon forget. “There were lots of tears,” shared Langlois. “They were hugely appreciative of our efforts and just thought it was such a kind and generous gesture.”
Explaining Team Ukraine had made a number of sacrifices just to attend the event in B.C, Armstrong said even during the competition there was an announcement of the cities they lived in being bombed prior to the game and players and coaches were unsure if their families were safe.
“We were able to talk with the coaches and hear stories of the girls living in bomb shelters. We got a peek into what their lives were like back home,” explained Schmidt. “After the ceremony the coach came and spoke to our team, he brought handmade key chains from Ukraine which are very sentimental for the girls and the team.
“If we asked all the girls on our team, 100 percent they would all say this was the highlight of the week,” noted Armstrong and Schmidt. “They brought a lot of intensity and sportsmanship to the field as well as after the games. All the girls were very kind and thankful for our donation, they were in good spirits and taking full advantage of the experience they were given.”
Feeling like they were able to help in some way, the trio added they also learned a lot about the experiences their competitors from Ukraine were going through. “We need to be thankful for all the little things in our lives and not take for granted the safety of our community and country. We understood that these girls were from Ukraine and that it was at war, but we didn’t understand the severity until we heard it from them personally.”
While the Renegades ended up finishing in the top 12 during the extremely competitive international event, for the girls, this particular tournament was not just about wins and losses. “Competing against Ukraine was very special. We ended up getting to play them twice. We each won one game, which was perfect.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 5, 2024
Watrous Main Street Revitalization Project completed
Daniel Bushman
The road to revitalizing Main Street in Watrous has come to a conclusion as the community not only saw its aging Main Street rejuvenated but the multi-million dollar project also took aim at beautifying the downtown core.
With the installation of new streetlights signifying the final big piece to the project, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said, “We are happy to have it completed. It is something that has been on our radar for a number of years and we are happy to have it done. Now that it is done, we are getting a lot of positive feedback from the residents of Watrous.”
Sharing the crews doing the work were very good to deal with throughout the duration of the project, Gunderson noted there were not any large delays between phases. “It hit our target date of what we expected when it was to be completed. The lights were on back order but there was not much we could do about that.”
Budget wise, Gunderson said the project came out to being near what was tendered. “We did a bit of extra work around the post office but as far as what they tendered, it was close.”
With the infrastructure aging over the years, costs continuing to rise, and wanting to see Main Street transformed, Watrous Town Council made the decision to begin to move forward with its Main Street Revitalization Project. Securing a developer, an information session regarding the future of the #100, #200, and #300 blocks of Main Street in Watrous took place Feb. 6, 2023 as concept images on the project were unveiled and an approximate cost and timeline were shared.
Originally seeking a 50/50 cost-shared split between the Town of Watrous and Main Street business owners, the project, which also included the replacement of the water mains, water/sewer services and curb, gutter and new sidewalks came in around $2.7 million (a little over $500,000 was already covered for the water mains and water/sewer services through the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program and the Town of Watrous).
Following the 50/50 cost-shared proposal by the Town of Watrous, before the project was approved, a group of local business owners approached council with a counteroffer of a 75/25 split, which was agreed upon. With business owners footing 25 percent of the total cost and the replacement of the water mains and water/sewer services already done, work to revitalize Main Street commenced as summer approached.
Starting with the #100 block and moving to the #200 and #300 blocks, road work commenced followed by sidewalk work which started in mid-July. Closing down portions of the blocks, crews ripped up the sidewalk and curb. Pouring then began in early August and wrapped up before the middle of the month.
After sidewalk and curb work were completed, paving started on the #100 block in August before moving to the #200 block and lastly the #300 block of Main Street. Once the first layer of asphalt was done, Main Street reopened for vehicle traffic while concrete slugs and electrical for streetlights were installed. After that, crews returned to do the second and final lift of asphalt and crosswalks were painted.
With new streetlights on back order, temporary lighting was put up in fall and before 2023 came to a close, the new lights were installed. “Thankfully when the lights did come, the weather was nice and it did not take as long. We have had lots of positive feedback on the lights themselves. People seem to like them.”
While the main construction was completed following the installation of the lights, later this year, the Town of Watrous will be putting up a few benches and some different flower pots. The crosswalks will also be repainted as Gunderson noted the first time they were done, the paint did not last for that long.
Notices to businesses were also sent out outlining their portion of the cost for the multi-million dollar project. Gunderson said each has the option to pay for their entire amount up front by Feb. 8 but if they are unable, it would be added to their taxes on a yearly basis over 15 years with six percent interest.
With local businesses and organizations on the #100, #200 and #300 blocks paying for a portion of the Main Street Revitalization Project, the Watrous Manitou attempted to reach out to approximately 20 or so of those business/property owners and organizations to get their reaction on the upgraded street.
From the responses the newspaper received for the poll (which was close to half of those the newspaper attempted to contact), all felt something needed to be done to improve the street while the majority thought the overall finished result looked really good. A few did note they felt the bump outs pose a problem for motorists with some business owners stating when larger trucks are parked on either side of the street it makes it very hard to navigate down the road. Another noted the lights, streets and sidewalk look quite nice but shared many vehicles have to drive over the bump outs when they turn so they do not go into the other lane of traffic.
One respondent from the #200 block of Main Street shared there was no question something had to be done to improve the situation on Main Street and was in full agreement with the project. Another was also very happy with how it looked, appreciating the work that was done.
Representing a different business on the #200 block of Main Street, the owner commented on the contour to the avenues, hoping it would have been made flat over the three blocks, stating a motorist can feel their vehicle going up and down at each intersection while the road slopes at the post office. However, he also shared the project is a huge improvement and curb appeal for the front of each business is great.
Another owner on the #200 block noted the project was a great facelift to Main Street. “It warmly welcomes visitors and gives the whole community a more sense of character when arriving. The disruption to getting it done was inevitable but I believe was minimized and done in a timely manner.”
Owning a business on the #100 block for a number of years, the respondent was quite disappointed with the overall process noting her sewer pipes were dug up and floor jack hammered without any notice. After spending a considerable amount of time cleaning up her property, she indicated it was not properly repaired and she was left dumbfounded. Sharing the road does look great, her grass was also dug up and not replaced and her front entrance was blocked for a prolonged period of time. “I am a small business and I lost money because of it.”
Having a different experience, a business owner across the street on the #100 block was very pleased with the work and believed it was necessary. She said Main Street is the heart of all towns and feels the whole community will benefit from the revitalization.
When it came to cost, while some respondents were not specifically affected and felt the work will add value to Main Street, others noted it has created added financial pressures. The majority of those replying to the newspaper indicated they chose the 15 year repayment term with six percent interest because they are unable to pay their full amount by the Feb. 8 deadline.
One business owner on the #300 block acknowledged the road needed to be redone but said, “The brick work and fancier lights were unnecessary due to the added cost.” Hoping for a less expensive option and not being able to recover from the pandemic, he said the added costs will be detrimental for his business. During the construction phase, he shared revenue dropped substantially and that money will never be recouped. With his portion for the project costing approximately $15,000, he has elected to pay over the 15 year term with the six percent interest. He noted it will be impossible to pay it all back and will be forced to look at other options.
He added there was mention of a fundraiser like a chase the ace to try and raise money to cover the costs but explained it never got off the ground. “My understanding is the community of Biggar did a similar project and fundraised for it so why couldn’t we? If there is no fundraiser, everyone in the community should have to pay the full portion of the project through taxes, not the businesses.”
After seeing the cost-shared program move from 50/50 to a 75/25 split, one owner of a Main Street business felt businesses would have to pay it one way or another. He also thought it was the best businesses could get as residential property owners have to pay 100 percent of the cost when they receive similar work. He went on to state financial stress for repayment is high just because of the timing of businesses having to pay Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) back, high interest rates, the looming recession and the carbon tax.
An organization on Main Street who has chosen to participate in the 15 year repayment plan will pay approximately $15,000. Explaining they operate on a break even basis, while they feel the overall curb appeal and frontage has been improved, they added there is no correlation of that improving finances like it potentially could with others on Main Street. The respondent added, “I think the bottom line is that whoever drives down Main Street today, sees a much more vibrant and welcoming Main Street and ultimately that will reflect positively on all business and property owners alike.”
Coming from a previous business where you were told what you had to do by company standards and take on the whole responsibility of the cost, an owner on the #200 block stated the Main Street project “makes me think that this renovation was a bargain for the businesses it affects by the Town giving financial support!”
Understanding that Main Street was not in great shape, responding on behalf of a business on the #100 block, it was stated, “While we are grateful the Town took 75 percent of the cost, it is still a significant expense to businesses already struggling with the rising costs of everything. We feel that the cost should have been shared by everyone in town since the idea of the beautification of Main Street is meant to benefit the town as a whole.”
Not being able to pay the full amount up front, they too are spreading payments over 15 years, noting it will cost the organization more than $12,000 in interest. Sharing the project makes the area look nice, it will not bring added revenue or money in for that organization, taking away funds from other areas of services.
Citing the project will not have a big impact on their business, a respondent from the #200 block noted it looks much better for the town and while it was a very long process to get it finished, it was worth it in the end.
Having to cover upwards of $27,000 for her portion of the project, a business owner on the #100 block explained she will be taking the 15 year term repayment stating her hands are now tied. “I am looking to sell my business because I can’t do it. The majority of people who I have talked to can’t believe the Main Street businesses have to pay for part of the project. They expected it to go on everyone’s taxes.”
A business owner on the #300 block was pleased with the work done but shared they have not been able to recover from the pandemic. Spreading payments over 15 years, the owner appreciated council's efforts to see the road upgraded and for listening to the business owners who approached them with a revised cost-shared plan. Understanding the work needed to be done as costs continue to increase, the owner added reducing the interest on the payment plan for small businesses or seeing the entire project paid for by the community as a whole would have helped to alleviate some of the current financial pressures.
With her business on the #100 block of Main Street, the owner attended a council meeting with the proposal to change from 50/50 to 75/25. She felt council listened to the concerns of the business community and were very accommodating. She added the project was necessary. “I feel the whole town will benefit from this revitalization. Everyone in Watrous uses Main Street. A nice Main Street is inviting to people who maybe moving to the community. I think when a person decides to sell their business, a well kept Main Street will definitely help encourage people to buy. It shows pride in our town.”
Understanding how tough it has been during the pandemic and seeing the price tag climb year after year for projects like the one in Watrous, Gunderson said the Town felt they had to move forward before it got even more expensive. “As a council we tried to come up with a solution that worked for everyone. We hope that is not too much of a financial burden to be added onto their property taxes. I know with smaller businesses that can be a challenge but I hope having them pay over the 15 years would be enough to help them.”
As for if any further work will be done along Main Street, Gunderson said, “That is our hub, those three blocks. We are happy with it and because of the cost, I can’t see us doing anything in the near future. Maybe longer term we would look at it but right now we are looking at some other major projects coming up.”
Gunderson also wanted to extend his appreciation to the business owners, residents, and visitors of the community who remained patient during the work. “I know it created a disruption to the businesses and those using them but we really appreciated their patience. At the end of the day I think a lot of people are extremely happy with the result of the project. It is another drawing card of the downtown.”
Daniel Bushman
The road to revitalizing Main Street in Watrous has come to a conclusion as the community not only saw its aging Main Street rejuvenated but the multi-million dollar project also took aim at beautifying the downtown core.
With the installation of new streetlights signifying the final big piece to the project, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said, “We are happy to have it completed. It is something that has been on our radar for a number of years and we are happy to have it done. Now that it is done, we are getting a lot of positive feedback from the residents of Watrous.”
Sharing the crews doing the work were very good to deal with throughout the duration of the project, Gunderson noted there were not any large delays between phases. “It hit our target date of what we expected when it was to be completed. The lights were on back order but there was not much we could do about that.”
Budget wise, Gunderson said the project came out to being near what was tendered. “We did a bit of extra work around the post office but as far as what they tendered, it was close.”
With the infrastructure aging over the years, costs continuing to rise, and wanting to see Main Street transformed, Watrous Town Council made the decision to begin to move forward with its Main Street Revitalization Project. Securing a developer, an information session regarding the future of the #100, #200, and #300 blocks of Main Street in Watrous took place Feb. 6, 2023 as concept images on the project were unveiled and an approximate cost and timeline were shared.
Originally seeking a 50/50 cost-shared split between the Town of Watrous and Main Street business owners, the project, which also included the replacement of the water mains, water/sewer services and curb, gutter and new sidewalks came in around $2.7 million (a little over $500,000 was already covered for the water mains and water/sewer services through the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program and the Town of Watrous).
Following the 50/50 cost-shared proposal by the Town of Watrous, before the project was approved, a group of local business owners approached council with a counteroffer of a 75/25 split, which was agreed upon. With business owners footing 25 percent of the total cost and the replacement of the water mains and water/sewer services already done, work to revitalize Main Street commenced as summer approached.
Starting with the #100 block and moving to the #200 and #300 blocks, road work commenced followed by sidewalk work which started in mid-July. Closing down portions of the blocks, crews ripped up the sidewalk and curb. Pouring then began in early August and wrapped up before the middle of the month.
After sidewalk and curb work were completed, paving started on the #100 block in August before moving to the #200 block and lastly the #300 block of Main Street. Once the first layer of asphalt was done, Main Street reopened for vehicle traffic while concrete slugs and electrical for streetlights were installed. After that, crews returned to do the second and final lift of asphalt and crosswalks were painted.
With new streetlights on back order, temporary lighting was put up in fall and before 2023 came to a close, the new lights were installed. “Thankfully when the lights did come, the weather was nice and it did not take as long. We have had lots of positive feedback on the lights themselves. People seem to like them.”
While the main construction was completed following the installation of the lights, later this year, the Town of Watrous will be putting up a few benches and some different flower pots. The crosswalks will also be repainted as Gunderson noted the first time they were done, the paint did not last for that long.
Notices to businesses were also sent out outlining their portion of the cost for the multi-million dollar project. Gunderson said each has the option to pay for their entire amount up front by Feb. 8 but if they are unable, it would be added to their taxes on a yearly basis over 15 years with six percent interest.
With local businesses and organizations on the #100, #200 and #300 blocks paying for a portion of the Main Street Revitalization Project, the Watrous Manitou attempted to reach out to approximately 20 or so of those business/property owners and organizations to get their reaction on the upgraded street.
From the responses the newspaper received for the poll (which was close to half of those the newspaper attempted to contact), all felt something needed to be done to improve the street while the majority thought the overall finished result looked really good. A few did note they felt the bump outs pose a problem for motorists with some business owners stating when larger trucks are parked on either side of the street it makes it very hard to navigate down the road. Another noted the lights, streets and sidewalk look quite nice but shared many vehicles have to drive over the bump outs when they turn so they do not go into the other lane of traffic.
One respondent from the #200 block of Main Street shared there was no question something had to be done to improve the situation on Main Street and was in full agreement with the project. Another was also very happy with how it looked, appreciating the work that was done.
Representing a different business on the #200 block of Main Street, the owner commented on the contour to the avenues, hoping it would have been made flat over the three blocks, stating a motorist can feel their vehicle going up and down at each intersection while the road slopes at the post office. However, he also shared the project is a huge improvement and curb appeal for the front of each business is great.
Another owner on the #200 block noted the project was a great facelift to Main Street. “It warmly welcomes visitors and gives the whole community a more sense of character when arriving. The disruption to getting it done was inevitable but I believe was minimized and done in a timely manner.”
Owning a business on the #100 block for a number of years, the respondent was quite disappointed with the overall process noting her sewer pipes were dug up and floor jack hammered without any notice. After spending a considerable amount of time cleaning up her property, she indicated it was not properly repaired and she was left dumbfounded. Sharing the road does look great, her grass was also dug up and not replaced and her front entrance was blocked for a prolonged period of time. “I am a small business and I lost money because of it.”
Having a different experience, a business owner across the street on the #100 block was very pleased with the work and believed it was necessary. She said Main Street is the heart of all towns and feels the whole community will benefit from the revitalization.
When it came to cost, while some respondents were not specifically affected and felt the work will add value to Main Street, others noted it has created added financial pressures. The majority of those replying to the newspaper indicated they chose the 15 year repayment term with six percent interest because they are unable to pay their full amount by the Feb. 8 deadline.
One business owner on the #300 block acknowledged the road needed to be redone but said, “The brick work and fancier lights were unnecessary due to the added cost.” Hoping for a less expensive option and not being able to recover from the pandemic, he said the added costs will be detrimental for his business. During the construction phase, he shared revenue dropped substantially and that money will never be recouped. With his portion for the project costing approximately $15,000, he has elected to pay over the 15 year term with the six percent interest. He noted it will be impossible to pay it all back and will be forced to look at other options.
He added there was mention of a fundraiser like a chase the ace to try and raise money to cover the costs but explained it never got off the ground. “My understanding is the community of Biggar did a similar project and fundraised for it so why couldn’t we? If there is no fundraiser, everyone in the community should have to pay the full portion of the project through taxes, not the businesses.”
After seeing the cost-shared program move from 50/50 to a 75/25 split, one owner of a Main Street business felt businesses would have to pay it one way or another. He also thought it was the best businesses could get as residential property owners have to pay 100 percent of the cost when they receive similar work. He went on to state financial stress for repayment is high just because of the timing of businesses having to pay Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) back, high interest rates, the looming recession and the carbon tax.
An organization on Main Street who has chosen to participate in the 15 year repayment plan will pay approximately $15,000. Explaining they operate on a break even basis, while they feel the overall curb appeal and frontage has been improved, they added there is no correlation of that improving finances like it potentially could with others on Main Street. The respondent added, “I think the bottom line is that whoever drives down Main Street today, sees a much more vibrant and welcoming Main Street and ultimately that will reflect positively on all business and property owners alike.”
Coming from a previous business where you were told what you had to do by company standards and take on the whole responsibility of the cost, an owner on the #200 block stated the Main Street project “makes me think that this renovation was a bargain for the businesses it affects by the Town giving financial support!”
Understanding that Main Street was not in great shape, responding on behalf of a business on the #100 block, it was stated, “While we are grateful the Town took 75 percent of the cost, it is still a significant expense to businesses already struggling with the rising costs of everything. We feel that the cost should have been shared by everyone in town since the idea of the beautification of Main Street is meant to benefit the town as a whole.”
Not being able to pay the full amount up front, they too are spreading payments over 15 years, noting it will cost the organization more than $12,000 in interest. Sharing the project makes the area look nice, it will not bring added revenue or money in for that organization, taking away funds from other areas of services.
Citing the project will not have a big impact on their business, a respondent from the #200 block noted it looks much better for the town and while it was a very long process to get it finished, it was worth it in the end.
Having to cover upwards of $27,000 for her portion of the project, a business owner on the #100 block explained she will be taking the 15 year term repayment stating her hands are now tied. “I am looking to sell my business because I can’t do it. The majority of people who I have talked to can’t believe the Main Street businesses have to pay for part of the project. They expected it to go on everyone’s taxes.”
A business owner on the #300 block was pleased with the work done but shared they have not been able to recover from the pandemic. Spreading payments over 15 years, the owner appreciated council's efforts to see the road upgraded and for listening to the business owners who approached them with a revised cost-shared plan. Understanding the work needed to be done as costs continue to increase, the owner added reducing the interest on the payment plan for small businesses or seeing the entire project paid for by the community as a whole would have helped to alleviate some of the current financial pressures.
With her business on the #100 block of Main Street, the owner attended a council meeting with the proposal to change from 50/50 to 75/25. She felt council listened to the concerns of the business community and were very accommodating. She added the project was necessary. “I feel the whole town will benefit from this revitalization. Everyone in Watrous uses Main Street. A nice Main Street is inviting to people who maybe moving to the community. I think when a person decides to sell their business, a well kept Main Street will definitely help encourage people to buy. It shows pride in our town.”
Understanding how tough it has been during the pandemic and seeing the price tag climb year after year for projects like the one in Watrous, Gunderson said the Town felt they had to move forward before it got even more expensive. “As a council we tried to come up with a solution that worked for everyone. We hope that is not too much of a financial burden to be added onto their property taxes. I know with smaller businesses that can be a challenge but I hope having them pay over the 15 years would be enough to help them.”
As for if any further work will be done along Main Street, Gunderson said, “That is our hub, those three blocks. We are happy with it and because of the cost, I can’t see us doing anything in the near future. Maybe longer term we would look at it but right now we are looking at some other major projects coming up.”
Gunderson also wanted to extend his appreciation to the business owners, residents, and visitors of the community who remained patient during the work. “I know it created a disruption to the businesses and those using them but we really appreciated their patience. At the end of the day I think a lot of people are extremely happy with the result of the project. It is another drawing card of the downtown.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 29, 2024
Former Watrous resident receives Order of Canada appointment
Daniel Bushman
Making extraordinary contributions to the nation while giving selflessly of his time and talents, growing up in Watrous before embarking on a tremendous career in neuroscience, Glen Baker has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada.
With a career highlighted by numerous achievements, accolades and honours, Baker, who has fond memories of his time in Watrous, was honoured and humbled by the appointment. Recognized for his pioneering contributions to the field of neuropsychopharmacology as a researcher, administrator and mentor, Baker received a call in November informing him of the invitation to become a member of the Order of Canada.
Pleased to accept the prestigious appointment Baker said, “It is a very satisfying one to receive at this point in my career, and it has brought home to me, once again, how fortunate I have been to have had the opportunity to interact with so many outstanding friends and colleagues over the years.”
As requested by the Order of Canada, he kept the news of his membership quiet until it was announced officially by the Governor General of Canada Dec. 28. An investiture ceremony will not be held in Ottawa quite yet due in part to postponements of prior ceremonies during the pandemic. Baker indicated that when the ceremony takes place it will be a memorable experience.
Honouring people who make extraordinary contributions to the nation, since its creation in 1967, the Order of Canada has been bestowed on more than 7,600 people from all sectors of society. While the contributions are varied, according to the Governor General of Canada’s website, they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to Canada.
For Baker, his incredible journey to receiving such prestigious recognition first started in 1947. Growing up in Watrous and attending school there from Gr. 1 to 12, he noted there were numerous influential people who helped in his growth and leadership, allowing him to become the person he is today.
“Watrous is a great community, and we were fortunate to have had many excellent school teachers. Teachers and their support staff really do make a difference in people’s lives, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them. My parents were also both very supportive of me going to university after I finished high school.”
Following his education in Watrous, Baker did his university training in pharmacy and biological psychiatry at the University of Saskatchewan, sharing that he also had superb instructors and mentors there. Following completion of a PhD in biological psychiatry, he did a postdoctoral fellowship for two and a half years at the Medical Research Council Neuropharmacology Unit at the University of Birmingham, England before taking a job in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he has been ever since.
“While in the Department of Psychiatry, I have had many opportunities to take part in the research, administration and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, psychiatry residents and other junior colleagues that eventually led to me receiving the Order of Canada appointment.”
At the University of Alberta, in a role that Baker describes as extremely rewarding for more than four decades, the opportunity allowed the current Professor Emeritus to focus his research on examining the biochemistry of the brain and studying the mechanisms of action and metabolism of drugs used to treat psychiatric and neurologic disorders. “This research often involves a multidisciplinary team approach, and I have been lucky to have had outstanding collaborators at the University of Alberta and at several other universities across Canada. I like to think that our work has contributed to an increased understanding of how the brain works and of the mechanisms involved in disorders such as depression and schizophrenia and in the actions of drugs used to treat them.”
A Tier 1 Canada Research Chair, an Associate Vice-President (Research) at the University of Alberta and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, through his hard work and dedication over several decades, Baker has been the recipient of numerous honours and awards at the university, provincial and national levels.
One of those who received the 100 Alumni of Influence Award during the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) Centenary in 2007 and a recipient of a Centennial Alumni of Influence Award from the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the U of S in 2014, Baker also received an award closer to his roots. In 2016, he was an inductee to Horizon School Division’s Wall of Fame. “It is always great to receive an honour from Saskatchewan, but receiving this one was very special since it was awarded by a school division of which Watrous is now a member, and the person who nominated me was Denise Lucas, a great friend of our family. I was very impressed by Horizon School Division and the wonderful celebration day they had to start off the new school year.”
Throughout his career, whether it has been awards, achievements or honours, Baker has enjoyed the opportunities presented to him. Some of those have also included being the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry for five years (although not a psychiatrist) and co-founding the Neurochemical Research Unit and supervising its day-to-day operations for over 30 years. “I was also Secretary and then President of the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology in the late 1980s and early 1990s and have been involved in organizing several national and international conferences on neuropsychopharmacology. Over the years I have also served on numerous grant review panels and editorial boards.”
When it comes to mentorship, Baker has selflessly given of his time, supervising and co-supervising many undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and psychiatry residents in research projects. “One of the best parts of my job has been watching them subsequently advance in their careers. It is also very gratifying to hear back from so many of them on a regular basis.”
Officially retiring from his regular university appointment in 2017, the publisher of over 400 peer-reviewed papers and many other articles and editor of several books has stayed on as a Professor Emeritus. Winding down his research, teaching and committee work, Glen and his wife Judy enjoy time at their place in Summerland, B.C. while keeping Edmonton, Alta. as their home base. But despite being a province or two away from where he grew up, when it comes to remembering Watrous, Baker understands how great a place it was. “I enjoyed going to school there. There was a great sense of community spirit and camaraderie in the town, and this extended to the schools. The education and social skills I gained at Watrous and at the University of Saskatchewan have served me well.”
Daniel Bushman
Making extraordinary contributions to the nation while giving selflessly of his time and talents, growing up in Watrous before embarking on a tremendous career in neuroscience, Glen Baker has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada.
With a career highlighted by numerous achievements, accolades and honours, Baker, who has fond memories of his time in Watrous, was honoured and humbled by the appointment. Recognized for his pioneering contributions to the field of neuropsychopharmacology as a researcher, administrator and mentor, Baker received a call in November informing him of the invitation to become a member of the Order of Canada.
Pleased to accept the prestigious appointment Baker said, “It is a very satisfying one to receive at this point in my career, and it has brought home to me, once again, how fortunate I have been to have had the opportunity to interact with so many outstanding friends and colleagues over the years.”
As requested by the Order of Canada, he kept the news of his membership quiet until it was announced officially by the Governor General of Canada Dec. 28. An investiture ceremony will not be held in Ottawa quite yet due in part to postponements of prior ceremonies during the pandemic. Baker indicated that when the ceremony takes place it will be a memorable experience.
Honouring people who make extraordinary contributions to the nation, since its creation in 1967, the Order of Canada has been bestowed on more than 7,600 people from all sectors of society. While the contributions are varied, according to the Governor General of Canada’s website, they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to Canada.
For Baker, his incredible journey to receiving such prestigious recognition first started in 1947. Growing up in Watrous and attending school there from Gr. 1 to 12, he noted there were numerous influential people who helped in his growth and leadership, allowing him to become the person he is today.
“Watrous is a great community, and we were fortunate to have had many excellent school teachers. Teachers and their support staff really do make a difference in people’s lives, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them. My parents were also both very supportive of me going to university after I finished high school.”
Following his education in Watrous, Baker did his university training in pharmacy and biological psychiatry at the University of Saskatchewan, sharing that he also had superb instructors and mentors there. Following completion of a PhD in biological psychiatry, he did a postdoctoral fellowship for two and a half years at the Medical Research Council Neuropharmacology Unit at the University of Birmingham, England before taking a job in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he has been ever since.
“While in the Department of Psychiatry, I have had many opportunities to take part in the research, administration and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, psychiatry residents and other junior colleagues that eventually led to me receiving the Order of Canada appointment.”
At the University of Alberta, in a role that Baker describes as extremely rewarding for more than four decades, the opportunity allowed the current Professor Emeritus to focus his research on examining the biochemistry of the brain and studying the mechanisms of action and metabolism of drugs used to treat psychiatric and neurologic disorders. “This research often involves a multidisciplinary team approach, and I have been lucky to have had outstanding collaborators at the University of Alberta and at several other universities across Canada. I like to think that our work has contributed to an increased understanding of how the brain works and of the mechanisms involved in disorders such as depression and schizophrenia and in the actions of drugs used to treat them.”
A Tier 1 Canada Research Chair, an Associate Vice-President (Research) at the University of Alberta and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, through his hard work and dedication over several decades, Baker has been the recipient of numerous honours and awards at the university, provincial and national levels.
One of those who received the 100 Alumni of Influence Award during the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) Centenary in 2007 and a recipient of a Centennial Alumni of Influence Award from the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the U of S in 2014, Baker also received an award closer to his roots. In 2016, he was an inductee to Horizon School Division’s Wall of Fame. “It is always great to receive an honour from Saskatchewan, but receiving this one was very special since it was awarded by a school division of which Watrous is now a member, and the person who nominated me was Denise Lucas, a great friend of our family. I was very impressed by Horizon School Division and the wonderful celebration day they had to start off the new school year.”
Throughout his career, whether it has been awards, achievements or honours, Baker has enjoyed the opportunities presented to him. Some of those have also included being the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry for five years (although not a psychiatrist) and co-founding the Neurochemical Research Unit and supervising its day-to-day operations for over 30 years. “I was also Secretary and then President of the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology in the late 1980s and early 1990s and have been involved in organizing several national and international conferences on neuropsychopharmacology. Over the years I have also served on numerous grant review panels and editorial boards.”
When it comes to mentorship, Baker has selflessly given of his time, supervising and co-supervising many undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and psychiatry residents in research projects. “One of the best parts of my job has been watching them subsequently advance in their careers. It is also very gratifying to hear back from so many of them on a regular basis.”
Officially retiring from his regular university appointment in 2017, the publisher of over 400 peer-reviewed papers and many other articles and editor of several books has stayed on as a Professor Emeritus. Winding down his research, teaching and committee work, Glen and his wife Judy enjoy time at their place in Summerland, B.C. while keeping Edmonton, Alta. as their home base. But despite being a province or two away from where he grew up, when it comes to remembering Watrous, Baker understands how great a place it was. “I enjoyed going to school there. There was a great sense of community spirit and camaraderie in the town, and this extended to the schools. The education and social skills I gained at Watrous and at the University of Saskatchewan have served me well.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 22, 2024
SARCAN celebrates opening of new recycle depot in Watrous
*media release/photo by SARCAN
SARCAN Recycling celebrated the relocation of their Watrous SARCAN depot into a bigger, modern, and efficient facility in Watrous on Monday, Jan. 15. This new location is not far from the old location, moving just a few blocks away to 110 3rd Ave. W. – right across the street from the Watrous Centennial Arena. The new Watrous SARCAN Depot is open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The new depot on 3rd Ave. W. is much larger than the former depot, nearly doubling in size, with a more spacious customer reception area and more space for serving customers. The space for Drop & Go – SARCAN’s skip-the-line service that allows customers to create an account, drop off their recycling, and receive their refund payment later through e-Transfer, PayPal, or cheque pickup – has also been enhanced, allowing for even quicker visits. The new depot also has larger capacity for serving bulk customers, such as bottle drive fundraisers, restaurants, bars, and businesses, as well as a larger parking lot, and automatic power doors to help with accessibility.
The Watrous relocation comes as a result of increased demand for SARCAN’s services. Their return volume has been steadily increasing, with roughly 10,000 customers coming through the doors annually to recycle their beverage containers, paint, electronics, and batteries. In SARCAN’s last reporting year, the team at the Watrous depot recycled 2.8 million beverage containers and are currently on pace to bring in over 2.9 million this reporting year.
“For the past 35 years SARCAN recycling has been a leader in environmental protection, creating employment opportunities for people of all abilities, and building up the communities we serve,” said SARC and SARCAN Recycling’s Executive Director, Amy McNeil. “Watrous has been a part of the SARCAN family right from the very beginning, opening in 1988, so we are very happy, for the community of Watrous and our team in the depot, to be moving into this new bigger, better, more efficient building.”
SARCAN’s team of over 900 employees collects and recycles over 490 million beverage containers each year, serving over 1.5 million customers in 65 communities across Saskatchewan. Beyond beverage containers, SARCAN also responsibly recycles household paint, end-of-life electronics, and household batteries in every one of its recycling depots.
SARCAN Recycling’s mandate is to provide a socially responsible and environmentally progressive recycling system that helps foster the sustainable development of communities across Saskatchewan. SARCAN’s parent organization is SARC, the provincial association that provides consultation, training, services and leadership to community-based organizations.
*media release/photo by SARCAN
SARCAN Recycling celebrated the relocation of their Watrous SARCAN depot into a bigger, modern, and efficient facility in Watrous on Monday, Jan. 15. This new location is not far from the old location, moving just a few blocks away to 110 3rd Ave. W. – right across the street from the Watrous Centennial Arena. The new Watrous SARCAN Depot is open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The new depot on 3rd Ave. W. is much larger than the former depot, nearly doubling in size, with a more spacious customer reception area and more space for serving customers. The space for Drop & Go – SARCAN’s skip-the-line service that allows customers to create an account, drop off their recycling, and receive their refund payment later through e-Transfer, PayPal, or cheque pickup – has also been enhanced, allowing for even quicker visits. The new depot also has larger capacity for serving bulk customers, such as bottle drive fundraisers, restaurants, bars, and businesses, as well as a larger parking lot, and automatic power doors to help with accessibility.
The Watrous relocation comes as a result of increased demand for SARCAN’s services. Their return volume has been steadily increasing, with roughly 10,000 customers coming through the doors annually to recycle their beverage containers, paint, electronics, and batteries. In SARCAN’s last reporting year, the team at the Watrous depot recycled 2.8 million beverage containers and are currently on pace to bring in over 2.9 million this reporting year.
“For the past 35 years SARCAN recycling has been a leader in environmental protection, creating employment opportunities for people of all abilities, and building up the communities we serve,” said SARC and SARCAN Recycling’s Executive Director, Amy McNeil. “Watrous has been a part of the SARCAN family right from the very beginning, opening in 1988, so we are very happy, for the community of Watrous and our team in the depot, to be moving into this new bigger, better, more efficient building.”
SARCAN’s team of over 900 employees collects and recycles over 490 million beverage containers each year, serving over 1.5 million customers in 65 communities across Saskatchewan. Beyond beverage containers, SARCAN also responsibly recycles household paint, end-of-life electronics, and household batteries in every one of its recycling depots.
SARCAN Recycling’s mandate is to provide a socially responsible and environmentally progressive recycling system that helps foster the sustainable development of communities across Saskatchewan. SARCAN’s parent organization is SARC, the provincial association that provides consultation, training, services and leadership to community-based organizations.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 15, 2024
Harpauer reflects on milestone and province
Daniel Bushman
Honoured to serve the local area and the people of Saskatchewan, Humboldt-Watrous MLA, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer not only marked a major milestone earlier this month but is preparing for the upcoming provincial budget.
On Jan. 4, 2024, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe shared Harpauer became the longest serving female cabinet minister ever in Canada at either the federal or provincial level. “Donna has been and continues to be a valued member of every cabinet since the day the Saskatchewan Party took office in 2007.”
First elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1999 and re-elected five times since (2003, 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2020), Harpauer has served as Minister for a number of portfolios including Social Services, Education, Crown Investments, and Finance. Also the current Deputy Premier, when the graduate of Lanigan Central High School was asked what it meant to achieve the milestone, jokingly she said, “Well, I have said to a few people I would like to think it is because I am competent but I feel that maybe it just means I am getting old.”
Sharing the recognition came as a surprise, reflecting on her time while being in office, Harpauer said, “Each and every portfolio I have had I have just looked at it as a learning opportunity. I have worked with amazing people and every portfolio I have held, I have learned I need to learn a lot more. It is an opportunity to learn and to understand issues. I have had an amazing team both in caucus, in my offices and in the public service. I do not do this alone. I am so well supported in every portfolio and for that I am very grateful.”
While there are a number of highlights that come to mind over the years, Harpauer explained the very first one that has stuck with her was the opportunity as Social Services Minister to introduce the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disabilities (SAID) program. “They wanted the dignity of their own program and the flexibility that we can put into having a separate program. I will remember forever the day that I announced that and the tears that were shed with the individuals within the disability community.”
Following a number of roles in cabinet and now preparing for the upcoming provincial budget, Harpauer said she does not take her position for granted. “I just want to thank everyone in the constituency and throughout the province for their support for me throughout these years. It has been an amazing career and I am truly honoured.”
As for the province itself, the Finance Minister took some time to share about how 2023 went and the optimism she has for 2024.
Addressing a number of issues that arose, some during the pandemic, Harpauer said in 2023 the provincial government really focused on recruitment, retention and training of health care workers. “There definitely is a shortage and it is not unique to Saskatchewan, it is right across the country and in other countries as well.”
Harpauer noted they have been very aggressive with their efforts when it comes to adding more workers in health care but explained they are competing with other provinces and countries which has made it challenging. Other areas that Harpauer said the provincial government also focused on were mental health and addictions and as part of that, the government increased addiction and treatment spaces and “will continue to do so.”
In addition, Harpauer noted the province continues to encourage investment which was very positive in 2023. “We have seen that in our area with the announcement of BHP.”
With continued investment and development, the Deputy Premier said the economic spin off will help support other initiatives the province is focusing on like having more workers in the health care system and having more supports for those who are disadvantaged. “You have to do both hand in hand because the growing economy helps support the services that people expect and deserve.”
Despite turning the page on 2023 and entering 2024, Harpauer said the government will remain focused on those areas while navigating through some challenges. “I am hearing from communities like Watrous, Lanigan and Humboldt and what they can do to look at housing.”
Introducing two housing initiatives - a PST rebate on construction and secondary suite program - Harpauer hopes the programs will encourage development to help accommodate economic growth.
Looking to also address areas related to affordability, the Finance Minister indicated within each budget there is about $2 billion of initiatives specifically for that. With Health Family Benefits, a Graduate Retention Program and a number of other affordability initiatives, Harpauer said they “always look for what more can we do while keeping our finances strong enough so that we can sustain other things like the cost of services such as health care, education and our social safety nets.”
Viewing each portfolio separately as they are presented by the ministers, as Harpauer considers how to proceed with the budget, she also keeps a close eye on where the province is with its finances and what it can afford. “Our previous premier said there is always more fence than paint but we try and stretch that paint as far as it can go and look at what the priority is and where we need to paint a little more with what we got.”
While optimistic heading into 2024, Harpauer shared there is at least one area that she is keeping tabs on. “The thing that has me nervous, and I always speak to what makes me nervous, is crop insurance. We have had a couple of really difficult years of crop insurance. I am hoping that turns around. It is not an expense that depletes the province’s cash flow because it is funded through premiums, both provincial and federal, and of course the producers. We do have to account for it on our ledger as an expense. It does affect the amount of cash flow within communities when farmers have had a tough year. I am hoping for a better crop year for the entire province.”
While there is some nervousness to see how this crop year will play out, Harpauer added she is extremely optimistic about the number of investments in the province like BHP, the construction of canola crush plants and a copper mine, which is being looked at. “There is a lot of exploration in the mining area that is exciting.”
Daniel Bushman
Honoured to serve the local area and the people of Saskatchewan, Humboldt-Watrous MLA, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer not only marked a major milestone earlier this month but is preparing for the upcoming provincial budget.
On Jan. 4, 2024, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe shared Harpauer became the longest serving female cabinet minister ever in Canada at either the federal or provincial level. “Donna has been and continues to be a valued member of every cabinet since the day the Saskatchewan Party took office in 2007.”
First elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1999 and re-elected five times since (2003, 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2020), Harpauer has served as Minister for a number of portfolios including Social Services, Education, Crown Investments, and Finance. Also the current Deputy Premier, when the graduate of Lanigan Central High School was asked what it meant to achieve the milestone, jokingly she said, “Well, I have said to a few people I would like to think it is because I am competent but I feel that maybe it just means I am getting old.”
Sharing the recognition came as a surprise, reflecting on her time while being in office, Harpauer said, “Each and every portfolio I have had I have just looked at it as a learning opportunity. I have worked with amazing people and every portfolio I have held, I have learned I need to learn a lot more. It is an opportunity to learn and to understand issues. I have had an amazing team both in caucus, in my offices and in the public service. I do not do this alone. I am so well supported in every portfolio and for that I am very grateful.”
While there are a number of highlights that come to mind over the years, Harpauer explained the very first one that has stuck with her was the opportunity as Social Services Minister to introduce the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disabilities (SAID) program. “They wanted the dignity of their own program and the flexibility that we can put into having a separate program. I will remember forever the day that I announced that and the tears that were shed with the individuals within the disability community.”
Following a number of roles in cabinet and now preparing for the upcoming provincial budget, Harpauer said she does not take her position for granted. “I just want to thank everyone in the constituency and throughout the province for their support for me throughout these years. It has been an amazing career and I am truly honoured.”
As for the province itself, the Finance Minister took some time to share about how 2023 went and the optimism she has for 2024.
Addressing a number of issues that arose, some during the pandemic, Harpauer said in 2023 the provincial government really focused on recruitment, retention and training of health care workers. “There definitely is a shortage and it is not unique to Saskatchewan, it is right across the country and in other countries as well.”
Harpauer noted they have been very aggressive with their efforts when it comes to adding more workers in health care but explained they are competing with other provinces and countries which has made it challenging. Other areas that Harpauer said the provincial government also focused on were mental health and addictions and as part of that, the government increased addiction and treatment spaces and “will continue to do so.”
In addition, Harpauer noted the province continues to encourage investment which was very positive in 2023. “We have seen that in our area with the announcement of BHP.”
With continued investment and development, the Deputy Premier said the economic spin off will help support other initiatives the province is focusing on like having more workers in the health care system and having more supports for those who are disadvantaged. “You have to do both hand in hand because the growing economy helps support the services that people expect and deserve.”
Despite turning the page on 2023 and entering 2024, Harpauer said the government will remain focused on those areas while navigating through some challenges. “I am hearing from communities like Watrous, Lanigan and Humboldt and what they can do to look at housing.”
Introducing two housing initiatives - a PST rebate on construction and secondary suite program - Harpauer hopes the programs will encourage development to help accommodate economic growth.
Looking to also address areas related to affordability, the Finance Minister indicated within each budget there is about $2 billion of initiatives specifically for that. With Health Family Benefits, a Graduate Retention Program and a number of other affordability initiatives, Harpauer said they “always look for what more can we do while keeping our finances strong enough so that we can sustain other things like the cost of services such as health care, education and our social safety nets.”
Viewing each portfolio separately as they are presented by the ministers, as Harpauer considers how to proceed with the budget, she also keeps a close eye on where the province is with its finances and what it can afford. “Our previous premier said there is always more fence than paint but we try and stretch that paint as far as it can go and look at what the priority is and where we need to paint a little more with what we got.”
While optimistic heading into 2024, Harpauer shared there is at least one area that she is keeping tabs on. “The thing that has me nervous, and I always speak to what makes me nervous, is crop insurance. We have had a couple of really difficult years of crop insurance. I am hoping that turns around. It is not an expense that depletes the province’s cash flow because it is funded through premiums, both provincial and federal, and of course the producers. We do have to account for it on our ledger as an expense. It does affect the amount of cash flow within communities when farmers have had a tough year. I am hoping for a better crop year for the entire province.”
While there is some nervousness to see how this crop year will play out, Harpauer added she is extremely optimistic about the number of investments in the province like BHP, the construction of canola crush plants and a copper mine, which is being looked at. “There is a lot of exploration in the mining area that is exciting.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 8, 2024
Thrift on Main to open in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Not only will Main Street in Watrous see a new business but the venture has been created as a way to give back. Taking over the former Prairie Harvest Country Store, Thrift on Main aims to become a hub for residents and visitors alike.
One of those spearheading the venture, Earl Amendt Jr., took some time out of his schedule to share a bit about the unique opportunity, how it will not only benefit residents but the area as a whole and when people can expect it to open.
How did you come up with the idea of a thrift store in Watrous?
I think everyone in one form or another has thought of this for our community. Eric Upshall from Manitou Beach asked me if I would be interested in pursuing this idea with him. Two months later we formed a Founding Board, came up with a business name, raised the necessary funds and secured a building. We are going to run this as a non-profit business, sharing the net profits within our communities!
Do you feel there is a need for this type of business in Watrous?
Absolutely! Everyone likes to save a buck! Thrifting is also very popular with tourists. It is also a great way to recycle and reuse stuff that would have normally ended up in landfills or other thrift stores outside our area. It will now generate funds for our communities. It is also an ecumenical way for both the communities and churches to work hand in hand. So many positives will come out of this!
What still has to be done in order to open?
The Founding Board’s mandate is to get the doors open. So far, we have collaborated with the local churches. We would also like to see some community individuals to sit on the board as well. The board will be responsible for spearheading committees such as: cleanup, building (repair/alterations), inventory/donations, communications, volunteers and so on. This group has been very enthusiastic and will be instrumental in getting us open!
Our current board members are: Linda Leslie, Joyce Potts, Cindy Vanthuyne, Karen Hedlin, Daryl Kratchmer, Michael Byrne, Eric Upshall, Earl Amendt Jr., and Rev. Joan Kessler.
We have also been blessed with two people from Saskatoon who have extensive knowledge and experience in thrift stores. They have agreed to guide us in this venture so this way we won’t have to reinvent the wheel!
How will the business run?
Thrift on Main will be owned by the communities it represents! The board will decide on how the net profits will be distributed. The board volunteers are exactly just that, volunteers! We are all doing this for the benefit of our communities and churches.
Everyone involved from top to bottom will be volunteers. No one will receive personal compensation! Once open we hope that four volunteers per day will cover the necessary workload as we will need sorters, pricing articles, and a couple floor people. Eric and I have volunteered to take on the responsibility of managing for the first couple years as the board sees fit. We feel there needs to be someone there to be able to make decisions quickly.
What will be at Thrift on Main?
From soup to nuts, I’m sure?! We are extremely excited to accept anything that is gently used and in good condition that can be resold. From clothing, tools, toys, furniture and housewares, you name it! We will try and segment the store, having certain things displayed in specific areas. For example, we will be making the basement area the ‘Toy Area’ like when the Dahl/Fedrau families once owned the building. Prairie Oasis will also be renting a small space for a limited time. This will help offset some of the monthly expenses.
When will you start to accept donations?
We will be accepting donations starting in March. If possible, please bring donated items to the store Thursday to Saturday during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please come to the back doors and come on in. We will be glad to unload your items into the building.
We will also meet by appointment outside of those days and hours, just call Eric or myself. If you are unable to bring them to the store, we would also be available to pick up at your place, again by appointment. There are no items too big or small. Only cash donations will be given receipts and no consignments will be taken.
If anyone has any racks, clothes hangers, and shelving, that would also be graciously accepted! If it is urgent to be picked up before March, we can also make arrangements!
When will you officially open?
We are targeting the week before the May long weekend if possible. We will ease into it by opening Thursday to Saturday. Once in full mode, we will be open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What other ways can people in the community support Thrift on Main?
We need volunteers and all are welcome! Some of the things that people can do include: carpentry work, clean, electrical and plumbing repairs, paint, help with flooring, sort, price articles, work on the floor including cashiers, fix and tinker with donated items, and so on!
So please let any one of the listed board members know if you are able to help and what you can see yourself doing. It can be an individual, family, a group of friends or even a community group!
How do you think this venture will benefit others?
This should bring people closer together by working together. It will give Main Street and the business community another attraction and give locals and visitors another place to shop. And the communities will benefit in the rewards of the business! Everyone wins!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I think I can speak on behalf of all the board members and say that it feels good to give back to the communities that we have all had the privilege of calling home for a long time!
Daniel Bushman
Not only will Main Street in Watrous see a new business but the venture has been created as a way to give back. Taking over the former Prairie Harvest Country Store, Thrift on Main aims to become a hub for residents and visitors alike.
One of those spearheading the venture, Earl Amendt Jr., took some time out of his schedule to share a bit about the unique opportunity, how it will not only benefit residents but the area as a whole and when people can expect it to open.
How did you come up with the idea of a thrift store in Watrous?
I think everyone in one form or another has thought of this for our community. Eric Upshall from Manitou Beach asked me if I would be interested in pursuing this idea with him. Two months later we formed a Founding Board, came up with a business name, raised the necessary funds and secured a building. We are going to run this as a non-profit business, sharing the net profits within our communities!
Do you feel there is a need for this type of business in Watrous?
Absolutely! Everyone likes to save a buck! Thrifting is also very popular with tourists. It is also a great way to recycle and reuse stuff that would have normally ended up in landfills or other thrift stores outside our area. It will now generate funds for our communities. It is also an ecumenical way for both the communities and churches to work hand in hand. So many positives will come out of this!
What still has to be done in order to open?
The Founding Board’s mandate is to get the doors open. So far, we have collaborated with the local churches. We would also like to see some community individuals to sit on the board as well. The board will be responsible for spearheading committees such as: cleanup, building (repair/alterations), inventory/donations, communications, volunteers and so on. This group has been very enthusiastic and will be instrumental in getting us open!
Our current board members are: Linda Leslie, Joyce Potts, Cindy Vanthuyne, Karen Hedlin, Daryl Kratchmer, Michael Byrne, Eric Upshall, Earl Amendt Jr., and Rev. Joan Kessler.
We have also been blessed with two people from Saskatoon who have extensive knowledge and experience in thrift stores. They have agreed to guide us in this venture so this way we won’t have to reinvent the wheel!
How will the business run?
Thrift on Main will be owned by the communities it represents! The board will decide on how the net profits will be distributed. The board volunteers are exactly just that, volunteers! We are all doing this for the benefit of our communities and churches.
Everyone involved from top to bottom will be volunteers. No one will receive personal compensation! Once open we hope that four volunteers per day will cover the necessary workload as we will need sorters, pricing articles, and a couple floor people. Eric and I have volunteered to take on the responsibility of managing for the first couple years as the board sees fit. We feel there needs to be someone there to be able to make decisions quickly.
What will be at Thrift on Main?
From soup to nuts, I’m sure?! We are extremely excited to accept anything that is gently used and in good condition that can be resold. From clothing, tools, toys, furniture and housewares, you name it! We will try and segment the store, having certain things displayed in specific areas. For example, we will be making the basement area the ‘Toy Area’ like when the Dahl/Fedrau families once owned the building. Prairie Oasis will also be renting a small space for a limited time. This will help offset some of the monthly expenses.
When will you start to accept donations?
We will be accepting donations starting in March. If possible, please bring donated items to the store Thursday to Saturday during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please come to the back doors and come on in. We will be glad to unload your items into the building.
We will also meet by appointment outside of those days and hours, just call Eric or myself. If you are unable to bring them to the store, we would also be available to pick up at your place, again by appointment. There are no items too big or small. Only cash donations will be given receipts and no consignments will be taken.
If anyone has any racks, clothes hangers, and shelving, that would also be graciously accepted! If it is urgent to be picked up before March, we can also make arrangements!
When will you officially open?
We are targeting the week before the May long weekend if possible. We will ease into it by opening Thursday to Saturday. Once in full mode, we will be open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What other ways can people in the community support Thrift on Main?
We need volunteers and all are welcome! Some of the things that people can do include: carpentry work, clean, electrical and plumbing repairs, paint, help with flooring, sort, price articles, work on the floor including cashiers, fix and tinker with donated items, and so on!
So please let any one of the listed board members know if you are able to help and what you can see yourself doing. It can be an individual, family, a group of friends or even a community group!
How do you think this venture will benefit others?
This should bring people closer together by working together. It will give Main Street and the business community another attraction and give locals and visitors another place to shop. And the communities will benefit in the rewards of the business! Everyone wins!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I think I can speak on behalf of all the board members and say that it feels good to give back to the communities that we have all had the privilege of calling home for a long time!
TWM Top Story - Dec. 25, 2023
Watrous resident excited about new role as Community Enhancement Director
Daniel Bushman
*image used with permission
With a new role created for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group and a new career path for a longtime Watrous resident, the emphasis of seeing the communities of Watrous and Manitou Beach not only grow but thrive will continue.
After the recent departure of former Community Development Officer Angie Rolheiser, the local marketing group elected to create a new position of Community Enhancement Director. Valuing the area, wanting to see Watrous and Manitou Beach remain a hub of activity and looking to share that passion with others, Jeff Siegfried took on the new role of Community Enhancement Director.
Following a lengthy career with Watrous Mainline GM which spanned nearly four decades, Siegfried wanted to take that experience while sharing his love for the area to see Watrous and Manitou Beach become a more vibrant and attractive place to live, work and do business in.
Taking on the new position in November, Siegfried has been busy adjusting from a marketing group board member to a Community Enhancement Director. Graciously taking some time out of his schedule, Siegfried answered a few questions about the new role, what it means for him and why he feels it is important.
Are you looking forward to your new role as Community Enhancement Director for WMMG?
I am very excited to “activate full-time” at Manitou Beach and Watrous.
What was it that made you want to apply?
I have been a member of the board of directors for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group for almost a year. When outgoing Community Development Officer Angie Rolheiser decided that her plans to move her family here were not working out, it opened a vacancy in an important position for the two communities.
At first, I was struggling to think of potential applicants that I could encourage to submit a resume, but the more I thought about it, the position appealed to me. It was a difficult decision to step away from Watrous Mainline GM after 36 years. I’ve been there since I was a little boy, since my dad Ken was the bookkeeper there for 18 years. I used to think, “Wow, 18 years was a long time Dad…” but I was treated so well by Gerald Merrifield and Don Campbell, it was easy to stay. They’ve had so many long-term employees over the years, it’s a testament to them. After a few conversations with my wife Karen, we decided that it would be a good move for me.
Could you share about the new role that Watrous Manitou Marketing Group created?
Previously, the position was called the Community Development Officer. The Watrous Manitou Marketing Group decided to rename the position Community Enhancement Director. There were many different terms that were discussed, and some of them fit together better than others. We think the terms “Enhancement” and “Director” are important because we want to nurture what is already here. Our assets, if nurtured properly, will grow and develop.
When people have asked, “What will you really do?” I can summarize the position like this: We want people that live here to enjoy living here and be proud of our communities. We want visitors to be welcome, and impressed with the scope of our offerings, events and activities. We want those visitors to return, and tell others to visit, driving economic growth to the region. Some of those visitors will decide to take up residence, adding to our schools, employee pool, business owner base, property taxes and other economic benefits. More people living here is growth and with growth comes more business. It’s a long route back to the word development, but there are a lot of pieces that will benefit from enhancement.
How important do you feel this area is as you have resided here for quite some time?
Watrous and Manitou Beach have long been a meeting place. For thousands of years, people have been drawn to the waters. In the 1900s, the area was a place for people to congregate and enjoy life, away from their normal lives at home.
The Watrous Manitou Marketing Group was formed almost 15 years ago to revive the area and frankly, brag about what we have to offer! Our facilities rival many larger centres, and exceed what many smaller towns have. Our natural and historic assets are interesting and unique. No one else has a mineral pool of this kind! The area is central within Saskatchewan and should attract people from all over North America if we continue to get the message out there. Our residents should be able to boast about our communities to their families and friends. Our event listings on our annual calendar of activities is exciting and well-rounded. Everyone should be able to find something to get involved with here.
What is it about Watrous and Manitou Beach that you love?
This is my HOME. I love this place because it’s where I grew up, got married and had a family. My heart is full because I get to give back to our communities by fostering existing relationships and encouraging new ones.
What are some things you are hoping to achieve for the area in your new role?
Most immediately, the WMMG and I are working on the newest issue of the Area Activities Guide. I’d like to get it off to the printer soon, so the finished product is ready for distribution at upcoming trade shows this winter. If you’ve been in the guide before, I want to hear from you again (email: wwmg@sasktel.net). I need to find the balance between giving past supporters the attention they need, but at the same time, attract additional content from groups and businesses in the area. We need to all come together to enhance the region for our residents and visitors.
Following the completion of the guide, I will be actively reaching out to all community groups and activities to make myself available for support. We need to increase the content on the watrousmanitou.com regional website. I’d like to consolidate the social media messages, so people can find a consistent source of information on what’s happening in the area. There’s no way I could join every committee and group, so people will have to invite me to be involved, and still allow me to be spread throughout the entire region. I will help where I can, when I can, and hope to be available to all community groups and events.
For those who may not know you, could you share a bit about yourself?
I was born at the white multi-storey Watrous Union Hospital in 1968 to Janice (who is still active in the community here) and Ken Siegfried (who passed in 2016). I have a younger sister Gina who lives north of Calgary.
I married another long-term resident of Watrous, Karen Siegfried (nee Wilson) in 2005 and we have one son, Jacob. I worked for Henry-Kelly Tractor, Herb’s IGA, the Town of Watrous and Pip’s Esso in my younger years and then settled in with Mainline GM in 1987 for a long and rewarding career. In the past, people would occasionally say, “So, your still stuck in Watrous?” to which I would always retort, “No, I CHOOSE to be here. I’ve never been STUCK here.”
Are you looking forward to connecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones?
Of course, there are lots of people that I already know. I’ve worked with many people in the community over the years. I’m eager to continue to meet more people in the area and develop new friendships. Volunteering shouldn’t feel like work, you want to be with people and have a little fun. Give, and the community gives back.
You can be involved with events and find reward in providing a place where others can have fun, be entertained, and grow. On that note, contact me about getting involved in Manitou Beach and Watrous Winterfest Feb. 18 to 24!
If people want to connect with you either as a business, resident, or visitor, what can they do?
I will have an office at the Town Office in Watrous at 404 Main Street and the number there is 306-946-3216 and the email is wmmg@sasktel.net. I have lots to keep me busy there, but for me, the most rewarding part of the position will be attending meetings and events at Manitou Beach and Watrous. I plan to be out and about quite a bit.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’ve been overwhelmed with the support from both communities! The comments, calls and congratulatory (often celebratory) words on the street have really taken me by surprise. I’ve mentioned a few times that people have the bar set very high for someone of my height.
I believe my passion for the area and willingness to work with people will help me succeed. I’ve had support from Angie as she has made the transition as pleasant as possible, and she promises to continue to support me in my new role. Past CDOs have also reached out and offered congratulations and support. It’s going to be a really great chance for me to give back to my home and rally others to come along for the ride.
Thanks for the opportunity to pass along these sentiments to the community.
TWM Top Stories - Dec. 18, 2023
Watrous resident honoured as Citizen of the Year
*photo courtesy Chelsea Murfitt
Daniel Bushman
Wanting to see the community not only come together but thrive, this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year has played an integral part in that desire. During the Town of Watrous Christmas Party Dec. 8, Ron Ediger was recognized with the prestigious Citizen of the Year award.
Constructing and spearheading Memory Trail, a unique walking trail joining Watrous and Manitou Beach together, Ediger who owns Melron Services Ltd. covered the entire cost and the work of the project. Along with donating funds to other worthy causes, Ediger was humbled to have received this year’s award.
“I am just trying to make our community a better place and when I got the call that I had been named as this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year, it was very heartwarming. For me, I have always been a guy who wants to make things happen. When the opportunity came about to get that trail done, it was something I wanted to do and it is satisfying to see so many people enjoying it.”
In the nomination letter submitted by former Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall, he noted the area is very fortunate to have a person like Ron Ediger as a member of the community. “Ron brings strong assets as a community-minded businessman in Watrous. He dedicates himself to many causes in not only Watrous and area but also outside our trading area. Historically Ron has been recognized privately and publicly for dedicating himself to improving the cultural, physical and human aspects in our area.”
Not only lending his support to a number of initiatives but also building pride in the community, Memory Trail was the latest project for Ediger. Collaborating with local governments, the Government of Saskatchewan, the Watrous Rotary, businesses and families, Ediger took care of the cost of the trail and used his own equipment and resources from Melron Services Ltd. Officially opened earlier this year and enjoyed by residents and visitors, the trail has also brought the two communities together. “Ron’s personal touch and genuine concern for people can be seen in the trail design that provides a safe path away from the highway and in the quality of the construction,” noted Upshall. “Building and funding the trail is a feat, but even greater is the cultural and human value it provides to our area.”
In addition to his generosity locally, Ediger has also supported other worthy causes including a recent $50,000 donation to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon. That comes after a $100,000 donation a few years ago to the hospital. “These generous acts attract attention to Watrous and highlights the character of its citizens. Ron cares about his community and beyond. He cares about spearheading and supporting worthy causes. He cares about people.”
This is not the first time Ediger has been recognized for his tremendous efforts within the community and beyond. In 2017, Ron along with his late wife Melissa received the prestigious honour of Watrous Citizens of the Year. During that time, and as is the case now for Ron, a major focus was placed on community through their generosity and efforts. “We try hard and we appreciate the community, the town and the support we receive and want to give back and show people the appreciation of what they have given us over the years,” said Ron in 2017.
The pair not only began Melron Services Ltd. from the ground up but grew it to become well-known throughout the area. As part of that Ron and Melissa gave back through substantial donations towards many initiatives like the Watrous District Health Complex, a new Zamboni at the Watrous Centennial Arena, the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, the Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama and numerous clubs and organizations. In addition to their fundraising efforts, Ron and Melissa also contributed through supplying equipment, labour and prizes towards various events and organizations. “The community has been wonderful and a lot of our customers have also become friends.”
After getting into the business world in 1972, in 1988 Ron decided to sell his place in Nokomis and moved to Watrous where he began selling vehicles with Watrous Mainline Motors GM. It was during that time where he made a lot of acquaintances and met numerous customers. After he left the world of selling cars and began Melron Services with Melissa, Ron remarked, “A lot of people followed us and stayed our customers. That is how it grew, by just playing in the dirt.”
Looking back on those years and after receiving the honour in 2023, Ediger said he is humbled and looks forward to seeing the community continue to grow. “I saw a need for the trail and wanted to make it happen. That is something I have tried to do during my time here, is help the community. They have supported us and I wanted to give back and say thanks. I also wanted to say a big thank you to my past and present staff who have helped me over the years to see our company succeed and grow.”
*photo courtesy Chelsea Murfitt
Daniel Bushman
Wanting to see the community not only come together but thrive, this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year has played an integral part in that desire. During the Town of Watrous Christmas Party Dec. 8, Ron Ediger was recognized with the prestigious Citizen of the Year award.
Constructing and spearheading Memory Trail, a unique walking trail joining Watrous and Manitou Beach together, Ediger who owns Melron Services Ltd. covered the entire cost and the work of the project. Along with donating funds to other worthy causes, Ediger was humbled to have received this year’s award.
“I am just trying to make our community a better place and when I got the call that I had been named as this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year, it was very heartwarming. For me, I have always been a guy who wants to make things happen. When the opportunity came about to get that trail done, it was something I wanted to do and it is satisfying to see so many people enjoying it.”
In the nomination letter submitted by former Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall, he noted the area is very fortunate to have a person like Ron Ediger as a member of the community. “Ron brings strong assets as a community-minded businessman in Watrous. He dedicates himself to many causes in not only Watrous and area but also outside our trading area. Historically Ron has been recognized privately and publicly for dedicating himself to improving the cultural, physical and human aspects in our area.”
Not only lending his support to a number of initiatives but also building pride in the community, Memory Trail was the latest project for Ediger. Collaborating with local governments, the Government of Saskatchewan, the Watrous Rotary, businesses and families, Ediger took care of the cost of the trail and used his own equipment and resources from Melron Services Ltd. Officially opened earlier this year and enjoyed by residents and visitors, the trail has also brought the two communities together. “Ron’s personal touch and genuine concern for people can be seen in the trail design that provides a safe path away from the highway and in the quality of the construction,” noted Upshall. “Building and funding the trail is a feat, but even greater is the cultural and human value it provides to our area.”
In addition to his generosity locally, Ediger has also supported other worthy causes including a recent $50,000 donation to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon. That comes after a $100,000 donation a few years ago to the hospital. “These generous acts attract attention to Watrous and highlights the character of its citizens. Ron cares about his community and beyond. He cares about spearheading and supporting worthy causes. He cares about people.”
This is not the first time Ediger has been recognized for his tremendous efforts within the community and beyond. In 2017, Ron along with his late wife Melissa received the prestigious honour of Watrous Citizens of the Year. During that time, and as is the case now for Ron, a major focus was placed on community through their generosity and efforts. “We try hard and we appreciate the community, the town and the support we receive and want to give back and show people the appreciation of what they have given us over the years,” said Ron in 2017.
The pair not only began Melron Services Ltd. from the ground up but grew it to become well-known throughout the area. As part of that Ron and Melissa gave back through substantial donations towards many initiatives like the Watrous District Health Complex, a new Zamboni at the Watrous Centennial Arena, the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, the Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama and numerous clubs and organizations. In addition to their fundraising efforts, Ron and Melissa also contributed through supplying equipment, labour and prizes towards various events and organizations. “The community has been wonderful and a lot of our customers have also become friends.”
After getting into the business world in 1972, in 1988 Ron decided to sell his place in Nokomis and moved to Watrous where he began selling vehicles with Watrous Mainline Motors GM. It was during that time where he made a lot of acquaintances and met numerous customers. After he left the world of selling cars and began Melron Services with Melissa, Ron remarked, “A lot of people followed us and stayed our customers. That is how it grew, by just playing in the dirt.”
Looking back on those years and after receiving the honour in 2023, Ediger said he is humbled and looks forward to seeing the community continue to grow. “I saw a need for the trail and wanted to make it happen. That is something I have tried to do during my time here, is help the community. They have supported us and I wanted to give back and say thanks. I also wanted to say a big thank you to my past and present staff who have helped me over the years to see our company succeed and grow.”
Watrous Coach of the Year award handed out
Daniel Bushman
*photo courtesy Chelsea Murfitt
With a focus on helping and teaching others while seeing her team grow and excel, this year’s Watrous Coach of the Year not only has a passion for volleyball and her players but has enjoyed the opportunity to coach within the sport.
Honoured to have been named as this year’s recipient, when Brett Anderson found out she was receiving the honour at the Town of Watrous Christmas Party Dec. 8, the coach said, “I was very excited! I love being able to share my passion with others in the community.”
Born and raised in Watrous, Anderson’s love for volleyball started right from an early age. “The only time I enjoyed going to school was to play volleyball so it really isn’t surprising I got into coaching. I played club volleyball in Holdfast for six years as we didn’t have a club team in Watrous and I am happy to be back in my home community doing the things I love!”
Beginning her coaching career in 2016 in Watrous, Anderson then took a bit of time away when she moved to Alberta. Returning to her roots a few years ago, Anderson has coached high school and club volleyball ever since.
Flattered the members of the Wildcats Tournament Team 2 nominated her for the award, Anderson said, “I have coached some of the girls on that team for three years straight so for them to nominate me is huge. We worked hard and had a ton of fun this past year! They are a great group of students to coach. Everyday they teach me something new and can always make me laugh! It has been an honour to coach them - three years really goes by too fast!”
Judging by the nomination letter submitted by the group, those sentiments of learning, growing and having fun were echoed by the team.
“Brett is the epitome of selflessness and caring. Brett has volunteered to coach the Senior Girls Tournament Team 2,” shared the team in the nomination letter. “She donates not only her time by driving to practices twice a week, she also gives up every weekend during the season to take the players to tournaments around the province and is always willing to drive when parents aren’t able to. She is a kind and caring person who takes the time to get to know each of her players and leaves an indelible mark on each and every one of them.”
A number of players from the team indicated in the nomination letter that Anderson was not only a coach but a friend, cares about the team, has taught the team a number of things, an amazing coach who has a huge heart and allowed the girls to become better players while bringing new and exciting ideas to practice.
Winston High School Teacher Lori Bartko who submitted the letter on the team’s behalf said, “It is impossible to capture all that Brett does for our students at Winston. She is a mentor, a friend, and an excellent role model. We are so lucky to have her volunteer the countless hours that she does.”
Reflecting back on her time as a coach, when asked if there was someone who had an influence on her, like she has been having on others, Brett was quick to respond. “Definitely my auntie, Wendi Collins. She has led an excellent volleyball program for the school as well as a club program. I’m happy to coach alongside her and learn everything I can from her! I am also really grateful to Lori Bartko at WHS for giving of her time and assisting me with coaching the school team this year!”
Humbled and grateful for the recognition and now joining her auntie Wendi who received the prestigious honour in 2019, Anderson said, “Being named as Watrous Coach of the Year is a huge accomplishment for me. I’ve loved volleyball for as long as I can remember and never thought it would turn into me coaching, but I am sure happy it did.”
Daniel Bushman
*photo courtesy Chelsea Murfitt
With a focus on helping and teaching others while seeing her team grow and excel, this year’s Watrous Coach of the Year not only has a passion for volleyball and her players but has enjoyed the opportunity to coach within the sport.
Honoured to have been named as this year’s recipient, when Brett Anderson found out she was receiving the honour at the Town of Watrous Christmas Party Dec. 8, the coach said, “I was very excited! I love being able to share my passion with others in the community.”
Born and raised in Watrous, Anderson’s love for volleyball started right from an early age. “The only time I enjoyed going to school was to play volleyball so it really isn’t surprising I got into coaching. I played club volleyball in Holdfast for six years as we didn’t have a club team in Watrous and I am happy to be back in my home community doing the things I love!”
Beginning her coaching career in 2016 in Watrous, Anderson then took a bit of time away when she moved to Alberta. Returning to her roots a few years ago, Anderson has coached high school and club volleyball ever since.
Flattered the members of the Wildcats Tournament Team 2 nominated her for the award, Anderson said, “I have coached some of the girls on that team for three years straight so for them to nominate me is huge. We worked hard and had a ton of fun this past year! They are a great group of students to coach. Everyday they teach me something new and can always make me laugh! It has been an honour to coach them - three years really goes by too fast!”
Judging by the nomination letter submitted by the group, those sentiments of learning, growing and having fun were echoed by the team.
“Brett is the epitome of selflessness and caring. Brett has volunteered to coach the Senior Girls Tournament Team 2,” shared the team in the nomination letter. “She donates not only her time by driving to practices twice a week, she also gives up every weekend during the season to take the players to tournaments around the province and is always willing to drive when parents aren’t able to. She is a kind and caring person who takes the time to get to know each of her players and leaves an indelible mark on each and every one of them.”
A number of players from the team indicated in the nomination letter that Anderson was not only a coach but a friend, cares about the team, has taught the team a number of things, an amazing coach who has a huge heart and allowed the girls to become better players while bringing new and exciting ideas to practice.
Winston High School Teacher Lori Bartko who submitted the letter on the team’s behalf said, “It is impossible to capture all that Brett does for our students at Winston. She is a mentor, a friend, and an excellent role model. We are so lucky to have her volunteer the countless hours that she does.”
Reflecting back on her time as a coach, when asked if there was someone who had an influence on her, like she has been having on others, Brett was quick to respond. “Definitely my auntie, Wendi Collins. She has led an excellent volleyball program for the school as well as a club program. I’m happy to coach alongside her and learn everything I can from her! I am also really grateful to Lori Bartko at WHS for giving of her time and assisting me with coaching the school team this year!”
Humbled and grateful for the recognition and now joining her auntie Wendi who received the prestigious honour in 2019, Anderson said, “Being named as Watrous Coach of the Year is a huge accomplishment for me. I’ve loved volleyball for as long as I can remember and never thought it would turn into me coaching, but I am sure happy it did.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 11, 2023
Local dinner theatre a hit
Daniel Bushman
With a lot of laughs, an opportunity to enjoy an evening out and a chance to take in this year’s comedic play by the Saltwater Players, people gathered at the Watrous Civic Centre as part of the Watrous and Area Arts Council’s dinner theatre Nov. 25 and 26.
Featuring a local group putting on the production called, The Inseparables, Amanda Dezotell with Saltwater Players said it was an exciting opportunity. “We just really appreciated everyone who came out to watch the show and see our group take the stage. We also sincerely appreciated the Town of Watrous for letting us practice in the Watrous Civic Centre and for the Watrous and Area Arts Council for hiring us to perform at their dinner theatre.”
Lety Schalm with the Watrous and Area Arts Council was thrilled to have the Saltwater Players in attendance and added there were countless volunteer hours and people who helped to bring the event to fruition. “The support we received from many aided in the dinner theatre being a success. We are grateful to everyone who gave of their time, to the Saltwater Players for their work and to the people who came and enjoyed the performance.”
Written by TJ Young, The Inseparables features a cast who essentially go in and out of character as part of The North American Unified Theatre Collaborators of the West. Really wanting to put on a show, under the leadership of their founder and director, this group of actors decide to stage a new adaptation of The Three Musketeers. However, the cast were not nearly as prepared as they should be. With puppets and pool noodles, the theatre group prepared for their glorious comeback...that may not happen.
With the comedic production that induced a number of laughs, Dezotell said it provided the perfect way to spend a November evening. “Being able to get together again and put on this performance was a lot of fun. We look forward to many more seasons performing on the stage in Watrous.”
The members of this year’s Saltwater Players who were part of the production included: director Rosemary Pilkington; prompter Shannon Craig; actors Jo-Ann Borsa, Allison de Huber, Terry Potts, Avery Andreas, Fran Potts, Nancy Holma, Krystal Klenk-Potts, Carol McIntosh, and Stephan Worobec; set crew Ron Frey, John Gunderson and Susan Diehl; and costume crew Peggy Wilson and Amanda Dezotell.
Daniel Bushman
With a lot of laughs, an opportunity to enjoy an evening out and a chance to take in this year’s comedic play by the Saltwater Players, people gathered at the Watrous Civic Centre as part of the Watrous and Area Arts Council’s dinner theatre Nov. 25 and 26.
Featuring a local group putting on the production called, The Inseparables, Amanda Dezotell with Saltwater Players said it was an exciting opportunity. “We just really appreciated everyone who came out to watch the show and see our group take the stage. We also sincerely appreciated the Town of Watrous for letting us practice in the Watrous Civic Centre and for the Watrous and Area Arts Council for hiring us to perform at their dinner theatre.”
Lety Schalm with the Watrous and Area Arts Council was thrilled to have the Saltwater Players in attendance and added there were countless volunteer hours and people who helped to bring the event to fruition. “The support we received from many aided in the dinner theatre being a success. We are grateful to everyone who gave of their time, to the Saltwater Players for their work and to the people who came and enjoyed the performance.”
Written by TJ Young, The Inseparables features a cast who essentially go in and out of character as part of The North American Unified Theatre Collaborators of the West. Really wanting to put on a show, under the leadership of their founder and director, this group of actors decide to stage a new adaptation of The Three Musketeers. However, the cast were not nearly as prepared as they should be. With puppets and pool noodles, the theatre group prepared for their glorious comeback...that may not happen.
With the comedic production that induced a number of laughs, Dezotell said it provided the perfect way to spend a November evening. “Being able to get together again and put on this performance was a lot of fun. We look forward to many more seasons performing on the stage in Watrous.”
The members of this year’s Saltwater Players who were part of the production included: director Rosemary Pilkington; prompter Shannon Craig; actors Jo-Ann Borsa, Allison de Huber, Terry Potts, Avery Andreas, Fran Potts, Nancy Holma, Krystal Klenk-Potts, Carol McIntosh, and Stephan Worobec; set crew Ron Frey, John Gunderson and Susan Diehl; and costume crew Peggy Wilson and Amanda Dezotell.
TWM Top Story - Dec. 4, 2023
Watrous resident receives award for saving lives in Ukraine
*photo courtesy Olha Kolos/UNF of Canada - Regina Branch
Daniel Bushman
Feeling compelled to help after watching the devastation unfold in Ukraine and with a military background, Ron Isabelle of Watrous not only spent some time serving overseas but was recognized for saving lives.
For his selfless efforts, on Remembrance Day, Ron was honoured by the Ukrainian National Federation (UNF) of Canada - Regina Branch during a ceremony in the Queen City. UNF Regina Branch President Elena Schian and UCC Regina President Terry Kuzik presented him with a Brother for Brother medal for sacrifice, appreciating the efforts made by the Watrous resident for freeing two families under the Russian army’s occupation.
“We were going through this town and clearing it of Russian forces,” shared Ron of what happened earlier this year. “There was a building across the street from us. Our objective was to take that and once we did, we started going forward to another house but didn’t realize in the basement there were two families that the Russian army had done whatever they wanted to to them. We didn’t find that out until after the battle was done. Our commander told us there were people in that home and we had no idea. They just wanted to thank us for everything we did because they had no idea what their life was going to be like if they were going to make it out alive or what the army was going to further do to them.”
It was that effort during his second tour of duty in Ukraine in which the Canadian earned the medal. “At the ceremony, the people in Regina could not have been more supportive. They thanked me, they hugged me and were really quite thankful I went over.”
For foreigners like Ron who received the medal for helping Ukrainian servicemen, the Brother for Brother award was founded in 2016 by the FRAC Charity Foundation, US, including the Gavrilenk family from California. The UNF said, “We are honoured to award foreign citizens who, since 2014, have taken direct part in hostilities and defended the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
With his military experience, when asked why he decided to go to Ukraine twice, the Watrous resident who was stationed mostly at Chatham, New Brunswick during his career said, “There has to be an end to it and somebody has to be helped so I felt that I needed to go over and help.”
Wanting to lend a hand, the 57-year-old was able to connect with some friends in the military that were already in Ukraine. Heading over for three months a few years ago before returning to Ukraine this past summer for a second tour of duty, Ron was on the ground with a combat scenario every day.
Having days of not much going on and others where there was a lot of action, the overall experience was a scary one for the whole contingent. “You get your morning briefing and it is all bubbly and roses and they say we are all going to come back. Not everybody comes back, that is just the way it is. It is a big surge of adrenaline and a lot of forgetting things that you have learnt. It can be something as simple as reloading your weapon. You will forget in an instant because things are happening so fast. It is just that quick. You have to be able to grasp it, take it all in and take in all your surroundings.”
Fighting in the city of Lyman in eastern Ukraine and stationed about 60 kms north of the city of Dnipro with a group called the International Brigade during his first tour and the Ukrainian Foreign Legion during his second time of combat, Ron was not the only one from another country helping Ukraine.
Led by a French-Canadian, other Canadians were also part of the International Brigade while there were some who joined from the United States. During his second tour, this time with the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, the local soldier was the only Canadian in the group while there was representation from Brazil, Singapore, Japan and a few other countries. “It just goes to show that the world is sick of what is happening. Everyone wants to help and everyone wants to see Ukrainians free.”
Ron also shared about how civilians are trying to do their best amidst a difficult situation. “People live differently with the war going on. They do what they can to get through with their everyday lives. We were posted in a school. That was where our base was. They were trying to get the teachers to come back to teach school again and this was just 30 miles from the front lines. They wanted some type of normalcy and wanted to do whatever they could to get it. The locals were really good about everything. They accepted us as foreigners coming into their hometown and were quite happy to have us there.”
While wounded from a shell that broke close to him during combat a month into his second tour, despite the injury, which has since healed, the local resident was glad he went but considers himself lucky. “Everyone who I went over with, I was pals with around 10 or 15 people there, and every one except three of us are dead. One is in California and one is from France, who lost his foot, but everyone else was killed in action.”
Explaining how so many people have lost their lives because of the fighting, Ron keeps in touch with a family who he helps support in Ukraine. Hearing from them, two family friends and a godfather of one the children from that family were part of a brigade which was totally wiped out except for those three. “They were in a different part of a battle zone when it happened and were the only three out of 330 who lived. War is not what people think it is. It is not a video game. You go out with 10 people and come back with four. It is a totally different set of emotions to deal with but you also have to go on to battle the next day and keep a positive attitude. It is hard to do.”
Trying to make a difference and sharing about the severity of the situation, now back in Watrous, Ron has no plans to enlist a third time due to his age and needing to work. Reflecting on his time in the Ukraine, he said people are doing their best to remain resilient.
“They just want normalcy back. Every night we would wake up and hear the sirens and rockets go off near our town where we were posted when we weren’t in battle. We had to worry about drones. We used to sit around at night before supper time and every night we would go attack the Russian army across the river and just like clockwork they would turn around and come back and attack us. They would use drones and snipers, whatever they could. It is still hard for me to hear a lawn mower start without my heart skipping a beat because that is what those bigger drones dropping explosives sound like.”
Noting how the war is at a stalemate right now with neither Ukraine or Russia gaining, as winter arrives, the man who spent time in Ukraine feels for now “everything will kind of come to a stop. I want people to know how lucky we have it in Canada when our biggest problem is worrying about our raspberry bushes when there is so much else going on around the world. There is paper work we found from Russian officers wanting nuclear war against the rest of the world. People don’t know how close we were actually to coming to a third world war.”
*photo courtesy Olha Kolos/UNF of Canada - Regina Branch
Daniel Bushman
Feeling compelled to help after watching the devastation unfold in Ukraine and with a military background, Ron Isabelle of Watrous not only spent some time serving overseas but was recognized for saving lives.
For his selfless efforts, on Remembrance Day, Ron was honoured by the Ukrainian National Federation (UNF) of Canada - Regina Branch during a ceremony in the Queen City. UNF Regina Branch President Elena Schian and UCC Regina President Terry Kuzik presented him with a Brother for Brother medal for sacrifice, appreciating the efforts made by the Watrous resident for freeing two families under the Russian army’s occupation.
“We were going through this town and clearing it of Russian forces,” shared Ron of what happened earlier this year. “There was a building across the street from us. Our objective was to take that and once we did, we started going forward to another house but didn’t realize in the basement there were two families that the Russian army had done whatever they wanted to to them. We didn’t find that out until after the battle was done. Our commander told us there were people in that home and we had no idea. They just wanted to thank us for everything we did because they had no idea what their life was going to be like if they were going to make it out alive or what the army was going to further do to them.”
It was that effort during his second tour of duty in Ukraine in which the Canadian earned the medal. “At the ceremony, the people in Regina could not have been more supportive. They thanked me, they hugged me and were really quite thankful I went over.”
For foreigners like Ron who received the medal for helping Ukrainian servicemen, the Brother for Brother award was founded in 2016 by the FRAC Charity Foundation, US, including the Gavrilenk family from California. The UNF said, “We are honoured to award foreign citizens who, since 2014, have taken direct part in hostilities and defended the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
With his military experience, when asked why he decided to go to Ukraine twice, the Watrous resident who was stationed mostly at Chatham, New Brunswick during his career said, “There has to be an end to it and somebody has to be helped so I felt that I needed to go over and help.”
Wanting to lend a hand, the 57-year-old was able to connect with some friends in the military that were already in Ukraine. Heading over for three months a few years ago before returning to Ukraine this past summer for a second tour of duty, Ron was on the ground with a combat scenario every day.
Having days of not much going on and others where there was a lot of action, the overall experience was a scary one for the whole contingent. “You get your morning briefing and it is all bubbly and roses and they say we are all going to come back. Not everybody comes back, that is just the way it is. It is a big surge of adrenaline and a lot of forgetting things that you have learnt. It can be something as simple as reloading your weapon. You will forget in an instant because things are happening so fast. It is just that quick. You have to be able to grasp it, take it all in and take in all your surroundings.”
Fighting in the city of Lyman in eastern Ukraine and stationed about 60 kms north of the city of Dnipro with a group called the International Brigade during his first tour and the Ukrainian Foreign Legion during his second time of combat, Ron was not the only one from another country helping Ukraine.
Led by a French-Canadian, other Canadians were also part of the International Brigade while there were some who joined from the United States. During his second tour, this time with the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, the local soldier was the only Canadian in the group while there was representation from Brazil, Singapore, Japan and a few other countries. “It just goes to show that the world is sick of what is happening. Everyone wants to help and everyone wants to see Ukrainians free.”
Ron also shared about how civilians are trying to do their best amidst a difficult situation. “People live differently with the war going on. They do what they can to get through with their everyday lives. We were posted in a school. That was where our base was. They were trying to get the teachers to come back to teach school again and this was just 30 miles from the front lines. They wanted some type of normalcy and wanted to do whatever they could to get it. The locals were really good about everything. They accepted us as foreigners coming into their hometown and were quite happy to have us there.”
While wounded from a shell that broke close to him during combat a month into his second tour, despite the injury, which has since healed, the local resident was glad he went but considers himself lucky. “Everyone who I went over with, I was pals with around 10 or 15 people there, and every one except three of us are dead. One is in California and one is from France, who lost his foot, but everyone else was killed in action.”
Explaining how so many people have lost their lives because of the fighting, Ron keeps in touch with a family who he helps support in Ukraine. Hearing from them, two family friends and a godfather of one the children from that family were part of a brigade which was totally wiped out except for those three. “They were in a different part of a battle zone when it happened and were the only three out of 330 who lived. War is not what people think it is. It is not a video game. You go out with 10 people and come back with four. It is a totally different set of emotions to deal with but you also have to go on to battle the next day and keep a positive attitude. It is hard to do.”
Trying to make a difference and sharing about the severity of the situation, now back in Watrous, Ron has no plans to enlist a third time due to his age and needing to work. Reflecting on his time in the Ukraine, he said people are doing their best to remain resilient.
“They just want normalcy back. Every night we would wake up and hear the sirens and rockets go off near our town where we were posted when we weren’t in battle. We had to worry about drones. We used to sit around at night before supper time and every night we would go attack the Russian army across the river and just like clockwork they would turn around and come back and attack us. They would use drones and snipers, whatever they could. It is still hard for me to hear a lawn mower start without my heart skipping a beat because that is what those bigger drones dropping explosives sound like.”
Noting how the war is at a stalemate right now with neither Ukraine or Russia gaining, as winter arrives, the man who spent time in Ukraine feels for now “everything will kind of come to a stop. I want people to know how lucky we have it in Canada when our biggest problem is worrying about our raspberry bushes when there is so much else going on around the world. There is paper work we found from Russian officers wanting nuclear war against the rest of the world. People don’t know how close we were actually to coming to a third world war.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 27, 2023
Teacher with Watrous roots receives prestigious award
*photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
Recognized on a national level for her tremendous work as a teacher and one of just two people from Saskatchewan to receive a 2023 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence, Kara Fidelack was not only honoured to be a recipient but humbled.
With a passion for teaching right from an early age, growing up in Watrous, the now teacher at Hudson Bay Community School explained it is validating to know others believe in her and support the work she does. “Receiving this award also inspires me to continue to bring my best to the classroom each day for my students and to keep learning and evolving as an educator as I continue in my career.”
Awarding up to 10 Certificates of Excellence and up to 25 Certificates of Achievement each year, Kara was the only person in Saskatchewan to receive a Certificate of Achievement and one of just two people from the province to be acknowledged as part of the 2023 Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence.
“It is still a bit surreal and I am honoured to be in such esteemed company! However, I believe that there are many amazing educators in our province who are deserving of recognition for what they do, so I’d encourage others to consider nominating an outstanding teacher in their life. I’d love to see Saskatchewan educators continue to be acknowledged for the important work they do in our schools.”
Developing a fascination for teaching early on in her life as a number of her extended family are educators, Kara always loved school and wanted to work with children. Attending Watrous Elementary School and Winston High School before graduating and then convocating from the University of Regina, Fidelack said it all played a big role in leading her to a career in education. “From the moment I began my education journey, I loved school and all of my teachers. I guess it is not surprising that I wanted to spend my career in a school setting after growing up in an educational environment that inspired me to love learning. Another factor that I attribute my interest in teaching to is my mom running a childcare business out of our home for many years when I was younger. Having kids around was natural to me; this is when I first remember discovering that I liked being around children because of the energy and joy they bring to life.”
Now in her eighth year of teaching at Hudson Bay, the Pre-Kindergarten and Gr. 2 teacher shared how meaningful it has been. “It is hard to put something into words when you believe it to the core of your being. Why are teaching and education important? They just are! The best way I can say it is children and youth are our most precious resource and are quite literally, our future. They should be our top priority and our biggest investment. That’s what makes teaching and education so important. We are working with our most precious resource and developing our future.”
That passion, dedication and willingness to invest in future leaders of tomorrow is a big reason why Fidelack was recognized for her efforts. As part of her work in Hudson Bay, the daughter of Patti and Rodney shared about developing a curriculum to teach Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy to Pre-K aged children through hands-on experience and play. She has also engaged in various professional development opportunities, incorporated play-based learning by developing hands-on centres for students, took on the role of
president for the Saskatchewan Early Childhood Education Council (Sask ECEC) and helped provide professional development to other early years teachers in Saskatchewan. Fidelack also presented on Decolonizing Practices in Classrooms to other Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers within the North East School Division and shared her travel experiences with her students.
Watching Fidelack grow and flourish over the years, Hudson Bay Community School Principal Louise Gel not only nominated her colleague but knew Kara was a well-deserving recipient. With such a prestigious award being handed out across the country and with so very few receiving it, Gel began the application process in December of 2022. Aside from the introduction, the principal provided strong evidence of Fidelack’s work in a variety of categories that included: support of child development, innovation, involvement with parents, families, and community, and commitment and leadership in the field.
“The pages were easy to fill with Kara’s many accomplishments,” shared Gel about the nomination. “She is an avid learner and loves the challenge of taking on new learning opportunities. It was worth every moment to bring recognition of this young teacher and her dedication to her chosen field. Kara has a favourite quote from O. Red Donaldson that she lives by in her work: ‘Children learn as they play. More Importantly, in play, children learn how to learn.’”
Despite knowing the competition would be tremendously tough, it did not deter Gel from submitting Kara’s name for the Prime Minister’s Teaching Excellence Certificate of Achievement. “I was promoting a strong candidate with three degrees and a solid portfolio of work with students.”
Understanding just over 2,100 outstanding educators have been honoured since 1994 for their exceptional achievements in education and for their commitment to preparing youth for a digital and innovation-based economy, when Gel heard Fidelack had been named a recipient for 2023, she was ecstatic. “Kara’s attainment of this award is not only a personal celebration for her but is a testament to the quality of teacher professionalism and expertise we boast in a small town and in the North East School Division. The staff held a cupcake celebration in her honour, a small act for a big achievement!”
Celebrating the people contributing to Canada’s culture of curiosity by inspiring young people to reflect, ask questions and challenge themselves, when the recipients were announced Oct. 5, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau said, “Every day, teachers go above and beyond as mentors, coaches, counsellors, and advocates for the next generation of Canadians. Today, we congratulate the 2023 award recipients; your dedication and service to our kids help make Canada the best country in the world. As a teacher myself, I have seen your passion first hand—it is truly inspirational. Today, on World Teachers Day, we send out gratitude to the educators in communities across the country who are setting the next generation up for success and helping to build a better future for all Canadians.”
With this year’s award recipients chosen from among 150 nominations from across the country, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne said, “Canada’s renowned education system begins with the early childhood educators and teachers who enable children and youth to ask questions, grow and learn. The 2023 Prime Minister Awards recipients are fuelling a culture of curiosity for children and students to be ingenious and ambitious and take the path of discovery that propels Canadian innovation, and we thank you as you shape a strong future for Canada.”
Having recipients determined based on a rigorous two-tier selection process undertaken by over 130 volunteers from the education and early childhood education communities across Canada, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds said, “Early childhood educators are the cornerstone of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system. Their work is critical to fostering the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of young children and the success of the system. Congratulations to the 2023 Prime Minister Award recipients; you have made an incredible impact on our country and communities.”
Receiving the accolades and very humbled through it all, Fidelack was quick to give praise to some of those who have helped her along the way. “This award is very close to my heart because it demonstrates the strong professional support system I have in Hudson Bay. My principal, Louise Gel, was the one who nominated me. Louise has always been one of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders since she hired me as a brand new teacher right out of university. I would not be the teacher I am today without her, so this special recognition is an experience I will always share with her. Krista Bracken (a colleague and friend), Michelle Gulka (Vice Principal) and Reanne Usselman (Coordinator of Learning and Early Childhood Consultant for NESD) also wrote reference letters for the nomination package and I am incredibly grateful for their time and effort as well.
“I attribute this success to the environment I’m in; the staff at HBCS and the community of Hudson Bay have always been supportive of my endeavours, so I share this recognition with everyone who has helped me get here and believed in me along the way.”
*photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
Recognized on a national level for her tremendous work as a teacher and one of just two people from Saskatchewan to receive a 2023 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence, Kara Fidelack was not only honoured to be a recipient but humbled.
With a passion for teaching right from an early age, growing up in Watrous, the now teacher at Hudson Bay Community School explained it is validating to know others believe in her and support the work she does. “Receiving this award also inspires me to continue to bring my best to the classroom each day for my students and to keep learning and evolving as an educator as I continue in my career.”
Awarding up to 10 Certificates of Excellence and up to 25 Certificates of Achievement each year, Kara was the only person in Saskatchewan to receive a Certificate of Achievement and one of just two people from the province to be acknowledged as part of the 2023 Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence.
“It is still a bit surreal and I am honoured to be in such esteemed company! However, I believe that there are many amazing educators in our province who are deserving of recognition for what they do, so I’d encourage others to consider nominating an outstanding teacher in their life. I’d love to see Saskatchewan educators continue to be acknowledged for the important work they do in our schools.”
Developing a fascination for teaching early on in her life as a number of her extended family are educators, Kara always loved school and wanted to work with children. Attending Watrous Elementary School and Winston High School before graduating and then convocating from the University of Regina, Fidelack said it all played a big role in leading her to a career in education. “From the moment I began my education journey, I loved school and all of my teachers. I guess it is not surprising that I wanted to spend my career in a school setting after growing up in an educational environment that inspired me to love learning. Another factor that I attribute my interest in teaching to is my mom running a childcare business out of our home for many years when I was younger. Having kids around was natural to me; this is when I first remember discovering that I liked being around children because of the energy and joy they bring to life.”
Now in her eighth year of teaching at Hudson Bay, the Pre-Kindergarten and Gr. 2 teacher shared how meaningful it has been. “It is hard to put something into words when you believe it to the core of your being. Why are teaching and education important? They just are! The best way I can say it is children and youth are our most precious resource and are quite literally, our future. They should be our top priority and our biggest investment. That’s what makes teaching and education so important. We are working with our most precious resource and developing our future.”
That passion, dedication and willingness to invest in future leaders of tomorrow is a big reason why Fidelack was recognized for her efforts. As part of her work in Hudson Bay, the daughter of Patti and Rodney shared about developing a curriculum to teach Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy to Pre-K aged children through hands-on experience and play. She has also engaged in various professional development opportunities, incorporated play-based learning by developing hands-on centres for students, took on the role of
president for the Saskatchewan Early Childhood Education Council (Sask ECEC) and helped provide professional development to other early years teachers in Saskatchewan. Fidelack also presented on Decolonizing Practices in Classrooms to other Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers within the North East School Division and shared her travel experiences with her students.
Watching Fidelack grow and flourish over the years, Hudson Bay Community School Principal Louise Gel not only nominated her colleague but knew Kara was a well-deserving recipient. With such a prestigious award being handed out across the country and with so very few receiving it, Gel began the application process in December of 2022. Aside from the introduction, the principal provided strong evidence of Fidelack’s work in a variety of categories that included: support of child development, innovation, involvement with parents, families, and community, and commitment and leadership in the field.
“The pages were easy to fill with Kara’s many accomplishments,” shared Gel about the nomination. “She is an avid learner and loves the challenge of taking on new learning opportunities. It was worth every moment to bring recognition of this young teacher and her dedication to her chosen field. Kara has a favourite quote from O. Red Donaldson that she lives by in her work: ‘Children learn as they play. More Importantly, in play, children learn how to learn.’”
Despite knowing the competition would be tremendously tough, it did not deter Gel from submitting Kara’s name for the Prime Minister’s Teaching Excellence Certificate of Achievement. “I was promoting a strong candidate with three degrees and a solid portfolio of work with students.”
Understanding just over 2,100 outstanding educators have been honoured since 1994 for their exceptional achievements in education and for their commitment to preparing youth for a digital and innovation-based economy, when Gel heard Fidelack had been named a recipient for 2023, she was ecstatic. “Kara’s attainment of this award is not only a personal celebration for her but is a testament to the quality of teacher professionalism and expertise we boast in a small town and in the North East School Division. The staff held a cupcake celebration in her honour, a small act for a big achievement!”
Celebrating the people contributing to Canada’s culture of curiosity by inspiring young people to reflect, ask questions and challenge themselves, when the recipients were announced Oct. 5, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau said, “Every day, teachers go above and beyond as mentors, coaches, counsellors, and advocates for the next generation of Canadians. Today, we congratulate the 2023 award recipients; your dedication and service to our kids help make Canada the best country in the world. As a teacher myself, I have seen your passion first hand—it is truly inspirational. Today, on World Teachers Day, we send out gratitude to the educators in communities across the country who are setting the next generation up for success and helping to build a better future for all Canadians.”
With this year’s award recipients chosen from among 150 nominations from across the country, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne said, “Canada’s renowned education system begins with the early childhood educators and teachers who enable children and youth to ask questions, grow and learn. The 2023 Prime Minister Awards recipients are fuelling a culture of curiosity for children and students to be ingenious and ambitious and take the path of discovery that propels Canadian innovation, and we thank you as you shape a strong future for Canada.”
Having recipients determined based on a rigorous two-tier selection process undertaken by over 130 volunteers from the education and early childhood education communities across Canada, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds said, “Early childhood educators are the cornerstone of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system. Their work is critical to fostering the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of young children and the success of the system. Congratulations to the 2023 Prime Minister Award recipients; you have made an incredible impact on our country and communities.”
Receiving the accolades and very humbled through it all, Fidelack was quick to give praise to some of those who have helped her along the way. “This award is very close to my heart because it demonstrates the strong professional support system I have in Hudson Bay. My principal, Louise Gel, was the one who nominated me. Louise has always been one of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders since she hired me as a brand new teacher right out of university. I would not be the teacher I am today without her, so this special recognition is an experience I will always share with her. Krista Bracken (a colleague and friend), Michelle Gulka (Vice Principal) and Reanne Usselman (Coordinator of Learning and Early Childhood Consultant for NESD) also wrote reference letters for the nomination package and I am incredibly grateful for their time and effort as well.
“I attribute this success to the environment I’m in; the staff at HBCS and the community of Hudson Bay have always been supportive of my endeavours, so I share this recognition with everyone who has helped me get here and believed in me along the way.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 20, 2023
Oilers hire Imperial's Kris Knoblauch as head coach
*screen grab image from NHL.com/Oilers/
Daniel Bushman
Finding success everywhere he has coached and with a team looking to turn its season around, Imperial’s Kris Knoblauch has been hired as the head coach of the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers.
Coaching the New York Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford over the past four seasons, this will be Knoblauch’s first full-time head coaching role at the NHL level.
“It has been a crazy 24 hours for myself,” shared Knoblauch during a media conference in Edmonton Sunday, Nov. 12. “I was on the bench yesterday in Hartford, then on a plane to get here and now here to be able to coach the Edmonton Oilers with such a strong hockey culture, history and passionate fans. To be here as a head coach is a little bit of a dream for me.”
Taking over from Jay Woodcroft, who was let go by the organization following a 3-9-1 start to the year, including a loss to last place San Jose, Knoblauch inherits a team that has qualified for the playoffs in each of the past two seasons but has struggled to open the 2023-‘24 campaign.
With an underwhelming start to the year, Edmonton General Manager Ken Holland said the team kept hoping they would win but following the recent loss to San Jose, a decision was made and Knoblauch was brought in.
Citing Kris as one of the brightest young coaches in the NHL, Holland shared when he was the general manager of Detroit in 2015 that Knoblauch was one of the finalists for the head coaching job for the Red Wings’ AHL team. While Holland ended up hiring more of a veteran coach, he had been following Knoblauch’s career from afar ever since. “He has won everywhere he has gone.”
That recipe for success stemmed right from junior hockey as Knoblauch helped guide the Kootenay Ice to a title in the Western Hockey League and a berth to the Memorial Cup. Then with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, Knoblauch achieved four consecutive 50 win seasons, an OHL championship, was named coach of the year and advanced to the Memorial Cup. He also helped behind the bench with Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship and became an assistant coach with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers for two seasons.
After his time in Philadelphia, Knoblauch took on the role as the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack and during his tenure with the Wolf Pack, Kris attended the AHL All-Star game one year as a head coach and briefly served as the New York Rangers head coach on an interim basis.
Accumulating those experiences, when he got the call to be the head coach of the Oilers, Knoblauch shared it was an unbelievable opportunity and extended his appreciation to the Rangers for allowing him to go out and take on the job.
With ties to Edmonton and playing as a winger with the University of Alberta Golden Bears before starting his coaching career in 2006-‘07 with the Prince Albert Raiders, when asked who were some of the people who helped him get to where he is today, Knoblauch became emotional as his wife and two kids remained back in Hartford. Sharing how grateful he is of their support, coaching wise, the 45-year-old said, “Rob Daum at the U of A had a big influence on me. My time in Philadelphia, Hack (Dave Hakstol) was huge but also starting coaching in the Western League, when I was in Prince Albert, Peter Anholt and Mark Holick, when I went to Kootenay. I was an assistant coach, knew nothing, very little. I had a very strong work ethic and would spend hours in there. I would have ideas of what I needed to do and I don’t think once they ever said, ‘No let’s not do that.’ They are like, ‘Yeah that’s a good idea, let’s go do it. You tell the players.’ If I didn’t have the support and belief in those two guys it would have been different and I appreciate that.”
Learning a lot of lessons along the way, Knoblauch said, “I think the most important thing is your players just have to feel good about themselves to perform. Right now I see some guys who are beaten up, they are frustrated and have put so much pressure on themselves to perform and it has not been healthy for them.”
Wanting to reach out and connect with his new coaching staff and the players, Knoblauch said, “Ultimately I see a very talented team underperforming, that is why I am here. Ultimately I am trying to build something and have some success that was anticipated at the beginning of the year.”
Explaining it can be almost like a reset when a new head coach is brought in, Knoblauch hopes that the players will see that and the pressure will be alleviated. One of those players is captain Connor McDavid who was coached by Knoblauch in Erie during his junior days. “The fact that I got to coach him in Erie, I feel very fortunate to have that opportunity. Now to be able to do that twice, I am pretty lucky there.”
McDavid’s agent during his time in Erie was Jeff Jackson. Now the CEO of Hockey Operations for the Oilers, Jackson got to know Knoblauch and with a number
of other clients on that team in junior, the CEO explained he was very close to the club. Witnessing what Knoblauch could do with teams and understanding he has a very good feel for the players, Jackson shared those were big factors as to why the Oilers organization decided to go with Kris as its next head coach.
By adding Knoblauch as head coach and special advisor to the team Paul Coffey as an assistant to replace Dave Manson, the Oilers are hoping to see their losing ways reversed and their goals allowed per game reduced.
Describing he has observed a team that is trying very hard, is very passionate, wants to win and wants to do what is right, Knoblauch added the NHL is a very difficult league and when players get frustrated and down, it is tough to perform at the highest level.
“My time as a head coach and certainly my time in Erie, I was fortunate to have some really good offensive players . . . we were always first or second in goals against average. I try and empower my players to commit to playing defensive without having to sacrifice any offence. That is certainly a message I am going to try and instill in our team.”
Heading into his first game behind the bench against the New York Islanders, a team that drafted him in 1997, Knoblauch wanted to make things as simple as possible. Despite the Islanders scoring in the opening minute, the Oilers settled in and with a four point night from Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton collected a 4-1 victory and Knoblauch’s first win as the head coach.
Speaking to the media following the game, Knoblauch said, “It feels amazing. To get that first win being a head coach was a highlight and just being here. Obviously it gets much better when you win.”
After the game, the coach was presented with a game puck commemorating his first NHL win as a head coach for Edmonton. “It felt incredible. It is going to be a souvenir. I had a game puck on my desk before the game started and I was like, ‘Oh I have only got one and I have two kids.’ Then we won and now I have two so we can make everyone happy and maybe I won’t tell them which one is the game puck and which one is the souvenir puck. After the game, they did something really special. They had a video on the TV and presented the puck and had my wife on the TV saying a few words and that was very nice of them to do.”
Enjoying the warm weather south of the border, Bob and Holly Knoblauch knew it was only a matter of time before their son would receive a head coaching job at the National Hockey League level. What the pair did not expect was that it would be Edmonton and it would come in November.
“It was Sunday morning and we were just leaving the house and I got a text from a friend back home,” Bob shared from Arizona. “He asked if Kris was headed to Edmonton. I said, ‘No. I hear these rumours all of the time, it must be a wild rumour.’”
Planning on doing some shopping, getting about two miles down the road, Bob explained his phone began blowing up with messages that his son had in fact been hired by the Oilers. “It was a total shock and we weren’t expecting it that’s for sure. I know he was excited. We were probably just as excited or more because we know how hard he worked for it and the time he put into it. It was just a goal of his to keep climbing up the ladder and it was such a proud moment when he finally made it.”
Having cheered for the Oilers since McDavid joined the team, Bob knows a few of the current players who suited up for Kris during his tenure in Erie. Knoblauch said the previous connection with McDavid, Warren Foegele and Connor Brown, Kris’ captain in Erie, will be a benefit. “All great kids and it was good to see he knew some familiar faces and knows what they can bring to the table. It was good to see that he got some of his old junior players. I know they enjoy playing for him.”
Explaining that his son first became interested in coaching when he played at the U of A for five years under Rob Daum, Bob said the calm demeanour and a focus on building relationships with players are assets his son brings with him to Edmonton. That was already evident during the first day on the job as Knoblauch tried to spend time with each player during a morning skate.
“Everybody that has played for him or anything to do with him, that is the way he coaches. His office door is always open. When he first started coaching in Erie, the coaches office was in the back corner where nobody could really see the coach. The first thing Kris did was he moved the office right to the front door where all the players walked in so he could say hi in the morning and when they left, goodbye. The door was always open. I think the players always know that he is available to talk to and I think that really helps his relationship with the players.”
Excited for their son to take on the head coaching duties in Edmonton, Bob and Holly headed to a friend’s house to catch that first game between the Oilers and Islanders. “We would not have missed that.”
While Bob said it was a little nerve-wracking at the start when New York opened the scoring, once the Oilers settled into the Nov. 13 contest and skated away with a 4-1 victory, the proud dad said it was great to see his son get that first win.
Planning to head to Edmonton in early December to take in a few games and watch their son behind the bench, Bob said having Kris closer to home will be great. “Being out on the east coast, we would fly out once a year and during COVID I don’t think we saw the kids for almost two years because we couldn’t leave the country. It will be so much nicer seeing them in the summer and they can drive to Imperial. He could not have gotten a better place to get his first job.”
Recalling the path Knoblauch took to reach his goal of being a head coach in the NHL, another Imperial native, netminder Connor Ingram who plays for Arizona, had a similar path to get to the professional level.
“We are really close to the Ingrams. Holly worked with (Connor’s dad) Brent at the school for over 20 years and we know them pretty well,” shared Bob. “Kris and Connor both kind of followed each others footsteps through the World Juniors, spending time in the AHL and finally getting their chance in the NHL. It is something special.”
*screen grab image from NHL.com/Oilers/
Daniel Bushman
Finding success everywhere he has coached and with a team looking to turn its season around, Imperial’s Kris Knoblauch has been hired as the head coach of the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers.
Coaching the New York Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford over the past four seasons, this will be Knoblauch’s first full-time head coaching role at the NHL level.
“It has been a crazy 24 hours for myself,” shared Knoblauch during a media conference in Edmonton Sunday, Nov. 12. “I was on the bench yesterday in Hartford, then on a plane to get here and now here to be able to coach the Edmonton Oilers with such a strong hockey culture, history and passionate fans. To be here as a head coach is a little bit of a dream for me.”
Taking over from Jay Woodcroft, who was let go by the organization following a 3-9-1 start to the year, including a loss to last place San Jose, Knoblauch inherits a team that has qualified for the playoffs in each of the past two seasons but has struggled to open the 2023-‘24 campaign.
With an underwhelming start to the year, Edmonton General Manager Ken Holland said the team kept hoping they would win but following the recent loss to San Jose, a decision was made and Knoblauch was brought in.
Citing Kris as one of the brightest young coaches in the NHL, Holland shared when he was the general manager of Detroit in 2015 that Knoblauch was one of the finalists for the head coaching job for the Red Wings’ AHL team. While Holland ended up hiring more of a veteran coach, he had been following Knoblauch’s career from afar ever since. “He has won everywhere he has gone.”
That recipe for success stemmed right from junior hockey as Knoblauch helped guide the Kootenay Ice to a title in the Western Hockey League and a berth to the Memorial Cup. Then with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, Knoblauch achieved four consecutive 50 win seasons, an OHL championship, was named coach of the year and advanced to the Memorial Cup. He also helped behind the bench with Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship and became an assistant coach with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers for two seasons.
After his time in Philadelphia, Knoblauch took on the role as the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack and during his tenure with the Wolf Pack, Kris attended the AHL All-Star game one year as a head coach and briefly served as the New York Rangers head coach on an interim basis.
Accumulating those experiences, when he got the call to be the head coach of the Oilers, Knoblauch shared it was an unbelievable opportunity and extended his appreciation to the Rangers for allowing him to go out and take on the job.
With ties to Edmonton and playing as a winger with the University of Alberta Golden Bears before starting his coaching career in 2006-‘07 with the Prince Albert Raiders, when asked who were some of the people who helped him get to where he is today, Knoblauch became emotional as his wife and two kids remained back in Hartford. Sharing how grateful he is of their support, coaching wise, the 45-year-old said, “Rob Daum at the U of A had a big influence on me. My time in Philadelphia, Hack (Dave Hakstol) was huge but also starting coaching in the Western League, when I was in Prince Albert, Peter Anholt and Mark Holick, when I went to Kootenay. I was an assistant coach, knew nothing, very little. I had a very strong work ethic and would spend hours in there. I would have ideas of what I needed to do and I don’t think once they ever said, ‘No let’s not do that.’ They are like, ‘Yeah that’s a good idea, let’s go do it. You tell the players.’ If I didn’t have the support and belief in those two guys it would have been different and I appreciate that.”
Learning a lot of lessons along the way, Knoblauch said, “I think the most important thing is your players just have to feel good about themselves to perform. Right now I see some guys who are beaten up, they are frustrated and have put so much pressure on themselves to perform and it has not been healthy for them.”
Wanting to reach out and connect with his new coaching staff and the players, Knoblauch said, “Ultimately I see a very talented team underperforming, that is why I am here. Ultimately I am trying to build something and have some success that was anticipated at the beginning of the year.”
Explaining it can be almost like a reset when a new head coach is brought in, Knoblauch hopes that the players will see that and the pressure will be alleviated. One of those players is captain Connor McDavid who was coached by Knoblauch in Erie during his junior days. “The fact that I got to coach him in Erie, I feel very fortunate to have that opportunity. Now to be able to do that twice, I am pretty lucky there.”
McDavid’s agent during his time in Erie was Jeff Jackson. Now the CEO of Hockey Operations for the Oilers, Jackson got to know Knoblauch and with a number
of other clients on that team in junior, the CEO explained he was very close to the club. Witnessing what Knoblauch could do with teams and understanding he has a very good feel for the players, Jackson shared those were big factors as to why the Oilers organization decided to go with Kris as its next head coach.
By adding Knoblauch as head coach and special advisor to the team Paul Coffey as an assistant to replace Dave Manson, the Oilers are hoping to see their losing ways reversed and their goals allowed per game reduced.
Describing he has observed a team that is trying very hard, is very passionate, wants to win and wants to do what is right, Knoblauch added the NHL is a very difficult league and when players get frustrated and down, it is tough to perform at the highest level.
“My time as a head coach and certainly my time in Erie, I was fortunate to have some really good offensive players . . . we were always first or second in goals against average. I try and empower my players to commit to playing defensive without having to sacrifice any offence. That is certainly a message I am going to try and instill in our team.”
Heading into his first game behind the bench against the New York Islanders, a team that drafted him in 1997, Knoblauch wanted to make things as simple as possible. Despite the Islanders scoring in the opening minute, the Oilers settled in and with a four point night from Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton collected a 4-1 victory and Knoblauch’s first win as the head coach.
Speaking to the media following the game, Knoblauch said, “It feels amazing. To get that first win being a head coach was a highlight and just being here. Obviously it gets much better when you win.”
After the game, the coach was presented with a game puck commemorating his first NHL win as a head coach for Edmonton. “It felt incredible. It is going to be a souvenir. I had a game puck on my desk before the game started and I was like, ‘Oh I have only got one and I have two kids.’ Then we won and now I have two so we can make everyone happy and maybe I won’t tell them which one is the game puck and which one is the souvenir puck. After the game, they did something really special. They had a video on the TV and presented the puck and had my wife on the TV saying a few words and that was very nice of them to do.”
Enjoying the warm weather south of the border, Bob and Holly Knoblauch knew it was only a matter of time before their son would receive a head coaching job at the National Hockey League level. What the pair did not expect was that it would be Edmonton and it would come in November.
“It was Sunday morning and we were just leaving the house and I got a text from a friend back home,” Bob shared from Arizona. “He asked if Kris was headed to Edmonton. I said, ‘No. I hear these rumours all of the time, it must be a wild rumour.’”
Planning on doing some shopping, getting about two miles down the road, Bob explained his phone began blowing up with messages that his son had in fact been hired by the Oilers. “It was a total shock and we weren’t expecting it that’s for sure. I know he was excited. We were probably just as excited or more because we know how hard he worked for it and the time he put into it. It was just a goal of his to keep climbing up the ladder and it was such a proud moment when he finally made it.”
Having cheered for the Oilers since McDavid joined the team, Bob knows a few of the current players who suited up for Kris during his tenure in Erie. Knoblauch said the previous connection with McDavid, Warren Foegele and Connor Brown, Kris’ captain in Erie, will be a benefit. “All great kids and it was good to see he knew some familiar faces and knows what they can bring to the table. It was good to see that he got some of his old junior players. I know they enjoy playing for him.”
Explaining that his son first became interested in coaching when he played at the U of A for five years under Rob Daum, Bob said the calm demeanour and a focus on building relationships with players are assets his son brings with him to Edmonton. That was already evident during the first day on the job as Knoblauch tried to spend time with each player during a morning skate.
“Everybody that has played for him or anything to do with him, that is the way he coaches. His office door is always open. When he first started coaching in Erie, the coaches office was in the back corner where nobody could really see the coach. The first thing Kris did was he moved the office right to the front door where all the players walked in so he could say hi in the morning and when they left, goodbye. The door was always open. I think the players always know that he is available to talk to and I think that really helps his relationship with the players.”
Excited for their son to take on the head coaching duties in Edmonton, Bob and Holly headed to a friend’s house to catch that first game between the Oilers and Islanders. “We would not have missed that.”
While Bob said it was a little nerve-wracking at the start when New York opened the scoring, once the Oilers settled into the Nov. 13 contest and skated away with a 4-1 victory, the proud dad said it was great to see his son get that first win.
Planning to head to Edmonton in early December to take in a few games and watch their son behind the bench, Bob said having Kris closer to home will be great. “Being out on the east coast, we would fly out once a year and during COVID I don’t think we saw the kids for almost two years because we couldn’t leave the country. It will be so much nicer seeing them in the summer and they can drive to Imperial. He could not have gotten a better place to get his first job.”
Recalling the path Knoblauch took to reach his goal of being a head coach in the NHL, another Imperial native, netminder Connor Ingram who plays for Arizona, had a similar path to get to the professional level.
“We are really close to the Ingrams. Holly worked with (Connor’s dad) Brent at the school for over 20 years and we know them pretty well,” shared Bob. “Kris and Connor both kind of followed each others footsteps through the World Juniors, spending time in the AHL and finally getting their chance in the NHL. It is something special.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 13, 2023
Local business looking to remain a cut above
Daniel Bushman
High quality products and a commitment to its customers will remain top priorities following the sale of Model Meats. With a change in ownership for the Main Street business, which has been an integral piece of Watrous and the surrounding area for decades, a few familiar faces have taken over.
Wanting to be more involved in the community and seeing an opportunity to be part of the local business sector, Derek Martin along with business partner Kurtis Sanguin, who worked at Brandt in Watrous before moving to Weyburn, purchased the business from Gwen and the late Laurie Deneiko.
While Sanguin will remain in Weyburn, Martin, who farms just outside of Watrous will look after the business end of Model Meats. With a manager in place and a full crew continuing to operate the business, Martin said things will remain as they were prior to taking over Oct. 31.
“I’ve always had a passion for business opportunities and I feel Model Meats really fits into that,” explained Martin. “Laurie did a fantastic job over the years and following his passing, I wanted to ensure people had options in the area for a place that offers high quality meat products.”
Officially taking over a few weeks ago, initially Martin said it was overwhelming but now that he is settling into his role, it has been going great. “There has definitely been a learning curve but I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity. I have met so many new people and it has been wonderful.”
Owning and operating Model Meats for nearly 38 years, Gwen Deneiko and her late husband Laurie became known for miles. “Laurie really loved people,” shared Gwen. “He loved his job. He loved helping people. He loved supporting the community. The business was a way he could express that.”
Citing how the couple has always had fabulous staff throughout the years, Gwen said it was truly like a family. “Even these past three months since Laurie’s passing, they went above and beyond.”
Closing the chapter on Model Meats a few weeks before the 38th anniversary of owning it, Gwen said, “I would like to express my extreme gratitude to the staff, the customers and communities that supported Model Meats and Laurie for 38 years. I wish Derek and Kurtis all the best and encourage the community to support them in their new venture.”
Growing up on a farm near Watrous, a farm he still operates with his family, Derek is looking forward to carrying on the tradition that Model Meats has become known for. “I am very thankful for the community being so encouraging and patient as we make the transition. We are working very hard to get our inventory full and look forward to getting to know people within the community and surrounding area.”
Daniel Bushman
High quality products and a commitment to its customers will remain top priorities following the sale of Model Meats. With a change in ownership for the Main Street business, which has been an integral piece of Watrous and the surrounding area for decades, a few familiar faces have taken over.
Wanting to be more involved in the community and seeing an opportunity to be part of the local business sector, Derek Martin along with business partner Kurtis Sanguin, who worked at Brandt in Watrous before moving to Weyburn, purchased the business from Gwen and the late Laurie Deneiko.
While Sanguin will remain in Weyburn, Martin, who farms just outside of Watrous will look after the business end of Model Meats. With a manager in place and a full crew continuing to operate the business, Martin said things will remain as they were prior to taking over Oct. 31.
“I’ve always had a passion for business opportunities and I feel Model Meats really fits into that,” explained Martin. “Laurie did a fantastic job over the years and following his passing, I wanted to ensure people had options in the area for a place that offers high quality meat products.”
Officially taking over a few weeks ago, initially Martin said it was overwhelming but now that he is settling into his role, it has been going great. “There has definitely been a learning curve but I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity. I have met so many new people and it has been wonderful.”
Owning and operating Model Meats for nearly 38 years, Gwen Deneiko and her late husband Laurie became known for miles. “Laurie really loved people,” shared Gwen. “He loved his job. He loved helping people. He loved supporting the community. The business was a way he could express that.”
Citing how the couple has always had fabulous staff throughout the years, Gwen said it was truly like a family. “Even these past three months since Laurie’s passing, they went above and beyond.”
Closing the chapter on Model Meats a few weeks before the 38th anniversary of owning it, Gwen said, “I would like to express my extreme gratitude to the staff, the customers and communities that supported Model Meats and Laurie for 38 years. I wish Derek and Kurtis all the best and encourage the community to support them in their new venture.”
Growing up on a farm near Watrous, a farm he still operates with his family, Derek is looking forward to carrying on the tradition that Model Meats has become known for. “I am very thankful for the community being so encouraging and patient as we make the transition. We are working very hard to get our inventory full and look forward to getting to know people within the community and surrounding area.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 6, 2023
Unique youth trade and craft show a tremendous success
Daniel Bushman With an opportunity to allow youth to promote their ideas while learning a few business skills in the process, around a dozen junior vendors took part in a Youth Entrepreneur Trade and Craft Show in Watrous. Held at the Watrous Anglican Church Hall from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, organizer Cindy Mclean said the event went extremely well. “I was overwhelmed with the support of the community. It was a great turn out and we would definitely do it again.” Placing a focus on the young entrepreneurs, Mclean shared they seemed to have a great experience as they sold items like repurposed crayons, sewing items, baking, crocheting, bracelets and jewelry, 3D printed items, small toys and containers, wheat bags and fabric baby books, cardboard props and pop culture art, bookmarks, slime, and paintings. As peers and others checked out the tables of items up for purchase, Mclean said it was really fun to watch. “The kids who had tables set up said they would do it again and that’s who it is for. I have already had people reach out and ask to be a part of the show next year.” With junior vendors representing the local area including Watrous, Young, Imperial, Simpson, and Govan, Mclean believes they had a good experience when it came to bringing an idea to a sales level. “So many of the kids who were shy at the start really came out of their shell and you could see the pride and sense of accomplishment. It was also amazing to see a lot of other youth come out and cheer on their friends and peers.” The organizer also explained how grateful she is of the support from the senior community. “They wanted to see what the youth had come up with. By being there, they encouraged future generations to explore entrepreneurship and it was great to see that support!” Those entering the building to check out what was all available to buy were also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or donate to a silver collection with it being passed along to the Watrous Food Bank. “We raised $179 and a box full of food for the food bank. We are so grateful to the community for such strong support!” |
TWM Top Story - Oct. 30, 2023
Scare Away Hunger returns to support local food bank
Daniel Bushman
What do Hook’s pirate ship, a TIE Fighter, the Flintstones, a yellow brick road, Old MacDonald and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs all have in common? They have been a part of Scare Away Hunger, an annual event which garners donations for the Watrous Food Bank.
Started nearly a decade ago at Watrous Home Hardware, in addition to the Home Hardware Charity Garden which provides fresh produce to the food bank annually, each year trick-or-treaters are encouraged to make their way to the store with a non-perishable food item. Once arriving, they can drop off their donation for the local food bank, check out a new theme that has been created specifically for Scare Away Hunger and receive a treat bag on their way out.
“We decided to make a charity garden that some of our staff volunteer to maintain during the summer and is spearheaded by my uncle Rick,” explained Watrous Home Hardware’s Derek Bushman. “Then in fall, they harvest the fresh produce which is hundreds of pounds of items and donate it to the local food bank. As that grew, we thought about adding an opportunity during Halloween where people can bring in donations of their own for the food bank and we pass all of it along.”
Creating a theme each year at the store, Bushman said a number of the employees have taken on the annual Scare Away Hunger initiative. “Our staff have been amazing at helping gear up for it each year. My Dad Ken has put in a lot of hours building different sets and my Mom gives him a hand to get them all ready. Holly Train has sewn a bunch of our costumes and helps paint some of the sets. Dawn May has also lent a hand painting and we have a bunch of staff who pack the treat bags. Having our team come together for this makes it memorable for the kids who stop by.”
Derek, who has helped to come up with different ideas for the themes each year said it truly is a group effort. “We have tried to make it fun for the kids and for kids of all ages really and it is great to see their faces light up when they come in.”
Once after school does arrive on Oct. 31 so do the trick-or-treaters with their non-perishable items. “Our staff dress up for the big day including a few who get right into character. The place is transformed into a different world and it is pretty cool to see people’s reactions.”
While the local business is not the only one in Watrous lending its support to the food bank, the Scare Away Hunger event has become a rather unique one since its inception. One year Hook’s Pirate Ship was built and brought into the store as Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Hook and many others from the familiar story were on hand to help kids find their treasure. Another time Dorothy, Toto and the gang welcomed trick-or-treaters by walking along a yellow brick road. Old MacDonald and his farm animals provided treats during the early part of the initiative before Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set up shop inside
the store during a different occasion. Then there was a visit by modern Stone Age families consisting of the Flintstones and Rubbles. Even the Great Gazoo was found at Home Hardware.
“Each time we do this, Dad does the building and Mom helps him. They have put in a lot of hours and Dad has created everything from a red barn for Old MacDonald, a pirate ship to a styrofoam-based house that mimicked the home Fred and Wilma lived in. He also made their vehicle, which the grandkids still enjoy pushing around in the back shop.”
Zooming from the Stone Age to far away galaxies, in 2022, Derek thought a Star Wars theme would be fun. “Last year we were trying to figure out something related to Star Wars and I came up with the TIE Fighter, figuring it might be one of the easier ones to construct.”
With a circular cockpit big enough for someone to sit in, Derek shared getting all the angles was difficult. “Dad put in a lot of time with that.”
Along with building massive wings on either side of the cockpit, instruments were installed inside and lights, buttons and music added. Then when it was finished and kids (and adults) hopped in, the door was closed and it made them feel like they were flying a real TIE Fighter.
“Dad was able to find some pretty neat panels that we ended up adding on the TIE Fighter and he used a door from a stainless steel fridge for the seat,” explained Derek. “It looked really incredible when it was done.”
Taking the TIE Fighter apart in the back shop in order to fit it through the front doors of the main building, once reassembled, Derek put up a backdrop resembling a Star Wars theme. He was also able to secure the services of the 501st Legion, (a volunteer group of Star Wars costumers who appear at charity events) and when people came into the store, they were in awe.
“It was really special having a replica TIE Fighter and a couple members of the 501st Legion help us out. At the end of the day this is to help the local food bank and so it was great to see such tremendous support from the community and from the 501st Legion.”
In fact, the 501st Legion liked the TIE Fighter so much that they asked if Home Hardware would be willing to take it to Saskatoon Entertainment Expo for them to put on display. “They appear at the Expo yearly and donate the proceeds they get from people taking photos of them to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon so we were very happy to help them out.”
Loaded up and delivered to the Expo in Saskatoon, once the TIE Fighter returned, it found a home near the parking lot. “We ended up keeping it set up outside because people really loved it. There were some Christmas lights on it and Santa inside. Those passing by would stop along the road at night to check it out.”
In the end, between the Home Hardware Charity Garden and the Scare Away Hunger initiative, Derek said they raised more than $3,000 for the Watrous Food Bank in 2022. “We were really pleased to be able to donate produce and funds to the food bank last year. Like so many other local businesses in Watrous, we just really feel it is important to give back to our community.”
Watrous Food Bank Chair Darren Holland said on behalf of the local non-profit organization they are grateful for the partnerships they have formed with local businesses. “Together, we help our neighbours. This is especially true annually with the many creative efforts of Watrous Home Hardware. Collecting both food and cash to support the food bank goes a long way for us in what we do. We were also just gifted a bountiful harvest of vegetables from the Home Hardware Charity Garden. It is always fun to see what they come up with next!”
With thousands of dollars raised and hundreds of pounds of produce grown over the years for the local food bank, with Oct. 31 approaching, the group at Home Hardware have been busy coming up with a new theme. “My parents have spent a lot of hours in the shop getting part of this year’s project ready while I had the other half in my garage at home,” said Derek adding his brother in-law Aaron Jansen, who also works at the store, has had a big hand with this year’s project. “It has been a lot of work and we were working hard last week putting the finishing touches on everything. Hopefully people will enjoy it when they come and check it out.”
When asked what this year’s theme will be, Derek said it involves plumbing and one of the biggest movies of 2023. “I think people will really think it is super as we help level up the food bank.”
Daniel Bushman
What do Hook’s pirate ship, a TIE Fighter, the Flintstones, a yellow brick road, Old MacDonald and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs all have in common? They have been a part of Scare Away Hunger, an annual event which garners donations for the Watrous Food Bank.
Started nearly a decade ago at Watrous Home Hardware, in addition to the Home Hardware Charity Garden which provides fresh produce to the food bank annually, each year trick-or-treaters are encouraged to make their way to the store with a non-perishable food item. Once arriving, they can drop off their donation for the local food bank, check out a new theme that has been created specifically for Scare Away Hunger and receive a treat bag on their way out.
“We decided to make a charity garden that some of our staff volunteer to maintain during the summer and is spearheaded by my uncle Rick,” explained Watrous Home Hardware’s Derek Bushman. “Then in fall, they harvest the fresh produce which is hundreds of pounds of items and donate it to the local food bank. As that grew, we thought about adding an opportunity during Halloween where people can bring in donations of their own for the food bank and we pass all of it along.”
Creating a theme each year at the store, Bushman said a number of the employees have taken on the annual Scare Away Hunger initiative. “Our staff have been amazing at helping gear up for it each year. My Dad Ken has put in a lot of hours building different sets and my Mom gives him a hand to get them all ready. Holly Train has sewn a bunch of our costumes and helps paint some of the sets. Dawn May has also lent a hand painting and we have a bunch of staff who pack the treat bags. Having our team come together for this makes it memorable for the kids who stop by.”
Derek, who has helped to come up with different ideas for the themes each year said it truly is a group effort. “We have tried to make it fun for the kids and for kids of all ages really and it is great to see their faces light up when they come in.”
Once after school does arrive on Oct. 31 so do the trick-or-treaters with their non-perishable items. “Our staff dress up for the big day including a few who get right into character. The place is transformed into a different world and it is pretty cool to see people’s reactions.”
While the local business is not the only one in Watrous lending its support to the food bank, the Scare Away Hunger event has become a rather unique one since its inception. One year Hook’s Pirate Ship was built and brought into the store as Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Hook and many others from the familiar story were on hand to help kids find their treasure. Another time Dorothy, Toto and the gang welcomed trick-or-treaters by walking along a yellow brick road. Old MacDonald and his farm animals provided treats during the early part of the initiative before Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set up shop inside
the store during a different occasion. Then there was a visit by modern Stone Age families consisting of the Flintstones and Rubbles. Even the Great Gazoo was found at Home Hardware.
“Each time we do this, Dad does the building and Mom helps him. They have put in a lot of hours and Dad has created everything from a red barn for Old MacDonald, a pirate ship to a styrofoam-based house that mimicked the home Fred and Wilma lived in. He also made their vehicle, which the grandkids still enjoy pushing around in the back shop.”
Zooming from the Stone Age to far away galaxies, in 2022, Derek thought a Star Wars theme would be fun. “Last year we were trying to figure out something related to Star Wars and I came up with the TIE Fighter, figuring it might be one of the easier ones to construct.”
With a circular cockpit big enough for someone to sit in, Derek shared getting all the angles was difficult. “Dad put in a lot of time with that.”
Along with building massive wings on either side of the cockpit, instruments were installed inside and lights, buttons and music added. Then when it was finished and kids (and adults) hopped in, the door was closed and it made them feel like they were flying a real TIE Fighter.
“Dad was able to find some pretty neat panels that we ended up adding on the TIE Fighter and he used a door from a stainless steel fridge for the seat,” explained Derek. “It looked really incredible when it was done.”
Taking the TIE Fighter apart in the back shop in order to fit it through the front doors of the main building, once reassembled, Derek put up a backdrop resembling a Star Wars theme. He was also able to secure the services of the 501st Legion, (a volunteer group of Star Wars costumers who appear at charity events) and when people came into the store, they were in awe.
“It was really special having a replica TIE Fighter and a couple members of the 501st Legion help us out. At the end of the day this is to help the local food bank and so it was great to see such tremendous support from the community and from the 501st Legion.”
In fact, the 501st Legion liked the TIE Fighter so much that they asked if Home Hardware would be willing to take it to Saskatoon Entertainment Expo for them to put on display. “They appear at the Expo yearly and donate the proceeds they get from people taking photos of them to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon so we were very happy to help them out.”
Loaded up and delivered to the Expo in Saskatoon, once the TIE Fighter returned, it found a home near the parking lot. “We ended up keeping it set up outside because people really loved it. There were some Christmas lights on it and Santa inside. Those passing by would stop along the road at night to check it out.”
In the end, between the Home Hardware Charity Garden and the Scare Away Hunger initiative, Derek said they raised more than $3,000 for the Watrous Food Bank in 2022. “We were really pleased to be able to donate produce and funds to the food bank last year. Like so many other local businesses in Watrous, we just really feel it is important to give back to our community.”
Watrous Food Bank Chair Darren Holland said on behalf of the local non-profit organization they are grateful for the partnerships they have formed with local businesses. “Together, we help our neighbours. This is especially true annually with the many creative efforts of Watrous Home Hardware. Collecting both food and cash to support the food bank goes a long way for us in what we do. We were also just gifted a bountiful harvest of vegetables from the Home Hardware Charity Garden. It is always fun to see what they come up with next!”
With thousands of dollars raised and hundreds of pounds of produce grown over the years for the local food bank, with Oct. 31 approaching, the group at Home Hardware have been busy coming up with a new theme. “My parents have spent a lot of hours in the shop getting part of this year’s project ready while I had the other half in my garage at home,” said Derek adding his brother in-law Aaron Jansen, who also works at the store, has had a big hand with this year’s project. “It has been a lot of work and we were working hard last week putting the finishing touches on everything. Hopefully people will enjoy it when they come and check it out.”
When asked what this year’s theme will be, Derek said it involves plumbing and one of the biggest movies of 2023. “I think people will really think it is super as we help level up the food bank.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 23, 2023
Youth in the spotlight at unique trade and craft show
Daniel Bushman
Providing an opportunity for youth to promote their ideas while learning a few business skills, a unique trade show is taking place in Watrous Friday, Oct. 27.
Held at the Watrous Anglican Church Hall from 4 to 8 p.m., 13 vendors of all ages have signed up for the Youth Entrepreneur Trade and Craft Show with the potential to include one or two more.
Organizer Cindy Mclean who brought the idea to the community said there will be a variety of talents on display. “Some of the items that our young entrepreneurs will be selling include repurposed crayons, sewing items like scrunchies and bags, baking, crocheting items, bracelets and jewelry, 3D printed items like keychains, small toys and containers, wheat bags and fabric baby books, cardboard props and pop culture art, bookmarks, slime, paintings and more!”
With a silver collection or any non-perishable food item accepted for admission (all being passed along to the Watrous and District Food Bank), Mclean shared the idea for the youth entrepreneur show came from a craft show in Saskatoon. “There was a youth and entrepreneur space at a spring craft show at St. Martin’s Church in Saskatoon. Brandy Emmerich at St. Martin’s United Church featured a space for youth looking to share their ideas. They host a few markets a year and their Christmas market did not fit into our schedule but I thought why not try one here? She deserves the credit for originally creating this opportunity in Watrous.”
Springboarding off the local flea market and a vendor space at the Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival where kids could take part and gain encouragement and visibility, Mclean feels the Oct. 27 event in Watrous can do the same.
“It gives them a chance to interact with the community in a new way. It also gives them a chance to develop some financial skills and learn a little about what the costs associated with business look like. I don’t think it’s ever too early to start developing a child’s financial literacy.”
Encouraging the community to attend, Mclean added the goal is to see everyone have a memorable time with hopes the show will grow. “Maybe more youth in rural areas will be given a chance to develop their ideas and have a trade show of their own. I also want to extend my appreciation to The Watrous Manitou for partnering with us and providing advertising and exposure for the youth. I am also grateful to the local RBC Branch and Affinity Credit Union for providing our vendors with some take home materials. Having that added support allows us to provide a fun and unique opportunity for the youth and I am really looking forward to the trade show. I hope to see a lot of people come out and support them.”
Daniel Bushman
Providing an opportunity for youth to promote their ideas while learning a few business skills, a unique trade show is taking place in Watrous Friday, Oct. 27.
Held at the Watrous Anglican Church Hall from 4 to 8 p.m., 13 vendors of all ages have signed up for the Youth Entrepreneur Trade and Craft Show with the potential to include one or two more.
Organizer Cindy Mclean who brought the idea to the community said there will be a variety of talents on display. “Some of the items that our young entrepreneurs will be selling include repurposed crayons, sewing items like scrunchies and bags, baking, crocheting items, bracelets and jewelry, 3D printed items like keychains, small toys and containers, wheat bags and fabric baby books, cardboard props and pop culture art, bookmarks, slime, paintings and more!”
With a silver collection or any non-perishable food item accepted for admission (all being passed along to the Watrous and District Food Bank), Mclean shared the idea for the youth entrepreneur show came from a craft show in Saskatoon. “There was a youth and entrepreneur space at a spring craft show at St. Martin’s Church in Saskatoon. Brandy Emmerich at St. Martin’s United Church featured a space for youth looking to share their ideas. They host a few markets a year and their Christmas market did not fit into our schedule but I thought why not try one here? She deserves the credit for originally creating this opportunity in Watrous.”
Springboarding off the local flea market and a vendor space at the Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival where kids could take part and gain encouragement and visibility, Mclean feels the Oct. 27 event in Watrous can do the same.
“It gives them a chance to interact with the community in a new way. It also gives them a chance to develop some financial skills and learn a little about what the costs associated with business look like. I don’t think it’s ever too early to start developing a child’s financial literacy.”
Encouraging the community to attend, Mclean added the goal is to see everyone have a memorable time with hopes the show will grow. “Maybe more youth in rural areas will be given a chance to develop their ideas and have a trade show of their own. I also want to extend my appreciation to The Watrous Manitou for partnering with us and providing advertising and exposure for the youth. I am also grateful to the local RBC Branch and Affinity Credit Union for providing our vendors with some take home materials. Having that added support allows us to provide a fun and unique opportunity for the youth and I am really looking forward to the trade show. I hope to see a lot of people come out and support them.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 16, 2023
WHS teacher honoured with prestigious award
Daniel Bushman
Recognized for his tremendous work as an educator through teaching, modelling the beliefs and ideals of the profession and contributing positively to publicly-funded public education, Winston High School vice-principal and teacher Doug Thomas was one of four teachers recently bestowed with an Excellence in Teaching award.
Honoured along with Cindy Plascko of St. Brieux School, Dana Knight of Humboldt Public School, and Dawn Goosen of Humboldt Collegiate Institute during Horizon School Division’s annual opening day celebration in August, Thomas said the experience was humbling. “There are many that are equally deserving. I thank God that I have been able to do my best with the opportunities I have been given and that I have received so much support and encouragement along the way, both professionally and personally.”
Chosen by a four person selection committee with each nomination accompanied by letters of support, when Thomas was notified he had received the Excellence in Teaching award, the vice-principal explained it was a huge honour. “At the same time, though the moment was special, you keep moving forward to the next thing. In the midst of school start-up, the Wildcat football season, and managing the rest of life, I have not really taken the time to reflect. I just keep doing what I have most always done! I guess it must, to a certain extent, be working.”
With a passion for teaching, enjoying connecting with those in the education sector and having the unique opportunity to make a positive impact on young people, Thomas shared, “I embrace the responsibility of the role, especially in a smaller community, where we rarely get to take the “teacher” hat off. I count that a privilege. I am okay with being called Mr. Thomas at the rink!”
Growing up in Kamsack, following a degree at the University of Saskatchewan, Thomas began his teaching career in Biggar. Nearly 10 years later, along with his family, Doug arrived in Watrous and has been teaching at the high school ever since. “Winston High School is a special school in a wonderful community. During our 15 years, I have continually been in awe of the support and encouragement we receive from the families and community. It is a pleasure to work with all the students and staff. I cannot imagine there are many schools in our province that can match the “vibe” of Winston.”
Citing there has been many challenges but also many moments of great joy in seeing students meet a goal, looking back, Thomas indicated his teaching career has been a rewarding one. “Every once in a while, you get to stand alongside a young person who needs a boost or a little extra care and you know you are making a difference. What a special feeling that is!”
It has been that dedication, effort and positive impact that has not been lost on his colleagues at Winston High School. Teaching and coaching alongside Thomas over the years, principal Terry Braman felt Doug was a worthy candidate for Horizon’s Excellence in Teaching award. Nominating the educator, Braman said, “Doug believes that any success his students can achieve
Daniel Bushman
Recognized for his tremendous work as an educator through teaching, modelling the beliefs and ideals of the profession and contributing positively to publicly-funded public education, Winston High School vice-principal and teacher Doug Thomas was one of four teachers recently bestowed with an Excellence in Teaching award.
Honoured along with Cindy Plascko of St. Brieux School, Dana Knight of Humboldt Public School, and Dawn Goosen of Humboldt Collegiate Institute during Horizon School Division’s annual opening day celebration in August, Thomas said the experience was humbling. “There are many that are equally deserving. I thank God that I have been able to do my best with the opportunities I have been given and that I have received so much support and encouragement along the way, both professionally and personally.”
Chosen by a four person selection committee with each nomination accompanied by letters of support, when Thomas was notified he had received the Excellence in Teaching award, the vice-principal explained it was a huge honour. “At the same time, though the moment was special, you keep moving forward to the next thing. In the midst of school start-up, the Wildcat football season, and managing the rest of life, I have not really taken the time to reflect. I just keep doing what I have most always done! I guess it must, to a certain extent, be working.”
With a passion for teaching, enjoying connecting with those in the education sector and having the unique opportunity to make a positive impact on young people, Thomas shared, “I embrace the responsibility of the role, especially in a smaller community, where we rarely get to take the “teacher” hat off. I count that a privilege. I am okay with being called Mr. Thomas at the rink!”
Growing up in Kamsack, following a degree at the University of Saskatchewan, Thomas began his teaching career in Biggar. Nearly 10 years later, along with his family, Doug arrived in Watrous and has been teaching at the high school ever since. “Winston High School is a special school in a wonderful community. During our 15 years, I have continually been in awe of the support and encouragement we receive from the families and community. It is a pleasure to work with all the students and staff. I cannot imagine there are many schools in our province that can match the “vibe” of Winston.”
Citing there has been many challenges but also many moments of great joy in seeing students meet a goal, looking back, Thomas indicated his teaching career has been a rewarding one. “Every once in a while, you get to stand alongside a young person who needs a boost or a little extra care and you know you are making a difference. What a special feeling that is!”
It has been that dedication, effort and positive impact that has not been lost on his colleagues at Winston High School. Teaching and coaching alongside Thomas over the years, principal Terry Braman felt Doug was a worthy candidate for Horizon’s Excellence in Teaching award. Nominating the educator, Braman said, “Doug believes that any success his students can achieve
TWM Top Story - Oct. 9, 2023
TSB release report on train derailment near Guernsey
*file photo
media release
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report Oct. 5 into the derailment of a Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CP) freight train near Guernsey, Sask., which resulted in the release of 1.77 million litres of crude oil.
On Dec. 9, 2019, a CP crude oil unit train was travelling east on the Sutherland Subdivision when the crew observed a gap in the south rail approaching the Wolverine Road public passive crossing. As the head-end locomotive traversed the gap, a train-initiated emergency brake application occurred. Shortly after, crew members observed a large explosion behind them as the head-end locomotive and first car separated from the train. Subsequent inspection determined that 33 cars derailed, of which 20 tank cars had breached, and the released product ignited, resulting in a large pool fire that burned for nearly 24 hours. There were no injuries, and no evacuation was required.
The investigation determined that the south rail had likely failed under a previous train, causing an undetermined length of rail to break away and separate from the track and expose the rail ends. The condition of the track components (anchors, ties, and ballast) did not provide adequate resistance to the rail forces initiated by the cold weather at the time of the accident, which contributed to the breaking of the rail. Despite regular track visual inspections and ultrasonic rail flaw detection testing, which exceeded regulatory requirements, the broken rail went undetected before the arrival of the train.
Although the train was operated in accordance with the Rules Respecting Key Trains and Key Routes in place at the time of the occurrence, the train speed (44 mph) contributed to the number of cars that derailed, breached, and lost their product. If company risk assessments do not adequately consider increases in traffic tonnage, the use of heavier rail cars, and the potential for more rapidly degrading track structure, regular track maintenance activities may no longer be sufficient to maintain track to the required standards, increasing the risk of track infrastructure failures that lead to rail accidents.
Following this accident and a second serious CP crude oil unit train derailment near Guernsey, Sask. on Feb. 6, 2020, the TSB issued rail safety advisories to Transport Canada (TC). In response, TC issued ministerial orders instructing the rail industry to revise the Rules Respecting Key Trains and Key Routes, and Rules Respecting Track Safety. The rules were subsequently revised and now contain a number of safety improvements related to the operation of key trains and the inspection and maintenance of track infrastructure.
Since this occurrence, CP has implemented a number of safety measures including a wayside system for detecting rail breaks in non-signalled territory, such as the Sutherland Subdivision, increased its number of autonomous track geometry measuring systems, and upgraded the track infrastructure on the Sutherland Subdivision.
*file photo
media release
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report Oct. 5 into the derailment of a Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CP) freight train near Guernsey, Sask., which resulted in the release of 1.77 million litres of crude oil.
On Dec. 9, 2019, a CP crude oil unit train was travelling east on the Sutherland Subdivision when the crew observed a gap in the south rail approaching the Wolverine Road public passive crossing. As the head-end locomotive traversed the gap, a train-initiated emergency brake application occurred. Shortly after, crew members observed a large explosion behind them as the head-end locomotive and first car separated from the train. Subsequent inspection determined that 33 cars derailed, of which 20 tank cars had breached, and the released product ignited, resulting in a large pool fire that burned for nearly 24 hours. There were no injuries, and no evacuation was required.
The investigation determined that the south rail had likely failed under a previous train, causing an undetermined length of rail to break away and separate from the track and expose the rail ends. The condition of the track components (anchors, ties, and ballast) did not provide adequate resistance to the rail forces initiated by the cold weather at the time of the accident, which contributed to the breaking of the rail. Despite regular track visual inspections and ultrasonic rail flaw detection testing, which exceeded regulatory requirements, the broken rail went undetected before the arrival of the train.
Although the train was operated in accordance with the Rules Respecting Key Trains and Key Routes in place at the time of the occurrence, the train speed (44 mph) contributed to the number of cars that derailed, breached, and lost their product. If company risk assessments do not adequately consider increases in traffic tonnage, the use of heavier rail cars, and the potential for more rapidly degrading track structure, regular track maintenance activities may no longer be sufficient to maintain track to the required standards, increasing the risk of track infrastructure failures that lead to rail accidents.
Following this accident and a second serious CP crude oil unit train derailment near Guernsey, Sask. on Feb. 6, 2020, the TSB issued rail safety advisories to Transport Canada (TC). In response, TC issued ministerial orders instructing the rail industry to revise the Rules Respecting Key Trains and Key Routes, and Rules Respecting Track Safety. The rules were subsequently revised and now contain a number of safety improvements related to the operation of key trains and the inspection and maintenance of track infrastructure.
Since this occurrence, CP has implemented a number of safety measures including a wayside system for detecting rail breaks in non-signalled territory, such as the Sutherland Subdivision, increased its number of autonomous track geometry measuring systems, and upgraded the track infrastructure on the Sutherland Subdivision.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 2, 2023
Watrous welcome new EMS base
media release
Paramedics in central Saskatchewan have a new place to call home.
On the south-east corner of the Watrous District Health Complex, a new Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) emergency medical services (EMS) base has been constructed after nearly a year of planning, hard work and community support.
“We are thrilled to open this base as it brings our staffing and resources under one roof,” said Jody Lundy, SHA Deputy Chief and EMS Operations Manager – Central. “Now, more than ever, we’re ready to serve the community of Watrous and beyond more efficiently.”
The base will feature two main bays to house existing ambulances, along with a separate third bay for the storage of a spare ambulance, which support neighbouring areas should they require assistance. Additionally, it houses an office, for a dedicated workspace for EMS staff as well as a training room for skill development. The base also includes a new residential suite, equipped with a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom to provide a comfortable and convenient place for out of town staff.
One advantage of this new facility is its impact on response times. Previously, EMS staff reported to work at the hospital, while their ambulances were stored at the fire hall. When an emergency call came in, they had to travel to the fire hall to initiate their response. With the base located on hospital property, staff no longer have that travel time, with the facility ensuring EMS equipment and supplies are readily available when needed.
“Having all of our equipment and fleet under one roof, in close proximity to the hospital, enables us to respond in a timely manner when our hospital or community needs us,” said Mila Herauf, SHA EMS coordinator.
This base would not be possible without the support of the Watrous Health Foundation. Their donation of approximately $17,500 has made it possible to furnish the facility with the necessary items to support a productive working and living environment for the EMS team.
media release
Paramedics in central Saskatchewan have a new place to call home.
On the south-east corner of the Watrous District Health Complex, a new Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) emergency medical services (EMS) base has been constructed after nearly a year of planning, hard work and community support.
“We are thrilled to open this base as it brings our staffing and resources under one roof,” said Jody Lundy, SHA Deputy Chief and EMS Operations Manager – Central. “Now, more than ever, we’re ready to serve the community of Watrous and beyond more efficiently.”
The base will feature two main bays to house existing ambulances, along with a separate third bay for the storage of a spare ambulance, which support neighbouring areas should they require assistance. Additionally, it houses an office, for a dedicated workspace for EMS staff as well as a training room for skill development. The base also includes a new residential suite, equipped with a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom to provide a comfortable and convenient place for out of town staff.
One advantage of this new facility is its impact on response times. Previously, EMS staff reported to work at the hospital, while their ambulances were stored at the fire hall. When an emergency call came in, they had to travel to the fire hall to initiate their response. With the base located on hospital property, staff no longer have that travel time, with the facility ensuring EMS equipment and supplies are readily available when needed.
“Having all of our equipment and fleet under one roof, in close proximity to the hospital, enables us to respond in a timely manner when our hospital or community needs us,” said Mila Herauf, SHA EMS coordinator.
This base would not be possible without the support of the Watrous Health Foundation. Their donation of approximately $17,500 has made it possible to furnish the facility with the necessary items to support a productive working and living environment for the EMS team.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 25, 2023
Local locksmith leaves lasting legacy
Daniel Bushman
What started out as a way to stay busy during his retirement years turned into four decades of mastering the craft of cutting keys and keying locks. Receiving his locksmith certification through correspondence in the mid-1980s, Watrous resident Don Wilson (referred to as W.D. by many) has been a key part of the community.
After years of honing his craft and more recently, marking his 95th birthday, Wilson decided 2023 would be it for the long-time locksmith’s career. Filing away a job that lasted 40 years, during an August afternoon, Wilson provided a glimpse into the inner workings of his shop.
Walking down the stairs and into the basement of the Wilson home, the light illuminated an intricately mapped out space. With rows of keys lining the wall next to his framed locksmith certificate, numerous tools strategically set around his work area and more equipment on a shelf nearby, Wilson explained he would tinker for hours. “It kept me busy and made me think.”
While age is just a number for the Watrous resident, when the calendar flipped to 2023, he felt that “it just got to the point where I couldn’t think as hard as I used to so that was when I decided to quit.”
Despite recently giving up his passion, you can tell by W.D.’s voice that being a locksmith has certainly been a labour of love. From the hours spent finding homes for the plethora of keys that line the peg board wall to the many others spent organizing boxes of keys found behind a hinged panel, tucked away for safe keeping. A quick glimpse to the other side of the nook and a stacked shelving unit shows years of accumulated information, equipment and gadgets. There is even a custom seat welded for Wilson so he could maneuver around his space a little easier. “I had Janzen Metal Fab custom weld the bike seat on a square tube. That fits into another piece under the table and you slide them together.”
Showing how well the seat still works, sitting on it, Wilson remarked, “It has been the handiest thing ever.”
Ingenuity is abound in Wilson’s workshop, which is probably why he has been able to carry on for the past four decades. From W.D.’s custom made seat and labelled wall of keys to the variety of tools like a jeweller’s loupe, used to magnify his projects. A chainsaw file can also be spotted nearby which he used to get into the grooves of freshly cut keys. Then there is dental picks for marking the keys and even a pipe cleaner, which Don says is simple but effective. “I used these to clear out the gunk in the pin holes of a lock. They worked like a charm. When they get dirty, I cut them down with a set of pliers my dad gave me and they are just like brand new again.”
Tailor-made for the lock specialist, perhaps Wilson’s greatest creation in his workshop is the one on his table. With an idea he collected from a watchmaker in Moosomin, Wilson’s invention contains a type of cloth canvas stapled to a frame made out of hockey sticks. Used to keep small pieces from disappearing from the lighted space and scattering on the floor, W.D. said, “The watchmaker used his because watches have little screws so when they dropped they would hit the base and not bounce. I thought that was a great idea so I made something like it. When a key drops or a piece I am working with falls, it just stays on the surface and doesn’t bounce off the table and onto the floor.”
Equipped with other essential items like hammers and screwdrivers and what he refers to as a “good key cutting machine,” Wilson welcomed the tasks that came his way. “You have to get a bunch of gadgets in order to be able to do the job properly. You gotta have them because you can’t get along without them.”
But it was not just the unique tools that equipped the former telephone repair man for the job. “Patience is really the key. You can’t get in a hurry and if you get frustrated, turn the lights off, go upstairs and watch TV for a while. Then you can come back to it.”
Tinkering and fixing is nothing new for Wilson. With his father once operating a section of land near Rouleau, W.D.’s dad did some fixing of his own. It was then the younger Wilson caught the bug. Receiving some handy tools and leftover uncut keys that his father no longer required in later years, W.D. would end up using them right up until he retired. “Dad mostly cut keys for people at Rouleau but didn’t do the locksmithing like I did.”
While becoming a certified locksmith was still years away, growing up, Wilson ventured east to Moosomin where he worked for SaskTel repairing poles. Along with wife Audrey and young son Stephen, the three then moved to Wadena where Don continued with his career. After daughter Christine was born, a position in the Watrous district opened up and Wilson submitted his name. Getting the job, the family decided to make the over 160 km trek west from Wadena to Watrous and moved into a 35 by eight foot house trailer. As the kids got older, the Wilsons purchased their current home from former baker Clarence Ginter, providing space for what would become a downstairs workshop.
While W.D. enjoyed his time with SaskTel, as retirement neared, he wanted to keep busy. It was during an evening at Air Cadets when Wilson bumped into a locksmith who was working at the Colonsay potash mine. Having a conversation about being a locksmith, Wilson was intrigued by the idea. So when it came time to hang up his repair equipment, he locked in on the opportunity.
Applying for a course through correspondence, in 1983 Wilson began taking classes to be a locksmith and shortly after, became certified. “I like tinkering with stuff and this kept me busy. It was not hard work but it was thinking work.”
With certificate in hand, Wilson’s next item on the list was finding a basic key cutting machine. As other equipment started to accumulate, Wilson began fielding calls and eventually cut keys and rekeyed locks. Then adding another key cutting machine to his arsenal, word spread, and soon, post offices came calling.
“I started doing a few keys for Reg Preston who was the postmaster in Watrous at that time and from there it turned into about 20 or 25 different post offices from other towns.”
Large bags of keys and locks addressed to Wilson were sent with special labels and instructions through Canada Post. The locksmith was kept on his toes ensuring each worked before mailing them back to each post office. “I did an awful lot of those over the years and I remember one time the post office from Wynyard sent 50 locks. Some of those didn’t have any keys so I had to get into the plug and get the pins out. You had to measure the pins then find out what the key looked like. Then you had to grind it out and see if it worked. It was quite the process.”
With a steady stream of work, while the postmasters would come and go over the years, W.D. continued to fit each lock and cut each key right up until he retired. Grateful for all of his years of service, the Watrous Post Office created a display in its building to commemorate Wilson’s dedication.
While Wilson was occupied with work from post offices spanning across northeast Saskatchewan, he would also get the occasional call to come pick a lock in Watrous. Not doing a whole lot of lock picking during his tenure, if someone did lock themselves out of their house, he said for the most part he was able to get them back in. “Some door locks you just can’t pick so you had to get a drill and drill them out. Overall though I had pretty good luck at picking locks when I did have to do those.”
Sitting on the custom seat in his workshop and reminiscing about the numerous amount of locks he worked on, Wilson switches off a nearby light while pondering the future. “What is going to happen with all of this stuff, I am not sure. If there is someone who would like to take it on, they can certainly get in touch with me. Otherwise it will just stay here. It was a good run and it kept me going.”
Daniel Bushman
What started out as a way to stay busy during his retirement years turned into four decades of mastering the craft of cutting keys and keying locks. Receiving his locksmith certification through correspondence in the mid-1980s, Watrous resident Don Wilson (referred to as W.D. by many) has been a key part of the community.
After years of honing his craft and more recently, marking his 95th birthday, Wilson decided 2023 would be it for the long-time locksmith’s career. Filing away a job that lasted 40 years, during an August afternoon, Wilson provided a glimpse into the inner workings of his shop.
Walking down the stairs and into the basement of the Wilson home, the light illuminated an intricately mapped out space. With rows of keys lining the wall next to his framed locksmith certificate, numerous tools strategically set around his work area and more equipment on a shelf nearby, Wilson explained he would tinker for hours. “It kept me busy and made me think.”
While age is just a number for the Watrous resident, when the calendar flipped to 2023, he felt that “it just got to the point where I couldn’t think as hard as I used to so that was when I decided to quit.”
Despite recently giving up his passion, you can tell by W.D.’s voice that being a locksmith has certainly been a labour of love. From the hours spent finding homes for the plethora of keys that line the peg board wall to the many others spent organizing boxes of keys found behind a hinged panel, tucked away for safe keeping. A quick glimpse to the other side of the nook and a stacked shelving unit shows years of accumulated information, equipment and gadgets. There is even a custom seat welded for Wilson so he could maneuver around his space a little easier. “I had Janzen Metal Fab custom weld the bike seat on a square tube. That fits into another piece under the table and you slide them together.”
Showing how well the seat still works, sitting on it, Wilson remarked, “It has been the handiest thing ever.”
Ingenuity is abound in Wilson’s workshop, which is probably why he has been able to carry on for the past four decades. From W.D.’s custom made seat and labelled wall of keys to the variety of tools like a jeweller’s loupe, used to magnify his projects. A chainsaw file can also be spotted nearby which he used to get into the grooves of freshly cut keys. Then there is dental picks for marking the keys and even a pipe cleaner, which Don says is simple but effective. “I used these to clear out the gunk in the pin holes of a lock. They worked like a charm. When they get dirty, I cut them down with a set of pliers my dad gave me and they are just like brand new again.”
Tailor-made for the lock specialist, perhaps Wilson’s greatest creation in his workshop is the one on his table. With an idea he collected from a watchmaker in Moosomin, Wilson’s invention contains a type of cloth canvas stapled to a frame made out of hockey sticks. Used to keep small pieces from disappearing from the lighted space and scattering on the floor, W.D. said, “The watchmaker used his because watches have little screws so when they dropped they would hit the base and not bounce. I thought that was a great idea so I made something like it. When a key drops or a piece I am working with falls, it just stays on the surface and doesn’t bounce off the table and onto the floor.”
Equipped with other essential items like hammers and screwdrivers and what he refers to as a “good key cutting machine,” Wilson welcomed the tasks that came his way. “You have to get a bunch of gadgets in order to be able to do the job properly. You gotta have them because you can’t get along without them.”
But it was not just the unique tools that equipped the former telephone repair man for the job. “Patience is really the key. You can’t get in a hurry and if you get frustrated, turn the lights off, go upstairs and watch TV for a while. Then you can come back to it.”
Tinkering and fixing is nothing new for Wilson. With his father once operating a section of land near Rouleau, W.D.’s dad did some fixing of his own. It was then the younger Wilson caught the bug. Receiving some handy tools and leftover uncut keys that his father no longer required in later years, W.D. would end up using them right up until he retired. “Dad mostly cut keys for people at Rouleau but didn’t do the locksmithing like I did.”
While becoming a certified locksmith was still years away, growing up, Wilson ventured east to Moosomin where he worked for SaskTel repairing poles. Along with wife Audrey and young son Stephen, the three then moved to Wadena where Don continued with his career. After daughter Christine was born, a position in the Watrous district opened up and Wilson submitted his name. Getting the job, the family decided to make the over 160 km trek west from Wadena to Watrous and moved into a 35 by eight foot house trailer. As the kids got older, the Wilsons purchased their current home from former baker Clarence Ginter, providing space for what would become a downstairs workshop.
While W.D. enjoyed his time with SaskTel, as retirement neared, he wanted to keep busy. It was during an evening at Air Cadets when Wilson bumped into a locksmith who was working at the Colonsay potash mine. Having a conversation about being a locksmith, Wilson was intrigued by the idea. So when it came time to hang up his repair equipment, he locked in on the opportunity.
Applying for a course through correspondence, in 1983 Wilson began taking classes to be a locksmith and shortly after, became certified. “I like tinkering with stuff and this kept me busy. It was not hard work but it was thinking work.”
With certificate in hand, Wilson’s next item on the list was finding a basic key cutting machine. As other equipment started to accumulate, Wilson began fielding calls and eventually cut keys and rekeyed locks. Then adding another key cutting machine to his arsenal, word spread, and soon, post offices came calling.
“I started doing a few keys for Reg Preston who was the postmaster in Watrous at that time and from there it turned into about 20 or 25 different post offices from other towns.”
Large bags of keys and locks addressed to Wilson were sent with special labels and instructions through Canada Post. The locksmith was kept on his toes ensuring each worked before mailing them back to each post office. “I did an awful lot of those over the years and I remember one time the post office from Wynyard sent 50 locks. Some of those didn’t have any keys so I had to get into the plug and get the pins out. You had to measure the pins then find out what the key looked like. Then you had to grind it out and see if it worked. It was quite the process.”
With a steady stream of work, while the postmasters would come and go over the years, W.D. continued to fit each lock and cut each key right up until he retired. Grateful for all of his years of service, the Watrous Post Office created a display in its building to commemorate Wilson’s dedication.
While Wilson was occupied with work from post offices spanning across northeast Saskatchewan, he would also get the occasional call to come pick a lock in Watrous. Not doing a whole lot of lock picking during his tenure, if someone did lock themselves out of their house, he said for the most part he was able to get them back in. “Some door locks you just can’t pick so you had to get a drill and drill them out. Overall though I had pretty good luck at picking locks when I did have to do those.”
Sitting on the custom seat in his workshop and reminiscing about the numerous amount of locks he worked on, Wilson switches off a nearby light while pondering the future. “What is going to happen with all of this stuff, I am not sure. If there is someone who would like to take it on, they can certainly get in touch with me. Otherwise it will just stay here. It was a good run and it kept me going.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 18, 2023
Navigating through the stresses of harvest
*photo courtesy Tena Dempsey
Daniel Bushman
With harvest in full swing and the challenges that can come with it, producers have remained busy in the fields. Facing a number of conditions including drought, as yields come in, the stress and mounting pressures can often follow.
Champions for the mental wellbeing of those within the Canadian agriculture industry, those at the DoMoreAg Foundation including executive director Megz Reynolds understand how stress, anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion and burnout can all run high at harvest.
Coming through another year of tough and varied conditions, Reynolds said a lot of areas in Saskatchewan, Alberta and areas elsewhere in Canada have experienced a lot of excessive drought. Recognizing this is not the first year producers are dealing with extreme drought but in fact a second or even third consecutive season of very dry conditions, Reynolds said factors like that can further fuel and compound an already stressful time.
“That brings in the economics of can I keep doing this?” she said. “It brings in that multi-generational stress of am I going to let down generations of my family who have built this before me?”
Add severe wildfires occupying agricultural areas across Canada and very very wet seasons in other places and many of the country’s producers are left with more uncertainty as crops come off fields. “On top of that, what I have heard across (Saskatchewan) is that everything seems to be very spotty. Instead of having a full county or municipality that is able to declare a state of emergency for drought, you may only have a portion of that county being affected so that can add some additional challenges for producers looking to, especially on the ranching side, maybe have some of those federal support programs.”
While rain did come for some of those areas desperate for moisture, it arrived when farmers were already on the combines. “I think for the most part, weather has really been that over-arching stressor,” said Reynolds about what has created tense times this harvest season. “Then just add it to all the other uncertainties and challenges that come with farming.”
The former grain farmer has also not been immune to the stresses sharing one particular year yields and drought were so bad, she put a black piece of electrical tape over the yield monitor in the combine. “Constantly seeing how low that number was was just putting me on this very poor spot with my mental health for 14 hours a day.”
Understanding producers may have similar experiences and wanting to help raise awareness and remind them they are not alone, Reynolds suggests they talk with people. “It is really important to keep having conversations and be open. Know what you need and find ways to have that self-maintenance like shutting down at supper, having dinner with the family and taking that half hour instead of just spending it in the equipment. That is going to be something that is good for everybody to kind of recharge your batteries and destress a little. And then maybe it is reaching out to someone who doesn’t know you but understands the industry in an anonymous setting.”
With hopes of helping others, launching Ag Talk, a free national peer-to-peer support platform for those 16 years and older, the DoMoreAg Foundation has provided the fully anonymous service to Canadians which is monitored 24/7 by mental health clinicians.
“It has gone really well,” shared Reynolds of the platform’s launch. “Sometimes social media can be really challenging when we are going through something, especially like a drought year or under stress from other factors. Being online and seeing someone who has a bumper crop or that isn’t in the same circumstances can be really hard for us.”
Understanding the mental stress that can be created or compounded during harvest, having Ag Talk available to producers around the clock, Reynolds said, “The beauty of that platform is that you’re having a conversation with people that get it. So even if you’re not going there for support, you can go there to read what other people are posting, and in doing so understand that you’re not alone. And just that in itself can make someone feel so much better. Or maybe you’re in a pretty good place, and you can actually go there to support others and can help build community.”
For those who would like to learn more about the work the DoMoreAg Foundation is doing, people can visit www.domore.ag. Once there, producers can access a full resource page broken down nationally and provincially. “You can find resources close to home, you can read blog posts and tips and all sorts of other things.”
*photo courtesy Tena Dempsey
Daniel Bushman
With harvest in full swing and the challenges that can come with it, producers have remained busy in the fields. Facing a number of conditions including drought, as yields come in, the stress and mounting pressures can often follow.
Champions for the mental wellbeing of those within the Canadian agriculture industry, those at the DoMoreAg Foundation including executive director Megz Reynolds understand how stress, anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion and burnout can all run high at harvest.
Coming through another year of tough and varied conditions, Reynolds said a lot of areas in Saskatchewan, Alberta and areas elsewhere in Canada have experienced a lot of excessive drought. Recognizing this is not the first year producers are dealing with extreme drought but in fact a second or even third consecutive season of very dry conditions, Reynolds said factors like that can further fuel and compound an already stressful time.
“That brings in the economics of can I keep doing this?” she said. “It brings in that multi-generational stress of am I going to let down generations of my family who have built this before me?”
Add severe wildfires occupying agricultural areas across Canada and very very wet seasons in other places and many of the country’s producers are left with more uncertainty as crops come off fields. “On top of that, what I have heard across (Saskatchewan) is that everything seems to be very spotty. Instead of having a full county or municipality that is able to declare a state of emergency for drought, you may only have a portion of that county being affected so that can add some additional challenges for producers looking to, especially on the ranching side, maybe have some of those federal support programs.”
While rain did come for some of those areas desperate for moisture, it arrived when farmers were already on the combines. “I think for the most part, weather has really been that over-arching stressor,” said Reynolds about what has created tense times this harvest season. “Then just add it to all the other uncertainties and challenges that come with farming.”
The former grain farmer has also not been immune to the stresses sharing one particular year yields and drought were so bad, she put a black piece of electrical tape over the yield monitor in the combine. “Constantly seeing how low that number was was just putting me on this very poor spot with my mental health for 14 hours a day.”
Understanding producers may have similar experiences and wanting to help raise awareness and remind them they are not alone, Reynolds suggests they talk with people. “It is really important to keep having conversations and be open. Know what you need and find ways to have that self-maintenance like shutting down at supper, having dinner with the family and taking that half hour instead of just spending it in the equipment. That is going to be something that is good for everybody to kind of recharge your batteries and destress a little. And then maybe it is reaching out to someone who doesn’t know you but understands the industry in an anonymous setting.”
With hopes of helping others, launching Ag Talk, a free national peer-to-peer support platform for those 16 years and older, the DoMoreAg Foundation has provided the fully anonymous service to Canadians which is monitored 24/7 by mental health clinicians.
“It has gone really well,” shared Reynolds of the platform’s launch. “Sometimes social media can be really challenging when we are going through something, especially like a drought year or under stress from other factors. Being online and seeing someone who has a bumper crop or that isn’t in the same circumstances can be really hard for us.”
Understanding the mental stress that can be created or compounded during harvest, having Ag Talk available to producers around the clock, Reynolds said, “The beauty of that platform is that you’re having a conversation with people that get it. So even if you’re not going there for support, you can go there to read what other people are posting, and in doing so understand that you’re not alone. And just that in itself can make someone feel so much better. Or maybe you’re in a pretty good place, and you can actually go there to support others and can help build community.”
For those who would like to learn more about the work the DoMoreAg Foundation is doing, people can visit www.domore.ag. Once there, producers can access a full resource page broken down nationally and provincially. “You can find resources close to home, you can read blog posts and tips and all sorts of other things.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 11, 2023
Emergency services to resume and acute beds to open in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Following just over a year of temporary disruption, starting Sept. 24, emergency services will fully resume and inpatient beds will open at Watrous District Health Complex.
With the recent hiring of more registered nurses, Director of Primary Health Care Integrated Rural Health for Watrous and Lanigan Holly Srochenski said the emergency department will once again be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week along with the facility’s inpatient beds. “After being a year on service disruption, to finally be able to get to this point is super exciting for everyone.”
On Sept. 12, 2022 a temporary disruption to emergency services was implemented at Watrous District Health Complex. That meant emergency services were only available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the week. In addition, inpatient services were also not available.
Srochenski said through a lot of work and creating a partnership between the Ministry of Health, their Health Human Resource Action Plan along with the human resources team and local leadership in Watrous, the contingent was successful in recruiting three full-time RNs to the community. “We had two RNs return to us and we were able to hire two casual staff. With that RN recruitment, we are at a point now where we have stable staffing to be able to reopen those services.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said the Town of Watrous is extremely pleased with SHA’s announcement that emergency services at the Watrous District Health Complex will be fully restored and acute care beds will be reopened. “After just over a year of disruption in services, the community of Watrous and surrounding area will have access to services that we had become accustomed to prior to last year’s partial closure. We worked closely with the SHA over the past year to make this happen and we thank them for their cooperation. I know I have said it before but a huge thank you goes out to the staff of the Watrous hospital that worked tirelessly to keep the hospital open during the disruption of services. It is people like the staff that make Watrous a great place to live.”
While the hospital will see its services fully resume Sept. 24, Srochenski noted recruitment will continue. “We still have three more positions in Watrous that we will continue to recruit until filled.”
Along with SHA, Gunderson added the Town of Watrous will do what it can to achieve a full complement of RNs for the hospital.
Town of Watrous Councillor Taylor Engele who is on the community’s health services advisory committee said, “We are very pleased to be able to share the news of the Watrous hospital restoring its full services on Sept. 24. In meeting with SHA, they stressed that although we are able to resume full services, they are still actively recruiting for multiple positions in Watrous. We want to encourage anyone who is interested to apply for these positions. We want to thank the SHA for meeting and working with us throughout this process so that we could get back to offering full services in Watrous. We understand these services are critical to our community and we are excited to have them offered again.”
Before the resumption of full emergency services and the opening of inpatient beds arrives, Srochenski explained a couple of the newer RNs are doing some education over the next few weeks. “That gives them an opportunity to get that education and operationally, we just need a couple of weeks to have all of our inventory in stock and our acute rooms up to standard. Not that we didn’t do maintenance when we were closed but we really just want to ensure that we are offering a really safe environment for the staff and our patients when they come in. It just gives us a bit of a buffer.”
Sharing how valuable the community partnership is between SHA and the Town of Watrous, Srochenski said that was a big driver in seeing the RNs come to town. “I really can’t say enough how important the community partnerships were with SHA in making this happen. We are just at a really good point right now and we are hoping to carry those relationships forward.”
Another community that has been experiencing emergency service and acute care service disruptions is Lanigan. While services partially resumed at the Lanigan hospital May 9, 2022, there has been no change since then.
“Unfortunately Lanigan remains at status quo. We have not been as successful as we have been for Watrous. Lanigan will remain at its current level of service for the unforeseeable future. We are still having a bit of staff turnover and have not been able to recruit the RNs we need to open services further.”
Currently emergency services are available between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday in Lanigan while Lab and X-ray services are offered from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Srochenski said, “Efforts are being made to start services but we just don’t have the human resources. SHA as always is still committed to reopening Lanigan when it is safe and reliable.”
While both Watrous and Lanigan each have a full complement of physicians, with Watrous set to resume its services later this month, Srochenski said people needing care in Lanigan after hours will be able to utilize the hospital in Watrous, Humboldt or other nearby facilities. “People can access services wherever they choose to. If people need service they can access it in Watrous if they like.”
Daniel Bushman
Following just over a year of temporary disruption, starting Sept. 24, emergency services will fully resume and inpatient beds will open at Watrous District Health Complex.
With the recent hiring of more registered nurses, Director of Primary Health Care Integrated Rural Health for Watrous and Lanigan Holly Srochenski said the emergency department will once again be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week along with the facility’s inpatient beds. “After being a year on service disruption, to finally be able to get to this point is super exciting for everyone.”
On Sept. 12, 2022 a temporary disruption to emergency services was implemented at Watrous District Health Complex. That meant emergency services were only available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the week. In addition, inpatient services were also not available.
Srochenski said through a lot of work and creating a partnership between the Ministry of Health, their Health Human Resource Action Plan along with the human resources team and local leadership in Watrous, the contingent was successful in recruiting three full-time RNs to the community. “We had two RNs return to us and we were able to hire two casual staff. With that RN recruitment, we are at a point now where we have stable staffing to be able to reopen those services.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said the Town of Watrous is extremely pleased with SHA’s announcement that emergency services at the Watrous District Health Complex will be fully restored and acute care beds will be reopened. “After just over a year of disruption in services, the community of Watrous and surrounding area will have access to services that we had become accustomed to prior to last year’s partial closure. We worked closely with the SHA over the past year to make this happen and we thank them for their cooperation. I know I have said it before but a huge thank you goes out to the staff of the Watrous hospital that worked tirelessly to keep the hospital open during the disruption of services. It is people like the staff that make Watrous a great place to live.”
While the hospital will see its services fully resume Sept. 24, Srochenski noted recruitment will continue. “We still have three more positions in Watrous that we will continue to recruit until filled.”
Along with SHA, Gunderson added the Town of Watrous will do what it can to achieve a full complement of RNs for the hospital.
Town of Watrous Councillor Taylor Engele who is on the community’s health services advisory committee said, “We are very pleased to be able to share the news of the Watrous hospital restoring its full services on Sept. 24. In meeting with SHA, they stressed that although we are able to resume full services, they are still actively recruiting for multiple positions in Watrous. We want to encourage anyone who is interested to apply for these positions. We want to thank the SHA for meeting and working with us throughout this process so that we could get back to offering full services in Watrous. We understand these services are critical to our community and we are excited to have them offered again.”
Before the resumption of full emergency services and the opening of inpatient beds arrives, Srochenski explained a couple of the newer RNs are doing some education over the next few weeks. “That gives them an opportunity to get that education and operationally, we just need a couple of weeks to have all of our inventory in stock and our acute rooms up to standard. Not that we didn’t do maintenance when we were closed but we really just want to ensure that we are offering a really safe environment for the staff and our patients when they come in. It just gives us a bit of a buffer.”
Sharing how valuable the community partnership is between SHA and the Town of Watrous, Srochenski said that was a big driver in seeing the RNs come to town. “I really can’t say enough how important the community partnerships were with SHA in making this happen. We are just at a really good point right now and we are hoping to carry those relationships forward.”
Another community that has been experiencing emergency service and acute care service disruptions is Lanigan. While services partially resumed at the Lanigan hospital May 9, 2022, there has been no change since then.
“Unfortunately Lanigan remains at status quo. We have not been as successful as we have been for Watrous. Lanigan will remain at its current level of service for the unforeseeable future. We are still having a bit of staff turnover and have not been able to recruit the RNs we need to open services further.”
Currently emergency services are available between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday in Lanigan while Lab and X-ray services are offered from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Srochenski said, “Efforts are being made to start services but we just don’t have the human resources. SHA as always is still committed to reopening Lanigan when it is safe and reliable.”
While both Watrous and Lanigan each have a full complement of physicians, with Watrous set to resume its services later this month, Srochenski said people needing care in Lanigan after hours will be able to utilize the hospital in Watrous, Humboldt or other nearby facilities. “People can access services wherever they choose to. If people need service they can access it in Watrous if they like.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 4, 2023
Main Street work nearing completion as REACT curb side carts delivered
Daniel Bushman
The Town of Watrous was a hub of activity as August rolled to an end. Not only did the Main Street Revitalization project progress on the #100, #200, and #300 blocks but Aug. 30 signalled the delivery of REACT curb side carts to the community.
With the work done this past week, Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said the Main Street Revitalization project is getting closer to being completed.
As of Aug. 25, the #100 block was closed to traffic until it was paved while on the #200 block, the 2nd Avenue intersection east and west was opened. On the #300 block of Main Street, the 3rd Avenue intersection east and west had opened up but the 4th Avenue intersection was closed.
Entering the latter part of the final week of August, as more work was done, Redden indicated the street will be paved in two layers of asphalt. Once the first layer is complete, Main Street will be opened up for vehicle traffic as crews pause until the concrete slugs for the streetlights are installed. Once they are done, crews will return to do the second and final lift of asphalt.
While there is a delay in receiving the new streetlights, aside from those, the estimated time for the Main Street work to be completed is around mid-September. “They have been on schedule from what they have indicated aside from the streetlight installation,” said Redden. “Once we arrive at removing the current streetlights, we will install temporary lighting until the new ones are delivered.”
As for the new REACT curb side carts, they started to be delivered Aug. 30, replacing the tag-a-bag program in Watrous. That means instead of a user pays per tag, residents will see a change reflected on their water bills. The new units are capable of holding about six bags of waste and were being dropped off at all residential properties including duplex units. Redden noted multi-unit dwellings had the option to request multiple carts or larger bins.
With the delivery of the new curb side carts this past week, the mandatory participation in the program for all residents in town will see the first pick up on the west side of Watrous Sept. 11. The first pick up for the east side of Watrous will occur Sept. 18.
The Town of Watrous indicated those residing on the east side can still use the tag-a-bag system for Sept. 5 as the program transitions to the curb side carts.
According to REACT, pick up days will alternate weekly from the west and east side of town. Carts must be put out on the front road and not on a sidewalk, boulevard or driveway by 7 a.m. on the Monday of a scheduled pick up. REACT indicated they will not pick up garbage placed beside the carts and the lid of the bin must be completely closed to tip the cart.
Items not allowed in the carts include: ashes of any kind, automotive parts, renovation/construction material, sod, dirt, concrete, household hazardous chemicals/cleaners and dead animals.
For residents who have leftover garbage tags from the tag-a-bag system, REACT stated they will be no longer needed for residential pick up and REACT will not be issuing any refunds for tags. They indicated the tags can be used towards payment for waste taken to the transfer station.
Daniel Bushman
The Town of Watrous was a hub of activity as August rolled to an end. Not only did the Main Street Revitalization project progress on the #100, #200, and #300 blocks but Aug. 30 signalled the delivery of REACT curb side carts to the community.
With the work done this past week, Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said the Main Street Revitalization project is getting closer to being completed.
As of Aug. 25, the #100 block was closed to traffic until it was paved while on the #200 block, the 2nd Avenue intersection east and west was opened. On the #300 block of Main Street, the 3rd Avenue intersection east and west had opened up but the 4th Avenue intersection was closed.
Entering the latter part of the final week of August, as more work was done, Redden indicated the street will be paved in two layers of asphalt. Once the first layer is complete, Main Street will be opened up for vehicle traffic as crews pause until the concrete slugs for the streetlights are installed. Once they are done, crews will return to do the second and final lift of asphalt.
While there is a delay in receiving the new streetlights, aside from those, the estimated time for the Main Street work to be completed is around mid-September. “They have been on schedule from what they have indicated aside from the streetlight installation,” said Redden. “Once we arrive at removing the current streetlights, we will install temporary lighting until the new ones are delivered.”
As for the new REACT curb side carts, they started to be delivered Aug. 30, replacing the tag-a-bag program in Watrous. That means instead of a user pays per tag, residents will see a change reflected on their water bills. The new units are capable of holding about six bags of waste and were being dropped off at all residential properties including duplex units. Redden noted multi-unit dwellings had the option to request multiple carts or larger bins.
With the delivery of the new curb side carts this past week, the mandatory participation in the program for all residents in town will see the first pick up on the west side of Watrous Sept. 11. The first pick up for the east side of Watrous will occur Sept. 18.
The Town of Watrous indicated those residing on the east side can still use the tag-a-bag system for Sept. 5 as the program transitions to the curb side carts.
According to REACT, pick up days will alternate weekly from the west and east side of town. Carts must be put out on the front road and not on a sidewalk, boulevard or driveway by 7 a.m. on the Monday of a scheduled pick up. REACT indicated they will not pick up garbage placed beside the carts and the lid of the bin must be completely closed to tip the cart.
Items not allowed in the carts include: ashes of any kind, automotive parts, renovation/construction material, sod, dirt, concrete, household hazardous chemicals/cleaners and dead animals.
For residents who have leftover garbage tags from the tag-a-bag system, REACT stated they will be no longer needed for residential pick up and REACT will not be issuing any refunds for tags. They indicated the tags can be used towards payment for waste taken to the transfer station.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 28. 2023
Watrous moving from REACT's tag-a-bag to waste cart program
*image from Town of Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Pretty soon the days of tagging garbage with REACT’s yellow stickers will be tossed in the trash and replaced with a new residential waste cart program being rolled out in Watrous.
Starting in September, residents will be receiving curb side waste bin carts as part of REACT’s collection program. That means people in Watrous will no longer have to purchase yellow tag-a-bag stickers but will instead pay a monthly fee for the carts.
Capable of holding about six bags of waste, the carts will be delivered to all residential properties including duplex units while multi-unit dwellings may require multiple carts or a larger waste bin. Joining other communities like Humboldt, LeRoy, and Lanigan, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson explained why council made the decision to go ahead with the change.
“It goes back almost two years ago when REACT did a feasibility study of their organization. They took a look at all parts of their business from landfills, transfer stations and garbage pick up and it was fairly clear the efficiency and cost of the tag-a-bag program was not efficient. We anticipated we would be facing quite a jump in costs for the tag-a-bag program if we stayed with it, so from council’s perspective, it made sense to go ahead with the curb side waste carts. We feel it will become the only option for communities in the future.”
Currently residents have the ability to purchase yellow tags for a few dollars each and place them on garbage bags full of waste. The bags are then picked up weekly at the resident’s curb as part of a user pays system. With the expected change to waste carts in September, the user pays system will no longer apply but rather a monthly fee implemented.
“On the Town of Watrous water bills right now we do have a $2.50 charge per month which goes towards waste collection,” said Town Administrator Orrin Redden. “The increase will be $17.50 per month (so $20 per month for the program) and REACT invoices us for the carts and we remit to them monthly. We will invoice residents every two months on our typical bi-monthly utility bills.”
Understanding the increase can be tough to absorb for some single unit dwellings, when asked if people have the option to opt out of the new waste cart program, Gunderson said, “We realize that some people, especially households that have one or two people will see an increase in costs. We had to be consistent with everyone so we made the decision each household would get one. Going this route, this was the only way to make it efficient.”
Redden added there are lots of ownership changes within the community each month and with an opt in or opt out option, it would create confusion. “REACT wanted to keep it consistent and council agreed that there would not be an option for single family dwellings.”
With multi-unit dwellings, Redden said the Town of Watrous has been in contact with places like the condominiums and Westridge Manor about using larger bins. “It is more cost effective to have those large bins as opposed to having multiple carts to wheel out if it is a six or 12 unit condo or Westridge Manor for example.”
Those opting for the larger bins, the current charge for the six cubic yard containers are $50 per month for one tip and $90 per month for bi-weekly tips.
While Gunderson understands the decision has not been sitting well with everyone, he added this is not the first time curb side waste carts has been considered. “Probably five or six years ago it was discussed after REACT approached us about it. The town did a survey of the community and it was not 100 percent one way or the other but more were leaning to not having the program at that time. We made the decision to hold off knowing that at some time in the future we would likely have to do it and we are now at that point.”
With the new bins scheduled for delivery either just before or after the September long weekend, using Main Street as a boundary line, waste collection will alternate for residents, one week for the west side and the other week for the east side. “Pick up for the west side of Main Street will start Monday, Sept. 11 and the east side Monday, Sept. 18. We are sticking with our regular Monday schedule and going Tuesday if it is a stat. It will keep rolling that way and we will have a calendar on the Town of Watrous website indicating which side is slated for pick up if anyone loses track.”
As for the current blue REACT recycling bins near the Watrous Centennial Arena, Redden said they will remain in place for now. “There is a possibility of going to curb side recycle bins in the future but REACT is not at that point yet.”
With the increase in fees and the change in programs, when asked if remaining with REACT is a benefit to Watrous, Gunderson said, “The cost of building and maintaining a landfill for our community is not feasible at all in our mind. That is why we are part of this organization and there are a number of others around the province doing the same. When I go to SUMA (Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association) meetings, some of the smaller communities that are still maintaining their landfills are finding their backs are up against the wall because of regulations with the Ministry of Environment. When their landfill reaches capacity, if they have to build a new one, it would be significant. It is a benefit to be part of REACT for sure.”
The Watrous Manitou also reached out to REACT for the article but did not hear back as of press time.
*image from Town of Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Pretty soon the days of tagging garbage with REACT’s yellow stickers will be tossed in the trash and replaced with a new residential waste cart program being rolled out in Watrous.
Starting in September, residents will be receiving curb side waste bin carts as part of REACT’s collection program. That means people in Watrous will no longer have to purchase yellow tag-a-bag stickers but will instead pay a monthly fee for the carts.
Capable of holding about six bags of waste, the carts will be delivered to all residential properties including duplex units while multi-unit dwellings may require multiple carts or a larger waste bin. Joining other communities like Humboldt, LeRoy, and Lanigan, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson explained why council made the decision to go ahead with the change.
“It goes back almost two years ago when REACT did a feasibility study of their organization. They took a look at all parts of their business from landfills, transfer stations and garbage pick up and it was fairly clear the efficiency and cost of the tag-a-bag program was not efficient. We anticipated we would be facing quite a jump in costs for the tag-a-bag program if we stayed with it, so from council’s perspective, it made sense to go ahead with the curb side waste carts. We feel it will become the only option for communities in the future.”
Currently residents have the ability to purchase yellow tags for a few dollars each and place them on garbage bags full of waste. The bags are then picked up weekly at the resident’s curb as part of a user pays system. With the expected change to waste carts in September, the user pays system will no longer apply but rather a monthly fee implemented.
“On the Town of Watrous water bills right now we do have a $2.50 charge per month which goes towards waste collection,” said Town Administrator Orrin Redden. “The increase will be $17.50 per month (so $20 per month for the program) and REACT invoices us for the carts and we remit to them monthly. We will invoice residents every two months on our typical bi-monthly utility bills.”
Understanding the increase can be tough to absorb for some single unit dwellings, when asked if people have the option to opt out of the new waste cart program, Gunderson said, “We realize that some people, especially households that have one or two people will see an increase in costs. We had to be consistent with everyone so we made the decision each household would get one. Going this route, this was the only way to make it efficient.”
Redden added there are lots of ownership changes within the community each month and with an opt in or opt out option, it would create confusion. “REACT wanted to keep it consistent and council agreed that there would not be an option for single family dwellings.”
With multi-unit dwellings, Redden said the Town of Watrous has been in contact with places like the condominiums and Westridge Manor about using larger bins. “It is more cost effective to have those large bins as opposed to having multiple carts to wheel out if it is a six or 12 unit condo or Westridge Manor for example.”
Those opting for the larger bins, the current charge for the six cubic yard containers are $50 per month for one tip and $90 per month for bi-weekly tips.
While Gunderson understands the decision has not been sitting well with everyone, he added this is not the first time curb side waste carts has been considered. “Probably five or six years ago it was discussed after REACT approached us about it. The town did a survey of the community and it was not 100 percent one way or the other but more were leaning to not having the program at that time. We made the decision to hold off knowing that at some time in the future we would likely have to do it and we are now at that point.”
With the new bins scheduled for delivery either just before or after the September long weekend, using Main Street as a boundary line, waste collection will alternate for residents, one week for the west side and the other week for the east side. “Pick up for the west side of Main Street will start Monday, Sept. 11 and the east side Monday, Sept. 18. We are sticking with our regular Monday schedule and going Tuesday if it is a stat. It will keep rolling that way and we will have a calendar on the Town of Watrous website indicating which side is slated for pick up if anyone loses track.”
As for the current blue REACT recycling bins near the Watrous Centennial Arena, Redden said they will remain in place for now. “There is a possibility of going to curb side recycle bins in the future but REACT is not at that point yet.”
With the increase in fees and the change in programs, when asked if remaining with REACT is a benefit to Watrous, Gunderson said, “The cost of building and maintaining a landfill for our community is not feasible at all in our mind. That is why we are part of this organization and there are a number of others around the province doing the same. When I go to SUMA (Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association) meetings, some of the smaller communities that are still maintaining their landfills are finding their backs are up against the wall because of regulations with the Ministry of Environment. When their landfill reaches capacity, if they have to build a new one, it would be significant. It is a benefit to be part of REACT for sure.”
The Watrous Manitou also reached out to REACT for the article but did not hear back as of press time.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 21, 2023
Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival a success
photo courtesy Bev Jay
A bit of wet weather early on did not deter the carvers as the 2023 Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival was dubbed a success. With the sun arriving later on during the Aug. 10 to 13 event and more people taking in the festival, 10 carvers from across Canada left their mark.
Lori Gill, chair of the fifth chainsaw carving festival held at Manitou Beach said there was an excellent turnout during the four day event. “I believe our attendance numbers are above our last event. We had a lot of people from all over Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. I spoke with a bunch from North Dakota and Montana and I noticed there were way more weekend passes sold as people opted to stay all four days.”
Inviting 10 carvers including two who have attended each event at Manitou Beach, Gill and those in attendance were treated to some incredible work. “They each have their own flavour, vision and technique for carving. I’ve been to every festival and I don’t think I’ve ever seen duplicates which is wonderful because we end up with an array of carvings.”
Amazed at the stunning work throughout the festival, as each carver selected their canvas, chainsaws began humming. Transforming massive pieces of wood into a detailed work of art, people’s curiosity was peaked each day as the images came to life. From bears to a beaver, an underwater scene to a dragon, the projects left people stunned when they were done. In addition to the big carvings, the artists each had to do two quick carves during the festival, being allotted 90 minutes per carving.
With people able to bid on each, the beautiful masterpieces disappeared as fast as they were completed as those with the highest bid (many reaching hundreds of dollars) were able to take home a treasured item.
As for the large carvings, spectators entering the festival were given a ballot to mark down which they thought was the best. “This year attendees voted daily and we tallied the votes up. In total, there were 1,428 ballots cast to decide the top three. There was only a 20 vote difference between second and third place!”
Along with the top three chosen by those in attendance, a Carvers’ Choice award was handed out (voted by the carvers themselves) and then the festival committee also voted and handed out an award. “They are tough decisions. There are no guidelines, you just vote with your own compass.”
Following the tabulation of all of the votes in the three categories, this year’s winners were:
Peoples’ Choice: first place - Kamron Garbe with an ocean scene including turtles, a ray, jellyfish, and fish; second place - Gary Natomagan with a pair of bears; and third place - Tyler Welfing with a dragon and a castle.
Carvers’ Choice - a three-way tie for first - Kamron Garbe with an underwater ocean scene, Darcy Birnie with a patriotic scene, and Mike Winia with a bear and her cubs eating a fish.
Chainsaw Carving Committee’s Choice: Kamron Garbe with an underwater ocean scene.
With each winner receiving prize money for their efforts, a raffle was held from purchased tickets over the four day event with the raffle winner (Chuck Bzdell) taking the first place carving home. The remainder of the carvings then became the property of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach and will be placed around the community.
Along with the carvers being featured throughout the festival, a vendor market was set up nearby. Originally with three food vendors and between 35 to 40 artisan vendors signed up, due to the weather not cooperating early on, there ended up being around 15 to 18 vendors in attendance. “Those who were there, I think some sold out completely of products and most said they did really well. We wanted to add something new and possibly get these vendors coming out for more local markets once they see the influx of people at events. We also had Minard’s Leisure World, M & M Small Engine Sales & Service and Husqvarna attend. They provided products, info, demos and services for the carvers. We also really appreciated Watrous and District Ambulance for being on-site when possible.”
In an effort to see the festival, one held every other year, come to fruition, along with the carvers and vendors in attendance, Gill said the event would not have turned out without all of the volunteer and committee help. “We had volunteers join us from Alberta, California and near and far from Saskatchewan. We also had mayors from three communities working in unison: Poppy Petersen (Manitou Beach), John Gunderson (Watrous), and Agnes Thompson (Young). It truly was a team effort. I also really appreciated the crew that came from Interlake Human Resources Corporation in Watrous. It was great to have them join us and that to me was a pat on the back for us as we created an environment where they felt comfortable helping out.”
As a committee, Gill said new members joined on this year from other communities and fit right in.“The expertise and equipment they gave us to use for free was really appreciated. We all had our job and we try to tweak and improve every year.”
Explaining how the festival could not have been done without the dedication of the committee members and volunteers, Gill added the generosity of sponsors was also key to seeing it become a cut above. “The support of our communities was tremendous. I say communities because we had sponsors, volunteers, and services from near and far. Honestly if we didn’t have the in-kind sponsorship of services and product/prizes and volunteers, we could not make it happen. Big or small it all fits into the puzzle and completes it!”
And according to the festival chair, the event has also grown big enough that during the previous event, the committee was able to donate funds from it to the resort village’s Communities in Bloom and Rec Board. Gill said they also helped to purchase an AED for the community hall and siding for a shed in the compound. “It looks like we’re in the black again this year and will soon decide on how to allocate those funds back into the community. We also provide the funds for upkeep and repairs on existing carvings.”
With a chance to reflect back on the 2023 chainsaw carving festival and see its successes, when asked if another will return in 2025, Gill replied, “When you look at the people we bring from near and far, the art we get to add to our communities, how can we not do another? We’ve become friends with the carvers and vendors and attendees. It gets in your blood and it’s extremely exciting to be a part of an event that grows every year.”
photo courtesy Bev Jay
A bit of wet weather early on did not deter the carvers as the 2023 Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival was dubbed a success. With the sun arriving later on during the Aug. 10 to 13 event and more people taking in the festival, 10 carvers from across Canada left their mark.
Lori Gill, chair of the fifth chainsaw carving festival held at Manitou Beach said there was an excellent turnout during the four day event. “I believe our attendance numbers are above our last event. We had a lot of people from all over Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. I spoke with a bunch from North Dakota and Montana and I noticed there were way more weekend passes sold as people opted to stay all four days.”
Inviting 10 carvers including two who have attended each event at Manitou Beach, Gill and those in attendance were treated to some incredible work. “They each have their own flavour, vision and technique for carving. I’ve been to every festival and I don’t think I’ve ever seen duplicates which is wonderful because we end up with an array of carvings.”
Amazed at the stunning work throughout the festival, as each carver selected their canvas, chainsaws began humming. Transforming massive pieces of wood into a detailed work of art, people’s curiosity was peaked each day as the images came to life. From bears to a beaver, an underwater scene to a dragon, the projects left people stunned when they were done. In addition to the big carvings, the artists each had to do two quick carves during the festival, being allotted 90 minutes per carving.
With people able to bid on each, the beautiful masterpieces disappeared as fast as they were completed as those with the highest bid (many reaching hundreds of dollars) were able to take home a treasured item.
As for the large carvings, spectators entering the festival were given a ballot to mark down which they thought was the best. “This year attendees voted daily and we tallied the votes up. In total, there were 1,428 ballots cast to decide the top three. There was only a 20 vote difference between second and third place!”
Along with the top three chosen by those in attendance, a Carvers’ Choice award was handed out (voted by the carvers themselves) and then the festival committee also voted and handed out an award. “They are tough decisions. There are no guidelines, you just vote with your own compass.”
Following the tabulation of all of the votes in the three categories, this year’s winners were:
Peoples’ Choice: first place - Kamron Garbe with an ocean scene including turtles, a ray, jellyfish, and fish; second place - Gary Natomagan with a pair of bears; and third place - Tyler Welfing with a dragon and a castle.
Carvers’ Choice - a three-way tie for first - Kamron Garbe with an underwater ocean scene, Darcy Birnie with a patriotic scene, and Mike Winia with a bear and her cubs eating a fish.
Chainsaw Carving Committee’s Choice: Kamron Garbe with an underwater ocean scene.
With each winner receiving prize money for their efforts, a raffle was held from purchased tickets over the four day event with the raffle winner (Chuck Bzdell) taking the first place carving home. The remainder of the carvings then became the property of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach and will be placed around the community.
Along with the carvers being featured throughout the festival, a vendor market was set up nearby. Originally with three food vendors and between 35 to 40 artisan vendors signed up, due to the weather not cooperating early on, there ended up being around 15 to 18 vendors in attendance. “Those who were there, I think some sold out completely of products and most said they did really well. We wanted to add something new and possibly get these vendors coming out for more local markets once they see the influx of people at events. We also had Minard’s Leisure World, M & M Small Engine Sales & Service and Husqvarna attend. They provided products, info, demos and services for the carvers. We also really appreciated Watrous and District Ambulance for being on-site when possible.”
In an effort to see the festival, one held every other year, come to fruition, along with the carvers and vendors in attendance, Gill said the event would not have turned out without all of the volunteer and committee help. “We had volunteers join us from Alberta, California and near and far from Saskatchewan. We also had mayors from three communities working in unison: Poppy Petersen (Manitou Beach), John Gunderson (Watrous), and Agnes Thompson (Young). It truly was a team effort. I also really appreciated the crew that came from Interlake Human Resources Corporation in Watrous. It was great to have them join us and that to me was a pat on the back for us as we created an environment where they felt comfortable helping out.”
As a committee, Gill said new members joined on this year from other communities and fit right in.“The expertise and equipment they gave us to use for free was really appreciated. We all had our job and we try to tweak and improve every year.”
Explaining how the festival could not have been done without the dedication of the committee members and volunteers, Gill added the generosity of sponsors was also key to seeing it become a cut above. “The support of our communities was tremendous. I say communities because we had sponsors, volunteers, and services from near and far. Honestly if we didn’t have the in-kind sponsorship of services and product/prizes and volunteers, we could not make it happen. Big or small it all fits into the puzzle and completes it!”
And according to the festival chair, the event has also grown big enough that during the previous event, the committee was able to donate funds from it to the resort village’s Communities in Bloom and Rec Board. Gill said they also helped to purchase an AED for the community hall and siding for a shed in the compound. “It looks like we’re in the black again this year and will soon decide on how to allocate those funds back into the community. We also provide the funds for upkeep and repairs on existing carvings.”
With a chance to reflect back on the 2023 chainsaw carving festival and see its successes, when asked if another will return in 2025, Gill replied, “When you look at the people we bring from near and far, the art we get to add to our communities, how can we not do another? We’ve become friends with the carvers and vendors and attendees. It gets in your blood and it’s extremely exciting to be a part of an event that grows every year.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 14, 2023
Watrous Main Street Revitalization Project maintaining schedule
Daniel Bushman
The transformation of Main Street in Watrous is well underway as part of a major revitalization project in the community. With a goal of seeing the work wrapped up by the scheduled early- to mid-September time frame (with exception to the lighting), crews have been busy working on the #100, #200 and #300 blocks.
“For the most part I think the project has gone well,” said Town of Watrous Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff adding the concrete contractor was on schedule and planned to wrap up by Friday, Aug. 11.
Following that work where the sidewalks were redone and curb added, Tarasoff mentioned the asphalt contractor was slated to be in Watrous Aug. 10. “The plan is to get going on the #100 block and I would estimate each block would take about a week for excavation and backfill. Once the three blocks are done, my understanding is the contractor will come back to do the asphalt when all of the remaining road construction is done.”
That other work includes the design on the piles where the street lights will sit on, the electrical running underneath that and paving stones added to fill the gap between the back of the curb and sidewalk. “I am hoping that should be around a month to a month and a half to see that work done.”
Once completed, all that will remain is adding the asphalt and the new street lights. Tarasoff said they expect the lights to arrive in about eight to 10 weeks due to the delayed delivery time. Before they come, the existing light fixtures will have to removed. “Hopefully we will see something in the next little bit but once those lights come down there will not be lights on those three blocks of Main Street. We have taken some measures to get some temporary lighting up and they are in place already. Once the current lights come down, the other ones will be lit up on a temporary basis until the new street lights are installed.”
Aside from the lighting, Tarasoff figures by early- to mid-September everything should be done and people will be able to fully use the three blocks again. “From all accounts, I think everything has gone fairly smoothly. The contractor that did the sidewalks was fantastic and ended up doing a few extras for us to tidy some areas up on Main Street. From what I have heard, they are really happy with working out here. They are impressed with Manitou Beach and what the area has to offer when they are not working. That is really positive to hear, especially if we do any future projects and have to bring people in from out of town to do the work.”
As for residents and business owners who have experienced disruptions on Main Street this summer, Tarasoff said, “We really appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during the construction phase of the project. I know that it has caused a few headaches but once the project is completed, Main Street will look really good.” The transformation of Main Street in Watrous is well underway as part of a major revitalization project in the community. With a goal of seeing the work wrapped up by the scheduled early- to mid-September time frame (with exception to the lighting), crews have been busy working on the #100, #200 and #300 blocks.
“For the most part I think the project has gone well,” said Town of Watrous Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff adding the concrete contractor was on schedule and planned to wrap up by Friday, Aug. 11.
Following that work where the sidewalks were redone and curb added, Tarasoff mentioned the asphalt contractor was slated to be in Watrous Aug. 10. “The plan is to get going on the #100 block and I would estimate each block would take about a week for excavation and backfill. Once the three blocks are done, my understanding is the contractor will come back to do the asphalt when all of the remaining road construction is done.”
That other work includes the design on the piles where the street lights will sit on, the electrical running underneath that and paving stones added to fill the gap between the back of the curb and sidewalk. “I am hoping that should be around a month to a month and a half to see that work done.”
Once completed, all that will remain is adding the asphalt and the new street lights. Tarasoff said they expect the lights to arrive in about eight to 10 weeks due to the delayed delivery time. Before they come, the existing light fixtures will have to removed. “Hopefully we will see something in the next little bit but once those lights come down there will not be lights on those three blocks of Main Street. We have taken some measures to get some temporary lighting up and they are in place already. Once the current lights come down, the other ones will be lit up on a temporary basis until the new street lights are installed.”
Aside from the lighting, Tarasoff figures by early- to mid-September everything should be done and people will be able to fully use the three blocks again. “From all accounts, I think everything has gone fairly smoothly. The contractor that did the sidewalks was fantastic and ended up doing a few extras for us to tidy some areas up on Main Street. From what I have heard, they are really happy with working out here. They are impressed with Manitou Beach and what the area has to offer when they are not working. That is really positive to hear, especially if we do any future projects and have to bring people in from out of town to do the work.”
As for residents and business owners who have experienced disruptions on Main Street this summer, Tarasoff said, “We really appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during the construction phase of the project. I know that it has caused a few headaches but once the project is completed, Main Street will look really good.”
Daniel Bushman
The transformation of Main Street in Watrous is well underway as part of a major revitalization project in the community. With a goal of seeing the work wrapped up by the scheduled early- to mid-September time frame (with exception to the lighting), crews have been busy working on the #100, #200 and #300 blocks.
“For the most part I think the project has gone well,” said Town of Watrous Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff adding the concrete contractor was on schedule and planned to wrap up by Friday, Aug. 11.
Following that work where the sidewalks were redone and curb added, Tarasoff mentioned the asphalt contractor was slated to be in Watrous Aug. 10. “The plan is to get going on the #100 block and I would estimate each block would take about a week for excavation and backfill. Once the three blocks are done, my understanding is the contractor will come back to do the asphalt when all of the remaining road construction is done.”
That other work includes the design on the piles where the street lights will sit on, the electrical running underneath that and paving stones added to fill the gap between the back of the curb and sidewalk. “I am hoping that should be around a month to a month and a half to see that work done.”
Once completed, all that will remain is adding the asphalt and the new street lights. Tarasoff said they expect the lights to arrive in about eight to 10 weeks due to the delayed delivery time. Before they come, the existing light fixtures will have to removed. “Hopefully we will see something in the next little bit but once those lights come down there will not be lights on those three blocks of Main Street. We have taken some measures to get some temporary lighting up and they are in place already. Once the current lights come down, the other ones will be lit up on a temporary basis until the new street lights are installed.”
Aside from the lighting, Tarasoff figures by early- to mid-September everything should be done and people will be able to fully use the three blocks again. “From all accounts, I think everything has gone fairly smoothly. The contractor that did the sidewalks was fantastic and ended up doing a few extras for us to tidy some areas up on Main Street. From what I have heard, they are really happy with working out here. They are impressed with Manitou Beach and what the area has to offer when they are not working. That is really positive to hear, especially if we do any future projects and have to bring people in from out of town to do the work.”
As for residents and business owners who have experienced disruptions on Main Street this summer, Tarasoff said, “We really appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during the construction phase of the project. I know that it has caused a few headaches but once the project is completed, Main Street will look really good.” The transformation of Main Street in Watrous is well underway as part of a major revitalization project in the community. With a goal of seeing the work wrapped up by the scheduled early- to mid-September time frame (with exception to the lighting), crews have been busy working on the #100, #200 and #300 blocks.
“For the most part I think the project has gone well,” said Town of Watrous Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff adding the concrete contractor was on schedule and planned to wrap up by Friday, Aug. 11.
Following that work where the sidewalks were redone and curb added, Tarasoff mentioned the asphalt contractor was slated to be in Watrous Aug. 10. “The plan is to get going on the #100 block and I would estimate each block would take about a week for excavation and backfill. Once the three blocks are done, my understanding is the contractor will come back to do the asphalt when all of the remaining road construction is done.”
That other work includes the design on the piles where the street lights will sit on, the electrical running underneath that and paving stones added to fill the gap between the back of the curb and sidewalk. “I am hoping that should be around a month to a month and a half to see that work done.”
Once completed, all that will remain is adding the asphalt and the new street lights. Tarasoff said they expect the lights to arrive in about eight to 10 weeks due to the delayed delivery time. Before they come, the existing light fixtures will have to removed. “Hopefully we will see something in the next little bit but once those lights come down there will not be lights on those three blocks of Main Street. We have taken some measures to get some temporary lighting up and they are in place already. Once the current lights come down, the other ones will be lit up on a temporary basis until the new street lights are installed.”
Aside from the lighting, Tarasoff figures by early- to mid-September everything should be done and people will be able to fully use the three blocks again. “From all accounts, I think everything has gone fairly smoothly. The contractor that did the sidewalks was fantastic and ended up doing a few extras for us to tidy some areas up on Main Street. From what I have heard, they are really happy with working out here. They are impressed with Manitou Beach and what the area has to offer when they are not working. That is really positive to hear, especially if we do any future projects and have to bring people in from out of town to do the work.”
As for residents and business owners who have experienced disruptions on Main Street this summer, Tarasoff said, “We really appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during the construction phase of the project. I know that it has caused a few headaches but once the project is completed, Main Street will look really good.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 7, 2023
Record turnout for Fun Run
Daniel Bushman
Not only did the annual Watrous and Manitou Beach Auto Show ‘N’ Shine Fun Run reach 300 entries for the second time in its 32 year history, but it surpassed the previous milestone to set a new record in 2023.
During the event’s 30th season, a total of 300 vehicles lined Main Street in Watrous, the first time the show hit that mark. This past year a total of 275 vehicles were registered, but in 2023, organizer Al Madland said they reached a record 340 paid entries.
“Everything went according to plan and went really well,” shared Madland about the July 29 event. “We blew the old record out of the water by 40 vehicles so that was awesome. The turnout was super and totally incredible. It was great for the town.”
Estimating there were around 700 people between vehicle owners and vendors, add in spectators and Madland thought between 1,500 to 2,000 people showed up along Main Street in Watrous for Saturday’s Fun Run. “My understanding is all of the vendors did really well. They sold out of pie and coffee, they sold out of pancakes for breakfast, Mini Mart did well and I heard 28 cases of hamburgers were sold. Everybody did really good surprisingly with our Main Street tore up.”
With the Main Street Revitalization Project fully underway in Watrous, the #100, #200 and #300 blocks were unusable for vehicles so the show was moved further down and started at the #400 block. Pushing north, Madland said as the remainder of Main Street became occupied, the show spilled over to the side streets with eight to a dozen vehicles on each side. “We had room for a bit more entries on 8th Avenue but we were shocked at how many there ended up being in the end. We were not sure how things would go with part of Main Street closed but it worked out really well in the end. The car owners were pleased because they had more room to operate behind their vehicles. Everybody was really happy with the way things went.”
Checking out all makes and models along the street, Madland shared vehicles came from B.C., Alta., Sask., and Man. The organizer also heard a car from Ontario was part of the show.
Just like last year, Madland explained there were some difficult choices when it came to selecting the winners for the 32nd annual event.
This year’s winners included:
Dealer Picks
• Watrous Mainline Motors GM: Bradyn Karst – 1956 Chevrolet BelAir
• Centennial Ford: Todd Dixon - Shelby Mustang
• Manitou Mainline Chrysler: Pete Ashley - 1970 Duster 440
Top Seven
• Humboldt Broncos Tribute Bike - 2007 Suzuki Boulevard
• Woody Quaal - 1939 Chev Coupe
• Bradyn Karst - 1956 Chevrolet
• Jason Urkow - 1957 Buick
• Brendon Macauley - 1985 Ford Mustang
• Travis Nykolaishen - 2019 Ford Mustang
• Marvin Elliott - 1966 Plymouth Fury
Best Motorcycles
• Best V-Twin: Larry Smith
• Best Other: Gord Anderson
• Best 250cc+under: Howie Magnus
In addition to the vehicles, some of the Fun Run’s other events included the Sask. Agility Dogs, Beeper the Clown, face painting, live entertainment, beer gardens, a monster truck giving rides, trade show, and rummage sale.
“The weather was perfect and we could not have asked for a nicer day. I went to Bruno the following day and people there said what an awesome job we did. There was something for everybody and I think that explains the great turnout. We have become very well-known over the years and we try and treat everybody as good as we can.”
Hoping to see the show continue next year, Madland stated it cannot move forward without the continued support of businesses and volunteers. “The biggest thing was our sponsors and our volunteers. If you don’t have them you can’t have a successful car show. That also includes those running the pancake breakfast, cooking burgers and hot dogs, selling ice cream, and the seniors selling pie and coffee. We just really appreciate all the people who helped make this year’s show a huge success.”
Daniel Bushman
Not only did the annual Watrous and Manitou Beach Auto Show ‘N’ Shine Fun Run reach 300 entries for the second time in its 32 year history, but it surpassed the previous milestone to set a new record in 2023.
During the event’s 30th season, a total of 300 vehicles lined Main Street in Watrous, the first time the show hit that mark. This past year a total of 275 vehicles were registered, but in 2023, organizer Al Madland said they reached a record 340 paid entries.
“Everything went according to plan and went really well,” shared Madland about the July 29 event. “We blew the old record out of the water by 40 vehicles so that was awesome. The turnout was super and totally incredible. It was great for the town.”
Estimating there were around 700 people between vehicle owners and vendors, add in spectators and Madland thought between 1,500 to 2,000 people showed up along Main Street in Watrous for Saturday’s Fun Run. “My understanding is all of the vendors did really well. They sold out of pie and coffee, they sold out of pancakes for breakfast, Mini Mart did well and I heard 28 cases of hamburgers were sold. Everybody did really good surprisingly with our Main Street tore up.”
With the Main Street Revitalization Project fully underway in Watrous, the #100, #200 and #300 blocks were unusable for vehicles so the show was moved further down and started at the #400 block. Pushing north, Madland said as the remainder of Main Street became occupied, the show spilled over to the side streets with eight to a dozen vehicles on each side. “We had room for a bit more entries on 8th Avenue but we were shocked at how many there ended up being in the end. We were not sure how things would go with part of Main Street closed but it worked out really well in the end. The car owners were pleased because they had more room to operate behind their vehicles. Everybody was really happy with the way things went.”
Checking out all makes and models along the street, Madland shared vehicles came from B.C., Alta., Sask., and Man. The organizer also heard a car from Ontario was part of the show.
Just like last year, Madland explained there were some difficult choices when it came to selecting the winners for the 32nd annual event.
This year’s winners included:
Dealer Picks
• Watrous Mainline Motors GM: Bradyn Karst – 1956 Chevrolet BelAir
• Centennial Ford: Todd Dixon - Shelby Mustang
• Manitou Mainline Chrysler: Pete Ashley - 1970 Duster 440
Top Seven
• Humboldt Broncos Tribute Bike - 2007 Suzuki Boulevard
• Woody Quaal - 1939 Chev Coupe
• Bradyn Karst - 1956 Chevrolet
• Jason Urkow - 1957 Buick
• Brendon Macauley - 1985 Ford Mustang
• Travis Nykolaishen - 2019 Ford Mustang
• Marvin Elliott - 1966 Plymouth Fury
Best Motorcycles
• Best V-Twin: Larry Smith
• Best Other: Gord Anderson
• Best 250cc+under: Howie Magnus
In addition to the vehicles, some of the Fun Run’s other events included the Sask. Agility Dogs, Beeper the Clown, face painting, live entertainment, beer gardens, a monster truck giving rides, trade show, and rummage sale.
“The weather was perfect and we could not have asked for a nicer day. I went to Bruno the following day and people there said what an awesome job we did. There was something for everybody and I think that explains the great turnout. We have become very well-known over the years and we try and treat everybody as good as we can.”
Hoping to see the show continue next year, Madland stated it cannot move forward without the continued support of businesses and volunteers. “The biggest thing was our sponsors and our volunteers. If you don’t have them you can’t have a successful car show. That also includes those running the pancake breakfast, cooking burgers and hot dogs, selling ice cream, and the seniors selling pie and coffee. We just really appreciate all the people who helped make this year’s show a huge success.”
TWM Top Story - July 17, 2023
Main Street Revitalization project in Watrous moving ahead
Daniel Bushman
Work on the multi-million dollar Main Street Revitalization project in Watrous is entering the final phase as crews will begin to transform the downtown. With a total cost of the project approximately $2.7 million, substantial work has already taken place with the remainder set to commence July 17.
Following the replacement of the water mains and water/sewer services on the #100, #200 and #300 blocks of Main Street in 2022, the project now shifts to curb, gutter, sidewalk and road work. Expected to see it all completed before the end of 2023, as the third week of July arrives, the concrete work begins.
Starting with the #100 block and moving to the #200 and #300 blocks, sidewalk work is estimated to start July 17 on the east side of the #100 block and is scheduled to be completed July 21. On the east side of the #200 block, work will start July 19 and wrap up July 23. On the east side of the #300 block, work is estimated to begin July 20 and end July 24.
Seeing the project reach this stage, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said, “We are very excited and happy it is finally going to be completed. We have been talking about doing this for a number of years and we are looking forward to later this fall when it is completed.”
During the work on each block, there will be no front door access for those businesses over a maximum five days of sidewalk construction. Vehicle traffic on Main Street will also see some disruptions but limited closures during the concrete sidewalk construction phase.
Understanding that businesses located on Main Street will have to adapt during this time, Gunderson said, “We are hoping for minimal disruptions to businesses. Obviously to do the sidewalks in front of each place, there will be some but the contractors will work with everybody to hopefully ensure that disruptions will be as minimal as possible.”
Planning to see the entire project wrapped up in 2023, when the request for tenders was sent out, Gunderson shared, “Once the sidewalks and curbs are done then the work they have to do to prep for new pavement will be done and they will go from there.”
On the three blocks contained within the revitalization project, streetscaping, extended sidewalks, bumpouts, new light fixtures and pedestrian activity are all part of the final design by consulting engineers Catterall & Wright.
In an effort to create streetscaping while promoting pedestrian activity, angle parking will remain and new light fixtures are being added with underground wiring. Other elements like bumpouts will be constructed to provide a safer place for pedestrians. Even with the bumpouts, the consulting engineers shared there would be ample space for vehicles to utilize the road and angle park. One unique part to the #200 block will be a mid-block crossing where the Watrous Pharmacy and Affinity Credit Union are located. Citing that is a higher traffic area for pedestrians, the crossing would provide a safe access point.
Acknowledging that the road along Main Street in Watrous needed to be replaced and excited to move forward with the multi-million dollar cost-shared revitalization project (75 percent of the costs are covered by the Town of Watrous and 25 percent by the Main Street businesses), Gunderson understands it can be a substantial investment for business owners.
Offering a 15 year payment option with six percent interest, the mayor hopes that will be a fair compromise for those who occupy space along Main Street. “The option is there over the 15 years and we hope that is not too much of a financial
burden to be added onto their property taxes. I know with smaller businesses that can be a challenge but I hope that would be enough to help them.”
With the project coming in right around the budgeted amount following its approval, construction is expected to take place over the next three to four months. Realizing that summer is the busiest time of year when it comes to local tourism, the mayor explained the seasons in Saskatchewan do not really allow for the work to be done anytime else. “In the spring you have to wait for the ground to thaw and there is not enough time between then and summer. In the fall you run the risk if you are halfway through the project and the snow comes to stay.”
Since the work is being done over the summer, it falls during Watrous’ 32nd annual Auto Show ‘N’ Shine Fun Run. Consistently attracting over 250 vehicles each year who line up along Main Street, Gunderson said despite the work, the July 29 event will still be moving forward, just at a different spot from where it normally is.
Despite the inconveniences that people will experience over the next few months, Gunderson feels that the project will be worth it in the end. “I know it is a disruption to the businesses but I just ask for their patience. At the end of the day I think everybody is going to be extremely happy with the result of the project. It is going to be just another drawing card of the downtown. That is one of the goals besides doing the infrastructure and beautification, it is something that hopefully we can attract some new businesses and draw more people towards downtown.”
Daniel Bushman
Work on the multi-million dollar Main Street Revitalization project in Watrous is entering the final phase as crews will begin to transform the downtown. With a total cost of the project approximately $2.7 million, substantial work has already taken place with the remainder set to commence July 17.
Following the replacement of the water mains and water/sewer services on the #100, #200 and #300 blocks of Main Street in 2022, the project now shifts to curb, gutter, sidewalk and road work. Expected to see it all completed before the end of 2023, as the third week of July arrives, the concrete work begins.
Starting with the #100 block and moving to the #200 and #300 blocks, sidewalk work is estimated to start July 17 on the east side of the #100 block and is scheduled to be completed July 21. On the east side of the #200 block, work will start July 19 and wrap up July 23. On the east side of the #300 block, work is estimated to begin July 20 and end July 24.
Seeing the project reach this stage, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said, “We are very excited and happy it is finally going to be completed. We have been talking about doing this for a number of years and we are looking forward to later this fall when it is completed.”
During the work on each block, there will be no front door access for those businesses over a maximum five days of sidewalk construction. Vehicle traffic on Main Street will also see some disruptions but limited closures during the concrete sidewalk construction phase.
Understanding that businesses located on Main Street will have to adapt during this time, Gunderson said, “We are hoping for minimal disruptions to businesses. Obviously to do the sidewalks in front of each place, there will be some but the contractors will work with everybody to hopefully ensure that disruptions will be as minimal as possible.”
Planning to see the entire project wrapped up in 2023, when the request for tenders was sent out, Gunderson shared, “Once the sidewalks and curbs are done then the work they have to do to prep for new pavement will be done and they will go from there.”
On the three blocks contained within the revitalization project, streetscaping, extended sidewalks, bumpouts, new light fixtures and pedestrian activity are all part of the final design by consulting engineers Catterall & Wright.
In an effort to create streetscaping while promoting pedestrian activity, angle parking will remain and new light fixtures are being added with underground wiring. Other elements like bumpouts will be constructed to provide a safer place for pedestrians. Even with the bumpouts, the consulting engineers shared there would be ample space for vehicles to utilize the road and angle park. One unique part to the #200 block will be a mid-block crossing where the Watrous Pharmacy and Affinity Credit Union are located. Citing that is a higher traffic area for pedestrians, the crossing would provide a safe access point.
Acknowledging that the road along Main Street in Watrous needed to be replaced and excited to move forward with the multi-million dollar cost-shared revitalization project (75 percent of the costs are covered by the Town of Watrous and 25 percent by the Main Street businesses), Gunderson understands it can be a substantial investment for business owners.
Offering a 15 year payment option with six percent interest, the mayor hopes that will be a fair compromise for those who occupy space along Main Street. “The option is there over the 15 years and we hope that is not too much of a financial
burden to be added onto their property taxes. I know with smaller businesses that can be a challenge but I hope that would be enough to help them.”
With the project coming in right around the budgeted amount following its approval, construction is expected to take place over the next three to four months. Realizing that summer is the busiest time of year when it comes to local tourism, the mayor explained the seasons in Saskatchewan do not really allow for the work to be done anytime else. “In the spring you have to wait for the ground to thaw and there is not enough time between then and summer. In the fall you run the risk if you are halfway through the project and the snow comes to stay.”
Since the work is being done over the summer, it falls during Watrous’ 32nd annual Auto Show ‘N’ Shine Fun Run. Consistently attracting over 250 vehicles each year who line up along Main Street, Gunderson said despite the work, the July 29 event will still be moving forward, just at a different spot from where it normally is.
Despite the inconveniences that people will experience over the next few months, Gunderson feels that the project will be worth it in the end. “I know it is a disruption to the businesses but I just ask for their patience. At the end of the day I think everybody is going to be extremely happy with the result of the project. It is going to be just another drawing card of the downtown. That is one of the goals besides doing the infrastructure and beautification, it is something that hopefully we can attract some new businesses and draw more people towards downtown.”
TWM Top Story - July 10, 2023
Former IHRC executive director honoured for her leadership
Daniel Bushman
*photo submitted
Making a difference in their communities and the lives of others, over 100 people including local resident Deborah Farago were recently awarded with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Given to those who have made contributions to Canada, Saskatchewan, or to a particular region or community, the medal was created to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Accession to the Throne. It was also made as a tangible way for the province of Saskatchewan to honour Her Majesty for her service to Canada.
Nominating those who have made a significant contribution to the Disability Service Sector, SARC hosted a call for nominations from its members resulting in 107 people receiving the prestigious honour at an awards ceremony June 23 in Regina.
An integral part of Interlake Human Resources Corporation (IHRC) and SARCAN in Watrous for a number of years, when the call for nominations was issued by SARC, members of IHRC in Watrous submitted Debbie’s name.
Receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for leadership in Saskatchewan’s Disability Sector, on behalf of IHRC, Board Chair Margie Borsheim and Executive Director Angela Silzer shared the nomination letter the agencies compiled for Farago:
“It gives our agencies - IHRC and SARCAN - great pleasure to nominate our former executive director Deborah Farago for this prestigious medal.
Debbie Farago is synonymous with IHRC/SARCAN and has been with our organization for 25 years. Debbie was our executive director from 2000 until her retirement at the end of 2022. Debbie is a gifted visionary, a can-do person. Combined with her perseverance, her management and leadership skills, Debbie is responsible for the solid foundation, growth and many of the successes our IHRC/SARCAN agencies enjoy today.
Debbie has been a true champion of and tireless advocate for persons with intellectual disabilities, not only at the local level but provincially as well. She has served on numerous panels, committees and planning sessions for provincial training, language literacy project and government panels to name a few.
Debbie has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to our IHRC/SARCAN agencies, to our participants’ lives and the communities in which we operate.
Debbie Farago leaves IHRC/SARCAN and our communities a powerful legacy and is most deserving of this prestigious award.”
Amy McNeil, Executive Director of SARC, shared: “We feel honoured to have been asked to facilitate the nomination process and to host the award ceremony. It is wonderful to be recognizing so many individuals that for their exceptional contribution to the Disability Service Sector. Congratulations to all medal recipients!”
With recipients nominated for leadership, community inclusion, supported employment, and person-centred practice, Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said, “Disability services professionals ensure people are safe, supported and included in their communities. They also help their clients achieve their goals and play an important role in nurturing communities where everyone belongs. I congratulate the recipients of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal and thank them all for their incredible service to individuals and families across Saskatchewan.”
Daniel Bushman
*photo submitted
Making a difference in their communities and the lives of others, over 100 people including local resident Deborah Farago were recently awarded with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Given to those who have made contributions to Canada, Saskatchewan, or to a particular region or community, the medal was created to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Accession to the Throne. It was also made as a tangible way for the province of Saskatchewan to honour Her Majesty for her service to Canada.
Nominating those who have made a significant contribution to the Disability Service Sector, SARC hosted a call for nominations from its members resulting in 107 people receiving the prestigious honour at an awards ceremony June 23 in Regina.
An integral part of Interlake Human Resources Corporation (IHRC) and SARCAN in Watrous for a number of years, when the call for nominations was issued by SARC, members of IHRC in Watrous submitted Debbie’s name.
Receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for leadership in Saskatchewan’s Disability Sector, on behalf of IHRC, Board Chair Margie Borsheim and Executive Director Angela Silzer shared the nomination letter the agencies compiled for Farago:
“It gives our agencies - IHRC and SARCAN - great pleasure to nominate our former executive director Deborah Farago for this prestigious medal.
Debbie Farago is synonymous with IHRC/SARCAN and has been with our organization for 25 years. Debbie was our executive director from 2000 until her retirement at the end of 2022. Debbie is a gifted visionary, a can-do person. Combined with her perseverance, her management and leadership skills, Debbie is responsible for the solid foundation, growth and many of the successes our IHRC/SARCAN agencies enjoy today.
Debbie has been a true champion of and tireless advocate for persons with intellectual disabilities, not only at the local level but provincially as well. She has served on numerous panels, committees and planning sessions for provincial training, language literacy project and government panels to name a few.
Debbie has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to our IHRC/SARCAN agencies, to our participants’ lives and the communities in which we operate.
Debbie Farago leaves IHRC/SARCAN and our communities a powerful legacy and is most deserving of this prestigious award.”
Amy McNeil, Executive Director of SARC, shared: “We feel honoured to have been asked to facilitate the nomination process and to host the award ceremony. It is wonderful to be recognizing so many individuals that for their exceptional contribution to the Disability Service Sector. Congratulations to all medal recipients!”
With recipients nominated for leadership, community inclusion, supported employment, and person-centred practice, Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said, “Disability services professionals ensure people are safe, supported and included in their communities. They also help their clients achieve their goals and play an important role in nurturing communities where everyone belongs. I congratulate the recipients of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal and thank them all for their incredible service to individuals and families across Saskatchewan.”
TWM Top Story - July 3, 2023
Familiar face receives honorary degree
*photo credit: timkip imaging in Saskatoon
Daniel Bushman
Creating a lasting legacy and inspiring many people along the way, Tom Magnuson who is well-known within the local area through his musical talents was recently honoured in Saskatoon.
Living in Watrous from 1964-‘77, Magnuson was involved within the community including through the Kin, United Church, the music director of the Long Lake School Division and a variety of other roles related to music. Recently, Magnuson received an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity for his ministry and leadership through music and music education, and was bestowed with the honour during a ceremony at St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon.
St. Andrew’s College Secretary Melanie Schwanbeck said honorary degrees are awarded for a number of reasons including: to honour the recipient; to bring honour to the College; to recognize meritorious service contributing to spiritual and social well-being of the community; to recognize leadership in denomination and ecumenical structures; to recognize outstanding commitment to the church’s ministries; to those whose Christian faith has given their contribution a special quality; and often with special emphasis on academic or professional achievement.
Nominated for the degree of Doctor of Divinity, Honouris Causa, for his ministry and leadership through music and music education, for those who know Magnuson, the honour comes as no surprise. The following is the citation presented during the awarding of Tom’s honorary degree:
Tom is married to Lynn. They have two children and five grandchildren. Born in Wadena, Sask., Tom was mentored in music by Earl Schmor, a teacher in elementary school. Tom played the alto horn first; but under Schmor’s direction, he gained an appreciation for music across a range of instruments. Tom’s talent was evident. From 1963 on, Tom served in music education at various institutions. He supervised music learning at the Foam Lake/Wynard School Division and, later, at the Long Lake School Division. He was an elementary school music teacher and a band and music teacher at Thom Collegiate in Regina. He served as Music Director at St. John’s United Church, and Sunset United Church, both in Regina. Currently, he is the Director of Music at Westminster United Church, Regina.
Tom’s magnanimous spirit of service breached institutional boundaries. He directed the Wheatland Barbershop Chorus, the Lumsden Jazz Band, the Whitewood Community Band, and the Craik Community Band. He toured with the Mel-o-Tones Barbershop Quartet through the continent.
In dulcet tones, Tom brings the love of Jesus Christ to the community. Of Tom’s work at Westminster United, one reports that he is generously inclusive, meeting those in their conditions of challenge: physical, mental, emotional. Tom’s conviction is that music is for everybody.
Tom, in the words of another, has a contagious laugh. His affection is infectious, filling those around him with a profound sense of the high regard he has for them. Personal integrity and love are the hallmarks of his faith. These qualities are manifest in the good works directed to the broader community, such as Westminster United’s “Gospel Experience” concerts and events in support of the Regina Food Bank
Tom, as it turns out, received little in the way of formal, diploma-driven type training in music. His excellence stems from an innate joy in music, the sort that compelled him to sing “His Eye is on the Sparrow” before a church at the tender age of four, the sort that made him the musical evangelist who would bring a selection of instruments to prospective students’ homes to entice them to discover God’s pleasure in music.
In these blessed ways, Tom shares in St. Andrew’s College’s mission “to proclaim and embody Jesus Christ’s message of compassion, justice and hope in an inclusive way by working in a Prairie context.” The conferral of the degree of Doctor of Divinity, Honoris Causa is an apt tribute to this mighty and humble servant of the Gospel.
*photo credit: timkip imaging in Saskatoon
Daniel Bushman
Creating a lasting legacy and inspiring many people along the way, Tom Magnuson who is well-known within the local area through his musical talents was recently honoured in Saskatoon.
Living in Watrous from 1964-‘77, Magnuson was involved within the community including through the Kin, United Church, the music director of the Long Lake School Division and a variety of other roles related to music. Recently, Magnuson received an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity for his ministry and leadership through music and music education, and was bestowed with the honour during a ceremony at St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon.
St. Andrew’s College Secretary Melanie Schwanbeck said honorary degrees are awarded for a number of reasons including: to honour the recipient; to bring honour to the College; to recognize meritorious service contributing to spiritual and social well-being of the community; to recognize leadership in denomination and ecumenical structures; to recognize outstanding commitment to the church’s ministries; to those whose Christian faith has given their contribution a special quality; and often with special emphasis on academic or professional achievement.
Nominated for the degree of Doctor of Divinity, Honouris Causa, for his ministry and leadership through music and music education, for those who know Magnuson, the honour comes as no surprise. The following is the citation presented during the awarding of Tom’s honorary degree:
Tom is married to Lynn. They have two children and five grandchildren. Born in Wadena, Sask., Tom was mentored in music by Earl Schmor, a teacher in elementary school. Tom played the alto horn first; but under Schmor’s direction, he gained an appreciation for music across a range of instruments. Tom’s talent was evident. From 1963 on, Tom served in music education at various institutions. He supervised music learning at the Foam Lake/Wynard School Division and, later, at the Long Lake School Division. He was an elementary school music teacher and a band and music teacher at Thom Collegiate in Regina. He served as Music Director at St. John’s United Church, and Sunset United Church, both in Regina. Currently, he is the Director of Music at Westminster United Church, Regina.
Tom’s magnanimous spirit of service breached institutional boundaries. He directed the Wheatland Barbershop Chorus, the Lumsden Jazz Band, the Whitewood Community Band, and the Craik Community Band. He toured with the Mel-o-Tones Barbershop Quartet through the continent.
In dulcet tones, Tom brings the love of Jesus Christ to the community. Of Tom’s work at Westminster United, one reports that he is generously inclusive, meeting those in their conditions of challenge: physical, mental, emotional. Tom’s conviction is that music is for everybody.
Tom, in the words of another, has a contagious laugh. His affection is infectious, filling those around him with a profound sense of the high regard he has for them. Personal integrity and love are the hallmarks of his faith. These qualities are manifest in the good works directed to the broader community, such as Westminster United’s “Gospel Experience” concerts and events in support of the Regina Food Bank
Tom, as it turns out, received little in the way of formal, diploma-driven type training in music. His excellence stems from an innate joy in music, the sort that compelled him to sing “His Eye is on the Sparrow” before a church at the tender age of four, the sort that made him the musical evangelist who would bring a selection of instruments to prospective students’ homes to entice them to discover God’s pleasure in music.
In these blessed ways, Tom shares in St. Andrew’s College’s mission “to proclaim and embody Jesus Christ’s message of compassion, justice and hope in an inclusive way by working in a Prairie context.” The conferral of the degree of Doctor of Divinity, Honoris Causa is an apt tribute to this mighty and humble servant of the Gospel.
TWM Top Story - June 26, 2023
Grand opening held for IHRC expansion project
Daniel Bushman
It was a day to celebrate as the ribbon was cut, tours held and treats served as part of a substantial renovation project at Interlake Human Resources Corporation (IHRC) in Watrous. Commemorating the grand opening during an afternoon ceremony June 20, staff, participants, dignitaries, and guests were in attendance to mark the momentous occasion.
Through years of hard work, dedication and saving funds by staff and the IHRC Board, the expansion project which improves accessibility and functionality at the day program building also included matching financial support of $350,000 through the provincial government.
“Our government is proud to have supported IHRC’s renovation to their day program building, which allows program participants to be served in a space that better meets their needs,” Deputy Premier, Finance Minister and Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer said on behalf of Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky. “Day programs give participants the chance to be involved in their community, develop their potential and create connections and friendships. I thank IHRC for enhancing the lives of residents living with intellectual disabilities and for fostering a more welcoming, accessible and inclusive community.”
With a full house for the grand opening at Interlake’s location at 116 Main Street in Watrous, Harpauer said the amount of people in attendance was a testament to how supportive everyone is in the community. Appointed as the Minister of Social Services twice during her time as MLA, Harpauer shared she grew a passion for this particular area and what can be done in communities. “It also gave me an appreciation of the challenges some individuals have and what we can do to help them out and make them feel more included and give them a better quality of life. I really became very passionate about this file when I had the Social Services responsibility.”
Thanking IHRC for the work they do, Harpauer said Tuesday afternoon’s announcement was truly an exciting day. “Our government appreciates the support and the commitment that you have shown each and every day as you provide quality sustainable services that
make a major difference in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
“Community partners like you are helping nurture a more welcoming inclusive Saskatchewan for all of us. So thank you and congratulations.”
A community-based organization that provides a range of vocational and residential services to adults with intellectual disabilities, IHRC is dedicated to helping program participants gain independence and live a high quality of life in their workplace, home and community.
Operating community-based day programming for 18 individuals in the Watrous area, a four person group home, two SARCAN depots and providing 60 hours of supported living services per week in Watrous and Davidson, IHRC Executive Director Angela Silzer said, “The Board of Directors, management, staff and participants of Interlake Human Resources are very grateful to the ministry for their investment into our organization, and the expansion of our day program facility. This added space allows us to better serve the needs of the people we support by not only being more accessible, but also enabling us to increase the scope of our programming. In turn, having more space, especially more accessible space, will permit us to provide service to and support for even more individuals experiencing intellectual disabilities in the future. We are proud of our newly renovated and expanded facilities and enjoy all of the options and opportunities they provide.”
Reflecting back over the years, Silzer who has witnessed the exponential growth and transformation not only as an agency as a whole but in the facilities as well said, “When I started we were in a small building in the back alley with no air conditioning and the manager’s office and the bookkeeper were in one half of the warehouse that we housed clothing donations in. That was also the SARCAN building. Then we moved the manager and bookkeeper into the other building beside us and were spread between three buildings.”
With a need to see everything under one roof while providing additional space for participants to thrive, IHRC Board Chair Margie Borsheim along with former director Deborah Farago started the ball rolling on the expansion.
A caring and dedicated part of Interlake for a number of years, Borsheim was very proud of the building and its expansion. Built in 1935 and formerly the site of the Watrous Post Office, Borsheim shared the upstairs was the postmaster’s living quarters and in the basement was a jail, utilities and later, a bomb shelter. After the post office relocated down the street in 1971, the Watrous school unit occupied the space for a number of years before Interlake purchased the building in 2005.
Making the place Interlake’s head office and maintaining and caring for it ever since, Borsheim said when they were able to do the renovations it was really important to keep the integrity of the historic building.
Putting money away for many years to make the project happen, around 2015, IHRC made the decision to add on to the main floor. After submitting the proposal to Community Living Services Division of the Ministry of Social Services and with a number of people involved in seeing the project move forward, Borsheim said in 2019, IHRC received the go ahead. An architectural firm was engaged and with Interlake staff collaborating on the project including adding a stipulation to give the work to local contractors, plans were redrawn to reflect the needs of staff and participants.
Despite navigating through the start of the pandemic, when August 2021 arrived, with a number of local trades and contractors involved, the work was recently completed. As part of the nearly 1,500 square feet of renovations, the expansion included three additional wheelchair accessible bathrooms, a shower, a quiet private space for participants, a large multi-purpose area, storage room and classroom. Along with those spaces, a larger shredding room was also created, allowing for more than one person to shred at a time.
While the offices remain the same, with the renovations expanding the building, more of a kitchen area was also established in the main facility, allowing for Interlake to inclusively allow for all to help with food preparation.
“Today we are very proud of our newly renovated and expanded facilities and we are looking forward to enjoying all the options and opportunities to provide for our participants and community,” said Borsheim.
Very grateful to the Ministry of Social Services for helping to make the expansion of the day programming possible, Borsheim added management, staff and participants also needed to be acknowledged during the construction phase. “You pitched in and did whatever was needed of you. You all had extra work in addition to your everyday tasks and I believe that your attitude and example really set the tone for our participants. You did an excellent job of steering everyone through this build. The Interlake Board especially wants to thank Debbie Farago for persevering through this project while going through some of the most difficult days of her life. She is a warrior and was essential to this build happening. After 25 years of service with IHRC, her spirit is everywhere within this building. Thank you to the participants, we are so proud of how well you handled all the mess and the noise and the changes . . . we have made it through the long process and now you and the rest of our Interlake family get to enjoy.”
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Interlake participant Megan Lannan said they are all very proud of the new building and while it was a long process, it was worth waiting for. “My favourite part of the expansion is our big new kitchen. My favourite job is doing SARCAN laundry. My other favourite job is prepping shredding. We like having the extra space for prepping and our new shredding machines.”
Appreciating the opportunity to be in attendance at Tuesday’s grand opening and bringing greetings on behalf of the community and surrounding area, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said, “We are so pleased that this has come to fruition. Hearing you talk about where you started from a number of years ago and seeing where you are today is just amazing. We are so fortunate to have Interlake, and SARCAN as well, in our community because the services that you provide to us day in and day out, we would be lost without it. Thank you to all the participants and all that you do. Good luck in the future.”
Daniel Bushman
It was a day to celebrate as the ribbon was cut, tours held and treats served as part of a substantial renovation project at Interlake Human Resources Corporation (IHRC) in Watrous. Commemorating the grand opening during an afternoon ceremony June 20, staff, participants, dignitaries, and guests were in attendance to mark the momentous occasion.
Through years of hard work, dedication and saving funds by staff and the IHRC Board, the expansion project which improves accessibility and functionality at the day program building also included matching financial support of $350,000 through the provincial government.
“Our government is proud to have supported IHRC’s renovation to their day program building, which allows program participants to be served in a space that better meets their needs,” Deputy Premier, Finance Minister and Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer said on behalf of Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky. “Day programs give participants the chance to be involved in their community, develop their potential and create connections and friendships. I thank IHRC for enhancing the lives of residents living with intellectual disabilities and for fostering a more welcoming, accessible and inclusive community.”
With a full house for the grand opening at Interlake’s location at 116 Main Street in Watrous, Harpauer said the amount of people in attendance was a testament to how supportive everyone is in the community. Appointed as the Minister of Social Services twice during her time as MLA, Harpauer shared she grew a passion for this particular area and what can be done in communities. “It also gave me an appreciation of the challenges some individuals have and what we can do to help them out and make them feel more included and give them a better quality of life. I really became very passionate about this file when I had the Social Services responsibility.”
Thanking IHRC for the work they do, Harpauer said Tuesday afternoon’s announcement was truly an exciting day. “Our government appreciates the support and the commitment that you have shown each and every day as you provide quality sustainable services that
make a major difference in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
“Community partners like you are helping nurture a more welcoming inclusive Saskatchewan for all of us. So thank you and congratulations.”
A community-based organization that provides a range of vocational and residential services to adults with intellectual disabilities, IHRC is dedicated to helping program participants gain independence and live a high quality of life in their workplace, home and community.
Operating community-based day programming for 18 individuals in the Watrous area, a four person group home, two SARCAN depots and providing 60 hours of supported living services per week in Watrous and Davidson, IHRC Executive Director Angela Silzer said, “The Board of Directors, management, staff and participants of Interlake Human Resources are very grateful to the ministry for their investment into our organization, and the expansion of our day program facility. This added space allows us to better serve the needs of the people we support by not only being more accessible, but also enabling us to increase the scope of our programming. In turn, having more space, especially more accessible space, will permit us to provide service to and support for even more individuals experiencing intellectual disabilities in the future. We are proud of our newly renovated and expanded facilities and enjoy all of the options and opportunities they provide.”
Reflecting back over the years, Silzer who has witnessed the exponential growth and transformation not only as an agency as a whole but in the facilities as well said, “When I started we were in a small building in the back alley with no air conditioning and the manager’s office and the bookkeeper were in one half of the warehouse that we housed clothing donations in. That was also the SARCAN building. Then we moved the manager and bookkeeper into the other building beside us and were spread between three buildings.”
With a need to see everything under one roof while providing additional space for participants to thrive, IHRC Board Chair Margie Borsheim along with former director Deborah Farago started the ball rolling on the expansion.
A caring and dedicated part of Interlake for a number of years, Borsheim was very proud of the building and its expansion. Built in 1935 and formerly the site of the Watrous Post Office, Borsheim shared the upstairs was the postmaster’s living quarters and in the basement was a jail, utilities and later, a bomb shelter. After the post office relocated down the street in 1971, the Watrous school unit occupied the space for a number of years before Interlake purchased the building in 2005.
Making the place Interlake’s head office and maintaining and caring for it ever since, Borsheim said when they were able to do the renovations it was really important to keep the integrity of the historic building.
Putting money away for many years to make the project happen, around 2015, IHRC made the decision to add on to the main floor. After submitting the proposal to Community Living Services Division of the Ministry of Social Services and with a number of people involved in seeing the project move forward, Borsheim said in 2019, IHRC received the go ahead. An architectural firm was engaged and with Interlake staff collaborating on the project including adding a stipulation to give the work to local contractors, plans were redrawn to reflect the needs of staff and participants.
Despite navigating through the start of the pandemic, when August 2021 arrived, with a number of local trades and contractors involved, the work was recently completed. As part of the nearly 1,500 square feet of renovations, the expansion included three additional wheelchair accessible bathrooms, a shower, a quiet private space for participants, a large multi-purpose area, storage room and classroom. Along with those spaces, a larger shredding room was also created, allowing for more than one person to shred at a time.
While the offices remain the same, with the renovations expanding the building, more of a kitchen area was also established in the main facility, allowing for Interlake to inclusively allow for all to help with food preparation.
“Today we are very proud of our newly renovated and expanded facilities and we are looking forward to enjoying all the options and opportunities to provide for our participants and community,” said Borsheim.
Very grateful to the Ministry of Social Services for helping to make the expansion of the day programming possible, Borsheim added management, staff and participants also needed to be acknowledged during the construction phase. “You pitched in and did whatever was needed of you. You all had extra work in addition to your everyday tasks and I believe that your attitude and example really set the tone for our participants. You did an excellent job of steering everyone through this build. The Interlake Board especially wants to thank Debbie Farago for persevering through this project while going through some of the most difficult days of her life. She is a warrior and was essential to this build happening. After 25 years of service with IHRC, her spirit is everywhere within this building. Thank you to the participants, we are so proud of how well you handled all the mess and the noise and the changes . . . we have made it through the long process and now you and the rest of our Interlake family get to enjoy.”
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Interlake participant Megan Lannan said they are all very proud of the new building and while it was a long process, it was worth waiting for. “My favourite part of the expansion is our big new kitchen. My favourite job is doing SARCAN laundry. My other favourite job is prepping shredding. We like having the extra space for prepping and our new shredding machines.”
Appreciating the opportunity to be in attendance at Tuesday’s grand opening and bringing greetings on behalf of the community and surrounding area, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said, “We are so pleased that this has come to fruition. Hearing you talk about where you started from a number of years ago and seeing where you are today is just amazing. We are so fortunate to have Interlake, and SARCAN as well, in our community because the services that you provide to us day in and day out, we would be lost without it. Thank you to all the participants and all that you do. Good luck in the future.”
TWM Top Story - June 19, 2023
Imperial celebrates grand reopening of arena
By Daniel Bushman
Following tremendous support, countless hours of volunteering and assistance through funding initiatives, the community of Imperial came together to celebrate the official grand reopening of its arena.
With the $906,138 upgrade allowing the facility to be used throughout the year, during the first Rock’n The Rink event June 10, Town of Imperial Administrator Joslin Freeman said the project represented countless hours of planning, designing and construction with the intention of having a space that can be enjoyed by everyone. “We believe that by providing such a diverse facility, we are nurturing the growth of talent, fostering community spirit and promoting healthy living.”
Beginning March 2022, construction on the arena involved pouring a new concrete floor for the rink surface to replace the existing gravel floor, installing new ice rink boards and reusing the existing glass. Through community volunteers stepping up in a big way during various stages of the project, work wrapped up in December 2022.
Expressing her gratitude to the engineers, contractors, volunteers and all those who dedicated their expertise and efforts to bring the vision to life, Freeman also extended an extra special thank you to Town of Imperial Foreman Kelvin Klenk. “His commitment and time went above and beyond. The commitment to excellence and the attention to detail are evident in every inch of this remarkable transformation.”
Freeman also shared how the late Gary Mooney’s generosity touched the hearts of many as the new tin on the walls was done through financial donations in his name.
Citing the project as a symbol of the community’s strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to progress, Freeman said, “Today we inaugurate not just a refurbished ice rink but a new chapter in our community’s history.”
In addition to the work done to the facility, a Sask. Parks and Rec Association Framework For Action grant of $5,000 was also awarded to Imperial, allowing them to purchase pickleball nets and paddles, a basketball hoop, lacrosse and floor hockey sticks, badminton net and racquets and a volleyball system for the rink. “We are welcoming the community to utilize this new space and encourage physical activity.”
With the Government of Canada investing $350,914, the Government of Saskatchewan contributing $292,399 and the Town of Imperial funding the remaining $262,825, Imperial Mayor Edward Abrey was very pleased to be part of the official grand reopening.
Joined by other members of council, Abrey indicated the project was done on time and slightly under budget due to all of the volunteer efforts that went into its completion. He also appreciated the support of the federal and provincial governments as the funding allowed the project to move forward from just talking about a concrete floor to putting one in place. “Now that this project is completed, our community’s quality of life has improved and we’re better positioned for growth by having a venue that can potentially attract events throughout the year.”
Recognizing Freeman during the official grand reopening, Abrey noted the many hours she spent doing research and preparing paperwork to apply for funding. “Without that effort none of this would have ever been a possibility to become a reality. We have now as a community turned into what was once a one season rink into a four season arena that will serve all the needs for all the ages and variety of interests and activities for years to come.”
Minister of Environment and MLA for Arm River Dana Skoropad was honoured to be in attendance for the Saturday morning ceremony and thrilled to see volunteers come together on the project. “This is a reason to celebrate. This is fantastic. You look at this facility now and what that is going to mean for the young people here and others, it is fantastic.
“The Government of Saskatchewan’s more than $290,000 in provincial funding toward the Town of Imperial’s arena upgrade project improved this key local infrastructure so it can now be used throughout the year,” said Skoropad, on behalf of the Honourable Don McMorris, the province’s Minister of Government Relations. “The facility’s new sturdy concrete floor not only makes this facility stronger, but also strengthens the heart of this community, as people can now gather more frequently and build even fonder memories of this special part of Saskatchewan.”
While unable to attend the event, in a statement, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities said on behalf of the federal government, “Arenas are at the heart of rural communities across Canada, and Imperial is no exception. With the reopening of the Town’s beloved arena, residents of all ages will now
have a place to stay active year-round. We will continue working with our partners to improve the quality of life of Saskatchewanians and all Canadians.”
Taking in the first-ever Rock’n The Rink for Imperial which included a slo-pitch tournament at the ball diamonds, a carnival for children, bingo, bake sale, and cabaret with live music, members of the Imperial Oilers Rec Hockey Club were all smiles.
A major supporter of the rink, speaking on behalf of the group who hosts a rec hockey fundraiser each winter, Kyle MacLellan said the Imperial Oilers have been a mainstay at the rink each winter for 20 plus years.
With players ranging from 18 years old to their mid-60s, MacLellan said the hockey team has supported the arena through fundraisers and volunteering their time. “We grew up playing hockey here, we will continue to play hockey here and now our kids are as well. Over the years the hockey club has been one of the major fundraising groups for the rink with our annual rec hockey tournament.”
Raising over $250,000 from those events for the upkeep of the rink, now that the project has been completed, MacLellan said, “As the Oilers hockey team, we look forward to playing many more years here. We also look forward to continue to fundraise for this place. Yes we have a refurbished facility but there is still a lot of upkeep and it takes money to run the place.”
With residents and visitors in attendance Saturday to take in the festivities, and seeing all of the smiles, laughter and connecting with each other, an emotional Freeman said the work was worth it.
“We are so thrilled to be able to see people enjoying the arena. To have this place as a four season facility, people will be able to utilize it throughout the year. It will also allow for sports like lacrosse or pickleball to be played along with trade shows and cultural events to be held. It is really a benefit to our community.”
By Daniel Bushman
Following tremendous support, countless hours of volunteering and assistance through funding initiatives, the community of Imperial came together to celebrate the official grand reopening of its arena.
With the $906,138 upgrade allowing the facility to be used throughout the year, during the first Rock’n The Rink event June 10, Town of Imperial Administrator Joslin Freeman said the project represented countless hours of planning, designing and construction with the intention of having a space that can be enjoyed by everyone. “We believe that by providing such a diverse facility, we are nurturing the growth of talent, fostering community spirit and promoting healthy living.”
Beginning March 2022, construction on the arena involved pouring a new concrete floor for the rink surface to replace the existing gravel floor, installing new ice rink boards and reusing the existing glass. Through community volunteers stepping up in a big way during various stages of the project, work wrapped up in December 2022.
Expressing her gratitude to the engineers, contractors, volunteers and all those who dedicated their expertise and efforts to bring the vision to life, Freeman also extended an extra special thank you to Town of Imperial Foreman Kelvin Klenk. “His commitment and time went above and beyond. The commitment to excellence and the attention to detail are evident in every inch of this remarkable transformation.”
Freeman also shared how the late Gary Mooney’s generosity touched the hearts of many as the new tin on the walls was done through financial donations in his name.
Citing the project as a symbol of the community’s strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to progress, Freeman said, “Today we inaugurate not just a refurbished ice rink but a new chapter in our community’s history.”
In addition to the work done to the facility, a Sask. Parks and Rec Association Framework For Action grant of $5,000 was also awarded to Imperial, allowing them to purchase pickleball nets and paddles, a basketball hoop, lacrosse and floor hockey sticks, badminton net and racquets and a volleyball system for the rink. “We are welcoming the community to utilize this new space and encourage physical activity.”
With the Government of Canada investing $350,914, the Government of Saskatchewan contributing $292,399 and the Town of Imperial funding the remaining $262,825, Imperial Mayor Edward Abrey was very pleased to be part of the official grand reopening.
Joined by other members of council, Abrey indicated the project was done on time and slightly under budget due to all of the volunteer efforts that went into its completion. He also appreciated the support of the federal and provincial governments as the funding allowed the project to move forward from just talking about a concrete floor to putting one in place. “Now that this project is completed, our community’s quality of life has improved and we’re better positioned for growth by having a venue that can potentially attract events throughout the year.”
Recognizing Freeman during the official grand reopening, Abrey noted the many hours she spent doing research and preparing paperwork to apply for funding. “Without that effort none of this would have ever been a possibility to become a reality. We have now as a community turned into what was once a one season rink into a four season arena that will serve all the needs for all the ages and variety of interests and activities for years to come.”
Minister of Environment and MLA for Arm River Dana Skoropad was honoured to be in attendance for the Saturday morning ceremony and thrilled to see volunteers come together on the project. “This is a reason to celebrate. This is fantastic. You look at this facility now and what that is going to mean for the young people here and others, it is fantastic.
“The Government of Saskatchewan’s more than $290,000 in provincial funding toward the Town of Imperial’s arena upgrade project improved this key local infrastructure so it can now be used throughout the year,” said Skoropad, on behalf of the Honourable Don McMorris, the province’s Minister of Government Relations. “The facility’s new sturdy concrete floor not only makes this facility stronger, but also strengthens the heart of this community, as people can now gather more frequently and build even fonder memories of this special part of Saskatchewan.”
While unable to attend the event, in a statement, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities said on behalf of the federal government, “Arenas are at the heart of rural communities across Canada, and Imperial is no exception. With the reopening of the Town’s beloved arena, residents of all ages will now
have a place to stay active year-round. We will continue working with our partners to improve the quality of life of Saskatchewanians and all Canadians.”
Taking in the first-ever Rock’n The Rink for Imperial which included a slo-pitch tournament at the ball diamonds, a carnival for children, bingo, bake sale, and cabaret with live music, members of the Imperial Oilers Rec Hockey Club were all smiles.
A major supporter of the rink, speaking on behalf of the group who hosts a rec hockey fundraiser each winter, Kyle MacLellan said the Imperial Oilers have been a mainstay at the rink each winter for 20 plus years.
With players ranging from 18 years old to their mid-60s, MacLellan said the hockey team has supported the arena through fundraisers and volunteering their time. “We grew up playing hockey here, we will continue to play hockey here and now our kids are as well. Over the years the hockey club has been one of the major fundraising groups for the rink with our annual rec hockey tournament.”
Raising over $250,000 from those events for the upkeep of the rink, now that the project has been completed, MacLellan said, “As the Oilers hockey team, we look forward to playing many more years here. We also look forward to continue to fundraise for this place. Yes we have a refurbished facility but there is still a lot of upkeep and it takes money to run the place.”
With residents and visitors in attendance Saturday to take in the festivities, and seeing all of the smiles, laughter and connecting with each other, an emotional Freeman said the work was worth it.
“We are so thrilled to be able to see people enjoying the arena. To have this place as a four season facility, people will be able to utilize it throughout the year. It will also allow for sports like lacrosse or pickleball to be played along with trade shows and cultural events to be held. It is really a benefit to our community.”
TWM Top Story June 12, 2023
Local area athletes medal at provincials
Daniel Bushman
*photo courtesy Kristin Carlson
Six athletes representing Winston High School joined other local area competitors in Saskatoon June 2 and 3 to take part in provincial track and field. Facing others from across Saskatchewan, the group qualified for a number of events with some familiar faces from the local region collecting medals.
Taking on tough competition, WHS teacher Jarvis Engele shared JeMar Brockman, Maya Collins, Myanna Holland, Olivia Tan, Marissa Miettinen, and Emma Schindel represented the blue and gold. Engele who was in attendance in Saskatoon along with teachers Barry Croshaw and Priscilla Stratton explained how each Watrous athlete did:
• JeMar Brockman competed in the Senior Boys Long Jump and Triple Jump. In the long jump JeMar jumped a 6.10 m which placed him in seventh. In the triple jump, JeMar’s jump of 12.92 m earned him a silver medal!
• Maya Collins ran the Intermediate Girls 1,500 m and earned an 18th place finish with a time of 6:04.
• Myanna Holland ran the Senior Girls 80 m Hurdles and 4 x 100 Relay. In the 80 m Hurdles she ran a 15.23 for a 19th place finish and in the 4 x 100 m Relay the Horizon Senior Girls Relay team ran a 54.54 for an 11th place finish.
• Marissa Miettinen competed in the Junior Girls 80 m Hurdles and ran a 14.45 which earned her 14th place.
• Emma Schindel competed in the Junior Girls Shot put and Javelin. In the Shot Put, Emma’s throw of 7.11 m placed her in 24th while a throw of 28.72 m placed her sixth in the Javelin event.
• Olivia Tan competed
Daniel Bushman
*photo courtesy Kristin Carlson
Six athletes representing Winston High School joined other local area competitors in Saskatoon June 2 and 3 to take part in provincial track and field. Facing others from across Saskatchewan, the group qualified for a number of events with some familiar faces from the local region collecting medals.
Taking on tough competition, WHS teacher Jarvis Engele shared JeMar Brockman, Maya Collins, Myanna Holland, Olivia Tan, Marissa Miettinen, and Emma Schindel represented the blue and gold. Engele who was in attendance in Saskatoon along with teachers Barry Croshaw and Priscilla Stratton explained how each Watrous athlete did:
• JeMar Brockman competed in the Senior Boys Long Jump and Triple Jump. In the long jump JeMar jumped a 6.10 m which placed him in seventh. In the triple jump, JeMar’s jump of 12.92 m earned him a silver medal!
• Maya Collins ran the Intermediate Girls 1,500 m and earned an 18th place finish with a time of 6:04.
• Myanna Holland ran the Senior Girls 80 m Hurdles and 4 x 100 Relay. In the 80 m Hurdles she ran a 15.23 for a 19th place finish and in the 4 x 100 m Relay the Horizon Senior Girls Relay team ran a 54.54 for an 11th place finish.
• Marissa Miettinen competed in the Junior Girls 80 m Hurdles and ran a 14.45 which earned her 14th place.
• Emma Schindel competed in the Junior Girls Shot put and Javelin. In the Shot Put, Emma’s throw of 7.11 m placed her in 24th while a throw of 28.72 m placed her sixth in the Javelin event.
• Olivia Tan competed
TWM Top Story - June 5, 2023
Memory Trail officially unveiled
Daniel Bushman
Creating lasting memories while commemorating a project that has brought two communities together, the official ribbon cutting ceremony of Memory Trail took place at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach May 25. Following a soft opening Oct. 21, 2022 at the trail’s Watrous portion, during a rainy Thursday morning, provincial dignitaries were in attendance to mark the project’s conclusion at the trail’s Manitou Beach location.
Covering the expenses and work of the approximately three kilometre trail which runs from Watrous to Manitou Beach, Ron Ediger of Melron Services Ltd., was thrilled to see it completed. Naming it Memory Trail, Ediger shared the title of the trail has a number of meanings. “I decided to call it Memory Trail because years ago people came to the lake to swim in the healing waters. When my mom came to this country, their house was near the railway tracks and people coming from Punnichy and the eastern part of Saskatchewan would go through Nokomis and stop at her place for water. She would ask them where they would go and they told her to the healing waters of Lake Manitou. They essentially created a trail, walking from there to Manitou Beach. Then you go back to the 1920s and 30’s and the train would bring people here from all over the country. There was a trail to the village from them you might say, going from Watrous to Manitou Beach. And then the idea of the memory of the people that passed from here. We want to remember them for all that they have done and for who they are.”
Wanting to give back to the area, Ediger said once Memory Trail was ready to be used, he began receiving a number of positive responses. “So many people have stopped me on the street and have said how much they love the trail. It is good to hear it is being used.”
As part of Memory Trail, four families (Alcock, Knezacek, Hayter, and Reichert) have donated benches for people to use and enjoy and Ediger also created a replica of the top of the Arcade Pavilion which is situated near Lakeview Avenue where the trail starts at Manitou Beach. “I had my crew put it together at the shop and they did a super job and it looks authentic to what it was. Lionel Sproule was able to help me get the colour matched to what the original was and I put some pictures inside of it of the beach including what the Arcade Pavilion looked like.”
According to the local history book, Prairie Reflections, the octagonal Arcade Pavilion was a dance hall, 90 to 100 feet across with an elevated orchestra platform in the centre which supported the building. Created in the early 1900s, with dancers able to move around the centre bandstand, a band was hired for the season, playing each evening and for concerts on Sundays. At one time the Arcade was used as a convention centre for rallies and meetings.
A rectangular building was later added to the Arcade where an ice cream parlor was located, then the O.K. Economy operated a grocery store for several seasons. In 1943, the Arcade building was used as a roller rink which permanently damaged the hardwood floor. It was also used as a movie theatre and then in 1943, following renovations to use the building as a clinic, after using it for one month, it was destroyed by fire.
Preserving its memory with a replica of the top of the unique building at the new trail, Ediger along with Deputy Premier and local MLA Donna Harpauer, Minister of Highways Jeremy Cockrill, Resort Village of Manitou Beach Deputy Mayor Vince Armstrong and Watrous Mayor John Gunderson held the official ribbon cutting ceremony in front of it.
Having Harpauer and Cockrill in attendance for the May event, Ediger said without their support, the trail would never have gotten off the ground. “They were responsible for this to happen. If they would have said no to me, it would not have happened. In retrospect, when I went to the Minister of Highways and received the approvals, while it took a little longer timing wise, it all worked out and we are fortunate to have it.”
Following the ribbon cutting, Cockrill shared about spending time at Manitou Beach and how the trail between the two communities is on Ministry of Highways land right-of-way. Appreciating working with Ron and the group involved to make Memory Trail a reality, Cockrill told those in attendance, “Sometimes we are a little sensitive on highways about what happens in our right-of-way because we are focused on safety. But when we see communities like both of your communities step up and say we want to do something for the benefit of our community, this is a great thing that we are proud to be a part of and support.”
Looking forward to returning in the future, Cockrill was followed by Deputy Premier Donna Harpauer who noted she has many fond memories of spending summers at Manitou Beach as a kid and also doing Christmas shopping in Watrous.
Calling the project a testament to the generosity and volunteerism of the area, with Memory Trail joining the Rotary Walking Trail at Watrous, Harpauer said, “I come to this community a lot and it has been nice to see it progress. The beginning of the trail was done a number of years ago and to see the completion just speaks to the dedication and the commitment by this community and their willingness to put in the effort on a volunteer basis quite frankly. It is nice to see. I think it will be well utilized and it is a beautiful trail.”
Seeing people walking along the trail as she arrived at Manitou Beach for the announcement, Harpauer said having a project of this magnitude joining a pair of places together “speaks to the communities we have here in Saskatchewan. It takes someone to step up and it takes a lot of people to back him and that is what Ron had and it speaks to this community.”
On behalf of the resort village, sharing at the Oct. 21, 2022 event, Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen was pleased to see the trail completed. “I am thrilled that Ron has taken the initiative to create this trail. He has the capability and insight to make this happen and I could not be happier.”
Appreciating everyone involved with the project, Petersen, who was one of the first people to walk on the trail after the soft opening said the beach was on board with Ediger who took the initiative to get the project completed. “I hope that people will use this trail. We are very fortunate to have it.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson who walked to the October event on one of the Rotary walking trails and was also present at the May 25 ceremony appreciated Ediger’s efforts. “Ron has been such a supporter of Watrous, Manitou Beach and the whole area for many years.”
Recalling that Ron and his late wife Melissa were named the 2018 Watrous Citizens of the Year, Gunderson said they contributed financially to a number of local projects and have also lent their support through the use of equipment for other initiatives. “Without people like Ron and Melissa, their families, and the crew at Melron Services Ltd., projects like the trail could not happen.”
As President of Watrous Rotary Club, Al Mosewich was a volunteer involved with the existing walking trails in Watrous. Attending both ribbon cutting events, Mosewich said, “We are extremely pleased to see the third trail completed, as envisioned by Watrous Rotary.”
Mosewich shared Ediger initially approached Watrous Rotary to see if there was any way to get the project started sooner, so it could be completed quicker. “Ron said he was ‘a man of action’ who just wanted to get it done. He asked us if it would be alright if he built the trail, and offered to pay for it too. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse.”
With Rotarians known as people of action, Mosewich indicated there were multiple negotiations undertaken with different levels of government and landowners and once everyone was on board, Ediger was able to move forward. “I was really excited to see the trail under construction and now that it is finished, it is truly greater than expected. It was a huge undertaking. Not everyone has the ability to get something like this done. Ron was in the unique position of having the equipment, staff, materials and financial resources. He saw the vision Watrous Rotary had. Ron Ediger is truly ‘a man of action,’ the type of guy, who gets things done. We are extremely grateful to Ron for making this trail a reality.”
A grateful Ediger remarked how it essentially took a village to see the entirety of the project completed. Appreciating the Watrous Rotary Club, the RM of Morris, communities of Watrous and Manitou Beach, the four families (Alcock, Knezacek, Hayter, and Reichert) who donated benches along the trail, Rick and Margaret McDonald for donating a portion of land, the Ministry of Highways and his crew at Melron Services Ltd. for helping make the trail a reality, Ron explained what a privilege it was to create Memory Trail. “This year will mark 26 years ago when I came here with a single backhoe and this community and the area has been so good to us. I wanted to give back to those who have supported me over those years and felt this was a good way of doing that. This trail goes to show that we can bring the two communities together as one.”
Extending northeast from the first trail originally completed by the Watrous Rotary, Memory Trail goes past a gazebo toward the Watrous Cemetery. Walkers veer off the gravel road as the trail runs along a corner of the cemetery to the main gates. From there, people cross Hwy. 365 to the other side of the trail. Once there, the trail heads toward Manitou Beach alongside Hwy. 365. Reaching the turnoff to Murray Disc Golf, Ediger extended a portion of that gravel road wrapping around a slough and into a field.
At the nearby farmyard, a path was cut adjacent to some hedges near the highway. A six foot barrier was installed on the other side to allow privacy from the yard site. The trail then continues alongside the highway going between a pasture and signs at the entrance to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Creating walking space near another home, the trail goes through a treed area before reaching the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground. With room around some hedges, the trail leads walkers by the entrance of the park and then out in front of the drive-in and eventually comes to a conclusion at Lakeview Avenue, near the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s office and the mini golf.
“I am really appreciative of everyone who was a part of the operation of making the trail happen,” an emotional Ediger said. “I have been enjoying watching people utilize the new trail and this project is also a way that we can honour the memory of the folks who were here and have since passed.”
Daniel Bushman
Creating lasting memories while commemorating a project that has brought two communities together, the official ribbon cutting ceremony of Memory Trail took place at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach May 25. Following a soft opening Oct. 21, 2022 at the trail’s Watrous portion, during a rainy Thursday morning, provincial dignitaries were in attendance to mark the project’s conclusion at the trail’s Manitou Beach location.
Covering the expenses and work of the approximately three kilometre trail which runs from Watrous to Manitou Beach, Ron Ediger of Melron Services Ltd., was thrilled to see it completed. Naming it Memory Trail, Ediger shared the title of the trail has a number of meanings. “I decided to call it Memory Trail because years ago people came to the lake to swim in the healing waters. When my mom came to this country, their house was near the railway tracks and people coming from Punnichy and the eastern part of Saskatchewan would go through Nokomis and stop at her place for water. She would ask them where they would go and they told her to the healing waters of Lake Manitou. They essentially created a trail, walking from there to Manitou Beach. Then you go back to the 1920s and 30’s and the train would bring people here from all over the country. There was a trail to the village from them you might say, going from Watrous to Manitou Beach. And then the idea of the memory of the people that passed from here. We want to remember them for all that they have done and for who they are.”
Wanting to give back to the area, Ediger said once Memory Trail was ready to be used, he began receiving a number of positive responses. “So many people have stopped me on the street and have said how much they love the trail. It is good to hear it is being used.”
As part of Memory Trail, four families (Alcock, Knezacek, Hayter, and Reichert) have donated benches for people to use and enjoy and Ediger also created a replica of the top of the Arcade Pavilion which is situated near Lakeview Avenue where the trail starts at Manitou Beach. “I had my crew put it together at the shop and they did a super job and it looks authentic to what it was. Lionel Sproule was able to help me get the colour matched to what the original was and I put some pictures inside of it of the beach including what the Arcade Pavilion looked like.”
According to the local history book, Prairie Reflections, the octagonal Arcade Pavilion was a dance hall, 90 to 100 feet across with an elevated orchestra platform in the centre which supported the building. Created in the early 1900s, with dancers able to move around the centre bandstand, a band was hired for the season, playing each evening and for concerts on Sundays. At one time the Arcade was used as a convention centre for rallies and meetings.
A rectangular building was later added to the Arcade where an ice cream parlor was located, then the O.K. Economy operated a grocery store for several seasons. In 1943, the Arcade building was used as a roller rink which permanently damaged the hardwood floor. It was also used as a movie theatre and then in 1943, following renovations to use the building as a clinic, after using it for one month, it was destroyed by fire.
Preserving its memory with a replica of the top of the unique building at the new trail, Ediger along with Deputy Premier and local MLA Donna Harpauer, Minister of Highways Jeremy Cockrill, Resort Village of Manitou Beach Deputy Mayor Vince Armstrong and Watrous Mayor John Gunderson held the official ribbon cutting ceremony in front of it.
Having Harpauer and Cockrill in attendance for the May event, Ediger said without their support, the trail would never have gotten off the ground. “They were responsible for this to happen. If they would have said no to me, it would not have happened. In retrospect, when I went to the Minister of Highways and received the approvals, while it took a little longer timing wise, it all worked out and we are fortunate to have it.”
Following the ribbon cutting, Cockrill shared about spending time at Manitou Beach and how the trail between the two communities is on Ministry of Highways land right-of-way. Appreciating working with Ron and the group involved to make Memory Trail a reality, Cockrill told those in attendance, “Sometimes we are a little sensitive on highways about what happens in our right-of-way because we are focused on safety. But when we see communities like both of your communities step up and say we want to do something for the benefit of our community, this is a great thing that we are proud to be a part of and support.”
Looking forward to returning in the future, Cockrill was followed by Deputy Premier Donna Harpauer who noted she has many fond memories of spending summers at Manitou Beach as a kid and also doing Christmas shopping in Watrous.
Calling the project a testament to the generosity and volunteerism of the area, with Memory Trail joining the Rotary Walking Trail at Watrous, Harpauer said, “I come to this community a lot and it has been nice to see it progress. The beginning of the trail was done a number of years ago and to see the completion just speaks to the dedication and the commitment by this community and their willingness to put in the effort on a volunteer basis quite frankly. It is nice to see. I think it will be well utilized and it is a beautiful trail.”
Seeing people walking along the trail as she arrived at Manitou Beach for the announcement, Harpauer said having a project of this magnitude joining a pair of places together “speaks to the communities we have here in Saskatchewan. It takes someone to step up and it takes a lot of people to back him and that is what Ron had and it speaks to this community.”
On behalf of the resort village, sharing at the Oct. 21, 2022 event, Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen was pleased to see the trail completed. “I am thrilled that Ron has taken the initiative to create this trail. He has the capability and insight to make this happen and I could not be happier.”
Appreciating everyone involved with the project, Petersen, who was one of the first people to walk on the trail after the soft opening said the beach was on board with Ediger who took the initiative to get the project completed. “I hope that people will use this trail. We are very fortunate to have it.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson who walked to the October event on one of the Rotary walking trails and was also present at the May 25 ceremony appreciated Ediger’s efforts. “Ron has been such a supporter of Watrous, Manitou Beach and the whole area for many years.”
Recalling that Ron and his late wife Melissa were named the 2018 Watrous Citizens of the Year, Gunderson said they contributed financially to a number of local projects and have also lent their support through the use of equipment for other initiatives. “Without people like Ron and Melissa, their families, and the crew at Melron Services Ltd., projects like the trail could not happen.”
As President of Watrous Rotary Club, Al Mosewich was a volunteer involved with the existing walking trails in Watrous. Attending both ribbon cutting events, Mosewich said, “We are extremely pleased to see the third trail completed, as envisioned by Watrous Rotary.”
Mosewich shared Ediger initially approached Watrous Rotary to see if there was any way to get the project started sooner, so it could be completed quicker. “Ron said he was ‘a man of action’ who just wanted to get it done. He asked us if it would be alright if he built the trail, and offered to pay for it too. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse.”
With Rotarians known as people of action, Mosewich indicated there were multiple negotiations undertaken with different levels of government and landowners and once everyone was on board, Ediger was able to move forward. “I was really excited to see the trail under construction and now that it is finished, it is truly greater than expected. It was a huge undertaking. Not everyone has the ability to get something like this done. Ron was in the unique position of having the equipment, staff, materials and financial resources. He saw the vision Watrous Rotary had. Ron Ediger is truly ‘a man of action,’ the type of guy, who gets things done. We are extremely grateful to Ron for making this trail a reality.”
A grateful Ediger remarked how it essentially took a village to see the entirety of the project completed. Appreciating the Watrous Rotary Club, the RM of Morris, communities of Watrous and Manitou Beach, the four families (Alcock, Knezacek, Hayter, and Reichert) who donated benches along the trail, Rick and Margaret McDonald for donating a portion of land, the Ministry of Highways and his crew at Melron Services Ltd. for helping make the trail a reality, Ron explained what a privilege it was to create Memory Trail. “This year will mark 26 years ago when I came here with a single backhoe and this community and the area has been so good to us. I wanted to give back to those who have supported me over those years and felt this was a good way of doing that. This trail goes to show that we can bring the two communities together as one.”
Extending northeast from the first trail originally completed by the Watrous Rotary, Memory Trail goes past a gazebo toward the Watrous Cemetery. Walkers veer off the gravel road as the trail runs along a corner of the cemetery to the main gates. From there, people cross Hwy. 365 to the other side of the trail. Once there, the trail heads toward Manitou Beach alongside Hwy. 365. Reaching the turnoff to Murray Disc Golf, Ediger extended a portion of that gravel road wrapping around a slough and into a field.
At the nearby farmyard, a path was cut adjacent to some hedges near the highway. A six foot barrier was installed on the other side to allow privacy from the yard site. The trail then continues alongside the highway going between a pasture and signs at the entrance to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Creating walking space near another home, the trail goes through a treed area before reaching the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground. With room around some hedges, the trail leads walkers by the entrance of the park and then out in front of the drive-in and eventually comes to a conclusion at Lakeview Avenue, near the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s office and the mini golf.
“I am really appreciative of everyone who was a part of the operation of making the trail happen,” an emotional Ediger said. “I have been enjoying watching people utilize the new trail and this project is also a way that we can honour the memory of the folks who were here and have since passed.”
TWM Top Story - May 24, 2023
Drive-in at Manitou Beach to open for the season
Daniel Bushman
The popcorn will pop, films will be played and the flea market will be hopping as the show will go on at the drive-in at Manitou Beach. With the future of the unique attraction in limbo following an explosion with the projector during the latter part of 2022, it was unclear if the drive-in would reopen and the coinciding flea market held.
As many movie enthusiasts waited to see if the iconic facility would once again come to life, during a May 6 town hall meeting at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, it was noted that indeed it would.
Growing up in Watrous and attending a number of movies at the drive-in over the years, Lane Manson understands the value of having an asset like the drive-in. Operating a number of his own ventures and currently the chair of the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, Manson said, “We have a lot of well-known businesses in Watrous and Manitou Beach and some that recently started up. They coincide well with some of the other assets we are fortunate to have like the drive-in. If we begin to remove some of those pieces, you can lose businesses and then people will stop coming here.”
Not wanting to see the drive-in shuttered and with no one really coming forward to take it on for the 2023 season, Manson approached the Resort Village of Manitou Beach council to see what he could do. “There is no easy fix but at the end of the day we need to get some movies on the screen because the longer a business is closed the harder it is to get it going again.”
Working with Manitou Beach council to figure out what they were looking for and what would be viable, already wearing a number of different hats, Manson said, “I want to be a big part of this but realistically it would be a disservice to my staff and the whole community if I tried to do it myself. So my goal was to create a situation that is functional and get movies on the screen while making it economical for the village and any operators I am working with. I want to have it bring people together in a positive way by all of us working together.”
As part of that, Lane came up with a plan and reached out to a number of different people. Manson shared one of those individuals is involved with the management group at Manitou Springs Resort. “He is taking on the confectionery aspect of the drive-in along with the gate admission and weekly flea market. The popular flea market which is held Sundays opened for the season May 21 and will run into September while the drive-in will be featuring movies starting in June.”
Securing someone to tackle a number of the larger tasks, the next area of focus to see the drive-in back up and running was the projector. With the current broken piece of equipment unable to play movies, Manson weighed the options of buying a new one or fundraising for one before landing on a different idea. “In my mind I was not looking to take on a problem, I was looking to find a solution. The quickest, easiest path of least resistance was to call Moonlight Movies.”
With Moonlight Movies operating the drive-in a number of years ago at Manitou Beach, a relationship was formed between them and Manson. Reaching out to the company, Lane said, “They are able to provide us with a projector to use so we worked out a deal. They are also going to be helping me with the studios as that can be a tough thing to navigate. Partnering with Moonlight Movies, we will collaborate on movie selection with both new and older releases, licensing, and projection. We are really fortunate to have them help us.”
With someone managing the confectionery, flea market and gate while locating a projector and studio options, just a few voids remained before the drive-in could fully reopen. Wanting to see those roles supported, Manson has created a steering committee of volunteers to ensure things run smoothly. He has also connected with Burt Crawford, the original owner of the iconic facility who lent his support. “I am really thankful to have Burt on board and I think everyone understands that no one is going to be a millionaire out of this. But you talk about culture and heritage, the drive-in is part of our local culture and part of our local heritage. It is something cool we can offer to Manitou Beach, Watrous, the surrounding areas, Saskatchewan and even Western Canada.”
Touting the venture as a community movement, Manson, who has renamed the place as Salty Cinema Drive-In Theater has also set up a not-for-profit organization which could allow access for grants and funds specifically related to entertainment and events. “It fits the bill here and with a very fair lease arrangement with the village, I think through that, operators are given the opportunity to do well. We are just going to collect part of the money brought in which will be earmarked for the drive-in within that non-profit. The village has put a lot into the drive-in already and this is a way we can set up a functioning business model where the drive-in can accept the support of people in many different fashions. With that, perhaps we can get a proper projector or a new projector in the future and look at doing other repairs like to the roof.”
Already receiving calls from people wondering how they can help, Manson is planning a cleaning bee and making a list of other projects that require attention. “A lot of people were vocally disappointed that the drive-in was not going to go so I just wanted to create a situation where this opportunity could present itself. Now that it has, we will see how important it is to everyone and how much support we will receive.”
Aiming to show movies beginning in June and running right through to September while offering the flea market on Sundays, Manson is looking forward to what he feels will be a busy season. “I hope that people will be patient with us as we get rolling and I encourage them to come and support the drive-in and the flea market. It is going to be a lot of fun and something that I know will be a benefit to our area.”
With an agreement in place between Manson and the Resort Village of Manitou Beach to see the drive-in reopen, the village released the following statement: “We are exceedingly happy to have Lane Manson come forward with a non-profit organization to revive our beloved drive-in. We are excited to be working with a professional member of our business community that has a serious focus, and inspiring vision for our drive-in!!”
Daniel Bushman
The popcorn will pop, films will be played and the flea market will be hopping as the show will go on at the drive-in at Manitou Beach. With the future of the unique attraction in limbo following an explosion with the projector during the latter part of 2022, it was unclear if the drive-in would reopen and the coinciding flea market held.
As many movie enthusiasts waited to see if the iconic facility would once again come to life, during a May 6 town hall meeting at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, it was noted that indeed it would.
Growing up in Watrous and attending a number of movies at the drive-in over the years, Lane Manson understands the value of having an asset like the drive-in. Operating a number of his own ventures and currently the chair of the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, Manson said, “We have a lot of well-known businesses in Watrous and Manitou Beach and some that recently started up. They coincide well with some of the other assets we are fortunate to have like the drive-in. If we begin to remove some of those pieces, you can lose businesses and then people will stop coming here.”
Not wanting to see the drive-in shuttered and with no one really coming forward to take it on for the 2023 season, Manson approached the Resort Village of Manitou Beach council to see what he could do. “There is no easy fix but at the end of the day we need to get some movies on the screen because the longer a business is closed the harder it is to get it going again.”
Working with Manitou Beach council to figure out what they were looking for and what would be viable, already wearing a number of different hats, Manson said, “I want to be a big part of this but realistically it would be a disservice to my staff and the whole community if I tried to do it myself. So my goal was to create a situation that is functional and get movies on the screen while making it economical for the village and any operators I am working with. I want to have it bring people together in a positive way by all of us working together.”
As part of that, Lane came up with a plan and reached out to a number of different people. Manson shared one of those individuals is involved with the management group at Manitou Springs Resort. “He is taking on the confectionery aspect of the drive-in along with the gate admission and weekly flea market. The popular flea market which is held Sundays opened for the season May 21 and will run into September while the drive-in will be featuring movies starting in June.”
Securing someone to tackle a number of the larger tasks, the next area of focus to see the drive-in back up and running was the projector. With the current broken piece of equipment unable to play movies, Manson weighed the options of buying a new one or fundraising for one before landing on a different idea. “In my mind I was not looking to take on a problem, I was looking to find a solution. The quickest, easiest path of least resistance was to call Moonlight Movies.”
With Moonlight Movies operating the drive-in a number of years ago at Manitou Beach, a relationship was formed between them and Manson. Reaching out to the company, Lane said, “They are able to provide us with a projector to use so we worked out a deal. They are also going to be helping me with the studios as that can be a tough thing to navigate. Partnering with Moonlight Movies, we will collaborate on movie selection with both new and older releases, licensing, and projection. We are really fortunate to have them help us.”
With someone managing the confectionery, flea market and gate while locating a projector and studio options, just a few voids remained before the drive-in could fully reopen. Wanting to see those roles supported, Manson has created a steering committee of volunteers to ensure things run smoothly. He has also connected with Burt Crawford, the original owner of the iconic facility who lent his support. “I am really thankful to have Burt on board and I think everyone understands that no one is going to be a millionaire out of this. But you talk about culture and heritage, the drive-in is part of our local culture and part of our local heritage. It is something cool we can offer to Manitou Beach, Watrous, the surrounding areas, Saskatchewan and even Western Canada.”
Touting the venture as a community movement, Manson, who has renamed the place as Salty Cinema Drive-In Theater has also set up a not-for-profit organization which could allow access for grants and funds specifically related to entertainment and events. “It fits the bill here and with a very fair lease arrangement with the village, I think through that, operators are given the opportunity to do well. We are just going to collect part of the money brought in which will be earmarked for the drive-in within that non-profit. The village has put a lot into the drive-in already and this is a way we can set up a functioning business model where the drive-in can accept the support of people in many different fashions. With that, perhaps we can get a proper projector or a new projector in the future and look at doing other repairs like to the roof.”
Already receiving calls from people wondering how they can help, Manson is planning a cleaning bee and making a list of other projects that require attention. “A lot of people were vocally disappointed that the drive-in was not going to go so I just wanted to create a situation where this opportunity could present itself. Now that it has, we will see how important it is to everyone and how much support we will receive.”
Aiming to show movies beginning in June and running right through to September while offering the flea market on Sundays, Manson is looking forward to what he feels will be a busy season. “I hope that people will be patient with us as we get rolling and I encourage them to come and support the drive-in and the flea market. It is going to be a lot of fun and something that I know will be a benefit to our area.”
With an agreement in place between Manson and the Resort Village of Manitou Beach to see the drive-in reopen, the village released the following statement: “We are exceedingly happy to have Lane Manson come forward with a non-profit organization to revive our beloved drive-in. We are excited to be working with a professional member of our business community that has a serious focus, and inspiring vision for our drive-in!!”
TWM Top Story - May 22, 2023
SLGA building sold in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
The building that housed Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority’s (SLGA) Retail Inc. liquor store in Watrous has a new owner. Following bids for the liquor permit in February, the building on 2nd Ave. E. in Watrous was then put up for sale.
According to SLGA, an offer of $450,000 has been accepted from Cost Cannabis Inc. for the Watrous facility. The offer comes the same time as one accepted in the community of Biggar with the total purchase price for both pegged at $800,000. Along with those two properties, SLGA has now accepted offers on properties located in the communities of Esterhazy, LaRonge, Buffalo Narrows, Creighton, Carlyle, Humboldt, Moosomin, and Fort Qu’Appelle. To date, total property sales have amounted to $3,255,000.
“I am pleased with the level of interest we have seen in these buildings,” Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Minister Lori Carr said. “Selling the properties is another step in the process to wind down SLGA Retail Inc. and the proceeds from the sales will also support important public services across the province.”
SLGA Retail Inc. owned 19 of its 34 store properties and stated five of the buildings will be repurposed for other government organizations.
Meanwhile, the retail liquor store permits associated with SLGA Retail Inc. were sold through a public auction in February 2023. Regarding the successful bidders of each location, SLGA indicated that applicant names for liquor permits are not considered public until a permit is issued.
In the case of the Watrous liquor permit, 14 bidders and 170 bids reached a final total of $724,500. While not the highest bid nor the lowest of the 35 permits up for grabs in the province, overall winning bids for the 35 permits totalled $45,077,800, ranging from $450,000 in Carlyle to $3,270,000 in LaRonge.
Conducted through McDougall Auctions during the majority of February, following the purchase, SLGA said winning bidders commence the application process for the retail store permit. Prospective retailers must meet all SLGA licensing requirements to hold a permit. Timelines for issuance of permits will vary, depending how soon prospective retailers submit and meet all application requirements, secure locations, hire staff and make other preparations to open for business. Bid amounts must also be fully paid before a permit is issued.
Successful bidders have up to 18 months to obtain their permit and open for business.
According to the provincial government, in 2018-‘19, profits for its SLGA Retails were $9.4 million and in 2021-‘22, they had declined to $3.2 million. SLGA Retail’s projected net income for 2022-‘23 was pegged at $395,000 so in order to maintain profitability, the government indicated many of the stores needed to either be relocated or physically adapted to better meet customer needs. Because of that and with the dip in profits, the decision was made by government to decommission its stores and complete a transition of liquor retailing to the private sector.
Along with Watrous, other SLGA stores ceasing operations are located in: Assiniboia, Biggar, Buffalo Narrows, Carlyle, Creighton, Esterhazy, Estevan, Fort Qu’Appelle, Humboldt, La Loche, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Nipawin, North Battleford, Prince Albert (two), Regina (six), Saskatoon (five), Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.
Daniel Bushman
The building that housed Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority’s (SLGA) Retail Inc. liquor store in Watrous has a new owner. Following bids for the liquor permit in February, the building on 2nd Ave. E. in Watrous was then put up for sale.
According to SLGA, an offer of $450,000 has been accepted from Cost Cannabis Inc. for the Watrous facility. The offer comes the same time as one accepted in the community of Biggar with the total purchase price for both pegged at $800,000. Along with those two properties, SLGA has now accepted offers on properties located in the communities of Esterhazy, LaRonge, Buffalo Narrows, Creighton, Carlyle, Humboldt, Moosomin, and Fort Qu’Appelle. To date, total property sales have amounted to $3,255,000.
“I am pleased with the level of interest we have seen in these buildings,” Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Minister Lori Carr said. “Selling the properties is another step in the process to wind down SLGA Retail Inc. and the proceeds from the sales will also support important public services across the province.”
SLGA Retail Inc. owned 19 of its 34 store properties and stated five of the buildings will be repurposed for other government organizations.
Meanwhile, the retail liquor store permits associated with SLGA Retail Inc. were sold through a public auction in February 2023. Regarding the successful bidders of each location, SLGA indicated that applicant names for liquor permits are not considered public until a permit is issued.
In the case of the Watrous liquor permit, 14 bidders and 170 bids reached a final total of $724,500. While not the highest bid nor the lowest of the 35 permits up for grabs in the province, overall winning bids for the 35 permits totalled $45,077,800, ranging from $450,000 in Carlyle to $3,270,000 in LaRonge.
Conducted through McDougall Auctions during the majority of February, following the purchase, SLGA said winning bidders commence the application process for the retail store permit. Prospective retailers must meet all SLGA licensing requirements to hold a permit. Timelines for issuance of permits will vary, depending how soon prospective retailers submit and meet all application requirements, secure locations, hire staff and make other preparations to open for business. Bid amounts must also be fully paid before a permit is issued.
Successful bidders have up to 18 months to obtain their permit and open for business.
According to the provincial government, in 2018-‘19, profits for its SLGA Retails were $9.4 million and in 2021-‘22, they had declined to $3.2 million. SLGA Retail’s projected net income for 2022-‘23 was pegged at $395,000 so in order to maintain profitability, the government indicated many of the stores needed to either be relocated or physically adapted to better meet customer needs. Because of that and with the dip in profits, the decision was made by government to decommission its stores and complete a transition of liquor retailing to the private sector.
Along with Watrous, other SLGA stores ceasing operations are located in: Assiniboia, Biggar, Buffalo Narrows, Carlyle, Creighton, Esterhazy, Estevan, Fort Qu’Appelle, Humboldt, La Loche, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Nipawin, North Battleford, Prince Albert (two), Regina (six), Saskatoon (five), Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.
TWM Top Story - May 15, 2023
Celebrating the WHS graduating class of 2023
*photo courtesy Bryan Mierau
Daniel Bushman
It was a day to remember for the Winston High School graduating class of 2023. With the weather cooperating, 35 graduates dressed in their best were joined by family, friends and guests. Following a supper at the Watrous Civic Centre, the class of 2023 headed to the Watrous Curling Rink Friday, May 5 where they were joined by hundreds of supporters as part of the graduation exercises.
Welcoming those in attendance, chairperson and teacher Steve Armstrong commenced the ceremony as each of the 35 grads embarked to the stage. After being seated, graduate Nickolas Lawrence played O Canada on the piano in front of a full audience.
Following the national anthem, Armstrong welcomed Horizon School Division CEO Kevin Garinger who provided greetings on behalf of the Division. Thanking the graduates for inviting him, Garinger shared what a momentous occasion grad was and congratulated the students for their outstanding achievements.
Garinger continued by explaining there will be challenges ahead and mistakes made but also an opportunity to learn valuable lessons. Encouraging the grads to move forward into a world
full of opportunities, he added it is up to each student to seize those opportunities.
Noting how a packed curling rink spoke to the support of the grads and their accomplishments, Garinger told the group to be true to themselves. “Your uniqueness is your greatest strength.”
Embarking on their next chapter, Garinger mentioned to the students to be bold, curious, show compassion, be kind and true to themselves. “Be like a pencil, leave an incredible mark on this world.”
After bringing remarks on behalf of Horizon, Garinger was followed by WHS Principal Terry Braman.
“It is fantastic to see everyone here,” said Braman adding there was lots to celebrate. With an “excellent group of young people” Braman also thanked his staff for the job that they have done. He also shared a ‘sponsor’ commercial that featured teacher Lee Bells for Great West Warehouse. Braman added how dedicated Bells has been over the years as a grad advisor with 2023 being his final one before he departs.
Remembering the different personalities of the graduates, the high school principal said there are a lot of different qualities within the group like entrepreneurial skills, positivity and happiness, perseverance, dedication to their community and powerful and strong willed. Sharing a few humourous stories regarding those qualities, on a more serious note, Braman said it was a pleasure to watch the students grow as young people. “Live your life, go see new places and embrace it. We are proud of you.”
Providing a Tribute to Education was SRC president and graduate Cheyenne Peters-Stewart. Welcoming everyone to the ceremony, Peters-Stewart shared how starting the speech felt like the next step to graduation and the next step in life.
Noting how over the years the teachers did everything to support the grads, Peters-Stewart explained how she would not be standing there today without the support and guidance from them. “They encouraged us to work hard and do our best.”
Seeing the potential in the grads, the SRC president added every teacher she had did their best. “Education has the power to change the world. Without education and without teachers, there is no future.”
Following Peters-Stewart, teacher and SRC advisor Tina Edwards provided the response. Sharing how it was an honour to work with Cheyenne, Tina said Peters-Stewart showed that being a leader does not have to be the loudest or the most outgoing and then thanked the graduates for “allowing us to see you shine . . . you made our job less of a job and more of an adventure. We are proud to call you part of our Wildcat family.”
Growing up in Watrous and having her own baking business, graduate Breanna Cruise gave the Tribute to the Community. Proud to call Watrous home, Breanna shared that the support her and the graduates received over the years from Watrous, Manitou Beach, Nokomis, Simpson and Young was overwhelming. Holding the door open for others, making small talk, meeting up at sporting events and Canada Day parades, Cruise said that was what growing up in a small town was all about. Thanking employers, friends, neighbours, coaches, teachers, parents and those who donated to fundraisers, Cruise appreciated all of those who cheered on each of the grads from their respective communities. “This will always be home.”
Providing the response from the community was high school basketball coach and pastor Darren Holland. Named Watrous Citizen of the Year in 2020, Holland shared about a hat collection he had as a kid. Wearing a number of those hats as a youngster, he explained they represented the local community, something of deep value in his life. From business owners, neighbours and coaches, Holland said they provide a big support group for those graduating.
Citing how important the word home is, Darren added how special home is and realizing the great value of having a place to call home. Reaching a
milestone like graduating, Holland said the community celebrates with the grads. Recalling the first time he interacted with the 2023 graduating class, Darren shared it was when they were in kindergarten and Gr. 1 and he coached them in soccer. Fast forward to this year, and Holland was able to coach three of the grads in senior girls basketball.
Explaining how he will remember this year’s season not because of the team’s success but the relationships formed, Holland said that is home. Moving here in the late 1990s, throughout his time as a pastor, Darren said he found so much more in Watrous and put down his own roots. “This is a place to call home. The longevity here is not so much about me but more to do with all of those around me. Home is very special. Know you will always have a special place to call home.”
Following Holland’s response, graduates Tai Beischer, Breanna Cruise, and Melissa Federspiel shared a PowerPoint Presentation of the 2023 graduating class.
Armstrong then welcomed retired teacher Barry Croshaw as this year’s guest speaker. The long time WHS football coach provided some humourous tidbits about the graduating class and also thanked them for inviting him to their special day.
While Croshaw remarked about the idea of reading an old speech he had written, with his current computer skills, it was “somewhere on my computer.” Also divulging he was a bit nervous on stage not because of speaking but seeing who built it, he went on to say how the night was special because of the milestones reached, goals achieved and dreams realized.
Sharing a few ways to succeed, Croshaw said personal growth and responsibility to society are important. “Leave your footprint, create your story. Nothing worthwhile can be achieved easily.”
Acknowledging that there will be failure at some point, Croshaw encouraged the grads to accept it and learn from it. “Don’t let mistakes and failures define you. Get up and stay in the fight.”
Providing an analogy of how buffalo and cows react to a storm, Croshaw explained buffalo run head on to the oncoming storm while cows try and run away. “The storm keeps coming and eventually the cows become too worn out and live in the storm for longer.”
Instead of being like the cows, Croshaw said, “Face your problems head on. Believe in yourself.”
Continuing, the speaker touched on attitude and how the majority of people can struggle. However, having a positive attitude and how you embrace what you have can bring happiness. “Have an open heart and love unconditionally.”
Croshaw also explained to the graduates to take risks and never give up on their dreams. He added it is important to have the courage and integrity to stand alone when you need to, even if it means being alone. With a final point on the value of time and it being far more valuable than money, Croshaw said to enjoy the moments of your life.
This year’s Valedictorian Alea Dengler was next to speak and remarked how the day was one for celebrating. Thanking her classmates for allowing her to speak and the audience for attending, Dengler paid tribute to the grads and shared a bit about their personality. Providing inspiration and advice, Alea said she lives by tomorrow and standing on stage speaking was out of her comfort zone. “We will all experience things out of our comfort zone going into the real world. Don’t let this discourage you.”
Sharing that taking risks will build resilience and increase confidence, the valedictorian added the more risks you take and the more you push yourself will allow you to learn more.
Quoting from Dr. Seuss, Dengler shared, “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So . . . get on your way!”
Understanding the grads will be stepping into the unknown and with many obstacles ahead, Dengler added they must remember they have everything they need like knowledge, skills, and determination.
Reflecting on the ups and downs of high school with this year being just the second full one of their time at WHS due to the pandemic, Dengler said because of that, it has allowed the class to grow, support each other and become closer. “Don’t forget those who helped us get here today. We owe them our gratitude. We have potential to do great things. Embrace our future with open hearts and open minds. You are all capable of anything you choose to do in life.”
Following the Valedictorian speech, Armstrong then welcomed graduates Charlie Pilling and Matthew Schroeder to take the torch and pass it on to Gr. 11 student JeMar Brockman.
Braman then presented each graduate with their scroll and the graduates left the stage to conclude the 2023 graduation exercises.
This year’s WHS graduates include: Nickolas Lawrence, Matthew Schroeder, McLeod Schroeder, F. Elijah Weber, Hudson Mierau, Tai Beischer, Brayden Harrison, Nikolai Somers, Gabriel Dyck, Brody Watson, Rylan Thoner, Leah Vielhauer, Taylar Johnston, Ryland Martin, Hayden McGee, Kade Thomas, Lite Shu, Carl Bothma, Charlie Pilling, Carson Anderson, Glenn Eg Rivera, Faith Schindel, Breanna Cruise, Alea Dengler, Kyra MacMillan, Zoey Wheten, Kennedy Rheaume, Melissa Federspiel, Cheyenne Peters-Stewart, Jayda Braun, Marie Perrault, Emily Bourget, Riley Rondeau, Erica Harding, and Brielle Morningstar.
*photo courtesy Bryan Mierau
Daniel Bushman
It was a day to remember for the Winston High School graduating class of 2023. With the weather cooperating, 35 graduates dressed in their best were joined by family, friends and guests. Following a supper at the Watrous Civic Centre, the class of 2023 headed to the Watrous Curling Rink Friday, May 5 where they were joined by hundreds of supporters as part of the graduation exercises.
Welcoming those in attendance, chairperson and teacher Steve Armstrong commenced the ceremony as each of the 35 grads embarked to the stage. After being seated, graduate Nickolas Lawrence played O Canada on the piano in front of a full audience.
Following the national anthem, Armstrong welcomed Horizon School Division CEO Kevin Garinger who provided greetings on behalf of the Division. Thanking the graduates for inviting him, Garinger shared what a momentous occasion grad was and congratulated the students for their outstanding achievements.
Garinger continued by explaining there will be challenges ahead and mistakes made but also an opportunity to learn valuable lessons. Encouraging the grads to move forward into a world
full of opportunities, he added it is up to each student to seize those opportunities.
Noting how a packed curling rink spoke to the support of the grads and their accomplishments, Garinger told the group to be true to themselves. “Your uniqueness is your greatest strength.”
Embarking on their next chapter, Garinger mentioned to the students to be bold, curious, show compassion, be kind and true to themselves. “Be like a pencil, leave an incredible mark on this world.”
After bringing remarks on behalf of Horizon, Garinger was followed by WHS Principal Terry Braman.
“It is fantastic to see everyone here,” said Braman adding there was lots to celebrate. With an “excellent group of young people” Braman also thanked his staff for the job that they have done. He also shared a ‘sponsor’ commercial that featured teacher Lee Bells for Great West Warehouse. Braman added how dedicated Bells has been over the years as a grad advisor with 2023 being his final one before he departs.
Remembering the different personalities of the graduates, the high school principal said there are a lot of different qualities within the group like entrepreneurial skills, positivity and happiness, perseverance, dedication to their community and powerful and strong willed. Sharing a few humourous stories regarding those qualities, on a more serious note, Braman said it was a pleasure to watch the students grow as young people. “Live your life, go see new places and embrace it. We are proud of you.”
Providing a Tribute to Education was SRC president and graduate Cheyenne Peters-Stewart. Welcoming everyone to the ceremony, Peters-Stewart shared how starting the speech felt like the next step to graduation and the next step in life.
Noting how over the years the teachers did everything to support the grads, Peters-Stewart explained how she would not be standing there today without the support and guidance from them. “They encouraged us to work hard and do our best.”
Seeing the potential in the grads, the SRC president added every teacher she had did their best. “Education has the power to change the world. Without education and without teachers, there is no future.”
Following Peters-Stewart, teacher and SRC advisor Tina Edwards provided the response. Sharing how it was an honour to work with Cheyenne, Tina said Peters-Stewart showed that being a leader does not have to be the loudest or the most outgoing and then thanked the graduates for “allowing us to see you shine . . . you made our job less of a job and more of an adventure. We are proud to call you part of our Wildcat family.”
Growing up in Watrous and having her own baking business, graduate Breanna Cruise gave the Tribute to the Community. Proud to call Watrous home, Breanna shared that the support her and the graduates received over the years from Watrous, Manitou Beach, Nokomis, Simpson and Young was overwhelming. Holding the door open for others, making small talk, meeting up at sporting events and Canada Day parades, Cruise said that was what growing up in a small town was all about. Thanking employers, friends, neighbours, coaches, teachers, parents and those who donated to fundraisers, Cruise appreciated all of those who cheered on each of the grads from their respective communities. “This will always be home.”
Providing the response from the community was high school basketball coach and pastor Darren Holland. Named Watrous Citizen of the Year in 2020, Holland shared about a hat collection he had as a kid. Wearing a number of those hats as a youngster, he explained they represented the local community, something of deep value in his life. From business owners, neighbours and coaches, Holland said they provide a big support group for those graduating.
Citing how important the word home is, Darren added how special home is and realizing the great value of having a place to call home. Reaching a
milestone like graduating, Holland said the community celebrates with the grads. Recalling the first time he interacted with the 2023 graduating class, Darren shared it was when they were in kindergarten and Gr. 1 and he coached them in soccer. Fast forward to this year, and Holland was able to coach three of the grads in senior girls basketball.
Explaining how he will remember this year’s season not because of the team’s success but the relationships formed, Holland said that is home. Moving here in the late 1990s, throughout his time as a pastor, Darren said he found so much more in Watrous and put down his own roots. “This is a place to call home. The longevity here is not so much about me but more to do with all of those around me. Home is very special. Know you will always have a special place to call home.”
Following Holland’s response, graduates Tai Beischer, Breanna Cruise, and Melissa Federspiel shared a PowerPoint Presentation of the 2023 graduating class.
Armstrong then welcomed retired teacher Barry Croshaw as this year’s guest speaker. The long time WHS football coach provided some humourous tidbits about the graduating class and also thanked them for inviting him to their special day.
While Croshaw remarked about the idea of reading an old speech he had written, with his current computer skills, it was “somewhere on my computer.” Also divulging he was a bit nervous on stage not because of speaking but seeing who built it, he went on to say how the night was special because of the milestones reached, goals achieved and dreams realized.
Sharing a few ways to succeed, Croshaw said personal growth and responsibility to society are important. “Leave your footprint, create your story. Nothing worthwhile can be achieved easily.”
Acknowledging that there will be failure at some point, Croshaw encouraged the grads to accept it and learn from it. “Don’t let mistakes and failures define you. Get up and stay in the fight.”
Providing an analogy of how buffalo and cows react to a storm, Croshaw explained buffalo run head on to the oncoming storm while cows try and run away. “The storm keeps coming and eventually the cows become too worn out and live in the storm for longer.”
Instead of being like the cows, Croshaw said, “Face your problems head on. Believe in yourself.”
Continuing, the speaker touched on attitude and how the majority of people can struggle. However, having a positive attitude and how you embrace what you have can bring happiness. “Have an open heart and love unconditionally.”
Croshaw also explained to the graduates to take risks and never give up on their dreams. He added it is important to have the courage and integrity to stand alone when you need to, even if it means being alone. With a final point on the value of time and it being far more valuable than money, Croshaw said to enjoy the moments of your life.
This year’s Valedictorian Alea Dengler was next to speak and remarked how the day was one for celebrating. Thanking her classmates for allowing her to speak and the audience for attending, Dengler paid tribute to the grads and shared a bit about their personality. Providing inspiration and advice, Alea said she lives by tomorrow and standing on stage speaking was out of her comfort zone. “We will all experience things out of our comfort zone going into the real world. Don’t let this discourage you.”
Sharing that taking risks will build resilience and increase confidence, the valedictorian added the more risks you take and the more you push yourself will allow you to learn more.
Quoting from Dr. Seuss, Dengler shared, “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So . . . get on your way!”
Understanding the grads will be stepping into the unknown and with many obstacles ahead, Dengler added they must remember they have everything they need like knowledge, skills, and determination.
Reflecting on the ups and downs of high school with this year being just the second full one of their time at WHS due to the pandemic, Dengler said because of that, it has allowed the class to grow, support each other and become closer. “Don’t forget those who helped us get here today. We owe them our gratitude. We have potential to do great things. Embrace our future with open hearts and open minds. You are all capable of anything you choose to do in life.”
Following the Valedictorian speech, Armstrong then welcomed graduates Charlie Pilling and Matthew Schroeder to take the torch and pass it on to Gr. 11 student JeMar Brockman.
Braman then presented each graduate with their scroll and the graduates left the stage to conclude the 2023 graduation exercises.
This year’s WHS graduates include: Nickolas Lawrence, Matthew Schroeder, McLeod Schroeder, F. Elijah Weber, Hudson Mierau, Tai Beischer, Brayden Harrison, Nikolai Somers, Gabriel Dyck, Brody Watson, Rylan Thoner, Leah Vielhauer, Taylar Johnston, Ryland Martin, Hayden McGee, Kade Thomas, Lite Shu, Carl Bothma, Charlie Pilling, Carson Anderson, Glenn Eg Rivera, Faith Schindel, Breanna Cruise, Alea Dengler, Kyra MacMillan, Zoey Wheten, Kennedy Rheaume, Melissa Federspiel, Cheyenne Peters-Stewart, Jayda Braun, Marie Perrault, Emily Bourget, Riley Rondeau, Erica Harding, and Brielle Morningstar.
TWM Top Story - May 8, 2023
CUPE Education Workers Conference held at Manitou Beach
*photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
Addressing the recent provincial budget, how cuts are impacting student supports, and looking at bargaining trends, approximately 70 Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) education workers gathered at Manitou Beach as part of their annual conference.
Held May 3 to 5, the Education Workers’ Steering Committee Conference at Manitou Springs Resort began with greetings and a presentation from the Ontario School Board Council of Unions followed by speakers that included Samantha Becotte, President of the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, Matt Love, NDP Opposition Education Critic, and Andreane Chenier, CUPE National Health and Safety Officer.
While Chair of CUPE Education Workers Steering Committee Omar Murray was disappointed that Minister of Education Dustin Duncan declined to speak during the conference, he noted the event went well. “We have a really good cross section of people with around 70 in attendance.”
With CUPE members wanting to educate and support the leaders of tomorrow in classrooms throughout the province, due to lack of funding, Murray feels “the education sector is suffering. That is the crux of it. A lot of it has to do with the way that it is funded.
“We are having a tough time,” Murray continued. “The provincial government talks about giving the school boards more money but the amounts that they use also include the money that they have given already.”
Explaining that a number of years ago school divisions were able to set their own mill rates compared to government taking that on and then allotting the funds to the divisions, Murray feels the current approach is not working. “What has happened is, the provincial government, instead of giving the school board a pie, is basically giving them a tart. They have made that pie so small, all of those pieces are very very small. I am afraid that we are losing education workers. EAs in particular. And I am afraid they are not going to be able to afford to work for school divisions.”
In an effort to see education receive additional funding through the provincial budget, Murray said “what we need to do is lobby for a better portion of it to go to the education sector.”
As part of the education workers steering committee conference, Murray added the job of those in attendance is to help education support workers speak with one voice to the provincial government. “That is what we are trying to do.”
With a number of attendees taking part in the recent Rally for Public Education at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina where issues like resources and funding for education were highlighted, coming away from that event, Murray said, “If the provincial government is not willing to step up and assist the education sector, it is going to come to not a good fruition.”
Seeing thousands of people in attendance at the rally, from union representatives to parents and children, Murray was pleased by the amount of supporters who made the effort to go. The bus driver from Maple Creek was also encouraged by the number of people that showed up at the conference at Manitou Beach. “It is the middle of the week, it is school time for these people and they have come to represent all different facets of education support staff.”
As for being able to spend some time at Manitou Beach, Murray said he enjoyed it. “I have been here once before several years ago. It is such a beautiful place and I would like to see maybe having more conferences here.
“You have a conference like this and it is a boost to the local economy. There is an extra 70 people who showed up. Every one of them eat. They might go and shop somewhere. They might do this, they might do that. It is a boost to the town and the spa has been really good. They have welcomed us quite well.”
Wrapping up the week with positive dialogue, it was Murray’s hope that moving forward, the provincial government recognizes the value of students within the school system and those who teach and support them. “The best investment that they can make is education for the generation of tomorrow.”
*photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
Addressing the recent provincial budget, how cuts are impacting student supports, and looking at bargaining trends, approximately 70 Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) education workers gathered at Manitou Beach as part of their annual conference.
Held May 3 to 5, the Education Workers’ Steering Committee Conference at Manitou Springs Resort began with greetings and a presentation from the Ontario School Board Council of Unions followed by speakers that included Samantha Becotte, President of the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, Matt Love, NDP Opposition Education Critic, and Andreane Chenier, CUPE National Health and Safety Officer.
While Chair of CUPE Education Workers Steering Committee Omar Murray was disappointed that Minister of Education Dustin Duncan declined to speak during the conference, he noted the event went well. “We have a really good cross section of people with around 70 in attendance.”
With CUPE members wanting to educate and support the leaders of tomorrow in classrooms throughout the province, due to lack of funding, Murray feels “the education sector is suffering. That is the crux of it. A lot of it has to do with the way that it is funded.
“We are having a tough time,” Murray continued. “The provincial government talks about giving the school boards more money but the amounts that they use also include the money that they have given already.”
Explaining that a number of years ago school divisions were able to set their own mill rates compared to government taking that on and then allotting the funds to the divisions, Murray feels the current approach is not working. “What has happened is, the provincial government, instead of giving the school board a pie, is basically giving them a tart. They have made that pie so small, all of those pieces are very very small. I am afraid that we are losing education workers. EAs in particular. And I am afraid they are not going to be able to afford to work for school divisions.”
In an effort to see education receive additional funding through the provincial budget, Murray said “what we need to do is lobby for a better portion of it to go to the education sector.”
As part of the education workers steering committee conference, Murray added the job of those in attendance is to help education support workers speak with one voice to the provincial government. “That is what we are trying to do.”
With a number of attendees taking part in the recent Rally for Public Education at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina where issues like resources and funding for education were highlighted, coming away from that event, Murray said, “If the provincial government is not willing to step up and assist the education sector, it is going to come to not a good fruition.”
Seeing thousands of people in attendance at the rally, from union representatives to parents and children, Murray was pleased by the amount of supporters who made the effort to go. The bus driver from Maple Creek was also encouraged by the number of people that showed up at the conference at Manitou Beach. “It is the middle of the week, it is school time for these people and they have come to represent all different facets of education support staff.”
As for being able to spend some time at Manitou Beach, Murray said he enjoyed it. “I have been here once before several years ago. It is such a beautiful place and I would like to see maybe having more conferences here.
“You have a conference like this and it is a boost to the local economy. There is an extra 70 people who showed up. Every one of them eat. They might go and shop somewhere. They might do this, they might do that. It is a boost to the town and the spa has been really good. They have welcomed us quite well.”
Wrapping up the week with positive dialogue, it was Murray’s hope that moving forward, the provincial government recognizes the value of students within the school system and those who teach and support them. “The best investment that they can make is education for the generation of tomorrow.”
TWM Top Story - May 1, 2023
Main Street revitalization project moves closer to construction
•image courtesy Town of Watrous
Daniel Bushman
The recent spring thaw followed by a heavy dose of snow during an April storm provided a reminder to the urgent need of repairing Main Street in Watrous. With bumps and pot holes reappearing, sidewalks crumbling and town crews admirably grading and filling in the cracks, the wear from the elements have taken their toll. Acknowledging that Main Street in Watrous needs to be replaced and looking to push forward with the multi-million dollar project on the #100, #200 and #300 blocks, a new cost-shared proposal was approved by the Town of Watrous with hopes of seeing the remainder of the work proceed.
Originally seeking a 50/50 cost-shared split between the Town of Watrous and Main Street business owners, the project, which includes the replacement of the water mains, water/sewer services and curb, gutter and new sidewalks would total approximately $2.7 million (a little over $500,000 was already covered for the water mains and water/sewer services through the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program and the Town of Watrous).
Following the 50/50 proposal by the Town of Watrous, mayor John Gunderson said a group of local business owners approached council with a different option to consider. “Unfortunately we did not have a huge turnout during a public meeting in February to have a discussion regarding the costs of the project but we did have a delegation on behalf of the Main Street business owners come to us and make a proposal for a 75/25 split and we agreed upon that.”
With the Town of Watrous proposing to take on 75 percent of the costs associated with the remainder of the project, Gunderson understands some local businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic. “So that is what we are proposing unless 51 percent of Main Street business owners sign a petition against it. But we are going along with what the delegation had counter-proposed so I can’t see that happening.”
Understanding the costs can still be substantial, Gunderson added business owners can utilize a 15 year payment option. Allowing prepayment or paying over a longer term with six percent interest, the mayor hopes that will be fair. “The option is over the 15 years and we hope that is not too much of a financial burden to be added onto their property taxes. I know with smaller businesses that can be a challenge but I hope that would be enough to help them.”
Following council’s approval of the delegation’s proposal, letters are being sent out to business owners along Main Street informing them of the change and what the new costs and options will be for each. Assuming the project will then move forward, the consulting engineers are issuing tenders for the work. Once the green light is given and tenders awarded, there should be minimal delays and work started.
Explaining the extensive job will more than likely be conducted over the course of the summer (potentially from June through August), Gunderson shared crews will do their best to create minimal disruptions on each block. “Paving will be done all at once but as far as the sidewalks and other work, they will be going block by block.”
Realizing that summer is the busiest time of year when it comes to local tourism and having visitors to the community, the mayor explained the seasons in Saskatchewan do not really allow for the work to be done anytime else. “In the spring you have to wait for the ground to thaw and there is not enough time between then and summer. In the fall you run the risk if you are halfway through the project and the snow comes to stay.”
While Gunderson notes the timing is not ideal, leading up to the work, crews will do their best to keep the street maintained until the new pavement is applied. “Every time we get a rain or whatever the case may be that the potholes resurface, we will do what we can.”
As for the revitalization project itself, in February a Town of Watrous information session was held with business owners outlining a concept for the shared-cost local improvement project. On the three blocks contained within the project, streetscaping, extended sidewalks, bumpouts, and new light fixtures while promoting pedestrian activity would be conducted.
During the Feb. 6 information session, the consulting engineers, Catterall & Wright proposed on the #100 block to create streetscaping which would be nice and bright while promoting pedestrian activity. Sidewalks would extend to three metres (currently they are 2.4 m) wide on both sides of the street. Angle parking would remain and new light fixtures would be added. Other elements would also be offered like bumpouts at both ends to provide a safer place for pedestrians. Spots for things like benches, bike racks and trash receptacles would also be created.
Hoping to bring a theme to speak to Watrous, the #200 block would be unique in that it would have a mid-block crossing where the Watrous Pharmacy and Affinity Credit Union are located. Citing that is a higher traffic area for pedestrians, the crossing would provide a safe access point and like the #100 block, bumpouts and other spaces for things like benches, bike racks and trash receptacles would be added.
Moving to the #300 block, it would be similar to the #100 block, allowing for lots of lighting and space for benches. Even with the bumpouts and wider sidewalks, the consulting engineers shared there would be ample space for vehicles to utilize the road and angle park. Light standards along Main Street would also have wiring placed underground during the construction phase.
With more space along the sidewalks, options for benches, trash receptacles, bike racks, hanging flower plants and furniture options, the firm shared they would help beautify and rejuvenate the space along all three blocks.
“Main Street used to be the hub of a community and they still really are, but we want to get back to the days of that being where people are going to go. I can’t wait to see what Main Street will look like down the road once this project is completed,” said Gunderson.
•image courtesy Town of Watrous
Daniel Bushman
The recent spring thaw followed by a heavy dose of snow during an April storm provided a reminder to the urgent need of repairing Main Street in Watrous. With bumps and pot holes reappearing, sidewalks crumbling and town crews admirably grading and filling in the cracks, the wear from the elements have taken their toll. Acknowledging that Main Street in Watrous needs to be replaced and looking to push forward with the multi-million dollar project on the #100, #200 and #300 blocks, a new cost-shared proposal was approved by the Town of Watrous with hopes of seeing the remainder of the work proceed.
Originally seeking a 50/50 cost-shared split between the Town of Watrous and Main Street business owners, the project, which includes the replacement of the water mains, water/sewer services and curb, gutter and new sidewalks would total approximately $2.7 million (a little over $500,000 was already covered for the water mains and water/sewer services through the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program and the Town of Watrous).
Following the 50/50 proposal by the Town of Watrous, mayor John Gunderson said a group of local business owners approached council with a different option to consider. “Unfortunately we did not have a huge turnout during a public meeting in February to have a discussion regarding the costs of the project but we did have a delegation on behalf of the Main Street business owners come to us and make a proposal for a 75/25 split and we agreed upon that.”
With the Town of Watrous proposing to take on 75 percent of the costs associated with the remainder of the project, Gunderson understands some local businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic. “So that is what we are proposing unless 51 percent of Main Street business owners sign a petition against it. But we are going along with what the delegation had counter-proposed so I can’t see that happening.”
Understanding the costs can still be substantial, Gunderson added business owners can utilize a 15 year payment option. Allowing prepayment or paying over a longer term with six percent interest, the mayor hopes that will be fair. “The option is over the 15 years and we hope that is not too much of a financial burden to be added onto their property taxes. I know with smaller businesses that can be a challenge but I hope that would be enough to help them.”
Following council’s approval of the delegation’s proposal, letters are being sent out to business owners along Main Street informing them of the change and what the new costs and options will be for each. Assuming the project will then move forward, the consulting engineers are issuing tenders for the work. Once the green light is given and tenders awarded, there should be minimal delays and work started.
Explaining the extensive job will more than likely be conducted over the course of the summer (potentially from June through August), Gunderson shared crews will do their best to create minimal disruptions on each block. “Paving will be done all at once but as far as the sidewalks and other work, they will be going block by block.”
Realizing that summer is the busiest time of year when it comes to local tourism and having visitors to the community, the mayor explained the seasons in Saskatchewan do not really allow for the work to be done anytime else. “In the spring you have to wait for the ground to thaw and there is not enough time between then and summer. In the fall you run the risk if you are halfway through the project and the snow comes to stay.”
While Gunderson notes the timing is not ideal, leading up to the work, crews will do their best to keep the street maintained until the new pavement is applied. “Every time we get a rain or whatever the case may be that the potholes resurface, we will do what we can.”
As for the revitalization project itself, in February a Town of Watrous information session was held with business owners outlining a concept for the shared-cost local improvement project. On the three blocks contained within the project, streetscaping, extended sidewalks, bumpouts, and new light fixtures while promoting pedestrian activity would be conducted.
During the Feb. 6 information session, the consulting engineers, Catterall & Wright proposed on the #100 block to create streetscaping which would be nice and bright while promoting pedestrian activity. Sidewalks would extend to three metres (currently they are 2.4 m) wide on both sides of the street. Angle parking would remain and new light fixtures would be added. Other elements would also be offered like bumpouts at both ends to provide a safer place for pedestrians. Spots for things like benches, bike racks and trash receptacles would also be created.
Hoping to bring a theme to speak to Watrous, the #200 block would be unique in that it would have a mid-block crossing where the Watrous Pharmacy and Affinity Credit Union are located. Citing that is a higher traffic area for pedestrians, the crossing would provide a safe access point and like the #100 block, bumpouts and other spaces for things like benches, bike racks and trash receptacles would be added.
Moving to the #300 block, it would be similar to the #100 block, allowing for lots of lighting and space for benches. Even with the bumpouts and wider sidewalks, the consulting engineers shared there would be ample space for vehicles to utilize the road and angle park. Light standards along Main Street would also have wiring placed underground during the construction phase.
With more space along the sidewalks, options for benches, trash receptacles, bike racks, hanging flower plants and furniture options, the firm shared they would help beautify and rejuvenate the space along all three blocks.
“Main Street used to be the hub of a community and they still really are, but we want to get back to the days of that being where people are going to go. I can’t wait to see what Main Street will look like down the road once this project is completed,” said Gunderson.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 24, 2023
Local broker receives tremendous honour
Daniel Bushman
With years of dedication, a passion for the real estate sector and considering it a privilege to serve her clients and the Saskatchewan Realtors Association (SRA), when local broker Avril Reifferscheid was named as this year’s Realtor of the Year, the honour was very well-deserved.
Chosen as a finalist for the award along with Richelle Rogers and Brin Werrett, Reifferscheid who owns Realty Executives Watrous, was bestowed with the hardware during SRA’s Realtor Recognition Night Apr. 4.
“I was so honoured to find out I’d been one, nominated, and two, a finalist,” said a thrilled Avril. “I’m overwhelmed and grateful to receive this recognition. It still seems a bit surreal.”
Acknowledging that while it is an individual award, Reifferscheid was quick to point out it could not have been accomplished without the support of colleagues, family and the SRA board and staff. Sharing that being named alongside Rogers and Werrett was also memorable for the broker from Watrous, Reifferscheid said, “They are leaders in our industry and their communities and it was an honour to be joined by them as a finalist.”
Looking at the names of past recipients, Avril who marks 20 years in the industry this year explained how in awe she is to follow in their shoes. “I have had the opportunity to work with many wonderful people through the years. It’s a great privilege. Serving on and chairing the SRA board of directors has also been a great privilege. Housing is not only one of our most basic human needs, it is an economic pillar of our economy. I look forward to continuing to serve Watrous and area in the coming years.”
Nominated by peers within the industry, the Realtor of the Year Award is based on integrity, loyalty, compassion and respect. With that in mind, once nominations are submitted, a group of peers goes through the list and assesses the best. Looking at the individual’s business ethics and examples of how they add positivity and strength to the professional image of being a realtor, from the finalists, the group of peers then determines a winner.
With involvement in her own brokerage and a high level of passion and dedication for the real estate sector in the province, when Avril was nominated as a finalist, Saskatchewan Realtors Association Chief Executive Officer Chris Guerette felt Reifferscheid more than earned the recognition. “There is nobody that I know that did not think she was deserving. The way she approaches collaboration and working with people, especially through challenging situations, she brings people together. When she chairs meetings, her style and approach to that is very appreciated by everybody at the table. I certainly appreciated working with her greatly.”
Seeing Reifferscheid recognized for her tremendous work, Guerette shared how valuable Avril has been within the industry, especially over recent years. “The SRA is a new entity and is a merger of three different real estate agencies that came into one and Avril has been involved in that process. We started the new entity Jan. 1, 2020 and she has been part of that and making that work. It is not a small task when you have a new entity and a merger of different businesses come together. You have to recalibrate your expectations with the membership and you need to unify the province and she has been key in that. Not only that but she was chair for the 2022 year and she was the first chair coming from the Regions. Our board is represented from Regina, Saskatoon and the Region equally and she was the first one not to come from Saskatoon or Regina.”
Being able to collaborate together with Avril, the CEO of SRA noted some of the roles Reifferscheid took on over the years required a significant amount of attention. “It means it is time away from your family and business. Just to have that commitment to not only be on the board but be on the executive and then be chair, that means she has given up a lot of time with family and her business to make sure that everybody else in the business is being served well.”
As for the importance of the award which is handed out each year, Guerette explained how recipients walk up in front of their peers during the evening event and are profoundly touched. “People who receive this award, they don’t do it for themselves, they do it for everybody else and so it is always a surprise to them when somebody else is focused on them to make sure they get the recognition they deserve. Avril was no exception, she was speechless. Everybody was just so happy to see her up there because she is so deserving and she always has everybody else’s back. Always.”
With just three finalists named for the prestigious provincial honour, Guerette noted that Watrous should be proud to see the award going to someone deserving like Reifferscheid. “Avril has been an entrepreneur her whole life. She has been proud of her community and I think Watrous should be really proud that Realtor of the Year has gone to somebody in your community.”
Daniel Bushman
With years of dedication, a passion for the real estate sector and considering it a privilege to serve her clients and the Saskatchewan Realtors Association (SRA), when local broker Avril Reifferscheid was named as this year’s Realtor of the Year, the honour was very well-deserved.
Chosen as a finalist for the award along with Richelle Rogers and Brin Werrett, Reifferscheid who owns Realty Executives Watrous, was bestowed with the hardware during SRA’s Realtor Recognition Night Apr. 4.
“I was so honoured to find out I’d been one, nominated, and two, a finalist,” said a thrilled Avril. “I’m overwhelmed and grateful to receive this recognition. It still seems a bit surreal.”
Acknowledging that while it is an individual award, Reifferscheid was quick to point out it could not have been accomplished without the support of colleagues, family and the SRA board and staff. Sharing that being named alongside Rogers and Werrett was also memorable for the broker from Watrous, Reifferscheid said, “They are leaders in our industry and their communities and it was an honour to be joined by them as a finalist.”
Looking at the names of past recipients, Avril who marks 20 years in the industry this year explained how in awe she is to follow in their shoes. “I have had the opportunity to work with many wonderful people through the years. It’s a great privilege. Serving on and chairing the SRA board of directors has also been a great privilege. Housing is not only one of our most basic human needs, it is an economic pillar of our economy. I look forward to continuing to serve Watrous and area in the coming years.”
Nominated by peers within the industry, the Realtor of the Year Award is based on integrity, loyalty, compassion and respect. With that in mind, once nominations are submitted, a group of peers goes through the list and assesses the best. Looking at the individual’s business ethics and examples of how they add positivity and strength to the professional image of being a realtor, from the finalists, the group of peers then determines a winner.
With involvement in her own brokerage and a high level of passion and dedication for the real estate sector in the province, when Avril was nominated as a finalist, Saskatchewan Realtors Association Chief Executive Officer Chris Guerette felt Reifferscheid more than earned the recognition. “There is nobody that I know that did not think she was deserving. The way she approaches collaboration and working with people, especially through challenging situations, she brings people together. When she chairs meetings, her style and approach to that is very appreciated by everybody at the table. I certainly appreciated working with her greatly.”
Seeing Reifferscheid recognized for her tremendous work, Guerette shared how valuable Avril has been within the industry, especially over recent years. “The SRA is a new entity and is a merger of three different real estate agencies that came into one and Avril has been involved in that process. We started the new entity Jan. 1, 2020 and she has been part of that and making that work. It is not a small task when you have a new entity and a merger of different businesses come together. You have to recalibrate your expectations with the membership and you need to unify the province and she has been key in that. Not only that but she was chair for the 2022 year and she was the first chair coming from the Regions. Our board is represented from Regina, Saskatoon and the Region equally and she was the first one not to come from Saskatoon or Regina.”
Being able to collaborate together with Avril, the CEO of SRA noted some of the roles Reifferscheid took on over the years required a significant amount of attention. “It means it is time away from your family and business. Just to have that commitment to not only be on the board but be on the executive and then be chair, that means she has given up a lot of time with family and her business to make sure that everybody else in the business is being served well.”
As for the importance of the award which is handed out each year, Guerette explained how recipients walk up in front of their peers during the evening event and are profoundly touched. “People who receive this award, they don’t do it for themselves, they do it for everybody else and so it is always a surprise to them when somebody else is focused on them to make sure they get the recognition they deserve. Avril was no exception, she was speechless. Everybody was just so happy to see her up there because she is so deserving and she always has everybody else’s back. Always.”
With just three finalists named for the prestigious provincial honour, Guerette noted that Watrous should be proud to see the award going to someone deserving like Reifferscheid. “Avril has been an entrepreneur her whole life. She has been proud of her community and I think Watrous should be really proud that Realtor of the Year has gone to somebody in your community.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 17, 2023
Local woman breaking down barriers in ag industry
*photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for agriculture, a desire to grow and share her experiences within the industry and a steadfast advocate for mental health, Lesley Kelly has not only rooted herself in farming but hopes that her journey will inspire others.
Raised on a farm southwest of Watrous, the same farm she now operates with her husband Matt and brother Derek, Lesley understands the value of being able to share her story with others. “I am so grateful for this rural and farm life, both in how I was raised and how I am able to raise my kids in a rural farming community like Watrous. My dad was always excited about opportunities for the farm and industry. He would share how others within the industry, whether it was learning something new from someone and getting a new idea, leaning on a neighbour during a stressful period or having coffee and sharing some laughs, helped him get through hard times on the farm. That really had an everlasting impact on me.”
Moving back home a few years ago from Regina with her husband and their two boys to be closer to family and the farm, Lesley was able to garner stories which she began passing along. Stories of seeking support from others within the agriculture industry. Stories of facing adversity when times are tough. Stories of connecting with others and helping them along their journey. And personal stories of her own, including her and husband Matt’s mental health journey and the loss of her dad, who was instrumental in her life and running the farm.
“I know in rural communities, many of our farmers are going through difficult times and due to the nature of our work and in rural areas, it is hard to access mental health resources and support. My hope and goal in sharing my family and I’s story and advocating for farming and mental health is that there is more awareness and support in rural areas. Then when my kids are older (and potentially farm) and go through hard times, we have broken down the stigma around mental health and there is more help and support available for them.”
That journey of opening up and allowing others to know they are not alone first began for Lesley about seven years ago. Creating a snack food business, Kelly and her family had the unique ability to connect with shoppers while expanding their products into urban areas. Through that, questions began to crop up about farming and how things were grown. As people started to understand how operations worked, Lesley shared others would voice their concern about how farming was being done and the harm it was causing to the environment and animals. “This was quite upsetting to us at the time as we didn’t get the chance to share more of our farming story, answer their questions and dispel myths.”
Wanting to place an immense focus on explaining stories from the world of agriculture and having a background in communications and marketing, Kelly created a blog. As social media began to really take off and with people curious about how their food was grown, the creator of High Heels & Canola Fields became more active online. “I had a goal of creating conversations about farming, share why I love this industry and what goes on behind the scenes on a Saskatchewan grain farm to help dispel myths and misconceptions.”
Planting the seed online, it did not take long before her blog not only sprouted and bloomed but grew exponentially. “Shortly after starting my blog and sharing both our farm story and my husband and I’s mental health journeys, we received thousands of messages from across Canada, the world and both in and outside of agriculture from those who were looking for help but didn’t know where to start or who felt reluctant to share because of the stigma. We realized how so many of us in agriculture were struggling with our mental health, and there wasn’t an organization dedicated to mental health in agriculture.”
Having members of her family farming and understanding the intricacies and stressors producers are faced with in the agriculture industry, Kelly knew something more had to be done. That is when she joined up with a few others to create the Do More Agriculture Foundation.
With a mission to create more awareness about mental health, build community and connection and bring and create mental health resources and support, the co-founder said, “Through this work and while also advocating for agriculture, I have had the opportunity to travel and speak across North America and Europe, be invited on national and provincial news shows, be part of campaigns and work with companies that are focused on creating positive change.”
The daughter of Darlene and the late Garnet Martin, Lesley also designed and started a clothing line, creating more awareness about mental health and farming while meeting hundreds and thousands of people to hear their stories. “I’ve connected with people after being on stage and they feel brave enough to come up and share afterwards or on social media through a message or video I’ve shared or at the airport after reading one of my shirts that states: ‘Coffee, farming & mental health.’ What stands out is how every person’s story matters so much and how we have so much in common. Our stories can help bring us together, heal and move forward.”
With thousands of miles accumulated in her vehicle and on a plane and the countless hours dedicated to her blog, foundation and social media channels, when asked what it means to be making a difference, Lesley said, “Helping others and having a positive impact on others definitely fills up my cup. I never set out on making a difference in the ag industry but our overall goal in sharing our farm and mental health story was hoping that it helped one person. I’m so grateful that it’s helped create positive change in our industry and for the support my family and I have received in return.”
Reflecting back to when her journey first began, Kelly noted the agriculture industry has come such a long way in a short time. “Before we shared our mental health stories publicly, we searched online if there were others sharing as well and unfortunately, we couldn’t find others.” Once her and Matt began to open up though, Lesley said they received a huge positive reception. However, Kelly also indicated there was some negative feedback and criticisms that came with being vulnerable.
“That of course hurt at the moment as our goal was to help others who may be feeling alone and to help our industry get better and more support and resources. But now, those criticisms are seldom and the support outshines them. Now we are seeing open, honest and supportive conversations and awareness happening online, at events, within the media, at board and industry tables and meetings and at kitchen tables, which is so amazing and encouraging. We have seen more funding, awareness initiatives and support come to our industry. There is still lots of work that needs to be done but we are moving the needle forward in a huge positive way.”
In addition to her tremendous work as an advocate for mental health and farming, Kelly has also been cutting a trail for women in agriculture. Involved with organizations like the Sask Wheat Board of Directors, Lesley continues to push for positive change in an industry predominately led by men. “I am encouraged to see positive change with inclusivity and seeing more women become involved at the board level (there are two of us women on the Sask Wheat Board of Directors, out of seven) and have leadership roles within their farming operations and industry. Women are the heart of the industry and the farm in many instances and we have unique skills and traits that can help provide solutions, offer guidance, create opportunities and move farming businesses forward.”
Similar to her skill sets on the family farm, Kelly brings a different perspective while working off of it as well. “I try to mentor and share what I’ve learned to help and encourage other females get involved in the industry as there is such a need for not only women, but young farmers at the industry level.”
That work and those experiences have also extended to her own kids. “The tools and skills we’ve learned about taking care of our mental health has really helped us start and have conversations with our kids. I want them to have the confidence, tools and skills to be aware, communicate, connect and help each other and themselves when they are going through a hard time. We share with them that if they would like to farm one day, it’s not if they will go through hard times but when, and we hope by what we are doing when they go through those hard times, that they will have a community around them that will support them and they will have more tools and resources too.”
With her work through mental health and the agriculture industry over the past five or so years, experiences both on and off the family farm, and having a positive impact on others, Lesley was recently and deservedly recognized with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. “It was such a nice surprise. I was in the Seattle airport and a bit sleep deprived after being away on the road for a couple of weeks. I got an email that I had received the medal and when the ceremony was and thought it was spam. So I called the number to check and they said that I had been nominated. I phoned my husband and I cried. It was such a wonderful surprise and gesture of how far we’ve come as an organization and industry, and our impact.”
A moment the producer and blog creator will not soon forget, reflecting back over her time advocating, speaking, representing women in the industry and sharing her own journey, Kelly said some of her biggest highlights have been the messages and stories received from others across the world. “Whether that is someone feeling inspired and encouraged to share, get further support, learn something or help someone else through a message or a post I’ve sent out or sharing their story with me and others after I’ve presented, that really touches me each and every time.”
It has been through those events where the resident of Watrous has also been able to meet others doing similar work. “It is such a gift! From what I’ve learned in sharing, it can be so powerful and has such a positive, contagious effect. Personally, it has felt therapeutic to share and for others, encouraging and inspiring to know they aren’t alone. It is so great
to see how awareness and support is building through others sharing their stories. This is how we will break down barriers, the stigma and create further mental health capacity in our rural areas.”
But despite all of the positives and gains within the industry, the work has not ended for Lesley. As the pandemic arrived three years ago, it created a whole new set of stressors. Navigating through those challenges both on and off the farm, with the bulk of 2023 remaining, including the start of seeding season, Kelly is optimistic about what may be ahead.
“My role on the farm has expanded since my dad passed away so I am really invested in learning all that my dad taught me, helping build what he grew and make a plan for the farm in the future. I look forward to staying involved with the industry at the board level and hope to present at a few conferences and events. I pinch myself because I get to travel to places that I’ve never been before like New York, Arkansas, and this year I am going to Montana for the first time and back to Texas. Our kids are active in sports and I love watching them play and have fun with their friends so that is always a highlight and top of the list.”
While she has a lot on her plate as she continues to keep up with the demands in the agriculture sector, Lesley is quick to point out it is a dream come true to be where she is. “To raise our kids where I grew up and surrounded by family and friends I grew up with, I couldn’t have asked for a better community to live, have our family grow and plant more roots.”
To learn more about what Lesley is up to, people can find her across social media platforms under High Heels & Canola Fields and at www.highheelsandcanolafields. For more information and resources about mental health in ag, visit domore.ag.
*photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for agriculture, a desire to grow and share her experiences within the industry and a steadfast advocate for mental health, Lesley Kelly has not only rooted herself in farming but hopes that her journey will inspire others.
Raised on a farm southwest of Watrous, the same farm she now operates with her husband Matt and brother Derek, Lesley understands the value of being able to share her story with others. “I am so grateful for this rural and farm life, both in how I was raised and how I am able to raise my kids in a rural farming community like Watrous. My dad was always excited about opportunities for the farm and industry. He would share how others within the industry, whether it was learning something new from someone and getting a new idea, leaning on a neighbour during a stressful period or having coffee and sharing some laughs, helped him get through hard times on the farm. That really had an everlasting impact on me.”
Moving back home a few years ago from Regina with her husband and their two boys to be closer to family and the farm, Lesley was able to garner stories which she began passing along. Stories of seeking support from others within the agriculture industry. Stories of facing adversity when times are tough. Stories of connecting with others and helping them along their journey. And personal stories of her own, including her and husband Matt’s mental health journey and the loss of her dad, who was instrumental in her life and running the farm.
“I know in rural communities, many of our farmers are going through difficult times and due to the nature of our work and in rural areas, it is hard to access mental health resources and support. My hope and goal in sharing my family and I’s story and advocating for farming and mental health is that there is more awareness and support in rural areas. Then when my kids are older (and potentially farm) and go through hard times, we have broken down the stigma around mental health and there is more help and support available for them.”
That journey of opening up and allowing others to know they are not alone first began for Lesley about seven years ago. Creating a snack food business, Kelly and her family had the unique ability to connect with shoppers while expanding their products into urban areas. Through that, questions began to crop up about farming and how things were grown. As people started to understand how operations worked, Lesley shared others would voice their concern about how farming was being done and the harm it was causing to the environment and animals. “This was quite upsetting to us at the time as we didn’t get the chance to share more of our farming story, answer their questions and dispel myths.”
Wanting to place an immense focus on explaining stories from the world of agriculture and having a background in communications and marketing, Kelly created a blog. As social media began to really take off and with people curious about how their food was grown, the creator of High Heels & Canola Fields became more active online. “I had a goal of creating conversations about farming, share why I love this industry and what goes on behind the scenes on a Saskatchewan grain farm to help dispel myths and misconceptions.”
Planting the seed online, it did not take long before her blog not only sprouted and bloomed but grew exponentially. “Shortly after starting my blog and sharing both our farm story and my husband and I’s mental health journeys, we received thousands of messages from across Canada, the world and both in and outside of agriculture from those who were looking for help but didn’t know where to start or who felt reluctant to share because of the stigma. We realized how so many of us in agriculture were struggling with our mental health, and there wasn’t an organization dedicated to mental health in agriculture.”
Having members of her family farming and understanding the intricacies and stressors producers are faced with in the agriculture industry, Kelly knew something more had to be done. That is when she joined up with a few others to create the Do More Agriculture Foundation.
With a mission to create more awareness about mental health, build community and connection and bring and create mental health resources and support, the co-founder said, “Through this work and while also advocating for agriculture, I have had the opportunity to travel and speak across North America and Europe, be invited on national and provincial news shows, be part of campaigns and work with companies that are focused on creating positive change.”
The daughter of Darlene and the late Garnet Martin, Lesley also designed and started a clothing line, creating more awareness about mental health and farming while meeting hundreds and thousands of people to hear their stories. “I’ve connected with people after being on stage and they feel brave enough to come up and share afterwards or on social media through a message or video I’ve shared or at the airport after reading one of my shirts that states: ‘Coffee, farming & mental health.’ What stands out is how every person’s story matters so much and how we have so much in common. Our stories can help bring us together, heal and move forward.”
With thousands of miles accumulated in her vehicle and on a plane and the countless hours dedicated to her blog, foundation and social media channels, when asked what it means to be making a difference, Lesley said, “Helping others and having a positive impact on others definitely fills up my cup. I never set out on making a difference in the ag industry but our overall goal in sharing our farm and mental health story was hoping that it helped one person. I’m so grateful that it’s helped create positive change in our industry and for the support my family and I have received in return.”
Reflecting back to when her journey first began, Kelly noted the agriculture industry has come such a long way in a short time. “Before we shared our mental health stories publicly, we searched online if there were others sharing as well and unfortunately, we couldn’t find others.” Once her and Matt began to open up though, Lesley said they received a huge positive reception. However, Kelly also indicated there was some negative feedback and criticisms that came with being vulnerable.
“That of course hurt at the moment as our goal was to help others who may be feeling alone and to help our industry get better and more support and resources. But now, those criticisms are seldom and the support outshines them. Now we are seeing open, honest and supportive conversations and awareness happening online, at events, within the media, at board and industry tables and meetings and at kitchen tables, which is so amazing and encouraging. We have seen more funding, awareness initiatives and support come to our industry. There is still lots of work that needs to be done but we are moving the needle forward in a huge positive way.”
In addition to her tremendous work as an advocate for mental health and farming, Kelly has also been cutting a trail for women in agriculture. Involved with organizations like the Sask Wheat Board of Directors, Lesley continues to push for positive change in an industry predominately led by men. “I am encouraged to see positive change with inclusivity and seeing more women become involved at the board level (there are two of us women on the Sask Wheat Board of Directors, out of seven) and have leadership roles within their farming operations and industry. Women are the heart of the industry and the farm in many instances and we have unique skills and traits that can help provide solutions, offer guidance, create opportunities and move farming businesses forward.”
Similar to her skill sets on the family farm, Kelly brings a different perspective while working off of it as well. “I try to mentor and share what I’ve learned to help and encourage other females get involved in the industry as there is such a need for not only women, but young farmers at the industry level.”
That work and those experiences have also extended to her own kids. “The tools and skills we’ve learned about taking care of our mental health has really helped us start and have conversations with our kids. I want them to have the confidence, tools and skills to be aware, communicate, connect and help each other and themselves when they are going through a hard time. We share with them that if they would like to farm one day, it’s not if they will go through hard times but when, and we hope by what we are doing when they go through those hard times, that they will have a community around them that will support them and they will have more tools and resources too.”
With her work through mental health and the agriculture industry over the past five or so years, experiences both on and off the family farm, and having a positive impact on others, Lesley was recently and deservedly recognized with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. “It was such a nice surprise. I was in the Seattle airport and a bit sleep deprived after being away on the road for a couple of weeks. I got an email that I had received the medal and when the ceremony was and thought it was spam. So I called the number to check and they said that I had been nominated. I phoned my husband and I cried. It was such a wonderful surprise and gesture of how far we’ve come as an organization and industry, and our impact.”
A moment the producer and blog creator will not soon forget, reflecting back over her time advocating, speaking, representing women in the industry and sharing her own journey, Kelly said some of her biggest highlights have been the messages and stories received from others across the world. “Whether that is someone feeling inspired and encouraged to share, get further support, learn something or help someone else through a message or a post I’ve sent out or sharing their story with me and others after I’ve presented, that really touches me each and every time.”
It has been through those events where the resident of Watrous has also been able to meet others doing similar work. “It is such a gift! From what I’ve learned in sharing, it can be so powerful and has such a positive, contagious effect. Personally, it has felt therapeutic to share and for others, encouraging and inspiring to know they aren’t alone. It is so great
to see how awareness and support is building through others sharing their stories. This is how we will break down barriers, the stigma and create further mental health capacity in our rural areas.”
But despite all of the positives and gains within the industry, the work has not ended for Lesley. As the pandemic arrived three years ago, it created a whole new set of stressors. Navigating through those challenges both on and off the farm, with the bulk of 2023 remaining, including the start of seeding season, Kelly is optimistic about what may be ahead.
“My role on the farm has expanded since my dad passed away so I am really invested in learning all that my dad taught me, helping build what he grew and make a plan for the farm in the future. I look forward to staying involved with the industry at the board level and hope to present at a few conferences and events. I pinch myself because I get to travel to places that I’ve never been before like New York, Arkansas, and this year I am going to Montana for the first time and back to Texas. Our kids are active in sports and I love watching them play and have fun with their friends so that is always a highlight and top of the list.”
While she has a lot on her plate as she continues to keep up with the demands in the agriculture sector, Lesley is quick to point out it is a dream come true to be where she is. “To raise our kids where I grew up and surrounded by family and friends I grew up with, I couldn’t have asked for a better community to live, have our family grow and plant more roots.”
To learn more about what Lesley is up to, people can find her across social media platforms under High Heels & Canola Fields and at www.highheelsandcanolafields. For more information and resources about mental health in ag, visit domore.ag.
TWM Top Story - April 10, 2023
Ju-No-Ri flips through season following pause
Daniel Bushman
After a challenging few years due to the pandemic, judo athletes, coaches and volunteers in Watrous were able to return to the mats in September 2022. Comprised of practice sessions, tournaments, representing the area at the Saskatchewan Winter Games, enjoying a new dojo and hosting competitors from across the province, members of the Watrous Ju-No-Ri Club were able to take in a full year.
Watrous Ju-No-Ri Coach Glen Miller said it was great to be able to resume activities and see the athletes having fun after a nearly two year absence. Enjoying the new dojo (a place where judo is instructed) at 215 Main Street in Watrous, 38 members practiced Monday and Thursday evenings and are now winding down for the season.
During the year, Miller noted a few athletes from the local club were able to attend smaller tournaments in Regina, Swift Current, and Moose Jaw where they gained valuable skills competing. Then on Feb. 22 to 25, Miller along with Reilly Huisman were part of Team Prairie Central at this year’s Saskatchewan Winter Games in Regina. Miller was the manager for judo while Huisman competed and earned a pair of bronze medals and a gold. Miller said three others representing Team Prairie Central also attended and Ryan Klenk-Potts and Kade Chabot were able to officiate at the Saskatchewan Winter Games.
Also in February, a fun bowling night took place for the athletes as the club prepared for its provincial tournament in Watrous Mar. 25 and 26. “This was the first full provincial tournament in Saskatchewan since the pandemic started,” shared Miller. “It included all ages from seven years old to senior.”
Pleased to include the new version of Kodomo-no-kata (a form of judo that teaches the basics to young kids) at the tournament, Miller explained the category is done in pairs with a series of movements and techniques with different grading.
Held at the Watrous Civic Centre, local athletes were able to compete in the provincial judo tournament which included a number of events like the new Kodomo-no-kata where Alex McLean and Harley-Anne Allen placed fifth and Kylee Freeman and Brian Martens got silver.
In the U10 and U12 division, Ju-No-Ri Ne-waza competition members were Everleigh Dunne, Hunter Dunne, Nicole Ierofieieva, Harley-Anne Allen, Alex McLean, Emilia Janzen, Bentley Roney, and Kylee Freeman, who all received participation medals.
Ju-No-Ri members in the U10 Tachi-waza were Nicole Ierofieieva, Alex McLean, Harley-Anne Allen, and Everleigh Dunne, all receiving participation medals.
Ju-No-Ri members in U12 Tachi-waza were Hunter Dunne, who received silver, Kylee Freeman, who received gold, and Emilia Janzen, who received second bronze.
The Ju-No-Ri member in U14 was Brian Martens who received silver.
In the Senior Mens category, Ju-No-Ri’s Joel Klassen got a bronze.
Like at the Saskatchewan Winter Games, Watrous Ju-No-Ri Coach Ryan Klenk-Potts and Ju-No-Ri member Kade Chabot helped officiate during the Watrous tournament.
Miller shared the provincial event which included clubs from around Saskatchewan was very successful and it was nice to see so many people able to attend.
Daniel Bushman
After a challenging few years due to the pandemic, judo athletes, coaches and volunteers in Watrous were able to return to the mats in September 2022. Comprised of practice sessions, tournaments, representing the area at the Saskatchewan Winter Games, enjoying a new dojo and hosting competitors from across the province, members of the Watrous Ju-No-Ri Club were able to take in a full year.
Watrous Ju-No-Ri Coach Glen Miller said it was great to be able to resume activities and see the athletes having fun after a nearly two year absence. Enjoying the new dojo (a place where judo is instructed) at 215 Main Street in Watrous, 38 members practiced Monday and Thursday evenings and are now winding down for the season.
During the year, Miller noted a few athletes from the local club were able to attend smaller tournaments in Regina, Swift Current, and Moose Jaw where they gained valuable skills competing. Then on Feb. 22 to 25, Miller along with Reilly Huisman were part of Team Prairie Central at this year’s Saskatchewan Winter Games in Regina. Miller was the manager for judo while Huisman competed and earned a pair of bronze medals and a gold. Miller said three others representing Team Prairie Central also attended and Ryan Klenk-Potts and Kade Chabot were able to officiate at the Saskatchewan Winter Games.
Also in February, a fun bowling night took place for the athletes as the club prepared for its provincial tournament in Watrous Mar. 25 and 26. “This was the first full provincial tournament in Saskatchewan since the pandemic started,” shared Miller. “It included all ages from seven years old to senior.”
Pleased to include the new version of Kodomo-no-kata (a form of judo that teaches the basics to young kids) at the tournament, Miller explained the category is done in pairs with a series of movements and techniques with different grading.
Held at the Watrous Civic Centre, local athletes were able to compete in the provincial judo tournament which included a number of events like the new Kodomo-no-kata where Alex McLean and Harley-Anne Allen placed fifth and Kylee Freeman and Brian Martens got silver.
In the U10 and U12 division, Ju-No-Ri Ne-waza competition members were Everleigh Dunne, Hunter Dunne, Nicole Ierofieieva, Harley-Anne Allen, Alex McLean, Emilia Janzen, Bentley Roney, and Kylee Freeman, who all received participation medals.
Ju-No-Ri members in the U10 Tachi-waza were Nicole Ierofieieva, Alex McLean, Harley-Anne Allen, and Everleigh Dunne, all receiving participation medals.
Ju-No-Ri members in U12 Tachi-waza were Hunter Dunne, who received silver, Kylee Freeman, who received gold, and Emilia Janzen, who received second bronze.
The Ju-No-Ri member in U14 was Brian Martens who received silver.
In the Senior Mens category, Ju-No-Ri’s Joel Klassen got a bronze.
Like at the Saskatchewan Winter Games, Watrous Ju-No-Ri Coach Ryan Klenk-Potts and Ju-No-Ri member Kade Chabot helped officiate during the Watrous tournament.
Miller shared the provincial event which included clubs from around Saskatchewan was very successful and it was nice to see so many people able to attend.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 3, 2023
Finance Minister talks provincial budget
Daniel Bushman
With a projected $1 billion surplus, no new taxes or tax increases and placing a priority on health care, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer tabled Saskatchewan’s 2023-‘24 Provincial Budget Mar. 22.
According to the budget, Saskatchewan’s economy is expected to lead all provinces in growth in 2022 with momentum forecast to continue in 2023. “This budget is designed to ensure that growth continues and that it’s growth that works for everyone,” said Harpauer.
With that momentum expected to roll into 2023, revenue of $19.7 billion is also forecast, up $2.5 billion or 14.7 percent, from last year’s budget. The higher revenue forecast is largely due to $9.6 billion in taxation revenue, a $1.5 billion increase over last year with Corporate Income, Personal Income and Provincial Sales Tax revenue. Non-renewable resource revenue is forecast to be $3.3 billion, up $435 million over last year’s budget, and largely driven by solid potash and oil price expectations.
“With a growing economy and strong finances in Saskatchewan, our government will pay down up to $1 billion in operating debt this fiscal year, reducing interest costs and investing those savings into needed services, programs and capital,” Harpauer shared.
Explaining the budget is a lot of work to put together each year, looking at the substantial document, the MLA for Humboldt-Watrous said being able to apply the surplus towards debt will be positive and extremely important for Saskatchewan. “It is to lessen the burden on future generations because the more you accumulate in debt, the higher interest payments you make.”
By writing off the debt by $1 billion, the Finance Minister explained it will save $44 million of interest savings in this budget. Then by adding it to the $1 billion written off in the last budget, over the course of an entire year, cumulatively Harpauer stated it will equate to $117 million in interest savings. “That can then go to health care or education or other priorities that people want to see.”
The second thing Harpauer felt was important when it came to paying off debt is not relying too heavily on resource revenue. “The surplus is largely driven by the high price of potash and oil but when you incorporate it into ongoing operating costs and those prices fall then you don’t know where the money will come from. I have been quite vocal on how I don’t think that is responsible. Therefore, I want to be very cautious on how much of the resource revenue we rely on for our day to day expenses. So in this budget, the expenses are being covered by resource revenue of 12.5 percent. I think that is sustainable into the future and that sustainability is quite important to me.”
With a vested interest in her own constituency, Harpauer shared how this year’s budget will benefit those within the Humboldt-Watrous region.
Health Care
Placing a substantial priority on health care, Harpauer said, “This budget delivers a 6.7 percent increase to the Ministry of Health to $6.9 billion, strengthening the health care system and taking significant steps to further attract, train and retain doctors, nurses and other key health care
professionals in a growing province.”
Citing it is a huge concern in both Watrous and Lanigan when it comes to staff shortages within the health care sector, Harpauer said the budget includes $98.8 million, an increase of $82.7 million over last year’s budget, for the Health Human Resources (HHR) action plan. The plan, funded through the ministries of Health, Advanced Education and Immigration and Career Training, aims to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care professionals.
Harpauer also noted the government has committed dollars to convert part-time positions into full-time positions. “That is something we are hearing from our smaller facilities, is too many positions are part-time and nobody is interested in a part-time job when they have the professional training. We are hoping that will help more of those positions become full-time.”
Understanding results will not be immediate when it comes to training more workers, Harpauer said over time those numbers will eventually increase within health care professions throughout the province.
Incentive packages have also been drawn up for health care professionals willing to work in rural areas like Watrous and Lanigan as another way of attracting more people to rural centres.
Also in health care, funding is being increased for EMS services. “They are finding it harder to recruit so our Minister of Rural Remote Health is working with the association in order to help them know where this funding needs to go.”
Another focus within the health care sector Harpauer feels is important is placing more funding into surgeries. “We are hearing people are concerned with needing hip and knee surgeries. We put in funding so we are going to do 6,000 more surgeries which will bring our total surgeries to the highest its ever been in any given year to 103,000.”
In addition to those pieces contained within the health care budget, the Saskatchewan government has also invested $518 million into mental health and addictions programs and services, including a targeted investment of $12.4 million over last year, representing the highest investment ever in Saskatchewan for these programs and services. Mental health and addictions funding now makes up 7.5 percent of overall health spending.
Agriculture
With agriculture a big focus in her constituency, Harpauer noted record high coverage has been added in crop insurance at $446/acre. “That will mean the premiums will be a little bit higher but the coverage is significant. Then in Agri-Stability we have increased the compensation rate from 70 percent to 80 percent which will make producers quite happy.”
Economy and municipalities
When it comes to the economy, the budget includes $503 million of direct provincial support to municipalities, an increase of $54.5 million or 12.2 percent over last year’s budget. That is primarily due to higher revenue sharing, the provincial portion of infrastructure funding and a number of grants and initiatives from across government.
Harpauer said that means when it comes to municipal revenue sharing, Watrous is going to see $446,864, an increase from last year’s total of $393,816. Lanigan will see $348,092 while it was $306,822 last year. “So this year’s municipal revenue sharing is quite up.”
Education
From an education standpoint, the budget includes more than $4 billion for Prekindergarten to Grade 12 and post-secondary education.
The Ministry of Education is providing record investment of $3.1 billion, an increase of $192.8 million or 6.7 percent over last year, to support schools, early learning, child care and libraries. Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions will receive $2 billion in operating funding, an increase of $49.4 million over last year with Horizon School Division seeing a three percent increase to their budget, according to Harpauer.
Approach to a budget
Trying to provide funds to each sector, for a budget, Harpauer said discussions are conducted in advance before a decision is made. After listening to people from constituencies, MLAs share what they are hearing the most and what is causing the greatest concern. “This year for sure our priority was health care and the health budget has increased by 6.7 percent which is a fairly large increase in a budget that is ultimately our largest budget.”
After placing a priority on a sector like health care, Harpauer said, “Then you balance with everything else because there are not a lot of bad proposals coming forward. There are a lot of good proposals, you just can’t do them all in any given year. So you pick your priority and balance the rest and I think we accomplished that. I am definitely hearing the most in my constituency on the health care challenges and this budget has the increases in those challenges, specifically getting staff within our hospitals but also with our surgical wait lists.”
In addition, Harpauer noted there were also significant increases to areas affecting those most vulnerable. “For affordability, we definitely targeted the lower income in this budget by increasing almost all of our lower income programs. Overall there is something in there for everyone. Whether it is health care services closer to home, if you have a child in school or if you are a low income individual, there is something in there for you. I think we have come to a very good balance with the revenues that we have. I think the really positive thing is that our revenue is strong and it is a good indication that the province is growing. Our population is the highest it has ever been and I am quite optimistic on the future of our province.”
As the budget was unveiled, Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck and Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon did not quite view it the same way as Harpauer.
“If you’re a parent struggling to make ends meet, this budget does not help you. If you’re a young person in this province hoping for investments in your future, this budget does not help you. If you’re a burnt-out healthcare worker, this budget does not help you. If you’re a student in an overcrowded classroom, this budget does not help you,” said Beck. “Budgets are about choices, and the Sask. Party chooses to neglect the issues keeping regular people up at night.”
The NDP stated “despite sitting on massive resource revenues, the budget provides no tax relief, no new tax credits or benefits for families, and no reversal of the Sask. Party’s recent energy and power rate hikes.
“Only 15 percent of folks say they’re better off financially now compared to a year ago. We have the second highest rates of financial insecurity in Canada and despite the government sitting on massive resource revenues there’s not a stitch of serious cost relief for ordinary Saskatchewan families,” said Beck.
Beck also pointed out that this budget fails to rise to the challenges within the health system. “Our health system is on the verge of collapse and we still don’t see funding to support family docs, team-based care or community health advisory networks. They had a chance to bring forward an ambitious plan for our health system and they blew it. Instead, they’re ploughing forward with the same old plan that the provincial auditor lambasted.”
Daniel Bushman
With a projected $1 billion surplus, no new taxes or tax increases and placing a priority on health care, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer tabled Saskatchewan’s 2023-‘24 Provincial Budget Mar. 22.
According to the budget, Saskatchewan’s economy is expected to lead all provinces in growth in 2022 with momentum forecast to continue in 2023. “This budget is designed to ensure that growth continues and that it’s growth that works for everyone,” said Harpauer.
With that momentum expected to roll into 2023, revenue of $19.7 billion is also forecast, up $2.5 billion or 14.7 percent, from last year’s budget. The higher revenue forecast is largely due to $9.6 billion in taxation revenue, a $1.5 billion increase over last year with Corporate Income, Personal Income and Provincial Sales Tax revenue. Non-renewable resource revenue is forecast to be $3.3 billion, up $435 million over last year’s budget, and largely driven by solid potash and oil price expectations.
“With a growing economy and strong finances in Saskatchewan, our government will pay down up to $1 billion in operating debt this fiscal year, reducing interest costs and investing those savings into needed services, programs and capital,” Harpauer shared.
Explaining the budget is a lot of work to put together each year, looking at the substantial document, the MLA for Humboldt-Watrous said being able to apply the surplus towards debt will be positive and extremely important for Saskatchewan. “It is to lessen the burden on future generations because the more you accumulate in debt, the higher interest payments you make.”
By writing off the debt by $1 billion, the Finance Minister explained it will save $44 million of interest savings in this budget. Then by adding it to the $1 billion written off in the last budget, over the course of an entire year, cumulatively Harpauer stated it will equate to $117 million in interest savings. “That can then go to health care or education or other priorities that people want to see.”
The second thing Harpauer felt was important when it came to paying off debt is not relying too heavily on resource revenue. “The surplus is largely driven by the high price of potash and oil but when you incorporate it into ongoing operating costs and those prices fall then you don’t know where the money will come from. I have been quite vocal on how I don’t think that is responsible. Therefore, I want to be very cautious on how much of the resource revenue we rely on for our day to day expenses. So in this budget, the expenses are being covered by resource revenue of 12.5 percent. I think that is sustainable into the future and that sustainability is quite important to me.”
With a vested interest in her own constituency, Harpauer shared how this year’s budget will benefit those within the Humboldt-Watrous region.
Health Care
Placing a substantial priority on health care, Harpauer said, “This budget delivers a 6.7 percent increase to the Ministry of Health to $6.9 billion, strengthening the health care system and taking significant steps to further attract, train and retain doctors, nurses and other key health care
professionals in a growing province.”
Citing it is a huge concern in both Watrous and Lanigan when it comes to staff shortages within the health care sector, Harpauer said the budget includes $98.8 million, an increase of $82.7 million over last year’s budget, for the Health Human Resources (HHR) action plan. The plan, funded through the ministries of Health, Advanced Education and Immigration and Career Training, aims to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care professionals.
Harpauer also noted the government has committed dollars to convert part-time positions into full-time positions. “That is something we are hearing from our smaller facilities, is too many positions are part-time and nobody is interested in a part-time job when they have the professional training. We are hoping that will help more of those positions become full-time.”
Understanding results will not be immediate when it comes to training more workers, Harpauer said over time those numbers will eventually increase within health care professions throughout the province.
Incentive packages have also been drawn up for health care professionals willing to work in rural areas like Watrous and Lanigan as another way of attracting more people to rural centres.
Also in health care, funding is being increased for EMS services. “They are finding it harder to recruit so our Minister of Rural Remote Health is working with the association in order to help them know where this funding needs to go.”
Another focus within the health care sector Harpauer feels is important is placing more funding into surgeries. “We are hearing people are concerned with needing hip and knee surgeries. We put in funding so we are going to do 6,000 more surgeries which will bring our total surgeries to the highest its ever been in any given year to 103,000.”
In addition to those pieces contained within the health care budget, the Saskatchewan government has also invested $518 million into mental health and addictions programs and services, including a targeted investment of $12.4 million over last year, representing the highest investment ever in Saskatchewan for these programs and services. Mental health and addictions funding now makes up 7.5 percent of overall health spending.
Agriculture
With agriculture a big focus in her constituency, Harpauer noted record high coverage has been added in crop insurance at $446/acre. “That will mean the premiums will be a little bit higher but the coverage is significant. Then in Agri-Stability we have increased the compensation rate from 70 percent to 80 percent which will make producers quite happy.”
Economy and municipalities
When it comes to the economy, the budget includes $503 million of direct provincial support to municipalities, an increase of $54.5 million or 12.2 percent over last year’s budget. That is primarily due to higher revenue sharing, the provincial portion of infrastructure funding and a number of grants and initiatives from across government.
Harpauer said that means when it comes to municipal revenue sharing, Watrous is going to see $446,864, an increase from last year’s total of $393,816. Lanigan will see $348,092 while it was $306,822 last year. “So this year’s municipal revenue sharing is quite up.”
Education
From an education standpoint, the budget includes more than $4 billion for Prekindergarten to Grade 12 and post-secondary education.
The Ministry of Education is providing record investment of $3.1 billion, an increase of $192.8 million or 6.7 percent over last year, to support schools, early learning, child care and libraries. Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions will receive $2 billion in operating funding, an increase of $49.4 million over last year with Horizon School Division seeing a three percent increase to their budget, according to Harpauer.
Approach to a budget
Trying to provide funds to each sector, for a budget, Harpauer said discussions are conducted in advance before a decision is made. After listening to people from constituencies, MLAs share what they are hearing the most and what is causing the greatest concern. “This year for sure our priority was health care and the health budget has increased by 6.7 percent which is a fairly large increase in a budget that is ultimately our largest budget.”
After placing a priority on a sector like health care, Harpauer said, “Then you balance with everything else because there are not a lot of bad proposals coming forward. There are a lot of good proposals, you just can’t do them all in any given year. So you pick your priority and balance the rest and I think we accomplished that. I am definitely hearing the most in my constituency on the health care challenges and this budget has the increases in those challenges, specifically getting staff within our hospitals but also with our surgical wait lists.”
In addition, Harpauer noted there were also significant increases to areas affecting those most vulnerable. “For affordability, we definitely targeted the lower income in this budget by increasing almost all of our lower income programs. Overall there is something in there for everyone. Whether it is health care services closer to home, if you have a child in school or if you are a low income individual, there is something in there for you. I think we have come to a very good balance with the revenues that we have. I think the really positive thing is that our revenue is strong and it is a good indication that the province is growing. Our population is the highest it has ever been and I am quite optimistic on the future of our province.”
As the budget was unveiled, Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck and Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon did not quite view it the same way as Harpauer.
“If you’re a parent struggling to make ends meet, this budget does not help you. If you’re a young person in this province hoping for investments in your future, this budget does not help you. If you’re a burnt-out healthcare worker, this budget does not help you. If you’re a student in an overcrowded classroom, this budget does not help you,” said Beck. “Budgets are about choices, and the Sask. Party chooses to neglect the issues keeping regular people up at night.”
The NDP stated “despite sitting on massive resource revenues, the budget provides no tax relief, no new tax credits or benefits for families, and no reversal of the Sask. Party’s recent energy and power rate hikes.
“Only 15 percent of folks say they’re better off financially now compared to a year ago. We have the second highest rates of financial insecurity in Canada and despite the government sitting on massive resource revenues there’s not a stitch of serious cost relief for ordinary Saskatchewan families,” said Beck.
Beck also pointed out that this budget fails to rise to the challenges within the health system. “Our health system is on the verge of collapse and we still don’t see funding to support family docs, team-based care or community health advisory networks. They had a chance to bring forward an ambitious plan for our health system and they blew it. Instead, they’re ploughing forward with the same old plan that the provincial auditor lambasted.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 27, 2023
Canucks claim provincial title on home ice
Daniel Bushman
Seeking back to back Senior A provincial championships and with fans packing the Drake Sportsplex for game two, the Drake Canucks took aim at winning a second consecutive title on home ice. Just like last year’s provincial win against Meadow Lake, the Drake Canucks sought a sweep against the high-flying Wynyard Monarchs Mar. 19.
With a massive opening series win over Kindersley (3-2 and 4-1) followed by a deciding third game 7-3 victory over Hafford/Edam, the Canucks met Wynyard in the Senior A provincial final where they came back to edge the Monarchs in game one 5-4. Looking to duplicate its opening game heroics from Wynyard, Drake played host for game two Sunday, Mar. 19 at 5 p.m.
As was the case against Meadow Lake in 2022, spectators had to arrive early as hundreds of people took in the contest. With the arena buzzing well before game time, following warm ups and O Canada, the puck was dropped and game two officially got underway.
Hoping to avoid a slower start like in game one, Drake found itself in penalty trouble early on. Wanting to even the series, the Monarchs went right to work on the power play as Kohl Bauml tallied just 1:36 into the frame. With Drake netminder Calvin Bartel down to make the initial save, as players jostled for position near his crease, he ended up flat on the ice and well out of his net following the goal. After the marker, officials gathered to talk about whether a goaltender interference call should be assessed and the goal disallowed. Following a brief discussion, the goal stood and Wynyard led 1-0.
Down by one, Drake looked to respond during a tense first period. Waiting for the right break, with just over two minutes remaining, the Canucks had a great chance to tie the game. Unable to connect, a couple of players got caught deep in Wynyard territory and the Monarchs scooped up the puck and barrelled down the ice. With an odd-man rush, Josh Jordan and Kohl Bauml set up Jesse Forsberg in the high slot and he was able to make it 2-0 with 2:10 to play.
Despite the late period marker, the Canucks quickly replied, connecting with one minute left as assistant captain John Lawrence made it 2-1. With the crowd in a frenzy, the volume was turned up even louder as the Monarchs were assessed a penalty which carried over into the second period.
As teams left the ice following the opening 20 minutes, spectators remained where they were so as not to lose their spot. Following a flood, the two clubs returned to the ice and the Canucks took aim at tying the game on the power play.
With shots all knotted up at 10 a piece through the opening frame, after the puck dropped to signal period two, Drake headed right into Monarch territory. Going to work with the man advantage, 57 seconds after the middle stanza started, the Canucks connected as Travis Mayan scored from Isaac Schacher and John Lawrence to make it 2-2.
Back to even on the scoreboard, momentum shifted Drake’s way and they began to take over in the shot department. Despite out shooting Wynyard in the early going of the second period, the Monarchs were able to collect the next goal as Alex Forsberg slid one past Bartel with just under 14:30 left to retake the lead.
While the Canucks found themselves down, once again it did not take long for a reply. With 13:52 left on the clock, Eric Roy received a feed from Travis Mayan and he blasted the puck into the net to tie the game at three.
A physical contest throughout, things continued to heat up in period two as Wynyard was assessed five penalties while Drake received two. Putting the teams four on four for part of the middle frame, each had more space to maneuver. With players from both sides coming and going to the penalty box, the Canucks eventually would get a power play and went to work. With 12:38 left, just 1:14 after Roy’s goal that tied the game, the defenceman spotted Blair and the captain pushed his team ahead.
Leading 4-3 and outshooting Wynyard 17-12 to that point, Drake remained on the power play. Working in the Monarch zone and with 11:06 on the clock, Blair once again got the puck from Roy, this time at the side of the net. With the goalie and a pair of defenders anticipating a shot from the blueliner, Roy instead sent it to Cameron, fooling everyone, and Blair made no mistake to give his team a 5-3 lead. With the secondary helper going to Mayan on the club’s fifth goal, the trio of Cameron Blair, Eric Roy and Travis Mayan all contributed on the last three markers, coming in a span of 2:54.
Up by a pair, Drake held Wynyard off the scoreboard for the remainder of the frame and at the buzzer outshot its opponent 23-20 through 40 minutes and 13-10 in period two.
Knowing there was just 20 minutes remaining and hoping to secure the win, the Canucks came out focused in the third. With Roy and Schacher controlling the puck, the pair were able to take valuable time off the clock for a good portion of the period. With good puck movement and playing more cautiously, Drake kept the contest in hand until late in the stanza.
With less than three minutes to go, the Canucks were assessed three high sticking calls, one with 2:39 to play, a second with 2:29 on the clock and a third with 1:04 to go. Those would put the team down two players and provide the Monarchs with the opportunity they needed to tie the game.
Hoping to notch a pair of goals while looking for a third, with less than two minutes to play, Wynyard tugged its netminder to make it a six on three advantage. Hemming Drake in its own end, the Monarchs connected with 1:40 to go as Alex Forsberg and Jesse Forsberg set up Parker Thomas to make it 5-4. Still with a power play, Wynyard took aim at tying the game and 40 seconds later, would be aided by a high sticking infraction to Drake.
On pins and needles and up by one, the home fans nervously watched from the stands as the Canucks went down two players with 1:04 remaining. Having only three defenders on the ice for Drake, a flurry of chances by Wynyard put everyone on high alert. Filling their lanes and with Bartel standing tall in net, the Canucks were able to get possession of the puck, clearing the zone. With time running out, the Monarchs gave one last effort but Blair snagged the puck and drove deep into the opposing end, pinning himself in the corner and letting the clock wind down.
At the buzzer, the Drake Sportsplex erupted as the Canucks secured a thrilling 5-4 win, sweeping Wynyard in the Senior A provincial final to collect a second straight championship on home ice.
With sticks and gloves flying in celebration and fans cheering on their team, the win marked Drake’s second ever Senior A provincial title. In recognition of the effort from both sides, provincial plaques were handed out, and a banner and trophy were presented by Hockey Sask General Manager Kelly McClintock.
The win at home gave Drake its 13th senior title, previously winning Senior A in 2022, Senior B in 2012, Senior C in 2010 and 2005, and Senior D in 2013, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1990, 1978, 1976, and 1974. While no other team in Saskatchewan has won A, B, C, and D, according to Hockey Sask, Drake ranks only behind Kindersley (15) and Shellbrook (14), and now tied Wilkie (13) for total overall senior titles.
Winning five of those championships for Drake as a player and now five as a coach, Duane McLaren said being able to go back to back in Senior A was a special feeling. “It is pretty amazing but we have lost enough times over the years where it feels almost like a bit of relief to win.”
With a pair of power play markers in the final game, Cameron Blair said it was exciting to win the championship. “We were going through a lot of teams each series and it could’ve went either way. We were down against Kindersley in game one and were short players in game two. Hafford/Edam took us to three games and against Wynyard, we were down two goals in both games and found a way in each game to come back and win. It is always exciting to win and pretty special to do.”
Reflecting back on the provincial run, McLaren shared that while every round was tough, game two against Kindersley was a key part of the team’s provincial success. “I feel that game is where the team figured out what it would take to win and they bought in. That was probably the turning point for the whole run.”
Comparing last year’s Senior A title to this year, McLaren noted the biggest difference was the team and the new guys that came in. “They fit in unbelievably and I think that has something to do with the dressing room we had. Everybody fit in and worked hard towards the same goal.”
Blair also shared how the group comprised of different players from the Long Lake Hockey League came together quickly. “We have had quite a run in with the Foam Lake guys over the past few years since they joined the LLHL and it was nice to play alongside them instead of against them. As soon as they said they were on board, they were all in. They were coming to every practice and in the city, did everything as a group. It is tough to come together and be such a tight-knit team in a little run like this but I think it would be fair to say we all came together and we all had the common goal and we got it done.”
The captain also noted the importance of people stepping up when players would go down to injury. “David Stumborg, a vocal leader and superstar defenceman, broke his hand in game one of provincials and everyone else on the backend bought in and pulled together to make up for David’s ice time. In game three against Edam/Hafford, Maguire Scheidt hurt his shoulder taking a hit to make a play to help us punch our ticket to the final. Without guys being able to pay the price and step up for the guys who got hurt along the way, we would not have won anything. It says a lot about the character of the guys in the room.”
Another one of those leaders who has been a big part of the team over the years is netminder Calvin Bartel. On the provincial winning squad last year, Bartel was unable to dress in the final game against Meadow Lake but this year got the opportunity to do so and made the most of it.
“You could tell through the whole provincials he was dialed in this year,” said McLaren who started the netminder every game. “He was getting that last start no matter what.”
Making key saves during the run to the title, once the final buzzer sounded and Drake captured its second straight championship on home ice, Blair knew exactly who was getting the trophy first.
“That was what I wanted to do last year because he had been here for a long time. I know it is not easy being a goalie sometimes where maybe there are nights where you are sick and can’t play but you still go in the net. He toughed it out this series and even against Kindersley for game two, I didn’t know how he could play but he found a way and stood on his head. To be able to hoist the trophy first, he is a big part of this team and the community.”
Along with Bartel’s tremendous effort in net, McLaren also echoed similar praise about his captain. “You know you are getting 110 percent every night from him and I think that kind of drives everybody else also.”
That was evident in the last game as the Canucks battled back from a deficit and then were able to take the lead courtesy of Blair’s two power play markers and hold on for the victory. “That was a very tough game,” said McLaren. “Especially when most of our players know a lot of their players. They really wanted to win and they were going to do whatever it took.”
Applying pressure right through the contest, special teams were a factor and at the end of the day, Blair remarked it worked out in Drake’s favour. “In the second period, it was power play, penalty kill and back and forth. It felt like the period took an hour although it was tough to complain about how good our power play was rolling. But at the end of the game when we got into penalty trouble, it was pretty crazy. You definitely gripped the stick a little tighter at the end.”
As the seconds ticked down and the final buzzer went, once the celebration began, having his dad, uncle, brothers and Trey Daelick, who is also part of the family on the team was something Cameron will remember for a long time. “It was pretty special to win it with them. It was fun and really awesome.”
With another banner going up in the rink and smiles from those who packed the Drake Sportsplex, both the head coach and captain acknowledged the tremendous support from the fans and community throughout the season.
“Our fans have always been very good,” stated McLaren. “They support, they help out and the community has always supported us and that is big. People like Scott Blair doing all the managerial work, Darren Blair helping out on the bench, Greg and Denise Howat doing all the work they do is unbelievable and Gord and Dianne Siegfried and Bob Bergen as well. It would be hard to be able to do what we are able to do without them and others.”
Also not wanting to forget anyone, Blair said there are a lot of people behind the scenes who make things run, allowing the team to be successful. “After every game, Denise Howat has a meal for us. Her and Greg are always running the 50/50 and Gord and Dianne Siegfried are running the front door. Herb Friesen is at the rink doing the ice and maintaining everything and even our coaches are a big part as well. Duane comes every single game hauling the equipment trailer and helps pack and unpack bags. My dad Scott and uncle Darren are also helping a lot. It is truly remarkable and it is tough to put into words how much appreciation I have for them for the hours they put in. It shows how much they care too and it is awesome.”
That passion and those stories about people volunteering and doing whatever they can to help are remarkable. In the case of Cameron, it is no different as his family was in the midst of calving while embarking on a provincial run. “When we went into overtime against Kindersley, my dad had to leave the bench, go home, pull a calf, and come back as the game was ending. For him to do all that and then my mom has had to miss some games to take care of the farm too, when we are all gone, for her to look after the farm means a lot. And that is just our little story. There are so many other stories where somebody is looking after somebody and taking care of kids or whoever to make sure someone can come to the game and that is really special.”
The 2022-‘23 provincial team included: Calvin Bartel (35), Justin McDonald (30), Mason Briske (1), Catlin Gusikoski (3), Eric Roy (4), David Stumborg (5), Carter Hansen (6), Maguire Blair (7), Nayte Zip (8), Terrell Draude (9), Austin McDonald (10), Zach Zadorozniak (11), Karstin McDonald (12), Emmett Scheidt (14), Nolan Blair (15), Austin Calladine (16), Cameron Blair (17), Trey Daelick (18), Maguire Scheidt (19), Carter Coben (20), Steven Toporowski (21), Andrew Johnson (22), Travis Mayan (24), Isaac Schacher (27), John Lawrence (28), Head Coach Duane McLaren, Assistant Coach Darren Blair, and Manager Scott Blair.
Daniel Bushman
Seeking back to back Senior A provincial championships and with fans packing the Drake Sportsplex for game two, the Drake Canucks took aim at winning a second consecutive title on home ice. Just like last year’s provincial win against Meadow Lake, the Drake Canucks sought a sweep against the high-flying Wynyard Monarchs Mar. 19.
With a massive opening series win over Kindersley (3-2 and 4-1) followed by a deciding third game 7-3 victory over Hafford/Edam, the Canucks met Wynyard in the Senior A provincial final where they came back to edge the Monarchs in game one 5-4. Looking to duplicate its opening game heroics from Wynyard, Drake played host for game two Sunday, Mar. 19 at 5 p.m.
As was the case against Meadow Lake in 2022, spectators had to arrive early as hundreds of people took in the contest. With the arena buzzing well before game time, following warm ups and O Canada, the puck was dropped and game two officially got underway.
Hoping to avoid a slower start like in game one, Drake found itself in penalty trouble early on. Wanting to even the series, the Monarchs went right to work on the power play as Kohl Bauml tallied just 1:36 into the frame. With Drake netminder Calvin Bartel down to make the initial save, as players jostled for position near his crease, he ended up flat on the ice and well out of his net following the goal. After the marker, officials gathered to talk about whether a goaltender interference call should be assessed and the goal disallowed. Following a brief discussion, the goal stood and Wynyard led 1-0.
Down by one, Drake looked to respond during a tense first period. Waiting for the right break, with just over two minutes remaining, the Canucks had a great chance to tie the game. Unable to connect, a couple of players got caught deep in Wynyard territory and the Monarchs scooped up the puck and barrelled down the ice. With an odd-man rush, Josh Jordan and Kohl Bauml set up Jesse Forsberg in the high slot and he was able to make it 2-0 with 2:10 to play.
Despite the late period marker, the Canucks quickly replied, connecting with one minute left as assistant captain John Lawrence made it 2-1. With the crowd in a frenzy, the volume was turned up even louder as the Monarchs were assessed a penalty which carried over into the second period.
As teams left the ice following the opening 20 minutes, spectators remained where they were so as not to lose their spot. Following a flood, the two clubs returned to the ice and the Canucks took aim at tying the game on the power play.
With shots all knotted up at 10 a piece through the opening frame, after the puck dropped to signal period two, Drake headed right into Monarch territory. Going to work with the man advantage, 57 seconds after the middle stanza started, the Canucks connected as Travis Mayan scored from Isaac Schacher and John Lawrence to make it 2-2.
Back to even on the scoreboard, momentum shifted Drake’s way and they began to take over in the shot department. Despite out shooting Wynyard in the early going of the second period, the Monarchs were able to collect the next goal as Alex Forsberg slid one past Bartel with just under 14:30 left to retake the lead.
While the Canucks found themselves down, once again it did not take long for a reply. With 13:52 left on the clock, Eric Roy received a feed from Travis Mayan and he blasted the puck into the net to tie the game at three.
A physical contest throughout, things continued to heat up in period two as Wynyard was assessed five penalties while Drake received two. Putting the teams four on four for part of the middle frame, each had more space to maneuver. With players from both sides coming and going to the penalty box, the Canucks eventually would get a power play and went to work. With 12:38 left, just 1:14 after Roy’s goal that tied the game, the defenceman spotted Blair and the captain pushed his team ahead.
Leading 4-3 and outshooting Wynyard 17-12 to that point, Drake remained on the power play. Working in the Monarch zone and with 11:06 on the clock, Blair once again got the puck from Roy, this time at the side of the net. With the goalie and a pair of defenders anticipating a shot from the blueliner, Roy instead sent it to Cameron, fooling everyone, and Blair made no mistake to give his team a 5-3 lead. With the secondary helper going to Mayan on the club’s fifth goal, the trio of Cameron Blair, Eric Roy and Travis Mayan all contributed on the last three markers, coming in a span of 2:54.
Up by a pair, Drake held Wynyard off the scoreboard for the remainder of the frame and at the buzzer outshot its opponent 23-20 through 40 minutes and 13-10 in period two.
Knowing there was just 20 minutes remaining and hoping to secure the win, the Canucks came out focused in the third. With Roy and Schacher controlling the puck, the pair were able to take valuable time off the clock for a good portion of the period. With good puck movement and playing more cautiously, Drake kept the contest in hand until late in the stanza.
With less than three minutes to go, the Canucks were assessed three high sticking calls, one with 2:39 to play, a second with 2:29 on the clock and a third with 1:04 to go. Those would put the team down two players and provide the Monarchs with the opportunity they needed to tie the game.
Hoping to notch a pair of goals while looking for a third, with less than two minutes to play, Wynyard tugged its netminder to make it a six on three advantage. Hemming Drake in its own end, the Monarchs connected with 1:40 to go as Alex Forsberg and Jesse Forsberg set up Parker Thomas to make it 5-4. Still with a power play, Wynyard took aim at tying the game and 40 seconds later, would be aided by a high sticking infraction to Drake.
On pins and needles and up by one, the home fans nervously watched from the stands as the Canucks went down two players with 1:04 remaining. Having only three defenders on the ice for Drake, a flurry of chances by Wynyard put everyone on high alert. Filling their lanes and with Bartel standing tall in net, the Canucks were able to get possession of the puck, clearing the zone. With time running out, the Monarchs gave one last effort but Blair snagged the puck and drove deep into the opposing end, pinning himself in the corner and letting the clock wind down.
At the buzzer, the Drake Sportsplex erupted as the Canucks secured a thrilling 5-4 win, sweeping Wynyard in the Senior A provincial final to collect a second straight championship on home ice.
With sticks and gloves flying in celebration and fans cheering on their team, the win marked Drake’s second ever Senior A provincial title. In recognition of the effort from both sides, provincial plaques were handed out, and a banner and trophy were presented by Hockey Sask General Manager Kelly McClintock.
The win at home gave Drake its 13th senior title, previously winning Senior A in 2022, Senior B in 2012, Senior C in 2010 and 2005, and Senior D in 2013, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1990, 1978, 1976, and 1974. While no other team in Saskatchewan has won A, B, C, and D, according to Hockey Sask, Drake ranks only behind Kindersley (15) and Shellbrook (14), and now tied Wilkie (13) for total overall senior titles.
Winning five of those championships for Drake as a player and now five as a coach, Duane McLaren said being able to go back to back in Senior A was a special feeling. “It is pretty amazing but we have lost enough times over the years where it feels almost like a bit of relief to win.”
With a pair of power play markers in the final game, Cameron Blair said it was exciting to win the championship. “We were going through a lot of teams each series and it could’ve went either way. We were down against Kindersley in game one and were short players in game two. Hafford/Edam took us to three games and against Wynyard, we were down two goals in both games and found a way in each game to come back and win. It is always exciting to win and pretty special to do.”
Reflecting back on the provincial run, McLaren shared that while every round was tough, game two against Kindersley was a key part of the team’s provincial success. “I feel that game is where the team figured out what it would take to win and they bought in. That was probably the turning point for the whole run.”
Comparing last year’s Senior A title to this year, McLaren noted the biggest difference was the team and the new guys that came in. “They fit in unbelievably and I think that has something to do with the dressing room we had. Everybody fit in and worked hard towards the same goal.”
Blair also shared how the group comprised of different players from the Long Lake Hockey League came together quickly. “We have had quite a run in with the Foam Lake guys over the past few years since they joined the LLHL and it was nice to play alongside them instead of against them. As soon as they said they were on board, they were all in. They were coming to every practice and in the city, did everything as a group. It is tough to come together and be such a tight-knit team in a little run like this but I think it would be fair to say we all came together and we all had the common goal and we got it done.”
The captain also noted the importance of people stepping up when players would go down to injury. “David Stumborg, a vocal leader and superstar defenceman, broke his hand in game one of provincials and everyone else on the backend bought in and pulled together to make up for David’s ice time. In game three against Edam/Hafford, Maguire Scheidt hurt his shoulder taking a hit to make a play to help us punch our ticket to the final. Without guys being able to pay the price and step up for the guys who got hurt along the way, we would not have won anything. It says a lot about the character of the guys in the room.”
Another one of those leaders who has been a big part of the team over the years is netminder Calvin Bartel. On the provincial winning squad last year, Bartel was unable to dress in the final game against Meadow Lake but this year got the opportunity to do so and made the most of it.
“You could tell through the whole provincials he was dialed in this year,” said McLaren who started the netminder every game. “He was getting that last start no matter what.”
Making key saves during the run to the title, once the final buzzer sounded and Drake captured its second straight championship on home ice, Blair knew exactly who was getting the trophy first.
“That was what I wanted to do last year because he had been here for a long time. I know it is not easy being a goalie sometimes where maybe there are nights where you are sick and can’t play but you still go in the net. He toughed it out this series and even against Kindersley for game two, I didn’t know how he could play but he found a way and stood on his head. To be able to hoist the trophy first, he is a big part of this team and the community.”
Along with Bartel’s tremendous effort in net, McLaren also echoed similar praise about his captain. “You know you are getting 110 percent every night from him and I think that kind of drives everybody else also.”
That was evident in the last game as the Canucks battled back from a deficit and then were able to take the lead courtesy of Blair’s two power play markers and hold on for the victory. “That was a very tough game,” said McLaren. “Especially when most of our players know a lot of their players. They really wanted to win and they were going to do whatever it took.”
Applying pressure right through the contest, special teams were a factor and at the end of the day, Blair remarked it worked out in Drake’s favour. “In the second period, it was power play, penalty kill and back and forth. It felt like the period took an hour although it was tough to complain about how good our power play was rolling. But at the end of the game when we got into penalty trouble, it was pretty crazy. You definitely gripped the stick a little tighter at the end.”
As the seconds ticked down and the final buzzer went, once the celebration began, having his dad, uncle, brothers and Trey Daelick, who is also part of the family on the team was something Cameron will remember for a long time. “It was pretty special to win it with them. It was fun and really awesome.”
With another banner going up in the rink and smiles from those who packed the Drake Sportsplex, both the head coach and captain acknowledged the tremendous support from the fans and community throughout the season.
“Our fans have always been very good,” stated McLaren. “They support, they help out and the community has always supported us and that is big. People like Scott Blair doing all the managerial work, Darren Blair helping out on the bench, Greg and Denise Howat doing all the work they do is unbelievable and Gord and Dianne Siegfried and Bob Bergen as well. It would be hard to be able to do what we are able to do without them and others.”
Also not wanting to forget anyone, Blair said there are a lot of people behind the scenes who make things run, allowing the team to be successful. “After every game, Denise Howat has a meal for us. Her and Greg are always running the 50/50 and Gord and Dianne Siegfried are running the front door. Herb Friesen is at the rink doing the ice and maintaining everything and even our coaches are a big part as well. Duane comes every single game hauling the equipment trailer and helps pack and unpack bags. My dad Scott and uncle Darren are also helping a lot. It is truly remarkable and it is tough to put into words how much appreciation I have for them for the hours they put in. It shows how much they care too and it is awesome.”
That passion and those stories about people volunteering and doing whatever they can to help are remarkable. In the case of Cameron, it is no different as his family was in the midst of calving while embarking on a provincial run. “When we went into overtime against Kindersley, my dad had to leave the bench, go home, pull a calf, and come back as the game was ending. For him to do all that and then my mom has had to miss some games to take care of the farm too, when we are all gone, for her to look after the farm means a lot. And that is just our little story. There are so many other stories where somebody is looking after somebody and taking care of kids or whoever to make sure someone can come to the game and that is really special.”
The 2022-‘23 provincial team included: Calvin Bartel (35), Justin McDonald (30), Mason Briske (1), Catlin Gusikoski (3), Eric Roy (4), David Stumborg (5), Carter Hansen (6), Maguire Blair (7), Nayte Zip (8), Terrell Draude (9), Austin McDonald (10), Zach Zadorozniak (11), Karstin McDonald (12), Emmett Scheidt (14), Nolan Blair (15), Austin Calladine (16), Cameron Blair (17), Trey Daelick (18), Maguire Scheidt (19), Carter Coben (20), Steven Toporowski (21), Andrew Johnson (22), Travis Mayan (24), Isaac Schacher (27), John Lawrence (28), Head Coach Duane McLaren, Assistant Coach Darren Blair, and Manager Scott Blair.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 20, 2023
Saskatchewan records third most tornadoes in 2022
Daniel Bushman
With at least three twisters in the local area near Manitou Beach, Allan and Young in 2022, and more spotted throughout the province, it should come as no surprise that Saskatchewan ranked near the top of the list when it came to the most tornadoes in Canada.
That is according to the 2022 annual report from Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) which has been undertaking a comprehensive analyses of active events since 2017. Launching from Western University and detecting, surveying, and documenting tornadoes and other damaging wind events across Canada, from its 2022 data, NTP indicated Ontario recorded the most tornadoes over land (43 events) with eight more over water. Quebec came in second with 26 tornadoes followed by Saskatchewan with 25 (seven on June 29 alone). NTP indicated no tornadoes were rated higher than EF2 in 2022 but multiple provinces experienced EF2 events in 2022 including Ontario (14), Quebec (seven), Saskatchewan (four), and Alberta (two).
As a whole, the Prairies experienced 39 confirmed tornadoes with 33 of them hitting during a peak period of mid-June to mid-August while in Ontario and Quebec, 77 tornadoes were recorded in 2022. NTP data showed the total number of tornadoes spanning Canada during the 2022 season tied for the highest its recorded at 117 (and closer to the 150 they thought might be occurring based on statistical analysis).
To accumulate its data including registering the trio of twisters near Manitou Beach, Allan and Young, in its report, NTP conducted 447 investigations, 392 planet satellite surveys, 34 ground surveys, 30 drone surveys and 12 aircraft surveys. Hoping to better detect and document tornado occurrences while improving communication and reducing harm to people and property, the team at NTP shared the 2022 tornado season began in mid-May and ended in late-September, “shorter than the six month stretch of active weather observed in recent years.”
Of the verified events in 2022, in its report, NTP said 106 were over land, 11 over water, 94 were downburst, 36 non-tornadic vortex, 18 unclassified wind damage, and 35 unclassified visual vortex.
Noting June 29 was a busy day for tornadoes in the Prairies, nine hit from Alberta to Manitoba including one near Manitou Beach. First forming northeast of Young around 3 p.m., as the system moved southeast, it was not long until a funnel dropped from the sky. Hitting near the south shores of Little Manitou Lake, approximately
eight kilometres east of Young and about 11 kms west of Manitou Beach and Watrous, the rotating twister went from a grey hue to a darker brown as it began sucking up dirt and debris from the ground. Lasting for about 15 minutes as it moved through part of Allan and Steven Leslie’s pasture land toward Watrous and Manitou Beach, it knocked over some trees before disappearing.
In an interview last year with The Watrous Manitou, Steven Leslie confirmed the land spout twister had gone through part of the family’s land. “There were a bunch of trees that were knocked over but thankfully there was really nothing else that was damaged.”
Having never witnessed a tornado in person before, Watrous resident Doug Thomas was enjoying an afternoon at Manitou Beach with his family when the twister hit. Like Leslie, Thomas shared with The Watrous Manitou last year he noticed a number of people on the beach looking west and pointing at a little funnel coming down from the back of a dark cloud. Noticing a skinny tongue of grey darting in and out of the funnel toward the ground, after a few minutes Doug thought it was dissipating. Recording videos of the event, just as he figured everything was coming to a conclusion, a dust storm began to form. Shortly after that, the rotating funnel joined up to create a large column.
Guernsey resident Al Bowman was working for the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground that day and also spotted the clouds forming over Little Manitou Lake. Capturing the event on a time lapse which eventually went viral, Bowman would conduct interviews from all over the place like Austria, France, the United States and Canada asking what happened that day.
Like Bowman, Thomas also posted his videos on social media and they started to garner attention. “By the end of the afternoon my phone was buzzing non-stop with notifications and the number of views quickly grew into the thousands.”
Looking back on that day, the pair were amazed at the tornado and also thankful no one was hurt.
Rating tornadoes on strength and damage using the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF) with a zero being the weakest and a five the most powerful, in the case of the twister near Manitou Beach, NTP said it was rated EF2 over land. Occurring around 3 p.m. it was tracked at 7.47 kms with a width of 210 m and max wind speeds of 190 km/h. While not as lengthy, the event near Allan and Young came a few weeks later. At 11:11 a.m. on July 15, the tornado near Allan was tracked at 0.85 km over land with a max width of 160 m. There was no wind speed data available and no definite EF rating. The event by Young later that day at 1:05 p.m. did not have any data but could be spotted southwest of town and from motorists going from Watrous to Young.
As for having multiple tornadoes in Saskatchewan during the same day, in an interview last year with The Watrous Manitou, Terri Lang, Services Meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated it can happen. “We do tend to get them once or twice a season but the last few years due to drought conditions there has not been the storms that Saskatchewan normally experiences.”
With Saskatchewan being a hot spot for tornadoes, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Top 10 Weather Events in 2022, the active weather in the Prairies throughout July put it seventh on the list.
Compiled by David Phillips with Environment and Climate Change Canada, at least four powerful and dangerous July storms spanned from Alberta to Manitoba. Bringing heavy rain, large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes, the storms inflicted millions of dollars in property damages.
On the afternoon of July 7, Phillips shared the first severe super thunderstorm developed over central and southern Alberta spawning an EF2 tornado with wind speeds between 180 and 190 km/h. The next day, four tornadoes were spotted in parts of Saskatchewan near Paynton and Blaine Lake on July 8, followed by a small, non-destructive tornado near Argyle, Man. on July 9.
The second storm system developed on July 15 across the Alberta foothills including large hailstones before entering Saskatchewan the next day.
A third storm complex started in Alberta on July 18 just west of Medicine Hat, triggering an EF2 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 190 km/h. Plough winds peaked between 100 and 115 km/h. leaving thousands of residents without power for several days. Localized flooding also occurred over many areas across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Storm number four ended July on a stormy note, with ever-present heat and humidity. Between July 29 to 31, the weather featured clusters of severe thunderstorms, including a couple of tornadoes, strong rotating or straight-line winds and flooding rains. While a tornado touched down in Coronation on July 31, another weak, non-destructive tornado struck between Kindersley and Swift Current.
Following the four major July storms, Phillips said property insurance damage, not counting crop losses, was nearly a quarter of a billion dollars across the Prairies, with Alberta suffering the majority of the loss.
While tornadoes and severe weather events in Saskatchewan are becoming more and more common, NTP hopes by accurately identifying areas at risk in a daily forecast will be an important step in heightening awareness and providing advance notice for those on the ground.
As for where the confirmed 2022 tornadoes were in Saskatchewan, NTP’s list includes: Caron (May 17), Furness (June 10), Maymont (June 10), Rheinfeld (June 20), Log Valley (June 23), Manitou Beach (June 29), Foam Lake (June 29), Cymric (two events on June 29), Serath (two events June 29), Arbury (June 29), Glidden (July 5), Smiley (July 5), Paynton (July 8), Lambert Lake (July 8), Oliver Lake (July 8), Blaine Lake (July 8), Allan (July 15), Young (July 15), Avonhurst (July 15), Radville (July 17), Lake Athabasca (July 25), Little Island Lake (Aug. 4), and Erinferry (Aug. 4).
Downbursts include: Langbank (June 19), McAdam Lake (June 26), Kelliher (July 10), Grenfell (July 15), Wapella (July 15), Moosomin (July 15), Red Jacket (July 15), Kerrobert (Aug. 2), Erinferry (Aug. 4), Amyot Lake (Aug. 4), Namekus Lake (Aug. 4), Watson (Aug. 13), and Kelvington (Aug. 13).
Unclassified wind damage include: Ocean Man First Nation (June 19), Churchbridge (June 23), Biggar (July 17), Halbrite (July 18), Lake Four (Aug. 4), and Kelvington (Aug. 13).
Unclassified visual vortex include: Forgan (June 13), Laporte (June 19), Melville (June 21), and Briercrest (July 26).
Non-tornadic vortices include: Indian Head (May 7), Bethune (May 8), Smuts (June 24), Hoosier (July 5), Hitchcock Bay (July 10), and Lloydminster (July 30).
Daniel Bushman
With at least three twisters in the local area near Manitou Beach, Allan and Young in 2022, and more spotted throughout the province, it should come as no surprise that Saskatchewan ranked near the top of the list when it came to the most tornadoes in Canada.
That is according to the 2022 annual report from Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) which has been undertaking a comprehensive analyses of active events since 2017. Launching from Western University and detecting, surveying, and documenting tornadoes and other damaging wind events across Canada, from its 2022 data, NTP indicated Ontario recorded the most tornadoes over land (43 events) with eight more over water. Quebec came in second with 26 tornadoes followed by Saskatchewan with 25 (seven on June 29 alone). NTP indicated no tornadoes were rated higher than EF2 in 2022 but multiple provinces experienced EF2 events in 2022 including Ontario (14), Quebec (seven), Saskatchewan (four), and Alberta (two).
As a whole, the Prairies experienced 39 confirmed tornadoes with 33 of them hitting during a peak period of mid-June to mid-August while in Ontario and Quebec, 77 tornadoes were recorded in 2022. NTP data showed the total number of tornadoes spanning Canada during the 2022 season tied for the highest its recorded at 117 (and closer to the 150 they thought might be occurring based on statistical analysis).
To accumulate its data including registering the trio of twisters near Manitou Beach, Allan and Young, in its report, NTP conducted 447 investigations, 392 planet satellite surveys, 34 ground surveys, 30 drone surveys and 12 aircraft surveys. Hoping to better detect and document tornado occurrences while improving communication and reducing harm to people and property, the team at NTP shared the 2022 tornado season began in mid-May and ended in late-September, “shorter than the six month stretch of active weather observed in recent years.”
Of the verified events in 2022, in its report, NTP said 106 were over land, 11 over water, 94 were downburst, 36 non-tornadic vortex, 18 unclassified wind damage, and 35 unclassified visual vortex.
Noting June 29 was a busy day for tornadoes in the Prairies, nine hit from Alberta to Manitoba including one near Manitou Beach. First forming northeast of Young around 3 p.m., as the system moved southeast, it was not long until a funnel dropped from the sky. Hitting near the south shores of Little Manitou Lake, approximately
eight kilometres east of Young and about 11 kms west of Manitou Beach and Watrous, the rotating twister went from a grey hue to a darker brown as it began sucking up dirt and debris from the ground. Lasting for about 15 minutes as it moved through part of Allan and Steven Leslie’s pasture land toward Watrous and Manitou Beach, it knocked over some trees before disappearing.
In an interview last year with The Watrous Manitou, Steven Leslie confirmed the land spout twister had gone through part of the family’s land. “There were a bunch of trees that were knocked over but thankfully there was really nothing else that was damaged.”
Having never witnessed a tornado in person before, Watrous resident Doug Thomas was enjoying an afternoon at Manitou Beach with his family when the twister hit. Like Leslie, Thomas shared with The Watrous Manitou last year he noticed a number of people on the beach looking west and pointing at a little funnel coming down from the back of a dark cloud. Noticing a skinny tongue of grey darting in and out of the funnel toward the ground, after a few minutes Doug thought it was dissipating. Recording videos of the event, just as he figured everything was coming to a conclusion, a dust storm began to form. Shortly after that, the rotating funnel joined up to create a large column.
Guernsey resident Al Bowman was working for the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground that day and also spotted the clouds forming over Little Manitou Lake. Capturing the event on a time lapse which eventually went viral, Bowman would conduct interviews from all over the place like Austria, France, the United States and Canada asking what happened that day.
Like Bowman, Thomas also posted his videos on social media and they started to garner attention. “By the end of the afternoon my phone was buzzing non-stop with notifications and the number of views quickly grew into the thousands.”
Looking back on that day, the pair were amazed at the tornado and also thankful no one was hurt.
Rating tornadoes on strength and damage using the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF) with a zero being the weakest and a five the most powerful, in the case of the twister near Manitou Beach, NTP said it was rated EF2 over land. Occurring around 3 p.m. it was tracked at 7.47 kms with a width of 210 m and max wind speeds of 190 km/h. While not as lengthy, the event near Allan and Young came a few weeks later. At 11:11 a.m. on July 15, the tornado near Allan was tracked at 0.85 km over land with a max width of 160 m. There was no wind speed data available and no definite EF rating. The event by Young later that day at 1:05 p.m. did not have any data but could be spotted southwest of town and from motorists going from Watrous to Young.
As for having multiple tornadoes in Saskatchewan during the same day, in an interview last year with The Watrous Manitou, Terri Lang, Services Meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated it can happen. “We do tend to get them once or twice a season but the last few years due to drought conditions there has not been the storms that Saskatchewan normally experiences.”
With Saskatchewan being a hot spot for tornadoes, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Top 10 Weather Events in 2022, the active weather in the Prairies throughout July put it seventh on the list.
Compiled by David Phillips with Environment and Climate Change Canada, at least four powerful and dangerous July storms spanned from Alberta to Manitoba. Bringing heavy rain, large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes, the storms inflicted millions of dollars in property damages.
On the afternoon of July 7, Phillips shared the first severe super thunderstorm developed over central and southern Alberta spawning an EF2 tornado with wind speeds between 180 and 190 km/h. The next day, four tornadoes were spotted in parts of Saskatchewan near Paynton and Blaine Lake on July 8, followed by a small, non-destructive tornado near Argyle, Man. on July 9.
The second storm system developed on July 15 across the Alberta foothills including large hailstones before entering Saskatchewan the next day.
A third storm complex started in Alberta on July 18 just west of Medicine Hat, triggering an EF2 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 190 km/h. Plough winds peaked between 100 and 115 km/h. leaving thousands of residents without power for several days. Localized flooding also occurred over many areas across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Storm number four ended July on a stormy note, with ever-present heat and humidity. Between July 29 to 31, the weather featured clusters of severe thunderstorms, including a couple of tornadoes, strong rotating or straight-line winds and flooding rains. While a tornado touched down in Coronation on July 31, another weak, non-destructive tornado struck between Kindersley and Swift Current.
Following the four major July storms, Phillips said property insurance damage, not counting crop losses, was nearly a quarter of a billion dollars across the Prairies, with Alberta suffering the majority of the loss.
While tornadoes and severe weather events in Saskatchewan are becoming more and more common, NTP hopes by accurately identifying areas at risk in a daily forecast will be an important step in heightening awareness and providing advance notice for those on the ground.
As for where the confirmed 2022 tornadoes were in Saskatchewan, NTP’s list includes: Caron (May 17), Furness (June 10), Maymont (June 10), Rheinfeld (June 20), Log Valley (June 23), Manitou Beach (June 29), Foam Lake (June 29), Cymric (two events on June 29), Serath (two events June 29), Arbury (June 29), Glidden (July 5), Smiley (July 5), Paynton (July 8), Lambert Lake (July 8), Oliver Lake (July 8), Blaine Lake (July 8), Allan (July 15), Young (July 15), Avonhurst (July 15), Radville (July 17), Lake Athabasca (July 25), Little Island Lake (Aug. 4), and Erinferry (Aug. 4).
Downbursts include: Langbank (June 19), McAdam Lake (June 26), Kelliher (July 10), Grenfell (July 15), Wapella (July 15), Moosomin (July 15), Red Jacket (July 15), Kerrobert (Aug. 2), Erinferry (Aug. 4), Amyot Lake (Aug. 4), Namekus Lake (Aug. 4), Watson (Aug. 13), and Kelvington (Aug. 13).
Unclassified wind damage include: Ocean Man First Nation (June 19), Churchbridge (June 23), Biggar (July 17), Halbrite (July 18), Lake Four (Aug. 4), and Kelvington (Aug. 13).
Unclassified visual vortex include: Forgan (June 13), Laporte (June 19), Melville (June 21), and Briercrest (July 26).
Non-tornadic vortices include: Indian Head (May 7), Bethune (May 8), Smuts (June 24), Hoosier (July 5), Hitchcock Bay (July 10), and Lloydminster (July 30).
TWM Top Story - Mar. 13, 2023
Liquor store in Watrous closes after permit auction concludes
Daniel Bushman
With 14 bidders and 170 bids reaching a final bid of $724,500, as the auction for the liquor permit for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority’s (SLGA) Watrous location came to a conclusion, after opening in 1982, the business on 2nd Ave. E. closed its doors one final time.
While not the highest bid nor the lowest of the 35 permits up for grabs in the province, along with the permit in Watrous (which does not include the building itself), bids for the 35 totalled $45,077,800, ranging from $450,000 in Carlyle to $3,270,000 in LaRonge.
As to who was awarded with each, according to SLGA, applicant names for liquor permits are not considered public until a permit is issued. Successful bidders also have up to 18 months to obtain their permit and open for business.
Conducted through McDougall Auctions during the majority of February, SLGA said winning bidders will now begin the application process for the retail store permit. Prospective retailers must meet all SLGA licensing requirements to hold a permit. Timelines for issuance of permits will vary, depending how soon prospective retailers submit and meet all application requirements, secure locations, hire staff and make other preparations to open for business. Bid amounts must also be fully paid before a permit is issued.
“We are pleased to see these auctions come to a successful conclusion,” Minister Responsible for SLGA Lori Carr said. “The incredible amount of interest means that we will have additional revenue to put toward the high-quality public services we all enjoy.”
Working over 20 years at the liquor store in Watrous, most recently as manager, Cheryl Veld said it was an emotional past few months for her and employees Jasmine Schmidt, Levi Sutherland and Tamara Bergen.
“To say the least, we were astounded when we found out that government-owned stores would be closing by March 2023. I had thought in the back of my mind it might happen one day but I didn’t think it would be this quick and abrupt.”
Sharing customers also felt blind-sided by the announcement, Veld added the close to 400 workers across the province losing their jobs was also tough to take. “Staff at all stores felt so bad for our customers, they had so many questions, and we did not have answers. It was a very emotional time for everyone.”
According to the provincial government, in 2018-‘19, profits for its SLGA Retails were $9.4 million and in 2021-‘22, they had declined to $3.2 million. SLGA Retail’s projected net income for 2022-‘23 was pegged at $395,000 so in order to maintain profitability, the government indicated many of the stores needed to either be relocated or physically adapted to better meet customer needs. Because of that and with the dip in profits, the decision was made by government to decommission its stores and complete a transition of liquor retailing to the private sector.
“There was not much we could do,” explained Veld following the announcement that the Watrous permit would be auctioned off. “We have a great team through SLGA who kept us informed with the limited information they had and it helped us to try and understand and assist our customers with any questions they had.”
With permits listed for auction and the imminent closure of the stores throughout Saskatchewan, that meant Veld and her staff had to begin the task of clearing out product in Watrous. As the shelves became bare and the final day of business arrived, Cheryl and her staff wanted to express their appreciation to the many customers.
“It was an honour to enjoy the great visits, chats, stories, smiles, kindness and patience all of our customers have shown. Watrous and area customers you will be missed. I have more than enjoyed my years at the store and now officially have run out of tears for a while.”
Veld also wanted to extend her appreciation to the SLGA team, former manager, regional manager, mentor and friend Ed Collins and Cheryl's staff. “I have grown personally and professionally during my career with you all. I really found we were not just people working, we were a team and there for each other.”
As of Feb. 27, a total of 27 of SLGA Retail Inc.’s liquor stores had closed with the final seven shutting down by the end of business Mar. 11. For affected staff, SLGA shared it will work with the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) to negotiate a workforce adjustment plan.
Along with Watrous, other SLGA stores ceasing operations are located in: Assiniboia, Biggar, Buffalo Narrows, Carlyle, Creighton, Esterhazy, Estevan, Fort Qu’Appelle, Humboldt, La Loche, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Nipawin, North Battleford, Prince Albert (two), Regina (six), Saskatoon (five), Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.
Owning 19 properties of the locations announced, SLGA indicated it will be making the vacant buildings available for sale in a separate process as the empty physical buildings do not include a liquor permit.
The sale of the permits will not impact SLGA’s Distribution Centre as SLGA will continue to operate as the wholesaler of beverage alcohol for the province as well as the regulator of liquor, gaming and cannabis.
Daniel Bushman
With 14 bidders and 170 bids reaching a final bid of $724,500, as the auction for the liquor permit for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority’s (SLGA) Watrous location came to a conclusion, after opening in 1982, the business on 2nd Ave. E. closed its doors one final time.
While not the highest bid nor the lowest of the 35 permits up for grabs in the province, along with the permit in Watrous (which does not include the building itself), bids for the 35 totalled $45,077,800, ranging from $450,000 in Carlyle to $3,270,000 in LaRonge.
As to who was awarded with each, according to SLGA, applicant names for liquor permits are not considered public until a permit is issued. Successful bidders also have up to 18 months to obtain their permit and open for business.
Conducted through McDougall Auctions during the majority of February, SLGA said winning bidders will now begin the application process for the retail store permit. Prospective retailers must meet all SLGA licensing requirements to hold a permit. Timelines for issuance of permits will vary, depending how soon prospective retailers submit and meet all application requirements, secure locations, hire staff and make other preparations to open for business. Bid amounts must also be fully paid before a permit is issued.
“We are pleased to see these auctions come to a successful conclusion,” Minister Responsible for SLGA Lori Carr said. “The incredible amount of interest means that we will have additional revenue to put toward the high-quality public services we all enjoy.”
Working over 20 years at the liquor store in Watrous, most recently as manager, Cheryl Veld said it was an emotional past few months for her and employees Jasmine Schmidt, Levi Sutherland and Tamara Bergen.
“To say the least, we were astounded when we found out that government-owned stores would be closing by March 2023. I had thought in the back of my mind it might happen one day but I didn’t think it would be this quick and abrupt.”
Sharing customers also felt blind-sided by the announcement, Veld added the close to 400 workers across the province losing their jobs was also tough to take. “Staff at all stores felt so bad for our customers, they had so many questions, and we did not have answers. It was a very emotional time for everyone.”
According to the provincial government, in 2018-‘19, profits for its SLGA Retails were $9.4 million and in 2021-‘22, they had declined to $3.2 million. SLGA Retail’s projected net income for 2022-‘23 was pegged at $395,000 so in order to maintain profitability, the government indicated many of the stores needed to either be relocated or physically adapted to better meet customer needs. Because of that and with the dip in profits, the decision was made by government to decommission its stores and complete a transition of liquor retailing to the private sector.
“There was not much we could do,” explained Veld following the announcement that the Watrous permit would be auctioned off. “We have a great team through SLGA who kept us informed with the limited information they had and it helped us to try and understand and assist our customers with any questions they had.”
With permits listed for auction and the imminent closure of the stores throughout Saskatchewan, that meant Veld and her staff had to begin the task of clearing out product in Watrous. As the shelves became bare and the final day of business arrived, Cheryl and her staff wanted to express their appreciation to the many customers.
“It was an honour to enjoy the great visits, chats, stories, smiles, kindness and patience all of our customers have shown. Watrous and area customers you will be missed. I have more than enjoyed my years at the store and now officially have run out of tears for a while.”
Veld also wanted to extend her appreciation to the SLGA team, former manager, regional manager, mentor and friend Ed Collins and Cheryl's staff. “I have grown personally and professionally during my career with you all. I really found we were not just people working, we were a team and there for each other.”
As of Feb. 27, a total of 27 of SLGA Retail Inc.’s liquor stores had closed with the final seven shutting down by the end of business Mar. 11. For affected staff, SLGA shared it will work with the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) to negotiate a workforce adjustment plan.
Along with Watrous, other SLGA stores ceasing operations are located in: Assiniboia, Biggar, Buffalo Narrows, Carlyle, Creighton, Esterhazy, Estevan, Fort Qu’Appelle, Humboldt, La Loche, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Nipawin, North Battleford, Prince Albert (two), Regina (six), Saskatoon (five), Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.
Owning 19 properties of the locations announced, SLGA indicated it will be making the vacant buildings available for sale in a separate process as the empty physical buildings do not include a liquor permit.
The sale of the permits will not impact SLGA’s Distribution Centre as SLGA will continue to operate as the wholesaler of beverage alcohol for the province as well as the regulator of liquor, gaming and cannabis.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 6, 2023
Watrous and area comes together to support TeleMiracle
Daniel Bushman
Year after year, the province of Saskatchewan and its people have come together to show their overwhelming generosity for TeleMiracle. That has included the local area and 2023 was no different as some displayed their talents through performances while others helped to raise money.
Able to present a total live on stage during the Feb. 25 and 26 event in Saskatoon, members of the Watrous Kin, on behalf of the community, unveiled a cheque for just over $23,000. Those funds aided in this year’s overall total of $5,519,229. With 2023’s incredible generosity added, the amount raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $158 million.
Jadi Rowan with the Watrous Kinettes who was part of the Sunday afternoon presentation in Saskatoon shared that the 47th version of TeleMiracle was a huge success. “The support we received from our local area was absolutely incredible. I think I can speak for all Watrous Kin that we had goosebumps and butterflies all weekend knowing we had a big cheque to present and contribute to the TeleMiracle grand total. We couldn’t have done that without all of the community support in our fundraising initiatives!”
As part of the substantial local total of $23,047, Rowan provided a breakdown of where the funds came from:
• over $1,800 were from personal donations;
• over $400 from helping hands sold in local businesses in Watrous, Manitou Beach and Young;
• $200 from Interlake Human Resources in memory of Agnes Emisch;
• $900 from Watrous Elementary School;
• $1,000 from Winston High School;
• almost $11,000 from our online auction;
• over $3,000 from the Danceland Ballroom Event held in February;
• the Watrous Kinsmen donated over $2,000;
• over $2,300 came from the Watrous Kinettes Craft and Trade Show; and
• the Kinettes topped up the grand total to round it out to a perfectly themed number coinciding with TeleMiracle 47 for a grand total of $23,047.
Following the presentation by the local group, Watrous Kin members Vaughn Jones and Haley Engele presented a cheque to TeleMiracle on behalf of Ron Ediger of MelRon Services for $10,000. Sharing a message written by Ron, Jones said the funds were to be used to assist anyone and everyone in need of help.
Watrous resident Chad Mierau was also on stage during the telethon to give a presentation. The local author decided to donate $10 from every copy of his book, Surviving The Crash, sold between Jan. 15 to Feb. 25. Mierau talked about the importance of his journey while finding forgiveness and inner peace and explained how people of the province have been super supportive of him. “I’m just trying to do my part to give back,” he said.
From the sales of his book, Mierau was able to provide $650 to TeleMiracle. In addition, a night prior he spoke in Birch Hills where he raised $400. Then during TeleMiracle weekend, 100 percent of proceeds from his book was added to the total. Through that, Mierau was able to give $1,500.
In addition to presenting the community and area’s funds, with 13 members representing the Watrous Kinettes and five from the Watrous Kinsmen at the 20-hour telethon, the group helped in a variety of ways including answering phones, treasury and security.
“It is always a feel good weekend knowing that our volunteer commitment throughout the weekend can help the overall show run as smoothly as it does while helping to bring in those huge fundraising dollars for our province,” said Rowan.
Along with the Watrous Kin, Ediger and Mierau presenting funds, earlier in the weekend Danceland’s Millie Strueby along with Dyana and Friends provided some of the entertainment as they performed the song, Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World.
Rowan said it was great to be able to see Strueby and others showcasing their talents. “I think a big part of keeping us awake those 20 hours is not only answering your calls, but also watching the amazing Saskatchewan talent! The diversity and skill is something to be so proud of. We loved seeing local area talent performing as well, representing our community!”
During this year’s show, 80 talented Saskatchewan performers appeared throughout the telethon. Not only did these acts showcase the scope of talent from every corner of the province, they also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented their donation of $108,182 just before the end of the broadcast.
“Every dollar counts and we are so grateful to the
people of Saskatchewan for their continuing support,” stated TeleMiracle 47 Chair Scott Lamb. “The best part is that all the money raised stays right here in Saskatchewan, to help their friends, neighbours and communities.”
Another highlight were the tributes in memory of former long-time host Bob McGrath, who made more than 40 appearances on TeleMiracle, beginning with the first telethon in 1977, with a final live appearance in 2018 and a cameo in 2021. McGrath passed away on Dec. 4, 2022.
With the 47th edition coming to a conclusion, Lamb said, “TeleMiracle remains rooted in Saskatchewan and the generosity of Saskatchewan people really shined through once again this weekend. These donations are going to help so many people across the province.”
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, assistance with medical travel, and new and innovative health care equipment. The Foundation typically receives over 1,000 applications for assistance annually.
Daniel Bushman
Year after year, the province of Saskatchewan and its people have come together to show their overwhelming generosity for TeleMiracle. That has included the local area and 2023 was no different as some displayed their talents through performances while others helped to raise money.
Able to present a total live on stage during the Feb. 25 and 26 event in Saskatoon, members of the Watrous Kin, on behalf of the community, unveiled a cheque for just over $23,000. Those funds aided in this year’s overall total of $5,519,229. With 2023’s incredible generosity added, the amount raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $158 million.
Jadi Rowan with the Watrous Kinettes who was part of the Sunday afternoon presentation in Saskatoon shared that the 47th version of TeleMiracle was a huge success. “The support we received from our local area was absolutely incredible. I think I can speak for all Watrous Kin that we had goosebumps and butterflies all weekend knowing we had a big cheque to present and contribute to the TeleMiracle grand total. We couldn’t have done that without all of the community support in our fundraising initiatives!”
As part of the substantial local total of $23,047, Rowan provided a breakdown of where the funds came from:
• over $1,800 were from personal donations;
• over $400 from helping hands sold in local businesses in Watrous, Manitou Beach and Young;
• $200 from Interlake Human Resources in memory of Agnes Emisch;
• $900 from Watrous Elementary School;
• $1,000 from Winston High School;
• almost $11,000 from our online auction;
• over $3,000 from the Danceland Ballroom Event held in February;
• the Watrous Kinsmen donated over $2,000;
• over $2,300 came from the Watrous Kinettes Craft and Trade Show; and
• the Kinettes topped up the grand total to round it out to a perfectly themed number coinciding with TeleMiracle 47 for a grand total of $23,047.
Following the presentation by the local group, Watrous Kin members Vaughn Jones and Haley Engele presented a cheque to TeleMiracle on behalf of Ron Ediger of MelRon Services for $10,000. Sharing a message written by Ron, Jones said the funds were to be used to assist anyone and everyone in need of help.
Watrous resident Chad Mierau was also on stage during the telethon to give a presentation. The local author decided to donate $10 from every copy of his book, Surviving The Crash, sold between Jan. 15 to Feb. 25. Mierau talked about the importance of his journey while finding forgiveness and inner peace and explained how people of the province have been super supportive of him. “I’m just trying to do my part to give back,” he said.
From the sales of his book, Mierau was able to provide $650 to TeleMiracle. In addition, a night prior he spoke in Birch Hills where he raised $400. Then during TeleMiracle weekend, 100 percent of proceeds from his book was added to the total. Through that, Mierau was able to give $1,500.
In addition to presenting the community and area’s funds, with 13 members representing the Watrous Kinettes and five from the Watrous Kinsmen at the 20-hour telethon, the group helped in a variety of ways including answering phones, treasury and security.
“It is always a feel good weekend knowing that our volunteer commitment throughout the weekend can help the overall show run as smoothly as it does while helping to bring in those huge fundraising dollars for our province,” said Rowan.
Along with the Watrous Kin, Ediger and Mierau presenting funds, earlier in the weekend Danceland’s Millie Strueby along with Dyana and Friends provided some of the entertainment as they performed the song, Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World.
Rowan said it was great to be able to see Strueby and others showcasing their talents. “I think a big part of keeping us awake those 20 hours is not only answering your calls, but also watching the amazing Saskatchewan talent! The diversity and skill is something to be so proud of. We loved seeing local area talent performing as well, representing our community!”
During this year’s show, 80 talented Saskatchewan performers appeared throughout the telethon. Not only did these acts showcase the scope of talent from every corner of the province, they also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented their donation of $108,182 just before the end of the broadcast.
“Every dollar counts and we are so grateful to the
people of Saskatchewan for their continuing support,” stated TeleMiracle 47 Chair Scott Lamb. “The best part is that all the money raised stays right here in Saskatchewan, to help their friends, neighbours and communities.”
Another highlight were the tributes in memory of former long-time host Bob McGrath, who made more than 40 appearances on TeleMiracle, beginning with the first telethon in 1977, with a final live appearance in 2018 and a cameo in 2021. McGrath passed away on Dec. 4, 2022.
With the 47th edition coming to a conclusion, Lamb said, “TeleMiracle remains rooted in Saskatchewan and the generosity of Saskatchewan people really shined through once again this weekend. These donations are going to help so many people across the province.”
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, assistance with medical travel, and new and innovative health care equipment. The Foundation typically receives over 1,000 applications for assistance annually.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 20, 2023
Health tour shines light on need for local voice
*photo used with permission
Daniel Bushman
As temporary disruptions and staff shortages remain at hospitals across the province including in Watrous and Lanigan, communities are just hoping to be heard as they wait for help. Earlier this month, members of Saskatchewan’s official opposition began a Healthcare Solutions Tour, stopping in communities to hear concerns, meet with leaders and understand firsthand the severity of the situation.
In Watrous and Lanigan Feb. 7, Saskatchewan New Democrats MLA for Saskatoon Eastview Matt Love (Critic for Rural and Remote Health) was joined by colleague and Deputy Leader (and Critic for Health) Vicki Mowat. Speaking about the visits, Love said it was very positive and he was grateful to be able to listen to the concerns shared by local people.
Spending time in Lanigan chatting with the mayor and councillors of Lanigan and LeRoy, the Reeve of the RM of Wolverine and a nurse practitioner, Love and Mowat then made a stop in Watrous to visit with councillors there. Love said, “These are communities that we have been hearing from for quite some time due to disruptions in services, closed hospitals, reduced hours for ER and acute care. It wasn’t our first visit to either location but we were invited back to help, number one, to ensure that those local voices are heard and valued when it comes to finding solutions in healthcare and take their input to help us propose solutions for our province.”
Right now, due to staff shortages, according to media releases from SHA, emergency services are only available in Watrous from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days per week. Inpatient services however are not available while primary health care, lab, X-ray, and long-term care services in Watrous have not been affected. In Lanigan, emergency services are available between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday while lab and X-ray services are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The temporary closures mean that people seeking emergency care before or after those hours have been forced to go elsewhere, adding pressure to other centres like Humboldt and Saskatoon.
Love was not surprised to learn about the situations, noting there has been a common theme with systemic problems around the province with disruptions and closures. Trying to bring the issues to light while meeting with local residents, Love said one of the themes that has emerged is the need for local voices at the decision making table. “Most of the folks we have spoken with absolutely feel they have been ignored and have valuable insight to offer that is not being considered.”
Proposing the restoration of local voices in healthcare by bringing back Community Health Advisory Networks that were dismantled when health regions were amalgamated into one, Mowat said, “It’s clear health region amalgamation and the centralizing of healthcare decisions has failed to deliver reliable, high-quality care for people who need it. Local people and community leaders know what their communities need – it’s time to bring those voices back to the table.”
The NDP stated in addition to municipal leaders calling for a greater say in healthcare delivery, SUMA adopted a resolution in 2020 calling for “the Minister of Health to ensure direct municipal input and involvement in the health system by requiring Community Health Advisory Networks to be established throughout the province.”
Wanting to be heard and have a voice at the table, Lanigan Mayor Tony Mycock met with Love and Mowat during the morning of their visit. Joined by councillors from Lanigan along with representatives with the Town of Leroy and the RM of Wolverine, Mycock said the meeting went well and felt it was nice to have someone listen to their concerns. “We do not get this from the Sask. Party government and it was great to be able to meet with the NDP. They are doing a tour and collecting all the concerns of all communities in the province. It will be good to see what they produce as we know we are not the only community with these concerns.”
Citing the current situation in his community is frustrating, Mycock shared nothing has changed with the hospital in Lanigan since it reopened some of its services last year. “We are still only open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and it is all to do with being short nurses. The current recruitment that the government is doing is great but it is not going to fix the problem anytime soon. Increased training for nurses will be at least four years before we will see any new nurses. Seeing nurses come here from other countries is great but it will not happen overnight. And what guarantees are there to have nurses move to our rural centres? The $50,000 incentive is not doing anything that we can see.”
Hoping the current government will have similar meetings like the official opposition, Mycock would like those in power to understand firsthand the frustrations rural residents are facing. As for those living in his community and the surrounding area, Mycock wants them to know he is just as frustrated as they are. “We will keep doing everything we can to get our hospital fully open. It is a scary situation with all that is going on in the area, especially because there are major construction projects happening in the area and if there was a major accident, what would happen?”
Echoing similar frustrations in Watrous, councillors Taylor Engele, representing the community when it comes to healthcare and Lane Manson, who had family in healthcare met with Love and Mowat. The pair were encouraged to hear that the Saskatchewan New Democrats were wanting change for rural health.
“We were pleased to be able to meet with Vicki and Matt to discuss our situation and share our frustration with the reduced services in Watrous,” Engele said. “We know this is very frustrating for our community and we want to make sure these concerns are heard.”
Engele added since the announcement of reduced services, council from the Town of Watrous have been meeting regularly with the SHA. “We have been disappointed that the situation has not improved. We have expressed our concerns both to the SHA and the Ministry of Health in hopes that something can be done to restore full services in Watrous.”
Manson also shared “the community used to have a say when it came to input for our local healthcare system” but no longer have that after the health regions were amalgamated into one. “We would just like to see the services that our community deserves and want to know what we can do to help get them reopen.”
Love understands the frustration that has been growing in both centres, specifically mentioning Watrous. “We heard from folks in Watrous for them to make an appointment and to be seen by a family doctor is a four to six month wait which is completely unacceptable to think that somebody would know what their health needs are going to be six months down the road from when they are making an appointment.”
Seeing the frustration fall to local municipal leaders and healthcare workers, Love said, “Folks see the hospital sign on the highway and they pull in looking for help only to get to the door and to find out that the facility is closed. There is no way of knowing before they got there in many cases. This is a dangerous situation. They go further down the road only to find out that that location is closed too. Then we have the same thing happening with ambulances who are responding to calls, driving past hospitals who are on bypass, getting into the city only to wait in a hallway for eight to 16 hours in some cases to off load a patient in a crowded city ER. All of these problems are connected.”
When asked about the importance of current staff and the work that they have done during a trying time, Love shared they have served the province incredibly well. “We are definitely hearing frustration and I think that part of that is the government has rolled out a plan for recruitment for healthcare workers but they have really let folks down on retaining those who have given so much for our province who are already working in our healthcare system but are not feeling the respect and the values that they should for the work that they continue to put in.”
Expressing his thanks to those willing to meet, share their concerns and frustrations and to build a relationship, Love said, “We value it greatly and we would invite anyone who also has concerns to reach out to us to share those with us.”
After the visits by the NDP in Lanigan and Watrous, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the Ministry of Health to see if they would be able to provide any comments or updates. The ministry issued the following statement:
The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to stabilizing and strengthening the important healthcare services that people living in communities across the province rely on. That is why we have a four-point Health Human Resources Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize, and retain over 1,000 more health care workers to communities across the province, including Watrous, Lanigan, and other communities in the region.
Key initiatives under our HHR Action Plan include a
recruitment incentive of up to $50,000 to help attract the staff we need to fill vacant positions at the Lanigan Hospital and Watrous District Health Complex. In addition to the existing staff compliment, more positions have been added including RNs, LPNs, CCAs, lab and scan technicians to further strengthen the staff complement at these facilities once they have been recruited.
We look forward to announcing placement of additional physicians for communities in the region through the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program in late March once program requirements and final placement details have been confirmed.
During the same week as the official opposition made stops in Watrous and Lanigan, federally, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $196.1 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding, for provinces and territories to improve healthcare services for Canadians.
This funding will be distributed partly through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) and partly through bilateral agreements with provinces and territories that allow for flexibility for jurisdictional health care system needs. In addition, it will invest $2.5 billion over 10 years to support Indigenous priorities and complementary federal support, for a total of $198.6 billion over 10 years.
The Government also proposed to provide further support though the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) with: an immediate unconditional $2 billion CHT top-up to address pressures on the health care system, especially in pediatric hospitals, emergency rooms and surgical and diagnostic backlogs; and guaranteed five percent growth to the CHT for the next five years (expected value of $17.3 billion over 10 years), to be paid through annual top-up payments as required. The last top-up payment would be rolled into the CHT base at the end of the five years to ensure a permanent funding increase, providing certainty and sustainability to provinces and territories.
To access their share of the federal funding, including the guaranteed five percent growth top-up payments to the CHT, for the next five years, provincial and territorial governments were asked to commit to improve how health information is collected, shared, used and reported to Canadians to promote greater transparency on results, and to help manage public health emergencies.
The Government of Canada also announced that it would provide $25 billion over 10 years to provinces and territories to support shared health priorities through tailored bilateral agreements.
As part of these agreements, provincial and territorial governments are asked to develop action plans that will describe how funds will be spent (incremental to existing spending) and how progress will be measured.
*photo used with permission
Daniel Bushman
As temporary disruptions and staff shortages remain at hospitals across the province including in Watrous and Lanigan, communities are just hoping to be heard as they wait for help. Earlier this month, members of Saskatchewan’s official opposition began a Healthcare Solutions Tour, stopping in communities to hear concerns, meet with leaders and understand firsthand the severity of the situation.
In Watrous and Lanigan Feb. 7, Saskatchewan New Democrats MLA for Saskatoon Eastview Matt Love (Critic for Rural and Remote Health) was joined by colleague and Deputy Leader (and Critic for Health) Vicki Mowat. Speaking about the visits, Love said it was very positive and he was grateful to be able to listen to the concerns shared by local people.
Spending time in Lanigan chatting with the mayor and councillors of Lanigan and LeRoy, the Reeve of the RM of Wolverine and a nurse practitioner, Love and Mowat then made a stop in Watrous to visit with councillors there. Love said, “These are communities that we have been hearing from for quite some time due to disruptions in services, closed hospitals, reduced hours for ER and acute care. It wasn’t our first visit to either location but we were invited back to help, number one, to ensure that those local voices are heard and valued when it comes to finding solutions in healthcare and take their input to help us propose solutions for our province.”
Right now, due to staff shortages, according to media releases from SHA, emergency services are only available in Watrous from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days per week. Inpatient services however are not available while primary health care, lab, X-ray, and long-term care services in Watrous have not been affected. In Lanigan, emergency services are available between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday while lab and X-ray services are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The temporary closures mean that people seeking emergency care before or after those hours have been forced to go elsewhere, adding pressure to other centres like Humboldt and Saskatoon.
Love was not surprised to learn about the situations, noting there has been a common theme with systemic problems around the province with disruptions and closures. Trying to bring the issues to light while meeting with local residents, Love said one of the themes that has emerged is the need for local voices at the decision making table. “Most of the folks we have spoken with absolutely feel they have been ignored and have valuable insight to offer that is not being considered.”
Proposing the restoration of local voices in healthcare by bringing back Community Health Advisory Networks that were dismantled when health regions were amalgamated into one, Mowat said, “It’s clear health region amalgamation and the centralizing of healthcare decisions has failed to deliver reliable, high-quality care for people who need it. Local people and community leaders know what their communities need – it’s time to bring those voices back to the table.”
The NDP stated in addition to municipal leaders calling for a greater say in healthcare delivery, SUMA adopted a resolution in 2020 calling for “the Minister of Health to ensure direct municipal input and involvement in the health system by requiring Community Health Advisory Networks to be established throughout the province.”
Wanting to be heard and have a voice at the table, Lanigan Mayor Tony Mycock met with Love and Mowat during the morning of their visit. Joined by councillors from Lanigan along with representatives with the Town of Leroy and the RM of Wolverine, Mycock said the meeting went well and felt it was nice to have someone listen to their concerns. “We do not get this from the Sask. Party government and it was great to be able to meet with the NDP. They are doing a tour and collecting all the concerns of all communities in the province. It will be good to see what they produce as we know we are not the only community with these concerns.”
Citing the current situation in his community is frustrating, Mycock shared nothing has changed with the hospital in Lanigan since it reopened some of its services last year. “We are still only open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and it is all to do with being short nurses. The current recruitment that the government is doing is great but it is not going to fix the problem anytime soon. Increased training for nurses will be at least four years before we will see any new nurses. Seeing nurses come here from other countries is great but it will not happen overnight. And what guarantees are there to have nurses move to our rural centres? The $50,000 incentive is not doing anything that we can see.”
Hoping the current government will have similar meetings like the official opposition, Mycock would like those in power to understand firsthand the frustrations rural residents are facing. As for those living in his community and the surrounding area, Mycock wants them to know he is just as frustrated as they are. “We will keep doing everything we can to get our hospital fully open. It is a scary situation with all that is going on in the area, especially because there are major construction projects happening in the area and if there was a major accident, what would happen?”
Echoing similar frustrations in Watrous, councillors Taylor Engele, representing the community when it comes to healthcare and Lane Manson, who had family in healthcare met with Love and Mowat. The pair were encouraged to hear that the Saskatchewan New Democrats were wanting change for rural health.
“We were pleased to be able to meet with Vicki and Matt to discuss our situation and share our frustration with the reduced services in Watrous,” Engele said. “We know this is very frustrating for our community and we want to make sure these concerns are heard.”
Engele added since the announcement of reduced services, council from the Town of Watrous have been meeting regularly with the SHA. “We have been disappointed that the situation has not improved. We have expressed our concerns both to the SHA and the Ministry of Health in hopes that something can be done to restore full services in Watrous.”
Manson also shared “the community used to have a say when it came to input for our local healthcare system” but no longer have that after the health regions were amalgamated into one. “We would just like to see the services that our community deserves and want to know what we can do to help get them reopen.”
Love understands the frustration that has been growing in both centres, specifically mentioning Watrous. “We heard from folks in Watrous for them to make an appointment and to be seen by a family doctor is a four to six month wait which is completely unacceptable to think that somebody would know what their health needs are going to be six months down the road from when they are making an appointment.”
Seeing the frustration fall to local municipal leaders and healthcare workers, Love said, “Folks see the hospital sign on the highway and they pull in looking for help only to get to the door and to find out that the facility is closed. There is no way of knowing before they got there in many cases. This is a dangerous situation. They go further down the road only to find out that that location is closed too. Then we have the same thing happening with ambulances who are responding to calls, driving past hospitals who are on bypass, getting into the city only to wait in a hallway for eight to 16 hours in some cases to off load a patient in a crowded city ER. All of these problems are connected.”
When asked about the importance of current staff and the work that they have done during a trying time, Love shared they have served the province incredibly well. “We are definitely hearing frustration and I think that part of that is the government has rolled out a plan for recruitment for healthcare workers but they have really let folks down on retaining those who have given so much for our province who are already working in our healthcare system but are not feeling the respect and the values that they should for the work that they continue to put in.”
Expressing his thanks to those willing to meet, share their concerns and frustrations and to build a relationship, Love said, “We value it greatly and we would invite anyone who also has concerns to reach out to us to share those with us.”
After the visits by the NDP in Lanigan and Watrous, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the Ministry of Health to see if they would be able to provide any comments or updates. The ministry issued the following statement:
The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to stabilizing and strengthening the important healthcare services that people living in communities across the province rely on. That is why we have a four-point Health Human Resources Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize, and retain over 1,000 more health care workers to communities across the province, including Watrous, Lanigan, and other communities in the region.
Key initiatives under our HHR Action Plan include a
recruitment incentive of up to $50,000 to help attract the staff we need to fill vacant positions at the Lanigan Hospital and Watrous District Health Complex. In addition to the existing staff compliment, more positions have been added including RNs, LPNs, CCAs, lab and scan technicians to further strengthen the staff complement at these facilities once they have been recruited.
We look forward to announcing placement of additional physicians for communities in the region through the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program in late March once program requirements and final placement details have been confirmed.
During the same week as the official opposition made stops in Watrous and Lanigan, federally, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $196.1 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding, for provinces and territories to improve healthcare services for Canadians.
This funding will be distributed partly through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) and partly through bilateral agreements with provinces and territories that allow for flexibility for jurisdictional health care system needs. In addition, it will invest $2.5 billion over 10 years to support Indigenous priorities and complementary federal support, for a total of $198.6 billion over 10 years.
The Government also proposed to provide further support though the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) with: an immediate unconditional $2 billion CHT top-up to address pressures on the health care system, especially in pediatric hospitals, emergency rooms and surgical and diagnostic backlogs; and guaranteed five percent growth to the CHT for the next five years (expected value of $17.3 billion over 10 years), to be paid through annual top-up payments as required. The last top-up payment would be rolled into the CHT base at the end of the five years to ensure a permanent funding increase, providing certainty and sustainability to provinces and territories.
To access their share of the federal funding, including the guaranteed five percent growth top-up payments to the CHT, for the next five years, provincial and territorial governments were asked to commit to improve how health information is collected, shared, used and reported to Canadians to promote greater transparency on results, and to help manage public health emergencies.
The Government of Canada also announced that it would provide $25 billion over 10 years to provinces and territories to support shared health priorities through tailored bilateral agreements.
As part of these agreements, provincial and territorial governments are asked to develop action plans that will describe how funds will be spent (incremental to existing spending) and how progress will be measured.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 13, 2023
Local area residents receive prestigious medals
photo by Ruslana Tyshchenko
Daniel Bushman
A number of local area residents were bestowed with a tremendous and very well-deserving honour as they received Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals. Joined at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina by MLA for Arm River Dana Skoropad, those recognized during the Jan. 27 event were all smiles as they accepted their medals for their many contributions and service to their communities and province.
Of the recipients from the Arm River constituency, a number are familiar faces. Those who received medals in Regina or who were unable to make the ceremony but were recognized representing the local area were: Laverne Deibert of Holdfast, Donna Edwards of Nokomis, Lawrence Edwards of Nokomis, Bruce Elke of Jansen, Gayle Fahlman of Holdfast, Shirley Flostrand of Imperial, Brett Halstead of Nokomis, Linda Kinzel of Jansen, Elmer Kinzel of Jansen, Ian McNichol of Nokomis, Darin Pedersen of Lockwood, Sheri Pedersen of Lockwood, Sir Arthur Ramshaw of Nokomis, Roxanne Schindel of Jansen, and Larry Schindel of Jansen.
MLA for Arm River Dana Skoropad shared it was a tremendous day and the perfect opportunity to recognize local people. “Communities are made great not by their roads, rinks, schools, and halls, but rather they are made great because of the people that fill them. That is those people who selflessly and generously give of their service to others. It was a tremendous honour for me to help recognize so many inspirational individuals with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.”
Given to those who have made contributions to Canada, Saskatchewan, or to a particular region or community, the medal was created to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Accession to the Throne. It was also made as a tangible way for the province of Saskatchewan to honour Her Majesty for her service to Canada.
Along with those residing in the local area, the remaining Arm River constituents receiving medals included: Kevin Acton from Saskatoon, Maureen Applin from Outlook, Sandra Bathgate from Central Butte, Lyle Bennett from Chamberlain, Grant Berger from Central Butte, Jim Braman from Raymore, Terry Brennan from Riverhurst, Joanne Brochu from Elbow, Rhae Ann Bromley from Moose Jaw, Timothy Bruch from Davidson, Darrell Crabbe from Moose Jaw, Cory Dean from Davidson, Dixie Dean from Davidson, Ed Denman from Raymore, Lynda Dyck from Quinton, Joanne Fedyk from Saskatoon, Dennis Fuglerud from Broderick, Lin Gallagher from Regina, Kenneth Galloway from Central Butte, Barbara Glubis from Strongfield, Mary Lynne Golphy from Davidson, Brian Gottselig from Chamberlain, Brent Griffin from Elbow, Penny Gustafson from Riverhurst, Colleen Hoppenreys from Elbow, Karla Horvath from Raymore, Lorne Horvath from Raymore, Betty Hutchinson from LaRonge, Al Klassen from Central Butte, Malcolm Koncz from Raymore, Lyle Kowalski from Bladworth, Leslie Kroeger from Hanley, Rick Letts from Saskatoon, Lavonne Lyke from Davidson, Ian McCreary from Bladworth, Amy McNeil from Saskatoon, John McPhail from Outlook, Gordon McRae from Davidson, Aaron McRae from Craik, Mary Jane Morrison from Davidson, Rita Morrow from Raymore, Larry Packet from Davidson, Richard Pederson from Outlook, Joel Perry from Elbow, Robert Reid from Outlook, Lloyd Saul from Semans, James Schmit from Davidson, Mary Smillie from Bladworth, Harold Sokyrka from Saskatoon, Dave Spelliscy from Davidson, Colleen Spelliscy from Davidson, Kegan Summers from Riverhurst, Vanessa Tastad from Loreburn, Allison Tetlow from Regina, Amanda Tichit from Davidson, Doug Vollmer from Loreburn, Donald Willner from Davidson, Deborah Wisniewski from Bethune, Carol Woolsey from Moose Jaw and Phil Wrubleski from Saskatoon.
Those receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals in Regina representing the Arm River constituency are part of 7,000 people within the province who are being recognized at ceremonies with the prestigious honour during the Platinum Jubilee year.
photo by Ruslana Tyshchenko
Daniel Bushman
A number of local area residents were bestowed with a tremendous and very well-deserving honour as they received Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals. Joined at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina by MLA for Arm River Dana Skoropad, those recognized during the Jan. 27 event were all smiles as they accepted their medals for their many contributions and service to their communities and province.
Of the recipients from the Arm River constituency, a number are familiar faces. Those who received medals in Regina or who were unable to make the ceremony but were recognized representing the local area were: Laverne Deibert of Holdfast, Donna Edwards of Nokomis, Lawrence Edwards of Nokomis, Bruce Elke of Jansen, Gayle Fahlman of Holdfast, Shirley Flostrand of Imperial, Brett Halstead of Nokomis, Linda Kinzel of Jansen, Elmer Kinzel of Jansen, Ian McNichol of Nokomis, Darin Pedersen of Lockwood, Sheri Pedersen of Lockwood, Sir Arthur Ramshaw of Nokomis, Roxanne Schindel of Jansen, and Larry Schindel of Jansen.
MLA for Arm River Dana Skoropad shared it was a tremendous day and the perfect opportunity to recognize local people. “Communities are made great not by their roads, rinks, schools, and halls, but rather they are made great because of the people that fill them. That is those people who selflessly and generously give of their service to others. It was a tremendous honour for me to help recognize so many inspirational individuals with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.”
Given to those who have made contributions to Canada, Saskatchewan, or to a particular region or community, the medal was created to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Accession to the Throne. It was also made as a tangible way for the province of Saskatchewan to honour Her Majesty for her service to Canada.
Along with those residing in the local area, the remaining Arm River constituents receiving medals included: Kevin Acton from Saskatoon, Maureen Applin from Outlook, Sandra Bathgate from Central Butte, Lyle Bennett from Chamberlain, Grant Berger from Central Butte, Jim Braman from Raymore, Terry Brennan from Riverhurst, Joanne Brochu from Elbow, Rhae Ann Bromley from Moose Jaw, Timothy Bruch from Davidson, Darrell Crabbe from Moose Jaw, Cory Dean from Davidson, Dixie Dean from Davidson, Ed Denman from Raymore, Lynda Dyck from Quinton, Joanne Fedyk from Saskatoon, Dennis Fuglerud from Broderick, Lin Gallagher from Regina, Kenneth Galloway from Central Butte, Barbara Glubis from Strongfield, Mary Lynne Golphy from Davidson, Brian Gottselig from Chamberlain, Brent Griffin from Elbow, Penny Gustafson from Riverhurst, Colleen Hoppenreys from Elbow, Karla Horvath from Raymore, Lorne Horvath from Raymore, Betty Hutchinson from LaRonge, Al Klassen from Central Butte, Malcolm Koncz from Raymore, Lyle Kowalski from Bladworth, Leslie Kroeger from Hanley, Rick Letts from Saskatoon, Lavonne Lyke from Davidson, Ian McCreary from Bladworth, Amy McNeil from Saskatoon, John McPhail from Outlook, Gordon McRae from Davidson, Aaron McRae from Craik, Mary Jane Morrison from Davidson, Rita Morrow from Raymore, Larry Packet from Davidson, Richard Pederson from Outlook, Joel Perry from Elbow, Robert Reid from Outlook, Lloyd Saul from Semans, James Schmit from Davidson, Mary Smillie from Bladworth, Harold Sokyrka from Saskatoon, Dave Spelliscy from Davidson, Colleen Spelliscy from Davidson, Kegan Summers from Riverhurst, Vanessa Tastad from Loreburn, Allison Tetlow from Regina, Amanda Tichit from Davidson, Doug Vollmer from Loreburn, Donald Willner from Davidson, Deborah Wisniewski from Bethune, Carol Woolsey from Moose Jaw and Phil Wrubleski from Saskatoon.
Those receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals in Regina representing the Arm River constituency are part of 7,000 people within the province who are being recognized at ceremonies with the prestigious honour during the Platinum Jubilee year.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 6, 2023
A look back at 2022 and a look ahead for 2023 for Watrous
Daniel Bushman
With events resuming, construction on Main Street occurring and other work planned for 2023, a number of items have taken place in Watrous over the past year.
The Watrous Manitou reached out to Watrous Mayor John Gunderson and Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden to get their thoughts on 2022 and what 2023 could hold. Gunderson and Redden graciously took some time out of their busy schedules to share about the year, provide a few highlights, explain some of the work being done within the community and what could be in store for 2023.
How did 2022 go as a whole for Watrous as things began to improve through the pandemic and restrictions lifted?
Orrin: For the most part our recreation and cultural facilities were able to operate at pre-pandemic levels. The swimming pool and arena both had very busy seasons.
John: As we all are aware, the pandemic presented many challenges. Both the community as a whole and our Town of Watrous staff did our best to keep the community safe and at the same time keep restrictions to a minimum. Now with our new normal we look forward to providing all the services our community has been accustomed to.
Were there a few highlights within the community during 2022?
Orrin: The veterans banner project was very successful. It had been discussed to some degree for a few years and Chelsea, John and their volunteer group finally put it all together this year and it will continue to grow over time.
There was significant tile work on the pool edge/water line this year and there are plans for some building repairs/upgrades before the 2023 pool season begins.
The water and sewer services were replaced to all properties on the #100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street following the watermain replacement two years ago. Council is hosting an information session with these business owners on Feb. 6 and the general public is welcome to attend as well. Council and our consulting engineers will review the plans for the final phase being concrete structures, lighting and the street rebuild and surfacing.
John: It certainly has been a busy year completing the projects that Orrin has mentioned and planning others for 2023 and beyond. Some of the projects that are in the planning stages are talked about further later on in this article.
Was there some work done when it came to infrastructure?
Orrin: Beyond the Main Street work referred to earlier, there was about $450,000 of street work completed including concrete curbs, asphalt, and general repairs and preventative maintenance.
A second columbarium and another granite bench were added to the cemetery. The concrete work and first columbarium were completed in 2018 and a lot of people seem to like this area we’ve developed.
Would you have a bit of an update with regards to Main Street and the work done?
John: The Main Street Revitalization project has been discussed over the past several years. As many will recall, we conducted a study with the assistance of Prairie Wild Consultants focusing on Main Street but also looking at the overall needs of our community going forward. With a number of major infrastructure projects already committed to we delayed any serious planning until the past 12 to 18 months. We have taken a look at what other communities like ours has done and through the assistance of our consulting engineers we have come up with a plan to be reviewed with business owners on Feb. 6. This project will enhance our community’s ability to attract new businesses to our Main Street and make it something to be proud of by the entire community.
Would you have an update on the hospital in Watrous?
Orrin: We certainly have not gotten the results we want in terms of ER coverage and other ongoing uncertainties at the health complex but it hasn’t been for lack of effort. Our mayor and some councillors have been working tirelessly behind the scenes trying to resolve these issues.
John: As Orrin mentioned we have be in constant communication with the SHA regarding the disruptions to services at our hospital. Progress to come up with a solution to this issue have been slower than anticipated but we continue to work hard. We recently met with surrounding municipalities and as a group have come up with an incentive package to attract registered nurses to work at the hospital. We are hopeful that this may help to once again reopen the hospital to full-time services.
With a new year now here, what does 2023 hold for Watrous?
Orrin: Hopefully completion of the three block Main Street project. We have our consulting engineers working on final designs for a lagoon outfall line twinning project that would assist greatly when we have significant rainfall events. This is the second time that we have applied for infrastructure funding assistance for this project. Council is currently working through the budget process and this is certainly part of those discussions.
John: As you can see, 2023 will be a very busy year for the Town of Watrous with the outfall line twinning project and revitalization of Main Street. These are both very major projects with big price tags and will certainly improve the infrastructure of our community for many years to come.
Is there any projects or highlights you’d like to share for 2023?
Orrin: Health Haven Holdings Ltd. and the Town of Watrous have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work collaboratively towards the development and construction of a multi-unit dwelling project geared to seniors in the Town of Watrous. We are excited to pursue this goal and we certainly recognize that there is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to see a project like this happen. We are committed to continuing to work with them and hope to continue moving forward and arrive at a positive end result.
John: As I mentioned in an earlier article about the Oasis project, this is something positive for the community of Watrous and surrounding area. I am sure there will be more on this as the planning developments take place.
Are you looking at the budget soon?
Orrin: Budget will be completed late February/early March.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
John: Council is planning to have curbside carts to replace the “tag a bag” process for collecting residential waste. This will likely be implemented this spring/summer and there will be more communicated to everyone in the near future.
In closing, we are very proud of what our community has to offer to residents and visitors. Our staff continue to do an excellent job to make this happen each and every year and as a council we want to extend a big thank you to all of them.
Daniel Bushman
With events resuming, construction on Main Street occurring and other work planned for 2023, a number of items have taken place in Watrous over the past year.
The Watrous Manitou reached out to Watrous Mayor John Gunderson and Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden to get their thoughts on 2022 and what 2023 could hold. Gunderson and Redden graciously took some time out of their busy schedules to share about the year, provide a few highlights, explain some of the work being done within the community and what could be in store for 2023.
How did 2022 go as a whole for Watrous as things began to improve through the pandemic and restrictions lifted?
Orrin: For the most part our recreation and cultural facilities were able to operate at pre-pandemic levels. The swimming pool and arena both had very busy seasons.
John: As we all are aware, the pandemic presented many challenges. Both the community as a whole and our Town of Watrous staff did our best to keep the community safe and at the same time keep restrictions to a minimum. Now with our new normal we look forward to providing all the services our community has been accustomed to.
Were there a few highlights within the community during 2022?
Orrin: The veterans banner project was very successful. It had been discussed to some degree for a few years and Chelsea, John and their volunteer group finally put it all together this year and it will continue to grow over time.
There was significant tile work on the pool edge/water line this year and there are plans for some building repairs/upgrades before the 2023 pool season begins.
The water and sewer services were replaced to all properties on the #100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street following the watermain replacement two years ago. Council is hosting an information session with these business owners on Feb. 6 and the general public is welcome to attend as well. Council and our consulting engineers will review the plans for the final phase being concrete structures, lighting and the street rebuild and surfacing.
John: It certainly has been a busy year completing the projects that Orrin has mentioned and planning others for 2023 and beyond. Some of the projects that are in the planning stages are talked about further later on in this article.
Was there some work done when it came to infrastructure?
Orrin: Beyond the Main Street work referred to earlier, there was about $450,000 of street work completed including concrete curbs, asphalt, and general repairs and preventative maintenance.
A second columbarium and another granite bench were added to the cemetery. The concrete work and first columbarium were completed in 2018 and a lot of people seem to like this area we’ve developed.
Would you have a bit of an update with regards to Main Street and the work done?
John: The Main Street Revitalization project has been discussed over the past several years. As many will recall, we conducted a study with the assistance of Prairie Wild Consultants focusing on Main Street but also looking at the overall needs of our community going forward. With a number of major infrastructure projects already committed to we delayed any serious planning until the past 12 to 18 months. We have taken a look at what other communities like ours has done and through the assistance of our consulting engineers we have come up with a plan to be reviewed with business owners on Feb. 6. This project will enhance our community’s ability to attract new businesses to our Main Street and make it something to be proud of by the entire community.
Would you have an update on the hospital in Watrous?
Orrin: We certainly have not gotten the results we want in terms of ER coverage and other ongoing uncertainties at the health complex but it hasn’t been for lack of effort. Our mayor and some councillors have been working tirelessly behind the scenes trying to resolve these issues.
John: As Orrin mentioned we have be in constant communication with the SHA regarding the disruptions to services at our hospital. Progress to come up with a solution to this issue have been slower than anticipated but we continue to work hard. We recently met with surrounding municipalities and as a group have come up with an incentive package to attract registered nurses to work at the hospital. We are hopeful that this may help to once again reopen the hospital to full-time services.
With a new year now here, what does 2023 hold for Watrous?
Orrin: Hopefully completion of the three block Main Street project. We have our consulting engineers working on final designs for a lagoon outfall line twinning project that would assist greatly when we have significant rainfall events. This is the second time that we have applied for infrastructure funding assistance for this project. Council is currently working through the budget process and this is certainly part of those discussions.
John: As you can see, 2023 will be a very busy year for the Town of Watrous with the outfall line twinning project and revitalization of Main Street. These are both very major projects with big price tags and will certainly improve the infrastructure of our community for many years to come.
Is there any projects or highlights you’d like to share for 2023?
Orrin: Health Haven Holdings Ltd. and the Town of Watrous have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work collaboratively towards the development and construction of a multi-unit dwelling project geared to seniors in the Town of Watrous. We are excited to pursue this goal and we certainly recognize that there is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to see a project like this happen. We are committed to continuing to work with them and hope to continue moving forward and arrive at a positive end result.
John: As I mentioned in an earlier article about the Oasis project, this is something positive for the community of Watrous and surrounding area. I am sure there will be more on this as the planning developments take place.
Are you looking at the budget soon?
Orrin: Budget will be completed late February/early March.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
John: Council is planning to have curbside carts to replace the “tag a bag” process for collecting residential waste. This will likely be implemented this spring/summer and there will be more communicated to everyone in the near future.
In closing, we are very proud of what our community has to offer to residents and visitors. Our staff continue to do an excellent job to make this happen each and every year and as a council we want to extend a big thank you to all of them.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 30, 2023
Public meeting organized by residents at Manitou Beach
*photo courtesy Maury Wrubleski/Discover Humboldt
Daniel Bushman
Around 90 concerned ratepayers and residents of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach attended a public meeting at Danceland Jan. 25. That is according to organizer of the meeting Vickie Clarke who said the evening event was not put on by the village council nor administration but rather residents who wanted to address questions related to a number of topics pertaining to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach.
While The Watrous Manitou did not attend due to prior commitments, Maury Wrubleski from Discover Humboldt was at the meeting and shared the key focus was the recent announcement of the Oasis project relocating to Watrous and the iconic drive-in. Wrubleski stated concern was also expressed about a pair of bylaws, one requiring criminal record checks for all civic volunteers, and one establishing rates for use of public park spaces. He also explained there were a few residents who questioned why the meeting was being held while the majority simply sought answers.
Some of the topics discussed at the meeting included:
• the Oasis project, why it relocated to Watrous and its economic impact;
• the importance of village infrastructure like the condition of the water treatment plant, if there was a plan to remedy power disruption resulting in boil water requirements, the current lift stations and the costs associated with them;
• financial reporting and how it has been conducted;
• the vision for the village including vision and mission statements;
• the current situation regarding The Drive-In at Manitou Beach and whether or not it will open in 2023;
• volunteerism and the apparent decline in volunteers over the past two years for village events and requiring a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check; and
• special events in parks and public spaces and potential costs associated with them.
Specifically to the drive-in, something that has been heavily discussed, Clarke added residents wanted to know if council had taken initiative to put out a call for a new operator, expressing concern for the unique attraction.
With the meeting moderated by Cheryl Hanson and organized by Clarke, to her knowledge, the organizer shared current council and administration were not in attendance.
At the conclusion of the event, Clarke said a petition was circulated requesting an open council meeting for the purpose of discussing the Oasis project, The Drive-In, tourism within the village, and the Volunteer Bylaw – “Committee Procedure Bylaw” and the Special Events in Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw.
Clarke said at last count there were 42 signatures as the petition has been opened online for seven days and is also at Manitou Mini Mart.
In a response to Wrubleski regarding the meeting, Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen said any group of ratepayers have the right to petition for a public information meeting. “I will add that our council makes our monthly board meetings available in real time through zoom. Minutes are posted on our website soon after that. We were always planning an informational meeting after our upcoming civic bi-election. Our last public information meeting was in August 2022, and councillors willingly make their email addresses available to any ratepayers that may have questions. Our decision to not attend last night's meeting came from councillor availability and village confidentiality. If Health Haven Holdings truly wants to open up the contents of the proposed Service Agreement, they have to do so in written form to the village office. Only then are councillors and our village administrator able to speak to this.”
After the public meeting was held, Petersen along with Manitou Beach CAO Elise Dale provided the following statement to The Watrous Manitou: As a matter of principle, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach is open to disbursing factual information when requested. The fact of the matter is that the agenda items presented at the privately organized meeting were never requested from Administration. The topics were misrepresented in a way that upheld a private agenda.
The questions arising from the financial audit in 2021 predates the current administration and council. We are working with our auditor - Jensen Stromberg to meet these requirements. The area we do not comply with government standards is where the PSAB 3150 accounting standard establishes standards on how to account for and report tangible capital assets in government financial statements. This requirement has been in effect since 2006 but was previously not upheld.
The capital asset listing was not released to our new auditor until late 2022, which when finally released, was incomplete and did not comply with government standards. This narrow timeframe did not allow us to generate and complete a capital asset listing before the 2021 audit deadline. We are currently working with Jensen Stromberg to create a capital asset listing that will meet the PSAB 3150 standards going forward.
*photo courtesy Maury Wrubleski/Discover Humboldt
Daniel Bushman
Around 90 concerned ratepayers and residents of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach attended a public meeting at Danceland Jan. 25. That is according to organizer of the meeting Vickie Clarke who said the evening event was not put on by the village council nor administration but rather residents who wanted to address questions related to a number of topics pertaining to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach.
While The Watrous Manitou did not attend due to prior commitments, Maury Wrubleski from Discover Humboldt was at the meeting and shared the key focus was the recent announcement of the Oasis project relocating to Watrous and the iconic drive-in. Wrubleski stated concern was also expressed about a pair of bylaws, one requiring criminal record checks for all civic volunteers, and one establishing rates for use of public park spaces. He also explained there were a few residents who questioned why the meeting was being held while the majority simply sought answers.
Some of the topics discussed at the meeting included:
• the Oasis project, why it relocated to Watrous and its economic impact;
• the importance of village infrastructure like the condition of the water treatment plant, if there was a plan to remedy power disruption resulting in boil water requirements, the current lift stations and the costs associated with them;
• financial reporting and how it has been conducted;
• the vision for the village including vision and mission statements;
• the current situation regarding The Drive-In at Manitou Beach and whether or not it will open in 2023;
• volunteerism and the apparent decline in volunteers over the past two years for village events and requiring a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check; and
• special events in parks and public spaces and potential costs associated with them.
Specifically to the drive-in, something that has been heavily discussed, Clarke added residents wanted to know if council had taken initiative to put out a call for a new operator, expressing concern for the unique attraction.
With the meeting moderated by Cheryl Hanson and organized by Clarke, to her knowledge, the organizer shared current council and administration were not in attendance.
At the conclusion of the event, Clarke said a petition was circulated requesting an open council meeting for the purpose of discussing the Oasis project, The Drive-In, tourism within the village, and the Volunteer Bylaw – “Committee Procedure Bylaw” and the Special Events in Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw.
Clarke said at last count there were 42 signatures as the petition has been opened online for seven days and is also at Manitou Mini Mart.
In a response to Wrubleski regarding the meeting, Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen said any group of ratepayers have the right to petition for a public information meeting. “I will add that our council makes our monthly board meetings available in real time through zoom. Minutes are posted on our website soon after that. We were always planning an informational meeting after our upcoming civic bi-election. Our last public information meeting was in August 2022, and councillors willingly make their email addresses available to any ratepayers that may have questions. Our decision to not attend last night's meeting came from councillor availability and village confidentiality. If Health Haven Holdings truly wants to open up the contents of the proposed Service Agreement, they have to do so in written form to the village office. Only then are councillors and our village administrator able to speak to this.”
After the public meeting was held, Petersen along with Manitou Beach CAO Elise Dale provided the following statement to The Watrous Manitou: As a matter of principle, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach is open to disbursing factual information when requested. The fact of the matter is that the agenda items presented at the privately organized meeting were never requested from Administration. The topics were misrepresented in a way that upheld a private agenda.
The questions arising from the financial audit in 2021 predates the current administration and council. We are working with our auditor - Jensen Stromberg to meet these requirements. The area we do not comply with government standards is where the PSAB 3150 accounting standard establishes standards on how to account for and report tangible capital assets in government financial statements. This requirement has been in effect since 2006 but was previously not upheld.
The capital asset listing was not released to our new auditor until late 2022, which when finally released, was incomplete and did not comply with government standards. This narrow timeframe did not allow us to generate and complete a capital asset listing before the 2021 audit deadline. We are currently working with Jensen Stromberg to create a capital asset listing that will meet the PSAB 3150 standards going forward.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 23, 2023
New CDO looking forward to helping grow area
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for supporting community, knowing the value of tourism and understanding firsthand of what Watrous and Manitou Beach has to offer, the newest Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group is eager to see the area thrive.
Following a career in broadcasting, including nearly five years as a reporter with CJVR/Beach Radio in Melfort, Angie Rolheiser officially started as the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group’s CDO Jan. 16. With WMMG’s previous CDO Sarah McKen assisting Rolheiser as she adjusts into her new role, Angie shared she is very much looking forward to learning even more about Watrous and Manitou Beach. “I have always adored the Watrous/Manitou area. When I was reporting, I tried to cover events, projects, and organizations within the communities as much as possible. I felt it was this gem of the province that everyone needed to know about and of course, I still feel that way.”
Following a busy first few days on the job, Rolheiser plans on absorbing all of the information related to her new position before setting her focus on getting to work and continuing the progress already made by WMMG.
Excited to return to familiar surroundings, Rolheiser knows the region well. Growing up in Bradwell and attending high school in Allan, Angie explained, “When the CDO opportunity came up, I thought, what a great way to get back closer to home, get involved with two communities that have always had my interest, and work alongside the local businesses that make those communities tick.”
WMMG’s Board Chair Lane Manson said they are thrilled to have Rolheiser on board. “I have known of Angie for a while with her having some connections to the area and I got to know about Angie more through the interview process. Some of the things I heard from her previous employer about how she elevated the radio station in Melfort and her community involvement really speaks to the things that are important for us as a community organization. Being a younger person with a family is really great as we have a lot of younger families in our community and we look forward to working with her as I know she is up to the challenge.”
Already visiting and connecting with a number of local businesses during her first week on the job with more stops in the near future, Rolheiser believes Watrous and Manitou Beach is a great place to visit. “Whether you’re from the province or from out of the province, there is something for everyone here to see and do and the list keeps growing. I’m excited to see that growth continue.”
Knowing there are a number of events and happenings that take place over the course of the year, in previous years, Rolheiser has attended a number of them. Thinking about 2023 and what could be in store, she said, “Those that know me, know that I love to support community events. When I look at the amount of things that happen over the course of the summer at Manitou Beach each year, I get very excited at the thought of not only attending them but helping to share that information with others so they have a chance to be part of them and check them out.”
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for supporting community, knowing the value of tourism and understanding firsthand of what Watrous and Manitou Beach has to offer, the newest Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group is eager to see the area thrive.
Following a career in broadcasting, including nearly five years as a reporter with CJVR/Beach Radio in Melfort, Angie Rolheiser officially started as the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group’s CDO Jan. 16. With WMMG’s previous CDO Sarah McKen assisting Rolheiser as she adjusts into her new role, Angie shared she is very much looking forward to learning even more about Watrous and Manitou Beach. “I have always adored the Watrous/Manitou area. When I was reporting, I tried to cover events, projects, and organizations within the communities as much as possible. I felt it was this gem of the province that everyone needed to know about and of course, I still feel that way.”
Following a busy first few days on the job, Rolheiser plans on absorbing all of the information related to her new position before setting her focus on getting to work and continuing the progress already made by WMMG.
Excited to return to familiar surroundings, Rolheiser knows the region well. Growing up in Bradwell and attending high school in Allan, Angie explained, “When the CDO opportunity came up, I thought, what a great way to get back closer to home, get involved with two communities that have always had my interest, and work alongside the local businesses that make those communities tick.”
WMMG’s Board Chair Lane Manson said they are thrilled to have Rolheiser on board. “I have known of Angie for a while with her having some connections to the area and I got to know about Angie more through the interview process. Some of the things I heard from her previous employer about how she elevated the radio station in Melfort and her community involvement really speaks to the things that are important for us as a community organization. Being a younger person with a family is really great as we have a lot of younger families in our community and we look forward to working with her as I know she is up to the challenge.”
Already visiting and connecting with a number of local businesses during her first week on the job with more stops in the near future, Rolheiser believes Watrous and Manitou Beach is a great place to visit. “Whether you’re from the province or from out of the province, there is something for everyone here to see and do and the list keeps growing. I’m excited to see that growth continue.”
Knowing there are a number of events and happenings that take place over the course of the year, in previous years, Rolheiser has attended a number of them. Thinking about 2023 and what could be in store, she said, “Those that know me, know that I love to support community events. When I look at the amount of things that happen over the course of the summer at Manitou Beach each year, I get very excited at the thought of not only attending them but helping to share that information with others so they have a chance to be part of them and check them out.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 16, 2023
Multi-million dollar project relocating to Watrous
Daniel Bushman
With a vision to see a state-of-the-art holistic wellness centre and retirement complex created for people to enjoy, Developer Michael Byrne has spent countless hours seeing his idea become a reality. Originally wanting to construct Oasis Village at Manitou Beach, Byrne shared plans have recently changed.
During a recent meeting, the founders of the multi-million dollar project determined that the Oasis Village project should consider Watrous as the location.
With Town of Watrous Council unanimously approving the facility to be built in the community near the hospital, Byrne graciously took some time to explain the process, what the project will be like and some of the hurdles faced.
How excited are you about the developments regarding Oasis Village?
We are very excited to be moving forward again. During our last founders’ meeting it was suggested that we explore taking the project to Watrous. Introductions were made and I was invited to meet with the mayor, administrator, and the public works operations officer from Watrous. They expressed a sincere desire for the project, and this was confirmed at the Watrous council meeting held on the same day.
Watrous has land available in an excellent location next to the hospital. Both parties worked collaboratively to draft a Memorandum of Understanding that would lead to a development permit and ultimately to a building permit. As a result of joint efforts from late December 2022 to Jan. 5th, 2023, we developed an agreement that meets the needs of Oasis and Watrous.
Why did you decide to relocate your project from Manitou Beach to Watrous?
To be clear, I am not the sole decision maker. Health Haven Holdings Ltd. is a small group of mainly local individuals and business owners dedicated to the security and stability of the community. The group has a vast array of individual experience that make it possible to take on such a rewarding project.
In July, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach Village Council presented a Service Agreement to the developer, Health Haven Holdings Ltd. (HHH). The capital cost to fund the agreement is extensive. At this point we have not been successful in arriving at a solution that would meet the vision and needs of both Manitou village council and the developer. By early December the OASIS team and its founders were concerned with losing our momentum and came to the conclusion that a resolution could take considerable time. We decided to explore our options.
What will the proposed facility be like once completed?
The answer to this question will help to explain why we decided to move part of the project to Watrous.
The upscale Watrous facility will be focused primarily on retirement living with a supportive care component. The feasibility study we have currently supports this model of approximately 80 units. We will require a modified building design and most of our intellectual property which includes the financial models, pro-forma, financing instruments and marketing tools are transferable.
While the new centre in Watrous will not be overlooking a lake, do you still feel it will be a marquee attraction for people?
Expert opinion is that an upscale retirement residence next to a hospital in a thriving and well serviced prairie community like Watrous will be appealing. We will have a pool and will make every effort to bring water to it from Little Manitou Lake.
Our architects will soon be working on a building design that will compliment the location and be the envy of other communities.
Will investors be attracted to the Watrous location?
In addition to residents, the financial markets and investors will perceive the location as more mainstream and lower risk. The opportunity for an established Senior Care Operator is also a possibility.
There are no water and sewer capacity issues in Watrous and there is a municipal government in Watrous committed to economic development and the long-term security of the residents. These considerations result in lower risk for us and investors. The construction budget will also be lower and will require less equity to be raised.
Now that you are coming to Watrous, will you ever consider expanding to Manitou Beach?
ABSOLUTELY! Each phase and location appeals to a separate and distinct market. Many of us are emotionally attached to the location in Manitou Beach and that would also likely apply to individuals outside of the region looking for the attributes of the lake. The opportunity to develop a Phase 2 “health and wellness resort centre” with adult condos in Manitou Beach is still an option. The interest I have from the national medical community to support such a project is strong and will mitigate the investment and marketing risks mentioned in the answer to your previous question. We will continue to work with Provincial Community Planning to complete our land purchase from the Village and move that project forward.
Why continue to push ahead despite all of the obstacles?
Short answer is: “Why not?” My vision really started to take shape over three years ago - on Apr. 8, 2019 - and it has faced challenges along the way, but at no point did I ever lose the commitment to this project. Oasis Village is something I truly believe in that will meet the needs of our growing retirement community that does not want to have to move to the city so they can enjoy their desired lifestyle. A lifestyle they either grew up here with or moved here to enjoy.
Are you looking forward to the future now that you have municipal approval to proceed with the project in Watrous?
I always look forward to the mystery that is the future. I do try to enjoy each day and endeavour to “think and act in a creative way that will add value to people.”
From the very beginning, my vision was to create a thriving experience at all levels for our residents, visitors, staff, our investors and the community. It is that philosophy that we have worked to maintain all the way through.
Our entire team of professionals is excited to get the project moving again...All aspects architecture, construction, finance and advisory, marketing - they are all passionate about the project and committed to it.
Local reaction on Oasis Village relocating to Watrous:
Town of Watrous Mayor John Gunderson:
When Michael Byrne of the Oasis Project approached the Town of Watrous recently to discuss possibly constructing the facility in our community we were immediately interested. The Town of Watrous has a number of options for “retirement living” including condos and apartment type dwellings when people decide to move from their residence. However, there was definitely a void if residents were looking for some form of assisted living. Therefore, this is something that we definitely wanted to pursue.
There are numerous benefits to our community when the Oasis Project becomes a reality. Residents no longer have to look in cities like Saskatoon or Regina to have the assisted living option. Of course, the economic benefits are significant. We expect to have a number of new residents move here and there will be several new job opportunities at the facility to name a couple.
As a destination area, Watrous and Manitou Beach have a vision to attract people not only to visit as tourists but to live, work and play here. This will definitely help the two communities as a whole meet this goal.
Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Chair and Town of Watrous Councillor Lane Manson:
I think this is a great opportunity. We are at the start of this project for Watrous and have come to an agreement to work together to try and bring it to fruition.
The group have been trying to get something going and this provides an opportunity for them to move forward and have a world-class facility built in Watrous. Watrous Town Councillor Lane is ecstatic about that. Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Chair Lane is also ecstatic about it. I see it as an opportunity to build trust between the group and community and communities along with people in the area. It could be a real win-win-win for everybody.
Daniel Bushman
With a vision to see a state-of-the-art holistic wellness centre and retirement complex created for people to enjoy, Developer Michael Byrne has spent countless hours seeing his idea become a reality. Originally wanting to construct Oasis Village at Manitou Beach, Byrne shared plans have recently changed.
During a recent meeting, the founders of the multi-million dollar project determined that the Oasis Village project should consider Watrous as the location.
With Town of Watrous Council unanimously approving the facility to be built in the community near the hospital, Byrne graciously took some time to explain the process, what the project will be like and some of the hurdles faced.
How excited are you about the developments regarding Oasis Village?
We are very excited to be moving forward again. During our last founders’ meeting it was suggested that we explore taking the project to Watrous. Introductions were made and I was invited to meet with the mayor, administrator, and the public works operations officer from Watrous. They expressed a sincere desire for the project, and this was confirmed at the Watrous council meeting held on the same day.
Watrous has land available in an excellent location next to the hospital. Both parties worked collaboratively to draft a Memorandum of Understanding that would lead to a development permit and ultimately to a building permit. As a result of joint efforts from late December 2022 to Jan. 5th, 2023, we developed an agreement that meets the needs of Oasis and Watrous.
Why did you decide to relocate your project from Manitou Beach to Watrous?
To be clear, I am not the sole decision maker. Health Haven Holdings Ltd. is a small group of mainly local individuals and business owners dedicated to the security and stability of the community. The group has a vast array of individual experience that make it possible to take on such a rewarding project.
In July, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach Village Council presented a Service Agreement to the developer, Health Haven Holdings Ltd. (HHH). The capital cost to fund the agreement is extensive. At this point we have not been successful in arriving at a solution that would meet the vision and needs of both Manitou village council and the developer. By early December the OASIS team and its founders were concerned with losing our momentum and came to the conclusion that a resolution could take considerable time. We decided to explore our options.
What will the proposed facility be like once completed?
The answer to this question will help to explain why we decided to move part of the project to Watrous.
The upscale Watrous facility will be focused primarily on retirement living with a supportive care component. The feasibility study we have currently supports this model of approximately 80 units. We will require a modified building design and most of our intellectual property which includes the financial models, pro-forma, financing instruments and marketing tools are transferable.
While the new centre in Watrous will not be overlooking a lake, do you still feel it will be a marquee attraction for people?
Expert opinion is that an upscale retirement residence next to a hospital in a thriving and well serviced prairie community like Watrous will be appealing. We will have a pool and will make every effort to bring water to it from Little Manitou Lake.
Our architects will soon be working on a building design that will compliment the location and be the envy of other communities.
Will investors be attracted to the Watrous location?
In addition to residents, the financial markets and investors will perceive the location as more mainstream and lower risk. The opportunity for an established Senior Care Operator is also a possibility.
There are no water and sewer capacity issues in Watrous and there is a municipal government in Watrous committed to economic development and the long-term security of the residents. These considerations result in lower risk for us and investors. The construction budget will also be lower and will require less equity to be raised.
Now that you are coming to Watrous, will you ever consider expanding to Manitou Beach?
ABSOLUTELY! Each phase and location appeals to a separate and distinct market. Many of us are emotionally attached to the location in Manitou Beach and that would also likely apply to individuals outside of the region looking for the attributes of the lake. The opportunity to develop a Phase 2 “health and wellness resort centre” with adult condos in Manitou Beach is still an option. The interest I have from the national medical community to support such a project is strong and will mitigate the investment and marketing risks mentioned in the answer to your previous question. We will continue to work with Provincial Community Planning to complete our land purchase from the Village and move that project forward.
Why continue to push ahead despite all of the obstacles?
Short answer is: “Why not?” My vision really started to take shape over three years ago - on Apr. 8, 2019 - and it has faced challenges along the way, but at no point did I ever lose the commitment to this project. Oasis Village is something I truly believe in that will meet the needs of our growing retirement community that does not want to have to move to the city so they can enjoy their desired lifestyle. A lifestyle they either grew up here with or moved here to enjoy.
Are you looking forward to the future now that you have municipal approval to proceed with the project in Watrous?
I always look forward to the mystery that is the future. I do try to enjoy each day and endeavour to “think and act in a creative way that will add value to people.”
From the very beginning, my vision was to create a thriving experience at all levels for our residents, visitors, staff, our investors and the community. It is that philosophy that we have worked to maintain all the way through.
Our entire team of professionals is excited to get the project moving again...All aspects architecture, construction, finance and advisory, marketing - they are all passionate about the project and committed to it.
Local reaction on Oasis Village relocating to Watrous:
Town of Watrous Mayor John Gunderson:
When Michael Byrne of the Oasis Project approached the Town of Watrous recently to discuss possibly constructing the facility in our community we were immediately interested. The Town of Watrous has a number of options for “retirement living” including condos and apartment type dwellings when people decide to move from their residence. However, there was definitely a void if residents were looking for some form of assisted living. Therefore, this is something that we definitely wanted to pursue.
There are numerous benefits to our community when the Oasis Project becomes a reality. Residents no longer have to look in cities like Saskatoon or Regina to have the assisted living option. Of course, the economic benefits are significant. We expect to have a number of new residents move here and there will be several new job opportunities at the facility to name a couple.
As a destination area, Watrous and Manitou Beach have a vision to attract people not only to visit as tourists but to live, work and play here. This will definitely help the two communities as a whole meet this goal.
Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Chair and Town of Watrous Councillor Lane Manson:
I think this is a great opportunity. We are at the start of this project for Watrous and have come to an agreement to work together to try and bring it to fruition.
The group have been trying to get something going and this provides an opportunity for them to move forward and have a world-class facility built in Watrous. Watrous Town Councillor Lane is ecstatic about that. Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Chair Lane is also ecstatic about it. I see it as an opportunity to build trust between the group and community and communities along with people in the area. It could be a real win-win-win for everybody.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 9, 2023
Deputy Premier reflects back on 2022 and looks ahead to 2023
Daniel Bushman
Despite facing a number of challenges posed during the pandemic, Deputy Premier, provincial Finance Minister and local MLA for the Humboldt - Watrous constituency Donna Harpauer along with the Saskatchewan government took aim at trying to get back on track in 2022.
Understanding the people of Saskatchewan are also facing hurdles, as 2023 approached, Harpauer who was raised on a farm near Guernsey and completed her high school education at Lanigan Central High School graciously took some time out of her busy schedule to share about how 2022 went and what might be ahead in 2023.
How did 2022 go from a financial perspective as the province pushed through the pandemic?
We recognize that people are faced with some challenges right now with inflation being high and the cost of things going up but there is also a very positive story in our province. Recently our population surpassed 1.2 million people for the first time in history, which is exciting.
Our job growth in the province is still increasing. We have 11,800 jobs compared to last year which gives Saskatchewan the second lowest unemployment rate in the country.
We have over $15 billion of private sector investments committed to our province so that will be very very positive in our communities for future jobs and future development.
We have also been able to write down our provincial debt by $1 billion. The savings in interest in future years is something we can use to invest in health care, education and social safety nets. We feel that the debt reduction is certainly important to the future finances of the province.
As people know, we have also delivered the one time Saskatchewan affordability tax credit due to our resource revenues being extremely high. I know in inflationary times that a tax credit was appreciated. For those who didn’t need it, I want to say thank you to them because many donated it to charitable causes which then goes further to help those most vulnerable.
Some have suggested instead of providing a one time affordability tax credit to residents to instead invest that money into health care or education. What is your response to that idea?
The caution that I have been trying to let people know is should you put it into something like an ongoing operating cost then when you have an expense year over year when your income is not year over year then the following year, where do you find the money? That is why we chose the one time payment because it is potentially a one time income.
Health care has been top of mind for many people in Saskatchewan including locally as hospitals have been experiencing disruptions. What is the province doing to try and help in that area?
There has been money added to health care specific to be able to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care professionals across the province. There are a number of places where there is a staff shortage and of course Watrous is experiencing that. Lanigan has had somewhat of an improvement but it is still not full services. The reason for that is staffing and we have a very aggressive plan that we have put $60 million towards to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care professionals and get them deployed in these centres to bring them back up to the level of service that they were previously.
We are seeing some results from that. Our health minister recently got back from a recruitment mission from the Philippines and nearly 130 conditional offers were made. Hopefully we can get some of those professionals here and on the ground working.
The second area where we have added money is we are going to accelerate our targets for surgeries. Throughout covid when the surgical procedures were not being performed at the same level that they were previously that meant that our wait list for surgeries were backing up. That affects the quality of life for those on that wait list so we set a very aggressive target of performing 97,000 surgeries over the next year which will be the highest number we have ever done. We think we are on course to meet that target.
With the service disruptions locally, could you share if any of the hospitals in Watrous and Lanigan will close?
We have no intentions of closing our facilities that we have. We understand the challenges of getting workers but we are going to meet that challenge.
Is the provincial government aware of the current challenges within health care?
It is concerning. One of the things we have done in the past when there was a shortage of doctors in rural Saskatchewan is we set up an agency and it specifically targeted recruiting and training doctors. What we are going to do is essentially fire that agency back up again but get it to target more than just doctors and in some cases, continuing care aide like nurses and LPNs. It is a compliment to all of those and we are having a hard time recruiting for rural Saskatchewan and we are hoping that will help as well.
Could you talk about what is being done when it comes to education?
We added to the original budget allocations twice to education with funds totalling $35 million. One was to recognize student enrolment increases in certain areas and the second was to help the school divisions with inflationary pressures.
Going forward, in this budget we will be reviewing what needs to be necessary to hold the level of service that school divisions are able to deliver.
We also announced provincially that we will be setting up a centralized online learning centre that students will then have additional choices as to perhaps one class or more of having that available. That will be consistent across the province rather than delivered differently from one school division to another.
For those who have been working tirelessly during the pandemic, what would you like to say to them?
Those who have worked through the pandemic in health care, education and also the service industry that have literally been there to give the necessary services to people, we want to thank them so much. It was very very trying times and what they did was noted and important.
Wrapping up 2022 and heading into 2023, how are things looking for Saskatchewan and also the provincial budget?
We are ending 2022 with one of the strongest economies in the country and that is because of the people that we have here that are hard working and resilient and the confidence that others are having in our province that they are willing to invest here.
With the upcoming provincial budget, I start in September of 2022 and look at the different ministry budgets to find out where they have pressures, where they want to make changes and priorities. Those concessions have been happening since the end of September then into January and February you have to bring that all together and do a review of what is projected to be the revenues for the year. Then you have to make those decisions that are hard to make.
I always say there is very seldom competing bad ideas, there is usually competing good ideas and you have to pick and choose. There is not ever money for all of it but as we meet with people back home now, we are listening to people’s priorities and we are hoping to be able to make those decisions which is the priority of the people of Saskatchewan.
You recently had the opportunity to present some of your constituents with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in Humboldt on Dec. 19. How special was that for you?
It was overwhelming to see how humbled they were. I felt overwhelmed to be able to acknowledge them and just to thank them. It was important to thank them.
So many people in our communities in Saskatchewan are going above and beyond and they don’t think they are doing anything exceptional and they do not expect any acknowledgment. It is truly humbling to be able to have a day where we can acknowledge those people. Unfortunately some get missed out because we don’t know what they are doing so I want to extend a thank you to all of those too.
Daniel Bushman
Despite facing a number of challenges posed during the pandemic, Deputy Premier, provincial Finance Minister and local MLA for the Humboldt - Watrous constituency Donna Harpauer along with the Saskatchewan government took aim at trying to get back on track in 2022.
Understanding the people of Saskatchewan are also facing hurdles, as 2023 approached, Harpauer who was raised on a farm near Guernsey and completed her high school education at Lanigan Central High School graciously took some time out of her busy schedule to share about how 2022 went and what might be ahead in 2023.
How did 2022 go from a financial perspective as the province pushed through the pandemic?
We recognize that people are faced with some challenges right now with inflation being high and the cost of things going up but there is also a very positive story in our province. Recently our population surpassed 1.2 million people for the first time in history, which is exciting.
Our job growth in the province is still increasing. We have 11,800 jobs compared to last year which gives Saskatchewan the second lowest unemployment rate in the country.
We have over $15 billion of private sector investments committed to our province so that will be very very positive in our communities for future jobs and future development.
We have also been able to write down our provincial debt by $1 billion. The savings in interest in future years is something we can use to invest in health care, education and social safety nets. We feel that the debt reduction is certainly important to the future finances of the province.
As people know, we have also delivered the one time Saskatchewan affordability tax credit due to our resource revenues being extremely high. I know in inflationary times that a tax credit was appreciated. For those who didn’t need it, I want to say thank you to them because many donated it to charitable causes which then goes further to help those most vulnerable.
Some have suggested instead of providing a one time affordability tax credit to residents to instead invest that money into health care or education. What is your response to that idea?
The caution that I have been trying to let people know is should you put it into something like an ongoing operating cost then when you have an expense year over year when your income is not year over year then the following year, where do you find the money? That is why we chose the one time payment because it is potentially a one time income.
Health care has been top of mind for many people in Saskatchewan including locally as hospitals have been experiencing disruptions. What is the province doing to try and help in that area?
There has been money added to health care specific to be able to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care professionals across the province. There are a number of places where there is a staff shortage and of course Watrous is experiencing that. Lanigan has had somewhat of an improvement but it is still not full services. The reason for that is staffing and we have a very aggressive plan that we have put $60 million towards to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care professionals and get them deployed in these centres to bring them back up to the level of service that they were previously.
We are seeing some results from that. Our health minister recently got back from a recruitment mission from the Philippines and nearly 130 conditional offers were made. Hopefully we can get some of those professionals here and on the ground working.
The second area where we have added money is we are going to accelerate our targets for surgeries. Throughout covid when the surgical procedures were not being performed at the same level that they were previously that meant that our wait list for surgeries were backing up. That affects the quality of life for those on that wait list so we set a very aggressive target of performing 97,000 surgeries over the next year which will be the highest number we have ever done. We think we are on course to meet that target.
With the service disruptions locally, could you share if any of the hospitals in Watrous and Lanigan will close?
We have no intentions of closing our facilities that we have. We understand the challenges of getting workers but we are going to meet that challenge.
Is the provincial government aware of the current challenges within health care?
It is concerning. One of the things we have done in the past when there was a shortage of doctors in rural Saskatchewan is we set up an agency and it specifically targeted recruiting and training doctors. What we are going to do is essentially fire that agency back up again but get it to target more than just doctors and in some cases, continuing care aide like nurses and LPNs. It is a compliment to all of those and we are having a hard time recruiting for rural Saskatchewan and we are hoping that will help as well.
Could you talk about what is being done when it comes to education?
We added to the original budget allocations twice to education with funds totalling $35 million. One was to recognize student enrolment increases in certain areas and the second was to help the school divisions with inflationary pressures.
Going forward, in this budget we will be reviewing what needs to be necessary to hold the level of service that school divisions are able to deliver.
We also announced provincially that we will be setting up a centralized online learning centre that students will then have additional choices as to perhaps one class or more of having that available. That will be consistent across the province rather than delivered differently from one school division to another.
For those who have been working tirelessly during the pandemic, what would you like to say to them?
Those who have worked through the pandemic in health care, education and also the service industry that have literally been there to give the necessary services to people, we want to thank them so much. It was very very trying times and what they did was noted and important.
Wrapping up 2022 and heading into 2023, how are things looking for Saskatchewan and also the provincial budget?
We are ending 2022 with one of the strongest economies in the country and that is because of the people that we have here that are hard working and resilient and the confidence that others are having in our province that they are willing to invest here.
With the upcoming provincial budget, I start in September of 2022 and look at the different ministry budgets to find out where they have pressures, where they want to make changes and priorities. Those concessions have been happening since the end of September then into January and February you have to bring that all together and do a review of what is projected to be the revenues for the year. Then you have to make those decisions that are hard to make.
I always say there is very seldom competing bad ideas, there is usually competing good ideas and you have to pick and choose. There is not ever money for all of it but as we meet with people back home now, we are listening to people’s priorities and we are hoping to be able to make those decisions which is the priority of the people of Saskatchewan.
You recently had the opportunity to present some of your constituents with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in Humboldt on Dec. 19. How special was that for you?
It was overwhelming to see how humbled they were. I felt overwhelmed to be able to acknowledge them and just to thank them. It was important to thank them.
So many people in our communities in Saskatchewan are going above and beyond and they don’t think they are doing anything exceptional and they do not expect any acknowledgment. It is truly humbling to be able to have a day where we can acknowledge those people. Unfortunately some get missed out because we don’t know what they are doing so I want to extend a thank you to all of those too.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 2, 2023
Local area residents receive prestigious medal
Daniel Bushman
For a number of local area residents and special guests, it was a day to remember as over 40 recipients within the Humboldt-Watrous and Batoche constituencies were bestowed with a tremendous and very well-deserving honour.
Joined at the Bella Vista Inn in Humboldt by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, His Honour, the Honourable Russ Mirasty, Deputy Premier and Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer along with Batoche MLA Delbert Kirsch presented Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals to each worthy recipient.
Those recognized during the Dec. 19 event were called forward one by one to accept their medals for their contributions in the fields of volunteer service, health care, public service, communication, arts, protective services, religion and business/commerce.
Of those from the Humboldt-Watrous constituency, a number are familiar faces to the local area and included: Ron Ediger from Watrous, Lyle Emmons from Manitou Beach, Shirley Frydenlund from Allan, Irene Gray from Colonsay, Angel Liebrecht from Lanigan, Jack and Mardelle Robson from Lanigan, Larry Sommerfeld from Allan, and Lionel Sproule from Manitou Beach. Unable to attend the ceremony and were also named recipients of the prestigious medal were Barry Croshaw from Watrous, Don Bowman of Guernsey and Brad Wildeman of Lanigan.
Deputy Premier Donna Harpauer shared it was an exciting day and a way to recognize local people and what they do for their neighbours and communities at large. “So many people in our communities in Saskatchewan are going above and beyond and they don’t think they are doing anything exceptional and they do not expect any acknowledgment. It is truly humbling to be able to have a day where we can acknowledge those people. Unfortunately some get missed out because we don’t know what they are doing so I want to extend a thank you to all of those too.”
Given to those who have made contributions to Canada, Saskatchewan, or to a particular region or community, the medal was created to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Accession to the Throne. It was also made as a tangible way for the province of Saskatchewan to honour Her Majesty for her service to Canada.
“It was overwhelming to see how humbled they were,” explained Harpauer of the recipients in attendance as they each received a medal. “I felt overwhelmed to be able to acknowledge them and just to thank them. It was important to thank them.”
Daniel Bushman
For a number of local area residents and special guests, it was a day to remember as over 40 recipients within the Humboldt-Watrous and Batoche constituencies were bestowed with a tremendous and very well-deserving honour.
Joined at the Bella Vista Inn in Humboldt by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, His Honour, the Honourable Russ Mirasty, Deputy Premier and Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer along with Batoche MLA Delbert Kirsch presented Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals to each worthy recipient.
Those recognized during the Dec. 19 event were called forward one by one to accept their medals for their contributions in the fields of volunteer service, health care, public service, communication, arts, protective services, religion and business/commerce.
Of those from the Humboldt-Watrous constituency, a number are familiar faces to the local area and included: Ron Ediger from Watrous, Lyle Emmons from Manitou Beach, Shirley Frydenlund from Allan, Irene Gray from Colonsay, Angel Liebrecht from Lanigan, Jack and Mardelle Robson from Lanigan, Larry Sommerfeld from Allan, and Lionel Sproule from Manitou Beach. Unable to attend the ceremony and were also named recipients of the prestigious medal were Barry Croshaw from Watrous, Don Bowman of Guernsey and Brad Wildeman of Lanigan.
Deputy Premier Donna Harpauer shared it was an exciting day and a way to recognize local people and what they do for their neighbours and communities at large. “So many people in our communities in Saskatchewan are going above and beyond and they don’t think they are doing anything exceptional and they do not expect any acknowledgment. It is truly humbling to be able to have a day where we can acknowledge those people. Unfortunately some get missed out because we don’t know what they are doing so I want to extend a thank you to all of those too.”
Given to those who have made contributions to Canada, Saskatchewan, or to a particular region or community, the medal was created to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Accession to the Throne. It was also made as a tangible way for the province of Saskatchewan to honour Her Majesty for her service to Canada.
“It was overwhelming to see how humbled they were,” explained Harpauer of the recipients in attendance as they each received a medal. “I felt overwhelmed to be able to acknowledge them and just to thank them. It was important to thank them.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 19, 2022
Watrous Citizen of the Year named
*photo courtesy Chelsea Murfitt
Daniel Bushman
Considering it an honour and a privilege to be named the 2022 Watrous Citizen of the Year, Debbie Farago has not only invested in the lives of those around her at Interlake Human Resources (IHRC) and Sarcan but her dedication to the betterment of community during her time throughout has been evident.
Receiving the citizen of the year honour at the Town of Watrous Christmas party Dec. 8, Farago was blown away when she found out she had been named as the 2022 recipient. “It was very satisfying and felt like a culmination of 24 years of work. It didn’t feel like it was just for this year but for my whole time with IHRC. It was a really nice way to leave and go into retirement.”
Growing up in Viscount before getting married and living on a farm for 27 years, Farago then retired to Manitou Beach. Shortly after moving to the area, Debbie felt she was not quite ready for retirement so she worked at the Manitou Springs Mineral Spa for a few years and then saw an ad in the newspaper about an opportunity to work at a new group home in Nokomis. Thinking she might like it, Debbie got the job in 1999 and two years later, was offered the position of manager at IHRC.
Over the next almost two and a half decades, Farago said with support from the board and staff, they were able to accomplish a number of things including moving their location onto Main Street in Watrous, buying their own Sarcan to provide revenue, and seeing a group home soon to be constructed in Watrous.
“It was just really cool to go to work with people who are interested and they get what you have to give. It was just joy,” explained Farago who retired from her managerial position in May. “I was so fortunate to be able to do what I did. Not a lot of people find something that they really, really like to do. I found it late in life and it has been a real privilege to be part of the Watrous community and to run two businesses on Main Street and to contribute.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Angela Silzer and Margie Borsheim, two of those who nominated Farago for Watrous Citizen of the Year. In a portion of the letter, the pair, on behalf of IHRC shared how Debbie is synonymous with the organization, first starting in January of 1999 as program staff before taking on the role of manager/executive director.
“Debbie is a visionary, a ‘can do’ person. Combined with her management and leadership skills, and her perseverance, Debbie is responsible for many of the successes IHRC/Sarcan agencies enjoys today.”
Listing some of those successes during Farago’s time on staff, they included:
• Obtaining the school unit building and renovating it into IHRC’s head office providing a safe and active environment for participants and staff;
• Moving Sarcan from a shared back alley building into the Main Street building;
• Initiating many specialized programs for IHRC participants enabling participants to enjoy a more independent quality of life and become active contributing members of our community;
• Being a liaison with Winston High School and their special needs students; and
• Adding to the IHRC head office building and the building of soon to be Watrous Group Home.
“Debbie has been a true champion and advocate for persons with intellectual disabilities, doing so in our agency’s service areas and at the provincial government level. Also over the years willingly pitching in IHRC and herself personally for the good of the community regardless of the mission.”
Loving her time with IHRC, Farago shared she was proud to have been able to make a difference. “Generally we provided a really successful service with so much joy involved. Our days were good days and I am very proud of that. Our clients’ days were good and fulfilling as well and none of this could have been done without the support of the Board and the staff.”
“Debbie has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to our IHRC organization, to our participants’ lives and to the community at large.”
A dream to live in the area and to have been able to have a fulfilling career later in life, reflecting back, Debbie said, “It is really more than you can ask for and I really enjoyed my job a lot.”
*photo courtesy Chelsea Murfitt
Daniel Bushman
Considering it an honour and a privilege to be named the 2022 Watrous Citizen of the Year, Debbie Farago has not only invested in the lives of those around her at Interlake Human Resources (IHRC) and Sarcan but her dedication to the betterment of community during her time throughout has been evident.
Receiving the citizen of the year honour at the Town of Watrous Christmas party Dec. 8, Farago was blown away when she found out she had been named as the 2022 recipient. “It was very satisfying and felt like a culmination of 24 years of work. It didn’t feel like it was just for this year but for my whole time with IHRC. It was a really nice way to leave and go into retirement.”
Growing up in Viscount before getting married and living on a farm for 27 years, Farago then retired to Manitou Beach. Shortly after moving to the area, Debbie felt she was not quite ready for retirement so she worked at the Manitou Springs Mineral Spa for a few years and then saw an ad in the newspaper about an opportunity to work at a new group home in Nokomis. Thinking she might like it, Debbie got the job in 1999 and two years later, was offered the position of manager at IHRC.
Over the next almost two and a half decades, Farago said with support from the board and staff, they were able to accomplish a number of things including moving their location onto Main Street in Watrous, buying their own Sarcan to provide revenue, and seeing a group home soon to be constructed in Watrous.
“It was just really cool to go to work with people who are interested and they get what you have to give. It was just joy,” explained Farago who retired from her managerial position in May. “I was so fortunate to be able to do what I did. Not a lot of people find something that they really, really like to do. I found it late in life and it has been a real privilege to be part of the Watrous community and to run two businesses on Main Street and to contribute.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Angela Silzer and Margie Borsheim, two of those who nominated Farago for Watrous Citizen of the Year. In a portion of the letter, the pair, on behalf of IHRC shared how Debbie is synonymous with the organization, first starting in January of 1999 as program staff before taking on the role of manager/executive director.
“Debbie is a visionary, a ‘can do’ person. Combined with her management and leadership skills, and her perseverance, Debbie is responsible for many of the successes IHRC/Sarcan agencies enjoys today.”
Listing some of those successes during Farago’s time on staff, they included:
• Obtaining the school unit building and renovating it into IHRC’s head office providing a safe and active environment for participants and staff;
• Moving Sarcan from a shared back alley building into the Main Street building;
• Initiating many specialized programs for IHRC participants enabling participants to enjoy a more independent quality of life and become active contributing members of our community;
• Being a liaison with Winston High School and their special needs students; and
• Adding to the IHRC head office building and the building of soon to be Watrous Group Home.
“Debbie has been a true champion and advocate for persons with intellectual disabilities, doing so in our agency’s service areas and at the provincial government level. Also over the years willingly pitching in IHRC and herself personally for the good of the community regardless of the mission.”
Loving her time with IHRC, Farago shared she was proud to have been able to make a difference. “Generally we provided a really successful service with so much joy involved. Our days were good days and I am very proud of that. Our clients’ days were good and fulfilling as well and none of this could have been done without the support of the Board and the staff.”
“Debbie has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to our IHRC organization, to our participants’ lives and to the community at large.”
A dream to live in the area and to have been able to have a fulfilling career later in life, reflecting back, Debbie said, “It is really more than you can ask for and I really enjoyed my job a lot.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 12, 2022
EMS building being constructed in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
With a need for more space and an opportunity to include a training and administration area and staffing quarters, construction is underway on a state-of-the-art EMS facility in Watrous. With a price tag of approximately $1.7 million and covered through Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) funded capital projects, the new building will be situated on the current Watrous District Health Complex grounds near Manitou Lodge.
Following years of sharing an essential services building that houses equipment and vehicles belonging to the Watrous Fire Department, SHA indicated it was approached by the Town of Watrous a few years ago about the potential of relocating the ambulances to free up space for the fire department as it continues to expand its services.
Reviewing its current and future EMS needs in Watrous, SHA determined construction of a new facility would be the best way to proceed. Director of EMS Central for SHA, Krista Remeshylo said they completed a design consultation process a few years ago to design an EMS station comparing needs of rural services similar in size to Watrous EMS. Looking at the similar size and workload to Watrous EMS, the new space near Manitou Lodge will contain three functional areas:
• ambulance/vehicle storage;
• an administration and training area; and
• a residence for staff that are on EMS standby.
Housing two ambulance units for emergency response with additional storage for a spare ambulance unit used for mechanical back up, SHA stated the extra unit will be used in Watrous or any of the surrounding EMS services as needed. A small administrative area, a training space as well as crew quarters for staff on standby that live outside of the Watrous community are also being incorporated into the project.
With a tender approved and construction underway since the end of November, the new facility is anticipated to be completed in spring of 2023. “We are expecting around that May date,” said EMS Operations Manager for SHA Central Jody Lundy. “We feel it is very important for the future of EMS as recruitment and retention remains a challenge across the province. This will definitely support the recruitment and retention piece by providing a space for the crew initially and also the crew quarters which are definitely required in this location and many locations across the province. Crews are coming in for an eight-hour shift and then there is a 16-hour on call component attached to it. It is not like we can have the crews come in, do their work and go home. They are required to remain in the community for that 24-hour period when they are covering that shift.”
There is no plan to immediately increase EMS staffing in Watrous but as the SHA continues to build its multi-year EMS stabilization plan in the province, adjustments to the EMS staffing in Watrous may occur.
As members of the local EMS team eagerly await the completion of the new facility, Lundy said the local hospital has been gracious in having the EMS staff working in the health complex. She added once the new place is ready, staff will still have a presence at the hospital but will also be able to reduce response times to patients as well. “Right now with the facility being off-site where the ambulances are being stored, it can lead to extended response times because if the staff are at the hospital and a call comes in they have to drive to the essential services building, get the ambulance and respond. In the future with the ambulance station being near the hospital on the grounds, they can respond with a shorter time when they are staffed at the hospital.”
Pleased to see the new project going forward after having discussions with SHA for a few years regarding the current space, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said to have the new EMS facility located right on the hospital grounds is an ideal situation. “The design of the building is such to be able to accommodate the people they want to have there. If we can draw individuals who work in the EMS area, it is a great thing for the town and it is a service we absolutely need. I am happy that it is going ahead and will be a great plus for the community.”
Lundy agreed adding SHA is really excited about the project and what it means for the stability of Watrous EMS going forward. “We do feel it is really important and we are really happy to see the project moving forward.”
Daniel Bushman
With a need for more space and an opportunity to include a training and administration area and staffing quarters, construction is underway on a state-of-the-art EMS facility in Watrous. With a price tag of approximately $1.7 million and covered through Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) funded capital projects, the new building will be situated on the current Watrous District Health Complex grounds near Manitou Lodge.
Following years of sharing an essential services building that houses equipment and vehicles belonging to the Watrous Fire Department, SHA indicated it was approached by the Town of Watrous a few years ago about the potential of relocating the ambulances to free up space for the fire department as it continues to expand its services.
Reviewing its current and future EMS needs in Watrous, SHA determined construction of a new facility would be the best way to proceed. Director of EMS Central for SHA, Krista Remeshylo said they completed a design consultation process a few years ago to design an EMS station comparing needs of rural services similar in size to Watrous EMS. Looking at the similar size and workload to Watrous EMS, the new space near Manitou Lodge will contain three functional areas:
• ambulance/vehicle storage;
• an administration and training area; and
• a residence for staff that are on EMS standby.
Housing two ambulance units for emergency response with additional storage for a spare ambulance unit used for mechanical back up, SHA stated the extra unit will be used in Watrous or any of the surrounding EMS services as needed. A small administrative area, a training space as well as crew quarters for staff on standby that live outside of the Watrous community are also being incorporated into the project.
With a tender approved and construction underway since the end of November, the new facility is anticipated to be completed in spring of 2023. “We are expecting around that May date,” said EMS Operations Manager for SHA Central Jody Lundy. “We feel it is very important for the future of EMS as recruitment and retention remains a challenge across the province. This will definitely support the recruitment and retention piece by providing a space for the crew initially and also the crew quarters which are definitely required in this location and many locations across the province. Crews are coming in for an eight-hour shift and then there is a 16-hour on call component attached to it. It is not like we can have the crews come in, do their work and go home. They are required to remain in the community for that 24-hour period when they are covering that shift.”
There is no plan to immediately increase EMS staffing in Watrous but as the SHA continues to build its multi-year EMS stabilization plan in the province, adjustments to the EMS staffing in Watrous may occur.
As members of the local EMS team eagerly await the completion of the new facility, Lundy said the local hospital has been gracious in having the EMS staff working in the health complex. She added once the new place is ready, staff will still have a presence at the hospital but will also be able to reduce response times to patients as well. “Right now with the facility being off-site where the ambulances are being stored, it can lead to extended response times because if the staff are at the hospital and a call comes in they have to drive to the essential services building, get the ambulance and respond. In the future with the ambulance station being near the hospital on the grounds, they can respond with a shorter time when they are staffed at the hospital.”
Pleased to see the new project going forward after having discussions with SHA for a few years regarding the current space, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said to have the new EMS facility located right on the hospital grounds is an ideal situation. “The design of the building is such to be able to accommodate the people they want to have there. If we can draw individuals who work in the EMS area, it is a great thing for the town and it is a service we absolutely need. I am happy that it is going ahead and will be a great plus for the community.”
Lundy agreed adding SHA is really excited about the project and what it means for the stability of Watrous EMS going forward. “We do feel it is really important and we are really happy to see the project moving forward.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 5, 2022
With the snow falling and Jack Frost nipping at your nose, the annual Watrous Tree Lighting Ceremony kicked off the holiday season. Taking place Dec. 1, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson shared greetings on behalf of the town and was followed by songs from the Watrous Elementary School choir. With a good turnout by residents within the community, after the tree was lit by Watrous Recreation Director Chelsea Murfitt, hot chocolate and cookies sponsored by Western Financial Group were served indoors along with a visit from Santa.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 28, 2022
Imperial Arena project virtually complete
Daniel Bushman
Through substantial donations and federal and provincial funding along with countless hours of volunteering from residents of the community, Imperial’s arena has been transformed into a multi-use facility that can now be used during the entire year.
Town of Imperial Administrator Joslin Freeman who has been a big supporter of the project graciously spent a bit of time sharing about how the major renovation has gone and the importance of it.
After starting renovations at the arena in Imperial, how has the progress been since early summer?
The rink has progressed along as well as it could. On Oct. 6, 2022 the concrete was poured and there was a small ceremony to install a ‘lucky’ Town of Imperial pin at centre ice. As of Nov. 18 the ice is in and lines are painted. There are a few small things that we are still waiting for. There is some netting required and a few small pieces of custom glass but once the netting is up the ice will be available for use.
What types of things were conducted at the arena as part of the project?
The entire inside of the arena was gutted. We had a longtime hockey fan pass away last year and there were donations made in his honour to the arena. That money was used to install new tin on all the walls in memory of Gary Mooney. Walls and beams were painted a bright white.
As far as the ice surface itself, a new concrete slab was poured in the entire area with a new poly fusion cooling system. New dasher boards were installed and the town reused the existing glass that was removed in March to keep costs down.
The players’ boxes and penalty boxes are all new and much larger. A wheelchair accessible ramp was installed to access the ice surface area and viewing area.
What is left to be done at the arena and when do you hope everything will be wrapped up?
As with any renovation project it’s the little things left and with the way the supply issue is in the world right now we are at hurry up and wait. But we think we will be able to open the arena once the netting is installed which was scheduled to be either last week or this coming week.
Were you able to access grants and funding for the project and how much was the overall cost?
This project was made possible through an Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure Program. It was an $877,285 project with the town funding 26.67 percent. That comes with a project cost of $233,971. This project now turns what was once just a hockey rink into a multi-use facility. It can be used year round now instead of only five months out of the year when the ice was in.
How important is the facility to the community?
Any rink is the hub of a small town, it is where people come to gather to watch some hockey but also to catch up. It is where seniors will pop down to watch some curling and have coffee with someone they haven’t seen in a while. It is where the grandparents come to cheer on their grandkids. It is also the place where the kids gather to skate, play shinny and build long-term friendships and it is a place for the love of the game.
How integral have the volunteers been with the project?
Volunteers are the MOST VALUABLE asset a community can have. There has been hours and hours and hours of volunteer time put in for this project and we cannot thank those people enough. From young kids to seniors, they have all played a vital role in making this project happen. Brysand who is the contractor on the project said they have never seen a project of this size with so many volunteers to make it happen. Great job Imperial be proud! Again, thank you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Bring on the mochas and let the games begin! Also like to remind everyone of the annual rec hockey tournament that will be making a return on Jan. 13 and 14. It is the largest fundraiser our arena sees in a year so please come down and let the good times roll. Also keep watch for a grand opening in the spring to kick off the multi-use facility!
Daniel Bushman
Through substantial donations and federal and provincial funding along with countless hours of volunteering from residents of the community, Imperial’s arena has been transformed into a multi-use facility that can now be used during the entire year.
Town of Imperial Administrator Joslin Freeman who has been a big supporter of the project graciously spent a bit of time sharing about how the major renovation has gone and the importance of it.
After starting renovations at the arena in Imperial, how has the progress been since early summer?
The rink has progressed along as well as it could. On Oct. 6, 2022 the concrete was poured and there was a small ceremony to install a ‘lucky’ Town of Imperial pin at centre ice. As of Nov. 18 the ice is in and lines are painted. There are a few small things that we are still waiting for. There is some netting required and a few small pieces of custom glass but once the netting is up the ice will be available for use.
What types of things were conducted at the arena as part of the project?
The entire inside of the arena was gutted. We had a longtime hockey fan pass away last year and there were donations made in his honour to the arena. That money was used to install new tin on all the walls in memory of Gary Mooney. Walls and beams were painted a bright white.
As far as the ice surface itself, a new concrete slab was poured in the entire area with a new poly fusion cooling system. New dasher boards were installed and the town reused the existing glass that was removed in March to keep costs down.
The players’ boxes and penalty boxes are all new and much larger. A wheelchair accessible ramp was installed to access the ice surface area and viewing area.
What is left to be done at the arena and when do you hope everything will be wrapped up?
As with any renovation project it’s the little things left and with the way the supply issue is in the world right now we are at hurry up and wait. But we think we will be able to open the arena once the netting is installed which was scheduled to be either last week or this coming week.
Were you able to access grants and funding for the project and how much was the overall cost?
This project was made possible through an Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure Program. It was an $877,285 project with the town funding 26.67 percent. That comes with a project cost of $233,971. This project now turns what was once just a hockey rink into a multi-use facility. It can be used year round now instead of only five months out of the year when the ice was in.
How important is the facility to the community?
Any rink is the hub of a small town, it is where people come to gather to watch some hockey but also to catch up. It is where seniors will pop down to watch some curling and have coffee with someone they haven’t seen in a while. It is where the grandparents come to cheer on their grandkids. It is also the place where the kids gather to skate, play shinny and build long-term friendships and it is a place for the love of the game.
How integral have the volunteers been with the project?
Volunteers are the MOST VALUABLE asset a community can have. There has been hours and hours and hours of volunteer time put in for this project and we cannot thank those people enough. From young kids to seniors, they have all played a vital role in making this project happen. Brysand who is the contractor on the project said they have never seen a project of this size with so many volunteers to make it happen. Great job Imperial be proud! Again, thank you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Bring on the mochas and let the games begin! Also like to remind everyone of the annual rec hockey tournament that will be making a return on Jan. 13 and 14. It is the largest fundraiser our arena sees in a year so please come down and let the good times roll. Also keep watch for a grand opening in the spring to kick off the multi-use facility!
TWM Top Story - Nov. 21, 2022
With a full Watrous Civic Centre as part of the Remembrance Day service Nov. 11, people took time to remember and honour those who served and continue to serve our country. Watrous Mayor John Gunderson led the service followed by Frank Wilson who played the Last Post. Two minutes of silence also took place and a number of wreaths were laid in remembrance as well.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 14, 2022
Government of Sask. to exit liquor retailing including Watrous location
Daniel Bushman
Thirty-four Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) stores along with the one in Watrous are being decommissioned in 2023 as the Government of Saskatchewan completes a transition of liquor retailing to the private sector.
According to the provincial government, all stores will cease operations no later than Mar. 31, 2023 while the actual dates will vary depending on factors like lease dates and time required to decommission locations. Following that, an auction process will take place for the retail permits associated with each store to give interested individuals and businesses the ability to follow and participate in the bid process. Owning 19 properties of the 34 locations announced, SLGA will also be making the vacant buildings available for sale in a separate process as the empty physical buildings do not include a liquor permit.
For affected staff at the locations including the one in Watrous, SLGA indicated it will work with the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) to negotiate a workforce adjustment plan.
Minister Responsible for SLGA Lori Carr said, “With year over year declines in net revenue at SLGA retail, our government has made the decision to get out of the business of selling liquor. We believe now is the time to complete the transition to the private sector to free up financial resources for other priorities and to mitigate future losses.”
The provincial government shared in 2018-‘19, profits were $9.4 million and in 2021-‘22, profits declined to $3.2 million. SLGA Retail’s projected net income for 2022-‘23 is $395,000. According to the government, in order to maintain profitability, many of the current stores needed to either be relocated or physically adapted to better meet customer needs. With approximately 600 liquor retailers operating in Saskatchewan, all the communities where SLGA stores are closing have at least one other liquor retailer currently operating (where customers can purchase alcohol for take home consumption).
Stores that were announced as part of the closures are expected to continue to operate as usual, although there may be some changes to operations in the new year as they wind down (ex. not replenishing slower moving products, hours of operation). SLGA Retail noted it will immediately cease selling gift cards and accepting special orders. Existing gift cards will be valid until the final store closes next spring. Customers looking to place special orders can do so with other liquor retailers.
The announcement of the closures in 2023 will not impact SLGA’s Distribution Centre. SLGA stated it will continue to operate as the wholesaler of beverage alcohol for the province as well as the regulator of liquor, gaming and cannabis.
Along with the Watrous location, other SLGA stores that will cease operations no later than Mar. 31, 2023 are located in: Assiniboia, Biggar, Buffalo Narrows, Carlyle, Creighton, Esterhazy, Estevan, Fort Qu’Appelle, Humboldt, La Loche, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Nipawin, North Battleford, Prince Albert (two), Regina (six), Saskatoon (five), Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.
Daniel Bushman
Thirty-four Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) stores along with the one in Watrous are being decommissioned in 2023 as the Government of Saskatchewan completes a transition of liquor retailing to the private sector.
According to the provincial government, all stores will cease operations no later than Mar. 31, 2023 while the actual dates will vary depending on factors like lease dates and time required to decommission locations. Following that, an auction process will take place for the retail permits associated with each store to give interested individuals and businesses the ability to follow and participate in the bid process. Owning 19 properties of the 34 locations announced, SLGA will also be making the vacant buildings available for sale in a separate process as the empty physical buildings do not include a liquor permit.
For affected staff at the locations including the one in Watrous, SLGA indicated it will work with the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) to negotiate a workforce adjustment plan.
Minister Responsible for SLGA Lori Carr said, “With year over year declines in net revenue at SLGA retail, our government has made the decision to get out of the business of selling liquor. We believe now is the time to complete the transition to the private sector to free up financial resources for other priorities and to mitigate future losses.”
The provincial government shared in 2018-‘19, profits were $9.4 million and in 2021-‘22, profits declined to $3.2 million. SLGA Retail’s projected net income for 2022-‘23 is $395,000. According to the government, in order to maintain profitability, many of the current stores needed to either be relocated or physically adapted to better meet customer needs. With approximately 600 liquor retailers operating in Saskatchewan, all the communities where SLGA stores are closing have at least one other liquor retailer currently operating (where customers can purchase alcohol for take home consumption).
Stores that were announced as part of the closures are expected to continue to operate as usual, although there may be some changes to operations in the new year as they wind down (ex. not replenishing slower moving products, hours of operation). SLGA Retail noted it will immediately cease selling gift cards and accepting special orders. Existing gift cards will be valid until the final store closes next spring. Customers looking to place special orders can do so with other liquor retailers.
The announcement of the closures in 2023 will not impact SLGA’s Distribution Centre. SLGA stated it will continue to operate as the wholesaler of beverage alcohol for the province as well as the regulator of liquor, gaming and cannabis.
Along with the Watrous location, other SLGA stores that will cease operations no later than Mar. 31, 2023 are located in: Assiniboia, Biggar, Buffalo Narrows, Carlyle, Creighton, Esterhazy, Estevan, Fort Qu’Appelle, Humboldt, La Loche, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Nipawin, North Battleford, Prince Albert (two), Regina (six), Saskatoon (five), Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 7, 2022
Honouring those who served while marking Remembrance Day
Daniel Bushman
As people take time this Remembrance Day to pause, reflect and honour those who served, for some within the local area who had family or friends pressed into action during the wars, this year has a bit of extra meaning.
On Oct. 18, 51 banners bearing the images and names of Veterans who either grew up in the area or who have family residing there were placed along Main Street in Watrous. Displayed as a tribute to those Veterans until the end of November, Watrous Recreation Director Chelsea Murfitt who helped coordinate the Veterans Banner Project said people were thrilled with how the finished items turned out.
“We had tons of people coming into the office or calling excited about them. It has been a really great response and I think the expectations have been exceeded as to what families and friends of those who are being remembered thought the banners might look like.”
Brought up when she started as Watrous Recreation Director in September 2021 as a project the town would like to get off the ground, Murfitt contacted a person out of Wadena who did a similar project. “They currently have a Legion so they were able to utilize that avenue for getting information but we formed a Veterans Banner Committee consisting of John Gunderson, Fawne Inkster, Dion Tarasoff, Fraser Mark, Anne Wood, Marilyn Cannon, Kathy Bergen and Bob Penrose. After bouncing some ideas off each other, we threw a sign up sheet out to gage any interest. Once people found out what we were doing, we had hundreds of calls and people signed up.”
Wanting to see their loved ones honoured and remembered, pictures were scanned at The Watrous Manitou and then the committee created a design and had the banners printed. “We have 51 up along Main Street and if there were any that did not get on Main Street, they are on the next block.”
Murfitt said locals will recognize quite a number of familiar names and there are also some images of family and friends of those who moved to the community as well. “When we started out with the project we talked about whether or not we would just include local Veterans or if people that live in Watrous would like to see their family or friends displayed. We decided we would take them all. I think there is about a 50/50 split of people from Watrous and those who aren’t. We wanted to honour them all and without a Legion, we felt it was a really great tribute. It acts as a reminder and a thank you to those who fought for us and our freedom. I feel it is a big deal.”
Along with a number of committee members having family or friends on the banners, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson’s father is also displayed. Proud to see all of the Veterans recognized, Gunderson added it was great to see the project come to fruition.
“It is a special feeling to see your family up there and something as a child you remember your parent serving during the war. It just gives you a heartfelt feeling being able to do something like that and recognize what they did. We are thankful for the people who came forward and purchased the banners this year and look forward to seeing it grow in the future.”
Explaining the project will be ongoing, Murfitt said another call out will be done early in the new year for anyone who would like to have a banner made. “I think anything that shows how close-knit our community is and how proud our community is of its members is hugely important. A big shout out to the committee, The Watrous Manitou for doing up the photos for us and the town crew for being able to put them up.”
With the Veteran banners displayed and Remembrance Day approaching, Gunderson said the Town of Watrous decided to return to a traditional in-person service again. After running the previous two services virtually due to the pandemic, Gunderson said with things returning to a bit more normal, this year’s event will take place Friday morning at the Watrous Civic Centre. “There will be people there laying some wreaths, we will have a bit of music and we will be having the pictures of all the banners on a power point and played during certain parts of the service.”
Holding the ceremony Nov. 11, Gunderson said, “It is very important that we recognize the people that served our country who gave us the freedoms we enjoy today. For those wanting to attend, we encourage them to arrive no later than 10:45 a.m. We have had a good crowd in years past and welcome anyone to come.”
Daniel Bushman
As people take time this Remembrance Day to pause, reflect and honour those who served, for some within the local area who had family or friends pressed into action during the wars, this year has a bit of extra meaning.
On Oct. 18, 51 banners bearing the images and names of Veterans who either grew up in the area or who have family residing there were placed along Main Street in Watrous. Displayed as a tribute to those Veterans until the end of November, Watrous Recreation Director Chelsea Murfitt who helped coordinate the Veterans Banner Project said people were thrilled with how the finished items turned out.
“We had tons of people coming into the office or calling excited about them. It has been a really great response and I think the expectations have been exceeded as to what families and friends of those who are being remembered thought the banners might look like.”
Brought up when she started as Watrous Recreation Director in September 2021 as a project the town would like to get off the ground, Murfitt contacted a person out of Wadena who did a similar project. “They currently have a Legion so they were able to utilize that avenue for getting information but we formed a Veterans Banner Committee consisting of John Gunderson, Fawne Inkster, Dion Tarasoff, Fraser Mark, Anne Wood, Marilyn Cannon, Kathy Bergen and Bob Penrose. After bouncing some ideas off each other, we threw a sign up sheet out to gage any interest. Once people found out what we were doing, we had hundreds of calls and people signed up.”
Wanting to see their loved ones honoured and remembered, pictures were scanned at The Watrous Manitou and then the committee created a design and had the banners printed. “We have 51 up along Main Street and if there were any that did not get on Main Street, they are on the next block.”
Murfitt said locals will recognize quite a number of familiar names and there are also some images of family and friends of those who moved to the community as well. “When we started out with the project we talked about whether or not we would just include local Veterans or if people that live in Watrous would like to see their family or friends displayed. We decided we would take them all. I think there is about a 50/50 split of people from Watrous and those who aren’t. We wanted to honour them all and without a Legion, we felt it was a really great tribute. It acts as a reminder and a thank you to those who fought for us and our freedom. I feel it is a big deal.”
Along with a number of committee members having family or friends on the banners, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson’s father is also displayed. Proud to see all of the Veterans recognized, Gunderson added it was great to see the project come to fruition.
“It is a special feeling to see your family up there and something as a child you remember your parent serving during the war. It just gives you a heartfelt feeling being able to do something like that and recognize what they did. We are thankful for the people who came forward and purchased the banners this year and look forward to seeing it grow in the future.”
Explaining the project will be ongoing, Murfitt said another call out will be done early in the new year for anyone who would like to have a banner made. “I think anything that shows how close-knit our community is and how proud our community is of its members is hugely important. A big shout out to the committee, The Watrous Manitou for doing up the photos for us and the town crew for being able to put them up.”
With the Veteran banners displayed and Remembrance Day approaching, Gunderson said the Town of Watrous decided to return to a traditional in-person service again. After running the previous two services virtually due to the pandemic, Gunderson said with things returning to a bit more normal, this year’s event will take place Friday morning at the Watrous Civic Centre. “There will be people there laying some wreaths, we will have a bit of music and we will be having the pictures of all the banners on a power point and played during certain parts of the service.”
Holding the ceremony Nov. 11, Gunderson said, “It is very important that we recognize the people that served our country who gave us the freedoms we enjoy today. For those wanting to attend, we encourage them to arrive no later than 10:45 a.m. We have had a good crowd in years past and welcome anyone to come.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 31, 2022
Ribbon cut to commemorate new walking trail
Daniel Bushman
Bringing two communities together while offering a safe place to walk, bike and enjoy the outdoors, dignitaries were on hand Friday, Oct. 21 to open the new walking trail between Watrous and Manitou Beach. Taking care of the costs and the work, Ron Ediger of Melron Services Ltd. was joined by Watrous Mayor John Gunderson and Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen to cut the ribbon at the start of the new trail near the Watrous Rotary gazebo, landfill road and Watrous Cemetery.
With members of the public watching nearby, a very pleased Ediger shared how grateful he was of the Watrous Rotary Club, the RM of Morris, communities of Watrous and Manitou Beach, the three families (Alcock, Knezacek, and Hayter) who donated benches along the trail, Rick and Margaret Haberman for donating a portion of land, the Ministry of Highways and his crew at Melron Services Ltd. for helping make the trail a reality.
“This was my privilege to be able to make this trail,” shared Ediger. “Twenty-five years ago I came here with a single backhoe and this community and the area has been so good to us. I wanted to give back to those who have supported me over those years and felt this was a good way of doing that. There are a lot of walkers who use the trails we already have and this trail will take them off the highway between Watrous and Manitou Beach. I hope people enjoy walking on it, use the benches to rest and relax, and smile as they use the trail.”
Packed and sand sealed along with three benches installed at various points along the way, Ediger said the approximately three kilometre trail is virtually done except for some signage which will be added later. “This trail goes to show that we can put the town and village together, and joining with the Rotary Walking Trail, we can bring the two communities together as one.”
Seeing the need to create a trail, Ediger wanted to help make it happen after the Watrous Rotary along with generous sponsors and volunteers created a pair of trails for residents and visitors to use near Watrous.
Extending northeast from the first trail originally completed by the Watrous Rotary, the newest path goes past a gazebo toward the Watrous Cemetery. Walkers veer off the gravel road as the new trail runs along a corner of the cemetery to the main gates. From there, walkers cross Hwy. 365 to the other side of the trail. Once there, the trail is situated alongside Hwy. 365 and heads toward Manitou Beach. Reaching the turnoff to Murray Disc Golf, Ediger extended a portion of that gravel road wrapping around a slough and into a field.
At the nearby farmyard, a path was cut adjacent to
some hedges near the highway. A six foot barrier was installed on the other side to allow privacy from the yard site. The trail then continues alongside the highway going between a pasture and signs at the entrance to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Creating walking space near another home, the trail goes through a treed area before reaching the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground. With room around some hedges, the trail leads walkers by the entrance of the park and then out in front of The Drive-In at Manitou Beach where a path is currently being used. Redoing that path, the trail comes to a conclusion at Lakeview Avenue, near the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s office and Manitou Mini Golf.
Speaking on behalf of the resort village at the Oct. 21 event, Petersen was pleased to see the trail completed. “I am thrilled that Ron has taken the initiative to create this trail. He has the capability and insight to make this happen and I could not be happier.”
Appreciating everyone involved with the project, Petersen, who was one of the first people to walk on the trail after the ribbon cutting, said the beach was on board with Ediger who took the initiative to get the project completed. “I hope that people will use this trail. We are very fortunate to have it.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson who walked to the event on one of the Rotary walking trails also appreciated Ediger’s efforts and thanked everyone for braving the wind to attend the afternoon ceremony. “Ron has been such a supporter of Watrous, Manitou Beach and the whole area for many years.”
Recalling that Ron and his late wife Melissa were named the 2018 Watrous Citizens of the Year, Gunderson said they have contributed financially to a number of local projects and have also lent their support through the use of equipment for other initiatives. “Without people like Ron and Melissa, their families, and the crew at Melron Services Ltd., projects like the trail could not happen.”
Tying the two communities together, Gunderson added the trail is fantastic to have and said there are plans to add solar lights to it in the future. “Businesses, organizations and corporations who would like to contribute financially will have an opportunity to do that in the future. Right now we are in the planning stages but will be looking at installing those lights down the road.”
As president of Watrous Rotary Club, Al Mosewich was a volunteer involved with the existing walking trails in Watrous. Attending the Oct. 21 ribbon cutting, Mosewich said, “We are extremely pleased to see the third trail completed, as envisioned by Watrous Rotary.”
Mosewich shared Ediger initially approached Watrous Rotary to see if there was any way to get the project started sooner, so it could be completed quicker. “Ron said he was ‘a man of action’ who just wanted to get it done. He asked us if it would be alright if he built the trail, and offered to pay for it too. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse.”
With Rotarians known as people of action, Mosewich indicated there were multiple negotiations undertaken with different levels of government and landowners and once everyone was on board, Ediger was able to move forward. “I was really excited to see the trail under construction and now that it is finished, it is truly greater than expected. It was a huge undertaking. Not everyone has the ability to get something like this done. Ron was in the unique position of having the equipment, staff, materials and financial resources. He saw the vision Watrous Rotary had. Ron Ediger is truly ‘a man of action,’ the type of guy, who gets things done. We are extremely grateful to Ron for making this trail a reality.”
Following the soft opening and ribbon cutting of the new walking trail, Ediger said once spring arrives, there will be an official opening with other dignitaries in attendance who were unable to make it in October.
Daniel Bushman
Bringing two communities together while offering a safe place to walk, bike and enjoy the outdoors, dignitaries were on hand Friday, Oct. 21 to open the new walking trail between Watrous and Manitou Beach. Taking care of the costs and the work, Ron Ediger of Melron Services Ltd. was joined by Watrous Mayor John Gunderson and Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen to cut the ribbon at the start of the new trail near the Watrous Rotary gazebo, landfill road and Watrous Cemetery.
With members of the public watching nearby, a very pleased Ediger shared how grateful he was of the Watrous Rotary Club, the RM of Morris, communities of Watrous and Manitou Beach, the three families (Alcock, Knezacek, and Hayter) who donated benches along the trail, Rick and Margaret Haberman for donating a portion of land, the Ministry of Highways and his crew at Melron Services Ltd. for helping make the trail a reality.
“This was my privilege to be able to make this trail,” shared Ediger. “Twenty-five years ago I came here with a single backhoe and this community and the area has been so good to us. I wanted to give back to those who have supported me over those years and felt this was a good way of doing that. There are a lot of walkers who use the trails we already have and this trail will take them off the highway between Watrous and Manitou Beach. I hope people enjoy walking on it, use the benches to rest and relax, and smile as they use the trail.”
Packed and sand sealed along with three benches installed at various points along the way, Ediger said the approximately three kilometre trail is virtually done except for some signage which will be added later. “This trail goes to show that we can put the town and village together, and joining with the Rotary Walking Trail, we can bring the two communities together as one.”
Seeing the need to create a trail, Ediger wanted to help make it happen after the Watrous Rotary along with generous sponsors and volunteers created a pair of trails for residents and visitors to use near Watrous.
Extending northeast from the first trail originally completed by the Watrous Rotary, the newest path goes past a gazebo toward the Watrous Cemetery. Walkers veer off the gravel road as the new trail runs along a corner of the cemetery to the main gates. From there, walkers cross Hwy. 365 to the other side of the trail. Once there, the trail is situated alongside Hwy. 365 and heads toward Manitou Beach. Reaching the turnoff to Murray Disc Golf, Ediger extended a portion of that gravel road wrapping around a slough and into a field.
At the nearby farmyard, a path was cut adjacent to
some hedges near the highway. A six foot barrier was installed on the other side to allow privacy from the yard site. The trail then continues alongside the highway going between a pasture and signs at the entrance to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Creating walking space near another home, the trail goes through a treed area before reaching the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground. With room around some hedges, the trail leads walkers by the entrance of the park and then out in front of The Drive-In at Manitou Beach where a path is currently being used. Redoing that path, the trail comes to a conclusion at Lakeview Avenue, near the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s office and Manitou Mini Golf.
Speaking on behalf of the resort village at the Oct. 21 event, Petersen was pleased to see the trail completed. “I am thrilled that Ron has taken the initiative to create this trail. He has the capability and insight to make this happen and I could not be happier.”
Appreciating everyone involved with the project, Petersen, who was one of the first people to walk on the trail after the ribbon cutting, said the beach was on board with Ediger who took the initiative to get the project completed. “I hope that people will use this trail. We are very fortunate to have it.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson who walked to the event on one of the Rotary walking trails also appreciated Ediger’s efforts and thanked everyone for braving the wind to attend the afternoon ceremony. “Ron has been such a supporter of Watrous, Manitou Beach and the whole area for many years.”
Recalling that Ron and his late wife Melissa were named the 2018 Watrous Citizens of the Year, Gunderson said they have contributed financially to a number of local projects and have also lent their support through the use of equipment for other initiatives. “Without people like Ron and Melissa, their families, and the crew at Melron Services Ltd., projects like the trail could not happen.”
Tying the two communities together, Gunderson added the trail is fantastic to have and said there are plans to add solar lights to it in the future. “Businesses, organizations and corporations who would like to contribute financially will have an opportunity to do that in the future. Right now we are in the planning stages but will be looking at installing those lights down the road.”
As president of Watrous Rotary Club, Al Mosewich was a volunteer involved with the existing walking trails in Watrous. Attending the Oct. 21 ribbon cutting, Mosewich said, “We are extremely pleased to see the third trail completed, as envisioned by Watrous Rotary.”
Mosewich shared Ediger initially approached Watrous Rotary to see if there was any way to get the project started sooner, so it could be completed quicker. “Ron said he was ‘a man of action’ who just wanted to get it done. He asked us if it would be alright if he built the trail, and offered to pay for it too. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse.”
With Rotarians known as people of action, Mosewich indicated there were multiple negotiations undertaken with different levels of government and landowners and once everyone was on board, Ediger was able to move forward. “I was really excited to see the trail under construction and now that it is finished, it is truly greater than expected. It was a huge undertaking. Not everyone has the ability to get something like this done. Ron was in the unique position of having the equipment, staff, materials and financial resources. He saw the vision Watrous Rotary had. Ron Ediger is truly ‘a man of action,’ the type of guy, who gets things done. We are extremely grateful to Ron for making this trail a reality.”
Following the soft opening and ribbon cutting of the new walking trail, Ediger said once spring arrives, there will be an official opening with other dignitaries in attendance who were unable to make it in October.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 24, 2022
Local mayors optimistic emergency services will fully resume in the future
Daniel Bushman
Marking just over a month since a temporary disruption to emergency services was issued at the Watrous Hospital and approaching month six of having temporary emergency services available at the Lanigan Hospital, both communities are hoping to see additional staff brought in and services fully restored as soon as possible.
On Oct. 14, the provincial government stated more than 175 full-time health care job opportunities had been posted to address rural staffing challenges including in Watrous and Lanigan. Of those posted on healthcareersinsask.ca, the new and enhanced positions spanned 49 communities and included Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Continuing Care Aides, Medical Radiation Technologists, Medical Laboratory Assistants, and Combined Lab and X-ray Technicians.
While LPN numbers remain stable in Watrous, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) shared RN recruitment issues have resulted in the current emergency services disruptions and inpatient services being unavailable. “There are currently 2.55 Full-Time Equivalent RN vacancies, which represents almost 64 percent of RN staff at Watrous.”
Meeting recently with SHA, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson was pleased to learn that Watrous was part of the 49 communities listed within the job postings. “To this stage, there has been no success in attracting RNs to Watrous from those postings but having said that, I think it is fairly early in the process since the temporary closure was first issued. While we would like to have the hospital reopen its emergency services and inpatient beds, we have to be patient. There are a lot of jobs posted, there are just not enough nurses at this stage to go around.”
Due to the shortage of health care staff, since Sept. 12 when SHA made the decision of seeing emergency services disrupted at the Watrous Hospital, the health care complex has also been without a permanent manager. SHA indicated another manager had been providing coverage until the managerial position - which was posted and competition for it just closed - is filled.
Hoping to see staff added at the hospital as soon as possible, Gunderson feels SHA understands the severity of the situation. Citing the area includes unique factors like tourism, nearby mines, Camp Easter Seal that attracts numerous campers each summer, and being the largest community in the immediate area, Gunderson said there is an added importance on having the services reopen. “On behalf of council, we will be doing whatever we can to support the efforts, specifically, if we hear of someone who was maybe interested in the past or that we think might be interested in moving to our community for a job at the hospital. We are not going to sit back and wait, we will be reaching out to people. We want to do our part and try and see the services resume as quickly as possible. It is really out of our control but whatever we can do we will.”
As for when those vacancies could be filled, SHA stated similar to other locations provincially and nationally, staffing levels remain challenging. “SHA continues to work with many partners on recruiting health professionals in many different disciplines to achieve sustainable care.”
While Watrous waits for more RNs, in Biggar, which has a similar population, its emergency services resumed Oct. 2 as the health centre was able to see successful recruitment. In January 2022, the 24-hour emergency and acute services were temporarily reduced at the Biggar and District Health Centre due to challenges like the ones being faced in Watrous. Emergency services were reduced to 11 hours per day and acute care beds were temporarily converted to ALC patient admissions only. Since Biggar’s emergency services resumed, SHA indicated acute care beds remain available in the community for Alternate Level of Care (ALC) admissions only.
When asked why the ALC beds remain closed in Watrous despite having enough LPNs and doctors on staff to care for patients, SHA shared it is unable to open them until SHA can successfully recruit all positions required to offer safe and sustainable care. “While the number of LPNs remain stable, there remains a need to recruit additional RNs.”
SHA stated it is committed to fully restoring emergency services, acute care beds and admissions in Watrous as soon as the current human resource challenges can be adequately addressed. “We will continue to update residents as information becomes available.”
While Watrous waits to see its services fully resume, following the temporary closure to emergency services in Lanigan in May of 2020, critical services partially resumed May 9, 2022. Then just recently, SHA was able to open five ALC beds in Lanigan. While emergency services remain disrupted, also due to ongoing staffing challenges, SHA said services will resume when all positions required to offer safe and sustainable care are staffed.
After a lengthy period of not having any emergency services at all until partially resuming earlier this year, Lanigan Mayor Tony Mycock said being able to have five ALC beds open a few weeks ago was a great step in the right direction. “It is another service our hospital can offer residents,” said the mayor. While having the beds open is an encouraging step, Mycock added he is still unsure when things at the hospital will go back to the way they were before the closure in 2020.
“I am hopeful,” Mycock said of seeing emergency services returning fully in the future. “Things have been progressing in the right direction for sure.”
Like Gunderson, Mycock was also pleased to see Lanigan make the list when it came to new positions being posted on healthcareersinsask.ca. “It was for sure encouraging news that Lanigan has qualified for some of the government funding to fund more full-time nursing positions across the province. Hopefully, some of those nurses will want to come to Lanigan.”
Optimistic following the action plan announcement and with some of the services returning to the hospital in Lanigan, Mycock is hopeful that before the end of 2022 the facility could return to 24/7 coverage. “This is something that is much needed for Lanigan and surrounding areas. Thank you to all our health care workers for all that you have done in getting the hospital back up and running.”
With the staff shortages experienced in Watrous and Lanigan and emergency services temporarily disrupted, SEIU-West President Barbara Cape said the union is not only aware of the situation but is trying to do what it can. Representing LPNs, continuing care aides, support services in nutrition, environmental services, building and maintenance, administrative and lab staff, Cape said SEIU-West is very disappointed with how things have developed. “For the members who work in rural health care they have been really struggling with maintaining safe staffing levels for quite some time, even beyond the pandemic. The lack of staff simply exacerbates the problem that was already present.”
As a union, Cape shared they have been advising members and supporting them through the collective agreement process and occupational health and safety rules and regulations that provide some relief. While those may not necessarily put more people in place, Cape explained when members of the union are working short staffed, it becomes more of a question of what is the work that they are not able to get completed. “It is not just one person every once in a while, it is every day. Every shift we are working short. There has to be a clear communication about the work that is not a priority that can be put off for another time. “
Trying to relieve some of that workload pressure, Cape said they are talking with the Ministry of Health about how more people can be recruited and how the people who have the professional skill and institutional knowledge that keep facilities running can be retained.
“I had a conversation with a couple of folks from the Watrous and Lanigan area and my first question is, if we have LPNs, why is the service closed? Is it simply they can’t recruit or there is a lag in recruitment. All of these things have been centralized within the SHA. The one to one local connections have been lost. We want that service reopened. Whether it is harvest or seeding time, we need that service in rural Saskatchewan. It is relied on by the community but it is relied on by the surrounding area. There is obviously a need and we need to reopen those acute services.”
Once facilities like Watrous and Lanigan temporarily close their acute services, Cape said people have to find somewhere else to go. “Where do people go if they need that kind of help? They get shipped to Humboldt. Humboldt doesn’t get more staff when they get more patients . . . the ripple effect goes far beyond (Watrous and Lanigan) and I think we need to address that.”
Understanding the frustration in both communities, in addition to the latest job postings, SHA added the $60 million Health Human Resources Action Plan recently announced by the provincial government will also take aim at recruiting, training, retaining and adding incentives for health care workers.
The plan will assist with addressing the staffing challenges that Watrous, Lanigan and other communities across Saskatchewan are currently facing. “As part of this action plan, the SHA hopes to recruit a number of permanent, full-time nursing staff from the Philippines. New, targeted incentives will also assist the SHA with recruitment from within Saskatchewan.” stated SHA.
Doing their own recruiting through job fairs, advertising and putting a focus behind recruitment, Cape added the union has also talked about partnering with the Ministry of Health, educational institutions and SHA on how to address the issues.
SHA said it too is exploring recruitment and retention incentives, engaging with the local physician group “to support facility staff and members of the community, and has a collaborative strategy with provider teams in the surrounding area with the intent to provide seamless care and opportunities for cross-functional support between teams in times of need.”
Wanting to see the services fully restored, Cape said whenever there is temporary service disruptions it ultimately affects everyone. “Everybody is trying to make up the service that people are looking for. When people find out that acute care is not available or lab services are not available, they are angry. They take it out on the staff and that is incredibly unfortunate because we don’t get to make those decisions.”
Wanting the public to know the unions hear them, Cape said, “The unions are trying to work with you and we feel just as angry as the community does. Please be kind and know we are on your side and we are advocating for better and improved services.”
The Watrous Manitou also reached out to the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses but did not hear back as of press time.
Daniel Bushman
Marking just over a month since a temporary disruption to emergency services was issued at the Watrous Hospital and approaching month six of having temporary emergency services available at the Lanigan Hospital, both communities are hoping to see additional staff brought in and services fully restored as soon as possible.
On Oct. 14, the provincial government stated more than 175 full-time health care job opportunities had been posted to address rural staffing challenges including in Watrous and Lanigan. Of those posted on healthcareersinsask.ca, the new and enhanced positions spanned 49 communities and included Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Continuing Care Aides, Medical Radiation Technologists, Medical Laboratory Assistants, and Combined Lab and X-ray Technicians.
While LPN numbers remain stable in Watrous, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) shared RN recruitment issues have resulted in the current emergency services disruptions and inpatient services being unavailable. “There are currently 2.55 Full-Time Equivalent RN vacancies, which represents almost 64 percent of RN staff at Watrous.”
Meeting recently with SHA, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson was pleased to learn that Watrous was part of the 49 communities listed within the job postings. “To this stage, there has been no success in attracting RNs to Watrous from those postings but having said that, I think it is fairly early in the process since the temporary closure was first issued. While we would like to have the hospital reopen its emergency services and inpatient beds, we have to be patient. There are a lot of jobs posted, there are just not enough nurses at this stage to go around.”
Due to the shortage of health care staff, since Sept. 12 when SHA made the decision of seeing emergency services disrupted at the Watrous Hospital, the health care complex has also been without a permanent manager. SHA indicated another manager had been providing coverage until the managerial position - which was posted and competition for it just closed - is filled.
Hoping to see staff added at the hospital as soon as possible, Gunderson feels SHA understands the severity of the situation. Citing the area includes unique factors like tourism, nearby mines, Camp Easter Seal that attracts numerous campers each summer, and being the largest community in the immediate area, Gunderson said there is an added importance on having the services reopen. “On behalf of council, we will be doing whatever we can to support the efforts, specifically, if we hear of someone who was maybe interested in the past or that we think might be interested in moving to our community for a job at the hospital. We are not going to sit back and wait, we will be reaching out to people. We want to do our part and try and see the services resume as quickly as possible. It is really out of our control but whatever we can do we will.”
As for when those vacancies could be filled, SHA stated similar to other locations provincially and nationally, staffing levels remain challenging. “SHA continues to work with many partners on recruiting health professionals in many different disciplines to achieve sustainable care.”
While Watrous waits for more RNs, in Biggar, which has a similar population, its emergency services resumed Oct. 2 as the health centre was able to see successful recruitment. In January 2022, the 24-hour emergency and acute services were temporarily reduced at the Biggar and District Health Centre due to challenges like the ones being faced in Watrous. Emergency services were reduced to 11 hours per day and acute care beds were temporarily converted to ALC patient admissions only. Since Biggar’s emergency services resumed, SHA indicated acute care beds remain available in the community for Alternate Level of Care (ALC) admissions only.
When asked why the ALC beds remain closed in Watrous despite having enough LPNs and doctors on staff to care for patients, SHA shared it is unable to open them until SHA can successfully recruit all positions required to offer safe and sustainable care. “While the number of LPNs remain stable, there remains a need to recruit additional RNs.”
SHA stated it is committed to fully restoring emergency services, acute care beds and admissions in Watrous as soon as the current human resource challenges can be adequately addressed. “We will continue to update residents as information becomes available.”
While Watrous waits to see its services fully resume, following the temporary closure to emergency services in Lanigan in May of 2020, critical services partially resumed May 9, 2022. Then just recently, SHA was able to open five ALC beds in Lanigan. While emergency services remain disrupted, also due to ongoing staffing challenges, SHA said services will resume when all positions required to offer safe and sustainable care are staffed.
After a lengthy period of not having any emergency services at all until partially resuming earlier this year, Lanigan Mayor Tony Mycock said being able to have five ALC beds open a few weeks ago was a great step in the right direction. “It is another service our hospital can offer residents,” said the mayor. While having the beds open is an encouraging step, Mycock added he is still unsure when things at the hospital will go back to the way they were before the closure in 2020.
“I am hopeful,” Mycock said of seeing emergency services returning fully in the future. “Things have been progressing in the right direction for sure.”
Like Gunderson, Mycock was also pleased to see Lanigan make the list when it came to new positions being posted on healthcareersinsask.ca. “It was for sure encouraging news that Lanigan has qualified for some of the government funding to fund more full-time nursing positions across the province. Hopefully, some of those nurses will want to come to Lanigan.”
Optimistic following the action plan announcement and with some of the services returning to the hospital in Lanigan, Mycock is hopeful that before the end of 2022 the facility could return to 24/7 coverage. “This is something that is much needed for Lanigan and surrounding areas. Thank you to all our health care workers for all that you have done in getting the hospital back up and running.”
With the staff shortages experienced in Watrous and Lanigan and emergency services temporarily disrupted, SEIU-West President Barbara Cape said the union is not only aware of the situation but is trying to do what it can. Representing LPNs, continuing care aides, support services in nutrition, environmental services, building and maintenance, administrative and lab staff, Cape said SEIU-West is very disappointed with how things have developed. “For the members who work in rural health care they have been really struggling with maintaining safe staffing levels for quite some time, even beyond the pandemic. The lack of staff simply exacerbates the problem that was already present.”
As a union, Cape shared they have been advising members and supporting them through the collective agreement process and occupational health and safety rules and regulations that provide some relief. While those may not necessarily put more people in place, Cape explained when members of the union are working short staffed, it becomes more of a question of what is the work that they are not able to get completed. “It is not just one person every once in a while, it is every day. Every shift we are working short. There has to be a clear communication about the work that is not a priority that can be put off for another time. “
Trying to relieve some of that workload pressure, Cape said they are talking with the Ministry of Health about how more people can be recruited and how the people who have the professional skill and institutional knowledge that keep facilities running can be retained.
“I had a conversation with a couple of folks from the Watrous and Lanigan area and my first question is, if we have LPNs, why is the service closed? Is it simply they can’t recruit or there is a lag in recruitment. All of these things have been centralized within the SHA. The one to one local connections have been lost. We want that service reopened. Whether it is harvest or seeding time, we need that service in rural Saskatchewan. It is relied on by the community but it is relied on by the surrounding area. There is obviously a need and we need to reopen those acute services.”
Once facilities like Watrous and Lanigan temporarily close their acute services, Cape said people have to find somewhere else to go. “Where do people go if they need that kind of help? They get shipped to Humboldt. Humboldt doesn’t get more staff when they get more patients . . . the ripple effect goes far beyond (Watrous and Lanigan) and I think we need to address that.”
Understanding the frustration in both communities, in addition to the latest job postings, SHA added the $60 million Health Human Resources Action Plan recently announced by the provincial government will also take aim at recruiting, training, retaining and adding incentives for health care workers.
The plan will assist with addressing the staffing challenges that Watrous, Lanigan and other communities across Saskatchewan are currently facing. “As part of this action plan, the SHA hopes to recruit a number of permanent, full-time nursing staff from the Philippines. New, targeted incentives will also assist the SHA with recruitment from within Saskatchewan.” stated SHA.
Doing their own recruiting through job fairs, advertising and putting a focus behind recruitment, Cape added the union has also talked about partnering with the Ministry of Health, educational institutions and SHA on how to address the issues.
SHA said it too is exploring recruitment and retention incentives, engaging with the local physician group “to support facility staff and members of the community, and has a collaborative strategy with provider teams in the surrounding area with the intent to provide seamless care and opportunities for cross-functional support between teams in times of need.”
Wanting to see the services fully restored, Cape said whenever there is temporary service disruptions it ultimately affects everyone. “Everybody is trying to make up the service that people are looking for. When people find out that acute care is not available or lab services are not available, they are angry. They take it out on the staff and that is incredibly unfortunate because we don’t get to make those decisions.”
Wanting the public to know the unions hear them, Cape said, “The unions are trying to work with you and we feel just as angry as the community does. Please be kind and know we are on your side and we are advocating for better and improved services.”
The Watrous Manitou also reached out to the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses but did not hear back as of press time.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 17, 2022
Will the show go on at The Drive-In?
Daniel Bushman
Drawing people to the area from across the province, the 2022 season at The Drive-In at Manitou Beach started out as an overwhelming success. However, due to equipment malfunction on Aug. 12 followed by a projector bulb explosion Aug. 27, the season came to a crashing halt, potentially putting the future of the rare attraction in limbo.
With the Resort Village of Manitou Beach owning the drive-in property and contents of the buildings, after equipment malfunction, on Aug. 16 an emergency meeting was held by the resort’s council. Stemming from the meeting, a motion was made and unanimously approved that the Resort Village of Manitou Beach go ahead with an expenditure of up to $8,123.50 as a total estimated cost to repair the drive-in’s projector, with the condition that the value be relieved by two fundraiser movie events at the drive-in to be organized by operator of the facility, Earl Hayhurst.
Hayhurst, who has been running the drive-in for nearly three years while also hosting a flea market on site Sunday mornings during the summer months said he was devastated when the season abruptly ended. A movie guru, Hayhurst said he gave his heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears to the place, so when the malfunction happened with nearly two months remaining in the season, he was on board with council’s decision to repair the projector. With the new part installed, a bulb explosion then occurred and permanently shut down the remainder of the year. That left moviegoers and supporters of The Drive-In at Manitou Beach curious about its future.
Asked during the emergency meeting to conduct a pair of fundraisers and willing to do so, over the next few weeks Hayhurst indicated he did not hear anything further from council on the matter. “On Aug. 29 I sent an email to the administrator with my plans I had for the situation and fundraising efforts. It went unanswered and after not receiving a response, I decided to move ahead with a GoFundMe fundraiser and other fundraising avenues. I wanted to do them before winter arrived as people knew that our season had been cancelled and it was still top of mind.”
Launching a GoFundMe page Sept. 9 and with a goal of raising $50,000 to replace the projector at The Drive-In, Hayhurst began hearing from local musicians and others willing to lend a hand. Within a week, around $3,000 had been raised through his GoFundMe page and people began rallying with hopes of seeing the drive-in return to life in time for the 2023 season. “The support I received was incredible and I am so grateful that so many wanted to help. I feel that this place is a valuable attraction to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach and we have people coming every summer to watch movies from Saskatoon, Regina and beyond. There are not a whole lot of these iconic sites left and I have a soft spot for the place. I would love to see The Drive-In at Manitou Beach continue so that was why I felt it was important to try and raise some funds.”
As support grew for Earl’s fundraiser, both through monetary donations and people willing to step up in any way they could, on Sept. 12, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach issued a statement on its Facebook page advising that it had not sanctioned or approved any fundraising efforts for its drive-in property and a new projector.
Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen said while she hopes the drive-in will be in operation in the future, the reason the resort village did not approve the fundraiser was because there were too many unknowns at the time. “The money that was being raised was going directly to Earl and there was no way to know if the beach would receive it for a projector. If we were to hold a fundraiser under the resort village of Manitou Beach, we would be able to issue tax receipts to people and ensure the money would go into the Resort Village’s account and be put towards a projector. Creating the GoFundMe page also led the general public to believe we needed a new projector, and we don’t know that yet. This is yet to be determined. Hayhurst was charged with and agreed to fundraise to help pay for repairs. Council didn’t ask for a set dollar amount, only a show of faith in the drive-in’s continued viability, by his helping to pay for repairs.”
Extremely disappointed to read the resort village’s statement posted on its Facebook page Sept. 12, Hayhurst said he had no intention of keeping the money for himself, rather he said he just wants to see The Drive-In back up and running.
While council at the beach wanted to make sure to do their due diligence before approving any type of fundraising efforts, that was not viewed in the same light by a number of people who voiced their displeasure on social media. Supporting the efforts of Hayhurst, a petition was circulated and submitted to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach requesting a public meeting with members of the beach’s council. According to Administrator at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach Elise Dale, the petition submitted to the village office did not have sufficient information to be approved. The person spearheading the petition was given the proper guidelines of submitting a petition and were encouraged to create the document if they so chose.
Aware of the petition and welcoming people to attend a council meeting if they would like, the mayor understands people are frustrated about the beach’s stance on the fundraiser. However, Petersen added with no specific information on an actual cost of a projector and whether or not a new one is needed to be purchased, the resort village wanted to ensure it goes through the proper steps moving forward. “Things like this can take time and we want to collect all of the necessary information first before going ahead with any type of fundraiser.”
As part of that process, Dale noted a third party has been contracted to look into the actual cost of a new projector and to evaluate whether or not the current one could be fixed. Dale also shared that they are looking into what they may receive through insurance and when other theatre operators learned of the situation through social media, they reached out to the village to try and help. “Actually we had one person who is friends with original owner Burt Crawford contact us about how he could help. Right now we are just waiting to hear what the cost of repairing or replacing the projector will be before we are able to go forward with a plan.”
After reading the statement issued by the beach regarding his fundraising attempts, Hayhurst released his own statement Oct. 5 on The Drive-In at Manitou Beach and the Flea Market’s Facebook pages. From that, as of Oct. 11, there were over 130 comments and close to 100 shares between the two pages, with the overwhelming majority in favour of his efforts.
“I don’t understand why there are some people who would think I would take the fundraising money for myself? The drive-in provided a job for me and a handful of others and I gave my all to the place. It was a great time meeting people and providing them with entertainment and fun, especially during the pandemic. With no decision made by council to move forward or not with a fundraiser for the drive-in and with them not supporting the GoFundMe, I now know they have no interest in tourism, at least as far as the drive-in is concerned.”
Acknowledging she had read a number of the comments posted on The Drive-In’s Facebook page from many upset people, a disappointed Petersen said at the municipal level their hands are currently tied. “We are dealing with contracts, leases and logistics and are not in a position to launch any type of fundraisers right now.”
As for Petersen, Dale and council wanting to curb tourism, the mayor shared a list of items she feels the Resort Village of Manitou Beach is promoting when it comes to tourism. Those items ranged from a new dog park, creating a Parks Advisory Board, providing use of the Village Hall for an Art Symposium at no charge, granting a donation to the Village Rec. Board to build a pump track and paying $35,000 out of its general revenue to the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group. “All of these things promote tourism. We have also received at least three requests to move the Flea Market from the drive-In back to the ball diamonds. Council refused those requests to allow the current drive-in operator the opportunity for added revenue and theatre exposure.”
Understanding the value of tourism at the beach and its importance, Hayhurst feels if the drive-in were to close permanently it would create a ripple effect to other local businesses and attractions. “There would be jobs lost, some of the businesses would see fewer customers and some people have also told me they came to the beach specifically for the drive-in and would not return if it is closed.”
The operator of the drive-in also shared about the support he has received after launching his fundraiser, one that he has since suspended. “I had two people, one from Moose Jaw and one from Saskatoon offer to do steak night fundraisers. I had people offer to do pancake breakfasts. I had four bands reach out offering to do free concerts and I had two individuals offer to outright buy a new projector at a cost of around $100,000 and use the GoFundMe for other improvements. But that’s all gone now. I appreciate their support, it is just too bad it wasn’t shared by those who opposed it in power.”
Learning about the two people willing to purchase a projector outright, Petersen encourages them to step forward. “As far as the beach is concerned, we would be more than happy to work something out with them. If they are willing to buy a new projector, we would provide a contract and lease agreement and they could put it in and run the drive-in. We are all for that.”
No longer wanting to deal with the current administrator, council or mayor, Hayhurst made the decision to walk away. Following his decision, Earl said the GoFundMe will be cancelled, e-transfers from people denied and refunded and those who donated cash, Earl said they can stop by Video Stop in Watrous to pick up their money. The Facebook pages for The Drive-In at Manitou Beach and Flea Market will also be deleted by the end of the year and the operator added he will be ending his contracts with the movie studios.
Also disappointed with how the whole process has unfolded and waiting to see what the outcome will be with regards to the current projector and the costs associated with it, Petersen acknowledged the Resort Village of Manitou Beach is well beyond their available credit limit but are still trying to do what they can.
“We do not have funds, nor are we able to borrow funds for luxuries. The village is doing planned upgrades on a lift station. This is a necessity for tourism and residents. We are re-addressing our current water and sewer costs, as the Municipalities Act required utilities to pay for themselves. The village is doing everything in its power to protect tourism and its residents equally. The administration and council spent hours on the 2022 budget. We were able to hold the current mil rate. The village is not in a good financial place, but in spite of that we are getting business done. Accepting criticism and advice from residents is part of our job, and I am always open to another angle to get the job done better.”
As for what the future holds for the drive-in, Petersen said, “Right now it is just closed for the season. We are waiting for estimates to come back on what it will cost for repairs or to purchase a new projector and then we will have a better idea. There is no reason why the drive-in could not be open come spring.”
Collecting his personal items from the drive-in, and unsure about the future, Hayhurst said, “To all those who have supported myself over the years, thanks for the memories!”
Daniel Bushman
Drawing people to the area from across the province, the 2022 season at The Drive-In at Manitou Beach started out as an overwhelming success. However, due to equipment malfunction on Aug. 12 followed by a projector bulb explosion Aug. 27, the season came to a crashing halt, potentially putting the future of the rare attraction in limbo.
With the Resort Village of Manitou Beach owning the drive-in property and contents of the buildings, after equipment malfunction, on Aug. 16 an emergency meeting was held by the resort’s council. Stemming from the meeting, a motion was made and unanimously approved that the Resort Village of Manitou Beach go ahead with an expenditure of up to $8,123.50 as a total estimated cost to repair the drive-in’s projector, with the condition that the value be relieved by two fundraiser movie events at the drive-in to be organized by operator of the facility, Earl Hayhurst.
Hayhurst, who has been running the drive-in for nearly three years while also hosting a flea market on site Sunday mornings during the summer months said he was devastated when the season abruptly ended. A movie guru, Hayhurst said he gave his heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears to the place, so when the malfunction happened with nearly two months remaining in the season, he was on board with council’s decision to repair the projector. With the new part installed, a bulb explosion then occurred and permanently shut down the remainder of the year. That left moviegoers and supporters of The Drive-In at Manitou Beach curious about its future.
Asked during the emergency meeting to conduct a pair of fundraisers and willing to do so, over the next few weeks Hayhurst indicated he did not hear anything further from council on the matter. “On Aug. 29 I sent an email to the administrator with my plans I had for the situation and fundraising efforts. It went unanswered and after not receiving a response, I decided to move ahead with a GoFundMe fundraiser and other fundraising avenues. I wanted to do them before winter arrived as people knew that our season had been cancelled and it was still top of mind.”
Launching a GoFundMe page Sept. 9 and with a goal of raising $50,000 to replace the projector at The Drive-In, Hayhurst began hearing from local musicians and others willing to lend a hand. Within a week, around $3,000 had been raised through his GoFundMe page and people began rallying with hopes of seeing the drive-in return to life in time for the 2023 season. “The support I received was incredible and I am so grateful that so many wanted to help. I feel that this place is a valuable attraction to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach and we have people coming every summer to watch movies from Saskatoon, Regina and beyond. There are not a whole lot of these iconic sites left and I have a soft spot for the place. I would love to see The Drive-In at Manitou Beach continue so that was why I felt it was important to try and raise some funds.”
As support grew for Earl’s fundraiser, both through monetary donations and people willing to step up in any way they could, on Sept. 12, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach issued a statement on its Facebook page advising that it had not sanctioned or approved any fundraising efforts for its drive-in property and a new projector.
Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen said while she hopes the drive-in will be in operation in the future, the reason the resort village did not approve the fundraiser was because there were too many unknowns at the time. “The money that was being raised was going directly to Earl and there was no way to know if the beach would receive it for a projector. If we were to hold a fundraiser under the resort village of Manitou Beach, we would be able to issue tax receipts to people and ensure the money would go into the Resort Village’s account and be put towards a projector. Creating the GoFundMe page also led the general public to believe we needed a new projector, and we don’t know that yet. This is yet to be determined. Hayhurst was charged with and agreed to fundraise to help pay for repairs. Council didn’t ask for a set dollar amount, only a show of faith in the drive-in’s continued viability, by his helping to pay for repairs.”
Extremely disappointed to read the resort village’s statement posted on its Facebook page Sept. 12, Hayhurst said he had no intention of keeping the money for himself, rather he said he just wants to see The Drive-In back up and running.
While council at the beach wanted to make sure to do their due diligence before approving any type of fundraising efforts, that was not viewed in the same light by a number of people who voiced their displeasure on social media. Supporting the efforts of Hayhurst, a petition was circulated and submitted to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach requesting a public meeting with members of the beach’s council. According to Administrator at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach Elise Dale, the petition submitted to the village office did not have sufficient information to be approved. The person spearheading the petition was given the proper guidelines of submitting a petition and were encouraged to create the document if they so chose.
Aware of the petition and welcoming people to attend a council meeting if they would like, the mayor understands people are frustrated about the beach’s stance on the fundraiser. However, Petersen added with no specific information on an actual cost of a projector and whether or not a new one is needed to be purchased, the resort village wanted to ensure it goes through the proper steps moving forward. “Things like this can take time and we want to collect all of the necessary information first before going ahead with any type of fundraiser.”
As part of that process, Dale noted a third party has been contracted to look into the actual cost of a new projector and to evaluate whether or not the current one could be fixed. Dale also shared that they are looking into what they may receive through insurance and when other theatre operators learned of the situation through social media, they reached out to the village to try and help. “Actually we had one person who is friends with original owner Burt Crawford contact us about how he could help. Right now we are just waiting to hear what the cost of repairing or replacing the projector will be before we are able to go forward with a plan.”
After reading the statement issued by the beach regarding his fundraising attempts, Hayhurst released his own statement Oct. 5 on The Drive-In at Manitou Beach and the Flea Market’s Facebook pages. From that, as of Oct. 11, there were over 130 comments and close to 100 shares between the two pages, with the overwhelming majority in favour of his efforts.
“I don’t understand why there are some people who would think I would take the fundraising money for myself? The drive-in provided a job for me and a handful of others and I gave my all to the place. It was a great time meeting people and providing them with entertainment and fun, especially during the pandemic. With no decision made by council to move forward or not with a fundraiser for the drive-in and with them not supporting the GoFundMe, I now know they have no interest in tourism, at least as far as the drive-in is concerned.”
Acknowledging she had read a number of the comments posted on The Drive-In’s Facebook page from many upset people, a disappointed Petersen said at the municipal level their hands are currently tied. “We are dealing with contracts, leases and logistics and are not in a position to launch any type of fundraisers right now.”
As for Petersen, Dale and council wanting to curb tourism, the mayor shared a list of items she feels the Resort Village of Manitou Beach is promoting when it comes to tourism. Those items ranged from a new dog park, creating a Parks Advisory Board, providing use of the Village Hall for an Art Symposium at no charge, granting a donation to the Village Rec. Board to build a pump track and paying $35,000 out of its general revenue to the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group. “All of these things promote tourism. We have also received at least three requests to move the Flea Market from the drive-In back to the ball diamonds. Council refused those requests to allow the current drive-in operator the opportunity for added revenue and theatre exposure.”
Understanding the value of tourism at the beach and its importance, Hayhurst feels if the drive-in were to close permanently it would create a ripple effect to other local businesses and attractions. “There would be jobs lost, some of the businesses would see fewer customers and some people have also told me they came to the beach specifically for the drive-in and would not return if it is closed.”
The operator of the drive-in also shared about the support he has received after launching his fundraiser, one that he has since suspended. “I had two people, one from Moose Jaw and one from Saskatoon offer to do steak night fundraisers. I had people offer to do pancake breakfasts. I had four bands reach out offering to do free concerts and I had two individuals offer to outright buy a new projector at a cost of around $100,000 and use the GoFundMe for other improvements. But that’s all gone now. I appreciate their support, it is just too bad it wasn’t shared by those who opposed it in power.”
Learning about the two people willing to purchase a projector outright, Petersen encourages them to step forward. “As far as the beach is concerned, we would be more than happy to work something out with them. If they are willing to buy a new projector, we would provide a contract and lease agreement and they could put it in and run the drive-in. We are all for that.”
No longer wanting to deal with the current administrator, council or mayor, Hayhurst made the decision to walk away. Following his decision, Earl said the GoFundMe will be cancelled, e-transfers from people denied and refunded and those who donated cash, Earl said they can stop by Video Stop in Watrous to pick up their money. The Facebook pages for The Drive-In at Manitou Beach and Flea Market will also be deleted by the end of the year and the operator added he will be ending his contracts with the movie studios.
Also disappointed with how the whole process has unfolded and waiting to see what the outcome will be with regards to the current projector and the costs associated with it, Petersen acknowledged the Resort Village of Manitou Beach is well beyond their available credit limit but are still trying to do what they can.
“We do not have funds, nor are we able to borrow funds for luxuries. The village is doing planned upgrades on a lift station. This is a necessity for tourism and residents. We are re-addressing our current water and sewer costs, as the Municipalities Act required utilities to pay for themselves. The village is doing everything in its power to protect tourism and its residents equally. The administration and council spent hours on the 2022 budget. We were able to hold the current mil rate. The village is not in a good financial place, but in spite of that we are getting business done. Accepting criticism and advice from residents is part of our job, and I am always open to another angle to get the job done better.”
As for what the future holds for the drive-in, Petersen said, “Right now it is just closed for the season. We are waiting for estimates to come back on what it will cost for repairs or to purchase a new projector and then we will have a better idea. There is no reason why the drive-in could not be open come spring.”
Collecting his personal items from the drive-in, and unsure about the future, Hayhurst said, “To all those who have supported myself over the years, thanks for the memories!”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 10, 2022
New walking trail ready as date for ribbon cutting set
Daniel Bushman
With some beautiful fall weather, work on the new walking trail joining Watrous and Manitou Beach not only progressed but the project is now essentially completed.
Planning to have a ribbon cutting and soft opening of the trail Oct. 21, local resident Ron Ediger who took care of the project along with his company Melron Services Ltd. is looking forward to seeing it utilized. “The walking trail is totally complete and sand sealed and we were fortunate to get it all wrapped up. Everything is done except for some signage but that will be installed prior to the soft opening.”
Meeting with the Town of Watrous and Resort Village of Manitou Beach, Ediger said dignitaries will be on hand at the start of the new trail near the Watrous Rotary gazebo, landfill road and Watrous Cemetery at 2 p.m. Oct. 21 to cut the ribbon.
“After the ribbon cutting people are welcome to do a test walk. Along with the dignitaries, we will have a couple people from Watrous and a couple from Manitou Beach present at the ceremony because they are continuous walkers and always using it. Having three families donate benches in memory of loved ones along the trail has also been really tremendous and appreciated and we would sure like everyone from the communities to come and check it out if they can.”
Excited to reach a conclusion on the substantial project, Ediger feels the walking trail will be uplifting for both Watrous and Manitou Beach. “This goes to show that we can put the town and village together, and joining with the Rotary Walking Trail, we can bring the two communities together as one.”
Along with seeing both places bridged together, the completion of the trail also marks the 25th anniversary of Melron Services Ltd. “Twenty-five years ago I came here with a single backhoe and this community and the area has been so good to us. I always like to give back to the communities who have supported me for those 25 years and the people around here for miles have been good to me. I also want to thank everyone, especially my staff, who have helped me to be able to do this. I have had a lot of support that way as well.”
After a soggy start to spring delaying progress on the walking trail, nicer weather in the summer and fall allowed staff at Melron Services Ltd. to get everything wrapped up in October.
Seeing a need to create a trail that essentially joins Watrous and Manitou Beach, Ediger wanted to help make it happen after the Watrous Rotary along with generous sponsors and volunteers created a pair of trails for residents and visitors to use near Watrous. The new trail, which Ediger has covered the entire cost of, spans approximately three kilometres between the two communities.
Extending northeast from the first trail originally completed by the Watrous Rotary, the third trail continues past a gazebo toward the Watrous Cemetery. Walkers can veer off the gravel road as the new trail will take them along a corner of the cemetery to the main gates. From there walkers can cross Hwy. 365 to the other side of the trail. Once across, the trail runs alongside Hwy. 365 toward Manitou Beach. Reaching the turnoff to Murray Disc Golf, Ediger extended a portion of that gravel road which wraps around a slough and into a field. “We have received permission from the owners to use part of their land which was really generous so we have the trail running right next to the slough and then toward the farmyard.”
At the farmyard, a path has been cut near the hedges adjacent to the highway and a six foot barrier installed on the other side to allow privacy from the yard site. The trail then continues alongside the highway running between a pasture and signs at the entrance to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Creating walking space near another home, the trail goes through a treed area before reaching the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground. With room around some hedges, the trail leads walkers by the entrance of the park and then out in front of The Drive-In at Manitou Beach where a path is currently being used. Redoing that path, Ediger explained the trail will come to a conclusion at Lakeview Avenue, near the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s office and Manitou Mini Golf.
“Having the trail end there provides people an opportunity to take in the nearby attractions or they can continue along to the beach,” said Ediger.
Following the soft opening and ribbon cutting of the new walking trail, Ediger said once spring arrives, there will be an official opening with other dignitaries in attendance.
Daniel Bushman
With some beautiful fall weather, work on the new walking trail joining Watrous and Manitou Beach not only progressed but the project is now essentially completed.
Planning to have a ribbon cutting and soft opening of the trail Oct. 21, local resident Ron Ediger who took care of the project along with his company Melron Services Ltd. is looking forward to seeing it utilized. “The walking trail is totally complete and sand sealed and we were fortunate to get it all wrapped up. Everything is done except for some signage but that will be installed prior to the soft opening.”
Meeting with the Town of Watrous and Resort Village of Manitou Beach, Ediger said dignitaries will be on hand at the start of the new trail near the Watrous Rotary gazebo, landfill road and Watrous Cemetery at 2 p.m. Oct. 21 to cut the ribbon.
“After the ribbon cutting people are welcome to do a test walk. Along with the dignitaries, we will have a couple people from Watrous and a couple from Manitou Beach present at the ceremony because they are continuous walkers and always using it. Having three families donate benches in memory of loved ones along the trail has also been really tremendous and appreciated and we would sure like everyone from the communities to come and check it out if they can.”
Excited to reach a conclusion on the substantial project, Ediger feels the walking trail will be uplifting for both Watrous and Manitou Beach. “This goes to show that we can put the town and village together, and joining with the Rotary Walking Trail, we can bring the two communities together as one.”
Along with seeing both places bridged together, the completion of the trail also marks the 25th anniversary of Melron Services Ltd. “Twenty-five years ago I came here with a single backhoe and this community and the area has been so good to us. I always like to give back to the communities who have supported me for those 25 years and the people around here for miles have been good to me. I also want to thank everyone, especially my staff, who have helped me to be able to do this. I have had a lot of support that way as well.”
After a soggy start to spring delaying progress on the walking trail, nicer weather in the summer and fall allowed staff at Melron Services Ltd. to get everything wrapped up in October.
Seeing a need to create a trail that essentially joins Watrous and Manitou Beach, Ediger wanted to help make it happen after the Watrous Rotary along with generous sponsors and volunteers created a pair of trails for residents and visitors to use near Watrous. The new trail, which Ediger has covered the entire cost of, spans approximately three kilometres between the two communities.
Extending northeast from the first trail originally completed by the Watrous Rotary, the third trail continues past a gazebo toward the Watrous Cemetery. Walkers can veer off the gravel road as the new trail will take them along a corner of the cemetery to the main gates. From there walkers can cross Hwy. 365 to the other side of the trail. Once across, the trail runs alongside Hwy. 365 toward Manitou Beach. Reaching the turnoff to Murray Disc Golf, Ediger extended a portion of that gravel road which wraps around a slough and into a field. “We have received permission from the owners to use part of their land which was really generous so we have the trail running right next to the slough and then toward the farmyard.”
At the farmyard, a path has been cut near the hedges adjacent to the highway and a six foot barrier installed on the other side to allow privacy from the yard site. The trail then continues alongside the highway running between a pasture and signs at the entrance to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Creating walking space near another home, the trail goes through a treed area before reaching the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground. With room around some hedges, the trail leads walkers by the entrance of the park and then out in front of The Drive-In at Manitou Beach where a path is currently being used. Redoing that path, Ediger explained the trail will come to a conclusion at Lakeview Avenue, near the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s office and Manitou Mini Golf.
“Having the trail end there provides people an opportunity to take in the nearby attractions or they can continue along to the beach,” said Ediger.
Following the soft opening and ribbon cutting of the new walking trail, Ediger said once spring arrives, there will be an official opening with other dignitaries in attendance.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 3, 2022
Local project helping others across the globe
*photo courtesy Rick Block/Foodgrains Bank in Saskatchewan
Daniel Bushman
With the opportunity to help feed people in different parts of the world through an initiative originally spearheaded by his dad Lyle, for decades, local area farmer Don Shantz, his family, nearby neighbours and volunteers have been coming together for a good cause. This year - a year in which the Canadian Foodgrains Bank recognized a solemn anniversary - was no different as Don and his family were joined by a handful of others who harvested about 140 acres of wheat on Aug. 25.
“We originally started this project just west of our farm but more recently moved it a few miles east of where Randy and Rick Toman farm,” shared Shantz about the annual project. “The Toman family have also helped us from time to time but this year we were able to do it with our own machines.”
With this year’s wheat yielding around 50 plus/bushel, Rick Block, Regional Representative with Foodgrains Bank in Saskatchewan shared the proceeds from the Lanigan Foodgrains Growing Project will in part be used to help Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, a place where thousands were forced to flee to five years earlier.
“On harvest day I sat with Don in his combine, and we talked via speaker phone with David Adcock, Executive Director of Emergency Relief & Development Overseas (ERDO), who was explaining to Don how the Lanigan Foodgrains Growing Project has contributed to the life-saving work of providing food, as well as nutrition and agricultural training, for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh. This was precisely on the fifth anniversary of that conflict, and we are grateful for projects such as here in Lanigan/Watrous that help us do this important work of ending hunger.”
With the help of the Shantz family and others, for the past five years Canadian Foodgrains Bank and its member agencies have worked with local partners in Myanmar and Bangladesh to provide essential food aid to the Rohingya population in their time of greatest need.
One of those people who fled Myanmar to Bangladesh was Nurul. Having everything he needed to thrive, five years ago Nural along with his pregnant wife and five children came under attack. Heading for safety in Bangladesh, Nurul explained to Canadian Foodgrains Bank that once his family made it there they moved into Cox’s Bazar refugee camp where he and his 15-year-old son began working to pay their rent.
Despite the pandemic adding to their hardship, Nurul began creating baskets out of bamboo to help cover expenses. While he received basic food items like rice, lentils and oil from the World Food Programme, it was not enough to feed his family for an entire month.
Through Canadian Foodgrains Bank, member agency World Renew was able to work with its local partner to provide additional food items to Nurul and over 17,000 other Rohingya refugees. “I have received a lot of help and support,” shared Nurul to Canadian Foodgrains Bank. “I do hope that things will be alright soon, and I can go back to my motherland and live there with dignity and peace.”
Hearing Nurul’s story and others, Block is grateful of the Shantz family and their tremendous support over the years. “They have been involved since the very beginning of the Foodgrains Bank in the early 1980s, with Don and family carrying the torch he received from his parents. While the Shantz farm takes care of the majority of the field operations, a host of others from the surrounding community provide encouragement and support – including other farmers, local churches, businesses, and local media too! Many rich relationships have developed over time, as the Foodgrains Bank essentially is an ecumenical network that spans the continents.”
Understanding the importance of helping people in a time of need and his dad Lyle an integral part of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s early days - with Lyle even taking a trip to Africa with Mennonite Central Committee to see the impact being made - Don understands the value of the organization. “Because of its positive impact and my dad helping to found it, the Foodgrains Bank has been something we as a family take pride in supporting. The next generation of young farmers in our area also maintain an interest in the Foodgrains Bank project and intend to keep it going for years to come which is important because not everyone is able to feed themselves.”
Growing projects and community events including the one the Shantz family has been doing southwest of Guernsey have been an opportunity in which Canadians have been able to work together to help end global hunger. According to Block, currently there are more than 200 registered projects and events across Canada encompassing more than 15,000 acres. With 33 projects in Saskatchewan spanning approximately 3,800 acres, the projects across the nation involve thousands of volunteers including families, businesses, and churches.
“Last year more than $7.5 million was raised through growing projects and community events, which represents nearly half of all funds donated to the Foodgrains Bank. Together with our member agencies and their local partners, our work of providing emergency food assistance and increasing long-term food security has a significant impact in alleviating hunger and strengthening livelihoods. As well, here at home these projects benefit the local community too as people work together and expand both their vision and identity of how they can contribute to a world where all people have enough food to eat.”
*photo courtesy Rick Block/Foodgrains Bank in Saskatchewan
Daniel Bushman
With the opportunity to help feed people in different parts of the world through an initiative originally spearheaded by his dad Lyle, for decades, local area farmer Don Shantz, his family, nearby neighbours and volunteers have been coming together for a good cause. This year - a year in which the Canadian Foodgrains Bank recognized a solemn anniversary - was no different as Don and his family were joined by a handful of others who harvested about 140 acres of wheat on Aug. 25.
“We originally started this project just west of our farm but more recently moved it a few miles east of where Randy and Rick Toman farm,” shared Shantz about the annual project. “The Toman family have also helped us from time to time but this year we were able to do it with our own machines.”
With this year’s wheat yielding around 50 plus/bushel, Rick Block, Regional Representative with Foodgrains Bank in Saskatchewan shared the proceeds from the Lanigan Foodgrains Growing Project will in part be used to help Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, a place where thousands were forced to flee to five years earlier.
“On harvest day I sat with Don in his combine, and we talked via speaker phone with David Adcock, Executive Director of Emergency Relief & Development Overseas (ERDO), who was explaining to Don how the Lanigan Foodgrains Growing Project has contributed to the life-saving work of providing food, as well as nutrition and agricultural training, for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh. This was precisely on the fifth anniversary of that conflict, and we are grateful for projects such as here in Lanigan/Watrous that help us do this important work of ending hunger.”
With the help of the Shantz family and others, for the past five years Canadian Foodgrains Bank and its member agencies have worked with local partners in Myanmar and Bangladesh to provide essential food aid to the Rohingya population in their time of greatest need.
One of those people who fled Myanmar to Bangladesh was Nurul. Having everything he needed to thrive, five years ago Nural along with his pregnant wife and five children came under attack. Heading for safety in Bangladesh, Nurul explained to Canadian Foodgrains Bank that once his family made it there they moved into Cox’s Bazar refugee camp where he and his 15-year-old son began working to pay their rent.
Despite the pandemic adding to their hardship, Nurul began creating baskets out of bamboo to help cover expenses. While he received basic food items like rice, lentils and oil from the World Food Programme, it was not enough to feed his family for an entire month.
Through Canadian Foodgrains Bank, member agency World Renew was able to work with its local partner to provide additional food items to Nurul and over 17,000 other Rohingya refugees. “I have received a lot of help and support,” shared Nurul to Canadian Foodgrains Bank. “I do hope that things will be alright soon, and I can go back to my motherland and live there with dignity and peace.”
Hearing Nurul’s story and others, Block is grateful of the Shantz family and their tremendous support over the years. “They have been involved since the very beginning of the Foodgrains Bank in the early 1980s, with Don and family carrying the torch he received from his parents. While the Shantz farm takes care of the majority of the field operations, a host of others from the surrounding community provide encouragement and support – including other farmers, local churches, businesses, and local media too! Many rich relationships have developed over time, as the Foodgrains Bank essentially is an ecumenical network that spans the continents.”
Understanding the importance of helping people in a time of need and his dad Lyle an integral part of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s early days - with Lyle even taking a trip to Africa with Mennonite Central Committee to see the impact being made - Don understands the value of the organization. “Because of its positive impact and my dad helping to found it, the Foodgrains Bank has been something we as a family take pride in supporting. The next generation of young farmers in our area also maintain an interest in the Foodgrains Bank project and intend to keep it going for years to come which is important because not everyone is able to feed themselves.”
Growing projects and community events including the one the Shantz family has been doing southwest of Guernsey have been an opportunity in which Canadians have been able to work together to help end global hunger. According to Block, currently there are more than 200 registered projects and events across Canada encompassing more than 15,000 acres. With 33 projects in Saskatchewan spanning approximately 3,800 acres, the projects across the nation involve thousands of volunteers including families, businesses, and churches.
“Last year more than $7.5 million was raised through growing projects and community events, which represents nearly half of all funds donated to the Foodgrains Bank. Together with our member agencies and their local partners, our work of providing emergency food assistance and increasing long-term food security has a significant impact in alleviating hunger and strengthening livelihoods. As well, here at home these projects benefit the local community too as people work together and expand both their vision and identity of how they can contribute to a world where all people have enough food to eat.”
TWM Top Story Sept. 26, 2022
Warm weather sticks around as fall arrives
Daniel Bushman
As the seasons officially changed Sept. 22, the temperatures dramatically did not like they have in previous years. With tremendous harvest progress being made, people enjoying outdoor sports and others wanting to soak up as much sun as they can, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips thinks September missed the email from nature to cool off.
“September is often a fall month not a summer month and we have seen these really cooking temperatures out west. June and July were really close to normal but August was two degrees warmer than normal and for the first 20 days of September, it was almost four and a half degrees warmer than normal.”
Going through data as far back as the early 1950s, Phillips said for the local area, there has never been a warmer combined August and September. “I am thinking of all the concern people had for the very slow beginning to the growing season because it was cool and a bit wet in some areas.”
Hoping for a nice conclusion to the growing season, many farmers have gotten just that as the sunshine and heat have stuck around and combines remained in the fields. “They ended up with a decent lengthy growing season and this has been really good for producers harvesting.”
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for Sept. 6 to 12, many producers in the southwest and west-central regions completed harvest and were on to other field work. From that time period, overall in Saskatchewan a total of 64 percent of the crop was harvested, up from 42 percent the week prior and just ahead of the five-year average of 57 percent. An additional 20 percent of the crop was ready to swath or straight-cut.
Fast forward a week later and for Sept. 13 to 21, harvest progress increased to 73 percent, ahead of the five-year average of 68 percent for that time of year. An additional 18 percent of the crop was ready to be swathed or straight-cut.
Harvest was most advanced in the southwest region, where 96 percent of the crop was in the bin. The west-central had 89 percent combined, the southeast 65 percent, the northwest 63 percent, the east-central and northeast were at 52 percent.
As for what had been combined, 97 percent of lentils and field peas, 94 percent of durum, 78 percent of barley, 77 percent of spring wheat, 52 percent of canola and 35 percent of flax has been taken off fields. There is an additional 36 percent of canola that is ready to swath or straight-cut.
In some areas, precipitation was generally welcomed after several weeks of dry weather. Concerns about field and equipment fires eased and there is hope that the rain will be enough in some areas to allow pastures a little regrowth. The Pelly area received 44 mm, the Melfort and Moosomin areas 30 mm, the Lipton area 13 mm, the Rosetown area nine mm and the Vanguard area four mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 37 percent adequate, 40 percent short and 21 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 28 percent adequate, 42 percent short and 29 percent very short.
While there has been some frost advisories issued for parts of Saskatchewan and rain stalling a bit of harvest progress during September, Phillips said the nice weather should continue into October where models indicate warmer and drier conditions. “We feel that because there is a lot of heat left in the land and the lakes that any kind of cool air mass will be tempered somewhat.
“There is not one area in Canada when I look at October that is cooler than normal. Everywhere from Vancouver Island to Buena Vista is showing warmer than normal.”
While frost could still arrive despite the nicer daytime temperatures, with a normal high of 17˚C for this time of year, if cooler weather does roll through, Phillips indicated it will not dig in and be long lasting or extreme. “Because of the warmer ocean waters all around us, we will continue to have summery-like weather.”
Losing about three minutes of daylight per day as the angle of the sun has gone from around 65˚ above the horizon June 21 to around 45˚ or 40˚, Phillips shared how that can have an affect on temperatures. “When you look at the months, the middle of July to the middle of August it drops by about one degree. The difference by mid-August to mid-September, it is six degrees, so you feel it. Then when you look from September to October it is almost eight degrees.”
Despite the expected drop, this August and September have decided to hang on to the warmer weather for as long as possible. Phillips senses that will continue into October and extending into November and December, models indicate values to be near normal.
“It is a combination of maybe a little milder at the beginning and cooler at the end. My sense is that we are seeing winter likely to be tame at the beginning and a little tougher at the end. We are not going to cancel winter, that has never happened, but if there was a spot where it would be more winter-like or polar vortex kind of things it is more likely to be in maybe late-January, early-February and then ease out.”
Daniel Bushman
As the seasons officially changed Sept. 22, the temperatures dramatically did not like they have in previous years. With tremendous harvest progress being made, people enjoying outdoor sports and others wanting to soak up as much sun as they can, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips thinks September missed the email from nature to cool off.
“September is often a fall month not a summer month and we have seen these really cooking temperatures out west. June and July were really close to normal but August was two degrees warmer than normal and for the first 20 days of September, it was almost four and a half degrees warmer than normal.”
Going through data as far back as the early 1950s, Phillips said for the local area, there has never been a warmer combined August and September. “I am thinking of all the concern people had for the very slow beginning to the growing season because it was cool and a bit wet in some areas.”
Hoping for a nice conclusion to the growing season, many farmers have gotten just that as the sunshine and heat have stuck around and combines remained in the fields. “They ended up with a decent lengthy growing season and this has been really good for producers harvesting.”
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for Sept. 6 to 12, many producers in the southwest and west-central regions completed harvest and were on to other field work. From that time period, overall in Saskatchewan a total of 64 percent of the crop was harvested, up from 42 percent the week prior and just ahead of the five-year average of 57 percent. An additional 20 percent of the crop was ready to swath or straight-cut.
Fast forward a week later and for Sept. 13 to 21, harvest progress increased to 73 percent, ahead of the five-year average of 68 percent for that time of year. An additional 18 percent of the crop was ready to be swathed or straight-cut.
Harvest was most advanced in the southwest region, where 96 percent of the crop was in the bin. The west-central had 89 percent combined, the southeast 65 percent, the northwest 63 percent, the east-central and northeast were at 52 percent.
As for what had been combined, 97 percent of lentils and field peas, 94 percent of durum, 78 percent of barley, 77 percent of spring wheat, 52 percent of canola and 35 percent of flax has been taken off fields. There is an additional 36 percent of canola that is ready to swath or straight-cut.
In some areas, precipitation was generally welcomed after several weeks of dry weather. Concerns about field and equipment fires eased and there is hope that the rain will be enough in some areas to allow pastures a little regrowth. The Pelly area received 44 mm, the Melfort and Moosomin areas 30 mm, the Lipton area 13 mm, the Rosetown area nine mm and the Vanguard area four mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 37 percent adequate, 40 percent short and 21 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 28 percent adequate, 42 percent short and 29 percent very short.
While there has been some frost advisories issued for parts of Saskatchewan and rain stalling a bit of harvest progress during September, Phillips said the nice weather should continue into October where models indicate warmer and drier conditions. “We feel that because there is a lot of heat left in the land and the lakes that any kind of cool air mass will be tempered somewhat.
“There is not one area in Canada when I look at October that is cooler than normal. Everywhere from Vancouver Island to Buena Vista is showing warmer than normal.”
While frost could still arrive despite the nicer daytime temperatures, with a normal high of 17˚C for this time of year, if cooler weather does roll through, Phillips indicated it will not dig in and be long lasting or extreme. “Because of the warmer ocean waters all around us, we will continue to have summery-like weather.”
Losing about three minutes of daylight per day as the angle of the sun has gone from around 65˚ above the horizon June 21 to around 45˚ or 40˚, Phillips shared how that can have an affect on temperatures. “When you look at the months, the middle of July to the middle of August it drops by about one degree. The difference by mid-August to mid-September, it is six degrees, so you feel it. Then when you look from September to October it is almost eight degrees.”
Despite the expected drop, this August and September have decided to hang on to the warmer weather for as long as possible. Phillips senses that will continue into October and extending into November and December, models indicate values to be near normal.
“It is a combination of maybe a little milder at the beginning and cooler at the end. My sense is that we are seeing winter likely to be tame at the beginning and a little tougher at the end. We are not going to cancel winter, that has never happened, but if there was a spot where it would be more winter-like or polar vortex kind of things it is more likely to be in maybe late-January, early-February and then ease out.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 19, 2022
Emergency services temporarily disrupted in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
With a shortage of health care staff in Watrous, emergency services at the Watrous and District Health Complex will only be available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. That also means inpatient services will not be available during this disruption, one that Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) indicates will be temporary.
As many rural locations throughout Saskatchewan experience similar situations, SHA said the decision in Watrous was made based on staffing levels “that enable the SHA to continue to provide safe, reliable access to care for people in the area until staff shortages can be addressed.”
After meeting with representatives of the SHA Sept. 9, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson explained there currently is a severe shortage of registered nurses at the Watrous Hospital. “Rather than have sporadic disruptions/closures of emergency services, the reduction in hours is deemed to be the best option at this time. We realize there has been a lot of stress on nurses because of the staff shortages and it is hoped this will be a very temporary situation.”
While emergency services are operational from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and inpatient services not available during the disruption, primary health care, lab, X-ray, and long-term care services in Watrous will not be affected. People seeking emergency services can travel to Humboldt District Health Complex, Wynyard Hospital, Wadena Hospital or Davidson Hospital. In the event of an emergency, people can call 911. For non-urgent medical issues, people can contact their family physician or medical clinic or call HealthLine 811 if they have questions about their health or mental health.
Understanding the severity of the situation, Gunderson said the Town of Watrous will remain in regular communication with SHA to obtain any further updates and will work closely with them in any way possible to assist in the recruitment of registered nurses so that emergency services and acute care can be reinstated as quickly as possible.
Asked when the hospital could return to being fully operational, SHA said it is committed to restoring emergency services, acute care beds and admissions in the community of Watrous as soon as the current human resource challenges can be adequately addressed. “We will continue to update residents as information becomes available.”
Sharing that RN staffing vacancies are being experienced across Canada, Saskatchewan, and more specifically in rural locations, at the hospital in Watrous, SHA explained RN staff have been steadily decreasing due to challenges with filling vacancies. “The RN recruitment issues have resulted in numerous service disruptions. There are currently 2.55 Full-Time Equivalent RN vacancies, which represents almost 64 percent of RN staff at Watrous. The number of Licensed Practical Nurses remains stable.”
The issues faced in communities like Watrous and Lanigan, where that community is also experiencing emergency service disruptions, are not the only ones. Earlier this year, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) released its results of a member survey where more than four-in-five respondents (82.8 percent) reported permanent or temporary vacancies for registered nurses in their workplace, more than double who indicated the same in 2021.
Nearly 90 percent of the 1,503 respondents from the survey results released in April noted there was currently a shortage of registered nurses available to cover absences or to meet higher service demands. In addition, almost three-in-five (57.4 percent) stated they have considered stepping away from registered nursing in the past 12 months. SUN stated Saskatchewan’s registered nurses have shouldered the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic and more than seven-in-10 of its members reported a greater concern with safety (72.8 percent), feelings of anxiety and helplessness (72.5 percent), feelings of frustration or anger (77 percent) and feelings of uncertainty and lack of confidence in leadership (76.2 percent).
Understanding staffing levels need to be taken care of in rural Saskatchewan, SHA indicated it is an area of focus for them. “Recruitment to address the RN shortages required to support the safe operation of emergency and acute care services is ongoing. The SHA is developing a RN recruitment and retention strategy that will stabilize the workforce, support safe, quality care with available resources, minimize service disruptions, and strengthen morale among all members of the Watrous Hospital staff team.”
With the provincial government recently announcing a $60 million Health Human Resources Action Plan aimed at recruiting, training, retaining and adding incentives for healthcare workers, SHA indicated the plan will assist them with addressing staffing challenges that Watrous and others are currently facing. “As part of this action plan, the SHA hopes to recruit a number of permanent, full-time nursing staff from the Philippines. New, targeted incentives will also assist the SHA with recruitment from within Saskatchewan.”
SHA continued by noting it is also exploring recruitment and retention incentives, engaging with the local physician group to support facility staff and members of the community, and has a collaborative strategy with provider teams in the surrounding area with the intent to provide seamless care and opportunities for cross-functional support between teams in times of need. “The SHA is committed to updating the community as information becomes available. The SHA appreciates the patience and understanding of the residents of Watrous and the surrounding area as we continue to work toward the development of a recruitment and retention strategy that will restore and stabilize emergency and acute care services and limit service disruptions as much as possible.”
With shortages in health care having such a tremendous impact across Saskatchewan, CUPE 5430, the largest health care union in the province, has launched a public survey. “People across Saskatchewan are struggling to access health care in a timely manner and in or around the communities they call home,” said Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE 5430 and a nuclear medicine technologist. “Dozens of communities are facing service disruptions, emergency room shutdowns, bed closures and service cuts. This survey will help us illustrate the scope of the problem and present clear solutions.”
CUPE stated its leadership has been trying to track service disruptions and facility closures through the SHA website adding if people are concerned about the state of health care in their community to fill out the survey online at www.cupe5430.ca and click the ‘Rural Health Care Survey’ image.
Knowing the situation in Watrous and in other rural centres is frustrating, SHA said, “We want to thank the citizens of Watrous and surrounding area for their understanding, patience, cooperation, and ongoing support as we work through the process of securing the staffing necessary to resume these very important services in the community.”
Appreciating the work done over the years by those within health care, on behalf of the community, Gunderson said, “We thank the nursing staff at Watrous Hospital for their dedication to providing services to our community. We also ask the community to be understanding and patient during this temporary disruption and to remain respectful to those in our community who offer health care services.”
Daniel Bushman
With a shortage of health care staff in Watrous, emergency services at the Watrous and District Health Complex will only be available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. That also means inpatient services will not be available during this disruption, one that Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) indicates will be temporary.
As many rural locations throughout Saskatchewan experience similar situations, SHA said the decision in Watrous was made based on staffing levels “that enable the SHA to continue to provide safe, reliable access to care for people in the area until staff shortages can be addressed.”
After meeting with representatives of the SHA Sept. 9, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson explained there currently is a severe shortage of registered nurses at the Watrous Hospital. “Rather than have sporadic disruptions/closures of emergency services, the reduction in hours is deemed to be the best option at this time. We realize there has been a lot of stress on nurses because of the staff shortages and it is hoped this will be a very temporary situation.”
While emergency services are operational from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and inpatient services not available during the disruption, primary health care, lab, X-ray, and long-term care services in Watrous will not be affected. People seeking emergency services can travel to Humboldt District Health Complex, Wynyard Hospital, Wadena Hospital or Davidson Hospital. In the event of an emergency, people can call 911. For non-urgent medical issues, people can contact their family physician or medical clinic or call HealthLine 811 if they have questions about their health or mental health.
Understanding the severity of the situation, Gunderson said the Town of Watrous will remain in regular communication with SHA to obtain any further updates and will work closely with them in any way possible to assist in the recruitment of registered nurses so that emergency services and acute care can be reinstated as quickly as possible.
Asked when the hospital could return to being fully operational, SHA said it is committed to restoring emergency services, acute care beds and admissions in the community of Watrous as soon as the current human resource challenges can be adequately addressed. “We will continue to update residents as information becomes available.”
Sharing that RN staffing vacancies are being experienced across Canada, Saskatchewan, and more specifically in rural locations, at the hospital in Watrous, SHA explained RN staff have been steadily decreasing due to challenges with filling vacancies. “The RN recruitment issues have resulted in numerous service disruptions. There are currently 2.55 Full-Time Equivalent RN vacancies, which represents almost 64 percent of RN staff at Watrous. The number of Licensed Practical Nurses remains stable.”
The issues faced in communities like Watrous and Lanigan, where that community is also experiencing emergency service disruptions, are not the only ones. Earlier this year, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) released its results of a member survey where more than four-in-five respondents (82.8 percent) reported permanent or temporary vacancies for registered nurses in their workplace, more than double who indicated the same in 2021.
Nearly 90 percent of the 1,503 respondents from the survey results released in April noted there was currently a shortage of registered nurses available to cover absences or to meet higher service demands. In addition, almost three-in-five (57.4 percent) stated they have considered stepping away from registered nursing in the past 12 months. SUN stated Saskatchewan’s registered nurses have shouldered the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic and more than seven-in-10 of its members reported a greater concern with safety (72.8 percent), feelings of anxiety and helplessness (72.5 percent), feelings of frustration or anger (77 percent) and feelings of uncertainty and lack of confidence in leadership (76.2 percent).
Understanding staffing levels need to be taken care of in rural Saskatchewan, SHA indicated it is an area of focus for them. “Recruitment to address the RN shortages required to support the safe operation of emergency and acute care services is ongoing. The SHA is developing a RN recruitment and retention strategy that will stabilize the workforce, support safe, quality care with available resources, minimize service disruptions, and strengthen morale among all members of the Watrous Hospital staff team.”
With the provincial government recently announcing a $60 million Health Human Resources Action Plan aimed at recruiting, training, retaining and adding incentives for healthcare workers, SHA indicated the plan will assist them with addressing staffing challenges that Watrous and others are currently facing. “As part of this action plan, the SHA hopes to recruit a number of permanent, full-time nursing staff from the Philippines. New, targeted incentives will also assist the SHA with recruitment from within Saskatchewan.”
SHA continued by noting it is also exploring recruitment and retention incentives, engaging with the local physician group to support facility staff and members of the community, and has a collaborative strategy with provider teams in the surrounding area with the intent to provide seamless care and opportunities for cross-functional support between teams in times of need. “The SHA is committed to updating the community as information becomes available. The SHA appreciates the patience and understanding of the residents of Watrous and the surrounding area as we continue to work toward the development of a recruitment and retention strategy that will restore and stabilize emergency and acute care services and limit service disruptions as much as possible.”
With shortages in health care having such a tremendous impact across Saskatchewan, CUPE 5430, the largest health care union in the province, has launched a public survey. “People across Saskatchewan are struggling to access health care in a timely manner and in or around the communities they call home,” said Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE 5430 and a nuclear medicine technologist. “Dozens of communities are facing service disruptions, emergency room shutdowns, bed closures and service cuts. This survey will help us illustrate the scope of the problem and present clear solutions.”
CUPE stated its leadership has been trying to track service disruptions and facility closures through the SHA website adding if people are concerned about the state of health care in their community to fill out the survey online at www.cupe5430.ca and click the ‘Rural Health Care Survey’ image.
Knowing the situation in Watrous and in other rural centres is frustrating, SHA said, “We want to thank the citizens of Watrous and surrounding area for their understanding, patience, cooperation, and ongoing support as we work through the process of securing the staffing necessary to resume these very important services in the community.”
Appreciating the work done over the years by those within health care, on behalf of the community, Gunderson said, “We thank the nursing staff at Watrous Hospital for their dedication to providing services to our community. We also ask the community to be understanding and patient during this temporary disruption and to remain respectful to those in our community who offer health care services.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 12, 2022
Weather allowing producers to make harvest progress
Daniel Bushman
Despite weather delays during seeding in the spring, with the recent hot and dry weather, Crops Extension Specialist Michael Brown with the Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture said harvest operations within the local area are looking pretty good.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for Aug. 23 to 28, harvest progress was at 23 percent, up from 16 percent a week prior. The following week for the period of Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, that number jumped to 42 percent courtesy of the weather conditions. That mark pushed overall operations just ahead of the five-year average of 40 percent. An additional 20 percent of the crop was ready to swath or straight-cut while crops that were not ready for harvest quickly ripened after a stretch of warm and dry days.
The southwest region continued to lead harvest operations with 83 percent of the crop combined. That region was followed by west-central with 61 percent of their crop harvested. The southeast was next at 33 percent with the northwest at 28 percent, the east-central 27 percent and the northeast 21 percent.
With the hot and dry weather, Brown expected those percentages to continue to rise. “For the most part it is still pretty dry out there. Humboldt area did receive a heavy shot of rain at the end of August but it only delayed field operations for a few days. Producers have been able to get going in their fields and they put the “labour” into labour day long weekend this year. Lots of work being done with swathing, combining, moving equipment, trucking, and desiccating all well underway.”
The latest weekly Crop Report indicated winter cereals were very close to being completed with 96 percent of winter wheat and 84 percent of fall rye harvested. Ninety-one percent of lentils and field peas, 70 percent of durum, 52 percent of barley, 40 percent of spring wheat and 22 percent of the canola crop has now been combined.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the current estimated averages of crop yields have come in at 43 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 30 bushels per acre for durum, 34 bushels per acre for canola, 34 bushels per acre for field peas and 1,174 pounds per acre for lentils. The report indicated crop yields in the southwest and west-central regions have been greatly affected by the extremely hot and dry conditions experienced during critical growing stages this season. Because of that, yields were significantly lower in those areas compared to provincial averages.
Closer to home, as more crops are taken off fields, Brown figured harvest appears to be going much better in 2022 as opposed to 2021. While there were more heavy, localized storms compared to the more preferred widespread soaker rains during the growing season, he said, “Areas to the east were able to catch more of those rains this year but areas to the south and west weren’t as lucky and will probably see average to below average yields. It is still very dry out in the area south of Hwy. 16 between Hanley and Watrous.”
Taking a tour of the Bradwell National Wildlife Area, Brown indicated sloughs that relied on overland water were completely dry and the ones that had groundwater discharge were still low. With the dry conditions, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, cropland topsoil moisture was rated as one percent surplus, 42 percent adequate, 34 percent short and 23 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 35 percent adequate, 39 percent short and 25 percent very short.
Brown cautioned dry conditions remain the biggest concern for producers and with the recent hot temperatures there is a risk of field fires. “We have seen a few already this year. Have a fire extinguisher on board the equipment in the field and have a set of discs and a water tank nearby in case anything does happen. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”
As for recent crop damage in fields, according to the weekly Crop Report, the majority was attributed to wind and grasshoppers. Strong winds blew swaths around fields and will result in yield loss and a difficult harvest for affected producers. Strong winds are likely to shell out very ripe crops leading to crop yield reductions as well. Grasshoppers will continue to be a significant problem until conditions are less favourable for them. Producers have noticed a slight increase of ergot fungus in their cereal fields this year, likely due to the increase in precipitation received during the crop flowering stage.
Daniel Bushman
Despite weather delays during seeding in the spring, with the recent hot and dry weather, Crops Extension Specialist Michael Brown with the Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture said harvest operations within the local area are looking pretty good.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for Aug. 23 to 28, harvest progress was at 23 percent, up from 16 percent a week prior. The following week for the period of Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, that number jumped to 42 percent courtesy of the weather conditions. That mark pushed overall operations just ahead of the five-year average of 40 percent. An additional 20 percent of the crop was ready to swath or straight-cut while crops that were not ready for harvest quickly ripened after a stretch of warm and dry days.
The southwest region continued to lead harvest operations with 83 percent of the crop combined. That region was followed by west-central with 61 percent of their crop harvested. The southeast was next at 33 percent with the northwest at 28 percent, the east-central 27 percent and the northeast 21 percent.
With the hot and dry weather, Brown expected those percentages to continue to rise. “For the most part it is still pretty dry out there. Humboldt area did receive a heavy shot of rain at the end of August but it only delayed field operations for a few days. Producers have been able to get going in their fields and they put the “labour” into labour day long weekend this year. Lots of work being done with swathing, combining, moving equipment, trucking, and desiccating all well underway.”
The latest weekly Crop Report indicated winter cereals were very close to being completed with 96 percent of winter wheat and 84 percent of fall rye harvested. Ninety-one percent of lentils and field peas, 70 percent of durum, 52 percent of barley, 40 percent of spring wheat and 22 percent of the canola crop has now been combined.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the current estimated averages of crop yields have come in at 43 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 30 bushels per acre for durum, 34 bushels per acre for canola, 34 bushels per acre for field peas and 1,174 pounds per acre for lentils. The report indicated crop yields in the southwest and west-central regions have been greatly affected by the extremely hot and dry conditions experienced during critical growing stages this season. Because of that, yields were significantly lower in those areas compared to provincial averages.
Closer to home, as more crops are taken off fields, Brown figured harvest appears to be going much better in 2022 as opposed to 2021. While there were more heavy, localized storms compared to the more preferred widespread soaker rains during the growing season, he said, “Areas to the east were able to catch more of those rains this year but areas to the south and west weren’t as lucky and will probably see average to below average yields. It is still very dry out in the area south of Hwy. 16 between Hanley and Watrous.”
Taking a tour of the Bradwell National Wildlife Area, Brown indicated sloughs that relied on overland water were completely dry and the ones that had groundwater discharge were still low. With the dry conditions, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, cropland topsoil moisture was rated as one percent surplus, 42 percent adequate, 34 percent short and 23 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 35 percent adequate, 39 percent short and 25 percent very short.
Brown cautioned dry conditions remain the biggest concern for producers and with the recent hot temperatures there is a risk of field fires. “We have seen a few already this year. Have a fire extinguisher on board the equipment in the field and have a set of discs and a water tank nearby in case anything does happen. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”
As for recent crop damage in fields, according to the weekly Crop Report, the majority was attributed to wind and grasshoppers. Strong winds blew swaths around fields and will result in yield loss and a difficult harvest for affected producers. Strong winds are likely to shell out very ripe crops leading to crop yield reductions as well. Grasshoppers will continue to be a significant problem until conditions are less favourable for them. Producers have noticed a slight increase of ergot fungus in their cereal fields this year, likely due to the increase in precipitation received during the crop flowering stage.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 5, 2022
Deputy Prime Minister visits Mosaic Colonsay
*photo credit: Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Twitter
Daniel Bushman
An opportunity to see how potash is mined, sharing about the importance of the industry and connecting with people of Saskatchewan, Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, Chrystia Freeland recently toured Mosaic Colonsay. Along with the Aug. 24 visit to the potash mine, Freeland also stopped in Saskatoon before heading west to her home province of Alberta.
Appreciating the staff at Mosaic Colonsay for taking time to show her what they do, Freeland thanked those within the potash industry for the contributions made to Canada and around the world. “People producing potash in Saskatchewan are feeding the world. That is not an exaggeration. Canada is the world’s largest producer and exporter of potash—32 percent of the world’s total in 2020. Farmers around the world depend on our potash, on the potash you see right there. And that means millions and millions of people depend on the work that is being done, right now, to eat.”
Noting how Canada and specifically Saskatchewan are reliable leaders and world leaders when it comes to potash production, during a time of global unrest, Freeland said, “The world can depend on us and the world can also know that the potash they buy from Canada meets the very highest standards—the highest democratic standards, the highest environmental standards.
“And it isn’t just potash. Canada exported more than $82 billion worth of agricultural and food products last year. That means thousands and thousands and thousands of great, valuable jobs for Canadians, and it means millions of people around the world eat every day because of the work we are doing.”
While Freeland did not make any new announcements relating to the potash and agriculture sectors, she did highlight how the federal government announced a Canada Growth Fund in its April budget to attract funds in private capital to support the growth of industries like agriculture. She also touched on committing $1.5 billion to help producers adopt sustainable practices and technologies and explained how critical minerals are to massive global industries.
“We are so lucky that Canada is so rich in natural resources; that we have such an abundance of the critical minerals and metals that Canada and our allies need to produce everything from fertilizer to phones to electric vehicles. And as a province that is a global leader in potash and uranium production, and an emerging producer of more than 20 critical minerals, this means huge economic opportunities for Saskatchewan.”
Because of the importance of critical minerals, the Deputy Prime Minister shared the federal government set aside up to $3.8 billion as part of its spring budget to implement Canada’s first Critical Minerals Strategy, aimed at helping the economy grow. The plan includes doubling the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit to 30 percent which Freeland stated will provide an incentive for more businesses to invest in Saskatchewan.
“I know how important industries like mining and agriculture are to the economies of western Canada. I know how much it means to have places like this one; businesses like this that provide great jobs with a great community and a really good living for people. And I want to say to the great people I have met today—to the great people all across Saskatchewan—that our government is absolutely committed to jobs, to economic growth, and to being a partner for workers and businesses across Saskatchewan.”
Pleased to welcome Freeland to Mosaic Colonsay, on the potash company’s Facebook page, it stated, “It was our great pleasure to host the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on Wednesday at our Colonsay site. The day consisted of engaging discussions around the successes and challenges of the potash industry in Saskatchewan, and a site tour where the Colonsay team gave the group a firsthand look at how potash is mined. We finished our day together with a refreshed appreciation for what potash means not just to the province of Saskatchewan, but to Canada and the rest of the world.”
Before wrapping up her brief tour in Saskatchewan, after visiting the potash mine near Colonsay, Freeland headed to Saskatoon where she met with Mayor Charlie Clark and being the same day as Ukrainian Independence Day, visited Baba’s Closet, an organization supporting Ukrainian families.
“Saskatchewan and the Prairies and Ukraine have a long shared history—Ukrainian immigrants helped settle this province more than a century ago. And I know that Ukrainian-Canadian culture and traditions are a part of life for so many people here . . . I am really grateful to the people of Saskatchewan for welcoming them so warmly. And you know, when I got off the plane in Saskatoon last night, one of the first things I saw was a blue and yellow flag. I think the people seeking refuge here will have taken great comfort from that. So thank you very much, really. It means a lot.”
*photo credit: Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Twitter
Daniel Bushman
An opportunity to see how potash is mined, sharing about the importance of the industry and connecting with people of Saskatchewan, Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, Chrystia Freeland recently toured Mosaic Colonsay. Along with the Aug. 24 visit to the potash mine, Freeland also stopped in Saskatoon before heading west to her home province of Alberta.
Appreciating the staff at Mosaic Colonsay for taking time to show her what they do, Freeland thanked those within the potash industry for the contributions made to Canada and around the world. “People producing potash in Saskatchewan are feeding the world. That is not an exaggeration. Canada is the world’s largest producer and exporter of potash—32 percent of the world’s total in 2020. Farmers around the world depend on our potash, on the potash you see right there. And that means millions and millions of people depend on the work that is being done, right now, to eat.”
Noting how Canada and specifically Saskatchewan are reliable leaders and world leaders when it comes to potash production, during a time of global unrest, Freeland said, “The world can depend on us and the world can also know that the potash they buy from Canada meets the very highest standards—the highest democratic standards, the highest environmental standards.
“And it isn’t just potash. Canada exported more than $82 billion worth of agricultural and food products last year. That means thousands and thousands and thousands of great, valuable jobs for Canadians, and it means millions of people around the world eat every day because of the work we are doing.”
While Freeland did not make any new announcements relating to the potash and agriculture sectors, she did highlight how the federal government announced a Canada Growth Fund in its April budget to attract funds in private capital to support the growth of industries like agriculture. She also touched on committing $1.5 billion to help producers adopt sustainable practices and technologies and explained how critical minerals are to massive global industries.
“We are so lucky that Canada is so rich in natural resources; that we have such an abundance of the critical minerals and metals that Canada and our allies need to produce everything from fertilizer to phones to electric vehicles. And as a province that is a global leader in potash and uranium production, and an emerging producer of more than 20 critical minerals, this means huge economic opportunities for Saskatchewan.”
Because of the importance of critical minerals, the Deputy Prime Minister shared the federal government set aside up to $3.8 billion as part of its spring budget to implement Canada’s first Critical Minerals Strategy, aimed at helping the economy grow. The plan includes doubling the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit to 30 percent which Freeland stated will provide an incentive for more businesses to invest in Saskatchewan.
“I know how important industries like mining and agriculture are to the economies of western Canada. I know how much it means to have places like this one; businesses like this that provide great jobs with a great community and a really good living for people. And I want to say to the great people I have met today—to the great people all across Saskatchewan—that our government is absolutely committed to jobs, to economic growth, and to being a partner for workers and businesses across Saskatchewan.”
Pleased to welcome Freeland to Mosaic Colonsay, on the potash company’s Facebook page, it stated, “It was our great pleasure to host the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on Wednesday at our Colonsay site. The day consisted of engaging discussions around the successes and challenges of the potash industry in Saskatchewan, and a site tour where the Colonsay team gave the group a firsthand look at how potash is mined. We finished our day together with a refreshed appreciation for what potash means not just to the province of Saskatchewan, but to Canada and the rest of the world.”
Before wrapping up her brief tour in Saskatchewan, after visiting the potash mine near Colonsay, Freeland headed to Saskatoon where she met with Mayor Charlie Clark and being the same day as Ukrainian Independence Day, visited Baba’s Closet, an organization supporting Ukrainian families.
“Saskatchewan and the Prairies and Ukraine have a long shared history—Ukrainian immigrants helped settle this province more than a century ago. And I know that Ukrainian-Canadian culture and traditions are a part of life for so many people here . . . I am really grateful to the people of Saskatchewan for welcoming them so warmly. And you know, when I got off the plane in Saskatoon last night, one of the first things I saw was a blue and yellow flag. I think the people seeking refuge here will have taken great comfort from that. So thank you very much, really. It means a lot.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 29, 2022
Koza's passion for track and field running strong
Daniel Bushman
Whether it was leaping over barbed-wire fences as a youngster, training with some of the nation’s top track and field athletes in Toronto or entering meets at 86-years-old, for Imperial’s Joe Koza, being a competitor has always been in his blood.
With restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic alleviated, the grandfather who resurrected his track and field career in 2006, winning there at the age of 70, turned back the clock once again as he recently competed at the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association’s 55+ Games and the Canadian Masters Outdoor Championships.
In Prince Albert June 14 to 16 for the provincial 55+ games, Koza accumulated four gold medals in the track and field age 85+ category. In long jump, Koza leaped 2.53 m, in triple jump he attained 5.60 m while in the 400 m, he had a time of 2:00.63. Then for good measure, Koza gave his legs a break and using his arms, threw for 18.95 m in discus.
Just over a month later, the decorated athlete travelled south along Hwy. 2 from his home in Imperial to the Canadian Masters Outdoor Championship in Regina. Competing in the 85 to 90 age group July 29 to 31, Koza entered long jump, high jump, triple jump, discus and the 200 m.
On Saturday, after warming up, Koza captured gold in long jump in his age division with his best jump of 2.42 m with an age grading of 5.36 m. He also took gold in discus with a throw of 16.28 m. Then on Sunday, Koza grabbed gold in high jump with his best at 1.05 m with an age grading of 1.97 m, gold in triple jump with a leap of 5.33 m and received silver in the 200 m with a time of 45.09 and an age grading of 27.29. What was quite remarkable though was not just taking two firsts and a second on Sunday, but alternating two of those events at essentially the same time.
“I was on my second last jump and about to do it when the 200 m event was ready to go. They were lined up and someone hollered at me. The person managing the high jump pit said, ‘Go ahead and we will let you in later.’ So I ran the 200 m and walked back to the high jump pit and he said, ‘Are you ready to go Joe?’ I did not have time to rest so I figured that cost me setting a new record in the high jump.”
Always the competitor, Koza further explained that if he had more time to get in shape and heal from a prior injury, he could have done better. “The meet in Regina, I was pretty stiff and it really affected all my events because I couldn’t run. A while ago, I pulled a ligament in my left leg in Edmonton and it took about a year before I got over that. In the meantime my right knee began bothering me so I didn’t have a chance to get myself back in condition in time for Regina.”
Despite a few hurdles to overcome, Koza did an admirable job and with his hands full of medals from Prince Albert and Regina added to his collection, it should come as no surprise that the soon to be 87-year-old’s passion for track and field started right from an early age.
Attending a small school called Rolling Ridge, about two and a half miles from his family’s farm west of Imperial, Koza had to walk to school almost every day. A youngster looking for adventure and a challenge, on his way Joe would head for a small ravine and some fences. “There was opportunity to jump those barbed-wire fences and when the water was running in the spring, I would take the opportunity to jump across the streams.”
Day after day, a young Koza would map out his track and while he enjoyed the chance to see how far he could leap, unbeknownst to him, it was simultaneously acting as a way of conditioning him for future track and field events. Once the snow arrived though, the ravine and deep drifts filling it proved to be difficult. Looking to keep his training regiment going, those obstacles were replaced by a deep valley near the school where kids would slide down the hills. “They were steep enough that if we sat on a piece of cardboard it would whip us right down to the bottom which was likely about 150 feet. On the way back up you had to condition yourself to climb those hills again and again.”
With agility and strength being built up over the years, as Koza became a teenager, he was given the job of lighting the fire in the school to keep it warm. Leaving very early from home, Koza navigated his way through the dark mornings and up the hill to the school. “People laugh and say when they were young and went to school it was uphill all the way, but in this particular case, it really was uphill from our farm to the school.”
Taking the same route day after day, it did not take long for Koza’s legs to develop muscles geared for track and field. As winter soon gave way to spring and then summer, athletic competitions began to take place between smaller schools in the area and towns like Imperial, Simpson, Stalwart, Penzance and Liberty. “I would compete mostly in high jump and back then, 100 yards, and whatever else was offered. The winners of those events would advance to Watrous. Kids from Watrous and surrounding areas like Young, Lanigan and Nokomis would all congregate and we would compete against each other there.”
Recalling he was fortunate to get first place in a lot of his events, Koza would then head west to high school provincials, usually held at Griffith’s Stadium in Saskatoon. In 1953, on the senior team, Koza along with Alfred Cumming of Watrous, Athol Leith of Humboldt, and Don Fraser of Elstow joined forces and representing the Central District set a record in the 4 x 200 with a time of 1:37.60. Koza also won the half-mile and high jump as part of the talented crew.
With his talent developing and successes accumulating, it was during one of his last years of high school track and field competition that Koza explained he had recorded the best times and jumps in seven different events. “As it turned out the finals for all of those were on a Saturday. It started to pour that morning so the whole meet was washed out and if you go and look, that particular year there is no records of what had taken place.”
While the local area athlete was left disappointed, there was a silver lining. By winning provincial events and having accumulated a substantial amount of points through the competition, Koza was chosen to go to Toronto. “I was selected as one of Saskatchewan’s top 10 athletes in 1953 and in 1954 and boarded a plane for Toronto to be a part of the Canadian Olympic Training Plan Meet.”
Held for two weeks and coinciding with the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto, four boys and six girls representing Saskatchewan were met at the airport in Regina by athletes from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Boarding a plane, Koza and the contingent flew to Winnipeg before arriving in Toronto where they would receive schooling from world-class athletes and coaches. In the mornings during that opportunity in September, Koza got about four hours of class time before training on the track in the afternoons. “I did this for two consecutive years and there were a lot of things we got to do away from the track like seeing Casa Loma, taking a cruise down the river, checking out Niagara Falls, seeing Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and even having Timothy Eaton put on a big banquet for us.”
But perhaps one thing that really stuck out for Koza was taking his first flight on a four engine plane and having one of its engines blow out. “It was really wet that year and after leaving Winnipeg, about 15 minutes later, I was looking out the window and a hole was blown out of the engine. The pilot said we still have three engines so we will turn around and go back to Winnipeg.”
Eventually making it to Toronto after the engine was repaired and shaking off the experience, Koza said once the athletes got down to work he recalls training against Roger Bannister’s pacers (Bannister had the record for the mile at that time and was part of the Miracle Mile race against John Landy in 1954). “We got to train against those pacers which of course they made us look foolish.”
Following two weeks of training, Koza and the other athletes were able to compete as part of the CNE. At around 17 years old the first time he attended the CNE, it was quite the thrill for the athlete from Imperial. But like many prairie boys did, following his training, Koza said it was back home to help with harvest.
It was also during his time with the Canadian Olympic Training Plan that Koza had the opportunity to qualify for the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. Held in July and August of that year, in order for Koza to earn a spot he had to compete at a qualifier in Hamilton. “I chose to go to my brother’s wedding as best man in Thunder Bay instead of going to Hamilton not knowing it would cost me a trip going to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games.”
Happy to be there for his brother but devastated he was unable to line up against some of the best athletes, Koza said the winners from Hamilton were in Saskatoon a few weeks later to compete in a Provincial Open. As it turned out, Koza ran against them along with the previous record holder and shared he won, including the 400 yards, which he said his time set a new provincial record. Disappointed he was unable to carry that success to the prestigious event in Vancouver, following his two appearances at CNE, Koza decided at that time his track and field career was over. “From that point on it was basically go back to work.”
Back home, Koza took on a job at the local post office for six months before building a mobile grain cleaner. Then for 15 years he travelled to places like Watrous, Rosetown, Swift Current, Moose Jaw and areas in between cleaning seed grain for farmers. The entrepreneur then bought a small trenching machine and a backhoe and started putting in services in the Town of Imperial. From there, Koza did sewer system work around the province although did admit he dusted off his track shoes for one particular event held Oct. 1, 1977.
“I was putting the sewer system in a village east of Yorkton and Bredenbury was putting on an exhibition to raise money with a one-half mile summer fallow race. I entered the race but I hadn’t ran since I left school. I think I was around 41 and came in second against a lot of young guys. I made myself a couple of hundred dollars that day but that was the only race I basically ran from when I finished school.”
Then years later, Koza was approached by a woman who had just moved to Imperial from Vancouver. She informed Joe about the 55+ games and asked if he and his wife would consider entering dancing. Hearing that the Kozas were good dancers, the idea of competitively hitting the dance floor was planted. “If you ask what my favourite event is, I would say dancing. Over 61 and a half years of marriage, my wife Marilyn and I have never failed to receive a compliment or two wherever we danced. Be it at Manitou Beach at Danceland, a dance floor in Hawaii, a stage on a cruise ship or many a party. We love to dance.”
So after some discussion about doing dancing competitively in the 55+ games, Joe’s wife Marilyn declined but Koza found out track and field was also being offered. So at the age of 70 and in 2006, he dug out his shoes and got back into the sport he loves.
“I won at provincials in Moose Jaw and went to the nationals and since then have won in my age category most every year. Then I got involved in the Canadian Masters as well so that led me into meeting different people from all over the country. I have really enjoyed it. You get to meet people who are like-minded and are young at heart sort of speak.”
Since the age of 70, Koza has competed in two world indoor meets, three Canadian Masters and a variety of 55+ meets. “Those meets were basically from one end of Canada to the other. I think since I started up again I have won at least 35 medals and I enjoy all of the events I compete in. Probably the high jump and the long would be my favourite and the triple. It depends on how many aches and pains I got at that time.”
Sharing his jumping technique remains similar to when he leaped over barbed-wire fences as a kid, Koza lands with both feet forward followed by his body propelling ahead. “A lot of people, they land on their butt and slide through or fall sideways but mine are still the same way, I still land on my two feet. I have gotten a lot of compliments on that technique. A coach was watching one time and told his students to watch how I landed and to do it that way.”
Reflecting back on his years of competitive track and field and after adding more hardware from this year’s Games to an already full cabinet, when asked if he plans on continuing with his passion, a grinning and determined Koza was quick to say, “I think so. Barring any injuries of course and receiving the continued overwhelming support of my wife and family.”
Daniel Bushman
Whether it was leaping over barbed-wire fences as a youngster, training with some of the nation’s top track and field athletes in Toronto or entering meets at 86-years-old, for Imperial’s Joe Koza, being a competitor has always been in his blood.
With restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic alleviated, the grandfather who resurrected his track and field career in 2006, winning there at the age of 70, turned back the clock once again as he recently competed at the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association’s 55+ Games and the Canadian Masters Outdoor Championships.
In Prince Albert June 14 to 16 for the provincial 55+ games, Koza accumulated four gold medals in the track and field age 85+ category. In long jump, Koza leaped 2.53 m, in triple jump he attained 5.60 m while in the 400 m, he had a time of 2:00.63. Then for good measure, Koza gave his legs a break and using his arms, threw for 18.95 m in discus.
Just over a month later, the decorated athlete travelled south along Hwy. 2 from his home in Imperial to the Canadian Masters Outdoor Championship in Regina. Competing in the 85 to 90 age group July 29 to 31, Koza entered long jump, high jump, triple jump, discus and the 200 m.
On Saturday, after warming up, Koza captured gold in long jump in his age division with his best jump of 2.42 m with an age grading of 5.36 m. He also took gold in discus with a throw of 16.28 m. Then on Sunday, Koza grabbed gold in high jump with his best at 1.05 m with an age grading of 1.97 m, gold in triple jump with a leap of 5.33 m and received silver in the 200 m with a time of 45.09 and an age grading of 27.29. What was quite remarkable though was not just taking two firsts and a second on Sunday, but alternating two of those events at essentially the same time.
“I was on my second last jump and about to do it when the 200 m event was ready to go. They were lined up and someone hollered at me. The person managing the high jump pit said, ‘Go ahead and we will let you in later.’ So I ran the 200 m and walked back to the high jump pit and he said, ‘Are you ready to go Joe?’ I did not have time to rest so I figured that cost me setting a new record in the high jump.”
Always the competitor, Koza further explained that if he had more time to get in shape and heal from a prior injury, he could have done better. “The meet in Regina, I was pretty stiff and it really affected all my events because I couldn’t run. A while ago, I pulled a ligament in my left leg in Edmonton and it took about a year before I got over that. In the meantime my right knee began bothering me so I didn’t have a chance to get myself back in condition in time for Regina.”
Despite a few hurdles to overcome, Koza did an admirable job and with his hands full of medals from Prince Albert and Regina added to his collection, it should come as no surprise that the soon to be 87-year-old’s passion for track and field started right from an early age.
Attending a small school called Rolling Ridge, about two and a half miles from his family’s farm west of Imperial, Koza had to walk to school almost every day. A youngster looking for adventure and a challenge, on his way Joe would head for a small ravine and some fences. “There was opportunity to jump those barbed-wire fences and when the water was running in the spring, I would take the opportunity to jump across the streams.”
Day after day, a young Koza would map out his track and while he enjoyed the chance to see how far he could leap, unbeknownst to him, it was simultaneously acting as a way of conditioning him for future track and field events. Once the snow arrived though, the ravine and deep drifts filling it proved to be difficult. Looking to keep his training regiment going, those obstacles were replaced by a deep valley near the school where kids would slide down the hills. “They were steep enough that if we sat on a piece of cardboard it would whip us right down to the bottom which was likely about 150 feet. On the way back up you had to condition yourself to climb those hills again and again.”
With agility and strength being built up over the years, as Koza became a teenager, he was given the job of lighting the fire in the school to keep it warm. Leaving very early from home, Koza navigated his way through the dark mornings and up the hill to the school. “People laugh and say when they were young and went to school it was uphill all the way, but in this particular case, it really was uphill from our farm to the school.”
Taking the same route day after day, it did not take long for Koza’s legs to develop muscles geared for track and field. As winter soon gave way to spring and then summer, athletic competitions began to take place between smaller schools in the area and towns like Imperial, Simpson, Stalwart, Penzance and Liberty. “I would compete mostly in high jump and back then, 100 yards, and whatever else was offered. The winners of those events would advance to Watrous. Kids from Watrous and surrounding areas like Young, Lanigan and Nokomis would all congregate and we would compete against each other there.”
Recalling he was fortunate to get first place in a lot of his events, Koza would then head west to high school provincials, usually held at Griffith’s Stadium in Saskatoon. In 1953, on the senior team, Koza along with Alfred Cumming of Watrous, Athol Leith of Humboldt, and Don Fraser of Elstow joined forces and representing the Central District set a record in the 4 x 200 with a time of 1:37.60. Koza also won the half-mile and high jump as part of the talented crew.
With his talent developing and successes accumulating, it was during one of his last years of high school track and field competition that Koza explained he had recorded the best times and jumps in seven different events. “As it turned out the finals for all of those were on a Saturday. It started to pour that morning so the whole meet was washed out and if you go and look, that particular year there is no records of what had taken place.”
While the local area athlete was left disappointed, there was a silver lining. By winning provincial events and having accumulated a substantial amount of points through the competition, Koza was chosen to go to Toronto. “I was selected as one of Saskatchewan’s top 10 athletes in 1953 and in 1954 and boarded a plane for Toronto to be a part of the Canadian Olympic Training Plan Meet.”
Held for two weeks and coinciding with the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto, four boys and six girls representing Saskatchewan were met at the airport in Regina by athletes from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Boarding a plane, Koza and the contingent flew to Winnipeg before arriving in Toronto where they would receive schooling from world-class athletes and coaches. In the mornings during that opportunity in September, Koza got about four hours of class time before training on the track in the afternoons. “I did this for two consecutive years and there were a lot of things we got to do away from the track like seeing Casa Loma, taking a cruise down the river, checking out Niagara Falls, seeing Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and even having Timothy Eaton put on a big banquet for us.”
But perhaps one thing that really stuck out for Koza was taking his first flight on a four engine plane and having one of its engines blow out. “It was really wet that year and after leaving Winnipeg, about 15 minutes later, I was looking out the window and a hole was blown out of the engine. The pilot said we still have three engines so we will turn around and go back to Winnipeg.”
Eventually making it to Toronto after the engine was repaired and shaking off the experience, Koza said once the athletes got down to work he recalls training against Roger Bannister’s pacers (Bannister had the record for the mile at that time and was part of the Miracle Mile race against John Landy in 1954). “We got to train against those pacers which of course they made us look foolish.”
Following two weeks of training, Koza and the other athletes were able to compete as part of the CNE. At around 17 years old the first time he attended the CNE, it was quite the thrill for the athlete from Imperial. But like many prairie boys did, following his training, Koza said it was back home to help with harvest.
It was also during his time with the Canadian Olympic Training Plan that Koza had the opportunity to qualify for the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. Held in July and August of that year, in order for Koza to earn a spot he had to compete at a qualifier in Hamilton. “I chose to go to my brother’s wedding as best man in Thunder Bay instead of going to Hamilton not knowing it would cost me a trip going to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games.”
Happy to be there for his brother but devastated he was unable to line up against some of the best athletes, Koza said the winners from Hamilton were in Saskatoon a few weeks later to compete in a Provincial Open. As it turned out, Koza ran against them along with the previous record holder and shared he won, including the 400 yards, which he said his time set a new provincial record. Disappointed he was unable to carry that success to the prestigious event in Vancouver, following his two appearances at CNE, Koza decided at that time his track and field career was over. “From that point on it was basically go back to work.”
Back home, Koza took on a job at the local post office for six months before building a mobile grain cleaner. Then for 15 years he travelled to places like Watrous, Rosetown, Swift Current, Moose Jaw and areas in between cleaning seed grain for farmers. The entrepreneur then bought a small trenching machine and a backhoe and started putting in services in the Town of Imperial. From there, Koza did sewer system work around the province although did admit he dusted off his track shoes for one particular event held Oct. 1, 1977.
“I was putting the sewer system in a village east of Yorkton and Bredenbury was putting on an exhibition to raise money with a one-half mile summer fallow race. I entered the race but I hadn’t ran since I left school. I think I was around 41 and came in second against a lot of young guys. I made myself a couple of hundred dollars that day but that was the only race I basically ran from when I finished school.”
Then years later, Koza was approached by a woman who had just moved to Imperial from Vancouver. She informed Joe about the 55+ games and asked if he and his wife would consider entering dancing. Hearing that the Kozas were good dancers, the idea of competitively hitting the dance floor was planted. “If you ask what my favourite event is, I would say dancing. Over 61 and a half years of marriage, my wife Marilyn and I have never failed to receive a compliment or two wherever we danced. Be it at Manitou Beach at Danceland, a dance floor in Hawaii, a stage on a cruise ship or many a party. We love to dance.”
So after some discussion about doing dancing competitively in the 55+ games, Joe’s wife Marilyn declined but Koza found out track and field was also being offered. So at the age of 70 and in 2006, he dug out his shoes and got back into the sport he loves.
“I won at provincials in Moose Jaw and went to the nationals and since then have won in my age category most every year. Then I got involved in the Canadian Masters as well so that led me into meeting different people from all over the country. I have really enjoyed it. You get to meet people who are like-minded and are young at heart sort of speak.”
Since the age of 70, Koza has competed in two world indoor meets, three Canadian Masters and a variety of 55+ meets. “Those meets were basically from one end of Canada to the other. I think since I started up again I have won at least 35 medals and I enjoy all of the events I compete in. Probably the high jump and the long would be my favourite and the triple. It depends on how many aches and pains I got at that time.”
Sharing his jumping technique remains similar to when he leaped over barbed-wire fences as a kid, Koza lands with both feet forward followed by his body propelling ahead. “A lot of people, they land on their butt and slide through or fall sideways but mine are still the same way, I still land on my two feet. I have gotten a lot of compliments on that technique. A coach was watching one time and told his students to watch how I landed and to do it that way.”
Reflecting back on his years of competitive track and field and after adding more hardware from this year’s Games to an already full cabinet, when asked if he plans on continuing with his passion, a grinning and determined Koza was quick to say, “I think so. Barring any injuries of course and receiving the continued overwhelming support of my wife and family.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 22, 2022
Advisory remains after testing done at Little Manitou Lake
Daniel Bushman
As the long days of summer begin to fade away, there was optimism that so too had the microcystin levels in Little Manitou Lake. After 600 times the recommended levels of microcystin for recreational swimming were found through testing samples in July, a further test was performed in August. And while the numbers came out lower, they were not enough for public health to deem the lake safe for swimming in.
Speaking on behalf of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, councillor Robb LaRochelle shared that the Water Security Agency (WSA) and Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) were responsible to test and conduct the sampling. The official results then taken from the most recent sample were issued Aug. 12 and subsequently, LaRochelle said, “The microcystin, which is the toxin from the cyanobacteria (the blue-green algae) is still high. It is not as high as it was but is still beyond the safe area.”
According to Saskatchewan’s Healthy Beach Program, previous test results from July 14 indicated the microcystin was at 6,214.2 µg/L and E. coli was 0.62/100mL. Since the Health Canada guideline for microcystin in drinking water is a maximum concentration of 1.5 µg/L and for recreational bathing water is 10 µg/L, registering at 6,214.2 µg/L meant the lake water was not suitable for swimming in.
The most recent samples taken Aug. 8 indicated the microcystin had come down substantially, dropping to 90.7 µg/L; however, that was still well above a recommended 10 µg/L. As for the E. coli results, they were found to have increased since the July 14 sample, registering at 740.14/100 mL, up from 0.62/100mL.
“Unfortunately the E. coli is very high right now and that was something that was not a problem before.”
Due to the value of the water to the community, its residents, the tourism draw and public outcry, after being informed further testing would not be conducted this summer following the July 14 test, Manitou Beach CAO Elise Dale had pushed for another sample hoping it would provide optimistic results.
Since microcystin and E.coli levels exceeded the recreational water guideline values, the Ministry of Health stated high temperatures and increased contamination is likely to have contributed to the proliferation of both microorganisms. “The Saskatchewan Health Authority has issued a swimming advisory, since these microorganisms pose a risk to the health and safety of beachgoers.”
Adding E.coli to the advisory, the Ministry of Health shared more about what it is and how it can spread. “E.coli is a common bacteria found in the digestive system of humans and animals, and is naturally present in lakes, streams and ponds. A high level of E.coli can occur due to a number of reasons, including large rainstorms that wash mammal and bird (especially geese and seagull) feces into the water. Having E.coli levels above guideline values poses an increased risk to beachgoers health and safety. Criteria for issuing a swimming advisory due to exceeding guideline values are based on: a sample maximum greater than 400 organisms/100 mls and a geometric mean greater than 200 organisms/100 mls.”
With the advisory signs remaining up LaRochelle said, “We are assuming this is how the rest of the season is going to look and now with the E. coli levels, we have that to look at as well.”
The Ministry of Health stated beach monitoring will continue by appropriate personnel which includes observing algal blooms and resampling when the algal bloom is gone. “When recreational water guideline criteria is met, the advisory that applies to the public swimming area will be lifted.”
LaRochelle understands the frustration that the situation has caused but added it is out of the resort village’s hands. “Public health has indicated this is their decision. A lot of people look at Manitou Beach as the authority on the lake but we are just one of a handful of places surrounding the water. Our main interest is to protect our residents and visitors and that is all we can do.”
If people do decide to wade into the water, LaRochelle hopes they will take proper precautions and understand the risks. “We had more frequency of events earlier in the summer of people having symptoms stemming from the blue-green algae bloom but as far as we know, we are not getting those reports anymore. People who are using the lake, I am sure they are working hard at keeping it out of their mouths. With the advisory posting, it was never a person was forbidden to go in the lake, it was about providing information and allowing people to make informed decisions for their own well-being.”
One thing that LaRochelle hopes will not happen, especially now that the latest results are out, is people taking matters into their own hands. “It is a little concerning hearing we had people come close to putting blue stone (dehydrated copper sulfate) in the lake after they did some research about it online. Blue stone kills algae but it also kills everything including vertebrates and the shrimp in the water. It was alarming to hear that people were considering doing that. I would just invite people to resign themselves to the frustration that this has caused and the disappointment and we will hope for a normal return to the lake season next year. We are doing everything we can possibly do but it is not our jurisdiction so we can only do so much.”
With the situation like the one the resort community is experiencing regarding the blue-green algae blooms and high E.coli levels, LaRochelle said council is looking at creating a network with the three RMs who share the lake along with Fisheries and Oceans, the Ministry of Environment, WSA and SHA in hopes of having better communication moving forward.
The Watrous Manitou also reached out to the provincial Water Security Agency to see if any steps could be taken to remedy the current situation and what people could expect next year but as of press time, TWM had not heard back.
In the meantime, with the microcystin levels in the water deemed unsafe for recreational swimming and an increase in E. coli, in a previous release SHA stated residents living near the shores as well as visitors to the lake are to:
• avoid all contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
• not swim or wade (or allow your pets to swim or wade) in any areas where blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is visible.
For those who come in contact with the visible blue-green algae or who ingest water containing blue-green algae, SHA indicated they may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days. Symptoms in children are often more pronounced; however, all humans are at risk of these symptoms.
Daniel Bushman
As the long days of summer begin to fade away, there was optimism that so too had the microcystin levels in Little Manitou Lake. After 600 times the recommended levels of microcystin for recreational swimming were found through testing samples in July, a further test was performed in August. And while the numbers came out lower, they were not enough for public health to deem the lake safe for swimming in.
Speaking on behalf of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, councillor Robb LaRochelle shared that the Water Security Agency (WSA) and Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) were responsible to test and conduct the sampling. The official results then taken from the most recent sample were issued Aug. 12 and subsequently, LaRochelle said, “The microcystin, which is the toxin from the cyanobacteria (the blue-green algae) is still high. It is not as high as it was but is still beyond the safe area.”
According to Saskatchewan’s Healthy Beach Program, previous test results from July 14 indicated the microcystin was at 6,214.2 µg/L and E. coli was 0.62/100mL. Since the Health Canada guideline for microcystin in drinking water is a maximum concentration of 1.5 µg/L and for recreational bathing water is 10 µg/L, registering at 6,214.2 µg/L meant the lake water was not suitable for swimming in.
The most recent samples taken Aug. 8 indicated the microcystin had come down substantially, dropping to 90.7 µg/L; however, that was still well above a recommended 10 µg/L. As for the E. coli results, they were found to have increased since the July 14 sample, registering at 740.14/100 mL, up from 0.62/100mL.
“Unfortunately the E. coli is very high right now and that was something that was not a problem before.”
Due to the value of the water to the community, its residents, the tourism draw and public outcry, after being informed further testing would not be conducted this summer following the July 14 test, Manitou Beach CAO Elise Dale had pushed for another sample hoping it would provide optimistic results.
Since microcystin and E.coli levels exceeded the recreational water guideline values, the Ministry of Health stated high temperatures and increased contamination is likely to have contributed to the proliferation of both microorganisms. “The Saskatchewan Health Authority has issued a swimming advisory, since these microorganisms pose a risk to the health and safety of beachgoers.”
Adding E.coli to the advisory, the Ministry of Health shared more about what it is and how it can spread. “E.coli is a common bacteria found in the digestive system of humans and animals, and is naturally present in lakes, streams and ponds. A high level of E.coli can occur due to a number of reasons, including large rainstorms that wash mammal and bird (especially geese and seagull) feces into the water. Having E.coli levels above guideline values poses an increased risk to beachgoers health and safety. Criteria for issuing a swimming advisory due to exceeding guideline values are based on: a sample maximum greater than 400 organisms/100 mls and a geometric mean greater than 200 organisms/100 mls.”
With the advisory signs remaining up LaRochelle said, “We are assuming this is how the rest of the season is going to look and now with the E. coli levels, we have that to look at as well.”
The Ministry of Health stated beach monitoring will continue by appropriate personnel which includes observing algal blooms and resampling when the algal bloom is gone. “When recreational water guideline criteria is met, the advisory that applies to the public swimming area will be lifted.”
LaRochelle understands the frustration that the situation has caused but added it is out of the resort village’s hands. “Public health has indicated this is their decision. A lot of people look at Manitou Beach as the authority on the lake but we are just one of a handful of places surrounding the water. Our main interest is to protect our residents and visitors and that is all we can do.”
If people do decide to wade into the water, LaRochelle hopes they will take proper precautions and understand the risks. “We had more frequency of events earlier in the summer of people having symptoms stemming from the blue-green algae bloom but as far as we know, we are not getting those reports anymore. People who are using the lake, I am sure they are working hard at keeping it out of their mouths. With the advisory posting, it was never a person was forbidden to go in the lake, it was about providing information and allowing people to make informed decisions for their own well-being.”
One thing that LaRochelle hopes will not happen, especially now that the latest results are out, is people taking matters into their own hands. “It is a little concerning hearing we had people come close to putting blue stone (dehydrated copper sulfate) in the lake after they did some research about it online. Blue stone kills algae but it also kills everything including vertebrates and the shrimp in the water. It was alarming to hear that people were considering doing that. I would just invite people to resign themselves to the frustration that this has caused and the disappointment and we will hope for a normal return to the lake season next year. We are doing everything we can possibly do but it is not our jurisdiction so we can only do so much.”
With the situation like the one the resort community is experiencing regarding the blue-green algae blooms and high E.coli levels, LaRochelle said council is looking at creating a network with the three RMs who share the lake along with Fisheries and Oceans, the Ministry of Environment, WSA and SHA in hopes of having better communication moving forward.
The Watrous Manitou also reached out to the provincial Water Security Agency to see if any steps could be taken to remedy the current situation and what people could expect next year but as of press time, TWM had not heard back.
In the meantime, with the microcystin levels in the water deemed unsafe for recreational swimming and an increase in E. coli, in a previous release SHA stated residents living near the shores as well as visitors to the lake are to:
• avoid all contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
• not swim or wade (or allow your pets to swim or wade) in any areas where blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is visible.
For those who come in contact with the visible blue-green algae or who ingest water containing blue-green algae, SHA indicated they may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days. Symptoms in children are often more pronounced; however, all humans are at risk of these symptoms.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 15, 2022
Local contingent inducted into SJHL Hall of Fame
*photo courtesy Becky Zimmer
Daniel Bushman
The list is prestigious and accolades many when it came to this year’s Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Hall of Fame inductees. From Stanley Cup champions and national junior title winners to award recipients, local coaches and players, a total of 10 people and one team joined the SJHL’s Hall of Fame. Of those inducted, a number of well-deserving local faces made up the list, ones who achieved success during their time within the league.
Watrous native Bob Beatty joined Lanigan’s Sheldon and Wade Brookbank along with Jared Bednar, Dean Brockman, Kelly Chase, Chris Cuthbert, Curt Giles, the late Elgar Petersen, Brett Stewart and the 2007-‘08 Humboldt Broncos national Junior A championship team - comprised of a number of local players and assistant coach Murray Brookbank - as part of this year’s inductees.
Originally announced in 2019, the SJHL Hall of Fame induction ceremony slated for Humboldt was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With restrictions lifted and plans put in place to hold the event in conjunction with the fifth annual Conexus Credit Union Humboldt Broncos Memorial Golf Tournament, members of the Class were centre stage Aug. 6.
“On behalf of the SJHL board of governors, coaches, players, officials and administrative staff, and countless volunteers, congratulations to all of this year’s inductees,” SJHL Commissioner Kyle McIntyre said. “It was moving to see the impact the SJHL had on the lives of the inductees whether they were a coach, an official, a player, a broadcaster or a lifelong volunteer.”
Bob Beatty
With more than 20 years of Junior A coaching experience and a tremendous amount of success during that time, it should come as no surprise that Bob Beatty was named as one of the inductees.
“It is quite an honour,” shared Beatty of being inducted. “It was pretty exciting and humbling to be recognized with the group of inductees that went in. You have got a guy that won a Stanley Cup a few months ago, the Brookbank boys, Dean Brockman, Kelly Chase, Curtis Giles and Elgar. It was really touching to see Elgar inducted with us as well.”
Grateful to Humboldt, LaRonge and the SJHL for the opportunity to be involved for 17 years, Beatty first got his start by taking over as head coach of the Humboldt Broncos with six games remaining in the 1996-‘97 season. Sharing the move was meant more or less to fill a gap before the season came to an end, Beatty explained one thing led to another and not only did he stay on but pretty soon the Broncos became the envy of the league.
Spending eight years with the club as head coach and director of hockey operations, Beatty led the team to three league finals, winning in 2002-‘03, and guided the Broncos to a 2003 RBC championship in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Following his time in Humboldt, Beatty then headed north where he joined the LaRonge Ice Wolves as both a head coach and general manager. Looking to replicate similar successes that he achieved in Humboldt, during his tenure in LaRonge, the Watrous native captured back-to-back league championships in 2010 and 2011, and competed for the Royal Bank Cup and Anavet Cup.
With championships added to his resume, over his 17 year tenure as a head coach in the SJHL, Bob accumulated a record of 510-361-42-60 while appearing in five league finals (winning three of those) and the national RBC Cup twice (winning once).
“I am really grateful for the start in Humboldt and LaRonge was a great experience too. It was very touching and rewarding to be recognized and it has to be up
there on the list. Championships aside, your best reward from coaching is the relationships that you develop and it is great to catch up with your old players and colleagues. You get to hear about their families and their achievements.”
Another thing that stood out for Beatty and was special to him was the ability to coach a few local players who he appreciated like Graeme and Eric Potts, Sheldon Nedjelski, Ryan Gill, Brad Toews, Brad Schroeder and Kyle Renwick in Humboldt and Brad Harding in LaRonge. He also shared about coaching fellow hall of fame inductee Sheldon Brookbank.
“When Sheldon and Wade were kids and travelling to watch their brother Leigh’s games with the Yorkton Terriers, I was coaching the midget team in Yorkton (Brandon Bishop and Greg Daelick were two of our defencemen). I didn’t know at that time Sheldon would become the outstanding player he did but I knew if he was anything like his brother, we had to have him. Then when Wade started playing in Melville, he was a tough load for anyone to handle. Seeing those two guys play at the level they did, I thought Sheldon could go all the way, which was a rather bold prediction given we were in Junior A. He proved me right with a ton of character, resilience and hard work."
Very proud of what his former player accomplished in the game, both as a player and a coach, Beatty said it was terrific to reconnect with him and the Brookbank family at the induction ceremony. “The Brookbanks are the ultimate SJ family for sure. It was great to see Murray inducted as a coach with the 2007-'08 national champion Bronco team as well. Kudos to his wife Paula for looking after the four of them.”
While Beatty wrapped up his coaching career in the SJHL after the 2012-‘13 season, he continues to love the game. Since that time, he has coached and managed in the BCHL with Cowichan, the CSSHL U15 with Shawnigan, the AJHL with Fort McMurray and after joining the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL last season, Beatty is returning for another year behind the bench as an assistant.
Brookbank brothers
With three boys representing Lanigan and their dad spending time as a coach in the SJHL, the Brookbank name has become synonymous within the league.
As older brother Leigh suited up for Yorkton in the early 1990s while dad Murray would help coach the Melville Millionaires and later the Broncos, for Wade and Sheldon, when it came time to go from playing minor hockey in Lanigan to suiting up in junior, they were eager to compete. Not only did the pair play at a high level in the junior league but both went on to have careers in the NHL: Wade with Nashville, Vancouver, Boston and Carolina and Sheldon with Nashville, New Jersey, Anaheim, and Chicago, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2013.
Following their playing days, both brothers would spend time within the Blackhawks organization and while Wade remains a scout with the team, after being an assistant coach with the NHL club, Sheldon is now an assistant with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL.
Playing two years in the SJHL with the Melville Millionaires in 1996-‘97 and ‘97-‘98 before eventually going on to the NHL, Wade said being inducted into the junior hockey league’s hall of fame meant a lot.
“It was a real exciting night and an honour for myself. My wife and kids were there and it was really cool. I never thought I would play in the SJHL so being in the hall of fame was the furthest thing from my mind, even up until the day I found out I was going in.”
Watching his older brother Leigh play for the Yorkton Terriers, when Wade got to the SJHL and put on the Melville Millionaires sweater, one of his favourite memories during his two years was being part of the Yorkton/Melville rivalry. “We were big Yorkton Terrier fans when Leigh played and we would go to the Yorkton and Melville games in both rinks and it was just a great rivalry. Being a part of that was kind of a blessing and it made it extra exciting when I got there. Then my first year I also made the All-Star Team which was pretty crazy and a real cool experience.”
In year two, Wade recalls making the playoffs which was a highlight but what really stood out was having his dad behind the bench. “Him being there for that one year was pretty cool.”
But it was not just that second year where Wade’s dad Murray had made an impact on him behind the bench. “At the rink and on the way to the rink, at home, he was never a hard-nosed teacher, just a lot of subtle points here and there.”
But it was not until players from the senior hockey team shared with Wade how great of a coach his dad was when he realized how lucky he had been. “That was when it really hit home, when those guys who were older than me at that time told me how much he helped them at the senior hockey level. That was when I really noticed and then I really even paid more respect and attention to him and that really helped me through my career no doubt.”
Fast forward to the SJHL induction ceremony and with his younger brother Sheldon and his dad Murray as fellow inductees, Wade felt it was fitting they all went in together. “I wish Leigh was in there too because we are a SJHL family through and through but it was really super cool having those guys there and their families and my mom and dad being there. Being in Humboldt was extra cool too.”
For Sheldon, returning to Humboldt to be inducted, a place where he played during his junior career was a pretty amazing moment. “When you see your name up there on the banner, you realize it is a pretty big honour and it is something I am very proud of, especially going in there with my brother Wade and my dad who is on the ‘08 team. It is something pretty special to us. SJHL has been a big part of our lives for a long time so I am very honoured and thrilled to be in there.”
As was the case for Wade, for Sheldon, being a part of the league started right from when Leigh played in Yorkton in the early 90s. “We watched a minimum of one SJHL game a week, sometimes two or three, so we saw a lot of SJHL hockey. It was a league we really looked up to.”
So when it was Sheldon’s turn to join the junior hockey ranks and growing up
just a short drive from Humboldt, it was quite substantial for him to put on the green, yellow and white jersey for the first time in 1998-‘99. “It was a great three years for me. Playing in Humboldt was a pretty big deal, especially growing up in Lanigan as a Humboldt Bronco. To be out there and to be on that team meant a lot. There was a lot of local guys so it felt like this was where I belonged. I am very grateful for my time in Humboldt.”
As part of those three years patrolling the blue line, Sheldon shared a few highlights including his first game, which happened to be in Flin Flon, Man. “I had heard everything about Flin Flon and sure enough when they scored, the fireworks go off and the moose leg comes flying over the bench. You are kind of like, ‘Where am I? And what is going on here?’”
From the flying moose leg in his first game to eventually making a run to the SJHL final, Brookbank recalled the memorable moment of seeing a packed arena in Humboldt. “People were jammed right in there. Every square inch in that place was full and it was pretty fun to see that.”
Citing how the SJHL allowed him to develop and grow as a player while gaining confidence, Brookbank also praised his coaches, Bob Beatty and Dean Brockman, two men who were also inducted as part of this year’s ceremony. “I always had a great relationship with Bob. As most people know he is a straight shooter and he had a lot of belief in me. That really meant something to me. We had Dean Brockman too, who is just a great guy and in charge of the D and I was lucky, they were great coaches for me personally and they definitely helped me in my career.”
Another coach who Sheldon looked up to was his dad, someone he gives credit to for his success. “He is a hockey guy all the way through and has always been a coach. I felt like he never over-coached us personally and never over-complicated anything for me. He did not make me think too much about what I was doing on the ice other than just do the right thing. He believed in me and didn’t make me over-think it and that was the biggest thing my dad gave to me, he was never really negative on me. Just a lot of belief and that helped.”
Humboldt Broncos team 2007-‘08
This year’s team inducted into the SJHL Hall of Fame was the 2007-‘08 Humboldt Broncos. Loaded with local area talent at that time including Jordan Schindel (Jansen), Matthew Kirzinger (LeRoy), Steven and Scott Schroeder (Drake), Brady Wacker (Jansen), Matthew Rintoul (Simpson), Evan Bryksa (Lanigan), Cory Knaus (Lanigan), and Spencer Hoehn (Drake) among others, the team finished the season in first place in the SJHL with a 48-9-0-1 record for 97 points, 17 more than the next best team. Humboldt not only won the league championship that year but took the Anavet Cup and later the national title as Junior A champion.
Watching his sons Sheldon and Wade receive inductions into the SJHL Hall of Fame, assistant coach of that 2007-‘08 team Murray Brookbank said it was an honour to be inducted as well. “I owe a lot to Dean Brockman, Tim Klimosko, the Bronco organization and of course a big debt of gratitude to the players of the team. Without them this would not have been possible.”
Feeling lucky to be a part of a number of successful teams over the years, Murray said during his seven years with the Broncos he was part of four league championships, three Anavet Cups and the RBC Cup.
“The highlight of course was the RBC Cup win in Cornwall in 2008. Next to that memory was the Anavet Cup game seven, four overtime periods in Selkirk in 2007, which unfortunately we lost. The heat in the jam-packed building in Selkirk was intense and the physical demand on our players was something I have never witnessed.”
With over a dozen people from that team in attendance at the SJHL Hall of Fame ceremony, Brookbank said it was pretty special not only to be there with them but to also see his boys inducted as well.
“It was incredible that we all went in together. It was a situation that I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined. As a family we are humbled and honoured with the induction. The SJHL is a great league and it was a big part of our three boys and our family’s lives.”
With the whole Brookbank crew in attendance, Murray said it was pretty special to have them all there. “Wade and Sheldon always have looked up to their big brother Leigh and gained a lot of insight into the SJHL during Leigh’s time with the Yorkton Terriers. I am very lucky to have the support of my wife Paula. She has watched more SJHL games than anyone could imagine.”
*photo courtesy Becky Zimmer
Daniel Bushman
The list is prestigious and accolades many when it came to this year’s Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Hall of Fame inductees. From Stanley Cup champions and national junior title winners to award recipients, local coaches and players, a total of 10 people and one team joined the SJHL’s Hall of Fame. Of those inducted, a number of well-deserving local faces made up the list, ones who achieved success during their time within the league.
Watrous native Bob Beatty joined Lanigan’s Sheldon and Wade Brookbank along with Jared Bednar, Dean Brockman, Kelly Chase, Chris Cuthbert, Curt Giles, the late Elgar Petersen, Brett Stewart and the 2007-‘08 Humboldt Broncos national Junior A championship team - comprised of a number of local players and assistant coach Murray Brookbank - as part of this year’s inductees.
Originally announced in 2019, the SJHL Hall of Fame induction ceremony slated for Humboldt was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With restrictions lifted and plans put in place to hold the event in conjunction with the fifth annual Conexus Credit Union Humboldt Broncos Memorial Golf Tournament, members of the Class were centre stage Aug. 6.
“On behalf of the SJHL board of governors, coaches, players, officials and administrative staff, and countless volunteers, congratulations to all of this year’s inductees,” SJHL Commissioner Kyle McIntyre said. “It was moving to see the impact the SJHL had on the lives of the inductees whether they were a coach, an official, a player, a broadcaster or a lifelong volunteer.”
Bob Beatty
With more than 20 years of Junior A coaching experience and a tremendous amount of success during that time, it should come as no surprise that Bob Beatty was named as one of the inductees.
“It is quite an honour,” shared Beatty of being inducted. “It was pretty exciting and humbling to be recognized with the group of inductees that went in. You have got a guy that won a Stanley Cup a few months ago, the Brookbank boys, Dean Brockman, Kelly Chase, Curtis Giles and Elgar. It was really touching to see Elgar inducted with us as well.”
Grateful to Humboldt, LaRonge and the SJHL for the opportunity to be involved for 17 years, Beatty first got his start by taking over as head coach of the Humboldt Broncos with six games remaining in the 1996-‘97 season. Sharing the move was meant more or less to fill a gap before the season came to an end, Beatty explained one thing led to another and not only did he stay on but pretty soon the Broncos became the envy of the league.
Spending eight years with the club as head coach and director of hockey operations, Beatty led the team to three league finals, winning in 2002-‘03, and guided the Broncos to a 2003 RBC championship in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Following his time in Humboldt, Beatty then headed north where he joined the LaRonge Ice Wolves as both a head coach and general manager. Looking to replicate similar successes that he achieved in Humboldt, during his tenure in LaRonge, the Watrous native captured back-to-back league championships in 2010 and 2011, and competed for the Royal Bank Cup and Anavet Cup.
With championships added to his resume, over his 17 year tenure as a head coach in the SJHL, Bob accumulated a record of 510-361-42-60 while appearing in five league finals (winning three of those) and the national RBC Cup twice (winning once).
“I am really grateful for the start in Humboldt and LaRonge was a great experience too. It was very touching and rewarding to be recognized and it has to be up
there on the list. Championships aside, your best reward from coaching is the relationships that you develop and it is great to catch up with your old players and colleagues. You get to hear about their families and their achievements.”
Another thing that stood out for Beatty and was special to him was the ability to coach a few local players who he appreciated like Graeme and Eric Potts, Sheldon Nedjelski, Ryan Gill, Brad Toews, Brad Schroeder and Kyle Renwick in Humboldt and Brad Harding in LaRonge. He also shared about coaching fellow hall of fame inductee Sheldon Brookbank.
“When Sheldon and Wade were kids and travelling to watch their brother Leigh’s games with the Yorkton Terriers, I was coaching the midget team in Yorkton (Brandon Bishop and Greg Daelick were two of our defencemen). I didn’t know at that time Sheldon would become the outstanding player he did but I knew if he was anything like his brother, we had to have him. Then when Wade started playing in Melville, he was a tough load for anyone to handle. Seeing those two guys play at the level they did, I thought Sheldon could go all the way, which was a rather bold prediction given we were in Junior A. He proved me right with a ton of character, resilience and hard work."
Very proud of what his former player accomplished in the game, both as a player and a coach, Beatty said it was terrific to reconnect with him and the Brookbank family at the induction ceremony. “The Brookbanks are the ultimate SJ family for sure. It was great to see Murray inducted as a coach with the 2007-'08 national champion Bronco team as well. Kudos to his wife Paula for looking after the four of them.”
While Beatty wrapped up his coaching career in the SJHL after the 2012-‘13 season, he continues to love the game. Since that time, he has coached and managed in the BCHL with Cowichan, the CSSHL U15 with Shawnigan, the AJHL with Fort McMurray and after joining the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL last season, Beatty is returning for another year behind the bench as an assistant.
Brookbank brothers
With three boys representing Lanigan and their dad spending time as a coach in the SJHL, the Brookbank name has become synonymous within the league.
As older brother Leigh suited up for Yorkton in the early 1990s while dad Murray would help coach the Melville Millionaires and later the Broncos, for Wade and Sheldon, when it came time to go from playing minor hockey in Lanigan to suiting up in junior, they were eager to compete. Not only did the pair play at a high level in the junior league but both went on to have careers in the NHL: Wade with Nashville, Vancouver, Boston and Carolina and Sheldon with Nashville, New Jersey, Anaheim, and Chicago, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2013.
Following their playing days, both brothers would spend time within the Blackhawks organization and while Wade remains a scout with the team, after being an assistant coach with the NHL club, Sheldon is now an assistant with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL.
Playing two years in the SJHL with the Melville Millionaires in 1996-‘97 and ‘97-‘98 before eventually going on to the NHL, Wade said being inducted into the junior hockey league’s hall of fame meant a lot.
“It was a real exciting night and an honour for myself. My wife and kids were there and it was really cool. I never thought I would play in the SJHL so being in the hall of fame was the furthest thing from my mind, even up until the day I found out I was going in.”
Watching his older brother Leigh play for the Yorkton Terriers, when Wade got to the SJHL and put on the Melville Millionaires sweater, one of his favourite memories during his two years was being part of the Yorkton/Melville rivalry. “We were big Yorkton Terrier fans when Leigh played and we would go to the Yorkton and Melville games in both rinks and it was just a great rivalry. Being a part of that was kind of a blessing and it made it extra exciting when I got there. Then my first year I also made the All-Star Team which was pretty crazy and a real cool experience.”
In year two, Wade recalls making the playoffs which was a highlight but what really stood out was having his dad behind the bench. “Him being there for that one year was pretty cool.”
But it was not just that second year where Wade’s dad Murray had made an impact on him behind the bench. “At the rink and on the way to the rink, at home, he was never a hard-nosed teacher, just a lot of subtle points here and there.”
But it was not until players from the senior hockey team shared with Wade how great of a coach his dad was when he realized how lucky he had been. “That was when it really hit home, when those guys who were older than me at that time told me how much he helped them at the senior hockey level. That was when I really noticed and then I really even paid more respect and attention to him and that really helped me through my career no doubt.”
Fast forward to the SJHL induction ceremony and with his younger brother Sheldon and his dad Murray as fellow inductees, Wade felt it was fitting they all went in together. “I wish Leigh was in there too because we are a SJHL family through and through but it was really super cool having those guys there and their families and my mom and dad being there. Being in Humboldt was extra cool too.”
For Sheldon, returning to Humboldt to be inducted, a place where he played during his junior career was a pretty amazing moment. “When you see your name up there on the banner, you realize it is a pretty big honour and it is something I am very proud of, especially going in there with my brother Wade and my dad who is on the ‘08 team. It is something pretty special to us. SJHL has been a big part of our lives for a long time so I am very honoured and thrilled to be in there.”
As was the case for Wade, for Sheldon, being a part of the league started right from when Leigh played in Yorkton in the early 90s. “We watched a minimum of one SJHL game a week, sometimes two or three, so we saw a lot of SJHL hockey. It was a league we really looked up to.”
So when it was Sheldon’s turn to join the junior hockey ranks and growing up
just a short drive from Humboldt, it was quite substantial for him to put on the green, yellow and white jersey for the first time in 1998-‘99. “It was a great three years for me. Playing in Humboldt was a pretty big deal, especially growing up in Lanigan as a Humboldt Bronco. To be out there and to be on that team meant a lot. There was a lot of local guys so it felt like this was where I belonged. I am very grateful for my time in Humboldt.”
As part of those three years patrolling the blue line, Sheldon shared a few highlights including his first game, which happened to be in Flin Flon, Man. “I had heard everything about Flin Flon and sure enough when they scored, the fireworks go off and the moose leg comes flying over the bench. You are kind of like, ‘Where am I? And what is going on here?’”
From the flying moose leg in his first game to eventually making a run to the SJHL final, Brookbank recalled the memorable moment of seeing a packed arena in Humboldt. “People were jammed right in there. Every square inch in that place was full and it was pretty fun to see that.”
Citing how the SJHL allowed him to develop and grow as a player while gaining confidence, Brookbank also praised his coaches, Bob Beatty and Dean Brockman, two men who were also inducted as part of this year’s ceremony. “I always had a great relationship with Bob. As most people know he is a straight shooter and he had a lot of belief in me. That really meant something to me. We had Dean Brockman too, who is just a great guy and in charge of the D and I was lucky, they were great coaches for me personally and they definitely helped me in my career.”
Another coach who Sheldon looked up to was his dad, someone he gives credit to for his success. “He is a hockey guy all the way through and has always been a coach. I felt like he never over-coached us personally and never over-complicated anything for me. He did not make me think too much about what I was doing on the ice other than just do the right thing. He believed in me and didn’t make me over-think it and that was the biggest thing my dad gave to me, he was never really negative on me. Just a lot of belief and that helped.”
Humboldt Broncos team 2007-‘08
This year’s team inducted into the SJHL Hall of Fame was the 2007-‘08 Humboldt Broncos. Loaded with local area talent at that time including Jordan Schindel (Jansen), Matthew Kirzinger (LeRoy), Steven and Scott Schroeder (Drake), Brady Wacker (Jansen), Matthew Rintoul (Simpson), Evan Bryksa (Lanigan), Cory Knaus (Lanigan), and Spencer Hoehn (Drake) among others, the team finished the season in first place in the SJHL with a 48-9-0-1 record for 97 points, 17 more than the next best team. Humboldt not only won the league championship that year but took the Anavet Cup and later the national title as Junior A champion.
Watching his sons Sheldon and Wade receive inductions into the SJHL Hall of Fame, assistant coach of that 2007-‘08 team Murray Brookbank said it was an honour to be inducted as well. “I owe a lot to Dean Brockman, Tim Klimosko, the Bronco organization and of course a big debt of gratitude to the players of the team. Without them this would not have been possible.”
Feeling lucky to be a part of a number of successful teams over the years, Murray said during his seven years with the Broncos he was part of four league championships, three Anavet Cups and the RBC Cup.
“The highlight of course was the RBC Cup win in Cornwall in 2008. Next to that memory was the Anavet Cup game seven, four overtime periods in Selkirk in 2007, which unfortunately we lost. The heat in the jam-packed building in Selkirk was intense and the physical demand on our players was something I have never witnessed.”
With over a dozen people from that team in attendance at the SJHL Hall of Fame ceremony, Brookbank said it was pretty special not only to be there with them but to also see his boys inducted as well.
“It was incredible that we all went in together. It was a situation that I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined. As a family we are humbled and honoured with the induction. The SJHL is a great league and it was a big part of our three boys and our family’s lives.”
With the whole Brookbank crew in attendance, Murray said it was pretty special to have them all there. “Wade and Sheldon always have looked up to their big brother Leigh and gained a lot of insight into the SJHL during Leigh’s time with the Yorkton Terriers. I am very lucky to have the support of my wife Paula. She has watched more SJHL games than anyone could imagine.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 8, 2022
Annual Fun Run makes its mark during 31st year
Daniel Bushman
Despite a bit of rain, something that is a rarity during the annual Watrous and Manitou Beach Auto Show ‘N’ Shine Fun Run, the 31st annual event was dubbed a success. With Main Street in Watrous packed with vehicles of all makes and models July 23 and hundreds of people enjoying checking them all out, organizer Al Madland was pleased with how it turned out.
“Even though we got some rain this year, people once again supported the event and it was great to see so many enjoying the day. Overall we had 275 vehicles registered this year, down a bit from our record of 300 last year, but by all accounts it was still another huge success.”
Receiving feedback from those attending the event, with a large number of people enjoying the Saturday show, Madland said, “Just like last year, with the COVID-19 restrictions lifted, people were excited to get together and check everything out. Our volunteers once again pulled together and we had tremendous support from our local sponsors. Add to that a great turnout from those registering vehicles and it was a really good day!”
In addition to the vehicles, the Fun Run also included the return of the Sask. Agility Dogs, Beeper the Clown, live entertainment and a swap meet. Madland said unfortunately due to covid, the monster truck that was supposed to give rides was unable to make it. “The driver was really excited to be here but it just didn’t work out. Next year we are looking forward to having him and the truck here.”
Also this year, a video was taken during the afternoon of the Fun Run as a drone flew overhead. Madland said people can visit www.watrousfunrun.com where they can click on the YouTube video of the event and see a different perspective of the show.
While Madland said the committee is now setting its sights on next year’s event (July 29, 2023), he noted a Fun Run of this magnitude would not even be possible without the tremendous support from the local community. “The biggest thing was our sponsors who helped lend a hand and also our volunteers. If you don’t have either then you can’t have a successful car show. That also includes those running the pancake breakfast, cooking burgers and hot dogs, selling ice cream, and the seniors selling pie and coffee. It was just a great day.”
Featuring a variety of vehicles including some from Alberta and B.C., just like last year, Madland explained there were some difficult choices when it came to selecting the winners for the 31st annual event.
This year’s winners and prizes included:
People’s Choice
• 72 Monte Carlo – Bob Chaplin
• 85 Mustang – Brendon MacAuly
• VM Dune Buggy – Woody Jenwin
• 39 Chev Coupe – Woody and Bev Quaal
• 69 Mustang – W. Sandbeck
• 55 Mercury m350 – Curtis McNeice
• 1950 Ford Deluxe Coupe – Bob Anderson
• 1948 Ford F47 – P. Dyck
• 68 Mercury Cougar – Allan Hopkins
• 68 Mustang – Rob Jackson
Dealer’s Pick
• Centennial Ford: 1953 Mercury – Rod Totland
• Manitou Mainline Chrysler: 1969 Plymouth Baracuda – Ellery Siermachesky
• Watrous Mainline Motors GM: Chev Apache – Donna Milliagan
Best in Motorcycles
• Best V-Twin: 1978 Shovelhead – Larry Smith
• Best other – 1971 Triumph – Roger Schlitz
• Best 250cc+under: 1979 Honda – Lexin Magnus
Most Entries: $500 award
Plunkett Rust and Chrome
Door Prizes
• Ron Schopp, Kent Hebblin, Ryan Collinge, and Ron Ediger.
Pre-Registration Prizes
• $300: Howie Magnus
• VIP: Rose Marie Sieger (one night/double occupancy at Manitou Springs Resort)
Looking forward to next year, Madland hopes that it will not only remain the largest small town car show in the province but will continue to grow. “We are looking to increase our vehicle registration numbers for 2023 and if the weather cooperates we think it could be one of the best shows ever. Even if the rain does come, people are great by showing their support and we are anticipating another fun day.”
TWM Top Story - July 18, 2022
Ingram reflects on remarkable season
Daniel Bushman
Earning his first National Hockey League win in his first NHL start, making his inaugural NHL playoff appearance, becoming the clear number one netminder for the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals and having a sign installed at his hometown in his honour; for Imperial’s Connor Ingram, this past year has been a memorable one.
Heading into the 2021-‘22 campaign and after a lot of hard work, dedication and determination, Ingram’s opportunities began to arrive. With the NHL’s covid protocols in effect, Connor spent considerable time with the Nashville Predators during training camp and the pre-season. While the club already had its starter and backup roles filled, just over a week into the NHL regular season, backup goalie David Rittich was forced to sit out due to covid protocols. That meant Connor got the call to take his spot. First watching from the bench, with a pair of scheduled games on back to back nights, after Juuse Saros got the nod in Winnipeg Oct. 23, Ingram would see his first start in the NHL against the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 24.
Reflecting back, Connor explained he was told after the game in Winnipeg that he would be the starter against Minnesota. “I didn’t have much time to be nervous or anything like that, I just kind of got right into it. That is what you dream of your whole life. It was pretty cool to get a win with it too.”
Named the night’s first star while becoming just the second Nashville goaltender in team history to win in his debut, after stopping 33 of 35 shots including 15 in the final period, Ingram and the Predators collected a 5-2 victory. Then just over a week later, Connor was asked to start again.
Facing the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on Nov. 3, after a 5-2 defeat and with Rittich ready to return, Ingram was assigned to the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals. Carrying the load and competing in 54 games with the club, the goalie said, “I got to play a lot and it was the first time in my career, especially in the AHL, where I got to be a true number one and just kind of play every day. It was a good step for me and it was a good year to get a lot of games in.”
Helping his team push
toward the playoffs, the 25-year-old-netminder led the way throughout the season before he would get a call late in the year from Nashville. With the Predators nearing the end of their regular season, Saros was injured during an Apr. 26 game and the team would require some help.
Watching the contest play out from his apartment in Milwaukee, when Ingram saw Saros go down, he figured he should start packing a bag. About an hour later his phone began ringing and shortly after that, Ingram was headed to help. “Life happens fast in this kind of thing,” shared Ingram as he would play against Arizona to wrap up his NHL regular season with a 1-2 record.
With Saros still out as the opening round of the NHL playoffs arrived, Ingram remained pencilled in as Nashville’s backup to begin the series. Facing first place Colorado, after Rittich allowed five goals on 13 shots, Ingram was summoned from the bench and was able to play well in a losing effort.
Told he would be starting game two, and with his parents arriving from Saskatchewan to see him, Connor kept the news to himself during dinner with them. With Brent and Joni finding out later on that their son was getting the call to start in Denver, Connor had his best performance in the series making 49 consecutive saves.
“We were very proud of all the work he has put in over the past few years,” said Joni and Brent. “To see it come to fruition for him and having the opportunity to start a few games in the NHL was quite exciting and he is always grateful for the support he gets from back home.”
While the team would come up short in overtime, with such a tremendous effort in game two, Ingram would go on to start games three and four but the Predators were unable to overcome the high-powered Avalanche, a team who would eventually go on to win the Stanley Cup.
Sharing how it was really nice to have his parents watch him live for part of the series, Ingram also talked about the importance of his solid play. “I think it just shows you that I do belong and I think that was big for me too, especially going into that series. You kind of got to prove to the guys around you that you can do that and you give them a chance. It went well for what it was and it was not an easy situation to step into but I think we did the best that we could with it for sure.”
Following his first NHL postseason appearance, after the team was eliminated, Ingram headed back to the Admirals who were in a playoff matchup of their own. While the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs would not go Milwaukee’s way, Ingram was able to be a part of the team’s abbreviated run as they defeated the Manitoba Moose in the Central Division semifinals before losing to the Chicago Wolves, who like the Avalanche, would go on to win a championship.
Despite not reaching the finals this season, Connor considered his year a success with a record of 30-17-7 with a 2.70 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage and tied for the league lead with five shutouts.
When asked if there was a highlight or two from his memorable year, Ingram paused and said, “I think for me, this year was a lot of firsts. I got to play my first NHL game, got my first NHL win and I got to play in the playoffs. It was all pretty exciting to just try to take it all in and see all the work you put in pay off. There was a lot of landmarks.”
Taking some time to decompress following the end of his busy year and with covid restrictions lifted, Ingram was able to return back to Saskatchewan to enjoy the start of his off-season. “It is good to be home and it is the first time in a couple of years that I have been home and been able to spend some time here. I am going to hang out with my brothers and I get to see all of them again.”
Along with being back in the province during the off-season, Ingram took some time to return to his roots where the Town of Imperial created a sign with his picture and the words: ‘Home of NHL goalie Connor Ingram.’
“Yeah that was pretty cool,” shared Connor about seeing the sign that has been put up along Hwy. 2 entering his hometown. Joking on social media that he would retire if that ever happened, he added the Town of Imperial called his bluff.
“They did a good job of keeping that from me and I don’t think Mom and Dad even knew. That was pretty exciting to see and a pretty big honour to have that. There are not too many of those around so that was super cool to see and to get and a pretty proud moment.”
Town of Imperial Administrator Joslin Freeman shared that council had discussed installing a sign and when Ingram was given a few starts in the NHL this past season, they decided to go ahead and make it. “We are pretty proud of Connor and his accomplishments,” said Freeman adding it is pretty phenomenal to have a number of athletes like Ingram who have represented the community. “He is a real down to earth person and even when he was home a couple of weeks ago to see the sign, he stopped by the school and the kids were all happy to see him. He is a celebrity here and it was great to see him back in town.”
Daniel Bushman
Earning his first National Hockey League win in his first NHL start, making his inaugural NHL playoff appearance, becoming the clear number one netminder for the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals and having a sign installed at his hometown in his honour; for Imperial’s Connor Ingram, this past year has been a memorable one.
Heading into the 2021-‘22 campaign and after a lot of hard work, dedication and determination, Ingram’s opportunities began to arrive. With the NHL’s covid protocols in effect, Connor spent considerable time with the Nashville Predators during training camp and the pre-season. While the club already had its starter and backup roles filled, just over a week into the NHL regular season, backup goalie David Rittich was forced to sit out due to covid protocols. That meant Connor got the call to take his spot. First watching from the bench, with a pair of scheduled games on back to back nights, after Juuse Saros got the nod in Winnipeg Oct. 23, Ingram would see his first start in the NHL against the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 24.
Reflecting back, Connor explained he was told after the game in Winnipeg that he would be the starter against Minnesota. “I didn’t have much time to be nervous or anything like that, I just kind of got right into it. That is what you dream of your whole life. It was pretty cool to get a win with it too.”
Named the night’s first star while becoming just the second Nashville goaltender in team history to win in his debut, after stopping 33 of 35 shots including 15 in the final period, Ingram and the Predators collected a 5-2 victory. Then just over a week later, Connor was asked to start again.
Facing the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on Nov. 3, after a 5-2 defeat and with Rittich ready to return, Ingram was assigned to the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals. Carrying the load and competing in 54 games with the club, the goalie said, “I got to play a lot and it was the first time in my career, especially in the AHL, where I got to be a true number one and just kind of play every day. It was a good step for me and it was a good year to get a lot of games in.”
Helping his team push
toward the playoffs, the 25-year-old-netminder led the way throughout the season before he would get a call late in the year from Nashville. With the Predators nearing the end of their regular season, Saros was injured during an Apr. 26 game and the team would require some help.
Watching the contest play out from his apartment in Milwaukee, when Ingram saw Saros go down, he figured he should start packing a bag. About an hour later his phone began ringing and shortly after that, Ingram was headed to help. “Life happens fast in this kind of thing,” shared Ingram as he would play against Arizona to wrap up his NHL regular season with a 1-2 record.
With Saros still out as the opening round of the NHL playoffs arrived, Ingram remained pencilled in as Nashville’s backup to begin the series. Facing first place Colorado, after Rittich allowed five goals on 13 shots, Ingram was summoned from the bench and was able to play well in a losing effort.
Told he would be starting game two, and with his parents arriving from Saskatchewan to see him, Connor kept the news to himself during dinner with them. With Brent and Joni finding out later on that their son was getting the call to start in Denver, Connor had his best performance in the series making 49 consecutive saves.
“We were very proud of all the work he has put in over the past few years,” said Joni and Brent. “To see it come to fruition for him and having the opportunity to start a few games in the NHL was quite exciting and he is always grateful for the support he gets from back home.”
While the team would come up short in overtime, with such a tremendous effort in game two, Ingram would go on to start games three and four but the Predators were unable to overcome the high-powered Avalanche, a team who would eventually go on to win the Stanley Cup.
Sharing how it was really nice to have his parents watch him live for part of the series, Ingram also talked about the importance of his solid play. “I think it just shows you that I do belong and I think that was big for me too, especially going into that series. You kind of got to prove to the guys around you that you can do that and you give them a chance. It went well for what it was and it was not an easy situation to step into but I think we did the best that we could with it for sure.”
Following his first NHL postseason appearance, after the team was eliminated, Ingram headed back to the Admirals who were in a playoff matchup of their own. While the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs would not go Milwaukee’s way, Ingram was able to be a part of the team’s abbreviated run as they defeated the Manitoba Moose in the Central Division semifinals before losing to the Chicago Wolves, who like the Avalanche, would go on to win a championship.
Despite not reaching the finals this season, Connor considered his year a success with a record of 30-17-7 with a 2.70 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage and tied for the league lead with five shutouts.
When asked if there was a highlight or two from his memorable year, Ingram paused and said, “I think for me, this year was a lot of firsts. I got to play my first NHL game, got my first NHL win and I got to play in the playoffs. It was all pretty exciting to just try to take it all in and see all the work you put in pay off. There was a lot of landmarks.”
Taking some time to decompress following the end of his busy year and with covid restrictions lifted, Ingram was able to return back to Saskatchewan to enjoy the start of his off-season. “It is good to be home and it is the first time in a couple of years that I have been home and been able to spend some time here. I am going to hang out with my brothers and I get to see all of them again.”
Along with being back in the province during the off-season, Ingram took some time to return to his roots where the Town of Imperial created a sign with his picture and the words: ‘Home of NHL goalie Connor Ingram.’
“Yeah that was pretty cool,” shared Connor about seeing the sign that has been put up along Hwy. 2 entering his hometown. Joking on social media that he would retire if that ever happened, he added the Town of Imperial called his bluff.
“They did a good job of keeping that from me and I don’t think Mom and Dad even knew. That was pretty exciting to see and a pretty big honour to have that. There are not too many of those around so that was super cool to see and to get and a pretty proud moment.”
Town of Imperial Administrator Joslin Freeman shared that council had discussed installing a sign and when Ingram was given a few starts in the NHL this past season, they decided to go ahead and make it. “We are pretty proud of Connor and his accomplishments,” said Freeman adding it is pretty phenomenal to have a number of athletes like Ingram who have represented the community. “He is a real down to earth person and even when he was home a couple of weeks ago to see the sign, he stopped by the school and the kids were all happy to see him. He is a celebrity here and it was great to see him back in town.”
TWM Top Story - July 11, 2022
Twister spins near local communities
*photo courtesy Al Bowman
Daniel Bushman
What was a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in late June turned into a tornado outbreak in the province as multiple twisters touched down including one between Watrous, Manitou Beach and Young. While there was fortunately no substantial damage done by the tornado near the three local communities June 29, it did provide for some tense moments.
First forming northeast of Young around 3 p.m., as the system moved southeast, it was not long until a funnel dropped from the sky. Hitting near the south shores of Little Manitou Lake, approximately eight kilometres east of Young and about 11 kilometres west of Manitou Beach and Watrous, the rotating twister went from a grey hue to a darker brown as it began sucking up dirt and debris from the ground. Lasting for about 15 minutes as it moved through part of Allan and Steven Leslie’s pastureland toward Watrous and Manitou Beach, it knocked over some trees before disappearing.
While not at the pasture Wednesday afternoon but rather watching the twister from his farmyard southwest of Watrous, once it was all over, Steven confirmed the tornado had gone through part of the family’s land. “There were a bunch of trees that were knocked over but thankfully there was really nothing else that was damaged.”
Viewing a number of submitted images from the June 29 event, Terri Lang, Services Meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada remarked how this particular tornado was photogenic because of the way it dropped from the sky and had rotation on the ground.
Classified as a landspout twister, Lang said it formed really rapidly and did not last long as opposed to supercell tornadoes. “They can cause damage and are dangerous but are much harder to forecast. One of the things about supercell tornadoes is they come from a really well organized storm that is long-lasting and long-lived and the whole storm itself is rotating but landspout tornadoes form really quickly and often we can’t see that rotation in the clouds so we are not able to warn people on it until something has already happened. Often by the time we get the warning out it is often gone because they tend to be short-lived.”
Having never witnessed a tornado in person before, Watrous resident Doug Thomas was enjoying an afternoon at Manitou Beach with his family. Noticing a number of people on the beach looking west and pointing at a little funnel coming down from the back of a dark cloud, Thomas did not think much of it as it was nowhere near the ground. Noticing a skinny tongue of grey darting in and out of the funnel toward the ground, after a few
minutes Doug thought it was dissipating. Recording videos of the event, just as he figured everything was coming to a conclusion, a dust storm began to form. Shortly after that, the rotating funnel joined up to create a large column.
“That is how they develop,” shared Lang of the landspout variety. “Normally we see a funnel coming down from the clouds and often you don’t see any connection to the ground but you can see rotation happening on the ground as it is picking up the dirt. Because it is air, you need something there to be seen or be visible. You can see it as water vapour but when it gets into a field it can kick up dirt and suck it in and then it really becomes visible.”
Guernsey resident Al Bowman works for the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground and part of his role is to do upkeep of the park near Camp Easter Seal. Enjoying taking photos and videos, on this particular day, Bowman noticed the clouds forming over Little Manitou Lake and thought he would set up a time-lapse on his camera while he rototilled. Further west from where Thomas and his family were enjoying the day, Bowman got his camera rolling and began working away when he looked up to see the twister already in motion.
“It was happening fast and was coming towards us,” explained Bowman who did not think he had time to drive the tractor all the way back up the hill to the campground. “I grabbed my camera and headed for a sheltered building. All of the sudden a lady showed up who was paddling in a kayak. My understanding is at first she didn’t see the tornado behind her while on the lake but at some point she must have turned around and saw it and then started heading for the beach to get home.”
Reaching one of the docks along the berm, Bowman said she brought the kayak on shore and attempted to take cover with it. “She thought she could weather the storm there and by then I think the tornado had blown itself out but it was starting to really hail.”
Seeing Bowman in the sheltered building nearby, she joined him as hail came barrelling down. “It is good she came over because the hail really came down. It was not for long, but it came down super hard and you could not see 50 feet in front of you.”
After the hail let up and the sun returned, Bowman hopped on the tractor and went to the regional campground at the top of the hill where he heard that others saw the twister. With adrenaline pumping, Bowman checked his camera thinking he had faced it the wrong way; however, when he viewed the time-lapse, he could not believe he had captured the twister - and the woman paddling her kayak.
Posting it on his Facebook page, after he allowed CBC to use it on twitter, Bowman’s video went viral. “I checked on July 5 and there had been 50,000 views of it.” With his video getting noticed, Al also began conducting a lot of interviews. “You are interview number 10 and I’ve talked to people from all over the place like Austria, France, the United States and Canada asking what happened that day.”
Like Bowman who was amazed with the whole experience, Thomas also posted his videos on social media. Not thinking a lot about it, Doug said they soon started to garner attention. “By the end of the afternoon my phone was buzzing non-stop with notifications and the number of views quickly grew into the thousands.”
With weather related inquiries coming in from news and weather outlets wondering if they could use the videos in their broadcast or online, Thomas was happy to share with them. “Before long the number of views jumped above 100,000 and my phone was constantly making noise.”
Because of the thousands of views from around the world, Thomas said a company reached out and made a deal with him to utilize the images and in turn, will give him a portion of any money made as views hit around 625,000.
Looking back on that day, both Al and Doug were amazed at the tornado and also thankful no one was hurt. While Thomas had never witnessed one first-hand, Bowman compared his experience to one he had decades earlier when a plough wind rolled through the area in June of 1976. “That was much more frightening because we were in it. Here the wind just started to come up and then it dissipated. I was in Jansen that night and was driving a big Buick home that got tossed around. That storm tore down our farm and lots of places. I’m thinking this tornado happened in about 15 or 20 minutes and that storm in ‘76 lasted hours. Don’t get me wrong this scared me big time. I hope I don’t see one again, that’s enough for this old boy. I will keep watching the weather but let’s just do thunderstorms.”
Rating tornadoes on strength and damage using the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF) with a zero being the weakest and a five the most powerful, in the case of the twister near Watrous, Manitou Beach and Young, Lang said it was classified as an EF0. With about 90 to 130 km/h winds and minor damage, she added: “What was neat about this one was that you can see all the way up into the clouds and you could see the column spinning all the way up.”
As people witnessed the tornado touch down June 29, others were also spotted in the province later Wednesday. At approximately 4:55 p.m., Environment and Climate Change Canada reported a second tornado was observed, this time near Margo. Then at approximately 5:25 p.m., a third hit near Cymric. Damage was also reported in the Foam Lake area, including to bins, farm equipment, power lines and trees. The tornadoes were given preliminary ratings of EF0 and there were other reports of one or two more touching down later that day near Serath.
Lang noted the tornado that headed toward Watrous and Manitou Beach was in a different system than the one near Foam Lake but Environment and Climate Change Canada was trying to figure out if the one near Foam Lake was part of the same system from Margo. “That was a more organized storm and a big rotating storm.”
As for having multiple tornadoes in Saskatchewan during the same afternoon, Lang said it does not happen all the time but there can be what she calls tornado outbreaks. “We do tend to get them once or twice a season but the last few years due to drought conditions there has not been the storms that Saskatchewan normally experiences. What is happening this year is much more typical of what a summer is like on the prairies. Hail storms, flooding, rains and tornadoes, that type of thing.”
With summer now in full swing, Lang said people on the prairies can expect to see more tornado watches and warnings, at least until about August. “Once the crops start to dry out, we lose a big source of moisture - moisture being one of the fuels for the storm. We tend to see a dropping off particularly of tornadoes and flooding rains in August. We can still get wind and hail events but we tend not to get as many tornadoes and flooding rain events into August just because the crops are drying out and it is taking out that source of moisture for those storms.”
As more warm weather is on the horizon and with people in Saskatchewan trying to take advantage of the outdoors during the brief summer season, Lang reminds residents to pay attention to the forecast when they go out and if warnings are issued, to keep an eye on the sky.
*photo courtesy Al Bowman
Daniel Bushman
What was a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in late June turned into a tornado outbreak in the province as multiple twisters touched down including one between Watrous, Manitou Beach and Young. While there was fortunately no substantial damage done by the tornado near the three local communities June 29, it did provide for some tense moments.
First forming northeast of Young around 3 p.m., as the system moved southeast, it was not long until a funnel dropped from the sky. Hitting near the south shores of Little Manitou Lake, approximately eight kilometres east of Young and about 11 kilometres west of Manitou Beach and Watrous, the rotating twister went from a grey hue to a darker brown as it began sucking up dirt and debris from the ground. Lasting for about 15 minutes as it moved through part of Allan and Steven Leslie’s pastureland toward Watrous and Manitou Beach, it knocked over some trees before disappearing.
While not at the pasture Wednesday afternoon but rather watching the twister from his farmyard southwest of Watrous, once it was all over, Steven confirmed the tornado had gone through part of the family’s land. “There were a bunch of trees that were knocked over but thankfully there was really nothing else that was damaged.”
Viewing a number of submitted images from the June 29 event, Terri Lang, Services Meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada remarked how this particular tornado was photogenic because of the way it dropped from the sky and had rotation on the ground.
Classified as a landspout twister, Lang said it formed really rapidly and did not last long as opposed to supercell tornadoes. “They can cause damage and are dangerous but are much harder to forecast. One of the things about supercell tornadoes is they come from a really well organized storm that is long-lasting and long-lived and the whole storm itself is rotating but landspout tornadoes form really quickly and often we can’t see that rotation in the clouds so we are not able to warn people on it until something has already happened. Often by the time we get the warning out it is often gone because they tend to be short-lived.”
Having never witnessed a tornado in person before, Watrous resident Doug Thomas was enjoying an afternoon at Manitou Beach with his family. Noticing a number of people on the beach looking west and pointing at a little funnel coming down from the back of a dark cloud, Thomas did not think much of it as it was nowhere near the ground. Noticing a skinny tongue of grey darting in and out of the funnel toward the ground, after a few
minutes Doug thought it was dissipating. Recording videos of the event, just as he figured everything was coming to a conclusion, a dust storm began to form. Shortly after that, the rotating funnel joined up to create a large column.
“That is how they develop,” shared Lang of the landspout variety. “Normally we see a funnel coming down from the clouds and often you don’t see any connection to the ground but you can see rotation happening on the ground as it is picking up the dirt. Because it is air, you need something there to be seen or be visible. You can see it as water vapour but when it gets into a field it can kick up dirt and suck it in and then it really becomes visible.”
Guernsey resident Al Bowman works for the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground and part of his role is to do upkeep of the park near Camp Easter Seal. Enjoying taking photos and videos, on this particular day, Bowman noticed the clouds forming over Little Manitou Lake and thought he would set up a time-lapse on his camera while he rototilled. Further west from where Thomas and his family were enjoying the day, Bowman got his camera rolling and began working away when he looked up to see the twister already in motion.
“It was happening fast and was coming towards us,” explained Bowman who did not think he had time to drive the tractor all the way back up the hill to the campground. “I grabbed my camera and headed for a sheltered building. All of the sudden a lady showed up who was paddling in a kayak. My understanding is at first she didn’t see the tornado behind her while on the lake but at some point she must have turned around and saw it and then started heading for the beach to get home.”
Reaching one of the docks along the berm, Bowman said she brought the kayak on shore and attempted to take cover with it. “She thought she could weather the storm there and by then I think the tornado had blown itself out but it was starting to really hail.”
Seeing Bowman in the sheltered building nearby, she joined him as hail came barrelling down. “It is good she came over because the hail really came down. It was not for long, but it came down super hard and you could not see 50 feet in front of you.”
After the hail let up and the sun returned, Bowman hopped on the tractor and went to the regional campground at the top of the hill where he heard that others saw the twister. With adrenaline pumping, Bowman checked his camera thinking he had faced it the wrong way; however, when he viewed the time-lapse, he could not believe he had captured the twister - and the woman paddling her kayak.
Posting it on his Facebook page, after he allowed CBC to use it on twitter, Bowman’s video went viral. “I checked on July 5 and there had been 50,000 views of it.” With his video getting noticed, Al also began conducting a lot of interviews. “You are interview number 10 and I’ve talked to people from all over the place like Austria, France, the United States and Canada asking what happened that day.”
Like Bowman who was amazed with the whole experience, Thomas also posted his videos on social media. Not thinking a lot about it, Doug said they soon started to garner attention. “By the end of the afternoon my phone was buzzing non-stop with notifications and the number of views quickly grew into the thousands.”
With weather related inquiries coming in from news and weather outlets wondering if they could use the videos in their broadcast or online, Thomas was happy to share with them. “Before long the number of views jumped above 100,000 and my phone was constantly making noise.”
Because of the thousands of views from around the world, Thomas said a company reached out and made a deal with him to utilize the images and in turn, will give him a portion of any money made as views hit around 625,000.
Looking back on that day, both Al and Doug were amazed at the tornado and also thankful no one was hurt. While Thomas had never witnessed one first-hand, Bowman compared his experience to one he had decades earlier when a plough wind rolled through the area in June of 1976. “That was much more frightening because we were in it. Here the wind just started to come up and then it dissipated. I was in Jansen that night and was driving a big Buick home that got tossed around. That storm tore down our farm and lots of places. I’m thinking this tornado happened in about 15 or 20 minutes and that storm in ‘76 lasted hours. Don’t get me wrong this scared me big time. I hope I don’t see one again, that’s enough for this old boy. I will keep watching the weather but let’s just do thunderstorms.”
Rating tornadoes on strength and damage using the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF) with a zero being the weakest and a five the most powerful, in the case of the twister near Watrous, Manitou Beach and Young, Lang said it was classified as an EF0. With about 90 to 130 km/h winds and minor damage, she added: “What was neat about this one was that you can see all the way up into the clouds and you could see the column spinning all the way up.”
As people witnessed the tornado touch down June 29, others were also spotted in the province later Wednesday. At approximately 4:55 p.m., Environment and Climate Change Canada reported a second tornado was observed, this time near Margo. Then at approximately 5:25 p.m., a third hit near Cymric. Damage was also reported in the Foam Lake area, including to bins, farm equipment, power lines and trees. The tornadoes were given preliminary ratings of EF0 and there were other reports of one or two more touching down later that day near Serath.
Lang noted the tornado that headed toward Watrous and Manitou Beach was in a different system than the one near Foam Lake but Environment and Climate Change Canada was trying to figure out if the one near Foam Lake was part of the same system from Margo. “That was a more organized storm and a big rotating storm.”
As for having multiple tornadoes in Saskatchewan during the same afternoon, Lang said it does not happen all the time but there can be what she calls tornado outbreaks. “We do tend to get them once or twice a season but the last few years due to drought conditions there has not been the storms that Saskatchewan normally experiences. What is happening this year is much more typical of what a summer is like on the prairies. Hail storms, flooding, rains and tornadoes, that type of thing.”
With summer now in full swing, Lang said people on the prairies can expect to see more tornado watches and warnings, at least until about August. “Once the crops start to dry out, we lose a big source of moisture - moisture being one of the fuels for the storm. We tend to see a dropping off particularly of tornadoes and flooding rains in August. We can still get wind and hail events but we tend not to get as many tornadoes and flooding rain events into August just because the crops are drying out and it is taking out that source of moisture for those storms.”
As more warm weather is on the horizon and with people in Saskatchewan trying to take advantage of the outdoors during the brief summer season, Lang reminds residents to pay attention to the forecast when they go out and if warnings are issued, to keep an eye on the sky.
TWM Top Story - July 4, 2022
After a pair of heavy rain storms June 12 and 13 which caused flooding in both Watrous and Manitou Beach, before the month ended a tornado touched down just west of the communities. With a funnel cloud developing east of Young around 3 p.m. June 29, a short time later it touched down near Watrous and Manitou Beach. With some hail at Manitou Beach, more hail and heavy rain was reported just west of Drake around the same time and there was a report of some large hail by Jansen later in the day. This was not the only tornado in Saskatchewan June 29 as Environment and Climate Change Canada said at approximately 4:55 p.m., a second tornado was observed near Margo and at approximately 5:25 p.m., a third was observed near Cymric. In addition, damage was reported in the Foam Lake area, including to power lines and trees as all three tornadoes were given a preliminary rating of EF0 but may be updated as the investigation continues. Thank you to those who sent in photos of Wednesday's tornadic activity. Photos courtesy: Derek Bushman, Brenna Janzen, Bev Garner, Greg Loeppky, Ryan Potts, Cassie Vanthuyne, Tanya Jansen, Jack Isabelle.
TWM Top Story - June 27, 2022
Students at WHS recognized for achievements
Daniel Bushman
It was an evening to celebrate as Winston High School students were recognized for their hard work and talents June 8 as part of this year’s WHS Student Awards. A program was held at the high school which also included a performance as scholarships and awards were handed out.
Here are this year’s students who achieved awards including the Honour Roll (80-90 percent; Honours with Distinction 90-95 percent; Honours with Great Distinction 95-100 percent):
Grade 8
Honour Roll for Gr. 8: Honours - Sawyer Allin, Jonathan Keffer, Ella Harding, Corbin Watson, Savanna Stephens, Addison Klassen, Navaya Back, Nate Tarasoff, Pryor Dyck, Hailee Beckie, Connor MacNeill, Taylor Potter, Makayla Terry, and Kade Chabot.
Honours with Distinction: Rykin Holmstrom, Anwyn Thomas, Grace Pankratz, Kianna Dengler, Brady Solar, Gabe Vielhauer, Blake Morelli, Mark Federspiel, Chase Rheaume, and Evan Morelli.
Highest Average: Evan Morelli and Chase Rheaume (tie at 94 percent).
Grade 9
Honour Roll for Gr. 9: Honours - Matt Schmidt, Cade Bartel, Simon Vanthuyne, Matthew Johnston, Paige Hunter, Hunter Edwards, Vaughn Mancao, McKenna McDade, Layton Thoner, Cheyenne Barnes, Burke Bartko, Maddison Martin, Ben Johns, Carter Fendelet, Cade Armstrong, Jase McNichol, Maddox Hendry, and Hudson Edwards.
Honours with Distinction: Catrina Knouse, Olivia Tan, Ella Thoner, Sarah Oakes, and Marissa Miettinen.
Honours with Great Distinction: Gabrielle Knouse, Maya Collins, Vel Marhiz Brockman, Bryn Mensch, Shylo Frey, and Emma Schindel.
Highest Average: Vel Marhiz Brockman (98 percent).
Grade 10
Honour Roll for Gr. 10: Honours - Randi Saunders, Cree Swan, Briel
Mendoza, Kyla Compra, Damen Averill, Emmitt Nielsen, Amanda Shott, Elih Herman, Justin Huang, and Clara Morelli.
Honours with Distinction: Brynn Murfitt, Sherisse Edwards, Leah Rutz, Erika Oakes, Lauren Mensch, and Myanna Holland.
Honours with Great Distinction: Tehya Armstrong, Makaila Lawrence, JeMar Brockman, and Brandon Pankratz.
Highest Average: JeMar Brockman (99 percent).
Grade 11
Honour Roll for Gr. 11: Honours - Jayda Braun, Rylan Thoner, Carl Bothma, Nikolai Somers, Ryland Martin, Lite Shu, Zoey Wheten, and Matthew Schroeder.
Honours with Distinction: Leah Vielhauer, Kade Thomas, Faith Schindel, Charlie Pilling, Gabe Dyck, Hudson Mierau, Taylar Johnston, Elijah Weber, Melissa Federspiel, and Brielle Morningstar.
Honours with Great Distinction: Nick Lawrence, Kennedy Rheaume, Alea Dengler, Cheyenne Peters-Stewart, and Breanna Cruise.
Highest Average: Nick Lawrence (99 percent).
Grade 12
Honour Roll for Gr. 12: Honours - Caiden Hendry, Karlee Bedard, Jade Langston, Haiven Thomas, Syla Mercado, and Mae Liu.
Honours with Distinction: Penny Lounsbury, Chantel Hilts, Marasia Brockman, and Naomi Schmidt.
Honours with Great Distinction: Jacee Mensch, Tyler Walker, Jocelyn Knouse, Pearce Bartko, Tori Masich, Kaelin Hardy, and Annaka Miettinen.
Highest Average: Kaelin Hardy (98 percent).
Most Improved Students
Rylee Wood, Caitlynn MacNeill, Claire Kuntz, and Avery Hemmingson.
Industrial Arts Awards
Gr. 8: Blake Morelli; Gr. 9: Cade Bartel and Vel Marhiz Brockman; Gr. 10: Tehya Armstrong; Gr. 11: Kade Thomas; and Gr. 12: Jocelyn Knouse and Blake Martin.
Band Awards
Garage Band: Annaka Miettinen; Most Improved: Brandon Pankratz; and Concert: Nick Lawrence, Makaila Lawrence and Clara Morelli.
Athletes of the Year Awards
Senior: Pearce Bartko and Annaka Miettinen. Junior: Burke Bartko and Olivia Tan.
SRC Awards
JeMar Brockman and Ishita Sharma.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Here are this year’s Gr. 12 WHS bursary and scholarship winners:
AJ Gordon Memorial Awards: Jacee Mensch, Richard Mehlmann, Kaelin Hardy and Pearce Bartko.
The Co-op Spirit Award: Tori Masich.
Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church Humanitarian Award: Annaka Miettinen.
Manitou Lodge Scholarship: Annaka Miettinen.
Watrous and Area Arts Council: Penny Lounsbury.
Bill and Delia Habermann Scholarship: Haiven Thomas.
Bev Bertram Memorial Writing Contest: Jacee Mensch, Chantel Hilts, and Jocelyn Knouse.
Alpha Developments Scholarship: Cooper Isherwood.
Marjorie and Neil McArthur Memorial Scholarship: Tyler Walker.
Linda Martin Memorial Scholarship: Jacee Mensch.
Sask Youth Apprenticeship Award: Owen Edwards.
Horizon School Division Student Recognition Award: Marasia Brockman.
Kinette Club of Watrous Scholarship: Pearce Bartko.
Kinsmen Club of Watrous Scholarship: Kaelin Hardy.
Kinsmen Red Seal Award: Owen Edwards.
Affinity Credit Union Build a Better World Scholarship: Kaelin Hardy.
Access Communications Award: Kaelin Hardy and Caiden Hendry.
Western Financial Inspiration Award: Jade Langston.
BHP Scholarship: Naomi Schmidt.
Daniel Bushman
It was an evening to celebrate as Winston High School students were recognized for their hard work and talents June 8 as part of this year’s WHS Student Awards. A program was held at the high school which also included a performance as scholarships and awards were handed out.
Here are this year’s students who achieved awards including the Honour Roll (80-90 percent; Honours with Distinction 90-95 percent; Honours with Great Distinction 95-100 percent):
Grade 8
Honour Roll for Gr. 8: Honours - Sawyer Allin, Jonathan Keffer, Ella Harding, Corbin Watson, Savanna Stephens, Addison Klassen, Navaya Back, Nate Tarasoff, Pryor Dyck, Hailee Beckie, Connor MacNeill, Taylor Potter, Makayla Terry, and Kade Chabot.
Honours with Distinction: Rykin Holmstrom, Anwyn Thomas, Grace Pankratz, Kianna Dengler, Brady Solar, Gabe Vielhauer, Blake Morelli, Mark Federspiel, Chase Rheaume, and Evan Morelli.
Highest Average: Evan Morelli and Chase Rheaume (tie at 94 percent).
Grade 9
Honour Roll for Gr. 9: Honours - Matt Schmidt, Cade Bartel, Simon Vanthuyne, Matthew Johnston, Paige Hunter, Hunter Edwards, Vaughn Mancao, McKenna McDade, Layton Thoner, Cheyenne Barnes, Burke Bartko, Maddison Martin, Ben Johns, Carter Fendelet, Cade Armstrong, Jase McNichol, Maddox Hendry, and Hudson Edwards.
Honours with Distinction: Catrina Knouse, Olivia Tan, Ella Thoner, Sarah Oakes, and Marissa Miettinen.
Honours with Great Distinction: Gabrielle Knouse, Maya Collins, Vel Marhiz Brockman, Bryn Mensch, Shylo Frey, and Emma Schindel.
Highest Average: Vel Marhiz Brockman (98 percent).
Grade 10
Honour Roll for Gr. 10: Honours - Randi Saunders, Cree Swan, Briel
Mendoza, Kyla Compra, Damen Averill, Emmitt Nielsen, Amanda Shott, Elih Herman, Justin Huang, and Clara Morelli.
Honours with Distinction: Brynn Murfitt, Sherisse Edwards, Leah Rutz, Erika Oakes, Lauren Mensch, and Myanna Holland.
Honours with Great Distinction: Tehya Armstrong, Makaila Lawrence, JeMar Brockman, and Brandon Pankratz.
Highest Average: JeMar Brockman (99 percent).
Grade 11
Honour Roll for Gr. 11: Honours - Jayda Braun, Rylan Thoner, Carl Bothma, Nikolai Somers, Ryland Martin, Lite Shu, Zoey Wheten, and Matthew Schroeder.
Honours with Distinction: Leah Vielhauer, Kade Thomas, Faith Schindel, Charlie Pilling, Gabe Dyck, Hudson Mierau, Taylar Johnston, Elijah Weber, Melissa Federspiel, and Brielle Morningstar.
Honours with Great Distinction: Nick Lawrence, Kennedy Rheaume, Alea Dengler, Cheyenne Peters-Stewart, and Breanna Cruise.
Highest Average: Nick Lawrence (99 percent).
Grade 12
Honour Roll for Gr. 12: Honours - Caiden Hendry, Karlee Bedard, Jade Langston, Haiven Thomas, Syla Mercado, and Mae Liu.
Honours with Distinction: Penny Lounsbury, Chantel Hilts, Marasia Brockman, and Naomi Schmidt.
Honours with Great Distinction: Jacee Mensch, Tyler Walker, Jocelyn Knouse, Pearce Bartko, Tori Masich, Kaelin Hardy, and Annaka Miettinen.
Highest Average: Kaelin Hardy (98 percent).
Most Improved Students
Rylee Wood, Caitlynn MacNeill, Claire Kuntz, and Avery Hemmingson.
Industrial Arts Awards
Gr. 8: Blake Morelli; Gr. 9: Cade Bartel and Vel Marhiz Brockman; Gr. 10: Tehya Armstrong; Gr. 11: Kade Thomas; and Gr. 12: Jocelyn Knouse and Blake Martin.
Band Awards
Garage Band: Annaka Miettinen; Most Improved: Brandon Pankratz; and Concert: Nick Lawrence, Makaila Lawrence and Clara Morelli.
Athletes of the Year Awards
Senior: Pearce Bartko and Annaka Miettinen. Junior: Burke Bartko and Olivia Tan.
SRC Awards
JeMar Brockman and Ishita Sharma.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Here are this year’s Gr. 12 WHS bursary and scholarship winners:
AJ Gordon Memorial Awards: Jacee Mensch, Richard Mehlmann, Kaelin Hardy and Pearce Bartko.
The Co-op Spirit Award: Tori Masich.
Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church Humanitarian Award: Annaka Miettinen.
Manitou Lodge Scholarship: Annaka Miettinen.
Watrous and Area Arts Council: Penny Lounsbury.
Bill and Delia Habermann Scholarship: Haiven Thomas.
Bev Bertram Memorial Writing Contest: Jacee Mensch, Chantel Hilts, and Jocelyn Knouse.
Alpha Developments Scholarship: Cooper Isherwood.
Marjorie and Neil McArthur Memorial Scholarship: Tyler Walker.
Linda Martin Memorial Scholarship: Jacee Mensch.
Sask Youth Apprenticeship Award: Owen Edwards.
Horizon School Division Student Recognition Award: Marasia Brockman.
Kinette Club of Watrous Scholarship: Pearce Bartko.
Kinsmen Club of Watrous Scholarship: Kaelin Hardy.
Kinsmen Red Seal Award: Owen Edwards.
Affinity Credit Union Build a Better World Scholarship: Kaelin Hardy.
Access Communications Award: Kaelin Hardy and Caiden Hendry.
Western Financial Inspiration Award: Jade Langston.
BHP Scholarship: Naomi Schmidt.
TWM Top Story - June 20, 2022
Watrous and Manitou Beach hit hard by pair of storms
Daniel Bushman
Containing almost as much rain as what fell in Watrous and Manitou Beach during all of May, June and July of last year, a pair of recent storms walloped the two communities June 12 and 13. While the first storm soaked the area early Sunday afternoon, it was Monday’s event that flooded streets, homes, businesses and washed out ditches.
With local estimates of 1.5 inches of rain Sunday afternoon and at least that and more early Monday evening, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Terri Lang said the weather station near Watrous was being upgraded at the time of the two storms so she had no confirmed rainfall amounts to report. Lang did note that radar indicated the large thunderstorm cells moved over Watrous indicating rainfall rates were very high.
The storm that arrived early Sunday afternoon not only contained heavy rain but produced some smaller hail as it intensely passed over Watrous, forcing ball games during Watrous Minor Ball Day to be cancelled.
Just hours earlier, it appeared to be a perfect day for ball as a few games were completed under sunny skies. However once the storm system arrived and began dumping massive buckets of rain, teams and spectators scrambled to dugouts and their vehicles while others took cover at the concession. Once the rain finally subsided, diamonds were left filled with water as people headed through soggy conditions for home. Then, in the middle of the afternoon a tornado warning was issued south of Watrous for the RM of Big Arm including Imperial and Liberty as a different system rolled through that area. The warning was later downgraded to a severe thunderstorm warning which ended at 3:49 p.m. ECCC did not report any tornadoes touching down during the warning but did say a tornado was confirmed near Maymont (located southeast of North Battleford) a few days prior.
While some ball was able to resume back in Watrous after the inch and a half of rain had mostly dried, more moisture arrived before the day was over.
With streets and yards slowly drying up Monday, as the early part of the evening arrived, another system approached. While Sunday’s event left its mark, Monday’s storm packed a punch.
Thunder, lightning and heavy rain rolled through Watrous and Manitou Beach, drenching the area in a short time span. Within half an hour, many roads in Watrous were filled, basements flooded and backyards turned into swimming pools.
With reports of at least an inch and a half to upwards of two to two and a half inches falling in that short time, speaking to Watrous Mayor John Gunderson, he said there were a number of calls to the town office Tuesday morning from homeowners who experienced flooded basements.
Holding an emergency council meeting Tuesday morning, Gunderson said the Town of Watrous submitted an application for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) which was approved. Designated as an Eligible Assistance Area under PDAP, the program provides financial assistance for restoring essential services and property caused by natural disasters.
“About six years ago we had a similar event but in July and like we did before, we submitted an application for PDAP for our community. Now that we are approved, for people who experienced flooding, if they are not able to receive funding from their insurer then they can either pick up PDAP applications from the town office and fill them out for a claim under that program or they can find the applications on our website (www.townofwatrous.com) or a link is also on our Facebook page.”
With both water damage and some sewer backups to homes and businesses in Watrous, Gunderson shared the flooding was pretty widespread around town. “Sometimes there is localized areas that receive flooding but we had heard there were a number of places around Watrous that were hit. The sanitary/sewer system can only go so fast and with it being such a flash flood Monday, it couldn’t keep up.”
When Monday’s storm arrived, Gunderson said crews from the town did the best they could to mitigate the damage. “It was coming so fast, they tried to do all they could to keep places from flooding.”
Living in the north end of Watrous in the Westby Place cul-de-sac, Kelvin Fellner explained his place was one of those hit by the flooding. With water coming through the walls of his basement, Fellner said, “We had pictures hanging up and where the nails were, water was coming out of those holes. In the storage room and furnace room it was soaked and there was a bit of water on the floor where our living room is downstairs.”
Looking out of a window in one of the bedrooms in the basement after the storm passed, Fellner compared it to being on a boat. “There was about four inches of water up the window so when you looked out of it, it was like looking out a window on a boat. I am thankful we did not have those windows open before the storm hit.”
Estimating he had five to six inches of water filling up his backyard, Fellner said his landscape ties floated away and a lot of the pine needles used for mulch littered the yard. “It was gross,” he said adding the water levels in his yard started going down by about 10 p.m. Monday. By midnight, when a disaster team arrived to begin cleaning
up, the water had pretty much disappeared. “Our rear drainage ditch was still full at that time and the yard was a mess. I just hope we don’t get another big rain like that for a while because there is no place for it to go.”
With his own home also experiencing flooding, Gunderson sympathizes with Kelvin and others who had wet basements. “We feel for their situation and understand what they are going through. We will do every bit we can to help and that included receiving approval for PDAP.”
As people were busy cleaning up in Watrous Monday night and Tuesday, at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, it was much the same as parts of the community were also under water. Similar to Watrous, Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen said it appeared the resort community had over two inches of hard rain in about 15 minutes during Monday evening’s storm.
Village staff were deployed as soon as possible and Petersen said they worked through the night Monday, opening roadways while keeping pumps running. “Our pumps are running at capacity and our lift stations are being pumped and monitored around the clock.”
Doing everything necessary, Petersen said cleanup was well underway Tuesday as all roads were open. She also noted the heavy rain created some major ditch washouts and large pools of water accumulated near the berms along the lake as water flowed down from higher ground. Recruiting help from the Town of Watrous, Petersen said they were able to provide a grader to help repair the damage. As of Tuesday morning, the mayor said the damage assessment was difficult to peg but added the berm remained solid, allowing roadways to be restored.
As the rain began letting up Monday evening, one of the more noticeable areas that was hit hard was where the former Nu-Inn is located. Privately owned, the building along Maclachlan Avenue has seen its fair share of flooding and Monday evening was no exception. With a few doors of rooms open and the berm backing the place, water pooled in front of the facility from other areas and began filling up the interior. Petersen said the village was doing its due diligence in getting the water pumped out of the privately owned property and by Wednesday, the pool of water was virtually gone around the perimeter.
The area where the former Nu-Inn is located was not the only place hit. Along with that location, different parts of the west side and along the east side of Manitou Beach also absorbed water. Closer to Danceland, east of the iconic structure and on lower ground, cleaning crew vehicles were parked outside of homes next to garbage bags that were filled with items set to be tossed out.
On top of the hill, the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground also experienced water as some campsites were temporarily flooded. Across the street at the Manitou Beach Golf Club, it was closed Tuesday after cart paths were washed out and locker rooms were placed out of order. By Wednesday, golfers could be seen back on the course.
As people continued to clean up and evaluate the flood damage, like Watrous, the resort community’s council held an emergency meeting Wednesday morning to declare for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program. Hoping to be approved for the funding, it would allow those applying to receive help.
With little rain last year, from the two storms hitting both communities June 12 and 13, the total amount of rain from those easily surpassed last June’s entire rainfall for the local area which was 26.2 mm or just over one inch. A month prior in May of 2021, the Watrous area received 41.2 mm or about 1.6 inches and in July, there was 41.2 mm or 1.62 inches of rain.
Depending on the exact amount of rain that fell between the two systems this year, the overall number from the June 12 and 13 events sits anywhere from three to four inches. That amount nearly reaches the overall total of 4.25 inches that fell during May, June and July in 2021. Add in May 2022 with the two storms and as of June 14, there had been around six to seven and a half inches of rain between the two months. And while the communities received a large amount of rain, a short drive west and roads remained fairly dry as that area received much less moisture over those two days.
The Watrous and Manitou Beach areas were not the only places to see substantial moisture last week as ECCC issued a rainfall warning June 14 for northern areas like Melfort, Arborfield, Nipawin and Prince Albert National Park. A low pressure system tracking through the Prairies brought a prolonged period of rain through Wednesday including scattered thunderstorms. In general, storm total rainfall amounts were forecast to be in the range of 50 to 70 mm; however, ECCC indicated higher rainfall amounts were likely in areas with thunderstorms.
Daniel Bushman
Containing almost as much rain as what fell in Watrous and Manitou Beach during all of May, June and July of last year, a pair of recent storms walloped the two communities June 12 and 13. While the first storm soaked the area early Sunday afternoon, it was Monday’s event that flooded streets, homes, businesses and washed out ditches.
With local estimates of 1.5 inches of rain Sunday afternoon and at least that and more early Monday evening, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Terri Lang said the weather station near Watrous was being upgraded at the time of the two storms so she had no confirmed rainfall amounts to report. Lang did note that radar indicated the large thunderstorm cells moved over Watrous indicating rainfall rates were very high.
The storm that arrived early Sunday afternoon not only contained heavy rain but produced some smaller hail as it intensely passed over Watrous, forcing ball games during Watrous Minor Ball Day to be cancelled.
Just hours earlier, it appeared to be a perfect day for ball as a few games were completed under sunny skies. However once the storm system arrived and began dumping massive buckets of rain, teams and spectators scrambled to dugouts and their vehicles while others took cover at the concession. Once the rain finally subsided, diamonds were left filled with water as people headed through soggy conditions for home. Then, in the middle of the afternoon a tornado warning was issued south of Watrous for the RM of Big Arm including Imperial and Liberty as a different system rolled through that area. The warning was later downgraded to a severe thunderstorm warning which ended at 3:49 p.m. ECCC did not report any tornadoes touching down during the warning but did say a tornado was confirmed near Maymont (located southeast of North Battleford) a few days prior.
While some ball was able to resume back in Watrous after the inch and a half of rain had mostly dried, more moisture arrived before the day was over.
With streets and yards slowly drying up Monday, as the early part of the evening arrived, another system approached. While Sunday’s event left its mark, Monday’s storm packed a punch.
Thunder, lightning and heavy rain rolled through Watrous and Manitou Beach, drenching the area in a short time span. Within half an hour, many roads in Watrous were filled, basements flooded and backyards turned into swimming pools.
With reports of at least an inch and a half to upwards of two to two and a half inches falling in that short time, speaking to Watrous Mayor John Gunderson, he said there were a number of calls to the town office Tuesday morning from homeowners who experienced flooded basements.
Holding an emergency council meeting Tuesday morning, Gunderson said the Town of Watrous submitted an application for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) which was approved. Designated as an Eligible Assistance Area under PDAP, the program provides financial assistance for restoring essential services and property caused by natural disasters.
“About six years ago we had a similar event but in July and like we did before, we submitted an application for PDAP for our community. Now that we are approved, for people who experienced flooding, if they are not able to receive funding from their insurer then they can either pick up PDAP applications from the town office and fill them out for a claim under that program or they can find the applications on our website (www.townofwatrous.com) or a link is also on our Facebook page.”
With both water damage and some sewer backups to homes and businesses in Watrous, Gunderson shared the flooding was pretty widespread around town. “Sometimes there is localized areas that receive flooding but we had heard there were a number of places around Watrous that were hit. The sanitary/sewer system can only go so fast and with it being such a flash flood Monday, it couldn’t keep up.”
When Monday’s storm arrived, Gunderson said crews from the town did the best they could to mitigate the damage. “It was coming so fast, they tried to do all they could to keep places from flooding.”
Living in the north end of Watrous in the Westby Place cul-de-sac, Kelvin Fellner explained his place was one of those hit by the flooding. With water coming through the walls of his basement, Fellner said, “We had pictures hanging up and where the nails were, water was coming out of those holes. In the storage room and furnace room it was soaked and there was a bit of water on the floor where our living room is downstairs.”
Looking out of a window in one of the bedrooms in the basement after the storm passed, Fellner compared it to being on a boat. “There was about four inches of water up the window so when you looked out of it, it was like looking out a window on a boat. I am thankful we did not have those windows open before the storm hit.”
Estimating he had five to six inches of water filling up his backyard, Fellner said his landscape ties floated away and a lot of the pine needles used for mulch littered the yard. “It was gross,” he said adding the water levels in his yard started going down by about 10 p.m. Monday. By midnight, when a disaster team arrived to begin cleaning
up, the water had pretty much disappeared. “Our rear drainage ditch was still full at that time and the yard was a mess. I just hope we don’t get another big rain like that for a while because there is no place for it to go.”
With his own home also experiencing flooding, Gunderson sympathizes with Kelvin and others who had wet basements. “We feel for their situation and understand what they are going through. We will do every bit we can to help and that included receiving approval for PDAP.”
As people were busy cleaning up in Watrous Monday night and Tuesday, at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, it was much the same as parts of the community were also under water. Similar to Watrous, Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen said it appeared the resort community had over two inches of hard rain in about 15 minutes during Monday evening’s storm.
Village staff were deployed as soon as possible and Petersen said they worked through the night Monday, opening roadways while keeping pumps running. “Our pumps are running at capacity and our lift stations are being pumped and monitored around the clock.”
Doing everything necessary, Petersen said cleanup was well underway Tuesday as all roads were open. She also noted the heavy rain created some major ditch washouts and large pools of water accumulated near the berms along the lake as water flowed down from higher ground. Recruiting help from the Town of Watrous, Petersen said they were able to provide a grader to help repair the damage. As of Tuesday morning, the mayor said the damage assessment was difficult to peg but added the berm remained solid, allowing roadways to be restored.
As the rain began letting up Monday evening, one of the more noticeable areas that was hit hard was where the former Nu-Inn is located. Privately owned, the building along Maclachlan Avenue has seen its fair share of flooding and Monday evening was no exception. With a few doors of rooms open and the berm backing the place, water pooled in front of the facility from other areas and began filling up the interior. Petersen said the village was doing its due diligence in getting the water pumped out of the privately owned property and by Wednesday, the pool of water was virtually gone around the perimeter.
The area where the former Nu-Inn is located was not the only place hit. Along with that location, different parts of the west side and along the east side of Manitou Beach also absorbed water. Closer to Danceland, east of the iconic structure and on lower ground, cleaning crew vehicles were parked outside of homes next to garbage bags that were filled with items set to be tossed out.
On top of the hill, the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground also experienced water as some campsites were temporarily flooded. Across the street at the Manitou Beach Golf Club, it was closed Tuesday after cart paths were washed out and locker rooms were placed out of order. By Wednesday, golfers could be seen back on the course.
As people continued to clean up and evaluate the flood damage, like Watrous, the resort community’s council held an emergency meeting Wednesday morning to declare for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program. Hoping to be approved for the funding, it would allow those applying to receive help.
With little rain last year, from the two storms hitting both communities June 12 and 13, the total amount of rain from those easily surpassed last June’s entire rainfall for the local area which was 26.2 mm or just over one inch. A month prior in May of 2021, the Watrous area received 41.2 mm or about 1.6 inches and in July, there was 41.2 mm or 1.62 inches of rain.
Depending on the exact amount of rain that fell between the two systems this year, the overall number from the June 12 and 13 events sits anywhere from three to four inches. That amount nearly reaches the overall total of 4.25 inches that fell during May, June and July in 2021. Add in May 2022 with the two storms and as of June 14, there had been around six to seven and a half inches of rain between the two months. And while the communities received a large amount of rain, a short drive west and roads remained fairly dry as that area received much less moisture over those two days.
The Watrous and Manitou Beach areas were not the only places to see substantial moisture last week as ECCC issued a rainfall warning June 14 for northern areas like Melfort, Arborfield, Nipawin and Prince Albert National Park. A low pressure system tracking through the Prairies brought a prolonged period of rain through Wednesday including scattered thunderstorms. In general, storm total rainfall amounts were forecast to be in the range of 50 to 70 mm; however, ECCC indicated higher rainfall amounts were likely in areas with thunderstorms.
TWM Top Story - June 13, 2022
Budget approved for Watrous with Main Street project slated for 2023
Daniel Bushman
Aiming to navigate through the pandemic and hoping to see things return to a more normal in 2022, as Watrous Town Council approved its budget, similar to last year, there are not any substantial projects on the schedule; however, a massive Main Street Rehabilitation Project is on the docket for 2023.
When it came time to compile this year’s budget, Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden explained that the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency did a re-inspection where each property was physically looked at. That work then resulted in some assessment changes for 2022 which altered taxes. “While the local mill rate and base tax remained the same, the provincial education mill rates were increased. Because of the assessment re-inspection, some people’s taxes were up, some were down and some had very little change.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said, “As a council, with the reassessment we recognized that some people were already going to be seeing some tax increases on their properties. Part of that is also from the education mill rate which is something we do not have any control over. We felt because there were no real major projects for this coming year we would hold off on any mill rate adjustments.”
As for the water/sewer rates in Watrous, for a second year in a row there was no change, although Redden indicated there could be a proposed increase coming in the future. While there was no change to the water/sewer rates, two areas where the Town of Watrous will see substantial differences is with the provincial revenue sharing grant and an increase to paying for the RCMP.
With the provincial revenue sharing grant, Redden noted the town will see a decrease of about $35,000. “The province allocates some of the provincial sales tax money to municipalities for unconditional operating grants but we did see a fairly significant reduction there resulting in total revenues being down a little bit.”
On the expenditure side for 2022, Redden said the RCMP contract with the local detachment is projected to have a fairly significant increase as a result of a collective agreement between the federal government and the RCMP. “That filters down through to municipalities across the country who then each pay their share and we are expecting about a $15,000 increase.”
As for other areas of note within the budget, Redden shared a few details which include:
Transportation/Streets
There is no major paving, curb or capital work slated for 2022 although Redden said there will be curb and asphalt work done on the 100 block on 12th Ave. E. “We will also be doing some patching but there are no major paving projects planned. We will be continuing excavation on some of the side streets, something that we do every year.”
Redden did indicate there could be some significant paving proposed in the future, whether that is next year or the year after. “There are some new street lights going in at the new industrial area on the east side and on 12th Ave. E. as well.”
Along the 500 block of 8th Ave. E., there are five remaining residential lots while there a very limited amount available on 12th Ave. E. At some point if there is significant residential growth, Redden said servicing will be done either north to 9th Ave. E. or south to 7th Ave. E. in the residential parcel near the Watrous and District Health Complex.
Public Health/Welfare
A new columbarium was added at the Watrous Cemetery giving the location two. “The first one we installed about five years ago proved to be popular and when we had done the work for the first one, we made space large enough to add a second.”
Recreation/Culture
Redden explained there was nothing significant for this year although he indicated this past year a number of renovations were done at the Watrous Centennial Arena.
At the Watrous Swimming Pool, the facility’s tank was sandblasted last year and tile was to be redone but was delayed. Assuming that the work is completed, Redden said the pool is tentatively scheduled to open June 13.
Water/Sewer
For 2022, one block of water main replacement will be proposed to affected property owners as a local improvement project sometime in June.
Main Street Rehabilitation Project
In 2019 Watrous Town Council hired the engineering services of Catterall and Wright to provide insight into a Main Street Rehabilitation Project. From that, the firm suggested in order to do a full rehabilitation, a new water main replacement, water and sewer service replacement, road construction and curb, gutter and new sidewalk needed to be completed.
As a council, Gunderson said the idea of revitalizing Main Street had been talked about for quite some time. “That study conducted in 2019 was a very important project for us as a town because we see 200,000 plus visitors to the area on an annual basis who use our roads with some stopping at businesses on Main Street. While
most are visiting Manitou Beach, what is good for Manitou Beach is good for us. We can only enhance that by doing some improvements on Main Street and possibly draw some of those visitors going to Manitou Beach to Watrous.”
Moving forward with the first part of the project in 2020 on the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street, the Town of Watrous utilized funding through the provincial government’s Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) to support investments in infrastructure and to stimulate economic recovery.
“The replacement of the water mains on those three blocks in 2020 was totally paid for by the town with funds through MEEP. In a lot of cases that is cost-shared with the business owners. We had access to special grant funding so we were able to use that.”
Following that work, in the 2022 budget, council approved replacing water/sewer services along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks this fall. Once the work has been completed, the remaining portions of the rehabilitation project, if approved, would commence in the spring of 2023. That work which includes road construction, curb, gutter and new sidewalks is estimated to be around $400,000 per block.
“In 2023, that will be the big year for the project but this fall our plan is do the services into each property on Main Street which entails a bit of work. The Town of Watrous will be covering those costs for the fall work through our operating budget.”
With the remainder of the work which would be done in 2023 considered as local improvements, Gunderson said council came up with a plan to see the overall costs shared between the Town of Watrous and Main Street property owners. While nothing is finalized yet, Gunderson said there will be a public meeting once estimated figures are determined so that property owners along Main Street will have an opportunity to learn more about the last phase of the project.
“We are still in the planning stages to finalize which direction we go with respect to the major project. At a minimum we would be replacing the sidewalks, curbs and add new asphalt but we are also considering options for something a bit more in-depth that could draw in new visitors and maybe even new businesses as well.”
Following the meeting, which is scheduled to take place before the fall, Gunderson noted if the project receives the green light to proceed, tenders would be issued and work would commence immediately in spring of 2023. The hope would be to have it completed in time for the busy season in summer 2023.
“We are just waiting for project related information and cost estimates and then we will be able to determine when the public meeting will take place. Council looks forward to hearing from our business owners in town on the important project for our community and downtown core.”
Daniel Bushman
Aiming to navigate through the pandemic and hoping to see things return to a more normal in 2022, as Watrous Town Council approved its budget, similar to last year, there are not any substantial projects on the schedule; however, a massive Main Street Rehabilitation Project is on the docket for 2023.
When it came time to compile this year’s budget, Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden explained that the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency did a re-inspection where each property was physically looked at. That work then resulted in some assessment changes for 2022 which altered taxes. “While the local mill rate and base tax remained the same, the provincial education mill rates were increased. Because of the assessment re-inspection, some people’s taxes were up, some were down and some had very little change.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said, “As a council, with the reassessment we recognized that some people were already going to be seeing some tax increases on their properties. Part of that is also from the education mill rate which is something we do not have any control over. We felt because there were no real major projects for this coming year we would hold off on any mill rate adjustments.”
As for the water/sewer rates in Watrous, for a second year in a row there was no change, although Redden indicated there could be a proposed increase coming in the future. While there was no change to the water/sewer rates, two areas where the Town of Watrous will see substantial differences is with the provincial revenue sharing grant and an increase to paying for the RCMP.
With the provincial revenue sharing grant, Redden noted the town will see a decrease of about $35,000. “The province allocates some of the provincial sales tax money to municipalities for unconditional operating grants but we did see a fairly significant reduction there resulting in total revenues being down a little bit.”
On the expenditure side for 2022, Redden said the RCMP contract with the local detachment is projected to have a fairly significant increase as a result of a collective agreement between the federal government and the RCMP. “That filters down through to municipalities across the country who then each pay their share and we are expecting about a $15,000 increase.”
As for other areas of note within the budget, Redden shared a few details which include:
Transportation/Streets
There is no major paving, curb or capital work slated for 2022 although Redden said there will be curb and asphalt work done on the 100 block on 12th Ave. E. “We will also be doing some patching but there are no major paving projects planned. We will be continuing excavation on some of the side streets, something that we do every year.”
Redden did indicate there could be some significant paving proposed in the future, whether that is next year or the year after. “There are some new street lights going in at the new industrial area on the east side and on 12th Ave. E. as well.”
Along the 500 block of 8th Ave. E., there are five remaining residential lots while there a very limited amount available on 12th Ave. E. At some point if there is significant residential growth, Redden said servicing will be done either north to 9th Ave. E. or south to 7th Ave. E. in the residential parcel near the Watrous and District Health Complex.
Public Health/Welfare
A new columbarium was added at the Watrous Cemetery giving the location two. “The first one we installed about five years ago proved to be popular and when we had done the work for the first one, we made space large enough to add a second.”
Recreation/Culture
Redden explained there was nothing significant for this year although he indicated this past year a number of renovations were done at the Watrous Centennial Arena.
At the Watrous Swimming Pool, the facility’s tank was sandblasted last year and tile was to be redone but was delayed. Assuming that the work is completed, Redden said the pool is tentatively scheduled to open June 13.
Water/Sewer
For 2022, one block of water main replacement will be proposed to affected property owners as a local improvement project sometime in June.
Main Street Rehabilitation Project
In 2019 Watrous Town Council hired the engineering services of Catterall and Wright to provide insight into a Main Street Rehabilitation Project. From that, the firm suggested in order to do a full rehabilitation, a new water main replacement, water and sewer service replacement, road construction and curb, gutter and new sidewalk needed to be completed.
As a council, Gunderson said the idea of revitalizing Main Street had been talked about for quite some time. “That study conducted in 2019 was a very important project for us as a town because we see 200,000 plus visitors to the area on an annual basis who use our roads with some stopping at businesses on Main Street. While
most are visiting Manitou Beach, what is good for Manitou Beach is good for us. We can only enhance that by doing some improvements on Main Street and possibly draw some of those visitors going to Manitou Beach to Watrous.”
Moving forward with the first part of the project in 2020 on the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street, the Town of Watrous utilized funding through the provincial government’s Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) to support investments in infrastructure and to stimulate economic recovery.
“The replacement of the water mains on those three blocks in 2020 was totally paid for by the town with funds through MEEP. In a lot of cases that is cost-shared with the business owners. We had access to special grant funding so we were able to use that.”
Following that work, in the 2022 budget, council approved replacing water/sewer services along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks this fall. Once the work has been completed, the remaining portions of the rehabilitation project, if approved, would commence in the spring of 2023. That work which includes road construction, curb, gutter and new sidewalks is estimated to be around $400,000 per block.
“In 2023, that will be the big year for the project but this fall our plan is do the services into each property on Main Street which entails a bit of work. The Town of Watrous will be covering those costs for the fall work through our operating budget.”
With the remainder of the work which would be done in 2023 considered as local improvements, Gunderson said council came up with a plan to see the overall costs shared between the Town of Watrous and Main Street property owners. While nothing is finalized yet, Gunderson said there will be a public meeting once estimated figures are determined so that property owners along Main Street will have an opportunity to learn more about the last phase of the project.
“We are still in the planning stages to finalize which direction we go with respect to the major project. At a minimum we would be replacing the sidewalks, curbs and add new asphalt but we are also considering options for something a bit more in-depth that could draw in new visitors and maybe even new businesses as well.”
Following the meeting, which is scheduled to take place before the fall, Gunderson noted if the project receives the green light to proceed, tenders would be issued and work would commence immediately in spring of 2023. The hope would be to have it completed in time for the busy season in summer 2023.
“We are just waiting for project related information and cost estimates and then we will be able to determine when the public meeting will take place. Council looks forward to hearing from our business owners in town on the important project for our community and downtown core.”
TWM Top Story - June 6, 2022
New walking trail stepping closer to completion
Daniel Bushman
After a soggy start to spring delaying progress on a new walking trail that will link Watrous and Manitou Beach, with some nicer weather, work is feverishly underway to see it completed. Aiming to have the substantial project finished by sometime in July, local resident Ron Ediger along with his company Melron Services Ltd. are hard at work to ensure everything comes together.
Seeing a need to create a trail that would essentially join Watrous and Manitou Beach, Ediger wanted to help make it happen after the Watrous Rotary along with generous sponsors and volunteers created a pair of trails for residents and visitors to use near Watrous. The new trail, which crews from Melron Services Ltd. have been busy working on will extend approximately three kilometres between Watrous and Manitou Beach.
After receiving all of the necessary approvals and covering the cost of the project, Ediger started work this past fall before winter arrived. Building up lower spots and clearing a path in 2021, this past week graders were out levelling portions of the trail while other parts were being built up.
“There is still quite a bit of work to do but once we get rolling here it should go pretty quickly,” said Ediger.
With packing, adding a base top and seal coat left to be done, once finished, the pad for people to walk or bike on will span 10 feet wide with about a two foot slope on either side. “There should be lots of room so people can enjoy using the trail once it is done.”
Extending northeast from the first trail originally completed by the Watrous Rotary, the third trail will continue past a gazebo toward the Watrous Cemetery. Walkers can veer off the gravel road as the new trail will take them along a corner of the cemetery to the main gates. From there proper signage will be installed to allow walkers to cross Hwy. 365 to the other side of the trail. Once across the highway, the trail will run alongside Hwy. 365 toward Manitou Beach. Reaching the turnoff to Murray Disc Golf, Ediger has extended a portion of that gravel road which now wraps around a slough and into a field. “We have received permission from the owners to use part of their land which was really generous so we have the trail running right next to the slough and then toward the farmyard.”
At the farmyard, a path has been cut near the hedges adjacent to the highway and Ediger will also be installing a six foot barrier on the other side to allow privacy from the yard site. The trail then continues alongside the highway running between a pasture and signs at the entrance to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Creating walking space near another home, the trail will go through a treed area before reaching the Manitou and District Regional Park campground. With room around some hedges, the trail will lead walkers by the entrance of the park and then out in front of The Drive-In at Manitou Beach where a path is currently being used. Redoing that path, Ediger explained the trail will come to a conclusion at Lakeview Avenue, near the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s office and the Manitou Mini Golf.
“Having the trail end there will allow people to take in the nearby attractions or they can continue along to the beach,” said Ediger who shared he is also planning to create a structure at that location with a bit of nostalgia. “There used to be a building called The Arcade Dance Pavilion at the beach and I am planning to make a smaller replica of it.”
Octagonal in design and used in the earlier 1900s, The Arcade Dance Pavilion featured an area for dancing and was 90 to 100 feet across with an elevated orchestra platform in the centre. Over the years it was later used for a roller skating rink and as a theatre before it was torn down in 1939-‘40.
“I think having the replica of The Arcade will be a neat tribute to the history of the resort community and bring back some memories for people.”
Watrous Town Councillor Jean Margetts is part of a committee working with Ediger on the trail. Joined by other representatives from Watrous and Manitou Beach, Margetts is excited about the progress on the trail and said a few people have been asking how they can donate towards it. “Ron has shared with us he will be covering the cost of the project but if people do want to donate funds, they could be used for solar lighting and beautification along the trail. All donations can be given to either the Town of Watrous or the Resort Village of Manitou Beach and a tax receipt can be issued.”
There are also very limited spots for benches along the trail and while two have already been spoken for, if there is interest in sponsoring a memorial bench, Margetts said inquiries can be sent to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. “They are looking after that and will pass along any requests to Ron.”
Looking forward to seeing the project completed in a few short months, Ediger said, “Melron Services Ltd. is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year so it is my hope to be able to have a big celebration to commemorate the anniversary and cut the ribbon for the trail so that people can enjoy safely walking from one community to the other. Twenty-five years ago I came here with a single backhoe and this community and the area has been so good to us. I thought, why not give back? I am always thinking about what I can do and I just thought I would like to do some good things here and leave a bit of a legacy to the communities.”
Delighted to see the progress on the trail after work started this past year, Watrous Rotarian Al Mosewich who was one of those integral in seeing the two phases of the local Rotary Trails created said once the new trail is completed it will be a tremendous benefit to residents and visitors. “It is quite a huge project and not everyone has the ability to do something like this. Ron is in the unique position of having the equipment, staffing, material and financial resources to do this. He saw the vision that the Rotary Club had and is the type of guy who can get it done.”
Citing how Ron and his late wife Melissa were big supporters of community through numerous contributions over the years, Mosewich said the trail will remain along that same theme of community, bringing both Watrous and Manitou Beach together. “It is very exciting and I know that a lot of people are looking forward to seeing it built and used for many years to come.”
Daniel Bushman
After a soggy start to spring delaying progress on a new walking trail that will link Watrous and Manitou Beach, with some nicer weather, work is feverishly underway to see it completed. Aiming to have the substantial project finished by sometime in July, local resident Ron Ediger along with his company Melron Services Ltd. are hard at work to ensure everything comes together.
Seeing a need to create a trail that would essentially join Watrous and Manitou Beach, Ediger wanted to help make it happen after the Watrous Rotary along with generous sponsors and volunteers created a pair of trails for residents and visitors to use near Watrous. The new trail, which crews from Melron Services Ltd. have been busy working on will extend approximately three kilometres between Watrous and Manitou Beach.
After receiving all of the necessary approvals and covering the cost of the project, Ediger started work this past fall before winter arrived. Building up lower spots and clearing a path in 2021, this past week graders were out levelling portions of the trail while other parts were being built up.
“There is still quite a bit of work to do but once we get rolling here it should go pretty quickly,” said Ediger.
With packing, adding a base top and seal coat left to be done, once finished, the pad for people to walk or bike on will span 10 feet wide with about a two foot slope on either side. “There should be lots of room so people can enjoy using the trail once it is done.”
Extending northeast from the first trail originally completed by the Watrous Rotary, the third trail will continue past a gazebo toward the Watrous Cemetery. Walkers can veer off the gravel road as the new trail will take them along a corner of the cemetery to the main gates. From there proper signage will be installed to allow walkers to cross Hwy. 365 to the other side of the trail. Once across the highway, the trail will run alongside Hwy. 365 toward Manitou Beach. Reaching the turnoff to Murray Disc Golf, Ediger has extended a portion of that gravel road which now wraps around a slough and into a field. “We have received permission from the owners to use part of their land which was really generous so we have the trail running right next to the slough and then toward the farmyard.”
At the farmyard, a path has been cut near the hedges adjacent to the highway and Ediger will also be installing a six foot barrier on the other side to allow privacy from the yard site. The trail then continues alongside the highway running between a pasture and signs at the entrance to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Creating walking space near another home, the trail will go through a treed area before reaching the Manitou and District Regional Park campground. With room around some hedges, the trail will lead walkers by the entrance of the park and then out in front of The Drive-In at Manitou Beach where a path is currently being used. Redoing that path, Ediger explained the trail will come to a conclusion at Lakeview Avenue, near the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s office and the Manitou Mini Golf.
“Having the trail end there will allow people to take in the nearby attractions or they can continue along to the beach,” said Ediger who shared he is also planning to create a structure at that location with a bit of nostalgia. “There used to be a building called The Arcade Dance Pavilion at the beach and I am planning to make a smaller replica of it.”
Octagonal in design and used in the earlier 1900s, The Arcade Dance Pavilion featured an area for dancing and was 90 to 100 feet across with an elevated orchestra platform in the centre. Over the years it was later used for a roller skating rink and as a theatre before it was torn down in 1939-‘40.
“I think having the replica of The Arcade will be a neat tribute to the history of the resort community and bring back some memories for people.”
Watrous Town Councillor Jean Margetts is part of a committee working with Ediger on the trail. Joined by other representatives from Watrous and Manitou Beach, Margetts is excited about the progress on the trail and said a few people have been asking how they can donate towards it. “Ron has shared with us he will be covering the cost of the project but if people do want to donate funds, they could be used for solar lighting and beautification along the trail. All donations can be given to either the Town of Watrous or the Resort Village of Manitou Beach and a tax receipt can be issued.”
There are also very limited spots for benches along the trail and while two have already been spoken for, if there is interest in sponsoring a memorial bench, Margetts said inquiries can be sent to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. “They are looking after that and will pass along any requests to Ron.”
Looking forward to seeing the project completed in a few short months, Ediger said, “Melron Services Ltd. is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year so it is my hope to be able to have a big celebration to commemorate the anniversary and cut the ribbon for the trail so that people can enjoy safely walking from one community to the other. Twenty-five years ago I came here with a single backhoe and this community and the area has been so good to us. I thought, why not give back? I am always thinking about what I can do and I just thought I would like to do some good things here and leave a bit of a legacy to the communities.”
Delighted to see the progress on the trail after work started this past year, Watrous Rotarian Al Mosewich who was one of those integral in seeing the two phases of the local Rotary Trails created said once the new trail is completed it will be a tremendous benefit to residents and visitors. “It is quite a huge project and not everyone has the ability to do something like this. Ron is in the unique position of having the equipment, staffing, material and financial resources to do this. He saw the vision that the Rotary Club had and is the type of guy who can get it done.”
Citing how Ron and his late wife Melissa were big supporters of community through numerous contributions over the years, Mosewich said the trail will remain along that same theme of community, bringing both Watrous and Manitou Beach together. “It is very exciting and I know that a lot of people are looking forward to seeing it built and used for many years to come.”
TWM Top Story - May 30, 2022
Marking mining week with BHP and Nutrien Lanigan
Daniel Bushman
Nutrien Lanigan:
Setting production records in the Phase 2 mill, a plan to hire more employees and starting up its second mill (something done just five years out of its 54-year history), Nutrien Lanigan is buzzing with optimism.
Despite navigating through the uncertain times of the pandemic, Nutrien Lanigan General Manager Rob Jackson said, “There has been a lot of work done within Nutrien and the potash business unit of really trying to see where the trend is as far as growth. There is a longterm growth rate that we have always watched and Nutrien has always been disciplined at bringing on more production as that demand grew.”
After Nutrien’s decision to increase potash production in 2021 and now electing to raise its capability to approximately 15 million tonnes in 2022, a jump of nearly one million tonnes compared to previous expectations, Jackson said the move has spilled over to Nutrien’s Lanigan site near Guernsey.
Excited about the opportunity to help meet demand, Jackson said the local mine will fire up its second mill later this year. The move also accelerates the company’s five-year controlled ramp up plan. “We are hiring people to run that mill and then we are hiring underground to operate a few more mining machines to provide the ore to the mill. We anticipate hiring into October when we will have that second mill started up.”
With Nutrien’s overall potash production expected to increase by nearly two million tonnes compared to 2020 while accounting for more than 70 percent of global production added over that period, by utilizing the second mill at Nutrien Lanigan, Jackson said it will provide a lot of flexibility in the company’s running rates. “Currently we have put a lot of work into optimizing our Phase 2 mill. We were pretty much limited to as many tonnes as we could make with that mill and 2021 was a record production year with just that Phase 2 mill. I’d say we almost overachieved to help supply the extra tonnes that Nutrien needed.”
Since the single mill could not really take anymore tonnes, Jackson explained having the second mill unlocks quite a ramp up in availability. “We will just bring on additional tonnes as the network needs and this will allow us to do that. The last few years we have been near capacity with the Phase 2 mill so this is pretty good for our site and what we can do moving forward into the future.”
With a greater demand for potash in 2022 and with the current events in Ukraine forcing sanctions on Belarus and Russia, Jackson shared those two countries previously combined to provide almost 40 percent of the world’s potash.
Now that a supply gap has been created, Jackson explained Nutrien is definitely looking at that situation and the potential of global food shortages. “This last year we had an increase of one million tonnes of production from Nutrien and this year another million from what we budgeted. That equates to almost 70 percent of the extra production globally that was brought on in the last two years coming from Nutrien. We are positioned the best with our network of six mines in Saskatchewan. The groundwork we have laid out over the last number of years to have these additional tonnes ready, a lot of it now is execution and hiring people.”
As production ramps up, a call for more employees to fill Nutrien’s sites across its provincial network has been made including at the Lanigan site which will see significant hires over the coming months. Having a staggered hiring period to allow for proper training for future staff, Jackson said Nutrien Lanigan is planning to add 65 positions in a variety of roles at the mill, within mining operations and maintenance. The area of safety will also be highlighted to have all of the proper supports in place as people are hired in.
“We have quite a rigorous selection process and always want to bring people on that find the work satisfying in what we are doing. We are trying to feed the world and produce potash that can help optimize crop yield around the world. But we also think it is a long-term investment in people and people are really what our success is based on. I think it is exciting to get some more people here. We encourage everyone to apply for our positions and are also looking to increase the diversity of our workforce including opportunities for women, aboriginal people and minorities.”
As for navigating through the pandemic and achieving some important milestones, Jackson said the credit goes to the employees at the mine site who pushed through the past two years.
“I can’t really describe how well our workforce managed the pandemic,” said Jackson sharing that many were asked to work remotely early on and stepped up in a big way. “We also worked with our site Occupational Health Committee (OHC) to create and put protocols in place. We changed people’s shifts so we didn’t have as many people in the lunchroom or change room at the same time and a robust masking policy on site to protect our employees and their families. Our covid transmission rate at the Nutrien Potash sites were almost 15 times lower than the general public through much of the pandemic and we were able to keep producing potash. At Lanigan in 2020 and 2021 we had production records through the pandemic but people were really happy to get somewhat back to normalcy in 2022. While there are still a few restrictions and safety continuing to be a core value, we are learning what this new normal is. We are still looking at data and tracking transmission and numbers and if things need to change they can.”
Getting through two years of the pandemic, looking back, Jackson feels there was some pride created from the mine employees because of the perseverance it took. “It wasn’t easy for people but they did it and were able to make it work. It is also great to see the provincial mine rescue competition again this year which is also a big milestone, something that could not be held the past two years.”
Hoping to soon be able to host employee events again, Jackson was also quick to point out a few other notable highlights that took place and are currently taking place at Nutrien Lanigan. A couple of those include:
• the underground mining automation program is moving along with some other Saskatoon area mines now outfitting their machines with teleremote and automation. “Our operators have been instrumental in having some pretty big technical and operational milestones with that program. We will have three machines here by mid-year that are outfitted. Every day it feels like there is more progress being made and it is something we are continuing to work on. It also keeps people out of an active working face and also is more productive as they work in a safer environment.”
• Nutrien has put out some Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets and one area that the company is focused on is having some renewable projects at some sites. In the case of Nutrien Lanigan, last year during the fall a meteorological tower was installed near the facility to measure wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity and pressure. The tower will be in operation for a few years to see what the feasibility of wind power might be to help supplement Nutrien Lanigan’s site power needs. “A number of sites are looking at a combination of either wind or solar or both. That is something that Nutrien has committed to have projects in at some sites by 2025.”
BHP:
After receiving final approval for its Jansen Project, creating more employment opportunities for those within the local area and injecting billions of dollars into Stage 1 of its project, BHP is eager to not only become a permanent part of the area but remain a fixture for years to come.
As part of mining week, BHP along with Simon Thomas, Vice President Potash graciously took some time to answer a few questions about the company’s Jansen Project, its progress, the importance of the mine and when everything could be operational.
Once approval was granted, after years of hard work, how excited was the team at BHP to move forward with the Jansen Project?
The team couldn’t be more excited. Jansen is in a class of its own, with a lifespan that could last a century. Our employees understand the kind of generational benefits we can deliver for our own communities here in Saskatchewan, and at the same time, we can make a global impact, by providing the potash the world needs to feed a growing population. But it’s not just about delivering the resources. We want to do it safely and sustainably.
Jansen will be developed as a modern, sustainable mine of the future, and that’s something the entire BHP team around the world is very excited about.
Since Jansen Stage 1 received approval, how has things gone at the site?
Since Jansen Stage 1 was approved, everything at site remains on track. We are making good progress on construction of the mine shafts, and expect the permanent shaft liners to be complete this summer. We have also begun working on the installation of essential surface infrastructure and utilities.
What does the rest of 2022 look like as far as the project goes?
Over the remainder of 2022, we plan to complete the shaft liners. This will serve as the primary access to the underground mine. Over the remainder of the year, we’ll also be working on various pieces of surface infrastructure, including piling and concrete foundations, and processing infrastructure.
Is the team at BHP looking forward to the remainder of this year and beyond?
As a team, we are both excited, and humbled, by the challenge in front of us but we are determined to deliver this project for the people of Saskatchewan.
Overall, are there different phases contained within the Jansen Project?
One of the benefits of Jansen is that the project can be scaled up over time in phases. Jansen Stage 1 contemplates the construction of a potash mine with a production rate of 4.35 million tonnes per year, based on an initial investment of $7.5 billion (Canadian dollars). Depending on market conditions in the future, there is potential for up to four stages at the project, which could increase annual production.
How important is a project like the Jansen one for BHP?
Jansen is the single largest investment BHP has ever made and potash is a critical component of our company’s strategy to focus on future-facing commodities. The resources industry has always been central to the industrial needs of the world, but right now we are also central to helping solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Challenges like decarbonization; like building the infrastructure to change the way we use and create power on a massive scale; and how we feed a growing population with increasingly scarce arable land. The basic building blocks required to meet these challenges are what the resources sector brings to the table. Iron ore for steel. Nickel and copper for electrification and batteries. And potash to boost agricultural productivity. We need to produce much more of each of these, and we need to do it simply better than we ever have before: more safely, more productively and more sustainably. Jansen is a central pillar of this strategy for BHP.
How important is the project for the local area?
We believe that Jansen has the potential to mirror some of our other large, basin investments like Western Australian iron ore and the Escondida copper operation in Chile. Like these deposits, we expect Jansen has the potential to be developed into a resource with a life span of over many decades.
Our purpose is to bring people and resources together to build a better world. We believe we are successful when we work in partnership with communities to achieve long-term social, environmental and economic outcomes. We aim to create and contribute to social value in the communities where we operate through the positive social and economic benefits generated by our core business, our engagement and advocacy on important issues, and our contribution as community partners.
What types of benefits will BHP’s Jansen Project have for the local area?
The project is expected to generate thousands of jobs during the construction phase and roughly 600 permanent positions.
It is expected much of our $7.5 billion (Canadian dollars) investment will be spent in Canada with $1.8 billion (Canadian dollars) of direct and indirect contributions to the province’s GDP in the six years of construction.
It’s going to have a significant impact on the local economy, through the purchase of local goods and services from Saskatchewan businesses, as well as the payment of taxes and eventually royalties once we’re in operations.
We’ll be providing training and other support to ensure that local businesses and organizations can take advantage of these opportunities, and we will continue to support initiatives in our communities. We have also signed agreements with six First Nations near Jansen – agreements that aim to improve outcomes in education, economic development, health, and community well-being.
In addition to economic benefits and social investments in the community, Jansen will be a model for sustainable mining with a focus on emissions reduction, water stewardship, and cleaner mining. We expect Jansen to emit about half the carbon dioxide per tonne of product as compared to the average performer in potash mines in the province. Jansen will use about 60 percent less water per tonne than current operations use on average. Our underground mining and support fleet will be more than 80 percent battery electric vehicles, by consumption, and we’re pursuing 100 percent electrification. We will also pursue carbon neutral electricity to supply our operation through commercial partnerships.
How much of an impact has the project already had thus far in the local area?
Hiring is underway at the project and we expect that to ramp up over the next two years as we advance through construction. Over the past six years, we have invested $35 million in projects that benefit our local communities and the province, including $20 million for the development of the International
Carbon Capture and Storage Knowledge Centre in Regina.
Approximately how many people will be working on the project before and after completion?
The Stage 1 investment will create 3,500 jobs at peak construction and around 600 ongoing jobs through operations. Our goal is for the operational workforce to be gender balanced and 20 percent Indigenous. These are ambitious goals - but we are confident it will make us a better operator and it will help to ensure Jansen’s workforce represents the communities where we live and work, which is important.
How important do you feel it is to give back to the area?
BHP has really put the concept of “social value” at the heart of everything we do. When we look at making a new investment, it’s not just about “how much” we can produce, but also “how” we do it. Delivering a successful resource project is about delivering value for our shareholders and improving the lives and livelihoods of those around us as well. We do this by having strong climate targets and plans for reducing our own emissions; by working up and down our value chain to help our partners and customers address their emissions; and by a comprehensive approach to creating social value in the communities we work in. If we get this right, we can build prosperity through thriving, empowered communities, and responsible supply chains, while making a major contribution to the health of the planet. The onus is on us to demonstrate that our investments will create social value for the people who own the resources, and for society at large, and that is exactly the approach we are taking here at Jansen.
How much has BHP spent on the project so far and how much is expected to be spent to have it operational?
The shaft sinking project had a capital cost of $2.97 billion (U.S. dollars) and that work is 99 percent completed now. With Jansen Stage 1 being approved in August 2021, the remaining costs to construct and commission the mine is $7.5 billion (Canadian dollars).
When do you anticipate to see everything completed by?
Our current schedule anticipates a six-year construction period, completing in 2027 but we are looking at opportunities to bring first production forward. Decisions on potential expansion beyond Stage 1 will be made in the future.
Once the project is completed, how much production do you anticipate the mine will do?
Jansen Stage 1 contemplates the construction of a potash mine with a production rate of 4.35 million tonnes per year. Depending on market conditions in the future, we see the potential for up to four phases at the project, which could increase annual production to more than 16 million tonnes per year, making Jansen one of the largest potash mines in the world.
Daniel Bushman
Nutrien Lanigan:
Setting production records in the Phase 2 mill, a plan to hire more employees and starting up its second mill (something done just five years out of its 54-year history), Nutrien Lanigan is buzzing with optimism.
Despite navigating through the uncertain times of the pandemic, Nutrien Lanigan General Manager Rob Jackson said, “There has been a lot of work done within Nutrien and the potash business unit of really trying to see where the trend is as far as growth. There is a longterm growth rate that we have always watched and Nutrien has always been disciplined at bringing on more production as that demand grew.”
After Nutrien’s decision to increase potash production in 2021 and now electing to raise its capability to approximately 15 million tonnes in 2022, a jump of nearly one million tonnes compared to previous expectations, Jackson said the move has spilled over to Nutrien’s Lanigan site near Guernsey.
Excited about the opportunity to help meet demand, Jackson said the local mine will fire up its second mill later this year. The move also accelerates the company’s five-year controlled ramp up plan. “We are hiring people to run that mill and then we are hiring underground to operate a few more mining machines to provide the ore to the mill. We anticipate hiring into October when we will have that second mill started up.”
With Nutrien’s overall potash production expected to increase by nearly two million tonnes compared to 2020 while accounting for more than 70 percent of global production added over that period, by utilizing the second mill at Nutrien Lanigan, Jackson said it will provide a lot of flexibility in the company’s running rates. “Currently we have put a lot of work into optimizing our Phase 2 mill. We were pretty much limited to as many tonnes as we could make with that mill and 2021 was a record production year with just that Phase 2 mill. I’d say we almost overachieved to help supply the extra tonnes that Nutrien needed.”
Since the single mill could not really take anymore tonnes, Jackson explained having the second mill unlocks quite a ramp up in availability. “We will just bring on additional tonnes as the network needs and this will allow us to do that. The last few years we have been near capacity with the Phase 2 mill so this is pretty good for our site and what we can do moving forward into the future.”
With a greater demand for potash in 2022 and with the current events in Ukraine forcing sanctions on Belarus and Russia, Jackson shared those two countries previously combined to provide almost 40 percent of the world’s potash.
Now that a supply gap has been created, Jackson explained Nutrien is definitely looking at that situation and the potential of global food shortages. “This last year we had an increase of one million tonnes of production from Nutrien and this year another million from what we budgeted. That equates to almost 70 percent of the extra production globally that was brought on in the last two years coming from Nutrien. We are positioned the best with our network of six mines in Saskatchewan. The groundwork we have laid out over the last number of years to have these additional tonnes ready, a lot of it now is execution and hiring people.”
As production ramps up, a call for more employees to fill Nutrien’s sites across its provincial network has been made including at the Lanigan site which will see significant hires over the coming months. Having a staggered hiring period to allow for proper training for future staff, Jackson said Nutrien Lanigan is planning to add 65 positions in a variety of roles at the mill, within mining operations and maintenance. The area of safety will also be highlighted to have all of the proper supports in place as people are hired in.
“We have quite a rigorous selection process and always want to bring people on that find the work satisfying in what we are doing. We are trying to feed the world and produce potash that can help optimize crop yield around the world. But we also think it is a long-term investment in people and people are really what our success is based on. I think it is exciting to get some more people here. We encourage everyone to apply for our positions and are also looking to increase the diversity of our workforce including opportunities for women, aboriginal people and minorities.”
As for navigating through the pandemic and achieving some important milestones, Jackson said the credit goes to the employees at the mine site who pushed through the past two years.
“I can’t really describe how well our workforce managed the pandemic,” said Jackson sharing that many were asked to work remotely early on and stepped up in a big way. “We also worked with our site Occupational Health Committee (OHC) to create and put protocols in place. We changed people’s shifts so we didn’t have as many people in the lunchroom or change room at the same time and a robust masking policy on site to protect our employees and their families. Our covid transmission rate at the Nutrien Potash sites were almost 15 times lower than the general public through much of the pandemic and we were able to keep producing potash. At Lanigan in 2020 and 2021 we had production records through the pandemic but people were really happy to get somewhat back to normalcy in 2022. While there are still a few restrictions and safety continuing to be a core value, we are learning what this new normal is. We are still looking at data and tracking transmission and numbers and if things need to change they can.”
Getting through two years of the pandemic, looking back, Jackson feels there was some pride created from the mine employees because of the perseverance it took. “It wasn’t easy for people but they did it and were able to make it work. It is also great to see the provincial mine rescue competition again this year which is also a big milestone, something that could not be held the past two years.”
Hoping to soon be able to host employee events again, Jackson was also quick to point out a few other notable highlights that took place and are currently taking place at Nutrien Lanigan. A couple of those include:
• the underground mining automation program is moving along with some other Saskatoon area mines now outfitting their machines with teleremote and automation. “Our operators have been instrumental in having some pretty big technical and operational milestones with that program. We will have three machines here by mid-year that are outfitted. Every day it feels like there is more progress being made and it is something we are continuing to work on. It also keeps people out of an active working face and also is more productive as they work in a safer environment.”
• Nutrien has put out some Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets and one area that the company is focused on is having some renewable projects at some sites. In the case of Nutrien Lanigan, last year during the fall a meteorological tower was installed near the facility to measure wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity and pressure. The tower will be in operation for a few years to see what the feasibility of wind power might be to help supplement Nutrien Lanigan’s site power needs. “A number of sites are looking at a combination of either wind or solar or both. That is something that Nutrien has committed to have projects in at some sites by 2025.”
BHP:
After receiving final approval for its Jansen Project, creating more employment opportunities for those within the local area and injecting billions of dollars into Stage 1 of its project, BHP is eager to not only become a permanent part of the area but remain a fixture for years to come.
As part of mining week, BHP along with Simon Thomas, Vice President Potash graciously took some time to answer a few questions about the company’s Jansen Project, its progress, the importance of the mine and when everything could be operational.
Once approval was granted, after years of hard work, how excited was the team at BHP to move forward with the Jansen Project?
The team couldn’t be more excited. Jansen is in a class of its own, with a lifespan that could last a century. Our employees understand the kind of generational benefits we can deliver for our own communities here in Saskatchewan, and at the same time, we can make a global impact, by providing the potash the world needs to feed a growing population. But it’s not just about delivering the resources. We want to do it safely and sustainably.
Jansen will be developed as a modern, sustainable mine of the future, and that’s something the entire BHP team around the world is very excited about.
Since Jansen Stage 1 received approval, how has things gone at the site?
Since Jansen Stage 1 was approved, everything at site remains on track. We are making good progress on construction of the mine shafts, and expect the permanent shaft liners to be complete this summer. We have also begun working on the installation of essential surface infrastructure and utilities.
What does the rest of 2022 look like as far as the project goes?
Over the remainder of 2022, we plan to complete the shaft liners. This will serve as the primary access to the underground mine. Over the remainder of the year, we’ll also be working on various pieces of surface infrastructure, including piling and concrete foundations, and processing infrastructure.
Is the team at BHP looking forward to the remainder of this year and beyond?
As a team, we are both excited, and humbled, by the challenge in front of us but we are determined to deliver this project for the people of Saskatchewan.
Overall, are there different phases contained within the Jansen Project?
One of the benefits of Jansen is that the project can be scaled up over time in phases. Jansen Stage 1 contemplates the construction of a potash mine with a production rate of 4.35 million tonnes per year, based on an initial investment of $7.5 billion (Canadian dollars). Depending on market conditions in the future, there is potential for up to four stages at the project, which could increase annual production.
How important is a project like the Jansen one for BHP?
Jansen is the single largest investment BHP has ever made and potash is a critical component of our company’s strategy to focus on future-facing commodities. The resources industry has always been central to the industrial needs of the world, but right now we are also central to helping solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Challenges like decarbonization; like building the infrastructure to change the way we use and create power on a massive scale; and how we feed a growing population with increasingly scarce arable land. The basic building blocks required to meet these challenges are what the resources sector brings to the table. Iron ore for steel. Nickel and copper for electrification and batteries. And potash to boost agricultural productivity. We need to produce much more of each of these, and we need to do it simply better than we ever have before: more safely, more productively and more sustainably. Jansen is a central pillar of this strategy for BHP.
How important is the project for the local area?
We believe that Jansen has the potential to mirror some of our other large, basin investments like Western Australian iron ore and the Escondida copper operation in Chile. Like these deposits, we expect Jansen has the potential to be developed into a resource with a life span of over many decades.
Our purpose is to bring people and resources together to build a better world. We believe we are successful when we work in partnership with communities to achieve long-term social, environmental and economic outcomes. We aim to create and contribute to social value in the communities where we operate through the positive social and economic benefits generated by our core business, our engagement and advocacy on important issues, and our contribution as community partners.
What types of benefits will BHP’s Jansen Project have for the local area?
The project is expected to generate thousands of jobs during the construction phase and roughly 600 permanent positions.
It is expected much of our $7.5 billion (Canadian dollars) investment will be spent in Canada with $1.8 billion (Canadian dollars) of direct and indirect contributions to the province’s GDP in the six years of construction.
It’s going to have a significant impact on the local economy, through the purchase of local goods and services from Saskatchewan businesses, as well as the payment of taxes and eventually royalties once we’re in operations.
We’ll be providing training and other support to ensure that local businesses and organizations can take advantage of these opportunities, and we will continue to support initiatives in our communities. We have also signed agreements with six First Nations near Jansen – agreements that aim to improve outcomes in education, economic development, health, and community well-being.
In addition to economic benefits and social investments in the community, Jansen will be a model for sustainable mining with a focus on emissions reduction, water stewardship, and cleaner mining. We expect Jansen to emit about half the carbon dioxide per tonne of product as compared to the average performer in potash mines in the province. Jansen will use about 60 percent less water per tonne than current operations use on average. Our underground mining and support fleet will be more than 80 percent battery electric vehicles, by consumption, and we’re pursuing 100 percent electrification. We will also pursue carbon neutral electricity to supply our operation through commercial partnerships.
How much of an impact has the project already had thus far in the local area?
Hiring is underway at the project and we expect that to ramp up over the next two years as we advance through construction. Over the past six years, we have invested $35 million in projects that benefit our local communities and the province, including $20 million for the development of the International
Carbon Capture and Storage Knowledge Centre in Regina.
Approximately how many people will be working on the project before and after completion?
The Stage 1 investment will create 3,500 jobs at peak construction and around 600 ongoing jobs through operations. Our goal is for the operational workforce to be gender balanced and 20 percent Indigenous. These are ambitious goals - but we are confident it will make us a better operator and it will help to ensure Jansen’s workforce represents the communities where we live and work, which is important.
How important do you feel it is to give back to the area?
BHP has really put the concept of “social value” at the heart of everything we do. When we look at making a new investment, it’s not just about “how much” we can produce, but also “how” we do it. Delivering a successful resource project is about delivering value for our shareholders and improving the lives and livelihoods of those around us as well. We do this by having strong climate targets and plans for reducing our own emissions; by working up and down our value chain to help our partners and customers address their emissions; and by a comprehensive approach to creating social value in the communities we work in. If we get this right, we can build prosperity through thriving, empowered communities, and responsible supply chains, while making a major contribution to the health of the planet. The onus is on us to demonstrate that our investments will create social value for the people who own the resources, and for society at large, and that is exactly the approach we are taking here at Jansen.
How much has BHP spent on the project so far and how much is expected to be spent to have it operational?
The shaft sinking project had a capital cost of $2.97 billion (U.S. dollars) and that work is 99 percent completed now. With Jansen Stage 1 being approved in August 2021, the remaining costs to construct and commission the mine is $7.5 billion (Canadian dollars).
When do you anticipate to see everything completed by?
Our current schedule anticipates a six-year construction period, completing in 2027 but we are looking at opportunities to bring first production forward. Decisions on potential expansion beyond Stage 1 will be made in the future.
Once the project is completed, how much production do you anticipate the mine will do?
Jansen Stage 1 contemplates the construction of a potash mine with a production rate of 4.35 million tonnes per year. Depending on market conditions in the future, we see the potential for up to four phases at the project, which could increase annual production to more than 16 million tonnes per year, making Jansen one of the largest potash mines in the world.
TWM Top Story - May 23, 2022
Rain . . . and snow delay seeding
Daniel Bushman
While moisture has been needed this spring, the recent timing of rain and snow perhaps was not ideal as producers try to get crops seeded. With a large amount of rain arriving within the local area heading into the middle of May and some snow May 19, those events created delays in the fields and on at least one occasion a tornado was even confirmed northwest of Moose Jaw.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, heading into May 12, a spring storm was forecast to bring heavy rain to parts of southeastern Saskatchewan. The low pressure system that arrived spread rain with embedded thunderstorms late in the day Thursday with the heaviest rain falling Thursday night into Friday morning.
With widespread amounts of 30 to 60 mm forecast, the heaviest rain tapered off by late Friday along with strong winds while a few scattered showers occurred during the weekend.
As the ground soaked up the moisture, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a weather summary of rain accumulations from Thursday evening May 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2022. The following amounts are from ECCC’s automatic weather stations (amounts in millimetres): Yellowgrass: 67.2, Weyburn: 66.5, Coronach: 52.8, Rockglen: 51.8, Wynyard: 48.6, Estevan: 46.9, Broadview: 45.7, Assiniboia: 45.3, Bratt’s Lake: 45.3, Indian Head: 40.9, Yorkton: 40.8, Regina RCS: 39.6, Last Mountain: 36.2, Moose Jaw: 35.4, Watrous East: 33.0, Hudson Bay: 28.6, Val Marie: 23.6, Mankota: 18.6, Elbow: 16.9, and Melfort: 15.6.
The following 48-hour rainfall amounts up to Saturday morning (May 14) are from the CoCoRaHS observation network (amounts in millimetres): Weyburn: 75.7, Craven: 50.6, Maryfield: 46.7, Regina: 35.1 to 45.7, Limerick: 41.7, Strasbourg: 40.2, Davin: 38.4, Wynyard: 32.5, Clavet: 20.8, and Saskatoon: 19.0.
The following 48-hour rainfall amounts up to Saturday morning (May 14) are from the Ham Radio Operator volunteer network (amounts in millimetres): Pangman: 85.0, Assiniboia: 54.8, Estevan: 49.6, Fort Qu’Appelle: 44.5, Davidson: 40.6, Strasbourg: 40.0, and Theodore: 37.0. In addition, reportedly the Lanigan area received approximately 44 mm.
Following the heavy rain heading into that weekend, more moisture arrived this past week including approximately 16.2 mm in the Watrous area May 17. The Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary received around 4.4 mm May 17 and around the Humboldt area, according to ECCC there was none. Then on May 19, moving into the May long weekend, snow mixed with rain hit the local area with Watrous receiving approximately 8.1 mm Thursday,
the Last Mountain Bird Sanctuary had around 5.9 mm and Humbold received 13 mm according to ECCC. While ECCC does not have reports for Lanigan, according to self proclaimed weather man and Lanigan resident Aron Renwick, since the beginning of May he said the community has received around four inches of rain including about an inch from May 19 with some of that being snow.
Overall for the month of May, as of May 19, the Watrous area had received around 70.7 mm with the majority coming May 13 and 17. That amount far surpassed the entire month of May in 2021 as a total of 41.2 mm was registered with 25.9 mm of that amount coming on May 24.
From May 1 to 19, the Last Mountain Bird Sanctuary area had received around 55 mm with the majority also coming May 13 and 17. As in the case of Watrous, that overall amount was greater than the entire month of May in 2021 as a total of 42.1 mm was registered with 26.7 mm of that coming on May 24.
For the Humboldt area, as of May 19, it had received around 39.1 mm for the month with the majority coming May 13 and 19. That amount was also more than the entire month of May in 2021 as last year’s version received 15.5 mm with nine mm of that coming on May 21.
In addition to the moisture, while not around the local area, a tornado was reported near Keeler (northwest of Moose Jaw) May 17. After receiving multiple reports and photos, ECCC confirmed at approximately 7 p.m. a tornado was observed near Keeler. One unconfirmed report of damage was also received.
ECCC stated the tornado was given a preliminary rating of EF0. “This was considered a landspout tornado that was generated by a strong thunderstorm interacting with a boundary. Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous as they can topple trees, damage roofs, or toss debris a short distance.”
While all of the moisture was welcome to many, it also delayed seeding operations within Saskatchewan and some producers found themselves getting stuck in fields.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for May 10 to 16, it indicated recent amounts of rainfall generally improved topsoil moisture and pasture conditions but just 33 percent of the 2022 crop is in the ground, behind the five-year average of 53 per cent for this time of year.
Overall, 60 percent of the crop has been seeded in the southwest region, 53 percent in the west central, 35 percent in the northwest, 17 percent in the southeast, 13 percent in the east central and eight percent in the northeast.
The report indicated 59 percent of lentils, 57 percent of field peas, 51 percent of durum, 29 percent of spring wheat and 27 percent of barley had been seeded to date. Barley, peas and lentils have begun sprouting throughout the southwest and west central regions.
The Ministry of Agriculture indicated the significant weather system that moved across the province showed the Estevan area reported more than 120 mm over two days, the Weyburn area 92 mm, the Big Beaver area 87 mm, the Moosomin area 75 mm and the Eyebrow area 35 mm. Many parts of the southwest, west central and northwest did not receive significant amounts rainfall.
After the recent rain events in May, the Ministry of Agriculture indicated topsoil moisture conditions improved for the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 12 percent surplus, 56 percent adequate, 20 percent short and 12 percent very short. Hay and pastureland topsoil moisture is rated as four percent surplus, 56 percent adequate, 24 percent short and 16 percent very short. Pasturelands that have received moisture all spring are beginning to see good recovery from the 2021 drought and their carrying capacity of cattle is increasing.
Heading into the latter part of May, the Ministry of Agriculture said producers with overly saturated fields are starting to heavy harrow in attempts to dry their soils out faster. Producers who are able are seeding as fast as possible between rains to avoid any further delays. Wind and cool daytime temperatures have also hampered spraying activities for many in the province.
Daniel Bushman
While moisture has been needed this spring, the recent timing of rain and snow perhaps was not ideal as producers try to get crops seeded. With a large amount of rain arriving within the local area heading into the middle of May and some snow May 19, those events created delays in the fields and on at least one occasion a tornado was even confirmed northwest of Moose Jaw.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, heading into May 12, a spring storm was forecast to bring heavy rain to parts of southeastern Saskatchewan. The low pressure system that arrived spread rain with embedded thunderstorms late in the day Thursday with the heaviest rain falling Thursday night into Friday morning.
With widespread amounts of 30 to 60 mm forecast, the heaviest rain tapered off by late Friday along with strong winds while a few scattered showers occurred during the weekend.
As the ground soaked up the moisture, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a weather summary of rain accumulations from Thursday evening May 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2022. The following amounts are from ECCC’s automatic weather stations (amounts in millimetres): Yellowgrass: 67.2, Weyburn: 66.5, Coronach: 52.8, Rockglen: 51.8, Wynyard: 48.6, Estevan: 46.9, Broadview: 45.7, Assiniboia: 45.3, Bratt’s Lake: 45.3, Indian Head: 40.9, Yorkton: 40.8, Regina RCS: 39.6, Last Mountain: 36.2, Moose Jaw: 35.4, Watrous East: 33.0, Hudson Bay: 28.6, Val Marie: 23.6, Mankota: 18.6, Elbow: 16.9, and Melfort: 15.6.
The following 48-hour rainfall amounts up to Saturday morning (May 14) are from the CoCoRaHS observation network (amounts in millimetres): Weyburn: 75.7, Craven: 50.6, Maryfield: 46.7, Regina: 35.1 to 45.7, Limerick: 41.7, Strasbourg: 40.2, Davin: 38.4, Wynyard: 32.5, Clavet: 20.8, and Saskatoon: 19.0.
The following 48-hour rainfall amounts up to Saturday morning (May 14) are from the Ham Radio Operator volunteer network (amounts in millimetres): Pangman: 85.0, Assiniboia: 54.8, Estevan: 49.6, Fort Qu’Appelle: 44.5, Davidson: 40.6, Strasbourg: 40.0, and Theodore: 37.0. In addition, reportedly the Lanigan area received approximately 44 mm.
Following the heavy rain heading into that weekend, more moisture arrived this past week including approximately 16.2 mm in the Watrous area May 17. The Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary received around 4.4 mm May 17 and around the Humboldt area, according to ECCC there was none. Then on May 19, moving into the May long weekend, snow mixed with rain hit the local area with Watrous receiving approximately 8.1 mm Thursday,
the Last Mountain Bird Sanctuary had around 5.9 mm and Humbold received 13 mm according to ECCC. While ECCC does not have reports for Lanigan, according to self proclaimed weather man and Lanigan resident Aron Renwick, since the beginning of May he said the community has received around four inches of rain including about an inch from May 19 with some of that being snow.
Overall for the month of May, as of May 19, the Watrous area had received around 70.7 mm with the majority coming May 13 and 17. That amount far surpassed the entire month of May in 2021 as a total of 41.2 mm was registered with 25.9 mm of that amount coming on May 24.
From May 1 to 19, the Last Mountain Bird Sanctuary area had received around 55 mm with the majority also coming May 13 and 17. As in the case of Watrous, that overall amount was greater than the entire month of May in 2021 as a total of 42.1 mm was registered with 26.7 mm of that coming on May 24.
For the Humboldt area, as of May 19, it had received around 39.1 mm for the month with the majority coming May 13 and 19. That amount was also more than the entire month of May in 2021 as last year’s version received 15.5 mm with nine mm of that coming on May 21.
In addition to the moisture, while not around the local area, a tornado was reported near Keeler (northwest of Moose Jaw) May 17. After receiving multiple reports and photos, ECCC confirmed at approximately 7 p.m. a tornado was observed near Keeler. One unconfirmed report of damage was also received.
ECCC stated the tornado was given a preliminary rating of EF0. “This was considered a landspout tornado that was generated by a strong thunderstorm interacting with a boundary. Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous as they can topple trees, damage roofs, or toss debris a short distance.”
While all of the moisture was welcome to many, it also delayed seeding operations within Saskatchewan and some producers found themselves getting stuck in fields.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for May 10 to 16, it indicated recent amounts of rainfall generally improved topsoil moisture and pasture conditions but just 33 percent of the 2022 crop is in the ground, behind the five-year average of 53 per cent for this time of year.
Overall, 60 percent of the crop has been seeded in the southwest region, 53 percent in the west central, 35 percent in the northwest, 17 percent in the southeast, 13 percent in the east central and eight percent in the northeast.
The report indicated 59 percent of lentils, 57 percent of field peas, 51 percent of durum, 29 percent of spring wheat and 27 percent of barley had been seeded to date. Barley, peas and lentils have begun sprouting throughout the southwest and west central regions.
The Ministry of Agriculture indicated the significant weather system that moved across the province showed the Estevan area reported more than 120 mm over two days, the Weyburn area 92 mm, the Big Beaver area 87 mm, the Moosomin area 75 mm and the Eyebrow area 35 mm. Many parts of the southwest, west central and northwest did not receive significant amounts rainfall.
After the recent rain events in May, the Ministry of Agriculture indicated topsoil moisture conditions improved for the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 12 percent surplus, 56 percent adequate, 20 percent short and 12 percent very short. Hay and pastureland topsoil moisture is rated as four percent surplus, 56 percent adequate, 24 percent short and 16 percent very short. Pasturelands that have received moisture all spring are beginning to see good recovery from the 2021 drought and their carrying capacity of cattle is increasing.
Heading into the latter part of May, the Ministry of Agriculture said producers with overly saturated fields are starting to heavy harrow in attempts to dry their soils out faster. Producers who are able are seeding as fast as possible between rains to avoid any further delays. Wind and cool daytime temperatures have also hampered spraying activities for many in the province.
Celebrating the WHS graduating class of 2022
*photo courtesy Visual Arts by Brittney Meyer
Daniel Bushman
With this year’s Winston High School graduates joined by family, friends and guests who returned to the Watrous Curling Rink after a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps it was best stated during the graduation exercises by Winston High School Principal Terry Braman, “We are back!”
After navigating through the pandemic and holding smaller ceremonies outdoors and not during the typical first Friday of May, eager to return to a more normal in 2022, despite a power outage hitting parts of Watrous due to a damaged primary conductor on Friday, the festivities continued.
Not letting the outage derail the day for the graduates, after eating supper under candlelight at the Watrous Civic Centre, the grads and their families made their way to a fully illuminated curling rink May 6 to commence the graduation exercises.
Welcoming those in attendance, chairperson and teacher Wendi Collins commenced the graduation exercises as the 33 graduates took their turns walking to the stage. After being seated, graduates Kaelin Hardy, Jocelyn Knouse, Jacee Mensch and Annaka Miettinen, accompanied by Penny Lounsbury sang O Canada in front of a full audience (pictured below right).
Following the national anthem, Collins welcomed Darrell Paproski who provided greetings on behalf of Horizon School Division. Thanking the graduates for inviting him, Paproski said while the students may have felt like the day took an eternity to arrive, for many parents, caregivers and teachers, it came too quickly.
Noting graduation is one of life’s biggest milestones for the Gr. 12 group, Paproski understood that while some may know what their career may be, others may not. In whatever direction the graduates decide to go, he said how people are treated is what really counts. “How we are treated by people is what sticks with us. Remember you always make a difference just by the way you treat people.”
Paproski concluded his greetings by stating how immensely proud he and
the division are of the graduates.
After bringing remarks on behalf of Horizon, Paproski was followed by WHS Principal Terry Braman. After trying to provide the previous two Gr. 12 classes with proper recognition and graduation ceremonies during the pandemic, returning to the curling rink in Watrous after a two year hiatus, Braman said, “We are back!”
Thankful and fortunate to have the exercises with the larger Wildcat family, Braman remarked how the pandemic has taught him to be grateful for what he has and the people around him. Extending his appreciation to the teachers and staff at the high school for their hard work and dedication, Braman shared some rapid fire memories of the Gr. 12 class. Following the humorous recollections, Braman thanked the class for who they were over the past two years during the pandemic and uncertain times. “I couldn’t be more proud of you. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
After reminding the students to be safe and that he would see them in class Monday, Braman left the stage and was followed by graduate Pearce Bartko who gave the Tribute to Education.
Sharing about being mentored and taught by a supportive teaching staff, Bartko added they “never failed to be there for us.” Explaining how the teachers always found ways to keep the Gr. 12 class interested over the years, Bartko said they also brought the students closer together as a group.
Citing the bottom of Braman’s email signature line from Aristotle: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Bartko said it embodies the teachers as they inspired the graduates. “The things the teachers have taught us will serve us well.”
Adding how he got a firsthand look at the tremendous work and time given up by teachers for their students with his mom being a teacher, Pearce said the graduates would not be the people they are today without that selfless dedication. “As we prepare to take the leap of faith from Winston High School, remember those who educated us and be grateful for the journey along the way.”
Honoured to respond to her son’s remarks, Winston High School teacher Lori Bartko followed Pearce by sharing how much of an impact Aristotle’s quote used by Braman was to her. “That quote resonates with me when I think of this group.”
While admitting sometimes teachers can take things too seriously, Bartko added the responsibility of a teacher is also to make sure students leave with as much knowledge as possible.
Explaining how there are published authors, students creating captivating videos, mechanics, artists, designers and athletes in the Gr. 12 class, Lori said they have also shown the teachers how to be there for each other. “This class always shows up for each other . . . when this group came through the doors in September 2021 as Gr. 12s, they made our school welcoming, positive and an inclusive place to be. You are a special and an amazing group of kids. Thank you for also teaching us.”
Growing up in Watrous, graduate Kaelin Hardy gave the Tribute to the Community. “Beyond grateful” to be able to celebrate with her fellow graduates and the community, Hardy shared how growing up in a small town taught her a lot. Impacted by friendly faces around town, in school sports and other activities, Hardy said people played a big role in many of the lives of those graduating.
“Community members have been our biggest cheerleaders and we have received so much support. The generosity of businesses in Watrous and the surrounding areas is second to none . . . even during the tough times we have benefitted from their generosity.”
Talking to her fellow graduates, as they embark on their next chapter, Hardy reminded them to carry the lessons and support from back home while engaging in whatever community they move to while giving more than they take.
After Kaelin, former business owner in Watrous and WHS Senior Boys basketball coach John Koupantsis gave the response. Honoured to speak on behalf of the community, Koupantsis shared about the importance of community with the word ‘home’ resonating with him. With home being a place to grow and a place of joy, Koupantsis shared with the graduates that community is a place of celebrating their accomplishments while watching them blossom into young adults. “You will always have your home to come back to.
“When life throws you a curve ball, home is where you can plan your next move . . . Just know when you fall, we will be here to lift you back up. And when you achieve greatness, we will be here for you.”
Following John’s response, graduates Owen Edwards, Penny Lounsbury, Jacee Mensch, and Haiven Thomas shared a PowerPoint Presentation of the 2022 graduating class.
Collins then welcomed teacher and longtime WHS grad adviser Lee Bells as this year’s guest speaker. Featuring his comedic humour, Bells was both honoured and sarcastically disappointed to be chosen as this year’s guest speaker. As a grad adviser for over 22 years, Bells shared with the students that nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Utilizing puns in his English class, Bells remarked how unsure he was whether his students could tell how valuable enthusiasm actually is. Emphasizing the importance of enthusiasm and bringing the art of poetry into his speech, the teacher imparted advice through the use of an acrostic poem entitled E-N-T-H-U-S-I-A-S-M.
With advice ranging from entertaining the idea of following your passion as far as it can take you to taking the high road and embracing life in doing the right thing to holding other people accountable and approaching your future with oomph, Bells then wrapped up with the final two letters: ‘S’howing that actions speak louder than words and ‘M’aking up your mind by embracing your interests and pursuing your dreams with enthusiasm.
Weaving through his acrostic poem while holding up a letter for each, Bells generated laughs and imparted advice to the graduates. Wishing the grads well, Bells was followed up with the Valedictorian speech.
Explaining he was “not an obvious choice” or a “likely one,” graduate Tyler Walker not only delivered a tremendous speech but had everyone in the rink giving him a standing ovation at the conclusion. Sharing how he had no athletic ability, was socially awkward at best and annoying during his class subjects, Walker said he was accepted for what he had to offer.
Acknowledging the teachers from Watrous and Nokomis, the school he attended up until Gr. 9 before joining other graduates from Nokomis on daily bus rides to Watrous, he said, “We make up a big part of the class and are grateful to attend Winston High School.”
Sharing how bus rides to and from Nokomis would reach upwards of three hours daily, Walker also thanked the bus drivers for giving of their time.
Touching on the pandemic and how it loomed over a large part of schooling during his high school years, Tyler said despite it all, the class was able to have a lot of fun and work as a team. Explaining to a packed curling rink how the 2022 graduates are comprised of a great group of talented achievers, sports athletes, artists, musicians, authors and adventurers, Walker said it will be exciting to see where new adventures will take the graduates during their next chapter of life.
Providing guidance from his mom after losing his father at a young age, Walker imparted that wisdom to all of those in the curling rink. Explaining how he too had to work hard to overcome some of life’s challenges, Tyler said, “Hard work opens doors . . . there will be hard times but they will always pass . . . you can control the aftermath that follows. The choice is ours and ours alone.”
With life being full of choices, Walker encouraged his peers to stand up and take their place in history. “We get to choose the outcome.”
Reading from the Dr. Seuss book, Oh! The places you’ll go! given to him from his dad before he passed away, Tyler concluded by telling his class they will move mountains, leaving Gr. 12 with great memories made and lessons learned.
Following the Valedictorian speech, Walker’s class, teachers and those in the arena stood to applaud him for the words he shared and the journey he himself took to get to that night. After the standing ovation, Collins then welcomed Pearce Bartko to take the torch and pass it along to Gr. 11 students, Charlie Pilling and Matthew Schroeder.
Braman then presented each graduate with their scroll and the graduates left the stage to conclude the 2022 graduation exercises.
This year’s WHS graduates include: Dakota Boldt, Cooper Isherwood, Aidan Barnes, Braxton Martin, Richard Mehlmann, Gabriel Nicholls, Caiden Hendry, Noah L’Hirondelle, Tucker Klisowsky, Owen Edwards, Cohen Sundquist, Hannah Allman, Kaelin Hardy, Matthew Porter, Tyler Walker, Blake Martin, Camden McNichol, Dominic Harding, Pearce Bartko, Luke Davidson, Naomi Schmidt, Marasia Brockman, Syla Mercado, Mae Liu, Jade Langston, Chantel Hilts, Jacee Mensch, Annaka Miettinen, Tori Masich, Karlee Bedard, Haiven Thomas, Jocelyn Knouse, and Penny Lounsbury.
Daniel Bushman
With this year’s Winston High School graduates joined by family, friends and guests who returned to the Watrous Curling Rink after a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps it was best stated during the graduation exercises by Winston High School Principal Terry Braman, “We are back!”
After navigating through the pandemic and holding smaller ceremonies outdoors and not during the typical first Friday of May, eager to return to a more normal in 2022, despite a power outage hitting parts of Watrous due to a damaged primary conductor on Friday, the festivities continued.
Not letting the outage derail the day for the graduates, after eating supper under candlelight at the Watrous Civic Centre, the grads and their families made their way to a fully illuminated curling rink May 6 to commence the graduation exercises.
Welcoming those in attendance, chairperson and teacher Wendi Collins commenced the graduation exercises as the 33 graduates took their turns walking to the stage. After being seated, graduates Kaelin Hardy, Jocelyn Knouse, Jacee Mensch and Annaka Miettinen, accompanied by Penny Lounsbury sang O Canada in front of a full audience (pictured below right).
Following the national anthem, Collins welcomed Darrell Paproski who provided greetings on behalf of Horizon School Division. Thanking the graduates for inviting him, Paproski said while the students may have felt like the day took an eternity to arrive, for many parents, caregivers and teachers, it came too quickly.
Noting graduation is one of life’s biggest milestones for the Gr. 12 group, Paproski understood that while some may know what their career may be, others may not. In whatever direction the graduates decide to go, he said how people are treated is what really counts. “How we are treated by people is what sticks with us. Remember you always make a difference just by the way you treat people.”
Paproski concluded his greetings by stating how immensely proud he and
the division are of the graduates.
After bringing remarks on behalf of Horizon, Paproski was followed by WHS Principal Terry Braman. After trying to provide the previous two Gr. 12 classes with proper recognition and graduation ceremonies during the pandemic, returning to the curling rink in Watrous after a two year hiatus, Braman said, “We are back!”
Thankful and fortunate to have the exercises with the larger Wildcat family, Braman remarked how the pandemic has taught him to be grateful for what he has and the people around him. Extending his appreciation to the teachers and staff at the high school for their hard work and dedication, Braman shared some rapid fire memories of the Gr. 12 class. Following the humorous recollections, Braman thanked the class for who they were over the past two years during the pandemic and uncertain times. “I couldn’t be more proud of you. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
After reminding the students to be safe and that he would see them in class Monday, Braman left the stage and was followed by graduate Pearce Bartko who gave the Tribute to Education.
Sharing about being mentored and taught by a supportive teaching staff, Bartko added they “never failed to be there for us.” Explaining how the teachers always found ways to keep the Gr. 12 class interested over the years, Bartko said they also brought the students closer together as a group.
Citing the bottom of Braman’s email signature line from Aristotle: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Bartko said it embodies the teachers as they inspired the graduates. “The things the teachers have taught us will serve us well.”
Adding how he got a firsthand look at the tremendous work and time given up by teachers for their students with his mom being a teacher, Pearce said the graduates would not be the people they are today without that selfless dedication. “As we prepare to take the leap of faith from Winston High School, remember those who educated us and be grateful for the journey along the way.”
Honoured to respond to her son’s remarks, Winston High School teacher Lori Bartko followed Pearce by sharing how much of an impact Aristotle’s quote used by Braman was to her. “That quote resonates with me when I think of this group.”
While admitting sometimes teachers can take things too seriously, Bartko added the responsibility of a teacher is also to make sure students leave with as much knowledge as possible.
Explaining how there are published authors, students creating captivating videos, mechanics, artists, designers and athletes in the Gr. 12 class, Lori said they have also shown the teachers how to be there for each other. “This class always shows up for each other . . . when this group came through the doors in September 2021 as Gr. 12s, they made our school welcoming, positive and an inclusive place to be. You are a special and an amazing group of kids. Thank you for also teaching us.”
Growing up in Watrous, graduate Kaelin Hardy gave the Tribute to the Community. “Beyond grateful” to be able to celebrate with her fellow graduates and the community, Hardy shared how growing up in a small town taught her a lot. Impacted by friendly faces around town, in school sports and other activities, Hardy said people played a big role in many of the lives of those graduating.
“Community members have been our biggest cheerleaders and we have received so much support. The generosity of businesses in Watrous and the surrounding areas is second to none . . . even during the tough times we have benefitted from their generosity.”
Talking to her fellow graduates, as they embark on their next chapter, Hardy reminded them to carry the lessons and support from back home while engaging in whatever community they move to while giving more than they take.
After Kaelin, former business owner in Watrous and WHS Senior Boys basketball coach John Koupantsis gave the response. Honoured to speak on behalf of the community, Koupantsis shared about the importance of community with the word ‘home’ resonating with him. With home being a place to grow and a place of joy, Koupantsis shared with the graduates that community is a place of celebrating their accomplishments while watching them blossom into young adults. “You will always have your home to come back to.
“When life throws you a curve ball, home is where you can plan your next move . . . Just know when you fall, we will be here to lift you back up. And when you achieve greatness, we will be here for you.”
Following John’s response, graduates Owen Edwards, Penny Lounsbury, Jacee Mensch, and Haiven Thomas shared a PowerPoint Presentation of the 2022 graduating class.
Collins then welcomed teacher and longtime WHS grad adviser Lee Bells as this year’s guest speaker. Featuring his comedic humour, Bells was both honoured and sarcastically disappointed to be chosen as this year’s guest speaker. As a grad adviser for over 22 years, Bells shared with the students that nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Utilizing puns in his English class, Bells remarked how unsure he was whether his students could tell how valuable enthusiasm actually is. Emphasizing the importance of enthusiasm and bringing the art of poetry into his speech, the teacher imparted advice through the use of an acrostic poem entitled E-N-T-H-U-S-I-A-S-M.
With advice ranging from entertaining the idea of following your passion as far as it can take you to taking the high road and embracing life in doing the right thing to holding other people accountable and approaching your future with oomph, Bells then wrapped up with the final two letters: ‘S’howing that actions speak louder than words and ‘M’aking up your mind by embracing your interests and pursuing your dreams with enthusiasm.
Weaving through his acrostic poem while holding up a letter for each, Bells generated laughs and imparted advice to the graduates. Wishing the grads well, Bells was followed up with the Valedictorian speech.
Explaining he was “not an obvious choice” or a “likely one,” graduate Tyler Walker not only delivered a tremendous speech but had everyone in the rink giving him a standing ovation at the conclusion. Sharing how he had no athletic ability, was socially awkward at best and annoying during his class subjects, Walker said he was accepted for what he had to offer.
Acknowledging the teachers from Watrous and Nokomis, the school he attended up until Gr. 9 before joining other graduates from Nokomis on daily bus rides to Watrous, he said, “We make up a big part of the class and are grateful to attend Winston High School.”
Sharing how bus rides to and from Nokomis would reach upwards of three hours daily, Walker also thanked the bus drivers for giving of their time.
Touching on the pandemic and how it loomed over a large part of schooling during his high school years, Tyler said despite it all, the class was able to have a lot of fun and work as a team. Explaining to a packed curling rink how the 2022 graduates are comprised of a great group of talented achievers, sports athletes, artists, musicians, authors and adventurers, Walker said it will be exciting to see where new adventures will take the graduates during their next chapter of life.
Providing guidance from his mom after losing his father at a young age, Walker imparted that wisdom to all of those in the curling rink. Explaining how he too had to work hard to overcome some of life’s challenges, Tyler said, “Hard work opens doors . . . there will be hard times but they will always pass . . . you can control the aftermath that follows. The choice is ours and ours alone.”
With life being full of choices, Walker encouraged his peers to stand up and take their place in history. “We get to choose the outcome.”
Reading from the Dr. Seuss book, Oh! The places you’ll go! given to him from his dad before he passed away, Tyler concluded by telling his class they will move mountains, leaving Gr. 12 with great memories made and lessons learned.
Following the Valedictorian speech, Walker’s class, teachers and those in the arena stood to applaud him for the words he shared and the journey he himself took to get to that night. After the standing ovation, Collins then welcomed Pearce Bartko to take the torch and pass it along to Gr. 11 students, Charlie Pilling and Matthew Schroeder.
Braman then presented each graduate with their scroll and the graduates left the stage to conclude the 2022 graduation exercises.
This year’s WHS graduates include: Dakota Boldt, Cooper Isherwood, Aidan Barnes, Braxton Martin, Richard Mehlmann, Gabriel Nicholls, Caiden Hendry, Noah L’Hirondelle, Tucker Klisowsky, Owen Edwards, Cohen Sundquist, Hannah Allman, Kaelin Hardy, Matthew Porter, Tyler Walker, Blake Martin, Camden McNichol, Dominic Harding, Pearce Bartko, Luke Davidson, Naomi Schmidt, Marasia Brockman, Syla Mercado, Mae Liu, Jade Langston, Chantel Hilts, Jacee Mensch, Annaka Miettinen, Tori Masich, Karlee Bedard, Haiven Thomas, Jocelyn Knouse, and Penny Lounsbury.
TWM Top Story - May 9, 2022
Support Ukraine at Danceland raises over $8,000
submitted by Karyn Scalise co-organizer of Support Ukraine Fundraiser/photo courtesy ToeBeanMedia
Since Feb. 24, the day Russia began its cruel invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of fundraisers have been held in dozens of communities in support of Ukraine and its people. Approximately 200 people gathered at the Support Ukraine event at Danceland, Manitou Beach on Apr. 22 that featured songs by Kateryna Grace from Saskatoon, a Ukrainian meal, silent auction, and sales of Ukrainian Daughters’ cookbooks.
During the evening, Manitou Beach resident Sherwin Petersen provided information on a recent meeting held in Watrous where those in attendance were able to learn more through the Humboldt Regional Newcomer Centre to potentially assist displaced Ukrainian families. Local resident Nikki Banks also spoke and explained how she has been actively trying to bring a displaced family to the area and noted how the process has been going so far.
For supper, a first course of borscht, excellently prepared by Mariya Borysyak of Lanigan and friends, was accompanied by caraway bread donated by Lockwood Sourdough of Manitou Beach while the sausage was donated by Drake Meats and Model Meats in Watrous. With rising food costs, those contributions were especially generous and meaningful! TB’s also prepared a wonderful meal which included their delicious homemade cabbage rolls.
As part of the Support Ukraine fundraiser, Kateryna Grace performed with siblings Nataliya on guitar and Marko on bass/percussion. Kateryna is 13 and has an amazingly powerful voice. She performed a variety of songs in Ukrainian and English, including Stand with Ukraine, recently written by her and Nataliya. They received a standing ovation after their second set, which then concluded with the Ukrainian national anthem.
The fundraiser, which included a silent auction featured a ‘dotmocracy’ exercise where attendees voted on how money raised throughout the evening would be split between four groups. In total, over $8,000 was raised and will be divided as follows: Stream of Hopes (45 percent), Ukrainian Army (22 percent), Veterinarians Without Borders (20 percent) and World Central Kitchen (13 percent). In addition, the profits from Ukrainian Daughters’ Cookbook sales will support World Central Kitchen. These cookbooks will also be for sale at Relics Art & Antiques at Manitou Beach.
The Support Ukraine Fundraiser organizers extend their sincerest appreciation to the following for their unique and important contributions to the event: Jana Arnold, Daniel and Kim Bushman, Ron Ediger, Interlake Human Resources, Richard Krakowetz, Lane Manson, Julie Peebles, Millie Strueby, and Luda, Alina, Katya and Oleg Voitsikhova.
Many businesses and other individuals also helped at the event or generously donated a variety of fantastic items and services to the silent auction, which was a huge success! Event organizers Karyn Scalise and Arnie Tiefenbach of Manitou Beach extend their heartfelt appreciation to the following:
Manitou Beach - Jana Arnold, Irene Bradley, Marie Brumwell and Charlie Johnson, Shelley Franke, Janice Hurd, Shirley Parsons, Julie Peebles, Karyn Scalise, Arnie Tiefenbach, Eric Upshall, Elizabeth White and Dave Spencer, Beverley Jay Photography, Care Printing, Danceland, Little Manitou Art Gallery (Sarah McKen, Naomi Hunter, and Clayton Cave – Four Feathers), Manitou & District Regional Park, Lockwood Sourdough Bakery, Manitou Mini Mart, Manitou Waters Naturopathic Clinic, Pebbles & Feather Retreat, Relics Art & Antiques, Resort Village of Manitou Beach, Salt Bae Cleaning Services, Joe Semeniuk, Millie Strueby, Becca Trudel, and The Lake House at Manitou.
Watrous - Toni Ambrose, Gary and Kathy Bergen, Daniel and Kim Bushman, Ron Ediger, Norma Hutchinson, Lane Manson, Darrel and Jan Paproski, Frank Wilson, J.C. Glass Crafts, 306 Day Spa, Bargain Store, Centennial Ford, Fotheringham-McDougall Funeral Service, Gallery on 3rd, Green Acres Greenhouse, Inksters - Boutique Joli, Integra Tire, Interlake Human Resources/SARCAN, Klip & Kurl, Watrous Mainline Motors GM, Melron Services, The Watrous Manitou, Watrous Animal Hospital, Watrous-Manitou Marketing Board, Watrous Pharmacy, Model Meats and Watrous Rotary.
Drake - Drake Meats and Luda, Alina, Katya and Oleg Voitsikhova.
Imperial - Lena Zubryan.
Lanigan - Mariya Borysyak, Jim and Laura Novecosky, and Lanigan Pharmacy.
Nokomis - Nokomis Craft Ales.
Young - Carol and Fred Schaan, Big Rock Eat and Drinkery.
Regina - Gladys Behnson, Bill Burley, Liz Dusyk, B.J. (Barb) Krause, Willie and Peggy Schultz, Brian and Diana Schwab, Esther Tiefenbach, Aware House Books, and Bushwakker Brewpub.
Saskatoon – Alt Haus Interior Design, Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association, and the Tokarska Family (Alex, Olha, Nataliya, Kateryna Grace, Marko).
submitted by Karyn Scalise co-organizer of Support Ukraine Fundraiser/photo courtesy ToeBeanMedia
Since Feb. 24, the day Russia began its cruel invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of fundraisers have been held in dozens of communities in support of Ukraine and its people. Approximately 200 people gathered at the Support Ukraine event at Danceland, Manitou Beach on Apr. 22 that featured songs by Kateryna Grace from Saskatoon, a Ukrainian meal, silent auction, and sales of Ukrainian Daughters’ cookbooks.
During the evening, Manitou Beach resident Sherwin Petersen provided information on a recent meeting held in Watrous where those in attendance were able to learn more through the Humboldt Regional Newcomer Centre to potentially assist displaced Ukrainian families. Local resident Nikki Banks also spoke and explained how she has been actively trying to bring a displaced family to the area and noted how the process has been going so far.
For supper, a first course of borscht, excellently prepared by Mariya Borysyak of Lanigan and friends, was accompanied by caraway bread donated by Lockwood Sourdough of Manitou Beach while the sausage was donated by Drake Meats and Model Meats in Watrous. With rising food costs, those contributions were especially generous and meaningful! TB’s also prepared a wonderful meal which included their delicious homemade cabbage rolls.
As part of the Support Ukraine fundraiser, Kateryna Grace performed with siblings Nataliya on guitar and Marko on bass/percussion. Kateryna is 13 and has an amazingly powerful voice. She performed a variety of songs in Ukrainian and English, including Stand with Ukraine, recently written by her and Nataliya. They received a standing ovation after their second set, which then concluded with the Ukrainian national anthem.
The fundraiser, which included a silent auction featured a ‘dotmocracy’ exercise where attendees voted on how money raised throughout the evening would be split between four groups. In total, over $8,000 was raised and will be divided as follows: Stream of Hopes (45 percent), Ukrainian Army (22 percent), Veterinarians Without Borders (20 percent) and World Central Kitchen (13 percent). In addition, the profits from Ukrainian Daughters’ Cookbook sales will support World Central Kitchen. These cookbooks will also be for sale at Relics Art & Antiques at Manitou Beach.
The Support Ukraine Fundraiser organizers extend their sincerest appreciation to the following for their unique and important contributions to the event: Jana Arnold, Daniel and Kim Bushman, Ron Ediger, Interlake Human Resources, Richard Krakowetz, Lane Manson, Julie Peebles, Millie Strueby, and Luda, Alina, Katya and Oleg Voitsikhova.
Many businesses and other individuals also helped at the event or generously donated a variety of fantastic items and services to the silent auction, which was a huge success! Event organizers Karyn Scalise and Arnie Tiefenbach of Manitou Beach extend their heartfelt appreciation to the following:
Manitou Beach - Jana Arnold, Irene Bradley, Marie Brumwell and Charlie Johnson, Shelley Franke, Janice Hurd, Shirley Parsons, Julie Peebles, Karyn Scalise, Arnie Tiefenbach, Eric Upshall, Elizabeth White and Dave Spencer, Beverley Jay Photography, Care Printing, Danceland, Little Manitou Art Gallery (Sarah McKen, Naomi Hunter, and Clayton Cave – Four Feathers), Manitou & District Regional Park, Lockwood Sourdough Bakery, Manitou Mini Mart, Manitou Waters Naturopathic Clinic, Pebbles & Feather Retreat, Relics Art & Antiques, Resort Village of Manitou Beach, Salt Bae Cleaning Services, Joe Semeniuk, Millie Strueby, Becca Trudel, and The Lake House at Manitou.
Watrous - Toni Ambrose, Gary and Kathy Bergen, Daniel and Kim Bushman, Ron Ediger, Norma Hutchinson, Lane Manson, Darrel and Jan Paproski, Frank Wilson, J.C. Glass Crafts, 306 Day Spa, Bargain Store, Centennial Ford, Fotheringham-McDougall Funeral Service, Gallery on 3rd, Green Acres Greenhouse, Inksters - Boutique Joli, Integra Tire, Interlake Human Resources/SARCAN, Klip & Kurl, Watrous Mainline Motors GM, Melron Services, The Watrous Manitou, Watrous Animal Hospital, Watrous-Manitou Marketing Board, Watrous Pharmacy, Model Meats and Watrous Rotary.
Drake - Drake Meats and Luda, Alina, Katya and Oleg Voitsikhova.
Imperial - Lena Zubryan.
Lanigan - Mariya Borysyak, Jim and Laura Novecosky, and Lanigan Pharmacy.
Nokomis - Nokomis Craft Ales.
Young - Carol and Fred Schaan, Big Rock Eat and Drinkery.
Regina - Gladys Behnson, Bill Burley, Liz Dusyk, B.J. (Barb) Krause, Willie and Peggy Schultz, Brian and Diana Schwab, Esther Tiefenbach, Aware House Books, and Bushwakker Brewpub.
Saskatoon – Alt Haus Interior Design, Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association, and the Tokarska Family (Alex, Olha, Nataliya, Kateryna Grace, Marko).
TWM Top Story - May 2, 2022
Imperial Arena project underway
Daniel Bushman
While the local minor hockey season came to an end earlier this year, the rink in Imperial has remained a hub of activity as the community is undertaking a major arena project.
With demolition started at the arena Mar. 21, Town of Imperial Administrator Joslin Freeman explained what is all being done. “The entire interior of the hockey arena has been demolished and will be replaced with a new state-of-the-art poly fusion refrigeration system. Then a new concrete slab will be installed over the entire arena floor area, new boards will be added, the glass reused and a wheelchair accessible ramp installed from the lobby to the ice surface.”
The substantial work comes after the Town of Imperial applied to the Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure COVID-19 Resilience stream program in 2020. Freeman said originally the plan was to apply for contactless water metres but they had to specifically be recreation based. From that, Imperial Town Council decided to apply to put concrete in the arena to convert the large space into a multi-use facility to be utilized throughout the year.
“The Town of Imperial has made many upgrades to the arena over the past few years including new energy efficient LED lighting and upgrading to a new condenser for better efficiency and this latest project will add to that. Even though there has not been much hockey down this way lately, as good stewards of the community, we must maintain our assets for future generations. That is why it is being done. We have fundraised for years and it has always been said, “It’s for the kids.” It truly is.”
With the grant approval and receiving the green light for the project, Freeman said the community is now able to expand from its arena use in winter months to house other things like indoor soccer, lacrosse, trade shows, weddings, funerals, cabarets and a central play zone for other hockey teams in the winter.
With the project’s price tag of $877,285, through the shared initiative, Freeman said the federal government will be funding 40 percent of the total cost, the provincial government 33.33 percent and the Town of Imperial the remaining 26.67 percent.
“This project is important to Imperial as it is about the future of our community. Upgrading and/or maintaining vital assets is what good governance is all about while preserving our assets for future generations.”
Understanding the importance of community and the role that venues like arenas play, local MLA Dana Skoropad said, “The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to provide $292,399 toward the Town of Imperial Arena upgrade project. Infrastructure projects, such as the one being undertaken in Imperial, help protect the local economy and help build a strong and growing province. Congratulations to the community for reaching this stage of its project and to everyone involved for their hard work and vision to make the Town of Imperial a better place for all who call it home.”
With a number of volunteers already helping with the demolition and scheduled to lend a hand during installation, Freeman said progress is ahead of schedule. Moving ahead, the next few steps will see the removal of sand to a base level while installing weeping tile. After that, Bry Sand Construction will be on site to commence their portion of the project.
Hoping to have everything completed by mid-October, in time for the upcoming minor hockey season, Freeman said people are more than welcome to lend a hand throughout the project. “With covid, the cost of everything obviously sky rocketed since we got the first quote to apply for the grant. To keep us on budget, the Town has agreed to do a significant amount of work. With that, volunteers have been essential and they have worked tirelessly to make this project happen. Everyone has been so good at donating their time, machinery and expertise. Even the kids have done their part including a group of about 10 boys who recently spent part of a Friday night loading cinder blocks into a truck. There will be more volunteers needed as we go along and anyone wishing to volunteer can contact the town office. We just really appreciate everyone who has helped us. The rink is a hub for our community and it is great that residents of Imperial have come together to help us during this project.”
Daniel Bushman
While the local minor hockey season came to an end earlier this year, the rink in Imperial has remained a hub of activity as the community is undertaking a major arena project.
With demolition started at the arena Mar. 21, Town of Imperial Administrator Joslin Freeman explained what is all being done. “The entire interior of the hockey arena has been demolished and will be replaced with a new state-of-the-art poly fusion refrigeration system. Then a new concrete slab will be installed over the entire arena floor area, new boards will be added, the glass reused and a wheelchair accessible ramp installed from the lobby to the ice surface.”
The substantial work comes after the Town of Imperial applied to the Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure COVID-19 Resilience stream program in 2020. Freeman said originally the plan was to apply for contactless water metres but they had to specifically be recreation based. From that, Imperial Town Council decided to apply to put concrete in the arena to convert the large space into a multi-use facility to be utilized throughout the year.
“The Town of Imperial has made many upgrades to the arena over the past few years including new energy efficient LED lighting and upgrading to a new condenser for better efficiency and this latest project will add to that. Even though there has not been much hockey down this way lately, as good stewards of the community, we must maintain our assets for future generations. That is why it is being done. We have fundraised for years and it has always been said, “It’s for the kids.” It truly is.”
With the grant approval and receiving the green light for the project, Freeman said the community is now able to expand from its arena use in winter months to house other things like indoor soccer, lacrosse, trade shows, weddings, funerals, cabarets and a central play zone for other hockey teams in the winter.
With the project’s price tag of $877,285, through the shared initiative, Freeman said the federal government will be funding 40 percent of the total cost, the provincial government 33.33 percent and the Town of Imperial the remaining 26.67 percent.
“This project is important to Imperial as it is about the future of our community. Upgrading and/or maintaining vital assets is what good governance is all about while preserving our assets for future generations.”
Understanding the importance of community and the role that venues like arenas play, local MLA Dana Skoropad said, “The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to provide $292,399 toward the Town of Imperial Arena upgrade project. Infrastructure projects, such as the one being undertaken in Imperial, help protect the local economy and help build a strong and growing province. Congratulations to the community for reaching this stage of its project and to everyone involved for their hard work and vision to make the Town of Imperial a better place for all who call it home.”
With a number of volunteers already helping with the demolition and scheduled to lend a hand during installation, Freeman said progress is ahead of schedule. Moving ahead, the next few steps will see the removal of sand to a base level while installing weeping tile. After that, Bry Sand Construction will be on site to commence their portion of the project.
Hoping to have everything completed by mid-October, in time for the upcoming minor hockey season, Freeman said people are more than welcome to lend a hand throughout the project. “With covid, the cost of everything obviously sky rocketed since we got the first quote to apply for the grant. To keep us on budget, the Town has agreed to do a significant amount of work. With that, volunteers have been essential and they have worked tirelessly to make this project happen. Everyone has been so good at donating their time, machinery and expertise. Even the kids have done their part including a group of about 10 boys who recently spent part of a Friday night loading cinder blocks into a truck. There will be more volunteers needed as we go along and anyone wishing to volunteer can contact the town office. We just really appreciate everyone who has helped us. The rink is a hub for our community and it is great that residents of Imperial have come together to help us during this project.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 25, 2022
Familiar face excited to take on role as local CDO
Daniel Bushman
With a lot to offer, see and do within the Watrous and Manitou Beach area and with an anticipated busy tourism summer season approaching, recently hired Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, Sarah McKen is looking forward to what 2022 has in store.
No stranger to the area, McKen who resides at Manitou Beach and owns the Little Manitou Art Gallery has been involved within the arts and tourism sectors for a number of years including working with the local marketing group. Taking on her new role as CDO, McKen graciously made some time to share a bit about her opportunity, how things have gone, her journey and connecting with residents and businesses.
Are you looking forward to your role as the Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group?
Yes! I’m excited to work with community members to elevate this amazing place. I see so many people dedicated to the care and growth of Watrous and Manitou Beach and I look forward to contributing in my own way.
How have things gone so far?
I feel like I “hit the ground running!” Summer is just around the corner and this time of year is always filled with energy and plans. I know that our businesses are looking for a summer workforce and all of Saskatchewan is seeing a labour shortage. I’m spearheading an exciting initiative with this in mind. We will create an online “Jobs Board” for Watrous and Manitou Beach communities and invite all our businesses to post their open positions. With these employment opportunities on one focused website we can work together to get the message out to everyone looking for work. Coming soon will be a campaign that very clearly states there are good jobs in the great community of Watrous and Manitou.
What is it about the area that excites you from a Community Development Officer perspective?
I believe in magic. This area has been an important gathering place for people since stories began. We all know and honour the waters of Little Manitou Lake, and I also see that the magic goes beyond the shores. The people who live and work here continue to build a thriving community that we are all proud of. I am eager to represent the community in tourism and economic development opportunities. I see the strength of our diversity and even greater potential embracing the collaboration between Watrous and Manitou Beach.
For those who may not know you, can you share a bit about yourself?
I enjoyed my early years growing up on a farm located between Lemberg and Abernethy, Saskatchewan. Eventually my brother took over the farm, and my parents moved into my grandparents’ house in Abernethy. When I went off to Saskatoon to attend university, I studied a strange combination of Computers, Business and Fine Arts and for over a decade, I was employed at the U of S in the Department of Computing Services. During that same time, I never let go of my creative interests – living and working “after hours” at the home and non-ferrous (bronze) foundry of my late mentor, Bill Epp.
In 2010 my life-partner, son, and I decided we needed to move. We wanted to live in a rural community and also develop an arts business. After looking around all of Saskatchewan, we found Manitou Beach and fell in love. Over the years my small business, Little Manitou Art Gallery, has flourished with the support and encouragement of this wonderful community. I am very proud of my “little yellow place at the beach.”
In February, I asked a life-long friend of mine if she would be willing to come and take over running Little Manitou Art Gallery. I needed a plan if I was going to apply to be CDO. She arrived within days, and has whole-heartedly dedicated herself to the day-to-day operations.
Looking back I realize that all my life I have been preparing for this. I am excited to step up as Community Development Officer for Watrous and Manitou Beach. I know the opportunity here and I am eager to promote the continued growth and awareness.
Do you feel being a resident in the area for a while and having a passion for the arts and tourism will benefit you as CDO?
Yes. I have a decade of witnessing the joy people experience in our community and I’ve seen the hard work and dedication that we are proud to do for this amazing place. The health and wellness focus of our community is a growing way of life. I know we can nurture balance and sustainability as we develop our community.
Do you feel having prior experience working for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group will also be a benefit in your new role?
I worked for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group since 2015 as a part-time Administrative Assistant and I got to be the right hand person in several exciting initiatives. Most of the business owners in our community have chatted with me in email or by phone as I have been developing the annual Activities Guide (which some people call our “tourism info booklet”). I know these relationships are a good foundation for the work ahead.
I am very grateful to know my neighbours and look forward to working with them at an even greater capacity. I understand the work that has been done to get here and I am excited to grow our community together.
Daniel Bushman
With a lot to offer, see and do within the Watrous and Manitou Beach area and with an anticipated busy tourism summer season approaching, recently hired Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, Sarah McKen is looking forward to what 2022 has in store.
No stranger to the area, McKen who resides at Manitou Beach and owns the Little Manitou Art Gallery has been involved within the arts and tourism sectors for a number of years including working with the local marketing group. Taking on her new role as CDO, McKen graciously made some time to share a bit about her opportunity, how things have gone, her journey and connecting with residents and businesses.
Are you looking forward to your role as the Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group?
Yes! I’m excited to work with community members to elevate this amazing place. I see so many people dedicated to the care and growth of Watrous and Manitou Beach and I look forward to contributing in my own way.
How have things gone so far?
I feel like I “hit the ground running!” Summer is just around the corner and this time of year is always filled with energy and plans. I know that our businesses are looking for a summer workforce and all of Saskatchewan is seeing a labour shortage. I’m spearheading an exciting initiative with this in mind. We will create an online “Jobs Board” for Watrous and Manitou Beach communities and invite all our businesses to post their open positions. With these employment opportunities on one focused website we can work together to get the message out to everyone looking for work. Coming soon will be a campaign that very clearly states there are good jobs in the great community of Watrous and Manitou.
What is it about the area that excites you from a Community Development Officer perspective?
I believe in magic. This area has been an important gathering place for people since stories began. We all know and honour the waters of Little Manitou Lake, and I also see that the magic goes beyond the shores. The people who live and work here continue to build a thriving community that we are all proud of. I am eager to represent the community in tourism and economic development opportunities. I see the strength of our diversity and even greater potential embracing the collaboration between Watrous and Manitou Beach.
For those who may not know you, can you share a bit about yourself?
I enjoyed my early years growing up on a farm located between Lemberg and Abernethy, Saskatchewan. Eventually my brother took over the farm, and my parents moved into my grandparents’ house in Abernethy. When I went off to Saskatoon to attend university, I studied a strange combination of Computers, Business and Fine Arts and for over a decade, I was employed at the U of S in the Department of Computing Services. During that same time, I never let go of my creative interests – living and working “after hours” at the home and non-ferrous (bronze) foundry of my late mentor, Bill Epp.
In 2010 my life-partner, son, and I decided we needed to move. We wanted to live in a rural community and also develop an arts business. After looking around all of Saskatchewan, we found Manitou Beach and fell in love. Over the years my small business, Little Manitou Art Gallery, has flourished with the support and encouragement of this wonderful community. I am very proud of my “little yellow place at the beach.”
In February, I asked a life-long friend of mine if she would be willing to come and take over running Little Manitou Art Gallery. I needed a plan if I was going to apply to be CDO. She arrived within days, and has whole-heartedly dedicated herself to the day-to-day operations.
Looking back I realize that all my life I have been preparing for this. I am excited to step up as Community Development Officer for Watrous and Manitou Beach. I know the opportunity here and I am eager to promote the continued growth and awareness.
Do you feel being a resident in the area for a while and having a passion for the arts and tourism will benefit you as CDO?
Yes. I have a decade of witnessing the joy people experience in our community and I’ve seen the hard work and dedication that we are proud to do for this amazing place. The health and wellness focus of our community is a growing way of life. I know we can nurture balance and sustainability as we develop our community.
Do you feel having prior experience working for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group will also be a benefit in your new role?
I worked for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group since 2015 as a part-time Administrative Assistant and I got to be the right hand person in several exciting initiatives. Most of the business owners in our community have chatted with me in email or by phone as I have been developing the annual Activities Guide (which some people call our “tourism info booklet”). I know these relationships are a good foundation for the work ahead.
I am very grateful to know my neighbours and look forward to working with them at an even greater capacity. I understand the work that has been done to get here and I am excited to grow our community together.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 18. 2022
Fundraiser for Ukraine being held at Danceland
Daniel Bushman
The images and stories from Ukraine are heart-wrenching and the devastation unfathomable as the country continues to face a relentless invasion from Russia. With homes destroyed and millions fleeing, around the world people are coming together to try and help.
At Manitou Beach, a fundraiser has been organized for Friday, Apr. 22 at Danceland with hopes of standing in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Spearheading the ‘Support Ukraine Supper and Show featuring Kateryna Grace’ are organizers Karyn Scalise and Arnie Tiefenbach. After seeing the destruction and devastation, the pair felt it was important to try and help. Hoping others within the local community would feel the same, Scalise and Tiefenbach decided to create the fundraiser.
“This event is a way to bring people together who want to help,” shared Scalise adding it is intended to be a starting point to co-ordinate support going forward. “The need is so great and the type of support needed will evolve with the situation. It is important that we as a community come together so we can respond in the best way possible and work with other groups in Saskatchewan, so we are supporting each other and not duplicating efforts.”
Open to all ages, the Friday evening fundraiser features a supper followed by a performance, silent auction and 50/50. “TB’s will be cooking up a fantastic Ukrainian meal with some of the food generously donated by Model Meats, Drake Meats, Lockwood Sourdough and Grovenland Farm. There will also be a silent auction that will include a variety of items ranging from handcrafted jewelry, original art to gift cards for a variety of great services. People can visit our Facebook page for photos of those items.”
Scalise said the response from businesses and individuals in providing donations of items or services has been fantastic. “In talking to them, you can tell they really want to help.”
In addition to the generosity from the local area, Scalise said the highlight of the evening will be a performance by Kateryna Grace. “Kateryna Grace is an amazing singer. She is 14 and performs with her
older sister Nataliya and younger brother, Marko. She recently sang the Ukrainian and Canadian national anthems at a Humboldt Broncos’ game. She is using her beautiful and powerful voice to support Ukraine. Check her out on YouTube, especially the new song ‘Stand with Ukraine.’”
Asked what people can do to support the event, Scalise encouraged them to attend Friday’s fundraiser. “A few of the people volunteering at the event are originally from Kharkiv, a city which has been under daily bombardment and where Russian aggression is intensifying even more! Buying a ticket in advance is one of the easiest ways to show support for these people in our community and for Ukraine.”
Scalise shared funds raised from the Apr. 22 event will be given to different groups directly related to Ukraine including one called Stream of Hopes in Saskatoon (www.streamofhopes.ca) and World Central Kitchen (www.wck.org). “These registered charities were recommended to us by Ukrainian people here because they are making a difference and are effective in providing aid to people in Ukraine. The event will feature an opportunity for people to vote on how the proceeds will be split among a few select groups.”
Encouraging people to purchase tickets in advance, Scalise said they can be found at TB’s Bar and Grill or Klip & Kurl in Watrous, at Danceland, Manitou Mini Mart or Little Manitou Art Gallery at Manitou Beach and at Alt Haus Interior Design in Saskatoon.
“It is easy to feel helpless and to just turn off the news because it is too hard to watch. In communities all over the world, people are coming together in various ways to support Ukraine. This is our chance to come together,” said Scalise. “So much support will be needed to support the survivors in rebuilding Ukraine, and to support and accommodate those who have been displaced that will arrive here. We hope this event will inspire people to consider how they can use their time and talents to help in the future - maybe they can help with the next fundraiser, help a family plant a garden, research some things online, or use their social media skills etc.”
Daniel Bushman
The images and stories from Ukraine are heart-wrenching and the devastation unfathomable as the country continues to face a relentless invasion from Russia. With homes destroyed and millions fleeing, around the world people are coming together to try and help.
At Manitou Beach, a fundraiser has been organized for Friday, Apr. 22 at Danceland with hopes of standing in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Spearheading the ‘Support Ukraine Supper and Show featuring Kateryna Grace’ are organizers Karyn Scalise and Arnie Tiefenbach. After seeing the destruction and devastation, the pair felt it was important to try and help. Hoping others within the local community would feel the same, Scalise and Tiefenbach decided to create the fundraiser.
“This event is a way to bring people together who want to help,” shared Scalise adding it is intended to be a starting point to co-ordinate support going forward. “The need is so great and the type of support needed will evolve with the situation. It is important that we as a community come together so we can respond in the best way possible and work with other groups in Saskatchewan, so we are supporting each other and not duplicating efforts.”
Open to all ages, the Friday evening fundraiser features a supper followed by a performance, silent auction and 50/50. “TB’s will be cooking up a fantastic Ukrainian meal with some of the food generously donated by Model Meats, Drake Meats, Lockwood Sourdough and Grovenland Farm. There will also be a silent auction that will include a variety of items ranging from handcrafted jewelry, original art to gift cards for a variety of great services. People can visit our Facebook page for photos of those items.”
Scalise said the response from businesses and individuals in providing donations of items or services has been fantastic. “In talking to them, you can tell they really want to help.”
In addition to the generosity from the local area, Scalise said the highlight of the evening will be a performance by Kateryna Grace. “Kateryna Grace is an amazing singer. She is 14 and performs with her
older sister Nataliya and younger brother, Marko. She recently sang the Ukrainian and Canadian national anthems at a Humboldt Broncos’ game. She is using her beautiful and powerful voice to support Ukraine. Check her out on YouTube, especially the new song ‘Stand with Ukraine.’”
Asked what people can do to support the event, Scalise encouraged them to attend Friday’s fundraiser. “A few of the people volunteering at the event are originally from Kharkiv, a city which has been under daily bombardment and where Russian aggression is intensifying even more! Buying a ticket in advance is one of the easiest ways to show support for these people in our community and for Ukraine.”
Scalise shared funds raised from the Apr. 22 event will be given to different groups directly related to Ukraine including one called Stream of Hopes in Saskatoon (www.streamofhopes.ca) and World Central Kitchen (www.wck.org). “These registered charities were recommended to us by Ukrainian people here because they are making a difference and are effective in providing aid to people in Ukraine. The event will feature an opportunity for people to vote on how the proceeds will be split among a few select groups.”
Encouraging people to purchase tickets in advance, Scalise said they can be found at TB’s Bar and Grill or Klip & Kurl in Watrous, at Danceland, Manitou Mini Mart or Little Manitou Art Gallery at Manitou Beach and at Alt Haus Interior Design in Saskatoon.
“It is easy to feel helpless and to just turn off the news because it is too hard to watch. In communities all over the world, people are coming together in various ways to support Ukraine. This is our chance to come together,” said Scalise. “So much support will be needed to support the survivors in rebuilding Ukraine, and to support and accommodate those who have been displaced that will arrive here. We hope this event will inspire people to consider how they can use their time and talents to help in the future - maybe they can help with the next fundraiser, help a family plant a garden, research some things online, or use their social media skills etc.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 11, 2022
Communities looking for answers as local hospitals experiencing disruptions
Daniel Bushman
For a number of communities in Saskatchewan, including Watrous and Lanigan, over the past two years, the pandemic has taken its toll on the health care sector. With disruptions to emergency services, staff shortages, health care providers getting burnt out and overwhelmed, and longer wait times for appointments, many have become frustrated.
With a strain put on the health care system, as the 2022-‘23 Saskatchewan budget was unveiled, local MLA and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer indicated that there was a definite focus placed on health care. As more funding and programs were allocated in that portion of the budget, residents and health care providers at Watrous and Lanigan are hoping that means added help and the full resumption of emergency services.
In the case of Watrous, during the pandemic there have been temporary disruptions to emergency services at the Watrous District Health Complex. That has meant people requiring emergency care have had to go elsewhere during those disruptions.
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson has heard concerns from residents regarding the disruptions and noted he and council have been in regular communication with a representative from Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) in an effort to rectify the situation. Sharing the same concerns as those of residents, Gunderson said it is not just Watrous affected in the province, adding the temporary disruptions in his community are largely due from staff shortages.
“Unfortunately in Watrous, they have very little casual staff, especially in the Registered Nurse position. What happens then is if someone who is scheduled to work, especially a night shift, calls in sick then there is no back up. When they don’t have a back up they are not allowed to open the ER. We have stressed our concern over needing more staff to SHA. I’ve been on council 11 or 12 years and can’t remember experiencing this problem until recently but I also understand it is not just us, it is province-wide.”
The mayor, along with members of council first expressed their concerns to SHA months ago and indicated there are approximately 200,000 visitors who come to the area every year, mostly during the summer. Along with having an increase in the number of people to the area and the potential for disruptions to emergency services during that time, Gunderson said it is very worrisome. “We relayed that to SHA so that they are aware of it and how important it is for them to do whatever steps they can to ensure that we have little or no disruptions going forward.”
In addition, Gunderson shared work is being done to see shorter wait times for appointments at the medical clinic in Watrous. “I think the pandemic has created some extra stresses and changes in procedures at the clinic and that has led to people having to wait longer to see a doctor or nurse practitioner. Having said that, we recently had a meeting with SHA representatives and medical clinic providers and they are taking some steps to see more people on a daily and weekly basis. Hopefully that will reduce those wait times. We appreciate the work that they do and they are trying to do some things to eliminate longer wait times.”
Understanding the added stresses and safety of those at the medical clinic during the pandemic, Gunderson wanted to encourage residents who do schedule regular appointments or need medication on a continual basis to try and be more proactive by calling earlier. “I understand if people wake up and feel awful and can’t wait to get an appointment but for people taking regular medications and needing a prescription, perhaps calling earlier to ensure they get an appointment would help and then they will not be disappointed at the last minute.”
While Gunderson hopes services in Watrous will return to a more normal as the year progresses, in Lanigan many are frustrated as emergency services have been shut down indefinitely. In April 2020, as part of a covid response plan, SHA announced emergency services would be suspended at the Lanigan Hospital after the facility was designated a temporary conversion to alternate level of care patients (ALC). Converting to an ALC site, emergency services were temporarily shut down May 8, 2020 and have yet to reopen.
Despite the province moving forward with a learning to live with covid approach earlier this year, emergency services in Lanigan remain closed. That decision has Lanigan Mayor Tony Mycock extremely disappointed.
“There is a lot frustration because we don’t know what is going on,” said Mycock of the situation in Lanigan. “We are getting told that the hospital is going to open and not close down permanently but we don’t have a timeline. We have heard previously that it will open at the end of the month but then with covid, it gets delayed again and again. We just want some clarity as to what is happening.”
Wanting to offer some sort of services to the community, Mycock said the Town of Lanigan attempted to work with SHA representatives to allow for procedures to take place at the medical clinic in the community but were unable to move forward. “We have an aging population that want to stay here but they need health care and some people are having trouble getting to the city. This is impacting our whole region. We had nurses redeployed in Watrous and Humboldt but everyone is feeling the brunt of it and we know Watrous has been closed periodically. I think the biggest frustration is there is no answers.”
The Watrous Manitou reached out to SHA for an interview request about the current situations in Watrous and Lanigan, even providing SHA with a few weeks to respond. No one was available to be interviewed; however, SHA did provide the following statement regarding the status of services:
At this time, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is unable to resume normal emergency operations in Lanigan due to staffing vacancies. Staffing is vital to maintaining safe care in any health care setting.
Watrous is operating at this time, but there may still be occasional, unplanned service disruptions due to unexpected human resource gaps.
SHA went on to state that on Mar. 23, the Government of Saskatchewan announced its 2022-‘23 budget including the plan to establish a new and independent agency dedicated to the recruitment and retention of health human resources. Funding is targeting the recruitment of health care workers to fill critical and hard-to-fill-positions as well as physician recruitment with a particular focus on rural areas.
Looking for concrete answers to see their local health care staff helped and services fully restored, this past week both Gunderson and Mycock along with members of each respective council attended the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention in Regina. The pair expressed if the opportunity came up, they would be lobbying government during the convention to have services at their facilities fully restored.
Heading into the SUMA convention, Mycock sent out a letter on behalf of the community to local MLA Donna Harpauer, the Minister of Health Paul Merriman and Official Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat. “Before we sent the letter out we shared it with our local RMs and with Nutrien and BHP because they are big stakeholders in what is happening in this area. I know the hospital is important to them as well and we are trying to do whatever we can to have our hospital fully staffed again.”
After the letter was emailed, Mycock said Mowat reached out to him Apr. 5 and after meeting during the SUMA convention, Mycock was invited to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan Wednesday afternoon to speak with members of the media. After sharing his concerns, during Question Period Apr. 6, the Leader of the Opposition, Ryan Meili brought up the situation, asking the premier if something will change.
Premier Scott Moe highlighted a four point plan within the provincial budget targeted at rural health and the effort being made to try and restore services in rural centres.
Mowat then stood up seeking why the temporary closures have not been restored in Lanigan after being shut down for two years. She was followed by Saskatchewan Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, Everett Hindley who noted a meeting would be set up with Mycock to further discuss restoring resources to Lanigan.
In a heated exchange, Mowat suggested that actions speak louder than words and the community has grown tired of waiting. The premier replied, speaking directly to representatives from Lanigan and Jansen in attendance, sharing the past two years during the pandemic have been very challenging in the health care sector. He noted the government is committed to reopening the rural facilities as quickly as they are able.
After time spent at the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Mycock felt his message was heard. “We stressed the whole time during this that it is not just Lanigan but the surrounding communities and RMs. I also referenced Watrous having temporary disruptions and our doctors are going to Watrous and Humboldt to help. It is not just Lanigan but the region so I think we definitely got some attention from the discussion and are hopeful for a meeting.”
According to a release issued by the province’s Official Opposition, Mycock and Gunderson were not the only two mayors in attendance at the SUMA convention hoping for some answers relating to health care. With the concerns being raised, Meili and Critic for Municipalities Carla Beck called on the government to address the provincial health system.
“Saskatchewan’s hometowns have struggled with chronic disruptions to care for years,” Meili said.
With communities across the province impacted by service disruptions, Beck said it has made those in need travel further for emergency care. “Today alone, leaders from Kamsack, Canora, Herbert, Broadview, Biggar, Porcupine Plain, Preeceville, Wilkie, Lanigan, Esterhazy are dealing with closures. The future vibrancy and growth of our communities hinges on health care, and your access to that health care shouldn’t be determined by your postal code.”
Reaching out to the Ministry of Health in hopes of getting an interview related to both facilities in Watrous and Lanigan, The Watrous Manitou was able to speak with Saskatchewan Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, Everett Hindley.
Understanding there is disappointment around the province in rural centres that have been experiencing disruptions, Hindley said, “For us as a government, this is a priority for us to get things back on track in these communities. We have had a couple of years where COVID-19 and the pandemic has been at the forefront and we have had some of these issues that pre-exist that and we have to address them.”
As part of that plan to address the situation, Hindley pointed to the 2022-‘23 budget and new programs and funding stemming from that. With a four point plan focused on rural communities, as part of that he indicated the province is creating a new human health resources agency solely focused on recruitment and retention for health care professionals.
“It is more than just doctors that we are in need of right now,” explained Hindley. “We might need RNs, LPNs, we might need lab tech workers or continuing care aides or any number of health care worker designations that are causing us some concern and causing some disruptions in a number of communities around the province. That new health care human resources agency will be dedicated towards the recruitment and retention of resources.”
The second part of the four point plan noted by Harpauer after unveiling the budget is a relocation incentive program aimed at recruiting a minimum of 300 health care professionals from the Philippines over two years with 150 this year to help with immediate pressure.
The third part of the plan focuses on accelerating and expanding some programs like the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIIPA) which Harpauer shared will aggressively recruit foreign doctors to rural communities.
The fourth portion of the plan included expanding nurse training seats at post-secondary institutions by 150 seats.
In addition, Hindley indicated resources have also been dedicated to 27 communities to help stabilize EMS, some of which is being allocated to the community of Imperial. With an announcement last week naming the 27 communities which included Imperial, $7.3 million in funding will add 70.7 full-time equivalent positions and address critical priority areas across the province. Along with that, $653,000 is being used to expand community paramedicine to rural and northern communities by adding three additional full-time positions and covering training costs to further enhance and stabilize available supports. One of those positions will be among Wynyard, Wadena and Wakaw, and potentially other locations in the area.
“It is really an all hands on deck approach here to try and restore services in a number of rural communities including Lanigan and Watrous to the levels that they should be at,” said Hindley.
After tabling the budget in March and with funding being injected into health care, Harpauer said, “I am quite happy with what we are doing in health care because it is very serious in my mind of how both Lanigan and Watrous are struggling to get those health care professionals to come to our communities and work there. I think that this focus recruitment for rural Saskatchewan is going to be critical.”
When asked if the facilities in Watrous and Lanigan will remain open despite all of the disruptions they have experienced during the pandemic, Harpauer said, “The premier has committed that we have no intentions to close those facilities. We are going to put in every effort we can to restaff those facilities.”
As for when an increase in staffing levels might occur at both, Hindley said, “We are committed to doing everything we can as a government to help get these communities staffed back up and pushing our partners at SHA and through the ministry to do that as quickly as possible and work with our communities.”
When pressed specifically about the situation in Lanigan, noting that the province is now moving to a learn to live with covid approach as opposed to keeping its readiness plan that had Lanigan’s emergency services halted in the first place, Hindley said, “We know that this is a priority for that community and we want to be able to resume normal emergency operations in Lanigan and we have to have the appropriate number of staff there. We have to fill the vacancies that are existing there right now so that we can properly reopen Lanigan and restore normal emergency operations there to where they need to be.”
Over the last number of months and throughout the pandemic, Hindley acknowledged the province has had to redeploy health care workers from one community to another to help stabilize services. But as the province transitions to a phase of living with covid, he added staff who have been redeployed are now being sent back to their home communities. “We have a number of instances where that has already happened and service has been restored in those rural communities. That being said, in the case of Lanigan, we know we have some staffing vacancies that we have to address and that is a priority for me as the minister and for us as a government to make sure that we do anything and everything that we can to resume normal emergency operations in Lanigan.”
As for Watrous, Hindley understands there has been temporary disruptions and services at the hospital due to staffing shortages. Explaining the funding and new programs that were included within the provincial budget, the minister said, “The new human health resources agency will be focused on trying to address and find both short-term but also long-term solutions to some of these challenges in the communities where we are faced with these issues in the province and that would include Lanigan and Watrous.”
Asked again if Hindley would know when both facilities could see a full resumption of services and added staff, he said it is definitely a priority. “It is not easy when your local hospital or health care centre has had a temporary service disruption and that can lead to some uncertainty. I am grateful for their patience but I want the people of the Lanigan and Watrous areas to know this is a priority.”
Understanding the stresses and additional demands that staff in Watrous have been under during the pandemic, Gunderson said, “We are very appreciative of our front line workers, in particular in health care. The job that they do, especially in the last couple of years during the pandemic, we acknowledge it is a very stressful time. We are very thankful that we do have the facility we have and that we have people doing their best to provide the services to us.”
Like Gunderson, Mycock has been grateful for all the work done by those within health care in his community. “I can’t say enough about our health care workers. We have had people redeployed and have to drive to different communities to keep doing what they can for the health care system. Our doctors and nurses have been great through all this but we know across the province there has been burnout and people leaving the profession and that has created holes. We also really appreciate our Lanigan and District Ambulance Association. They have been a big part of helping us, transporting people to where they need to go in emergency situations. If it was not for BHP’s financial support in helping with costs, I am not sure where we would be right now because anyone who needs emergency care needs to be transported elsewhere.”
With both mayors sharing that they are trying to do what they can to help their local facilities return to full staffing levels, Mycock said, “I want everybody to know we are all doing our part, our elected officials in the RMs, our town council, we are trying to do what we can and get answers. We want the same thing as everybody else and we want what’s best for everybody.”
Daniel Bushman
For a number of communities in Saskatchewan, including Watrous and Lanigan, over the past two years, the pandemic has taken its toll on the health care sector. With disruptions to emergency services, staff shortages, health care providers getting burnt out and overwhelmed, and longer wait times for appointments, many have become frustrated.
With a strain put on the health care system, as the 2022-‘23 Saskatchewan budget was unveiled, local MLA and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer indicated that there was a definite focus placed on health care. As more funding and programs were allocated in that portion of the budget, residents and health care providers at Watrous and Lanigan are hoping that means added help and the full resumption of emergency services.
In the case of Watrous, during the pandemic there have been temporary disruptions to emergency services at the Watrous District Health Complex. That has meant people requiring emergency care have had to go elsewhere during those disruptions.
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson has heard concerns from residents regarding the disruptions and noted he and council have been in regular communication with a representative from Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) in an effort to rectify the situation. Sharing the same concerns as those of residents, Gunderson said it is not just Watrous affected in the province, adding the temporary disruptions in his community are largely due from staff shortages.
“Unfortunately in Watrous, they have very little casual staff, especially in the Registered Nurse position. What happens then is if someone who is scheduled to work, especially a night shift, calls in sick then there is no back up. When they don’t have a back up they are not allowed to open the ER. We have stressed our concern over needing more staff to SHA. I’ve been on council 11 or 12 years and can’t remember experiencing this problem until recently but I also understand it is not just us, it is province-wide.”
The mayor, along with members of council first expressed their concerns to SHA months ago and indicated there are approximately 200,000 visitors who come to the area every year, mostly during the summer. Along with having an increase in the number of people to the area and the potential for disruptions to emergency services during that time, Gunderson said it is very worrisome. “We relayed that to SHA so that they are aware of it and how important it is for them to do whatever steps they can to ensure that we have little or no disruptions going forward.”
In addition, Gunderson shared work is being done to see shorter wait times for appointments at the medical clinic in Watrous. “I think the pandemic has created some extra stresses and changes in procedures at the clinic and that has led to people having to wait longer to see a doctor or nurse practitioner. Having said that, we recently had a meeting with SHA representatives and medical clinic providers and they are taking some steps to see more people on a daily and weekly basis. Hopefully that will reduce those wait times. We appreciate the work that they do and they are trying to do some things to eliminate longer wait times.”
Understanding the added stresses and safety of those at the medical clinic during the pandemic, Gunderson wanted to encourage residents who do schedule regular appointments or need medication on a continual basis to try and be more proactive by calling earlier. “I understand if people wake up and feel awful and can’t wait to get an appointment but for people taking regular medications and needing a prescription, perhaps calling earlier to ensure they get an appointment would help and then they will not be disappointed at the last minute.”
While Gunderson hopes services in Watrous will return to a more normal as the year progresses, in Lanigan many are frustrated as emergency services have been shut down indefinitely. In April 2020, as part of a covid response plan, SHA announced emergency services would be suspended at the Lanigan Hospital after the facility was designated a temporary conversion to alternate level of care patients (ALC). Converting to an ALC site, emergency services were temporarily shut down May 8, 2020 and have yet to reopen.
Despite the province moving forward with a learning to live with covid approach earlier this year, emergency services in Lanigan remain closed. That decision has Lanigan Mayor Tony Mycock extremely disappointed.
“There is a lot frustration because we don’t know what is going on,” said Mycock of the situation in Lanigan. “We are getting told that the hospital is going to open and not close down permanently but we don’t have a timeline. We have heard previously that it will open at the end of the month but then with covid, it gets delayed again and again. We just want some clarity as to what is happening.”
Wanting to offer some sort of services to the community, Mycock said the Town of Lanigan attempted to work with SHA representatives to allow for procedures to take place at the medical clinic in the community but were unable to move forward. “We have an aging population that want to stay here but they need health care and some people are having trouble getting to the city. This is impacting our whole region. We had nurses redeployed in Watrous and Humboldt but everyone is feeling the brunt of it and we know Watrous has been closed periodically. I think the biggest frustration is there is no answers.”
The Watrous Manitou reached out to SHA for an interview request about the current situations in Watrous and Lanigan, even providing SHA with a few weeks to respond. No one was available to be interviewed; however, SHA did provide the following statement regarding the status of services:
At this time, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is unable to resume normal emergency operations in Lanigan due to staffing vacancies. Staffing is vital to maintaining safe care in any health care setting.
Watrous is operating at this time, but there may still be occasional, unplanned service disruptions due to unexpected human resource gaps.
SHA went on to state that on Mar. 23, the Government of Saskatchewan announced its 2022-‘23 budget including the plan to establish a new and independent agency dedicated to the recruitment and retention of health human resources. Funding is targeting the recruitment of health care workers to fill critical and hard-to-fill-positions as well as physician recruitment with a particular focus on rural areas.
Looking for concrete answers to see their local health care staff helped and services fully restored, this past week both Gunderson and Mycock along with members of each respective council attended the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention in Regina. The pair expressed if the opportunity came up, they would be lobbying government during the convention to have services at their facilities fully restored.
Heading into the SUMA convention, Mycock sent out a letter on behalf of the community to local MLA Donna Harpauer, the Minister of Health Paul Merriman and Official Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat. “Before we sent the letter out we shared it with our local RMs and with Nutrien and BHP because they are big stakeholders in what is happening in this area. I know the hospital is important to them as well and we are trying to do whatever we can to have our hospital fully staffed again.”
After the letter was emailed, Mycock said Mowat reached out to him Apr. 5 and after meeting during the SUMA convention, Mycock was invited to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan Wednesday afternoon to speak with members of the media. After sharing his concerns, during Question Period Apr. 6, the Leader of the Opposition, Ryan Meili brought up the situation, asking the premier if something will change.
Premier Scott Moe highlighted a four point plan within the provincial budget targeted at rural health and the effort being made to try and restore services in rural centres.
Mowat then stood up seeking why the temporary closures have not been restored in Lanigan after being shut down for two years. She was followed by Saskatchewan Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, Everett Hindley who noted a meeting would be set up with Mycock to further discuss restoring resources to Lanigan.
In a heated exchange, Mowat suggested that actions speak louder than words and the community has grown tired of waiting. The premier replied, speaking directly to representatives from Lanigan and Jansen in attendance, sharing the past two years during the pandemic have been very challenging in the health care sector. He noted the government is committed to reopening the rural facilities as quickly as they are able.
After time spent at the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Mycock felt his message was heard. “We stressed the whole time during this that it is not just Lanigan but the surrounding communities and RMs. I also referenced Watrous having temporary disruptions and our doctors are going to Watrous and Humboldt to help. It is not just Lanigan but the region so I think we definitely got some attention from the discussion and are hopeful for a meeting.”
According to a release issued by the province’s Official Opposition, Mycock and Gunderson were not the only two mayors in attendance at the SUMA convention hoping for some answers relating to health care. With the concerns being raised, Meili and Critic for Municipalities Carla Beck called on the government to address the provincial health system.
“Saskatchewan’s hometowns have struggled with chronic disruptions to care for years,” Meili said.
With communities across the province impacted by service disruptions, Beck said it has made those in need travel further for emergency care. “Today alone, leaders from Kamsack, Canora, Herbert, Broadview, Biggar, Porcupine Plain, Preeceville, Wilkie, Lanigan, Esterhazy are dealing with closures. The future vibrancy and growth of our communities hinges on health care, and your access to that health care shouldn’t be determined by your postal code.”
Reaching out to the Ministry of Health in hopes of getting an interview related to both facilities in Watrous and Lanigan, The Watrous Manitou was able to speak with Saskatchewan Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, Everett Hindley.
Understanding there is disappointment around the province in rural centres that have been experiencing disruptions, Hindley said, “For us as a government, this is a priority for us to get things back on track in these communities. We have had a couple of years where COVID-19 and the pandemic has been at the forefront and we have had some of these issues that pre-exist that and we have to address them.”
As part of that plan to address the situation, Hindley pointed to the 2022-‘23 budget and new programs and funding stemming from that. With a four point plan focused on rural communities, as part of that he indicated the province is creating a new human health resources agency solely focused on recruitment and retention for health care professionals.
“It is more than just doctors that we are in need of right now,” explained Hindley. “We might need RNs, LPNs, we might need lab tech workers or continuing care aides or any number of health care worker designations that are causing us some concern and causing some disruptions in a number of communities around the province. That new health care human resources agency will be dedicated towards the recruitment and retention of resources.”
The second part of the four point plan noted by Harpauer after unveiling the budget is a relocation incentive program aimed at recruiting a minimum of 300 health care professionals from the Philippines over two years with 150 this year to help with immediate pressure.
The third part of the plan focuses on accelerating and expanding some programs like the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIIPA) which Harpauer shared will aggressively recruit foreign doctors to rural communities.
The fourth portion of the plan included expanding nurse training seats at post-secondary institutions by 150 seats.
In addition, Hindley indicated resources have also been dedicated to 27 communities to help stabilize EMS, some of which is being allocated to the community of Imperial. With an announcement last week naming the 27 communities which included Imperial, $7.3 million in funding will add 70.7 full-time equivalent positions and address critical priority areas across the province. Along with that, $653,000 is being used to expand community paramedicine to rural and northern communities by adding three additional full-time positions and covering training costs to further enhance and stabilize available supports. One of those positions will be among Wynyard, Wadena and Wakaw, and potentially other locations in the area.
“It is really an all hands on deck approach here to try and restore services in a number of rural communities including Lanigan and Watrous to the levels that they should be at,” said Hindley.
After tabling the budget in March and with funding being injected into health care, Harpauer said, “I am quite happy with what we are doing in health care because it is very serious in my mind of how both Lanigan and Watrous are struggling to get those health care professionals to come to our communities and work there. I think that this focus recruitment for rural Saskatchewan is going to be critical.”
When asked if the facilities in Watrous and Lanigan will remain open despite all of the disruptions they have experienced during the pandemic, Harpauer said, “The premier has committed that we have no intentions to close those facilities. We are going to put in every effort we can to restaff those facilities.”
As for when an increase in staffing levels might occur at both, Hindley said, “We are committed to doing everything we can as a government to help get these communities staffed back up and pushing our partners at SHA and through the ministry to do that as quickly as possible and work with our communities.”
When pressed specifically about the situation in Lanigan, noting that the province is now moving to a learn to live with covid approach as opposed to keeping its readiness plan that had Lanigan’s emergency services halted in the first place, Hindley said, “We know that this is a priority for that community and we want to be able to resume normal emergency operations in Lanigan and we have to have the appropriate number of staff there. We have to fill the vacancies that are existing there right now so that we can properly reopen Lanigan and restore normal emergency operations there to where they need to be.”
Over the last number of months and throughout the pandemic, Hindley acknowledged the province has had to redeploy health care workers from one community to another to help stabilize services. But as the province transitions to a phase of living with covid, he added staff who have been redeployed are now being sent back to their home communities. “We have a number of instances where that has already happened and service has been restored in those rural communities. That being said, in the case of Lanigan, we know we have some staffing vacancies that we have to address and that is a priority for me as the minister and for us as a government to make sure that we do anything and everything that we can to resume normal emergency operations in Lanigan.”
As for Watrous, Hindley understands there has been temporary disruptions and services at the hospital due to staffing shortages. Explaining the funding and new programs that were included within the provincial budget, the minister said, “The new human health resources agency will be focused on trying to address and find both short-term but also long-term solutions to some of these challenges in the communities where we are faced with these issues in the province and that would include Lanigan and Watrous.”
Asked again if Hindley would know when both facilities could see a full resumption of services and added staff, he said it is definitely a priority. “It is not easy when your local hospital or health care centre has had a temporary service disruption and that can lead to some uncertainty. I am grateful for their patience but I want the people of the Lanigan and Watrous areas to know this is a priority.”
Understanding the stresses and additional demands that staff in Watrous have been under during the pandemic, Gunderson said, “We are very appreciative of our front line workers, in particular in health care. The job that they do, especially in the last couple of years during the pandemic, we acknowledge it is a very stressful time. We are very thankful that we do have the facility we have and that we have people doing their best to provide the services to us.”
Like Gunderson, Mycock has been grateful for all the work done by those within health care in his community. “I can’t say enough about our health care workers. We have had people redeployed and have to drive to different communities to keep doing what they can for the health care system. Our doctors and nurses have been great through all this but we know across the province there has been burnout and people leaving the profession and that has created holes. We also really appreciate our Lanigan and District Ambulance Association. They have been a big part of helping us, transporting people to where they need to go in emergency situations. If it was not for BHP’s financial support in helping with costs, I am not sure where we would be right now because anyone who needs emergency care needs to be transported elsewhere.”
With both mayors sharing that they are trying to do what they can to help their local facilities return to full staffing levels, Mycock said, “I want everybody to know we are all doing our part, our elected officials in the RMs, our town council, we are trying to do what we can and get answers. We want the same thing as everybody else and we want what’s best for everybody.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 4, 2022
GoFundMe started for local resident after house destroyed by fire
Daniel Bushman
A fire during the night Mar. 21 has left a Watrous resident without a home and the loss of two of his pets. While not at his place during the time, Darren Vogelgesang’s house along 3rd Ave. W. in Watrous was engulfed by flames and destroyed.
Darren’s daughter Samantha said her dad lost everything in the fire including two pets that were dear to him. “Darren was thankfully not in the house at the time of the fire but sadly his beloved pets were. His cat Nunua and our family dog Char whom was his very best friend perished.”
While Samantha explained the cause of the fire has not been determined yet, she created a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help her dad cover expenses due to the loss. “I started the fundraiser to help my dad with a bit of the costs as he lost everything in the house fire. The fundraiser is to help him with a place to stay along with things he may need.”
Samantha also said the funds will be used to help cover the cost of boarding up the windows of the burnt structure so no one is able to enter it and risk getting injured.
As of early last week, nearly $3,000 had been raised for Darren on the GoFundMe platform and his daughter said for people wanting to donate, they can visit: www.gofundme.com and search: Darren’s (mustang’s) house fire
For those not wanting to donate online but would still like to contribute, Samantha said people can give money to Shawn Wheten of Watrous Towing.
“We appreciate any help that is given. Thank you to those who have already helped so far during this time of need.”
Daniel Bushman
A fire during the night Mar. 21 has left a Watrous resident without a home and the loss of two of his pets. While not at his place during the time, Darren Vogelgesang’s house along 3rd Ave. W. in Watrous was engulfed by flames and destroyed.
Darren’s daughter Samantha said her dad lost everything in the fire including two pets that were dear to him. “Darren was thankfully not in the house at the time of the fire but sadly his beloved pets were. His cat Nunua and our family dog Char whom was his very best friend perished.”
While Samantha explained the cause of the fire has not been determined yet, she created a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help her dad cover expenses due to the loss. “I started the fundraiser to help my dad with a bit of the costs as he lost everything in the house fire. The fundraiser is to help him with a place to stay along with things he may need.”
Samantha also said the funds will be used to help cover the cost of boarding up the windows of the burnt structure so no one is able to enter it and risk getting injured.
As of early last week, nearly $3,000 had been raised for Darren on the GoFundMe platform and his daughter said for people wanting to donate, they can visit: www.gofundme.com and search: Darren’s (mustang’s) house fire
For those not wanting to donate online but would still like to contribute, Samantha said people can give money to Shawn Wheten of Watrous Towing.
“We appreciate any help that is given. Thank you to those who have already helped so far during this time of need.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 28, 2022
Drake Canucks capture provincial title
Daniel Bushman
History was made on home ice as the Drake Canucks not only won its inaugural Senior A provincial championship but in doing so, according to Hockey Sask, became the first Senior hockey team in Saskatchewan to win Senior A, B, C, and D provincial banners.
With the Drake Sportsplex packed Sunday, Mar. 20 - after losing game one at Flying Dust First Nation Mar. 13 and taking game two back home Mar. 19 - the Canucks defeated the Meadow Lake Broncos 6-3 in game three to claim the title.
“That was a very tough series and I find it a relief when you finally win it,” said Drake Head Coach Duane McLaren. “It is maybe a different feeling but I have been on both ends so I find it more of a relief. I knew we were better than we were in game one, it was just a matter of doing it was the big thing.”
Captain of the Canucks Cam Blair who grew up watching the team capture provincial and league titles before winning a championship of his own agreed with his coach. “Pretty relieving. It has been something that we have been going after for quite a long time. Even with how things ended the last time we went to provincials when covid kicked in, it is good to get over the hump and finally get the provincial championship.”
Drake’s quest for a Senior A provincial title started in round one against Balcarres. With wins of 5-2 and 4-3, the Canucks swept its opponents and moved on to meet a tough Milestone squad. In game one, Drake took the opener on the road with a 4-2 victory as Russell Goodman recorded a hat trick to set up game two at home. In that one, the Canucks lost 8-3 which meant a third and deciding game. Battling back after being down 4-2, Drake scored six unanswered markers to win 8-4 and advanced to meet Southey.
One round away from the provincial final, the Canucks headed to Southey for game one and took the opener 8-2. In Drake for game two, as was the case against Milestone, the Canucks were unable to close out the series, dropping the contest 4-2. In game three and looking to move on, Chris Durand would be the hero as Drake took a 3-2 victory to advance to face Meadow Lake.
Set to compete against the Broncos, the Canucks knew they had to bring their best as Meadow Lake’s roster included former NHL’ers DJ and Dwight King, East Coast Hockey League player Todd Fiddler, Western Hockey League netminder Bryan Bridges, who set a WHL regular season record with 13 shutouts and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League players like Jared Iron and Robin and Regan Yew.
Hoping to take a 1-0 series lead heading home, despite outshooting Meadow Lake in game one Drake fell short, losing 4-1. Blair felt the difference in that contest was the Broncos connecting on their odd man rushes while Drake met a pretty hot goalie. “We gave him all we had in Meadow but he was a pretty big difference. I thought we outplayed them, they just made the most of their chances.”
Looking to tie the series back up at home and with a full Drake Sportsplex, the Canucks went to work in front of their home town fans, battling back from a 2-1 deficit. Eventually securing a thrilling 4-2 victory with goals from John Lawrence (two), Cam Blair and David Stumborg (who added the empty-netter), Drake also received some help from veteran goalie Calvin Bartel to push the series to a third and deciding game.
With a number of former Canuck players in attendance for game three, many sporting their black championship leather jackets from years prior, as was the case for game two, fans had to arrive at least a half hour before puck drop in order to secure a good spot. A player with the Canucks during a number of those championship teams before becoming the head coach, McLaren also wore his black leather jacket for game three. “When I was sitting at the table watching guys come in before the game, there was a lot of those old black leathers coming in. I was quite surprised.”
With hundreds of people attending game three in Drake and not a lot of room to sit, Blair said it was awesome to have such strong support for the team. “It is one of those things that is tough to put into words. It shows the amount of support our small town hockey team has when there is people coming from all over the countryside to come watch our games. Even the support from surrounding communities like Watrous, Lanigan, Humboldt and all the people in Drake and people from Drake that were coming back and even giving their support online, it really meant a lot.”
As game time got closer and players returned to the dressing room after warm ups, when asked if McLaren had one last message for his team, he said, “I am pretty quiet and this time of year I don’t think anybody needs an inspirational speech. You either better be ready or you’re going to lose. That is all there is to it. We have a very good dressing room. These guys all get along and they are all there for the same reason and that to me is 90 percent of it. They knew they were better than game one and everybody just stepped up.”
After the national anthem was played, clubs got down to business to decide who would win this year’s Senior A provincial title.
With Bartel unable to suit up for game three, goalie Spencer Ewen got the nod and was tested early. After applying some early pressure, Drake gave up a breakaway and with Meadow Lake’s first shot of the game, Regan Yew beat Ewen upstairs to make it 1-0. The marker, a stretch pass from Calvin Fiddler to set up the breakaway, came 1:38 into the game.
After Meadow Lake had gotten out to an early edge in the previous two games, when they scored to start game three, McLaren noted there was no panic on the Drake bench. Understanding how tough it was for Ewen to get the late call to start and then face a breakaway early on, McLaren said his netminder shook it off and settled in.
Then with 13:11 illuminated on the scoreboard and deep in Meadow Lake territory, it was Drake’s turn to notch one of its own. With the puck on his stick, Maguire Blair spotted Andrew Johnson in the slot and the forward made no mistake going high blocker side on netminder Bryan Bridges to tie the game.
With a bit of momentum, Drake would receive a power play late in the period and just 39 seconds with the man advantage, former Calgary Hitmen Terrell Draude would strike with a quick shot, beating Bridges on his glove side and giving the Canucks a 2-1 edge. With helpers from John Lawrence and David Stumborg, the Canucks not only grabbed the lead, they held a 9-5 advantage in the shot department.
As the crowd watched with eager anticipation, the opening 20 minutes soon came to a close and Meadow Lake found itself in more penalty trouble to begin period two. Despite being shorthanded to start the middle frame
Stanley Cup winner Dwight King, who sported number 74 for the Broncos, found some space with the puck and rang a hard shot off the post. Coming close to seeing a 2-2 contest, Drake maintained the lead as the puck stayed out of the net.
With some big hits, crisp passing and hard shots, teams sought the next goal, one that would come with 4:14 left in the second. Looking for some separation on the ice, Cam Blair found room and drilled a laser that found the back of the net. With Chris Durand feeding the former University of Saskatchewan Huskie from beside the Bronco cage, Blair blasted a shot at the faceoff dot on Bridges’ blocker side to beat the goalie and give the Canucks a 3-1 advantage.
Feeding off of the crowd’s energy after notching the team’s third of the game, Blair said, “Coming home to a full rink, that was as many people as I have ever seen in Drake. It definitely made a pretty big difference.”
Shortly after getting a two goal lead, Drake found itself with a late power play. While the team was unable to score, not long after, both clubs were assessed penalties and the period came to a close. Up by two through two, Drake outshot Meadow Lake 25-14 after 40 minutes of play.
Noting how game three was more physical than the previous two, with his team leading, McLaren said, “I think maybe it got a little rougher when they were on the ropes a little bit. I understand that, we’d be the same way I’m sure.”
Just 20 minutes away from capturing its first ever Senior A provincial title, Drake headed out to a raucous crowd for period three and took aim at securing the victory.
Having strong depth on the bench throughout the team’s provincial run, McLaren explained how the team continued to roll. “That really makes things easy. Any one of them can be on the ice and you don’t have to worry about anything and that makes it easy.”
After a slashing penalty just over four minutes into the third, Meadow Lake went down a player once again. Looking to his bench and hoping to add to Drake’s total, McLaren’s club took advantage of the power play. A rocket from the blueline by Cody Pettapiece with 16:36 left hit the back of the net and made it 4-1. With Russell Goodman adding the assist on the team’s fourth of the night, the Canucks looked to lock things down.
However, with tremendous fire power themselves, Meadow Lake had other ideas as Shane Hounsell cut the lead in half 27 seconds later, burying a cross-ice feed into the back of the net. Wanting to build off that momentum, the Broncos continued to press and with the intensity cranked up, tempers also started to rise.
With both netminders making big saves in the final frame, less than halfway through the period, Meadow Lake would manage to get to within one. With assists from Trevor Bailey and Taylor Arnold, Regan Yew notched his second of the contest and it became a nail-biting 4-3 score.
Still with over 12 minutes left, teams went back and forth and it was not until the latter part of the period when Meadow Lake received an unsportsmanlike and misconduct to put Drake back on the power play.
Looking to regain some separation on the score board, Drake attacked the Bronco zone and with less than three minutes to play, Stumborg set up Durand and he made it 5-3. The Canucks would then add an empty net goal from Lawrence as tempers flared and a few fights broke out.
With some rough stuff near the end of the game, that put Drake back on the power play, the eighth penalty for the visiting club in the contest. But with just nine seconds remaining on the clock, the power play didn’t matter as time ran out and the Canucks took a 6-3 victory on home ice while outshooting the Broncos 36-24.
As sticks and gloves flew in celebration and fans
cheered, the team marked its first ever Senior A provincial title before plaques, a banner and trophy were presented by Hockey Sask to the Canucks.
The win at home gave Drake its 12th Senior title, previously winning Senior B in 2021, Senior C in 2010 and 2005, and Senior D in 2013, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1990, 1978, 1976, and 1974. While no other team in Saskatchewan has won A, B, C, and D, according to Hockey Sask, Drake ranks only behind Kindersley (15), Shellbrook (14), and Wilkie (13) for total overall Senior titles.
Winning five of those championships as a player and now four as a coach, McLaren said being able to make history as the only team in Saskatchewan to win in all four categories says a lot. “With a small population our local guys seem to be dwindling and there is not that much coming up but it is connections, everyone knows somebody. And to get everyone coming out, I think they enjoy coming out there. There are so many other places to play but these guys like to come out there and they are a good bunch. As far as 12 for our town, I think that is pretty spectacular. It is pretty remarkable to win A, B, C, and D.”
With his dad and uncle earning a few of those provincial titles before winning one of his own with his brothers, Blair said, “It is pretty cool. It is an interesting piece that our little small town has been able to do all of that and win all these different championships of different sizes. It just goes to show the support and the guys in the room that make it happen. We might not have the payroll that other teams have so in order for us to compete, we have guys that want to come out and play for the right reasons. They want to win and play for each other in the room and it is pretty awesome.”
When asked what McLaren has done as a coach to have so much success over the years, he said, “Ninety-percent is the guys that you have. You have to have guys that get along. If you have a good dressing room that is very easy for me. I don’t think I do anything different than others. I am very soft spoken so I just try to keep everybody loose and enjoy it. You don’t know if it is going to be your last one so make the most of it.”
Recognizing the value of having a coach like Duane, Cam shared the dedication that he brings. “Duane has been awesome, he is there every game. He is the first one to the rink every day. He helps pack bags, he is the one pulling the trailer behind his truck to every game and it shows quite a bit of how much he cares about the team with the amount of time he puts in. You know he cares a lot. Sometimes he might not have the most to say but when Duane does speak up and says something, everybody listens. He has been a huge part of the Drake Canucks - long before I was there - even when he was a player. His accolades and the amount of championships he has been a part of shows that.”
Having a captain who essentially grew up at the Drake Sportsplex before competing for the Huskies while developing his skills and leadership, McLaren noted how valuable Cam has been to the team. “He is definitely a leader by example for sure and he is probably the hardest working guy I’ve ever seen. He is great in the room, has all the connections and is the hometown kid. He is very easy to work with and he helps out a lot.”
As both coach and captain have been able to celebrate championships in the past, when asked where the 2022 title ranks, the pair acknowledged pretty high.
“Since we have never won A before that is pretty huge,” shared McLaren. “We have won some series in the past that maybe we shouldn’t have and those always stick out in my mind. As far as ranking one ahead of the other, this one being most recent, it is probably my favourite at the time.”
Explaining it was the best game he has ever been a part of in Drake, Blair said the win on home ice was his number one highlight of Senior hockey. “I played in quite a few good games before. The Can West championship (with the Huskies) would be up there as well, winning it at Rutherford, but this would definitely be right up there with it.”
As for the dedication of the players on this year’s team, both McLaren and Blair appreciated the effort made by them throughout the season.
“I would like to give a shout out to those city guys that drive every game depending on weather it doesn’t matter,” said the head coach. “Even late nights, they are off to work the next morning. That is a huge commitment and I really appreciate that.”
Blair shared that the objective when it came to bringing in players was to have athletes who were going to be there when it really mattered. “They are going to go the extra mile or take a hit or block a shot for you. I think the guys we brought in were all there for the same goal, everybody cared and everybody wanted to win. It is easy to say that but you could just tell. There was no quit.”
And it was not just on the ice that the captain explained was a big part of the team’s success but off it as well. Appreciating all of the volunteers and people behind the scenes that helped to make things tick, Blair said, “They are a big part of these small town teams that keep things going. Whether they are running the gate, the 50/50, making meals for the team, sharpening skates, there are a lot of people that probably go unrecognized that mean a lot to not just our team but to every small town senior hockey team keeping these small town rinks thriving. It is definitely a community run organization and it goes a long way. It was nice to finally win one to give them a little bit of something to be proud of as well.”
The 2021-‘22 Drake Canucks provincial roster included: Calvin Bartel (35), Spencer Ewen (1), Catlin Gusikoski (3), Cody Pettapiece (4), David Stumborg (5), Matt Rintoul (6), Maguire Blair (7), Rhett Blackmur (8), Terrell Draude (9), Chris Durand (10), Russell Goodman (11), Emmett Scheidt (14), Nolan Blair (15), Neil Landry (16), Cam Blair (17), Maguire Scheidt (19), Carter Coben (20), Steven Toporowski (21), Andrew Johnson (22), Daigon Elmy (24), Kendall McFaull (27), John Lawrence (28), Cody Wourms (90), Head Coach Duane McLaren, Assistant Coach Darren Blair, and Manager Scott Blair.
Daniel Bushman
History was made on home ice as the Drake Canucks not only won its inaugural Senior A provincial championship but in doing so, according to Hockey Sask, became the first Senior hockey team in Saskatchewan to win Senior A, B, C, and D provincial banners.
With the Drake Sportsplex packed Sunday, Mar. 20 - after losing game one at Flying Dust First Nation Mar. 13 and taking game two back home Mar. 19 - the Canucks defeated the Meadow Lake Broncos 6-3 in game three to claim the title.
“That was a very tough series and I find it a relief when you finally win it,” said Drake Head Coach Duane McLaren. “It is maybe a different feeling but I have been on both ends so I find it more of a relief. I knew we were better than we were in game one, it was just a matter of doing it was the big thing.”
Captain of the Canucks Cam Blair who grew up watching the team capture provincial and league titles before winning a championship of his own agreed with his coach. “Pretty relieving. It has been something that we have been going after for quite a long time. Even with how things ended the last time we went to provincials when covid kicked in, it is good to get over the hump and finally get the provincial championship.”
Drake’s quest for a Senior A provincial title started in round one against Balcarres. With wins of 5-2 and 4-3, the Canucks swept its opponents and moved on to meet a tough Milestone squad. In game one, Drake took the opener on the road with a 4-2 victory as Russell Goodman recorded a hat trick to set up game two at home. In that one, the Canucks lost 8-3 which meant a third and deciding game. Battling back after being down 4-2, Drake scored six unanswered markers to win 8-4 and advanced to meet Southey.
One round away from the provincial final, the Canucks headed to Southey for game one and took the opener 8-2. In Drake for game two, as was the case against Milestone, the Canucks were unable to close out the series, dropping the contest 4-2. In game three and looking to move on, Chris Durand would be the hero as Drake took a 3-2 victory to advance to face Meadow Lake.
Set to compete against the Broncos, the Canucks knew they had to bring their best as Meadow Lake’s roster included former NHL’ers DJ and Dwight King, East Coast Hockey League player Todd Fiddler, Western Hockey League netminder Bryan Bridges, who set a WHL regular season record with 13 shutouts and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League players like Jared Iron and Robin and Regan Yew.
Hoping to take a 1-0 series lead heading home, despite outshooting Meadow Lake in game one Drake fell short, losing 4-1. Blair felt the difference in that contest was the Broncos connecting on their odd man rushes while Drake met a pretty hot goalie. “We gave him all we had in Meadow but he was a pretty big difference. I thought we outplayed them, they just made the most of their chances.”
Looking to tie the series back up at home and with a full Drake Sportsplex, the Canucks went to work in front of their home town fans, battling back from a 2-1 deficit. Eventually securing a thrilling 4-2 victory with goals from John Lawrence (two), Cam Blair and David Stumborg (who added the empty-netter), Drake also received some help from veteran goalie Calvin Bartel to push the series to a third and deciding game.
With a number of former Canuck players in attendance for game three, many sporting their black championship leather jackets from years prior, as was the case for game two, fans had to arrive at least a half hour before puck drop in order to secure a good spot. A player with the Canucks during a number of those championship teams before becoming the head coach, McLaren also wore his black leather jacket for game three. “When I was sitting at the table watching guys come in before the game, there was a lot of those old black leathers coming in. I was quite surprised.”
With hundreds of people attending game three in Drake and not a lot of room to sit, Blair said it was awesome to have such strong support for the team. “It is one of those things that is tough to put into words. It shows the amount of support our small town hockey team has when there is people coming from all over the countryside to come watch our games. Even the support from surrounding communities like Watrous, Lanigan, Humboldt and all the people in Drake and people from Drake that were coming back and even giving their support online, it really meant a lot.”
As game time got closer and players returned to the dressing room after warm ups, when asked if McLaren had one last message for his team, he said, “I am pretty quiet and this time of year I don’t think anybody needs an inspirational speech. You either better be ready or you’re going to lose. That is all there is to it. We have a very good dressing room. These guys all get along and they are all there for the same reason and that to me is 90 percent of it. They knew they were better than game one and everybody just stepped up.”
After the national anthem was played, clubs got down to business to decide who would win this year’s Senior A provincial title.
With Bartel unable to suit up for game three, goalie Spencer Ewen got the nod and was tested early. After applying some early pressure, Drake gave up a breakaway and with Meadow Lake’s first shot of the game, Regan Yew beat Ewen upstairs to make it 1-0. The marker, a stretch pass from Calvin Fiddler to set up the breakaway, came 1:38 into the game.
After Meadow Lake had gotten out to an early edge in the previous two games, when they scored to start game three, McLaren noted there was no panic on the Drake bench. Understanding how tough it was for Ewen to get the late call to start and then face a breakaway early on, McLaren said his netminder shook it off and settled in.
Then with 13:11 illuminated on the scoreboard and deep in Meadow Lake territory, it was Drake’s turn to notch one of its own. With the puck on his stick, Maguire Blair spotted Andrew Johnson in the slot and the forward made no mistake going high blocker side on netminder Bryan Bridges to tie the game.
With a bit of momentum, Drake would receive a power play late in the period and just 39 seconds with the man advantage, former Calgary Hitmen Terrell Draude would strike with a quick shot, beating Bridges on his glove side and giving the Canucks a 2-1 edge. With helpers from John Lawrence and David Stumborg, the Canucks not only grabbed the lead, they held a 9-5 advantage in the shot department.
As the crowd watched with eager anticipation, the opening 20 minutes soon came to a close and Meadow Lake found itself in more penalty trouble to begin period two. Despite being shorthanded to start the middle frame
Stanley Cup winner Dwight King, who sported number 74 for the Broncos, found some space with the puck and rang a hard shot off the post. Coming close to seeing a 2-2 contest, Drake maintained the lead as the puck stayed out of the net.
With some big hits, crisp passing and hard shots, teams sought the next goal, one that would come with 4:14 left in the second. Looking for some separation on the ice, Cam Blair found room and drilled a laser that found the back of the net. With Chris Durand feeding the former University of Saskatchewan Huskie from beside the Bronco cage, Blair blasted a shot at the faceoff dot on Bridges’ blocker side to beat the goalie and give the Canucks a 3-1 advantage.
Feeding off of the crowd’s energy after notching the team’s third of the game, Blair said, “Coming home to a full rink, that was as many people as I have ever seen in Drake. It definitely made a pretty big difference.”
Shortly after getting a two goal lead, Drake found itself with a late power play. While the team was unable to score, not long after, both clubs were assessed penalties and the period came to a close. Up by two through two, Drake outshot Meadow Lake 25-14 after 40 minutes of play.
Noting how game three was more physical than the previous two, with his team leading, McLaren said, “I think maybe it got a little rougher when they were on the ropes a little bit. I understand that, we’d be the same way I’m sure.”
Just 20 minutes away from capturing its first ever Senior A provincial title, Drake headed out to a raucous crowd for period three and took aim at securing the victory.
Having strong depth on the bench throughout the team’s provincial run, McLaren explained how the team continued to roll. “That really makes things easy. Any one of them can be on the ice and you don’t have to worry about anything and that makes it easy.”
After a slashing penalty just over four minutes into the third, Meadow Lake went down a player once again. Looking to his bench and hoping to add to Drake’s total, McLaren’s club took advantage of the power play. A rocket from the blueline by Cody Pettapiece with 16:36 left hit the back of the net and made it 4-1. With Russell Goodman adding the assist on the team’s fourth of the night, the Canucks looked to lock things down.
However, with tremendous fire power themselves, Meadow Lake had other ideas as Shane Hounsell cut the lead in half 27 seconds later, burying a cross-ice feed into the back of the net. Wanting to build off that momentum, the Broncos continued to press and with the intensity cranked up, tempers also started to rise.
With both netminders making big saves in the final frame, less than halfway through the period, Meadow Lake would manage to get to within one. With assists from Trevor Bailey and Taylor Arnold, Regan Yew notched his second of the contest and it became a nail-biting 4-3 score.
Still with over 12 minutes left, teams went back and forth and it was not until the latter part of the period when Meadow Lake received an unsportsmanlike and misconduct to put Drake back on the power play.
Looking to regain some separation on the score board, Drake attacked the Bronco zone and with less than three minutes to play, Stumborg set up Durand and he made it 5-3. The Canucks would then add an empty net goal from Lawrence as tempers flared and a few fights broke out.
With some rough stuff near the end of the game, that put Drake back on the power play, the eighth penalty for the visiting club in the contest. But with just nine seconds remaining on the clock, the power play didn’t matter as time ran out and the Canucks took a 6-3 victory on home ice while outshooting the Broncos 36-24.
As sticks and gloves flew in celebration and fans
cheered, the team marked its first ever Senior A provincial title before plaques, a banner and trophy were presented by Hockey Sask to the Canucks.
The win at home gave Drake its 12th Senior title, previously winning Senior B in 2021, Senior C in 2010 and 2005, and Senior D in 2013, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1990, 1978, 1976, and 1974. While no other team in Saskatchewan has won A, B, C, and D, according to Hockey Sask, Drake ranks only behind Kindersley (15), Shellbrook (14), and Wilkie (13) for total overall Senior titles.
Winning five of those championships as a player and now four as a coach, McLaren said being able to make history as the only team in Saskatchewan to win in all four categories says a lot. “With a small population our local guys seem to be dwindling and there is not that much coming up but it is connections, everyone knows somebody. And to get everyone coming out, I think they enjoy coming out there. There are so many other places to play but these guys like to come out there and they are a good bunch. As far as 12 for our town, I think that is pretty spectacular. It is pretty remarkable to win A, B, C, and D.”
With his dad and uncle earning a few of those provincial titles before winning one of his own with his brothers, Blair said, “It is pretty cool. It is an interesting piece that our little small town has been able to do all of that and win all these different championships of different sizes. It just goes to show the support and the guys in the room that make it happen. We might not have the payroll that other teams have so in order for us to compete, we have guys that want to come out and play for the right reasons. They want to win and play for each other in the room and it is pretty awesome.”
When asked what McLaren has done as a coach to have so much success over the years, he said, “Ninety-percent is the guys that you have. You have to have guys that get along. If you have a good dressing room that is very easy for me. I don’t think I do anything different than others. I am very soft spoken so I just try to keep everybody loose and enjoy it. You don’t know if it is going to be your last one so make the most of it.”
Recognizing the value of having a coach like Duane, Cam shared the dedication that he brings. “Duane has been awesome, he is there every game. He is the first one to the rink every day. He helps pack bags, he is the one pulling the trailer behind his truck to every game and it shows quite a bit of how much he cares about the team with the amount of time he puts in. You know he cares a lot. Sometimes he might not have the most to say but when Duane does speak up and says something, everybody listens. He has been a huge part of the Drake Canucks - long before I was there - even when he was a player. His accolades and the amount of championships he has been a part of shows that.”
Having a captain who essentially grew up at the Drake Sportsplex before competing for the Huskies while developing his skills and leadership, McLaren noted how valuable Cam has been to the team. “He is definitely a leader by example for sure and he is probably the hardest working guy I’ve ever seen. He is great in the room, has all the connections and is the hometown kid. He is very easy to work with and he helps out a lot.”
As both coach and captain have been able to celebrate championships in the past, when asked where the 2022 title ranks, the pair acknowledged pretty high.
“Since we have never won A before that is pretty huge,” shared McLaren. “We have won some series in the past that maybe we shouldn’t have and those always stick out in my mind. As far as ranking one ahead of the other, this one being most recent, it is probably my favourite at the time.”
Explaining it was the best game he has ever been a part of in Drake, Blair said the win on home ice was his number one highlight of Senior hockey. “I played in quite a few good games before. The Can West championship (with the Huskies) would be up there as well, winning it at Rutherford, but this would definitely be right up there with it.”
As for the dedication of the players on this year’s team, both McLaren and Blair appreciated the effort made by them throughout the season.
“I would like to give a shout out to those city guys that drive every game depending on weather it doesn’t matter,” said the head coach. “Even late nights, they are off to work the next morning. That is a huge commitment and I really appreciate that.”
Blair shared that the objective when it came to bringing in players was to have athletes who were going to be there when it really mattered. “They are going to go the extra mile or take a hit or block a shot for you. I think the guys we brought in were all there for the same goal, everybody cared and everybody wanted to win. It is easy to say that but you could just tell. There was no quit.”
And it was not just on the ice that the captain explained was a big part of the team’s success but off it as well. Appreciating all of the volunteers and people behind the scenes that helped to make things tick, Blair said, “They are a big part of these small town teams that keep things going. Whether they are running the gate, the 50/50, making meals for the team, sharpening skates, there are a lot of people that probably go unrecognized that mean a lot to not just our team but to every small town senior hockey team keeping these small town rinks thriving. It is definitely a community run organization and it goes a long way. It was nice to finally win one to give them a little bit of something to be proud of as well.”
The 2021-‘22 Drake Canucks provincial roster included: Calvin Bartel (35), Spencer Ewen (1), Catlin Gusikoski (3), Cody Pettapiece (4), David Stumborg (5), Matt Rintoul (6), Maguire Blair (7), Rhett Blackmur (8), Terrell Draude (9), Chris Durand (10), Russell Goodman (11), Emmett Scheidt (14), Nolan Blair (15), Neil Landry (16), Cam Blair (17), Maguire Scheidt (19), Carter Coben (20), Steven Toporowski (21), Andrew Johnson (22), Daigon Elmy (24), Kendall McFaull (27), John Lawrence (28), Cody Wourms (90), Head Coach Duane McLaren, Assistant Coach Darren Blair, and Manager Scott Blair.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 21, 2022
Wildcats take silver at provincials
Daniel Bushman
Despite a winter storm delaying their journey to provincials, once the Winston Wildcats mixed high school curling team arrived in Swift Current, the rink was not only ready to roll but took aim at securing a spot in the final.
Sweeping through pre-districts, districts and gaining momentum in regional play to advance to provincials, the team representing Watrous planned on leaving for Swift Current Mar. 10 but the weather forced the team to head out early Friday morning instead.
Due to the elements creating hazardous travel, Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association pushed all of Friday’s draws back, changing them to six ends as opposed to eight. Despite the adjustments and having to get up early Mar. 11, the Watrous rink led by skip Erika Oakes (Gr. 10), third Kade Thomas (Gr. 11), second Annaka Miettinen (Gr. 12), lead Nick Lawrence (Gr. 11) and coached by Rene Miettinen and Dawn Lee got off to a solid start.
In the first game, the blue and gold beat Leoville 5-4 and followed that up with another victory, this time over Canora 7-2. With a record of 2-0, Watrous met Avonlea in a 5 p.m. draw but came up on the
losing end 8-2. Despite the tough loss, the Wildcats ended the day first in the pool, putting them into the Saturday’s playoff.
Meeting Lampman in the 10 a.m. semifinal draw Saturday, Watrous won 6-3 to advance to the provincial final. The Wildcats faced a familiar opponent from Canora who beat Tisdale in their game 7-3. In a hard fought provincial final, coach Dawn Lee explained one end did not go quite as planned for Watrous which meant fighting to get back into the game. Trying to catch up, the Wildcats were not quite able to make up the difference and took home silver as Canora won 7-3. In the bronze medal game, Tisdale defeated Lampman 7-5.
Capturing a silver medal at provincials and reflecting back on the season, on behalf of Miettinen, Lee said both coaches were very proud of the team and all they accomplished. “They had lost only one game on the way to provincials, but that didn’t change their attitudes, they just took it one game at time. They were so excited to be at provincials but I don’t think they really thought they could get to that gold medal game.”
With a lot of supporters cheering them on from the curling rink and from back home, Lee said, “Our fans and supporters had all the faith in the world that they could get there and win! It’s a tough game to watch when you are behind the glass because there is no cheering that they can hear. But while they couldn’t hear us cheering, this team was scrappy and they just kept playing their game and did it well.”
Lee noted every time the rink of Oakes, Thomas, Miettinen, and Lawrence stepped on the ice, they became a team that worked together to get the job done. “They are a lot of fun at the rink and Rene and I enjoyed coaching them. They came to practice all year, doing the drills, playing little mini games and putting in the effort. They are good curlers and you can see it. We are so happy for what they have accomplished, they deserved it.”
Daniel Bushman
Despite a winter storm delaying their journey to provincials, once the Winston Wildcats mixed high school curling team arrived in Swift Current, the rink was not only ready to roll but took aim at securing a spot in the final.
Sweeping through pre-districts, districts and gaining momentum in regional play to advance to provincials, the team representing Watrous planned on leaving for Swift Current Mar. 10 but the weather forced the team to head out early Friday morning instead.
Due to the elements creating hazardous travel, Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association pushed all of Friday’s draws back, changing them to six ends as opposed to eight. Despite the adjustments and having to get up early Mar. 11, the Watrous rink led by skip Erika Oakes (Gr. 10), third Kade Thomas (Gr. 11), second Annaka Miettinen (Gr. 12), lead Nick Lawrence (Gr. 11) and coached by Rene Miettinen and Dawn Lee got off to a solid start.
In the first game, the blue and gold beat Leoville 5-4 and followed that up with another victory, this time over Canora 7-2. With a record of 2-0, Watrous met Avonlea in a 5 p.m. draw but came up on the
losing end 8-2. Despite the tough loss, the Wildcats ended the day first in the pool, putting them into the Saturday’s playoff.
Meeting Lampman in the 10 a.m. semifinal draw Saturday, Watrous won 6-3 to advance to the provincial final. The Wildcats faced a familiar opponent from Canora who beat Tisdale in their game 7-3. In a hard fought provincial final, coach Dawn Lee explained one end did not go quite as planned for Watrous which meant fighting to get back into the game. Trying to catch up, the Wildcats were not quite able to make up the difference and took home silver as Canora won 7-3. In the bronze medal game, Tisdale defeated Lampman 7-5.
Capturing a silver medal at provincials and reflecting back on the season, on behalf of Miettinen, Lee said both coaches were very proud of the team and all they accomplished. “They had lost only one game on the way to provincials, but that didn’t change their attitudes, they just took it one game at time. They were so excited to be at provincials but I don’t think they really thought they could get to that gold medal game.”
With a lot of supporters cheering them on from the curling rink and from back home, Lee said, “Our fans and supporters had all the faith in the world that they could get there and win! It’s a tough game to watch when you are behind the glass because there is no cheering that they can hear. But while they couldn’t hear us cheering, this team was scrappy and they just kept playing their game and did it well.”
Lee noted every time the rink of Oakes, Thomas, Miettinen, and Lawrence stepped on the ice, they became a team that worked together to get the job done. “They are a lot of fun at the rink and Rene and I enjoyed coaching them. They came to practice all year, doing the drills, playing little mini games and putting in the effort. They are good curlers and you can see it. We are so happy for what they have accomplished, they deserved it.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 14, 2022
Watrous and area shine at TeleMiracle 46
Daniel Bushman
Not only was it a record-breaking year for TeleMiracle 46 but locally, people once again came together to show their support. After being forced to do things a little bit differently last year due to the pandemic, people rallied behind this year’s edition of TeleMiracle and when the final total was announced, $8,002,722 had been raised.
As was the case last year, people from across the province found unique ways to garner funds for TeleMiracle 46 and that was no different for Watrous and the surrounding areas. Able to present a total live on stage in Regina this year, members of the Watrous Kin, on behalf of the community, unveiled a cheque for just over $22,000 (about $1,000 more than last year).
An excited Tiffany Dreger, who is the President for the Watrous Kinettes, and was part of the live Sunday morning presentation said, “The support we see year after year is so unbelievably incredible. We would not have been able to donate a total of $22,052.10 to such a fantastic cause without the unwavering support that we have from Watrous and our surrounding area.”
As part of that substantial local total, just over $9,300 of it came from an online auction, something held for the second time. Once again, items were donated by local businesses, organizations and residents as people stepped up in a big way.
“The online auction for TeleMiracle was a great success. We are sometimes nervous to ask for donations to do these projects, but year after year, our community comes together to either donate or bid on the items (or both!). The auction committee worked hard gathering, itemizing, and posting all of the items. The amazing people in our community had a blast bidding and supporting this fantastic fundraiser. We would not be able to do it without every single person, from the organizers to the donors, all the way to the amazing people that bid on the items. We are so excited to have raised $9,303 with this project.”
A new initiative this year was a Manitou Lodge Walk-and-Rollathon. Before the pandemic arrived, a very successful pie auction would take place at the lodge but due to COVID-19, Dreger explained they gave the walk-and-rollathon a try this year. With people donating funds to the residents for their event, Dreger remarked, “It was such an amazing success! Residents of Manitou Lodge had so much fun walking and rolling their laps to raise $4,003.60!! They are such amazing supporters of TeleMiracle every single year, and we are so grateful to them, and those that help them organize these events. Their efforts do not go unnoticed and are so very appreciated.”
As for other donations that the Watrous Kin passed along at TeleMiracle, Dreger shared a bit of a breakdown: Watrous Elementary School held a candy bag sale and raised $641 and Winston High School had a TeleMiracle Elimination Draw and raised $2,000. Watrous Mainline GM had a cool fundraiser called, “You Say It, You Pay It!”, where they identified certain words that you couldn’t say, and if you said those words, you had to pay up! This raised $1,000! We also had quite a few personal donations that came to $3,082.50 and the Watrous Kinsmen Club donated $2,022.
“I feel so blessed to be a part of this community and this wonderful group of women,” said Dreger of being able to represent Watrous and the Kinettes. “There are no words to explain the feelings you have sitting on that stage, watching the numbers climb, talking to people as they call in to donate, or the rush of emotions you have when people leave a bequest knowing that their gift will help people in need. There are very few dry eyes when that final total rolls up and you see what everyone’s hard work has done. It feels like a dream every time.”
Along with the Watrous Kin presenting a cheque and also answering phones during the Mar. 5 and 6 weekend, early Sunday afternoon, Alissa Nimchuk of Simpson performed a dance to “Love Me Anyway.” She was also able to present funds raised totalling $3,100.80.
During the weekend there were also numerous bequests including one on behalf of local area couple, the late Roy and Joyce Powell. The Powell’s resided on their farm north of Guernsey for the majority of their lives until their final retirement years. According to their bequest, it stated: They were passionate about their province, agriculture, their church, their community and their family. Along with operating a grain farm and managing a herd of purebred polled Hereford cattle, Roy and Joyce were very active in their community.
Roy served on municipal government as a councillor and then a reeve for 52 years. Both Roy and Joyce served on numerous community and church committees throughout their lives.
They were also passionate about TeleMiracle and made a donation each and every year. Although they had no children of their own, they loved children and appreciated how TeleMiracle helps so many children and families in Saskatchewan. Roy and Joyce were loved and are missed by their brothers and sisters, their nieces and nephews, their great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews.
“Kinsmen TeleMiracle would like to thank Roy and Joyce for their generous gift of $455,000.”
As for the remainder of TeleMiracle, the 46th edition wrapped up in Regina with a record of just over $8 million. With this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $153 million.
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
Daniel Bushman
Not only was it a record-breaking year for TeleMiracle 46 but locally, people once again came together to show their support. After being forced to do things a little bit differently last year due to the pandemic, people rallied behind this year’s edition of TeleMiracle and when the final total was announced, $8,002,722 had been raised.
As was the case last year, people from across the province found unique ways to garner funds for TeleMiracle 46 and that was no different for Watrous and the surrounding areas. Able to present a total live on stage in Regina this year, members of the Watrous Kin, on behalf of the community, unveiled a cheque for just over $22,000 (about $1,000 more than last year).
An excited Tiffany Dreger, who is the President for the Watrous Kinettes, and was part of the live Sunday morning presentation said, “The support we see year after year is so unbelievably incredible. We would not have been able to donate a total of $22,052.10 to such a fantastic cause without the unwavering support that we have from Watrous and our surrounding area.”
As part of that substantial local total, just over $9,300 of it came from an online auction, something held for the second time. Once again, items were donated by local businesses, organizations and residents as people stepped up in a big way.
“The online auction for TeleMiracle was a great success. We are sometimes nervous to ask for donations to do these projects, but year after year, our community comes together to either donate or bid on the items (or both!). The auction committee worked hard gathering, itemizing, and posting all of the items. The amazing people in our community had a blast bidding and supporting this fantastic fundraiser. We would not be able to do it without every single person, from the organizers to the donors, all the way to the amazing people that bid on the items. We are so excited to have raised $9,303 with this project.”
A new initiative this year was a Manitou Lodge Walk-and-Rollathon. Before the pandemic arrived, a very successful pie auction would take place at the lodge but due to COVID-19, Dreger explained they gave the walk-and-rollathon a try this year. With people donating funds to the residents for their event, Dreger remarked, “It was such an amazing success! Residents of Manitou Lodge had so much fun walking and rolling their laps to raise $4,003.60!! They are such amazing supporters of TeleMiracle every single year, and we are so grateful to them, and those that help them organize these events. Their efforts do not go unnoticed and are so very appreciated.”
As for other donations that the Watrous Kin passed along at TeleMiracle, Dreger shared a bit of a breakdown: Watrous Elementary School held a candy bag sale and raised $641 and Winston High School had a TeleMiracle Elimination Draw and raised $2,000. Watrous Mainline GM had a cool fundraiser called, “You Say It, You Pay It!”, where they identified certain words that you couldn’t say, and if you said those words, you had to pay up! This raised $1,000! We also had quite a few personal donations that came to $3,082.50 and the Watrous Kinsmen Club donated $2,022.
“I feel so blessed to be a part of this community and this wonderful group of women,” said Dreger of being able to represent Watrous and the Kinettes. “There are no words to explain the feelings you have sitting on that stage, watching the numbers climb, talking to people as they call in to donate, or the rush of emotions you have when people leave a bequest knowing that their gift will help people in need. There are very few dry eyes when that final total rolls up and you see what everyone’s hard work has done. It feels like a dream every time.”
Along with the Watrous Kin presenting a cheque and also answering phones during the Mar. 5 and 6 weekend, early Sunday afternoon, Alissa Nimchuk of Simpson performed a dance to “Love Me Anyway.” She was also able to present funds raised totalling $3,100.80.
During the weekend there were also numerous bequests including one on behalf of local area couple, the late Roy and Joyce Powell. The Powell’s resided on their farm north of Guernsey for the majority of their lives until their final retirement years. According to their bequest, it stated: They were passionate about their province, agriculture, their church, their community and their family. Along with operating a grain farm and managing a herd of purebred polled Hereford cattle, Roy and Joyce were very active in their community.
Roy served on municipal government as a councillor and then a reeve for 52 years. Both Roy and Joyce served on numerous community and church committees throughout their lives.
They were also passionate about TeleMiracle and made a donation each and every year. Although they had no children of their own, they loved children and appreciated how TeleMiracle helps so many children and families in Saskatchewan. Roy and Joyce were loved and are missed by their brothers and sisters, their nieces and nephews, their great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews.
“Kinsmen TeleMiracle would like to thank Roy and Joyce for their generous gift of $455,000.”
As for the remainder of TeleMiracle, the 46th edition wrapped up in Regina with a record of just over $8 million. With this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $153 million.
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
TWM's Top Story - Mar. 7, 2022
REACT implements changes due to variety of factors
Daniel Bushman
With higher operating costs, trying to safely navigate through a pandemic and a continued frustration of items being improperly placed in its blue recycling bins, the Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT) has been faced with some extremely challenging hurdles over the past two years.
Trying to divert as much waste from landfills as possible, the not-for-profit municipal waste region is currently owned and operated by 31 urban and 16 rural member municipalities which locally include: Colonsay, Drake, Guernsey, Lanigan, LeRoy, Manitou Beach, Meacham, Plunkett, Simpson, Viscount, Watrous, Young, Zelma and the RMs of Wood Creek, Usborne, Morris, LeRoy, Wolverine, Viscount and Colonsay.
Starting operations Sept. 3, 1996 as the first fully integrated regional solid waste management system in the province, with changes due to the pandemic and rising costs, REACT CEO Wendy Yaworski graciously took some time out of her busy schedule to share about some of the challenges REACT has been facing and why there has been an increase in fees.
Has it been challenging for REACT during the pandemic?
Initially when COVID-19 came on the scene in 2020, we scrambled to get educated on how contagious the virus was and what safety measures were necessary to protect our staff. We followed provincial health guidelines and were extra cautious handling the tag-a-bag waste and recycling that was deposited into the recycle centres.
We found that the public was disposing of masks and gloves into the recycling bins which posed a health risk for our workers. Because of that, we continue to encourage our workers to protect themselves wearing appropriate PPE when doing their job duties. We ask the public to please put PPE used for COVID-19 into the garbage instead of the recycling bins.
Is it getting more frustrating or becoming more of a challenge with the recycling program as people are not placing items in proper bins?
It is extremely challenging, frustrating, and demoralizing for our workers with the amount of contamination that is placed into the bins at our recycling depots and in the automated curbside carts. The workers are required to hand sort and remove the waste from the recycling bins. Diapers, household garbage, grass clippings, carcasses, etc. continue to be dumped into the recycling bins on a regular basis. This poses a real health risk for our employees. It also drives the cost of the recycling program up.
What are some instances where things were not placed in proper bins?
Diapers, rotten household garbage, tree branches, grass clippings, and carcasses have all been found in our bins. Cross contamination of recyclables in the bins is also a big problem. The bins are labelled and say what can be placed into them and it is very important to only put into the bins what the bin is labelled for.
When you start putting office paper into the newsprint bin for example, it contaminates the newspaper bin and vice versa. Instead of REACT receiving money that is put towards the recycling program, we are heavily charged to ship the mixed product. The brokers want a clean product. Recycling that is mixed up is basically garbage and very expensive to handle to separate so they pass the cost along to REACT.
This results in the cost of services that REACT provides to escalate. It also affects your tag-a-bag rates because revenues must be generated elsewhere to cover off the shortfalls.
If that type of negligence continues, what could happen to the program?
REACT is exploring ways to curb the waste found in the recycle depots. Education is important as well as the co-operation of residents. The companies that accept the recycling collected to be made into new products no longer want to accept contaminated recycling. We were allowed a five percent contamination rate in the recycling we shipped in the past, but since China closed its borders to taking in North America’s recycling, Canadian brokers want it down to zero point five percent. This is very difficult because we hand sort through the recycling to provide a clean product to be shipped. It may be necessary to have the recycle depots placed at the waste transfer stations where they can be monitored for what goes into the bins or place them in a supervised fenced area that is only open at certain times for public use, very similar to the waste transfer stations.
What are people able to recycle?
Each bin is labelled separately for tin cans, newsprint, cardboard, and office paper. We do not accept plastic or glass. We ask that only cardboard be put into the
cardboard bins, only tin cans put into the tin bin, only newsprint into the newsprint bin and only office paper into the office paper bin. It may sound redundant spelling it out, but many individuals will dump cardboard and papers together or tin/plastic together or office paper into the newsprint and it just ruins our entire truckload of recycling. We can’t stress enough the importance of putting the appropriate recycling into the bin that it is labelled for.
We have had many requests asking why we do not provide plastic or glass bins. This is not only a question asked of REACT. This question is asked across the province because as of right now, there is no consistent recycling program across the province.
Unfortunately, REACT does not have the facility to sort plastic according to the numbers that are found on the bottom of containers. Each type of plastic is made from a different type or mixture of chemical properties. If you look at a container or pop bottle you will see the number 1 through 7 on it. We sort everything by hand so the large volume of plastic that comes from the district makes it virtually impossible to sort the containers to the proper number so that a broker would want it. They do not want a mixture of different plastics. Some numbers of plastic are worthless, and brokers simply do not want them. A lot end up in the landfills.
Larger centres in Saskatchewan have automated sorting centres so they can accept plastic that has some value to it and it is segregated into the appropriate numbers and baled for shipment. The recycling facilities that are in larger cities in Saskatchewan would like to see a consistent recycling program across the province which would enable all communities across the province to accept plastic. This would enable these recycling facilities to draw on an economy of scale to improve efficiencies and reduce their operating costs.
A consistent recycling program across the province would enable REACT to collect plastic as the larger centres do and benefit our residents.
Glass is another topic altogether. The general public is not aware that most glass collected in recycling programs within the province is going to landfills. Some communities may collect it, but the bad news is that it is not being recycled. It is being landfilled or stockpiled at landfills.
The only glass being recycled in Saskatchewan is what SARCAN collects. It goes to a company in Moose Jaw who recycles the glass to be made into reflective glass beads for highway paint.
Could you explain why there was a price increase to the tag-a-bag program?
The Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT) is locally owned and operated by its municipal members. Many people think that REACT is a privately owned company. It is very similar to a local Co-op. Member towns/villages and RMs own a share of REACT according to per capita so it really is the taxpayer who owns REACT. We are here to provide a service to the members at an affordable cost; however, that is becoming increasingly difficult in today’s economy.
Collection and transportation costs are rising due to fuel increases, the carbon tax, higher equipment costs and wages. Costs have also increased in the area of landfilling with regards to engineered garbage cells, fresh water run off ponds, and leachate ponds that must be operated to the Ministry of Environment’s regulations. All of these costs add to the cost of the tag-a-bag program and other services provided.
With the rising costs for REACT, could you share if that will be reflected in price increases throughout the district?
The cost of a tag-a-bag has increased to $3.50 across the district. REACT is analyzing the option of switching communities over to automated cart service and eliminating the tag-a-bag. Items that need to be taken into consideration are purchasing enough automated curbside trucks to service the district including wheeled carts that would be placed at each household. Carts are convenient for the homeowner. This most certainly would take time to switch the district over.
Landfill and transfer station fees will also be increasing as well due to collection, transportation, and landfilling costs.
Daniel Bushman
With higher operating costs, trying to safely navigate through a pandemic and a continued frustration of items being improperly placed in its blue recycling bins, the Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT) has been faced with some extremely challenging hurdles over the past two years.
Trying to divert as much waste from landfills as possible, the not-for-profit municipal waste region is currently owned and operated by 31 urban and 16 rural member municipalities which locally include: Colonsay, Drake, Guernsey, Lanigan, LeRoy, Manitou Beach, Meacham, Plunkett, Simpson, Viscount, Watrous, Young, Zelma and the RMs of Wood Creek, Usborne, Morris, LeRoy, Wolverine, Viscount and Colonsay.
Starting operations Sept. 3, 1996 as the first fully integrated regional solid waste management system in the province, with changes due to the pandemic and rising costs, REACT CEO Wendy Yaworski graciously took some time out of her busy schedule to share about some of the challenges REACT has been facing and why there has been an increase in fees.
Has it been challenging for REACT during the pandemic?
Initially when COVID-19 came on the scene in 2020, we scrambled to get educated on how contagious the virus was and what safety measures were necessary to protect our staff. We followed provincial health guidelines and were extra cautious handling the tag-a-bag waste and recycling that was deposited into the recycle centres.
We found that the public was disposing of masks and gloves into the recycling bins which posed a health risk for our workers. Because of that, we continue to encourage our workers to protect themselves wearing appropriate PPE when doing their job duties. We ask the public to please put PPE used for COVID-19 into the garbage instead of the recycling bins.
Is it getting more frustrating or becoming more of a challenge with the recycling program as people are not placing items in proper bins?
It is extremely challenging, frustrating, and demoralizing for our workers with the amount of contamination that is placed into the bins at our recycling depots and in the automated curbside carts. The workers are required to hand sort and remove the waste from the recycling bins. Diapers, household garbage, grass clippings, carcasses, etc. continue to be dumped into the recycling bins on a regular basis. This poses a real health risk for our employees. It also drives the cost of the recycling program up.
What are some instances where things were not placed in proper bins?
Diapers, rotten household garbage, tree branches, grass clippings, and carcasses have all been found in our bins. Cross contamination of recyclables in the bins is also a big problem. The bins are labelled and say what can be placed into them and it is very important to only put into the bins what the bin is labelled for.
When you start putting office paper into the newsprint bin for example, it contaminates the newspaper bin and vice versa. Instead of REACT receiving money that is put towards the recycling program, we are heavily charged to ship the mixed product. The brokers want a clean product. Recycling that is mixed up is basically garbage and very expensive to handle to separate so they pass the cost along to REACT.
This results in the cost of services that REACT provides to escalate. It also affects your tag-a-bag rates because revenues must be generated elsewhere to cover off the shortfalls.
If that type of negligence continues, what could happen to the program?
REACT is exploring ways to curb the waste found in the recycle depots. Education is important as well as the co-operation of residents. The companies that accept the recycling collected to be made into new products no longer want to accept contaminated recycling. We were allowed a five percent contamination rate in the recycling we shipped in the past, but since China closed its borders to taking in North America’s recycling, Canadian brokers want it down to zero point five percent. This is very difficult because we hand sort through the recycling to provide a clean product to be shipped. It may be necessary to have the recycle depots placed at the waste transfer stations where they can be monitored for what goes into the bins or place them in a supervised fenced area that is only open at certain times for public use, very similar to the waste transfer stations.
What are people able to recycle?
Each bin is labelled separately for tin cans, newsprint, cardboard, and office paper. We do not accept plastic or glass. We ask that only cardboard be put into the
cardboard bins, only tin cans put into the tin bin, only newsprint into the newsprint bin and only office paper into the office paper bin. It may sound redundant spelling it out, but many individuals will dump cardboard and papers together or tin/plastic together or office paper into the newsprint and it just ruins our entire truckload of recycling. We can’t stress enough the importance of putting the appropriate recycling into the bin that it is labelled for.
We have had many requests asking why we do not provide plastic or glass bins. This is not only a question asked of REACT. This question is asked across the province because as of right now, there is no consistent recycling program across the province.
Unfortunately, REACT does not have the facility to sort plastic according to the numbers that are found on the bottom of containers. Each type of plastic is made from a different type or mixture of chemical properties. If you look at a container or pop bottle you will see the number 1 through 7 on it. We sort everything by hand so the large volume of plastic that comes from the district makes it virtually impossible to sort the containers to the proper number so that a broker would want it. They do not want a mixture of different plastics. Some numbers of plastic are worthless, and brokers simply do not want them. A lot end up in the landfills.
Larger centres in Saskatchewan have automated sorting centres so they can accept plastic that has some value to it and it is segregated into the appropriate numbers and baled for shipment. The recycling facilities that are in larger cities in Saskatchewan would like to see a consistent recycling program across the province which would enable all communities across the province to accept plastic. This would enable these recycling facilities to draw on an economy of scale to improve efficiencies and reduce their operating costs.
A consistent recycling program across the province would enable REACT to collect plastic as the larger centres do and benefit our residents.
Glass is another topic altogether. The general public is not aware that most glass collected in recycling programs within the province is going to landfills. Some communities may collect it, but the bad news is that it is not being recycled. It is being landfilled or stockpiled at landfills.
The only glass being recycled in Saskatchewan is what SARCAN collects. It goes to a company in Moose Jaw who recycles the glass to be made into reflective glass beads for highway paint.
Could you explain why there was a price increase to the tag-a-bag program?
The Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT) is locally owned and operated by its municipal members. Many people think that REACT is a privately owned company. It is very similar to a local Co-op. Member towns/villages and RMs own a share of REACT according to per capita so it really is the taxpayer who owns REACT. We are here to provide a service to the members at an affordable cost; however, that is becoming increasingly difficult in today’s economy.
Collection and transportation costs are rising due to fuel increases, the carbon tax, higher equipment costs and wages. Costs have also increased in the area of landfilling with regards to engineered garbage cells, fresh water run off ponds, and leachate ponds that must be operated to the Ministry of Environment’s regulations. All of these costs add to the cost of the tag-a-bag program and other services provided.
With the rising costs for REACT, could you share if that will be reflected in price increases throughout the district?
The cost of a tag-a-bag has increased to $3.50 across the district. REACT is analyzing the option of switching communities over to automated cart service and eliminating the tag-a-bag. Items that need to be taken into consideration are purchasing enough automated curbside trucks to service the district including wheeled carts that would be placed at each household. Carts are convenient for the homeowner. This most certainly would take time to switch the district over.
Landfill and transfer station fees will also be increasing as well due to collection, transportation, and landfilling costs.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 21, 2022
Watrous mixed curling teams sweep to district finals
Daniel Bushman
Sliding through Horizon pre-district play and advancing to district action, the junior and senior mixed curling teams representing Watrous not only remained on a roll as the pair of rinks carried over their momentum from pre-districts but ran right to the district final.
With the mixed senior curling team led by skip Erika Oakes (Gr. 10), third Kade Thomas (Gr. 11), second Annaka Miettinen (Gr. 12), lead Nick Lawrence (Gr. 11) and coached by Rene Miettinen and Dawn Lee, the rink began its quest for a championship earlier this month.
Dawn Lee said the team headed to Lanigan Feb. 7 for pre-districts where they came out strong, stealing four in the first end against Quill Lake to win 11-0 after six ends. “That win felt really good after a couple of years not being able to curl. Then they played the Watson team and won 8-1 after six ends. With those two wins we were the A-side winners and gave us our place in the district competition, Friday, Feb. 11.”
Advancing to districts and taking aim at not only a championship pennant but looking for a berth to regionals, the group headed to Wadena.
In its first draw at districts, Watrous started its run against Foam Lake. Lee said the team carried momentum over from pre-districts to the 8:45 a.m. draw and stole five in the first end. “We ended up stealing in every end and quit after the fifth end with a score of 13-0.”
Looking to make it two straight wins, Watrous faced Watson in its next contest and while Lee said it and was not the rink’s best effort, the group still came away with a win of 8-3. “In the seventh end, Watson was sitting three and skip Erika Oakes made a clutch tap back with her last rock for us to be sitting one. The Watson team was not able to get to that rock and we stole one and finished off the game with an 8-3 victory.”
As the A-side winners, Watrous awaited their opponent and with Watson coming through the B-side, that set up a rematch in the final. “We again came out strong and had a lead of 9-1 after six. We played the seventh and won the game 9-2 to become the district champs! Our Wildcat team played so well in the last game, they executed their game plan perfectly.”
Advancing to regionals in Shellbrook Mar. 4 and 5, Lee said, “This team has a lot of talent and it is awesome to see them do so well. They work hard and they are fun to be around.”
As for the junior contingent representing Watrous, the rink was skipped by Sarah Oakes (Gr. 9), the sister of Watrous senior mixed curling skip Erika Oakes, third Ben Johns (Gr. 9), second Gabrielle Knouse (Gr. 9) and lead Sawyer Allin (Gr. 8) with Dawn Lee also coaching the junior crew.
Like their senior counterparts, the junior mixed contingent advanced to districts after making it to the pre-district final and eventually defeating Raymore on Wednesday, Feb. 9 in Ituna. “We played Imperial in our first game and won 8-6. After a quick break we were back on the ice for our next game against Raymore,” explained Lee. “It was a close game exchanging ones until we stole two in the (sixth) last end to win and move on to districts on Tuesday, Feb. 15.”
Returning to Ituna for district action, Watrous received a bye to begin the day so they did not take the ice until 10:45 a.m. Meeting Humboldt Collegiate in its first draw, Lee said it was a close game, with Watrous winning 4-3.
After the victory, Watrous moved on to face Foam Lake. “Again this one was a nail biter and we narrowly came out on top. We counted four in the last end to win by one!”
The win gave Watrous the distinction of A-side champions and like their junior counterparts, they awaited the B-side winner which happened to be Foam Lake. In a rematch from earlier in the day, the final was a double knockout format with the team winning the A-side receiving a second chance. That extra chance would be required as Watrous came up short in the first game. In the second contest, Lee said, “We played a much better game against a very tough opponent and won!”
With the victory, Watrous became junior mixed district champions, the highest competition for this age group. “This team is very supportive of each other, constantly telling each other that they can do it and you got this!! This is a great group of kids and so fun to be around. I was so excited for them to be able to win the district championship!”
As for the remaining local teams competing at districts, here is how they fared:
On the senior girls side, Lanigan reached the district event and beat Ituna in its first draw. Looking to defeat Wadena to advance to the A-side final, Lanigan came up short but rebounded on the B-side to defeat Ituna. In the final, facing Wadena once again, Lanigan was unable to defeat their counterpart; however, both rinks moved on to the regional event.
On the junior girls side, Muenster and Humboldt defeated Lanigan while Muenster got past Humboldt and was named the district winner.
On the senior boys side, it was Bellevue defeating Muenster in the final as both rinks advanced to regionals.
On the junior boys side, Nokomis lost its opening draw to Wynyard and then to Quill Lake as the team’s district run came to an end. Wynyard would go on to defeat Humboldt to take the district title.
In senior doubles, Imperial lost to Strasbourg and Wadena while Strasbourg defeated Wadena to take the district championship.
In junior doubles, Strasbourg beat Nokomis and Lanigan while Nokomis would defeat Lanigan as Strasbourg would go on to win the district title.
Daniel Bushman
Sliding through Horizon pre-district play and advancing to district action, the junior and senior mixed curling teams representing Watrous not only remained on a roll as the pair of rinks carried over their momentum from pre-districts but ran right to the district final.
With the mixed senior curling team led by skip Erika Oakes (Gr. 10), third Kade Thomas (Gr. 11), second Annaka Miettinen (Gr. 12), lead Nick Lawrence (Gr. 11) and coached by Rene Miettinen and Dawn Lee, the rink began its quest for a championship earlier this month.
Dawn Lee said the team headed to Lanigan Feb. 7 for pre-districts where they came out strong, stealing four in the first end against Quill Lake to win 11-0 after six ends. “That win felt really good after a couple of years not being able to curl. Then they played the Watson team and won 8-1 after six ends. With those two wins we were the A-side winners and gave us our place in the district competition, Friday, Feb. 11.”
Advancing to districts and taking aim at not only a championship pennant but looking for a berth to regionals, the group headed to Wadena.
In its first draw at districts, Watrous started its run against Foam Lake. Lee said the team carried momentum over from pre-districts to the 8:45 a.m. draw and stole five in the first end. “We ended up stealing in every end and quit after the fifth end with a score of 13-0.”
Looking to make it two straight wins, Watrous faced Watson in its next contest and while Lee said it and was not the rink’s best effort, the group still came away with a win of 8-3. “In the seventh end, Watson was sitting three and skip Erika Oakes made a clutch tap back with her last rock for us to be sitting one. The Watson team was not able to get to that rock and we stole one and finished off the game with an 8-3 victory.”
As the A-side winners, Watrous awaited their opponent and with Watson coming through the B-side, that set up a rematch in the final. “We again came out strong and had a lead of 9-1 after six. We played the seventh and won the game 9-2 to become the district champs! Our Wildcat team played so well in the last game, they executed their game plan perfectly.”
Advancing to regionals in Shellbrook Mar. 4 and 5, Lee said, “This team has a lot of talent and it is awesome to see them do so well. They work hard and they are fun to be around.”
As for the junior contingent representing Watrous, the rink was skipped by Sarah Oakes (Gr. 9), the sister of Watrous senior mixed curling skip Erika Oakes, third Ben Johns (Gr. 9), second Gabrielle Knouse (Gr. 9) and lead Sawyer Allin (Gr. 8) with Dawn Lee also coaching the junior crew.
Like their senior counterparts, the junior mixed contingent advanced to districts after making it to the pre-district final and eventually defeating Raymore on Wednesday, Feb. 9 in Ituna. “We played Imperial in our first game and won 8-6. After a quick break we were back on the ice for our next game against Raymore,” explained Lee. “It was a close game exchanging ones until we stole two in the (sixth) last end to win and move on to districts on Tuesday, Feb. 15.”
Returning to Ituna for district action, Watrous received a bye to begin the day so they did not take the ice until 10:45 a.m. Meeting Humboldt Collegiate in its first draw, Lee said it was a close game, with Watrous winning 4-3.
After the victory, Watrous moved on to face Foam Lake. “Again this one was a nail biter and we narrowly came out on top. We counted four in the last end to win by one!”
The win gave Watrous the distinction of A-side champions and like their junior counterparts, they awaited the B-side winner which happened to be Foam Lake. In a rematch from earlier in the day, the final was a double knockout format with the team winning the A-side receiving a second chance. That extra chance would be required as Watrous came up short in the first game. In the second contest, Lee said, “We played a much better game against a very tough opponent and won!”
With the victory, Watrous became junior mixed district champions, the highest competition for this age group. “This team is very supportive of each other, constantly telling each other that they can do it and you got this!! This is a great group of kids and so fun to be around. I was so excited for them to be able to win the district championship!”
As for the remaining local teams competing at districts, here is how they fared:
On the senior girls side, Lanigan reached the district event and beat Ituna in its first draw. Looking to defeat Wadena to advance to the A-side final, Lanigan came up short but rebounded on the B-side to defeat Ituna. In the final, facing Wadena once again, Lanigan was unable to defeat their counterpart; however, both rinks moved on to the regional event.
On the junior girls side, Muenster and Humboldt defeated Lanigan while Muenster got past Humboldt and was named the district winner.
On the senior boys side, it was Bellevue defeating Muenster in the final as both rinks advanced to regionals.
On the junior boys side, Nokomis lost its opening draw to Wynyard and then to Quill Lake as the team’s district run came to an end. Wynyard would go on to defeat Humboldt to take the district title.
In senior doubles, Imperial lost to Strasbourg and Wadena while Strasbourg defeated Wadena to take the district championship.
In junior doubles, Strasbourg beat Nokomis and Lanigan while Nokomis would defeat Lanigan as Strasbourg would go on to win the district title.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 14, 2022
Watrous Rec. Director excited about opportunities this winter
Daniel Bushman
After recently taking on the title of Watrous Recreation Director, it has been a busy few months for Chelsea Murfitt. Navigating through the current pandemic while implementing some new ideas and initiatives, Murfitt shared a few things of note that have recently taken place within the community and a few things on the horizon.
Watrous Centennial Arena
Starting at the Watrous Centennial Arena, in preparation for the 2021-‘22 season, the Town of Watrous spent some time and money upgrading its facility this past fall.
Murfitt explained new rubber flooring was installed on the main floor and in the dressing rooms and a fresh coat of paint was also added. “With the additions, the dressings rooms look really sharp with new flooring, decals and paint.”
Upstairs, the kitchen area received a new locking door that rolls down where the ordering counter is and new stainless steel countertops were added. In the lobby area, new paint was applied and a set of bleachers taken out so those in the kitchen are able to view the game as well. “We added a few more tables for seating in that area and on the back wall near the kitchen, we added a Winterhawk logo and more paint. The trophy cases also were revamped and painted and look really good.”
Closer to the ice, the west and east side doors exiting the rink were replaced and windows added to provide some extra light.
On the ice, Watrous Minor Hockey purchased a set of boards that can be installed for teams who use half ice for games. Watrous Minor Hockey President Ryan Rheaume said they felt it was necessary to buy the new boards to replace the small blue bumpers that were currently being used. “When Hockey Sask implemented half ice regulations five years ago, as a trial run we decided to use the small blue bumpers. Since that time, half ice regulations remain in place so we made the decision to purchase the larger boards. Most rinks in the province already have a set so we felt it was time we added some as well. They are easy to set up and do not take a whole lot of time to take down.”
Rheaume said the cost for the new boards which just arrived a few weeks ago came in around $9,400.
Murfitt said the addition of those boards is a tremendous benefit to the rink and the teams using them.“It will make a huge difference for the younger teams playing half ice.”
While the pandemic remains on the minds of many, Murfitt said with COVID-19 still present, she encourages people to still remain vigilant when using the rink and other services within the community. “We are encouraging people to follow the public health order currently in place. Masks are mandatory and hopefully the pandemic will end soon. For the most part, people have been good with wearing masks and following the guidelines. Our caretaker Murray Laird is also doing a fantastic job of keeping the rink clean and safe.”
Hoping for an addition to the rink in the future, Murfitt acknowledged that the facility is used immensely by the community.
Town of Watrous receives snowshoes
While the arena provides an opportunity for people to be active and the curling rink allows those wanting to curl to get on the ice, Murfitt said for those not wanting to take advantage of those options, she has secured another way to get active.
After viewing a webinar with other recreation directors, Murfitt got the idea about renting snowshoes from Classic Outdoors in Saskatoon. Wanting to use grant money provided by Prairie Central, while the company did not have any rentals left, Murfitt instead decided to purchase snowshoes for residents to borrow from the Town. “As soon as I heard we got the grant, I phoned and purchased 10 pairs of snowshoes from a company.”
For those interested in borrowing snowshoes, the recreation director explained people can contact the Town Office and take them out, much like a library book. “It is free and it is so great to be able to offer it in the area. Sometimes there is not a lot you can do in the winter if you don’t have the right supplies so this is just an opportunity to get outside and get active. We have already had a few people get in touch with us about them and there is a general size we ordered so kids as young as eight years old up to adults can use them. I am just excited that our town can offer this free service.”
Watrous Fitness Centre
Open throughout the year, at the Watrous Fitness Centre people have been able to utilize equipment through a membership. However, on Jan. 13 there was a water main break forcing the temporary closure of the facility on Main Street. “We had water enter the gym from the street and so we had to close for the time being. Since then we have had people come out to assess the damage and progress is being made to get it back up and running very soon. We appreciate all of our gym members for their patience.”
Submitting ideas
Wanting to provide residents an opportunity to share ideas about what they would like to see happen in Watrous, Murfitt sent out a call to garner interest from people as to what they would like to have take place in Watrous.
“I have got quite a few emails, texts or people stopping me on the street. Since then, I started compiling a list of those ideas and I am always open to anything that would interest people. I know Watrous has tried many different things and we are hoping to try and bring some of those things to life.”
Remembrance Day Project
Another thing Murfitt has been a part of is helping to form a committee for a Remembrance Day Project. Hoping to have banners or some type of signage to honour local Veterans, Murfitt noted she has already had a couple of people call in asking to be on the committee. While they are still seeking some additional members, a meeting is being planned for sometime in February. “We are hoping to have some people meet and discus what we are looking at. Our goal is to do some sort of display in town or at the Cenotaph Park. I think this will be an ongoing project for the next few years but we want to get started accumulating information on our local Veterans and try and get a big portion of it done this year.”
With the local Legion no longer in Watrous, Murfitt felt it is important to remember what has been done for the community, the surrounding area and the country as a whole. “I think it is a good way to honour our local Veterans and just know that their families in the area would know they are not forgotten. Just because we don’t have a Legion in our community doesn’t mean we have forgotten about those who served.”
Participaction Community Challenge
While not taking place right away, Murfitt said on the radar for later this year, Watrous will again be taking part in the Participaction Community Challenge. People will be able to log their active minutes for the month of June, and in doing so, Watrous has a chance to win $100,000. “Imagine what that could do for our community! We are encouraging you to download the Participaction app on your phone or log on to the site to get familiar with logging your minutes. The challenge will take place from June 1 to 30. More information will be available closer to June.”
Daniel Bushman
After recently taking on the title of Watrous Recreation Director, it has been a busy few months for Chelsea Murfitt. Navigating through the current pandemic while implementing some new ideas and initiatives, Murfitt shared a few things of note that have recently taken place within the community and a few things on the horizon.
Watrous Centennial Arena
Starting at the Watrous Centennial Arena, in preparation for the 2021-‘22 season, the Town of Watrous spent some time and money upgrading its facility this past fall.
Murfitt explained new rubber flooring was installed on the main floor and in the dressing rooms and a fresh coat of paint was also added. “With the additions, the dressings rooms look really sharp with new flooring, decals and paint.”
Upstairs, the kitchen area received a new locking door that rolls down where the ordering counter is and new stainless steel countertops were added. In the lobby area, new paint was applied and a set of bleachers taken out so those in the kitchen are able to view the game as well. “We added a few more tables for seating in that area and on the back wall near the kitchen, we added a Winterhawk logo and more paint. The trophy cases also were revamped and painted and look really good.”
Closer to the ice, the west and east side doors exiting the rink were replaced and windows added to provide some extra light.
On the ice, Watrous Minor Hockey purchased a set of boards that can be installed for teams who use half ice for games. Watrous Minor Hockey President Ryan Rheaume said they felt it was necessary to buy the new boards to replace the small blue bumpers that were currently being used. “When Hockey Sask implemented half ice regulations five years ago, as a trial run we decided to use the small blue bumpers. Since that time, half ice regulations remain in place so we made the decision to purchase the larger boards. Most rinks in the province already have a set so we felt it was time we added some as well. They are easy to set up and do not take a whole lot of time to take down.”
Rheaume said the cost for the new boards which just arrived a few weeks ago came in around $9,400.
Murfitt said the addition of those boards is a tremendous benefit to the rink and the teams using them.“It will make a huge difference for the younger teams playing half ice.”
While the pandemic remains on the minds of many, Murfitt said with COVID-19 still present, she encourages people to still remain vigilant when using the rink and other services within the community. “We are encouraging people to follow the public health order currently in place. Masks are mandatory and hopefully the pandemic will end soon. For the most part, people have been good with wearing masks and following the guidelines. Our caretaker Murray Laird is also doing a fantastic job of keeping the rink clean and safe.”
Hoping for an addition to the rink in the future, Murfitt acknowledged that the facility is used immensely by the community.
Town of Watrous receives snowshoes
While the arena provides an opportunity for people to be active and the curling rink allows those wanting to curl to get on the ice, Murfitt said for those not wanting to take advantage of those options, she has secured another way to get active.
After viewing a webinar with other recreation directors, Murfitt got the idea about renting snowshoes from Classic Outdoors in Saskatoon. Wanting to use grant money provided by Prairie Central, while the company did not have any rentals left, Murfitt instead decided to purchase snowshoes for residents to borrow from the Town. “As soon as I heard we got the grant, I phoned and purchased 10 pairs of snowshoes from a company.”
For those interested in borrowing snowshoes, the recreation director explained people can contact the Town Office and take them out, much like a library book. “It is free and it is so great to be able to offer it in the area. Sometimes there is not a lot you can do in the winter if you don’t have the right supplies so this is just an opportunity to get outside and get active. We have already had a few people get in touch with us about them and there is a general size we ordered so kids as young as eight years old up to adults can use them. I am just excited that our town can offer this free service.”
Watrous Fitness Centre
Open throughout the year, at the Watrous Fitness Centre people have been able to utilize equipment through a membership. However, on Jan. 13 there was a water main break forcing the temporary closure of the facility on Main Street. “We had water enter the gym from the street and so we had to close for the time being. Since then we have had people come out to assess the damage and progress is being made to get it back up and running very soon. We appreciate all of our gym members for their patience.”
Submitting ideas
Wanting to provide residents an opportunity to share ideas about what they would like to see happen in Watrous, Murfitt sent out a call to garner interest from people as to what they would like to have take place in Watrous.
“I have got quite a few emails, texts or people stopping me on the street. Since then, I started compiling a list of those ideas and I am always open to anything that would interest people. I know Watrous has tried many different things and we are hoping to try and bring some of those things to life.”
Remembrance Day Project
Another thing Murfitt has been a part of is helping to form a committee for a Remembrance Day Project. Hoping to have banners or some type of signage to honour local Veterans, Murfitt noted she has already had a couple of people call in asking to be on the committee. While they are still seeking some additional members, a meeting is being planned for sometime in February. “We are hoping to have some people meet and discus what we are looking at. Our goal is to do some sort of display in town or at the Cenotaph Park. I think this will be an ongoing project for the next few years but we want to get started accumulating information on our local Veterans and try and get a big portion of it done this year.”
With the local Legion no longer in Watrous, Murfitt felt it is important to remember what has been done for the community, the surrounding area and the country as a whole. “I think it is a good way to honour our local Veterans and just know that their families in the area would know they are not forgotten. Just because we don’t have a Legion in our community doesn’t mean we have forgotten about those who served.”
Participaction Community Challenge
While not taking place right away, Murfitt said on the radar for later this year, Watrous will again be taking part in the Participaction Community Challenge. People will be able to log their active minutes for the month of June, and in doing so, Watrous has a chance to win $100,000. “Imagine what that could do for our community! We are encouraging you to download the Participaction app on your phone or log on to the site to get familiar with logging your minutes. The challenge will take place from June 1 to 30. More information will be available closer to June.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 7, 2022
Blizzard rushes out January as residents dig out to begin February
Daniel Bushman
After a month where it felt like riding a roller coaster of temperatures and weather conditions, perhaps it was unfortunately only fitting that the final day of January included a blizzard. Forcing numerous road closures, zero visibility and a lot of drifting snow to dig out of, an Alberta clipper roared through the province bringing with it cooler values to begin February.
Heading into the final few days of the first month of 2022, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a winter storm warning followed by a blowing snow advisory which turned into a blizzard warning. Courtesy of that Alberta clipper, snow and strong northwest winds arrived in central Saskatchewan Monday. As the morning progressed, conditions deteriorated aided by strong winds. Because the high for the day was to be slightly above zero, Environment and Climate Change Canada also noted there was the potential for freezing rain to develop in some areas. Visibility became virtually non-existent and essentially all roads within a large portion of Saskatchewan either closed or were not recommended for travel.
On the Clavet Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page, around 5 p.m. Jan. 31 it stated, “Roads are absolute garbage! Stay off them. Do not try it. We are on scene for an accident since 3 p.m. and have multiple other collisions happening around us. Stay put and wait out the storm.”
In Saskatoon, several multi-vehicle collisions were reported to police by mid-afternoon Jan. 31. Around 3 p.m., police were responding to a collision in the area of Claypool Drive and Airport Drive involving more than 12 vehicles. Traffic restrictions were put in place; however, motorists were advised to avoid the area. No injuries were reported. Members of the Saskatchewan RCMP also advised people to avoid travelling on other roads outside of Saskatoon.
Around 5:30 p.m., Blaine Lake RCMP said falling snow and high winds created treacherous driving conditions with zero visibility on Hwy. 12 and Hwy. 40. “Hwy. 12 is completely blocked south and north of Blaine Lake. The Petrofka Bridge, south of Blaine Lake on Hwy. 12, is obstructed with a jackknifed semi north of the bridge and several other semis south of the bridge. North and south of Blaine Lake, on Hwy. 12, approximately 40 to 60 cars are stuck in the snow on the road. All traffic is blocked.”
As evening arrived and with the blizzard whipped into a frenzy, those who were stranded were left little choice but to stay put on highways or roads to wait out the storm. In Colonsay, those on Hwy. 16, which was closed due to the storm, were able to seek shelter as the Town Hall was opened for anyone to spend the night. In Watrous, owner of Jake’s Place, Kelvin Fellner also put out a message on the company’s Facebook page that people could stay there if needed. Other stories were shared on social media about people
Daniel Bushman
After a month where it felt like riding a roller coaster of temperatures and weather conditions, perhaps it was unfortunately only fitting that the final day of January included a blizzard. Forcing numerous road closures, zero visibility and a lot of drifting snow to dig out of, an Alberta clipper roared through the province bringing with it cooler values to begin February.
Heading into the final few days of the first month of 2022, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a winter storm warning followed by a blowing snow advisory which turned into a blizzard warning. Courtesy of that Alberta clipper, snow and strong northwest winds arrived in central Saskatchewan Monday. As the morning progressed, conditions deteriorated aided by strong winds. Because the high for the day was to be slightly above zero, Environment and Climate Change Canada also noted there was the potential for freezing rain to develop in some areas. Visibility became virtually non-existent and essentially all roads within a large portion of Saskatchewan either closed or were not recommended for travel.
On the Clavet Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page, around 5 p.m. Jan. 31 it stated, “Roads are absolute garbage! Stay off them. Do not try it. We are on scene for an accident since 3 p.m. and have multiple other collisions happening around us. Stay put and wait out the storm.”
In Saskatoon, several multi-vehicle collisions were reported to police by mid-afternoon Jan. 31. Around 3 p.m., police were responding to a collision in the area of Claypool Drive and Airport Drive involving more than 12 vehicles. Traffic restrictions were put in place; however, motorists were advised to avoid the area. No injuries were reported. Members of the Saskatchewan RCMP also advised people to avoid travelling on other roads outside of Saskatoon.
Around 5:30 p.m., Blaine Lake RCMP said falling snow and high winds created treacherous driving conditions with zero visibility on Hwy. 12 and Hwy. 40. “Hwy. 12 is completely blocked south and north of Blaine Lake. The Petrofka Bridge, south of Blaine Lake on Hwy. 12, is obstructed with a jackknifed semi north of the bridge and several other semis south of the bridge. North and south of Blaine Lake, on Hwy. 12, approximately 40 to 60 cars are stuck in the snow on the road. All traffic is blocked.”
As evening arrived and with the blizzard whipped into a frenzy, those who were stranded were left little choice but to stay put on highways or roads to wait out the storm. In Colonsay, those on Hwy. 16, which was closed due to the storm, were able to seek shelter as the Town Hall was opened for anyone to spend the night. In Watrous, owner of Jake’s Place, Kelvin Fellner also put out a message on the company’s Facebook page that people could stay there if needed. Other stories were shared on social media about people
TWM Top Story - Jan. 31, 2022
Interlake in Watrous excited about new space and opportunities
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to expand and renovate its current facility after recently receiving funding approval, work is underway at Interlake Human Resources in Watrous.
Adding to the historical building at 116 Main Street in Watrous, construction began this past fall and once completed, a new 1,700 square foot space will be utilized. After the addition is finished, Executive Director of Interlake Human Resources in Watrous Debbie Farago said work will then move into the existing building where renovations will be done. “This has just been super for us and everyone is excited about the work and how it is all coming together.”
In order to be able to do the projects and before receiving word that Interlake was approved for matching funding through the provincial government, the non-profit charity saved its own money. The remaining revenue then came from the operation of two successful SARCAN depots.
“We operate two successful SARCAN depots - one in Watrous and another in Davidson - and we receive a share of every can returned in the whole area,” said Farago. “We have been putting money away for many years to make this project happen and the profit we made off SARCAN helped us get there so it was a real win win for us.”
Wanting the brand new space to be functional and a good build in the long term, Farago noted the expansion should blend nicely to the current facility while making it more accessible. In preparation for the work, CLSD brought out an architect and several engineers to map out the project. At first, Farago said they were excited to add an elevator but after finding out the cost and other logistics associated with the plan, the group decided to go a different route. “We made the decision to add on to the main floor and leave the basement and upstairs the way it is and not go with an elevator.”
As plans were finalized and given the green light, due to the pandemic delaying construction for a few months, Farago said when fall arrived, work began. “When we got approval to move ahead with our expansion project and renovations to our main building, the stipulation we put into the contract with the provincial government was that the jobs be given to local contractors. Along with that, the architectural firm the provincial government suggested does the hiring and planning, we were able to work with them and took the floor plan to heart.”
As part of the floor plan, Farago said the approximately 1,700 square foot expansion will include three additional wheelchair accessible bathrooms, a shower, a quiet private space for clients, a large multi-purpose area, storage room and classroom. “We have a lot of people who want to improve their literacy and number skills and right now everything happens at the main table on the main floor. By adding a classroom, it will give us a larger space specifically for that and for crafting as well. Currently anytime we do a craft we have to clean everything up in the kitchen on the main floor.”
Along with those spaces, a larger shredding room will also be constructed allowing for more than one person to shred at a time. “Right now we receive good support from the community with our shredding business. We have a lot of our participants who like to do that but it isn’t set up for multiple people in our current space. We also have to drag our shredded paper across the building to dispose of it sometimes leaving shredded paper behind which has to be cleaned up. With the expansion, it will be located in the far corner of the new space with a chute to a bin outside where the shredded paper will be recycled.”
Once constructed, a new entrance will be added on and Farago said local resident Steve Schmidt has managed to procure essentially the same colour as the current brick on the main building which will be put on the side facing RBC Watrous and around the corner. The rest of the new area on the other side will be done in stucco. “It is coming along really nicely and insulation just recently went in. They are hoping to complete most of it this winter with renovations starting in our existing building this spring.”
Those renovations which will take place once the addition is completed will see more of a kitchen area, allowing for Interlake to inclusively allow for all to help with food preparation. The offices will remain the same as Farago said they are trying to move as little as possible in the current building.
“We are thrilled with everything and looking forward to being able to have more space. Moving on Main Street years ago was exciting and more recently we have new friends coming here. There are three students from Winston High School who join us twice a week and we also have two individuals from Young and Lanigan who attend our programs. It has been nice to have new friends and new opportunities.”
With the highly anticipated changes during the trying times of the current pandemic, Farago was also quick to say how grateful Interlake is of the community. “We really appreciate everyone’s support over the years. We have had lots of well wishes and donations which is really nice. All of this would not have been possible without that support and funding from SARCAN and the provincial government, they were instrumental in this project.”
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to expand and renovate its current facility after recently receiving funding approval, work is underway at Interlake Human Resources in Watrous.
Adding to the historical building at 116 Main Street in Watrous, construction began this past fall and once completed, a new 1,700 square foot space will be utilized. After the addition is finished, Executive Director of Interlake Human Resources in Watrous Debbie Farago said work will then move into the existing building where renovations will be done. “This has just been super for us and everyone is excited about the work and how it is all coming together.”
In order to be able to do the projects and before receiving word that Interlake was approved for matching funding through the provincial government, the non-profit charity saved its own money. The remaining revenue then came from the operation of two successful SARCAN depots.
“We operate two successful SARCAN depots - one in Watrous and another in Davidson - and we receive a share of every can returned in the whole area,” said Farago. “We have been putting money away for many years to make this project happen and the profit we made off SARCAN helped us get there so it was a real win win for us.”
Wanting the brand new space to be functional and a good build in the long term, Farago noted the expansion should blend nicely to the current facility while making it more accessible. In preparation for the work, CLSD brought out an architect and several engineers to map out the project. At first, Farago said they were excited to add an elevator but after finding out the cost and other logistics associated with the plan, the group decided to go a different route. “We made the decision to add on to the main floor and leave the basement and upstairs the way it is and not go with an elevator.”
As plans were finalized and given the green light, due to the pandemic delaying construction for a few months, Farago said when fall arrived, work began. “When we got approval to move ahead with our expansion project and renovations to our main building, the stipulation we put into the contract with the provincial government was that the jobs be given to local contractors. Along with that, the architectural firm the provincial government suggested does the hiring and planning, we were able to work with them and took the floor plan to heart.”
As part of the floor plan, Farago said the approximately 1,700 square foot expansion will include three additional wheelchair accessible bathrooms, a shower, a quiet private space for clients, a large multi-purpose area, storage room and classroom. “We have a lot of people who want to improve their literacy and number skills and right now everything happens at the main table on the main floor. By adding a classroom, it will give us a larger space specifically for that and for crafting as well. Currently anytime we do a craft we have to clean everything up in the kitchen on the main floor.”
Along with those spaces, a larger shredding room will also be constructed allowing for more than one person to shred at a time. “Right now we receive good support from the community with our shredding business. We have a lot of our participants who like to do that but it isn’t set up for multiple people in our current space. We also have to drag our shredded paper across the building to dispose of it sometimes leaving shredded paper behind which has to be cleaned up. With the expansion, it will be located in the far corner of the new space with a chute to a bin outside where the shredded paper will be recycled.”
Once constructed, a new entrance will be added on and Farago said local resident Steve Schmidt has managed to procure essentially the same colour as the current brick on the main building which will be put on the side facing RBC Watrous and around the corner. The rest of the new area on the other side will be done in stucco. “It is coming along really nicely and insulation just recently went in. They are hoping to complete most of it this winter with renovations starting in our existing building this spring.”
Those renovations which will take place once the addition is completed will see more of a kitchen area, allowing for Interlake to inclusively allow for all to help with food preparation. The offices will remain the same as Farago said they are trying to move as little as possible in the current building.
“We are thrilled with everything and looking forward to being able to have more space. Moving on Main Street years ago was exciting and more recently we have new friends coming here. There are three students from Winston High School who join us twice a week and we also have two individuals from Young and Lanigan who attend our programs. It has been nice to have new friends and new opportunities.”
With the highly anticipated changes during the trying times of the current pandemic, Farago was also quick to say how grateful Interlake is of the community. “We really appreciate everyone’s support over the years. We have had lots of well wishes and donations which is really nice. All of this would not have been possible without that support and funding from SARCAN and the provincial government, they were instrumental in this project.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 24, 2022
Horizon School Division doing its best amidst the spread of Omicron variant
Daniel Bushman
While the past two years of navigating through the pandemic have been challenging for staff within Horizon School Division since the start of 2022, it has become even more evident that through it all, they continue to try and rise to the occasion. Labelled as heroes by the CEO of the division for their tireless work and dedication, staff have been trying to adapt to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant within their schools.
As students and staff have to head home with COVID-19 symptoms or are deemed close contacts and class sizes shrink, Horizon School Division CEO Kevin Garinger noted in the first week and a half of school since returning from the Christmas break in early January, that Horizon has seen more positive cases of COVID-19 than what it had dealt with in the previous year and a half.
Making adjustments to the division’s COVID-19 Strategy Plan to keep up with the spread of the Omicron variant, Garinger explained Horizon is at level three of four in its levels of concern contained within the plan. “There is a high level of concern and urgency, so we made individual classroom cohorting compulsory both indoors and outdoors. We are holding assemblies virtually and limiting people in hallways and common areas. Masking has always been required indoors, and we are maintaining that practice, but we are also now limiting visitors significantly. Unless it is public health officials, we are trying to curtail anyone from coming into our schools, so we keep our bubble as tight as possible. Most of those measures were already in place; we are just making sure we enhance the measures where we can. We recognize that this won’t prevent the spread, but our goal is really about trying to control it.”
Noting that essentially every school within Horizon School Division has registered positive cases of COVID-19 during this Omicron variant wave, Garinger indicated they are doing everything they can to try and maintain learning in school for children as well as other opportunities where it makes sense. “If we don’t have cases involving, for example, a boys basketball team or a girls curling team, we are going to continue to provide that opportunity following the public health order and our plan.”
To help try and curb the spread, Garinger said one of the best things that students can do is to stay home if they are sick or have symptoms. “That is always a good practice, and we are grateful that our parents are following this practice. We are also extremely grateful that our parents are so willing to share information with our schools so they can share with my office, and we can respond accordingly when there are positive cases.”
As people become close contacts or test positive for COVID-19 and classes temporarily shrink in numbers, Garinger added the decision on whether classes resume through distance learning is being evaluated. “We are taking it classroom by classroom. We are currently in situations where some classes are moving to learning from home. This is because there are so many cases in those particular classrooms or close contacts in those classrooms where parents were choosing or required to keep their children home. So, therefore, when the numbers become very small in a classroom, we would then decide to move them to learning from home.”
In the case of being a close contact, Garinger said the public health order indicates that if a close connection is fully vaccinated, they can return to school and extracurricular activity, even if it is a close contact in the home. However, those deemed close contacts will still have to monitor for symptoms, and if they have symptoms, they are required to stay home. For those who are unvaccinated, they cannot engage in extracurricular activities, and if they are deemed a close contact in the home as opposed to being a close contact from school, they cannot attend school until their isolation period ends.
“I know it can become frustrating for parents because vaccinated people can get sick too. However, the public health order speaks to those situations of being vaccinated or unvaccinated, and we are required to follow the order. We know it can be challenging and we are working on a case by case basis to help people work through these nuances during these difficult times.”
As for whether or not you should send your child to school if they do not have symptoms, Garinger said that schools are open. “Parents are always the first educator and have the right to make choices for their children based on what they deem is the best choice for their child and their family. We will continue to
Daniel Bushman
While the past two years of navigating through the pandemic have been challenging for staff within Horizon School Division since the start of 2022, it has become even more evident that through it all, they continue to try and rise to the occasion. Labelled as heroes by the CEO of the division for their tireless work and dedication, staff have been trying to adapt to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant within their schools.
As students and staff have to head home with COVID-19 symptoms or are deemed close contacts and class sizes shrink, Horizon School Division CEO Kevin Garinger noted in the first week and a half of school since returning from the Christmas break in early January, that Horizon has seen more positive cases of COVID-19 than what it had dealt with in the previous year and a half.
Making adjustments to the division’s COVID-19 Strategy Plan to keep up with the spread of the Omicron variant, Garinger explained Horizon is at level three of four in its levels of concern contained within the plan. “There is a high level of concern and urgency, so we made individual classroom cohorting compulsory both indoors and outdoors. We are holding assemblies virtually and limiting people in hallways and common areas. Masking has always been required indoors, and we are maintaining that practice, but we are also now limiting visitors significantly. Unless it is public health officials, we are trying to curtail anyone from coming into our schools, so we keep our bubble as tight as possible. Most of those measures were already in place; we are just making sure we enhance the measures where we can. We recognize that this won’t prevent the spread, but our goal is really about trying to control it.”
Noting that essentially every school within Horizon School Division has registered positive cases of COVID-19 during this Omicron variant wave, Garinger indicated they are doing everything they can to try and maintain learning in school for children as well as other opportunities where it makes sense. “If we don’t have cases involving, for example, a boys basketball team or a girls curling team, we are going to continue to provide that opportunity following the public health order and our plan.”
To help try and curb the spread, Garinger said one of the best things that students can do is to stay home if they are sick or have symptoms. “That is always a good practice, and we are grateful that our parents are following this practice. We are also extremely grateful that our parents are so willing to share information with our schools so they can share with my office, and we can respond accordingly when there are positive cases.”
As people become close contacts or test positive for COVID-19 and classes temporarily shrink in numbers, Garinger added the decision on whether classes resume through distance learning is being evaluated. “We are taking it classroom by classroom. We are currently in situations where some classes are moving to learning from home. This is because there are so many cases in those particular classrooms or close contacts in those classrooms where parents were choosing or required to keep their children home. So, therefore, when the numbers become very small in a classroom, we would then decide to move them to learning from home.”
In the case of being a close contact, Garinger said the public health order indicates that if a close connection is fully vaccinated, they can return to school and extracurricular activity, even if it is a close contact in the home. However, those deemed close contacts will still have to monitor for symptoms, and if they have symptoms, they are required to stay home. For those who are unvaccinated, they cannot engage in extracurricular activities, and if they are deemed a close contact in the home as opposed to being a close contact from school, they cannot attend school until their isolation period ends.
“I know it can become frustrating for parents because vaccinated people can get sick too. However, the public health order speaks to those situations of being vaccinated or unvaccinated, and we are required to follow the order. We know it can be challenging and we are working on a case by case basis to help people work through these nuances during these difficult times.”
As for whether or not you should send your child to school if they do not have symptoms, Garinger said that schools are open. “Parents are always the first educator and have the right to make choices for their children based on what they deem is the best choice for their child and their family. We will continue to
TWM Top Story - Jan. 17, 2022
Watrous Travel to close its doors
Daniel Bushman
Having to navigate through the pandemic over the past two years and with such a tremendous negative impact on the travel and tourism sectors caused by COVID-19, a local business has made the extremely difficult decision to close its doors.
First taking over Watrous Travel Jan. 1, 2018, owner Erin Wolff enjoyed the opportunity to serve residents of Watrous and the surrounding areas. However, when the pandemic arrived it began to decimate the travel and tourism sectors in a number of places around the globe.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the travel industry and had more far-reaching and long-lasting effects on our beloved small business than we ever could have imagined,” said a disappointed Wolff. “This is an incredibly difficult decision that has not been made lightly, but the time has come to close our doors.”
With a heavy heart, Wolff said the storefront location on Main Street in Watrous will be closed Jan. 31, 2022 and new bookings will not be taken.
While the business will shut its doors at the end of the month, Erin wanted to reassure travellers still with bookings that they will be taken care of. “For our clients with existing bookings, we will continue to provide the service you have come to expect from us until your travel is completed. For our clients with outstanding travel credits from cancelled bookings, we will do our best to help you utilize those credits or enable you to redeem them in the future. You can continue to contact us at watroustravel@sasktel.net or 306-946-3379.”
While the decision to shut down Watrous Travel was not the outcome Wolff wanted to arrive at, with the pandemic creating circumstances beyond her control, the owner noted she was left no choice. Despite having to close, Erin wanted to share how incredibly grateful she is of the support she received over the past few years. “I sincerely appreciate our clients, community, family and friends for your support throughout the years. It has been a pleasure sharing our passion for travel with you, and helping to create memories that will hopefully last a lifetime.
Daniel Bushman
Having to navigate through the pandemic over the past two years and with such a tremendous negative impact on the travel and tourism sectors caused by COVID-19, a local business has made the extremely difficult decision to close its doors.
First taking over Watrous Travel Jan. 1, 2018, owner Erin Wolff enjoyed the opportunity to serve residents of Watrous and the surrounding areas. However, when the pandemic arrived it began to decimate the travel and tourism sectors in a number of places around the globe.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the travel industry and had more far-reaching and long-lasting effects on our beloved small business than we ever could have imagined,” said a disappointed Wolff. “This is an incredibly difficult decision that has not been made lightly, but the time has come to close our doors.”
With a heavy heart, Wolff said the storefront location on Main Street in Watrous will be closed Jan. 31, 2022 and new bookings will not be taken.
While the business will shut its doors at the end of the month, Erin wanted to reassure travellers still with bookings that they will be taken care of. “For our clients with existing bookings, we will continue to provide the service you have come to expect from us until your travel is completed. For our clients with outstanding travel credits from cancelled bookings, we will do our best to help you utilize those credits or enable you to redeem them in the future. You can continue to contact us at watroustravel@sasktel.net or 306-946-3379.”
While the decision to shut down Watrous Travel was not the outcome Wolff wanted to arrive at, with the pandemic creating circumstances beyond her control, the owner noted she was left no choice. Despite having to close, Erin wanted to share how incredibly grateful she is of the support she received over the past few years. “I sincerely appreciate our clients, community, family and friends for your support throughout the years. It has been a pleasure sharing our passion for travel with you, and helping to create memories that will hopefully last a lifetime.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 10, 2022
Finding forgiveness amidst tragedy; local resident details journey in new book
Daniel Bushman
It has been a heartbreaking and arduous journey for Watrous resident Chad Mierau and his family. On Jan. 3, 2016 tragedy struck as Chad’s sister Chanda, his brother-in-law Jordan, five-year-old niece Kamryn and two-year-old nephew Miguire Van de Vorst tragically passed away after their vehicle was struck by an impaired driver near Saskatoon.
Through the grief and many dark days since that time, Chad has been able to push through while looking inward where he found forgiveness and a purpose. Using his experiences and detailing his journey as part of a means of therapy and a purpose, Chad recently wrote a book: Surviving The Crash: Finding Inner Peace Through Forgiveness.
“For me I knew I’d have to figure some things out,” explained Mierau about why he wrote the book. “I did some personal development work and some deep diving into who I was and what I was made of. That led me to take different courses all over the place and what I realized was the more I shared my story and the more I talked about it, the more people connected to it.”
With an overwhelming sense that people needed to hear his story and understand his journey, it was not until 2019 when it really hit home. Attending a MADD conference in Toronto, Mierau listened to a family who lost a loved one 30 or 40 years previous through drinking and driving and were still full of rage, anger and pain. “I was the new guy there and the only one who said the forgiveness word. People couldn’t believe it. They were shocked. Seeing how shocked people were that I was able to forgive, I just had this feeling that I could help those folks. I thought I could make a difference and share what is working for me and maybe it will resonate with somebody else.”
With a different outlook on life, as Chad continued to move forward, taking one step at a time, he began to collect his thoughts and got to work detailing his journey. Taking about 18 months to complete, Chad said there was a period of about six months where he had to set the project aside. “Once I got the general idea of it and put it into words I needed to let it sit and make sure I was okay. Then I did some editing before I wrote the last chapter, which kind of brought it all together.”
Going from ‘Darkest of Days’ and ‘The Call No One Ever Wants To Receive’ (the first two chapters) to speaking with the impaired driver’s children and finding forgiveness, Chad said writing the book in its entirety was hard. “Absolutely it was. It was not easy at all but it was part of my recovery, my learning and my growth journey. It was therapeutic putting my story down on paper and feeling it again, going through it all again, going through the emotions of it because I knew if I wanted something of value and something profound that was going to help people, I had to get to that point where I was really feeling it as I was writing it.”
Making himself vulnerable, Chad also wanted to connect with Catherine McKay, the woman responsible for killing his sister and her family. With McKay incarcerated, Chad reached out to her family with a sense of genuine forgiveness and concern. Able to get in touch with Catherine’s daughter through Facebook in December 2018, she later provided him with a mailing address to write Catherine. Strengthening the connection with her children, in June 2019 Chad felt it was time to write a letter.
Through Catherine’s daughter, Chad corresponded with McKay, learning about the woman who was incarcerated at a healing lodge and how her life had been. “For me it was initially a curiosity. I wondered what was it like for her kids to learn about what mom did? What was it like to have mom be incarcerated and go away for a while? And then ultimately what was it like for her? Was she remorseful? Does she feel sorry? Where is she at in her thought process? And where is she at in her healing journey? That was initially why I wanted to reach out, that curiosity of what is it like being on the other side?”
It was also through conversation with McKay’s adult children that Chad came to the realization that they too were having a hard time forgiving their mom and dealing with what had happened. “Over time as I got to learn more about their family and Catherine, it made me understand how we all go through this life journey, we all make some mistakes and the key is to learn from those.”
Through that dialogue and connection with Catherine’s children, Mierau felt it became a bright spot amidst a tragic time. “I had extensive conversations with two of her daughters and with her son. Just having this beautiful conversation about healing, how we are feeling, how we are doing and how it is affecting our families, it was just a really great experience. That taught me a lot too, having some grace for myself and for other people.”
Throughout that part of Chad’s journey, it also led him to realize that the greatest part of his healing process was forgiveness. “I think that is single-handedly the most important thing for me in the last six years and not just forgiving people, Catherine in particular, but I have also forgiven other people who have done me wrong or hurt me. But it all started with myself. I had to forgive myself for some of the things that I haven’t done perfectly in my life and understanding that we are all human and we are all on this journey. We don’t do everything perfect, we don’t do everything exactly right, we all make some mistakes along the way and I just had to really lean into that. And then being okay with my life and the choices that I’ve made. Being at peace with all of those choices and that allowed me to land on forgiveness.”
With a different outlook on life than what he had six years ago, as the final chapter of his book was written, edited and published, Chad waited to see how his story about surviving the crash would be received. As books arrived from the publisher in the summer of 2021 and they began making their way into the hands of readers across the globe, Mierau’s phone and social media began to explode.
“It has been unreal. I get feedback everyday from people encouraging me to keep speaking, to keep sharing my story and generally they share with me what their biggest takeaways were or how it has helped them or what it has made them realize about themselves. That has been the most exciting part for me, the feedback. There is no two the same. It is unreal how vast and how different the feedback is all the way across.”
Hoping that those who take the time to read his book will take something away from it, Chad’s goal is that everyone would gain something. “The key is reading it and really looking inwards as you read it. To me that is the key, we all have things that happen in our life. We all have situations in families, we all have things that go on with parents, kids, work and life stuff and based on the feedback I am getting, I know that is happening. People are picking up on different scenarios, different situations I talk about in my book and it reminds them of different things that are going on in their lives. Most people that is what their takeaways are.”
Since the book was recently released in 2021, Mierau has been busy doing interviews and sharing on podcasts. “Every time I get more comfortable talking about it, every time I feel like I talk about something different because I’ve grown, even through the process of it.”
And while he noted that everyone’s perception of tragic events can vary and everyone’s hurts can be different, when it comes to his sister Tana and mom Marie, he said, “As a family, we are just recognizing there is a choice in this. We can stay where we are and have the hurts and the pains stay with us for years to come and who knows what the negative impact could be with that. Or we can chose to deal with it as best as we can and learn about how we operate, who we are and how we tick in hopes we can progress through this in a healthy and positive way. As a family, we’ve done that.”
So when Jan. 3, 2022 arrived, Mierau shared that while his family does not really talk about the tragedy on a daily basis, on the anniversary day, they spent some time caring for each other. “We asked each other how is your day? Was it different than last year? How are you feeling? We don’t have those direct conversations that often but we do check in a few times a year to really be truthful about how things are going and how we are doing. It is not an easy thing to talk about so you sort of avoid it a lot of the times.”
With the support of each other, Chad was also quick to point out that the support from their hometown of Watrous has also been tremendous. “I am blown away with the support. When everything happened six years ago, I was shocked. The support not just from the community but across the province, country and different parts of the world reaching out, that always amazes me how far the reach was. It can look differently for different people but for me just people asking how they could help. How are you doing? Is there anything we can do to support you? We don’t understand the ripple effect with some of our positive words and our actions as far as reaching out to others to see how they are doing so for me that was instrumental. I can’t say enough good things about our little community of Watrous, particularly six years ago when it unfolded. It was fantastic. The support groups that started on Facebook with the glow sticks, the vigil held in Watrous, it was unreal to have that support. Even just knowing somebody cares, somebody has some encouragement along the way, it is all so good.”
Reflecting back on the past six years and the personal journey that he has been on, when asked what has been the biggest takeaway for him, Chad said, “Being positive and reaching out to somebody when they are down. Whether that is something happening in their life or family or career, we don’t ever know how being positive can affect somebody and it only takes a few seconds of time to do that. To me that is one of my biggest lessons in the last six years is just to be kind to people, just to show support if you can. If you don’t support somebody or can’t find anything good to say, it is like our parents taught us as kids, if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say it.”
For those wanting to read about Chad’s journey, people can purchase a copy of his book, Surviving The Crash: Finding Inner Peace Through Forgiveness at The Watrous Manitou. It is also available in Saskatoon at Indigo and McNally Robinson, in Regina at The Penny University Bookstore and Aware House Books and on Amazon or Chad’s website www.survivingthecrash.co.
“I am beyond grateful for all those that have supported me thus far and I look forward to sharing more as I go!”
Daniel Bushman
It has been a heartbreaking and arduous journey for Watrous resident Chad Mierau and his family. On Jan. 3, 2016 tragedy struck as Chad’s sister Chanda, his brother-in-law Jordan, five-year-old niece Kamryn and two-year-old nephew Miguire Van de Vorst tragically passed away after their vehicle was struck by an impaired driver near Saskatoon.
Through the grief and many dark days since that time, Chad has been able to push through while looking inward where he found forgiveness and a purpose. Using his experiences and detailing his journey as part of a means of therapy and a purpose, Chad recently wrote a book: Surviving The Crash: Finding Inner Peace Through Forgiveness.
“For me I knew I’d have to figure some things out,” explained Mierau about why he wrote the book. “I did some personal development work and some deep diving into who I was and what I was made of. That led me to take different courses all over the place and what I realized was the more I shared my story and the more I talked about it, the more people connected to it.”
With an overwhelming sense that people needed to hear his story and understand his journey, it was not until 2019 when it really hit home. Attending a MADD conference in Toronto, Mierau listened to a family who lost a loved one 30 or 40 years previous through drinking and driving and were still full of rage, anger and pain. “I was the new guy there and the only one who said the forgiveness word. People couldn’t believe it. They were shocked. Seeing how shocked people were that I was able to forgive, I just had this feeling that I could help those folks. I thought I could make a difference and share what is working for me and maybe it will resonate with somebody else.”
With a different outlook on life, as Chad continued to move forward, taking one step at a time, he began to collect his thoughts and got to work detailing his journey. Taking about 18 months to complete, Chad said there was a period of about six months where he had to set the project aside. “Once I got the general idea of it and put it into words I needed to let it sit and make sure I was okay. Then I did some editing before I wrote the last chapter, which kind of brought it all together.”
Going from ‘Darkest of Days’ and ‘The Call No One Ever Wants To Receive’ (the first two chapters) to speaking with the impaired driver’s children and finding forgiveness, Chad said writing the book in its entirety was hard. “Absolutely it was. It was not easy at all but it was part of my recovery, my learning and my growth journey. It was therapeutic putting my story down on paper and feeling it again, going through it all again, going through the emotions of it because I knew if I wanted something of value and something profound that was going to help people, I had to get to that point where I was really feeling it as I was writing it.”
Making himself vulnerable, Chad also wanted to connect with Catherine McKay, the woman responsible for killing his sister and her family. With McKay incarcerated, Chad reached out to her family with a sense of genuine forgiveness and concern. Able to get in touch with Catherine’s daughter through Facebook in December 2018, she later provided him with a mailing address to write Catherine. Strengthening the connection with her children, in June 2019 Chad felt it was time to write a letter.
Through Catherine’s daughter, Chad corresponded with McKay, learning about the woman who was incarcerated at a healing lodge and how her life had been. “For me it was initially a curiosity. I wondered what was it like for her kids to learn about what mom did? What was it like to have mom be incarcerated and go away for a while? And then ultimately what was it like for her? Was she remorseful? Does she feel sorry? Where is she at in her thought process? And where is she at in her healing journey? That was initially why I wanted to reach out, that curiosity of what is it like being on the other side?”
It was also through conversation with McKay’s adult children that Chad came to the realization that they too were having a hard time forgiving their mom and dealing with what had happened. “Over time as I got to learn more about their family and Catherine, it made me understand how we all go through this life journey, we all make some mistakes and the key is to learn from those.”
Through that dialogue and connection with Catherine’s children, Mierau felt it became a bright spot amidst a tragic time. “I had extensive conversations with two of her daughters and with her son. Just having this beautiful conversation about healing, how we are feeling, how we are doing and how it is affecting our families, it was just a really great experience. That taught me a lot too, having some grace for myself and for other people.”
Throughout that part of Chad’s journey, it also led him to realize that the greatest part of his healing process was forgiveness. “I think that is single-handedly the most important thing for me in the last six years and not just forgiving people, Catherine in particular, but I have also forgiven other people who have done me wrong or hurt me. But it all started with myself. I had to forgive myself for some of the things that I haven’t done perfectly in my life and understanding that we are all human and we are all on this journey. We don’t do everything perfect, we don’t do everything exactly right, we all make some mistakes along the way and I just had to really lean into that. And then being okay with my life and the choices that I’ve made. Being at peace with all of those choices and that allowed me to land on forgiveness.”
With a different outlook on life than what he had six years ago, as the final chapter of his book was written, edited and published, Chad waited to see how his story about surviving the crash would be received. As books arrived from the publisher in the summer of 2021 and they began making their way into the hands of readers across the globe, Mierau’s phone and social media began to explode.
“It has been unreal. I get feedback everyday from people encouraging me to keep speaking, to keep sharing my story and generally they share with me what their biggest takeaways were or how it has helped them or what it has made them realize about themselves. That has been the most exciting part for me, the feedback. There is no two the same. It is unreal how vast and how different the feedback is all the way across.”
Hoping that those who take the time to read his book will take something away from it, Chad’s goal is that everyone would gain something. “The key is reading it and really looking inwards as you read it. To me that is the key, we all have things that happen in our life. We all have situations in families, we all have things that go on with parents, kids, work and life stuff and based on the feedback I am getting, I know that is happening. People are picking up on different scenarios, different situations I talk about in my book and it reminds them of different things that are going on in their lives. Most people that is what their takeaways are.”
Since the book was recently released in 2021, Mierau has been busy doing interviews and sharing on podcasts. “Every time I get more comfortable talking about it, every time I feel like I talk about something different because I’ve grown, even through the process of it.”
And while he noted that everyone’s perception of tragic events can vary and everyone’s hurts can be different, when it comes to his sister Tana and mom Marie, he said, “As a family, we are just recognizing there is a choice in this. We can stay where we are and have the hurts and the pains stay with us for years to come and who knows what the negative impact could be with that. Or we can chose to deal with it as best as we can and learn about how we operate, who we are and how we tick in hopes we can progress through this in a healthy and positive way. As a family, we’ve done that.”
So when Jan. 3, 2022 arrived, Mierau shared that while his family does not really talk about the tragedy on a daily basis, on the anniversary day, they spent some time caring for each other. “We asked each other how is your day? Was it different than last year? How are you feeling? We don’t have those direct conversations that often but we do check in a few times a year to really be truthful about how things are going and how we are doing. It is not an easy thing to talk about so you sort of avoid it a lot of the times.”
With the support of each other, Chad was also quick to point out that the support from their hometown of Watrous has also been tremendous. “I am blown away with the support. When everything happened six years ago, I was shocked. The support not just from the community but across the province, country and different parts of the world reaching out, that always amazes me how far the reach was. It can look differently for different people but for me just people asking how they could help. How are you doing? Is there anything we can do to support you? We don’t understand the ripple effect with some of our positive words and our actions as far as reaching out to others to see how they are doing so for me that was instrumental. I can’t say enough good things about our little community of Watrous, particularly six years ago when it unfolded. It was fantastic. The support groups that started on Facebook with the glow sticks, the vigil held in Watrous, it was unreal to have that support. Even just knowing somebody cares, somebody has some encouragement along the way, it is all so good.”
Reflecting back on the past six years and the personal journey that he has been on, when asked what has been the biggest takeaway for him, Chad said, “Being positive and reaching out to somebody when they are down. Whether that is something happening in their life or family or career, we don’t ever know how being positive can affect somebody and it only takes a few seconds of time to do that. To me that is one of my biggest lessons in the last six years is just to be kind to people, just to show support if you can. If you don’t support somebody or can’t find anything good to say, it is like our parents taught us as kids, if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say it.”
For those wanting to read about Chad’s journey, people can purchase a copy of his book, Surviving The Crash: Finding Inner Peace Through Forgiveness at The Watrous Manitou. It is also available in Saskatoon at Indigo and McNally Robinson, in Regina at The Penny University Bookstore and Aware House Books and on Amazon or Chad’s website www.survivingthecrash.co.
“I am beyond grateful for all those that have supported me thus far and I look forward to sharing more as I go!”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 3, 2022
Watrous Citizen of the Year recognized
Daniel Bushman
Putting her community first as a volunteer, resident, business owner and coach, the 2021 Watrous Citizen of the Year has not only tried to create a positive influence within the community but her dedication to seeing the town become a great place to live, visit and do business in has also been evident.
Named as the 2021 Watrous Citizen of the Year, Michelle Amendt said it is a huge honour and privilege to be recognized. “I am quite taken back and overwhelmed that I was chosen. I feel one has to make quite a difference in the community to be nominated.”
Moving to Watrous in 1974 with her family, Earle, Gena, Earl Jr. and Rodney, Michelle was able to take part in piano, school sports, school band, ringette, hockey and softball. After graduating from Winston High School, she attended the University of Saskatchewan for a few years and worked several summers at the Kinsmen Swimming Pool and a year at the Manitou Springs Mineral Spa.
In February 1989, Amendt joined the military, serving in the Canadian Forces as an administration clerk for nine years. Working in Victoria for the majority of her service, Michelle would return to Watrous in 1998 to raise her two kids, Jacquelynne and Joshua. Working at Centennial Ford in a number of roles over the years, Michelle would eventually take on a partnership with her brother to purchase the dealership from their dad. More recently, Michelle is now the sole owner of Centennial Ford Sales Ltd. but during her time in Watrous, she has been involved in so much more.
“Throughout the years in Watrous I have had the privilege to work with numerous people at work and on committees like, Stage and Central Band, Music Festival Committee, Dance Festival Committee, Watrous Whitecaps Executive, Swimming Pool Fundraising Committee and I also volunteered with the Watrous and District Food Bank. My children brought me an opportunity to take on the role of coaching. I was able to coach junior basketball and speed swimming and I am proud to say I have coached speed swimming for over 20 years. I have also organized quite a few Drive for your Community or Drive for UR School Events in Watrous and the surrounding area.”
With a lengthy list of volunteer roles, dedicating her time and efforts to worthy causes and striving to be an outstanding citizen, Amendt feels it is so valuable to give back to a community that has given back to her.
“Watrous has always been ‘home’. I moved here as a small child and grew up in this kind, caring community. It has helped shape me into the person I am today. I attended school here and was involved in school sports, extracurricular activities and minor sports. I developed lifelong friends and a love for this community. When it came time to put down roots for my children, I couldn’t think of a better place.”
Feeling a significant importance of giving back to the community through volunteering, Michelle said, “You always get back more when you give. It’s like the saying, ‘You reap what you sow.’ When you give you are helping the community to carry forward with programs and/or events. If we sit idle things do not happen. I think that is what we are supposed to do – serve others. I feel we should serve others more and do our best in everything we do.”
Those words were echoed in the nomination letter for Watrous Citizen of the Year submitted by Irena and Andy Broadfoot. In a portion of the letter it outlined the impact of Amendt’s volunteering efforts, her support of local initiatives through Centennial Ford and Michelle’s desire to create a better community.
“What drives a person to volunteer season after season, year after year; long after your children are grown up and no longer involved? What drives a person to get up super early in the morning to drive other people’s children to an event? What drives a person to give up their lunch and supper time to spend hours as a volunteer coach? What drives a person to say yes we can, and accomplish the task; even when being told no you can’t do that, there are no funds available for that? Consistent Commitment.”
Encouraging, going above and beyond, mentoring and leading by example, Amendt said she has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of Watrous. “For me, there are a number of highlights from over the years. Some of those include: working with kids in speed swimming and band and being able to watch them grow up as little people into fine young adults; watching them improve and develop into little athletes and/or performers; developing many friendships over the years on various committees and Drive for Your Community events; having pride of hosting various swim meets in Watrous and the overwhelming support from the community of Watrous; and Centennial Ford has been fortunate enough to give back financially to our community on several occasions and most recently we (Centennial Ford) were able to partner with other Sask. Ford Dealerships. Through that, Centennial Ford raised over $16,000 for STARS Ambulance for our province.”
With an appreciation for striving to be and do better, achieving success, and going above and beyond, words which were noted in the nomination letter, for Michelle, the reason why she does the things she does in Watrous is because of the people. “The people are friendly and willing to pitch in to lend a hand when help is needed. They say it ‘takes a village to raise a child’; Watrous is a safe place to raise children and you have that extra comfort of knowing others are looking out for your child as well as theirs. It is also a big enough community to support numerous recreational activities and has a number of tremendous service groups which play a huge role in fundraising for community projects and events. I am grateful to not only be a resident of Watrous but also so appreciative of the friends I’ve made and the people I’ve developed relationships with over the years. I am proud of the community I call home and honoured to be named this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year.”
On behalf of the Town of Watrous, Mayor John Gunderson extended his congratulations and said, “Thank you for your contributions to our community.”
Daniel Bushman
Putting her community first as a volunteer, resident, business owner and coach, the 2021 Watrous Citizen of the Year has not only tried to create a positive influence within the community but her dedication to seeing the town become a great place to live, visit and do business in has also been evident.
Named as the 2021 Watrous Citizen of the Year, Michelle Amendt said it is a huge honour and privilege to be recognized. “I am quite taken back and overwhelmed that I was chosen. I feel one has to make quite a difference in the community to be nominated.”
Moving to Watrous in 1974 with her family, Earle, Gena, Earl Jr. and Rodney, Michelle was able to take part in piano, school sports, school band, ringette, hockey and softball. After graduating from Winston High School, she attended the University of Saskatchewan for a few years and worked several summers at the Kinsmen Swimming Pool and a year at the Manitou Springs Mineral Spa.
In February 1989, Amendt joined the military, serving in the Canadian Forces as an administration clerk for nine years. Working in Victoria for the majority of her service, Michelle would return to Watrous in 1998 to raise her two kids, Jacquelynne and Joshua. Working at Centennial Ford in a number of roles over the years, Michelle would eventually take on a partnership with her brother to purchase the dealership from their dad. More recently, Michelle is now the sole owner of Centennial Ford Sales Ltd. but during her time in Watrous, she has been involved in so much more.
“Throughout the years in Watrous I have had the privilege to work with numerous people at work and on committees like, Stage and Central Band, Music Festival Committee, Dance Festival Committee, Watrous Whitecaps Executive, Swimming Pool Fundraising Committee and I also volunteered with the Watrous and District Food Bank. My children brought me an opportunity to take on the role of coaching. I was able to coach junior basketball and speed swimming and I am proud to say I have coached speed swimming for over 20 years. I have also organized quite a few Drive for your Community or Drive for UR School Events in Watrous and the surrounding area.”
With a lengthy list of volunteer roles, dedicating her time and efforts to worthy causes and striving to be an outstanding citizen, Amendt feels it is so valuable to give back to a community that has given back to her.
“Watrous has always been ‘home’. I moved here as a small child and grew up in this kind, caring community. It has helped shape me into the person I am today. I attended school here and was involved in school sports, extracurricular activities and minor sports. I developed lifelong friends and a love for this community. When it came time to put down roots for my children, I couldn’t think of a better place.”
Feeling a significant importance of giving back to the community through volunteering, Michelle said, “You always get back more when you give. It’s like the saying, ‘You reap what you sow.’ When you give you are helping the community to carry forward with programs and/or events. If we sit idle things do not happen. I think that is what we are supposed to do – serve others. I feel we should serve others more and do our best in everything we do.”
Those words were echoed in the nomination letter for Watrous Citizen of the Year submitted by Irena and Andy Broadfoot. In a portion of the letter it outlined the impact of Amendt’s volunteering efforts, her support of local initiatives through Centennial Ford and Michelle’s desire to create a better community.
“What drives a person to volunteer season after season, year after year; long after your children are grown up and no longer involved? What drives a person to get up super early in the morning to drive other people’s children to an event? What drives a person to give up their lunch and supper time to spend hours as a volunteer coach? What drives a person to say yes we can, and accomplish the task; even when being told no you can’t do that, there are no funds available for that? Consistent Commitment.”
Encouraging, going above and beyond, mentoring and leading by example, Amendt said she has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of Watrous. “For me, there are a number of highlights from over the years. Some of those include: working with kids in speed swimming and band and being able to watch them grow up as little people into fine young adults; watching them improve and develop into little athletes and/or performers; developing many friendships over the years on various committees and Drive for Your Community events; having pride of hosting various swim meets in Watrous and the overwhelming support from the community of Watrous; and Centennial Ford has been fortunate enough to give back financially to our community on several occasions and most recently we (Centennial Ford) were able to partner with other Sask. Ford Dealerships. Through that, Centennial Ford raised over $16,000 for STARS Ambulance for our province.”
With an appreciation for striving to be and do better, achieving success, and going above and beyond, words which were noted in the nomination letter, for Michelle, the reason why she does the things she does in Watrous is because of the people. “The people are friendly and willing to pitch in to lend a hand when help is needed. They say it ‘takes a village to raise a child’; Watrous is a safe place to raise children and you have that extra comfort of knowing others are looking out for your child as well as theirs. It is also a big enough community to support numerous recreational activities and has a number of tremendous service groups which play a huge role in fundraising for community projects and events. I am grateful to not only be a resident of Watrous but also so appreciative of the friends I’ve made and the people I’ve developed relationships with over the years. I am proud of the community I call home and honoured to be named this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year.”
On behalf of the Town of Watrous, Mayor John Gunderson extended his congratulations and said, “Thank you for your contributions to our community.”
Watrous Coach of the Year named
Daniel Bushman
With an emphasis on seeing kids learn, develop and grow in sport while having fun, this year’s Watrous Coach of the Year not only ensures all of those boxes are checked off during time on the mats but he has also had an instrumental role in the lives of a number of athletes over the years.
Taking to the judo mats himself since he was a kid, through tremendous dedication, volunteering and wanting to see the sport grow in the community, Ryan Potts was recognized as the 2021 Watrous Coach of the Year.
“It means that I am making a difference in people’s lives in a positive way that they would recognize me,” said Potts of the honour. “It feels really good and it was definitely not something that I was expecting to have happened. We have been coaching for so long it has never really been about the thank yous or anything like that. It has all been about watching the little ones develop and grow into more capable athletes. I didn’t think it would ever come back to me receiving Coach of the Year.”
Joining his father Darryl and fellow coach Glen Miller who received the prestigious honour previously, when asked how special it was to be in the same company as two of his respected mentors, Ryan said, “It is a touching thing for me. Seeing that I am starting to rise up into the same ranks as people I have always looked up to in my life, it is heartwarming.”
Competing in judo right from a young age and learning from some of the best instructors in the province, Potts was around 15 years old when he began to help kids become better athletes. From there he felt the desire to keep coaching and over 20 years later, he continues to volunteer his time and share his expertise.
“My dad was a big piece of that,” said Potts about why he decided to coach. “We were always taught that if you have information or if you have something that can help someone else do better at what they are doing you can offer that information to them and I guess that stuck with me in judo. It has acted as a really good means for me to be able to do that.”
In the Watrous Coach of the Year nomination letter submitted by Terry Potts, it noted Ryan followed in his father’s footsteps, training with mentors while learning the sport. Training with his dad Darryl until Darryl’s passing in 2018, the nomination letter explained how valuable Ryan has been to the club in Watrous. “Ryan has taught many children and adults with patience, kindness, humour and firmness. He has fun while he’s training but also takes it very seriously. He has been a referee in tournaments as well as competing in them. In 2021, the club made a big change joining together with several other organizations and opened up their own space.”
A dream of Ryan’s to see a space in Watrous dedicated to the club, the nomination letter also shared about what his passion for the sport and for coaching means to those participating: “I spoke to a few parents and my favourite quote is, ‘They love him. It’s like hanging out with a friend two nights a week.’”
The president of the judo club in Watrous and a certified provincial referee, Ryan noted how special it is to also be able to coach his own children in judo, like his dad was able to do. Quick to point out that the program is a team effort and not an individual one, Ryan said, “There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. I might be the person on the mats but there are a lot of volunteers who make the club a possibility. A big shout out to everyone else who helps out: to fellow coaches, especially Glen Miller who is head coach and to the juniors who are starting to coach as well, I am glad to have them on the mats. It is really nice to be able to offer a quicker path to a higher level of coaching while encouraging them along the way.”
Reflecting back on his own life and what the sport has meant to him over the years, Ryan said, “Allowing the little ones find themselves in sport is something that was very important to me as a child. It was easier for me to do that athletically than it was academically. Some of these kids are in the same situation and it is very nice being able to see them come to practice and having a smile all the way through. At the end of the year, looking back they can see how far they progressed and they smile. That smile is worth all the time, all the hours, all the travel and everything like that, just watching them realize how much better they have become because of us, it is really encouraging to see.”
On behalf of the Town of Watrous, Mayor John Gunderson extended his congratulations and said, “Thank you for your contributions to our community.”
Daniel Bushman
With an emphasis on seeing kids learn, develop and grow in sport while having fun, this year’s Watrous Coach of the Year not only ensures all of those boxes are checked off during time on the mats but he has also had an instrumental role in the lives of a number of athletes over the years.
Taking to the judo mats himself since he was a kid, through tremendous dedication, volunteering and wanting to see the sport grow in the community, Ryan Potts was recognized as the 2021 Watrous Coach of the Year.
“It means that I am making a difference in people’s lives in a positive way that they would recognize me,” said Potts of the honour. “It feels really good and it was definitely not something that I was expecting to have happened. We have been coaching for so long it has never really been about the thank yous or anything like that. It has all been about watching the little ones develop and grow into more capable athletes. I didn’t think it would ever come back to me receiving Coach of the Year.”
Joining his father Darryl and fellow coach Glen Miller who received the prestigious honour previously, when asked how special it was to be in the same company as two of his respected mentors, Ryan said, “It is a touching thing for me. Seeing that I am starting to rise up into the same ranks as people I have always looked up to in my life, it is heartwarming.”
Competing in judo right from a young age and learning from some of the best instructors in the province, Potts was around 15 years old when he began to help kids become better athletes. From there he felt the desire to keep coaching and over 20 years later, he continues to volunteer his time and share his expertise.
“My dad was a big piece of that,” said Potts about why he decided to coach. “We were always taught that if you have information or if you have something that can help someone else do better at what they are doing you can offer that information to them and I guess that stuck with me in judo. It has acted as a really good means for me to be able to do that.”
In the Watrous Coach of the Year nomination letter submitted by Terry Potts, it noted Ryan followed in his father’s footsteps, training with mentors while learning the sport. Training with his dad Darryl until Darryl’s passing in 2018, the nomination letter explained how valuable Ryan has been to the club in Watrous. “Ryan has taught many children and adults with patience, kindness, humour and firmness. He has fun while he’s training but also takes it very seriously. He has been a referee in tournaments as well as competing in them. In 2021, the club made a big change joining together with several other organizations and opened up their own space.”
A dream of Ryan’s to see a space in Watrous dedicated to the club, the nomination letter also shared about what his passion for the sport and for coaching means to those participating: “I spoke to a few parents and my favourite quote is, ‘They love him. It’s like hanging out with a friend two nights a week.’”
The president of the judo club in Watrous and a certified provincial referee, Ryan noted how special it is to also be able to coach his own children in judo, like his dad was able to do. Quick to point out that the program is a team effort and not an individual one, Ryan said, “There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. I might be the person on the mats but there are a lot of volunteers who make the club a possibility. A big shout out to everyone else who helps out: to fellow coaches, especially Glen Miller who is head coach and to the juniors who are starting to coach as well, I am glad to have them on the mats. It is really nice to be able to offer a quicker path to a higher level of coaching while encouraging them along the way.”
Reflecting back on his own life and what the sport has meant to him over the years, Ryan said, “Allowing the little ones find themselves in sport is something that was very important to me as a child. It was easier for me to do that athletically than it was academically. Some of these kids are in the same situation and it is very nice being able to see them come to practice and having a smile all the way through. At the end of the year, looking back they can see how far they progressed and they smile. That smile is worth all the time, all the hours, all the travel and everything like that, just watching them realize how much better they have become because of us, it is really encouraging to see.”
On behalf of the Town of Watrous, Mayor John Gunderson extended his congratulations and said, “Thank you for your contributions to our community.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 20, 2021
Finance minister reflects on 2021 while looking ahead to 2022
Daniel Bushman
Navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic while trying to make decisions that are in the best interests of the people of Saskatchewan, Deputy Premier, provincial Finance Minister and local MLA for the Humboldt - Watrous constituency Donna Harpauer has had a busy 2021.
Raised on a farm near Guernsey and completing high school at Lanigan Central High, Harpauer has served the local area as MLA since 1999. Now a grandmother and currently residing in Humboldt, with a busy December and looking forward to spending some time with her family over Christmas, Harpauer set aside a few minutes to share about this past year and what 2022 could hold.
How did this year go from a finance perspective amidst the pandemic?
There is always pressures when we are in a pandemic, financially for sure. There is pressure on the health care system, in particular the fourth wave hit our province particularly hard. There is pressures on that health care system but there are also so many positive indicators throughout the year.
We have had over $10 billion of outside investment committed to our province which is very exciting. I think we are going to see a lot of construction in the upcoming year both in mining, at the BHP site and also with canola crushing plants. There has been a number that have been announced. We have exciting progress in helium, lithium and a number of areas in our province that really does demonstrate the outside confidence in our province in what we have to offer.
Our employment numbers have recovered to over 98 percent of our pre-pandemic level which is also a very positive indicator of the future of our province and it is looking very bright in the future.
After going through the pandemic in 2020, did you expect it to be what it has been in 2021?
I was definitely hopeful that we wouldn’t still be talking about a pandemic 20 months later but here we are. Hopefully we are seeing the downside of it going forward. Time will tell and it is an unprecedented challenge we are facing not only as a province but as a country and as a world.
Has it been a tough year for you sitting in the Saskatchewan Finance Minister’s chair?
When we introduced our second quarter report, it was a very surprising report. The second quarter gives us more solid data. As you introduce your budget you are using projections of what you think the year expenses and income will be. In the second quarter, you have got a half a year’s data in which to draw from to know if you are correct in your projections.
In fact, all of our economic revenue sources were considerably stronger than what we thought they would be. In particular in potash, oil and gas they were much stronger than what we thought. All of our taxation numbers were up which indicates that the economy is recovering faster and stronger than we anticipated.
Are you pleased with where Saskatchewan is compared to other provinces?
Yes, very much so. I think that we have demonstrated how resilient the people of Saskatchewan are.
Many of those in health care have stepped up tremendously during the pandemic. What do they mean to the province?
There is no doubt that our health care workers have stepped up for a long period of time now. I want to thank them very much from the bottom of my heart. It has been extremely difficult for them.
Our strategy and our responsibility as government now going forward is to recognize where we had shortfalls and that is in our ICU capacity. We are going to have to expand it on a permanent basis. We are going to have to attract more health care workers that should another event like this happen, not as catastrophic as this one I hope, we do need more workers in our health care system. We are going to be looking at recruiting more in a challenging time when of course every province is trying to do the same.
We can never say enough about the great work they have done throughout this in looking after the citizens of Saskatchewan.
With such a big impact to the health care sector during the pandemic, could there be more dollars allocated in the upcoming budget for that area?
In a couple of areas I believe we need to make a larger financial commitment. One is recruiting more workers in expanding our critical care capacity. The other is because of the slowdown with surgeries. The health minister has announced a very aggressive surgical strategy where we are going to step up our surgeries not just to the capacity of where it was at but an accelerated capacity in order to deal with the backlog of surgeries that accumulated over the pandemic.
There have been a few highlights for the local area like a new school for Lanigan and the announcement of BHP moving forward. Are you optimistic for more in 2022?
Those are two big infrastructure highlights and of course with BHP that will translate into employment in our area which is great. And optimism for our agriculture sector. It took an unprecedented hit and it was somewhat felt in our area because drought is not something that is in anybody’s control. But I have a lot of optimism in our agriculture sector. It has been a shining light in our economy year after year and this year it had a very stressful year. We can never underestimate how important it is to Saskatchewan’s economy.
On a personal level, is there a highlight for you that sticks out for 2021?
I am looking forward to Christmas. Last year I couldn’t have the family together and I always do each and every year. So this year I am really looking forward to Christmas once again with my family. I wish that for everyone. Spend time with your friends and family, be respectful to one another, bring our communities back together and appreciate what we have in Saskatchewan. We really are living in a great province.
Looking ahead to the start of 2022, what will you be busy with?
I am already working on next year’s budget and we are going to be putting a lot of priority into our health care system and building capacity within the health care system. The other priority that we had laid out in our throne speech at the beginning of our fall session is we are going to be putting in more resources into crime reduction across the province but with a particular focus in rural crime reduction.
The pandemic has created a lot of anxiety and uncertainty for many people. Will you be looking at adding to the mental health and addictions budget as well?
We have added significantly to our mental health and addictions budget over the last couple of budgets and I am sure we will be looking at that again this year but with a little more focus on our children. There has been a lot of concern of the stress on our kids through the pandemic just because there is more household anxiety than what would be normal. I think we have to do a reach out to ensure that our kids are fairing through this well.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and I hope that people are able to bring their communities and family together, appreciate what we have, be respectful to each other and enjoy some down time.
Daniel Bushman
Navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic while trying to make decisions that are in the best interests of the people of Saskatchewan, Deputy Premier, provincial Finance Minister and local MLA for the Humboldt - Watrous constituency Donna Harpauer has had a busy 2021.
Raised on a farm near Guernsey and completing high school at Lanigan Central High, Harpauer has served the local area as MLA since 1999. Now a grandmother and currently residing in Humboldt, with a busy December and looking forward to spending some time with her family over Christmas, Harpauer set aside a few minutes to share about this past year and what 2022 could hold.
How did this year go from a finance perspective amidst the pandemic?
There is always pressures when we are in a pandemic, financially for sure. There is pressure on the health care system, in particular the fourth wave hit our province particularly hard. There is pressures on that health care system but there are also so many positive indicators throughout the year.
We have had over $10 billion of outside investment committed to our province which is very exciting. I think we are going to see a lot of construction in the upcoming year both in mining, at the BHP site and also with canola crushing plants. There has been a number that have been announced. We have exciting progress in helium, lithium and a number of areas in our province that really does demonstrate the outside confidence in our province in what we have to offer.
Our employment numbers have recovered to over 98 percent of our pre-pandemic level which is also a very positive indicator of the future of our province and it is looking very bright in the future.
After going through the pandemic in 2020, did you expect it to be what it has been in 2021?
I was definitely hopeful that we wouldn’t still be talking about a pandemic 20 months later but here we are. Hopefully we are seeing the downside of it going forward. Time will tell and it is an unprecedented challenge we are facing not only as a province but as a country and as a world.
Has it been a tough year for you sitting in the Saskatchewan Finance Minister’s chair?
When we introduced our second quarter report, it was a very surprising report. The second quarter gives us more solid data. As you introduce your budget you are using projections of what you think the year expenses and income will be. In the second quarter, you have got a half a year’s data in which to draw from to know if you are correct in your projections.
In fact, all of our economic revenue sources were considerably stronger than what we thought they would be. In particular in potash, oil and gas they were much stronger than what we thought. All of our taxation numbers were up which indicates that the economy is recovering faster and stronger than we anticipated.
Are you pleased with where Saskatchewan is compared to other provinces?
Yes, very much so. I think that we have demonstrated how resilient the people of Saskatchewan are.
Many of those in health care have stepped up tremendously during the pandemic. What do they mean to the province?
There is no doubt that our health care workers have stepped up for a long period of time now. I want to thank them very much from the bottom of my heart. It has been extremely difficult for them.
Our strategy and our responsibility as government now going forward is to recognize where we had shortfalls and that is in our ICU capacity. We are going to have to expand it on a permanent basis. We are going to have to attract more health care workers that should another event like this happen, not as catastrophic as this one I hope, we do need more workers in our health care system. We are going to be looking at recruiting more in a challenging time when of course every province is trying to do the same.
We can never say enough about the great work they have done throughout this in looking after the citizens of Saskatchewan.
With such a big impact to the health care sector during the pandemic, could there be more dollars allocated in the upcoming budget for that area?
In a couple of areas I believe we need to make a larger financial commitment. One is recruiting more workers in expanding our critical care capacity. The other is because of the slowdown with surgeries. The health minister has announced a very aggressive surgical strategy where we are going to step up our surgeries not just to the capacity of where it was at but an accelerated capacity in order to deal with the backlog of surgeries that accumulated over the pandemic.
There have been a few highlights for the local area like a new school for Lanigan and the announcement of BHP moving forward. Are you optimistic for more in 2022?
Those are two big infrastructure highlights and of course with BHP that will translate into employment in our area which is great. And optimism for our agriculture sector. It took an unprecedented hit and it was somewhat felt in our area because drought is not something that is in anybody’s control. But I have a lot of optimism in our agriculture sector. It has been a shining light in our economy year after year and this year it had a very stressful year. We can never underestimate how important it is to Saskatchewan’s economy.
On a personal level, is there a highlight for you that sticks out for 2021?
I am looking forward to Christmas. Last year I couldn’t have the family together and I always do each and every year. So this year I am really looking forward to Christmas once again with my family. I wish that for everyone. Spend time with your friends and family, be respectful to one another, bring our communities back together and appreciate what we have in Saskatchewan. We really are living in a great province.
Looking ahead to the start of 2022, what will you be busy with?
I am already working on next year’s budget and we are going to be putting a lot of priority into our health care system and building capacity within the health care system. The other priority that we had laid out in our throne speech at the beginning of our fall session is we are going to be putting in more resources into crime reduction across the province but with a particular focus in rural crime reduction.
The pandemic has created a lot of anxiety and uncertainty for many people. Will you be looking at adding to the mental health and addictions budget as well?
We have added significantly to our mental health and addictions budget over the last couple of budgets and I am sure we will be looking at that again this year but with a little more focus on our children. There has been a lot of concern of the stress on our kids through the pandemic just because there is more household anxiety than what would be normal. I think we have to do a reach out to ensure that our kids are fairing through this well.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and I hope that people are able to bring their communities and family together, appreciate what we have, be respectful to each other and enjoy some down time.
TWM TOP STORY - Dec. 13, 2021
Simpson resident to appear on TeleMiracle 46
* photo credit: Visual Arts by Brittney Meyer
Daniel Bushman
When the lights turn on and the curtain goes up at next year’s TeleMiracle, a local performer from Simpson will be centre stage. Included amongst the Saskatchewan Talent selected to be on the 46th edition of the telethon, Alissa Nimchuk was named as part of the Main Show.
Joining others Mar. 5 and 6 from across the province who will be featured at some point throughout different segments of the live event, including the Countdown to TeleMiracle pre-show, the Main Show and the Overnight segment, Nimchuk will be performing a lyrical solo.
With the lyrical solo choreographed by recent graduate of Winston High School in Watrous, Shelby Allin, Alissa is eager to perform it at the telethon she knows very well. “I watch it every year and I am excited to dance and give back.”
Alissa’s mom Stephanie said the opportunity for her daughter to perform at TeleMiracle is special for a number of reasons including being able to give back. “Alissa was lucky enough to use the Kinsmen Children’s Centre in Saskatoon when she was younger and we are thankful that she could utilize that centre.”
TeleMiracle 46 Chair Steve Kirwan said, “TeleMiracle is rooted in Saskatchewan and nothing shows that more than our incredible Saskatchewan Talent.”
More than 100 acts from across the province auditioned for this year and performers were chosen to represent a wide variety of communities across Saskatchewan. Along with showcasing their talents and passion for TeleMiracle, the Saskatchewan entertainers also fundraise for TeleMiracle. Like in previous years, the fundraising efforts will receive a boost from Nutrien, which has agreed to match all donations raised by Saskatchewan Talent up to a maximum of $100,000.
As part of those fundraising efforts, Alissa’s parents, Stephanie and Jeremy, who created Simpson Snacks, took to their company’s Instagram account after the exciting announcement and said any online order placed between now and Feb. 28 they will be donating $2 per bag to TeleMiracle.
“It is such an important cause and is dear to our hearts,” said Stephanie. “We are so excited that Alissa has the opportunity to be on stage in March and has the chance to give back.”
“Donating to a Saskatchewan Talent fundraiser is just another way to support TeleMiracle,” stated Kirwan. “Your TeleMiracle donations stay right here in Saskatchewan, helping your neighbours, friends and your community every day.”
The 20-hour telethon will be broadcast live on CTV throughout Saskatchewan and livestreamed on www.telemiracle.com starting at 9 p.m. Mar. 5 and concluding at 5 p.m. Mar. 6. “Countdown to TeleMiracle” will be livestreamed at www.telemiracle.com starting Mar. 5 at 6:15 p.m.
* photo credit: Visual Arts by Brittney Meyer
Daniel Bushman
When the lights turn on and the curtain goes up at next year’s TeleMiracle, a local performer from Simpson will be centre stage. Included amongst the Saskatchewan Talent selected to be on the 46th edition of the telethon, Alissa Nimchuk was named as part of the Main Show.
Joining others Mar. 5 and 6 from across the province who will be featured at some point throughout different segments of the live event, including the Countdown to TeleMiracle pre-show, the Main Show and the Overnight segment, Nimchuk will be performing a lyrical solo.
With the lyrical solo choreographed by recent graduate of Winston High School in Watrous, Shelby Allin, Alissa is eager to perform it at the telethon she knows very well. “I watch it every year and I am excited to dance and give back.”
Alissa’s mom Stephanie said the opportunity for her daughter to perform at TeleMiracle is special for a number of reasons including being able to give back. “Alissa was lucky enough to use the Kinsmen Children’s Centre in Saskatoon when she was younger and we are thankful that she could utilize that centre.”
TeleMiracle 46 Chair Steve Kirwan said, “TeleMiracle is rooted in Saskatchewan and nothing shows that more than our incredible Saskatchewan Talent.”
More than 100 acts from across the province auditioned for this year and performers were chosen to represent a wide variety of communities across Saskatchewan. Along with showcasing their talents and passion for TeleMiracle, the Saskatchewan entertainers also fundraise for TeleMiracle. Like in previous years, the fundraising efforts will receive a boost from Nutrien, which has agreed to match all donations raised by Saskatchewan Talent up to a maximum of $100,000.
As part of those fundraising efforts, Alissa’s parents, Stephanie and Jeremy, who created Simpson Snacks, took to their company’s Instagram account after the exciting announcement and said any online order placed between now and Feb. 28 they will be donating $2 per bag to TeleMiracle.
“It is such an important cause and is dear to our hearts,” said Stephanie. “We are so excited that Alissa has the opportunity to be on stage in March and has the chance to give back.”
“Donating to a Saskatchewan Talent fundraiser is just another way to support TeleMiracle,” stated Kirwan. “Your TeleMiracle donations stay right here in Saskatchewan, helping your neighbours, friends and your community every day.”
The 20-hour telethon will be broadcast live on CTV throughout Saskatchewan and livestreamed on www.telemiracle.com starting at 9 p.m. Mar. 5 and concluding at 5 p.m. Mar. 6. “Countdown to TeleMiracle” will be livestreamed at www.telemiracle.com starting Mar. 5 at 6:15 p.m.
TWM Top Story - Dec. 6, 2021
Actor with local roots part of Christmas Hallmark movie
* photo credit: Jen Squires
Daniel Bushman
With hot chocolate poured in a favourite mug, buttery popcorn being eaten by the handful and warm fuzzy blankets to wrap up in, for many people during this time of year, it has become a tradition to watch Hallmark Christmas movies on television. What is perhaps even more special about this year’s lineup of holiday flicks is that an actor with local ties was cast in one of the films.
An opportunity to continue her lifelong passion after navigating through the pandemic, Jonelle Gunderson, who grew up in Watrous received a role in the movie, A Royal Queens Christmas. With filming taking place in various locations in and around Toronto including near Jonelle’s home, the production in which she plays a posh Duchess Adriana is scheduled to air on the Hallmark Channel Dec. 11.
After months of waiting for a chance to be back in front of a camera, Gunderson said getting the part could not have come at a better time. “I learned a lot being on set more consistently than projects in the past. And it felt like such a boost to be working on a sweet, good-feeling story that put me in the holiday spirit. Seeing how they transformed downtown streets in Toronto to look like a snowy lane in Queens, was magical.”
As for playing the role of a Duchess, Gunderson said it was one that she tried approaching with tremendous focus and dedication. “Playing higher-status roles is something that always feels new and a bit uncomfortable to me involving wealth and distinction and a carried confidence. I love working with accents though, and I think somehow it helps me walk into characters more fully.”
While Gunderson was elated to have received the role in the movie, behind the scenes, getting to that point was a long journey. “The pandemic has hit artists hard and shows have been cancelled, venues closed permanently, and theatres dark. To be honest, the last two years have felt hugely existential. At times it’s been hard to remember the why behind the work when it’s been consistently undervalued.”
In fact, like many other actors, Jonelle was forced to adapt how she auditioned for roles in productions when COVID-19 arrived in Canada. Prior to the world essentially shutting down, Gunderson would go to auditions in person but when the pandemic hit it meant having to do it solely by herself. Being responsible for shooting, cutting together and sending off her own auditions, Jonelle constructed a lighting set up, backdrop, and bought a phone/camera in order to submit auditions. Employing the services of willing actors or her partner to zoom in as audition readers, Gunderson then hopped into character before going through the gruelling process of cutting and sending the finished product away. And that is not all. Since so many actors are now doing the same thing, casting directors are able to view more audition tapes for roles since scheduling is not an issue, making it even harder to land a spot in a production.
Hoping to be one of the select few to receive a part, Gunderson put together what she said were an endless amount of tapes in 2020 and 2021. “After sending them away, there was no way of knowing how the work was being received, or even if it was being viewed. Getting feedback is rare, and you don’t find out either way if you booked the job, never mind made it to the stage where producers were viewing your work.”
Feeling the weight of not being contacted after countless submissions, in September, Jonelle received an early Christmas gift with a call to be a part of the Hallmark Channel’s, A Royal Queens Christmas. “This project felt like a win and a boost of confidence that came at a time when I really needed it.”
The call also arrived as the daughter of John and Melanie finally had the opportunity to return to her roots in Watrous to see her family when the COVID-19 guidelines were eased. Needing to be rejuvenated and reignited, that spark was just the beginning.
“I got the audition for A Royal Queens Christmas the night before leaving back to Toronto, and I had to learn it on the plane. I taped first thing the next morning, they dyed my hair red and I was filming within three weeks.”
Elegantly stepping into her role and feeling more comfortable with her red hair, partway through production another call came. This time it was for a role as a princess in The Winter Palace which will air Jan. 8, 2022 on GAC and possibly Amazon Prime. “It was crazy timing and I went from one right to the other.”
Trading in her role as a Duchess for one as a princess, Gunderson shared the time on the set of The Winter Palace was amazing. “I was able to work with some folks I’ve looked up to for a very long time in the theatre world, and the lead (Danica McKellar from The Wonder Years) taught me so much about how to be a lead, and producer. She conducted herself with incredible kindness, intelligence, and deep knowledge of the industry.”
And as for if she has ever dreamt of being a princess in a production, Gunderson said it never really crossed her radar. “I’ve always thought princesses (at least in classical theatre) end up being more of a set piece that don’t have a lot to say, and are a device to move someone else’s story forward. But I think that’s changing, and the story of a personal journey to break away from form and expectation and duty, is an interesting one to tell.”
With the pair of productions providing her a nice way to wrap up 2021, Jonelle was also quick to point out how tremendous the support from back home has been for her over the years. “So many folks have come to my plays in Regina (and even Stratford!) and reached out over the years. Feeling that hometown support is such a unique thing, and I’m so grateful for it. The same community saw me in a play with Riverdancing rats penned by (Watrous resident and high school teacher) Lee Bells - one of my favourites - and how cool is that?!”
* photo credit: Jen Squires
Daniel Bushman
With hot chocolate poured in a favourite mug, buttery popcorn being eaten by the handful and warm fuzzy blankets to wrap up in, for many people during this time of year, it has become a tradition to watch Hallmark Christmas movies on television. What is perhaps even more special about this year’s lineup of holiday flicks is that an actor with local ties was cast in one of the films.
An opportunity to continue her lifelong passion after navigating through the pandemic, Jonelle Gunderson, who grew up in Watrous received a role in the movie, A Royal Queens Christmas. With filming taking place in various locations in and around Toronto including near Jonelle’s home, the production in which she plays a posh Duchess Adriana is scheduled to air on the Hallmark Channel Dec. 11.
After months of waiting for a chance to be back in front of a camera, Gunderson said getting the part could not have come at a better time. “I learned a lot being on set more consistently than projects in the past. And it felt like such a boost to be working on a sweet, good-feeling story that put me in the holiday spirit. Seeing how they transformed downtown streets in Toronto to look like a snowy lane in Queens, was magical.”
As for playing the role of a Duchess, Gunderson said it was one that she tried approaching with tremendous focus and dedication. “Playing higher-status roles is something that always feels new and a bit uncomfortable to me involving wealth and distinction and a carried confidence. I love working with accents though, and I think somehow it helps me walk into characters more fully.”
While Gunderson was elated to have received the role in the movie, behind the scenes, getting to that point was a long journey. “The pandemic has hit artists hard and shows have been cancelled, venues closed permanently, and theatres dark. To be honest, the last two years have felt hugely existential. At times it’s been hard to remember the why behind the work when it’s been consistently undervalued.”
In fact, like many other actors, Jonelle was forced to adapt how she auditioned for roles in productions when COVID-19 arrived in Canada. Prior to the world essentially shutting down, Gunderson would go to auditions in person but when the pandemic hit it meant having to do it solely by herself. Being responsible for shooting, cutting together and sending off her own auditions, Jonelle constructed a lighting set up, backdrop, and bought a phone/camera in order to submit auditions. Employing the services of willing actors or her partner to zoom in as audition readers, Gunderson then hopped into character before going through the gruelling process of cutting and sending the finished product away. And that is not all. Since so many actors are now doing the same thing, casting directors are able to view more audition tapes for roles since scheduling is not an issue, making it even harder to land a spot in a production.
Hoping to be one of the select few to receive a part, Gunderson put together what she said were an endless amount of tapes in 2020 and 2021. “After sending them away, there was no way of knowing how the work was being received, or even if it was being viewed. Getting feedback is rare, and you don’t find out either way if you booked the job, never mind made it to the stage where producers were viewing your work.”
Feeling the weight of not being contacted after countless submissions, in September, Jonelle received an early Christmas gift with a call to be a part of the Hallmark Channel’s, A Royal Queens Christmas. “This project felt like a win and a boost of confidence that came at a time when I really needed it.”
The call also arrived as the daughter of John and Melanie finally had the opportunity to return to her roots in Watrous to see her family when the COVID-19 guidelines were eased. Needing to be rejuvenated and reignited, that spark was just the beginning.
“I got the audition for A Royal Queens Christmas the night before leaving back to Toronto, and I had to learn it on the plane. I taped first thing the next morning, they dyed my hair red and I was filming within three weeks.”
Elegantly stepping into her role and feeling more comfortable with her red hair, partway through production another call came. This time it was for a role as a princess in The Winter Palace which will air Jan. 8, 2022 on GAC and possibly Amazon Prime. “It was crazy timing and I went from one right to the other.”
Trading in her role as a Duchess for one as a princess, Gunderson shared the time on the set of The Winter Palace was amazing. “I was able to work with some folks I’ve looked up to for a very long time in the theatre world, and the lead (Danica McKellar from The Wonder Years) taught me so much about how to be a lead, and producer. She conducted herself with incredible kindness, intelligence, and deep knowledge of the industry.”
And as for if she has ever dreamt of being a princess in a production, Gunderson said it never really crossed her radar. “I’ve always thought princesses (at least in classical theatre) end up being more of a set piece that don’t have a lot to say, and are a device to move someone else’s story forward. But I think that’s changing, and the story of a personal journey to break away from form and expectation and duty, is an interesting one to tell.”
With the pair of productions providing her a nice way to wrap up 2021, Jonelle was also quick to point out how tremendous the support from back home has been for her over the years. “So many folks have come to my plays in Regina (and even Stratford!) and reached out over the years. Feeling that hometown support is such a unique thing, and I’m so grateful for it. The same community saw me in a play with Riverdancing rats penned by (Watrous resident and high school teacher) Lee Bells - one of my favourites - and how cool is that?!”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 29, 2021
Watrous resident receives provincial award
*photo courtesy SARC
Daniel Bushman
With the red carpet rolled out and awards handed out, it was an evening to remember for Watrous resident Megan Lannan. Receiving the Great Work Award as part of the 2021 SARC Awards, Lannan was one of six provincial award recipients honoured this year at the Roxy Theatre in Saskatoon.
Held Oct. 27 as an opportunity to recognize the achievements of people from various Saskatchewan communities while coming together to celebrate diversity and inclusion, this year’s SARC Awards provided those in attendance with an evening of glitz, glamour, laughter, and more than a few happy tears.
A moment Megan will not soon forget, the resident of Watrous said she was a little nervous going to the Roxy Theatre but very excited to accept her award. Nominated by Interlake in Watrous for her work at the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre, after receiving her award, Lannan said, “I feel happy and proud of myself.”
On behalf of Interlake in Watrous, Angela Silzer and Debbie Farago said they could not possibly be more proud of Lannan. “It is a huge honour to have been chosen for this provincial award and she is most deserving!”
According to the nomination for Megan, it stated: “Megan knew from an early age that she enjoyed working with small children, and she never lost sight of that goal, now working at an early learning day care centre in Watrous. Through this opportunity, Megan has really shone as a valuable employee and is absolutely adored by the children she supports.”
Cleaning, playing with the kids, helping with meal and snack time and anything else that is needed, working at the centre for about the past two years, Megan shared it has been a very good experience. “I love the kids and the staff and the atmosphere is great.”
With over 100 community-based organizations, dedicated to supporting people of all abilities to live life to their full potential, SARC members submit nominations for people that they support, inclusive employers in their community, and individuals who are committed to strengthening their community through outreach and volunteer efforts.
Noting how substantial Megan has been to Interlake over the years and more recently at the childcare centre, Silzer said they could not imagine a day without Lannan’s giggling and happy presence. “She is willing to do anything and everything for us. She is part of our cleaning crew, shredding crew, and she volunteers with us as well in the community. She enjoys our life skills classes and our lunch program, always wanting to assist with cooking and baking and crafting. Megan truly takes part and enjoys all aspects of our program and daily activities.”
That positive attitude and willingness to help out wherever she could translated into an opportunity to work at the local childcare centre in Watrous. Watching her grow over the past two years, Farago said it has been tremendously rewarding to see Megan do something she enjoys. “Her confidence and self-esteem shines through and she loves to tell us all about her good times working with the children and staff.”
Explaining that Megan is such a worthy candidate for the Great Work Award, both Silzer and Farago said on behalf of Interlake, they are all grateful Megan was recognized by SARC. Those sentiments were also reciprocated by Lannan who appreciated Interlake in Watrous for nominating her.
So with the big night finally arriving and with a few members from Interlake and her family in attendance, when Megan’s name was announced as this year’s recipient of the Great Work Award, she said, “It is one of my favourite moments probably in my life.”
Along with Lannan, other award recipients this year included: Lenny Smart of Saskatoon who won the Good Neighbour Award; Kirston Lodoen of Regina who won the Spotlight Award; Khloe Nix of Prince Albert who won the Journey Award; Ross Revill of Saskatoon who won the Community Builder Award; and Original Joe’s, Swift Current who won the Inclusive Advantage Award.
“The SARC Awards are an opportunity for our province to really shine and celebrate inclusion and diversity,” said SARC Executive Director, Amy McNeil. “From across the province, we receive incredible nominations about people overcoming obstacles and committing to their goals or helping their community become a better place to live, and it’s so inspiring. The [SARC] Awards Banquet is a celebration of their achievements and contributions, and it’s truly a wonderful night to be a part of.”
After the six recipients were selected and before the awards banquet was held, they were visited in their community for the purpose of filming a vignette video to highlight their accomplishments.
With some of Megan’s friends and co-workers unable to attend the awards ceremony in Saskatoon to view the video and see her presented with the award, members of Interlake were able to replay the video at an event Nov. 24 in Watrous where Megan’s achievement were celebrated.
*photo courtesy SARC
Daniel Bushman
With the red carpet rolled out and awards handed out, it was an evening to remember for Watrous resident Megan Lannan. Receiving the Great Work Award as part of the 2021 SARC Awards, Lannan was one of six provincial award recipients honoured this year at the Roxy Theatre in Saskatoon.
Held Oct. 27 as an opportunity to recognize the achievements of people from various Saskatchewan communities while coming together to celebrate diversity and inclusion, this year’s SARC Awards provided those in attendance with an evening of glitz, glamour, laughter, and more than a few happy tears.
A moment Megan will not soon forget, the resident of Watrous said she was a little nervous going to the Roxy Theatre but very excited to accept her award. Nominated by Interlake in Watrous for her work at the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre, after receiving her award, Lannan said, “I feel happy and proud of myself.”
On behalf of Interlake in Watrous, Angela Silzer and Debbie Farago said they could not possibly be more proud of Lannan. “It is a huge honour to have been chosen for this provincial award and she is most deserving!”
According to the nomination for Megan, it stated: “Megan knew from an early age that she enjoyed working with small children, and she never lost sight of that goal, now working at an early learning day care centre in Watrous. Through this opportunity, Megan has really shone as a valuable employee and is absolutely adored by the children she supports.”
Cleaning, playing with the kids, helping with meal and snack time and anything else that is needed, working at the centre for about the past two years, Megan shared it has been a very good experience. “I love the kids and the staff and the atmosphere is great.”
With over 100 community-based organizations, dedicated to supporting people of all abilities to live life to their full potential, SARC members submit nominations for people that they support, inclusive employers in their community, and individuals who are committed to strengthening their community through outreach and volunteer efforts.
Noting how substantial Megan has been to Interlake over the years and more recently at the childcare centre, Silzer said they could not imagine a day without Lannan’s giggling and happy presence. “She is willing to do anything and everything for us. She is part of our cleaning crew, shredding crew, and she volunteers with us as well in the community. She enjoys our life skills classes and our lunch program, always wanting to assist with cooking and baking and crafting. Megan truly takes part and enjoys all aspects of our program and daily activities.”
That positive attitude and willingness to help out wherever she could translated into an opportunity to work at the local childcare centre in Watrous. Watching her grow over the past two years, Farago said it has been tremendously rewarding to see Megan do something she enjoys. “Her confidence and self-esteem shines through and she loves to tell us all about her good times working with the children and staff.”
Explaining that Megan is such a worthy candidate for the Great Work Award, both Silzer and Farago said on behalf of Interlake, they are all grateful Megan was recognized by SARC. Those sentiments were also reciprocated by Lannan who appreciated Interlake in Watrous for nominating her.
So with the big night finally arriving and with a few members from Interlake and her family in attendance, when Megan’s name was announced as this year’s recipient of the Great Work Award, she said, “It is one of my favourite moments probably in my life.”
Along with Lannan, other award recipients this year included: Lenny Smart of Saskatoon who won the Good Neighbour Award; Kirston Lodoen of Regina who won the Spotlight Award; Khloe Nix of Prince Albert who won the Journey Award; Ross Revill of Saskatoon who won the Community Builder Award; and Original Joe’s, Swift Current who won the Inclusive Advantage Award.
“The SARC Awards are an opportunity for our province to really shine and celebrate inclusion and diversity,” said SARC Executive Director, Amy McNeil. “From across the province, we receive incredible nominations about people overcoming obstacles and committing to their goals or helping their community become a better place to live, and it’s so inspiring. The [SARC] Awards Banquet is a celebration of their achievements and contributions, and it’s truly a wonderful night to be a part of.”
After the six recipients were selected and before the awards banquet was held, they were visited in their community for the purpose of filming a vignette video to highlight their accomplishments.
With some of Megan’s friends and co-workers unable to attend the awards ceremony in Saskatoon to view the video and see her presented with the award, members of Interlake were able to replay the video at an event Nov. 24 in Watrous where Megan’s achievement were celebrated.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 22, 2021
Local duo find success on the turf this season
*submitted file photo
Daniel Bushman
For a pair of Winston Wildcat senior football team graduates, success has been following them throughout their young careers. After graduating in separate years from Winston High School in Watrous, offensive lineman Ryder Klisowsky and linebacker Brady Fossen have been helping their respective teams march deep into the post-season this year.
Suiting up for the Saskatoon Hilltops where he won numerous national championships, after his final year with the team, the now 24-year-old Klisowsky captured the attention of the University of Manitoba Bisons. With the pandemic halting the previous season, one in which Ryder would have played in, Klisowsky was finally able to compete in his rookie campaign this year. Hoping to carry over the success he had with the Hilltops to the Bisons, in his first full season with Manitoba, Klisowsky has been a tremendous part of the club’s winning ways.
Ranked seventh nationally as part of a 4-2 regular season record, for their efforts, six members of the Bisons including Klisowsky were selected for the 2021 Canada West Football All-Star Team.
Named a conference All-Star in his first season with Manitoba, the Watrous native stood out on a Bisons’ line made up entirely of first years. Starting in four of six regular season games and one pre-season game, Klisowsky assisted a Bison offence that averaged 159.3 rushing yards per game (fourth in Canada West).
That effort spilled over into the Hardy Cup semifinal at IG Field in Winnipeg Nov. 13 as the Bisons hosted their first home playoff game in eight years. After a 45 minute delay due to the weather, the Bisons took on the Alberta Golden Bears in the snow and with a solid ground game that saw the team rush for 264 yards, the U of M came away with a 43-17 victory.
With the win, Ryder was scheduled to return to Saskatchewan with the Bisons as they faced the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for the Hardy Cup. The number four ranked Huskies team beat the Bisons earlier this year but all bets were off during the Nov. 20 contest in Saskatoon.
The winner of that game was slated to move on as Canada West’s top football team for 2021, advancing to compete in the national semifinal, the Uteck Bowl against the best team from Quebec.
Like Klisowsky, Brady Fossen has also been a key contributor to his team’s success this season. The Watrous native entered year five with the Hilltops after his team was also forced the halt last year due to the pandemic. Looking forward to competing for another national championship, Fossen went to work and following week four of the regular season, the Canadian Junior Football League announced Fossen was named as one of the Football Canada Players of the Week.
Recognized in the Prairie Conference for defensive player of the game, according to the CJFL they stated: “In a defensive battle on Saturday night Brady Fossen stood out for the defending champs. He collected five solo tackles, had an assist, a sack and forced a fumble.”
Hoping to build off that momentum, Fossen would unfortunately get injured but would remain an integral part of the team, both on and off the field. Finishing the regular season in second at 6-2 and trailing only the Regina Thunder (8-0), the Hilltops met the Edmonton Huskies in the PFC semifinal Nov. 7. In a tough contest, Edmonton would lead 24-14 at halftime before Saskatoon grabbed 10 points in the third to tie things up. In the fourth quarter, the Hilltops edged the Huskies to take a 33-31 win. In the victory Fossen had three tackles, three assisted tackles, and a special teams tackle.
Sporting a wrapped right hand and advancing to the PFC final against undefeated Regina, Fossen and the Hilltops looked to take down the club. Playing in Regina, Saskatoon was able to score late in the fourth quarter and pushed ahead for an eventual 29-9 victory. The win gave the Hilltops a seventh straight PFC championship and the opportunity to compete in the national semifinal Nov. 20. The winner of that game advances to the national championship Dec. 4.
Since 2014, the Hilltops have won the national title six consecutive times and the team will look for a seventh straight.
*submitted file photo
Daniel Bushman
For a pair of Winston Wildcat senior football team graduates, success has been following them throughout their young careers. After graduating in separate years from Winston High School in Watrous, offensive lineman Ryder Klisowsky and linebacker Brady Fossen have been helping their respective teams march deep into the post-season this year.
Suiting up for the Saskatoon Hilltops where he won numerous national championships, after his final year with the team, the now 24-year-old Klisowsky captured the attention of the University of Manitoba Bisons. With the pandemic halting the previous season, one in which Ryder would have played in, Klisowsky was finally able to compete in his rookie campaign this year. Hoping to carry over the success he had with the Hilltops to the Bisons, in his first full season with Manitoba, Klisowsky has been a tremendous part of the club’s winning ways.
Ranked seventh nationally as part of a 4-2 regular season record, for their efforts, six members of the Bisons including Klisowsky were selected for the 2021 Canada West Football All-Star Team.
Named a conference All-Star in his first season with Manitoba, the Watrous native stood out on a Bisons’ line made up entirely of first years. Starting in four of six regular season games and one pre-season game, Klisowsky assisted a Bison offence that averaged 159.3 rushing yards per game (fourth in Canada West).
That effort spilled over into the Hardy Cup semifinal at IG Field in Winnipeg Nov. 13 as the Bisons hosted their first home playoff game in eight years. After a 45 minute delay due to the weather, the Bisons took on the Alberta Golden Bears in the snow and with a solid ground game that saw the team rush for 264 yards, the U of M came away with a 43-17 victory.
With the win, Ryder was scheduled to return to Saskatchewan with the Bisons as they faced the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for the Hardy Cup. The number four ranked Huskies team beat the Bisons earlier this year but all bets were off during the Nov. 20 contest in Saskatoon.
The winner of that game was slated to move on as Canada West’s top football team for 2021, advancing to compete in the national semifinal, the Uteck Bowl against the best team from Quebec.
Like Klisowsky, Brady Fossen has also been a key contributor to his team’s success this season. The Watrous native entered year five with the Hilltops after his team was also forced the halt last year due to the pandemic. Looking forward to competing for another national championship, Fossen went to work and following week four of the regular season, the Canadian Junior Football League announced Fossen was named as one of the Football Canada Players of the Week.
Recognized in the Prairie Conference for defensive player of the game, according to the CJFL they stated: “In a defensive battle on Saturday night Brady Fossen stood out for the defending champs. He collected five solo tackles, had an assist, a sack and forced a fumble.”
Hoping to build off that momentum, Fossen would unfortunately get injured but would remain an integral part of the team, both on and off the field. Finishing the regular season in second at 6-2 and trailing only the Regina Thunder (8-0), the Hilltops met the Edmonton Huskies in the PFC semifinal Nov. 7. In a tough contest, Edmonton would lead 24-14 at halftime before Saskatoon grabbed 10 points in the third to tie things up. In the fourth quarter, the Hilltops edged the Huskies to take a 33-31 win. In the victory Fossen had three tackles, three assisted tackles, and a special teams tackle.
Sporting a wrapped right hand and advancing to the PFC final against undefeated Regina, Fossen and the Hilltops looked to take down the club. Playing in Regina, Saskatoon was able to score late in the fourth quarter and pushed ahead for an eventual 29-9 victory. The win gave the Hilltops a seventh straight PFC championship and the opportunity to compete in the national semifinal Nov. 20. The winner of that game advances to the national championship Dec. 4.
Since 2014, the Hilltops have won the national title six consecutive times and the team will look for a seventh straight.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 15, 2021
New walking trail to link Watrous and Manitou Beach
Daniel Bushman
What started out as a dream of creating a walking trail connecting Watrous and Manitou Beach will now become a reality thanks to local resident Ron Ediger. After the Watrous Rotary along with generous sponsors and volunteers created a pair of trails for residents and visitors to use near Watrous, a third trail extending approximately three kilometres between Watrous and Manitou Beach will now be constructed.
Over the years owner of Melron Services Ltd. in Watrous Ron Ediger along with his late wife Melissa provided funds to a variety of local worthy causes. After seeing the need to create a trail bringing Watrous and Manitou Beach together, Ediger felt like he wanted to help.
“The Watrous Rotary have been a big supporter of our community and have contributed to a number of projects and worthy causes over the years,” said Ediger who will be covering the cost of the new trail. “After the Rotary Club completed two trails and were one day hoping for a third, I wanted to help do my part as a resident of the community and decided to take on the project.”
Watrous Rotarian Al Mosewich who was one of those integral in seeing the two phases of the local Rotary Trails created said Ron approached the club with a number of options to see the third trail built. “There were a number of negotiations undertaken with different levels of government and landowners and everyone is now on board and I am really excited to see it happening.”
Hoping to start construction on the new trail as soon as possible, Ediger said the approval process took some time to complete. “The biggest hurdle was getting permission from the Ministry of Highways. If we didn’t get that then I don’t think this trail would have happened.”
Once Ron was able to get the green light from the Ministry of Highways, he then approached the councils from both Watrous and the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Getting their blessing he then met with landowners and the Manitou and District Regional Park, places where the trail will run either through or adjacent to. “I was very fortunate to be able to get their approval and now we can make things happen.”
The portion of the new trail will extend northeast from the first trail originally completed by the Watrous Rotary. Instead of crossing the road from the first trail to the second phase of the trail, walkers can continue past the gazebo toward the Watrous Cemetery. There they can veer off the gravel road as the new trail will take them along a corner of the cemetery to the main gates. From there proper signage will be put up which will allow walkers to cross Hwy. 365 to the other side of the road. Once across the road, stakes are currently set up marking off where the trail will run alongside Hwy. 365. Heading to Manitou Beach, walkers will eventually arrive at the turnoff to Murray Disc Golf. Navigating around a slough, the trail will continue alongside the highway reaching the Manitou and District Regional Park campground. Space near some hedges have allowed for room to put down a trail and it will lead walkers by the entrance of the park and then out in front of The Drive-In at Manitou Beach where a path is currently used. Building upon that current path, the trail will come to a finish at Lakeview Ave. near the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s office and the Manitou Mini Golf.
“Having the trail end there will allow people to take in the nearby attractions or they can continue along to the beach,” said Ediger who added he may also construct a rest stop at that spot.
Once the trail is completed, Mosewich noted having the path stretching from Watrous to Manitou Beach will provide a safe way for pedestrians to go to and from the communities. “It is quite a huge project and not everyone has the ability to do something like this. Ron is in the unique position of having the equipment, staffing, material and financial resources to do this. He saw the vision that the Rotary Club had and is the type of guy who can get it done.”
With the ability to utilize his equipment and staff from Melron Services Ltd., Ediger said that will provide an opportunity for the trail to be completed in 2022. “About 24 years ago I came here with a single backhoe and this community and the area has been so good to us. I thought, why not give back? I am always thinking about what I can do and I just thought I would like to do some good things here and leave a bit of a legacy to the communities.”
Ediger explained the plan was to get going on the trail Nov. 8 but due to unforeseen circumstances the 2018 Watrous Citizen of the Year said work will now start as soon as possible. “We want to start hauling material to some of the lower spots before spring and get those filled up. We are able to access materials nearby and will need to add some culverts but that will be done next year.”
Putting on a sand seal coat and capping the trail once its neared completion, Ediger noted the plan is to finish the project by the summer of 2022.
Citing how Ron and Melissa were big supporters of community through numerous contributions over the years, Mosewich said the trail will remain along that same theme of community, bringing both Watrous and Manitou Beach together. Those comments were also echoed by the mayors of Watrous and Manitou Beach who were delighted to see the project go forward.
On behalf of the Town of Watrous, Mayor John Gunderson said having the trail completed will add a tremendous amount to the area. “A significant part of the local economies of Watrous and Manitou Beach is tourism. Therefore, it is extremely important that we continue to work together to make this an attractive area to visit and live. Through the generous contribution by Ron Ediger to expand the Rotary Walking Trail joining the two communities, this will serve to meet our goals of this destination area. I am sure it will be enjoyed by both residents and visitors for many years to come.”
Resort Village of Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen was also thrilled about the news of the trail. “Our two communities both want to work with Ron to do everything we can to help this connecting trail happen. Manitou Beach is excited to see it happen! With each community having their own trail system, and Ron working so hard to join the two, it’s on the way to becoming a complete package tourists and residents will be able to safely bike and walk between the two! Hooray for Mr. Ron Ediger, and the council’s from Watrous and Manitou Beach for seeing this vision.”
Along with the two communities, Ediger also approached the RM of Morris. Reeve Bob Penrose said while the RM has no jurisdiction with regards to the project going ahead or not, he was pleased that Ediger took the time to seek permission with the RM. “He asked us and while we did not have any jurisdiction, we were certainly in favour of it. I was glad to hear the construction of the trail is taking place and it will be great to see it completed from Watrous to Manitou Beach.”
Daniel Bushman
What started out as a dream of creating a walking trail connecting Watrous and Manitou Beach will now become a reality thanks to local resident Ron Ediger. After the Watrous Rotary along with generous sponsors and volunteers created a pair of trails for residents and visitors to use near Watrous, a third trail extending approximately three kilometres between Watrous and Manitou Beach will now be constructed.
Over the years owner of Melron Services Ltd. in Watrous Ron Ediger along with his late wife Melissa provided funds to a variety of local worthy causes. After seeing the need to create a trail bringing Watrous and Manitou Beach together, Ediger felt like he wanted to help.
“The Watrous Rotary have been a big supporter of our community and have contributed to a number of projects and worthy causes over the years,” said Ediger who will be covering the cost of the new trail. “After the Rotary Club completed two trails and were one day hoping for a third, I wanted to help do my part as a resident of the community and decided to take on the project.”
Watrous Rotarian Al Mosewich who was one of those integral in seeing the two phases of the local Rotary Trails created said Ron approached the club with a number of options to see the third trail built. “There were a number of negotiations undertaken with different levels of government and landowners and everyone is now on board and I am really excited to see it happening.”
Hoping to start construction on the new trail as soon as possible, Ediger said the approval process took some time to complete. “The biggest hurdle was getting permission from the Ministry of Highways. If we didn’t get that then I don’t think this trail would have happened.”
Once Ron was able to get the green light from the Ministry of Highways, he then approached the councils from both Watrous and the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Getting their blessing he then met with landowners and the Manitou and District Regional Park, places where the trail will run either through or adjacent to. “I was very fortunate to be able to get their approval and now we can make things happen.”
The portion of the new trail will extend northeast from the first trail originally completed by the Watrous Rotary. Instead of crossing the road from the first trail to the second phase of the trail, walkers can continue past the gazebo toward the Watrous Cemetery. There they can veer off the gravel road as the new trail will take them along a corner of the cemetery to the main gates. From there proper signage will be put up which will allow walkers to cross Hwy. 365 to the other side of the road. Once across the road, stakes are currently set up marking off where the trail will run alongside Hwy. 365. Heading to Manitou Beach, walkers will eventually arrive at the turnoff to Murray Disc Golf. Navigating around a slough, the trail will continue alongside the highway reaching the Manitou and District Regional Park campground. Space near some hedges have allowed for room to put down a trail and it will lead walkers by the entrance of the park and then out in front of The Drive-In at Manitou Beach where a path is currently used. Building upon that current path, the trail will come to a finish at Lakeview Ave. near the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s office and the Manitou Mini Golf.
“Having the trail end there will allow people to take in the nearby attractions or they can continue along to the beach,” said Ediger who added he may also construct a rest stop at that spot.
Once the trail is completed, Mosewich noted having the path stretching from Watrous to Manitou Beach will provide a safe way for pedestrians to go to and from the communities. “It is quite a huge project and not everyone has the ability to do something like this. Ron is in the unique position of having the equipment, staffing, material and financial resources to do this. He saw the vision that the Rotary Club had and is the type of guy who can get it done.”
With the ability to utilize his equipment and staff from Melron Services Ltd., Ediger said that will provide an opportunity for the trail to be completed in 2022. “About 24 years ago I came here with a single backhoe and this community and the area has been so good to us. I thought, why not give back? I am always thinking about what I can do and I just thought I would like to do some good things here and leave a bit of a legacy to the communities.”
Ediger explained the plan was to get going on the trail Nov. 8 but due to unforeseen circumstances the 2018 Watrous Citizen of the Year said work will now start as soon as possible. “We want to start hauling material to some of the lower spots before spring and get those filled up. We are able to access materials nearby and will need to add some culverts but that will be done next year.”
Putting on a sand seal coat and capping the trail once its neared completion, Ediger noted the plan is to finish the project by the summer of 2022.
Citing how Ron and Melissa were big supporters of community through numerous contributions over the years, Mosewich said the trail will remain along that same theme of community, bringing both Watrous and Manitou Beach together. Those comments were also echoed by the mayors of Watrous and Manitou Beach who were delighted to see the project go forward.
On behalf of the Town of Watrous, Mayor John Gunderson said having the trail completed will add a tremendous amount to the area. “A significant part of the local economies of Watrous and Manitou Beach is tourism. Therefore, it is extremely important that we continue to work together to make this an attractive area to visit and live. Through the generous contribution by Ron Ediger to expand the Rotary Walking Trail joining the two communities, this will serve to meet our goals of this destination area. I am sure it will be enjoyed by both residents and visitors for many years to come.”
Resort Village of Manitou Beach Mayor Poppy Petersen was also thrilled about the news of the trail. “Our two communities both want to work with Ron to do everything we can to help this connecting trail happen. Manitou Beach is excited to see it happen! With each community having their own trail system, and Ron working so hard to join the two, it’s on the way to becoming a complete package tourists and residents will be able to safely bike and walk between the two! Hooray for Mr. Ron Ediger, and the council’s from Watrous and Manitou Beach for seeing this vision.”
Along with the two communities, Ediger also approached the RM of Morris. Reeve Bob Penrose said while the RM has no jurisdiction with regards to the project going ahead or not, he was pleased that Ediger took the time to seek permission with the RM. “He asked us and while we did not have any jurisdiction, we were certainly in favour of it. I was glad to hear the construction of the trail is taking place and it will be great to see it completed from Watrous to Manitou Beach.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 8, 2021
Remembering War Veteran William 'Bert' Whitmore
written and submitted by Lionel and Jean Sproule with information from Bert, his brother Jack and daughter Gail
William Bert Whitmore was born Oct. 16, 1919, to parents John Moore Whitmore and Mabel (Bradley) Littlejohns at Watrous, Sask. He had an older brother Jack who was born Apr. 24, 1918. They had a half-brother Ted Littlejohns who was eight years older and a half-sister Eola who was six years older.
During his life William Bert was known first as Bert by his family and as Bill in the military, by his wife and his co-workers at the mill in Campbell River. In this story we will refer to him as Bert.
When Bert’s father first came to Watrous from Ontario he worked as a carpenter. He was a good finishing carpenter. Shortly after Jack and Bert were born, their father bought grain and worked in an elevator located along the Grand Trunk Railway line. Around 1924 the family moved from Watrous to Young. Bert’s mother was a nurse who trained in the Jewish Hospital in Brooklyn.
Bert attended school in Watrous until his parents separated around 1932-‘33. For a time Bert and Jack lived with their half-sister, Eola who had married Ted Bambrough. They lived in the family house rent free for keeping Bert and Jack. Their mother Mabel went to nurse in Regina and later Saskatoon. Shortly after, Bert was sent to Durham to live with his mother’s sister, Edith and her husband Tom Blair.
After six and a half years in Durham and when Bert had completed Gr. 12, he returned to live at Watrous. During the winter Bert played hockey with the Moose Jaw Canucks. One year they were in the Memorial Cup which is the Junior Hockey Championship for Canada.
Bert was a good athlete excelling at many sports. In 1939 his brother Jack had accompanied him to Saskatoon to attend a tennis tournament. It was at that time in September that they learned that Canada was at war.
Bert joined the air force in Saskatoon. At that time the air force didn’t have any uniforms or equipment. They used a simulator for training. They didn’t have any barracks to live in so they boarded the men out with families. He took an aeronautical course in Saskatoon. Bert was transferred to Ontario where he trained as ground crew. After a year he was transferred to Newfoundland as an airframe mechanic. He flew in a Hudson when they tried to make it into a bomber.
They needed observers so Bert volunteered to be an observer on the plane going out in the Atlantic to look for submarines. One day he figured that he could fly as good as the pilot. He taxied down the runway. He realized that he didn’t have enough speed to take off. He turned back and hit the wing of the plane on one of the air force buildings. With a damaged wing he knew the plane wouldn’t fly. Bert wanted to fly!
Initially Bert was sent to St. Joli, Que. to train as a fighter pilot and on to St. Hubert, Que. for more advanced training. While in training in Quebec, Bert and a partner flew down low over a Quebec farmer who was tilling his land with horses. It scared the horses causing them to run away and upset the farmer on the ground. The farmer complained and identified the plane. Because of their escapades, the two pilots graduated as non-commissioned officers, as Sergeant Pilots rather than Flying Officers. Bert later became Flying Officer Bert Whitmore.
The Japanese were in the Aleutian Islands. Bert was transferred to Vancouver. He flew Kittyhawks against the Japanese patrolling the Canadian west coast. His brother Jack didn’t think he ever encountered any Japanese planes. While in Vancouver when he and a buddy flying in the Kittyhawk were looking for some excitement, they flew down the streets in Essendale in Coquitlam. It did cause some excitement in Essendale.
Lionel remembers his Dad telling of another of Bert’s escapades while stationed in Vancouver. He decided to fly his plane under the Lion’s Gate Bridge. Again someone remembered the plane number and reported him. His superiors didn’t appreciate this feat. It was after this that he went overseas.
Bert was sent overseas to England by troop ship. You could refuse combat duty however Bert was anxious to fly in the war. When he arrived in England he found that the Canadian pilots weren’t getting into the action as quickly as the British pilots. Bert went to his CEO who arranged for Bert to fly with the RAF. He still wore the Canadian uniform and was paid by the Canadian government. Bert flew with the 257 Burma Squadron. He flew with three different squadrons, one with the RCAF and two with the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Bert had the perfect personality for a fighter pilot: very athletic, adventurous, courageous, and daring but not too foolish. Three times his plane went down and he survived. At one time he was a test pilot for the RAF.
One of the toughest jobs that Bert and his squadron took part in was “train busting”. The trains were well-guarded by anti-aircraft guns as were the airfields. Because of casualties, during one six week period the personnel in his squadron changed twice. This meant that Bert had lost 24 of his buddies.
Bert said, “When you are diving down in the face of all that lead and you’ve got through the first time, it takes a lot of courage to go back in a second time. It takes guts to fly into those gun crews.” That was a standard of courage. Train busting was an art. The planes would fly down the length of the train to get at the engine. The Germans had camouflaged guns to look like box cars. They really were anti-aircraft guns. As a result, many planes were shot down.
When there wasn’t enough action, Bert was one of those who went looking for targets. Once when they decided to go out looking, four of them went over to the armories, loaded up with ammunition and took off the next morning. It had snowed that night. One plane would go down and take a look. They saw this trail. It was a German train loaded with gasoline and explosives, for their tanks. They had procedures that they were to follow, two planes up and two planes down and the mayhem on the ground. Bert said that he was laughing then but he doesn’t laugh now. They decimated the whole train. They had a lot of freedom in what they could do. The Canadian and British fighter pilots were a breed unto themselves. High risk daredevil flying was a part of their lives.
One time Bert’s wing man’s fighter plane was blown up right beside him. Bert commented, “It was a matter of good luck to survive the war.” Bert said that he did whatever he could for his ground crew giving them cigarettes and booze and getting them time off because the pilots really depended upon them. “It was great insurance to be good to them. It was important. We were officers and they weren’t.”
After one of his missions, he was returning to England over the English Channel. He encountered a “Buzz bomb”. They were the initial rockets developed by Hitler that had a jet motor driving them. They had a tremendous amount of explosive power. When the motor stopped you knew that the bomb was coming down. Quoting Bert, “If you had the angle and the height on them you can get them.”
He shot it down over the Channel. He was so close that the debris damaged his aircraft. The aircraft was a Hawker-Typhoon. He knew that he had to ditch the plane in the channel. He radioed that he was doing this. The manual said that you were to ditch it so that the wings were pointing the same way as the trough. Bert knew that many didn’t survive this. Like a typical Whitmore he decided that there was a better way. He landed across the waves. He was able to get out of his plane and get on to his life raft and was picked up by Air Sea Rescue. As a result of this he was able to convince his seniors that this was the better way to land in the channel. Indeed they changed the Flight Instruction Manual to follow this procedure.
He really had quite a career. In France, he and two of his buddies stole a jeep and took off for Paris. One of them put on a Group Captain’s hat. They were in an accident. They returned to their base and an investigation followed. His superiors were suspicious of Bert and his two buddies. Johnny Johnston who had flown and shot down 30 planes in dog fights said to him, “Whitmore, I know that you were one of those who did this but we are short of pilots and we need you.”
Bert was lucky, too! A group of them were going to Brussels on leave by train. The trains ran at regular times. He forgot his bottle of Cognac. He missed that first train because he went back for his bottle. He caught a later train. In Brussels they went to the theatre. The Germans dropped a bomb on the front of the theatre. Bert recalled, “If we had got that first train, I would have been blown up because I would have been sitting at the front of the theatre. So anyone who says that booze is no good it saved my life!”
The second time Bert was shot down was during the Battle of the Bulge. Hitler put together a counter attack in the winter of 1944. He pulled together several regiments and armoured divisions and launched an attack against the American troops in the Ardennes forest area in Belgium near the German border. The Germans attacked during the foggy, overcast, wintery weather and made tremendous gains. The allies could not use their air power support until the weather cleared on the twelfth day of the battle.
The Typhoons were fighter planes fitted for ground attacks and low level bombing. They were very fast; faster than the Spitfires. They had cannons, rockets and machine guns. Bert was shot down when attacking the German supply lines at Ardennes. He went down, crash landed and walked out. He hid behind the German lines in some rubble. When the German advance was driven back, he came out and rejoined the allied lines and got back to his squadron. If he had been caught he would have been shot. That was the German policy then when they captured an Allied pilot. Bert said, “I was using the armour plates on the back of the seat on my plane. We had been told to take the armoured plate off. The bullets were hitting my back. If I hadn’t had the armour on that day, I would have been mush. It was all risky business.”
Bert saw a lot of action. He flew out of Malta too. The Germans and the Italians wanted to control Malta and thus control the Mediterranean.
From his Flying Log Book, Bert flew 24 missions in the month of June. Bert took part in D-Day, June 6, 1944. He flew several sorties that day covering the invasion, refueling each time in England. From his Log Book, “June 6, 1944. Typhoon 757 (SCIF piloting) Dive Bombing and strafing. Pranged tanks. Strafed army vehicles and general britching at Caen.”
On New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 1945, Bert and the other pilots in his squadron were strafing and bombing an airfield close to the German border in Holland. Each fighter went in alone. His wing man was shot down. Bert escaped momentarily when he flew into some light cloud cover. Then his motor “konked” out and the plane caught on fire. He couldn’t bail out because the cockpit canopy was jammed. The plane crashed to the ground, loosening the hood so that Bert was able to get out. The fire hadn’t spread as much as he thought it had but Bert didn’t know that. He couldn’t get away. The snow was deep. He was like a sitting duck. He destroyed the plane and then he made his way to a Dutch farm. He had trouble walking because he had hurt his back when he crashed. He asked the farmer to hide him. The farmer said that he could hide in the haystack. The farmer called his young son over and told him something in Dutch.
Bert knew instinctively that the boy was going for the German Secret Service but he went and hid in the haystack anyway. The SS came and started probing with their bayonets. When the bayonet passed right by his nose, he decided that it was time to give up. They took him prisoner. Bert said, “It was the right thing for the farmer to do otherwise they would have followed his tracks, found him and shot him and the farmer too.” What upset Bert the most was that the Germans took his flight boots.
He was captured and held. He and another fellow escaped again. They didn’t have warm clothes on and he missed his flying boots. It was winter. They were going up a hill when they heard some one call out, “Halt.” They were lucky that it was the regular army who took them captive again. The SS would have shot them. Cold and hungry, they were actually glad that they had been captured. Bert was a prisoner-of-war for about six months until after the war ended in May 1945.
When Bert was released from the Prisoner of War camp, he wanted to fight in the Japanese War. The air force refused saying, “You’ve done enough.”
The war had a very sobering effect on all of those in combat. Upon returning home Bert suffered from post war traumatic stress. It was difficult to get back into normal civilian life after all he had been through. For awhile he lived with his brother Jack and Ena. He was treated at Shaughnassey Hospital in Vancouver. It was here that Bert met Claire Alexandre, his future wife, who was a nurse there.
Claire trained in Edmonton to become a nurse and said, “My first nursing position was at Abbotsford, British Columbia. This was during the war years and there were shortages of doctors, nurses and hospital supplies. Nurses were in demand everywhere. I was a bit of an adventurer so moved frequently. My girlfriend, Virginnia Wood and I decided to go to an American camp outside of Port Edward which was near Prince Rupert in British Columbia. The Americans had build a camp there during the war because of the threat of the Japanese at the time. They called it Little America. At the camp hospital they employed two male first-aiders and two nurses. A doctor from Prince Rupert came out to check things periodically. Claire recalls, “We treated only general illnesses. The serious cases were treated in Prince Rupert. We lived in one of those Quonset buildings on the base. They provided all the facilities for their troops including a gymnasium, a dining room that overlooked the ocean, an officer’s mess that we had access to and they brought in amazing entertainment. It was quite an experience!
“From there we went to Fernie, B.C. While there, Virginnia and I applied to join the Army and were accepted. We were in the Army for a year and a half. I was stationed at the Currie Barracks in Calgary, Alta. As working nurses we became Lieutenants in the Army. We worked at the hospital on the base. The war was just about over. We wanted to join earlier but they wouldn’t take young nurses just out of training.
“After we received our discharges, Bea Mckinnon, whom I had met in the army, and I went to Montreal. Que., to take a postgraduate course in psychiatry at the Allan Memorial Institute. We stayed on and worked there for less than a year. We later toured across Canada to Nelson, B.C. I ended up in Vancouver where I started working at Shaughnessay Hospital. It was there that I met Bert.”
After Bert was discharged from the hospital he went to work in the fruit orchards near Oliver. “We continued to keep in touch. He returned to Vancouver and we continued dating. Bert and I were married on Sept. 24, 1950 at Nelson, B.C. where my parents were living.”
Bert and Claire later settled in Campbell River and had two daughters, Sharman Judith Whitmore and Gail Lorraine Whitmore. Following years of working at a new paper mill and later as an entrepreneur, Bert along with Claire spent their retirement years in Victoria where they enjoyed golfing, curling and travelling.
In 2003, Bert, Claire and their daughters travelled to France and England. They toured the Landing Beaches in Normandy and attended the Opening Ceremonies of the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer on June 6, 2003. They stayed in Caen and motored all along the beach where the Canadians invaded the area. Bert visited with a fellow Typhoon pilot in England and they fought WWII all over again. It was a memorable trip for them all.
Bert had a heart attack in 1989 but had recovered from that. He was troubled with arthritis. In late 2004 he had surgery for colon cancer and they thought it was successful. After the surgery he contracted shingles and his condition deteriorated. He died Jan. 31, 2005. He was 86 years old. Bert and Claire had been married for 54 years.
Later that year in 2005, after living 54 years on the British Columbia coast, Claire moved inland to Kamloops, B.C. where she would be close to her daughters. Then in 2017, Claire passed away at the age of 98.
written and submitted by Lionel and Jean Sproule with information from Bert, his brother Jack and daughter Gail
William Bert Whitmore was born Oct. 16, 1919, to parents John Moore Whitmore and Mabel (Bradley) Littlejohns at Watrous, Sask. He had an older brother Jack who was born Apr. 24, 1918. They had a half-brother Ted Littlejohns who was eight years older and a half-sister Eola who was six years older.
During his life William Bert was known first as Bert by his family and as Bill in the military, by his wife and his co-workers at the mill in Campbell River. In this story we will refer to him as Bert.
When Bert’s father first came to Watrous from Ontario he worked as a carpenter. He was a good finishing carpenter. Shortly after Jack and Bert were born, their father bought grain and worked in an elevator located along the Grand Trunk Railway line. Around 1924 the family moved from Watrous to Young. Bert’s mother was a nurse who trained in the Jewish Hospital in Brooklyn.
Bert attended school in Watrous until his parents separated around 1932-‘33. For a time Bert and Jack lived with their half-sister, Eola who had married Ted Bambrough. They lived in the family house rent free for keeping Bert and Jack. Their mother Mabel went to nurse in Regina and later Saskatoon. Shortly after, Bert was sent to Durham to live with his mother’s sister, Edith and her husband Tom Blair.
After six and a half years in Durham and when Bert had completed Gr. 12, he returned to live at Watrous. During the winter Bert played hockey with the Moose Jaw Canucks. One year they were in the Memorial Cup which is the Junior Hockey Championship for Canada.
Bert was a good athlete excelling at many sports. In 1939 his brother Jack had accompanied him to Saskatoon to attend a tennis tournament. It was at that time in September that they learned that Canada was at war.
Bert joined the air force in Saskatoon. At that time the air force didn’t have any uniforms or equipment. They used a simulator for training. They didn’t have any barracks to live in so they boarded the men out with families. He took an aeronautical course in Saskatoon. Bert was transferred to Ontario where he trained as ground crew. After a year he was transferred to Newfoundland as an airframe mechanic. He flew in a Hudson when they tried to make it into a bomber.
They needed observers so Bert volunteered to be an observer on the plane going out in the Atlantic to look for submarines. One day he figured that he could fly as good as the pilot. He taxied down the runway. He realized that he didn’t have enough speed to take off. He turned back and hit the wing of the plane on one of the air force buildings. With a damaged wing he knew the plane wouldn’t fly. Bert wanted to fly!
Initially Bert was sent to St. Joli, Que. to train as a fighter pilot and on to St. Hubert, Que. for more advanced training. While in training in Quebec, Bert and a partner flew down low over a Quebec farmer who was tilling his land with horses. It scared the horses causing them to run away and upset the farmer on the ground. The farmer complained and identified the plane. Because of their escapades, the two pilots graduated as non-commissioned officers, as Sergeant Pilots rather than Flying Officers. Bert later became Flying Officer Bert Whitmore.
The Japanese were in the Aleutian Islands. Bert was transferred to Vancouver. He flew Kittyhawks against the Japanese patrolling the Canadian west coast. His brother Jack didn’t think he ever encountered any Japanese planes. While in Vancouver when he and a buddy flying in the Kittyhawk were looking for some excitement, they flew down the streets in Essendale in Coquitlam. It did cause some excitement in Essendale.
Lionel remembers his Dad telling of another of Bert’s escapades while stationed in Vancouver. He decided to fly his plane under the Lion’s Gate Bridge. Again someone remembered the plane number and reported him. His superiors didn’t appreciate this feat. It was after this that he went overseas.
Bert was sent overseas to England by troop ship. You could refuse combat duty however Bert was anxious to fly in the war. When he arrived in England he found that the Canadian pilots weren’t getting into the action as quickly as the British pilots. Bert went to his CEO who arranged for Bert to fly with the RAF. He still wore the Canadian uniform and was paid by the Canadian government. Bert flew with the 257 Burma Squadron. He flew with three different squadrons, one with the RCAF and two with the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Bert had the perfect personality for a fighter pilot: very athletic, adventurous, courageous, and daring but not too foolish. Three times his plane went down and he survived. At one time he was a test pilot for the RAF.
One of the toughest jobs that Bert and his squadron took part in was “train busting”. The trains were well-guarded by anti-aircraft guns as were the airfields. Because of casualties, during one six week period the personnel in his squadron changed twice. This meant that Bert had lost 24 of his buddies.
Bert said, “When you are diving down in the face of all that lead and you’ve got through the first time, it takes a lot of courage to go back in a second time. It takes guts to fly into those gun crews.” That was a standard of courage. Train busting was an art. The planes would fly down the length of the train to get at the engine. The Germans had camouflaged guns to look like box cars. They really were anti-aircraft guns. As a result, many planes were shot down.
When there wasn’t enough action, Bert was one of those who went looking for targets. Once when they decided to go out looking, four of them went over to the armories, loaded up with ammunition and took off the next morning. It had snowed that night. One plane would go down and take a look. They saw this trail. It was a German train loaded with gasoline and explosives, for their tanks. They had procedures that they were to follow, two planes up and two planes down and the mayhem on the ground. Bert said that he was laughing then but he doesn’t laugh now. They decimated the whole train. They had a lot of freedom in what they could do. The Canadian and British fighter pilots were a breed unto themselves. High risk daredevil flying was a part of their lives.
One time Bert’s wing man’s fighter plane was blown up right beside him. Bert commented, “It was a matter of good luck to survive the war.” Bert said that he did whatever he could for his ground crew giving them cigarettes and booze and getting them time off because the pilots really depended upon them. “It was great insurance to be good to them. It was important. We were officers and they weren’t.”
After one of his missions, he was returning to England over the English Channel. He encountered a “Buzz bomb”. They were the initial rockets developed by Hitler that had a jet motor driving them. They had a tremendous amount of explosive power. When the motor stopped you knew that the bomb was coming down. Quoting Bert, “If you had the angle and the height on them you can get them.”
He shot it down over the Channel. He was so close that the debris damaged his aircraft. The aircraft was a Hawker-Typhoon. He knew that he had to ditch the plane in the channel. He radioed that he was doing this. The manual said that you were to ditch it so that the wings were pointing the same way as the trough. Bert knew that many didn’t survive this. Like a typical Whitmore he decided that there was a better way. He landed across the waves. He was able to get out of his plane and get on to his life raft and was picked up by Air Sea Rescue. As a result of this he was able to convince his seniors that this was the better way to land in the channel. Indeed they changed the Flight Instruction Manual to follow this procedure.
He really had quite a career. In France, he and two of his buddies stole a jeep and took off for Paris. One of them put on a Group Captain’s hat. They were in an accident. They returned to their base and an investigation followed. His superiors were suspicious of Bert and his two buddies. Johnny Johnston who had flown and shot down 30 planes in dog fights said to him, “Whitmore, I know that you were one of those who did this but we are short of pilots and we need you.”
Bert was lucky, too! A group of them were going to Brussels on leave by train. The trains ran at regular times. He forgot his bottle of Cognac. He missed that first train because he went back for his bottle. He caught a later train. In Brussels they went to the theatre. The Germans dropped a bomb on the front of the theatre. Bert recalled, “If we had got that first train, I would have been blown up because I would have been sitting at the front of the theatre. So anyone who says that booze is no good it saved my life!”
The second time Bert was shot down was during the Battle of the Bulge. Hitler put together a counter attack in the winter of 1944. He pulled together several regiments and armoured divisions and launched an attack against the American troops in the Ardennes forest area in Belgium near the German border. The Germans attacked during the foggy, overcast, wintery weather and made tremendous gains. The allies could not use their air power support until the weather cleared on the twelfth day of the battle.
The Typhoons were fighter planes fitted for ground attacks and low level bombing. They were very fast; faster than the Spitfires. They had cannons, rockets and machine guns. Bert was shot down when attacking the German supply lines at Ardennes. He went down, crash landed and walked out. He hid behind the German lines in some rubble. When the German advance was driven back, he came out and rejoined the allied lines and got back to his squadron. If he had been caught he would have been shot. That was the German policy then when they captured an Allied pilot. Bert said, “I was using the armour plates on the back of the seat on my plane. We had been told to take the armoured plate off. The bullets were hitting my back. If I hadn’t had the armour on that day, I would have been mush. It was all risky business.”
Bert saw a lot of action. He flew out of Malta too. The Germans and the Italians wanted to control Malta and thus control the Mediterranean.
From his Flying Log Book, Bert flew 24 missions in the month of June. Bert took part in D-Day, June 6, 1944. He flew several sorties that day covering the invasion, refueling each time in England. From his Log Book, “June 6, 1944. Typhoon 757 (SCIF piloting) Dive Bombing and strafing. Pranged tanks. Strafed army vehicles and general britching at Caen.”
On New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 1945, Bert and the other pilots in his squadron were strafing and bombing an airfield close to the German border in Holland. Each fighter went in alone. His wing man was shot down. Bert escaped momentarily when he flew into some light cloud cover. Then his motor “konked” out and the plane caught on fire. He couldn’t bail out because the cockpit canopy was jammed. The plane crashed to the ground, loosening the hood so that Bert was able to get out. The fire hadn’t spread as much as he thought it had but Bert didn’t know that. He couldn’t get away. The snow was deep. He was like a sitting duck. He destroyed the plane and then he made his way to a Dutch farm. He had trouble walking because he had hurt his back when he crashed. He asked the farmer to hide him. The farmer said that he could hide in the haystack. The farmer called his young son over and told him something in Dutch.
Bert knew instinctively that the boy was going for the German Secret Service but he went and hid in the haystack anyway. The SS came and started probing with their bayonets. When the bayonet passed right by his nose, he decided that it was time to give up. They took him prisoner. Bert said, “It was the right thing for the farmer to do otherwise they would have followed his tracks, found him and shot him and the farmer too.” What upset Bert the most was that the Germans took his flight boots.
He was captured and held. He and another fellow escaped again. They didn’t have warm clothes on and he missed his flying boots. It was winter. They were going up a hill when they heard some one call out, “Halt.” They were lucky that it was the regular army who took them captive again. The SS would have shot them. Cold and hungry, they were actually glad that they had been captured. Bert was a prisoner-of-war for about six months until after the war ended in May 1945.
When Bert was released from the Prisoner of War camp, he wanted to fight in the Japanese War. The air force refused saying, “You’ve done enough.”
The war had a very sobering effect on all of those in combat. Upon returning home Bert suffered from post war traumatic stress. It was difficult to get back into normal civilian life after all he had been through. For awhile he lived with his brother Jack and Ena. He was treated at Shaughnassey Hospital in Vancouver. It was here that Bert met Claire Alexandre, his future wife, who was a nurse there.
Claire trained in Edmonton to become a nurse and said, “My first nursing position was at Abbotsford, British Columbia. This was during the war years and there were shortages of doctors, nurses and hospital supplies. Nurses were in demand everywhere. I was a bit of an adventurer so moved frequently. My girlfriend, Virginnia Wood and I decided to go to an American camp outside of Port Edward which was near Prince Rupert in British Columbia. The Americans had build a camp there during the war because of the threat of the Japanese at the time. They called it Little America. At the camp hospital they employed two male first-aiders and two nurses. A doctor from Prince Rupert came out to check things periodically. Claire recalls, “We treated only general illnesses. The serious cases were treated in Prince Rupert. We lived in one of those Quonset buildings on the base. They provided all the facilities for their troops including a gymnasium, a dining room that overlooked the ocean, an officer’s mess that we had access to and they brought in amazing entertainment. It was quite an experience!
“From there we went to Fernie, B.C. While there, Virginnia and I applied to join the Army and were accepted. We were in the Army for a year and a half. I was stationed at the Currie Barracks in Calgary, Alta. As working nurses we became Lieutenants in the Army. We worked at the hospital on the base. The war was just about over. We wanted to join earlier but they wouldn’t take young nurses just out of training.
“After we received our discharges, Bea Mckinnon, whom I had met in the army, and I went to Montreal. Que., to take a postgraduate course in psychiatry at the Allan Memorial Institute. We stayed on and worked there for less than a year. We later toured across Canada to Nelson, B.C. I ended up in Vancouver where I started working at Shaughnessay Hospital. It was there that I met Bert.”
After Bert was discharged from the hospital he went to work in the fruit orchards near Oliver. “We continued to keep in touch. He returned to Vancouver and we continued dating. Bert and I were married on Sept. 24, 1950 at Nelson, B.C. where my parents were living.”
Bert and Claire later settled in Campbell River and had two daughters, Sharman Judith Whitmore and Gail Lorraine Whitmore. Following years of working at a new paper mill and later as an entrepreneur, Bert along with Claire spent their retirement years in Victoria where they enjoyed golfing, curling and travelling.
In 2003, Bert, Claire and their daughters travelled to France and England. They toured the Landing Beaches in Normandy and attended the Opening Ceremonies of the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer on June 6, 2003. They stayed in Caen and motored all along the beach where the Canadians invaded the area. Bert visited with a fellow Typhoon pilot in England and they fought WWII all over again. It was a memorable trip for them all.
Bert had a heart attack in 1989 but had recovered from that. He was troubled with arthritis. In late 2004 he had surgery for colon cancer and they thought it was successful. After the surgery he contracted shingles and his condition deteriorated. He died Jan. 31, 2005. He was 86 years old. Bert and Claire had been married for 54 years.
Later that year in 2005, after living 54 years on the British Columbia coast, Claire moved inland to Kamloops, B.C. where she would be close to her daughters. Then in 2017, Claire passed away at the age of 98.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 1, 2021
Ingram gets victory in first career NHL start
Daniel Bushman
Earning his first career National Hockey League start, stopping 33 shots including a breakaway, being named the night’s first star of the game and becoming just the second Nashville goaltender in team history to win in his NHL debut, for Imperial native Connor Ingram, Oct. 24, 2021 will forever be a memorable one.
After being called up Oct. 16 to replace backup netminder David Rittich who was put on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list, Ingram found himself starting against the 4-0 Minnesota Wild in St. Paul just over a week later. Finding his groove in the crease, Connor helped the 1-4 Predators get out to a 3-0 first period advantage before going on to net a 5-2 victory after stopping 33 of 35 shots including 15 saves in the final frame.
“I didn’t have any real tough work in the first period which makes it a lot easier to settle in,” said Ingram after the game. “Then when you jump out to a lead like that, it makes it a lot easier so everything pretty much went our way tonight, for me at least, so it was good.”
For Ingram, the journey of reaching his NHL debut has been a long one but the smile flashing across Connor’s face as his teammates congratulated him after the game said it all. Earning accolades in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers and more recently with the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals, due to the pandemic, this past season Ingram suited up in nine contests for Björklöven of the Swedish second league.
Following a stint in Sweden and exactly nine months to the day before making his first NHL career start, Ingram made the decision to step away from hockey and entered the NHLPA’s program for help. Focusing on his mental health and growing stronger as both a person and player, it was through that which helped the netminder reach his goal of starting a game in the NHL. After being named the first star and earning his first win, Connor tweeted out: “Amazing the things that happen when you put your mental health first.”
That effort, determination, and journey was not lost on Connor’s parents who were watching their son from back home in Imperial. Joni and Brent were thrilled with how the game turned out and for Joni, who usually does not like to watch her son’s games because they make her quite nervous, was able to catch the entire contest. “I did watch his very first NHL game. I felt with all the things he has overcome to get to that game and his courage to do so, I could certainly be brave enough to watch it and I savoured every second.”
Along with members of Connor’s family and friends who were watching the game, Ingram’s Nashville teammates and coaches were also pulling for the netminder.
“I’m really happy for him,” said Predators head coach John Hynes after the game. “Guys are hockey players but they are people too and he went through a little bit of a struggle last year but I give him a ton of credit. He’s spent a lot of time here in the summer and really got himself going. I thought he had an excellent training camp and I was talking to someone before the game and I thought was he going to be ready to go and he was. He knew he had a good training camp and he has put the work in and it is nice to see a person develop as a player but more importantly as a person. I am really happy for him that he was able to perform the way that he performed tonight and get the win and that our team performed the way that they did in front of him.”
While Ingram’s team had his back during the game, heading into the pre-game skate, the rookie found himself going for a lap by himself. “I didn’t know that they did that to goalies so that caught me off guard,” said a grinning Ingram. “I never grab a puck when I go on the ice because I am always scared if I knock them over I am going to step on one and fall over.”
Going for a skate while waiting for everyone else to show up on the ice with him, after warm ups and the national anthem, Ingram settled in between the pipes as the puck dropped. It was not long after the opening whistle when he was tested with a shot from the opposition. Making the save and remaining calm, number 39 would continue to keep the Wild off the score sheet through the opening 20 minutes. Talking after the game about that first save, Connor said, “My first shot in the Western league and my first shot in the American league both went in so I was just kind of half expecting the first one would go in today but it didn’t so it was a nice way to start.”
As the second and third periods each rolled along, Ingram continued to remain in control of his crease which allowed his team to remain ahead on the scoreboard. While a pair of pucks did manage to get past Ingram by the end of 60 minutes, he was able to deny a breakaway opportunity and was solid when his team went on the penalty kill. Perhaps part of that success and calm demeanour could be attributed from earlier in the day as he prepared for his first NHL start.
“It was pretty good. I mean, I surprised myself, I had a little nap in even, so I must have not been too nervous, I guess, if that’s a possibility. It was really exciting. Everybody at home was really fired up, too, so I guess the first one’s over. So, we’ve got to keep going now.”
Being put into pressure situations throughout his career, when it came to his first NHL regular season start, Ingram said, “I pretty much just took it like any other day. Dad always says it’s just a game. If you dig back into the history books, no matter what happened today, the sun is going to come up tomorrow. It is just a little higher stage to play hockey.”
That positive attitude and calm presence was evident throughout the Oct. 24 contest and certainly noticed by Predators defenceman Roman Josi, who recorded four points in the victory. When asked about his goaltender’s performance, the captain said, “He was great, so calm in net. First game is a big deal. I was really nervous when I played my first game. He looked so calm. There is so much confidence in him within our team. Awesome game from him and we are definitely really proud of him.”
That was also the feeling from back home in Saskatchewan as people were rooting for the rookie to succeed. “We were very proud of all the work he has put in over the past few years,” said Joni and Brent. “To see it come to fruition for him was quite exciting and he is always grateful for the support he gets from the area.”
Perhaps it should then come as no surprise to those who know Connor what Josi’s next response was when asked how the netminder is away from the rink. “He is awesome. He is very calm just like the way he played. He has been working so hard all summer. He spent his whole summer in Nashville. He was skating almost every day. That start was well-earned and the win and you could see it in his game, the way he played. He has a lot of confidence, he’s calm and that is how he is off the ice too. He’s an awesome teammate and like I said, it is a huge deal to get your first win and play like that.”
With his first-ever NHL regular season victory officially in the history books and as the lights began to dim at Xcel Energy Centre in Minnesota, the feeling of what Ingram had just accomplished began to sink in for the 24-year-old. Reflecting back on his journey over the past nine months and beyond, during his interview with Lyndsay Rowley from Bally Sports South, the former Imperial Lightning minor hockey player said, “This is what you dream about from when you were a kid. It hasn’t been easy but days like today make it all worth it.”
Daniel Bushman
Earning his first career National Hockey League start, stopping 33 shots including a breakaway, being named the night’s first star of the game and becoming just the second Nashville goaltender in team history to win in his NHL debut, for Imperial native Connor Ingram, Oct. 24, 2021 will forever be a memorable one.
After being called up Oct. 16 to replace backup netminder David Rittich who was put on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list, Ingram found himself starting against the 4-0 Minnesota Wild in St. Paul just over a week later. Finding his groove in the crease, Connor helped the 1-4 Predators get out to a 3-0 first period advantage before going on to net a 5-2 victory after stopping 33 of 35 shots including 15 saves in the final frame.
“I didn’t have any real tough work in the first period which makes it a lot easier to settle in,” said Ingram after the game. “Then when you jump out to a lead like that, it makes it a lot easier so everything pretty much went our way tonight, for me at least, so it was good.”
For Ingram, the journey of reaching his NHL debut has been a long one but the smile flashing across Connor’s face as his teammates congratulated him after the game said it all. Earning accolades in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers and more recently with the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals, due to the pandemic, this past season Ingram suited up in nine contests for Björklöven of the Swedish second league.
Following a stint in Sweden and exactly nine months to the day before making his first NHL career start, Ingram made the decision to step away from hockey and entered the NHLPA’s program for help. Focusing on his mental health and growing stronger as both a person and player, it was through that which helped the netminder reach his goal of starting a game in the NHL. After being named the first star and earning his first win, Connor tweeted out: “Amazing the things that happen when you put your mental health first.”
That effort, determination, and journey was not lost on Connor’s parents who were watching their son from back home in Imperial. Joni and Brent were thrilled with how the game turned out and for Joni, who usually does not like to watch her son’s games because they make her quite nervous, was able to catch the entire contest. “I did watch his very first NHL game. I felt with all the things he has overcome to get to that game and his courage to do so, I could certainly be brave enough to watch it and I savoured every second.”
Along with members of Connor’s family and friends who were watching the game, Ingram’s Nashville teammates and coaches were also pulling for the netminder.
“I’m really happy for him,” said Predators head coach John Hynes after the game. “Guys are hockey players but they are people too and he went through a little bit of a struggle last year but I give him a ton of credit. He’s spent a lot of time here in the summer and really got himself going. I thought he had an excellent training camp and I was talking to someone before the game and I thought was he going to be ready to go and he was. He knew he had a good training camp and he has put the work in and it is nice to see a person develop as a player but more importantly as a person. I am really happy for him that he was able to perform the way that he performed tonight and get the win and that our team performed the way that they did in front of him.”
While Ingram’s team had his back during the game, heading into the pre-game skate, the rookie found himself going for a lap by himself. “I didn’t know that they did that to goalies so that caught me off guard,” said a grinning Ingram. “I never grab a puck when I go on the ice because I am always scared if I knock them over I am going to step on one and fall over.”
Going for a skate while waiting for everyone else to show up on the ice with him, after warm ups and the national anthem, Ingram settled in between the pipes as the puck dropped. It was not long after the opening whistle when he was tested with a shot from the opposition. Making the save and remaining calm, number 39 would continue to keep the Wild off the score sheet through the opening 20 minutes. Talking after the game about that first save, Connor said, “My first shot in the Western league and my first shot in the American league both went in so I was just kind of half expecting the first one would go in today but it didn’t so it was a nice way to start.”
As the second and third periods each rolled along, Ingram continued to remain in control of his crease which allowed his team to remain ahead on the scoreboard. While a pair of pucks did manage to get past Ingram by the end of 60 minutes, he was able to deny a breakaway opportunity and was solid when his team went on the penalty kill. Perhaps part of that success and calm demeanour could be attributed from earlier in the day as he prepared for his first NHL start.
“It was pretty good. I mean, I surprised myself, I had a little nap in even, so I must have not been too nervous, I guess, if that’s a possibility. It was really exciting. Everybody at home was really fired up, too, so I guess the first one’s over. So, we’ve got to keep going now.”
Being put into pressure situations throughout his career, when it came to his first NHL regular season start, Ingram said, “I pretty much just took it like any other day. Dad always says it’s just a game. If you dig back into the history books, no matter what happened today, the sun is going to come up tomorrow. It is just a little higher stage to play hockey.”
That positive attitude and calm presence was evident throughout the Oct. 24 contest and certainly noticed by Predators defenceman Roman Josi, who recorded four points in the victory. When asked about his goaltender’s performance, the captain said, “He was great, so calm in net. First game is a big deal. I was really nervous when I played my first game. He looked so calm. There is so much confidence in him within our team. Awesome game from him and we are definitely really proud of him.”
That was also the feeling from back home in Saskatchewan as people were rooting for the rookie to succeed. “We were very proud of all the work he has put in over the past few years,” said Joni and Brent. “To see it come to fruition for him was quite exciting and he is always grateful for the support he gets from the area.”
Perhaps it should then come as no surprise to those who know Connor what Josi’s next response was when asked how the netminder is away from the rink. “He is awesome. He is very calm just like the way he played. He has been working so hard all summer. He spent his whole summer in Nashville. He was skating almost every day. That start was well-earned and the win and you could see it in his game, the way he played. He has a lot of confidence, he’s calm and that is how he is off the ice too. He’s an awesome teammate and like I said, it is a huge deal to get your first win and play like that.”
With his first-ever NHL regular season victory officially in the history books and as the lights began to dim at Xcel Energy Centre in Minnesota, the feeling of what Ingram had just accomplished began to sink in for the 24-year-old. Reflecting back on his journey over the past nine months and beyond, during his interview with Lyndsay Rowley from Bally Sports South, the former Imperial Lightning minor hockey player said, “This is what you dream about from when you were a kid. It hasn’t been easy but days like today make it all worth it.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 25, 2021
Rutko takes aim at world championship
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to test her gaming skills on a global stage, a woman with roots in Watrous not only set her sights on competing at the Big Buck World Championship earlier this month but had a lot of fun doing it. After learning how to master the video arcade game Big Buck Hunter a few years ago, Abby Rutko has now competed at the prestigious event two of the past three years (with last year being cancelled due to COVID-19).
First created in 2006, Big Buck Hunter was put to the test two years later as 24 hunters from the United States competed for the grand prize of $10,000. Since then the Big Buck World Championship which sees competitors hunting virtual bucks for points has grown to include players from all over North America and Australia. This year Play Mechanix, the creators of the game, held the annual Big Buck World Championship in Chicago with a prize pool of over $120,000. With more than 100 hunters from Canada and the United States competing (those from Australia were unable to attend due to the pandemic), Rutko was eager to see where she stacked up.
Growing up in Watrous and graduating from Winston High School, Rutko’s hidden talent for Big Buck Hunter did not emerge until she attended university in Regina. “Having previously played other video games and not having much luck I was not optimistic, but it turns out, I was not half bad.”
Not only was Abby not half bad but after two years of honing her skills, the virtual hunter ranked high enough to qualify for the 2019 Ladies Division of the Big Buck World Championship in Las Vegas. No small feat, Rutko took her talents from Boston Pizza in Regina where her game was located to the big stage in Las Vegas. It was there where she placed 11th overall in the Ladies Division. Pleased with her first showing, Abby then set her sights on reaching the top 10 in 2020; however, like so many other people, the virtual hunter’s plans were derailed due to the pandemic.
Then as things started to move to a more normal in 2021, a delayed regional series was held in August 2021. Rutko got down to work and qualified for the Canadian Regional championship, shooting her way to a sixth place finish. Following her success, Abby circled the beginning of October on her calendar with hopes of returning to the Big Buck World Championship.
Spending time brushing up on her skills, after combining her best score on both gun and bow mode, Rutko was able to qualify for the Oct. 1 and 2 event in Chicago. Joining 63 others in the skilled player category, she headed to the United States and was officially seeded 44th overall in the double elimination bracket.
“I had some pretty tough matches, including playing the man who placed second in 2019 and ended up fourth overall in 2021,” said Abby of how she did south of the border. “I ended up placing 49th in the world overall and 12th for Ladies (not a separate competition this year but a sub prize pool). I am super proud of the work I did and my final placement, but the best part was watching one of my fellow Canadians win the whole thing and bring the trophy north of the border.”
With a big smile after her showing and hoping to help keep the trophy north of the border next year, Rutko is already looking forward to putting in the work for 2022. “The people that participate in this hobby are truly the best in the world and I am so blessed to be part of the community. I am grateful to my friends who introduced me to the game and I can’t wait until Watrous can have a game of their own so I have somewhere to hang my trophy when I win.”
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to test her gaming skills on a global stage, a woman with roots in Watrous not only set her sights on competing at the Big Buck World Championship earlier this month but had a lot of fun doing it. After learning how to master the video arcade game Big Buck Hunter a few years ago, Abby Rutko has now competed at the prestigious event two of the past three years (with last year being cancelled due to COVID-19).
First created in 2006, Big Buck Hunter was put to the test two years later as 24 hunters from the United States competed for the grand prize of $10,000. Since then the Big Buck World Championship which sees competitors hunting virtual bucks for points has grown to include players from all over North America and Australia. This year Play Mechanix, the creators of the game, held the annual Big Buck World Championship in Chicago with a prize pool of over $120,000. With more than 100 hunters from Canada and the United States competing (those from Australia were unable to attend due to the pandemic), Rutko was eager to see where she stacked up.
Growing up in Watrous and graduating from Winston High School, Rutko’s hidden talent for Big Buck Hunter did not emerge until she attended university in Regina. “Having previously played other video games and not having much luck I was not optimistic, but it turns out, I was not half bad.”
Not only was Abby not half bad but after two years of honing her skills, the virtual hunter ranked high enough to qualify for the 2019 Ladies Division of the Big Buck World Championship in Las Vegas. No small feat, Rutko took her talents from Boston Pizza in Regina where her game was located to the big stage in Las Vegas. It was there where she placed 11th overall in the Ladies Division. Pleased with her first showing, Abby then set her sights on reaching the top 10 in 2020; however, like so many other people, the virtual hunter’s plans were derailed due to the pandemic.
Then as things started to move to a more normal in 2021, a delayed regional series was held in August 2021. Rutko got down to work and qualified for the Canadian Regional championship, shooting her way to a sixth place finish. Following her success, Abby circled the beginning of October on her calendar with hopes of returning to the Big Buck World Championship.
Spending time brushing up on her skills, after combining her best score on both gun and bow mode, Rutko was able to qualify for the Oct. 1 and 2 event in Chicago. Joining 63 others in the skilled player category, she headed to the United States and was officially seeded 44th overall in the double elimination bracket.
“I had some pretty tough matches, including playing the man who placed second in 2019 and ended up fourth overall in 2021,” said Abby of how she did south of the border. “I ended up placing 49th in the world overall and 12th for Ladies (not a separate competition this year but a sub prize pool). I am super proud of the work I did and my final placement, but the best part was watching one of my fellow Canadians win the whole thing and bring the trophy north of the border.”
With a big smile after her showing and hoping to help keep the trophy north of the border next year, Rutko is already looking forward to putting in the work for 2022. “The people that participate in this hobby are truly the best in the world and I am so blessed to be part of the community. I am grateful to my friends who introduced me to the game and I can’t wait until Watrous can have a game of their own so I have somewhere to hang my trophy when I win.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 18, 2021
Reaching a milestone at local barber shop
Daniel Bushman
With a bit of a puzzled look and some hesitation to hop up on the big red chair at Gross’ Barber Shop in Watrous, one-and-a-half-year-old Beckett Engele was quite surprised to see so many faces during a Friday morning visit. Not only was it the youngster’s first haircut from Ervin Gross but for the barber cutting Beckett’s hair on Oct. 8, it was a significant milestone for the 81-year-old as well.
Encouraging his newest customer to check out the red chair as it went up and down, Gross said, “While I have cut five generations of hair from one or two families in town, this will be the first time I will cut five generations of hair from family members all with the same last name.”
After moving to Watrous from a farm west of Simpson with his family when he was 13 years old, nine years later Gross grabbed his first pair of clippers and started cutting hair. It was not long after he opened his shop in 1962 that Hugo and Duane Engele, Beckett’s great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather would stop in for their first haircuts from Ervin.
“Before I started my barber shop, I became really good friends with Duane,” recalled Ervin. “We were roughly a year and a half apart and as soon as I opened up my business Duane and his dad, who have both since passed away, were two of my customers.”
Cutting the pair’s hair at 108 2nd Ave. E. in Watrous, Ervin said once Beckett’s grandpa Keith was born it was not long until he was coming through the door with his dad and grandfather. “I remember Keith coming here with Duane and Hugo and I started cutting his hair when he was just a toddler.”
When Keith got older and started having a family of his own, like his grandfather and father before him, his sons would also get their haircuts from Ervin. That meant when Beckett’s dad Taylor was old enough, he sat in the same chair as his son would one day.
“It is amazing really,” said Ervin of being able to cut hair from five generations of a family. “It is quite an honour to be able to do that.”
In fact, members of Beckett’s grandma Shelley’s side of the family have also had their hair cut from Ervin. With Shelley and her parents Murray and Delilah Westby also in attendance to see Beckett have his hair cut, Murray remembered when his dad, his son Brad and his grandsons had their hair trimmed as well. Like the Engele side, Murray said Beckett marked a fifth generation of the Westby family having a haircut from Ervin as well.
A very unique and memorable moment, Gross said there are a few families from the Watrous area who have had multiple generations sit in his barber chair. “I have cut five generations of hair for the Martin family and four generations for the Sproule family but this is the first time I have cut hair for five generations of a family who all carry the same last name.”
With the exception of briefly retiring for four years when he rented out his shop to local resident Gerry Worobec, Gross said while some of the styles of cuts have changed during his tenure - going from shorter to longer ones during the Beetles era and back to shorter again - it has been great to have had the continued support of so many people over the years.
As for what the future holds, Gross feels he is not quite done. “As long as I can stay reasonably healthy I will carry on for a couple more years. I feel honoured to have been able to cut hair for five generations of local families. It is quite a thing.”
Daniel Bushman
With a bit of a puzzled look and some hesitation to hop up on the big red chair at Gross’ Barber Shop in Watrous, one-and-a-half-year-old Beckett Engele was quite surprised to see so many faces during a Friday morning visit. Not only was it the youngster’s first haircut from Ervin Gross but for the barber cutting Beckett’s hair on Oct. 8, it was a significant milestone for the 81-year-old as well.
Encouraging his newest customer to check out the red chair as it went up and down, Gross said, “While I have cut five generations of hair from one or two families in town, this will be the first time I will cut five generations of hair from family members all with the same last name.”
After moving to Watrous from a farm west of Simpson with his family when he was 13 years old, nine years later Gross grabbed his first pair of clippers and started cutting hair. It was not long after he opened his shop in 1962 that Hugo and Duane Engele, Beckett’s great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather would stop in for their first haircuts from Ervin.
“Before I started my barber shop, I became really good friends with Duane,” recalled Ervin. “We were roughly a year and a half apart and as soon as I opened up my business Duane and his dad, who have both since passed away, were two of my customers.”
Cutting the pair’s hair at 108 2nd Ave. E. in Watrous, Ervin said once Beckett’s grandpa Keith was born it was not long until he was coming through the door with his dad and grandfather. “I remember Keith coming here with Duane and Hugo and I started cutting his hair when he was just a toddler.”
When Keith got older and started having a family of his own, like his grandfather and father before him, his sons would also get their haircuts from Ervin. That meant when Beckett’s dad Taylor was old enough, he sat in the same chair as his son would one day.
“It is amazing really,” said Ervin of being able to cut hair from five generations of a family. “It is quite an honour to be able to do that.”
In fact, members of Beckett’s grandma Shelley’s side of the family have also had their hair cut from Ervin. With Shelley and her parents Murray and Delilah Westby also in attendance to see Beckett have his hair cut, Murray remembered when his dad, his son Brad and his grandsons had their hair trimmed as well. Like the Engele side, Murray said Beckett marked a fifth generation of the Westby family having a haircut from Ervin as well.
A very unique and memorable moment, Gross said there are a few families from the Watrous area who have had multiple generations sit in his barber chair. “I have cut five generations of hair for the Martin family and four generations for the Sproule family but this is the first time I have cut hair for five generations of a family who all carry the same last name.”
With the exception of briefly retiring for four years when he rented out his shop to local resident Gerry Worobec, Gross said while some of the styles of cuts have changed during his tenure - going from shorter to longer ones during the Beetles era and back to shorter again - it has been great to have had the continued support of so many people over the years.
As for what the future holds, Gross feels he is not quite done. “As long as I can stay reasonably healthy I will carry on for a couple more years. I feel honoured to have been able to cut hair for five generations of local families. It is quite a thing.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 11, 2021
October welcomed by warm weather
Daniel Bushman
People on the Prairies have been treated to some remarkably nice weather this fall. While precipitation would be welcome, the hot summer days have flowed past their usual time period, allowing for a beautiful fall. Noting how nice it has been over the past few months, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips explained while there has been a touch of frost getting down to -0.9˚C on the last day of September and the early part of October, he said, “We are seeing temperatures a dozen degrees warmer than it should be for this time of year. The normal high should be around 14˚C not 26˚C.”
Those above normal values are nothing new for Saskatchewan this year as the warmth of the summer has made its presence felt. Normally experiencing 10 or 11 days of 30˚C or hotter, this year Phillips said the local area has had 30 days that have hit 30˚C or above.
The warmer weather has also held off the snow which is not always the case around Thanksgiving including in 1998 when a massive storm arrived. “People on the Prairies think if they can keep the lasting permanent snow until after Halloween you feel you’ve won one.”
30 days at 30 or above
Those who prefer a hot summer certainly took advantage of the 2021 version as a prolonged heat wave swept across Saskatchewan. Normally experiencing 10 or 11 days of 30˚C weather, Phillips said locally there were 30 days where it reached at least 30˚C.
Not only was that a remarkable number but the Senior Climatologist said the other thing that was quite evident was temperatures also hit above 30˚C in September. While there has been a prior instance where September was the warmest month of summer, what was unique for this year was that there were two days where the temperature got above 30˚C and up to 33˚C. “You’ve lost about five hours of daylight from the longest day of the year, the sun is lower in the sky by about 30 degrees so it is very hard for nature to produce these kind of temperatures when you’ve got more nighttime than daytime. So when the average temperature is more like 14˚C and for it to ramp up to 30˚C or above, that is almost unprecedented.”
While Phillips suggested the number of days above 30˚C in 2021 might rival 1988 where there were a lot of similar days, this year was different due to the fact that there were a number that hit 33˚C, 34˚C, 35˚C and even higher.
“These weren’t just little marginal kind of 30˚C and 30.1˚C, these were solidly in the mid-30˚C range which shows you that not only was the frequency of those hot days, if not record breaking close to it, but the intensity was clearly that way too.”
Thanksgiving storm of 1998
While snow, shovels and winter attire were probably some of the last things on people’s minds over this Thanksgiving weekend, turning back the clock 23 years ago, people in Saskatchewan were forced to dig out of a massive storm while eating turkey in the dark.
In 1998, Phillips said the province was buried under a blanket of snow with places receiving anywhere from 25 to 70 cm of snow. With the heavy and wet snow falling, trees were brought down and power outages occurred to around 30,000 homes. “In some places that high end of 70 cm would be almost a year’s worth of snow which fell in two or three days. It looked more like Christmas than Thanksgiving.”
According to the Oct. 19, 1998 edition of The Watrous Manitou, the local area was not immune to the Thanksgiving storm. With power outages taking place, in Watrous crews responded to a downed 4,160 volt power line. To make matters worse, local emergency crews experienced a small electrical failure in their responding truck. However, with quick thinking, Watrous resident Dwight Kornelsen who was the deputy fire chief at the time utilized his ham radio skills to communicate during the storm. With the outages, downed power line and being able to use the ham radio operations, members of the volunteer fire department were able to stay in communication with Sask Power. Radio signals were relayed through an I.M. Repeater which was located at the home of experienced ham radio operator W. D. Wilson in Watrous. With the ham radios in operation, the hookup allowed the crew to stay in touch with Sask Power workers while keeping them updated during the dangerous situation. A short time later communications were restored and the emergency crew’s regular cellphone equipment was back on line.
Along with the downed line and power outages, in the article, publisher at that time, Frank Wilson noted people witnessed flashes of lightning and heard thunder during the storm. “One farmer said it lit up the area ‘like an arc welder’ reflecting brightly upon the snow covered ground.”
Wilson also included an account of a large elm tree falling after accumulating heavy and wet snow. Grandkids of a local resident had been playing near the tree just seconds beforehand then ran into the house leaving the door open. “At this precise moment, the tree let go and fell towards the house. Since the door was open, the branches came inside without damaging anything, including the grandchildren!”
In total, during that Saturday and Sunday storm over Thanksgiving weekend, the area received close to one foot of snow. Other areas, specifically north of Prince Albert had power outages lasting for a few days. Wilson said the Emma Lake area reportedly had three feet of snow.
In addition to the Watrous area, Lanigan also received a large helping of snow. On the front page of the Oct. 19, 1998 edition of the Lanigan Advisor was a photo taken by former publisher Linda Mallett of a snowman with the headline: Thanksgiving or Christmas?
The large amount of snow was enough that families headed outdoors to make the best of the situation including the Knaus family who created a big snowman.
While Phillips indicated Saskatchewan had some of the worst power outages experienced during that Thanksgiving weekend, 10 days later “people traded their snow shovels for golf clubs because it was just the very nature of October. It can punish you but then can come back and give you a taste of summer-like weather.”
Outlook
With many probably preferring not to experience a pre-winter storm like the one back in 1998, the reality is recent values reminiscent of summer may not be here for much longer. But even with lower values forecast heading into the middle of October, Phillips said the drop will not be like going from tropical air to arctic air. The Senior Climatologist said models are showing for mid-October to mid-November a little warmer than normal.
One thing that Phillips stressed heading into the middle part of October is the need for precipitation. With harvest operations either wrapped up or nearly finished, with no real rains over the past two months, he said now is when precipitation is welcome.
“This is time you need to recharge that soil, the dugouts, the sloughs and the potholes. We are in desperate need and the deficit is still way down. Even if it comes in the form of wet snow with lots of moisture in it, I think most people would take it.”
Precipitation wise, Phillips said over the next month the forecast is calling for a little wetter than normal, specifically in northern portions of the province.
He also noted that this winter will once again be a La Niña type season. Normally meaning it will be a colder than normal winter, Phillips said last year was also forecast as the same and it ended up being one of the balmiest on record with exception for a pair of weeks in February.
“Last winter was rather tame by most Prairie standards so it is hard to know what winter will be like. My sense is to enjoy the fall. We still think there is a lot more summer left in the air and when it does turn it doesn’t seem to drop suddenly into something else.”
As for what to expect for the rest of this month, Phillips said, “October is very fickle and fitful and can change on a dime. One degree can make the difference between whether you are carrying an umbrella or shovelling the snow.”
Daniel Bushman
People on the Prairies have been treated to some remarkably nice weather this fall. While precipitation would be welcome, the hot summer days have flowed past their usual time period, allowing for a beautiful fall. Noting how nice it has been over the past few months, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips explained while there has been a touch of frost getting down to -0.9˚C on the last day of September and the early part of October, he said, “We are seeing temperatures a dozen degrees warmer than it should be for this time of year. The normal high should be around 14˚C not 26˚C.”
Those above normal values are nothing new for Saskatchewan this year as the warmth of the summer has made its presence felt. Normally experiencing 10 or 11 days of 30˚C or hotter, this year Phillips said the local area has had 30 days that have hit 30˚C or above.
The warmer weather has also held off the snow which is not always the case around Thanksgiving including in 1998 when a massive storm arrived. “People on the Prairies think if they can keep the lasting permanent snow until after Halloween you feel you’ve won one.”
30 days at 30 or above
Those who prefer a hot summer certainly took advantage of the 2021 version as a prolonged heat wave swept across Saskatchewan. Normally experiencing 10 or 11 days of 30˚C weather, Phillips said locally there were 30 days where it reached at least 30˚C.
Not only was that a remarkable number but the Senior Climatologist said the other thing that was quite evident was temperatures also hit above 30˚C in September. While there has been a prior instance where September was the warmest month of summer, what was unique for this year was that there were two days where the temperature got above 30˚C and up to 33˚C. “You’ve lost about five hours of daylight from the longest day of the year, the sun is lower in the sky by about 30 degrees so it is very hard for nature to produce these kind of temperatures when you’ve got more nighttime than daytime. So when the average temperature is more like 14˚C and for it to ramp up to 30˚C or above, that is almost unprecedented.”
While Phillips suggested the number of days above 30˚C in 2021 might rival 1988 where there were a lot of similar days, this year was different due to the fact that there were a number that hit 33˚C, 34˚C, 35˚C and even higher.
“These weren’t just little marginal kind of 30˚C and 30.1˚C, these were solidly in the mid-30˚C range which shows you that not only was the frequency of those hot days, if not record breaking close to it, but the intensity was clearly that way too.”
Thanksgiving storm of 1998
While snow, shovels and winter attire were probably some of the last things on people’s minds over this Thanksgiving weekend, turning back the clock 23 years ago, people in Saskatchewan were forced to dig out of a massive storm while eating turkey in the dark.
In 1998, Phillips said the province was buried under a blanket of snow with places receiving anywhere from 25 to 70 cm of snow. With the heavy and wet snow falling, trees were brought down and power outages occurred to around 30,000 homes. “In some places that high end of 70 cm would be almost a year’s worth of snow which fell in two or three days. It looked more like Christmas than Thanksgiving.”
According to the Oct. 19, 1998 edition of The Watrous Manitou, the local area was not immune to the Thanksgiving storm. With power outages taking place, in Watrous crews responded to a downed 4,160 volt power line. To make matters worse, local emergency crews experienced a small electrical failure in their responding truck. However, with quick thinking, Watrous resident Dwight Kornelsen who was the deputy fire chief at the time utilized his ham radio skills to communicate during the storm. With the outages, downed power line and being able to use the ham radio operations, members of the volunteer fire department were able to stay in communication with Sask Power. Radio signals were relayed through an I.M. Repeater which was located at the home of experienced ham radio operator W. D. Wilson in Watrous. With the ham radios in operation, the hookup allowed the crew to stay in touch with Sask Power workers while keeping them updated during the dangerous situation. A short time later communications were restored and the emergency crew’s regular cellphone equipment was back on line.
Along with the downed line and power outages, in the article, publisher at that time, Frank Wilson noted people witnessed flashes of lightning and heard thunder during the storm. “One farmer said it lit up the area ‘like an arc welder’ reflecting brightly upon the snow covered ground.”
Wilson also included an account of a large elm tree falling after accumulating heavy and wet snow. Grandkids of a local resident had been playing near the tree just seconds beforehand then ran into the house leaving the door open. “At this precise moment, the tree let go and fell towards the house. Since the door was open, the branches came inside without damaging anything, including the grandchildren!”
In total, during that Saturday and Sunday storm over Thanksgiving weekend, the area received close to one foot of snow. Other areas, specifically north of Prince Albert had power outages lasting for a few days. Wilson said the Emma Lake area reportedly had three feet of snow.
In addition to the Watrous area, Lanigan also received a large helping of snow. On the front page of the Oct. 19, 1998 edition of the Lanigan Advisor was a photo taken by former publisher Linda Mallett of a snowman with the headline: Thanksgiving or Christmas?
The large amount of snow was enough that families headed outdoors to make the best of the situation including the Knaus family who created a big snowman.
While Phillips indicated Saskatchewan had some of the worst power outages experienced during that Thanksgiving weekend, 10 days later “people traded their snow shovels for golf clubs because it was just the very nature of October. It can punish you but then can come back and give you a taste of summer-like weather.”
Outlook
With many probably preferring not to experience a pre-winter storm like the one back in 1998, the reality is recent values reminiscent of summer may not be here for much longer. But even with lower values forecast heading into the middle of October, Phillips said the drop will not be like going from tropical air to arctic air. The Senior Climatologist said models are showing for mid-October to mid-November a little warmer than normal.
One thing that Phillips stressed heading into the middle part of October is the need for precipitation. With harvest operations either wrapped up or nearly finished, with no real rains over the past two months, he said now is when precipitation is welcome.
“This is time you need to recharge that soil, the dugouts, the sloughs and the potholes. We are in desperate need and the deficit is still way down. Even if it comes in the form of wet snow with lots of moisture in it, I think most people would take it.”
Precipitation wise, Phillips said over the next month the forecast is calling for a little wetter than normal, specifically in northern portions of the province.
He also noted that this winter will once again be a La Niña type season. Normally meaning it will be a colder than normal winter, Phillips said last year was also forecast as the same and it ended up being one of the balmiest on record with exception for a pair of weeks in February.
“Last winter was rather tame by most Prairie standards so it is hard to know what winter will be like. My sense is to enjoy the fall. We still think there is a lot more summer left in the air and when it does turn it doesn’t seem to drop suddenly into something else.”
As for what to expect for the rest of this month, Phillips said, “October is very fickle and fitful and can change on a dime. One degree can make the difference between whether you are carrying an umbrella or shovelling the snow.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 4, 2021
Tree plant benefits LMRP
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to provide future shelter, help the environment and come together as a group, staff, cabin owners and volunteers from Last Mountain Regional Park (LMRP) along with volunteers from Watrous Home Hardware and Tree Canada joined forces to plant 155 trees.
Part of a partnership between Home Hardware and Tree Canada, the Sept. 11 project at LMRP southwest of Nokomis involved the regional park as 155 trees were planted. Matching a grant offered by Home Hardware and Tree Canada, LMRP manager Del Skoropata said the day of planting trees went really well. “Most of the people attending this year have helped out in previous years and we really appreciated it.”
With 155 trees finding new homes, Skoropata said they were spread throughout the campground and shelter belts. This is not the first time LMRP was able to utilize the Tree Canada and Home Hardware grant to benefit the park. Skoropata said in 2018 they planted around 160 trees and shrubs. “That was a combination of trees and shrubs and we did a shelter belt along the east side of the east campground where there had been no trees at all. Then we also planted some in and amongst the campground sites.”
Really appreciating the partnership between the organizations, Skoropata since the first plant in 2018, the park has created a yearly budget of $3,000 to put towards trees. “In 2019 we started a $3,000 annual budget for trees so this year with the Tree Canada and Home Hardware initiative we were able to go up to the $6,000 mark as they put in $3,000 also. Because of that matching grant, we were able to put in more mature trees.”
Helping out during previous plants at LMRP and also in Watrous at the Rotary Walking Trail, Tree Canada’s Kelvin Kelly was on hand to lend a hand once again in 2021.
Benefitting the environment through planting trees, Kelly noted a mature sized tree, through a process of photosynthesis will absorb and store approximately 22 kg (48 lbs.) of carbon per year. “That same tree as it goes through 42 years of its life would eventually store/sequester 2,000 pounds or one ton of carbon.”
As holes were dug and people came together to plant the trees Sept. 11, Kelly noted how “treemendous” the support was for the project. “It is excellent to see everyone out here working together for such a good cause.”
Nationally, Tree Canada marked 29 years of partnership with Home Hardware and Kelly said Home Hardware has been an integral part of helping the environment during that time as the two have joined forces on a national level to plant trees across the country. Over those years, Home Hardware and Tree Canada have planted more than 28,000 trees in Canadian communities valued at over $1 million.
“At the regional park and in previous years in Watrous, we have really appreciated Ken and his team for stepping up and providing beauty, shelter and protection. Ken and the Home Hardware in Watrous have participated with the program on a handful of different occasions, joining many other stores from across the country.”
Dealer/co-owner of Watrous Home Hardware Ken Bushman said it was great to once again be able to lend a hand and see volunteers come together to support a worthy cause.
“I am glad Home Hardware was able to help provide trees to be planted at LMRP and it was great to see everyone come together for a good cause. The support from everyone involved with this project from before we arrived to plant the trees until after they were all in the ground has been amazing and we look forward to helping with this initiative in the future as well.”
Through Tree Canada’s programs, research and educational efforts, the national non-profit organization have helped restore tree cover in areas hit by natural disasters, guided communities in managing their urban forests, helped green 700 schoolyards and organized urban forest conferences.
To date, with Tree Canada’s community partners and sponsors, they have planted more than 83 million trees.
Appreciating the help from Watrous Home Hardware and Tree Canada and wanting to allow other organizations an opportunity to apply for the initiative, Skoropata said next year LMRP is planning to plant about 500 small poplars themselves. “They will just be twigs so it will be an intensive program but it will be done at the golf course where trees have died. We have lost so many trees in the park over the last few years between drought and the age of the trees, they are just aged out.”
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to provide future shelter, help the environment and come together as a group, staff, cabin owners and volunteers from Last Mountain Regional Park (LMRP) along with volunteers from Watrous Home Hardware and Tree Canada joined forces to plant 155 trees.
Part of a partnership between Home Hardware and Tree Canada, the Sept. 11 project at LMRP southwest of Nokomis involved the regional park as 155 trees were planted. Matching a grant offered by Home Hardware and Tree Canada, LMRP manager Del Skoropata said the day of planting trees went really well. “Most of the people attending this year have helped out in previous years and we really appreciated it.”
With 155 trees finding new homes, Skoropata said they were spread throughout the campground and shelter belts. This is not the first time LMRP was able to utilize the Tree Canada and Home Hardware grant to benefit the park. Skoropata said in 2018 they planted around 160 trees and shrubs. “That was a combination of trees and shrubs and we did a shelter belt along the east side of the east campground where there had been no trees at all. Then we also planted some in and amongst the campground sites.”
Really appreciating the partnership between the organizations, Skoropata since the first plant in 2018, the park has created a yearly budget of $3,000 to put towards trees. “In 2019 we started a $3,000 annual budget for trees so this year with the Tree Canada and Home Hardware initiative we were able to go up to the $6,000 mark as they put in $3,000 also. Because of that matching grant, we were able to put in more mature trees.”
Helping out during previous plants at LMRP and also in Watrous at the Rotary Walking Trail, Tree Canada’s Kelvin Kelly was on hand to lend a hand once again in 2021.
Benefitting the environment through planting trees, Kelly noted a mature sized tree, through a process of photosynthesis will absorb and store approximately 22 kg (48 lbs.) of carbon per year. “That same tree as it goes through 42 years of its life would eventually store/sequester 2,000 pounds or one ton of carbon.”
As holes were dug and people came together to plant the trees Sept. 11, Kelly noted how “treemendous” the support was for the project. “It is excellent to see everyone out here working together for such a good cause.”
Nationally, Tree Canada marked 29 years of partnership with Home Hardware and Kelly said Home Hardware has been an integral part of helping the environment during that time as the two have joined forces on a national level to plant trees across the country. Over those years, Home Hardware and Tree Canada have planted more than 28,000 trees in Canadian communities valued at over $1 million.
“At the regional park and in previous years in Watrous, we have really appreciated Ken and his team for stepping up and providing beauty, shelter and protection. Ken and the Home Hardware in Watrous have participated with the program on a handful of different occasions, joining many other stores from across the country.”
Dealer/co-owner of Watrous Home Hardware Ken Bushman said it was great to once again be able to lend a hand and see volunteers come together to support a worthy cause.
“I am glad Home Hardware was able to help provide trees to be planted at LMRP and it was great to see everyone come together for a good cause. The support from everyone involved with this project from before we arrived to plant the trees until after they were all in the ground has been amazing and we look forward to helping with this initiative in the future as well.”
Through Tree Canada’s programs, research and educational efforts, the national non-profit organization have helped restore tree cover in areas hit by natural disasters, guided communities in managing their urban forests, helped green 700 schoolyards and organized urban forest conferences.
To date, with Tree Canada’s community partners and sponsors, they have planted more than 83 million trees.
Appreciating the help from Watrous Home Hardware and Tree Canada and wanting to allow other organizations an opportunity to apply for the initiative, Skoropata said next year LMRP is planning to plant about 500 small poplars themselves. “They will just be twigs so it will be an intensive program but it will be done at the golf course where trees have died. We have lost so many trees in the park over the last few years between drought and the age of the trees, they are just aged out.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 27, 2021
New face to represent local area; Liberals take minority government
Daniel Bushman
As the majority of elected federal candidates will once again represent their ridings from across the country after the 44th general federal election was held, the local riding of Moose Jaw - Lake Centre - Lanigan will see a new face representing the area.
While the Liberal Party of Canada took another minority government, the Conservative Party once again swept Saskatchewan, taking all 14 seats. That meant that newcomer Fraser Tolmie who took over from Conservative Party MP Tom Lukiwski (who decided not to run again) will be representing Moose Jaw - Lake Centre - Lanigan.
Excited to watch the votes roll in during election night Sept. 20, Tolmie expressed a sense of relief after spending three months going through the nomination process to become the Conservative Party candidate before hitting the campaign trail shortly after. “I am trying to catch my breath but when I soak it all in, I am very excited and feel blessed to be able to represent this riding.”
Heading into an election during a pandemic, the former mayor of Moose Jaw said he and his team were a bit concerned that the voter numbers might take a bit of a dip. “What we wanted to do was to get out into the riding and meet with people. Normally it is door knocking that you do going house to house but for this campaign, because it was harvest season, we were combine calling. We would go from field to field and stop and pull over and talk to people out in the fields who were combining. We were just getting our face out there and getting to know the communities and I think that really paid off.”
Within the Moose Jaw - Lake Centre - Lanigan riding, with 99.5 percent of the polls reporting, voter turnout was in fact down with approximately 66.35 percent compared to 73.49 percent the last time a federal election was held. Preliminary data from Elections Canada also indicated there was a total of 39,420 votes cast, down from 43,273 votes in 2019. However, of those votes cast this year in the local riding, 24,012 or 60.9 percent went to Tolmie. The NDP’s Talon Regent was second with 7,406 votes (18.8 percent) followed by the People’s Party of Canada’s Chey Craik with 4,592 votes (11.6 percent). The Liberal Party’s Katelyn Zimmer had 2,351 votes (six percent) while the Maverick Party’s David Craig Townsend had 634 votes (1.6 percent) and the Green Party’s Isaiah Hunter had 425 votes (1.1 percent).
In Saskatchewan, as was the case in 2019, the Conservative Party took all 14 ridings with 99.46 percent of the polls reporting. Preliminary Elections Canada data indicated a total of 291,677 of the 488,369 votes (59.7 percent) were cast for the Conservative Party while the NDP were second in the number of votes with 100,158 (20.5 percent). The NDP were followed by the Liberal Party with 50,019 (10.2 percent), the People’s Party of Canada with 33,348 (6.8 percent), the Maverick Party with 7,066 (1.4 percent), and the Green Party with 5,408 (1.1 percent).
From a national standpoint, the overall results were fairly similar to the previous federal election in 2019 with the Liberal Party taking a minority government. After preliminary results were released from Elections Canada following the Sept. 20 election, the Liberal Party of Canada took 158 seats (up from 155), the Conservative Party had 119 (no change), the Bloc Quebecois had 34 (up from 32), the NDP had 25 (up from 24) and the Green Party had two (no change).
Adding advance polls and election day ballots, with 99.5 percent of polls reporting, according to Elections Canada, just over 16.2 million people or 59.44 percent of registered electors voted in 2021. That was down from the previous election where nearly 18 million Canadians took part in the voting process.
Despite a decrease in voter turnout and voting amidst a pandemic, once the ballots were tabulated, while the Liberal Party won the most seats, overall it was the Conservative Party receiving the most number of votes according to Elections Canada with just over 5.5 million (33.8 percent) compared to just over 5.2 million (32.4 percent) that the Liberal Party garnered. The NDP were third overall in total votes with just over 2.8 million (17.7 percent).
Hoping to see a change in power with the Conservatives taking on the role of government, Tolmie said he was disappointed the Liberal Party remained in power but was quick to note there is still a job to do. “We need to focus on governance and we need to focus on representation and I am going to use these next coming months to learn the ropes and find my way through and try and be able to bring our story to Ottawa as opposed to Ottawa bringing its story to here.”
Despite being the official opposition, with a few days to reflect on being voted in as the representative for the local riding, Tolmie said he is looking forward to the opportunity. Scheduled to fly out Sept. 26 to begin orientation training and setting up his office in Ottawa, Tolmie said, “I am excited about it and would also like to get it out of the way so I can really get to the meat and potatoes of this job, which is getting to know the constituents more and be able to represent them. Hopefully I can bring some common sense and a good perspective from our riding to Ottawa.”
Students participate in Student Vote Canada
As people headed to the polls to vote for who they wanted to represent them in Ottawa, more than 750,000 elementary and high school students across the country participated in Student Vote Canada, coinciding with the 2021 federal election.
After learning about democracy and elections, researching the parties and platforms, and debating the future of the country, students cast their ballots for the official candidates running in their school’s electoral district. In total, 769,049 votes were reported from 5,674 schools, with results reported from all 338 federal electoral districts. Those results according to Student Vote Canada included:
• The Liberal Party won 116 seats and 24 percent of the popular vote, forming a minority government. Justin Trudeau won in his seat in the riding of Papineau, Que.
• The NDP won 106 seats and took 29 percent of the popular vote, forming the official opposition. Jagmeet Singh won his seat in the riding of Burnaby South, B.C.
• The Conservative Party won 92 seats and 25 percent of the popular vote. Erin O’Toole won his seat in the riding of Durham, Ont.
• The Bloc Québecois won 20 seats and took two percent of the popular vote. Yves-François Blanchet lost his seat in the riding of Beloeil—Chambly, Que.
• The Green Party won three seats and 10 percent of the popular vote. Annamie Paul lost her seat in the riding of Toronto Centre, Ont.
In Saskatchewan, 31,507 students participated in Student Vote Canada 2021 and of the 14 seats up for grabs in the province, the Conservatives took 10 while the NDP won four.
Locally, 2,951 votes from 47 registered schools showed the Moose Jaw - Lake Centre - Lanigan seat went to Conservative Fraser Tolmie as he had 1,214 votes while second went to Talon Regent of the NDP who had 778 and third was Chey Craik of the PPC with 330. The top result from local area schools included: Colonsay school - Fraser Tolmie received 20 out of 42 votes; Lanigan Elementary School - Isaiah Hunter received nine out of 14 votes; Nokomis School - Fraser Tolmie received six out of nine votes; Watrous Elementary School - Talon Regent and Fraser Tolmie each received 11 votes out of 30; and Winston High School - Talon Regent received five out of 12 votes.
Daniel Bushman
As the majority of elected federal candidates will once again represent their ridings from across the country after the 44th general federal election was held, the local riding of Moose Jaw - Lake Centre - Lanigan will see a new face representing the area.
While the Liberal Party of Canada took another minority government, the Conservative Party once again swept Saskatchewan, taking all 14 seats. That meant that newcomer Fraser Tolmie who took over from Conservative Party MP Tom Lukiwski (who decided not to run again) will be representing Moose Jaw - Lake Centre - Lanigan.
Excited to watch the votes roll in during election night Sept. 20, Tolmie expressed a sense of relief after spending three months going through the nomination process to become the Conservative Party candidate before hitting the campaign trail shortly after. “I am trying to catch my breath but when I soak it all in, I am very excited and feel blessed to be able to represent this riding.”
Heading into an election during a pandemic, the former mayor of Moose Jaw said he and his team were a bit concerned that the voter numbers might take a bit of a dip. “What we wanted to do was to get out into the riding and meet with people. Normally it is door knocking that you do going house to house but for this campaign, because it was harvest season, we were combine calling. We would go from field to field and stop and pull over and talk to people out in the fields who were combining. We were just getting our face out there and getting to know the communities and I think that really paid off.”
Within the Moose Jaw - Lake Centre - Lanigan riding, with 99.5 percent of the polls reporting, voter turnout was in fact down with approximately 66.35 percent compared to 73.49 percent the last time a federal election was held. Preliminary data from Elections Canada also indicated there was a total of 39,420 votes cast, down from 43,273 votes in 2019. However, of those votes cast this year in the local riding, 24,012 or 60.9 percent went to Tolmie. The NDP’s Talon Regent was second with 7,406 votes (18.8 percent) followed by the People’s Party of Canada’s Chey Craik with 4,592 votes (11.6 percent). The Liberal Party’s Katelyn Zimmer had 2,351 votes (six percent) while the Maverick Party’s David Craig Townsend had 634 votes (1.6 percent) and the Green Party’s Isaiah Hunter had 425 votes (1.1 percent).
In Saskatchewan, as was the case in 2019, the Conservative Party took all 14 ridings with 99.46 percent of the polls reporting. Preliminary Elections Canada data indicated a total of 291,677 of the 488,369 votes (59.7 percent) were cast for the Conservative Party while the NDP were second in the number of votes with 100,158 (20.5 percent). The NDP were followed by the Liberal Party with 50,019 (10.2 percent), the People’s Party of Canada with 33,348 (6.8 percent), the Maverick Party with 7,066 (1.4 percent), and the Green Party with 5,408 (1.1 percent).
From a national standpoint, the overall results were fairly similar to the previous federal election in 2019 with the Liberal Party taking a minority government. After preliminary results were released from Elections Canada following the Sept. 20 election, the Liberal Party of Canada took 158 seats (up from 155), the Conservative Party had 119 (no change), the Bloc Quebecois had 34 (up from 32), the NDP had 25 (up from 24) and the Green Party had two (no change).
Adding advance polls and election day ballots, with 99.5 percent of polls reporting, according to Elections Canada, just over 16.2 million people or 59.44 percent of registered electors voted in 2021. That was down from the previous election where nearly 18 million Canadians took part in the voting process.
Despite a decrease in voter turnout and voting amidst a pandemic, once the ballots were tabulated, while the Liberal Party won the most seats, overall it was the Conservative Party receiving the most number of votes according to Elections Canada with just over 5.5 million (33.8 percent) compared to just over 5.2 million (32.4 percent) that the Liberal Party garnered. The NDP were third overall in total votes with just over 2.8 million (17.7 percent).
Hoping to see a change in power with the Conservatives taking on the role of government, Tolmie said he was disappointed the Liberal Party remained in power but was quick to note there is still a job to do. “We need to focus on governance and we need to focus on representation and I am going to use these next coming months to learn the ropes and find my way through and try and be able to bring our story to Ottawa as opposed to Ottawa bringing its story to here.”
Despite being the official opposition, with a few days to reflect on being voted in as the representative for the local riding, Tolmie said he is looking forward to the opportunity. Scheduled to fly out Sept. 26 to begin orientation training and setting up his office in Ottawa, Tolmie said, “I am excited about it and would also like to get it out of the way so I can really get to the meat and potatoes of this job, which is getting to know the constituents more and be able to represent them. Hopefully I can bring some common sense and a good perspective from our riding to Ottawa.”
Students participate in Student Vote Canada
As people headed to the polls to vote for who they wanted to represent them in Ottawa, more than 750,000 elementary and high school students across the country participated in Student Vote Canada, coinciding with the 2021 federal election.
After learning about democracy and elections, researching the parties and platforms, and debating the future of the country, students cast their ballots for the official candidates running in their school’s electoral district. In total, 769,049 votes were reported from 5,674 schools, with results reported from all 338 federal electoral districts. Those results according to Student Vote Canada included:
• The Liberal Party won 116 seats and 24 percent of the popular vote, forming a minority government. Justin Trudeau won in his seat in the riding of Papineau, Que.
• The NDP won 106 seats and took 29 percent of the popular vote, forming the official opposition. Jagmeet Singh won his seat in the riding of Burnaby South, B.C.
• The Conservative Party won 92 seats and 25 percent of the popular vote. Erin O’Toole won his seat in the riding of Durham, Ont.
• The Bloc Québecois won 20 seats and took two percent of the popular vote. Yves-François Blanchet lost his seat in the riding of Beloeil—Chambly, Que.
• The Green Party won three seats and 10 percent of the popular vote. Annamie Paul lost her seat in the riding of Toronto Centre, Ont.
In Saskatchewan, 31,507 students participated in Student Vote Canada 2021 and of the 14 seats up for grabs in the province, the Conservatives took 10 while the NDP won four.
Locally, 2,951 votes from 47 registered schools showed the Moose Jaw - Lake Centre - Lanigan seat went to Conservative Fraser Tolmie as he had 1,214 votes while second went to Talon Regent of the NDP who had 778 and third was Chey Craik of the PPC with 330. The top result from local area schools included: Colonsay school - Fraser Tolmie received 20 out of 42 votes; Lanigan Elementary School - Isaiah Hunter received nine out of 14 votes; Nokomis School - Fraser Tolmie received six out of nine votes; Watrous Elementary School - Talon Regent and Fraser Tolmie each received 11 votes out of 30; and Winston High School - Talon Regent received five out of 12 votes.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 20, 2021
Off-leash dog park opens at Manitou Beach
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity for dogs to have a large outdoor space to exercise off-leash and the chance to utilize some terrain at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, a local group joined forces to create the community’s first-ever off-leash dog park. After a lot of planning and hard work, the park officially launched in July.
Having pets and their owners using the space on a frequent basis since it first opened, on behalf of the Off-Leash Dog Park Committee, Kaylee graciously took some time to share about the park and how things have been going so far.
When did the dog park first open?
The park officially opened July 5th. Resort Village of Manitou Beach staff and volunteers installed the fence posts in the fall, and the fencing and gates were installed in the spring.
How has it been going so far?
The dog park has been well received and has a good amount of daily use. Patrons appreciate the variety of terrain and the natural landscape. Overall, there seems to be a lot of enthusiasm from dog owners about having an off-leash designated space.
For those who do not know about the dog park, what is it all about?
That is a great question since some people may be unfamiliar with dog parks in general. Dog parks are naturalized spaces where dogs are permitted to be off-leash while under the supervision of their owner. Dog parks allow both owner and dog to enjoy exercise while socializing with others.
The perimeter of the fencing is approximately two thousand feet. There is a well-worn path along the inside of the fence where most patrons walk, as well as some paths being trodden among the trees and shrubs in the lower part of the park.
The park is open to community members and visitors alike!
Why did the committee decide to create the dog park and when did that idea first come about?
This project initially started with a well-received Facebook post asking if there was interest in an off-leash dog park. The online discussion led to the formation of the Off-Leash Committee, who then submitted a proposal to the council of Manitou Beach and received approval at council’s next meeting.
Was it a costly venture to undertake?
The largest component of the dog park is the fencing, and the material was not costly as it was donated to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach by BHP. Hiring someone to install the fencing would have been a substantial expense, so we are grateful that the village generously allocated their time, manpower, and equipment to get the fencing in place.
Committee members will likely explore options for fundraising to support ongoing maintenance and future development of the park.
Where is it located at Manitou Beach?
The park is located on village property east of the Community Hall and south of the lookout point on the walking trail. We chose this location because it has a mix of rugged and level ground. The higher ground by the main entrance is fairly even and is best suited for small or elderly dogs. The rugged terrain further down the valley provides a challenge for larger, more active dogs.
How unique and important do you feel it is to have a dog park like this at Manitou Beach?
Off-leash parks are very common in urban settings but are not often seen in rural or beach communities, so it does seem quite unique!
The off-leash dog park benefits the beach community in multiple ways, such as creating another space that allows community members to gather and socialize. The park also creates a safe space for owners and dogs to exercise outdoors, which may result in better compliance regarding leashing bylaws outside of the park.
Can the park be used anytime?
People and their dogs are welcome to use the park at any time.
Is there a cost to use it?
There is no fee to use the park, we just ask that you clean up after your pets, respect other park patrons, and follow the rules posted by the entrance.
For those using the park, what are some rules to follow?
Some of the most pertinent rules are: pick up after your dog; your dog must be under your control and in your sight at all times; dogs must wear a collar and have a valid licence; dogs showing aggression towards people or animals must be immediately removed from the park; no smoking or vaping; and young children must be attended by an adult and under constant supervision.
Dogs prohibited from the off-leash park include: dogs that have been declared dangerous by court order, female dogs that are in heat; puppies less than four months old; and dogs that are ill or not inoculated.
Who have been instrumental in getting this park off the ground?
There are too many to mention them all by name, especially because we had volunteers from the community help install the fencing.
The council of Manitou Beach and the village staff have played a large role because they generously allocated time and resources to get the park up and running. The council has also allocated revenue from their pet licences to the dog park.
The members of the Off-Leash Committee initiated the project and look forward to continuing to work on developing the park. The committee consists of Marie Schmidt, Jessica Richardson, Marcie Seymour, Kaylee, Robb LaRochelle (council liaison), and Poppy Peterson (council liaison).
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
We sincerely appreciate everyone who has visited the park and provided feedback! If you are interested in donating to the park or helping out in any way, please reach out to a committee member or find us on Facebook @manitoubeachdogpark
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity for dogs to have a large outdoor space to exercise off-leash and the chance to utilize some terrain at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, a local group joined forces to create the community’s first-ever off-leash dog park. After a lot of planning and hard work, the park officially launched in July.
Having pets and their owners using the space on a frequent basis since it first opened, on behalf of the Off-Leash Dog Park Committee, Kaylee graciously took some time to share about the park and how things have been going so far.
When did the dog park first open?
The park officially opened July 5th. Resort Village of Manitou Beach staff and volunteers installed the fence posts in the fall, and the fencing and gates were installed in the spring.
How has it been going so far?
The dog park has been well received and has a good amount of daily use. Patrons appreciate the variety of terrain and the natural landscape. Overall, there seems to be a lot of enthusiasm from dog owners about having an off-leash designated space.
For those who do not know about the dog park, what is it all about?
That is a great question since some people may be unfamiliar with dog parks in general. Dog parks are naturalized spaces where dogs are permitted to be off-leash while under the supervision of their owner. Dog parks allow both owner and dog to enjoy exercise while socializing with others.
The perimeter of the fencing is approximately two thousand feet. There is a well-worn path along the inside of the fence where most patrons walk, as well as some paths being trodden among the trees and shrubs in the lower part of the park.
The park is open to community members and visitors alike!
Why did the committee decide to create the dog park and when did that idea first come about?
This project initially started with a well-received Facebook post asking if there was interest in an off-leash dog park. The online discussion led to the formation of the Off-Leash Committee, who then submitted a proposal to the council of Manitou Beach and received approval at council’s next meeting.
Was it a costly venture to undertake?
The largest component of the dog park is the fencing, and the material was not costly as it was donated to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach by BHP. Hiring someone to install the fencing would have been a substantial expense, so we are grateful that the village generously allocated their time, manpower, and equipment to get the fencing in place.
Committee members will likely explore options for fundraising to support ongoing maintenance and future development of the park.
Where is it located at Manitou Beach?
The park is located on village property east of the Community Hall and south of the lookout point on the walking trail. We chose this location because it has a mix of rugged and level ground. The higher ground by the main entrance is fairly even and is best suited for small or elderly dogs. The rugged terrain further down the valley provides a challenge for larger, more active dogs.
How unique and important do you feel it is to have a dog park like this at Manitou Beach?
Off-leash parks are very common in urban settings but are not often seen in rural or beach communities, so it does seem quite unique!
The off-leash dog park benefits the beach community in multiple ways, such as creating another space that allows community members to gather and socialize. The park also creates a safe space for owners and dogs to exercise outdoors, which may result in better compliance regarding leashing bylaws outside of the park.
Can the park be used anytime?
People and their dogs are welcome to use the park at any time.
Is there a cost to use it?
There is no fee to use the park, we just ask that you clean up after your pets, respect other park patrons, and follow the rules posted by the entrance.
For those using the park, what are some rules to follow?
Some of the most pertinent rules are: pick up after your dog; your dog must be under your control and in your sight at all times; dogs must wear a collar and have a valid licence; dogs showing aggression towards people or animals must be immediately removed from the park; no smoking or vaping; and young children must be attended by an adult and under constant supervision.
Dogs prohibited from the off-leash park include: dogs that have been declared dangerous by court order, female dogs that are in heat; puppies less than four months old; and dogs that are ill or not inoculated.
Who have been instrumental in getting this park off the ground?
There are too many to mention them all by name, especially because we had volunteers from the community help install the fencing.
The council of Manitou Beach and the village staff have played a large role because they generously allocated time and resources to get the park up and running. The council has also allocated revenue from their pet licences to the dog park.
The members of the Off-Leash Committee initiated the project and look forward to continuing to work on developing the park. The committee consists of Marie Schmidt, Jessica Richardson, Marcie Seymour, Kaylee, Robb LaRochelle (council liaison), and Poppy Peterson (council liaison).
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
We sincerely appreciate everyone who has visited the park and provided feedback! If you are interested in donating to the park or helping out in any way, please reach out to a committee member or find us on Facebook @manitoubeachdogpark
TWM Top Story - Sept. 13, 2021
Provincial pilot program involves local couple's invention
Daniel Bushman
After wanting to protect some of the highest-risk workers along highway construction sites in Saskatchewan, a made-in Watrous project is now part of a provincial pilot program.
The Guardian Angel, a remote controlled automatic flagging assistance device (AFAD) created by Kim and Donna Kreutzer of Watrous is now being tested in work zones in Saskatchewan. Initiated by the Ministry of Highways, the new pilot program will see three sets of two of Guardian Angel AFADs on Saskatchewan highways for the remainder of the 2021 construction season.
The truck-mounted devices which are remote controlled allow flaggers to be off the roadway while controlling traffic and minimizing the risk of getting injured by oncoming traffic.
“Flag persons often have close calls with motorists who do not slow down or pay adequate attention while travelling through work zones,” Highways Minister Fred Bradshaw said in Moose Jaw during the Sept. 7 announcement. “Being able to take workers off the road and away from traffic helps negate the very real danger that is present every minute of each shift.”
Speaking on behalf of the Kreutzer family, Sales and Marketing Manager for Guardian Angel, Edward Anderson said after being approached about using Guardian Angel for the provincial pilot program, the team at Guardian Angel Auto Flagger Manufacturing were very happy to see it moving forward.
With trailer-mounted or stand-alone AFAD models being used for larger construction sites, the provincial government noted the size and weight of those models can make them more difficult to move. By using the Guardian Angel system, the truck-mounted model is ideal for projects like patching or other maintenance where workers are moving frequently because the truck can simply be driven forward as needed.
“We were determined to create a high quality, easy-to-use device that would eliminate the danger of collision with roadside flaggers and emergency crews,” Anderson said. “Our goal is that all flaggers and emergency crews make it home to their families each night.”
Speaking with Kim after the announcement by the Ministry of Highways, Anderson said he was very happy and excited. “Just the idea of being able to keep flaggers safe is paramount. If we can save a life, that is the goal of this device. Both Kim and Donna are thrilled that the provincial government decided to go forward with this pilot program.”
While preventable, according to WorkSafe Saskatchewan each year in Canada motorists kill approximately 20 flaggers. It was after one of those tragic incidents in 2012 that Kim and Donna felt they needed to do something. With kids and grandkids of their own and wanting those with the responsibility of being a flagger to remain safe at their job, the pair came up with a way to try and prevent more of those deaths along highways in Canada.
“Kim has spent a ton of hours on research, design and tweaking the Guardian Angel so I think he is very thrilled with the fact we are moving forward and in the right direction. This is a Watrous-made and a Saskatchewan-made product and it is solving a problem. This is addressing a safety concern on roads and it is pretty unique that it came right from Saskatchewan.”
Through the pilot program, the Guardian Angel devices are being utilized in the north, central and south regions of the province by different crews. Those crews will then evaluate the number of near misses, miscommunications and feedback from flag persons in those work zones and provide results of that information as part of the program.
Stressing that the AFAD was not created to take jobs away from flaggers but rather to help protect them, Anderson said the flag person can now operate the flagger in a safe way from a seat inside a vehicle or in the work zone and off the driving lane.
Going off the back of a vehicle, the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger hooks up to a receiver and is plugged into a trailer outlet under the lift gate. A flagger arm, traffic lights along with a camera are mounted together as part of the device and the person operating the unit uses a wireless remote. By doing that, Anderson noted it allows the flag person to assess the safest location and adjust to changing situations. The flag person is also removed from any danger areas and the unit itself does not require a trailer to maintain.
“Safety is a priority and even just a few months ago there was an incident and if this device was in place it could have kept that person from being in danger. We don’t have a machine that will make people perfect drivers but what we want to do is make sure all of the workers get home at night safely.”
That also includes those operating tow trucks as Anderson said a few towing companies including one from Saskatoon are using the units. “In North America, on average every nine days a tow truck driver is killed so we have been actively communicating with them about what Guardian Angel does and promoting safety and supporting their industry. We have also had positive feedback from fire departments who can use this device as well.”
With a number of provincial representatives in attendance during the new pilot program’s announcement, Anderson was encouraged to hear that safety is paramount. The spokesperson for Guardian Angel Auto Flagger Manufacturing is also hoping that if everything goes well with the project, the hope is to one day have Guardian Angel used right across the country and North America. “We are starting at home here and we do have a couple of private contractors like paving companies running them as well. Ideally it would be great to see auto flaggers used all over the continent to keep people safe. The intention of this device is not to take away jobs but to rather keep the operators safe. We feel we have something that is easy to use, convenient, and safe.”
Daniel Bushman
After wanting to protect some of the highest-risk workers along highway construction sites in Saskatchewan, a made-in Watrous project is now part of a provincial pilot program.
The Guardian Angel, a remote controlled automatic flagging assistance device (AFAD) created by Kim and Donna Kreutzer of Watrous is now being tested in work zones in Saskatchewan. Initiated by the Ministry of Highways, the new pilot program will see three sets of two of Guardian Angel AFADs on Saskatchewan highways for the remainder of the 2021 construction season.
The truck-mounted devices which are remote controlled allow flaggers to be off the roadway while controlling traffic and minimizing the risk of getting injured by oncoming traffic.
“Flag persons often have close calls with motorists who do not slow down or pay adequate attention while travelling through work zones,” Highways Minister Fred Bradshaw said in Moose Jaw during the Sept. 7 announcement. “Being able to take workers off the road and away from traffic helps negate the very real danger that is present every minute of each shift.”
Speaking on behalf of the Kreutzer family, Sales and Marketing Manager for Guardian Angel, Edward Anderson said after being approached about using Guardian Angel for the provincial pilot program, the team at Guardian Angel Auto Flagger Manufacturing were very happy to see it moving forward.
With trailer-mounted or stand-alone AFAD models being used for larger construction sites, the provincial government noted the size and weight of those models can make them more difficult to move. By using the Guardian Angel system, the truck-mounted model is ideal for projects like patching or other maintenance where workers are moving frequently because the truck can simply be driven forward as needed.
“We were determined to create a high quality, easy-to-use device that would eliminate the danger of collision with roadside flaggers and emergency crews,” Anderson said. “Our goal is that all flaggers and emergency crews make it home to their families each night.”
Speaking with Kim after the announcement by the Ministry of Highways, Anderson said he was very happy and excited. “Just the idea of being able to keep flaggers safe is paramount. If we can save a life, that is the goal of this device. Both Kim and Donna are thrilled that the provincial government decided to go forward with this pilot program.”
While preventable, according to WorkSafe Saskatchewan each year in Canada motorists kill approximately 20 flaggers. It was after one of those tragic incidents in 2012 that Kim and Donna felt they needed to do something. With kids and grandkids of their own and wanting those with the responsibility of being a flagger to remain safe at their job, the pair came up with a way to try and prevent more of those deaths along highways in Canada.
“Kim has spent a ton of hours on research, design and tweaking the Guardian Angel so I think he is very thrilled with the fact we are moving forward and in the right direction. This is a Watrous-made and a Saskatchewan-made product and it is solving a problem. This is addressing a safety concern on roads and it is pretty unique that it came right from Saskatchewan.”
Through the pilot program, the Guardian Angel devices are being utilized in the north, central and south regions of the province by different crews. Those crews will then evaluate the number of near misses, miscommunications and feedback from flag persons in those work zones and provide results of that information as part of the program.
Stressing that the AFAD was not created to take jobs away from flaggers but rather to help protect them, Anderson said the flag person can now operate the flagger in a safe way from a seat inside a vehicle or in the work zone and off the driving lane.
Going off the back of a vehicle, the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger hooks up to a receiver and is plugged into a trailer outlet under the lift gate. A flagger arm, traffic lights along with a camera are mounted together as part of the device and the person operating the unit uses a wireless remote. By doing that, Anderson noted it allows the flag person to assess the safest location and adjust to changing situations. The flag person is also removed from any danger areas and the unit itself does not require a trailer to maintain.
“Safety is a priority and even just a few months ago there was an incident and if this device was in place it could have kept that person from being in danger. We don’t have a machine that will make people perfect drivers but what we want to do is make sure all of the workers get home at night safely.”
That also includes those operating tow trucks as Anderson said a few towing companies including one from Saskatoon are using the units. “In North America, on average every nine days a tow truck driver is killed so we have been actively communicating with them about what Guardian Angel does and promoting safety and supporting their industry. We have also had positive feedback from fire departments who can use this device as well.”
With a number of provincial representatives in attendance during the new pilot program’s announcement, Anderson was encouraged to hear that safety is paramount. The spokesperson for Guardian Angel Auto Flagger Manufacturing is also hoping that if everything goes well with the project, the hope is to one day have Guardian Angel used right across the country and North America. “We are starting at home here and we do have a couple of private contractors like paving companies running them as well. Ideally it would be great to see auto flaggers used all over the continent to keep people safe. The intention of this device is not to take away jobs but to rather keep the operators safe. We feel we have something that is easy to use, convenient, and safe.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 6, 2021
Harvest delayed due to rains but progress being made
Daniel Bushman
Despite recent rains at the end of August, some producers have been able to make progress with harvest across the province. After a very dry and hot summer, many farmers were able to get on the fields earlier than usual to begin harvest. While last week’s rainfall delayed operations, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report, harvest was well ahead of the five-year average for this time of year (36 percent complete as of Aug. 30 compared to the average of 22 percent).
Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist, Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture said even with the slowdown due to the rain, harvest should still finish earlier than normal. “A good chunk of the cereal grains and pulses are already done,” noted Brown as August came to an end. “I’ve seen straight cut and swathed canola being taken off as early as last week.”
However, in speaking with a number of producers this summer, Brown said it has been very dry in a lot of areas throughout Saskatchewan, hindering development in crops. “Very dry. I’ve talked with producers this summer that have farmed their land for over 40 years and this was the first year they’ve seen some of their sloughs completely dry.”
Because of how dry conditions have been, as crops are coming off fields, Brown indicated there has been grade concerns with some grains testing lighter than a #1. “During canola development extreme heat can inhibit an enzyme going into the seed that prevents sprouting and I’ve heard of some pods having seeds sprouted inside but very sporadic and not enough to hurt grade fortunately.”
As for the recent rains, while they halted those trying to get crops off fields and into bins, there is a bit of an exception. “For harvest it will be more of a hindrance except for clearing green out of canola. The enzyme used to clear chlorophyll out of the seed requires moisture so this can help lower any distinctly green in the sample. For any other crops the rain increases risk of sprouting especially if it is in swath. Moisture this late will benefit next year’s crops and livestock producer’s pastures, hayland, dugouts and sloughs.”
According to the weekly Crop Report for the period of Aug. 24 to 30, 36 percent of the crop was in the bin, up from 29 percent. An additional 30 percent of the crop was swathed or ready to straight-cut.
The southwest region continues to have the most progress in the province with 47 percent of the crop now combined. The southeast region has 42 percent combined, the west-central 36 percent, the east-central 25 percent, the northeast 34 percent and the northwest 21 percent.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted 99 percent of the winter wheat, 83 percent of the fall rye, 85 percent of the lentils, 84 percent of the field peas, 57 percent of the mustard, 40 percent of the durum, 11 percent of the chickpeas, 36 percent of the spring wheat and 11 percent of the canola has been combined. An additional 19 percent of the canola and 16 percent of the mustard is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Explaining there is still lots of moisture needed to allow the subsoil moisture a heavy recharge in most areas, Brown said if the rain can hold off until after harvest that would provide an ideal ending to a tough summer. That and a deep snowpack over winter with a slow melt in spring.
According to the weekly Crop Report, topsoil moisture conditions continue to improve in most areas due to cooler temperatures and recent rains. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 40 percent adequate, 34 percent short and 25 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 28 percent adequate, 43 percent short and 29 percent very short.
For those heading back to the fields after the rains and noticing moisture is testing high, Brown said producers can find a fact sheet online to help determine when to run aeration to dry the grain (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/crops-and-irrigation/crop-guides-and-publications/natural-air-grain-drying).
Meanwhile, on Aug. 30, Agriculture Minister David Marit announced details of the AgriRecovery program, now referred to as the 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative. Producers were able to submit applications toward the Initiative Sept. 1, 2021.
The Initiative will consist of two payments totaling up to $200/head for cattle, with adjustments based on animal unit equivalents for other livestock. The initial payment will provide producers with $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of Aug. 1, 2021. Secondary payments will be up to $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of Dec. 31, 2021.
“We are here to support livestock producers during this difficult time,” Marit said. “We have worked efficiently to solidify initiative details and understand producers need financial assistance to help offset costs associated with herd management decisions.”
Eligible livestock for the Initiative include Canadian-owned female beef and dairy cattle, bison, elk, sheep or goats that are bred or intended to be bred. The number of open replacement females that can be considered eligible livestock is 15 percent of the total number of bred females.
Earlier in August, Marit announced $119 million in direct support for drought-affected livestock producers under the AgriRecovery program. AgriRecovery is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership agreement, with funding shared on a 60-40 federal-provincial basis.
The 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative will provide financial relief to help offset the extraordinary costs livestock producers face related to the current drought, with a per head payment on female breeding livestock.
Further details on the Initiative and applications will be available on the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation’s website, www.scic.ca.
Daniel Bushman
Despite recent rains at the end of August, some producers have been able to make progress with harvest across the province. After a very dry and hot summer, many farmers were able to get on the fields earlier than usual to begin harvest. While last week’s rainfall delayed operations, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report, harvest was well ahead of the five-year average for this time of year (36 percent complete as of Aug. 30 compared to the average of 22 percent).
Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist, Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture said even with the slowdown due to the rain, harvest should still finish earlier than normal. “A good chunk of the cereal grains and pulses are already done,” noted Brown as August came to an end. “I’ve seen straight cut and swathed canola being taken off as early as last week.”
However, in speaking with a number of producers this summer, Brown said it has been very dry in a lot of areas throughout Saskatchewan, hindering development in crops. “Very dry. I’ve talked with producers this summer that have farmed their land for over 40 years and this was the first year they’ve seen some of their sloughs completely dry.”
Because of how dry conditions have been, as crops are coming off fields, Brown indicated there has been grade concerns with some grains testing lighter than a #1. “During canola development extreme heat can inhibit an enzyme going into the seed that prevents sprouting and I’ve heard of some pods having seeds sprouted inside but very sporadic and not enough to hurt grade fortunately.”
As for the recent rains, while they halted those trying to get crops off fields and into bins, there is a bit of an exception. “For harvest it will be more of a hindrance except for clearing green out of canola. The enzyme used to clear chlorophyll out of the seed requires moisture so this can help lower any distinctly green in the sample. For any other crops the rain increases risk of sprouting especially if it is in swath. Moisture this late will benefit next year’s crops and livestock producer’s pastures, hayland, dugouts and sloughs.”
According to the weekly Crop Report for the period of Aug. 24 to 30, 36 percent of the crop was in the bin, up from 29 percent. An additional 30 percent of the crop was swathed or ready to straight-cut.
The southwest region continues to have the most progress in the province with 47 percent of the crop now combined. The southeast region has 42 percent combined, the west-central 36 percent, the east-central 25 percent, the northeast 34 percent and the northwest 21 percent.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted 99 percent of the winter wheat, 83 percent of the fall rye, 85 percent of the lentils, 84 percent of the field peas, 57 percent of the mustard, 40 percent of the durum, 11 percent of the chickpeas, 36 percent of the spring wheat and 11 percent of the canola has been combined. An additional 19 percent of the canola and 16 percent of the mustard is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Explaining there is still lots of moisture needed to allow the subsoil moisture a heavy recharge in most areas, Brown said if the rain can hold off until after harvest that would provide an ideal ending to a tough summer. That and a deep snowpack over winter with a slow melt in spring.
According to the weekly Crop Report, topsoil moisture conditions continue to improve in most areas due to cooler temperatures and recent rains. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 40 percent adequate, 34 percent short and 25 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 28 percent adequate, 43 percent short and 29 percent very short.
For those heading back to the fields after the rains and noticing moisture is testing high, Brown said producers can find a fact sheet online to help determine when to run aeration to dry the grain (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/crops-and-irrigation/crop-guides-and-publications/natural-air-grain-drying).
Meanwhile, on Aug. 30, Agriculture Minister David Marit announced details of the AgriRecovery program, now referred to as the 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative. Producers were able to submit applications toward the Initiative Sept. 1, 2021.
The Initiative will consist of two payments totaling up to $200/head for cattle, with adjustments based on animal unit equivalents for other livestock. The initial payment will provide producers with $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of Aug. 1, 2021. Secondary payments will be up to $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of Dec. 31, 2021.
“We are here to support livestock producers during this difficult time,” Marit said. “We have worked efficiently to solidify initiative details and understand producers need financial assistance to help offset costs associated with herd management decisions.”
Eligible livestock for the Initiative include Canadian-owned female beef and dairy cattle, bison, elk, sheep or goats that are bred or intended to be bred. The number of open replacement females that can be considered eligible livestock is 15 percent of the total number of bred females.
Earlier in August, Marit announced $119 million in direct support for drought-affected livestock producers under the AgriRecovery program. AgriRecovery is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership agreement, with funding shared on a 60-40 federal-provincial basis.
The 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative will provide financial relief to help offset the extraordinary costs livestock producers face related to the current drought, with a per head payment on female breeding livestock.
Further details on the Initiative and applications will be available on the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation’s website, www.scic.ca.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 30, 2021
Rain arrives in August along with extreme weather
Daniel Bushman
After a very hot and dry July, the heat wave subsided as late August approached and rain and active weather including hail and tornadoes arrived.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), severe thunderstorms moved through southern Saskatchewan during the evening Aug. 23 bringing with it hail, rain and tornadoes. The following day, another tornado was confirmed as more rain rolled through the province.
On Aug. 23, a tornado was confirmed at 5:50 p.m. by Environment and Climate Change Canada 24 kms southwest of Hodgeville, damaging buildings at a farm yard. Less than two hours later another tornado was confirmed, this time just east of Kindersley at 7:04 p.m. While no damage was reported, the estimated wind speed of that tornado was 90 to 130 km/h.
A third tornado was also confirmed coming a day later as it was observed east of Ituna at approximately 3 p.m. Environment and Climate Change Canada received reports and photos of the tornado Aug. 24; however, there are no reports of damage at this time. This tornado has been given a preliminary rating of EF0.
Along with the tornadoes Aug. 23, hail struck at a number of areas. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, there was pea-sized hail (0.9 cm) at Shackleton, dime-sized hail (1.8 cm) at Wilcox, and nickel-sized hail (2.1 cm) at Blumenhof/Neville, south of Mortlach, west of Kerrobert and (2.1 cm) at Pense. West of Kindersley, quarter-sized hail (2.4 cm) was reported while ping pong ball-sized hail (3.5 cm) occurred at Major. At Moose Jaw, golf ball-sized hail (4.5 cm) struck the area.
As for precipitation, the 24 hour rainfall amounts using the Environment and Climate Change Canada observation network included (in millimetres): North Battleford 30.3 to 31.5, Regina 23.5 to 31, Kindersley 26.0, and Indian Head 25.1.
Using volunteer and CoCorahs observation network, amounts included (in millimetres): Regina: 13.2 to 30.2 (south end), North Battleford 41.9, Rabbit Lake 32.8, Moose Jaw 25.4, and Saskatoon 15 to 26.
Locally, the Watrous area received around 9.4 mm on Aug. 22, 9 mm on Aug. 23 and 6.9 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 9.4 mm and 26.2 mm for the month of June.
At Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary), the area received around 7.4 mm on Aug. 22, 11.2 mm on Aug. 23 and 0.5 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 12.1 mm and 23.7 mm for the month of June.
For the Humboldt and Lanigan area, no precipitation was recorded Aug. 22 by ECCC, there was 8.3 mm on Aug. 23 and 3.7 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 1.4 mm (July 19 had missing data) and 25.8 mm for the month of June.
As for the fields, while rain slowed harvest operations, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for the period of Aug. 17 to 23, harvest progressed to 29 percent complete, up from 20 percent the previous week and well over the five-year average of 12 percent.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted an additional 21 percent of the crop is now swathed or ready to straight-cut, ahead of the five-year average of 16 percent.
A total of 93 percent of winter wheat, 78 percent of fall rye, 76 percent of lentils, 81 percent of field peas, 42 percent of barley, 31 percent of durum, 23 percent of oats, 25 percent of spring wheat and six percent of canola has been combined. An additional 30 percent of canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.
According to the weekly report, harvest progress is most advanced in the southern regions. Producers in the southwest region have 43 percent combined, the southeast region 30 percent, the west-central 27 percent, the east-central 22 percent, the northeast 25 percent and the northwest 15 percent.
The cool weather and large amounts of rainfall across much of the province helped with the hot and dry conditions, however the Ministry of Agriculture noted much more rain is needed to break out of the current drought. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 32 percent adequate, 37 percent short and 30 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 23 percent adequate, 34 percent short and 42 percent very short. Provincially, pasture conditions are rated as one percent good, 15 percent fair, 46 percent poor and 38 percent very poor.
The majority of crop damage was due to wind, heavy rainfall and hail. Even with the rainfall, crop and pasture land is under extreme stress from the drought. Around the Hodgeville area, the tornado that touched down resulted in considerable damage to one farm yard, damaging equipment, buildings and grain bins.
Daniel Bushman
After a very hot and dry July, the heat wave subsided as late August approached and rain and active weather including hail and tornadoes arrived.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), severe thunderstorms moved through southern Saskatchewan during the evening Aug. 23 bringing with it hail, rain and tornadoes. The following day, another tornado was confirmed as more rain rolled through the province.
On Aug. 23, a tornado was confirmed at 5:50 p.m. by Environment and Climate Change Canada 24 kms southwest of Hodgeville, damaging buildings at a farm yard. Less than two hours later another tornado was confirmed, this time just east of Kindersley at 7:04 p.m. While no damage was reported, the estimated wind speed of that tornado was 90 to 130 km/h.
A third tornado was also confirmed coming a day later as it was observed east of Ituna at approximately 3 p.m. Environment and Climate Change Canada received reports and photos of the tornado Aug. 24; however, there are no reports of damage at this time. This tornado has been given a preliminary rating of EF0.
Along with the tornadoes Aug. 23, hail struck at a number of areas. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, there was pea-sized hail (0.9 cm) at Shackleton, dime-sized hail (1.8 cm) at Wilcox, and nickel-sized hail (2.1 cm) at Blumenhof/Neville, south of Mortlach, west of Kerrobert and (2.1 cm) at Pense. West of Kindersley, quarter-sized hail (2.4 cm) was reported while ping pong ball-sized hail (3.5 cm) occurred at Major. At Moose Jaw, golf ball-sized hail (4.5 cm) struck the area.
As for precipitation, the 24 hour rainfall amounts using the Environment and Climate Change Canada observation network included (in millimetres): North Battleford 30.3 to 31.5, Regina 23.5 to 31, Kindersley 26.0, and Indian Head 25.1.
Using volunteer and CoCorahs observation network, amounts included (in millimetres): Regina: 13.2 to 30.2 (south end), North Battleford 41.9, Rabbit Lake 32.8, Moose Jaw 25.4, and Saskatoon 15 to 26.
Locally, the Watrous area received around 9.4 mm on Aug. 22, 9 mm on Aug. 23 and 6.9 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 9.4 mm and 26.2 mm for the month of June.
At Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary), the area received around 7.4 mm on Aug. 22, 11.2 mm on Aug. 23 and 0.5 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 12.1 mm and 23.7 mm for the month of June.
For the Humboldt and Lanigan area, no precipitation was recorded Aug. 22 by ECCC, there was 8.3 mm on Aug. 23 and 3.7 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 1.4 mm (July 19 had missing data) and 25.8 mm for the month of June.
As for the fields, while rain slowed harvest operations, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for the period of Aug. 17 to 23, harvest progressed to 29 percent complete, up from 20 percent the previous week and well over the five-year average of 12 percent.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted an additional 21 percent of the crop is now swathed or ready to straight-cut, ahead of the five-year average of 16 percent.
A total of 93 percent of winter wheat, 78 percent of fall rye, 76 percent of lentils, 81 percent of field peas, 42 percent of barley, 31 percent of durum, 23 percent of oats, 25 percent of spring wheat and six percent of canola has been combined. An additional 30 percent of canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.
According to the weekly report, harvest progress is most advanced in the southern regions. Producers in the southwest region have 43 percent combined, the southeast region 30 percent, the west-central 27 percent, the east-central 22 percent, the northeast 25 percent and the northwest 15 percent.
The cool weather and large amounts of rainfall across much of the province helped with the hot and dry conditions, however the Ministry of Agriculture noted much more rain is needed to break out of the current drought. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 32 percent adequate, 37 percent short and 30 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 23 percent adequate, 34 percent short and 42 percent very short. Provincially, pasture conditions are rated as one percent good, 15 percent fair, 46 percent poor and 38 percent very poor.
The majority of crop damage was due to wind, heavy rainfall and hail. Even with the rainfall, crop and pasture land is under extreme stress from the drought. Around the Hodgeville area, the tornado that touched down resulted in considerable damage to one farm yard, damaging equipment, buildings and grain bins.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 23, 2021
Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival a cut above
Daniel Bushman
With more than 1,200 people taking in this year’s Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival featuring 10 carvers displaying tremendous talent, the 2021 event was dubbed an overwhelming success.
Held Aug. 12 to 15, Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Community Development Officer Vickie Clarke said there were some really high calibre carvers in attendance with this year’s winner being a longtime artist who just got into wood carving three years ago.
“This was actually the first year we had to create a list and make cuts to carvers because we had so much interest. Some of the carvers who came this year said we are the number two festival in Canada. That was encouraging and we want to continue to expand it and make our festival the premier event in the nation.”
With 10 carvers attending from all over Canada including B.C., Alta., Sask., Man., and Ont., there was over $8,000 in prize money up for grabs for the top three carvers voted by people in attendance, the carver’s choice and the committee’s choice. “In previous years we have had a panel of judges declare the top three winners but this year we decided to flip it allowing those in attendance to cast their vote for who they thought should win. There were still carvers who would like to have some judging from people who may be past carvers or who work within the arts industry that can pick out some nuances and things like that so we may return to that format in the future.”
As for this year, the first place winner was Gary Dennis Natomagan from Pinehouse Lake in Northern Saskatchewan. Natomagan created a carving featuring a bald eagle with a pair of wolves at the base. A longtime artist, Natomagan just got into wood carving three years ago and took home $3,500 for finishing in first place.
In second place was Kamron Garbe who created an octopus on top of a skull. With a love of art combined with woodworking, Garbe spent five years travelling before returning home where he lost himself in his craft and has been creating ever since. His second place work earned him $2,000.
Coming in third place was Marina Cole who returned to Manitou Beach after first picking up a chainsaw in 2016. With her passion of carving growing, Cole’s work depicted herself and her dog (who recently passed away) with wings. For third place, Cole won $1,000.
This year’s Committee’s Choice award for $1,000 went to Jim Niedermayer, a carver who has attended every chainsaw carving event at Manitou Beach. Born and raised in Powerview-Pine Falls, Man., Niedermayer has won many awards throughout his career and at this year’s festival created a pelican standing on a roped wooden post with waves beneath.
When it came time to select the Carver’s Choice Award, it was a four way tie. Agreeing to share the $1,000 prize money, this year’s winners were Natomagan, Cole, Niedermayer and Mike Winia. Winia who has also attended the festival in the past came from Ontario with his daughters. A third- generation logger and arborist, Winia created a momma bear with her cub and an owl perched at the top of a tree.
“This year’s winning carves were incredible and so were the quick carves that each carver made. They each had to make two quick carves and those were put up for silent auction with at least one going for over $600.”
For the larger carvings, a raffle was done for the first place carve with the winning ticket taking home Natomagan’s work. Then four others were randomly chosen and auctioned off with a few of those going for more than $2,000. “Some of the carvers ended up buying their own carving and took them home. The remaining ones that were not auctioned off will be staying within the Resort Village of Manitou Beach as part of our legacy carvings.”
Along with the carvings, Clarke said the addition of bringing in live bands to play Friday and Saturday night and a larger beer gardens also attracted more people to the event. “We got some really good feedback from the Saturday night entertainment which was the Beach Cats and Hired Gun with the Beach Cats doing three encores.”
While the carvers and live bands created a really unique atmosphere, Clarke was quick to point out that the festival would not have been made possible without the help of volunteers, the organizing committee and generous sponsors. “We had a tremendous group of volunteers and our committee was fantastic. As a festival this was one of the easiest I have ever put on because of the way everyone came together and stepped up to help. That is a reflection of Manitou Beach and Watrous. We had really good support from the community as a whole, right from the sponsors to the volunteers.”
As for how the carvers felt about attending the 2021 Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival, Clarke said they were blown away. “Hearing the comments from the carvers about being at the beach and how welcoming people are and how different they are, that is the main reason they come to this event. Community is one of the big reasons why the carvers come in. It is not the money, it is them getting better, them spending time with other carvers and them being in our community. I have been hearing how the beach has its own type of vibe and it is very artist based, has that slower pace and everyone wants to be supportive.”
With a great turnout and carvers leaving with smiles on their faces, Clarke said there has been talk of moving the festival from every other year to a yearly event. “We have had a request from some of the major sponsors to make this an annual event so we will sit down and take a look at not only trying to make this a bigger and better event but also one that could be held yearly. I am planning on travelling to Montana next month to see an international competition and plan to bring back some ideas on how we can do things better. We have a fantastic event and I look forward to seeing many more held in our community in years to come.”
Daniel Bushman
With more than 1,200 people taking in this year’s Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival featuring 10 carvers displaying tremendous talent, the 2021 event was dubbed an overwhelming success.
Held Aug. 12 to 15, Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Community Development Officer Vickie Clarke said there were some really high calibre carvers in attendance with this year’s winner being a longtime artist who just got into wood carving three years ago.
“This was actually the first year we had to create a list and make cuts to carvers because we had so much interest. Some of the carvers who came this year said we are the number two festival in Canada. That was encouraging and we want to continue to expand it and make our festival the premier event in the nation.”
With 10 carvers attending from all over Canada including B.C., Alta., Sask., Man., and Ont., there was over $8,000 in prize money up for grabs for the top three carvers voted by people in attendance, the carver’s choice and the committee’s choice. “In previous years we have had a panel of judges declare the top three winners but this year we decided to flip it allowing those in attendance to cast their vote for who they thought should win. There were still carvers who would like to have some judging from people who may be past carvers or who work within the arts industry that can pick out some nuances and things like that so we may return to that format in the future.”
As for this year, the first place winner was Gary Dennis Natomagan from Pinehouse Lake in Northern Saskatchewan. Natomagan created a carving featuring a bald eagle with a pair of wolves at the base. A longtime artist, Natomagan just got into wood carving three years ago and took home $3,500 for finishing in first place.
In second place was Kamron Garbe who created an octopus on top of a skull. With a love of art combined with woodworking, Garbe spent five years travelling before returning home where he lost himself in his craft and has been creating ever since. His second place work earned him $2,000.
Coming in third place was Marina Cole who returned to Manitou Beach after first picking up a chainsaw in 2016. With her passion of carving growing, Cole’s work depicted herself and her dog (who recently passed away) with wings. For third place, Cole won $1,000.
This year’s Committee’s Choice award for $1,000 went to Jim Niedermayer, a carver who has attended every chainsaw carving event at Manitou Beach. Born and raised in Powerview-Pine Falls, Man., Niedermayer has won many awards throughout his career and at this year’s festival created a pelican standing on a roped wooden post with waves beneath.
When it came time to select the Carver’s Choice Award, it was a four way tie. Agreeing to share the $1,000 prize money, this year’s winners were Natomagan, Cole, Niedermayer and Mike Winia. Winia who has also attended the festival in the past came from Ontario with his daughters. A third- generation logger and arborist, Winia created a momma bear with her cub and an owl perched at the top of a tree.
“This year’s winning carves were incredible and so were the quick carves that each carver made. They each had to make two quick carves and those were put up for silent auction with at least one going for over $600.”
For the larger carvings, a raffle was done for the first place carve with the winning ticket taking home Natomagan’s work. Then four others were randomly chosen and auctioned off with a few of those going for more than $2,000. “Some of the carvers ended up buying their own carving and took them home. The remaining ones that were not auctioned off will be staying within the Resort Village of Manitou Beach as part of our legacy carvings.”
Along with the carvings, Clarke said the addition of bringing in live bands to play Friday and Saturday night and a larger beer gardens also attracted more people to the event. “We got some really good feedback from the Saturday night entertainment which was the Beach Cats and Hired Gun with the Beach Cats doing three encores.”
While the carvers and live bands created a really unique atmosphere, Clarke was quick to point out that the festival would not have been made possible without the help of volunteers, the organizing committee and generous sponsors. “We had a tremendous group of volunteers and our committee was fantastic. As a festival this was one of the easiest I have ever put on because of the way everyone came together and stepped up to help. That is a reflection of Manitou Beach and Watrous. We had really good support from the community as a whole, right from the sponsors to the volunteers.”
As for how the carvers felt about attending the 2021 Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival, Clarke said they were blown away. “Hearing the comments from the carvers about being at the beach and how welcoming people are and how different they are, that is the main reason they come to this event. Community is one of the big reasons why the carvers come in. It is not the money, it is them getting better, them spending time with other carvers and them being in our community. I have been hearing how the beach has its own type of vibe and it is very artist based, has that slower pace and everyone wants to be supportive.”
With a great turnout and carvers leaving with smiles on their faces, Clarke said there has been talk of moving the festival from every other year to a yearly event. “We have had a request from some of the major sponsors to make this an annual event so we will sit down and take a look at not only trying to make this a bigger and better event but also one that could be held yearly. I am planning on travelling to Montana next month to see an international competition and plan to bring back some ideas on how we can do things better. We have a fantastic event and I look forward to seeing many more held in our community in years to come.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 16, 2021
SHA addresses temporary disruptions to emergency services in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
On more than one occasion in June and July, emergency services were temporarily disrupted at the Watrous District Health Complex. After multiple disruptions started to raise some questions from the general public, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) tried to provide some clarity on the situation.
Noting situations like the one in Watrous can happen from time to time in rural areas, Dr. Kevin Wasko, Physician Executive, Integrated Rural Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority explained why the services were temporarily suspended. “Acute and emergency services may be temporarily suspended in rural communities due to challenges in staffing across disciplines at these locations. Watrous is no exception. Staff require much deserved time off, which poses challenges to fill limited, temporary positions while staff are away. These challenges affect almost every health discipline, but some of the more notable ones that impact acute care disruptions are physicians, nursing, laboratory medicine and diagnostic imaging.”
During the disruptions where emergency services in Watrous were unavailable, people needing emergency care were able to utilize the services at either Humboldt or Saskatoon hospitals. While the number of disruptions in Watrous were more frequent during the past two months, Wasko assured that physician services remain stable in the community. “However, in a small physician group when leaves are taken (anticipated and unanticipated) they place pressures on the remaining physicians to maintain the service with an increased call burden.”
When asked if the temporary disruptions could continue through the latter part of summer and into fall, Wasko stated staffing challenges are not new or unique to rural areas. “The SHA continues to manage service disruptions in all areas of the province. The SHA always attempts to cover shifts with available human resources but that is not always possible, therefore recruitment of key staff mentioned above is occurring on an ongoing basis.”
That also includes other sectors within health care as Wasko noted SHA is continuing to recruit staff in all areas, including long-term care and home care. Wasko highlighted the Government of Saskatchewan announcing $6 million in new funding in their 2021-‘22 budget to add more than 100 CCA FTE positions to improve overall care for long-term care residents, plus strengthen and expand availability of home care services in rural and remote areas. As part of that, Wasko stated 90 CCA FTE positions will be added across the long-term care system this year.
While it was not specifically mentioned as to where those positions will be allocated, included within the provincial budget released Apr. 6, it stated: The Government of Saskatchewan is investing in health care programs to improve team-based care and service delivery within communities. The $6 million in new funding will be directed to fulfill an $18 million continuing care aide (CCA) commitment, which will ultimately add 300 CCA positions to improve overall care for long-term care residents, plus strengthen and expand availability of home care services in rural and remote areas. Ninety CCA positions are expected to be added this year.
While SHA tries to maintain its services, especially during COVID-19, due to the pandemic substantial pressures were placed on the province’s health care system this past year. With Watrous being designated as one of the rural hospitals in the province to take in COVID-19 patients as part of SHA’s rural response plan, Wasko said during this stressful time, the health authority has sincerely appreciated the work done by its workforce.
“Our workforce is our strength and that’s been demonstrated throughout the pandemic. Staff have consistently and courageously met the challenge each and every day to continue to serve the health care needs of the people of Saskatchewan. We will continue to support them as we gradually return to normal and learn to live with COVID-19. The SHA is monitoring all staffing levels and continues to actively recruit to many positions.”
Daniel Bushman
On more than one occasion in June and July, emergency services were temporarily disrupted at the Watrous District Health Complex. After multiple disruptions started to raise some questions from the general public, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) tried to provide some clarity on the situation.
Noting situations like the one in Watrous can happen from time to time in rural areas, Dr. Kevin Wasko, Physician Executive, Integrated Rural Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority explained why the services were temporarily suspended. “Acute and emergency services may be temporarily suspended in rural communities due to challenges in staffing across disciplines at these locations. Watrous is no exception. Staff require much deserved time off, which poses challenges to fill limited, temporary positions while staff are away. These challenges affect almost every health discipline, but some of the more notable ones that impact acute care disruptions are physicians, nursing, laboratory medicine and diagnostic imaging.”
During the disruptions where emergency services in Watrous were unavailable, people needing emergency care were able to utilize the services at either Humboldt or Saskatoon hospitals. While the number of disruptions in Watrous were more frequent during the past two months, Wasko assured that physician services remain stable in the community. “However, in a small physician group when leaves are taken (anticipated and unanticipated) they place pressures on the remaining physicians to maintain the service with an increased call burden.”
When asked if the temporary disruptions could continue through the latter part of summer and into fall, Wasko stated staffing challenges are not new or unique to rural areas. “The SHA continues to manage service disruptions in all areas of the province. The SHA always attempts to cover shifts with available human resources but that is not always possible, therefore recruitment of key staff mentioned above is occurring on an ongoing basis.”
That also includes other sectors within health care as Wasko noted SHA is continuing to recruit staff in all areas, including long-term care and home care. Wasko highlighted the Government of Saskatchewan announcing $6 million in new funding in their 2021-‘22 budget to add more than 100 CCA FTE positions to improve overall care for long-term care residents, plus strengthen and expand availability of home care services in rural and remote areas. As part of that, Wasko stated 90 CCA FTE positions will be added across the long-term care system this year.
While it was not specifically mentioned as to where those positions will be allocated, included within the provincial budget released Apr. 6, it stated: The Government of Saskatchewan is investing in health care programs to improve team-based care and service delivery within communities. The $6 million in new funding will be directed to fulfill an $18 million continuing care aide (CCA) commitment, which will ultimately add 300 CCA positions to improve overall care for long-term care residents, plus strengthen and expand availability of home care services in rural and remote areas. Ninety CCA positions are expected to be added this year.
While SHA tries to maintain its services, especially during COVID-19, due to the pandemic substantial pressures were placed on the province’s health care system this past year. With Watrous being designated as one of the rural hospitals in the province to take in COVID-19 patients as part of SHA’s rural response plan, Wasko said during this stressful time, the health authority has sincerely appreciated the work done by its workforce.
“Our workforce is our strength and that’s been demonstrated throughout the pandemic. Staff have consistently and courageously met the challenge each and every day to continue to serve the health care needs of the people of Saskatchewan. We will continue to support them as we gradually return to normal and learn to live with COVID-19. The SHA is monitoring all staffing levels and continues to actively recruit to many positions.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 9, 2021
Mosaic producing potash from Colonsay mine
Daniel Bushman
With its first dispatched potash produced Aug. 3, since operations resumed at Mosaic’s Colonsay mine earlier this summer, it has been a hive of activity.
Once the decision was made to recall its workers in June after first idling operations in August 2019 before indefinitely idling them in January 2020, Mosaic’s Sarah Fedorchuk, Vice President, Government and Public Affairs – North America said the company completed its restart on time and with excellent safety and environmental performance.
Now that production is underway - offsetting a portion of the production lost by the early closure of K1 and K2 potash mine shafts near Esterhazy - approximately 233 workers are on-site at the Colonsay mine with over half being recalled hourly employees.
While Colonsay previously employed around 500 people at its peak, to support the restart, Fedorchuk noted Mosaic brought in talent from Esterhazy who will return to their previous roles as production stabilizes and continues to ramp up. “We are extremely proud of our Mosaic team for their exceptional effort in safely restarting production in just under eight weeks. What an accomplishment.”
With the current focus for Colonsay on the near-term four-month sprint to resume production and meet promised 2021 customer orders through to the end of the year, when asked about the future, Fedorchuk said, “Right now, we’re focused on fulfilling promised customer orders through the end of the year. At this time, the recall remains temporary and we will make future decisions based on market dynamics and production capability and needs across our potash portfolio.”
As a result of the operational changes to both its Colonsay and Esterhazy sites, Mosaic indicated it expects to eliminate brine management expenses after July 2021 and materially increase 2022 available potash capacity to take advantage of the expected potash market strength. During the expected transition period of July 2021 to March 2022, the company anticipates its potash production to be reduced by approximately one million tonnes. By mid-2022, available annualized operational MOP capacity is expected to be 10.5 million tonnes.
“Mosaic has been managing inflows at Esterhazy since 1985, and has accelerated the development of the K3 shafts to allow for the ultimate closure of the K1 and K2 shafts,” said Joc O’Rourke, President and Chief Executive Officer. “For the last decade, we’ve run scenarios that relate to the early closure of these shafts. As a result of that planning, we expect to end up in a stronger position than ever in 2022.”
In the second quarter of 2021, Mosaic said it expects to record costs related to the following: $20 to $25 million in brine management cash costs to cover initial efforts to manage the accelerated inflows; $80 to $100 million in noncash charges for asset write downs for the remaining mining asset values at K1 and K2; and $50 to $100 million in a noncash asset retirement obligation reserve increase for the permanent closure of the underground works at K1 and K2.
Daniel Bushman
With its first dispatched potash produced Aug. 3, since operations resumed at Mosaic’s Colonsay mine earlier this summer, it has been a hive of activity.
Once the decision was made to recall its workers in June after first idling operations in August 2019 before indefinitely idling them in January 2020, Mosaic’s Sarah Fedorchuk, Vice President, Government and Public Affairs – North America said the company completed its restart on time and with excellent safety and environmental performance.
Now that production is underway - offsetting a portion of the production lost by the early closure of K1 and K2 potash mine shafts near Esterhazy - approximately 233 workers are on-site at the Colonsay mine with over half being recalled hourly employees.
While Colonsay previously employed around 500 people at its peak, to support the restart, Fedorchuk noted Mosaic brought in talent from Esterhazy who will return to their previous roles as production stabilizes and continues to ramp up. “We are extremely proud of our Mosaic team for their exceptional effort in safely restarting production in just under eight weeks. What an accomplishment.”
With the current focus for Colonsay on the near-term four-month sprint to resume production and meet promised 2021 customer orders through to the end of the year, when asked about the future, Fedorchuk said, “Right now, we’re focused on fulfilling promised customer orders through the end of the year. At this time, the recall remains temporary and we will make future decisions based on market dynamics and production capability and needs across our potash portfolio.”
As a result of the operational changes to both its Colonsay and Esterhazy sites, Mosaic indicated it expects to eliminate brine management expenses after July 2021 and materially increase 2022 available potash capacity to take advantage of the expected potash market strength. During the expected transition period of July 2021 to March 2022, the company anticipates its potash production to be reduced by approximately one million tonnes. By mid-2022, available annualized operational MOP capacity is expected to be 10.5 million tonnes.
“Mosaic has been managing inflows at Esterhazy since 1985, and has accelerated the development of the K3 shafts to allow for the ultimate closure of the K1 and K2 shafts,” said Joc O’Rourke, President and Chief Executive Officer. “For the last decade, we’ve run scenarios that relate to the early closure of these shafts. As a result of that planning, we expect to end up in a stronger position than ever in 2022.”
In the second quarter of 2021, Mosaic said it expects to record costs related to the following: $20 to $25 million in brine management cash costs to cover initial efforts to manage the accelerated inflows; $80 to $100 million in noncash charges for asset write downs for the remaining mining asset values at K1 and K2; and $50 to $100 million in a noncash asset retirement obligation reserve increase for the permanent closure of the underground works at K1 and K2.
TWM Top Story - July 19, 2021
Fun Run ready to roll for 30th year
Daniel Bushman
Marking three decades of vintage vehicles, unique cars and custom trucks, organizers of this year’s Watrous and Manitou Beach Fun Run Auto Show ‘N’ Shine are excited to see vehicles return to Watrous after not being able to line them up along Main Street in 2020.
While the Fun Run was able to have vehicles drive along Main Street in Watrous before heading off to other communities this past year, with COVID restrictions being lifted earlier this month in the province, vehicles will now be able to park along Main Street July 24 and people can check them out.
Watrous and Manitou Beach Fun Run Chairperson Al Madland said since this is a big anniversary for the event and with its return to Main Street in Watrous, he is hoping for a really big show. “We are pretty excited this year for the 30th anniversary. We are trying to make it as large as ever. There will be lots of new entries this year because people stayed home over the winter and built up some vehicles that we haven’t seen before. We are looking forward to having a bunch of people and vehicles back on Main Street again.”
For vehicle enthusiasts wanting to participate in this year’s show, Madland said whatever people think they would like to bring, he said they will be letting pretty much everything in the gate. “We already have had quite a few pre-register and the more we get, the merrier. If you pre-register then it gets you in the gate quicker because we can have your package ready to go and get you parked into position.”
For those planning to come as a group, Madland encourages them to get in touch before the July 24 event so that organizers can ensure they have ample space for them. People who would still like to register can go to the Fun Run’s website: www.watrousfunrun.com.
“With it being the 30th anniversary, we would love to get 300 vehicles here. Between motorcycles, cars, trucks, whatever people have to show, bring it and we will get it in.”
As for the show itself, it fires up Saturday morning and Madland noted a group will be doing a pancake breakfast, another cooking burgers later in the day and an ice cream shop will be set up. There will also be some cotton candy for the kids and Beeper the Clown is coming as well.
“We are trying our best to make it work on short notice. This will be like a normal car show that we have conducted in previous years with no restrictions and it is looking like it is coming together really well. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again and want to make it fun for the family.”
As people spend the day enjoying being outside and checking out some spectacular entries, as the show nears an end around 3 p.m., Madland said vehicles will form a line and drive past Manitou Lodge to show residents all of the vehicles. They will then venture to Manitou Beach to do a loop and that will wrap up the Fun Run.
“There is tons of interesting vehicles coming this year and in order to see them you have to be here. This will be one of the first large events in town since the pandemic started and restrictions lifted. In previous years it has been noted as the biggest small town car show in the province and we want to keep it that way.”
As far as support from the community, vehicle enthusiasts and those planning to participate, Madland said everyone is pumped to have the show again. Looking forward to it himself, the organizer added if there are people who would still like to volunteer, they are welcome to do so by getting in touch with Al. “It is more for parking in the morning which is the biggest thing and the night before we will be marking off the streets. We have lots on our plate but that’s okay. We are excited to be able to welcome everyone to the community and hope that they enjoy being here. It should be a really fun day.”
Daniel Bushman
Marking three decades of vintage vehicles, unique cars and custom trucks, organizers of this year’s Watrous and Manitou Beach Fun Run Auto Show ‘N’ Shine are excited to see vehicles return to Watrous after not being able to line them up along Main Street in 2020.
While the Fun Run was able to have vehicles drive along Main Street in Watrous before heading off to other communities this past year, with COVID restrictions being lifted earlier this month in the province, vehicles will now be able to park along Main Street July 24 and people can check them out.
Watrous and Manitou Beach Fun Run Chairperson Al Madland said since this is a big anniversary for the event and with its return to Main Street in Watrous, he is hoping for a really big show. “We are pretty excited this year for the 30th anniversary. We are trying to make it as large as ever. There will be lots of new entries this year because people stayed home over the winter and built up some vehicles that we haven’t seen before. We are looking forward to having a bunch of people and vehicles back on Main Street again.”
For vehicle enthusiasts wanting to participate in this year’s show, Madland said whatever people think they would like to bring, he said they will be letting pretty much everything in the gate. “We already have had quite a few pre-register and the more we get, the merrier. If you pre-register then it gets you in the gate quicker because we can have your package ready to go and get you parked into position.”
For those planning to come as a group, Madland encourages them to get in touch before the July 24 event so that organizers can ensure they have ample space for them. People who would still like to register can go to the Fun Run’s website: www.watrousfunrun.com.
“With it being the 30th anniversary, we would love to get 300 vehicles here. Between motorcycles, cars, trucks, whatever people have to show, bring it and we will get it in.”
As for the show itself, it fires up Saturday morning and Madland noted a group will be doing a pancake breakfast, another cooking burgers later in the day and an ice cream shop will be set up. There will also be some cotton candy for the kids and Beeper the Clown is coming as well.
“We are trying our best to make it work on short notice. This will be like a normal car show that we have conducted in previous years with no restrictions and it is looking like it is coming together really well. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again and want to make it fun for the family.”
As people spend the day enjoying being outside and checking out some spectacular entries, as the show nears an end around 3 p.m., Madland said vehicles will form a line and drive past Manitou Lodge to show residents all of the vehicles. They will then venture to Manitou Beach to do a loop and that will wrap up the Fun Run.
“There is tons of interesting vehicles coming this year and in order to see them you have to be here. This will be one of the first large events in town since the pandemic started and restrictions lifted. In previous years it has been noted as the biggest small town car show in the province and we want to keep it that way.”
As far as support from the community, vehicle enthusiasts and those planning to participate, Madland said everyone is pumped to have the show again. Looking forward to it himself, the organizer added if there are people who would still like to volunteer, they are welcome to do so by getting in touch with Al. “It is more for parking in the morning which is the biggest thing and the night before we will be marking off the streets. We have lots on our plate but that’s okay. We are excited to be able to welcome everyone to the community and hope that they enjoy being here. It should be a really fun day.”
TWM Top Story - July 12, 2021
Extreme heat wave takes area by storm
Daniel Bushman
A sizzling heat wave creating dry conditions not only had people in Saskatchewan seeking cooler shelter but also those in other parts of Western Canada. With heat records shattered at the end of June and early July, the threat of further drought and forest fires remained at the forefront as people and producers waited for moisture.
Conducting interviews with media outlets from across the globe about the incredible heat dome that began in B.C., Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips said at its peak, the temperature registered in Lytton, B.C. was hotter than values recorded in Las Vegas and Phoenix and surpassed numbers from Europe and South America. “It is only in Africa and parts of Asia that have been warmer than what we have seen in Lytton.”
In fact, it got so hot in British Columbia at the end of June that Phillips said it was not just the tiny community of Lytton that would have broken the all-time Canadian record. Phillips estimated 10 communities would have beaten the Yellowgrass and Midale record of 45˚C set back on July 5, 1937. “There were places like Kamloops and Kelowna that would have had the Canadian record if Lytton didn’t exist.”
Lytton first snagged the record June 27 reaching 46.6˚C and then bested it a day later, hitting 47.9˚C. That was followed up with 49.6˚C June 29. Devastation then hit the community the next day as a fire, which according to reports was human-caused, tore through the community. The fire reportedly resulted in two deaths and it was estimated that 90 percent of the village was destroyed.
As the temperatures remained high, the B.C. Coroners Service also reported 719 sudden deaths, three times more than what would normally occur in the province during the same period (June 25 through July 1). Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner said, “We are releasing this information as it is believed likely the extreme weather B.C. has experienced in the past week is a significant contributing factor to the increased number of deaths.”
As the coroners service began to see a downward trend from the number of deaths reported and with the heat dome leaving B.C. and inching its way east through Alberta to Saskatchewan, Phillips kept a close eye on the heat warnings. “On July 2, Saskatchewan had 32 heat warnings out, the next day 26 and then two July 4 and zero July 5. It was very short lived in Saskatchewan compared to what it was in British Columbia.”
However, despite the shorter impact in Saskatchewan
compared to B.C., Phillips said the heat dome was still powerful on the Prairies. With a warmer than normal summer in the forecast, he said, “You already had two days above 30˚C in May, six days above 30˚C in June and three days in July (as of July 5). That is a total of 11 while normally by this time of year you would have five. The yearly total is 10 or 11 so you have already matched your yearly total of hot days and you still have the dog days of summer to come which is typically at the end of July and the beginning of August.”
Phillips said what was so unusual about the recent heat dome is it came about a month earlier than when it typically could. Arriving as the hours of sunlight remained the longest, Phillips felt that was one of the contributing factors to the extreme and prolonged heat. “It occurred at the time of the year when the length of sunlight is around 17 hours compared to seven hours of darkness. Those temperatures during the day could just not cool off in those seven hours so it was easy to get back up to those elevated temperatures.”
Locally, Phillips noted the area reached at least 35.9˚C on July 2 which was one of a few records. “You had three days in a row in July that were records and you had two days in June that were all-time records.”
And those numbers were more likely even higher according to Phillips who explained the recorded values are generally taken in shaded areas. “If you go out in the sun you can add another six, seven or eight degrees. If you go over an urban area where there is asphalt and building material it is almost inhumane to have to deal with those kind of temperatures. No wonder it was dangerous to go outside in places.”
While the warmer weather has certainly made its presence felt throughout the local area, precipitation has not. “You did get some rains in May and they were helpful but in June you got about 27 mm of rain. It is normally the wettest month with about 85 mm so you are down and that is a concern.”
With the heat taking a lot of the remaining moisture right out of the ground, Phillips said rain is much needed. “Any kind of rain is helpful and you need it because if the temperatures stay warm there will be much more demand for them.”
Even without rain, the threat of lightning strikes remains as Phillips said they can still occur. “We have seen an incredible amount of lightning strikes out west. Some have been from nature’s thunderstorms but others have been created by dry heat because of the incredible warm temperatures. It is almost like a vicious cycle because one feeds off the other. Sometimes the rain can snuff out the fire but other times it can create an ignition.”
Currently Phillips said there are about 200 fires burning in British Columbia and about 60 percent of them have been lightning induced either through the fire itself creating the lightning or from thunderstorms. “Saskatchewan is dry too so there is concern that the forest fire season could come on.”
Due to the overwhelming heat and dry conditions covering most of the province, on July 2, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) issued a provincial fire ban for Crown lands, provincial parks and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District.
While many municipalities already had fire bans in place heading into the first weekend of July, the SPSA encouraged all municipalities to examine the fire risk in their area. The SPSA’s fire ban included any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks.
According to the SPSA, there were 18 wildfires burning in the province as of July 2 and overall, Saskatchewan already had 202 wildfires, which is slightly over the five-year average of 195.
With recent weather conditions being as extreme as they were, Phillips explained the connection to climate change, sharing that no factor creates the weather rather there is a multitude of factors that come together. “It is still our grandparent’s heat wave but they can have a different character and personality or a different nature because of the human input to it.”
Since weather conditions are different, Phillips said they can sometimes arrive earlier or later than usual, can be more extreme, more intense, out of place, or even out of season. “Generally what we see, we’ve already seen it but it has a different personality to it. I think if people begin to understand that, they will begin to say, ‘See how climate change does affect these extremes.’ It is not the trigger but it is a contributor. It could be that 30 or 40 percent of it would have been made worse because of the human component. I think if people understand that they will realize it is not a debate anymore but it is a discussion of what to do about it. We know the signature or the human DNA are very much part of these kind of extremes that we are seeing.”
Daniel Bushman
A sizzling heat wave creating dry conditions not only had people in Saskatchewan seeking cooler shelter but also those in other parts of Western Canada. With heat records shattered at the end of June and early July, the threat of further drought and forest fires remained at the forefront as people and producers waited for moisture.
Conducting interviews with media outlets from across the globe about the incredible heat dome that began in B.C., Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips said at its peak, the temperature registered in Lytton, B.C. was hotter than values recorded in Las Vegas and Phoenix and surpassed numbers from Europe and South America. “It is only in Africa and parts of Asia that have been warmer than what we have seen in Lytton.”
In fact, it got so hot in British Columbia at the end of June that Phillips said it was not just the tiny community of Lytton that would have broken the all-time Canadian record. Phillips estimated 10 communities would have beaten the Yellowgrass and Midale record of 45˚C set back on July 5, 1937. “There were places like Kamloops and Kelowna that would have had the Canadian record if Lytton didn’t exist.”
Lytton first snagged the record June 27 reaching 46.6˚C and then bested it a day later, hitting 47.9˚C. That was followed up with 49.6˚C June 29. Devastation then hit the community the next day as a fire, which according to reports was human-caused, tore through the community. The fire reportedly resulted in two deaths and it was estimated that 90 percent of the village was destroyed.
As the temperatures remained high, the B.C. Coroners Service also reported 719 sudden deaths, three times more than what would normally occur in the province during the same period (June 25 through July 1). Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner said, “We are releasing this information as it is believed likely the extreme weather B.C. has experienced in the past week is a significant contributing factor to the increased number of deaths.”
As the coroners service began to see a downward trend from the number of deaths reported and with the heat dome leaving B.C. and inching its way east through Alberta to Saskatchewan, Phillips kept a close eye on the heat warnings. “On July 2, Saskatchewan had 32 heat warnings out, the next day 26 and then two July 4 and zero July 5. It was very short lived in Saskatchewan compared to what it was in British Columbia.”
However, despite the shorter impact in Saskatchewan
compared to B.C., Phillips said the heat dome was still powerful on the Prairies. With a warmer than normal summer in the forecast, he said, “You already had two days above 30˚C in May, six days above 30˚C in June and three days in July (as of July 5). That is a total of 11 while normally by this time of year you would have five. The yearly total is 10 or 11 so you have already matched your yearly total of hot days and you still have the dog days of summer to come which is typically at the end of July and the beginning of August.”
Phillips said what was so unusual about the recent heat dome is it came about a month earlier than when it typically could. Arriving as the hours of sunlight remained the longest, Phillips felt that was one of the contributing factors to the extreme and prolonged heat. “It occurred at the time of the year when the length of sunlight is around 17 hours compared to seven hours of darkness. Those temperatures during the day could just not cool off in those seven hours so it was easy to get back up to those elevated temperatures.”
Locally, Phillips noted the area reached at least 35.9˚C on July 2 which was one of a few records. “You had three days in a row in July that were records and you had two days in June that were all-time records.”
And those numbers were more likely even higher according to Phillips who explained the recorded values are generally taken in shaded areas. “If you go out in the sun you can add another six, seven or eight degrees. If you go over an urban area where there is asphalt and building material it is almost inhumane to have to deal with those kind of temperatures. No wonder it was dangerous to go outside in places.”
While the warmer weather has certainly made its presence felt throughout the local area, precipitation has not. “You did get some rains in May and they were helpful but in June you got about 27 mm of rain. It is normally the wettest month with about 85 mm so you are down and that is a concern.”
With the heat taking a lot of the remaining moisture right out of the ground, Phillips said rain is much needed. “Any kind of rain is helpful and you need it because if the temperatures stay warm there will be much more demand for them.”
Even without rain, the threat of lightning strikes remains as Phillips said they can still occur. “We have seen an incredible amount of lightning strikes out west. Some have been from nature’s thunderstorms but others have been created by dry heat because of the incredible warm temperatures. It is almost like a vicious cycle because one feeds off the other. Sometimes the rain can snuff out the fire but other times it can create an ignition.”
Currently Phillips said there are about 200 fires burning in British Columbia and about 60 percent of them have been lightning induced either through the fire itself creating the lightning or from thunderstorms. “Saskatchewan is dry too so there is concern that the forest fire season could come on.”
Due to the overwhelming heat and dry conditions covering most of the province, on July 2, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) issued a provincial fire ban for Crown lands, provincial parks and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District.
While many municipalities already had fire bans in place heading into the first weekend of July, the SPSA encouraged all municipalities to examine the fire risk in their area. The SPSA’s fire ban included any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks.
According to the SPSA, there were 18 wildfires burning in the province as of July 2 and overall, Saskatchewan already had 202 wildfires, which is slightly over the five-year average of 195.
With recent weather conditions being as extreme as they were, Phillips explained the connection to climate change, sharing that no factor creates the weather rather there is a multitude of factors that come together. “It is still our grandparent’s heat wave but they can have a different character and personality or a different nature because of the human input to it.”
Since weather conditions are different, Phillips said they can sometimes arrive earlier or later than usual, can be more extreme, more intense, out of place, or even out of season. “Generally what we see, we’ve already seen it but it has a different personality to it. I think if people begin to understand that, they will begin to say, ‘See how climate change does affect these extremes.’ It is not the trigger but it is a contributor. It could be that 30 or 40 percent of it would have been made worse because of the human component. I think if people understand that they will realize it is not a debate anymore but it is a discussion of what to do about it. We know the signature or the human DNA are very much part of these kind of extremes that we are seeing.”
TWM Top Story - July 5, 2021
With the province experiencing a prolonged heat wave and with the temperature sitting at 31˚C Wednesday evening, June 30, the Watrous Fire Department had a friendly game of water soccer. Set up near the Watrous Centennial Arena, residents were invited to check out the competition while viewing the department's units.
TWM Top Story - June 28, 2021
WHS teacher named outstanding coach of the year
*photo courtesy Lori Bartko
Daniel Bushman
When it comes to making a tremendous impact as a coach both on and off the court, it should come as no surprise that Winston High School teacher Wendi Collins was named as this year’s Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) Horizon Central District Outstanding Female Coach of the Year.
SHSAA Executive Director Lyle McKellar said each of the 14 SHSAA Districts hand out an award annually to both a male and female coach who have made outstanding contributions within the coaching field and Collins was this year’s Horizon Central female recipient. With a focus on team while having fun and striving for success, Collins not only fit the bill but has made an impact on her students and peers as well.
Honoured to be recognized as the SHSAA Outstanding Female Coach of the Year for Horizon Central District, Collins believes sport is one of the most important high school activities for both an educator and student. “Being involved in sport teaches life lessons about dedication and teamwork that are hard to learn elsewhere. It also provides an opportunity for a very unique relationship between the educator and student athlete which allows for further growth in the high school environment as well. There is a direct correlation between classroom success and student involvement in extracurricular activities.”
After starting her coaching and teaching career in Rockglen in 2002, Collins has made stops at Lanigan Central High School (coaching from 2006-‘14) and Winston High School in Watrous (coaching from 2004-‘06 and 2014-present). During that time, Collins attended one boys volleyball provincials in 2002, four volleyball provincials with Watrous, and five volleyball provincial championships with Lanigan. During those appearances at provincials she earned a gold medal, two bronze medals and two fourth place finishes.
Winston High School teacher Lori Bartko who nominated Collins for this year’s SHSAA honour said there is no doubt Wendi has a passion for student involvement in athletics which has been demonstrated through her many coaching roles including senior boys volleyball, senior girls basketball, as well as badminton and track and field.
“Most of her time has been dedicated to senior girls volleyball. She has worked tirelessly building the volleyball program at Winston High School and contributed countless hours coaching while she was teaching at Lanigan Central High School.”
With many of her weekends occupied with travelling to tournaments across Saskatchewan before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Collins said there have been some great memories including her run to a provincial championship with the Lazers in Lanigan. “That was pretty exciting. The girls worked really hard throughout their whole high school career. That group of girls, they were determined that was their goal so being able to watch them accomplish that was pretty amazing.”
Collins also recalled another highlight from her coaching career. “One year when I was coaching in Lanigan the families of the athletes on my team organized to provide my family with supper each of the weekends I was away at a tournament. Every weekend a new family provided me with a meal to take home. It was a gesture that I will never forget!”
Now coaching at Winston High School and more recently dealing with the pandemic, like other coaches within the school division, Collins has had to try to navigate through it all. When it came to the teams she was coaching this past year, Wendi noted they had one month of volleyball (which included only two games) and a house league for girls basketball which only lasted three weeks.
“While everyone was disappointed in the length of the involvement of the sport this season I found it played a new appreciation in the eyes of the student athletes in the role sport plays in their lives. Once we were finally able to hit the court in October of 2020 I have never seen my players happier to be up at 6:30 a.m. Each practice and game they displayed a love of the game and it was heartwarming to say the least. It has really changed my perspective that it is not always the outcome of the competition that makes it a success!”
Understanding the many hours of work and dedication put into coaching, Winston High School Principal Terry Braman said Wendi was very deserving of the award. “Her commitment to our student athletes is evident year after year and we are fortunate to have her at Winston. She will continue to make an impact on our kids with her love of sports and coaching.”
Echoing similar sentiments as Braman, Bartko noted Wendi is the epitome of patience, kindness, and determination. “She has high expectations of her athletes and models the same behaviour both on
and off the court. Her camaraderie with her players and other coaches that she meets has led to lifelong friendships. Wendi exemplifies dedication to the sport of volleyball by giving endless hours to her players while still finding time for her family of three children and husband Scott. She also has a full-time teaching career at Winston High School. Wendi is most deserving of the SHSAA Outstanding Female Coach Award for her contributions to both her players and the sport of volleyball.”
Also named as the recipient of the Watrous Coach of the Year Award for 2019, reflecting on her years as a coach, Collins said it has been a pretty special experience. “What means the most to me as a coach is when I run into former players that I have coached and hear the memories that they have from their years spent with me. It is never about the success or failures, it is always about the crazy trips we have had in the 15 passenger van (getting stuck, running out of gas, me hitting the curb, etc.) or the sleep overs we had on numerous school floors. Whenever I hear of one of my former athletes coaching a team it puts a smile on my face as I like to believe they have learnt the value involved in becoming a coach and mentor.”
*photo courtesy Lori Bartko
Daniel Bushman
When it comes to making a tremendous impact as a coach both on and off the court, it should come as no surprise that Winston High School teacher Wendi Collins was named as this year’s Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) Horizon Central District Outstanding Female Coach of the Year.
SHSAA Executive Director Lyle McKellar said each of the 14 SHSAA Districts hand out an award annually to both a male and female coach who have made outstanding contributions within the coaching field and Collins was this year’s Horizon Central female recipient. With a focus on team while having fun and striving for success, Collins not only fit the bill but has made an impact on her students and peers as well.
Honoured to be recognized as the SHSAA Outstanding Female Coach of the Year for Horizon Central District, Collins believes sport is one of the most important high school activities for both an educator and student. “Being involved in sport teaches life lessons about dedication and teamwork that are hard to learn elsewhere. It also provides an opportunity for a very unique relationship between the educator and student athlete which allows for further growth in the high school environment as well. There is a direct correlation between classroom success and student involvement in extracurricular activities.”
After starting her coaching and teaching career in Rockglen in 2002, Collins has made stops at Lanigan Central High School (coaching from 2006-‘14) and Winston High School in Watrous (coaching from 2004-‘06 and 2014-present). During that time, Collins attended one boys volleyball provincials in 2002, four volleyball provincials with Watrous, and five volleyball provincial championships with Lanigan. During those appearances at provincials she earned a gold medal, two bronze medals and two fourth place finishes.
Winston High School teacher Lori Bartko who nominated Collins for this year’s SHSAA honour said there is no doubt Wendi has a passion for student involvement in athletics which has been demonstrated through her many coaching roles including senior boys volleyball, senior girls basketball, as well as badminton and track and field.
“Most of her time has been dedicated to senior girls volleyball. She has worked tirelessly building the volleyball program at Winston High School and contributed countless hours coaching while she was teaching at Lanigan Central High School.”
With many of her weekends occupied with travelling to tournaments across Saskatchewan before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Collins said there have been some great memories including her run to a provincial championship with the Lazers in Lanigan. “That was pretty exciting. The girls worked really hard throughout their whole high school career. That group of girls, they were determined that was their goal so being able to watch them accomplish that was pretty amazing.”
Collins also recalled another highlight from her coaching career. “One year when I was coaching in Lanigan the families of the athletes on my team organized to provide my family with supper each of the weekends I was away at a tournament. Every weekend a new family provided me with a meal to take home. It was a gesture that I will never forget!”
Now coaching at Winston High School and more recently dealing with the pandemic, like other coaches within the school division, Collins has had to try to navigate through it all. When it came to the teams she was coaching this past year, Wendi noted they had one month of volleyball (which included only two games) and a house league for girls basketball which only lasted three weeks.
“While everyone was disappointed in the length of the involvement of the sport this season I found it played a new appreciation in the eyes of the student athletes in the role sport plays in their lives. Once we were finally able to hit the court in October of 2020 I have never seen my players happier to be up at 6:30 a.m. Each practice and game they displayed a love of the game and it was heartwarming to say the least. It has really changed my perspective that it is not always the outcome of the competition that makes it a success!”
Understanding the many hours of work and dedication put into coaching, Winston High School Principal Terry Braman said Wendi was very deserving of the award. “Her commitment to our student athletes is evident year after year and we are fortunate to have her at Winston. She will continue to make an impact on our kids with her love of sports and coaching.”
Echoing similar sentiments as Braman, Bartko noted Wendi is the epitome of patience, kindness, and determination. “She has high expectations of her athletes and models the same behaviour both on
and off the court. Her camaraderie with her players and other coaches that she meets has led to lifelong friendships. Wendi exemplifies dedication to the sport of volleyball by giving endless hours to her players while still finding time for her family of three children and husband Scott. She also has a full-time teaching career at Winston High School. Wendi is most deserving of the SHSAA Outstanding Female Coach Award for her contributions to both her players and the sport of volleyball.”
Also named as the recipient of the Watrous Coach of the Year Award for 2019, reflecting on her years as a coach, Collins said it has been a pretty special experience. “What means the most to me as a coach is when I run into former players that I have coached and hear the memories that they have from their years spent with me. It is never about the success or failures, it is always about the crazy trips we have had in the 15 passenger van (getting stuck, running out of gas, me hitting the curb, etc.) or the sleep overs we had on numerous school floors. Whenever I hear of one of my former athletes coaching a team it puts a smile on my face as I like to believe they have learnt the value involved in becoming a coach and mentor.”
TWM Top Story - June 21, 2021
Local area the place to be this summer
Daniel Bushman
As more people receive their COVID-19 vaccination and the province aims to fully reopen later this summer, the local tourism sector is hoping to see more visitors and residents enjoy what Manitou Beach and Watrous has to offer.
With a slate full of summer activities including some new packages designed to attract guests to the area, Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Vickie Clarke has already seen an influx of visitors and anticipates a busy summer ahead. “Summer boosts our numbers incredibly which means people are spending money so we’ve got some new initiatives this year.”
And it is not just local people or those from Saskatchewan who are wanting to see the area. After attending a virtual event geared toward tourism called Rendez-vous Canada Marketplace, Clarke explained she was on calls promoting the local area with people from India, China, Italy, and Germany. Talking with a gentleman from China, Clarke was asked why the area was so unique. “I took my laptop and turned it around to show him the lake. I said this is not just any lake and it is the only one in Canada of its kind. People can forget how fortunate we are to be living here because we have the only saltwater mineral lake in Canada. It is pretty special.”
Tourism Packages
Looking to promote a few new tourism packages, Clarke invited a travel writer and film crew out to the area. That travel writer was former Saskatchewanderer Ashlyn George, who is the author of the Lost Girl’s Guide to Finding the World. George was able to not only experience some of the attractions like The Drive-In at Manitou Beach, the Little Manitou Art Gallery and Manitou Springs Mineral Spa but she also took part in a couple of the new tour packages that will be offered.
First George attended a farm tour southwest of Watrous with Matt and Lesley Kelly and Derek Martin where she got to check out the farm equipment, took part in a crop tour, milled some lentil flour to take home and shared a big meal from Oda’s Coffee + Wine Bar.
From there she headed to Manitou Beach where she embarked on a paddleboard adventure across the lake. With a dock built and equipment purchased by Michael Byrne of Oasis Village Manitou Beach, George headed across the lake and had a picnic on the shoreline care of Oda’s Coffee + Wine Bar, including a bottle of wine.
The third tour offered this summer and one that George also enjoyed was Art in the Park at Wellington Park. With local artist Michael Gaudet, the drawing basics workshop allows people to create intimate sketches of local flora, followed by a feast of pizza cooked in a stone oven nearby.
Clarke who was also on hand for Art in the Park said, “It was such a cool experience because Wellington Park is so unique and we have that stone oven nearby to utilize. We fired up the oven and we did a pizza for lunch for participants. It was very cool.”
Summer shop local passport program
As the summer heats up, the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group is also launching a summer shop local passport program. Running July, August and September, people have the chance to shop locally and win $500 while also having the opportunity to explore the area and have a little fun.
“The Watrous and Manitou Beach Shop Local Passport Program presented by the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has two components to it. One part is people shopping local and receiving a stamp. When people reach a certain number of stamps in their passports they can put their name in to receive $500 of Sea Monkey money which they can spend in the community. The other half of the program is we have a lot of families visiting each summer so they can take part in a scavenger hunt to look for different items like carvings.”
With the winner of the shop local summer program announced Sept. 20, Clarke said participating businesses can sign up by June 25 and be highlighted as part of the passport program. “The cost is $50 and those businesses will be featured as part of our summer shop local program. They can contact me at 306-917-7300 or email me at wmmg@sasktel.net if they want to sign up.”
July events
As July approaches, Clarke said there will be something for Canada Day at Manitou Beach. In addition to things like fireworks and live music, the Manitou Reflections Project will be dedicated during a public artwork unveiling.
What has been described as a world-class work of public art will be officially unveiled at Uhmann Centennial Park overlooking Little Manitou Lake. The 100 percent stainless steel artwork was designed with a gently curved surface that dramatically enhances its structural strength, while creating a very unique viewing experience. Partially funded by Heritage Canada, the project was made possible by the generous support of local businesses and community-minded individuals and created and designed by local artists.
The artwork was designed to reflect the iconic landscape of the north shore of Little Manitou Lake, where on a calm day the mineral-laden waters have a mirror-like quality that perfectly reflects the landscape and skies above.
Following the Canada Day celebrations and unveiling, during the second weekend in July, the first annual Buskers Festival will take place at Manitou Beach and in Watrous. Featuring street shows and street performers showcasing music, theatre, dance, and juggling, the festival coincides with the Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail which will be held within
the area July 10 and 11.
In Watrous, the 30th installment of the Watrous and Manitou Beach Annual Fun Run Auto Show ‘N’ Shine will be held July 24. While still in the planning stages, the event is seeking volunteers and will provide an opportunity for vehicle enthusiasts to enjoy viewing some incredible machines. More updates will be provided as the annual event nears (www.watrousfunrun.com).
Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival
In August, the Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival takes place Aug. 12 to 15 which Clarke said will be very similar to ones held in the past with an area for the kids, a beer gardens, and live entertainment. “People will be able to buy the quick carves and there will be an auction for half of the large carves on the Sunday.”
As for the carvers competing this year, Clarke said there was an overwhelming response so the committee had to reluctantly say no to a few. “We are going to have some really good carvers here and basically they are coming in from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and B.C.”
Along with other attractions, restaurants and amenities that Manitou Beach has, Clarke said, “It will be a very exciting summer.”
Daniel Bushman
As more people receive their COVID-19 vaccination and the province aims to fully reopen later this summer, the local tourism sector is hoping to see more visitors and residents enjoy what Manitou Beach and Watrous has to offer.
With a slate full of summer activities including some new packages designed to attract guests to the area, Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Vickie Clarke has already seen an influx of visitors and anticipates a busy summer ahead. “Summer boosts our numbers incredibly which means people are spending money so we’ve got some new initiatives this year.”
And it is not just local people or those from Saskatchewan who are wanting to see the area. After attending a virtual event geared toward tourism called Rendez-vous Canada Marketplace, Clarke explained she was on calls promoting the local area with people from India, China, Italy, and Germany. Talking with a gentleman from China, Clarke was asked why the area was so unique. “I took my laptop and turned it around to show him the lake. I said this is not just any lake and it is the only one in Canada of its kind. People can forget how fortunate we are to be living here because we have the only saltwater mineral lake in Canada. It is pretty special.”
Tourism Packages
Looking to promote a few new tourism packages, Clarke invited a travel writer and film crew out to the area. That travel writer was former Saskatchewanderer Ashlyn George, who is the author of the Lost Girl’s Guide to Finding the World. George was able to not only experience some of the attractions like The Drive-In at Manitou Beach, the Little Manitou Art Gallery and Manitou Springs Mineral Spa but she also took part in a couple of the new tour packages that will be offered.
First George attended a farm tour southwest of Watrous with Matt and Lesley Kelly and Derek Martin where she got to check out the farm equipment, took part in a crop tour, milled some lentil flour to take home and shared a big meal from Oda’s Coffee + Wine Bar.
From there she headed to Manitou Beach where she embarked on a paddleboard adventure across the lake. With a dock built and equipment purchased by Michael Byrne of Oasis Village Manitou Beach, George headed across the lake and had a picnic on the shoreline care of Oda’s Coffee + Wine Bar, including a bottle of wine.
The third tour offered this summer and one that George also enjoyed was Art in the Park at Wellington Park. With local artist Michael Gaudet, the drawing basics workshop allows people to create intimate sketches of local flora, followed by a feast of pizza cooked in a stone oven nearby.
Clarke who was also on hand for Art in the Park said, “It was such a cool experience because Wellington Park is so unique and we have that stone oven nearby to utilize. We fired up the oven and we did a pizza for lunch for participants. It was very cool.”
Summer shop local passport program
As the summer heats up, the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group is also launching a summer shop local passport program. Running July, August and September, people have the chance to shop locally and win $500 while also having the opportunity to explore the area and have a little fun.
“The Watrous and Manitou Beach Shop Local Passport Program presented by the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has two components to it. One part is people shopping local and receiving a stamp. When people reach a certain number of stamps in their passports they can put their name in to receive $500 of Sea Monkey money which they can spend in the community. The other half of the program is we have a lot of families visiting each summer so they can take part in a scavenger hunt to look for different items like carvings.”
With the winner of the shop local summer program announced Sept. 20, Clarke said participating businesses can sign up by June 25 and be highlighted as part of the passport program. “The cost is $50 and those businesses will be featured as part of our summer shop local program. They can contact me at 306-917-7300 or email me at wmmg@sasktel.net if they want to sign up.”
July events
As July approaches, Clarke said there will be something for Canada Day at Manitou Beach. In addition to things like fireworks and live music, the Manitou Reflections Project will be dedicated during a public artwork unveiling.
What has been described as a world-class work of public art will be officially unveiled at Uhmann Centennial Park overlooking Little Manitou Lake. The 100 percent stainless steel artwork was designed with a gently curved surface that dramatically enhances its structural strength, while creating a very unique viewing experience. Partially funded by Heritage Canada, the project was made possible by the generous support of local businesses and community-minded individuals and created and designed by local artists.
The artwork was designed to reflect the iconic landscape of the north shore of Little Manitou Lake, where on a calm day the mineral-laden waters have a mirror-like quality that perfectly reflects the landscape and skies above.
Following the Canada Day celebrations and unveiling, during the second weekend in July, the first annual Buskers Festival will take place at Manitou Beach and in Watrous. Featuring street shows and street performers showcasing music, theatre, dance, and juggling, the festival coincides with the Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail which will be held within
the area July 10 and 11.
In Watrous, the 30th installment of the Watrous and Manitou Beach Annual Fun Run Auto Show ‘N’ Shine will be held July 24. While still in the planning stages, the event is seeking volunteers and will provide an opportunity for vehicle enthusiasts to enjoy viewing some incredible machines. More updates will be provided as the annual event nears (www.watrousfunrun.com).
Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival
In August, the Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival takes place Aug. 12 to 15 which Clarke said will be very similar to ones held in the past with an area for the kids, a beer gardens, and live entertainment. “People will be able to buy the quick carves and there will be an auction for half of the large carves on the Sunday.”
As for the carvers competing this year, Clarke said there was an overwhelming response so the committee had to reluctantly say no to a few. “We are going to have some really good carvers here and basically they are coming in from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and B.C.”
Along with other attractions, restaurants and amenities that Manitou Beach has, Clarke said, “It will be a very exciting summer.”
TWM Top Story - June 14, 2021
Celebrating the WHS graduates of 2021
Daniel Bushman
On a beautiful June evening and navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, for a second consecutive year, the Winston High School graduation ceremony took place at The Drive-In at Manitou Beach.
While the pandemic has forced a number of changes over the past year, with the province getting closer to fully reopening, graduation events across Saskatchewan were given the green the light to proceed with certain guidelines. With WHS graduates, limited guests and members of their families able to participate in this year’s June 4 ceremony, the evening program was also live streamed on Facebook for others to view.
As was the case last year, while it was not the way this year’s Winston High School Gr. 12 students envisioned they would be graduating, they were still able to do so.
Along with Winston High School principal Terry Braman and teachers Lori Bartko and Lee Bells, the three were able to secure The Drive-in at Manitou Beach for the graduates to participate in a formal and socially distanced ceremony.
With graduates and two guests of their choosing sitting in hubs near the stage, images of the ceremony were put on a LED screen so those inside their vehicles watching nearby could view and listen to the event. Others unable to attend were able to watch online.
As the program commenced, chairperson and teacher Steve Armstrong shared how the graduates were able to rise above the challenges posed by the pandemic. “We are all very glad to be here, either in person or watching online.”
With the program moving along, after O Canada was played, Horizon School Division Superintendent of Student Services Darrell Paproski provided the message on behalf of the school division.
Offering congratulations to the graduates, Paproski stated how this year’s class was able to achieve so much as they head into the next chapter of their lives. While he added there will be challenges ahead, Paproski encouraged the students to remember that their future is bright and anything is possible when they set their minds to it.
Following Paproski’s message, WHS Principal Terry Braman remarked how this year’s graduation ceremonies were not how the students envisioned. As the pandemic continued to force changes over this past year, Braman said the staff and students were able to do their best in navigating through the challenges to get to the June 4 event.
Stating that this year’s class was a diverse group that carried a reputation, he added they are also full of promise. While there have been some bumps along the road for the class, Braman continued by stating how incredibly proud he was of the progress they made throughout their high school years.
Noting how remarkable the class was when it came to the amount of students graduating with honours and distinctions, doing so through the pandemic in addition to other challenges along the way was an incredible achievement. “It will be your badge of honour one day to say that you endured the pandemic during your Gr. 12 year.”
Encouraging the graduates to finish strong, Braman concluded by saying, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
After Braman’s message, graduate Carter Pidhorodetsky delivered a tribute to teachers and education. With a goal of one day becoming a teacher himself, Carter provided a humourous speech containing
puns and notes of encouragement. While the class made it through its high school years and the pandemic, Pidhorodetsky said, “The real ones who deserve the congratulations are the teachers. We weren’t the best kids . . . they deserve a round of applause.”
Being candid, Carter explained while the class learned some things, they will also forget some of those things as they embark on their next chapter. “But one thing we will remember is our teachers.”
Stating how fortunate the graduates were to not just have great teachers, Pidhorodetsky said they are great people as well. “They showed up with a good attitude ready to teach no matter what . . . they helped us accomplish our goals . . . I want to thank them all for putting up with us.”
Providing a response was WHS Vice-Principal Doug Thomas. Sharing about how Carter and himself challenged each other as to who could come up with the most puns in their speeches, Thomas started off with a number of ‘dad’ jokes instead. After getting a few laughs and even some horn blasts from those listening in nearby vehicles, Thomas noted how tough going through a pandemic this past year was.
Encouraging students and others to share how valuable and important teachers are to them, Thomas added, “There is no monetary amount that can equal the joy in knowing you are making a positive impact in a student.”
The teacher concluded by reminding everyone about the beauty of education and that people are all capable learners. He also shared that when obstacles come, it can be an opportunity to grow and that no one is ever alone. “You have a long line of supporters. If you are in a bind, reach out. We love you and we will miss you.”
Providing the tribute to the community was graduate Avery Collins. Thanking the various communities who are home to the graduates, Collins said it was a joy to grow up in Watrous where she was just a bike ride away from family. “Whether or not we leave, Watrous will always be part of our lives.”
Grandfather to Avery and former mayor of Watrous Ed Collins gave the response. Sharing about how the graduates played an important part in their communities, Ed thanked them for their work in various jobs and other roles as they helped to make their hometowns a better place. The former mayor also recalled being at a Winston High School graduation 30 years prior where it was his son graduating. Now with his granddaughter receiving a diploma, Collins said it brought back a lot of great memories.
He also thanked the class for providing entertainment to the communities like competing in sporting events and dance competitions. He also appreciated the volunteerism. “That showed you cared.” Encouraging the graduates to continue to volunteer, Ed said they would find it rewarding. “Your willingness to learn and gain experience will benefit you moving forward.”
Wishing the grads all the best and reminding them to never forget their roots, Collins ended by stating they should all be proud. “We are all proud of you.”
After Collins, graduate Sarah Pilling gave the tribute to the parents. Sharing about how lessons and advice from parents to their kids has changed over the years, Pilling added the advice remains important whether the graduates felt it was or not. Going into the world where lots can happen, Sarah said parents can provide each of the graduates with meaningful advice like accepting everyone you meet, being true to yourself and paying your bills on time. Thanking the parents for all that they have done, Sarah’s mom Kristie then gave the response.
Excited and honoured to have been
asked to give a speech, Kristie said along with her husband Jason, the pair have been able to teach, coach, and influence many of the graduates over the years. “You are a very unique class but you are also a hardworking, driven and smart class.”
Citing there are leaders throughout the graduating class, Pilling then left the group with some advice:
• leave home. You are fortunate to have been raised here but go somewhere to see, learn and experience. Meet people and have a meaningful conversation;
• unplug. Put your electronic devices away or you will miss out on experiences and meeting people. Focus on the positives and not the criticisms;
• find your people and you may also find love. Love with all your might and that includes loving yourself;
• find a path and if it is one without challenges, it probably won’t lead anywhere;
• be accountable and be able to move on;
• do not lie;
• never stop learning no matter how old you get;
• always question what you learn;
• always read what you sign; and
• thank your parents.
Pilling then ended her speech citing the lyrics from the song: Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw.
Giving this year’s tribute to the graduates was teacher Evan Libke. After a few laughs by sharing some excuses he has heard from a couple of the graduates over the years, in all seriousness, Libke talked about everyone facing difficulties during the pandemic including the graduates. “This group faced some unique challenges including things that we took for granted when we were their age.”
Recalling missed opportunities because of the pandemic, Libke said the graduates were also able to utilize the situation and bonded with classmates, grew their relationships that they may not have normally done and had time to pick up new skills and hobbies. And for some, he suggested they maybe even tried to improve their grades.
While he added there will be many more challenges ahead, Libke said the graduates will get through them like they have done before. Wishing the class good luck as many more chapters are left to be written, a powerpoint presentation then followed Libke.
With images of each graduate shown on the screen, graduates Shelby Allin, Mitchell Harding, Isaac Jensen and Amy Sundquist (pictured below) started the presentation before changing places with graduates Morgan Hendry, Maddison Rheaume and Jaycee Sperling as each provided information about the grads and their future plans.
After the presentation, WHS teacher Barry Croshaw was announced as the guest speaker. Bringing humour and wisdom, Croshaw began explaining what an honour it was that he would be asked to share a beautiful Friday evening with the graduating class. He remarked what a tremendous group of aspiring, talented and hardworking students there were graduating this year. With his wit and receiving some laughs throughout his speech, Croshaw was also serious and explained what a tremendous impact the pandemic has had. Whether it was missing out on opportunities at school, interacting with other students in the hallways or common area or not being able to compete in sports, Croshaw said the graduates need to carry on and grow as individuals throughout the challenges they will face. “You are about to embark on your own personal journey.”
Commenting how interconnected the class is around the world due to all of the technological advancements, Croshaw said if the students are willing, they can become agents of change to make the world a better place.
The graduates were encouraged to embrace their past but to also not live in it. Croshaw then continued by sharing a few points of advice:
• have integrity and do what is right;
• be kind in how you treat people;
• breathe. Take time to enjoy life;
• expand your horizons;
• do things out of the ordinary and grow as an individual;
• move out but enjoy your family;
• be happy with what you have; and
• spend time making extra memories and not extra money.
Like Kristie Pilling, Croshaw also quoted lyrics, but from Lee Ann Womack’s song, I Hope You Dance.
Concluding his speech, Croshaw said it was tremendous to have the graduates in school and encouraged them to use their unique abilities and personalities.
Following Croshaw was this year’s valedictorian, graduate Daniel Martin. Thanking his classmates for the honour of representing them, Martin also mentioned how much of an impact his mom, dad and grandfather had on his life. Also thanking the teachers for putting up with the class, Martin said after his older brother gave a tribute to the community a few years ago, he decided to begin writing a speech in hopes of one day being able to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
Sharing about having a great class, Martin also quipped that it may not have been the most mature or responsible class but noted how the group improved as years went along. “I think a ton of people would be proud. We are a smart, athletic, charming and good looking group.”
As new faces joined the class throughout the years of schooling, Martin highlighted a few strengths including the group being able to let things go. He also believed that any of his fellow classmates who put in the hard work and commitment in their given passion would be able to reach their goals.
Providing a few words of wisdom before passing the torch, Martin told his peers:
• do not be stupid. Think before you do something;
• do not let anyone crash your dreams; and
• be prepared for what is to come. While you may not always succeed, there is a reason and we can pick ourselves up and learn from those experiences.
“I love this town and I love this class,” said Martin adding if he ever has kids and they one day attend a similar school or live in a community like Watrous, “they will turn out pretty great.”
Following Martin’s valedictorian address, a video was played of the passing of the torch between Daniel and Gr. 11 student Pearce Bartko. From there, principal Terry Braman was on hand as each graduate took a scroll from a table and headed to centre stage. As each graduate was announced with their scroll, at the end of the presentation, Armstrong announced the program reached its conclusion for the evening.
The 2021 WHS graduates include: Shelby Allin, John Arsenal, Evan Borsa, Rebecka Braun, Avery Collins, Peyton Dinkel, Easton Ediger, Megan Fisher, Brett Grindheim, Sydney Hallborg, Mitchell Harding, Morgan Hendry, Lucas Holmes-Gundry, Julia Jenewein, Liam Jennett, Isaac Jensen, Caden Lee, Reier Lee, Andrew Lewis, Jackson Mark, Jake Martens, Ricky Martens, Daniel Martin, Alex McDonald, Travis McGrath, Sage Mierau, Benicio Moya-Moneo, Sean Nimchuk, Jordyn Parker, Carter Pidhorodetsky, Sarah Pilling, Maddison Rheaume, Dave Rivera, Ethan Schilling, Rachel Schroeder, Jacob Siegfried, Jaycee Sperling, Connor Stewart, Spencer Stokke, Amy Sundquist, Matthew Sundquist, Sikwan Swan, Jeremy Wiebe, and Jaida Yanoshewski.
Daniel Bushman
On a beautiful June evening and navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, for a second consecutive year, the Winston High School graduation ceremony took place at The Drive-In at Manitou Beach.
While the pandemic has forced a number of changes over the past year, with the province getting closer to fully reopening, graduation events across Saskatchewan were given the green the light to proceed with certain guidelines. With WHS graduates, limited guests and members of their families able to participate in this year’s June 4 ceremony, the evening program was also live streamed on Facebook for others to view.
As was the case last year, while it was not the way this year’s Winston High School Gr. 12 students envisioned they would be graduating, they were still able to do so.
Along with Winston High School principal Terry Braman and teachers Lori Bartko and Lee Bells, the three were able to secure The Drive-in at Manitou Beach for the graduates to participate in a formal and socially distanced ceremony.
With graduates and two guests of their choosing sitting in hubs near the stage, images of the ceremony were put on a LED screen so those inside their vehicles watching nearby could view and listen to the event. Others unable to attend were able to watch online.
As the program commenced, chairperson and teacher Steve Armstrong shared how the graduates were able to rise above the challenges posed by the pandemic. “We are all very glad to be here, either in person or watching online.”
With the program moving along, after O Canada was played, Horizon School Division Superintendent of Student Services Darrell Paproski provided the message on behalf of the school division.
Offering congratulations to the graduates, Paproski stated how this year’s class was able to achieve so much as they head into the next chapter of their lives. While he added there will be challenges ahead, Paproski encouraged the students to remember that their future is bright and anything is possible when they set their minds to it.
Following Paproski’s message, WHS Principal Terry Braman remarked how this year’s graduation ceremonies were not how the students envisioned. As the pandemic continued to force changes over this past year, Braman said the staff and students were able to do their best in navigating through the challenges to get to the June 4 event.
Stating that this year’s class was a diverse group that carried a reputation, he added they are also full of promise. While there have been some bumps along the road for the class, Braman continued by stating how incredibly proud he was of the progress they made throughout their high school years.
Noting how remarkable the class was when it came to the amount of students graduating with honours and distinctions, doing so through the pandemic in addition to other challenges along the way was an incredible achievement. “It will be your badge of honour one day to say that you endured the pandemic during your Gr. 12 year.”
Encouraging the graduates to finish strong, Braman concluded by saying, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
After Braman’s message, graduate Carter Pidhorodetsky delivered a tribute to teachers and education. With a goal of one day becoming a teacher himself, Carter provided a humourous speech containing
puns and notes of encouragement. While the class made it through its high school years and the pandemic, Pidhorodetsky said, “The real ones who deserve the congratulations are the teachers. We weren’t the best kids . . . they deserve a round of applause.”
Being candid, Carter explained while the class learned some things, they will also forget some of those things as they embark on their next chapter. “But one thing we will remember is our teachers.”
Stating how fortunate the graduates were to not just have great teachers, Pidhorodetsky said they are great people as well. “They showed up with a good attitude ready to teach no matter what . . . they helped us accomplish our goals . . . I want to thank them all for putting up with us.”
Providing a response was WHS Vice-Principal Doug Thomas. Sharing about how Carter and himself challenged each other as to who could come up with the most puns in their speeches, Thomas started off with a number of ‘dad’ jokes instead. After getting a few laughs and even some horn blasts from those listening in nearby vehicles, Thomas noted how tough going through a pandemic this past year was.
Encouraging students and others to share how valuable and important teachers are to them, Thomas added, “There is no monetary amount that can equal the joy in knowing you are making a positive impact in a student.”
The teacher concluded by reminding everyone about the beauty of education and that people are all capable learners. He also shared that when obstacles come, it can be an opportunity to grow and that no one is ever alone. “You have a long line of supporters. If you are in a bind, reach out. We love you and we will miss you.”
Providing the tribute to the community was graduate Avery Collins. Thanking the various communities who are home to the graduates, Collins said it was a joy to grow up in Watrous where she was just a bike ride away from family. “Whether or not we leave, Watrous will always be part of our lives.”
Grandfather to Avery and former mayor of Watrous Ed Collins gave the response. Sharing about how the graduates played an important part in their communities, Ed thanked them for their work in various jobs and other roles as they helped to make their hometowns a better place. The former mayor also recalled being at a Winston High School graduation 30 years prior where it was his son graduating. Now with his granddaughter receiving a diploma, Collins said it brought back a lot of great memories.
He also thanked the class for providing entertainment to the communities like competing in sporting events and dance competitions. He also appreciated the volunteerism. “That showed you cared.” Encouraging the graduates to continue to volunteer, Ed said they would find it rewarding. “Your willingness to learn and gain experience will benefit you moving forward.”
Wishing the grads all the best and reminding them to never forget their roots, Collins ended by stating they should all be proud. “We are all proud of you.”
After Collins, graduate Sarah Pilling gave the tribute to the parents. Sharing about how lessons and advice from parents to their kids has changed over the years, Pilling added the advice remains important whether the graduates felt it was or not. Going into the world where lots can happen, Sarah said parents can provide each of the graduates with meaningful advice like accepting everyone you meet, being true to yourself and paying your bills on time. Thanking the parents for all that they have done, Sarah’s mom Kristie then gave the response.
Excited and honoured to have been
asked to give a speech, Kristie said along with her husband Jason, the pair have been able to teach, coach, and influence many of the graduates over the years. “You are a very unique class but you are also a hardworking, driven and smart class.”
Citing there are leaders throughout the graduating class, Pilling then left the group with some advice:
• leave home. You are fortunate to have been raised here but go somewhere to see, learn and experience. Meet people and have a meaningful conversation;
• unplug. Put your electronic devices away or you will miss out on experiences and meeting people. Focus on the positives and not the criticisms;
• find your people and you may also find love. Love with all your might and that includes loving yourself;
• find a path and if it is one without challenges, it probably won’t lead anywhere;
• be accountable and be able to move on;
• do not lie;
• never stop learning no matter how old you get;
• always question what you learn;
• always read what you sign; and
• thank your parents.
Pilling then ended her speech citing the lyrics from the song: Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw.
Giving this year’s tribute to the graduates was teacher Evan Libke. After a few laughs by sharing some excuses he has heard from a couple of the graduates over the years, in all seriousness, Libke talked about everyone facing difficulties during the pandemic including the graduates. “This group faced some unique challenges including things that we took for granted when we were their age.”
Recalling missed opportunities because of the pandemic, Libke said the graduates were also able to utilize the situation and bonded with classmates, grew their relationships that they may not have normally done and had time to pick up new skills and hobbies. And for some, he suggested they maybe even tried to improve their grades.
While he added there will be many more challenges ahead, Libke said the graduates will get through them like they have done before. Wishing the class good luck as many more chapters are left to be written, a powerpoint presentation then followed Libke.
With images of each graduate shown on the screen, graduates Shelby Allin, Mitchell Harding, Isaac Jensen and Amy Sundquist (pictured below) started the presentation before changing places with graduates Morgan Hendry, Maddison Rheaume and Jaycee Sperling as each provided information about the grads and their future plans.
After the presentation, WHS teacher Barry Croshaw was announced as the guest speaker. Bringing humour and wisdom, Croshaw began explaining what an honour it was that he would be asked to share a beautiful Friday evening with the graduating class. He remarked what a tremendous group of aspiring, talented and hardworking students there were graduating this year. With his wit and receiving some laughs throughout his speech, Croshaw was also serious and explained what a tremendous impact the pandemic has had. Whether it was missing out on opportunities at school, interacting with other students in the hallways or common area or not being able to compete in sports, Croshaw said the graduates need to carry on and grow as individuals throughout the challenges they will face. “You are about to embark on your own personal journey.”
Commenting how interconnected the class is around the world due to all of the technological advancements, Croshaw said if the students are willing, they can become agents of change to make the world a better place.
The graduates were encouraged to embrace their past but to also not live in it. Croshaw then continued by sharing a few points of advice:
• have integrity and do what is right;
• be kind in how you treat people;
• breathe. Take time to enjoy life;
• expand your horizons;
• do things out of the ordinary and grow as an individual;
• move out but enjoy your family;
• be happy with what you have; and
• spend time making extra memories and not extra money.
Like Kristie Pilling, Croshaw also quoted lyrics, but from Lee Ann Womack’s song, I Hope You Dance.
Concluding his speech, Croshaw said it was tremendous to have the graduates in school and encouraged them to use their unique abilities and personalities.
Following Croshaw was this year’s valedictorian, graduate Daniel Martin. Thanking his classmates for the honour of representing them, Martin also mentioned how much of an impact his mom, dad and grandfather had on his life. Also thanking the teachers for putting up with the class, Martin said after his older brother gave a tribute to the community a few years ago, he decided to begin writing a speech in hopes of one day being able to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
Sharing about having a great class, Martin also quipped that it may not have been the most mature or responsible class but noted how the group improved as years went along. “I think a ton of people would be proud. We are a smart, athletic, charming and good looking group.”
As new faces joined the class throughout the years of schooling, Martin highlighted a few strengths including the group being able to let things go. He also believed that any of his fellow classmates who put in the hard work and commitment in their given passion would be able to reach their goals.
Providing a few words of wisdom before passing the torch, Martin told his peers:
• do not be stupid. Think before you do something;
• do not let anyone crash your dreams; and
• be prepared for what is to come. While you may not always succeed, there is a reason and we can pick ourselves up and learn from those experiences.
“I love this town and I love this class,” said Martin adding if he ever has kids and they one day attend a similar school or live in a community like Watrous, “they will turn out pretty great.”
Following Martin’s valedictorian address, a video was played of the passing of the torch between Daniel and Gr. 11 student Pearce Bartko. From there, principal Terry Braman was on hand as each graduate took a scroll from a table and headed to centre stage. As each graduate was announced with their scroll, at the end of the presentation, Armstrong announced the program reached its conclusion for the evening.
The 2021 WHS graduates include: Shelby Allin, John Arsenal, Evan Borsa, Rebecka Braun, Avery Collins, Peyton Dinkel, Easton Ediger, Megan Fisher, Brett Grindheim, Sydney Hallborg, Mitchell Harding, Morgan Hendry, Lucas Holmes-Gundry, Julia Jenewein, Liam Jennett, Isaac Jensen, Caden Lee, Reier Lee, Andrew Lewis, Jackson Mark, Jake Martens, Ricky Martens, Daniel Martin, Alex McDonald, Travis McGrath, Sage Mierau, Benicio Moya-Moneo, Sean Nimchuk, Jordyn Parker, Carter Pidhorodetsky, Sarah Pilling, Maddison Rheaume, Dave Rivera, Ethan Schilling, Rachel Schroeder, Jacob Siegfried, Jaycee Sperling, Connor Stewart, Spencer Stokke, Amy Sundquist, Matthew Sundquist, Sikwan Swan, Jeremy Wiebe, and Jaida Yanoshewski.
TWM Top Story - June 7, 2021
Contracting COVID-19: the long road to recovery
Daniel Bushman
It has been an arduous time as many people have done their best to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions finally begin to lift in Saskatchewan and vaccinations continue to be administered, for those who have contracted COVID-19, the journey to recovery has taken time and for some, it continues.
According to the Mayo Clinic, most people who have COVID-19 recover completely within a few weeks but for others like Watrous resident Cindy McLean and Oakville, Ont. Covid Long-Haulers Support Group Canada creator Susie Goulding, symptoms can linger for weeks and even months.
Described as long haulers, effects of COVID-19 can persist for more than four weeks in people after being diagnosed with the virus. While older people and those with many serious medical conditions are most likely to experience the lingering symptoms, the Mayo Clinic said even young and healthy people can feel unwell for weeks and months after being infected with symptoms.
For McLean who considers herself a COVID-19 long hauler, her road to recovery has been a lengthy one that still continues. The pharmacist in Watrous was first swabbed for COVID-19 back in Jan. 20, 2021 and after testing positive, she began her isolation period.
“I isolated for 21 days in my basement and my husband and my son, who both tested negative, isolated upstairs for 14 days,” said McLean. “I slept mostly 18 to 20 hours a day during my weeks in isolation. I was hospitalized twice and battled with severe fatigue and dehydration. I felt mentally and physically defeated as I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t getting better.”
Like others who have tested positive for COVID-19, McLean’s infection did not present with some of the typical symptoms such as a cough, sneezing or shortness of breath. Instead, she had extreme fatigue, confusion, dizziness, and weakness which ended with nausea, loss of appetite, muscle pain, fever, night sweats, dehydration, headaches, blood clotting, memory problems and brain fog.
“When I learned I had COVID-19 I felt scared, sad, angry, embarrassed, anxious, and overwhelmed. I had spent the last year doing everything in my power to keep myself, my family and the public I deal with safe from COVID-19. For me these feelings created a cascade of anxiety and shame. I second guessed every place I had gone, I analyzed every item I carried, and I worried about every person that I had talked to or had contact with in the last two weeks.”
Still not knowing where she contracted COVID-19 from, McLean also shared that because of her positive diagnosis, four of her co-workers who all tested negative were put into isolation for two weeks as the remaining staff were left to try and keep the doors open while providing an essential service to the public. “I want people to know that collectively almost all of us have been impacted in someway by COVID-19. People who are isolating or who are sick with COVID-19 are still people and need compassion and understanding.”
As those long days of dealing with COVID-19 began to turn into weeks, Cindy said it was not until she accepted that she was really sick that things began to get easier and her anxiety started to lift.
“I realized I wasn’t going to work the next week and I wasn’t cooking supper; my only job was to heal because that was all I could do. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent support system of my husband and son, my parents and in-laws, friends, and co-workers who enabled me to take the time I needed.”
Hoping she would bounce back after her 21 days in isolation, McLean said her daily improvement felt like it was going at a snail’s pace. “Weeks turned into months and I was improving so slowly that I was discouraged and depressed. I can remember one night I was trying to watch a hockey game and I couldn’t keep up with where the puck was on the ice.”
Not only was trying to focus on a hockey game hard but other things that were normally no problem for Cindy became nearly impossible. Climbing the stairs, walking to the end of her block, making herself something to eat were also out of the equation during the first months of having COVID-19. But it was through those tough times where she was encouraged to reach out and join a few support groups where she could hear similar experiences from others.
Once Cindy found a few of those groups, she felt more empowered and comforted to know that thousands of people across the country were also experiencing many of the same symptoms and emotions that she was.
One of those places that McLean found comfort in was the Covid Long-Haulers Support Group Canada (https://www.facebook.com/groups/920314451799658/?ref=share) established on Facebook. Created by Susie Goulding out of Oakville, Ont., the private group is currently the largest one of its kind in the country with over 13,500 members.
Like Cindy, Susie has also been working through her own lingering effects of COVID-19. Getting sick Mar. 21, 2020, Goulding figured she got the virus after a daily screening at a hospital. A few days later, she experienced a sore throat before a bunch of symptoms arrived shortly after that. While she didn’t have any trouble breathing or experienced a fever, Goulding recalled getting an ear, nose, throat and
sinus infection along with a cough. Susie also had extreme fatigue, found it hard to swallow and developed brain fog, things she still deals with today.
“I was suffering from severe cognitive dysfunction and fatigue to the point that it was completely debilitating. But my main issues were affecting the brain. Brain fog is like living with a broken brain and feels as though I have Alzheimer’s. You can't think straight, your memory is terrible, you forget everything and have so many issues. It's like trying to function with half your brain shut down. The fatigue that I also got left me lifeless for months. To this date, the injury to my brain is still healing.”
Early on, Goulding also dealt with intense pressure at the back of her head near the base of her skull. “It felt like I had been hit with a baseball bat.” Things then moved into her digestive system and affected her heart. “At one point I thought I might die because I felt like I was having a heart attack. My heart was racing and having unusual rhythms and it was really scary but I learnt to get up the next day and to just live with my symptoms.”
Since the pandemic was relatively new in Canada when Susie's numerous symptoms related to COVID-19 arrived, testing was not readily available at that time to confirm it was a positive case. With her condition worsening, by June 2020 Goulding went to the hospital with about 35 different symptoms related to the virus.
It was at that time her doctor felt Susie could assume she had COVID-19 along with a viral infection. “My doctor said we will do the test but it will probably come back negative because at that point it was over two months since I first had COVID-19.”
Goulding was not surprised when the test came back negative but with the severity of her condition and because of the lack of knowledge and information presented to her, she wanted to try and find others who went through similar experiences.
“My understanding is around 25 to 35 percent of all COVID-19 cases end up being long haulers and 85 to 95 percent of hospitalized cases are people who will become long haulers. Because there are so many of us, that is why I wanted to start the support group online,” she said from her Oakville, Ont. home. “The support group is to address these issues and bring Canadians together on a platform where we could speak about our COVID-19 culture which is much further behind what was happening in Europe and completely different than in the United States. Every country has its own culture as to what is happening and how the virus is progressing. I felt it was important to have our own safe place to speak with each other and to gain information.”
Launching her long haulers support group page in 2020, it has since ballooned to more than 13,500 members. During the first wave of the pandemic, Goulding noted many who joined were mostly middle-aged. Now most new members are those between 20 and 40 years old.
“There is another bracket of people who are not recovering. We are trying to reach out to other people to make them understand that this is something that needs to be really taken into consideration when masking up or not masking up and setting out. We just want people to be protecting themselves properly because you don’t want to end up as a long hauler.”
With members from all across Canada as part of the online support group, Goulding hopes to one day approach the federal government with the knowledge of letting them know what is needed to address the complexity and issues surrounding long haulers.
To reach a larger audience while allowing safe places for long haulers to share their experiences and information, Goulding recently branched out into provincial groups on Facebook including Saskatchewan (https://www.facebook.com/groups/977005726442284/?ref=share). She has also created a website (www.covidlonghaulcanada.com) with a number of different resources for people to access.
“Most people find that once they find the group that it is a big sigh of relief for them knowing that they are not alone. People don’t understand what we are going through and how could you understand if you haven’t gone through it yourself? There are all kinds of symptoms and debilitating things so it just provides some recognition that we are in a community.”
While much is still unknown about how COVID-19 will affect people over time, the Mayo Clinic stated those potentially long-lasting problems from COVID-19 make it even more important to reduce the spread by following precautions like wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding crowds, getting a vaccine when available and keeping hands clean.
When it comes to following those precautions, Goulding is frustrated when she hears there are people still not adhering to them or who think COVID-19 is a joke. “At first I was very frustrated and tried to reason with these people. I don’t think there is really any reasoning with them until they find out for themselves. Then they live with a lot of regret. They may get another family member sick or someone may pass away. They end up doing collateral damage, end up being a long hauler or having a severe case of COVID-19. That turns them around rather quickly but for me, I am focusing on much more positive things and I don’t worry about them anymore because there is no sense in changing their minds. Sometimes they may have to learn the hard way.”
For those who do consider themselves long haulers, when asked what is one of the most important things for them to do, Goulding said, “Find your support system and people who are positively influencing you and believe what is going on. Definitely be your own advocate as far as getting help from the medical profession. Do some homework and believe in yourself that this is happening to you and find strength in others coming together.”
As for McLean, after contracting COVID-19 on Jan. 20, 2021, she is still not 100 percent but is glad to be enjoying some of the tasks she could not do four months ago. She is also thankful to have found some support along the way. “I know there are many people who are or will experience lingering symptoms from this virus. I have found so much guidance and peace of mind by listening to other experiences. Knowledge is power and we are still gathering as much knowledge as we can about this virus and what it does to the human body physically and mentally.”
By being transparent about her journey, McLean hopes her story will help others while reducing the stigma surrounding contracting and being sick with COVID-19. “Whether you have had COVID-19, know someone or are caring for someone who had COVID-19, or lost someone you love due to COVID-19, it is important to know that we are all human and that we are all doing the best we can.”
Along with sharing her experience and being transparent, McLean has received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and hopes to return to her regular routine soon. She has also adopted a recovery plan with the help of her doctors, nurses, specialists, and therapists. “I can see improvements week to week in my symptoms and try really hard to focus on the progress rather than the setbacks. Some people only get a mild case of COVID-19 and some of us end up as long haulers. I often say I feel like one of the lucky ones as some people who fall ill with COVID-19 don’t get a chance to come home.”
Daniel Bushman
It has been an arduous time as many people have done their best to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions finally begin to lift in Saskatchewan and vaccinations continue to be administered, for those who have contracted COVID-19, the journey to recovery has taken time and for some, it continues.
According to the Mayo Clinic, most people who have COVID-19 recover completely within a few weeks but for others like Watrous resident Cindy McLean and Oakville, Ont. Covid Long-Haulers Support Group Canada creator Susie Goulding, symptoms can linger for weeks and even months.
Described as long haulers, effects of COVID-19 can persist for more than four weeks in people after being diagnosed with the virus. While older people and those with many serious medical conditions are most likely to experience the lingering symptoms, the Mayo Clinic said even young and healthy people can feel unwell for weeks and months after being infected with symptoms.
For McLean who considers herself a COVID-19 long hauler, her road to recovery has been a lengthy one that still continues. The pharmacist in Watrous was first swabbed for COVID-19 back in Jan. 20, 2021 and after testing positive, she began her isolation period.
“I isolated for 21 days in my basement and my husband and my son, who both tested negative, isolated upstairs for 14 days,” said McLean. “I slept mostly 18 to 20 hours a day during my weeks in isolation. I was hospitalized twice and battled with severe fatigue and dehydration. I felt mentally and physically defeated as I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t getting better.”
Like others who have tested positive for COVID-19, McLean’s infection did not present with some of the typical symptoms such as a cough, sneezing or shortness of breath. Instead, she had extreme fatigue, confusion, dizziness, and weakness which ended with nausea, loss of appetite, muscle pain, fever, night sweats, dehydration, headaches, blood clotting, memory problems and brain fog.
“When I learned I had COVID-19 I felt scared, sad, angry, embarrassed, anxious, and overwhelmed. I had spent the last year doing everything in my power to keep myself, my family and the public I deal with safe from COVID-19. For me these feelings created a cascade of anxiety and shame. I second guessed every place I had gone, I analyzed every item I carried, and I worried about every person that I had talked to or had contact with in the last two weeks.”
Still not knowing where she contracted COVID-19 from, McLean also shared that because of her positive diagnosis, four of her co-workers who all tested negative were put into isolation for two weeks as the remaining staff were left to try and keep the doors open while providing an essential service to the public. “I want people to know that collectively almost all of us have been impacted in someway by COVID-19. People who are isolating or who are sick with COVID-19 are still people and need compassion and understanding.”
As those long days of dealing with COVID-19 began to turn into weeks, Cindy said it was not until she accepted that she was really sick that things began to get easier and her anxiety started to lift.
“I realized I wasn’t going to work the next week and I wasn’t cooking supper; my only job was to heal because that was all I could do. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent support system of my husband and son, my parents and in-laws, friends, and co-workers who enabled me to take the time I needed.”
Hoping she would bounce back after her 21 days in isolation, McLean said her daily improvement felt like it was going at a snail’s pace. “Weeks turned into months and I was improving so slowly that I was discouraged and depressed. I can remember one night I was trying to watch a hockey game and I couldn’t keep up with where the puck was on the ice.”
Not only was trying to focus on a hockey game hard but other things that were normally no problem for Cindy became nearly impossible. Climbing the stairs, walking to the end of her block, making herself something to eat were also out of the equation during the first months of having COVID-19. But it was through those tough times where she was encouraged to reach out and join a few support groups where she could hear similar experiences from others.
Once Cindy found a few of those groups, she felt more empowered and comforted to know that thousands of people across the country were also experiencing many of the same symptoms and emotions that she was.
One of those places that McLean found comfort in was the Covid Long-Haulers Support Group Canada (https://www.facebook.com/groups/920314451799658/?ref=share) established on Facebook. Created by Susie Goulding out of Oakville, Ont., the private group is currently the largest one of its kind in the country with over 13,500 members.
Like Cindy, Susie has also been working through her own lingering effects of COVID-19. Getting sick Mar. 21, 2020, Goulding figured she got the virus after a daily screening at a hospital. A few days later, she experienced a sore throat before a bunch of symptoms arrived shortly after that. While she didn’t have any trouble breathing or experienced a fever, Goulding recalled getting an ear, nose, throat and
sinus infection along with a cough. Susie also had extreme fatigue, found it hard to swallow and developed brain fog, things she still deals with today.
“I was suffering from severe cognitive dysfunction and fatigue to the point that it was completely debilitating. But my main issues were affecting the brain. Brain fog is like living with a broken brain and feels as though I have Alzheimer’s. You can't think straight, your memory is terrible, you forget everything and have so many issues. It's like trying to function with half your brain shut down. The fatigue that I also got left me lifeless for months. To this date, the injury to my brain is still healing.”
Early on, Goulding also dealt with intense pressure at the back of her head near the base of her skull. “It felt like I had been hit with a baseball bat.” Things then moved into her digestive system and affected her heart. “At one point I thought I might die because I felt like I was having a heart attack. My heart was racing and having unusual rhythms and it was really scary but I learnt to get up the next day and to just live with my symptoms.”
Since the pandemic was relatively new in Canada when Susie's numerous symptoms related to COVID-19 arrived, testing was not readily available at that time to confirm it was a positive case. With her condition worsening, by June 2020 Goulding went to the hospital with about 35 different symptoms related to the virus.
It was at that time her doctor felt Susie could assume she had COVID-19 along with a viral infection. “My doctor said we will do the test but it will probably come back negative because at that point it was over two months since I first had COVID-19.”
Goulding was not surprised when the test came back negative but with the severity of her condition and because of the lack of knowledge and information presented to her, she wanted to try and find others who went through similar experiences.
“My understanding is around 25 to 35 percent of all COVID-19 cases end up being long haulers and 85 to 95 percent of hospitalized cases are people who will become long haulers. Because there are so many of us, that is why I wanted to start the support group online,” she said from her Oakville, Ont. home. “The support group is to address these issues and bring Canadians together on a platform where we could speak about our COVID-19 culture which is much further behind what was happening in Europe and completely different than in the United States. Every country has its own culture as to what is happening and how the virus is progressing. I felt it was important to have our own safe place to speak with each other and to gain information.”
Launching her long haulers support group page in 2020, it has since ballooned to more than 13,500 members. During the first wave of the pandemic, Goulding noted many who joined were mostly middle-aged. Now most new members are those between 20 and 40 years old.
“There is another bracket of people who are not recovering. We are trying to reach out to other people to make them understand that this is something that needs to be really taken into consideration when masking up or not masking up and setting out. We just want people to be protecting themselves properly because you don’t want to end up as a long hauler.”
With members from all across Canada as part of the online support group, Goulding hopes to one day approach the federal government with the knowledge of letting them know what is needed to address the complexity and issues surrounding long haulers.
To reach a larger audience while allowing safe places for long haulers to share their experiences and information, Goulding recently branched out into provincial groups on Facebook including Saskatchewan (https://www.facebook.com/groups/977005726442284/?ref=share). She has also created a website (www.covidlonghaulcanada.com) with a number of different resources for people to access.
“Most people find that once they find the group that it is a big sigh of relief for them knowing that they are not alone. People don’t understand what we are going through and how could you understand if you haven’t gone through it yourself? There are all kinds of symptoms and debilitating things so it just provides some recognition that we are in a community.”
While much is still unknown about how COVID-19 will affect people over time, the Mayo Clinic stated those potentially long-lasting problems from COVID-19 make it even more important to reduce the spread by following precautions like wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding crowds, getting a vaccine when available and keeping hands clean.
When it comes to following those precautions, Goulding is frustrated when she hears there are people still not adhering to them or who think COVID-19 is a joke. “At first I was very frustrated and tried to reason with these people. I don’t think there is really any reasoning with them until they find out for themselves. Then they live with a lot of regret. They may get another family member sick or someone may pass away. They end up doing collateral damage, end up being a long hauler or having a severe case of COVID-19. That turns them around rather quickly but for me, I am focusing on much more positive things and I don’t worry about them anymore because there is no sense in changing their minds. Sometimes they may have to learn the hard way.”
For those who do consider themselves long haulers, when asked what is one of the most important things for them to do, Goulding said, “Find your support system and people who are positively influencing you and believe what is going on. Definitely be your own advocate as far as getting help from the medical profession. Do some homework and believe in yourself that this is happening to you and find strength in others coming together.”
As for McLean, after contracting COVID-19 on Jan. 20, 2021, she is still not 100 percent but is glad to be enjoying some of the tasks she could not do four months ago. She is also thankful to have found some support along the way. “I know there are many people who are or will experience lingering symptoms from this virus. I have found so much guidance and peace of mind by listening to other experiences. Knowledge is power and we are still gathering as much knowledge as we can about this virus and what it does to the human body physically and mentally.”
By being transparent about her journey, McLean hopes her story will help others while reducing the stigma surrounding contracting and being sick with COVID-19. “Whether you have had COVID-19, know someone or are caring for someone who had COVID-19, or lost someone you love due to COVID-19, it is important to know that we are all human and that we are all doing the best we can.”
Along with sharing her experience and being transparent, McLean has received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and hopes to return to her regular routine soon. She has also adopted a recovery plan with the help of her doctors, nurses, specialists, and therapists. “I can see improvements week to week in my symptoms and try really hard to focus on the progress rather than the setbacks. Some people only get a mild case of COVID-19 and some of us end up as long haulers. I often say I feel like one of the lucky ones as some people who fall ill with COVID-19 don’t get a chance to come home.”
TWM Top Story - May 31, 2021
Area soaks up needed rain
Daniel Bushman
While more moisture is needed, the snow and rain that arrived heading into the May long weekend provided a massive injection into what was a very dry region. With drought-like conditions across the prairies this spring including within the local area, the clouds finally opened up and the moisture arrived.
After experiencing temperatures above 30˚C early on in the week, heading into May 21, a snowfall warning was issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. That snow which fell in various parts of the province was then followed by rain during portions of the weekend and into Victoria Day. Moving north from Montana the spring rainstorm even prompted rainfall warnings for parts of west-central Saskatchewan May 24.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Watrous accumulated at least 7.4 mm May 21, 25.9 mm May 24 and 3.3 mm May 25 for 36.6 mm or just about 1.5 inches.
The Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary area received 9.7 mm May 21, 2.1 mm May 23, at least 26.7 mm of rain May 24 and 2.8 mm May 24 for a total of 41.3 mm or just over 1.6 inches.
While data was unavailable for Lanigan, resident Aron Renwick said his rain gauge hit 1.6 inches over the weekend and including May 24 it reached 2.2 inches.
As for other areas in the province, the following are 24 hour rainfall amounts in millimetres as of 4 p.m. May 24:
Sourced from Environment and Climate Change Canada observation network: Waseca 51.9, Rosetown 42.1, Scott 40.4, Moose Jaw 37.4, North Battleford 36.2, Spiritwood 35.4, Yellow Grass 33, Estevan 32.1, Outlook 32.1, Saskatoon 30.6, Indian Head 30.5, Meadow Lake 30.3, Weyburn 30.2, Elbow 27.6, and Regina 27.2. Sourced from Saskatchewan Fire observation network: Northwest of Spiritwood (Birch) 54.6 and Meadow Lake area (Divde) 36.1. Sourced from CoCoRahs as of 7 a.m. on May 24: Vibank 36.1, Craven 32.3, and Lumsden 32.0. Sourced from volunteer observation networks as of 8 a.m. May 24: Estevan 36.8, Fort Qu’Appelle 30.5, Strasbourg 26.7, and Assiniboia 24.9.
Heading into what is considered the rainy season for Saskatchewan, Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture in Humboldt said with fields so dry the moisture was very welcome in the region. “Producers who finished seeding early and were hoping to get away to the lake or go camping over the long weekend may have been slightly disgruntled by the rain but for the most part it has put minds at ease for now.”
Brown said the much needed precipitation will help in a big way. “This moisture is going to help all crops, early seeded crops that were starting to scavenge deeper for moisture will be soaking it in and anything that was seeded shallower into a dryer seedbed will start germinating. It’s also very welcome for the ranchers who have had pastures beaten with dry conditions these past few years, this early moisture will start the pastures in the right direction.”
While the rains were a nice addition as the month of May neared an end, the cold temperatures arriving a few days prior forcing frost warnings were not. When asked if the frost will hurt some of the seeded crops, Brown said it depends on the crop type and the environmental conditions.
“Wet soils, dew and rain can buffer against a frost to a certain degree compared to dry soils. Spring cereals can handle frosts as low as -6˚C and the growing point remains below the soil surface until the three to five leaf stage so it has the ability to continue growing even if the first couple leaves die. New leaf growth usually appears in two to three days.”
Brown continued by stating, “Canola can survive a light frost that doesn’t damage the growing point, stage plays a factor as cotyledon is more susceptible than plants in the three to four leaf stage.” Following the frost, Brown recommends assessing injury three to five days after and if the growing point is green, firm and not pinched off the plant will recover. He also noted it may take up to 10 days to show regrowth depending on environmental conditions.
Flax is also susceptible like canola according to the Crops Extension Specialist as the cotyledons emerge above ground but it can still tolerate a frost around -3˚C. “Once past the two leaf stage and hardened off it can tolerate temperatures as low as -8˚C for a short time. Peas and lentils have good frost tolerance and can withstand temperatures in the -4˚C to -6˚C range and even if the frost kills the plant it has the ability to regrow from one of the scale nodes. Keep in mind this will delay maturity as you’re basically hitting the reset button on that plant.”
Brown said for those who were hit with a frost, wait at least 48 to 72 hours to check for damage and regrowth. “Frost damage isn’t always immediately visible and that time frame allows for some regrowth and a more accurate assessment can be made. If temperatures are cool, plant growth will slow down and it will take longer to see regrowth.”
As producers assess the damage, if any from the May frost, Brown added while the area received a nice dose of rain, more moisture would be welcome. “We will want more rain in the coming weeks for sure but right now I’d like to see some warmer temperatures and sun so these crops can get a good establishment. Canola seed treatments will only have activity for three weeks and may potentially stretch to four weeks after seeding. We want to see those plants reach the three to four leaf stage to no longer be vulnerable to economic levels of flea beetle damage.”
As far as how things are going in the fields, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for May 18 to 24, even with the rain, producers were still able to seed throughout all regions. Eighty-six percent of the crop was seeded in Saskatchewan, which is ahead of the five-year average of 77 percent for this time of year. Recent rains will greatly improve crop germination and emergence in many parts of the province that were delayed due to dry conditions.
The southwest region is the farthest along with 91 percent of the crop seeded. Eighty-nine percent has been seeded in the west-central, 87 percent seeded in the northwest, 86 percent seeded in the southeast, 85 percent seeded in the northeast and lastly, 77 percent seeded in the east-central region of the province.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six percent surplus, 80 percent adequate, 11 percent short and three percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four percent surplus, 66 percent adequate, 26 percent short and four percent very short. Pasture conditions are rated as zero percent excellent, 17 percent good, 39 percent fair, 34 percent poor and 10 percent very poor.
According to the Crop Report, earlier seeded crops have started to show good emergence, but cool night time temperatures have slowed growth in some areas.
Daniel Bushman
While more moisture is needed, the snow and rain that arrived heading into the May long weekend provided a massive injection into what was a very dry region. With drought-like conditions across the prairies this spring including within the local area, the clouds finally opened up and the moisture arrived.
After experiencing temperatures above 30˚C early on in the week, heading into May 21, a snowfall warning was issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. That snow which fell in various parts of the province was then followed by rain during portions of the weekend and into Victoria Day. Moving north from Montana the spring rainstorm even prompted rainfall warnings for parts of west-central Saskatchewan May 24.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Watrous accumulated at least 7.4 mm May 21, 25.9 mm May 24 and 3.3 mm May 25 for 36.6 mm or just about 1.5 inches.
The Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary area received 9.7 mm May 21, 2.1 mm May 23, at least 26.7 mm of rain May 24 and 2.8 mm May 24 for a total of 41.3 mm or just over 1.6 inches.
While data was unavailable for Lanigan, resident Aron Renwick said his rain gauge hit 1.6 inches over the weekend and including May 24 it reached 2.2 inches.
As for other areas in the province, the following are 24 hour rainfall amounts in millimetres as of 4 p.m. May 24:
Sourced from Environment and Climate Change Canada observation network: Waseca 51.9, Rosetown 42.1, Scott 40.4, Moose Jaw 37.4, North Battleford 36.2, Spiritwood 35.4, Yellow Grass 33, Estevan 32.1, Outlook 32.1, Saskatoon 30.6, Indian Head 30.5, Meadow Lake 30.3, Weyburn 30.2, Elbow 27.6, and Regina 27.2. Sourced from Saskatchewan Fire observation network: Northwest of Spiritwood (Birch) 54.6 and Meadow Lake area (Divde) 36.1. Sourced from CoCoRahs as of 7 a.m. on May 24: Vibank 36.1, Craven 32.3, and Lumsden 32.0. Sourced from volunteer observation networks as of 8 a.m. May 24: Estevan 36.8, Fort Qu’Appelle 30.5, Strasbourg 26.7, and Assiniboia 24.9.
Heading into what is considered the rainy season for Saskatchewan, Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture in Humboldt said with fields so dry the moisture was very welcome in the region. “Producers who finished seeding early and were hoping to get away to the lake or go camping over the long weekend may have been slightly disgruntled by the rain but for the most part it has put minds at ease for now.”
Brown said the much needed precipitation will help in a big way. “This moisture is going to help all crops, early seeded crops that were starting to scavenge deeper for moisture will be soaking it in and anything that was seeded shallower into a dryer seedbed will start germinating. It’s also very welcome for the ranchers who have had pastures beaten with dry conditions these past few years, this early moisture will start the pastures in the right direction.”
While the rains were a nice addition as the month of May neared an end, the cold temperatures arriving a few days prior forcing frost warnings were not. When asked if the frost will hurt some of the seeded crops, Brown said it depends on the crop type and the environmental conditions.
“Wet soils, dew and rain can buffer against a frost to a certain degree compared to dry soils. Spring cereals can handle frosts as low as -6˚C and the growing point remains below the soil surface until the three to five leaf stage so it has the ability to continue growing even if the first couple leaves die. New leaf growth usually appears in two to three days.”
Brown continued by stating, “Canola can survive a light frost that doesn’t damage the growing point, stage plays a factor as cotyledon is more susceptible than plants in the three to four leaf stage.” Following the frost, Brown recommends assessing injury three to five days after and if the growing point is green, firm and not pinched off the plant will recover. He also noted it may take up to 10 days to show regrowth depending on environmental conditions.
Flax is also susceptible like canola according to the Crops Extension Specialist as the cotyledons emerge above ground but it can still tolerate a frost around -3˚C. “Once past the two leaf stage and hardened off it can tolerate temperatures as low as -8˚C for a short time. Peas and lentils have good frost tolerance and can withstand temperatures in the -4˚C to -6˚C range and even if the frost kills the plant it has the ability to regrow from one of the scale nodes. Keep in mind this will delay maturity as you’re basically hitting the reset button on that plant.”
Brown said for those who were hit with a frost, wait at least 48 to 72 hours to check for damage and regrowth. “Frost damage isn’t always immediately visible and that time frame allows for some regrowth and a more accurate assessment can be made. If temperatures are cool, plant growth will slow down and it will take longer to see regrowth.”
As producers assess the damage, if any from the May frost, Brown added while the area received a nice dose of rain, more moisture would be welcome. “We will want more rain in the coming weeks for sure but right now I’d like to see some warmer temperatures and sun so these crops can get a good establishment. Canola seed treatments will only have activity for three weeks and may potentially stretch to four weeks after seeding. We want to see those plants reach the three to four leaf stage to no longer be vulnerable to economic levels of flea beetle damage.”
As far as how things are going in the fields, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for May 18 to 24, even with the rain, producers were still able to seed throughout all regions. Eighty-six percent of the crop was seeded in Saskatchewan, which is ahead of the five-year average of 77 percent for this time of year. Recent rains will greatly improve crop germination and emergence in many parts of the province that were delayed due to dry conditions.
The southwest region is the farthest along with 91 percent of the crop seeded. Eighty-nine percent has been seeded in the west-central, 87 percent seeded in the northwest, 86 percent seeded in the southeast, 85 percent seeded in the northeast and lastly, 77 percent seeded in the east-central region of the province.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six percent surplus, 80 percent adequate, 11 percent short and three percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four percent surplus, 66 percent adequate, 26 percent short and four percent very short. Pasture conditions are rated as zero percent excellent, 17 percent good, 39 percent fair, 34 percent poor and 10 percent very poor.
According to the Crop Report, earlier seeded crops have started to show good emergence, but cool night time temperatures have slowed growth in some areas.
TWM Top Story - May 24, 2021
Moisture arrives after concerns about dry conditions
Daniel Bushman
While some moisture arrived in the form of snow and rain as the May long weekend approached, a lack of moisture over the past few months has created very dry conditions in Saskatchewan.
Labelled as quite serious by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips, he added the drought-like conditions could very well become the big weather story of the year in Canada. “Some people are calling it a mega drought and I had a farmer email me from southwest Saskatchewan who has been farming for 65 years and collecting weather data for 45 and can’t remember a drier six months than what he has had now.”
Phillips said when it comes to precipitation accumulation dating back to the first of the year, Saskatchewan has less than 25 percent of what the province normally would have. Going back over the last 18 months, it is less than 50 percent of normal. “It is dry, there is no question.”
Having record breaking days of warm values last week did not help the situation as several places including the local area posted new highs including reaching 32˚C; a number that was about 10 to 12˚C warmer than normal. However, as the heat wave arrived, it was pushed out of the way later in the week as temperatures dropped. That also paved the way for the potential of moisture leading into the province’s wettest part of the year.
With May, June, July and August accounting for over 60 percent of the annual precipitation in Saskatchewan, Phillips said, “If it is going to rain, these next four months is when it does rain.
“At least we are into that beginning of the wet season and June is your wettest month and there is hope that will bring some relief.”
Weather records broken
With summer like temperatures, records throughout Saskatchewan were broken early last week. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, at least 20 areas tied or set new daily maximum temperature records on May 17. Some of those included: Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary) area with a new record of 31.5˚C. The previous record of 27.0˚C was set in 1988; Moose Jaw area with a new record of 31.9˚C. The previous record was 31.7˚C set in 1964; Saskatoon area with a new record of 32.6˚C. The previous record was 30.6˚C set in 1901; Swift Current area with a new record of 31.2˚C. The previous record was 30.7˚C set in 2006; Watrous area with a new record of 31.7˚C. The previous record of 29.4˚C was set in 1964; and the Wynyard area with a new record of 29.9˚C. The previous record of 27.4˚C was set in 1988.
The following day, nine more records were broken across the province May 18. A few of those included: Last Mountain Lake with a new record of 32.3˚C. The previous record was 30.0˚C set in 1992; the Watrous area with a new record of 32.1˚C. The previous record of 29.5˚C was set in 1992; and the Wynyard area with a new record of 31.9˚C. The previous record of 29.3˚C was set in 1992.
After two record breaking days early on in the week, as the long weekend approached, the 30˚C weather was replaced by below-normal values. It even included Environment and Climate Change Canada issuing a snowfall warning for the local area as snow and rain arrived overnight Thursday, May 20. The low pressure system spread snow and freezing rain to portions of Saskatchewan. Total snowfall accumulations were projected to be as high as 10 to 15 cm by the time it tapered off.
Tornado and dust devil activity
With a lack of moisture leading into the latter part
of May, dust devils have become more of a common occurrence. Phillips noted while they can be spotted in dry places like deserts, when it gets dry they can be found on the prairies as well.
“They appear especially at this time of year if you get some sun baked surfaces. When there is lots of surface heating that bakes the surface like a tarmac or a field, it can absorb the heat and warm up.”
With it being cool above the atmosphere and warm on the surface below that creates a rather unstable situation and Phillips said that can make for dust devils to spiral onto the scene. “On the prairies they can be a good size. They vary from a half a metre to about 10 metres wide and can be a few metres high to I’ve heard reports of 1,000 metres high. It can circulate clockwise or counterclockwise and can appear generally in the early afternoon during the heat of the day. The sun really bakes the ground, the air rises and then there is inflow of cooler air at the surface to where that air has risen, almost like a little vortex.”
While they usually are not sustainable, Phillips noted they look like tornadoes but are not really the same thing. “Tornadoes begin as a rotating cloud while these things begin at the surface and go up to a certain height and then are finished.”
With a few more sightings of dust devils this year, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada a tornado was also reported. At approximately 12:25 p.m. May 12 a brief tornado was observed about 10 kms northwest of Saskatoon. Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated there were no reports of damage and the tornado was given a preliminary rating of EF0.
Considered a landspout tornado, Environment and Climate Change Canada stated that it was generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms. Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous as they can topple trees, damage roofs, or toss debris a short distance.
Crop conditions
Trying to deal with the elements, the lack of moisture has allowed producers to get on the fields and in turn pushed seeding progress well-ahead of the five-year average.
According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for May 11 to 17, producers made tremendous progress with 74 percent of the 2021 crop seeded. That bests the five-year average of 48 percent for this time of year.
Overall, 82 percent of the crop has been seeded in the southwest region. Seventy-nine percent has been seeded in the southeast, 77 percent seeded in both the west-central and northwest regions and 63 percent seeded in the east-central and northeast regions.
There was scattered rainfall in the province with the Tisdale area receiving the highest amount at 25 mm thanks to a thunderstorm. The Christopher Lake area received 13 mm and the Pelly area received 10 mm.
Limited precipitation and warm windy conditions throughout the province have further reduced topsoil moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as zero percent surplus, 20 percent adequate, 48 percent short and 32 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as zero percent surplus, 13 percent adequate, 36 percent short and 50 percent very short.
According to the Crop Report, some farmers halted seeding canola while they waited for rain in the forecast. Others have opted to seed wheat or other cereals instead. Very little spraying is happening in the province due to low weed emergence and strong winds making for poor spraying conditions. For many parts of the province where precipitation has been very low, crop germination has been poor and patchy.
Fire bans
Throughout the province a number of fire bans remain in effect. According to the Saskatchewan Daily Municipal Fire Ban map, as of May 19, a total of 164 active RM fire bans were in effect while 42 active Urban Municipality fire bans were implemented (either advisories or partial bans). Those included the local area as a number of RMs and Urban Municipalities kept their bans in place from earlier this month.
With conditions so dry, a state of emergency was declared by the City of Prince Albert last Monday after a fire continued to grow northeast of the community. According to news reports the wildfire started around 2:30 p.m. May 19 in the RM of Buckland and high winds pushed it across city boundaries.
The City of Prince Albert said as of 4:30 p.m. May 18 the fire continued to grow in size and was approximately 40 square kilometres. The City registered 75 evacuated households as of May 19 and several roads in the vicinity around the fire were closed.
As of 8:30 a.m. May 20, the fire Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) reported the Cloverdale Fire as contained. Evacuees in the City of Prince Albert and RM of Buckland were able to return home. Evacuees that returned home were on a precautionary evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave on short notice when advised.
SaskPower said the fire also caused significant damage to a major transmission line. With the fire active, the company said they were working to carry out repairs as soon as possible; however, many impacted customers were likely to remain without power until Wednesday at the earliest.
Phillips said the massive fire near Prince Albert is also an indication that the dry conditions mixed with strong winds is not just taking place on fields. “This is (also) a forest fire issue, domestic and industrial water issue and even for recreation and tourism.”
Phillips said what is needed for the whole economy in Saskatchewan is a slow motion, percolating three day rain that doesn’t rain hard but rains throughout. “That is the soaking rain that can get down to where the seed is and really bring a lot of smiles to people’s faces and improve the outlook dramatically.”
Daniel Bushman
While some moisture arrived in the form of snow and rain as the May long weekend approached, a lack of moisture over the past few months has created very dry conditions in Saskatchewan.
Labelled as quite serious by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips, he added the drought-like conditions could very well become the big weather story of the year in Canada. “Some people are calling it a mega drought and I had a farmer email me from southwest Saskatchewan who has been farming for 65 years and collecting weather data for 45 and can’t remember a drier six months than what he has had now.”
Phillips said when it comes to precipitation accumulation dating back to the first of the year, Saskatchewan has less than 25 percent of what the province normally would have. Going back over the last 18 months, it is less than 50 percent of normal. “It is dry, there is no question.”
Having record breaking days of warm values last week did not help the situation as several places including the local area posted new highs including reaching 32˚C; a number that was about 10 to 12˚C warmer than normal. However, as the heat wave arrived, it was pushed out of the way later in the week as temperatures dropped. That also paved the way for the potential of moisture leading into the province’s wettest part of the year.
With May, June, July and August accounting for over 60 percent of the annual precipitation in Saskatchewan, Phillips said, “If it is going to rain, these next four months is when it does rain.
“At least we are into that beginning of the wet season and June is your wettest month and there is hope that will bring some relief.”
Weather records broken
With summer like temperatures, records throughout Saskatchewan were broken early last week. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, at least 20 areas tied or set new daily maximum temperature records on May 17. Some of those included: Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary) area with a new record of 31.5˚C. The previous record of 27.0˚C was set in 1988; Moose Jaw area with a new record of 31.9˚C. The previous record was 31.7˚C set in 1964; Saskatoon area with a new record of 32.6˚C. The previous record was 30.6˚C set in 1901; Swift Current area with a new record of 31.2˚C. The previous record was 30.7˚C set in 2006; Watrous area with a new record of 31.7˚C. The previous record of 29.4˚C was set in 1964; and the Wynyard area with a new record of 29.9˚C. The previous record of 27.4˚C was set in 1988.
The following day, nine more records were broken across the province May 18. A few of those included: Last Mountain Lake with a new record of 32.3˚C. The previous record was 30.0˚C set in 1992; the Watrous area with a new record of 32.1˚C. The previous record of 29.5˚C was set in 1992; and the Wynyard area with a new record of 31.9˚C. The previous record of 29.3˚C was set in 1992.
After two record breaking days early on in the week, as the long weekend approached, the 30˚C weather was replaced by below-normal values. It even included Environment and Climate Change Canada issuing a snowfall warning for the local area as snow and rain arrived overnight Thursday, May 20. The low pressure system spread snow and freezing rain to portions of Saskatchewan. Total snowfall accumulations were projected to be as high as 10 to 15 cm by the time it tapered off.
Tornado and dust devil activity
With a lack of moisture leading into the latter part
of May, dust devils have become more of a common occurrence. Phillips noted while they can be spotted in dry places like deserts, when it gets dry they can be found on the prairies as well.
“They appear especially at this time of year if you get some sun baked surfaces. When there is lots of surface heating that bakes the surface like a tarmac or a field, it can absorb the heat and warm up.”
With it being cool above the atmosphere and warm on the surface below that creates a rather unstable situation and Phillips said that can make for dust devils to spiral onto the scene. “On the prairies they can be a good size. They vary from a half a metre to about 10 metres wide and can be a few metres high to I’ve heard reports of 1,000 metres high. It can circulate clockwise or counterclockwise and can appear generally in the early afternoon during the heat of the day. The sun really bakes the ground, the air rises and then there is inflow of cooler air at the surface to where that air has risen, almost like a little vortex.”
While they usually are not sustainable, Phillips noted they look like tornadoes but are not really the same thing. “Tornadoes begin as a rotating cloud while these things begin at the surface and go up to a certain height and then are finished.”
With a few more sightings of dust devils this year, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada a tornado was also reported. At approximately 12:25 p.m. May 12 a brief tornado was observed about 10 kms northwest of Saskatoon. Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated there were no reports of damage and the tornado was given a preliminary rating of EF0.
Considered a landspout tornado, Environment and Climate Change Canada stated that it was generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms. Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous as they can topple trees, damage roofs, or toss debris a short distance.
Crop conditions
Trying to deal with the elements, the lack of moisture has allowed producers to get on the fields and in turn pushed seeding progress well-ahead of the five-year average.
According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for May 11 to 17, producers made tremendous progress with 74 percent of the 2021 crop seeded. That bests the five-year average of 48 percent for this time of year.
Overall, 82 percent of the crop has been seeded in the southwest region. Seventy-nine percent has been seeded in the southeast, 77 percent seeded in both the west-central and northwest regions and 63 percent seeded in the east-central and northeast regions.
There was scattered rainfall in the province with the Tisdale area receiving the highest amount at 25 mm thanks to a thunderstorm. The Christopher Lake area received 13 mm and the Pelly area received 10 mm.
Limited precipitation and warm windy conditions throughout the province have further reduced topsoil moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as zero percent surplus, 20 percent adequate, 48 percent short and 32 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as zero percent surplus, 13 percent adequate, 36 percent short and 50 percent very short.
According to the Crop Report, some farmers halted seeding canola while they waited for rain in the forecast. Others have opted to seed wheat or other cereals instead. Very little spraying is happening in the province due to low weed emergence and strong winds making for poor spraying conditions. For many parts of the province where precipitation has been very low, crop germination has been poor and patchy.
Fire bans
Throughout the province a number of fire bans remain in effect. According to the Saskatchewan Daily Municipal Fire Ban map, as of May 19, a total of 164 active RM fire bans were in effect while 42 active Urban Municipality fire bans were implemented (either advisories or partial bans). Those included the local area as a number of RMs and Urban Municipalities kept their bans in place from earlier this month.
With conditions so dry, a state of emergency was declared by the City of Prince Albert last Monday after a fire continued to grow northeast of the community. According to news reports the wildfire started around 2:30 p.m. May 19 in the RM of Buckland and high winds pushed it across city boundaries.
The City of Prince Albert said as of 4:30 p.m. May 18 the fire continued to grow in size and was approximately 40 square kilometres. The City registered 75 evacuated households as of May 19 and several roads in the vicinity around the fire were closed.
As of 8:30 a.m. May 20, the fire Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) reported the Cloverdale Fire as contained. Evacuees in the City of Prince Albert and RM of Buckland were able to return home. Evacuees that returned home were on a precautionary evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave on short notice when advised.
SaskPower said the fire also caused significant damage to a major transmission line. With the fire active, the company said they were working to carry out repairs as soon as possible; however, many impacted customers were likely to remain without power until Wednesday at the earliest.
Phillips said the massive fire near Prince Albert is also an indication that the dry conditions mixed with strong winds is not just taking place on fields. “This is (also) a forest fire issue, domestic and industrial water issue and even for recreation and tourism.”
Phillips said what is needed for the whole economy in Saskatchewan is a slow motion, percolating three day rain that doesn’t rain hard but rains throughout. “That is the soaking rain that can get down to where the seed is and really bring a lot of smiles to people’s faces and improve the outlook dramatically.”
TWM Top Story - May 17, 2021
Remembering the first flights of Saskatchewan Air Ambulance
Daniel Bushman
From its inaugural flight to the Liberty area in 1946 to transporting more than 71,000 patients requiring urgent and critical care over the decades, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has been an instrumental part in helping to save lives. As the emergency response service which also happens to be the oldest, non-military, government air ambulance service in the world got off the ground 75 years ago, it has remained vital ever since.
With trains running on limited schedules, rough roads creating lengthy delays in rural areas and harsh winters forcing people to remain at home, then Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas had the idea of a flying ambulance that did not need to use those roads or wait for trains.
So when Saskatchewan Air Ambulance became airborne in 1946, the critical service’s first flight was to the Liberty area. Born in 1924 and residing on a farm near the community, Ivan Drimmie remembers that flight and a subsequent one that landed close by. While he was not at the inaugural flight when the Norseman-brand plane took off from its original home base in Regina to Liberty, he recalled what happened.
Landing northwest of Liberty about 4.8 kms (or three miles) from Drimmie’s place, the air service provided care to a woman suffering from diabetes-related complications. In the Liberty history book, ‘Early Days to Modern Ways’, it stated that Katie (nee Wolff) Mahoney was the first patient in the province to be picked up by the service when it was inaugurated Feb. 4, 1946. Married to Dennis in 1920, the couple farmed land four miles northwest of Liberty. After being transported to Regina by the air ambulance, Katie later passed away Feb. 5, 1946.
It was not long after that flight when the service returned to the area to pick up Drimmie’s neighbour who had leukemia.
Around 24 years old, Drimmie who attended the air ambulance’s second pick up in the rural area said, “Of course in the country during the winter there were no passable roads at that time. The air ambulance had just started out and landed on a field about a half a mile from our place. It landed and ran all the way to the other end pretty well and turned around and came back and had to wait until the patient came down.”
With the aircraft sitting on a field full of snow for about half an hour, by the time Drimmie’s neighbour, her father and two others got to the plane, the skis were frozen to the ground. After loading the patient into the plane, Drimmie said her father went back to his team of horses, navigating them away from the aircraft.
“Then the pilot tried to take off and he couldn’t because the skis were frozen to the ground so he asked us to get behind the tail and push,” said Drimmie from his current residence in Imperial.
Looking to lend a hand, Ivan got behind the tail of the plane with two others and started to push. “There was quite a wind and it finally broke loose.”
While the plane was able to head back to Regina with a patient onboard, that would not be the only time during the air ambulance’s tenure where a plane’s skis became stuck at a remote rural area. On the Canadian Aviation Historical Society Regina Chapter’s website, an article from the Leader-Post dated Dec. 24, 1993 shared that Don Campbell, an RCAF pilot during WWII was brought on by the air ambulance in 1948 and became the supervisor in 1951. In his book, Wings of Mercy, Campbell shared that
Premier Tommy Douglas wanted to go along for the ride to see how the operations were conducted. “On arrival at a remote farm, the aircraft’s skis became stuck in the melting snow. With the engine running and the propeller turning over, Campbell got out to fiddle with the skis. Douglas, in an overcoat and fedora, jumped out, too and went to work on the other ski. A horrified Campbell looked up to see Douglas’s hat being snatched off his head by the propeller. A few more inches and the province would have needed a new premier.”
Hearing the same story about the former premier and his desire to see the operation fine-tuned, Drimmie commended Douglas and all of those involved with Saskatchewan Air Ambulance for having the ability to get the program off the ground. “Having that service was incredible. To see a plane go overhead is one thing but to see it land as close to your place is another thing. The only other alternative was a two hour trip into town to catch a 4:00 train to take you to Regina and that would have taken pretty near most of the day to get out to a hospital service.”
Ivan’s daughter-in-law Connie said her mom, Marilyn Koza remembers the air ambulance service flying to the area to help Marilyn’s grandfather, Ray Tripps. Around the same time period when the two flights went to the Liberty area, Marilyn’s grandfather was also picked up by the service east of Penzance. “He was run over by his one way and struggled to keep consciousness for fear of the tractor circling back and running over him again which had happened to a neighbour,” recalled Connie who shared the story told by her mom. “He spent a long time in the field before someone decided to investigate the rogue tractor. My Mom remembers the plane coming for her grandfather.”
Since those flights to the Liberty and Penzance areas, something that was heralded as a marvel at that time, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance now averages approximately 110 flights per month around the province. There are more than 70 pilots, aircraft engineers, flight nurses, flight paramedics and administrative staff dedicated to providing medevac services to residents of the province.
According to Saskatchewan Air Ambulance, two out of three patient transports are triaged as urgent or emergent requiring critical care, meaning they are in the highest need when the air ambulance arrives and highly trained medical crews are able to provide critical care.
With such an important role to play in helping to save lives, crews are available 24 hours a day and they service every corner of the province from their now current base in Saskatoon at John G. Diefenbaker International Airport. In addition, the four modern King Air planes that are part of the fleet are on call and able to fly anywhere in North America.
The unique and important service also works closely with the neonatal transport teams in Regina and Saskatoon and the pediatric transport team in Saskatoon. Since the beginning, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has played a major role in helping those of all ages. According to the service, in 1948, the first baby was delivered aboard one of its planes between Rose Valley and Wadena. The family was so thankful, they named their baby boy after the pilot who was flying the aircraft.
“Saskatchewan Air Ambulance provides a critical service for the people of the province,” SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Jim Reiter said. “It has a unique and rich history dating back to 1946 and is a lifeline for all corners of Saskatchewan.”
“Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has been a great partner helping us provide high quality care to the people of this province,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the lives they have saved and the critical role they play helping ensure we can get to every corner of this province to help Saskatchewan residents when they are most in need.”
Daniel Bushman
From its inaugural flight to the Liberty area in 1946 to transporting more than 71,000 patients requiring urgent and critical care over the decades, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has been an instrumental part in helping to save lives. As the emergency response service which also happens to be the oldest, non-military, government air ambulance service in the world got off the ground 75 years ago, it has remained vital ever since.
With trains running on limited schedules, rough roads creating lengthy delays in rural areas and harsh winters forcing people to remain at home, then Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas had the idea of a flying ambulance that did not need to use those roads or wait for trains.
So when Saskatchewan Air Ambulance became airborne in 1946, the critical service’s first flight was to the Liberty area. Born in 1924 and residing on a farm near the community, Ivan Drimmie remembers that flight and a subsequent one that landed close by. While he was not at the inaugural flight when the Norseman-brand plane took off from its original home base in Regina to Liberty, he recalled what happened.
Landing northwest of Liberty about 4.8 kms (or three miles) from Drimmie’s place, the air service provided care to a woman suffering from diabetes-related complications. In the Liberty history book, ‘Early Days to Modern Ways’, it stated that Katie (nee Wolff) Mahoney was the first patient in the province to be picked up by the service when it was inaugurated Feb. 4, 1946. Married to Dennis in 1920, the couple farmed land four miles northwest of Liberty. After being transported to Regina by the air ambulance, Katie later passed away Feb. 5, 1946.
It was not long after that flight when the service returned to the area to pick up Drimmie’s neighbour who had leukemia.
Around 24 years old, Drimmie who attended the air ambulance’s second pick up in the rural area said, “Of course in the country during the winter there were no passable roads at that time. The air ambulance had just started out and landed on a field about a half a mile from our place. It landed and ran all the way to the other end pretty well and turned around and came back and had to wait until the patient came down.”
With the aircraft sitting on a field full of snow for about half an hour, by the time Drimmie’s neighbour, her father and two others got to the plane, the skis were frozen to the ground. After loading the patient into the plane, Drimmie said her father went back to his team of horses, navigating them away from the aircraft.
“Then the pilot tried to take off and he couldn’t because the skis were frozen to the ground so he asked us to get behind the tail and push,” said Drimmie from his current residence in Imperial.
Looking to lend a hand, Ivan got behind the tail of the plane with two others and started to push. “There was quite a wind and it finally broke loose.”
While the plane was able to head back to Regina with a patient onboard, that would not be the only time during the air ambulance’s tenure where a plane’s skis became stuck at a remote rural area. On the Canadian Aviation Historical Society Regina Chapter’s website, an article from the Leader-Post dated Dec. 24, 1993 shared that Don Campbell, an RCAF pilot during WWII was brought on by the air ambulance in 1948 and became the supervisor in 1951. In his book, Wings of Mercy, Campbell shared that
Premier Tommy Douglas wanted to go along for the ride to see how the operations were conducted. “On arrival at a remote farm, the aircraft’s skis became stuck in the melting snow. With the engine running and the propeller turning over, Campbell got out to fiddle with the skis. Douglas, in an overcoat and fedora, jumped out, too and went to work on the other ski. A horrified Campbell looked up to see Douglas’s hat being snatched off his head by the propeller. A few more inches and the province would have needed a new premier.”
Hearing the same story about the former premier and his desire to see the operation fine-tuned, Drimmie commended Douglas and all of those involved with Saskatchewan Air Ambulance for having the ability to get the program off the ground. “Having that service was incredible. To see a plane go overhead is one thing but to see it land as close to your place is another thing. The only other alternative was a two hour trip into town to catch a 4:00 train to take you to Regina and that would have taken pretty near most of the day to get out to a hospital service.”
Ivan’s daughter-in-law Connie said her mom, Marilyn Koza remembers the air ambulance service flying to the area to help Marilyn’s grandfather, Ray Tripps. Around the same time period when the two flights went to the Liberty area, Marilyn’s grandfather was also picked up by the service east of Penzance. “He was run over by his one way and struggled to keep consciousness for fear of the tractor circling back and running over him again which had happened to a neighbour,” recalled Connie who shared the story told by her mom. “He spent a long time in the field before someone decided to investigate the rogue tractor. My Mom remembers the plane coming for her grandfather.”
Since those flights to the Liberty and Penzance areas, something that was heralded as a marvel at that time, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance now averages approximately 110 flights per month around the province. There are more than 70 pilots, aircraft engineers, flight nurses, flight paramedics and administrative staff dedicated to providing medevac services to residents of the province.
According to Saskatchewan Air Ambulance, two out of three patient transports are triaged as urgent or emergent requiring critical care, meaning they are in the highest need when the air ambulance arrives and highly trained medical crews are able to provide critical care.
With such an important role to play in helping to save lives, crews are available 24 hours a day and they service every corner of the province from their now current base in Saskatoon at John G. Diefenbaker International Airport. In addition, the four modern King Air planes that are part of the fleet are on call and able to fly anywhere in North America.
The unique and important service also works closely with the neonatal transport teams in Regina and Saskatoon and the pediatric transport team in Saskatoon. Since the beginning, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has played a major role in helping those of all ages. According to the service, in 1948, the first baby was delivered aboard one of its planes between Rose Valley and Wadena. The family was so thankful, they named their baby boy after the pilot who was flying the aircraft.
“Saskatchewan Air Ambulance provides a critical service for the people of the province,” SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Jim Reiter said. “It has a unique and rich history dating back to 1946 and is a lifeline for all corners of Saskatchewan.”
“Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has been a great partner helping us provide high quality care to the people of this province,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the lives they have saved and the critical role they play helping ensure we can get to every corner of this province to help Saskatchewan residents when they are most in need.”
TWM Top Story - May 10, 2021
New owners take over Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa
Daniel Bushman
What has grown to become a world-renowned resort that has attracted people to Manitou Beach from all over the globe has changed hands. Owned and operated by the Hayter family for a number of years, in late 2020 the family made the decision to list Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa through Colliers for $7.5 million. After being listed, an interested group out of Ontario negotiated and eventually purchased the 2.44 acre property, officially taking over at the end of April.
Previous general manager and CEO Dwight Hayter said his family’s decision to put the resort up for sale was a difficult one. “After a lot of consideration my family and I thought the time was right. Fortunately we had quite a bit of interest from a variety of potential buyers while it was listed, even though we were in the middle of a pandemic, so we felt pretty fortunate to be in that position. My family and I deeply appreciate the support from the community, our patrons, and our staff throughout the years of our ownership of the resort.”
Hayter noted it was that support which ultimately allowed him the confidence to continue to invest in and upgrade the resort on a continuous basis. “By doing that, it in turn contributed significantly to our success in the Saskatchewan tourism industry. Although it is difficult for me to leave a place that I invested so much in, both financially and personally, I feel very confident in the new general manager and group of owners that the resort will be left in very good hands.”
Speaking on behalf of the group of owners which consists of five board of directors who are also bankers, general manager at the resort Kapil Thaker said they are excited to take on the venture. “They were attracted to the vicinity of this place to the lake and the hotel has a bit of a heritage as well. They look forward to a long association not only with the resort but they also would like to connect with the community as well at the same time.”
With a focus on building relationships and not wanting to disturb the environment and culture of the community, Thaker said the ownership group hopes to connect and plan with members of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach “so that there is always a harmony. They don’t want to be considered outsiders but rather become one of the residents. They came here before they purchased this property and were so happy. They said it was awesome, peaceful, quiet and a beautiful place and didn’t see any reason not to purchase it.”
As part of the negotiations to buy the property, Hayter stipulated one of the key components was that all of the staff were rehired. “Thankfully the new owners agreed that we had an excellent staff and that they would like to keep all 90 of them employed. Both parties wanted to make sure the transition of ownership was as “stress-free” as possible for all of the staff, and I think we certainly achieved that goal with virtually no changes in the staff or day-to-day operations on the day they took over ownership.”
Thaker and the board of directors agreed and stated, “What we have decided is that Dwight has managed this facility so well that we will be following in his footsteps. There won’t be any major changes, not even structurally. Maybe if it demands, we may change it, but in terms of the work, ethics and culture, it will remain the same. One thing we may do is taking it forward, like right now we don’t have an online presence with online travel agencies so we might do that, but apart from that we will be managing this place like it was before.”
With the change of ownership occurring at the end of April, Hayter wanted to wish the new ownership group all the best and hopes the business continues to prosper and grow. “I will be working closely with the new general manager in the coming days to ensure he is brought up to speed on everything he needs to know. We would hope that the public continues to frequent the resort, and fully support the new ownership group as they have for my family all of these years. My family would especially like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of our resort staff, both past and present, for the hard work and dedication to the business which ultimately led to its success throughout the years.”
Reflecting back on his tenure as the general manager, Hayter also recalled a few highlights. “I think some of the top highlights of my time here at the resort would be winning the Tourism Saskatchewan business of the year award, along with collecting and remitting almost $500,000 to our local Watrous Manitou Marketing Group through the two percent Destination Marketing Program we collected on hotel room sales. That money was ultimately used for the economic development of our two communities as well as tourism development. Making the top four finalists for Canadian Tourism business of the year, as well as making many donations to local events and groups are also some things that I will always remember as well.”
Taking on the general manager’s role from Dwight and after being on the job for a week or so, Thaker said there has been a lot to do but he has been enjoying his time so far. “I have never lived near a lake like Manitou and with it being considered the Dead Sea of Canada, it is a real wonder. On top of that, I have seen the community is very relaxed, welcoming and friendly, and not as rushed as I found in the Greater Toronto Area where I worked previously.”
With experience managing hotels as a revenue analyst, Thaker is planning to use his knowledge while learning from Hayter. “I appreciate Dwight helping me and I just look forward to meeting people around the resort and in the community.”
As for what is next for Hayter, the now former general manager said, “I have started a new company out of my home called TRIUMPH Business Consulting, which will focus on helping other businesses increase their profitability while solving other business problems and issues they may have. I love growing and developing businesses and am excited about my new opportunity to help others.”
Originally spearheaded by a local group, Manitou Springs Mineral Spa first opened at Manitou Beach Dec. 15, 1987, a few years after the Chalet Pool was destroyed by a fire. The facility, built on the same property where the Chalet Pool was located, welcomed people from all over as they utilized 90,000 gallons of heated water channeled from Little Manitou Lake, filtered, cleaned, then pumped into the three pools.
With the spa becoming a success, adjacent to the pool, a new 60 room hotel and convention centre named Manitou Springs Hotel opened its doors for business Sept. 1, 1991. According to the Sept. 9, 1991 edition of The Watrous Manitou over 271 people were fed at the resort’s restaurant that day and hotel registrations averaged 25 percent during the first four days of operation. A total of 26 permanent staff were hired with that number rising over the years.
At the grand opening of the hotel a few months later, in the Dec. 9, 1991 edition of The Watrous Manitou, chairman of Manitou Springs Mineral Spa board of directors Dale Hayter shared how the spa had benefitted from the hotel’s construction by trading the land for the mini mall which connected the two facilities. At that time, the businesses located in the mini mall were comprised of the Spa’s gift shop, Old Fashion Foods, Little Manitou Mineral Products, Boutique Joli, and Freckles Personal Care Studio.
Chair of the hotel board Earle Amendt also remarked during the grand opening that the hotel would not have come about without the commitment from local volunteers, legal firms, architects, two levels of government, and input by surrounding Rural Municipalities.
Since that time in 1991, the resort hotel has grown to include 102 rooms and suites, offers therapeutic and esthetic services, a fitness centre, has a Water’s Edge Restaurant and Lounge, an outdoor Terrace patio area, Water Crest Cafe, and meeting and convention facilities for up to 180 people including three meeting rooms and banquet services.
Daniel Bushman
What has grown to become a world-renowned resort that has attracted people to Manitou Beach from all over the globe has changed hands. Owned and operated by the Hayter family for a number of years, in late 2020 the family made the decision to list Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa through Colliers for $7.5 million. After being listed, an interested group out of Ontario negotiated and eventually purchased the 2.44 acre property, officially taking over at the end of April.
Previous general manager and CEO Dwight Hayter said his family’s decision to put the resort up for sale was a difficult one. “After a lot of consideration my family and I thought the time was right. Fortunately we had quite a bit of interest from a variety of potential buyers while it was listed, even though we were in the middle of a pandemic, so we felt pretty fortunate to be in that position. My family and I deeply appreciate the support from the community, our patrons, and our staff throughout the years of our ownership of the resort.”
Hayter noted it was that support which ultimately allowed him the confidence to continue to invest in and upgrade the resort on a continuous basis. “By doing that, it in turn contributed significantly to our success in the Saskatchewan tourism industry. Although it is difficult for me to leave a place that I invested so much in, both financially and personally, I feel very confident in the new general manager and group of owners that the resort will be left in very good hands.”
Speaking on behalf of the group of owners which consists of five board of directors who are also bankers, general manager at the resort Kapil Thaker said they are excited to take on the venture. “They were attracted to the vicinity of this place to the lake and the hotel has a bit of a heritage as well. They look forward to a long association not only with the resort but they also would like to connect with the community as well at the same time.”
With a focus on building relationships and not wanting to disturb the environment and culture of the community, Thaker said the ownership group hopes to connect and plan with members of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach “so that there is always a harmony. They don’t want to be considered outsiders but rather become one of the residents. They came here before they purchased this property and were so happy. They said it was awesome, peaceful, quiet and a beautiful place and didn’t see any reason not to purchase it.”
As part of the negotiations to buy the property, Hayter stipulated one of the key components was that all of the staff were rehired. “Thankfully the new owners agreed that we had an excellent staff and that they would like to keep all 90 of them employed. Both parties wanted to make sure the transition of ownership was as “stress-free” as possible for all of the staff, and I think we certainly achieved that goal with virtually no changes in the staff or day-to-day operations on the day they took over ownership.”
Thaker and the board of directors agreed and stated, “What we have decided is that Dwight has managed this facility so well that we will be following in his footsteps. There won’t be any major changes, not even structurally. Maybe if it demands, we may change it, but in terms of the work, ethics and culture, it will remain the same. One thing we may do is taking it forward, like right now we don’t have an online presence with online travel agencies so we might do that, but apart from that we will be managing this place like it was before.”
With the change of ownership occurring at the end of April, Hayter wanted to wish the new ownership group all the best and hopes the business continues to prosper and grow. “I will be working closely with the new general manager in the coming days to ensure he is brought up to speed on everything he needs to know. We would hope that the public continues to frequent the resort, and fully support the new ownership group as they have for my family all of these years. My family would especially like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of our resort staff, both past and present, for the hard work and dedication to the business which ultimately led to its success throughout the years.”
Reflecting back on his tenure as the general manager, Hayter also recalled a few highlights. “I think some of the top highlights of my time here at the resort would be winning the Tourism Saskatchewan business of the year award, along with collecting and remitting almost $500,000 to our local Watrous Manitou Marketing Group through the two percent Destination Marketing Program we collected on hotel room sales. That money was ultimately used for the economic development of our two communities as well as tourism development. Making the top four finalists for Canadian Tourism business of the year, as well as making many donations to local events and groups are also some things that I will always remember as well.”
Taking on the general manager’s role from Dwight and after being on the job for a week or so, Thaker said there has been a lot to do but he has been enjoying his time so far. “I have never lived near a lake like Manitou and with it being considered the Dead Sea of Canada, it is a real wonder. On top of that, I have seen the community is very relaxed, welcoming and friendly, and not as rushed as I found in the Greater Toronto Area where I worked previously.”
With experience managing hotels as a revenue analyst, Thaker is planning to use his knowledge while learning from Hayter. “I appreciate Dwight helping me and I just look forward to meeting people around the resort and in the community.”
As for what is next for Hayter, the now former general manager said, “I have started a new company out of my home called TRIUMPH Business Consulting, which will focus on helping other businesses increase their profitability while solving other business problems and issues they may have. I love growing and developing businesses and am excited about my new opportunity to help others.”
Originally spearheaded by a local group, Manitou Springs Mineral Spa first opened at Manitou Beach Dec. 15, 1987, a few years after the Chalet Pool was destroyed by a fire. The facility, built on the same property where the Chalet Pool was located, welcomed people from all over as they utilized 90,000 gallons of heated water channeled from Little Manitou Lake, filtered, cleaned, then pumped into the three pools.
With the spa becoming a success, adjacent to the pool, a new 60 room hotel and convention centre named Manitou Springs Hotel opened its doors for business Sept. 1, 1991. According to the Sept. 9, 1991 edition of The Watrous Manitou over 271 people were fed at the resort’s restaurant that day and hotel registrations averaged 25 percent during the first four days of operation. A total of 26 permanent staff were hired with that number rising over the years.
At the grand opening of the hotel a few months later, in the Dec. 9, 1991 edition of The Watrous Manitou, chairman of Manitou Springs Mineral Spa board of directors Dale Hayter shared how the spa had benefitted from the hotel’s construction by trading the land for the mini mall which connected the two facilities. At that time, the businesses located in the mini mall were comprised of the Spa’s gift shop, Old Fashion Foods, Little Manitou Mineral Products, Boutique Joli, and Freckles Personal Care Studio.
Chair of the hotel board Earle Amendt also remarked during the grand opening that the hotel would not have come about without the commitment from local volunteers, legal firms, architects, two levels of government, and input by surrounding Rural Municipalities.
Since that time in 1991, the resort hotel has grown to include 102 rooms and suites, offers therapeutic and esthetic services, a fitness centre, has a Water’s Edge Restaurant and Lounge, an outdoor Terrace patio area, Water Crest Cafe, and meeting and convention facilities for up to 180 people including three meeting rooms and banquet services.
TWM Top Story - May 3, 2021
Region experiencing dry conditions
Daniel Bushman
With a lack of moisture creating drought-like conditions so far this spring and the potential for grass fires, numerous fire bans have been implemented within Saskatchewan while producers seek moisture as seeding season nears.
Updated throughout the week, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s provincial daily municipal fire ban map, as of Apr. 29 there were 67 active Rural Municipality fire bans with 13 Urban Municipality fire bans. In the local area, there were fire bans put in place early last week including in the RM of Morris, the Village of Young, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, the RM of Wood Creek, the Village of Simpson, the RM of Prairie Rose and the RM of McKillop. More local fire bans may have been implemented after press time.
Watrous and District Fire Department Fire Chief Jory Vanthuyne said current conditions are not only dry but can be dangerous. “It is really dry and all the vegetation from last year is still really tall and can easily light.”
Vanthuyne noted there have been quite a few grass fires within the province so far this spring but “knock on wood we have only had one grass fire so far. Given the conditions I am quite shocked we haven’t had more but I don’t want to jinx it.”
Simpson and District Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire Chief Mike Moulai said conditions remain really dry around the Simpson and Imperial areas and so far in 2021, there has been three fires the department has responded to. “The first was a vehicle fire in January due to a failed block heater. The second was in March and was a Quonset fire which was suspicious. The most recent was a yard fire Apr. 22 which involved an abandoned house, grain bin and power poles.”
As for the Apr. 22 fire, members from the department in Simpson were called to the blaze in the RM of Wood Creek. Moulai said despite the tough and windy conditions, they were able to get it under control after working hard for four and a half hours. With the help of Robert Oakes who brought a load of water and others who were at the fire working the ditch to stop the blaze from crossing the road before firefighters arrived, Moulai said the department was appreciative of the help. “The conditions over the last two years have been very dry and this year is shaping up to be even worse.”
Similar to the situation around the Watrous and Simpson areas, in the Lanigan region, Lanigan Fire Department Fire Chief Barry Hooper said the conditions are dry there as well. “Knock on wood we have not had to respond to a grass fire yet but any type of spark could start something up. I remember years ago at one time we were responding to three or four calls a week. Thankfully this year, so far, so good.”
With conditions so dry, Vanthuyne said for those not under a fire ban and who are planning to have a controlled burn they are encouraged to contact the provincial call centre to report it. “If someone is driving by and sees it and calls 911 they won’t dispatch the fire department if they know that location is having a controlled burn. That saves people quite a bit of money because it costs them every time we show up whether or not it is an actual fire or a controlled one, they would still get a bill.”
For those planning on doing controlled burns in the spring, Vanthuyne suggests they make a fire break around whatever they are burning. “You want to make sure you are prepared in case it gets away. Have a water tank, tractor and with small fires in your yard, leaf blowers can be used to blow the fire back onto itself and it will put itself out. For small fires, garden hoses work well to soak the area with water that you don’t want to burn. Just make sure you have a plan. We’ve responded to fires in the past that people had a pit that was burning and they had burnt it three or four days prior. The wind changed direction and it picked up and stoked the fire and it spread out of the pit.”
Vanthuyne also noted that people should not be throwing cigarette butts out of their vehicle windows and into ditches as that can quickly spark a fire. For those operating ATVs or vehicles, he added to avoid driving or parking in dry tall grass or stubble. “Once things green up then it makes it tougher for the vegetation to burn but for right now it is really dry. Over 80 percent of the fires we respond to each year are for grass fires and if you exclude attending STARS landings then essentially all of our calls are for grass fires each year, especially in the spring when it is so dry.”
According to the Canadian Drought Monitor (CDM), which uses a variety of federal, provincial, and regional data sources to establish a single drought rating based on a five category system, as of Mar. 31 the local area ranged from moderate to severe drought conditions (with extreme and exceptional drought categories rating worse). Within the southeast corner of Saskatchewan around the Carnduff area, extreme drought conditions were noted.
Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist for the Ministry of Agriculture at the Regional Service Branch in Humboldt said the unfortunate lack of moisture also extends beyond the borders of Saskatchewan. “There is a large swath of the prairies that has seen below average moisture. From the Agroclimate maps Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada produces we can see from the assessment they took in March an area of varying below normal precipitation that runs from Edmonton all the way to Winnipeg.”
Taking a closer look at the local region, while Brown said information is still being collected on current soil moisture conditions, he has heard there is moisture but it varies on depth. “Some of the hilltops have dried out a bit as well as bare soil with little to no residue cover but the depressions are holding some moisture. It also varies on what type of stubble is on the field, pea and lentil stubble won’t trap as much snow as cereal or canola stubble and that will influence soil moisture too.”
Comparing soil moisture maps from a few years previous, Brown said 2021 seems similar to the soil moisture going into the growing season at the end of April 2019. “This time last year there was a bit more soil moisture than compared to 2021 and 2019 but we do still have a few weeks before things get fully underway so we still have an opportunity for more moisture before seeding.”
According to the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative’s (PARC) website, SaskAdapt, drought is the most frequent occurrence of extreme event for Saskatchewan. Starting in 1910, the years of drought impacting the province were listed as: 1910, 1914, 1917-‘21, 1924, 1929, 1931-‘39, 1958-‘63, 1967-‘69, 1974, 1977, 1979-‘81, 1983-‘86, 1988-‘92, 2001-‘03, and 2009.
On SaskAdapt it stated the impacts of the drought in 2001 and 2002 were major with 2002 being the worst one-year drought on record. During that time, according to SaskAdapt, agricultural production dropped $3.6 billion, the GDP fell $5.8 billion, there were 41,000 jobs lost, there was a negative net farm income for 2002 in Saskatchewan, previously reliable water supplies were challenged, and crop insurance payments in Saskatchewan were $1.431 billion.
Hoping to avoid severe drought like the one in 2002, Brown said any moisture is welcome for 2021 and timely precipitation during the growing season will also be important for a successful crop. In the meantime, the Crops Extension Specialist noted producers may be making small adjustments to seeding while staying within the recommended agronomic practices. “These may be things such as seeding slightly deeper to get to moisture if needed. Shallow crops such as canola for example may be seeded slightly deeper (one inch) or producers may wait for a precipitation event. Producers can check out our herbicide carryover map on Saskatchewan.ca/agriculture to get an idea of any residual herbicide carryover risk for their general region as well.”
As equipment begins to move and seeding rigs are serviced, Brown encouraged producers when they get on the fields to inspect the temperature of the soil. “Remember to check your soil temperature before seeding, once in the morning and once in the evening to get an average and keep in mind different crops have different temperature tolerances.”
Daniel Bushman
With a lack of moisture creating drought-like conditions so far this spring and the potential for grass fires, numerous fire bans have been implemented within Saskatchewan while producers seek moisture as seeding season nears.
Updated throughout the week, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s provincial daily municipal fire ban map, as of Apr. 29 there were 67 active Rural Municipality fire bans with 13 Urban Municipality fire bans. In the local area, there were fire bans put in place early last week including in the RM of Morris, the Village of Young, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, the RM of Wood Creek, the Village of Simpson, the RM of Prairie Rose and the RM of McKillop. More local fire bans may have been implemented after press time.
Watrous and District Fire Department Fire Chief Jory Vanthuyne said current conditions are not only dry but can be dangerous. “It is really dry and all the vegetation from last year is still really tall and can easily light.”
Vanthuyne noted there have been quite a few grass fires within the province so far this spring but “knock on wood we have only had one grass fire so far. Given the conditions I am quite shocked we haven’t had more but I don’t want to jinx it.”
Simpson and District Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire Chief Mike Moulai said conditions remain really dry around the Simpson and Imperial areas and so far in 2021, there has been three fires the department has responded to. “The first was a vehicle fire in January due to a failed block heater. The second was in March and was a Quonset fire which was suspicious. The most recent was a yard fire Apr. 22 which involved an abandoned house, grain bin and power poles.”
As for the Apr. 22 fire, members from the department in Simpson were called to the blaze in the RM of Wood Creek. Moulai said despite the tough and windy conditions, they were able to get it under control after working hard for four and a half hours. With the help of Robert Oakes who brought a load of water and others who were at the fire working the ditch to stop the blaze from crossing the road before firefighters arrived, Moulai said the department was appreciative of the help. “The conditions over the last two years have been very dry and this year is shaping up to be even worse.”
Similar to the situation around the Watrous and Simpson areas, in the Lanigan region, Lanigan Fire Department Fire Chief Barry Hooper said the conditions are dry there as well. “Knock on wood we have not had to respond to a grass fire yet but any type of spark could start something up. I remember years ago at one time we were responding to three or four calls a week. Thankfully this year, so far, so good.”
With conditions so dry, Vanthuyne said for those not under a fire ban and who are planning to have a controlled burn they are encouraged to contact the provincial call centre to report it. “If someone is driving by and sees it and calls 911 they won’t dispatch the fire department if they know that location is having a controlled burn. That saves people quite a bit of money because it costs them every time we show up whether or not it is an actual fire or a controlled one, they would still get a bill.”
For those planning on doing controlled burns in the spring, Vanthuyne suggests they make a fire break around whatever they are burning. “You want to make sure you are prepared in case it gets away. Have a water tank, tractor and with small fires in your yard, leaf blowers can be used to blow the fire back onto itself and it will put itself out. For small fires, garden hoses work well to soak the area with water that you don’t want to burn. Just make sure you have a plan. We’ve responded to fires in the past that people had a pit that was burning and they had burnt it three or four days prior. The wind changed direction and it picked up and stoked the fire and it spread out of the pit.”
Vanthuyne also noted that people should not be throwing cigarette butts out of their vehicle windows and into ditches as that can quickly spark a fire. For those operating ATVs or vehicles, he added to avoid driving or parking in dry tall grass or stubble. “Once things green up then it makes it tougher for the vegetation to burn but for right now it is really dry. Over 80 percent of the fires we respond to each year are for grass fires and if you exclude attending STARS landings then essentially all of our calls are for grass fires each year, especially in the spring when it is so dry.”
According to the Canadian Drought Monitor (CDM), which uses a variety of federal, provincial, and regional data sources to establish a single drought rating based on a five category system, as of Mar. 31 the local area ranged from moderate to severe drought conditions (with extreme and exceptional drought categories rating worse). Within the southeast corner of Saskatchewan around the Carnduff area, extreme drought conditions were noted.
Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist for the Ministry of Agriculture at the Regional Service Branch in Humboldt said the unfortunate lack of moisture also extends beyond the borders of Saskatchewan. “There is a large swath of the prairies that has seen below average moisture. From the Agroclimate maps Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada produces we can see from the assessment they took in March an area of varying below normal precipitation that runs from Edmonton all the way to Winnipeg.”
Taking a closer look at the local region, while Brown said information is still being collected on current soil moisture conditions, he has heard there is moisture but it varies on depth. “Some of the hilltops have dried out a bit as well as bare soil with little to no residue cover but the depressions are holding some moisture. It also varies on what type of stubble is on the field, pea and lentil stubble won’t trap as much snow as cereal or canola stubble and that will influence soil moisture too.”
Comparing soil moisture maps from a few years previous, Brown said 2021 seems similar to the soil moisture going into the growing season at the end of April 2019. “This time last year there was a bit more soil moisture than compared to 2021 and 2019 but we do still have a few weeks before things get fully underway so we still have an opportunity for more moisture before seeding.”
According to the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative’s (PARC) website, SaskAdapt, drought is the most frequent occurrence of extreme event for Saskatchewan. Starting in 1910, the years of drought impacting the province were listed as: 1910, 1914, 1917-‘21, 1924, 1929, 1931-‘39, 1958-‘63, 1967-‘69, 1974, 1977, 1979-‘81, 1983-‘86, 1988-‘92, 2001-‘03, and 2009.
On SaskAdapt it stated the impacts of the drought in 2001 and 2002 were major with 2002 being the worst one-year drought on record. During that time, according to SaskAdapt, agricultural production dropped $3.6 billion, the GDP fell $5.8 billion, there were 41,000 jobs lost, there was a negative net farm income for 2002 in Saskatchewan, previously reliable water supplies were challenged, and crop insurance payments in Saskatchewan were $1.431 billion.
Hoping to avoid severe drought like the one in 2002, Brown said any moisture is welcome for 2021 and timely precipitation during the growing season will also be important for a successful crop. In the meantime, the Crops Extension Specialist noted producers may be making small adjustments to seeding while staying within the recommended agronomic practices. “These may be things such as seeding slightly deeper to get to moisture if needed. Shallow crops such as canola for example may be seeded slightly deeper (one inch) or producers may wait for a precipitation event. Producers can check out our herbicide carryover map on Saskatchewan.ca/agriculture to get an idea of any residual herbicide carryover risk for their general region as well.”
As equipment begins to move and seeding rigs are serviced, Brown encouraged producers when they get on the fields to inspect the temperature of the soil. “Remember to check your soil temperature before seeding, once in the morning and once in the evening to get an average and keep in mind different crops have different temperature tolerances.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 26, 2021
FN Cannabis Co. setting up shop in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
After remaining vacant for a number of years, there has been considerable activity inside the former Shop Easy building in Watrous. With new owners leasing out the building, The Basement Spin Studio is up and running in the basement and on the main level, a partition has been created allowing part of the large space to be utilized by FN Cannabis Company.
The cannabis retail outlet which already has a store in Nipawin decided to expand its reach and chose Watrous as its next destination. While there is no official opening date as remodelling continues at its location along Main Street in Watrous, the company hopes to welcome customers by June 2021.
Speaking from her office in Nipawin, FN Cannabis Company General Manager Mellissa Thomas said everything is falling into place and they are just waiting for final approval from Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) which she added should be confirmed sooner rather than later.
As for the remodelling at the company’s location in Watrous, Thomas said, “There have been bumps along the way as we try to navigate through a pandemic but for the most part it has been a positive experience. The former Shop Easy building is a great location for our new store. We have worked with the owners closely and they are great to deal with. The team at FN Cannabis Company are eager to be able to show off the work that has been done inside.”
Citing how welcoming the community of Watrous has been to the team as they work on opening their retail outlet, Thomas said they are looking forward to eventually meeting everyone in person. After establishing a cannabis retail outlet in Nipawin in 2020, Thomas explained why FN Cannabis Company selected Watrous as a place they would like to do business in.
“When we were looking for communities to branch out, Watrous was one of the top places we had on our list. The community, proximity to the city, and Manitou Beach really stuck out to us. When we were looking at places in and around Watrous we were really excited by how friendly and welcoming the residents were. Small towns have a special feel to them and Watrous is exactly that. The fit was just right.”
In 2018, SLGA issued approximately 60 cannabis retail permits to private operators in as many as 40 Saskatchewan municipalities and First Nation communities. While Watrous was not one of those selected in 2018, in April 2020 SLGA began accepting applications for cannabis retail permits in Saskatchewan communities with populations less than 2,500. Then on Sept. 1, 2020, SLGA began accepting permit applications for stores in all communities within the province.
The provincial government stated communities could opt out of having cannabis retail stores while applicants able to seek permits within communities granting retail opportunities would first need to meet local municipal requirements, including zoning before being approved by SLGA. Interested businesses and individuals would also have to meet SLGA’s permitting requirements including a good character check, inventory tracking and store security.
In the case of Watrous, a couple of years after cannabis was legalized in Canada, Town Administrator Orrin Redden said council officially adopted its Cannabis Business License Bylaw May 11, 2020. The adopted bylaw provides for the regulation and licensing of cannabis businesses that are issued a permit by the cannabis authority in the Town of Watrous.
As part of Bylaw No. 02-2020 anyone wanting to operate a cannabis retail store must obtain a valid license, make an application to the Town of Watrous and provide proof of a valid cannabis permit issued by the cannabis authority.
With the local bylaw in place, FN Cannabis Company then made an application request to the Town of Watrous seeking permission to open a retail outlet in the community. After receiving the green light, they then sought approval from SLGA through its permit application process. Thomas said they are extremely confident that SLGA will approve their permit application and the company is eager to move forward and open its retail outlet in Watrous.
Once FN Cannabis Company does open its doors, as part of Bylaw No. 02-2020 the company will have to renew its license each year and it can be deemed to be cancelled without refund, if the provincial cannabis permit is cancelled, suspended or expires. The municipal bylaw also states the retail outlet is permitted to be open between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and shall not be located within 90 metres from the nearest property line of a playground, child care facility or school.
In addition to following the Town of Watrous Bylaw No. 02-2020, a building permit for FN Cannabis Company to conduct renovations on the former Shop Easy building in Watrous was also approved.
Thomas said while there is still a little work left to be done inside the building located on Main Street in Watrous, they are almost at the finish line. “It is great to see how much interest there is in our store. We would like to thank the community, residents, the Town of Watrous, and our contractors for all the help along the way so far. The experiences we have had makes us confident that Watrous is the right place for us and we look forward to creating connections in the future. We are currently hiring right now as well, you can forward your resumes to cody.kosowan@fncannabisco.ca.”
Priding itself on offering a wide selection of cannabis products and accessories, fair prices as well as a strong customer service team, Thomas said, “Our team enjoys answering questions about the products and they are all very knowledgeable. We will carry dry flower, a wide range of CBD products, concentrates, edibles, and more.”
Daniel Bushman
After remaining vacant for a number of years, there has been considerable activity inside the former Shop Easy building in Watrous. With new owners leasing out the building, The Basement Spin Studio is up and running in the basement and on the main level, a partition has been created allowing part of the large space to be utilized by FN Cannabis Company.
The cannabis retail outlet which already has a store in Nipawin decided to expand its reach and chose Watrous as its next destination. While there is no official opening date as remodelling continues at its location along Main Street in Watrous, the company hopes to welcome customers by June 2021.
Speaking from her office in Nipawin, FN Cannabis Company General Manager Mellissa Thomas said everything is falling into place and they are just waiting for final approval from Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) which she added should be confirmed sooner rather than later.
As for the remodelling at the company’s location in Watrous, Thomas said, “There have been bumps along the way as we try to navigate through a pandemic but for the most part it has been a positive experience. The former Shop Easy building is a great location for our new store. We have worked with the owners closely and they are great to deal with. The team at FN Cannabis Company are eager to be able to show off the work that has been done inside.”
Citing how welcoming the community of Watrous has been to the team as they work on opening their retail outlet, Thomas said they are looking forward to eventually meeting everyone in person. After establishing a cannabis retail outlet in Nipawin in 2020, Thomas explained why FN Cannabis Company selected Watrous as a place they would like to do business in.
“When we were looking for communities to branch out, Watrous was one of the top places we had on our list. The community, proximity to the city, and Manitou Beach really stuck out to us. When we were looking at places in and around Watrous we were really excited by how friendly and welcoming the residents were. Small towns have a special feel to them and Watrous is exactly that. The fit was just right.”
In 2018, SLGA issued approximately 60 cannabis retail permits to private operators in as many as 40 Saskatchewan municipalities and First Nation communities. While Watrous was not one of those selected in 2018, in April 2020 SLGA began accepting applications for cannabis retail permits in Saskatchewan communities with populations less than 2,500. Then on Sept. 1, 2020, SLGA began accepting permit applications for stores in all communities within the province.
The provincial government stated communities could opt out of having cannabis retail stores while applicants able to seek permits within communities granting retail opportunities would first need to meet local municipal requirements, including zoning before being approved by SLGA. Interested businesses and individuals would also have to meet SLGA’s permitting requirements including a good character check, inventory tracking and store security.
In the case of Watrous, a couple of years after cannabis was legalized in Canada, Town Administrator Orrin Redden said council officially adopted its Cannabis Business License Bylaw May 11, 2020. The adopted bylaw provides for the regulation and licensing of cannabis businesses that are issued a permit by the cannabis authority in the Town of Watrous.
As part of Bylaw No. 02-2020 anyone wanting to operate a cannabis retail store must obtain a valid license, make an application to the Town of Watrous and provide proof of a valid cannabis permit issued by the cannabis authority.
With the local bylaw in place, FN Cannabis Company then made an application request to the Town of Watrous seeking permission to open a retail outlet in the community. After receiving the green light, they then sought approval from SLGA through its permit application process. Thomas said they are extremely confident that SLGA will approve their permit application and the company is eager to move forward and open its retail outlet in Watrous.
Once FN Cannabis Company does open its doors, as part of Bylaw No. 02-2020 the company will have to renew its license each year and it can be deemed to be cancelled without refund, if the provincial cannabis permit is cancelled, suspended or expires. The municipal bylaw also states the retail outlet is permitted to be open between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and shall not be located within 90 metres from the nearest property line of a playground, child care facility or school.
In addition to following the Town of Watrous Bylaw No. 02-2020, a building permit for FN Cannabis Company to conduct renovations on the former Shop Easy building in Watrous was also approved.
Thomas said while there is still a little work left to be done inside the building located on Main Street in Watrous, they are almost at the finish line. “It is great to see how much interest there is in our store. We would like to thank the community, residents, the Town of Watrous, and our contractors for all the help along the way so far. The experiences we have had makes us confident that Watrous is the right place for us and we look forward to creating connections in the future. We are currently hiring right now as well, you can forward your resumes to cody.kosowan@fncannabisco.ca.”
Priding itself on offering a wide selection of cannabis products and accessories, fair prices as well as a strong customer service team, Thomas said, “Our team enjoys answering questions about the products and they are all very knowledgeable. We will carry dry flower, a wide range of CBD products, concentrates, edibles, and more.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 19, 2021
Remembering an iconic visit from Prince Philip
Daniel Bushman
As people from around the world mourned the passing of The Duke of Edinburgh who passed away Apr. 9, 2021 at the age of 99, many from the local area also reminisced about a visit Prince Philip took to Last Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary over 30 years ago.
An advocate for wildlife and wetlands as the President of the World Wildlife Fund, The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit to Saskatchewan in June of 1987 left a lasting impact. Along with attending an international conference in Regina, Prince Philip visited a burrowing owl site east of Regina and flew to Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary to celebrate the sanctuary’s centennial while witnessing the signing of establishing the north end of the lake as a National Wildlife Area (NWA).
The history of the bird sanctuary east of Simpson runs deep as land was set aside by Canada’s first prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald after learning waterfowl were common at the north end of Last Mountain Lake. Work was done in 1887 to ensure those lands would protect birds and through that, the bird sanctuary was established as the first in Canada and North America.
Commemorating the sanctuary’s centennial in 1987 and viewing the historic NWA signing, Habitat Biologist for Canadian Wildlife Service between 1978 and 2009, Philip Taylor, remembers the day Prince Philip arrived to the area by helicopter. In fact, Taylor who was in charge of managing Saskatchewan’s habitat program and sanctuaries was instrumental in planning the ceremony which included The Duke of Edinburgh.
As the centennial approached, Taylor along with then Canadian Wildlife Service area manager Clint Jorgenson began thinking about what they could do to commemorate it. Planning to establish nature trails, a driving tour, a viewing tower and information kiosk, Taylor said, “We were working on having it designated as a national historic site, which it now is, but that still didn’t tie together our ideas and thoughts about recognizing the centennial of establishing the bird sanctuary.”
As work progressed and one thing led to another, Taylor connected with the World Wildlife Fund’s Monte Hummel who mentioned Prince Philip was very interested in global conservation. With a special interest in Canada and being President of the World Wildlife Fund, a request was made to seek Prince Philip’s attendance for the centennial and NWA signing. “Buckingham Palace came back and said, ‘Yes the Prince is available and yes, the Prince is interested in coming.’”
Along with the opportunity to have Prince Philip attend the ceremony at Last Mountain Lake, a Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was scheduled to be held in Saskatchewan at the same time. “This conference proposed for being held in Regina was agreed to and it was another reason for Prince Philip to come in his role as President of the World Wildlife Fund. That year Canada nominated 12.8 million hectares
of wetland toward that Ramsar Convention. At that time it was the largest commitment to wetland conservation of any of the members.”
With a firm commitment by Buckingham Palace that Prince Philip would attend part of the two week convention, Taylor was thrilled he would also visit Last Mountain Lake and make a stop at a farm east of Regina to see a burrowing owl site.
However, before anything could take place, there were a number of rigorous meetings about Prince Philip’s itinerary. Taylor said a planned itinerary had to be agreed upon between Buckingham Palace, the World Wildlife Fund and Canadian Wildlife Service at Last Mountain Lake. “We developed an itinerary and of course had to learn protocol as to what we did, when to shake hands and what to call him. Then we had to discuss things like security. Things like what we were responsible for like ensuring the trails were safe and what route we would take. Then between the RCMP and Buckingham Palace, they took care of the security.”
Considered as a working visit in his official role as President of the World Wildlife Fund, once the itinerary was approved for Prince Philip, then work began on the June 5 ceremony itself. Set to arrive to commemorate the centennial and observe the signing of the NWA east of Simpson, an open invitation was sent out to the public including dignitaries, nearby neighbours, and students. Federal Environment Minister Tom McMillan and Provincial Minister of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Colin Maxwell were also invited as they would sign the agreement to establish the NWA while Prince Philip acted as the official witness.
In the June 10, 1987 edition of The Watrous Manitou, publisher at that time Frank Wilson was one of the many members of the media who covered the event.
With hundreds of people on hand during that Friday morning to catch a glimpse of Prince Philip, Wilson said The Duke of Edinburgh travelled to the site by military helicopter.
After touring a burrowing owl site 24 kilometres east of Regina and delivering an address at the Ramsar Conference Thursday evening, the following morning June 5, Wilson noted in his article, “The Duke’s arrival by helicopter was right on schedule at 9:30 a.m. at a landing area set aside near the speakers’ dias. He appeared, as always, to be enjoying himself and walked along the edge of the waiting crowd, stopping here and there to chat and say hello. Applause and greetings accompanied him and cameras by the dozen received a good workout. As with any Royal Visit, there was an atmosphere of excitement and satisfaction at being able to see Prince Philip and, in some cases, to have a brief word.”
After the Duke of Edinburgh’s informal walk to the podium, Regional Director of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Gordon Kerr welcomed those in attendance and introduced the official dignitaries which included Prince Philip, the Honourable Tom McMillan, Minister of Environment Canada, Colin Maxwell, Minister of Saskatchewan Parks, Recreation and Culture, Ed Crawford, President of Canada Life Assurance Company, and Robert Bateman, a world renowned nature artist.
As part of the event, Wilson said McMillan announced an agreement had been reached between the federal and provincial authorities to bring an additional 3,000 hectares of land under federal protection, making the bird sanctuary a National Wildlife Area. With Prince Philip witnessing the signing, McMillan and Maxwell endorsed the document.
“What he did that day was he put his signature on an agreement that Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada, the two governments, committed to contribute all of the Crown lands at the north end of the lake towards making the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area,” said Taylor.
Following that, McMillan also announced the Government of Canada presented $1 million towards the World Wildlife Fund, of which Prince Philip was President.
Maxwell, who originally came from Edinburgh, noted during the ceremony how pleased he was to be attending with The Duke of Edinburgh and that the coincidence of being from Edinburgh formed a happy association between himself and Prince Philip. He also emphasized the importance of the sanctuary at Last Mountain Lake and was thrilled with the new National Wildlife Area.
Also during the Friday morning event, Wilson stated Prince Philip was presented with an original painting by artist Robert Bateman depicting White Pelicans at Last Mountain Lake and also helped with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, marking the centenary of the bird sanctuary.
Reflecting back on that day, Wilson remarked the lasting impression he retained was the huge turnout The Duke of Edinburgh attracted. “To my mind that was a tribute to his popularity and stature wherever he went. The media presence was absolutely huge and members of the public were bused in from various parts of Saskatchewan. Even the weatherman co-operated!”
Another person in attendance from the area was Lillian Gingrich. With her farm a short drive away from where the event was taking place, after learning about it, she decided to attend along with members of her family. Gingrich recalled there being a lot of people who made the trek out to the bird sanctuary for the morning ceremony.
Dennis Simpson and his family were a few of those who made the drive out to the area east of Simpson. His dad, Lewis Simpson, was Reeve of the Municipality of Wreford No. 280 at the time and one of the dignitaries to receive an official invitation.
Simpson recalled it being a dry spring and as a result there was very little water in the wetlands. Water was pumped into the wetlands from Last Mountain Lake that spring and on the morning of the event, the Simpson family gathered with others next to Greensfield Park on the grassland and watched as three helicopters flew from the south along the lake to the site. “This would have provided a good view of the bird sanctuary to the officials. After the helicopters landed, the Prince and the other officials walked to the platform where the signing took place.”
Simpson noted that there were a number of schools from nearby communities who bused students to the site for the historic event. “Keeping track of a class of children would have been a challenge. Some of the teachers provided bright coloured hats or shirts to the students to help identify them.”
Sporting bright yellow hats with the slogan ‘I Love No Name’ on them were students from the school in Nokomis. Nokomis Shop-Rite owner Walter Driediger was approached by teacher Lila Haskey-Mutch before the June 5 event asking if he might have something bright that the students could wear to help them stand out from the large gathering so they would not get lost.
“We had a whole pile of those hats at the store,” said Driediger. “We gave them to the teachers to give to the students to wear. When Prince Philip saw the kids wearing the hats he had come up to the group and asked what ‘I Love No Name’ had meant. They explained that the hats came from the grocery store in Nokomis and it was a kind of product that they sold at the store.”
While he was not in attendance at the ceremony, Driediger ended up doing an interview about the students wearing the unique hats for a publication and weeks later his niece who was working overseas at the time was approached by her boss with a magazine article. “Her boss brought the magazine to her about Prince Philip visiting Saskatchewan and in it was a picture of the kids wearing the hats. He asked her if that was where she was from and she said, ‘Hey wait a minute, those hats are from my uncle’s store and that’s my uncle in that story!’”
Lila Haskey-Mutch said the hats were a perfect fit for the event and it helped both teachers and students stay together in the group. “I knew a lot of students and people would be there that day,” she recalled about not wanting anyone to wander off and get lost. “I went to Walter and asked if we could get enough hats for the staff members and students. The hats ended up attracting the Prince over to us. He asked about who the head master was and then wanted to know about the hats and what they meant. He was right in front of me and I explained it to him the best that I could.”
Haskey-Mutch who by chance in later years would meet Prince Philip’s son Prince Charles and Camilla, duchess of Cornwall during Canada’s 150th celebrations in Ottawa thought The Duke of Edinburgh was very friendly and curious about the hats. Teaching Kindergarten/Gr. 1 at Nokomis in 1987, Haskey-Mutch said it was a really unique event to be a part of. “We all met at the school at 8:30 a.m. and bused to the site. It was about a 45 minute program and some of the students were able to chat with Prince Philip.”
With Haskey-Mutch and students from Nokomis, joining other schools from Imperial, Simpson and Govan along with eager onlookers, as the official ceremony came to a conclusion, the Prince joined Philip Taylor, Clint Jorgenson, the RCMP driver and both provincial and federal ministers in a van as they drove through the bird sanctuary and newly signed NWA to a pick up point where a helicopter was waiting.
During the drive with Prince Philip, Taylor said, “We talked about the conservation programs, some of the rare birds coming through like the whooping cranes, the peregrine falcons and burrowing owls. He was very interested in the rare birds but he was also very interested in the common birds. We talked about some of the shore birds that nested there in the summer. He asked very good questions, he was very polite and had a good sense of humour.”
Taylor also shared a funny moment as he was chatting along with Jorgenson and talking about the sanctuary’s programs to Prince Philip. “I pointed over toward the horizon and said, ‘If you look just beside that little hill.’ The Prince looked at me and he said, ‘Hill?’ We both started to laugh because I then said, ‘A Saskatchewan hill is a little bit smaller than the ones you are used to in Scotland.’ He was very engaged and had a good sense of humour and he enjoyed it very much.”
Even prior to the ceremony, Taylor noted how relaxed Prince Philip seemed to be, deviating from the official itinerary. “It was fairly typical of him that he had his own idea of how he wanted to do it. He left the helicopter, walked past some of the audience on either side who were cordoned off and waved to them. In front of the main platform where he was going to be seated, he went right down to the audience and shook hands with the students, school teachers and others. He spent a lot of time doing that which they loved. We didn’t know how many people were going to come and they had been waiting a while to see him. When he was shaking hands and talking with the audience you could tell his security was a bit nervous. ”
Already a remarkable day in his mind, Taylor said Prince Philip’s participation and witnessing the signatures and agreement to establish the NWA ended up becoming the pinnacle of the program of wildlife conservation activities across Canada that year.
“His signing and witnessing of the agreement was crucial. It elevated the whole program to a Canada-wide one. Without the Prince coming, many things would have happened with the centennial but it would not have struck a chord across Canada in the same way. There are so many impressions people have about Prince Philip when he is working as a consort to the Queen. On this trip he was engaged, really interested in the wildlife and the questions he was asking were right down to why we were managing, what we were doing, working with our partners like Ducks Unlimited, the Wildlife Federation, Nature Saskatchewan and the community members around who were able to put cattle on to graze certain areas. He was really right into that and that impressed me.”
As the van reached the designated pick up point and Prince Philip concluded his tour of the area, Taylor said, “He got in the helicopter and apparently he flew the helicopter part way back.”
Following the successful June 5, 1987 event, a thank you letter was received from Brigadier Clive Robertson on behalf of Buckingham Palace:
The Duke of Edinburgh has asked me to write to thank you for the most successful and interesting morning at The Last Mountain Bird Sanctuary last week. His Royal Highness was very pleased to unveil the plaque and to tour the area with its fascinating bird life.
Prince Philip was delighted to receive the picture from Robert Bateman and would be grateful if you could pass on his sincere thanks to the artist for the magnificent work which he is very pleased to have.
Thank you again for arranging such an interesting visit which was clearly very much enjoyed by all of us.
Reflecting back on that morning over 30 years ago, while the event took a tremendous amount of planning, Taylor, the now retired Habitat Biologist for Canadian Wildlife Service remarked it was a highlight he will not soon forget.
“We set out a number of objectives for ourselves and the centennial was obviously a big one. Some of these things just fell into place. It was very exciting and even today thinking about it, it was like, wow that was pretty impressive. Even over the years of me coming down from Saskatoon virtually every week and spending a few days at Last Mountain Lake over that 30 year period, I met a lot of local people and so many remember that day. Either they had gone to it or their kids had gone to that event. It was for so many people a landmark day.”
Editor’s note: For those who attended the June 5, 1987 event and snapped a few photos, Administrative Services Officer, Canadian Wildlife Service, Lois Vanthuyne noted they would be interested in seeing them and adding them to their archives. People can email photos to lois.vanthuyne@canada.ca.
Daniel Bushman
As people from around the world mourned the passing of The Duke of Edinburgh who passed away Apr. 9, 2021 at the age of 99, many from the local area also reminisced about a visit Prince Philip took to Last Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary over 30 years ago.
An advocate for wildlife and wetlands as the President of the World Wildlife Fund, The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit to Saskatchewan in June of 1987 left a lasting impact. Along with attending an international conference in Regina, Prince Philip visited a burrowing owl site east of Regina and flew to Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary to celebrate the sanctuary’s centennial while witnessing the signing of establishing the north end of the lake as a National Wildlife Area (NWA).
The history of the bird sanctuary east of Simpson runs deep as land was set aside by Canada’s first prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald after learning waterfowl were common at the north end of Last Mountain Lake. Work was done in 1887 to ensure those lands would protect birds and through that, the bird sanctuary was established as the first in Canada and North America.
Commemorating the sanctuary’s centennial in 1987 and viewing the historic NWA signing, Habitat Biologist for Canadian Wildlife Service between 1978 and 2009, Philip Taylor, remembers the day Prince Philip arrived to the area by helicopter. In fact, Taylor who was in charge of managing Saskatchewan’s habitat program and sanctuaries was instrumental in planning the ceremony which included The Duke of Edinburgh.
As the centennial approached, Taylor along with then Canadian Wildlife Service area manager Clint Jorgenson began thinking about what they could do to commemorate it. Planning to establish nature trails, a driving tour, a viewing tower and information kiosk, Taylor said, “We were working on having it designated as a national historic site, which it now is, but that still didn’t tie together our ideas and thoughts about recognizing the centennial of establishing the bird sanctuary.”
As work progressed and one thing led to another, Taylor connected with the World Wildlife Fund’s Monte Hummel who mentioned Prince Philip was very interested in global conservation. With a special interest in Canada and being President of the World Wildlife Fund, a request was made to seek Prince Philip’s attendance for the centennial and NWA signing. “Buckingham Palace came back and said, ‘Yes the Prince is available and yes, the Prince is interested in coming.’”
Along with the opportunity to have Prince Philip attend the ceremony at Last Mountain Lake, a Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was scheduled to be held in Saskatchewan at the same time. “This conference proposed for being held in Regina was agreed to and it was another reason for Prince Philip to come in his role as President of the World Wildlife Fund. That year Canada nominated 12.8 million hectares
of wetland toward that Ramsar Convention. At that time it was the largest commitment to wetland conservation of any of the members.”
With a firm commitment by Buckingham Palace that Prince Philip would attend part of the two week convention, Taylor was thrilled he would also visit Last Mountain Lake and make a stop at a farm east of Regina to see a burrowing owl site.
However, before anything could take place, there were a number of rigorous meetings about Prince Philip’s itinerary. Taylor said a planned itinerary had to be agreed upon between Buckingham Palace, the World Wildlife Fund and Canadian Wildlife Service at Last Mountain Lake. “We developed an itinerary and of course had to learn protocol as to what we did, when to shake hands and what to call him. Then we had to discuss things like security. Things like what we were responsible for like ensuring the trails were safe and what route we would take. Then between the RCMP and Buckingham Palace, they took care of the security.”
Considered as a working visit in his official role as President of the World Wildlife Fund, once the itinerary was approved for Prince Philip, then work began on the June 5 ceremony itself. Set to arrive to commemorate the centennial and observe the signing of the NWA east of Simpson, an open invitation was sent out to the public including dignitaries, nearby neighbours, and students. Federal Environment Minister Tom McMillan and Provincial Minister of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Colin Maxwell were also invited as they would sign the agreement to establish the NWA while Prince Philip acted as the official witness.
In the June 10, 1987 edition of The Watrous Manitou, publisher at that time Frank Wilson was one of the many members of the media who covered the event.
With hundreds of people on hand during that Friday morning to catch a glimpse of Prince Philip, Wilson said The Duke of Edinburgh travelled to the site by military helicopter.
After touring a burrowing owl site 24 kilometres east of Regina and delivering an address at the Ramsar Conference Thursday evening, the following morning June 5, Wilson noted in his article, “The Duke’s arrival by helicopter was right on schedule at 9:30 a.m. at a landing area set aside near the speakers’ dias. He appeared, as always, to be enjoying himself and walked along the edge of the waiting crowd, stopping here and there to chat and say hello. Applause and greetings accompanied him and cameras by the dozen received a good workout. As with any Royal Visit, there was an atmosphere of excitement and satisfaction at being able to see Prince Philip and, in some cases, to have a brief word.”
After the Duke of Edinburgh’s informal walk to the podium, Regional Director of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Gordon Kerr welcomed those in attendance and introduced the official dignitaries which included Prince Philip, the Honourable Tom McMillan, Minister of Environment Canada, Colin Maxwell, Minister of Saskatchewan Parks, Recreation and Culture, Ed Crawford, President of Canada Life Assurance Company, and Robert Bateman, a world renowned nature artist.
As part of the event, Wilson said McMillan announced an agreement had been reached between the federal and provincial authorities to bring an additional 3,000 hectares of land under federal protection, making the bird sanctuary a National Wildlife Area. With Prince Philip witnessing the signing, McMillan and Maxwell endorsed the document.
“What he did that day was he put his signature on an agreement that Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada, the two governments, committed to contribute all of the Crown lands at the north end of the lake towards making the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area,” said Taylor.
Following that, McMillan also announced the Government of Canada presented $1 million towards the World Wildlife Fund, of which Prince Philip was President.
Maxwell, who originally came from Edinburgh, noted during the ceremony how pleased he was to be attending with The Duke of Edinburgh and that the coincidence of being from Edinburgh formed a happy association between himself and Prince Philip. He also emphasized the importance of the sanctuary at Last Mountain Lake and was thrilled with the new National Wildlife Area.
Also during the Friday morning event, Wilson stated Prince Philip was presented with an original painting by artist Robert Bateman depicting White Pelicans at Last Mountain Lake and also helped with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, marking the centenary of the bird sanctuary.
Reflecting back on that day, Wilson remarked the lasting impression he retained was the huge turnout The Duke of Edinburgh attracted. “To my mind that was a tribute to his popularity and stature wherever he went. The media presence was absolutely huge and members of the public were bused in from various parts of Saskatchewan. Even the weatherman co-operated!”
Another person in attendance from the area was Lillian Gingrich. With her farm a short drive away from where the event was taking place, after learning about it, she decided to attend along with members of her family. Gingrich recalled there being a lot of people who made the trek out to the bird sanctuary for the morning ceremony.
Dennis Simpson and his family were a few of those who made the drive out to the area east of Simpson. His dad, Lewis Simpson, was Reeve of the Municipality of Wreford No. 280 at the time and one of the dignitaries to receive an official invitation.
Simpson recalled it being a dry spring and as a result there was very little water in the wetlands. Water was pumped into the wetlands from Last Mountain Lake that spring and on the morning of the event, the Simpson family gathered with others next to Greensfield Park on the grassland and watched as three helicopters flew from the south along the lake to the site. “This would have provided a good view of the bird sanctuary to the officials. After the helicopters landed, the Prince and the other officials walked to the platform where the signing took place.”
Simpson noted that there were a number of schools from nearby communities who bused students to the site for the historic event. “Keeping track of a class of children would have been a challenge. Some of the teachers provided bright coloured hats or shirts to the students to help identify them.”
Sporting bright yellow hats with the slogan ‘I Love No Name’ on them were students from the school in Nokomis. Nokomis Shop-Rite owner Walter Driediger was approached by teacher Lila Haskey-Mutch before the June 5 event asking if he might have something bright that the students could wear to help them stand out from the large gathering so they would not get lost.
“We had a whole pile of those hats at the store,” said Driediger. “We gave them to the teachers to give to the students to wear. When Prince Philip saw the kids wearing the hats he had come up to the group and asked what ‘I Love No Name’ had meant. They explained that the hats came from the grocery store in Nokomis and it was a kind of product that they sold at the store.”
While he was not in attendance at the ceremony, Driediger ended up doing an interview about the students wearing the unique hats for a publication and weeks later his niece who was working overseas at the time was approached by her boss with a magazine article. “Her boss brought the magazine to her about Prince Philip visiting Saskatchewan and in it was a picture of the kids wearing the hats. He asked her if that was where she was from and she said, ‘Hey wait a minute, those hats are from my uncle’s store and that’s my uncle in that story!’”
Lila Haskey-Mutch said the hats were a perfect fit for the event and it helped both teachers and students stay together in the group. “I knew a lot of students and people would be there that day,” she recalled about not wanting anyone to wander off and get lost. “I went to Walter and asked if we could get enough hats for the staff members and students. The hats ended up attracting the Prince over to us. He asked about who the head master was and then wanted to know about the hats and what they meant. He was right in front of me and I explained it to him the best that I could.”
Haskey-Mutch who by chance in later years would meet Prince Philip’s son Prince Charles and Camilla, duchess of Cornwall during Canada’s 150th celebrations in Ottawa thought The Duke of Edinburgh was very friendly and curious about the hats. Teaching Kindergarten/Gr. 1 at Nokomis in 1987, Haskey-Mutch said it was a really unique event to be a part of. “We all met at the school at 8:30 a.m. and bused to the site. It was about a 45 minute program and some of the students were able to chat with Prince Philip.”
With Haskey-Mutch and students from Nokomis, joining other schools from Imperial, Simpson and Govan along with eager onlookers, as the official ceremony came to a conclusion, the Prince joined Philip Taylor, Clint Jorgenson, the RCMP driver and both provincial and federal ministers in a van as they drove through the bird sanctuary and newly signed NWA to a pick up point where a helicopter was waiting.
During the drive with Prince Philip, Taylor said, “We talked about the conservation programs, some of the rare birds coming through like the whooping cranes, the peregrine falcons and burrowing owls. He was very interested in the rare birds but he was also very interested in the common birds. We talked about some of the shore birds that nested there in the summer. He asked very good questions, he was very polite and had a good sense of humour.”
Taylor also shared a funny moment as he was chatting along with Jorgenson and talking about the sanctuary’s programs to Prince Philip. “I pointed over toward the horizon and said, ‘If you look just beside that little hill.’ The Prince looked at me and he said, ‘Hill?’ We both started to laugh because I then said, ‘A Saskatchewan hill is a little bit smaller than the ones you are used to in Scotland.’ He was very engaged and had a good sense of humour and he enjoyed it very much.”
Even prior to the ceremony, Taylor noted how relaxed Prince Philip seemed to be, deviating from the official itinerary. “It was fairly typical of him that he had his own idea of how he wanted to do it. He left the helicopter, walked past some of the audience on either side who were cordoned off and waved to them. In front of the main platform where he was going to be seated, he went right down to the audience and shook hands with the students, school teachers and others. He spent a lot of time doing that which they loved. We didn’t know how many people were going to come and they had been waiting a while to see him. When he was shaking hands and talking with the audience you could tell his security was a bit nervous. ”
Already a remarkable day in his mind, Taylor said Prince Philip’s participation and witnessing the signatures and agreement to establish the NWA ended up becoming the pinnacle of the program of wildlife conservation activities across Canada that year.
“His signing and witnessing of the agreement was crucial. It elevated the whole program to a Canada-wide one. Without the Prince coming, many things would have happened with the centennial but it would not have struck a chord across Canada in the same way. There are so many impressions people have about Prince Philip when he is working as a consort to the Queen. On this trip he was engaged, really interested in the wildlife and the questions he was asking were right down to why we were managing, what we were doing, working with our partners like Ducks Unlimited, the Wildlife Federation, Nature Saskatchewan and the community members around who were able to put cattle on to graze certain areas. He was really right into that and that impressed me.”
As the van reached the designated pick up point and Prince Philip concluded his tour of the area, Taylor said, “He got in the helicopter and apparently he flew the helicopter part way back.”
Following the successful June 5, 1987 event, a thank you letter was received from Brigadier Clive Robertson on behalf of Buckingham Palace:
The Duke of Edinburgh has asked me to write to thank you for the most successful and interesting morning at The Last Mountain Bird Sanctuary last week. His Royal Highness was very pleased to unveil the plaque and to tour the area with its fascinating bird life.
Prince Philip was delighted to receive the picture from Robert Bateman and would be grateful if you could pass on his sincere thanks to the artist for the magnificent work which he is very pleased to have.
Thank you again for arranging such an interesting visit which was clearly very much enjoyed by all of us.
Reflecting back on that morning over 30 years ago, while the event took a tremendous amount of planning, Taylor, the now retired Habitat Biologist for Canadian Wildlife Service remarked it was a highlight he will not soon forget.
“We set out a number of objectives for ourselves and the centennial was obviously a big one. Some of these things just fell into place. It was very exciting and even today thinking about it, it was like, wow that was pretty impressive. Even over the years of me coming down from Saskatoon virtually every week and spending a few days at Last Mountain Lake over that 30 year period, I met a lot of local people and so many remember that day. Either they had gone to it or their kids had gone to that event. It was for so many people a landmark day.”
Editor’s note: For those who attended the June 5, 1987 event and snapped a few photos, Administrative Services Officer, Canadian Wildlife Service, Lois Vanthuyne noted they would be interested in seeing them and adding them to their archives. People can email photos to lois.vanthuyne@canada.ca.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 12, 2021
Budget touted as protecting, building, growing province; deficit projected
Daniel Bushman
Aiming to protect, build and grow Saskatchewan while operating with a projected $2.6 billion deficit, Deputy Premier, Finance Minister, and Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer tabled the 2021-‘22 provincial budget Apr. 6.
“This budget will protect Saskatchewan people through the pandemic, as more vaccines are received and life begins to return to normal,” Harpauer said, noting the COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest shock to Saskatchewan, Canadian and world economies since WWII.
“This is a significant challenge that requires a significant response,” she added. “As a result, this year’s deficit will be larger and it will take longer to return to balance than we had anticipated. But we are going to make the investments needed now to protect Saskatchewan people through the end of the pandemic and to drive a strong economic recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.”
With a projected deficit of $2.6 billion, the provincial government hopes the fiscal path will steadily improve over the next three years with smaller deficits of $1.7 billion, $1.2 billion, and $770 million in 2024-‘25. A return to balance is expected in 2026-‘27.
“As much as we have a huge deficit I am very optimistic that we are going to recover relatively quickly and then turn our eyes to what we need to do to stimulate growth which is critical,” said Harpauer who noted she has complete faith in the people of Saskatchewan. “And the fact that we have what the world needs which is food, fuel and fertilizer.”
Harpauer stated while every province is in a similar situation when it comes to a deficit and borrowing, Saskatchewan fared better than most and will now have the lowest debt to GDP ratio in the country; with real GDP forecast to grow 3.4 percent in 2021 following a projected 4.2 percent contraction in 2020.
When asked how creating the budget went, Harpauer said the disheartening thing about building this year’s budget was that in previous years a goal was always set whether it was attaining a surplus or building towards one. “In this one, the goal was to ensure that we were covering the additional costs of COVID to keep our citizens safe which meant for $19 million of additional money that we put into health care, specific to COVID. It also lends on what we are going to need to do to recover and stimulate growth going forward as well. Basically we didn’t set an end goal and just hoped that the ditch wasn’t too deep. That is not where I’d like to be but we are all there. Now we have set forward a path to recover and build and I am confident in our path and I am optimistic it won’t take us as long as we are projecting in this budget.”
Indicated within the budget, revenue is forecast at $14.5 billion with expenses of $17.1 billion projected, an increase of $1 billion compared to last year. The total public debt, including Crown corporation debt, is projected to be $27.8 billion at Mar. 31, 2022 - up $4.2 billion compared to last year.
At a glance, the budget includes $1.5 billion to help protect Saskatchewan lives and livelihoods in the fight against COVID-19, following a $2 billion investment last year. A further $1.3 billion of support is in place for the next two years, for a multi-year commitment of $4.8 billion.
The budget provides $3.1 billion of planned capital spending to stimulate the economy and create jobs. It also invests $162 million in health care capital including a planning stage investment of $550,000 for new Watson and Estevan long-term care facilities.
There is $830 million going into operating, maintaining, building and improving Saskatchewan’s roads and highways including multiple passing-lane projects on Highways 2, 3, 12, 14 and 16.
The budget provides nearly $190 million for education capital including nearly $102 million to support 21 ongoing capital projects which will build 16 new schools and renovate five more.
Also within the budget, more than $324 million will be invested in government services infrastructure, $70.1 million for maintenance and upgrades to dams and canals, and nearly $245 million for municipal infrastructure. Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations will spend $1.6 billion on major capital projects this year, including nearly $938 million by SaskPower to improve the province’s electricity system to meet demand and maintain reliability.
The 2021-‘22 Budget includes record funding for workforce development of more than $39 million to strengthen Saskatchewan’s recovery from the pandemic. Nearly $18 million is being provided for Employment Assistance for Persons with Disabilities.
The 2021-‘22 Budget also includes nearly $175 million to provide all SaskPower customers with a 10 percent rebate on their power bills this year. Meanwhile, in May, every Saskatchewan driver will receive a rebate on their vehicle registrations from the Auto Fund.
This year’s budget reinstated the Community Rink Affordability Grant, providing communities with $2,500 per ice surface.
Total funding through the Saskatchewan Veteran Service Club Support Program will grow from $100,000 to $1.5 million this year. And the budget also restarts the Active Families Benefit, providing $150 per child enrolled in sport, recreation and cultural activities.
“In the election campaign last fall, we made 14 specific campaign commitments to make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people,” Harpauer said. “This budget fulfills all 14 of these commitments. We did what we said we would do.”
In addition, the budget contains a number of changes to taxes including the taxation of vapour products and heat-not-burn tobacco products, as well as a road use fee for electric vehicles at the time of registration to ensure that all road users contribute to road maintenance and replacement. Diving in a little deeper, here are a few more specifics within a handful of areas:
Health
This year’s record health budget of $6.54 billion - up $359 million or 5.8 percent from last year - includes a $90 million increase to support Saskatchewan’s comprehensive COVID response. This includes: the mass vaccination rollout; purchase of more personal protective equipment; supporting contact tracing measures; expansion of testing and assessment sites; additional provincial laboratory capacity; supports for long-term care; and coverage of added physician costs.
The budget provides Saskatchewan Health Authority with a $3.96 billion grant this year, up more than $221 million, or nearly six percent, compared to last year. The budget invests a record $458 million for mental health and addictions programs and services, up $23.4 million or 5.4 percent from last year. This includes $7.2 million for targeted mental health and addictions services including specific youth-focused initiatives, investments in suicide prevention, and expansion of harm reduction and addictions treatment.
A total of $6 million will be used to hire approximately 100 continuing care aides who will help long-term care clients with personal care, meals and medication.
“It’s the first year of our three-year, $18.4 million campaign commitment to hire 300 continuing care aides to work in long-term care and in existing and expanded home-care services in rural and remote areas,” Harpauer said. “This budget also keeps our election commitment to support children with Autism and their families, with $6 million to expand the Autism Spectrum Disorder program to provide individualized funding for children ages six to 11. We are fulfilling another platform commitment through a $5 million increase to expand eligibility under the Saskatchewan Insulin Pump Program - which means the cost of an insulin pump will now be covered for everyone in Saskatchewan who needs one.”
The funding will also cover continuous glucose monitoring for children and youth under age 18.
A $6.7 million increase will reduce ambulance fees for seniors to $135 per trip, down from $275 and $1.4 million is being invested to add a new STARS helicopter to deliver emergency care faster to rural and remote areas and save lives.
Education
Education spending across government is $3.75 billion, up more than $391 million, or 11.6 percent compared to last year. This includes spending on pre-K to Gr. 12 education, post-secondary education, and career training programs and commissions.
Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions will receive $1.96 billion in operating funding for the 2021-‘22 school year, a $19.2 million increase. This includes fully funding the two percent salary increase in the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement.
Specifically for the local area, Harpauer noted Horizon School Division will receive $77.079 million, a 2.5 percent increase. Project wise, work continues on seeing a new school in Lanigan built while $2.3 million has been allocated for structural repairs for the school in Allan.
Harpauer also noted Horizon School Division will receive $1.8 million for additional repairs over and above the maintenance budget that they have been allocated. That stimulus funding is able to be utilized for additional repairs and work.
Federal-provincial Safe Schools funding of $155 million has been provided over the last year to help school divisions and independent schools during the pandemic. More than $20 million of this funding will carry over into the 2021-‘22 school year.
An increase of $2 million in this budget brings child care funding up to $75.5 million and will create 176 additional licensed home-based spaces and 51 new licensed centre spaces.
This year’s budget will invest a total of $735 million in the post-secondary sector. Beyond the typical base budget, government will invest an additional $60 million over two years to be utilized for COVID recovery, revenue generation, and achieving priorities set out in the Growth Plan.
The budget includes $678.5 million for post-secondary institutions, up 4.4 percent compared to the previous year, as well as $39.8 million for student supports, a 10 percent increase. This includes an increase in the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship from $500 to $750 annually per eligible student to help with tuition costs.
Social Services
The budget provides social services and assistance with $1.56 billion, up more than $66 million, or 4.5 percent, compared to last year.
“This budget meets our election commitment to increase benefits to seniors with $3.5 million in additional funding for the Seniors Income Plan,” Harpauer said. “The investment will help low-income seniors enjoy a better quality of life with maximum payments increasing by $30 a month, effective July 1.”
Protection of Persons and Property
The budget provides more than $845 million for the protection of Saskatchewan persons and property, up $38.6 million, or 4.8 percent, compared to last year.
Agriculture
The budget includes a $23.1 million increase to the Ministry of Agriculture budget which totals $386.9 million, a six percent increase from the 2020-‘21 budget.
Agriculture Minister David Marit said, “The 2021-‘22 Agriculture budget will once again fully fund business risk management programs, provide a record level of per-acre coverage under the Crop Insurance Program, continue last year’s record investment in agriculture research, and make important investments in irrigation expansion.”
The Agriculture budget includes a $20.6 million increase to business risk management funding and the $150.1 million 2021 Crop Insurance Program includes coverage of $273 an acre.
This year’s budget also contains an additional $2 million for the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, which compensates Saskatchewan producers for crop damage and predation caused by wildlife, to address stronger commodity prices.
The budget will also once again include $32.9 million in funding for agriculture research, which matches last year’s record level of funding for research.
Additional investments will also be made to expand irrigation in Saskatchewan, with an increased $2.5 million for irrigation development projects. Once again, the Agriculture budget includes $71.2 million for strategic programs under the CAP agreement.
Budget reaction
With the budget tabled, Harpauer said, “Throughout this pandemic, we have witnessed Saskatchewan’s resolve, as our people made the sacrifices required to protect not only themselves, but also their families, friends, neighbours and co-workers. When this pandemic is over we will witness Saskatchewan’s resilience, as our economy recovers and grows, as businesses reopen and more people return to work, and as Saskatchewan recovers to be even stronger than before.”
As the provincial government tabled the budget Apr. 6, Saskatchewan New Democratic Party Leader Ryan Meili said it was out of touch and broke key campaign commitments.
“Scott Moe has failed Saskatchewan. This budget shows that the premier is in over his head and he hasn’t been honest with the people of this province about the realities we’re all facing,” said Meili. “People were having a tough time before COVID-19 hit and the Sask. Party’s failure to show leadership in containing the pandemic means those families are even further behind. This budget takes the same approach as the government’s pandemic response: weak half measures that don’t get the job done for Saskatchewan people.”
“The government said during the election they would balance the budget by 2024, knowing full well that they would not. That lie was confirmed today. They said there would be no tax increases for families. Instead, property taxes for families are going up. And now we see the government lied to families in the last election about their plans to increase staffing in our hard-hit long-term care facilities,” said Meili.
Along with reaction from the NDP, others also weighed in on the budget.
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation was encouraged stating the budget signals public education is a priority. “There are always resource challenges in schools and we always hope for funding increases beyond inflation and enrolment increases. However, these are difficult times for citizens and for government. A budget always requires tough choices to be made and the pandemic has increased financial pressure on the provincial government,” said STF President Patrick Maze. “This budget essentially holds the line for education. Given the circumstances, this is a realistic approach.”
However, Maze cautioned there will still be resource challenges in schools. “The challenges we had pre-pandemic haven’t gone away and now there are new ones. Students have all had very different experiences over the last year that will need to be addressed. School divisions will still have to make difficult decisions.”
According to the Saskatchewan Chamber, the budget contains several important new items for Saskatchewan businesses. “While the pandemic has impacted every household and business differently, we will collectively recover by focusing on health and safety protocols, and by vaccinating our residents as soon as possible. Once the pandemic is less of a concern, we expect the province to renew and increase its focus on the transition to economic recovery and building resilience into all we do in Saskatchewan,” said Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO, Steve McLellan.
McLellan noted the budget also contains important elements crucial to Saskatchewan businesses including continued financial supports for members of the business community negatively impacted by COVID-19, $3.1 billion of Capital Investments, and an investment of $3.2 million to improve the cyber security of Saskatchewan’s public service systems.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) felt the budget missed a crucial opportunity to invest in working people at a time when workers are struggling due to unemployment, illness, and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today was an opportunity for the government to put workers first, and make meaningful investments that would create jobs and get people back to work, make workplaces safer, and ensure that workers have the supports they need to be able to get through the rest of the pandemic,” said SFL President Lori Johb. “Unfortunately, this budget offers very little for the working people who have been on the front lines of this crisis since day one.”
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation called on the government to strengthen its plan to tackle the deficit. “It’s true the pandemic is creating costs for government, but every family and business has found ways to save money and the province needs to do that as well,” said Todd MacKay, the CTF’s Prairie Director. “Spending is going up in 10 out of the 11 major budget categories. It’s good to see the Saskatchewan government set a target to balance the budget, but it needs to work harder to hit that target earlier.”
The Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) was pleased the government is investing in agricultural programming and in improving rural telecommunications stating the government’s priorities for Agri-stability, irrigation development and research funding maintenance are positive impacts for the agriculture industry.
“COVID really has been a shock to the economy, and agriculture is well poised to lead the recovery, and we will,” APAS President Todd Lewis said. The budget will also once again include $32.9 million in funding for agriculture research, which matches last year’s record level of funding for research.
Additional investments will also be made to expand irrigation in Saskatchewan, with an increased $2.5 million for irrigation development projects. Once again, the Agriculture budget includes $71.2 million for strategic programs under the CAP agreement.
Daniel Bushman
Aiming to protect, build and grow Saskatchewan while operating with a projected $2.6 billion deficit, Deputy Premier, Finance Minister, and Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer tabled the 2021-‘22 provincial budget Apr. 6.
“This budget will protect Saskatchewan people through the pandemic, as more vaccines are received and life begins to return to normal,” Harpauer said, noting the COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest shock to Saskatchewan, Canadian and world economies since WWII.
“This is a significant challenge that requires a significant response,” she added. “As a result, this year’s deficit will be larger and it will take longer to return to balance than we had anticipated. But we are going to make the investments needed now to protect Saskatchewan people through the end of the pandemic and to drive a strong economic recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.”
With a projected deficit of $2.6 billion, the provincial government hopes the fiscal path will steadily improve over the next three years with smaller deficits of $1.7 billion, $1.2 billion, and $770 million in 2024-‘25. A return to balance is expected in 2026-‘27.
“As much as we have a huge deficit I am very optimistic that we are going to recover relatively quickly and then turn our eyes to what we need to do to stimulate growth which is critical,” said Harpauer who noted she has complete faith in the people of Saskatchewan. “And the fact that we have what the world needs which is food, fuel and fertilizer.”
Harpauer stated while every province is in a similar situation when it comes to a deficit and borrowing, Saskatchewan fared better than most and will now have the lowest debt to GDP ratio in the country; with real GDP forecast to grow 3.4 percent in 2021 following a projected 4.2 percent contraction in 2020.
When asked how creating the budget went, Harpauer said the disheartening thing about building this year’s budget was that in previous years a goal was always set whether it was attaining a surplus or building towards one. “In this one, the goal was to ensure that we were covering the additional costs of COVID to keep our citizens safe which meant for $19 million of additional money that we put into health care, specific to COVID. It also lends on what we are going to need to do to recover and stimulate growth going forward as well. Basically we didn’t set an end goal and just hoped that the ditch wasn’t too deep. That is not where I’d like to be but we are all there. Now we have set forward a path to recover and build and I am confident in our path and I am optimistic it won’t take us as long as we are projecting in this budget.”
Indicated within the budget, revenue is forecast at $14.5 billion with expenses of $17.1 billion projected, an increase of $1 billion compared to last year. The total public debt, including Crown corporation debt, is projected to be $27.8 billion at Mar. 31, 2022 - up $4.2 billion compared to last year.
At a glance, the budget includes $1.5 billion to help protect Saskatchewan lives and livelihoods in the fight against COVID-19, following a $2 billion investment last year. A further $1.3 billion of support is in place for the next two years, for a multi-year commitment of $4.8 billion.
The budget provides $3.1 billion of planned capital spending to stimulate the economy and create jobs. It also invests $162 million in health care capital including a planning stage investment of $550,000 for new Watson and Estevan long-term care facilities.
There is $830 million going into operating, maintaining, building and improving Saskatchewan’s roads and highways including multiple passing-lane projects on Highways 2, 3, 12, 14 and 16.
The budget provides nearly $190 million for education capital including nearly $102 million to support 21 ongoing capital projects which will build 16 new schools and renovate five more.
Also within the budget, more than $324 million will be invested in government services infrastructure, $70.1 million for maintenance and upgrades to dams and canals, and nearly $245 million for municipal infrastructure. Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations will spend $1.6 billion on major capital projects this year, including nearly $938 million by SaskPower to improve the province’s electricity system to meet demand and maintain reliability.
The 2021-‘22 Budget includes record funding for workforce development of more than $39 million to strengthen Saskatchewan’s recovery from the pandemic. Nearly $18 million is being provided for Employment Assistance for Persons with Disabilities.
The 2021-‘22 Budget also includes nearly $175 million to provide all SaskPower customers with a 10 percent rebate on their power bills this year. Meanwhile, in May, every Saskatchewan driver will receive a rebate on their vehicle registrations from the Auto Fund.
This year’s budget reinstated the Community Rink Affordability Grant, providing communities with $2,500 per ice surface.
Total funding through the Saskatchewan Veteran Service Club Support Program will grow from $100,000 to $1.5 million this year. And the budget also restarts the Active Families Benefit, providing $150 per child enrolled in sport, recreation and cultural activities.
“In the election campaign last fall, we made 14 specific campaign commitments to make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people,” Harpauer said. “This budget fulfills all 14 of these commitments. We did what we said we would do.”
In addition, the budget contains a number of changes to taxes including the taxation of vapour products and heat-not-burn tobacco products, as well as a road use fee for electric vehicles at the time of registration to ensure that all road users contribute to road maintenance and replacement. Diving in a little deeper, here are a few more specifics within a handful of areas:
Health
This year’s record health budget of $6.54 billion - up $359 million or 5.8 percent from last year - includes a $90 million increase to support Saskatchewan’s comprehensive COVID response. This includes: the mass vaccination rollout; purchase of more personal protective equipment; supporting contact tracing measures; expansion of testing and assessment sites; additional provincial laboratory capacity; supports for long-term care; and coverage of added physician costs.
The budget provides Saskatchewan Health Authority with a $3.96 billion grant this year, up more than $221 million, or nearly six percent, compared to last year. The budget invests a record $458 million for mental health and addictions programs and services, up $23.4 million or 5.4 percent from last year. This includes $7.2 million for targeted mental health and addictions services including specific youth-focused initiatives, investments in suicide prevention, and expansion of harm reduction and addictions treatment.
A total of $6 million will be used to hire approximately 100 continuing care aides who will help long-term care clients with personal care, meals and medication.
“It’s the first year of our three-year, $18.4 million campaign commitment to hire 300 continuing care aides to work in long-term care and in existing and expanded home-care services in rural and remote areas,” Harpauer said. “This budget also keeps our election commitment to support children with Autism and their families, with $6 million to expand the Autism Spectrum Disorder program to provide individualized funding for children ages six to 11. We are fulfilling another platform commitment through a $5 million increase to expand eligibility under the Saskatchewan Insulin Pump Program - which means the cost of an insulin pump will now be covered for everyone in Saskatchewan who needs one.”
The funding will also cover continuous glucose monitoring for children and youth under age 18.
A $6.7 million increase will reduce ambulance fees for seniors to $135 per trip, down from $275 and $1.4 million is being invested to add a new STARS helicopter to deliver emergency care faster to rural and remote areas and save lives.
Education
Education spending across government is $3.75 billion, up more than $391 million, or 11.6 percent compared to last year. This includes spending on pre-K to Gr. 12 education, post-secondary education, and career training programs and commissions.
Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions will receive $1.96 billion in operating funding for the 2021-‘22 school year, a $19.2 million increase. This includes fully funding the two percent salary increase in the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement.
Specifically for the local area, Harpauer noted Horizon School Division will receive $77.079 million, a 2.5 percent increase. Project wise, work continues on seeing a new school in Lanigan built while $2.3 million has been allocated for structural repairs for the school in Allan.
Harpauer also noted Horizon School Division will receive $1.8 million for additional repairs over and above the maintenance budget that they have been allocated. That stimulus funding is able to be utilized for additional repairs and work.
Federal-provincial Safe Schools funding of $155 million has been provided over the last year to help school divisions and independent schools during the pandemic. More than $20 million of this funding will carry over into the 2021-‘22 school year.
An increase of $2 million in this budget brings child care funding up to $75.5 million and will create 176 additional licensed home-based spaces and 51 new licensed centre spaces.
This year’s budget will invest a total of $735 million in the post-secondary sector. Beyond the typical base budget, government will invest an additional $60 million over two years to be utilized for COVID recovery, revenue generation, and achieving priorities set out in the Growth Plan.
The budget includes $678.5 million for post-secondary institutions, up 4.4 percent compared to the previous year, as well as $39.8 million for student supports, a 10 percent increase. This includes an increase in the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship from $500 to $750 annually per eligible student to help with tuition costs.
Social Services
The budget provides social services and assistance with $1.56 billion, up more than $66 million, or 4.5 percent, compared to last year.
“This budget meets our election commitment to increase benefits to seniors with $3.5 million in additional funding for the Seniors Income Plan,” Harpauer said. “The investment will help low-income seniors enjoy a better quality of life with maximum payments increasing by $30 a month, effective July 1.”
Protection of Persons and Property
The budget provides more than $845 million for the protection of Saskatchewan persons and property, up $38.6 million, or 4.8 percent, compared to last year.
Agriculture
The budget includes a $23.1 million increase to the Ministry of Agriculture budget which totals $386.9 million, a six percent increase from the 2020-‘21 budget.
Agriculture Minister David Marit said, “The 2021-‘22 Agriculture budget will once again fully fund business risk management programs, provide a record level of per-acre coverage under the Crop Insurance Program, continue last year’s record investment in agriculture research, and make important investments in irrigation expansion.”
The Agriculture budget includes a $20.6 million increase to business risk management funding and the $150.1 million 2021 Crop Insurance Program includes coverage of $273 an acre.
This year’s budget also contains an additional $2 million for the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, which compensates Saskatchewan producers for crop damage and predation caused by wildlife, to address stronger commodity prices.
The budget will also once again include $32.9 million in funding for agriculture research, which matches last year’s record level of funding for research.
Additional investments will also be made to expand irrigation in Saskatchewan, with an increased $2.5 million for irrigation development projects. Once again, the Agriculture budget includes $71.2 million for strategic programs under the CAP agreement.
Budget reaction
With the budget tabled, Harpauer said, “Throughout this pandemic, we have witnessed Saskatchewan’s resolve, as our people made the sacrifices required to protect not only themselves, but also their families, friends, neighbours and co-workers. When this pandemic is over we will witness Saskatchewan’s resilience, as our economy recovers and grows, as businesses reopen and more people return to work, and as Saskatchewan recovers to be even stronger than before.”
As the provincial government tabled the budget Apr. 6, Saskatchewan New Democratic Party Leader Ryan Meili said it was out of touch and broke key campaign commitments.
“Scott Moe has failed Saskatchewan. This budget shows that the premier is in over his head and he hasn’t been honest with the people of this province about the realities we’re all facing,” said Meili. “People were having a tough time before COVID-19 hit and the Sask. Party’s failure to show leadership in containing the pandemic means those families are even further behind. This budget takes the same approach as the government’s pandemic response: weak half measures that don’t get the job done for Saskatchewan people.”
“The government said during the election they would balance the budget by 2024, knowing full well that they would not. That lie was confirmed today. They said there would be no tax increases for families. Instead, property taxes for families are going up. And now we see the government lied to families in the last election about their plans to increase staffing in our hard-hit long-term care facilities,” said Meili.
Along with reaction from the NDP, others also weighed in on the budget.
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation was encouraged stating the budget signals public education is a priority. “There are always resource challenges in schools and we always hope for funding increases beyond inflation and enrolment increases. However, these are difficult times for citizens and for government. A budget always requires tough choices to be made and the pandemic has increased financial pressure on the provincial government,” said STF President Patrick Maze. “This budget essentially holds the line for education. Given the circumstances, this is a realistic approach.”
However, Maze cautioned there will still be resource challenges in schools. “The challenges we had pre-pandemic haven’t gone away and now there are new ones. Students have all had very different experiences over the last year that will need to be addressed. School divisions will still have to make difficult decisions.”
According to the Saskatchewan Chamber, the budget contains several important new items for Saskatchewan businesses. “While the pandemic has impacted every household and business differently, we will collectively recover by focusing on health and safety protocols, and by vaccinating our residents as soon as possible. Once the pandemic is less of a concern, we expect the province to renew and increase its focus on the transition to economic recovery and building resilience into all we do in Saskatchewan,” said Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO, Steve McLellan.
McLellan noted the budget also contains important elements crucial to Saskatchewan businesses including continued financial supports for members of the business community negatively impacted by COVID-19, $3.1 billion of Capital Investments, and an investment of $3.2 million to improve the cyber security of Saskatchewan’s public service systems.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) felt the budget missed a crucial opportunity to invest in working people at a time when workers are struggling due to unemployment, illness, and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today was an opportunity for the government to put workers first, and make meaningful investments that would create jobs and get people back to work, make workplaces safer, and ensure that workers have the supports they need to be able to get through the rest of the pandemic,” said SFL President Lori Johb. “Unfortunately, this budget offers very little for the working people who have been on the front lines of this crisis since day one.”
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation called on the government to strengthen its plan to tackle the deficit. “It’s true the pandemic is creating costs for government, but every family and business has found ways to save money and the province needs to do that as well,” said Todd MacKay, the CTF’s Prairie Director. “Spending is going up in 10 out of the 11 major budget categories. It’s good to see the Saskatchewan government set a target to balance the budget, but it needs to work harder to hit that target earlier.”
The Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) was pleased the government is investing in agricultural programming and in improving rural telecommunications stating the government’s priorities for Agri-stability, irrigation development and research funding maintenance are positive impacts for the agriculture industry.
“COVID really has been a shock to the economy, and agriculture is well poised to lead the recovery, and we will,” APAS President Todd Lewis said. The budget will also once again include $32.9 million in funding for agriculture research, which matches last year’s record level of funding for research.
Additional investments will also be made to expand irrigation in Saskatchewan, with an increased $2.5 million for irrigation development projects. Once again, the Agriculture budget includes $71.2 million for strategic programs under the CAP agreement.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 5, 2021
Mixed weather sends March out as both lamb and lion
Daniel Bushman
From breaking a daily maximum temperature record one day to a nasty spring storm the next, the end of March provided a typical glimpse of how the weather in Saskatchewan can change in a 24 hour span. T-shirts and shorts were the preferred attire Mar. 28 as people in the area took advantage of the beautiful weather. However, the dress code changed in a flash as T-shirts and shorts were replaced by parkas and boots the following day.
Heading into the final Sunday of March, the weather did not disappoint as the values hit the mid- to upper-teens in a lot of Saskatchewan communities. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada a number of places set daily maximum temperature records Mar. 28. Those included: Elbow Area (Elbow CS) had a new record of 17.2˚C, besting the old record of 16.2˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1955); Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary) Area (Last Mountain CS) set a new record of 18.5˚C besting the old record of 15.0˚C set in 1981 (records in this area have been kept since 1975); Lucky Lake Area (Lucky Lake) had new record of 17.8˚C besting the old record of 16.9˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1972); Saskatoon Area (Saskatoon RCS) had a new record of 18.2˚C besting the old record of 17.3˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1900); Watrous Area (Watrous East) had a new record of 17.6˚C besting the old record of 16.1˚C set in 1963 (records in this area have been kept since 1953); and Wynyard Area (Wynyard (AUT)) had a new record of 15.1˚C besting the old record of 12.8˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1964).
A day after being able to enjoy the beautiful weather, a spring storm warning was issued for the bulk of Saskatchewan and contained high winds, blowing snow, road closures, accidents, power outages and reduced visibility.
A strong low pressure system and cold front tracked eastwards across the central Prairies causing the mild temperatures and rain showers to give way to severe winds, heavy snow, and blowing snow. Severe northwesterly winds developed by midday and persisted into the night Monday. With treacherous conditions, temperatures fell below zero, leading to a rapid freeze of surfaces such as roadways and walkways.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips said it was quite the contrast going from warm weather to a frigid fast moving system. “You went from record warm temperatures on the 28th and 24 hours later it was like -20˚C with the wind chill. This was a real warm air, cold air collision.”
Phillips noted the record values in the local area for Mar. 28 were at least 11˚C warmer than they would normally be for this time of year. Then 24 hours later, a fast clipper cooled things down substantially, bringing a different air mass with some powerful winds.
“We saw winds in your community at least to 70 km/h in gusts. In between hours it could have been a lot higher,” said Phillips who added because of the wind, visibility was down to near-zero in many places.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the following are peak wind gusts reported at select stations over southern Saskatchewan from 6 a.m. Mar. 29 through to 3 a.m. Mar. 30 in kilometres per hour: Swift Current - 120, Mankota - 107, Eastend Cypress - 102, Estevan - 102, Val Marie - 100, Assiniboia - 94, Rosetown - 94, Regina - 93, Leader - 93, Rockglen - 93, Moose Jaw - 91, Scott - 91, Lucky Lake - 89, North Battleford - 87, and Saskatoon - 85.
Those windy conditions also created power outages in a number of communities. SaskPower stated a large number of outages ranging from the Maple Creek to Prince Albert areas occurred as a result of the spring storm.
As of 4:30 p.m. Mar. 29 SaskPower’s Outage Centre had fielded over 9,000 calls since the onset of the extreme weather.
As a result, there were 173 outages resulting in 8,450 customers without power and due to unsafe weather conditions, a number of communities were without power overnight. Those communities and surrounding rural customers that were part of the overnight outage included: Lucky Lake, Beechy, Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Elrose, Kyle, Colleville, Eatonia, Whitebear, Shaunavon, Maple Creek, and Macklin.
The following morning, crews were back out restoring power to the impacted areas. “We appreciate customers patience and understanding during this spring storm.”
During the spring storm, with low visibility and road conditions deteriorating, the community of Colonsay took in motorists for the night who were trying to navigate along Hwy. 16. The Watrous Manitou's Colonsay correspondent Florence Halvorson said the Town of Colonsay opened its town hall while the local motel was filled with people. The community also banded together to provide meals for those who spent the night, feeding them supper and breakfast. Seeing its residents come together in a time of need, the Town of Colonsay greatly appreciated the generosity from those who were able to lend a hand during the storm.
As conditions began to improve through Tuesday as the low pressure system tracked off into Manitoba, those in Winnipeg and Manitoba then had to deal with the system. “The day where you were getting those cold temperatures and wind chill they were having a record 20˚C in Winnipeg. Then Tuesday it was brutally cold (for them).”
Replacing the cold weather and snow drifts with sunshine and melting snow, above-normal values returned almost as quickly as they were forced to retreat. “It was clearly a one day wonder,” said Phillips of the spring storm. “We don’t know if it is winter’s last hurrah. We’d like to think it is but you typically in Saskatchewan get around 15 percent of your annual snowfall after this time into May.”
With temperatures five to seven degrees warmer than normal heading into this past weekend, Phillips said the long-term outlook looks milder than normal. “You can’t rule out some more snow and cold but it is getting less and less (likely) as the days get longer and we get into April. Then it becomes less and has no staying power.”
Daniel Bushman
From breaking a daily maximum temperature record one day to a nasty spring storm the next, the end of March provided a typical glimpse of how the weather in Saskatchewan can change in a 24 hour span. T-shirts and shorts were the preferred attire Mar. 28 as people in the area took advantage of the beautiful weather. However, the dress code changed in a flash as T-shirts and shorts were replaced by parkas and boots the following day.
Heading into the final Sunday of March, the weather did not disappoint as the values hit the mid- to upper-teens in a lot of Saskatchewan communities. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada a number of places set daily maximum temperature records Mar. 28. Those included: Elbow Area (Elbow CS) had a new record of 17.2˚C, besting the old record of 16.2˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1955); Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary) Area (Last Mountain CS) set a new record of 18.5˚C besting the old record of 15.0˚C set in 1981 (records in this area have been kept since 1975); Lucky Lake Area (Lucky Lake) had new record of 17.8˚C besting the old record of 16.9˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1972); Saskatoon Area (Saskatoon RCS) had a new record of 18.2˚C besting the old record of 17.3˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1900); Watrous Area (Watrous East) had a new record of 17.6˚C besting the old record of 16.1˚C set in 1963 (records in this area have been kept since 1953); and Wynyard Area (Wynyard (AUT)) had a new record of 15.1˚C besting the old record of 12.8˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1964).
A day after being able to enjoy the beautiful weather, a spring storm warning was issued for the bulk of Saskatchewan and contained high winds, blowing snow, road closures, accidents, power outages and reduced visibility.
A strong low pressure system and cold front tracked eastwards across the central Prairies causing the mild temperatures and rain showers to give way to severe winds, heavy snow, and blowing snow. Severe northwesterly winds developed by midday and persisted into the night Monday. With treacherous conditions, temperatures fell below zero, leading to a rapid freeze of surfaces such as roadways and walkways.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips said it was quite the contrast going from warm weather to a frigid fast moving system. “You went from record warm temperatures on the 28th and 24 hours later it was like -20˚C with the wind chill. This was a real warm air, cold air collision.”
Phillips noted the record values in the local area for Mar. 28 were at least 11˚C warmer than they would normally be for this time of year. Then 24 hours later, a fast clipper cooled things down substantially, bringing a different air mass with some powerful winds.
“We saw winds in your community at least to 70 km/h in gusts. In between hours it could have been a lot higher,” said Phillips who added because of the wind, visibility was down to near-zero in many places.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the following are peak wind gusts reported at select stations over southern Saskatchewan from 6 a.m. Mar. 29 through to 3 a.m. Mar. 30 in kilometres per hour: Swift Current - 120, Mankota - 107, Eastend Cypress - 102, Estevan - 102, Val Marie - 100, Assiniboia - 94, Rosetown - 94, Regina - 93, Leader - 93, Rockglen - 93, Moose Jaw - 91, Scott - 91, Lucky Lake - 89, North Battleford - 87, and Saskatoon - 85.
Those windy conditions also created power outages in a number of communities. SaskPower stated a large number of outages ranging from the Maple Creek to Prince Albert areas occurred as a result of the spring storm.
As of 4:30 p.m. Mar. 29 SaskPower’s Outage Centre had fielded over 9,000 calls since the onset of the extreme weather.
As a result, there were 173 outages resulting in 8,450 customers without power and due to unsafe weather conditions, a number of communities were without power overnight. Those communities and surrounding rural customers that were part of the overnight outage included: Lucky Lake, Beechy, Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Elrose, Kyle, Colleville, Eatonia, Whitebear, Shaunavon, Maple Creek, and Macklin.
The following morning, crews were back out restoring power to the impacted areas. “We appreciate customers patience and understanding during this spring storm.”
During the spring storm, with low visibility and road conditions deteriorating, the community of Colonsay took in motorists for the night who were trying to navigate along Hwy. 16. The Watrous Manitou's Colonsay correspondent Florence Halvorson said the Town of Colonsay opened its town hall while the local motel was filled with people. The community also banded together to provide meals for those who spent the night, feeding them supper and breakfast. Seeing its residents come together in a time of need, the Town of Colonsay greatly appreciated the generosity from those who were able to lend a hand during the storm.
As conditions began to improve through Tuesday as the low pressure system tracked off into Manitoba, those in Winnipeg and Manitoba then had to deal with the system. “The day where you were getting those cold temperatures and wind chill they were having a record 20˚C in Winnipeg. Then Tuesday it was brutally cold (for them).”
Replacing the cold weather and snow drifts with sunshine and melting snow, above-normal values returned almost as quickly as they were forced to retreat. “It was clearly a one day wonder,” said Phillips of the spring storm. “We don’t know if it is winter’s last hurrah. We’d like to think it is but you typically in Saskatchewan get around 15 percent of your annual snowfall after this time into May.”
With temperatures five to seven degrees warmer than normal heading into this past weekend, Phillips said the long-term outlook looks milder than normal. “You can’t rule out some more snow and cold but it is getting less and less (likely) as the days get longer and we get into April. Then it becomes less and has no staying power.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 29, 2021
Local research farm a key component to global company
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to provide producers confidence in understanding how varieties and products can survive in local geographies and Prairie conditions, a research farm just outside of Watrous has not only be able to offer that key data but has done so for over 40 years.
Situated on Research Road, a few kilometres east of Watrous, Nutrien Ag Solutions operates a Seed Breeding and Innovation Department. Established in the late 1970s and known as the Research Farm, it has been a fixture within the area and like the agriculture industry, has had a number of transformations over the years.
Along with facilities, equipment and land plots located at the site near Watrous, currently there are three full-time staff including a farm manager/research agronomist who takes care of the day to day operations and is responsible for the safety of staff and the location. Two research technicians are also on site and they take care of the in-field operations. To help with additional work, four seasonal staff are brought on board.
Entering her 22nd year at the Research Farm is farm manager/research agronomist Juanita Allin who has been joined for the past five seasons by research technicians Shannon Craig and Evan Stacey.
“I am fortunate to have had a consistent team with me over the past five years,” said Allin who added she is grateful to have been able to hire many local university students over the years as well to support the program. “The relationships we build with summer staff over the years is one of the perks of this type of work. A lot of these are lifelong friendships built in the field during the summer.”
With the main research at Nutrien Ag Solutions location east of Watrous currently involving a small plot with an emphasis on canola variety development for commercial use, Allin said, “We do have our feet still in some cereal and forage variety trailing as well as research in the development of Nutrien Ag Solutions Loveland line of chemicals and crop nutritional products.”
Having the unique ability to accumulate and utilize the research to help grow the company and in turn, benefit producers, tours are held each year at the Research Farm for retail staff members of Nutrien to get an up close look at how things are progressing. By allowing tours, the Research Farm is then able to highlight the work being done and varieties being used for retail staff to market in future years.
“The Research Farm was located near Watrous due to the fact that it has an ‘average’ soil composition for the province. This allows us to showcase products that can be used in all areas. Then during the winter we run two greenhouse sessions, growing canola that supplements our larger greenhouse projects ran in Saskatoon at Innovation Place.”
Since the industry continues to advance, Allin said the main goals of the program are ever-evolving. “Currently increasing our shatter tolerance and clubroot resistance within our canola varieties is the focus of our efforts. This year we are also taking part in salinity reclamation trailing as our forage program has some excellent varieties for this use.”
Being able to stay on top of all of the advancements within the agriculture industry has been key over the years for the local area research farm. By doing that, Allin said sites like the one east of Watrous allows producers to gain confidence and knowledge in understanding the varieties and products have been thoroughly tested in geographies and conditions prior to entering the commercial stream.
In an effort to do that, Allin shared about how the operation runs throughout the year. “Since we are essentially farming on a small scale, our year cycles similar to that of a conventional producer. This time of year we are preparing for spring seeding, doing equipment maintenance, field planning and seed treating. Once we begin seeding we do not count our progress in acres, but in the number of research plots seeded. In Watrous our group is responsible for around 16,000 plots between our site in Watrous, and satellite sites in Lake Lenore and Allan. During the growing season we take care of our plots just as any producer would, spraying for weeds, insects and disease. We also spend time taking notes on the plots for things such as flowering, maturity and lodging to assist our breeding team. While we utilize chemical and mechanical weed control, we do spend time rouging for off types and weeding throughout the summer. Our research plots are harvested with combines that are similar to a producer’s, just a lot smaller. Each canola plot is weighed for yield and a small sample is taken while we combine in the field. In the fall, we start our preparations for the next year with fertilizer and chemical applications. Our winters are filled with training opportunities, equipment maintenance and our greenhouse.”
With five different farm hub locations spread throughout the Prairie provinces including the one near Watrous, Allin said the added hubs allow the company to test additional products under a wide variety of environments each year. While Nutrien Ag Solutions falls under the larger Nutrien umbrella, Allin noted for the most part their operations run separately from those within the mining division, although there have been some benefits to being within the same company.
“Our Seed Breeding and Innovation Department has been able to utilize farm land that is owned by Nutrien around the mines in Allan and Vanscoy which allows for some communication between the two divisions of Nutrien.”
Fortunate to be busy all year round, like other Nutrien research farms and operations within the province, due to the COVID-19 pandemic Allin said the Research Farm has had to adjust a few things. “We have modified a few of our processes to ensure that we are adhering to proper social distancing. We have moved to only one person per vehicle as well. Safety of our employees is a key value at Nutrien Ag Solutions.”
Despite navigating through the pandemic, Allin said the Research Farm remains committed to its research heading into the remainder of the year. “Moving into the 2021 season we will continue to work on the canola material that is moving through our system, we have some exciting products ahead. We are also looking forward to some increased technology use. We are utilizing drones to assist us with some of our note taking and overall health of our research plots.”
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to provide producers confidence in understanding how varieties and products can survive in local geographies and Prairie conditions, a research farm just outside of Watrous has not only be able to offer that key data but has done so for over 40 years.
Situated on Research Road, a few kilometres east of Watrous, Nutrien Ag Solutions operates a Seed Breeding and Innovation Department. Established in the late 1970s and known as the Research Farm, it has been a fixture within the area and like the agriculture industry, has had a number of transformations over the years.
Along with facilities, equipment and land plots located at the site near Watrous, currently there are three full-time staff including a farm manager/research agronomist who takes care of the day to day operations and is responsible for the safety of staff and the location. Two research technicians are also on site and they take care of the in-field operations. To help with additional work, four seasonal staff are brought on board.
Entering her 22nd year at the Research Farm is farm manager/research agronomist Juanita Allin who has been joined for the past five seasons by research technicians Shannon Craig and Evan Stacey.
“I am fortunate to have had a consistent team with me over the past five years,” said Allin who added she is grateful to have been able to hire many local university students over the years as well to support the program. “The relationships we build with summer staff over the years is one of the perks of this type of work. A lot of these are lifelong friendships built in the field during the summer.”
With the main research at Nutrien Ag Solutions location east of Watrous currently involving a small plot with an emphasis on canola variety development for commercial use, Allin said, “We do have our feet still in some cereal and forage variety trailing as well as research in the development of Nutrien Ag Solutions Loveland line of chemicals and crop nutritional products.”
Having the unique ability to accumulate and utilize the research to help grow the company and in turn, benefit producers, tours are held each year at the Research Farm for retail staff members of Nutrien to get an up close look at how things are progressing. By allowing tours, the Research Farm is then able to highlight the work being done and varieties being used for retail staff to market in future years.
“The Research Farm was located near Watrous due to the fact that it has an ‘average’ soil composition for the province. This allows us to showcase products that can be used in all areas. Then during the winter we run two greenhouse sessions, growing canola that supplements our larger greenhouse projects ran in Saskatoon at Innovation Place.”
Since the industry continues to advance, Allin said the main goals of the program are ever-evolving. “Currently increasing our shatter tolerance and clubroot resistance within our canola varieties is the focus of our efforts. This year we are also taking part in salinity reclamation trailing as our forage program has some excellent varieties for this use.”
Being able to stay on top of all of the advancements within the agriculture industry has been key over the years for the local area research farm. By doing that, Allin said sites like the one east of Watrous allows producers to gain confidence and knowledge in understanding the varieties and products have been thoroughly tested in geographies and conditions prior to entering the commercial stream.
In an effort to do that, Allin shared about how the operation runs throughout the year. “Since we are essentially farming on a small scale, our year cycles similar to that of a conventional producer. This time of year we are preparing for spring seeding, doing equipment maintenance, field planning and seed treating. Once we begin seeding we do not count our progress in acres, but in the number of research plots seeded. In Watrous our group is responsible for around 16,000 plots between our site in Watrous, and satellite sites in Lake Lenore and Allan. During the growing season we take care of our plots just as any producer would, spraying for weeds, insects and disease. We also spend time taking notes on the plots for things such as flowering, maturity and lodging to assist our breeding team. While we utilize chemical and mechanical weed control, we do spend time rouging for off types and weeding throughout the summer. Our research plots are harvested with combines that are similar to a producer’s, just a lot smaller. Each canola plot is weighed for yield and a small sample is taken while we combine in the field. In the fall, we start our preparations for the next year with fertilizer and chemical applications. Our winters are filled with training opportunities, equipment maintenance and our greenhouse.”
With five different farm hub locations spread throughout the Prairie provinces including the one near Watrous, Allin said the added hubs allow the company to test additional products under a wide variety of environments each year. While Nutrien Ag Solutions falls under the larger Nutrien umbrella, Allin noted for the most part their operations run separately from those within the mining division, although there have been some benefits to being within the same company.
“Our Seed Breeding and Innovation Department has been able to utilize farm land that is owned by Nutrien around the mines in Allan and Vanscoy which allows for some communication between the two divisions of Nutrien.”
Fortunate to be busy all year round, like other Nutrien research farms and operations within the province, due to the COVID-19 pandemic Allin said the Research Farm has had to adjust a few things. “We have modified a few of our processes to ensure that we are adhering to proper social distancing. We have moved to only one person per vehicle as well. Safety of our employees is a key value at Nutrien Ag Solutions.”
Despite navigating through the pandemic, Allin said the Research Farm remains committed to its research heading into the remainder of the year. “Moving into the 2021 season we will continue to work on the canola material that is moving through our system, we have some exciting products ahead. We are also looking forward to some increased technology use. We are utilizing drones to assist us with some of our note taking and overall health of our research plots.”
TWM Top Stories - Mar. 22, 2021
Human remains found in RM of Morris
RCMP release
Around 3:20 p.m. Feb. 28, Watrous RCMP responded to a call of a human skull located in a field in the RM of Morris by people looking for shed antlers. RCMP Major Crimes Unit South (MCUS) assumed the lead in the investigation with the assistance of the detachment, Saskatoon RCMP Forensic Identification Section, RCMP Police Dog Services, the Saskatchewan Coroners Service and a forensic anthropologist.
An autopsy took place Mar. 3 in Saskatoon. During the autopsy it was determined the individual was likely female and between 25 to 35 years of age. The remains do not appear to be historical in nature. At this time, it has not been confirmed whether this individual’s death is considered suspicious.
Collaborations will continue between RCMP MCUS and Saskatchewan police services and potentially neighbouring provinces to further efforts in identifying the deceased. In addition, further investigative efforts around DNA comparison and consultation with the National DNA Data Bank have been undertaken.
If anyone has information regarding this investigation, RCMP encourage them to call Watrous RCMP at 306-946-3316 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
For more reports from the RCMP, see page four.
RCMP release
Around 3:20 p.m. Feb. 28, Watrous RCMP responded to a call of a human skull located in a field in the RM of Morris by people looking for shed antlers. RCMP Major Crimes Unit South (MCUS) assumed the lead in the investigation with the assistance of the detachment, Saskatoon RCMP Forensic Identification Section, RCMP Police Dog Services, the Saskatchewan Coroners Service and a forensic anthropologist.
An autopsy took place Mar. 3 in Saskatoon. During the autopsy it was determined the individual was likely female and between 25 to 35 years of age. The remains do not appear to be historical in nature. At this time, it has not been confirmed whether this individual’s death is considered suspicious.
Collaborations will continue between RCMP MCUS and Saskatchewan police services and potentially neighbouring provinces to further efforts in identifying the deceased. In addition, further investigative efforts around DNA comparison and consultation with the National DNA Data Bank have been undertaken.
If anyone has information regarding this investigation, RCMP encourage them to call Watrous RCMP at 306-946-3316 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
For more reports from the RCMP, see page four.
Watrous and District Fire Department add new unit to fleet
Daniel Bushman
With a need to upgrade its current fleet and aiming to safely tackle grass and brush fires within the local area, the Watrous and District Fire Department recently received a brand new unit.
A very pleased Watrous and District Fire Department Chief Jory Vanthuyne said the new brush five wildland operations vehicle is not only state-of-the-art but it replaces the department’s 1978 Dodge ‘Engine 2’ which has served the area for over 40 years.
“It has been in the works for a few years and we really got started fundraising wise with the frozen tongue challenge.”
During that challenge in 2019 to see who could raise the most money with the loser having to stick their tongue to a frozen pole, Deputy Fire Chief Andrew Matheson raised $9,110.71 while Jeff Siegfried of Watrous Mainline Motors raised a total of $8,668.90.
With an overall price tag of just over $303,000 the local department used those funds from the challenge to get things started for the truck. Vanthuyne said with the way the department is structured, the local Rural Fire Association which includes surrounding Rural Municipalities and Manitou Beach also came on board to cover the rest of the amount through their fire levies.
“We are really thrilled that the Rural Fire Association was willing to help purchase this unit for us which will be used for grass and brush fires. Out of all the calls we respond to, at least 80 percent of them are for grass or brush fires so this new vehicle will be valuable to have, especially because we do a lot of driving throughout our area.”
Looking at a few different options, one from the United States and another from Manitoba, the Watrous and District Fire Department chose the unit from Manitoba.
“These two companies were the only ones on the market offering a specific body design that includes a roll cage behind the cab. Having that roll cage was a driving force in choosing this option. It is completely compliant with OH&S regulations for driving and having firefighters in the back. They are strapped and harnessed in so in the event if it ever did roll, that roll cage is engineered and designed to withstand the entire weight of the truck.”
But it is not just the roll cage that caught the eye of the local fire department. After the unit was delivered Mar. 11, Vanthuyne and Matheson were able to get a real good look at it. Vanthuyne said the new brush five wildland operations vehicle created by Acres and Sea Hawk also contains a three inch lift kit and 41 inch military spec tires. “It is designed to go through a lot of terrain and should handle anything we can throw at it.”
In addition there are turrets that swing out in front of the catwalk and firefighters can stand in the doorway and essentially fight the fire as they go. The truck is also equipped with two bumper sweeps on the front and can be turned on from inside the cab. If the fire is big or the department is short on members responding to a call, Vanthuyne said they can turn on the pump outside and then inside the cab they can drive along while the bumper sweeps spray water out the front. There is also fire communications installed in the unit so members can wear wireless headsets that loop into the radio system. The truck is also equipped with a trailer hitch and wiring harness to pull a flat deck trailer and side-by-side unit and carries a water capacity of 400 gallons.
“It will be a game changer for us as far as its ability, the places we can go and the functionality it has. We are planning to have this unit for the next 30 years and I know our members will be excited to be able to use it when the need arises.”
With the brand new vehicle in the Watrous and District Fire Department’s possession, Vanthuyne said the turn around time to receive it was rather quick. Because Acres and Sea Hawk already had the cab and chassis on site, once a decision was finalized to go ahead with the Manitoba unit, it did not take long. “It is a really, really good quality build and Canadian made. When we did our final meeting with them confirming the options we needed - that was in mid- to late-January - they had already started building the truck because they knew we wanted it so they just added the options after and were able to get it to us before grass fire season.”
The new grass and brush fire truck joins the department’s side-by-side, a rescue unit which also doubles as a command unit, and two pumpers (Engine 3 - the yellow pumper and Engine 4 - the red pumper).
Vanthuyne said there are plans to add to the fleet but understands that could take some time. “Ideally we would be looking at adding a tanker down the road and we are also talking about getting a utility truck to pull the trailer with the side-by-side, which would also be efficient and save on time once we arrive to a fire.”
Over the coming weeks, Vanthuyne said the local firefighters will be spending their practice nights learning about the functions on the truck and planning how to safely use it within the community and surrounding areas.
With around 10 members as part of the volunteer department, for those who may be interested in joining, Vanthuyne noted there is always a need for more members. “With a small town, there are those with shift work, some maybe on holidays or at work and you can’t expect people to be around 24/7 when calls come in. Those who would be interested in joining would need a valid class 5 driver’s licence. We just ask volunteers wanting to join to be willing to learn, be willing to help and be willing to attend practices. Being on the fire department is something I personally have enjoyed and it has always been something that has interested me.”
After traditionally holding practices every second Monday, the department now alternates between Mondays and Wednesdays. “Sometimes there were things going on during those Mondays so it was tough for everyone to be there. What we do now is we maintain the two week rotation but we hold one on a Monday then go with a Wednesday two weeks later and switch it up. It opens up another day hopefully for people to come if they can’t make it on one of those days.”
Vanthuyne said they also offer a junior firefighter program which essentially is for someone 16 to 18 years old. “They can apply and we go through parental consent and they can become a member of the department and would shadow our crew and respond to calls. It gives them an opportunity to see what it is all about.”
As spring approaches and the brush and grass fire season also arrives with it, Vanthuyne said, “We really appreciate the support we have received from the town, Manitou Beach and RMs in the past and being able to add the new brush unit will definitely be a tremendous help moving forward. If we are able to add a few volunteers as well for our department that would also go a long way in helping to make it a safe season ahead.”
Daniel Bushman
With a need to upgrade its current fleet and aiming to safely tackle grass and brush fires within the local area, the Watrous and District Fire Department recently received a brand new unit.
A very pleased Watrous and District Fire Department Chief Jory Vanthuyne said the new brush five wildland operations vehicle is not only state-of-the-art but it replaces the department’s 1978 Dodge ‘Engine 2’ which has served the area for over 40 years.
“It has been in the works for a few years and we really got started fundraising wise with the frozen tongue challenge.”
During that challenge in 2019 to see who could raise the most money with the loser having to stick their tongue to a frozen pole, Deputy Fire Chief Andrew Matheson raised $9,110.71 while Jeff Siegfried of Watrous Mainline Motors raised a total of $8,668.90.
With an overall price tag of just over $303,000 the local department used those funds from the challenge to get things started for the truck. Vanthuyne said with the way the department is structured, the local Rural Fire Association which includes surrounding Rural Municipalities and Manitou Beach also came on board to cover the rest of the amount through their fire levies.
“We are really thrilled that the Rural Fire Association was willing to help purchase this unit for us which will be used for grass and brush fires. Out of all the calls we respond to, at least 80 percent of them are for grass or brush fires so this new vehicle will be valuable to have, especially because we do a lot of driving throughout our area.”
Looking at a few different options, one from the United States and another from Manitoba, the Watrous and District Fire Department chose the unit from Manitoba.
“These two companies were the only ones on the market offering a specific body design that includes a roll cage behind the cab. Having that roll cage was a driving force in choosing this option. It is completely compliant with OH&S regulations for driving and having firefighters in the back. They are strapped and harnessed in so in the event if it ever did roll, that roll cage is engineered and designed to withstand the entire weight of the truck.”
But it is not just the roll cage that caught the eye of the local fire department. After the unit was delivered Mar. 11, Vanthuyne and Matheson were able to get a real good look at it. Vanthuyne said the new brush five wildland operations vehicle created by Acres and Sea Hawk also contains a three inch lift kit and 41 inch military spec tires. “It is designed to go through a lot of terrain and should handle anything we can throw at it.”
In addition there are turrets that swing out in front of the catwalk and firefighters can stand in the doorway and essentially fight the fire as they go. The truck is also equipped with two bumper sweeps on the front and can be turned on from inside the cab. If the fire is big or the department is short on members responding to a call, Vanthuyne said they can turn on the pump outside and then inside the cab they can drive along while the bumper sweeps spray water out the front. There is also fire communications installed in the unit so members can wear wireless headsets that loop into the radio system. The truck is also equipped with a trailer hitch and wiring harness to pull a flat deck trailer and side-by-side unit and carries a water capacity of 400 gallons.
“It will be a game changer for us as far as its ability, the places we can go and the functionality it has. We are planning to have this unit for the next 30 years and I know our members will be excited to be able to use it when the need arises.”
With the brand new vehicle in the Watrous and District Fire Department’s possession, Vanthuyne said the turn around time to receive it was rather quick. Because Acres and Sea Hawk already had the cab and chassis on site, once a decision was finalized to go ahead with the Manitoba unit, it did not take long. “It is a really, really good quality build and Canadian made. When we did our final meeting with them confirming the options we needed - that was in mid- to late-January - they had already started building the truck because they knew we wanted it so they just added the options after and were able to get it to us before grass fire season.”
The new grass and brush fire truck joins the department’s side-by-side, a rescue unit which also doubles as a command unit, and two pumpers (Engine 3 - the yellow pumper and Engine 4 - the red pumper).
Vanthuyne said there are plans to add to the fleet but understands that could take some time. “Ideally we would be looking at adding a tanker down the road and we are also talking about getting a utility truck to pull the trailer with the side-by-side, which would also be efficient and save on time once we arrive to a fire.”
Over the coming weeks, Vanthuyne said the local firefighters will be spending their practice nights learning about the functions on the truck and planning how to safely use it within the community and surrounding areas.
With around 10 members as part of the volunteer department, for those who may be interested in joining, Vanthuyne noted there is always a need for more members. “With a small town, there are those with shift work, some maybe on holidays or at work and you can’t expect people to be around 24/7 when calls come in. Those who would be interested in joining would need a valid class 5 driver’s licence. We just ask volunteers wanting to join to be willing to learn, be willing to help and be willing to attend practices. Being on the fire department is something I personally have enjoyed and it has always been something that has interested me.”
After traditionally holding practices every second Monday, the department now alternates between Mondays and Wednesdays. “Sometimes there were things going on during those Mondays so it was tough for everyone to be there. What we do now is we maintain the two week rotation but we hold one on a Monday then go with a Wednesday two weeks later and switch it up. It opens up another day hopefully for people to come if they can’t make it on one of those days.”
Vanthuyne said they also offer a junior firefighter program which essentially is for someone 16 to 18 years old. “They can apply and we go through parental consent and they can become a member of the department and would shadow our crew and respond to calls. It gives them an opportunity to see what it is all about.”
As spring approaches and the brush and grass fire season also arrives with it, Vanthuyne said, “We really appreciate the support we have received from the town, Manitou Beach and RMs in the past and being able to add the new brush unit will definitely be a tremendous help moving forward. If we are able to add a few volunteers as well for our department that would also go a long way in helping to make it a safe season ahead.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 15, 2021
Local postal service marks milestones
Daniel Bushman
A fixture within the community for well over a century, the Watrous Post Office has not only provided a rather unique service but has acted as a hub for residents to send and receive mail. Originally operating just west of Watrous at Mandal before relocating to Watrous a short time later, the local mailing service marked 115 years last month while the current building on Main Street turns 50 years old in 2021.
Commemorating 115 years of service within the area Feb. 1, 2021, over that time, countless pieces of mail have been received and delivered. With the postal service such an integral part of the lives of many residents, especially in earlier years using it to communicate with family and friends, the move to relocate to Watrous proved to be a valuable one.
As Saskatchewan officially became a province in 1905, the mail system soon arrived locally. Opening at Mandal Feb. 1, 1906 with postmaster Tobias N. Bjorndahl, the first mail day was Feb. 6, 1906. Located at his homestead, in addition to the postal service, Bjorndahl was kept busy operating a general store and blacksmith shop.
According to the local history book, Prairie Reflections, early postal routes in 1906-‘07 started from the end of the ‘steel’ at Strasbourg. One carrier had a route leading north to Taylorboro (about five miles northwest of Govan), then to Arlington Beach and north. Mail addressed to Mandal would come via west to Peacock Post Office (located between Nokomis and Simpson at the north end of Last Mountain Lake), north to Ridgeford, and then to Mandal. Other routes came from Davidson and Humboldt.
John Dahl was the first mail carrier on the Mandal-Peacock-Taylorboro-Strasbourg route so he would make a round trip each week. Travelling at times with a team of horses and a democrat, Dahl navigated through blizzards and other prairie conditions without highways, roads or telephone lines to follow. Despite a lack of significant advancements in infrastructure and communications at that time, Dahl made the trek as the lone driver, navigating through the countryside.
During the summer months, mail delivery was reportedly sped up as it was carried on the William Pearson Land Co. boat which plied Last Mountain Lake for several years with Captain W. C. Huggins at the helm. While there was no indication how long mail took to get from Mandal to the rail service, in the history book it noted a letter sent from Mandal to Markham, Ont. took nine days.
Along with Dahl’s mail carrier efforts, Jack Telfer was brought on to handle mail delivery from Watrous south to Simpson and Imperial until the C.P.R. line was constructed in 1912. Meanwhile, the first mail carrier through the Govan-Nokomis area was D. Kempton while other early mail carriers on the route included Henry Beeler and W. A. MacFarlane.
After the local service got up and running at Mandal in 1906, it was later moved to Watrous. Officially changing Sept. 1, 1908, the post office was relocated to the Bjorndahl store on the 100 block of Main Street with Bjorndahl remaining in his position. Two years later, a frame structure was constructed on 2nd Ave. W. in Watrous with living quarters at the rear of the location.
According to Library and Archives Canada, Bjorndahl continued to be the postmaster until Dec. 16, 1913. William Emerson Wright then took on the position Jan. 12, 1914 and was postmaster for nearly six years, receiving help from his daughter Susie. Then on Jan. 3, 1920, Edward Brook Miller was appointed postmaster and it was during his time of employment that a new brick building was built.
Throughout those early years, there were some unique items of interest recorded in the local history book. Those included:
• January 1912, New Year’s Day - all business was suspended except the post office was open from 10 to 11 a.m., for the distribution of His Majesty’s mail;
• January 1913, postal service has been improved to the extent that two mailboxes have been placed in position at the depot; one at each end for east and west mail. The mail deposited there will be lifted upon the arrival of the trains going each way;
• February 1920, there were 35 mailbags left by the passenger train from the east. Assistant mail carrier T. Fillel made three trips from the depot to the post office. T. Eaton Co. catalogues were responsible for the heavy mail; and
• February 1920, a heavy wire, strongly supported and reaching from the tops of the boxes to the ceiling, now encloses the waiting room from the other parts of the post office. Future box holders will be able to obtain their mail any hour of the day including holidays.
As the years progressed and mail service remained a valuable part of the local area, in November 1936, a new facility opened on the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E. in Watrous, replacing the Dadson and Cosford buildings. Miller remained postmaster until retiring May 4, 1948 and then Reginald E. P. Preston took over and would become the first postmaster in a new building which would be constructed in the early 1970s.
After a questionnaire was conducted by Preston in 1965 relating to projected accommodation needs in Watrous, a few years later a letter was submitted from the Watrous and District Chamber of Commerce to the Postmaster General and the Honorable Eric Kierans, a Cabinet Minister at that time. In the letter dated Dec. 18, 1968, the chamber sought consideration for a new or enlarged postal facility to be built in Watrous.
Due to a smaller space in the building on the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E., the chamber noted predictions for growth taken when that building was created fell short of what actually occurred over the next three decades. “The present utilization is far beyond this prediction which necessitated remodelling on two occasions to provide additional space for lock boxes. All available space is now utilized and further remodelling, to provide additional space, is now impossible.”
The letter further stated that in 1967, a total of 95 additional lock boxes were installed with 570 boxes being rented. In January 1968 a total of 629 boxes were rented and by the time of the letter (Dec. 18, 1968) 650 boxes were occupied accompanied by a waiting list for more.
“The 95 boxes installed in 1967 were to meet existing needs and to provide for the closing of the Renown Post Office. The Renown Post Office was closed in October 1967 and incorporated into the Watrous Post Office.”
The Venn Post Office which was located in a store that ceased operations was also suggested to move its boxes to Watrous as well. “This together with the present waiting list, makes additional boxes for Watrous a necessity.”
The local chamber also noted in its letter that the building where the post office was located was the only place in Watrous at that time still using coal as a heating fuel. “It is not uncommon to find the staff in the Watrous Post Office wearing overshoes and extra coats or sweaters to keep warm in the winter months.”
Submitting a scale drawing of the lobby, the chamber explained after the last remodelling, heating radiators were removed creating a very cold lobby. In addition, the lobby only allowed for a maximum of three people to utilize the lock box area. “This means that there is usually a line up in the lobby waiting to get to the lock boxes. This line up interferes with the orderly entrance and egress to and from the post office and the business counter.”
Along with a smaller lobby area and with the potential for further growth aided by new potash mines within the area including at Allan and Lanigan, Watrous and District Chamber Secretary Treasurer R. C. Parkinson signed off on the letter in hopes that a new postal facility would be built in Watrous.
After sending the letter to the Postmaster General and to the Honorable Eric Kierans to have a new or larger building take over from the one at the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E., approval was given to construct a new facility.
The new place was built in 1971 at the corner of Main Street and 4th Ave. W. and is where the post office currently resides. With Preston being the first postmaster to occupy the new space, fast forward five decades and the building is now marking its 50th year. Over that time the current facility has received renovations including new coats of paint to the exterior and interior, new flooring, a wheelchair accessibility ramp and automatic doors, signage, new cement stairs and rocks. Inside, the facility now has 1,560 post office boxes and there is also space created in the back of the building for sorting mail, a loading and unloading area, offices and a washroom for staff.
After opening the new one-storey building in 1971 and operating out of it for a couple of years, after a lengthy career, Preston then made the decision to retire. In the Nov. 29, 1973 edition of The Watrous Manitou it noted Preston retired Dec. 28, 1973 after 43 years of postal service. Beginning his career under his father R. P. Preston at Elstow, he was later employed at Viscount, Binscarth, Man. and then Jansen. Preston arrived in Watrous May 1, 1937 to work under E. B. Miller and then took on the official duties of postmaster Aug. 1, 1948. Preston also served for many years as
an executive member of the Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Postmasters’ Association, including terms as president and secretary. In 1967, he received a centennial medal in recognition of valuable service to the nation.
After Preston’s tenure as the community’s postmaster, a handful of others took on the role including Stanley Hawkes who was senior assistant to Preston. Hawkes held a temporary position after Preston and then James A. Longhurst took over until Dec. 28, 1984. After Longhurst retired, Eileen Hyatt was postmaster until 1995. Since that time, Bernadette Katuski has been the postmaster in the community.
Like Katuski and those who took on the role of postmaster, over the years, there have been a number of other faces employed at the post office. Currently, the staff employed in Watrous include: senior assistant Cynthia Hawkes, part-time staff members Lety Schalm and Iana Ierofieieva, Rural Route Mail Carrier Karen Bennett and janitor Janet Van Nieuw Amerongen.
“It is pretty special to reflect back and see who all worked here and contributed in making this a positive business for our community,” said Katuski. “We remain a very viable business and the foot traffic that we have here is pretty incredible. Being able to provide this service for the residents of our community is certainly rewarding.”
Continuing to serve Watrous, along with providing mail to 1,560 customers who utilize boxes at the Watrous location, the business also extends service to surrounding communities as Bennett delivers items to Manitou Beach, Plunkett, Lockwood, and Drake. Katuski said while technology has changed over time, the way in which mail is sent and delivered remains somewhat similar. “We get mail from all over the world; however, the focus has shifted a bit from lettermail to larger volumes of parcel mail due to the increase of online shopping. There is not as much as their used to be and it is more online ordering. We certainly saw that this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the holiday season approached in 2020 we saw more items arrive daily than we ever had before. That continued past Christmas and into January and we are still seeing high volumes of mail arriving throughout the week.”
While the online way of doing business continues to grow, other changes of significance have also taken place over the years. Some of those include the implementation of postal codes for communities and the introduction of computers for employees to use.
More recently, as the pandemic reached Saskatchewan, specific guidelines were put in place to keep staff and customers safe. Like other businesses within the province, masks are mandatory and social distancing and hand sanitizing is a must. “We have tried our best as we follow the guidelines set out by public health and the provincial government. We also wipe down mailboxes, sanitize within the facility and have a maximum number of people allowed inside at one time. Even when our retail counter service is closed for the day, masks remain mandatory as our lobby mail service area falls under the provincial mandatory mask area. By doing that we hope to minimize potential exposure and also ask that if anyone is not feeling well that they stay home. We want to be a safe place for our staff and our customers during this stressful time.”
Over her time as the postmaster in Watrous, Katuski recalled numerous highlights including seeing a myriad of stamps like one with a hole in it and another with special significance.
“All stamps have a special story; however, for me, my favourite was the Canadian Forces Snowbirds stamp unveiling in 2006. This was a very special experience as my son Nicholas was a member of the Snowbirds team and I unveiled this commemorative stamp alongside him in Moose Jaw. Having our two very different career paths meet in life was a very sweet moment.”
Katuski also had the opportunity to visit Canada Post’s headquarters in Ottawa and then when Watrous marked its 100th birthday, the postmaster was able to unveil a CBK pictorial cancellation stamp May 7, 2009. Displaying the iconic building and tower, Katuski said, “That was really neat to be able to announce that cancellation stamp, especially now that the CBK building has been demolished. Being able to have that CBK pictorial on our mail is a reminder about the community’s significant history.”
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s 50,000 watt prairie transformer was the only CBC outlet between Winnipeg and Vancouver and went live just outside of Watrous July 29, 1939. At the time of the 2009 unveiling, Katuski said the reason they chose the CBK building was because
they wanted to have a design that would be an icon to the communities.
The committee for Tourism and Economic Development along with local resident Gary Bergen came up with a design of the cancellation mark at that time and Katuski then submitted it to Canada Post for approval. “That is our rubber cancellation mark and it is used every day.”
Now 12 years later, Katuski and the staff are able to celebrate once again, this time for the 115th birthday of the local postal service and the 50th anniversary of the current building in Watrous. “Being one of the postmasters involved with the local service has been a real privilege for me. It is an interesting job to have because you never do the same thing. There are so many different facets of the services we provide and new challenges that arrive like the current pandemic that we are navigating through. Every day has been very unique and interesting.”
Daniel Bushman
A fixture within the community for well over a century, the Watrous Post Office has not only provided a rather unique service but has acted as a hub for residents to send and receive mail. Originally operating just west of Watrous at Mandal before relocating to Watrous a short time later, the local mailing service marked 115 years last month while the current building on Main Street turns 50 years old in 2021.
Commemorating 115 years of service within the area Feb. 1, 2021, over that time, countless pieces of mail have been received and delivered. With the postal service such an integral part of the lives of many residents, especially in earlier years using it to communicate with family and friends, the move to relocate to Watrous proved to be a valuable one.
As Saskatchewan officially became a province in 1905, the mail system soon arrived locally. Opening at Mandal Feb. 1, 1906 with postmaster Tobias N. Bjorndahl, the first mail day was Feb. 6, 1906. Located at his homestead, in addition to the postal service, Bjorndahl was kept busy operating a general store and blacksmith shop.
According to the local history book, Prairie Reflections, early postal routes in 1906-‘07 started from the end of the ‘steel’ at Strasbourg. One carrier had a route leading north to Taylorboro (about five miles northwest of Govan), then to Arlington Beach and north. Mail addressed to Mandal would come via west to Peacock Post Office (located between Nokomis and Simpson at the north end of Last Mountain Lake), north to Ridgeford, and then to Mandal. Other routes came from Davidson and Humboldt.
John Dahl was the first mail carrier on the Mandal-Peacock-Taylorboro-Strasbourg route so he would make a round trip each week. Travelling at times with a team of horses and a democrat, Dahl navigated through blizzards and other prairie conditions without highways, roads or telephone lines to follow. Despite a lack of significant advancements in infrastructure and communications at that time, Dahl made the trek as the lone driver, navigating through the countryside.
During the summer months, mail delivery was reportedly sped up as it was carried on the William Pearson Land Co. boat which plied Last Mountain Lake for several years with Captain W. C. Huggins at the helm. While there was no indication how long mail took to get from Mandal to the rail service, in the history book it noted a letter sent from Mandal to Markham, Ont. took nine days.
Along with Dahl’s mail carrier efforts, Jack Telfer was brought on to handle mail delivery from Watrous south to Simpson and Imperial until the C.P.R. line was constructed in 1912. Meanwhile, the first mail carrier through the Govan-Nokomis area was D. Kempton while other early mail carriers on the route included Henry Beeler and W. A. MacFarlane.
After the local service got up and running at Mandal in 1906, it was later moved to Watrous. Officially changing Sept. 1, 1908, the post office was relocated to the Bjorndahl store on the 100 block of Main Street with Bjorndahl remaining in his position. Two years later, a frame structure was constructed on 2nd Ave. W. in Watrous with living quarters at the rear of the location.
According to Library and Archives Canada, Bjorndahl continued to be the postmaster until Dec. 16, 1913. William Emerson Wright then took on the position Jan. 12, 1914 and was postmaster for nearly six years, receiving help from his daughter Susie. Then on Jan. 3, 1920, Edward Brook Miller was appointed postmaster and it was during his time of employment that a new brick building was built.
Throughout those early years, there were some unique items of interest recorded in the local history book. Those included:
• January 1912, New Year’s Day - all business was suspended except the post office was open from 10 to 11 a.m., for the distribution of His Majesty’s mail;
• January 1913, postal service has been improved to the extent that two mailboxes have been placed in position at the depot; one at each end for east and west mail. The mail deposited there will be lifted upon the arrival of the trains going each way;
• February 1920, there were 35 mailbags left by the passenger train from the east. Assistant mail carrier T. Fillel made three trips from the depot to the post office. T. Eaton Co. catalogues were responsible for the heavy mail; and
• February 1920, a heavy wire, strongly supported and reaching from the tops of the boxes to the ceiling, now encloses the waiting room from the other parts of the post office. Future box holders will be able to obtain their mail any hour of the day including holidays.
As the years progressed and mail service remained a valuable part of the local area, in November 1936, a new facility opened on the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E. in Watrous, replacing the Dadson and Cosford buildings. Miller remained postmaster until retiring May 4, 1948 and then Reginald E. P. Preston took over and would become the first postmaster in a new building which would be constructed in the early 1970s.
After a questionnaire was conducted by Preston in 1965 relating to projected accommodation needs in Watrous, a few years later a letter was submitted from the Watrous and District Chamber of Commerce to the Postmaster General and the Honorable Eric Kierans, a Cabinet Minister at that time. In the letter dated Dec. 18, 1968, the chamber sought consideration for a new or enlarged postal facility to be built in Watrous.
Due to a smaller space in the building on the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E., the chamber noted predictions for growth taken when that building was created fell short of what actually occurred over the next three decades. “The present utilization is far beyond this prediction which necessitated remodelling on two occasions to provide additional space for lock boxes. All available space is now utilized and further remodelling, to provide additional space, is now impossible.”
The letter further stated that in 1967, a total of 95 additional lock boxes were installed with 570 boxes being rented. In January 1968 a total of 629 boxes were rented and by the time of the letter (Dec. 18, 1968) 650 boxes were occupied accompanied by a waiting list for more.
“The 95 boxes installed in 1967 were to meet existing needs and to provide for the closing of the Renown Post Office. The Renown Post Office was closed in October 1967 and incorporated into the Watrous Post Office.”
The Venn Post Office which was located in a store that ceased operations was also suggested to move its boxes to Watrous as well. “This together with the present waiting list, makes additional boxes for Watrous a necessity.”
The local chamber also noted in its letter that the building where the post office was located was the only place in Watrous at that time still using coal as a heating fuel. “It is not uncommon to find the staff in the Watrous Post Office wearing overshoes and extra coats or sweaters to keep warm in the winter months.”
Submitting a scale drawing of the lobby, the chamber explained after the last remodelling, heating radiators were removed creating a very cold lobby. In addition, the lobby only allowed for a maximum of three people to utilize the lock box area. “This means that there is usually a line up in the lobby waiting to get to the lock boxes. This line up interferes with the orderly entrance and egress to and from the post office and the business counter.”
Along with a smaller lobby area and with the potential for further growth aided by new potash mines within the area including at Allan and Lanigan, Watrous and District Chamber Secretary Treasurer R. C. Parkinson signed off on the letter in hopes that a new postal facility would be built in Watrous.
After sending the letter to the Postmaster General and to the Honorable Eric Kierans to have a new or larger building take over from the one at the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E., approval was given to construct a new facility.
The new place was built in 1971 at the corner of Main Street and 4th Ave. W. and is where the post office currently resides. With Preston being the first postmaster to occupy the new space, fast forward five decades and the building is now marking its 50th year. Over that time the current facility has received renovations including new coats of paint to the exterior and interior, new flooring, a wheelchair accessibility ramp and automatic doors, signage, new cement stairs and rocks. Inside, the facility now has 1,560 post office boxes and there is also space created in the back of the building for sorting mail, a loading and unloading area, offices and a washroom for staff.
After opening the new one-storey building in 1971 and operating out of it for a couple of years, after a lengthy career, Preston then made the decision to retire. In the Nov. 29, 1973 edition of The Watrous Manitou it noted Preston retired Dec. 28, 1973 after 43 years of postal service. Beginning his career under his father R. P. Preston at Elstow, he was later employed at Viscount, Binscarth, Man. and then Jansen. Preston arrived in Watrous May 1, 1937 to work under E. B. Miller and then took on the official duties of postmaster Aug. 1, 1948. Preston also served for many years as
an executive member of the Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Postmasters’ Association, including terms as president and secretary. In 1967, he received a centennial medal in recognition of valuable service to the nation.
After Preston’s tenure as the community’s postmaster, a handful of others took on the role including Stanley Hawkes who was senior assistant to Preston. Hawkes held a temporary position after Preston and then James A. Longhurst took over until Dec. 28, 1984. After Longhurst retired, Eileen Hyatt was postmaster until 1995. Since that time, Bernadette Katuski has been the postmaster in the community.
Like Katuski and those who took on the role of postmaster, over the years, there have been a number of other faces employed at the post office. Currently, the staff employed in Watrous include: senior assistant Cynthia Hawkes, part-time staff members Lety Schalm and Iana Ierofieieva, Rural Route Mail Carrier Karen Bennett and janitor Janet Van Nieuw Amerongen.
“It is pretty special to reflect back and see who all worked here and contributed in making this a positive business for our community,” said Katuski. “We remain a very viable business and the foot traffic that we have here is pretty incredible. Being able to provide this service for the residents of our community is certainly rewarding.”
Continuing to serve Watrous, along with providing mail to 1,560 customers who utilize boxes at the Watrous location, the business also extends service to surrounding communities as Bennett delivers items to Manitou Beach, Plunkett, Lockwood, and Drake. Katuski said while technology has changed over time, the way in which mail is sent and delivered remains somewhat similar. “We get mail from all over the world; however, the focus has shifted a bit from lettermail to larger volumes of parcel mail due to the increase of online shopping. There is not as much as their used to be and it is more online ordering. We certainly saw that this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the holiday season approached in 2020 we saw more items arrive daily than we ever had before. That continued past Christmas and into January and we are still seeing high volumes of mail arriving throughout the week.”
While the online way of doing business continues to grow, other changes of significance have also taken place over the years. Some of those include the implementation of postal codes for communities and the introduction of computers for employees to use.
More recently, as the pandemic reached Saskatchewan, specific guidelines were put in place to keep staff and customers safe. Like other businesses within the province, masks are mandatory and social distancing and hand sanitizing is a must. “We have tried our best as we follow the guidelines set out by public health and the provincial government. We also wipe down mailboxes, sanitize within the facility and have a maximum number of people allowed inside at one time. Even when our retail counter service is closed for the day, masks remain mandatory as our lobby mail service area falls under the provincial mandatory mask area. By doing that we hope to minimize potential exposure and also ask that if anyone is not feeling well that they stay home. We want to be a safe place for our staff and our customers during this stressful time.”
Over her time as the postmaster in Watrous, Katuski recalled numerous highlights including seeing a myriad of stamps like one with a hole in it and another with special significance.
“All stamps have a special story; however, for me, my favourite was the Canadian Forces Snowbirds stamp unveiling in 2006. This was a very special experience as my son Nicholas was a member of the Snowbirds team and I unveiled this commemorative stamp alongside him in Moose Jaw. Having our two very different career paths meet in life was a very sweet moment.”
Katuski also had the opportunity to visit Canada Post’s headquarters in Ottawa and then when Watrous marked its 100th birthday, the postmaster was able to unveil a CBK pictorial cancellation stamp May 7, 2009. Displaying the iconic building and tower, Katuski said, “That was really neat to be able to announce that cancellation stamp, especially now that the CBK building has been demolished. Being able to have that CBK pictorial on our mail is a reminder about the community’s significant history.”
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s 50,000 watt prairie transformer was the only CBC outlet between Winnipeg and Vancouver and went live just outside of Watrous July 29, 1939. At the time of the 2009 unveiling, Katuski said the reason they chose the CBK building was because
they wanted to have a design that would be an icon to the communities.
The committee for Tourism and Economic Development along with local resident Gary Bergen came up with a design of the cancellation mark at that time and Katuski then submitted it to Canada Post for approval. “That is our rubber cancellation mark and it is used every day.”
Now 12 years later, Katuski and the staff are able to celebrate once again, this time for the 115th birthday of the local postal service and the 50th anniversary of the current building in Watrous. “Being one of the postmasters involved with the local service has been a real privilege for me. It is an interesting job to have because you never do the same thing. There are so many different facets of the services we provide and new challenges that arrive like the current pandemic that we are navigating through. Every day has been very unique and interesting.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 8, 2021
Watrous shines during TeleMiracle 45
Daniel Bushman
Despite doing things a little differently when it came to raising funds for this year’s TeleMiracle, Watrous and the surrounding area once again showed what a community effort is all about.
With people across the province finding unique ways to garner funds for TeleMiracle 45 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, locally, Watrous Kin members and residents also did the same. Presenting the local total during a live virtual presentation Sunday afternoon, Feb. 28, on behalf of the community, Kin members Jillian and Jarvis Engele announced Watrous had raised $21,000!
An excited Jillian said, “We were extremely happy with the community support surrounding TeleMiracle this year! I think our community understands that the need is still very much there for this very important cause, despite the year we’ve had. We had many people contact us to make personal donations even up until our presentation was aired!”
As part of that tremendous local total, nearly $14,500 of it came from an online auction, something held for the first time. Items were donated by local businesses, organizations and residents including some delicious baking and people stepped up in a big way to show their support by purchasing the items up for bid.
“I was personally blown away with the success of our online Facebook auction. It was our first time trying something like this and it was extremely successful! We had so many
members of the community and surrounding areas wanting to donate items to auction off, and then put bids in for each item. Thanks again to everyone who participated in this fundraiser!”
As for the remainder of donations that the Watrous Kin passed along to TeleMiracle, here is a breakdown: personal donations ($2,793.39), online website ($700), online Facebook auction ($14,442), Helping Hands ($386.56), Watrous Elementary School - Subway lunch and candy bag sale ($678.05), and Watrous Kinsmen Club ($2,000).
Jillian said, “This is around average for what we have donated in the past, with the exception of the 40th TeleMiracle when we were able to raise an outstanding amount after our first Mock Wedding. Hopefully we will be able to get back to large gatherings in the future to help us with our fundraising efforts for causes like this one!”
By reaching over $20,000 during a year in which the province is navigating through a pandemic, Engele said it once again showed how special the community and surrounding area is. “We are so lucky to be apart of a community who is always willing to support our efforts again and again. A huge thank you to everyone who made our TeleMiracle donation happen this year! Every dollar counts and we appreciate your participation in our fundraising efforts.”
As for TeleMiracle itself, the 45th edition wrapped up in Saskatoon raising a total of $5,630,215. With this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $145 million.
This year’s final tote board total also included the proceeds of TeleMiracle’s first-ever online 50/50 raffle, which generated total ticket sales of $726,120 with the winner taking home half of the jackpot total.
“The generosity of Saskatchewan people is amazing and it showed again this year in their support of TeleMiracle,” said TeleMiracle 45 Chair Brian Angstadt. “Once again, TeleMiracle brought our province together and the impact of these donations will be felt across Saskatchewan during these times when residents need it the most.”
The broadcast which took place Feb. 27 and 28 featured no live audience with most live appearances by remote video. National Cast hosts were live in-studio, with physical distancing in-place. Content for the show was pre-recorded over many months leading up to the telethon. These changes to TeleMiracle were made with COVID safety in mind and were approved by provincial health authorities.
“Our show producers did a great job throughout the entire year of planning, working closely with the health authorities and making sure everyone involved with this year’s production followed all the COVID safety guidelines and protocols,” said Angstadt. “We did our best to follow, keep up with and exceed all the COVID safety protocols and guidelines at all times.”
Like in previous years, performers who were part of TeleMiracle 45 not only showcased their talents but also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented their donation of $100,000 live by remote video just before the end of the broadcast.
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
Watching this year’s show from her home, Jillian said it was neat to see how other Kin and organizers were able to adapt to the current times and pull off TeleMiracle 45 while following the proper restrictions and guidelines. “With that being said, I can’t wait until we can all go back and volunteer in person.”
And while TeleMiracle has ended for another year and planning begins for the 46th edition in 2022, Jillian noted local Kin continue to remain busy fundraising for the community. The Kinettes Leisure of the Month raffle kicks off Apr. 1 and a few tickets remain available for that. The Kinsmen are holding a When Will It Sink Lotto with up to 500 tickets (guesses) for how long an old car remains on the ice before falling through in a slough. The winner of that will receive $2,500 in gift cards to spend at local businesses.
Daniel Bushman
Despite doing things a little differently when it came to raising funds for this year’s TeleMiracle, Watrous and the surrounding area once again showed what a community effort is all about.
With people across the province finding unique ways to garner funds for TeleMiracle 45 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, locally, Watrous Kin members and residents also did the same. Presenting the local total during a live virtual presentation Sunday afternoon, Feb. 28, on behalf of the community, Kin members Jillian and Jarvis Engele announced Watrous had raised $21,000!
An excited Jillian said, “We were extremely happy with the community support surrounding TeleMiracle this year! I think our community understands that the need is still very much there for this very important cause, despite the year we’ve had. We had many people contact us to make personal donations even up until our presentation was aired!”
As part of that tremendous local total, nearly $14,500 of it came from an online auction, something held for the first time. Items were donated by local businesses, organizations and residents including some delicious baking and people stepped up in a big way to show their support by purchasing the items up for bid.
“I was personally blown away with the success of our online Facebook auction. It was our first time trying something like this and it was extremely successful! We had so many
members of the community and surrounding areas wanting to donate items to auction off, and then put bids in for each item. Thanks again to everyone who participated in this fundraiser!”
As for the remainder of donations that the Watrous Kin passed along to TeleMiracle, here is a breakdown: personal donations ($2,793.39), online website ($700), online Facebook auction ($14,442), Helping Hands ($386.56), Watrous Elementary School - Subway lunch and candy bag sale ($678.05), and Watrous Kinsmen Club ($2,000).
Jillian said, “This is around average for what we have donated in the past, with the exception of the 40th TeleMiracle when we were able to raise an outstanding amount after our first Mock Wedding. Hopefully we will be able to get back to large gatherings in the future to help us with our fundraising efforts for causes like this one!”
By reaching over $20,000 during a year in which the province is navigating through a pandemic, Engele said it once again showed how special the community and surrounding area is. “We are so lucky to be apart of a community who is always willing to support our efforts again and again. A huge thank you to everyone who made our TeleMiracle donation happen this year! Every dollar counts and we appreciate your participation in our fundraising efforts.”
As for TeleMiracle itself, the 45th edition wrapped up in Saskatoon raising a total of $5,630,215. With this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $145 million.
This year’s final tote board total also included the proceeds of TeleMiracle’s first-ever online 50/50 raffle, which generated total ticket sales of $726,120 with the winner taking home half of the jackpot total.
“The generosity of Saskatchewan people is amazing and it showed again this year in their support of TeleMiracle,” said TeleMiracle 45 Chair Brian Angstadt. “Once again, TeleMiracle brought our province together and the impact of these donations will be felt across Saskatchewan during these times when residents need it the most.”
The broadcast which took place Feb. 27 and 28 featured no live audience with most live appearances by remote video. National Cast hosts were live in-studio, with physical distancing in-place. Content for the show was pre-recorded over many months leading up to the telethon. These changes to TeleMiracle were made with COVID safety in mind and were approved by provincial health authorities.
“Our show producers did a great job throughout the entire year of planning, working closely with the health authorities and making sure everyone involved with this year’s production followed all the COVID safety guidelines and protocols,” said Angstadt. “We did our best to follow, keep up with and exceed all the COVID safety protocols and guidelines at all times.”
Like in previous years, performers who were part of TeleMiracle 45 not only showcased their talents but also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented their donation of $100,000 live by remote video just before the end of the broadcast.
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
Watching this year’s show from her home, Jillian said it was neat to see how other Kin and organizers were able to adapt to the current times and pull off TeleMiracle 45 while following the proper restrictions and guidelines. “With that being said, I can’t wait until we can all go back and volunteer in person.”
And while TeleMiracle has ended for another year and planning begins for the 46th edition in 2022, Jillian noted local Kin continue to remain busy fundraising for the community. The Kinettes Leisure of the Month raffle kicks off Apr. 1 and a few tickets remain available for that. The Kinsmen are holding a When Will It Sink Lotto with up to 500 tickets (guesses) for how long an old car remains on the ice before falling through in a slough. The winner of that will receive $2,500 in gift cards to spend at local businesses.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 1, 2021
Positive COVID-19 cases confirmed in Watrous; first vaccinations arrive
Daniel Bushman
As the number of positive COVID-19 cases started to drop in parts of Saskatchewan, a reminder of how quickly the situation can turn hit the local area last week. Multiple cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Watrous this past week and because of it, many within the community rallied in an effort to curb the spread.
Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) issued a release early last week confirming that in fact there was increased COVID-19 in Watrous. That was followed by notification of a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site which was made available to the public Feb. 23. Held outside of the Watrous Curling Rink starting at 10:30 a.m., a line of vehicles stretching at least two blocks to the Watrous District Health Complex provided a steady stream for health care providers as they administered the tests to those in vehicles. Two lines in the curling rink’s parking lot allowed for quicker testing at the site although at times there was a waiting period of about two hours. That line subsided by the time the afternoon arrived.
While SHA is unable to confirm how many positive cases there were at the drive-thru due to privacy reasons, providing services to the area, Medical Health Officer Dr. Jasmine Hasselback said in total, 359 swabs were taken.
“That is really, really amazing. That level of engagement from the community is phenomenal and applauded across the province. I am really glad to see that many people who saw the value of knowing the status in such a tumultuous time.”
Hasselback noted that right now it is a critical time in Saskatchewan where there has been multiple sacrifices made over the past number of months but added that it doesn't take much for a lot of people to become infected from a flare up of COVID-19.
With access to testing being a huge part of keeping a pulse on the virus and how quickly it can spread, Hasselback said with Watrous, there was a commitment to make sure there was an easier way to get to the tests.
“It is so valuable because knowing your status for COVID is a game changer.”
Hasselback continued by noting, “This sort of event, and bringing in drive-thru testing will become more and more just part of a routine way of being. That commitment to bringing the tests closer to you, and easier to have access to it really makes sure the more people get tested the better we have the understanding of what is going on.
“It has been beautiful to see the response in Watrous and the commitment to each other and coming out to get tested is the most measurable. But we have seen it in a lot of stories in the human side as well in the commitment and co-operation and the checking on each other virtually. There has been a lot of commitment to keep each other safe and we have seen that presented in a lot of ways.”
With multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Watrous, mayor John Gunderson said, “First and foremost, we will assist in whatever way possible to ensure Watrous continues to be a safe community for its residents. It is unfortunate that we are being faced with a number of positive COVID-19 cases and this is a sign to everyone to never let your guard down. For anyone who has tested positive we wish them a speedy recovery. Until we have all been vaccinated, we as a community must continue to be diligent in wearing masks and staying home as much as possible.”
With a speedy response to the multiple cases, Gunderson was appreciative of SHA for organizing a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site so quickly. “We also cannot thank the front-line workers in health care and all the other people in essential services enough who have helped us get through this over the past 11 months. Our hats go off to the local business community as well. Over the course of the pandemic, they have made sure that measures were taken to ensure the safety of their customers and employees. With the recent outbreak, a number of them have voluntarily taken the initiative to temporarily close their doors. This is a sacrifice on their part, and we acknowledge this.
“Watrous is a community of resilient people and we are confident that we will bounce back from this even stronger on the other side.”
Despite speculation of how many confirmed positive cases are in Watrous, SHA does not share specific numbers due to privacy reasons. So as cases began to pop up in the local area, they were within the Central East 1 zone, a zone that includes places like Watrous, Simpson, Manitou Beach, Drake, Etters Beach, Holdfast, Imperial, Jansen, Lanigan, LeRoy, Humboldt, Nokomis, Young, and Zelma.
While not being able to confirm if all the new cases were from Watrous, there was an increase in the Central East 1 zone this past week. After less than 10 active cases heading into the middle portion of February, as of Feb. 21 there were 11 active cases with seven new ones. A day later the number for the Central East 1 zone went to 21 active cases with 10 new ones. On Tuesday, Feb. 23 there were 26 active cases with five new ones and a day later, just one new case. On Feb. 25 there were 30 active cases and three new ones.
In an effort to stay safe, Hasselback said people should be adhering to instructions from public health. “If you are someone who has been told you should get tested, then please do. If you are someone who has been told to self-isolate then please do and do until they say you are free to go. If you do have symptoms and you are not connected to either of those pathways immediately self-isolate and arrange for testing.”
She also reiterated to keep socializing to the absolute minimum and adhere to the public health restrictions. “That will make a big difference if heaven forbid when a person does get it to make sure it doesn't affect as many folks. I think Watrous is a good example of just how connected we all are even when we are trying to stay disconnected physically. That regular hand washing, checking everyday how you are feeling in terms of symptoms (is important).”
Hasselback also suggested that masks fit properly when they are worn. “If you feel the airs are blowing up to your eyes or ears or below your chin, you don't have that seal. You want that air going through the mask and the mask alone. A good check for that is to take a few deep breaths when you put your mask on and try to figure out where the leaks may be. If there are no leaks that is good and it means you are breathing through the mask.”
The following are locally confirmed cases and updates that occurred throughout this past week. While there may be additional cases amidst speculation, the following cases and updates were obtained from officials:
Schools
On Feb. 17, Horizon School Division was made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Winston High School. Families in Watrous were informed of the case by the division and Horizon noted it was working closely with Public Health to assist in the contact tracing process.
Then on Feb. 21, Horizon School Division was made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Watrous Elementary School. That number was later adjusted to two on the provincial government’s website. Families at Watrous Elementary were informed as the division worked closely with Public Health to assist in the contact tracing process.
As students and staff at both schools returned from the February break, the schools remained open unless families were directed otherwise.
On Feb. 25, Horizon School Division was then made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Imperial School. Families at Imperial School were being informed of this case. As of last week, Imperial School remained open to students and staff.
In a statement, Horizon School Division said, “We all have a shared responsibility to limit the spread of COVID-19. We thank Horizon’s staff, students, and families for all their efforts to help mitigate the risks during this pandemic. We continue to require students and staff to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.”
Further details cannot be provided to maintain the privacy of the individuals involved.
Local businesses
Working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon Co-op indicated that staff from both the Watrous Food Store and the Farm and Agro stores had tested positive for COVID-19. On its website, the Co-op noted team members were self-isolating along with other employees who had close contact.
The confirmed cases were reported Feb. 20 and 21 at the Watrous Food Store and Feb. 21 at the Farm and Agro Store.
Saskatoon Co-op stated it will follow the direction of the SHA and will continue with the health and safety measures that were put in place in response to the pandemic: increasing already high standards for cleaning and sanitization; practicing physical distancing measures (including one-way aisles and plexi-glass barriers at counters); employees wearing masks to protect others; and team members are asked to stay home if feeling unwell, and the Co-op continues to encourage all team members to seek testing and undergo self-isolation if they feel any potential COVID-19 symptoms.
“We wish a quick and safe recovery to each of the individuals who have been affected by this virus. Our priority remains to keep our team members and customers safe and healthy while serving our friends and neighbours. We care greatly for the communities we work and live in and as a local, member-owned business, we take the responsibility to protect our communities seriously.”
At Model Meats, SHA declared an outbreak at the local business Feb. 22. According to the provincial government, a confirmed outbreak is when two or more people test positive for COVID-19 and are all linked to a specific non-household setting or event within a specific time period. In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and putting safety at the forefront, Model Meats temporarily closed its doors until further notice.
A number of other local businesses also made the decision to close temporarily out of an abundance of caution as they tried to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Some remained open but changed how they offered services like providing take out options or offering curb side pick up.
Under the direction of Watrous Library Board, due to the increased number of cases, the library in Watrous made the precautionary decision to not accept in person appointments to check out library materials and only offer curb side pick up until further notice.
The Town of Watrous office also closed temporarily and the community’s fitness centre and arena also shut down until further notice.
Manitou Lodge
In order to keep everyone in SHA facilities and care homes safe during the increase of COVID-19 in Watrous, family presence/visitation is being limited to compassionate reasons only at Manitou Lodge.
SHA noted the decision to restrict family presence is not taken lightly. “These measures are in place to keep you, your loved ones, and health care workers safe. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is asking the public for their support and co-operation in order to contain the spread of the virus.”
Compassionate care reasons may include, but are not limited to, family or support persons during end-of-life care, major surgery, intensive care/critical care, maternal/pediatrics, long-term care residents whose quality of life or care needs are unmet or those inpatients and outpatients with specific challenges.
SHA said no other visitors are allowed into the specified facilities or homes at this time and these limitations will remain in place until it is safe to return to the previous level of family presence.
Nutrien Mine - Allan
While not in the Central East 1 zone, west of Watrous an outbreak was declared by SHA at Nutrien Mine Allan Feb. 17. Larry Long, Senior VP, Potash Operations said, “At Nutrien, caring for the health and safety of our people and communities is a top priority. We are aware of the positive cases at our Allan site and will continue to work closely with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to investigate, maintain our protocols and take all actions necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
Vaccinations
While multiple positive cases of COVID-19 began showing up in Watrous, earlier in February, local health care workers, Manitou Lodge residents, and others were able to receive their first COVID-19 vaccinations.
As part of Phase 1, just over 150 people in Watrous - a combination of health care workers, long-term care residents and community members over age 70 - received their first doses of the vaccine as part of a total of 1,379 given on that day for the Central zone. In total, as of Feb. 21, the Central East zone had received 5,973 first doses given with 111 second doses given. In total, 41,933 first doses had been given in the province with 18,810 second doses administered as of Feb. 21.
With local residents receiving their first doses including those at Manitou Lodge, Phase 1 of the province’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan continued throughout Saskatchewan. Phase 1 of vaccine delivery is aimed at targeting residents and staff of long-term and personal-care homes, identified health care providers, residents 70 years and older and residents aged 50 and older in remote/Northern Saskatchewan.
As of Feb. 24, the provincial government noted 81 percent of residents in long-term care homes across Saskatchewan had received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to 81 percent of long-term care residents having received their first dose, 46 percent of long-term care residents received both their first and
second doses. Along with that, 76 percent of Saskatchewan’s personal care homes received their first dose and 24 percent have received both doses.
“Our health care workers are doing an excellent job of administering vaccines quickly, safely and efficiently in long-term care facilities across the province,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said. “The only thing slowing them down is the shortage of vaccines from the federal government.
“When we get enough doses, we will be able to quickly finish vaccinating all the residents and staff in our long-term care homes. We look forward to having our seniors in long-term care fully vaccinated as soon as possible so they are protected from the threat of COVID-19.”
For the remainder of the general public, Phase 2 is anticipated to begin in April, May or June of 2021, depending on available vaccine supplies. The second phase will focus on vaccinating the general population in 10-year increments. In an effort to offer the vaccination to all residents in Saskatchewan, SHA will operate 230 clinics in 180 communities.
Locally, for Watrous, Lanigan, and Nokomis, mass immunization clinics will be set up in those communities. In places like Humboldt, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Yorkton, drive-thru clinics will be created in addition to mass immunization clinics. Mobile clinics will be set up in communities like Ituna, Yorkton, Saskatoon and others further south.
In total, 43 mass immunization clinics will be set up in the Central region, five drive-thru clinics and seven mobile clinics.
In addition to SHA clinics, the provincial government noted there will also be many others including: participating pharmacies (last year 385 pharmacies in 113 different communities participated in the flu immunization program); participating physicians’ offices; First Nations clinics; community-based settings; and partnerships with large businesses/industries.
As local vaccination dates draw closer, information will be shared to let people know when they can be vaccinated. A central scheduling system for online access is being developed so appointments can be booked online through the Government of Saskatchewan website and a toll-free telephone line will also be established for residents to book appointments. Both are scheduled to be operational by March 2021.
On its website, the provincial government stated: “The timeline for Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Vaccination Delivery Strategy is dependent on vaccine supply and availability. The federal government is working to obtain as much vaccine as possible to distribute to provinces and territories. It’s important to understand the timeline for each phase may change due to vaccine availability. You will not miss your chance to get the vaccine when a new phase starts. Once you become eligible, you are always eligible. If you are in Phase 1, you can still get the vaccine in Phase 2.”
Phase 1 (the current phase) is expected to run until March 2021 with Phase 2 commencing April 2021 and running to Fall 2021.
Daniel Bushman
As the number of positive COVID-19 cases started to drop in parts of Saskatchewan, a reminder of how quickly the situation can turn hit the local area last week. Multiple cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Watrous this past week and because of it, many within the community rallied in an effort to curb the spread.
Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) issued a release early last week confirming that in fact there was increased COVID-19 in Watrous. That was followed by notification of a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site which was made available to the public Feb. 23. Held outside of the Watrous Curling Rink starting at 10:30 a.m., a line of vehicles stretching at least two blocks to the Watrous District Health Complex provided a steady stream for health care providers as they administered the tests to those in vehicles. Two lines in the curling rink’s parking lot allowed for quicker testing at the site although at times there was a waiting period of about two hours. That line subsided by the time the afternoon arrived.
While SHA is unable to confirm how many positive cases there were at the drive-thru due to privacy reasons, providing services to the area, Medical Health Officer Dr. Jasmine Hasselback said in total, 359 swabs were taken.
“That is really, really amazing. That level of engagement from the community is phenomenal and applauded across the province. I am really glad to see that many people who saw the value of knowing the status in such a tumultuous time.”
Hasselback noted that right now it is a critical time in Saskatchewan where there has been multiple sacrifices made over the past number of months but added that it doesn't take much for a lot of people to become infected from a flare up of COVID-19.
With access to testing being a huge part of keeping a pulse on the virus and how quickly it can spread, Hasselback said with Watrous, there was a commitment to make sure there was an easier way to get to the tests.
“It is so valuable because knowing your status for COVID is a game changer.”
Hasselback continued by noting, “This sort of event, and bringing in drive-thru testing will become more and more just part of a routine way of being. That commitment to bringing the tests closer to you, and easier to have access to it really makes sure the more people get tested the better we have the understanding of what is going on.
“It has been beautiful to see the response in Watrous and the commitment to each other and coming out to get tested is the most measurable. But we have seen it in a lot of stories in the human side as well in the commitment and co-operation and the checking on each other virtually. There has been a lot of commitment to keep each other safe and we have seen that presented in a lot of ways.”
With multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Watrous, mayor John Gunderson said, “First and foremost, we will assist in whatever way possible to ensure Watrous continues to be a safe community for its residents. It is unfortunate that we are being faced with a number of positive COVID-19 cases and this is a sign to everyone to never let your guard down. For anyone who has tested positive we wish them a speedy recovery. Until we have all been vaccinated, we as a community must continue to be diligent in wearing masks and staying home as much as possible.”
With a speedy response to the multiple cases, Gunderson was appreciative of SHA for organizing a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site so quickly. “We also cannot thank the front-line workers in health care and all the other people in essential services enough who have helped us get through this over the past 11 months. Our hats go off to the local business community as well. Over the course of the pandemic, they have made sure that measures were taken to ensure the safety of their customers and employees. With the recent outbreak, a number of them have voluntarily taken the initiative to temporarily close their doors. This is a sacrifice on their part, and we acknowledge this.
“Watrous is a community of resilient people and we are confident that we will bounce back from this even stronger on the other side.”
Despite speculation of how many confirmed positive cases are in Watrous, SHA does not share specific numbers due to privacy reasons. So as cases began to pop up in the local area, they were within the Central East 1 zone, a zone that includes places like Watrous, Simpson, Manitou Beach, Drake, Etters Beach, Holdfast, Imperial, Jansen, Lanigan, LeRoy, Humboldt, Nokomis, Young, and Zelma.
While not being able to confirm if all the new cases were from Watrous, there was an increase in the Central East 1 zone this past week. After less than 10 active cases heading into the middle portion of February, as of Feb. 21 there were 11 active cases with seven new ones. A day later the number for the Central East 1 zone went to 21 active cases with 10 new ones. On Tuesday, Feb. 23 there were 26 active cases with five new ones and a day later, just one new case. On Feb. 25 there were 30 active cases and three new ones.
In an effort to stay safe, Hasselback said people should be adhering to instructions from public health. “If you are someone who has been told you should get tested, then please do. If you are someone who has been told to self-isolate then please do and do until they say you are free to go. If you do have symptoms and you are not connected to either of those pathways immediately self-isolate and arrange for testing.”
She also reiterated to keep socializing to the absolute minimum and adhere to the public health restrictions. “That will make a big difference if heaven forbid when a person does get it to make sure it doesn't affect as many folks. I think Watrous is a good example of just how connected we all are even when we are trying to stay disconnected physically. That regular hand washing, checking everyday how you are feeling in terms of symptoms (is important).”
Hasselback also suggested that masks fit properly when they are worn. “If you feel the airs are blowing up to your eyes or ears or below your chin, you don't have that seal. You want that air going through the mask and the mask alone. A good check for that is to take a few deep breaths when you put your mask on and try to figure out where the leaks may be. If there are no leaks that is good and it means you are breathing through the mask.”
The following are locally confirmed cases and updates that occurred throughout this past week. While there may be additional cases amidst speculation, the following cases and updates were obtained from officials:
Schools
On Feb. 17, Horizon School Division was made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Winston High School. Families in Watrous were informed of the case by the division and Horizon noted it was working closely with Public Health to assist in the contact tracing process.
Then on Feb. 21, Horizon School Division was made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Watrous Elementary School. That number was later adjusted to two on the provincial government’s website. Families at Watrous Elementary were informed as the division worked closely with Public Health to assist in the contact tracing process.
As students and staff at both schools returned from the February break, the schools remained open unless families were directed otherwise.
On Feb. 25, Horizon School Division was then made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Imperial School. Families at Imperial School were being informed of this case. As of last week, Imperial School remained open to students and staff.
In a statement, Horizon School Division said, “We all have a shared responsibility to limit the spread of COVID-19. We thank Horizon’s staff, students, and families for all their efforts to help mitigate the risks during this pandemic. We continue to require students and staff to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.”
Further details cannot be provided to maintain the privacy of the individuals involved.
Local businesses
Working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon Co-op indicated that staff from both the Watrous Food Store and the Farm and Agro stores had tested positive for COVID-19. On its website, the Co-op noted team members were self-isolating along with other employees who had close contact.
The confirmed cases were reported Feb. 20 and 21 at the Watrous Food Store and Feb. 21 at the Farm and Agro Store.
Saskatoon Co-op stated it will follow the direction of the SHA and will continue with the health and safety measures that were put in place in response to the pandemic: increasing already high standards for cleaning and sanitization; practicing physical distancing measures (including one-way aisles and plexi-glass barriers at counters); employees wearing masks to protect others; and team members are asked to stay home if feeling unwell, and the Co-op continues to encourage all team members to seek testing and undergo self-isolation if they feel any potential COVID-19 symptoms.
“We wish a quick and safe recovery to each of the individuals who have been affected by this virus. Our priority remains to keep our team members and customers safe and healthy while serving our friends and neighbours. We care greatly for the communities we work and live in and as a local, member-owned business, we take the responsibility to protect our communities seriously.”
At Model Meats, SHA declared an outbreak at the local business Feb. 22. According to the provincial government, a confirmed outbreak is when two or more people test positive for COVID-19 and are all linked to a specific non-household setting or event within a specific time period. In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and putting safety at the forefront, Model Meats temporarily closed its doors until further notice.
A number of other local businesses also made the decision to close temporarily out of an abundance of caution as they tried to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Some remained open but changed how they offered services like providing take out options or offering curb side pick up.
Under the direction of Watrous Library Board, due to the increased number of cases, the library in Watrous made the precautionary decision to not accept in person appointments to check out library materials and only offer curb side pick up until further notice.
The Town of Watrous office also closed temporarily and the community’s fitness centre and arena also shut down until further notice.
Manitou Lodge
In order to keep everyone in SHA facilities and care homes safe during the increase of COVID-19 in Watrous, family presence/visitation is being limited to compassionate reasons only at Manitou Lodge.
SHA noted the decision to restrict family presence is not taken lightly. “These measures are in place to keep you, your loved ones, and health care workers safe. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is asking the public for their support and co-operation in order to contain the spread of the virus.”
Compassionate care reasons may include, but are not limited to, family or support persons during end-of-life care, major surgery, intensive care/critical care, maternal/pediatrics, long-term care residents whose quality of life or care needs are unmet or those inpatients and outpatients with specific challenges.
SHA said no other visitors are allowed into the specified facilities or homes at this time and these limitations will remain in place until it is safe to return to the previous level of family presence.
Nutrien Mine - Allan
While not in the Central East 1 zone, west of Watrous an outbreak was declared by SHA at Nutrien Mine Allan Feb. 17. Larry Long, Senior VP, Potash Operations said, “At Nutrien, caring for the health and safety of our people and communities is a top priority. We are aware of the positive cases at our Allan site and will continue to work closely with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to investigate, maintain our protocols and take all actions necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
Vaccinations
While multiple positive cases of COVID-19 began showing up in Watrous, earlier in February, local health care workers, Manitou Lodge residents, and others were able to receive their first COVID-19 vaccinations.
As part of Phase 1, just over 150 people in Watrous - a combination of health care workers, long-term care residents and community members over age 70 - received their first doses of the vaccine as part of a total of 1,379 given on that day for the Central zone. In total, as of Feb. 21, the Central East zone had received 5,973 first doses given with 111 second doses given. In total, 41,933 first doses had been given in the province with 18,810 second doses administered as of Feb. 21.
With local residents receiving their first doses including those at Manitou Lodge, Phase 1 of the province’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan continued throughout Saskatchewan. Phase 1 of vaccine delivery is aimed at targeting residents and staff of long-term and personal-care homes, identified health care providers, residents 70 years and older and residents aged 50 and older in remote/Northern Saskatchewan.
As of Feb. 24, the provincial government noted 81 percent of residents in long-term care homes across Saskatchewan had received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to 81 percent of long-term care residents having received their first dose, 46 percent of long-term care residents received both their first and
second doses. Along with that, 76 percent of Saskatchewan’s personal care homes received their first dose and 24 percent have received both doses.
“Our health care workers are doing an excellent job of administering vaccines quickly, safely and efficiently in long-term care facilities across the province,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said. “The only thing slowing them down is the shortage of vaccines from the federal government.
“When we get enough doses, we will be able to quickly finish vaccinating all the residents and staff in our long-term care homes. We look forward to having our seniors in long-term care fully vaccinated as soon as possible so they are protected from the threat of COVID-19.”
For the remainder of the general public, Phase 2 is anticipated to begin in April, May or June of 2021, depending on available vaccine supplies. The second phase will focus on vaccinating the general population in 10-year increments. In an effort to offer the vaccination to all residents in Saskatchewan, SHA will operate 230 clinics in 180 communities.
Locally, for Watrous, Lanigan, and Nokomis, mass immunization clinics will be set up in those communities. In places like Humboldt, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Yorkton, drive-thru clinics will be created in addition to mass immunization clinics. Mobile clinics will be set up in communities like Ituna, Yorkton, Saskatoon and others further south.
In total, 43 mass immunization clinics will be set up in the Central region, five drive-thru clinics and seven mobile clinics.
In addition to SHA clinics, the provincial government noted there will also be many others including: participating pharmacies (last year 385 pharmacies in 113 different communities participated in the flu immunization program); participating physicians’ offices; First Nations clinics; community-based settings; and partnerships with large businesses/industries.
As local vaccination dates draw closer, information will be shared to let people know when they can be vaccinated. A central scheduling system for online access is being developed so appointments can be booked online through the Government of Saskatchewan website and a toll-free telephone line will also be established for residents to book appointments. Both are scheduled to be operational by March 2021.
On its website, the provincial government stated: “The timeline for Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Vaccination Delivery Strategy is dependent on vaccine supply and availability. The federal government is working to obtain as much vaccine as possible to distribute to provinces and territories. It’s important to understand the timeline for each phase may change due to vaccine availability. You will not miss your chance to get the vaccine when a new phase starts. Once you become eligible, you are always eligible. If you are in Phase 1, you can still get the vaccine in Phase 2.”
Phase 1 (the current phase) is expected to run until March 2021 with Phase 2 commencing April 2021 and running to Fall 2021.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 15, 2021
The Basement Spin Studio ready to ride after opening
Daniel Bushman
As the arctic air transformed the outdoors into a bone-chilling deep freeze, indoors at The Basement Spin Studio in Watrous, the temperature has been cranked right up. Booked solid since opening during the latter part of January, the new business has been generating a lot of buzz.
Owner of The Basement Spin Studio Wanda Martin said the response she has had since launching her business in the basement of the former Shop Easy building on Main Street in Watrous has been amazing.
“Our grand opening was Jan. 23 and 24. It was a huge success and we booked up solid for those two days. Our first week open was during the week of Jan. 25 and since then, our classes have been booked solid with waiting lists. We started with 14 classes the first week and the wait lists were full.”
Since that inaugural week and with more and more people wanting to give spinning a try, Martin has increased the amount of classes from 14 to over 20 to help balance the demand. “We have added pop up classes throughout the week to increase the chances for our clients to get in and we have had some private classes as well for anyone that wants to book the studio as a group.”
With five bikes for participants to use and one for the instructor, Martin said classes span 35 minutes. Having been trained through the Authentic Instructor Training program created by Tash Marshall Bean, Martin is joined by eight other instructors who include: Angel Toews, Anna Bearss, Darlana Jones, Erin Wolff, Jadah Mensch, Jocelyn McArthur, Lindsy Olah, and Sophie Bartko.
After training and eagerly awaiting to hop on a bike themselves, instructors can be joined by participants who can choose to go for one spin or sign up for additional classes once they give it a try.
That was how Martin got into spinning herself and thought bringing it to Watrous would be a great idea.
“I decided to open The Basement Spin Studio after going to Dog House Spin Studio in Lanigan for several months. I really loved the experience, the lights, the music, and being a part of a team. It’s a workout that is upbeat and team driven, it gives you a great start or end to your day.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson was recently on hand at The Basement Spin Studio to welcome Martin to the local business community. Checking out a bike himself, Gunderson was pleased to see the business opening its doors on Main Street in Watrous. “I am happy that a new business is not only opening on Main Street in Watrous but that a new business is opening up in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is amazing to see and it will also provide an excellent opportunity for people to do some new physical activities during this tough time. After talking with Wanda, I was really happy to hear that she has been really busy so far.”
Ensuring the safety and well-being of those wanting to ride by following the COVID-19 guidelines set out by public health, Martin said The Basement Spin Studio also has an APP for participants wanting to join called GLOFOX or they can find the studio at thebasementspinstudio.com. Martin also carries some spin clothing branded by TBSS which can be found at her location next to the Watrous Pharmacy.
“Everyone that has come and supported us have given us positive feedback, which means a lot to The Basement Spin Studio instructors and myself. I am excited for the upcoming year as we get more people trying it in our community and surrounding areas.”
Daniel Bushman
As the arctic air transformed the outdoors into a bone-chilling deep freeze, indoors at The Basement Spin Studio in Watrous, the temperature has been cranked right up. Booked solid since opening during the latter part of January, the new business has been generating a lot of buzz.
Owner of The Basement Spin Studio Wanda Martin said the response she has had since launching her business in the basement of the former Shop Easy building on Main Street in Watrous has been amazing.
“Our grand opening was Jan. 23 and 24. It was a huge success and we booked up solid for those two days. Our first week open was during the week of Jan. 25 and since then, our classes have been booked solid with waiting lists. We started with 14 classes the first week and the wait lists were full.”
Since that inaugural week and with more and more people wanting to give spinning a try, Martin has increased the amount of classes from 14 to over 20 to help balance the demand. “We have added pop up classes throughout the week to increase the chances for our clients to get in and we have had some private classes as well for anyone that wants to book the studio as a group.”
With five bikes for participants to use and one for the instructor, Martin said classes span 35 minutes. Having been trained through the Authentic Instructor Training program created by Tash Marshall Bean, Martin is joined by eight other instructors who include: Angel Toews, Anna Bearss, Darlana Jones, Erin Wolff, Jadah Mensch, Jocelyn McArthur, Lindsy Olah, and Sophie Bartko.
After training and eagerly awaiting to hop on a bike themselves, instructors can be joined by participants who can choose to go for one spin or sign up for additional classes once they give it a try.
That was how Martin got into spinning herself and thought bringing it to Watrous would be a great idea.
“I decided to open The Basement Spin Studio after going to Dog House Spin Studio in Lanigan for several months. I really loved the experience, the lights, the music, and being a part of a team. It’s a workout that is upbeat and team driven, it gives you a great start or end to your day.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson was recently on hand at The Basement Spin Studio to welcome Martin to the local business community. Checking out a bike himself, Gunderson was pleased to see the business opening its doors on Main Street in Watrous. “I am happy that a new business is not only opening on Main Street in Watrous but that a new business is opening up in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is amazing to see and it will also provide an excellent opportunity for people to do some new physical activities during this tough time. After talking with Wanda, I was really happy to hear that she has been really busy so far.”
Ensuring the safety and well-being of those wanting to ride by following the COVID-19 guidelines set out by public health, Martin said The Basement Spin Studio also has an APP for participants wanting to join called GLOFOX or they can find the studio at thebasementspinstudio.com. Martin also carries some spin clothing branded by TBSS which can be found at her location next to the Watrous Pharmacy.
“Everyone that has come and supported us have given us positive feedback, which means a lot to The Basement Spin Studio instructors and myself. I am excited for the upcoming year as we get more people trying it in our community and surrounding areas.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 8. 2021
FCL and Blair's Family of Companies agree to joint venture
media release
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and Blair’s Family of Companies (Blair’s) are proud to announce they have agreed to enter into a joint venture that will continue to serve the ag retail needs of local farmers. The joint venture will own and operate Blair’s seven ag retail locations in Lanigan, Nokomis, Watrous, Liberty, McLean, Lipton and Rosthern.
“Blair’s is a trusted and well-respected local family business with history of serving farm customers and communities for generations, and whose values match our own. The joint venture is an opportunity for FCL to expand our presence in central and southeastern Saskatchewan, which will ultimately benefit our local Co-op member-owners and the entire Co-operative Retailing System,” said Ron Healey, FCL Vice-President of Ag and Consumer Business.
For 73 years, Blair’s Family of Companies has provided innovative crop input and animal nutrition products and services to local area farmers. The new joint venture will offer a broad range of crop input and animal nutrition products and services to continue to meet the business needs of local area farmers and ranchers. Blair’s Texcana Logistics fertilizer terminal located near Hanley, Sask., and farming operations, including Blair’s Ag Cattle Company, are not part of the joint venture.
“As a fourth-generation family business, Blair’s has always strived to be innovative, adaptable and resilient in meeting the opportunities and challenges presented by the ag retail industry. A key part of our strategy to continue demonstrating value to our customers, employees and communities, has been preparing our business for the future. We believe the joint venture with FCL, which shares the same core values and long-term commitment to agriculture as us, will ensure that we continue demonstrating value to our customers, employees and communities in the future. We are stronger together and better positioned to provide our customers with the solutions they require,” said Darren Blair, Blair’s Chief Operating Officer.
Blair’s Family of Companies management and team will continue to lead the day-to-day operations of the ag retail business.
The joint venture is subject to standard closing conditions, including Competition Bureau and other regulatory clearances.
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), based in Saskatoon, is the largest non-financial co-operative in Canada. FCL is a unique multibillion-dollar wholesaling, manufacturing, marketing and administrative co-operative owned by more than 160 autonomous local cooperatives across Western Canada. Together FCL and those local retail co-operatives form the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS). The CRS serves its members and communities with products and services that help build, feed and fuel individuals and communities from Vancouver Island to northwestern Ontario. The total workforce of 25,000 employees serve 1.9 million active individual members and many more non-member customers at 1,500 locations in more than 580 communities. FCL is a different kind of business – it is locally invested, community-minded and offers lifetime membership benefits including patronage refunds, quality products, quality service and fair prices. More information is available at www.fcl.crs.
Blair’s Family of Companies began near Drake in 1948, when founders, Sandy and Lindsay Blair, brought the first rail car of fertilizer into Saskatchewan. For over 72 years, Blair’s has remained committed to providing leading edge agriculture solutions to its customers and to investing in local communities. Blair’s dedicated and knowledgeable team of professionals are passionate about the business of agriculture and ensuring its customers’ success. Blair’s seven ag retails are located in the communities of Lanigan, Nokomis, Watrous, Liberty, McLean, Lipton and Rosthern. For more information, visit www.blairs.ag.
media release
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and Blair’s Family of Companies (Blair’s) are proud to announce they have agreed to enter into a joint venture that will continue to serve the ag retail needs of local farmers. The joint venture will own and operate Blair’s seven ag retail locations in Lanigan, Nokomis, Watrous, Liberty, McLean, Lipton and Rosthern.
“Blair’s is a trusted and well-respected local family business with history of serving farm customers and communities for generations, and whose values match our own. The joint venture is an opportunity for FCL to expand our presence in central and southeastern Saskatchewan, which will ultimately benefit our local Co-op member-owners and the entire Co-operative Retailing System,” said Ron Healey, FCL Vice-President of Ag and Consumer Business.
For 73 years, Blair’s Family of Companies has provided innovative crop input and animal nutrition products and services to local area farmers. The new joint venture will offer a broad range of crop input and animal nutrition products and services to continue to meet the business needs of local area farmers and ranchers. Blair’s Texcana Logistics fertilizer terminal located near Hanley, Sask., and farming operations, including Blair’s Ag Cattle Company, are not part of the joint venture.
“As a fourth-generation family business, Blair’s has always strived to be innovative, adaptable and resilient in meeting the opportunities and challenges presented by the ag retail industry. A key part of our strategy to continue demonstrating value to our customers, employees and communities, has been preparing our business for the future. We believe the joint venture with FCL, which shares the same core values and long-term commitment to agriculture as us, will ensure that we continue demonstrating value to our customers, employees and communities in the future. We are stronger together and better positioned to provide our customers with the solutions they require,” said Darren Blair, Blair’s Chief Operating Officer.
Blair’s Family of Companies management and team will continue to lead the day-to-day operations of the ag retail business.
The joint venture is subject to standard closing conditions, including Competition Bureau and other regulatory clearances.
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), based in Saskatoon, is the largest non-financial co-operative in Canada. FCL is a unique multibillion-dollar wholesaling, manufacturing, marketing and administrative co-operative owned by more than 160 autonomous local cooperatives across Western Canada. Together FCL and those local retail co-operatives form the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS). The CRS serves its members and communities with products and services that help build, feed and fuel individuals and communities from Vancouver Island to northwestern Ontario. The total workforce of 25,000 employees serve 1.9 million active individual members and many more non-member customers at 1,500 locations in more than 580 communities. FCL is a different kind of business – it is locally invested, community-minded and offers lifetime membership benefits including patronage refunds, quality products, quality service and fair prices. More information is available at www.fcl.crs.
Blair’s Family of Companies began near Drake in 1948, when founders, Sandy and Lindsay Blair, brought the first rail car of fertilizer into Saskatchewan. For over 72 years, Blair’s has remained committed to providing leading edge agriculture solutions to its customers and to investing in local communities. Blair’s dedicated and knowledgeable team of professionals are passionate about the business of agriculture and ensuring its customers’ success. Blair’s seven ag retails are located in the communities of Lanigan, Nokomis, Watrous, Liberty, McLean, Lipton and Rosthern. For more information, visit www.blairs.ag.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 1, 2021
Watrous Citizen of the Year named
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for people, developing meaningful relationships and selflessly serving within the community he calls home, the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year has not only continued to create connections despite a pandemic but in doing so has put others above himself.
When asked what it meant to be named the Watrous Citizen of the Year, Darren Holland said, “The biggest word that comes to mind is just appreciation. Appreciation for the community we are a part of. I came looking for a chance to serve in a church but along with that I ended up finding a community to call home. That is probably the biggest thing that comes to mind in terms of citizenship, is just my neighbours and my friends that I appreciate a lot along the way.”
Presenting the citizen of the year award for the first time in his official role as mayor, John Gunderson said, “The Watrous Citizen of the Year award originated a number of years ago with the selection being made by the Chamber of Commerce. This award has been presented by the Town of Watrous at the annual Staff and Volunteer Christmas Supper since the Chamber of Commerce no longer exists. Of course, with the COVID-19 restrictions this past year we were unable to do this as we normally do.”
Given to an individual or group of individuals who exemplify community spirit, Gunderson noted each year the selection committee receives a number of nominations and when reading them, they are proud to say the community has many people who are deserving recipients. “Thank you to all who submitted nominations. The winner of this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year award, Darren Holland, is an individual who generously gives his time and expertise to help make Watrous a better to place to live. Please take the time to congratulate him if the opportunity presents itself. Darren, you are a very deserving recipient and we want to thank you for all that you do and have done for our community of Watrous.”
Accepting the honour at the Watrous Town Office Jan. 25, Holland extended his appreciation to Gunderson and the rest of town council for the work they have done, especially during the pandemic. “Being able to adapt and even finding creative ways like streaming the Remembrance Day ceremony online and trying to stay somehow connected is so appreciated.”
Moving to Watrous in 1999 as an associate pastor before becoming lead pastor at Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church, over the years Holland has not only had an impact on the congregation he serves but also with those living in Watrous and the surrounding area. Graduating from Millar College of the Bible, Holland was hired as associate pastor at the church on Sept. 5, 1999. He soon became the lead pastor and has served there ever since.
In addition to his role as pastor, the 43-year-old who is married to Kandi and has three children, has also been an active member within his community in a number of ways. After the creation of the Watrous and District Food Bank, which first operated out of the Philadelphia MB Church office in Watrous, Holland has been and continues to be the chairperson of the non-profit organization. Through that role, he has lent his time and efforts to help provide a place for people to access food on a regular basis.
During each November as Remembrance Day approaches, Darren provides the scripture reading and message at the annual service held at the Watrous Civic Centre. While 2020 meant things would look a little different due to the pandemic, Holland was still able to be a part of a virtual service which was put online for the public to view.
Along with his dedication to the food bank and Remembrance Day service in the community, Darren has performed numerous weddings and funerals and has led services at Manitou Lodge. Darren has also helped with the youth program at his church, leads a bible study for a group of local seniors and genuinely cares for others.
In addition, Holland enjoys being a part of the local sports community and has been involved as a coach. He most notably coached alongside former Watrous resident Ralph Eliasson as the Winston Wildcats senior boys basketball team captured its first ever 2A provincial championship at HOOPLA in 2003. More recently, Darren has coached his own kids in both basketball and baseball and also enjoys being a hockey dad.
Growing up in Manitoba, Nebraska, and Alberta before he arrived in Saskatchewan, when it comes to the place he now calls home, Holland said, “Anything I’ve given in terms of to the community, I’ve received more back. We’ve received a lot in the way of our neighbours, in people from our community, in people who have coached our kids, and in people who have helped our family. The relationships working together with people has been rewarding. When I think about Watrous I think about how many people make it such a good place to live in. There are so many that give so much and I love seeing that in a community where there is a lot of people that do a lot. It has made for such a positive experience for our family.”
Holland also noted throughout his time in Watrous, the relationships he has made have been a real highlight. “The fun part of being in a place for a long time is you really get to know people more than just in passing. I’ve also been able to share in a lot families’ experiences with grief and loss and even in times of tragedy and challenges. But not only that, I have been able to get to know our families in the community not only in the good times but the difficult times and I have really benefitted in just getting to know people deeply.”
Noting the value of living in a community like Watrous, Holland added, “I have told our kids often how fortunate they are to have a community like this. Everyone from teachers, coaches to neighbours and friends. Even in the midst of a difficult year due to the pandemic, they have benefitted from the people around them. It is also the way people take care of and look out for each other in the midst of this pandemic that I appreciate. I also love being a dad and I used to coach other people’s kids and now being able to coach our own kids and see them in sports is great.”
With a love for sports, that was also one of the things that drew Holland to Watrous. Since the community is very much a sports town, it has similarities to the place in Nebraska that Darren grew up in. “Coming here was a natural fit not only for the experiences through sports it now gives to my kids but also for me to still be a part of it through enjoying coaching.”
Putting an emphasis on people and relationships, either within the community or local sports scene, Holland stressed what they mean to him, especially during the pandemic. “The greatest benefit of living in a small community is the connection we have. Then having this challenge where we are not able to be as connected in the places where we always meet and hang out like at the rink or around town, you miss those relationships. It has made walks down main street for me a little more meaningful when you bump into someone.”
With the guidelines and restrictions put in place by public health and the provincial government to ensure safety while curbing the spread of COVID-19, that has also meant not being able to visit residents at Manitou Lodge or having the sanctuary filled every Sunday at Philadelphia MB Church. Holland said despite not having that face to face connection like he was able to have before the pandemic, he is trying his best to remain connected.
“All the challenges with having to do things digitally instead of face to face have been all part of this pandemic and that has been a change for me at the lodge and as a church as well. We are trying to find new and creative ways to connect, although we are limited. After doing things much the same for 20 years or so, I am having to learn new things, but it is not just me, it has been that way for everybody.”
While there have been many changes, tweaks and adaptations during the pandemic, Holland’s passion for people has remained a high priority. That was noted in a portion of the citizen of the year nomination letter submitted to the Town of Watrous.
Growing up in Watrous and knowing Darren since he first arrived in the community in 1999, he has had a significant impact on my life and others. It is because of that along with his volunteerism and tremendous character that I felt he would be a worthy person to receive the citizen of the year award.
“Darren has the gift of kindness, a listening ear and a heart for people of all ages. Darren’s passion for his faith, the people of Watrous and those he serves within Philadelphia MB Church is a true testament to his character. While not wanting to be in the spotlight or seeking accolades, Darren has been a friend to many and a role model and inspiration to myself and others. He gives selflessly of his time and talents and I feel that he has the qualities that make him a worthy recipient of the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year.
“Putting others ahead of himself, Darren is an exemplary citizen and despite all of the uncertainty during the pandemic, he has ensured others are cared for, appreciated and looked after. It is because of all this and more that I feel Darren should be named the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year.”
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for people, developing meaningful relationships and selflessly serving within the community he calls home, the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year has not only continued to create connections despite a pandemic but in doing so has put others above himself.
When asked what it meant to be named the Watrous Citizen of the Year, Darren Holland said, “The biggest word that comes to mind is just appreciation. Appreciation for the community we are a part of. I came looking for a chance to serve in a church but along with that I ended up finding a community to call home. That is probably the biggest thing that comes to mind in terms of citizenship, is just my neighbours and my friends that I appreciate a lot along the way.”
Presenting the citizen of the year award for the first time in his official role as mayor, John Gunderson said, “The Watrous Citizen of the Year award originated a number of years ago with the selection being made by the Chamber of Commerce. This award has been presented by the Town of Watrous at the annual Staff and Volunteer Christmas Supper since the Chamber of Commerce no longer exists. Of course, with the COVID-19 restrictions this past year we were unable to do this as we normally do.”
Given to an individual or group of individuals who exemplify community spirit, Gunderson noted each year the selection committee receives a number of nominations and when reading them, they are proud to say the community has many people who are deserving recipients. “Thank you to all who submitted nominations. The winner of this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year award, Darren Holland, is an individual who generously gives his time and expertise to help make Watrous a better to place to live. Please take the time to congratulate him if the opportunity presents itself. Darren, you are a very deserving recipient and we want to thank you for all that you do and have done for our community of Watrous.”
Accepting the honour at the Watrous Town Office Jan. 25, Holland extended his appreciation to Gunderson and the rest of town council for the work they have done, especially during the pandemic. “Being able to adapt and even finding creative ways like streaming the Remembrance Day ceremony online and trying to stay somehow connected is so appreciated.”
Moving to Watrous in 1999 as an associate pastor before becoming lead pastor at Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church, over the years Holland has not only had an impact on the congregation he serves but also with those living in Watrous and the surrounding area. Graduating from Millar College of the Bible, Holland was hired as associate pastor at the church on Sept. 5, 1999. He soon became the lead pastor and has served there ever since.
In addition to his role as pastor, the 43-year-old who is married to Kandi and has three children, has also been an active member within his community in a number of ways. After the creation of the Watrous and District Food Bank, which first operated out of the Philadelphia MB Church office in Watrous, Holland has been and continues to be the chairperson of the non-profit organization. Through that role, he has lent his time and efforts to help provide a place for people to access food on a regular basis.
During each November as Remembrance Day approaches, Darren provides the scripture reading and message at the annual service held at the Watrous Civic Centre. While 2020 meant things would look a little different due to the pandemic, Holland was still able to be a part of a virtual service which was put online for the public to view.
Along with his dedication to the food bank and Remembrance Day service in the community, Darren has performed numerous weddings and funerals and has led services at Manitou Lodge. Darren has also helped with the youth program at his church, leads a bible study for a group of local seniors and genuinely cares for others.
In addition, Holland enjoys being a part of the local sports community and has been involved as a coach. He most notably coached alongside former Watrous resident Ralph Eliasson as the Winston Wildcats senior boys basketball team captured its first ever 2A provincial championship at HOOPLA in 2003. More recently, Darren has coached his own kids in both basketball and baseball and also enjoys being a hockey dad.
Growing up in Manitoba, Nebraska, and Alberta before he arrived in Saskatchewan, when it comes to the place he now calls home, Holland said, “Anything I’ve given in terms of to the community, I’ve received more back. We’ve received a lot in the way of our neighbours, in people from our community, in people who have coached our kids, and in people who have helped our family. The relationships working together with people has been rewarding. When I think about Watrous I think about how many people make it such a good place to live in. There are so many that give so much and I love seeing that in a community where there is a lot of people that do a lot. It has made for such a positive experience for our family.”
Holland also noted throughout his time in Watrous, the relationships he has made have been a real highlight. “The fun part of being in a place for a long time is you really get to know people more than just in passing. I’ve also been able to share in a lot families’ experiences with grief and loss and even in times of tragedy and challenges. But not only that, I have been able to get to know our families in the community not only in the good times but the difficult times and I have really benefitted in just getting to know people deeply.”
Noting the value of living in a community like Watrous, Holland added, “I have told our kids often how fortunate they are to have a community like this. Everyone from teachers, coaches to neighbours and friends. Even in the midst of a difficult year due to the pandemic, they have benefitted from the people around them. It is also the way people take care of and look out for each other in the midst of this pandemic that I appreciate. I also love being a dad and I used to coach other people’s kids and now being able to coach our own kids and see them in sports is great.”
With a love for sports, that was also one of the things that drew Holland to Watrous. Since the community is very much a sports town, it has similarities to the place in Nebraska that Darren grew up in. “Coming here was a natural fit not only for the experiences through sports it now gives to my kids but also for me to still be a part of it through enjoying coaching.”
Putting an emphasis on people and relationships, either within the community or local sports scene, Holland stressed what they mean to him, especially during the pandemic. “The greatest benefit of living in a small community is the connection we have. Then having this challenge where we are not able to be as connected in the places where we always meet and hang out like at the rink or around town, you miss those relationships. It has made walks down main street for me a little more meaningful when you bump into someone.”
With the guidelines and restrictions put in place by public health and the provincial government to ensure safety while curbing the spread of COVID-19, that has also meant not being able to visit residents at Manitou Lodge or having the sanctuary filled every Sunday at Philadelphia MB Church. Holland said despite not having that face to face connection like he was able to have before the pandemic, he is trying his best to remain connected.
“All the challenges with having to do things digitally instead of face to face have been all part of this pandemic and that has been a change for me at the lodge and as a church as well. We are trying to find new and creative ways to connect, although we are limited. After doing things much the same for 20 years or so, I am having to learn new things, but it is not just me, it has been that way for everybody.”
While there have been many changes, tweaks and adaptations during the pandemic, Holland’s passion for people has remained a high priority. That was noted in a portion of the citizen of the year nomination letter submitted to the Town of Watrous.
Growing up in Watrous and knowing Darren since he first arrived in the community in 1999, he has had a significant impact on my life and others. It is because of that along with his volunteerism and tremendous character that I felt he would be a worthy person to receive the citizen of the year award.
“Darren has the gift of kindness, a listening ear and a heart for people of all ages. Darren’s passion for his faith, the people of Watrous and those he serves within Philadelphia MB Church is a true testament to his character. While not wanting to be in the spotlight or seeking accolades, Darren has been a friend to many and a role model and inspiration to myself and others. He gives selflessly of his time and talents and I feel that he has the qualities that make him a worthy recipient of the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year.
“Putting others ahead of himself, Darren is an exemplary citizen and despite all of the uncertainty during the pandemic, he has ensured others are cared for, appreciated and looked after. It is because of all this and more that I feel Darren should be named the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 25, 2021
Crews busy as storms hit in January
Daniel Bushman (photo courtes Bryan Mierau)
After experiencing above-normal values to begin 2021, a pair of wind storms including an Alberta clipper whipped through Saskatchewan in mid-January, leaving behind icy roads, power outages and other damage.
During the first storm that started to wreak havoc Jan. 13, high winds, freezing rain, and blowing snow created zero visibility on roads, knocked out power and moved and blew apart structures like ice fishing shacks. Motorists were also stranded on highways or in ditches and some were forced to spend the night.
The second storm, while not bringing the freezing rain brought with it high winds and it too created low visibility, icy roads and power outages. It also forced vehicles into ditches and had SaskPower crews busy restoring power throughout the province.
As many residents in the province, including locally, began cleaning up once the first storm blew through, a substantial amount of SaskPower customers were left in the dark. Despite the outages, crews braved the elements and were kept busy as they repaired and restored power.
According to SaskPower, the combination of high winds, rain and snow from the Jan. 13 storm caused widespread outages that impacted over 100,000 customers. As of noon Jan. 14, more than 780 outages had been reported and the SaskPower outage centre had taken more than 54,000 calls.
A few hours later, while some repairs had been made, the challenging weather conditions continued to create issues for SaskPower as 37,000 customers were being impacted by 321 outages across Saskatchewan. At that point, the outage centre had received over 65,000 calls. Because of the high winds, equipment like bucket trucks were unable to head out and be used safely. Due to that, crews were forced to wait for the wind conditions to improve.
As night arrived on Jan. 14, as of 10 p.m., SaskPower noted there were 16,000 customers being impacted by 384 outages. SaskPower stated the outage count went up because as larger outages were restored, they revealed smaller, more localized outages needing to be fixed. It was also at that point, SaskPower’s outage centre had taken over 72,000 calls since Jan. 13.
Due to the excessive damage and unsafe conditions, SaskPower was unable to restore power during the night to places like Kyle, Saskatchewan Landing, Tyner, White Bear, Clearwater Lake, Beechy, Demaine, Prairie Lake Provincial Park, Halbrite, Bromhead, Ralph, and Midale. However, communities like Regina, Davidson, Nipawin, Kindersley rurals and Midale were expected to have power restored that evening. Closer to home in places like Lanigan and Manitou Beach, power was also out.
Despite the conditions, SaskPower crews were able to get an early jump on repairs Jan. 15. As of 5:30 a.m., there were 4,073 customers without power, a much smaller number than the over 100,000 customers when the storm first hit Jan. 13. Less than five hours later, SaskPower stated there were about 4,000 customers being impacted by 177 outages. “We’re still finding damage as a result of the storm, including downed lines and broken poles,” stated SaskPower on its website.
As 5 p.m. arrived Jan. 15, SaskPower’s hard work was paying off as about 2,600 customers remained without power, mostly in the Weyburn and Beechy areas. A further update at 9 p.m. on Jan. 15 indicated technicians had been working tirelessly to restore service and at that point, about 200 customers remained without power.
The following day, on Saturday afternoon at 4:45 p.m., SaskPower said all known customers affected by the storm had their services restored. The company indicated some customers could have experienced minor planned outages over the coming days as crews conducted repairs.
“Once again, a huge thank you to our customers for your patience while our crews got the lights back on across the province.”
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, wind gusts reached as high as 143 km/h. at Bratts Lake and 133 km/h. at Yellowgrass during the Jan. 13 event. Gusts also hit the 100 km/h. mark in a number of other places including Saskatoon.
After outages were caused by the high winds, freezing rain and heavy snow during that first storm, another hefty wind blew through the region a week later. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a wind warning heading into the evening Jan. 19 as SaskPower crews were once again busy. While the outages were not as massive as the previous week, crews were out in different parts of Saskatchewan including within the local region.
According to SaskPower’s twitter feed, starting at 5:35 p.m. Jan. 19, some customers in Regina were without power while almost an hour later, Pennant, Battrum and the surrounding area waited for damage to be repaired. Power was later restored to those places before 10 p.m. while at 12:45 a.m. Jan. 20, those in Cypress Hills Park, Maple Creek and the surrounding area had power out until close to 3 a.m.
The Weldon area became the next place to lose power as crews were dispatched at 3:02 a.m. and then by 5:16 a.m. had restored services to the majority of customers with the remaining having their power turned on after 2 p.m. as crews repaired a broken pole/crossarm.
Another outage was also reported in Regina, this time in Normanview West after a cable fault. It was restored at just after 9 a.m. while crews remained busy in Regina as they were also sent to repair damage caused by a pole on fire in Regina Eastview.
After a power outage at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach during the first storm it prompted a boil water advisory and eventually led to no water pressure as residents had to limit the use of water consumption due to the resort’s sewer system being affected. While power was later restored, the boil water advisory lasted until Jan. 18 before it was lifted. The following week on Jan. 20 parts of the resort village were once again left without power, prompting another boil water advisory.
Manitou Beach resident Bryan Mierau was spared from the outage that hit parts of the beach Jan. 13 but not last week. At home during the morning Jan. 20 and with the wind howling outside, an outage occurred at the beach around 7:30 a.m. Not long after things went dark, Mierau looked out his window to find a SaskPower crew near his yard.
Mierau noted after the repairs were made his power was back on by 10:30 a.m. “A wire that connects the north south line to the east west line on the pole very close to home decided to blow off in the wind. The wind has been fierce this past week causing damage as it blows and blows.”
While the warmer weather has certainly been welcome in early 2021, the wind has not been during those January storms.
The most recent storm was not appreciated by Aron Renwick as he made the trek from his home in Lanigan east to Poundmaker during the morning Jan. 20. Leaving for work around 6:30 a.m., Renwick ended up in the ditch and later heard from others they also did the same. “Normally it takes me about 10 minutes to get to work but on Wednesday morning it took 35 minutes.”
Others from the local area heading out on highways early Wednesday morning also found themselves either in the ditch, turning back or on the side of the road to wait out the storm. “It was one of the worst storms I’ve ever seen.”
Daniel Bushman (photo courtes Bryan Mierau)
After experiencing above-normal values to begin 2021, a pair of wind storms including an Alberta clipper whipped through Saskatchewan in mid-January, leaving behind icy roads, power outages and other damage.
During the first storm that started to wreak havoc Jan. 13, high winds, freezing rain, and blowing snow created zero visibility on roads, knocked out power and moved and blew apart structures like ice fishing shacks. Motorists were also stranded on highways or in ditches and some were forced to spend the night.
The second storm, while not bringing the freezing rain brought with it high winds and it too created low visibility, icy roads and power outages. It also forced vehicles into ditches and had SaskPower crews busy restoring power throughout the province.
As many residents in the province, including locally, began cleaning up once the first storm blew through, a substantial amount of SaskPower customers were left in the dark. Despite the outages, crews braved the elements and were kept busy as they repaired and restored power.
According to SaskPower, the combination of high winds, rain and snow from the Jan. 13 storm caused widespread outages that impacted over 100,000 customers. As of noon Jan. 14, more than 780 outages had been reported and the SaskPower outage centre had taken more than 54,000 calls.
A few hours later, while some repairs had been made, the challenging weather conditions continued to create issues for SaskPower as 37,000 customers were being impacted by 321 outages across Saskatchewan. At that point, the outage centre had received over 65,000 calls. Because of the high winds, equipment like bucket trucks were unable to head out and be used safely. Due to that, crews were forced to wait for the wind conditions to improve.
As night arrived on Jan. 14, as of 10 p.m., SaskPower noted there were 16,000 customers being impacted by 384 outages. SaskPower stated the outage count went up because as larger outages were restored, they revealed smaller, more localized outages needing to be fixed. It was also at that point, SaskPower’s outage centre had taken over 72,000 calls since Jan. 13.
Due to the excessive damage and unsafe conditions, SaskPower was unable to restore power during the night to places like Kyle, Saskatchewan Landing, Tyner, White Bear, Clearwater Lake, Beechy, Demaine, Prairie Lake Provincial Park, Halbrite, Bromhead, Ralph, and Midale. However, communities like Regina, Davidson, Nipawin, Kindersley rurals and Midale were expected to have power restored that evening. Closer to home in places like Lanigan and Manitou Beach, power was also out.
Despite the conditions, SaskPower crews were able to get an early jump on repairs Jan. 15. As of 5:30 a.m., there were 4,073 customers without power, a much smaller number than the over 100,000 customers when the storm first hit Jan. 13. Less than five hours later, SaskPower stated there were about 4,000 customers being impacted by 177 outages. “We’re still finding damage as a result of the storm, including downed lines and broken poles,” stated SaskPower on its website.
As 5 p.m. arrived Jan. 15, SaskPower’s hard work was paying off as about 2,600 customers remained without power, mostly in the Weyburn and Beechy areas. A further update at 9 p.m. on Jan. 15 indicated technicians had been working tirelessly to restore service and at that point, about 200 customers remained without power.
The following day, on Saturday afternoon at 4:45 p.m., SaskPower said all known customers affected by the storm had their services restored. The company indicated some customers could have experienced minor planned outages over the coming days as crews conducted repairs.
“Once again, a huge thank you to our customers for your patience while our crews got the lights back on across the province.”
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, wind gusts reached as high as 143 km/h. at Bratts Lake and 133 km/h. at Yellowgrass during the Jan. 13 event. Gusts also hit the 100 km/h. mark in a number of other places including Saskatoon.
After outages were caused by the high winds, freezing rain and heavy snow during that first storm, another hefty wind blew through the region a week later. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a wind warning heading into the evening Jan. 19 as SaskPower crews were once again busy. While the outages were not as massive as the previous week, crews were out in different parts of Saskatchewan including within the local region.
According to SaskPower’s twitter feed, starting at 5:35 p.m. Jan. 19, some customers in Regina were without power while almost an hour later, Pennant, Battrum and the surrounding area waited for damage to be repaired. Power was later restored to those places before 10 p.m. while at 12:45 a.m. Jan. 20, those in Cypress Hills Park, Maple Creek and the surrounding area had power out until close to 3 a.m.
The Weldon area became the next place to lose power as crews were dispatched at 3:02 a.m. and then by 5:16 a.m. had restored services to the majority of customers with the remaining having their power turned on after 2 p.m. as crews repaired a broken pole/crossarm.
Another outage was also reported in Regina, this time in Normanview West after a cable fault. It was restored at just after 9 a.m. while crews remained busy in Regina as they were also sent to repair damage caused by a pole on fire in Regina Eastview.
After a power outage at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach during the first storm it prompted a boil water advisory and eventually led to no water pressure as residents had to limit the use of water consumption due to the resort’s sewer system being affected. While power was later restored, the boil water advisory lasted until Jan. 18 before it was lifted. The following week on Jan. 20 parts of the resort village were once again left without power, prompting another boil water advisory.
Manitou Beach resident Bryan Mierau was spared from the outage that hit parts of the beach Jan. 13 but not last week. At home during the morning Jan. 20 and with the wind howling outside, an outage occurred at the beach around 7:30 a.m. Not long after things went dark, Mierau looked out his window to find a SaskPower crew near his yard.
Mierau noted after the repairs were made his power was back on by 10:30 a.m. “A wire that connects the north south line to the east west line on the pole very close to home decided to blow off in the wind. The wind has been fierce this past week causing damage as it blows and blows.”
While the warmer weather has certainly been welcome in early 2021, the wind has not been during those January storms.
The most recent storm was not appreciated by Aron Renwick as he made the trek from his home in Lanigan east to Poundmaker during the morning Jan. 20. Leaving for work around 6:30 a.m., Renwick ended up in the ditch and later heard from others they also did the same. “Normally it takes me about 10 minutes to get to work but on Wednesday morning it took 35 minutes.”
Others from the local area heading out on highways early Wednesday morning also found themselves either in the ditch, turning back or on the side of the road to wait out the storm. “It was one of the worst storms I’ve ever seen.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 18, 2021
The start of 2021 has certainly been a mixed bag of weather. While temperatures have been mostly above-normal for this time of year, after a beautiful Jan. 9 of hoar frost and an incredible sunrise a few days later, high winds mixed with freezing rain and snow arrived Jan. 13.
The storm created zero visibility and forced the closure of some highways in Saskatchewan. Power outages, people stranded in their vehicles and debris strewn about was also reported. As people woke up Jan. 14, vehicles were spotted in ditches, power remained out in some areas, and items had been blown about.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, wind gusts reached as high as 143 km/h. at Bratts Lake and 133 km/h. at Yellowgrass. In Saskatoon it hit 102 km/h. Meanwhile, Environment and Climate Change Canada said there were at least 14 records broken on Jan. 13 for daytime highs including in the Watrous area where it hit 5˚C (the previous record of 3.5˚C was set in 1986). In the Last Mountain Lake area a new record of 5.2˚C was set, edging the previous record of 4˚C from 1989. And in the Wynyard area, it reached 6˚C with the old record of 5˚C set in 1987
The storm created zero visibility and forced the closure of some highways in Saskatchewan. Power outages, people stranded in their vehicles and debris strewn about was also reported. As people woke up Jan. 14, vehicles were spotted in ditches, power remained out in some areas, and items had been blown about.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, wind gusts reached as high as 143 km/h. at Bratts Lake and 133 km/h. at Yellowgrass. In Saskatoon it hit 102 km/h. Meanwhile, Environment and Climate Change Canada said there were at least 14 records broken on Jan. 13 for daytime highs including in the Watrous area where it hit 5˚C (the previous record of 3.5˚C was set in 1986). In the Last Mountain Lake area a new record of 5.2˚C was set, edging the previous record of 4˚C from 1989. And in the Wynyard area, it reached 6˚C with the old record of 5˚C set in 1987
TWM Top Story - Jan. 11, 2021
Discovering a wooly mammoth at Manitou Beach
Daniel Bushman
While it probably would not have been that hard to spot a woolly mammoth sauntering through our area thousands of years ago, finding fossils of the extinct group of elephants can be. But just over 60 years ago, a pair of boys exploring a gravel pit at Manitou Beach stumbled upon just that. Now, decades later, the artifact has been donated to the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, preserving the unique piece of history.
For a few weeks each summer, Gary Robins would look forward to making the trek from his home in Ontario out to Watrous to stay with his grandparents. It was during the summer of 1959 that 10-year-old Gary and his 12-year-old friend John Hunt came across the mammoth molar.
Back in the late 1950s, Blyth Construction Company, operating in the hills along Little Manitou Lake, was contracted to supply 500,000 tons of rock to the CNR. Gary’s grandparents, Morley and Josephine Crawford, owned and operated the Jubilee Drive-In, and there was a gravel pit right behind it. One day, Robins and Hunt decided to go exploring and headed for the pit.
“I’m not sure what we were doing there, just sort of playing or going to get sand for something,” said Robins, speaking from his home in Regina. “We both spent a lot of time at the drive-in that summer. My grandparents built it in 1955 for Saskatchewan’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee, so it would have been open for four years at that point.
“It seemed like a funny shaped rock with soft sand around it, and I think it was only because it was in a gravel pit that it had been uncovered. It was probably 10 or 12 feet below the surface and we only noticed it because a lot of sand and gravel had been dug away. We had no idea what it was, but it was certainly unusual.”
Fascinated by their find, Robins and Hunt began to pull the mammoth tooth out of the pit, but it started to fall apart. “It didn’t crumble but it split almost into layers, and it was the weirdest thing. It was darker and hard on the outside edges, but lighter towards the centre. We didn’t know what it was, but it seemed very old and we later figured out it was probably a fossil.”
Cemented together with sand and clay, the section of the tooth measured five and a half inches long by three inches wide and it was six tiers deep. While Gary had to return home to Ontario soon afterward, leaving the find behind with his friend, he noted it was pretty exciting and a very cool thing to find as a 10 year old boy.
While John Hunt has since passed away, his younger brother Burt, who was seven at the time and now lives in Alberta, recalled the day when the discovery was made. “I remember them bringing it home, and it was a scratch your head mystery as to what this thing was.”
Hoping to reveal the mystery or at least find a few answers, the boys employed the services of Bill Mollard, considered a local amateur geologist. Hunt said, “Nobody knew what that thing was but in those days Bill Mollard went back and forth to his brother’s place in Regina. We asked Bill to deliver the tooth to the Museum of Natural History in Regina and they confirmed that it was indeed the tooth of a woolly mammoth.”
After receiving some answers about the tooth, it was returned to the Hunts, as the Museum of Natural History already had one on display at the time. Burt said once word got out about what his brother and Gary had found, the tooth made its rounds in town including to school and to The Watrous Manitou office where it was put on display for all to see.
Royal Saskatchewan Museum Paleontologist Emily Bamforth works out of the T. rex Discovery Centre in Eastend, Sask. and said to her knowledge the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) is the species that definitely lived here. While she suspects that the larger Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) also may have made it this far north, Bamforth said they have also discovered mastodons in Saskatchewan, which are often mistaken for mammoths. “Mastodons were also pachyderms, but they had very different diets and life habits from mammoths.”
As for how rare the Manitou Beach discovery was, there have been others in the province, although Bamforth noted they are largely restricted to molars, and less commonly, tusks. “The fact that the Watrous specimen is a tooth is not surprising. As you likely are aware, teeth are made from enamel, which is a far more robust material than bone. Teeth fossilize well and don’t tend to break up and disintegrate as easily as bone. While there may have been more material associated with the Watrous find, it is equally likely the specimen was isolated.”
The most famous discovery though is the Kyle mammoth, the only complete mammoth skeleton unearthed in Saskatchewan. “It was found in 1964 near the town of Kyle by a municipal grader operator. The Kyle mammoth is a woolly mammoth. Mammoth fossils are often found in gravels, and sometimes turn up in commercial gravel pits. We recently received a mammoth tusk from a gravel pit operator near Saskatoon. More recently, two mammoth tusks were recovered near Regina by a company digging a rail spur. People also sometimes come across them while digging dugouts. Though mammoth ivory preserves well in places like the Yukon, specimens in Saskatchewan tend to come from waterlogged sediments and are therefore prone to desiccation and are very fragile.”
In the local history book, Prairie Reflections, Bill and Jack Mollard detailed the geological history of the landscape around the Watrous and Manitou Beach area which suggests this could potentially be a spot for other unique items from the past. The Mollards stated the last glacier to bury the Canadian Prairies below a thick sheet of ice began to melt back toward the northeast more than 20,000 years ago. As it retreated, it deposited a mixture of clay, silt, sand, gravel and boulders, similar to the soil mix where the local mammoth molar was found six decades ago.
As the glacier melted and ice-marginal lakes filled, overflowed and drained away, the running water eroded deep spillway channels with two located in the area (the Watrous Spillway east of Young and north of Watrous and the Lewis Spillway west of Renown). Since Little Manitou Lake, Freshwater Lake and Boulder Lake occupied low-lying parts of one of those former spillways, the old river channel carried a substantial amount of water from the glacial lake then sitting over the Saskatoon area. The Mollards estimated Little Manitou Lake was formed about 12,000 years ago, the same time frame that the mammoth molar dates back to, according to an article in the Aug. 20, 1959 edition of The Watrous Manitou.
Bamforth said without being able to date the actual specimen, there is no way to accurately determine the age of the Manitou Beach mammoth molar. “Using radiocarbon dating, the Kyle mammoth was dated to 12,200 +/- 200 years soon after it was found in the 1960s. Southern Saskatchewan (with the exception of the Cypress Hills region) was covered by glaciers until about 15,000 years ago, and mammoths were extinct by 10,000 years ago. Therefore ultimately, the age range of the Watrous mammoth must be between 15,000 and 10,000 years old. I would suggest that the date of 12,000 years, speculated back in 1959, was surprisingly accurate.”
Since its discovery in 1959, the tooth had remained in John Hunt’s possession. “My brother had it but passed away in 2011,” said Burt. “His wife had a whole bunch of stuff that had meaning for him and us and so she gave it back to me after they had it for decades.”
After learning that a Heritage Centre was being established in Watrous, Burt and his wife Wilma (nee van Schaffelaar) decided to donate the item back to the local area. “It shouldn’t be anywhere else,” he said. “Something that amazes me is that nobody has really found anything else like it around there. As far as I know nobody has found such a thing at the beach before or since then.”
Reminiscing about that day when he and John found the tooth, Gary was pleased to learn it had been donated to the Heritage Centre. “That’s great to hear. I am really thrilled to hear that. It was so unusual when we found it, and so different from anything I had ever seen before. I’m glad it’s found a permanent home at the Heritage Centre.”
Daniel Bushman
While it probably would not have been that hard to spot a woolly mammoth sauntering through our area thousands of years ago, finding fossils of the extinct group of elephants can be. But just over 60 years ago, a pair of boys exploring a gravel pit at Manitou Beach stumbled upon just that. Now, decades later, the artifact has been donated to the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, preserving the unique piece of history.
For a few weeks each summer, Gary Robins would look forward to making the trek from his home in Ontario out to Watrous to stay with his grandparents. It was during the summer of 1959 that 10-year-old Gary and his 12-year-old friend John Hunt came across the mammoth molar.
Back in the late 1950s, Blyth Construction Company, operating in the hills along Little Manitou Lake, was contracted to supply 500,000 tons of rock to the CNR. Gary’s grandparents, Morley and Josephine Crawford, owned and operated the Jubilee Drive-In, and there was a gravel pit right behind it. One day, Robins and Hunt decided to go exploring and headed for the pit.
“I’m not sure what we were doing there, just sort of playing or going to get sand for something,” said Robins, speaking from his home in Regina. “We both spent a lot of time at the drive-in that summer. My grandparents built it in 1955 for Saskatchewan’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee, so it would have been open for four years at that point.
“It seemed like a funny shaped rock with soft sand around it, and I think it was only because it was in a gravel pit that it had been uncovered. It was probably 10 or 12 feet below the surface and we only noticed it because a lot of sand and gravel had been dug away. We had no idea what it was, but it was certainly unusual.”
Fascinated by their find, Robins and Hunt began to pull the mammoth tooth out of the pit, but it started to fall apart. “It didn’t crumble but it split almost into layers, and it was the weirdest thing. It was darker and hard on the outside edges, but lighter towards the centre. We didn’t know what it was, but it seemed very old and we later figured out it was probably a fossil.”
Cemented together with sand and clay, the section of the tooth measured five and a half inches long by three inches wide and it was six tiers deep. While Gary had to return home to Ontario soon afterward, leaving the find behind with his friend, he noted it was pretty exciting and a very cool thing to find as a 10 year old boy.
While John Hunt has since passed away, his younger brother Burt, who was seven at the time and now lives in Alberta, recalled the day when the discovery was made. “I remember them bringing it home, and it was a scratch your head mystery as to what this thing was.”
Hoping to reveal the mystery or at least find a few answers, the boys employed the services of Bill Mollard, considered a local amateur geologist. Hunt said, “Nobody knew what that thing was but in those days Bill Mollard went back and forth to his brother’s place in Regina. We asked Bill to deliver the tooth to the Museum of Natural History in Regina and they confirmed that it was indeed the tooth of a woolly mammoth.”
After receiving some answers about the tooth, it was returned to the Hunts, as the Museum of Natural History already had one on display at the time. Burt said once word got out about what his brother and Gary had found, the tooth made its rounds in town including to school and to The Watrous Manitou office where it was put on display for all to see.
Royal Saskatchewan Museum Paleontologist Emily Bamforth works out of the T. rex Discovery Centre in Eastend, Sask. and said to her knowledge the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) is the species that definitely lived here. While she suspects that the larger Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) also may have made it this far north, Bamforth said they have also discovered mastodons in Saskatchewan, which are often mistaken for mammoths. “Mastodons were also pachyderms, but they had very different diets and life habits from mammoths.”
As for how rare the Manitou Beach discovery was, there have been others in the province, although Bamforth noted they are largely restricted to molars, and less commonly, tusks. “The fact that the Watrous specimen is a tooth is not surprising. As you likely are aware, teeth are made from enamel, which is a far more robust material than bone. Teeth fossilize well and don’t tend to break up and disintegrate as easily as bone. While there may have been more material associated with the Watrous find, it is equally likely the specimen was isolated.”
The most famous discovery though is the Kyle mammoth, the only complete mammoth skeleton unearthed in Saskatchewan. “It was found in 1964 near the town of Kyle by a municipal grader operator. The Kyle mammoth is a woolly mammoth. Mammoth fossils are often found in gravels, and sometimes turn up in commercial gravel pits. We recently received a mammoth tusk from a gravel pit operator near Saskatoon. More recently, two mammoth tusks were recovered near Regina by a company digging a rail spur. People also sometimes come across them while digging dugouts. Though mammoth ivory preserves well in places like the Yukon, specimens in Saskatchewan tend to come from waterlogged sediments and are therefore prone to desiccation and are very fragile.”
In the local history book, Prairie Reflections, Bill and Jack Mollard detailed the geological history of the landscape around the Watrous and Manitou Beach area which suggests this could potentially be a spot for other unique items from the past. The Mollards stated the last glacier to bury the Canadian Prairies below a thick sheet of ice began to melt back toward the northeast more than 20,000 years ago. As it retreated, it deposited a mixture of clay, silt, sand, gravel and boulders, similar to the soil mix where the local mammoth molar was found six decades ago.
As the glacier melted and ice-marginal lakes filled, overflowed and drained away, the running water eroded deep spillway channels with two located in the area (the Watrous Spillway east of Young and north of Watrous and the Lewis Spillway west of Renown). Since Little Manitou Lake, Freshwater Lake and Boulder Lake occupied low-lying parts of one of those former spillways, the old river channel carried a substantial amount of water from the glacial lake then sitting over the Saskatoon area. The Mollards estimated Little Manitou Lake was formed about 12,000 years ago, the same time frame that the mammoth molar dates back to, according to an article in the Aug. 20, 1959 edition of The Watrous Manitou.
Bamforth said without being able to date the actual specimen, there is no way to accurately determine the age of the Manitou Beach mammoth molar. “Using radiocarbon dating, the Kyle mammoth was dated to 12,200 +/- 200 years soon after it was found in the 1960s. Southern Saskatchewan (with the exception of the Cypress Hills region) was covered by glaciers until about 15,000 years ago, and mammoths were extinct by 10,000 years ago. Therefore ultimately, the age range of the Watrous mammoth must be between 15,000 and 10,000 years old. I would suggest that the date of 12,000 years, speculated back in 1959, was surprisingly accurate.”
Since its discovery in 1959, the tooth had remained in John Hunt’s possession. “My brother had it but passed away in 2011,” said Burt. “His wife had a whole bunch of stuff that had meaning for him and us and so she gave it back to me after they had it for decades.”
After learning that a Heritage Centre was being established in Watrous, Burt and his wife Wilma (nee van Schaffelaar) decided to donate the item back to the local area. “It shouldn’t be anywhere else,” he said. “Something that amazes me is that nobody has really found anything else like it around there. As far as I know nobody has found such a thing at the beach before or since then.”
Reminiscing about that day when he and John found the tooth, Gary was pleased to learn it had been donated to the Heritage Centre. “That’s great to hear. I am really thrilled to hear that. It was so unusual when we found it, and so different from anything I had ever seen before. I’m glad it’s found a permanent home at the Heritage Centre.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 4, 2021
Pair of local residents win Holiday Giveaway's big prizes
Daniel Bushman
With a strong emphasis on shopping local this holiday season, as part of the annual Holiday Giveaway campaign, thousands of entries were submitted by people utilizing businesses within Watrous and Manitou Beach. With a $5,000 grand prize to be spent locally and a $500 gift card from Saskatoon Co-op in Watrous as the secondary prize, a pair of local residents were this year’s winners.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the draw took place in the home of Vickie Clarke, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group. Streaming live online, Clarke used her niece’s playpen as a draw drum because of the substantial amount of entries received for this year’s giveaway.
Stirring the entries Dec. 21, Clarke pulled out the winning names of Georgina Cotts and Susan Hawkes, both of Watrous. Cotts received the grand prize of $5,000 which she can spend at any of the participating businesses while Hawkes took home the $500 gift card from the Saskatoon Co-op in Watrous.
Clarke presented both women with their winnings during the morning of Dec. 23 and each were thrilled to have won.
“When I got the call that I had won, I was surprised,” said an excited Cotts who entered her name at a number of local businesses during the Holiday Giveaway. “I have always shopped locally, especially this year.”
Cotts who has resided in Watrous for a number of years noted she is not one to really win anything. So when she got the call from Clarke, at first Georgina was a little unsure and thought maybe it was a scam but then when she realized she had indeed won, she was elated. “Now I just have to decide what I would like to spend the money on.”
When Clarke called Hawkes, like Georgina, Susan was in disbelief but was thrilled to learn she had won the gift card to the local Co-op. “I always shop local and I was overwhelmed when I found out I had won.”
Born and raised in Watrous and raising her own family in the community, Hawkes recalled winning a large prize from the Watrous Chamber many years ago and also a draw from the Shop Easy grocery store when it was still in operation. Then with the pandemic and the way 2020 had gone, winning the gift card was a real highlight for Hawkes. “I’ve been pretty lucky in the past with a few draws and I am just so thankful to have won this $500 gift card. It will be put to good use, that’s for sure!”
With the Holiday Giveaway being another big success, Clarke was pleased that 2020’s shop local campaign provided a few smiles as well.
“My understanding is that we have averaged well over 20,000 entries each year since the giveaway was first started and with the pandemic forcing people to stay closer to home, I would imagine we more than surpassed that number this year. Hearing from both Georgina and Susan and how much they value shopping local was really encouraging and I know that there are many more people from our community and even the surrounding area who utilize our local businesses. As a marketing group, we are so grateful for their support and I appreciate all of the local businesses who stepped up and participated again this year, especially during the year that we had.”
Clarke also noted that with the thousands of entries from customers shopping at local businesses, it illustrated just how much shopping is being done in the area. “By running our annual Holiday Giveaway, it acts as a great opportunity to promote local businesses and we are lucky to be able to have the services we do.”
In addition to the grand prize and secondary prize, a number of the participating businesses also gave away their own prizes (you can find the winners on page seven of this week's edition). “We really appreciated the willingness of businesses to provide their own prizes and also the residents and visitors who decided to shop locally this year. Without that support this Holiday Giveaway would not be the success that it is.”
Daniel Bushman
With a strong emphasis on shopping local this holiday season, as part of the annual Holiday Giveaway campaign, thousands of entries were submitted by people utilizing businesses within Watrous and Manitou Beach. With a $5,000 grand prize to be spent locally and a $500 gift card from Saskatoon Co-op in Watrous as the secondary prize, a pair of local residents were this year’s winners.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the draw took place in the home of Vickie Clarke, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group. Streaming live online, Clarke used her niece’s playpen as a draw drum because of the substantial amount of entries received for this year’s giveaway.
Stirring the entries Dec. 21, Clarke pulled out the winning names of Georgina Cotts and Susan Hawkes, both of Watrous. Cotts received the grand prize of $5,000 which she can spend at any of the participating businesses while Hawkes took home the $500 gift card from the Saskatoon Co-op in Watrous.
Clarke presented both women with their winnings during the morning of Dec. 23 and each were thrilled to have won.
“When I got the call that I had won, I was surprised,” said an excited Cotts who entered her name at a number of local businesses during the Holiday Giveaway. “I have always shopped locally, especially this year.”
Cotts who has resided in Watrous for a number of years noted she is not one to really win anything. So when she got the call from Clarke, at first Georgina was a little unsure and thought maybe it was a scam but then when she realized she had indeed won, she was elated. “Now I just have to decide what I would like to spend the money on.”
When Clarke called Hawkes, like Georgina, Susan was in disbelief but was thrilled to learn she had won the gift card to the local Co-op. “I always shop local and I was overwhelmed when I found out I had won.”
Born and raised in Watrous and raising her own family in the community, Hawkes recalled winning a large prize from the Watrous Chamber many years ago and also a draw from the Shop Easy grocery store when it was still in operation. Then with the pandemic and the way 2020 had gone, winning the gift card was a real highlight for Hawkes. “I’ve been pretty lucky in the past with a few draws and I am just so thankful to have won this $500 gift card. It will be put to good use, that’s for sure!”
With the Holiday Giveaway being another big success, Clarke was pleased that 2020’s shop local campaign provided a few smiles as well.
“My understanding is that we have averaged well over 20,000 entries each year since the giveaway was first started and with the pandemic forcing people to stay closer to home, I would imagine we more than surpassed that number this year. Hearing from both Georgina and Susan and how much they value shopping local was really encouraging and I know that there are many more people from our community and even the surrounding area who utilize our local businesses. As a marketing group, we are so grateful for their support and I appreciate all of the local businesses who stepped up and participated again this year, especially during the year that we had.”
Clarke also noted that with the thousands of entries from customers shopping at local businesses, it illustrated just how much shopping is being done in the area. “By running our annual Holiday Giveaway, it acts as a great opportunity to promote local businesses and we are lucky to be able to have the services we do.”
In addition to the grand prize and secondary prize, a number of the participating businesses also gave away their own prizes (you can find the winners on page seven of this week's edition). “We really appreciated the willingness of businesses to provide their own prizes and also the residents and visitors who decided to shop locally this year. Without that support this Holiday Giveaway would not be the success that it is.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 21, 2020
Q and A with the previous and current mayor of Watrous
Daniel Bushman
As 2020 comes to a close, this past year also saw a chapter end and a new one begin in Watrous. As municipal elections took place, now former mayor of Watrous, Ed Collins elected to step away from his position after serving for a number of years. That role was filled by former councillor and longtime resident of the community, John Gunderson.
The Watrous Manitou reached out to both who graciously shared a bit about themselves, some highlights of being a part of council, what is ahead for 2021 and a few other things. The following are the responses from both Collins and Gunderson.
Former Mayor of Watrous Ed Collins
For those who may not know you, tell me a bit about yourself and how you arrived in Watrous.
I was born in Melfort in northeast Saskatchewan and lived in a number of smaller communities before graduating from high school in Bjorkdale. I started my work life in Melfort, first working for the Sask. Department of Highways for eight years and then working for the Sask. Liquor & Gaming Authority for the past 42 years where I am still employed as a District Manager. This past July marked 50 years of employment with the Government of Saskatchewan.
I moved to Watrous in 1986 with my family to become the Liquor Store Manager. My wife Linda and I have three sons, three wonderful daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. We all reside in the great community of Watrous.
Since moving to Watrous I have been involved with a number of organizations over the years including the Chamber of Commerce, Kinsmen Club, K-40 Club, coaching minor sports teams, being an avid supporter of the Watrous Winterhawks and of course a part of Watrous Town Council.
When were you first elected to council?
I was elected to Watrous Town Council as a councillor in October of 1988 and served nine years in that capacity under the leadership of Murray Westby, whom I had a great deal of respect for and learned a great deal about civic politics.
After Murray stepped down as mayor in 1997, I was elected mayor, a position I held until the fall of 2020.
After 32 years on council it was time to begin another chapter in my life and enjoy that extra round of golf in the summer and spend more time with my family.
What were a few highlights during your time as part of council?
There were so many highlights during my time on council including: capital projects like replacing water and sewer lines; refurbishing the civic centre; the new RO water system and lagoon; working closely with the government and surrounding municipalities to replace our ageing Manitou Lodge; and the homecomings to celebrating Saskatchewan’s and Watrous’ 100th birthdays. The list goes on and on. All projects and celebrations that make a community continue to grow and prosper.
Was being the mayor of Watrous a rewarding experience for you?
Being mayor certainly was a very rewarding experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to work with many groups of individuals and organizations over the years, who like me wanted to see Watrous grow and prosper and become a great place to live, work and raise a family. It gave me the opportunity to see how the many volunteers of this community are not afraid to step up and offer their time and expertise for the betterment of the community. The support and encouragement from the community over the years was certainly a humbling experience.
What perhaps was one of the bigger challenges as mayor during your time in office?
One of the bigger ongoing challenges during my time in office was working to provide the services that meet the needs and expectations of the community within the financial resources that we had to work with.
How did you feel 2020 went for the community?
This past year has been difficult for all of us and there was not much in the way of highlights. The restrictions have kept us from our families and friends, have reduced or closed some of our leisure services and of course affected our business community severely. During all of this time we are constantly worried about our health and the health of others. I want to say thanks to all of our healthcare providers and EMS personnel for being there for us in a time of need. I also urge the community to support our local businesses at this time.
What is next for you now that you are no longer mayor?
As I mentioned earlier, it is time to step back a bit and enjoy some extra time with family and friends once this pandemic is over.
Is their anything else you would like to add or say to the community?
I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the entire community for all the support that I received during my time as mayor and councillor. To all the past council members and administration staff that I worked with over the years, I thank you for your input and guidance as we worked through the many challenges together as a team. To the present mayor and council, I know that our community is in good hands and wish you every success in the future.
I also want to wish everyone a safe and healthy Christmas season and a brighter New Year ahead!!!
Current Mayor of Watrous John Gunderson
For those who may not know you, tell me a bit about yourself and how you arrived in Watrous.
I have lived in Saskatchewan all of my life and grew up in the Preeceville area. After graduating from high school, I attended the Saskatchewan Technical Institute in Moose Jaw and graduated from there with a diploma in Business Administration. For the next 15 years I was employed with CIBC in a number of locations and this is how I met my wife Melanie while working in Regina.
We have been married for 39 years and blessed with two children; Jonelle who lives in Toronto and Matthew who is married to Lindsay and have given us two grandsons Wyatt (5) and Cade (2). They reside in Warman.
Following my employment with CIBC I wanted a change and this brought us to Watrous over 29 years ago. The last 23 years I have been a consultant with IG Wealth Management and plan to retire on Mar. 1, 2021.
When were you first elected to council?
I have been a member of Watrous Town Council for the past 11 years.
Have there been a few highlights during your time as part of council?
There have been many highlights over the past 11 years on council. Approximately 10 years ago we hired our first Community Development Officer to manage the activities of the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group which I feel confident in saying has built up the tourism sector locally and helped with the economic growth in the area.
We worked closely with the former Saskatoon Health Region to develop the Primary Health Care Centre in Watrous and were successful in hiring three doctors and now two nurse practitioners.
Of course, one of the biggest projects in Watrous has been the installation of the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant facility and expanding our lagoon shortly thereafter. Good quality water is a key factor when potential residents are considering Watrous as a place to live.
What does being acclaimed as mayor of Watrous mean to you?
Becoming acclaimed as mayor means a lot to me. I hope to continue the great leadership that Watrous has had from previous mayors and always to be aware of the needs of our citizens.
Are you looking forward to 2021?
I think we all have a lot to look forward to in 2021 and the future. First, with the vaccines now becoming available for the COVID-19 virus, there is light at the end of the tunnel that we will recover from this. As you have heard from many health specialists and government officials, the timeline for all to receive the vaccine is quite long and we have to be diligent to continue doing our part to keep the spread of the virus low. I realize that this is challenging particularly at this time of year but so important that we keep our contacts low and abide by the regulations. With the Internet and news media, we hear a lot of stories out there. If you have questions, the best available information can be obtained from Sask. Health and Health Canada Internet sites.
Watrous is a great community to live, work and play. As a council, we will continue to build upon past successes and make continual improvements to our infrastructure and other needs.
Is their anything else you would like to add?
In closing, on behalf of Watrous Town Council, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Daniel Bushman
As 2020 comes to a close, this past year also saw a chapter end and a new one begin in Watrous. As municipal elections took place, now former mayor of Watrous, Ed Collins elected to step away from his position after serving for a number of years. That role was filled by former councillor and longtime resident of the community, John Gunderson.
The Watrous Manitou reached out to both who graciously shared a bit about themselves, some highlights of being a part of council, what is ahead for 2021 and a few other things. The following are the responses from both Collins and Gunderson.
Former Mayor of Watrous Ed Collins
For those who may not know you, tell me a bit about yourself and how you arrived in Watrous.
I was born in Melfort in northeast Saskatchewan and lived in a number of smaller communities before graduating from high school in Bjorkdale. I started my work life in Melfort, first working for the Sask. Department of Highways for eight years and then working for the Sask. Liquor & Gaming Authority for the past 42 years where I am still employed as a District Manager. This past July marked 50 years of employment with the Government of Saskatchewan.
I moved to Watrous in 1986 with my family to become the Liquor Store Manager. My wife Linda and I have three sons, three wonderful daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. We all reside in the great community of Watrous.
Since moving to Watrous I have been involved with a number of organizations over the years including the Chamber of Commerce, Kinsmen Club, K-40 Club, coaching minor sports teams, being an avid supporter of the Watrous Winterhawks and of course a part of Watrous Town Council.
When were you first elected to council?
I was elected to Watrous Town Council as a councillor in October of 1988 and served nine years in that capacity under the leadership of Murray Westby, whom I had a great deal of respect for and learned a great deal about civic politics.
After Murray stepped down as mayor in 1997, I was elected mayor, a position I held until the fall of 2020.
After 32 years on council it was time to begin another chapter in my life and enjoy that extra round of golf in the summer and spend more time with my family.
What were a few highlights during your time as part of council?
There were so many highlights during my time on council including: capital projects like replacing water and sewer lines; refurbishing the civic centre; the new RO water system and lagoon; working closely with the government and surrounding municipalities to replace our ageing Manitou Lodge; and the homecomings to celebrating Saskatchewan’s and Watrous’ 100th birthdays. The list goes on and on. All projects and celebrations that make a community continue to grow and prosper.
Was being the mayor of Watrous a rewarding experience for you?
Being mayor certainly was a very rewarding experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to work with many groups of individuals and organizations over the years, who like me wanted to see Watrous grow and prosper and become a great place to live, work and raise a family. It gave me the opportunity to see how the many volunteers of this community are not afraid to step up and offer their time and expertise for the betterment of the community. The support and encouragement from the community over the years was certainly a humbling experience.
What perhaps was one of the bigger challenges as mayor during your time in office?
One of the bigger ongoing challenges during my time in office was working to provide the services that meet the needs and expectations of the community within the financial resources that we had to work with.
How did you feel 2020 went for the community?
This past year has been difficult for all of us and there was not much in the way of highlights. The restrictions have kept us from our families and friends, have reduced or closed some of our leisure services and of course affected our business community severely. During all of this time we are constantly worried about our health and the health of others. I want to say thanks to all of our healthcare providers and EMS personnel for being there for us in a time of need. I also urge the community to support our local businesses at this time.
What is next for you now that you are no longer mayor?
As I mentioned earlier, it is time to step back a bit and enjoy some extra time with family and friends once this pandemic is over.
Is their anything else you would like to add or say to the community?
I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the entire community for all the support that I received during my time as mayor and councillor. To all the past council members and administration staff that I worked with over the years, I thank you for your input and guidance as we worked through the many challenges together as a team. To the present mayor and council, I know that our community is in good hands and wish you every success in the future.
I also want to wish everyone a safe and healthy Christmas season and a brighter New Year ahead!!!
Current Mayor of Watrous John Gunderson
For those who may not know you, tell me a bit about yourself and how you arrived in Watrous.
I have lived in Saskatchewan all of my life and grew up in the Preeceville area. After graduating from high school, I attended the Saskatchewan Technical Institute in Moose Jaw and graduated from there with a diploma in Business Administration. For the next 15 years I was employed with CIBC in a number of locations and this is how I met my wife Melanie while working in Regina.
We have been married for 39 years and blessed with two children; Jonelle who lives in Toronto and Matthew who is married to Lindsay and have given us two grandsons Wyatt (5) and Cade (2). They reside in Warman.
Following my employment with CIBC I wanted a change and this brought us to Watrous over 29 years ago. The last 23 years I have been a consultant with IG Wealth Management and plan to retire on Mar. 1, 2021.
When were you first elected to council?
I have been a member of Watrous Town Council for the past 11 years.
Have there been a few highlights during your time as part of council?
There have been many highlights over the past 11 years on council. Approximately 10 years ago we hired our first Community Development Officer to manage the activities of the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group which I feel confident in saying has built up the tourism sector locally and helped with the economic growth in the area.
We worked closely with the former Saskatoon Health Region to develop the Primary Health Care Centre in Watrous and were successful in hiring three doctors and now two nurse practitioners.
Of course, one of the biggest projects in Watrous has been the installation of the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant facility and expanding our lagoon shortly thereafter. Good quality water is a key factor when potential residents are considering Watrous as a place to live.
What does being acclaimed as mayor of Watrous mean to you?
Becoming acclaimed as mayor means a lot to me. I hope to continue the great leadership that Watrous has had from previous mayors and always to be aware of the needs of our citizens.
Are you looking forward to 2021?
I think we all have a lot to look forward to in 2021 and the future. First, with the vaccines now becoming available for the COVID-19 virus, there is light at the end of the tunnel that we will recover from this. As you have heard from many health specialists and government officials, the timeline for all to receive the vaccine is quite long and we have to be diligent to continue doing our part to keep the spread of the virus low. I realize that this is challenging particularly at this time of year but so important that we keep our contacts low and abide by the regulations. With the Internet and news media, we hear a lot of stories out there. If you have questions, the best available information can be obtained from Sask. Health and Health Canada Internet sites.
Watrous is a great community to live, work and play. As a council, we will continue to build upon past successes and make continual improvements to our infrastructure and other needs.
Is their anything else you would like to add?
In closing, on behalf of Watrous Town Council, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
TWM Top Story - Dec. 14, 2020
Grey Cup champion with local ties shares about memorable experience
Daniel Bushman
While many in Saskatchewan sport the green and white when it comes to the Canadian Football League, there are some who live in the province who proudly wear the blue and gold. So after waiting 29 long years between championships, when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2019 Grey Cup, there was a lot to cheer about for the team’s players and its supporters.
Originally from Regina and suiting up for the Riders before being traded to Winnipeg in 2013, Pat Neufeld was one of the players able to relish in the moment of winning a cup in 2019. After missing out in 2013, the partner of Paula Sather (who was raised on a farm near Watrous) said when he finally got to hoist the cup, it was a surreal feeling.
“It was a little point of pride in being from Saskatchewan and having them trade me in their Grey Cup season, especially after thinking that was going to be my home for a good portion of my career,” said Neufeld from his residence in Saskatoon. “The Bombers organization has treated me so well. I have loved being a Bomber and I wanted nothing more than to win it with them. It was just such a great feeling winning it with those guys and that organization.”
Despite leaping out of the gate in 2019 with a 9-3 record, injuries at critical positions took a toll on the team and the blue and gold were 2-4 for the remainder of the regular season. Eventually finishing third with a record of 11-7, a trade deadline acquisition to bring in former Rider quarterback Zach Collaros aided in turning things around.
“When he came into our building, he assured all of us that he was good to go,” said Neufeld recalling the big move. “We got the full meal Zach in practice. He was practicing really well and was spending a ton of time in the facility, going above and beyond just to learn our system and learn the way we were operating. He came in and played lights out and our defence played tremendous throughout the end of the season and in the playoffs.”
Noting how the team had an incredible plus 13 turnover ratio, which ultimately set the tone throughout the post-season, Neufeld said things really came together. “We played our best football at our most critical part of the season. We worked really hard and ended up winning that championship, not just for the organization but for Bomber fans everywhere who had long suffered 29 years of not winning.”
For players like Pat, who narrowly missed out on raising the trophy in 2013 and had to come back from injury in 2019, the feeling of winning the big game against Hamilton proved to be a monumental effort. “I won a provincial championship in high school and that was awesome. You don’t really understand what it means then. You are just playing football with your buddies from high school and we were lucky enough to win it in my Gr. 12 season. I was part of the team that played in the championship game in college but we lost it and I didn’t get in a championship game again until 2019 so it was definitely sweet to savour.”
That moment of winning Grey Cup 107 in Calgary on Nov. 24, 2019 will not only be one for the ages but will forever be etched in Neufeld’s mind. Despite being forced off the field this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when what would have been Grey Cup week 2020, Neufeld was able to relive the 2019 championship game.
“It was pretty awesome. Myself and a couple of teammates were watching the game and doing live commentary and I distinctly remember feeling just a massive sense of relief when we won the Grey Cup. As soon as the final whistle blew it was sheer joy and I was hugging my teammates. Then a sudden calmness came over me and I was watching the confetti fly. Then I was finding my family and I just felt this massive sense of relief that we finally did it and this massive gorilla is off our backs. People can’t say anymore, ‘When are you guys going to do it, I’ve been waiting so long.’ After the relief I just started taking it in and was in such a celebratory mood. I was able to celebrate with teammates and the organization.”
Recalling last year’s celebrations, after returning from Calgary with the trophy, members of the team spent a week taking the Grey Cup to a few places in Winnipeg and parading it around the city. Neufeld figures at the official parade at least half of Winnipeg turned out. He also travelled to nearby Brandon, taking the trophy to a few high schools and to a Brandon Wheat Kings’ game. “We ended up signing autographs for two out of the three periods so it was really great to see the reception.”
That celebration would eventually extend past the Manitoba border to Saskatchewan where Paula and her family were able to enjoy time with the historic Grey Cup as well. Calvin and Cathy Sather farm near Watrous and while once avid Rider fans, as Paula started dating Pat, the green and white colours eventually turned into blue and gold. Along with Paula’s parents, her brother Brent and his wife Catherine and their kids all cheered on Pat as he won the Grey Cup.
“They are such a big support,” said Neufeld of the Sather family, adding he still gets a little emotional talking about the opportunity they all had to spend time with the Grey Cup. “To me it is such a great trophy and I have such reverence for the trophy so being able to share it with her family, my family and take pictures that we can all look back on and say how cool it was to have this 107 year old trophy in our backyard; drinking out of it, and taking pictures with it, it was just a real cool experience.”
Since there was no season in 2020, when asked if he considers the Bombers defending Grey Cup champions, Neufeld remarked: “I am really wondering what they will do with 2020. Maybe they will have a plaque on the Grey Cup and it is going to be like ‘Not played due to COVID’ or if we are going to be on their twice. I am not sure what is going to happen with that, so we will say we are still the defending champs.”
While Neufeld is fine with remaining a defending Grey Cup champion, he would have rather tried to defend the title in 2020 and not have had to sit out because of the pandemic. “It has been hard, I’m not going to lie. For me, football is just such a massive part of my life and our family life here. It is like cyclical and routine. Like this point in the offseason we are doing this, this point in the off-season we are doing this and then we are going to Winnipeg and that kind of thing. When this whole thing happened it was getting close to training camp and I wasn’t sure if camp was going to happen. I was still training like training camp was going to happen.”
With football such a big part of his life, once the season was officially cancelled in August, Neufeld said it was difficult to hear. Despite all of the circumstances due to the pandemic, like other players and coaches, Neufeld is keeping busy. Right now he is doing a bit of work in Saskatoon but hopes to get back on the field sooner rather than later.
“I love the CFL. I love the league and the tradition. Just the community feel around the league, it is a fan-driven league and there is so much fan and player access. I grew up as a fan and I really hope we get a chance to come together in stadiums and be able to watch the game and celebrate this great sport and this tradition of history. Just to be able to watch the game and play the game that I love with some great friends and the community would be cool.”
So when the CFL released its tentative schedule for 2021, Neufeld had a renewed sense of excitement. “When that schedule came out, me and a bunch of teammates started texting about a short week here, a long week here, we have this team and this team back to back, so already we are starting to scheme up so it is pretty cool.”
Hoping that the schedule means more positive things to come, the lineman shared about the value of seeing the league return.
“I am probably speaking for 99 percent of CFL players when I say this but we miss playing the game and playing in front of such great fans. Having Grey Cup week is such a great Canadiana experience where people from all across this country get to come together and celebrate a game, even if your team is not even playing. Hopefully in 2021 we can get an opportunity to come back and play and get back to some kind of normalcy.”
Daniel Bushman
While many in Saskatchewan sport the green and white when it comes to the Canadian Football League, there are some who live in the province who proudly wear the blue and gold. So after waiting 29 long years between championships, when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2019 Grey Cup, there was a lot to cheer about for the team’s players and its supporters.
Originally from Regina and suiting up for the Riders before being traded to Winnipeg in 2013, Pat Neufeld was one of the players able to relish in the moment of winning a cup in 2019. After missing out in 2013, the partner of Paula Sather (who was raised on a farm near Watrous) said when he finally got to hoist the cup, it was a surreal feeling.
“It was a little point of pride in being from Saskatchewan and having them trade me in their Grey Cup season, especially after thinking that was going to be my home for a good portion of my career,” said Neufeld from his residence in Saskatoon. “The Bombers organization has treated me so well. I have loved being a Bomber and I wanted nothing more than to win it with them. It was just such a great feeling winning it with those guys and that organization.”
Despite leaping out of the gate in 2019 with a 9-3 record, injuries at critical positions took a toll on the team and the blue and gold were 2-4 for the remainder of the regular season. Eventually finishing third with a record of 11-7, a trade deadline acquisition to bring in former Rider quarterback Zach Collaros aided in turning things around.
“When he came into our building, he assured all of us that he was good to go,” said Neufeld recalling the big move. “We got the full meal Zach in practice. He was practicing really well and was spending a ton of time in the facility, going above and beyond just to learn our system and learn the way we were operating. He came in and played lights out and our defence played tremendous throughout the end of the season and in the playoffs.”
Noting how the team had an incredible plus 13 turnover ratio, which ultimately set the tone throughout the post-season, Neufeld said things really came together. “We played our best football at our most critical part of the season. We worked really hard and ended up winning that championship, not just for the organization but for Bomber fans everywhere who had long suffered 29 years of not winning.”
For players like Pat, who narrowly missed out on raising the trophy in 2013 and had to come back from injury in 2019, the feeling of winning the big game against Hamilton proved to be a monumental effort. “I won a provincial championship in high school and that was awesome. You don’t really understand what it means then. You are just playing football with your buddies from high school and we were lucky enough to win it in my Gr. 12 season. I was part of the team that played in the championship game in college but we lost it and I didn’t get in a championship game again until 2019 so it was definitely sweet to savour.”
That moment of winning Grey Cup 107 in Calgary on Nov. 24, 2019 will not only be one for the ages but will forever be etched in Neufeld’s mind. Despite being forced off the field this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when what would have been Grey Cup week 2020, Neufeld was able to relive the 2019 championship game.
“It was pretty awesome. Myself and a couple of teammates were watching the game and doing live commentary and I distinctly remember feeling just a massive sense of relief when we won the Grey Cup. As soon as the final whistle blew it was sheer joy and I was hugging my teammates. Then a sudden calmness came over me and I was watching the confetti fly. Then I was finding my family and I just felt this massive sense of relief that we finally did it and this massive gorilla is off our backs. People can’t say anymore, ‘When are you guys going to do it, I’ve been waiting so long.’ After the relief I just started taking it in and was in such a celebratory mood. I was able to celebrate with teammates and the organization.”
Recalling last year’s celebrations, after returning from Calgary with the trophy, members of the team spent a week taking the Grey Cup to a few places in Winnipeg and parading it around the city. Neufeld figures at the official parade at least half of Winnipeg turned out. He also travelled to nearby Brandon, taking the trophy to a few high schools and to a Brandon Wheat Kings’ game. “We ended up signing autographs for two out of the three periods so it was really great to see the reception.”
That celebration would eventually extend past the Manitoba border to Saskatchewan where Paula and her family were able to enjoy time with the historic Grey Cup as well. Calvin and Cathy Sather farm near Watrous and while once avid Rider fans, as Paula started dating Pat, the green and white colours eventually turned into blue and gold. Along with Paula’s parents, her brother Brent and his wife Catherine and their kids all cheered on Pat as he won the Grey Cup.
“They are such a big support,” said Neufeld of the Sather family, adding he still gets a little emotional talking about the opportunity they all had to spend time with the Grey Cup. “To me it is such a great trophy and I have such reverence for the trophy so being able to share it with her family, my family and take pictures that we can all look back on and say how cool it was to have this 107 year old trophy in our backyard; drinking out of it, and taking pictures with it, it was just a real cool experience.”
Since there was no season in 2020, when asked if he considers the Bombers defending Grey Cup champions, Neufeld remarked: “I am really wondering what they will do with 2020. Maybe they will have a plaque on the Grey Cup and it is going to be like ‘Not played due to COVID’ or if we are going to be on their twice. I am not sure what is going to happen with that, so we will say we are still the defending champs.”
While Neufeld is fine with remaining a defending Grey Cup champion, he would have rather tried to defend the title in 2020 and not have had to sit out because of the pandemic. “It has been hard, I’m not going to lie. For me, football is just such a massive part of my life and our family life here. It is like cyclical and routine. Like this point in the offseason we are doing this, this point in the off-season we are doing this and then we are going to Winnipeg and that kind of thing. When this whole thing happened it was getting close to training camp and I wasn’t sure if camp was going to happen. I was still training like training camp was going to happen.”
With football such a big part of his life, once the season was officially cancelled in August, Neufeld said it was difficult to hear. Despite all of the circumstances due to the pandemic, like other players and coaches, Neufeld is keeping busy. Right now he is doing a bit of work in Saskatoon but hopes to get back on the field sooner rather than later.
“I love the CFL. I love the league and the tradition. Just the community feel around the league, it is a fan-driven league and there is so much fan and player access. I grew up as a fan and I really hope we get a chance to come together in stadiums and be able to watch the game and celebrate this great sport and this tradition of history. Just to be able to watch the game and play the game that I love with some great friends and the community would be cool.”
So when the CFL released its tentative schedule for 2021, Neufeld had a renewed sense of excitement. “When that schedule came out, me and a bunch of teammates started texting about a short week here, a long week here, we have this team and this team back to back, so already we are starting to scheme up so it is pretty cool.”
Hoping that the schedule means more positive things to come, the lineman shared about the value of seeing the league return.
“I am probably speaking for 99 percent of CFL players when I say this but we miss playing the game and playing in front of such great fans. Having Grey Cup week is such a great Canadiana experience where people from all across this country get to come together and celebrate a game, even if your team is not even playing. Hopefully in 2021 we can get an opportunity to come back and play and get back to some kind of normalcy.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 7, 2020
ALC beds temporarily closed at Lanigan;
Watrous sees access to resources as COVID cases increase
Daniel Bushman
As more and more daily active COVID-19 cases appear within the local region and throughout the province, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has been moving forward with its Health System Readiness plan. As part of that plan, a temporary closure of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) beds has been issued at Lanigan Hospital while resources have been allocated to the hospital in Watrous.
SHA stated the temporary closure of ALC beds at Lanigan Hospital went into effect Nov. 30 and will remain until further notice. “Due to active COVID-19 activity in the area, staffing challenges in Lanigan, and required redeployment of health care providers to other health services to support care, ALC beds will be temporarily closed at the facility effective Nov. 30, 2020. ALC admissions have also been temporarily suspended. Lab and X-ray services are not affected. Patients affected by the closure will also be temporarily relocated to appropriate facilities in the area as beds become available.”
SHA said in the event of an emergency, residents of Lanigan and the immediate area can call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency department in either Humboldt, Watrous, or Wynyard. Non-urgent health related questions can be directed to the provincial HealthLine by calling 8-1-1.
Back in April of this year, SHA shared its Integrated Rural Health plans and as part of those, Lanigan’s hospital was one of 12 designated ALC sites. Working to convert the 12 sites, a temporary suspension of emergency services also took place. As conversions to the 12 ALC sites occurred earlier in 2020, the majority were later allowed to reopen their emergency services because of lower than anticipated COVID numbers; however, due to staffing challenges, SHA noted the emergency services in Lanigan remained closed.
Having those emergency services suspended in Lanigan for the majority of this year has caused frustration for many in the community and surrounding area. SHA Physician Executive Dr. Kevin Wasko understands the disappointment and noted before the recent surge in COVID cases, officials had been working with SHA and community leaders to find new and innovative ways to provide emergency care in Lanigan.
“A lot of that work was underway in the fall to try to create some processes that made use of virtual care and also had times where there would be in-person emergency assessments from a physician as well. Those had been progressing quite well but with changes that came with our surge of cases in the province with COVID we had halted that. But there is the intention that when our numbers start to settle down and we start to see that we are better able to manage the surge of cases then at some point in the new year we would resume those conversations.”
Asked if Wasko could confirm whether or not emergency services would in fact resume in Lanigan, he stated, “They will look different than what they had previously, but how exactly they look differently is yet to be determined. It is something that is in the works. The involvement of community leaders, patient and family partners, that’s all been part of the work that has been underway.”
In Watrous, emergency services remain open as that facility has been marked as a COVID-19 hospital through SHA’s Integrated Rural Health plan. Meanwhile in Humboldt the hospital there also has emergency services open but is designated as a non-COVID hospital. Despite what each facility has been designated, VP of Integrated Rural Health, Karen Earnshaw said whether community or regional, all hospitals need to be COVID ready.
“What that means really is they need the ability to be ready to provide care to anyone who is needing that care. Since spring we have done training, we have done scaling up, we have ensured people have access to all the most appropriate personal protective equipment and whatever they may need to care for both COVID and non-COVID patients.”
As for what changes are currently taking place at the hospital in Watrous, Earnshaw said things are continuing along other than they have increased access to both physicians and licensed staff. Being deemed a COVID hospital, Watrous would be accepting COVID-19 patients should enough of a surge require it. Earnshaw stated the move to have increased access to both physicians and licensed staff is to ensure that there is less of a chance of being short a provider and having disruptions.
By adding to the numbers in Watrous, Wasko added that is what the recent changes in Lanigan have provided. “Yes we have reduced some of the services temporarily in Lanigan but that means we have been able to enhance the pool of staff and physicians that can serve Watrous to ensure that that service is even more stable and reliable as we go into an uncertain time over the next few months.”
With the ongoing surge in cases, SHA is moving ahead with its next phase of its surge plan, including required service slow downs to support the redeployment of up to 600 full-time equivalent staff to support pandemic response.
The move is being done with a goal to avoid a broad reduction of services across all areas in the health care system.
As part of the surge plan’s first phase, SHA will be creating capacity for 64 COVID patients requiring ICU care by mid-December to try to keep pace with projected demand. This means creating capacity to meet demand that is equivalent to 28 percent more ICU beds than what currently exists in Saskatoon and Regina.
SHA will also be creating capacity for 250 COVID patients requiring inpatient hospitalization by mid-December to try to keep pace with projected growth in demand. This is approximately equivalent to the capacity of the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current and the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital combined.
In addition, SHA stated it will be creating capacity for contact tracing of approximately 560 average cases per day to try to keep pace with projected growth in demand, including keeping pace with more than 6,000 hours of work per day created for contact tracers if cases reach this level by mid-December as projected.
Other parts of phase one include strengthening SHA’s supplemental labour pool to increase responsiveness to outbreaks and situations where large numbers of staff are required to isolate. SHA will also review surge plans every week to ensure each surge and any associated slow downs are as measured as possible to maintain an appropriate balance between urgent needs of the pandemic response and the need for Saskatchewan residents to have access to every day health services.
“Surges of this scale and on this timeline necessitate service slow downs to enable redeployment of staff, otherwise more people will die from COVID-19 because we can’t get them the help they need and we can’t get out in front of the virus,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “We acknowledge that this will result in some Saskatchewan residents experiencing localized service slow downs in pockets across the province, that is why we are committed to making these efforts as time-limited and targeted as possible.”
Over the coming days, SHA indicated services will be affected at different levels depending on local plans and needs. Services slowing down include some primary health care services, elective surgeries in urban centres, endoscopy/cystoscopy procedures, Women and Children’s Programming, diagnostics, therapies, ambulatory care, registration resources, environmental and food and nutrition services, rehab services and home care services.
SHA said, “It is critical to note that these services will still be available, just at reduced volumes or levels. The scale of service slow downs range by location and service type. In the vast majority of cases, these slow downs are simply reducing service volumes to enable redeployment of staff. There are some limited exceptions where services will be temporarily paused. These are highly localized programs like dental programs, therapeutic and rehabilitation programs and active living programs. Notifications for local staff and key local stakeholders for these service pauses will occur in the coming days and will be communicated publicly once those have occurred.”
By implementing the service changes, SHA can then redeploy up to 600 FTE staff to strengthen testing, contact tracing and to identify the health care workers necessary to expand hospital and ICU capacity to help keep COVID and non-COVID patients alive and ensure the SHA can provide the care they need.
“While we acknowledge that service slow downs will temporarily reduce access for Saskatchewan residents to some of their everyday health services, the alternative is for our health system to be overwhelmed and to risk our ability to provide critical lifesaving services to both COVID and non-COVID patients.”
On Nov. 26, SHA released a Health System Readiness update and in it, stated the number of cases in the province had risen 363 percent in the last 30 days and continued to grow. The number of those hospitalized was also up, a total of 383 percent in the last 30 days and growing. The percentage of ICU capacity being used for COVID patients was 27 percent and growing, up from five percent one month prior.
With 76 COVID-19 cases in long-term care and 27 outbreaks in facilities serving seniors or vulnerable clients as of Nov. 25, SHA noted protecting the most vulnerable is a priority.
As of Dec. 3 there were 259 new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan bringing the provincial total to date to 9,244 cases. The seven-day average of daily new cases was 269 (22.2 new cases per 100,000 population).
Of the 9,244 reported cases, 4,017 were considered active. A total of 5,173 people have recovered and 54 people have died.
One-hundred and twenty-eight people are in hospital with 104 receiving inpatient care and 24 in intensive care.
Watrous sees access to resources as COVID cases increase
Daniel Bushman
As more and more daily active COVID-19 cases appear within the local region and throughout the province, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has been moving forward with its Health System Readiness plan. As part of that plan, a temporary closure of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) beds has been issued at Lanigan Hospital while resources have been allocated to the hospital in Watrous.
SHA stated the temporary closure of ALC beds at Lanigan Hospital went into effect Nov. 30 and will remain until further notice. “Due to active COVID-19 activity in the area, staffing challenges in Lanigan, and required redeployment of health care providers to other health services to support care, ALC beds will be temporarily closed at the facility effective Nov. 30, 2020. ALC admissions have also been temporarily suspended. Lab and X-ray services are not affected. Patients affected by the closure will also be temporarily relocated to appropriate facilities in the area as beds become available.”
SHA said in the event of an emergency, residents of Lanigan and the immediate area can call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency department in either Humboldt, Watrous, or Wynyard. Non-urgent health related questions can be directed to the provincial HealthLine by calling 8-1-1.
Back in April of this year, SHA shared its Integrated Rural Health plans and as part of those, Lanigan’s hospital was one of 12 designated ALC sites. Working to convert the 12 sites, a temporary suspension of emergency services also took place. As conversions to the 12 ALC sites occurred earlier in 2020, the majority were later allowed to reopen their emergency services because of lower than anticipated COVID numbers; however, due to staffing challenges, SHA noted the emergency services in Lanigan remained closed.
Having those emergency services suspended in Lanigan for the majority of this year has caused frustration for many in the community and surrounding area. SHA Physician Executive Dr. Kevin Wasko understands the disappointment and noted before the recent surge in COVID cases, officials had been working with SHA and community leaders to find new and innovative ways to provide emergency care in Lanigan.
“A lot of that work was underway in the fall to try to create some processes that made use of virtual care and also had times where there would be in-person emergency assessments from a physician as well. Those had been progressing quite well but with changes that came with our surge of cases in the province with COVID we had halted that. But there is the intention that when our numbers start to settle down and we start to see that we are better able to manage the surge of cases then at some point in the new year we would resume those conversations.”
Asked if Wasko could confirm whether or not emergency services would in fact resume in Lanigan, he stated, “They will look different than what they had previously, but how exactly they look differently is yet to be determined. It is something that is in the works. The involvement of community leaders, patient and family partners, that’s all been part of the work that has been underway.”
In Watrous, emergency services remain open as that facility has been marked as a COVID-19 hospital through SHA’s Integrated Rural Health plan. Meanwhile in Humboldt the hospital there also has emergency services open but is designated as a non-COVID hospital. Despite what each facility has been designated, VP of Integrated Rural Health, Karen Earnshaw said whether community or regional, all hospitals need to be COVID ready.
“What that means really is they need the ability to be ready to provide care to anyone who is needing that care. Since spring we have done training, we have done scaling up, we have ensured people have access to all the most appropriate personal protective equipment and whatever they may need to care for both COVID and non-COVID patients.”
As for what changes are currently taking place at the hospital in Watrous, Earnshaw said things are continuing along other than they have increased access to both physicians and licensed staff. Being deemed a COVID hospital, Watrous would be accepting COVID-19 patients should enough of a surge require it. Earnshaw stated the move to have increased access to both physicians and licensed staff is to ensure that there is less of a chance of being short a provider and having disruptions.
By adding to the numbers in Watrous, Wasko added that is what the recent changes in Lanigan have provided. “Yes we have reduced some of the services temporarily in Lanigan but that means we have been able to enhance the pool of staff and physicians that can serve Watrous to ensure that that service is even more stable and reliable as we go into an uncertain time over the next few months.”
With the ongoing surge in cases, SHA is moving ahead with its next phase of its surge plan, including required service slow downs to support the redeployment of up to 600 full-time equivalent staff to support pandemic response.
The move is being done with a goal to avoid a broad reduction of services across all areas in the health care system.
As part of the surge plan’s first phase, SHA will be creating capacity for 64 COVID patients requiring ICU care by mid-December to try to keep pace with projected demand. This means creating capacity to meet demand that is equivalent to 28 percent more ICU beds than what currently exists in Saskatoon and Regina.
SHA will also be creating capacity for 250 COVID patients requiring inpatient hospitalization by mid-December to try to keep pace with projected growth in demand. This is approximately equivalent to the capacity of the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current and the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital combined.
In addition, SHA stated it will be creating capacity for contact tracing of approximately 560 average cases per day to try to keep pace with projected growth in demand, including keeping pace with more than 6,000 hours of work per day created for contact tracers if cases reach this level by mid-December as projected.
Other parts of phase one include strengthening SHA’s supplemental labour pool to increase responsiveness to outbreaks and situations where large numbers of staff are required to isolate. SHA will also review surge plans every week to ensure each surge and any associated slow downs are as measured as possible to maintain an appropriate balance between urgent needs of the pandemic response and the need for Saskatchewan residents to have access to every day health services.
“Surges of this scale and on this timeline necessitate service slow downs to enable redeployment of staff, otherwise more people will die from COVID-19 because we can’t get them the help they need and we can’t get out in front of the virus,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “We acknowledge that this will result in some Saskatchewan residents experiencing localized service slow downs in pockets across the province, that is why we are committed to making these efforts as time-limited and targeted as possible.”
Over the coming days, SHA indicated services will be affected at different levels depending on local plans and needs. Services slowing down include some primary health care services, elective surgeries in urban centres, endoscopy/cystoscopy procedures, Women and Children’s Programming, diagnostics, therapies, ambulatory care, registration resources, environmental and food and nutrition services, rehab services and home care services.
SHA said, “It is critical to note that these services will still be available, just at reduced volumes or levels. The scale of service slow downs range by location and service type. In the vast majority of cases, these slow downs are simply reducing service volumes to enable redeployment of staff. There are some limited exceptions where services will be temporarily paused. These are highly localized programs like dental programs, therapeutic and rehabilitation programs and active living programs. Notifications for local staff and key local stakeholders for these service pauses will occur in the coming days and will be communicated publicly once those have occurred.”
By implementing the service changes, SHA can then redeploy up to 600 FTE staff to strengthen testing, contact tracing and to identify the health care workers necessary to expand hospital and ICU capacity to help keep COVID and non-COVID patients alive and ensure the SHA can provide the care they need.
“While we acknowledge that service slow downs will temporarily reduce access for Saskatchewan residents to some of their everyday health services, the alternative is for our health system to be overwhelmed and to risk our ability to provide critical lifesaving services to both COVID and non-COVID patients.”
On Nov. 26, SHA released a Health System Readiness update and in it, stated the number of cases in the province had risen 363 percent in the last 30 days and continued to grow. The number of those hospitalized was also up, a total of 383 percent in the last 30 days and growing. The percentage of ICU capacity being used for COVID patients was 27 percent and growing, up from five percent one month prior.
With 76 COVID-19 cases in long-term care and 27 outbreaks in facilities serving seniors or vulnerable clients as of Nov. 25, SHA noted protecting the most vulnerable is a priority.
As of Dec. 3 there were 259 new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan bringing the provincial total to date to 9,244 cases. The seven-day average of daily new cases was 269 (22.2 new cases per 100,000 population).
Of the 9,244 reported cases, 4,017 were considered active. A total of 5,173 people have recovered and 54 people have died.
One-hundred and twenty-eight people are in hospital with 104 receiving inpatient care and 24 in intensive care.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 30, 2020
Living through the Spanish Flu pandemic over a century ago
Daniel Bushman
As provinces, countries and continents spanning the globe continue to press ahead during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic while waiting for a vaccine, the vast majority are trying to curb the spread of the virus. Somewhat similar to the Spanish Flu pandemic that hit just over 100 years ago, COVID-19 has caused tremendous loss worldwide.
Because of the way the COVID-19 pandemic has spread and taken lives, it has been compared to the Spanish Flu pandemic that also hit the globe over 100 years ago.
Referencing the Spanish Flu pandemic from 1918 and the widespread loss it caused, similar guidelines were also implemented back then. Curious to see what the similarities between the two were, I went digging into The Watrous Manitou’s archives and found a few articles relating to the Spanish Flu which appeared back in 1918. I also found a snippet in the local history book and visited the Saskatchewan Archives online to see if further information could be found. The following provides a bit of a snapshot of what life was like just over 100 years ago as residents experienced a pandemic of their own.
According to the Saskatchewan Archives, as the First World War was coming to an end in 1918, the Spanish Flu epidemic was running rampant across the globe. “Influenza killed more people worldwide in less than two years than the war did in five. It is estimated that 20 million people died from the Spanish Flu worldwide, while an estimated 17 million people were killed during the Great War.”
The Saskatchewan Archives indicated that in Canada 50,000 people died of the Spanish Flu with 5,000 of those people being from Saskatchewan. “The first cases of what would come to be referred to as the ‘Spanish Flu’ were reported on the Western Front in early 1918 . . . The first wave of what then came to be known as the “Spanish Flu” spread across the globe during the spring and summer of 1918, but it was the second wave of the flu that spread in the fall that would prove far more deadly.”
Comparing the Spanish Flu pandemic from 100 years ago to today and with a larger population now,
according to the World Health Organization, as of Nov. 27, there had been almost 61 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with just over 1.4 million deaths. In Canada, according to the federal government, there was over 353,000 total cases (7,362 in Saskatchewan) with close to 11,800 deaths in Canada as of Nov. 26 (40 in Saskatchewan).
Back in 1918, as soldiers began returning from the front, the Spanish Flu started to cause concern in Saskatchewan. According to the Saskatchewan Archives, the first public mention of the disease was in the Oct. 1, 1918 issue of the Regina Leader. “The first case of the flu occurred later in October and the disease continued to spread over the next three months, with the peak of deaths occurring in mid-November 1918.”
Fast forward to 2020 and with the advancement in technology and the ability to provide up to date information on a daily basis, Saskatchewan has seen its daily cases rise substantially in recent weeks. In October the largest daily spike was Oct. 24 when 78 new cases were reported. Since that time the highest daily number hit 400 in November and heading into the Nov. 23 week, the seven day average for daily cases was 219 (18 new cases per 100,000 population).
During its time, the Spanish Flu largely affected people between the ages of 20 and 40 years old and once infected, many victims died within 24 hours, although deaths seemed to be most common on the 10th day of illness. According to Saskatchewan Health, the majority of COVID-19 cases as of Nov. 23, 2020 were in the 20-39 year old age range (1,793) with the next highest in the 40-59 age bracket (872).
The province’s archives stated back in 1918 hotels and schools were converted into makeshift hospitals to accommodate the overflow of patients. Similar to what has taken place in 2020, people were also discouraged from holding meetings or attending public events back in 1918. Schools, theatres and public buildings were also closed, something that has also taken place during 2020.
As COVID-19 eventually makes its way into rural communities in Saskatchewan, so did the Spanish Flu. In the Oct. 31, 1918 edition of The Watrous Signal, an article appeared on the front page about the ‘flu’ arriving in Watrous:
The Spanish Influenza has come to town. It did not receive a very warm welcome. For weeks the citizens of Watrous had sought in various ways to baulk his entrance. Noses were sprayed, throats gargled, cathartics swallowed, gum camphor and assafetida worn about the neck, oil of eucalyptus freely inhaled, chloride of lime, etc. sprinkled about, sulphur put in the shoes, everything but stop the entrance of the travelling public, the most likely source of contagion.
With flu all about, north, south, east and west, there was nothing for Watrous but have it too. We have not heard the number of cases officially reported, but rumour has it that there are many. Almost every member of some families are down and friends have kindly turned nurses and helped in this hour of critical strain.
As of yet there have been no fatalities, though some are very ill. The illness of Dr. King has necessitated the appointment of Dr. Hone as assistant Medical Health Officer. The new doctor has come in time to be a help when physicians are taxed to their utmost.
Every precaution is being taken in the way of closing public places such as theatre and pool rooms, the school and churches having taken the initiative the week previous. No loitering in restaurants or public places is allowed. The best preventative, as now observed, is the wearing of cheesecloth over nose and mouth. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
There is very little if any abatement of the plague in the cities of Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Regina and Winnipeg. Deaths are reported every day and it is becoming a difficult matter to secure nurses to take care of the sick. Now that schools are closed, teachers are rendering yeoman service.
In another article on the same page, Seman’s Station Master, Robert Murray Sutherland, who was previously the station master at Venn for a number of years was one of those who succumbed to the Spanish Flu. “His assistant was the first to contract the disease, and shortly afterwards, the night operator.”
Under the heading Reminiscing With Pioneers in the local Prairie Reflections history book, Jack MacConnel chronicles the life of a pioneer. Under the year 1918, he states: There were a lot of people killed this year by an epidemic of ‘Spanish influenza.’ Most of the victims seemed to be the strongest men. Any of the women getting the flu would go to bed for a few days and soon recover, and of course any children who caught the flu would be nursed in bed and soon got over it, but a man who was strong, would not give up. Towards the end of the year people were so frightened by the number of deaths from influenza that most public meetings, school concerts and dances were cancelled for fear of getting the flu. We were almost afraid to go to town and soon hurried home.
While the local area has not had widespread COVID-19 cases thus far, the Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a release earlier this year that someone who tested positive for COVID-19 had been at the Watrous Co-op Food Store between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Aug. 28. While SHA is no longer providing those specific releases unless there is an outbreak declared, spanning from Oct. 23 to Nov. 19, Horizon School Division issued a handful of releases indicating they have been made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Viscount Central School, Muenster School, Wakaw School, the Punnichy area with a connection to several schools, Ituna School, and Cudworth School. The division also announced it was pausing extracurricular sports between teams who were travelling to other schools.
Similar to the school division, the provincial government has stated positive cases have been confirmed in the local Subzone of Central East 1. While not specifically noting where the cases were confirmed in the subzone, the communities within Central East 1 include: Alice Beach, Annaheim, Bruno, Bulyea, Chamberlain, Dilke, Drake, Duval, Englefeld, Etters Beach, Glen Harbour, Grandview Beach, Govan, Holdfast, Humboldt, Imperial, Island View, Jansen, Lanigan, Lake Lenore, LeRoy, Manitou Beach, Middle Lake, Muenster, Nokomis, Pilger, Quill Lake, St. Benedict, St. Gregor, Simpson, Spalding, Strasbourg, Sunset Cove, Watrous, Watson, Wee Too Beach, Young, and Zelma.
As of Nov. 26 there were 29 active cases within Central East 1 subzone with three new cases in a population of 25,487. There was also one death reported within that subzone.
In the Saskatoon subzone which also included places like Warman, Martensville and locally, Allan, Bradwell, Clavet, Colonsay, Meacham, and Viscount, there were 960 active cases with 125 new cases in a population of 334,757. There had been six deaths related to COVID-19 in that subzone as of Nov. 26.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as has been the case in other jurisdictions, the provincial government released guidelines as part of its Re-open Saskatchewan Plan. Having temporary closures and restrictions put in place along with issuing fines and having people self-isolate and maintain social distancing resembled similar situations in 1918.
In an edition of The Watrous Signal from 1918, the following regulations were specified from the province:
By order of his Honour the Lieutenant Governor the following regulations dealing with Epidemic Influenza (Spanish Influenza) in cities, towns, and villages must be observed.
The board of health in all cities, towns and villages in the province shall have power to apply and enforce the following regulations:
1. The above disease is a communicable disease which must be reported to the local Medical Health Officer.
2. Any place of amusement or entertainment such as theatres, pool rooms, bowling alleys and dance halls may be closed for such period of time as the board of health may consider necessary.
3. Epidemic Influenza (Spanish Influenza) must be isolated from the onset for a period of at least one week, and until all symptoms of the disease or complications following have disappeared. The house in which the patient is being treated must be placarded according to the regulations.
4. Any person failing, neglecting or refusing to observe the provisions of this regulation shall be guilty of an offence and liable, upon summary conviction thereof before a justice of the peace or magistrate, for each offence to a penalty of not more than $50 and costs of court.
M. M. Seymore, M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
Below that regulation in The Watrous Signal, a notice was issued by Dr. Sylvester Hone, the acting medical and health officer for council and the Town of Watrous:
In compliance with the order in council herewith published, all places of public assembly, will for their owners as well as the person’s safety frequenting them, remain closed under penalty as above.
Also barbers and restaurant keepers are requested for their own and customers’ safety, to only allow such number of persons in their places of business at one time as are being attended to, and admitting others to fill their places as they leave.
Like having to wear face masks, practicing proper hand washing, social distancing, using hand sanitizer, and then self-isolating should you have symptoms of COVID-19, there were recommendations to be safe in 1918 as well. In the Nov. 28, 1918 edition of The Watrous Signal, Professor Henry E. Smith, bacteriologist of the University of Pennsylvania’s laboratory of hygiene, suggested the following treatment for people attacked by Spanish influenza:
Use a teaspoon of salt dissolved in pt. water, night and morning for the upper respiratory passages and as a gargle. Get plenty of fresh air. Keep windows open all the time, rain or shine. Keep bowels moving freely. When symptoms first appear take a hot foot bath, a hot lemonade, a little quinine, go to bed and stay there for an entire day.
As the Spanish Flu continued to ravage the globe, another article in The Watrous Signal indicated there had been a number of people dying in northern Saskatchewan, including at Lac la Ronge and Stanley.
The news of the outbreak was noted by Provincial Police Constable G. D. Maxwell in a report dated Mar. 21 to Inspector Tait at Prince Albert.
Constable Maxwell made a patrol to Stanley and indicated in each home, on average, 15 people were sick with influenza and many more developed pneumonia. Because so many were sick, fires were not started to keep homes warm so “with the assistance of George Moberley of Lamson and Hubbard, the constable kindled fires and tended the sick with the aid of such medicines as he could find. At the end of the week there were still 20 cases of pneumonia and 60 of flu. The officer then returned to Lac la Ronge en route to Prince Albert for help. He found the epidemic had broken out in his absence and 11 deaths had resulted.”
As F. D. McConville had already left to Prince Albert, Maxwell stayed at Lac la Ronge to help. “On Mar. 15 I left Lac la Ronge detachment by dog team for Stanley, intending to proceed from there to Pelican Narrows. Mr. Wilson Revillon Freres’ man at Stanley post was travelling that way the same day so we travelled in company. We camped overnight at McLeod’s but found everyone gone from there to Stanley for the church gathering.”
The report continues by stating the following day they reached Stanley and while there had been some sickness prior to the arrival, “Imagine my astonishment on reaching Stanley to find every living soul in the settlement with the exception of two men on their backs with the flu.”
Finding several severe cases, Maxwell applied mustard plasters, Electric Oil and olive oil to those who were ill. Adding warm pieces of flannel next to the skin, he was also able to secure a few bottles of aspirin and gave it to severe cases.
“All the people for a considerable distance around had assembled at Stanley at the request of the Rev. Mr. Fraser who was holding service in the interest of the Forward Movement and who had come up from Pelican Narrows on Mar. 13. The result of this gathering was that the people were crowded together in the few shacks there are at Stanley and brought with them only enough food and dogfeed for a few days stay. Evidently some of them must have been germ carriers for everybody seemed to get sick over the weekend. But for the assistance of Geo. Moberley things might have been much worse before I arrived.”
On Saturday, Maxwell left for Lac la Ronge and during his week stay, six people died. “I caught sick myself the second day I started nursing them but I kept going, although my head was just about splitting at times.”
That following Friday night, Maxwell made a last round and then had about 20 cases pneumonia and 50 or 60 of the flu. “I decided to make a trip down to Lac la Ronge and from there to Prince Albert to secure help and medicines, and if possible, a doctor or a nurse.”
As the Spanish Flu would continue to spread throughout Saskatchewan taking around 5,000 lives before the pandemic was declared over, it was not the only thing to cause devastation and loss.
In the Apr. 22, 1920 edition of The Watrous Signal, a headline read: Grasshoppers Ate 45,000 Acres of Crop.
Approximately 45,000 acres of crop were destroyed in Saskatchewan by grasshoppers last summer and approximately 1,400,000 acres valued at $25,000,000 were saved.
There were 97 municipalities so badly infested as to necessitate the purchase of poison bait ingredients to fight the grasshoppers. The poison supplied purchased by the government were as follows: 2,720 tons of bran, 225 tons of sawdust, 122,636 gallons of molasses, 2,805 cases of lemons, 166 tons of arsenic, 34 tons of Paris green, and one barrel of amyl acetate. The total cost was $337,820.19. The municipalities were charged with one half of the cost and to date there has been collected from them the sum of $26,750.80.
Daniel Bushman
As provinces, countries and continents spanning the globe continue to press ahead during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic while waiting for a vaccine, the vast majority are trying to curb the spread of the virus. Somewhat similar to the Spanish Flu pandemic that hit just over 100 years ago, COVID-19 has caused tremendous loss worldwide.
Because of the way the COVID-19 pandemic has spread and taken lives, it has been compared to the Spanish Flu pandemic that also hit the globe over 100 years ago.
Referencing the Spanish Flu pandemic from 1918 and the widespread loss it caused, similar guidelines were also implemented back then. Curious to see what the similarities between the two were, I went digging into The Watrous Manitou’s archives and found a few articles relating to the Spanish Flu which appeared back in 1918. I also found a snippet in the local history book and visited the Saskatchewan Archives online to see if further information could be found. The following provides a bit of a snapshot of what life was like just over 100 years ago as residents experienced a pandemic of their own.
According to the Saskatchewan Archives, as the First World War was coming to an end in 1918, the Spanish Flu epidemic was running rampant across the globe. “Influenza killed more people worldwide in less than two years than the war did in five. It is estimated that 20 million people died from the Spanish Flu worldwide, while an estimated 17 million people were killed during the Great War.”
The Saskatchewan Archives indicated that in Canada 50,000 people died of the Spanish Flu with 5,000 of those people being from Saskatchewan. “The first cases of what would come to be referred to as the ‘Spanish Flu’ were reported on the Western Front in early 1918 . . . The first wave of what then came to be known as the “Spanish Flu” spread across the globe during the spring and summer of 1918, but it was the second wave of the flu that spread in the fall that would prove far more deadly.”
Comparing the Spanish Flu pandemic from 100 years ago to today and with a larger population now,
according to the World Health Organization, as of Nov. 27, there had been almost 61 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with just over 1.4 million deaths. In Canada, according to the federal government, there was over 353,000 total cases (7,362 in Saskatchewan) with close to 11,800 deaths in Canada as of Nov. 26 (40 in Saskatchewan).
Back in 1918, as soldiers began returning from the front, the Spanish Flu started to cause concern in Saskatchewan. According to the Saskatchewan Archives, the first public mention of the disease was in the Oct. 1, 1918 issue of the Regina Leader. “The first case of the flu occurred later in October and the disease continued to spread over the next three months, with the peak of deaths occurring in mid-November 1918.”
Fast forward to 2020 and with the advancement in technology and the ability to provide up to date information on a daily basis, Saskatchewan has seen its daily cases rise substantially in recent weeks. In October the largest daily spike was Oct. 24 when 78 new cases were reported. Since that time the highest daily number hit 400 in November and heading into the Nov. 23 week, the seven day average for daily cases was 219 (18 new cases per 100,000 population).
During its time, the Spanish Flu largely affected people between the ages of 20 and 40 years old and once infected, many victims died within 24 hours, although deaths seemed to be most common on the 10th day of illness. According to Saskatchewan Health, the majority of COVID-19 cases as of Nov. 23, 2020 were in the 20-39 year old age range (1,793) with the next highest in the 40-59 age bracket (872).
The province’s archives stated back in 1918 hotels and schools were converted into makeshift hospitals to accommodate the overflow of patients. Similar to what has taken place in 2020, people were also discouraged from holding meetings or attending public events back in 1918. Schools, theatres and public buildings were also closed, something that has also taken place during 2020.
As COVID-19 eventually makes its way into rural communities in Saskatchewan, so did the Spanish Flu. In the Oct. 31, 1918 edition of The Watrous Signal, an article appeared on the front page about the ‘flu’ arriving in Watrous:
The Spanish Influenza has come to town. It did not receive a very warm welcome. For weeks the citizens of Watrous had sought in various ways to baulk his entrance. Noses were sprayed, throats gargled, cathartics swallowed, gum camphor and assafetida worn about the neck, oil of eucalyptus freely inhaled, chloride of lime, etc. sprinkled about, sulphur put in the shoes, everything but stop the entrance of the travelling public, the most likely source of contagion.
With flu all about, north, south, east and west, there was nothing for Watrous but have it too. We have not heard the number of cases officially reported, but rumour has it that there are many. Almost every member of some families are down and friends have kindly turned nurses and helped in this hour of critical strain.
As of yet there have been no fatalities, though some are very ill. The illness of Dr. King has necessitated the appointment of Dr. Hone as assistant Medical Health Officer. The new doctor has come in time to be a help when physicians are taxed to their utmost.
Every precaution is being taken in the way of closing public places such as theatre and pool rooms, the school and churches having taken the initiative the week previous. No loitering in restaurants or public places is allowed. The best preventative, as now observed, is the wearing of cheesecloth over nose and mouth. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
There is very little if any abatement of the plague in the cities of Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Regina and Winnipeg. Deaths are reported every day and it is becoming a difficult matter to secure nurses to take care of the sick. Now that schools are closed, teachers are rendering yeoman service.
In another article on the same page, Seman’s Station Master, Robert Murray Sutherland, who was previously the station master at Venn for a number of years was one of those who succumbed to the Spanish Flu. “His assistant was the first to contract the disease, and shortly afterwards, the night operator.”
Under the heading Reminiscing With Pioneers in the local Prairie Reflections history book, Jack MacConnel chronicles the life of a pioneer. Under the year 1918, he states: There were a lot of people killed this year by an epidemic of ‘Spanish influenza.’ Most of the victims seemed to be the strongest men. Any of the women getting the flu would go to bed for a few days and soon recover, and of course any children who caught the flu would be nursed in bed and soon got over it, but a man who was strong, would not give up. Towards the end of the year people were so frightened by the number of deaths from influenza that most public meetings, school concerts and dances were cancelled for fear of getting the flu. We were almost afraid to go to town and soon hurried home.
While the local area has not had widespread COVID-19 cases thus far, the Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a release earlier this year that someone who tested positive for COVID-19 had been at the Watrous Co-op Food Store between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Aug. 28. While SHA is no longer providing those specific releases unless there is an outbreak declared, spanning from Oct. 23 to Nov. 19, Horizon School Division issued a handful of releases indicating they have been made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Viscount Central School, Muenster School, Wakaw School, the Punnichy area with a connection to several schools, Ituna School, and Cudworth School. The division also announced it was pausing extracurricular sports between teams who were travelling to other schools.
Similar to the school division, the provincial government has stated positive cases have been confirmed in the local Subzone of Central East 1. While not specifically noting where the cases were confirmed in the subzone, the communities within Central East 1 include: Alice Beach, Annaheim, Bruno, Bulyea, Chamberlain, Dilke, Drake, Duval, Englefeld, Etters Beach, Glen Harbour, Grandview Beach, Govan, Holdfast, Humboldt, Imperial, Island View, Jansen, Lanigan, Lake Lenore, LeRoy, Manitou Beach, Middle Lake, Muenster, Nokomis, Pilger, Quill Lake, St. Benedict, St. Gregor, Simpson, Spalding, Strasbourg, Sunset Cove, Watrous, Watson, Wee Too Beach, Young, and Zelma.
As of Nov. 26 there were 29 active cases within Central East 1 subzone with three new cases in a population of 25,487. There was also one death reported within that subzone.
In the Saskatoon subzone which also included places like Warman, Martensville and locally, Allan, Bradwell, Clavet, Colonsay, Meacham, and Viscount, there were 960 active cases with 125 new cases in a population of 334,757. There had been six deaths related to COVID-19 in that subzone as of Nov. 26.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as has been the case in other jurisdictions, the provincial government released guidelines as part of its Re-open Saskatchewan Plan. Having temporary closures and restrictions put in place along with issuing fines and having people self-isolate and maintain social distancing resembled similar situations in 1918.
In an edition of The Watrous Signal from 1918, the following regulations were specified from the province:
By order of his Honour the Lieutenant Governor the following regulations dealing with Epidemic Influenza (Spanish Influenza) in cities, towns, and villages must be observed.
The board of health in all cities, towns and villages in the province shall have power to apply and enforce the following regulations:
1. The above disease is a communicable disease which must be reported to the local Medical Health Officer.
2. Any place of amusement or entertainment such as theatres, pool rooms, bowling alleys and dance halls may be closed for such period of time as the board of health may consider necessary.
3. Epidemic Influenza (Spanish Influenza) must be isolated from the onset for a period of at least one week, and until all symptoms of the disease or complications following have disappeared. The house in which the patient is being treated must be placarded according to the regulations.
4. Any person failing, neglecting or refusing to observe the provisions of this regulation shall be guilty of an offence and liable, upon summary conviction thereof before a justice of the peace or magistrate, for each offence to a penalty of not more than $50 and costs of court.
M. M. Seymore, M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
Below that regulation in The Watrous Signal, a notice was issued by Dr. Sylvester Hone, the acting medical and health officer for council and the Town of Watrous:
In compliance with the order in council herewith published, all places of public assembly, will for their owners as well as the person’s safety frequenting them, remain closed under penalty as above.
Also barbers and restaurant keepers are requested for their own and customers’ safety, to only allow such number of persons in their places of business at one time as are being attended to, and admitting others to fill their places as they leave.
Like having to wear face masks, practicing proper hand washing, social distancing, using hand sanitizer, and then self-isolating should you have symptoms of COVID-19, there were recommendations to be safe in 1918 as well. In the Nov. 28, 1918 edition of The Watrous Signal, Professor Henry E. Smith, bacteriologist of the University of Pennsylvania’s laboratory of hygiene, suggested the following treatment for people attacked by Spanish influenza:
Use a teaspoon of salt dissolved in pt. water, night and morning for the upper respiratory passages and as a gargle. Get plenty of fresh air. Keep windows open all the time, rain or shine. Keep bowels moving freely. When symptoms first appear take a hot foot bath, a hot lemonade, a little quinine, go to bed and stay there for an entire day.
As the Spanish Flu continued to ravage the globe, another article in The Watrous Signal indicated there had been a number of people dying in northern Saskatchewan, including at Lac la Ronge and Stanley.
The news of the outbreak was noted by Provincial Police Constable G. D. Maxwell in a report dated Mar. 21 to Inspector Tait at Prince Albert.
Constable Maxwell made a patrol to Stanley and indicated in each home, on average, 15 people were sick with influenza and many more developed pneumonia. Because so many were sick, fires were not started to keep homes warm so “with the assistance of George Moberley of Lamson and Hubbard, the constable kindled fires and tended the sick with the aid of such medicines as he could find. At the end of the week there were still 20 cases of pneumonia and 60 of flu. The officer then returned to Lac la Ronge en route to Prince Albert for help. He found the epidemic had broken out in his absence and 11 deaths had resulted.”
As F. D. McConville had already left to Prince Albert, Maxwell stayed at Lac la Ronge to help. “On Mar. 15 I left Lac la Ronge detachment by dog team for Stanley, intending to proceed from there to Pelican Narrows. Mr. Wilson Revillon Freres’ man at Stanley post was travelling that way the same day so we travelled in company. We camped overnight at McLeod’s but found everyone gone from there to Stanley for the church gathering.”
The report continues by stating the following day they reached Stanley and while there had been some sickness prior to the arrival, “Imagine my astonishment on reaching Stanley to find every living soul in the settlement with the exception of two men on their backs with the flu.”
Finding several severe cases, Maxwell applied mustard plasters, Electric Oil and olive oil to those who were ill. Adding warm pieces of flannel next to the skin, he was also able to secure a few bottles of aspirin and gave it to severe cases.
“All the people for a considerable distance around had assembled at Stanley at the request of the Rev. Mr. Fraser who was holding service in the interest of the Forward Movement and who had come up from Pelican Narrows on Mar. 13. The result of this gathering was that the people were crowded together in the few shacks there are at Stanley and brought with them only enough food and dogfeed for a few days stay. Evidently some of them must have been germ carriers for everybody seemed to get sick over the weekend. But for the assistance of Geo. Moberley things might have been much worse before I arrived.”
On Saturday, Maxwell left for Lac la Ronge and during his week stay, six people died. “I caught sick myself the second day I started nursing them but I kept going, although my head was just about splitting at times.”
That following Friday night, Maxwell made a last round and then had about 20 cases pneumonia and 50 or 60 of the flu. “I decided to make a trip down to Lac la Ronge and from there to Prince Albert to secure help and medicines, and if possible, a doctor or a nurse.”
As the Spanish Flu would continue to spread throughout Saskatchewan taking around 5,000 lives before the pandemic was declared over, it was not the only thing to cause devastation and loss.
In the Apr. 22, 1920 edition of The Watrous Signal, a headline read: Grasshoppers Ate 45,000 Acres of Crop.
Approximately 45,000 acres of crop were destroyed in Saskatchewan by grasshoppers last summer and approximately 1,400,000 acres valued at $25,000,000 were saved.
There were 97 municipalities so badly infested as to necessitate the purchase of poison bait ingredients to fight the grasshoppers. The poison supplied purchased by the government were as follows: 2,720 tons of bran, 225 tons of sawdust, 122,636 gallons of molasses, 2,805 cases of lemons, 166 tons of arsenic, 34 tons of Paris green, and one barrel of amyl acetate. The total cost was $337,820.19. The municipalities were charged with one half of the cost and to date there has been collected from them the sum of $26,750.80.
TWM Story - Nov. 23, 2020
Local food bank grateful for support during pandemic
Daniel Bushman
Facing a lot of unknowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, as board members of the Watrous and District Food Bank met as part of their annual general meeting Nov. 2, there was a sense of tremendous gratitude and appreciation towards the community and area.
Not only has the non-profit organization been able to purchase food items throughout the year for its clients but Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said financially it was the best year ever in terms of monetary support.
“When the pandemic arrived in our area in early 2020, we were not sure how this year would go. Residents and businesses in Watrous and the surrounding area answered that question as we not only had more income in 2020 compared to 2019 but personal donations were up substantially. Having our best year ever in terms of financial support puts us in a great position to help serve our local communities.”
This year, the local food bank reported an income of $49,269.56 with just over $25,000 of that coming from personal donations (for the period of July 2019 to June 2020). The Food Banks of Saskatchewan contributed $4,741.03, local businesses provided just over $1,900, local churches/similar groups gave just over $1,100 in support, the Watrous Rotary, Legion and social clubs donated $10,053.55, there was just over $3,000 in corporate donations, and local RMs contributed $3,000.
Comparing the numbers to 2019, the food bank had an approximately $17,000 increase in income this year over last. In fact, in almost every category on the income side of the ledger saw an uptick from last year with exception for local business ($4,597.23 in 2019) and corporate donations ($4,163 in 2019).
“The largest increase we saw was from personal donations,” said Holland. “We received just over $14,000 more in 2020 than we did in 2019 from people through personal donations and we are just so grateful for their contributions and generosity.”
As for expenses, there was a slight increase from 2019 to 2020 with the total for 2020 at $24,024.20 as opposed to $23,655.28 in 2019. The largest portion of expenses were attributed to food and goods for hampers with $20,870.41 spent in 2020 compared to $23,655.28 in 2019.
After issuing a call for monetary donations in 2018, Holland said the past two years have been really heartwarming for the board members of the Watrous and District Food Bank as more donations have come in.
Along with Holland, on the food bank board is treasurer Amanda Dezotell, secretary Glenda Cox McArthur, and members Judy Dunne, Erin Wolff, Amanda McArthur, Mary Kratchmer and Colleen Hunt. “We as a board feel so fortunate to live in the community we do. People have been so gracious and supportive, and this year with the pandemic, people have continued to help and we are just so appreciative of that.”
Serving clients in the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Nokomis, Viscount and Liberty areas every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, Holland said on average the food bank distributes about 60 hampers per month, down from five the previous year. Helping prepare and distribute those hampers are 18 volunteers who also purchase groceries, stock shelves and lend a hand where needed. Holland said the food bank greatly appreciates their help including assistance from participants at Interlake Human Resources in Watrous who come on a regular basis to pack dry hampers at the food bank’s location at 107 3rd Ave. E.
With an invitation extended to anyone else who would like to volunteer, in addition to packing and distributing regular hampers, the annual Christmas hampers will soon be packed. Last year 84 special Christmas hampers were prepared for all who applied. Holland indicated about half of those homes included children (149 adults and 69 children).
“Those who want a Christmas hamper or know of someone in need of one this year can contact the food bank by Dec. 9. For people who would like to contribute to the hampers this year, they can e-Transfer monetary donations to watrousfoodbank@gmail.com; drop off food donations or buy a brown bag full of items at the Saskatoon Watrous Co-op Food Store location; purchase toys at The Bargain Shop for the Integra Tire toy drive; or sponsor a family this Christmas for $135.”
Trying the idea of sponsoring a family for Christmas a few years ago, Holland said the food bank received an overwhelming response from the community and businesses for that initiative.
“People can individually sponsor a hamper, join other families and split the cost or get together with fellow employees or as an organization and buy a family Christmas hamper. We thought we would give it a try and see how it would go and we were so grateful to everyone who has participated.”
Packed inside the Christmas hampers, recipients will get either a turkey or ham, one dozen buns, a jug of milk, one dozen eggs, five pounds of Christmas oranges, 10 pounds of potatoes, carrots and onions, stuffing, Kraft Dinner, pasta or rice, Sidekicks or potato, a box of crackers, a breakfast item, cans of soup, canned meats, meals in a can, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, juice, cranberries, a cake mix, one tub of margarine, peanut butter and a box of chocolates. For hampers distributed to families with children, toys will be included in those as well.
“Over the years, we have had great community support and continual efforts made by many businesses through food, toy and monetary donations and we know that will continue again this year. Seeing the community coming together each year, it has become an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer. It has made the Christmas season very meaningful to some who have been a part of helping out in some way and it is also meaningful for those who receive the hampers as well.”
For more information on this year’s Christmas hampers, people can see the ad in this week’s paper below.
Daniel Bushman
Facing a lot of unknowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, as board members of the Watrous and District Food Bank met as part of their annual general meeting Nov. 2, there was a sense of tremendous gratitude and appreciation towards the community and area.
Not only has the non-profit organization been able to purchase food items throughout the year for its clients but Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said financially it was the best year ever in terms of monetary support.
“When the pandemic arrived in our area in early 2020, we were not sure how this year would go. Residents and businesses in Watrous and the surrounding area answered that question as we not only had more income in 2020 compared to 2019 but personal donations were up substantially. Having our best year ever in terms of financial support puts us in a great position to help serve our local communities.”
This year, the local food bank reported an income of $49,269.56 with just over $25,000 of that coming from personal donations (for the period of July 2019 to June 2020). The Food Banks of Saskatchewan contributed $4,741.03, local businesses provided just over $1,900, local churches/similar groups gave just over $1,100 in support, the Watrous Rotary, Legion and social clubs donated $10,053.55, there was just over $3,000 in corporate donations, and local RMs contributed $3,000.
Comparing the numbers to 2019, the food bank had an approximately $17,000 increase in income this year over last. In fact, in almost every category on the income side of the ledger saw an uptick from last year with exception for local business ($4,597.23 in 2019) and corporate donations ($4,163 in 2019).
“The largest increase we saw was from personal donations,” said Holland. “We received just over $14,000 more in 2020 than we did in 2019 from people through personal donations and we are just so grateful for their contributions and generosity.”
As for expenses, there was a slight increase from 2019 to 2020 with the total for 2020 at $24,024.20 as opposed to $23,655.28 in 2019. The largest portion of expenses were attributed to food and goods for hampers with $20,870.41 spent in 2020 compared to $23,655.28 in 2019.
After issuing a call for monetary donations in 2018, Holland said the past two years have been really heartwarming for the board members of the Watrous and District Food Bank as more donations have come in.
Along with Holland, on the food bank board is treasurer Amanda Dezotell, secretary Glenda Cox McArthur, and members Judy Dunne, Erin Wolff, Amanda McArthur, Mary Kratchmer and Colleen Hunt. “We as a board feel so fortunate to live in the community we do. People have been so gracious and supportive, and this year with the pandemic, people have continued to help and we are just so appreciative of that.”
Serving clients in the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Nokomis, Viscount and Liberty areas every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, Holland said on average the food bank distributes about 60 hampers per month, down from five the previous year. Helping prepare and distribute those hampers are 18 volunteers who also purchase groceries, stock shelves and lend a hand where needed. Holland said the food bank greatly appreciates their help including assistance from participants at Interlake Human Resources in Watrous who come on a regular basis to pack dry hampers at the food bank’s location at 107 3rd Ave. E.
With an invitation extended to anyone else who would like to volunteer, in addition to packing and distributing regular hampers, the annual Christmas hampers will soon be packed. Last year 84 special Christmas hampers were prepared for all who applied. Holland indicated about half of those homes included children (149 adults and 69 children).
“Those who want a Christmas hamper or know of someone in need of one this year can contact the food bank by Dec. 9. For people who would like to contribute to the hampers this year, they can e-Transfer monetary donations to watrousfoodbank@gmail.com; drop off food donations or buy a brown bag full of items at the Saskatoon Watrous Co-op Food Store location; purchase toys at The Bargain Shop for the Integra Tire toy drive; or sponsor a family this Christmas for $135.”
Trying the idea of sponsoring a family for Christmas a few years ago, Holland said the food bank received an overwhelming response from the community and businesses for that initiative.
“People can individually sponsor a hamper, join other families and split the cost or get together with fellow employees or as an organization and buy a family Christmas hamper. We thought we would give it a try and see how it would go and we were so grateful to everyone who has participated.”
Packed inside the Christmas hampers, recipients will get either a turkey or ham, one dozen buns, a jug of milk, one dozen eggs, five pounds of Christmas oranges, 10 pounds of potatoes, carrots and onions, stuffing, Kraft Dinner, pasta or rice, Sidekicks or potato, a box of crackers, a breakfast item, cans of soup, canned meats, meals in a can, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, juice, cranberries, a cake mix, one tub of margarine, peanut butter and a box of chocolates. For hampers distributed to families with children, toys will be included in those as well.
“Over the years, we have had great community support and continual efforts made by many businesses through food, toy and monetary donations and we know that will continue again this year. Seeing the community coming together each year, it has become an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer. It has made the Christmas season very meaningful to some who have been a part of helping out in some way and it is also meaningful for those who receive the hampers as well.”
For more information on this year’s Christmas hampers, people can see the ad in this week’s paper below.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 16, 2020
Local area residents head to the polls
Daniel Bushman
Despite a November blizzard that wreaked havoc across the province, people headed to the polls Nov. 9 to cast their ballots for municipality, Rural Municipality and Horizon School Division Board elections. While some previously had acclamations, others required an election to decide who would be representing each.
The following are the results received by press time from the local area communities, RMs and the Horizon School Division:
Allan: There was an election for the mayor and councillor positions. Candidates for mayor were Justin Gunnarson and Bonnie-Lee Lewis. Those running for a spot on council included Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Dean Posnikoff, Kelly Schatz, Russell Schick, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang. Here are the winners: mayor Bonnie-Lee Lewis and councillors Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Kelly Schatz, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang.
Colonsay: There was an election for six council positions. With 117 voters, Tony Walliser was elected with 100 votes, Warren Cooper was elected with 85 votes, Lonnie Burns was elected with 83 votes, Gordon Buckingham was elected with 80 votes, Amanda Reiman was elected with 60 votes, and Pamela Whitrow was elected with 52 votes. Dustin Pingert received 36 votes, Candice Ens received 34 votes and Andrew Sutherland received 11 votes.
Imperial: there was an election for mayor as Edward Abrey and Marcus Arcanum let their names stand. Abrey received 129 votes while Arcanum had five. There were four spoiled ballots and 134 people voted.
Lanigan: There was an election for both mayor and councillor positions. Tony Mycock received 308 votes and was elected as mayor while Kevin Armstrong received 29 votes. For council, James Stephan was elected with 242 votes, Kyle Boyko was elected with 229 votes, Marilyn Bodner was elected with 206 votes, Velda Daelick was elected with 203 votes, Wendy Mehrer was elected with 197 votes and Paul Mamer was elected with 195 votes. Shelby Elke received 191 votes, Aron Renwick received 189 votes and Colette Baker received 135 votes. There were two rejected ballots and 337 people voted.
Watrous: With John Gunderson already acclaimed as the next mayor of Watrous, this year eight residents put their names forward for six council seats. Taylor Engele was elected with 353 votes, Lane Manson was elected with 345 votes, Jody Lewis was elected with 323 votes, Juanita Allin was elected with 284 votes, Gary Bergen was elected with 270 votes, and Jean Margetts was elected with 184 votes. Patricia Isherwood received 182 votes and Sean Beischer received 161 votes. There were no rejected ballots with 397 people voting this year. In 2016, a total of 256 people voted.
Young: An election took place for four council seats after Agnes Thompson was acclaimed as mayor. Those elected for council included Jonathan Haines, Shannon Fraser-Hansen, Bruce McIver, and Brad Mason.
RM of Morris: There was an election for Division Five with Jaise Currie defeating Gordon Anderson.
RM of Wreford: There was an election for reeve as Peter Gauley defeated Shane Halstead.
The results of Horizon School Division’s Board elections are as follows:
Subdivision 1 – Jenna Hale (Bruno School, Cudworth School, Wakaw School); Subdivision 2 – Linda Mattock (Annaheim School, Lake Lenore School, St. Brieux School, Three Lakes School (Middle Lake), Humboldt Public School, Humboldt Collegiate Institute); Subdivision 4 – Mark Fedak (Englefeld School, Drake School, Muenster School, Watson School, Lanigan Elementary School, Lanigan Central High School); Subdivision 5 – Dana Stefanson (LeRoy School, Wynyard Elementary School, Wynyard Composite High School); Subdivision 7 – James Lissinna (Archerwill School, Rose Valley School, Robert Melrose Elementary School (Kelvington), Kelvington High School); Subdivision 9 – Douglas Armbruster (Punnichy Elementary Community School, Punnichy Community High School, Raymore School, Sask Central Hutterian School); and Subdivision 14 – Rhonda Kayseas (Tuition students attend: Wadena Elementary School, Wadena Composite High School).
Daniel Bushman
Despite a November blizzard that wreaked havoc across the province, people headed to the polls Nov. 9 to cast their ballots for municipality, Rural Municipality and Horizon School Division Board elections. While some previously had acclamations, others required an election to decide who would be representing each.
The following are the results received by press time from the local area communities, RMs and the Horizon School Division:
Allan: There was an election for the mayor and councillor positions. Candidates for mayor were Justin Gunnarson and Bonnie-Lee Lewis. Those running for a spot on council included Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Dean Posnikoff, Kelly Schatz, Russell Schick, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang. Here are the winners: mayor Bonnie-Lee Lewis and councillors Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Kelly Schatz, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang.
Colonsay: There was an election for six council positions. With 117 voters, Tony Walliser was elected with 100 votes, Warren Cooper was elected with 85 votes, Lonnie Burns was elected with 83 votes, Gordon Buckingham was elected with 80 votes, Amanda Reiman was elected with 60 votes, and Pamela Whitrow was elected with 52 votes. Dustin Pingert received 36 votes, Candice Ens received 34 votes and Andrew Sutherland received 11 votes.
Imperial: there was an election for mayor as Edward Abrey and Marcus Arcanum let their names stand. Abrey received 129 votes while Arcanum had five. There were four spoiled ballots and 134 people voted.
Lanigan: There was an election for both mayor and councillor positions. Tony Mycock received 308 votes and was elected as mayor while Kevin Armstrong received 29 votes. For council, James Stephan was elected with 242 votes, Kyle Boyko was elected with 229 votes, Marilyn Bodner was elected with 206 votes, Velda Daelick was elected with 203 votes, Wendy Mehrer was elected with 197 votes and Paul Mamer was elected with 195 votes. Shelby Elke received 191 votes, Aron Renwick received 189 votes and Colette Baker received 135 votes. There were two rejected ballots and 337 people voted.
Watrous: With John Gunderson already acclaimed as the next mayor of Watrous, this year eight residents put their names forward for six council seats. Taylor Engele was elected with 353 votes, Lane Manson was elected with 345 votes, Jody Lewis was elected with 323 votes, Juanita Allin was elected with 284 votes, Gary Bergen was elected with 270 votes, and Jean Margetts was elected with 184 votes. Patricia Isherwood received 182 votes and Sean Beischer received 161 votes. There were no rejected ballots with 397 people voting this year. In 2016, a total of 256 people voted.
Young: An election took place for four council seats after Agnes Thompson was acclaimed as mayor. Those elected for council included Jonathan Haines, Shannon Fraser-Hansen, Bruce McIver, and Brad Mason.
RM of Morris: There was an election for Division Five with Jaise Currie defeating Gordon Anderson.
RM of Wreford: There was an election for reeve as Peter Gauley defeated Shane Halstead.
The results of Horizon School Division’s Board elections are as follows:
Subdivision 1 – Jenna Hale (Bruno School, Cudworth School, Wakaw School); Subdivision 2 – Linda Mattock (Annaheim School, Lake Lenore School, St. Brieux School, Three Lakes School (Middle Lake), Humboldt Public School, Humboldt Collegiate Institute); Subdivision 4 – Mark Fedak (Englefeld School, Drake School, Muenster School, Watson School, Lanigan Elementary School, Lanigan Central High School); Subdivision 5 – Dana Stefanson (LeRoy School, Wynyard Elementary School, Wynyard Composite High School); Subdivision 7 – James Lissinna (Archerwill School, Rose Valley School, Robert Melrose Elementary School (Kelvington), Kelvington High School); Subdivision 9 – Douglas Armbruster (Punnichy Elementary Community School, Punnichy Community High School, Raymore School, Sask Central Hutterian School); and Subdivision 14 – Rhonda Kayseas (Tuition students attend: Wadena Elementary School, Wadena Composite High School).
TWM Top Story - Nov. 9, 2020
Remembering local Veterans and the invasionof Normandy
Daniel Bushman
As Remembrance Day approaches and people pause to reflect and honour those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom, there were many from the local area who were sent overseas to fight. Turning back the clock to 1994, close to exactly 50 years after D-Day, publisher of The Watrous Manitou at that time, Frank Wilson had the opportunity to visit with a few local residents who served and shared their stories.
According to History.com, code-named Operation Overlord, the battle of D-Day began June 6, 1944. Some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along an 80 kilometre stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. The invasion was an extensive military assault and required incredible planning. Prior to D-Day, Allies conducted a massive deception campaign in an effort to mislead the German military about the intended invasion target. Then by late August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. According to History,com, the Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
Now 76 years after D-Day and as Remembrance Day approaches and Canadians take time to remember those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom, we also pause to remember and honour those who have gone before us. As we also honour and remember those who were featured in Wilson’s article, the following is the story which appeared in the May 30, 1994 edition of The Watrous Manitou entitled, ‘Local veterans look back on the invasion of Normandy.’
D-Day 1944, the invasion of Nazi-held Europe at Normandy, code-named OVERLORD, will likely remain in memory as the most famous ‘day’ in the annals of military history. As in Shakespeare’s famous line, 50 years after the event veterans who survived are returning to Normandy this June to ‘stand a tip-toe’ among the many who saw action in that historic battle for the beaches and the subsequent liberation of millions.
For every man who attends the huge commemorative celebrations in Normandy next month there will be thousands who cannot, for one reason or another. Nevertheless, the memories of their youth in military service paints, to this day, an indelible mark upon their character and the way they have lived their lives. When two or more of these people gather it is not long before the stories begin, and so it was last week when, at my request, several veterans from Watrous took time to reminisce.
As we near the 50th anniversary of D-Day it was thought as a good time as any to set down just a few details of how things were in those days, from the personal perspective of a few who were eventually drawn into that monumental battle. Theirs is not the Big Picture, but rather a more intimate view of experiences among the teaming ranks of Allied Armies which were poised, in 1944 on English soil, to do a mighty deed . . .
The 25 Pounders
Roy Reichert of Watrous joined the Canadian Army at age 18 in the summer of 1940 at Saskatoon. He was pulled into the massive training system then underway across Canada, receiving the basics at Saskatoon and more advanced training at Dundurn. As part of a holding company of new recruits, he was posted to Halifax, and there began training in artillery, eventually becoming part of the 23rd Field Artillery (Self Propelled) at Sussex, New Brunswick.
The ‘self propelled’ connotation reflected the new mobility of battles being fought during World War Two. The 23rd’s 25-pounder guns were mounted on a tank chassis, ready to move at a moment’s notice or fire in any direction. The mount carried about 125 rounds of 25-pound artillery shot (thus the 25-pound description of the gun). These attributes were later to prove their worth most vividly not long after D-Day.
Reichert embarked for England in 1943 with almost 23,000 other men on the Queen Elizabeth, the Cunnard Line’s famous high speed passenger liner that had been renovated for transporting troops across the Atlantic. As with her equally famous sister ship, the Queen Mary, the ship, camouflaged in ghostly grey paint, had sufficient speed to outrun German submarines and made the four-day trip from Halifax to Grennock, Scotland unescorted. With that many men on board, however, living conditions allowed only one night out of three in a bunk. Otherwise sleep was snatched wherever it could be found in the tightly packed spaces.
In spite of the secrecy surrounding troop movements, Roy Reichert suspected through letters from his mother (!) that his brother Raymond was on board the Queen Elizabeth and, after a half-day search, met up with him for the first time since they had enlisted.
After arrival in Scotland, the 23rd Field Artillery was billeted in the southern part of England at Eastbourne, where the unit trained until the OVERLORD war machine pulled it into the inexorable violence of combat the following year.
The Normandy invasion plan was kept in the Most Secret category for obvious reasons. In preparation for the attack, considerable effort was made to deceive Hitler and the German Army into believing the invasion would centre around the French sea port of Pas de Calaise. There were all kinds of schemes to foster this subtle hint to the Germans, including an entire ‘phantom army’ ensconced in southern England under U.S. General George Patton. His command consisted of rubber blow-up tanks and vehicles, cardboard aircraft, wooden guns and plenty of phony radio traffic between non-existent units which Germans invariably monitored.
The men in Reichert’s outfit, and all of England in fact, knew OVERLORD was on the way, but not where or when. Seeing the monumental buildup of men and supplies throughout the British countryside, it was easy for anyone to put two and two together in predicting that an invasion of Europe was forthcoming. Once the 23rd Field Artillery was moved to the London dock area, the sum of two and two was almost incidental.
“We weren’t sure if we were going or when,” says Reichert. “I didn’t know the game plan until after the war.”
D-Day came and went while the 23rd was still in London. There was no particular comment at the time - everyone was too busy loading up, waterproofing their guns for the landing, and speculating when their turn would come. As with any solid military plan, OVERLORD contemplated failure at Normandy and had a backup plan to commit reserves at another location, if need be. In addition to Patton’s Third Army deception, Reichert feels they may have been part of that or possibly held in reserve pending a successful beachhead at Normandy. But all of that was hardly even speculation at the time when individual soldiers had only their own rumours to fill in the gaps under the prevailing blanket of secrecy.
In any event it was nearly a month after D-Day when Reichert’s unit landed in the path of the Third Canadian Division over the Normandy beach code-named JUNO.
“After all the fuss about waterproofing our guns and vehicles, we landed in about one foot of water!” said Reichert. They had no time to look over the beach, but raced inland to catch up with the Third Division, then staging a vicious fight at Caen, 10 miles away.
The battle at Caen led the Canadians into the churning maw of the battle of Falaise Gap, a huge, bloody encircling manoeuvre by the Allied Armies which decimated a large portion of the German Army in France. It was during this battle, says Reichert, that “we fired at targets around every point in the compass” proving the versatility of their four-man, self-propelled mount, and also illustrating the deadly speed of movement and confusion swirling about them.
“None of our crew was ever killed inside the gun mount,” Reichert says, recalling their casualties occurred when outside, exposed to shell fire or snipers. One death occurred when a round exploded prematurely just beyond the muzzle of the gun, but those inside the mount were unscathed.
There were more close calls to come as the 23rd fought its way out of France, through Belgium and into Holland, but it was in the aftermath of D-Day they saw their hottest action.
Reichert was near Willhelmshaven, Germany (a major submarine base) when the shooting stopped in May, 1945. As hostilities wound down, many of the units were repatriated to Canada and for his homeward cross of the Atlantic Reichert travelled on a much more comfortable aircraft carrier.
They approached the Nova Scotia shore in dense fog but, just as they entered Halifax harbour, the sun came out and shone across the city and its shoreline. “It was a beautiful site to see!” Reichert recalls. It was October, 1945.
The Radio Man
Roy Conn’s introduction into Canadian Army life began in his 18th year when he joined up in Regina. His experience was similar to that of Roy Reichert’s, although he completed basic training at Maple Creek and was then posted to Kingston, Ontario for further training with the Royal Canadian Signal Corps. His outfit crossed to England in August 1943 aboard the Queen Mary, and Conn ended up at Farnborough in a Signals Reinforcement Unit.
After training there he received a permanent posting to a 38-man signal section attached to the 4th Medium Artillery, arriving at Caterham-on-the-Valley during Christmas 1943. The signals unit looked after all communications between the 4th Medium and its Regimental and Brigade Headquarters. This involved telegraph, radio, telephone, telephone switchboards, the installation of telephone wire, in fact everything to do with communications and its equipment operation and maintenance.
As for D-Day, Conn said they knew it was definitely coming as their unit began waterproofing its vehicles and equipment for the invasion. Security was tight and leave passes were cancelled. The 4th Medium Artillery was equipped with 5.5 inch (the diameter of the muzzle) guns that weighed in at 10 tons each. They were pulled with Mac trucks, also weighing about 10 tons. These were all hoisted aboard ships at Brighton, ready for the Channel crossing but, like Reichert’s, Conn’s unit sat and stewed in Brighton for the next 23 days before sailing to the Normandy beachhead.
After three days of unloading on JUNO, the 4th Medium Artillery moved to the front in support of the First Polish Division, which was fighting alongside the Canadians, and remained with them for the war’s duration.
At Caen, the Poles immediately went into heavy action and suffered some hard knocks. As the battle engulfed Caen and raged on towards the Falaise Gap, the Polish Division was hammered very hard by casualties and lost nearly half its guns.
After that, it was with some relief the 4th was dispatched northwards along the French coast where they spent several weeks ‘potting away’ at Germany coastal guns that were installed on the Channel Islands. The 4th Medium’s guns, which fired an 80 pound shell propelled by bags of cordite, threw an untold number of shells at the concrete gun emplacements, however Conn wondered if they ever did do any real damage to the German emplacements.
His unit went on to the liberation Belgium, and spent the winter at Nijmegen, Holland, having arrived there just after the capture of a major German air base. Conn fell deathly ill with infectious hepatitis and spent some time in hospital back at Ghent.
He had a closer call later on when, ordered to direct traffic on a bridge ramp, he took off on a motorcycle towards the appropriate intersection. Conn had only practiced on the bike a few times before and when he arrived at the intersection in the midst of heavy traffic, hit the gas instead of the brake. He managed to slide underneath a big truck, rather than hitting it, and bares the scar to this day. The motorcycle was wrecked.
“What’ll I do with the bike?” he asked his C.O., who replied, “You know what you can do with that (so-and-so) bike!” Canadians, unlike the Americans, pampered their machinery!
Conn was also in the vicinity of Wilhelmshaven when Germany surrendered. The unit was moved back to Nijmegen and turned in their guns, vehicles, and all their equipment. Conn stayed on at Apeldorn, Holland to shovel paper work associated with the thousands of Canadians heading for home, and didn’t get to England until Christmas, 1945. In March 1946 he sailed for home on the Ile de France, arriving at Halifax on the sixth. A month later, in Regina, Conn was discharged and became a civilian again.
The Bomber’s Bomber
Don Mitchell took to the air, but only after joining the RCAF in 1942 at Regina and many months of training in Canada and England. He rattled from Brandon to Regina to Virden, and finally to Trenton, Ontario for bombardier training. This eventually got him all the way back to Dafoe, Saskatchewan for gunnery and bomb practice, and finally to Rivers, Manitoba for navigational school, where he graduated the course in July 1943.
Mitchell was among three or four thousand other men who boarded the liner Louis Pasteur for an uncomfortable trip to Scotland. The ship, which had been used to bring prisoners of war to Canada, “was hosed down with disinfectant and turned around for the trip back with us aboard,” said Mitchell. They lived, ate, and slept on or around one table in the hold.
Mitchell travelled to Bournemouth, England, and then on to operational training at Wellsbourne. He was posted to 426 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse and began his duties aboard Halifax and Landcaster bombers as the aircraft’s bomb aimer.
This was a responsible job, considering the object of the exercise was to drop bombs in an accurate manner on German targets. Leading up to the target, the bomb aimer actually took control of the aircraft’s navigation, guiding it right up to the point when bombs were released. Photographs of the target were taken simultaneously by the bombardier through a hookup on the bomb sight. Naturally the Germans discouraged bombers by shooting at them with all manner of flack and machine guns, and it took considerable fortitude to stay on a steady, prescribed bomb run through this deadly hail storm.
Flight crews could make up to a whopping $7 per day - while army types had to settle for around $1.50 - but they earned it! The air war accounted for a very high attrition rate among its personnel, and the number of missions they were allowed to fly was limited.
Mitchell completed 34 all told.
Mitchell began operations in the months leading up to D-Day when the squadron started plastering enemy communications, road and rail networks all over western France in advance of the invasion; no one location received a concentrated effort to keep the Germans guessing about Normandy. The week prior to D-Day they flew almost continuously and their ground crews went virtually sleepless to keep them in the air (the base commander later threw a huge party in one of the hangars for these stalwart crews).
On D-Day, Mitchell was impressed by the sight of the massive invasion armada, as seen from the air, stretching in solid convoys almost, it seemed, from one side of the English Channel to the other. He also remarked on
the crashed gliders which were strewn about all over the invasion area like broken toys. These had been towed to Normandy by twin-engined Dakotas (DC-8s), each containing upwards of 40 men, and had to land in fields studded with posts or other obstructions that had mines attached to them by the German defenders. The casualty rate was high. Mitchell remembers they had met flocks of these gliders headed for France while returning from an early morning bombing raid on D-Day.
Mitchell and his crew completed 25 missions after D-Day, keeping up the horrific pressure on German ground forces. In November 1944, Mitchell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, with an accompanying citation as follows: “Flight Sergeant Mitchell has attacked with the highest degree of accuracy numerous targets in Germany and the occupied countries. On one occasion in April 1944, in spite of an attack by a Junkers 88 and a fire which broke out in his aircraft, this airman continued to give directions to the pilot on his bombing run. His exceptional display of coolness and tenacity of purpose was largely responsible for the complete success of the mission.”
By Christmas 1944 Mitchell was back in Canada, and posted to Sea Island, Vancouver for a Fighter Control Course. He was there when the European war ended and thought of volunteering for the Pacific Campaign, however it also ended that summer and he flew no more.
A one-man operation
At age 18, Raymond Reichert, Roy’s brother, joined the Canadian Army in 1942. He trained at Maple Creek and took advanced training with the Regina Rifles for four months. Like any teenager, he thought his dreams had come true when he was posted to the Canadian Railway Company as a dispatch rider and given a big Harley motorcycle! The Railway Company was made up of personnel earmarked to operate trains in Europe after the Normandy invasion. As a dispatch rider, Reichert was part of the communications section that supported this Company.
With brother Roy, he sailed to England aboard the Queen Elizabeth (minus the Harley) and ended up at Colechester, England. The dispatch unit was re-united with their beloved Harleys but also learned to ride the British BMW and the ‘Snortin’ Norton.
“Running around England in the blackout could get a bit testy,” said Reichert, and he was thrown numerous times as a consequence of playing motorized blind man’s bluff. Dispatch riders were armed only with a revolver.
They knew D-Day was coming as activity reached an ever frantic pace, but were not really acquainted with warfare until arriving at the London docks. Here, they got their first sight of German buzz-bombs, self-propelled rockets sent over from France loaded with high explosives and aimed towards invasion staging areas. The buzz-bomb was not very accurate and no one knew where they might fall.
Raymond’s unit, consisting of about 460 men, arrived in France about one month after D-Day. He traded in his revolver and he said, “became a one-man operation with a motorcycle and a Sten gun!” As such, Reichert performed hundreds of ‘go-for’ jobs typical of dispatch
riders all over the theatre. He continued these duties without a scratch all through action in Belgium and Holland ending the war “somewhere in the Ruhr Valley,” when the surrender was signed. Reichert remained in Germany as part of the Allied occupational force until 1946, and arrived home aboard the Aquatania in February that year. Minus the Harley.
And so, among these four men there is a glimpse of excitement, tragedy, death, pride, fear, and courage that is all familiar to the human conduct of warfare. Obviously, there is more to be said, volumes in fact, for which there is insufficient space here.
The common thread of experience is, however, tied one way or another, either before it or after, to that day upon which world events turned ever since: D-Day.
Participation in World War II by Canadians gave our country a hard-earned stake in world affairs and an important say at its council table. Our service people fought with a skill and determination that impressed both enemy and ally alike, and left ensuing generations of Canadians with a great source of pride in such accomplishments. Such things need be remembered by our youth, not to glorify warfare, but to consider, celebrate and cherish the basic traditions of free societies that caused our people to fight in defence of them.
Because of these things, on June 6 we as Canadians in every small town or large city may “all stand a tip-toe when this day is named.”
Daniel Bushman
As Remembrance Day approaches and people pause to reflect and honour those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom, there were many from the local area who were sent overseas to fight. Turning back the clock to 1994, close to exactly 50 years after D-Day, publisher of The Watrous Manitou at that time, Frank Wilson had the opportunity to visit with a few local residents who served and shared their stories.
According to History.com, code-named Operation Overlord, the battle of D-Day began June 6, 1944. Some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along an 80 kilometre stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. The invasion was an extensive military assault and required incredible planning. Prior to D-Day, Allies conducted a massive deception campaign in an effort to mislead the German military about the intended invasion target. Then by late August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. According to History,com, the Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
Now 76 years after D-Day and as Remembrance Day approaches and Canadians take time to remember those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom, we also pause to remember and honour those who have gone before us. As we also honour and remember those who were featured in Wilson’s article, the following is the story which appeared in the May 30, 1994 edition of The Watrous Manitou entitled, ‘Local veterans look back on the invasion of Normandy.’
D-Day 1944, the invasion of Nazi-held Europe at Normandy, code-named OVERLORD, will likely remain in memory as the most famous ‘day’ in the annals of military history. As in Shakespeare’s famous line, 50 years after the event veterans who survived are returning to Normandy this June to ‘stand a tip-toe’ among the many who saw action in that historic battle for the beaches and the subsequent liberation of millions.
For every man who attends the huge commemorative celebrations in Normandy next month there will be thousands who cannot, for one reason or another. Nevertheless, the memories of their youth in military service paints, to this day, an indelible mark upon their character and the way they have lived their lives. When two or more of these people gather it is not long before the stories begin, and so it was last week when, at my request, several veterans from Watrous took time to reminisce.
As we near the 50th anniversary of D-Day it was thought as a good time as any to set down just a few details of how things were in those days, from the personal perspective of a few who were eventually drawn into that monumental battle. Theirs is not the Big Picture, but rather a more intimate view of experiences among the teaming ranks of Allied Armies which were poised, in 1944 on English soil, to do a mighty deed . . .
The 25 Pounders
Roy Reichert of Watrous joined the Canadian Army at age 18 in the summer of 1940 at Saskatoon. He was pulled into the massive training system then underway across Canada, receiving the basics at Saskatoon and more advanced training at Dundurn. As part of a holding company of new recruits, he was posted to Halifax, and there began training in artillery, eventually becoming part of the 23rd Field Artillery (Self Propelled) at Sussex, New Brunswick.
The ‘self propelled’ connotation reflected the new mobility of battles being fought during World War Two. The 23rd’s 25-pounder guns were mounted on a tank chassis, ready to move at a moment’s notice or fire in any direction. The mount carried about 125 rounds of 25-pound artillery shot (thus the 25-pound description of the gun). These attributes were later to prove their worth most vividly not long after D-Day.
Reichert embarked for England in 1943 with almost 23,000 other men on the Queen Elizabeth, the Cunnard Line’s famous high speed passenger liner that had been renovated for transporting troops across the Atlantic. As with her equally famous sister ship, the Queen Mary, the ship, camouflaged in ghostly grey paint, had sufficient speed to outrun German submarines and made the four-day trip from Halifax to Grennock, Scotland unescorted. With that many men on board, however, living conditions allowed only one night out of three in a bunk. Otherwise sleep was snatched wherever it could be found in the tightly packed spaces.
In spite of the secrecy surrounding troop movements, Roy Reichert suspected through letters from his mother (!) that his brother Raymond was on board the Queen Elizabeth and, after a half-day search, met up with him for the first time since they had enlisted.
After arrival in Scotland, the 23rd Field Artillery was billeted in the southern part of England at Eastbourne, where the unit trained until the OVERLORD war machine pulled it into the inexorable violence of combat the following year.
The Normandy invasion plan was kept in the Most Secret category for obvious reasons. In preparation for the attack, considerable effort was made to deceive Hitler and the German Army into believing the invasion would centre around the French sea port of Pas de Calaise. There were all kinds of schemes to foster this subtle hint to the Germans, including an entire ‘phantom army’ ensconced in southern England under U.S. General George Patton. His command consisted of rubber blow-up tanks and vehicles, cardboard aircraft, wooden guns and plenty of phony radio traffic between non-existent units which Germans invariably monitored.
The men in Reichert’s outfit, and all of England in fact, knew OVERLORD was on the way, but not where or when. Seeing the monumental buildup of men and supplies throughout the British countryside, it was easy for anyone to put two and two together in predicting that an invasion of Europe was forthcoming. Once the 23rd Field Artillery was moved to the London dock area, the sum of two and two was almost incidental.
“We weren’t sure if we were going or when,” says Reichert. “I didn’t know the game plan until after the war.”
D-Day came and went while the 23rd was still in London. There was no particular comment at the time - everyone was too busy loading up, waterproofing their guns for the landing, and speculating when their turn would come. As with any solid military plan, OVERLORD contemplated failure at Normandy and had a backup plan to commit reserves at another location, if need be. In addition to Patton’s Third Army deception, Reichert feels they may have been part of that or possibly held in reserve pending a successful beachhead at Normandy. But all of that was hardly even speculation at the time when individual soldiers had only their own rumours to fill in the gaps under the prevailing blanket of secrecy.
In any event it was nearly a month after D-Day when Reichert’s unit landed in the path of the Third Canadian Division over the Normandy beach code-named JUNO.
“After all the fuss about waterproofing our guns and vehicles, we landed in about one foot of water!” said Reichert. They had no time to look over the beach, but raced inland to catch up with the Third Division, then staging a vicious fight at Caen, 10 miles away.
The battle at Caen led the Canadians into the churning maw of the battle of Falaise Gap, a huge, bloody encircling manoeuvre by the Allied Armies which decimated a large portion of the German Army in France. It was during this battle, says Reichert, that “we fired at targets around every point in the compass” proving the versatility of their four-man, self-propelled mount, and also illustrating the deadly speed of movement and confusion swirling about them.
“None of our crew was ever killed inside the gun mount,” Reichert says, recalling their casualties occurred when outside, exposed to shell fire or snipers. One death occurred when a round exploded prematurely just beyond the muzzle of the gun, but those inside the mount were unscathed.
There were more close calls to come as the 23rd fought its way out of France, through Belgium and into Holland, but it was in the aftermath of D-Day they saw their hottest action.
Reichert was near Willhelmshaven, Germany (a major submarine base) when the shooting stopped in May, 1945. As hostilities wound down, many of the units were repatriated to Canada and for his homeward cross of the Atlantic Reichert travelled on a much more comfortable aircraft carrier.
They approached the Nova Scotia shore in dense fog but, just as they entered Halifax harbour, the sun came out and shone across the city and its shoreline. “It was a beautiful site to see!” Reichert recalls. It was October, 1945.
The Radio Man
Roy Conn’s introduction into Canadian Army life began in his 18th year when he joined up in Regina. His experience was similar to that of Roy Reichert’s, although he completed basic training at Maple Creek and was then posted to Kingston, Ontario for further training with the Royal Canadian Signal Corps. His outfit crossed to England in August 1943 aboard the Queen Mary, and Conn ended up at Farnborough in a Signals Reinforcement Unit.
After training there he received a permanent posting to a 38-man signal section attached to the 4th Medium Artillery, arriving at Caterham-on-the-Valley during Christmas 1943. The signals unit looked after all communications between the 4th Medium and its Regimental and Brigade Headquarters. This involved telegraph, radio, telephone, telephone switchboards, the installation of telephone wire, in fact everything to do with communications and its equipment operation and maintenance.
As for D-Day, Conn said they knew it was definitely coming as their unit began waterproofing its vehicles and equipment for the invasion. Security was tight and leave passes were cancelled. The 4th Medium Artillery was equipped with 5.5 inch (the diameter of the muzzle) guns that weighed in at 10 tons each. They were pulled with Mac trucks, also weighing about 10 tons. These were all hoisted aboard ships at Brighton, ready for the Channel crossing but, like Reichert’s, Conn’s unit sat and stewed in Brighton for the next 23 days before sailing to the Normandy beachhead.
After three days of unloading on JUNO, the 4th Medium Artillery moved to the front in support of the First Polish Division, which was fighting alongside the Canadians, and remained with them for the war’s duration.
At Caen, the Poles immediately went into heavy action and suffered some hard knocks. As the battle engulfed Caen and raged on towards the Falaise Gap, the Polish Division was hammered very hard by casualties and lost nearly half its guns.
After that, it was with some relief the 4th was dispatched northwards along the French coast where they spent several weeks ‘potting away’ at Germany coastal guns that were installed on the Channel Islands. The 4th Medium’s guns, which fired an 80 pound shell propelled by bags of cordite, threw an untold number of shells at the concrete gun emplacements, however Conn wondered if they ever did do any real damage to the German emplacements.
His unit went on to the liberation Belgium, and spent the winter at Nijmegen, Holland, having arrived there just after the capture of a major German air base. Conn fell deathly ill with infectious hepatitis and spent some time in hospital back at Ghent.
He had a closer call later on when, ordered to direct traffic on a bridge ramp, he took off on a motorcycle towards the appropriate intersection. Conn had only practiced on the bike a few times before and when he arrived at the intersection in the midst of heavy traffic, hit the gas instead of the brake. He managed to slide underneath a big truck, rather than hitting it, and bares the scar to this day. The motorcycle was wrecked.
“What’ll I do with the bike?” he asked his C.O., who replied, “You know what you can do with that (so-and-so) bike!” Canadians, unlike the Americans, pampered their machinery!
Conn was also in the vicinity of Wilhelmshaven when Germany surrendered. The unit was moved back to Nijmegen and turned in their guns, vehicles, and all their equipment. Conn stayed on at Apeldorn, Holland to shovel paper work associated with the thousands of Canadians heading for home, and didn’t get to England until Christmas, 1945. In March 1946 he sailed for home on the Ile de France, arriving at Halifax on the sixth. A month later, in Regina, Conn was discharged and became a civilian again.
The Bomber’s Bomber
Don Mitchell took to the air, but only after joining the RCAF in 1942 at Regina and many months of training in Canada and England. He rattled from Brandon to Regina to Virden, and finally to Trenton, Ontario for bombardier training. This eventually got him all the way back to Dafoe, Saskatchewan for gunnery and bomb practice, and finally to Rivers, Manitoba for navigational school, where he graduated the course in July 1943.
Mitchell was among three or four thousand other men who boarded the liner Louis Pasteur for an uncomfortable trip to Scotland. The ship, which had been used to bring prisoners of war to Canada, “was hosed down with disinfectant and turned around for the trip back with us aboard,” said Mitchell. They lived, ate, and slept on or around one table in the hold.
Mitchell travelled to Bournemouth, England, and then on to operational training at Wellsbourne. He was posted to 426 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse and began his duties aboard Halifax and Landcaster bombers as the aircraft’s bomb aimer.
This was a responsible job, considering the object of the exercise was to drop bombs in an accurate manner on German targets. Leading up to the target, the bomb aimer actually took control of the aircraft’s navigation, guiding it right up to the point when bombs were released. Photographs of the target were taken simultaneously by the bombardier through a hookup on the bomb sight. Naturally the Germans discouraged bombers by shooting at them with all manner of flack and machine guns, and it took considerable fortitude to stay on a steady, prescribed bomb run through this deadly hail storm.
Flight crews could make up to a whopping $7 per day - while army types had to settle for around $1.50 - but they earned it! The air war accounted for a very high attrition rate among its personnel, and the number of missions they were allowed to fly was limited.
Mitchell completed 34 all told.
Mitchell began operations in the months leading up to D-Day when the squadron started plastering enemy communications, road and rail networks all over western France in advance of the invasion; no one location received a concentrated effort to keep the Germans guessing about Normandy. The week prior to D-Day they flew almost continuously and their ground crews went virtually sleepless to keep them in the air (the base commander later threw a huge party in one of the hangars for these stalwart crews).
On D-Day, Mitchell was impressed by the sight of the massive invasion armada, as seen from the air, stretching in solid convoys almost, it seemed, from one side of the English Channel to the other. He also remarked on
the crashed gliders which were strewn about all over the invasion area like broken toys. These had been towed to Normandy by twin-engined Dakotas (DC-8s), each containing upwards of 40 men, and had to land in fields studded with posts or other obstructions that had mines attached to them by the German defenders. The casualty rate was high. Mitchell remembers they had met flocks of these gliders headed for France while returning from an early morning bombing raid on D-Day.
Mitchell and his crew completed 25 missions after D-Day, keeping up the horrific pressure on German ground forces. In November 1944, Mitchell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, with an accompanying citation as follows: “Flight Sergeant Mitchell has attacked with the highest degree of accuracy numerous targets in Germany and the occupied countries. On one occasion in April 1944, in spite of an attack by a Junkers 88 and a fire which broke out in his aircraft, this airman continued to give directions to the pilot on his bombing run. His exceptional display of coolness and tenacity of purpose was largely responsible for the complete success of the mission.”
By Christmas 1944 Mitchell was back in Canada, and posted to Sea Island, Vancouver for a Fighter Control Course. He was there when the European war ended and thought of volunteering for the Pacific Campaign, however it also ended that summer and he flew no more.
A one-man operation
At age 18, Raymond Reichert, Roy’s brother, joined the Canadian Army in 1942. He trained at Maple Creek and took advanced training with the Regina Rifles for four months. Like any teenager, he thought his dreams had come true when he was posted to the Canadian Railway Company as a dispatch rider and given a big Harley motorcycle! The Railway Company was made up of personnel earmarked to operate trains in Europe after the Normandy invasion. As a dispatch rider, Reichert was part of the communications section that supported this Company.
With brother Roy, he sailed to England aboard the Queen Elizabeth (minus the Harley) and ended up at Colechester, England. The dispatch unit was re-united with their beloved Harleys but also learned to ride the British BMW and the ‘Snortin’ Norton.
“Running around England in the blackout could get a bit testy,” said Reichert, and he was thrown numerous times as a consequence of playing motorized blind man’s bluff. Dispatch riders were armed only with a revolver.
They knew D-Day was coming as activity reached an ever frantic pace, but were not really acquainted with warfare until arriving at the London docks. Here, they got their first sight of German buzz-bombs, self-propelled rockets sent over from France loaded with high explosives and aimed towards invasion staging areas. The buzz-bomb was not very accurate and no one knew where they might fall.
Raymond’s unit, consisting of about 460 men, arrived in France about one month after D-Day. He traded in his revolver and he said, “became a one-man operation with a motorcycle and a Sten gun!” As such, Reichert performed hundreds of ‘go-for’ jobs typical of dispatch
riders all over the theatre. He continued these duties without a scratch all through action in Belgium and Holland ending the war “somewhere in the Ruhr Valley,” when the surrender was signed. Reichert remained in Germany as part of the Allied occupational force until 1946, and arrived home aboard the Aquatania in February that year. Minus the Harley.
And so, among these four men there is a glimpse of excitement, tragedy, death, pride, fear, and courage that is all familiar to the human conduct of warfare. Obviously, there is more to be said, volumes in fact, for which there is insufficient space here.
The common thread of experience is, however, tied one way or another, either before it or after, to that day upon which world events turned ever since: D-Day.
Participation in World War II by Canadians gave our country a hard-earned stake in world affairs and an important say at its council table. Our service people fought with a skill and determination that impressed both enemy and ally alike, and left ensuing generations of Canadians with a great source of pride in such accomplishments. Such things need be remembered by our youth, not to glorify warfare, but to consider, celebrate and cherish the basic traditions of free societies that caused our people to fight in defence of them.
Because of these things, on June 6 we as Canadians in every small town or large city may “all stand a tip-toe when this day is named.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 2, 2020
Sask. Party wins fourth consecutive majority
Daniel Bushman
While the official results will not be known until Nov. 7, the Saskatchewan Party received more than enough votes to win a fourth straight majority government, something not seen since the Tommy Douglas era. As voters from across the province cast their ballots, locally the Saskatchewan Party’s Donna Harpauer was re-elected in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency while Dana Skoropad won his seat in the Arm River constituency for the Saskatchewan Party.
With the COVID-19 pandemic creating challenges, voters had the option to submit their vote by mail and a total of 61,255 total mail ballots were issued in the province. Since it will take some time for the mailed ballots to reach their destination, according to Elections Saskatchewan that means a first preliminary count of the votes took place on election night (Oct. 26). From that count, 385,461 votes were tallied. A second preliminary count occurred Oct. 28 with mailed ballots that were received pushing that count to 425,670 votes and a final count of the remaining ballots that were mailed in will take place Nov. 7.
Because of the delay and with a few close races, that meant the outcome of who won in those close races was different than what it reflected Oct. 26. On election night after the ballots were tallied, according to Elections Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Party found itself with 50 seats (242,638 votes and 62.95 percent of the vote) followed by the New Democratic Party with 11 seats (112,263 votes and 29.12 percent of the vote).
If those results were to have held up through to the final count then the Saskatchewan Party would have gained two seats while the NDP would have dropped a pair of seats. Other results from the first preliminary count showed the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan garnering 11,055 votes or 2.87 percent of the total vote; the Green Party of Saskatchewan had 9,108 votes and 2.36 percent of the overall vote; the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan had 7,987 votes and 2.07 percent of the overall vote; Independents received 954 votes and 0.25 percent of the overall vote; and the Saskatchewan Liberals had 338 votes or 0.09 percent of the overall vote.
Those numbers did change after the second preliminary vote though as the NDP gained two seats back to reflect the Saskatchewan Party holding 48 seats while the NDP had 13.
Locally, after the second preliminary count, for the Humboldt-Watrous constituency: Donna Harpauer with the Saskatchewan Party received 5,564 votes; Wendy Sekulich with the NDP had 1,121 votes; Constance Maffenbeir with the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan had 525 votes; Rose Buscholl with the PC Party of Saskatchewan had 236 votes; and Jim Ternier with the Green Party had 175 votes. There were a total of 676 mail ballots issued with 440 of those counted.
For the Arm River constituency after the second preliminary count: Dana Skoropad with the Saskatchewan Party received 6,480 votes; Cam Goff with the NDP received 1,299 votes; Steve Forbes of the PC Party of Saskatchewan had 430; and Tiffany Giesbrecht of the Green Party had 192. There were a total of 584 mail ballots issued with 425 of those counted.
First elected to the Legislature representing the former Watrous constituency in 1999, Harpauer was once again re-elected in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency. Heading into the Oct. 26 election, Harpauer was the province’s Finance Minister and with members of her family joining her to watch the results come in, she was thrilled with the outcome.
“It is always an honour to have the confidence of the people of the Humboldt-Watrous constituency. Now I have to take on that responsibility to deliver on not only what we promised in the platform but to do what I feel is best and what is needed for those that are in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency.
We said that the ballot question was who do people believe and trust to manage an economic recovery because it is critical for the future of the province. We are hearing that the people are putting their trust in us so that is a task that we must take on very seriously and we will. We need to recover and we believe we can and we believe that we can grow going forward and balance our budget in a few years.”
With the pandemic posing some challenges during the campaign, Harpauer said it was more unique than in years past. In addition, this year Premier Scott Moe asked Harpauer to be the co-chair of the provincial campaign. “My role in this campaign was a little more divided. I had less time in the constituency itself and spent more time than I ever had before in Regina with debates and some of the larger provincial platforms. It was different for me; however, the people within the province were definitely there for me.”
Elected as part of the Saskatchewan Party’s first majority government and being part of the party for its four majority government victories, Harpauer noted the importance of the substantial victories. “I think it is a huge measure that we can now say that perhaps we will be the natural governing party within Saskatchewan. Considering when the Saskatchewan Party was formed, I think there was a lot of doubt. It was not a party that had any federal connections whatsoever. There was a lot of naysayers saying that it wouldn’t work and we have proven them wrong.”
As for Harpauer’s thoughts on Premier Scott Moe’s first election victory as premier, Harpauer has been a supporter since day one when he decided to run for the job after Brad Wall stepped away from politics.
“I have had faith in him and I still do. I think Scott is very strong but he is also very diverse. Scott can relate to the urban and rural, to First Nations and non-First Nations. He is that guy that is just relatable, easy to talk to and easy to approach. I think that is what Saskatchewan is looking for.”
With a victory in her constituency and previously holding the role of finance minister leading up to the election, Harpauer admitted that navigating through a pandemic will be daunting. However, with the goal of balancing a budget by 2024 without raising any taxes and making major cuts, she said, “It is definitely doable. Our recovery is going to be getting our business community back to where it was and then to grow going forward. We have proven that growth in our past and we will prove it once again. The Saskatchewan people are up to that task.”
Reflecting back on her time as MLA for the local area, Harpauer said, “This constituency has been awesome and it is always very humbling to know that I have their support as strong as what I do. I just hope that I measure up to what they expect and I will work very very hard to do so.”
While Harpauer was first elected to the Legislature in 1999, Arm River’s Dana Skoropad will be headed to Regina for the first time. Skoropad was nominated as the Saskatchewan Party candidate for the 2020 election after long-time MLA Greg Brkich decided to step away from the political ring.
After seeing the results come in during election night, Skoropad was thrilled with the outcome. “It has been a lot of time and a lot of hard work from a lot of people since the nomination process even began edging toward two years ago. All of that work all culminated into one night and watching the results come in, it was exciting, it was nerve-wracking, it was exhilarating, it was humbling, every emotion you could throw together. But in the end, I can’t just express how honoured I am that it worked out.”
Seeing the Saskatchewan Party form another majority government, Skoropad said he was pleased to see people of Saskatchewan give a strong mandate to the government.
“I think it speaks volumes to the quality of candidates that are in each constituency and the work that has been done beforehand by the candidates in the previous term and the leadership of Scott Moe. We will absolutely do our utmost to live up to that trust that has been given to us at this time.”
While the pandemic posed some challenges for Skoropad, like it did for others, the newly elected Arm River candidate said despite it all, once he got the green light and was able to practice social distancing and mask up, he hit the ground running.
“I was on the road and on doorsteps six days a week and I don’t think it is necessarily because that is what campaigning is, I think that is what the job that I was always looking to do as MLA. You have to meet people, you have got to talk and hear people and I think that is important. This campaign was really rewarding and I was welcomed into the lives of many people right across the constituency . . . (and) people took the time to share their stories with me.”
Now that he will be representing the constituency, Skoropad said it will be a learning experience. “It is exciting and it is an exciting new chapter in my life. I know that at the end of the day I am doing this because I want to make a difference and I want to serve people.”
Reaching out to The Watrous Manitou, NDP candidate Cam Goff wanted to extend his congratulations to Dana Skoropad of the Saskatchewan Party on his victory in the constituency of Arm River. “I trust that he will serve his constituents with honesty and diligence during his time as our member of the Legislative Assembly. I also offer my appreciation to Steve Forbes of the Progressive Conservative Party and Tiffany Giesbrecht of the Green Party for putting their names forward in this election. Without choice, there can be no democracy, and your contributions help ensure a healthy and diverse political system. Finally, I want to thank the people who supported me during my campaign. To all of you who donated your time, money, and effort, as well as voted for me, please accept my sincere gratitude. This was truly a remarkable experience.”
With each candidate wrapping up their campaigns as election day arrived, Skoropad took the opportunity to extend his appreciation to former MLA Greg Brkich for the work he did within the constituency and to the candidates who ran against him noting each ran respectful campaigns.
“I also want to thank all of the people of Arm River that supported me in this. That is not lost on me at all. I will certainly give my best, all of my hands, heart and mind and everything I’ve got.”
Daniel Bushman
While the official results will not be known until Nov. 7, the Saskatchewan Party received more than enough votes to win a fourth straight majority government, something not seen since the Tommy Douglas era. As voters from across the province cast their ballots, locally the Saskatchewan Party’s Donna Harpauer was re-elected in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency while Dana Skoropad won his seat in the Arm River constituency for the Saskatchewan Party.
With the COVID-19 pandemic creating challenges, voters had the option to submit their vote by mail and a total of 61,255 total mail ballots were issued in the province. Since it will take some time for the mailed ballots to reach their destination, according to Elections Saskatchewan that means a first preliminary count of the votes took place on election night (Oct. 26). From that count, 385,461 votes were tallied. A second preliminary count occurred Oct. 28 with mailed ballots that were received pushing that count to 425,670 votes and a final count of the remaining ballots that were mailed in will take place Nov. 7.
Because of the delay and with a few close races, that meant the outcome of who won in those close races was different than what it reflected Oct. 26. On election night after the ballots were tallied, according to Elections Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Party found itself with 50 seats (242,638 votes and 62.95 percent of the vote) followed by the New Democratic Party with 11 seats (112,263 votes and 29.12 percent of the vote).
If those results were to have held up through to the final count then the Saskatchewan Party would have gained two seats while the NDP would have dropped a pair of seats. Other results from the first preliminary count showed the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan garnering 11,055 votes or 2.87 percent of the total vote; the Green Party of Saskatchewan had 9,108 votes and 2.36 percent of the overall vote; the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan had 7,987 votes and 2.07 percent of the overall vote; Independents received 954 votes and 0.25 percent of the overall vote; and the Saskatchewan Liberals had 338 votes or 0.09 percent of the overall vote.
Those numbers did change after the second preliminary vote though as the NDP gained two seats back to reflect the Saskatchewan Party holding 48 seats while the NDP had 13.
Locally, after the second preliminary count, for the Humboldt-Watrous constituency: Donna Harpauer with the Saskatchewan Party received 5,564 votes; Wendy Sekulich with the NDP had 1,121 votes; Constance Maffenbeir with the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan had 525 votes; Rose Buscholl with the PC Party of Saskatchewan had 236 votes; and Jim Ternier with the Green Party had 175 votes. There were a total of 676 mail ballots issued with 440 of those counted.
For the Arm River constituency after the second preliminary count: Dana Skoropad with the Saskatchewan Party received 6,480 votes; Cam Goff with the NDP received 1,299 votes; Steve Forbes of the PC Party of Saskatchewan had 430; and Tiffany Giesbrecht of the Green Party had 192. There were a total of 584 mail ballots issued with 425 of those counted.
First elected to the Legislature representing the former Watrous constituency in 1999, Harpauer was once again re-elected in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency. Heading into the Oct. 26 election, Harpauer was the province’s Finance Minister and with members of her family joining her to watch the results come in, she was thrilled with the outcome.
“It is always an honour to have the confidence of the people of the Humboldt-Watrous constituency. Now I have to take on that responsibility to deliver on not only what we promised in the platform but to do what I feel is best and what is needed for those that are in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency.
We said that the ballot question was who do people believe and trust to manage an economic recovery because it is critical for the future of the province. We are hearing that the people are putting their trust in us so that is a task that we must take on very seriously and we will. We need to recover and we believe we can and we believe that we can grow going forward and balance our budget in a few years.”
With the pandemic posing some challenges during the campaign, Harpauer said it was more unique than in years past. In addition, this year Premier Scott Moe asked Harpauer to be the co-chair of the provincial campaign. “My role in this campaign was a little more divided. I had less time in the constituency itself and spent more time than I ever had before in Regina with debates and some of the larger provincial platforms. It was different for me; however, the people within the province were definitely there for me.”
Elected as part of the Saskatchewan Party’s first majority government and being part of the party for its four majority government victories, Harpauer noted the importance of the substantial victories. “I think it is a huge measure that we can now say that perhaps we will be the natural governing party within Saskatchewan. Considering when the Saskatchewan Party was formed, I think there was a lot of doubt. It was not a party that had any federal connections whatsoever. There was a lot of naysayers saying that it wouldn’t work and we have proven them wrong.”
As for Harpauer’s thoughts on Premier Scott Moe’s first election victory as premier, Harpauer has been a supporter since day one when he decided to run for the job after Brad Wall stepped away from politics.
“I have had faith in him and I still do. I think Scott is very strong but he is also very diverse. Scott can relate to the urban and rural, to First Nations and non-First Nations. He is that guy that is just relatable, easy to talk to and easy to approach. I think that is what Saskatchewan is looking for.”
With a victory in her constituency and previously holding the role of finance minister leading up to the election, Harpauer admitted that navigating through a pandemic will be daunting. However, with the goal of balancing a budget by 2024 without raising any taxes and making major cuts, she said, “It is definitely doable. Our recovery is going to be getting our business community back to where it was and then to grow going forward. We have proven that growth in our past and we will prove it once again. The Saskatchewan people are up to that task.”
Reflecting back on her time as MLA for the local area, Harpauer said, “This constituency has been awesome and it is always very humbling to know that I have their support as strong as what I do. I just hope that I measure up to what they expect and I will work very very hard to do so.”
While Harpauer was first elected to the Legislature in 1999, Arm River’s Dana Skoropad will be headed to Regina for the first time. Skoropad was nominated as the Saskatchewan Party candidate for the 2020 election after long-time MLA Greg Brkich decided to step away from the political ring.
After seeing the results come in during election night, Skoropad was thrilled with the outcome. “It has been a lot of time and a lot of hard work from a lot of people since the nomination process even began edging toward two years ago. All of that work all culminated into one night and watching the results come in, it was exciting, it was nerve-wracking, it was exhilarating, it was humbling, every emotion you could throw together. But in the end, I can’t just express how honoured I am that it worked out.”
Seeing the Saskatchewan Party form another majority government, Skoropad said he was pleased to see people of Saskatchewan give a strong mandate to the government.
“I think it speaks volumes to the quality of candidates that are in each constituency and the work that has been done beforehand by the candidates in the previous term and the leadership of Scott Moe. We will absolutely do our utmost to live up to that trust that has been given to us at this time.”
While the pandemic posed some challenges for Skoropad, like it did for others, the newly elected Arm River candidate said despite it all, once he got the green light and was able to practice social distancing and mask up, he hit the ground running.
“I was on the road and on doorsteps six days a week and I don’t think it is necessarily because that is what campaigning is, I think that is what the job that I was always looking to do as MLA. You have to meet people, you have got to talk and hear people and I think that is important. This campaign was really rewarding and I was welcomed into the lives of many people right across the constituency . . . (and) people took the time to share their stories with me.”
Now that he will be representing the constituency, Skoropad said it will be a learning experience. “It is exciting and it is an exciting new chapter in my life. I know that at the end of the day I am doing this because I want to make a difference and I want to serve people.”
Reaching out to The Watrous Manitou, NDP candidate Cam Goff wanted to extend his congratulations to Dana Skoropad of the Saskatchewan Party on his victory in the constituency of Arm River. “I trust that he will serve his constituents with honesty and diligence during his time as our member of the Legislative Assembly. I also offer my appreciation to Steve Forbes of the Progressive Conservative Party and Tiffany Giesbrecht of the Green Party for putting their names forward in this election. Without choice, there can be no democracy, and your contributions help ensure a healthy and diverse political system. Finally, I want to thank the people who supported me during my campaign. To all of you who donated your time, money, and effort, as well as voted for me, please accept my sincere gratitude. This was truly a remarkable experience.”
With each candidate wrapping up their campaigns as election day arrived, Skoropad took the opportunity to extend his appreciation to former MLA Greg Brkich for the work he did within the constituency and to the candidates who ran against him noting each ran respectful campaigns.
“I also want to thank all of the people of Arm River that supported me in this. That is not lost on me at all. I will certainly give my best, all of my hands, heart and mind and everything I’ve got.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 26, 2020
Election to take place in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Watrous residents will be headed to the polls to elect members of town council as the community received a number of candidates for the six vacant spots.
After long-time mayor Ed Collins elected not to run for another term, former town councillor John Gunderson has been acclaimed as mayor.
Gunderson said, “I am definitely looking forward to the new role of mayor on Watrous Town Council. I have served as a councillor for 11 years and have seen the community of Watrous achieve many things in that time period. Many times I hear people from outside of Watrous comment on what a great community Watrous is and I couldn’t agree more. This is a credit to not only the people who have served on council but to all of our residents and business owners who make Watrous a great place to live.”
With an unprecedented year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gunderson acknowledged that people may be faced with some challenges going forward. “But I know that by working together we will get through this.”
While Gunderson was acclaimed as mayor of Watrous, a total of eight people have let their names stand for six councillor seats after nominations officially closed in early October.
The former town councillor said, “It is great to see the number of people who have been nominated for the role of councillor. It is a commitment to serve on town council but also a rewarding one. We all get to work together to make Watrous a town to be proud of and good luck to all of the candidates.”
Vying for the six seats on council are Juanita Allin, Sean Beischer, Gary Bergen, Taylor Engele, Patricia Isherwood, Jody Lewis, Lane Manson and Jean Margetts.
In an effort to provide the community of Watrous with an opportunity to learn more about the candidates, The Watrous Manitou reached out to each seeking a bio while posing the question of why each decided to run.
The following are the responses received by The Watrous Manitou and appear in alphabetical order by last name.
Juanita Allin - I am Juanita Allin and I am proud to call Watrous home. A resident since 2000, I currently work for Nutrien Ag Solutions as a research agronomist and manager. I am a mother of three community involved children. An active participant in my children’s activities has found me on the Watrous Co-operative Nursery School Executive as well as the Watrous School of Dance Executive. Currently I am chairing the Watrous Dance Festival. I can also be found at the ball diamond stocking the kitchen and at the rink managing a team.
I have wanted to be a member of Watrous Town Council for a number of years and am excited to have the opportunity to serve a community I have been a member of for 20 years. Bringing diverse experience with me, I hope to use my level-headed and fair decision-making skills to serve my term on council.
Sean Beischer - I was born in Victoria, B.C. My family moved to Saskatchewan when I was 14 and we lived in Langham where I attended Walter W. Brown High School. After graduation, I moved to Saskatoon where I met my wife Stesha. We have two children. Jade is currently attending the U of S working towards a degree in agriculture. She teaches dance at the Hanley School of Dance and works at TB’s in her spare time. Our youngest, Tai is currently in Gr. 10 at Winston High School. He enjoys playing hockey, football, badminton and baseball. When he isn’t playing sports he works part time at Pip’s Esso and is trying to save enough money to buy his first car. I enjoy spending time with my family and can usually be found at the rink in the winter or in the summer at the ball field.
We moved to Lanigan in 2004 when I started working
at the PCS Lanigan Mine. We lived in Lanigan until 2017 when we decided to relocate to Watrous. Stesha was working in town at Nutrien Ag Solutions and drove from Lanigan for four years before we decided it was time to move. She always told me what a great community Watrous was and I was truly impressed when we came to town. We felt at home right away and have made lots of friends in our short time here. It is so impressive to see how many people are involved in all the different community groups and events. Watrous has a small town feel with big town benefits. There are so many great businesses and so much potential for more.
This community involvement is what has led me to put my name forward for town council. I personally want to become more involved in the town and be a part of our community’s continued growth. I feel that I am a good candidate for this position because I have many years of leadership experience in my current position at work. I am not scared to make hard decisions and like the challenge of solving problems. I have experience working within specific budgets, and planning personnel requirements to meet targets. Throughout my experience I have learned to listen to the issues and develop good plans to keep moving in the right direction.
I would like to thank all of our friends for welcoming us into this community and look forward to getting to know many more of you.
Gary Bergen - I was born and raised in Saskatoon and after graduation I obtained a Bachelors Degree (Saskatoon) and two Masters Degrees (San Francisco). In 1977, I married my wife Kathy and moving to Watrous in 1984, we raised our two children, Jonathan and Jennifer. We now enjoy spending time with our two granddaughters and one more who is just about here!
During my time in Watrous, I was the pastor at Watrous Baptist Church for 22 years and I continue to run a computer sales and service and graphics and website design business; something I have done for 28 years.
For about 20 years I have been involved with marketing and economic development in this area and for the last 10 years I have been involved with the establishment of the Heritage Centre in Watrous.
I was recently on Watrous Town Council for one term and during that time was appointed Chair of the Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance of Communities (MSMA), which includes Watrous and Manitou Beach.
The reason I decided to run again for council is because I have a passion for seeing this area of Watrous and Manitou Beach move forward and grow in every way, so that it is the best place in the world to live, work and visit!
Taylor Engele - My name is Taylor Engele and I am excited to be putting my name forward as a candidate for the council of the Town of Watrous. I was born and raised in Watrous and I look forward to raising my family in the place I am proud to call home. I see this opportunity to run for council as a way to learn more about my community and municipal governance, as well as a new challenge to build a stronger community.
Throughout the years I have been an active member of the community of Watrous and surrounding area. I was a member of the gym committee that helped fundraise and build the Watrous Gym & Fitness Centre. I am a past president and current member of the Watrous Kinsmen, and am on the board of directors for the Manitou Beach Golf Club. I have also been actively involved in sport around Watrous, coaching with the Winston Wildcat football team, being a member at the Manitou Beach Golf Club and a former player with the Watrous Winterhawk senior hockey club.
My professional experience consists of my current role as a regional sales manager for Meridian Manufacturing, as well as previous positions as retail sales co-ordinator with Federated Co-op and Agro manager at the Co-op in Watrous. Given this business experience, I feel my skill set makes me well-suited to be a valuable member of council.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my bio and I look for your support on Nov. 9th. I would be proud to represent you on Watrous Town Council.
Patricia Isherwood - I am Patricia Isherwood and I am running for re-election as councillor for the Town of Watrous. I have been on council for 14 years and enjoy interacting with and getting to know the people in our great town.
I was born and raised near Watrous and left after high school graduation. I retired from the federal government in 2005 as a human resources manager/adviser and returned to Watrous. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made!! I have lived all over Saskatchewan and Manitoba and am very proud to call Watrous my home!!
I currently serve, and have served, on various council committees and boards and currently represent council on the local Watrous and Area Arts Council. I am also a delegate with the Affinity Credit Union Board.
I golf, curl, attend aquasize classes and enjoy watching our local hockey and ball teams. I used to volunteer at Manitou Lodge but with COVID-19 that is no longer possible. Hopefully I can return to that in the near future.
I look forward to serving the people of Watrous as a town councillor for another four years. Thank you for your votes.
Jody Lewis - I was born and raised in Nokomis, Sask. and I moved to Watrous in the fall of 1989 and have lived here ever since. I have been involved in the community on various boards since the early 1990s, including sitting on the Manitou Beach Golf Club board of directors and a proud member of Watrous Town Council since 1997. I have also helped coach some minor ball and minor hockey teams in Watrous, and have been a player and assistant coach with the Watrous Winterhawks.
Through the last 30 plus years in Watrous I have seen this community rise to the occasion many times through fundraising and volunteer commitments, making Watrous a great place to call home. I am proud of the accomplishments and infrastructure Watrous has made to attract business ventures and create outstanding community morale.
I am honoured to put my name forward for another term as a councillor for the Town of Watrous, and continue to help grow our community. Thank you for your support.
Lane Manson - I was born and raised in Watrous and have been a business owner in the community for the past 12 years. After a career in hockey, I decided to return to the community where I grew up in and not only began operating a few businesses but have put down roots here as well. Since I returned to Watrous, I have been involved with the Watrous Winterhawks senior hockey team and numerous fundraisers. In addition, I was directly involved with the original gym committee to have a gym started in town. And I have also been a member at large on the Watrous Recreation Board for the past 10 years.
I am running for council to try to keep Watrous a place that is great to work, do business and raise a family.
Jean Margetts - I have lived in Watrous for the past 10 years and have been a town councillor for seven of those years. I was an employee at Watrous Shop Easy before it closed and now I run the REACT Transfer Station at Watrous.
I have been involved within the community for a number of years. In addition to being a councillor, I am chairperson and Town of Watrous representative for Wheatland Library in Watrous, I sit on the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Board as a Town of Watrous representative, and am on the REACT Waste Management Board in Humboldt as a Town of Watrous representative.
I enjoy meeting people, spending time with my grandchildren, reading, fishing and baking.
I decided to run for council for another term because I enjoy the community of Watrous as I find it a safe and friendly place to live and do business in.
Daniel Bushman
Watrous residents will be headed to the polls to elect members of town council as the community received a number of candidates for the six vacant spots.
After long-time mayor Ed Collins elected not to run for another term, former town councillor John Gunderson has been acclaimed as mayor.
Gunderson said, “I am definitely looking forward to the new role of mayor on Watrous Town Council. I have served as a councillor for 11 years and have seen the community of Watrous achieve many things in that time period. Many times I hear people from outside of Watrous comment on what a great community Watrous is and I couldn’t agree more. This is a credit to not only the people who have served on council but to all of our residents and business owners who make Watrous a great place to live.”
With an unprecedented year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gunderson acknowledged that people may be faced with some challenges going forward. “But I know that by working together we will get through this.”
While Gunderson was acclaimed as mayor of Watrous, a total of eight people have let their names stand for six councillor seats after nominations officially closed in early October.
The former town councillor said, “It is great to see the number of people who have been nominated for the role of councillor. It is a commitment to serve on town council but also a rewarding one. We all get to work together to make Watrous a town to be proud of and good luck to all of the candidates.”
Vying for the six seats on council are Juanita Allin, Sean Beischer, Gary Bergen, Taylor Engele, Patricia Isherwood, Jody Lewis, Lane Manson and Jean Margetts.
In an effort to provide the community of Watrous with an opportunity to learn more about the candidates, The Watrous Manitou reached out to each seeking a bio while posing the question of why each decided to run.
The following are the responses received by The Watrous Manitou and appear in alphabetical order by last name.
Juanita Allin - I am Juanita Allin and I am proud to call Watrous home. A resident since 2000, I currently work for Nutrien Ag Solutions as a research agronomist and manager. I am a mother of three community involved children. An active participant in my children’s activities has found me on the Watrous Co-operative Nursery School Executive as well as the Watrous School of Dance Executive. Currently I am chairing the Watrous Dance Festival. I can also be found at the ball diamond stocking the kitchen and at the rink managing a team.
I have wanted to be a member of Watrous Town Council for a number of years and am excited to have the opportunity to serve a community I have been a member of for 20 years. Bringing diverse experience with me, I hope to use my level-headed and fair decision-making skills to serve my term on council.
Sean Beischer - I was born in Victoria, B.C. My family moved to Saskatchewan when I was 14 and we lived in Langham where I attended Walter W. Brown High School. After graduation, I moved to Saskatoon where I met my wife Stesha. We have two children. Jade is currently attending the U of S working towards a degree in agriculture. She teaches dance at the Hanley School of Dance and works at TB’s in her spare time. Our youngest, Tai is currently in Gr. 10 at Winston High School. He enjoys playing hockey, football, badminton and baseball. When he isn’t playing sports he works part time at Pip’s Esso and is trying to save enough money to buy his first car. I enjoy spending time with my family and can usually be found at the rink in the winter or in the summer at the ball field.
We moved to Lanigan in 2004 when I started working
at the PCS Lanigan Mine. We lived in Lanigan until 2017 when we decided to relocate to Watrous. Stesha was working in town at Nutrien Ag Solutions and drove from Lanigan for four years before we decided it was time to move. She always told me what a great community Watrous was and I was truly impressed when we came to town. We felt at home right away and have made lots of friends in our short time here. It is so impressive to see how many people are involved in all the different community groups and events. Watrous has a small town feel with big town benefits. There are so many great businesses and so much potential for more.
This community involvement is what has led me to put my name forward for town council. I personally want to become more involved in the town and be a part of our community’s continued growth. I feel that I am a good candidate for this position because I have many years of leadership experience in my current position at work. I am not scared to make hard decisions and like the challenge of solving problems. I have experience working within specific budgets, and planning personnel requirements to meet targets. Throughout my experience I have learned to listen to the issues and develop good plans to keep moving in the right direction.
I would like to thank all of our friends for welcoming us into this community and look forward to getting to know many more of you.
Gary Bergen - I was born and raised in Saskatoon and after graduation I obtained a Bachelors Degree (Saskatoon) and two Masters Degrees (San Francisco). In 1977, I married my wife Kathy and moving to Watrous in 1984, we raised our two children, Jonathan and Jennifer. We now enjoy spending time with our two granddaughters and one more who is just about here!
During my time in Watrous, I was the pastor at Watrous Baptist Church for 22 years and I continue to run a computer sales and service and graphics and website design business; something I have done for 28 years.
For about 20 years I have been involved with marketing and economic development in this area and for the last 10 years I have been involved with the establishment of the Heritage Centre in Watrous.
I was recently on Watrous Town Council for one term and during that time was appointed Chair of the Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance of Communities (MSMA), which includes Watrous and Manitou Beach.
The reason I decided to run again for council is because I have a passion for seeing this area of Watrous and Manitou Beach move forward and grow in every way, so that it is the best place in the world to live, work and visit!
Taylor Engele - My name is Taylor Engele and I am excited to be putting my name forward as a candidate for the council of the Town of Watrous. I was born and raised in Watrous and I look forward to raising my family in the place I am proud to call home. I see this opportunity to run for council as a way to learn more about my community and municipal governance, as well as a new challenge to build a stronger community.
Throughout the years I have been an active member of the community of Watrous and surrounding area. I was a member of the gym committee that helped fundraise and build the Watrous Gym & Fitness Centre. I am a past president and current member of the Watrous Kinsmen, and am on the board of directors for the Manitou Beach Golf Club. I have also been actively involved in sport around Watrous, coaching with the Winston Wildcat football team, being a member at the Manitou Beach Golf Club and a former player with the Watrous Winterhawk senior hockey club.
My professional experience consists of my current role as a regional sales manager for Meridian Manufacturing, as well as previous positions as retail sales co-ordinator with Federated Co-op and Agro manager at the Co-op in Watrous. Given this business experience, I feel my skill set makes me well-suited to be a valuable member of council.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my bio and I look for your support on Nov. 9th. I would be proud to represent you on Watrous Town Council.
Patricia Isherwood - I am Patricia Isherwood and I am running for re-election as councillor for the Town of Watrous. I have been on council for 14 years and enjoy interacting with and getting to know the people in our great town.
I was born and raised near Watrous and left after high school graduation. I retired from the federal government in 2005 as a human resources manager/adviser and returned to Watrous. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made!! I have lived all over Saskatchewan and Manitoba and am very proud to call Watrous my home!!
I currently serve, and have served, on various council committees and boards and currently represent council on the local Watrous and Area Arts Council. I am also a delegate with the Affinity Credit Union Board.
I golf, curl, attend aquasize classes and enjoy watching our local hockey and ball teams. I used to volunteer at Manitou Lodge but with COVID-19 that is no longer possible. Hopefully I can return to that in the near future.
I look forward to serving the people of Watrous as a town councillor for another four years. Thank you for your votes.
Jody Lewis - I was born and raised in Nokomis, Sask. and I moved to Watrous in the fall of 1989 and have lived here ever since. I have been involved in the community on various boards since the early 1990s, including sitting on the Manitou Beach Golf Club board of directors and a proud member of Watrous Town Council since 1997. I have also helped coach some minor ball and minor hockey teams in Watrous, and have been a player and assistant coach with the Watrous Winterhawks.
Through the last 30 plus years in Watrous I have seen this community rise to the occasion many times through fundraising and volunteer commitments, making Watrous a great place to call home. I am proud of the accomplishments and infrastructure Watrous has made to attract business ventures and create outstanding community morale.
I am honoured to put my name forward for another term as a councillor for the Town of Watrous, and continue to help grow our community. Thank you for your support.
Lane Manson - I was born and raised in Watrous and have been a business owner in the community for the past 12 years. After a career in hockey, I decided to return to the community where I grew up in and not only began operating a few businesses but have put down roots here as well. Since I returned to Watrous, I have been involved with the Watrous Winterhawks senior hockey team and numerous fundraisers. In addition, I was directly involved with the original gym committee to have a gym started in town. And I have also been a member at large on the Watrous Recreation Board for the past 10 years.
I am running for council to try to keep Watrous a place that is great to work, do business and raise a family.
Jean Margetts - I have lived in Watrous for the past 10 years and have been a town councillor for seven of those years. I was an employee at Watrous Shop Easy before it closed and now I run the REACT Transfer Station at Watrous.
I have been involved within the community for a number of years. In addition to being a councillor, I am chairperson and Town of Watrous representative for Wheatland Library in Watrous, I sit on the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Board as a Town of Watrous representative, and am on the REACT Waste Management Board in Humboldt as a Town of Watrous representative.
I enjoy meeting people, spending time with my grandchildren, reading, fishing and baking.
I decided to run for council for another term because I enjoy the community of Watrous as I find it a safe and friendly place to live and do business in.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 19, 2020
WES students enjoy new play structure
Daniel Bushman
With a lot of hard work, dedication, and tremendous support from the community, students at Watrous Elementary School can now enjoy a new play structure.
After removing an aging play structure and several old climbers last year, the school began fundraising for a three phase playground project. Watrous Elementary School Vice Principal Rhonda Hardy who is part of the committee garnering funds for the new equipment said, “We are thrilled to have Phase 1 installed and it is already being used by students.”
After the new pieces for Phase 1 arrived at the school in early October, work commenced and the structure was built. Heading into the Thanksgiving weekend, students and staff were all smiles as the play structure was officially installed. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, a limited number of students are able to play on the equipment each recess, but Hardy said it is just fantastic to have the new structure in place so that it can be used for years to come.
Hardy noted the installation of the playground equipment before Thanksgiving was only made possible by the generous support and labour donation from three local business owners. “Royce Dyck and his crew from Quality Plus Construction saw the project through from start to finish, providing the manpower to put the structure together. Ron Ediger and his crew from Melron Services prepared the surface, provided gravel, and covered the area with sand following the install. And Dennis Irvine was our welder on site, preparing the channeling system under the structure. We sincerely appreciate their help. We also want to acknowledge Vaughn Jones at Integra Tire for providing some workers to shovel sand following the install and to Mark and Cathy McMann, the owners of Pip’s Esso & Subway for donating sub lunches for our workers and volunteers while on site.”
Seeing the kids smiling as they enjoy the new playground structure, Hardy feels overwhelmed at how the local community has come together during this very difficult year to provide the equipment for the students at Watrous Elementary School.
“We continue to be generously supported by local and area businesses as we move towards Phases 2 and 3 of our project and recently have had some additional donations. Those funds were generously provided by Ron Ediger and Melron Services ($1,000), the Watrous Kinettes ($1,000), and we also received $ 4,000 from the BHP Community Assistance Program.”
With the extra funding, Hardy said the school is hoping to garner enough money over the next few months to be able to order equipment for Phase 2 of the project with an expected installation date of spring 2021.
Daniel Bushman
With a lot of hard work, dedication, and tremendous support from the community, students at Watrous Elementary School can now enjoy a new play structure.
After removing an aging play structure and several old climbers last year, the school began fundraising for a three phase playground project. Watrous Elementary School Vice Principal Rhonda Hardy who is part of the committee garnering funds for the new equipment said, “We are thrilled to have Phase 1 installed and it is already being used by students.”
After the new pieces for Phase 1 arrived at the school in early October, work commenced and the structure was built. Heading into the Thanksgiving weekend, students and staff were all smiles as the play structure was officially installed. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, a limited number of students are able to play on the equipment each recess, but Hardy said it is just fantastic to have the new structure in place so that it can be used for years to come.
Hardy noted the installation of the playground equipment before Thanksgiving was only made possible by the generous support and labour donation from three local business owners. “Royce Dyck and his crew from Quality Plus Construction saw the project through from start to finish, providing the manpower to put the structure together. Ron Ediger and his crew from Melron Services prepared the surface, provided gravel, and covered the area with sand following the install. And Dennis Irvine was our welder on site, preparing the channeling system under the structure. We sincerely appreciate their help. We also want to acknowledge Vaughn Jones at Integra Tire for providing some workers to shovel sand following the install and to Mark and Cathy McMann, the owners of Pip’s Esso & Subway for donating sub lunches for our workers and volunteers while on site.”
Seeing the kids smiling as they enjoy the new playground structure, Hardy feels overwhelmed at how the local community has come together during this very difficult year to provide the equipment for the students at Watrous Elementary School.
“We continue to be generously supported by local and area businesses as we move towards Phases 2 and 3 of our project and recently have had some additional donations. Those funds were generously provided by Ron Ediger and Melron Services ($1,000), the Watrous Kinettes ($1,000), and we also received $ 4,000 from the BHP Community Assistance Program.”
With the extra funding, Hardy said the school is hoping to garner enough money over the next few months to be able to order equipment for Phase 2 of the project with an expected installation date of spring 2021.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 12, 2020
Elections upcoming for some local communities and RMs
Daniel Bushman
In some communities and rural municipalities within the local area, residents will be headed to the polls to cast their vote while others had seats filled by acclamation. With a call issued for nominations and the deadline to do so arriving Oct. 7, The Watrous Manitou emailed a request to the local area communities and RMs who advertised their call for nominations to see who would be representing each as either mayor, reeve or councillor.
The following are the results from those communities and RMs able to reply before press time:
Allan: there will be an election for the mayor and councillor positions. Candidates for mayor are Justin Gunnarson and Bonnie-Lee Lewis. Those running for a spot on council include Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Dean Posnikoff, Kelly Schatz, Russell Schick, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang.
Colonsay: Tracy Yousie has been acclaimed as mayor. There will be an election for six council positions. Those running for councillors include: Gordon Buckingham, Lonnie Burns, Warren Cooper, Candice Ens, Dustin Pingert, Amanda Reiman, Andrew Sutherland, Anthony (Tony) Walliser, and Pamela Whitrow.
Drake: Peter Nicholson remains as mayor after being acclaimed. Acclaimed as councillors are Terry Willems, Rory Anderson, Erica Thiele, and Erin Richard.
Imperial: there will be an election for mayor as Edward Abrey and Marcus Arcanum have let their names stand. The following councillors have all been acclaimed: Pat Joa, Susan Parish, Ryan Kelly, Les Sainsbury, Jonathon King, and Randy Shaw.
Jansen: Albert Cardinal remains as mayor after being acclaimed. Kathy Jones, Elmer Kinzel and Matthew Brooks have been acclaimed for council positions.
Lanigan: there will be an election for both the mayor and councillor positions. Running for mayor is Kevin Armstrong and Tony Mycock. Running for the six councillor seats is Colette Baker, Marilyn Bodner, Kyle Boyko, Velda Daelick, Shelby Elke, Paul Mamer, Wendy Mehrer, Aron Renwick, and James Stephan.
Liberty: Jennifer Langlois will be mayor and a further call for nominations has been issued for two councillors.
Nokomis: David Mark has been acclaimed as mayor while Kenny Braun, Dennis Kresier, and Ken Koenig were acclaimed as councillors.
Plunkett: Mike Devine will be mayor and councillors that have been acclaimed are Justin Haines and Michael Pastor.
Simpson: Helen Wallas will be mayor and Brenda Janzen and Jim Zitaruk will be councillors with a further call for nominations issued for councillor.
Viscount: Melissa Dieno will be the mayor of Viscount after being acclaimed but there will be an election for four councillor spots as five people let their names stand. They include: Mitch Gusikoski, Dustin Gusikoski, Andrea Young, Dean Schlosser, and Karen Vishloff.
Young: the mayor of Young will be Agnes Thompson after being acclaimed. An election will take place for the councillors for four seats. Those running include Gord Anderson, Jonathan Haines, Shannon Fraser-Hansen, Bruce McIver, and Brad Mason.
Watrous: John Gunderson will be the next mayor of the community but there will be an election for the councillor seats. With six available spots, eight people have let their names stand for council. Those include: Juanita Allin, Sean Beischer, Gary Bergen, Taylor Engele, Patricia Isherwood, Jody Lewis, Lane Manson and Jean Margetts.
RM of Big Arm: Sheldon Vance will be reeve while a further call for nominations has been issued for Division One. Trevor Lewis is the councillor for Division Three, and Larry Waldow is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Colonsay: Gerald Yausie was elected reeve by acclamation, there is a further call for nominations for Division One, Duncan McVicar was acclaimed for Division Three, and Marvin Lang was acclaimed for Division Five.
RM of LeRoy: Calvin Buhs was elected reeve by acclamation, Cody Block was elected by acclamation for Division One, Tom Senko was elected by acclamation for Division Three, and Tracy Mollenbeck was elected by acclamation for Division Five.
RM of Lost River: Charles Smith was elected reeve by acclamation. Dale Walter was elected as councillor for Division One by acclamation. Karsten Frydenlund, was elected as councillor for Division Three by acclamation. Larry Sommerfeld was elected councillor for Division Five by acclamation.
RM of Morris: Robert Penrose has been acclaimed as reeve. Dale Miettinen was acclaimed as councillor for Division One, Keith Thoner was acclaimed as councillor Division Three and there will be an election for Division Five as Gordon Anderson and Jaise Currie are running.
RM of Prairie Rose: Darin Pedersen is reeve, there is a further call for nominations for Division One, Trevor Blair is councillor for Division Three, and Corey Kinzel is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Wolverine: Bryan Gibney was elected reeve. Don Williams was elected councillor for Division One. There were no nominations received for either Division Three or Division Five so a call for further nominations is being issued.
RM of Wood Creek: Glen Busse will be reeve, David Hill is the councillor for Division One, David Vanthuyne is the councillor for Division Three, and Chris Klenk is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Wreford: there will be an election for reeve as Peter Gauley and Shane Halstead have been nominated for the position. Craig Smith has been re-elected for Division One and Jeff Gingrich has been re-elected for Division three.
RM of Usborne: Jack Gibney will be reeve, Ryan Morningstar is the councillor for Division One, Howard Toews is the councillor for Division Three, and Fred Toman is the councillor for Division Five. All have been re-elected by acclamation.
Daniel Bushman
In some communities and rural municipalities within the local area, residents will be headed to the polls to cast their vote while others had seats filled by acclamation. With a call issued for nominations and the deadline to do so arriving Oct. 7, The Watrous Manitou emailed a request to the local area communities and RMs who advertised their call for nominations to see who would be representing each as either mayor, reeve or councillor.
The following are the results from those communities and RMs able to reply before press time:
Allan: there will be an election for the mayor and councillor positions. Candidates for mayor are Justin Gunnarson and Bonnie-Lee Lewis. Those running for a spot on council include Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Dean Posnikoff, Kelly Schatz, Russell Schick, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang.
Colonsay: Tracy Yousie has been acclaimed as mayor. There will be an election for six council positions. Those running for councillors include: Gordon Buckingham, Lonnie Burns, Warren Cooper, Candice Ens, Dustin Pingert, Amanda Reiman, Andrew Sutherland, Anthony (Tony) Walliser, and Pamela Whitrow.
Drake: Peter Nicholson remains as mayor after being acclaimed. Acclaimed as councillors are Terry Willems, Rory Anderson, Erica Thiele, and Erin Richard.
Imperial: there will be an election for mayor as Edward Abrey and Marcus Arcanum have let their names stand. The following councillors have all been acclaimed: Pat Joa, Susan Parish, Ryan Kelly, Les Sainsbury, Jonathon King, and Randy Shaw.
Jansen: Albert Cardinal remains as mayor after being acclaimed. Kathy Jones, Elmer Kinzel and Matthew Brooks have been acclaimed for council positions.
Lanigan: there will be an election for both the mayor and councillor positions. Running for mayor is Kevin Armstrong and Tony Mycock. Running for the six councillor seats is Colette Baker, Marilyn Bodner, Kyle Boyko, Velda Daelick, Shelby Elke, Paul Mamer, Wendy Mehrer, Aron Renwick, and James Stephan.
Liberty: Jennifer Langlois will be mayor and a further call for nominations has been issued for two councillors.
Nokomis: David Mark has been acclaimed as mayor while Kenny Braun, Dennis Kresier, and Ken Koenig were acclaimed as councillors.
Plunkett: Mike Devine will be mayor and councillors that have been acclaimed are Justin Haines and Michael Pastor.
Simpson: Helen Wallas will be mayor and Brenda Janzen and Jim Zitaruk will be councillors with a further call for nominations issued for councillor.
Viscount: Melissa Dieno will be the mayor of Viscount after being acclaimed but there will be an election for four councillor spots as five people let their names stand. They include: Mitch Gusikoski, Dustin Gusikoski, Andrea Young, Dean Schlosser, and Karen Vishloff.
Young: the mayor of Young will be Agnes Thompson after being acclaimed. An election will take place for the councillors for four seats. Those running include Gord Anderson, Jonathan Haines, Shannon Fraser-Hansen, Bruce McIver, and Brad Mason.
Watrous: John Gunderson will be the next mayor of the community but there will be an election for the councillor seats. With six available spots, eight people have let their names stand for council. Those include: Juanita Allin, Sean Beischer, Gary Bergen, Taylor Engele, Patricia Isherwood, Jody Lewis, Lane Manson and Jean Margetts.
RM of Big Arm: Sheldon Vance will be reeve while a further call for nominations has been issued for Division One. Trevor Lewis is the councillor for Division Three, and Larry Waldow is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Colonsay: Gerald Yausie was elected reeve by acclamation, there is a further call for nominations for Division One, Duncan McVicar was acclaimed for Division Three, and Marvin Lang was acclaimed for Division Five.
RM of LeRoy: Calvin Buhs was elected reeve by acclamation, Cody Block was elected by acclamation for Division One, Tom Senko was elected by acclamation for Division Three, and Tracy Mollenbeck was elected by acclamation for Division Five.
RM of Lost River: Charles Smith was elected reeve by acclamation. Dale Walter was elected as councillor for Division One by acclamation. Karsten Frydenlund, was elected as councillor for Division Three by acclamation. Larry Sommerfeld was elected councillor for Division Five by acclamation.
RM of Morris: Robert Penrose has been acclaimed as reeve. Dale Miettinen was acclaimed as councillor for Division One, Keith Thoner was acclaimed as councillor Division Three and there will be an election for Division Five as Gordon Anderson and Jaise Currie are running.
RM of Prairie Rose: Darin Pedersen is reeve, there is a further call for nominations for Division One, Trevor Blair is councillor for Division Three, and Corey Kinzel is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Wolverine: Bryan Gibney was elected reeve. Don Williams was elected councillor for Division One. There were no nominations received for either Division Three or Division Five so a call for further nominations is being issued.
RM of Wood Creek: Glen Busse will be reeve, David Hill is the councillor for Division One, David Vanthuyne is the councillor for Division Three, and Chris Klenk is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Wreford: there will be an election for reeve as Peter Gauley and Shane Halstead have been nominated for the position. Craig Smith has been re-elected for Division One and Jeff Gingrich has been re-elected for Division three.
RM of Usborne: Jack Gibney will be reeve, Ryan Morningstar is the councillor for Division One, Howard Toews is the councillor for Division Three, and Fred Toman is the councillor for Division Five. All have been re-elected by acclamation.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 5, 2020
Celebrating the WHS graduating class of 2020
Daniel Bushman
While it was not the way Winston High School’s Gr. 12 students envisioned they would be graduating, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close earlier this year, the 2019-‘20 graduating class was able to celebrate with a parade in June before having a ceremony at the Jubilee Drive-In Sept. 26.
After schools around the province closed in spring, WHS principal Terry Braman promised the grad class there would be a ceremony later in the year. Along with teachers Lori Bartko and Lee Bells, the three were able to secure the drive-in at Manitou Beach for graduates wanting to participate in a formal and socially distanced ceremony.
With families sitting in hubs near the stage, a projector beamed images of the ceremony on the big screen as close family and friends watched and listened from inside their vehicles. Now onto the next part of their journey in life, just over 20 of the 39 members of the graduating class were in attendance for the big evening.
Led by chairperson and teacher Steve Armstrong who noted how unique it was to be able to have a graduation program at one of a handful of drive-ins in Saskatchewan, the program got underway with graduates Jessica Stokke and Emily Fossen singing O Canada.
Horizon School Division CEO and Director of Education Kevin Garinger was also in attendance and gave a message to the class. Noting how remarkable the event was, he said it was his 11th grad he had attended outdoors this year. On behalf of the school division board and local school board trustee Jennifer Lemke, Garinger brought greetings and listed a number of events that people have already endured in 2020. Talking about storms, Garinger recalled travelling to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and how the tour guide said when a person has lost everything, they can forget how important people are in their lives.
“This virus has taught us a lot,” said Garinger reflecting on how students were unable to finish their year at school. “For others, they have lost employment and for some, life.”
Garinger continued by stating throughout the pandemic it has also allowed people to gain so much like being able to spend more time with family and cherishing the little things in life. “In this time of COVID, you have endured such challenges . . . you have endured and faced incredible things in your lives.”
Despite the hurdles, Garinger concluded by saying parents, families, the community, and school division believe in the students, who can do anything they want to if they put their minds to it.
Following Garinger’s message, WHS principal Terry Braman provided a few words to the graduating class.
“This has been anything but an easy road to get to this night,” he said. “Finally, I would like to welcome everyone to Winston High School grad. I am thankful for this night and know how fortunate we are to have it.”
Recalling significant memories from the past school year, Braman noted the importance of academics and hosting SSLC at the school and within the community. “When we hosted SSLC you put yourselves all in and did something bigger than yourselves. It is an honour to call you all Wildcats . . . We do miss you but most importantly we believe in you.”
After Braman’s message, graduate Jessica Stokke delivered a tribute to the parents. Thanking everyone for attending the ceremony, Stokke thanked the parents and noted how blessed the graduates are to have them. “In successes they cheer us on and in failures they pick us up . . . you’ve always made us feel safe and loved.”
Responding to her daughter’s tribute, Terilee Stokke represented the parents, stating what an honour it was to talk to the class. “You taught us more than you can imagine . . . we are incredibly proud of you.”
Listing off the numerous qualities of the 2020 class including how kind and generous they are, Stokke provided a few pieces of advice: stay curious and keep learning; pursue what you love; be flexible; be resilient; be yourself; and never forget where you came from.
Graduate Jaz Lin Deneiko followed Terilee with a tribute to the teachers. Reminiscing about a joke played on the students by the teachers from her elementary school days for April Fools’ Day, Jaz Lin said how thankful the graduates were of their teachers, both from the elementary school and high school.
“We are so grateful for everything the teachers have done.”
Providing a response through a video recording, teacher Kristin Carlson who is currently at home on maternity leave said she was excited to share in the graduates special day. Carlson hopes that the graduates will be able to use the skills impressed upon them throughout their elementary and high school days and reach their full potential.
“You have also taught us many lessons as well and have shown perseverance and determination.”
Giving the tribute to the graduates was teacher Barry Croshaw. Retiring at the end of the last school year, Croshaw is back at Winston High School filling in and provided a very humourous tribute before ending on a serious note.
“This group is very talented . . . they have a wide array of interests and goals. They have a passion for empathy and understanding and want to be an engaging group.”
Knowing the 2020 graduates are ready to take the next step of their journey, Croshaw was honoured to be in attendance and deliver the tribute to the class.
“The time away from school and away from your friends shows perseverance and character. You did miss out on a portion of your senior year and I do feel bad for you. You took it in stride and kept going and handled it well. You overcame obstacles and it has been an honour to coach, teach and work with you.”
The tribute to education was given by graduate Emily Fossen who appreciated Horizon School Division playing a huge role in the lives of the students. “Thank you for your guidance and for being here.”
Fossen also noted how parents and grandparents have made a significant impact over the years and how students were listening to them even if they thought they weren’t.
Thinking about Watrous Elementary School’s theme of: ‘Be the best you can be,’ Fossen said that advice has always resonated with her. The former WHS student also talked about hosting SSLC and how the staff supported the students every step of the way as they welcomed hundreds of students and delegates to the community.
Emily was followed by her mom Andrea as she provided the response. “This is a class to truly celebrate,” said Andrea. Appreciating the honour to provide a speech, Fossen talked about paddling through life and sometimes people may feel exhausted along the way.
Noting there are times to know when to lead and when to follow, she also highlighted the images of a windshield and a rear view mirror. Andrea stated the windshield is much larger to look forward through instead of watching behind you in your smaller rear view mirror. “The future ahead of you is big and bright.”
Graduate Sophie Bartko shared the tribute to the community and how important community has been to each graduate. Explaining how the area came together to support the high school when SSLC was held, Bartko said it was tremendous to have people behind them each step of the way.
“When we asked for support from the community, we were able to find homes for 800 students. We were able to feed them all and through that experience it taught us to
give back . . . the community has made us feel like celebrities during our Christmas concerts and our community has shown us what hard work can do.”
Teacher and Watrous resident Lindsay Crittenden then gave the response and was appreciative of the former students and how generous they are. “You understood community and what stands out is that you are all ready to give back when you are asked. You recognize what community means . . . this class has selflessly demonstrated how to volunteer time and time again . . . you will do amazing things.”
A powerpoint presentation followed Crittenden as images of each graduate were shown on the big screen. Graduates Ally Tatum, Emily Thomas and Bailee Wilson-Manz provided information about each of their former classmates.
After the presentation, former teacher Denise Thoner was announced as the guest speaker. Thoner who taught for a number of years in Watrous was honoured to give the speech and provided the 2020 grads with a few rules for life. Going off of Jordan B. Peterson’s 12 Rules For Life, Thoner gave her own to the grads:
• Stand up straight with your shoulders straight. “Don’t slouch . . . show them what you have inside.”
• Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping. “Caring for yourself has a ripple effect.”
• Make friends with people who want the best for you.
• Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to someone else. “Comparison is meaningless and not helpful. Make small changes and reach higher and higher.”
• Set your room in perfect order before you criticize the world.
• Tell the truth or at least don’t lie.
• Pet a cat when you encounter one on a street. “. . . keep your eyes open for the little things that are worthwhile. Congratulations grads. Know that people in your community will always be there for you.”
Thoner concluded by adding that winning doesn’t always mean coming in first but rather doing better than you did before.
After Denise’s speech, graduate Carson Bells who was chosen as the valedictorian spoke on the importance of family, friends and teachers while recalling fun memories of the past.
After a few laughs, Bells said everyone has faced challenges during the pandemic including his class who was robbed of finishing their year at school because of it. “It was not easy. It was not fun and it was hard being cut off from our friends. It feels like we endured a lot.”
However, despite the pandemic, Carson said one bad year does not erase the memories of the years previous. “It is time to move on and this year is nothing but a speed bump.”
After Bells delivered the valedictorian speech, Braman used a couple of sanitized hockey sticks with a foam hand on them to congratulate each graduate as they took their scrolls. Socially distancing on the podium, one by one each graduate walked across the stage before Armstrong wrapped up the ceremonies and thanked everyone who attended.
While not all at the Friday evening ceremony, the 2020 WHS graduates include: Kaleb Afseth, Griffin Andreas, Ruby Andrews, Sophie Bartko, Carson Bells, Colby Blandin, Vahn Boldt, James Born, Christopher Buggy, Alex Chen, Justin Demmans, Jaz Lin Deneiko, Trygve Downer, Mason Edwards, Clint Fernandez, Emily Fossen, Zak Freeman, Jayme Galan, Emma Gregg, Cole Maine, Utkarsh Mandhotra, Sarah Martens, Lexi Martin, Nick Mehlmann, Roschyel Mendoza, Autumn Odne, Bethany Pratchler, Colby Reichert, Landen Rondeau, Tanner Sperling, Ashleigh Stewart, Jessica Stokke, Levi Sutherland, Ally Tatum, Emily Thomas, Ethan Todd, Walker Vanthuyne, Bailee Wilson-Manz, and Cassidy Yanoshewski.
To see photos of the 2020 graduates from Winston High School, check out the May 18 edition of The Watrous Manitou.
Daniel Bushman
While it was not the way Winston High School’s Gr. 12 students envisioned they would be graduating, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close earlier this year, the 2019-‘20 graduating class was able to celebrate with a parade in June before having a ceremony at the Jubilee Drive-In Sept. 26.
After schools around the province closed in spring, WHS principal Terry Braman promised the grad class there would be a ceremony later in the year. Along with teachers Lori Bartko and Lee Bells, the three were able to secure the drive-in at Manitou Beach for graduates wanting to participate in a formal and socially distanced ceremony.
With families sitting in hubs near the stage, a projector beamed images of the ceremony on the big screen as close family and friends watched and listened from inside their vehicles. Now onto the next part of their journey in life, just over 20 of the 39 members of the graduating class were in attendance for the big evening.
Led by chairperson and teacher Steve Armstrong who noted how unique it was to be able to have a graduation program at one of a handful of drive-ins in Saskatchewan, the program got underway with graduates Jessica Stokke and Emily Fossen singing O Canada.
Horizon School Division CEO and Director of Education Kevin Garinger was also in attendance and gave a message to the class. Noting how remarkable the event was, he said it was his 11th grad he had attended outdoors this year. On behalf of the school division board and local school board trustee Jennifer Lemke, Garinger brought greetings and listed a number of events that people have already endured in 2020. Talking about storms, Garinger recalled travelling to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and how the tour guide said when a person has lost everything, they can forget how important people are in their lives.
“This virus has taught us a lot,” said Garinger reflecting on how students were unable to finish their year at school. “For others, they have lost employment and for some, life.”
Garinger continued by stating throughout the pandemic it has also allowed people to gain so much like being able to spend more time with family and cherishing the little things in life. “In this time of COVID, you have endured such challenges . . . you have endured and faced incredible things in your lives.”
Despite the hurdles, Garinger concluded by saying parents, families, the community, and school division believe in the students, who can do anything they want to if they put their minds to it.
Following Garinger’s message, WHS principal Terry Braman provided a few words to the graduating class.
“This has been anything but an easy road to get to this night,” he said. “Finally, I would like to welcome everyone to Winston High School grad. I am thankful for this night and know how fortunate we are to have it.”
Recalling significant memories from the past school year, Braman noted the importance of academics and hosting SSLC at the school and within the community. “When we hosted SSLC you put yourselves all in and did something bigger than yourselves. It is an honour to call you all Wildcats . . . We do miss you but most importantly we believe in you.”
After Braman’s message, graduate Jessica Stokke delivered a tribute to the parents. Thanking everyone for attending the ceremony, Stokke thanked the parents and noted how blessed the graduates are to have them. “In successes they cheer us on and in failures they pick us up . . . you’ve always made us feel safe and loved.”
Responding to her daughter’s tribute, Terilee Stokke represented the parents, stating what an honour it was to talk to the class. “You taught us more than you can imagine . . . we are incredibly proud of you.”
Listing off the numerous qualities of the 2020 class including how kind and generous they are, Stokke provided a few pieces of advice: stay curious and keep learning; pursue what you love; be flexible; be resilient; be yourself; and never forget where you came from.
Graduate Jaz Lin Deneiko followed Terilee with a tribute to the teachers. Reminiscing about a joke played on the students by the teachers from her elementary school days for April Fools’ Day, Jaz Lin said how thankful the graduates were of their teachers, both from the elementary school and high school.
“We are so grateful for everything the teachers have done.”
Providing a response through a video recording, teacher Kristin Carlson who is currently at home on maternity leave said she was excited to share in the graduates special day. Carlson hopes that the graduates will be able to use the skills impressed upon them throughout their elementary and high school days and reach their full potential.
“You have also taught us many lessons as well and have shown perseverance and determination.”
Giving the tribute to the graduates was teacher Barry Croshaw. Retiring at the end of the last school year, Croshaw is back at Winston High School filling in and provided a very humourous tribute before ending on a serious note.
“This group is very talented . . . they have a wide array of interests and goals. They have a passion for empathy and understanding and want to be an engaging group.”
Knowing the 2020 graduates are ready to take the next step of their journey, Croshaw was honoured to be in attendance and deliver the tribute to the class.
“The time away from school and away from your friends shows perseverance and character. You did miss out on a portion of your senior year and I do feel bad for you. You took it in stride and kept going and handled it well. You overcame obstacles and it has been an honour to coach, teach and work with you.”
The tribute to education was given by graduate Emily Fossen who appreciated Horizon School Division playing a huge role in the lives of the students. “Thank you for your guidance and for being here.”
Fossen also noted how parents and grandparents have made a significant impact over the years and how students were listening to them even if they thought they weren’t.
Thinking about Watrous Elementary School’s theme of: ‘Be the best you can be,’ Fossen said that advice has always resonated with her. The former WHS student also talked about hosting SSLC and how the staff supported the students every step of the way as they welcomed hundreds of students and delegates to the community.
Emily was followed by her mom Andrea as she provided the response. “This is a class to truly celebrate,” said Andrea. Appreciating the honour to provide a speech, Fossen talked about paddling through life and sometimes people may feel exhausted along the way.
Noting there are times to know when to lead and when to follow, she also highlighted the images of a windshield and a rear view mirror. Andrea stated the windshield is much larger to look forward through instead of watching behind you in your smaller rear view mirror. “The future ahead of you is big and bright.”
Graduate Sophie Bartko shared the tribute to the community and how important community has been to each graduate. Explaining how the area came together to support the high school when SSLC was held, Bartko said it was tremendous to have people behind them each step of the way.
“When we asked for support from the community, we were able to find homes for 800 students. We were able to feed them all and through that experience it taught us to
give back . . . the community has made us feel like celebrities during our Christmas concerts and our community has shown us what hard work can do.”
Teacher and Watrous resident Lindsay Crittenden then gave the response and was appreciative of the former students and how generous they are. “You understood community and what stands out is that you are all ready to give back when you are asked. You recognize what community means . . . this class has selflessly demonstrated how to volunteer time and time again . . . you will do amazing things.”
A powerpoint presentation followed Crittenden as images of each graduate were shown on the big screen. Graduates Ally Tatum, Emily Thomas and Bailee Wilson-Manz provided information about each of their former classmates.
After the presentation, former teacher Denise Thoner was announced as the guest speaker. Thoner who taught for a number of years in Watrous was honoured to give the speech and provided the 2020 grads with a few rules for life. Going off of Jordan B. Peterson’s 12 Rules For Life, Thoner gave her own to the grads:
• Stand up straight with your shoulders straight. “Don’t slouch . . . show them what you have inside.”
• Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping. “Caring for yourself has a ripple effect.”
• Make friends with people who want the best for you.
• Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to someone else. “Comparison is meaningless and not helpful. Make small changes and reach higher and higher.”
• Set your room in perfect order before you criticize the world.
• Tell the truth or at least don’t lie.
• Pet a cat when you encounter one on a street. “. . . keep your eyes open for the little things that are worthwhile. Congratulations grads. Know that people in your community will always be there for you.”
Thoner concluded by adding that winning doesn’t always mean coming in first but rather doing better than you did before.
After Denise’s speech, graduate Carson Bells who was chosen as the valedictorian spoke on the importance of family, friends and teachers while recalling fun memories of the past.
After a few laughs, Bells said everyone has faced challenges during the pandemic including his class who was robbed of finishing their year at school because of it. “It was not easy. It was not fun and it was hard being cut off from our friends. It feels like we endured a lot.”
However, despite the pandemic, Carson said one bad year does not erase the memories of the years previous. “It is time to move on and this year is nothing but a speed bump.”
After Bells delivered the valedictorian speech, Braman used a couple of sanitized hockey sticks with a foam hand on them to congratulate each graduate as they took their scrolls. Socially distancing on the podium, one by one each graduate walked across the stage before Armstrong wrapped up the ceremonies and thanked everyone who attended.
While not all at the Friday evening ceremony, the 2020 WHS graduates include: Kaleb Afseth, Griffin Andreas, Ruby Andrews, Sophie Bartko, Carson Bells, Colby Blandin, Vahn Boldt, James Born, Christopher Buggy, Alex Chen, Justin Demmans, Jaz Lin Deneiko, Trygve Downer, Mason Edwards, Clint Fernandez, Emily Fossen, Zak Freeman, Jayme Galan, Emma Gregg, Cole Maine, Utkarsh Mandhotra, Sarah Martens, Lexi Martin, Nick Mehlmann, Roschyel Mendoza, Autumn Odne, Bethany Pratchler, Colby Reichert, Landen Rondeau, Tanner Sperling, Ashleigh Stewart, Jessica Stokke, Levi Sutherland, Ally Tatum, Emily Thomas, Ethan Todd, Walker Vanthuyne, Bailee Wilson-Manz, and Cassidy Yanoshewski.
To see photos of the 2020 graduates from Winston High School, check out the May 18 edition of The Watrous Manitou.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 28 2020
DMH celebrates 20 years in business
Daniel Bushman
Serving the community of Watrous and surrounding area with a priority on customer service and quality, DMH Plumbing and Heating Ltd. marked a milestone earlier this month.
Officially launching Sept. 1, 2000, Darren and Tammy Holmes have grown their business from small beginnings to serving Watrous and customers within a 100 km radius.
“Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude to our customers over the past 20 years. It is overwhelming to look back on,” said Tammy. “We have definitely worked very hard over the years to get to where we are.”
While Holmes said they have experienced challenges, ups and downs, and highs and lows over the years, the amazing support and loyalty of their customer base has sustained their business and kept its foundation strong. “We would not be where we are without them and for that we are so very grateful.”
After working for a few years for Murray Hanson of Hanson’s Plumbing and Heating, Darren Holmes took over the business and began operating under DMH Plumbing and Heating Ltd.
Starting in the same building where their shop is currently located in Watrous (102 - 3rd Ave. W.), Tammy explained when they moved in, the facility was just a shell of a building with no heat and power and only the front portion of the building existed. “Lorne Jones owned the building and we rented a quarter of the space. The rest of the building was used by Melvin Odne who was running Dumont Appliances.”
As DMH grew, the need for more space became evident. Darren and Tammy soon approached Jones and after renting the space for about a year, they bought the building. Adding heat, power and constructing a large addition on the back of the place to use as a shop, DMH continued to expand. While staff have come and gone over the years, they have maintained around four to five employees.
“Along with myself and Darren we have Ben Williams who is a journeyman plumber/gas fitter and he has been employed with DMH for over 11 years. We have also brought in Zach Cross who is a plumbing apprentice and has been employed with us for two years. DMH has always believed and supported the Sask Apprenticeship Program, sponsoring all of our employees through education and trade experience to obtain their journeymans status, which is a five year process.”
Being able to provide services related to all aspects of plumbing and heating, Tammy noted DMH also offers a whole host of other services including: new installations, new construction, repairs and maintenance of plumbing systems, heating, hydronic systems, air conditioning, gas fitting, water heaters, air purification systems, roto rooter, and financing. “We have been a SaskEnergy Network Member for almost 20 years as well and provide all of the SaskEnergy services for our community.”
With the ability to cater to customers in the local area while providing a myriad of services, Holmes said people can utilize the company’s skill set because of “our experience, knowledge, professional quality workmanship and products. We have always been dedicated to providing the best possible customer service and workmanship that we can. We are reliable, trustworthy, fair and honest. We take the utmost pride in our work and service.”
Reflecting back over the past two decades and focusing ahead on the future, both Darren and Tammy said they love the community and could not imagine being anywhere else.
“We are so blessed and fortunate to call Watrous home. Looking back through the years, even when things got a bit tough business wise, there was never a thought in our minds of moving to another community, or doing anything else. This is where our hearts are! We have developed many treasured relationships with our customers which have developed into friendships. We have also created friendships with other great businesses in town and with our community as a whole. This place is like an extended family and our home!”
While Holmes admits this year has brought on another set of challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple still see a bright future. “We look forward to continuing to provide our services with your support for years to come. We wouldn’t be DMH without you, our customers, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude.”
Daniel Bushman
Serving the community of Watrous and surrounding area with a priority on customer service and quality, DMH Plumbing and Heating Ltd. marked a milestone earlier this month.
Officially launching Sept. 1, 2000, Darren and Tammy Holmes have grown their business from small beginnings to serving Watrous and customers within a 100 km radius.
“Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude to our customers over the past 20 years. It is overwhelming to look back on,” said Tammy. “We have definitely worked very hard over the years to get to where we are.”
While Holmes said they have experienced challenges, ups and downs, and highs and lows over the years, the amazing support and loyalty of their customer base has sustained their business and kept its foundation strong. “We would not be where we are without them and for that we are so very grateful.”
After working for a few years for Murray Hanson of Hanson’s Plumbing and Heating, Darren Holmes took over the business and began operating under DMH Plumbing and Heating Ltd.
Starting in the same building where their shop is currently located in Watrous (102 - 3rd Ave. W.), Tammy explained when they moved in, the facility was just a shell of a building with no heat and power and only the front portion of the building existed. “Lorne Jones owned the building and we rented a quarter of the space. The rest of the building was used by Melvin Odne who was running Dumont Appliances.”
As DMH grew, the need for more space became evident. Darren and Tammy soon approached Jones and after renting the space for about a year, they bought the building. Adding heat, power and constructing a large addition on the back of the place to use as a shop, DMH continued to expand. While staff have come and gone over the years, they have maintained around four to five employees.
“Along with myself and Darren we have Ben Williams who is a journeyman plumber/gas fitter and he has been employed with DMH for over 11 years. We have also brought in Zach Cross who is a plumbing apprentice and has been employed with us for two years. DMH has always believed and supported the Sask Apprenticeship Program, sponsoring all of our employees through education and trade experience to obtain their journeymans status, which is a five year process.”
Being able to provide services related to all aspects of plumbing and heating, Tammy noted DMH also offers a whole host of other services including: new installations, new construction, repairs and maintenance of plumbing systems, heating, hydronic systems, air conditioning, gas fitting, water heaters, air purification systems, roto rooter, and financing. “We have been a SaskEnergy Network Member for almost 20 years as well and provide all of the SaskEnergy services for our community.”
With the ability to cater to customers in the local area while providing a myriad of services, Holmes said people can utilize the company’s skill set because of “our experience, knowledge, professional quality workmanship and products. We have always been dedicated to providing the best possible customer service and workmanship that we can. We are reliable, trustworthy, fair and honest. We take the utmost pride in our work and service.”
Reflecting back over the past two decades and focusing ahead on the future, both Darren and Tammy said they love the community and could not imagine being anywhere else.
“We are so blessed and fortunate to call Watrous home. Looking back through the years, even when things got a bit tough business wise, there was never a thought in our minds of moving to another community, or doing anything else. This is where our hearts are! We have developed many treasured relationships with our customers which have developed into friendships. We have also created friendships with other great businesses in town and with our community as a whole. This place is like an extended family and our home!”
While Holmes admits this year has brought on another set of challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple still see a bright future. “We look forward to continuing to provide our services with your support for years to come. We wouldn’t be DMH without you, our customers, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 21, 2020
Marketing Group hires new CDO
Daniel Bushman
After growing up in Young before obtaining a wealth of knowledge within the field of tourism, the new community development officer (CDO) with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has returned to her roots.
Officially taking on the role of CDO Sept. 1, Vickie Clarke said it has been going good. “Everybody has been really welcoming. A lot of people have been calling and saying, ‘We are excited to have you and we really want to work with you.’ The dynamics I have noticed have really changed since I was here last. The whole vibe at Manitou Beach is very uplifting and there is a lot more within the arts scene going on. With Watrous, there is so much more economically going on and a lot to work off of. That is really nice.”
Taking over from Brendan Manz as the new CDO, Clarke appreciated the work that has already been done over the past 10 years. “That was the really nice thing about coming into this role. Brendan really built the foundation that is here now for me and I can use it like a springboard. We can now build on what he has already done because it was a lot of really good work and I say that with all sincerity because I have seen other destination areas not do as well. That says a lot about the community and it says a lot about the leadership and how it is structured.”
Watrous Town Councillor and Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Board Chair John Gunderson was pleased that they were able to bring in someone like Clarke to take on the CDO role. With about 30 applications for the job, Gunderson noted there were a number with very good qualifications.
“In terms of the tourism aspect, I think our area is well respected in some of the things that our marketing group has done. We have been around for 10 years and I think we have made some huge strides in improving things in the area. Brendan did a great job and we will continue along that path and continue to improve.”
Since she grew up within the area, Vickie knows it well. In fact, her first job out of college was being the Recreation Director in Watrous. Planning to be in that position for a year, Clarke who already had a recreation diploma at that point then headed to the University of Regina where she obtained a Degree in Recreation with a Minor in Tourism. From there, she started a tour company which she had for the past 24 years. For 18 of those years, Clarke taught in the recreation and community development program at Saskatchewan Polytech with one of her students being Manz. While teaching, Clarke also received a Masters in Tourism from Royal Roads University out of Victoria, B.C. and she hopes to put all of her academic skills and experiences to good use as the local CDO.
“The nice part of all of that is that in the last 20 years I have been really involved in the tourism industry working with Tourism Saskatchewan, Tourism Saskatoon, and Tourism Regina. It is a nice background to have to come into this job.”
Looking to put her own stamp on things as the marketing group’s new CDO, Clarke is eager to build off of the foundation already laid out before her. “I am looking forward to utilizing initiatives from Tourism Saskatchewan that I’ve been a part of and can bring here. Things like building more tourism packages and more tourism offerings. There is such an opportunity because of the talented people in the area, not just at the beach but at Watrous and surrounding area.
“It is really nice to be able to come into a job like this that is so dynamic to be able to say I think we should be able to do this and bring your expertise to that. I am super excited and just the energy of the people lends to that. Things are happening here like different things at the beach and the new Heritage Centre so there are things that show we are continuing to build.”
Daniel Bushman
After growing up in Young before obtaining a wealth of knowledge within the field of tourism, the new community development officer (CDO) with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has returned to her roots.
Officially taking on the role of CDO Sept. 1, Vickie Clarke said it has been going good. “Everybody has been really welcoming. A lot of people have been calling and saying, ‘We are excited to have you and we really want to work with you.’ The dynamics I have noticed have really changed since I was here last. The whole vibe at Manitou Beach is very uplifting and there is a lot more within the arts scene going on. With Watrous, there is so much more economically going on and a lot to work off of. That is really nice.”
Taking over from Brendan Manz as the new CDO, Clarke appreciated the work that has already been done over the past 10 years. “That was the really nice thing about coming into this role. Brendan really built the foundation that is here now for me and I can use it like a springboard. We can now build on what he has already done because it was a lot of really good work and I say that with all sincerity because I have seen other destination areas not do as well. That says a lot about the community and it says a lot about the leadership and how it is structured.”
Watrous Town Councillor and Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Board Chair John Gunderson was pleased that they were able to bring in someone like Clarke to take on the CDO role. With about 30 applications for the job, Gunderson noted there were a number with very good qualifications.
“In terms of the tourism aspect, I think our area is well respected in some of the things that our marketing group has done. We have been around for 10 years and I think we have made some huge strides in improving things in the area. Brendan did a great job and we will continue along that path and continue to improve.”
Since she grew up within the area, Vickie knows it well. In fact, her first job out of college was being the Recreation Director in Watrous. Planning to be in that position for a year, Clarke who already had a recreation diploma at that point then headed to the University of Regina where she obtained a Degree in Recreation with a Minor in Tourism. From there, she started a tour company which she had for the past 24 years. For 18 of those years, Clarke taught in the recreation and community development program at Saskatchewan Polytech with one of her students being Manz. While teaching, Clarke also received a Masters in Tourism from Royal Roads University out of Victoria, B.C. and she hopes to put all of her academic skills and experiences to good use as the local CDO.
“The nice part of all of that is that in the last 20 years I have been really involved in the tourism industry working with Tourism Saskatchewan, Tourism Saskatoon, and Tourism Regina. It is a nice background to have to come into this job.”
Looking to put her own stamp on things as the marketing group’s new CDO, Clarke is eager to build off of the foundation already laid out before her. “I am looking forward to utilizing initiatives from Tourism Saskatchewan that I’ve been a part of and can bring here. Things like building more tourism packages and more tourism offerings. There is such an opportunity because of the talented people in the area, not just at the beach but at Watrous and surrounding area.
“It is really nice to be able to come into a job like this that is so dynamic to be able to say I think we should be able to do this and bring your expertise to that. I am super excited and just the energy of the people lends to that. Things are happening here like different things at the beach and the new Heritage Centre so there are things that show we are continuing to build.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 14, 2020
Individual who tested positive for COVID-19 visited local business
Daniel Bushman
Public Health officials are asking anyone who was at the Saskatoon Co-op Watrous Food Store location on Aug. 28 between 3 and 3:30 p.m. to immediately self-isolate if they have had or currently have symptoms of COVID-19 and to call HealthLine 811 to arrange for testing.
The COVID-19 alert comes as Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said the individual who tested positive for COVID-19 was at the following businesses when they were likely infectious:
• Co-op Watrous Food Store Aug. 28 between 3 and 3:30 p.m.;
• Waskesiu Tempo at Waskesiu Lake between 1 and 1:15 p.m. Sept. 5; and
• Lake Country Co-op C-Store and Cardlock at Wakaw between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 5.
“Public Health officials are advising individuals who were at these locations on the specified dates during the specified times to immediately self-isolate if they have had or currently have symptoms of COVID-19 and to call HealthLine 811 to arrange for testing. All other individuals who are not experiencing symptoms should self monitor for 14 days. It is important to note that individuals may develop symptoms from two to 14 days following exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.”
In a release issued Sept. 8 by the Saskatoon Co-op, the company confirmed the individual who visited the food store in Watrous and tested positive for COVID-19 was not a Saskatoon Co-op team member.
In an effort to continue to keep its team members and guests safe at its Watrous location, the Saskatoon Co-op stated: “The health and safety of our team members and our guests is our priority, and our response to the pandemic includes diligent sanitation practices, physical barriers and social distancing in our locations.
“Many of the practices we have adopted over the past few months exceed the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. We have and will continue to encourage our team members to stay home if unwell, and seek testing if experiencing symptoms.”
“We care greatly for the communities we work and live in and as a local, member-owned business, we take the responsibility to protect our communities seriously. We will continue to share how we are responding to the pandemic through the COVID-19 response page at SaskatoonCoop.ca, and will keep monitoring, evaluating, and enhancing this response as our environments continue to change. Thank you for your diligence, support, and care for each other as we all take the necessary steps to keep our communities safe.”
On the same day the COVID-19 alert was issued pertaining to Watrous, Waskesiu and Wakaw, a second one was released by SHA for another individual who tested positive for COVID-19 but was at Happy Hour Liquor in Pilot Butte between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Sept. 2.
While SHA could not release information regarding if the person at the Watrous food store resided in the area or was a traveller passing through, as of Sept. 8 when the COVID-19 alerts were issued, the Health Sub-Zone of Central East 1 which includes Watrous had no new or active cases. That also held true Sept. 9 and 10 within the Central East 1 sub-zone.
Along with Watrous other communities located within the Health Sub-Zone of Central East 1 included: Alice Beach, Annaheim, Bruno, Bulyea, Chamberlain, Dilke, Drake, Duval, Englefeld, Etters Beach, Glen Harbour, Grandview Beach, Govan, Holdfast, Humboldt, Imperial, Island View, Jansen, Lanigan, Lake Lenore, LeRoy, Manitou Beach, Middle Lake, Muenster, Nokomis, Pilger, Quill Lake, St. Benedict, St. Gregor, Simpson, Spalding, Strasbourg, Sunset Cove, Watrous, Watson, Wee Too Beach, Young, and Zelma.
SHA said if someone does have symptoms of COVID-19 they are to stay home and monitor themselves. Symptoms include: fever, cough, headache, muscle and/or joint aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, dizziness, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite (difficulty feeding for children), loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
To avoid getting sick, people can: keep at least two metres away from others when in public and wear a mask when that’s not possible; limit gatherings to the numbers specified in public health orders; wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
As SHA issued the alert in Watrous, on Sept. 8 there were seven new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the total to 1,669 reported cases. The new cases were located in the North Central (2), Saskatoon (1), Regina (3) and South Central (1) zones.
Of the 1,669 reported cases, 58 were considered active while a total of 1,587 people have recovered.
One person is in hospital in intensive care in Saskatoon. Of the 1,669 cases in the province: 254 cases are travellers; 838 are community contacts (including mass gatherings); 493 have no known exposures; and 84 are under investigation by local public health.
As Saskatchewan reached 1,669 total cases, nationally Canada hit 133,748. Next door in Alberta, there were 15,093 cases as of Sept. 8 while in Manitoba there were a total of 1,349. B.C. had 6,591 while Quebec led the way with 63,876 total cases and Ontario sat at 43,536.
Daniel Bushman
Public Health officials are asking anyone who was at the Saskatoon Co-op Watrous Food Store location on Aug. 28 between 3 and 3:30 p.m. to immediately self-isolate if they have had or currently have symptoms of COVID-19 and to call HealthLine 811 to arrange for testing.
The COVID-19 alert comes as Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said the individual who tested positive for COVID-19 was at the following businesses when they were likely infectious:
• Co-op Watrous Food Store Aug. 28 between 3 and 3:30 p.m.;
• Waskesiu Tempo at Waskesiu Lake between 1 and 1:15 p.m. Sept. 5; and
• Lake Country Co-op C-Store and Cardlock at Wakaw between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 5.
“Public Health officials are advising individuals who were at these locations on the specified dates during the specified times to immediately self-isolate if they have had or currently have symptoms of COVID-19 and to call HealthLine 811 to arrange for testing. All other individuals who are not experiencing symptoms should self monitor for 14 days. It is important to note that individuals may develop symptoms from two to 14 days following exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.”
In a release issued Sept. 8 by the Saskatoon Co-op, the company confirmed the individual who visited the food store in Watrous and tested positive for COVID-19 was not a Saskatoon Co-op team member.
In an effort to continue to keep its team members and guests safe at its Watrous location, the Saskatoon Co-op stated: “The health and safety of our team members and our guests is our priority, and our response to the pandemic includes diligent sanitation practices, physical barriers and social distancing in our locations.
“Many of the practices we have adopted over the past few months exceed the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. We have and will continue to encourage our team members to stay home if unwell, and seek testing if experiencing symptoms.”
“We care greatly for the communities we work and live in and as a local, member-owned business, we take the responsibility to protect our communities seriously. We will continue to share how we are responding to the pandemic through the COVID-19 response page at SaskatoonCoop.ca, and will keep monitoring, evaluating, and enhancing this response as our environments continue to change. Thank you for your diligence, support, and care for each other as we all take the necessary steps to keep our communities safe.”
On the same day the COVID-19 alert was issued pertaining to Watrous, Waskesiu and Wakaw, a second one was released by SHA for another individual who tested positive for COVID-19 but was at Happy Hour Liquor in Pilot Butte between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Sept. 2.
While SHA could not release information regarding if the person at the Watrous food store resided in the area or was a traveller passing through, as of Sept. 8 when the COVID-19 alerts were issued, the Health Sub-Zone of Central East 1 which includes Watrous had no new or active cases. That also held true Sept. 9 and 10 within the Central East 1 sub-zone.
Along with Watrous other communities located within the Health Sub-Zone of Central East 1 included: Alice Beach, Annaheim, Bruno, Bulyea, Chamberlain, Dilke, Drake, Duval, Englefeld, Etters Beach, Glen Harbour, Grandview Beach, Govan, Holdfast, Humboldt, Imperial, Island View, Jansen, Lanigan, Lake Lenore, LeRoy, Manitou Beach, Middle Lake, Muenster, Nokomis, Pilger, Quill Lake, St. Benedict, St. Gregor, Simpson, Spalding, Strasbourg, Sunset Cove, Watrous, Watson, Wee Too Beach, Young, and Zelma.
SHA said if someone does have symptoms of COVID-19 they are to stay home and monitor themselves. Symptoms include: fever, cough, headache, muscle and/or joint aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, dizziness, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite (difficulty feeding for children), loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
To avoid getting sick, people can: keep at least two metres away from others when in public and wear a mask when that’s not possible; limit gatherings to the numbers specified in public health orders; wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
As SHA issued the alert in Watrous, on Sept. 8 there were seven new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the total to 1,669 reported cases. The new cases were located in the North Central (2), Saskatoon (1), Regina (3) and South Central (1) zones.
Of the 1,669 reported cases, 58 were considered active while a total of 1,587 people have recovered.
One person is in hospital in intensive care in Saskatoon. Of the 1,669 cases in the province: 254 cases are travellers; 838 are community contacts (including mass gatherings); 493 have no known exposures; and 84 are under investigation by local public health.
As Saskatchewan reached 1,669 total cases, nationally Canada hit 133,748. Next door in Alberta, there were 15,093 cases as of Sept. 8 while in Manitoba there were a total of 1,349. B.C. had 6,591 while Quebec led the way with 63,876 total cases and Ontario sat at 43,536.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 7, 2020
Schools set to welcome back students for another year
Daniel Bushman
After an abrupt end to the 2019-‘20 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a lengthy time away from school, many students will be returning to classes Sept. 8. Preparing for their return, local principals, teachers and staff have been busy getting everything safely ready to welcome kids back to class.
With a number of guidelines being implemented at schools within local divisions, leading up to Sept. 8, Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said they have been incredibly busy preparing the school, hallways and classrooms.
“We have also been familiarizing ourselves with the return to school document with numerous guidelines and procedures. Our staff have also had numerous opportunities to collaborate together to make sure everything will be set for a safe and exciting return for our students.”
As part of the safe return to school and the classrooms within the facility, Borsa said throughout the building there is signage and reminders about being physically safe. “All of our classrooms are in the process of being set up to maximize physical distancing and will include desk barriers, hand sanitizers and the removal of fabric surfaces. There has been a return to school document created to outline all of the guidelines that will be followed. We will also send out a much shorter version with highlights of how our days will look.”
With safety being number one for both students and staff, Borsa said questions or concerns raised by parents and caregivers can be directed to either him or vice-principal Rhonda Hardy. But despite the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Borsa is looking forward to seeing the students arrive back at school. “Honestly I can’t wait to get our students back. The relationships we build with students is the best part of our job. We miss them and the buzz that school brings.”
Students arriving back to the elementary school will not only notice a few changes related to safety but also a few different faces as well. “Mr. Engele has moved over to the high school and we have a few people on leave including Mrs. Currie, Mrs. Wingrove, and Mrs. Janzen. Miss
Baade will be in Gr. 1 for the year, Mrs. Gullacher will do a short leave in Gr. 1 and Mrs. Haines will be doing a short leave in Gr. 6.”
Like at the elementary school, across the street at Winston High School, principal Terry Braman said a ton of work has gone into preparing for a new type of normal. “There will be significant changes so we have all been extremely busy putting things in place.”
As part of those changes, Braman said all students and staff will be required to wear masks and the school will include a new structured day to limit the amount of student interaction between cohorts (grades). “The safety of our students remains the first and foremost priority as it has always been. If anyone has any questions or concerns, they can contact me at the school.”
Braman noted even though it will be very different this year, he has missed the students and is excited to see them returning to school. “None of the staff enjoyed working from home because we all genuinely care about the kids and appreciate our relationships with them. It will be great to see them again.”
As far as staffing changes, the principal said the only new face to the school is Jarvis Engele as he will be joining the teaching staff, coming from the elementary school over to Winston High School.
After celebrating the graduating class of 2020 with a parade along Main Street in June, Braman said, “We are looking to organize a graduation event for our grads and their families for the end of September.”
Daniel Bushman
After an abrupt end to the 2019-‘20 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a lengthy time away from school, many students will be returning to classes Sept. 8. Preparing for their return, local principals, teachers and staff have been busy getting everything safely ready to welcome kids back to class.
With a number of guidelines being implemented at schools within local divisions, leading up to Sept. 8, Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said they have been incredibly busy preparing the school, hallways and classrooms.
“We have also been familiarizing ourselves with the return to school document with numerous guidelines and procedures. Our staff have also had numerous opportunities to collaborate together to make sure everything will be set for a safe and exciting return for our students.”
As part of the safe return to school and the classrooms within the facility, Borsa said throughout the building there is signage and reminders about being physically safe. “All of our classrooms are in the process of being set up to maximize physical distancing and will include desk barriers, hand sanitizers and the removal of fabric surfaces. There has been a return to school document created to outline all of the guidelines that will be followed. We will also send out a much shorter version with highlights of how our days will look.”
With safety being number one for both students and staff, Borsa said questions or concerns raised by parents and caregivers can be directed to either him or vice-principal Rhonda Hardy. But despite the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Borsa is looking forward to seeing the students arrive back at school. “Honestly I can’t wait to get our students back. The relationships we build with students is the best part of our job. We miss them and the buzz that school brings.”
Students arriving back to the elementary school will not only notice a few changes related to safety but also a few different faces as well. “Mr. Engele has moved over to the high school and we have a few people on leave including Mrs. Currie, Mrs. Wingrove, and Mrs. Janzen. Miss
Baade will be in Gr. 1 for the year, Mrs. Gullacher will do a short leave in Gr. 1 and Mrs. Haines will be doing a short leave in Gr. 6.”
Like at the elementary school, across the street at Winston High School, principal Terry Braman said a ton of work has gone into preparing for a new type of normal. “There will be significant changes so we have all been extremely busy putting things in place.”
As part of those changes, Braman said all students and staff will be required to wear masks and the school will include a new structured day to limit the amount of student interaction between cohorts (grades). “The safety of our students remains the first and foremost priority as it has always been. If anyone has any questions or concerns, they can contact me at the school.”
Braman noted even though it will be very different this year, he has missed the students and is excited to see them returning to school. “None of the staff enjoyed working from home because we all genuinely care about the kids and appreciate our relationships with them. It will be great to see them again.”
As far as staffing changes, the principal said the only new face to the school is Jarvis Engele as he will be joining the teaching staff, coming from the elementary school over to Winston High School.
After celebrating the graduating class of 2020 with a parade along Main Street in June, Braman said, “We are looking to organize a graduation event for our grads and their families for the end of September.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 31, 2020
Community rallies together to bring in playground equipment for WES
Daniel Bushman
With tremendous support from residents of Watrous, local businesses and through a number of events and fundraisers, Watrous Elementary School is moving ahead with Phase 1 of its new playground.
After safety concerns were raised and previous equipment on the school grounds was subsequently torn down in September 2019, staff at Watrous Elementary School along with the School Community Council (SCC) began garnering funds to purchase new structures.
Needing to raise between $113,000 and $114,000 for the entire project, Vice Principal at Watrous Elementary School Rhonda Hardy said, “During the winter months our staff and SCC were able to host several events to raise money for our playground including our Family Movie Night, the Christmas Basket Raffles, and our Community Bingo. In addition, we received several donations from local businesses and community members. Then everything shut down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic leaving us $25,000 short for Phase 1.”
With the pandemic reaching Saskatchewan and schools shutting down for the remainder of the 2019-‘20 school year, Hardy said staff were unsure if a new structure would be installed for the following year. However with incredible support from local businesses over the summer months and additional funds approved by Watrous Town Council, Hardy added they are now able to break ground.
In addition to the donations received heading into summer, Hardy said Richardson Pioneer (Nokomis Branch) recently donated $15,000 while Quality Plus Construction provided $10,000. Then this past week, Watrous Town Council approved $10,000 in funding to support the project. “These generous donations in addition to our fundraising and donations received before the pandemic will enable us to order a large play structure worth $66,000. Our community of Watrous has been very supportive even during these difficult times. There were so many businesses who donated prizes and monetary donations prior to COVID. We also created a few partnerships and fundraising opportunities that had to be put on hold due to COVID restrictions. We hope to be able to continue our efforts in the near future and add Phase 2 and Phase 3 to our playground.”
It is estimated that the structure will be installed the first week in October, so we are very hopeful that our fall weather cooperates. Hardy is hopeful to have the larger play structure installed as part of the first phase and enjoyed by students before winter. Phase 2 and Phase 3 which would include additional equipment would be installed as the funds are raised.
“Quality Plus Construction has generously donated some labour and we know we can count on community members if and when we need additional assistance with setup.”
With the overwhelming support, Hardy said the school along with the SCC feel very blessed to offer students a brand new structure to play on this fall. “With many grants and fundraisers unable to be realized this spring and summer, we were getting very worried our students may have to go without a playground for a second year in a row.”
While the new playground equipment will be thoroughly enjoyed by students, COVID guidelines have been put in place by Horizon School Division and the provincial government. Hardy stated that these restrictions include mandated staggered recesses and designated specific areas where each group of students must play while social distancing.
“Having Phase 1 of our playground plan ordered and installed will ensure we have enough options for our students to play on when enjoying recess outside. Once again we are sincerely grateful to our local businesses and community members who donated prizes and monetary donations, attended our fundraising events, and volunteered their time to make this first phase of this playground a reality for our students at Watrous Elementary! We can’t wait to get it in place for them.”
Daniel Bushman
With tremendous support from residents of Watrous, local businesses and through a number of events and fundraisers, Watrous Elementary School is moving ahead with Phase 1 of its new playground.
After safety concerns were raised and previous equipment on the school grounds was subsequently torn down in September 2019, staff at Watrous Elementary School along with the School Community Council (SCC) began garnering funds to purchase new structures.
Needing to raise between $113,000 and $114,000 for the entire project, Vice Principal at Watrous Elementary School Rhonda Hardy said, “During the winter months our staff and SCC were able to host several events to raise money for our playground including our Family Movie Night, the Christmas Basket Raffles, and our Community Bingo. In addition, we received several donations from local businesses and community members. Then everything shut down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic leaving us $25,000 short for Phase 1.”
With the pandemic reaching Saskatchewan and schools shutting down for the remainder of the 2019-‘20 school year, Hardy said staff were unsure if a new structure would be installed for the following year. However with incredible support from local businesses over the summer months and additional funds approved by Watrous Town Council, Hardy added they are now able to break ground.
In addition to the donations received heading into summer, Hardy said Richardson Pioneer (Nokomis Branch) recently donated $15,000 while Quality Plus Construction provided $10,000. Then this past week, Watrous Town Council approved $10,000 in funding to support the project. “These generous donations in addition to our fundraising and donations received before the pandemic will enable us to order a large play structure worth $66,000. Our community of Watrous has been very supportive even during these difficult times. There were so many businesses who donated prizes and monetary donations prior to COVID. We also created a few partnerships and fundraising opportunities that had to be put on hold due to COVID restrictions. We hope to be able to continue our efforts in the near future and add Phase 2 and Phase 3 to our playground.”
It is estimated that the structure will be installed the first week in October, so we are very hopeful that our fall weather cooperates. Hardy is hopeful to have the larger play structure installed as part of the first phase and enjoyed by students before winter. Phase 2 and Phase 3 which would include additional equipment would be installed as the funds are raised.
“Quality Plus Construction has generously donated some labour and we know we can count on community members if and when we need additional assistance with setup.”
With the overwhelming support, Hardy said the school along with the SCC feel very blessed to offer students a brand new structure to play on this fall. “With many grants and fundraisers unable to be realized this spring and summer, we were getting very worried our students may have to go without a playground for a second year in a row.”
While the new playground equipment will be thoroughly enjoyed by students, COVID guidelines have been put in place by Horizon School Division and the provincial government. Hardy stated that these restrictions include mandated staggered recesses and designated specific areas where each group of students must play while social distancing.
“Having Phase 1 of our playground plan ordered and installed will ensure we have enough options for our students to play on when enjoying recess outside. Once again we are sincerely grateful to our local businesses and community members who donated prizes and monetary donations, attended our fundraising events, and volunteered their time to make this first phase of this playground a reality for our students at Watrous Elementary! We can’t wait to get it in place for them.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 24, 2020
Horizon School Division preparing to return to school; Prairie Spirit issues memo to families
Daniel Bushman
Ensuring safety for staff and students has been the key focus of officials at Horizon School Division as the division readies for the resumption of school around the area. As Horizon staff and families prepare to see students return to classes for another school year, The Watrous Manitou reached out to Horizon School Division CEO Kevin Garinger to find out about what has been taking place over the past number of weeks.
Returning to school
After planning to return to school Sept. 1, that start date was recently pushed back a week by the provincial government allowing more preparation for school divisions throughout the province. “Opening day has changed to Sept. 8 as the premier announced. In the meantime I felt like we were on the path to be ready for Sept. 1.”
Garinger said the division welcomes back its staff Aug. 24 and they will be spending the majority of their time in schools preparing and making sure the procedures are practiced, planned and ready for when students return. The two phase process will see staff return two weeks before students to ensure they are ready to go and then students will now arrive Sept. 8. “We’ve got a lot of things we have implemented.”
Caretakers and facility staff have also been getting schools set up after each principal submitted floor plans in June indicating what schools would look like and where COVID-19 signage and decals would go. Garinger said that has now been established and is being implemented.
Principals have been in communication over the summer with the division and Garinger said, “These people want to do the best that they can for the kids. It is the incredible nature of our profession. Even during the holidays that is all people could think of, protecting the children, themselves, their colleagues and their families and I am grateful for that. We hope people will see a very strong plan that will help mitigate the risks of COVID-19.”
Wearing masks
Part of Horizon’s return to school plan will see masks required for Gr. 4 to 12 students in common areas and hallways; and in some classrooms where two metre physical distancing cannot be maintained. For all students including Pre-K to Gr. 3, it is recommended they also wear masks.
All staff are also required to wear masks where two metre physical distancing cannot be maintained and masks are required on all buses, for students of all ages and for bus drivers when loading and unloading students.
Masks will also be provided by the division for students and staff use. Masks with clear sections for the mouth are being purchased for Speech and Language Pathologists and teachers who have the need to ensure their students are accommodated (hard of hearing, cochlear implants, early learners, etc.).
Horizon is also in the process of purchasing a reusable cloth mask for all students and staff and in addition, the division will be providing face shields to all staff. Garinger also noted there are some other things the division will be doing like using different types of air filters within schools to ensure air quality is the highest it can be. Currently the school division has not engaged in purchasing air purification units, costing about $3,800 a piece and working in a 400 square foot area. The reason for that Garinger said is because classrooms are often times upwards of 800 or 900 square feet so the practicality and additional funding it would take to purchase them may be a challenge to support the initiative. However, Garinger said the division continues to monitor and address those needs as they come up.
Classroom sizes
While the division does not know exactly what things will look like yet with parents still making decisions on whether or not they will be sending students to school, Garinger said, “From an education standpoint we are going to educate everyone in Horizon. I have heard people wanting to go to other entities with some of the other entities wanting to take them on but I can’t say a loud enough statement that Horizon will educate all children.”
Garinger is hopeful that people who are not in immuno-compromised situations will send their children to school. “We will have them in our classrooms and we will manage them in a safe manner with strong protocols and plans that will govern how we will act and support our children in the same light. What I am strongly encouraging is that parents contact the school and talk to the principal if there is a need that way. Please inform the school and just allow us that time to understand who is going to be doing what so we can start planning around whether we need to add staff or start doing some other things. Or maybe their children in some way perhaps will look at doing a video conference into their classroom which might be an option for that family.”
As for how many kids will be in each classroom, Garinger noted Horizon School Division has one of the lowest class sizes in the province with its PTR (Pupil/Teacher Ratio) the third lowest. Because of that, Garinger said they have positioned themselves well but will be looking at any spots that may have larger numbers and will be preparing information to see what schools were able to achieve for those class sizes. From there the division will evaluate whether they may need to add staff or components of staff or support staff to make sure class sizes are at a place to keep children far enough apart and safe.
Garinger stressed cohorting is really critical and Horizon’s plan has some necessary components that are fluid for that. “We are also needing to ensure as the tides have shifted that adjustments are made to that plan to keep children and staff safe and healthy.”
Outside user groups like preschool and organizations
In the process of looking at outside user groups, Garinger noted daycares currently existing within schools will continue and typically have been ongoing. Where there are preschools that utilize facilities, Garinger who also sits on the Corporate Services Team for the Response Planning Team (RPT) for the province said last week they were discussing the potential of having those user groups continue to access the division’s facilities.
Trying to finalize a structure and look at how they can bring preschool back as quickly as possible, Garinger noted it may not be right away in September but officials are hopeful to have something in place either by Sept. 8 or as soon as they can in September. “People are so great and have been asking what they need to do to make sure it can happen. Now we are at a place where we are going to start looking at other components and that is one of them. We want to ensure safety for everyone.”
While the division works toward having preschool resume in its facilities, other outside user groups would not have permission to utilize them at this time.
“Again, with the hope we continue to review as we head into September and get towards the end of September, perhaps things will change or there will be more information that will allow us to do some things in a different manner. We have so much that is necessary to ensure that children and staff are well set up and structures and procedures and protocols are understood.”
Additional funding from the provincial government
“What we know is the funding is there on an as needed basis so ultimately we are utilizing the funds we were able to realize as savings from the past year.”
Those savings came from fuel costs by not running buses and sub costs. But while the division is able to use those savings, Garinger said they have also been purchasing Personal Protective Equipment and other types of equipment to outfit the schools to ensure they are ready.
“The idea is that there would be a request we could make to the ministry to try and access some of the $40 million if and when that becomes a necessity.”
Considering whether or not additional staff is needed to help early learners for the first month of returning to school to help make that transition smoother for the students, Garinger said staff at the central office have been working with principals to make sure that is being done properly.
“We recognize there is some additional spending through sub costs and other types of costs that we will need to support our families to ensure learning continues for kids. We also recognize we may have to add staff to have a cohort of kids who are all learning from home. That may be the case instead of having it as such where the learning is happening in the classroom. If there are enough children in say a Gr. 3 group for example that would require us to hire someone to look after that from a learn from home standpoint - we call them a learning from home teacher - then we may have to add to that level of full-time employment (FTE) in some capacity to make sure we can support that type of learning.”
Garinger said he is still hoping many parents will send their children to school with the knowledge there is a lot of strong plans being put in place for the safety and health of students. Ultimately those who need support will be informed and education will continue to be provided and delivered.
Prairie Spirit issues memo to families
As staff, students and families of Prairie Spirit School Division prepare to return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic, the local division provided memos to their families and staff earlier this month.
Prairie Spirit School Division sent out a memo to its families Aug. 7 with safety at the forefront. Prairie Spirit School Division Director of Education Lori Jeschke and Board Chairperson Sam Dyck noted while it is obvious that back to school is very different for everyone, they respect and appreciate the many concerns brought up regarding a return to school this September.
“We continue to be committed to communicating and connecting with you as we develop a plan for a safe and caring return to school.”
In addition to the division’s comprehensive plan that has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Jeschke and Dyck noted Prairie Spirit’s facilities, transportation, human resources, and learning teams have been working on their own plans within the larger division and provincial plans.
Schools will also be developing plans to share with families and one example that was highlighted included masks and face shields. The division will be providing masks and face shields for staff and students are encouraged to bring a mask from home to wear at school. If a student forgets their mask at home, a disposable mask will be made available, upon request.
“We are looking forward to working with our students and families in September. Prairie Spirit School Division is fully committed to supporting families with access to learning in the fall. We will continue to provide every opportunity for all students to be successful as we plan for a safe and smooth transition back to school.”
Understanding parents may have concerns or questions about the return to school, the pair recommended families remain registered at their local school, even if they are considering keeping their child at home at the start of the school year. “Some distance courses will be available to students, with a focus on blended learning at our schools. Families do not need to register outside the division to receive these services. We look forward to continuing to support our students through the local school. For more information, please contact your local school. School administrators will be available in their schools on Aug. 24.”
Also mentioned in the memo which can be found on Prairie Spirit’s website, each of the schools will be developing and sharing a school-specific safety plan with their learning communities. These plans will be available to parents later this month and will include details like: hygiene practices, school day schedule, plans for limiting student movement through the school and drop off and pick up plans.
As memos were sent to families on Aug. 11 the Government of Saskatchewan, Education’s Response Planning Team (RPT) and Public Health updated guidelines to support the safe return of children to school.
The province and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab provided additional guidance for divisions wishing to move to Level 2. This guidance is being made to provide consistent direction to school divisions which will implement specific plans and measures best suited to their location and facilities.
For those divisions exploring measures in Level 2, the following guidance has been provided by Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer:
Students in Gr. 4 through 12 wear a mask in high traffic areas, such as in hallways and on buses. For those students in Gr. 9 through 12, masks may be required in classrooms where it is not possible to maintain physical distancing or where students are outside of the cohort within their classroom, as well as all teachers and staff.
For those high schools that have a high density population, further discussions with Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions have resulted in factors being developed for those considering Level 3. Factors that would be considered include the location, structure and population density of the school. School divisions may consider additional options, including alternating days for high school students.
Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer has also directed the following additional measures to be included in all division plans: teacher and class cohorting, with a focus on cohorting teachers to a limited number of students and keeping students in one cohort as much as possible; in elementary school settings, students’ cohorts will be the classroom; in high school settings where cohorting is more complex, school divisions will be encouraged to find creative solutions to move students in cohorts where possible; front-facing instruction for students, any exceptions will be identified for approval by public health; and staggered start times, breaks and end times, where possible.
Responding to the additional guidelines, Prairie Spirit issued a memo Aug. 12 stating: “The Minister of Education and the Chief Medical Health Officer have provided additional guidelines to school divisions. It is recommended that school divisions consider moving to Level 2 of the government’s Saskatchewan Safe Schools Plan, which includes masks in schools.
“The Prairie Spirit Board of Education and senior leadership team have decided to move to Level 2 in the Division’s planning for a safe return to school. As a result, masks will be required for students in Gr. 4 through 12 where physical distancing is not possible (e.g. hallways and buses). Pre-Kindergarten to Gr. 3 students are encouraged to wear masks.
“Prairie Spirit staff members will be expected to wear masks when social distancing is not possible.”
Daniel Bushman
Ensuring safety for staff and students has been the key focus of officials at Horizon School Division as the division readies for the resumption of school around the area. As Horizon staff and families prepare to see students return to classes for another school year, The Watrous Manitou reached out to Horizon School Division CEO Kevin Garinger to find out about what has been taking place over the past number of weeks.
Returning to school
After planning to return to school Sept. 1, that start date was recently pushed back a week by the provincial government allowing more preparation for school divisions throughout the province. “Opening day has changed to Sept. 8 as the premier announced. In the meantime I felt like we were on the path to be ready for Sept. 1.”
Garinger said the division welcomes back its staff Aug. 24 and they will be spending the majority of their time in schools preparing and making sure the procedures are practiced, planned and ready for when students return. The two phase process will see staff return two weeks before students to ensure they are ready to go and then students will now arrive Sept. 8. “We’ve got a lot of things we have implemented.”
Caretakers and facility staff have also been getting schools set up after each principal submitted floor plans in June indicating what schools would look like and where COVID-19 signage and decals would go. Garinger said that has now been established and is being implemented.
Principals have been in communication over the summer with the division and Garinger said, “These people want to do the best that they can for the kids. It is the incredible nature of our profession. Even during the holidays that is all people could think of, protecting the children, themselves, their colleagues and their families and I am grateful for that. We hope people will see a very strong plan that will help mitigate the risks of COVID-19.”
Wearing masks
Part of Horizon’s return to school plan will see masks required for Gr. 4 to 12 students in common areas and hallways; and in some classrooms where two metre physical distancing cannot be maintained. For all students including Pre-K to Gr. 3, it is recommended they also wear masks.
All staff are also required to wear masks where two metre physical distancing cannot be maintained and masks are required on all buses, for students of all ages and for bus drivers when loading and unloading students.
Masks will also be provided by the division for students and staff use. Masks with clear sections for the mouth are being purchased for Speech and Language Pathologists and teachers who have the need to ensure their students are accommodated (hard of hearing, cochlear implants, early learners, etc.).
Horizon is also in the process of purchasing a reusable cloth mask for all students and staff and in addition, the division will be providing face shields to all staff. Garinger also noted there are some other things the division will be doing like using different types of air filters within schools to ensure air quality is the highest it can be. Currently the school division has not engaged in purchasing air purification units, costing about $3,800 a piece and working in a 400 square foot area. The reason for that Garinger said is because classrooms are often times upwards of 800 or 900 square feet so the practicality and additional funding it would take to purchase them may be a challenge to support the initiative. However, Garinger said the division continues to monitor and address those needs as they come up.
Classroom sizes
While the division does not know exactly what things will look like yet with parents still making decisions on whether or not they will be sending students to school, Garinger said, “From an education standpoint we are going to educate everyone in Horizon. I have heard people wanting to go to other entities with some of the other entities wanting to take them on but I can’t say a loud enough statement that Horizon will educate all children.”
Garinger is hopeful that people who are not in immuno-compromised situations will send their children to school. “We will have them in our classrooms and we will manage them in a safe manner with strong protocols and plans that will govern how we will act and support our children in the same light. What I am strongly encouraging is that parents contact the school and talk to the principal if there is a need that way. Please inform the school and just allow us that time to understand who is going to be doing what so we can start planning around whether we need to add staff or start doing some other things. Or maybe their children in some way perhaps will look at doing a video conference into their classroom which might be an option for that family.”
As for how many kids will be in each classroom, Garinger noted Horizon School Division has one of the lowest class sizes in the province with its PTR (Pupil/Teacher Ratio) the third lowest. Because of that, Garinger said they have positioned themselves well but will be looking at any spots that may have larger numbers and will be preparing information to see what schools were able to achieve for those class sizes. From there the division will evaluate whether they may need to add staff or components of staff or support staff to make sure class sizes are at a place to keep children far enough apart and safe.
Garinger stressed cohorting is really critical and Horizon’s plan has some necessary components that are fluid for that. “We are also needing to ensure as the tides have shifted that adjustments are made to that plan to keep children and staff safe and healthy.”
Outside user groups like preschool and organizations
In the process of looking at outside user groups, Garinger noted daycares currently existing within schools will continue and typically have been ongoing. Where there are preschools that utilize facilities, Garinger who also sits on the Corporate Services Team for the Response Planning Team (RPT) for the province said last week they were discussing the potential of having those user groups continue to access the division’s facilities.
Trying to finalize a structure and look at how they can bring preschool back as quickly as possible, Garinger noted it may not be right away in September but officials are hopeful to have something in place either by Sept. 8 or as soon as they can in September. “People are so great and have been asking what they need to do to make sure it can happen. Now we are at a place where we are going to start looking at other components and that is one of them. We want to ensure safety for everyone.”
While the division works toward having preschool resume in its facilities, other outside user groups would not have permission to utilize them at this time.
“Again, with the hope we continue to review as we head into September and get towards the end of September, perhaps things will change or there will be more information that will allow us to do some things in a different manner. We have so much that is necessary to ensure that children and staff are well set up and structures and procedures and protocols are understood.”
Additional funding from the provincial government
“What we know is the funding is there on an as needed basis so ultimately we are utilizing the funds we were able to realize as savings from the past year.”
Those savings came from fuel costs by not running buses and sub costs. But while the division is able to use those savings, Garinger said they have also been purchasing Personal Protective Equipment and other types of equipment to outfit the schools to ensure they are ready.
“The idea is that there would be a request we could make to the ministry to try and access some of the $40 million if and when that becomes a necessity.”
Considering whether or not additional staff is needed to help early learners for the first month of returning to school to help make that transition smoother for the students, Garinger said staff at the central office have been working with principals to make sure that is being done properly.
“We recognize there is some additional spending through sub costs and other types of costs that we will need to support our families to ensure learning continues for kids. We also recognize we may have to add staff to have a cohort of kids who are all learning from home. That may be the case instead of having it as such where the learning is happening in the classroom. If there are enough children in say a Gr. 3 group for example that would require us to hire someone to look after that from a learn from home standpoint - we call them a learning from home teacher - then we may have to add to that level of full-time employment (FTE) in some capacity to make sure we can support that type of learning.”
Garinger said he is still hoping many parents will send their children to school with the knowledge there is a lot of strong plans being put in place for the safety and health of students. Ultimately those who need support will be informed and education will continue to be provided and delivered.
Prairie Spirit issues memo to families
As staff, students and families of Prairie Spirit School Division prepare to return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic, the local division provided memos to their families and staff earlier this month.
Prairie Spirit School Division sent out a memo to its families Aug. 7 with safety at the forefront. Prairie Spirit School Division Director of Education Lori Jeschke and Board Chairperson Sam Dyck noted while it is obvious that back to school is very different for everyone, they respect and appreciate the many concerns brought up regarding a return to school this September.
“We continue to be committed to communicating and connecting with you as we develop a plan for a safe and caring return to school.”
In addition to the division’s comprehensive plan that has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Jeschke and Dyck noted Prairie Spirit’s facilities, transportation, human resources, and learning teams have been working on their own plans within the larger division and provincial plans.
Schools will also be developing plans to share with families and one example that was highlighted included masks and face shields. The division will be providing masks and face shields for staff and students are encouraged to bring a mask from home to wear at school. If a student forgets their mask at home, a disposable mask will be made available, upon request.
“We are looking forward to working with our students and families in September. Prairie Spirit School Division is fully committed to supporting families with access to learning in the fall. We will continue to provide every opportunity for all students to be successful as we plan for a safe and smooth transition back to school.”
Understanding parents may have concerns or questions about the return to school, the pair recommended families remain registered at their local school, even if they are considering keeping their child at home at the start of the school year. “Some distance courses will be available to students, with a focus on blended learning at our schools. Families do not need to register outside the division to receive these services. We look forward to continuing to support our students through the local school. For more information, please contact your local school. School administrators will be available in their schools on Aug. 24.”
Also mentioned in the memo which can be found on Prairie Spirit’s website, each of the schools will be developing and sharing a school-specific safety plan with their learning communities. These plans will be available to parents later this month and will include details like: hygiene practices, school day schedule, plans for limiting student movement through the school and drop off and pick up plans.
As memos were sent to families on Aug. 11 the Government of Saskatchewan, Education’s Response Planning Team (RPT) and Public Health updated guidelines to support the safe return of children to school.
The province and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab provided additional guidance for divisions wishing to move to Level 2. This guidance is being made to provide consistent direction to school divisions which will implement specific plans and measures best suited to their location and facilities.
For those divisions exploring measures in Level 2, the following guidance has been provided by Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer:
Students in Gr. 4 through 12 wear a mask in high traffic areas, such as in hallways and on buses. For those students in Gr. 9 through 12, masks may be required in classrooms where it is not possible to maintain physical distancing or where students are outside of the cohort within their classroom, as well as all teachers and staff.
For those high schools that have a high density population, further discussions with Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions have resulted in factors being developed for those considering Level 3. Factors that would be considered include the location, structure and population density of the school. School divisions may consider additional options, including alternating days for high school students.
Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer has also directed the following additional measures to be included in all division plans: teacher and class cohorting, with a focus on cohorting teachers to a limited number of students and keeping students in one cohort as much as possible; in elementary school settings, students’ cohorts will be the classroom; in high school settings where cohorting is more complex, school divisions will be encouraged to find creative solutions to move students in cohorts where possible; front-facing instruction for students, any exceptions will be identified for approval by public health; and staggered start times, breaks and end times, where possible.
Responding to the additional guidelines, Prairie Spirit issued a memo Aug. 12 stating: “The Minister of Education and the Chief Medical Health Officer have provided additional guidelines to school divisions. It is recommended that school divisions consider moving to Level 2 of the government’s Saskatchewan Safe Schools Plan, which includes masks in schools.
“The Prairie Spirit Board of Education and senior leadership team have decided to move to Level 2 in the Division’s planning for a safe return to school. As a result, masks will be required for students in Gr. 4 through 12 where physical distancing is not possible (e.g. hallways and buses). Pre-Kindergarten to Gr. 3 students are encouraged to wear masks.
“Prairie Spirit staff members will be expected to wear masks when social distancing is not possible.”
TWM Top Story - August 17, 2020
Former Watrous resident to be inducted into hall of fame
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for baseball and having the opportunity to watch young athletes grow both on and off the field, former Winston High School principal and ball advocate Allan Fitzsimmons has been named as one of this year’s Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.
Along with making substantial contributions in the classroom during his time in Watrous, Fitzsimmons also made an enormous impact when it came to ball. Previously inducted into the hall of fame under the Team Category as a second baseman with the 1967 Govan Angels (inducted in 1994) and the 1961-‘83 Leader Barons Senior team (inducted in 2016), Fitzsimmons has been a big part of Baseball Saskatchewan.
After his playing days ended and through his involvement and hard work as a volunteer within the sport, Allan will be inducted under the Individual Category as part of this year’s hall of fame class.
In the nomination letter submitted to Baseball Sask., it stated Fitzsimmons was able to increase the awareness of baseball in Saskatchewan through his dedication as a volunteer and because of that, participation numbers grew within the sport.
Along with being a fixture at the Watrous Minor Ball diamonds, beginning in 1995 Fitzsimmons also joined the Board of Representatives of Baseball Saskatchewan. Then from 1997-‘99 he was the Zone 5 Governor, overseeing all baseball activities in the large zone. In 1998 he was appointed Senior Supervisor and was in charge of running the Senior Provincial Championships and Post Provincial Play. Holding that position until 2002, Fitzsimmons was also elected as vice president in 2000, serving a two-year term before being appointed president in 2002. Serving a two-year term as president, that was followed by taking on the past president role for a two-year term.
While the majority of his work with Saskatchewan Baseball was done while living in Watrous, after retiring as the principal of Winston High School, in 2004 Allan moved to Saskatoon with his wife Penny. Two years later he was once again named as Senior Supervisor with Baseball Sask. and occupied that role until 2011.
With numerous contributions made during his time with Watrous Minor Ball, Baseball Sask. and ball in Western Canada and Canada, perhaps the only one surprised that he was named as a Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inductee for 2020 was Fitzsimmons himself.
“It was a complete surprise and a real shock when Jane Shury from the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum contacted me regarding my selection to the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame. I have to say it is an honour, but also have to say this would not have happened if it had not been for all the support I received throughout my baseball life: my parents, coaches, teammates, baseball officials, players, and my immediate family. These people encouraged me throughout the years and I thank them for supporting me and making this possible.”
Right from an early age, Allan enjoyed the sport of ball. Growing up in Govan, like so many others who called small communities in Saskatchewan their home, Fitzsimmons began playing minor baseball. “At that time, baseball was a small town sport. Over the years and as I moved to different communities, I continued playing and coaching and loving the game. I wanted to give back for all the enjoyment I gained from this great game called baseball so, in 1995, it was an easy decision when Jim Korte asked if I would join the Sask. Baseball Board of Representatives.”
Watching his three kids compete in the same game he loved growing up, along with coaching, Fitzsimmons said he enjoyed the opportunity to serve in a variety of positions with Saskatchewan Baseball Association (SBA). “The highlight of my SBA appointment was the opportunity to supervise many zone and provincial championships held throughout the province. I got to meet many young baseball players and got to watch our great game.”
Remaining heavily involved with SBA, Fitzsimmons continued to invest in the game by joining the Baseball Canada organization. It was during that time he served on the championship committee and as treasurer. “I also got the opportunity to supervise a number of national championships from coast to coast starting in 2002. That has continued right up to this year and has been a really enjoyable experience.”
Having the ability to remain involved with a sport he grew up enjoying and continues to enjoy, Fitzsimmons extended his appreciation to the provincial organization led by Mike Ramage and Greg Brons and the national organized led by Jim Baba. “Their support was invaluable for me continuing with baseball in Saskatchewan and throughout Canada.”
Looking forward to his induction into the hall of fame under the Individual Category, joining Fitzsimmons as 2020 inductees in that category are: the late Father Leonard Albers from Bengough, Sask.; Fred Curts of Holdfast, Sask.; Al Greschuk of Yorkton, Sask.; George Guillaume of Moose Jaw, Sask.; Elemer Jerkovits of Regina, Sask.; Rick Johnston of Maidstone, Sask.; Kevin Kusch of Lloydminster, Sask.; Rocky Nickel of Caronport, Sask.; the late Roy Taylor of Visalia, Calif. (Saskatoon, Sask.); Neil Urlacher of Okotoks, Alta. (Macklin, Sask.); and the late “Goldie” Wiggins of Fillmore, Sask.
Being inducted in the Team Category this year is the Aquadell Flyers Baseball Team (1947-‘72) and the Kamsack Cyclones. Being inducted in the Community Category is the Village of Gray, Sask.
Joining this year’s prestigious list of people, teams and the community of Gray, Fitzsimmons said, “It is a tremendous honour to be selected to the Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame and a huge thank you to all of you who promote our game of baseball.”
While the induction ceremony was originally scheduled for August, due to COVID-19, the hall of fame event has now been tentatively planned for Oct. 3 in North Battleford.
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for baseball and having the opportunity to watch young athletes grow both on and off the field, former Winston High School principal and ball advocate Allan Fitzsimmons has been named as one of this year’s Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.
Along with making substantial contributions in the classroom during his time in Watrous, Fitzsimmons also made an enormous impact when it came to ball. Previously inducted into the hall of fame under the Team Category as a second baseman with the 1967 Govan Angels (inducted in 1994) and the 1961-‘83 Leader Barons Senior team (inducted in 2016), Fitzsimmons has been a big part of Baseball Saskatchewan.
After his playing days ended and through his involvement and hard work as a volunteer within the sport, Allan will be inducted under the Individual Category as part of this year’s hall of fame class.
In the nomination letter submitted to Baseball Sask., it stated Fitzsimmons was able to increase the awareness of baseball in Saskatchewan through his dedication as a volunteer and because of that, participation numbers grew within the sport.
Along with being a fixture at the Watrous Minor Ball diamonds, beginning in 1995 Fitzsimmons also joined the Board of Representatives of Baseball Saskatchewan. Then from 1997-‘99 he was the Zone 5 Governor, overseeing all baseball activities in the large zone. In 1998 he was appointed Senior Supervisor and was in charge of running the Senior Provincial Championships and Post Provincial Play. Holding that position until 2002, Fitzsimmons was also elected as vice president in 2000, serving a two-year term before being appointed president in 2002. Serving a two-year term as president, that was followed by taking on the past president role for a two-year term.
While the majority of his work with Saskatchewan Baseball was done while living in Watrous, after retiring as the principal of Winston High School, in 2004 Allan moved to Saskatoon with his wife Penny. Two years later he was once again named as Senior Supervisor with Baseball Sask. and occupied that role until 2011.
With numerous contributions made during his time with Watrous Minor Ball, Baseball Sask. and ball in Western Canada and Canada, perhaps the only one surprised that he was named as a Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inductee for 2020 was Fitzsimmons himself.
“It was a complete surprise and a real shock when Jane Shury from the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum contacted me regarding my selection to the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame. I have to say it is an honour, but also have to say this would not have happened if it had not been for all the support I received throughout my baseball life: my parents, coaches, teammates, baseball officials, players, and my immediate family. These people encouraged me throughout the years and I thank them for supporting me and making this possible.”
Right from an early age, Allan enjoyed the sport of ball. Growing up in Govan, like so many others who called small communities in Saskatchewan their home, Fitzsimmons began playing minor baseball. “At that time, baseball was a small town sport. Over the years and as I moved to different communities, I continued playing and coaching and loving the game. I wanted to give back for all the enjoyment I gained from this great game called baseball so, in 1995, it was an easy decision when Jim Korte asked if I would join the Sask. Baseball Board of Representatives.”
Watching his three kids compete in the same game he loved growing up, along with coaching, Fitzsimmons said he enjoyed the opportunity to serve in a variety of positions with Saskatchewan Baseball Association (SBA). “The highlight of my SBA appointment was the opportunity to supervise many zone and provincial championships held throughout the province. I got to meet many young baseball players and got to watch our great game.”
Remaining heavily involved with SBA, Fitzsimmons continued to invest in the game by joining the Baseball Canada organization. It was during that time he served on the championship committee and as treasurer. “I also got the opportunity to supervise a number of national championships from coast to coast starting in 2002. That has continued right up to this year and has been a really enjoyable experience.”
Having the ability to remain involved with a sport he grew up enjoying and continues to enjoy, Fitzsimmons extended his appreciation to the provincial organization led by Mike Ramage and Greg Brons and the national organized led by Jim Baba. “Their support was invaluable for me continuing with baseball in Saskatchewan and throughout Canada.”
Looking forward to his induction into the hall of fame under the Individual Category, joining Fitzsimmons as 2020 inductees in that category are: the late Father Leonard Albers from Bengough, Sask.; Fred Curts of Holdfast, Sask.; Al Greschuk of Yorkton, Sask.; George Guillaume of Moose Jaw, Sask.; Elemer Jerkovits of Regina, Sask.; Rick Johnston of Maidstone, Sask.; Kevin Kusch of Lloydminster, Sask.; Rocky Nickel of Caronport, Sask.; the late Roy Taylor of Visalia, Calif. (Saskatoon, Sask.); Neil Urlacher of Okotoks, Alta. (Macklin, Sask.); and the late “Goldie” Wiggins of Fillmore, Sask.
Being inducted in the Team Category this year is the Aquadell Flyers Baseball Team (1947-‘72) and the Kamsack Cyclones. Being inducted in the Community Category is the Village of Gray, Sask.
Joining this year’s prestigious list of people, teams and the community of Gray, Fitzsimmons said, “It is a tremendous honour to be selected to the Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame and a huge thank you to all of you who promote our game of baseball.”
While the induction ceremony was originally scheduled for August, due to COVID-19, the hall of fame event has now been tentatively planned for Oct. 3 in North Battleford.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 10, 2020
Communities enjoy Fun Run cruise
Daniel Bushman
With the sun shining, vehicles lining up and car enthusiasts grabbing a spot along a street in a handful of local communities, the 29th annual Watrous and Manitou Beach Show ‘n’ Shine Fun Run was dubbed a tremendous success. While the July 25 event was tweaked this year due to COVID-19, the unique change provided other communities with a chance to view this year’s entries.
Participants in the 29th annual event enjoyed a cruise through Watrous, Manitou Beach, Lanigan, Drake and Nokomis and Fun Run administrator and spokesperson Dustin Hallborg said committee members had a lot of positive feedback because of it.
“Car enthusiasts from Manitou Beach, Lanigan, Drake, and Nokomis will often make the drive for our show on main street so it was nice to be able to bring the show to them. We are definitely looking at being able to work a cruise like this into our plans for the future, but we are hoping to have a classic show next year. That will all depend on developments over the next year.”
Being part of a brand new planning committee, Hallborg said despite dealing with the pandemic, they were pleased with how everything turned out. “We had a total of 76 entries in our virtual online show, which garnered a total of 754 votes. Funny enough, we also had 76 registered attendees for the cruise itself. We did have a few others join in around the Lanigan, Drake and Nokomis area, so probably closer to 80! We are so happy with the turnout. Everyone was cooperative and had a lot of fun!”
Hallborg also noted how integral the area was to make the 29th installment of the Fun Run so special. “We can’t express how grateful we are for the support and cooperation of our local communities. We also can’t thank Jason Lindgren and his family enough for all their years of dedication in making sure this event goes on, as well as all the volunteers and sponsors the Fun Run has had over the years. We are very excited for what next year will bring!”
Looking forward to marking the 30th event in 2021, Hallborg said the committee which consists of himself, Al Madland, Gerald Worobec, Tammy, Stuart, Sydney Hallborg, Roger Davidson, Pat McDade, Ian Richardson, numerous other volunteers and previous chairperson and longtime organizer Jason Lindgren said they would like some input from the community. “If people have ideas or suggestions that they would like to see, such as maybe featuring some local talent, they are welcome to contact us through email, our social media, or they can contact myself directly.”
As for this year’s winning entries, the virtual show winners included: Most Loved: Kyle and Kortney S. - 1969 Dodge Charger; Best GM: Alan R. - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu; Best Ford: Jim L. - 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback; Best Mopar: Kortney S. - 1975 Dodge W200; Best Euro: a tie! Cyndi D. - 1976 Peugeot 504 and Ryan J. - 1978 Porsche 911; Best JDM: a tie! Tyler L. - 2000 Honda S2000 and Dawn and Lance M. - 1976 Toyota LandCruiser; Best Other: Brennan B. - 2015 Victory Cross Country; Best Modern: Dave R. - 2013 Chevrolet Corvette; and Best Oldie: Harlan C. - 1930 Ford Model A.
The Cruise Day winners included: Best GM - Tom Dpitz, 1964 Chevrolet BelAir; Best Ford - Norm Mowles, 1956 Ford Sunliner; Best Mopar - Vince Nimchuck, 1970 Plymouth Road Runner; Best Euro - Jason Whitehead, 1971 VW Beetle; Best JDM - Nathan Thompson, 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer; Best Other - Don Pidlisny, 1948 REO SpeedWagon; Best Oldie - Doug Moir, 1931 Ford Model A; and Best Modern - Mark Severin, 2008 Ford Mustang GT.
Daniel Bushman
With the sun shining, vehicles lining up and car enthusiasts grabbing a spot along a street in a handful of local communities, the 29th annual Watrous and Manitou Beach Show ‘n’ Shine Fun Run was dubbed a tremendous success. While the July 25 event was tweaked this year due to COVID-19, the unique change provided other communities with a chance to view this year’s entries.
Participants in the 29th annual event enjoyed a cruise through Watrous, Manitou Beach, Lanigan, Drake and Nokomis and Fun Run administrator and spokesperson Dustin Hallborg said committee members had a lot of positive feedback because of it.
“Car enthusiasts from Manitou Beach, Lanigan, Drake, and Nokomis will often make the drive for our show on main street so it was nice to be able to bring the show to them. We are definitely looking at being able to work a cruise like this into our plans for the future, but we are hoping to have a classic show next year. That will all depend on developments over the next year.”
Being part of a brand new planning committee, Hallborg said despite dealing with the pandemic, they were pleased with how everything turned out. “We had a total of 76 entries in our virtual online show, which garnered a total of 754 votes. Funny enough, we also had 76 registered attendees for the cruise itself. We did have a few others join in around the Lanigan, Drake and Nokomis area, so probably closer to 80! We are so happy with the turnout. Everyone was cooperative and had a lot of fun!”
Hallborg also noted how integral the area was to make the 29th installment of the Fun Run so special. “We can’t express how grateful we are for the support and cooperation of our local communities. We also can’t thank Jason Lindgren and his family enough for all their years of dedication in making sure this event goes on, as well as all the volunteers and sponsors the Fun Run has had over the years. We are very excited for what next year will bring!”
Looking forward to marking the 30th event in 2021, Hallborg said the committee which consists of himself, Al Madland, Gerald Worobec, Tammy, Stuart, Sydney Hallborg, Roger Davidson, Pat McDade, Ian Richardson, numerous other volunteers and previous chairperson and longtime organizer Jason Lindgren said they would like some input from the community. “If people have ideas or suggestions that they would like to see, such as maybe featuring some local talent, they are welcome to contact us through email, our social media, or they can contact myself directly.”
As for this year’s winning entries, the virtual show winners included: Most Loved: Kyle and Kortney S. - 1969 Dodge Charger; Best GM: Alan R. - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu; Best Ford: Jim L. - 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback; Best Mopar: Kortney S. - 1975 Dodge W200; Best Euro: a tie! Cyndi D. - 1976 Peugeot 504 and Ryan J. - 1978 Porsche 911; Best JDM: a tie! Tyler L. - 2000 Honda S2000 and Dawn and Lance M. - 1976 Toyota LandCruiser; Best Other: Brennan B. - 2015 Victory Cross Country; Best Modern: Dave R. - 2013 Chevrolet Corvette; and Best Oldie: Harlan C. - 1930 Ford Model A.
The Cruise Day winners included: Best GM - Tom Dpitz, 1964 Chevrolet BelAir; Best Ford - Norm Mowles, 1956 Ford Sunliner; Best Mopar - Vince Nimchuck, 1970 Plymouth Road Runner; Best Euro - Jason Whitehead, 1971 VW Beetle; Best JDM - Nathan Thompson, 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer; Best Other - Don Pidlisny, 1948 REO SpeedWagon; Best Oldie - Doug Moir, 1931 Ford Model A; and Best Modern - Mark Severin, 2008 Ford Mustang GT.
TWM Top Story - July 20, 2020
The show continues at the Jubilee Drive-In as it marks 65th anniversary
Daniel Bushman
From the first movie hitting the big screen in 1955 to the delicious popcorn and refreshments served over the years, the Jubilee Drive-In at Manitou Beach has not only created lasting memories for movie-goers but the rare treasure on the prairies is marking a milestone.
First opening during the province’s diamond jubilee anniversary and despite a powerful wind storm that knocked over its screen 21 years later, the Jubilee Drive-In has withstood the test of time. Now celebrating 65 years in 2020, it remains one of only a few left in Saskatchewan.
Operating the Roxy Theatre in Watrous, it was Morley Crawford who decided he would create the iconic drive-in at Manitou Beach. Morley’s son Burt who later took over the business with his now late wife Bev said when his dad found out someone was planning to build a drive-in in Watrous, he quickly went looking for a location of his own.
“My dad was aware of drive-ins being built all over the place. He was not crazy about them but when he found out someone was going to build one in Watrous, he sought out some land at the beach. Where the old gravel pit was, that one block of land had been undivided. Block ‘D’ was 10.85 acres and so he told the village that he would like to build a drive-in but it would be really expensive to level all that land. The beach said he could have it for $1 but after all the levelling, bulldozing and fixing up, dad said it was the most expensive land he ever bought for $1.”
Starting construction at Manitou Beach in 1954, Burt was brought on by his dad for his expertise. Taking engineering and surveying in university Burt said, “I remember getting those ramps all built up where cars park to see the screen and we did a lot of work to have it all ready to go for 1955.”
Officially opening in time for June, Jubilee Drive-In began welcoming patrons. An ad appearing in the June 2, 1955 edition of The Watrous Manitou showed Timber Jack was playing Thursday, Friday and Saturday (June 2, 3 and 4). Last Time I Saw Paris followed June 6, 7, and 8 and as part of a double feature, Overland Pacific and White Mane (a horse story) played June 9, 10, and 11.
With admission 60 cents for adults and 40 cents for students, children 12 and under were able to get in for free. People could also purchase a hamburger for 30 cents, a hot dog for 20 cents, french fries for 20 cents, and a slice of dill pickle for five cents. Coffee, milk or hot chocolate were 10 cents a piece.
With a show playing at the Roxy Theatre in Watrous one night and then hitting the screen at the drive-in during another, Crawford said the popularity at each grew. “We put out theatre calendars to 26 different towns in our area. You wouldn’t think there would be that many towns around here but we sure sent out a lot of calendars. We would get calls from Saskatoon, Regina, Swift Current, and then as far away as Edmonton and Calgary from people asking what was showing at the drive-in. It was something else. People would come to watch a movie, go golfing, camping, take a swim at the pool and then visit the flea market we ran at the drive-in on Sundays. It was a real tourist attraction back then.”
Those attending the drive-in for a show would arrive and pay at something similar to a toll booth called the box office. Over the years, Bev Crawford or Rose Schafer would be stationed in the booth as a line of cars would turn off the main road entering the beach from Watrous and head toward the gate. There were also many other local faces who would occupy the box office after Bev and Rose.
Once inside the area, which was encompassed by steel fencing, people parked next to a post with speakers. “There were two speakers attached with a wire on each post so cars parked on either side of the post. People would roll down their window and hang the clunky speaker on the inside of the window. Occasionally people would forget the speakers were attached to their car and then after the movie they would drive off. One time my dad even drove off with a speaker attached to his car. He said, ‘Don’t you let anyone know about that,’” Burt said laughing.
For those who preferred to be indoors instead of their vehicle, a seating area for about 24 people was created. Next to the room where the films were playing and behind where the comfy seats were situated, the concession would be hopping with popcorn, other food and drinks. Washrooms were also nearby for people to use and at intermission, Burt’s voice would come over the speaker: “There will be a short intermission before we continue with the main feature. The concession stand is open with a full line of refreshments!”
As the movie playing that night would come to a conclusion, patrons headed for the exits as Crawford would once again take to the speaker. “Please replace speakers on posts before leaving. The exit is forward and to the right. Please drive carefully and come back soon!”
As the Roxy Theatre in Watrous and the Jubilee Drive-In at Manitou Beach continued to play shows under the ownership of Morley, Burt kept a keen interest while working for an oil company interpreting seismic work records. But it was not long after the 1950s came to an end that Burt would return to his roots with his wife Bev.
“It was a good paying job but I wasn’t happy with it. My dad was turning 70 and television was just coming in so he was going to quit the theatre business and shut them down. No one was interested in investing in theatres or drive-ins. I asked him if I could try it for a year and if he thought it would be profitable and he said yes. So I talked to my boss and explained the situation and asked if I could try it for a year. He said give it a try and if it didn’t work out that a job would be waiting for me. Bev and I moved to Watrous in April 1961 and on the May long weekend my dad died of a heart attack on his way to the theatre. After that, Bev and I ended up staying in Watrous and raised our family.”
Through Roxy Developments Burt and Bev took over the pair of movie screens and continued to operate both, hiring a number of local faces including many who worked for Burt’s dad. “I have compiled a list over the years of employees we’ve had at both the theatre and drive-in and it is well over 100.”
From 1961 to 1976 the Crawfords took on the businesses and then as spring approached in 1976 the pair entered a partnership with Burt’s school buddy, Dave Schafer and his wife Rose. Also constructing a car wash along Hwy. 2 in Watrous, known then as Car Wash ‘67, the group was looking forward to the future. However, shortly after the Schafers joined the Crawfords, the infamous storm of ‘76 hit.
In the June 10, 1976 edition of The Watrous Manitou, the area suffered heavy damage with winds estimated at over 100 m.p.h. at times. Dubbed the worst wind storm ever experienced in central Saskatchewan at that time, it hit the local area around midnight Thursday and lasted for over an hour. The CBK tower which stood 465 feet high crashed to the ground and “practically every structure in town suffered damage.” That included Manitou Beach where the Jubilee Drive-In screen was destroyed. While the projection booth and concession area remained intact the gigantic wooden screen toppled over.
“I remember we had a show playing that night and it was after midnight when it ended. There was a bit of the steel fence on the north side of the property flapping in the wind. A few hours later I got a call from Tom Magnuson and I asked him how serious it was. He said, ‘It is really serious. The screen blew over.’ I can remember one of our employees, Helen Leslie (now Alcock) had put on our big message board: Gone With The Wind. That was pretty funny.”
Despite the destruction, shows continued playing at the Roxy Theatre in Watrous while the big screen was rebuilt at the drive-in. Crawford credits Dave and his connections as he was able to get in touch with an engineer to design a new screen in short order. “It was made of steel to withstand a lot. There is steel backing and rolled aluminum on the front. At the time we needed the rolled aluminum but it was in Winnipeg. I had a motorhome so I drove down there, picked it up and put it in our Winnebago and then Dave and I pop riveted it on the steel backing. It was incredible how we were able to get that thing back up. Thanks to Dave it took us 21 days from when the screen blew down to when we built it, got up on hoists to paint it white and play our first movie.”
Once the new screen was installed and movies began playing again, Burt and Dave had the chance to talk with a few people who were selling theatre equipment with bulb technology. The equipment at the Roxy Theatre and the Jubilee Drive-In at that time was comprised of two projectors using carbon arcs, similar to what welders use. Burt said, “Each projector could only run 20 minutes because the carbons were used up. We had to switch every 20 minutes so that when one ended we could start the other and people watching wouldn’t notice. It required having a full-time projectionist. On one projector you had to thread up the film and then start it and when it ran out you had to quickly start the other one.”
Learning about the new Zenon bulb technology, which would require only one projector, Burt and Dave drove down to Billings, Montana and hopped a plane which eventually arrived in Kansas City, Missouri. After attending a show, seeing the equipment and noticing how well it worked, they brought in the new units.
Utilizing bulbs, the system also came with big 48 inch diameter reels allowing Roxy Theatre and the Jubilee Drive-In to play full double features. “They were heavy and we would haul them on big boards from the theatre in Watrous to the drive-in at the beach. We had those for a number of years.”
Continuing to operate the drive-in, theatre and the car wash, after a few years, Dave and Rose solely took over the car wash while Burt and Bev continued on with the theatre and drive-in. Hiring a number of students and local faces over the years including Tara Hayden and Earl Hayhurst (the two most recent managers of the drive-in), Burt said he enjoyed the opportunity to not only employ locals including his own three kids but run the two places his dad once owned. While the Roxy Theatre on Main Street eventually shut its doors in the 1990s, the drive-in continued to operate during the summer months.
As time went on Burt stepped back from his managerial duties and others came on board to fill his shoes. Then after leasing the drive-in for a few years to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, the Crawfords sold the place to the resort village in 2014. Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec said, “The drive-in is unique I think because there are only a handful left in the province. The resort has so much to offer and the drive-in just adds one more aspect to a visit to Manitou.”
Like others with roots in the area, Worobec recalled his own memories of attending the drive-in. “Growing up at the farm meant that you couldn’t just go to town or to the beach at a moment’s notice. So when the opportunity came up to go to the beach it was a very rewarding experience and getting to go see a movie at the drive-in was always greatly enjoyed. You got to fill your face with extra buttery popcorn topped up with a bag of licorice and you were always able to get together with a few friends. And then of course when you got your licence and you owned a car it was just that much more fun to go see a movie.”
Worobec’s story will certainly resonate with others who attended the drive-in over the years, having their fair share of fun as well. One of those people who watched movies at the drive-in and who has always had a love for a good film is Earl Hayhurst, owner of Video Stop and current manager of the Jubilee Drive-In.
Working at both the Roxy Theatre in Watrous (the same place now occupied by Video Stop) and at the drive-in, Hayhurst viewed thousands of movies over the years. It was during his younger years when he caught the bug for films.
Helping at the theatre in Watrous, Hayhurst learned the ropes from Crawford and was later brought on at the drive-in. “I remember hauling the reels and canisters from the theatre in town to the drive-in at the beach. I really enjoyed working at both places and not only watched a lot of movies but also learned how everything was done.”
That passion then grew into Hayhurst’s own business as he took over Video Stop in 1991. Another rarity in the province, the video rental store continues to operate in 2020; at the same place Earl worked at when he was younger. Then earlier this year when previous drive-in manager and longtime drive-in employee Tara Hayden tapped Hayhurst to see if he was interested in managing the drive-in, he jumped at the chance.
While the previous projectors are no longer in use and newer technology is now relied upon, Earl said, “It is pretty cool to be back there. Tara has been a tremendous help to me in getting things rolling and of course this year with COVID-19, we have had to make a few adjustments. But aside from that, with a fresh coat of paint and a few updates, it has been nice to be back at the drive-in.”
Unlike decades before, this year patrons will notice buckets set up where they have to park beside instead of speakers. The buckets not only ensure social distancing but also maintain the right amount of people allowed in at one time. Additional safety precautions like hand sanitizer have also been added.
“Normally the drive-in opens during the May long weekend but because of COVID-19 and a few pieces of equipment we were waiting for, we didn’t get started until June,” said Earl. “After a couple of minor hiccups during the first week or two, we got it sorted out and it has been going good ever since.”
With no new movies currently being released in Hollywood due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hayhurst has been selecting some classics and old favourites for viewers to enjoy. “I have been coming up with weekend themes like classics/favourites, monsters/horror, family, all Adam Sandler and then I am planning a few others before we shutdown in September.”
Having movies that resonate with fans has been fun for Hayhurst and that includes earlier this month when he featured Back To The Future. “We had a sold out crowd for that one July 10 and Josh Schattenkirk from Regina brought his DeLorean to the show. It was unreal having a car that was like the one in the movie at the drive-in. Then we played Smokey and the Bandit the other day and someone commented that if they knew it had been playing they would have brought the same type of Trans-Am that was in the movie. It is pretty fun seeing people getting excited to come and watch movies. We also have a combine outside of the drive-in that was in the movie Twister so I am looking at showing Twister as well.”
Being a fan of nostalgia himself, Earl has also brought back the double features, something Crawford used to do. “It makes for a late night and an early morning but people really enjoyed the double features before so I thought I would bring them back.”
Playing movies Thursdays to Sundays until September, Earl is also hoping to revive the flea market, something once held at the drive-in on Sundays. “Who needs sleep?” he laughed. “I have been in talks with the resort village and with health and safety inspectors and we are hoping to be able to bring vendors in to sell items during the summer. We will be following the guidelines set out by the provincial government as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan and it should be a great opportunity to have another attraction at the beach.”
Daniel Bushman
From the first movie hitting the big screen in 1955 to the delicious popcorn and refreshments served over the years, the Jubilee Drive-In at Manitou Beach has not only created lasting memories for movie-goers but the rare treasure on the prairies is marking a milestone.
First opening during the province’s diamond jubilee anniversary and despite a powerful wind storm that knocked over its screen 21 years later, the Jubilee Drive-In has withstood the test of time. Now celebrating 65 years in 2020, it remains one of only a few left in Saskatchewan.
Operating the Roxy Theatre in Watrous, it was Morley Crawford who decided he would create the iconic drive-in at Manitou Beach. Morley’s son Burt who later took over the business with his now late wife Bev said when his dad found out someone was planning to build a drive-in in Watrous, he quickly went looking for a location of his own.
“My dad was aware of drive-ins being built all over the place. He was not crazy about them but when he found out someone was going to build one in Watrous, he sought out some land at the beach. Where the old gravel pit was, that one block of land had been undivided. Block ‘D’ was 10.85 acres and so he told the village that he would like to build a drive-in but it would be really expensive to level all that land. The beach said he could have it for $1 but after all the levelling, bulldozing and fixing up, dad said it was the most expensive land he ever bought for $1.”
Starting construction at Manitou Beach in 1954, Burt was brought on by his dad for his expertise. Taking engineering and surveying in university Burt said, “I remember getting those ramps all built up where cars park to see the screen and we did a lot of work to have it all ready to go for 1955.”
Officially opening in time for June, Jubilee Drive-In began welcoming patrons. An ad appearing in the June 2, 1955 edition of The Watrous Manitou showed Timber Jack was playing Thursday, Friday and Saturday (June 2, 3 and 4). Last Time I Saw Paris followed June 6, 7, and 8 and as part of a double feature, Overland Pacific and White Mane (a horse story) played June 9, 10, and 11.
With admission 60 cents for adults and 40 cents for students, children 12 and under were able to get in for free. People could also purchase a hamburger for 30 cents, a hot dog for 20 cents, french fries for 20 cents, and a slice of dill pickle for five cents. Coffee, milk or hot chocolate were 10 cents a piece.
With a show playing at the Roxy Theatre in Watrous one night and then hitting the screen at the drive-in during another, Crawford said the popularity at each grew. “We put out theatre calendars to 26 different towns in our area. You wouldn’t think there would be that many towns around here but we sure sent out a lot of calendars. We would get calls from Saskatoon, Regina, Swift Current, and then as far away as Edmonton and Calgary from people asking what was showing at the drive-in. It was something else. People would come to watch a movie, go golfing, camping, take a swim at the pool and then visit the flea market we ran at the drive-in on Sundays. It was a real tourist attraction back then.”
Those attending the drive-in for a show would arrive and pay at something similar to a toll booth called the box office. Over the years, Bev Crawford or Rose Schafer would be stationed in the booth as a line of cars would turn off the main road entering the beach from Watrous and head toward the gate. There were also many other local faces who would occupy the box office after Bev and Rose.
Once inside the area, which was encompassed by steel fencing, people parked next to a post with speakers. “There were two speakers attached with a wire on each post so cars parked on either side of the post. People would roll down their window and hang the clunky speaker on the inside of the window. Occasionally people would forget the speakers were attached to their car and then after the movie they would drive off. One time my dad even drove off with a speaker attached to his car. He said, ‘Don’t you let anyone know about that,’” Burt said laughing.
For those who preferred to be indoors instead of their vehicle, a seating area for about 24 people was created. Next to the room where the films were playing and behind where the comfy seats were situated, the concession would be hopping with popcorn, other food and drinks. Washrooms were also nearby for people to use and at intermission, Burt’s voice would come over the speaker: “There will be a short intermission before we continue with the main feature. The concession stand is open with a full line of refreshments!”
As the movie playing that night would come to a conclusion, patrons headed for the exits as Crawford would once again take to the speaker. “Please replace speakers on posts before leaving. The exit is forward and to the right. Please drive carefully and come back soon!”
As the Roxy Theatre in Watrous and the Jubilee Drive-In at Manitou Beach continued to play shows under the ownership of Morley, Burt kept a keen interest while working for an oil company interpreting seismic work records. But it was not long after the 1950s came to an end that Burt would return to his roots with his wife Bev.
“It was a good paying job but I wasn’t happy with it. My dad was turning 70 and television was just coming in so he was going to quit the theatre business and shut them down. No one was interested in investing in theatres or drive-ins. I asked him if I could try it for a year and if he thought it would be profitable and he said yes. So I talked to my boss and explained the situation and asked if I could try it for a year. He said give it a try and if it didn’t work out that a job would be waiting for me. Bev and I moved to Watrous in April 1961 and on the May long weekend my dad died of a heart attack on his way to the theatre. After that, Bev and I ended up staying in Watrous and raised our family.”
Through Roxy Developments Burt and Bev took over the pair of movie screens and continued to operate both, hiring a number of local faces including many who worked for Burt’s dad. “I have compiled a list over the years of employees we’ve had at both the theatre and drive-in and it is well over 100.”
From 1961 to 1976 the Crawfords took on the businesses and then as spring approached in 1976 the pair entered a partnership with Burt’s school buddy, Dave Schafer and his wife Rose. Also constructing a car wash along Hwy. 2 in Watrous, known then as Car Wash ‘67, the group was looking forward to the future. However, shortly after the Schafers joined the Crawfords, the infamous storm of ‘76 hit.
In the June 10, 1976 edition of The Watrous Manitou, the area suffered heavy damage with winds estimated at over 100 m.p.h. at times. Dubbed the worst wind storm ever experienced in central Saskatchewan at that time, it hit the local area around midnight Thursday and lasted for over an hour. The CBK tower which stood 465 feet high crashed to the ground and “practically every structure in town suffered damage.” That included Manitou Beach where the Jubilee Drive-In screen was destroyed. While the projection booth and concession area remained intact the gigantic wooden screen toppled over.
“I remember we had a show playing that night and it was after midnight when it ended. There was a bit of the steel fence on the north side of the property flapping in the wind. A few hours later I got a call from Tom Magnuson and I asked him how serious it was. He said, ‘It is really serious. The screen blew over.’ I can remember one of our employees, Helen Leslie (now Alcock) had put on our big message board: Gone With The Wind. That was pretty funny.”
Despite the destruction, shows continued playing at the Roxy Theatre in Watrous while the big screen was rebuilt at the drive-in. Crawford credits Dave and his connections as he was able to get in touch with an engineer to design a new screen in short order. “It was made of steel to withstand a lot. There is steel backing and rolled aluminum on the front. At the time we needed the rolled aluminum but it was in Winnipeg. I had a motorhome so I drove down there, picked it up and put it in our Winnebago and then Dave and I pop riveted it on the steel backing. It was incredible how we were able to get that thing back up. Thanks to Dave it took us 21 days from when the screen blew down to when we built it, got up on hoists to paint it white and play our first movie.”
Once the new screen was installed and movies began playing again, Burt and Dave had the chance to talk with a few people who were selling theatre equipment with bulb technology. The equipment at the Roxy Theatre and the Jubilee Drive-In at that time was comprised of two projectors using carbon arcs, similar to what welders use. Burt said, “Each projector could only run 20 minutes because the carbons were used up. We had to switch every 20 minutes so that when one ended we could start the other and people watching wouldn’t notice. It required having a full-time projectionist. On one projector you had to thread up the film and then start it and when it ran out you had to quickly start the other one.”
Learning about the new Zenon bulb technology, which would require only one projector, Burt and Dave drove down to Billings, Montana and hopped a plane which eventually arrived in Kansas City, Missouri. After attending a show, seeing the equipment and noticing how well it worked, they brought in the new units.
Utilizing bulbs, the system also came with big 48 inch diameter reels allowing Roxy Theatre and the Jubilee Drive-In to play full double features. “They were heavy and we would haul them on big boards from the theatre in Watrous to the drive-in at the beach. We had those for a number of years.”
Continuing to operate the drive-in, theatre and the car wash, after a few years, Dave and Rose solely took over the car wash while Burt and Bev continued on with the theatre and drive-in. Hiring a number of students and local faces over the years including Tara Hayden and Earl Hayhurst (the two most recent managers of the drive-in), Burt said he enjoyed the opportunity to not only employ locals including his own three kids but run the two places his dad once owned. While the Roxy Theatre on Main Street eventually shut its doors in the 1990s, the drive-in continued to operate during the summer months.
As time went on Burt stepped back from his managerial duties and others came on board to fill his shoes. Then after leasing the drive-in for a few years to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, the Crawfords sold the place to the resort village in 2014. Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec said, “The drive-in is unique I think because there are only a handful left in the province. The resort has so much to offer and the drive-in just adds one more aspect to a visit to Manitou.”
Like others with roots in the area, Worobec recalled his own memories of attending the drive-in. “Growing up at the farm meant that you couldn’t just go to town or to the beach at a moment’s notice. So when the opportunity came up to go to the beach it was a very rewarding experience and getting to go see a movie at the drive-in was always greatly enjoyed. You got to fill your face with extra buttery popcorn topped up with a bag of licorice and you were always able to get together with a few friends. And then of course when you got your licence and you owned a car it was just that much more fun to go see a movie.”
Worobec’s story will certainly resonate with others who attended the drive-in over the years, having their fair share of fun as well. One of those people who watched movies at the drive-in and who has always had a love for a good film is Earl Hayhurst, owner of Video Stop and current manager of the Jubilee Drive-In.
Working at both the Roxy Theatre in Watrous (the same place now occupied by Video Stop) and at the drive-in, Hayhurst viewed thousands of movies over the years. It was during his younger years when he caught the bug for films.
Helping at the theatre in Watrous, Hayhurst learned the ropes from Crawford and was later brought on at the drive-in. “I remember hauling the reels and canisters from the theatre in town to the drive-in at the beach. I really enjoyed working at both places and not only watched a lot of movies but also learned how everything was done.”
That passion then grew into Hayhurst’s own business as he took over Video Stop in 1991. Another rarity in the province, the video rental store continues to operate in 2020; at the same place Earl worked at when he was younger. Then earlier this year when previous drive-in manager and longtime drive-in employee Tara Hayden tapped Hayhurst to see if he was interested in managing the drive-in, he jumped at the chance.
While the previous projectors are no longer in use and newer technology is now relied upon, Earl said, “It is pretty cool to be back there. Tara has been a tremendous help to me in getting things rolling and of course this year with COVID-19, we have had to make a few adjustments. But aside from that, with a fresh coat of paint and a few updates, it has been nice to be back at the drive-in.”
Unlike decades before, this year patrons will notice buckets set up where they have to park beside instead of speakers. The buckets not only ensure social distancing but also maintain the right amount of people allowed in at one time. Additional safety precautions like hand sanitizer have also been added.
“Normally the drive-in opens during the May long weekend but because of COVID-19 and a few pieces of equipment we were waiting for, we didn’t get started until June,” said Earl. “After a couple of minor hiccups during the first week or two, we got it sorted out and it has been going good ever since.”
With no new movies currently being released in Hollywood due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hayhurst has been selecting some classics and old favourites for viewers to enjoy. “I have been coming up with weekend themes like classics/favourites, monsters/horror, family, all Adam Sandler and then I am planning a few others before we shutdown in September.”
Having movies that resonate with fans has been fun for Hayhurst and that includes earlier this month when he featured Back To The Future. “We had a sold out crowd for that one July 10 and Josh Schattenkirk from Regina brought his DeLorean to the show. It was unreal having a car that was like the one in the movie at the drive-in. Then we played Smokey and the Bandit the other day and someone commented that if they knew it had been playing they would have brought the same type of Trans-Am that was in the movie. It is pretty fun seeing people getting excited to come and watch movies. We also have a combine outside of the drive-in that was in the movie Twister so I am looking at showing Twister as well.”
Being a fan of nostalgia himself, Earl has also brought back the double features, something Crawford used to do. “It makes for a late night and an early morning but people really enjoyed the double features before so I thought I would bring them back.”
Playing movies Thursdays to Sundays until September, Earl is also hoping to revive the flea market, something once held at the drive-in on Sundays. “Who needs sleep?” he laughed. “I have been in talks with the resort village and with health and safety inspectors and we are hoping to be able to bring vendors in to sell items during the summer. We will be following the guidelines set out by the provincial government as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan and it should be a great opportunity to have another attraction at the beach.”
TWM Top Story - July 13, 2020
Moisture arrives in June; extreme weather hits province
Daniel Bushman
Labelled as the wettest month of the year, June provided much needed moisture for crops and other vegetation needed to grow within the local region. It also provided thunderstorms, hail and as July arrived, it spawned a few tornadoes in southern Saskatchewan.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) David Phillips said, “What we have certainly seen is some welcome rains that came to your area of the province in June and July. Things were looking pretty bleak up to that moment.”
After a dry April and May, June and July provided the injection of moisture needed for the area. As those precipitation amounts varied from Humboldt, Lanigan, Watrous and Last Mountain Lake, it appeared as though it was Humboldt receiving the brunt of activity. During a June 14 storm that rolled through the city there were reports of two and a half to up to four inches that fell including 25 mm (almost an inch) in a 10 minute span. That prompted Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench to issue a state of local emergency. The rain overwhelmed parts of the community and images on social media showed people swimming on some streets.
Areas around Humboldt also received a good dose of moisture as about 71 mm or close to three inches hit between June 8 and 15 (according to Saskatchewan Agriculture). Closer to Lanigan there were local reports of at least five inches falling in the area over a 10 day stretch in June.
For the Watrous area, according to ECCC data, by June 18 the area had received 67.2 mm of rain or just over two and a half inches. That total increased as the month ended and July began.
Overall, Phillips said Humboldt recorded at least 98 mm of rain during June and with amounts varying as you headed away from there, Watrous had accumulated about 75 mm. In July, as of the seventh, there was about eight mm of moisture for the month where normally it would have been about 10 or 11 mm by that time.
“For June and July (as of the seventh) you have had about 87 percent of your annual precipitation. June is the wettest month of the year and fortunately it was a lot wetter than in April and May.”
In April there was just 4.9 mm of rain that fell in Watrous. May was not much better with just 6.9 mm recorded as opposed to a normal of 52 mm. For the Long Lake area around Simpson and Imperial, according to ECCC data, April showed 3.3 mm of precipitation while May received approximately 13.7 mm. June was much higher than that as it hit at least 81 mm. Closer to Lanigan and Humboldt, it was a bit wetter for April with 9.3 mm of precipitation. May accumulated 22.4 mm of precipitation and June came in with nearly 100 mm.
While Saskatchewan had not been as wet and cool like Alberta’s capital city of Edmonton or as hot and humid as Manitoba, as July arrived so did the tornadoes.
During the afternoon and evening July 4 ECCC stated a cyclical tornadic supercell thunderstorm moved through southern Saskatchewan. “Environment and Climate Change Canada has received and verified reports of three separate tornadic events associated with this storm. In addition to the tornadoes, hail as large as softballs was also reported in the region.”
ECCC said the first event occurred near Glenbain, located southeast of Swift Current when around 4:30 p.m. a tornado touched down. No significant damage had been reported by July 5 but ECCC said during a second event about 10 minutes later, damage was done to a home and farm property in the area of Kincaid and Woodrow (southeast of Glenbain).
The third event was a tornado touching down near Assiniboia. That took place at 6:23 p.m. and while no significant damage was reported to ECCC, there were images posted to social media of toonie-sized hail that caused damage within the community to homes, vehicles and gardens. On the Town of Assiniboia’s website it stated, “To assist with the clean up after this past weekend’s storm, the operation’s staff will pick up broken branches
and bags of leaves and garden waste today. Please put them out by the curb.”
With the three confirmed tornadoes already in early July, Phillips said they are more common in Saskatchewan than in any other place in Canada with an average of about 15 per year. “They tend to be a little on the weak side with F0, F1 and maybe F2 but not much more than that. They do create some damage but it is really just the province where you do see a lot of hail storms, thunderstorms and from that tornadoes can spawn. I think there would have been more, stronger and intense ones (on July 4) if there would have been a little more heat and humidity.”
Another severe weather event occurred July 7 when ECCC noted intense thunderstorms moved through southwestern Saskatchewan and persisted into the night. This line brought severe wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain. A report of nickel-sized hail occurred in Golden Prairie and reports of trees being snapped took place near Hazenmore.
Some of the maximum wind gusts in kilometres per hour recorded by ECCC stations included: Mankota at 141, Coronach at 139, Val Marie at 117, Rockglen at 98, Assiniboia at 91, Kindersley at 89, Estevan at 87, and North Battleford at 83. Along with the high winds, there was a large amount of precipitation for those areas. The 24-hour accumulated precipitation in millimetres from ECCC stations (as of 11 a.m. July 8) included: North Battleford with 133.8, Edgerton with 73.1, Hussar with 64.2, Gilt Edge North with 54.5, Spiritwood with 51.8, and Ribstone south with 50. There were also reports of Assiniboia receiving around 61 mm of precipitation.
For the local area, while there has not been any confirmed tornadoes as of yet or a substantial amount of moisture in July like southern portions of the province have experienced, Phillips said, “In some parts of the prairies it has been too wet and not warm enough but I think your area is about as close to normal as it can be. Temperatures could be a little warmer but that is coming and precipitation has been pretty adequate. It hasn’t made up for the very dry April and May but it is better that you did get some rain when the crops are growing instead of the reverse.”
As for the temperature over the past few months, Phillips said it has been slightly on the cool side with May coming out to be about a half of a degree cooler than normal. June was about a degree cooler than normal but July so far has been close to normal. The trend moving forward shows normal to warmer than normal for the next month, something that Phillips said is perfect for the province. “The good kind of vacation and farm weather is ahead of you. It doesn’t look like it is going to be so warm but my sense is it will be pretty good.”
Daniel Bushman
Labelled as the wettest month of the year, June provided much needed moisture for crops and other vegetation needed to grow within the local region. It also provided thunderstorms, hail and as July arrived, it spawned a few tornadoes in southern Saskatchewan.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) David Phillips said, “What we have certainly seen is some welcome rains that came to your area of the province in June and July. Things were looking pretty bleak up to that moment.”
After a dry April and May, June and July provided the injection of moisture needed for the area. As those precipitation amounts varied from Humboldt, Lanigan, Watrous and Last Mountain Lake, it appeared as though it was Humboldt receiving the brunt of activity. During a June 14 storm that rolled through the city there were reports of two and a half to up to four inches that fell including 25 mm (almost an inch) in a 10 minute span. That prompted Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench to issue a state of local emergency. The rain overwhelmed parts of the community and images on social media showed people swimming on some streets.
Areas around Humboldt also received a good dose of moisture as about 71 mm or close to three inches hit between June 8 and 15 (according to Saskatchewan Agriculture). Closer to Lanigan there were local reports of at least five inches falling in the area over a 10 day stretch in June.
For the Watrous area, according to ECCC data, by June 18 the area had received 67.2 mm of rain or just over two and a half inches. That total increased as the month ended and July began.
Overall, Phillips said Humboldt recorded at least 98 mm of rain during June and with amounts varying as you headed away from there, Watrous had accumulated about 75 mm. In July, as of the seventh, there was about eight mm of moisture for the month where normally it would have been about 10 or 11 mm by that time.
“For June and July (as of the seventh) you have had about 87 percent of your annual precipitation. June is the wettest month of the year and fortunately it was a lot wetter than in April and May.”
In April there was just 4.9 mm of rain that fell in Watrous. May was not much better with just 6.9 mm recorded as opposed to a normal of 52 mm. For the Long Lake area around Simpson and Imperial, according to ECCC data, April showed 3.3 mm of precipitation while May received approximately 13.7 mm. June was much higher than that as it hit at least 81 mm. Closer to Lanigan and Humboldt, it was a bit wetter for April with 9.3 mm of precipitation. May accumulated 22.4 mm of precipitation and June came in with nearly 100 mm.
While Saskatchewan had not been as wet and cool like Alberta’s capital city of Edmonton or as hot and humid as Manitoba, as July arrived so did the tornadoes.
During the afternoon and evening July 4 ECCC stated a cyclical tornadic supercell thunderstorm moved through southern Saskatchewan. “Environment and Climate Change Canada has received and verified reports of three separate tornadic events associated with this storm. In addition to the tornadoes, hail as large as softballs was also reported in the region.”
ECCC said the first event occurred near Glenbain, located southeast of Swift Current when around 4:30 p.m. a tornado touched down. No significant damage had been reported by July 5 but ECCC said during a second event about 10 minutes later, damage was done to a home and farm property in the area of Kincaid and Woodrow (southeast of Glenbain).
The third event was a tornado touching down near Assiniboia. That took place at 6:23 p.m. and while no significant damage was reported to ECCC, there were images posted to social media of toonie-sized hail that caused damage within the community to homes, vehicles and gardens. On the Town of Assiniboia’s website it stated, “To assist with the clean up after this past weekend’s storm, the operation’s staff will pick up broken branches
and bags of leaves and garden waste today. Please put them out by the curb.”
With the three confirmed tornadoes already in early July, Phillips said they are more common in Saskatchewan than in any other place in Canada with an average of about 15 per year. “They tend to be a little on the weak side with F0, F1 and maybe F2 but not much more than that. They do create some damage but it is really just the province where you do see a lot of hail storms, thunderstorms and from that tornadoes can spawn. I think there would have been more, stronger and intense ones (on July 4) if there would have been a little more heat and humidity.”
Another severe weather event occurred July 7 when ECCC noted intense thunderstorms moved through southwestern Saskatchewan and persisted into the night. This line brought severe wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain. A report of nickel-sized hail occurred in Golden Prairie and reports of trees being snapped took place near Hazenmore.
Some of the maximum wind gusts in kilometres per hour recorded by ECCC stations included: Mankota at 141, Coronach at 139, Val Marie at 117, Rockglen at 98, Assiniboia at 91, Kindersley at 89, Estevan at 87, and North Battleford at 83. Along with the high winds, there was a large amount of precipitation for those areas. The 24-hour accumulated precipitation in millimetres from ECCC stations (as of 11 a.m. July 8) included: North Battleford with 133.8, Edgerton with 73.1, Hussar with 64.2, Gilt Edge North with 54.5, Spiritwood with 51.8, and Ribstone south with 50. There were also reports of Assiniboia receiving around 61 mm of precipitation.
For the local area, while there has not been any confirmed tornadoes as of yet or a substantial amount of moisture in July like southern portions of the province have experienced, Phillips said, “In some parts of the prairies it has been too wet and not warm enough but I think your area is about as close to normal as it can be. Temperatures could be a little warmer but that is coming and precipitation has been pretty adequate. It hasn’t made up for the very dry April and May but it is better that you did get some rain when the crops are growing instead of the reverse.”
As for the temperature over the past few months, Phillips said it has been slightly on the cool side with May coming out to be about a half of a degree cooler than normal. June was about a degree cooler than normal but July so far has been close to normal. The trend moving forward shows normal to warmer than normal for the next month, something that Phillips said is perfect for the province. “The good kind of vacation and farm weather is ahead of you. It doesn’t look like it is going to be so warm but my sense is it will be pretty good.”
TWM Top Story - July 6, 2020
SARCAN depots busy after reopening in June
Daniel Bushman
After reopening to the public in June, millions of containers have been dropped off at SARCAN recycling depots across the province. After taking proactive steps to close its recycling network Mar. 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, since getting the green light to reopen to the public, SARCAN depots like the ones in Watrous and Lanigan have been busy.
With 72 depots located in 64 communities in Saskatchewan, Manager of Communications and Culture SARC/SARCAN Recycling Sean Homenick said since June 8 SARCAN had collected over 37 million containers from customers. “We are averaging about 15 million containers per week and 2.5 million collected per day across the province.”
Sharing the figures June 30, Homenick felt the final tally for June would probably end up being a record high for returns in a single month. “To give some context, our busiest days are usually the day after holidays and long weekends (Jan. 2, after Labour Day, etc.) when we collect about 2.7 million containers. Since reopening, pretty much every day we have collected over 2.5 million containers, so it’s kind of like having our busiest day of the year 12 days in a row (and counting).”
That has also been the case locally as Homenick noted the depots in Watrous and Lanigan have collected about 30 percent more containers compared to the same time last year. “We have also served about 10 percent more customers at those locations compared to 2019.”
Not knowing what to expect when they reopened to the public, Homenick said previous to that SARCAN had experienced several slow weeks while people limited their activities outside of their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during the closure customers began accumulating containers and once the reopening occurred, the actual response “has been quite overwhelming. The people of Saskatchewan are really dedicated recyclers.”
Now that they have been open for a few weeks Homenick said one area in particular that has come as a surprise has been the Drop & Go system. “That is our line-skipping service that allows you to create an online account, visit the depot to print tags for your bags, and drop them off for our teams to count after you leave (you are paid by PayPal or can come back and pick up a cheque). We knew it would be more popular during the COVID-19 era because it is a much lower contact and quicker way to visit SARCAN, but people across Saskatchewan have really flocked to the system. Before COVID-19 we were handling about two percent of container volume through Drop & Go and since reopening some locations are handling 50 percent of their container volume through Drop &Go.” Employing over 700 people, who together divert almost 50 million pounds of beverage containers, household paint, and end-of-life electronics from Saskatchewan’s landfills every year, with such a demand for recycling items after reopening, Homenick said staff have done really well adjusting to the increase. “Obviously, the overwhelming response from customers has meant a lot of work for our teams, very busy working days, and working overtime in some locations. Our teams have been doing really well so far, and we are recruiting more employees to help with the continued backlog of containers coming into SARCAN depots.”
For customers who are planning to bring their containers to a depot like the one in Watrous, Homenick provided a few tips:
• Make sure you check our website for our hours of operation and information on our new safety procedures before you visit;
• Each depot has a Recycling Guide at the front door (in a high visibility vest) who can help guide you through your return options and let you know about the depot’s safety procedures and capacity limits;
• Due to physical distancing procedures, if customers are entering the main lineup they may be limited to only bring in what they can comfortably move through the lineups at one time;
• Drop & Go is still going to be the quickest and lowest contact way to visit SARCAN, and customers can use the system to bring in 15 bags and boxes of recyclables at a time; and
• If customers have a large amount of containers to bring in (more than 15 bags of containers) they should reach out to the depot to make an appointment to drop them off.
With some SARCAN depots having longer wait times than usual due to physical distancing and limits on customer capacity inside the facilities, Homenick has appreciated the continued patience and understanding from residents. “The response from Saskatchewan has been really overwhelming, and we want to thank everyone for continuing to recycle at SARCAN.”
Daniel Bushman
After reopening to the public in June, millions of containers have been dropped off at SARCAN recycling depots across the province. After taking proactive steps to close its recycling network Mar. 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, since getting the green light to reopen to the public, SARCAN depots like the ones in Watrous and Lanigan have been busy.
With 72 depots located in 64 communities in Saskatchewan, Manager of Communications and Culture SARC/SARCAN Recycling Sean Homenick said since June 8 SARCAN had collected over 37 million containers from customers. “We are averaging about 15 million containers per week and 2.5 million collected per day across the province.”
Sharing the figures June 30, Homenick felt the final tally for June would probably end up being a record high for returns in a single month. “To give some context, our busiest days are usually the day after holidays and long weekends (Jan. 2, after Labour Day, etc.) when we collect about 2.7 million containers. Since reopening, pretty much every day we have collected over 2.5 million containers, so it’s kind of like having our busiest day of the year 12 days in a row (and counting).”
That has also been the case locally as Homenick noted the depots in Watrous and Lanigan have collected about 30 percent more containers compared to the same time last year. “We have also served about 10 percent more customers at those locations compared to 2019.”
Not knowing what to expect when they reopened to the public, Homenick said previous to that SARCAN had experienced several slow weeks while people limited their activities outside of their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during the closure customers began accumulating containers and once the reopening occurred, the actual response “has been quite overwhelming. The people of Saskatchewan are really dedicated recyclers.”
Now that they have been open for a few weeks Homenick said one area in particular that has come as a surprise has been the Drop & Go system. “That is our line-skipping service that allows you to create an online account, visit the depot to print tags for your bags, and drop them off for our teams to count after you leave (you are paid by PayPal or can come back and pick up a cheque). We knew it would be more popular during the COVID-19 era because it is a much lower contact and quicker way to visit SARCAN, but people across Saskatchewan have really flocked to the system. Before COVID-19 we were handling about two percent of container volume through Drop & Go and since reopening some locations are handling 50 percent of their container volume through Drop &Go.” Employing over 700 people, who together divert almost 50 million pounds of beverage containers, household paint, and end-of-life electronics from Saskatchewan’s landfills every year, with such a demand for recycling items after reopening, Homenick said staff have done really well adjusting to the increase. “Obviously, the overwhelming response from customers has meant a lot of work for our teams, very busy working days, and working overtime in some locations. Our teams have been doing really well so far, and we are recruiting more employees to help with the continued backlog of containers coming into SARCAN depots.”
For customers who are planning to bring their containers to a depot like the one in Watrous, Homenick provided a few tips:
• Make sure you check our website for our hours of operation and information on our new safety procedures before you visit;
• Each depot has a Recycling Guide at the front door (in a high visibility vest) who can help guide you through your return options and let you know about the depot’s safety procedures and capacity limits;
• Due to physical distancing procedures, if customers are entering the main lineup they may be limited to only bring in what they can comfortably move through the lineups at one time;
• Drop & Go is still going to be the quickest and lowest contact way to visit SARCAN, and customers can use the system to bring in 15 bags and boxes of recyclables at a time; and
• If customers have a large amount of containers to bring in (more than 15 bags of containers) they should reach out to the depot to make an appointment to drop them off.
With some SARCAN depots having longer wait times than usual due to physical distancing and limits on customer capacity inside the facilities, Homenick has appreciated the continued patience and understanding from residents. “The response from Saskatchewan has been really overwhelming, and we want to thank everyone for continuing to recycle at SARCAN.”
TWM Top Story - June 29, 2020
Major water main project to take place in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Making it a priority to replace the aging water main system on Main Street in Watrous and with the Saskatchewan government recently announcing a major cash injection to help stimulate the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, work will commence in July on Watrous’ Main Street.
As part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP), the Town of Watrous was approved for funding for the project along with additional street work. Through the province’s $150 million MEEP 2020 initiative Watrous has received $180,000 for its Main Street Water Replacement work and another $93,084 for additional capital street work including the 500 block of 8th Ave. E.
While the community has the option to use the funding by Mar. 31, 2022, the timing and the ability to save on some of the costs associated with the projects has the work starting in a few weeks. That means businesses and organizations located along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street will experience temporary interruptions to their water service.
Watrous Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said a precautionary drinking water advisory will be issued for those places that are located along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street and could last for the duration of the project. In an effort to try and alleviate the pressure of not having water service, Tarasoff said the town will be providing temporary water services if required.
“What we may have to do is look at the plumbing at some of the businesses to see if the main water can be shut off in the building. We would then have a licensed plumber come in to make an alteration. From there we would run a hose into the building for the day and then unhook it at the end of the day. Businesses need to have water and while it will pose a bit of a challenge to get that all set up we want to ensure that those places can still operate properly while construction is taking place.”
With TSL Mechanical out of Lanigan doing the water main replacements, Tarasoff noted they are scheduled to commence work July 15 with support from the Watrous public works crew. Starting on the 100 block and working their way north on Main Street, there will be some temporary restrictions in place for part of Hwy. 2 near TB’s Bar and Grill and Pip’s Esso and Subway. Once the crew works its way further north those restrictions will be lifted. Tarasoff said street access on each block will also be restricted to pedestrian traffic only while TSL Mechanical works to replace the water mains.
“My understanding is they will be taking out and replacing as they go. By doing that, our intent will be to restore the water service once each block is completed. While the service may be restored, the precautionary drinking water advisory will remain in place for the duration. We are looking at about three to four weeks of construction. It should go pretty quickly and we appreciate people’s patience and understanding.”
As the excavation takes place, Tarasoff noted any lead services that are found will hopefully be replaced. “The bulk of our lead services that are left in town are on Main Street because it is the older part of town. I think there are eight that we know of right now and we may find another one or two. We are hopeful that we can replace them as we do the water main replacement. Those are the service lines from the water main that run to the buildings.”
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said as the work commences depending on how crews are able to isolate the water main valves, there could also be some temporary outages spilling over to the immediate avenues. “We may have to shut off water to a block off Main Street on either side once we reach the main valves for each block. That would be a day type thing for those extended blocks if we had to shut them off. That just prevents the water from pushing through the valve we are trying to replace. Temporary water services would not be provided to those blocks because it would just be for a short time.”
Once all of the water main construction is done then crews will repair the street. “It is our intention to get a seal coat on the excavated portion of Main Street this year to provide a dust free asphalt like surface.”
Hoping to eliminate future water main breaks after the project is completed, other services like a complete street rebuild including new sidewalks would be part of a future phase. While there is no specific date as to when that could take place, Redden said with an estimated cost of $600,000 for each block minus the water main replacement of $180,000 that would be left to council to decide when that could occur and how that would be paid for.
“In terms of timing nothing has been determined but while we work on the water main replacement the hope is we can get as close to the buildings that still have the lead services so we will not have to worry about those in the future. The MEEP funding was unexpected but welcome and with the water mains needing to be replaced for some time, council felt this was a good opportunity to do that. We understand that some business owners might be disappointed that this work is taking place in July as opposed to fall but doing it now allows us to get a start on it and we have to find the time that suits a contractor. There is also a good possibility we can have the road sealed up this year instead of waiting until the next year due to the weather. It will be a dust-free service much like asphalt and we shouldn’t have to dig any more water breaks moving forward, something that can get quite costly in the winter months.”
As for the other funding the town received as part of MEEP, Redden said they will use that towards paving 8th Ave. E., where the new residential development is located near the Watrous and District Health Complex.
Daniel Bushman
Making it a priority to replace the aging water main system on Main Street in Watrous and with the Saskatchewan government recently announcing a major cash injection to help stimulate the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, work will commence in July on Watrous’ Main Street.
As part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP), the Town of Watrous was approved for funding for the project along with additional street work. Through the province’s $150 million MEEP 2020 initiative Watrous has received $180,000 for its Main Street Water Replacement work and another $93,084 for additional capital street work including the 500 block of 8th Ave. E.
While the community has the option to use the funding by Mar. 31, 2022, the timing and the ability to save on some of the costs associated with the projects has the work starting in a few weeks. That means businesses and organizations located along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street will experience temporary interruptions to their water service.
Watrous Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said a precautionary drinking water advisory will be issued for those places that are located along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street and could last for the duration of the project. In an effort to try and alleviate the pressure of not having water service, Tarasoff said the town will be providing temporary water services if required.
“What we may have to do is look at the plumbing at some of the businesses to see if the main water can be shut off in the building. We would then have a licensed plumber come in to make an alteration. From there we would run a hose into the building for the day and then unhook it at the end of the day. Businesses need to have water and while it will pose a bit of a challenge to get that all set up we want to ensure that those places can still operate properly while construction is taking place.”
With TSL Mechanical out of Lanigan doing the water main replacements, Tarasoff noted they are scheduled to commence work July 15 with support from the Watrous public works crew. Starting on the 100 block and working their way north on Main Street, there will be some temporary restrictions in place for part of Hwy. 2 near TB’s Bar and Grill and Pip’s Esso and Subway. Once the crew works its way further north those restrictions will be lifted. Tarasoff said street access on each block will also be restricted to pedestrian traffic only while TSL Mechanical works to replace the water mains.
“My understanding is they will be taking out and replacing as they go. By doing that, our intent will be to restore the water service once each block is completed. While the service may be restored, the precautionary drinking water advisory will remain in place for the duration. We are looking at about three to four weeks of construction. It should go pretty quickly and we appreciate people’s patience and understanding.”
As the excavation takes place, Tarasoff noted any lead services that are found will hopefully be replaced. “The bulk of our lead services that are left in town are on Main Street because it is the older part of town. I think there are eight that we know of right now and we may find another one or two. We are hopeful that we can replace them as we do the water main replacement. Those are the service lines from the water main that run to the buildings.”
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said as the work commences depending on how crews are able to isolate the water main valves, there could also be some temporary outages spilling over to the immediate avenues. “We may have to shut off water to a block off Main Street on either side once we reach the main valves for each block. That would be a day type thing for those extended blocks if we had to shut them off. That just prevents the water from pushing through the valve we are trying to replace. Temporary water services would not be provided to those blocks because it would just be for a short time.”
Once all of the water main construction is done then crews will repair the street. “It is our intention to get a seal coat on the excavated portion of Main Street this year to provide a dust free asphalt like surface.”
Hoping to eliminate future water main breaks after the project is completed, other services like a complete street rebuild including new sidewalks would be part of a future phase. While there is no specific date as to when that could take place, Redden said with an estimated cost of $600,000 for each block minus the water main replacement of $180,000 that would be left to council to decide when that could occur and how that would be paid for.
“In terms of timing nothing has been determined but while we work on the water main replacement the hope is we can get as close to the buildings that still have the lead services so we will not have to worry about those in the future. The MEEP funding was unexpected but welcome and with the water mains needing to be replaced for some time, council felt this was a good opportunity to do that. We understand that some business owners might be disappointed that this work is taking place in July as opposed to fall but doing it now allows us to get a start on it and we have to find the time that suits a contractor. There is also a good possibility we can have the road sealed up this year instead of waiting until the next year due to the weather. It will be a dust-free service much like asphalt and we shouldn’t have to dig any more water breaks moving forward, something that can get quite costly in the winter months.”
As for the other funding the town received as part of MEEP, Redden said they will use that towards paving 8th Ave. E., where the new residential development is located near the Watrous and District Health Complex.
TWM Top Story - June 22, 2020
With lots to offer, local area perfect for staycation
Daniel Bushman
With over 150,000 visitors to Watrous and Manitou Beach spending upwards of $25 million each year, the area has become a premier destination in the province. Despite the current COVID-19 pandemic and a number of guidelines put in place as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, many are hoping that despite not as many visitors to the area, this summer will be a safe and successful one.
Boasting unique properties contained in Little Manitou Lake along with a number of amenities and attractions that come with it, more and more people have not only visited Manitou Beach and Watrous but in a lot of cases, they have either called the area home or return year after year. While the region will still see visitors this summer, with all of the guidelines put in place by the Saskatchewan Health Authority to help combat the spread of COVID-19, it provides a prime opportunity for local residents to take advantage of the amenities right in their own back yard.
That includes shopping at local businesses as Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Chairperson John Gunderson said supporting local is very important, now more than ever. “Statistics show that each dollar spent at local independent businesses returns three times more money to the local economy than one spent at a chain. Shopping local also provides those businesses an economic boost and people with a convenient way to shop. It also can create jobs and those employees are customers who shop at other local businesses. As a marketing group we ask that people from Watrous and the surrounding area support local businesses because it is a challenging time for them.”
While Gunderson noted it will take some time before the marketing group sees how the current pandemic and closures fully impact local businesses, he is hopeful businesses can keep pushing forward. “Seeing them stay open and having our business community stay intact is probably our number one goal as a marketing group right now.”
Another item the marketing group is currently working on is filling the vacant Community Development Officer position left by Brendan Manz who took on a position with Tourism Regina. “Brendan did a fantastic job for us. I think I can safely say that tourism in particular had picked up since Brendan came on board and the marketing group was formed. Not only that, in general our economy is very strong and we are very thankful for the years he put in and the contributions he made. We are quite hopeful we can find a candidate who can fill his shoes and do a similar job.”
Until that time when a successful candidate is found, Gunderson said the marketing group will do as much as they can at the Board level to try and keep the local economy going. Despite the challenges, Gunderson added this summer provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy what Manitou Beach and Watrous has to offer.
With the Canada-US border remaining closed until at least July 21 and not a lot of interprovincial travel taking place, the Watrous resident said, “A lot of people have probably put off what would normally be their summer vacation plans and will spend more time locally. Whether that means using our recreational facilities that are gradually reopening like the golf course and regional campground, there might be more staycations as opposed to vacations. As a marketing group, we certainly want to encourage people to shop local and we likely will be focusing on that for the remainder of the year. As businesses are reopening we will be doing what we can to help them out.”
For the local golf courses, campgrounds and businesses who have since reopened as part of the Saskatchewan Re-open plan and others like the Manitou Beach Mini Golf who will open later this week, there remain some like the resort and mineral spa who are eagerly waiting to hear when or if they will receive the green light to operate this summer.
After opening its doors last year on June 28, the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre welcomed visitors every day during the summer. That allowed the opportunity for many people to tour through and research historic events and family roots. After the summer months, the Heritage Centre’s Kathy Bergen said the building on Main Street in Watrous remained open two days a week in the fall and winter, with special exhibits done for Remembrance Day and Christmas. However, as COVID-19 reached Saskatchewan, like many other public buildings, the local Heritage Centre shutdown in March. Since that time Bergen said work began on an exhibit to feature Century Farms, complete with oral histories from families. “This was put on hold when the Centre closed, but will continue to be worked on as we are able. The special exhibit which will be in place when the Centre can reopen will be the Hockey History of Watrous. The Heritage Centre will open when Phase 4 of the Saskatchewan Re-open plan is entered. Dates and times will be announced.”
An annual event that not only attracts car enthusiasts but hundreds of visitors to Watrous is the Watrous Manitou Beach Fun Run. Scheduled this year for July 25, planning had been underway for the 29th annual Fun Run. Administrator Dustin Hallborg who took on that role this year said, “The Watrous Manitou Beach Fun Run Committee would like to announce that we are revising our format so that we can still enjoy a wonderful summer weekend full of cars. While details are still being worked out, we intend to hold a “virtual” car show on our Facebook page over the coming weeks leading up to the event. On Saturday, July 25th, the Fun Run is hitting the road - cruising from Watrous through Lanigan, Nokomis, and back. We hope to bring some cheer to those that may be struggling during these tough times, all while staying safe in cars, and making some everlasting memories. More details to follow in the coming weeks!”
One of the first places in the local area to take safety measures when COVID-19 arrived in Saskatchewan was the Manitou Springs Mineral Spa and Resort. Temporarily shutdown, CEO/General Manager Dwight Hayter said, “When phase 4.2 is announced and we are allowed to open the mineral pool, we will be opening the entire Resort and all of its departments and will be running our usual hours of operation. Of course we will be following many new COVID-19 safety protocols for the safety of our guests and staff, as that is most important to us.”
Eager to reopen, Hayter said management and staff will be pleased to serve their VIP guests that are both local and from other areas. “We also realize that our business and all of its departments will have to be disinfected on a continuous basis in order to gain the trust of our guests that we are indeed a very safe place to visit.”
During the temporary closure, Hayter noted staff at the resort and mineral spa has been working to upgrade a few areas. “We have used our time very wisely while we have been closed, and although we have been operating only with a few staff, we have managed to upgrade different areas of the Resort and have focused primarily on the pool area. We have successfully got all the jets operating in the hot pool, worked at great length on pool tile repair, patched and repainted the pool as well as prepared our large patio for opening. Much painting and touching up has been done and we have focused on a lot of public areas that we normally couldn’t get to when we were open. We are hoping that the people of our great province will choose Manitou Springs Resort for their next vacation destination now that there is less international (and perhaps even less interprovincial) travel in the coming months due to the COVID pandemic.”
Down the road from the spa and resort, a few different places have been able to reopen. Shops like Manitou Mini Mart, Relics and Mike’s Beach Bar have welcomed customers and G-G's Gallery and Gifts, Bryan Mierau Photography and Murray Disc Golf are looking forward to seeing customers again. Another gem at Manitou Beach that has reopened is the Little Manitou Art Gallery.
Owner of the Little Manitou Art Gallery Sarah McKen said, “Our events are typically small gatherings and we will be able to proceed with events.”
Like other places within the resort community that have been able to reopen, McKen noted there are a few new protocols for public safety and peace of mind at her property. “Our come and go events will be monitored to respect the maximum size gatherings allowed. Hand sanitizer is provided at the gate, and check out. A soap and running water wash station is provided at the public portable toilet. The portable toilet is available by request, and sanitized after each use. We recommend only one family unit occupy a display pavilion at a time and our open-door presentation allows for great airflow and no door knob surfaces. Finally, I offer an informal COVID-19 Contact Registry. Visitors are invited to text to an internet cell number, which is listed at the gate each day they visit. The messages will provide the date of their visit and contact info. The messages are not monitored; it is a simple contact database. In the unexpected situation where Little Manitou Art Gallery is informed that a visitor has be diagnosed with COVID-19, I will be able to notify everyone who visited in that time period.”
What has become a growing attraction throughout the province during the pandemic has been drive-ins. Entering another season at Manitou Beach, the Jubilee Drive-In was scheduled to play its first movies of June this past weekend. While the season was a bit delayed due to technical issues, Earl Hayhurst who operates Video Stop in Watrous has been brought on to run the drive-in for this year. With help from previous manager Tara Hayden, Hayhurst who once worked at the Jubilee Drive-In when he was younger was eager to start. With extra rules and regulations in place as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, movie-goers will notice a few changes as they take in movies at the drive-in during the summer.
At iconic Danceland, changes have also taken place due to the pandemic. On its Facebook page dated June 8, Milie Strueby and Logan Rohatyn of Danceland stated, “We have unfortunately had to cancel all dances until Phase 5 cuts in. We are permitted to open during the second phase of Phase 4 but only 30 people are allowed. We are predicting that there will be no buffets or dances this summer. We are around if you want to chat with us.”
Hoping to see all of the businesses once again reopen at the resort village, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec was encouraged to see a few others welcoming customers again. From the resort village’s standpoint Worobec said they continue to determine the best approach to take for public places and facilities.
For right now, the mayor said they decided to keep the public washrooms closed because it is “nearly impossible to have staff available to sanitize washrooms after each use.”
As for some of the public parks at Manitou Beach, “We are already finding it difficult to manage bigger groups. We have observed some larger groups at the picnic area near Camp Easter Seal and I am sure there have been some at Wellington Park. We just ask that people wanting to use those places abide by the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) guidelines. People can certainly go to those areas we just ask they respect the guidelines set forth by SHA and the provincial government.”
Worobec also said people are welcome to utilize the walking trails and down at the lake, the beach area will reopen June 22. However, for those who do take advantage of the amenities, Worobec encourages people to maintain their distance and abide by SHA’s regulations.
Hoping the resort village and its visitors will move forward safely throughout the summer, as July 1 approaches, Worobec noted there will not be any official Canada Day celebrations. “We let the recreation board take the lead on that one and they decided they would not go through with any events this year including the fireworks. That also means there will not be the Big Float.”
Despite the cancellations, Worobec is optimistic things will one day return to a more normal. When that day arrives he hopes that all of the local area businesses will also be able to continue to operate. Last week CKOM out of Saskatoon noted that according to the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce 44 percent of closed businesses throughout Saskatchewan are unsure if they will be able to one day reopen.
“I hope that stat doesn’t hold true for us here and I hope that people stick around and stay close to home and spend what little dollars there is to spend here this summer. It is important that our local businesses stay open and thrive and continue to operate because we need them.”
Daniel Bushman
With over 150,000 visitors to Watrous and Manitou Beach spending upwards of $25 million each year, the area has become a premier destination in the province. Despite the current COVID-19 pandemic and a number of guidelines put in place as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, many are hoping that despite not as many visitors to the area, this summer will be a safe and successful one.
Boasting unique properties contained in Little Manitou Lake along with a number of amenities and attractions that come with it, more and more people have not only visited Manitou Beach and Watrous but in a lot of cases, they have either called the area home or return year after year. While the region will still see visitors this summer, with all of the guidelines put in place by the Saskatchewan Health Authority to help combat the spread of COVID-19, it provides a prime opportunity for local residents to take advantage of the amenities right in their own back yard.
That includes shopping at local businesses as Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Chairperson John Gunderson said supporting local is very important, now more than ever. “Statistics show that each dollar spent at local independent businesses returns three times more money to the local economy than one spent at a chain. Shopping local also provides those businesses an economic boost and people with a convenient way to shop. It also can create jobs and those employees are customers who shop at other local businesses. As a marketing group we ask that people from Watrous and the surrounding area support local businesses because it is a challenging time for them.”
While Gunderson noted it will take some time before the marketing group sees how the current pandemic and closures fully impact local businesses, he is hopeful businesses can keep pushing forward. “Seeing them stay open and having our business community stay intact is probably our number one goal as a marketing group right now.”
Another item the marketing group is currently working on is filling the vacant Community Development Officer position left by Brendan Manz who took on a position with Tourism Regina. “Brendan did a fantastic job for us. I think I can safely say that tourism in particular had picked up since Brendan came on board and the marketing group was formed. Not only that, in general our economy is very strong and we are very thankful for the years he put in and the contributions he made. We are quite hopeful we can find a candidate who can fill his shoes and do a similar job.”
Until that time when a successful candidate is found, Gunderson said the marketing group will do as much as they can at the Board level to try and keep the local economy going. Despite the challenges, Gunderson added this summer provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy what Manitou Beach and Watrous has to offer.
With the Canada-US border remaining closed until at least July 21 and not a lot of interprovincial travel taking place, the Watrous resident said, “A lot of people have probably put off what would normally be their summer vacation plans and will spend more time locally. Whether that means using our recreational facilities that are gradually reopening like the golf course and regional campground, there might be more staycations as opposed to vacations. As a marketing group, we certainly want to encourage people to shop local and we likely will be focusing on that for the remainder of the year. As businesses are reopening we will be doing what we can to help them out.”
For the local golf courses, campgrounds and businesses who have since reopened as part of the Saskatchewan Re-open plan and others like the Manitou Beach Mini Golf who will open later this week, there remain some like the resort and mineral spa who are eagerly waiting to hear when or if they will receive the green light to operate this summer.
After opening its doors last year on June 28, the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre welcomed visitors every day during the summer. That allowed the opportunity for many people to tour through and research historic events and family roots. After the summer months, the Heritage Centre’s Kathy Bergen said the building on Main Street in Watrous remained open two days a week in the fall and winter, with special exhibits done for Remembrance Day and Christmas. However, as COVID-19 reached Saskatchewan, like many other public buildings, the local Heritage Centre shutdown in March. Since that time Bergen said work began on an exhibit to feature Century Farms, complete with oral histories from families. “This was put on hold when the Centre closed, but will continue to be worked on as we are able. The special exhibit which will be in place when the Centre can reopen will be the Hockey History of Watrous. The Heritage Centre will open when Phase 4 of the Saskatchewan Re-open plan is entered. Dates and times will be announced.”
An annual event that not only attracts car enthusiasts but hundreds of visitors to Watrous is the Watrous Manitou Beach Fun Run. Scheduled this year for July 25, planning had been underway for the 29th annual Fun Run. Administrator Dustin Hallborg who took on that role this year said, “The Watrous Manitou Beach Fun Run Committee would like to announce that we are revising our format so that we can still enjoy a wonderful summer weekend full of cars. While details are still being worked out, we intend to hold a “virtual” car show on our Facebook page over the coming weeks leading up to the event. On Saturday, July 25th, the Fun Run is hitting the road - cruising from Watrous through Lanigan, Nokomis, and back. We hope to bring some cheer to those that may be struggling during these tough times, all while staying safe in cars, and making some everlasting memories. More details to follow in the coming weeks!”
One of the first places in the local area to take safety measures when COVID-19 arrived in Saskatchewan was the Manitou Springs Mineral Spa and Resort. Temporarily shutdown, CEO/General Manager Dwight Hayter said, “When phase 4.2 is announced and we are allowed to open the mineral pool, we will be opening the entire Resort and all of its departments and will be running our usual hours of operation. Of course we will be following many new COVID-19 safety protocols for the safety of our guests and staff, as that is most important to us.”
Eager to reopen, Hayter said management and staff will be pleased to serve their VIP guests that are both local and from other areas. “We also realize that our business and all of its departments will have to be disinfected on a continuous basis in order to gain the trust of our guests that we are indeed a very safe place to visit.”
During the temporary closure, Hayter noted staff at the resort and mineral spa has been working to upgrade a few areas. “We have used our time very wisely while we have been closed, and although we have been operating only with a few staff, we have managed to upgrade different areas of the Resort and have focused primarily on the pool area. We have successfully got all the jets operating in the hot pool, worked at great length on pool tile repair, patched and repainted the pool as well as prepared our large patio for opening. Much painting and touching up has been done and we have focused on a lot of public areas that we normally couldn’t get to when we were open. We are hoping that the people of our great province will choose Manitou Springs Resort for their next vacation destination now that there is less international (and perhaps even less interprovincial) travel in the coming months due to the COVID pandemic.”
Down the road from the spa and resort, a few different places have been able to reopen. Shops like Manitou Mini Mart, Relics and Mike’s Beach Bar have welcomed customers and G-G's Gallery and Gifts, Bryan Mierau Photography and Murray Disc Golf are looking forward to seeing customers again. Another gem at Manitou Beach that has reopened is the Little Manitou Art Gallery.
Owner of the Little Manitou Art Gallery Sarah McKen said, “Our events are typically small gatherings and we will be able to proceed with events.”
Like other places within the resort community that have been able to reopen, McKen noted there are a few new protocols for public safety and peace of mind at her property. “Our come and go events will be monitored to respect the maximum size gatherings allowed. Hand sanitizer is provided at the gate, and check out. A soap and running water wash station is provided at the public portable toilet. The portable toilet is available by request, and sanitized after each use. We recommend only one family unit occupy a display pavilion at a time and our open-door presentation allows for great airflow and no door knob surfaces. Finally, I offer an informal COVID-19 Contact Registry. Visitors are invited to text to an internet cell number, which is listed at the gate each day they visit. The messages will provide the date of their visit and contact info. The messages are not monitored; it is a simple contact database. In the unexpected situation where Little Manitou Art Gallery is informed that a visitor has be diagnosed with COVID-19, I will be able to notify everyone who visited in that time period.”
What has become a growing attraction throughout the province during the pandemic has been drive-ins. Entering another season at Manitou Beach, the Jubilee Drive-In was scheduled to play its first movies of June this past weekend. While the season was a bit delayed due to technical issues, Earl Hayhurst who operates Video Stop in Watrous has been brought on to run the drive-in for this year. With help from previous manager Tara Hayden, Hayhurst who once worked at the Jubilee Drive-In when he was younger was eager to start. With extra rules and regulations in place as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, movie-goers will notice a few changes as they take in movies at the drive-in during the summer.
At iconic Danceland, changes have also taken place due to the pandemic. On its Facebook page dated June 8, Milie Strueby and Logan Rohatyn of Danceland stated, “We have unfortunately had to cancel all dances until Phase 5 cuts in. We are permitted to open during the second phase of Phase 4 but only 30 people are allowed. We are predicting that there will be no buffets or dances this summer. We are around if you want to chat with us.”
Hoping to see all of the businesses once again reopen at the resort village, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec was encouraged to see a few others welcoming customers again. From the resort village’s standpoint Worobec said they continue to determine the best approach to take for public places and facilities.
For right now, the mayor said they decided to keep the public washrooms closed because it is “nearly impossible to have staff available to sanitize washrooms after each use.”
As for some of the public parks at Manitou Beach, “We are already finding it difficult to manage bigger groups. We have observed some larger groups at the picnic area near Camp Easter Seal and I am sure there have been some at Wellington Park. We just ask that people wanting to use those places abide by the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) guidelines. People can certainly go to those areas we just ask they respect the guidelines set forth by SHA and the provincial government.”
Worobec also said people are welcome to utilize the walking trails and down at the lake, the beach area will reopen June 22. However, for those who do take advantage of the amenities, Worobec encourages people to maintain their distance and abide by SHA’s regulations.
Hoping the resort village and its visitors will move forward safely throughout the summer, as July 1 approaches, Worobec noted there will not be any official Canada Day celebrations. “We let the recreation board take the lead on that one and they decided they would not go through with any events this year including the fireworks. That also means there will not be the Big Float.”
Despite the cancellations, Worobec is optimistic things will one day return to a more normal. When that day arrives he hopes that all of the local area businesses will also be able to continue to operate. Last week CKOM out of Saskatoon noted that according to the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce 44 percent of closed businesses throughout Saskatchewan are unsure if they will be able to one day reopen.
“I hope that stat doesn’t hold true for us here and I hope that people stick around and stay close to home and spend what little dollars there is to spend here this summer. It is important that our local businesses stay open and thrive and continue to operate because we need them.”
TWM Top Story - June 15, 2020
Q and A with the Watrous mayor and town administrator
Daniel Bushman
As residents and businesses within the community of Watrous get used to a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, cases have remained low in Saskatchewan as the middle of June approaches. With the province’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan reaching Phase Three June 8 and more things reopening like beaches and playgrounds, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the Town of Watrous to see how things have been going over the past few months.
With questions related to the budget, remaining vigilant during COVID-19 and wishing this year’s graduates the best, the following is a question and answer with Watrous Mayor Ed Collins and Town Administrator Orrin Redden.
How has the Town of Watrous council and staff been doing since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Saskatchewan?
As a council we have been meeting virtually through Zoom and it has been an effective way to get together and dialogue. Council as a whole has been getting used to this new normal and on June 22 we will once again be meeting together. However, instead of gathering in the council chambers we will be in the Heritage Room so we can socially distance.
The Town office opened to the public June 9 and with extra safety measures in place, it will continue to remain open moving forward. People are still encouraged to make any payments to the Town of Watrous electronically.
Our Public Works department have been socially distancing during their morning meetings and taking extra measures throughout the day to be safe.
What would you like to convey to the residents of the community as they remain vigilant during COVID-19 and have you been pleased with how people have been following Saskatchewan Health Authority’s guidelines?
As a resident and the mayor of the community, I would like to thank the folks of Watrous for the effort they have given. From what I’ve seen so far, they are obeying the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) guidelines and I want to thank them for that. Everyone seems to be doing their part and going forward we still need to remember to carry on with our social distancing and all of the other things recommended by SHA during this time.
The Town also certainly appreciates all of the work frontline workers, emergency services and everyone involved in health care have done and continue to do. We really appreciate it. It is a job well done and we want to pay tribute to them.
For local businesses who had to close and have since reopened or who have closed and are unable to reopen, how important is it as a community to support them and other local organizations during this time?
On behalf of the town, as mayor I’d like to say thank you to the businesses that reopened before the phases began taking effect. We really appreciated those who provided goods and services the community required during that time. They did it safely without a lot of fan fare and certainly did a good job with that. In saying that, a lot of other businesses were either closed temporarily, reduced their hours or closed permanently and I want them to know I feel for them. Hopefully when things get back to normal, whenever that may be, we are able to carry on like we were able to before.
Has the Town looked at doing anything to support businesses/residents during this unprecedented time?
Town council made the decision not to increase taxes this year. Council kept the municipal mill rate and base taxes the same and on the tax penalty side, council is in discussion regarding its discount/penalty structure. Generally on Aug. 1 we typically implement a one percent penalty on taxes that are not paid. We are a little ways from that date but council is in discussion with regards to any type of penalty that may or may not be implemented at that time.
How did this year’s budget go?
There were no changes to mill rates this year so taxes are not increasing.
In terms of street work, we have started on that on the 500 block of 8th St. E. That will receive curb and base work this year for sure and asphalt is a possibility. We are also working on 1st St. E. near Mainline Motors and are doing curb and base work as well.
The provincial government also recently announced funding as part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) which is an injection for communities to use as part of a stimulus package. We are waiting for confirmation from the provincial government to use those funds for additional street work and water main replacements.
On a stretch of Main Street starting from 8th Ave. and running north to Hwy. 365, we are doing double chip sealing. That costs roughly $120,000 for that project and it will prolong the longevity of that particular road. The streets and roads that we have are some of the best around and we want to keep them that way.
In addition to road work, we are doing some street lighting at 12th Ave. E. by the sportsgrounds. The 200 block will receive street lights and part of the 100 block will get curb and base and possibly asphalt. We have some other lighting to do at the new service road where it meets Hwy. 365.
Two years ago our water well number seven was installed and recently the supply line to tie it into the existing infrastructure was completed.
Minor ongoing upgrades continue at the Watrous Centennial Arena and swimming pool. We did a refresh on the old washroom concession at the sportsgrounds and will be doing some street lighting in the sportsgrounds as well with that work already started.
Over in the east industrial area by Home Hardware, Watrous Concrete and Manitou Mainline Chrysler, we are doing some tidying up, a bit of drainage work and levelling.
There was a request from residents of the community about creating a dog park. While it is not included in this year’s budget, council is discussing the request and feasibility of creating the dog park in town.
Beginning now and taking place over the coming years, an expansion is being constructed and completed at the cemetery. We needed to get started on it now to allow for the spruce trees and grass to grow so work has been done to extend the parcel of land our cemetery is located at.
In terms of the overall budget we have done a lot of water/sewer capital over the last few years and while that work will never end, this year we have idled back on some of the capital works and big budget items like the lagoon, water treatment plant and paved roads that have been previously worked on.
This budget is more of a maintenance type budget but we are excited about the possibility of that stimulus package offered by the provincial government. If we can get approved for that MEEP funding, we are more than willing to begin work this year on additional street work and water main replacements that we have earmarked for that program. That funding will also help create jobs and stimulate our local economy. We are pretty hopeful we can get that for this year but if not we will commence the work next year.
What will be taking place with places like the fitness centre, swimming pool and sportsgrounds?
Phase Three of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan which began June 8 included the reopening of fitness centres. Unlike in larger communities, the Watrous Fitness Centre is currently not staffed as patrons use a key pass to access the facility. With the fitness centre closed for the time being, council is discussing what the next steps will look like and if a staff person is required to reopen the centre. However, adding a staffed position will increase our expenses so we are just looking at the feasibility of that and if it makes sense for right now or sometime in the future.
Phase Four of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan includes pools and sportsgrounds but with Phase Three just launching, council had not yet received guidelines for what to expect for Phase Four. In terms of the swimming pool, no decision has been made as to whether or not it will remain closed for the season. We are doing a bunch of maintenance there right now in an effort to get it ready in case we are able to open it. A number of communities have decided to close their swimming pools for the year but we are waiting to see how it goes and what the guidelines include.
As of last week we were looking at allowing the play structures and swings at Kin Park to be used again after the government said we could reopen them June 12. With the sportsgrounds remaining closed, the play structure included in that area will also remain closed as it falls under Phase Four. Horizon School Division said its playgrounds are open effective June 12 in line with the Government of Saskatchewan Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
With graduation exercises cancelled in May, on behalf of the Town would you like to convey a message to this year’s graduates?
It is unfortunate and I really feel for the grads but at the same time I am sure they understand the seriousness of the situation we are in. As mayor, I certainly want to on behalf of the town congratulate them. I know it is a very special occasion and I want to wish them well. I think it is wonderful that the graduation parade was scheduled to be held June 14 to recognize the grads. I guess I would view the postponement as a temporary setback in their lives as they move forward. And while there will be lots of little bumps and bruises along the way, we are happy for them as they begin their journey after high school.
Daniel Bushman
As residents and businesses within the community of Watrous get used to a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, cases have remained low in Saskatchewan as the middle of June approaches. With the province’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan reaching Phase Three June 8 and more things reopening like beaches and playgrounds, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the Town of Watrous to see how things have been going over the past few months.
With questions related to the budget, remaining vigilant during COVID-19 and wishing this year’s graduates the best, the following is a question and answer with Watrous Mayor Ed Collins and Town Administrator Orrin Redden.
How has the Town of Watrous council and staff been doing since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Saskatchewan?
As a council we have been meeting virtually through Zoom and it has been an effective way to get together and dialogue. Council as a whole has been getting used to this new normal and on June 22 we will once again be meeting together. However, instead of gathering in the council chambers we will be in the Heritage Room so we can socially distance.
The Town office opened to the public June 9 and with extra safety measures in place, it will continue to remain open moving forward. People are still encouraged to make any payments to the Town of Watrous electronically.
Our Public Works department have been socially distancing during their morning meetings and taking extra measures throughout the day to be safe.
What would you like to convey to the residents of the community as they remain vigilant during COVID-19 and have you been pleased with how people have been following Saskatchewan Health Authority’s guidelines?
As a resident and the mayor of the community, I would like to thank the folks of Watrous for the effort they have given. From what I’ve seen so far, they are obeying the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) guidelines and I want to thank them for that. Everyone seems to be doing their part and going forward we still need to remember to carry on with our social distancing and all of the other things recommended by SHA during this time.
The Town also certainly appreciates all of the work frontline workers, emergency services and everyone involved in health care have done and continue to do. We really appreciate it. It is a job well done and we want to pay tribute to them.
For local businesses who had to close and have since reopened or who have closed and are unable to reopen, how important is it as a community to support them and other local organizations during this time?
On behalf of the town, as mayor I’d like to say thank you to the businesses that reopened before the phases began taking effect. We really appreciated those who provided goods and services the community required during that time. They did it safely without a lot of fan fare and certainly did a good job with that. In saying that, a lot of other businesses were either closed temporarily, reduced their hours or closed permanently and I want them to know I feel for them. Hopefully when things get back to normal, whenever that may be, we are able to carry on like we were able to before.
Has the Town looked at doing anything to support businesses/residents during this unprecedented time?
Town council made the decision not to increase taxes this year. Council kept the municipal mill rate and base taxes the same and on the tax penalty side, council is in discussion regarding its discount/penalty structure. Generally on Aug. 1 we typically implement a one percent penalty on taxes that are not paid. We are a little ways from that date but council is in discussion with regards to any type of penalty that may or may not be implemented at that time.
How did this year’s budget go?
There were no changes to mill rates this year so taxes are not increasing.
In terms of street work, we have started on that on the 500 block of 8th St. E. That will receive curb and base work this year for sure and asphalt is a possibility. We are also working on 1st St. E. near Mainline Motors and are doing curb and base work as well.
The provincial government also recently announced funding as part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) which is an injection for communities to use as part of a stimulus package. We are waiting for confirmation from the provincial government to use those funds for additional street work and water main replacements.
On a stretch of Main Street starting from 8th Ave. and running north to Hwy. 365, we are doing double chip sealing. That costs roughly $120,000 for that project and it will prolong the longevity of that particular road. The streets and roads that we have are some of the best around and we want to keep them that way.
In addition to road work, we are doing some street lighting at 12th Ave. E. by the sportsgrounds. The 200 block will receive street lights and part of the 100 block will get curb and base and possibly asphalt. We have some other lighting to do at the new service road where it meets Hwy. 365.
Two years ago our water well number seven was installed and recently the supply line to tie it into the existing infrastructure was completed.
Minor ongoing upgrades continue at the Watrous Centennial Arena and swimming pool. We did a refresh on the old washroom concession at the sportsgrounds and will be doing some street lighting in the sportsgrounds as well with that work already started.
Over in the east industrial area by Home Hardware, Watrous Concrete and Manitou Mainline Chrysler, we are doing some tidying up, a bit of drainage work and levelling.
There was a request from residents of the community about creating a dog park. While it is not included in this year’s budget, council is discussing the request and feasibility of creating the dog park in town.
Beginning now and taking place over the coming years, an expansion is being constructed and completed at the cemetery. We needed to get started on it now to allow for the spruce trees and grass to grow so work has been done to extend the parcel of land our cemetery is located at.
In terms of the overall budget we have done a lot of water/sewer capital over the last few years and while that work will never end, this year we have idled back on some of the capital works and big budget items like the lagoon, water treatment plant and paved roads that have been previously worked on.
This budget is more of a maintenance type budget but we are excited about the possibility of that stimulus package offered by the provincial government. If we can get approved for that MEEP funding, we are more than willing to begin work this year on additional street work and water main replacements that we have earmarked for that program. That funding will also help create jobs and stimulate our local economy. We are pretty hopeful we can get that for this year but if not we will commence the work next year.
What will be taking place with places like the fitness centre, swimming pool and sportsgrounds?
Phase Three of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan which began June 8 included the reopening of fitness centres. Unlike in larger communities, the Watrous Fitness Centre is currently not staffed as patrons use a key pass to access the facility. With the fitness centre closed for the time being, council is discussing what the next steps will look like and if a staff person is required to reopen the centre. However, adding a staffed position will increase our expenses so we are just looking at the feasibility of that and if it makes sense for right now or sometime in the future.
Phase Four of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan includes pools and sportsgrounds but with Phase Three just launching, council had not yet received guidelines for what to expect for Phase Four. In terms of the swimming pool, no decision has been made as to whether or not it will remain closed for the season. We are doing a bunch of maintenance there right now in an effort to get it ready in case we are able to open it. A number of communities have decided to close their swimming pools for the year but we are waiting to see how it goes and what the guidelines include.
As of last week we were looking at allowing the play structures and swings at Kin Park to be used again after the government said we could reopen them June 12. With the sportsgrounds remaining closed, the play structure included in that area will also remain closed as it falls under Phase Four. Horizon School Division said its playgrounds are open effective June 12 in line with the Government of Saskatchewan Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
With graduation exercises cancelled in May, on behalf of the Town would you like to convey a message to this year’s graduates?
It is unfortunate and I really feel for the grads but at the same time I am sure they understand the seriousness of the situation we are in. As mayor, I certainly want to on behalf of the town congratulate them. I know it is a very special occasion and I want to wish them well. I think it is wonderful that the graduation parade was scheduled to be held June 14 to recognize the grads. I guess I would view the postponement as a temporary setback in their lives as they move forward. And while there will be lots of little bumps and bruises along the way, we are happy for them as they begin their journey after high school.
TWM Top Story - June 8, 2020
WHS teacher receives highest honour from SHSAA
Daniel Bushman
A fixture in the classroom, an influential leader in high school athletics and a successful coach both on and off the field, Winston High School teacher Barry Croshaw has been bestowed with the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s (SHSAA) highest honour. Presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the total program of SHSAA over a period of time, Croshaw was one of just two people to receive this year’s honour.
Executive Director of SHSAA Lyle McKellar said Croshaw not only made contributions locally but within a district and at the provincial level across a variety of activities and programs including leadership, coaching, hosting, officiating, and school sport administration. After receiving this year’s Merit Award nominations and being scrutinized by a volunteer committee of past Merit Award winners, McKellar said the committee recommended that Barry be bestowed with the highest honour of the SHSAA.
“Barry has provided leadership within the Horizon Central District for many years and has spent time on the SHSAA Executive Council. In each of those roles he has promoted the ideals of the SHSAA philosophy. It is evident in Barry’s coaching that he truly believes in the SHSAA philosophy of developing citizenship skills in student athletes through a competitive school sport experience. He has high expectations of himself and the student athletes that he has had the opportunity to coach, and plan events for over the years. I truly believe that Barry has also been a leader in promoting the school sport philosophy among his colleagues and peers at the school, district, and provincial level.”
Croshaw who will be retiring from full-time teaching at the end of this school year joined Myles Loeffler from Martensville High School as the only other recipient of this year’s Merit Award. “Barry has always been looked at as a leader in the understanding and administration of not only six-man football but all levels of football in SHSAA,” said McKellar. “He has served many years as a conference commissioner for football always ensuring a quality school sport experience for all teams in the conference. His presence at local, district, and provincial track and field events is a testament to Barry’s belief that multi-sport participation is critical for student athlete development. Regardless of the competition, Barry, in addition to his coaching role, was always willing to lend a hand to make sure the event ran smoothly.”
Horizon School Division Director of Education and CEO Kevin Garinger was thrilled to learn that Croshaw had been named a recipient of the Merit Award and said, “I want to congratulate Barry Croshaw on receiving this year’s SHSAA Merit Award. This well-deserved award recognizes the fact that Barry has spent his remarkable career dedicated to high school sports. As a teacher, coach, and SHSAA executive, Barry has done so much for students, student-athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials. He has provided opportunities for sport and learning, not only within Winston High School and Horizon School Division but across Saskatchewan. As Chuck Noll, legendary coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers once said, “Good things come to those who hustle.” Barry is proof of this and has been an example of hard work and hustle to all who have been lucky enough to know him. Congratulations, Barry!”
The first time someone from Watrous has received the SHSAA Merit Award since 2007 when Ralph Eliasson was bestowed with the honour, McKellar stated, “Barry is one of those individuals that had a tremendous commitment to the ideals of school sport. Whether it was coaching, mentoring, or administrating, it was never about Barry but always about the student athletes and the SHSAA. He will be missed but his legacy will continue on for many years as those that he has influenced will continue to promote and practice the philosophy of school sport in all they do. Barry is such a genuine person. You would be very hard pressed to find someone that had a negative experience with Barry during his career. He is truly one of the greats of the SHSAA, not just as a coach, but as a promoter of school sport benefits to student athletes.”
Like McKellar and Garinger, Winston High School Principal Terry Braman who was the one to nominate Croshaw for the prestigious award was also appreciative of the leadership and character that Croshaw has displayed over his time at the school.
“It would be difficult to go into any place in Watrous and not see someone that Barry has had a positive impact on,” said Braman who arrived at Winston High in 2013 and coaches football alongside Croshaw. “He has dedicated himself to teaching and coaching at our school and everyone who has had experience working with Barry is better for it. His passion for Winston High School and being a Wildcat is unrivaled.”
Braman said the school’s staff and students are very proud of Croshaw adding he is beyond deserving of this award and has helped raise the youth of this community for three decades. “This had to be a very easy decision for the SHSAA as to us, Barry Croshaw is the epitome of high school athletics. It was an honour and privilege to nominate him.”
Two other teachers at Winston High School who have not only been on staff with Croshaw over the years but who are also a big part of the Wildcats football coaching staff also praised their colleague.
Teacher and offensive coordinator for the Wildcats, Steve Armstrong has worked with Barry for the past 23 years. Steve said over that time Barry has had a significant influence on the players and coaches that have participated in athletics at Winston High School.
“Barry is relentless in his approach to coaching the whole athlete. Barry likes to win, but it is more important to him that our student athletes become respectable and productive young men and women. His focus is on character development through sport, and I have never seen Barry waiver from this focus in the 23 years we have coached and worked together. His dedication to this ideal has influenced our school culture for the better, has instilled itself into the coaching philosophy of other coaches at our school and made Barry a key resource to our school division and provincial athletic associations. His philosophy has not only led to successful athletic programs but has also made Barry one of the most respected high school coaches in our province - especially within the football community.”
Like Armstrong, Doug Thomas has taught with Croshaw for over a decade and has also been involved with the senior and junior football programs. “Barry has shown me the level of commitment that is required to give our student-athletes the best opportunity to meet their goals. He is always the first to practice and the last to leave. He worked hard to get our junior tackle football program going and is constantly looking for opportunities to get our younger players on the field. People often wonder how our program keeps so many players engaged and excited - Barry is the reason. The success of the Wildcat football program is the product of great effort, planning, and time - much of this is carried on the shoulders of Mr. Croshaw. Barry has shown me that excellent leadership includes service and inclusion. As a new coach entering the program back in 2008, I was welcomed with open arms. My opinion was sought and valued by both Barry and Steve. I have seen this pattern repeated as new coaches have come and gone within the program. Barry’s actions also show that he values each and every player and the contributions they make on the field and in the locker room. He is intentional about giving every opportunity to all who want to belong - building on their strengths and finding an important role for them to play.”
Citing receiving the Merit Award as a tremendous honour, Croshaw was appreciative of the nomination submitted by Braman and the selection made by the SHSAA Merit Award panel. “I am humbled to think that my career has ended with inclusion into this group of Merit Award recipients.”
Starting his teaching career in Consul in the fall of 1989, after a year Croshaw moved to Watrous where he taught at the elementary school before moving across the street to Winston High School. Over that time, Croshaw taught a number of subjects and has been involved with coaching junior and senior football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and track and field. He has also done a bit of coaching in archery and curling and most recently has coached girls flag football.
But perhaps what the fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Pittsburgh Steelers is most known for when it comes to coaching is his involvement with the senior six-man Wildcats football team. First an assistant before becoming head coach of the team for many years, Croshaw has been involved with the blue and gold for 28 years. During that time he has helped to lead seven teams to a provincial championship and three more to silver medals.
When asked if there were some people who have been supportive, influential and instrumental over his time as a coach, Croshaw said, “A couple of guys that I really looked up to when I first started getting serious about coaching were Ralph Eliasson and John Kalmakoff. I learned a lot about how to conduct yourself as a coach from them. Of course the four administrators I worked under: Vern Rudneski, Al Fitzsimmons, Phil Gleim and Terry Braman were key because of all the support they offered and their belief in the value of education through athletics. There have been too many football coaches over the years to mention but Terry Braman, Doug Thomas and Steve Armstrong have been a huge source of support for a number of years. I have spent a lot of hours coaching with Steve and there is no way we have the success that we do without his contributions, support and friendship. The biggest mention needs to go to my wife Arlette, and kids Maddy and Dillon as they sacrificed many hours of me being away to coach and never wavered in their support of what I was doing.”
With retirement approaching, reflecting back on his career Croshaw shared a few highlights, something he said was hard to narrow down.
“From a pure outcome standpoint winning provincial championships in football is always something that comes to mind as a highlight for sure. That and having students that you are coaching win provincial titles and medals in track and field are very memorable to me. I also have many good memories of watching teams and students have success in other sports that I had the pleasure of watching as a spectator; like the atmosphere in our gym in the provincial final of girls volleyball or regional and provincial basketball. Seeing banners hanging in our gym makes me proud but knowing that regardless of having a banner on the wall or not, our students and coaches have represented Winston and our communities with class and sportsmanship and that gives me a far greater sense of pride. More importantly than the wins and losses, I will remember the smiles of the kids, the effort and dedication they exhibited regardless of the sport and the friendships that have come from these times. My best memories will always come from road trips on the bus with 40 singing football players, the “Good mornings” from kids whether it is at practice or just in the hallways, and travelling to places like La Loche where you get to know the students away from school. Of course the lifelong friends that I have made around the province through high school athletics are a big part of my life now and will be moving forward.”
In addition to those memories and receiving the SHSAA Merit Award, Croshaw has also experienced a number of other highlights as a recipient of many prestigious accolades. In 2011, Croshaw received the SHSAA Service Award and in 2013 was a co-recipient of the Watrous Citizen of the Year Award with Armstrong, Braman and Thomas. He also received the Darcey Busse Award for coaching excellence from Football Saskatchewan and was honoured with the Roughrider Recognition Award in 2016.
With such an impact in the sport of football both on and off the field during his teaching career, Executive Director of Football Saskatchewan Jeff Yausie said Football Saskatchewan was very pleased to hear that Croshaw was recognized through SHSAA’s most prestigious award.
“Barry has run one of the most successful six a side programs in our province if not the entire country. The interesting part about Barry is he competes at a very high level but he wins or loses with a smile on his face and he has always put the best interest of his players first. People in Saskatchewan are extremely passionate about football and it’s programs like the Winston Wildcats that we hold up as the hallmark of a small town football program. The number of Watrous players that have gone on to play elite post-secondary football, it is an impressive list! In 2016 Football Saskatchewan was pleased to honour Barry with our Darcey Busse Award for Coaching Excellence along with our Saskatchewan Roughrider Award that recognizes the significant contributions made by people like Barry to amateur football in their communities.”
Planning to stay in Watrous where he hopes to continue coaching and officiating or whatever else the school needs help with, Croshaw said he will fondly remember his time as a teacher and the support he received over that time. “I would like to say a huge thank you to our communities and parents for providing unquestioned support for our students and a bigger thank you to all of the students that have enriched my life and made this award such a memorable achievement. I hope that I have been a good role model and mentor to my students and athletes and that I have helped to steer athletics both locally and provincially in a way that benefits more kids. If I have done that and have had a positive impact on our kids then that’s what I would be most proud of.”
Daniel Bushman
A fixture in the classroom, an influential leader in high school athletics and a successful coach both on and off the field, Winston High School teacher Barry Croshaw has been bestowed with the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s (SHSAA) highest honour. Presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the total program of SHSAA over a period of time, Croshaw was one of just two people to receive this year’s honour.
Executive Director of SHSAA Lyle McKellar said Croshaw not only made contributions locally but within a district and at the provincial level across a variety of activities and programs including leadership, coaching, hosting, officiating, and school sport administration. After receiving this year’s Merit Award nominations and being scrutinized by a volunteer committee of past Merit Award winners, McKellar said the committee recommended that Barry be bestowed with the highest honour of the SHSAA.
“Barry has provided leadership within the Horizon Central District for many years and has spent time on the SHSAA Executive Council. In each of those roles he has promoted the ideals of the SHSAA philosophy. It is evident in Barry’s coaching that he truly believes in the SHSAA philosophy of developing citizenship skills in student athletes through a competitive school sport experience. He has high expectations of himself and the student athletes that he has had the opportunity to coach, and plan events for over the years. I truly believe that Barry has also been a leader in promoting the school sport philosophy among his colleagues and peers at the school, district, and provincial level.”
Croshaw who will be retiring from full-time teaching at the end of this school year joined Myles Loeffler from Martensville High School as the only other recipient of this year’s Merit Award. “Barry has always been looked at as a leader in the understanding and administration of not only six-man football but all levels of football in SHSAA,” said McKellar. “He has served many years as a conference commissioner for football always ensuring a quality school sport experience for all teams in the conference. His presence at local, district, and provincial track and field events is a testament to Barry’s belief that multi-sport participation is critical for student athlete development. Regardless of the competition, Barry, in addition to his coaching role, was always willing to lend a hand to make sure the event ran smoothly.”
Horizon School Division Director of Education and CEO Kevin Garinger was thrilled to learn that Croshaw had been named a recipient of the Merit Award and said, “I want to congratulate Barry Croshaw on receiving this year’s SHSAA Merit Award. This well-deserved award recognizes the fact that Barry has spent his remarkable career dedicated to high school sports. As a teacher, coach, and SHSAA executive, Barry has done so much for students, student-athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials. He has provided opportunities for sport and learning, not only within Winston High School and Horizon School Division but across Saskatchewan. As Chuck Noll, legendary coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers once said, “Good things come to those who hustle.” Barry is proof of this and has been an example of hard work and hustle to all who have been lucky enough to know him. Congratulations, Barry!”
The first time someone from Watrous has received the SHSAA Merit Award since 2007 when Ralph Eliasson was bestowed with the honour, McKellar stated, “Barry is one of those individuals that had a tremendous commitment to the ideals of school sport. Whether it was coaching, mentoring, or administrating, it was never about Barry but always about the student athletes and the SHSAA. He will be missed but his legacy will continue on for many years as those that he has influenced will continue to promote and practice the philosophy of school sport in all they do. Barry is such a genuine person. You would be very hard pressed to find someone that had a negative experience with Barry during his career. He is truly one of the greats of the SHSAA, not just as a coach, but as a promoter of school sport benefits to student athletes.”
Like McKellar and Garinger, Winston High School Principal Terry Braman who was the one to nominate Croshaw for the prestigious award was also appreciative of the leadership and character that Croshaw has displayed over his time at the school.
“It would be difficult to go into any place in Watrous and not see someone that Barry has had a positive impact on,” said Braman who arrived at Winston High in 2013 and coaches football alongside Croshaw. “He has dedicated himself to teaching and coaching at our school and everyone who has had experience working with Barry is better for it. His passion for Winston High School and being a Wildcat is unrivaled.”
Braman said the school’s staff and students are very proud of Croshaw adding he is beyond deserving of this award and has helped raise the youth of this community for three decades. “This had to be a very easy decision for the SHSAA as to us, Barry Croshaw is the epitome of high school athletics. It was an honour and privilege to nominate him.”
Two other teachers at Winston High School who have not only been on staff with Croshaw over the years but who are also a big part of the Wildcats football coaching staff also praised their colleague.
Teacher and offensive coordinator for the Wildcats, Steve Armstrong has worked with Barry for the past 23 years. Steve said over that time Barry has had a significant influence on the players and coaches that have participated in athletics at Winston High School.
“Barry is relentless in his approach to coaching the whole athlete. Barry likes to win, but it is more important to him that our student athletes become respectable and productive young men and women. His focus is on character development through sport, and I have never seen Barry waiver from this focus in the 23 years we have coached and worked together. His dedication to this ideal has influenced our school culture for the better, has instilled itself into the coaching philosophy of other coaches at our school and made Barry a key resource to our school division and provincial athletic associations. His philosophy has not only led to successful athletic programs but has also made Barry one of the most respected high school coaches in our province - especially within the football community.”
Like Armstrong, Doug Thomas has taught with Croshaw for over a decade and has also been involved with the senior and junior football programs. “Barry has shown me the level of commitment that is required to give our student-athletes the best opportunity to meet their goals. He is always the first to practice and the last to leave. He worked hard to get our junior tackle football program going and is constantly looking for opportunities to get our younger players on the field. People often wonder how our program keeps so many players engaged and excited - Barry is the reason. The success of the Wildcat football program is the product of great effort, planning, and time - much of this is carried on the shoulders of Mr. Croshaw. Barry has shown me that excellent leadership includes service and inclusion. As a new coach entering the program back in 2008, I was welcomed with open arms. My opinion was sought and valued by both Barry and Steve. I have seen this pattern repeated as new coaches have come and gone within the program. Barry’s actions also show that he values each and every player and the contributions they make on the field and in the locker room. He is intentional about giving every opportunity to all who want to belong - building on their strengths and finding an important role for them to play.”
Citing receiving the Merit Award as a tremendous honour, Croshaw was appreciative of the nomination submitted by Braman and the selection made by the SHSAA Merit Award panel. “I am humbled to think that my career has ended with inclusion into this group of Merit Award recipients.”
Starting his teaching career in Consul in the fall of 1989, after a year Croshaw moved to Watrous where he taught at the elementary school before moving across the street to Winston High School. Over that time, Croshaw taught a number of subjects and has been involved with coaching junior and senior football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and track and field. He has also done a bit of coaching in archery and curling and most recently has coached girls flag football.
But perhaps what the fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Pittsburgh Steelers is most known for when it comes to coaching is his involvement with the senior six-man Wildcats football team. First an assistant before becoming head coach of the team for many years, Croshaw has been involved with the blue and gold for 28 years. During that time he has helped to lead seven teams to a provincial championship and three more to silver medals.
When asked if there were some people who have been supportive, influential and instrumental over his time as a coach, Croshaw said, “A couple of guys that I really looked up to when I first started getting serious about coaching were Ralph Eliasson and John Kalmakoff. I learned a lot about how to conduct yourself as a coach from them. Of course the four administrators I worked under: Vern Rudneski, Al Fitzsimmons, Phil Gleim and Terry Braman were key because of all the support they offered and their belief in the value of education through athletics. There have been too many football coaches over the years to mention but Terry Braman, Doug Thomas and Steve Armstrong have been a huge source of support for a number of years. I have spent a lot of hours coaching with Steve and there is no way we have the success that we do without his contributions, support and friendship. The biggest mention needs to go to my wife Arlette, and kids Maddy and Dillon as they sacrificed many hours of me being away to coach and never wavered in their support of what I was doing.”
With retirement approaching, reflecting back on his career Croshaw shared a few highlights, something he said was hard to narrow down.
“From a pure outcome standpoint winning provincial championships in football is always something that comes to mind as a highlight for sure. That and having students that you are coaching win provincial titles and medals in track and field are very memorable to me. I also have many good memories of watching teams and students have success in other sports that I had the pleasure of watching as a spectator; like the atmosphere in our gym in the provincial final of girls volleyball or regional and provincial basketball. Seeing banners hanging in our gym makes me proud but knowing that regardless of having a banner on the wall or not, our students and coaches have represented Winston and our communities with class and sportsmanship and that gives me a far greater sense of pride. More importantly than the wins and losses, I will remember the smiles of the kids, the effort and dedication they exhibited regardless of the sport and the friendships that have come from these times. My best memories will always come from road trips on the bus with 40 singing football players, the “Good mornings” from kids whether it is at practice or just in the hallways, and travelling to places like La Loche where you get to know the students away from school. Of course the lifelong friends that I have made around the province through high school athletics are a big part of my life now and will be moving forward.”
In addition to those memories and receiving the SHSAA Merit Award, Croshaw has also experienced a number of other highlights as a recipient of many prestigious accolades. In 2011, Croshaw received the SHSAA Service Award and in 2013 was a co-recipient of the Watrous Citizen of the Year Award with Armstrong, Braman and Thomas. He also received the Darcey Busse Award for coaching excellence from Football Saskatchewan and was honoured with the Roughrider Recognition Award in 2016.
With such an impact in the sport of football both on and off the field during his teaching career, Executive Director of Football Saskatchewan Jeff Yausie said Football Saskatchewan was very pleased to hear that Croshaw was recognized through SHSAA’s most prestigious award.
“Barry has run one of the most successful six a side programs in our province if not the entire country. The interesting part about Barry is he competes at a very high level but he wins or loses with a smile on his face and he has always put the best interest of his players first. People in Saskatchewan are extremely passionate about football and it’s programs like the Winston Wildcats that we hold up as the hallmark of a small town football program. The number of Watrous players that have gone on to play elite post-secondary football, it is an impressive list! In 2016 Football Saskatchewan was pleased to honour Barry with our Darcey Busse Award for Coaching Excellence along with our Saskatchewan Roughrider Award that recognizes the significant contributions made by people like Barry to amateur football in their communities.”
Planning to stay in Watrous where he hopes to continue coaching and officiating or whatever else the school needs help with, Croshaw said he will fondly remember his time as a teacher and the support he received over that time. “I would like to say a huge thank you to our communities and parents for providing unquestioned support for our students and a bigger thank you to all of the students that have enriched my life and made this award such a memorable achievement. I hope that I have been a good role model and mentor to my students and athletes and that I have helped to steer athletics both locally and provincially in a way that benefits more kids. If I have done that and have had a positive impact on our kids then that’s what I would be most proud of.”
TWM Top Story - June 1, 2020
Local campgrounds set for shortened season
Daniel Bushman
With the weather getting warmer as the summer season approaches, local area campgrounds are looking forward to returning to a more normal. As parks and campgrounds have been listed under Phase Two of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan and with COVID-19 cases remaining low in the province, many local sites are able to reopen June 1 with a few changes.
Following guidelines listed in the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Manitou and District Regional Park’s Kathy Bergen said staff have been doing their best in anticipation of reopening June 1. “All reservations for May were cancelled and refunds were provided. All out of province bookings were contacted and also cancelled. Following that there were approximately 1,000 other reservations who had to be called to inform them of the re-open guidelines and moved to non-adjacent sites if needed. Most of the group bookings have been cancelled for now and individuals who felt they were higher risk when it came to health issues have also cancelled.”
Despite the inconvenience and for some, not being able to camp at the park this summer, Bergen said everyone has been understanding and cooperative. “One of the most challenging guidelines is to rent out every other site so camping sites are not adjacent to each other. This limits us to approximately 85 short term sites to rent. As all parks in Saskatchewan are subject to 50 percent capacity, the demand for sites is high. A further guideline currently in place is the closure of shower houses (and washrooms if attached), thus all camping units have to be self-contained for washrooms. Manitou and District Regional Park has a larger percentage of sites with sewer than many other parks so this is a benefit which draws inquiries here at this time.”
With the new guidelines being put in place, Bergen outlined further measures which include: the closure of the playground, camp kitchens, gazebo, and washrooms; payment in full is required at the time of booking; campers may visit other campers, but no more than 10 people at a site and those who do visit must still practice physical distancing; and sites will be sanitized between campers, so there cannot be check-ins before 2 p.m.
To minimize exposure of staff to customers, the office at the main entrance is also closed to the public and Plexiglas shields have been installed over the windows. “As all camping fees have now been collected from people, contactless transactions are reduced upon check-in. No cash will be handled for the sale of passes or firewood, etc.”
Being one of the larger regional parks in the province and usually very busy in July and August, to help monitor those who are coming into the park, during the day all traffic will use the check-in lane. “That means a bit of waiting from time to time, so we ask for people’s patience. At night the keypad lane will be used for entrance, and campers are equipped with a code.”
Despite the changes and added guidelines as part of the province’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Bergen said the park itself looks wonderful and will remain a nice setting for people to enjoy. “Many campers have said how much they are looking forward to just getting out of the house and enjoying the outdoors. Even if some beach amenities cannot open until later, people are not deterred from enjoying the lovely park. Unfortunately, this year non-camping visitors are not allowed into the park. In previous years it was a nice outing for people who would go for ice cream and then drive through the park, or who would come to have supper with someone camping here. These activities are suspended for now.”
Like the Manitou and District Regional Park, the Resort Village of Etters Beach is also expecting an influx of campers over the next few months. Falling under provincial jurisdiction as a provincial park, the Etters Beach recreation site campground consists of 14 serviced daily rental sites, 28 seasonal campsites along with 36 non-serviced sites for camping.
Clerk at the Resort Village of Etters Beach, Denise Brecht, said their seasonal sites opened when they were allowed to under the Re-open Saskatchewan plan. As of June 1, those using nightly sites will not be placed adjacent to each other and only 50 percent of the overall number of sites will be occupied.
“We are mandated by the provincial park guidelines because we rent space from the province so we have to follow those guidelines,” said Brecht. “As part of that there are other regulations that we need to adhere to. The beach area has to be closed but people are allowed to swim in the water. You can’t just sit and suntan and play on the beach but you can swim. Our showers have to be closed but our bathrooms can be open because they are separate units. Our boat launch can be open but our fish cleaning station is closed. Our playgrounds are closed off and our hall at the village is also closed. This year we also can’t offer swimming lessons as of right now and there are no kids programs at the park like there normally is. We have placed signage up around the area and ask that people continue to follow the recommended guidelines when it comes to social distancing and proper hand washing.”
In an effort to try and accommodate those who booked campsites early on at Etters Beach, Brecht said they had to suspend their booking site. “That allowed us to close every second site and then contact those who booked sites rom out of province. Most of the people who had booked by that time, we were able to shift them to the same type of site but just in a different area. We did the best we could and there is still some space available but only using half the sites we will be affected this summer.”
While Brecht noted most people have been understanding through the process, she added that many do not realize Etters Beach is specifically mandated by the province because the resort village is located on provincial government land and the regulations must be enforced. “If someone came in and inspected us they can close us down if we are not following the guidelines set out by the province so we do appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we move forward. We do have people who live at Etters and it is their only home. Keeping that community safe on their behalf is also part of what we have to look to try and do. They live here and for those who just go seasonally to camp, they can go home but if there was ever an outbreak at Etters there are people with no place to go because that is where they live.”
As the Manitou and District Regional Park and Etters Beach implement guidelines, with a June 1 reopening date, the Lanigan Lions Campground is also eagerly anticipating its season.
Lanigan Lions Campground Manager Brad Huculak said they have been undertaking the different requirements and like the regional park at Manitou Beach, there will not be showers or bathrooms open to the public. “Our only water we can have at the campground is at the sewer fill and washout stations. Everything else will have to be isolated so people will have to use their own washrooms and so nothing will be able to be open for now.”
With 34 sites in Lanigan, Huculak said they will be at 50 percent capacity with no one camping adjacent to each other. Pending an inspection during the final week of May, if the campground received the green light, Huculak said they would be able to reopen June 1.
“There has been a few calls already about availability through the summer and we are looking forward to the season which we hope will run right through to the end of September. We will be opening and trying to do our best to give access to people and hope we can provide a service even though it is going to be fairly limited. If the phases enhance then maybe the bathrooms will be allowed to be open later in the summer but we will have to wait until the government gives the go ahead.”
Meanwhile at LeRoy Leisureland, the regional park has not only teed up another golf season like the courses at Manitou Beach and Lanigan but they too are hoping for a good year ahead.
General Manager of LeRoy Leisureland Mirelle Geyer said so far the weekends have been busy as people take advantage of their golf course. “It has been nice to see people coming out to enjoy the golf course, families sharing a laugh and couples coming to golf. I think everybody is eager to get out and enjoy the awesome weather we’ve been having.”
Also following the guidelines of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Geyer said they are only able to have 50 percent campground capacity with every second site allowed to have a camper.
“Our grounds staff has been hard at work getting the campground in tip-top shape. We have been remarking the campsites, clearly lining out what sites will be allowed for use, making sure the hookups are ready and that the campgrounds are clean and ready for use once June 1 comes around.”
Recently adding 12 power sites with reverse osmosis water, LeRoy Leisureland has 10 seasonal sites and 26 non-seasonal sites which has meant people have been calling to book them over the past couple of weeks. “We are really filling up quickly, especially over the weekends. People are anxious to get out and enjoy the wonderful weather we’ve been having as well as getting out for a round of golf on our beautiful golf course.”
At Painted Rock Campground located just off Hwy. 16 and a few kilometres west of Colonsay, Bryan and Dawn Wall are excited to be able to open June 1. With 21 sites, the campground can reopen at 50 percent capacity and because of that the Walls have maximized their pull-through and full service sites.
“Unlike provincial campgrounds, we are allowed to accept out of province guests,” said Bryan. “We are excited about this change as it allows travellers and others relocating across the country a place to stay on their journey. We also offer long-term options for people working in the area.”
While water and power is available at all sites, plus a limited number of sites with sewer hook-up, Bryan highlighted a few other changes. “Washrooms will be available, following strict guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Unfortunately, showers must remain closed. Our small store will also not open this year. Contactless payment and firewood delivery is available for all campers. As with everyone else in this resilient province, our priority is in the protection of our customers and our staff.”
Daniel Bushman
With the weather getting warmer as the summer season approaches, local area campgrounds are looking forward to returning to a more normal. As parks and campgrounds have been listed under Phase Two of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan and with COVID-19 cases remaining low in the province, many local sites are able to reopen June 1 with a few changes.
Following guidelines listed in the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Manitou and District Regional Park’s Kathy Bergen said staff have been doing their best in anticipation of reopening June 1. “All reservations for May were cancelled and refunds were provided. All out of province bookings were contacted and also cancelled. Following that there were approximately 1,000 other reservations who had to be called to inform them of the re-open guidelines and moved to non-adjacent sites if needed. Most of the group bookings have been cancelled for now and individuals who felt they were higher risk when it came to health issues have also cancelled.”
Despite the inconvenience and for some, not being able to camp at the park this summer, Bergen said everyone has been understanding and cooperative. “One of the most challenging guidelines is to rent out every other site so camping sites are not adjacent to each other. This limits us to approximately 85 short term sites to rent. As all parks in Saskatchewan are subject to 50 percent capacity, the demand for sites is high. A further guideline currently in place is the closure of shower houses (and washrooms if attached), thus all camping units have to be self-contained for washrooms. Manitou and District Regional Park has a larger percentage of sites with sewer than many other parks so this is a benefit which draws inquiries here at this time.”
With the new guidelines being put in place, Bergen outlined further measures which include: the closure of the playground, camp kitchens, gazebo, and washrooms; payment in full is required at the time of booking; campers may visit other campers, but no more than 10 people at a site and those who do visit must still practice physical distancing; and sites will be sanitized between campers, so there cannot be check-ins before 2 p.m.
To minimize exposure of staff to customers, the office at the main entrance is also closed to the public and Plexiglas shields have been installed over the windows. “As all camping fees have now been collected from people, contactless transactions are reduced upon check-in. No cash will be handled for the sale of passes or firewood, etc.”
Being one of the larger regional parks in the province and usually very busy in July and August, to help monitor those who are coming into the park, during the day all traffic will use the check-in lane. “That means a bit of waiting from time to time, so we ask for people’s patience. At night the keypad lane will be used for entrance, and campers are equipped with a code.”
Despite the changes and added guidelines as part of the province’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Bergen said the park itself looks wonderful and will remain a nice setting for people to enjoy. “Many campers have said how much they are looking forward to just getting out of the house and enjoying the outdoors. Even if some beach amenities cannot open until later, people are not deterred from enjoying the lovely park. Unfortunately, this year non-camping visitors are not allowed into the park. In previous years it was a nice outing for people who would go for ice cream and then drive through the park, or who would come to have supper with someone camping here. These activities are suspended for now.”
Like the Manitou and District Regional Park, the Resort Village of Etters Beach is also expecting an influx of campers over the next few months. Falling under provincial jurisdiction as a provincial park, the Etters Beach recreation site campground consists of 14 serviced daily rental sites, 28 seasonal campsites along with 36 non-serviced sites for camping.
Clerk at the Resort Village of Etters Beach, Denise Brecht, said their seasonal sites opened when they were allowed to under the Re-open Saskatchewan plan. As of June 1, those using nightly sites will not be placed adjacent to each other and only 50 percent of the overall number of sites will be occupied.
“We are mandated by the provincial park guidelines because we rent space from the province so we have to follow those guidelines,” said Brecht. “As part of that there are other regulations that we need to adhere to. The beach area has to be closed but people are allowed to swim in the water. You can’t just sit and suntan and play on the beach but you can swim. Our showers have to be closed but our bathrooms can be open because they are separate units. Our boat launch can be open but our fish cleaning station is closed. Our playgrounds are closed off and our hall at the village is also closed. This year we also can’t offer swimming lessons as of right now and there are no kids programs at the park like there normally is. We have placed signage up around the area and ask that people continue to follow the recommended guidelines when it comes to social distancing and proper hand washing.”
In an effort to try and accommodate those who booked campsites early on at Etters Beach, Brecht said they had to suspend their booking site. “That allowed us to close every second site and then contact those who booked sites rom out of province. Most of the people who had booked by that time, we were able to shift them to the same type of site but just in a different area. We did the best we could and there is still some space available but only using half the sites we will be affected this summer.”
While Brecht noted most people have been understanding through the process, she added that many do not realize Etters Beach is specifically mandated by the province because the resort village is located on provincial government land and the regulations must be enforced. “If someone came in and inspected us they can close us down if we are not following the guidelines set out by the province so we do appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we move forward. We do have people who live at Etters and it is their only home. Keeping that community safe on their behalf is also part of what we have to look to try and do. They live here and for those who just go seasonally to camp, they can go home but if there was ever an outbreak at Etters there are people with no place to go because that is where they live.”
As the Manitou and District Regional Park and Etters Beach implement guidelines, with a June 1 reopening date, the Lanigan Lions Campground is also eagerly anticipating its season.
Lanigan Lions Campground Manager Brad Huculak said they have been undertaking the different requirements and like the regional park at Manitou Beach, there will not be showers or bathrooms open to the public. “Our only water we can have at the campground is at the sewer fill and washout stations. Everything else will have to be isolated so people will have to use their own washrooms and so nothing will be able to be open for now.”
With 34 sites in Lanigan, Huculak said they will be at 50 percent capacity with no one camping adjacent to each other. Pending an inspection during the final week of May, if the campground received the green light, Huculak said they would be able to reopen June 1.
“There has been a few calls already about availability through the summer and we are looking forward to the season which we hope will run right through to the end of September. We will be opening and trying to do our best to give access to people and hope we can provide a service even though it is going to be fairly limited. If the phases enhance then maybe the bathrooms will be allowed to be open later in the summer but we will have to wait until the government gives the go ahead.”
Meanwhile at LeRoy Leisureland, the regional park has not only teed up another golf season like the courses at Manitou Beach and Lanigan but they too are hoping for a good year ahead.
General Manager of LeRoy Leisureland Mirelle Geyer said so far the weekends have been busy as people take advantage of their golf course. “It has been nice to see people coming out to enjoy the golf course, families sharing a laugh and couples coming to golf. I think everybody is eager to get out and enjoy the awesome weather we’ve been having.”
Also following the guidelines of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Geyer said they are only able to have 50 percent campground capacity with every second site allowed to have a camper.
“Our grounds staff has been hard at work getting the campground in tip-top shape. We have been remarking the campsites, clearly lining out what sites will be allowed for use, making sure the hookups are ready and that the campgrounds are clean and ready for use once June 1 comes around.”
Recently adding 12 power sites with reverse osmosis water, LeRoy Leisureland has 10 seasonal sites and 26 non-seasonal sites which has meant people have been calling to book them over the past couple of weeks. “We are really filling up quickly, especially over the weekends. People are anxious to get out and enjoy the wonderful weather we’ve been having as well as getting out for a round of golf on our beautiful golf course.”
At Painted Rock Campground located just off Hwy. 16 and a few kilometres west of Colonsay, Bryan and Dawn Wall are excited to be able to open June 1. With 21 sites, the campground can reopen at 50 percent capacity and because of that the Walls have maximized their pull-through and full service sites.
“Unlike provincial campgrounds, we are allowed to accept out of province guests,” said Bryan. “We are excited about this change as it allows travellers and others relocating across the country a place to stay on their journey. We also offer long-term options for people working in the area.”
While water and power is available at all sites, plus a limited number of sites with sewer hook-up, Bryan highlighted a few other changes. “Washrooms will be available, following strict guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Unfortunately, showers must remain closed. Our small store will also not open this year. Contactless payment and firewood delivery is available for all campers. As with everyone else in this resilient province, our priority is in the protection of our customers and our staff.”
TWM Top Story - May 25, 2020
TSB continues investigation regarding Guernsey train derailments
Daniel Bushman
It has been over five months since a train carrying crude oil derailed west of Guernsey and more than three months after a second train derailed just east of the community Feb. 6. With 34 cars coming off the tracks Dec. 9 and 32 out of 104 from a Canadian Pacific freight hauling crude oil derailing in February, investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) were called in while cleanup commenced at both sites.
According to the TSB, preliminary examination indicated an estimated 1.5 million litres of product was released to either the ground or atmosphere during the first derailment and site examination suggests that 27 of the cars lost product and released an estimated 1.6 million litres to either the ground or atmosphere in the second derailment.
Noting that both investigations remain in the examination and analysis phase, TSB’s Acting Director, Investigations, Rail/Pipeline Dan Holbrook sent a pair of safety advisory letters to the Director General of Rail Safety at Transport Canada relating to enhanced track standards for key routes and modifying key train speed based on various train risk profiles.
In Holbrook’s safety advisory letter highlighting enhanced track standards for key routes it stated, during the second derailment on the north side of the train, impact marks were observed on the wheel treads of tank cars located in the 28th, 29th and 31st positions behind the head-end locomotive. The marks observed were consistent with impact that occurs when a wheel tread contacts a broken rail.
The letter reads in 2015 the TSB investigated two Canadian National Railway (CN) derailments on the CN Ruel Subdivision involving the release of large volumes of petroleum crude oil. In both cases, Holbrook said amongst other factors, the cause of the derailment was related to either broken joint bars or a broken rail.
Since Jan. 1, 2015, the TSB stated it has been to seven train derailments involving tank cars that were transporting petroleum crude oil. Of those, six resulted in a significant release of petroleum crude oil and a review of the accidents indicated each of the seven derailments occurred on a key route on which the track was maintained in accordance with the Track Safety Rules (TSR) Class 3 or 4 standard. In each case, Holbrook stated the derailments occurred as a result of a broken rail, broken joint bars or other track infrastructure conditions. Six of those seven derailments since Jan. 1, 2015 occurred during the winter months.
In the letter Holbrook stated, “Although CP maintained the Sutherland Subdivision to a Class 4 standard, in the two months between Dec. 9, 2019 and Feb. 6, 2020, there were two significant derailments near Guernsey, both of which resulted in the release of substantial amounts of petroleum crude oil. While both investigations are ongoing, in both cases, the suspected cause appears to be related to a broken rail. Considering the 2015 CN derailments on the Ruel Subdivision and the recent CP experience on the Sutherland Subdivision, maintaining track to the TSR minimum standards on key routes may not be adequate to protect against derailments.”
Holbrook continued by noting, “In order to reduce the frequency and mitigate the risks associated with accidents involving key trains on key routes, it is imperative that the track infrastructure is adequately maintained. Considering that the underlying causes of the seven accidents identified were all related to failures of track infrastructure, Transport Canada is advised that the current TSR do not address the increased risks associated with the operation of key trains. Therefore, Transport Canada should consider revising the Rules Respecting Track Safety to include enhanced track standards for key routes.”
In the second safety advisory letter sent to the Director General of Rail Safety at Transport Canada which touched on modifying key train speed based on various train risk profiles, Holbrook stated train speed is one of the primary factors that contributes to the severity of a derailment. “However, other factors such as train length, train weight, the position of the first car(s) derailed, the position of the cars in the train and tank car design also play a role. In order to reduce the frequency of these accidents and the commensurate risk to the public, property and the environment, Transport Canada should further review and modify key train speeds, as appropriate, based on various train risk profiles while also considering other factors that influence the severity of a derailment.”
Right after the second derailment near Guernsey which forced the community to temporarily evacuate as a precaution, an order was given by the federal government restricting the speed of key trains. With the train travelling at 42 mph at the time of the second accident, TSB said the derailment happened at a speed that was permitted by the Rules Respecting Key Trains and Key Routes in force at the time. However, Holbrook said despite using the best tank cars available to transport petroleum crude oil, about 27 of the tank cars released an estimated 1.6 million litres of product. “This suggests that the recent tank car design improvements alone are insufficient to fully mitigate the risk of adverse consequences resulting from derailments involving DGs (dangerous goods), particularly at this speed.”
While he suggested other factors, such as the integrity of the track structure can play a role in a derailment, Holbrook noted there is a distinct tie between train speed and adverse outcome when large quantities of dangerous goods are involved.
Since both investigations remain in the examination and analysis phase with a final report still to come, to provide an idea of the process the TSB takes as it reaches a conclusion, much of the investigation occurs after its team leaves the site.
During the examination and analysis phase, the TSB may: examine company, vehicle, government and other records; examine selected wreckage in the laboratory and test selected components and systems; read and analyze recorders and other data; create simulations and reconstruct events; review autopsy and toxicology reports; conduct further interviews; determine the sequence of events; identify safety deficiencies; and update the public on the investigation.
Like the safety advisory letters that were released, the TSB does not wait until its investigation is complete or the final report is published to make important safety information public. If, at any stage of the investigation, the TSB identifies safety deficiencies, it informs those who can address the problem right away.
After the examination and analysis phase, TSB stated an investigation report is then drafted. The Board reviews the draft report and it may approve it, ask for minor amendments, or return it for further work. Once the draft report is approved, it is sent to designated reviewers on a confidential basis for comment.
A designated reviewer may be any person—including a company, corporation, manufacturer or association—who, in the opinion of the Board, will contribute to the completeness and accuracy of the report.
The Board considers all the designated reviewers’ comments and amends the report as required. Once the Board approves the final report, it is released to the public on the TSB website and through traditional and social media.
The TSB publishes its investigation reports as quickly as possible, but it takes the time it needs to conduct a thorough investigation and produce a report that advances safety and meets the expectations of the Canadian public and the transportation industry.
While there is still time before a final report is approved and released as the investigation continues, at both derailment sites east and west of Guernsey, large equipment was brought in to remove the derailed cars and to clean the area.
The Watrous Manitou reached out to the Ministry of Environment for an update as to how the progress was going and the ministry indicated that since Canadian Pacific Railway is responsible for all costs associated with the derailment, including the emergency response, environmental assessment and all required remediation, that CP would be in a better position to provide an update.
While the sites certainly look much different than they did during the derailments in December and February, after reaching out to Canadian Pacific after TSB’s update in April, the company indicated it did not have an update to provide at this time.
Daniel Bushman
It has been over five months since a train carrying crude oil derailed west of Guernsey and more than three months after a second train derailed just east of the community Feb. 6. With 34 cars coming off the tracks Dec. 9 and 32 out of 104 from a Canadian Pacific freight hauling crude oil derailing in February, investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) were called in while cleanup commenced at both sites.
According to the TSB, preliminary examination indicated an estimated 1.5 million litres of product was released to either the ground or atmosphere during the first derailment and site examination suggests that 27 of the cars lost product and released an estimated 1.6 million litres to either the ground or atmosphere in the second derailment.
Noting that both investigations remain in the examination and analysis phase, TSB’s Acting Director, Investigations, Rail/Pipeline Dan Holbrook sent a pair of safety advisory letters to the Director General of Rail Safety at Transport Canada relating to enhanced track standards for key routes and modifying key train speed based on various train risk profiles.
In Holbrook’s safety advisory letter highlighting enhanced track standards for key routes it stated, during the second derailment on the north side of the train, impact marks were observed on the wheel treads of tank cars located in the 28th, 29th and 31st positions behind the head-end locomotive. The marks observed were consistent with impact that occurs when a wheel tread contacts a broken rail.
The letter reads in 2015 the TSB investigated two Canadian National Railway (CN) derailments on the CN Ruel Subdivision involving the release of large volumes of petroleum crude oil. In both cases, Holbrook said amongst other factors, the cause of the derailment was related to either broken joint bars or a broken rail.
Since Jan. 1, 2015, the TSB stated it has been to seven train derailments involving tank cars that were transporting petroleum crude oil. Of those, six resulted in a significant release of petroleum crude oil and a review of the accidents indicated each of the seven derailments occurred on a key route on which the track was maintained in accordance with the Track Safety Rules (TSR) Class 3 or 4 standard. In each case, Holbrook stated the derailments occurred as a result of a broken rail, broken joint bars or other track infrastructure conditions. Six of those seven derailments since Jan. 1, 2015 occurred during the winter months.
In the letter Holbrook stated, “Although CP maintained the Sutherland Subdivision to a Class 4 standard, in the two months between Dec. 9, 2019 and Feb. 6, 2020, there were two significant derailments near Guernsey, both of which resulted in the release of substantial amounts of petroleum crude oil. While both investigations are ongoing, in both cases, the suspected cause appears to be related to a broken rail. Considering the 2015 CN derailments on the Ruel Subdivision and the recent CP experience on the Sutherland Subdivision, maintaining track to the TSR minimum standards on key routes may not be adequate to protect against derailments.”
Holbrook continued by noting, “In order to reduce the frequency and mitigate the risks associated with accidents involving key trains on key routes, it is imperative that the track infrastructure is adequately maintained. Considering that the underlying causes of the seven accidents identified were all related to failures of track infrastructure, Transport Canada is advised that the current TSR do not address the increased risks associated with the operation of key trains. Therefore, Transport Canada should consider revising the Rules Respecting Track Safety to include enhanced track standards for key routes.”
In the second safety advisory letter sent to the Director General of Rail Safety at Transport Canada which touched on modifying key train speed based on various train risk profiles, Holbrook stated train speed is one of the primary factors that contributes to the severity of a derailment. “However, other factors such as train length, train weight, the position of the first car(s) derailed, the position of the cars in the train and tank car design also play a role. In order to reduce the frequency of these accidents and the commensurate risk to the public, property and the environment, Transport Canada should further review and modify key train speeds, as appropriate, based on various train risk profiles while also considering other factors that influence the severity of a derailment.”
Right after the second derailment near Guernsey which forced the community to temporarily evacuate as a precaution, an order was given by the federal government restricting the speed of key trains. With the train travelling at 42 mph at the time of the second accident, TSB said the derailment happened at a speed that was permitted by the Rules Respecting Key Trains and Key Routes in force at the time. However, Holbrook said despite using the best tank cars available to transport petroleum crude oil, about 27 of the tank cars released an estimated 1.6 million litres of product. “This suggests that the recent tank car design improvements alone are insufficient to fully mitigate the risk of adverse consequences resulting from derailments involving DGs (dangerous goods), particularly at this speed.”
While he suggested other factors, such as the integrity of the track structure can play a role in a derailment, Holbrook noted there is a distinct tie between train speed and adverse outcome when large quantities of dangerous goods are involved.
Since both investigations remain in the examination and analysis phase with a final report still to come, to provide an idea of the process the TSB takes as it reaches a conclusion, much of the investigation occurs after its team leaves the site.
During the examination and analysis phase, the TSB may: examine company, vehicle, government and other records; examine selected wreckage in the laboratory and test selected components and systems; read and analyze recorders and other data; create simulations and reconstruct events; review autopsy and toxicology reports; conduct further interviews; determine the sequence of events; identify safety deficiencies; and update the public on the investigation.
Like the safety advisory letters that were released, the TSB does not wait until its investigation is complete or the final report is published to make important safety information public. If, at any stage of the investigation, the TSB identifies safety deficiencies, it informs those who can address the problem right away.
After the examination and analysis phase, TSB stated an investigation report is then drafted. The Board reviews the draft report and it may approve it, ask for minor amendments, or return it for further work. Once the draft report is approved, it is sent to designated reviewers on a confidential basis for comment.
A designated reviewer may be any person—including a company, corporation, manufacturer or association—who, in the opinion of the Board, will contribute to the completeness and accuracy of the report.
The Board considers all the designated reviewers’ comments and amends the report as required. Once the Board approves the final report, it is released to the public on the TSB website and through traditional and social media.
The TSB publishes its investigation reports as quickly as possible, but it takes the time it needs to conduct a thorough investigation and produce a report that advances safety and meets the expectations of the Canadian public and the transportation industry.
While there is still time before a final report is approved and released as the investigation continues, at both derailment sites east and west of Guernsey, large equipment was brought in to remove the derailed cars and to clean the area.
The Watrous Manitou reached out to the Ministry of Environment for an update as to how the progress was going and the ministry indicated that since Canadian Pacific Railway is responsible for all costs associated with the derailment, including the emergency response, environmental assessment and all required remediation, that CP would be in a better position to provide an update.
While the sites certainly look much different than they did during the derailments in December and February, after reaching out to Canadian Pacific after TSB’s update in April, the company indicated it did not have an update to provide at this time.
TWM Top Story - May 18, 2020
Hospital in Lanigan converted to ALC site; no conversions in Watrous yet
Daniel Bushman
Wanting to be prepared in case of a potential influx in COVID-19 cases, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) initiated its phased approach of converting hospitals as part of its COVID-19 surge plan. As part of that plan a number of hospitals including in Lanigan have temporarily been converted to Alternate Level of Care (ALC) sites leading to emergency services being disrupted. While not deemed an ALC site, Watrous has been identified as a COVID-ready hospital. So far the facility in Watrous has not been converted and emergency services resume.
SHA stated the reason for the ALC site conversion is to ensure capacity is available to address a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. “There are 12 community hospitals, including the facility in Lanigan, that are identified for temporary conversion to ALC as part of this plan. ALC refers to a patient that could be cared for in an alternate setting, rather than an acute care setting. This would refer to palliative, convalescing, respite, rehab or long-term care patients.”
In its rural update issued May 7, SHA stated while the efforts of residents in the province has resulted in some success to flatten the curve allowing Saskatchewan to reopen, planning is still being done for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. “The reality is that our health care system cannot change quickly to a marked increase in demand, if that curve suddenly starts to rise.”
Occurring in a phased approach over a four to six week period, SHA noted the first conversion phase involving community hospitals in Lanigan, Kerrobert, Herbert Preeceville, Broadview and Radville was scheduled to be completed. The remaining six temporary conversions to ALC sites in the province will follow in subsequent phases.
“The identified hospitals will be temporarily closed to acute care admissions and will only accept admissions to ALC. Emergency services in these locations will also be temporarily disrupted and will not be available at these facilities.”
SHA stated the measure is necessary to help protect its most vulnerable populations. “It will reduce traffic within these community hospitals, and will support the cohorting of staff, which reduces the risk of exposure. This measure
will also help us to increase capacity in our other sites for the potential COVID-19 surge in cases. Keeping patients and staff safe and healthy continues to be our number one priority.”
The conversion also allows for the movement of ALC patients from tertiary and regional hospitals to create space for a potential COVID-19 surge. It also separates COVID and non-COVID pre-acute or post-acute patients in the community in community hospitals to avoid transmission.
During a media conference May 13 and with new cases of COVID-19 low, SHA CEO Scott Livingstone was asked why the temporary conversions including in Lanigan went ahead.
Livingstone noted the decision to move forward with the planned ALC conversions in the 12 facilities in rural Saskatchewan was for a number of reasons. “One is to protect those folks in long-term care and to use the facilities capacity to provide care for alternative level of care positions in our larger facilities so that we can both build capacity to support the reopening of the health care system but also maintain capacity for a COVID surge and outbreaks as they arise throughout the pandemic.”
With emergency services temporarily disrupted and not available in Lanigan, SHA said in case of an emergency, people who live in the community or immediate area are asked to call 911. “EMS will assess the patient, initiate treatment and transport to the most appropriate facility to provide further care for the patient’s illness/injury. Alternatively, the patient could go to their nearest available emergency department. For non-urgent health related questions, those can be directed to HealthLine 811. This is the same process that would be in place in the case of a regular emergency services disruption at a community hospital.”
Despite those emergency services being temporarily disrupted and halted, Livingstone said SHA will continue to manage capacity and once the health care system is restarted then types of services may also change. That will also all depend on how things go with reduced restrictions and the reopening of other components of the economy over the coming weeks. Services offered to the community may also change depending on the types of COVID surges and how they are managed.
While the hospital in Lanigan is temporarily converted to an ALC site, in Watrous as part of SHA’s COVID-19 surge plan, that facility has been deemed a COVID-ready hospital. Unlike the 12 hospitals being made into ALC sites, SHA said changes to hospitals named COVID-ready will only occur when triggers determined through modelling have been reached.
“COVID designations are currently not in place for any hospital. There will be a phased approach to conversion that will be determined by the incidence and prevalence of COVID-19 in a community and the surrounding geographic area. Our priority is to care for people as close to home as possible.”
SHA indicated as hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients increase, regular hospitalizations of non-COVID patients will continue as normal. “By separating COVID-ready and non-COVID facilities we will avoid cross-contamination, decrease the risk of transmission, contain the virus, and prevent patients admitted for non-COVID-19 issues from becoming infected. All emergency departments continue to remain open in hospitals designated COVID-ready and non-COVID.”
Daniel Bushman
Wanting to be prepared in case of a potential influx in COVID-19 cases, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) initiated its phased approach of converting hospitals as part of its COVID-19 surge plan. As part of that plan a number of hospitals including in Lanigan have temporarily been converted to Alternate Level of Care (ALC) sites leading to emergency services being disrupted. While not deemed an ALC site, Watrous has been identified as a COVID-ready hospital. So far the facility in Watrous has not been converted and emergency services resume.
SHA stated the reason for the ALC site conversion is to ensure capacity is available to address a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. “There are 12 community hospitals, including the facility in Lanigan, that are identified for temporary conversion to ALC as part of this plan. ALC refers to a patient that could be cared for in an alternate setting, rather than an acute care setting. This would refer to palliative, convalescing, respite, rehab or long-term care patients.”
In its rural update issued May 7, SHA stated while the efforts of residents in the province has resulted in some success to flatten the curve allowing Saskatchewan to reopen, planning is still being done for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. “The reality is that our health care system cannot change quickly to a marked increase in demand, if that curve suddenly starts to rise.”
Occurring in a phased approach over a four to six week period, SHA noted the first conversion phase involving community hospitals in Lanigan, Kerrobert, Herbert Preeceville, Broadview and Radville was scheduled to be completed. The remaining six temporary conversions to ALC sites in the province will follow in subsequent phases.
“The identified hospitals will be temporarily closed to acute care admissions and will only accept admissions to ALC. Emergency services in these locations will also be temporarily disrupted and will not be available at these facilities.”
SHA stated the measure is necessary to help protect its most vulnerable populations. “It will reduce traffic within these community hospitals, and will support the cohorting of staff, which reduces the risk of exposure. This measure
will also help us to increase capacity in our other sites for the potential COVID-19 surge in cases. Keeping patients and staff safe and healthy continues to be our number one priority.”
The conversion also allows for the movement of ALC patients from tertiary and regional hospitals to create space for a potential COVID-19 surge. It also separates COVID and non-COVID pre-acute or post-acute patients in the community in community hospitals to avoid transmission.
During a media conference May 13 and with new cases of COVID-19 low, SHA CEO Scott Livingstone was asked why the temporary conversions including in Lanigan went ahead.
Livingstone noted the decision to move forward with the planned ALC conversions in the 12 facilities in rural Saskatchewan was for a number of reasons. “One is to protect those folks in long-term care and to use the facilities capacity to provide care for alternative level of care positions in our larger facilities so that we can both build capacity to support the reopening of the health care system but also maintain capacity for a COVID surge and outbreaks as they arise throughout the pandemic.”
With emergency services temporarily disrupted and not available in Lanigan, SHA said in case of an emergency, people who live in the community or immediate area are asked to call 911. “EMS will assess the patient, initiate treatment and transport to the most appropriate facility to provide further care for the patient’s illness/injury. Alternatively, the patient could go to their nearest available emergency department. For non-urgent health related questions, those can be directed to HealthLine 811. This is the same process that would be in place in the case of a regular emergency services disruption at a community hospital.”
Despite those emergency services being temporarily disrupted and halted, Livingstone said SHA will continue to manage capacity and once the health care system is restarted then types of services may also change. That will also all depend on how things go with reduced restrictions and the reopening of other components of the economy over the coming weeks. Services offered to the community may also change depending on the types of COVID surges and how they are managed.
While the hospital in Lanigan is temporarily converted to an ALC site, in Watrous as part of SHA’s COVID-19 surge plan, that facility has been deemed a COVID-ready hospital. Unlike the 12 hospitals being made into ALC sites, SHA said changes to hospitals named COVID-ready will only occur when triggers determined through modelling have been reached.
“COVID designations are currently not in place for any hospital. There will be a phased approach to conversion that will be determined by the incidence and prevalence of COVID-19 in a community and the surrounding geographic area. Our priority is to care for people as close to home as possible.”
SHA indicated as hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients increase, regular hospitalizations of non-COVID patients will continue as normal. “By separating COVID-ready and non-COVID facilities we will avoid cross-contamination, decrease the risk of transmission, contain the virus, and prevent patients admitted for non-COVID-19 issues from becoming infected. All emergency departments continue to remain open in hospitals designated COVID-ready and non-COVID.”
TWM Top Story - May 11, 2020
Charges laid after multiple break and enters including in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
After multiple break and enters to several businesses, residences and vehicles over a two month span in central Saskatchewan, a pair of people are now facing numerous charges.
Between Feb. 4 and Apr. 26, Saskatchewan RCMP received reports of break, enters, thefts and property-related offences across central Saskatchewan. A joint investigation involving a number of RCMP detachments was launched by the Saskatoon RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section (GIS) to identify those responsible for the crimes including one which occurred in Watrous.
From that investigation, police went over the evidence including surveillance videos which revealed an unknown male and a white Ford F-150 truck being present at crime scenes.
With the assistance of several RCMP detachments and Saskatoon Police Service, more information about the truck was received. Officers were then able to identify the owner of the vehicle and the male in the surveillance videos as 37-year-old Cody Kemick.
Saskatoon Provincial GIS along with officers from Saskatoon, Outlook, Rosetown and Humboldt detachments executed a search warrant May 2 at Kemick’s residence in Saskatoon. RCMP said Kemick and another occupant of the residence were arrested without incident.
Police then searched the residence and seized approximately $35,000 worth of stolen property including tools, computers, electronic devices, ammunition, cheques, hair salon products, lottery tickets and clothing. RCMP said these items are believed to be from break and enters from Watrous, Lucky Lake, Dinsmore, Rosetown, Kerrobert, Aberdeen, Humboldt, Milden, Conquest and Saskatoon.
Because of that, Kemick has been charged with three counts of Break and Enter, 10 counts of Possession of Stolen Property, one count of Theft and one count of Mischief.
A second person, Chantal Dubois of Saskatoon was charged with one count of Break and Enter and seven counts of Possession of Stolen Property.
Kemick and Dubois were remanded for court in Saskatoon on May 6, 2020.
Watrous RCMP Sergeant Jeffrey Friedenstab indicated some of the mentioned possession of stolen property charges are related to the break and enter at CIC. “It was determined they had fleet cards that were located in the safe at CIC. The fleet cards were stolen from the safe and used at different times. Because of that more charges will be forthcoming.”
As the investigation continues, Friedenstab noted the white Ford F-150 truck used during the break and enter at CIC is different than the white coloured truck used during the break, enter and attempted theft of the ATM at the Lanigan Esso. “There is more than one crime group running around right now and after looking at the surveillance video, we determined the truck from Lanigan was a different one than the one used at the CIC break and enter. Surveillance showed the grill of each truck was different and on the truck owned by Kemick, there was distinctive damage to the front end, middle front bumper which we found visible in the video provided to us by CIC.”
With RCMP continuing to search for the suspects involved in the break and enter in Lanigan, Friedenstab said police have issued two arrest warrants, one for 43-year-old Brenda Kayson and another for 26-year-old Julia Frenchman, both with no fixed address for possession of stolen property and uttering a forged document. The pair allegedly passed two CIC cheques that were stolen from the business.
In a separate case, Friedenstab said RCMP were able to identify the alleged suspects who were at the Best Way Construction break and enter in Watrous. “They were arrested in Humboldt for a break and enter at the RM of Wolverine shop. The vehicle they were in at the RM shop was the same one seen on surveillance video in Watrous checking out vehicles in the parking lot at Best Way Construction.”
While RCMP were able to lay charges related to the CIC break and enter and seize a substantial amount of stolen property, Friedenstab said they continue to look for those involved in other recent incidents. “If you have any information on any local break and enters, please contact the RCMP or Crime Stoppers. With the nice weather here, we also want to remind people to lock their doors both at home and in their vehicles. By locking your vehicles and your homes, it can prevent a lot of potential thefts.”
Daniel Bushman
After multiple break and enters to several businesses, residences and vehicles over a two month span in central Saskatchewan, a pair of people are now facing numerous charges.
Between Feb. 4 and Apr. 26, Saskatchewan RCMP received reports of break, enters, thefts and property-related offences across central Saskatchewan. A joint investigation involving a number of RCMP detachments was launched by the Saskatoon RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section (GIS) to identify those responsible for the crimes including one which occurred in Watrous.
From that investigation, police went over the evidence including surveillance videos which revealed an unknown male and a white Ford F-150 truck being present at crime scenes.
With the assistance of several RCMP detachments and Saskatoon Police Service, more information about the truck was received. Officers were then able to identify the owner of the vehicle and the male in the surveillance videos as 37-year-old Cody Kemick.
Saskatoon Provincial GIS along with officers from Saskatoon, Outlook, Rosetown and Humboldt detachments executed a search warrant May 2 at Kemick’s residence in Saskatoon. RCMP said Kemick and another occupant of the residence were arrested without incident.
Police then searched the residence and seized approximately $35,000 worth of stolen property including tools, computers, electronic devices, ammunition, cheques, hair salon products, lottery tickets and clothing. RCMP said these items are believed to be from break and enters from Watrous, Lucky Lake, Dinsmore, Rosetown, Kerrobert, Aberdeen, Humboldt, Milden, Conquest and Saskatoon.
Because of that, Kemick has been charged with three counts of Break and Enter, 10 counts of Possession of Stolen Property, one count of Theft and one count of Mischief.
A second person, Chantal Dubois of Saskatoon was charged with one count of Break and Enter and seven counts of Possession of Stolen Property.
Kemick and Dubois were remanded for court in Saskatoon on May 6, 2020.
Watrous RCMP Sergeant Jeffrey Friedenstab indicated some of the mentioned possession of stolen property charges are related to the break and enter at CIC. “It was determined they had fleet cards that were located in the safe at CIC. The fleet cards were stolen from the safe and used at different times. Because of that more charges will be forthcoming.”
As the investigation continues, Friedenstab noted the white Ford F-150 truck used during the break and enter at CIC is different than the white coloured truck used during the break, enter and attempted theft of the ATM at the Lanigan Esso. “There is more than one crime group running around right now and after looking at the surveillance video, we determined the truck from Lanigan was a different one than the one used at the CIC break and enter. Surveillance showed the grill of each truck was different and on the truck owned by Kemick, there was distinctive damage to the front end, middle front bumper which we found visible in the video provided to us by CIC.”
With RCMP continuing to search for the suspects involved in the break and enter in Lanigan, Friedenstab said police have issued two arrest warrants, one for 43-year-old Brenda Kayson and another for 26-year-old Julia Frenchman, both with no fixed address for possession of stolen property and uttering a forged document. The pair allegedly passed two CIC cheques that were stolen from the business.
In a separate case, Friedenstab said RCMP were able to identify the alleged suspects who were at the Best Way Construction break and enter in Watrous. “They were arrested in Humboldt for a break and enter at the RM of Wolverine shop. The vehicle they were in at the RM shop was the same one seen on surveillance video in Watrous checking out vehicles in the parking lot at Best Way Construction.”
While RCMP were able to lay charges related to the CIC break and enter and seize a substantial amount of stolen property, Friedenstab said they continue to look for those involved in other recent incidents. “If you have any information on any local break and enters, please contact the RCMP or Crime Stoppers. With the nice weather here, we also want to remind people to lock their doors both at home and in their vehicles. By locking your vehicles and your homes, it can prevent a lot of potential thefts.”
TWM Top Story - May 4, 2020
Phase one to reopen to begin; SHA releases new modelling data
Daniel Bushman
After implementing restrictions and social distancing measures while methodically and cautiously evaluating the current situation in the province, the first phase of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan begins May 4. As numbers of confirmed new cases of COVID-19 remained low last week with exception to Lloydminster and La Loche where the reopen plan has been put on hold, the launch of the first phase allows for some services to reopen with a second phase occurring later this month.
Phase one will allow for public access to medical services to be reinstated. That can also include access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. The provincial government said for those who reopen, when it is not possible to physically distance, providers will be required to take precautionary measures as outlined by the Chief Medical Health Officer.
Low-risk outdoor recreational activities will also be allowable with precautionary measures, including fishing and boat launches (May 4), golfing with physical distancing guidelines (May 15) and a fixed date (June 1) and clear guidelines for the operation of parks and campgrounds.
As those services commence and golf courses gear up to swing into the season May 15, the province’s second phase of reopening will occur May 19. That phase will include the reopening of retail businesses and select personal services that were previously not deemed allowable. Those retail businesses include: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good/adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV and snowmobile dealers; gift, book and stationery stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies.
The personal service businesses that can begin providing services to the public include: hairdresser/barber; registered massage therapist; acupuncturist; and acupressurist.
In both phases, the size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people. Meanwhile, the remaining three phases in the five phase plan have no determined start dates.
As Saskatchewan begins to reopen and other provinces across Canada release plans to reopen as well, there continues to be a strong emphasis on remaining vigilant in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Noting that just because the province is moving forward does not mean that COVID-19 is gone from its borders, last Tuesday the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released new modelling data regarding what if scenarios.
After its original models were unveiled Apr. 8, SHA has since been able to include Saskatchewan specific data and through the efforts of residents in the province, the numbers indicated Saskatchewan is in a significantly better spot to manage COVID-19 than before.
The latest data showed the province’s basic reproductive number for the virus is 3.12. SHA said that means the average number of people a single COVID-19 positive person in Saskatchewan would infect, had no interventions been undertaken and everyone was susceptible would be 3.12. However, with the introduction of public health measures in March and April, the effective reproductive number in Saskatchewan is actually 0.7 as of Apr. 25. That number is the average amount of people one person with the virus is likely to infect at the current time, after the effects of the interventions have been factored in.
While that number of 0.7 can change with behaviours and interventions, having it under the number one means the province is currently in a good spot. Analysis going back to early March indicates the value of this number has been under one since early April.
“This new data brings with it cautious optimism,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “Thanks to the Saskatchewan people’s efforts and our own robust actions on testing, contact tracing and other public health measures, we are flattening the curve and helping ensure our health system can manage the surge in demand that may come from COVID-19.”
Using the new Saskatchewan specific data, SHA said it can now adjust its planning scenarios and continue to plan for the worst while aiming for the best. Because SHA was able to plug Saskatchewan specific data into its models, it also adjusted the province’s COVID-19 Readiness Plan.
Stressing the models are not predictions but rather what ifs, SHA said they need to run the data in order to be prepared for a worst case scenario. However, that worst case scenario looked a lot better compared to the data from earlier in April.
From its Apr. 8 COVID-19 Readiness Plan and before it had its own reproductive number of 3.12, SHA took modelling estimates of three scenarios using a different reproductive number for each. From those scenarios released earlier in April:
• the upper-range (scenario 1) showed 408,000 cumulative total cases with 710 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 4,265, 215 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 1,280, 1,230 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 8,370 deaths.
• mid-range analysis (scenario 2) showed 262,000 cumulative total cases, 205 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,265, 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 380, 370 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 5,260 deaths.
• low-range analysis (scenario 3) showed 153,000 cumulative total cases, 60 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 390, 20 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 120, 120 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,075 deaths.
Being able to have a better picture of what could occur in the province and remembering the number as of Apr. 25 was 0.7, SHA created the Saskatchewan Age Stratified Scenario using its reproductive number of 3.12. From that scenario it showed the province could have 254,756 cumulative total cases, 190 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,736, a total of 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 412, a total of 403 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,050 deaths.
SHA said the revised planning scenario ensures Saskatchewan remains prepared for a major surge. It also indicated the maximum capacity can be reduced by 1,000 hospital beds, 400 ICU beds and 400 ventilators (total ventilators in planned scenario of 403 are within current SHA ventilator capacity of 486).
While the modelling numbers were encouraging as residents in Saskatchewan try to keep the spread of COVID-19 to a minimum, officials from SHA were quick to state that COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon. SHA indicated they will be monitoring the province as it begins to reopen in phases during May.
Along with its new Saskatchewan data modelling, SHA was also able to adjust its offensive and defensive portion of the COVID-19 Health System Readiness Plan.
From an offensive standpoint, some of those adjustments and continuations included:
• maximizing testing capacity, accessibility and speed, including ongoing expansion of rapid testing capability across the province and outreach to populations less likely to seek testing;
• surging contact tracing to stay ahead of demand, including a plan to meet any scenario up to 618 news cases per day in Saskatchewan;
• helping prevent spread by restricting staff to work in a single facility;
• contingency planning to use hotels to cohort COVID-19 positive patients who require intermediate care; and
• continuing to expand virtual care options to provide continuity of service while maintaining physical distancing, wherever possible.
Meanwhile, the SHA’s defensive strategy portion of the plan focuses on the readiness of its acute care services to meet any potential surge in demand from COVID-19.
While adjustments have been made to the plan like estimating needing 1,000 fewer hospital beds, 400 fewer ICU beds and 400 fewer ventilators than previously announced, staged activation of COVID-19, non-COVID-19, and mixed hospitals remains the same.
That means if required due to patient demand and safety, Watrous has been designated as a COVID-19 hospital while Lanigan has been designated a temporary conversion to alternate level of care patients.
If the need arrives, Watrous will have staged stand up based on demand and would receive COVID-19 patients only. Emergency services would remain open according to the report. Lanigan would see stand up with a temporary suspension of emergency services.
SHA said these changes are not immediate but the health authority proactively identified 20 out of its 65 hospitals that would be designated COVID-19 hospitals. COVID-19 hospitals will initially act as mixed hospitals but as the COVID-19 patient census increases, non-COVID patients may be relocated from the facility to non-COVID or mixed hospitals.
The staged responses related to integrated rural health stems from a potential increased demand through a combination of COVID and non-COVID facilities. That includes no facility closures and temporarily converting some hospitals like Lanigan to support alternative level of care patients over the next four to six weeks. That would mean alternate level of care patients will flow from tertiary and regional hospitals to create capacity in those locations. There would also be a temporary suspension of emergency department services to support reallocation of staff to higher need sites. SHA said no field hospitals for the local area have been contemplated as capacity in the rural area exists and timing and trigger points for deployment of the plan may be adjusted.
With the latest modelling data released Apr. 28, SHA and the Ministry of Health said they are developing a plan to resume, in a staged approach, community services, elective surgeries and diagnostics that were impacted by earlier service slowdowns. The elements of this plan will be activated in phases, with each phase triggered by surveillance data on transmission of the virus in the community. Identification of which services will resume will consider factors such as highest priority patient needs, risk of transmission of the virus, impact on COVID-19 surge capacity, impact on inventory of personal protective equipment and other factors.
“Going forward there will be ups and downs in our fight against COVID-19,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Shaw said. “That is why it is so critical that we be guided by the data and be willing to adapt as we learn more about COVID-19 and how the virus is behaving in the Saskatchewan context. While we support the province’s plan for gradually reopening the province, it is a critical time to remind Saskatchewan residents that this will be a phased process where we still need our citizens to be vigilant and practice the same precautions that have proven effective to date.”
SHA said Saskatchewan residents can continue to help by taking specific action, including: practicing good hygiene, washing hands regularly and physical distancing (two metres apart wherever possible); staying home, whenever and wherever possible; abiding by provincial and local travel, self-isolation, event and gathering restrictions; and avoiding visiting hospitals and long-term care facilities, unless there are compassionate reasons for doing so.
As of Apr. 28 when the new modelling data was released, Saskatchewan had one new confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Regina region, bringing the provincial total to 366. However, the following day a total of 17 new confirmed cases were reported including a sixth death in the province and a cluster identified in Lloydminster.
As of Apr. 29 the provincial total increased to 383 with 11 of the new cases from the far north (La Loche), five from the north region (four in Lloydminster) and one from the Saskatoon area.
Eighty-six of the cases were considered active while recoveries remained at 291. As of Apr. 29, there were 10 people in hospital – seven are receiving inpatient care (four in Lloydminster and three in Saskatoon), while three are in intensive care (Saskatoon).
The new COVID-19 cases in Lloydminster were linked to a cluster based in Lloydminster Hospital. Thirteen cases have been identified, including five health care workers and eight patients, and transmission has occurred in the hospital setting.
As of Apr. 29 patients were being co-horted in separate units in Lloydminster Hospital. All health care workers who have been identified as close contacts with a confirmed case are being tested as the contact investigation continues.
Meanwhile, a couple of mass-gathering events were recently held in Saskatchewan where the provincial government stated organizers mistakenly believed that gatherings were allowed as long as attendees maintained two metres of separation. However, these types of group events are not allowed – whether or not people practise physical distancing. Any gatherings that exceed 10 people are in violation of the current public health order.
As Saskatchewan reached a total of 383, comparatively, Canada had a total of 50,373 cases with the most in Quebec (25,757) followed by Ontario (15,728), Alberta (4,850) and B.C. (2,053). Next door in Manitoba, there were 272 cases. Overall in Canada there were 2,905 deaths due to COVID-19.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, there were almost three million confirmed cases with nearly 205,000 deaths. The United States accounted for almost one million of those confirmed cases with 50,492 deaths.
Daniel Bushman
After implementing restrictions and social distancing measures while methodically and cautiously evaluating the current situation in the province, the first phase of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan begins May 4. As numbers of confirmed new cases of COVID-19 remained low last week with exception to Lloydminster and La Loche where the reopen plan has been put on hold, the launch of the first phase allows for some services to reopen with a second phase occurring later this month.
Phase one will allow for public access to medical services to be reinstated. That can also include access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. The provincial government said for those who reopen, when it is not possible to physically distance, providers will be required to take precautionary measures as outlined by the Chief Medical Health Officer.
Low-risk outdoor recreational activities will also be allowable with precautionary measures, including fishing and boat launches (May 4), golfing with physical distancing guidelines (May 15) and a fixed date (June 1) and clear guidelines for the operation of parks and campgrounds.
As those services commence and golf courses gear up to swing into the season May 15, the province’s second phase of reopening will occur May 19. That phase will include the reopening of retail businesses and select personal services that were previously not deemed allowable. Those retail businesses include: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good/adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV and snowmobile dealers; gift, book and stationery stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies.
The personal service businesses that can begin providing services to the public include: hairdresser/barber; registered massage therapist; acupuncturist; and acupressurist.
In both phases, the size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people. Meanwhile, the remaining three phases in the five phase plan have no determined start dates.
As Saskatchewan begins to reopen and other provinces across Canada release plans to reopen as well, there continues to be a strong emphasis on remaining vigilant in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Noting that just because the province is moving forward does not mean that COVID-19 is gone from its borders, last Tuesday the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released new modelling data regarding what if scenarios.
After its original models were unveiled Apr. 8, SHA has since been able to include Saskatchewan specific data and through the efforts of residents in the province, the numbers indicated Saskatchewan is in a significantly better spot to manage COVID-19 than before.
The latest data showed the province’s basic reproductive number for the virus is 3.12. SHA said that means the average number of people a single COVID-19 positive person in Saskatchewan would infect, had no interventions been undertaken and everyone was susceptible would be 3.12. However, with the introduction of public health measures in March and April, the effective reproductive number in Saskatchewan is actually 0.7 as of Apr. 25. That number is the average amount of people one person with the virus is likely to infect at the current time, after the effects of the interventions have been factored in.
While that number of 0.7 can change with behaviours and interventions, having it under the number one means the province is currently in a good spot. Analysis going back to early March indicates the value of this number has been under one since early April.
“This new data brings with it cautious optimism,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “Thanks to the Saskatchewan people’s efforts and our own robust actions on testing, contact tracing and other public health measures, we are flattening the curve and helping ensure our health system can manage the surge in demand that may come from COVID-19.”
Using the new Saskatchewan specific data, SHA said it can now adjust its planning scenarios and continue to plan for the worst while aiming for the best. Because SHA was able to plug Saskatchewan specific data into its models, it also adjusted the province’s COVID-19 Readiness Plan.
Stressing the models are not predictions but rather what ifs, SHA said they need to run the data in order to be prepared for a worst case scenario. However, that worst case scenario looked a lot better compared to the data from earlier in April.
From its Apr. 8 COVID-19 Readiness Plan and before it had its own reproductive number of 3.12, SHA took modelling estimates of three scenarios using a different reproductive number for each. From those scenarios released earlier in April:
• the upper-range (scenario 1) showed 408,000 cumulative total cases with 710 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 4,265, 215 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 1,280, 1,230 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 8,370 deaths.
• mid-range analysis (scenario 2) showed 262,000 cumulative total cases, 205 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,265, 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 380, 370 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 5,260 deaths.
• low-range analysis (scenario 3) showed 153,000 cumulative total cases, 60 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 390, 20 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 120, 120 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,075 deaths.
Being able to have a better picture of what could occur in the province and remembering the number as of Apr. 25 was 0.7, SHA created the Saskatchewan Age Stratified Scenario using its reproductive number of 3.12. From that scenario it showed the province could have 254,756 cumulative total cases, 190 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,736, a total of 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 412, a total of 403 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,050 deaths.
SHA said the revised planning scenario ensures Saskatchewan remains prepared for a major surge. It also indicated the maximum capacity can be reduced by 1,000 hospital beds, 400 ICU beds and 400 ventilators (total ventilators in planned scenario of 403 are within current SHA ventilator capacity of 486).
While the modelling numbers were encouraging as residents in Saskatchewan try to keep the spread of COVID-19 to a minimum, officials from SHA were quick to state that COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon. SHA indicated they will be monitoring the province as it begins to reopen in phases during May.
Along with its new Saskatchewan data modelling, SHA was also able to adjust its offensive and defensive portion of the COVID-19 Health System Readiness Plan.
From an offensive standpoint, some of those adjustments and continuations included:
• maximizing testing capacity, accessibility and speed, including ongoing expansion of rapid testing capability across the province and outreach to populations less likely to seek testing;
• surging contact tracing to stay ahead of demand, including a plan to meet any scenario up to 618 news cases per day in Saskatchewan;
• helping prevent spread by restricting staff to work in a single facility;
• contingency planning to use hotels to cohort COVID-19 positive patients who require intermediate care; and
• continuing to expand virtual care options to provide continuity of service while maintaining physical distancing, wherever possible.
Meanwhile, the SHA’s defensive strategy portion of the plan focuses on the readiness of its acute care services to meet any potential surge in demand from COVID-19.
While adjustments have been made to the plan like estimating needing 1,000 fewer hospital beds, 400 fewer ICU beds and 400 fewer ventilators than previously announced, staged activation of COVID-19, non-COVID-19, and mixed hospitals remains the same.
That means if required due to patient demand and safety, Watrous has been designated as a COVID-19 hospital while Lanigan has been designated a temporary conversion to alternate level of care patients.
If the need arrives, Watrous will have staged stand up based on demand and would receive COVID-19 patients only. Emergency services would remain open according to the report. Lanigan would see stand up with a temporary suspension of emergency services.
SHA said these changes are not immediate but the health authority proactively identified 20 out of its 65 hospitals that would be designated COVID-19 hospitals. COVID-19 hospitals will initially act as mixed hospitals but as the COVID-19 patient census increases, non-COVID patients may be relocated from the facility to non-COVID or mixed hospitals.
The staged responses related to integrated rural health stems from a potential increased demand through a combination of COVID and non-COVID facilities. That includes no facility closures and temporarily converting some hospitals like Lanigan to support alternative level of care patients over the next four to six weeks. That would mean alternate level of care patients will flow from tertiary and regional hospitals to create capacity in those locations. There would also be a temporary suspension of emergency department services to support reallocation of staff to higher need sites. SHA said no field hospitals for the local area have been contemplated as capacity in the rural area exists and timing and trigger points for deployment of the plan may be adjusted.
With the latest modelling data released Apr. 28, SHA and the Ministry of Health said they are developing a plan to resume, in a staged approach, community services, elective surgeries and diagnostics that were impacted by earlier service slowdowns. The elements of this plan will be activated in phases, with each phase triggered by surveillance data on transmission of the virus in the community. Identification of which services will resume will consider factors such as highest priority patient needs, risk of transmission of the virus, impact on COVID-19 surge capacity, impact on inventory of personal protective equipment and other factors.
“Going forward there will be ups and downs in our fight against COVID-19,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Shaw said. “That is why it is so critical that we be guided by the data and be willing to adapt as we learn more about COVID-19 and how the virus is behaving in the Saskatchewan context. While we support the province’s plan for gradually reopening the province, it is a critical time to remind Saskatchewan residents that this will be a phased process where we still need our citizens to be vigilant and practice the same precautions that have proven effective to date.”
SHA said Saskatchewan residents can continue to help by taking specific action, including: practicing good hygiene, washing hands regularly and physical distancing (two metres apart wherever possible); staying home, whenever and wherever possible; abiding by provincial and local travel, self-isolation, event and gathering restrictions; and avoiding visiting hospitals and long-term care facilities, unless there are compassionate reasons for doing so.
As of Apr. 28 when the new modelling data was released, Saskatchewan had one new confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Regina region, bringing the provincial total to 366. However, the following day a total of 17 new confirmed cases were reported including a sixth death in the province and a cluster identified in Lloydminster.
As of Apr. 29 the provincial total increased to 383 with 11 of the new cases from the far north (La Loche), five from the north region (four in Lloydminster) and one from the Saskatoon area.
Eighty-six of the cases were considered active while recoveries remained at 291. As of Apr. 29, there were 10 people in hospital – seven are receiving inpatient care (four in Lloydminster and three in Saskatoon), while three are in intensive care (Saskatoon).
The new COVID-19 cases in Lloydminster were linked to a cluster based in Lloydminster Hospital. Thirteen cases have been identified, including five health care workers and eight patients, and transmission has occurred in the hospital setting.
As of Apr. 29 patients were being co-horted in separate units in Lloydminster Hospital. All health care workers who have been identified as close contacts with a confirmed case are being tested as the contact investigation continues.
Meanwhile, a couple of mass-gathering events were recently held in Saskatchewan where the provincial government stated organizers mistakenly believed that gatherings were allowed as long as attendees maintained two metres of separation. However, these types of group events are not allowed – whether or not people practise physical distancing. Any gatherings that exceed 10 people are in violation of the current public health order.
As Saskatchewan reached a total of 383, comparatively, Canada had a total of 50,373 cases with the most in Quebec (25,757) followed by Ontario (15,728), Alberta (4,850) and B.C. (2,053). Next door in Manitoba, there were 272 cases. Overall in Canada there were 2,905 deaths due to COVID-19.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, there were almost three million confirmed cases with nearly 205,000 deaths. The United States accounted for almost one million of those confirmed cases with 50,492 deaths.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 27, 2020
Province makes plans to Re-open Saskatchewan; local business survey results released
Daniel Bushman
As Saskatchewan keeps flattening the curve and new positive cases of COVID-19 remain low, the provincial government unveiled its plans to reopen Saskatchewan in an effort to keep the economy going in a safe way.
In a rare provincial address, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe spoke to residents of the province last Wednesday evening stating the government will be taking a cautious and methodical approach as it moves forward. Moe praised people of the province for following the guidelines and restrictions.
“Saskatchewan has reduced the spread of COVID-19. We have flattened the curve. And that is thanks to you. Each and every one of you.”
With 326 cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, 61 active, four deaths and five people in hospital on the day of Moe’s address, the premier said, “To put those numbers in context, on a per capita basis, the number of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan is about 70 percent below the Canadian average, and the number of serious outcomes - hospitalizations and deaths - is more than 90 percent below the national average. And at the same time, the COVID-19 testing rate in Saskatchewan is more than 40 percent higher than the national average. We are doing so well here.”
Taking the decision to reopen Saskatchewan extremely seriously, Moe noted there are risks on both sides. “If we move too quickly, we risk increasing the spread of COVID-19. If we move too slowly, we risk permanent damage to the livelihoods of thousands of Saskatchewan people. Businesses that may never reopen, and jobs that may never come back. So we have to find the right path.”
Moe hopes that right path is contained in the plan announced Apr. 23 which will be carried out in five phases. Joined by Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, Moe announced the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
“Over the next several weeks, restrictions will be gradually lifted by adding more types of businesses to the allowable businesses list, meaning that they can reopen if they so choose,” Moe said. “All businesses and public venues will be required to continue following physical distancing and cleaning and disinfection practices to protect both employees and customers. Members of the public will be expected to follow physical distancing rules and to stay home if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.”
The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan consists of five phases and the timing and order of the businesses and workplaces included in each phase is subject to change throughout the process based on a continuous assessment of transmission patterns and other factors.
Phase One – Beginning May 4
• The first phase of the plan includes the reopening of medical services restricted under the current public health order, and the resumption of low-risk outdoor recreational activities, including fishing and boat launches, golf courses and a fixed date for parks and campgrounds. The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
• On May 4, public access to medical services will be reinstated, including access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. When it is not possible to physically distance, providers will be required to take precautionary measures as outlined by the Chief Medical Health Officer.
• Low-risk outdoor recreational activities will be allowable with precautionary measures, including fishing and boat launches (May 4), golfing with physical distancing guidelines (May 15) and a fixed date (June 1) and clear guidelines for the operation of parks and campgrounds.
Phase Two – May 19
• The second phase of the plan includes the May 19 reopening of retail businesses and select personal services that were previously not deemed allowable.
• The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
• A full list of retail businesses and select personal services that will be deemed allowable in phase two is included in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, along with guidance, protocols, and physical distancing measures that allowable businesses and services are required to observe. Retail businesses that were previously not allowed can begin providing services to the public, including: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good/adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV and snowmobile dealers; gift, book and stationery stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies.
Some personal service businesses can begin providing services to the public, including: hairdresser/barber; registered massage therapist; acupuncturist; and acupressurist.
Phase Three – Date To Be Determined
• The third phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19, and does not have a pre-determined date. The third phase will include the reopening of remaining personal services, along with the reopening of restaurant-type facilities, gyms and fitness facilities, licensed establishments and childcare facilities. Capacity limits will remain in some facilities, such as limits to 50 percent of regular capacity for restaurants and licensed establishments. The remaining personal service businesses can begin providing services to the public, including: esthetician; tattoo artist; cosmetologist; electrologist; manicurist; pedicurist; sun tanning parlour; facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services are provided; and other personal service facilities.
• All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines and recommendations.
• Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 15 people.
Phase Four – Date To Be Determined
• The fourth phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19, and does not have a pre-determined date. The fourth phase will include the reopening of indoor and outdoor recreation and entertainment facilities.
• All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines and recommendations.
• Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 30 people.
Phase Five – Date To Be Determined
• The fifth phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19 and the preceding four phases, and will include the consideration of lifting long-term restrictions.
Monitoring Transmission of COVID-19 and Phase Advancement Criteria
• As restrictions are gradually lifted, the Government of Saskatchewan and Dr. Saqib Shahab, Chief Medical Health Officer, will carefully monitor the daily number of reported cases and other important indicators. These factors will inform decisions regarding the pace at which the restrictions can be lifted or put back in place if required.
• Transmission is controlled;
• Health system capacities are in place to test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact;
• Outbreak risks are minimized in special settings like health facilities and nursing homes;
• Preventive measures are in place in workplaces, schools and other essential places;
• Importation risks can be managed; and
• Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the new norm.
The plan will also provide clear guidance to the public so they can continue to follow current public health orders and prepare accordingly for lifting of restrictions.
A number of long-term measures and restrictions that are related to the highest risk areas will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
These long-term restrictions include:
• Maintaining the current Provincial State of Emergency;
• Recommendations against non-essential international and interprovincial travel;
• Mandatory 14-day self-isolation following international travel, exposure to COVID-19, or a positive COVID-19 test;
• Visitor restrictions limited to compassionate reasons at long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes and group homes;
• The suspension of classes in all primary and secondary educational institutions, both public and private; and
• Large public gatherings remain prohibited.
The following recommendations should remain in place through all five phases:
• Protective measures for vulnerable populations;
• Individuals should continue working from home if they can do so effectively;
• Physical distancing must be maintained, wherever possible;
• People must stay at home when they are sick;
• Vulnerable individuals, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions, should continue to exercise caution and minimize high-risk exposures, such as public outings;
• Personal hygiene will continue to be a key prevention measure;
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection should take place in workplaces, public spaces and recreational facilities;
• Although the public health order regarding the size of gatherings does not apply to businesses and workplaces, they are expected to follow the recommended public health measures, including: physical distancing for staff and clients; regular cleaning and disinfection; frequent hand washing and sanitizing; use of PPE where available and appropriate; and keeping staff who demonstrate or report COVID-19 symptoms out of the workplace; and
• Long-term care and personal care homes must ensure that each staff member works in only one facility.
Re-Open Saskatchewan does not include service delivery plans for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Resumption of elective surgeries, diagnostics and other non-essential procedures currently suspended as part of the COVID-19 system response will be considered separately, with updates on that plan coming in the near future.
During the announcement Apr. 23, Moe was asked if schools and universities would be able to reopen. “Universities would be the decision of the institutions as they made the decision on their own to go online. I likely expect for the most part that would continue throughout this term. With respect to schools, there really isn’t an opportunity for us to have a discussion around reopening schools in the next number of weeks. And as we get into the end of May early June we are nearing the end of the school year and I expect that we would have a discussion at some point as to whether it would be worth the risk to reopen the schools for just a week or two at the end of the year or allow them to continue to be closed and hope to reopen this fall. That is where the K to 12 school system is.”
With the announcement of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, the provincial government stated Saskatchewan residents should be aware that the public health order limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people remains in place. However, with extreme caution and under the following conditions, one or two close families may form an extended household group:
• The families or friends must remain consistent. Do not visit different families or friends every day.
• If you are going to create an extended household group, consider if any member of the group has any chronic health conditions that would put them at greater risk, or if they are in close contact with someone who could be vulnerable.
• Gatherings must still follow the public health order and be no more than 10 people.
• Stay home if you are ill.
• Maintain physical distancing where possible.
To read more about the full Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, people can visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
As the province released its plans to re-open Saskatchewan, recently over 100 local area businesses from 12 communities participated in a COVID-19 Business Impact Survey. The survey which was conducted through a partnership involving Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance (MSMA), the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce and the Watson and District Chamber of Commerce served as a business needs assessment, an inquiry into personal protective emergency (PPE) gear inventory, and more importantly a way to gauge stress levels of area businesses experiencing the closing down of the economy due to the COVID-19 world-wide pandemic. From the results, the survey indicated with 40 percent of respondents registering their stress levels at seven to eight on a scale of one to 10, cash flow, grants and financial supports were identified as the most immediate needs. Of those taking the survey, almost 68 percent had been in business for more than 10 years while 28 percent of the respondents were from the retail sector. The second largest group (27 percent) were direct to consumer services and the third largest group of respondents were part of accommodations and food services. Checking all of the boxes that applied, when it came to the impact COVID-19 had on operations, a total of 88 respondents or 77 percent said business operations was the number one thing that had been impacted. Number two was sales (69 percent) followed by customer demand (63 percent), supply chain (39 percent), employee availability (35 percent), and technology (eight percent). A total of 14 percent were not sure yet. The business survey service was set up by the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance and stated the responses from the area will be included in province-wide data to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 at a provincial level. In reviewing the responses, the survey stated local organizations have been at work, determining existing support services across the region, identifying gaps in services and researching potential supports that could be put in place in an attempt to guide businesses through this trying time. Responses were tracked by community and results were distributed out to local business associations following the initial Apr. 3 deadline for submissions.
Daniel Bushman
As Saskatchewan keeps flattening the curve and new positive cases of COVID-19 remain low, the provincial government unveiled its plans to reopen Saskatchewan in an effort to keep the economy going in a safe way.
In a rare provincial address, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe spoke to residents of the province last Wednesday evening stating the government will be taking a cautious and methodical approach as it moves forward. Moe praised people of the province for following the guidelines and restrictions.
“Saskatchewan has reduced the spread of COVID-19. We have flattened the curve. And that is thanks to you. Each and every one of you.”
With 326 cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, 61 active, four deaths and five people in hospital on the day of Moe’s address, the premier said, “To put those numbers in context, on a per capita basis, the number of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan is about 70 percent below the Canadian average, and the number of serious outcomes - hospitalizations and deaths - is more than 90 percent below the national average. And at the same time, the COVID-19 testing rate in Saskatchewan is more than 40 percent higher than the national average. We are doing so well here.”
Taking the decision to reopen Saskatchewan extremely seriously, Moe noted there are risks on both sides. “If we move too quickly, we risk increasing the spread of COVID-19. If we move too slowly, we risk permanent damage to the livelihoods of thousands of Saskatchewan people. Businesses that may never reopen, and jobs that may never come back. So we have to find the right path.”
Moe hopes that right path is contained in the plan announced Apr. 23 which will be carried out in five phases. Joined by Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, Moe announced the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
“Over the next several weeks, restrictions will be gradually lifted by adding more types of businesses to the allowable businesses list, meaning that they can reopen if they so choose,” Moe said. “All businesses and public venues will be required to continue following physical distancing and cleaning and disinfection practices to protect both employees and customers. Members of the public will be expected to follow physical distancing rules and to stay home if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.”
The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan consists of five phases and the timing and order of the businesses and workplaces included in each phase is subject to change throughout the process based on a continuous assessment of transmission patterns and other factors.
Phase One – Beginning May 4
• The first phase of the plan includes the reopening of medical services restricted under the current public health order, and the resumption of low-risk outdoor recreational activities, including fishing and boat launches, golf courses and a fixed date for parks and campgrounds. The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
• On May 4, public access to medical services will be reinstated, including access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. When it is not possible to physically distance, providers will be required to take precautionary measures as outlined by the Chief Medical Health Officer.
• Low-risk outdoor recreational activities will be allowable with precautionary measures, including fishing and boat launches (May 4), golfing with physical distancing guidelines (May 15) and a fixed date (June 1) and clear guidelines for the operation of parks and campgrounds.
Phase Two – May 19
• The second phase of the plan includes the May 19 reopening of retail businesses and select personal services that were previously not deemed allowable.
• The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
• A full list of retail businesses and select personal services that will be deemed allowable in phase two is included in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, along with guidance, protocols, and physical distancing measures that allowable businesses and services are required to observe. Retail businesses that were previously not allowed can begin providing services to the public, including: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good/adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV and snowmobile dealers; gift, book and stationery stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies.
Some personal service businesses can begin providing services to the public, including: hairdresser/barber; registered massage therapist; acupuncturist; and acupressurist.
Phase Three – Date To Be Determined
• The third phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19, and does not have a pre-determined date. The third phase will include the reopening of remaining personal services, along with the reopening of restaurant-type facilities, gyms and fitness facilities, licensed establishments and childcare facilities. Capacity limits will remain in some facilities, such as limits to 50 percent of regular capacity for restaurants and licensed establishments. The remaining personal service businesses can begin providing services to the public, including: esthetician; tattoo artist; cosmetologist; electrologist; manicurist; pedicurist; sun tanning parlour; facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services are provided; and other personal service facilities.
• All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines and recommendations.
• Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 15 people.
Phase Four – Date To Be Determined
• The fourth phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19, and does not have a pre-determined date. The fourth phase will include the reopening of indoor and outdoor recreation and entertainment facilities.
• All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines and recommendations.
• Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 30 people.
Phase Five – Date To Be Determined
• The fifth phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19 and the preceding four phases, and will include the consideration of lifting long-term restrictions.
Monitoring Transmission of COVID-19 and Phase Advancement Criteria
• As restrictions are gradually lifted, the Government of Saskatchewan and Dr. Saqib Shahab, Chief Medical Health Officer, will carefully monitor the daily number of reported cases and other important indicators. These factors will inform decisions regarding the pace at which the restrictions can be lifted or put back in place if required.
• Transmission is controlled;
• Health system capacities are in place to test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact;
• Outbreak risks are minimized in special settings like health facilities and nursing homes;
• Preventive measures are in place in workplaces, schools and other essential places;
• Importation risks can be managed; and
• Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the new norm.
The plan will also provide clear guidance to the public so they can continue to follow current public health orders and prepare accordingly for lifting of restrictions.
A number of long-term measures and restrictions that are related to the highest risk areas will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
These long-term restrictions include:
• Maintaining the current Provincial State of Emergency;
• Recommendations against non-essential international and interprovincial travel;
• Mandatory 14-day self-isolation following international travel, exposure to COVID-19, or a positive COVID-19 test;
• Visitor restrictions limited to compassionate reasons at long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes and group homes;
• The suspension of classes in all primary and secondary educational institutions, both public and private; and
• Large public gatherings remain prohibited.
The following recommendations should remain in place through all five phases:
• Protective measures for vulnerable populations;
• Individuals should continue working from home if they can do so effectively;
• Physical distancing must be maintained, wherever possible;
• People must stay at home when they are sick;
• Vulnerable individuals, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions, should continue to exercise caution and minimize high-risk exposures, such as public outings;
• Personal hygiene will continue to be a key prevention measure;
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection should take place in workplaces, public spaces and recreational facilities;
• Although the public health order regarding the size of gatherings does not apply to businesses and workplaces, they are expected to follow the recommended public health measures, including: physical distancing for staff and clients; regular cleaning and disinfection; frequent hand washing and sanitizing; use of PPE where available and appropriate; and keeping staff who demonstrate or report COVID-19 symptoms out of the workplace; and
• Long-term care and personal care homes must ensure that each staff member works in only one facility.
Re-Open Saskatchewan does not include service delivery plans for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Resumption of elective surgeries, diagnostics and other non-essential procedures currently suspended as part of the COVID-19 system response will be considered separately, with updates on that plan coming in the near future.
During the announcement Apr. 23, Moe was asked if schools and universities would be able to reopen. “Universities would be the decision of the institutions as they made the decision on their own to go online. I likely expect for the most part that would continue throughout this term. With respect to schools, there really isn’t an opportunity for us to have a discussion around reopening schools in the next number of weeks. And as we get into the end of May early June we are nearing the end of the school year and I expect that we would have a discussion at some point as to whether it would be worth the risk to reopen the schools for just a week or two at the end of the year or allow them to continue to be closed and hope to reopen this fall. That is where the K to 12 school system is.”
With the announcement of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, the provincial government stated Saskatchewan residents should be aware that the public health order limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people remains in place. However, with extreme caution and under the following conditions, one or two close families may form an extended household group:
• The families or friends must remain consistent. Do not visit different families or friends every day.
• If you are going to create an extended household group, consider if any member of the group has any chronic health conditions that would put them at greater risk, or if they are in close contact with someone who could be vulnerable.
• Gatherings must still follow the public health order and be no more than 10 people.
• Stay home if you are ill.
• Maintain physical distancing where possible.
To read more about the full Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, people can visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
As the province released its plans to re-open Saskatchewan, recently over 100 local area businesses from 12 communities participated in a COVID-19 Business Impact Survey. The survey which was conducted through a partnership involving Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance (MSMA), the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce and the Watson and District Chamber of Commerce served as a business needs assessment, an inquiry into personal protective emergency (PPE) gear inventory, and more importantly a way to gauge stress levels of area businesses experiencing the closing down of the economy due to the COVID-19 world-wide pandemic. From the results, the survey indicated with 40 percent of respondents registering their stress levels at seven to eight on a scale of one to 10, cash flow, grants and financial supports were identified as the most immediate needs. Of those taking the survey, almost 68 percent had been in business for more than 10 years while 28 percent of the respondents were from the retail sector. The second largest group (27 percent) were direct to consumer services and the third largest group of respondents were part of accommodations and food services. Checking all of the boxes that applied, when it came to the impact COVID-19 had on operations, a total of 88 respondents or 77 percent said business operations was the number one thing that had been impacted. Number two was sales (69 percent) followed by customer demand (63 percent), supply chain (39 percent), employee availability (35 percent), and technology (eight percent). A total of 14 percent were not sure yet. The business survey service was set up by the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance and stated the responses from the area will be included in province-wide data to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 at a provincial level. In reviewing the responses, the survey stated local organizations have been at work, determining existing support services across the region, identifying gaps in services and researching potential supports that could be put in place in an attempt to guide businesses through this trying time. Responses were tracked by community and results were distributed out to local business associations following the initial Apr. 3 deadline for submissions.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 20, 2020
Teachers continue to help students despite COVID-19 closures
Daniel Bushman
Under normal circumstances students and teachers would be back in their classrooms this week after the Easter break. However, with these uncertain times and schools closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, students, teachers and school divisions have had to adapt.
With doors closed and lockers empty at schools throughout Horizon School Division, the division is offering supplemental learning for students as teachers have been contacting families to best see how to move forward with learning supports.
In Watrous, working from home, Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said his staff has been doing what they can as things have been going about as good as can be expected. “Our staff communicates regularly through email, texting and Zoom. It is definitely strange not going to the school to see and talk to each other.”
Winston High School Principal Terry Braman said it has been a whirlwind of emotions as a staff since the announcement of the closure. “The staff including myself have been on a roller coaster but mainly our only concern is for our students, our kids, they are and always have been our main focus. Yes, we had concerns about their education but that is secondary, to us it is just caring about their own personal well-being. That is all that mattered to us when it was announced and it will be what drives us moving forward.”
Like other schools throughout the local area, Watrous Elementary and Winston High had to make rapid changes when word came from the Saskatchewan government that they would have to temporarily shut down. With Horizon School Division doing its best to provide supplemental learning resources for families and students through its schools during this time, despite the uncertainty and all of the changes, both Borsa and Braman noted their staffs have been amazing.
“They have been busy making personal phone calls, texts and emails to families, planning lessons for a time frame they have no idea what will be,” said Borsa who continued, “and of course they are learning new methods of instruction and new ways of how to deliver lessons. Zoom, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Seesaw, and Screencastify are just a few that we are learning how to use and trying to get comfortable with!!”
With his staff also busy, Braman said, “We personally connected back with our Winston families to discuss the options for supplemental learning that begins Apr. 20. Once we connected with our students and families, the staff has been hard at work preparing to deliver education remotely. This has been the great unknown but we are working our way through it and will continue to do so. I felt a strong sense of anxiety when thinking about the future of education with the pandemic but that only lasted a short time. It was immediately replaced by a sense of calm when I thought about my staff. I am a lucky principal with the dynamic, caring and resilient staff that I have at Winston. They are incredible people who give so much for our kids and from the bottom of their hearts, want the best for them. They are the best, hands down.”
As part of the supplemental learning opportunities, in an Apr. 9 message from Horizon School Division Director of Education Kevin Garinger, he appreciated the planning and preparation being done for Horizon students. “Working from your kitchen tables, your basements, your spare bedrooms, your patios, and anywhere else with a phone and the Internet, you have been keeping our system alive. You have been a source of calm and reassurance for families across Horizon, as you began reaching out, building upon relationships already established, and gathering critical feedback to support supplemental learning for students throughout this crisis. The hours you have spent engaged in this work has not gone unnoticed. I am inspired every day by your dedication, Horizon. Education is one of the key tools we have to wage war against this virus. We will continue to provide opportunities and support for education in the midst of the challenges we face. We will continue to teach. We will continue to learn. We will continue to be here for each other.”
Trying to establish a bit of a routine, with what would have been the Easter break now over, Borsa noted WES staff will continue to plan, learn and communicate with families and students through the supplemental learning time frame; however long that will be.
Braman said WHS will also begin supplemental learning and continue on in a “very fluid environment where flexibility will be key. The staff is starving to reconnect with students and we will be doing that through Google Classrooms, online video conferencing, phone, email, you name it, we will do it in light of the social distancing we must maintain.”
As supplemental learning becomes the new normal for at least the next while, both principals said it is tough knowing there are a number of highlights and events that would have taken place at each school over the coming months.
“It is definitely a very strange feeling not sitting together with staff to plan out activities that we usually have scheduled for the last couple of months of school,” said Borsa. “There are so many enjoyable events that everybody looks forward to at this time of year that are now up in the air. We really are all in this together and the unknown is what makes it difficult to comprehend. Even without the usual activities, it is really the daily interactions with our students that we miss the most.”
With his staff missing the students and many milestones ahead including a graduation that was supposed to be held in early May, Braman said, “I promised our Gr. 12s that we will have a graduation ceremony for them. I feel very strongly about this and they deserve it. It will be the details of the what, where, and when that will differ than the tradition.”
Hoping everyone is staying healthy and finding new ways to spend quality time with their families during this time, Borsa said he is looking forward to the day when the school bell rings once again and classes resume.
“When you have to stay at home and social distance, you realize very quickly how much we take for granted. Often in the spring the students and staff begin to look forward to spending more time outside and even getting ready for the upcoming summer to recharge, but right now I think its safe to say we would be happy to be back in our building following some very familiar routines.”
Braman also echoed those comments and hopes to be back at school soon. “Our students are the reason we do what we do. We are going to make the best of a bad situation and we will get through this like we do anything else, together.”
Daniel Bushman
Under normal circumstances students and teachers would be back in their classrooms this week after the Easter break. However, with these uncertain times and schools closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, students, teachers and school divisions have had to adapt.
With doors closed and lockers empty at schools throughout Horizon School Division, the division is offering supplemental learning for students as teachers have been contacting families to best see how to move forward with learning supports.
In Watrous, working from home, Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said his staff has been doing what they can as things have been going about as good as can be expected. “Our staff communicates regularly through email, texting and Zoom. It is definitely strange not going to the school to see and talk to each other.”
Winston High School Principal Terry Braman said it has been a whirlwind of emotions as a staff since the announcement of the closure. “The staff including myself have been on a roller coaster but mainly our only concern is for our students, our kids, they are and always have been our main focus. Yes, we had concerns about their education but that is secondary, to us it is just caring about their own personal well-being. That is all that mattered to us when it was announced and it will be what drives us moving forward.”
Like other schools throughout the local area, Watrous Elementary and Winston High had to make rapid changes when word came from the Saskatchewan government that they would have to temporarily shut down. With Horizon School Division doing its best to provide supplemental learning resources for families and students through its schools during this time, despite the uncertainty and all of the changes, both Borsa and Braman noted their staffs have been amazing.
“They have been busy making personal phone calls, texts and emails to families, planning lessons for a time frame they have no idea what will be,” said Borsa who continued, “and of course they are learning new methods of instruction and new ways of how to deliver lessons. Zoom, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Seesaw, and Screencastify are just a few that we are learning how to use and trying to get comfortable with!!”
With his staff also busy, Braman said, “We personally connected back with our Winston families to discuss the options for supplemental learning that begins Apr. 20. Once we connected with our students and families, the staff has been hard at work preparing to deliver education remotely. This has been the great unknown but we are working our way through it and will continue to do so. I felt a strong sense of anxiety when thinking about the future of education with the pandemic but that only lasted a short time. It was immediately replaced by a sense of calm when I thought about my staff. I am a lucky principal with the dynamic, caring and resilient staff that I have at Winston. They are incredible people who give so much for our kids and from the bottom of their hearts, want the best for them. They are the best, hands down.”
As part of the supplemental learning opportunities, in an Apr. 9 message from Horizon School Division Director of Education Kevin Garinger, he appreciated the planning and preparation being done for Horizon students. “Working from your kitchen tables, your basements, your spare bedrooms, your patios, and anywhere else with a phone and the Internet, you have been keeping our system alive. You have been a source of calm and reassurance for families across Horizon, as you began reaching out, building upon relationships already established, and gathering critical feedback to support supplemental learning for students throughout this crisis. The hours you have spent engaged in this work has not gone unnoticed. I am inspired every day by your dedication, Horizon. Education is one of the key tools we have to wage war against this virus. We will continue to provide opportunities and support for education in the midst of the challenges we face. We will continue to teach. We will continue to learn. We will continue to be here for each other.”
Trying to establish a bit of a routine, with what would have been the Easter break now over, Borsa noted WES staff will continue to plan, learn and communicate with families and students through the supplemental learning time frame; however long that will be.
Braman said WHS will also begin supplemental learning and continue on in a “very fluid environment where flexibility will be key. The staff is starving to reconnect with students and we will be doing that through Google Classrooms, online video conferencing, phone, email, you name it, we will do it in light of the social distancing we must maintain.”
As supplemental learning becomes the new normal for at least the next while, both principals said it is tough knowing there are a number of highlights and events that would have taken place at each school over the coming months.
“It is definitely a very strange feeling not sitting together with staff to plan out activities that we usually have scheduled for the last couple of months of school,” said Borsa. “There are so many enjoyable events that everybody looks forward to at this time of year that are now up in the air. We really are all in this together and the unknown is what makes it difficult to comprehend. Even without the usual activities, it is really the daily interactions with our students that we miss the most.”
With his staff missing the students and many milestones ahead including a graduation that was supposed to be held in early May, Braman said, “I promised our Gr. 12s that we will have a graduation ceremony for them. I feel very strongly about this and they deserve it. It will be the details of the what, where, and when that will differ than the tradition.”
Hoping everyone is staying healthy and finding new ways to spend quality time with their families during this time, Borsa said he is looking forward to the day when the school bell rings once again and classes resume.
“When you have to stay at home and social distance, you realize very quickly how much we take for granted. Often in the spring the students and staff begin to look forward to spending more time outside and even getting ready for the upcoming summer to recharge, but right now I think its safe to say we would be happy to be back in our building following some very familiar routines.”
Braman also echoed those comments and hopes to be back at school soon. “Our students are the reason we do what we do. We are going to make the best of a bad situation and we will get through this like we do anything else, together.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 13, 2020
SHA releases COVID-19 response plan
Daniel Bushman
Implementing key strategies with hopes of mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the province, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released the next phase of its COVID-19 response plan which specifically noted Watrous and Lanigan facilities.
The details of the report were released as SHA aims to be transparent with the public. As part of that, if required due to patient demand and safety, SHA stated Watrous has been designated as a COVID-19 hospital while Lanigan has been designated a temporary conversion to alternate level of care patients.
If the need arrives, Watrous will have staged stand up based on demand and would receive COVID-19 patients only. Emergency services would remain open according to the report. Lanigan would see stand up starting immediately and phased over four to six weeks with a temporary suspension of emergency services.
SHA said these changes are not immediate but the health authority proactively identified 20 out of its 65 hospitals that would be designated COVID-19 hospitals. COVID-19 hospitals will initially act as mixed hospitals but as the COVID-19 patient census increases, non-COVID patients may be relocated from the facility to non-COVID or mixed hospitals.
The staged responses related to integrated rural health stems from a potential increased demand through a combination of COVID and non-COVID facilities. That includes no facility closures and temporarily converting some hospitals like Lanigan to support alternative level of care patients over the next four to six weeks. That would mean alternate level of care patients will flow from tertiary and regional hospitals to create capacity in those locations. There would also be a temporary suspension of emergency department services to support reallocation of staff to higher need sites. SHA said no field hospitals for the local area have been contemplated as capacity in the rural area exists.
“Our job as a health care system is to provide care for those in need and to be ready for any scenario,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “While we understand Canadian data is starting to show some hopeful signs about flattening the curve on COVID-19, it is critical to remember not to be complacent. We need to continue to escalate our response to ensure we are prepared for the worst case scenarios and we need the public to help us avoid those scenarios.
“We wanted to be transparent with the plan going forward so the public is aware of the escalated measures we will put into place if needed, but it is critical to remember that many of the changes proposed in this plan will be implemented only in response to anticipated surges in patient demand that start to exceed our capacity,” Livingstone continued. “Changes like conversion to COVID-19 dedicated hospitals will only occur where it is absolutely required to ensure safety and maintain access for patients who need our care.”
Also in the Health System Readiness report for COVID-19 released Apr. 8 was dynamic modelling to help assess the impact of various ‘what if’ scenarios. The modelling data indicates that the key variable for saving lives and protecting health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is public compliance with prescribed isolation measures, physical distancing, effective hand washing and staying home, whenever and wherever possible. It also indicates that current interventions are making a difference.
SHA stated the models continuously update and provide estimated scenarios about the transmission of COVID-19 in a population, the impact of various public health interventions, and impact on acute care demand.
Presenting three scenarios (high-range, mid-range, and low-range) Apr. 8 with estimates in addition to the non-COVID-19 hospital capacity, SHA noted each have key variables which are the basic reproductive constant (R0): the average number of people one person with COVID-19 would infect.
From that data, the modelling analysis includes: Scenario 1 – high-range - R0 = 4.0; Scenario 2 – mid-range - R0 = 2.76; and Scenario 3 – low-range - R0 = 2.4.
For scenario 1 (4.0 - high-range from early Canadian estimates), assuming Saskatchewan continues with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, modelling estimates showed at the peak, 4,265 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 1,280 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
For scenario 2 (2.76 - low Italy range), if Saskatchewan were to continue with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, at the peak, 1,265 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 380 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
For scenario 3 (2.4 - Wuhan, Imperial Model), if Saskatchewan were to continue with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, modelling estimates show at the peak, 390 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 120 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
Taking the modelling estimates of the three scenarios, SHA provided analysis of COVID-19 patients only with peak values (except where cumulative):
The upper-range (scenario 1) would have 408,000 cumulative total cases with 710 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 4,265, 215 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 1,280, 1,230 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 8,370 deaths.
Mid-range analysis (scenario 2) would see 262,000 cumulative total cases, 205 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,265, 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 380, 370 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 5,260 deaths.
Low-range analysis (scenario 3) would see 153,000 cumulative total cases, 60 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 390, 20 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 120, 120 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,075 deaths.
In its report, SHA said the dynamic modelling is not a prediction but rather an effort to provide a range of ‘what if’ scenarios. “Current interventions have made a difference. The most important variable to save lives and protect health care workers is public compliance with isolation measures, physical distancing and washing your hands.”
With models showing Saskatchewan is not immune to the spread of COVID-19, SHA warns people can expect more cases and deaths. “We are learning from the experience of other provinces and around the world - modelling scenarios are based on our best knowledge at this time and will continue to be updated with Saskatchewan data.”
In an effort to implement key strategies and prevent the spread of COVID-19, SHA has increased access to testing through the creation of 38 testing sites around the province and tripled the staff available for contact tracing efforts to detect and prevent community transmission.
The provincial health authority noted as public health measures and capacity for community care services continues to increase, the acute care system has also been planning to add capacity. Up to 57 percent more acute care capacity will be phased in as needed over the next several weeks in anticipation of increased hospitalization rates. They also stated that none of the major changes in this plan are immediate.
As of Apr. 5, 43 percent of Saskatchewan’s acute care beds were available for use, largely as a result of the slow down and preparation for the surge.
Looking at the bigger picture, SHA indicated it is implementing other key strategies including: increasing testing (over 14,000 tests performed); identifying cases early; expanding contact tracing capacity (over 300 percent increase in staff); enforcing Chief Medical Health Officer orders; data tools to manage cases, clusters and outbreaks; expanding HealthLine 811 (more than 250 staff trained); delivering more services through virtual care models (more than 750 clinicians set up); testing and assessment centres (38 SHA operated testing sites across the province and five assessment sites in operation with 21 planned to open in the coming weeks); prioritizing testing; protecting health care workers and first responders; screening in Long-Term Care; partnering with communities and across sectors; and messaging for health education, health promotion and health equity.
In addition to the measures being taken by SHA they said despite the pandemic the goal is to sustain essential and urgent health services for non-COVID patients.
Also in the report the health authority noted there will be disruptions to “normal” health services delivery. “This may mean alternate service delivery methods such as virtual care; the response will be staged according to increases in demand; cohorting of COVID-19 positive patients as much as possible. Field hospitals will be used where demand exceeds facility based on capacity; Ethical decision making will occur throughout all aspects and phases of the pandemic based on the SHA Ethical Framework; SHA will need to deploy staff and physicians to other facilities to support care; Safety and Infection Prevention and Control will guide SHA’s work; and centralized bed flow coordination service to better serve all patients.
With the ongoing implementation of a province-wide slow down of non-essential/non-urgent services, SHA explained what they have been able to do:
• freed up more than 1,000 beds so far;
• staged expansion of acute care capacity;
• phase in 57 percent more acute beds as needed;
• increase intensive care beds from 98 ICU beds to 963
beds as needed;
• preservation of supplies;
• labour pool strategy;
• dedicated spaces for cohorting COVID-19 patients;
• creation of designated COVID-19, non-COVID-19 and mixed hospitals as needed;
• creation of additional community treatment capacity;
• 450 ventilators are available to meet modelled demand for low and mid-range scenarios;
• planned capacity ventilator requirement of 860 creates a gap of 410 ventilators; however, there are confirmed orders for 200 with 100 expected in the next two to three weeks; and
• multiple orders for invasive and non-invasive ventilators have been placed and SHA and the ministry are working with vendors and the federal government to close this gap.
“No health system in the world can manage this challenge without the sustained help of the general public,” SHA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Shaw said. “To save lives, Saskatchewan residents need to do their best to stay healthy and strong and abide by the restrictions and guidelines for the general public around COVID-19. Demand will exceed our capacity as a health system if we are not diligent about these measures.”
After Saskatchewan released its report, the Public Health Agency of Canada provided its modelled scenarios Apr. 9. Like the SHA, the Public Health Agency of Canada used a series of models to generate scenarios including ‘no control,’ ‘weaker controls (delay and reduce the peak),’ and ‘stronger epidemic control.’ Other interventions such as border controls and domestic travel restrictions were also explored in the modelling studies.
In the scenarios showing the impact of public health measures, where stronger epidemic controls were used like a high degree of social distancing and isolation, at the peak between one and 10 percent of Canada would be infected as summer approached. With weaker controls (delay and reduce the peak) like low degree of physical distancing and low percentage of cases and their contracts traced and isolated or quarantined, at the peak, between 25 to 50 percent of people would be infected as fall approached. With no control efforts, at the peak, between 70 and 80 percent of people would be infected in summer.
When viewing the chart of cumulative deaths under different scenarios over the course of the pandemic, the Public Health Agency of Canada provided numbers for two scenarios where 2.5 percent and five percent of the population was infected. For 2.5 percent, there would be 934,000 cases of COVID-19, 73,000 hospitalizations, 23,000 patients in ICU and 11,000 deaths. If five percent of the population becomes infected, there would be just over 1.8 million cases, 146,000 hospitalizations, 46,000 patients in ICU and 22,000 deaths. Those numbers which fall under stronger epidemic control pale in comparison to if weaker and no controls would be implemented. If half of the population became infected, over 200,000 deaths could occur. If 80 percent of the population became infected with no controls in place, more than 300,000 deaths could occur.
The Public Health Agency of Canada stated, “Models cannot predict what will happen, but rather can help us understand what might happen to ensure we can plan for worst cases and drive public health action to achieve the best possible outcome. Canada is at an earlier stage of the COVID-19 pandemic than some other countries. We have an opportunity now to control the epidemic and prepare the health system. Other countries have shown that this can be done. We know what needs to be done: keep up physical distancing, increase testing, self-isolate cases, and rapidly trace contacts. This is the best way for Canada to get out of the epidemic in the shortest time possible with the fewest number of deaths.”
As both reports were released, Saskatchewan reported seven new, confirmed cases of COVID-19 Apr. 9, bringing the provincial total to 278. One hundred and sixty of the cases were considered active while 12 more people had recovered, bringing the provincial total to 115 recoveries.
Daniel Bushman
Implementing key strategies with hopes of mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the province, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released the next phase of its COVID-19 response plan which specifically noted Watrous and Lanigan facilities.
The details of the report were released as SHA aims to be transparent with the public. As part of that, if required due to patient demand and safety, SHA stated Watrous has been designated as a COVID-19 hospital while Lanigan has been designated a temporary conversion to alternate level of care patients.
If the need arrives, Watrous will have staged stand up based on demand and would receive COVID-19 patients only. Emergency services would remain open according to the report. Lanigan would see stand up starting immediately and phased over four to six weeks with a temporary suspension of emergency services.
SHA said these changes are not immediate but the health authority proactively identified 20 out of its 65 hospitals that would be designated COVID-19 hospitals. COVID-19 hospitals will initially act as mixed hospitals but as the COVID-19 patient census increases, non-COVID patients may be relocated from the facility to non-COVID or mixed hospitals.
The staged responses related to integrated rural health stems from a potential increased demand through a combination of COVID and non-COVID facilities. That includes no facility closures and temporarily converting some hospitals like Lanigan to support alternative level of care patients over the next four to six weeks. That would mean alternate level of care patients will flow from tertiary and regional hospitals to create capacity in those locations. There would also be a temporary suspension of emergency department services to support reallocation of staff to higher need sites. SHA said no field hospitals for the local area have been contemplated as capacity in the rural area exists.
“Our job as a health care system is to provide care for those in need and to be ready for any scenario,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “While we understand Canadian data is starting to show some hopeful signs about flattening the curve on COVID-19, it is critical to remember not to be complacent. We need to continue to escalate our response to ensure we are prepared for the worst case scenarios and we need the public to help us avoid those scenarios.
“We wanted to be transparent with the plan going forward so the public is aware of the escalated measures we will put into place if needed, but it is critical to remember that many of the changes proposed in this plan will be implemented only in response to anticipated surges in patient demand that start to exceed our capacity,” Livingstone continued. “Changes like conversion to COVID-19 dedicated hospitals will only occur where it is absolutely required to ensure safety and maintain access for patients who need our care.”
Also in the Health System Readiness report for COVID-19 released Apr. 8 was dynamic modelling to help assess the impact of various ‘what if’ scenarios. The modelling data indicates that the key variable for saving lives and protecting health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is public compliance with prescribed isolation measures, physical distancing, effective hand washing and staying home, whenever and wherever possible. It also indicates that current interventions are making a difference.
SHA stated the models continuously update and provide estimated scenarios about the transmission of COVID-19 in a population, the impact of various public health interventions, and impact on acute care demand.
Presenting three scenarios (high-range, mid-range, and low-range) Apr. 8 with estimates in addition to the non-COVID-19 hospital capacity, SHA noted each have key variables which are the basic reproductive constant (R0): the average number of people one person with COVID-19 would infect.
From that data, the modelling analysis includes: Scenario 1 – high-range - R0 = 4.0; Scenario 2 – mid-range - R0 = 2.76; and Scenario 3 – low-range - R0 = 2.4.
For scenario 1 (4.0 - high-range from early Canadian estimates), assuming Saskatchewan continues with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, modelling estimates showed at the peak, 4,265 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 1,280 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
For scenario 2 (2.76 - low Italy range), if Saskatchewan were to continue with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, at the peak, 1,265 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 380 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
For scenario 3 (2.4 - Wuhan, Imperial Model), if Saskatchewan were to continue with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, modelling estimates show at the peak, 390 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 120 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
Taking the modelling estimates of the three scenarios, SHA provided analysis of COVID-19 patients only with peak values (except where cumulative):
The upper-range (scenario 1) would have 408,000 cumulative total cases with 710 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 4,265, 215 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 1,280, 1,230 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 8,370 deaths.
Mid-range analysis (scenario 2) would see 262,000 cumulative total cases, 205 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,265, 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 380, 370 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 5,260 deaths.
Low-range analysis (scenario 3) would see 153,000 cumulative total cases, 60 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 390, 20 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 120, 120 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,075 deaths.
In its report, SHA said the dynamic modelling is not a prediction but rather an effort to provide a range of ‘what if’ scenarios. “Current interventions have made a difference. The most important variable to save lives and protect health care workers is public compliance with isolation measures, physical distancing and washing your hands.”
With models showing Saskatchewan is not immune to the spread of COVID-19, SHA warns people can expect more cases and deaths. “We are learning from the experience of other provinces and around the world - modelling scenarios are based on our best knowledge at this time and will continue to be updated with Saskatchewan data.”
In an effort to implement key strategies and prevent the spread of COVID-19, SHA has increased access to testing through the creation of 38 testing sites around the province and tripled the staff available for contact tracing efforts to detect and prevent community transmission.
The provincial health authority noted as public health measures and capacity for community care services continues to increase, the acute care system has also been planning to add capacity. Up to 57 percent more acute care capacity will be phased in as needed over the next several weeks in anticipation of increased hospitalization rates. They also stated that none of the major changes in this plan are immediate.
As of Apr. 5, 43 percent of Saskatchewan’s acute care beds were available for use, largely as a result of the slow down and preparation for the surge.
Looking at the bigger picture, SHA indicated it is implementing other key strategies including: increasing testing (over 14,000 tests performed); identifying cases early; expanding contact tracing capacity (over 300 percent increase in staff); enforcing Chief Medical Health Officer orders; data tools to manage cases, clusters and outbreaks; expanding HealthLine 811 (more than 250 staff trained); delivering more services through virtual care models (more than 750 clinicians set up); testing and assessment centres (38 SHA operated testing sites across the province and five assessment sites in operation with 21 planned to open in the coming weeks); prioritizing testing; protecting health care workers and first responders; screening in Long-Term Care; partnering with communities and across sectors; and messaging for health education, health promotion and health equity.
In addition to the measures being taken by SHA they said despite the pandemic the goal is to sustain essential and urgent health services for non-COVID patients.
Also in the report the health authority noted there will be disruptions to “normal” health services delivery. “This may mean alternate service delivery methods such as virtual care; the response will be staged according to increases in demand; cohorting of COVID-19 positive patients as much as possible. Field hospitals will be used where demand exceeds facility based on capacity; Ethical decision making will occur throughout all aspects and phases of the pandemic based on the SHA Ethical Framework; SHA will need to deploy staff and physicians to other facilities to support care; Safety and Infection Prevention and Control will guide SHA’s work; and centralized bed flow coordination service to better serve all patients.
With the ongoing implementation of a province-wide slow down of non-essential/non-urgent services, SHA explained what they have been able to do:
• freed up more than 1,000 beds so far;
• staged expansion of acute care capacity;
• phase in 57 percent more acute beds as needed;
• increase intensive care beds from 98 ICU beds to 963
beds as needed;
• preservation of supplies;
• labour pool strategy;
• dedicated spaces for cohorting COVID-19 patients;
• creation of designated COVID-19, non-COVID-19 and mixed hospitals as needed;
• creation of additional community treatment capacity;
• 450 ventilators are available to meet modelled demand for low and mid-range scenarios;
• planned capacity ventilator requirement of 860 creates a gap of 410 ventilators; however, there are confirmed orders for 200 with 100 expected in the next two to three weeks; and
• multiple orders for invasive and non-invasive ventilators have been placed and SHA and the ministry are working with vendors and the federal government to close this gap.
“No health system in the world can manage this challenge without the sustained help of the general public,” SHA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Shaw said. “To save lives, Saskatchewan residents need to do their best to stay healthy and strong and abide by the restrictions and guidelines for the general public around COVID-19. Demand will exceed our capacity as a health system if we are not diligent about these measures.”
After Saskatchewan released its report, the Public Health Agency of Canada provided its modelled scenarios Apr. 9. Like the SHA, the Public Health Agency of Canada used a series of models to generate scenarios including ‘no control,’ ‘weaker controls (delay and reduce the peak),’ and ‘stronger epidemic control.’ Other interventions such as border controls and domestic travel restrictions were also explored in the modelling studies.
In the scenarios showing the impact of public health measures, where stronger epidemic controls were used like a high degree of social distancing and isolation, at the peak between one and 10 percent of Canada would be infected as summer approached. With weaker controls (delay and reduce the peak) like low degree of physical distancing and low percentage of cases and their contracts traced and isolated or quarantined, at the peak, between 25 to 50 percent of people would be infected as fall approached. With no control efforts, at the peak, between 70 and 80 percent of people would be infected in summer.
When viewing the chart of cumulative deaths under different scenarios over the course of the pandemic, the Public Health Agency of Canada provided numbers for two scenarios where 2.5 percent and five percent of the population was infected. For 2.5 percent, there would be 934,000 cases of COVID-19, 73,000 hospitalizations, 23,000 patients in ICU and 11,000 deaths. If five percent of the population becomes infected, there would be just over 1.8 million cases, 146,000 hospitalizations, 46,000 patients in ICU and 22,000 deaths. Those numbers which fall under stronger epidemic control pale in comparison to if weaker and no controls would be implemented. If half of the population became infected, over 200,000 deaths could occur. If 80 percent of the population became infected with no controls in place, more than 300,000 deaths could occur.
The Public Health Agency of Canada stated, “Models cannot predict what will happen, but rather can help us understand what might happen to ensure we can plan for worst cases and drive public health action to achieve the best possible outcome. Canada is at an earlier stage of the COVID-19 pandemic than some other countries. We have an opportunity now to control the epidemic and prepare the health system. Other countries have shown that this can be done. We know what needs to be done: keep up physical distancing, increase testing, self-isolate cases, and rapidly trace contacts. This is the best way for Canada to get out of the epidemic in the shortest time possible with the fewest number of deaths.”
As both reports were released, Saskatchewan reported seven new, confirmed cases of COVID-19 Apr. 9, bringing the provincial total to 278. One hundred and sixty of the cases were considered active while 12 more people had recovered, bringing the provincial total to 115 recoveries.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 6, 2020
Doing your part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
Daniel Bushman
With local residents, businesses, organizations and communities as a whole trying to do their best to help flatten the curve while preventing the spread of COVID-19, it has meant numerous changes over recent weeks.
From schools shutting down, people self-isolating in their homes to businesses closing or tweaking their hours while implementing added safety measures, people have been trying to adjust in rapid fashion. Locally that has also meant numerous cancellations to events as each new week arrives.
While it has also created anxiety and a relatively unknown time line as to when things will return to a more normal, many people have continued to press ahead to the best of their ability. A big part of that new normal has been social distancing, gathering restrictions and self-isolation.
As April arrived the plea from health officials and all levels of government to remain vigilant continued. With the lowest number of new confirmed cases reported in Saskatchewan spanning over a week (eight on Mar. 31 and then nine Apr. 1), officials were quick to remind residents it is integral not to get complacent with precautions for COVID-19.
“It’s as important as ever to stay home whenever possible, and to avoid close contact (a minimum of two metres) with others to prevent spreading the virus,” read a statement on the Saskatchewan government website. “People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, travellers returning from international destinations, including the United States, and those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 are required to self-isolate under the current public health order.”
Despite the mandated self-isolation, the provincial government noted there were still reports of people across the province disregarding the directives, which will only increase the amount of time it takes to flatten the curve. “Do your part to help protect yourself, your neighbours and your community.”
Appreciating the many who have been heeding the warnings within his community, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said, “I would like to thank the residents who are following the social distancing and gathering restrictions as mandated by the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority and encourage those who are not to do so.”
Collins continued by acknowledging the local business sector and the important role they are playing during this trying time. “To the businesses that are open, thanks for the work that you have done to minimize the risk by the reduction of store hours, employees wearing personal protective equipment, the installation of shields at checkouts, etc. I know that these are difficult times for business and I applaud your efforts. We are in this together and if we all do our part we can reduce the risk and get back to normal sooner. Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!!”
In an effort to help stay safe and healthy, the Saskatchewan Government provided the following:
• Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into the bend of your elbow);
• Wash your hands often with soap and water;
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Maintain safe food practices;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Avoid unnecessary travel – inside and outside your community;
• Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited and you must practice social distancing; and
• If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough or breathing issues) use the self-assessment tool at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 to determine if you should contact HealthLine 811.
As many in Saskatchewan continue to try and flatten the curve of COVID-19, the eight new confirmed cases Mar. 31 were the lowest in a week. The following day Saskatchewan added nine more and on Thursday, 13 for a total of 206 confirmed cases. As of Apr. 2, four people were in hospital with two receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon, one in intensive care and another in the intensive care unit in Regina.
On Sunday, Mar. 29, two Saskatchewan residents located in separate parts of the province passed away in hospital as a result of complications related to the COVID-19 virus. The two deaths were the first in Saskatchewan tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of those one was related to travel while both people were in their 70s. On Apr. 1, the provincial government announced a third Saskatchewan resident in the 80 to 89 age range died from complications related to COVID-19.
Overall in the province as of Apr. 2, 96 cases are travellers, 44 are community contacts (mass gatherings included), 10 have no known exposures and 56 are under investigation by local public health. As of Apr. 1, 24 cases could be traced back to a Christopher Lake snowmobile rally dinner Mar. 14.
Of the overall cases in Saskatchewan, 103 are from the Saskatoon area, 44 from the Regina area, 38 from the north, nine from the central region, nine from the south and three from the far north.
Six cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults. Ninety-three cases are in the 20-44 age range; 74 are in the 45-64 age range; and 33 are in the 65-plus range. Fifty-five percent of the cases are males and 45 percent are females.
As of Apr. 2, six more people had recovered from COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the provincial total to 36.
To date (as of Apr. 2), 11,395 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. Saskatchewan continues to have the second highest rate of testing per capita among the provinces.
Meanwhile on a national level, as of Apr. 2 there were 10,132 confirmed cases in Canada which included just over 4,600 in Quebec, a total of 2,793 in Ontario, 1,066 in B.C. and 871 in Alberta.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, there were more than 900,000 confirmed cases around the world as of Apr. 2 with nearly 46,000 deaths in 205 countries, areas or territories. The United States made up more than 187,000 of those confirmed cases followed by Italy with more than 110,000, Spain with more than 102,000 and China with over 82,000. The Republic of Korea which had been near the top had dropped to 14th overall after taking substantial social distancing measures and sat at 9,976 confirmed cases.
Daniel Bushman
With local residents, businesses, organizations and communities as a whole trying to do their best to help flatten the curve while preventing the spread of COVID-19, it has meant numerous changes over recent weeks.
From schools shutting down, people self-isolating in their homes to businesses closing or tweaking their hours while implementing added safety measures, people have been trying to adjust in rapid fashion. Locally that has also meant numerous cancellations to events as each new week arrives.
While it has also created anxiety and a relatively unknown time line as to when things will return to a more normal, many people have continued to press ahead to the best of their ability. A big part of that new normal has been social distancing, gathering restrictions and self-isolation.
As April arrived the plea from health officials and all levels of government to remain vigilant continued. With the lowest number of new confirmed cases reported in Saskatchewan spanning over a week (eight on Mar. 31 and then nine Apr. 1), officials were quick to remind residents it is integral not to get complacent with precautions for COVID-19.
“It’s as important as ever to stay home whenever possible, and to avoid close contact (a minimum of two metres) with others to prevent spreading the virus,” read a statement on the Saskatchewan government website. “People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, travellers returning from international destinations, including the United States, and those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 are required to self-isolate under the current public health order.”
Despite the mandated self-isolation, the provincial government noted there were still reports of people across the province disregarding the directives, which will only increase the amount of time it takes to flatten the curve. “Do your part to help protect yourself, your neighbours and your community.”
Appreciating the many who have been heeding the warnings within his community, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said, “I would like to thank the residents who are following the social distancing and gathering restrictions as mandated by the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority and encourage those who are not to do so.”
Collins continued by acknowledging the local business sector and the important role they are playing during this trying time. “To the businesses that are open, thanks for the work that you have done to minimize the risk by the reduction of store hours, employees wearing personal protective equipment, the installation of shields at checkouts, etc. I know that these are difficult times for business and I applaud your efforts. We are in this together and if we all do our part we can reduce the risk and get back to normal sooner. Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!!”
In an effort to help stay safe and healthy, the Saskatchewan Government provided the following:
• Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into the bend of your elbow);
• Wash your hands often with soap and water;
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Maintain safe food practices;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Avoid unnecessary travel – inside and outside your community;
• Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited and you must practice social distancing; and
• If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough or breathing issues) use the self-assessment tool at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 to determine if you should contact HealthLine 811.
As many in Saskatchewan continue to try and flatten the curve of COVID-19, the eight new confirmed cases Mar. 31 were the lowest in a week. The following day Saskatchewan added nine more and on Thursday, 13 for a total of 206 confirmed cases. As of Apr. 2, four people were in hospital with two receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon, one in intensive care and another in the intensive care unit in Regina.
On Sunday, Mar. 29, two Saskatchewan residents located in separate parts of the province passed away in hospital as a result of complications related to the COVID-19 virus. The two deaths were the first in Saskatchewan tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of those one was related to travel while both people were in their 70s. On Apr. 1, the provincial government announced a third Saskatchewan resident in the 80 to 89 age range died from complications related to COVID-19.
Overall in the province as of Apr. 2, 96 cases are travellers, 44 are community contacts (mass gatherings included), 10 have no known exposures and 56 are under investigation by local public health. As of Apr. 1, 24 cases could be traced back to a Christopher Lake snowmobile rally dinner Mar. 14.
Of the overall cases in Saskatchewan, 103 are from the Saskatoon area, 44 from the Regina area, 38 from the north, nine from the central region, nine from the south and three from the far north.
Six cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults. Ninety-three cases are in the 20-44 age range; 74 are in the 45-64 age range; and 33 are in the 65-plus range. Fifty-five percent of the cases are males and 45 percent are females.
As of Apr. 2, six more people had recovered from COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the provincial total to 36.
To date (as of Apr. 2), 11,395 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. Saskatchewan continues to have the second highest rate of testing per capita among the provinces.
Meanwhile on a national level, as of Apr. 2 there were 10,132 confirmed cases in Canada which included just over 4,600 in Quebec, a total of 2,793 in Ontario, 1,066 in B.C. and 871 in Alberta.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, there were more than 900,000 confirmed cases around the world as of Apr. 2 with nearly 46,000 deaths in 205 countries, areas or territories. The United States made up more than 187,000 of those confirmed cases followed by Italy with more than 110,000, Spain with more than 102,000 and China with over 82,000. The Republic of Korea which had been near the top had dropped to 14th overall after taking substantial social distancing measures and sat at 9,976 confirmed cases.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 30, 2020
COVID-19 in Saskatchewan
Daniel Bushman
Trying to keep up with the situation regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the following are some of the updates received from the Saskatchewan Government and Saskatchewan Health Authority. Knowing that these can change in an instant, the information is accurate as of Mar. 26, 2020.
Saskatchewan had nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 95. There were no new presumptive cases awaiting testing. Three people have recovered from the virus, though there may be more cases yet to be reported to Public Health. Five people have been hospitalized: three in Regina and two in Saskatoon. Five cases are a result of local transmission, with one additional case reported Mar. 26 in the northern region. The rest are travel-related. Four confirmed cases relate to those 19 years of age and under. Forty-five cases are in the 20 to 44 age range; 32 are in the 45 to 64 range; and 14 cases have been confirmed in the 65-plus range. A total of 57 percent of the cases are males and 43 percent are females. To date, 6,915 COVID-19 tests have been performed by the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory.
Globally as of Mar. 26, according to the World Health Organization, China (81,961), Italy (74,386), and the United States (63,570) had the most cases with reports of the United States surpassing China. Canada had 3,409 cases with Quebec (1,629), Ontario (858), B.C. (725) and Alberta (486) having the most cases.
In Saskatchewan a public health order was amended to include the limiting of indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 10 people, except for families in the same household, and where critical public and business services are conducted. The order also states that all businesses not identified as critical public services be closed.
On Mar. 20, Premier Scott Moe signed an order pursuant to the provincial State of Emergency directing that all orders of the government and Chief Medical Health Officer must be followed and that law enforcement agencies in Saskatchewan have the full authority to enforce those orders. From that, all persons who have travelled internationally shall go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from date of arrival back into Canada.
“I know that the vast majority of Saskatchewan people are taking their personal responsibility seriously and following this order,” Moe said. “But a few are not. This is not a suggestion. It is not a guideline. It is the law and it must be followed.”
The Ministry of Health is working with licensing bodies to support the recruitment of recently retired health professionals like registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, laboratory, diagnostic technicians and others to assist with the expected demands on the acute care system during the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Domestic flights that had a confirmed case of COVID-19 identified onboard are now listed at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 under Travel Information.
The provincial government is trying to provide clarity to businesses surrounding the operations of allowable business services, in consultation with the Chief Medical Health Officer. A list of critical public services and allowable business services has been created to inform the business community of which businesses can continue to operate in accordance with social distancing practices.
The government released a comprehensive list of critical public services and business services that will be allowed to continue operating during the COVID-19 response and maintaining critical services to the public and industry to prevent supply chain disruption.
The list includes: health care and public health workers; law enforcement, public safety and first responders; production, processing and manufacturing and the supporting supply chains; transportation and logistics; government and community services; media and telecommunications; construction including maintenance and repair; select retail services; and banking and financial services. A more detailed list can be found on the government's website.
Effective Mar. 26, non-allowable business services will be unable to provide public-facing services. While closure of non-allowable business services prevents certain businesses from providing public facing services, it does not preclude opportunities for non-allowable business services to expand into online retailing, or providing pickup or delivery services. Examples of non-allowable business services that will be prohibited from providing public-facing services includes: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good and adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV, or snowmobile retailers; gift, book, or stationary stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies. This is in addition to the business services that were ordered closed Mar. 23.
The provincial government is temporarily suspending eviction hearings as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.
The Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) will not be accepting applications for eviction related to missed or late rent, or for other non-urgent claims. Previous eviction orders for non-urgent matters (example: not related to health and safety concerns) will not be enforced, and previously scheduled hearings for non-urgent matters have been cancelled.
The ORT will only be conducting eviction hearings for urgent situations where there is a potential risk to health or safety resulting from violence or damage to property. Hearings may also take place for situations where a tenant has been locked out by their landlord or where a landlord has been accused of not providing essential services such as power and water.
Tenants who are unable to pay their rent during the state of emergency will be expected to pay their rent in full once the state of emergency is over.
Town of Watrous statement: As more positive cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) are confirmed in Saskatchewan and around the world, the health and safety of our community remains a top priority.
In an effort to keep our staff and you safe while continuing to provide essential services to residents during this uneasy time, we ask that you please review the following important information from our Watrous Town Council and its administration:
• The Town of Watrous administrative staff are available via telephone and email from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer any questions you may have;
• Our essential services such as water supply, waste collection and emergency/protective services are critical to everyone’s well-being and they continue to function uninterrupted;
• Payment options for residents can be done online, by mail or through using our drop box which is available during office hours only in the main entrance at the Town Office; and
• The Transfer Station is currently operating under regular winter hours (Tuesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.) until further notice.
We would also like to remind everyone to continue to protect yourself, family, friends and our community by following orders and protocols issued by the provincial and federal governments. For all travellers returning from international destinations – including the United States – a mandatory 14-day self-isolation order has been implemented from the provincial and federal governments. Violation of the order may result in an arrest and a fine of $2,000.
For more on the mandatory order or for other COVID-19 information, people are encouraged to visit www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus or monitor local and provincial news outlets.
Most importantly, during this time please remember to remain at home whenever possible, practice proper hand washing and hygiene, observe all self-isolation protocols and please practice social distancing.
As of last week, many local businesses were providing home delivery of essential goods. Please support them during this time if you are able. People who do not want to venture out are encouraged to lean on their neighbours, friends or family who can safely be there to help.
We appreciate your understanding during this time as we as a community try to help ‘flatten the curve.’ By doing this we can also help our medical professionals take care of us. It takes every individual in our community and beyond to do their part in order for us to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remain safe from this global pandemic.
Daniel Bushman
Trying to keep up with the situation regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the following are some of the updates received from the Saskatchewan Government and Saskatchewan Health Authority. Knowing that these can change in an instant, the information is accurate as of Mar. 26, 2020.
Saskatchewan had nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 95. There were no new presumptive cases awaiting testing. Three people have recovered from the virus, though there may be more cases yet to be reported to Public Health. Five people have been hospitalized: three in Regina and two in Saskatoon. Five cases are a result of local transmission, with one additional case reported Mar. 26 in the northern region. The rest are travel-related. Four confirmed cases relate to those 19 years of age and under. Forty-five cases are in the 20 to 44 age range; 32 are in the 45 to 64 range; and 14 cases have been confirmed in the 65-plus range. A total of 57 percent of the cases are males and 43 percent are females. To date, 6,915 COVID-19 tests have been performed by the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory.
Globally as of Mar. 26, according to the World Health Organization, China (81,961), Italy (74,386), and the United States (63,570) had the most cases with reports of the United States surpassing China. Canada had 3,409 cases with Quebec (1,629), Ontario (858), B.C. (725) and Alberta (486) having the most cases.
In Saskatchewan a public health order was amended to include the limiting of indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 10 people, except for families in the same household, and where critical public and business services are conducted. The order also states that all businesses not identified as critical public services be closed.
On Mar. 20, Premier Scott Moe signed an order pursuant to the provincial State of Emergency directing that all orders of the government and Chief Medical Health Officer must be followed and that law enforcement agencies in Saskatchewan have the full authority to enforce those orders. From that, all persons who have travelled internationally shall go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from date of arrival back into Canada.
“I know that the vast majority of Saskatchewan people are taking their personal responsibility seriously and following this order,” Moe said. “But a few are not. This is not a suggestion. It is not a guideline. It is the law and it must be followed.”
The Ministry of Health is working with licensing bodies to support the recruitment of recently retired health professionals like registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, laboratory, diagnostic technicians and others to assist with the expected demands on the acute care system during the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Domestic flights that had a confirmed case of COVID-19 identified onboard are now listed at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 under Travel Information.
The provincial government is trying to provide clarity to businesses surrounding the operations of allowable business services, in consultation with the Chief Medical Health Officer. A list of critical public services and allowable business services has been created to inform the business community of which businesses can continue to operate in accordance with social distancing practices.
The government released a comprehensive list of critical public services and business services that will be allowed to continue operating during the COVID-19 response and maintaining critical services to the public and industry to prevent supply chain disruption.
The list includes: health care and public health workers; law enforcement, public safety and first responders; production, processing and manufacturing and the supporting supply chains; transportation and logistics; government and community services; media and telecommunications; construction including maintenance and repair; select retail services; and banking and financial services. A more detailed list can be found on the government's website.
Effective Mar. 26, non-allowable business services will be unable to provide public-facing services. While closure of non-allowable business services prevents certain businesses from providing public facing services, it does not preclude opportunities for non-allowable business services to expand into online retailing, or providing pickup or delivery services. Examples of non-allowable business services that will be prohibited from providing public-facing services includes: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good and adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV, or snowmobile retailers; gift, book, or stationary stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies. This is in addition to the business services that were ordered closed Mar. 23.
The provincial government is temporarily suspending eviction hearings as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.
The Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) will not be accepting applications for eviction related to missed or late rent, or for other non-urgent claims. Previous eviction orders for non-urgent matters (example: not related to health and safety concerns) will not be enforced, and previously scheduled hearings for non-urgent matters have been cancelled.
The ORT will only be conducting eviction hearings for urgent situations where there is a potential risk to health or safety resulting from violence or damage to property. Hearings may also take place for situations where a tenant has been locked out by their landlord or where a landlord has been accused of not providing essential services such as power and water.
Tenants who are unable to pay their rent during the state of emergency will be expected to pay their rent in full once the state of emergency is over.
Town of Watrous statement: As more positive cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) are confirmed in Saskatchewan and around the world, the health and safety of our community remains a top priority.
In an effort to keep our staff and you safe while continuing to provide essential services to residents during this uneasy time, we ask that you please review the following important information from our Watrous Town Council and its administration:
• The Town of Watrous administrative staff are available via telephone and email from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer any questions you may have;
• Our essential services such as water supply, waste collection and emergency/protective services are critical to everyone’s well-being and they continue to function uninterrupted;
• Payment options for residents can be done online, by mail or through using our drop box which is available during office hours only in the main entrance at the Town Office; and
• The Transfer Station is currently operating under regular winter hours (Tuesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.) until further notice.
We would also like to remind everyone to continue to protect yourself, family, friends and our community by following orders and protocols issued by the provincial and federal governments. For all travellers returning from international destinations – including the United States – a mandatory 14-day self-isolation order has been implemented from the provincial and federal governments. Violation of the order may result in an arrest and a fine of $2,000.
For more on the mandatory order or for other COVID-19 information, people are encouraged to visit www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus or monitor local and provincial news outlets.
Most importantly, during this time please remember to remain at home whenever possible, practice proper hand washing and hygiene, observe all self-isolation protocols and please practice social distancing.
As of last week, many local businesses were providing home delivery of essential goods. Please support them during this time if you are able. People who do not want to venture out are encouraged to lean on their neighbours, friends or family who can safely be there to help.
We appreciate your understanding during this time as we as a community try to help ‘flatten the curve.’ By doing this we can also help our medical professionals take care of us. It takes every individual in our community and beyond to do their part in order for us to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remain safe from this global pandemic.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 23, 2020
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Daniel Bushman
As the global pandemic COVID-19 (Coronavirus) spreads across the world and into Saskatchewan, things have been changing weekly, daily and even hourly. With a huge focus on social distancing to stop or slow down the spread of the highly contagious disease, numerous cancellations, postponements and initiatives have occurred. Implementing protocols, health and safety measures there are a large number of local businesses who remain open, including us, for as long as we are able.
But with all of the changes coming frequently, this article has been revised a number of times and most likely more information has since become available after press time. In an effort to try and provide you with factual and current information, the following article will key in on a number of areas including what local implementations have been taken, what Saskatchewan is doing as well as the financial aid package offered by the federal government.
As 16 cases of COVID-19 were reported by the Government of Saskatchewan in the province Mar. 18, it declared a provincial State of Emergency, giving the government broad powers to address the pandemic. This includes measures like the ability to limit travel to or from a community or region of the province and directing that property or equipment be deployed to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the news conference Mar. 18, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said, “If we are not able to flatten the curve, if we don’t take these social distancing measures seriously, there is no health system in the world that will be able to manage what will occur. It is incumbent on us in this province to do our level best to ensure that we are able to flatten that curve and that our health system is able to handle what is going to happen over the course of the next number of weeks and the next number of months.
“It is only together if we take this situation seriously and that is what I am asking each and every resident of this province to do, is to take this situation very seriously . . . we will get through this and we will get through this together.”
The government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Health Officer, also made a number of new orders Mar. 18 to reduce the risk to Saskatchewan people, prevent transmission and ensure that acute care services are preserved for residents most at risk for severe illness.
The following measures took effect immediately: public gatherings larger than 50 people are prohibited; all restaurants, bars and event venues must limit their seating to 50 percent of capacity or up to a maximum of 50 people, whichever is lesser. All must be able to ensure social distance of one to two metres between customers. Retail spaces including grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations are exempted from this policy but must have processes to maintain a one to two metre separation; all gyms, fitness centres, casinos and bingo halls are ordered to close until further notice; residents are advised to limit any non-essential travel outside of Saskatchewan, with the exception of people who live in border communities and are commuting for work; any licensed restaurants and taverns in Saskatchewan will be permitted to sell alcohol as an offsale according to SLGA regulations indefinitely; all crown utilities will implement bill-deferral programs allowing a zero-interest bill deferral for up to six months for Saskatchewan residents whose ability to make bill payments may be impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions; and all Government of Saskatchewan ministries, agencies and Crown corporations will implement a phased-in work from home policy effective Monday, Mar. 23, applicable to employees deemed non-essential. This means that any employees able to work from home should do so immediately, while providing managers a period to plan for work-force continuity.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is discontinuing all non-urgent/elective surgeries, procedures and diagnostics as of Mar. 23. This action will allow the SHA the ability to redeploy nurses and other staff and ensure medical supplies and personal protective equipment are available when needed and reduce risk of further exposure to our care providers and patients.
The SHA will continue to provide services to patients who require emergent and urgent care. Cancer, urgent and emergent surgeries will continue as planned. Patients will be contacted regarding their scheduled service.
Parents with children in daycares should be preparing for further restrictions.
Local area changes
As people are social distancing, self-quarantining themselves from trips around the globe, some businesses temporarily closing, events cancelled and governments trying to do what they feel is best, like you, I too am trying to navigate through uncharted waters. I would invite you to read this week’s editorial for what The Watrous Manitou and the Lanigan Advisor are each trying to do.
The following are a few things that local area communities are doing as well. If your community is not mentioned below, I do apologize and I would invite you to reach out to them if you are wondering what services have been cancelled, closed or postponed. With information changing so rapidly and with so many other intangibles, I was unable to contact each community directly. The following were obtained through social media posts or email and because things transpire so quickly, if I missed something or the below information has changed after press time, I do apologize:
Watrous: The Town of Watrous is taking precautionary measures and closing the Town Office, Civic Centre, Heritage Room, Fitness Centre, Gallery on 3rd, Watrous Centennial Arena, Watrous Curling Rink and Wheatland Regional Library Watrous Branch. The Town said people can use online payment options or regular mail for payments normally made to the Town. A drop box is also available inside the front office door. The Watrous Senior Centre is also closed until further notice.
In Watrous and Colonsay, the Saskatoon Co-op Food Store locations are providing an early shopping hour for the elderly and vulnerable (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.) each day and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays.
The Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre will be closed until further notice.
Also in Watrous and Manitou Beach a few businesses have either temporarily closed or are offering other methods of doing business like take-out and delivery options.
Watrous RCMP: in response to the on going COVID-19 pandemic Watrous RCMP are suspending front counter services. What does this mean? Criminal record checks will no longer be done until further notice, any issue that can be dealt with over the phone will be such as a motor vehicle collision report, statement forms and collision reports can be emailed out and returned in a similar fashion. If you are unsure of your issue, call the office at 306-946-3316 before attending. Watrous RCMP will continue to respond to emergency calls and will continue patrols of the towns, villages and RMs it serves. As always call 911 if it is an emergency situation.
Manitou Beach: The Resort Village has closed its office until further notice. Essential services like water and roads will continue and emails and calls will be monitored. Council meetings will also be conducted as scheduled but as a health and safety precaution, the meetings are closed to the general public.
In Imperial, the Town Office is closed until at least Mar. 30 when the decision will be reassessed. People can contact the Town at town.imperial@sasktel.net. After a council meeting, council also decided to refill all hand sanitizer dispensers in the community’s businesses and more updates will follow in the future.
In Colonsay, a number of places have also closed temporarily.
In Drake, Last Mountain Bowbenders have closed the indoor archery range at the Drake Sportsplex until further notice.
In Jansen, the RM of Prairie Rose and Village of Jansen office is closed until further notice. All Village of Jansen recreation facilities are closed including the Community Hall and bowling alley.
All branches of Parkland Regional Library are closed until at least Apr. 1. That includes the library in Jansen.
In Lanigan, the Town Office and the Town Public Works shop is closed. The Town Public Works crew will continue to perform their daily duties to ensure the community continues to operate smoothly. While the Town Office is closed there are a number of other ways to contact them like calling, online banking or emailing. All Town of Lanigan public facilities like the arena and hall are closed until further notice while the arena is closed for the season.
The Wheatland Library Lanigan Branch is closed until at least Apr. 1 meaning there is no story time and after school programs.
The Lanigan Co-op Food Store is opening one hour earlier (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) for those aged 65 and older or to other guests vulnerable during this time.
The Community Gift and Thrift store is closed for an indefinite period of time and asked that people do not drop off donations during that indefinite period.
In Allan, our correspondent Sarah Ross said the library has postponed all programming for the foreseeable future. The season at the communiplex has ended abruptly as well. Most events around town are currently postponed or wrapped up.
In Viscount, our correspondent Sandra Reid noted most things are cancelled for now.
Libraries: In addition to the Jansen, Watrous and Lanigan branches closing, Nokomis, Viscount and Young Wheatland Library branches are also closed until further notice.
MP Tom Lukiwski: in response to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, Tom Lukiwski’s Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan constituency office is closed to the public. Lukiwski’s constituency staff will continue to work on-site for the time being but will not receive in-person walk-in visits or appointments from the public.
Carlton Trail College: all regional learning locations including Watrous will be closed until further notice. Individual programming
Libraries: In addition to the Jansen, Watrous and Lanigan branches closing, Nokomis, Viscount and Young Wheatland Library Branches are also closed until further notice.
MP Tom Lukiwski: in response to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, Tom Lukiwski’s Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan constituency office is closed to the public. Lukiwski’s constituency staff will continue to work on-site for the time being but will not receive in-person walk-in visits or appointments from the public.
Carlton Trail College: all regional learning locations including Watrous will be closed until further notice. Individual programming and/or alternate learning scenarios will be communicated directly with students, as needed. College updates will be posted via its website www.carltontrailcollege.com.
Local groups willing to help
Amidst all of the closures taking place, a few groups have stepped up to lend a hand in their communities.
A Facebook group called Watrous Manitou Cares has been established for Watrous, Manitou Beach and the surrounding area. Created by Lori Ann Frey, the group is for people who may need assistance during this trying time and people who have the ability to help. On the page it stated: “Just a reminder to please follow the social distancing protocol as volunteers. When dropping off requested items please just ring doorbells/knock on the door and leave items at the door. We all want to be sure we are keeping everyone as safe as possible while still helping out, as well as limiting our contact with others outside our household. We each need to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Lori Ann said people who would like to utilize the service can call or text her at 306-946-7836. “We can get them connected with someone who can help out.”
The Jansen and District Kin also recognize that these are very uncertain times, and there may be people in their community who need a little extra help right now.
“If you know of someone elderly, immunocompromised, self-isolating, or who may be too anxious to go out in public that needs assistance please let us know. We would like to make sure everyone has all the groceries/supplies they need and we are willing to coordinate payment from you and delivery of any required items to you to the best of our abilities. Call or text Lyndsay at 306-360-7222 or Angel at 306-365-7545 or message us through Facebook! We also suggest that anyone who has an abundance of supplies (toilet paper, wipes, baby necessities, etc.) or non-perishable food items to please donate what they can to the Lanigan Food Bank.”
Saskatchewan schools, long-term care, hospitals, churches and travel
Long-term care/SHA facilities
On a more provincial level, the Chief Medical Health Officer of Saskatchewan made the following order pursuant to Section 45 of The Public Health Act effective Mar. 16: The Chief Medical Health Officer orders that visitors to long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes and group homes are restricted to essential visitors only. Essential visitors means immediate family visiting for compassionate reasons. SHA said under all circumstances do not visit if you have respiratory, gastric, or flu-like symptoms (common cold, diarrhea/vomiting) or if you have travelled outside of Saskatchewan in the past 14 days. All community, foundation and other public and spiritual gatherings within any SHA-operated facility are on hold effective immediately until further notice. Services provided by community volunteers who are 65 years of age or older, in non-essential service areas have been suspended.
Like other health care facilities, Manitou Lodge in Watrous has implemented strict visitor restrictions as required by Saskatchewan Health Authority. Because of those restrictions mandated by SHA, the lodge will be trying to allow family members of those in the lodge to FaceTime with their family member during activity hours. People can email mandmrec1@gmail.com or contact the house numbers: Harmony 306-946-1282, Sunrise 306-946-1281, and Prairie 306-946-1283. By having FaceTime, family members are welcome to keep in contact with loved ones during this time of isolation.
Central Parkland Lodge in Lanigan released the following statement Mar. 16: Due to the protection of our residents and health care staff, there has been a visitor restriction notice sent out from Saskatchewan Health Authority. If you are not feeling well, please stay home! If you are a volunteer over the age of 65, we ask that you please stay home as well!
In a post on its Facebook page, Central Parkland Lodge stated, “We are hoping for everyone to stay healthy and happy, and send our thanks for understanding the current situation. If you have any questions regarding volunteering or attending a program, please feel free to give me a call at any time 306-365-1425.”
Faith-based organizations
Faith-based organizations are no longer exempt to public gathering restrictions ordering that no public gathering of over 250 people in any one room take place.
Schools
Last Monday, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that all classes in Saskatchewan pre K-12 schools will be suspended indefinitely, effective Mar. 20, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Parents who were able to keep children home were encouraged to do so last week with no absence or grade impacts. Every student will receive a final grade based on their current grade, and students will progress to their next grade level next year. Every student who is eligible to graduate from Gr. 12 this year will graduate. The Ministry of Education and School Divisions will work with Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Institutions to adapt entry requirements for programs commencing in the next academic year.
The provincial government said teachers and staff can work from home or in schools as scheduled during the class cancellations. For the rest of the scheduled school year, the Ministry of Education will work with school divisions and Saskatchewan teachers to implement a supplemental curriculum program through distance and alternative learning methods. While this supplemental curriculum will have no impact on final grades, it will ensure that students seeking to continue learning will have the resources necessary to do so.
The provincial government indicated the measures apply to daycares that are co-located with schools, but do not apply to licensed daycare facilities outside of schools. Further measures regarding licensed daycare facilities are being considered and will be implemented at a later date.
Travel guidelines:
The Federal Government and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer recommended that any residents currently travelling internationally should return to Canada while commercial options were available. The Federal Government and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer also recommend avoiding all non-essential international travel until further notice.
The pair stated all travellers returning from international destinations - including the United States – need to self-isolate and monitor their health for 14 days upon return. Travellers returning from within Canada are advised to self-monitor for 14 days upon return.
Addressing the nation last Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said as the situation evolved so would the government’s response. As part of that, the border between Canada and the United States was closed for non-essential travel with goods and trade exempt.
Provincial aid
Finance Minister Donna Harpauer tabled the 2020-‘21 Estimates Mar. 18, the government’s spending plans for the coming year. The government is taking the unusual step of tabling the spending estimates without revenue forecasts for the coming year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is an unprecedented and challenging time in our province, our country and the world,” Harpauer said. “We are all feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our government’s first priority is the safety and health of Saskatchewan people. That is precisely why we need to proceed with these expenditures now, providing stability and much needed new spending at the start of the fiscal year. It is particularly important our health care funding flows and our infrastructure investment is in place to help our economy.
“We have a very strong cash position of $1.3 billion, so we are well positioned to manage through this challenging time, and are able to provide additional resources to address the health and economic challenges of COVID-19 as required.”
Capital investment of $2.7 billion by Crown corporations and Executive Government will serve as an important economic stimulus during this challenging time.
The Ministry of Health’s expense is $5.77 billion, a record investment and an increase of more than $211 million, or 3.8 percent, from one year ago.
The government will provide the Saskatchewan Health Authority with a $3.74 billion grant this year, an increase of $140.6 million, or 3.9 percent over last year. The government said this funds the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who today are on the front lines in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, while meeting the health needs of Saskatchewan residents.
Federal financial aid
The Federal Government announced Mar. 18 that along with waiving the period for employment insurance that new measures of up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses plus $55 billion to meet liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and households through tax deferrals would be used to stabilize the economy.
At a press conference, Trudeau said people who don’t qualify for employment insurance and who don’t have access to paid sick leave will be able to access the federal government’s emergency care benefit providing up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks. This flat-payment benefit would be administered through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provide income support to: workers, including the self-employed, who are quarantined or sick with COVID-19 but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits; workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent, but do not quality for EI sickness benefits; and parents with children who require care or supervision due to school closures, and are unable to earn employment income, irrespective of whether they qualify for EI or not.
Application for the benefit will be available in April 2020, and require Canadians to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements. They will need to re-attest every two weeks to reconfirm their eligibility.
For over 3.5 million families with children, who may also require additional support, the Government is proposing to increase the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts, only for the 2019-‘20 benefit year, by $300 per child. The overall increase for families receiving CCB will be approximately $550 on average; these families will receive an extra $300 per child as part of their May payment. In total, this measure will deliver almost $2 billion in extra support.
Together, the proposed enhancements of the GSTC and CCB will give a single parent with two children and low to modest income nearly $1,500 in additional short-term support.
The government said it is also taking steps to protect jobs, providing employers of small businesses with a temporary wage subsidy equal to 10 percent of salary paid to employees for a period of three months. This will encourage employers to keep staff on the payroll during these uncertain times.
The Canada Revenue Agency will defer the filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals, including certain trusts. For individuals (other than trusts), the return
filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020. However, the Agency encourages individuals who expect to receive benefits under the GSTC or the Canada Child Benefit not to delay the filing of their return to ensure their entitlements for the 2020-‘21 benefit year are properly determined.
For trusts having a taxation year ending Dec. 31, 2019, the return filing due date will be deferred until May 1, 2020.
The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all taxpayers to defer, until after Aug. 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020.
For lower income people, in May the government will supplement the GST credit to offset the consumer tax they pay. Every adult who qualifies will receive up to $300 and up to $150 per child.
For people paying off student loans, including young people and those starting a family, a six month interest free moratorium will be placed on their Canada Student Loans.
For those experiencing homelessness, the government is doubling the reaching home program which provides funding to communities to address their local needs.
For those fleeing domestic or gender-based violence, funding is being boosted for shelters that provide sanctuary when self-isolating at home is not an option.
For First Nations, Inuit and Metis Nation communities, a distinctions based Indigenous Community support fund is being set up.
For businesses, export development Canada will provide support. For farmers and primary producers the government will boost Farm Credit Canada. In the coming days, the government will look at ways to support them all like the Canada Account.
The Minister of Finance has also been in regular contact with the heads of Canada’s large banks, and continues to encourage them to show flexibility in helping their customers whose personal or business finances are affected by COVID-19. The Superintendent of Financial Institutions has also made clear his expectation that banks will use the additional lending capacity provided by recent government actions to support Canadian businesses and households.
In response, banks in Canada have affirmed their commitment to working with customers to provide flexible solutions, on a case-by-case basis, for managing through hardships caused by recent developments. This may include situations such as pay disruption, childcare disruption, or illness. Canada’s large banks have confirmed that this support will include up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products. These targeted measures respond to immediate challenges being faced across the country and will help stabilize the Canadian economy.
The Government, through CMHC, is providing increased flexibility for homeowners facing financial difficulties to defer mortgage payments on homeowner CMHC-insured mortgage loans. CMHC will permit lenders to allow payment deferral beginning immediately.
For a more comprehensive list, people can visit www.twmnews.com and click on the COVID-19 Updates page or visit www.canada.ca.
As of Mar. 19 Saskatchewan had four new, presumptive positive cases for COVID-19. The provincial total for cases was 20: 12 presumptive positive and eight confirmed. Three of the four presumptive positive cases are related to travel and one is a close contact of a previously reported case.
Daniel Bushman
As the global pandemic COVID-19 (Coronavirus) spreads across the world and into Saskatchewan, things have been changing weekly, daily and even hourly. With a huge focus on social distancing to stop or slow down the spread of the highly contagious disease, numerous cancellations, postponements and initiatives have occurred. Implementing protocols, health and safety measures there are a large number of local businesses who remain open, including us, for as long as we are able.
But with all of the changes coming frequently, this article has been revised a number of times and most likely more information has since become available after press time. In an effort to try and provide you with factual and current information, the following article will key in on a number of areas including what local implementations have been taken, what Saskatchewan is doing as well as the financial aid package offered by the federal government.
As 16 cases of COVID-19 were reported by the Government of Saskatchewan in the province Mar. 18, it declared a provincial State of Emergency, giving the government broad powers to address the pandemic. This includes measures like the ability to limit travel to or from a community or region of the province and directing that property or equipment be deployed to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the news conference Mar. 18, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said, “If we are not able to flatten the curve, if we don’t take these social distancing measures seriously, there is no health system in the world that will be able to manage what will occur. It is incumbent on us in this province to do our level best to ensure that we are able to flatten that curve and that our health system is able to handle what is going to happen over the course of the next number of weeks and the next number of months.
“It is only together if we take this situation seriously and that is what I am asking each and every resident of this province to do, is to take this situation very seriously . . . we will get through this and we will get through this together.”
The government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Health Officer, also made a number of new orders Mar. 18 to reduce the risk to Saskatchewan people, prevent transmission and ensure that acute care services are preserved for residents most at risk for severe illness.
The following measures took effect immediately: public gatherings larger than 50 people are prohibited; all restaurants, bars and event venues must limit their seating to 50 percent of capacity or up to a maximum of 50 people, whichever is lesser. All must be able to ensure social distance of one to two metres between customers. Retail spaces including grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations are exempted from this policy but must have processes to maintain a one to two metre separation; all gyms, fitness centres, casinos and bingo halls are ordered to close until further notice; residents are advised to limit any non-essential travel outside of Saskatchewan, with the exception of people who live in border communities and are commuting for work; any licensed restaurants and taverns in Saskatchewan will be permitted to sell alcohol as an offsale according to SLGA regulations indefinitely; all crown utilities will implement bill-deferral programs allowing a zero-interest bill deferral for up to six months for Saskatchewan residents whose ability to make bill payments may be impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions; and all Government of Saskatchewan ministries, agencies and Crown corporations will implement a phased-in work from home policy effective Monday, Mar. 23, applicable to employees deemed non-essential. This means that any employees able to work from home should do so immediately, while providing managers a period to plan for work-force continuity.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is discontinuing all non-urgent/elective surgeries, procedures and diagnostics as of Mar. 23. This action will allow the SHA the ability to redeploy nurses and other staff and ensure medical supplies and personal protective equipment are available when needed and reduce risk of further exposure to our care providers and patients.
The SHA will continue to provide services to patients who require emergent and urgent care. Cancer, urgent and emergent surgeries will continue as planned. Patients will be contacted regarding their scheduled service.
Parents with children in daycares should be preparing for further restrictions.
Local area changes
As people are social distancing, self-quarantining themselves from trips around the globe, some businesses temporarily closing, events cancelled and governments trying to do what they feel is best, like you, I too am trying to navigate through uncharted waters. I would invite you to read this week’s editorial for what The Watrous Manitou and the Lanigan Advisor are each trying to do.
The following are a few things that local area communities are doing as well. If your community is not mentioned below, I do apologize and I would invite you to reach out to them if you are wondering what services have been cancelled, closed or postponed. With information changing so rapidly and with so many other intangibles, I was unable to contact each community directly. The following were obtained through social media posts or email and because things transpire so quickly, if I missed something or the below information has changed after press time, I do apologize:
Watrous: The Town of Watrous is taking precautionary measures and closing the Town Office, Civic Centre, Heritage Room, Fitness Centre, Gallery on 3rd, Watrous Centennial Arena, Watrous Curling Rink and Wheatland Regional Library Watrous Branch. The Town said people can use online payment options or regular mail for payments normally made to the Town. A drop box is also available inside the front office door. The Watrous Senior Centre is also closed until further notice.
In Watrous and Colonsay, the Saskatoon Co-op Food Store locations are providing an early shopping hour for the elderly and vulnerable (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.) each day and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays.
The Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre will be closed until further notice.
Also in Watrous and Manitou Beach a few businesses have either temporarily closed or are offering other methods of doing business like take-out and delivery options.
Watrous RCMP: in response to the on going COVID-19 pandemic Watrous RCMP are suspending front counter services. What does this mean? Criminal record checks will no longer be done until further notice, any issue that can be dealt with over the phone will be such as a motor vehicle collision report, statement forms and collision reports can be emailed out and returned in a similar fashion. If you are unsure of your issue, call the office at 306-946-3316 before attending. Watrous RCMP will continue to respond to emergency calls and will continue patrols of the towns, villages and RMs it serves. As always call 911 if it is an emergency situation.
Manitou Beach: The Resort Village has closed its office until further notice. Essential services like water and roads will continue and emails and calls will be monitored. Council meetings will also be conducted as scheduled but as a health and safety precaution, the meetings are closed to the general public.
In Imperial, the Town Office is closed until at least Mar. 30 when the decision will be reassessed. People can contact the Town at town.imperial@sasktel.net. After a council meeting, council also decided to refill all hand sanitizer dispensers in the community’s businesses and more updates will follow in the future.
In Colonsay, a number of places have also closed temporarily.
In Drake, Last Mountain Bowbenders have closed the indoor archery range at the Drake Sportsplex until further notice.
In Jansen, the RM of Prairie Rose and Village of Jansen office is closed until further notice. All Village of Jansen recreation facilities are closed including the Community Hall and bowling alley.
All branches of Parkland Regional Library are closed until at least Apr. 1. That includes the library in Jansen.
In Lanigan, the Town Office and the Town Public Works shop is closed. The Town Public Works crew will continue to perform their daily duties to ensure the community continues to operate smoothly. While the Town Office is closed there are a number of other ways to contact them like calling, online banking or emailing. All Town of Lanigan public facilities like the arena and hall are closed until further notice while the arena is closed for the season.
The Wheatland Library Lanigan Branch is closed until at least Apr. 1 meaning there is no story time and after school programs.
The Lanigan Co-op Food Store is opening one hour earlier (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) for those aged 65 and older or to other guests vulnerable during this time.
The Community Gift and Thrift store is closed for an indefinite period of time and asked that people do not drop off donations during that indefinite period.
In Allan, our correspondent Sarah Ross said the library has postponed all programming for the foreseeable future. The season at the communiplex has ended abruptly as well. Most events around town are currently postponed or wrapped up.
In Viscount, our correspondent Sandra Reid noted most things are cancelled for now.
Libraries: In addition to the Jansen, Watrous and Lanigan branches closing, Nokomis, Viscount and Young Wheatland Library branches are also closed until further notice.
MP Tom Lukiwski: in response to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, Tom Lukiwski’s Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan constituency office is closed to the public. Lukiwski’s constituency staff will continue to work on-site for the time being but will not receive in-person walk-in visits or appointments from the public.
Carlton Trail College: all regional learning locations including Watrous will be closed until further notice. Individual programming
Libraries: In addition to the Jansen, Watrous and Lanigan branches closing, Nokomis, Viscount and Young Wheatland Library Branches are also closed until further notice.
MP Tom Lukiwski: in response to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, Tom Lukiwski’s Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan constituency office is closed to the public. Lukiwski’s constituency staff will continue to work on-site for the time being but will not receive in-person walk-in visits or appointments from the public.
Carlton Trail College: all regional learning locations including Watrous will be closed until further notice. Individual programming and/or alternate learning scenarios will be communicated directly with students, as needed. College updates will be posted via its website www.carltontrailcollege.com.
Local groups willing to help
Amidst all of the closures taking place, a few groups have stepped up to lend a hand in their communities.
A Facebook group called Watrous Manitou Cares has been established for Watrous, Manitou Beach and the surrounding area. Created by Lori Ann Frey, the group is for people who may need assistance during this trying time and people who have the ability to help. On the page it stated: “Just a reminder to please follow the social distancing protocol as volunteers. When dropping off requested items please just ring doorbells/knock on the door and leave items at the door. We all want to be sure we are keeping everyone as safe as possible while still helping out, as well as limiting our contact with others outside our household. We each need to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Lori Ann said people who would like to utilize the service can call or text her at 306-946-7836. “We can get them connected with someone who can help out.”
The Jansen and District Kin also recognize that these are very uncertain times, and there may be people in their community who need a little extra help right now.
“If you know of someone elderly, immunocompromised, self-isolating, or who may be too anxious to go out in public that needs assistance please let us know. We would like to make sure everyone has all the groceries/supplies they need and we are willing to coordinate payment from you and delivery of any required items to you to the best of our abilities. Call or text Lyndsay at 306-360-7222 or Angel at 306-365-7545 or message us through Facebook! We also suggest that anyone who has an abundance of supplies (toilet paper, wipes, baby necessities, etc.) or non-perishable food items to please donate what they can to the Lanigan Food Bank.”
Saskatchewan schools, long-term care, hospitals, churches and travel
Long-term care/SHA facilities
On a more provincial level, the Chief Medical Health Officer of Saskatchewan made the following order pursuant to Section 45 of The Public Health Act effective Mar. 16: The Chief Medical Health Officer orders that visitors to long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes and group homes are restricted to essential visitors only. Essential visitors means immediate family visiting for compassionate reasons. SHA said under all circumstances do not visit if you have respiratory, gastric, or flu-like symptoms (common cold, diarrhea/vomiting) or if you have travelled outside of Saskatchewan in the past 14 days. All community, foundation and other public and spiritual gatherings within any SHA-operated facility are on hold effective immediately until further notice. Services provided by community volunteers who are 65 years of age or older, in non-essential service areas have been suspended.
Like other health care facilities, Manitou Lodge in Watrous has implemented strict visitor restrictions as required by Saskatchewan Health Authority. Because of those restrictions mandated by SHA, the lodge will be trying to allow family members of those in the lodge to FaceTime with their family member during activity hours. People can email mandmrec1@gmail.com or contact the house numbers: Harmony 306-946-1282, Sunrise 306-946-1281, and Prairie 306-946-1283. By having FaceTime, family members are welcome to keep in contact with loved ones during this time of isolation.
Central Parkland Lodge in Lanigan released the following statement Mar. 16: Due to the protection of our residents and health care staff, there has been a visitor restriction notice sent out from Saskatchewan Health Authority. If you are not feeling well, please stay home! If you are a volunteer over the age of 65, we ask that you please stay home as well!
In a post on its Facebook page, Central Parkland Lodge stated, “We are hoping for everyone to stay healthy and happy, and send our thanks for understanding the current situation. If you have any questions regarding volunteering or attending a program, please feel free to give me a call at any time 306-365-1425.”
Faith-based organizations
Faith-based organizations are no longer exempt to public gathering restrictions ordering that no public gathering of over 250 people in any one room take place.
Schools
Last Monday, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that all classes in Saskatchewan pre K-12 schools will be suspended indefinitely, effective Mar. 20, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Parents who were able to keep children home were encouraged to do so last week with no absence or grade impacts. Every student will receive a final grade based on their current grade, and students will progress to their next grade level next year. Every student who is eligible to graduate from Gr. 12 this year will graduate. The Ministry of Education and School Divisions will work with Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Institutions to adapt entry requirements for programs commencing in the next academic year.
The provincial government said teachers and staff can work from home or in schools as scheduled during the class cancellations. For the rest of the scheduled school year, the Ministry of Education will work with school divisions and Saskatchewan teachers to implement a supplemental curriculum program through distance and alternative learning methods. While this supplemental curriculum will have no impact on final grades, it will ensure that students seeking to continue learning will have the resources necessary to do so.
The provincial government indicated the measures apply to daycares that are co-located with schools, but do not apply to licensed daycare facilities outside of schools. Further measures regarding licensed daycare facilities are being considered and will be implemented at a later date.
Travel guidelines:
The Federal Government and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer recommended that any residents currently travelling internationally should return to Canada while commercial options were available. The Federal Government and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer also recommend avoiding all non-essential international travel until further notice.
The pair stated all travellers returning from international destinations - including the United States – need to self-isolate and monitor their health for 14 days upon return. Travellers returning from within Canada are advised to self-monitor for 14 days upon return.
Addressing the nation last Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said as the situation evolved so would the government’s response. As part of that, the border between Canada and the United States was closed for non-essential travel with goods and trade exempt.
Provincial aid
Finance Minister Donna Harpauer tabled the 2020-‘21 Estimates Mar. 18, the government’s spending plans for the coming year. The government is taking the unusual step of tabling the spending estimates without revenue forecasts for the coming year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is an unprecedented and challenging time in our province, our country and the world,” Harpauer said. “We are all feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our government’s first priority is the safety and health of Saskatchewan people. That is precisely why we need to proceed with these expenditures now, providing stability and much needed new spending at the start of the fiscal year. It is particularly important our health care funding flows and our infrastructure investment is in place to help our economy.
“We have a very strong cash position of $1.3 billion, so we are well positioned to manage through this challenging time, and are able to provide additional resources to address the health and economic challenges of COVID-19 as required.”
Capital investment of $2.7 billion by Crown corporations and Executive Government will serve as an important economic stimulus during this challenging time.
The Ministry of Health’s expense is $5.77 billion, a record investment and an increase of more than $211 million, or 3.8 percent, from one year ago.
The government will provide the Saskatchewan Health Authority with a $3.74 billion grant this year, an increase of $140.6 million, or 3.9 percent over last year. The government said this funds the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who today are on the front lines in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, while meeting the health needs of Saskatchewan residents.
Federal financial aid
The Federal Government announced Mar. 18 that along with waiving the period for employment insurance that new measures of up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses plus $55 billion to meet liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and households through tax deferrals would be used to stabilize the economy.
At a press conference, Trudeau said people who don’t qualify for employment insurance and who don’t have access to paid sick leave will be able to access the federal government’s emergency care benefit providing up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks. This flat-payment benefit would be administered through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provide income support to: workers, including the self-employed, who are quarantined or sick with COVID-19 but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits; workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent, but do not quality for EI sickness benefits; and parents with children who require care or supervision due to school closures, and are unable to earn employment income, irrespective of whether they qualify for EI or not.
Application for the benefit will be available in April 2020, and require Canadians to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements. They will need to re-attest every two weeks to reconfirm their eligibility.
For over 3.5 million families with children, who may also require additional support, the Government is proposing to increase the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts, only for the 2019-‘20 benefit year, by $300 per child. The overall increase for families receiving CCB will be approximately $550 on average; these families will receive an extra $300 per child as part of their May payment. In total, this measure will deliver almost $2 billion in extra support.
Together, the proposed enhancements of the GSTC and CCB will give a single parent with two children and low to modest income nearly $1,500 in additional short-term support.
The government said it is also taking steps to protect jobs, providing employers of small businesses with a temporary wage subsidy equal to 10 percent of salary paid to employees for a period of three months. This will encourage employers to keep staff on the payroll during these uncertain times.
The Canada Revenue Agency will defer the filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals, including certain trusts. For individuals (other than trusts), the return
filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020. However, the Agency encourages individuals who expect to receive benefits under the GSTC or the Canada Child Benefit not to delay the filing of their return to ensure their entitlements for the 2020-‘21 benefit year are properly determined.
For trusts having a taxation year ending Dec. 31, 2019, the return filing due date will be deferred until May 1, 2020.
The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all taxpayers to defer, until after Aug. 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020.
For lower income people, in May the government will supplement the GST credit to offset the consumer tax they pay. Every adult who qualifies will receive up to $300 and up to $150 per child.
For people paying off student loans, including young people and those starting a family, a six month interest free moratorium will be placed on their Canada Student Loans.
For those experiencing homelessness, the government is doubling the reaching home program which provides funding to communities to address their local needs.
For those fleeing domestic or gender-based violence, funding is being boosted for shelters that provide sanctuary when self-isolating at home is not an option.
For First Nations, Inuit and Metis Nation communities, a distinctions based Indigenous Community support fund is being set up.
For businesses, export development Canada will provide support. For farmers and primary producers the government will boost Farm Credit Canada. In the coming days, the government will look at ways to support them all like the Canada Account.
The Minister of Finance has also been in regular contact with the heads of Canada’s large banks, and continues to encourage them to show flexibility in helping their customers whose personal or business finances are affected by COVID-19. The Superintendent of Financial Institutions has also made clear his expectation that banks will use the additional lending capacity provided by recent government actions to support Canadian businesses and households.
In response, banks in Canada have affirmed their commitment to working with customers to provide flexible solutions, on a case-by-case basis, for managing through hardships caused by recent developments. This may include situations such as pay disruption, childcare disruption, or illness. Canada’s large banks have confirmed that this support will include up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products. These targeted measures respond to immediate challenges being faced across the country and will help stabilize the Canadian economy.
The Government, through CMHC, is providing increased flexibility for homeowners facing financial difficulties to defer mortgage payments on homeowner CMHC-insured mortgage loans. CMHC will permit lenders to allow payment deferral beginning immediately.
For a more comprehensive list, people can visit www.twmnews.com and click on the COVID-19 Updates page or visit www.canada.ca.
As of Mar. 19 Saskatchewan had four new, presumptive positive cases for COVID-19. The provincial total for cases was 20: 12 presumptive positive and eight confirmed. Three of the four presumptive positive cases are related to travel and one is a close contact of a previously reported case.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 16, 2020
Local area steps up for Telemiracle 44
Daniel Bushman
As the streamers tumbled down from above and the curtain dropped, people in Saskatchewan once again had reason to celebrate as Telemiracle 44 raised just over $5.5 million. The 20-hour telethon which began Mar. 7 and ran until Mar. 8 in Regina had people across the province and beyond ringing those phones.
As part of the over $5.5 million raised, the community of Watrous and the surrounding area once again stepped up bringing in just over $5,000 more than last year’s local total. Watrous Kinette President Mel Rostie who was one of eight Kin members from Watrous attending this year’s Telemiracle said every year the local area comes together in a huge way. Rostie shared a breakdown of this year’s local donations:
• Pie Auction at Manitou Lodge: $7,550;
• Sweetheart Lunch: $603.99;
• Craft and Trade Show Lunch: $749;
• Toilets for Telemiracle: $4,868.90;
• Cassies Younique Party: $252.35;
• Winston High School Ham and Scalloped Potato Supper: $1,400;
• Watrous Kinsmen Donation: $2,020;
• Manitou Springs Hotel and Mineral Spa: $1,000;
• John’s Plate: $500;
• Personal donations: $709.55;
• Helping Hands: $463.25; and
• Watrous Elementary School Bake Sale: $1,153 (sent in by mail and not part of Sunday's presentation total).
That made the final Watrous Telemiracle total $21,270.04!
Rostie and seven local Kin members were all smiles as they presented this year’s total on stage in Regina Sunday afternoon. “We are proud to represent our community and sincerely appreciate everyone’s continued support. Those are your hard earned, generously given dollars.”
The group also worked shifts one and three on the phones and treasury. “We were humbled from the very start as the opening of the show told a story of a family who received much needed support from Telemiracle. The talent was amazing and the kinship that takes place behind the scenes was like a big family reunion.”
This year a pair of new Watrous Kin members took part in Telemiracle. Rostie said Alexina and Mikaela were able to experience what the 20-hour telethon was all about.
“Telemiracle further magnifies the passion our communities have for a better tomorrow,” said Alexina. “It provides hope to those who need it most. I am so fortunate to be involved with this inspiring event.”
Mikaela added, “Telemiracle is an inspirational community where we are able to give back and help others in need. I am proud to be a Watrous Kinette and happy I had the chance to attend.”
One of the many highlights of this year’s show were the 80 talented Saskatchewan performers who appeared throughout the telethon and during the Countdown to Telemiracle pre-show. As part of that, some local talent was centre stage including Nikeesha Goodsman of Viscount, Jenna Schmidt who was part of a dance group and Jarvis Mattson of Watrous.
Not only did the 80 performers showcase talents from every corner of the province, they also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented a total donation of $159,161 on stage just before the end of the broadcast.
“I am thrilled and humbled by the generosity of Saskatchewan people that supported Telemiracle this year,” said Telemiracle 44 Chair Jesse Shkuratoff. “Once again, Telemiracle brought our province together and the impact of these donations will be felt across Saskatchewan.”
As the final numbers on stage revealed a total of $5,523,472, with this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by Telemiracle since 1977 is now over $140 million.
“We were brought to tears once again as that final total was revealed,” said Rostie. “That just showed there are 5.5 million reasons to carry on with our fundraising efforts next year!”
All Telemiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
Daniel Bushman
As the streamers tumbled down from above and the curtain dropped, people in Saskatchewan once again had reason to celebrate as Telemiracle 44 raised just over $5.5 million. The 20-hour telethon which began Mar. 7 and ran until Mar. 8 in Regina had people across the province and beyond ringing those phones.
As part of the over $5.5 million raised, the community of Watrous and the surrounding area once again stepped up bringing in just over $5,000 more than last year’s local total. Watrous Kinette President Mel Rostie who was one of eight Kin members from Watrous attending this year’s Telemiracle said every year the local area comes together in a huge way. Rostie shared a breakdown of this year’s local donations:
• Pie Auction at Manitou Lodge: $7,550;
• Sweetheart Lunch: $603.99;
• Craft and Trade Show Lunch: $749;
• Toilets for Telemiracle: $4,868.90;
• Cassies Younique Party: $252.35;
• Winston High School Ham and Scalloped Potato Supper: $1,400;
• Watrous Kinsmen Donation: $2,020;
• Manitou Springs Hotel and Mineral Spa: $1,000;
• John’s Plate: $500;
• Personal donations: $709.55;
• Helping Hands: $463.25; and
• Watrous Elementary School Bake Sale: $1,153 (sent in by mail and not part of Sunday's presentation total).
That made the final Watrous Telemiracle total $21,270.04!
Rostie and seven local Kin members were all smiles as they presented this year’s total on stage in Regina Sunday afternoon. “We are proud to represent our community and sincerely appreciate everyone’s continued support. Those are your hard earned, generously given dollars.”
The group also worked shifts one and three on the phones and treasury. “We were humbled from the very start as the opening of the show told a story of a family who received much needed support from Telemiracle. The talent was amazing and the kinship that takes place behind the scenes was like a big family reunion.”
This year a pair of new Watrous Kin members took part in Telemiracle. Rostie said Alexina and Mikaela were able to experience what the 20-hour telethon was all about.
“Telemiracle further magnifies the passion our communities have for a better tomorrow,” said Alexina. “It provides hope to those who need it most. I am so fortunate to be involved with this inspiring event.”
Mikaela added, “Telemiracle is an inspirational community where we are able to give back and help others in need. I am proud to be a Watrous Kinette and happy I had the chance to attend.”
One of the many highlights of this year’s show were the 80 talented Saskatchewan performers who appeared throughout the telethon and during the Countdown to Telemiracle pre-show. As part of that, some local talent was centre stage including Nikeesha Goodsman of Viscount, Jenna Schmidt who was part of a dance group and Jarvis Mattson of Watrous.
Not only did the 80 performers showcase talents from every corner of the province, they also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented a total donation of $159,161 on stage just before the end of the broadcast.
“I am thrilled and humbled by the generosity of Saskatchewan people that supported Telemiracle this year,” said Telemiracle 44 Chair Jesse Shkuratoff. “Once again, Telemiracle brought our province together and the impact of these donations will be felt across Saskatchewan.”
As the final numbers on stage revealed a total of $5,523,472, with this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by Telemiracle since 1977 is now over $140 million.
“We were brought to tears once again as that final total was revealed,” said Rostie. “That just showed there are 5.5 million reasons to carry on with our fundraising efforts next year!”
All Telemiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 9, 2020
The Big Float named finalist for prestigious award
Daniel Bushman
Manitou Beach has once again found itself in the provincial spotlight after a lot of hard work and dedication by a number of individuals. One of nearly 90 nominations in 13 award categories for this year’s Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence, The Big Float at Manitou Beach was recognized as a finalist for the Community Event of the Year Award.
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz who was part of the organizing committee was thrilled to see The Big Float named as one of three finalists in its category. “We decided to focus on bringing in more events to go along with the annual Fun Run held in Watrous. From the Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition to a whole host of centennial celebrations held at Manitou Beach last year, there was a lot of effort put in by organizers. The fact that we are able to be recognized for the work that we do around events which have become an important aspect of our tourism industry, it is great to be recognized for that.”
After the idea flowed from wanting to plan something unique and new for the centennial celebrations at Manitou Beach, nearly 2,000 people registered for The Big Float held July 13, 2019. With people coming from all over Saskatchewan, other Canadian provinces and various parts around the globe, Manz said that July afternoon was pretty spectacular. “What a way to celebrate our lake and the unique features that we have with the water. The other thing it did was attract a different demographic to come float and be a part of the record. We had people attend from all over and they were able to see what it is like at Manitou Beach and what we have to offer. It was a chance to bring those people out who maybe normally would not have come out. Bringing upwards of 2,000 people into your community for a weekend is a pretty unique thing.”
Spearheaded by Manitou Beach resident Sarah McKen, Manz said the group would not have been able to pull everything off without all of the volunteers and committee members chipping in. “I commend them all for their willingness to help out and organize such a really unique event to our area and province.”
Because of the tremendous success of The Big Float in 2019, Manz added they are planning to have another one, this time for July 11, 2020. “We are going to partner with the Boogaloo this year because having both events fall on the same weekend last year worked out really well. We plan to coordinate the events together for this year and promote it as a whole.”
As for being named a finalist for the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence, this is the fifth different category that either a local business, person or event has been a finalist in over recent years. “A lifetime achievement award was given to Arnold and Millie Strueby of Danceland and Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa won Business of the Year and was a finalist for Service Excellence. Last year, the Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award was presented to the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group and now we are up for Community Event of the Year. It really shows we are not a one-trick pony. We have a lot of provincially recognized people, events and attractions here in our communities and that is saying a lot for us, especially when you consider we compete against others from larger centres.”
Joining The Big Float as a finalist in this year’s Community Event of the Year Award is Showdown in Cowtown from Maple Creek and The Boomtown Cup from Shaunavon.
The remaining finalists and categories include:
Business of the Year Award (over 20 Full-Time Employees) sponsored by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce - Saskatchewan Science Centre, Regina; Skyxe Saskatoon Airport, Saskatoon; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Business of the Year Award (under 20 Full-Time Employees) sponsored by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority - Grotto Gardens Country Market, Maple Creek; The Happy Nun Café, Forget; and Rebellion Brewing Company, Regina.
Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award Sponsored by Wanuskewin - Mane Productions, Saskatoon; Meewasin Valley Authority, Saskatoon; and Western Trophy Outfitters/Great Grey Outfitters, Candle Lake area.
Gil Carduner Marketing Award Sponsored by Phoenix Group - Canadian Western Agribition, Regina; SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Saskatoon; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Indigenous Tourism Experience Award sponsored by Regina Exhibition Association Limited - Aski Holistic Adventures, Cumberland; House Living Sky Casino Powwow, Swift Current; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Marquee Event of the Year Award sponsored by PrintWest - Canadian Western Agribition, Regina; NHL Heritage Classic, Regina; and Western Canada Summer Games, Swift Current.
Rookie of the Year Award sponsored by the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club - Nutrien Wonderhub, Saskatoon; Odla Restaurant and Market, Saskatoon; and Regina Beach Aquatic Adventures, Regina Beach.
Service Excellence Award sponsored by Delta Hotels by Marriott Regina - Farm One Forty, Vanscoy; Northern Lights Vintage Spa, Maple Creek; and Scott Lake Lodge, Scott Lake.
Tourism Employee of the Year Award sponsored by Harvard Broadcasting Regina - Arnold McKenzie, Legislative Assembly Service of Saskatchewan, Regina; Katie Willie, Wanuskewin, Saskatoon; and Robert Holden, Firesong, Fowler Lake.
Tourism Employer of the Year Award sponsored by the Regina Airport Authority - Atlas Hotel, Regina; CAA Saskatchewan; and Gold Eagle Lodge, North Battleford.
Travel Media Award - Kevin Dunn, Saskatoon; Karen Pinchin, Boston, MA; and Jenn Sharp, Saskatoon.
Tourism Builder Award sponsored by Tourism Saskatchewan - Brad Muir, Waskesiu Lake; Gordon Olson, Big River; and Dr. Ernie Walker, Saskatoon.
“Tourism Saskatchewan is exceedingly proud of the businesses, events, employees and leaders chosen for the gala spotlight,” Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said. “We look forward to honouring their vision, innovation, collaboration, pride of place and deep commitment to great service and experiences.”
This year the finalists and award recipients will be honoured at the 31st annual Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala Apr. 2 in Regina.
Daniel Bushman
Manitou Beach has once again found itself in the provincial spotlight after a lot of hard work and dedication by a number of individuals. One of nearly 90 nominations in 13 award categories for this year’s Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence, The Big Float at Manitou Beach was recognized as a finalist for the Community Event of the Year Award.
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz who was part of the organizing committee was thrilled to see The Big Float named as one of three finalists in its category. “We decided to focus on bringing in more events to go along with the annual Fun Run held in Watrous. From the Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition to a whole host of centennial celebrations held at Manitou Beach last year, there was a lot of effort put in by organizers. The fact that we are able to be recognized for the work that we do around events which have become an important aspect of our tourism industry, it is great to be recognized for that.”
After the idea flowed from wanting to plan something unique and new for the centennial celebrations at Manitou Beach, nearly 2,000 people registered for The Big Float held July 13, 2019. With people coming from all over Saskatchewan, other Canadian provinces and various parts around the globe, Manz said that July afternoon was pretty spectacular. “What a way to celebrate our lake and the unique features that we have with the water. The other thing it did was attract a different demographic to come float and be a part of the record. We had people attend from all over and they were able to see what it is like at Manitou Beach and what we have to offer. It was a chance to bring those people out who maybe normally would not have come out. Bringing upwards of 2,000 people into your community for a weekend is a pretty unique thing.”
Spearheaded by Manitou Beach resident Sarah McKen, Manz said the group would not have been able to pull everything off without all of the volunteers and committee members chipping in. “I commend them all for their willingness to help out and organize such a really unique event to our area and province.”
Because of the tremendous success of The Big Float in 2019, Manz added they are planning to have another one, this time for July 11, 2020. “We are going to partner with the Boogaloo this year because having both events fall on the same weekend last year worked out really well. We plan to coordinate the events together for this year and promote it as a whole.”
As for being named a finalist for the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence, this is the fifth different category that either a local business, person or event has been a finalist in over recent years. “A lifetime achievement award was given to Arnold and Millie Strueby of Danceland and Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa won Business of the Year and was a finalist for Service Excellence. Last year, the Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award was presented to the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group and now we are up for Community Event of the Year. It really shows we are not a one-trick pony. We have a lot of provincially recognized people, events and attractions here in our communities and that is saying a lot for us, especially when you consider we compete against others from larger centres.”
Joining The Big Float as a finalist in this year’s Community Event of the Year Award is Showdown in Cowtown from Maple Creek and The Boomtown Cup from Shaunavon.
The remaining finalists and categories include:
Business of the Year Award (over 20 Full-Time Employees) sponsored by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce - Saskatchewan Science Centre, Regina; Skyxe Saskatoon Airport, Saskatoon; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Business of the Year Award (under 20 Full-Time Employees) sponsored by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority - Grotto Gardens Country Market, Maple Creek; The Happy Nun Café, Forget; and Rebellion Brewing Company, Regina.
Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award Sponsored by Wanuskewin - Mane Productions, Saskatoon; Meewasin Valley Authority, Saskatoon; and Western Trophy Outfitters/Great Grey Outfitters, Candle Lake area.
Gil Carduner Marketing Award Sponsored by Phoenix Group - Canadian Western Agribition, Regina; SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Saskatoon; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Indigenous Tourism Experience Award sponsored by Regina Exhibition Association Limited - Aski Holistic Adventures, Cumberland; House Living Sky Casino Powwow, Swift Current; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Marquee Event of the Year Award sponsored by PrintWest - Canadian Western Agribition, Regina; NHL Heritage Classic, Regina; and Western Canada Summer Games, Swift Current.
Rookie of the Year Award sponsored by the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club - Nutrien Wonderhub, Saskatoon; Odla Restaurant and Market, Saskatoon; and Regina Beach Aquatic Adventures, Regina Beach.
Service Excellence Award sponsored by Delta Hotels by Marriott Regina - Farm One Forty, Vanscoy; Northern Lights Vintage Spa, Maple Creek; and Scott Lake Lodge, Scott Lake.
Tourism Employee of the Year Award sponsored by Harvard Broadcasting Regina - Arnold McKenzie, Legislative Assembly Service of Saskatchewan, Regina; Katie Willie, Wanuskewin, Saskatoon; and Robert Holden, Firesong, Fowler Lake.
Tourism Employer of the Year Award sponsored by the Regina Airport Authority - Atlas Hotel, Regina; CAA Saskatchewan; and Gold Eagle Lodge, North Battleford.
Travel Media Award - Kevin Dunn, Saskatoon; Karen Pinchin, Boston, MA; and Jenn Sharp, Saskatoon.
Tourism Builder Award sponsored by Tourism Saskatchewan - Brad Muir, Waskesiu Lake; Gordon Olson, Big River; and Dr. Ernie Walker, Saskatoon.
“Tourism Saskatchewan is exceedingly proud of the businesses, events, employees and leaders chosen for the gala spotlight,” Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said. “We look forward to honouring their vision, innovation, collaboration, pride of place and deep commitment to great service and experiences.”
This year the finalists and award recipients will be honoured at the 31st annual Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala Apr. 2 in Regina.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 2, 2020
Communities look back at 2019 and ahead for 2020
Daniel Bushman
With projects large and small taking place in communities within the area along with events, upgrades and maintenance, as each place maps out 2020 and reflects back on 2019, The Watrous Manitou attempted to reach out to the local area communities to see how 2019 went and what could be in store for 2020.
Here are the responses TWM received by press time:
Allan - Mayor Les Alm said there were a number of notable items from 2019. One of those was the continuation of work being done on the Allan and Community Emergency Response Centre. “On May 12, 2018 the official sod turning was held for the new Allan and Community Emergency Response Centre. Through generous donations and countless volunteer hours of hard work through 2018, 2019 and into 2020, the new centre is almost ready to move into. The new building will house the fire department, first responder group and be the emergency operations centre for the local Emergency Measure Organization. The grand opening is being planned for May during Emergency Preparedness Week.”
Alm noted the Farming for Parks and Recreation committee was also busy as the group planned and executed its first crop planted with proceeds going to Parks and Recreation in the community. Unfortunately he said 2019 was not the best year for farming and the crop will not be harvested until the spring but Alm greatly appreciated the generous donation of seed, fertilizer, equipment and time from businesses and local farmers. “Our hope is that this can continue into the future to raise money for recreation in the community.”
Patrons using the arena in Allan remembered Logan Schatz who tragically lost his life in a bus crash in 2018 and was the captain of the Humboldt Broncos. From the hard work of Kelly Schatz and friends, ‘Schatzy’s Corner’ was opened in the Allan and District Communiplex last winter. The area is for kids to shoot around in during their down time at tournaments in Allan and Alm said it has been very well used. “You really need to come and see it if you haven’t already. In March 2019 a ceremony was held to unveil the new signs naming the skating rink in the Allan and District Communiplex the ‘Logan Schatz Memorial Arena.’”
With volunteers stepping up throughout the community, Alm wanted to extend his appreciation to those on local committees. “They have been very busy planning and hosting events in town. We have had an ‘Old Fashion Christmas in the Park’ to library activities, museum and cultural events and in June, Family Day in the Park will take place.”
As 2020 has commenced, hockey and curling remained in full swing at the communiplex and in November Alm said municipal elections will be held. “Many of our current council members have decided not to put their names forward so hopefully there will be community interest in keeping Allan growing and vibrant.”
Colonsay - a short drive from Allan, in Colonsay Mayor Jim Gray said 2019 included paving a new street. “That was our biggest thing and this coming year we are going to pave the part in front of the Co-op.”
Also in 2019, Gray indicated they rented the former tire shop building to house fire trucks. “Otherwise it has been mostly everyday work.”
However, the mayor did note the news of Mosaic’s Colonsay potash mine idling indefinitely has been a big
blow to the community and its residents. “We have got a lot of people out of work and sounds as if it won’t be coming back.”
As far as what is to come for the community and projects in 2020, Gray said he will not know until the budget is approved.
Drake - Mayor Peter Nicholson said last year was really status quo in terms of projects although in late spring the lagoon expansion was finished. “That was a fairly big project and this year the community has secured another government grant for infrastructure improvements.”
With the latest grant, Nicholson said they are looking at doing some major water system repairs. “We are going to increase the holding capacity by 60,000 litres. There will be a new well dug, a refurbish of the existing well, upgrades to the existing facility, etc.”
In addition to the infrastructure projects, after it was announced that Conexus Credit Union would be closing its doors in Drake, the decision was made by council to purchase the building. “That is going to be renovated into a new town office, a new library facility, and a community meeting facility on the mezzanine level upstairs. We are hoping to have the renovations completed within the next six months.”
Guernsey - With Guernsey dissolving into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, aside from two major train derailments nearly two months apart, RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said 2019 was a relatively quiet year for Usborne/Guernsey. “There were no major capital projects or any real highlights. We applied again for the MREP grant to continue repairing/resurfacing PG 668, but were unsuccessful in obtaining funding. A few repairs were done on our own (shoulder work, etc.) but nothing as far as resurfacing goes. The plan is the same for 2020. We have an application in to complete another stretch of that road under the new SARM RIRG program, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for that.”
Imperial - Last year was a busy one in Imperial as Town Administrator Joslin Freeman shared some of the highlights and work that was done. Some of those items from 2019 included: street upgrades with sand sealing, sidewalk maintenance, roof replacements on the water treatment plant and sewer lift station, and the installation of a portable speed sign.
The Palliser Library Imperial Branch also had a makeover of sorts with new carpet and an administrative desk. “They also always have lots of fun programs happening for kids and adults.”
Another unique place Freeman shared about at Imperial is Jack’s Place. “It is going strong and for those not knowing what it is, it is a place to drop off and pick up stuff for free. There is everything from kitchen appliances to Christmas decorations and it is being operated by Shirley Flostrand. If you have a child going to university this is the place to come to get dishes, glasses and coffee mugs.”
Freeman also mentioned recycling has started back up and people have been very receptive to utilizing it.
As for items in 2020, Freeman said nothing is official as the budget has not been finalized, however, more street upgrades with sand sealing and the possibility of repaving Main Street are all on the table for discussion.
“There will be continued sidewalk maintenance, another business on Main Street will see rubber stone installed in front. In 2019 a fire hydrant replacement program was put in place and that will continue. There may be a slight increase in property tax, but currently nothing has been decided. The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members!”
Manitou Beach - Chief Administrative Officer Beverley Laird said there were a number of items taking place in 2019, a year in which the resort community marked a century of incorporation. Laird said a total of 43 properties changed hands from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019 and of those changes, 24 were new people coming to the beach.
As part of 2019, the resort village hosted its third ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition in August which saw a number of local people and visitors attend. Along with the chainsaw carving competition, the Centennial Committee, Recreation Board and many volunteers had events all year commemorating Manitou Beach’s 100 anniversary. “Winter Fest was held in February, Wisdom Weekend in May, Canada Day and The Big Float in July, and a Picnic Party and Water Ceremony in August. Also the Centennial Mural was installed on the north side of the Community Hall.”
The Manitou Reflections sculpture was also created by local artists and Laird said they expect it to be installed in the spring. “This stainless steel sculptural wall will be the focal point in the newly created lakeshore park called Uhmann Centennial Park.”
Along with centennial celebrations, 2019 also saw a bi-election and plans for a retirement living complex. A signage corridor was also planned and will be implemented. Laird noted the Jubilee Drive-In had great attendance and the flea market remains strong.
As 2019 came to a close and 2020 commenced, Laird said it was the first year in a long time that there were no major projects conducted. “There was no need to do any flood prevention projects as two lift stations had been upgraded in 2018. Water Security Agency was out this fall to assess how our berm was holding up and the results showed it is great. Water Security Agency gave us a gold star for our efforts.”
Meanwhile, as 2020 gets underway, along with elections taking place later this year Laird noted the subdivision separating the west end of the drive-in property will be completed and the parcel will be offered for development. The resort community is also looking at upgrading the east sewage lift station in 2020, repairing the walls in the sewage lagoon and possibly installing a new bridge in Wellington Park.
Simpson - Mayor Jeremy Nimchuk said a lot of rink fundraising has taken place. A comedy night, hockey draft, ladies night and New Year’s parties were held to raise funds for the facility.
“We need to do something with the rink whether it is removing the roof or trying to replace it. Regardless, we still need to raise money to pay for the power and keep the heat on.”
Other items of note from 2019 included placing new Christmas lights on the power poles in town which were all donated and creating an ice rink on Main Street across from the hotel. “This is the second time the rink has been made and it was all volunteers who did it.”
A twinkle tour was also held before Christmas which included a hot dog roast for the kids and ice skating.
In addition, Richardson Pioneer’s Simpson Ag Business Centre provided the Simpson Volunteer Fire Department with $25,000 which went towards new equipment, suits and nozzles.
As for 2020, Nimchuk said the community will start to plan for Homecoming 2021.
Viscount - Mayor of Viscount Moe Kirzinger said the Village moved into the former bank building at the beginning of last year. With a $56,000 accessibility grant
they were also able to make a parking lot at the rink. “We got half of it done with that grant and we want to do the other half. The rink has also been doing a trip of the month fundraiser for upgrades and that has been going good.”
Kirzinger noted the community has also annexed some land from the RM into the village boundaries as they were subdividing some industrial lots. “We had one person move in, a heavy equipment operator.”
The mayor also highlighted an increase in the school population and the village came in under budget.
“For our town we still have a full line of businesses which is good.”
For 2020, Kirzinger said some of the goals include paving and redoing infrastructure. The community’s annual street dance is planned for August and has been a tremendous fundraiser over the years. Aside from that, Kirzinger said there are no real other big celebrations for 2020.
Watrous - Town Administrator Orrin Redden said a big emphasis in 2019 was placed on the east industrial area where Manitou Mainline Chrysler is located.
“We did get the paving done in 2019 and addressed most of the drainage issues out there,” said Redden who noted the work was a big amount of the Town’s capital works budget.
“We paved the road to Manitou Mainline Chrysler and then there is a road constructed looping straight east from Home Hardware and down to Chrysler. We hope to complete that this year and there is some cleanup left to do. It won’t be paved anytime soon but we hope to complete the drainage and rough road work to gravel. The lots next to Home Hardware are also available for purchase and there is water, sewer, power, and gas hooked up.”
At the turn next to Watrous Concrete is where the former substation site is located. With that property now owned by the Town, Redden said they want to focus on tidying the area up before marketing that corner lot next to Hwy. 2.
With all of the significant road work being done in the east industrial area, Redden said there was not a lot of other street work completed in 2019. “We rebuilt a couple of blocks on 2nd Street West, just the excavation but not paving. Some of those sections were really frost boiled. We also did quite a bit of asphalt patching.”
In addition to that work, Main Street incurred a few unexpected water main breaks in 2019. An issue on the minds of council as 2020 moves along, Redden said, “The water main on Main Street is not holding up as well as others. Main Street is important but the trouble is if you begin to replace mains, you have to do it all at once. It needs a new water main, then the water services to the buildings need to be replaced, new sidewalks installed, and then new asphalt. The estimate is around $650,000 for one block.”
With a substantial amount of money needed to fix four blocks, Redden suggested there are other options, however, the main concern is the water main. “Something will have to be addressed to look at the breaks and a plan will have to be implemented. It is such an undertaking and there is no easy answer. Everyone recognizes the importance of the situation but it is a large undertaking. You would have to look at diverting traffic, possibly businesses having to help fund the project while trying to keep places easily accessible to their customers.”
Water/sewer work has become a large part of the community’s budget over recent memory as Redden figured in the past six to eight years, the Town of Watrous has undertaken $10 million worth of water/sewer work. “There is some debt that has to be paid back but replacing the water main on Main Street is definitely something that is receiving a lot of discussion.”
Sticking with the theme of water/sewer, new well number seven was created in 2018 and the plan for 2019 was to do a pipeline to tie it into the existing line. While the pipeline has yet to be tied into the existing line, Redden said the project was tendered in the fall and will now be a spring job. Building, mechanical and electrical still has to be completed and is something council will look at during budget deliberations for 2020.
“We have adequate water supply but if our main well went down for any length of time this well will be a reserve to ensure we can supply our reverse osmosis water treatment plant. We have three wells without this new one but the two older ones can’t meet the volume the plant requires to run. In addition we also decommissioned some of our old wells that we weren’t using last year as well.”
With the significant capital projects including the lagoon, water treatment plant and water/sewer in the east industrial area, Redden said there will not be a lot of additional projects planned for 2020.
One project that is on the horizon along with discussion of the water main on Main Street involves heavy rain events. “There can be issues with getting the sewer away when ground water gets in and bottlenecks things up. That is a big project with a few options to look at for how to get the water out of town quicker but that will be left up to council to sort out what to do moving forward.”
Aside from water/sewer projects and work being done in the east industrial area, Redden noted a few other things that took place in 2019 and what will continue in 2020:
• seeking more storage space, across the road from the east industrial area, the Town acquired the PFRA compound which is next to the Town shop and near the Watrous Fire Hall. With that, the newly added mobility van has a spot to park, joining the larger mobility vehicle as part of the fleet. “Acquiring that warehouse compound was really fortunate for us with that added space. There is not a lot of outside space at the Town shop;”
• bylaw enforcement continues with last year being year two of the program in Watrous. “We are continuing similar to last year with very little bylaw enforcement done in the winter;”
• the Watrous Cemetery did not see any major capital projects but through public works there has been an increased emphasis in upkeep and maintenance;
• the sportsgrounds has a new concession facility constructed through a partnership with the Winston High School’s football team, Watrous Minor Ball and the Town of Watrous;
• the rest area shelter near the rail tracks at the end of Main Street has been essentially completed with assistance from Manitou Springs Mineral Spa. “People come in using the rail to visit the spa and Manitou Springs helped provide funding for it. People can get off the train and rest while they wait for a ride to the spa. It will also act as a resting place for other travellers during the summer as well;” and
• housing starts continue on the residential lot property across from the Watrous District Health Complex. Three homes have been constructed with two of those completed. The Town has since received deposits on five others.
Young - CAO of Young, Lyle Hannan said there were a few items of note from 2019. “We had the office move to the old bank building at the end of 2019 and we replaced a truck and purchased an old fire pumper, but nothing major.”
Hannan said there is nothing major planned for 2020 although a general election will be held later in the year.
Daniel Bushman
With projects large and small taking place in communities within the area along with events, upgrades and maintenance, as each place maps out 2020 and reflects back on 2019, The Watrous Manitou attempted to reach out to the local area communities to see how 2019 went and what could be in store for 2020.
Here are the responses TWM received by press time:
Allan - Mayor Les Alm said there were a number of notable items from 2019. One of those was the continuation of work being done on the Allan and Community Emergency Response Centre. “On May 12, 2018 the official sod turning was held for the new Allan and Community Emergency Response Centre. Through generous donations and countless volunteer hours of hard work through 2018, 2019 and into 2020, the new centre is almost ready to move into. The new building will house the fire department, first responder group and be the emergency operations centre for the local Emergency Measure Organization. The grand opening is being planned for May during Emergency Preparedness Week.”
Alm noted the Farming for Parks and Recreation committee was also busy as the group planned and executed its first crop planted with proceeds going to Parks and Recreation in the community. Unfortunately he said 2019 was not the best year for farming and the crop will not be harvested until the spring but Alm greatly appreciated the generous donation of seed, fertilizer, equipment and time from businesses and local farmers. “Our hope is that this can continue into the future to raise money for recreation in the community.”
Patrons using the arena in Allan remembered Logan Schatz who tragically lost his life in a bus crash in 2018 and was the captain of the Humboldt Broncos. From the hard work of Kelly Schatz and friends, ‘Schatzy’s Corner’ was opened in the Allan and District Communiplex last winter. The area is for kids to shoot around in during their down time at tournaments in Allan and Alm said it has been very well used. “You really need to come and see it if you haven’t already. In March 2019 a ceremony was held to unveil the new signs naming the skating rink in the Allan and District Communiplex the ‘Logan Schatz Memorial Arena.’”
With volunteers stepping up throughout the community, Alm wanted to extend his appreciation to those on local committees. “They have been very busy planning and hosting events in town. We have had an ‘Old Fashion Christmas in the Park’ to library activities, museum and cultural events and in June, Family Day in the Park will take place.”
As 2020 has commenced, hockey and curling remained in full swing at the communiplex and in November Alm said municipal elections will be held. “Many of our current council members have decided not to put their names forward so hopefully there will be community interest in keeping Allan growing and vibrant.”
Colonsay - a short drive from Allan, in Colonsay Mayor Jim Gray said 2019 included paving a new street. “That was our biggest thing and this coming year we are going to pave the part in front of the Co-op.”
Also in 2019, Gray indicated they rented the former tire shop building to house fire trucks. “Otherwise it has been mostly everyday work.”
However, the mayor did note the news of Mosaic’s Colonsay potash mine idling indefinitely has been a big
blow to the community and its residents. “We have got a lot of people out of work and sounds as if it won’t be coming back.”
As far as what is to come for the community and projects in 2020, Gray said he will not know until the budget is approved.
Drake - Mayor Peter Nicholson said last year was really status quo in terms of projects although in late spring the lagoon expansion was finished. “That was a fairly big project and this year the community has secured another government grant for infrastructure improvements.”
With the latest grant, Nicholson said they are looking at doing some major water system repairs. “We are going to increase the holding capacity by 60,000 litres. There will be a new well dug, a refurbish of the existing well, upgrades to the existing facility, etc.”
In addition to the infrastructure projects, after it was announced that Conexus Credit Union would be closing its doors in Drake, the decision was made by council to purchase the building. “That is going to be renovated into a new town office, a new library facility, and a community meeting facility on the mezzanine level upstairs. We are hoping to have the renovations completed within the next six months.”
Guernsey - With Guernsey dissolving into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, aside from two major train derailments nearly two months apart, RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said 2019 was a relatively quiet year for Usborne/Guernsey. “There were no major capital projects or any real highlights. We applied again for the MREP grant to continue repairing/resurfacing PG 668, but were unsuccessful in obtaining funding. A few repairs were done on our own (shoulder work, etc.) but nothing as far as resurfacing goes. The plan is the same for 2020. We have an application in to complete another stretch of that road under the new SARM RIRG program, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for that.”
Imperial - Last year was a busy one in Imperial as Town Administrator Joslin Freeman shared some of the highlights and work that was done. Some of those items from 2019 included: street upgrades with sand sealing, sidewalk maintenance, roof replacements on the water treatment plant and sewer lift station, and the installation of a portable speed sign.
The Palliser Library Imperial Branch also had a makeover of sorts with new carpet and an administrative desk. “They also always have lots of fun programs happening for kids and adults.”
Another unique place Freeman shared about at Imperial is Jack’s Place. “It is going strong and for those not knowing what it is, it is a place to drop off and pick up stuff for free. There is everything from kitchen appliances to Christmas decorations and it is being operated by Shirley Flostrand. If you have a child going to university this is the place to come to get dishes, glasses and coffee mugs.”
Freeman also mentioned recycling has started back up and people have been very receptive to utilizing it.
As for items in 2020, Freeman said nothing is official as the budget has not been finalized, however, more street upgrades with sand sealing and the possibility of repaving Main Street are all on the table for discussion.
“There will be continued sidewalk maintenance, another business on Main Street will see rubber stone installed in front. In 2019 a fire hydrant replacement program was put in place and that will continue. There may be a slight increase in property tax, but currently nothing has been decided. The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members!”
Manitou Beach - Chief Administrative Officer Beverley Laird said there were a number of items taking place in 2019, a year in which the resort community marked a century of incorporation. Laird said a total of 43 properties changed hands from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019 and of those changes, 24 were new people coming to the beach.
As part of 2019, the resort village hosted its third ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition in August which saw a number of local people and visitors attend. Along with the chainsaw carving competition, the Centennial Committee, Recreation Board and many volunteers had events all year commemorating Manitou Beach’s 100 anniversary. “Winter Fest was held in February, Wisdom Weekend in May, Canada Day and The Big Float in July, and a Picnic Party and Water Ceremony in August. Also the Centennial Mural was installed on the north side of the Community Hall.”
The Manitou Reflections sculpture was also created by local artists and Laird said they expect it to be installed in the spring. “This stainless steel sculptural wall will be the focal point in the newly created lakeshore park called Uhmann Centennial Park.”
Along with centennial celebrations, 2019 also saw a bi-election and plans for a retirement living complex. A signage corridor was also planned and will be implemented. Laird noted the Jubilee Drive-In had great attendance and the flea market remains strong.
As 2019 came to a close and 2020 commenced, Laird said it was the first year in a long time that there were no major projects conducted. “There was no need to do any flood prevention projects as two lift stations had been upgraded in 2018. Water Security Agency was out this fall to assess how our berm was holding up and the results showed it is great. Water Security Agency gave us a gold star for our efforts.”
Meanwhile, as 2020 gets underway, along with elections taking place later this year Laird noted the subdivision separating the west end of the drive-in property will be completed and the parcel will be offered for development. The resort community is also looking at upgrading the east sewage lift station in 2020, repairing the walls in the sewage lagoon and possibly installing a new bridge in Wellington Park.
Simpson - Mayor Jeremy Nimchuk said a lot of rink fundraising has taken place. A comedy night, hockey draft, ladies night and New Year’s parties were held to raise funds for the facility.
“We need to do something with the rink whether it is removing the roof or trying to replace it. Regardless, we still need to raise money to pay for the power and keep the heat on.”
Other items of note from 2019 included placing new Christmas lights on the power poles in town which were all donated and creating an ice rink on Main Street across from the hotel. “This is the second time the rink has been made and it was all volunteers who did it.”
A twinkle tour was also held before Christmas which included a hot dog roast for the kids and ice skating.
In addition, Richardson Pioneer’s Simpson Ag Business Centre provided the Simpson Volunteer Fire Department with $25,000 which went towards new equipment, suits and nozzles.
As for 2020, Nimchuk said the community will start to plan for Homecoming 2021.
Viscount - Mayor of Viscount Moe Kirzinger said the Village moved into the former bank building at the beginning of last year. With a $56,000 accessibility grant
they were also able to make a parking lot at the rink. “We got half of it done with that grant and we want to do the other half. The rink has also been doing a trip of the month fundraiser for upgrades and that has been going good.”
Kirzinger noted the community has also annexed some land from the RM into the village boundaries as they were subdividing some industrial lots. “We had one person move in, a heavy equipment operator.”
The mayor also highlighted an increase in the school population and the village came in under budget.
“For our town we still have a full line of businesses which is good.”
For 2020, Kirzinger said some of the goals include paving and redoing infrastructure. The community’s annual street dance is planned for August and has been a tremendous fundraiser over the years. Aside from that, Kirzinger said there are no real other big celebrations for 2020.
Watrous - Town Administrator Orrin Redden said a big emphasis in 2019 was placed on the east industrial area where Manitou Mainline Chrysler is located.
“We did get the paving done in 2019 and addressed most of the drainage issues out there,” said Redden who noted the work was a big amount of the Town’s capital works budget.
“We paved the road to Manitou Mainline Chrysler and then there is a road constructed looping straight east from Home Hardware and down to Chrysler. We hope to complete that this year and there is some cleanup left to do. It won’t be paved anytime soon but we hope to complete the drainage and rough road work to gravel. The lots next to Home Hardware are also available for purchase and there is water, sewer, power, and gas hooked up.”
At the turn next to Watrous Concrete is where the former substation site is located. With that property now owned by the Town, Redden said they want to focus on tidying the area up before marketing that corner lot next to Hwy. 2.
With all of the significant road work being done in the east industrial area, Redden said there was not a lot of other street work completed in 2019. “We rebuilt a couple of blocks on 2nd Street West, just the excavation but not paving. Some of those sections were really frost boiled. We also did quite a bit of asphalt patching.”
In addition to that work, Main Street incurred a few unexpected water main breaks in 2019. An issue on the minds of council as 2020 moves along, Redden said, “The water main on Main Street is not holding up as well as others. Main Street is important but the trouble is if you begin to replace mains, you have to do it all at once. It needs a new water main, then the water services to the buildings need to be replaced, new sidewalks installed, and then new asphalt. The estimate is around $650,000 for one block.”
With a substantial amount of money needed to fix four blocks, Redden suggested there are other options, however, the main concern is the water main. “Something will have to be addressed to look at the breaks and a plan will have to be implemented. It is such an undertaking and there is no easy answer. Everyone recognizes the importance of the situation but it is a large undertaking. You would have to look at diverting traffic, possibly businesses having to help fund the project while trying to keep places easily accessible to their customers.”
Water/sewer work has become a large part of the community’s budget over recent memory as Redden figured in the past six to eight years, the Town of Watrous has undertaken $10 million worth of water/sewer work. “There is some debt that has to be paid back but replacing the water main on Main Street is definitely something that is receiving a lot of discussion.”
Sticking with the theme of water/sewer, new well number seven was created in 2018 and the plan for 2019 was to do a pipeline to tie it into the existing line. While the pipeline has yet to be tied into the existing line, Redden said the project was tendered in the fall and will now be a spring job. Building, mechanical and electrical still has to be completed and is something council will look at during budget deliberations for 2020.
“We have adequate water supply but if our main well went down for any length of time this well will be a reserve to ensure we can supply our reverse osmosis water treatment plant. We have three wells without this new one but the two older ones can’t meet the volume the plant requires to run. In addition we also decommissioned some of our old wells that we weren’t using last year as well.”
With the significant capital projects including the lagoon, water treatment plant and water/sewer in the east industrial area, Redden said there will not be a lot of additional projects planned for 2020.
One project that is on the horizon along with discussion of the water main on Main Street involves heavy rain events. “There can be issues with getting the sewer away when ground water gets in and bottlenecks things up. That is a big project with a few options to look at for how to get the water out of town quicker but that will be left up to council to sort out what to do moving forward.”
Aside from water/sewer projects and work being done in the east industrial area, Redden noted a few other things that took place in 2019 and what will continue in 2020:
• seeking more storage space, across the road from the east industrial area, the Town acquired the PFRA compound which is next to the Town shop and near the Watrous Fire Hall. With that, the newly added mobility van has a spot to park, joining the larger mobility vehicle as part of the fleet. “Acquiring that warehouse compound was really fortunate for us with that added space. There is not a lot of outside space at the Town shop;”
• bylaw enforcement continues with last year being year two of the program in Watrous. “We are continuing similar to last year with very little bylaw enforcement done in the winter;”
• the Watrous Cemetery did not see any major capital projects but through public works there has been an increased emphasis in upkeep and maintenance;
• the sportsgrounds has a new concession facility constructed through a partnership with the Winston High School’s football team, Watrous Minor Ball and the Town of Watrous;
• the rest area shelter near the rail tracks at the end of Main Street has been essentially completed with assistance from Manitou Springs Mineral Spa. “People come in using the rail to visit the spa and Manitou Springs helped provide funding for it. People can get off the train and rest while they wait for a ride to the spa. It will also act as a resting place for other travellers during the summer as well;” and
• housing starts continue on the residential lot property across from the Watrous District Health Complex. Three homes have been constructed with two of those completed. The Town has since received deposits on five others.
Young - CAO of Young, Lyle Hannan said there were a few items of note from 2019. “We had the office move to the old bank building at the end of 2019 and we replaced a truck and purchased an old fire pumper, but nothing major.”
Hannan said there is nothing major planned for 2020 although a general election will be held later in the year.
TWM Top Story - Feb 17, 2020
Area bands together after train derailment
Daniel Bushman
As a raging fire was extinguished, plumes of black smoke disappeared and residents returned to their homes, crews continued to clean up at the site of a train derailment near Guernsey. The second derailment to occur near the community in almost two months, at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Feb. 6, 32 cars out of 104 from a Canadian Pacific freight hauling crude oil derailed just east of Guernsey, sparking a massive blaze.
According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), CP’s crude oil unit train originated at Rosyth, Alta. and was destined for Stroud, Oklahoma, proceeding eastward at about 42 m.p.h. on the CP Sutherland Subdivision. TSB noted the train experienced a train-initiated emergency brake application at Mile 43.4, about 1 1/2 miles west of Guernsey. Subsequent examination identified that 32 tank cars had derailed with several tank cars breached and an undetermined amount of petroleum crude oil product released. The product ignited and a pool fire ensued involving a number of tank cars.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment indicated that when the derailment occurred, approximately 1.2 million litres of oil spilled from the cars. The ministry stated the amount of recovered oil is currently being determined and is complicated by the fact that a significant portion burned off during the incident.
While there were no injuries to the CP crew, which was comprised of a locomotive engineer and conductor, the TSB said the train itself consisted of two distributed-power locomotives (one at each end), a covered hopper car loaded with sand located in position two, followed by 104 tank cars loaded with petroleum crude oil (UN1267, Class 3 PG I) and another covered hopper loaded with sand located the 107th position (108 rolling stock in total).
With the train weighing 14,896 tons and 6,445 feet in length, TSB noted in a Feb. 14 preliminary report that the derailed tank cars were all DOT 117J100-W tank cars.
“The tank cars located from line 32 to 63 (32 cars) derailed. One derailed tank car that remained upright was otherwise unaffected and was subsequently re-railed. Of the remaining 31 derailed cars, about 19 derailed cars were involved in a pool fire from released product west of the crossing, while an estimated 12 cars derailed east of the crossing but were not directly involved in the fire.”
While TSB has found there have been no mechanical defects observed that could be considered casual to date, a review of the locomotive event recorder download determined that the train was handled in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
As the investigation continues with each tank car being cleaned, purged and staged prior to inspection, TSB indicated as of Feb. 12, about 17 of the derailed cards had been examined with several exhibiting breaches.
With the oil burning from the derailment Feb. 6 which created huge plumes of smoke overhead that morning, a mandatory evacuation was issued for residents of Guernsey.
Dissolved into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, Administrator Anna Rintoul said RCMP, fire personnel, CP, and Canadian Public Safety representatives worked closely with the RM as approximately 85 residents from the community left during the morning mandatory evacuation. Blocking off a portion of Hwy. 16 next to Guernsey and setting up detours, local fire, RCMP and EMS crews were able to keep everyone safe. CP’s emergency response team and contractors also arrived on site to work with local fire officials to control and extinguish the remaining fires while a team from the TSB attended.
After responding to the first train derailment west of Guernsey Dec. 9, Lanigan Fire Chief Barry Hooper thought he would never witness something like that again. Almost two months later and at around 6:15 a.m., Hooper found himself staring at his phone in disbelief as he read the call of another derailment, a short distance from the first one.
“You would think there would be a better chance at winning the Lotto Max than having two derailments so close together,” Hooper said. “It was almost identical to the first one and almost the same amount of cars but this time we were concerned about the smoke going over Guernsey. Responding to the fire, we notified the Humboldt Fire Department right away and we were stationed in Guernsey. In the community it stunk pretty good and there was also some stuff falling out of the sky.”
Like others including Jerome Fisher who was feeding cows at his nearby farm when he heard the brakes of the train before seeing a glow, Guernsey resident Al Bowman was also awake early Thursday morning. “I heard the train going by but it sounded different than usual. It was almost like a Department of Highways’ truck scraping snow on the highway and not that usual clickety-clack.”
With the wind coming out of the east and blowing in the direction of Bowman’s home, he heard a loud bang which rattled his windows before there was complete silence. Thinking the situation was somewhat unusual, Bowman shrugged it off and continued on with his morning routine. An hour or so later while on his computer he noticed a post on his Facebook page about a train derailment. Assuming it was from two months ago, he carried on until glancing out his window.
“I saw the black smoke and noticed flashing lights on the next street over. I had a feeling we were going to be evacuated.”
As the haze continued to wrap itself around the community like a thick blanket, the local fire department made the call to get everyone out. Situated at the former school in Guernsey, Hooper requested the Town of Lanigan open its doors for Guernsey residents and emergency crews did not waste time, going door to door to evacuate people from the hamlet.
It was not long after the decision to evacuate was made by the fire department when Bowman received a knock at his door and was told to go. Able to head to the hall in Lanigan, Bowman quickly packed up his things and joining others, left.
Lanigan Town Administrator Jennifer Thompson said the Lanigan Town Hall was quickly made available and with the help of volunteers, the community provided meals and refreshments to everyone at the hall.
“The Lanigan and District Fire Department contacted the Lanigan Town office on Thursday morning asking to prepare the Community Hall for evacuation of the Hamlet of Guernsey. With the help of local businesses, the Town of Lanigan was able to have a breakfast available. Dinner and supper were served that day as well with the help of volunteers and coordinator, Lanigan Town Councillor Velda Daelick at the helm. As it became apparent that the evacuation centre needed to be available on Friday as well, Town of Lanigan representatives were able to plan food for Guernsey residents on Friday.”
As Hooper and other members from the local fire department ensured residents were notified about the evacuation and with the Town of Lanigan opening up the hall, it was not long after the evacuation order when safety personnel, heavy equipment and other big machinery began arriving at the derailment site in droves.
CP emergency response and HazMat crews were also deployed to the scene to work with the fire department to assess and minimize the impact to the surrounding area. Other crews began appearing at the site from Manitoba, Alberta and other parts of Saskatchewan including a provincial safety response team.
The site became a hub of activity as semi after semi hauling equipment unloaded backhoes while gravel trucks began dropping off loads as well. A command post was created and Hooper estimated there were around a dozen bulldozers and loaders to go along with trailers, a food area, tents and washroom facilities.
“It was pretty much exactly the same as the first derailment. You didn’t realize how much equipment came through, but there was a lot.”
Helping to clean up the first derailment site about six kilometres west of Guernsey, Ron Ediger’s phone began going off Thursday. Based out of Watrous, the owner of Melron Services Ltd. answered the call and was asked to give the crews at the second derailment site a hand fighting the fire. “When we received the call to come immediately, our guys all stopped what they were doing and jumped into their trucks and equipment.”
Seven employees from Melron Services Ltd. began hauling numerous loads of dirt to the location just east of Guernsey to assist with getting the fire out. Teaming up with the other crews and emergency members, the group from Melron spent substantial time bringing in dirt to keep the blaze under control.
“They were all willing to go and do whatever they needed to help out,” said Ron. “We are so proud of them all.”
With large equipment busy digging and the fire still burning, crews started separating the railcars. With 34 cars derailing Dec. 9, this time crews dealt with 32 derailed cars. Once CP crews were given approval, they were able to pull the pin on the cars and locomotive still on the tracks so they could be moved away from the area.
With the heat turned up and the fire still burning, the Lanigan and Humboldt fire departments needed some extra resources with their water pumping efforts. “We had our tanker, they had their tanker and then there was another tanker that came from Saskatoon and we used the Nutrien Lanigan mine’s water supply. We kept the working equipment cool by spraying it down and that allowed the crews to keep working close to the derailment. Last time we pumped water for 37 hours straight and we were probably pretty close to that again. That whole time we had to haul water, driving back and forth to the mine but Nutrien had it set up for us.”
As each heap of railcars were separated, the glow from the fire began subsiding. However the smoke continued to plume during the late hours Thursday and into the early morning hours Friday. At that point the fire department grew concerned. Unlike the first derailment where the department let the fire burn itself out, this time they made the call to extinguish it.
“We didn’t do as much fire fighting in the first one because they let most of it burn and we mostly protected the equipment they used. This time, because of the wind direction pushing the smoke over Guernsey, after a certain length of time we did extinguish it.”
Nearly 32 hours after the derailment, the fire was deemed out. “We had the fire out by around 2 p.m. Friday and the first train went through a few hours later. Between the two derailments, we have probably used 10 years worth of pumping on our new fire truck. In total, with both derailments we probably spent around 80 hours out there and 75 hours of straight pumping.”
While Hwy. 16 was reopened less than 48 hours after the first derailment, because of the proximity of the second derailment from the curve along the highway, a detour remained in place until late Wednesday afternoon before the highway was reopened.
“We didn’t have the room like the first one,” said Hooper. “The biggest thing is there was not much room between the highway and the track so that is why the highway was still closed long after the fire.”
With the highway blocked off for part of last week, RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said the RM’s public works staff had been busy working with CP and the crews while maintaining the detour. “As of Wednesday morning there was still lots of equipment at the site and RCMP presence by the barricades.”
A short distance from the barricades in nearby Guernsey, last week Rintoul said things began returning to normal. “There are small bits of ash around town but CP was recently in Guernsey to see how everything looked.”
Allowed back to his home twice during the evacuation, Bowman was able to tend to his pets and make sure everything at his residence was okay. When word was given he could head home for good, he and other evacuees at the hall in Lanigan began clapping. “CP representatives had brought us all pizza so we had some and headed home. I haven’t talked to anyone else but at my place I found absolutely no damage from the smoke that went over Guernsey. No smell either.”
However, not having any damage may not be the case for everyone in the hamlet. Rintoul said evacuees had received instructions and forms for claims and reimbursements for eligible expenses because of the derailment.
“They are able to fill out claims and submit individually if need be. The RM will be submitting a bill for the roadwork and any damages to the roads as a result of the detour. CP has been really good about this, as we had to do this last time as well.”
With things starting to return to normal and as the evacuation order ended Feb. 7, Thompson said the Town of Lanigan was pleased to have been able to accommodate and assist Guernsey residents while they were relocated.
“We would like to thank the RM of Usborne, Lanigan and District Fire Department, Lanigan and District Ambulance Association, the RCMP, mutual aid organizations and Canadian Pacific Railway in ensuring the safety of our region during the initial hours of the train derailment. Thank you also to the volunteers and offers of support from surrounding communities and businesses. When an emergent situation occurs, we are all one community and it is greatly appreciated!”
From Bowman’s perspective, he was very appreciative of the way CP and the many volunteers and organizations took care of the whole situation. “Everyone was great. The Reeve, RM office staff, councillors, Lanigan volunteers, the Town of Lanigan, the RCMP, fire fighters and the representative CP sent to the Evacuation Centre to be with us. The CP reps were all amazing. Everyone had helping us as their number one goal. I’m still overwhelmed by their caring kindness. I had someone tell me, “What did you expect? This is Saskatchewan.” And I really believe that.”
Like so many others from the community and the area, Bowman did not think a second derailment would occur so close to Guernsey. “No I sure didn’t expect it but if I were to sum up what I took away from this event it would be finding out that there is a plan in place for emergencies such as this. That is comforting to know. That and how many good people there are ready to help.”
Like Bowman, CP was appreciative of the work done by local fire officials, Saskatchewan emergency response representatives, local government officials, local police and others for their support in responding to the incident. In a statement, CP said, “We also thank those impacted by the evacuation for their patience and understanding and apologize for the inconvenience this incident has caused. CP will continue to work with the affected residents who have now returned to their homes. Crews continue to work on-site to ensure all equipment is removed and the area fully restored.”
Overseeing the emergency operations, and environmental assessment and remediation efforts which are already underway, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment said Canadian Pacific Railway is responsible for all costs associated with the derailment, including the emergency response, environmental assessment and all required remediation. “The Ministry of Environment will provide ongoing regulatory oversight for contaminant remediation activities to ensure they are conducted in a timely and responsible manner and in accordance with all applicable legislated requirements as the operation proceeds. It is not known exactly how long the cleanup will take to complete but can be expected to take up to several months. Fortunately, in both cases, the spill was fully contained to the railway and highway ditches, and impacted a relatively small area. Frozen ground likely helped reduce the risk of contaminants penetrating too deeply in both the December and February incidents.”
A few days removed from fighting fires at the derailment site, looking back, Hooper said, “I just couldn’t believe it when that call came in a second time. Now there are two derailments to deal with. Two weeks ago we were in Saskatoon and had a debriefing on the first derailment and I guess we will be doing it again.”
Daniel Bushman
As a raging fire was extinguished, plumes of black smoke disappeared and residents returned to their homes, crews continued to clean up at the site of a train derailment near Guernsey. The second derailment to occur near the community in almost two months, at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Feb. 6, 32 cars out of 104 from a Canadian Pacific freight hauling crude oil derailed just east of Guernsey, sparking a massive blaze.
According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), CP’s crude oil unit train originated at Rosyth, Alta. and was destined for Stroud, Oklahoma, proceeding eastward at about 42 m.p.h. on the CP Sutherland Subdivision. TSB noted the train experienced a train-initiated emergency brake application at Mile 43.4, about 1 1/2 miles west of Guernsey. Subsequent examination identified that 32 tank cars had derailed with several tank cars breached and an undetermined amount of petroleum crude oil product released. The product ignited and a pool fire ensued involving a number of tank cars.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment indicated that when the derailment occurred, approximately 1.2 million litres of oil spilled from the cars. The ministry stated the amount of recovered oil is currently being determined and is complicated by the fact that a significant portion burned off during the incident.
While there were no injuries to the CP crew, which was comprised of a locomotive engineer and conductor, the TSB said the train itself consisted of two distributed-power locomotives (one at each end), a covered hopper car loaded with sand located in position two, followed by 104 tank cars loaded with petroleum crude oil (UN1267, Class 3 PG I) and another covered hopper loaded with sand located the 107th position (108 rolling stock in total).
With the train weighing 14,896 tons and 6,445 feet in length, TSB noted in a Feb. 14 preliminary report that the derailed tank cars were all DOT 117J100-W tank cars.
“The tank cars located from line 32 to 63 (32 cars) derailed. One derailed tank car that remained upright was otherwise unaffected and was subsequently re-railed. Of the remaining 31 derailed cars, about 19 derailed cars were involved in a pool fire from released product west of the crossing, while an estimated 12 cars derailed east of the crossing but were not directly involved in the fire.”
While TSB has found there have been no mechanical defects observed that could be considered casual to date, a review of the locomotive event recorder download determined that the train was handled in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
As the investigation continues with each tank car being cleaned, purged and staged prior to inspection, TSB indicated as of Feb. 12, about 17 of the derailed cards had been examined with several exhibiting breaches.
With the oil burning from the derailment Feb. 6 which created huge plumes of smoke overhead that morning, a mandatory evacuation was issued for residents of Guernsey.
Dissolved into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, Administrator Anna Rintoul said RCMP, fire personnel, CP, and Canadian Public Safety representatives worked closely with the RM as approximately 85 residents from the community left during the morning mandatory evacuation. Blocking off a portion of Hwy. 16 next to Guernsey and setting up detours, local fire, RCMP and EMS crews were able to keep everyone safe. CP’s emergency response team and contractors also arrived on site to work with local fire officials to control and extinguish the remaining fires while a team from the TSB attended.
After responding to the first train derailment west of Guernsey Dec. 9, Lanigan Fire Chief Barry Hooper thought he would never witness something like that again. Almost two months later and at around 6:15 a.m., Hooper found himself staring at his phone in disbelief as he read the call of another derailment, a short distance from the first one.
“You would think there would be a better chance at winning the Lotto Max than having two derailments so close together,” Hooper said. “It was almost identical to the first one and almost the same amount of cars but this time we were concerned about the smoke going over Guernsey. Responding to the fire, we notified the Humboldt Fire Department right away and we were stationed in Guernsey. In the community it stunk pretty good and there was also some stuff falling out of the sky.”
Like others including Jerome Fisher who was feeding cows at his nearby farm when he heard the brakes of the train before seeing a glow, Guernsey resident Al Bowman was also awake early Thursday morning. “I heard the train going by but it sounded different than usual. It was almost like a Department of Highways’ truck scraping snow on the highway and not that usual clickety-clack.”
With the wind coming out of the east and blowing in the direction of Bowman’s home, he heard a loud bang which rattled his windows before there was complete silence. Thinking the situation was somewhat unusual, Bowman shrugged it off and continued on with his morning routine. An hour or so later while on his computer he noticed a post on his Facebook page about a train derailment. Assuming it was from two months ago, he carried on until glancing out his window.
“I saw the black smoke and noticed flashing lights on the next street over. I had a feeling we were going to be evacuated.”
As the haze continued to wrap itself around the community like a thick blanket, the local fire department made the call to get everyone out. Situated at the former school in Guernsey, Hooper requested the Town of Lanigan open its doors for Guernsey residents and emergency crews did not waste time, going door to door to evacuate people from the hamlet.
It was not long after the decision to evacuate was made by the fire department when Bowman received a knock at his door and was told to go. Able to head to the hall in Lanigan, Bowman quickly packed up his things and joining others, left.
Lanigan Town Administrator Jennifer Thompson said the Lanigan Town Hall was quickly made available and with the help of volunteers, the community provided meals and refreshments to everyone at the hall.
“The Lanigan and District Fire Department contacted the Lanigan Town office on Thursday morning asking to prepare the Community Hall for evacuation of the Hamlet of Guernsey. With the help of local businesses, the Town of Lanigan was able to have a breakfast available. Dinner and supper were served that day as well with the help of volunteers and coordinator, Lanigan Town Councillor Velda Daelick at the helm. As it became apparent that the evacuation centre needed to be available on Friday as well, Town of Lanigan representatives were able to plan food for Guernsey residents on Friday.”
As Hooper and other members from the local fire department ensured residents were notified about the evacuation and with the Town of Lanigan opening up the hall, it was not long after the evacuation order when safety personnel, heavy equipment and other big machinery began arriving at the derailment site in droves.
CP emergency response and HazMat crews were also deployed to the scene to work with the fire department to assess and minimize the impact to the surrounding area. Other crews began appearing at the site from Manitoba, Alberta and other parts of Saskatchewan including a provincial safety response team.
The site became a hub of activity as semi after semi hauling equipment unloaded backhoes while gravel trucks began dropping off loads as well. A command post was created and Hooper estimated there were around a dozen bulldozers and loaders to go along with trailers, a food area, tents and washroom facilities.
“It was pretty much exactly the same as the first derailment. You didn’t realize how much equipment came through, but there was a lot.”
Helping to clean up the first derailment site about six kilometres west of Guernsey, Ron Ediger’s phone began going off Thursday. Based out of Watrous, the owner of Melron Services Ltd. answered the call and was asked to give the crews at the second derailment site a hand fighting the fire. “When we received the call to come immediately, our guys all stopped what they were doing and jumped into their trucks and equipment.”
Seven employees from Melron Services Ltd. began hauling numerous loads of dirt to the location just east of Guernsey to assist with getting the fire out. Teaming up with the other crews and emergency members, the group from Melron spent substantial time bringing in dirt to keep the blaze under control.
“They were all willing to go and do whatever they needed to help out,” said Ron. “We are so proud of them all.”
With large equipment busy digging and the fire still burning, crews started separating the railcars. With 34 cars derailing Dec. 9, this time crews dealt with 32 derailed cars. Once CP crews were given approval, they were able to pull the pin on the cars and locomotive still on the tracks so they could be moved away from the area.
With the heat turned up and the fire still burning, the Lanigan and Humboldt fire departments needed some extra resources with their water pumping efforts. “We had our tanker, they had their tanker and then there was another tanker that came from Saskatoon and we used the Nutrien Lanigan mine’s water supply. We kept the working equipment cool by spraying it down and that allowed the crews to keep working close to the derailment. Last time we pumped water for 37 hours straight and we were probably pretty close to that again. That whole time we had to haul water, driving back and forth to the mine but Nutrien had it set up for us.”
As each heap of railcars were separated, the glow from the fire began subsiding. However the smoke continued to plume during the late hours Thursday and into the early morning hours Friday. At that point the fire department grew concerned. Unlike the first derailment where the department let the fire burn itself out, this time they made the call to extinguish it.
“We didn’t do as much fire fighting in the first one because they let most of it burn and we mostly protected the equipment they used. This time, because of the wind direction pushing the smoke over Guernsey, after a certain length of time we did extinguish it.”
Nearly 32 hours after the derailment, the fire was deemed out. “We had the fire out by around 2 p.m. Friday and the first train went through a few hours later. Between the two derailments, we have probably used 10 years worth of pumping on our new fire truck. In total, with both derailments we probably spent around 80 hours out there and 75 hours of straight pumping.”
While Hwy. 16 was reopened less than 48 hours after the first derailment, because of the proximity of the second derailment from the curve along the highway, a detour remained in place until late Wednesday afternoon before the highway was reopened.
“We didn’t have the room like the first one,” said Hooper. “The biggest thing is there was not much room between the highway and the track so that is why the highway was still closed long after the fire.”
With the highway blocked off for part of last week, RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said the RM’s public works staff had been busy working with CP and the crews while maintaining the detour. “As of Wednesday morning there was still lots of equipment at the site and RCMP presence by the barricades.”
A short distance from the barricades in nearby Guernsey, last week Rintoul said things began returning to normal. “There are small bits of ash around town but CP was recently in Guernsey to see how everything looked.”
Allowed back to his home twice during the evacuation, Bowman was able to tend to his pets and make sure everything at his residence was okay. When word was given he could head home for good, he and other evacuees at the hall in Lanigan began clapping. “CP representatives had brought us all pizza so we had some and headed home. I haven’t talked to anyone else but at my place I found absolutely no damage from the smoke that went over Guernsey. No smell either.”
However, not having any damage may not be the case for everyone in the hamlet. Rintoul said evacuees had received instructions and forms for claims and reimbursements for eligible expenses because of the derailment.
“They are able to fill out claims and submit individually if need be. The RM will be submitting a bill for the roadwork and any damages to the roads as a result of the detour. CP has been really good about this, as we had to do this last time as well.”
With things starting to return to normal and as the evacuation order ended Feb. 7, Thompson said the Town of Lanigan was pleased to have been able to accommodate and assist Guernsey residents while they were relocated.
“We would like to thank the RM of Usborne, Lanigan and District Fire Department, Lanigan and District Ambulance Association, the RCMP, mutual aid organizations and Canadian Pacific Railway in ensuring the safety of our region during the initial hours of the train derailment. Thank you also to the volunteers and offers of support from surrounding communities and businesses. When an emergent situation occurs, we are all one community and it is greatly appreciated!”
From Bowman’s perspective, he was very appreciative of the way CP and the many volunteers and organizations took care of the whole situation. “Everyone was great. The Reeve, RM office staff, councillors, Lanigan volunteers, the Town of Lanigan, the RCMP, fire fighters and the representative CP sent to the Evacuation Centre to be with us. The CP reps were all amazing. Everyone had helping us as their number one goal. I’m still overwhelmed by their caring kindness. I had someone tell me, “What did you expect? This is Saskatchewan.” And I really believe that.”
Like so many others from the community and the area, Bowman did not think a second derailment would occur so close to Guernsey. “No I sure didn’t expect it but if I were to sum up what I took away from this event it would be finding out that there is a plan in place for emergencies such as this. That is comforting to know. That and how many good people there are ready to help.”
Like Bowman, CP was appreciative of the work done by local fire officials, Saskatchewan emergency response representatives, local government officials, local police and others for their support in responding to the incident. In a statement, CP said, “We also thank those impacted by the evacuation for their patience and understanding and apologize for the inconvenience this incident has caused. CP will continue to work with the affected residents who have now returned to their homes. Crews continue to work on-site to ensure all equipment is removed and the area fully restored.”
Overseeing the emergency operations, and environmental assessment and remediation efforts which are already underway, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment said Canadian Pacific Railway is responsible for all costs associated with the derailment, including the emergency response, environmental assessment and all required remediation. “The Ministry of Environment will provide ongoing regulatory oversight for contaminant remediation activities to ensure they are conducted in a timely and responsible manner and in accordance with all applicable legislated requirements as the operation proceeds. It is not known exactly how long the cleanup will take to complete but can be expected to take up to several months. Fortunately, in both cases, the spill was fully contained to the railway and highway ditches, and impacted a relatively small area. Frozen ground likely helped reduce the risk of contaminants penetrating too deeply in both the December and February incidents.”
A few days removed from fighting fires at the derailment site, looking back, Hooper said, “I just couldn’t believe it when that call came in a second time. Now there are two derailments to deal with. Two weeks ago we were in Saskatoon and had a debriefing on the first derailment and I guess we will be doing it again.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 10, 2020
Train derailment forces evacuation
Daniel Bushman
Nearly two months after 34 railcars went off the tracks about six kilometres west of Guernsey, a second train derailment took place, this time much closer to the community. At around 6:15 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 a number of railcars containing crude oil derailed just a short distance east of Guernsey prompting evacuations and the closure to a portion of Hwy. 16.
Like the Dec. 9 event, which also involved crude oil and Canadian Pacific Rail, several railcars were ignited, spilling into the ditch and crumpling into a heap at a crossing. Speaking to members of the media Feb. 6, President of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency Marlo Pritchard noted he had received reports the train was carrying approximately 104 cars when 31 derailed approximately 10 kms from the previous derailment in December. About a dozen cars remained on fire during the afternoon Feb. 6 and there were still cars burning Feb. 7.
Attending the first derailment, local emergency crews also responded to last week’s scene as Guernsey was placed under a mandatory evacuation due to air quality concerns. Along with local first responders, CP emergency response teams were on hand Thursday to contain the fire. CP issued a statement indicating there were no injuries to its crew and there was no impact to waterways. As was the case in December, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) also deployed a team of investigators to the site of the derailment.
Planning to truck south to Moose Jaw, Jerome Fisher got up early last Thursday to feed his cows. Living at the farm his wife Beth grew up at, Jerome got on his jacket, braved the elements, and ventured outdoors. With the couple’s farm located less than one kilometre from where the derailment occurred, at 6:15 a.m. Fisher was busy tending to his cattle when he heard the train hit the brakes. Since the farm house obstructed his view of the train from where he was standing in the corral, Jerome did not see the cars burst into flames but rather a glow.
Illuminating the area as large plumes of smoke filled the sky, Paul Huls was also awake early in the morning and was driving along Hwy. 16 close to where the Fishers live. When Huls came upon the derailment, he said, “We saw a big fireball and then train cars burning.”
Jerome’s wife Beth was sleeping when she awoke to the ring of her phone. On the other end was her sister asking if she had heard about the derailment. With the wind blowing from the east, Fisher was fast asleep when the derailment took place. But after answering the call from her sister, when she looked out her window, Beth could see the fire and emergency vehicles just down the road.
“My first thought was, ‘not again,’” Fisher exclaimed as she watched the flames leap into the sky. Figuring the derailment must have involved oil as opposed to potash which is transported from the nearby mine, there was soon a knock at her door. A member from the Lanigan and District Fire Department stopped by around 7:30 a.m. to make sure the Fishers were aware of what was going on. “Since the wind was not headed in our direction, we were not evacuated and allowed to stay home.”
Watching from her window, Beth was surprised at how a second derailment could have happened near Guernsey in such a short time span. “I’ve lived here my whole life and I have never seen a train derailment. It is very odd to see two in two months. They had been doing a lot of work on that rail line during the fall and after this latest derailment, I was just hoping no one was hurt. I asked the firefighter who came to our house right away if anyone was hurt and I was told everyone was okay.”
With Jerome headed for Moose Jaw as part of his trucking job and daylight breaking, Beth could not believe the amount of black smoke billowing into the sky. The plume covered Guernsey as it pushed further east and not long after that, evacuations took place.
Since Guernsey has dissolved into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, Administrator Anna Rintoul said RCMP, fire personnel, CP, and Canadian Public Safety representatives worked closely with the RM as approximately 85 residents from Guernsey had to leave. The Lanigan and District Fire Department who responded to the scene requested the Town of Lanigan prepare for residents of Guernsey as they evacuated the community.
Lanigan Town Administrator Jennifer Thompson said the Lanigan Town Hall was made available for residents of Guernsey and with the help of volunteers, the Town of Lanigan provided meals and refreshments to everyone at the hall.
With people from Guernsey being told to leave, Beth’s home also became a haven for her son Logan’s family and nearby neighbours. “Logan just came off of working nights at Pound-Maker and had gone to bed but he was woken up and his family got evacuated around 8:30 a.m. They came to our place and two more neighbours and their little girl joined us as well. We have the space and were happy to welcome people over. I told my husband, “Guernsey is being evacuated.” He said, “Well how many people can our house hold?” There are lots of people in Guernsey who have connections that live close by so there were places for people to go.”
As her family and their neighbours came over, reflecting on the situation, Beth said she was just really grateful everyone was okay and not hurt. “I am so thankful for the time of year as well that there is not any dry grass around. I feel for the railroad crews and emergency people who have to deal with this. Kudos to them.”
A few kilometres southwest of the Fisher farm and a short drive from Guernsey is where Nutrien’s Lanigan potash mine is situated. With the thick smoke coming from the derailment and mine staff working above and below ground, Nutrien spokesperson Will Tigley said, “Right now our operations and teams at Lanigan are not impacted by this train derailment. We continue to monitor the situation and are taking the necessary precautions to keep our people safe.”
As word spread about the derailment, the news reached Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Faced with a second major event near Guernsey in less than two months, Federal Minister of Transport Marc Garneau issued the following through a number of tweets on his Twitter account: “I am seized with this morning’s rail incident in Guernsey, Sask. We are gathering the facts and I am following this very closely. Rail safety remains my top priority. The derailments of railway cars containing dangerous goods over the past year are concerning. I’m issuing an immediate order to slow trains carrying large quantities of dangerous goods on federally regulated railway tracks across Canada. Effective at midnight on Feb. 7, this Ministerial Order will require the slowdown of trains with 20 or more cars carrying dangerous goods. In cities, trains will be limited to 20 m.p.h. Outside of these areas, trains will be limited to 25 m.p.h. This will be in place for 30 days. This is a precautionary measure being taken today, as we are seeing similarities between today’s accident and other recent rail accidents. I’ve asked my officials to examine all issues related to these accidents to determine if additional safety measures will be required. I cannot compromise on safety and will not hesitate to take further swift action as is necessary.”
After Garneau’s announcement Feb. 6, Canadian Pacific Railway Limited also responded to the crude oil derailment near Guernsey.
“Immediately after the derailment, CP implemented a slow order on its crude trains as a precautionary measure as it gathers facts related to this incident. Since then, Transport Canada has issued a Ministerial Order, effective for 30 days at midnight on Friday, Feb. 7. The order requires a slowdown of “key trains (which contain 20 or more cars carrying dangerous goods). In metropolitan areas, these trains will be limited to 20 m.p.h. Outside these areas, trains will be limited to 25 m.p.h.”
“CP fully supports this action and it has been implemented effective immediately,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “Until we better understand the facts relating to today’s incident, it is prudent to operate with an abundance of caution. We equally share Minister Garneau’s concerns, and remain committed to safe operations, as we always have been.”
CP added it is working collaboratively with local officials in responding to the derailment and is deploying claims officers to assist community members displaced by the incident and evacuation. “CP is in close contact with regulators and local officials and will keep them informed as the situation progresses. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
The company also stated crews will be working diligently and will ensure the area is cleaned up and restored after CP safely recovers from this incident.
As Thursday night arrived residents from Guernsey remained evacuated and the Saskatoon Fire Department received a mutual aid request to help with the fire near the community, sending one water tanker to support operations. Crews continued to keep the blaze at bay and as the sun began coming up Friday morning, they were still hard at work at the derailment site.
Residents from Guernsey who had been evacuated Thursday spent the night with family, friends or in hotels and as of Friday morning, were still evacuated. Breakfast and lunch was served at the Lanigan Town Hall Friday for those displaced from their homes as they awaited more information on the situation from CP. With questions for CP surrounding the derailment and when residents of Guernsey could return home, Rintoual said the RM was grateful to the local volunteers in Lanigan for helping out and opening the hall.
For motorists using Hwy. 16 near Guernsey, according to the Highway Hotline, a portion of the highway remained closed as of press time. A detour was in place for motorists to head north on Hwy. 20 to Grid 340 then south on Grid Range Rd. 2233.
As information continues to be provided, The Watrous Manitou will have more on the derailment in next week’s edition.
Daniel Bushman
Nearly two months after 34 railcars went off the tracks about six kilometres west of Guernsey, a second train derailment took place, this time much closer to the community. At around 6:15 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 a number of railcars containing crude oil derailed just a short distance east of Guernsey prompting evacuations and the closure to a portion of Hwy. 16.
Like the Dec. 9 event, which also involved crude oil and Canadian Pacific Rail, several railcars were ignited, spilling into the ditch and crumpling into a heap at a crossing. Speaking to members of the media Feb. 6, President of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency Marlo Pritchard noted he had received reports the train was carrying approximately 104 cars when 31 derailed approximately 10 kms from the previous derailment in December. About a dozen cars remained on fire during the afternoon Feb. 6 and there were still cars burning Feb. 7.
Attending the first derailment, local emergency crews also responded to last week’s scene as Guernsey was placed under a mandatory evacuation due to air quality concerns. Along with local first responders, CP emergency response teams were on hand Thursday to contain the fire. CP issued a statement indicating there were no injuries to its crew and there was no impact to waterways. As was the case in December, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) also deployed a team of investigators to the site of the derailment.
Planning to truck south to Moose Jaw, Jerome Fisher got up early last Thursday to feed his cows. Living at the farm his wife Beth grew up at, Jerome got on his jacket, braved the elements, and ventured outdoors. With the couple’s farm located less than one kilometre from where the derailment occurred, at 6:15 a.m. Fisher was busy tending to his cattle when he heard the train hit the brakes. Since the farm house obstructed his view of the train from where he was standing in the corral, Jerome did not see the cars burst into flames but rather a glow.
Illuminating the area as large plumes of smoke filled the sky, Paul Huls was also awake early in the morning and was driving along Hwy. 16 close to where the Fishers live. When Huls came upon the derailment, he said, “We saw a big fireball and then train cars burning.”
Jerome’s wife Beth was sleeping when she awoke to the ring of her phone. On the other end was her sister asking if she had heard about the derailment. With the wind blowing from the east, Fisher was fast asleep when the derailment took place. But after answering the call from her sister, when she looked out her window, Beth could see the fire and emergency vehicles just down the road.
“My first thought was, ‘not again,’” Fisher exclaimed as she watched the flames leap into the sky. Figuring the derailment must have involved oil as opposed to potash which is transported from the nearby mine, there was soon a knock at her door. A member from the Lanigan and District Fire Department stopped by around 7:30 a.m. to make sure the Fishers were aware of what was going on. “Since the wind was not headed in our direction, we were not evacuated and allowed to stay home.”
Watching from her window, Beth was surprised at how a second derailment could have happened near Guernsey in such a short time span. “I’ve lived here my whole life and I have never seen a train derailment. It is very odd to see two in two months. They had been doing a lot of work on that rail line during the fall and after this latest derailment, I was just hoping no one was hurt. I asked the firefighter who came to our house right away if anyone was hurt and I was told everyone was okay.”
With Jerome headed for Moose Jaw as part of his trucking job and daylight breaking, Beth could not believe the amount of black smoke billowing into the sky. The plume covered Guernsey as it pushed further east and not long after that, evacuations took place.
Since Guernsey has dissolved into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, Administrator Anna Rintoul said RCMP, fire personnel, CP, and Canadian Public Safety representatives worked closely with the RM as approximately 85 residents from Guernsey had to leave. The Lanigan and District Fire Department who responded to the scene requested the Town of Lanigan prepare for residents of Guernsey as they evacuated the community.
Lanigan Town Administrator Jennifer Thompson said the Lanigan Town Hall was made available for residents of Guernsey and with the help of volunteers, the Town of Lanigan provided meals and refreshments to everyone at the hall.
With people from Guernsey being told to leave, Beth’s home also became a haven for her son Logan’s family and nearby neighbours. “Logan just came off of working nights at Pound-Maker and had gone to bed but he was woken up and his family got evacuated around 8:30 a.m. They came to our place and two more neighbours and their little girl joined us as well. We have the space and were happy to welcome people over. I told my husband, “Guernsey is being evacuated.” He said, “Well how many people can our house hold?” There are lots of people in Guernsey who have connections that live close by so there were places for people to go.”
As her family and their neighbours came over, reflecting on the situation, Beth said she was just really grateful everyone was okay and not hurt. “I am so thankful for the time of year as well that there is not any dry grass around. I feel for the railroad crews and emergency people who have to deal with this. Kudos to them.”
A few kilometres southwest of the Fisher farm and a short drive from Guernsey is where Nutrien’s Lanigan potash mine is situated. With the thick smoke coming from the derailment and mine staff working above and below ground, Nutrien spokesperson Will Tigley said, “Right now our operations and teams at Lanigan are not impacted by this train derailment. We continue to monitor the situation and are taking the necessary precautions to keep our people safe.”
As word spread about the derailment, the news reached Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Faced with a second major event near Guernsey in less than two months, Federal Minister of Transport Marc Garneau issued the following through a number of tweets on his Twitter account: “I am seized with this morning’s rail incident in Guernsey, Sask. We are gathering the facts and I am following this very closely. Rail safety remains my top priority. The derailments of railway cars containing dangerous goods over the past year are concerning. I’m issuing an immediate order to slow trains carrying large quantities of dangerous goods on federally regulated railway tracks across Canada. Effective at midnight on Feb. 7, this Ministerial Order will require the slowdown of trains with 20 or more cars carrying dangerous goods. In cities, trains will be limited to 20 m.p.h. Outside of these areas, trains will be limited to 25 m.p.h. This will be in place for 30 days. This is a precautionary measure being taken today, as we are seeing similarities between today’s accident and other recent rail accidents. I’ve asked my officials to examine all issues related to these accidents to determine if additional safety measures will be required. I cannot compromise on safety and will not hesitate to take further swift action as is necessary.”
After Garneau’s announcement Feb. 6, Canadian Pacific Railway Limited also responded to the crude oil derailment near Guernsey.
“Immediately after the derailment, CP implemented a slow order on its crude trains as a precautionary measure as it gathers facts related to this incident. Since then, Transport Canada has issued a Ministerial Order, effective for 30 days at midnight on Friday, Feb. 7. The order requires a slowdown of “key trains (which contain 20 or more cars carrying dangerous goods). In metropolitan areas, these trains will be limited to 20 m.p.h. Outside these areas, trains will be limited to 25 m.p.h.”
“CP fully supports this action and it has been implemented effective immediately,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “Until we better understand the facts relating to today’s incident, it is prudent to operate with an abundance of caution. We equally share Minister Garneau’s concerns, and remain committed to safe operations, as we always have been.”
CP added it is working collaboratively with local officials in responding to the derailment and is deploying claims officers to assist community members displaced by the incident and evacuation. “CP is in close contact with regulators and local officials and will keep them informed as the situation progresses. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
The company also stated crews will be working diligently and will ensure the area is cleaned up and restored after CP safely recovers from this incident.
As Thursday night arrived residents from Guernsey remained evacuated and the Saskatoon Fire Department received a mutual aid request to help with the fire near the community, sending one water tanker to support operations. Crews continued to keep the blaze at bay and as the sun began coming up Friday morning, they were still hard at work at the derailment site.
Residents from Guernsey who had been evacuated Thursday spent the night with family, friends or in hotels and as of Friday morning, were still evacuated. Breakfast and lunch was served at the Lanigan Town Hall Friday for those displaced from their homes as they awaited more information on the situation from CP. With questions for CP surrounding the derailment and when residents of Guernsey could return home, Rintoual said the RM was grateful to the local volunteers in Lanigan for helping out and opening the hall.
For motorists using Hwy. 16 near Guernsey, according to the Highway Hotline, a portion of the highway remained closed as of press time. A detour was in place for motorists to head north on Hwy. 20 to Grid 340 then south on Grid Range Rd. 2233.
As information continues to be provided, The Watrous Manitou will have more on the derailment in next week’s edition.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 3, 2020
Mosaic Colonsay idling for foreseeable future
Daniel Bushman
As Mosaic’s Colonsay potash mine began idling in September leaving hundreds without work, last week’s announcement of the mine idling for the foreseeable future was not the news employees, their families and the communities they reside in had been hoping for.
Impacting about 343 of its hourly workforce when the mine first began idling, Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations with Mosaic Sarah Fedorchuk said on Tuesday, Jan. 28 Mosaic met with its remaining Colonsay workforce to advise them the site will remain idled for the foreseeable future.
“While a difficult decision to make, giving our Colonsay workforce a clear picture of our plans is an important step in allowing them to best prepare for their future.”
While some of the company’s salaried Colonsay employees have since moved on to new roles in other areas of the business unit, Fedorchuk said the latest decision will impact the remaining approximately 80 salaried staff. “We met with them (Jan. 28) to discuss their role, varying end dates or other opportunities.”
Colonsay Mayor Jim Gray was disappointed with the announcement, leaving some from his community without a job. Upwards of 25 people had been residing in Colonsay while working at the mine and now with the latest news, the mayor said, “They are not going to keep all the employees here because there is not work here.”
Already feeling the pinch in town since September’s idling, Gray noted there had been five employees from Colonsay who were kept on at the site but were part of the number impacted Jan. 28. A bunch of other employees had already been transferred to Esterhazy according to Gray. “Most of them are out of work. Then your older ones who have been there all their lives, well they don’t know anything else but that. It is going to be hard. It is going to be hard in the town. Where do you find that kind of money that you are going to lose from potash sharing and stuff like that? Other small towns like Bruno, Viscount, and all through there, it is going to be hard on everybody. I just feel sorry for the workers and how it happened the way it has.”
A number of employees with Mosaic also reside in Watrous, the largest community within the immediate area. As they lost their jobs at the mine, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins reciprocated what his fellow mayor from Colonsay had to say. “As a community leader I’m disappointed and saddened by this news. I feel for the employees, their families, the community at large and all those who are directly affected as well as those indirectly affected. It will impact our business sector and possibly our schools, depending on the length of this idling.”
As he heard about the discouraging news, Collins said, “We are a resilient community and very diversified so hopefully that will assist in retaining a number of the affected employees to remain in our community. As the demand and price increases for this product we hope that the mine will open to full capacity in the foreseeable future.”
Like the hundreds who lost their jobs at the mine, local area resident Daniel Veld had spent a number of years working at Mosaic Colonsay. Starting at the mine Mar. 21, 2011, Veld was part of a production crew operating on the surface, running one of the areas from the lab/raw ore storage to compaction three.
When the idling was first announced in August, Veld saw his employment at the mine cease the following month. From there, like so many others, it became a waiting game. As each month passed and with no news of production resuming, Veld began looking for other job opportunities. While others have not been as fortunate, in December Daniel secured a position as a salesperson at Manitou Mainline Chrysler.
“I know another guy from our crew got on with CN and another in the trucking industry,” said Veld who has been selling vehicles now for just over a month. “Some have found work in and around Saskatoon with many others still looking.”
As the mine remains idle moving forward, Fedorchuk said Mosaic will be providing transition services, educational bursaries through a retraining fund to obtain new skills and education, and access to other services like its Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP).
Approximately 45 positions will remain in place at Colonsay to complete safety and regulatory checks and conduct minimal maintenance.
With the decision to begin idling its mine coming last year, Fedorchuk said at that time it was in response to a challenging spring. “We believe that idling Colonsay will allow us to reduce our current inventory levels, lower our cash costs of production and provide a buffer to any delay in new potash contract shipments.”
Unprecedented wet weather in the Midwest United States had negatively impacted its North American spring fertilizer sales volumes and phosphates margins. Mosaic said those same factors drove grain prices higher and provided significant opportunities in fall 2019 and beyond.
“We’ve experienced a North American spring season that was wetter and later than any in recorded history,” said Mosaic President and CEO Joc O’Rourke. “While our Potash and Mosaic Fertilizantes businesses continued to perform well, weakness in the phosphates market negatively impacted second quarter results.”
The company also indicated the accelerated ramp up of the low-cost Esterhazy K3 potash project was also a factor. The production, combined with available inventory facilitated the idling of the higher cost Colonsay potash mine. “These actions are expected to lower Mosaic’s cost of production, accelerate inventory depletion, avoid $40 to $50 million in cash expenditures in 2019, and increase the company’s leverage to strengthening markets into 2020.”
As the news was first announced that Mosaic's Colonsay mine is to remain idled for the foreseeable future, a few days later Nutrien confirmed that its Vanscoy mine will resume production in March 2020. Nutrien spokesperson Will Tigley said, “We are still reviewing exact timing and developing our recall plan for employees.”
Tigley indicated Nutrien expects a positive medium to long-term outlook in the potash markets as the company heads toward the spring of this year.
With word of Vanscoy resuming production next month, Tigley also confirmed Nutrien's Allan and Lanigan mines have been back to regular operations since late December.
Daniel Bushman
As Mosaic’s Colonsay potash mine began idling in September leaving hundreds without work, last week’s announcement of the mine idling for the foreseeable future was not the news employees, their families and the communities they reside in had been hoping for.
Impacting about 343 of its hourly workforce when the mine first began idling, Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations with Mosaic Sarah Fedorchuk said on Tuesday, Jan. 28 Mosaic met with its remaining Colonsay workforce to advise them the site will remain idled for the foreseeable future.
“While a difficult decision to make, giving our Colonsay workforce a clear picture of our plans is an important step in allowing them to best prepare for their future.”
While some of the company’s salaried Colonsay employees have since moved on to new roles in other areas of the business unit, Fedorchuk said the latest decision will impact the remaining approximately 80 salaried staff. “We met with them (Jan. 28) to discuss their role, varying end dates or other opportunities.”
Colonsay Mayor Jim Gray was disappointed with the announcement, leaving some from his community without a job. Upwards of 25 people had been residing in Colonsay while working at the mine and now with the latest news, the mayor said, “They are not going to keep all the employees here because there is not work here.”
Already feeling the pinch in town since September’s idling, Gray noted there had been five employees from Colonsay who were kept on at the site but were part of the number impacted Jan. 28. A bunch of other employees had already been transferred to Esterhazy according to Gray. “Most of them are out of work. Then your older ones who have been there all their lives, well they don’t know anything else but that. It is going to be hard. It is going to be hard in the town. Where do you find that kind of money that you are going to lose from potash sharing and stuff like that? Other small towns like Bruno, Viscount, and all through there, it is going to be hard on everybody. I just feel sorry for the workers and how it happened the way it has.”
A number of employees with Mosaic also reside in Watrous, the largest community within the immediate area. As they lost their jobs at the mine, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins reciprocated what his fellow mayor from Colonsay had to say. “As a community leader I’m disappointed and saddened by this news. I feel for the employees, their families, the community at large and all those who are directly affected as well as those indirectly affected. It will impact our business sector and possibly our schools, depending on the length of this idling.”
As he heard about the discouraging news, Collins said, “We are a resilient community and very diversified so hopefully that will assist in retaining a number of the affected employees to remain in our community. As the demand and price increases for this product we hope that the mine will open to full capacity in the foreseeable future.”
Like the hundreds who lost their jobs at the mine, local area resident Daniel Veld had spent a number of years working at Mosaic Colonsay. Starting at the mine Mar. 21, 2011, Veld was part of a production crew operating on the surface, running one of the areas from the lab/raw ore storage to compaction three.
When the idling was first announced in August, Veld saw his employment at the mine cease the following month. From there, like so many others, it became a waiting game. As each month passed and with no news of production resuming, Veld began looking for other job opportunities. While others have not been as fortunate, in December Daniel secured a position as a salesperson at Manitou Mainline Chrysler.
“I know another guy from our crew got on with CN and another in the trucking industry,” said Veld who has been selling vehicles now for just over a month. “Some have found work in and around Saskatoon with many others still looking.”
As the mine remains idle moving forward, Fedorchuk said Mosaic will be providing transition services, educational bursaries through a retraining fund to obtain new skills and education, and access to other services like its Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP).
Approximately 45 positions will remain in place at Colonsay to complete safety and regulatory checks and conduct minimal maintenance.
With the decision to begin idling its mine coming last year, Fedorchuk said at that time it was in response to a challenging spring. “We believe that idling Colonsay will allow us to reduce our current inventory levels, lower our cash costs of production and provide a buffer to any delay in new potash contract shipments.”
Unprecedented wet weather in the Midwest United States had negatively impacted its North American spring fertilizer sales volumes and phosphates margins. Mosaic said those same factors drove grain prices higher and provided significant opportunities in fall 2019 and beyond.
“We’ve experienced a North American spring season that was wetter and later than any in recorded history,” said Mosaic President and CEO Joc O’Rourke. “While our Potash and Mosaic Fertilizantes businesses continued to perform well, weakness in the phosphates market negatively impacted second quarter results.”
The company also indicated the accelerated ramp up of the low-cost Esterhazy K3 potash project was also a factor. The production, combined with available inventory facilitated the idling of the higher cost Colonsay potash mine. “These actions are expected to lower Mosaic’s cost of production, accelerate inventory depletion, avoid $40 to $50 million in cash expenditures in 2019, and increase the company’s leverage to strengthening markets into 2020.”
As the news was first announced that Mosaic's Colonsay mine is to remain idled for the foreseeable future, a few days later Nutrien confirmed that its Vanscoy mine will resume production in March 2020. Nutrien spokesperson Will Tigley said, “We are still reviewing exact timing and developing our recall plan for employees.”
Tigley indicated Nutrien expects a positive medium to long-term outlook in the potash markets as the company heads toward the spring of this year.
With word of Vanscoy resuming production next month, Tigley also confirmed Nutrien's Allan and Lanigan mines have been back to regular operations since late December.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 27, 2020
Local couple's invention created to protect flaggers
Daniel Bushman
They are preventable and can be avoided but each year flaggers are killed by motorists in construction zones across the country. After one of those tragic incidents in 2012, a local couple has come up with a way to try and put a stop to more of those deaths along highways in Canada.
Ashley Richards was just 18 years old when she was struck and killed by a vehicle in a construction zone near Midale on Hwy. 39. Despite signage put in place on that August day in 2012, Richards who was on the job just a short time was struck by a vehicle exceeding the allowable speed limit.
While the driver was found guilty of dangerous driving causing death, this is not the first time a flagger has been killed on a highway. According to WorkSafe Saskatchewan, each year in Canada motorists kill approximately 20 flaggers. Due in large part to the high speed of motorists, highway workers are at a high risk of being injured or even killed while flagging. It can become even more dangerous in high traffic areas where there is a greater risk of aggressive drivers.
After hearing about the horrific tragedy in 2012, Kim and Donna Kreutzer were heartbroken. With children and grandchildren of their own, Kim and his wife Donna learned that Ashley was an identical twin sister to Tamara and sister to four other siblings. Heading west to find work, Ashley ended up in Saskatchewan where she took training to become a flag person. Only in the province for three weeks, she had been planning to return home to New Brunswick before she was tragically killed.
“Then and there we decided we wanted to make it possible for a flag person to be out of the danger zone,” said Kim who added, “but not take the job away from people who want to work.”
Hoping to come up with an innovative product that would eliminate the risk of flaggers being injured or killed, the Kreutzers created the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger.
“With this auto flagger we believe that we have done what we set out to do. The flag person can now operate the flagger in a safe way and operate the flagger from a seat inside a vehicle or in the work zone and off the driving lane.”
Going off the back of a vehicle, the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger hooks up to a receiver and is plugged in to a trailer outlet under the lift gate. A flagger arm, traffic lights along with a camera are mounted together as part of the device and the person operating the unit uses a wireless remote.
“This allows the flag person to assess the safest location and adjust to changing situations. The flag person is removed from any danger areas and the unit itself does not require a trailer to maintain. There is no plate, no batteries, no solar panels, no generator and no more trouble backing up.”
Wanting to make a difference, Kim reached out to Ashley’s family to let them know about the work being done to try and save lives. It was not long after when Kim and Donna received a letter from Brenda and Tom Richards, Ashley’s parents.
“They told us they really hope the device will be accepted so that people working in the construction zones can return home safely to their families. They felt the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger will prevent some other senseless person from taking another life. Brenda and Tom said they miss Ashley every day and it is hard for them to drive through a construction zone. It makes them mad when they see people speeding through those zones and like us, they hope that 2020 will be safer for highway workers across the country.”
While just in the manufacturing stages, Kim said they have already secured a patent in Canada and the United States for the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger and are hoping to garner interest for the units. “I firmly believe this invention will help make construction zones safer, protecting workers and saving lives.”
Daniel Bushman
They are preventable and can be avoided but each year flaggers are killed by motorists in construction zones across the country. After one of those tragic incidents in 2012, a local couple has come up with a way to try and put a stop to more of those deaths along highways in Canada.
Ashley Richards was just 18 years old when she was struck and killed by a vehicle in a construction zone near Midale on Hwy. 39. Despite signage put in place on that August day in 2012, Richards who was on the job just a short time was struck by a vehicle exceeding the allowable speed limit.
While the driver was found guilty of dangerous driving causing death, this is not the first time a flagger has been killed on a highway. According to WorkSafe Saskatchewan, each year in Canada motorists kill approximately 20 flaggers. Due in large part to the high speed of motorists, highway workers are at a high risk of being injured or even killed while flagging. It can become even more dangerous in high traffic areas where there is a greater risk of aggressive drivers.
After hearing about the horrific tragedy in 2012, Kim and Donna Kreutzer were heartbroken. With children and grandchildren of their own, Kim and his wife Donna learned that Ashley was an identical twin sister to Tamara and sister to four other siblings. Heading west to find work, Ashley ended up in Saskatchewan where she took training to become a flag person. Only in the province for three weeks, she had been planning to return home to New Brunswick before she was tragically killed.
“Then and there we decided we wanted to make it possible for a flag person to be out of the danger zone,” said Kim who added, “but not take the job away from people who want to work.”
Hoping to come up with an innovative product that would eliminate the risk of flaggers being injured or killed, the Kreutzers created the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger.
“With this auto flagger we believe that we have done what we set out to do. The flag person can now operate the flagger in a safe way and operate the flagger from a seat inside a vehicle or in the work zone and off the driving lane.”
Going off the back of a vehicle, the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger hooks up to a receiver and is plugged in to a trailer outlet under the lift gate. A flagger arm, traffic lights along with a camera are mounted together as part of the device and the person operating the unit uses a wireless remote.
“This allows the flag person to assess the safest location and adjust to changing situations. The flag person is removed from any danger areas and the unit itself does not require a trailer to maintain. There is no plate, no batteries, no solar panels, no generator and no more trouble backing up.”
Wanting to make a difference, Kim reached out to Ashley’s family to let them know about the work being done to try and save lives. It was not long after when Kim and Donna received a letter from Brenda and Tom Richards, Ashley’s parents.
“They told us they really hope the device will be accepted so that people working in the construction zones can return home safely to their families. They felt the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger will prevent some other senseless person from taking another life. Brenda and Tom said they miss Ashley every day and it is hard for them to drive through a construction zone. It makes them mad when they see people speeding through those zones and like us, they hope that 2020 will be safer for highway workers across the country.”
While just in the manufacturing stages, Kim said they have already secured a patent in Canada and the United States for the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger and are hoping to garner interest for the units. “I firmly believe this invention will help make construction zones safer, protecting workers and saving lives.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 20, 2020
Trio from Watrous helps Hilltops capture sixth consecutive national title
Daniel Bushman
It is a feat that may never be replicated and one that was made possible with the help of former members of the Winston Wildcats football team. As the regular season came to a conclusion this past fall, the Saskatoon Hilltops not only went undefeated (8-0) but rolled right to the Canadian Junior Football League championship where the club beat Langley 11-6. Capturing its sixth straight national title, the only team in Canadian Junior Football League history to do so, the Hilltops also boasted three former members of the Wildcats from Watrous on this year’s roster.
Fifth year Hilltop Ryder Klisowsky, third year player Brady Fossen and first year player Cole Dunham who were all once members of the Wildcats high school football program sported the familiar colours of blue and gold with Saskatoon. The three who played during different seasons for the Wildcats in Watrous joined forces with other members of the Hilltops this year as each achieved success in capturing a national title.
Heading into his final year with the Hilltops, Klisowsky had been called upon to defend the offensive line while protecting his quarterback. For his hard work and dedication this past season, the Canadian Junior Football League in conjunction with the Prairie Football Conference announced Klisowsky as one of five players from the league named as a 2019 Conference Offensive Line All-Star.
“It meant a lot to receive this honour after lots of years of hard work! And a huge credit to my coaches for believing in and helping me reach this point,” said Klisowsky who was also awarded with a Don McDonald Memorial Scholarship and named the Hilltops Lineman of the Year.
As a whole, the Watrous product said despite a few injuries his season went really good. “Being named an all-star was for sure a highlight this year and being able to go undefeated and helping the team win six championships in a row was another. It was an unbelievable experience to be able to win another championship with everyone that I’ve played with for five years. There was nothing greater than winning with my family.”
From pre-season to the national championship, the Hilltops kicked off the perfect season by defeating Winnipeg Aug. 18 by a 34-20 score. From there Saskatoon beat Regina 34-16 Aug. 25, edged the Edmonton Huskies Sept. 1 by a close 24-22 score, upended Regina 28-21 Sept. 7, rolled over Calgary 53-6 Sept. 22 and scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Edmonton Wildcats 38-10 to close out the month. In October, the team continued to build momentum and took down the Winnipeg Rifles 49-22, upended the
Edmonton Wildcats 48-8 on Oct. 13 and then 31-7 Oct. 20. The team then beat the Edmonton Huskies Oct. 27 by a score of 30-14 before taking on the London Beefeaters Nov. 2 in a game which the Hilltops won handily by a 51-1 count. That set up the CJFL national championship against Langley. In a low scoring contest Nov. 16, Saskatoon came out on top 11-6 to take its sixth straight title.
“I was happy with how we worked as a team,” said Klisowsky on the season. “It might not have been perfect but we always found a way to win and that’s because we trusted in each other to figure out how to win. The national game was very emotional for me realizing that it was my last game with the team. We didn’t play as great as we should have in that game as a whole offensively but our defence stepped up and played amazing.”
Noting how great it has been to see a number of Watrous players contribute to the team over his five years, Klisowsky added the support from back home was also tremendous. “Everyone back home truly cares about us and there are no words to describe how grateful I am for everything they’ve done for me! Truly they are the best fans out there!”
Now that the lineman’s career with the Hilltops has come to an end, Klisowsky said he is grateful to a number of people and to all of his former coaches for helping him learn the skills and techniques which aided in his success. “A special thanks to Winston Widcats’ head coach Barry Croshaw for helping me to be able to move forward with my football career and everything he’s helped teach me. I also wanted to thank my parents for everything they’ve done for me because without their endless support there’s no way I would’ve been able to do well and continue with my football career. They deserve more praise than I could give and they’re the best parents anyone could ask for! And thank you to Daniel Bushman at The Watrous Manitou for all you’ve done with following us and telling the town about all we’ve done! Without you it wouldn’t be the same. Thank you for everything you’ve done!”
Like Ryder, this year Brady Fossen found himself in the starting lineup on a regular basis. Hoping to carry the momentum of the team’s success from last season, Fossen entered year three with Saskatoon. After being a special teams and backup player behind three fifth year linebackers the previous season, Fossen got the nod in the starting lineup for the 2019 campaign.
“The expectations on starting linebackers are high as we are expected to play downhill to stop the run as well as drop in passing situations to cover receivers. We could match up against 300+ pound offensive linemen or receivers who are often the fastest players on the field on any given play. Play action can make our lives even more difficult.”
Fossen said because of the added expectations, this year was definitely a learning curve as the former Wildcat adjusted to the significant increase in playing time. “I felt like I improved every game and finished the season as a better player than when I began.”
Facing tough competition, Fossen said the Hilltops were in some close games early on against Regina and the Edmonton Huskies but having the veteran presence on the team helped to push them forward and preserve the club’s winning streak into the Canadian Bowl.
“I was able to contribute a lot more than in previous years. That made the whole experience more special for me. It is pretty unbelievable to be a part of the sixth consecutive national championship for this team. I’m glad I was able to contribute and be a part of history.”
Being able to chip in and start in the Canadian Bowl also served as Fossen’s number one highlight from the year. “It was absolutely electric. The fans packed the stands and the rain was coming down when we marched onto the field. Langley came out next to the pounding of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica, which really fired everyone up, myself especially.”
While the game was a grind and not a lot of points were scored, Fossen said during the final drive Langley was down by five with one minute remaining. Making progress on its drive, Langley tried to pull ahead late with one last attempt. “On third down their quarterback scrambled and threw the ball, which was bobbled by the receiver and knocked down by one of our veteran defensive backs. The sideline erupted, knowing we had just won the game. Playing in such a close game makes the victory even more rewarding.”
Noting that he had the opportunity to play in big moments and in big games for his high school team in Watrous, Fossen said those key situations really helped him prepare for this year. “It was also definitely nice to have some former teammates with me. I get along really well with both Cole and Ryder and it was cool to see them on the practice field every day. I felt that both of them had a great season and I will be looking forward to seeing Cole back out there next year.”
Brady who received a scholarship at the end of the season for someone who is attending a post-secondary institution full-time said the support from back home really made this season a special one. “It was fantastic. My family was always there to support me, and I really appreciated that. They set aside their schedules to come watch me. My aunts and uncles came to watch some games as well. After games I would often have congratulatory texts from my co-workers from Blairs, and other friends.”
Cole Dunham who also was a recipient of a scholarship knows that feeling of having support from back home. Like Ryder and Brady, the first year Hilltop said there was not a game where he did not feel the support of his hometown.
“No matter where I looked there was always a familiar face in the crowd cheering us Watrous boys and the team on, because honestly none of us would be here without the support from our hometown, family and friends.”
While the other two members of the team from Watrous have had some experience suiting up for Saskatoon, this was Cole’s first year adjusting from the familiar six-man game to the 12-man style of football. “I think on a personal level, way better than I had expected going from six-man to 12-man football, but it was a humbling experience because there are a lot of great players out there.”
Happy with the way the team fared in 2019, Dunham made an immediate impact on the field as well. “The highlight of the year was getting the nod from the coaches saying I had an opportunity to play in my first year. The first time I got to run through those fireworks and really feel what a Hilltop game day is like, I really felt like a part of the team.”
Being able to compete and contribute, Dunham said it was surreal to be a part of a national champion and a privilege and experience of a lifetime. “I got a chance to play in most home games this year which was a great surprise for me as I was on special teams and also cornerback on defence. The national game was one of the most intense and nerve-wracking games I have ever watched but watching them hold up the trophy at the end was one of the most amazing feelings.”
And for Dunham, being able to not only share in the national championship victory but having the opportunity to practice and suit up with both Ryder and Brady was also memorable. “Getting the chance to play with Watrous players again made me feel like having a family within another family. It makes us feel pretty proud all coming from the Watrous Wildcats and bringing to the field what our coaches in Watrous taught us as well as what Hilltops coach Sarge (Tom Sargeant) taught us this season.”
Daniel Bushman
It is a feat that may never be replicated and one that was made possible with the help of former members of the Winston Wildcats football team. As the regular season came to a conclusion this past fall, the Saskatoon Hilltops not only went undefeated (8-0) but rolled right to the Canadian Junior Football League championship where the club beat Langley 11-6. Capturing its sixth straight national title, the only team in Canadian Junior Football League history to do so, the Hilltops also boasted three former members of the Wildcats from Watrous on this year’s roster.
Fifth year Hilltop Ryder Klisowsky, third year player Brady Fossen and first year player Cole Dunham who were all once members of the Wildcats high school football program sported the familiar colours of blue and gold with Saskatoon. The three who played during different seasons for the Wildcats in Watrous joined forces with other members of the Hilltops this year as each achieved success in capturing a national title.
Heading into his final year with the Hilltops, Klisowsky had been called upon to defend the offensive line while protecting his quarterback. For his hard work and dedication this past season, the Canadian Junior Football League in conjunction with the Prairie Football Conference announced Klisowsky as one of five players from the league named as a 2019 Conference Offensive Line All-Star.
“It meant a lot to receive this honour after lots of years of hard work! And a huge credit to my coaches for believing in and helping me reach this point,” said Klisowsky who was also awarded with a Don McDonald Memorial Scholarship and named the Hilltops Lineman of the Year.
As a whole, the Watrous product said despite a few injuries his season went really good. “Being named an all-star was for sure a highlight this year and being able to go undefeated and helping the team win six championships in a row was another. It was an unbelievable experience to be able to win another championship with everyone that I’ve played with for five years. There was nothing greater than winning with my family.”
From pre-season to the national championship, the Hilltops kicked off the perfect season by defeating Winnipeg Aug. 18 by a 34-20 score. From there Saskatoon beat Regina 34-16 Aug. 25, edged the Edmonton Huskies Sept. 1 by a close 24-22 score, upended Regina 28-21 Sept. 7, rolled over Calgary 53-6 Sept. 22 and scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Edmonton Wildcats 38-10 to close out the month. In October, the team continued to build momentum and took down the Winnipeg Rifles 49-22, upended the
Edmonton Wildcats 48-8 on Oct. 13 and then 31-7 Oct. 20. The team then beat the Edmonton Huskies Oct. 27 by a score of 30-14 before taking on the London Beefeaters Nov. 2 in a game which the Hilltops won handily by a 51-1 count. That set up the CJFL national championship against Langley. In a low scoring contest Nov. 16, Saskatoon came out on top 11-6 to take its sixth straight title.
“I was happy with how we worked as a team,” said Klisowsky on the season. “It might not have been perfect but we always found a way to win and that’s because we trusted in each other to figure out how to win. The national game was very emotional for me realizing that it was my last game with the team. We didn’t play as great as we should have in that game as a whole offensively but our defence stepped up and played amazing.”
Noting how great it has been to see a number of Watrous players contribute to the team over his five years, Klisowsky added the support from back home was also tremendous. “Everyone back home truly cares about us and there are no words to describe how grateful I am for everything they’ve done for me! Truly they are the best fans out there!”
Now that the lineman’s career with the Hilltops has come to an end, Klisowsky said he is grateful to a number of people and to all of his former coaches for helping him learn the skills and techniques which aided in his success. “A special thanks to Winston Widcats’ head coach Barry Croshaw for helping me to be able to move forward with my football career and everything he’s helped teach me. I also wanted to thank my parents for everything they’ve done for me because without their endless support there’s no way I would’ve been able to do well and continue with my football career. They deserve more praise than I could give and they’re the best parents anyone could ask for! And thank you to Daniel Bushman at The Watrous Manitou for all you’ve done with following us and telling the town about all we’ve done! Without you it wouldn’t be the same. Thank you for everything you’ve done!”
Like Ryder, this year Brady Fossen found himself in the starting lineup on a regular basis. Hoping to carry the momentum of the team’s success from last season, Fossen entered year three with Saskatoon. After being a special teams and backup player behind three fifth year linebackers the previous season, Fossen got the nod in the starting lineup for the 2019 campaign.
“The expectations on starting linebackers are high as we are expected to play downhill to stop the run as well as drop in passing situations to cover receivers. We could match up against 300+ pound offensive linemen or receivers who are often the fastest players on the field on any given play. Play action can make our lives even more difficult.”
Fossen said because of the added expectations, this year was definitely a learning curve as the former Wildcat adjusted to the significant increase in playing time. “I felt like I improved every game and finished the season as a better player than when I began.”
Facing tough competition, Fossen said the Hilltops were in some close games early on against Regina and the Edmonton Huskies but having the veteran presence on the team helped to push them forward and preserve the club’s winning streak into the Canadian Bowl.
“I was able to contribute a lot more than in previous years. That made the whole experience more special for me. It is pretty unbelievable to be a part of the sixth consecutive national championship for this team. I’m glad I was able to contribute and be a part of history.”
Being able to chip in and start in the Canadian Bowl also served as Fossen’s number one highlight from the year. “It was absolutely electric. The fans packed the stands and the rain was coming down when we marched onto the field. Langley came out next to the pounding of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica, which really fired everyone up, myself especially.”
While the game was a grind and not a lot of points were scored, Fossen said during the final drive Langley was down by five with one minute remaining. Making progress on its drive, Langley tried to pull ahead late with one last attempt. “On third down their quarterback scrambled and threw the ball, which was bobbled by the receiver and knocked down by one of our veteran defensive backs. The sideline erupted, knowing we had just won the game. Playing in such a close game makes the victory even more rewarding.”
Noting that he had the opportunity to play in big moments and in big games for his high school team in Watrous, Fossen said those key situations really helped him prepare for this year. “It was also definitely nice to have some former teammates with me. I get along really well with both Cole and Ryder and it was cool to see them on the practice field every day. I felt that both of them had a great season and I will be looking forward to seeing Cole back out there next year.”
Brady who received a scholarship at the end of the season for someone who is attending a post-secondary institution full-time said the support from back home really made this season a special one. “It was fantastic. My family was always there to support me, and I really appreciated that. They set aside their schedules to come watch me. My aunts and uncles came to watch some games as well. After games I would often have congratulatory texts from my co-workers from Blairs, and other friends.”
Cole Dunham who also was a recipient of a scholarship knows that feeling of having support from back home. Like Ryder and Brady, the first year Hilltop said there was not a game where he did not feel the support of his hometown.
“No matter where I looked there was always a familiar face in the crowd cheering us Watrous boys and the team on, because honestly none of us would be here without the support from our hometown, family and friends.”
While the other two members of the team from Watrous have had some experience suiting up for Saskatoon, this was Cole’s first year adjusting from the familiar six-man game to the 12-man style of football. “I think on a personal level, way better than I had expected going from six-man to 12-man football, but it was a humbling experience because there are a lot of great players out there.”
Happy with the way the team fared in 2019, Dunham made an immediate impact on the field as well. “The highlight of the year was getting the nod from the coaches saying I had an opportunity to play in my first year. The first time I got to run through those fireworks and really feel what a Hilltop game day is like, I really felt like a part of the team.”
Being able to compete and contribute, Dunham said it was surreal to be a part of a national champion and a privilege and experience of a lifetime. “I got a chance to play in most home games this year which was a great surprise for me as I was on special teams and also cornerback on defence. The national game was one of the most intense and nerve-wracking games I have ever watched but watching them hold up the trophy at the end was one of the most amazing feelings.”
And for Dunham, being able to not only share in the national championship victory but having the opportunity to practice and suit up with both Ryder and Brady was also memorable. “Getting the chance to play with Watrous players again made me feel like having a family within another family. It makes us feel pretty proud all coming from the Watrous Wildcats and bringing to the field what our coaches in Watrous taught us as well as what Hilltops coach Sarge (Tom Sargeant) taught us this season.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 13, 2020
SaskWater relocating operations from Watrous
Daniel Bushman
After working out of Watrous for a number of years, a recent decision by SaskWater will see its local area operations relocated. SaskWater Manager, Corporate Communications Courtney Mihalicz said the transition from the company’s current location at 102 – 13th Ave. E. in Watrous to a different community is expected to be completed by the summer of 2020.
“A decision was made to relocate staff to more efficiently manage resources and support the work required in that area,” stated Mihalicz who added SaskWater currently has several locations around the province including in Hanley where the three employees from the Watrous site will be based out of.
“The (Watrous) closure will not impact services in the area. Staff in that area are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Saskatoon Southeast Water Supply canal system and that work will continue as per normal operations.”
SaskWater, as a commercial Crown utility, has had a presence in Watrous since 2002 and prior to that, Mihalicz noted the Saskatchewan Water Supply Board, which became the Saskatchewan Water Corporation in 1984 operated in Watrous as well. Despite the company’s longevity within the community, once the transition does take place, the ATCO building at the current site in Watrous will be moved to Hanley while the shop and lot will remain. Currently the future of the shop and lot has yet to be determined.
The news of the relocation is the second such announcement involving Watrous as the provincial government announced last month the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s extension services in Watrous are being sent to Humboldt in March 2020. With five employees in Watrous from that sector able to continue their roles in Humboldt, Agriculture Minister David Marit said, “Establishing an office in Humboldt allows us to maximize the positive impact of our extension services on the agriculture community. We will continue to serve our clients in the Watrous region from our Humboldt office, while expanding specialists’ reach by being co-located with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation in a larger centre.”
The move from Watrous to Humboldt will bring the ministry and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation services together in the same community “enhancing the services offered by both organizations to producers in the region.”
Daniel Bushman
After working out of Watrous for a number of years, a recent decision by SaskWater will see its local area operations relocated. SaskWater Manager, Corporate Communications Courtney Mihalicz said the transition from the company’s current location at 102 – 13th Ave. E. in Watrous to a different community is expected to be completed by the summer of 2020.
“A decision was made to relocate staff to more efficiently manage resources and support the work required in that area,” stated Mihalicz who added SaskWater currently has several locations around the province including in Hanley where the three employees from the Watrous site will be based out of.
“The (Watrous) closure will not impact services in the area. Staff in that area are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Saskatoon Southeast Water Supply canal system and that work will continue as per normal operations.”
SaskWater, as a commercial Crown utility, has had a presence in Watrous since 2002 and prior to that, Mihalicz noted the Saskatchewan Water Supply Board, which became the Saskatchewan Water Corporation in 1984 operated in Watrous as well. Despite the company’s longevity within the community, once the transition does take place, the ATCO building at the current site in Watrous will be moved to Hanley while the shop and lot will remain. Currently the future of the shop and lot has yet to be determined.
The news of the relocation is the second such announcement involving Watrous as the provincial government announced last month the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s extension services in Watrous are being sent to Humboldt in March 2020. With five employees in Watrous from that sector able to continue their roles in Humboldt, Agriculture Minister David Marit said, “Establishing an office in Humboldt allows us to maximize the positive impact of our extension services on the agriculture community. We will continue to serve our clients in the Watrous region from our Humboldt office, while expanding specialists’ reach by being co-located with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation in a larger centre.”
The move from Watrous to Humboldt will bring the ministry and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation services together in the same community “enhancing the services offered by both organizations to producers in the region.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 6, 2020
Watrous RCMP Detachment to lose member position
Daniel Bushman
Despite serving a large area encompassing a number of communities and rural municipalities, the Watrous RCMP Detachment will be losing one of its member positions. Currently staffed with a sergeant and four constables, the local detachment was recently informed that once an officer transfers out the vacant position will not be filled.
Since arriving at the Watrous RCMP Detachment three years ago, Sergeant Jeffrey Friedenstab has held meetings with local elected officials to keep them updated as to what is taking place within the area. The meetings are designed as a way for officials to provide feedback, bring up any concerns or pose questions. At the latest meeting in December, Friedenstab informed officials in attendance that the detachment will in fact be losing a member position.
“I am not worried about an increased workload for us, I am just worried about being able to cover the area,” explained Friedenstab. “Our entire detachment is around 4,500 square kilometres and it can take approximately 50 minutes to drive from one end to the other.”
Friedenstab’s understanding about the position not being filled at the local detachment is due to the province’s Emergency Response Teams in Prince Albert and Regina needing more member positions to become fully staffed. “Right now when there is a call and the Emergency Response Team has to be deployed they try and put one team together from the two places which defeats the purpose of having them in two places to begin with.”
In order to have the two-team model work in Prince Albert and Regina without pulling resources and funds away from each other, Friedenstab said something had to give elsewhere. “F Division Headquarters left it to each district management team and it came strictly down to being based on calls for service for criminal code calls. The amount of calls we have dictates we should have 3.2 officers here and since we had the lowest call volume in the central district, we had to give up a position. The north and south districts also had to give up a position as well.”
Seeking information on whether additional provincial funding could be used to maintain current staffing levels for the local detachment while increasing the number of Emergency Response Team positions in Saskatchewan, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the provincial finance minister’s office in Regina for an interview. However, The Watrous Manitou was referred to a Corrections and Policing official and received the following information: “Government works with the RCMP through the Provincial Policing Services Agreement to provide police services to rural municipalities, and urban municipalities with populations under 5,000 people. Approximately $91 million was provided to the RCMP for this purpose through the Provincial Policing Services Agreement in 2019-‘20. Government does not direct police operations, staffing levels or the organizational structure of the RCMP. For information on staffing levels, you may wish to contact “F” Division Headquarters in Regina.”
Reaching out to “F” Division Headquarters in Regina, RCMP Media Relations Officer Rob King said when analyzing the Watrous Detachment’s workload, time required to respond to calls in the area and the type of calls coming in, a member from Watrous would be better utilized in another position. While there is no set time as to when the transition will take place, King confirmed the move will be made to provide the province’s Emergency Response Team with an additional member in either Prince Albert or Regina.
When asked about the importance of having a full contingent of members in rural areas as opposed to relocating positions, King cited they are trying to be more strategic in where people are being placed. “With the creation of the Combined Traffic Services unit you are getting more traffic members working through and in and around the Watrous area and across the province. Before, that might have been something delegated off to detachments but now we are spreading it out through the Combined Traffic Services. With our CRT we are using information garnered from across the province to strategically combat crime or crime trends in certain areas. Potentially if something was happening in Watrous, we could bring five, six, seven, eight members in for a specific period of time to address that one situation. It is more trying to manage and trying to utilize taxpayer dollars to maximize the policing effect in the entire area.”
Despite those other services being offered, when Watrous Mayor Ed Collins and members of Watrous Town Council heard about the upcoming reduction at the detachment they were disappointed. “That is certainly a concern for us, given the fact that their territory has expanded in the last number of years. Certainly with the expanded territory we are worried about the reduction in services.”
Collins also noted that means losing a person living within the community and who is making a positive impact as well. “We are concerned about that. Anytime we lose someone, we lose potentially a family and someone working in the community. The Town is going to be writing a letter of non-support to our local MLA and/or “F” Division and we encourage residents to do the same.”
While Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Morris Bob Penrose was pleased to hear the area has a low call volume for criminal code calls, he was frustrated to hear the detachment will be losing a member. Sharing about recent thefts and trespassing on yard sites within his RM, after the meeting Penrose said, “I guess we should be happy that we have less crime which is why we are losing an officer but in turn does that mean we will get more crime because of where our position is in our province? West of Young in the RM of Morris, there always seems to be some problems, maybe that is the breaking off point by criminals travelling out here from Saskatoon. We have had a few things take place in Watrous over the years but we do live in a pretty good area so I guess we should be happy about that.”
Overall, King said after the position at the local detachment is not filled operations should be relatively the same. “Especially when you factor in something like the provincial response team for serious incidents. Like conservation officers, the highway traffic patrol officers are able to respond to serious incidents and you have CRT officers who not only do the traffic enforcement but if they are in the area and something serious happens they can respond to it as well. It is more spreading the membership and the work around in different areas as opposed to laying it all on the detachment areas. The workload for the specific detachment people remaining shouldn’t change too much.”
While the workload may be similar according to King, Friedenstab said situations could arise that could hamper that scenario. “If someone transfers, you are waiting to have that spot filled and it can take up to a year sometimes. If you have someone who goes on PAT leave or MAT leave or long-term ODS, then your four goes to three. Out of those three officers someone will be off and then one person would go on a day shift and one on a night shift or maybe nobody is working and there are people taking calls and that will affect service delivery. Then there are times where officers will be attending training and will not be able to respond while at those meetings out of town.”
Another situation that could arise with the decrease in members at the Watrous RCMP Detachment would be going from having sergeant status to one with a corporal.
“I think what bothered me the most was that by losing a person we might be losing a sergeant,” said a disappointed Penrose. “I grew up in Watrous and it was always a corporal but when we went to that sergeant status I felt that it was an important thing for the town. Just to take another step back, I think it is probably harder to go back to that.”
Penrose along with other local area RM members attending the meeting also brought up the fact that response times to farms would decrease with the loss of a member. “As farmers we know that in our yards, we are not going to have that immediate help. By removing a position it will just make it worse.”
When looking at just how large the patrolling area for the Watrous Detachment is whether responding to a farm or community outside of Watrous, a person can get a sense of the time it could take to arrive on scene. Starting from Breckner Road near the Mosaic potash mine by Colonsay, the detachment’s border heads west between Zelma and Allan and then moves southeast through the Rural Municipality of Morris. As part of that, the patrol area includes the communities of Young, Watrous, Manitou Beach, Simpson, Imperial and surrounding RMs as it heads down Hwy. 2 just beyond Liberty. The border then continues east over Last Mountain Lake to the railway crossing near Semans. From there the detachment area ventures north, encompassing Nokomis, Lockwood and up to the Drake grid road. At that juncture, the perimeter then goes west back to Breckner Road, south of Hwy. 16.
While it can take about 50 minutes for a responding officer to go from one corner of the patrolling area to the opposite one, Friedenstab said with a full compliment of RCMP members at the detachment over recent years, it has helped to alleviate that response time.
“Since I have been here we have always had our five members to cover that large area. Most of the time you are able to have two people working a shift so if you get a call you can go right away. With this upcoming change, a call with fewer numbers means you have to wait for a member to get up and get dressed. That means you also have to hold off until your backup arrives so there is two of you responding to the call and that ends up taking more time.”
Because of the upcoming changes, people are being encouraged to sign up for the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network. The network provides the RCMP and its Provincial Response Team partner agencies with the ability to communicate directly with the public on matters of crime prevention.
People can sign up at www.saskcrimewatch.ca to receive crime watch advisories from their local RCMP detachments and as situations might be occurring, detachment commanders will have the ability to send important advisories by text message, email or phone. Those who sign up or register online will have the ability to choose how they would like to receive these advisories. The network is designed to ensure that people in Saskatchewan can play an important part in public safety.
“At my farm if someone reported my truck stolen it can get out pretty quick on that advisory network so people could be looking out for it and it makes us all a little more aware. We are all walking around with a phone so it would be great for people to use it,” said Penrose.
While Penrose hopes the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network will help reduce and discourage crime locally, he is also hoping that the decision to remove a position at the Watrous RCMP Detachment will be reversed.
“We do a mail out for our taxes once a year and we will be providing an update to our taxpayers in that mail out to let their elected officials know about this situation.”
While King understands the disappointment from communities and RMs in the local area, he said a police presence will still remain. “We are supplementing the detachment now with so many more things like the combined traffic services, the PRT teams, and the Crime Reduction Teams. By supplementing all those things, the number of police hours in the area is probably actually going to increase even without this member.”
Daniel Bushman
Despite serving a large area encompassing a number of communities and rural municipalities, the Watrous RCMP Detachment will be losing one of its member positions. Currently staffed with a sergeant and four constables, the local detachment was recently informed that once an officer transfers out the vacant position will not be filled.
Since arriving at the Watrous RCMP Detachment three years ago, Sergeant Jeffrey Friedenstab has held meetings with local elected officials to keep them updated as to what is taking place within the area. The meetings are designed as a way for officials to provide feedback, bring up any concerns or pose questions. At the latest meeting in December, Friedenstab informed officials in attendance that the detachment will in fact be losing a member position.
“I am not worried about an increased workload for us, I am just worried about being able to cover the area,” explained Friedenstab. “Our entire detachment is around 4,500 square kilometres and it can take approximately 50 minutes to drive from one end to the other.”
Friedenstab’s understanding about the position not being filled at the local detachment is due to the province’s Emergency Response Teams in Prince Albert and Regina needing more member positions to become fully staffed. “Right now when there is a call and the Emergency Response Team has to be deployed they try and put one team together from the two places which defeats the purpose of having them in two places to begin with.”
In order to have the two-team model work in Prince Albert and Regina without pulling resources and funds away from each other, Friedenstab said something had to give elsewhere. “F Division Headquarters left it to each district management team and it came strictly down to being based on calls for service for criminal code calls. The amount of calls we have dictates we should have 3.2 officers here and since we had the lowest call volume in the central district, we had to give up a position. The north and south districts also had to give up a position as well.”
Seeking information on whether additional provincial funding could be used to maintain current staffing levels for the local detachment while increasing the number of Emergency Response Team positions in Saskatchewan, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the provincial finance minister’s office in Regina for an interview. However, The Watrous Manitou was referred to a Corrections and Policing official and received the following information: “Government works with the RCMP through the Provincial Policing Services Agreement to provide police services to rural municipalities, and urban municipalities with populations under 5,000 people. Approximately $91 million was provided to the RCMP for this purpose through the Provincial Policing Services Agreement in 2019-‘20. Government does not direct police operations, staffing levels or the organizational structure of the RCMP. For information on staffing levels, you may wish to contact “F” Division Headquarters in Regina.”
Reaching out to “F” Division Headquarters in Regina, RCMP Media Relations Officer Rob King said when analyzing the Watrous Detachment’s workload, time required to respond to calls in the area and the type of calls coming in, a member from Watrous would be better utilized in another position. While there is no set time as to when the transition will take place, King confirmed the move will be made to provide the province’s Emergency Response Team with an additional member in either Prince Albert or Regina.
When asked about the importance of having a full contingent of members in rural areas as opposed to relocating positions, King cited they are trying to be more strategic in where people are being placed. “With the creation of the Combined Traffic Services unit you are getting more traffic members working through and in and around the Watrous area and across the province. Before, that might have been something delegated off to detachments but now we are spreading it out through the Combined Traffic Services. With our CRT we are using information garnered from across the province to strategically combat crime or crime trends in certain areas. Potentially if something was happening in Watrous, we could bring five, six, seven, eight members in for a specific period of time to address that one situation. It is more trying to manage and trying to utilize taxpayer dollars to maximize the policing effect in the entire area.”
Despite those other services being offered, when Watrous Mayor Ed Collins and members of Watrous Town Council heard about the upcoming reduction at the detachment they were disappointed. “That is certainly a concern for us, given the fact that their territory has expanded in the last number of years. Certainly with the expanded territory we are worried about the reduction in services.”
Collins also noted that means losing a person living within the community and who is making a positive impact as well. “We are concerned about that. Anytime we lose someone, we lose potentially a family and someone working in the community. The Town is going to be writing a letter of non-support to our local MLA and/or “F” Division and we encourage residents to do the same.”
While Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Morris Bob Penrose was pleased to hear the area has a low call volume for criminal code calls, he was frustrated to hear the detachment will be losing a member. Sharing about recent thefts and trespassing on yard sites within his RM, after the meeting Penrose said, “I guess we should be happy that we have less crime which is why we are losing an officer but in turn does that mean we will get more crime because of where our position is in our province? West of Young in the RM of Morris, there always seems to be some problems, maybe that is the breaking off point by criminals travelling out here from Saskatoon. We have had a few things take place in Watrous over the years but we do live in a pretty good area so I guess we should be happy about that.”
Overall, King said after the position at the local detachment is not filled operations should be relatively the same. “Especially when you factor in something like the provincial response team for serious incidents. Like conservation officers, the highway traffic patrol officers are able to respond to serious incidents and you have CRT officers who not only do the traffic enforcement but if they are in the area and something serious happens they can respond to it as well. It is more spreading the membership and the work around in different areas as opposed to laying it all on the detachment areas. The workload for the specific detachment people remaining shouldn’t change too much.”
While the workload may be similar according to King, Friedenstab said situations could arise that could hamper that scenario. “If someone transfers, you are waiting to have that spot filled and it can take up to a year sometimes. If you have someone who goes on PAT leave or MAT leave or long-term ODS, then your four goes to three. Out of those three officers someone will be off and then one person would go on a day shift and one on a night shift or maybe nobody is working and there are people taking calls and that will affect service delivery. Then there are times where officers will be attending training and will not be able to respond while at those meetings out of town.”
Another situation that could arise with the decrease in members at the Watrous RCMP Detachment would be going from having sergeant status to one with a corporal.
“I think what bothered me the most was that by losing a person we might be losing a sergeant,” said a disappointed Penrose. “I grew up in Watrous and it was always a corporal but when we went to that sergeant status I felt that it was an important thing for the town. Just to take another step back, I think it is probably harder to go back to that.”
Penrose along with other local area RM members attending the meeting also brought up the fact that response times to farms would decrease with the loss of a member. “As farmers we know that in our yards, we are not going to have that immediate help. By removing a position it will just make it worse.”
When looking at just how large the patrolling area for the Watrous Detachment is whether responding to a farm or community outside of Watrous, a person can get a sense of the time it could take to arrive on scene. Starting from Breckner Road near the Mosaic potash mine by Colonsay, the detachment’s border heads west between Zelma and Allan and then moves southeast through the Rural Municipality of Morris. As part of that, the patrol area includes the communities of Young, Watrous, Manitou Beach, Simpson, Imperial and surrounding RMs as it heads down Hwy. 2 just beyond Liberty. The border then continues east over Last Mountain Lake to the railway crossing near Semans. From there the detachment area ventures north, encompassing Nokomis, Lockwood and up to the Drake grid road. At that juncture, the perimeter then goes west back to Breckner Road, south of Hwy. 16.
While it can take about 50 minutes for a responding officer to go from one corner of the patrolling area to the opposite one, Friedenstab said with a full compliment of RCMP members at the detachment over recent years, it has helped to alleviate that response time.
“Since I have been here we have always had our five members to cover that large area. Most of the time you are able to have two people working a shift so if you get a call you can go right away. With this upcoming change, a call with fewer numbers means you have to wait for a member to get up and get dressed. That means you also have to hold off until your backup arrives so there is two of you responding to the call and that ends up taking more time.”
Because of the upcoming changes, people are being encouraged to sign up for the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network. The network provides the RCMP and its Provincial Response Team partner agencies with the ability to communicate directly with the public on matters of crime prevention.
People can sign up at www.saskcrimewatch.ca to receive crime watch advisories from their local RCMP detachments and as situations might be occurring, detachment commanders will have the ability to send important advisories by text message, email or phone. Those who sign up or register online will have the ability to choose how they would like to receive these advisories. The network is designed to ensure that people in Saskatchewan can play an important part in public safety.
“At my farm if someone reported my truck stolen it can get out pretty quick on that advisory network so people could be looking out for it and it makes us all a little more aware. We are all walking around with a phone so it would be great for people to use it,” said Penrose.
While Penrose hopes the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network will help reduce and discourage crime locally, he is also hoping that the decision to remove a position at the Watrous RCMP Detachment will be reversed.
“We do a mail out for our taxes once a year and we will be providing an update to our taxpayers in that mail out to let their elected officials know about this situation.”
While King understands the disappointment from communities and RMs in the local area, he said a police presence will still remain. “We are supplementing the detachment now with so many more things like the combined traffic services, the PRT teams, and the Crime Reduction Teams. By supplementing all those things, the number of police hours in the area is probably actually going to increase even without this member.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 23, 2019
Watrous Citizens of the Year named
By Daniel Bushman
The hours of planning, volunteering, fundraising and renovating are countless, but all of the hard work done by a number of volunteers has not gone unnoticed. With this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year award going to a group, members of Watrous Childcare Inc. were all smiles as their names were called for the 2019 honour.
What started out in 2015 as an idea to see a community run daycare centre created and one day open in Watrous became a reality in 2019. While community members have come and gone from the committee since its inception, many have remained and Watrous Childcare Inc. President Sara Dunne, Vice-President Brendan Manz, Treasurer Sabrina Hanchuk, Secretary Lindsay Crittenden, Jennifer Beeler, Erin Wolff, Rae-ann Brown, Tiffany Dreger, Christa Braman and Vaughn Jones were all on hand at the Town of Watrous Christmas party Dec. 12 to receive Citizen of the Year accolades.
Nominated by Shannon Williams, the local resident detailed in her letter how the group began its fundraising efforts four years ago which included barbecues, selling Christmas trees, perogies, holding bowling tournaments, conducting a sold-out trailer lottery and securing funds from local businesses and organizations.
With important steps taken to ensure that a daycare could become a reality, Williams outlined the efforts by the Watrous Childcare Inc. committee: “While continually working to fundraise, the committee also began looking at potential locations for the Childcare Centre while considering the feasibility of building a new building or renovating an existing building. The committee also began working with the Ministry of Early Childhood Education to align the organization with the many rules and regulations associated with opening a licensed daycare centre in Saskatchewan.”
As work intensified, in 2017 the group received a massive boost when Watrous Childcare Inc. partnered with the Watrous Kinsmen and Kinettes to purchase the Pentecostal Church building on Main Street, across from the Watrous Elementary School.
“With the building secured, work to renovate the building began. The committee transitioned to not only working as fundraisers, but also to becoming project managers. The committee oversaw the renovations ensuring that the design and specs would meet the needs and safety of the children who would be in attendance, while also providing an environment that promotes the many aspects of early learning education. This over $100,000 renovation included all new drywall, flooring, kitchen, bathrooms, a one-of-a-kind loft, roof, furnace, air conditioner, siding, play yard, and signage. Following the renovation, the committee transitioned once again, into business managers. The first executive director and staff was hired in June of 2019, and the daycare officially opened for business on July 3. The official ribbon cutting was held on Sept. 21. Through fundraising, project management, and business management, the committee created a much needed community asset. The 20 seat daycare’s attendance is nearly full on a daily basis!”
It was that tremendous effort and dedication by the members over that time which Williams felt they were deserving of Watrous Citizen of the Year honours.
“Without the dedication, commitment, and perseverance this group of community residents have shown, the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre would not exist today. The Centre not only serves a need today but will create a legacy for childcare in Watrous for future generations. This is why they deserve to be 2019 Watrous Citizens of the Year.”
Accepting the award and speaking on behalf of the group, Manz thanked Williams for her nomination while also extending gratitude towards the Town of Watrous for the prestigious honour.
“We came together as a group of citizens. In front of you today you have mothers and fathers. Some of us have grown up here while others have not. We have existing day care providers, health care professionals, entrepreneurs, teachers, those from legal and financial backgrounds, those who have worked on boards, while others who hadn’t. But because of our diverse backgrounds, we each had our own set of skills we could bring to the board. We are accepting this award for what we were able to achieve, but none of it would have been possible without the citizens and local businesses of Watrous and the area supporting our vision.”
Through the generosity of the local Kinsmen and Kinettes, Manz said the building they were able to acquire is essentially mortgage free. “This will go a long way to keep the centre financially viable and the service we provide affordable for all families in the community.”
During the acceptance speech and on behalf of the group, Manz stated, “We would also like to recognize some of our major supporters including the Watrous Rotary Club, the Town of Watrous, Affinity Credit Union, the Mosaic Company, Nutrien, Manitou & District Regional Park, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, and Melron Services. We would also like to thank Royce Dyck and his team at Quality Plus Construction plus the many other local subcontractors and trades who worked on various parts of our renovation.
“We’d like to thank and recognize our staff and volunteers. Krystal Klenk-Potts, as the centre’s first Executive Director gave up her own licence day home to come and share her passion for childcare at a community run facility. We’d like to recognize her staff including Sophie, Rachelle, and Trista. Every week we hear from families whose children cannot wait to go to daycare the next day! That is a testament to the job they do day in and day out. In only a few short months, our 20 seat facility already sees on average 15 kids a day and we only know this number will continue to grow. We are also happy to report that the centre has turned a small profit in four of the five months we’ve been in operation and setting us up for one day (hopefully soon) to receive government funding to continue to grow the programing at the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre.”
With the community banding together and joining forces with members of Watrous Childcare Inc. to support the new facility, Manz and the group were tremendously appreciative of the citizens of Watrous. “You supported our fundraisers – from bowling tournaments, Christmas tree and perogie sales, online auctions, garage sales, barbecues, steak and trivia nights, our sold-out trailer raffle, and other organizations’ events that supported the daycare including mock weddings, rodeos, steak nights, and work place campaigns; we can’t thank everyone enough!”
By Daniel Bushman
The hours of planning, volunteering, fundraising and renovating are countless, but all of the hard work done by a number of volunteers has not gone unnoticed. With this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year award going to a group, members of Watrous Childcare Inc. were all smiles as their names were called for the 2019 honour.
What started out in 2015 as an idea to see a community run daycare centre created and one day open in Watrous became a reality in 2019. While community members have come and gone from the committee since its inception, many have remained and Watrous Childcare Inc. President Sara Dunne, Vice-President Brendan Manz, Treasurer Sabrina Hanchuk, Secretary Lindsay Crittenden, Jennifer Beeler, Erin Wolff, Rae-ann Brown, Tiffany Dreger, Christa Braman and Vaughn Jones were all on hand at the Town of Watrous Christmas party Dec. 12 to receive Citizen of the Year accolades.
Nominated by Shannon Williams, the local resident detailed in her letter how the group began its fundraising efforts four years ago which included barbecues, selling Christmas trees, perogies, holding bowling tournaments, conducting a sold-out trailer lottery and securing funds from local businesses and organizations.
With important steps taken to ensure that a daycare could become a reality, Williams outlined the efforts by the Watrous Childcare Inc. committee: “While continually working to fundraise, the committee also began looking at potential locations for the Childcare Centre while considering the feasibility of building a new building or renovating an existing building. The committee also began working with the Ministry of Early Childhood Education to align the organization with the many rules and regulations associated with opening a licensed daycare centre in Saskatchewan.”
As work intensified, in 2017 the group received a massive boost when Watrous Childcare Inc. partnered with the Watrous Kinsmen and Kinettes to purchase the Pentecostal Church building on Main Street, across from the Watrous Elementary School.
“With the building secured, work to renovate the building began. The committee transitioned to not only working as fundraisers, but also to becoming project managers. The committee oversaw the renovations ensuring that the design and specs would meet the needs and safety of the children who would be in attendance, while also providing an environment that promotes the many aspects of early learning education. This over $100,000 renovation included all new drywall, flooring, kitchen, bathrooms, a one-of-a-kind loft, roof, furnace, air conditioner, siding, play yard, and signage. Following the renovation, the committee transitioned once again, into business managers. The first executive director and staff was hired in June of 2019, and the daycare officially opened for business on July 3. The official ribbon cutting was held on Sept. 21. Through fundraising, project management, and business management, the committee created a much needed community asset. The 20 seat daycare’s attendance is nearly full on a daily basis!”
It was that tremendous effort and dedication by the members over that time which Williams felt they were deserving of Watrous Citizen of the Year honours.
“Without the dedication, commitment, and perseverance this group of community residents have shown, the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre would not exist today. The Centre not only serves a need today but will create a legacy for childcare in Watrous for future generations. This is why they deserve to be 2019 Watrous Citizens of the Year.”
Accepting the award and speaking on behalf of the group, Manz thanked Williams for her nomination while also extending gratitude towards the Town of Watrous for the prestigious honour.
“We came together as a group of citizens. In front of you today you have mothers and fathers. Some of us have grown up here while others have not. We have existing day care providers, health care professionals, entrepreneurs, teachers, those from legal and financial backgrounds, those who have worked on boards, while others who hadn’t. But because of our diverse backgrounds, we each had our own set of skills we could bring to the board. We are accepting this award for what we were able to achieve, but none of it would have been possible without the citizens and local businesses of Watrous and the area supporting our vision.”
Through the generosity of the local Kinsmen and Kinettes, Manz said the building they were able to acquire is essentially mortgage free. “This will go a long way to keep the centre financially viable and the service we provide affordable for all families in the community.”
During the acceptance speech and on behalf of the group, Manz stated, “We would also like to recognize some of our major supporters including the Watrous Rotary Club, the Town of Watrous, Affinity Credit Union, the Mosaic Company, Nutrien, Manitou & District Regional Park, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, and Melron Services. We would also like to thank Royce Dyck and his team at Quality Plus Construction plus the many other local subcontractors and trades who worked on various parts of our renovation.
“We’d like to thank and recognize our staff and volunteers. Krystal Klenk-Potts, as the centre’s first Executive Director gave up her own licence day home to come and share her passion for childcare at a community run facility. We’d like to recognize her staff including Sophie, Rachelle, and Trista. Every week we hear from families whose children cannot wait to go to daycare the next day! That is a testament to the job they do day in and day out. In only a few short months, our 20 seat facility already sees on average 15 kids a day and we only know this number will continue to grow. We are also happy to report that the centre has turned a small profit in four of the five months we’ve been in operation and setting us up for one day (hopefully soon) to receive government funding to continue to grow the programing at the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre.”
With the community banding together and joining forces with members of Watrous Childcare Inc. to support the new facility, Manz and the group were tremendously appreciative of the citizens of Watrous. “You supported our fundraisers – from bowling tournaments, Christmas tree and perogie sales, online auctions, garage sales, barbecues, steak and trivia nights, our sold-out trailer raffle, and other organizations’ events that supported the daycare including mock weddings, rodeos, steak nights, and work place campaigns; we can’t thank everyone enough!”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 16, 2019
Train derailment sparks explosion near Guernsey
Daniel Bushman
Thirty-four railcars went off the tracks about six kilometres west of Guernsey going from a peaceful night to a raging inferno. Hauling crude oil and heading towards the community, the CP cars derailed adjacent to Hwy. 16 around 12 a.m. Dec. 9. Piling up on the tracks and blocking Wolverine Road, the railcars spilled into the ditches and slid into a pasture near a pair of homes.
The clock struck 12:18 a.m. and Lanigan Fire Chief Barry Hooper’s phone went off. Seeing it was an emergency call, Barry joined other firefighters as they quickly got into their gear and raced towards the scene. With temperatures plummeting during the middle of the night, the firefighters arrived to the massive fire as heavy black smoke engulfed Hwy. 16.
“You could not see a thing,” said Hooper who has never witnessed such an incident during his over three decades with the department. “There was just heavy black smoke.”
Scouting out the area while flames leapt into the night sky, the local firefighters noted a pair of farm houses just across the tracks off Wolverine Road and went to see if anyone was home.
With their driveways merging together a short distance from the railway crossing, Melanie Loessl and her daughter Jennifer live next door to each other. Used to trains rolling through the area, when the cars carrying crude oil derailed and the fire was ignited, Melanie and Jennifer were sleeping. It was not until over an hour from when the railcars left the tracks that Jennifer got a knock on her door from the Lanigan Fire Department.
With flames engulfing the cars a short jaunt away, Jennifer answered her front door and then quickly gave her mom a call. Waking up to her phone, Melanie saw her daughter’s number on the screen.
“It was around 1:40 a.m. when Jennie called and she told me to look out my window. The train derailed pretty much right at the end of the driveway. I looked out and all I saw were those flames.”
Comparing it to something out of a movie, Melanie was instructed that her family might have to evacuate and she was to get to her daughter’s right away. With adrenaline pumping, Melanie braved the frigid elements and ventured outdoors to Jennifer’s place.
“When I looked down the driveway, it was crazy. It was engulfed in flames. I thought it was right in our yard.”
As the smoke from the intense fire continued to build and with the wind pushing the plume over the highway, Hooper and the fire department’s next objective was to block the road as quickly as possible.
“All of the sudden a semi came through the smoke,” said the fire chief. “Believe it or not, you couldn’t even see his headlights. We could hear him but we didn’t know if he was even going to make it through the smoke. It is hard for someone to visualize that black heavy smoke but you couldn’t see a thing.”
With the driver safely through on Hwy. 16, Hooper radioed dispatch who contacted Humboldt/Lanigan RCMP to attend the scene and block the road. Waiting for the RCMP and preventing motorists from venturing through the smoke, Hooper’s focus shifted back to the fire at the derailment. “We knew we weren’t going to put it out so we did a walk around trying to stay away from the site as far as we could. You couldn’t get across Wolverine Road at the crossing so we drove all the way around. There was an engine parked alone on the east side and we thought there was 10 or 12 cars derailed but you couldn’t tell because of the dark black smoke.”
As the fire department assessed the situation the RCMP arrived and blockades were set up at various points including further west near Plunkett and east near the junction of Hwy. 16 and road #668 just outside of Guernsey.
With the surreal sight continuing to play out about 300 yards away from Jennifer’s house, looking out the window Melanie figured she saw about a dozen cars on fire either in the ditch or in her pasture. “Some of them had fallen towards our houses and some I guess had fallen to the other side towards the highway but we couldn’t even see the other side of the tracks so it was hard to tell.”
As the fire intensified and with safety a priority, firefighters told Loessl and her family to pack a bag to leave just in case. Getting her jacket on to head home and grab her belongings, Melanie left Jennifer’s place around 2:41 a.m. and on her short trek, an explosion filled the night air.
“I was coming back down the driveway when one of the cars blew up. It was unbelievable. The flames. The heat. I ran into the pasture because it scared me. The flames were so high, the cars looked like mini cars compared to the flames. It was scary.”
Once safely back at her home, Melanie quickly packed and then around 3:15 a.m. the family was told they should leave. As Loessl and her family vacated the area to her cousin’s place nearby, CP emergency response and HazMat crews were deployed to the scene to work with the Lanigan Fire Department to assess and minimize the impact to the surrounding area. With no injuries, a CP spokesperson said CP crews made initial assessments of the situation, including the number of cars involved.
Hooper and his team soon got word there were 34 cars that had derailed with more remaining on the tracks. “Once we got that number we had to find where all of these cars were and just east of the crossing there were at least 10 or 12 on a pile.”
While determining where all of the railcars were located, unhooking a locomotive still hooked up near the derailment became a concern. “Once CP crews got approval, they pulled the pin and pulled about 70 cars away just to get them out so they wouldn’t catch on fire.”
As each hour passed by, the flames showed no sign of slowing down and continued to aid in the gigantic heavy black cloud of smoke. Hooper said they called in the Humboldt Fire Department to help with water pumping efforts and located a water supply at the Nutrien Lanigan mine. “We had our tanker, they had their tanker and then there was another tanker that came from Saskatoon and that was our only water supply. We pumped water for 37 hours straight. That was just the pumping part and that whole time we had to haul water, driving back and forth to the mine. Nutrien had it set up for us there to haul water. We were never going to put the fire out at that point but they did pump some water for protection and to cool equipment.”
By the end of the first shift for the Lanigan Fire Department, they had deployed 16 people who were there for 24 hours and then more firefighters attended from Lanigan to relieve the ones on scene for a few hours before switching back.
“In total we probably spent around 39 hours out there and 37 hours of straight pumping. That is probably five years worth of pumping on our new truck right there. That is a lot of pumping and our new truck worked just perfect. Everything was heated up inside and kept guys warm. Everything worked really well.”
As daybreak arrived, more and more people began appearing at the area west of Guernsey, coming from Manitoba, Alberta and other parts of Saskatchewan including a provincial safety response team. Semi after semi hauling equipment also unloaded backhoes while gravel trucks began dropping off loads as well. A command post was set up on the south side of the fire and as everyone was set to continue containing the area, the wind changed.
“We had a whole bunch of hoses setup to pump some water but the wind changed so we had to get out of there. Everyone had to switch out and go back all the way around to the highway because the railway crossing was still blocked.”
With more people and equipment arriving each hour, Hooper estimated there were around a dozen bulldozers and a dozen loaders to go along with trailers, a food area, tents and washroom facilities. “You didn’t realize how much equipment came through until later on but it was a lot. Gravel trucks from all over started showing up dumping gravel for the track beds and to make some approaches wherever they had to. There were things happening all over. Once it got dark that night then they started hauling gravel to the east side to build up the gravel to get the line reopen.”
As the large equipment began digging, crews started separating the cars. Working in the heat, equipment operators were forced to temporarily back out before resuming operations again. Because it was so hot, the Lanigan Fire Department was responsible for cooling the equipment with water. “We were working fairly close to the heat the whole time. It was nice and warm but it was fairly dangerous. All of the sudden there would be a whistle coming from these tanks and they are getting pressure and there were a few that did blow but for the most part it wasn’t too bad. As they pulled the tanks apart they were burning a long time and some of them were red hot.”
While a large portion of the 34 cars that derailed caught fire, Hooper estimated eight or 10 that came off the tracks did not. “They were derailed so it was quite a job to pull them out of the way.”
As a windy and frigid Monday continued, CP said crews worked diligently and ensured the area would be cleaned up and restored after the company safely recovers from the incident. Later in the afternoon, Hwy. 16 remained closed as the fires continued to burn and smoke filled the sky. CP emergency response and HazMat crews worked closely with the firefighters to extinguish an area of the derailment site that was still burning. Removal of derailed cars was also underway in portions of the site where it was safe.
CP also stated there was no impact to waterways and they were in close contact with regulators and local officials to keep them informed as the situation progressed.
On Monday, Dec. 9 the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) also deployed a team of investigators to the site of the derailment to gather information and assess the occurrence. According to the TSB, preliminary examination indicated about 19 of the cars lost their entire loads releasing an estimated 1.5 million litres of product to either the ground or atmosphere. Travelling at about 45 mph and destined for Stroud, Oklahoma, the train experienced a train-initiated emergency brake application at mile 48.85, near Guernsey and the covered hopper car in position two and the following 33 tank cars derailed. The head-end 23 tank cars derailed east of the crossing and came to rest in various positions in a large pile over a distance of approximately 500 feet. About 20 of the 23 tank cars sustained breaches, released product and became engulfed in a large pool fire.
With the firefighters containing the area and other crews working in -30˚C temperatures, Melanie who returned home later in the morning Dec. 9 was appreciative of their efforts. “I feel sorry for them because it was so cold out and they were all out there working like crazy and making sure we were safe. It was endless hours for them and the workers trying to clean it up and get it out.”
While the highway remained closed as Tuesday morning arrived, CP reopened the rail line once all track repairs and safety inspections were completed. By Tuesday afternoon, nearly 40 hours after the derailment, fires at the site were contained while CP’s HazMat team reduced and extinguished what fires remained while working closely with the firefighters. The highway was later reopened and by 2 p.m. Hooper and his crew received the green light to head home.
“I don’t think hardly any fire department has experienced something like this,” said Hooper after reflecting on the incident. “I don’t think anybody is ever set for something like this.”
“I’ve lived there for 20 years and have seen nothing like that before,” said Melanie who added railcars were being loaded on semis this past Wednesday, Dec. 11 while the cleanup continued. “It can happen, I know that, and I am just thankful the workers were safe and everybody was safe through it all.”
Hooper agreed, “It is just a good thing no one was hurt or a life lost. I am proud of the members from our fire department and the work they did.”
As word of the derailment made its way across the country, local Member of Parliament for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan Tom Lukiwski expressed his concern and best wishes for the first responders who dealt with the derailment. “This time we were lucky. This could have been a tragedy on the scale of the Lac Megantic derailment in Quebec. This time, thank heavens, no one has been injured so far.”
With the event occurring near Guernsey, Lukiwski felt there remains a need for more oil pipelines. “They are not only vital to the economy of Western Canada. Pipelines are also the safest way to transport oil, period.
“How many more incidents like this do we need to prove that rail is the most dangerous way to transport oil? How many more environmental disasters? How many more lives put at risk?”
The local MP said, “They say that all politics is local and this is a prime example. The Liberal government’s failure to build pipelines is not some far-away policy debate. It’s affecting the quality of life and safety of real people right here in Saskatchewan.”
As work continued at the derailment site west of Guernsey last week, CP said crews were ensuring the area would be cleaned up and restored. Crews will remain on scene for a number of weeks and an investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
TWM Top Story - Dec. 9, 2019
Chase the Ace tops $100,00 for Heritage Centre
Wow, what a way to wrap up the year-long Chase the Ace project! On Nov. 29th when the Ace of Spades card was finally pulled from the diminished deck of cards, the confetti guns blasted away, patrons jam-packed into TB’s Bar & Grill broke into boisterous cheers and project leader Lyle Emmons along with vice-chair Glenda McArthur couldn’t contain their smiles as the colourful contents of the confetti guns rained down upon them. A huge cash jackpot to give away on the final night was a script that couldn’t have been written any better for the Chase the Ace finale.
The festivities marked the culmination of 53 consecutive weekly Friday night draws held at TB’s Bar & Grill. The inaugural Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Chase the Ace game concluded with the awarding of $54,787 in prize money! The weekly prize of $7,090 was won by Model Meats Staff, and the $47,697 Ace Jackpot was won by Trevor Soderberg of Young.
As the days rolled by during the final week of ticket sales for Chase the Ace, hundreds of individuals, all with smiles on their face and possibly visions of sugar plums, Santa and dollar signs in their mind, reached into their pockets to shell out more than $35,000 for tickets. They knew it was their last chance to purchase tickets for a shot at a major cash prize. Maybe it was the time of the season or maybe they felt good about the investment they were making in their community, regardless, they were happy and many voiced the opinion they were waiting for the fun to begin again in 2020.
Over the past number of weeks Emmons has been asked often, “How’s the game goin’?” In response, he has always expressed his deep-felt appreciation of how fully the community embraced Chase the Ace as a legitimate fundraising project, ultimately resulting in a truly successful fundraiser for our community’s new Heritage Centre. Ticket sales, metaphorically, went through the roof the past few weeks as the jackpot climbed into the $25,000 range and beyond. Ticket sales topped out at $233,100, half of which has been awarded as cash prizes, approximately 98 percent of which stayed in our extended community; the other half, minus expenses, is turned over to the Heritage Centre. Once the dust has settled, the Heritage Centre should be the recipient of approximately $110,000 from the game. Emmons also anticipates receiving a charitable gaming grant which will bump up the total proceeds from the game.
The Chase the Ace project confirmed, if it ever needed to be confirmed, our community can achieve much when individuals, groups and businesses work together for a common goal. The Heritage Centre and Chase the Ace are proof positive. Both undertakings were successful because of the team effort at a community level. Emmons swells with pride when he speaks of who comprised the Chase the Ace team of volunteers he led. The team included a committee of nine, 32 volunteer ticket sellers and two official game proxies; as well, a dozen local business locations were on board with staff to sell Chase the Ace tickets during business hours. Top to bottom, the game was a community effort. “The overall support from the community, the dedicated team of volunteers and the businesses involved was incredible,” says Emmons.
To be a player in the game, individuals had to purchase tickets. The tickets were valid only for that week’s draw. No doubt, it was the deep-set desire of the public to be a player in the game that ultimately resulted in the game’s success. Every ticket buyer is to be thanked for the support given to the game, and ultimately to the Heritage Centre.
Who bought Chase the Ace tickets? Through discussions with ticket buyers over the course of the year, Emmons discovered four types of individuals were buyers. The first type was the person tired of sending his/her money to Lotto Max or 649 and seeing no return to the community; the second individual felt the fundraising game was for a great cause (the Heritage Centre) and thus should be supported; the third type wanted a chance to win the cash jackpot (hey, there’s a little gambler in all of us!); and, for the fourth person it was the combination of all three aforementioned reasons that led to the purchase of tickets.
Whatever the reason, individuals have been lining up to buy tickets since the project kicked off at Watrous Mainline Motor Products on November 24, 2018, and good stories have been told by many of the cash prize winners. As an example, upon receiving the jackpot cheque, Trevor Soderberg told Emmons he is unfortunately one of the many potash miners hit by the recent lay-offs, so the jackpot cash was very timely, especially considering Christmas is just around the corner. Soderberg was volunteering at the dinner theatre in Young when he was informed he had won $47,697. As a way of giving back to his community, Soderberg used some of his windfall to purchase a raisin pie for $1,000 at the pie auction held in conjunction with the dinner theatre. Proceeds from the pie auction were to help cover the cost of renovations at the local community hall. Congratulations, Trevor, on many levels that’s a good news story!
A few of the 54 cash prize game winners graciously donated all or a portion of their winnings to the Heritage Centre, other winners re-invested some or all of their winnings in more tickets in hopes of achieving the big win. All support, from every ticket buyer, was much appreciated by the project’s committee.
How will the net proceeds from Chase the Ace be used? At the time of issuing the licence for the game, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority approved how the net proceeds from the game could be spent by the Heritage Centre. The Heritage Centre completed extensive (and expensive!) renovations and purchased many furnishings prior to opening on June 28, 2019, to create an excellent facility, so the proceeds have been put to good use.
Of course, facilities such as art galleries, museums and heritage centres do, from time to time, require additional funding from donations and fundraising. As successful as the game was, the Heritage Centre Board of Directors will appreciate additional funding from time to time in the future, if it is to remain an evolving home for our community’s history, a spot where our past can be preserved for the future. To that end, Emmons has indicated he is in the process of getting a group of volunteers together to pursue a second Chase the Ace licence with the expectation of starting another game in late February or early March.
The number of individuals and businesses involved with Chase the Ace was significant. The hard-working committee members included Lionel Sproule, Glenda McArthur, Darlene Kornelsen, Al Mosewich, Susan Jabs, Tracy Wiebe, Lyle Smith, Darlene Martin and Emmons. They were joined by Dave Somers and Ruth Morningstar, the game’s two official proxies. The team of volunteer ticket sellers included Sue Alcock, Vince and Dee Armstrong, Kathy Bergen, Shelley Engele, Ray and Janis Hall, Deb Holm, Nancy Holma, Jim Hrynkiw, Mel Manson, Karen and Fraser Mark, Garnet Martin, John McArthur, Sherwin Petersen, David and Joyce Potts, Cathy Sather, Les Schuster, Bob Silzer, Denise Thoner, Murray and Bella Treble, Bing and Wendy Vanthuyne, Keith and Cindy Vanthuyne, Bryan and Kerry Van Vaals, and Wes and Connie Woiden. Locations selling Chase the Ace tickets included Watrous Pharmacy, TB’s Bar & Grill, Affinity Credit Union, Watrous Mainline Motors, Manitou Springs Resort Spa, Watrous Town Office, Centennial Ford Sales, Miz Bojangles Hair Salon, P&H Elevator, Manitou Chrysler, ODA Coffee & Wine Bar, Golf Course Clubhouse Restaurant, and the Heritage Centre.
Wow, what a way to wrap up the year-long Chase the Ace project! On Nov. 29th when the Ace of Spades card was finally pulled from the diminished deck of cards, the confetti guns blasted away, patrons jam-packed into TB’s Bar & Grill broke into boisterous cheers and project leader Lyle Emmons along with vice-chair Glenda McArthur couldn’t contain their smiles as the colourful contents of the confetti guns rained down upon them. A huge cash jackpot to give away on the final night was a script that couldn’t have been written any better for the Chase the Ace finale.
The festivities marked the culmination of 53 consecutive weekly Friday night draws held at TB’s Bar & Grill. The inaugural Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Chase the Ace game concluded with the awarding of $54,787 in prize money! The weekly prize of $7,090 was won by Model Meats Staff, and the $47,697 Ace Jackpot was won by Trevor Soderberg of Young.
As the days rolled by during the final week of ticket sales for Chase the Ace, hundreds of individuals, all with smiles on their face and possibly visions of sugar plums, Santa and dollar signs in their mind, reached into their pockets to shell out more than $35,000 for tickets. They knew it was their last chance to purchase tickets for a shot at a major cash prize. Maybe it was the time of the season or maybe they felt good about the investment they were making in their community, regardless, they were happy and many voiced the opinion they were waiting for the fun to begin again in 2020.
Over the past number of weeks Emmons has been asked often, “How’s the game goin’?” In response, he has always expressed his deep-felt appreciation of how fully the community embraced Chase the Ace as a legitimate fundraising project, ultimately resulting in a truly successful fundraiser for our community’s new Heritage Centre. Ticket sales, metaphorically, went through the roof the past few weeks as the jackpot climbed into the $25,000 range and beyond. Ticket sales topped out at $233,100, half of which has been awarded as cash prizes, approximately 98 percent of which stayed in our extended community; the other half, minus expenses, is turned over to the Heritage Centre. Once the dust has settled, the Heritage Centre should be the recipient of approximately $110,000 from the game. Emmons also anticipates receiving a charitable gaming grant which will bump up the total proceeds from the game.
The Chase the Ace project confirmed, if it ever needed to be confirmed, our community can achieve much when individuals, groups and businesses work together for a common goal. The Heritage Centre and Chase the Ace are proof positive. Both undertakings were successful because of the team effort at a community level. Emmons swells with pride when he speaks of who comprised the Chase the Ace team of volunteers he led. The team included a committee of nine, 32 volunteer ticket sellers and two official game proxies; as well, a dozen local business locations were on board with staff to sell Chase the Ace tickets during business hours. Top to bottom, the game was a community effort. “The overall support from the community, the dedicated team of volunteers and the businesses involved was incredible,” says Emmons.
To be a player in the game, individuals had to purchase tickets. The tickets were valid only for that week’s draw. No doubt, it was the deep-set desire of the public to be a player in the game that ultimately resulted in the game’s success. Every ticket buyer is to be thanked for the support given to the game, and ultimately to the Heritage Centre.
Who bought Chase the Ace tickets? Through discussions with ticket buyers over the course of the year, Emmons discovered four types of individuals were buyers. The first type was the person tired of sending his/her money to Lotto Max or 649 and seeing no return to the community; the second individual felt the fundraising game was for a great cause (the Heritage Centre) and thus should be supported; the third type wanted a chance to win the cash jackpot (hey, there’s a little gambler in all of us!); and, for the fourth person it was the combination of all three aforementioned reasons that led to the purchase of tickets.
Whatever the reason, individuals have been lining up to buy tickets since the project kicked off at Watrous Mainline Motor Products on November 24, 2018, and good stories have been told by many of the cash prize winners. As an example, upon receiving the jackpot cheque, Trevor Soderberg told Emmons he is unfortunately one of the many potash miners hit by the recent lay-offs, so the jackpot cash was very timely, especially considering Christmas is just around the corner. Soderberg was volunteering at the dinner theatre in Young when he was informed he had won $47,697. As a way of giving back to his community, Soderberg used some of his windfall to purchase a raisin pie for $1,000 at the pie auction held in conjunction with the dinner theatre. Proceeds from the pie auction were to help cover the cost of renovations at the local community hall. Congratulations, Trevor, on many levels that’s a good news story!
A few of the 54 cash prize game winners graciously donated all or a portion of their winnings to the Heritage Centre, other winners re-invested some or all of their winnings in more tickets in hopes of achieving the big win. All support, from every ticket buyer, was much appreciated by the project’s committee.
How will the net proceeds from Chase the Ace be used? At the time of issuing the licence for the game, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority approved how the net proceeds from the game could be spent by the Heritage Centre. The Heritage Centre completed extensive (and expensive!) renovations and purchased many furnishings prior to opening on June 28, 2019, to create an excellent facility, so the proceeds have been put to good use.
Of course, facilities such as art galleries, museums and heritage centres do, from time to time, require additional funding from donations and fundraising. As successful as the game was, the Heritage Centre Board of Directors will appreciate additional funding from time to time in the future, if it is to remain an evolving home for our community’s history, a spot where our past can be preserved for the future. To that end, Emmons has indicated he is in the process of getting a group of volunteers together to pursue a second Chase the Ace licence with the expectation of starting another game in late February or early March.
The number of individuals and businesses involved with Chase the Ace was significant. The hard-working committee members included Lionel Sproule, Glenda McArthur, Darlene Kornelsen, Al Mosewich, Susan Jabs, Tracy Wiebe, Lyle Smith, Darlene Martin and Emmons. They were joined by Dave Somers and Ruth Morningstar, the game’s two official proxies. The team of volunteer ticket sellers included Sue Alcock, Vince and Dee Armstrong, Kathy Bergen, Shelley Engele, Ray and Janis Hall, Deb Holm, Nancy Holma, Jim Hrynkiw, Mel Manson, Karen and Fraser Mark, Garnet Martin, John McArthur, Sherwin Petersen, David and Joyce Potts, Cathy Sather, Les Schuster, Bob Silzer, Denise Thoner, Murray and Bella Treble, Bing and Wendy Vanthuyne, Keith and Cindy Vanthuyne, Bryan and Kerry Van Vaals, and Wes and Connie Woiden. Locations selling Chase the Ace tickets included Watrous Pharmacy, TB’s Bar & Grill, Affinity Credit Union, Watrous Mainline Motors, Manitou Springs Resort Spa, Watrous Town Office, Centennial Ford Sales, Miz Bojangles Hair Salon, P&H Elevator, Manitou Chrysler, ODA Coffee & Wine Bar, Golf Course Clubhouse Restaurant, and the Heritage Centre.
TWM Top Story - Dec. 2, 2019
Village of Young and RM of Morris acquire Conexus building
Daniel Bushman
After an announcement was made earlier this year that Conexus Credit Union would be closing nine of its branches including in Young and Drake, the company then requested offers for its buildings which were left vacant in early October. From that, a handful of municipalities like Young and the Rural Municipality of Morris have come forward to take on the facilities.
In a release, the Village of Young and the RM of Morris No. 312 announced they acquired the Conexus Credit Union building in Young. The acquisition of the building was initially spearheaded by the RM of Morris and reeve Robert Penrose said, “We needed to address our aging administrative building and this was a great opportunity to do so.”
The RM of Morris discussed the potential opportunity with the Village of Young and both decided to propose acquisition of the building for the purposes of sharing a municipal office. “The ability to acquire a newer building, share operating costs, improve service to the public, and explore future collaboration between the municipalities was appealing,” explained Young Mayor Julia Schultz.
With the acquisition, the municipalities are planning to begin the move in December and noted they will be keeping the community informed as plans and dates get finalized.
Along with the acquisition of one of its buildings in Young, Conexus said over the past few months after requesting offers from communities to acquire and use its buildings in Chamberlain, Cupar, Drake, Middle Lake, Mossbank, Spy Hill, Young and two locations in Regina – Fifth Avenue and Wallace, the company has finalized several other offers. In addition to the Village of Young and the RM of Morris taking on the Conexus building in Young, the Town of Cupar has taken on the Conexus building in Cupar, Circle Project has taken on the Fifth Avenue location in Regina, and Ignite Adult Learning has taken on the Wallace location in Regina.
Conexus said it is still finalizing details for the buildings in Chamberlain, Drake, Middle Lake, Mossbank and Spy Hill.
Daniel Bushman
After an announcement was made earlier this year that Conexus Credit Union would be closing nine of its branches including in Young and Drake, the company then requested offers for its buildings which were left vacant in early October. From that, a handful of municipalities like Young and the Rural Municipality of Morris have come forward to take on the facilities.
In a release, the Village of Young and the RM of Morris No. 312 announced they acquired the Conexus Credit Union building in Young. The acquisition of the building was initially spearheaded by the RM of Morris and reeve Robert Penrose said, “We needed to address our aging administrative building and this was a great opportunity to do so.”
The RM of Morris discussed the potential opportunity with the Village of Young and both decided to propose acquisition of the building for the purposes of sharing a municipal office. “The ability to acquire a newer building, share operating costs, improve service to the public, and explore future collaboration between the municipalities was appealing,” explained Young Mayor Julia Schultz.
With the acquisition, the municipalities are planning to begin the move in December and noted they will be keeping the community informed as plans and dates get finalized.
Along with the acquisition of one of its buildings in Young, Conexus said over the past few months after requesting offers from communities to acquire and use its buildings in Chamberlain, Cupar, Drake, Middle Lake, Mossbank, Spy Hill, Young and two locations in Regina – Fifth Avenue and Wallace, the company has finalized several other offers. In addition to the Village of Young and the RM of Morris taking on the Conexus building in Young, the Town of Cupar has taken on the Conexus building in Cupar, Circle Project has taken on the Fifth Avenue location in Regina, and Ignite Adult Learning has taken on the Wallace location in Regina.
Conexus said it is still finalizing details for the buildings in Chamberlain, Drake, Middle Lake, Mossbank and Spy Hill.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 25, 2019
Local resident receives prestigious award
Daniel Bushman
Whether she is getting behind the wheel of her family’s combine during harvest, promoting agriculture through speaking engagements across the globe or creating a conversation about mental health, Lesley Kelly has not only been an advocate for the agriculture sector but a tremendous support to many within the industry and abroad.
For her efforts and dedication through promoting agriculture to both producers and consumers alike, Kelly was recently recognized as this year’s Food and Farming Champion Award recipient at the Public Trust Summit in Saskatoon. Held in a different Canadian city each year, Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan (FFC SK) said the goal of the conference is to increase public trust in Canada’s food system and felt the Watrous resident was the perfect person to be named as this year’s Champion Award recipient.
“This was our fourth year to present the Champion Award and we were pleased to see a great deal of support from the industry,” said Clinton Monchuk, Executive Director of FFC SK. “Our panel of judges had to choose from five impressive nominations from across all areas of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.”
Actively farming with her family near Watrous where they grow wheat, durum, canola, barley, oats, lentils, peas and flax, Lesley said, “I’m so very honoured to receive such an award because the agriculture industry is comprised of smart and talented people doing amazing things. To be recognized among my peers, is such an honour.”
The FFC SK said Kelly has done a tremendous amount for the industry and continues to be a positive force within it. “Lesley is the head and heart behind the popular High Heels & Canola Fields blog where she dispels myths about agriculture and brings consumers and farmers together. In the past year, she has expanded her reach by co-hosting the What the Farm podcast which explores various topics in food and farming through real life conversations. Lesley’s goal in being involved in agriculture beyond the farm is to build community and bring people together, create conversation, collaborate and identify solutions that help both the industry and consumers. Lesley is also a respected leader in advocating for mental health. In addition to being part of the national #BellLetsTalk campaign, she is the co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation whose mission is to break barriers and support all producers in taking care of their mental well-being.”
Not only an advocate for agriculture but a mother of two boys and the daughter of Garnet and Darlene Martin, Lesley explained the importance of agriculture and what it means to be recognized for her hard work. “Only two percent of the population are involved in agriculture and we are in a time where so many of us are interested in food and health. That also means there are so many questions as to how farming plays a huge role to what we buy in the grocery store and feed our families. Farming is no longer an occupation where you can only grow or raise food, sell your products and continue this cycle every year. Farmers are marketers, accountants, mechanics, lawyers, etc. and now communicators. Communication is needed to share why we do the things we do on our farm and answer those questions to help keep and maintain the trust we have with consumers. If we lose that trust, that is where we are seeing more regulations and our freedom of choice - the choice of how we farm dissipate, and at a cost. These regulations may not be in the best interests of the farmer and consumer.”
Recently emceeing the Saskatchewan Women in Ag conference in Saskatoon before heading to North Dakota to talk about mental health in agriculture with the North Dakota Farmers Union, Kelly said she wants to continue to help the agriculture industry by sharing different perspectives that consumers and others may not be hearing. “That might be from marketing campaigns, activists, etc. that are causing confusion and mistrust. I do that by sharing our daily life on the farm through pictures, videos and articles in hopes that it helps to answer questions and build community where people can go to talk about farming.”
It is through that sharing at various conferences, on her podcast and via social media that more and more people are taking note and learning the truth. Because of that Lesley’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by those within the agriculture industry. FFC SK said one of the nominators who submitted Kelly’s name for the Food and Farming Champion Award noted, “There is no piece of Saskatchewan agriculture that she has left untouched. Her mission of continual positivity, even in the face of adversity, is helping to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.”
Hearing those words and realizing the impact she has had on others, Lesley said, “When I first started my blog, High Heels & Canola Fields, I didn’t know where I wanted it to go but I did have a goal. My goal is to help make a positive impact on people, online and offline and in and outside the agriculture industry, and even further, to help make the world a better place. We are in a time where our nation and world is divided, and it’s hard to find acts of kindness and love in our social media feeds, and watching the news. If I can help make someone’s day better through a photo, a funny video or a vulnerable video about life, a nice message, that to me helps our world become a little bit kinder and brighter. I’ve learned that in agriculture, our people are our greatest assets. We’re always hearing about the latest innovation or the newest technology that will advance agriculture. But in my opinion, we’ve forgotten about the people and human part. If we focus on our people, that is where we will see the greatest opportunities and advancements in agriculture. By sharing different perspectives, I try to show how there is hope, love, kindness, even in adverse situations.”
After receiving the Food and Farming Champion Award Nov. 13 which honours those who work to advocate for agriculture and inspire public trust in Saskatchewan’s food industry, Lesley said it has not only been meaningful but has acted as a reminder to continue to do what she has been doing. That is breaking down barriers, blogging, co-hosting podcasts, speaking at conferences and other engagements, helping out with the family farm and just being a positive advocate for an industry she loves.
“I have the opportunity to do some pretty amazing things, and some I never thought were possibilities. I love what I am doing and am so grateful to travel and learn and talk to others from around the world. I started small, got out of my comfort zone and tried. Tried things to see if I liked them, tried new things to learn and having the courage to do so because I love the adventure. The adventure has also been of finding my place at the farm and industry table and sharing that journey and vulnerability with others because there are so many of us finding our way too. There are times where I have thought I don’t belong and I don’t have enough expertise to be here. What I have learned is have the courage to show up and speak up and to use my gifts, skills and experience to help. Having unique gifts, skills and experience are assets at the farm and within the industry and can help your team go further.”
Daniel Bushman
Whether she is getting behind the wheel of her family’s combine during harvest, promoting agriculture through speaking engagements across the globe or creating a conversation about mental health, Lesley Kelly has not only been an advocate for the agriculture sector but a tremendous support to many within the industry and abroad.
For her efforts and dedication through promoting agriculture to both producers and consumers alike, Kelly was recently recognized as this year’s Food and Farming Champion Award recipient at the Public Trust Summit in Saskatoon. Held in a different Canadian city each year, Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan (FFC SK) said the goal of the conference is to increase public trust in Canada’s food system and felt the Watrous resident was the perfect person to be named as this year’s Champion Award recipient.
“This was our fourth year to present the Champion Award and we were pleased to see a great deal of support from the industry,” said Clinton Monchuk, Executive Director of FFC SK. “Our panel of judges had to choose from five impressive nominations from across all areas of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.”
Actively farming with her family near Watrous where they grow wheat, durum, canola, barley, oats, lentils, peas and flax, Lesley said, “I’m so very honoured to receive such an award because the agriculture industry is comprised of smart and talented people doing amazing things. To be recognized among my peers, is such an honour.”
The FFC SK said Kelly has done a tremendous amount for the industry and continues to be a positive force within it. “Lesley is the head and heart behind the popular High Heels & Canola Fields blog where she dispels myths about agriculture and brings consumers and farmers together. In the past year, she has expanded her reach by co-hosting the What the Farm podcast which explores various topics in food and farming through real life conversations. Lesley’s goal in being involved in agriculture beyond the farm is to build community and bring people together, create conversation, collaborate and identify solutions that help both the industry and consumers. Lesley is also a respected leader in advocating for mental health. In addition to being part of the national #BellLetsTalk campaign, she is the co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation whose mission is to break barriers and support all producers in taking care of their mental well-being.”
Not only an advocate for agriculture but a mother of two boys and the daughter of Garnet and Darlene Martin, Lesley explained the importance of agriculture and what it means to be recognized for her hard work. “Only two percent of the population are involved in agriculture and we are in a time where so many of us are interested in food and health. That also means there are so many questions as to how farming plays a huge role to what we buy in the grocery store and feed our families. Farming is no longer an occupation where you can only grow or raise food, sell your products and continue this cycle every year. Farmers are marketers, accountants, mechanics, lawyers, etc. and now communicators. Communication is needed to share why we do the things we do on our farm and answer those questions to help keep and maintain the trust we have with consumers. If we lose that trust, that is where we are seeing more regulations and our freedom of choice - the choice of how we farm dissipate, and at a cost. These regulations may not be in the best interests of the farmer and consumer.”
Recently emceeing the Saskatchewan Women in Ag conference in Saskatoon before heading to North Dakota to talk about mental health in agriculture with the North Dakota Farmers Union, Kelly said she wants to continue to help the agriculture industry by sharing different perspectives that consumers and others may not be hearing. “That might be from marketing campaigns, activists, etc. that are causing confusion and mistrust. I do that by sharing our daily life on the farm through pictures, videos and articles in hopes that it helps to answer questions and build community where people can go to talk about farming.”
It is through that sharing at various conferences, on her podcast and via social media that more and more people are taking note and learning the truth. Because of that Lesley’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by those within the agriculture industry. FFC SK said one of the nominators who submitted Kelly’s name for the Food and Farming Champion Award noted, “There is no piece of Saskatchewan agriculture that she has left untouched. Her mission of continual positivity, even in the face of adversity, is helping to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.”
Hearing those words and realizing the impact she has had on others, Lesley said, “When I first started my blog, High Heels & Canola Fields, I didn’t know where I wanted it to go but I did have a goal. My goal is to help make a positive impact on people, online and offline and in and outside the agriculture industry, and even further, to help make the world a better place. We are in a time where our nation and world is divided, and it’s hard to find acts of kindness and love in our social media feeds, and watching the news. If I can help make someone’s day better through a photo, a funny video or a vulnerable video about life, a nice message, that to me helps our world become a little bit kinder and brighter. I’ve learned that in agriculture, our people are our greatest assets. We’re always hearing about the latest innovation or the newest technology that will advance agriculture. But in my opinion, we’ve forgotten about the people and human part. If we focus on our people, that is where we will see the greatest opportunities and advancements in agriculture. By sharing different perspectives, I try to show how there is hope, love, kindness, even in adverse situations.”
After receiving the Food and Farming Champion Award Nov. 13 which honours those who work to advocate for agriculture and inspire public trust in Saskatchewan’s food industry, Lesley said it has not only been meaningful but has acted as a reminder to continue to do what she has been doing. That is breaking down barriers, blogging, co-hosting podcasts, speaking at conferences and other engagements, helping out with the family farm and just being a positive advocate for an industry she loves.
“I have the opportunity to do some pretty amazing things, and some I never thought were possibilities. I love what I am doing and am so grateful to travel and learn and talk to others from around the world. I started small, got out of my comfort zone and tried. Tried things to see if I liked them, tried new things to learn and having the courage to do so because I love the adventure. The adventure has also been of finding my place at the farm and industry table and sharing that journey and vulnerability with others because there are so many of us finding our way too. There are times where I have thought I don’t belong and I don’t have enough expertise to be here. What I have learned is have the courage to show up and speak up and to use my gifts, skills and experience to help. Having unique gifts, skills and experience are assets at the farm and within the industry and can help your team go further.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 18, 2019
Food bank receives tremendous support as holiday season arrives
Daniel Bushman
Not only did the Watrous and District Food Bank receive an overwhelming response in 2019 after experiencing a deficit in 2018, but that response has allowed the non-profit organization to continue to purchase food items throughout the year. While monetary and food donations are still welcome, especially with the upcoming Christmas hampers, at its annual meeting Oct. 22, members of the food bank were pleased with how the year has gone.
Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said numerous people, organizations and businesses stepped up extending their generosity through monetary and food donations. “Our revenue essentially doubled from the year previous and we had so many new people support the food bank. Additional sponsors and rural municipalities also jumped on board and personal donations went up about three times over the previous year. Having all of that added help has made it easier for us financially to be able to purchase food items for those using the food bank.”
Breaking down the numbers from the financial report, this year expenses were up slightly from 2018 going from $21,491.25 to $23,658.28 with the greatest amount spent on food and goods for hampers ($20,394.01). As for the rest of this year’s expenses, $222.06 went to administrative, $315 was allocated for membership/registration fees, $261.25 went to advertising, $611.62 was for insurance, $12 was allocated for bank fees, $1,382.85 went towards utilities and $459.49 was spent on building supplies.
On the income side, the food bank saw a substantial increase after a call was issued last year for additional support. In 2018, the Watrous and District Food Bank had an income of $16,593.64 and in 2019 the total income was $32,224.74. Comparing the two years, personal donations saw the largest increase going from $4,229.05 in 2018 to $12,026.45 in 2019. Holland said it was incredible to see so many people lend a hand this past year. In addition, local businesses provided $4,597.23 in 2019, up from $2,127.06 last year. The Rotary/Legion/Social Clubs contributed $6,598.65 in 2019 compared to $4,886.66 last year while corporate donations also saw an increase this year going from $3,432.50 in 2018 to $4,163 in 2019. Another new area of revenue came from local rural municipalities as they contributed $3,000 this year. The Food Banks of Saskatchewan also provided $1,624.11, local churches/similar groups contributed $194.35 and the food bank had $20.95 in interest.
Overall, from July 2018 to June 2019, the food bank had a total income of $32,224.74 and total expenses of $23,658.28. “Thank you to the many individuals and businesses that continue to donate funds and a variety of perishable and non-perishable food items.”
Also noted at this year’s annual meeting was the addition of two new board members. Joining Holland, treasurer Amanda Dezotell, secretary Glenda Cox McArthur, Judy Dunne, Erin Wolff and Amanda McArthur are Mary Kratchmer and Colleen Hunt.
Serving clients in the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Nokomis, Viscount and Liberty areas every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, Holland said overall the food bank distributes about 65 hampers per month. Helping prepare and distribute those hampers are 18 volunteers who also purchase groceries, stock shelves and lend a hand where needed. Holland said the food bank greatly appreciates their help including assistance from Interlake who comes on a regular basis to pack dry hampers at the food bank’s location at 107 3rd Ave. E.
In addition to packing and distributing its regular hampers, for the annual Christmas hampers, last year the food bank handed out 84, up from 72 the year before. “About half of those homes that applied last year included children (154 adults and 87 children).”
Now with the holiday season approaching once again, the food bank is not only planning to provide special Christmas hampers but will also be offering gently used clothing. “One of the special projects that we are doing this year is providing clothes. Gwen Deneiko has been coordinating the project and when clients come to pick up their Christmas hampers they can go through Gwen’s Boutique and pick up some household items and gently used clothing. If you might have something you feel could be useful to a family whether it is clothes like jackets, toques, mitts, shirts or any practical items you are welcome to donate those.”
Another unique idea the food bank tried last year was sponsor a hamper. Holland said they received an overwhelming response from the community and businesses who donated funds to sponsor hampers for $135. “People can individually sponsor a hamper, join other families and split the cost or get together with fellow employees or as an organization and buy a family Christmas hamper. We thought we would give it a try last year and see how it would go and we were so grateful to everyone who participated and decided to do it again this year.”
Distributed Dec. 21, anyone in need of receiving a Christmas hamper this year can let the food bank know by Dec. 11. Packed inside the hampers, recipients will get either a turkey or ham, one dozen buns, a jug of milk, one dozen eggs, five pounds of Christmas oranges, 10 pounds of potatoes, carrots and onions, stuffing, Kraft Dinner, pasta or rice, Sidekicks or potato, a box of crackers, a breakfast item, cans of soup, canned meats, meals in a can, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, juice, cranberries, a cake mix, one tub of margarine, peanut butter and a box of chocolates. For hampers distributed to families with children, toys will be included in those as well.
People who prefer not to sponsor an entire hamper but want to help financially can do so either by mailing funds to Box 794 in Watrous or they can contact the food bank as well. Other initiatives are also being planned this year including the Watrous Emergency Services Stuff the Ambulance campaign which will be taking place Wednesday, Dec. 4. In conjunction with the Co-op Food Store in Watrous, members of the Watrous Emergency Services will be collecting donations in the Co-op food store parking lot during the early part of the evening. The goal is to stuff the ambulance as many times as possible with food donations which will be used to help fill Christmas hampers.
“Over the years, we have had great community support and continual efforts made by many businesses through food, toy and monetary donations and we know that will continue again this year. Along with the Stuff the Ambulance initiative, the Saskatoon Co-op food store in Watrous will be providing us with a cash donation to go towards the purchase of hams this year while Integra Tire in Watrous will be holding its annual Toy Drive where people can buy toys and drop them off at the business. People can also purchase toys at The Bargain Shop or toiletries at
Watrous Pharmacy for the hampers.”
Seeing the community coming together each year, Holland said it has become an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer. “It has made the Christmas season very meaningful to some who have been a part of helping out in some way and it is also meaningful for those who receive the hampers as well.”
Daniel Bushman
Not only did the Watrous and District Food Bank receive an overwhelming response in 2019 after experiencing a deficit in 2018, but that response has allowed the non-profit organization to continue to purchase food items throughout the year. While monetary and food donations are still welcome, especially with the upcoming Christmas hampers, at its annual meeting Oct. 22, members of the food bank were pleased with how the year has gone.
Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said numerous people, organizations and businesses stepped up extending their generosity through monetary and food donations. “Our revenue essentially doubled from the year previous and we had so many new people support the food bank. Additional sponsors and rural municipalities also jumped on board and personal donations went up about three times over the previous year. Having all of that added help has made it easier for us financially to be able to purchase food items for those using the food bank.”
Breaking down the numbers from the financial report, this year expenses were up slightly from 2018 going from $21,491.25 to $23,658.28 with the greatest amount spent on food and goods for hampers ($20,394.01). As for the rest of this year’s expenses, $222.06 went to administrative, $315 was allocated for membership/registration fees, $261.25 went to advertising, $611.62 was for insurance, $12 was allocated for bank fees, $1,382.85 went towards utilities and $459.49 was spent on building supplies.
On the income side, the food bank saw a substantial increase after a call was issued last year for additional support. In 2018, the Watrous and District Food Bank had an income of $16,593.64 and in 2019 the total income was $32,224.74. Comparing the two years, personal donations saw the largest increase going from $4,229.05 in 2018 to $12,026.45 in 2019. Holland said it was incredible to see so many people lend a hand this past year. In addition, local businesses provided $4,597.23 in 2019, up from $2,127.06 last year. The Rotary/Legion/Social Clubs contributed $6,598.65 in 2019 compared to $4,886.66 last year while corporate donations also saw an increase this year going from $3,432.50 in 2018 to $4,163 in 2019. Another new area of revenue came from local rural municipalities as they contributed $3,000 this year. The Food Banks of Saskatchewan also provided $1,624.11, local churches/similar groups contributed $194.35 and the food bank had $20.95 in interest.
Overall, from July 2018 to June 2019, the food bank had a total income of $32,224.74 and total expenses of $23,658.28. “Thank you to the many individuals and businesses that continue to donate funds and a variety of perishable and non-perishable food items.”
Also noted at this year’s annual meeting was the addition of two new board members. Joining Holland, treasurer Amanda Dezotell, secretary Glenda Cox McArthur, Judy Dunne, Erin Wolff and Amanda McArthur are Mary Kratchmer and Colleen Hunt.
Serving clients in the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Nokomis, Viscount and Liberty areas every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, Holland said overall the food bank distributes about 65 hampers per month. Helping prepare and distribute those hampers are 18 volunteers who also purchase groceries, stock shelves and lend a hand where needed. Holland said the food bank greatly appreciates their help including assistance from Interlake who comes on a regular basis to pack dry hampers at the food bank’s location at 107 3rd Ave. E.
In addition to packing and distributing its regular hampers, for the annual Christmas hampers, last year the food bank handed out 84, up from 72 the year before. “About half of those homes that applied last year included children (154 adults and 87 children).”
Now with the holiday season approaching once again, the food bank is not only planning to provide special Christmas hampers but will also be offering gently used clothing. “One of the special projects that we are doing this year is providing clothes. Gwen Deneiko has been coordinating the project and when clients come to pick up their Christmas hampers they can go through Gwen’s Boutique and pick up some household items and gently used clothing. If you might have something you feel could be useful to a family whether it is clothes like jackets, toques, mitts, shirts or any practical items you are welcome to donate those.”
Another unique idea the food bank tried last year was sponsor a hamper. Holland said they received an overwhelming response from the community and businesses who donated funds to sponsor hampers for $135. “People can individually sponsor a hamper, join other families and split the cost or get together with fellow employees or as an organization and buy a family Christmas hamper. We thought we would give it a try last year and see how it would go and we were so grateful to everyone who participated and decided to do it again this year.”
Distributed Dec. 21, anyone in need of receiving a Christmas hamper this year can let the food bank know by Dec. 11. Packed inside the hampers, recipients will get either a turkey or ham, one dozen buns, a jug of milk, one dozen eggs, five pounds of Christmas oranges, 10 pounds of potatoes, carrots and onions, stuffing, Kraft Dinner, pasta or rice, Sidekicks or potato, a box of crackers, a breakfast item, cans of soup, canned meats, meals in a can, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, juice, cranberries, a cake mix, one tub of margarine, peanut butter and a box of chocolates. For hampers distributed to families with children, toys will be included in those as well.
People who prefer not to sponsor an entire hamper but want to help financially can do so either by mailing funds to Box 794 in Watrous or they can contact the food bank as well. Other initiatives are also being planned this year including the Watrous Emergency Services Stuff the Ambulance campaign which will be taking place Wednesday, Dec. 4. In conjunction with the Co-op Food Store in Watrous, members of the Watrous Emergency Services will be collecting donations in the Co-op food store parking lot during the early part of the evening. The goal is to stuff the ambulance as many times as possible with food donations which will be used to help fill Christmas hampers.
“Over the years, we have had great community support and continual efforts made by many businesses through food, toy and monetary donations and we know that will continue again this year. Along with the Stuff the Ambulance initiative, the Saskatoon Co-op food store in Watrous will be providing us with a cash donation to go towards the purchase of hams this year while Integra Tire in Watrous will be holding its annual Toy Drive where people can buy toys and drop them off at the business. People can also purchase toys at The Bargain Shop or toiletries at
Watrous Pharmacy for the hampers.”
Seeing the community coming together each year, Holland said it has become an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer. “It has made the Christmas season very meaningful to some who have been a part of helping out in some way and it is also meaningful for those who receive the hampers as well.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 11, 2019
The importance of Remembrance Day
Daniel Bushman
Canadians from coast to coast are pausing Nov. 11 to remember and honour those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom. It was at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 101 years ago when the Armistice was signed signalling the end of World War I. In communities like Watrous, people will observe a moment of silence Nov. 11 to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve.
Along with the community Remembrance Day ceremony taking place at the Watrous Civic Centre Nov. 11, local schools also held events of their own. President of the Lanigan Legion Branch #143 Jim Hatcher said being able to hold Remembrance Day ceremonies in schools and local communities each year not only honours those who fought for our freedom but it also plays an important role in teaching youth about the significance of the day and the sacrifices made.
“Unless we do that, the youth don’t really know what Remembrance Day is all about,” said Hatcher. “We try to impress upon them that people sacrificed very big for us and for our freedom that we enjoy today. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have that freedom. We want young people to know that because things can be forgotten.”
Like Hatcher, Nokomis Legion Branch #290 President Doug Potter said it is integral that Canadians honour those who provided us with our freedom. “They basically guaranteed our freedom. If it wasn’t for them who knows what things would be like today. The bravery of those men going ashore and into the unknown, they fought and died for our freedom. I encourage everyone to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony.”
A reminder of the past is also on display at the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre. A free Remembrance Day exhibit was created in honour of the local men and women who served and helped during the wars. Kathy Bergen with the Heritage Centre said people could stop by the building on Main Street in Watrous Nov. 8 and 9 to view the exhibit and can also see it after the Remembrance Day service Nov. 11 and for the remainder of the month.
The exhibit includes items from the since disbanded Watrous Legion, a Wall of Remembrance honouring four people who served from Watrous and Manitou Beach, an activity area for kids, and other additional items related to people who served from the area.
Bergen felt it was important to honour the locals who served and fought for our freedom and the exhibit provides a glimpse into that history from WWI and WWII.
In addition to acknowledging the significance of Remembrance Day through ceremonies and exhibits, the annual Poppy Campaign also took place across Canada. According to the Royal Canadian Legion, every year from the last Friday of October to Nov. 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms people enjoy today.
In Watrous, the Nokomis Legion Branch #290 drops off poppy boxes at a number of local places and businesses. With 70 members nationally involved with the Nokomis Legion Branch #290, Potter said they serve the Nokomis, Govan, Lockwood and Watrous area.
Like other legions within the country including Nokomis, Hatcher said Lanigan Legion Branch #143 also tries its best to make a difference in its area and hopes people would consider joining a branch. “Right now it is easier than ever to become a member. Because the numbers are decreasing so badly at branches, anyone can be a member. In Lanigan we meet once a month and we go through our local business and conduct things that we are able to try and do in the community. We put money back into the community through our poppy fund and our main objective is to look after our Veterans.”
Along with the fundraisers, visiting local schools and conducting monthly meetings, Hatcher said Lanigan Branch #143 members also organize the annual Remembrance Day service in Lanigan and a flag day in June where they decorate local Veterans’ graves. “That is super important when we put that flag on their graves that day. It is a showing of respect and acknowledgement of their service and what they did for us.”According to the Canadian War Museum, the war to end all wars 101 years ago left a massive impression on the country. Close to 61,000 Canadians were killed during the war, and another 172,000 wounded. Many more returned home broken in mind and body. From the small colony of Newfoundland 1,305 were killed and several thousand wounded.
In total, the Canadian War Museum said some 619,636 Canadians enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the war and approximately 424,000 served overseas. Of these men and women, 59,544 members of the CEF died during the war, 51,748 of them as a result of enemy action. The small Royal Canadian Navy reported 150 deaths from all causes. No accurate tabulation exists for Canadians who served as volunteers in the Royal Navy or British Army. An additional 1,388 Canadians died while serving with the British Flying Services.
Of the more than 172,000 Canadians who reported wounds during the war, medical authorities classified approximately 138,000 as battle casualties. The rest were injuries suffered away from the war zone. Of the wounded who survived, 3,461 men and one woman had a limb amputated. No reliable method existed for tracking or treating psychological casualties, but authorities identified over 9,000 Canadians as suffering from “shell shock”.
This was an enormous contribution from a population of just under eight million people in 1914. Approximately seven percent of the total population of Canada was in uniform at some point during the war, and hundreds of thousands of additional Canadians worked on the home front in support of the war.
Reflecting on the impact of Remembrance Day, Hatcher said he lost an uncle who was 19 years old during WWII. “He was in the trenches and it was his time to move, he stood up and it was over. I had a lot of uncles who were in the forces and only one did not come back home. It is important to take time to remember those who have fought for our freedom and continue to fight for our freedom. From soldiers that have gone before us to the officers and surviving Veterans today, we pause to remember and honour them. I am 78 years old and have lived in this free country for all of these years. It has a lot to do with the people who fought and made it possible for me to live here along with everybody else who are able to enjoy what we have. It could have been so much different. There are still things around the world that aren’t right and we are still losing people in peacekeeping efforts. Hopefully we can have our governments and others do things to keep peace in this world. The chance to live in this country and enjoy our freedom is pretty awesome.”
Daniel Bushman
Canadians from coast to coast are pausing Nov. 11 to remember and honour those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom. It was at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 101 years ago when the Armistice was signed signalling the end of World War I. In communities like Watrous, people will observe a moment of silence Nov. 11 to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve.
Along with the community Remembrance Day ceremony taking place at the Watrous Civic Centre Nov. 11, local schools also held events of their own. President of the Lanigan Legion Branch #143 Jim Hatcher said being able to hold Remembrance Day ceremonies in schools and local communities each year not only honours those who fought for our freedom but it also plays an important role in teaching youth about the significance of the day and the sacrifices made.
“Unless we do that, the youth don’t really know what Remembrance Day is all about,” said Hatcher. “We try to impress upon them that people sacrificed very big for us and for our freedom that we enjoy today. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have that freedom. We want young people to know that because things can be forgotten.”
Like Hatcher, Nokomis Legion Branch #290 President Doug Potter said it is integral that Canadians honour those who provided us with our freedom. “They basically guaranteed our freedom. If it wasn’t for them who knows what things would be like today. The bravery of those men going ashore and into the unknown, they fought and died for our freedom. I encourage everyone to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony.”
A reminder of the past is also on display at the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre. A free Remembrance Day exhibit was created in honour of the local men and women who served and helped during the wars. Kathy Bergen with the Heritage Centre said people could stop by the building on Main Street in Watrous Nov. 8 and 9 to view the exhibit and can also see it after the Remembrance Day service Nov. 11 and for the remainder of the month.
The exhibit includes items from the since disbanded Watrous Legion, a Wall of Remembrance honouring four people who served from Watrous and Manitou Beach, an activity area for kids, and other additional items related to people who served from the area.
Bergen felt it was important to honour the locals who served and fought for our freedom and the exhibit provides a glimpse into that history from WWI and WWII.
In addition to acknowledging the significance of Remembrance Day through ceremonies and exhibits, the annual Poppy Campaign also took place across Canada. According to the Royal Canadian Legion, every year from the last Friday of October to Nov. 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms people enjoy today.
In Watrous, the Nokomis Legion Branch #290 drops off poppy boxes at a number of local places and businesses. With 70 members nationally involved with the Nokomis Legion Branch #290, Potter said they serve the Nokomis, Govan, Lockwood and Watrous area.
Like other legions within the country including Nokomis, Hatcher said Lanigan Legion Branch #143 also tries its best to make a difference in its area and hopes people would consider joining a branch. “Right now it is easier than ever to become a member. Because the numbers are decreasing so badly at branches, anyone can be a member. In Lanigan we meet once a month and we go through our local business and conduct things that we are able to try and do in the community. We put money back into the community through our poppy fund and our main objective is to look after our Veterans.”
Along with the fundraisers, visiting local schools and conducting monthly meetings, Hatcher said Lanigan Branch #143 members also organize the annual Remembrance Day service in Lanigan and a flag day in June where they decorate local Veterans’ graves. “That is super important when we put that flag on their graves that day. It is a showing of respect and acknowledgement of their service and what they did for us.”According to the Canadian War Museum, the war to end all wars 101 years ago left a massive impression on the country. Close to 61,000 Canadians were killed during the war, and another 172,000 wounded. Many more returned home broken in mind and body. From the small colony of Newfoundland 1,305 were killed and several thousand wounded.
In total, the Canadian War Museum said some 619,636 Canadians enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the war and approximately 424,000 served overseas. Of these men and women, 59,544 members of the CEF died during the war, 51,748 of them as a result of enemy action. The small Royal Canadian Navy reported 150 deaths from all causes. No accurate tabulation exists for Canadians who served as volunteers in the Royal Navy or British Army. An additional 1,388 Canadians died while serving with the British Flying Services.
Of the more than 172,000 Canadians who reported wounds during the war, medical authorities classified approximately 138,000 as battle casualties. The rest were injuries suffered away from the war zone. Of the wounded who survived, 3,461 men and one woman had a limb amputated. No reliable method existed for tracking or treating psychological casualties, but authorities identified over 9,000 Canadians as suffering from “shell shock”.
This was an enormous contribution from a population of just under eight million people in 1914. Approximately seven percent of the total population of Canada was in uniform at some point during the war, and hundreds of thousands of additional Canadians worked on the home front in support of the war.
Reflecting on the impact of Remembrance Day, Hatcher said he lost an uncle who was 19 years old during WWII. “He was in the trenches and it was his time to move, he stood up and it was over. I had a lot of uncles who were in the forces and only one did not come back home. It is important to take time to remember those who have fought for our freedom and continue to fight for our freedom. From soldiers that have gone before us to the officers and surviving Veterans today, we pause to remember and honour them. I am 78 years old and have lived in this free country for all of these years. It has a lot to do with the people who fought and made it possible for me to live here along with everybody else who are able to enjoy what we have. It could have been so much different. There are still things around the world that aren’t right and we are still losing people in peacekeeping efforts. Hopefully we can have our governments and others do things to keep peace in this world. The chance to live in this country and enjoy our freedom is pretty awesome.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 4, 2019
Plans in the works to create a multi-million dollar Manitou Oasis Village
Once built it will become one of the largest local area developments in recent memory, rivalling similar projects within Western Canada. The multi-phase, multi-million dollar Manitou Oasis Village which would be developed at Manitou Beach has been billed as a retirement living project and health centre. In addition it will also offer retail space, a community courtyard, state-of-the-art fitness aqua facility and 41 underground parking stalls.
Over 75 interested residents from the area filled the community hall at Manitou Beach to hear about the project during an informational meeting Oct. 29. With the meeting chaired by Community Development Officer Brendan Manz with introductions by former Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall, founder of Health Haven Holdings Ltd. Michael Byrne along with his senior project manager Dan Guenther, architect Paul Blaser and marketing strategist Daria Malin were in attendance to share about the substantial project.
“After doing extensive research over the past six months, I heard a lot of feedback from people saying they were interested about it and have realized just how much work has already gone into this project,” said Byrne who developed the concept. “It was very heartwarming to see this many people here and their positive responses. I think we have the ability to build community and this is what this is all about, it is community. I want to impress that this is not my project, this is our project.”
Michael who is from Edmonton and owns a cabin at Manitou Beach shared about his vision and his passion to create the upscale facility near the shores of Little Manitou Lake. “I fell in love with Manitou Beach,” said Byrne who has extensive experience within the financial services and capital market industry. “In 2006 my wife and I heard about the place on a Sunday. I looked it up and we came on a Wednesday and bought a cottage the following Sunday. I have always felt incredibly comfortable here and it is just a great place.”
Already putting in a tremendous amount of work and investment on the project, Byrne felt the resort community is the perfect fit for a development of this magnitude. “There is demand for upscale seniors’ housing and a growing demand for a healthy lifestyle environment. The natural health attributes at Manitou have been recognized for more than 100 years. There has also been an increase in popularity at the beach seeing a 20 percent increase of visitors between 2018 and 2019 and tourist numbers not seen in over 80 years. So why not Manitou Beach?”
The founder of the project noted health retreat destination vacations are a growing market with retreats and resorts across Canada and the United States. “This place will provide individuals with a learning and healing experience; an educational opportunity with regards to healthy meals, natural remedies, alternative medicine, the healing properties of Manitou Lake, and more.”
Comparing market data from a number of other senior housing complexes in Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Calgary, Byrne said the seniors’ housing at Manitou Beach will provide the same type of amenities as those in larger cities and will serve a growing demographic who want to lead independent, active and healthy lifestyles with their peers.
Looking at building Manitou Oasis Village in phases, Byrne said as demand grows they would expand on those phases. As of right now though, for the $18.9 million Phase 1 project, he is planning for 33 healing haven long-term units and six health vacation short term stays for people to enjoy. Meals and cleaning would also be part of those long-term units which would surround a courtyard. “It is going to be created as a village within the village.”
Currently Michael said a feasibility study has been done, land identified, a preliminary building design and rendering. Development costs have been completed and a corporate structure and financing model established. The .826 acre site which the complex would be built on has also been secured and is located across the street from the Burger Buoy and Manitou Springs Mineral Spa and Resort. At four storeys tall, the founder said it will not be a spa featuring pedicures or facials but more aimed towards a healing and therapeutic type centre.
“It is basically about taking full advantage of the natural attributes of the water, the air and the location of Manitou. It is so quiet you can hear the silence here. Manitou Beach is a diverse community of individuals from all walks of life and all professions and when they are here, everyone here is here for the same reason. It is a nice place to live. You have people here who have moved from all over Western Canada and beyond who have either built a house or fixed up a cottage. All I need to do is in the next year or so is find 33 people. I think I can do that.”
But before the 33 people are able to reside at Manitou Oasis Village, in order for Phase 1 to be successful, Byrne said the community has to show its support at the ground level. “That is why I structured this opportunity for individuals and businesses within Watrous and Manitou Beach to invest at the ground level. We are offering the opportunity to 25 people or entities who would be willing to invest $25,000 each and from there we proceed to the next level of development. A project of this magnitude may seem overwhelming and hard to comprehend to some but the communities of Watrous and Manitou Beach deserve it. As Paul Blaser, the architect stated, there is no doubt in Michael’s mind that he will see this project through.”
If all goes according to plan, those shovels on the multi-million dollar facility could be in the ground as early as mid-2020. After submitting a building permit, blueprint production and begin engineering site testing, construction would then commence on Phase 1. Phase 1 which would see the U-shape design and therapeutic amenities created also incorporates retail space which would be placed along the front of the building facing the lake. A target of completing construction would be 2021 while completion of Phase 2 is scheduled for late 2023/early 2024. The overall project could near or surpass the $40 million range.
Michael said there will be a significant amount of building materials and resources required, much of which can be accessed through local contractors and suppliers. “So far I have been able to hire my team who are all from Saskatchewan and am continuing to look forward on expanding that. I also welcome any questions on the project and people can reach me at 1-780-722-5221 or email michaelb@healthhavenholdings.com.”
Word of this development and of this magnitude has been welcome news for Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec. Attending the Oct. 29 meeting, Worobec said, “It is almost difficult to put the words together on what the future holds for the village on this project. It is incredible. We are looking at a potential $40 million complex going up in our little village. It is going to be the envy of Western Canada and beyond. To be a part of it is incredible and what Micheal and his team are doing is incredible. We are very fortunate to be a part of it.”
Noting the development would be a “tremendous anchor to keep the resort community viable and keep it going,” Worobec said the village would have a few things to do with its infrastructure but the mayor said accommodating the project is very workable. “We can make sure they are good to go with water and sewer and whatever else we need to supply. This project is going to stimulate so many other things. It is going to help us, it is going to help Watrous, the main street, housing sales and provide jobs. It is endless what it will do for us.”
Over 75 interested residents from the area filled the community hall at Manitou Beach to hear about the project during an informational meeting Oct. 29. With the meeting chaired by Community Development Officer Brendan Manz with introductions by former Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall, founder of Health Haven Holdings Ltd. Michael Byrne along with his senior project manager Dan Guenther, architect Paul Blaser and marketing strategist Daria Malin were in attendance to share about the substantial project.
“After doing extensive research over the past six months, I heard a lot of feedback from people saying they were interested about it and have realized just how much work has already gone into this project,” said Byrne who developed the concept. “It was very heartwarming to see this many people here and their positive responses. I think we have the ability to build community and this is what this is all about, it is community. I want to impress that this is not my project, this is our project.”
Michael who is from Edmonton and owns a cabin at Manitou Beach shared about his vision and his passion to create the upscale facility near the shores of Little Manitou Lake. “I fell in love with Manitou Beach,” said Byrne who has extensive experience within the financial services and capital market industry. “In 2006 my wife and I heard about the place on a Sunday. I looked it up and we came on a Wednesday and bought a cottage the following Sunday. I have always felt incredibly comfortable here and it is just a great place.”
Already putting in a tremendous amount of work and investment on the project, Byrne felt the resort community is the perfect fit for a development of this magnitude. “There is demand for upscale seniors’ housing and a growing demand for a healthy lifestyle environment. The natural health attributes at Manitou have been recognized for more than 100 years. There has also been an increase in popularity at the beach seeing a 20 percent increase of visitors between 2018 and 2019 and tourist numbers not seen in over 80 years. So why not Manitou Beach?”
The founder of the project noted health retreat destination vacations are a growing market with retreats and resorts across Canada and the United States. “This place will provide individuals with a learning and healing experience; an educational opportunity with regards to healthy meals, natural remedies, alternative medicine, the healing properties of Manitou Lake, and more.”
Comparing market data from a number of other senior housing complexes in Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Calgary, Byrne said the seniors’ housing at Manitou Beach will provide the same type of amenities as those in larger cities and will serve a growing demographic who want to lead independent, active and healthy lifestyles with their peers.
Looking at building Manitou Oasis Village in phases, Byrne said as demand grows they would expand on those phases. As of right now though, for the $18.9 million Phase 1 project, he is planning for 33 healing haven long-term units and six health vacation short term stays for people to enjoy. Meals and cleaning would also be part of those long-term units which would surround a courtyard. “It is going to be created as a village within the village.”
Currently Michael said a feasibility study has been done, land identified, a preliminary building design and rendering. Development costs have been completed and a corporate structure and financing model established. The .826 acre site which the complex would be built on has also been secured and is located across the street from the Burger Buoy and Manitou Springs Mineral Spa and Resort. At four storeys tall, the founder said it will not be a spa featuring pedicures or facials but more aimed towards a healing and therapeutic type centre.
“It is basically about taking full advantage of the natural attributes of the water, the air and the location of Manitou. It is so quiet you can hear the silence here. Manitou Beach is a diverse community of individuals from all walks of life and all professions and when they are here, everyone here is here for the same reason. It is a nice place to live. You have people here who have moved from all over Western Canada and beyond who have either built a house or fixed up a cottage. All I need to do is in the next year or so is find 33 people. I think I can do that.”
But before the 33 people are able to reside at Manitou Oasis Village, in order for Phase 1 to be successful, Byrne said the community has to show its support at the ground level. “That is why I structured this opportunity for individuals and businesses within Watrous and Manitou Beach to invest at the ground level. We are offering the opportunity to 25 people or entities who would be willing to invest $25,000 each and from there we proceed to the next level of development. A project of this magnitude may seem overwhelming and hard to comprehend to some but the communities of Watrous and Manitou Beach deserve it. As Paul Blaser, the architect stated, there is no doubt in Michael’s mind that he will see this project through.”
If all goes according to plan, those shovels on the multi-million dollar facility could be in the ground as early as mid-2020. After submitting a building permit, blueprint production and begin engineering site testing, construction would then commence on Phase 1. Phase 1 which would see the U-shape design and therapeutic amenities created also incorporates retail space which would be placed along the front of the building facing the lake. A target of completing construction would be 2021 while completion of Phase 2 is scheduled for late 2023/early 2024. The overall project could near or surpass the $40 million range.
Michael said there will be a significant amount of building materials and resources required, much of which can be accessed through local contractors and suppliers. “So far I have been able to hire my team who are all from Saskatchewan and am continuing to look forward on expanding that. I also welcome any questions on the project and people can reach me at 1-780-722-5221 or email michaelb@healthhavenholdings.com.”
Word of this development and of this magnitude has been welcome news for Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec. Attending the Oct. 29 meeting, Worobec said, “It is almost difficult to put the words together on what the future holds for the village on this project. It is incredible. We are looking at a potential $40 million complex going up in our little village. It is going to be the envy of Western Canada and beyond. To be a part of it is incredible and what Micheal and his team are doing is incredible. We are very fortunate to be a part of it.”
Noting the development would be a “tremendous anchor to keep the resort community viable and keep it going,” Worobec said the village would have a few things to do with its infrastructure but the mayor said accommodating the project is very workable. “We can make sure they are good to go with water and sewer and whatever else we need to supply. This project is going to stimulate so many other things. It is going to help us, it is going to help Watrous, the main street, housing sales and provide jobs. It is endless what it will do for us.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 28, 2019
Liberals take minority government; Conservatives sweep Sask.
Daniel Bushman
Encouraging people to vote and have their say, nearly 18 million Canadians from coast to coast cast their ballots as part of this year’s federal election and at the end of the day a Liberal minority government was voted into power.
After having a majority during the last federal election, the Liberal Party received 157 seats this time around followed by the Conservative Party which gained seats for a total of 121. After a lackluster showing in the previous election, the Bloc Québécois attained 32 seats this time followed by the NDP - New Democratic Party with 24, the Green Party with three and one Independent seat was won by former Liberal Jody Wilson-Raybould.
While the Liberal Party won the most seats, overall it was the Conservative Party receiving the most number of votes according to Elections Canada with just over 6.1 million (34.4 percent) compared to just over 5.9 million (33.1 percent) that the Liberal Party garnered. The NDP were third overall in total votes with just over 2.8 million (15.9 percent).
In Saskatchewan, it was a wave of blue as the Conservative Party took all 14 ridings with 366,611 of the 570,505 votes (64.3 percent). Elections Canada data indicated the NDP were second in the number of votes with 111,379 (19.5 percent) followed by the Liberal Party with 66,031 (11.6 percent), the Green Party with 14,417 (2.5 percent) and the People’s Party of Canada with 10,211 (1.8 percent).
Locally in the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding voter turnout was approximately 73.49 percent (nationally it was approximately 65.95 percent) with a total of 43,273 votes cast. Of those votes in the local riding, 30,801 or 71.2 percent went to incumbent Conservative Tom Lukiwski. The NDP’s Talon Regent was second with 7,394 votes (17.1 percent) followed by the Liberal Party’s Cecilia Melanson with 2,383 votes (5.5 percent), the People’s Party of Canada’s Chey Craik with 1,565 votes (3.6 percent), and the Green Party’s Gillian Walker with 1,130 votes (2.6 percent).
While he was hoping to see the Conservative Party take over as the government, Lukiwski was pleased with the results in his riding and in Saskatchewan.
“I felt very confident going into the election. I had a great campaign team with hundreds and hundreds of volunteers who came out so we were feeling really optimistic about our chances.”
Stating he was a bit surprised to see such a high majority of people (71.2 percent) voting for him, Lukiwski added, “I think it was just a reflection of the fact that people were so disenchanted with the federal government with Justin Trudeau and the anger was palpable. It was beyond anything I’d ever seen before in my political career. That just paid off I think in the election results. It just ended up that people wanted a change and wanted Justin Trudeau to basically start respecting Western Canada again and that showed up in the results.”
With the Conservative Party claiming all 14 seats in Saskatchewan and 33 of 34 seats in Alberta, Lukiwski felt a message was sent to Parliament Hill. “That is a very, very strong statement I think to Mr. Trudeau that he has to start looking at and respecting and listening to the concerns of Western Canada, in particular our two provinces.”
As part of the Conservative stronghold in Saskatchewan and Alberta along with the increase in seats by the Bloc Québécois in Quebec, Lukiwski said it appears as though there is more division rising up in the country.
“I believe in a united Canada and I believe in all Canadians from every region in Canada should be able to participate in all aspects of our economy but Mr. Trudeau has brought this division on by himself in his attacks against Western Canadian premiers, for example.
“I also noted within hours of the election results there were a lot of ‘Wexit’ messages going on and I think the last time I saw there were over 55,000 or 60,000 people that signed up within an hour to a ‘Wexit’ page,” continued Lukiwski who shared about the potential separatist movement in the West. “That doesn’t look like to me people are calming down. If anything, their anger may be even higher now than it was prior to the election.”
Remaining the official opposition, the MP also admitted his party still has work left to be done, especially in Ontario and Quebec when it comes time to try and form government when the next election is called. However with a Liberal minority government, Lukiwski feels the next few years are going to be very challenging for that party and its leader. “The proof will be in the pudding if he is truly willing to work on behalf of all Canadians but in particular Western Canada then yes, perhaps this government can survive a little longer than would be normal but I’ve yet to see him demonstrate in any meaningful way that he really is listening and wants to work and support the oil and gas sector in Western Canada.”
As for Lukiwski, he plans to continue to try and represent his constituents as well as he can. “My approach has always been, I don’t care who voted for me or who didn’t vote for me, if one of my constituents needs help and comes to me for assistance I am going to give them every bit of assistance I possibly can.”
On a national level, the MP said he will remain supportive of his party’s leader Andrew Scheer and the Conservative caucus while putting pressure on the prime minister. “Hopefully we will be able to force him into taking action on some of these key files like the oil and gas file that would make a huge difference in the lives of Canadians out here in the West. We are hurting out here. The oil and gas sector is hurting and people are continuing to suffer financially. We need a way to get our product to tide water and unless Mr. Trudeau does an abrupt about face, that is not going to happen anytime soon.”
With the federal election over, a different type of election results poured in from Elections Canada as more than 1.1 million elementary and secondary school students participated in Student Vote Canada 2019. After learning about the electoral process, researching the parties and platforms, and debating Canada’s future, students cast their ballots for the official candidates running in their school’s riding. As of 3 p.m. Oct. 22 a total of 1,187,987 votes were reported from 7,981 schools, with results from 338 federal ridings.
From those, the Liberal Party took 22.3 percent of the popular vote and won 112 seats, forming a minority government. Justin Trudeau won in his riding of Papineau. The NDP formed the official opposition with 24.8 percent of the popular vote and 98 seats. Jagmeet Singh won his seat in Burnaby South. The Conservative Party took 25.1 percent of the popular vote and won 93 seats. Andrew Scheer won his seat in Regina-Qu’Appelle. The Green Party took 18.1 percent of the popular vote and won 27 seats. Elizabeth May won her seat in Saanich-Gulf Islands. The Bloc Québécois took 1.3 percent of the popular vote and won 12 seats. Yves-François Blanchet won his seat in Beloeil-Chambly.
In Saskatchewan, 45,249 students participated in Student Vote Canada 2019 and of the 14 seats up for grabs in the province, the Conservatives took 11 while the NDP won three.
Daniel Bushman
Encouraging people to vote and have their say, nearly 18 million Canadians from coast to coast cast their ballots as part of this year’s federal election and at the end of the day a Liberal minority government was voted into power.
After having a majority during the last federal election, the Liberal Party received 157 seats this time around followed by the Conservative Party which gained seats for a total of 121. After a lackluster showing in the previous election, the Bloc Québécois attained 32 seats this time followed by the NDP - New Democratic Party with 24, the Green Party with three and one Independent seat was won by former Liberal Jody Wilson-Raybould.
While the Liberal Party won the most seats, overall it was the Conservative Party receiving the most number of votes according to Elections Canada with just over 6.1 million (34.4 percent) compared to just over 5.9 million (33.1 percent) that the Liberal Party garnered. The NDP were third overall in total votes with just over 2.8 million (15.9 percent).
In Saskatchewan, it was a wave of blue as the Conservative Party took all 14 ridings with 366,611 of the 570,505 votes (64.3 percent). Elections Canada data indicated the NDP were second in the number of votes with 111,379 (19.5 percent) followed by the Liberal Party with 66,031 (11.6 percent), the Green Party with 14,417 (2.5 percent) and the People’s Party of Canada with 10,211 (1.8 percent).
Locally in the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding voter turnout was approximately 73.49 percent (nationally it was approximately 65.95 percent) with a total of 43,273 votes cast. Of those votes in the local riding, 30,801 or 71.2 percent went to incumbent Conservative Tom Lukiwski. The NDP’s Talon Regent was second with 7,394 votes (17.1 percent) followed by the Liberal Party’s Cecilia Melanson with 2,383 votes (5.5 percent), the People’s Party of Canada’s Chey Craik with 1,565 votes (3.6 percent), and the Green Party’s Gillian Walker with 1,130 votes (2.6 percent).
While he was hoping to see the Conservative Party take over as the government, Lukiwski was pleased with the results in his riding and in Saskatchewan.
“I felt very confident going into the election. I had a great campaign team with hundreds and hundreds of volunteers who came out so we were feeling really optimistic about our chances.”
Stating he was a bit surprised to see such a high majority of people (71.2 percent) voting for him, Lukiwski added, “I think it was just a reflection of the fact that people were so disenchanted with the federal government with Justin Trudeau and the anger was palpable. It was beyond anything I’d ever seen before in my political career. That just paid off I think in the election results. It just ended up that people wanted a change and wanted Justin Trudeau to basically start respecting Western Canada again and that showed up in the results.”
With the Conservative Party claiming all 14 seats in Saskatchewan and 33 of 34 seats in Alberta, Lukiwski felt a message was sent to Parliament Hill. “That is a very, very strong statement I think to Mr. Trudeau that he has to start looking at and respecting and listening to the concerns of Western Canada, in particular our two provinces.”
As part of the Conservative stronghold in Saskatchewan and Alberta along with the increase in seats by the Bloc Québécois in Quebec, Lukiwski said it appears as though there is more division rising up in the country.
“I believe in a united Canada and I believe in all Canadians from every region in Canada should be able to participate in all aspects of our economy but Mr. Trudeau has brought this division on by himself in his attacks against Western Canadian premiers, for example.
“I also noted within hours of the election results there were a lot of ‘Wexit’ messages going on and I think the last time I saw there were over 55,000 or 60,000 people that signed up within an hour to a ‘Wexit’ page,” continued Lukiwski who shared about the potential separatist movement in the West. “That doesn’t look like to me people are calming down. If anything, their anger may be even higher now than it was prior to the election.”
Remaining the official opposition, the MP also admitted his party still has work left to be done, especially in Ontario and Quebec when it comes time to try and form government when the next election is called. However with a Liberal minority government, Lukiwski feels the next few years are going to be very challenging for that party and its leader. “The proof will be in the pudding if he is truly willing to work on behalf of all Canadians but in particular Western Canada then yes, perhaps this government can survive a little longer than would be normal but I’ve yet to see him demonstrate in any meaningful way that he really is listening and wants to work and support the oil and gas sector in Western Canada.”
As for Lukiwski, he plans to continue to try and represent his constituents as well as he can. “My approach has always been, I don’t care who voted for me or who didn’t vote for me, if one of my constituents needs help and comes to me for assistance I am going to give them every bit of assistance I possibly can.”
On a national level, the MP said he will remain supportive of his party’s leader Andrew Scheer and the Conservative caucus while putting pressure on the prime minister. “Hopefully we will be able to force him into taking action on some of these key files like the oil and gas file that would make a huge difference in the lives of Canadians out here in the West. We are hurting out here. The oil and gas sector is hurting and people are continuing to suffer financially. We need a way to get our product to tide water and unless Mr. Trudeau does an abrupt about face, that is not going to happen anytime soon.”
With the federal election over, a different type of election results poured in from Elections Canada as more than 1.1 million elementary and secondary school students participated in Student Vote Canada 2019. After learning about the electoral process, researching the parties and platforms, and debating Canada’s future, students cast their ballots for the official candidates running in their school’s riding. As of 3 p.m. Oct. 22 a total of 1,187,987 votes were reported from 7,981 schools, with results from 338 federal ridings.
From those, the Liberal Party took 22.3 percent of the popular vote and won 112 seats, forming a minority government. Justin Trudeau won in his riding of Papineau. The NDP formed the official opposition with 24.8 percent of the popular vote and 98 seats. Jagmeet Singh won his seat in Burnaby South. The Conservative Party took 25.1 percent of the popular vote and won 93 seats. Andrew Scheer won his seat in Regina-Qu’Appelle. The Green Party took 18.1 percent of the popular vote and won 27 seats. Elizabeth May won her seat in Saanich-Gulf Islands. The Bloc Québécois took 1.3 percent of the popular vote and won 12 seats. Yves-François Blanchet won his seat in Beloeil-Chambly.
In Saskatchewan, 45,249 students participated in Student Vote Canada 2019 and of the 14 seats up for grabs in the province, the Conservatives took 11 while the NDP won three.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 21, 2019
Local couple thankful for remarkable recovery
Daniel Bushman
As Albert and Kathleen Kimmig spent Thanksgiving together at their farm north of Manitou Beach, Kathleen knew that things could have been very different. Driving from Watrous to her farm on May 5, 2018, smoke billowed off in the distance. What Kathleen did not realize until she arrived home was the smoke was coming from a grass fire on the yard with her husband unconscious next to it. Uncertain if Albert would survive 17 months ago, as this Thanksgiving approached, Albert not only left Manitou Lodge, walking out the doors himself but has reunited with Kathleen back at the farm.
While it was a monumental occasion Sept. 30 as Albert received hugs and cheers from staff and residents at Manitou Lodge in Watrous the road to being discharged from the long-term care facility, a very rare feat in itself, was a long one.
On a spring day in May, the wind picked up at the Kimmig farm north of Manitou Beach causing a grass fire to spread quickly. With the aid of the wind, the blaze engulfed a shed, two vehicles, a water truck with a tank, a fence and a row of trees. Albert who tried to extinguish the fire was overcome by the smoke and after receiving extensive burns to his body, the retired farmer had to be taken from the hospital in Watrous by STARS to Saskatoon and then to Edmonton to the burn unit. With 40 percent burn coverage to his body with second and third degree burns it was determined by doctors that Albert’s chance for survival was slim.
In isolation, Albert was bandaged from head to toe as he received 24 hour care. A tube was inserted into his mouth so he could obtain fluids and Albert would later undergo many hours of skin grafting. Specialists, nurses and aides spent considerable hours with Albert including a world-renowned burn expert in an attempt to have him recover.
“We are very grateful for the expertise of these wonderful workers and their skill knowledge,” said Kathleen who continued, “Albert had many skin grafts and surgeries and his right knee was burned to the bone. Albert has no kneecap and a flap transplant from his thigh now replaces as a covering. Microsurgery to connect arteries took place over eight hours and to date that site is still healing.”
Because Albert could not swallow, he also lost numerous pounds and was unable to speak during his time at the burn unit. “It was not until this summer a Saskatoon neurologist advised us that smoke inhalation had harmed his esophagus and had cut off oxygen to his brain.”
However, remarkably, after all of the surgeries, skin grafts and baby steps forward, Albert slowly began to eat soft food and thickened liquids. Gradually the now 79-year-old was able to eat solids and Kathleen recalled bringing him a burger which he indicated there was nothing finer.
Improving weekly, Albert was released from the burn unit in Edmonton in September 2018 and was checked in at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. He underwent further healing and physiotherapy before relocating to City Hospital in Saskatoon for more intense therapy.
“Several times he believed he could walk and staff would find him on the floor.”
Persevering and determined not to give up, Albert was transported closer to home by the end of October when he transferred to the hospital at the Watrous District Health Complex and then to Manitou Lodge until his release almost a year later on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Through his long and painful journey, Kathleen said the support he received was incredible. “He appreciated very much the encouragement, cards, letters and visits from friends and relatives and those from the Watrous area. The support received, whether financial, over the phone, prayers and personal visits were encouragement that kept hopes alive. The response through financial help we gratefully received assisted in all the expenses of being away from our community. Local assistance to the airport for rides and to home again, to house sitting and pet care, phone calls and hugs were much appreciated. We have such a responsive community towards needs and different issues that can only be met by smaller communities such as ours. We are certainly blessed.”
Now back at the farm for a couple of weeks since leaving Manitou Lodge, Kathleen said Albert loves to be busy but has not quite learned to pace himself. “His appetite is excellent, his short-term memory still a little slow and I believe I could serve the same meal to him two days in a row and he wouldn’t know. But when he recalls decades back, he is still ‘as sharp as a tack’ as the saying goes. He just completed taking apart, repairing and putting back together a heavy-duty stand mixer I have had since the 1970s.”
While Albert tinkers around the house, Kathleen admits her husband will miss having an audience for his stories while he was at the lodge. But just being back at home and able to walk by himself was virtually unimaginable when the road to recovery first began 17 months ago.
“We are so thankful and blessed that we know and give credit to our Father God. We are also very mindful of the skills of the medical profession and staff who partnered in Albert’s recovery. I was amazed at Albert’s determination to walk again against all odds. I commented to a relative that “what did we really expect when we prayed?” Prayer changes things. One of his plastic surgeons in Edmonton had given Albert a 30 to 40 percent chance of survival and commented later that he was surprised by Albert’s strong will power and his faith to overcome obstacles when it was known he probably would not survive. All things through our God is possible, if we believe. Thanksgiving praise is very prominent in our response to this miraculous recovery.”
Daniel Bushman
As Albert and Kathleen Kimmig spent Thanksgiving together at their farm north of Manitou Beach, Kathleen knew that things could have been very different. Driving from Watrous to her farm on May 5, 2018, smoke billowed off in the distance. What Kathleen did not realize until she arrived home was the smoke was coming from a grass fire on the yard with her husband unconscious next to it. Uncertain if Albert would survive 17 months ago, as this Thanksgiving approached, Albert not only left Manitou Lodge, walking out the doors himself but has reunited with Kathleen back at the farm.
While it was a monumental occasion Sept. 30 as Albert received hugs and cheers from staff and residents at Manitou Lodge in Watrous the road to being discharged from the long-term care facility, a very rare feat in itself, was a long one.
On a spring day in May, the wind picked up at the Kimmig farm north of Manitou Beach causing a grass fire to spread quickly. With the aid of the wind, the blaze engulfed a shed, two vehicles, a water truck with a tank, a fence and a row of trees. Albert who tried to extinguish the fire was overcome by the smoke and after receiving extensive burns to his body, the retired farmer had to be taken from the hospital in Watrous by STARS to Saskatoon and then to Edmonton to the burn unit. With 40 percent burn coverage to his body with second and third degree burns it was determined by doctors that Albert’s chance for survival was slim.
In isolation, Albert was bandaged from head to toe as he received 24 hour care. A tube was inserted into his mouth so he could obtain fluids and Albert would later undergo many hours of skin grafting. Specialists, nurses and aides spent considerable hours with Albert including a world-renowned burn expert in an attempt to have him recover.
“We are very grateful for the expertise of these wonderful workers and their skill knowledge,” said Kathleen who continued, “Albert had many skin grafts and surgeries and his right knee was burned to the bone. Albert has no kneecap and a flap transplant from his thigh now replaces as a covering. Microsurgery to connect arteries took place over eight hours and to date that site is still healing.”
Because Albert could not swallow, he also lost numerous pounds and was unable to speak during his time at the burn unit. “It was not until this summer a Saskatoon neurologist advised us that smoke inhalation had harmed his esophagus and had cut off oxygen to his brain.”
However, remarkably, after all of the surgeries, skin grafts and baby steps forward, Albert slowly began to eat soft food and thickened liquids. Gradually the now 79-year-old was able to eat solids and Kathleen recalled bringing him a burger which he indicated there was nothing finer.
Improving weekly, Albert was released from the burn unit in Edmonton in September 2018 and was checked in at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. He underwent further healing and physiotherapy before relocating to City Hospital in Saskatoon for more intense therapy.
“Several times he believed he could walk and staff would find him on the floor.”
Persevering and determined not to give up, Albert was transported closer to home by the end of October when he transferred to the hospital at the Watrous District Health Complex and then to Manitou Lodge until his release almost a year later on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Through his long and painful journey, Kathleen said the support he received was incredible. “He appreciated very much the encouragement, cards, letters and visits from friends and relatives and those from the Watrous area. The support received, whether financial, over the phone, prayers and personal visits were encouragement that kept hopes alive. The response through financial help we gratefully received assisted in all the expenses of being away from our community. Local assistance to the airport for rides and to home again, to house sitting and pet care, phone calls and hugs were much appreciated. We have such a responsive community towards needs and different issues that can only be met by smaller communities such as ours. We are certainly blessed.”
Now back at the farm for a couple of weeks since leaving Manitou Lodge, Kathleen said Albert loves to be busy but has not quite learned to pace himself. “His appetite is excellent, his short-term memory still a little slow and I believe I could serve the same meal to him two days in a row and he wouldn’t know. But when he recalls decades back, he is still ‘as sharp as a tack’ as the saying goes. He just completed taking apart, repairing and putting back together a heavy-duty stand mixer I have had since the 1970s.”
While Albert tinkers around the house, Kathleen admits her husband will miss having an audience for his stories while he was at the lodge. But just being back at home and able to walk by himself was virtually unimaginable when the road to recovery first began 17 months ago.
“We are so thankful and blessed that we know and give credit to our Father God. We are also very mindful of the skills of the medical profession and staff who partnered in Albert’s recovery. I was amazed at Albert’s determination to walk again against all odds. I commented to a relative that “what did we really expect when we prayed?” Prayer changes things. One of his plastic surgeons in Edmonton had given Albert a 30 to 40 percent chance of survival and commented later that he was surprised by Albert’s strong will power and his faith to overcome obstacles when it was known he probably would not survive. All things through our God is possible, if we believe. Thanksgiving praise is very prominent in our response to this miraculous recovery.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 14, 2019
Tree planting along Rotary Walking Trail a real community effort
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to beautify phase two of the Rotary Walking Trail in Watrous, help the environment and come together as a community, Tree Canada, local businesses, organizations and students from Watrous Elementary School joined forces to plant over 200 trees.
Part of an initiative between Home Hardware and Tree Canada, the Sept. 26 project involved other local groups like the Watrous Rotary, Green Acres Greenhouse and the Town of Watrous. With 110 trees to be planted through a Tree Canada and Home Hardware grant, Watrous Rotary provided a matching grant to cover an additional 110 trees for a total of 220.
Despite a cold September morning, the group of volunteers, local Rotarians, students and staff from Watrous Elementary School and staff members from Watrous Home Hardware got down to work. Leading up to the plant, Tree Canada Community Advisor for Saskatchewan, Kelvin Kelly was on hand to educate students about the importance of the trees to the environment.
Using an example of the weight of a volunteer student, Kelly noted an average sized tree, through a process of “photosynthesis” will absorb and store approximately 22 kg (48 lbs.) of carbon per year. That same tree as it goes through 42 years of its life would eventually store/sequester 2,000 pounds or one ton of carbon. Add another 219 trees to that total and in 42 years, with the 220 trees that were planted along the trail, they would have captured and stored approximately 440,000 pounds or 220 tons of carbon over that span. A real eye-opening figure, after explaining the value and benefit of the trees that would be planted in Watrous, Kelly and Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa along with the Gr. 6 and 7 classes and their teachers braved the elements and headed to the trail.
Borsa said about 65 students from both grades had a blast planting the trees despite the weather. They also enjoyed a pizza lunch afterwards courtesy of Home Hardware. “It was just a really good opportunity for our school and students to give something back to the community that will be part of it for years. We often have our community reach out to help our school, and this was a nice way to give a little back.”
Al Mosewich with the Watrous Rotary who has been integral in seeing the walking trail come to fruition over the years said phase two of the trail and the tree planting has really become a community project. “This is not just the Rotary’s project, it is the kids in school helping plant the trees; the generous donors supporting the path and providing these trees; Rotarian Jim Coulter helping mark the spots off for the trees to go; Dion Tarasoff and the Town of Watrous crew digging the holes; the Mierau family who are donating a gazebo to be placed nearby phase two of the trail; the Regier family who allowed us to put the trail on their land and also combine the crop before we planted these trees; Mel Penrose from the greenhouse who has staged everything for us and who has provided the mulch; Ken Bushman at Home Hardware who took the initiative to apply for the grant through Tree Canada for these trees; and the list goes on. I get excited to see our Rotarians, volunteers, staff from Home Hardware and the students and staff from the elementary school come together for a project like this. It is definitely a community effort and our local Rotarian Dan Mierau was really the workhorse behind this project for us. It all came together and it really shows the world how people can make a difference together.”
Mel Penrose from Green Acres Greenhouse said it has been such a terrific initiative that Home Hardware and the Watrous Rotary Club have taken. “They’ve accomplished something that will be appreciated by residents and visitors in Watrous for a long time. And involving the elementary school kids helps to foster that community pride and involvement for the future.”
Watching everything take place and seeing the camaraderie between everyone, Kelly noted how tremendous the support was for the project. “It is excellent to see everyone out here working together for such a good cause.”
As Tree Canada marked 27 years in their partnership with Home Hardware, Kelly said Home Hardware has been an integral part of helping the environment during that time as the two have joined forces on a national level to plant trees across the country. Over those years, Home Hardware and Tree Canada have planted more than 26,905 trees in Canadian communities valued at over $1 million.
As a whole, since 1992 Tree Canada has planted more than 82 million trees, greened more than 660 schoolyards, helped restore places hit by natural disasters and brought together urban forestry experts greening cities all across Canada.
“Here in Watrous, we really appreciate Ken and his team for stepping up and providing beauty, shelter and protection along the trail. This is the second year that Ken and the Home Hardware in Watrous have participated with the program, joining many other stores from across the country.”
Dealer/co-owner of Watrous Home Hardware Ken Bushman said it was great to see local groups come together to support a worthy cause including having the students and teachers from the elementary school come and join them.
“I am glad Home Hardware was able to help provide the trees to be planted along the trail and I was also reminded at how great the community of Watrous is. To have our staff, volunteers, local Rotarians and the Gr. 6 and 7 classes come together and plant the trees was really great to see. Mel Penrose from Green Acres was great in getting all of the trees together for us and we really appreciated all of her help. The support from everyone involved with this project from before we arrived to plant the trees until after they were all in the ground has been amazing.”
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to beautify phase two of the Rotary Walking Trail in Watrous, help the environment and come together as a community, Tree Canada, local businesses, organizations and students from Watrous Elementary School joined forces to plant over 200 trees.
Part of an initiative between Home Hardware and Tree Canada, the Sept. 26 project involved other local groups like the Watrous Rotary, Green Acres Greenhouse and the Town of Watrous. With 110 trees to be planted through a Tree Canada and Home Hardware grant, Watrous Rotary provided a matching grant to cover an additional 110 trees for a total of 220.
Despite a cold September morning, the group of volunteers, local Rotarians, students and staff from Watrous Elementary School and staff members from Watrous Home Hardware got down to work. Leading up to the plant, Tree Canada Community Advisor for Saskatchewan, Kelvin Kelly was on hand to educate students about the importance of the trees to the environment.
Using an example of the weight of a volunteer student, Kelly noted an average sized tree, through a process of “photosynthesis” will absorb and store approximately 22 kg (48 lbs.) of carbon per year. That same tree as it goes through 42 years of its life would eventually store/sequester 2,000 pounds or one ton of carbon. Add another 219 trees to that total and in 42 years, with the 220 trees that were planted along the trail, they would have captured and stored approximately 440,000 pounds or 220 tons of carbon over that span. A real eye-opening figure, after explaining the value and benefit of the trees that would be planted in Watrous, Kelly and Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa along with the Gr. 6 and 7 classes and their teachers braved the elements and headed to the trail.
Borsa said about 65 students from both grades had a blast planting the trees despite the weather. They also enjoyed a pizza lunch afterwards courtesy of Home Hardware. “It was just a really good opportunity for our school and students to give something back to the community that will be part of it for years. We often have our community reach out to help our school, and this was a nice way to give a little back.”
Al Mosewich with the Watrous Rotary who has been integral in seeing the walking trail come to fruition over the years said phase two of the trail and the tree planting has really become a community project. “This is not just the Rotary’s project, it is the kids in school helping plant the trees; the generous donors supporting the path and providing these trees; Rotarian Jim Coulter helping mark the spots off for the trees to go; Dion Tarasoff and the Town of Watrous crew digging the holes; the Mierau family who are donating a gazebo to be placed nearby phase two of the trail; the Regier family who allowed us to put the trail on their land and also combine the crop before we planted these trees; Mel Penrose from the greenhouse who has staged everything for us and who has provided the mulch; Ken Bushman at Home Hardware who took the initiative to apply for the grant through Tree Canada for these trees; and the list goes on. I get excited to see our Rotarians, volunteers, staff from Home Hardware and the students and staff from the elementary school come together for a project like this. It is definitely a community effort and our local Rotarian Dan Mierau was really the workhorse behind this project for us. It all came together and it really shows the world how people can make a difference together.”
Mel Penrose from Green Acres Greenhouse said it has been such a terrific initiative that Home Hardware and the Watrous Rotary Club have taken. “They’ve accomplished something that will be appreciated by residents and visitors in Watrous for a long time. And involving the elementary school kids helps to foster that community pride and involvement for the future.”
Watching everything take place and seeing the camaraderie between everyone, Kelly noted how tremendous the support was for the project. “It is excellent to see everyone out here working together for such a good cause.”
As Tree Canada marked 27 years in their partnership with Home Hardware, Kelly said Home Hardware has been an integral part of helping the environment during that time as the two have joined forces on a national level to plant trees across the country. Over those years, Home Hardware and Tree Canada have planted more than 26,905 trees in Canadian communities valued at over $1 million.
As a whole, since 1992 Tree Canada has planted more than 82 million trees, greened more than 660 schoolyards, helped restore places hit by natural disasters and brought together urban forestry experts greening cities all across Canada.
“Here in Watrous, we really appreciate Ken and his team for stepping up and providing beauty, shelter and protection along the trail. This is the second year that Ken and the Home Hardware in Watrous have participated with the program, joining many other stores from across the country.”
Dealer/co-owner of Watrous Home Hardware Ken Bushman said it was great to see local groups come together to support a worthy cause including having the students and teachers from the elementary school come and join them.
“I am glad Home Hardware was able to help provide the trees to be planted along the trail and I was also reminded at how great the community of Watrous is. To have our staff, volunteers, local Rotarians and the Gr. 6 and 7 classes come together and plant the trees was really great to see. Mel Penrose from Green Acres was great in getting all of the trees together for us and we really appreciated all of her help. The support from everyone involved with this project from before we arrived to plant the trees until after they were all in the ground has been amazing.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 7, 2019
WES to replace demolished playground equipment
Daniel Bushman
After many years of providing a place for adventures and enjoyment, one of the play structures at Watrous Elementary School was taken down. Because of recent safety concerns, Horizon School Division elected to remove the aging structure Sept. 21, leaving a spot for new equipment in the future.
Contacted by The Watrous Manitou, Horizon School Division issued the following statement regarding the demolition: “Our facilities services staff are trained in playground safety, and perform regular inspections of each of our playground structures, and sites, on a monthly basis. Part of the inspection is to review components of the play structure and identify as to whether they may require repair, or replacement. Often, the components of the playground are not repairable, and no suitable replacement parts can be sourced because the components are quite old and the overall unit is at end of life.
In the case of Watrous Elementary, they have been busy upgrading their play structures for some time now. Their oldest unit, which was removed following discussions with the school, and the principal, had reached a point where a substantial amount of the apparatus was no longer acceptably safe, and so the decision was made to decommission it.
In general, if repairs are able to be completed by facilities staff, or by external playground contractors, we will opt to conduct the repairs, and do our best to maintain them in the best possible condition. We are at a stage however, where we have a few of these types of playgrounds that are 20 plus years old, made mostly of wood, and are at end of life.”
Built in 1993 with an estimated cost of $18,300 the playground equipment at Watrous Elementary School had served students, local residents and visitors for a number of years. According to an article in the May 24, 1993 edition of The Watrous Manitou that project moved forward in three phases with $6,500 of the funds initially raised coming from various school activities like the book fair, field day food sales, and Christmas concert. In the spring of 1992, staff from the school along with two members from the local school board made the decision to push ahead on the project and a landscape design was created. Numerous businesses and individuals also lent a hand financially and through volunteering to see the project come to fruition. Along with a play structure, the project also included sand around the equipment’s perimeter and an adjacent grassy area.
Now 26 years later current Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said with the recent demolition the school’s plan moving forward is to look at different companies who are selling playground equipment to see what could be placed at the elementary school. Borsa indicated the school would like to form a committee with members of the school’s community council (SCC) and then create a community playground committee similar to what was done a few years ago when the elementary school added new equipment to the northwest end of the grounds. Wanting the equipment to be used by students and kids from the community and those visiting town, Borsa said once a committee is formed, fundraising initiatives will take place in addition to a recent fundraiser that the school conducted for the future playground project.
Daniel Bushman
After many years of providing a place for adventures and enjoyment, one of the play structures at Watrous Elementary School was taken down. Because of recent safety concerns, Horizon School Division elected to remove the aging structure Sept. 21, leaving a spot for new equipment in the future.
Contacted by The Watrous Manitou, Horizon School Division issued the following statement regarding the demolition: “Our facilities services staff are trained in playground safety, and perform regular inspections of each of our playground structures, and sites, on a monthly basis. Part of the inspection is to review components of the play structure and identify as to whether they may require repair, or replacement. Often, the components of the playground are not repairable, and no suitable replacement parts can be sourced because the components are quite old and the overall unit is at end of life.
In the case of Watrous Elementary, they have been busy upgrading their play structures for some time now. Their oldest unit, which was removed following discussions with the school, and the principal, had reached a point where a substantial amount of the apparatus was no longer acceptably safe, and so the decision was made to decommission it.
In general, if repairs are able to be completed by facilities staff, or by external playground contractors, we will opt to conduct the repairs, and do our best to maintain them in the best possible condition. We are at a stage however, where we have a few of these types of playgrounds that are 20 plus years old, made mostly of wood, and are at end of life.”
Built in 1993 with an estimated cost of $18,300 the playground equipment at Watrous Elementary School had served students, local residents and visitors for a number of years. According to an article in the May 24, 1993 edition of The Watrous Manitou that project moved forward in three phases with $6,500 of the funds initially raised coming from various school activities like the book fair, field day food sales, and Christmas concert. In the spring of 1992, staff from the school along with two members from the local school board made the decision to push ahead on the project and a landscape design was created. Numerous businesses and individuals also lent a hand financially and through volunteering to see the project come to fruition. Along with a play structure, the project also included sand around the equipment’s perimeter and an adjacent grassy area.
Now 26 years later current Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said with the recent demolition the school’s plan moving forward is to look at different companies who are selling playground equipment to see what could be placed at the elementary school. Borsa indicated the school would like to form a committee with members of the school’s community council (SCC) and then create a community playground committee similar to what was done a few years ago when the elementary school added new equipment to the northwest end of the grounds. Wanting the equipment to be used by students and kids from the community and those visiting town, Borsa said once a committee is formed, fundraising initiatives will take place in addition to a recent fundraiser that the school conducted for the future playground project.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 30, 2019
Local primary health teams welcome new physicians
Daniel Bushman
There will be a couple of new faces to the health teams in Watrous, Imperial and Lanigan as a pair of physicians will be filling vacancies at each. After an announcement was made in March by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) that there would be a few changes to both teams this fall, Angela Luron with SHA said starting this week those changes will start taking place.
In Lanigan, beginning Sept. 30, Dr. Joseph Akinjobi will be joined by physician Dr. Marianne Awad to provide physician services at the Lanigan Integrated Hospital and the Lanigan and District Medical Clinic. Awad is taking over from Dr. Chander Sharma who is transferring to Watrous to take on the role vacated at the end of July by Dr. Hammad Akhtar.
Luron said Awad obtained her medical degree in 2007 from Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine in Egypt. Then in 2009 she received her Family Medicine residency at the Alexandria University Hospital in Egypt.
“Dr. Awad has experience practicing emergency medicine as well as family medicine, with a really strong focus on multidisciplinary, team-based care. She has a strong patient and family centred approach to her clinical practice. Dr. Awad has successfully completed the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA), providing her the opportunity to learn the Saskatchewan health system, which will certainly serve her well as she serves the community of Lanigan and area.”
As Awad and her family move to Lanigan, Sharma will be transferring to the Watrous Imperial team near the beginning of October.
“We can confirm that Dr. Sharma will be providing orientation in Lanigan for Dr. Awad from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 alongside Dr. Akinjobi. Dr. Sharma will then transition to the Watrous Imperial Primary Health Team on Oct. 4 of 2019 and will start his orientation. We are thankful for Dr. Sharma’s commitment and years of service in the Lanigan area and we are very pleased to welcome him to the Watrous Imperial team,” said Luron. “He will be joining his wife Dr. Kavita Choudhary and Dr. Olanike Adebayo along with two nurse practitioners Julie Wolff and Carrie Su.”
While Akhtar departed earlier this summer to join his family back in England, Luron said he will be returning to the area to provide several weeks of locum coverage throughout the fall with the Watrous Imperial team. During his time back, Akhtar will be providing a focused orientation for Sharma from Oct. 4 to 11. “There will be a limited number of appointments available with Dr. Akhtar in October and November in Watrous as well as in Imperial.”
Working in partnership with SHA, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said the news of having a full compliment of physicians and nurse practitioners on staff in the community is really positive. “Certainly it is good they were able to fill Dr. Akhtar’s vacant position so quickly. We are thrilled to have Dr. Sharma join our team.”
Luron also noted SHA appreciates being able to work in partnership with the Town of Watrous and the surrounding communities and RMs in providing the local health services. “We are always appreciative of working closely with them to make sure we are aware of community health needs and keeping them up to date with all of the planning around the providers.”
Daniel Bushman
There will be a couple of new faces to the health teams in Watrous, Imperial and Lanigan as a pair of physicians will be filling vacancies at each. After an announcement was made in March by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) that there would be a few changes to both teams this fall, Angela Luron with SHA said starting this week those changes will start taking place.
In Lanigan, beginning Sept. 30, Dr. Joseph Akinjobi will be joined by physician Dr. Marianne Awad to provide physician services at the Lanigan Integrated Hospital and the Lanigan and District Medical Clinic. Awad is taking over from Dr. Chander Sharma who is transferring to Watrous to take on the role vacated at the end of July by Dr. Hammad Akhtar.
Luron said Awad obtained her medical degree in 2007 from Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine in Egypt. Then in 2009 she received her Family Medicine residency at the Alexandria University Hospital in Egypt.
“Dr. Awad has experience practicing emergency medicine as well as family medicine, with a really strong focus on multidisciplinary, team-based care. She has a strong patient and family centred approach to her clinical practice. Dr. Awad has successfully completed the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA), providing her the opportunity to learn the Saskatchewan health system, which will certainly serve her well as she serves the community of Lanigan and area.”
As Awad and her family move to Lanigan, Sharma will be transferring to the Watrous Imperial team near the beginning of October.
“We can confirm that Dr. Sharma will be providing orientation in Lanigan for Dr. Awad from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 alongside Dr. Akinjobi. Dr. Sharma will then transition to the Watrous Imperial Primary Health Team on Oct. 4 of 2019 and will start his orientation. We are thankful for Dr. Sharma’s commitment and years of service in the Lanigan area and we are very pleased to welcome him to the Watrous Imperial team,” said Luron. “He will be joining his wife Dr. Kavita Choudhary and Dr. Olanike Adebayo along with two nurse practitioners Julie Wolff and Carrie Su.”
While Akhtar departed earlier this summer to join his family back in England, Luron said he will be returning to the area to provide several weeks of locum coverage throughout the fall with the Watrous Imperial team. During his time back, Akhtar will be providing a focused orientation for Sharma from Oct. 4 to 11. “There will be a limited number of appointments available with Dr. Akhtar in October and November in Watrous as well as in Imperial.”
Working in partnership with SHA, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said the news of having a full compliment of physicians and nurse practitioners on staff in the community is really positive. “Certainly it is good they were able to fill Dr. Akhtar’s vacant position so quickly. We are thrilled to have Dr. Sharma join our team.”
Luron also noted SHA appreciates being able to work in partnership with the Town of Watrous and the surrounding communities and RMs in providing the local health services. “We are always appreciative of working closely with them to make sure we are aware of community health needs and keeping them up to date with all of the planning around the providers.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 23, 2019
Concerns raised about severe highway conditions
Daniel Bushman
It was to become a freshly paved high-clearance corridor for shippers to haul over-height loads across Saskatchewan but after construction began and funding was deferred, completion was halted on a stretch of Hwy. 15. While the project west of the Hwy. 2 junction south of Watrous and north of Simpson was scheduled to be finished in 2015, about 14 kilometres of the highway was never fully completed and with recent rains, the condition of that stretch became increasingly worse.
Many who travel that route on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis have come to expect they will be driving much slower than the speed limit and when it rains, those brave enough to venture out on the 14 km chunk of highway cross their fingers and hope not to slide off the road. A few weeks ago, after about three days worth of precipitation, those who had to navigate through the slick grooves along the bumpy patch of road to get to work or to transport students to school had to methodically weave their way over the terrain. For others unfamiliar with the road, they hit the ditch.
Alex Gill who feels the highway within the Rural Municipality of Wood Creek has been forgotten about has watched the familiar scene of vehicles hitting the ditch play out more times than he can remember. “Someone is going to get killed on this road,” said the local resident after noting four vehicles slid into the ditch during one of those rainy days in mid-September. “If there was an emergency that arose requiring first responders and the road was in this type of condition after a rain, how would they ever get to someone’s farm or out to a field to help?”
Like so many who utilize that portion of Hwy. 15, Gill has been left in disbelief about the conditions and has snapped pictures and taken videos to prove just how bad it has gotten. More recently, after a large amount of moisture fell he helplessly watched as one vehicle after another slid off the road and into the ditch. “A couple weeks ago after the rain I had a van and a truck go off the road right in front of me.”
While the section of road is currently maintained with added gravel and grading to help try and mitigate the issues, back in June 2011 the provincial government announced it would rebuild the whole stretch of Hwy. 15 from the Hwy. 2 junction all the way to Kenaston. In fact, in that announcement around $45 million was earmarked for the 57 kilometre stretch of road as part of the high-clearance corridor. The road was to go from a thin membrane surface to an asphalt concrete pavement capable of carrying primary weight truck traffic, the highest allowable weight at which shippers can transport their goods.
As the funds were put in place the process was to encompass three stages with the first stage beginning at the junction of Hwy. 11. That is where aggregate (gravel) crushing of materials began in preparation for on-road construction to commence in the spring and summer of 2012. Construction was then slated to continue east towards Hwy. 2 over the following three construction seasons with completion of the project in 2015. In addition, all the utility lines that could obstruct over-height loads were to be buried to allow items to be moved without the need to temporarily cut utility lines or other structures.
While work did in fact start at the junction of Hwy. 11 and utility lines were buried, work on the multi-million dollar project eventually ceased. Executive director of communications and customer service with the ministry of highways and construction Doug Wakabayashi explained the circumstances surrounding the sudden halt on completing the project. “Back in 2011 the province announced the creation of a high-clearance corridor that would run from Melville to the Alberta border. Part of the route included Hwy. 15 so as part of that route at the time it was announced the province was going to upgrade Hwy. 15 between the junction of Hwy. 2 and the junction of Hwy. 11. Subsequent to that, about 13 kms from the junction of Hwy. 11 running to the east were upgraded and paved and about 20 kms from the junction of Hwy. 2 to the west, the grading was completed but it was never surfaced. The reason for that is that was at the time when the province’s resource revenues fell drastically and there was a pretty major change in the fiscal position of the government. Due to that, the upgrades to Hwy. 15 was deferred.”
Living adjacent to where the unfinished portion of the highway is located is Robert Oakes and his family. Oakes was living on the property when the announcement was made to rebuild the highway back in 2011 but since crews left the 14 km stretch of road unfinished it has deteriorated. “A few weeks ago was the worst it has been but it is getting progressively worse. When it rains the water sits in the potholes and then you get 10 vehicles going over that spot and it gets twice as big.”
Oakes said gravel has been put on the road to help fill in the holes, temporarily fixing the situation but he would like to see the provincial government restore the project’s funding so the job can be completed.
“People using that road will stop on our driveway and they ask me how they can get off this highway. About two summers ago a person stopped on an approach with his camper and I went and asked if he needed help. He told me his family had been using this route every summer to go to Alberta but this was the last time.”
And it is not just the Oakes family who have had to deal with the incomplete highway on a daily basis. Not far across the road from where Robert and his family live is Len Moore. Moore’s story is very similar to Robert’s as he also has been dealing with the rough conditions. “If I go east, I have five miles of that mess and if I go west, I have four.”
Growing up on the farm along Hwy. 15 Moore eventually moved away for work but then about seven years ago returned home. Living 13 kms west of the junction of Hwy. 2 and 15, Moore has become increasingly frustrated about the way the incomplete road has been handled. “When it rains it is just a sloppy mess and for smaller cars it is virtually impassable.”
Like Gill and Oakes, Moore has also helped motorists out of the ditch when the conditions sour. “There has been people we have helped that have hit the ditch and we have pulled them out. I ride a motorcycle and even when they did have a good covering of gravel on there it was dangerous on a motorcycle. I had one guy two summers ago from France travelling around the world on a bicycle and he was worked up because the map didn’t show the gravel. I finished cutting my grass and put his bike in my truck and gave him a ride. Then just last spring right at the west end of the construction there was a rollover and less than a mile west of there on the asphalt there was a rough spot on a grade and a woman from Newfoundland rolled.”
The incident involving the woman occurred in August 2016 and it ultimately ended in tragedy as her dog was killed. Elle Gottzi and her two-year-old Husky Naina had successfully crossed the country after going more than 10,000 kms over three weeks and were on their way home when her vehicle veered into a slough.
Facing all sorts of roads, weather conditions and wildlife, it was not until she was motoring along on Hwy. 15 between Kenaston and the junction of Hwy. 2 when her trip went horribly wrong. On that particular August day, Gottzi mapped out her route which would take her from Three Hills, Alta. to Raymore. Speaking to The Watrous Manitou back in 2016, Gottzi said her path happened to fall on Hwy. 15.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Gottzi did her best to evade potholes, rough patches and broken pavement but it was on one of those broken pieces of road that completely knocked her Honda Element out of control, sending it into the slough and landing upside down. Trapped in her vehicle as water filled the interior, Gottzi tried to remain focused while frantically searching for a way out.
“I was holding my breath and periodically swallowing the swampy dirty water to lessen the pressure in my lungs. I was carefully and blindly examining with my hands everything around me in the car while in an upside down position.”
Gottzi needed to break the windows to get out but could not find anything heavy enough. Running out of air she extended her feet and felt the ground. Realizing one of the windows was broken, she knew it was her only way out. Not knowing where her dog was, Gottzi managed to slip through the space where the back window was located and shot towards the surface.
Gasping for air, Elle did not see her Husky Naina and chaotically began searching for her friend. Relentlessly diving below the surface to find a way to her dog, Gottzi could see nothing. The survivor caught a glimpse of a vehicle approaching so she did her best to elevate herself on the sunken car and flagged the motorists down. However it would be too late as her dog Naina perished.
Left with a horrifying experience and without a vehicle, Gottzi received an outpouring of support from the local community and eventually made it back home. However before leaving Watrous another accident occurred in essentially the same spot 15 hours later, this time a couple from the United States who ended up in a slough on the opposite side of the road where Gottzi’s vehicle went in.
“After driving more than 10,000 kms crossing the country in all sorts of conditions and roads, it took Saskatchewan’s back country to have my trip abruptly end and be fatal for my dog. It took an American couple to drive there to have pretty much the same end as well. If a dog’s life isn’t important for some, you can easily imagine a kid instead, a human life. It is just a matter of time before the next story like mine appears.”
Since those terrifying incidents in 2016 more rollovers have occurred and like previous owner of Watrous Towing Lorrie Struthers, current owner Shaun Wheten has responded to calls of vehicles rolling over or hitting the ditch along the 14 km stretch of Hwy. 15.
“That road has always been bad. I really don’t understand why it is such a bad road,” said Wheten. “I hate going down it and I will actually avoid it if I have to find someone. I will take other back roads and hauling vehicles on it especially, I will take a different road if I can.”
While Wheten figured some of those calls he has responded to along Hwy. 15 are a result of driver error he noted the condition of the road is not ideal. He also stressed when responding to incidents, motorists passing by his truck need to slow down. “You are basically helping us out and saving our lives by slowing down. I will never send my son out with a half-ton again. He went to do a fuel delivery and almost got smoked by a semi. My daughter was in my deck truck one time, honked the horn at me because someone spun out and hit the ditch close to us.”
But despite countless calls from local area residents and those passing through along Hwy. 15, the chunk of road remains unfinished. Shaking his head, Moore said he would really like to see that 14 km stretch fixed right away. “This road was engineered to be built up to grade and finished with asphalt and that is what I want to see. If they can’t do the other 30 kms or so immediately we can deal with that but we can’t deal with a half built highway.”
When asked about fixing that 14 km chunk as opposed to the whole highway, Wakabayashi indicated traffic volumes on that stretch of road are generally pretty low with around 210 to 240 vehicles per day. “In order to continue with the upgrades to Hwy. 15 with those traffic volumes it is difficult to prioritize that when you compare it with other needs on the provincial transportation system.”
Moore figured those lower numbers are due to more and more people avoiding the highway because of the conditions. “The dust caused by the gravel is dangerous too. There was one local driver who pulled into a yard because she knew there was a vehicle somewhere behind her and didn’t want to risk slowing down to turn south. Had she done that she would have been hit because the vehicle was right behind her but the dust made it impossible to see.”
Oakes said while the ministry may consider Hwy. 15 to be a lower priority with lower traffic volumes, he feels that by fixing that section could actually alleviate some of the traffic volume pressure on Hwy. 16. Oakes has been told by drivers pulling campers who come to his door that they will never again use Hwy. 15 and will be travelling along Hwy. 16. “People are going the extra distance to use Hwy. 16 or Hwy. 1 and it starts congesting those highways.”
Wakabayashi said he has heard the concerns of motorists and residents and a plan is being put in place to try and help remedy the situation. “So what we are doing right now is we are working with an individual named Richard Porter who has experience with transportation infrastructure issues in rural municipalities and with SARM and is also active on area transportation planning committees. He is helping us engage the local RMs so we can look at what options might exist to improve the performance of the gravel section of the highway. The weather we have seen (a few weeks ago) shows what can happen to the performance with the gravel section when it gets wet.”
Like many producers hoping to get back in their combines last week after the recent rains, Richard Porter was also hoping to be able to wrap up harvest soon. Porter confirmed he had been contacted by the ministry about meeting with local RMs about the road situation and the head chairperson of 11 transportation committees in the province and chair of the north central transportation planning committee said, “There is some discussion that will start after harvest.”
As for whether or not the road would eventually be completed and how much it would actually cost? “That would have to be prioritized,” continued Wakabayashi. “When we look at where we invest our money each year, for example in the last few years our capital construction budget has been in the $350 million range, which sounds like a lot of money and it is a lot of money, but where we invest that, that has to be prioritized amongst needs across the entire provincial highway system.”
So while motorists and local area residents wait for a solution and answers to a seemingly ever-growing issue, Wakabayashi said signage is being put in place, the condition of the highway has been updated on the provincial highway hotline to alert motorists of its condition and a grader is being brought in.
“We empathize with people that use that highway on a regular basis. Certainly we are aware of the condition of it. It is not like we don’t know the condition of it and we recognize that people are frustrated and right now our priority is to work with local governments and look at what options might exist for at least improving the gravel section of the road.”
Daniel Bushman
It was to become a freshly paved high-clearance corridor for shippers to haul over-height loads across Saskatchewan but after construction began and funding was deferred, completion was halted on a stretch of Hwy. 15. While the project west of the Hwy. 2 junction south of Watrous and north of Simpson was scheduled to be finished in 2015, about 14 kilometres of the highway was never fully completed and with recent rains, the condition of that stretch became increasingly worse.
Many who travel that route on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis have come to expect they will be driving much slower than the speed limit and when it rains, those brave enough to venture out on the 14 km chunk of highway cross their fingers and hope not to slide off the road. A few weeks ago, after about three days worth of precipitation, those who had to navigate through the slick grooves along the bumpy patch of road to get to work or to transport students to school had to methodically weave their way over the terrain. For others unfamiliar with the road, they hit the ditch.
Alex Gill who feels the highway within the Rural Municipality of Wood Creek has been forgotten about has watched the familiar scene of vehicles hitting the ditch play out more times than he can remember. “Someone is going to get killed on this road,” said the local resident after noting four vehicles slid into the ditch during one of those rainy days in mid-September. “If there was an emergency that arose requiring first responders and the road was in this type of condition after a rain, how would they ever get to someone’s farm or out to a field to help?”
Like so many who utilize that portion of Hwy. 15, Gill has been left in disbelief about the conditions and has snapped pictures and taken videos to prove just how bad it has gotten. More recently, after a large amount of moisture fell he helplessly watched as one vehicle after another slid off the road and into the ditch. “A couple weeks ago after the rain I had a van and a truck go off the road right in front of me.”
While the section of road is currently maintained with added gravel and grading to help try and mitigate the issues, back in June 2011 the provincial government announced it would rebuild the whole stretch of Hwy. 15 from the Hwy. 2 junction all the way to Kenaston. In fact, in that announcement around $45 million was earmarked for the 57 kilometre stretch of road as part of the high-clearance corridor. The road was to go from a thin membrane surface to an asphalt concrete pavement capable of carrying primary weight truck traffic, the highest allowable weight at which shippers can transport their goods.
As the funds were put in place the process was to encompass three stages with the first stage beginning at the junction of Hwy. 11. That is where aggregate (gravel) crushing of materials began in preparation for on-road construction to commence in the spring and summer of 2012. Construction was then slated to continue east towards Hwy. 2 over the following three construction seasons with completion of the project in 2015. In addition, all the utility lines that could obstruct over-height loads were to be buried to allow items to be moved without the need to temporarily cut utility lines or other structures.
While work did in fact start at the junction of Hwy. 11 and utility lines were buried, work on the multi-million dollar project eventually ceased. Executive director of communications and customer service with the ministry of highways and construction Doug Wakabayashi explained the circumstances surrounding the sudden halt on completing the project. “Back in 2011 the province announced the creation of a high-clearance corridor that would run from Melville to the Alberta border. Part of the route included Hwy. 15 so as part of that route at the time it was announced the province was going to upgrade Hwy. 15 between the junction of Hwy. 2 and the junction of Hwy. 11. Subsequent to that, about 13 kms from the junction of Hwy. 11 running to the east were upgraded and paved and about 20 kms from the junction of Hwy. 2 to the west, the grading was completed but it was never surfaced. The reason for that is that was at the time when the province’s resource revenues fell drastically and there was a pretty major change in the fiscal position of the government. Due to that, the upgrades to Hwy. 15 was deferred.”
Living adjacent to where the unfinished portion of the highway is located is Robert Oakes and his family. Oakes was living on the property when the announcement was made to rebuild the highway back in 2011 but since crews left the 14 km stretch of road unfinished it has deteriorated. “A few weeks ago was the worst it has been but it is getting progressively worse. When it rains the water sits in the potholes and then you get 10 vehicles going over that spot and it gets twice as big.”
Oakes said gravel has been put on the road to help fill in the holes, temporarily fixing the situation but he would like to see the provincial government restore the project’s funding so the job can be completed.
“People using that road will stop on our driveway and they ask me how they can get off this highway. About two summers ago a person stopped on an approach with his camper and I went and asked if he needed help. He told me his family had been using this route every summer to go to Alberta but this was the last time.”
And it is not just the Oakes family who have had to deal with the incomplete highway on a daily basis. Not far across the road from where Robert and his family live is Len Moore. Moore’s story is very similar to Robert’s as he also has been dealing with the rough conditions. “If I go east, I have five miles of that mess and if I go west, I have four.”
Growing up on the farm along Hwy. 15 Moore eventually moved away for work but then about seven years ago returned home. Living 13 kms west of the junction of Hwy. 2 and 15, Moore has become increasingly frustrated about the way the incomplete road has been handled. “When it rains it is just a sloppy mess and for smaller cars it is virtually impassable.”
Like Gill and Oakes, Moore has also helped motorists out of the ditch when the conditions sour. “There has been people we have helped that have hit the ditch and we have pulled them out. I ride a motorcycle and even when they did have a good covering of gravel on there it was dangerous on a motorcycle. I had one guy two summers ago from France travelling around the world on a bicycle and he was worked up because the map didn’t show the gravel. I finished cutting my grass and put his bike in my truck and gave him a ride. Then just last spring right at the west end of the construction there was a rollover and less than a mile west of there on the asphalt there was a rough spot on a grade and a woman from Newfoundland rolled.”
The incident involving the woman occurred in August 2016 and it ultimately ended in tragedy as her dog was killed. Elle Gottzi and her two-year-old Husky Naina had successfully crossed the country after going more than 10,000 kms over three weeks and were on their way home when her vehicle veered into a slough.
Facing all sorts of roads, weather conditions and wildlife, it was not until she was motoring along on Hwy. 15 between Kenaston and the junction of Hwy. 2 when her trip went horribly wrong. On that particular August day, Gottzi mapped out her route which would take her from Three Hills, Alta. to Raymore. Speaking to The Watrous Manitou back in 2016, Gottzi said her path happened to fall on Hwy. 15.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Gottzi did her best to evade potholes, rough patches and broken pavement but it was on one of those broken pieces of road that completely knocked her Honda Element out of control, sending it into the slough and landing upside down. Trapped in her vehicle as water filled the interior, Gottzi tried to remain focused while frantically searching for a way out.
“I was holding my breath and periodically swallowing the swampy dirty water to lessen the pressure in my lungs. I was carefully and blindly examining with my hands everything around me in the car while in an upside down position.”
Gottzi needed to break the windows to get out but could not find anything heavy enough. Running out of air she extended her feet and felt the ground. Realizing one of the windows was broken, she knew it was her only way out. Not knowing where her dog was, Gottzi managed to slip through the space where the back window was located and shot towards the surface.
Gasping for air, Elle did not see her Husky Naina and chaotically began searching for her friend. Relentlessly diving below the surface to find a way to her dog, Gottzi could see nothing. The survivor caught a glimpse of a vehicle approaching so she did her best to elevate herself on the sunken car and flagged the motorists down. However it would be too late as her dog Naina perished.
Left with a horrifying experience and without a vehicle, Gottzi received an outpouring of support from the local community and eventually made it back home. However before leaving Watrous another accident occurred in essentially the same spot 15 hours later, this time a couple from the United States who ended up in a slough on the opposite side of the road where Gottzi’s vehicle went in.
“After driving more than 10,000 kms crossing the country in all sorts of conditions and roads, it took Saskatchewan’s back country to have my trip abruptly end and be fatal for my dog. It took an American couple to drive there to have pretty much the same end as well. If a dog’s life isn’t important for some, you can easily imagine a kid instead, a human life. It is just a matter of time before the next story like mine appears.”
Since those terrifying incidents in 2016 more rollovers have occurred and like previous owner of Watrous Towing Lorrie Struthers, current owner Shaun Wheten has responded to calls of vehicles rolling over or hitting the ditch along the 14 km stretch of Hwy. 15.
“That road has always been bad. I really don’t understand why it is such a bad road,” said Wheten. “I hate going down it and I will actually avoid it if I have to find someone. I will take other back roads and hauling vehicles on it especially, I will take a different road if I can.”
While Wheten figured some of those calls he has responded to along Hwy. 15 are a result of driver error he noted the condition of the road is not ideal. He also stressed when responding to incidents, motorists passing by his truck need to slow down. “You are basically helping us out and saving our lives by slowing down. I will never send my son out with a half-ton again. He went to do a fuel delivery and almost got smoked by a semi. My daughter was in my deck truck one time, honked the horn at me because someone spun out and hit the ditch close to us.”
But despite countless calls from local area residents and those passing through along Hwy. 15, the chunk of road remains unfinished. Shaking his head, Moore said he would really like to see that 14 km stretch fixed right away. “This road was engineered to be built up to grade and finished with asphalt and that is what I want to see. If they can’t do the other 30 kms or so immediately we can deal with that but we can’t deal with a half built highway.”
When asked about fixing that 14 km chunk as opposed to the whole highway, Wakabayashi indicated traffic volumes on that stretch of road are generally pretty low with around 210 to 240 vehicles per day. “In order to continue with the upgrades to Hwy. 15 with those traffic volumes it is difficult to prioritize that when you compare it with other needs on the provincial transportation system.”
Moore figured those lower numbers are due to more and more people avoiding the highway because of the conditions. “The dust caused by the gravel is dangerous too. There was one local driver who pulled into a yard because she knew there was a vehicle somewhere behind her and didn’t want to risk slowing down to turn south. Had she done that she would have been hit because the vehicle was right behind her but the dust made it impossible to see.”
Oakes said while the ministry may consider Hwy. 15 to be a lower priority with lower traffic volumes, he feels that by fixing that section could actually alleviate some of the traffic volume pressure on Hwy. 16. Oakes has been told by drivers pulling campers who come to his door that they will never again use Hwy. 15 and will be travelling along Hwy. 16. “People are going the extra distance to use Hwy. 16 or Hwy. 1 and it starts congesting those highways.”
Wakabayashi said he has heard the concerns of motorists and residents and a plan is being put in place to try and help remedy the situation. “So what we are doing right now is we are working with an individual named Richard Porter who has experience with transportation infrastructure issues in rural municipalities and with SARM and is also active on area transportation planning committees. He is helping us engage the local RMs so we can look at what options might exist to improve the performance of the gravel section of the highway. The weather we have seen (a few weeks ago) shows what can happen to the performance with the gravel section when it gets wet.”
Like many producers hoping to get back in their combines last week after the recent rains, Richard Porter was also hoping to be able to wrap up harvest soon. Porter confirmed he had been contacted by the ministry about meeting with local RMs about the road situation and the head chairperson of 11 transportation committees in the province and chair of the north central transportation planning committee said, “There is some discussion that will start after harvest.”
As for whether or not the road would eventually be completed and how much it would actually cost? “That would have to be prioritized,” continued Wakabayashi. “When we look at where we invest our money each year, for example in the last few years our capital construction budget has been in the $350 million range, which sounds like a lot of money and it is a lot of money, but where we invest that, that has to be prioritized amongst needs across the entire provincial highway system.”
So while motorists and local area residents wait for a solution and answers to a seemingly ever-growing issue, Wakabayashi said signage is being put in place, the condition of the highway has been updated on the provincial highway hotline to alert motorists of its condition and a grader is being brought in.
“We empathize with people that use that highway on a regular basis. Certainly we are aware of the condition of it. It is not like we don’t know the condition of it and we recognize that people are frustrated and right now our priority is to work with local governments and look at what options might exist for at least improving the gravel section of the road.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 16, 2019
LLVIF implements new changes courtesy of local support
Daniel Bushman
Residents, patients and staff utilizing the Long Lake Valley Integrated Facility (LLVIF) in Imperial will notice a few upgrades all thanks to substantial support from the community and surrounding area.
With an expansion of the Telehealth Saskatchewan Program and a newly built patio fence at the facility, LLVIF Manager Blair Broadfoot said they were both possible only because of the number of generous donations that came in.
A total cost of approximately $4,000 to bring to LLVIF with $2,500 of that raised through community donations, the manager explained the significance of having the Telehealth Saskatchewan Program and what it means for Imperial and area residents.
“Telehealth allows patients to attend appropriate clinical appointments, consultations or follow-ups via video conferencing with a physician or specialist that is outside of their home community. This is done by using communication and information technology that allows two way communications between the physician and the patient. It is enhanced by the utilization of the latest in tele-diagnostic instruments which may include digital stethoscopes, patient examination cameras, and digital imaging. Telehealth enables a remote patient to ‘visit’ an out-of-town health care provider while remaining in their home community, health region or province.”
In one recent example, Broadfoot said a client explained how much he appreciated not having to travel for his consultation appointments. By not having to go a lengthy distance, he was able to remain close to home and concentrate on recovering from his illness.
Located within the facility, Broadfoot remarked the unique program is also able to provide professional education sessions for health care staff, physicians and the general public as well as offering various administrative services to members of regional health authorities in the province. Those services include health care administration meetings that help to reduce travel and increase participation in regional and provincial meetings.
“The Long Lake Valley Integrated Facility staff appreciate the opportunities the telehealth equipment allows for educational sessions. Travel and staff time was often a deterrent for attending education sessions.”
As the LLVIF received its new expanded program inside, outside a new patio fence was being built after the original one was deemed to be in disrepair. Now finished, Broadfoot said, “The fence cost $4,000 and again the community came through with donations of $3,000.”
Greatly appreciating the support for both recent changes, Broadfoot hopes that patients and staff using the facility will also enjoy the new improvements.
Daniel Bushman
Residents, patients and staff utilizing the Long Lake Valley Integrated Facility (LLVIF) in Imperial will notice a few upgrades all thanks to substantial support from the community and surrounding area.
With an expansion of the Telehealth Saskatchewan Program and a newly built patio fence at the facility, LLVIF Manager Blair Broadfoot said they were both possible only because of the number of generous donations that came in.
A total cost of approximately $4,000 to bring to LLVIF with $2,500 of that raised through community donations, the manager explained the significance of having the Telehealth Saskatchewan Program and what it means for Imperial and area residents.
“Telehealth allows patients to attend appropriate clinical appointments, consultations or follow-ups via video conferencing with a physician or specialist that is outside of their home community. This is done by using communication and information technology that allows two way communications between the physician and the patient. It is enhanced by the utilization of the latest in tele-diagnostic instruments which may include digital stethoscopes, patient examination cameras, and digital imaging. Telehealth enables a remote patient to ‘visit’ an out-of-town health care provider while remaining in their home community, health region or province.”
In one recent example, Broadfoot said a client explained how much he appreciated not having to travel for his consultation appointments. By not having to go a lengthy distance, he was able to remain close to home and concentrate on recovering from his illness.
Located within the facility, Broadfoot remarked the unique program is also able to provide professional education sessions for health care staff, physicians and the general public as well as offering various administrative services to members of regional health authorities in the province. Those services include health care administration meetings that help to reduce travel and increase participation in regional and provincial meetings.
“The Long Lake Valley Integrated Facility staff appreciate the opportunities the telehealth equipment allows for educational sessions. Travel and staff time was often a deterrent for attending education sessions.”
As the LLVIF received its new expanded program inside, outside a new patio fence was being built after the original one was deemed to be in disrepair. Now finished, Broadfoot said, “The fence cost $4,000 and again the community came through with donations of $3,000.”
Greatly appreciating the support for both recent changes, Broadfoot hopes that patients and staff using the facility will also enjoy the new improvements.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 9, 2019
Town of Watrous adds second mobility van to fleet
Daniel Bushman
Watching the faces of those at Manitou Lodge light up as they embark on another adventure or hearing that a resident from Watrous was able to attend an appointment who normally would be unable to on their own has been encouraging to Watrous Town Councillor and mobility van board member Pat Isherwood. With a new mobility van arriving in 2017 and a second smaller version just purchased by the town, Isherwood said, “Utilizing either mobility van is a specialized service that provides transportation options for residents with mobility impairments so those within the community now have the option of using either vehicle.”
After obtaining the new 14 passenger mobility van two years ago, which includes space for five wheelchairs, the Town of Watrous recently purchased its second smaller unit. Arriving last month and coming with a cost of $50,935, a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan was retrofitted to include space for a wheelchair and four people. The retrofit allows for a ramp to easily come down from the back of the van and a wheelchair to be loaded into the vehicle.
“Now that the minivan is in service, people from the community are welcome to utilize it to go back and forth in Watrous, travel to Manitou Beach and beyond. Those residents requiring the specialized service can then go to medical appointments, travel from their home to downtown or head to the Civic Centre for an event. They can also use them to be taken to a hair appointment or be dropped off at church. In the case of the residents at Manitou Lodge, they are often driven to a number of outings and really enjoy spending time at the different places they visit.”
However in order for people to use the vehicles, Isherwood said volunteer drivers are required. “We are grateful for Bob Silzer who has done a tremendous amount of driving and Monique Sundquist from the lodge has also given of her time but we do need more volunteers to help drive when residents need a lift somewhere.”
Isherwood said people willing to volunteer and drive either the larger mobility van or the minivan need a valid driver’s licence and a completed criminal record check. “We are fortunate to be able to have these units for residents to use but we really do need more volunteers willing to drive them.”
As of right now people wanting to rent out the mobility vans can take trips within Watrous, Manitou Beach or out of town. While the cost is minimal with a maximum cap within Watrous and to Manitou Beach per trip, Isherwood said the fees are there to help cover gas and any maintenance expenses. For those wanting to travel further than Watrous and the beach, a minimum charge is applied and an amount set per kilometre. “It is a reasonable amount for people and if anyone would like to use either mobility van or become a volunteer driver, they can contact the Town Office.”
Daniel Bushman
Watching the faces of those at Manitou Lodge light up as they embark on another adventure or hearing that a resident from Watrous was able to attend an appointment who normally would be unable to on their own has been encouraging to Watrous Town Councillor and mobility van board member Pat Isherwood. With a new mobility van arriving in 2017 and a second smaller version just purchased by the town, Isherwood said, “Utilizing either mobility van is a specialized service that provides transportation options for residents with mobility impairments so those within the community now have the option of using either vehicle.”
After obtaining the new 14 passenger mobility van two years ago, which includes space for five wheelchairs, the Town of Watrous recently purchased its second smaller unit. Arriving last month and coming with a cost of $50,935, a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan was retrofitted to include space for a wheelchair and four people. The retrofit allows for a ramp to easily come down from the back of the van and a wheelchair to be loaded into the vehicle.
“Now that the minivan is in service, people from the community are welcome to utilize it to go back and forth in Watrous, travel to Manitou Beach and beyond. Those residents requiring the specialized service can then go to medical appointments, travel from their home to downtown or head to the Civic Centre for an event. They can also use them to be taken to a hair appointment or be dropped off at church. In the case of the residents at Manitou Lodge, they are often driven to a number of outings and really enjoy spending time at the different places they visit.”
However in order for people to use the vehicles, Isherwood said volunteer drivers are required. “We are grateful for Bob Silzer who has done a tremendous amount of driving and Monique Sundquist from the lodge has also given of her time but we do need more volunteers to help drive when residents need a lift somewhere.”
Isherwood said people willing to volunteer and drive either the larger mobility van or the minivan need a valid driver’s licence and a completed criminal record check. “We are fortunate to be able to have these units for residents to use but we really do need more volunteers willing to drive them.”
As of right now people wanting to rent out the mobility vans can take trips within Watrous, Manitou Beach or out of town. While the cost is minimal with a maximum cap within Watrous and to Manitou Beach per trip, Isherwood said the fees are there to help cover gas and any maintenance expenses. For those wanting to travel further than Watrous and the beach, a minimum charge is applied and an amount set per kilometre. “It is a reasonable amount for people and if anyone would like to use either mobility van or become a volunteer driver, they can contact the Town Office.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 2, 2019
Watrous duo help Giants take Westerns
Daniel Bushman
It was a season to remember for a pair of local ball players who not only put in a lot of time and dedication but were rewarded for all of their hard work. Cooper Isherwood and Kohle Huber dusted off their cleats and grabbed their ball gloves in anticipation of another ball season. The Watrous residents set their sights on having a successful year and at the end of it all, both added provincial and Western Canadian titles to their names.
After the Sask Five 15U Bantam AAA Giants captured a provincial title last year, the team along with Isherwood and Huber were looking to retain the title again this season. Advancing through league play to the 12-team provincial tournament in Saskatoon Aug. 2 to 4, the AAA Giants were 2-1 through round-robin play and then defeated the Saskatoon Astros in the semifinal. In the provincial championship, the Sask Five 15U AAA Giants took down the Regina White Sox 5-3 to capture the title once again and advance to the 15U AAA Western Canadian Championship in Lloydminster Aug. 16 to 18.
With the club on a roll, both Isherwood and Huber were anticipating that momentum to carry over to the Western Canadian Championships, and it did. In the championship event, Sask Five Giants went up against the Coquitlam Reds from B.C., Northwest Prairie Pirates out of Lloydminster, Carillon Sultans of Manitoba, North Winnipeg Pirates and the Red Deer Ernco Braves.
In the team’s first game Thursday evening, thanks to a pair of grand slams, the Giants surged past the host team from Lloydminster 16-11. Off to a 1-0 start, the Giants then faced Red Deer. In that Friday morning game, Sask Five tallied 10 hits with Huber getting three of them and Isherwood chipping in with two of his own. Huber also threw 47 pitches where he had a no hitter going against the Braves, giving up zero runs through three innings. Tugged on account of a pitch count to ensure he received the required rest before he took the mound again, Huber was followed by Easton Brons and closer Ethan Campbell. For his effort, Huber was recognized as the player of the game.
Scoring a combined 24 runs through two games and with all cylinders firing, the Giants continued their strong play and took game three over North Winnipeg by a 12-1 score. That gave the Saskatchewan contingent a 3-0 record with game four set for Saturday morning, Aug. 17.
Seeking a win to give the Giants an automatic berth to the final on Sunday, Huber and Isherwood came through to help secure a 9-1 win. Isherwood was also named player of the game for his efforts.
Sitting at 4-0 and an automatic berth to the final, the Sask Five Giants gave players some rest and an opportunity for some of the other players to step into a leadership role in their fifth game. In that fifth game of the tournament, Huber and Isherwood each produced multiple hits but it was not enough and the Sask Five Giants were unable to put points on the scoreboard. Despite the 11-0 defeat, the Giants shook off the loss and carried a 4-1 record into the final.
In the Western Canada Baseball championship final, Sask Five Giants met the host Northwest Prairie Pirates, a team which sat at 3-2 and had lost to the Giants earlier in the tournament. In the third Huber kicked off a seven run inning which led to the team eventually winning 11-4. Huber also pitched two and two-third innings allowing one hit, one run and getting one strike out on 38 pitches. The victory also gave the Giants an overall record of 5-1 with a total of 56 runs scored to 29 against.
Ecstatic with the huge win, both players from Watrous reflected on what they brought to the table in that championship match.
“For me in the final, my first at bat and first pitch of the game, their pitcher drilled me to make it my 12th hit by a pitch on the year,” said Isherwood. “This really got the bench excited as it set the tone. Then later in the game I threw a guy out trying to steal second base.”
Huber said, “In the final, the bases were loaded and I came up to bat. We were down 2-0 and I hit a single into left field scoring three runs and that got us going for the rest of the game.”
While taking home the top prize was a tremendous accomplishment for the team, it was even sweeter for the pair of local players who spent a lot of time travelling back and forth during the year. “We did put in a lot of time and miles,” said Isherwood who added, “Playing with Martensville makes it a one and a half hour drive for practices and our home games. Away games were in Saskatoon at the Nutana Ball Fields and we also played some tournaments in Saskatoon and Okotoks, Alta. and had an exhibition game down in Swift Current.”
Mostly catching and playing second or third base, Isherwood said putting in that extra time and then being able to win the title was an incredible experience. “It was amazing! I’ve never had so much adrenaline. Going off the start of the year, no one expected us to even win provincials. I have never experienced something like this ever. In the final game when there was a comeback to the mound when Kohle was pitching and he just stuck his arm out and caught it like a professional goalie for the second out, I knew we did it!!”
Agreeing with his teammate, Huber said, “It was very exciting to win this year.” Pitching and playing shortstop during the season Huber continued, “Two years ago I played with the Saskatoon Braves and we lost our semifinal game. If we would have won we would have went to Westerns so it was great. This year in the final at Westerns, for the final out it was an easy play to the second baseman and everyone ran from the dugout and field. It was a very special achievement.”
And even more special that the pair from Watrous were able to be a part of it. “We’ve been through a lot of sports together and it is very fun” said Huber.
Isherwood added, “It was fun and I could not have asked for a better year. The guys were awesome.”
Observing with other parents from the stands during the games and driving back and forth to practices in Martensville during the season, Jean Mulhall, Cooper’s mom said, “Watching these young men improve over the last three and a half months and staying strong and unified amongst the ups and downs of each inning played for the season, provincials and Westerns makes me a very very proud parent!”
Kohle’s mom Cindy said, “Even though Cooper and Kohle were from outside the Sask Five area they were made to feel welcome by the local boys on the team. By the end of the season their cohesiveness definitely showed when they were able to win two different championships within two weeks. It was truly a season to remember.”
Daniel Bushman
It was a season to remember for a pair of local ball players who not only put in a lot of time and dedication but were rewarded for all of their hard work. Cooper Isherwood and Kohle Huber dusted off their cleats and grabbed their ball gloves in anticipation of another ball season. The Watrous residents set their sights on having a successful year and at the end of it all, both added provincial and Western Canadian titles to their names.
After the Sask Five 15U Bantam AAA Giants captured a provincial title last year, the team along with Isherwood and Huber were looking to retain the title again this season. Advancing through league play to the 12-team provincial tournament in Saskatoon Aug. 2 to 4, the AAA Giants were 2-1 through round-robin play and then defeated the Saskatoon Astros in the semifinal. In the provincial championship, the Sask Five 15U AAA Giants took down the Regina White Sox 5-3 to capture the title once again and advance to the 15U AAA Western Canadian Championship in Lloydminster Aug. 16 to 18.
With the club on a roll, both Isherwood and Huber were anticipating that momentum to carry over to the Western Canadian Championships, and it did. In the championship event, Sask Five Giants went up against the Coquitlam Reds from B.C., Northwest Prairie Pirates out of Lloydminster, Carillon Sultans of Manitoba, North Winnipeg Pirates and the Red Deer Ernco Braves.
In the team’s first game Thursday evening, thanks to a pair of grand slams, the Giants surged past the host team from Lloydminster 16-11. Off to a 1-0 start, the Giants then faced Red Deer. In that Friday morning game, Sask Five tallied 10 hits with Huber getting three of them and Isherwood chipping in with two of his own. Huber also threw 47 pitches where he had a no hitter going against the Braves, giving up zero runs through three innings. Tugged on account of a pitch count to ensure he received the required rest before he took the mound again, Huber was followed by Easton Brons and closer Ethan Campbell. For his effort, Huber was recognized as the player of the game.
Scoring a combined 24 runs through two games and with all cylinders firing, the Giants continued their strong play and took game three over North Winnipeg by a 12-1 score. That gave the Saskatchewan contingent a 3-0 record with game four set for Saturday morning, Aug. 17.
Seeking a win to give the Giants an automatic berth to the final on Sunday, Huber and Isherwood came through to help secure a 9-1 win. Isherwood was also named player of the game for his efforts.
Sitting at 4-0 and an automatic berth to the final, the Sask Five Giants gave players some rest and an opportunity for some of the other players to step into a leadership role in their fifth game. In that fifth game of the tournament, Huber and Isherwood each produced multiple hits but it was not enough and the Sask Five Giants were unable to put points on the scoreboard. Despite the 11-0 defeat, the Giants shook off the loss and carried a 4-1 record into the final.
In the Western Canada Baseball championship final, Sask Five Giants met the host Northwest Prairie Pirates, a team which sat at 3-2 and had lost to the Giants earlier in the tournament. In the third Huber kicked off a seven run inning which led to the team eventually winning 11-4. Huber also pitched two and two-third innings allowing one hit, one run and getting one strike out on 38 pitches. The victory also gave the Giants an overall record of 5-1 with a total of 56 runs scored to 29 against.
Ecstatic with the huge win, both players from Watrous reflected on what they brought to the table in that championship match.
“For me in the final, my first at bat and first pitch of the game, their pitcher drilled me to make it my 12th hit by a pitch on the year,” said Isherwood. “This really got the bench excited as it set the tone. Then later in the game I threw a guy out trying to steal second base.”
Huber said, “In the final, the bases were loaded and I came up to bat. We were down 2-0 and I hit a single into left field scoring three runs and that got us going for the rest of the game.”
While taking home the top prize was a tremendous accomplishment for the team, it was even sweeter for the pair of local players who spent a lot of time travelling back and forth during the year. “We did put in a lot of time and miles,” said Isherwood who added, “Playing with Martensville makes it a one and a half hour drive for practices and our home games. Away games were in Saskatoon at the Nutana Ball Fields and we also played some tournaments in Saskatoon and Okotoks, Alta. and had an exhibition game down in Swift Current.”
Mostly catching and playing second or third base, Isherwood said putting in that extra time and then being able to win the title was an incredible experience. “It was amazing! I’ve never had so much adrenaline. Going off the start of the year, no one expected us to even win provincials. I have never experienced something like this ever. In the final game when there was a comeback to the mound when Kohle was pitching and he just stuck his arm out and caught it like a professional goalie for the second out, I knew we did it!!”
Agreeing with his teammate, Huber said, “It was very exciting to win this year.” Pitching and playing shortstop during the season Huber continued, “Two years ago I played with the Saskatoon Braves and we lost our semifinal game. If we would have won we would have went to Westerns so it was great. This year in the final at Westerns, for the final out it was an easy play to the second baseman and everyone ran from the dugout and field. It was a very special achievement.”
And even more special that the pair from Watrous were able to be a part of it. “We’ve been through a lot of sports together and it is very fun” said Huber.
Isherwood added, “It was fun and I could not have asked for a better year. The guys were awesome.”
Observing with other parents from the stands during the games and driving back and forth to practices in Martensville during the season, Jean Mulhall, Cooper’s mom said, “Watching these young men improve over the last three and a half months and staying strong and unified amongst the ups and downs of each inning played for the season, provincials and Westerns makes me a very very proud parent!”
Kohle’s mom Cindy said, “Even though Cooper and Kohle were from outside the Sask Five area they were made to feel welcome by the local boys on the team. By the end of the season their cohesiveness definitely showed when they were able to win two different championships within two weeks. It was truly a season to remember.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 26, 2019
Dancers young and old enjoy taking a twirl at Toonie Tuesdays
Daniel Bushman
Decades ago Danceland was hopping with people as hundreds would make the trip to the iconic building to take a whirl on the dance floor. With vehicles parked from one side of the road to the other, inside the historic dance hall at Manitou Beach, patrons would eagerly dance while listening to their favourite musicians perform. Now decades later and over the summer months that electric atmosphere has been revived with one car after another arriving at Danceland for something known as Toonie Tuesdays.
During a recent Tuesday evening in August, owner of Danceland Millie Strueby could be spotted playing the keyboard on stage as people entered through the doors. Strueby who came up with the idea of Toonie Tuesdays nearly 20 years ago is joined by four other musicians as they play during the Old Time music portion of the night. After the group hits the final note of their last song, a couple who have been driving out from Etters Beach each week during the summer take over. Over the past several weeks, the pair have been teaching those young and old a few dances. On this particular occasion it is the two-step. Going through the moves, kids flow onto the floor eager to learn, some with their friends and others with their parents or grandparents. Being put through the paces, the kids are encouraged to pair up with family members, creating a lasting memory and one cherished by many who years ago danced as youngsters themselves.
“It is just like the old days,” said Millie from the iconic Danceland. “We lost the family dance years ago because people didn’t bring kids to dances anymore. This year we decided to have Toonie Tuesday starting at 7:30 p.m. and an hour in, we leave some time for the kids so it provides them with an opportunity to learn how to dance.”
With a few upbeat songs for the kids to dance to, as the kids portion of the night wraps up with the famous Chicken Dance, they leave the floor with smiles on their faces and memories of a fun evening. Followed by an open mic before the lights are dimmed on another evening, Strueby’s decision to implement a different format this year for Toonie Tuesdays has paid off. Attracting hundreds of people to Danceland on a weekly basis, local and visiting families with young children have been coming to give dancing a try.
“The kids part of the evening is what has really taken off but of course there are adults who don’t know how to dance either so it is the adults and the children learning a different dance every week and doing some family dances as well. Overall we’ve had good crowds this year mainly because there are more people around than in other years and more families as well. I think over the years word has spread to come check out Toonie Tuesdays and this year we have had over 300 coming each week during summer.”
With Old Time music kicking things off along with the time slot geared towards the kids and local talent performing during the open mic portion, it has appeared to be the right combination. Getting the open mic part of the night off the ground this year has been local resident Al Madland and his team of Melvin Odne and Jarvis Mattson. Al who organized jam sessions at The Alley in Watrous during the winter months along with Odne and Mattson have combined forces with Strueby this summer.
“We have had a lot of younger people play or sing and it has been fun to watch them,” said Madland. “While it would be nice to see more of the local talent come out and perform, those who have been on stage have seemed to enjoy it.”
Found each Tuesday at the dance hall ensuring things run smoothly during the open mic part of the night, Madland watches from the back of the hall with a grin as the local talent takes the stage. Celebrating his birthday Aug. 20, coincidentally on the same night as Toonie Tuesday, Madland was happy with how the evening had gone.
“Along with some of the locals we have had a lot of people from the campground come out and sing this summer,” he said. “We have all of the equipment set up at Danceland for people to use if they like and what happens is people come to Manitou Beach to camp and see that we have an open mic night. Since they don’t have their equipment with them they ask if they can come out and use ours. Some perform on their own and some are put with a group. We have had a kid from Regina come out on three occasions. He’s 10 years old and can really sing. The first time he came out he was on the drums for the Miettinen girls from Watrous and the next two times he asked if he could sing. We have also had people from Manitoba and Alberta perform and people from numerous places in Saskatchewan as well. It gives them great experience and it also provides a great opportunity for them to learn what it is like playing in front of a crowd.”
With 355 people in attendance two weeks ago and another strong crowd last week, Madland said it has been really enjoyable. “Having Melvin on sound and Jarvis helping me out and performing as well has been great. Without them I wouldn’t be able to make it work. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces throughout the night makes it all worth it.”
With the open mic portion of the night allowing for a variety of music, Strueby said it all comes down to whoever shows up and whatever they decide to play. “There have been five piece bands show up but if bands don’t come or there is no local talent scheduled for the evening then Jarvis gets on stage. It is all spontaneous and whatever happens, happens. We get people coming and going and it is a full night of entertainment.”
With a smile on her face as she watches the enthusiastic dancers take a spin on the floating maple floor situated on layers of soft horse hair, Millie said, “Having the local talent play, that is fun and you don’t even have to know how to dance. Just watching the kids is fun. They get so excited and some of the little ones get dressed up for Toonie Tuesday because they are going to a dance at Danceland.”
And for the kids who break out a move or two on the dance floor, it becomes a memorable life moment for them as well. “I remember from those first years I did Toonie Tuesdays, I now have 20 and 30 year olds coming up to me saying they learned how to dance at Toonie night so it has paid off. Now they can go anywhere and feel more confident when they dance. It is a fun night and there is a lot of local talent coming out of the woodwork.”
While both Strueby and Madland encourage other local singers and bands to come perform, the pair are pleased with the results so far. In fact for Strueby, seeing Toonie Tuesdays continue on for nearly two decades has been quite a surprise after it originated from a jam session. With her husband Arnie and some of their band members from The Decades, Millie said the weekly night all started because they were strumming one time and people kept encouraging them to keep playing.
“So we called it a jam session at the beginning and it evolved into three or four people that clicked together and we went every Tuesday. So we added the Toonie part to it and just went with that. Two dollars gets you in the door like it did back then and it is a lot of fun.”
Now 19 years later, people are still coming back to spend their Tuesday evenings at Danceland. “It starts at the beginning of June and goes until the end of September. People of all ages can experience Danceland and dancing on its floor. Our only rule is no food or drinks on the floor because spills are bad to clean up. Other than that wear any clean shoes and have fun.”
Daniel Bushman
Decades ago Danceland was hopping with people as hundreds would make the trip to the iconic building to take a whirl on the dance floor. With vehicles parked from one side of the road to the other, inside the historic dance hall at Manitou Beach, patrons would eagerly dance while listening to their favourite musicians perform. Now decades later and over the summer months that electric atmosphere has been revived with one car after another arriving at Danceland for something known as Toonie Tuesdays.
During a recent Tuesday evening in August, owner of Danceland Millie Strueby could be spotted playing the keyboard on stage as people entered through the doors. Strueby who came up with the idea of Toonie Tuesdays nearly 20 years ago is joined by four other musicians as they play during the Old Time music portion of the night. After the group hits the final note of their last song, a couple who have been driving out from Etters Beach each week during the summer take over. Over the past several weeks, the pair have been teaching those young and old a few dances. On this particular occasion it is the two-step. Going through the moves, kids flow onto the floor eager to learn, some with their friends and others with their parents or grandparents. Being put through the paces, the kids are encouraged to pair up with family members, creating a lasting memory and one cherished by many who years ago danced as youngsters themselves.
“It is just like the old days,” said Millie from the iconic Danceland. “We lost the family dance years ago because people didn’t bring kids to dances anymore. This year we decided to have Toonie Tuesday starting at 7:30 p.m. and an hour in, we leave some time for the kids so it provides them with an opportunity to learn how to dance.”
With a few upbeat songs for the kids to dance to, as the kids portion of the night wraps up with the famous Chicken Dance, they leave the floor with smiles on their faces and memories of a fun evening. Followed by an open mic before the lights are dimmed on another evening, Strueby’s decision to implement a different format this year for Toonie Tuesdays has paid off. Attracting hundreds of people to Danceland on a weekly basis, local and visiting families with young children have been coming to give dancing a try.
“The kids part of the evening is what has really taken off but of course there are adults who don’t know how to dance either so it is the adults and the children learning a different dance every week and doing some family dances as well. Overall we’ve had good crowds this year mainly because there are more people around than in other years and more families as well. I think over the years word has spread to come check out Toonie Tuesdays and this year we have had over 300 coming each week during summer.”
With Old Time music kicking things off along with the time slot geared towards the kids and local talent performing during the open mic portion, it has appeared to be the right combination. Getting the open mic part of the night off the ground this year has been local resident Al Madland and his team of Melvin Odne and Jarvis Mattson. Al who organized jam sessions at The Alley in Watrous during the winter months along with Odne and Mattson have combined forces with Strueby this summer.
“We have had a lot of younger people play or sing and it has been fun to watch them,” said Madland. “While it would be nice to see more of the local talent come out and perform, those who have been on stage have seemed to enjoy it.”
Found each Tuesday at the dance hall ensuring things run smoothly during the open mic part of the night, Madland watches from the back of the hall with a grin as the local talent takes the stage. Celebrating his birthday Aug. 20, coincidentally on the same night as Toonie Tuesday, Madland was happy with how the evening had gone.
“Along with some of the locals we have had a lot of people from the campground come out and sing this summer,” he said. “We have all of the equipment set up at Danceland for people to use if they like and what happens is people come to Manitou Beach to camp and see that we have an open mic night. Since they don’t have their equipment with them they ask if they can come out and use ours. Some perform on their own and some are put with a group. We have had a kid from Regina come out on three occasions. He’s 10 years old and can really sing. The first time he came out he was on the drums for the Miettinen girls from Watrous and the next two times he asked if he could sing. We have also had people from Manitoba and Alberta perform and people from numerous places in Saskatchewan as well. It gives them great experience and it also provides a great opportunity for them to learn what it is like playing in front of a crowd.”
With 355 people in attendance two weeks ago and another strong crowd last week, Madland said it has been really enjoyable. “Having Melvin on sound and Jarvis helping me out and performing as well has been great. Without them I wouldn’t be able to make it work. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces throughout the night makes it all worth it.”
With the open mic portion of the night allowing for a variety of music, Strueby said it all comes down to whoever shows up and whatever they decide to play. “There have been five piece bands show up but if bands don’t come or there is no local talent scheduled for the evening then Jarvis gets on stage. It is all spontaneous and whatever happens, happens. We get people coming and going and it is a full night of entertainment.”
With a smile on her face as she watches the enthusiastic dancers take a spin on the floating maple floor situated on layers of soft horse hair, Millie said, “Having the local talent play, that is fun and you don’t even have to know how to dance. Just watching the kids is fun. They get so excited and some of the little ones get dressed up for Toonie Tuesday because they are going to a dance at Danceland.”
And for the kids who break out a move or two on the dance floor, it becomes a memorable life moment for them as well. “I remember from those first years I did Toonie Tuesdays, I now have 20 and 30 year olds coming up to me saying they learned how to dance at Toonie night so it has paid off. Now they can go anywhere and feel more confident when they dance. It is a fun night and there is a lot of local talent coming out of the woodwork.”
While both Strueby and Madland encourage other local singers and bands to come perform, the pair are pleased with the results so far. In fact for Strueby, seeing Toonie Tuesdays continue on for nearly two decades has been quite a surprise after it originated from a jam session. With her husband Arnie and some of their band members from The Decades, Millie said the weekly night all started because they were strumming one time and people kept encouraging them to keep playing.
“So we called it a jam session at the beginning and it evolved into three or four people that clicked together and we went every Tuesday. So we added the Toonie part to it and just went with that. Two dollars gets you in the door like it did back then and it is a lot of fun.”
Now 19 years later, people are still coming back to spend their Tuesday evenings at Danceland. “It starts at the beginning of June and goes until the end of September. People of all ages can experience Danceland and dancing on its floor. Our only rule is no food or drinks on the floor because spills are bad to clean up. Other than that wear any clean shoes and have fun.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 19, 2019
Manitou Maple Madness proves to be a cut above
Daniel Bushman
Carved out of massive pieces of wood, a gigantic crocodile watched motionless as spectators passed by while a pair of youngsters made a splash and an eagle soared under a blue tarp as nine carvers put their talents to the test during the third ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition. With a handful of other spectacular carvings thrust into the spotlight during the Aug. 8 to 11 event at Manitou Beach, carvers from across the country, including one from Manitou Beach, dazzled onlookers with their work.
Choosing from the enormous pieces of wood sourced from Glaslyn and locally and transported in by J.D. Weber Tree Services, once carvers made their selections, they got to work creating incredible and awe-inspiring masterpieces. One by one each project began taking shape and once the final touches were made, those watching the event were left in amazement.
Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec who was also one of the organizers said, “The carvers just knocked it out of the park this year. They just did an unreal job and we are really happy with the quality of carvings. They were really, really well done. Those poor judges had a tough time deciding who to give the nod to in the end but it was a real good event.”
After the hum of chainsaws ended Sunday, the judges took a walkabout to inspect each carving before making their decision. People in attendance also had the opportunity to vote on their favourite work and so did the carvers.
Taking home this year’s first place prize of $3,500 was Medicine Hat, Alberta’s Marina Cole who created ‘Cannon Ball’. Cole was also the winner of the People’s Choice award for $1,000 and was one of three carvers winning the Carvers’ Choice award (each receiving $334).
Each carver posted about their inspiration behind their work and Cole’s depicted two children swimming in the lake with one of them doing a cannonball into the water. The winning carver said, “My inspiration for this carving are my beautiful kids and beautiful Manitou Beach where everyone can come and enjoy the magnificent healing waters!”
Set up right next to Cole was this year’s second place winner of $2,000 and another Alberta carver, Ryan Villiers. Creating ‘Genie’s Quest,’ Villiers also joined Cole as one of the three winners of the Carvers’ Choice, receiving $334 for a total of $2,334.
Carving the Beast from Beauty and the Beast at the last Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition, Villiers was joined this year by his dad Colin and carved Abu the monkey from the movie Aladdin holding a lamp with Genie coming out of it. “Disney was always a childhood favourite and I always sketched the VHS covers in my sketch pad. There is too much turmoil in the world and carving the Genie from Aladdin, to me, represents happiness and enlightenment. The Genie has the gift of granting three wishes - whatever you desire! The Genie then makes your wishes come true . . . granting the happiness everyone desires and is hopeful for.”
With kids making a splash for first place and a Genie granting Abu’s wish to win some prize money, this year’s third place winner of $1,000 was Rob Milner from Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Milner created ‘Soaring Eagle,’ a majestic eagle flying near another perched on a cliff. Milner then created a bench attached to where the eagles were flying for people to sit. Enjoying the opportunity to be at Manitou Beach, during the morning of day three of the competition Milner posted on his Facebook page that Manitou Maple Madness was the best event he had ever attended. “Everyone here has been so kind. So far this has been a very pleasurable event and it isn’t even over yet. Loads of laughs and gold memories, and more to come.”
Milner also shared about his inspiration behind his creation. “I chose this bird for its symbol of beauty, bravery, courage, honour, pride, determination and grace. The eagle is viewed as a pure spirit. The eagle is known for its great strength, leadership and vision. An eagle never surrenders to the size or strength of its prey!! The eagle is man’s connection to the divine as it flies higher than any other bird. The eagle bestows freedom and the courage to look ahead.”
Along with the top three finishers and the People’s Choice award being handed out, the third winner of Carvers’ Choice was Winnipeg, Manitoba’s De-Ann Holmes for her creation, ‘Before Alice and Wonderland.’ Joining Cole and Villiers, Holmes took home $334 and shared her inspiration behind her carving. “The white rabbit is the spark of curiosity that activates Alice’s spiritual awakening. It is the white rabbit who leads Alice down the rabbit hole . . . It is the white rabbit which Alice runs after and searches for endlessly in Wonderland, a symbol of her quest for knowledge. The rabbit finds a watch - “Well no wonder you’re late! This clock is exactly two days slow!” - The Mad Hatter examining the watch.”
In addition to the winners, Marty Duerinckx created ‘Basic Instincts’ depicting an eagle holding a fish in its talons with a bear looking up at the eagle. Jim Niedermayer who has competed at the event in the past made a large Blue Heron looking up to the sky. Another returning carver, Doug Linglebach created ‘Big Bertha,’ a massive crocodile stretching a number of feet in length. Carver Patricia Dippolito’s inspiration came from Manitou Beach’s past as she carved a Sea Monkey and Manitou Beach’s own Wayne Seabrook carved ‘Bird Bath,’ using satire to make an environment statement with an eagle, gull and raven.
As for the rest of Manitou Maple Madness, carvers also participated in a quick carving event, creating bears, a beaver, owls and other works that people could bid on. A water boiling competition was also held as was axe throwing and bouncy castles were set up for the kids with food available for purchase. With lots to do and check out, Worobec said the entire four days were fantastic.
“They went really well and we had the best Thursday we ever had out of the three events we’ve held. We were blown away by that and while it was slower Friday evening because of the Rider game on TV and the Garth Brooks concert in Regina, Saturday was really good and so was Sunday.”
Worobec said the axe throwing was done by a crew out of Regina who allowed a number of competitors to try it out and some of them walked away with a prize. “We had really good sponsorship this year for prizes. People were coming out of the woodwork and lending a hand by sponsoring prizes. It was awesome.”
Men’s, ladies’ and kids’ events were set up for the axe throwing with prizes handed out and then the sign up sheet was quickly filled for the water boiling competition. “We ended up with two heats of four for the adults and two heats of four for the kids. The four winners then went head-to-head and we had four nice prizes for them.”
Then after everything wrapped up, the community came together to celebrate Manitou Beach’s 100th birthday since incorporation. With entertainment, powwow dancers, refreshments and birthday cake, Worobec said it went really well.
“While we did have a bit of a delay as we generated the cheques for the winning carvers, after announcing the winners we had the cake cutting and people enjoyed cake, juice, coffee and visited as well. Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said a few words on behalf of the community and our local MLA Donna Harpauer and local MP Tom Lukiwski were also in attendance. They were completely blown away by the event. The Lakeside Country Inn also took the carvers out for a cruise along the lake on their pontoon boat and I think they really enjoyed that experience as well. Our attendance as a whole was definitely higher than the previous two chainsaw carving competitions which was really good to see. That final day on Sunday, the parking lot was packed and the weather was practically perfect with the exception of a shower Friday.”
The mayor did note that the third ever event was to be the final one; however with the popularity of the chainsaw carving competition growing each year, he said it looks like it could continue.
“This was supposed to be the last one but people have been encouraging us to continue the event and it looks like we will be doing that. It has been picking up momentum and I think we would like to keep that going in two years time. We really had a good time and it was lots of fun. It was very busy, a lot of work and our volunteers did a tremendous job and at the end of the day, it was well worth every minute of it.”
Daniel Bushman
Carved out of massive pieces of wood, a gigantic crocodile watched motionless as spectators passed by while a pair of youngsters made a splash and an eagle soared under a blue tarp as nine carvers put their talents to the test during the third ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition. With a handful of other spectacular carvings thrust into the spotlight during the Aug. 8 to 11 event at Manitou Beach, carvers from across the country, including one from Manitou Beach, dazzled onlookers with their work.
Choosing from the enormous pieces of wood sourced from Glaslyn and locally and transported in by J.D. Weber Tree Services, once carvers made their selections, they got to work creating incredible and awe-inspiring masterpieces. One by one each project began taking shape and once the final touches were made, those watching the event were left in amazement.
Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec who was also one of the organizers said, “The carvers just knocked it out of the park this year. They just did an unreal job and we are really happy with the quality of carvings. They were really, really well done. Those poor judges had a tough time deciding who to give the nod to in the end but it was a real good event.”
After the hum of chainsaws ended Sunday, the judges took a walkabout to inspect each carving before making their decision. People in attendance also had the opportunity to vote on their favourite work and so did the carvers.
Taking home this year’s first place prize of $3,500 was Medicine Hat, Alberta’s Marina Cole who created ‘Cannon Ball’. Cole was also the winner of the People’s Choice award for $1,000 and was one of three carvers winning the Carvers’ Choice award (each receiving $334).
Each carver posted about their inspiration behind their work and Cole’s depicted two children swimming in the lake with one of them doing a cannonball into the water. The winning carver said, “My inspiration for this carving are my beautiful kids and beautiful Manitou Beach where everyone can come and enjoy the magnificent healing waters!”
Set up right next to Cole was this year’s second place winner of $2,000 and another Alberta carver, Ryan Villiers. Creating ‘Genie’s Quest,’ Villiers also joined Cole as one of the three winners of the Carvers’ Choice, receiving $334 for a total of $2,334.
Carving the Beast from Beauty and the Beast at the last Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition, Villiers was joined this year by his dad Colin and carved Abu the monkey from the movie Aladdin holding a lamp with Genie coming out of it. “Disney was always a childhood favourite and I always sketched the VHS covers in my sketch pad. There is too much turmoil in the world and carving the Genie from Aladdin, to me, represents happiness and enlightenment. The Genie has the gift of granting three wishes - whatever you desire! The Genie then makes your wishes come true . . . granting the happiness everyone desires and is hopeful for.”
With kids making a splash for first place and a Genie granting Abu’s wish to win some prize money, this year’s third place winner of $1,000 was Rob Milner from Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Milner created ‘Soaring Eagle,’ a majestic eagle flying near another perched on a cliff. Milner then created a bench attached to where the eagles were flying for people to sit. Enjoying the opportunity to be at Manitou Beach, during the morning of day three of the competition Milner posted on his Facebook page that Manitou Maple Madness was the best event he had ever attended. “Everyone here has been so kind. So far this has been a very pleasurable event and it isn’t even over yet. Loads of laughs and gold memories, and more to come.”
Milner also shared about his inspiration behind his creation. “I chose this bird for its symbol of beauty, bravery, courage, honour, pride, determination and grace. The eagle is viewed as a pure spirit. The eagle is known for its great strength, leadership and vision. An eagle never surrenders to the size or strength of its prey!! The eagle is man’s connection to the divine as it flies higher than any other bird. The eagle bestows freedom and the courage to look ahead.”
Along with the top three finishers and the People’s Choice award being handed out, the third winner of Carvers’ Choice was Winnipeg, Manitoba’s De-Ann Holmes for her creation, ‘Before Alice and Wonderland.’ Joining Cole and Villiers, Holmes took home $334 and shared her inspiration behind her carving. “The white rabbit is the spark of curiosity that activates Alice’s spiritual awakening. It is the white rabbit who leads Alice down the rabbit hole . . . It is the white rabbit which Alice runs after and searches for endlessly in Wonderland, a symbol of her quest for knowledge. The rabbit finds a watch - “Well no wonder you’re late! This clock is exactly two days slow!” - The Mad Hatter examining the watch.”
In addition to the winners, Marty Duerinckx created ‘Basic Instincts’ depicting an eagle holding a fish in its talons with a bear looking up at the eagle. Jim Niedermayer who has competed at the event in the past made a large Blue Heron looking up to the sky. Another returning carver, Doug Linglebach created ‘Big Bertha,’ a massive crocodile stretching a number of feet in length. Carver Patricia Dippolito’s inspiration came from Manitou Beach’s past as she carved a Sea Monkey and Manitou Beach’s own Wayne Seabrook carved ‘Bird Bath,’ using satire to make an environment statement with an eagle, gull and raven.
As for the rest of Manitou Maple Madness, carvers also participated in a quick carving event, creating bears, a beaver, owls and other works that people could bid on. A water boiling competition was also held as was axe throwing and bouncy castles were set up for the kids with food available for purchase. With lots to do and check out, Worobec said the entire four days were fantastic.
“They went really well and we had the best Thursday we ever had out of the three events we’ve held. We were blown away by that and while it was slower Friday evening because of the Rider game on TV and the Garth Brooks concert in Regina, Saturday was really good and so was Sunday.”
Worobec said the axe throwing was done by a crew out of Regina who allowed a number of competitors to try it out and some of them walked away with a prize. “We had really good sponsorship this year for prizes. People were coming out of the woodwork and lending a hand by sponsoring prizes. It was awesome.”
Men’s, ladies’ and kids’ events were set up for the axe throwing with prizes handed out and then the sign up sheet was quickly filled for the water boiling competition. “We ended up with two heats of four for the adults and two heats of four for the kids. The four winners then went head-to-head and we had four nice prizes for them.”
Then after everything wrapped up, the community came together to celebrate Manitou Beach’s 100th birthday since incorporation. With entertainment, powwow dancers, refreshments and birthday cake, Worobec said it went really well.
“While we did have a bit of a delay as we generated the cheques for the winning carvers, after announcing the winners we had the cake cutting and people enjoyed cake, juice, coffee and visited as well. Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said a few words on behalf of the community and our local MLA Donna Harpauer and local MP Tom Lukiwski were also in attendance. They were completely blown away by the event. The Lakeside Country Inn also took the carvers out for a cruise along the lake on their pontoon boat and I think they really enjoyed that experience as well. Our attendance as a whole was definitely higher than the previous two chainsaw carving competitions which was really good to see. That final day on Sunday, the parking lot was packed and the weather was practically perfect with the exception of a shower Friday.”
The mayor did note that the third ever event was to be the final one; however with the popularity of the chainsaw carving competition growing each year, he said it looks like it could continue.
“This was supposed to be the last one but people have been encouraging us to continue the event and it looks like we will be doing that. It has been picking up momentum and I think we would like to keep that going in two years time. We really had a good time and it was lots of fun. It was very busy, a lot of work and our volunteers did a tremendous job and at the end of the day, it was well worth every minute of it.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 12, 2019
Record broken at 28th annual Watrous Fun Run
Daniel Bushman
Packed from one end of the street to the other, Main Street in Watrous was not only filled with vehicles of all makes and models but hundreds of people who were eager to check out each of the entries at this year’s Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine. As has been the case for so many years prior, the 28th annual event featured sunshine, family-friendly events, food and a tremendous amount of vehicles.
Noting this would be the final event for organizers Jason and Laura Lindgren, vehicle owners showed their support for the pair as 280 entries were submitted for this year’s Fun Run. That number also set a new record for the event beating 2017’s number of 274. Last year there were more than 230 entries registered.
With numbers climbing towards 300 as the morning went along, that meant overflow was needed to park all of the entries. Space was created at the Watrous Civic Centre parking lot along with a portion of 4th Ave. W. and even part of the parking space next to the former Shop Easy.
“This year’s show was excellent,” said Jason. “We had an average number of local entries and I think there were a quite a few vehicles still parked at home in the garage but I really appreciated all of the local residents who supported this year’s event.”
Enjoying the 2019 version as much as his previous 23 events, Lindgren said he and wife Laura first shadowed the Coachman Car Club back in 1995 and then began organizing in 1996. Having the support from local businesses, organizations and the volunteers over the years helped to make the annual event in Watrous grow to what it is now. Because of that continued support and popularity, Lindgren extended his sincere appreciation to those who have been behind the Fun Run in the past. He also hopes the many who have graciously supported the event will continue to do so in the future as the economic impact to the local area extends beyond that one day.
“A week after the show in Watrous Laura and I went to Brandon, Man. for the annual interprovincial car show called Super Run. It is held in Saskatoon every second year and other years it rotates between Brandon and Red Deer.”
Hosting anywhere between 600 and 1,000 vehicles over three days with activities throughout the week, Jason said they were able to visit with a number of people familiar with the annual event in Watrous and many who attended it.
“One individual from LaRonge had said that because of our event and hospitality, he and his wife have seriously considered Watrous as one of their potential retirement communities. Another gentleman had expressed that the event brought him to town and he was amazed at the huge selection of automobile inventory that Watrous had. He ended up purchasing a new truck at Centennial Ford because of it.”
As residents of a smaller community, Lindgren said being able to host events like the Watrous Fun Run is integral for the future growth and stability of the area. “There is a lot more economic spin off in a community than just food, lodging and fuel. It is because of these businesses that we are able to successfully cater to and host these events with such success. As small towns and villages seem to disappear, it is more important than ever to keep Watrous and Manitou Beach as a destination point on the map. A place where people want to live, work, raise a family and retire. I sincerely hope a group will take on the 29th annual edition July 25, 2020 and Fun Run events beyond next year as well. I will be embarrassed and very disappointed if the town and its business community let this event disappear.”
While no specific group has confirmed they will take on the event moving forward, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said, “The Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has taken an active role in finding the next group of people to carry on the Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine or create a similar Main Street event for next year.”
As for this year’s show, after it wrapped up and owners took their vehicles for a drive through Watrous and Manitou Beach, the annual award’s banquet was held. This year’s award winners from the show included:
Top 10 spectator picks (in no particular order other than number one received the most votes)
• 10th #256 Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy - sponsored by MCI Sales;
• ninth #194 Myles Eckersley - 1966 Chevelle - sponsored by Watrous Co-op;
• eighth #146 Roger Davidson - 1966 VW Beetle - sponsored by Gerry’s Barber Shop;
• seventh #114 Ellery Siermachesky - 1967 Ford - sponsored by Watrous Tire and Battery;
• sixth #111 Matt Anderson - 1987 Dodge Truck - sponsored by Watrous Concrete;
• fifth #42 Jacob Siegfried - 2014 Jeep - sponsored by M&M Small Engine Repair;
• fourth #196 Bernie Niska - 1934 Pontiac - sponsored by Care Printing;
• third #183 Garrett Benell - 1966 Chevelle - sponsored by Watrous Tire & Battery;
• second #116 Kyle Stachiack - 1969 Charger - sponsored by The Watrous Manitou; and
• first #180 Harlan Coakwell - 1959 Chev Apache - sponsored by Sly’s Repair
Best Harley
• #169 - Terry Sather - 2016 Harley Davidson - sponsored by DMH Plumbing & Heating
Best Antique Bike
• #148 - Gordon Anderson - 1956 - sponsored by Al’s Truck N’ Car Wash
Best Other Motorcycle
• #205 - Roger Davidson - 2017 Indian Chief - sponsored by Integra Tire
Best Paint
• #47 - Randy Worobec - 1932 Ford Coupe - sponsored by Storage First
Best Unrestored
• #239 - Brian Harrison - 1970 Cuda - sponsored by Watrous Home Hardware
Best Import
• #145 - Rick Middleton - 1960 Triumph - sponsored by H&R Block
Coolest Rat Rod
• #256 - Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy 5 Window Coupe - sponsored by Tri-Central Insurance
Oldest Entry
• #155 - Rob and Joyce Burkitt - 1924 Ford - sponsored by Watrous Lawn & Leisure
Farthest Entries - sponsored by Pip’s Esso & Subway
• #256 - Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy 5W Coupe - West Kelowna, B.C. - 1,305 km; and
• #13 - Tom Kennedy - 1934 Ford Pickup - Tappen, B.C. - 1,218 km
Dealer Picks
Best Ford
• #260 - Gerald Bernauer - 1968 Shelby Mustang - sponsored by Centennial Ford
Best GM
• #180 - Harlan Coakwell - 1959 Chev Apache - sponsored by Watrous Mainline Motors
Best Mopar
• # 140 - Lyle Poncelet - 1971 Hemi Challenger - sponsored by Manitou Mainline Chrysler
VIP Draw Winner
• #67 - Steve Harris - 1977 Olds Cutlass - sponsored by Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa
Pre-Registration Draw
• #37 -Al and Joanne Jennings - 1967 Beaumont Sport - sponsored by Watrous Fun Run
Best Club Participation
• Sask Ford Mercury Club - 29 club entries - sponsored by Watrous Fun Run
Daniel Bushman
Packed from one end of the street to the other, Main Street in Watrous was not only filled with vehicles of all makes and models but hundreds of people who were eager to check out each of the entries at this year’s Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine. As has been the case for so many years prior, the 28th annual event featured sunshine, family-friendly events, food and a tremendous amount of vehicles.
Noting this would be the final event for organizers Jason and Laura Lindgren, vehicle owners showed their support for the pair as 280 entries were submitted for this year’s Fun Run. That number also set a new record for the event beating 2017’s number of 274. Last year there were more than 230 entries registered.
With numbers climbing towards 300 as the morning went along, that meant overflow was needed to park all of the entries. Space was created at the Watrous Civic Centre parking lot along with a portion of 4th Ave. W. and even part of the parking space next to the former Shop Easy.
“This year’s show was excellent,” said Jason. “We had an average number of local entries and I think there were a quite a few vehicles still parked at home in the garage but I really appreciated all of the local residents who supported this year’s event.”
Enjoying the 2019 version as much as his previous 23 events, Lindgren said he and wife Laura first shadowed the Coachman Car Club back in 1995 and then began organizing in 1996. Having the support from local businesses, organizations and the volunteers over the years helped to make the annual event in Watrous grow to what it is now. Because of that continued support and popularity, Lindgren extended his sincere appreciation to those who have been behind the Fun Run in the past. He also hopes the many who have graciously supported the event will continue to do so in the future as the economic impact to the local area extends beyond that one day.
“A week after the show in Watrous Laura and I went to Brandon, Man. for the annual interprovincial car show called Super Run. It is held in Saskatoon every second year and other years it rotates between Brandon and Red Deer.”
Hosting anywhere between 600 and 1,000 vehicles over three days with activities throughout the week, Jason said they were able to visit with a number of people familiar with the annual event in Watrous and many who attended it.
“One individual from LaRonge had said that because of our event and hospitality, he and his wife have seriously considered Watrous as one of their potential retirement communities. Another gentleman had expressed that the event brought him to town and he was amazed at the huge selection of automobile inventory that Watrous had. He ended up purchasing a new truck at Centennial Ford because of it.”
As residents of a smaller community, Lindgren said being able to host events like the Watrous Fun Run is integral for the future growth and stability of the area. “There is a lot more economic spin off in a community than just food, lodging and fuel. It is because of these businesses that we are able to successfully cater to and host these events with such success. As small towns and villages seem to disappear, it is more important than ever to keep Watrous and Manitou Beach as a destination point on the map. A place where people want to live, work, raise a family and retire. I sincerely hope a group will take on the 29th annual edition July 25, 2020 and Fun Run events beyond next year as well. I will be embarrassed and very disappointed if the town and its business community let this event disappear.”
While no specific group has confirmed they will take on the event moving forward, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said, “The Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has taken an active role in finding the next group of people to carry on the Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine or create a similar Main Street event for next year.”
As for this year’s show, after it wrapped up and owners took their vehicles for a drive through Watrous and Manitou Beach, the annual award’s banquet was held. This year’s award winners from the show included:
Top 10 spectator picks (in no particular order other than number one received the most votes)
• 10th #256 Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy - sponsored by MCI Sales;
• ninth #194 Myles Eckersley - 1966 Chevelle - sponsored by Watrous Co-op;
• eighth #146 Roger Davidson - 1966 VW Beetle - sponsored by Gerry’s Barber Shop;
• seventh #114 Ellery Siermachesky - 1967 Ford - sponsored by Watrous Tire and Battery;
• sixth #111 Matt Anderson - 1987 Dodge Truck - sponsored by Watrous Concrete;
• fifth #42 Jacob Siegfried - 2014 Jeep - sponsored by M&M Small Engine Repair;
• fourth #196 Bernie Niska - 1934 Pontiac - sponsored by Care Printing;
• third #183 Garrett Benell - 1966 Chevelle - sponsored by Watrous Tire & Battery;
• second #116 Kyle Stachiack - 1969 Charger - sponsored by The Watrous Manitou; and
• first #180 Harlan Coakwell - 1959 Chev Apache - sponsored by Sly’s Repair
Best Harley
• #169 - Terry Sather - 2016 Harley Davidson - sponsored by DMH Plumbing & Heating
Best Antique Bike
• #148 - Gordon Anderson - 1956 - sponsored by Al’s Truck N’ Car Wash
Best Other Motorcycle
• #205 - Roger Davidson - 2017 Indian Chief - sponsored by Integra Tire
Best Paint
• #47 - Randy Worobec - 1932 Ford Coupe - sponsored by Storage First
Best Unrestored
• #239 - Brian Harrison - 1970 Cuda - sponsored by Watrous Home Hardware
Best Import
• #145 - Rick Middleton - 1960 Triumph - sponsored by H&R Block
Coolest Rat Rod
• #256 - Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy 5 Window Coupe - sponsored by Tri-Central Insurance
Oldest Entry
• #155 - Rob and Joyce Burkitt - 1924 Ford - sponsored by Watrous Lawn & Leisure
Farthest Entries - sponsored by Pip’s Esso & Subway
• #256 - Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy 5W Coupe - West Kelowna, B.C. - 1,305 km; and
• #13 - Tom Kennedy - 1934 Ford Pickup - Tappen, B.C. - 1,218 km
Dealer Picks
Best Ford
• #260 - Gerald Bernauer - 1968 Shelby Mustang - sponsored by Centennial Ford
Best GM
• #180 - Harlan Coakwell - 1959 Chev Apache - sponsored by Watrous Mainline Motors
Best Mopar
• # 140 - Lyle Poncelet - 1971 Hemi Challenger - sponsored by Manitou Mainline Chrysler
VIP Draw Winner
• #67 - Steve Harris - 1977 Olds Cutlass - sponsored by Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa
Pre-Registration Draw
• #37 -Al and Joanne Jennings - 1967 Beaumont Sport - sponsored by Watrous Fun Run
Best Club Participation
• Sask Ford Mercury Club - 29 club entries - sponsored by Watrous Fun Run
TWM Top Story - Aug.5, 2019
The Big Float part of centennial celebrations
Daniel Bushman
It was almost like a snapshot from the 1920s (minus perhaps a giant inflatable pink flamingo or two) as people came out in droves July 13, 2019 to go for a float in Little Manitou Lake. Rivalling Banff during the 1920s, Manitou Beach was the place to be during the summer months as beach-goers would crowd the shores and take in the ‘healing waters.’ Over 90 years later, a familiar scene from the 1920s would play out, this time on a Saturday afternoon as nearly 2,000 people packed the beach to take part in the Big Float.
Aiming to set a local record for the most people floating in the buoyant water at one time, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said the afternoon event went extremely well. “We had 1,640 people from across the globe who registered to float. There were a lot of Saskatchewan and Alberta people who came for the event and we had a lot of publicity beforehand which really helped to put it in the spotlight. We had heard a few media outlets in Alberta even talked about the Big Float and it ended up being a fantastic day and the weather was great.”
Like others who made their way to the Big Float location near the Burger Buoy, ODA’s and Mike’s Beach Bar, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec thought back to when he was a kid. Going over the memories of being at the beach at an early age until now, Worobec could not recall seeing the place as busy as it was during that July afternoon. “This was probably for me one of the most exciting and spectacular events I’ve seen at the beach. I was awestruck with the whole thing. It was fabulous and I found out that there were people from all over the place who came and it was such a fun thing to be a part of. It was a blast and I really enjoyed it. I have never seen anything like it.”
Waking up to calm waters Saturday morning, Manz said organizers made a few final tweaks, set up the registration area across the road from the water and got set for what was to come.
“We had 3,000 engagements on our Facebook page leading up to the Big Float but were not sure how many people would actually come. We knew a large number was a possibility and actually there ended up being more people in attendance who did not register as part of that 1,640 number. Overall we could not have asked for a better turnout.”
In addition to 1,200 people registering from Saskatchewan, Manz noted 265 local people signed up for the event along with 85 from Alberta, 21 from Manitoba, 16 from B.C., 24 from other parts of Canada, 14 from the United States, and 15 from further destinations including three from Germany, three from Moscow, two from Switzerland, and two from the United Kingdom.
“The Big Float definitely engaged people who necessarily would not have come to see us but they sought to be a part of a local record which we attained and to be a part of this event. It got people coming out of the cities who normally would not have come to see us on that weekend. They received more exposure to Manitou Beach and it might be something we look to build on in the future.”
Agreeing wholeheartedly, Woroboc was pleased to see the beach receiving a lot of exposure from the people who turned out. “Brendan did a fabulous job of getting the word out leading up to the event. Every time I turned on the radio or went on Facebook or what have you, it was out there and was well done and organized. It was a pretty proud day and really fun and I hope the committee looks at trying it again next year. Maybe we will hit that 2,000 mark or better.”
In order to create an event like the Big Float, Manz said it could not have been done without the organizers, volunteers and the support from the local community.
“We really appreciated the community and volunteers willing to lend a hand. We had about 25 local residents helping out that day including members from the Watrous RCMP, Watrous Fire Department and Watrous EMS who were great to work with. Just a hats off to everyone for helping to make it happen.”
While Manz and Worobec were not around to experience the incredible numbers of people visiting Manitou Beach back in the 1920s, the pair heard from local residents that the beach looked like it once did during that time period.
“Back then the businesses were all busy and hundreds of people would be in the water and on the beach at any given time,” said Manz. “That is what this place used to be and that has always been our goal to get back to that and this day was an opportunity to celebrate it. On July 13, businesses were busy, people were swimming in the water and relaxing on the beach. When the horn blew at 2 p.m. to signal the official start of the Big Float and the plane flew overhead to snap pictures, people floating in the water and those on the beach gave an enormous cheer. To hear that many people so excited gave me goose bumps. It was incredible to witness.”
A real highlight to the year for a lot of people while signifying Manitou Beach’s 100th anniversary since incorporation, the Big Float is not the only thing people are celebrating. Later this week people will have the chance to once again mark the big year with the third-ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition followed by a community picnic.
Taking place next to the Community Hall at Manitou Beach, at least nine carvers will compete at this year’s chainsaw carving competition. Going Aug. 8 to 11, world class carvers will be showing off their talents by taking massive pieces of wood and creating masterpieces. A quick carve event will also return for a third year where people can watch and bid on the smaller carvings with the winning bidder taking the finished piece home.
Worobec said, “In addition to other things that are going to be happening during Aug. 8 to 11 like whittling, bouncy castles, having food vendors on site and a dunk tank, we will have a person doing some axe throwing demonstrations and we will do the water boiling competition again. Once people took to the water boiling competition during our second year of the chainsaw carving event, we had 16 competitors sign up and we took the winner from each heat so four people went head-to-head with some prizes awarded after. It ended up being a really fun event.”
The mayor of the beach noted a few returning carvers will be joined this year by a few new ones who will display their handiwork to those in attendance. People can watch the progress of the carvers each day with the final pieces being judged Sunday afternoon. Since hosting the event is quite costly to hold every other year, Worobec said some local businesses have stepped up in a major way for the 2019 event including Watrous Home Hardware, Manitou Mainline Chrysler and Melron Service. “Their sponsorship will help tremendously with this event and along with gate admission, a 50/50 draw and revenue from the beer gardens, it will all help with the added costs. This was not intended to be a money making event but to hold a different event for people to enjoy. I think it has started to become well-known and a lot of people look forward to it when it takes place.”
As carvers spend Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday creating and crafting their works, once they complete their projects Sunday, judging will take place in the early afternoon in conjunction with a community picnic.
Dignitaries will be in attendance for the picnic which will mark the community’s 100th anniversary. Worobec along with others will be speaking at the afternoon event and there will also be entertainment as well. People wanting to attend the picnic can bring their own food or buy some from the vendors on site. Birthday cake, coffee and juice will also be served and Manz said the entertainment for the big celebration includes Guy Anderson, The Garry Girlz and Pow wow drummers, singers and dancers.
“This day is pretty neat because it is the actual day of incorporation so it will be a nice wrap up with the chainsaw carving competition ending that afternoon as well.” Manz continued, “It has been a pretty terrific year both at Manitou Beach and in Watrous. With the opening of the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre and another great Fun Run Auto Show and Shine, the area’s popularity appears to be at an all-time high. There might not be as much going on in 2020 as of now but the popularity of the area continues to grow and these events help make that happen.”
Daniel Bushman
It was almost like a snapshot from the 1920s (minus perhaps a giant inflatable pink flamingo or two) as people came out in droves July 13, 2019 to go for a float in Little Manitou Lake. Rivalling Banff during the 1920s, Manitou Beach was the place to be during the summer months as beach-goers would crowd the shores and take in the ‘healing waters.’ Over 90 years later, a familiar scene from the 1920s would play out, this time on a Saturday afternoon as nearly 2,000 people packed the beach to take part in the Big Float.
Aiming to set a local record for the most people floating in the buoyant water at one time, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said the afternoon event went extremely well. “We had 1,640 people from across the globe who registered to float. There were a lot of Saskatchewan and Alberta people who came for the event and we had a lot of publicity beforehand which really helped to put it in the spotlight. We had heard a few media outlets in Alberta even talked about the Big Float and it ended up being a fantastic day and the weather was great.”
Like others who made their way to the Big Float location near the Burger Buoy, ODA’s and Mike’s Beach Bar, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec thought back to when he was a kid. Going over the memories of being at the beach at an early age until now, Worobec could not recall seeing the place as busy as it was during that July afternoon. “This was probably for me one of the most exciting and spectacular events I’ve seen at the beach. I was awestruck with the whole thing. It was fabulous and I found out that there were people from all over the place who came and it was such a fun thing to be a part of. It was a blast and I really enjoyed it. I have never seen anything like it.”
Waking up to calm waters Saturday morning, Manz said organizers made a few final tweaks, set up the registration area across the road from the water and got set for what was to come.
“We had 3,000 engagements on our Facebook page leading up to the Big Float but were not sure how many people would actually come. We knew a large number was a possibility and actually there ended up being more people in attendance who did not register as part of that 1,640 number. Overall we could not have asked for a better turnout.”
In addition to 1,200 people registering from Saskatchewan, Manz noted 265 local people signed up for the event along with 85 from Alberta, 21 from Manitoba, 16 from B.C., 24 from other parts of Canada, 14 from the United States, and 15 from further destinations including three from Germany, three from Moscow, two from Switzerland, and two from the United Kingdom.
“The Big Float definitely engaged people who necessarily would not have come to see us but they sought to be a part of a local record which we attained and to be a part of this event. It got people coming out of the cities who normally would not have come to see us on that weekend. They received more exposure to Manitou Beach and it might be something we look to build on in the future.”
Agreeing wholeheartedly, Woroboc was pleased to see the beach receiving a lot of exposure from the people who turned out. “Brendan did a fabulous job of getting the word out leading up to the event. Every time I turned on the radio or went on Facebook or what have you, it was out there and was well done and organized. It was a pretty proud day and really fun and I hope the committee looks at trying it again next year. Maybe we will hit that 2,000 mark or better.”
In order to create an event like the Big Float, Manz said it could not have been done without the organizers, volunteers and the support from the local community.
“We really appreciated the community and volunteers willing to lend a hand. We had about 25 local residents helping out that day including members from the Watrous RCMP, Watrous Fire Department and Watrous EMS who were great to work with. Just a hats off to everyone for helping to make it happen.”
While Manz and Worobec were not around to experience the incredible numbers of people visiting Manitou Beach back in the 1920s, the pair heard from local residents that the beach looked like it once did during that time period.
“Back then the businesses were all busy and hundreds of people would be in the water and on the beach at any given time,” said Manz. “That is what this place used to be and that has always been our goal to get back to that and this day was an opportunity to celebrate it. On July 13, businesses were busy, people were swimming in the water and relaxing on the beach. When the horn blew at 2 p.m. to signal the official start of the Big Float and the plane flew overhead to snap pictures, people floating in the water and those on the beach gave an enormous cheer. To hear that many people so excited gave me goose bumps. It was incredible to witness.”
A real highlight to the year for a lot of people while signifying Manitou Beach’s 100th anniversary since incorporation, the Big Float is not the only thing people are celebrating. Later this week people will have the chance to once again mark the big year with the third-ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition followed by a community picnic.
Taking place next to the Community Hall at Manitou Beach, at least nine carvers will compete at this year’s chainsaw carving competition. Going Aug. 8 to 11, world class carvers will be showing off their talents by taking massive pieces of wood and creating masterpieces. A quick carve event will also return for a third year where people can watch and bid on the smaller carvings with the winning bidder taking the finished piece home.
Worobec said, “In addition to other things that are going to be happening during Aug. 8 to 11 like whittling, bouncy castles, having food vendors on site and a dunk tank, we will have a person doing some axe throwing demonstrations and we will do the water boiling competition again. Once people took to the water boiling competition during our second year of the chainsaw carving event, we had 16 competitors sign up and we took the winner from each heat so four people went head-to-head with some prizes awarded after. It ended up being a really fun event.”
The mayor of the beach noted a few returning carvers will be joined this year by a few new ones who will display their handiwork to those in attendance. People can watch the progress of the carvers each day with the final pieces being judged Sunday afternoon. Since hosting the event is quite costly to hold every other year, Worobec said some local businesses have stepped up in a major way for the 2019 event including Watrous Home Hardware, Manitou Mainline Chrysler and Melron Service. “Their sponsorship will help tremendously with this event and along with gate admission, a 50/50 draw and revenue from the beer gardens, it will all help with the added costs. This was not intended to be a money making event but to hold a different event for people to enjoy. I think it has started to become well-known and a lot of people look forward to it when it takes place.”
As carvers spend Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday creating and crafting their works, once they complete their projects Sunday, judging will take place in the early afternoon in conjunction with a community picnic.
Dignitaries will be in attendance for the picnic which will mark the community’s 100th anniversary. Worobec along with others will be speaking at the afternoon event and there will also be entertainment as well. People wanting to attend the picnic can bring their own food or buy some from the vendors on site. Birthday cake, coffee and juice will also be served and Manz said the entertainment for the big celebration includes Guy Anderson, The Garry Girlz and Pow wow drummers, singers and dancers.
“This day is pretty neat because it is the actual day of incorporation so it will be a nice wrap up with the chainsaw carving competition ending that afternoon as well.” Manz continued, “It has been a pretty terrific year both at Manitou Beach and in Watrous. With the opening of the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre and another great Fun Run Auto Show and Shine, the area’s popularity appears to be at an all-time high. There might not be as much going on in 2020 as of now but the popularity of the area continues to grow and these events help make that happen.”
TWM Top Story - July 15, 2019
Local resident receives new lease on life
Daniel Bushman
For three days a week, spending four hours in a hospital receiving life-sustaining dialysis therapy each time over a five year time period, it had become painfully routine for Manitou Beach resident Michael Gaudet. Monday, June 10 appeared to be no different but by the time the day came to an end it would be life-altering for the 60-year-old who patiently awaited a kidney transplant.
Since he was informed that he needed a new kidney, the second time he would require such a transplant in his life, the artist and author essentially put his life on hold. Receiving upwards of 2,800 dialysis treatments and spending over 11,200 hours in a hospital over the next five years, June 10, 2019 started out like any other day for Gaudet. Michael and his wife Sharon got up on that June 10 morning, had a bite to eat and made the over one hour trek to Saskatoon where Michael spent the next four hours receiving dialysis. After another life-saving treatment, he and Sharon hopped back into the vehicle and returned home where they enjoyed supper and went to bed. Asleep and prepared to go in for another routine treatment, Gaudet’s phone rang. On the other end was nephrologist Dr. Ahmed Shoker, the medical director of the provincial transplant program.
“Michael, we have a kidney for you.”
Words Michael and Sharon had been waiting for . . . words that his supporters had been hoping for . . . and words that Gaudet had remarkably heard once before.
It was nearly 40 years ago when Gaudet was first diagnosed with end stage renal failure. On emergency dialysis in Toronto, he endured seven months of being hooked up to a machine before his brother Steve generously donated one of his own kidneys. Lasting for 34 years, a record Gaudet notes for Western Canada, his kidney began to taper off and in 2014 it was time for a new one. However, the problem this time around was that Michael did not have a willing donor and had to wait it out.
Unfortunately the local resident is not alone in that waiting game as four million Canadians and 850 million people across the globe are estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. That is according to the Kidney Foundation of Canada who noted chronic kidney disease causes at least 2.4 million deaths per year globally and is now the sixth fastest growing cause of death.
Elizabeth Myles, Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada said since 2008 the number of people living with kidney failure in Canada has grown by 35 percent. “It is the 10th leading non-accidental cause of mortality in Canada, so the situation remains alarming for Canadians.”
The Kidney Foundation of Canada further explained a person can lose more than 50 percent of their kidney function before symptoms appear. Currently, nearly 49,000 Canadians are being treated for kidney failure and 25 percent of patients were late referrals, meaning they began dialysis fewer than 90 days after first seeing a nephrologist.
For Gaudet, knowing he could die without dialysis, it meant five gruelling years of going back and forth to Saskatoon and being hooked up to a machine. “I never gave up hope though because my surgeon, Dr. Michael Moser kept saying to me that one of these days at 3 a.m. you will be wheeling down towards the operating room for a kidney. Just keep the faith.”
Not giving up or losing hope, the phone call Michael and Sharon had been waiting for finally came. Dr. Shoker explained to Gaudet that he had a kidney for him. While it was not a perfect match, it was indeed a good match.
Packing an overnight bag as quickly as he humanly could, like they had done so many times before, Michael and Sharon hopped into their vehicle and travelled to Saskatoon for one last time. Arriving at the hospital around 10:30 p.m., Gaudet said the whole series of events were a bit of a blur. “It just happened like a bolt out of the blue. Sure enough at 3 a.m. Dr. Moser was there saying, ‘I told you so.’”
Around 4:30 a.m., Michael had himself a new kidney and also met the person who received the other kidney from an organ donor who had passed away. The other recipient turned out to be Gaudet’s dialysis neighbour from the hospital ward. “Someone died of a heart attack but before he died, he signed his donor card and the family honoured his wishes. That is just huge. Sometimes families can intervene but now his kidney is living on in two different people and so he has a long legacy of kidney health ahead of him thanks to his amazing gift. I really encourage everyone out there to sign their donor cards, it is pretty painless.”
While Michael and his neighbour on the ward both received new leases on life, the new kidney in Gaudet took a bit of time to begin functioning properly. “The kidney was sleepy at the beginning so it took about a week. They gave me medication, almost like a kidney turbo booster and about five days later the kidney began working.”
Known for his gigantic murals, personal portraits and even penning books detailing his journey of receiving his first transplant, Gaudet soon began seeing immediate improvements to his health and well-being. After his new kidney began working properly, Gaudet’s blood pressure decreased, various blood components and toxins went down and he started to get more energy. He could go for walks without getting shortness of breath, his joint and muscle pain vanished and the biggest thing he noticed was better mental clarity.
“When you are on dialysis you can have pretty severe brain fog. Put it this way, if you think of something you need from town and write it down you have a hope. If you forget your list, you are out of luck. If you forget to write what you need down in the first place it passes right on by and you won’t have a clue what you needed.”
As his health improved considerably, within about two weeks since his transplant Gaudet’s new kidney was functioning normally. Over the course of four nights, Gaudet also shed 22 pounds of extra fluid. “For the first few days I had to have tons of fluid by intravenous to keep the kidney swimming but it wasn’t getting shed so I needed to go for three or four extra dialysis treatments just for comfort. Then after it kicked in, my doctor said I was doing dialysis without a machine. It was amazing and I really feel it is a new lease on life.”
While the kidney transplant has given Gaudet the knowledge that he will no longer be tethered to a dialysis machine, the transplant also brings with it anti rejection drugs and extra vitamins. “The anti rejection drugs tend to make a person more vulnerable for picking up any bugs so when I go to town I wear a mask just to be safe. For the next five or six weeks the medication will be pretty intense but after that it will taper off to more of a maintenance dosage.”
Anticipating living a normal life once again, the five year road of receiving dialysis was not an easy one but Gaudet knew he just had to push ahead.
“I had dialysis three times a week for four hours but that also meant driving to and from Manitou Beach to Saskatoon which is over an hour away. I basically just zoned out and cranked my tunes during each trip. What can you do besides persevere? I ended up in the emergency room 13 times over Christmas in 2014 with blood pressure issues and they just couldn’t get a handle on it. I switched doctors and all of a sudden I was told I needed this, this and this to deal with my blood pressure and after that I had no problems. Once we got all settled in and got the numbers and treatment figured out, I just went to Saskatoon, arrived at 11:45 a.m. and brought my laptop with me. It was like my portable office and I just tinkered around on my laptop. I figured eventually I would get that call for a transplant. You just have to stay positive. It did take five years but I was really trying to put signs out there to indicate I needed this replacement. Somehow or another the universe conspired to cooperate and it just came out like a bolt of lightning and it is like a real miracle. Lots of people, like hundreds and hundreds of people, were praying for me too and that was a real help for me.”
Having that support helped Gaudet tremendously but as he waited for his new kidney and as he made trips to and from Saskatoon each week, he still had bills to pay and a career to tend to.
“I was not ready to retire,” he said. “As much as I felt like it some days, I couldn’t.”
So to the best of his ability, he picked up his brush, put on his creative hat and continued to work. “I spent time on my signature large-scale murals when energy permitted including putting time and efforts towards the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s celebration mural which we unveiled earlier this year. I also worked on the audio book version of my first two books: ‘Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner’s Guide to Immortality,’ and ‘A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved.’ The audio-book versions were being narrated and produced by Regina-based sound engineer Shawn Broom of ‘The Story of U’ podcast fame.”
While he was not able to go full speed ahead, the artist and author was able to still accomplish a few projects. And as for what is next now that Gaudet has his new lease on life. He already has some work lined up once he feels a bit better. While in the hospital recovering from his transplant, Gaudet reached out to a bunch of different people and received up to two months of light design work that he can do from his drafting table at home. Because he can only lift 10 pounds for the time being, Gaudet figured he is a few months away from painting bigger projects but met someone in the hospital who would like him to do a commission.
“That will be a fun project to do once I am feeling up to it.”
Gaudet is also planning to help a kidney advocate based out of the United States who created a campaign to pass out decals to living donors and kidney recipients and he will be featured on an online program. “She wants me to create a whole new design campaign for her project and so far she has given out around 30,000 of these decals across the globe. There is also a new online show called Global Kidney Health which is done by Urban Health Alliance. It goes online as a video with interviews and I am talking about my kidney journey. It is going to be really interesting.”
With things looking up for Gaudet, aside from putting a temporary hold on his career, the artist said he now feels great. “I can walk three or four blocks before getting winded. Before I could barely make it to the car and I would be puffing for breath. When you are on dialysis you have a lot of extra fluid on board, even in your lungs but I left the hospital with them dry. One thing that I found very important was to buy a water bottle and stay hydrated. The best advice I can give to a transplant recipient is to be compliant, don’t mess with your medication, take the medication on time and listen to your doctor. Play by the rules.”
Hoping the new kidney lasts for a long time, like the one from his brother, Gaudet was sincerely appreciative towards his doctors, nurses, the donor family, his wife Sharon and all of those who have walked with him along the way. That appreciation was also extended to the multitudes who have been in similar situations as Michael and have been supportive to him as well.
In 2014 Gaudet created a Facebook support group with encouragement from his wife for peer-to-peer support. “In the first year back in 2014, the group grew to over 900 members. The idea was to ask members for strategies for kidney health and since that time, the group has grown to over 22,000 members. It is a ‘living encyclopedia for all things kidney-related.’ In a way, it is a powerful legacy to kidney health on the Internet.”
That group which has members from all over the world have acted as supporters, encouraging many on their journeys like Gaudet as they wait for a transplant or receive dialysis. “There are lots from that group who have had more than one transplant like myself and one person from that group has had four transplants. I have been posting updates throughout my journey and sometimes I receive 1,000 likes or 400 or 500 comments because people have been following me and hoping and praying I do get this transplant. I am just one of many on the site. It is like a cheering squad for all of the transplant recipients and dialysis patients. Someone will post on the site that they are going to persevere and they had a great day and dialysis was going good. Everyone wants to encourage everyone so they get behind that person through likes or positive comments. Your mental attitude is everything really. You can sink into despair or get really upset and angry but it won’t help. You have to stay positive and buoyant and have faith it is going to happen. I am living evidence and proof of that.”
Daniel Bushman
For three days a week, spending four hours in a hospital receiving life-sustaining dialysis therapy each time over a five year time period, it had become painfully routine for Manitou Beach resident Michael Gaudet. Monday, June 10 appeared to be no different but by the time the day came to an end it would be life-altering for the 60-year-old who patiently awaited a kidney transplant.
Since he was informed that he needed a new kidney, the second time he would require such a transplant in his life, the artist and author essentially put his life on hold. Receiving upwards of 2,800 dialysis treatments and spending over 11,200 hours in a hospital over the next five years, June 10, 2019 started out like any other day for Gaudet. Michael and his wife Sharon got up on that June 10 morning, had a bite to eat and made the over one hour trek to Saskatoon where Michael spent the next four hours receiving dialysis. After another life-saving treatment, he and Sharon hopped back into the vehicle and returned home where they enjoyed supper and went to bed. Asleep and prepared to go in for another routine treatment, Gaudet’s phone rang. On the other end was nephrologist Dr. Ahmed Shoker, the medical director of the provincial transplant program.
“Michael, we have a kidney for you.”
Words Michael and Sharon had been waiting for . . . words that his supporters had been hoping for . . . and words that Gaudet had remarkably heard once before.
It was nearly 40 years ago when Gaudet was first diagnosed with end stage renal failure. On emergency dialysis in Toronto, he endured seven months of being hooked up to a machine before his brother Steve generously donated one of his own kidneys. Lasting for 34 years, a record Gaudet notes for Western Canada, his kidney began to taper off and in 2014 it was time for a new one. However, the problem this time around was that Michael did not have a willing donor and had to wait it out.
Unfortunately the local resident is not alone in that waiting game as four million Canadians and 850 million people across the globe are estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. That is according to the Kidney Foundation of Canada who noted chronic kidney disease causes at least 2.4 million deaths per year globally and is now the sixth fastest growing cause of death.
Elizabeth Myles, Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada said since 2008 the number of people living with kidney failure in Canada has grown by 35 percent. “It is the 10th leading non-accidental cause of mortality in Canada, so the situation remains alarming for Canadians.”
The Kidney Foundation of Canada further explained a person can lose more than 50 percent of their kidney function before symptoms appear. Currently, nearly 49,000 Canadians are being treated for kidney failure and 25 percent of patients were late referrals, meaning they began dialysis fewer than 90 days after first seeing a nephrologist.
For Gaudet, knowing he could die without dialysis, it meant five gruelling years of going back and forth to Saskatoon and being hooked up to a machine. “I never gave up hope though because my surgeon, Dr. Michael Moser kept saying to me that one of these days at 3 a.m. you will be wheeling down towards the operating room for a kidney. Just keep the faith.”
Not giving up or losing hope, the phone call Michael and Sharon had been waiting for finally came. Dr. Shoker explained to Gaudet that he had a kidney for him. While it was not a perfect match, it was indeed a good match.
Packing an overnight bag as quickly as he humanly could, like they had done so many times before, Michael and Sharon hopped into their vehicle and travelled to Saskatoon for one last time. Arriving at the hospital around 10:30 p.m., Gaudet said the whole series of events were a bit of a blur. “It just happened like a bolt out of the blue. Sure enough at 3 a.m. Dr. Moser was there saying, ‘I told you so.’”
Around 4:30 a.m., Michael had himself a new kidney and also met the person who received the other kidney from an organ donor who had passed away. The other recipient turned out to be Gaudet’s dialysis neighbour from the hospital ward. “Someone died of a heart attack but before he died, he signed his donor card and the family honoured his wishes. That is just huge. Sometimes families can intervene but now his kidney is living on in two different people and so he has a long legacy of kidney health ahead of him thanks to his amazing gift. I really encourage everyone out there to sign their donor cards, it is pretty painless.”
While Michael and his neighbour on the ward both received new leases on life, the new kidney in Gaudet took a bit of time to begin functioning properly. “The kidney was sleepy at the beginning so it took about a week. They gave me medication, almost like a kidney turbo booster and about five days later the kidney began working.”
Known for his gigantic murals, personal portraits and even penning books detailing his journey of receiving his first transplant, Gaudet soon began seeing immediate improvements to his health and well-being. After his new kidney began working properly, Gaudet’s blood pressure decreased, various blood components and toxins went down and he started to get more energy. He could go for walks without getting shortness of breath, his joint and muscle pain vanished and the biggest thing he noticed was better mental clarity.
“When you are on dialysis you can have pretty severe brain fog. Put it this way, if you think of something you need from town and write it down you have a hope. If you forget your list, you are out of luck. If you forget to write what you need down in the first place it passes right on by and you won’t have a clue what you needed.”
As his health improved considerably, within about two weeks since his transplant Gaudet’s new kidney was functioning normally. Over the course of four nights, Gaudet also shed 22 pounds of extra fluid. “For the first few days I had to have tons of fluid by intravenous to keep the kidney swimming but it wasn’t getting shed so I needed to go for three or four extra dialysis treatments just for comfort. Then after it kicked in, my doctor said I was doing dialysis without a machine. It was amazing and I really feel it is a new lease on life.”
While the kidney transplant has given Gaudet the knowledge that he will no longer be tethered to a dialysis machine, the transplant also brings with it anti rejection drugs and extra vitamins. “The anti rejection drugs tend to make a person more vulnerable for picking up any bugs so when I go to town I wear a mask just to be safe. For the next five or six weeks the medication will be pretty intense but after that it will taper off to more of a maintenance dosage.”
Anticipating living a normal life once again, the five year road of receiving dialysis was not an easy one but Gaudet knew he just had to push ahead.
“I had dialysis three times a week for four hours but that also meant driving to and from Manitou Beach to Saskatoon which is over an hour away. I basically just zoned out and cranked my tunes during each trip. What can you do besides persevere? I ended up in the emergency room 13 times over Christmas in 2014 with blood pressure issues and they just couldn’t get a handle on it. I switched doctors and all of a sudden I was told I needed this, this and this to deal with my blood pressure and after that I had no problems. Once we got all settled in and got the numbers and treatment figured out, I just went to Saskatoon, arrived at 11:45 a.m. and brought my laptop with me. It was like my portable office and I just tinkered around on my laptop. I figured eventually I would get that call for a transplant. You just have to stay positive. It did take five years but I was really trying to put signs out there to indicate I needed this replacement. Somehow or another the universe conspired to cooperate and it just came out like a bolt of lightning and it is like a real miracle. Lots of people, like hundreds and hundreds of people, were praying for me too and that was a real help for me.”
Having that support helped Gaudet tremendously but as he waited for his new kidney and as he made trips to and from Saskatoon each week, he still had bills to pay and a career to tend to.
“I was not ready to retire,” he said. “As much as I felt like it some days, I couldn’t.”
So to the best of his ability, he picked up his brush, put on his creative hat and continued to work. “I spent time on my signature large-scale murals when energy permitted including putting time and efforts towards the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s celebration mural which we unveiled earlier this year. I also worked on the audio book version of my first two books: ‘Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner’s Guide to Immortality,’ and ‘A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved.’ The audio-book versions were being narrated and produced by Regina-based sound engineer Shawn Broom of ‘The Story of U’ podcast fame.”
While he was not able to go full speed ahead, the artist and author was able to still accomplish a few projects. And as for what is next now that Gaudet has his new lease on life. He already has some work lined up once he feels a bit better. While in the hospital recovering from his transplant, Gaudet reached out to a bunch of different people and received up to two months of light design work that he can do from his drafting table at home. Because he can only lift 10 pounds for the time being, Gaudet figured he is a few months away from painting bigger projects but met someone in the hospital who would like him to do a commission.
“That will be a fun project to do once I am feeling up to it.”
Gaudet is also planning to help a kidney advocate based out of the United States who created a campaign to pass out decals to living donors and kidney recipients and he will be featured on an online program. “She wants me to create a whole new design campaign for her project and so far she has given out around 30,000 of these decals across the globe. There is also a new online show called Global Kidney Health which is done by Urban Health Alliance. It goes online as a video with interviews and I am talking about my kidney journey. It is going to be really interesting.”
With things looking up for Gaudet, aside from putting a temporary hold on his career, the artist said he now feels great. “I can walk three or four blocks before getting winded. Before I could barely make it to the car and I would be puffing for breath. When you are on dialysis you have a lot of extra fluid on board, even in your lungs but I left the hospital with them dry. One thing that I found very important was to buy a water bottle and stay hydrated. The best advice I can give to a transplant recipient is to be compliant, don’t mess with your medication, take the medication on time and listen to your doctor. Play by the rules.”
Hoping the new kidney lasts for a long time, like the one from his brother, Gaudet was sincerely appreciative towards his doctors, nurses, the donor family, his wife Sharon and all of those who have walked with him along the way. That appreciation was also extended to the multitudes who have been in similar situations as Michael and have been supportive to him as well.
In 2014 Gaudet created a Facebook support group with encouragement from his wife for peer-to-peer support. “In the first year back in 2014, the group grew to over 900 members. The idea was to ask members for strategies for kidney health and since that time, the group has grown to over 22,000 members. It is a ‘living encyclopedia for all things kidney-related.’ In a way, it is a powerful legacy to kidney health on the Internet.”
That group which has members from all over the world have acted as supporters, encouraging many on their journeys like Gaudet as they wait for a transplant or receive dialysis. “There are lots from that group who have had more than one transplant like myself and one person from that group has had four transplants. I have been posting updates throughout my journey and sometimes I receive 1,000 likes or 400 or 500 comments because people have been following me and hoping and praying I do get this transplant. I am just one of many on the site. It is like a cheering squad for all of the transplant recipients and dialysis patients. Someone will post on the site that they are going to persevere and they had a great day and dialysis was going good. Everyone wants to encourage everyone so they get behind that person through likes or positive comments. Your mental attitude is everything really. You can sink into despair or get really upset and angry but it won’t help. You have to stay positive and buoyant and have faith it is going to happen. I am living evidence and proof of that.”
TWM Top Story - July 8, 2019
Local residents take in victory parade for Raptors
Daniel Bushman
It will be a moment that millions of Canadians will remember for a very long while and for two people from Watrous, an experience they will not soon forget. As the Toronto Raptors were defeating the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA finals in Oakland, back in Ontario, Earl Hayhurst and Dexter Darwich were at Niagara Falls.
Flying out from Saskatchewan to Ontario for the NXNE (North by North East) music festival, both Hayhurst and Darwich had booked their tickets way back in February not knowing the Raptors would be in the NBA finals. By luck they just happened to be at Niagara Falls when the team won the title June 13 and were in downtown Toronto when the victory parade was held.
“When they won it was nuts,” said Hayhurst who owns Video Stop in Watrous. “People were driving up and down the streets honking horns and screaming.”
Not only was it bedlam in Niagara Falls and Toronto as fans took to the streets to celebrate but an entire nation erupted. With viewing parties held across the country, including at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, preliminary data from Numeris confirmed the June 13 game attracted an average audience of 7.7 million viewers on TSN, CTV, and RDS, making it the most-watched NBA game on record in Canada and the biggest English-language television broadcast in three years. A record 15.9 million unique Canadian viewers or 44 percent of Canada’s population tuned in to watch some part of the game. TSN and CTV’s post-game coverage attracted an average audience of 6.5 million viewers who watched the Raptors celebrate their historic 114-110 game six win.
After the historic victory, a massive parade was planned for the Raptors in Toronto the following Monday, a day that Hayhurst and Darwich just happened to be in the city. As millions of people once again tuned in from across the country to watch the celebratory event unfold, it was estimated that at least a million people flooded the streets in the Greater Toronto Area to take in the victory parade June 17.
Starting in the morning at the Princes’ Gates, located on the Exhibition Place grounds, members of the Raptors hopped on busses and slowly made their way through the hundreds of thousands of fans lining the streets, ending at Nathan Phillips Square for a celebration rally.
Staying a block away from where the parade ended, Hayhurst and Darwich waded into the crowd earlier in the day to check out the festivities. “The parade itself was insane. Having been to a bunch of music festivals in the past this was the biggest crowd I’d ever seen,” said Hayhurst. “Sadly it was poorly policed and quite scary. There were people near us climbing on a parked ambulance and people were climbing the Bay building construction site. It became clear to us that the parade wasn’t going to arrive while we were there so we ended up leaving because we had previously booked a harbour cruise.”
Looking back at that decision, Hayhurst was glad they left when they did because the festivities were periodically interrupted as emergency services responded to a shooting at the back of the square near Queen Street West and Bay Street. “The shooting that took place was in the area we were. It was nuts.”
Toronto police said four people were shot and suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and police took three people into custody and were searching for a fourth person. Two firearms were also recovered after shots rang out at approximately 3:30 p.m., just after the basketball team arrived at Nathan Phillips Square.
Escaping before the stampede from a panicked crowd took place, when Hayhurst and Darwich returned to the area after their harbour cruise Earl said it was still busy. “They had closed the two main subway lines in the downtown core so it was packed.”
Getting to their Air bed and breakfast by 7 p.m. that night and returning to Watrous 24 hours later, Hayhurst recalled the whole experience, one he never imagined would have been possible just four months earlier.
Daniel Bushman
It will be a moment that millions of Canadians will remember for a very long while and for two people from Watrous, an experience they will not soon forget. As the Toronto Raptors were defeating the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA finals in Oakland, back in Ontario, Earl Hayhurst and Dexter Darwich were at Niagara Falls.
Flying out from Saskatchewan to Ontario for the NXNE (North by North East) music festival, both Hayhurst and Darwich had booked their tickets way back in February not knowing the Raptors would be in the NBA finals. By luck they just happened to be at Niagara Falls when the team won the title June 13 and were in downtown Toronto when the victory parade was held.
“When they won it was nuts,” said Hayhurst who owns Video Stop in Watrous. “People were driving up and down the streets honking horns and screaming.”
Not only was it bedlam in Niagara Falls and Toronto as fans took to the streets to celebrate but an entire nation erupted. With viewing parties held across the country, including at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, preliminary data from Numeris confirmed the June 13 game attracted an average audience of 7.7 million viewers on TSN, CTV, and RDS, making it the most-watched NBA game on record in Canada and the biggest English-language television broadcast in three years. A record 15.9 million unique Canadian viewers or 44 percent of Canada’s population tuned in to watch some part of the game. TSN and CTV’s post-game coverage attracted an average audience of 6.5 million viewers who watched the Raptors celebrate their historic 114-110 game six win.
After the historic victory, a massive parade was planned for the Raptors in Toronto the following Monday, a day that Hayhurst and Darwich just happened to be in the city. As millions of people once again tuned in from across the country to watch the celebratory event unfold, it was estimated that at least a million people flooded the streets in the Greater Toronto Area to take in the victory parade June 17.
Starting in the morning at the Princes’ Gates, located on the Exhibition Place grounds, members of the Raptors hopped on busses and slowly made their way through the hundreds of thousands of fans lining the streets, ending at Nathan Phillips Square for a celebration rally.
Staying a block away from where the parade ended, Hayhurst and Darwich waded into the crowd earlier in the day to check out the festivities. “The parade itself was insane. Having been to a bunch of music festivals in the past this was the biggest crowd I’d ever seen,” said Hayhurst. “Sadly it was poorly policed and quite scary. There were people near us climbing on a parked ambulance and people were climbing the Bay building construction site. It became clear to us that the parade wasn’t going to arrive while we were there so we ended up leaving because we had previously booked a harbour cruise.”
Looking back at that decision, Hayhurst was glad they left when they did because the festivities were periodically interrupted as emergency services responded to a shooting at the back of the square near Queen Street West and Bay Street. “The shooting that took place was in the area we were. It was nuts.”
Toronto police said four people were shot and suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and police took three people into custody and were searching for a fourth person. Two firearms were also recovered after shots rang out at approximately 3:30 p.m., just after the basketball team arrived at Nathan Phillips Square.
Escaping before the stampede from a panicked crowd took place, when Hayhurst and Darwich returned to the area after their harbour cruise Earl said it was still busy. “They had closed the two main subway lines in the downtown core so it was packed.”
Getting to their Air bed and breakfast by 7 p.m. that night and returning to Watrous 24 hours later, Hayhurst recalled the whole experience, one he never imagined would have been possible just four months earlier.
TWM Top Story - July 1, 2019
Needed rains arrive in June
Daniel Bushman
While it took some time - more time than many would have liked - the wettest month of the year finally started living up to its reputation as the local area received some much needed moisture in June. After hardly any precipitation during the spring, fields and lawns remained very dry and sloughs and bodies of water receded in a lot of areas across Saskatchewan. However, by the time the final week of June arrived, the month had almost reached its average for rainfall.
At 85.9 mm being the average number for rainfall in June, Meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada Terri Lang said the vast majority of precipitation fell in a four day span totalling almost 67 millimetres (2.6 inches). Add that to previous numbers and June had around 74.7 mm (almost three inches) for the area, a substantial amount more than the previous three months combined.
“In May you only saw about 12.6 mm of rain, April had only 7.1 mm and March there was only 2.6 mm of rain so it was very dry coming into that period. I think that has been the same for many places across Saskatchewan and some places saw the driest spring on record.”
The first larger rainfall for some places like Lanigan and Jansen areas occurred when a slow moving disturbance brought rain and scattered thunderstorms to southern Saskatchewan June 14 to 16. From local reports, the Lanigan area received anywhere from an inch and a quarter by Pound-Maker to an inch and three quarters north of Lanigan to two inches just west of town. LeRoy and Nokomis each received at least an inch while Watrous had to wait another week for the rain, receiving about two-tenths of an inch. Outside of Young, there was merely a sprinkle.
As for other areas in the province, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued the following rainfall totals in millimetres from 6 a.m. Friday, June 14 to 5 a.m. Monday, June 17: Saskatoon 5, Regina less than 1, Prince Albert 12, Moose Jaw 2, Swift Current 17, Yorkton 46, North Battleford 6, Pilger 65, Leader 42, Melfort 30, Scott 26, Broadview 23, Wynyard 21, Rosetown 20, Indian Head 17, Outlook 15, Coronach 12, Cypress Hills Park 12, Lucky Lake 11, Spiritwood 10, Estevan 9, Waseca 9, Val Marie 8, Mankota 8, Maple Creek 8, Loon Lake 8, Assiniboia 7, Last Mountain 4, Rockglen 2 and Meadow Lake 2.
After the first larger system went through parts of Saskatchewan, a second slow moving low pressure system bringing an extended period of rainfall to southern Saskatchewan rolled into the area June 21 and 22. Local reports indicated Lanigan had around two inches of rain while Jansen reached closer to two and a half inches. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a weather summary of 24 hour rainfall amounts (in millimeters) up to 8 a.m. Saturday, June 22 which included: Cypress Hills: 69, Assiniboia: 50.1, Coronach: 46.2, Wynyard: 43.5, Clavet: 40.4, Lucky Lake: 39.5, Craik: 38.4, Moose Jaw: 37.8, Wynyard: 35.6, Pilger: 35, Eastend: 35, Lucky Lake: 35, Watrous: 33.6, Val Marie: 33.2, Swift Current: 39, Regina: 31, Conquest: 30.5, Spalding: 29.2, Gravelbourg: 28.7, Maple Creek: 33, Saskatoon: 27.9, Elbow: 27, Last Mountain: 23, and Rockglen: 20.6.
Environment and Climate Change Canada also provided a summary for the seven day total rainfall amounts reported to them from Sunday, June 16 to midnight Sunday, June 23 with rainfall in millimetres: Coronach: 121.4, Assiniboia: 101.3, Swift Current: 95.3, Cypress Hills: 91.6, Lucky Lake: 77.9, Val Marie: 77.6, Moose Jaw: 73.8, Watrous: 68.3, Saskatoon: 60.3, Wynyard: 59.7, Eastend: 56.9, Regina: 55.5, Leader: 47, Weyburn: 35.1, Prince Albert: 28.4, Yorkton: 18.3, and Estevan: 12.5. It is estimated that the Lanigan area received around 109 mm from June 14 to 23.
Lang said despite the downpours across regions in the province near the end of the month, there were still places in the province which are down a couple hundred millimeters of rain over the past year. “It will make a dent in that for sure.”
Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist at the Regional Services Branch in Watrous for the Ministry of Agriculture said, “The recent rains in the Watrous/Lanigan area have been timely for some and too late for others. Fall seeded crops and some early seeded spring crops have been impacted by varying degrees with the lack of early season precipitation. Spotty showers in May helped some areas with germination and carried crops to the recent precipitation with adequate soil moisture to minimize effects from the lack of rain. Livestock producers saw some recharge of dugouts and sloughs, contributing to their water supply for the coming weeks. Ideally, it would have been nice if it would have arrived earlier, but the recent moisture is good news for hay and pasture production, and will certainly help livestock producers secure some more feed for their animals. These rains haven’t come without their share of headache though, fields that had areas with some crop emergence and other areas with the seed still sitting in a dry seedbed that received enough moisture to germinate will now have various stages of crop growth making pesticide and harvest timing more difficult. As well, some fields have now passed the stage for in-crop weed control and the precipitation has resulted in the emergence of a late flush of weeds. Although these rains help immensely, more will be needed in the coming weeks, especially during flowering when yield loss from moisture stress is greatest.”
Daniel Bushman
While it took some time - more time than many would have liked - the wettest month of the year finally started living up to its reputation as the local area received some much needed moisture in June. After hardly any precipitation during the spring, fields and lawns remained very dry and sloughs and bodies of water receded in a lot of areas across Saskatchewan. However, by the time the final week of June arrived, the month had almost reached its average for rainfall.
At 85.9 mm being the average number for rainfall in June, Meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada Terri Lang said the vast majority of precipitation fell in a four day span totalling almost 67 millimetres (2.6 inches). Add that to previous numbers and June had around 74.7 mm (almost three inches) for the area, a substantial amount more than the previous three months combined.
“In May you only saw about 12.6 mm of rain, April had only 7.1 mm and March there was only 2.6 mm of rain so it was very dry coming into that period. I think that has been the same for many places across Saskatchewan and some places saw the driest spring on record.”
The first larger rainfall for some places like Lanigan and Jansen areas occurred when a slow moving disturbance brought rain and scattered thunderstorms to southern Saskatchewan June 14 to 16. From local reports, the Lanigan area received anywhere from an inch and a quarter by Pound-Maker to an inch and three quarters north of Lanigan to two inches just west of town. LeRoy and Nokomis each received at least an inch while Watrous had to wait another week for the rain, receiving about two-tenths of an inch. Outside of Young, there was merely a sprinkle.
As for other areas in the province, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued the following rainfall totals in millimetres from 6 a.m. Friday, June 14 to 5 a.m. Monday, June 17: Saskatoon 5, Regina less than 1, Prince Albert 12, Moose Jaw 2, Swift Current 17, Yorkton 46, North Battleford 6, Pilger 65, Leader 42, Melfort 30, Scott 26, Broadview 23, Wynyard 21, Rosetown 20, Indian Head 17, Outlook 15, Coronach 12, Cypress Hills Park 12, Lucky Lake 11, Spiritwood 10, Estevan 9, Waseca 9, Val Marie 8, Mankota 8, Maple Creek 8, Loon Lake 8, Assiniboia 7, Last Mountain 4, Rockglen 2 and Meadow Lake 2.
After the first larger system went through parts of Saskatchewan, a second slow moving low pressure system bringing an extended period of rainfall to southern Saskatchewan rolled into the area June 21 and 22. Local reports indicated Lanigan had around two inches of rain while Jansen reached closer to two and a half inches. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a weather summary of 24 hour rainfall amounts (in millimeters) up to 8 a.m. Saturday, June 22 which included: Cypress Hills: 69, Assiniboia: 50.1, Coronach: 46.2, Wynyard: 43.5, Clavet: 40.4, Lucky Lake: 39.5, Craik: 38.4, Moose Jaw: 37.8, Wynyard: 35.6, Pilger: 35, Eastend: 35, Lucky Lake: 35, Watrous: 33.6, Val Marie: 33.2, Swift Current: 39, Regina: 31, Conquest: 30.5, Spalding: 29.2, Gravelbourg: 28.7, Maple Creek: 33, Saskatoon: 27.9, Elbow: 27, Last Mountain: 23, and Rockglen: 20.6.
Environment and Climate Change Canada also provided a summary for the seven day total rainfall amounts reported to them from Sunday, June 16 to midnight Sunday, June 23 with rainfall in millimetres: Coronach: 121.4, Assiniboia: 101.3, Swift Current: 95.3, Cypress Hills: 91.6, Lucky Lake: 77.9, Val Marie: 77.6, Moose Jaw: 73.8, Watrous: 68.3, Saskatoon: 60.3, Wynyard: 59.7, Eastend: 56.9, Regina: 55.5, Leader: 47, Weyburn: 35.1, Prince Albert: 28.4, Yorkton: 18.3, and Estevan: 12.5. It is estimated that the Lanigan area received around 109 mm from June 14 to 23.
Lang said despite the downpours across regions in the province near the end of the month, there were still places in the province which are down a couple hundred millimeters of rain over the past year. “It will make a dent in that for sure.”
Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist at the Regional Services Branch in Watrous for the Ministry of Agriculture said, “The recent rains in the Watrous/Lanigan area have been timely for some and too late for others. Fall seeded crops and some early seeded spring crops have been impacted by varying degrees with the lack of early season precipitation. Spotty showers in May helped some areas with germination and carried crops to the recent precipitation with adequate soil moisture to minimize effects from the lack of rain. Livestock producers saw some recharge of dugouts and sloughs, contributing to their water supply for the coming weeks. Ideally, it would have been nice if it would have arrived earlier, but the recent moisture is good news for hay and pasture production, and will certainly help livestock producers secure some more feed for their animals. These rains haven’t come without their share of headache though, fields that had areas with some crop emergence and other areas with the seed still sitting in a dry seedbed that received enough moisture to germinate will now have various stages of crop growth making pesticide and harvest timing more difficult. As well, some fields have now passed the stage for in-crop weed control and the precipitation has resulted in the emergence of a late flush of weeds. Although these rains help immensely, more will be needed in the coming weeks, especially during flowering when yield loss from moisture stress is greatest.”
TWM Top Story June 24, 2019
Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre set to open
Daniel Bushman
In 2011 a group of people came together with the idea of wanting to preserve local history with the eventual goal of having a place to share those stories in. Now eight years later and with a building of their own, the dream of opening the doors to the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre has become a reality.
Chairperson of the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Board Kathy Bergen said while this will not be the official grand opening of the facility at 403 Main Street in Watrous, the group wanted to share the progress that has been made and allow the public to come and take a look.
“We have set up a lot of the exhibits and while there is still work left to be done, with summer approaching we wanted to open the doors and share our history.”
Getting a glimpse of the second floor at the heritage centre where everything is being done, it is evident that a tremendous amount of time and hard work took place to transform the space to become a first-class facility. Filling up the area with unique items of the past and items that are special to the Watrous and Manitou Beach area, Bergen said, “We really wanted this place to showcase more than just items, we wanted it to be a place to share stories and keep the stories of the past alive.”
Commemorating Manitou Beach’s 100th anniversary this year, Bergen said the heritage group felt it was important to highlight the occasion and people will have the chance to view a number of items related to Manitou Beach and the lake. With the area’s early history being documented, people can enter a room containing tools and arrowheads generously provided by the Allin and Farago families. There visitors can learn more about the First Nations people and their journey to Little Manitou Lake decades ago. An adjacent room notes the lake products like salts, the brine shrimp industry and the properties of the healing waters.
In connection to the lake and its unique properties, tourism is highlighted in a room of its own before visitors can take a trip down memory lane to learn about the Chalet Pool and the world famous Danceland. People can view the late Orin McIntosh’s scale models of each building and the intricate details he put into them.
From there guests can make their way back into the main area to spot items relating to Watrous: Our Hometown. Bergen said the plan is to utilize that space for rotating exhibits that pertain to the local area. But the rich history of the local area does not end there as people can stop in the CBK room. With the actual ‘On Air’ signage inviting visitors into the space, the original CBK letters and other priceless items from the CBK building are housed in the one-of-a-kind room.
A room specifically for Watrous is next door where Dr. Stipe’s original doctor’s bag can be found along with 4-H trophies from decades ago and even a myriad of hats. On the other side of the wall, in another room, the roots of the railroad can be discovered. An integral part of the community during its early days, the railroad brought visitors to the area and replicas of the train station and water tower are placed in that room along with photos and other potential collections.
Bergen said a family room is also being developed which is located just outside of the railroad room and will include a public computer with access to the heritage centre’s website, history books and other heritage options. Eventually Bergen said many local family histories will be included on the computer and people will be able to utilize that information for research purposes.
Culminating the visit on the second floor of the heritage centre is an area where historical items from the Watrous Post Office are situated.
Bergen said being able to have so many unique displays under one roof is something the group is proud of.
“We want to keep the stories of the past alive and this is a great way to do that. There are so many stories to share and we are hearing memories from people almost daily.”
The Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre will continue to develop its content for exhibits during the year and after opening in the afternoon June 28, will remain open for visitors to check out throughout the summer and into fall.
“We are also looking forward to our eventual grand opening as well and are thrilled to be able to share this history with everyone."
Daniel Bushman
In 2011 a group of people came together with the idea of wanting to preserve local history with the eventual goal of having a place to share those stories in. Now eight years later and with a building of their own, the dream of opening the doors to the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre has become a reality.
Chairperson of the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Board Kathy Bergen said while this will not be the official grand opening of the facility at 403 Main Street in Watrous, the group wanted to share the progress that has been made and allow the public to come and take a look.
“We have set up a lot of the exhibits and while there is still work left to be done, with summer approaching we wanted to open the doors and share our history.”
Getting a glimpse of the second floor at the heritage centre where everything is being done, it is evident that a tremendous amount of time and hard work took place to transform the space to become a first-class facility. Filling up the area with unique items of the past and items that are special to the Watrous and Manitou Beach area, Bergen said, “We really wanted this place to showcase more than just items, we wanted it to be a place to share stories and keep the stories of the past alive.”
Commemorating Manitou Beach’s 100th anniversary this year, Bergen said the heritage group felt it was important to highlight the occasion and people will have the chance to view a number of items related to Manitou Beach and the lake. With the area’s early history being documented, people can enter a room containing tools and arrowheads generously provided by the Allin and Farago families. There visitors can learn more about the First Nations people and their journey to Little Manitou Lake decades ago. An adjacent room notes the lake products like salts, the brine shrimp industry and the properties of the healing waters.
In connection to the lake and its unique properties, tourism is highlighted in a room of its own before visitors can take a trip down memory lane to learn about the Chalet Pool and the world famous Danceland. People can view the late Orin McIntosh’s scale models of each building and the intricate details he put into them.
From there guests can make their way back into the main area to spot items relating to Watrous: Our Hometown. Bergen said the plan is to utilize that space for rotating exhibits that pertain to the local area. But the rich history of the local area does not end there as people can stop in the CBK room. With the actual ‘On Air’ signage inviting visitors into the space, the original CBK letters and other priceless items from the CBK building are housed in the one-of-a-kind room.
A room specifically for Watrous is next door where Dr. Stipe’s original doctor’s bag can be found along with 4-H trophies from decades ago and even a myriad of hats. On the other side of the wall, in another room, the roots of the railroad can be discovered. An integral part of the community during its early days, the railroad brought visitors to the area and replicas of the train station and water tower are placed in that room along with photos and other potential collections.
Bergen said a family room is also being developed which is located just outside of the railroad room and will include a public computer with access to the heritage centre’s website, history books and other heritage options. Eventually Bergen said many local family histories will be included on the computer and people will be able to utilize that information for research purposes.
Culminating the visit on the second floor of the heritage centre is an area where historical items from the Watrous Post Office are situated.
Bergen said being able to have so many unique displays under one roof is something the group is proud of.
“We want to keep the stories of the past alive and this is a great way to do that. There are so many stories to share and we are hearing memories from people almost daily.”
The Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre will continue to develop its content for exhibits during the year and after opening in the afternoon June 28, will remain open for visitors to check out throughout the summer and into fall.
“We are also looking forward to our eventual grand opening as well and are thrilled to be able to share this history with everyone."
TWM Top Story - June 17, 2019
Celebrating the importance of tourism
By Daniel Bushman
With over 150 thousand visitors to the Watrous and Manitou Beach area and spending upwards of $25 million each year, the area continues to be a premier destination in the province. With the uniqueness of the properties in Little Manitou Lake and the tremendous amenities and attractions that come with it, more and more people are not only visiting but in a lot of cases, they are calling the area home.
Community Development Officer and the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group’s Brendan Manz said the number of visitors coming on a yearly basis rivals what larger centres up to 10 times the size of Watrous and Manitou Beach receive.
“Not only do those figures mean more and more people are spending their holidays with us or holding reunions, weddings and other events but they also help keep the business sector rolling.”
It is because of those visits and the spending taking place that Manz expects another real strong summer. “We are lucky that as a small community we can support a tourism economy with 150,000 people. People in other communities that are four or five times the size of us don’t have that ability. We really rely on our business community for that and try our best as the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group to promote them.”
Manz said while they are out promoting businesses and the area, the marketing group also recognizes they are not the front line people. “It is the business owners and the local staffs they employ who all help build a positive business experience that we are hoping to achieve. Those are the memories that people take back with them. It is not necessarily the marketing material that they remember, it is when they come here and stay here and then when they think back to their positive experiences while visiting they share those memories with their friends. I am frequently told by people that they specifically moved here because of their positive experiences they had when they visited.”
It is those experiences and the tremendous work being done by the local marketing group and Manz that was recognized provincially through the Tourism Saskatchewan awards. Receiving the Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award earlier this year, Manz said the award signifies the hard work done on a provincial level not only by promoting tourism locally but also throughout Saskatchewan. “We work with many other destinations across the province to promote Saskatchewan beyond our borders including at trade shows. We are also running campaigns into Alberta and we work with travel writers right across the globe in partnership with Tourism Saskatchewan. At the end of the day we want to be known as a premier destination providing ‘unsinkable experiences’ and so far we have been able to achieve that. Receiving the ambassador award shows we are on the right track and we will continue to move forward provincially, nationally and globally.”
Named as one of Canada’s top 50 spas by Spas of America, Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa has been attracting guests from all corners of the world. As part of that global recognition, CEO Dwight Hayter spent May 29 to 31 in Toronto at Rendez-vous Canada (RVC), an annual event with over 1,800 international tourism industry leaders in attendance.
Now his second time attending RVC, Hayter said this year was a very positive experience which significantly raised awareness and tourism for his resort and mineral spa, the lake, and the surrounding businesses within Watrous and Manitou Beach. “International tourism operators and media writers from many countries from all over the world were able to meet with me over the three day conference, so I could explain “The Dead Sea of Canada” and possibly entice them to include us on their guests’ travel itineraries. I had 34 appointments booked in a three day period, which was the maximum I could book and each appointment lasted only 15 minutes so it was important to focus on the unique experience we can offer them at Manitou Springs and sell them on that idea.”
Hayter also spent time with media writers from Japan, China, Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom, many of them taking a USB stick from Hayter containing pictures, brochures and videos of the beach and his resort and spa.
“Many stated they would probably write an article on Manitou Springs as they are always looking for new and interesting tourism experiences to share in their home countries.”
While it can typically take a year after attending RVC before noticing an increase in people visiting the resort because of tourism companies booking a year in advance, Hayter said he has already noticed an increase in international customers.
“Asian countries and Germany are particularly interested in our Resort, as their lifestyles in those countries are very much spa orientated already. When you say “The Dead Sea of Canada,” you definitely get their attention. The country of India has also taken a very large interest in us, although many of the tour operators from India have not visited Saskatchewan before and are currently making up their itineraries and scheduled stops for the first time.”
Citing his meetings as being very positive, Hayter said many people could not believe mineral waters were so concentrated in such a small community.
“I am extremely confident that our resort and our communities will see significant increases in tourism traffic in the coming years, as the response from the tour operators and the media I met with was extremely positive. Many of the tour operators have already added our destination to their selling sheets and itineraries, and I am grateful to Tourism Saskatchewan for thinking so highly of us and to allow us to attend this prestigious event.”
Hayter said other representation from Saskatchewan at the show included Lloyd Lake Fishing Lodge, the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, Wanuskewin Heritage Park (Saskatoon) and Tourism Saskatoon. “Tourism Saskatoon has been a close partner of Manitou Springs for a couple of years now, as they recognize that our business and Little Manitou lake is a great day trip for anyone visiting Saskatoon so I am very grateful to their staff and management for all that they have recently done to help promote Manitou Springs.”
With the addition of Manitou Beach and Watrous on the itineraries of potential visitors across the globe, those able to check out the area in 2019 will be able to celebrate and commemorate Manitou Beach’s 100th anniversary since its incorporation. With a few events already held this year, more are on the docket as the summer heats up. Add the annual Fun Run Auto Show ‘N’ Shine in Watrous, the Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail, a trek to view the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area, first protected in 1887, and a handful of other highlights occurring each summer and people will be able to take in a variety of fun things while visiting.
Another event of note is ‘The Big Float,’ a record attempt to see how many people will float in the lake at Manitou Beach at one time. While the Guinness World Record crew will not be in attendance July 13, Manz said local organizers still want to make it a record for the beach.
“We encourage people to come to the lake at 2 p.m. July 13 and have as many people as possible hop in and go for a float. We are going to do some aerial photography at the main beach and get a cool vantage point while also celebrating the beach’s 100th anniversary and the lake’s unique properties. We are going to have registration earlier in the morning so we can keep count of how many people will be in the lake. It should be a lot of fun and a very unique experience.”
Along with The Big Float, a month later the third ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition will commence Aug. 8 to 11. With two previous events featuring high-calibre carvers at Manitou Beach, Manz said this year could be the largest yet.
“We have around 10 carvers committed to coming so far and we have had inquiries from right across the province seeking information on the event. People are also invited to come out Aug. 11 to enjoy a picnic commemorating the beach’s 100th. As part of that, speeches will take place and the candles will be blown out to mark 100 years since incorporation.”
But that is not all for the centennial activities at the resort village as a host of others will continue to take place throughout the remainder of 2019 either with local artisans, businesses or organizations. “We want this to be a special year and we also want to recognize the hard work done throughout the area by people to make this a place of unsinkable experiences.”
A big part of the Watrous and Manitou Beach area, tourism also extends throughout the province and the impact it has is pretty incredible. Recently marking Saskatchewan Tourism Week, Tourism Saskatchewan highlighted how big of a contributor the tourism industry is to the Saskatchewan economy. Some of those statistics included:
• annually, tourism generates more than $2.37 billion in travel expenditures;
• more than 13.6 million visits are made to and within the province each year;
• tourism is an export industry, injecting $600 million annually to the local economy and stimulating growth throughout the province;
• there are 63,800 Saskatchewan residents employed in tourism or tourism-related jobs;
• with more than 3,200 attractions, events and businesses, Saskatchewan’s tourism industry showcases the province’s history, culture and traditions to the world; and
• Saskatchewan’s tourism sector is 95 percent small- or medium-sized businesses, and many are independently owned or operated.
Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said, “Our citizens benefit from an industry that provides enriching travel discoveries and showcases Saskatchewan’s natural beauty and warm hospitality. Tourism Saskatchewan appreciates the enthusiasm of communities, attractions and operators for celebrating this special week for our industry.”
By Daniel Bushman
With over 150 thousand visitors to the Watrous and Manitou Beach area and spending upwards of $25 million each year, the area continues to be a premier destination in the province. With the uniqueness of the properties in Little Manitou Lake and the tremendous amenities and attractions that come with it, more and more people are not only visiting but in a lot of cases, they are calling the area home.
Community Development Officer and the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group’s Brendan Manz said the number of visitors coming on a yearly basis rivals what larger centres up to 10 times the size of Watrous and Manitou Beach receive.
“Not only do those figures mean more and more people are spending their holidays with us or holding reunions, weddings and other events but they also help keep the business sector rolling.”
It is because of those visits and the spending taking place that Manz expects another real strong summer. “We are lucky that as a small community we can support a tourism economy with 150,000 people. People in other communities that are four or five times the size of us don’t have that ability. We really rely on our business community for that and try our best as the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group to promote them.”
Manz said while they are out promoting businesses and the area, the marketing group also recognizes they are not the front line people. “It is the business owners and the local staffs they employ who all help build a positive business experience that we are hoping to achieve. Those are the memories that people take back with them. It is not necessarily the marketing material that they remember, it is when they come here and stay here and then when they think back to their positive experiences while visiting they share those memories with their friends. I am frequently told by people that they specifically moved here because of their positive experiences they had when they visited.”
It is those experiences and the tremendous work being done by the local marketing group and Manz that was recognized provincially through the Tourism Saskatchewan awards. Receiving the Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award earlier this year, Manz said the award signifies the hard work done on a provincial level not only by promoting tourism locally but also throughout Saskatchewan. “We work with many other destinations across the province to promote Saskatchewan beyond our borders including at trade shows. We are also running campaigns into Alberta and we work with travel writers right across the globe in partnership with Tourism Saskatchewan. At the end of the day we want to be known as a premier destination providing ‘unsinkable experiences’ and so far we have been able to achieve that. Receiving the ambassador award shows we are on the right track and we will continue to move forward provincially, nationally and globally.”
Named as one of Canada’s top 50 spas by Spas of America, Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa has been attracting guests from all corners of the world. As part of that global recognition, CEO Dwight Hayter spent May 29 to 31 in Toronto at Rendez-vous Canada (RVC), an annual event with over 1,800 international tourism industry leaders in attendance.
Now his second time attending RVC, Hayter said this year was a very positive experience which significantly raised awareness and tourism for his resort and mineral spa, the lake, and the surrounding businesses within Watrous and Manitou Beach. “International tourism operators and media writers from many countries from all over the world were able to meet with me over the three day conference, so I could explain “The Dead Sea of Canada” and possibly entice them to include us on their guests’ travel itineraries. I had 34 appointments booked in a three day period, which was the maximum I could book and each appointment lasted only 15 minutes so it was important to focus on the unique experience we can offer them at Manitou Springs and sell them on that idea.”
Hayter also spent time with media writers from Japan, China, Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom, many of them taking a USB stick from Hayter containing pictures, brochures and videos of the beach and his resort and spa.
“Many stated they would probably write an article on Manitou Springs as they are always looking for new and interesting tourism experiences to share in their home countries.”
While it can typically take a year after attending RVC before noticing an increase in people visiting the resort because of tourism companies booking a year in advance, Hayter said he has already noticed an increase in international customers.
“Asian countries and Germany are particularly interested in our Resort, as their lifestyles in those countries are very much spa orientated already. When you say “The Dead Sea of Canada,” you definitely get their attention. The country of India has also taken a very large interest in us, although many of the tour operators from India have not visited Saskatchewan before and are currently making up their itineraries and scheduled stops for the first time.”
Citing his meetings as being very positive, Hayter said many people could not believe mineral waters were so concentrated in such a small community.
“I am extremely confident that our resort and our communities will see significant increases in tourism traffic in the coming years, as the response from the tour operators and the media I met with was extremely positive. Many of the tour operators have already added our destination to their selling sheets and itineraries, and I am grateful to Tourism Saskatchewan for thinking so highly of us and to allow us to attend this prestigious event.”
Hayter said other representation from Saskatchewan at the show included Lloyd Lake Fishing Lodge, the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, Wanuskewin Heritage Park (Saskatoon) and Tourism Saskatoon. “Tourism Saskatoon has been a close partner of Manitou Springs for a couple of years now, as they recognize that our business and Little Manitou lake is a great day trip for anyone visiting Saskatoon so I am very grateful to their staff and management for all that they have recently done to help promote Manitou Springs.”
With the addition of Manitou Beach and Watrous on the itineraries of potential visitors across the globe, those able to check out the area in 2019 will be able to celebrate and commemorate Manitou Beach’s 100th anniversary since its incorporation. With a few events already held this year, more are on the docket as the summer heats up. Add the annual Fun Run Auto Show ‘N’ Shine in Watrous, the Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail, a trek to view the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area, first protected in 1887, and a handful of other highlights occurring each summer and people will be able to take in a variety of fun things while visiting.
Another event of note is ‘The Big Float,’ a record attempt to see how many people will float in the lake at Manitou Beach at one time. While the Guinness World Record crew will not be in attendance July 13, Manz said local organizers still want to make it a record for the beach.
“We encourage people to come to the lake at 2 p.m. July 13 and have as many people as possible hop in and go for a float. We are going to do some aerial photography at the main beach and get a cool vantage point while also celebrating the beach’s 100th anniversary and the lake’s unique properties. We are going to have registration earlier in the morning so we can keep count of how many people will be in the lake. It should be a lot of fun and a very unique experience.”
Along with The Big Float, a month later the third ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition will commence Aug. 8 to 11. With two previous events featuring high-calibre carvers at Manitou Beach, Manz said this year could be the largest yet.
“We have around 10 carvers committed to coming so far and we have had inquiries from right across the province seeking information on the event. People are also invited to come out Aug. 11 to enjoy a picnic commemorating the beach’s 100th. As part of that, speeches will take place and the candles will be blown out to mark 100 years since incorporation.”
But that is not all for the centennial activities at the resort village as a host of others will continue to take place throughout the remainder of 2019 either with local artisans, businesses or organizations. “We want this to be a special year and we also want to recognize the hard work done throughout the area by people to make this a place of unsinkable experiences.”
A big part of the Watrous and Manitou Beach area, tourism also extends throughout the province and the impact it has is pretty incredible. Recently marking Saskatchewan Tourism Week, Tourism Saskatchewan highlighted how big of a contributor the tourism industry is to the Saskatchewan economy. Some of those statistics included:
• annually, tourism generates more than $2.37 billion in travel expenditures;
• more than 13.6 million visits are made to and within the province each year;
• tourism is an export industry, injecting $600 million annually to the local economy and stimulating growth throughout the province;
• there are 63,800 Saskatchewan residents employed in tourism or tourism-related jobs;
• with more than 3,200 attractions, events and businesses, Saskatchewan’s tourism industry showcases the province’s history, culture and traditions to the world; and
• Saskatchewan’s tourism sector is 95 percent small- or medium-sized businesses, and many are independently owned or operated.
Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said, “Our citizens benefit from an industry that provides enriching travel discoveries and showcases Saskatchewan’s natural beauty and warm hospitality. Tourism Saskatchewan appreciates the enthusiasm of communities, attractions and operators for celebrating this special week for our industry.”
TWM Top Story - June 10, 2019
Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre set to open
By Daniel Bushman
After almost four years of planning and hard work, holding numerous fundraisers and receiving tremendous support from the community, the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre will officially open its doors next month. With a pre-registration night for the centre taking place June 10, vice-president for the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre Board Brendan Manz said it is an exciting time for all of the board members and the community as a whole.
“To date we have raised over $200,000 and renovated the building so that we can offer 20 spots for children. We are extremely excited and I know the community is very excited as well. We have had a lot of people stopping committee members on the street or anytime we are at the building having a meeting, people are stopping in to see when it is going to be ready.”
Taking over the former Pentecostal Church property at 709 Main Street in Watrous after a generous donation from the Watrous Kin to buy the property, the inside of the building includes brand new furnishings and equipment. Manz said as it opens, it will be professionally operated.
“We have a fenced outdoor yard space for the kids to play in, we are right near the elementary school, and there is a loft feature inside the facility that kids and families will be excited about. We also have washroom facilities, an office space for our director, brand new kitchen area, toys, books and tables to use as well to provide a positive, fun and learning environment for the kids.”
Along with the building ready to be opened, Manz said the board hired Krystal Klenk-Potts who will be the director. “We are excited to have her on board as our new director. She will be working with our board of directors and has previous experience running a licensed daycare of her own.”
The goal is to also hire additional staff with the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre looking to be open Monday to Friday throughout the year. Manz said they are still working out exact hours of when they will be in operation during the week and will depend on the families’ schedules who register.
“We are thinking around 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. but we also do know about 30 to 40 percent of people in town generally work shift work between the mines and health care so we know we need to help cater to those types of hours.”
Manz said they will begin accepting children ages 18 months up to five years old and may offer infant spots in the future. “The priority right now is for kids between 18 months and five years of age needing full-time care. Priority will be for those kids and then we will fill the remaining spots with families requiring part-time care for their kids and then those who may occasionally need childcare.”
The vice-president of the board noted they are still working very closely with the provincial ministry to be licensed and are hoping that the approval processes will happen over the next few weeks with the final inspections taking place shortly after. As part of that work with the provincial ministry, the childcare centre board also brought in consultants from early childhood education to ensure everything is up to code and standards to create a safe and fun facility. If all goes well with the inspections then the centre should be open in early July.
Manz said it is because of the support from people and the community that they were able to reach the building’s completion and final inspections.
“We couldn’t have done it without the community. For us to have a partner like the Kinsmen and also the Kinettes, the Watrous Rotary Club, the Town of Watrous and private businesses and organizations, it has been tremendous. We also received help from Quality Plus Construction and other trades and subcontractors who helped us out tremendously during the renovation phase. And we also held fundraisers where the community supported us immensely like the trailer lottery, barbecues, perogy sales, online auctions, Christmas tree sales and any other fundraiser we came up with to raise every penny we could. Now after almost four years we have a space that we can be proud of.”
Along with the community support, it was also not without a lot of dedication from members of the board who were able to make the dream become a reality. Joining Manz on the board is president Sara Dunne, treasurer Sabrina Hanchuk, secretary Lindsay Crittenden and board members Erin Wolff, Christa Braman, Jennifer Beeler, Tiffany Dreger, Vaughn Jones and Rae-ann Brown.
“We worked with a very dedicated team of professionals who all brought great backgrounds and ideas. We are all young parents and understand caring for children but none of us really had extensive knowledge of operating a daycare. It has been a learning curve for us and will continue to be one as we open and become an operational board. But we are excited about the opportunity ahead. We are also going to be inviting parents who have kids in our childcare centre to be a part of our board. We want to make sure they are involved and have their say as well.”
While Manz agreed that the process has been a lot of hard work to the point that it almost did not happen, he said everything has fallen into place along the way.
“Luckily having this property kind of fall into our lap and the Kin stepping up to help us purchase it was huge. Without them and other donors seeing the need for this building, who knows where we would have been today. It all came in at the right time and we got the sense that the way things had gone, this was meant to be. We are excited to see it get rolling and be officially opened and this will be something that the community can be proud of.”
By Daniel Bushman
After almost four years of planning and hard work, holding numerous fundraisers and receiving tremendous support from the community, the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre will officially open its doors next month. With a pre-registration night for the centre taking place June 10, vice-president for the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre Board Brendan Manz said it is an exciting time for all of the board members and the community as a whole.
“To date we have raised over $200,000 and renovated the building so that we can offer 20 spots for children. We are extremely excited and I know the community is very excited as well. We have had a lot of people stopping committee members on the street or anytime we are at the building having a meeting, people are stopping in to see when it is going to be ready.”
Taking over the former Pentecostal Church property at 709 Main Street in Watrous after a generous donation from the Watrous Kin to buy the property, the inside of the building includes brand new furnishings and equipment. Manz said as it opens, it will be professionally operated.
“We have a fenced outdoor yard space for the kids to play in, we are right near the elementary school, and there is a loft feature inside the facility that kids and families will be excited about. We also have washroom facilities, an office space for our director, brand new kitchen area, toys, books and tables to use as well to provide a positive, fun and learning environment for the kids.”
Along with the building ready to be opened, Manz said the board hired Krystal Klenk-Potts who will be the director. “We are excited to have her on board as our new director. She will be working with our board of directors and has previous experience running a licensed daycare of her own.”
The goal is to also hire additional staff with the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre looking to be open Monday to Friday throughout the year. Manz said they are still working out exact hours of when they will be in operation during the week and will depend on the families’ schedules who register.
“We are thinking around 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. but we also do know about 30 to 40 percent of people in town generally work shift work between the mines and health care so we know we need to help cater to those types of hours.”
Manz said they will begin accepting children ages 18 months up to five years old and may offer infant spots in the future. “The priority right now is for kids between 18 months and five years of age needing full-time care. Priority will be for those kids and then we will fill the remaining spots with families requiring part-time care for their kids and then those who may occasionally need childcare.”
The vice-president of the board noted they are still working very closely with the provincial ministry to be licensed and are hoping that the approval processes will happen over the next few weeks with the final inspections taking place shortly after. As part of that work with the provincial ministry, the childcare centre board also brought in consultants from early childhood education to ensure everything is up to code and standards to create a safe and fun facility. If all goes well with the inspections then the centre should be open in early July.
Manz said it is because of the support from people and the community that they were able to reach the building’s completion and final inspections.
“We couldn’t have done it without the community. For us to have a partner like the Kinsmen and also the Kinettes, the Watrous Rotary Club, the Town of Watrous and private businesses and organizations, it has been tremendous. We also received help from Quality Plus Construction and other trades and subcontractors who helped us out tremendously during the renovation phase. And we also held fundraisers where the community supported us immensely like the trailer lottery, barbecues, perogy sales, online auctions, Christmas tree sales and any other fundraiser we came up with to raise every penny we could. Now after almost four years we have a space that we can be proud of.”
Along with the community support, it was also not without a lot of dedication from members of the board who were able to make the dream become a reality. Joining Manz on the board is president Sara Dunne, treasurer Sabrina Hanchuk, secretary Lindsay Crittenden and board members Erin Wolff, Christa Braman, Jennifer Beeler, Tiffany Dreger, Vaughn Jones and Rae-ann Brown.
“We worked with a very dedicated team of professionals who all brought great backgrounds and ideas. We are all young parents and understand caring for children but none of us really had extensive knowledge of operating a daycare. It has been a learning curve for us and will continue to be one as we open and become an operational board. But we are excited about the opportunity ahead. We are also going to be inviting parents who have kids in our childcare centre to be a part of our board. We want to make sure they are involved and have their say as well.”
While Manz agreed that the process has been a lot of hard work to the point that it almost did not happen, he said everything has fallen into place along the way.
“Luckily having this property kind of fall into our lap and the Kin stepping up to help us purchase it was huge. Without them and other donors seeing the need for this building, who knows where we would have been today. It all came in at the right time and we got the sense that the way things had gone, this was meant to be. We are excited to see it get rolling and be officially opened and this will be something that the community can be proud of.”
TWM Top Story June 3
Remembering a
Royal visit
Daniel Bushman
On a Saturday in June, eight decades ago, Watrous became one of the most sought after destinations in the country as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth made a brief stop in the community. With the 1939 Royal Tour, the first-ever for a reigning monarch to visit Canada, thousands of people descended upon the community - around 4,000 of them school children - just to get a glimpse of the Royals on that June 3 afternoon in 1939.
Spending almost a month in Canada and touring the nation by train, the King and Queen arrived from London, England by ship and began their tour in Quebec City May 17. From there they headed west through Ontario and the prairie provinces before reaching B.C. After a visit on the west coast, the Royals then made the return trip east. It was during their return trip through Canada that the Royal couple stopped in Watrous. With a visit in Saskatoon just prior, the Royal train made its way towards Watrous, stopping for a brief time and then continued along to Melville. From there, the King and Queen headed eastward and down through the United States before wrapping up their trip in Halifax. With WWII starting later that year, as part of their tour, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth aimed to deliver a message of goodwill and solidarity.
As plans were put in place for the King and Queen to visit Watrous, one of just a handful of stops made in Saskatchewan during the tour, the anticipation mounted. According to the May 25, 1939 edition of The Watrous Signal, “Watrous is one of the favoured prairie points to have a real visit from Their Majesties.” With an expected 10 minute stop during the late afternoon Saturday, June 3, every detail was planned for the occasion.
“With an energetic Royal Reception Committee at work the past six weeks, everything has been planned to make the occasion go along correctly, handling the crowds expected with no difficulty and caring for upwards of three or four thousand children who have signified their intention of coming to Watrous to see their King and Queen. With official assurance direct from Buckingham Palace that Their Majesties will appear on the platform at the rear of the train, the Committee has lost no time in spreading the good news and making plans to give the people who come to Watrous one great big grand celebration by which to remember the occasion.”
Rural schools were informed with careful detail of the committee’s plans, were instructed where to gather and when and the arrival time of the train. Along with the plans of the Royal arrival, a big sports day was scheduled to coincide with the day and began at 10 a.m. with a baseball tournament followed by a torchlight procession through town, a huge bonfire and fireworks display. It was all culminated with a dance in Grest Hall. Along with the Watrous Band playing throughout the day, bands from Simpson and Drake were also in attendance and old-time horse races and a chariot race were part of the day.
Businesses in Watrous were also decorated for the occasion, a half holiday was declared in Nokomis for Saturday afternoon and evening June 3 and Viscount town council petitioned to declare a full civic holiday for that date. Meanwhile former Lieutenant Governor Dr. H.E. Munro and Mrs. Munro were amongst those being presented to Their Majesties at the parliament buildings in Regina May 25. “Also being presented, of course, will be the provincial member for Watrous constituency, Mr. Frank Krenn, editor of the Bruno Leader, and Mrs. Krenn.”
Inching closer to the June 3 arrival of the King and Queen, at the final Royal Reception Committee meeting in Watrous, Inspector D. L. Hicks reported officials of 90 schools had noted they would be attending the visit with approximately 2,500 children. A dozen more schools were expected and Rev. Augustine Nenzel was bringing 50 college boys from Muenster while more people were coming from Bruno and other places outside of Watrous.
Col. H. Harbord also provided a sketch of the proposed layout where children and others would be assembled, with approximately 10,000 people to be within 30 yards of the observation platform of the train.
But it was not just the local planning committee organizing things in Watrous as community, officials from CBK in Watrous were in charge of microphone installations for the royal visit broadcasts in Winnipeg and Regina. Those included R.D. Cahoon, CBK manager, W.W. Grant, chief operator, and Messrs. Johnston and Haggerty. While Cahoon, Grant and Johnston went to Winnipeg, Haggerty travelled to Regina. “We are informed that double sets of microphones and their attached equipment are set up for each of the broadcasts outside of the main studios, this as a final safeguard against mechanical interruption when, should such occur, a turn of a switch will press into service the second set.”
Also written in the local paper from 1939, it noted electrical contractor at CBK in Watrous, J. R. Young was asked by the CBC if he could supply equipment for the King’s speech by signal at Government House library in Regina. While he did not have the correct signal equipment his son Marshall was a craftsman and despite some hesitation from CBC engineers in Winnipeg, he was able to turn out a signal box.
“So Marshall set to work and in his home workshop turned out a signal box which CBC engineers describe as a beautiful job and a credit to any up to date factory. The box is made of walnut, flashlight bulbs being used for the signal lights.”
After all of the preparation and anticipation, the day finally arrived and from all accounts was much larger and successful than anticipated. In the June 8, 1939 edition of The Watrous Manitou, “Watrous and district roared a tumultuous welcome to Their Majesties, King George and Queen Elizabeth, on Saturday afternoon, when the Royal train stopped here for 15 minutes. The biggest crowd in the history of Watrous, estimated at well over 15,000 crowded the town to greet the King and Queen.”
Descending from their train, Their Majesties were greeted by Mayor H.E. Agar and Mrs. Agar, who presented the Queen with a bouquet of flowers. Also presented to their Majesties were H. McCreadie, chairman of the Watrous Royal Reception committee; Mrs. J. Fred Johnston, wife of the federal member of parliament for Lake Centre constituency; and A. R. Rhodes of Zelma, who wove a gift which was presented to Queen Elizabeth.
Some of Rhodes’ items can still be found at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon and the gift by Rhodes to the Queen was a unique woven basket containing flowers. A message was enclosed in the basket of flowers presented to the Queen reading: This basket was woven by hand from Saskatchewan wheat straw by Mr. A. R. Rhodes of Zelma, Sask. Mr. Rhodes presented it to the Watrous community for presentation to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of the Royal visit, June 3, 1939. The maker of this basket was at one time a regimental quartermaster sergeant in the Queen’s Own Yorkshire Dragoons. He was twice in charge of mounted detachments for Royal escort, first to Princess Christian and next to the Duke of Clarence, about 50 years ago. He rode on the right of the Royal carriage when the wife of the Viceroy of India presented the York and Lancaster regiment with their new colours. Mr. Rhodes is also the proud possessor of a sword which he won for swordsmanship while service with His Majesty’s forces. He saw over a year of active service in the South African campaign. The committee wishes you to accept this basket of flowers as a token of their esteem and loyal devotion and with the hope that you and the King may long be spared to reign over us in peace and righteousness. - Hugh McCreadie, Chairman, Reception Committee.
It was reported that from the early morning hours of the memorable day, truckload after truckload of people arrived in town from neighbouring towns and villages and it was estimated that more than 4,000 school children were on hand.
MaryLou Driedger’s mom was 13 years old and one of those school children in attendance when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth made a stop in Watrous. Dorothy Schmidt along with her teacher and classmates from Kansas School near Drake made the trek to Watrous on that June 3 day. Hoping to see a glimpse of royalty, Schmidt shared her memorable experience with her daughter MaryLou before she passed away.
“One of the highlights of my school career was singing for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. In 1939 they were on a coast-to-coast tour of Canada by train and were scheduled to stop in Watrous, Saskatchewan for a few minutes. There were hundreds of children at the train station from many different schools in our area. We were all lined up along the tracks. Each school was assigned a certain place where we had to stand. There were ropes set up along the track and we had to stay behind them. Our teachers had all taught us the same song to sing for the King and Queen. It was a song that had been especially written for that day. The train stopped and the King and Queen came out on a little porch at the end of the train to wave to us and listen to us sing. After we finished singing they took away the ropes that had been set up along the track and we all dashed up to the train to get as close as we could to the royal couple. I thought I might be able to touch the Queen’s dress. I remember I ran up to the train but there were so many people I couldn’t get close to the Queen. When I turned around I couldn’t see the other kids from my school or my teacher and I thought I was lost. I was actually quite scared until I finally spied someone I recognized in that big crowd and was able to rejoin my class. I remember the Queen was wearing a blue hat that day.”
Along with the many students in attendance including Schmidt, the town also played host to thousands more people from the district. Weather conditions were ideal with the vast majority of the crowd gathering at the CNR depot which provided the best view. In the paper from eight decades ago, it was reported “a party of 71 adults and children came in one monster truckload from 20 miles northeast of Jansen and after seeing the King and Queen, joined in the big torchlight parade organized by Postmaster E. B. Miller. Another truckload was noticed from northeast of Wadena, approximately 140 miles from Watrous. All had a wonderful time.”
As the King and Queen left the comforts of their train and came to meet with members of the large crowd it “made a decided hit.” His Majesty, during conversation asked the population of the town and sought information on conditions hereabouts.
“Looking fit and tanned, the King wore a lounge suit of grey flannel with a hairline stripe, a pale blue shirt and a darker blue tie. He did not wear a hat. The Queen looked charming in a sky blue triple sheer ensemble, fitted to the waist and falling to the hem, the same dress she wore in the parade in Montreal. The dress was trimmed at the neck line with white fox. Her hat was of straw, tied with a veil and trimmed with flowers.”
After meeting with the public, the King and Queen then boarded the train and remained on the platform of the observation car as the train began slowly pulling away. It was accompanied by cheers “for a distance of a mile. A massed band of 70 pieces including musicians from Watrous, Simpson, Drake and other points under the baton of D. A. Cumming, of Watrous, played, “Will Ye No Come Back Again?” as their Majesties waved a farewell to Watrous.”
As the Royals departed, the big sports day that was organized for the day continued, hitting record high attendance and a “nice sum was cleared to go toward the building a the new Legion home in town.”
Lanigan won the ball tournament defeating the Prairie Rangers while Watrous and LeRoy also entered teams. As the winner, Lanigan played a touring team, Dunseith, but lost 8-1.
The bareback horse races resulted in R. Stock taking first, B. Newman second and L. Carlson third.
The winners of the Model T Ford car race were Clare Currie of Govan, O. Simpson of Nokomis was second and C. Wladyka of Watrous was third.
F. Issacs was the winner of the chariot race followed by E. Leslie.
“Evening festivities in Watrous were many and varied. At 9:30 p.m., a monster torchlight parade was staged down Main Street under the direction of E. B. Miller. Heading the parade were bands from Watrous and neighbouring towns, followed by municipal officials from the entire district.”
Everything concluded at Grest Hall and at Manitou Beach, which was also crowded with picnickers throughout the day, White’s swimming pool and Danceland catered to many guests.
“Of interest to hundreds of visitors was the new radio station, CBK, prairie outlet for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which is to be opened in July.”
It was also noted that copies of the Royal Visit issue of The Watrous Manitou were sent by airmail to the Pacific coast and were put in the train car and on the pilot train. The Watrous Manitou office was advised by mail that the papers would be read by members of the press from London, New York and elsewhere. A local merchant, S.J. Nemetz also had the honour of filling an order for six chickens for the Royal train.
While the Royal couple never returned to Watrous after that June 3 stop, it provided an incredible memory for the thousands in attendance for years to come. In a speech captured by the CBC as the King and Queen said farewell at a luncheon in Halifax, the Queen extended her gratitude to Canadians.
“I am thanking you for the wealth of affection that you have offered us throughout these unforgettable weeks,” she said. “Some I know came scores of miles to meet us and that has touched me deeply.”
Almost two months later, in the July 27, 1939 edition of The Watrous Manitou, a note was printed about Queen Mary sending thanks:
Miss Sylvia Harbord of Watrous recently wrote an interesting account of the Royal Visit to Canada and mailed it to her grandmother, Mrs. Walter Harbord at Hornsey, London, England. The latter, believing it would be of interest to Their Majesties forwarded the letter and following is the reply received. Miss Harbord is a daughter of Col. and Mrs. H. Harbord, Freshwater district.
Marlborough House, S.W.I. July 7, 1939
Dear Madam:
I am commanded by Queen Mary to thank you very much indeed for sending your granddaughter’s letter from Canada for Her Majesty to read. It is very charmingly written - so vivid and natural, and gives a wonderfully clear impression of the effect produced in Canada itself by the King and Queen. Her Majesty has heard from them how moved they were by the enthusiastic and affectionate welcome they received on all sides. Queen Mary was touched and pleased by your kind thought in sending the letter, which is returned herewith with many thanks.
Yours truly, Cynthia Colville
Royal visit
Daniel Bushman
On a Saturday in June, eight decades ago, Watrous became one of the most sought after destinations in the country as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth made a brief stop in the community. With the 1939 Royal Tour, the first-ever for a reigning monarch to visit Canada, thousands of people descended upon the community - around 4,000 of them school children - just to get a glimpse of the Royals on that June 3 afternoon in 1939.
Spending almost a month in Canada and touring the nation by train, the King and Queen arrived from London, England by ship and began their tour in Quebec City May 17. From there they headed west through Ontario and the prairie provinces before reaching B.C. After a visit on the west coast, the Royals then made the return trip east. It was during their return trip through Canada that the Royal couple stopped in Watrous. With a visit in Saskatoon just prior, the Royal train made its way towards Watrous, stopping for a brief time and then continued along to Melville. From there, the King and Queen headed eastward and down through the United States before wrapping up their trip in Halifax. With WWII starting later that year, as part of their tour, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth aimed to deliver a message of goodwill and solidarity.
As plans were put in place for the King and Queen to visit Watrous, one of just a handful of stops made in Saskatchewan during the tour, the anticipation mounted. According to the May 25, 1939 edition of The Watrous Signal, “Watrous is one of the favoured prairie points to have a real visit from Their Majesties.” With an expected 10 minute stop during the late afternoon Saturday, June 3, every detail was planned for the occasion.
“With an energetic Royal Reception Committee at work the past six weeks, everything has been planned to make the occasion go along correctly, handling the crowds expected with no difficulty and caring for upwards of three or four thousand children who have signified their intention of coming to Watrous to see their King and Queen. With official assurance direct from Buckingham Palace that Their Majesties will appear on the platform at the rear of the train, the Committee has lost no time in spreading the good news and making plans to give the people who come to Watrous one great big grand celebration by which to remember the occasion.”
Rural schools were informed with careful detail of the committee’s plans, were instructed where to gather and when and the arrival time of the train. Along with the plans of the Royal arrival, a big sports day was scheduled to coincide with the day and began at 10 a.m. with a baseball tournament followed by a torchlight procession through town, a huge bonfire and fireworks display. It was all culminated with a dance in Grest Hall. Along with the Watrous Band playing throughout the day, bands from Simpson and Drake were also in attendance and old-time horse races and a chariot race were part of the day.
Businesses in Watrous were also decorated for the occasion, a half holiday was declared in Nokomis for Saturday afternoon and evening June 3 and Viscount town council petitioned to declare a full civic holiday for that date. Meanwhile former Lieutenant Governor Dr. H.E. Munro and Mrs. Munro were amongst those being presented to Their Majesties at the parliament buildings in Regina May 25. “Also being presented, of course, will be the provincial member for Watrous constituency, Mr. Frank Krenn, editor of the Bruno Leader, and Mrs. Krenn.”
Inching closer to the June 3 arrival of the King and Queen, at the final Royal Reception Committee meeting in Watrous, Inspector D. L. Hicks reported officials of 90 schools had noted they would be attending the visit with approximately 2,500 children. A dozen more schools were expected and Rev. Augustine Nenzel was bringing 50 college boys from Muenster while more people were coming from Bruno and other places outside of Watrous.
Col. H. Harbord also provided a sketch of the proposed layout where children and others would be assembled, with approximately 10,000 people to be within 30 yards of the observation platform of the train.
But it was not just the local planning committee organizing things in Watrous as community, officials from CBK in Watrous were in charge of microphone installations for the royal visit broadcasts in Winnipeg and Regina. Those included R.D. Cahoon, CBK manager, W.W. Grant, chief operator, and Messrs. Johnston and Haggerty. While Cahoon, Grant and Johnston went to Winnipeg, Haggerty travelled to Regina. “We are informed that double sets of microphones and their attached equipment are set up for each of the broadcasts outside of the main studios, this as a final safeguard against mechanical interruption when, should such occur, a turn of a switch will press into service the second set.”
Also written in the local paper from 1939, it noted electrical contractor at CBK in Watrous, J. R. Young was asked by the CBC if he could supply equipment for the King’s speech by signal at Government House library in Regina. While he did not have the correct signal equipment his son Marshall was a craftsman and despite some hesitation from CBC engineers in Winnipeg, he was able to turn out a signal box.
“So Marshall set to work and in his home workshop turned out a signal box which CBC engineers describe as a beautiful job and a credit to any up to date factory. The box is made of walnut, flashlight bulbs being used for the signal lights.”
After all of the preparation and anticipation, the day finally arrived and from all accounts was much larger and successful than anticipated. In the June 8, 1939 edition of The Watrous Manitou, “Watrous and district roared a tumultuous welcome to Their Majesties, King George and Queen Elizabeth, on Saturday afternoon, when the Royal train stopped here for 15 minutes. The biggest crowd in the history of Watrous, estimated at well over 15,000 crowded the town to greet the King and Queen.”
Descending from their train, Their Majesties were greeted by Mayor H.E. Agar and Mrs. Agar, who presented the Queen with a bouquet of flowers. Also presented to their Majesties were H. McCreadie, chairman of the Watrous Royal Reception committee; Mrs. J. Fred Johnston, wife of the federal member of parliament for Lake Centre constituency; and A. R. Rhodes of Zelma, who wove a gift which was presented to Queen Elizabeth.
Some of Rhodes’ items can still be found at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon and the gift by Rhodes to the Queen was a unique woven basket containing flowers. A message was enclosed in the basket of flowers presented to the Queen reading: This basket was woven by hand from Saskatchewan wheat straw by Mr. A. R. Rhodes of Zelma, Sask. Mr. Rhodes presented it to the Watrous community for presentation to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of the Royal visit, June 3, 1939. The maker of this basket was at one time a regimental quartermaster sergeant in the Queen’s Own Yorkshire Dragoons. He was twice in charge of mounted detachments for Royal escort, first to Princess Christian and next to the Duke of Clarence, about 50 years ago. He rode on the right of the Royal carriage when the wife of the Viceroy of India presented the York and Lancaster regiment with their new colours. Mr. Rhodes is also the proud possessor of a sword which he won for swordsmanship while service with His Majesty’s forces. He saw over a year of active service in the South African campaign. The committee wishes you to accept this basket of flowers as a token of their esteem and loyal devotion and with the hope that you and the King may long be spared to reign over us in peace and righteousness. - Hugh McCreadie, Chairman, Reception Committee.
It was reported that from the early morning hours of the memorable day, truckload after truckload of people arrived in town from neighbouring towns and villages and it was estimated that more than 4,000 school children were on hand.
MaryLou Driedger’s mom was 13 years old and one of those school children in attendance when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth made a stop in Watrous. Dorothy Schmidt along with her teacher and classmates from Kansas School near Drake made the trek to Watrous on that June 3 day. Hoping to see a glimpse of royalty, Schmidt shared her memorable experience with her daughter MaryLou before she passed away.
“One of the highlights of my school career was singing for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. In 1939 they were on a coast-to-coast tour of Canada by train and were scheduled to stop in Watrous, Saskatchewan for a few minutes. There were hundreds of children at the train station from many different schools in our area. We were all lined up along the tracks. Each school was assigned a certain place where we had to stand. There were ropes set up along the track and we had to stay behind them. Our teachers had all taught us the same song to sing for the King and Queen. It was a song that had been especially written for that day. The train stopped and the King and Queen came out on a little porch at the end of the train to wave to us and listen to us sing. After we finished singing they took away the ropes that had been set up along the track and we all dashed up to the train to get as close as we could to the royal couple. I thought I might be able to touch the Queen’s dress. I remember I ran up to the train but there were so many people I couldn’t get close to the Queen. When I turned around I couldn’t see the other kids from my school or my teacher and I thought I was lost. I was actually quite scared until I finally spied someone I recognized in that big crowd and was able to rejoin my class. I remember the Queen was wearing a blue hat that day.”
Along with the many students in attendance including Schmidt, the town also played host to thousands more people from the district. Weather conditions were ideal with the vast majority of the crowd gathering at the CNR depot which provided the best view. In the paper from eight decades ago, it was reported “a party of 71 adults and children came in one monster truckload from 20 miles northeast of Jansen and after seeing the King and Queen, joined in the big torchlight parade organized by Postmaster E. B. Miller. Another truckload was noticed from northeast of Wadena, approximately 140 miles from Watrous. All had a wonderful time.”
As the King and Queen left the comforts of their train and came to meet with members of the large crowd it “made a decided hit.” His Majesty, during conversation asked the population of the town and sought information on conditions hereabouts.
“Looking fit and tanned, the King wore a lounge suit of grey flannel with a hairline stripe, a pale blue shirt and a darker blue tie. He did not wear a hat. The Queen looked charming in a sky blue triple sheer ensemble, fitted to the waist and falling to the hem, the same dress she wore in the parade in Montreal. The dress was trimmed at the neck line with white fox. Her hat was of straw, tied with a veil and trimmed with flowers.”
After meeting with the public, the King and Queen then boarded the train and remained on the platform of the observation car as the train began slowly pulling away. It was accompanied by cheers “for a distance of a mile. A massed band of 70 pieces including musicians from Watrous, Simpson, Drake and other points under the baton of D. A. Cumming, of Watrous, played, “Will Ye No Come Back Again?” as their Majesties waved a farewell to Watrous.”
As the Royals departed, the big sports day that was organized for the day continued, hitting record high attendance and a “nice sum was cleared to go toward the building a the new Legion home in town.”
Lanigan won the ball tournament defeating the Prairie Rangers while Watrous and LeRoy also entered teams. As the winner, Lanigan played a touring team, Dunseith, but lost 8-1.
The bareback horse races resulted in R. Stock taking first, B. Newman second and L. Carlson third.
The winners of the Model T Ford car race were Clare Currie of Govan, O. Simpson of Nokomis was second and C. Wladyka of Watrous was third.
F. Issacs was the winner of the chariot race followed by E. Leslie.
“Evening festivities in Watrous were many and varied. At 9:30 p.m., a monster torchlight parade was staged down Main Street under the direction of E. B. Miller. Heading the parade were bands from Watrous and neighbouring towns, followed by municipal officials from the entire district.”
Everything concluded at Grest Hall and at Manitou Beach, which was also crowded with picnickers throughout the day, White’s swimming pool and Danceland catered to many guests.
“Of interest to hundreds of visitors was the new radio station, CBK, prairie outlet for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which is to be opened in July.”
It was also noted that copies of the Royal Visit issue of The Watrous Manitou were sent by airmail to the Pacific coast and were put in the train car and on the pilot train. The Watrous Manitou office was advised by mail that the papers would be read by members of the press from London, New York and elsewhere. A local merchant, S.J. Nemetz also had the honour of filling an order for six chickens for the Royal train.
While the Royal couple never returned to Watrous after that June 3 stop, it provided an incredible memory for the thousands in attendance for years to come. In a speech captured by the CBC as the King and Queen said farewell at a luncheon in Halifax, the Queen extended her gratitude to Canadians.
“I am thanking you for the wealth of affection that you have offered us throughout these unforgettable weeks,” she said. “Some I know came scores of miles to meet us and that has touched me deeply.”
Almost two months later, in the July 27, 1939 edition of The Watrous Manitou, a note was printed about Queen Mary sending thanks:
Miss Sylvia Harbord of Watrous recently wrote an interesting account of the Royal Visit to Canada and mailed it to her grandmother, Mrs. Walter Harbord at Hornsey, London, England. The latter, believing it would be of interest to Their Majesties forwarded the letter and following is the reply received. Miss Harbord is a daughter of Col. and Mrs. H. Harbord, Freshwater district.
Marlborough House, S.W.I. July 7, 1939
Dear Madam:
I am commanded by Queen Mary to thank you very much indeed for sending your granddaughter’s letter from Canada for Her Majesty to read. It is very charmingly written - so vivid and natural, and gives a wonderfully clear impression of the effect produced in Canada itself by the King and Queen. Her Majesty has heard from them how moved they were by the enthusiastic and affectionate welcome they received on all sides. Queen Mary was touched and pleased by your kind thought in sending the letter, which is returned herewith with many thanks.
Yours truly, Cynthia Colville
TWM Top Story - May 27, 2019
MSMA looking to grow region while working together
Daniel Bushman
Joining forces and looking to move the region forward is part of the strategy for the Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance (MSMA). With a dedicated group consisting of the rural municipalities of LeRoy #339, Morris #312, Prairie Rose #309, along with the communities of Lanigan, LeRoy, Nokomis, Watrous, Watson, Manitou Beach, Drake Jansen and Humboldt, the MSMA recently held its annual general meeting to share how 2018 went and also what the future holds.
Working collectively on a number of issues including housing, health care, education, infrastructure and major developments, Director of Operations and Planning for the MSMA Celine Favreau said the group gains strength from one another for the long-term betterment of the region. Having originally completed a community action plan in 2010 that identified key goals and strategies, the municipalities had also formally signed a memorandum of understanding and funding agreement at that time. This year the group is completing a review and update to its governing documents and defining a new regional strategic plan.
At its Apr. 4 annual general meeting in Lanigan, the group went over a number of items including its financials. In its 2018 report, as of Dec. 31, 2018, the MSMA had a total income of $86,354.89 with the majority of that coming from membership fees and per assessment allocation. Associate member fees and operating revenue comprised the remaining revenue. On the expense side, wages and salaries made up the majority of the total figure while general and administrative expenses combined for an additional $10,012.04 for a total expense of $92,463.05 and an overall deficit of $6,108.16.
In the chairman’s report, current MSMA chairman and Watrous councillor Gary Bergen touched on the progress made by MSMA in 2018.
“Over the past year we have reached out to neighbouring municipalities and are sincere in our interest to open up the network to be more inclusive and build on our capacity to attract new investment and residents into the region. Our staff person took the initiative to obtain the Asset Management Planning Certification this past fall which will strongly support the efforts of the municipal members to update existing asset management plans and make progress on a regional asset management strategy.”
Also in his report, Bergen added, “Moving through 2019 our economic development efforts will continue to connect with businesses across the region as we host industry meetings, and work toward attracting new investment by generating leads of potential investors to the region. Our primary goal continues to be the well-being of each and every member of the alliance and as the region evolves we appreciate that as members we continue to be engaged in this uniquely progressive group.”
As dialogue has been taking place with neighbouring municipalities, Favreau, who is marking the end of her fourth year with MSMA and the first year of a second three-year term is excited about what the future holds. Since inception Favreau said the MSMA has tried to make it attractive to live and do business in the region and as such is implementing a new communication strategy including improvements to the MSMA’s brand. Work also continues towards the completion of individual asset management plan (AMP) updates and a regional AMP strategy. “This work continues to be pending approval of an application submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in 2018.”
An economic development strategy was also defined in the annual report with a focus on investment attraction to the area and Favreau noted MSMA will continue to work with existing businesses to identify potential gaps in services and outsourced supply chains that could potentially be attracted to the region. The director of operations and planning said part of this strategy includes accessing funding though the federal program Invest Canada.
Highlighting the point made by Bergen of connecting with neighbouring municipalities over the past year, Favreau said in January 2018 MSMA sent letters of interest out to 20 councils requesting an opportunity to attend meetings. “Over the next half year I attended 16 council meetings and spoke to councils about the progress of the MSMA and passing on an invitation to join the network as an associate member. This outreach has resulted in one new associate member the RM of St. Peter #369 joining the group and the RM of Humboldt currently in consideration of the membership options. And we will continue to communicate with our neighbours going forward.”
With a mission to work together to sustain, build and grow the communities and RMs within the MSMA region, Favreau said moving ahead the group will honour that mission with efforts that include: defining a regional land-use planning strategy including a review of infrastructure needs for growth; identifying a model for an engaging buy local strategy across the region; contacting potential partners with an interest in improving high-speed Internet services to every household; implementing a region-wide business retention and expansion initiative to support existing business owners in every community; and expanding communications strategies locally, national and international audiences.
Favreau also categorized four sections of focus which include Governance, Planning, Economic Development, and Marketing. Under each, Favreau outlined immediate strategies that MSMA is taking and ones that are currently on the drawing board.
Governance
Immediate actions include: partners in business - businesses within the region recognized as stakeholders and contributors to projects; associated memberships - providing any neighbouring municipality with the opportunity to connect to the network at an introductory rate; planning district member - available to a neighbouring municipality that commits to aligning its OCP with the District Plan and is approved by the existing MSMA members; and reciprocal membership category - provides the MSMA with the opportunity to exchange memberships with other not for profit organizations.
On the drawing board ideas include: regional buy local app - to support shop local initiatives and tourism, branded mobile apps reward users for visiting places within the region; regional business network - advanced sector specific teams; and regional business permits - allows trades and other regional businesses to work across municipality boundaries.
Planning
Immediate actions include: member Official Community Plan (OCP) updates; municipal asset management plan updates; and municipal GIS mapping.
On the drawing board ideas include: region-wide upgraded hi-speed Internet model; regional asset management strategy; land-use planning mapping; and regional OCP implementation process.
Economic Development
Immediate actions include: investment attraction strategy and entrepreneurial support services.
On the drawing board ideas include: regional business retention and expansion strategy; sector specific teams (ag, manufacturing, tourism, commercial hub); regional employment opportunity network; regional economic development department; and regional development corporation.
Marketing
Immediate actions include: MSMA member council meetings; MSMA region - monthly newsletter; new brand and website - the MSMA region; MSMA neighbouring council meetings; and administrator and foreman meetings.
On the drawing board ideas include: municipal website home page link to MSMA region site; new brochure and promo pieces - the MSMA region; MSMA communications strategy update; and business partner website home page link to MSMA region site.
“An important part of achieving our mission is measuring the results of our efforts. This year will mark the 10th year of the Mid-Sask regional partnerships, six of those years as an incorporated entity,” said Favreau. “This region is now growing into its competitive advantage – The MSMA Region - Rural Charm – Urban Promise. Let’s continue to build a region that is all inclusive and continues to attract new residents to each and every community.”
Along with Favreau as director of operations and planning and Bergen as the chairman, the board of directors includes vice-chairman Peter Nicholson representing Drake and treasurer Kathy Jones representing Jansen.
The directors include Velda Daelick representing Lanigan, Ken Crowter representing LeRoy, Dennis Krieser representing Nokomis, Rob Muench representing Humboldt, Tom Bergen representing the RM of Prairie Rose, Mandy Green representing Watson, Keith Thoner representing the RM of Morris, and Laurie Bzdel representing Manitou Beach.
Corporate sponsors supporting the MSMA’s investment attraction initiative currently in progress across the region include BHP, Affinity Credit Union, Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, and Watrous Mainline Motors with the LeRoy Credit Union joining as a new sponsor since the annual general meeting was held.
The annual general meeting was well attended with guest speakers including: John Guenther from the Community Planning Branch of the Sask Ministry of Government Relations, Gavin Conacher, Lorrie McGowan and Chandra Mark from the Department of International Engagement with the Sask Ministry of Trade & Export; and Warren Lorenz of Nuvu Technologies.
Daniel Bushman
Joining forces and looking to move the region forward is part of the strategy for the Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance (MSMA). With a dedicated group consisting of the rural municipalities of LeRoy #339, Morris #312, Prairie Rose #309, along with the communities of Lanigan, LeRoy, Nokomis, Watrous, Watson, Manitou Beach, Drake Jansen and Humboldt, the MSMA recently held its annual general meeting to share how 2018 went and also what the future holds.
Working collectively on a number of issues including housing, health care, education, infrastructure and major developments, Director of Operations and Planning for the MSMA Celine Favreau said the group gains strength from one another for the long-term betterment of the region. Having originally completed a community action plan in 2010 that identified key goals and strategies, the municipalities had also formally signed a memorandum of understanding and funding agreement at that time. This year the group is completing a review and update to its governing documents and defining a new regional strategic plan.
At its Apr. 4 annual general meeting in Lanigan, the group went over a number of items including its financials. In its 2018 report, as of Dec. 31, 2018, the MSMA had a total income of $86,354.89 with the majority of that coming from membership fees and per assessment allocation. Associate member fees and operating revenue comprised the remaining revenue. On the expense side, wages and salaries made up the majority of the total figure while general and administrative expenses combined for an additional $10,012.04 for a total expense of $92,463.05 and an overall deficit of $6,108.16.
In the chairman’s report, current MSMA chairman and Watrous councillor Gary Bergen touched on the progress made by MSMA in 2018.
“Over the past year we have reached out to neighbouring municipalities and are sincere in our interest to open up the network to be more inclusive and build on our capacity to attract new investment and residents into the region. Our staff person took the initiative to obtain the Asset Management Planning Certification this past fall which will strongly support the efforts of the municipal members to update existing asset management plans and make progress on a regional asset management strategy.”
Also in his report, Bergen added, “Moving through 2019 our economic development efforts will continue to connect with businesses across the region as we host industry meetings, and work toward attracting new investment by generating leads of potential investors to the region. Our primary goal continues to be the well-being of each and every member of the alliance and as the region evolves we appreciate that as members we continue to be engaged in this uniquely progressive group.”
As dialogue has been taking place with neighbouring municipalities, Favreau, who is marking the end of her fourth year with MSMA and the first year of a second three-year term is excited about what the future holds. Since inception Favreau said the MSMA has tried to make it attractive to live and do business in the region and as such is implementing a new communication strategy including improvements to the MSMA’s brand. Work also continues towards the completion of individual asset management plan (AMP) updates and a regional AMP strategy. “This work continues to be pending approval of an application submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in 2018.”
An economic development strategy was also defined in the annual report with a focus on investment attraction to the area and Favreau noted MSMA will continue to work with existing businesses to identify potential gaps in services and outsourced supply chains that could potentially be attracted to the region. The director of operations and planning said part of this strategy includes accessing funding though the federal program Invest Canada.
Highlighting the point made by Bergen of connecting with neighbouring municipalities over the past year, Favreau said in January 2018 MSMA sent letters of interest out to 20 councils requesting an opportunity to attend meetings. “Over the next half year I attended 16 council meetings and spoke to councils about the progress of the MSMA and passing on an invitation to join the network as an associate member. This outreach has resulted in one new associate member the RM of St. Peter #369 joining the group and the RM of Humboldt currently in consideration of the membership options. And we will continue to communicate with our neighbours going forward.”
With a mission to work together to sustain, build and grow the communities and RMs within the MSMA region, Favreau said moving ahead the group will honour that mission with efforts that include: defining a regional land-use planning strategy including a review of infrastructure needs for growth; identifying a model for an engaging buy local strategy across the region; contacting potential partners with an interest in improving high-speed Internet services to every household; implementing a region-wide business retention and expansion initiative to support existing business owners in every community; and expanding communications strategies locally, national and international audiences.
Favreau also categorized four sections of focus which include Governance, Planning, Economic Development, and Marketing. Under each, Favreau outlined immediate strategies that MSMA is taking and ones that are currently on the drawing board.
Governance
Immediate actions include: partners in business - businesses within the region recognized as stakeholders and contributors to projects; associated memberships - providing any neighbouring municipality with the opportunity to connect to the network at an introductory rate; planning district member - available to a neighbouring municipality that commits to aligning its OCP with the District Plan and is approved by the existing MSMA members; and reciprocal membership category - provides the MSMA with the opportunity to exchange memberships with other not for profit organizations.
On the drawing board ideas include: regional buy local app - to support shop local initiatives and tourism, branded mobile apps reward users for visiting places within the region; regional business network - advanced sector specific teams; and regional business permits - allows trades and other regional businesses to work across municipality boundaries.
Planning
Immediate actions include: member Official Community Plan (OCP) updates; municipal asset management plan updates; and municipal GIS mapping.
On the drawing board ideas include: region-wide upgraded hi-speed Internet model; regional asset management strategy; land-use planning mapping; and regional OCP implementation process.
Economic Development
Immediate actions include: investment attraction strategy and entrepreneurial support services.
On the drawing board ideas include: regional business retention and expansion strategy; sector specific teams (ag, manufacturing, tourism, commercial hub); regional employment opportunity network; regional economic development department; and regional development corporation.
Marketing
Immediate actions include: MSMA member council meetings; MSMA region - monthly newsletter; new brand and website - the MSMA region; MSMA neighbouring council meetings; and administrator and foreman meetings.
On the drawing board ideas include: municipal website home page link to MSMA region site; new brochure and promo pieces - the MSMA region; MSMA communications strategy update; and business partner website home page link to MSMA region site.
“An important part of achieving our mission is measuring the results of our efforts. This year will mark the 10th year of the Mid-Sask regional partnerships, six of those years as an incorporated entity,” said Favreau. “This region is now growing into its competitive advantage – The MSMA Region - Rural Charm – Urban Promise. Let’s continue to build a region that is all inclusive and continues to attract new residents to each and every community.”
Along with Favreau as director of operations and planning and Bergen as the chairman, the board of directors includes vice-chairman Peter Nicholson representing Drake and treasurer Kathy Jones representing Jansen.
The directors include Velda Daelick representing Lanigan, Ken Crowter representing LeRoy, Dennis Krieser representing Nokomis, Rob Muench representing Humboldt, Tom Bergen representing the RM of Prairie Rose, Mandy Green representing Watson, Keith Thoner representing the RM of Morris, and Laurie Bzdel representing Manitou Beach.
Corporate sponsors supporting the MSMA’s investment attraction initiative currently in progress across the region include BHP, Affinity Credit Union, Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, and Watrous Mainline Motors with the LeRoy Credit Union joining as a new sponsor since the annual general meeting was held.
The annual general meeting was well attended with guest speakers including: John Guenther from the Community Planning Branch of the Sask Ministry of Government Relations, Gavin Conacher, Lorrie McGowan and Chandra Mark from the Department of International Engagement with the Sask Ministry of Trade & Export; and Warren Lorenz of Nuvu Technologies.
TWM Top Story - May 20, 2019
Manitou Beach residents recognized for their volunteer efforts
Daniel Bushman
When it comes to volunteering, for Pat Weichel and Elaine Muzichuk, it has essentially become part of the couple’s DNA. With Elaine residing at the resort village of Manitou Beach since 1980 and Pat moving to the community in 1993, the work done by both over the years has not gone unnoticed. Because of their service and dedication to the area, Pat and Elaine were recently recognized through the Prairie Central District’s Volunteer Recognition Program.
At a presentation for the pair during Manitou Beach’s council meeting May 13, Bonnie Wohlberg, Community Consultant for Prairie Central District for Sport, Culture and Recreation said the volunteer recognition program acknowledges and appreciates “exceptionally awesome community volunteers involved in sport, culture, and recreation.”
With two annual deadlines for nominations to be accepted, an individual, individuals or a group is selected for the award at each deadline. The recipients receive a $1,000 grant to put back into an initiative in the area of their volunteerism in their respective community.
With a tremendous focus on helping to beautify Manitou Beach and aid in creating an attractive place to live and visit, it was an easy decision for the April deadline recipients to select where they would like the $1,000 grant to go towards. “We are donating the money to CiB. The money will be used to purchase some of the flowers this year.”
Being chosen for the volunteer recognition award, Pat and Elaine were surprised when they received a call that they had been selected. “When Manitou Beach councillor Chris Moffatt told us we were going to receive this award, both of us were speechless,” said Weichel. “Neither of us have thought that we had done anything special, we simply did things that any volunteer would do.”
Residing at Manitou Beach for a number of years, current mayor Gerry Worobec said without people like Pat and Elaine to take on projects and to sit on different boards, the community would not be where it is today.
“We need people like that to be steadfast and lead the way and then other people will sit up and take notice and decide to come on board. That is how it all starts and that is how it is all maintained. People have come and gone on many different boards, myself included, and without volunteers we would not have anything. It is especially imperative at the beach because we have a pretty small population base that is there year around but we have a large number of events so it is easy to get volunteer burnout. But when you get people like Pat and Elaine that hang in there year after year after year it is a big plus for our community.”
Active in their professional teachers’ organizations, when both Muzichuk and Weichel retired, they began directing their volunteer efforts towards their community. Over the years the list of projects and initiatives accomplished by both grew and so did their pride for the resort village.
Serving as mayor of Manitou Beach for a period, Weichel later established the weekly Communities in Bloom (CiB) bingo and continues to pitch in during CiB cleanup mornings. He is part of the CiB project planning committee and a member of the planning committee for the Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw competition in 2017 and also for this year’s event.
Elaine served as a public representative on the Saskatchewan College of Dental Surgeons executive committee, teaches quilting during the winter months, helped to form the Manitou Beach ‘Salt an’ Heppers’, the red hatters ladies group and has been an integral part of Manitou Beach CiB since its inception in 2005.
Sue Alcock, who is part of CiB recalled the first year of its inception and the important role Muzichuk played as the pair worked together.
“Elaine and I heaved and hauled all sorts of items from back alleys as a cleanup project. We bonded over loading stoves, roof tiles and branches into the back of her truck. Elaine rolled up her sleeves to tackle any job that needed to be done, including moving and planting whisky barrel planters, planting lily bulbs and rounding up people to help!”
The following year, Muzichuk took over as chairperson of CiB at Manitou Beach, a position she held for a number of years. Involved with CiB in a number of ways including organizing yard and garden tours, Muzichuk coordinated and hosted teas for the unveiling of multiple heritage plaques, helped to develop a community garden and tree nursery, and continues to coordinate annual planting of barrel planters and flower beds. She previously coordinated the cleanup of Wellington Park and the Regional Park and among other things, played a part in redesigning the welcome sign area to Manitou Beach.
With both Weichel and Muzichuk involved with Manitou Beach and CiB over the years, it should come as no surprise how much they enjoy the community. “Manitou Beach is a unique place, a very peaceful and calm place. There are so many treasures here. We are very blessed to be able to call Manitou Beach home.”
Taking pride in the resort village, Weichel said since it is such a special place, in some ways that was how CiB came to be. Wanting to see the community beautified, back in the early 2000s, “a group of people, including Elaine happened to attend a seminar about Communities in Bloom put on by Parks and Rec. They immediately saw this as a vehicle that could be used to improve the beach, and so CiB was initiated in 2005.”
The first years were spent trimming trees and walking the lake shore collecting trash. Then as the years progressed, the group began undertaking major work at Wellington Park.
“We started running bingos around 2008, and this enabled us to generate funds for some major projects like the ‘Welcome to Manitou Beach’ sign and pillar, the community garden, and the many historical plaques, just to name a few. I think that these efforts inspired pride in our community. You see fewer properties that are run down and there’s a garden tour every couple of years where home owners can show off their yards. But CiB is more than flowers. It has a historical aspect, involved in infrastructure, coordination with the municipality and more. When residents buy into the CiB program the entire community benefits.”
Worobec said Weichel and Muzichuk have achieved great things with CiB and have put in a lot of flower pots in the community, kept trees trimmed and have a good idea of what is going on at Wellington. “It also frees up our staff. They take on a lot of responsibility that takes away hours of labour for our staff so we are able to do other things. I want to pass along a big congratulations and the village thanks them for their work and dedication.”
Taking initiative and wanting to see the community flourish, Weichel explained the importance of what it means to volunteer. “I don’t think it’s possible to overstate the importance of volunteering. Volunteering gives one pride in accomplishment and ownership of the end result. When I walk around Manitou Beach, I see the various projects CiB has completed, and I think to myself, that I helped to make this happen. This is my community. We are just a couple of the many volunteers past and present who have worked so hard to make Manitou Beach the wonderful place that it is. We can only hope that future volunteers will step up and keep Manitou Beach the special place that it is. It’s not ‘just the beach,’ it’s my home and I’m proud of it.”
Daniel Bushman
When it comes to volunteering, for Pat Weichel and Elaine Muzichuk, it has essentially become part of the couple’s DNA. With Elaine residing at the resort village of Manitou Beach since 1980 and Pat moving to the community in 1993, the work done by both over the years has not gone unnoticed. Because of their service and dedication to the area, Pat and Elaine were recently recognized through the Prairie Central District’s Volunteer Recognition Program.
At a presentation for the pair during Manitou Beach’s council meeting May 13, Bonnie Wohlberg, Community Consultant for Prairie Central District for Sport, Culture and Recreation said the volunteer recognition program acknowledges and appreciates “exceptionally awesome community volunteers involved in sport, culture, and recreation.”
With two annual deadlines for nominations to be accepted, an individual, individuals or a group is selected for the award at each deadline. The recipients receive a $1,000 grant to put back into an initiative in the area of their volunteerism in their respective community.
With a tremendous focus on helping to beautify Manitou Beach and aid in creating an attractive place to live and visit, it was an easy decision for the April deadline recipients to select where they would like the $1,000 grant to go towards. “We are donating the money to CiB. The money will be used to purchase some of the flowers this year.”
Being chosen for the volunteer recognition award, Pat and Elaine were surprised when they received a call that they had been selected. “When Manitou Beach councillor Chris Moffatt told us we were going to receive this award, both of us were speechless,” said Weichel. “Neither of us have thought that we had done anything special, we simply did things that any volunteer would do.”
Residing at Manitou Beach for a number of years, current mayor Gerry Worobec said without people like Pat and Elaine to take on projects and to sit on different boards, the community would not be where it is today.
“We need people like that to be steadfast and lead the way and then other people will sit up and take notice and decide to come on board. That is how it all starts and that is how it is all maintained. People have come and gone on many different boards, myself included, and without volunteers we would not have anything. It is especially imperative at the beach because we have a pretty small population base that is there year around but we have a large number of events so it is easy to get volunteer burnout. But when you get people like Pat and Elaine that hang in there year after year after year it is a big plus for our community.”
Active in their professional teachers’ organizations, when both Muzichuk and Weichel retired, they began directing their volunteer efforts towards their community. Over the years the list of projects and initiatives accomplished by both grew and so did their pride for the resort village.
Serving as mayor of Manitou Beach for a period, Weichel later established the weekly Communities in Bloom (CiB) bingo and continues to pitch in during CiB cleanup mornings. He is part of the CiB project planning committee and a member of the planning committee for the Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw competition in 2017 and also for this year’s event.
Elaine served as a public representative on the Saskatchewan College of Dental Surgeons executive committee, teaches quilting during the winter months, helped to form the Manitou Beach ‘Salt an’ Heppers’, the red hatters ladies group and has been an integral part of Manitou Beach CiB since its inception in 2005.
Sue Alcock, who is part of CiB recalled the first year of its inception and the important role Muzichuk played as the pair worked together.
“Elaine and I heaved and hauled all sorts of items from back alleys as a cleanup project. We bonded over loading stoves, roof tiles and branches into the back of her truck. Elaine rolled up her sleeves to tackle any job that needed to be done, including moving and planting whisky barrel planters, planting lily bulbs and rounding up people to help!”
The following year, Muzichuk took over as chairperson of CiB at Manitou Beach, a position she held for a number of years. Involved with CiB in a number of ways including organizing yard and garden tours, Muzichuk coordinated and hosted teas for the unveiling of multiple heritage plaques, helped to develop a community garden and tree nursery, and continues to coordinate annual planting of barrel planters and flower beds. She previously coordinated the cleanup of Wellington Park and the Regional Park and among other things, played a part in redesigning the welcome sign area to Manitou Beach.
With both Weichel and Muzichuk involved with Manitou Beach and CiB over the years, it should come as no surprise how much they enjoy the community. “Manitou Beach is a unique place, a very peaceful and calm place. There are so many treasures here. We are very blessed to be able to call Manitou Beach home.”
Taking pride in the resort village, Weichel said since it is such a special place, in some ways that was how CiB came to be. Wanting to see the community beautified, back in the early 2000s, “a group of people, including Elaine happened to attend a seminar about Communities in Bloom put on by Parks and Rec. They immediately saw this as a vehicle that could be used to improve the beach, and so CiB was initiated in 2005.”
The first years were spent trimming trees and walking the lake shore collecting trash. Then as the years progressed, the group began undertaking major work at Wellington Park.
“We started running bingos around 2008, and this enabled us to generate funds for some major projects like the ‘Welcome to Manitou Beach’ sign and pillar, the community garden, and the many historical plaques, just to name a few. I think that these efforts inspired pride in our community. You see fewer properties that are run down and there’s a garden tour every couple of years where home owners can show off their yards. But CiB is more than flowers. It has a historical aspect, involved in infrastructure, coordination with the municipality and more. When residents buy into the CiB program the entire community benefits.”
Worobec said Weichel and Muzichuk have achieved great things with CiB and have put in a lot of flower pots in the community, kept trees trimmed and have a good idea of what is going on at Wellington. “It also frees up our staff. They take on a lot of responsibility that takes away hours of labour for our staff so we are able to do other things. I want to pass along a big congratulations and the village thanks them for their work and dedication.”
Taking initiative and wanting to see the community flourish, Weichel explained the importance of what it means to volunteer. “I don’t think it’s possible to overstate the importance of volunteering. Volunteering gives one pride in accomplishment and ownership of the end result. When I walk around Manitou Beach, I see the various projects CiB has completed, and I think to myself, that I helped to make this happen. This is my community. We are just a couple of the many volunteers past and present who have worked so hard to make Manitou Beach the wonderful place that it is. We can only hope that future volunteers will step up and keep Manitou Beach the special place that it is. It’s not ‘just the beach,’ it’s my home and I’m proud of it.”
TWM Top Story - May 13, 2019
Watrous budget increases slightly
Daniel Bushman
With a number of projects on the docket for 2019 and anticipating growth in both the residential and industrial areas, Watrous town council approved an overall increase to its budget. While last year’s municipal portion of the budget went up five percent, this year residents will see a 2.5 percent bump to keep up with current projects, maintenance and daily operations.
Town Administrator Orrin Redden said the approved budget has no changes to the education/school portion of the taxes but incorporates a 2.5 percent increase on the municipal side. Redden said with the minimal bump, the average homeowner would see around a 1.7 percent increase to their total tax bill for the year, ranging anywhere from $40 per year to upwards of $100 per year. “I think for the majority of people the increase for them would fit somewhere in that $50 to $60 range per year.”
Also going up was the water and sewer rates for the community. “They increased in January most notably for the capital/infrastructure levy. This flat rate levy is dedicated to water/sewer capital works (WTP/lagoon) either debt servicing or to establish reserves for future capital works.”
After last year’s five percent budget increase to adjust for the drop in provincial revenue sharing, this year that grant funding rose slightly. However, Redden said the increase to an overall total of $380,000 is still less than what Watrous had received in 2017.
With the approved budget, Redden highlighted a few projects and updates in a number of categories:
Transportation and Street Work
Construction will continue and be completed on the service road and access to the industrial lots located near Watrous Home Hardware. The road (4th Avenue) running next to Home Hardware to the newly created lots will be up to grade while the access road near Watrous Concrete running towards Manitou Mainline Chrysler will be paved. “That road right off Hwy. 365 to the dealership will be paved but the town won’t be paving the 4th Avenue road by the Home Hardware this year.”
With 20 industrial lots for purchase in that new industrial section, Redden said they are fully serviced with power, gas, water, sewer and phone.
Nearby in the newer residential lot parcel across from the Watrous District Health Complex, two homes have been built and Redden said a third will be constructed on the 500 block of 8th Street. Town council has also agreed to sell the vacant lots in that parcel at a substantial discount for the remainder of this year.
Water/Sewer
Last year a new well was created and a pipeline will be built this year connecting Well #7 to the existing infrastructure (Well #6). “Next year council will look at the mechanical aspect of the well but this project was initiated to help meet the growth of the community and added water usage from the new Reverse Osmosis water system. It is part of a three year project and it will be completed in 2020.”
In addition to the pipeline being built, there will also be some fire hydrant replacements and watermain valve replacements at intersections within town to upgrade some of the aging watermains.
Along with the infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, Redden said, “Town council had an engineering study done regarding flooding and significant rainfall amounts to certain areas like 3rd Street, 8th Avenue and 6th Avenue and how the water funneled into those places before heading out of town. Council is reviewing those studies regarding sanitary sewer capacity and flood mitigation measures and are hopeful to receive some funding through a new federal government program called Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. An expression of interest was submitted on behalf of the town for the funding and if approved, there could be a fall intake for the actual projects.”
Redden said over the past eight years there has been a total of about $9.5 million invested into water/sewer projects and if they receive approval through the federal government’s new program, it would go towards increasing capacity to the sanitary/sewer from the town to the lagoon.
Public Health and Welfare
Upgrades and improvements were budgeted for last year at the Watrous Cemetery to include a columbarium and a cement pad for a second columbarium in the future. In collaboration with the Do-Gooders group, a water feature was also installed to beautify the area. For this year, Redden said, “There is nothing major planned other than a continued effort to maintain and beautify the area.”
The Town of Watrous agreed to continue to remain involved with the medical clinic operations, working in collaboration with the Primary Health Management area of the Saskatchewan Health Authority to keep a stable group of health providers practicing in the community.
Redden said the town has also applied for provincial funding to replace the small mobility van. “Our bigger unit has been in use but we would like to purchase a new vehicle to replace the aging smaller unit.”
Recreation and Culture
After a new Zamboni ice resurfacer was purchased last year, council has teamed up with Watrous Minor Ball, the Winston High School football team and the local Kinsmen to create a new washroom/concession/storage building at the sportsgrounds. Redden said the facility has been completed with the local organizations picking up around 75 percent of the cost with the Town of Watrous funding the rest.
A substantial project that will be done in time for swimming season is the replacement of the pool’s aging boiler. Redden said the existing boiler is the original one installed when the pool was first built well over a decade ago. “Council weighed out the cost of repairing the boiler for about $20,000 to get through a couple of more years versus replacing it new for around $60,000 and would last longer. In the end they elected to buy a new one which will be installed soon.”
Work on a new rest area is being done where the railway station and visitor centre used to be located at the end of Main Street. With some funding assistance from the town, Manitou Springs Mineral Spa and the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group have been working together to create the structure. “With more and more tourists visiting our area, the rest area is being constructed for those who utilize the Via Rail system. This way once they get off the train they will have a place to wait until transportation arrives to pick them up. So far the walls have been framed and work should be wrapped up in a few months.”
Environmental Services
As a member of the Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT), the community has entered its third year of a five year commitment contributing to a new landfill site in the RM of LeRoy. Redden estimated the contribution for the five years is around $300,000 overall.
Daniel Bushman
With a number of projects on the docket for 2019 and anticipating growth in both the residential and industrial areas, Watrous town council approved an overall increase to its budget. While last year’s municipal portion of the budget went up five percent, this year residents will see a 2.5 percent bump to keep up with current projects, maintenance and daily operations.
Town Administrator Orrin Redden said the approved budget has no changes to the education/school portion of the taxes but incorporates a 2.5 percent increase on the municipal side. Redden said with the minimal bump, the average homeowner would see around a 1.7 percent increase to their total tax bill for the year, ranging anywhere from $40 per year to upwards of $100 per year. “I think for the majority of people the increase for them would fit somewhere in that $50 to $60 range per year.”
Also going up was the water and sewer rates for the community. “They increased in January most notably for the capital/infrastructure levy. This flat rate levy is dedicated to water/sewer capital works (WTP/lagoon) either debt servicing or to establish reserves for future capital works.”
After last year’s five percent budget increase to adjust for the drop in provincial revenue sharing, this year that grant funding rose slightly. However, Redden said the increase to an overall total of $380,000 is still less than what Watrous had received in 2017.
With the approved budget, Redden highlighted a few projects and updates in a number of categories:
Transportation and Street Work
Construction will continue and be completed on the service road and access to the industrial lots located near Watrous Home Hardware. The road (4th Avenue) running next to Home Hardware to the newly created lots will be up to grade while the access road near Watrous Concrete running towards Manitou Mainline Chrysler will be paved. “That road right off Hwy. 365 to the dealership will be paved but the town won’t be paving the 4th Avenue road by the Home Hardware this year.”
With 20 industrial lots for purchase in that new industrial section, Redden said they are fully serviced with power, gas, water, sewer and phone.
Nearby in the newer residential lot parcel across from the Watrous District Health Complex, two homes have been built and Redden said a third will be constructed on the 500 block of 8th Street. Town council has also agreed to sell the vacant lots in that parcel at a substantial discount for the remainder of this year.
Water/Sewer
Last year a new well was created and a pipeline will be built this year connecting Well #7 to the existing infrastructure (Well #6). “Next year council will look at the mechanical aspect of the well but this project was initiated to help meet the growth of the community and added water usage from the new Reverse Osmosis water system. It is part of a three year project and it will be completed in 2020.”
In addition to the pipeline being built, there will also be some fire hydrant replacements and watermain valve replacements at intersections within town to upgrade some of the aging watermains.
Along with the infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, Redden said, “Town council had an engineering study done regarding flooding and significant rainfall amounts to certain areas like 3rd Street, 8th Avenue and 6th Avenue and how the water funneled into those places before heading out of town. Council is reviewing those studies regarding sanitary sewer capacity and flood mitigation measures and are hopeful to receive some funding through a new federal government program called Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. An expression of interest was submitted on behalf of the town for the funding and if approved, there could be a fall intake for the actual projects.”
Redden said over the past eight years there has been a total of about $9.5 million invested into water/sewer projects and if they receive approval through the federal government’s new program, it would go towards increasing capacity to the sanitary/sewer from the town to the lagoon.
Public Health and Welfare
Upgrades and improvements were budgeted for last year at the Watrous Cemetery to include a columbarium and a cement pad for a second columbarium in the future. In collaboration with the Do-Gooders group, a water feature was also installed to beautify the area. For this year, Redden said, “There is nothing major planned other than a continued effort to maintain and beautify the area.”
The Town of Watrous agreed to continue to remain involved with the medical clinic operations, working in collaboration with the Primary Health Management area of the Saskatchewan Health Authority to keep a stable group of health providers practicing in the community.
Redden said the town has also applied for provincial funding to replace the small mobility van. “Our bigger unit has been in use but we would like to purchase a new vehicle to replace the aging smaller unit.”
Recreation and Culture
After a new Zamboni ice resurfacer was purchased last year, council has teamed up with Watrous Minor Ball, the Winston High School football team and the local Kinsmen to create a new washroom/concession/storage building at the sportsgrounds. Redden said the facility has been completed with the local organizations picking up around 75 percent of the cost with the Town of Watrous funding the rest.
A substantial project that will be done in time for swimming season is the replacement of the pool’s aging boiler. Redden said the existing boiler is the original one installed when the pool was first built well over a decade ago. “Council weighed out the cost of repairing the boiler for about $20,000 to get through a couple of more years versus replacing it new for around $60,000 and would last longer. In the end they elected to buy a new one which will be installed soon.”
Work on a new rest area is being done where the railway station and visitor centre used to be located at the end of Main Street. With some funding assistance from the town, Manitou Springs Mineral Spa and the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group have been working together to create the structure. “With more and more tourists visiting our area, the rest area is being constructed for those who utilize the Via Rail system. This way once they get off the train they will have a place to wait until transportation arrives to pick them up. So far the walls have been framed and work should be wrapped up in a few months.”
Environmental Services
As a member of the Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT), the community has entered its third year of a five year commitment contributing to a new landfill site in the RM of LeRoy. Redden estimated the contribution for the five years is around $300,000 overall.
TWM Top Story - May 6, 2019
Fire roars through national wildlife area
Daniel Bushman
Fire departments have been on high alert this spring as a lack of moisture combined with high winds created ideal conditions for wildfires to spread. With the recent massive grass fire near Biggar and other fires occurring within the local region, fire bans have been implemented throughout a large part of Saskatchewan. While some moisture arrived near the end of April, for part of the Last Mountain National Wildlife Area, it came too late.
Situated east of Simpson and first protected in 1887, Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area (NWA) has been officially recognized as a special place for wildlife. With just over 15,000 hectares of land at the north end of Last Mountain Lake, during the afternoon Apr. 24 some of that land was engulfed by a raging inferno.
With the sun shining and the wind humming along at 30 km/h and gusting up to 50 km/h, Protected Areas Manager, Canadian Wildlife Service Kerry Hecker had planned to do some work outside during that blustery afternoon. Working at the office on site at the Last Mountain National Wildlife Area, Hecker got a call from a staff member who was watching a fire blow farther into the NWA from the road ditch. Stepping outside of the facility and into nature just before 2 p.m., Hecker glanced across the prairie landscape and her eyes became fixated on an ever-growing plume of smoke.
Sensing how close it was getting to the site, Kerry examined the situation and realized a fire had been feasting on the wildlife habitat and was moving towards her. While doing prescribed burns at the national wildlife area over the years, Hecker has experience with fires but with one of this magnitude and with the wind helping to fuel the flames, she called for help. Phoning 911 around 2 p.m. and with giant columns of smoke thrust into the atmosphere, it did not take long for help to arrive. First on the scene was the Simpson Fire Department who were notified through the 911 call.
Rapidly growing by the minute and with the wind aiding in its path of destruction, Mayor of Simpson and member of the Simpson Fire Department Jeremy Nimchuk said the department headed for the blaze as soon as they could, requesting mutual aid from Imperial and Watrous along the way.
First on scene, the Simpson Fire Department was soon joined by the Imperial and Watrous departments while word continued to spread about the massive blaze. Trained wildland firefighters from the Canadian Wildlife Service, including Hecker, got their water tanks and headed out to assist as well. Farmers and neighbours willing to pitch in also joined forces and Nimchuk said the department quickly communicated with everyone and made a plan of action on how to attack the fire. “People were bringing water and tractors and discers and any help they could offer,” he said. “There was probably around 30 people at least between firemen and farmers. The help was unbelievable and the people who got together and offered their help was pretty incredible. There were people coming from all over and I was even getting text messages from people in Liberty and Stalwart asking if they could bring water and trucks.”
Nimchuk who had never been involved with a fire of that size added the experience of the Watrous Fire Department also aided in containing the fire. “Watrous did some backburning to help save water and we didn’t have to put on a pile of water because of the techniques they used which helped quite a bit. We were lucky that day that the wind was in our favour and the fire headed to the lake. If it would have been going in the other direction, it would have been a lot worse. We were pretty lucky that way.”
As tractors pulled discers through the earth and tilled the soil to prevent the fire from advancing, Hecker was in touch with the office administrator, Lois Vanthuyne back at the wildlife site watching the blaze rampage towards her. The house where Hecker and her family live in was also nearby and she said the fire got to within a mile of the yard site before it was extinguished. “I deal with fire a lot in my job but to see it that close to the office, buildings and the house where my kids were, it was quite scary.”
In the end, Hecker said they were really quite fortunate that there was not more damage. “The fire went right through the wildlife habitat and right up to the lake. They had the fire stopped at the lake and then just had to deal with flanked fires.”
Nimchuk said it remains a mystery at how the fire started on that windy afternoon. “No one really knows . . . It could have been anything.”
Once the damage had been done and the fire out, Nimchuk said trucks arrived back at Simpson around 7:30 p.m. He heard it was estimated that 700 acres had been engulfed by the fire and burned. Hecker said a prairie trail was damaged and fence posts blackened but otherwise the majority of the fire went through wildlife habitat.
“I am thankful that there were no houses, people or buildings in the fire’s path,” she added. “There were no cattle in the fields yet. It was just grass with some trees and this fire will actually rejuvenate the grass and trees.”
Kerry was also quick to note the scenario and situation as a whole could have been much worse had the help not arrived as fast as it did. “It was really quite amazing and gratifying to have the volunteer fire departments, local farmers and neighbours who helped. There were farmers discing the fields and the fire guards that got cultivated in just happened to be in the best possible place from a wildlife habitat perspective. We are most grateful for the assistance from Simpson, Imperial and Watrous fire departments, neighbours, people in the area who brought cultivators, and everyone working and coming together. We really appreciated it! We are just grateful it started where it did so it could run to the lake.”
Along with Hecker, Nimchuk was also really impressed with the community and local farmers who helped do what they could do to put out the fire as quickly as possible.
As the fire was contained and extinguished, it was not the only one striking the province and the local region. After responding to its first grass fire of 2019 on Apr. 12, the Watrous Fire Department has been busy attending a number of fires since then. The Apr. 12 fire occurred in the morning and over the following eight days the department noted on its Facebook page that it responded to a tractor fire, another grass fire, and a grass fire and structure fire. Then on Apr. 21 members were dispatched to another grass fire at 9:38 p.m., returning close to two hours later.
Along with the Watrous region, conditions have also been dry in the Drake, Lanigan and Jansen area as well. Lanigan Fire Chief Barry Hooper said they have been fortunate no major fires have occurred this spring but more moisture is certainly needed. “Knock on wood we have not had anything so far and hopefully with the local rural municipalities implementing fire bans that will help as well. We have been pretty lucky so far.”
With the dry conditions, numerous local area RMs and municipalities have implemented fire bans, joining a lengthy list of others across Saskatchewan. As of May 1, according to the provincial fire bans page, the local RMs of Wood Creek No. 281, Big Quill No. 308, Usborne No. 310, Morris No. 312, Lost River No. 313, and Blucher No. 343 were under fire bans while Clavet, Liberty, the resort village of Manitou Beach, Meacham, and Simpson were part of the local urban municipalities under fire bans. Meanwhile the RM of Prairie Rose and village of Jansen reissued a fire ban May 2.
Daniel Bushman
Fire departments have been on high alert this spring as a lack of moisture combined with high winds created ideal conditions for wildfires to spread. With the recent massive grass fire near Biggar and other fires occurring within the local region, fire bans have been implemented throughout a large part of Saskatchewan. While some moisture arrived near the end of April, for part of the Last Mountain National Wildlife Area, it came too late.
Situated east of Simpson and first protected in 1887, Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area (NWA) has been officially recognized as a special place for wildlife. With just over 15,000 hectares of land at the north end of Last Mountain Lake, during the afternoon Apr. 24 some of that land was engulfed by a raging inferno.
With the sun shining and the wind humming along at 30 km/h and gusting up to 50 km/h, Protected Areas Manager, Canadian Wildlife Service Kerry Hecker had planned to do some work outside during that blustery afternoon. Working at the office on site at the Last Mountain National Wildlife Area, Hecker got a call from a staff member who was watching a fire blow farther into the NWA from the road ditch. Stepping outside of the facility and into nature just before 2 p.m., Hecker glanced across the prairie landscape and her eyes became fixated on an ever-growing plume of smoke.
Sensing how close it was getting to the site, Kerry examined the situation and realized a fire had been feasting on the wildlife habitat and was moving towards her. While doing prescribed burns at the national wildlife area over the years, Hecker has experience with fires but with one of this magnitude and with the wind helping to fuel the flames, she called for help. Phoning 911 around 2 p.m. and with giant columns of smoke thrust into the atmosphere, it did not take long for help to arrive. First on the scene was the Simpson Fire Department who were notified through the 911 call.
Rapidly growing by the minute and with the wind aiding in its path of destruction, Mayor of Simpson and member of the Simpson Fire Department Jeremy Nimchuk said the department headed for the blaze as soon as they could, requesting mutual aid from Imperial and Watrous along the way.
First on scene, the Simpson Fire Department was soon joined by the Imperial and Watrous departments while word continued to spread about the massive blaze. Trained wildland firefighters from the Canadian Wildlife Service, including Hecker, got their water tanks and headed out to assist as well. Farmers and neighbours willing to pitch in also joined forces and Nimchuk said the department quickly communicated with everyone and made a plan of action on how to attack the fire. “People were bringing water and tractors and discers and any help they could offer,” he said. “There was probably around 30 people at least between firemen and farmers. The help was unbelievable and the people who got together and offered their help was pretty incredible. There were people coming from all over and I was even getting text messages from people in Liberty and Stalwart asking if they could bring water and trucks.”
Nimchuk who had never been involved with a fire of that size added the experience of the Watrous Fire Department also aided in containing the fire. “Watrous did some backburning to help save water and we didn’t have to put on a pile of water because of the techniques they used which helped quite a bit. We were lucky that day that the wind was in our favour and the fire headed to the lake. If it would have been going in the other direction, it would have been a lot worse. We were pretty lucky that way.”
As tractors pulled discers through the earth and tilled the soil to prevent the fire from advancing, Hecker was in touch with the office administrator, Lois Vanthuyne back at the wildlife site watching the blaze rampage towards her. The house where Hecker and her family live in was also nearby and she said the fire got to within a mile of the yard site before it was extinguished. “I deal with fire a lot in my job but to see it that close to the office, buildings and the house where my kids were, it was quite scary.”
In the end, Hecker said they were really quite fortunate that there was not more damage. “The fire went right through the wildlife habitat and right up to the lake. They had the fire stopped at the lake and then just had to deal with flanked fires.”
Nimchuk said it remains a mystery at how the fire started on that windy afternoon. “No one really knows . . . It could have been anything.”
Once the damage had been done and the fire out, Nimchuk said trucks arrived back at Simpson around 7:30 p.m. He heard it was estimated that 700 acres had been engulfed by the fire and burned. Hecker said a prairie trail was damaged and fence posts blackened but otherwise the majority of the fire went through wildlife habitat.
“I am thankful that there were no houses, people or buildings in the fire’s path,” she added. “There were no cattle in the fields yet. It was just grass with some trees and this fire will actually rejuvenate the grass and trees.”
Kerry was also quick to note the scenario and situation as a whole could have been much worse had the help not arrived as fast as it did. “It was really quite amazing and gratifying to have the volunteer fire departments, local farmers and neighbours who helped. There were farmers discing the fields and the fire guards that got cultivated in just happened to be in the best possible place from a wildlife habitat perspective. We are most grateful for the assistance from Simpson, Imperial and Watrous fire departments, neighbours, people in the area who brought cultivators, and everyone working and coming together. We really appreciated it! We are just grateful it started where it did so it could run to the lake.”
Along with Hecker, Nimchuk was also really impressed with the community and local farmers who helped do what they could do to put out the fire as quickly as possible.
As the fire was contained and extinguished, it was not the only one striking the province and the local region. After responding to its first grass fire of 2019 on Apr. 12, the Watrous Fire Department has been busy attending a number of fires since then. The Apr. 12 fire occurred in the morning and over the following eight days the department noted on its Facebook page that it responded to a tractor fire, another grass fire, and a grass fire and structure fire. Then on Apr. 21 members were dispatched to another grass fire at 9:38 p.m., returning close to two hours later.
Along with the Watrous region, conditions have also been dry in the Drake, Lanigan and Jansen area as well. Lanigan Fire Chief Barry Hooper said they have been fortunate no major fires have occurred this spring but more moisture is certainly needed. “Knock on wood we have not had anything so far and hopefully with the local rural municipalities implementing fire bans that will help as well. We have been pretty lucky so far.”
With the dry conditions, numerous local area RMs and municipalities have implemented fire bans, joining a lengthy list of others across Saskatchewan. As of May 1, according to the provincial fire bans page, the local RMs of Wood Creek No. 281, Big Quill No. 308, Usborne No. 310, Morris No. 312, Lost River No. 313, and Blucher No. 343 were under fire bans while Clavet, Liberty, the resort village of Manitou Beach, Meacham, and Simpson were part of the local urban municipalities under fire bans. Meanwhile the RM of Prairie Rose and village of Jansen reissued a fire ban May 2.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 29, 2019
Local couple donates $100,000 to new children's hospital
Daniel Bushman
Family, team work and helping a community grow and flourish have been integral parts to Ron and Melissa Ediger’s lives. Named as last year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year, the couple have not only been a fixture in the community but have also been generously giving back. That kindness has extended beyond Watrous as the owners of Melron Service Ltd. recently provided a $100,000 donation to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The funds provided by Ron and Melissa will be used to support an exam room in Pediatric Emergency in the new children’s hospital being built in Saskatoon. Presenting the gift to members of the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, Melissa and Ron were grateful for the opportunity.
“We are pleased to help contribute to a happy and healthy future so that Saskatchewan children and their families can enjoy life like we have. We want to leave a legacy from the Ediger family.”
In a release from the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, it stated, “The exam room that the Edigers have chosen to support will greatly benefit children and families who find themselves in Saskatchewan’s first 24-hour Pediatric Emergency in the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. The room is one of 10 that will allow children to feel more relaxed and comfortable in an environment that is often considered scary. It will allow for comprehensive evaluation, stabilization and treatment of critically injured children. The new Pediatric Emergency will have room to treat over 21,000 children each year.”
With other substantial contributions made within Watrous and the surrounding area over the years, the Edigers were pleased to be able to provide their $100,000 gift for an exam room in the new children’s hospital, something that will benefit many for years to come.
“When a child spends time in Pediatric Emergency, a family goes from the comforts of home to an environment full of uncertainties,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We are grateful that the Edigers have stepped on board to help provide comfort during what can be the hardest time a family may face. Their generosity is a true commitment to our children and families that will bring hope when it’s needed most.”
With a major emphasis placed on family, both Ron and Melissa felt providing towards the children’s hospital was the right thing to do. “With four of our own kids, our 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, our gift towards pediatric health care is a commitment from us to help provide hope to families and their children requiring visits to the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. Coming from humble beginnings, we have been fortunate over the years with our business and this is one way we can give back.”
Currently, construction on Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital is over 90 percent complete and set to open in the fall. Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation’s “We Are Saskatchewan” Capital Campaign has raised $68 million towards a goal of at least $75 million.
Daniel Bushman
Family, team work and helping a community grow and flourish have been integral parts to Ron and Melissa Ediger’s lives. Named as last year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year, the couple have not only been a fixture in the community but have also been generously giving back. That kindness has extended beyond Watrous as the owners of Melron Service Ltd. recently provided a $100,000 donation to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The funds provided by Ron and Melissa will be used to support an exam room in Pediatric Emergency in the new children’s hospital being built in Saskatoon. Presenting the gift to members of the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, Melissa and Ron were grateful for the opportunity.
“We are pleased to help contribute to a happy and healthy future so that Saskatchewan children and their families can enjoy life like we have. We want to leave a legacy from the Ediger family.”
In a release from the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, it stated, “The exam room that the Edigers have chosen to support will greatly benefit children and families who find themselves in Saskatchewan’s first 24-hour Pediatric Emergency in the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. The room is one of 10 that will allow children to feel more relaxed and comfortable in an environment that is often considered scary. It will allow for comprehensive evaluation, stabilization and treatment of critically injured children. The new Pediatric Emergency will have room to treat over 21,000 children each year.”
With other substantial contributions made within Watrous and the surrounding area over the years, the Edigers were pleased to be able to provide their $100,000 gift for an exam room in the new children’s hospital, something that will benefit many for years to come.
“When a child spends time in Pediatric Emergency, a family goes from the comforts of home to an environment full of uncertainties,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We are grateful that the Edigers have stepped on board to help provide comfort during what can be the hardest time a family may face. Their generosity is a true commitment to our children and families that will bring hope when it’s needed most.”
With a major emphasis placed on family, both Ron and Melissa felt providing towards the children’s hospital was the right thing to do. “With four of our own kids, our 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, our gift towards pediatric health care is a commitment from us to help provide hope to families and their children requiring visits to the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. Coming from humble beginnings, we have been fortunate over the years with our business and this is one way we can give back.”
Currently, construction on Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital is over 90 percent complete and set to open in the fall. Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation’s “We Are Saskatchewan” Capital Campaign has raised $68 million towards a goal of at least $75 million.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 22, 2019
Young drama production a hit
Daniel Bushman
People hoping to find a ticket to this year’s production put on by the Young Drama Club may have found themselves out of luck as all three nights sold out in a hurry. For those who did get a spot, there were a lot of laughs and enjoyment as the ‘Suwork Family Reunion’ was centre stage.
Director Sherry Shouse said people filled the Young Community Hall Apr. 4, 5 and 6 to check out the performance, enjoy a meal served by Young Parks and Rec and had some drinks poured by the Young Swimming Pool Committee.
“This year’s performance of Suwork Family Reunion was a huge success with all three nights selling out,” said an excited Shouse. “The cast was put to task not only acting but singing and dancing their way to the finale.”
Shouse provided a bit of a synopsis on this year’s production which included a number of familiar faces and a few new ones: “As with any family get-together there is always a bit of conflict with Mary Sha’nay’nay – who’s ever-changing personality was very suspicious of that ‘E-talian and his E-tailian ways.’ And the conflict didn’t end there . . . food kept disappearing and Sue the family organizer was constantly bugging Mom Suwork to “stop inviting every Tony, Dick and Harry to the party ‘er I mean reunion.” The twins Rig and Rich tried to work together to serenade cousin Katie’s best friend Trudy, but sadly Rich was shot down by the over the top personality of the “Jersey girl” who was too “citified” for cowboy Rich. Amidst all the arguing, Sue and Mom Suwork finally convinced the family that life is too short to be arguing about silly things and were brought together by a star performance of “We are a Family.” The reunion ended with Tony (the E-talian) singing his own version of New York, New York appropriately retitled “Suwork, Suwork” and asking Elle, the British adopted daughter, for her hand in marriage. Who knows, maybe the Suworks will have another “family party” to help celebrate the marriage of Elle and Tony.”
Shouse said the cast did a tremendous job in addition to all of the volunteers and sponsors who lent a hand. “We really appreciated the three volunteers who helped make the song, ‘Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy’ an entertaining and funny performance. We were also really grateful to all who attended the show, helping to create another successful production! And we were very appreciative to Mooney Insurance, RBC and MNP for the door prize donations.”
This year’s cast included: Blanche Allingham as Grandma Suwork, John Allingham as Grandpa Suwork, Donna Fischer as Sue, Garnet Johnson as Tom, Rikee Rowan as Becky, Nancy Holdner as Judy, Ewald Weber as Elwood, Pam Lindberg as Sandra, Kelvin Gieselman as Jake, Terry Sperling as Rig, Aaron Bushell as Rich, Carrie Schaan as Bonnie, Debs Green as Elle, Dan Fischer as Tony, Chantelle Gieselman as Mary - Sha’nay’nay, Holly Train as Gloria, Taylor Rowan as Katie, Kellen Dreger as Trudy, Mike Dadachov as Dick, Lyle Johnson as Harry, Annie Bishop as Brenda, and Jolene Haines as Jodi. Along with Sherry Shouse as the director, this year’s sound men were Barry Shouse and Cody Gieselman, the prompter was Kathy Regush and MaryAnn McIvor helped with props.
Daniel Bushman
People hoping to find a ticket to this year’s production put on by the Young Drama Club may have found themselves out of luck as all three nights sold out in a hurry. For those who did get a spot, there were a lot of laughs and enjoyment as the ‘Suwork Family Reunion’ was centre stage.
Director Sherry Shouse said people filled the Young Community Hall Apr. 4, 5 and 6 to check out the performance, enjoy a meal served by Young Parks and Rec and had some drinks poured by the Young Swimming Pool Committee.
“This year’s performance of Suwork Family Reunion was a huge success with all three nights selling out,” said an excited Shouse. “The cast was put to task not only acting but singing and dancing their way to the finale.”
Shouse provided a bit of a synopsis on this year’s production which included a number of familiar faces and a few new ones: “As with any family get-together there is always a bit of conflict with Mary Sha’nay’nay – who’s ever-changing personality was very suspicious of that ‘E-talian and his E-tailian ways.’ And the conflict didn’t end there . . . food kept disappearing and Sue the family organizer was constantly bugging Mom Suwork to “stop inviting every Tony, Dick and Harry to the party ‘er I mean reunion.” The twins Rig and Rich tried to work together to serenade cousin Katie’s best friend Trudy, but sadly Rich was shot down by the over the top personality of the “Jersey girl” who was too “citified” for cowboy Rich. Amidst all the arguing, Sue and Mom Suwork finally convinced the family that life is too short to be arguing about silly things and were brought together by a star performance of “We are a Family.” The reunion ended with Tony (the E-talian) singing his own version of New York, New York appropriately retitled “Suwork, Suwork” and asking Elle, the British adopted daughter, for her hand in marriage. Who knows, maybe the Suworks will have another “family party” to help celebrate the marriage of Elle and Tony.”
Shouse said the cast did a tremendous job in addition to all of the volunteers and sponsors who lent a hand. “We really appreciated the three volunteers who helped make the song, ‘Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy’ an entertaining and funny performance. We were also really grateful to all who attended the show, helping to create another successful production! And we were very appreciative to Mooney Insurance, RBC and MNP for the door prize donations.”
This year’s cast included: Blanche Allingham as Grandma Suwork, John Allingham as Grandpa Suwork, Donna Fischer as Sue, Garnet Johnson as Tom, Rikee Rowan as Becky, Nancy Holdner as Judy, Ewald Weber as Elwood, Pam Lindberg as Sandra, Kelvin Gieselman as Jake, Terry Sperling as Rig, Aaron Bushell as Rich, Carrie Schaan as Bonnie, Debs Green as Elle, Dan Fischer as Tony, Chantelle Gieselman as Mary - Sha’nay’nay, Holly Train as Gloria, Taylor Rowan as Katie, Kellen Dreger as Trudy, Mike Dadachov as Dick, Lyle Johnson as Harry, Annie Bishop as Brenda, and Jolene Haines as Jodi. Along with Sherry Shouse as the director, this year’s sound men were Barry Shouse and Cody Gieselman, the prompter was Kathy Regush and MaryAnn McIvor helped with props.
TWM Top Story Apr. 15, 2019
Manitou Memories mural unveiled
Daniel Bushman
As intricate details were transferred from photo to canvas and with each precise stroke of the brush by artist Michael Gaudet, the history of Manitou Beach began to come alive. Reliving earlier days, Gaudet’s massive mural entitled ‘Manitou Memories’ will provide observers with a snapshot of the resort’s unique and historic past for generations to come.
Commemorating Manitou Beach’s 100th birthday of being incorporated, councillor Chris Moffatt was part of a group who helped to spearhead the mural project along with other events that will take place in 2019. Moffatt said the mural on the Manitou Beach Community Hall depicts a time in the beach’s history where some of the buildings that existed along the shore became well-known to locals and visitors.
“We are proud to have the mural as a component of the recent improvements to the village community hall and are excited to renew the hall and continue to develop it as an active centre of our community gatherings.”
Once the dream of creating the mural came to fruition, Michael Gaudet, who calls Manitou Beach home was asked to take on the project and along with a group of local advisors got down to work.
“The Resort Village of Manitou Beach informed me that it was my baby,” said a thrilled Gaudet. “The village received a larger funding package to rejuvenate our community hall with a new roof and siding that included provisions for the mural, called ‘Manitou Memories’. The concept was to cover the entire north-facing wall. This has benefits, including the fact that north-facing murals will not be affected by a lot of direct sunlight. Also, the mural will be highly visible from Lakeview Drive.”
Spanning 24 feet at its base, the massive mural rises 16 feet to the apex and was cut out to perfectly match the shape of the hall’s wall. With the space allotted for Gaudet’s project, the artist met with local advisors consisting of Darrell Baschak, Laurie Bzdel and Lionel Sproule and was grateful for their valuable input. During that time, Gaudet pitched his plan, one that included a rather unique and historical image.
“Prior to his passing, the late Homer Burke provided me with his original panoramic black and white photo of MacLachlan Beach circa 1921. I used that photo as a reference for a ‘triptych’ (three part) painting. I remembered this photograph and requested that the estate provide it again as a reference for this project. The family happily complied the second time around.”
In the image, which is now part of the mural, Homer is pictured as the boy standing on the dock beside his Dad Art Burke who was the first constable stationed at Manitou Beach in the 1920s.
“I think the unique perspective of my reference material that shows a view looking south to the beach really creates an interesting, fresh look,” said Gaudet after unveiling the finished mural. “The pier that features prominently adds a three-dimensional illusion to the design, as it leads your eye nicely into the landscape. I enjoyed ‘fleshing out’ the colour and texture of the water in the mural. The water occupies a very significant part of the design, you might say, the foundation of the design. This is my way of honouring the ‘healing waters’ as our most important attraction here at Manitou Beach.”
Gaudet also added another unique aspect within the mural, one not depicted in the photo, but one he felt was integral to include.
“Early on in the design process it was pointed out to me that our First Nations friends said a big part of their tradition is the story of charging buffalo and horses that were seen in spirit form in and around Little Manitou Lake. So, I felt it was imperative to include visions of these creatures intermingled in the clouds above the lake. You might have to look twice to ingest this phenomenon.”
Michael began work on the massive project this past November and with large panels to utilize, Gaudet enlisted the help of Vince Armstrong to build a temporary frame. Working in the village shop also aided in the progress of the project, eliminating the harsh winter elements. Once March arrived and the final brush stroke was applied, the mural was ready to be put up on the hall’s wall.
“I am very happy and grateful that I had this opportunity to once again express my artistic soul in the creation of this mural,” said Gaudet. “There is something very special and unique in the visual power of large murals, located in such a prominent location. I think a project of this magnitude will telegraph a very powerful message to our thousands of visitors who come to the beach each year. That being said, Manitou Beach is also a community that cares about and nurtures its artistic community, while honouring its rich history in this way. I really appreciate the Resort Village of Manitou Beach council for providing this opportunity to exercise creative freedom with this project. I would like to think that I, in turn, honoured this trust by creating a mural that will be enjoyed by generations to come.”
Because of the tremendous effort that went into the project by Gaudet, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach applied to receive funding from the Heritage Canada Anniversaries Grant to help cover the cost. Moffatt noted the intent of all Heritage Canada programs are to utilize local artists, artisans and heritage performers.
“Manitou Beach is fortunate to have an artist such as Michael Gaudet who lives here and works professionally as a mural artist. His paintings are highlights in many Canadian communities but we didn’t have one here in his hometown. This funding provided an opportunity to take on this meaningful project and the mural will become a nostalgic connection to the history of Manitou Beach for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
With funding received from the Heritage Canada Anniversaries Grant, Moffatt said the local grant advisors were able to allocate dollars towards the mural and other centennial celebration events like a pipe ceremony, Wisdom Weekend, the 100th birthday picnic and the First Nations water ceremony.
Along with the grant, Moffatt added the community is also very grateful to other funders who assisted with portions of the centennial events being held this year. “We want to acknowledge the financial support by Affinity Credit Union, SaskEnergy, the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, Manitou Springs Hotel and Mineral Spa, Melron Services and other funders looking to support our events. We also appreciate the volunteers and community supporters for helping to make this year a great one.”
In addition, the resort village also received approval for a second, separate and artistic development grant at Manitou Beach using Heritage Canada Legacy funding. “The Legacy grant is designed to provide only half of the money for physical developments. One of those projects that the grant will be used for is a free-standing, stainless steel installation which will be located on the shore of the lake. Right now a fundraiser is currently underway to raise the matching funds to produce that artwork and site development proposed by the artistic team of Michael Gaudet, Darrell Baschak, and Bob Thibault. Once completed, that too will recognize the legacy of the resort village, its heritage and its beauty.”
Daniel Bushman
As intricate details were transferred from photo to canvas and with each precise stroke of the brush by artist Michael Gaudet, the history of Manitou Beach began to come alive. Reliving earlier days, Gaudet’s massive mural entitled ‘Manitou Memories’ will provide observers with a snapshot of the resort’s unique and historic past for generations to come.
Commemorating Manitou Beach’s 100th birthday of being incorporated, councillor Chris Moffatt was part of a group who helped to spearhead the mural project along with other events that will take place in 2019. Moffatt said the mural on the Manitou Beach Community Hall depicts a time in the beach’s history where some of the buildings that existed along the shore became well-known to locals and visitors.
“We are proud to have the mural as a component of the recent improvements to the village community hall and are excited to renew the hall and continue to develop it as an active centre of our community gatherings.”
Once the dream of creating the mural came to fruition, Michael Gaudet, who calls Manitou Beach home was asked to take on the project and along with a group of local advisors got down to work.
“The Resort Village of Manitou Beach informed me that it was my baby,” said a thrilled Gaudet. “The village received a larger funding package to rejuvenate our community hall with a new roof and siding that included provisions for the mural, called ‘Manitou Memories’. The concept was to cover the entire north-facing wall. This has benefits, including the fact that north-facing murals will not be affected by a lot of direct sunlight. Also, the mural will be highly visible from Lakeview Drive.”
Spanning 24 feet at its base, the massive mural rises 16 feet to the apex and was cut out to perfectly match the shape of the hall’s wall. With the space allotted for Gaudet’s project, the artist met with local advisors consisting of Darrell Baschak, Laurie Bzdel and Lionel Sproule and was grateful for their valuable input. During that time, Gaudet pitched his plan, one that included a rather unique and historical image.
“Prior to his passing, the late Homer Burke provided me with his original panoramic black and white photo of MacLachlan Beach circa 1921. I used that photo as a reference for a ‘triptych’ (three part) painting. I remembered this photograph and requested that the estate provide it again as a reference for this project. The family happily complied the second time around.”
In the image, which is now part of the mural, Homer is pictured as the boy standing on the dock beside his Dad Art Burke who was the first constable stationed at Manitou Beach in the 1920s.
“I think the unique perspective of my reference material that shows a view looking south to the beach really creates an interesting, fresh look,” said Gaudet after unveiling the finished mural. “The pier that features prominently adds a three-dimensional illusion to the design, as it leads your eye nicely into the landscape. I enjoyed ‘fleshing out’ the colour and texture of the water in the mural. The water occupies a very significant part of the design, you might say, the foundation of the design. This is my way of honouring the ‘healing waters’ as our most important attraction here at Manitou Beach.”
Gaudet also added another unique aspect within the mural, one not depicted in the photo, but one he felt was integral to include.
“Early on in the design process it was pointed out to me that our First Nations friends said a big part of their tradition is the story of charging buffalo and horses that were seen in spirit form in and around Little Manitou Lake. So, I felt it was imperative to include visions of these creatures intermingled in the clouds above the lake. You might have to look twice to ingest this phenomenon.”
Michael began work on the massive project this past November and with large panels to utilize, Gaudet enlisted the help of Vince Armstrong to build a temporary frame. Working in the village shop also aided in the progress of the project, eliminating the harsh winter elements. Once March arrived and the final brush stroke was applied, the mural was ready to be put up on the hall’s wall.
“I am very happy and grateful that I had this opportunity to once again express my artistic soul in the creation of this mural,” said Gaudet. “There is something very special and unique in the visual power of large murals, located in such a prominent location. I think a project of this magnitude will telegraph a very powerful message to our thousands of visitors who come to the beach each year. That being said, Manitou Beach is also a community that cares about and nurtures its artistic community, while honouring its rich history in this way. I really appreciate the Resort Village of Manitou Beach council for providing this opportunity to exercise creative freedom with this project. I would like to think that I, in turn, honoured this trust by creating a mural that will be enjoyed by generations to come.”
Because of the tremendous effort that went into the project by Gaudet, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach applied to receive funding from the Heritage Canada Anniversaries Grant to help cover the cost. Moffatt noted the intent of all Heritage Canada programs are to utilize local artists, artisans and heritage performers.
“Manitou Beach is fortunate to have an artist such as Michael Gaudet who lives here and works professionally as a mural artist. His paintings are highlights in many Canadian communities but we didn’t have one here in his hometown. This funding provided an opportunity to take on this meaningful project and the mural will become a nostalgic connection to the history of Manitou Beach for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
With funding received from the Heritage Canada Anniversaries Grant, Moffatt said the local grant advisors were able to allocate dollars towards the mural and other centennial celebration events like a pipe ceremony, Wisdom Weekend, the 100th birthday picnic and the First Nations water ceremony.
Along with the grant, Moffatt added the community is also very grateful to other funders who assisted with portions of the centennial events being held this year. “We want to acknowledge the financial support by Affinity Credit Union, SaskEnergy, the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, Manitou Springs Hotel and Mineral Spa, Melron Services and other funders looking to support our events. We also appreciate the volunteers and community supporters for helping to make this year a great one.”
In addition, the resort village also received approval for a second, separate and artistic development grant at Manitou Beach using Heritage Canada Legacy funding. “The Legacy grant is designed to provide only half of the money for physical developments. One of those projects that the grant will be used for is a free-standing, stainless steel installation which will be located on the shore of the lake. Right now a fundraiser is currently underway to raise the matching funds to produce that artwork and site development proposed by the artistic team of Michael Gaudet, Darrell Baschak, and Bob Thibault. Once completed, that too will recognize the legacy of the resort village, its heritage and its beauty.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 8, 2019
Winterhawks make history with league and provincial win
Daniel Bushman
As sticks were taped, skates sharpened, jerseys stitched and the puck dropped to signal a new season of senior hockey, there was something special taking place on and off the ice at the Watrous Centennial Arena. And once the final buzzer sounded on the year for the Watrous Winterhawks, they had themselves a league championship and a Senior A provincial title, something the team had never achieved before.
After assembling a cast of skilled, dedicated and hard-working players a few seasons ago, the Watrous Winterhawks went on to capture a league and Senior B provincial championship in 2016-‘17. With a few changes after that double banner year, the team took aim at repeating the feat but ended up just short last year. Looking to experience that rare accomplishment from two seasons prior, the 2018-‘19 campaign began.
Tapped to guide the club on the bench this year was head coach Jesse Mattson. In his rookie year as head coach, the Watrous native was joined by his dad Jason and former Winterhawk captain and head coach Scott Collins. With help from trainer Travis Frey, equipment manager Jamie Williams and Dylan Snell as the team’s driver, the club embarked on what would be a remarkable year.
Loaded with local talent from top to bottom, a handful of familiar other players brought in for their goal scoring and leadership qualities and two netminders who would lead the Long Lake Hockey League in several categories, the team was ready to roll.
Right from the opening face off, it was evident that the senior hockey club from Watrous was on a mission. Lead by its captain Woody Klassen, the defenceman said, “I have the luxury of being a part of a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make our team what it is. To see the end result now is so rewarding. The success on the ice was the result of incredible support from the community, countless hours of work by our executive, and a group of guys who were dedicated every night to play for one another. Our team had a ton of talent this year but what really put us over the top was our commitment to outwork our opponents and take care of our own end consistently every game. Everyone in our room knew if we accomplished those two things there wasn’t a team in Saskatchewan that could stop us.”
That commitment to outwork their opponents began right from day one as the team would beat the defending LLHL champions 7-0 in the first game of the year Nov. 9. The win would begin a nine game winning streak before losing to Davidson 6-5 Dec. 18. The team then rebounded a few nights later to defeat those same Cyclones 6-1 and then continued to score, adding three more wins before a Foam Lake Flyers club would hand them just their second loss of the year. After that defeat, Watrous would not lose again in LLHL action.
“From day one we knew we had a very strong team and we held ourselves with high expectations all year,” said Mattson. “We play in one of the best senior hockey leagues in the province and to only lose twice all year including playoffs in league is a big accomplishment. It is definitely one of the best teams I’ve ever seen.”
Going 16-2 in the LLHL regular season, scoring 129 goals for (an average of seven goals per game) and allowing just 37 (an average of two goals per game), the team accumulated 32 points to take first in the standings, five points ahead of second place Foam Lake. After an opening round bye, the Winterhawks met LeRoy and defeated them 10-3, 11-3 and 9-3 to move on to the league final against Foam Lake. Facing the league’s top point-getter and third best netminder, Watrous had a tall task ahead but as was the case during the year, they stuck to their game and won 4-1, 4-3 and 6-0 to sweep the LLHL final. Duplicating their success from two seasons ago, their championship win came at home Mar. 21.
“Winning in front of your home fans is incredibly special,” said the team’s head coach. “Being able to celebrate with the people that have supported you all year long was awesome. The support we received this year was exceptional and that made winning at home even more special.”
Klassen said winning that league title was a little redemption for how the season ended last year and it played a role in the team’s provincial quest as well. “Playing league and provincial playoffs at the same time is quite the grind so the fact we swept the league was very beneficial for our provincial run. I’m not sure we really were aware that Watrous hadn’t won a provincial A championship before until a couple weeks ago but once we realized that it almost gave us extra incentive to get the job done. We took a lot of pride in that fact we could put Watrous on the map in that conversation.”
Looking to capture a provincial title to go along with its league banner, the Winterhawks added a few players to its line up and entered the Senior A bracket, a division they had never won a championship in before. Two seasons ago when the team won league, they had also captured the Senior B bracket. This year in ‘A’, things would be different as the team faced the likes of Kindersley, Foam Lake, Naicam and Milestone.
Going into the A bracket each round became a best of three series. Watrous would receive home ice throughout the provincial run and all they had to do was keep winning and home ice was theirs.
In the first round, the Winterhawks were matched up against a high-powered Kindersley squad, one that was also seeking a Senior A title. After battling some nerves early on, Watrous stayed the course during game one Feb. 5 and like they had done throughout the LLHL regular season, filled the net and won 8-2. Game two was slated less than a week later and like the first game, Watrous poured on the momentum to win 7-2, sweeping the opening series.
Facing a familiar opponent in round two, Watrous hosted Foam Lake. At that time, both teams were on a collision course to meet up in the LLHL final so they got to know each other quite well before the season ended. In round two, Watrous shut out the Flyers in game one 6-0, the same score the teams would see in game three of the LLHL final about a month later. Then in game two, Watrous carried the momentum and won 7-2 to move on to the third round of provincials.
With a combined 28 goals for and six goals against in four games, Watrous met Naicam for the right to advance to the provincial final. Hosting the Vikings Mar. 9, Watrous found itself in tough but edged the skillful team 4-3. Game two which was held Mar. 16 provided the Winterhawks with its only loss of their lengthy provincial run, a 6-4 defeat in Naicam. The loss set up a third and final game back in Watrous.
“Senior A provincials being as tough as they are, we knew things wouldn’t come easy,” reflected Mattson. “We knew there was going to be bumps in the road and that we would have to keep battling through the tough games. Fortunately for us, we only had one blemish, a game which probably helped us win our championship. Losing game two against Naicam kind of gave us that reality check and showed us we weren’t invincible.”
With their backs against the wall, the Winterhawks hit the ice for game three and made sure they were not hanging up their skates early, winning 8-1 and moving on to the Senior A provincial final.
Sizing up their next and final opponent, the Winterhawks retained home ice advantage and hoped to feed off the enthusiasm from the local fans as they hosted Milestone in game one Mar. 23. Perhaps catching many members of the opposition off guard, Watrous went to work and netted seven goals as the team won 7-3 and began focusing on winning game two in Milestone Mar. 30. While the team defeated the Flyers by four goals in game one, Mattson knew game two would be much different.
“Milestone was our toughest test in provincials for sure. They were a very hard-working team that was physical and relentless on the forecheck. Our plan was to stay composed throughout the game, take care of our own end, and execute on the mistakes that Milestone would make.”
As should be the case in any provincial final, mistakes were few in game two and despite not having its leading scorer in the line up, Watrous took a 1-0 lead. However in the third, Milestone replied and both teams found themselves in a close 1-1 contest. Players from both sides tried to beat the goalies but the pair each stood tall for their respective teams.
The clubs, who fought hard to earn their spot in the final, continued to battle to see who would get the next goal. That marker would finally come off the stick of Chad Murton after a nice set up from Andrew Bailey and Watrous went ahead 2-1 with 13:30 to play. Hoping for more, the Winterhawks tried to nab another but Riley Ross kept the puck out of his net. As the seconds continued to tick off the clock, teams tightened up not wanting to give the other any advantage. Then with 1:19 to play, a time out was called. The Flyers tugged Ross from the cage for an extra attacker and despite the added skater were unable to solve Brody Hoffman. With time running out and the Winterhawks inching closer to a Senior A provincial title, the final buzzer sounded and it was jubilation for the team wearing white.
“Our guys paced well throughout the game, and came up clutch when we needed it,” said an elated Mattson who added it was a roller coaster final 20 minutes. “Going into the third up 1-0 we were extremely happy with the position we were in. Once Milestone tied it up early and got a breakaway the next shift I felt worried and nervous. The guys were relentless though, and turned the momentum around. When we scored our second goal I was relieved, and knew that we had an opportunity to win the game.”
Klassen attributed a lot of the success during the provincial run to the leaders in the dressing room and being able to rise to the occasion.
“I may wear the C but ultimately we have a room full of leaders. What’s really special to me is the fact we have imports that care just as much as the locals. We have a really tight-knit group of guys who hold each other accountable.”
Once the final few seconds disappeared and the realization of winning the team’s first-ever Senior A provincial title arrived, Mattson said the feeling was incredible and impossible to describe.
“It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever been a part of. As the final buzzer went, emotions became strong. It wasn’t until the whole team was sitting in the dressing room that it really set in.”
Thrilled to see the team win both league and provincials, Mattson said it was made possible because of a full team effort. “Our whole team bought in to our game plan, and everybody on the team fulfilled their roll on the team.”
“It’s tough to compare our run two years ago with our run this year,” said Woody. “Two years ago was my first time winning either championship which was really special but I think what sets this year apart from that year is the camaraderie in our dressing room. This was our third year as a group together and I felt this year we really united as a team. We have a family in that dressing room and it makes winning that much sweeter.”
As had been the case throughout the entire year and the provincial run, Mattson said the fans who supported the team were incredible. “I could not believe the amount of people that travelled to Milestone. We had at least 100 fans there, which is absolutely incredible for an away game. The energy they gave us with their cheering helped out so much. Sometimes they made us feel like we were playing at home. This victory was for the fans and the town of Watrous, because without them we couldn’t have done this. Bringing the first ‘A’ title to Watrous is very special and a huge accomplishment for our team.”
Klassen also echoed those same feelings and was grateful for all of the support. “Can’t really say enough about the fans and community. The support for our team is really unmatched by any in this province. It makes playing in Watrous really special for everyone involved. We don’t just fill our home rink, every game this year I can remember seeing fans in the stands in opposing teams rinks as well. The fans really attribute to the success on the ice. I really appreciate everyone who has been involved this year with the team both on and off the ice. The generosity of time and money has been incredible. We sincerely appreciate our fans, executive, coaches, teammates, and our families!”
Along with that work done behind the bench and on the ice, the Winterhawk executive was also hard at work helping to make things run smoothly throughout the year. President of the Winterhawks Jeff Siegfried said the dedication put forth by executive members Marshal Inkster, Tracy Ullyott, Lane Manson, Jean Mulhall, Jaylin Klassen, Karen Siegfried, Brad Baker and Karter Elderkin was a huge help this season and tremendously appreciated. Siegfried also noted how important the fans, sponsors and volunteers were in making the year extra special.
“Without them this season would not have been as great as it was and on behalf of the executive we are so grateful for the support this past year!” Siegfried continued, “Having a competitive senior hockey team in Watrous brings notoriety in the province and should give our residents something to be proud of. All of us like talking about hockey, and it is so much fun to have a positive topic of conversation when you are out on the street. We as a team and as an executive are excited to celebrate with our community and look forward to hanging up two more banners in our arena!”
Daniel Bushman
As sticks were taped, skates sharpened, jerseys stitched and the puck dropped to signal a new season of senior hockey, there was something special taking place on and off the ice at the Watrous Centennial Arena. And once the final buzzer sounded on the year for the Watrous Winterhawks, they had themselves a league championship and a Senior A provincial title, something the team had never achieved before.
After assembling a cast of skilled, dedicated and hard-working players a few seasons ago, the Watrous Winterhawks went on to capture a league and Senior B provincial championship in 2016-‘17. With a few changes after that double banner year, the team took aim at repeating the feat but ended up just short last year. Looking to experience that rare accomplishment from two seasons prior, the 2018-‘19 campaign began.
Tapped to guide the club on the bench this year was head coach Jesse Mattson. In his rookie year as head coach, the Watrous native was joined by his dad Jason and former Winterhawk captain and head coach Scott Collins. With help from trainer Travis Frey, equipment manager Jamie Williams and Dylan Snell as the team’s driver, the club embarked on what would be a remarkable year.
Loaded with local talent from top to bottom, a handful of familiar other players brought in for their goal scoring and leadership qualities and two netminders who would lead the Long Lake Hockey League in several categories, the team was ready to roll.
Right from the opening face off, it was evident that the senior hockey club from Watrous was on a mission. Lead by its captain Woody Klassen, the defenceman said, “I have the luxury of being a part of a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make our team what it is. To see the end result now is so rewarding. The success on the ice was the result of incredible support from the community, countless hours of work by our executive, and a group of guys who were dedicated every night to play for one another. Our team had a ton of talent this year but what really put us over the top was our commitment to outwork our opponents and take care of our own end consistently every game. Everyone in our room knew if we accomplished those two things there wasn’t a team in Saskatchewan that could stop us.”
That commitment to outwork their opponents began right from day one as the team would beat the defending LLHL champions 7-0 in the first game of the year Nov. 9. The win would begin a nine game winning streak before losing to Davidson 6-5 Dec. 18. The team then rebounded a few nights later to defeat those same Cyclones 6-1 and then continued to score, adding three more wins before a Foam Lake Flyers club would hand them just their second loss of the year. After that defeat, Watrous would not lose again in LLHL action.
“From day one we knew we had a very strong team and we held ourselves with high expectations all year,” said Mattson. “We play in one of the best senior hockey leagues in the province and to only lose twice all year including playoffs in league is a big accomplishment. It is definitely one of the best teams I’ve ever seen.”
Going 16-2 in the LLHL regular season, scoring 129 goals for (an average of seven goals per game) and allowing just 37 (an average of two goals per game), the team accumulated 32 points to take first in the standings, five points ahead of second place Foam Lake. After an opening round bye, the Winterhawks met LeRoy and defeated them 10-3, 11-3 and 9-3 to move on to the league final against Foam Lake. Facing the league’s top point-getter and third best netminder, Watrous had a tall task ahead but as was the case during the year, they stuck to their game and won 4-1, 4-3 and 6-0 to sweep the LLHL final. Duplicating their success from two seasons ago, their championship win came at home Mar. 21.
“Winning in front of your home fans is incredibly special,” said the team’s head coach. “Being able to celebrate with the people that have supported you all year long was awesome. The support we received this year was exceptional and that made winning at home even more special.”
Klassen said winning that league title was a little redemption for how the season ended last year and it played a role in the team’s provincial quest as well. “Playing league and provincial playoffs at the same time is quite the grind so the fact we swept the league was very beneficial for our provincial run. I’m not sure we really were aware that Watrous hadn’t won a provincial A championship before until a couple weeks ago but once we realized that it almost gave us extra incentive to get the job done. We took a lot of pride in that fact we could put Watrous on the map in that conversation.”
Looking to capture a provincial title to go along with its league banner, the Winterhawks added a few players to its line up and entered the Senior A bracket, a division they had never won a championship in before. Two seasons ago when the team won league, they had also captured the Senior B bracket. This year in ‘A’, things would be different as the team faced the likes of Kindersley, Foam Lake, Naicam and Milestone.
Going into the A bracket each round became a best of three series. Watrous would receive home ice throughout the provincial run and all they had to do was keep winning and home ice was theirs.
In the first round, the Winterhawks were matched up against a high-powered Kindersley squad, one that was also seeking a Senior A title. After battling some nerves early on, Watrous stayed the course during game one Feb. 5 and like they had done throughout the LLHL regular season, filled the net and won 8-2. Game two was slated less than a week later and like the first game, Watrous poured on the momentum to win 7-2, sweeping the opening series.
Facing a familiar opponent in round two, Watrous hosted Foam Lake. At that time, both teams were on a collision course to meet up in the LLHL final so they got to know each other quite well before the season ended. In round two, Watrous shut out the Flyers in game one 6-0, the same score the teams would see in game three of the LLHL final about a month later. Then in game two, Watrous carried the momentum and won 7-2 to move on to the third round of provincials.
With a combined 28 goals for and six goals against in four games, Watrous met Naicam for the right to advance to the provincial final. Hosting the Vikings Mar. 9, Watrous found itself in tough but edged the skillful team 4-3. Game two which was held Mar. 16 provided the Winterhawks with its only loss of their lengthy provincial run, a 6-4 defeat in Naicam. The loss set up a third and final game back in Watrous.
“Senior A provincials being as tough as they are, we knew things wouldn’t come easy,” reflected Mattson. “We knew there was going to be bumps in the road and that we would have to keep battling through the tough games. Fortunately for us, we only had one blemish, a game which probably helped us win our championship. Losing game two against Naicam kind of gave us that reality check and showed us we weren’t invincible.”
With their backs against the wall, the Winterhawks hit the ice for game three and made sure they were not hanging up their skates early, winning 8-1 and moving on to the Senior A provincial final.
Sizing up their next and final opponent, the Winterhawks retained home ice advantage and hoped to feed off the enthusiasm from the local fans as they hosted Milestone in game one Mar. 23. Perhaps catching many members of the opposition off guard, Watrous went to work and netted seven goals as the team won 7-3 and began focusing on winning game two in Milestone Mar. 30. While the team defeated the Flyers by four goals in game one, Mattson knew game two would be much different.
“Milestone was our toughest test in provincials for sure. They were a very hard-working team that was physical and relentless on the forecheck. Our plan was to stay composed throughout the game, take care of our own end, and execute on the mistakes that Milestone would make.”
As should be the case in any provincial final, mistakes were few in game two and despite not having its leading scorer in the line up, Watrous took a 1-0 lead. However in the third, Milestone replied and both teams found themselves in a close 1-1 contest. Players from both sides tried to beat the goalies but the pair each stood tall for their respective teams.
The clubs, who fought hard to earn their spot in the final, continued to battle to see who would get the next goal. That marker would finally come off the stick of Chad Murton after a nice set up from Andrew Bailey and Watrous went ahead 2-1 with 13:30 to play. Hoping for more, the Winterhawks tried to nab another but Riley Ross kept the puck out of his net. As the seconds continued to tick off the clock, teams tightened up not wanting to give the other any advantage. Then with 1:19 to play, a time out was called. The Flyers tugged Ross from the cage for an extra attacker and despite the added skater were unable to solve Brody Hoffman. With time running out and the Winterhawks inching closer to a Senior A provincial title, the final buzzer sounded and it was jubilation for the team wearing white.
“Our guys paced well throughout the game, and came up clutch when we needed it,” said an elated Mattson who added it was a roller coaster final 20 minutes. “Going into the third up 1-0 we were extremely happy with the position we were in. Once Milestone tied it up early and got a breakaway the next shift I felt worried and nervous. The guys were relentless though, and turned the momentum around. When we scored our second goal I was relieved, and knew that we had an opportunity to win the game.”
Klassen attributed a lot of the success during the provincial run to the leaders in the dressing room and being able to rise to the occasion.
“I may wear the C but ultimately we have a room full of leaders. What’s really special to me is the fact we have imports that care just as much as the locals. We have a really tight-knit group of guys who hold each other accountable.”
Once the final few seconds disappeared and the realization of winning the team’s first-ever Senior A provincial title arrived, Mattson said the feeling was incredible and impossible to describe.
“It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever been a part of. As the final buzzer went, emotions became strong. It wasn’t until the whole team was sitting in the dressing room that it really set in.”
Thrilled to see the team win both league and provincials, Mattson said it was made possible because of a full team effort. “Our whole team bought in to our game plan, and everybody on the team fulfilled their roll on the team.”
“It’s tough to compare our run two years ago with our run this year,” said Woody. “Two years ago was my first time winning either championship which was really special but I think what sets this year apart from that year is the camaraderie in our dressing room. This was our third year as a group together and I felt this year we really united as a team. We have a family in that dressing room and it makes winning that much sweeter.”
As had been the case throughout the entire year and the provincial run, Mattson said the fans who supported the team were incredible. “I could not believe the amount of people that travelled to Milestone. We had at least 100 fans there, which is absolutely incredible for an away game. The energy they gave us with their cheering helped out so much. Sometimes they made us feel like we were playing at home. This victory was for the fans and the town of Watrous, because without them we couldn’t have done this. Bringing the first ‘A’ title to Watrous is very special and a huge accomplishment for our team.”
Klassen also echoed those same feelings and was grateful for all of the support. “Can’t really say enough about the fans and community. The support for our team is really unmatched by any in this province. It makes playing in Watrous really special for everyone involved. We don’t just fill our home rink, every game this year I can remember seeing fans in the stands in opposing teams rinks as well. The fans really attribute to the success on the ice. I really appreciate everyone who has been involved this year with the team both on and off the ice. The generosity of time and money has been incredible. We sincerely appreciate our fans, executive, coaches, teammates, and our families!”
Along with that work done behind the bench and on the ice, the Winterhawk executive was also hard at work helping to make things run smoothly throughout the year. President of the Winterhawks Jeff Siegfried said the dedication put forth by executive members Marshal Inkster, Tracy Ullyott, Lane Manson, Jean Mulhall, Jaylin Klassen, Karen Siegfried, Brad Baker and Karter Elderkin was a huge help this season and tremendously appreciated. Siegfried also noted how important the fans, sponsors and volunteers were in making the year extra special.
“Without them this season would not have been as great as it was and on behalf of the executive we are so grateful for the support this past year!” Siegfried continued, “Having a competitive senior hockey team in Watrous brings notoriety in the province and should give our residents something to be proud of. All of us like talking about hockey, and it is so much fun to have a positive topic of conversation when you are out on the street. We as a team and as an executive are excited to celebrate with our community and look forward to hanging up two more banners in our arena!”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 1, 2019
Changes to local primary health teams
Daniel Bushman
The Watrous Imperial Primary Health Team and the Lanigan physician practice will see some staffing changes as a few familiar faces will be departing later this year. In Watrous, doctor Hammad Akhtar and nurse practitioner Jessica Niyongabo will be leaving their positions while in Lanigan a search is underway to secure a physician after doctor Chander Sharma will be relocating in the fall.
Angela Luron with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) shared about the upcoming changes. “Nurse practitioner Jessica Niyongabo has accepted a new position in a different community with her last day in Watrous May 3. We are certainly sad to see Jessica leave after more than two years of exceptional service to the community. We wish her the very best in her next adventures.”
With Niyongabo’s departure, Luron said they were able to bring in a new person for the position hiring nurse practitioner Carrie Su, who will begin her orientation with the Watrous Imperial team Apr. 26. “Carrie comes to us with some experience work in rural Saskatchewan already on an interdisciplinary team under the primary health model. She is quite passionate about community health education and health promotion. We are really looking forward to welcoming her to the team.”
One of the longest serving physicians in the area, Dr. Akhtar, has decided to join his family back in England where his wife Madeeha is currently studying medicine. Leaving Watrous at the end of this coming July, Luron said Akhtar has been with the local team since October 2012. “He really played a key role in helping to establish a strong foundation of the primary health care model in the communities including the successful integration of nurse practitioners onto the team. He has also been with us through our move to our new location and through the implementation of our electronic medical records. He has certainly been through a lot with our team and the community and has been very essential in providing lots of support and that strong foundation. We know that he and his family will be very missed by our patients and the community but we are very happy for him and wish him all the best.”
Leaving a physician spot open, with Akhtar’s departure on the Watrous Imperial team, SHA was able to secure another doctor, one that many may be familiar with. Dr. Chander Sharma will be moving from his medical practice in Lanigan as of October 2019 and will join his wife Dr. Kavita Choudhary in Watrous.
“They moved to Watrous several years ago and Dr. Sharma is really looking forward to being closer to his family and to practicing in the primary health model of community care. We know that Dr. Sharma has made strong contributions to the Lanigan practice over the years and will also surely be missed in the Lanigan area.”
With Akhtar leaving at the end of July and Sharma not starting with the Watrous Imperial team until October, Luron said SHA is working on a coverage plan for August and September and are also working hard to recruit a replacement physician for the Lanigan area for October 2019 to work alongside Dr. Joseph Akinjobe.
“We want to be clear that while these changes and recruitment efforts are underway we don’t anticipate a significant impact in terms of access to the care and services being provided in Lanigan or Watrous or Imperial. It certainly is a priority for us to maintain the services in these communities. However, we would like to thank the communities in advance for their patience as we work to adjust our appointment schedules over the next eight weeks or so to accommodate Jessica’s departure and Carrie’s orientation.”
Luron said they are also confident there will not be a gap in service in Lanigan as recruitment efforts are well underway. “We have worked hard over the last number of years to build a strong foundation in rural health in particular. I think our ability to recruit successfully to these teams shows that we have established a pretty strong foundation of health care and of the health team. People are interested in wanting to come and work for us. It also reduces the stress on the community when we can maintain services.”
Luron also noted SHA appreciates being able to work in partnership with the Town of Watrous and the surrounding communities and RMs in providing the local health services.
With the upcoming changes, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said the community was happy to have both Akhtar and Niyongabo as part of its team and will miss them.
“It was great working with them and they did a wonderful job for us. Certainly we are sorry to see them go but appreciated their dedication to the community and the area.”
Pleased that the two soon to be vacant spots have already been secured in Watrous, Collins said, “By having those spots filled, service will not be disrupted to a great degree. We are also certainly happy to have our new physician and nurse practitioner on board and look forward to working with them both.”
As Akhtar and Niyongabo depart from Watrous and Sharma from Lanigan later this year, the three shared about their experiences while Su commented on looking forward to arriving in Watrous. The following is a brief question and answer with each with the help of SHA:
Dr. Hammad Akhtar
What work have you been most proud of during your time in Watrous and Imperial?
I feel very proud to play my role in the team to reopen the emergency services and Watrous hospital in 2013. The establishment of a new and improved integrated health clinic in hospital was also a special achievement. The development of well-functioning, efficient team of healthcare professionals in Watrous is very satisfying. I take a lot of pride to be a member of this remarkable team.
What have you most appreciated about the community, and what will you miss the most?
The way people welcomed and embraced us was incredible. It enabled us to blend in the community. We appreciate overwhelming support and help from everyone throughout. It helped us to raise our family and provided lots of opportunities for children in sports and school. I feel very fortunate and humble to serve this amazing community.
If you had one piece of advice to share with the community about living their best, healthiest life, what would it be?
Eat healthy, regular exercise and continue to care for each other.
Jessica Niyongabo
What work have you been most proud of during your time in Watrous and Imperial?
During my three years of working in Watrous and Imperial I have many memories I will hold close to my heart. When I began my practice as a nurse practitioner in 2016, I was excited but a little intimidated by the responsibility. Since that time, I have been able to develop my skills in the clinic, in long-term care and in the community setting. I have enjoyed seeing familiar faces along the way and working with a variety of people, from older adults to babies and new mothers. It was so special to get to know everyone and it’s those small moments I will not forget.
I am most proud of the community health teaching I was able to do at Interlake, Jubilee Court, elementary school and Westridge. Being able to provide health teaching and empower people with their own health knowledge makes me feel like I’m helping strengthen their life and health practices.
What have you most appreciated about the community, and what will you miss the most?
I have most appreciated how open and loving everyone has been. Watrous has made me feel like I have a second home, with people opening up their homes to me and always providing warm words of support throughout the years. The community has always been eager to engage in the health care initiatives. Thank you for being so trusting and willing to engage in the health care provided over the years.
If you had one piece of advice to share with the community about living their best, healthiest life, what would it be?
My main belief is being aware of what we nourish our bodies with food and physical activity. Having access and the ability to make informed food choices has a huge impact for our health. As I have said many of times this is nothing you master and move on from. Eating healthy, whole foods and getting enough physical activity is a continuous cycle we are experiencing as humans. Keep in mind you’re human. Know that it’s okay if you need to reset and restart again. Keep up the positive self-talk that you can do it.
Dr. Chander Sharma
What work have you been most proud of during your time in Lanigan?
I am proud of our great team work and mutual support, providing round-the-clock emergency services have been the most gratifying experience!
What will you miss the most about the community and the work in Lanigan?
It has been wonderful working and living in Lanigan, have received great affection and support from the magnificent community that I am going to cherish forever and forever!
What do you most enjoy about rural, team-based health care?
Interconnectedness is the most amazing part of rural team-based health care system. During my stay in Lanigan, I have found Interconnectedness as the most amazing part of rural team-based health care system.
Carrie Su
What excites you about coming to work in the communities of Watrous and Imperial?
Watrous and Imperial are vibrant communities infused by a lively and friendly ambiance along with a rich mix of history and culture.
What attracted you to the nurse practitioner position on this Primary Health Team?
The practice of the nurse practitioner is greatly supported by the multidisciplinary team and the local communities. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to exercise my role as a nurse practitioner to its full potential, not just limited to the daily clinic practice, but also reaching out and building stronger and healthier communities together.
Daniel Bushman
The Watrous Imperial Primary Health Team and the Lanigan physician practice will see some staffing changes as a few familiar faces will be departing later this year. In Watrous, doctor Hammad Akhtar and nurse practitioner Jessica Niyongabo will be leaving their positions while in Lanigan a search is underway to secure a physician after doctor Chander Sharma will be relocating in the fall.
Angela Luron with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) shared about the upcoming changes. “Nurse practitioner Jessica Niyongabo has accepted a new position in a different community with her last day in Watrous May 3. We are certainly sad to see Jessica leave after more than two years of exceptional service to the community. We wish her the very best in her next adventures.”
With Niyongabo’s departure, Luron said they were able to bring in a new person for the position hiring nurse practitioner Carrie Su, who will begin her orientation with the Watrous Imperial team Apr. 26. “Carrie comes to us with some experience work in rural Saskatchewan already on an interdisciplinary team under the primary health model. She is quite passionate about community health education and health promotion. We are really looking forward to welcoming her to the team.”
One of the longest serving physicians in the area, Dr. Akhtar, has decided to join his family back in England where his wife Madeeha is currently studying medicine. Leaving Watrous at the end of this coming July, Luron said Akhtar has been with the local team since October 2012. “He really played a key role in helping to establish a strong foundation of the primary health care model in the communities including the successful integration of nurse practitioners onto the team. He has also been with us through our move to our new location and through the implementation of our electronic medical records. He has certainly been through a lot with our team and the community and has been very essential in providing lots of support and that strong foundation. We know that he and his family will be very missed by our patients and the community but we are very happy for him and wish him all the best.”
Leaving a physician spot open, with Akhtar’s departure on the Watrous Imperial team, SHA was able to secure another doctor, one that many may be familiar with. Dr. Chander Sharma will be moving from his medical practice in Lanigan as of October 2019 and will join his wife Dr. Kavita Choudhary in Watrous.
“They moved to Watrous several years ago and Dr. Sharma is really looking forward to being closer to his family and to practicing in the primary health model of community care. We know that Dr. Sharma has made strong contributions to the Lanigan practice over the years and will also surely be missed in the Lanigan area.”
With Akhtar leaving at the end of July and Sharma not starting with the Watrous Imperial team until October, Luron said SHA is working on a coverage plan for August and September and are also working hard to recruit a replacement physician for the Lanigan area for October 2019 to work alongside Dr. Joseph Akinjobe.
“We want to be clear that while these changes and recruitment efforts are underway we don’t anticipate a significant impact in terms of access to the care and services being provided in Lanigan or Watrous or Imperial. It certainly is a priority for us to maintain the services in these communities. However, we would like to thank the communities in advance for their patience as we work to adjust our appointment schedules over the next eight weeks or so to accommodate Jessica’s departure and Carrie’s orientation.”
Luron said they are also confident there will not be a gap in service in Lanigan as recruitment efforts are well underway. “We have worked hard over the last number of years to build a strong foundation in rural health in particular. I think our ability to recruit successfully to these teams shows that we have established a pretty strong foundation of health care and of the health team. People are interested in wanting to come and work for us. It also reduces the stress on the community when we can maintain services.”
Luron also noted SHA appreciates being able to work in partnership with the Town of Watrous and the surrounding communities and RMs in providing the local health services.
With the upcoming changes, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said the community was happy to have both Akhtar and Niyongabo as part of its team and will miss them.
“It was great working with them and they did a wonderful job for us. Certainly we are sorry to see them go but appreciated their dedication to the community and the area.”
Pleased that the two soon to be vacant spots have already been secured in Watrous, Collins said, “By having those spots filled, service will not be disrupted to a great degree. We are also certainly happy to have our new physician and nurse practitioner on board and look forward to working with them both.”
As Akhtar and Niyongabo depart from Watrous and Sharma from Lanigan later this year, the three shared about their experiences while Su commented on looking forward to arriving in Watrous. The following is a brief question and answer with each with the help of SHA:
Dr. Hammad Akhtar
What work have you been most proud of during your time in Watrous and Imperial?
I feel very proud to play my role in the team to reopen the emergency services and Watrous hospital in 2013. The establishment of a new and improved integrated health clinic in hospital was also a special achievement. The development of well-functioning, efficient team of healthcare professionals in Watrous is very satisfying. I take a lot of pride to be a member of this remarkable team.
What have you most appreciated about the community, and what will you miss the most?
The way people welcomed and embraced us was incredible. It enabled us to blend in the community. We appreciate overwhelming support and help from everyone throughout. It helped us to raise our family and provided lots of opportunities for children in sports and school. I feel very fortunate and humble to serve this amazing community.
If you had one piece of advice to share with the community about living their best, healthiest life, what would it be?
Eat healthy, regular exercise and continue to care for each other.
Jessica Niyongabo
What work have you been most proud of during your time in Watrous and Imperial?
During my three years of working in Watrous and Imperial I have many memories I will hold close to my heart. When I began my practice as a nurse practitioner in 2016, I was excited but a little intimidated by the responsibility. Since that time, I have been able to develop my skills in the clinic, in long-term care and in the community setting. I have enjoyed seeing familiar faces along the way and working with a variety of people, from older adults to babies and new mothers. It was so special to get to know everyone and it’s those small moments I will not forget.
I am most proud of the community health teaching I was able to do at Interlake, Jubilee Court, elementary school and Westridge. Being able to provide health teaching and empower people with their own health knowledge makes me feel like I’m helping strengthen their life and health practices.
What have you most appreciated about the community, and what will you miss the most?
I have most appreciated how open and loving everyone has been. Watrous has made me feel like I have a second home, with people opening up their homes to me and always providing warm words of support throughout the years. The community has always been eager to engage in the health care initiatives. Thank you for being so trusting and willing to engage in the health care provided over the years.
If you had one piece of advice to share with the community about living their best, healthiest life, what would it be?
My main belief is being aware of what we nourish our bodies with food and physical activity. Having access and the ability to make informed food choices has a huge impact for our health. As I have said many of times this is nothing you master and move on from. Eating healthy, whole foods and getting enough physical activity is a continuous cycle we are experiencing as humans. Keep in mind you’re human. Know that it’s okay if you need to reset and restart again. Keep up the positive self-talk that you can do it.
Dr. Chander Sharma
What work have you been most proud of during your time in Lanigan?
I am proud of our great team work and mutual support, providing round-the-clock emergency services have been the most gratifying experience!
What will you miss the most about the community and the work in Lanigan?
It has been wonderful working and living in Lanigan, have received great affection and support from the magnificent community that I am going to cherish forever and forever!
What do you most enjoy about rural, team-based health care?
Interconnectedness is the most amazing part of rural team-based health care system. During my stay in Lanigan, I have found Interconnectedness as the most amazing part of rural team-based health care system.
Carrie Su
What excites you about coming to work in the communities of Watrous and Imperial?
Watrous and Imperial are vibrant communities infused by a lively and friendly ambiance along with a rich mix of history and culture.
What attracted you to the nurse practitioner position on this Primary Health Team?
The practice of the nurse practitioner is greatly supported by the multidisciplinary team and the local communities. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to exercise my role as a nurse practitioner to its full potential, not just limited to the daily clinic practice, but also reaching out and building stronger and healthier communities together.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 25, 2019
Allan names rink in honour of Logan Schatz
Daniel Bushman
Family and friends of Logan Schatz, the community of Allan and members of the hockey world came together Mar. 16 in Allan as part of a dedication ceremony. At the arena where Schatz grew up in, the community held a ceremony to rename the rink the Logan Schatz Memorial Arena in Logan’s honour.
Mayor of Allan Les Alm said the ceremony was very emotional for the community as they remembered Logan who was the captain of the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos before he tragically passed away last April. Alm said many people looked up to Schatz, evident by all those in attendance. “The waiting room was packed with the Schatz family, friends, Humboldt Broncos’ family members and community members.”
Logan’s parents, Bonnie and Kelly Schatz introduced their family before a former teacher of Logan’s, Craig Reinhardt said a few words at the dedication ceremony.
“It was absolutely wonderful to see so many people out to this event and the whole community stands behind and fully supports the Schatz family.”
Alm said having the arena named the ‘Logan Schatz Memorial Arena’ was something the community wanted to do, adding to Logan’s legacy and the mark that he left on all those who knew him.
“Every time anyone enters the rink, they will think of Logan and he will forever be remembered as a ‘son of Allan.’ Saturday, Mar. 16, 2019 really was Logan Schatz day in Allan and really made the Allan Winter Festival a special day.”
Hockey and Logan were synonymous right from a young age. Logan’s dad Kelly recalled his son stepping on to the ice when Logan was four years old and was an Allan Junior Flame during his minor hockey days. Excelling in hockey and playing for many hockey teams in his career, Schatz then became a Humboldt Broncos’ player and captain.
In 2017-‘18, Logan’s final season with the Broncos, the 5’9 centreman had 22 goals and 63 assists for 85 points in 57 games during the regular season. In the 2018 playoffs, he had posted 13 points in nine games. But it was not just his point totals that made an impression. A leader both on and off the ice, because of Logan’s character, determination and leadership abilities, Alm said it was important to remember Schatz.
“Logan Schatz was mature beyond his years, was an all around great person and friend to so many. He will be fondly and lovingly remembered as a young man who had limitless potential.”
As the rink was renamed in Logan’s honour and along with the memories of his minor hockey days, another recent reminder now remains a permanent fixture at the arena. Logan’s dad Kelly created Schatzy’s Corner, a mini rink area where kids can play, have fun and learn about Logan. “Schatzy’s Corner was opened this winter and has been very busy with kids playing during weekend hockey tournaments in the rink. Every child playing in Schatzy’s Corner will know and remember Logan’s legacy as a person and as a hockey player.”
After an emotional dedication ceremony, it was only fitting that the Allan Flames senior hockey team hit the ice that evening. Taking on Kinistino in game two of the Wheatland Hockey League final, Alm said the Kinistino Tigers team all wore LS stickers on their helmets in memory of Logan. A special thank you to Corey and Anita Church was announced for the sign they made and installed on the timekeeper’s box in the arena. And Brian Hinz, who taught Logan Industrial Arts in Humboldt was also in attendance and was acknowledged for designing and creating the newly installed, ‘Logan Schatz Memorial Arena’ signs located at the arena.
Before the game started, Kelly Schatz dropped the puck with Logan’s initials on it and Logan’s brother Brandon along with Kinistino Tiger Tristen Elder, who was a teammate of Logan’s with the Broncos took the ceremonial face off. After an emotional face off, the game then got underway and Allan went on to win 5-3, taking a two game series lead in the best of five. A fitting end to a memorable and moving day.
Daniel Bushman
Family and friends of Logan Schatz, the community of Allan and members of the hockey world came together Mar. 16 in Allan as part of a dedication ceremony. At the arena where Schatz grew up in, the community held a ceremony to rename the rink the Logan Schatz Memorial Arena in Logan’s honour.
Mayor of Allan Les Alm said the ceremony was very emotional for the community as they remembered Logan who was the captain of the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos before he tragically passed away last April. Alm said many people looked up to Schatz, evident by all those in attendance. “The waiting room was packed with the Schatz family, friends, Humboldt Broncos’ family members and community members.”
Logan’s parents, Bonnie and Kelly Schatz introduced their family before a former teacher of Logan’s, Craig Reinhardt said a few words at the dedication ceremony.
“It was absolutely wonderful to see so many people out to this event and the whole community stands behind and fully supports the Schatz family.”
Alm said having the arena named the ‘Logan Schatz Memorial Arena’ was something the community wanted to do, adding to Logan’s legacy and the mark that he left on all those who knew him.
“Every time anyone enters the rink, they will think of Logan and he will forever be remembered as a ‘son of Allan.’ Saturday, Mar. 16, 2019 really was Logan Schatz day in Allan and really made the Allan Winter Festival a special day.”
Hockey and Logan were synonymous right from a young age. Logan’s dad Kelly recalled his son stepping on to the ice when Logan was four years old and was an Allan Junior Flame during his minor hockey days. Excelling in hockey and playing for many hockey teams in his career, Schatz then became a Humboldt Broncos’ player and captain.
In 2017-‘18, Logan’s final season with the Broncos, the 5’9 centreman had 22 goals and 63 assists for 85 points in 57 games during the regular season. In the 2018 playoffs, he had posted 13 points in nine games. But it was not just his point totals that made an impression. A leader both on and off the ice, because of Logan’s character, determination and leadership abilities, Alm said it was important to remember Schatz.
“Logan Schatz was mature beyond his years, was an all around great person and friend to so many. He will be fondly and lovingly remembered as a young man who had limitless potential.”
As the rink was renamed in Logan’s honour and along with the memories of his minor hockey days, another recent reminder now remains a permanent fixture at the arena. Logan’s dad Kelly created Schatzy’s Corner, a mini rink area where kids can play, have fun and learn about Logan. “Schatzy’s Corner was opened this winter and has been very busy with kids playing during weekend hockey tournaments in the rink. Every child playing in Schatzy’s Corner will know and remember Logan’s legacy as a person and as a hockey player.”
After an emotional dedication ceremony, it was only fitting that the Allan Flames senior hockey team hit the ice that evening. Taking on Kinistino in game two of the Wheatland Hockey League final, Alm said the Kinistino Tigers team all wore LS stickers on their helmets in memory of Logan. A special thank you to Corey and Anita Church was announced for the sign they made and installed on the timekeeper’s box in the arena. And Brian Hinz, who taught Logan Industrial Arts in Humboldt was also in attendance and was acknowledged for designing and creating the newly installed, ‘Logan Schatz Memorial Arena’ signs located at the arena.
Before the game started, Kelly Schatz dropped the puck with Logan’s initials on it and Logan’s brother Brandon along with Kinistino Tiger Tristen Elder, who was a teammate of Logan’s with the Broncos took the ceremonial face off. After an emotional face off, the game then got underway and Allan went on to win 5-3, taking a two game series lead in the best of five. A fitting end to a memorable and moving day.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 18, 2019
The boy from Watrous who won the Stanley Cup
Daniel Bushman
Playing his entire National Hockey League career with the storied Montreal Canadiens of the early 1950s and alongside some of the best to ever suit up, Paul Meger was an up and comer who was looking forward to finding a permanent home in the NHL. However, a life-threatening injury cut his professional career short only a few years after it began and almost took his life as well.
Almost 70 years later and enjoying each day as it comes, Meger recently celebrated his 90th birthday with his family. While he considers Barrie, Ont. his adopted home, he still has a special place in his heart for Watrous, the place where his story all began.
The first chapter of Meger’s life starts in Watrous before his journey would eventually take him east where he would become a part of the Stanley Cup winning Montreal Canadiens. However, with a lot of years and potential left, at just 25 years old, his NHL career would abruptly end. Receiving a life-threatening injury to his head during a game, Meger was forced to retire from playing hockey only a few years after turning professional. While he had to hang up his skates as a player, his passion for the game never left him. That passion for hockey and for sports in general also had Meger inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame back in 1992 as both an athlete and builder.
Now residing at a retirement home in Barrie, Meger still has his Stanley Cup ring, even digging it out and proudly wearing it during his 90th birthday party. In his room sits an engraved Stanley Cup bowl and his AHL Rookie of the Year trophy which remind him of his younger days where he skated alongside future Hall of Famers. It is also in his room where a scrapbook filled with all kinds of photos from his playing days can be found. Inside, the book contains a number of items including newspaper articles and clippings like one from 1952 of Meger pictured with Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard, both sporting fedoras after they each scored a hat trick to beat Chicago 8-3. Flipping through the pages and reminiscing about his days playing hockey, Meger enjoys sharing his stories with those young and old, even talking about his birthplace of Watrous.
“To be honest I don’t really remember too much (about Watrous) but I have often thought about it,” said Meger over the phone from his Barrie residence. “People will ask if I remember where I was born and I say, ‘I sure do.’ Watrous, it was home. That is where I started things off but mom and dad had to move on. I was young enough not to stay so I had to go along. My one brother went back one time but I have never been back.”
Born Feb. 17, 1929 to Albert Meger and Eda (nee Dreger) of Watrous, Paul was one of eight boys and one of the oldest (Paul’s only sister, a twin to one of his brothers passed away during infancy). It was not long after Albert and Eda began having children that they relocated from their farm by Watrous to try their luck around Biggar.
“Dad farmed during the 1930s and I remember just vaguely mom and me were at the well to get a pail of water and mom said, ‘Look at that field out there.’ The grain had all come up but it was all brown and it was burnt. It must have been a tough time for mom and dad. I wondered what they were going to do with the field. Dad had to disc it down and resow it because the grain was no good coming up.”
Like so many others enduring those tough years during the drought, the Meger family soon decided to move east, travelling to Manitoba and settling in the Selkirk area in the late 1930s. It was there that Paul’s love for the game of hockey came to be.
One day a pair of skates were dropped off at the Meger household. “An old army fellow that used to be in the army would bring mom some old clothes and stuff. One day he brought a package over to the house. Mom said, ‘Did you want to start unpacking it and see what he left us?’ I started unpacking it and out came an old pair of skates!”
Not knowing how to skate, Paul grabbed the used pair of blades and went to the cattle trough at his family’s farm to test them out. Since there was always water that spilled over the sides of the trough and froze during the winter months, Meger tried his best to skate on the frozen section of water. “I was on my rear end more than anything else,” he recalled. “I was young enough and foolish enough to get up and try so I did. I got up and finally I could move, not very far, but I finally got where I could move in those skates and stay up.”
Being a good mile or so from school, during the week Paul and his friends would always meet up, walking along the Red River. In the winter and with the river frozen, one year some of his buddies started playing hockey. Since he had been practicing his skating at home near the cattle trough, it was during one particular morning that Meger snuck his skates out the door and took them to school. “I stopped at the Red River, put the skates on and skated. I did that all the way to school.”
Getting comfortable in his skates, Paul’s next piece of equipment was a hockey stick. Not having enough money to buy one, Paul headed into the bush and found some crooked sticks, whittled them down like a hockey stick and that was the start of what would eventually lead to his hockey career. “But I never thought I would play hockey to be honest. The good Lord said, ‘Paul, I want you to be a hockey player and well I turned out not too bad either.’”
With his stride improving on the river ice and near the cattle trough as each winter passed, Meger started playing his minor hockey in Selkirk, Man. His strong work ethic and determination got him noticed and he was later recruited by ‘Hap’ Emms to play Junior A hockey in Barrie, Ont. It was there that he played with the Flyers for three seasons beginning in 1946-‘47.
Right off the hop it was evident that Meger had a promising career as the forward accumulated 27 points in 31 games during his rookie season followed by a 30 goal, 30 assist effort in his second year. He then erupted with 75 points in 40 games in his third season with the team. During his junior career in Barrie, he was also voted as the Flyers Most Popular Player and selected to the OHA First All-Star Team in 1947-‘48. In his second season, the Flyers advanced to the Memorial Cup final where Meger had 17 points in 10 games in the Memorial Cup. The following season, his third in the league, Meger was again selected as an all-star, leading his team in scoring.
It was also during his time playing junior hockey in Barrie that Paul would meet his future wife Betty. Paul’s daughter Debra Scott shared about that first meeting between her parents, a meeting which ironically occurred in a rink. “My dad says he was in Barrie playing junior hockey and was public skating when this pretty girl came up to him and asked him to skate with her.”
After agreeing to go for a skate, Paul and Betty’s relationship blossomed and the couple would eventually marry, having two daughters and one son.
Turning professional for the 1949-‘50 season with the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League, Meger’s play was once again noticed and the forward was named the AHL’s Rookie of the Year. Meger registered 26 goals and 40 assists in 63 games and received Second All-Star Team honours.
The following year, after notching 34 goals in 46 games for Buffalo, according to records from the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame, in February of 1951 Meger was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for $15,000 and two players. After being brought in by the NHL club, Meger then helped the team reach the Stanley Cup final. He also earned an AHL First Team All-Star selection for his effort with Buffalo.
Tucked safely away in Meger’s scrapbook of hockey treasures, a newspaper article by Jack Horrigan noted ‘Peppy Paul Meger’ was considered as one of the Bison’s most popular players. In the article, Horrigan noted former Buffalo General Manager Art Chapman always considered Meger his greatest find.
“All Meger could do was fall on his seat when he first reported to our training camp,” Chapman would say. “But there was something about the determination he showed when he’d get up - he’d always be right back in the thick of things.”
Reflecting on his time with Buffalo and later Montreal, Meger said, “Some things were meant to be and by golly I was sure glad it was meant to be.”
During that 1951-‘52 season, the rookie NHL forward found himself playing with some of the best players in the game. On a line with the likes of Billy Reay and Bernie ‘Boom Boom’ Geoffrion, Meger netted 24 goals and added 18 assists in 69 games for the Canadiens. His effort put him fourth overall on the team in points, just two behind legend Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard, 12 back of his line mate Geoffrion and 23 points back of Nokomis native Elmer Lach.
During his rookie campaign, Meger also scored his first and only NHL hat trick in a big 8-3 win over Chicago. When asked if he remembered his achievement, without missing a beat Meger replied, “Yup. And the Rocket scored a hat trick that night too. The next week in the dressing room (coach) Dick Irvin - he was for the players and was real good - he came in. He always had a quarter for the newspaper and the reporter would come in and talk hockey to Dick. I heard Dick giving him a hard time. He said, ‘Here is a kid that scored three goals and just because Rocket scored three, he is a star already. Give the kid a break.’ Here he was giving him a hard time for not writing about me. Dick was a real player’s coach.”
After the rookie's regular season, in the playoffs Meger continued to help his club, chipping in with three helpers as the team made its way to the Stanley Cup final before ultimately losing to Detroit. Despite not winning the NHL’s greatest trophy that season, Meger said having veteran players on the team like Elmer Lach and Billy Reay made his transition to the big stage a lot easier.
“Elmer was a real helper to me, a senior on the team,” said Meger of the Nokomis native and NHL Hall of Famer. “He would sit and talk to you, tell you what he thought and boy I think it sunk in. Being my centreman, Billy Reay was like a father. He was a senior in the league and what a guy he was. I had a great time with the guys I played with.”
After a solid rookie campaign, the 5’7”, 160 pound left winger returned to the Montreal lineup for the 1952-‘53 season. While his point totals dropped to nine goals and 17 assists in 69 games (still good for sixth on the team in points), Meger scored once and added two assists in the playoffs. Playing more of a defensive role and despite his point totals being down from a year prior, that year Meger and the Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins four games to one to capture the Stanley Cup.
Wearing number 20, Meger who was 23 years old at the time won the championship with players like Jean Beliveau, Reg Abbott, Butch Bouchard, Doug Harvey, Dickie Moore, Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard, Billy Reay, Elmer Lach, Bernie ‘Boom Boom’ Geoffrion and in net, Gerry McNeil and Jacques Plante. Coached by legend Dick Irvin, the team itself contained a total of 10 players that would later go on to be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“Winning the Cup, it was big time. I remember standing with the Stanley Cup. When you are in that business, you don’t really realize how hard it is to win some of these things but I was fortunate enough to be one of them that won the Stanley Cup.”
Competing in that era also meant going up against some of the NHL’s toughest players. One of those guys that Meger found himself facing in the corner one night was Detroit Red Wing and future Hall of Famer Gordie Howe, another Saskatchewan native. It was a well-known fact that anybody that goes into the corner with number nine was not coming out first.
“The one day the coach (Dick Irvin) said, ‘You are always checking people, maybe you would like to check Gordie Howe tonight? I will play you against Gordie Howe,’” Meger recalled of his coach’s request. “I didn’t mind as long as I was playing. I remember Gordie and I got into the corner and I was lucky enough, I got the puck out of there killing a penalty. I got the puck out and everything and Gordie said to me, ‘Way to go kid!’”
Things were going pretty good for the Watrous born Meger and in the 1953-‘54 season, he would split time between the Canadiens and the Quebec Hockey League’s Montreal Royals, accumulating 30 points in 23 games with the Royals and 13 points in 44 games with the Canadiens. But Meger’s world and his professional hockey career would come to a life-altering halt during the 1954-‘55 campaign.
Hoping for a solid year ahead, Meger dressed for 13 games and was on the ice in Boston during a November contest when Leo Labine’s skate punctured Paul’s skull and damaged tissue in his brain.
“It was just one of those fluke things that happened,” Meger said of the incident from 1954. “He picked the puck up and I went to check him. He was coming around his own net and I partially checked him and we fell. He fell and I fell behind him and the heel of his skate hit the right side of my head. You can still feel where the skate went through the skull. There is no bone there.”
After getting repaired as much as possible on the bench, Meger was told by the coach he was done for the game and was put on a train from Boston back to Montreal to see Dr. Wilder Penfield, one of Canada’s foremost surgeons. Best known for the discovery of surgical treatment for epilepsy and the founder and first director of the world famous Montreal Neurological Institute, Meger said Dr. Penfield saved his life. “When I told him that I played hockey in Boston and I got hurt down there, he said, ‘And you got all the way here? Boy we will change that! If a guy gets hurt, we need to make sure he is able to travel.’”
Unlike today where teams can fly or ride the bus, Meger had to take the train home and was lucky to make it from Boston to Montreal. Feeling things were not quite right, Meger said, “I remember just a pounding when I got out of the train. The trainer gave me some painkillers I remember but I was in real bad shape.”
While Meger felt his conditioning leading up to the hockey season helped him stay alive, Dr. Penfield who would become fairly good friends with Paul later on, explained to the forward that he was lucky to be alive.
“I remember one of the doctors said he was fairly religious so I said to him, “I talked to the good guy up there the other day and he said, ‘Paul we just don’t have room for you.’”
After performing multiple surgeries to help Meger recover and get back on his feet, following the operations he received a visit in the hospital from NHL President at that time Clarence S. Campbell and Montreal Canadiens Manager Frank J. Selke. “They came into the hospital with the helmets they had at that time. They put them on me just to see if they would have helped. They both felt no. All there really was was a strap going down underneath your chin. They didn’t think it would have helped. They weren’t made like they are today. It is just a shame the way I got hurt and things were all over because I would have had a few more years.”
Still recovering in hospital, months after his injury the 26 year old would receive a hand from the Canadiens after an incident stemming from a lengthy suspension given to one of the team’s stars. It was Mar. 13, 1955 and Montreal was taking on Boston when late in the game, Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard was struck in the head with a stick. While one of the linesmen was trying to break up an ensuing fight, he took a punch to the face courtesy of Richard. The ‘Rocket’ was then suspended for the remaining three games of the regular season and playoffs while Hal Laycoe, who had struck Richard and was involved in the skirmish, went unpunished. That sent Montreal fans into a frenzy and a few days later during the Canadiens and Red Wings game, a riot broke out at the Forum and in the streets. At the Mar. 17 game NHL President Clarence Campbell who suspended Richard attended the contest after it started but fans soon noticed him and because of the way the suspension was handled, it set off the riots. Because the riots were so bad inside the arena, a tear gas bomb was set off and fans spilled out on to the streets where rioting continued. The game was called early and it was forfeited to the Red Wings.
With fans wanting their money back because of the shortened version of the game, Selke worked out a plan suggesting Montreal fans could turn over the gate money from the ‘Riot Night’ to Meger. Paul’s daughter Debra found the article talking about Selke’s idea:
“The game ended at the first period and fans have a right to get their money back,” says Selke, “but the suggestion has been made that the money be turned over to Meger. I cannot push the idea because it might not be quite fair to the fans, so I am having release forms printed. When all hockey is cleared away the fans who held tickets that night will be invited to come around to the Forum. If they wish to take the cash they will receive same. If they wish to sign the release form, the seat money will be turned over to Paul. He could get anywhere up to $25,000.”
The article went on to state that perhaps Paul Meger would get a five-figure break and know that the fans and Forum were pulling for him. Paul’s daughter Debra said as far as she knows, he did receive the money while recovering in hospital.
After spending months in the Western Hospital and then at the Neurological Institute, Paul soon healed from his injury but his professional playing days were over. With time to think about his future, he returned to Barrie where he ended up reuniting with a familiar face from his past.
“I got in touch with ‘Hap’ Emms, my junior coach. He was really good to me. He had an electrical business and I started working for him and got my license as an electrician. One day he said to me to go with this older chap that was working for him and try working on a few things. Then one morning Mr. Emms said to me, ‘Here, take a few of these calls for electrical work.’ He said the guy I was working with felt I was ready. So I went and did some calls. I got pretty good at it and then tried appliance repairs and I liked that.”
While the father of three was getting more and more involved in another career outside of hockey, the sport which he had come to love was not entirely out of the picture. Meger’s passion for hockey continued and he began coaching. According to the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame, in 1956-‘57 he was behind the bench for Alliston. That year he took them to the OHA Junior D finals. Two seasons later, he guided the Camp Borden Air Force team to the Canadian Armed Forces Championship and in 1962-‘63, was the coach of the Barrie 7-Ups Intermediate A squad. The next season he was guiding the Orillia Bantams to a Little NHL Consolation Championship.
During that time he became a founding member of the Barrie Minor Hockey Association, coaching eight years within it. He won three Little NHL Championships in four final appearances and won an OMHA title and the Silver Stick Championship.
But it was not just hockey that Meger enjoyed. The athlete and coach was also an accomplished ball player and during his junior days was a softball catcher for Bryson’s Grill. He was also a baseball catcher and helped the Barrie Flyers capture a pair of South Simcoe League titles. Trading in his ball glove and bat for a golf club, Meger later won the 1983 Barrie Country Club Seniors Championship and in that same year received the Ontario Medal for Citizenship in recognition of his efforts on behalf of minor hockey, the Cubs, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and with St. Andrew’s Church. Then in 1992 he was inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame as both an athlete and builder.
With everything that he accomplished over those years, looking back on his life Paul said, “People tell me, ‘Boy you are lucky, you played hockey and with some of the best players in the world at that time.’ It is quite a thing sometimes when you look back. I feel that more now than ever. I had a career in hockey with the biggest teams in the world. I have been very lucky and fortunate. I was very fortunate in life and I have no regrets about my hockey injury, it was just one of those fluke things that happened in life but I am here to talk about it.”
Noting that most of his memory remains pretty good, Meger still enjoys striking up a conversation about his playing days in the NHL and looks forward to every day being a good one.
“I am pretty pleased, life has been good to me. Every once in a while I am talking to my friends and one friend will ask how I can be so jolly? I said, ‘Well I am the guy talking about it and can remember it.’ As mom said too, she was a tough old girl, she must have been she had eight boys; she was a good mother and I remember going home after one hockey season and talking at the breakfast table with her about the family. She said, ‘Paul as tough as it was, we always had lots to eat and we had people helping us with clothing and so on and really we have nothing to complain about.’ Even she thought life was tough but it could be worse. Through my injury and everything else I was very fortunate. Who would have thought I would be good enough to play in the NHL and one of the kids that learnt how to skate on the Red River? I had a real good go at it.”
Daniel Bushman
Playing his entire National Hockey League career with the storied Montreal Canadiens of the early 1950s and alongside some of the best to ever suit up, Paul Meger was an up and comer who was looking forward to finding a permanent home in the NHL. However, a life-threatening injury cut his professional career short only a few years after it began and almost took his life as well.
Almost 70 years later and enjoying each day as it comes, Meger recently celebrated his 90th birthday with his family. While he considers Barrie, Ont. his adopted home, he still has a special place in his heart for Watrous, the place where his story all began.
The first chapter of Meger’s life starts in Watrous before his journey would eventually take him east where he would become a part of the Stanley Cup winning Montreal Canadiens. However, with a lot of years and potential left, at just 25 years old, his NHL career would abruptly end. Receiving a life-threatening injury to his head during a game, Meger was forced to retire from playing hockey only a few years after turning professional. While he had to hang up his skates as a player, his passion for the game never left him. That passion for hockey and for sports in general also had Meger inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame back in 1992 as both an athlete and builder.
Now residing at a retirement home in Barrie, Meger still has his Stanley Cup ring, even digging it out and proudly wearing it during his 90th birthday party. In his room sits an engraved Stanley Cup bowl and his AHL Rookie of the Year trophy which remind him of his younger days where he skated alongside future Hall of Famers. It is also in his room where a scrapbook filled with all kinds of photos from his playing days can be found. Inside, the book contains a number of items including newspaper articles and clippings like one from 1952 of Meger pictured with Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard, both sporting fedoras after they each scored a hat trick to beat Chicago 8-3. Flipping through the pages and reminiscing about his days playing hockey, Meger enjoys sharing his stories with those young and old, even talking about his birthplace of Watrous.
“To be honest I don’t really remember too much (about Watrous) but I have often thought about it,” said Meger over the phone from his Barrie residence. “People will ask if I remember where I was born and I say, ‘I sure do.’ Watrous, it was home. That is where I started things off but mom and dad had to move on. I was young enough not to stay so I had to go along. My one brother went back one time but I have never been back.”
Born Feb. 17, 1929 to Albert Meger and Eda (nee Dreger) of Watrous, Paul was one of eight boys and one of the oldest (Paul’s only sister, a twin to one of his brothers passed away during infancy). It was not long after Albert and Eda began having children that they relocated from their farm by Watrous to try their luck around Biggar.
“Dad farmed during the 1930s and I remember just vaguely mom and me were at the well to get a pail of water and mom said, ‘Look at that field out there.’ The grain had all come up but it was all brown and it was burnt. It must have been a tough time for mom and dad. I wondered what they were going to do with the field. Dad had to disc it down and resow it because the grain was no good coming up.”
Like so many others enduring those tough years during the drought, the Meger family soon decided to move east, travelling to Manitoba and settling in the Selkirk area in the late 1930s. It was there that Paul’s love for the game of hockey came to be.
One day a pair of skates were dropped off at the Meger household. “An old army fellow that used to be in the army would bring mom some old clothes and stuff. One day he brought a package over to the house. Mom said, ‘Did you want to start unpacking it and see what he left us?’ I started unpacking it and out came an old pair of skates!”
Not knowing how to skate, Paul grabbed the used pair of blades and went to the cattle trough at his family’s farm to test them out. Since there was always water that spilled over the sides of the trough and froze during the winter months, Meger tried his best to skate on the frozen section of water. “I was on my rear end more than anything else,” he recalled. “I was young enough and foolish enough to get up and try so I did. I got up and finally I could move, not very far, but I finally got where I could move in those skates and stay up.”
Being a good mile or so from school, during the week Paul and his friends would always meet up, walking along the Red River. In the winter and with the river frozen, one year some of his buddies started playing hockey. Since he had been practicing his skating at home near the cattle trough, it was during one particular morning that Meger snuck his skates out the door and took them to school. “I stopped at the Red River, put the skates on and skated. I did that all the way to school.”
Getting comfortable in his skates, Paul’s next piece of equipment was a hockey stick. Not having enough money to buy one, Paul headed into the bush and found some crooked sticks, whittled them down like a hockey stick and that was the start of what would eventually lead to his hockey career. “But I never thought I would play hockey to be honest. The good Lord said, ‘Paul, I want you to be a hockey player and well I turned out not too bad either.’”
With his stride improving on the river ice and near the cattle trough as each winter passed, Meger started playing his minor hockey in Selkirk, Man. His strong work ethic and determination got him noticed and he was later recruited by ‘Hap’ Emms to play Junior A hockey in Barrie, Ont. It was there that he played with the Flyers for three seasons beginning in 1946-‘47.
Right off the hop it was evident that Meger had a promising career as the forward accumulated 27 points in 31 games during his rookie season followed by a 30 goal, 30 assist effort in his second year. He then erupted with 75 points in 40 games in his third season with the team. During his junior career in Barrie, he was also voted as the Flyers Most Popular Player and selected to the OHA First All-Star Team in 1947-‘48. In his second season, the Flyers advanced to the Memorial Cup final where Meger had 17 points in 10 games in the Memorial Cup. The following season, his third in the league, Meger was again selected as an all-star, leading his team in scoring.
It was also during his time playing junior hockey in Barrie that Paul would meet his future wife Betty. Paul’s daughter Debra Scott shared about that first meeting between her parents, a meeting which ironically occurred in a rink. “My dad says he was in Barrie playing junior hockey and was public skating when this pretty girl came up to him and asked him to skate with her.”
After agreeing to go for a skate, Paul and Betty’s relationship blossomed and the couple would eventually marry, having two daughters and one son.
Turning professional for the 1949-‘50 season with the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League, Meger’s play was once again noticed and the forward was named the AHL’s Rookie of the Year. Meger registered 26 goals and 40 assists in 63 games and received Second All-Star Team honours.
The following year, after notching 34 goals in 46 games for Buffalo, according to records from the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame, in February of 1951 Meger was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for $15,000 and two players. After being brought in by the NHL club, Meger then helped the team reach the Stanley Cup final. He also earned an AHL First Team All-Star selection for his effort with Buffalo.
Tucked safely away in Meger’s scrapbook of hockey treasures, a newspaper article by Jack Horrigan noted ‘Peppy Paul Meger’ was considered as one of the Bison’s most popular players. In the article, Horrigan noted former Buffalo General Manager Art Chapman always considered Meger his greatest find.
“All Meger could do was fall on his seat when he first reported to our training camp,” Chapman would say. “But there was something about the determination he showed when he’d get up - he’d always be right back in the thick of things.”
Reflecting on his time with Buffalo and later Montreal, Meger said, “Some things were meant to be and by golly I was sure glad it was meant to be.”
During that 1951-‘52 season, the rookie NHL forward found himself playing with some of the best players in the game. On a line with the likes of Billy Reay and Bernie ‘Boom Boom’ Geoffrion, Meger netted 24 goals and added 18 assists in 69 games for the Canadiens. His effort put him fourth overall on the team in points, just two behind legend Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard, 12 back of his line mate Geoffrion and 23 points back of Nokomis native Elmer Lach.
During his rookie campaign, Meger also scored his first and only NHL hat trick in a big 8-3 win over Chicago. When asked if he remembered his achievement, without missing a beat Meger replied, “Yup. And the Rocket scored a hat trick that night too. The next week in the dressing room (coach) Dick Irvin - he was for the players and was real good - he came in. He always had a quarter for the newspaper and the reporter would come in and talk hockey to Dick. I heard Dick giving him a hard time. He said, ‘Here is a kid that scored three goals and just because Rocket scored three, he is a star already. Give the kid a break.’ Here he was giving him a hard time for not writing about me. Dick was a real player’s coach.”
After the rookie's regular season, in the playoffs Meger continued to help his club, chipping in with three helpers as the team made its way to the Stanley Cup final before ultimately losing to Detroit. Despite not winning the NHL’s greatest trophy that season, Meger said having veteran players on the team like Elmer Lach and Billy Reay made his transition to the big stage a lot easier.
“Elmer was a real helper to me, a senior on the team,” said Meger of the Nokomis native and NHL Hall of Famer. “He would sit and talk to you, tell you what he thought and boy I think it sunk in. Being my centreman, Billy Reay was like a father. He was a senior in the league and what a guy he was. I had a great time with the guys I played with.”
After a solid rookie campaign, the 5’7”, 160 pound left winger returned to the Montreal lineup for the 1952-‘53 season. While his point totals dropped to nine goals and 17 assists in 69 games (still good for sixth on the team in points), Meger scored once and added two assists in the playoffs. Playing more of a defensive role and despite his point totals being down from a year prior, that year Meger and the Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins four games to one to capture the Stanley Cup.
Wearing number 20, Meger who was 23 years old at the time won the championship with players like Jean Beliveau, Reg Abbott, Butch Bouchard, Doug Harvey, Dickie Moore, Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard, Billy Reay, Elmer Lach, Bernie ‘Boom Boom’ Geoffrion and in net, Gerry McNeil and Jacques Plante. Coached by legend Dick Irvin, the team itself contained a total of 10 players that would later go on to be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“Winning the Cup, it was big time. I remember standing with the Stanley Cup. When you are in that business, you don’t really realize how hard it is to win some of these things but I was fortunate enough to be one of them that won the Stanley Cup.”
Competing in that era also meant going up against some of the NHL’s toughest players. One of those guys that Meger found himself facing in the corner one night was Detroit Red Wing and future Hall of Famer Gordie Howe, another Saskatchewan native. It was a well-known fact that anybody that goes into the corner with number nine was not coming out first.
“The one day the coach (Dick Irvin) said, ‘You are always checking people, maybe you would like to check Gordie Howe tonight? I will play you against Gordie Howe,’” Meger recalled of his coach’s request. “I didn’t mind as long as I was playing. I remember Gordie and I got into the corner and I was lucky enough, I got the puck out of there killing a penalty. I got the puck out and everything and Gordie said to me, ‘Way to go kid!’”
Things were going pretty good for the Watrous born Meger and in the 1953-‘54 season, he would split time between the Canadiens and the Quebec Hockey League’s Montreal Royals, accumulating 30 points in 23 games with the Royals and 13 points in 44 games with the Canadiens. But Meger’s world and his professional hockey career would come to a life-altering halt during the 1954-‘55 campaign.
Hoping for a solid year ahead, Meger dressed for 13 games and was on the ice in Boston during a November contest when Leo Labine’s skate punctured Paul’s skull and damaged tissue in his brain.
“It was just one of those fluke things that happened,” Meger said of the incident from 1954. “He picked the puck up and I went to check him. He was coming around his own net and I partially checked him and we fell. He fell and I fell behind him and the heel of his skate hit the right side of my head. You can still feel where the skate went through the skull. There is no bone there.”
After getting repaired as much as possible on the bench, Meger was told by the coach he was done for the game and was put on a train from Boston back to Montreal to see Dr. Wilder Penfield, one of Canada’s foremost surgeons. Best known for the discovery of surgical treatment for epilepsy and the founder and first director of the world famous Montreal Neurological Institute, Meger said Dr. Penfield saved his life. “When I told him that I played hockey in Boston and I got hurt down there, he said, ‘And you got all the way here? Boy we will change that! If a guy gets hurt, we need to make sure he is able to travel.’”
Unlike today where teams can fly or ride the bus, Meger had to take the train home and was lucky to make it from Boston to Montreal. Feeling things were not quite right, Meger said, “I remember just a pounding when I got out of the train. The trainer gave me some painkillers I remember but I was in real bad shape.”
While Meger felt his conditioning leading up to the hockey season helped him stay alive, Dr. Penfield who would become fairly good friends with Paul later on, explained to the forward that he was lucky to be alive.
“I remember one of the doctors said he was fairly religious so I said to him, “I talked to the good guy up there the other day and he said, ‘Paul we just don’t have room for you.’”
After performing multiple surgeries to help Meger recover and get back on his feet, following the operations he received a visit in the hospital from NHL President at that time Clarence S. Campbell and Montreal Canadiens Manager Frank J. Selke. “They came into the hospital with the helmets they had at that time. They put them on me just to see if they would have helped. They both felt no. All there really was was a strap going down underneath your chin. They didn’t think it would have helped. They weren’t made like they are today. It is just a shame the way I got hurt and things were all over because I would have had a few more years.”
Still recovering in hospital, months after his injury the 26 year old would receive a hand from the Canadiens after an incident stemming from a lengthy suspension given to one of the team’s stars. It was Mar. 13, 1955 and Montreal was taking on Boston when late in the game, Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard was struck in the head with a stick. While one of the linesmen was trying to break up an ensuing fight, he took a punch to the face courtesy of Richard. The ‘Rocket’ was then suspended for the remaining three games of the regular season and playoffs while Hal Laycoe, who had struck Richard and was involved in the skirmish, went unpunished. That sent Montreal fans into a frenzy and a few days later during the Canadiens and Red Wings game, a riot broke out at the Forum and in the streets. At the Mar. 17 game NHL President Clarence Campbell who suspended Richard attended the contest after it started but fans soon noticed him and because of the way the suspension was handled, it set off the riots. Because the riots were so bad inside the arena, a tear gas bomb was set off and fans spilled out on to the streets where rioting continued. The game was called early and it was forfeited to the Red Wings.
With fans wanting their money back because of the shortened version of the game, Selke worked out a plan suggesting Montreal fans could turn over the gate money from the ‘Riot Night’ to Meger. Paul’s daughter Debra found the article talking about Selke’s idea:
“The game ended at the first period and fans have a right to get their money back,” says Selke, “but the suggestion has been made that the money be turned over to Meger. I cannot push the idea because it might not be quite fair to the fans, so I am having release forms printed. When all hockey is cleared away the fans who held tickets that night will be invited to come around to the Forum. If they wish to take the cash they will receive same. If they wish to sign the release form, the seat money will be turned over to Paul. He could get anywhere up to $25,000.”
The article went on to state that perhaps Paul Meger would get a five-figure break and know that the fans and Forum were pulling for him. Paul’s daughter Debra said as far as she knows, he did receive the money while recovering in hospital.
After spending months in the Western Hospital and then at the Neurological Institute, Paul soon healed from his injury but his professional playing days were over. With time to think about his future, he returned to Barrie where he ended up reuniting with a familiar face from his past.
“I got in touch with ‘Hap’ Emms, my junior coach. He was really good to me. He had an electrical business and I started working for him and got my license as an electrician. One day he said to me to go with this older chap that was working for him and try working on a few things. Then one morning Mr. Emms said to me, ‘Here, take a few of these calls for electrical work.’ He said the guy I was working with felt I was ready. So I went and did some calls. I got pretty good at it and then tried appliance repairs and I liked that.”
While the father of three was getting more and more involved in another career outside of hockey, the sport which he had come to love was not entirely out of the picture. Meger’s passion for hockey continued and he began coaching. According to the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame, in 1956-‘57 he was behind the bench for Alliston. That year he took them to the OHA Junior D finals. Two seasons later, he guided the Camp Borden Air Force team to the Canadian Armed Forces Championship and in 1962-‘63, was the coach of the Barrie 7-Ups Intermediate A squad. The next season he was guiding the Orillia Bantams to a Little NHL Consolation Championship.
During that time he became a founding member of the Barrie Minor Hockey Association, coaching eight years within it. He won three Little NHL Championships in four final appearances and won an OMHA title and the Silver Stick Championship.
But it was not just hockey that Meger enjoyed. The athlete and coach was also an accomplished ball player and during his junior days was a softball catcher for Bryson’s Grill. He was also a baseball catcher and helped the Barrie Flyers capture a pair of South Simcoe League titles. Trading in his ball glove and bat for a golf club, Meger later won the 1983 Barrie Country Club Seniors Championship and in that same year received the Ontario Medal for Citizenship in recognition of his efforts on behalf of minor hockey, the Cubs, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and with St. Andrew’s Church. Then in 1992 he was inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame as both an athlete and builder.
With everything that he accomplished over those years, looking back on his life Paul said, “People tell me, ‘Boy you are lucky, you played hockey and with some of the best players in the world at that time.’ It is quite a thing sometimes when you look back. I feel that more now than ever. I had a career in hockey with the biggest teams in the world. I have been very lucky and fortunate. I was very fortunate in life and I have no regrets about my hockey injury, it was just one of those fluke things that happened in life but I am here to talk about it.”
Noting that most of his memory remains pretty good, Meger still enjoys striking up a conversation about his playing days in the NHL and looks forward to every day being a good one.
“I am pretty pleased, life has been good to me. Every once in a while I am talking to my friends and one friend will ask how I can be so jolly? I said, ‘Well I am the guy talking about it and can remember it.’ As mom said too, she was a tough old girl, she must have been she had eight boys; she was a good mother and I remember going home after one hockey season and talking at the breakfast table with her about the family. She said, ‘Paul as tough as it was, we always had lots to eat and we had people helping us with clothing and so on and really we have nothing to complain about.’ Even she thought life was tough but it could be worse. Through my injury and everything else I was very fortunate. Who would have thought I would be good enough to play in the NHL and one of the kids that learnt how to skate on the Red River? I had a real good go at it.”
*Photos of Paul Meger below courtesy Debra Scott*
TWM Top Story - Mar. 11
Slow down, move over and stay safe
Daniel Bushman
With numerous close calls and in some instances tragic, highways can become hazardous for first responders and tow truck drivers parked along the side of the road. By not slowing down, lives are put at risk for those trying to help others and in some very unfortunate circumstances those instances have turned fatal.
As was the scenario last year and the year prior, during the evening Mar. 7 towing companies and emergency response personnel from across Saskatchewan join in solidarity as part of a Slow Down and Move Over Awareness Rally. With their lights flashing and parked on the shoulder of Hwy. 2 just outside of Watrous, members of Watrous Towing, EMS and fire also joined in unison by activating their lights during a portion of the evening.
The event which takes place across the province honours and shows respect to those who have been killed along roads in the province while trying to help others. It was also meant to raise awareness that motorists need to slow down and move over while passing tow trucks and emergency response personnel.
Two years ago the first ever rally was held after tow truck driver Courtney Schaefer died in a four vehicle crash on Hwy. 22 in southeastern Saskatchewan. During that rally, hundreds of trucks from across Saskatchewan activated their emergency lights, showing respect while raising awareness.
Hoping the annual event will eventually become a nationwide awareness campaign, first responders and tow truck drivers will plan to turn on their emergency lights and stand beside their vehicles again next year, honouring Schaefer and other drivers who have been tragically killed while on the job.
Daniel Bushman
With numerous close calls and in some instances tragic, highways can become hazardous for first responders and tow truck drivers parked along the side of the road. By not slowing down, lives are put at risk for those trying to help others and in some very unfortunate circumstances those instances have turned fatal.
As was the scenario last year and the year prior, during the evening Mar. 7 towing companies and emergency response personnel from across Saskatchewan join in solidarity as part of a Slow Down and Move Over Awareness Rally. With their lights flashing and parked on the shoulder of Hwy. 2 just outside of Watrous, members of Watrous Towing, EMS and fire also joined in unison by activating their lights during a portion of the evening.
The event which takes place across the province honours and shows respect to those who have been killed along roads in the province while trying to help others. It was also meant to raise awareness that motorists need to slow down and move over while passing tow trucks and emergency response personnel.
Two years ago the first ever rally was held after tow truck driver Courtney Schaefer died in a four vehicle crash on Hwy. 22 in southeastern Saskatchewan. During that rally, hundreds of trucks from across Saskatchewan activated their emergency lights, showing respect while raising awareness.
Hoping the annual event will eventually become a nationwide awareness campaign, first responders and tow truck drivers will plan to turn on their emergency lights and stand beside their vehicles again next year, honouring Schaefer and other drivers who have been tragically killed while on the job.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 4, 2019
Frozen Tongue Challenge a big success
Daniel Bushman
Not only did the idea of having a Frozen Tongue Challenge stick but it was an overwhelming success as close to $18,000 was raised for the unique fundraiser. With the temperature dipping to -25˚C and feeling more like -34˚C with the wind chill, a pair of local residents braved the elements Feb. 25 before one of them had the task of sticking his tongue to a frozen pole.
With the funds going towards the purchase of a new rural fire association response unit for the Watrous Fire Department, the first-ever Frozen Tongue Challenge pitted Deputy Fire Chief Andrew Matheson against Jeff Siegfried of Watrous Mainline Motors. After the challenge was issued by Siegfried in January, Matheson agreed and the pair were tasked with trying to raise more money than the other with the loser having to stick his tongue to a frozen pole.
A crowd gathered at Watrous Mainline Motors during the frigid Feb. 25 evening and after a few opening remarks, both Andrew and Jeff were handed folded signs with their totals on them. After unveiling the amounts, Jeff raised a total of $8,668.90 while Andrew accumulated $9,110.71, edging out his competitor by just $441.81.
Siegfried then had to hop on the back of a truck, stuck his tongue to the frozen pole and made good on the challenge.
“If you had me hooked to something that was monitoring my vital signs, they would have been off the charts,” said Jeff. “I had some concern when I was pouring the warm water on my tongue and the Thermos was getting lighter, but my tongue wasn’t budging. The pole was so cold that it was freezing the water into an ice-cube around my tongue. I was relieved when I pulled a little harder and could feel it releasing, not tearing, and I didn’t run out of water! I tried to tell any kids watching “that wasn’t very fun” and that even though I did it, it is not something that should be attempted. My tongue will be sore for a few days and I can’t imagine tearing it off as so many people have described!”
After setting an original goal of $5,000, by the final morning of the challenge, Matheson knew that they had attained over $15,000 so he was okay to stick his tongue to a frozen pole if he lost the challenge. “But Tuesday morning I was definitely happy that my tongue was not feeling like I had burnt it on hot coffee that’s for sure! And truth be told, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Jeff do it!”
After hearing of the need for a new rural fire association truck for the fire department, it was Siegfried who came up with the unique challenge, something that caught quite a few people’s attention. “When describing the challenge to people, I got quite a few cringes and lots of shock value, that’s the attention I wanted to get people talking about this fundraiser. While more and more people found out about this fundraiser, Andrew and I also did interviews with many provincial news outlets and radio talk shows and by the end of the challenge, it reached some national sources as well.”
Because of the attention locally, provincially and nationally, people certainly were talking about the Frozen Tongue Challenge and were also donating as $17,779.61 was raised.
“I was very pleased with the support from the community, what a nice way to start off a campaign for such a large capital expenditure,” said Siegfried. “It was really surprising how many people came out to watch when it was such a cold night – thanks to each of them.”
“I am still in shock with how this fundraiser was received as well as the totals that were obtained in the five weeks of the Frozen Tongue Challenge,” replied Matheson. “When we started talking about the event happening I told Jeff and others that asked me about it that I would be happy if this got us around $5,000 towards this dream of replacing our rural fire truck, Engine 2. So, when we flipped those signs and were close to $18,000 I was completely overwhelmed. The support was amazing. I have always been so proud of our community for the dedication to always supporting the groups that are out fundraising for different initiatives. The support for this crazy fundraiser was no different!”
Funds from the inaugural event will now be used towards the purchase of a new rural fire association truck for the Watrous Fire Department. Currently having two rural engines, Matheson said Engine 2 is the only truck designated for brush and grass fires. “It is a 1978 Dodge and has served the rural areas surrounding Watrous for over 40 years. Engine 4 is designated for structural fires and providing extra water to brush and grass fires and stationary fire suppression. Purchasing a new response vehicle is always approached with the community in mind first. We are always looking at ways to better our responses as well as our fire suppression capabilities. The replacement of this truck would help keep maintenance costs down (all parts for the current truck that need replacing have to be manufactured since it is so outdated). As well it provides safe fire suppression efforts to the firefighters.”
With the money that came in from the challenge, Matheson noted that replacing a fire truck is a lengthy process and not something that will be completed in the coming months. Estimating that it will be another year or two before the truck can be built or purchased, he said the department will also be looking at possible grant applications or other ideas in conjunction with the Watrous Rural Fire Association.
“This definitely has put us in a spot to look at more fundraisers in the future. There are already other ideas being brought forward for new fundraising initiatives for this so we will have to see what transpires with those. On behalf of the Watrous Fire Department, we are just so appreciative of everyone who donated to this fundraiser and we really appreciate Watrous Mainline Motors for challenging us. Our battery drive was also a huge success and we were able to recycle 3,300 pounds of used batteries and brought in just under $1,000 that was allocated towards the rural brush truck as well.”
Siegfried said being able to contribute towards such an integral part of the community was really important and he hopes fundraising efforts for the new rural fire unit will continue.
“It’s important for all of us to remember the importance of our protective services, and add their financial support when projects like this come along. These people are trained to respond in situations that none of us hope to ever find ourselves in. Let’s hope that they are called upon as infrequently as possible, but when they are, they are equipped to manage any situation quickly, safely and effectively.”
With his tongue healing last week, when asked if this fundraiser might be brought back again next year, “Stay tuned. I’ve approached some other individuals who are considering it.”
Not only did the idea of having a Frozen Tongue Challenge stick but it was an overwhelming success as close to $18,000 was raised for the unique fundraiser. With the temperature dipping to -25˚C and feeling more like -34˚C with the wind chill, a pair of local residents braved the elements Feb. 25 before one of them had the task of sticking his tongue to a frozen pole.
With the funds going towards the purchase of a new rural fire association response unit for the Watrous Fire Department, the first-ever Frozen Tongue Challenge pitted Deputy Fire Chief Andrew Matheson against Jeff Siegfried of Watrous Mainline Motors. After the challenge was issued by Siegfried in January, Matheson agreed and the pair were tasked with trying to raise more money than the other with the loser having to stick his tongue to a frozen pole.
A crowd gathered at Watrous Mainline Motors during the frigid Feb. 25 evening and after a few opening remarks, both Andrew and Jeff were handed folded signs with their totals on them. After unveiling the amounts, Jeff raised a total of $8,668.90 while Andrew accumulated $9,110.71, edging out his competitor by just $441.81.
Siegfried then had to hop on the back of a truck, stuck his tongue to the frozen pole and made good on the challenge.
“If you had me hooked to something that was monitoring my vital signs, they would have been off the charts,” said Jeff. “I had some concern when I was pouring the warm water on my tongue and the Thermos was getting lighter, but my tongue wasn’t budging. The pole was so cold that it was freezing the water into an ice-cube around my tongue. I was relieved when I pulled a little harder and could feel it releasing, not tearing, and I didn’t run out of water! I tried to tell any kids watching “that wasn’t very fun” and that even though I did it, it is not something that should be attempted. My tongue will be sore for a few days and I can’t imagine tearing it off as so many people have described!”
After setting an original goal of $5,000, by the final morning of the challenge, Matheson knew that they had attained over $15,000 so he was okay to stick his tongue to a frozen pole if he lost the challenge. “But Tuesday morning I was definitely happy that my tongue was not feeling like I had burnt it on hot coffee that’s for sure! And truth be told, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Jeff do it!”
After hearing of the need for a new rural fire association truck for the fire department, it was Siegfried who came up with the unique challenge, something that caught quite a few people’s attention. “When describing the challenge to people, I got quite a few cringes and lots of shock value, that’s the attention I wanted to get people talking about this fundraiser. While more and more people found out about this fundraiser, Andrew and I also did interviews with many provincial news outlets and radio talk shows and by the end of the challenge, it reached some national sources as well.”
Because of the attention locally, provincially and nationally, people certainly were talking about the Frozen Tongue Challenge and were also donating as $17,779.61 was raised.
“I was very pleased with the support from the community, what a nice way to start off a campaign for such a large capital expenditure,” said Siegfried. “It was really surprising how many people came out to watch when it was such a cold night – thanks to each of them.”
“I am still in shock with how this fundraiser was received as well as the totals that were obtained in the five weeks of the Frozen Tongue Challenge,” replied Matheson. “When we started talking about the event happening I told Jeff and others that asked me about it that I would be happy if this got us around $5,000 towards this dream of replacing our rural fire truck, Engine 2. So, when we flipped those signs and were close to $18,000 I was completely overwhelmed. The support was amazing. I have always been so proud of our community for the dedication to always supporting the groups that are out fundraising for different initiatives. The support for this crazy fundraiser was no different!”
Funds from the inaugural event will now be used towards the purchase of a new rural fire association truck for the Watrous Fire Department. Currently having two rural engines, Matheson said Engine 2 is the only truck designated for brush and grass fires. “It is a 1978 Dodge and has served the rural areas surrounding Watrous for over 40 years. Engine 4 is designated for structural fires and providing extra water to brush and grass fires and stationary fire suppression. Purchasing a new response vehicle is always approached with the community in mind first. We are always looking at ways to better our responses as well as our fire suppression capabilities. The replacement of this truck would help keep maintenance costs down (all parts for the current truck that need replacing have to be manufactured since it is so outdated). As well it provides safe fire suppression efforts to the firefighters.”
With the money that came in from the challenge, Matheson noted that replacing a fire truck is a lengthy process and not something that will be completed in the coming months. Estimating that it will be another year or two before the truck can be built or purchased, he said the department will also be looking at possible grant applications or other ideas in conjunction with the Watrous Rural Fire Association.
“This definitely has put us in a spot to look at more fundraisers in the future. There are already other ideas being brought forward for new fundraising initiatives for this so we will have to see what transpires with those. On behalf of the Watrous Fire Department, we are just so appreciative of everyone who donated to this fundraiser and we really appreciate Watrous Mainline Motors for challenging us. Our battery drive was also a huge success and we were able to recycle 3,300 pounds of used batteries and brought in just under $1,000 that was allocated towards the rural brush truck as well.”
Siegfried said being able to contribute towards such an integral part of the community was really important and he hopes fundraising efforts for the new rural fire unit will continue.
“It’s important for all of us to remember the importance of our protective services, and add their financial support when projects like this come along. These people are trained to respond in situations that none of us hope to ever find ourselves in. Let’s hope that they are called upon as infrequently as possible, but when they are, they are equipped to manage any situation quickly, safely and effectively.”
With his tongue healing last week, when asked if this fundraiser might be brought back again next year, “Stay tuned. I’ve approached some other individuals who are considering it.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 18, 2019
A look back and ahead with local communities
Daniel Bushman
With 2018 in the books and 2019 underway, local communities have been busy with a number of projects this past year and this year will be no exception. As each community begins to map out 2019 and with the announcement by the provincial government that municipal revenue sharing is set to increase for 2019-‘20, The Watrous Manitou attempted to reach out to local area communities to see how 2018 went and what could be in store for 2019.
Here are the responses TWM received by press time:
Allan - Mayor Les Alm said there were a number of items taking place in the community in 2018. One of the larger projects is the new Allan Emergency Services Centre building which is being constructed at 324 1st Ave. across from the car wash. “We are very close to our funding goal of $480,000 and are still asking the community for donations to buy one square foot for $100 and receive a taxable donation receipt. Steve Peters is our Project Manager for the construction of this new facility, which we are planning to have a grand opening in the spring of 2019.”
In addition to the emergency services centre, Alm said a reservoir upgrade project was completed in 2018 to ensure safe drinking water through the water works and reservoir for the next few decades. “This was accomplished in large part from grant money that was applied for and received.”
Streets have been earmarked as a high priority and work will be ongoing for the next foreseeable future. Alm noted road work on Maple Drive and Sylvite Crescent was completed in the fall of 2018. “This street resurfacing project is using a new chemical technology that binds the material to make a hard surface that will last for years.” In addition, pavement grinding on 2nd Ave., Princess Street and Agnes Ave. took place and this will be worked on to ensure a solid base for future street work.
Also in 2018, Alm said, “An unexpected and possibly the largest service ever held in Allan, to my memory, was in April 2018 with the memorial service for Logan Schatz. Logan grew up in Allan and was the captain of the Humboldt Broncos. The community came together like never before and I was personally deeply touched by the volunteerism, donating of time and food and the coordination that took place to safely park and transport nearly 3,000 people to and from the Communiplex for the service. The community and district love and support for Kelly and Bonnie Schatz and family was very moving and emotional for everyone involved. Thank you to everyone who contributed or was in some way involved. Kelly Schatz has built “Schatzy’s Corner” in the skating rink for kids to play in between games during tournaments. Come and see it.”
Looking at 2019, Alm said some of the community’s future plans include: ongoing street and sidewalk repair with much of the work weather dependent; and upgrades to the water distribution and waste water collection (sewer) systems during power outages to avoid water advisories. “We plan on installing a fully automated emergency standby pump for our water and standby generators for our sewer lift stations so that during power outages residents will still be able to have water and flush toilets.”
Alm said there is also an economic development strategy to attract more residents and houses as well as new businesses to town.
“When young families move to the community, they want a school for their children and recreational activities to keep them busy and involved. Recreation is a large and important aspect of Allan and the extended community. I am pleased to announce that in the spring of 2019, town owned land directly east of Allan will be farmed as part of the Agricultural Fundraising Project for recreational investment through our Parks and Recreation Board. This will take a great deal of planning, volunteering and coordination to be successful. Many small communities have been actively participating in these types of projects for years with great benefits for recreation in the community.”
Colonsay - The community had a few projects on the go during the 2018 fiscal year and there are a few items already on the agenda for 2019. Maureen Moen with the Town of Colonsay said in 2018 several of the community’s streets were upgraded with a seal coating. A second notable project that occurred included the installation of an electric fire pump which acts as a water supply back up in the event of a fire in town.
In addition, Moen said, “A major fundraiser headed by the Colonsay Recreation Board was the Shier Land Project. This fundraiser was made possible through a generous donation by Herb Shier. Herb donated the use of a quarter section piece of his land to produce a canola crop in the 2018 crop year. Several volunteers and local businesses were involved in this undertaking resulting in over $60,000 being raised for the Colonsay Recreation Board.”
Moving into 2019, budget meetings will be held in the near future and capital projects will be determined at that time. Moen said another item of interest for 2019 is the Colonsay Swimming Pool’s 50th anniversary. “The Colonsay Swimming Pool will be celebrating 50 years since the establishment of the local pool. Plans are in the works to recognize and celebrate this milestone.”
Drake - Mayor Peter Nicholson said in 2018 the Village of Drake saw the completion of its new lagoon cell project in late summer and the village managed to dredge its old cell once freeze up happened and equipment could be brought in. “We also had engineers complete a study on our potable water system going forward and we are in the process of studying the final report we received in late fall.”
Looking at 2019, Nicholson said, “We will be beginning the construction of a new well that will act as a back up to our existing well ensuring we will always have a good source of water.”
Guernsey - With Guernsey dissolving into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, RM administrator Anna Rintoul said the biggest item of note in 2018 was the completion of the Guernsey water treatment plant which was finished in March. “This consisted of drilling wells and installing a Reverse Osmosis plant, which we completed under the CWWF/PTIC grant program.”
Imperial - Mayor Ted Abrey said 2018 saw the Town of Imperial enjoying the use of its newly acquired backhoe to assist in maintenance and snow removal. “We replaced sidewalks that were in need, and did rubber topping sidewalk repairs in other spots.” Sealing of cracks in the pavement on the town access road was also completed and sand sealant was applied on various blocks as an ongoing yearly project within the town.
Abrey noted a new administrator was hired to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of the town’s previous one. Renovations were also completed to the town office and painting was done in the Community Centre. In addition the mayor said upgrades were done to the artificial ice plant in Imperial’s community rink this past fall and skating, hockey and curling are now in full swing.
“The town also has a continuous program of tree pruning during the colder months, and each year new trees are planted to replace aging and deteriorating ones. Stone planters on our sidewalks are planted and maintained each year to beautify our main street.”
With the budgeting process starting in February, Abrey said new projects are to be decided at that time. However, he added, “We do know that four new channels will be added to our community-owned cable system, and further upgrades will be done. Negotiations are in the works for MAVTV to be added as well, which will broadcast worldwide auto racing.”
Also for 2019, Abrey said work is slated to commence in the coming months to renovate the former doctor’s residence to add a suite in the basement dedicated to housing the community’s visiting ambulance attendants who currently occupy the main floor. New signage to advertise the four churches located in Imperial has been constructed and will be erected when the ground thaws in the spring.
“Council continues to strive to keep Imperial looking forward to the future, while still appreciating the rich heritage of our community. We appreciate the efforts of our residents in beautifying our town, making it a pleasure to drive into and a pleasure to live in.”
Manitou Beach - Mayor Gerry Worobec said the resort village had a busy 2018 and in 2019 is looking forward to commemorating the 100th anniversary of being incorporated as a resort community.
In 2018, Worobec said they had a number of items on the docket including upgrades and the replacement of two of the three lift stations. They also did wiring for nine pumping stations to handle water on the relatively dry side of the berm.
“We have the stations all wired up and there is power poles by each one with panels. When the spring runoff comes, there will be these good sized electric pumps that will go into eight foot deep sump holes and they will hopefully manage the runoff and pump it into the lake.”
The resort village also upgraded its street lighting and did further development on the beaches while improving signage. Another area the village looked at was the sewer and water billing and the elimination of water minimums. “We changed it to a basic fee for sewer and water plus actual utilization based on bi-monthly readings of water use.”
Other areas that saw improvements were at the Jubilee Drive-In with a new digital projector, development at the skating pond, and community hall improvements with the addition of a screened deck area and two wheelchair accessible bathrooms. The resort community also completely redid the outside of the hall and made some improvements on a number of chainsaw carvings around the beach. Worobec noted the local convenience store across from Relics also did some renovations.
“In addition we have developed a working relationship with local First Nations and have been spending a lot of time with them and working towards a few things.”
Moving into 2019 and with this year being Manitou Beach’s centennial and the bi-annual chainsaw carving competition, Worobec said they will officially be marking the 100th birthday with a picnic and dignitaries and speeches will take place on the final day of the chainsaw carving competition. Other events have also been scheduled throughout the year as Manitou Beach commemorates its centennial.
Simpson - Mayor Jeremy Nimchuk noted there were quite a few things that took place in 2018 and also already in 2019. “The roof on the rink surface had two rafters bust in summer of 2017 so we decided in 2018 to raise money to repair it between the town and the rink board. We have done multiple fundraisers to start our efforts in repairing.”
In the meantime, with no rink to use, a few members of the town decided to build an outdoor rink for the community to use this winter.
Leading up to the holidays, Nimchuk said a family fun day was held Dec. 23 with family skating, a hay ride and twinkle tour followed by hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.
Earlier last year, Nimchuk said throughout the summer crews were busy cutting down dead trees, cleaning up bushes and making the cemetery look nice.
The Simpson Volunteer Fire Team has also been busy and is in full swing with monthly meetings and training while upgrading the community’s fire equipment.
Nimchuk said another significant item that occurred was the closure of the grocery store in town. “The Simpson Co-op board decided to close our grocery store as of Jan. 31 and they will be stocking a few food items at our Co-op gas station.”
With the calendar flipped to 2019, Nimchuk said the Hockey Bags held their annual cabaret in Simpson on Jan. 16, with all proceeds going to the rink. “They had a fantastic turnout!”
The mayor noted the community is planning to continue with its fundraising efforts for the rink starting with a comedy night featuring Lee Bells with a cabaret to follow. Nimchuk said more details will be coming out in the future.
Along with the fundraisers for the rink, Nimchuk said the Simpson Homemakers are in the process of starting to plan their semi-annual ladies night out.
Viscount - Mayor of Viscount Moe Kirzinger said there were a few notable events that took place in the community in 2018 including work at the bowling alley and opening a brand new park. As many residents enjoyed the new upgrades at the bowling alley, in the summer, Koller Park was opened. Kirzinger said the new area was named after a local resident who has volunteered for a number of decades. The new park at Viscount includes benches, things for kids to do and a shelter. In addition to the bowling alley upgrades and park unveiling, Kirzinger said, “We had our big street dance and ball tournament again in August.”
From an improvement standpoint, the mayor said they got rid of a couple old buildings on main street and those commercial lots are now up for sale.
As for 2019, Kirzinger noted a bylaw officer will be brought in to help beautify the community, similar to what some other communities like Watrous have been doing. After the closure of St. Alphonse school a few years ago, Kirzinger said the Catholic School Board decided to give the building back to the community and a purchaser was found for it. Currently the building is being transformed into a four-plex and there are a few suites already leased out.
In addition, one highlight that residents and visitors can look forward to in 2019 is the 30th anniversary of the street dance in the community Aug. 10.
“We usually get up to 800 people and we have a ball tournament that is pretty well attended. It has been a good fundraiser over the years. We set up a stage and block the street off.”
Watrous - There were a number of items and projects focused on in 2018 with more on the docket for 2019. Watrous Mayor Ed Collins highlighted a few areas of note, one of which included the Watrous Volunteer Fire Department. “The Town replaced all SCBA equipment and tanks which cost about $60,000 and was shared 50/50 with the Watrous Rural Fire Protection Association.”
The Town of Watrous also developed a columbarium area at the cemetery which included benches, landscaping, and a parking area. With assistance from the Do Gooders, a water feature was also installed and the total overall work done on cemetery upgrades by the town cost around $30,000.
With regards to transportation and streets, Collins said they added a bucket truck to the fleet and upgraded the skid steer. One of the larger projects undertaken involved the construction of a service road, lift station and access to the town’s industrial lots next to Home Hardware. “We are anticipating that project will be completed in 2019.”
Collins also noted the Watrous Centennial Arena received a chiller replacement worth around $80,000 and a new ice resurfacer Zamboni which was partially funded through donations by local area businesses.
At the Watrous Sportsgrounds, Collins said the town was approached by Watrous Minor Ball and Winston High School’s football program about a joint project which would see a facility built to house concessions, washrooms and storage. Some of the work was already completed in 2018 and it is expected to finish in 2019.
With substantial water and sewer projects taking place over the last few years including the addition of a reverse osmosis water system, Collins said they were able to complete work on the lagoon expansion and aeration project that started in the fall of 2016. “We also completed water and sewer mains and sewage lift station servicing to the town’s industrial lots located next to Home Hardware, Manitou Mainline Chrysler and other future commercial/industrial land. We have also began the process of adding another well site (well #7). Hydrogeological work and the well were drilled in 2018. The pipeline and pumphouse/mechanical will be phased over 2019 and 2020.”
Along with some of those projects running into 2019, Collins said they have other items under consideration as they begin budget deliberations. Some of those areas include: continuing with improvements and upgrades at the cemetery; completing construction of the service road and access to the town’s industrial lots by Home Hardware. Continuing with street rebuilds on some of the side streets where bad frost boils occur in the spring; working on the rest area/Via Rail shelter at end of Main Street; conducting fire hydrant replacements and water main valve replacements in strategic areas; and potentially doing an engineering review which would focus discussion around sanitary sewer capacity and flood mitigation measures.
Young - Mayor of Young Julia Schultz said there were some highlights for the community in 2018 and more are ahead for 2019. “In 2018 we hired a new CAO Lyle Hannan. We also improved our office hours to suit the community better. We have done much needed repairs on sidewalks and roads. Also the Young Swimming Pool has undergone a huge renovation in the summer.”
Moving to 2019, Schultz said the community is having winter rink suppers twice a month. In addition, the mayor said, “We are renovating the village office and continuing repairs on sidewalks and roads. We upgraded our second fire truck and we are also very excited that our newly renovated swimming pool will be open this summer and it includes a water slide.”
Daniel Bushman
With 2018 in the books and 2019 underway, local communities have been busy with a number of projects this past year and this year will be no exception. As each community begins to map out 2019 and with the announcement by the provincial government that municipal revenue sharing is set to increase for 2019-‘20, The Watrous Manitou attempted to reach out to local area communities to see how 2018 went and what could be in store for 2019.
Here are the responses TWM received by press time:
Allan - Mayor Les Alm said there were a number of items taking place in the community in 2018. One of the larger projects is the new Allan Emergency Services Centre building which is being constructed at 324 1st Ave. across from the car wash. “We are very close to our funding goal of $480,000 and are still asking the community for donations to buy one square foot for $100 and receive a taxable donation receipt. Steve Peters is our Project Manager for the construction of this new facility, which we are planning to have a grand opening in the spring of 2019.”
In addition to the emergency services centre, Alm said a reservoir upgrade project was completed in 2018 to ensure safe drinking water through the water works and reservoir for the next few decades. “This was accomplished in large part from grant money that was applied for and received.”
Streets have been earmarked as a high priority and work will be ongoing for the next foreseeable future. Alm noted road work on Maple Drive and Sylvite Crescent was completed in the fall of 2018. “This street resurfacing project is using a new chemical technology that binds the material to make a hard surface that will last for years.” In addition, pavement grinding on 2nd Ave., Princess Street and Agnes Ave. took place and this will be worked on to ensure a solid base for future street work.
Also in 2018, Alm said, “An unexpected and possibly the largest service ever held in Allan, to my memory, was in April 2018 with the memorial service for Logan Schatz. Logan grew up in Allan and was the captain of the Humboldt Broncos. The community came together like never before and I was personally deeply touched by the volunteerism, donating of time and food and the coordination that took place to safely park and transport nearly 3,000 people to and from the Communiplex for the service. The community and district love and support for Kelly and Bonnie Schatz and family was very moving and emotional for everyone involved. Thank you to everyone who contributed or was in some way involved. Kelly Schatz has built “Schatzy’s Corner” in the skating rink for kids to play in between games during tournaments. Come and see it.”
Looking at 2019, Alm said some of the community’s future plans include: ongoing street and sidewalk repair with much of the work weather dependent; and upgrades to the water distribution and waste water collection (sewer) systems during power outages to avoid water advisories. “We plan on installing a fully automated emergency standby pump for our water and standby generators for our sewer lift stations so that during power outages residents will still be able to have water and flush toilets.”
Alm said there is also an economic development strategy to attract more residents and houses as well as new businesses to town.
“When young families move to the community, they want a school for their children and recreational activities to keep them busy and involved. Recreation is a large and important aspect of Allan and the extended community. I am pleased to announce that in the spring of 2019, town owned land directly east of Allan will be farmed as part of the Agricultural Fundraising Project for recreational investment through our Parks and Recreation Board. This will take a great deal of planning, volunteering and coordination to be successful. Many small communities have been actively participating in these types of projects for years with great benefits for recreation in the community.”
Colonsay - The community had a few projects on the go during the 2018 fiscal year and there are a few items already on the agenda for 2019. Maureen Moen with the Town of Colonsay said in 2018 several of the community’s streets were upgraded with a seal coating. A second notable project that occurred included the installation of an electric fire pump which acts as a water supply back up in the event of a fire in town.
In addition, Moen said, “A major fundraiser headed by the Colonsay Recreation Board was the Shier Land Project. This fundraiser was made possible through a generous donation by Herb Shier. Herb donated the use of a quarter section piece of his land to produce a canola crop in the 2018 crop year. Several volunteers and local businesses were involved in this undertaking resulting in over $60,000 being raised for the Colonsay Recreation Board.”
Moving into 2019, budget meetings will be held in the near future and capital projects will be determined at that time. Moen said another item of interest for 2019 is the Colonsay Swimming Pool’s 50th anniversary. “The Colonsay Swimming Pool will be celebrating 50 years since the establishment of the local pool. Plans are in the works to recognize and celebrate this milestone.”
Drake - Mayor Peter Nicholson said in 2018 the Village of Drake saw the completion of its new lagoon cell project in late summer and the village managed to dredge its old cell once freeze up happened and equipment could be brought in. “We also had engineers complete a study on our potable water system going forward and we are in the process of studying the final report we received in late fall.”
Looking at 2019, Nicholson said, “We will be beginning the construction of a new well that will act as a back up to our existing well ensuring we will always have a good source of water.”
Guernsey - With Guernsey dissolving into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, RM administrator Anna Rintoul said the biggest item of note in 2018 was the completion of the Guernsey water treatment plant which was finished in March. “This consisted of drilling wells and installing a Reverse Osmosis plant, which we completed under the CWWF/PTIC grant program.”
Imperial - Mayor Ted Abrey said 2018 saw the Town of Imperial enjoying the use of its newly acquired backhoe to assist in maintenance and snow removal. “We replaced sidewalks that were in need, and did rubber topping sidewalk repairs in other spots.” Sealing of cracks in the pavement on the town access road was also completed and sand sealant was applied on various blocks as an ongoing yearly project within the town.
Abrey noted a new administrator was hired to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of the town’s previous one. Renovations were also completed to the town office and painting was done in the Community Centre. In addition the mayor said upgrades were done to the artificial ice plant in Imperial’s community rink this past fall and skating, hockey and curling are now in full swing.
“The town also has a continuous program of tree pruning during the colder months, and each year new trees are planted to replace aging and deteriorating ones. Stone planters on our sidewalks are planted and maintained each year to beautify our main street.”
With the budgeting process starting in February, Abrey said new projects are to be decided at that time. However, he added, “We do know that four new channels will be added to our community-owned cable system, and further upgrades will be done. Negotiations are in the works for MAVTV to be added as well, which will broadcast worldwide auto racing.”
Also for 2019, Abrey said work is slated to commence in the coming months to renovate the former doctor’s residence to add a suite in the basement dedicated to housing the community’s visiting ambulance attendants who currently occupy the main floor. New signage to advertise the four churches located in Imperial has been constructed and will be erected when the ground thaws in the spring.
“Council continues to strive to keep Imperial looking forward to the future, while still appreciating the rich heritage of our community. We appreciate the efforts of our residents in beautifying our town, making it a pleasure to drive into and a pleasure to live in.”
Manitou Beach - Mayor Gerry Worobec said the resort village had a busy 2018 and in 2019 is looking forward to commemorating the 100th anniversary of being incorporated as a resort community.
In 2018, Worobec said they had a number of items on the docket including upgrades and the replacement of two of the three lift stations. They also did wiring for nine pumping stations to handle water on the relatively dry side of the berm.
“We have the stations all wired up and there is power poles by each one with panels. When the spring runoff comes, there will be these good sized electric pumps that will go into eight foot deep sump holes and they will hopefully manage the runoff and pump it into the lake.”
The resort village also upgraded its street lighting and did further development on the beaches while improving signage. Another area the village looked at was the sewer and water billing and the elimination of water minimums. “We changed it to a basic fee for sewer and water plus actual utilization based on bi-monthly readings of water use.”
Other areas that saw improvements were at the Jubilee Drive-In with a new digital projector, development at the skating pond, and community hall improvements with the addition of a screened deck area and two wheelchair accessible bathrooms. The resort community also completely redid the outside of the hall and made some improvements on a number of chainsaw carvings around the beach. Worobec noted the local convenience store across from Relics also did some renovations.
“In addition we have developed a working relationship with local First Nations and have been spending a lot of time with them and working towards a few things.”
Moving into 2019 and with this year being Manitou Beach’s centennial and the bi-annual chainsaw carving competition, Worobec said they will officially be marking the 100th birthday with a picnic and dignitaries and speeches will take place on the final day of the chainsaw carving competition. Other events have also been scheduled throughout the year as Manitou Beach commemorates its centennial.
Simpson - Mayor Jeremy Nimchuk noted there were quite a few things that took place in 2018 and also already in 2019. “The roof on the rink surface had two rafters bust in summer of 2017 so we decided in 2018 to raise money to repair it between the town and the rink board. We have done multiple fundraisers to start our efforts in repairing.”
In the meantime, with no rink to use, a few members of the town decided to build an outdoor rink for the community to use this winter.
Leading up to the holidays, Nimchuk said a family fun day was held Dec. 23 with family skating, a hay ride and twinkle tour followed by hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.
Earlier last year, Nimchuk said throughout the summer crews were busy cutting down dead trees, cleaning up bushes and making the cemetery look nice.
The Simpson Volunteer Fire Team has also been busy and is in full swing with monthly meetings and training while upgrading the community’s fire equipment.
Nimchuk said another significant item that occurred was the closure of the grocery store in town. “The Simpson Co-op board decided to close our grocery store as of Jan. 31 and they will be stocking a few food items at our Co-op gas station.”
With the calendar flipped to 2019, Nimchuk said the Hockey Bags held their annual cabaret in Simpson on Jan. 16, with all proceeds going to the rink. “They had a fantastic turnout!”
The mayor noted the community is planning to continue with its fundraising efforts for the rink starting with a comedy night featuring Lee Bells with a cabaret to follow. Nimchuk said more details will be coming out in the future.
Along with the fundraisers for the rink, Nimchuk said the Simpson Homemakers are in the process of starting to plan their semi-annual ladies night out.
Viscount - Mayor of Viscount Moe Kirzinger said there were a few notable events that took place in the community in 2018 including work at the bowling alley and opening a brand new park. As many residents enjoyed the new upgrades at the bowling alley, in the summer, Koller Park was opened. Kirzinger said the new area was named after a local resident who has volunteered for a number of decades. The new park at Viscount includes benches, things for kids to do and a shelter. In addition to the bowling alley upgrades and park unveiling, Kirzinger said, “We had our big street dance and ball tournament again in August.”
From an improvement standpoint, the mayor said they got rid of a couple old buildings on main street and those commercial lots are now up for sale.
As for 2019, Kirzinger noted a bylaw officer will be brought in to help beautify the community, similar to what some other communities like Watrous have been doing. After the closure of St. Alphonse school a few years ago, Kirzinger said the Catholic School Board decided to give the building back to the community and a purchaser was found for it. Currently the building is being transformed into a four-plex and there are a few suites already leased out.
In addition, one highlight that residents and visitors can look forward to in 2019 is the 30th anniversary of the street dance in the community Aug. 10.
“We usually get up to 800 people and we have a ball tournament that is pretty well attended. It has been a good fundraiser over the years. We set up a stage and block the street off.”
Watrous - There were a number of items and projects focused on in 2018 with more on the docket for 2019. Watrous Mayor Ed Collins highlighted a few areas of note, one of which included the Watrous Volunteer Fire Department. “The Town replaced all SCBA equipment and tanks which cost about $60,000 and was shared 50/50 with the Watrous Rural Fire Protection Association.”
The Town of Watrous also developed a columbarium area at the cemetery which included benches, landscaping, and a parking area. With assistance from the Do Gooders, a water feature was also installed and the total overall work done on cemetery upgrades by the town cost around $30,000.
With regards to transportation and streets, Collins said they added a bucket truck to the fleet and upgraded the skid steer. One of the larger projects undertaken involved the construction of a service road, lift station and access to the town’s industrial lots next to Home Hardware. “We are anticipating that project will be completed in 2019.”
Collins also noted the Watrous Centennial Arena received a chiller replacement worth around $80,000 and a new ice resurfacer Zamboni which was partially funded through donations by local area businesses.
At the Watrous Sportsgrounds, Collins said the town was approached by Watrous Minor Ball and Winston High School’s football program about a joint project which would see a facility built to house concessions, washrooms and storage. Some of the work was already completed in 2018 and it is expected to finish in 2019.
With substantial water and sewer projects taking place over the last few years including the addition of a reverse osmosis water system, Collins said they were able to complete work on the lagoon expansion and aeration project that started in the fall of 2016. “We also completed water and sewer mains and sewage lift station servicing to the town’s industrial lots located next to Home Hardware, Manitou Mainline Chrysler and other future commercial/industrial land. We have also began the process of adding another well site (well #7). Hydrogeological work and the well were drilled in 2018. The pipeline and pumphouse/mechanical will be phased over 2019 and 2020.”
Along with some of those projects running into 2019, Collins said they have other items under consideration as they begin budget deliberations. Some of those areas include: continuing with improvements and upgrades at the cemetery; completing construction of the service road and access to the town’s industrial lots by Home Hardware. Continuing with street rebuilds on some of the side streets where bad frost boils occur in the spring; working on the rest area/Via Rail shelter at end of Main Street; conducting fire hydrant replacements and water main valve replacements in strategic areas; and potentially doing an engineering review which would focus discussion around sanitary sewer capacity and flood mitigation measures.
Young - Mayor of Young Julia Schultz said there were some highlights for the community in 2018 and more are ahead for 2019. “In 2018 we hired a new CAO Lyle Hannan. We also improved our office hours to suit the community better. We have done much needed repairs on sidewalks and roads. Also the Young Swimming Pool has undergone a huge renovation in the summer.”
Moving to 2019, Schultz said the community is having winter rink suppers twice a month. In addition, the mayor said, “We are renovating the village office and continuing repairs on sidewalks and roads. We upgraded our second fire truck and we are also very excited that our newly renovated swimming pool will be open this summer and it includes a water slide.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 11, 2019
Simpson Co-op grocery store closes
Daniel Bushman
After serving residents of Simpson and the surrounding area for decades, the Simpson Co-op’s grocery store has closed its doors. With a manager and two part time staff operating the store, the building provided residents a place to purchase groceries but with costs continuing to rise and a decline in traffic, the place closed Jan. 31.
Dennis Vanthuyne with the Simpson Co-op said the decision was made to shut down the grocery part of the Co-op as costs continued to go up. “With the coolers and freezers running, the power bills and other costs continually going up, the grocery store was not feasible any longer. There were not enough people shopping there any more so the fuel portion of the Simpson Co-op was subsidizing the grocery department. So the decision was made to close the store so the Co-op could offer more equity through the fuel portion.”
Vanthuyne said a public meeting was held prior to the Jan. 31 closure and ultimately with the lack of traffic to the business, it was decided to shut it down.
With that decision to close the grocery store, Vanthuyne who works at the Simpson Co-op gas station said they will be selling some items at the gas station that were offered at the grocery store.
According to the Simpson history book, Down Memory Lane, it was back in the 1940s when the Simpson Co-op first expanded into groceries and hardware. The Simpson Co-operative Association decided to purchase the R.H. Mills’ store June 30, 1944 and the grocery aspect would last for almost 75 years.
However, on Sept. 21, 1958 the Co-op was badly damaged by a fire. Because of the destruction that it caused, a new store was constructed on the site with volunteer labour and officially opened Feb. 19, 1959.
Ralph Moore who was on the Co-op board for a few years until April 1975 was one of the people that helped to build the grocery store back up. Moore said the south portion was badly damaged and was replaced with a new one through the winter months. Living 12 miles from town, Moore came in and was one of the volunteers that lent a hand to rebuild the place.
“We had one head carpenter and then volunteers from the district worked on it,” he said.
At one time in the community, Moore said there were three grocery stores but as the years went on, in 1982, the Co-op became the only one left after the closure of R & S Shop-Rite. The Co-op then expanded its floor space and storage area and in 1985 the store front was given a face lift.
“It served the people in Simpson and the area and it is too bad the store is closed now.”
As for the Simpson Co-op itself, according to the Simpson history book, in 1938 when times were dire in the agriculture world, a small group of pioneer farmers got together and started to search for ways to improve their economic lot by working together. From those gatherings a decision was made and the Simpson Co-op was established.
The organizational meeting was held Mar. 30, 1938 in the local municipal office and the provisional board included Roy Cole, John Pieper, A.R. McGregor, R.G. Quennell, Wallace McDonald, Richard Clark, David Freeman and W.H. Drake. The first secretary was Sam Orr and the first president was Roy McGregor.
The history book notes the Simpson Co-operative Association was incorporated Apr. 11, 1938 and coal, wood, oil, grease and twine were handled from the Pool office. Sam Orr, who was the Pool agent also acted as manager. Then in 1941, oil shed and barrel service was started.
A few years later, in 1943, George Carr began managing the bulk stations, handling fuel, oil, grease, flour, salt, chicken and hog feed. After a series of managers, Mr. Cragg was asked to manage the store and he did until 1953. Other managers over the years included Martin Wagman, Charles Spencer, Corky Birt, Pius Nagy, Maurice Tomarat, Alvin Hausauer, T.H. (Finnie) Hjorleifson, Ken Gillespie, Vern Triol, Harvey Choquette, Bill Twist, Glenn Crawford, Randy Miller and Dennis Vanthuyne.
In 1957, tank and metre service was installed. Operators of the fuel truck over some of the years were Thomas Harper, James Taylor, Robert Robinson, Ralph Moore, Victor Gullacher, Oscar Swanson and Dennis Vanthuyne.
In 1963 the Co-op celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special program and on Apr. 11, 1978, the Simpson Co-operative Association held its 40th annual meeting.
Daniel Bushman
After serving residents of Simpson and the surrounding area for decades, the Simpson Co-op’s grocery store has closed its doors. With a manager and two part time staff operating the store, the building provided residents a place to purchase groceries but with costs continuing to rise and a decline in traffic, the place closed Jan. 31.
Dennis Vanthuyne with the Simpson Co-op said the decision was made to shut down the grocery part of the Co-op as costs continued to go up. “With the coolers and freezers running, the power bills and other costs continually going up, the grocery store was not feasible any longer. There were not enough people shopping there any more so the fuel portion of the Simpson Co-op was subsidizing the grocery department. So the decision was made to close the store so the Co-op could offer more equity through the fuel portion.”
Vanthuyne said a public meeting was held prior to the Jan. 31 closure and ultimately with the lack of traffic to the business, it was decided to shut it down.
With that decision to close the grocery store, Vanthuyne who works at the Simpson Co-op gas station said they will be selling some items at the gas station that were offered at the grocery store.
According to the Simpson history book, Down Memory Lane, it was back in the 1940s when the Simpson Co-op first expanded into groceries and hardware. The Simpson Co-operative Association decided to purchase the R.H. Mills’ store June 30, 1944 and the grocery aspect would last for almost 75 years.
However, on Sept. 21, 1958 the Co-op was badly damaged by a fire. Because of the destruction that it caused, a new store was constructed on the site with volunteer labour and officially opened Feb. 19, 1959.
Ralph Moore who was on the Co-op board for a few years until April 1975 was one of the people that helped to build the grocery store back up. Moore said the south portion was badly damaged and was replaced with a new one through the winter months. Living 12 miles from town, Moore came in and was one of the volunteers that lent a hand to rebuild the place.
“We had one head carpenter and then volunteers from the district worked on it,” he said.
At one time in the community, Moore said there were three grocery stores but as the years went on, in 1982, the Co-op became the only one left after the closure of R & S Shop-Rite. The Co-op then expanded its floor space and storage area and in 1985 the store front was given a face lift.
“It served the people in Simpson and the area and it is too bad the store is closed now.”
As for the Simpson Co-op itself, according to the Simpson history book, in 1938 when times were dire in the agriculture world, a small group of pioneer farmers got together and started to search for ways to improve their economic lot by working together. From those gatherings a decision was made and the Simpson Co-op was established.
The organizational meeting was held Mar. 30, 1938 in the local municipal office and the provisional board included Roy Cole, John Pieper, A.R. McGregor, R.G. Quennell, Wallace McDonald, Richard Clark, David Freeman and W.H. Drake. The first secretary was Sam Orr and the first president was Roy McGregor.
The history book notes the Simpson Co-operative Association was incorporated Apr. 11, 1938 and coal, wood, oil, grease and twine were handled from the Pool office. Sam Orr, who was the Pool agent also acted as manager. Then in 1941, oil shed and barrel service was started.
A few years later, in 1943, George Carr began managing the bulk stations, handling fuel, oil, grease, flour, salt, chicken and hog feed. After a series of managers, Mr. Cragg was asked to manage the store and he did until 1953. Other managers over the years included Martin Wagman, Charles Spencer, Corky Birt, Pius Nagy, Maurice Tomarat, Alvin Hausauer, T.H. (Finnie) Hjorleifson, Ken Gillespie, Vern Triol, Harvey Choquette, Bill Twist, Glenn Crawford, Randy Miller and Dennis Vanthuyne.
In 1957, tank and metre service was installed. Operators of the fuel truck over some of the years were Thomas Harper, James Taylor, Robert Robinson, Ralph Moore, Victor Gullacher, Oscar Swanson and Dennis Vanthuyne.
In 1963 the Co-op celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special program and on Apr. 11, 1978, the Simpson Co-operative Association held its 40th annual meeting.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 4, 2019
Local company welds together lasting legacy
Daniel Bushman
Innovation, hard work and top quality were represented for more than six decades as Bergen Industries not only grew from a tiny company just outside the community of Drake but it became well-known both nationally and internationally. With thousands of agricultural implements and trailers built by Bergen Industries over its 68 years in business, each product was uniquely created to last. While the company closed its doors in April of 2017, the legacy of the Bergen brand and the work that went into creating it still remains.
First launched by Peter Bergen in 1949, the company went from a tiny blacksmith shop on Bergen’s homestead one mile east of Drake to eventually relocating to a much larger home just off Hwy. 20. Designing, manufacturing and selling short-line agricultural equipment, livestock and utility trailers along with some components for oil industry drilling rigs, Bergen Industries not only became well-known throughout the immediate area and Western Canada but in other parts of the world.
Born in 1929, the founder of Bergen Industries, Peter Bergen, spent his younger years on the family farm just outside of Drake. It was there that he was able to learn about hard work, dedication and how to make things run. With a curiosity for welding, he enrolled in a three month course at the University of Saskatchewan and studied about refining his craft. “I came back home after the course and said to my dad, ‘I need some money to buy a welder.’”
With knowledge of how to weld from his time at university and a welder to call his own, Peter then began implementing his manufacturing career, one that would last for decades. “I had a few guys helping me out in that first year at the farm in our blacksmith shop and it just grew from there.”
During a time when the need for horses to do the bulk of farm work was decreasing but roads had to be cleared in the winter for vehicles, Peter not only designed but also manufactured a V-type snowplow. The unit had a wing span of 7’6”, a hydraulic lift, and chains that came all complete and ready to hitch up to any standard tractor. Weighing about 800 pounds and with a price tag back then of only $275, the plow was scooped up by local farmers. It was not long after the success of his V-type snowplow that Bergen added a rotary snowplow and bale bunchers to his list of products. At $660, the rotary snowplow had a width cut of 6’6”, a fan size of six blades, 40 inches and a removable double auger. With replaceable sprockets, a hydraulic lift and weighing 1,075 pounds, farmers were able to utilize the dynamic design to plow snow.
Along with creating his snowplows, Bergen also did repair work and demand grew for his services and more space was needed. In 1961, the first shop was constructed at the farm measuring 14’ x 20’ and plows continued to move off the assembly line. Known as Bergen Manufacturing at that time, in addition to the new shop, the first 10.75 inch grain auger was invented. Looking to use it for his own farm and for a few neighbours, it was not long until word of the new auger spread. Pretty soon an order for 50 of them arrived from A.A. Neuman who was based just up the road at Esk.
Loading up to 100 bushels per minute capacity in wheat, the auger ran directly off the tractor’s P.T.O. shaft and with used tires and new tubes, Neuman sold them for $850.
“That happened the first year after I built them,” said Peter. “Having that order come in sure helped to get things off the ground.”
After a 24’ x 30’ Quonset was built to keep up with demand and space and with three or four employees now creating augers, demand continued to skyrocket. Bergen and his staff which included the likes of Merl Krehbiel and Jake Bergen relocated once more. Building a shop spanning 30’ x 50’ and a new home for his family on the outskirts of Drake, Peter filled the shop with augers, getting his gears and chains from Saskatoon and hauling metal from the city by using a farm truck. He also redesigned his 10.75 inch grain auger to include a drop box and eliminated the drive shaft at the top end of the auger. Bergen Manufacturing also implemented another product during the mid-1960s, seed drill transports.
“We built our augers in that new shop and we painted them there but they were too big to fit in the shop so we had to stick the one side out the window. We built so many of those augers and I remember we would paint them and pull them outside in the middle of winter and as soon as we did, the paint froze on and it stayed on there forever. We painted augers red and orange for Canadian Cooperative Implements Limited who we sold augers to for years. I still see the odd one around.”
Then from 1967-70, Bergen Manufacturing began growing its transport line and started producing two wheel swather transports, upgraded their seed drill transports to hydraulic lifts and remodelled their swather transports to four wheel units.
Not long after those advancements, a new 4,000 square foot shop began taking shape in Drake and boat trailers arrived on the production line. “We had been mostly doing drill transports, swather transports, grain augers and had gotten out of snowplows so we thought we would add trailers to our product line.”
Through the early 1970s, as was the case with his previous products, demand for trailers grew reaching 700 per year. With upwards of 15 staff including the Hawkes boys from Watrous (Rick, Dave and Lee), Bergen said they continued to weld and create their well-known products. “At one time we were doing about eight augers per day and then upwards of 500 per year. While we sold to a lot of places in Western Canada, we also had around 150 dealers in the United States, mostly in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and into Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas. Big Bud Tractors out of Montana was our biggest dealer, taking 20 augers at a time. We would deliver them ourselves.”
Building a few thousand augers out of their building along with trailers and other implements, Bergen added 2,100 square feet to the plant and in 1977, invented the Bergen 16 inch grain auger, the world’s largest. Then a year later he invented the first hydraulic swing auger and began production of 16 inch swing augers. Bergen Manufacturing also introduced the direct drive swing auger as the early 1980s arrived and invented the heavy harrow bar, featuring half-inch tynes.
Needing more space yet again, Peter mapped out plans for a major expansion and in 1982, cement was poured for a new 25,000 square foot facility on the east side of Hwy. 20 at Drake. “That allowed us to build more trailers and instead of creating just boat trailers we began building livestock trailers as well.”
With the new building opening in 1983, it included a restaurant, office space and a large area for production. The relocation also meant Bergen Manufacturing came to an end and the name Bergen Industries was born. Over the next six years, more products were designed like the rock digger, large post pounder and hydraulic elk squeeze and demand for the local company’s products continued.
Ed Bergen, who is the son of Peter and previous manager/president of the company said, “It seemed when grain prices were up, we were selling more augers because cattle prices were down but then when cattle prices increased we were selling more livestock trailers and not as many augers.”
While augers, trailers and other implements were being sent out the door to customers, food was also being cooked up in the restaurant. Ran by Darlene Lozinski, Bergen said having the restaurant in the main building was a nice bonus for the staff to use during their busy weeks and it also brought in farmers, truckers and those looking for a cup of coffee or a delicious piece of pie.
“The restaurant was really nice to have in the building because you could grab a bite to eat and were close by if you needed to take a phone call or a salesman would pop by,” said Ed.
With the business entering its 40th year of existence, in 1989 Peter decided it was time to retire. While he retired, the creator of the company stayed close by to check out the operations and visit with his past customers and staff. Taking on the company after he retired were his children, who over the years learned the intricacies of how things operated. Ed became the president and the company continued to push forward.
“We responded to the needs of the markets that we served and succeeded in developing the kinds of products that Dad envisioned. They were sturdy large pieces that would wear well over time and cut production times on the field. If anything, we were known for over-building our products.”
Along with Ed, his brother Al who was the production manager began to add to Bergen Industries with new and innovative technology. In the early 1990s, a self-levelling heavy harrow was introduced and the company added down draft paint rooms and a new finishing room. They also introduced a taper nose gooseneck stock trailer and header transports, swather transports with brakes and lights and flax bunchers.
The $500,000 surface preparation blasting booth which was 18’ x 53’ was designed by Al with the intention of preparing the best possible surface for their products prior to painting. The system utilized a steel grit which removed all mill scale and was capable of producing a white metal type finish to a level of NACE1. The blasting media was also 100 percent recycled and the non-broken down media was returned to the storage hopper for reuse. That ability allowed Bergen Industries to have an efficient system and provide a topcoat which adhered to a more enduring base on their products. That also meant manufactures like Hitachi Canada came on board as a customer, contracting Bergen Industries to manufacture custom designed surface preparation blasting booths.
The two paint rooms with down-draft booths were state-of-the-art and had a paint system comprised of plural pumps and electrostatic guns. Ed said facilities with that capability can turn out oil field equipment up to 50 feet long and 18,000 pounds. And that was just what Bergen Industries did. When the oil boom hit, Ed said they signed a contract to build large equipment for the oil drilling industry.
“We hit our peak in 2007 and had about 45 employees doing oil patch equipment. We had some really good years there until there was a change in the Alberta government and the oil industry began to decline.”
While the Bergens faced the obstacle of a drop in the oil industry they continued to produce agricultural implements and in 2009, designed, engineered and started production of roll over protection systems for mining giant BHP. They also introduced the 6200 series swather transports and marked 60 years in business.
Bergen Industries then operated for another eight years following their milestone before opting to close the doors in the spring of 2017. The company then held an auction conducted by Ritchie Brothers the following year where they sold off their remaining equipment. While the business is now closed, during their 68 years of operation products were shipped throughout Western Canada, to the United States, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Costa Rica, France and Asia.
“The technology changed over the years,” said Peter. “But we were able to adapt. My greatest contribution over my time at the company was that I taught every man in Drake how to weld there.”
Pretty incredible for a company that first started out of a blacksmith shop and grew to become known throughout the world.
Daniel Bushman
Innovation, hard work and top quality were represented for more than six decades as Bergen Industries not only grew from a tiny company just outside the community of Drake but it became well-known both nationally and internationally. With thousands of agricultural implements and trailers built by Bergen Industries over its 68 years in business, each product was uniquely created to last. While the company closed its doors in April of 2017, the legacy of the Bergen brand and the work that went into creating it still remains.
First launched by Peter Bergen in 1949, the company went from a tiny blacksmith shop on Bergen’s homestead one mile east of Drake to eventually relocating to a much larger home just off Hwy. 20. Designing, manufacturing and selling short-line agricultural equipment, livestock and utility trailers along with some components for oil industry drilling rigs, Bergen Industries not only became well-known throughout the immediate area and Western Canada but in other parts of the world.
Born in 1929, the founder of Bergen Industries, Peter Bergen, spent his younger years on the family farm just outside of Drake. It was there that he was able to learn about hard work, dedication and how to make things run. With a curiosity for welding, he enrolled in a three month course at the University of Saskatchewan and studied about refining his craft. “I came back home after the course and said to my dad, ‘I need some money to buy a welder.’”
With knowledge of how to weld from his time at university and a welder to call his own, Peter then began implementing his manufacturing career, one that would last for decades. “I had a few guys helping me out in that first year at the farm in our blacksmith shop and it just grew from there.”
During a time when the need for horses to do the bulk of farm work was decreasing but roads had to be cleared in the winter for vehicles, Peter not only designed but also manufactured a V-type snowplow. The unit had a wing span of 7’6”, a hydraulic lift, and chains that came all complete and ready to hitch up to any standard tractor. Weighing about 800 pounds and with a price tag back then of only $275, the plow was scooped up by local farmers. It was not long after the success of his V-type snowplow that Bergen added a rotary snowplow and bale bunchers to his list of products. At $660, the rotary snowplow had a width cut of 6’6”, a fan size of six blades, 40 inches and a removable double auger. With replaceable sprockets, a hydraulic lift and weighing 1,075 pounds, farmers were able to utilize the dynamic design to plow snow.
Along with creating his snowplows, Bergen also did repair work and demand grew for his services and more space was needed. In 1961, the first shop was constructed at the farm measuring 14’ x 20’ and plows continued to move off the assembly line. Known as Bergen Manufacturing at that time, in addition to the new shop, the first 10.75 inch grain auger was invented. Looking to use it for his own farm and for a few neighbours, it was not long until word of the new auger spread. Pretty soon an order for 50 of them arrived from A.A. Neuman who was based just up the road at Esk.
Loading up to 100 bushels per minute capacity in wheat, the auger ran directly off the tractor’s P.T.O. shaft and with used tires and new tubes, Neuman sold them for $850.
“That happened the first year after I built them,” said Peter. “Having that order come in sure helped to get things off the ground.”
After a 24’ x 30’ Quonset was built to keep up with demand and space and with three or four employees now creating augers, demand continued to skyrocket. Bergen and his staff which included the likes of Merl Krehbiel and Jake Bergen relocated once more. Building a shop spanning 30’ x 50’ and a new home for his family on the outskirts of Drake, Peter filled the shop with augers, getting his gears and chains from Saskatoon and hauling metal from the city by using a farm truck. He also redesigned his 10.75 inch grain auger to include a drop box and eliminated the drive shaft at the top end of the auger. Bergen Manufacturing also implemented another product during the mid-1960s, seed drill transports.
“We built our augers in that new shop and we painted them there but they were too big to fit in the shop so we had to stick the one side out the window. We built so many of those augers and I remember we would paint them and pull them outside in the middle of winter and as soon as we did, the paint froze on and it stayed on there forever. We painted augers red and orange for Canadian Cooperative Implements Limited who we sold augers to for years. I still see the odd one around.”
Then from 1967-70, Bergen Manufacturing began growing its transport line and started producing two wheel swather transports, upgraded their seed drill transports to hydraulic lifts and remodelled their swather transports to four wheel units.
Not long after those advancements, a new 4,000 square foot shop began taking shape in Drake and boat trailers arrived on the production line. “We had been mostly doing drill transports, swather transports, grain augers and had gotten out of snowplows so we thought we would add trailers to our product line.”
Through the early 1970s, as was the case with his previous products, demand for trailers grew reaching 700 per year. With upwards of 15 staff including the Hawkes boys from Watrous (Rick, Dave and Lee), Bergen said they continued to weld and create their well-known products. “At one time we were doing about eight augers per day and then upwards of 500 per year. While we sold to a lot of places in Western Canada, we also had around 150 dealers in the United States, mostly in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and into Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas. Big Bud Tractors out of Montana was our biggest dealer, taking 20 augers at a time. We would deliver them ourselves.”
Building a few thousand augers out of their building along with trailers and other implements, Bergen added 2,100 square feet to the plant and in 1977, invented the Bergen 16 inch grain auger, the world’s largest. Then a year later he invented the first hydraulic swing auger and began production of 16 inch swing augers. Bergen Manufacturing also introduced the direct drive swing auger as the early 1980s arrived and invented the heavy harrow bar, featuring half-inch tynes.
Needing more space yet again, Peter mapped out plans for a major expansion and in 1982, cement was poured for a new 25,000 square foot facility on the east side of Hwy. 20 at Drake. “That allowed us to build more trailers and instead of creating just boat trailers we began building livestock trailers as well.”
With the new building opening in 1983, it included a restaurant, office space and a large area for production. The relocation also meant Bergen Manufacturing came to an end and the name Bergen Industries was born. Over the next six years, more products were designed like the rock digger, large post pounder and hydraulic elk squeeze and demand for the local company’s products continued.
Ed Bergen, who is the son of Peter and previous manager/president of the company said, “It seemed when grain prices were up, we were selling more augers because cattle prices were down but then when cattle prices increased we were selling more livestock trailers and not as many augers.”
While augers, trailers and other implements were being sent out the door to customers, food was also being cooked up in the restaurant. Ran by Darlene Lozinski, Bergen said having the restaurant in the main building was a nice bonus for the staff to use during their busy weeks and it also brought in farmers, truckers and those looking for a cup of coffee or a delicious piece of pie.
“The restaurant was really nice to have in the building because you could grab a bite to eat and were close by if you needed to take a phone call or a salesman would pop by,” said Ed.
With the business entering its 40th year of existence, in 1989 Peter decided it was time to retire. While he retired, the creator of the company stayed close by to check out the operations and visit with his past customers and staff. Taking on the company after he retired were his children, who over the years learned the intricacies of how things operated. Ed became the president and the company continued to push forward.
“We responded to the needs of the markets that we served and succeeded in developing the kinds of products that Dad envisioned. They were sturdy large pieces that would wear well over time and cut production times on the field. If anything, we were known for over-building our products.”
Along with Ed, his brother Al who was the production manager began to add to Bergen Industries with new and innovative technology. In the early 1990s, a self-levelling heavy harrow was introduced and the company added down draft paint rooms and a new finishing room. They also introduced a taper nose gooseneck stock trailer and header transports, swather transports with brakes and lights and flax bunchers.
The $500,000 surface preparation blasting booth which was 18’ x 53’ was designed by Al with the intention of preparing the best possible surface for their products prior to painting. The system utilized a steel grit which removed all mill scale and was capable of producing a white metal type finish to a level of NACE1. The blasting media was also 100 percent recycled and the non-broken down media was returned to the storage hopper for reuse. That ability allowed Bergen Industries to have an efficient system and provide a topcoat which adhered to a more enduring base on their products. That also meant manufactures like Hitachi Canada came on board as a customer, contracting Bergen Industries to manufacture custom designed surface preparation blasting booths.
The two paint rooms with down-draft booths were state-of-the-art and had a paint system comprised of plural pumps and electrostatic guns. Ed said facilities with that capability can turn out oil field equipment up to 50 feet long and 18,000 pounds. And that was just what Bergen Industries did. When the oil boom hit, Ed said they signed a contract to build large equipment for the oil drilling industry.
“We hit our peak in 2007 and had about 45 employees doing oil patch equipment. We had some really good years there until there was a change in the Alberta government and the oil industry began to decline.”
While the Bergens faced the obstacle of a drop in the oil industry they continued to produce agricultural implements and in 2009, designed, engineered and started production of roll over protection systems for mining giant BHP. They also introduced the 6200 series swather transports and marked 60 years in business.
Bergen Industries then operated for another eight years following their milestone before opting to close the doors in the spring of 2017. The company then held an auction conducted by Ritchie Brothers the following year where they sold off their remaining equipment. While the business is now closed, during their 68 years of operation products were shipped throughout Western Canada, to the United States, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Costa Rica, France and Asia.
“The technology changed over the years,” said Peter. “But we were able to adapt. My greatest contribution over my time at the company was that I taught every man in Drake how to weld there.”
Pretty incredible for a company that first started out of a blacksmith shop and grew to become known throughout the world.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 28, 2019
Former Wildcats help Hilltops take fifth straight title
Daniel Bushman
Not only was history made for one of the country’s top junior football programs as it captured its fifth straight national title but that milestone was reached with the help of four players that once suited up for the Winston Wildcats. Sporting blue and gold for the high school football team out of Watrous before wearing the same colours for the Saskatoon Hilltops, Ryder Klisowsky, Landon Schutte, Brady Fossen and William Martens were all part of the championship winning Hilltops this past season.
The four who played during different seasons for the Wildcats in Watrous each had roles to play in the Hilltops successes both on and off the field.
Sporting number 61 for the Hilltops, Ryder Klisowsky is the veteran of the four former Wildcats and has been called upon to protect his quarterback. Completing his fourth year with the Hilltops, the offensive lineman was listed as a starter this past year and while he was nervous to begin the season, Klisowsky settled in nicely. “As the year went on it got easier and the nerves calmed down a bit. The highlight for me this year was being able to let my fifth year players leave as champions and it meant a lot to see the guys I’ve been playing with for four years leave as champions.”
Klisowsky along with the rest of the team not only found success once again this season but made sure they were back at the national title game. “It was nice being able to roll over all of our opponents even with our third game being a little rocky for us but after that game we sorted everything out and figured out how to get the job done again.”
Saskatoon went through the year undefeated with wins against Regina, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Edmonton. In the PFC semifinal, the Hilltops beat Winnipeg 58-5 and then defeated Edmonton 28-9 in the final. Advancing to the Canadian Bowl against Langley, Saskatoon went up 9-0 after the opening quarter before scoring 22 points in the second quarter. After halftime, the Hilltops added another 20 points in quarter three before seven to end the fourth quarter as the team ran away with a 58-21 victory and its fifth consecutive national title. That was also the first time any junior team in Canada has won five straight national championships.
Being able to compete in that game in Saskatoon Nov. 17, Klisowsky rose to the occasion. “The national championship game went well for me and I believe I played one of my best games. I was very nervous at the start of the game but that went away after the offence’s first play of the game.” From there, Klisowsky and the team were able to play a solid four quarters and for the Watrous product, he collected his fourth national championship title with the team.
“The Drive for Five this year was an amazing ride. It was a thing that has never been attempted by any other team before and I am just honoured that I was able to be a part of that team and to be part of one of only four Hilltops teams to have an undefeated season.”
In at the middle linebacker spot for the Hilltops, Landon Schutte entered his third year with the team and was a second stringer. Wearing number 46, Schutte said 2018 was incredible for him both inside and outside of football.
“From start to finish this season was a highlight and of course winning the PFC and CJFL championships topped it all off. Being on the travel roster this year was great. My first two years there was so much senior depth in the linebacking crew so I had to observe and learn from the older guys. To finally get that travel spot my third year was a great reward. It is crazy to think I’ll be one of those veteran players for the next two years.”
With the type of calibre that the Hilltops put on the field, Schutte said it was important to remain humble and do a good job when his name was called upon. While unable to suit up in the final game due to an injury, Schutte was excited about winning the title on home turf and is already making sure to be ready to go for the 2019 campaign.
“Ever year we set out with a new goal of improving from the last and breaking the championship record. This year’s fifth year players left with five rings on their hands and to never lose a championship is incredible. We had three fifth year linebackers this year (the dream team) and I’ve never seen anything like it. The Hilltop community in Saskatoon is outstanding and the Hilltops feel like a family. The brotherhood between your fellow teammates is unmatched.”
Wearing number 30, Brady Fossen is also no stranger to success and this past season provided him with the opportunity to develop into a stronger player. Competing in the Sam linebacker spot, Fossen said, “I’ve moved into the role of a player contending for a spot on the top 40 roster for away games and playoffs. I was fortunate to travel to two away games this season against the Calgary Colts and Edmonton Wildcats, as well as dress and play in the Canadian Bowl. Playing in the national final was definitely a highlight for me, where I was able to make a few special teams tackles.”
Fossen said being able to win that national title was a thrill and having a group of veteran leaders that were a dominant force aided in that victory. Add in experienced coaches and the Watrous product said, “A huge amount of time and energy are put into the team by the coaches, players, and everyone else who supports us, so it is nice to see that pay off with a rewarding season. We came up against many tough players and teams this season, always had an answer to their biggest threats, and found a way to win.”
On the team for two seasons and getting in on some action in this year’s national game, Brady shared about his experience in that big contest. “ I wasn’t overly nervous going into the final, partly because I felt comfortable in the role I was in (mostly special teams), and traditionally the B.C. Conference isn’t as tough as the match ups we face in the Prairie Conference. I have a lot of confidence in the starting group to get the job done but with that said, Langley certainly had some talented players. Receiver Jevon Cottoy is listed at 6’5” 240 lbs. and tore up the B.C. conference all season. He was certainly the biggest threat faced by the defence but our defensive coaches crafted a special game plan to minimize his impact and it worked quite well! It also felt pretty good to see the graduating players able to win the final in their last year on the team.”
For the rookie of the four former Wildcats, William Martens wrapped up his first year with the Hilltops and played defensive back. For Martens, being able to wear the Hilltop blue and gold was incredible. Wearing number 20 this year, Martens got some playing time during home games and said it was a great experience.
“Being part of a national championship team is one of the best experiences I’ve had! Having all of the hard work during the season pay off by winning the championship made every late night practice and sore muscle worth it! GO HILLTOPS!”
As the four former Wildcats savoured the victory, back home in Watrous head coach of the Winston Wildcats Barry Croshaw said this past season was the first time that the Wildcats had that many players on the Hilltops roster at one time. “It’s fun to be able to go in and watch so many of our former players on the field in various capacities. It was really great to see the boys win the national championship together in their various roles, whether it was a starting guard, a back-up linebacker, through special teams contributions or by helping out on the practice squad. It was one of the proud moments for sure in what has turned out to be many such moments that our former players have blessed us with over the years.”
Croshaw recalled the significant impact each had while playing with the Wildcats and added all were key members of the respective teams they played on. “Hopefully the skills both on and off the field that we try to provide them with have helped them as they moved forward with their football careers.”
Utilizing the skills that each gained from competing during their high school careers and learning under Croshaw and the rest of the Wildcat football coaches, it should come as no surprise that each of the four have played well and have a common bond when they step on the field.
Martens said, “Playing with the other Wildcats, I had a great experience being able to continue being teammates after high school. It made the Hilltops feel more like family. The support from back home was great! I had a lot of my friends come watch games which made them even more special and fun to play in.”
“Playing with the Wildcats gave me a taste of what a winning atmosphere feels like, with credit to the coaches and tradition of the team,” said Fossen. “Mr. Croshaw, Armstrong, Braman, Thomas, Jackson, as well as all of the other coaches have created a special team atmosphere that breeds success. I feel like a lot of the same values are expected of a player whether they’re on the Wildcats or the Hilltops. I believe playing in Watrous teaches the attitude as well as the skills necessary to be successful. Playing with Ryder, Landon, and William feels like a continuation from high school, and it’s nice to have people from my hometown competing.”
Fossen also added how great it was seeing the support from people around Watrous and the interest they have taken. “It makes me feel like I’m still part of the community even though I’m not around town for most of the year. I just really appreciate all the support from my family, friends, and community!”
Landon also echoed some similar thoughts and said, “It’s great having familiar faces on the team. Ryder, Brady, and William are all stand up guys and the home games are incredible in the playoffs. The seats are packed full of blue and gold.”
Ryder said, “Having the other players from Watrous is awesome to see on the team. All of us have been playing well this year with major improvements. It is nice to see the other guys getting playing time in the national championship as well and I hope they continue to do well on this team.”
As for the support from back home from family and friends, Klisowsky said it was unbelievable. “I can’t begin to thank everyone and I just want to thank my parents with all of the support that they gave me during the season because I wouldn’t have been able to play my best without them. I would also like to thank my high school coaches since I would not be able to play football without what they taught me and gave me a chance to keep playing. With the Drive for Five now over we move on to the Mix for Six next year!”
Daniel Bushman
Not only was history made for one of the country’s top junior football programs as it captured its fifth straight national title but that milestone was reached with the help of four players that once suited up for the Winston Wildcats. Sporting blue and gold for the high school football team out of Watrous before wearing the same colours for the Saskatoon Hilltops, Ryder Klisowsky, Landon Schutte, Brady Fossen and William Martens were all part of the championship winning Hilltops this past season.
The four who played during different seasons for the Wildcats in Watrous each had roles to play in the Hilltops successes both on and off the field.
Sporting number 61 for the Hilltops, Ryder Klisowsky is the veteran of the four former Wildcats and has been called upon to protect his quarterback. Completing his fourth year with the Hilltops, the offensive lineman was listed as a starter this past year and while he was nervous to begin the season, Klisowsky settled in nicely. “As the year went on it got easier and the nerves calmed down a bit. The highlight for me this year was being able to let my fifth year players leave as champions and it meant a lot to see the guys I’ve been playing with for four years leave as champions.”
Klisowsky along with the rest of the team not only found success once again this season but made sure they were back at the national title game. “It was nice being able to roll over all of our opponents even with our third game being a little rocky for us but after that game we sorted everything out and figured out how to get the job done again.”
Saskatoon went through the year undefeated with wins against Regina, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Edmonton. In the PFC semifinal, the Hilltops beat Winnipeg 58-5 and then defeated Edmonton 28-9 in the final. Advancing to the Canadian Bowl against Langley, Saskatoon went up 9-0 after the opening quarter before scoring 22 points in the second quarter. After halftime, the Hilltops added another 20 points in quarter three before seven to end the fourth quarter as the team ran away with a 58-21 victory and its fifth consecutive national title. That was also the first time any junior team in Canada has won five straight national championships.
Being able to compete in that game in Saskatoon Nov. 17, Klisowsky rose to the occasion. “The national championship game went well for me and I believe I played one of my best games. I was very nervous at the start of the game but that went away after the offence’s first play of the game.” From there, Klisowsky and the team were able to play a solid four quarters and for the Watrous product, he collected his fourth national championship title with the team.
“The Drive for Five this year was an amazing ride. It was a thing that has never been attempted by any other team before and I am just honoured that I was able to be a part of that team and to be part of one of only four Hilltops teams to have an undefeated season.”
In at the middle linebacker spot for the Hilltops, Landon Schutte entered his third year with the team and was a second stringer. Wearing number 46, Schutte said 2018 was incredible for him both inside and outside of football.
“From start to finish this season was a highlight and of course winning the PFC and CJFL championships topped it all off. Being on the travel roster this year was great. My first two years there was so much senior depth in the linebacking crew so I had to observe and learn from the older guys. To finally get that travel spot my third year was a great reward. It is crazy to think I’ll be one of those veteran players for the next two years.”
With the type of calibre that the Hilltops put on the field, Schutte said it was important to remain humble and do a good job when his name was called upon. While unable to suit up in the final game due to an injury, Schutte was excited about winning the title on home turf and is already making sure to be ready to go for the 2019 campaign.
“Ever year we set out with a new goal of improving from the last and breaking the championship record. This year’s fifth year players left with five rings on their hands and to never lose a championship is incredible. We had three fifth year linebackers this year (the dream team) and I’ve never seen anything like it. The Hilltop community in Saskatoon is outstanding and the Hilltops feel like a family. The brotherhood between your fellow teammates is unmatched.”
Wearing number 30, Brady Fossen is also no stranger to success and this past season provided him with the opportunity to develop into a stronger player. Competing in the Sam linebacker spot, Fossen said, “I’ve moved into the role of a player contending for a spot on the top 40 roster for away games and playoffs. I was fortunate to travel to two away games this season against the Calgary Colts and Edmonton Wildcats, as well as dress and play in the Canadian Bowl. Playing in the national final was definitely a highlight for me, where I was able to make a few special teams tackles.”
Fossen said being able to win that national title was a thrill and having a group of veteran leaders that were a dominant force aided in that victory. Add in experienced coaches and the Watrous product said, “A huge amount of time and energy are put into the team by the coaches, players, and everyone else who supports us, so it is nice to see that pay off with a rewarding season. We came up against many tough players and teams this season, always had an answer to their biggest threats, and found a way to win.”
On the team for two seasons and getting in on some action in this year’s national game, Brady shared about his experience in that big contest. “ I wasn’t overly nervous going into the final, partly because I felt comfortable in the role I was in (mostly special teams), and traditionally the B.C. Conference isn’t as tough as the match ups we face in the Prairie Conference. I have a lot of confidence in the starting group to get the job done but with that said, Langley certainly had some talented players. Receiver Jevon Cottoy is listed at 6’5” 240 lbs. and tore up the B.C. conference all season. He was certainly the biggest threat faced by the defence but our defensive coaches crafted a special game plan to minimize his impact and it worked quite well! It also felt pretty good to see the graduating players able to win the final in their last year on the team.”
For the rookie of the four former Wildcats, William Martens wrapped up his first year with the Hilltops and played defensive back. For Martens, being able to wear the Hilltop blue and gold was incredible. Wearing number 20 this year, Martens got some playing time during home games and said it was a great experience.
“Being part of a national championship team is one of the best experiences I’ve had! Having all of the hard work during the season pay off by winning the championship made every late night practice and sore muscle worth it! GO HILLTOPS!”
As the four former Wildcats savoured the victory, back home in Watrous head coach of the Winston Wildcats Barry Croshaw said this past season was the first time that the Wildcats had that many players on the Hilltops roster at one time. “It’s fun to be able to go in and watch so many of our former players on the field in various capacities. It was really great to see the boys win the national championship together in their various roles, whether it was a starting guard, a back-up linebacker, through special teams contributions or by helping out on the practice squad. It was one of the proud moments for sure in what has turned out to be many such moments that our former players have blessed us with over the years.”
Croshaw recalled the significant impact each had while playing with the Wildcats and added all were key members of the respective teams they played on. “Hopefully the skills both on and off the field that we try to provide them with have helped them as they moved forward with their football careers.”
Utilizing the skills that each gained from competing during their high school careers and learning under Croshaw and the rest of the Wildcat football coaches, it should come as no surprise that each of the four have played well and have a common bond when they step on the field.
Martens said, “Playing with the other Wildcats, I had a great experience being able to continue being teammates after high school. It made the Hilltops feel more like family. The support from back home was great! I had a lot of my friends come watch games which made them even more special and fun to play in.”
“Playing with the Wildcats gave me a taste of what a winning atmosphere feels like, with credit to the coaches and tradition of the team,” said Fossen. “Mr. Croshaw, Armstrong, Braman, Thomas, Jackson, as well as all of the other coaches have created a special team atmosphere that breeds success. I feel like a lot of the same values are expected of a player whether they’re on the Wildcats or the Hilltops. I believe playing in Watrous teaches the attitude as well as the skills necessary to be successful. Playing with Ryder, Landon, and William feels like a continuation from high school, and it’s nice to have people from my hometown competing.”
Fossen also added how great it was seeing the support from people around Watrous and the interest they have taken. “It makes me feel like I’m still part of the community even though I’m not around town for most of the year. I just really appreciate all the support from my family, friends, and community!”
Landon also echoed some similar thoughts and said, “It’s great having familiar faces on the team. Ryder, Brady, and William are all stand up guys and the home games are incredible in the playoffs. The seats are packed full of blue and gold.”
Ryder said, “Having the other players from Watrous is awesome to see on the team. All of us have been playing well this year with major improvements. It is nice to see the other guys getting playing time in the national championship as well and I hope they continue to do well on this team.”
As for the support from back home from family and friends, Klisowsky said it was unbelievable. “I can’t begin to thank everyone and I just want to thank my parents with all of the support that they gave me during the season because I wouldn’t have been able to play my best without them. I would also like to thank my high school coaches since I would not be able to play football without what they taught me and gave me a chance to keep playing. With the Drive for Five now over we move on to the Mix for Six next year!”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 21, 2019
Parrish and Heimbecker expanding capabilities near Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Substantial work is underway on an expansion at Parrish & Heimbecker’s facility south of Watrous that will see its fertilizer and grain capabilities grow with a new 6,000 tonne fertilizer warehouse, added grain handling, storage upgrades and a 150-car spot.
“The expansion at our Parrish Siding location is key in providing our customers with timely and personalized service, a complete crop input product offering and expanded grain marketing opportunities,” said Keith Thiessen, General Manager, Parrish & Heimbecker – Parrish Siding. “We look forward to bringing this improved offering to area producers and continuing to grow alongside existing and new customers.”
Western Regional Manager for Parrish & Heimbecker, Lloyd Heimbecker said, “We are always excited to grow our business in local communities. We are fortunate to be a Canadian family-owned business doing business with other families in and around the Watrous area. These relationships with our customers make it easy for us to want to look at growth opportunities. Our customers have told us they are looking forward to the investment that we are making at the facility.”
Situated just off Hwy. 2 south of Watrous, the new 6,000 tonne fertilizer facility will give producers access to global fertilizer markets while completing the crop input offering at the Parrish Siding location. Thiessen said the expansion will be a big addition to the company which will also benefit producers within the area and surrounding regions.
Working with CN Railway, as part of the expansion, Parrish & Heimbecker is looking forward to an increase in rail siding to a 150-car spot. Thiessen said having the 150-car spot would be huge for the company and will allow for added capacity. “We had been able to cater to producers within a 25 to 30 mile radius but with these expansions we can now grow that reach to a 60 to 80 mile radius.”
Justin Watson, VP Crop Inputs Canada for Parrish & Heimbecker said the massive expansion is the 14th major fertilizer investment that P&H has made in Canada since 2015. “With all of the upgrades we are doing, this move will allow us to be a total service location and will put us in a great position to cater to producers for decades to come.”
Thiessen added, “Once all of the upgrades are completed, we will have a world class facility. The company would not have done this massive expansion without the support from the community and surrounding area. We are grateful to our customers for the support we have received over the years and look forward to the future.”
Bringing full crop input solutions together in a single location, the offering from Parrish & Heimbecker will include seed, crop nutrients and crop protection.
The expansion plans for the grain facility include doubling the storage capacity, tripling the speed of grain loading and significantly increasing grain cleaning efficiency through the installation of high speed grain cleaners.
Work began on the project about two months ago and Heimbecker said the concrete foundation work is now completed for the elevator expansion with the majority of the work to commence in the spring. The fertilizer shed should be complete and operational within the next week or two and customers utilizing the services can expect a full line of crop nutrient products to be available from the new facility.
While the fertilizer facility should be ready to roll in the near future, Watson said the grain facility upgrades are expected to be completed in July of 2019. The additional 20,000 tonnes of grain storage and grain handling system upgrades will not only increase overall capacity as well as efficiency of handling and shipping, it will also enable the location to handle multiple commodities at a time.
“As a proud, Canadian family-owned and operated business, P&H is committed to investing in facilities and capabilities that support Canadian producers as they strive to grow and market the best crop,” said John Heimbecker, President Grain Division and Executive Vice President, Parrish & Heimbecker. “We continue to see a drive to reach the top of the yield curve among growers in the Watrous area and we are dedicated to providing the products and services to help these growers realize the full potential of their acres.”
With between 19 and 22 people working at the local facility near Watrous, once the expansion is complete, Lloyd Heimbecker said, “Most of the work will result in efficiency gains on the operational side of things. This will benefit our customers both locally and on the export side.”
Daniel Bushman
Substantial work is underway on an expansion at Parrish & Heimbecker’s facility south of Watrous that will see its fertilizer and grain capabilities grow with a new 6,000 tonne fertilizer warehouse, added grain handling, storage upgrades and a 150-car spot.
“The expansion at our Parrish Siding location is key in providing our customers with timely and personalized service, a complete crop input product offering and expanded grain marketing opportunities,” said Keith Thiessen, General Manager, Parrish & Heimbecker – Parrish Siding. “We look forward to bringing this improved offering to area producers and continuing to grow alongside existing and new customers.”
Western Regional Manager for Parrish & Heimbecker, Lloyd Heimbecker said, “We are always excited to grow our business in local communities. We are fortunate to be a Canadian family-owned business doing business with other families in and around the Watrous area. These relationships with our customers make it easy for us to want to look at growth opportunities. Our customers have told us they are looking forward to the investment that we are making at the facility.”
Situated just off Hwy. 2 south of Watrous, the new 6,000 tonne fertilizer facility will give producers access to global fertilizer markets while completing the crop input offering at the Parrish Siding location. Thiessen said the expansion will be a big addition to the company which will also benefit producers within the area and surrounding regions.
Working with CN Railway, as part of the expansion, Parrish & Heimbecker is looking forward to an increase in rail siding to a 150-car spot. Thiessen said having the 150-car spot would be huge for the company and will allow for added capacity. “We had been able to cater to producers within a 25 to 30 mile radius but with these expansions we can now grow that reach to a 60 to 80 mile radius.”
Justin Watson, VP Crop Inputs Canada for Parrish & Heimbecker said the massive expansion is the 14th major fertilizer investment that P&H has made in Canada since 2015. “With all of the upgrades we are doing, this move will allow us to be a total service location and will put us in a great position to cater to producers for decades to come.”
Thiessen added, “Once all of the upgrades are completed, we will have a world class facility. The company would not have done this massive expansion without the support from the community and surrounding area. We are grateful to our customers for the support we have received over the years and look forward to the future.”
Bringing full crop input solutions together in a single location, the offering from Parrish & Heimbecker will include seed, crop nutrients and crop protection.
The expansion plans for the grain facility include doubling the storage capacity, tripling the speed of grain loading and significantly increasing grain cleaning efficiency through the installation of high speed grain cleaners.
Work began on the project about two months ago and Heimbecker said the concrete foundation work is now completed for the elevator expansion with the majority of the work to commence in the spring. The fertilizer shed should be complete and operational within the next week or two and customers utilizing the services can expect a full line of crop nutrient products to be available from the new facility.
While the fertilizer facility should be ready to roll in the near future, Watson said the grain facility upgrades are expected to be completed in July of 2019. The additional 20,000 tonnes of grain storage and grain handling system upgrades will not only increase overall capacity as well as efficiency of handling and shipping, it will also enable the location to handle multiple commodities at a time.
“As a proud, Canadian family-owned and operated business, P&H is committed to investing in facilities and capabilities that support Canadian producers as they strive to grow and market the best crop,” said John Heimbecker, President Grain Division and Executive Vice President, Parrish & Heimbecker. “We continue to see a drive to reach the top of the yield curve among growers in the Watrous area and we are dedicated to providing the products and services to help these growers realize the full potential of their acres.”
With between 19 and 22 people working at the local facility near Watrous, once the expansion is complete, Lloyd Heimbecker said, “Most of the work will result in efficiency gains on the operational side of things. This will benefit our customers both locally and on the export side.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 14, 2019
Generosity overflows towards local food bank
Daniel Bushman
With overwhelming support from those in Watrous and the surrounding area, Christmas hampers were packed and shelves stocked as the Watrous and District Food Bank received tremendous help over the holiday season. Operating with a deficit, the community and surrounding area not only stepped up in a huge way but provided the local food bank with additional food and funds for the remainder of 2018 and for the beginning of 2019.
Watrous and District Food Bank chair Darren Holland said after the need went out for items and donations, the food bank received an incredible $15,429 in donations for the month of December, a total that Holland figured was the largest ever for a month.
“We were so impressed and appreciative for all the donations from the community and surrounding area. We had businesses, people, schools, agencies and others that stepped up and helped.”
With an opportunity to garner additional funds through a matching grant, Holland said the food bank also submitted the numbers to Nutrien who has offered a matching grant in December, providing funds to food banks throughout Saskatchewan. “We anticipate receiving a portion of the matching grant as the funds from Nutrien are distributed amongst all Saskatchewan food banks on the basis of the number of individuals each food bank assists.”
This year, a total of 80 Christmas hampers were prepared in Watrous and were handed out in the community and to those in the surrounding area. The hampers also included gifts for 83 children and Holland said, “There was a tremendous amount of gifts that were brought in this year. The Bargain Shop in Watrous put in a lot of time and effort and Integra Tire did a fabulous job in getting toys to us as well. The Watrous Pharmacy provided us with donations of household items and the Watrous and District Ambulance and Watrous RCMP filled up the ambulance with food donations from Watrous Elementary School and then from people dropping items off at the Co-op Food Store as part of the Stuff the Ambulance campaign. Members of the banks in town also helped and many people stepped up and sponsored families this year which was the first time we had decided to do an initiative like that. It was very well received and appreciated and all of those donations filled the Christmas hampers and also our shelves to start 2019.”
Holland added the Nokomis School, Watrous Elementary School and Winston High School also contributed in a big way including receiving assistance from some of the elementary school students as they helped pack the Christmas hampers Dec. 15. “Local businesses also came together in support along with the dealerships and the Co-op Food Store provided us with the hams for the hampers. Along with the students, volunteers and community members also helped pack the hampers. There were so many people that lent a hand this year and we are just so appreciative of all of them.”
In addition to the volunteers and those who donated financially or with food items, Holland said the food bank board also did a tremendous job including Amanda Dezotell who coordinated the hampers.
“We are just so appreciative of the support we have received not only for the Christmas hampers but also to help us begin 2019.”
Daniel Bushman
With overwhelming support from those in Watrous and the surrounding area, Christmas hampers were packed and shelves stocked as the Watrous and District Food Bank received tremendous help over the holiday season. Operating with a deficit, the community and surrounding area not only stepped up in a huge way but provided the local food bank with additional food and funds for the remainder of 2018 and for the beginning of 2019.
Watrous and District Food Bank chair Darren Holland said after the need went out for items and donations, the food bank received an incredible $15,429 in donations for the month of December, a total that Holland figured was the largest ever for a month.
“We were so impressed and appreciative for all the donations from the community and surrounding area. We had businesses, people, schools, agencies and others that stepped up and helped.”
With an opportunity to garner additional funds through a matching grant, Holland said the food bank also submitted the numbers to Nutrien who has offered a matching grant in December, providing funds to food banks throughout Saskatchewan. “We anticipate receiving a portion of the matching grant as the funds from Nutrien are distributed amongst all Saskatchewan food banks on the basis of the number of individuals each food bank assists.”
This year, a total of 80 Christmas hampers were prepared in Watrous and were handed out in the community and to those in the surrounding area. The hampers also included gifts for 83 children and Holland said, “There was a tremendous amount of gifts that were brought in this year. The Bargain Shop in Watrous put in a lot of time and effort and Integra Tire did a fabulous job in getting toys to us as well. The Watrous Pharmacy provided us with donations of household items and the Watrous and District Ambulance and Watrous RCMP filled up the ambulance with food donations from Watrous Elementary School and then from people dropping items off at the Co-op Food Store as part of the Stuff the Ambulance campaign. Members of the banks in town also helped and many people stepped up and sponsored families this year which was the first time we had decided to do an initiative like that. It was very well received and appreciated and all of those donations filled the Christmas hampers and also our shelves to start 2019.”
Holland added the Nokomis School, Watrous Elementary School and Winston High School also contributed in a big way including receiving assistance from some of the elementary school students as they helped pack the Christmas hampers Dec. 15. “Local businesses also came together in support along with the dealerships and the Co-op Food Store provided us with the hams for the hampers. Along with the students, volunteers and community members also helped pack the hampers. There were so many people that lent a hand this year and we are just so appreciative of all of them.”
In addition to the volunteers and those who donated financially or with food items, Holland said the food bank board also did a tremendous job including Amanda Dezotell who coordinated the hampers.
“We are just so appreciative of the support we have received not only for the Christmas hampers but also to help us begin 2019.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 7, 2019
Local Holiday Giveaway winners announced
Daniel Bushman
It was a great way to begin the holiday season for a number of people who participated in the third annual local Holiday Giveaway. Along with more than a dozen winners at participating businesses, two people had their names picked from the many thousands of entries as major prize winners. This year, the grand prize winner took home $5,000 in holiday giveaway money while the secondary prize awarded this year was a $500 travel voucher from Watrous Travel.
Selected during the Town of Watrous’ annual Christmas party at the civic centre Dec. 14, Jim Bieber’s name was picked from an estimated 30,000 entries as this year’s big winner. Along with Bieber, who resides in Colonsay, an excited Keitha Solvason collected her travel voucher from Watrous Travel’s Erin Wolff. Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz was on hand as the winners were chosen and said the third ever Holiday Giveaway for Watrous was another success.
“With more than 23,000 entries in our first year, over 30,000 entries last year and about the same amount for this year, people from Watrous, Manitou Beach and the surrounding area showed their support by shopping local. We had close to 30 local businesses participate again this year and seeing all of those entries just shows you how much shopping is done in our area. This is a great opportunity to promote our local businesses. I know there is that temptation to shop outside of Watrous but we are lucky to have the services we do and it is great to see people utilizing them during the holiday season.”
Colonsay’s Jim Bieber has been shopping in Watrous for years and when he got the call that he had been drawn as this year’s $5,000 grand prize winner he was quite surprised. “I have never won too much before so it caught me off guard.”
Turning 65 a few weeks after he claimed his winnings, Bieber was thrilled to receive the early birthday present. “I appreciate the businesses in town and it was nice to win this, especially at holiday time.”
Bieber said he entered his name three times, once at the Watrous Co-op, once at the Watrous Pharmacy and once at Watrous Home Hardware. Interestingly enough, those were the same amount of entries last year’s winner Les Johnson from Young had filled out and also the same three businesses he had done so at. Going with approximately the same amount of overall entries as last year, the probability that Bieber’s name would be selected was 0.01 percent or 1 in 10,000. Now with the $5,000, Bieber is able to spend the money within Watrous and Manitou Beach at the participating businesses that were involved with the holiday campaign and has until the middle of 2019 to do so.
As for the travel voucher, Keitha was excited when her name was drawn. Recently married and planning a trip to Europe, Solvason was over the moon with her voucher. Stopping by Watrous to pick it up, she said the timing was perfect.
As the grand prize and secondary prize were handed out, participating businesses also gave away their own prizes as part of the local contest. Some of the winners from that included: Doug Ball - (Integra Tire); Ron Vogt - (Melron Services); Aaron Rowan - (Young’s Equipment); Jesse Weber - (Dunham Services); Calvin Sather - (Watrous Electronics); Darlene Martin - (Wheatland Dental Clinic); Shawn Wheten - (The Watrous Manitou); Colby Reichert - (Miz Bojangles Hair Studio); Jerry Reichert - (Cervus Equipment); Marie Ritthaler - (John’s Plate); Jay Enns - (NAPA); Joe Zimmerman - (Pip’s); Terry Sitter - (Western Financial); Helen Penner - (Model Meats); Carmen Almen - (TB’s Bar and Grill); Lorne Bradbeer - (Pepper Tree); Joanne Gingrich - (Inksters); and Al Harding - (Success RV’s).
Manz said, “Once again we really appreciated all the residents and visitors that shopped local this year. We would not be having a shop local campaign if the support was not there so we do really appreciate it!”
Daniel Bushman
It was a great way to begin the holiday season for a number of people who participated in the third annual local Holiday Giveaway. Along with more than a dozen winners at participating businesses, two people had their names picked from the many thousands of entries as major prize winners. This year, the grand prize winner took home $5,000 in holiday giveaway money while the secondary prize awarded this year was a $500 travel voucher from Watrous Travel.
Selected during the Town of Watrous’ annual Christmas party at the civic centre Dec. 14, Jim Bieber’s name was picked from an estimated 30,000 entries as this year’s big winner. Along with Bieber, who resides in Colonsay, an excited Keitha Solvason collected her travel voucher from Watrous Travel’s Erin Wolff. Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz was on hand as the winners were chosen and said the third ever Holiday Giveaway for Watrous was another success.
“With more than 23,000 entries in our first year, over 30,000 entries last year and about the same amount for this year, people from Watrous, Manitou Beach and the surrounding area showed their support by shopping local. We had close to 30 local businesses participate again this year and seeing all of those entries just shows you how much shopping is done in our area. This is a great opportunity to promote our local businesses. I know there is that temptation to shop outside of Watrous but we are lucky to have the services we do and it is great to see people utilizing them during the holiday season.”
Colonsay’s Jim Bieber has been shopping in Watrous for years and when he got the call that he had been drawn as this year’s $5,000 grand prize winner he was quite surprised. “I have never won too much before so it caught me off guard.”
Turning 65 a few weeks after he claimed his winnings, Bieber was thrilled to receive the early birthday present. “I appreciate the businesses in town and it was nice to win this, especially at holiday time.”
Bieber said he entered his name three times, once at the Watrous Co-op, once at the Watrous Pharmacy and once at Watrous Home Hardware. Interestingly enough, those were the same amount of entries last year’s winner Les Johnson from Young had filled out and also the same three businesses he had done so at. Going with approximately the same amount of overall entries as last year, the probability that Bieber’s name would be selected was 0.01 percent or 1 in 10,000. Now with the $5,000, Bieber is able to spend the money within Watrous and Manitou Beach at the participating businesses that were involved with the holiday campaign and has until the middle of 2019 to do so.
As for the travel voucher, Keitha was excited when her name was drawn. Recently married and planning a trip to Europe, Solvason was over the moon with her voucher. Stopping by Watrous to pick it up, she said the timing was perfect.
As the grand prize and secondary prize were handed out, participating businesses also gave away their own prizes as part of the local contest. Some of the winners from that included: Doug Ball - (Integra Tire); Ron Vogt - (Melron Services); Aaron Rowan - (Young’s Equipment); Jesse Weber - (Dunham Services); Calvin Sather - (Watrous Electronics); Darlene Martin - (Wheatland Dental Clinic); Shawn Wheten - (The Watrous Manitou); Colby Reichert - (Miz Bojangles Hair Studio); Jerry Reichert - (Cervus Equipment); Marie Ritthaler - (John’s Plate); Jay Enns - (NAPA); Joe Zimmerman - (Pip’s); Terry Sitter - (Western Financial); Helen Penner - (Model Meats); Carmen Almen - (TB’s Bar and Grill); Lorne Bradbeer - (Pepper Tree); Joanne Gingrich - (Inksters); and Al Harding - (Success RV’s).
Manz said, “Once again we really appreciated all the residents and visitors that shopped local this year. We would not be having a shop local campaign if the support was not there so we do really appreciate it!”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 24, 2018
Watrous Citizens of the Year named
Daniel Bushman
Putting a major focus on community and through their tremendous generosity and efforts over the years, the honour of this year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year went to a most deserving Ron and Melissa Ediger. While at first the pair from Watrous were surprised to learn they had been recognized, they were also tremendously honoured to join the others that have received the prestigious award.
Presented with the Citizens of the Year award at the Town of Watrous Christmas party Friday, Dec. 14, Melissa said, “It is a humbling honour because there are so many people who have won it previously that I just feel are more deserving. It is an honour, which I really appreciate.”
In agreement, Ron said, “We try hard and we appreciate the community, the town and the support we receive and want to give back and show people the appreciation of what they have given us over the years.”
The owners of Melron Services in Watrous, the pair not only began the business from the ground up but have grown it to become well-known throughout the area. It is also because of that growth and support that they have in turn given back through substantial donations towards many initiatives within the community and beyond. Some of the many funds Ron and Melissa have provided locally have gone towards things like the Watrous District Health Complex, the new Zamboni at the Watrous Centennial Arena , the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, the Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama and numerous clubs and organizations. In addition to their fundraising efforts, Ron and Melissa have also contributed through supplying equipment, labour and prizes towards various events and organizations.
“We are very fortunate we have such a wonderful community,” said Melissa. “We have lots of young people and families here too and we know we are going to have a good community for a lot of years. A lot of our customers have also become friends and it is really nice to have that association with your customers. You feel like you are doing a good job serving them and that is why you are in business.”
Echoing those sentiments, Ron added, “Compliments to our staff because without them we wouldn’t be doing what we are doing. They have been very good for us and we have a lot of faithful employees that do super work and also support the community at large. That is all part of the growing atmosphere and being able to give back. Community is very important and we want to keep building it up and keeping it strong.”
Arriving in Watrous in 1990, Melissa purchased the gift store in the Mall at 3rd and Main from Angie Chambers. Along with daughter Avril Reifferscheid, the pair had it together before Melissa and Ron began Melron Services. “He came home one day and thought we should buy a backhoe. I thought, what are we going to do with a backhoe? And then voila, one thing lead to another.”
Coming from Nokomis, Ron brought along his business knowledge to Watrous. After getting into the business world in 1972, in 1988 he decided to sell his place in Nokomis and moved to Watrous where he began selling vehicles with Mainline Motors. It was during that time that he made a lot of acquaintances and met numerous customers. After he left the world of selling cars and began Melron Services, “a lot of people followed us and stayed our customers. That is how it grew, just playing in the dirt.”
Recently celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary, the Edigers have become a pillar within the community and because of that, were noticed for their efforts and generosity. Melron Services employee Brandon Osmak along with the Watrous Kinsmen nominated Ron and Melissa as this year’s recipients for Watrous Citizens of the Year.
“When we got the phone call that we were chosen we couldn’t believe it,” said Ron. “I still feel we totally don’t deserve it. It is just another day in our household to do what we do and make things happen.”
Along with the support they have received from the community, both Ron and Melissa were quick to note how substantial the support has also been from their family.
“They have been on our side since day one. The boys and girls have supported us over the years and kept our wits about us over the years. And it is the friends we have had, it has really been good. We have awesome neighbours and no complaints at all.”
And how fitting that on a night where Ron and Melissa were honoured for their work within the community at the Watrous Civic Centre that just down the street and at about the same time they were receiving their award, Ron’s name was pulled as the weekly winner of the Chase the Ace draw, a fundraiser for the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre.
“That was quite something,” he smiled after finding out he had won $412. “Our journey and our time in Watrous has been super. If we were to begin and start all over, we would probably do it all over again.”
Daniel Bushman
Putting a major focus on community and through their tremendous generosity and efforts over the years, the honour of this year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year went to a most deserving Ron and Melissa Ediger. While at first the pair from Watrous were surprised to learn they had been recognized, they were also tremendously honoured to join the others that have received the prestigious award.
Presented with the Citizens of the Year award at the Town of Watrous Christmas party Friday, Dec. 14, Melissa said, “It is a humbling honour because there are so many people who have won it previously that I just feel are more deserving. It is an honour, which I really appreciate.”
In agreement, Ron said, “We try hard and we appreciate the community, the town and the support we receive and want to give back and show people the appreciation of what they have given us over the years.”
The owners of Melron Services in Watrous, the pair not only began the business from the ground up but have grown it to become well-known throughout the area. It is also because of that growth and support that they have in turn given back through substantial donations towards many initiatives within the community and beyond. Some of the many funds Ron and Melissa have provided locally have gone towards things like the Watrous District Health Complex, the new Zamboni at the Watrous Centennial Arena , the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, the Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama and numerous clubs and organizations. In addition to their fundraising efforts, Ron and Melissa have also contributed through supplying equipment, labour and prizes towards various events and organizations.
“We are very fortunate we have such a wonderful community,” said Melissa. “We have lots of young people and families here too and we know we are going to have a good community for a lot of years. A lot of our customers have also become friends and it is really nice to have that association with your customers. You feel like you are doing a good job serving them and that is why you are in business.”
Echoing those sentiments, Ron added, “Compliments to our staff because without them we wouldn’t be doing what we are doing. They have been very good for us and we have a lot of faithful employees that do super work and also support the community at large. That is all part of the growing atmosphere and being able to give back. Community is very important and we want to keep building it up and keeping it strong.”
Arriving in Watrous in 1990, Melissa purchased the gift store in the Mall at 3rd and Main from Angie Chambers. Along with daughter Avril Reifferscheid, the pair had it together before Melissa and Ron began Melron Services. “He came home one day and thought we should buy a backhoe. I thought, what are we going to do with a backhoe? And then voila, one thing lead to another.”
Coming from Nokomis, Ron brought along his business knowledge to Watrous. After getting into the business world in 1972, in 1988 he decided to sell his place in Nokomis and moved to Watrous where he began selling vehicles with Mainline Motors. It was during that time that he made a lot of acquaintances and met numerous customers. After he left the world of selling cars and began Melron Services, “a lot of people followed us and stayed our customers. That is how it grew, just playing in the dirt.”
Recently celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary, the Edigers have become a pillar within the community and because of that, were noticed for their efforts and generosity. Melron Services employee Brandon Osmak along with the Watrous Kinsmen nominated Ron and Melissa as this year’s recipients for Watrous Citizens of the Year.
“When we got the phone call that we were chosen we couldn’t believe it,” said Ron. “I still feel we totally don’t deserve it. It is just another day in our household to do what we do and make things happen.”
Along with the support they have received from the community, both Ron and Melissa were quick to note how substantial the support has also been from their family.
“They have been on our side since day one. The boys and girls have supported us over the years and kept our wits about us over the years. And it is the friends we have had, it has really been good. We have awesome neighbours and no complaints at all.”
And how fitting that on a night where Ron and Melissa were honoured for their work within the community at the Watrous Civic Centre that just down the street and at about the same time they were receiving their award, Ron’s name was pulled as the weekly winner of the Chase the Ace draw, a fundraiser for the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre.
“That was quite something,” he smiled after finding out he had won $412. “Our journey and our time in Watrous has been super. If we were to begin and start all over, we would probably do it all over again.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 17, 2018
Watrous District Health Complex receives digital X-ray upgrades
Daniel Bushman
In a move aimed at supporting quicker diagnosis and improved care for patients, thanks to a joint effort between the Watrous Community Health Foundation and the provincial government, the Watrous District Health Complex has received significant digital X-ray upgrades.
Part of five rural community hospitals that are receiving the new equipment and moving from film to digital X-ray images, Watrous joins Lanigan, Rosthern, Wadena and Wynyard to receive the upgrades. While the Saskatchewan Health Authority is in the process of digitalizing the equipment in all five communities, both Watrous and Lanigan officially cut the ribbon on their new technology at a pair of ceremonies Dec. 7.
In order to receive the digital X-ray upgrades, local health foundations were responsible for covering approximately half the cost for the new technology ($100,000) while the provincial government was responsible for the remaining half which totalled $500,000 or $100,000 per site.
Looking after the local portion, Watrous Community Health Foundation Chair Murray Westby said there was no hesitation from the foundation to lend a hand when they were informed of the project. “We were very supportive and indicated that we would be there with the $100,000 as soon as they received the go ahead. One of the criticisms we have had in Watrous is that our X-ray equipment was not up to where it should be and people were having to go to Saskatoon and having to get their X-rays done again after having them in Watrous. In terms of service to our clients and the costs associated with running back and forth to the city all the time, we felt it was important to do this.”
With a local commitment of $100,000, Westby said it was an easy decision to back the project for the local foundation, which has representation from Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson and Zelma and the Rural Municipalities of Wood Creek, Morris, Wreford, Usborne and Viscount.
“As soon as we heard what the conditions were, we immediately said we were behind it.”
This is not the first time the foundation has been able to help in a big way. Over the years Westby said the local foundation has been able to support a number of initiatives including providing substantial funding towards the construction of Manitou Lodge, operating the medical clinic before it relocated to the Watrous District Health Complex, helping purchase equipment and items of need and then most recently, helping to bring digital X-ray upgrades to Watrous.
“It is all tied into the service we offer for the community. Over those years we have spent several hundreds of thousand of dollars in addition to operating the medical clinic and putting funds towards the construction of Manitou Lodge. We feel we perform a valuable function in the community and when we can do something like this, it is just an excellent opportunity.”
On hand at the Dec. 7 announcement in Watrous, Manager of Medical Imaging at Saskatoon City Hospital and SHA Manager - Diagnostics Richard Dagenais explained the importance of moving from film to digital X-rays.
“Prior to this being implemented, all of these sites had film and some people will remember when you had a camera you took pictures, brought them somewhere and waited a day for the film to be developed. It was sort of like that. Film was acquired and an individual piece of film might take two or three minutes to develop but if you needed three or four different pictures taken, you might wait 15 or 20 minutes for all those pictures to be available. So you were kind of stuck waiting for the film to be processed before you could go back to where you needed to be for the next stage of your treatment. You had that one copy of that piece of film and it went back to the emergency department and then the only person that could look at it was the emergency doctor or it went to your family physician. On a daily basis, the x-ray staff would get all that film back and put it in a bundle and send them to the city to be read by a radiologist. Once they are gone, if a physician in the emergency department wanted to look at it, they can’t anymore. It would take anywhere between 24 and 72 hours before that film would come back with the radiology result.”
Now with the digital X-ray upgrades Dagenais said three or four pictures might take six or seven minutes before they are ready as opposed to 15. The images are then stored on a centralized computer system and are available immediately to any clinician across the province. The radiologist can also look at the images right away and get a result back anywhere between a half an hour to two hours. Other physicians can also look at the images at the same time instead of waiting to view the film image.
In addition to cutting down on wait times and increasing accessibility, another huge difference Dagenais pointed out is the film processing itself which used a lot of chemistry and needed to be maintained. “There was a whole quality component of having to manage that and managing the temperature of the chemistry.”
Switching from film to digital, Dagenais said for the patients, it now provides faster care, better care, better access to care and for patients who do go into the city, typically it means they will not have to have their X-rays repeated. Understanding the importance of having that new technology in place in communities like Watrous, Dagenais also stressed his gratitude to the local health foundation who came to the table to raise the money for the digital X-ray equipment.
“This project started a little bit over four years ago when we really started seriously looking at doing this, looking at where we would get the money to do it, what would be involved and it takes a lot of time and the foundation’s support was critical.”
While unable to attend the announcement and with fellow MLA Todd Goudy bringing greetings on behalf of the provincial government, Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit said, “Our government is committed to improving access to high-quality medical imaging across Saskatchewan. Digital images save time for physicians and patients, and result in patients receiving their X-ray results quicker than ever before. Strong community support helps our health system meet the need for specialized services across Saskatchewan. Our government thanks the local communities and their respective health foundations, whose generosity is helping make these digital X-ray upgrades a reality.”
Daniel Bushman
In a move aimed at supporting quicker diagnosis and improved care for patients, thanks to a joint effort between the Watrous Community Health Foundation and the provincial government, the Watrous District Health Complex has received significant digital X-ray upgrades.
Part of five rural community hospitals that are receiving the new equipment and moving from film to digital X-ray images, Watrous joins Lanigan, Rosthern, Wadena and Wynyard to receive the upgrades. While the Saskatchewan Health Authority is in the process of digitalizing the equipment in all five communities, both Watrous and Lanigan officially cut the ribbon on their new technology at a pair of ceremonies Dec. 7.
In order to receive the digital X-ray upgrades, local health foundations were responsible for covering approximately half the cost for the new technology ($100,000) while the provincial government was responsible for the remaining half which totalled $500,000 or $100,000 per site.
Looking after the local portion, Watrous Community Health Foundation Chair Murray Westby said there was no hesitation from the foundation to lend a hand when they were informed of the project. “We were very supportive and indicated that we would be there with the $100,000 as soon as they received the go ahead. One of the criticisms we have had in Watrous is that our X-ray equipment was not up to where it should be and people were having to go to Saskatoon and having to get their X-rays done again after having them in Watrous. In terms of service to our clients and the costs associated with running back and forth to the city all the time, we felt it was important to do this.”
With a local commitment of $100,000, Westby said it was an easy decision to back the project for the local foundation, which has representation from Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson and Zelma and the Rural Municipalities of Wood Creek, Morris, Wreford, Usborne and Viscount.
“As soon as we heard what the conditions were, we immediately said we were behind it.”
This is not the first time the foundation has been able to help in a big way. Over the years Westby said the local foundation has been able to support a number of initiatives including providing substantial funding towards the construction of Manitou Lodge, operating the medical clinic before it relocated to the Watrous District Health Complex, helping purchase equipment and items of need and then most recently, helping to bring digital X-ray upgrades to Watrous.
“It is all tied into the service we offer for the community. Over those years we have spent several hundreds of thousand of dollars in addition to operating the medical clinic and putting funds towards the construction of Manitou Lodge. We feel we perform a valuable function in the community and when we can do something like this, it is just an excellent opportunity.”
On hand at the Dec. 7 announcement in Watrous, Manager of Medical Imaging at Saskatoon City Hospital and SHA Manager - Diagnostics Richard Dagenais explained the importance of moving from film to digital X-rays.
“Prior to this being implemented, all of these sites had film and some people will remember when you had a camera you took pictures, brought them somewhere and waited a day for the film to be developed. It was sort of like that. Film was acquired and an individual piece of film might take two or three minutes to develop but if you needed three or four different pictures taken, you might wait 15 or 20 minutes for all those pictures to be available. So you were kind of stuck waiting for the film to be processed before you could go back to where you needed to be for the next stage of your treatment. You had that one copy of that piece of film and it went back to the emergency department and then the only person that could look at it was the emergency doctor or it went to your family physician. On a daily basis, the x-ray staff would get all that film back and put it in a bundle and send them to the city to be read by a radiologist. Once they are gone, if a physician in the emergency department wanted to look at it, they can’t anymore. It would take anywhere between 24 and 72 hours before that film would come back with the radiology result.”
Now with the digital X-ray upgrades Dagenais said three or four pictures might take six or seven minutes before they are ready as opposed to 15. The images are then stored on a centralized computer system and are available immediately to any clinician across the province. The radiologist can also look at the images right away and get a result back anywhere between a half an hour to two hours. Other physicians can also look at the images at the same time instead of waiting to view the film image.
In addition to cutting down on wait times and increasing accessibility, another huge difference Dagenais pointed out is the film processing itself which used a lot of chemistry and needed to be maintained. “There was a whole quality component of having to manage that and managing the temperature of the chemistry.”
Switching from film to digital, Dagenais said for the patients, it now provides faster care, better care, better access to care and for patients who do go into the city, typically it means they will not have to have their X-rays repeated. Understanding the importance of having that new technology in place in communities like Watrous, Dagenais also stressed his gratitude to the local health foundation who came to the table to raise the money for the digital X-ray equipment.
“This project started a little bit over four years ago when we really started seriously looking at doing this, looking at where we would get the money to do it, what would be involved and it takes a lot of time and the foundation’s support was critical.”
While unable to attend the announcement and with fellow MLA Todd Goudy bringing greetings on behalf of the provincial government, Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit said, “Our government is committed to improving access to high-quality medical imaging across Saskatchewan. Digital images save time for physicians and patients, and result in patients receiving their X-ray results quicker than ever before. Strong community support helps our health system meet the need for specialized services across Saskatchewan. Our government thanks the local communities and their respective health foundations, whose generosity is helping make these digital X-ray upgrades a reality.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 10, 2018
Weather conditions cause widespread outages
Daniel Bushman
While the scenery looked picturesque, the hoarfrost, fog and mist that descended upon the province over the past couple of weeks created massive outages throughout Saskatchewan. At its height, SaskPower said between 175,000 and 200,000 customers in the province were without power Dec. 4, the largest outage dating back to 1981. That overall total was much higher when you combine the remaining widespread outages from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 and then those from Dec. 5.
The first of the substantial outages occurred Nov. 30 and went into the weekend before a massive outage struck Dec. 4. Over 25,000 calls were placed to the SaskPower outage centre between Friday night (Nov. 30) and Monday morning (Dec. 3), and another 33,000 calls during just the morning Dec. 4. SaskPower’s Jordan Jackal said the dense fog and mist that built up on trees and power infrastructure was to blame for the majority of the outages.
“There has been a build up of frost on most of our, if not all of our power infrastructure, power lines, and power poles for much of south and central Saskatchewan.”
Creating substantial weight from the build up, the power lines began to sag from the hoarfrost and in some cases broke or snapped off where they were connected on power poles. Trees sagging or branches breaking from the hoarfrost also caused lines to trip and because of those issues, outages began occurring one after another.
“We had crews cycling in and out night and day through the weekend and a few contractors that called in as well helped out with some of that. It was pretty widespread in many areas in southern and central Saskatchewan and in smaller pockets in general. Aside from a few transmission issues, it was the smaller pockets in general, more than you might see during a big summer storm. Those pockets were really frequent and there were a lot of small power outages throughout that area.”
Locally, outages were reported during different times throughout the weekend and last week as well. Over the Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 weekend, outages spanned over a large area to include communities like Lanigan, Jansen, Drake, LeRoy, Nokomis, Holdfast, Liberty, Imperial, Simpson, Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young and Viscount. The outages also occurred outside of that region including in the larger cities. Some of those outages lasted for a few hours while others went on for up to 11 hours or more as crews feverishly worked to fix them.
“We know that there were numerous outages over the course of the weekend and we know in some cases, people went fairly lengthy periods without power. We just really thank people for their patience,” said Jackal. “Our crews were out there working long hours and we were managing them to make sure they were working safely and not over fatigued or anything to that effect. We are out there doing this as quickly but also as safely as possible. So we do really thank people for their patience.”
Not only were the outages present throughout the weekend but they lasted into last week as well. On Tuesday, widespread outages were reported leaving a couple of hundred thousand people in the dark. While places like Watrous and Manitou Beach had power, communities and rural residents north and east of those places did not. SaskPower said because of the significant issues from the frost, power units at Boundary Dam, Shand and Poplar River Power Stations tripped off during the morning and SaskPower lost generation. SaskPower was working as quickly and safely as possible to bring those units back on line and power was restored to some areas by early Tuesday afternoon.
Most residential customers across the province had power by the evening and by 10 p.m., power was restored to all areas of southeastern Saskatchewan, including Carnduff and Oxbow. SaskPower said there may have been a small number of customers in rural areas who were still experiencing outages as the night continued.
As hundreds of people across the province were working to restore the power Tuesday, SaskPower said they had taken over 33,000 calls in the outage centre that morning, equal to all the calls taken in November.
With the ice and frost situation not improving, the system remained in a delicate position and Wednesday more local outages occurred. SaskPower said crews were working hard to repair damage caused by substation issues and power was out in Cudworth, Wakaw, Aberdeen, Viscount, Bruno, Meacham, Alvena, Vonda, Colonsay, Lanigan, Jansen, Drake and Lockwood. In addition to the local area power outages, Moose Jaw also found itself without power as Wednesday morning continued.
During the outages, some people were using generators and SaskPower encouraged those to have installed transfer switches. “Without a transfer switch, your generator will feed power back into the lines, creating a serious hazard for our personnel working to restore power. Never operate a generator in a house, garage or enclosed building. Doing so will put you and your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
With all of the outages locally and provincially, Jackal stressed if people see a downed lined, a damaged power pole or damaged equipment to stay at least 10 metres away if not further. “Always assume there is power flowing through it. Sometimes it might be a downed line but there is always a possibility that there is power going through it. Generally the power will trip off but it doesn’t always. Make sure to give our outage centre a call at 310-2220. If it is busy and you can’t get through and it is an obvious public safety issue, call 9-1-1.”
Daniel Bushman
While the scenery looked picturesque, the hoarfrost, fog and mist that descended upon the province over the past couple of weeks created massive outages throughout Saskatchewan. At its height, SaskPower said between 175,000 and 200,000 customers in the province were without power Dec. 4, the largest outage dating back to 1981. That overall total was much higher when you combine the remaining widespread outages from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 and then those from Dec. 5.
The first of the substantial outages occurred Nov. 30 and went into the weekend before a massive outage struck Dec. 4. Over 25,000 calls were placed to the SaskPower outage centre between Friday night (Nov. 30) and Monday morning (Dec. 3), and another 33,000 calls during just the morning Dec. 4. SaskPower’s Jordan Jackal said the dense fog and mist that built up on trees and power infrastructure was to blame for the majority of the outages.
“There has been a build up of frost on most of our, if not all of our power infrastructure, power lines, and power poles for much of south and central Saskatchewan.”
Creating substantial weight from the build up, the power lines began to sag from the hoarfrost and in some cases broke or snapped off where they were connected on power poles. Trees sagging or branches breaking from the hoarfrost also caused lines to trip and because of those issues, outages began occurring one after another.
“We had crews cycling in and out night and day through the weekend and a few contractors that called in as well helped out with some of that. It was pretty widespread in many areas in southern and central Saskatchewan and in smaller pockets in general. Aside from a few transmission issues, it was the smaller pockets in general, more than you might see during a big summer storm. Those pockets were really frequent and there were a lot of small power outages throughout that area.”
Locally, outages were reported during different times throughout the weekend and last week as well. Over the Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 weekend, outages spanned over a large area to include communities like Lanigan, Jansen, Drake, LeRoy, Nokomis, Holdfast, Liberty, Imperial, Simpson, Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young and Viscount. The outages also occurred outside of that region including in the larger cities. Some of those outages lasted for a few hours while others went on for up to 11 hours or more as crews feverishly worked to fix them.
“We know that there were numerous outages over the course of the weekend and we know in some cases, people went fairly lengthy periods without power. We just really thank people for their patience,” said Jackal. “Our crews were out there working long hours and we were managing them to make sure they were working safely and not over fatigued or anything to that effect. We are out there doing this as quickly but also as safely as possible. So we do really thank people for their patience.”
Not only were the outages present throughout the weekend but they lasted into last week as well. On Tuesday, widespread outages were reported leaving a couple of hundred thousand people in the dark. While places like Watrous and Manitou Beach had power, communities and rural residents north and east of those places did not. SaskPower said because of the significant issues from the frost, power units at Boundary Dam, Shand and Poplar River Power Stations tripped off during the morning and SaskPower lost generation. SaskPower was working as quickly and safely as possible to bring those units back on line and power was restored to some areas by early Tuesday afternoon.
Most residential customers across the province had power by the evening and by 10 p.m., power was restored to all areas of southeastern Saskatchewan, including Carnduff and Oxbow. SaskPower said there may have been a small number of customers in rural areas who were still experiencing outages as the night continued.
As hundreds of people across the province were working to restore the power Tuesday, SaskPower said they had taken over 33,000 calls in the outage centre that morning, equal to all the calls taken in November.
With the ice and frost situation not improving, the system remained in a delicate position and Wednesday more local outages occurred. SaskPower said crews were working hard to repair damage caused by substation issues and power was out in Cudworth, Wakaw, Aberdeen, Viscount, Bruno, Meacham, Alvena, Vonda, Colonsay, Lanigan, Jansen, Drake and Lockwood. In addition to the local area power outages, Moose Jaw also found itself without power as Wednesday morning continued.
During the outages, some people were using generators and SaskPower encouraged those to have installed transfer switches. “Without a transfer switch, your generator will feed power back into the lines, creating a serious hazard for our personnel working to restore power. Never operate a generator in a house, garage or enclosed building. Doing so will put you and your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
With all of the outages locally and provincially, Jackal stressed if people see a downed lined, a damaged power pole or damaged equipment to stay at least 10 metres away if not further. “Always assume there is power flowing through it. Sometimes it might be a downed line but there is always a possibility that there is power going through it. Generally the power will trip off but it doesn’t always. Make sure to give our outage centre a call at 310-2220. If it is busy and you can’t get through and it is an obvious public safety issue, call 9-1-1.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 3, 2018
Jubilee Drive-In not being relocated as bylaw amendments submitted
Daniel Bushman
Hoping to address misinformation that had been circulating about the future of the community owned Jubilee Drive-In and clarifying amendments to a pair of bylaws, Manitou Beach council held a public hearing Nov. 26 before its regular council meeting. The hearing involved amendments to bylaw number 2/2014, the Official Community Plan and also bylaw number 3/2014, the Zoning Bylaw.
Speaking to residents of Manitou Beach that were in attendance for the meeting, mayor Gerald Worobec said, “I would like to clarify some misinformation that has been floating around. First, the village is not closing the drive-in. Second, the village is not currently developing the east area of the drive-in. Third, the village is not selling land for $1. And fourth, the village is not selling park model sites for $35,000.”
The amendments to the bylaws, if approved, would essentially see the large parcel of land, part of which the drive-in property sits on, split up into three sections for potential future development. Worobec said the amended bylaws would specifically allow under discretionary use in the Highway Commercial District and the Community Service District for consideration of a park model and RV seasonal camping development. The amendments that council proposed were also to correct two errors in the Park Model Residential District: ‘Uses Accessory to Discretionary Uses’ was listed twice in the Zoning Bylaw and the ‘Side Set back Requirements’ will be corrected from 10 metres to three metres.
The proposed amendments, if approved, would then allow Manitou Beach to entertain a park model/RV development which could then go on the subdivided property. Worobec said that would create revenue from the potential sale of the property and long-term taxation revenue. “This helps recoup a portion of the cost of the purchase of the drive-in property and is the fiscally responsible thing for council to do. Multiple developments are permitted already in the Highway Commercial District such as: indoor or outdoor amusement establishments; auto body repair and paint shops; and building materials sales and storage.”
By splitting up the parcel of land into three sections, Worobec said that will also allow the drive-in to remain where it is. “Council has no intention of closing the drive-in. Initially there was a proposal that was presented to us that included the drive-in property but then upon further investigation and looking into what it would cost to move the screen, the effects of moving it for the business and the building on the current property would have to be knocked down; financially it would not be worth it. We then looked into other ideas and as the talk around the council table continued we thought about breaking that parcel up into three pieces. So there is the drive-in property where the screen and the building sits on, the next parcel is the piece of property to the east of that and the third is where the horseshoe pits and ball diamonds are located.”
After putting in substantial fundraising efforts and a lot of work to find a projector for the drive-in, Worobec said they were not just going to close it because of a possible development. “We also just put the Twister combine there as well and we wouldn’t have gone through that process if we had plans to shut down the drive-in. Council feels that by keeping the drive-in operational under a private operator, it garners revenue for the Village and will continue to attract visitors to Watrous and Manitou Beach, benefiting local businesses. That is why we made these other areas available for people who wanted to do development. There is a desire for roughly 70 to 100 sites so those two parcels of property east of the drive-in would satisfy that need. It would be a very long time before we would even look at developing the drive-in property because there is just not that need right now to use that parcel. We also thought it would cost less to manually move the horseshoe pits as opposed to the drive-in screen and building. That land east of the drive-in is just sitting there costing the village money and with water and sewer infrastructure that goes right by it we thought we would try and generate some revenue.”
In its very early stages and still needing to go through quite a few steps before a developer could even go forward, Worobec said if the amended bylaws are approved and a developer is awarded the green light, the resort community would offer up the middle parcel first. “Community planning would have to accept our amendment to the zoning bylaw. Where the misconception lies is until we get this zoning changed or make it allowable for campers and park models, we can’t even entertain or consider any proposals.”
As of now, the mayor said they currently have one proposal submitted for development should it reach that far. “No one else has come forward saying they want to put a hotel, convention centre or dealership there. This is what we have received and we are trying to accommodate them and weigh the options and see if that is the best option for that area.”
Should the amended bylaws be approved and serious interest received from developers, then Worobec said going forward the process would still include a public notice and a public hearing held prior to offering any municipal land for sale. Then if there is any development proposals/purchase agreements and they fall under discretionary use for that district then public notice will be given and a public hearing held.
“Discretionary use means that if a developer purchased the property and wanted to develop anything listed under ‘discretionary use’ the process is as follows: all properties within a minimum 75 metre radius would be notified of the proposal by mail; public notices would be posted and put in the local paper as directed by provincial legislation; submissions could then be received for the public hearing that is associated with the proposal; and council can either approve the proposal, approve with conditions or deny the proposal altogether. As we continue along with this process, there has to be transparency and that is what we intend on doing. We are just trying to put the community’s best interest at the forefront.”
Daniel Bushman
Hoping to address misinformation that had been circulating about the future of the community owned Jubilee Drive-In and clarifying amendments to a pair of bylaws, Manitou Beach council held a public hearing Nov. 26 before its regular council meeting. The hearing involved amendments to bylaw number 2/2014, the Official Community Plan and also bylaw number 3/2014, the Zoning Bylaw.
Speaking to residents of Manitou Beach that were in attendance for the meeting, mayor Gerald Worobec said, “I would like to clarify some misinformation that has been floating around. First, the village is not closing the drive-in. Second, the village is not currently developing the east area of the drive-in. Third, the village is not selling land for $1. And fourth, the village is not selling park model sites for $35,000.”
The amendments to the bylaws, if approved, would essentially see the large parcel of land, part of which the drive-in property sits on, split up into three sections for potential future development. Worobec said the amended bylaws would specifically allow under discretionary use in the Highway Commercial District and the Community Service District for consideration of a park model and RV seasonal camping development. The amendments that council proposed were also to correct two errors in the Park Model Residential District: ‘Uses Accessory to Discretionary Uses’ was listed twice in the Zoning Bylaw and the ‘Side Set back Requirements’ will be corrected from 10 metres to three metres.
The proposed amendments, if approved, would then allow Manitou Beach to entertain a park model/RV development which could then go on the subdivided property. Worobec said that would create revenue from the potential sale of the property and long-term taxation revenue. “This helps recoup a portion of the cost of the purchase of the drive-in property and is the fiscally responsible thing for council to do. Multiple developments are permitted already in the Highway Commercial District such as: indoor or outdoor amusement establishments; auto body repair and paint shops; and building materials sales and storage.”
By splitting up the parcel of land into three sections, Worobec said that will also allow the drive-in to remain where it is. “Council has no intention of closing the drive-in. Initially there was a proposal that was presented to us that included the drive-in property but then upon further investigation and looking into what it would cost to move the screen, the effects of moving it for the business and the building on the current property would have to be knocked down; financially it would not be worth it. We then looked into other ideas and as the talk around the council table continued we thought about breaking that parcel up into three pieces. So there is the drive-in property where the screen and the building sits on, the next parcel is the piece of property to the east of that and the third is where the horseshoe pits and ball diamonds are located.”
After putting in substantial fundraising efforts and a lot of work to find a projector for the drive-in, Worobec said they were not just going to close it because of a possible development. “We also just put the Twister combine there as well and we wouldn’t have gone through that process if we had plans to shut down the drive-in. Council feels that by keeping the drive-in operational under a private operator, it garners revenue for the Village and will continue to attract visitors to Watrous and Manitou Beach, benefiting local businesses. That is why we made these other areas available for people who wanted to do development. There is a desire for roughly 70 to 100 sites so those two parcels of property east of the drive-in would satisfy that need. It would be a very long time before we would even look at developing the drive-in property because there is just not that need right now to use that parcel. We also thought it would cost less to manually move the horseshoe pits as opposed to the drive-in screen and building. That land east of the drive-in is just sitting there costing the village money and with water and sewer infrastructure that goes right by it we thought we would try and generate some revenue.”
In its very early stages and still needing to go through quite a few steps before a developer could even go forward, Worobec said if the amended bylaws are approved and a developer is awarded the green light, the resort community would offer up the middle parcel first. “Community planning would have to accept our amendment to the zoning bylaw. Where the misconception lies is until we get this zoning changed or make it allowable for campers and park models, we can’t even entertain or consider any proposals.”
As of now, the mayor said they currently have one proposal submitted for development should it reach that far. “No one else has come forward saying they want to put a hotel, convention centre or dealership there. This is what we have received and we are trying to accommodate them and weigh the options and see if that is the best option for that area.”
Should the amended bylaws be approved and serious interest received from developers, then Worobec said going forward the process would still include a public notice and a public hearing held prior to offering any municipal land for sale. Then if there is any development proposals/purchase agreements and they fall under discretionary use for that district then public notice will be given and a public hearing held.
“Discretionary use means that if a developer purchased the property and wanted to develop anything listed under ‘discretionary use’ the process is as follows: all properties within a minimum 75 metre radius would be notified of the proposal by mail; public notices would be posted and put in the local paper as directed by provincial legislation; submissions could then be received for the public hearing that is associated with the proposal; and council can either approve the proposal, approve with conditions or deny the proposal altogether. As we continue along with this process, there has to be transparency and that is what we intend on doing. We are just trying to put the community’s best interest at the forefront.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 26, 2018
Food bank seeking support as holiday season arrives
Daniel Bushman
Despite expenses outweighing income for 2018, the Watrous and District Food Bank is gearing up for its annual Christmas hampers which will be distributed next month. While the food bank has been tremendously appreciative of the generosity over the years from local and area residents and businesses, at its annual meeting Oct. 29, an overall deficit was reported.
Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said in the 2018 financial report, the non-profit organization had received $16,593.64 of income while expenditures tallied $21,491.25.
“Unfortunately we are in a deficit for this year of almost $5,000 and although the majority of our expense numbers were similar to 2017, we did experience some added costs this year.”
Breaking down the numbers from the financial report, expenses tallied $21,491.25 with $17,093.16 of that for groceries; rent was $1,200; membership/registration fees were $315; advertising $185.07; insurance $610.56; Christmas hampers $517.06; bank fees $4; utilities $1,030.56; and building supplies $535.84.
On the income side, the food bank tallied $16,593.64 with personal donations accumulating $4,229.05; Food Banks of Sask. provided $1,412.28; local businesses provided $2,127.06; local churches provided $475; the Rotary, Legion and social clubs provided $4,886.66; corporate donations tallied $3,432.50; and interest was $31.09.
Comparatively in 2017, expenses were $19,803.26 with groceries costing $17,166.76 followed by rent ($1,200), administrative ($189.53), membership/registration fees ($315), advertising ($356.97), and insurance ($575). Income for 2017 was $23,507.11 with personal donations reaching $12,879 followed by Food Banks of Sask. ($1,209.66), Food Banks of Canada ($30.36), local businesses ($3,021.27), corporate donations ($3,700), Rotary, Legion and social clubs ($1,645.01), local churches and groups ($435.15), and interest ($42.92).
“We are about $7,000 below last year’s income numbers this year but if people would like to donate towards the food bank either financially or through food donations, they are more than welcome to and it would be tremendously appreciated.”
With a wider reach, serving clients in the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Nokomis, Viscount and Liberty areas, Holland said the food bank distributes about 62 hampers per month, or 31 every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. A total of 18 volunteers purchase groceries, prepare and distribute hampers, stock shelves and lend a hand where needed. Holland said the food bank greatly appreciates their help including assistance from Interlake who comes on a regular basis to pack dry hampers at the food bank’s back alley location at 107 3rd Ave. E.
In addition to its regular hampers, for the annual Christmas hampers, last year the food bank distributed 72 for those who applied. “About half of those homes that applied last year included children.”
Now with the holiday season approaching, the food bank is once again gearing up for those annual Christmas hampers. Distributed Dec. 15, anyone in need of receiving a hamper can let the food bank know by Dec. 7. Holland added if people know of someone who would like a hamper they can also get in touch with the food bank to make arrangements.
The annual Christmas hampers are comprised of more food items and toys for children than a normal hamper which is distributed throughout the year and Holland said people wanting to help financially with those can do so either by mailing funds to Box 794 in Watrous or they can contact the food bank as well. Other initiatives are also being planned this year for residents and businesses looking to help including the Watrous Emergency Services Stuff the Ambulance which will take place Dec. 4. In conjunction with the Co-op Food Store in Watrous, members of the Watrous Emergency Services will be collecting donations in the Co-op food store parking lot during the early part of the evening. The goal is to stuff the ambulance as many times as possible with food donations which will be used to help fill Christmas hampers.
“Over the years, we have had great community support and continual efforts made by many businesses through food, toy and monetary donations and we know that will continue again this year. Along with the Stuff the Ambulance initiative, the local Co-op food store will be donating hams while Integra Tire in Watrous will be holding its annual Toy Drive again. People can purchase toys and drop them off at Integra Tire for the food bank and they will be collected and placed into Christmas hampers.”
New this year, Holland said people will have the opportunity to sponsor a family and purchase an entire Christmas hamper for $135. “People can either individually sponsor a hamper, join other families and split the cost or get together with fellow employees or as an organization and buy a family Christmas hamper.”
Packed inside the hampers, recipients will get either a turkey or ham, one dozen buns, a jug of milk, one dozen eggs, five pounds of Christmas oranges, 10 pounds of potatoes, carrots and onions, stuffing, Kraft Dinner, pasta or rice, Sidekicks or potato, a box of crackers, a breakfast item, cans of soup, canned meats, meals in a can, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, juice, cranberries, a cake mix, one tub of margarine, peanut butter and a box of chocolates. For hampers distributed to families with children, toys will be included in those as well.
As the community comes together to help out with the Christmas hampers once again, Holland said it has become an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer.
“It has made the Christmas season very meaningful to some who have been a part of helping out in some way and it is also meaningful for those who receive the hampers as well.”
For more information on this year’s Christmas hampers, people can see the ad in this week’s paper.
Daniel Bushman
Despite expenses outweighing income for 2018, the Watrous and District Food Bank is gearing up for its annual Christmas hampers which will be distributed next month. While the food bank has been tremendously appreciative of the generosity over the years from local and area residents and businesses, at its annual meeting Oct. 29, an overall deficit was reported.
Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said in the 2018 financial report, the non-profit organization had received $16,593.64 of income while expenditures tallied $21,491.25.
“Unfortunately we are in a deficit for this year of almost $5,000 and although the majority of our expense numbers were similar to 2017, we did experience some added costs this year.”
Breaking down the numbers from the financial report, expenses tallied $21,491.25 with $17,093.16 of that for groceries; rent was $1,200; membership/registration fees were $315; advertising $185.07; insurance $610.56; Christmas hampers $517.06; bank fees $4; utilities $1,030.56; and building supplies $535.84.
On the income side, the food bank tallied $16,593.64 with personal donations accumulating $4,229.05; Food Banks of Sask. provided $1,412.28; local businesses provided $2,127.06; local churches provided $475; the Rotary, Legion and social clubs provided $4,886.66; corporate donations tallied $3,432.50; and interest was $31.09.
Comparatively in 2017, expenses were $19,803.26 with groceries costing $17,166.76 followed by rent ($1,200), administrative ($189.53), membership/registration fees ($315), advertising ($356.97), and insurance ($575). Income for 2017 was $23,507.11 with personal donations reaching $12,879 followed by Food Banks of Sask. ($1,209.66), Food Banks of Canada ($30.36), local businesses ($3,021.27), corporate donations ($3,700), Rotary, Legion and social clubs ($1,645.01), local churches and groups ($435.15), and interest ($42.92).
“We are about $7,000 below last year’s income numbers this year but if people would like to donate towards the food bank either financially or through food donations, they are more than welcome to and it would be tremendously appreciated.”
With a wider reach, serving clients in the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Nokomis, Viscount and Liberty areas, Holland said the food bank distributes about 62 hampers per month, or 31 every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. A total of 18 volunteers purchase groceries, prepare and distribute hampers, stock shelves and lend a hand where needed. Holland said the food bank greatly appreciates their help including assistance from Interlake who comes on a regular basis to pack dry hampers at the food bank’s back alley location at 107 3rd Ave. E.
In addition to its regular hampers, for the annual Christmas hampers, last year the food bank distributed 72 for those who applied. “About half of those homes that applied last year included children.”
Now with the holiday season approaching, the food bank is once again gearing up for those annual Christmas hampers. Distributed Dec. 15, anyone in need of receiving a hamper can let the food bank know by Dec. 7. Holland added if people know of someone who would like a hamper they can also get in touch with the food bank to make arrangements.
The annual Christmas hampers are comprised of more food items and toys for children than a normal hamper which is distributed throughout the year and Holland said people wanting to help financially with those can do so either by mailing funds to Box 794 in Watrous or they can contact the food bank as well. Other initiatives are also being planned this year for residents and businesses looking to help including the Watrous Emergency Services Stuff the Ambulance which will take place Dec. 4. In conjunction with the Co-op Food Store in Watrous, members of the Watrous Emergency Services will be collecting donations in the Co-op food store parking lot during the early part of the evening. The goal is to stuff the ambulance as many times as possible with food donations which will be used to help fill Christmas hampers.
“Over the years, we have had great community support and continual efforts made by many businesses through food, toy and monetary donations and we know that will continue again this year. Along with the Stuff the Ambulance initiative, the local Co-op food store will be donating hams while Integra Tire in Watrous will be holding its annual Toy Drive again. People can purchase toys and drop them off at Integra Tire for the food bank and they will be collected and placed into Christmas hampers.”
New this year, Holland said people will have the opportunity to sponsor a family and purchase an entire Christmas hamper for $135. “People can either individually sponsor a hamper, join other families and split the cost or get together with fellow employees or as an organization and buy a family Christmas hamper.”
Packed inside the hampers, recipients will get either a turkey or ham, one dozen buns, a jug of milk, one dozen eggs, five pounds of Christmas oranges, 10 pounds of potatoes, carrots and onions, stuffing, Kraft Dinner, pasta or rice, Sidekicks or potato, a box of crackers, a breakfast item, cans of soup, canned meats, meals in a can, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, juice, cranberries, a cake mix, one tub of margarine, peanut butter and a box of chocolates. For hampers distributed to families with children, toys will be included in those as well.
As the community comes together to help out with the Christmas hampers once again, Holland said it has become an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer.
“It has made the Christmas season very meaningful to some who have been a part of helping out in some way and it is also meaningful for those who receive the hampers as well.”
For more information on this year’s Christmas hampers, people can see the ad in this week’s paper.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 19, 2018
Watrous RCMP host workshop and town hall event
Daniel Bushman
There was a strong police presence in Watrous last week as members from a number of area detachments spent the day in the community Nov. 13. The following evening, RCMP officers from the Watrous detachment headed to Nokomis where they held a town hall type event, similar to the one put on in Imperial Mar. 21.
Watrous RCMP Sergeant Jeff Friedenstab said the workshop was created to bring in members of the polygraph examiners from Regina to provide training to junior officers. “It was a one day workshop and the members out of Regina said they could provide training but we would have to organize it. I originally was going to host it for our local detachment but after contacting a few other detachments, they were interested in attending as well so we moved it to the Heritage Room at the Town of Watrous building.”
With 23 officers in attendance from detachments including Watrous, Rose Valley, Wadena, Wynyard, Craik, and Warman, Friedenstab organized the workshop and two members from the Regina polygraph service came out for the day. “It was very well received and the detachment out of Warman which has quite a number of members said they will probably hold another one so more of their officers can attend.”
The workshop which was geared towards junior officers provided additional training on how to take proper statements from witnesses and suspects and included other useful tools and tips that were shared.
“It was beneficial to host this event and it provided an opportunity for some of our members and others to take part and gain additional skills to use in the field.”
The following evening Friedenstab said members from the Watrous detachment headed to Nokomis, (which is within their patrol area), to host a town hall type meeting for the public.
Over this past year, RCMP throughout the province have put on similar meetings aimed at sharing information, hearing concerns and answering questions that people may have.
In March, members of the Watrous RCMP hosted a town hall type event in Imperial where close to 30 people attended. Friedenstab along with constables Dave Hannah and Jamie Dowling were at that meeting and Friedenstab was pleased with the turnout, appreciating those who made the effort to attend and ask questions relating to a variety of topics.
Similar to that March gathering, people came together in Nokomis Nov. 14 where officers answered questions and shared information. Along with Friedenstab, constables Hannah and Dowling once again ran the event and were joined by Staff Sergeant Greg Abbott from Saskatoon, who is the district manager for the Watrous Detachment and four others. The members in attendance spent the evening discussing services provided through contract policing.
In addition to other meetings involving community officials and local councils held this year, Friedenstab said the two town hall type events were a success. “We have been encouraging people to come out and share any concerns or ask any questions. We also encourage local municipalities to start up rural crime watch programs to help deter people from causing crimes.”
With five members at the detachment in Watrous, the local RCMP services a large area with a population of roughly 4,500.
Daniel Bushman
There was a strong police presence in Watrous last week as members from a number of area detachments spent the day in the community Nov. 13. The following evening, RCMP officers from the Watrous detachment headed to Nokomis where they held a town hall type event, similar to the one put on in Imperial Mar. 21.
Watrous RCMP Sergeant Jeff Friedenstab said the workshop was created to bring in members of the polygraph examiners from Regina to provide training to junior officers. “It was a one day workshop and the members out of Regina said they could provide training but we would have to organize it. I originally was going to host it for our local detachment but after contacting a few other detachments, they were interested in attending as well so we moved it to the Heritage Room at the Town of Watrous building.”
With 23 officers in attendance from detachments including Watrous, Rose Valley, Wadena, Wynyard, Craik, and Warman, Friedenstab organized the workshop and two members from the Regina polygraph service came out for the day. “It was very well received and the detachment out of Warman which has quite a number of members said they will probably hold another one so more of their officers can attend.”
The workshop which was geared towards junior officers provided additional training on how to take proper statements from witnesses and suspects and included other useful tools and tips that were shared.
“It was beneficial to host this event and it provided an opportunity for some of our members and others to take part and gain additional skills to use in the field.”
The following evening Friedenstab said members from the Watrous detachment headed to Nokomis, (which is within their patrol area), to host a town hall type meeting for the public.
Over this past year, RCMP throughout the province have put on similar meetings aimed at sharing information, hearing concerns and answering questions that people may have.
In March, members of the Watrous RCMP hosted a town hall type event in Imperial where close to 30 people attended. Friedenstab along with constables Dave Hannah and Jamie Dowling were at that meeting and Friedenstab was pleased with the turnout, appreciating those who made the effort to attend and ask questions relating to a variety of topics.
Similar to that March gathering, people came together in Nokomis Nov. 14 where officers answered questions and shared information. Along with Friedenstab, constables Hannah and Dowling once again ran the event and were joined by Staff Sergeant Greg Abbott from Saskatoon, who is the district manager for the Watrous Detachment and four others. The members in attendance spent the evening discussing services provided through contract policing.
In addition to other meetings involving community officials and local councils held this year, Friedenstab said the two town hall type events were a success. “We have been encouraging people to come out and share any concerns or ask any questions. We also encourage local municipalities to start up rural crime watch programs to help deter people from causing crimes.”
With five members at the detachment in Watrous, the local RCMP services a large area with a population of roughly 4,500.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 12, 2018
Community rallies behind local family
Daniel Bushman
The place was packed, food served, donated items and pies auctioned off and entertainment enjoyed as people from Watrous and the surrounding area came together to not only raise funds for a local family but to show their support. With an already tremendous outpouring of support towards Derek and Lindsey Bushman and their five children, a sold out fundraiser was held Nov. 8 at the Watrous Civic Centre to help the young family while Lindsey continues to fight a rare and aggressive cancer. At the end of the night, around $15,000 was raised for the family, almost $5,000 of that from the live pie auction alone where one pie sold for $1,000!
Organized and put on by Lori Ann Frey and members of the Watrous School of Dance along with Lane Manson and TB’s Bar and Grill, around 300 people attended the evening supper which included over 80 silent auction items, a live pie auction, entertainment from the Watrous School of Dance, the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Junior Youth and a song from Emma and Miley Bushman, Derek and Lindsey’s daughters and their niece Natalie Bushman. With members of both Derek and Lindsey’s families in attendance, the evening was inspirational and moving as so many attended to show their support towards the family.
For the better part of a year and a half, 29-year-old Lindsey has been fighting a rare and aggressive form of cancer. While the Watrous resident at first did not know what she was fighting, after not having a diagnosis, she along with her husband Derek chose to go to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota to find answers. That decision, according to her doctor, saved her life.
Since spending three weeks at Mayo Clinic in the United States a few months ago, Derek and Lindsey have returned home as she continues to battle the cancer in her body, receiving radiation and soon rounds of chemotherapy.
With expenses both now and in the future, people have overwhelmingly come together in a show of support for the young family in Watrous. Through various things like GoFundMe, a barbecue held by Centennial Ford during its 50th anniversary, and so many others dropping off financial donations over the past few months, the wave of support spilled over Nov. 8.
Since Derek and Lindsey were unable to be in attendance at the fundraiser, on behalf of them, myself (Daniel), my sister Tanya Jansen and Lindsey’s sister Jaymie Peters were asked by the group putting on the event to share. We have been so blown away from the outpouring of support, the encouragement and prayers of so many, at times it is hard to know how to respond and to know what to say. But because of the tremendous outpouring of support and because of how many people have been touched by Derek and Lindsey’s story, we wanted to share their journey with those unable to make the fundraiser.
The following is the majority of what we shared during the evening Nov. 8:
“How can a person say thank you enough for such an outpouring of support? How can a person say thank you enough for the many prayers, words of encouragement and financial donations received? How can a person express their sincerest thanks to everyone who has taken a moment of their time to help out my brother and sister-in law? And how can someone who has felt an overwhelming outpouring of support from so many say how appreciative they are? The only thing to say is . . . thank you!
Thank you to the many who have given so generously through the GoFundMe page that has been set up for Derek and Lindsey. Thank you to the many who have dropped off money and cheques to help them with their expenses and future costs. Thank you to the many who have made meals, have watched their kids, helped with yard work, dropped off cards of encouragement, offered support in any way possible, and who have prayed.
Thank you as well to Centennial Ford who asked us if they could give Derek and Lindsey the proceeds from their 50th anniversary barbecue. Thank you to Lori Ann Frey and members of the Watrous School of Dance and to Lane Manson and TB’s Bar and Grill for holding a fundraiser for Derek and Lindsey and asking us to speak here on behalf of the Baumann and Bushman families this evening. Thank you to the Town of Watrous for waiving the Civic Centre rental fee as well. Thank you to the teachers and staff at Watrous Elementary School and pre-school for your help with the kids. Thank you to our church family for all you have done and continue to do for our families. Thank you to the generous donors who provided items, pies and time this evening. And to each and every one of you who are here tonight, thank you.
We are truly grateful for you and we cannot express our gratitude enough.
After more than a year and a half of searching for answers and seeking a diagnosis, despite not knowing what she had attacking her body and not being covered by health insurance, Lindsey along with Derek decided to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
With time becoming more and more critical, it was there that she finally received a diagnosis and a plan to begin treatment on what had been attacking her body. With her septum already destroyed and her sinuses disappeared, Lindsey had consultations, tests, blood work, and then surgery where samples were extracted and a diagnosis reached.
After her surgery at Rochester, Minnesota Aug. 30, doctors found signs of lymphoma and a few days later, pathologists confirmed that it was indeed lymphoma. A week later Derek and Lindsey were informed that she had Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type is a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, starting in T-cells but developing most often in natural killer (NK) cells. Developing in organs or tissues other than the lymph nodes, it usually affects areas in the nose, most often the nasal passages and can also affect the paranasal sinuses or the upper part of the throat.
More common in Asia, Central America and South America, it occurs more often in men than women and the average age at diagnosis is 60. It is also strongly linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), especially in people of Asian ancestry. Since Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is already rare and Lindsey has only ever resided in Canada, is caucasian and 29-years-old, the odds of her being diagnosed with it are astounding.
After a diagnosis was reached, a scan was also done showing the cancer had not yet spread, an answer to many prayers. Lindsey and Derek were told that treatment could be done in Saskatoon so they returned home after three weeks where they had an appointment in the city with the oncologist Sept. 17. Two days later Lindsey was taken by ambulance to St. Paul’s after she had a nose bleed that wouldn’t stop. After being released from hospital, Lindsey had a scheduled radiologist appointment the following day and was informed that radiation treatment would begin in 10 days. After hearing the news of having to once again wait, Lindsey developed a fever and was admitted to the oncology ward at Royal University Hospital that same day. Because of her condition, the cancer centre doctors worked overtime to come up with a radiation treatment plan to begin a few days later instead of 10 days after, which was originally scheduled. They also did a CT, MRI and made Lindsey a radiation mask immediately, yet another answer to prayer.
Lindsey began radiation for 20 days, receiving chemotherapy once a week during that time. It was at the beginning of her treatment that Lindsey’s doctor said the cancer had found its way to the lymph nodes but was caught just before it began to spread. Her doctor also said the decision to go to Mayo Clinic saved her life.
For more than a month Derek and Lindsey remained at RUH where she received treatment. After her radiation finished in mid-October, doctors told her that she needed to gain her strength before they could begin ramping up her chemotherapy treatments. Derek and Lindsey returned home to Watrous Oct. 30 and while exhausted, Lindsey is scheduled to begin her chemotherapy treatments later this month. The current plan will have her do three straight days of chemotherapy before having a three week break. She will do that three times and doctors have told her that once her chemotherapy is completed, the cancer should be taken care of with a 70 percent chance it will not return. After that, reconstructive surgery is a good possibility so the road to recovery remains long.
However, that path has not been walked alone. Throughout this journey, we have been absolutely overwhelmed by the support we have received from so many. We are just in awe of how so many caring people have come together to support us and Derek and Lindsey during this time. People we know really well to those we have never met and others from different parts of the continent have all banded together like a family. I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten goose bumps when people have dropped off money for Derek and Lindsey or people email to let me know they and others are praying for us. We have realized that this story has touched so many and the generosity and kindness by you has touched us.
We are also reminded about the love we have from God and how He has a plan for each and every one of us. We might not like the way His plans go sometimes and we might not understand them but we are relying on our faith in Christ to get us through this difficult time. There have been instances along this journey where God has been so evident that we know He is walking alongside us. It is also the many prayers by so many that we have been able to continue along each day.
My grandma, who passed away from cancer 18 years ago would always say, ‘take one day at a time’ and we have been hanging on tight to those words and will continue to do so in the days, weeks and months ahead.”
While Derek and Lindsey were unable to attend the fundraiser, they wanted to express their sincerest gratitude as well and have been blown away by the generosity and kindness of so many. “Well where do we begin? No one ever puts themselves in these situations. As we spent all this time searching for a diagnosis, we didn’t honestly expect life to take such a dramatic turn so quickly. Things went downhill and got so intense so quickly, yet in the midst of it all, the stress has been so minimal. We have God to praise for that. When we have had to spend nearly two months away from our children our family and friends have loved them! People have supplied meals to help ease the responsibilities of those watching our children. And while the financial burden of the last two months appeared huge, we have our amazing family, community, friends, church, businesses, people from near and far, and people we don’t even know, to thank for their generosity through their financial means. We know there is a long road ahead with future expenses but we are overwhelmed, humbled and speechless when it comes to support we have received. It has been such a gift from God! Nothing we say or do will ever be enough to express our gratitude. We look forward to the day where Lindsey is back to her healthy self and can be involved in the things she loves again. We are blessed to belong to such an amazing community. From the very bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you so incredibly much.”
Daniel Bushman
The place was packed, food served, donated items and pies auctioned off and entertainment enjoyed as people from Watrous and the surrounding area came together to not only raise funds for a local family but to show their support. With an already tremendous outpouring of support towards Derek and Lindsey Bushman and their five children, a sold out fundraiser was held Nov. 8 at the Watrous Civic Centre to help the young family while Lindsey continues to fight a rare and aggressive cancer. At the end of the night, around $15,000 was raised for the family, almost $5,000 of that from the live pie auction alone where one pie sold for $1,000!
Organized and put on by Lori Ann Frey and members of the Watrous School of Dance along with Lane Manson and TB’s Bar and Grill, around 300 people attended the evening supper which included over 80 silent auction items, a live pie auction, entertainment from the Watrous School of Dance, the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Junior Youth and a song from Emma and Miley Bushman, Derek and Lindsey’s daughters and their niece Natalie Bushman. With members of both Derek and Lindsey’s families in attendance, the evening was inspirational and moving as so many attended to show their support towards the family.
For the better part of a year and a half, 29-year-old Lindsey has been fighting a rare and aggressive form of cancer. While the Watrous resident at first did not know what she was fighting, after not having a diagnosis, she along with her husband Derek chose to go to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota to find answers. That decision, according to her doctor, saved her life.
Since spending three weeks at Mayo Clinic in the United States a few months ago, Derek and Lindsey have returned home as she continues to battle the cancer in her body, receiving radiation and soon rounds of chemotherapy.
With expenses both now and in the future, people have overwhelmingly come together in a show of support for the young family in Watrous. Through various things like GoFundMe, a barbecue held by Centennial Ford during its 50th anniversary, and so many others dropping off financial donations over the past few months, the wave of support spilled over Nov. 8.
Since Derek and Lindsey were unable to be in attendance at the fundraiser, on behalf of them, myself (Daniel), my sister Tanya Jansen and Lindsey’s sister Jaymie Peters were asked by the group putting on the event to share. We have been so blown away from the outpouring of support, the encouragement and prayers of so many, at times it is hard to know how to respond and to know what to say. But because of the tremendous outpouring of support and because of how many people have been touched by Derek and Lindsey’s story, we wanted to share their journey with those unable to make the fundraiser.
The following is the majority of what we shared during the evening Nov. 8:
“How can a person say thank you enough for such an outpouring of support? How can a person say thank you enough for the many prayers, words of encouragement and financial donations received? How can a person express their sincerest thanks to everyone who has taken a moment of their time to help out my brother and sister-in law? And how can someone who has felt an overwhelming outpouring of support from so many say how appreciative they are? The only thing to say is . . . thank you!
Thank you to the many who have given so generously through the GoFundMe page that has been set up for Derek and Lindsey. Thank you to the many who have dropped off money and cheques to help them with their expenses and future costs. Thank you to the many who have made meals, have watched their kids, helped with yard work, dropped off cards of encouragement, offered support in any way possible, and who have prayed.
Thank you as well to Centennial Ford who asked us if they could give Derek and Lindsey the proceeds from their 50th anniversary barbecue. Thank you to Lori Ann Frey and members of the Watrous School of Dance and to Lane Manson and TB’s Bar and Grill for holding a fundraiser for Derek and Lindsey and asking us to speak here on behalf of the Baumann and Bushman families this evening. Thank you to the Town of Watrous for waiving the Civic Centre rental fee as well. Thank you to the teachers and staff at Watrous Elementary School and pre-school for your help with the kids. Thank you to our church family for all you have done and continue to do for our families. Thank you to the generous donors who provided items, pies and time this evening. And to each and every one of you who are here tonight, thank you.
We are truly grateful for you and we cannot express our gratitude enough.
After more than a year and a half of searching for answers and seeking a diagnosis, despite not knowing what she had attacking her body and not being covered by health insurance, Lindsey along with Derek decided to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
With time becoming more and more critical, it was there that she finally received a diagnosis and a plan to begin treatment on what had been attacking her body. With her septum already destroyed and her sinuses disappeared, Lindsey had consultations, tests, blood work, and then surgery where samples were extracted and a diagnosis reached.
After her surgery at Rochester, Minnesota Aug. 30, doctors found signs of lymphoma and a few days later, pathologists confirmed that it was indeed lymphoma. A week later Derek and Lindsey were informed that she had Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type is a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, starting in T-cells but developing most often in natural killer (NK) cells. Developing in organs or tissues other than the lymph nodes, it usually affects areas in the nose, most often the nasal passages and can also affect the paranasal sinuses or the upper part of the throat.
More common in Asia, Central America and South America, it occurs more often in men than women and the average age at diagnosis is 60. It is also strongly linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), especially in people of Asian ancestry. Since Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is already rare and Lindsey has only ever resided in Canada, is caucasian and 29-years-old, the odds of her being diagnosed with it are astounding.
After a diagnosis was reached, a scan was also done showing the cancer had not yet spread, an answer to many prayers. Lindsey and Derek were told that treatment could be done in Saskatoon so they returned home after three weeks where they had an appointment in the city with the oncologist Sept. 17. Two days later Lindsey was taken by ambulance to St. Paul’s after she had a nose bleed that wouldn’t stop. After being released from hospital, Lindsey had a scheduled radiologist appointment the following day and was informed that radiation treatment would begin in 10 days. After hearing the news of having to once again wait, Lindsey developed a fever and was admitted to the oncology ward at Royal University Hospital that same day. Because of her condition, the cancer centre doctors worked overtime to come up with a radiation treatment plan to begin a few days later instead of 10 days after, which was originally scheduled. They also did a CT, MRI and made Lindsey a radiation mask immediately, yet another answer to prayer.
Lindsey began radiation for 20 days, receiving chemotherapy once a week during that time. It was at the beginning of her treatment that Lindsey’s doctor said the cancer had found its way to the lymph nodes but was caught just before it began to spread. Her doctor also said the decision to go to Mayo Clinic saved her life.
For more than a month Derek and Lindsey remained at RUH where she received treatment. After her radiation finished in mid-October, doctors told her that she needed to gain her strength before they could begin ramping up her chemotherapy treatments. Derek and Lindsey returned home to Watrous Oct. 30 and while exhausted, Lindsey is scheduled to begin her chemotherapy treatments later this month. The current plan will have her do three straight days of chemotherapy before having a three week break. She will do that three times and doctors have told her that once her chemotherapy is completed, the cancer should be taken care of with a 70 percent chance it will not return. After that, reconstructive surgery is a good possibility so the road to recovery remains long.
However, that path has not been walked alone. Throughout this journey, we have been absolutely overwhelmed by the support we have received from so many. We are just in awe of how so many caring people have come together to support us and Derek and Lindsey during this time. People we know really well to those we have never met and others from different parts of the continent have all banded together like a family. I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten goose bumps when people have dropped off money for Derek and Lindsey or people email to let me know they and others are praying for us. We have realized that this story has touched so many and the generosity and kindness by you has touched us.
We are also reminded about the love we have from God and how He has a plan for each and every one of us. We might not like the way His plans go sometimes and we might not understand them but we are relying on our faith in Christ to get us through this difficult time. There have been instances along this journey where God has been so evident that we know He is walking alongside us. It is also the many prayers by so many that we have been able to continue along each day.
My grandma, who passed away from cancer 18 years ago would always say, ‘take one day at a time’ and we have been hanging on tight to those words and will continue to do so in the days, weeks and months ahead.”
While Derek and Lindsey were unable to attend the fundraiser, they wanted to express their sincerest gratitude as well and have been blown away by the generosity and kindness of so many. “Well where do we begin? No one ever puts themselves in these situations. As we spent all this time searching for a diagnosis, we didn’t honestly expect life to take such a dramatic turn so quickly. Things went downhill and got so intense so quickly, yet in the midst of it all, the stress has been so minimal. We have God to praise for that. When we have had to spend nearly two months away from our children our family and friends have loved them! People have supplied meals to help ease the responsibilities of those watching our children. And while the financial burden of the last two months appeared huge, we have our amazing family, community, friends, church, businesses, people from near and far, and people we don’t even know, to thank for their generosity through their financial means. We know there is a long road ahead with future expenses but we are overwhelmed, humbled and speechless when it comes to support we have received. It has been such a gift from God! Nothing we say or do will ever be enough to express our gratitude. We look forward to the day where Lindsey is back to her healthy self and can be involved in the things she loves again. We are blessed to belong to such an amazing community. From the very bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you so incredibly much.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 5, 2018
McWillie named Player of the Year
Daniel Bushman
Having a love for the game has not only translated into a successful career of striking out batters and hitting home runs but that dedication and hard work has also earned Tyler McWillie Baseball Sask’s Player of the Year honours. Recognized as the best player to suit up in 2018, McWillie was bestowed with Baseball Sask’s 2018 Player of the Year award which was handed out at the provincial organization’s annual general meeting and awards luncheon Oct. 20 in Regina.
Playing within the Watrous Minor Ball system before moving on to compete for Muenster, his province and his country, Tyler was elated to receive the award. “To be named Baseball Sask’s Player of the Year is pretty special. It is an honour to be thought of that way and I cannot thank all the coaches enough that have got me to where I am today. It is something that I am really honoured and proud of.”
Sitting in English class down in Colby, Kansas where he is attending junior college, Tyler said he received a text from his mom Renai that he had been awarded with something pretty cool. “I never thought too much into it and then I got back to my dorm and my jaw dropped when I found out what it was. Again it is something I take a lot of pride in. There are so many athletes that were in the same category as me and it almost gives me shivers thinking that they nominated me for the award.”
While Tyler said 2018 might not have been the greatest statistic wise, he felt the year was his best as a whole. Coming off elbow surgery, McWillie not only had the task of recovering but putting in a lot of hard work to regain his full potential. With a lot of support from his family, friends and teammates, Tyler went to work and began his rehab. “I lost most of my strength and it took a while to get it back. It was difficult taking that step back but I had to learn to get better every day and that is what I thought I needed to do.”
While it did not come as easy or as quickly as the pitcher and hitter wanted, McWillie began buying into the process and pretty soon the discouragement turned into results and his laser quick velocity returned as did his smooth swing of the bat. “I was able to overcome a lot this past year and because of that, it will be a year I will remember for a very long time.”
His hard work both on and off the field did not go unnoticed as Baseball Sask’s High Performance Director Greg Brons understood how tough it was for Tyler. Brons was the person who submitted the nomination for McWillie to be this year’s Player of the Year stating: Tyler McWillie is one of the most dedicated, loyal, and hardest working players we have ever had in the program. 2017 saw him win a gold medal at the Canada Games as he was on the mound for the final out. In September, he found out he needed surgery on his elbow. Thankfully it was not the UCL but it required a tremendous amount of rehab during the off season. 2018 proved to be a great year for him once he got his strength back. He competed with the Muenster Red Sox. At provincials, he pitched six innings for the win and struck out 11 batters. At the Canada Cup in Moncton, Tyler was a key player on the mound and at the plate for Team Sask. He had two home runs at the tournament – one against Team Ontario and one versus Team Quebec. He was always a threat with the bat as many teams tried pitching around him. On the mound he got the save versus Team B.C. in a 1-0 win and the save versus Team Quebec which allowed us to finish fifth overall at the tournament. He flashed a 90+ m.p.h. fastball at the tournament during his appearances. Greg Hamilton with Team Canada will be inviting Tyler to the qualifying tournament in Panama in November. Currently, Tyler is in Kansas playing junior college baseball and is fitting in really well with his new teammates along with Sask teammates Ryan Olchoway and Logan Hofmann. Coach Ryan Carter at Colby is very happy to have Tyler on his roster and believes he will be a big part of their success in the Jayhawk conference this year.
Growing up on the farm, McWillie said he picked up a glove and bat right from an early age. Having members of his family already involved in ball also spurred on McWillie’s passion for the game. “I started around the age of five. I always used to watch my Dad play fastball growing up and my brothers and I would play catch for countless hours during the game.”
While the game on the field would come to a close for Tyler’s Dad Norman, the one between the McWillie brothers would be put on pause with hopes it would resume once the family arrived back at the farm. “We would get home and I would beg to go outside and play more,” said Tyler, adding, “My brothers and my Dad are a big reason for where I am today with the hours they would play with me and I cannot thank my Mom enough for all the driving she has done for me.”
It was also Tyler’s mom Renai who accepted the Player of the Year award on Tyler’s behalf while he is down in Colby, Kansas. Since his time began south of the border, Tyler said the new adjustment has been going pretty well. “I am really enjoying my time down here. I knew some guys before like Logan Hoffman from Muenster so that has been really nice. He helped me to get settled in and the coaches are great. I am really happy with the school I have picked.”
As McWillie gets used to his new surroundings in a community of about 6,500, he noted how his past successes have aided in paving the way to where he is now. Some of those early accomplishments were evident on the ball diamonds in Watrous as he competed within the local minor ball system. “Watrous Minor Baseball was a great place to start with my development and that is where I learned to love the game. Playing ball on a Saturday with my best friends was something that I loved doing. I was fortunate to have my Dad as a coach growing up and he always pushed me to be better and I really think that helped with my success. All the coaches I had growing up loved the game and that has had an affect on me as well.”
Learning and loving the sport also brought with it the opportunity to try out different positions. Tyler has not only excelled at being able to pitch and hit but he has applied that knowledge during game situations, both on the mound and at the plate.
“Being able to pitch and hit is a huge advantage. When I am in the box against an opposing pitcher, I can almost guess what they will be throwing because I am able to put myself in their shoes and vise versa when I am the pitcher. I think it gives me an upper hand against the competition. If I had to choose a favourite position though it would probably be pitching because there is no better feeling than striking a batter out. I like having control of the game and that is what pitching does.”
Because of the way he approaches the game, McWillie has not only been able to compete locally and within Saskatchewan but around the continent as well. “Baseball has taken me all over North America. I have been on so many trips to the United States and to the eastern part of Canada. I have been grateful enough to compete at a high level since I was around the age of 11 and you do not really realize it at the time but looking back at all the places I have been, it really is something special.”
McWillie will be adding another destination to his list of places when he takes part in Team Canada’s national trip to Panama Nov. 13 to Dec. 3. McWillie said he is thrilled to be a part of the journey ahead. “I have always dreamt of putting on the jersey of our national team. I had chills running through my whole body when I was talking to Greg Hamilton with Team Canada. Although I have made the initial selection I still need to prove myself. I am really looking forward to the competition that we will be facing. It will be an incredible experience.”
After McWillie has a chance to be a part of Team Canada on the global stage, he will return to Kansas to focus on the college season. “I am really looking forward to a great year.”
And through it all, with all of the success he has already had in his career, Tyler was quick to point out it has been a team effort along the way. “My family is number one, my father, brothers and mother have helped me tremendously. I have always looked up to Eugene McWillie as well since he dominated the game of softball for so many years. All the coaches I have had have helped, the main thing is they always make baseball fun, I have never thought of it as a chore, it is always something I am able to enjoy.”
Daniel Bushman
Having a love for the game has not only translated into a successful career of striking out batters and hitting home runs but that dedication and hard work has also earned Tyler McWillie Baseball Sask’s Player of the Year honours. Recognized as the best player to suit up in 2018, McWillie was bestowed with Baseball Sask’s 2018 Player of the Year award which was handed out at the provincial organization’s annual general meeting and awards luncheon Oct. 20 in Regina.
Playing within the Watrous Minor Ball system before moving on to compete for Muenster, his province and his country, Tyler was elated to receive the award. “To be named Baseball Sask’s Player of the Year is pretty special. It is an honour to be thought of that way and I cannot thank all the coaches enough that have got me to where I am today. It is something that I am really honoured and proud of.”
Sitting in English class down in Colby, Kansas where he is attending junior college, Tyler said he received a text from his mom Renai that he had been awarded with something pretty cool. “I never thought too much into it and then I got back to my dorm and my jaw dropped when I found out what it was. Again it is something I take a lot of pride in. There are so many athletes that were in the same category as me and it almost gives me shivers thinking that they nominated me for the award.”
While Tyler said 2018 might not have been the greatest statistic wise, he felt the year was his best as a whole. Coming off elbow surgery, McWillie not only had the task of recovering but putting in a lot of hard work to regain his full potential. With a lot of support from his family, friends and teammates, Tyler went to work and began his rehab. “I lost most of my strength and it took a while to get it back. It was difficult taking that step back but I had to learn to get better every day and that is what I thought I needed to do.”
While it did not come as easy or as quickly as the pitcher and hitter wanted, McWillie began buying into the process and pretty soon the discouragement turned into results and his laser quick velocity returned as did his smooth swing of the bat. “I was able to overcome a lot this past year and because of that, it will be a year I will remember for a very long time.”
His hard work both on and off the field did not go unnoticed as Baseball Sask’s High Performance Director Greg Brons understood how tough it was for Tyler. Brons was the person who submitted the nomination for McWillie to be this year’s Player of the Year stating: Tyler McWillie is one of the most dedicated, loyal, and hardest working players we have ever had in the program. 2017 saw him win a gold medal at the Canada Games as he was on the mound for the final out. In September, he found out he needed surgery on his elbow. Thankfully it was not the UCL but it required a tremendous amount of rehab during the off season. 2018 proved to be a great year for him once he got his strength back. He competed with the Muenster Red Sox. At provincials, he pitched six innings for the win and struck out 11 batters. At the Canada Cup in Moncton, Tyler was a key player on the mound and at the plate for Team Sask. He had two home runs at the tournament – one against Team Ontario and one versus Team Quebec. He was always a threat with the bat as many teams tried pitching around him. On the mound he got the save versus Team B.C. in a 1-0 win and the save versus Team Quebec which allowed us to finish fifth overall at the tournament. He flashed a 90+ m.p.h. fastball at the tournament during his appearances. Greg Hamilton with Team Canada will be inviting Tyler to the qualifying tournament in Panama in November. Currently, Tyler is in Kansas playing junior college baseball and is fitting in really well with his new teammates along with Sask teammates Ryan Olchoway and Logan Hofmann. Coach Ryan Carter at Colby is very happy to have Tyler on his roster and believes he will be a big part of their success in the Jayhawk conference this year.
Growing up on the farm, McWillie said he picked up a glove and bat right from an early age. Having members of his family already involved in ball also spurred on McWillie’s passion for the game. “I started around the age of five. I always used to watch my Dad play fastball growing up and my brothers and I would play catch for countless hours during the game.”
While the game on the field would come to a close for Tyler’s Dad Norman, the one between the McWillie brothers would be put on pause with hopes it would resume once the family arrived back at the farm. “We would get home and I would beg to go outside and play more,” said Tyler, adding, “My brothers and my Dad are a big reason for where I am today with the hours they would play with me and I cannot thank my Mom enough for all the driving she has done for me.”
It was also Tyler’s mom Renai who accepted the Player of the Year award on Tyler’s behalf while he is down in Colby, Kansas. Since his time began south of the border, Tyler said the new adjustment has been going pretty well. “I am really enjoying my time down here. I knew some guys before like Logan Hoffman from Muenster so that has been really nice. He helped me to get settled in and the coaches are great. I am really happy with the school I have picked.”
As McWillie gets used to his new surroundings in a community of about 6,500, he noted how his past successes have aided in paving the way to where he is now. Some of those early accomplishments were evident on the ball diamonds in Watrous as he competed within the local minor ball system. “Watrous Minor Baseball was a great place to start with my development and that is where I learned to love the game. Playing ball on a Saturday with my best friends was something that I loved doing. I was fortunate to have my Dad as a coach growing up and he always pushed me to be better and I really think that helped with my success. All the coaches I had growing up loved the game and that has had an affect on me as well.”
Learning and loving the sport also brought with it the opportunity to try out different positions. Tyler has not only excelled at being able to pitch and hit but he has applied that knowledge during game situations, both on the mound and at the plate.
“Being able to pitch and hit is a huge advantage. When I am in the box against an opposing pitcher, I can almost guess what they will be throwing because I am able to put myself in their shoes and vise versa when I am the pitcher. I think it gives me an upper hand against the competition. If I had to choose a favourite position though it would probably be pitching because there is no better feeling than striking a batter out. I like having control of the game and that is what pitching does.”
Because of the way he approaches the game, McWillie has not only been able to compete locally and within Saskatchewan but around the continent as well. “Baseball has taken me all over North America. I have been on so many trips to the United States and to the eastern part of Canada. I have been grateful enough to compete at a high level since I was around the age of 11 and you do not really realize it at the time but looking back at all the places I have been, it really is something special.”
McWillie will be adding another destination to his list of places when he takes part in Team Canada’s national trip to Panama Nov. 13 to Dec. 3. McWillie said he is thrilled to be a part of the journey ahead. “I have always dreamt of putting on the jersey of our national team. I had chills running through my whole body when I was talking to Greg Hamilton with Team Canada. Although I have made the initial selection I still need to prove myself. I am really looking forward to the competition that we will be facing. It will be an incredible experience.”
After McWillie has a chance to be a part of Team Canada on the global stage, he will return to Kansas to focus on the college season. “I am really looking forward to a great year.”
And through it all, with all of the success he has already had in his career, Tyler was quick to point out it has been a team effort along the way. “My family is number one, my father, brothers and mother have helped me tremendously. I have always looked up to Eugene McWillie as well since he dominated the game of softball for so many years. All the coaches I have had have helped, the main thing is they always make baseball fun, I have never thought of it as a chore, it is always something I am able to enjoy.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 29, 2018
Manitou Mainline Chrysler holds grand opening
Daniel Bushman
History was made and a new era commenced as upwards of 600 people went through the doors of the brand new Manitou Mainline Chrysler in Watrous during its grand opening. With close to 400 new and used vehicles lined up and ready to be purchased at the state-of-the-art 25,000 square foot facility, the official grand opening ceremony was held at the dealership just off of Hwy. 2 in Watrous.
With dignitaries, special guests and customers from the community, surrounding area and province in attendance Oct. 20, co-owner and president of the dealership Curtis Merrifield said the grand opening was excellent.
“The team we have in Watrous did a great job of putting on the event and it was great to see so many people make it out and show their support. It was really a good grand opening with so many customers turning out to see what we have to offer.”
After officially putting the shovels in the ground last October, people were able to stop by just over a year later to take in the celebrations of the finished facility. On behalf of business partners Jason Ediger and Keegan McAvoy and land partner Don Campbell, Merrifield shared words of appreciation to the many people that helped with the project and those who have supported the venture.
“Without Don Campbell, the Town of Watrous, Melron and Wright Construction, we would not have been at the point where we were at to have the grand opening. They all went really above and beyond and we really appreciated it and are excited to be part of the community.” An excited Merrifield continued, “It is great to be able to open a dealership like this in Watrous and I think it will not only bring in more people to the community and the area but also strengthen the business community. Having a third dealership here and being a new brand, I think it will provide another reason to come to Watrous. The last time there was a Chrysler dealership in Watrous was back when I was a kid so having Chrysler return will make this town a bigger attraction. There are three strong car dealerships here and people should be proud of that.”
For Merrifield and Ediger, it was also a coming home of sorts as the pair began their careers within the car industry at Watrous Mainline Motors. “We started at Mainline and Don Campbell and my Dad (Gerald Merrifield) gave us our start. Jason was there with me and we are definitely happy to be back in Watrous. It is where we grew up and where we first started.”
After moving from Watrous, the pair set up shop in Rosetown and for Curtis, he said it has been quite the journey. “I owe the opportunity to Don and my dad. They gave me my first opportunity at Watrous Mainline Motors and then in Rosetown and Jason and I were able to go there and create something pretty incredible. Don and Dad stayed with us to get the Kindersley and Virden dealerships as well and now we have come full circle back to Watrous where it all began. When I left town I did not think I would be back but it is pretty exciting to return home.”
Noting how great his business partners have been along the way and with the help from those within Watrous, Curtis said without them, Manitou Mainline Chrysler would not have come to fruition.
“I was blown away at how quick things came together and a lot of that was due to the support from my business partners Jason Ediger and Keegan McAvoy, land partner Don Campbell, and the Town of Watrous and Melron. I think this business will be a positive thing for years to come and as we grow as a dealership, more people will come in to town. Bringing in more people to Watrous is positive for everybody and I am excited to be a part of Watrous and Manitou Beach again.”
Merrifield also said it has been nice to have his Mom Lynn lending a hand at the new dealership. “My Mom is helping us out which has been really great. She does tours when people come through the doors and welcomes them with open arms. She is also donating her salary back to different organizations in town and has been incredible for us. It is great to have her and to have other local area people on staff. The group we have here is excellent.”
Along with Curtis, general manager of the new dealership Ryan Hunt also shared a few words during the grand opening ceremony. He was joined by Watrous Mayor Ed Collins, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec, and RM of Morris Reeve Bob Penrose, who brought greetings. Melron owners Ron and Melissa Ediger, who purchased the first vehicle from the dealership, provided Manitou Mainline Chrysler with a plaque containing a sculptured Ram that is now displayed in the lounge area.
Hunt said the enthusiasm from everyone in attendance was contagious and despite the wet weather earlier in the month leading to a lot of farmers being on the fields, he said the grand opening was still a huge success.
“It was exciting to see so many people coming through the doors and watching their reactions as they saw the brand new place for the first time. This is an exciting time for the community and the area and we had people coming from as far away as Manitoba, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Rosetown and down by Weyburn.”
The general manager also mentioned how appreciative he was that the local dignitaries were able to attend the special day including Hendry’s owner Bob Hendry from Nokomis. “We were grateful that Bob was able to make it as well and are excited to be able to work with him moving forward.”
As part of the ceremonies, a board with the inscription of Manitou Mainline Chrysler, carved by local artist Wayne Seabrook was used for the official ribbon cutting. Curtis Merrifield received a chainsaw from Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec and cut the ‘ribbon’ to officially open the dealership. People who were shuttled to the business from nearby then had the opportunity to check out the vehicles and the 25,000 square foot facility which includes auto repairs, a quick lube oil change bay, detailing services, and a parts department. A barbecue was also put on and prizes given away throughout the day. Customers also had the chance to interact with the nearly 40 employees that are on staff. Hunt said when it came to hiring, it was nice to be able to bring in a lot of local and familiar faces.
“Having local faces was a focus of mine,” he said. “We want to have people at Manitou Mainline Chrysler here for a long time and hiring from the community was important to me. People are the foundation of this business and the strength of the community and we wanted to have that here. This is exciting for us and we want this place to have an inviting atmosphere. That is the most important thing to us. We want to stand out and be different and we are appreciative of those who were able to stop by Oct. 20. For those who were riding in the combine trying to get harvest completed and unable to make it, we look forward to meeting you in the near future.”
Daniel Bushman
History was made and a new era commenced as upwards of 600 people went through the doors of the brand new Manitou Mainline Chrysler in Watrous during its grand opening. With close to 400 new and used vehicles lined up and ready to be purchased at the state-of-the-art 25,000 square foot facility, the official grand opening ceremony was held at the dealership just off of Hwy. 2 in Watrous.
With dignitaries, special guests and customers from the community, surrounding area and province in attendance Oct. 20, co-owner and president of the dealership Curtis Merrifield said the grand opening was excellent.
“The team we have in Watrous did a great job of putting on the event and it was great to see so many people make it out and show their support. It was really a good grand opening with so many customers turning out to see what we have to offer.”
After officially putting the shovels in the ground last October, people were able to stop by just over a year later to take in the celebrations of the finished facility. On behalf of business partners Jason Ediger and Keegan McAvoy and land partner Don Campbell, Merrifield shared words of appreciation to the many people that helped with the project and those who have supported the venture.
“Without Don Campbell, the Town of Watrous, Melron and Wright Construction, we would not have been at the point where we were at to have the grand opening. They all went really above and beyond and we really appreciated it and are excited to be part of the community.” An excited Merrifield continued, “It is great to be able to open a dealership like this in Watrous and I think it will not only bring in more people to the community and the area but also strengthen the business community. Having a third dealership here and being a new brand, I think it will provide another reason to come to Watrous. The last time there was a Chrysler dealership in Watrous was back when I was a kid so having Chrysler return will make this town a bigger attraction. There are three strong car dealerships here and people should be proud of that.”
For Merrifield and Ediger, it was also a coming home of sorts as the pair began their careers within the car industry at Watrous Mainline Motors. “We started at Mainline and Don Campbell and my Dad (Gerald Merrifield) gave us our start. Jason was there with me and we are definitely happy to be back in Watrous. It is where we grew up and where we first started.”
After moving from Watrous, the pair set up shop in Rosetown and for Curtis, he said it has been quite the journey. “I owe the opportunity to Don and my dad. They gave me my first opportunity at Watrous Mainline Motors and then in Rosetown and Jason and I were able to go there and create something pretty incredible. Don and Dad stayed with us to get the Kindersley and Virden dealerships as well and now we have come full circle back to Watrous where it all began. When I left town I did not think I would be back but it is pretty exciting to return home.”
Noting how great his business partners have been along the way and with the help from those within Watrous, Curtis said without them, Manitou Mainline Chrysler would not have come to fruition.
“I was blown away at how quick things came together and a lot of that was due to the support from my business partners Jason Ediger and Keegan McAvoy, land partner Don Campbell, and the Town of Watrous and Melron. I think this business will be a positive thing for years to come and as we grow as a dealership, more people will come in to town. Bringing in more people to Watrous is positive for everybody and I am excited to be a part of Watrous and Manitou Beach again.”
Merrifield also said it has been nice to have his Mom Lynn lending a hand at the new dealership. “My Mom is helping us out which has been really great. She does tours when people come through the doors and welcomes them with open arms. She is also donating her salary back to different organizations in town and has been incredible for us. It is great to have her and to have other local area people on staff. The group we have here is excellent.”
Along with Curtis, general manager of the new dealership Ryan Hunt also shared a few words during the grand opening ceremony. He was joined by Watrous Mayor Ed Collins, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec, and RM of Morris Reeve Bob Penrose, who brought greetings. Melron owners Ron and Melissa Ediger, who purchased the first vehicle from the dealership, provided Manitou Mainline Chrysler with a plaque containing a sculptured Ram that is now displayed in the lounge area.
Hunt said the enthusiasm from everyone in attendance was contagious and despite the wet weather earlier in the month leading to a lot of farmers being on the fields, he said the grand opening was still a huge success.
“It was exciting to see so many people coming through the doors and watching their reactions as they saw the brand new place for the first time. This is an exciting time for the community and the area and we had people coming from as far away as Manitoba, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Rosetown and down by Weyburn.”
The general manager also mentioned how appreciative he was that the local dignitaries were able to attend the special day including Hendry’s owner Bob Hendry from Nokomis. “We were grateful that Bob was able to make it as well and are excited to be able to work with him moving forward.”
As part of the ceremonies, a board with the inscription of Manitou Mainline Chrysler, carved by local artist Wayne Seabrook was used for the official ribbon cutting. Curtis Merrifield received a chainsaw from Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec and cut the ‘ribbon’ to officially open the dealership. People who were shuttled to the business from nearby then had the opportunity to check out the vehicles and the 25,000 square foot facility which includes auto repairs, a quick lube oil change bay, detailing services, and a parts department. A barbecue was also put on and prizes given away throughout the day. Customers also had the chance to interact with the nearly 40 employees that are on staff. Hunt said when it came to hiring, it was nice to be able to bring in a lot of local and familiar faces.
“Having local faces was a focus of mine,” he said. “We want to have people at Manitou Mainline Chrysler here for a long time and hiring from the community was important to me. People are the foundation of this business and the strength of the community and we wanted to have that here. This is exciting for us and we want this place to have an inviting atmosphere. That is the most important thing to us. We want to stand out and be different and we are appreciative of those who were able to stop by Oct. 20. For those who were riding in the combine trying to get harvest completed and unable to make it, we look forward to meeting you in the near future.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 22, 2018
Centennial Ford celebrates 50 years in business
Daniel Bushman
Cake was cut, lunch served, vehicles sold and prizes won as Centennial Ford in Watrous not only marked a milestone but provided an opportunity for its customers and local area residents to celebrate the occasion. For the past 50 years the community-minded dealership has sold thousands of vehicles, won numerous awards and provided substantial funds towards community initiatives.
Current owner of Centennial Ford, Michelle Amendt along with previous owners Earle Amendt Sr. and Earl Jr. were joined by family members, staff, dignitaries and customers Oct. 13 to commemorate the past 50 years. Michelle said she was excited to be able to celebrate the massive milestone, noting the importance of those who have supported the dealership within the community and surrounding area.
First starting as a Ford dealership, gas station and restaurant in 1968 along Hwy. 2 in Watrous, Centennial Ford underwent a major renovation 20 years later to include a 5,500 square foot back shop. While the gas station and restaurant eventually disappeared allowing more room for vehicles, two more renovations including the most recent change of the dealership’s frontage occurred; with all three spearheaded by former owner Earle Amendt Sr.
But before Earle Sr. took on the dealership and implemented some of his changes, Michelle said the building was first purchased from Peter and Barbara Rogina by Maynard Fossen and Dale Hayter. Under the leadership of Fossen and Hayter, Centennial Ford moved ahead and in 1984, Earle Amendt Sr. purchased Fossen’s shares. Bing Vanthuyne was also a part owner for several years, starting at the dealership in 1969 and becoming part owner in 1973. “He was an owner for approximately 20 years and his no pressure, friendly nature has proved an essential part of Centennial Ford’s success,” said Michelle.
As the business continued to grow, Earle Amendt Sr. eventually became sole owner of the company, running the dealership for a number of years before selling it approximately 15 years ago to Earl Amendt Jr. and Michelle Amendt. Then in December 2016, Michelle took on the sole role of owner.
Being able to be part of a family owned business, Michelle said it has been very cool. “Pride says it all,” she emphasized. “There has been a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment that have made it happen for us to be here today. There are two key players that have contributed to the success and growth of Centennial Ford over the past number of years. I have had the pleasure of working with these two over the past 20 years and knowing them my entire life! Earle Sr. spent 34 years overseeing the business with his vision, organizational skills and attention to detail with numbers. Earl Jr. has been involved for 30 years using his wit and charm to sell vehicles, manage people and manage inventory.”
With 24 employees currently at the dealership, Amendt said it is an incredible achievement to be able to reach 50 years of business in Watrous.
“There are few businesses, especially in today’s day and age, that can say they have marked 50 years and we really feel proud and honoured to have achieved that. I think what makes us special is the people, both staff and our customers. We have an excellent staff that work together and we strive to give excellent service and pay close attention to our customers’ needs. We have received over 20 Customer Satisfaction Awards from Ford of Canada, the most recent was the President’s Diamond Club Award achieved for 2017. This is the highest customer satisfaction award that you can achieve from Ford.”
Because of the support from Watrous and the surrounding area, Michelle was quick to point out that it remains the reason they are still in business. “It has been excellent over the years and the community is extremely important to us. Without it, we would not be here today.”
It is because of the importance of community to Centennial Ford that they have also in turn given back. “Over the last 50 years Centennial Ford has been involved with many community events. We have been able to donate $30,000 to the Watrous Swimming Pool, $50,000 to the Watrous Hospital Foundation, and $50,000 to the Watrous/Manitou Beach Heritage Centre. We have also hosted many Drive Events to raise money for the Watrous community including for Winston High School, the Watrous Curling Rink, the Watrous School of Dance and the United Church to name a few. Additionally, we held many Drive Events for the surrounding area as well that included Young, Imperial, Lanigan, Viscount, Davidson, Allan and Colonsay. With Ford’s generous donations through those events and others, over $85,000 dollars for those local groups and charities has been raised!”
Amendt also noted that outside of the day to day business operations, the Centennial Ford family has been involved within the community. “Throughout the past several years Centennial Ford management and owners have been involved in the community in various roles including as president of Chamber of Commerce, past Kinsmen president, Fun Run car show chair, on Watrous Town Council, Knights of Columbus, president of the organizing committee to build the Manitou Springs Hotel, plus coaching baseball and hockey. Currently Earl Jr. is part of the United Church board and I have been an active member of the Music Festival committee and Horizon Winds Band committee for several years. I have also coached and managed the local swim club for 20 years. For us it is more than selling cars. We appreciate the community we have grown up in, raised our kids in and have done business in. To our customers, the community and the surrounding area, we appreciate you and we hope to be able to continue to serve you in the future!”
Daniel Bushman
Cake was cut, lunch served, vehicles sold and prizes won as Centennial Ford in Watrous not only marked a milestone but provided an opportunity for its customers and local area residents to celebrate the occasion. For the past 50 years the community-minded dealership has sold thousands of vehicles, won numerous awards and provided substantial funds towards community initiatives.
Current owner of Centennial Ford, Michelle Amendt along with previous owners Earle Amendt Sr. and Earl Jr. were joined by family members, staff, dignitaries and customers Oct. 13 to commemorate the past 50 years. Michelle said she was excited to be able to celebrate the massive milestone, noting the importance of those who have supported the dealership within the community and surrounding area.
First starting as a Ford dealership, gas station and restaurant in 1968 along Hwy. 2 in Watrous, Centennial Ford underwent a major renovation 20 years later to include a 5,500 square foot back shop. While the gas station and restaurant eventually disappeared allowing more room for vehicles, two more renovations including the most recent change of the dealership’s frontage occurred; with all three spearheaded by former owner Earle Amendt Sr.
But before Earle Sr. took on the dealership and implemented some of his changes, Michelle said the building was first purchased from Peter and Barbara Rogina by Maynard Fossen and Dale Hayter. Under the leadership of Fossen and Hayter, Centennial Ford moved ahead and in 1984, Earle Amendt Sr. purchased Fossen’s shares. Bing Vanthuyne was also a part owner for several years, starting at the dealership in 1969 and becoming part owner in 1973. “He was an owner for approximately 20 years and his no pressure, friendly nature has proved an essential part of Centennial Ford’s success,” said Michelle.
As the business continued to grow, Earle Amendt Sr. eventually became sole owner of the company, running the dealership for a number of years before selling it approximately 15 years ago to Earl Amendt Jr. and Michelle Amendt. Then in December 2016, Michelle took on the sole role of owner.
Being able to be part of a family owned business, Michelle said it has been very cool. “Pride says it all,” she emphasized. “There has been a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment that have made it happen for us to be here today. There are two key players that have contributed to the success and growth of Centennial Ford over the past number of years. I have had the pleasure of working with these two over the past 20 years and knowing them my entire life! Earle Sr. spent 34 years overseeing the business with his vision, organizational skills and attention to detail with numbers. Earl Jr. has been involved for 30 years using his wit and charm to sell vehicles, manage people and manage inventory.”
With 24 employees currently at the dealership, Amendt said it is an incredible achievement to be able to reach 50 years of business in Watrous.
“There are few businesses, especially in today’s day and age, that can say they have marked 50 years and we really feel proud and honoured to have achieved that. I think what makes us special is the people, both staff and our customers. We have an excellent staff that work together and we strive to give excellent service and pay close attention to our customers’ needs. We have received over 20 Customer Satisfaction Awards from Ford of Canada, the most recent was the President’s Diamond Club Award achieved for 2017. This is the highest customer satisfaction award that you can achieve from Ford.”
Because of the support from Watrous and the surrounding area, Michelle was quick to point out that it remains the reason they are still in business. “It has been excellent over the years and the community is extremely important to us. Without it, we would not be here today.”
It is because of the importance of community to Centennial Ford that they have also in turn given back. “Over the last 50 years Centennial Ford has been involved with many community events. We have been able to donate $30,000 to the Watrous Swimming Pool, $50,000 to the Watrous Hospital Foundation, and $50,000 to the Watrous/Manitou Beach Heritage Centre. We have also hosted many Drive Events to raise money for the Watrous community including for Winston High School, the Watrous Curling Rink, the Watrous School of Dance and the United Church to name a few. Additionally, we held many Drive Events for the surrounding area as well that included Young, Imperial, Lanigan, Viscount, Davidson, Allan and Colonsay. With Ford’s generous donations through those events and others, over $85,000 dollars for those local groups and charities has been raised!”
Amendt also noted that outside of the day to day business operations, the Centennial Ford family has been involved within the community. “Throughout the past several years Centennial Ford management and owners have been involved in the community in various roles including as president of Chamber of Commerce, past Kinsmen president, Fun Run car show chair, on Watrous Town Council, Knights of Columbus, president of the organizing committee to build the Manitou Springs Hotel, plus coaching baseball and hockey. Currently Earl Jr. is part of the United Church board and I have been an active member of the Music Festival committee and Horizon Winds Band committee for several years. I have also coached and managed the local swim club for 20 years. For us it is more than selling cars. We appreciate the community we have grown up in, raised our kids in and have done business in. To our customers, the community and the surrounding area, we appreciate you and we hope to be able to continue to serve you in the future!”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 15, 2018
WorkHorse Hub founded by local resident named ABEX Award finalist
Daniel Bushman
It is an innovative and creative way of matching employees with employers within the agricultural sector and later this month, WorkHorse Hub (co-created by local resident Morgan Knezacek), will be up for an ABEX award. Celebrating Saskatchewan business excellence, WorkHorse Hub was named a finalist in the Innovation Award category for this year’s 35th annual Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) Awards.
Grouped with other innovative businesses throughout Saskatchewan, Knezacek, who now calls Manitou Beach home, was honoured and thrilled when she found out WorkHorse Hub was named a finalist. “We were taught to work hard, always be learning and stay grounded.” Growing up on the family farm between Watrous and Manitou Beach, Morgan gained experience working with her parents Ed and Mary, and brothers Luke and Gavin before starting her career and eventually co-creating WorkHorse Hub with Kristjan Hebert.
An entrepreneur in the agriculture sector, Knezacek began consulting across the province for grain farms, predominantly larger ones, where she would help with everything from hiring to navigating succession. However, it was during that time she discovered the need for labour was a lot bigger than she thought.
“I had the opportunity to attend an industry conference and quickly realized that across all agricultural sectors, HR and finding good labour was a major pain point.”
What Knezacek gleaned from her time at the industry conference in Winnipeg was the immense struggle employers in those sectors were faced with in trying to find the right people. “I think employers found it challenging to promote their job opportunities and attract candidates. After that conference, I thought there has to be a way to solve this on a larger scale.”
Knowing that hiring recruiters to help Morgan would not be enough to deal with the magnitude of the issue, Knezacek got down to business. After having a conversation with Kristjan, who ended up becoming her business partner, the pair talked about how to solve this problem.
“We honed in on an idea and it was essentially based on a dating, match.com concept. If people can get matched for love why can’t they get matched for work?”
Setting out to create this unique online site and opportunity for both employer and employee in the agriculture sector, Knezacek and Hebert launched WorkHorse Hub.
“We invested in market research and began to understand that producers want help finding the right people to work for their operation so we decided to combine our expertise in human resources, agriculture, and technology and transform the way agriculture hires.”
Building a team proficient in development, human resources, marketing, immigration law among other fields, Knezacek explained their new way of finding the right matches for both the employee and employer.
“We are striving to revolutionize the way agriculture workers are hired. We use a matching algorithm that matches job seekers to employers and vice versa. We have candidates that are local and from around the world, they can choose to be in our database and receive messages from employers or remain private and just recieve match updates. Some are looking to get exposure and experience working on farms and others are millenial or generation z farmers from Australia, for example. Their parents have given them lots of experience as a kid growing up but they’d like to go away for a few years, gain some exposure and bring that knowledge back to the farm. It’s a piece of the succession path for those candidates.”
Because of their innovative and user-friendly system, WorkHorse Hub was recognized as a finalist for this year’s ABEX Awards. In order to be selected for the prestigious awards, ABEX applicants went through a rigorous adjudication process with 52 finalists ultimately selected in nine business categories. Finalists are then judged on the quality of their application and supporting documents, including a Safety Plan. The Safety Plan is an important aspect of each application, Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board is the Safety Partner for the ABEX Awards.
“It is a really rewarding place to be,” said Knezacek of WorkHorse Hub, which can be found online at www.workhorsehub.ca. “I feel like we have a lot of room to grow but can also appreciate how far we’ve come. That is all kudos to our team. We have a fantastic group of people that are just as passionate—or maybe even more passionate than I am—that are helping us move forward. Myself and Kristjan could not do this alone. We’ve got a great team!”
Knezacek also added she would not be where she is today without the support from her family. “My husband Matthew has been such a tremendous support and an encouragement to me as I have taken on this venture. We have been so blessed by our daughter Gwenyth and both her and my husband mean the world to me.”
Along with WorkHorse Hub in the Innovation Award category, sponsored by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the other finalists are: InfraReady Products (1998) Ltd., Quantum Mechanical Technology Inc., Viking Innovations Ltd., and Linnaeus Plant Sciences Inc.
The remaining categories include: the Community Involvement Award, the Export Award, the Growth and Expansion Award, the Marketing Award, the New Venture Award, the Service Award, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the Priority Focus Award.
Five additional awards will be awarded on the night of the ABEX Awards and include: the prestigious Business Leader of the Year Award, the Community Leader of the Year Award, the Saskatchewan Hall of Fame, the Roger Phillips Chamber Builder, and the ABEX Business of the Year.
Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce said, “It’s an honour for the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce to continue to host this event and pay tribute to the Saskatchewan businesses that are doing amazing things in our province and across the globe.”
The finalists for the 2018 ABEX Awards, presented by Conexus Credit Union will be recognized at this year’s ABEX Awards Oct. 20 at TCU Place in Saskatoon. For a complete list of the finalists, people can visit www.saskchamber.com.
Daniel Bushman
It is an innovative and creative way of matching employees with employers within the agricultural sector and later this month, WorkHorse Hub (co-created by local resident Morgan Knezacek), will be up for an ABEX award. Celebrating Saskatchewan business excellence, WorkHorse Hub was named a finalist in the Innovation Award category for this year’s 35th annual Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) Awards.
Grouped with other innovative businesses throughout Saskatchewan, Knezacek, who now calls Manitou Beach home, was honoured and thrilled when she found out WorkHorse Hub was named a finalist. “We were taught to work hard, always be learning and stay grounded.” Growing up on the family farm between Watrous and Manitou Beach, Morgan gained experience working with her parents Ed and Mary, and brothers Luke and Gavin before starting her career and eventually co-creating WorkHorse Hub with Kristjan Hebert.
An entrepreneur in the agriculture sector, Knezacek began consulting across the province for grain farms, predominantly larger ones, where she would help with everything from hiring to navigating succession. However, it was during that time she discovered the need for labour was a lot bigger than she thought.
“I had the opportunity to attend an industry conference and quickly realized that across all agricultural sectors, HR and finding good labour was a major pain point.”
What Knezacek gleaned from her time at the industry conference in Winnipeg was the immense struggle employers in those sectors were faced with in trying to find the right people. “I think employers found it challenging to promote their job opportunities and attract candidates. After that conference, I thought there has to be a way to solve this on a larger scale.”
Knowing that hiring recruiters to help Morgan would not be enough to deal with the magnitude of the issue, Knezacek got down to business. After having a conversation with Kristjan, who ended up becoming her business partner, the pair talked about how to solve this problem.
“We honed in on an idea and it was essentially based on a dating, match.com concept. If people can get matched for love why can’t they get matched for work?”
Setting out to create this unique online site and opportunity for both employer and employee in the agriculture sector, Knezacek and Hebert launched WorkHorse Hub.
“We invested in market research and began to understand that producers want help finding the right people to work for their operation so we decided to combine our expertise in human resources, agriculture, and technology and transform the way agriculture hires.”
Building a team proficient in development, human resources, marketing, immigration law among other fields, Knezacek explained their new way of finding the right matches for both the employee and employer.
“We are striving to revolutionize the way agriculture workers are hired. We use a matching algorithm that matches job seekers to employers and vice versa. We have candidates that are local and from around the world, they can choose to be in our database and receive messages from employers or remain private and just recieve match updates. Some are looking to get exposure and experience working on farms and others are millenial or generation z farmers from Australia, for example. Their parents have given them lots of experience as a kid growing up but they’d like to go away for a few years, gain some exposure and bring that knowledge back to the farm. It’s a piece of the succession path for those candidates.”
Because of their innovative and user-friendly system, WorkHorse Hub was recognized as a finalist for this year’s ABEX Awards. In order to be selected for the prestigious awards, ABEX applicants went through a rigorous adjudication process with 52 finalists ultimately selected in nine business categories. Finalists are then judged on the quality of their application and supporting documents, including a Safety Plan. The Safety Plan is an important aspect of each application, Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board is the Safety Partner for the ABEX Awards.
“It is a really rewarding place to be,” said Knezacek of WorkHorse Hub, which can be found online at www.workhorsehub.ca. “I feel like we have a lot of room to grow but can also appreciate how far we’ve come. That is all kudos to our team. We have a fantastic group of people that are just as passionate—or maybe even more passionate than I am—that are helping us move forward. Myself and Kristjan could not do this alone. We’ve got a great team!”
Knezacek also added she would not be where she is today without the support from her family. “My husband Matthew has been such a tremendous support and an encouragement to me as I have taken on this venture. We have been so blessed by our daughter Gwenyth and both her and my husband mean the world to me.”
Along with WorkHorse Hub in the Innovation Award category, sponsored by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the other finalists are: InfraReady Products (1998) Ltd., Quantum Mechanical Technology Inc., Viking Innovations Ltd., and Linnaeus Plant Sciences Inc.
The remaining categories include: the Community Involvement Award, the Export Award, the Growth and Expansion Award, the Marketing Award, the New Venture Award, the Service Award, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the Priority Focus Award.
Five additional awards will be awarded on the night of the ABEX Awards and include: the prestigious Business Leader of the Year Award, the Community Leader of the Year Award, the Saskatchewan Hall of Fame, the Roger Phillips Chamber Builder, and the ABEX Business of the Year.
Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce said, “It’s an honour for the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce to continue to host this event and pay tribute to the Saskatchewan businesses that are doing amazing things in our province and across the globe.”
The finalists for the 2018 ABEX Awards, presented by Conexus Credit Union will be recognized at this year’s ABEX Awards Oct. 20 at TCU Place in Saskatoon. For a complete list of the finalists, people can visit www.saskchamber.com.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 8, 2018
Winston High School ready to Take Action for SSLC 2019
Daniel Bushman
With less than a year to go before the 40th annual Saskatchewan Student Leadership Conference (SSLC) descends upon Watrous, many at Winston High School are hard at work preparing for the provincial event. Hoping to have tremendous community support as the 2019 conference arrives Sept. 18 to 20, students and staff on the SSLC committee at the school have been meeting and planning since last year.
In anticipation for SSLC 2019, this year 23 students and four advisors from Winston High School spent a few days in Langenburg where the 2018 conference was held. During their experience, they had the opportunity to make connections, learn what to expect for 2019 and shared in the excitement of being with other student leaders.
“It was pretty awesome and it was neat to be able to see other students from around the province,” said Winston High School student Sarah Martens, who attended this year’s SSLC. Emily Roney, who also was able to take part agreed, adding, “Overall it was a good time and a really good experience!”
During the leadership conference, students and advisors from across Saskatchewan spent three days listening to speakers, taking in a trade show and networking with others before returning back to their schools with an opportunity to make a difference. Treyl Ernst, who also attended the SSLC with Winston High School said being able to take in everything really put things into perspective. “It showed that a person really can make a difference at their school and it was also a great way to kick off the year.”
While the contingent from Winston High School also accepted the SSLC banner from Langenburg, which will be on display at the school leading up to next year’s conference, they also gave a presentation to those in attendance, hyping up the Watrous event.
The team of students and advisors from Winston High School also had the chance to scout out the conference and glean information from it.
“We wanted to see what we can bring back to our school,” said Winston High School student Emily Fossen. “We also made connections with numerous people including those at the trade show and with some sponsors. We were able to speak to students in attendance as well and hype up our event for next year.”
Roney said after attending the conference she felt more excited about the SRC and being a part of it this year. Ernst added, “Being at SSLC was such a fun atmosphere and we are excited for next year.”
In an effort to make SSLC 2019 in Watrous a success, teacher and co-chair of the conference Tina Edwards said they will be relying heavily on the community for its support.
“Watrous has held not one but two conferences in the past and now this will be a third. There is no way that a community is able to hold multiple conferences without its support so I think it just shows how great Watrous and the area has been.”
Hosting in 1993, 2012 and now in 2019, the SSLC committee in Watrous is aiming at inviting 900 students and 150 advisors to take in the 2019 conference. Co-chair Lori Bartko, who was also involved with the 2012 event said they were able to invite around 750 students last time and are hoping for even more.
“The only way that can happen though is by having billet families. Billets do not need to feel as though they have to entertain those who will stay with them. They just have to provide a place for the students to sleep, make sure they get the students to and from where they need to go and that type of thing.”
In addition to requiring billets, Edwards added they also need sponsorship support. Local area businesses and organizations can lend their support financially or through in kind donations with four levels of sponsorship that each will be recognized for, depending on funding amounts.
“About 65 percent of our revenue will be raised through the registration fees but the remainder comes from our valuable sponsors. Corporate and community sponsors have played an integral role in past conferences and their involvement has ultimately led to a tradition of excellence and success. Without sponsors we will be unable to host a quality event so it is so important to have people on board.”
With the aim of showcasing Watrous, Edwards said, “Our whole goal for the 2019 conference is to make Watrous feel like it is a part of everyone that attends. We want students and advisors to come here and make them feel like this town is theirs and provide them with a rich and memorable experience.”
With SSLC 2019’s key theme of Take Action and going along the lines of Hollywood with a red carpet, gala awards and being thrust into the spotlight, Martens said they want it to be more about just the glitz and glamour.
“Take Action means stand up and take responsibility, take initiative and help people. It means to do, not just sit back and wait. We want students to become involved in a positive way.”
For more on SSLC 2019, people can go online to www.sslc2019.com or they can contact Tina Edwards or Lori Bartko. Other Winston High School staff will also be heading up various chair committees as well as the conference gets closer.
“There is still a lot of work left to be done but we are looking forward to next year’s conference.”
Daniel Bushman
With less than a year to go before the 40th annual Saskatchewan Student Leadership Conference (SSLC) descends upon Watrous, many at Winston High School are hard at work preparing for the provincial event. Hoping to have tremendous community support as the 2019 conference arrives Sept. 18 to 20, students and staff on the SSLC committee at the school have been meeting and planning since last year.
In anticipation for SSLC 2019, this year 23 students and four advisors from Winston High School spent a few days in Langenburg where the 2018 conference was held. During their experience, they had the opportunity to make connections, learn what to expect for 2019 and shared in the excitement of being with other student leaders.
“It was pretty awesome and it was neat to be able to see other students from around the province,” said Winston High School student Sarah Martens, who attended this year’s SSLC. Emily Roney, who also was able to take part agreed, adding, “Overall it was a good time and a really good experience!”
During the leadership conference, students and advisors from across Saskatchewan spent three days listening to speakers, taking in a trade show and networking with others before returning back to their schools with an opportunity to make a difference. Treyl Ernst, who also attended the SSLC with Winston High School said being able to take in everything really put things into perspective. “It showed that a person really can make a difference at their school and it was also a great way to kick off the year.”
While the contingent from Winston High School also accepted the SSLC banner from Langenburg, which will be on display at the school leading up to next year’s conference, they also gave a presentation to those in attendance, hyping up the Watrous event.
The team of students and advisors from Winston High School also had the chance to scout out the conference and glean information from it.
“We wanted to see what we can bring back to our school,” said Winston High School student Emily Fossen. “We also made connections with numerous people including those at the trade show and with some sponsors. We were able to speak to students in attendance as well and hype up our event for next year.”
Roney said after attending the conference she felt more excited about the SRC and being a part of it this year. Ernst added, “Being at SSLC was such a fun atmosphere and we are excited for next year.”
In an effort to make SSLC 2019 in Watrous a success, teacher and co-chair of the conference Tina Edwards said they will be relying heavily on the community for its support.
“Watrous has held not one but two conferences in the past and now this will be a third. There is no way that a community is able to hold multiple conferences without its support so I think it just shows how great Watrous and the area has been.”
Hosting in 1993, 2012 and now in 2019, the SSLC committee in Watrous is aiming at inviting 900 students and 150 advisors to take in the 2019 conference. Co-chair Lori Bartko, who was also involved with the 2012 event said they were able to invite around 750 students last time and are hoping for even more.
“The only way that can happen though is by having billet families. Billets do not need to feel as though they have to entertain those who will stay with them. They just have to provide a place for the students to sleep, make sure they get the students to and from where they need to go and that type of thing.”
In addition to requiring billets, Edwards added they also need sponsorship support. Local area businesses and organizations can lend their support financially or through in kind donations with four levels of sponsorship that each will be recognized for, depending on funding amounts.
“About 65 percent of our revenue will be raised through the registration fees but the remainder comes from our valuable sponsors. Corporate and community sponsors have played an integral role in past conferences and their involvement has ultimately led to a tradition of excellence and success. Without sponsors we will be unable to host a quality event so it is so important to have people on board.”
With the aim of showcasing Watrous, Edwards said, “Our whole goal for the 2019 conference is to make Watrous feel like it is a part of everyone that attends. We want students and advisors to come here and make them feel like this town is theirs and provide them with a rich and memorable experience.”
With SSLC 2019’s key theme of Take Action and going along the lines of Hollywood with a red carpet, gala awards and being thrust into the spotlight, Martens said they want it to be more about just the glitz and glamour.
“Take Action means stand up and take responsibility, take initiative and help people. It means to do, not just sit back and wait. We want students to become involved in a positive way.”
For more on SSLC 2019, people can go online to www.sslc2019.com or they can contact Tina Edwards or Lori Bartko. Other Winston High School staff will also be heading up various chair committees as well as the conference gets closer.
“There is still a lot of work left to be done but we are looking forward to next year’s conference.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 1, 2018
Snow halts harvest as cool weather kicks off fall
Daniel Bushman
It was an abrupt end to summer and atrocious start to fall for many people across Canada including those in Saskatchewan and Ontario. On a day which should normally include sunshine and colourful leaves falling from trees, harsh winds, snow and rain took its place. Further east in Ontario was even worse as a tornado ripped through Kinburn, Dunrobin and Gatineau on the final day of summer.
The snow, rain and cooler conditions that invaded much of Saskatchewan also put a damper on harvest operations as producers had to halt combines until fields dry up. While it does not happen often, Environment Canada’s David Phillips said approximately 30 percent of Septembers in Saskatchewan contain snow but what surprised him the most was the amount of hours of snow that arrived.
“I think in Saskatoon there was around 35 hours of snow over the last three days (ending summer and starting fall). I know it didn’t accumulate that much because it came with the temperatures hovering around that freezing mark with some rain. But it was a bit of a wake up call.”
Environment and Climate Change Canada said a frontal wave brought the first bout of snow with the most significant amounts observed in southwestern Saskatchewan. The early onset of snow resulted in numerous power outages as the heavy wet snow fell on trees with remaining foliage. “Snowfall measurements are a challenge during this time of year due to the wet nature of the snow and the melting that occurs throughout the day.”
Environment and Climate Change Canada did provide a few approximate totals in centimetres from places across the province which included: Conquest: 10 to 15; Rosetown: 10 to 15; Kindersley: 10; Strasbourg: 6; Lucky Lake: 5; and Yorkton: 3.
With that snowy reminder of what is to come for people residing in Saskatchewan, Phillips said the snow at the end of September also put a damper on harvest operations.
“In regions where harvest is not completed yet this was not a welcome kind of interruption. But it is not as if it will stay.”
After getting out of the gates in good time and well ahead of the five year average, many local area producers have since had to sit and wait. According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report for the period of Sept. 18 to 24, a total of 68 percent of the crop is now in the bin, now just slightly ahead of the five year average of 64 percent for this time of year.
Rain was recorded throughout most of the province through the week and up to 15 cm of snow was reported in some areas in the central regions.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwestern region, where 88 percent of the crop is now combined. The southeastern region has 87 percent combined, the west-central 59 percent and the east-central region 58 percent combined. The northeastern region has 34 percent combined, while the northwestern region has 27 percent combined.
In the weekly crop report, it stated 97 percent of lentils, 96 percent of field peas, 82 percent of durum, 53 percent of spring wheat, 48 percent of canola and 28 percent of flax has now been combined.
With the late season rain and snow, topsoil moisture conditions have improved across the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four percent surplus, 58 percent adequate, 32 percent short and six percent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 48 percent adequate, 42 percent short and 10 percent very short.
The majority of crop damage was due to lodging, while rain and snow caused quality loss.
While the snow did disappear as last week continued, Phillips felt there will not be a major warm up anytime soon but things should dry up and combines will be humming once again. “It is going to be a coolish Canadian air that will be dominating the scene over the next week.”
As fall hits, Phillips said there is a battle raging as summer still wants to hang on but winter wants to get a foothold creating that tug of war. “We saw really with the tornadoes in the Ottawa area and the Gatineau area, a day where it would be like the dog days of summer, very hot and humid and then at the same time it was snowing in Saskatchewan. It shows you what a great country that we live in where it is never dull when you are talking about the weather.”
Environment and Climate Change Canada confirmed tornadoes and a downburst hit Sept. 21 as a cold front tracked over southern Ontario Friday afternoon and evening resulting in severe thunderstorms which produced two tornadoes and two downbursts.
One severe thunderstorm produced a tornado that tracked over Kinburn, Dunrobin and Gatineau between approximately 4:40 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. This tornado damaged or destroyed numerous buildings, overturned vehicles and snapped many trees and hydro poles. There were also reports of multiple injuries including several people that were critically injured. Preliminary assessment of the damage indicates that this was a high end EF-3 tornado with wind speeds up to 265 km/h.
A second severe thunderstorm produced a tornado in the neighbourhood of Arlington Woods in Ottawa near 6 p.m. Environment and Climate Change Canada said this tornado significantly damaged buildings and snapped many trees and hydro poles. Preliminary assessment of the damage indicates that this was a high end EF-2 tornado with wind speeds up to 220 km/h.
Another severe thunderstorm produced a downburst in Calabogie near 4 p.m. Several houses had roof damage and many trees were snapped and uprooted. Winds associated with this downburst are estimated to be up to 175 km/h.
Yet another area of damage from a severe thunderstorm was investigated at Sharbot Lake. A downburst with maximum winds of about 110 km/h knocked down many trees in the area.
“It really shows you how wild it can be with too much winter in the west and too much summer in the east. If we could always have a balance we would be happy.”
Moving forward, Phillips said, “We still think winter will be shorter than it was last year. I think (the recent snow) is just nature’s wake up call to tell us we are entering the cold season so this is kind of the cold and frosty snowy kind of weather we might get but it is not something that will have any staying power. It is almost like the weather trailer giving you a preview of what we are going to see.” Phillips continued, “As they say in Newfoundland, ‘If you don’t like the weather out the front door, look out the back door.’ It does change and it changes a lot on the prairies. My sense is, the cold air has arrived but I still think there will be some double digit temperatures.”
Daniel Bushman
It was an abrupt end to summer and atrocious start to fall for many people across Canada including those in Saskatchewan and Ontario. On a day which should normally include sunshine and colourful leaves falling from trees, harsh winds, snow and rain took its place. Further east in Ontario was even worse as a tornado ripped through Kinburn, Dunrobin and Gatineau on the final day of summer.
The snow, rain and cooler conditions that invaded much of Saskatchewan also put a damper on harvest operations as producers had to halt combines until fields dry up. While it does not happen often, Environment Canada’s David Phillips said approximately 30 percent of Septembers in Saskatchewan contain snow but what surprised him the most was the amount of hours of snow that arrived.
“I think in Saskatoon there was around 35 hours of snow over the last three days (ending summer and starting fall). I know it didn’t accumulate that much because it came with the temperatures hovering around that freezing mark with some rain. But it was a bit of a wake up call.”
Environment and Climate Change Canada said a frontal wave brought the first bout of snow with the most significant amounts observed in southwestern Saskatchewan. The early onset of snow resulted in numerous power outages as the heavy wet snow fell on trees with remaining foliage. “Snowfall measurements are a challenge during this time of year due to the wet nature of the snow and the melting that occurs throughout the day.”
Environment and Climate Change Canada did provide a few approximate totals in centimetres from places across the province which included: Conquest: 10 to 15; Rosetown: 10 to 15; Kindersley: 10; Strasbourg: 6; Lucky Lake: 5; and Yorkton: 3.
With that snowy reminder of what is to come for people residing in Saskatchewan, Phillips said the snow at the end of September also put a damper on harvest operations.
“In regions where harvest is not completed yet this was not a welcome kind of interruption. But it is not as if it will stay.”
After getting out of the gates in good time and well ahead of the five year average, many local area producers have since had to sit and wait. According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report for the period of Sept. 18 to 24, a total of 68 percent of the crop is now in the bin, now just slightly ahead of the five year average of 64 percent for this time of year.
Rain was recorded throughout most of the province through the week and up to 15 cm of snow was reported in some areas in the central regions.
Harvest is most advanced in the southwestern region, where 88 percent of the crop is now combined. The southeastern region has 87 percent combined, the west-central 59 percent and the east-central region 58 percent combined. The northeastern region has 34 percent combined, while the northwestern region has 27 percent combined.
In the weekly crop report, it stated 97 percent of lentils, 96 percent of field peas, 82 percent of durum, 53 percent of spring wheat, 48 percent of canola and 28 percent of flax has now been combined.
With the late season rain and snow, topsoil moisture conditions have improved across the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four percent surplus, 58 percent adequate, 32 percent short and six percent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 48 percent adequate, 42 percent short and 10 percent very short.
The majority of crop damage was due to lodging, while rain and snow caused quality loss.
While the snow did disappear as last week continued, Phillips felt there will not be a major warm up anytime soon but things should dry up and combines will be humming once again. “It is going to be a coolish Canadian air that will be dominating the scene over the next week.”
As fall hits, Phillips said there is a battle raging as summer still wants to hang on but winter wants to get a foothold creating that tug of war. “We saw really with the tornadoes in the Ottawa area and the Gatineau area, a day where it would be like the dog days of summer, very hot and humid and then at the same time it was snowing in Saskatchewan. It shows you what a great country that we live in where it is never dull when you are talking about the weather.”
Environment and Climate Change Canada confirmed tornadoes and a downburst hit Sept. 21 as a cold front tracked over southern Ontario Friday afternoon and evening resulting in severe thunderstorms which produced two tornadoes and two downbursts.
One severe thunderstorm produced a tornado that tracked over Kinburn, Dunrobin and Gatineau between approximately 4:40 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. This tornado damaged or destroyed numerous buildings, overturned vehicles and snapped many trees and hydro poles. There were also reports of multiple injuries including several people that were critically injured. Preliminary assessment of the damage indicates that this was a high end EF-3 tornado with wind speeds up to 265 km/h.
A second severe thunderstorm produced a tornado in the neighbourhood of Arlington Woods in Ottawa near 6 p.m. Environment and Climate Change Canada said this tornado significantly damaged buildings and snapped many trees and hydro poles. Preliminary assessment of the damage indicates that this was a high end EF-2 tornado with wind speeds up to 220 km/h.
Another severe thunderstorm produced a downburst in Calabogie near 4 p.m. Several houses had roof damage and many trees were snapped and uprooted. Winds associated with this downburst are estimated to be up to 175 km/h.
Yet another area of damage from a severe thunderstorm was investigated at Sharbot Lake. A downburst with maximum winds of about 110 km/h knocked down many trees in the area.
“It really shows you how wild it can be with too much winter in the west and too much summer in the east. If we could always have a balance we would be happy.”
Moving forward, Phillips said, “We still think winter will be shorter than it was last year. I think (the recent snow) is just nature’s wake up call to tell us we are entering the cold season so this is kind of the cold and frosty snowy kind of weather we might get but it is not something that will have any staying power. It is almost like the weather trailer giving you a preview of what we are going to see.” Phillips continued, “As they say in Newfoundland, ‘If you don’t like the weather out the front door, look out the back door.’ It does change and it changes a lot on the prairies. My sense is, the cold air has arrived but I still think there will be some double digit temperatures.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 24, 2018
Completion of industrial lots part of projects left for 2018
Daniel Bushman
With a focus placed on developing the east side industrial area of Watrous, crews continue to push forward before the winter season arrives. In addition to the work being done on the industrial parcel of land, other projects and notable items have also been taking place before 2018 comes to a close.
Beginning with the east side industrial area, along with completing the installation of water and sewer throughout the industrial lots, the community’s first sewage lift station was also finished. Constructed on a lot owned by the town and adjacent to Watrous Home Hardware, the lift station is now in operation. With water and sewer lines also running through the industrial parcel, Town Administrator Orrin Redden explained the setup.
“The water/sewer runs from 4th Ave., crossing Hwy. 365 and then moving past Home Hardware towards the town’s industrial lots and lift station. From there they run south towards the Chrysler dealership with the water portion looping back to 2nd Ave. towards where the ambulance and fire rescue units are housed. The sanitary portion follows the water lines but goes just to where the old SaskPower substation was located. The town now owns that portion of land right at the corner of Hwy. 365 and Hwy. 2 where the substation was so once SaskPower cleans up the site we hope to use that section as saleable property.”
With water and sewer installed and completed, the next phase for the industrial parcel involves road work, which is currently underway. Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said the contractor hired for the road work has been on site for the past three weeks working on the service road, cutting it down to sub grade. While crews remain in a bit of a holding pattern to begin work at the portion where the substation was previously situated, Tarasoff said they have been able to continue work elsewhere.
“There is still a fair bit of work to do in addition to that portion of land where the substation used to be located. While SaskPower cleans up the transmission lines, construction crews will be creating a new approach where Campbell Road is located off Hwy. 365 and it will be about halfway between where the current temporary approach is and Watrous Concrete. That approach will then become the main entrance road leading towards Mainline Chrysler Watrous.”
Paving that portion of roadway, the crews will also be working a little further north near the Watrous Home Hardware where they will be realigning the intersection of 4th Ave. E. and Hwy. 365. A requirement from the Ministry of Highways, Redden said, “Due to safety concerns, that intersection will be realigned to make it closer to a 90˚ angle. We will also be paving 4th Ave. E. next to the Home Hardware and it will be running to the 20 industrial lots that the town owns.”
If all goes well and the weather cooperates, Tarasoff said they would like to have all of the paving and road work completed by the end of fall. “We had hoped to see things done a bit earlier but there were a few unexpected delays that we had to wait for.”
While the work continues within the industrial area, nearby at the new residential lots located along 8th Ave. E., between 4th St. E. and Hwy. 365, Redden said one house has already been constructed with a second to be started this year. “We have 12 serviced lots on that 8th Ave. E. portion with two now sold. As more lots begin to sell, council will eventually decide whether to extend construction south to 7th Ave. E. or north to 9th Ave. E. Currently those areas have power and gas but not water and sewer so council would have to make the decision to go ahead on either before further services would be added.”
As a second house is slated to be built in the serviced residential area, a different type of service will be up for renewal at the end of the year. Currently there are just a few months remaining on the contract with Commissionaires South Saskatchewan after town council deciding to do a one year trial. Council made the decision to see bylaw enforcement increased in 2018 throughout Watrous and hired the company Jan. 1, 2018. Since that time, some residents have expressed concern there has been too much strict enforcement and Redden noted the town has heard their concerns and will be looking at creating a workable policy.
The contract with Commissionaires South Saskatchewan first began Jan. 1, 2018 with the aim of enforcing the town’s bylaws beyond just regulations for dogs and cats. After initial efforts were made to focus on education rather than enforcement earlier on in the year, the bylaw officers began enforcement throughout the summer.
“There was some good progress made through beautifying and tidying up properties and in general, property cleanup was addressed. However, we understand that some were disappointed with the way the bylaws were being enforced and I think council will be looking at some common ground as to how to move forward with that.”
Overall, Redden added that council has been pleased with the general maintenance and beautification done by the residents of the community and by the public works crew. “Members on council have received numerous compliments from visitors to our town who have noted how clean and beautiful it is.”
Beautification and extensive work has also been done at the Watrous Cemetery after the town purchased a columbarium, which was installed earlier this year. More recently, a rock fountain was built for visitors to enjoy. “There have been some niches already purchased for the columbarium and the Do-Gooders group along with the town shared the costs towards the creation of a rock fountain.”
With the fountain and flower bed recently completed at the cemetery, along with the Do-Gooders, Steve Schmidt was also instrumental in building the structure and flower bed area. The Do-Gooders said they have really appreciated the willingness from the Town of Watrous to allow them to fulfill a dream of theirs in updating the cemetery area and for helping out to cover some of the costs. The group, which now numbers approximately 15, also previously created the directory at the cemetery and installed a bench. Adding to that project list, the fountain was completed in recent weeks and come spring, flowers will be planted in the flower bed.
Spearheading the project, the Do-Gooders also wanted to extend their appreciation to Butch Monk, the seasonal cemetery maintenance employee who has been working hard with the upkeep at the cemetery.
Meanwhile, other work has also taken place within the community as the Watrous Arena received some upgrades to benefit those utilizing the facility. Inside the rink, the aging chiller was replaced and a new one installed. Tarasoff said, “It was a fairly large expense but will benefit those using the arena for many years to come.”
This past spring, through numerous local donations, a new ice resurfacer was also purchased for the rink and is all decked out and ready to roll for the season.
“We are excited to see it put to use this winter and it will be nice having a new unit to flood the ice.”
Daniel Bushman
With a focus placed on developing the east side industrial area of Watrous, crews continue to push forward before the winter season arrives. In addition to the work being done on the industrial parcel of land, other projects and notable items have also been taking place before 2018 comes to a close.
Beginning with the east side industrial area, along with completing the installation of water and sewer throughout the industrial lots, the community’s first sewage lift station was also finished. Constructed on a lot owned by the town and adjacent to Watrous Home Hardware, the lift station is now in operation. With water and sewer lines also running through the industrial parcel, Town Administrator Orrin Redden explained the setup.
“The water/sewer runs from 4th Ave., crossing Hwy. 365 and then moving past Home Hardware towards the town’s industrial lots and lift station. From there they run south towards the Chrysler dealership with the water portion looping back to 2nd Ave. towards where the ambulance and fire rescue units are housed. The sanitary portion follows the water lines but goes just to where the old SaskPower substation was located. The town now owns that portion of land right at the corner of Hwy. 365 and Hwy. 2 where the substation was so once SaskPower cleans up the site we hope to use that section as saleable property.”
With water and sewer installed and completed, the next phase for the industrial parcel involves road work, which is currently underway. Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said the contractor hired for the road work has been on site for the past three weeks working on the service road, cutting it down to sub grade. While crews remain in a bit of a holding pattern to begin work at the portion where the substation was previously situated, Tarasoff said they have been able to continue work elsewhere.
“There is still a fair bit of work to do in addition to that portion of land where the substation used to be located. While SaskPower cleans up the transmission lines, construction crews will be creating a new approach where Campbell Road is located off Hwy. 365 and it will be about halfway between where the current temporary approach is and Watrous Concrete. That approach will then become the main entrance road leading towards Mainline Chrysler Watrous.”
Paving that portion of roadway, the crews will also be working a little further north near the Watrous Home Hardware where they will be realigning the intersection of 4th Ave. E. and Hwy. 365. A requirement from the Ministry of Highways, Redden said, “Due to safety concerns, that intersection will be realigned to make it closer to a 90˚ angle. We will also be paving 4th Ave. E. next to the Home Hardware and it will be running to the 20 industrial lots that the town owns.”
If all goes well and the weather cooperates, Tarasoff said they would like to have all of the paving and road work completed by the end of fall. “We had hoped to see things done a bit earlier but there were a few unexpected delays that we had to wait for.”
While the work continues within the industrial area, nearby at the new residential lots located along 8th Ave. E., between 4th St. E. and Hwy. 365, Redden said one house has already been constructed with a second to be started this year. “We have 12 serviced lots on that 8th Ave. E. portion with two now sold. As more lots begin to sell, council will eventually decide whether to extend construction south to 7th Ave. E. or north to 9th Ave. E. Currently those areas have power and gas but not water and sewer so council would have to make the decision to go ahead on either before further services would be added.”
As a second house is slated to be built in the serviced residential area, a different type of service will be up for renewal at the end of the year. Currently there are just a few months remaining on the contract with Commissionaires South Saskatchewan after town council deciding to do a one year trial. Council made the decision to see bylaw enforcement increased in 2018 throughout Watrous and hired the company Jan. 1, 2018. Since that time, some residents have expressed concern there has been too much strict enforcement and Redden noted the town has heard their concerns and will be looking at creating a workable policy.
The contract with Commissionaires South Saskatchewan first began Jan. 1, 2018 with the aim of enforcing the town’s bylaws beyond just regulations for dogs and cats. After initial efforts were made to focus on education rather than enforcement earlier on in the year, the bylaw officers began enforcement throughout the summer.
“There was some good progress made through beautifying and tidying up properties and in general, property cleanup was addressed. However, we understand that some were disappointed with the way the bylaws were being enforced and I think council will be looking at some common ground as to how to move forward with that.”
Overall, Redden added that council has been pleased with the general maintenance and beautification done by the residents of the community and by the public works crew. “Members on council have received numerous compliments from visitors to our town who have noted how clean and beautiful it is.”
Beautification and extensive work has also been done at the Watrous Cemetery after the town purchased a columbarium, which was installed earlier this year. More recently, a rock fountain was built for visitors to enjoy. “There have been some niches already purchased for the columbarium and the Do-Gooders group along with the town shared the costs towards the creation of a rock fountain.”
With the fountain and flower bed recently completed at the cemetery, along with the Do-Gooders, Steve Schmidt was also instrumental in building the structure and flower bed area. The Do-Gooders said they have really appreciated the willingness from the Town of Watrous to allow them to fulfill a dream of theirs in updating the cemetery area and for helping out to cover some of the costs. The group, which now numbers approximately 15, also previously created the directory at the cemetery and installed a bench. Adding to that project list, the fountain was completed in recent weeks and come spring, flowers will be planted in the flower bed.
Spearheading the project, the Do-Gooders also wanted to extend their appreciation to Butch Monk, the seasonal cemetery maintenance employee who has been working hard with the upkeep at the cemetery.
Meanwhile, other work has also taken place within the community as the Watrous Arena received some upgrades to benefit those utilizing the facility. Inside the rink, the aging chiller was replaced and a new one installed. Tarasoff said, “It was a fairly large expense but will benefit those using the arena for many years to come.”
This past spring, through numerous local donations, a new ice resurfacer was also purchased for the rink and is all decked out and ready to roll for the season.
“We are excited to see it put to use this winter and it will be nice having a new unit to flood the ice.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 17, 2018
Finding answers to an unknown
Daniel Bushman
After more than a year and a half of searching for answers, seeking a diagnosis and making numerous trips for appointments, scans and biopsies, a young mother of five has finally received some news. With no diagnosis and her condition worsening each day, Lindsey Bushman of Watrous along with her husband Derek made the decision to travel to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota hoping for help.
Extremely tired, in substantial pain and wanting to know what was attacking her body, Lindsey and Derek flew down to Mayo Clinic Aug. 23, a day before her first consultation. With the unknown battle inside of her progressing rapidly, Lindsey’s septum had been already destroyed and her sinuses disappeared. With a cavity forming in her left cheek, sores in her mouth and not wanting to risk whatever it was inside of her reach her eyes, ears or brain, Lindsey began consultations Aug. 24. Running tests and going over blood work, surgery was then scheduled for Lindsey Aug. 30 where it was hoped that samples could be extracted and a diagnosis reached.
Despite doing similar biopsies in Canada, in this particular instance, the ENT (ears, nose, throat) surgeon was able to go in and clean out Lindsey’s sinus area before extracting samples from her. It was during the surgery that the ENT surgeon was joined by a pathologist in the operating room. “Having both in there allowed them to check the tissue samples as they were removed,” said Derek. “After multiple samples were taken, they could tell it was not a vascular disease (Wegeners GPA) but instead was a lymphoma, a type of cancer in the blood/lymph nodes and possibly some form of Idiopathic Midline Destructive Disease (IMDD).”
While both Wegeners and IMDD were discussed in Canada, neither were ever confirmed and with the rare type of lymphoma Lindsey would later be diagnosed with, the news came with mixed emotions.
“So after surgery (Aug. 30), the doctors met with us and explained they had found signs of lymphoma in the biopsy and were certain it was not Wegeners, which we had been chasing up to this point. They still needed a few days for the pathologists to confirm that it was indeed lymphoma and also what type of lymphoma. But even with the news that they knew it was probably lymphoma we both had tears of happiness and relief. Yes, we just found out Lindsey more than likely had cancer but at least we knew instead of wondering. The doctor also informed us that it was treatable and there was a high probability that it was curable.”
While hearing the word ‘cancer’ was not something the pair were hoping for, both Derek and Lindsey felt a little more at ease knowing what they were up against. That and the added knowledge that it could be treatable aided in making the next few days a little easier. But while that news provided some type of relief, Lindsey’s energy continued to disappear and rest became extremely important.
Because her biopsy was performed before the Labour Day long weekend in the United States, the pair had to wait a little longer before the confirmed results arrived. The ENT surgeon informed Derek and Lindsey that as soon as the pathology department confirmed the type of cancer she had, they would book an appointment with an oncologist and set up a PET/CT scan to make sure the lymphoma had not spread throughout the rest of Lindsey’s body, affecting any organs.
A week later, Derek and Lindsey were informed that she had Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type is a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, starting in T-cells but developing most often in natural killer (NK) cells. Developing in organs or tissues other than the lymph nodes, it usually affects areas in the nose, most often the nasal passages and can also affect the paranasal sinuses or the upper part of the throat.
More common in Asia, Central America and South America, it occurs more often in men than women and the average age at diagnosis is 60. It is also strongly linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), especially in people of Asian ancestry. Since Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is already rare and Lindsey has only ever resided in Canada, is caucasian and 29-years-old, the odds of her being diagnosed with it are astounding.
Because Lindsey had this now-known attacker inside of her for over a year and a half, there was concern that it had spread to other parts of her body. To know for sure and to know what stage it had progressed to, a PET/CT scan was performed during the afternoon Sept. 10. The results from that would reveal if the lymphoma had spread to other parts or organs in the body.
Following up with the oncologist and doctors the following day, Derek shared some incredible news, “Fortunately it had not spread and was localized to the nose area. This was a huge relief, because of Lindsey’s symptoms. We had been searching for answers for over a year and half and we assumed with that much time before being diagnosed it provided enough of a period for the lymphoma to spread. It was a huge answer to prayer,” he continued. “We thought for sure it had spread to other parts of the body. Just because it had taken so long to find a diagnosis and our research had said it is an aggressive form of lymphoma, we could only think of the worst. I know many people were praying that it would not spread and for it to be considered an early stage lymphoma and not spread, what a blessing it was to hear that news.”
With many hurdles left to overcome and despite not currently being covered by Saskatchewan Health for their health care expenses at Mayo Clinic, the biggest hurdle had just been accomplished with the news of the lymphoma not spreading and being treatable. Derek and Lindsey insisted the support from back home and around the country has aided in helping them to overcome each one of those hurdles along the way.
“The support has been overwhelming and has definitely helped to keep our spirits up. When we would call home or get messages from our family that so and so dropped off supper for our kids, or so and so dropped off money or this person is offering to do this or that, there just are really no words to explain how thankful and grateful we are for that. There are people we don’t know that have given to us and that says a lot about community and the generosity of being in the community we are. When I say community, it doesn’t just mean the town we live in but family, friends and those we don’t even know. We are just so appreciative! Words of encouragement, prayers and other means of support towards us and our family have been so incredible throughout this time and we cannot say thank you enough for that. Those reminders have helped us so much in knowing that we have care and support back home!”
After meeting with the oncologist and doctors last week, Derek and Lindsey planned to head home and begin their next leg of their long journey, defeating the lymphoma inside of Lindsey.
“The Mayo Clinic doctors are more than willing to send all our scans and documents to the Saskatoon Cancer Centre and to be in contact with them with a treatment plan so treatment could be done in Saskatoon. Depending on what they agree on, it looks like about three cycles of chemotherapy along with radiation over the course of about three months. There is a high chance that this chemotherapy and radiation combination will cure Lindsey from the lymphoma and we are trusting and relying on our faith to help get us through this next phase of our journey.”
It has been that faith in Jesus which has provided hope and encouragement for the Bushman family. “It has been everything. There are some tough moments through a journey like this but to know we are loved and cared for by our God and creator and we can give our worries to Him, and ultimately know that we can have eternal life with Him really brings on a peace and love in us that cannot be explained. We have recently been leaning on this verse in the Bible. It is Philippians 4:13: For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Daniel Bushman
After more than a year and a half of searching for answers, seeking a diagnosis and making numerous trips for appointments, scans and biopsies, a young mother of five has finally received some news. With no diagnosis and her condition worsening each day, Lindsey Bushman of Watrous along with her husband Derek made the decision to travel to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota hoping for help.
Extremely tired, in substantial pain and wanting to know what was attacking her body, Lindsey and Derek flew down to Mayo Clinic Aug. 23, a day before her first consultation. With the unknown battle inside of her progressing rapidly, Lindsey’s septum had been already destroyed and her sinuses disappeared. With a cavity forming in her left cheek, sores in her mouth and not wanting to risk whatever it was inside of her reach her eyes, ears or brain, Lindsey began consultations Aug. 24. Running tests and going over blood work, surgery was then scheduled for Lindsey Aug. 30 where it was hoped that samples could be extracted and a diagnosis reached.
Despite doing similar biopsies in Canada, in this particular instance, the ENT (ears, nose, throat) surgeon was able to go in and clean out Lindsey’s sinus area before extracting samples from her. It was during the surgery that the ENT surgeon was joined by a pathologist in the operating room. “Having both in there allowed them to check the tissue samples as they were removed,” said Derek. “After multiple samples were taken, they could tell it was not a vascular disease (Wegeners GPA) but instead was a lymphoma, a type of cancer in the blood/lymph nodes and possibly some form of Idiopathic Midline Destructive Disease (IMDD).”
While both Wegeners and IMDD were discussed in Canada, neither were ever confirmed and with the rare type of lymphoma Lindsey would later be diagnosed with, the news came with mixed emotions.
“So after surgery (Aug. 30), the doctors met with us and explained they had found signs of lymphoma in the biopsy and were certain it was not Wegeners, which we had been chasing up to this point. They still needed a few days for the pathologists to confirm that it was indeed lymphoma and also what type of lymphoma. But even with the news that they knew it was probably lymphoma we both had tears of happiness and relief. Yes, we just found out Lindsey more than likely had cancer but at least we knew instead of wondering. The doctor also informed us that it was treatable and there was a high probability that it was curable.”
While hearing the word ‘cancer’ was not something the pair were hoping for, both Derek and Lindsey felt a little more at ease knowing what they were up against. That and the added knowledge that it could be treatable aided in making the next few days a little easier. But while that news provided some type of relief, Lindsey’s energy continued to disappear and rest became extremely important.
Because her biopsy was performed before the Labour Day long weekend in the United States, the pair had to wait a little longer before the confirmed results arrived. The ENT surgeon informed Derek and Lindsey that as soon as the pathology department confirmed the type of cancer she had, they would book an appointment with an oncologist and set up a PET/CT scan to make sure the lymphoma had not spread throughout the rest of Lindsey’s body, affecting any organs.
A week later, Derek and Lindsey were informed that she had Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type is a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, starting in T-cells but developing most often in natural killer (NK) cells. Developing in organs or tissues other than the lymph nodes, it usually affects areas in the nose, most often the nasal passages and can also affect the paranasal sinuses or the upper part of the throat.
More common in Asia, Central America and South America, it occurs more often in men than women and the average age at diagnosis is 60. It is also strongly linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), especially in people of Asian ancestry. Since Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is already rare and Lindsey has only ever resided in Canada, is caucasian and 29-years-old, the odds of her being diagnosed with it are astounding.
Because Lindsey had this now-known attacker inside of her for over a year and a half, there was concern that it had spread to other parts of her body. To know for sure and to know what stage it had progressed to, a PET/CT scan was performed during the afternoon Sept. 10. The results from that would reveal if the lymphoma had spread to other parts or organs in the body.
Following up with the oncologist and doctors the following day, Derek shared some incredible news, “Fortunately it had not spread and was localized to the nose area. This was a huge relief, because of Lindsey’s symptoms. We had been searching for answers for over a year and half and we assumed with that much time before being diagnosed it provided enough of a period for the lymphoma to spread. It was a huge answer to prayer,” he continued. “We thought for sure it had spread to other parts of the body. Just because it had taken so long to find a diagnosis and our research had said it is an aggressive form of lymphoma, we could only think of the worst. I know many people were praying that it would not spread and for it to be considered an early stage lymphoma and not spread, what a blessing it was to hear that news.”
With many hurdles left to overcome and despite not currently being covered by Saskatchewan Health for their health care expenses at Mayo Clinic, the biggest hurdle had just been accomplished with the news of the lymphoma not spreading and being treatable. Derek and Lindsey insisted the support from back home and around the country has aided in helping them to overcome each one of those hurdles along the way.
“The support has been overwhelming and has definitely helped to keep our spirits up. When we would call home or get messages from our family that so and so dropped off supper for our kids, or so and so dropped off money or this person is offering to do this or that, there just are really no words to explain how thankful and grateful we are for that. There are people we don’t know that have given to us and that says a lot about community and the generosity of being in the community we are. When I say community, it doesn’t just mean the town we live in but family, friends and those we don’t even know. We are just so appreciative! Words of encouragement, prayers and other means of support towards us and our family have been so incredible throughout this time and we cannot say thank you enough for that. Those reminders have helped us so much in knowing that we have care and support back home!”
After meeting with the oncologist and doctors last week, Derek and Lindsey planned to head home and begin their next leg of their long journey, defeating the lymphoma inside of Lindsey.
“The Mayo Clinic doctors are more than willing to send all our scans and documents to the Saskatoon Cancer Centre and to be in contact with them with a treatment plan so treatment could be done in Saskatoon. Depending on what they agree on, it looks like about three cycles of chemotherapy along with radiation over the course of about three months. There is a high chance that this chemotherapy and radiation combination will cure Lindsey from the lymphoma and we are trusting and relying on our faith to help get us through this next phase of our journey.”
It has been that faith in Jesus which has provided hope and encouragement for the Bushman family. “It has been everything. There are some tough moments through a journey like this but to know we are loved and cared for by our God and creator and we can give our worries to Him, and ultimately know that we can have eternal life with Him really brings on a peace and love in us that cannot be explained. We have recently been leaning on this verse in the Bible. It is Philippians 4:13: For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 10, 2018
Parole ineligibility decided in Carlson case
Daniel Bushman
Parole ineligibility was decided last week in the case relating to the 2008 disappearance and murder of James Carlson of Watrous. In a packed Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench Sept. 5, Justice Gerald Allbright, who presided over the case, imposed a minimum 10 year parole ineligibility sentence for Taylor Wolff, who was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
After about a 40 minute delay, Bre McAdam with the Star Phoenix said impact statements were then read by members of the Carlson family who noted they would never have closure until James’ body is found. McAdam said after the impact statements were read, the Crown argued for parole ineligibility of “well-beyond” the minimum of 10 years for second degree murder. The defence in the case argued the 10 year ineligibility was appropriate because their client “is a completely different person than he was when he was (a) 23-year-old.” McAdam stated the defence also noted two years ago Wolff became committed to sobriety and faith. Before handing down his parole ineligibility decision, Allbright added he is certain Wolff is a different person today and if it were not for significant changes made in his life, noted in the 26 support letters court received, parole ineligibility would have increased.
The decision of the minimum 10 year parole ineligibility comes less than a month after Allbright read his 72-page document in court Aug. 10 in which he reached a guilty verdict.
Ten years ago, James was last seen at Video Stop in Watrous with an appointment to do work at a farm the following day. Never arriving at that appointment, five days later his work truck and all his work tools were located abandoned in a field near Allan. Then in May 2010, James’ white Monte Carlo was located concealed on a secluded rural property near Rosthern. It was reported to police by the land owner who advised the car was sitting abandoned in the location for two years. Over the years, tips from the public were received and extensive searches for James conducted around the Watrous, Imperial and Holdfast areas.
Daniel Bushman
Parole ineligibility was decided last week in the case relating to the 2008 disappearance and murder of James Carlson of Watrous. In a packed Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench Sept. 5, Justice Gerald Allbright, who presided over the case, imposed a minimum 10 year parole ineligibility sentence for Taylor Wolff, who was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
After about a 40 minute delay, Bre McAdam with the Star Phoenix said impact statements were then read by members of the Carlson family who noted they would never have closure until James’ body is found. McAdam said after the impact statements were read, the Crown argued for parole ineligibility of “well-beyond” the minimum of 10 years for second degree murder. The defence in the case argued the 10 year ineligibility was appropriate because their client “is a completely different person than he was when he was (a) 23-year-old.” McAdam stated the defence also noted two years ago Wolff became committed to sobriety and faith. Before handing down his parole ineligibility decision, Allbright added he is certain Wolff is a different person today and if it were not for significant changes made in his life, noted in the 26 support letters court received, parole ineligibility would have increased.
The decision of the minimum 10 year parole ineligibility comes less than a month after Allbright read his 72-page document in court Aug. 10 in which he reached a guilty verdict.
Ten years ago, James was last seen at Video Stop in Watrous with an appointment to do work at a farm the following day. Never arriving at that appointment, five days later his work truck and all his work tools were located abandoned in a field near Allan. Then in May 2010, James’ white Monte Carlo was located concealed on a secluded rural property near Rosthern. It was reported to police by the land owner who advised the car was sitting abandoned in the location for two years. Over the years, tips from the public were received and extensive searches for James conducted around the Watrous, Imperial and Holdfast areas.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 3, 2018
Province's projected deficit
less after first quarter
Daniel Bushman
With the goal of returning the province to balance by 2019-‘20, Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister and MLA for Humboldt-Watrous, Donna Harpauer has not only been tasked with making tough decisions along the way but staying the course to get Saskatchewan back to balance. Harpauer and the provincial government released its first quarter numbers, noting the budget remains on track with a projected deficit of $306 million, $59 million less than originally projected.
“Three months into the fiscal year, we’re seeing a growing economy and an improving fiscal picture,” said Harpauer, who added the lower deficit has been attributed to a higher revenue forecast with a larger net income from Government Business Enterprises and higher non-renewable resource revenue.
“We have seen some strength in oil pricing which is a major factor in why the deficit is less than previously forecasted.”
According to the provincial government, the value of oil production increased a total of eight percent through the first four months of 2018, over the same period last year while potash production increased 11.3 percent in the first quarter of 2018 over the same period last year. Total manufacturing sales have also increased by 11.1 percent and international exports are up by four percent.
However, while the numbers have been encouraging over the first quarter, Harpauer said they are preliminary and there still remains a deficit. “There is going to be a lot of work to do in order to balance and keep on track with our three year plan.”
Another big obstacle Harpauer and the government has been faced with is the uncertainty south of the border with the current trade situation. With NAFTA negotiations between Canada and the United States still not resolved early last week and tariffs implemented, being a trade reliant province has made it more difficult to operate.
“Obviously there has been some problems with the NAFTA negotiations and tariffs that have been brought down by the United States, effecting Saskatchewan. Other countries have also raised trade concerns with Canada and all of that is extremely concerning as we move forward. Saskatchewan and our government have been advocating very heavily for a pipeline but so far there has been no shovels in the ground for the Kinder Morgan pipeline, so that is a concern.”
Harpauer added the nation is also experiencing the largest differential in oil prices observed, making a large difference to the revenues coming into not just Saskatchewan but also Canada. “Twenty-five percent differential is huge but that is because we are forced to ship our oil south and we can’t access international markets so we are price takers in a very limited market. Should we be able to get our oil to port, it makes a huge difference in the price that we can obtain.”
Another concern raised by the finance minister is the potential for decline in future investments in Saskatchewan because of the tax changes in the United States. “We were very competitive but now we no longer are. I am hearing from different corporations that future investments are probably not going to look at Canada right now and that will affect all of our provinces because there is varying investing that happens in different places but tax competitiveness is huge and we are seeing a lot of investment going south.”
Asked about whether or not she is discouraged from the outcome so far related to NAFTA and tariffs, Harpauer said, “It is disappointing that this is where we are. We refused to have negotiations without Mexico; however, Mexico took the offer from the United States and now have arrived at some sort of agreement which again puts us behind in these negotiations and that is disappointing and a huge concern because it affects a number of industries within our province.”
Absorbing the decisions made nationally while trying to obtain a balanced budget next year, Harpauer said crunching the numbers and trying to make the right choices has been tough but she has been able to lean on some help as well.
“We have a treasury board that deliberates all budget decisions and I have to say I have an extremely strong team to work with so I by no means am doing this alone. I have enjoyed it but there are challenges. There is not a doubt the deficit is worrisome because as long as we have a deficit we are borrowing to operate which is not what we want to do. It is something we want to get away from and that is why balancing is so important. We want to do so, so that we can maintain the services that we have in health care, education and social safety net programs. It is a balancing act and there is still tough decisions we are going to have to make going forward.”
Recognizing some of those tough decisions are not always favourable to some, Harpauer felt measures taken in the last budget have been working heading to balance.
“Yes, there were tough decisions made but yet this is what we are going to need to do because we are not going to see a huge recovery I don’t believe in oil and we are reliant very heavily on oil. With all of the circumstances with trade and tax competitiveness, I don’t think we are going to see a huge boom in oil in the next number of years so this just becomes more critical in how we need to get back to balance.”
With a lot to consider leading into next year, Harpauer who grew up on a farm near Guernsey said work has started on the next budget and MLAs will soon return to Regina for the fall session. But despite some of the economic struggles and implemented tariffs from south of the border, Harpauer is optimistic moving forward.
“Generally as much as there is a lot of uncertainty out there, which is raising concern, I think things are still positive within our province. The forecasters are all forecasting - albeit modest - economic growth, which is the first time in two years the forecasters have done so. The other thing is the province is still holding a very strong credit rating with bonding agencies which is great allowing us to borrow money at a much lower interest rate. That bond rating is also something that investors look to. Being the second highest in Canada I think is very important to our province and we are hoping to maintain that and that is because we have a plan to get back to balance. That is why we need to keep working hard, holding the line, and being fiscally responsible and get back to balance.”
less after first quarter
Daniel Bushman
With the goal of returning the province to balance by 2019-‘20, Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister and MLA for Humboldt-Watrous, Donna Harpauer has not only been tasked with making tough decisions along the way but staying the course to get Saskatchewan back to balance. Harpauer and the provincial government released its first quarter numbers, noting the budget remains on track with a projected deficit of $306 million, $59 million less than originally projected.
“Three months into the fiscal year, we’re seeing a growing economy and an improving fiscal picture,” said Harpauer, who added the lower deficit has been attributed to a higher revenue forecast with a larger net income from Government Business Enterprises and higher non-renewable resource revenue.
“We have seen some strength in oil pricing which is a major factor in why the deficit is less than previously forecasted.”
According to the provincial government, the value of oil production increased a total of eight percent through the first four months of 2018, over the same period last year while potash production increased 11.3 percent in the first quarter of 2018 over the same period last year. Total manufacturing sales have also increased by 11.1 percent and international exports are up by four percent.
However, while the numbers have been encouraging over the first quarter, Harpauer said they are preliminary and there still remains a deficit. “There is going to be a lot of work to do in order to balance and keep on track with our three year plan.”
Another big obstacle Harpauer and the government has been faced with is the uncertainty south of the border with the current trade situation. With NAFTA negotiations between Canada and the United States still not resolved early last week and tariffs implemented, being a trade reliant province has made it more difficult to operate.
“Obviously there has been some problems with the NAFTA negotiations and tariffs that have been brought down by the United States, effecting Saskatchewan. Other countries have also raised trade concerns with Canada and all of that is extremely concerning as we move forward. Saskatchewan and our government have been advocating very heavily for a pipeline but so far there has been no shovels in the ground for the Kinder Morgan pipeline, so that is a concern.”
Harpauer added the nation is also experiencing the largest differential in oil prices observed, making a large difference to the revenues coming into not just Saskatchewan but also Canada. “Twenty-five percent differential is huge but that is because we are forced to ship our oil south and we can’t access international markets so we are price takers in a very limited market. Should we be able to get our oil to port, it makes a huge difference in the price that we can obtain.”
Another concern raised by the finance minister is the potential for decline in future investments in Saskatchewan because of the tax changes in the United States. “We were very competitive but now we no longer are. I am hearing from different corporations that future investments are probably not going to look at Canada right now and that will affect all of our provinces because there is varying investing that happens in different places but tax competitiveness is huge and we are seeing a lot of investment going south.”
Asked about whether or not she is discouraged from the outcome so far related to NAFTA and tariffs, Harpauer said, “It is disappointing that this is where we are. We refused to have negotiations without Mexico; however, Mexico took the offer from the United States and now have arrived at some sort of agreement which again puts us behind in these negotiations and that is disappointing and a huge concern because it affects a number of industries within our province.”
Absorbing the decisions made nationally while trying to obtain a balanced budget next year, Harpauer said crunching the numbers and trying to make the right choices has been tough but she has been able to lean on some help as well.
“We have a treasury board that deliberates all budget decisions and I have to say I have an extremely strong team to work with so I by no means am doing this alone. I have enjoyed it but there are challenges. There is not a doubt the deficit is worrisome because as long as we have a deficit we are borrowing to operate which is not what we want to do. It is something we want to get away from and that is why balancing is so important. We want to do so, so that we can maintain the services that we have in health care, education and social safety net programs. It is a balancing act and there is still tough decisions we are going to have to make going forward.”
Recognizing some of those tough decisions are not always favourable to some, Harpauer felt measures taken in the last budget have been working heading to balance.
“Yes, there were tough decisions made but yet this is what we are going to need to do because we are not going to see a huge recovery I don’t believe in oil and we are reliant very heavily on oil. With all of the circumstances with trade and tax competitiveness, I don’t think we are going to see a huge boom in oil in the next number of years so this just becomes more critical in how we need to get back to balance.”
With a lot to consider leading into next year, Harpauer who grew up on a farm near Guernsey said work has started on the next budget and MLAs will soon return to Regina for the fall session. But despite some of the economic struggles and implemented tariffs from south of the border, Harpauer is optimistic moving forward.
“Generally as much as there is a lot of uncertainty out there, which is raising concern, I think things are still positive within our province. The forecasters are all forecasting - albeit modest - economic growth, which is the first time in two years the forecasters have done so. The other thing is the province is still holding a very strong credit rating with bonding agencies which is great allowing us to borrow money at a much lower interest rate. That bond rating is also something that investors look to. Being the second highest in Canada I think is very important to our province and we are hoping to maintain that and that is because we have a plan to get back to balance. That is why we need to keep working hard, holding the line, and being fiscally responsible and get back to balance.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 27, 2018
Watrous and Imperial Primary Health expanding hours in both communities
By Daniel Bushman
In an effort to better meet the needs of residents in Watrous, Imperial and the surrounding area, Watrous and Imperial Primary Health are adding more hours to their centres at both communities.
Starting Sept. 1, Watrous Primary Health Centre will be open until 8:30 p.m. on most Monday and Thursday evenings (excluding statutory holidays) while beginning Sept. 5, the Imperial Clinic will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Angela Luron with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said by extending the hours in Watrous and adding a full clinic day in Imperial it will improve the ability for people to access important health services. The changes are being made as part of SHA’s strategy and response to improving access for the communities regarding appointments with physicians and nurse practitioners.
Over the past three years information data and feedback from community members was collected and from that Luron said, “What we are seeing is approximately half of the visits to the Watrous emergency department are for non-emergencies and many of those visits happen after 5 p.m. This is telling us that we need to make some changes to have the health centres open when the community needs us. Making primary health services available outside of the traditional daytime weekday hours is a priority for primary health care across the province and we are proud to be making these improvements for the communities of Watrous, Imperial and the surrounding area.”
After looking at the services and all of the data, Luron said they knew they had to increase provider capacity and needed to be open on some of those evenings and hours that go beyond traditional hours. Having the benefit of being properly resourced they are now able to do that.
“The team is able to help people with non-emergencies, making it better for people to visit the health centre instead of the emergency department for non-emergency and non-critical health needs. It is also a lot more cost effective to take care of people with non-emergency health needs in the health centre instead of in the emergency department.”
Working in conjunction with Luron and SHA, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins was happy about adding to the local health services. “We are certainly pleased to be able to provide another great service and with the added day in Imperial it means people from that community will not have to drive as far to access care.”
Collins said in Watrous, having the expanded hours also allows people to make appointments to better fit their schedules. “We are certainly pleased and happy with the opportunity to expand those services.”
With five care providers and extended hours to both Watrous and Imperial Primary Health, Luron is encouraging people to come to the health centre instead of the emergency department if they are not having a health emergency. The new changes which go into effect shortly will also provide people who may be working an opportunity to get an appointment outside of those working hours.
“This is important, especially in communities where people might go elsewhere to work for the day and then come back just before supper. Being available later in the day is also important for parents picking kids up from school or daycare towards the end of the day. Once they pick up their kids they may realize that the kids are having a health concern and can call to see if we have any urgent appointments open that evening at the health centre.”
Over the next few months information will be provided by SHA discussing the best ways to utilize local health services.
By Daniel Bushman
In an effort to better meet the needs of residents in Watrous, Imperial and the surrounding area, Watrous and Imperial Primary Health are adding more hours to their centres at both communities.
Starting Sept. 1, Watrous Primary Health Centre will be open until 8:30 p.m. on most Monday and Thursday evenings (excluding statutory holidays) while beginning Sept. 5, the Imperial Clinic will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Angela Luron with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said by extending the hours in Watrous and adding a full clinic day in Imperial it will improve the ability for people to access important health services. The changes are being made as part of SHA’s strategy and response to improving access for the communities regarding appointments with physicians and nurse practitioners.
Over the past three years information data and feedback from community members was collected and from that Luron said, “What we are seeing is approximately half of the visits to the Watrous emergency department are for non-emergencies and many of those visits happen after 5 p.m. This is telling us that we need to make some changes to have the health centres open when the community needs us. Making primary health services available outside of the traditional daytime weekday hours is a priority for primary health care across the province and we are proud to be making these improvements for the communities of Watrous, Imperial and the surrounding area.”
After looking at the services and all of the data, Luron said they knew they had to increase provider capacity and needed to be open on some of those evenings and hours that go beyond traditional hours. Having the benefit of being properly resourced they are now able to do that.
“The team is able to help people with non-emergencies, making it better for people to visit the health centre instead of the emergency department for non-emergency and non-critical health needs. It is also a lot more cost effective to take care of people with non-emergency health needs in the health centre instead of in the emergency department.”
Working in conjunction with Luron and SHA, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins was happy about adding to the local health services. “We are certainly pleased to be able to provide another great service and with the added day in Imperial it means people from that community will not have to drive as far to access care.”
Collins said in Watrous, having the expanded hours also allows people to make appointments to better fit their schedules. “We are certainly pleased and happy with the opportunity to expand those services.”
With five care providers and extended hours to both Watrous and Imperial Primary Health, Luron is encouraging people to come to the health centre instead of the emergency department if they are not having a health emergency. The new changes which go into effect shortly will also provide people who may be working an opportunity to get an appointment outside of those working hours.
“This is important, especially in communities where people might go elsewhere to work for the day and then come back just before supper. Being available later in the day is also important for parents picking kids up from school or daycare towards the end of the day. Once they pick up their kids they may realize that the kids are having a health concern and can call to see if we have any urgent appointments open that evening at the health centre.”
Over the next few months information will be provided by SHA discussing the best ways to utilize local health services.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 20, 2018
Seeking answers while dealing with an unknown
Daniel Bushman
It has been a long and arduous road for a local family of seven and after coming up with no answers for nearly two years, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel. After having three children, Lindsey Bushman of Watrous became pregnant with twins and it was during her pregnancy that she began feeling congested in her sinuses. Not thinking too much of it, her symptoms continued to worsen throughout her pregnancy and after giving birth to twin boys Feb. 13, 2017, the congestion started to turn into an unhealthy state.
“At first I thought I just had a cold,” said the 29-year-old. “When it continued to worsen, I just thought it was because I was run down from having our twins and getting back into the swing of things at home.”
Two months after that though Lindsey found herself in a doctor’s office searching for some type of relief and a few answers. Nothing was improving and after visiting her doctor, she was referred to a specialist. After getting the okay to see an ENT (ears/nose/throat) specialist, the long waiting game of finding a diagnosis got underway.
“We waited a few months and never heard back. We called and were told they had received the referral but the specialist was gone on leave and there was no definite time frame when patients would be accepted.”
Not risking waiting around any longer, Lindsey was referred to a different ENT specialist. While waiting to see the specialist, Bushman’s sinuses and tissues in her nose were being attacked and were slowly deteriorating. She also often found herself sick with infection and her sense of taste and smell disappeared altogether.
“I had no energy and I could barely get out of bed in the morning. Even the day to day tasks I struggled with. I didn’t know if I’d wake up sick one day or healthy the next.”
Then in October of 2017, the Watrous resident was able to see a specialist and a CT scan along with a scope on her nose were performed two months later. “At that point we knew there was something not right and my ENT specialist decided we needed to do nasal septum reconstruction.”
A process to repair the wall of bone and flexible tissue between the two nasal passages, Lindsey had surgery just after celebrating her 29th birthday. Then six weeks later at her post operation follow up, she learned that whatever was invading her nasal cavity was spreading.
“I could fit a Q-tip between my septum at that point. Now, I have no septum left. I can touch the tips of two of my fingers together in my nose. Whatever is attacking me has just eaten away all of it.”
Bushman was sent for a biopsy May 1 and doctors began searching for a diagnosis and treatment to prevent further progression. Wegener’s Granulomatosis, an autoimmune disorder was one theory. The rare disorder where the exact cause is unknown attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Small-sized blood vessels in the nose, sinuses, ears, lungs and kidneys become inflamed and damaged and other areas may also be affected in some cases. It can also produce a type of inflammatory tissue known as a granuloma that’s found around the blood vessels.
To see if in fact the diagnoses was Wegener’s, a doctor took a small sample of affected tissue but the results came back negative. “We were told that with nasal biopsies, it is extremely hard to confirm Wegener’s Granulomatosis. But something was going on because things had been progressing faster and faster and my nasal area was deteriorating at a rapid rate.”
Then a week after her biopsy, another hurdle arrived; Lindsey became really sick. “I couldn’t get out of bed and there was incredible pain. Thankfully my ENT specialist was able to put me on some medication, which ended up helping.”
With relief and finally having some energy back, Bushman figured things were looking up. However, a second CT scan, this time done May 26, showed more progression. Thinking the situation involved an autoimmune disease as opposed to just a sinus issue, Lindsey was referred to a Rheumatologist, a specialist who deals with immune-mediated disorders. The earliest appointment was scheduled for Sept. 18, 2018 but Bushman could not wait that long. The continual progression of deterioration was not willing to push pause and wait for the September meeting so Lindsey was able to find another specialist, getting an appointment in June.
After meeting with the specialist but not confirming Lindsey had Wegener’s Granulomatosis, it was decided to perform another biopsy and begin treatment. Like the previous biopsy, it came back negative once again. “It was suggested perhaps I had IMDD or Idiopathic Midline Destructive Disease, which does not respond to the same treatment as Wegener’s and requires localized radiation. A form of lymphoma, IMDD is also extremely hard to diagnose and essentially is done by elimination of other diagnoses.”
Looking into whether or not she had IMDD, in the meantime, Bushman was prescribed for medication for Wegener’s Granulomatosis and also saw a naturopath and osteopath for their opinions. With time becoming a serious factor, she waited for something to work. “Instead of getting better, I became really sick at the end of July and had a fever of 105˚F. I contracted pneumonia and because of the severity of the situation was sent to Royal University Hospital and went for another CT scan. The CT scan showed even more progression, I had bone loss and it was moving into my sinuses. At that point I was discharged with antibiotics and headed for another biopsy, which was a few weeks ago.”
At her biopsy, going over the latest results, doctors elected to rule out Wegener’s Granulomatosis and IMDD. Lindsey was taken off her medication and her specialists began seeking further opinions from across the country. It was also at that point that Lindsey and her husband Derek decided to pursue the idea of visiting a Mayo Clinic in the United States.
With more than one million people going to Mayo Clinic each year for care and 88 percent of patients visiting Mayo Clinic for a second opinion receiving a new or refined diagnosis, the Bushmans felt it was something they needed to try.
“We had no diagnosis and the progression of what I have has not only destroyed my septum but it had started working its way into my sinuses. I now have a cavity in my left cheek and with it eating away right under my eyes and near my brain, we felt we did not want to risk losing anymore time.”
Collecting all of her medical records, CT scans, appointment forms, and getting a passport done, Lindsey was also able to see optometrist Warren Toews to ensure her eyes were still okay. After accumulating as much information as she could, an email was compiled and sent to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to see if she could get in. Making the decision to head south of the border, Lindsey also received the support of her specialists after they had discussions with doctors in Calgary, Hamilton and Toronto and came up with no new information or diagnoses.
“We know everything takes time but we didn’t have that luxury anymore and Mayo Clinic got back to us right away. We were approved and had a schedule within a week.”
While the news of being approved and able to attend a Mayo Clinic was a long awaited relief, her appointed was slated for Sept. 26, over a month away. “We were excited to get in but devastated to learn that it would not be until later in September.”
Getting sick again, this time right after she found out about the appointment date and with time such a factor, Derek and Lindsey thought maybe one of the other Mayo Clinics in Arizona or Florida would be able to get them in earlier. With the fear of having to wait another six more weeks, the couple composed an email and sent it off at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 12. Not expecting anything to change, the pair received an email by 8:04 the next morning stating the Mayo Clinic was able to set up a new appointment for Aug. 24 in Minnesota.
“There is no explanation other than God had answered our prayers. There have been so many people praying and asking for something to happen and it was granted. We were just so thankful and we know there is still a long road ahead but to get us in that much sooner, it was just a real blessing.”
Scheduled to be at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., later this week, over a month earlier than originally planned, Derek and Lindsey said there will be between five to eight business days of testing for outpatients. Then after that, it all depends on the diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, more treatments would take place and there would be lots of follow ups and reconstructive surgery.
Whether or not that would all be done in the United States or some of it in Canada, the pair said there remains a long road ahead. “It scares me how things progressed and escalated so quickly in my nasal and sinus area,” said Lindsey, who grew up on a farm between Watrous and Drake. “But we have been leaning on our faith to help get us through.”
While the pair are relieved to be able to head to Minnesota and hopefully receive some answers, there are a lot of expenses that will be adding up during their time there. Lodging, transportation, food and the cost of health care in the United States are a few of those while future treatments, being off work and raising five kids will also put a strain on finances. To help alleviate some of the added financial stress, a gofundme page has been established for the pair and their kids. In addition to that, family and friends have been lending a hand and people from the church the Bushmans attend have also rallied around the family by providing meals, offering childcare, and yard maintenance.
“Many people have been finding out about what we have been going through and are coming to us asking, ‘What can we do to help?’ We are just so overwhelmed and humbled by that outpouring of support from family, friends, our church family, co-workers, the Watrous School of Dance family, neighbours, our specialists, the doctors and nursing staff here in Watrous and people we don’t know. We’ve had so many generous people stop by offering to help and even helping us with our flights, it is truly amazing.”
After being told by her ENT specialist that she is a one in a million case, Lindsey said, “People wonder how I have remained calm while juggling kids and work on top of this. I tell them that God has given us an unexplainable peace. We have found that peace through Him and have been reminded by that from these verses in the Bible: Philippians 4:6-7: Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
The couple said while it has been really hard not knowing what is going on, they are looking forward to getting some answers and are hopeful that it will all work out.
If people would like to help cover some of the expenses that the family will face, they can go to www.gofundme.com and search Derek and Lindsey Bushman or type: www.gofundme.com/derek-and-lindsey-bushman or if people prefer not to donate online, they can drop off funds at The Watrous Manitou's office at 309 Main Street in Watrous or mail monetary donations addressed to Derek and Lindsey Bushman to The Watrous Manitou, Box 100, Watrous, Sask., S0K 4T0 and they will be passed along to the couple.
Daniel Bushman
It has been a long and arduous road for a local family of seven and after coming up with no answers for nearly two years, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel. After having three children, Lindsey Bushman of Watrous became pregnant with twins and it was during her pregnancy that she began feeling congested in her sinuses. Not thinking too much of it, her symptoms continued to worsen throughout her pregnancy and after giving birth to twin boys Feb. 13, 2017, the congestion started to turn into an unhealthy state.
“At first I thought I just had a cold,” said the 29-year-old. “When it continued to worsen, I just thought it was because I was run down from having our twins and getting back into the swing of things at home.”
Two months after that though Lindsey found herself in a doctor’s office searching for some type of relief and a few answers. Nothing was improving and after visiting her doctor, she was referred to a specialist. After getting the okay to see an ENT (ears/nose/throat) specialist, the long waiting game of finding a diagnosis got underway.
“We waited a few months and never heard back. We called and were told they had received the referral but the specialist was gone on leave and there was no definite time frame when patients would be accepted.”
Not risking waiting around any longer, Lindsey was referred to a different ENT specialist. While waiting to see the specialist, Bushman’s sinuses and tissues in her nose were being attacked and were slowly deteriorating. She also often found herself sick with infection and her sense of taste and smell disappeared altogether.
“I had no energy and I could barely get out of bed in the morning. Even the day to day tasks I struggled with. I didn’t know if I’d wake up sick one day or healthy the next.”
Then in October of 2017, the Watrous resident was able to see a specialist and a CT scan along with a scope on her nose were performed two months later. “At that point we knew there was something not right and my ENT specialist decided we needed to do nasal septum reconstruction.”
A process to repair the wall of bone and flexible tissue between the two nasal passages, Lindsey had surgery just after celebrating her 29th birthday. Then six weeks later at her post operation follow up, she learned that whatever was invading her nasal cavity was spreading.
“I could fit a Q-tip between my septum at that point. Now, I have no septum left. I can touch the tips of two of my fingers together in my nose. Whatever is attacking me has just eaten away all of it.”
Bushman was sent for a biopsy May 1 and doctors began searching for a diagnosis and treatment to prevent further progression. Wegener’s Granulomatosis, an autoimmune disorder was one theory. The rare disorder where the exact cause is unknown attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Small-sized blood vessels in the nose, sinuses, ears, lungs and kidneys become inflamed and damaged and other areas may also be affected in some cases. It can also produce a type of inflammatory tissue known as a granuloma that’s found around the blood vessels.
To see if in fact the diagnoses was Wegener’s, a doctor took a small sample of affected tissue but the results came back negative. “We were told that with nasal biopsies, it is extremely hard to confirm Wegener’s Granulomatosis. But something was going on because things had been progressing faster and faster and my nasal area was deteriorating at a rapid rate.”
Then a week after her biopsy, another hurdle arrived; Lindsey became really sick. “I couldn’t get out of bed and there was incredible pain. Thankfully my ENT specialist was able to put me on some medication, which ended up helping.”
With relief and finally having some energy back, Bushman figured things were looking up. However, a second CT scan, this time done May 26, showed more progression. Thinking the situation involved an autoimmune disease as opposed to just a sinus issue, Lindsey was referred to a Rheumatologist, a specialist who deals with immune-mediated disorders. The earliest appointment was scheduled for Sept. 18, 2018 but Bushman could not wait that long. The continual progression of deterioration was not willing to push pause and wait for the September meeting so Lindsey was able to find another specialist, getting an appointment in June.
After meeting with the specialist but not confirming Lindsey had Wegener’s Granulomatosis, it was decided to perform another biopsy and begin treatment. Like the previous biopsy, it came back negative once again. “It was suggested perhaps I had IMDD or Idiopathic Midline Destructive Disease, which does not respond to the same treatment as Wegener’s and requires localized radiation. A form of lymphoma, IMDD is also extremely hard to diagnose and essentially is done by elimination of other diagnoses.”
Looking into whether or not she had IMDD, in the meantime, Bushman was prescribed for medication for Wegener’s Granulomatosis and also saw a naturopath and osteopath for their opinions. With time becoming a serious factor, she waited for something to work. “Instead of getting better, I became really sick at the end of July and had a fever of 105˚F. I contracted pneumonia and because of the severity of the situation was sent to Royal University Hospital and went for another CT scan. The CT scan showed even more progression, I had bone loss and it was moving into my sinuses. At that point I was discharged with antibiotics and headed for another biopsy, which was a few weeks ago.”
At her biopsy, going over the latest results, doctors elected to rule out Wegener’s Granulomatosis and IMDD. Lindsey was taken off her medication and her specialists began seeking further opinions from across the country. It was also at that point that Lindsey and her husband Derek decided to pursue the idea of visiting a Mayo Clinic in the United States.
With more than one million people going to Mayo Clinic each year for care and 88 percent of patients visiting Mayo Clinic for a second opinion receiving a new or refined diagnosis, the Bushmans felt it was something they needed to try.
“We had no diagnosis and the progression of what I have has not only destroyed my septum but it had started working its way into my sinuses. I now have a cavity in my left cheek and with it eating away right under my eyes and near my brain, we felt we did not want to risk losing anymore time.”
Collecting all of her medical records, CT scans, appointment forms, and getting a passport done, Lindsey was also able to see optometrist Warren Toews to ensure her eyes were still okay. After accumulating as much information as she could, an email was compiled and sent to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to see if she could get in. Making the decision to head south of the border, Lindsey also received the support of her specialists after they had discussions with doctors in Calgary, Hamilton and Toronto and came up with no new information or diagnoses.
“We know everything takes time but we didn’t have that luxury anymore and Mayo Clinic got back to us right away. We were approved and had a schedule within a week.”
While the news of being approved and able to attend a Mayo Clinic was a long awaited relief, her appointed was slated for Sept. 26, over a month away. “We were excited to get in but devastated to learn that it would not be until later in September.”
Getting sick again, this time right after she found out about the appointment date and with time such a factor, Derek and Lindsey thought maybe one of the other Mayo Clinics in Arizona or Florida would be able to get them in earlier. With the fear of having to wait another six more weeks, the couple composed an email and sent it off at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 12. Not expecting anything to change, the pair received an email by 8:04 the next morning stating the Mayo Clinic was able to set up a new appointment for Aug. 24 in Minnesota.
“There is no explanation other than God had answered our prayers. There have been so many people praying and asking for something to happen and it was granted. We were just so thankful and we know there is still a long road ahead but to get us in that much sooner, it was just a real blessing.”
Scheduled to be at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., later this week, over a month earlier than originally planned, Derek and Lindsey said there will be between five to eight business days of testing for outpatients. Then after that, it all depends on the diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, more treatments would take place and there would be lots of follow ups and reconstructive surgery.
Whether or not that would all be done in the United States or some of it in Canada, the pair said there remains a long road ahead. “It scares me how things progressed and escalated so quickly in my nasal and sinus area,” said Lindsey, who grew up on a farm between Watrous and Drake. “But we have been leaning on our faith to help get us through.”
While the pair are relieved to be able to head to Minnesota and hopefully receive some answers, there are a lot of expenses that will be adding up during their time there. Lodging, transportation, food and the cost of health care in the United States are a few of those while future treatments, being off work and raising five kids will also put a strain on finances. To help alleviate some of the added financial stress, a gofundme page has been established for the pair and their kids. In addition to that, family and friends have been lending a hand and people from the church the Bushmans attend have also rallied around the family by providing meals, offering childcare, and yard maintenance.
“Many people have been finding out about what we have been going through and are coming to us asking, ‘What can we do to help?’ We are just so overwhelmed and humbled by that outpouring of support from family, friends, our church family, co-workers, the Watrous School of Dance family, neighbours, our specialists, the doctors and nursing staff here in Watrous and people we don’t know. We’ve had so many generous people stop by offering to help and even helping us with our flights, it is truly amazing.”
After being told by her ENT specialist that she is a one in a million case, Lindsey said, “People wonder how I have remained calm while juggling kids and work on top of this. I tell them that God has given us an unexplainable peace. We have found that peace through Him and have been reminded by that from these verses in the Bible: Philippians 4:6-7: Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
The couple said while it has been really hard not knowing what is going on, they are looking forward to getting some answers and are hopeful that it will all work out.
If people would like to help cover some of the expenses that the family will face, they can go to www.gofundme.com and search Derek and Lindsey Bushman or type: www.gofundme.com/derek-and-lindsey-bushman or if people prefer not to donate online, they can drop off funds at The Watrous Manitou's office at 309 Main Street in Watrous or mail monetary donations addressed to Derek and Lindsey Bushman to The Watrous Manitou, Box 100, Watrous, Sask., S0K 4T0 and they will be passed along to the couple.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 13, 2018
Guilty verdict handed down in Carlson case
Daniel Bushman
After going over information and testimonies presented at Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench in June, a guilty verdict was reached in the trial related to the disappearance and alleged murder of James Carlson from Watrous. Justice Gerald Allbright, who presided over the trial, found Taylor Wolff guilty of second-degree murder in Carlson’s death.
Bre McAdam with the Star Phoenix had been covering the trial in its entirety since it began June 11 and said Allbright read his 72-page decision in court during the morning Aug. 10. McAdam said Allbright read his analysis explaining DNA of Wolff was found on two cigarette butts and on the neck of a cleaning bottle at Carlson’s home. Allbright continued by stating even though Carlson’s body has never been found, there is no doubt he died from an unlawful act.
McAdam said Allbright summarized evidence given by people including witness Lindsay Reiber, who Allbright found to be a “credible witness.”
In accepting this, Allbright found that Wolff caused James Carlson’s death. After the guilty verdict of second-degree murder was handed down (which could carry a life sentence with no parole for between 10 and 25 years), court adjourned. McAdam said the Crown and defence will argue parole eligibility Sept. 5.
On May 14, 2008 James was working at a Watrous area farm during the day and made an appointment to do work at another farm the following day. Between 7 and 8 p.m. that evening, James went to Video Stop in Watrous, the last confirmed sighting of him. Five days later, James’ work truck and all his work tools were located abandoned in a field near Allan.
In May, 2010, James’ white Monte Carlo was located concealed on a secluded rural property near Rosthern. It was reported to police by the land owner who advised the car was sitting abandoned in the location for two years.
Over the years, tips from the public have been received and extensive searches conducted around the Watrous, Imperial and Holdfast areas. Farm land, rock piles, bush areas, bodies of water and wells have been examined.
Daniel Bushman
After going over information and testimonies presented at Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench in June, a guilty verdict was reached in the trial related to the disappearance and alleged murder of James Carlson from Watrous. Justice Gerald Allbright, who presided over the trial, found Taylor Wolff guilty of second-degree murder in Carlson’s death.
Bre McAdam with the Star Phoenix had been covering the trial in its entirety since it began June 11 and said Allbright read his 72-page decision in court during the morning Aug. 10. McAdam said Allbright read his analysis explaining DNA of Wolff was found on two cigarette butts and on the neck of a cleaning bottle at Carlson’s home. Allbright continued by stating even though Carlson’s body has never been found, there is no doubt he died from an unlawful act.
McAdam said Allbright summarized evidence given by people including witness Lindsay Reiber, who Allbright found to be a “credible witness.”
In accepting this, Allbright found that Wolff caused James Carlson’s death. After the guilty verdict of second-degree murder was handed down (which could carry a life sentence with no parole for between 10 and 25 years), court adjourned. McAdam said the Crown and defence will argue parole eligibility Sept. 5.
On May 14, 2008 James was working at a Watrous area farm during the day and made an appointment to do work at another farm the following day. Between 7 and 8 p.m. that evening, James went to Video Stop in Watrous, the last confirmed sighting of him. Five days later, James’ work truck and all his work tools were located abandoned in a field near Allan.
In May, 2010, James’ white Monte Carlo was located concealed on a secluded rural property near Rosthern. It was reported to police by the land owner who advised the car was sitting abandoned in the location for two years.
Over the years, tips from the public have been received and extensive searches conducted around the Watrous, Imperial and Holdfast areas. Farm land, rock piles, bush areas, bodies of water and wells have been examined.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 6, 2018
Mainline Chrysler Watrous nears opening date
Daniel Bushman
After officially putting the shovel into the ground this past October, Mainline Chrysler Watrous will soon see its doors open to the public for the first time later this month. General Manager of the new dealership, Ryan Hunt said they are excited about officially opening in just a couple of weeks at their location just off Hwy. 2 in Watrous.
“It has been a lot of hard work to get to this point but we are thrilled to be able to say that Mainline Chrysler Watrous will be opening by the end of August.”
With a few things left to be done over the next few weeks Hunt said, “We are excited to be able to join the community of Watrous and serve our future customers within the town, surrounding area and province.”
In anticipation of opening, Hunt along with some of the employees from the dealership have already been busy increasing stock with new vehicles arriving at a temporary lot, located next to Melron Service Ltd.
“Some of our staff that will be at the brand new dealership have already started getting things lined up, bringing out new vehicles and getting them ready to be put on the lot. Once we open, people can stop by our location on the east side of town off Hwy. 2 to take a look.”
Just a short drive away from the temporary lot, work has been well underway at the site of the dealership’s permanent residence. Melron Service Ltd. has been busy doing the excavating and ground work while Wright Construction is constructing the 25,000 square foot facility. Work is also being done to finish the entrance to the dealership which will be just off road #668 next to Watrous Concrete. There are also plans to see the five acre parcel of land include a paved lot.
Employing around 35 people once operational, the dealership will be selling new and used vehicles, offering service and selling parts and will become the third automotive dealership in Watrous, joining Centennial Ford and Mainline Motors.
Daniel Bushman
After officially putting the shovel into the ground this past October, Mainline Chrysler Watrous will soon see its doors open to the public for the first time later this month. General Manager of the new dealership, Ryan Hunt said they are excited about officially opening in just a couple of weeks at their location just off Hwy. 2 in Watrous.
“It has been a lot of hard work to get to this point but we are thrilled to be able to say that Mainline Chrysler Watrous will be opening by the end of August.”
With a few things left to be done over the next few weeks Hunt said, “We are excited to be able to join the community of Watrous and serve our future customers within the town, surrounding area and province.”
In anticipation of opening, Hunt along with some of the employees from the dealership have already been busy increasing stock with new vehicles arriving at a temporary lot, located next to Melron Service Ltd.
“Some of our staff that will be at the brand new dealership have already started getting things lined up, bringing out new vehicles and getting them ready to be put on the lot. Once we open, people can stop by our location on the east side of town off Hwy. 2 to take a look.”
Just a short drive away from the temporary lot, work has been well underway at the site of the dealership’s permanent residence. Melron Service Ltd. has been busy doing the excavating and ground work while Wright Construction is constructing the 25,000 square foot facility. Work is also being done to finish the entrance to the dealership which will be just off road #668 next to Watrous Concrete. There are also plans to see the five acre parcel of land include a paved lot.
Employing around 35 people once operational, the dealership will be selling new and used vehicles, offering service and selling parts and will become the third automotive dealership in Watrous, joining Centennial Ford and Mainline Motors.
TWM Top Story - July 16, 2018
A plan to revitalize
Main Street Watrous
Daniel Bushman
It is a topic more and more rural communities are talking about, but for Watrous steps are being taken to come up with strategies and solutions on how to see the community’s main street rejuvenated while creating an overall community economic development plan. Consultations have been underway to come up with a plan aimed at future growth and as part of that, a community-wide engagement meeting was recently held to garner input into the current and future state of Watrous’ Main Street.
Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said Prairie Wild Consulting out of Saskatoon was hired in January to begin a planning process and long-term community economic development plan. Engaging with the community over the past several months, the group conducted surveys with residents and business owners including at the tourism barbecue in Watrous May 30. The consultation process culminated June 28 with a business community focus group luncheon in addition to a communitywide engagement session held in the evening.
Providing an opportunity for local residents and business owners to share challenges, concerns and feedback around current business and community development, Manz said the luncheon with the local business community provided solid feedback and discussion relating to Watrous’ Main Street.
“What we have been seeing on main street is a recent loss or closure to some of our businesses and we know there are others looking to retire and move on in the next few years. I think it is important for us to have a plan in place before it is too late.”
At the luncheon meeting June 28, Manz said there was representation from business owners located on main street and beyond including Manitou Beach. The community development officer said around 50 people from Watrous and Manitou Beach including a few members from Watrous and Manitou Beach council made it out for the evening engagement meeting, showing interest towards the current and future state of Watrous’ Main Street.
“We are seeing a transition in retail in a lot of different areas so I think it is important to go through the planning process and see where this takes us. Main street remains a vital part of the community and it is important to have it as vibrant as possible. We are lucky to have the tourist numbers that we do coming through the community and main street provides an opportunity for people to spend more time and money in our community, which is important.”
At the two meetings, Manz said discussion from attendees ranged from getting rid of or tearing down a few things on main street to beautifying the area to make it an attractive place for residents and tourists. Other suggestions like incentives and assistance for businesses new and old were also brought up.
“Having around 50 people come to the community-wide engagement meeting was extremely positive, especially since it was a nice evening leading into the long weekend. Without that input and the input from the surveys, we would not really know what people want to see. We know that it won’t solve all the problems, but the input will be used towards a long-term plan and it is a start.”
Once the plan is completed, it will be directed towards council and the marketing group to see things through. Manz said they will potentially be looking at a variety of things like engaging the youth and the arts community, better partnering with local businesses, developing a theme for main street and involving the local Heritage Centre, which is currently being worked on.
“We will be looking at how we can bring in changes to our main street but also be respectful of the history and what it includes at the same time. We don’t want to lose sight of that as well.”
Manz said the consulting firm will now be compiling all of its findings and the entire plan with its recommendations will be completed later in the summer or early fall. The findings will then be released along with recommended items that could take place once approved by the marketing group and Watrous and Manitou Beach councils. “Once we get the plan, we will review it and will start laying down a plan on how some of these items can be undertaken. This year is all about the planning but by next year we could start seeing some results and action items. Some of those things that don’t cost a lot of money or take a lot of time could be implemented right away.”
Noting that anything being done will need to be a team effort, Manz said it is an important step in the right direction towards revitalizing a key piece of the community.
“When it comes to attracting new business, we are seeing investment on Hwy. 2 and people think we have a lot going on here. That needs to continue on our main street as well.”
Suggesting beautifying main street as a start, such as doing something as small as adding flowers or benches to something larger like a universal theme amongst businesses, Manz said it can create a place that people want to invest in. “I think there are some quick things we can do to make it a little more attractive which in turn will encourage people to invest in. We have a lot of good things going for our community, especially when you combine Watrous and Manitou Beach. We have a new automotive dealership being built in town, joining other substantial dealerships and other businesses that have been built, renovated or expanded in the past year or two, which is tremendous. Add in our tourist numbers and everything else that other communities don’t have and I think we can be an attractive place for investment. If we can do that, I think businesses will come.”
Main Street Watrous
Daniel Bushman
It is a topic more and more rural communities are talking about, but for Watrous steps are being taken to come up with strategies and solutions on how to see the community’s main street rejuvenated while creating an overall community economic development plan. Consultations have been underway to come up with a plan aimed at future growth and as part of that, a community-wide engagement meeting was recently held to garner input into the current and future state of Watrous’ Main Street.
Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said Prairie Wild Consulting out of Saskatoon was hired in January to begin a planning process and long-term community economic development plan. Engaging with the community over the past several months, the group conducted surveys with residents and business owners including at the tourism barbecue in Watrous May 30. The consultation process culminated June 28 with a business community focus group luncheon in addition to a communitywide engagement session held in the evening.
Providing an opportunity for local residents and business owners to share challenges, concerns and feedback around current business and community development, Manz said the luncheon with the local business community provided solid feedback and discussion relating to Watrous’ Main Street.
“What we have been seeing on main street is a recent loss or closure to some of our businesses and we know there are others looking to retire and move on in the next few years. I think it is important for us to have a plan in place before it is too late.”
At the luncheon meeting June 28, Manz said there was representation from business owners located on main street and beyond including Manitou Beach. The community development officer said around 50 people from Watrous and Manitou Beach including a few members from Watrous and Manitou Beach council made it out for the evening engagement meeting, showing interest towards the current and future state of Watrous’ Main Street.
“We are seeing a transition in retail in a lot of different areas so I think it is important to go through the planning process and see where this takes us. Main street remains a vital part of the community and it is important to have it as vibrant as possible. We are lucky to have the tourist numbers that we do coming through the community and main street provides an opportunity for people to spend more time and money in our community, which is important.”
At the two meetings, Manz said discussion from attendees ranged from getting rid of or tearing down a few things on main street to beautifying the area to make it an attractive place for residents and tourists. Other suggestions like incentives and assistance for businesses new and old were also brought up.
“Having around 50 people come to the community-wide engagement meeting was extremely positive, especially since it was a nice evening leading into the long weekend. Without that input and the input from the surveys, we would not really know what people want to see. We know that it won’t solve all the problems, but the input will be used towards a long-term plan and it is a start.”
Once the plan is completed, it will be directed towards council and the marketing group to see things through. Manz said they will potentially be looking at a variety of things like engaging the youth and the arts community, better partnering with local businesses, developing a theme for main street and involving the local Heritage Centre, which is currently being worked on.
“We will be looking at how we can bring in changes to our main street but also be respectful of the history and what it includes at the same time. We don’t want to lose sight of that as well.”
Manz said the consulting firm will now be compiling all of its findings and the entire plan with its recommendations will be completed later in the summer or early fall. The findings will then be released along with recommended items that could take place once approved by the marketing group and Watrous and Manitou Beach councils. “Once we get the plan, we will review it and will start laying down a plan on how some of these items can be undertaken. This year is all about the planning but by next year we could start seeing some results and action items. Some of those things that don’t cost a lot of money or take a lot of time could be implemented right away.”
Noting that anything being done will need to be a team effort, Manz said it is an important step in the right direction towards revitalizing a key piece of the community.
“When it comes to attracting new business, we are seeing investment on Hwy. 2 and people think we have a lot going on here. That needs to continue on our main street as well.”
Suggesting beautifying main street as a start, such as doing something as small as adding flowers or benches to something larger like a universal theme amongst businesses, Manz said it can create a place that people want to invest in. “I think there are some quick things we can do to make it a little more attractive which in turn will encourage people to invest in. We have a lot of good things going for our community, especially when you combine Watrous and Manitou Beach. We have a new automotive dealership being built in town, joining other substantial dealerships and other businesses that have been built, renovated or expanded in the past year or two, which is tremendous. Add in our tourist numbers and everything else that other communities don’t have and I think we can be an attractive place for investment. If we can do that, I think businesses will come.”
TWM Top Story - July 9, 2018
Local health team adding nurse practitioner
Daniel Bushman
With the pressures of longer wait times, the Saskatchewan Health Authority along with the Town of Watrous will be adding to its local Primary Health Care team. Providing service to Watrous, Imperial and surrounding communities, the Saskatchewan Health Authority along with the community have secured the services of a second nurse practitioner, bringing the total of physicians and nurse practitioners to five.
Joining the current team of doctors Hammad Akhtar, Kavita Choudhary, and Olanike Adebayo along with nurse practitioner Jessica Niyongabo will be Julie Wolff.
Manager with Primary Health Care Angela Luron said the addition of Wolff will be a big benefit to the area and to the care of patients utilizing the services in both Watrous and Imperial.
“We know that the current wait time for a regular appointment has been anywhere from two to six weeks for quite some time now, and we know we have to do better,” said Luron. “By adding Julie to the team we are planning to reduce those times while continuing to provide excellent care.”
Luron also noted that they have been making ongoing improvements to scheduling and clinical service delivery methods over the past few years, but that these efforts alone have not improved access enough – additional health care provider capacity is needed.
Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said adding a second nurse practitioner to the local team will be a tremendous benefit to the community and area. “Anytime we can add another professional to the Primary Health Care team is wonderful. It should also help alleviate and cut down on wait times. When we are able to expand the health care services, it is a plus.”
From Liberty, Sask., Wolff is joining the team in July and Luron said Julie provides a strong commitment to and passion for rural health care. “We feel very fortunate to bring her on. She has many years of nursing experience and has been practicing as a Primary Health Nurse Practitioner in southern Saskatchewan.”
Having three physicians working in the local facilities and two full-time nurse practitioners, Luron said they are able to provide care within a collaborative practice model, meaning a community member can be seen by any of the five providers. “Since we’ve implemented the electronic medical record system in 2015, this makes sure that any of the five providers can access the patient information that they need in order to have the full story and all of the information required to provide the best care.” Luron explained that this means a person can book an appointment with any physician or nurse practitioner, rather than waiting to see a specific person.
By adding Wolff to the team, Luron explained how the team will also now actively pursue the community engagement and development aspect of Primary Health.
“We know that supporting a healthy community involves much more than just clinical appointments – Primary Health Nurse Practitioners are also trained to focus on health education, health promotion, and illness prevention outside the walls of the health centre, right alongside the day-to-day lives of community members. This will partly involve improving our health connections and outreach work with the many community groups that already exist in and around Watrous and Imperial. This will also involve asking and learning about what is most important to community members for living a healthy life, and looking at how we can best support that by working together.”
Daniel Bushman
With the pressures of longer wait times, the Saskatchewan Health Authority along with the Town of Watrous will be adding to its local Primary Health Care team. Providing service to Watrous, Imperial and surrounding communities, the Saskatchewan Health Authority along with the community have secured the services of a second nurse practitioner, bringing the total of physicians and nurse practitioners to five.
Joining the current team of doctors Hammad Akhtar, Kavita Choudhary, and Olanike Adebayo along with nurse practitioner Jessica Niyongabo will be Julie Wolff.
Manager with Primary Health Care Angela Luron said the addition of Wolff will be a big benefit to the area and to the care of patients utilizing the services in both Watrous and Imperial.
“We know that the current wait time for a regular appointment has been anywhere from two to six weeks for quite some time now, and we know we have to do better,” said Luron. “By adding Julie to the team we are planning to reduce those times while continuing to provide excellent care.”
Luron also noted that they have been making ongoing improvements to scheduling and clinical service delivery methods over the past few years, but that these efforts alone have not improved access enough – additional health care provider capacity is needed.
Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said adding a second nurse practitioner to the local team will be a tremendous benefit to the community and area. “Anytime we can add another professional to the Primary Health Care team is wonderful. It should also help alleviate and cut down on wait times. When we are able to expand the health care services, it is a plus.”
From Liberty, Sask., Wolff is joining the team in July and Luron said Julie provides a strong commitment to and passion for rural health care. “We feel very fortunate to bring her on. She has many years of nursing experience and has been practicing as a Primary Health Nurse Practitioner in southern Saskatchewan.”
Having three physicians working in the local facilities and two full-time nurse practitioners, Luron said they are able to provide care within a collaborative practice model, meaning a community member can be seen by any of the five providers. “Since we’ve implemented the electronic medical record system in 2015, this makes sure that any of the five providers can access the patient information that they need in order to have the full story and all of the information required to provide the best care.” Luron explained that this means a person can book an appointment with any physician or nurse practitioner, rather than waiting to see a specific person.
By adding Wolff to the team, Luron explained how the team will also now actively pursue the community engagement and development aspect of Primary Health.
“We know that supporting a healthy community involves much more than just clinical appointments – Primary Health Nurse Practitioners are also trained to focus on health education, health promotion, and illness prevention outside the walls of the health centre, right alongside the day-to-day lives of community members. This will partly involve improving our health connections and outreach work with the many community groups that already exist in and around Watrous and Imperial. This will also involve asking and learning about what is most important to community members for living a healthy life, and looking at how we can best support that by working together.”
TWM Top Story - July 2, 2018
Young to rebuild swimming pool
Daniel Bushman
With substantial local support and a lot of hard work, the Young Swimming Pool committee has been making a splash as it strives to rebuild the community’s pool. With a fundraising goal of $250,000, the committee has already raised approximately $140,000 and is hopeful to see more come in during the months ahead.
Going towards repairs, the pool will see a total facelift once completed as funds will be used for a new liner, rebuilding the pool walls, a new cover, replumbing the water lines to the pool, back filling and new concrete. The committee said some prep work has already started on the project in Young and the contractor is set to start work in mid-July.
“It is very important to keep the pool operational,” said the committee. “It is a vital part of our community during the summer. We offer public swimming, swimming lessons, and the last couple of years we have offered lane swimming, and water yoga. The pool also employs youth from Young and surrounding areas.”
Consisting of Taylor Rowan, Jolene Haines, Julia Schultz, Lydia Huston, and Kellen Dreger, the fundraising committee said efforts to raise money have been going really well.
“We have received numerous donations and support from local and corporate businesses as well as residents of Young and surrounding areas. Our committee has also been busy hosting fundraising events throughout the year such as a Steak Night at TB’s, a Plant Nite, a bottle drive and ladies night out.”
The group has also planned a bottle drive for mid-September and a Halloween Kids’ Dance and Halloween Howler Cabaret coming up in the latter part of October.
The committee added if people want to contribute financially or through volunteering with fundraisers or at the pool, they can contact youngswimmingpool@outlook.com or they can send donations to the Village of Young, Box 359, Young, Sask. S0K 4Y0.
Daniel Bushman
With substantial local support and a lot of hard work, the Young Swimming Pool committee has been making a splash as it strives to rebuild the community’s pool. With a fundraising goal of $250,000, the committee has already raised approximately $140,000 and is hopeful to see more come in during the months ahead.
Going towards repairs, the pool will see a total facelift once completed as funds will be used for a new liner, rebuilding the pool walls, a new cover, replumbing the water lines to the pool, back filling and new concrete. The committee said some prep work has already started on the project in Young and the contractor is set to start work in mid-July.
“It is very important to keep the pool operational,” said the committee. “It is a vital part of our community during the summer. We offer public swimming, swimming lessons, and the last couple of years we have offered lane swimming, and water yoga. The pool also employs youth from Young and surrounding areas.”
Consisting of Taylor Rowan, Jolene Haines, Julia Schultz, Lydia Huston, and Kellen Dreger, the fundraising committee said efforts to raise money have been going really well.
“We have received numerous donations and support from local and corporate businesses as well as residents of Young and surrounding areas. Our committee has also been busy hosting fundraising events throughout the year such as a Steak Night at TB’s, a Plant Nite, a bottle drive and ladies night out.”
The group has also planned a bottle drive for mid-September and a Halloween Kids’ Dance and Halloween Howler Cabaret coming up in the latter part of October.
The committee added if people want to contribute financially or through volunteering with fundraisers or at the pool, they can contact youngswimmingpool@outlook.com or they can send donations to the Village of Young, Box 359, Young, Sask. S0K 4Y0.
TWM Top Story - June 25, 2018
Couple thankful to be alive after bear attack
Daniel Bushman
What started out as ensuring the safety of others ended with a near-death experience after a local couple was attacked multiple times by a bear in northern Saskatchewan. Now a few weeks removed from the traumatic experience, Brad Schroeder along with his wife Casadi are grateful to be alive and back home in Lanigan.
Joining families from the Northwest Community Church out of Meadow Lake for a family camp, Brad and Casadi Schroeder were invited to be guest speakers to share about their recent experience in Thailand. Making the trek from Lanigan with their kids up to Bethel Gospel Camp near Jeannette Lake in Meadow Lake Provincial Park, the family arrived June 8. After pulling into camp Friday, a bear had been spotted but Brad said the director and a conservation officer were able to deter it from sticking around.
With the bear gone, the Schroeders spent the weekend meeting and visiting with families including reconnecting with their aunt Grace and her husband Alan, who pastors at Northwest Community Church. Enjoying the beauty of the area, the Schroeder family went to bed Saturday night only to be woken up by the noise of a bear outside their cabin door.
“Our son Noah was awake Sunday morning around 7:30 or 8 a.m. and told us a bear was pushing on the door,” said Brad. “We started banging on the window to scare it away from the cabin.”
The male bear, which conservation officers would later tell Brad was around two or three years old, slowly sauntered off to another building where the kitchen, chapel and some dorm rooms were located. A pop up tent where kids were sleeping in was also nearby the building. As the bear continued to investigate the premises, Casadi feared it might eventually wander into the tent where the kids were sleeping. Maintaining a safe distance, she opened the door of her cabin and headed towards the main building and the bear. Since there was a blind spot behind the building, Casadi slowly took the corner by making a wide angle as not to startle the bear. Making her way around, the bear had found its way onto a raised wooden walkway near the doors to the main facility. The bear turned, noticed Casadi, and began walking towards her.
“When he turned towards me, he started coming down the raised walkway,” she said. “I was maintaining a good distance from him and I thought maybe he was curious. He began approaching towards my left and I thought he was headed for the fire pit area to look around for food where we had a wiener roast earlier in the weekend. I had this moment where I thought, okay good, he does not want to head towards me.”
But that all changed in a flash. While black bears can appear slow and methodical, they can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h and as soon as the bear veered off the platform, it bolted towards Schroeder.
“He came right at me,” said Casadi. “I was behind a tree and he got up on his two hind legs and reached with his claws around the tree. For a quick second, I took a breath and thought, he is going to climb the tree and not eat me. The next thing I knew he was tearing into my legs and the bites were so deep.”
With powerful jaws, the bear continued to bite Schroeder’s legs, shaking his head and ripping the flesh apart. “At that point I was like, Jesus this is it. I am ready to go. The bear was just so strong and the pain was so much, I didn’t know how I would fight him.”
As the bear charged Casadi and got her to the ground, Brad darted from their cabin towards the scene, engaging with the animal. “I was fighting with the bear and I told Cas to run,” he said.
Getting up in severe pain, Casadi was able to make it to a nearby cabin where she pounded on the door. “I hit that door and started pounding. I didn’t have time to try and see if the door was locked and then all of a sudden, the bear was eating my legs again. He was not going to let me go.”
Screaming in terror that she was being eaten by a bear, the door to the cabin opened and one of the people inside came out, trying to force the bear away. Brad was also able to make it over to the cabin, helping as well.
“All I remember is that somehow my legs came free and I got in the cabin,” said a shaken Casadi. “Brad was able to get inside as well.”
With the bear still lingering outside, Casadi sat down clutching her legs in pain. Despite feeling like she would pass out, Schroeder was able to stay alert and an officer that had been staying at camp for the weekend was able to get a first aid kit and began cleaning her wounds.
“It was super painful,” said Schroeder. “There were a few kids in the cabin and I tried to be calm but I almost blacked out because the pain was so intense. On my one side there were chunks of flesh the size of toonies that were gone from my legs because of the bites. That wasn’t even my bad leg. On my right side, they just told me not to look. It was that bad.”
Because of the proximity of the camp up north, there was no cell service but someone was able to access a Wi-Fi network and message a friend to call for help. After Brad and Casadi made it to the confines of the cabin, Brad’s focus shifted towards their three children who were back in the family’s cabin.
“Two of our kids saw the whole thing and I needed to get back to the cabin. I thought I saw the bear saunter off a bit so I took off running.”
However, the bear was still around and caught up to Brad, knocking him over. “I was able to get free pretty quickly but I am not too sure how. I kept going and made it to the cabin, slammed the door and made sure the kids were okay.”
The bear then returned to the cabin that Casadi and other campers were in. As the bear stayed close by, a mom of two little girls in the cabin put up a mattress to keep them from seeing the bear, in hopes of not scaring them further.
With Casadi being attended to in the cabin and Brad with their children in the other, help arrived 45 minutes later as an ambulance and a team of conservation officers made it to camp.
Brad said the conservation officers were able to trap the bear that attacked them and euthanized it before sending the animal away for testing. Casadi said test results from the bear’s DNA on her pants and from the bear showed a match, confirming that it was the same bear that had attacked the couple.
“The officers told us it was very abnormal behaviour for the bear to do what it did. With the forest fires that came within a mile of the camp in May, they felt the male bear was out of its natural habitat and hungry, which may have played into the attack.”
Going in the ambulance, Brad and Casadi rode to the hospital in Meadow Lake while Brad’s aunt Grace and her husband Alan followed them with the couple’s kids. After a few hours in hospital, the Schroeders were released and eventually returned to Lanigan.
While Brad had some scrapes and cuts, Casadi received 34 staples to close the wounds from the bear’s teeth. “When we arrived at the hospital, the first thing the doctor said is that this was the best case scenario. The bites were all on my legs and he said they will heal but if they were on my upper body, then you are looking at organs and stuff and that would have been severely worse.”
As a precaution, Brad and Casadi also received rabies shots a few days after being released from hospital and were given the all clear. Half of Casadi’s staples were also removed this past week.
Reflecting back on the traumatic experience Casadi said, “You never expect something like that to happen.”
After praying and reflecting on the events that unfolded during that Sunday morning she continued, “I had a clear vision of Jesus holding my upper body pulling me backwards and I feel it was a miracle because my upper body didn’t get a scratch.”
Brad, who is one of the pastors at Christian Fellowship Church in Lanigan added, “I felt God’s strength and His protection over the kids during the attack. We are also so thankful for the church and camp at Meadow Lake, they have been so supportive since this happened. The ambulance driver that took us to the hospital, she had counselled at the camp when she was younger and she was very good to us during our ride to the hospital. We are just so thankful for a lot of things.”
Now back home resting and recovering, the pair said, “All of the support we have received at home has been pretty amazing, especially from our church. They have offered meals, child care and cleaning. The community as well has stopped by with baking and fruit and all sorts of stuff. We have felt very supported throughout this experience.”
Casadi also said it has been incredible at how little pain she has experienced since the attack. “It is nothing short of a miracle. I am grateful to be alive and to be able to be home and walk.”
Since the bear attack, a GoFundMe page has been set up for the family to help cover expenses and therapy through the trauma of the experience. If people want to donate, they can go online to: www.gofundme.com/3pm5r8-cas-and-brad-support-fund
Daniel Bushman
What started out as ensuring the safety of others ended with a near-death experience after a local couple was attacked multiple times by a bear in northern Saskatchewan. Now a few weeks removed from the traumatic experience, Brad Schroeder along with his wife Casadi are grateful to be alive and back home in Lanigan.
Joining families from the Northwest Community Church out of Meadow Lake for a family camp, Brad and Casadi Schroeder were invited to be guest speakers to share about their recent experience in Thailand. Making the trek from Lanigan with their kids up to Bethel Gospel Camp near Jeannette Lake in Meadow Lake Provincial Park, the family arrived June 8. After pulling into camp Friday, a bear had been spotted but Brad said the director and a conservation officer were able to deter it from sticking around.
With the bear gone, the Schroeders spent the weekend meeting and visiting with families including reconnecting with their aunt Grace and her husband Alan, who pastors at Northwest Community Church. Enjoying the beauty of the area, the Schroeder family went to bed Saturday night only to be woken up by the noise of a bear outside their cabin door.
“Our son Noah was awake Sunday morning around 7:30 or 8 a.m. and told us a bear was pushing on the door,” said Brad. “We started banging on the window to scare it away from the cabin.”
The male bear, which conservation officers would later tell Brad was around two or three years old, slowly sauntered off to another building where the kitchen, chapel and some dorm rooms were located. A pop up tent where kids were sleeping in was also nearby the building. As the bear continued to investigate the premises, Casadi feared it might eventually wander into the tent where the kids were sleeping. Maintaining a safe distance, she opened the door of her cabin and headed towards the main building and the bear. Since there was a blind spot behind the building, Casadi slowly took the corner by making a wide angle as not to startle the bear. Making her way around, the bear had found its way onto a raised wooden walkway near the doors to the main facility. The bear turned, noticed Casadi, and began walking towards her.
“When he turned towards me, he started coming down the raised walkway,” she said. “I was maintaining a good distance from him and I thought maybe he was curious. He began approaching towards my left and I thought he was headed for the fire pit area to look around for food where we had a wiener roast earlier in the weekend. I had this moment where I thought, okay good, he does not want to head towards me.”
But that all changed in a flash. While black bears can appear slow and methodical, they can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h and as soon as the bear veered off the platform, it bolted towards Schroeder.
“He came right at me,” said Casadi. “I was behind a tree and he got up on his two hind legs and reached with his claws around the tree. For a quick second, I took a breath and thought, he is going to climb the tree and not eat me. The next thing I knew he was tearing into my legs and the bites were so deep.”
With powerful jaws, the bear continued to bite Schroeder’s legs, shaking his head and ripping the flesh apart. “At that point I was like, Jesus this is it. I am ready to go. The bear was just so strong and the pain was so much, I didn’t know how I would fight him.”
As the bear charged Casadi and got her to the ground, Brad darted from their cabin towards the scene, engaging with the animal. “I was fighting with the bear and I told Cas to run,” he said.
Getting up in severe pain, Casadi was able to make it to a nearby cabin where she pounded on the door. “I hit that door and started pounding. I didn’t have time to try and see if the door was locked and then all of a sudden, the bear was eating my legs again. He was not going to let me go.”
Screaming in terror that she was being eaten by a bear, the door to the cabin opened and one of the people inside came out, trying to force the bear away. Brad was also able to make it over to the cabin, helping as well.
“All I remember is that somehow my legs came free and I got in the cabin,” said a shaken Casadi. “Brad was able to get inside as well.”
With the bear still lingering outside, Casadi sat down clutching her legs in pain. Despite feeling like she would pass out, Schroeder was able to stay alert and an officer that had been staying at camp for the weekend was able to get a first aid kit and began cleaning her wounds.
“It was super painful,” said Schroeder. “There were a few kids in the cabin and I tried to be calm but I almost blacked out because the pain was so intense. On my one side there were chunks of flesh the size of toonies that were gone from my legs because of the bites. That wasn’t even my bad leg. On my right side, they just told me not to look. It was that bad.”
Because of the proximity of the camp up north, there was no cell service but someone was able to access a Wi-Fi network and message a friend to call for help. After Brad and Casadi made it to the confines of the cabin, Brad’s focus shifted towards their three children who were back in the family’s cabin.
“Two of our kids saw the whole thing and I needed to get back to the cabin. I thought I saw the bear saunter off a bit so I took off running.”
However, the bear was still around and caught up to Brad, knocking him over. “I was able to get free pretty quickly but I am not too sure how. I kept going and made it to the cabin, slammed the door and made sure the kids were okay.”
The bear then returned to the cabin that Casadi and other campers were in. As the bear stayed close by, a mom of two little girls in the cabin put up a mattress to keep them from seeing the bear, in hopes of not scaring them further.
With Casadi being attended to in the cabin and Brad with their children in the other, help arrived 45 minutes later as an ambulance and a team of conservation officers made it to camp.
Brad said the conservation officers were able to trap the bear that attacked them and euthanized it before sending the animal away for testing. Casadi said test results from the bear’s DNA on her pants and from the bear showed a match, confirming that it was the same bear that had attacked the couple.
“The officers told us it was very abnormal behaviour for the bear to do what it did. With the forest fires that came within a mile of the camp in May, they felt the male bear was out of its natural habitat and hungry, which may have played into the attack.”
Going in the ambulance, Brad and Casadi rode to the hospital in Meadow Lake while Brad’s aunt Grace and her husband Alan followed them with the couple’s kids. After a few hours in hospital, the Schroeders were released and eventually returned to Lanigan.
While Brad had some scrapes and cuts, Casadi received 34 staples to close the wounds from the bear’s teeth. “When we arrived at the hospital, the first thing the doctor said is that this was the best case scenario. The bites were all on my legs and he said they will heal but if they were on my upper body, then you are looking at organs and stuff and that would have been severely worse.”
As a precaution, Brad and Casadi also received rabies shots a few days after being released from hospital and were given the all clear. Half of Casadi’s staples were also removed this past week.
Reflecting back on the traumatic experience Casadi said, “You never expect something like that to happen.”
After praying and reflecting on the events that unfolded during that Sunday morning she continued, “I had a clear vision of Jesus holding my upper body pulling me backwards and I feel it was a miracle because my upper body didn’t get a scratch.”
Brad, who is one of the pastors at Christian Fellowship Church in Lanigan added, “I felt God’s strength and His protection over the kids during the attack. We are also so thankful for the church and camp at Meadow Lake, they have been so supportive since this happened. The ambulance driver that took us to the hospital, she had counselled at the camp when she was younger and she was very good to us during our ride to the hospital. We are just so thankful for a lot of things.”
Now back home resting and recovering, the pair said, “All of the support we have received at home has been pretty amazing, especially from our church. They have offered meals, child care and cleaning. The community as well has stopped by with baking and fruit and all sorts of stuff. We have felt very supported throughout this experience.”
Casadi also said it has been incredible at how little pain she has experienced since the attack. “It is nothing short of a miracle. I am grateful to be alive and to be able to be home and walk.”
Since the bear attack, a GoFundMe page has been set up for the family to help cover expenses and therapy through the trauma of the experience. If people want to donate, they can go online to: www.gofundme.com/3pm5r8-cas-and-brad-support-fund
TWM Top Story - June 18, 2018
Trial underway related to the disappearance of Carlson
Daniel Bushman
Information and testimonies related to the disappearance and alleged murder of James Carlson from Watrous were presented last week at Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench. While Carlson has never been located since he disappeared under suspicious circumstances in 2008, Taylor Wolff was charged June 17, 2016 with one count of second degree murder relating to Carlson. Following a hearing in 2016, Wolff was subsequently released on a recognizance and was under house arrest in Watrous.
Along with other reporters, Bre McAdam with the Star Phoenix was covering the trial this past week and said according to agreed upon facts presented during the first day of trial June 12, court heard Carlson disappeared a month before he was expected to testify at a preliminary hearing for Wolff after the accused was charged with possessing drugs intended to be sold to Carlson. Crime scene investigators at court also detailed evidence in James’ home of blood, a pair of bullet fragments and cleaning solution. It was also pointed out in court that no fingerprints found in Carlson’s house matched those of Wolff after multiple swabs were taken from the scene and sent for DNA testing.
During trial June 12, Crown witness Lindsay Reiber testified about the possible whereabouts of Carlson being in a well near Watrous. McAdam said Reiber shared in court that the accused told her he dealt with James after a confrontation at Carlson’s home. McAdam added Reiber was a paid police agent in 2013 when she gave a fuller account of what she was told. Defence lawyer Brad Mitchell suggested Reiber gave information that was based on rumours because she wanted to start a new life. Reiber said she decided to come forward with her story because she wanted Carlson’s parents to have closure.
During testimony provided in court June 13, Layne Boorman told court he lied to police 10 years ago when he gave his statement that the accused showed him a gun and warned him not to go to Carlson’s home. McAdam said Boorman testified last week that he was a scared teenager at the time he provided his statement. Because of recanting his statement, the trial entered a voir dire hearing to determine if the out-of-court statement should be admissible for the truth of its contents. Justice Gerald Allbright reserved his decision on the voir dire until Monday (June 18), when the trial resumes. McAdam said the trial is expected to continue this week.
On May 14, 2008 James was working at a Watrous area farm during the day and made an appointment to do work at another farm the following day. Between 7 and 8 p.m. that evening, James went to Video Stop in Watrous, the last confirmed sighting of him. Five days later, James’ work truck and all his work tools were located abandoned in a field near Allan.
In May, 2010, James’ white Monte Carlo was located concealed on a secluded rural property near Rosthern. It was reported to police by the land owner who advised the car was sitting abandoned in the location for two years.
Over the years, tips from the public have been received and extensive searches conducted around the Watrous, Imperial and Holdfast areas. Farm land, rock piles, bush areas, bodies of water and wells have been examined.
In 2013 the RCMP Historical Case Unit created a YouTube video revealing details of the James Carlson investigation and asked farmers and land owners to check for any sign of James Carlson’s remains or any indication of suspicious activity.
Daniel Bushman
Information and testimonies related to the disappearance and alleged murder of James Carlson from Watrous were presented last week at Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench. While Carlson has never been located since he disappeared under suspicious circumstances in 2008, Taylor Wolff was charged June 17, 2016 with one count of second degree murder relating to Carlson. Following a hearing in 2016, Wolff was subsequently released on a recognizance and was under house arrest in Watrous.
Along with other reporters, Bre McAdam with the Star Phoenix was covering the trial this past week and said according to agreed upon facts presented during the first day of trial June 12, court heard Carlson disappeared a month before he was expected to testify at a preliminary hearing for Wolff after the accused was charged with possessing drugs intended to be sold to Carlson. Crime scene investigators at court also detailed evidence in James’ home of blood, a pair of bullet fragments and cleaning solution. It was also pointed out in court that no fingerprints found in Carlson’s house matched those of Wolff after multiple swabs were taken from the scene and sent for DNA testing.
During trial June 12, Crown witness Lindsay Reiber testified about the possible whereabouts of Carlson being in a well near Watrous. McAdam said Reiber shared in court that the accused told her he dealt with James after a confrontation at Carlson’s home. McAdam added Reiber was a paid police agent in 2013 when she gave a fuller account of what she was told. Defence lawyer Brad Mitchell suggested Reiber gave information that was based on rumours because she wanted to start a new life. Reiber said she decided to come forward with her story because she wanted Carlson’s parents to have closure.
During testimony provided in court June 13, Layne Boorman told court he lied to police 10 years ago when he gave his statement that the accused showed him a gun and warned him not to go to Carlson’s home. McAdam said Boorman testified last week that he was a scared teenager at the time he provided his statement. Because of recanting his statement, the trial entered a voir dire hearing to determine if the out-of-court statement should be admissible for the truth of its contents. Justice Gerald Allbright reserved his decision on the voir dire until Monday (June 18), when the trial resumes. McAdam said the trial is expected to continue this week.
On May 14, 2008 James was working at a Watrous area farm during the day and made an appointment to do work at another farm the following day. Between 7 and 8 p.m. that evening, James went to Video Stop in Watrous, the last confirmed sighting of him. Five days later, James’ work truck and all his work tools were located abandoned in a field near Allan.
In May, 2010, James’ white Monte Carlo was located concealed on a secluded rural property near Rosthern. It was reported to police by the land owner who advised the car was sitting abandoned in the location for two years.
Over the years, tips from the public have been received and extensive searches conducted around the Watrous, Imperial and Holdfast areas. Farm land, rock piles, bush areas, bodies of water and wells have been examined.
In 2013 the RCMP Historical Case Unit created a YouTube video revealing details of the James Carlson investigation and asked farmers and land owners to check for any sign of James Carlson’s remains or any indication of suspicious activity.
TWM Top Story - June 11, 2018
Despite funding cuts, RM hopeful to repair road #668
Daniel Bushman
With improvements to road #668 between Watrous and Guernsey underway last year and the plan to continue them this year, the Rural Municipality of Usborne was forced to take a different route after being denied additional funding through the Municipal Roads for the Economy Program (MREP). Despite having to scale back the work to road #668 because of funding cuts, that did not stop the spring thaw and recent rains from creating potholes near the corner of where the Sharon Mennonite Church is located and just west of Nutrien’s mine.
RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said the RM which maintains the road applied for MREP through SARM to have those portions of the road repaired. “Unfortunately, our application was unsuccessful along with many others, as SARM only accepted seven of 32 applicants this year. Despite that, we are currently working with our engineer to come up with an affordable plan to repair.”
With the road requiring repair, Reeve for the RM of Usborne Jack Gibney said they have hired a contractor to patch potholes on certain portions of #668. “As there have been government cuts to MREP, our project for resurfacing six kilometres of #668, from the potash mine to the curve near Toman’s farm was denied. We are in the process of negotiations with the contractor to resurface from the mine west to the first curve, as well as from the Sharon Church to the curve north of Toman’s farm.”
Gibney was hopeful all arrangements would fall into place this past week and added as soon as the contractor finishes last year’s paving project, they will be able to start on those road repairs. “We hope to see this repair project completed, hopefully by the end of June. There are no other major road projects planned for this year, other than the usual maintenance on the busy Bloomfield Road, as well pulling the shoulders, gravelling, dust control, and replacing culverts across the entire RM as needed.”
In the fall last year, the RM began improvements to road #668 as barricades and detours were set up along a pair of sections of the road while crews conducted the work. The plan for those sections was to improve the surface and upgrade the road to primary weights. Asphalt milling and cementing were done on both and sub-base repair in certain sections was added. With that work done and despite some application setbacks, Rintoul said road #668 remains a big priority for the RM.
“The RM’s public works staff work diligently to keep everything signed, staked and flagged. However, with the recent rainfall we’ve experienced, the RM would once again like to remind motorists to slow down.”
To ensure the safety of those utilizing road #668, Rintoul said as many markers as possible have been placed by the potholes. “There are also signs at each end of the road alerting motorists that there is broken pavement along the road.”
Despite the warning signs and markers in place, during a rainy June 1, a white box truck spilled into one of the ditches on a stretch of road past the curve where the Sharon Mennonite Church is located. Local area resident Rob Bowman travels road #668 on a daily basis and was passing by around 7:30 p.m. when he came upon the incident. “A tow truck was hauling the box truck out of the ditch when I got there,” said Bowman. “The driver appeared to have hit a section of the water-filled potholes and lost control. By the time I returned a while later, everything had been cleaned up.”
Gibney said, “There was ample reflectors out on both sides of the road and closer to the mine, and the reflectors are put in place to make people aware of road hazards and the need to slow down. This truck involved was on a road with a 10 ton weight restriction.”
As the rains subsided, crews were busy fixing that particular area and Rintoul said the RM will still be able to move forward with completing last year’s project on #668. “The second layer of pavement is being completed, along with line painting for that project, on #668 (as a continuation of last year’s MREP project, joint with the RM of Morris). This is estimated to be completed by mid-June, weather dependent.”
Rintoul reiterated the RM understands the need to repair the road and has been working to have road #668 fixed for a number of years, beginning with the PIPP program in 2016. “Unfortunately we were unable to get our partnerships together for the PIPP program, and missed out on that funding – the cost to repair the entire stretch of road is estimated at $15 million dollars. The MREP through SARM for the 2017 construction year was a joint project with the RM of Morris for the south portion – being that it was a joint project, it made us more favourable to the powers that be for approval. That portion of that project alone cost RM 310 in excess of $1.5 million, above the $750,000 that was received through SARM MREP funding. The RM had plans to complete add-ons to the project this past fall but due to time constraints and cost (as well as the SARM MREP application for 2018 construction season), this had to be tabled.”
Daniel Bushman
With improvements to road #668 between Watrous and Guernsey underway last year and the plan to continue them this year, the Rural Municipality of Usborne was forced to take a different route after being denied additional funding through the Municipal Roads for the Economy Program (MREP). Despite having to scale back the work to road #668 because of funding cuts, that did not stop the spring thaw and recent rains from creating potholes near the corner of where the Sharon Mennonite Church is located and just west of Nutrien’s mine.
RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said the RM which maintains the road applied for MREP through SARM to have those portions of the road repaired. “Unfortunately, our application was unsuccessful along with many others, as SARM only accepted seven of 32 applicants this year. Despite that, we are currently working with our engineer to come up with an affordable plan to repair.”
With the road requiring repair, Reeve for the RM of Usborne Jack Gibney said they have hired a contractor to patch potholes on certain portions of #668. “As there have been government cuts to MREP, our project for resurfacing six kilometres of #668, from the potash mine to the curve near Toman’s farm was denied. We are in the process of negotiations with the contractor to resurface from the mine west to the first curve, as well as from the Sharon Church to the curve north of Toman’s farm.”
Gibney was hopeful all arrangements would fall into place this past week and added as soon as the contractor finishes last year’s paving project, they will be able to start on those road repairs. “We hope to see this repair project completed, hopefully by the end of June. There are no other major road projects planned for this year, other than the usual maintenance on the busy Bloomfield Road, as well pulling the shoulders, gravelling, dust control, and replacing culverts across the entire RM as needed.”
In the fall last year, the RM began improvements to road #668 as barricades and detours were set up along a pair of sections of the road while crews conducted the work. The plan for those sections was to improve the surface and upgrade the road to primary weights. Asphalt milling and cementing were done on both and sub-base repair in certain sections was added. With that work done and despite some application setbacks, Rintoul said road #668 remains a big priority for the RM.
“The RM’s public works staff work diligently to keep everything signed, staked and flagged. However, with the recent rainfall we’ve experienced, the RM would once again like to remind motorists to slow down.”
To ensure the safety of those utilizing road #668, Rintoul said as many markers as possible have been placed by the potholes. “There are also signs at each end of the road alerting motorists that there is broken pavement along the road.”
Despite the warning signs and markers in place, during a rainy June 1, a white box truck spilled into one of the ditches on a stretch of road past the curve where the Sharon Mennonite Church is located. Local area resident Rob Bowman travels road #668 on a daily basis and was passing by around 7:30 p.m. when he came upon the incident. “A tow truck was hauling the box truck out of the ditch when I got there,” said Bowman. “The driver appeared to have hit a section of the water-filled potholes and lost control. By the time I returned a while later, everything had been cleaned up.”
Gibney said, “There was ample reflectors out on both sides of the road and closer to the mine, and the reflectors are put in place to make people aware of road hazards and the need to slow down. This truck involved was on a road with a 10 ton weight restriction.”
As the rains subsided, crews were busy fixing that particular area and Rintoul said the RM will still be able to move forward with completing last year’s project on #668. “The second layer of pavement is being completed, along with line painting for that project, on #668 (as a continuation of last year’s MREP project, joint with the RM of Morris). This is estimated to be completed by mid-June, weather dependent.”
Rintoul reiterated the RM understands the need to repair the road and has been working to have road #668 fixed for a number of years, beginning with the PIPP program in 2016. “Unfortunately we were unable to get our partnerships together for the PIPP program, and missed out on that funding – the cost to repair the entire stretch of road is estimated at $15 million dollars. The MREP through SARM for the 2017 construction year was a joint project with the RM of Morris for the south portion – being that it was a joint project, it made us more favourable to the powers that be for approval. That portion of that project alone cost RM 310 in excess of $1.5 million, above the $750,000 that was received through SARM MREP funding. The RM had plans to complete add-ons to the project this past fall but due to time constraints and cost (as well as the SARM MREP application for 2018 construction season), this had to be tabled.”
TWM Top Story - June 4, 2018
Watrous and Lanigan to receive X-ray equipment upgrade
media release
X-ray equipment in five rural community hospitals including Watrous and Lanigan is being upgraded from film to digital images, supporting quicker diagnosis and improved care for patients.
“Our government is committed to improving access to high-quality medical imaging across Saskatchewan,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit said. “Digital images save time for physicians and patients, and result in patients receiving their X-ray results quicker than ever before.”
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is in the process of digitalizing the X-ray equipment in Lanigan, Rosthern, Wadena, Watrous and Wynyard. It is anticipated that full implementation, including equipment upgrades and renovations, will be complete in fall 2018.
Digital images can be quickly shared between physicians and specialists across the province. A diagnostic interpretation by a radiologist can then be provided within minutes. This eliminates the need to transport film images to be read by a radiologist, which can take days.
“This technology investment is an important step for Saskatchewan Health Authority as we begin to fulfill the vision of better co-ordination of health care services across the province,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “As one organization, our intent is to improve systems so employees and physicians can focus on what they do best, which is patient care and support. By improving access to medical imaging, we are on the right path of ensuring our province’s hospitals are able to coordinate their services to ensure patients receive high-quality, timely health care, closer to home.”
The Government of Saskatchewan contributed $500,000 to upgrade X-ray equipment from analog radiography to digital radiography in these five sites. The remaining $500,000 in matching funding (approximately $100,000 per site) was provided by local health foundations to cover the costs associated with the equipment upgrade, infrastructure and renovations.
“Strong community support helps our health system meet the need for specialized services across Saskatchewan,” Ottenbreit said. “Our government thanks the local communities, and their respective health foundations, whose generosity is helping make these digital X-ray upgrades a reality.”
media release
X-ray equipment in five rural community hospitals including Watrous and Lanigan is being upgraded from film to digital images, supporting quicker diagnosis and improved care for patients.
“Our government is committed to improving access to high-quality medical imaging across Saskatchewan,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit said. “Digital images save time for physicians and patients, and result in patients receiving their X-ray results quicker than ever before.”
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is in the process of digitalizing the X-ray equipment in Lanigan, Rosthern, Wadena, Watrous and Wynyard. It is anticipated that full implementation, including equipment upgrades and renovations, will be complete in fall 2018.
Digital images can be quickly shared between physicians and specialists across the province. A diagnostic interpretation by a radiologist can then be provided within minutes. This eliminates the need to transport film images to be read by a radiologist, which can take days.
“This technology investment is an important step for Saskatchewan Health Authority as we begin to fulfill the vision of better co-ordination of health care services across the province,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “As one organization, our intent is to improve systems so employees and physicians can focus on what they do best, which is patient care and support. By improving access to medical imaging, we are on the right path of ensuring our province’s hospitals are able to coordinate their services to ensure patients receive high-quality, timely health care, closer to home.”
The Government of Saskatchewan contributed $500,000 to upgrade X-ray equipment from analog radiography to digital radiography in these five sites. The remaining $500,000 in matching funding (approximately $100,000 per site) was provided by local health foundations to cover the costs associated with the equipment upgrade, infrastructure and renovations.
“Strong community support helps our health system meet the need for specialized services across Saskatchewan,” Ottenbreit said. “Our government thanks the local communities, and their respective health foundations, whose generosity is helping make these digital X-ray upgrades a reality.”
TWM Top Story - May 28, 2018
Watrous budget approved with increase
By Daniel Bushman
With an overall municipal increase of five percent to this year’s budget, Watrous town council approved the bump as the community looks to grow in 2018, keep up with current expenditures and mitigate the decrease in provincial revenue sharing.
Town Administrator Orrin Redden said the overall uniform mill rate (4.71 mills), commercial mill rate (6.96 mills) and base tax - which is the same for all classes of property for a developed property ($1,033) - all increased by five percent. In addition there was a pre-established water/sewer consumption rate increase that also took effect Jan. 1, 2018. Redden added council is also proposing an increase to the Capital Infrastructure Levy to begin later this year pending Saskatchewan Municipal Board approval.
The bump in the budget also coincided with provincial revenue sharing dropping seven percent, down $28,000 for Watrous from what it received in 2017. While there was a drop in revenue sharing, everything remained the same for the education/school mill rates portion of the budget as announced by the provincial government.
After going through the numbers and approving this year’s budget, Redden said the average total property tax bill will equate to an increase of approximately 3.2 percent. “The range for the average total property tax bill increase is anywhere from around 2.7 percent up to 4.2 percent but the average comes in around that 3.2 percent mark. Depending on a home’s assessment that means residents could be paying anywhere from $75 to $160 a year more. On average, taking the 3.2 percent as a median they would be looking at a $100 increase for this year.”
Tax prepayment estimate notices were mailed in January and actuals were recently sent out once the budget was approved. Redden added there is a two percent discount on any unpaid municipal taxes to the end of May and one percent in June.
As for the expenditure side of the budget, some of the areas of note include:
Water/Sewer
The Town will begin developing an additional raw water source to ensure adequate supply, hydrogeology work and a well, which will come with a price tag of $150,000 and be on the books for 2018 only. The balance of the project will be phased over the next couple of years.
Work is currently underway on the east side of Watrous as water/sewer for the east side industrial development is being installed. The Town’s share for the project is $300,000 for the affected Town owned land. The other affected land owners will be contributing proportionately. As part of the work, a sewer lift station is being constructed behind Watrous Home Hardware on the Town’s portion of land. The sewer lines will service Home Hardware, running east through the new industrial area and then south to where the new Chrysler dealership is being built. The water line that is going in will be looped back to where the fire hall is located. The work which has already started is projected to be completed in about six weeks.
Environmental Services
As a member of the Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT), the community is contributing to a new landfill site being constructed in the RM of LeRoy. As such, the Town is in year two of a five year commitment with REACT ($70,000/year). “This is a significant cost increase for this portion of the budget.”
Protective Services
The town will be doing a full replacement of the Watrous Fire Department’s SCBA equipment (masks, harnesses, and tanks) ensuring the community is fully compliant with all safety/OH&S requirements. The replacement program is cost shared with the Watrous Rural Fire Protection Association which consists of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach and Rural Municipalities of Morris, Wood Creek, Usborne and Wreford. The total cost of the full replacement for the department is $70,000.
Transportation and Street Work
While this portion of the budget remains similar to previous years, a significant part of the contracted street maintenance and capital will be allocated to the new east side industrial site, located next to Watrous Home Hardware. The total cost of that work is $300,000.
Public Health and Welfare
Approval was given for upwards of $25,000 to be used towards completing cemetery upgrades and improvements. Redden said the Town will be announcing more details on the project soon.
The Town of Watrous will continue to remain involved with the medical clinic operations, working in collaboration with the Primary Health Management area of the Saskatchewan Health Authority to keep a stable group of health providers practicing in the community.
Recreation and Culture
A new Zamboni ice resurfacer was purchased for $120,000 and will be used once the ice goes in later this year at the Watrous Centennial Arena. The ice resurfacer was funded entirely by donations and contributions from the supportive Watrous and area business community.
The Watrous Centennial Arena will also see another improvement as the chiller will be replaced at a cost of $60,000.
Redden said council is also considering participating with Watrous Minor Ball, the elementary and high schools, and the Winston Wildcats football team on purchasing a new washroom/concession/storage building at the sportsgrounds. The facility would be used by minor ball, the high school football team and for track events.
By Daniel Bushman
With an overall municipal increase of five percent to this year’s budget, Watrous town council approved the bump as the community looks to grow in 2018, keep up with current expenditures and mitigate the decrease in provincial revenue sharing.
Town Administrator Orrin Redden said the overall uniform mill rate (4.71 mills), commercial mill rate (6.96 mills) and base tax - which is the same for all classes of property for a developed property ($1,033) - all increased by five percent. In addition there was a pre-established water/sewer consumption rate increase that also took effect Jan. 1, 2018. Redden added council is also proposing an increase to the Capital Infrastructure Levy to begin later this year pending Saskatchewan Municipal Board approval.
The bump in the budget also coincided with provincial revenue sharing dropping seven percent, down $28,000 for Watrous from what it received in 2017. While there was a drop in revenue sharing, everything remained the same for the education/school mill rates portion of the budget as announced by the provincial government.
After going through the numbers and approving this year’s budget, Redden said the average total property tax bill will equate to an increase of approximately 3.2 percent. “The range for the average total property tax bill increase is anywhere from around 2.7 percent up to 4.2 percent but the average comes in around that 3.2 percent mark. Depending on a home’s assessment that means residents could be paying anywhere from $75 to $160 a year more. On average, taking the 3.2 percent as a median they would be looking at a $100 increase for this year.”
Tax prepayment estimate notices were mailed in January and actuals were recently sent out once the budget was approved. Redden added there is a two percent discount on any unpaid municipal taxes to the end of May and one percent in June.
As for the expenditure side of the budget, some of the areas of note include:
Water/Sewer
The Town will begin developing an additional raw water source to ensure adequate supply, hydrogeology work and a well, which will come with a price tag of $150,000 and be on the books for 2018 only. The balance of the project will be phased over the next couple of years.
Work is currently underway on the east side of Watrous as water/sewer for the east side industrial development is being installed. The Town’s share for the project is $300,000 for the affected Town owned land. The other affected land owners will be contributing proportionately. As part of the work, a sewer lift station is being constructed behind Watrous Home Hardware on the Town’s portion of land. The sewer lines will service Home Hardware, running east through the new industrial area and then south to where the new Chrysler dealership is being built. The water line that is going in will be looped back to where the fire hall is located. The work which has already started is projected to be completed in about six weeks.
Environmental Services
As a member of the Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT), the community is contributing to a new landfill site being constructed in the RM of LeRoy. As such, the Town is in year two of a five year commitment with REACT ($70,000/year). “This is a significant cost increase for this portion of the budget.”
Protective Services
The town will be doing a full replacement of the Watrous Fire Department’s SCBA equipment (masks, harnesses, and tanks) ensuring the community is fully compliant with all safety/OH&S requirements. The replacement program is cost shared with the Watrous Rural Fire Protection Association which consists of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach and Rural Municipalities of Morris, Wood Creek, Usborne and Wreford. The total cost of the full replacement for the department is $70,000.
Transportation and Street Work
While this portion of the budget remains similar to previous years, a significant part of the contracted street maintenance and capital will be allocated to the new east side industrial site, located next to Watrous Home Hardware. The total cost of that work is $300,000.
Public Health and Welfare
Approval was given for upwards of $25,000 to be used towards completing cemetery upgrades and improvements. Redden said the Town will be announcing more details on the project soon.
The Town of Watrous will continue to remain involved with the medical clinic operations, working in collaboration with the Primary Health Management area of the Saskatchewan Health Authority to keep a stable group of health providers practicing in the community.
Recreation and Culture
A new Zamboni ice resurfacer was purchased for $120,000 and will be used once the ice goes in later this year at the Watrous Centennial Arena. The ice resurfacer was funded entirely by donations and contributions from the supportive Watrous and area business community.
The Watrous Centennial Arena will also see another improvement as the chiller will be replaced at a cost of $60,000.
Redden said council is also considering participating with Watrous Minor Ball, the elementary and high schools, and the Winston Wildcats football team on purchasing a new washroom/concession/storage building at the sportsgrounds. The facility would be used by minor ball, the high school football team and for track events.
TWM Top Story - May 21, 2018
Fee changes and secured load guidelines implemented at REACT stations
Daniel Bushman
Users of the Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT) transfer stations and landfills will be paying more to dump loads off after fees changed May 1. In addition to the fees being adjusted, secured load guidelines have also been implemented for those transporting any type of materials to their nearest landfill or transfer station.
In an effort to keep up with higher costs of operation and to help cover the costs of changes related to regulations instituted by the Ministry of Environment, people taking waste to transfer and landfill sites will now pay a minimum charge of $5. REACT Operations Manager Lyle Ruf said, “For example, if you bring one bag of garbage that is worth $2.50, you would be charged an additional $2.50 for a minimum charge for coming in the landfill. If you brought three bags in, which are $7.50 (or three tags), that is all you would pay. You wouldn’t pay anything additional to that.”
People will also need to provide identification showing proof of residency (driver’s licence/utility bill) and if they are not a REACT member, they will be charged a higher rate. Users of the stations or landfills can still use their previous tags they purchased before May 1 but once they run out, they will have to pay more. Garbage tags are now $2.50 a tag and half tags will no longer be accepted at transfer stations or landfills. A full tag must be on each 77 L bag or can (this also applies to curbside pickup tag-a-bag).
With local transfer station sites situated near Colonsay, Drake, Lanigan, LeRoy, Meacham, Viscount, Watrous and Young, Ruf said the changes were implemented as a result of the Ministry of Environment’s regulations being enforced at landfills across the province and the increased cost of meeting those standards. “We had to upgrade our facilities to have engineered cells, runoff ponds, berms and leachate ponds in order to protect the environment.”
REACT CEO Wendy Yaworski said the Ministry of Environment has made solid waste and best practices a priority in the province and as such the practices are required to be followed.
“In rural Saskatchewan we need to follow the best practices in an effort to protect the environment. However, with the significant costs associated with the regulations that we are required to follow and running the risk of operating with a deficit, we were left no choice but to raise fees.”
But it is not just regulations that have incurred higher costs for REACT as Yaworski said other day-to-day expenses have also gone up.
“A few years ago, work done at a cell at the Hoodoo landfill cost between $40,000 and $50,000 to dig and put it into working order. Last fall work was started on a new cell that had to be engineered and included the necessary requirements to be operational. Once done, that will cost us close to $600,000. Our overhead costs have also gone up tremendously. A front load truck that collects garbage, in 2014 we paid around $250,000 for it. Now it is costing us around $380,000. Even a small residential truck that would go to Watrous, a new one of those would be $121,000 and a few years ago it used to be around $80,000. Everything is going up so either we start to try and cover the deficit off or we can’t stay operational.”
In addition to the fee increases to help cover the changes, people utilizing the transfer stations and landfill sites are also required to secure their loads during transport. For example, if it is branches there would need to be some type of net or tarp over top so they would not blow out. If it is something like a couch, there would need to be a strap that would be going over top of it preventing it or its cushions from flying out. Essentially, Ruf said whatever is necessary to secure the load in the vehicle or what the load is being hauled in without it blowing off and into the ditches is required.
If the load is not secured, then to dump it off at one of the sites will cost more than the normal fee. Operators can also refuse entry into the site if the load is unsecured or they will collect a surcharge which can be double the cost of the load. “The reasoning for that is we very often get calls to go clean up stuff on roadways that has blown out of trucks and this will help cover the cost of doing that. Every load should be secured. It is provincial law.”
In addition to the new changes, Ruf said REACT is doing more around its cells to keep blown litter in place. “We are taking steps to try and contain that at the cells so we don’t get blown litter travelling across the country. We will be putting 30 foot high fences around our garbage cells to try and retain everything in our cells. It will be at both of our landfills and the transfer stations. We will start phasing that in over a period of time.”
REACT is also encouraging people to not buy overpackaged items and recycle as much as possible to reduce waste. That includes using cloth shopping bags as opposed to plastic bags as the plastic bags can pose a challenge for landfills, easily blowing all over the place.
While fee increases may not be popular, Ruf and Yaworski said people within the REACT district are in a good spot compared to others in the province that have had landfills shutdown and are left no options as far as economically replacing them. According to Ruf, the ministry has mentioned those who do not have a site close by may have to haul their garbage, unload it and return home from a site a minimum distance of 200 km away (400 km total of driving back and forth).
“Not long ago there were 534 landfills in the province and as of last year, they have now been reduced to 256,” said Yaworski.
“It is challenging for us to implement these changes and we want the public to understand it is a challenging time for us. I want to encourage people to give our office a call if they have questions regarding the fee increases so we can help to address them.”
With a total of 17 transfer stations, and two landfills within its borders, REACT consists of 31 urban and 16 rural municipalities that have joined together to manage their solid waste and recycling. On its website, REACT said its guiding principle is to divert as much waste from the landfill as possible. Through waste reduction and recycling, REACT’s goal is to dispose of 65 percent less waste to landfill.
Daniel Bushman
Users of the Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT) transfer stations and landfills will be paying more to dump loads off after fees changed May 1. In addition to the fees being adjusted, secured load guidelines have also been implemented for those transporting any type of materials to their nearest landfill or transfer station.
In an effort to keep up with higher costs of operation and to help cover the costs of changes related to regulations instituted by the Ministry of Environment, people taking waste to transfer and landfill sites will now pay a minimum charge of $5. REACT Operations Manager Lyle Ruf said, “For example, if you bring one bag of garbage that is worth $2.50, you would be charged an additional $2.50 for a minimum charge for coming in the landfill. If you brought three bags in, which are $7.50 (or three tags), that is all you would pay. You wouldn’t pay anything additional to that.”
People will also need to provide identification showing proof of residency (driver’s licence/utility bill) and if they are not a REACT member, they will be charged a higher rate. Users of the stations or landfills can still use their previous tags they purchased before May 1 but once they run out, they will have to pay more. Garbage tags are now $2.50 a tag and half tags will no longer be accepted at transfer stations or landfills. A full tag must be on each 77 L bag or can (this also applies to curbside pickup tag-a-bag).
With local transfer station sites situated near Colonsay, Drake, Lanigan, LeRoy, Meacham, Viscount, Watrous and Young, Ruf said the changes were implemented as a result of the Ministry of Environment’s regulations being enforced at landfills across the province and the increased cost of meeting those standards. “We had to upgrade our facilities to have engineered cells, runoff ponds, berms and leachate ponds in order to protect the environment.”
REACT CEO Wendy Yaworski said the Ministry of Environment has made solid waste and best practices a priority in the province and as such the practices are required to be followed.
“In rural Saskatchewan we need to follow the best practices in an effort to protect the environment. However, with the significant costs associated with the regulations that we are required to follow and running the risk of operating with a deficit, we were left no choice but to raise fees.”
But it is not just regulations that have incurred higher costs for REACT as Yaworski said other day-to-day expenses have also gone up.
“A few years ago, work done at a cell at the Hoodoo landfill cost between $40,000 and $50,000 to dig and put it into working order. Last fall work was started on a new cell that had to be engineered and included the necessary requirements to be operational. Once done, that will cost us close to $600,000. Our overhead costs have also gone up tremendously. A front load truck that collects garbage, in 2014 we paid around $250,000 for it. Now it is costing us around $380,000. Even a small residential truck that would go to Watrous, a new one of those would be $121,000 and a few years ago it used to be around $80,000. Everything is going up so either we start to try and cover the deficit off or we can’t stay operational.”
In addition to the fee increases to help cover the changes, people utilizing the transfer stations and landfill sites are also required to secure their loads during transport. For example, if it is branches there would need to be some type of net or tarp over top so they would not blow out. If it is something like a couch, there would need to be a strap that would be going over top of it preventing it or its cushions from flying out. Essentially, Ruf said whatever is necessary to secure the load in the vehicle or what the load is being hauled in without it blowing off and into the ditches is required.
If the load is not secured, then to dump it off at one of the sites will cost more than the normal fee. Operators can also refuse entry into the site if the load is unsecured or they will collect a surcharge which can be double the cost of the load. “The reasoning for that is we very often get calls to go clean up stuff on roadways that has blown out of trucks and this will help cover the cost of doing that. Every load should be secured. It is provincial law.”
In addition to the new changes, Ruf said REACT is doing more around its cells to keep blown litter in place. “We are taking steps to try and contain that at the cells so we don’t get blown litter travelling across the country. We will be putting 30 foot high fences around our garbage cells to try and retain everything in our cells. It will be at both of our landfills and the transfer stations. We will start phasing that in over a period of time.”
REACT is also encouraging people to not buy overpackaged items and recycle as much as possible to reduce waste. That includes using cloth shopping bags as opposed to plastic bags as the plastic bags can pose a challenge for landfills, easily blowing all over the place.
While fee increases may not be popular, Ruf and Yaworski said people within the REACT district are in a good spot compared to others in the province that have had landfills shutdown and are left no options as far as economically replacing them. According to Ruf, the ministry has mentioned those who do not have a site close by may have to haul their garbage, unload it and return home from a site a minimum distance of 200 km away (400 km total of driving back and forth).
“Not long ago there were 534 landfills in the province and as of last year, they have now been reduced to 256,” said Yaworski.
“It is challenging for us to implement these changes and we want the public to understand it is a challenging time for us. I want to encourage people to give our office a call if they have questions regarding the fee increases so we can help to address them.”
With a total of 17 transfer stations, and two landfills within its borders, REACT consists of 31 urban and 16 rural municipalities that have joined together to manage their solid waste and recycling. On its website, REACT said its guiding principle is to divert as much waste from the landfill as possible. Through waste reduction and recycling, REACT’s goal is to dispose of 65 percent less waste to landfill.
TWM Top Story - May 14
Donations being accepted after fire
Daniel Bushman
There has been an outpouring of support as residents of the Watrous area and beyond are joining together to help Albert and Kathleen Kimmig after Albert was severely burned in a fire earlier this month. Albert and Kathleen’s nephew, Aaron Meyerhoff set up a GoFundMe page and a drop off location has been established in Watrous by the Kimmig’s neighbours where people can also donate funds in support of the family.
Albert, who is a retired farmer started a controlled burn at his farm north of Manitou Beach May 5 but with a strong wind, the fire later spread at a rapid rate. A shed, two vehicles, a water truck with a tank, a fence and a row of trees were all destroyed.
Aaron said his 78-year-old uncle was found unconscious some 10 feet from the fire by Kathleen who was returning from Watrous when she saw columns of black smoke in the direction of their home.
Emergency crews were dispatched to treat Albert and contain the blaze while STARS was flown in from Saskatoon. After a couple of hours of treatment in the emergency room in Watrous, STARS transferred Albert to Saskatoon and then from there to the Edmonton Burn Centre.
“Albert has burns to 40 percent of his body, with 25 percent of that being third degree burns. His heart and lungs are currently a cause for concern as well as the possibility of infections in his long haul to recovery,” said Aaron. “Albert is well-known in his community and is a friend and helper to any and all. He would abandon his own home labours to help others. His own wife wished she was his neighbour as many of her “honey do” lists were left undone over the years.”
Aaron said Albert was in a coma but is now awake and undergoing treatment. “We are asking for friends, family and well-wishers to help out with the large financial burden this will have on their family. Expenses include: intensive treatment and rehab that will be ongoing; ambulance fees and STARS air ambulance fees; spousal travel to and from one province to another; home maintenance and expenses.”
This past Thursday, May 9, Kathleen said, “Albert’s going for about six hours of skin grafting Thursday. He has his stomach tube out and can get his fluids by mouth. The doctor said that when Albert arrived at the U of A burn unit they did not have much hope for his survival. Albert told me he is one of five on the unit with grass fire burns. He was in good spirits and there are wonderful staff on the burn unit. Therapy and healing will take many months and Albert is swathed in bandages from neck to feet. He was awake out of induced coma (May 8) when I first saw him. I gave him everyone’s notice of prayers and condolences and he teared up. He will be at the burn centre for at least a month and many ongoing months of rehab and healing. The doctor told me they didn’t except him to survive when he first arrived but one doctor told him there is a reason God still has him here. Praise the Lord. Have had prayer times with him. He is astounded of all the help coming in. My heartfelt thanks go out too. Pray for both of us. Love to all. God is good all the time!”
On May 10, Aaron Meyerhoff provided an update after Albert's surgery. "Albert has come out of surgery. He is as well as the doctors expected him to be after surgery. They put him on a ventilator for the time being but hope to remove that Friday morning, as long he’s doing good. The surgery went well. The doctors took off all the burnt skin, grafted all the parts they wanted to. Donor grafts weren't needed due to Albert having enough good skin to use for the grafts. In five to seven days they will look to see if the grafts took. At present Albert is back on a feeding tube."
An initial fundraising goal of $5,000 was set by Aaron on the GoFundMe page last week and was reached in the first day it was set up. A new goal of $20,000 was established as the nephew of Albert said there still remains a great financial need.
“Kathleen has already received some initial medical bills and we want to keep the fundraising going as this will be a long road to recovery for Albert. With that we are setting a new financial goal towards the ongoing support of Albert and Kathleen; both for the immediate medical and travel expenses, but also for the mid and long term costs.”
To donate online, people can go to: www.gofundme.com/support-for-albert-kimmig
Albert and Kathleen’s neighbours have also set up a donation drop off location in Watrous, which is at the Watrous Pharmacy and will be there until May 19.
Daniel Bushman
There has been an outpouring of support as residents of the Watrous area and beyond are joining together to help Albert and Kathleen Kimmig after Albert was severely burned in a fire earlier this month. Albert and Kathleen’s nephew, Aaron Meyerhoff set up a GoFundMe page and a drop off location has been established in Watrous by the Kimmig’s neighbours where people can also donate funds in support of the family.
Albert, who is a retired farmer started a controlled burn at his farm north of Manitou Beach May 5 but with a strong wind, the fire later spread at a rapid rate. A shed, two vehicles, a water truck with a tank, a fence and a row of trees were all destroyed.
Aaron said his 78-year-old uncle was found unconscious some 10 feet from the fire by Kathleen who was returning from Watrous when she saw columns of black smoke in the direction of their home.
Emergency crews were dispatched to treat Albert and contain the blaze while STARS was flown in from Saskatoon. After a couple of hours of treatment in the emergency room in Watrous, STARS transferred Albert to Saskatoon and then from there to the Edmonton Burn Centre.
“Albert has burns to 40 percent of his body, with 25 percent of that being third degree burns. His heart and lungs are currently a cause for concern as well as the possibility of infections in his long haul to recovery,” said Aaron. “Albert is well-known in his community and is a friend and helper to any and all. He would abandon his own home labours to help others. His own wife wished she was his neighbour as many of her “honey do” lists were left undone over the years.”
Aaron said Albert was in a coma but is now awake and undergoing treatment. “We are asking for friends, family and well-wishers to help out with the large financial burden this will have on their family. Expenses include: intensive treatment and rehab that will be ongoing; ambulance fees and STARS air ambulance fees; spousal travel to and from one province to another; home maintenance and expenses.”
This past Thursday, May 9, Kathleen said, “Albert’s going for about six hours of skin grafting Thursday. He has his stomach tube out and can get his fluids by mouth. The doctor said that when Albert arrived at the U of A burn unit they did not have much hope for his survival. Albert told me he is one of five on the unit with grass fire burns. He was in good spirits and there are wonderful staff on the burn unit. Therapy and healing will take many months and Albert is swathed in bandages from neck to feet. He was awake out of induced coma (May 8) when I first saw him. I gave him everyone’s notice of prayers and condolences and he teared up. He will be at the burn centre for at least a month and many ongoing months of rehab and healing. The doctor told me they didn’t except him to survive when he first arrived but one doctor told him there is a reason God still has him here. Praise the Lord. Have had prayer times with him. He is astounded of all the help coming in. My heartfelt thanks go out too. Pray for both of us. Love to all. God is good all the time!”
On May 10, Aaron Meyerhoff provided an update after Albert's surgery. "Albert has come out of surgery. He is as well as the doctors expected him to be after surgery. They put him on a ventilator for the time being but hope to remove that Friday morning, as long he’s doing good. The surgery went well. The doctors took off all the burnt skin, grafted all the parts they wanted to. Donor grafts weren't needed due to Albert having enough good skin to use for the grafts. In five to seven days they will look to see if the grafts took. At present Albert is back on a feeding tube."
An initial fundraising goal of $5,000 was set by Aaron on the GoFundMe page last week and was reached in the first day it was set up. A new goal of $20,000 was established as the nephew of Albert said there still remains a great financial need.
“Kathleen has already received some initial medical bills and we want to keep the fundraising going as this will be a long road to recovery for Albert. With that we are setting a new financial goal towards the ongoing support of Albert and Kathleen; both for the immediate medical and travel expenses, but also for the mid and long term costs.”
To donate online, people can go to: www.gofundme.com/support-for-albert-kimmig
Albert and Kathleen’s neighbours have also set up a donation drop off location in Watrous, which is at the Watrous Pharmacy and will be there until May 19.
TWM Top Story - May 7
Fast melt rushes through area
Daniel Bushman
The snow lasted longer than most would have liked but when it melted, it went quick, causing a rapid rush of water throughout parts of the province. In a span of just a few days, the sun zapped months worth of snow as creeks, fields, lakes, rivers and even roads absorbed the rise in levels.
After spending millions of dollars over the last number of years constructing berms to protect the shoreline, businesses and homes, the resort village of Manitou Beach crossed its fingers as water came barrelling through Wellington Creek.
With Little Manitou Lake already high, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec said the melt went fast. “I think we were prepared well enough for it and we managed to stay ahead of it,” said Worobec who added at the back end of Wellington where water flows in from culverts and fields to a slough, the water rose high enough to flow over a dam, starting to erode it.
“I noticed that the creek all of the sudden increased quite a bit so we got back there and had a look Friday night (Apr. 20) and the water was going over the top. We got a piece of equipment from Trent Ediger of Melron Service and with his loader and our backhoe we got it repaired. I don’t even want to think about what would have happened if that dam would have washed out completely.”
After work was done last year on building up the berm along the shoreline, the new culverts under the road next to Danceland were able to absorb the high water and Worobec said there were no issues there. A few other areas collected a fair amount of water but village crews were busy pumping those areas dry and at Camp Easter Seal water pooled but those levels also came down.
“There was a bit of infiltration to our sewer system from ground water but we have that isolated and are taking some measures to alleviate that problem. We had the Richardson trucks out there doing a great job to manage that situation for us. Our village staff also did a fantastic job, putting in long hours to help manage the runoff.”
With a major lift station upgrade slated to take place in June, Worobec said that improvement will also fix up a few issues the resort community was experiencing bringing with it a price tag around $1 million. Until that upgrade takes place, Worobec said the worst of the melt is over for the beach although there was a bit of water still flowing into the lake at the east end. As for just how much water ended up flowing into the lake from the spring melt, “Once the ice goes out we will know for sure but just judging from some of the areas, I think it will be up four or five inches from last fall. The highest levels we have ever had though were from the fall previous. After that we dropped about 14 inches over the summer but with this melt, we will gain about four or five of that back. But we were prepared for this year and we have the pumping stations and nine sump holes set up . . . we will keep one big pump here during the summer in case we have a flash flood.”
While the resort community is essentially done with the spring melt, other areas within surrounding rural municipalities are still experiencing high water levels and roads being compromised. One of those RMs bordering Manitou Beach is the RM of Usborne No. 310. Spanning over an area east of Watrous to Lockwood and then up past Drake and Lanigan before returning back over towards Plunkett, RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said there is a lot of water compromising roads. One of those roads happens to be a main highway and while it does not fall within the RM’s jurisdiction, Rintoul said water was flowing over Hwy. 16 west of Lanigan early last week before beginning to recede. “Last week a stop light was put up and it was down to one lane of traffic. On Thursday (May 3), the water was lower than earlier in the week and not on the highway as much. However, it was still down to one lane of traffic.”
Another area that the RM has been monitoring is ‘old Hwy. 20’ and Range Road 2223. “Both bridges are compromised and roads are currently closed. Township Road 330 is also closed due to surrounding quarters being underwater and water running over the road. Range Road 2230 is also completely under water. Essentially any areas with creek crossings, the roads are compromised.”
Rintoul said most roads experiencing compromised conditions have been closed or barricaded in RM 310. “Our staff is working diligently to keep on top of this, although some of the roads that are completely underwater will not be on the radar until water levels go down.”
In the Rural Municipality of Wolverine, located near Plunkett and spanning between Guernsey and Humboldt and running just north of Lanigan, Public Works Supervisor Dale Becker said they have had 26 spots where water was over the road with most of those east of Hwy. 20. Of those, seven were not passable or unsafe to drive on as of May 1. Becker said they are hopeful those areas will be reopened after repairs are made. “We would like to have our main roads passable by May 11 and then begin working on our secondary and back roads after that. If there is a road closed and marked with signage, please do not go down that road.”
Becker said the fast melt within the RM occurred over about two days and with lots of wind and snow in the area, the water came fast. “It was over Hwy. 20 and was over Hwy. 16. We are hoping to see the tail end go by pretty quickly.”
In the RM of Wreford, which spans east of Imperial and Simpson then up to Venn and over past Nokomis, RM Administrator Melanie Rich said the RM is hopeful that levels will start to recede. “A couple of the councillors and RM employees have been keeping an eye on the water level at our bridge on the Simpson grid but they think we should be okay. To my knowledge, we do not have water encroaching the roads.”
While not part of the RM’s jurisdiction, water remains high around Hwy. 15 west of Nokomis but as of last week had not gone over the road.
In the RM of Prairie Rose, which encompasses an area east of Lockwood, Drake and Lanigan, spanning across over Esk and Jansen to Dafoe and Hwy. 6, Chief Administrative Officer Melissa Dieno said the water has been receding quickly since the spring thaw. While the Quill Lakes water levels remain a concern as they flow into the RM from just east of the RM’s border, Dieno said there are not any other concerns with year round municipal roads for the ratepayers to be aware of with regards to the spring melt.
As for the Quill Lakes, over the years the high water levels have caused immense losses of property, infrastructure and livelihoods. Executive Director of the Quill Lakes Watershed Association No. 14 Kerry Holderness said, “We have hit an increase in elevations of water in the Quill Lakes almost every year since 2005, the most unprecedented extremes of a wet cycle since the last peak water levels in 1914. The wet cycle that reached the 1914 peak was around 22 years long. Even with the dry summer and fall we experienced in 2017, and the low snowfall in the southern portions of the watershed, there was significantly higher snow pack in north and east areas, accompanied by late fall rains. This saturated region could still provide trouble for the whole system in the spring of 2018. We must wait and see what the spring runoff brings.”
Over the years since the substantial rise in levels, the water within the Quill Lakes has already flooded almost 100,000 acres of public and private lands, and millions in infrastructure. Since 2005, approximately 5.436 billion cubic metres (5,436,000,000) of water has flowed into the Quill Lakes with nothing released downstream or towards the ocean.
Holderness said if a current 13-year trend continues with its extreme wet two-year cycles followed by above average two-year moderate levels, which have been going back and forth since 2005, “we are due for another two years of extreme summer rains. They could resume this year if those trends repeat again, as a fourth consecutive cycle.”
To try and curb the potential threat of more water flowing into the lakes, the watershed association is hoping to implement a strategy to try and get in front of the problem using mitigation measures. Those measures, if implemented, would prevent or minimize future damages to property, the economy and the environment.
Daniel Bushman
The snow lasted longer than most would have liked but when it melted, it went quick, causing a rapid rush of water throughout parts of the province. In a span of just a few days, the sun zapped months worth of snow as creeks, fields, lakes, rivers and even roads absorbed the rise in levels.
After spending millions of dollars over the last number of years constructing berms to protect the shoreline, businesses and homes, the resort village of Manitou Beach crossed its fingers as water came barrelling through Wellington Creek.
With Little Manitou Lake already high, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec said the melt went fast. “I think we were prepared well enough for it and we managed to stay ahead of it,” said Worobec who added at the back end of Wellington where water flows in from culverts and fields to a slough, the water rose high enough to flow over a dam, starting to erode it.
“I noticed that the creek all of the sudden increased quite a bit so we got back there and had a look Friday night (Apr. 20) and the water was going over the top. We got a piece of equipment from Trent Ediger of Melron Service and with his loader and our backhoe we got it repaired. I don’t even want to think about what would have happened if that dam would have washed out completely.”
After work was done last year on building up the berm along the shoreline, the new culverts under the road next to Danceland were able to absorb the high water and Worobec said there were no issues there. A few other areas collected a fair amount of water but village crews were busy pumping those areas dry and at Camp Easter Seal water pooled but those levels also came down.
“There was a bit of infiltration to our sewer system from ground water but we have that isolated and are taking some measures to alleviate that problem. We had the Richardson trucks out there doing a great job to manage that situation for us. Our village staff also did a fantastic job, putting in long hours to help manage the runoff.”
With a major lift station upgrade slated to take place in June, Worobec said that improvement will also fix up a few issues the resort community was experiencing bringing with it a price tag around $1 million. Until that upgrade takes place, Worobec said the worst of the melt is over for the beach although there was a bit of water still flowing into the lake at the east end. As for just how much water ended up flowing into the lake from the spring melt, “Once the ice goes out we will know for sure but just judging from some of the areas, I think it will be up four or five inches from last fall. The highest levels we have ever had though were from the fall previous. After that we dropped about 14 inches over the summer but with this melt, we will gain about four or five of that back. But we were prepared for this year and we have the pumping stations and nine sump holes set up . . . we will keep one big pump here during the summer in case we have a flash flood.”
While the resort community is essentially done with the spring melt, other areas within surrounding rural municipalities are still experiencing high water levels and roads being compromised. One of those RMs bordering Manitou Beach is the RM of Usborne No. 310. Spanning over an area east of Watrous to Lockwood and then up past Drake and Lanigan before returning back over towards Plunkett, RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said there is a lot of water compromising roads. One of those roads happens to be a main highway and while it does not fall within the RM’s jurisdiction, Rintoul said water was flowing over Hwy. 16 west of Lanigan early last week before beginning to recede. “Last week a stop light was put up and it was down to one lane of traffic. On Thursday (May 3), the water was lower than earlier in the week and not on the highway as much. However, it was still down to one lane of traffic.”
Another area that the RM has been monitoring is ‘old Hwy. 20’ and Range Road 2223. “Both bridges are compromised and roads are currently closed. Township Road 330 is also closed due to surrounding quarters being underwater and water running over the road. Range Road 2230 is also completely under water. Essentially any areas with creek crossings, the roads are compromised.”
Rintoul said most roads experiencing compromised conditions have been closed or barricaded in RM 310. “Our staff is working diligently to keep on top of this, although some of the roads that are completely underwater will not be on the radar until water levels go down.”
In the Rural Municipality of Wolverine, located near Plunkett and spanning between Guernsey and Humboldt and running just north of Lanigan, Public Works Supervisor Dale Becker said they have had 26 spots where water was over the road with most of those east of Hwy. 20. Of those, seven were not passable or unsafe to drive on as of May 1. Becker said they are hopeful those areas will be reopened after repairs are made. “We would like to have our main roads passable by May 11 and then begin working on our secondary and back roads after that. If there is a road closed and marked with signage, please do not go down that road.”
Becker said the fast melt within the RM occurred over about two days and with lots of wind and snow in the area, the water came fast. “It was over Hwy. 20 and was over Hwy. 16. We are hoping to see the tail end go by pretty quickly.”
In the RM of Wreford, which spans east of Imperial and Simpson then up to Venn and over past Nokomis, RM Administrator Melanie Rich said the RM is hopeful that levels will start to recede. “A couple of the councillors and RM employees have been keeping an eye on the water level at our bridge on the Simpson grid but they think we should be okay. To my knowledge, we do not have water encroaching the roads.”
While not part of the RM’s jurisdiction, water remains high around Hwy. 15 west of Nokomis but as of last week had not gone over the road.
In the RM of Prairie Rose, which encompasses an area east of Lockwood, Drake and Lanigan, spanning across over Esk and Jansen to Dafoe and Hwy. 6, Chief Administrative Officer Melissa Dieno said the water has been receding quickly since the spring thaw. While the Quill Lakes water levels remain a concern as they flow into the RM from just east of the RM’s border, Dieno said there are not any other concerns with year round municipal roads for the ratepayers to be aware of with regards to the spring melt.
As for the Quill Lakes, over the years the high water levels have caused immense losses of property, infrastructure and livelihoods. Executive Director of the Quill Lakes Watershed Association No. 14 Kerry Holderness said, “We have hit an increase in elevations of water in the Quill Lakes almost every year since 2005, the most unprecedented extremes of a wet cycle since the last peak water levels in 1914. The wet cycle that reached the 1914 peak was around 22 years long. Even with the dry summer and fall we experienced in 2017, and the low snowfall in the southern portions of the watershed, there was significantly higher snow pack in north and east areas, accompanied by late fall rains. This saturated region could still provide trouble for the whole system in the spring of 2018. We must wait and see what the spring runoff brings.”
Over the years since the substantial rise in levels, the water within the Quill Lakes has already flooded almost 100,000 acres of public and private lands, and millions in infrastructure. Since 2005, approximately 5.436 billion cubic metres (5,436,000,000) of water has flowed into the Quill Lakes with nothing released downstream or towards the ocean.
Holderness said if a current 13-year trend continues with its extreme wet two-year cycles followed by above average two-year moderate levels, which have been going back and forth since 2005, “we are due for another two years of extreme summer rains. They could resume this year if those trends repeat again, as a fourth consecutive cycle.”
To try and curb the potential threat of more water flowing into the lakes, the watershed association is hoping to implement a strategy to try and get in front of the problem using mitigation measures. Those measures, if implemented, would prevent or minimize future damages to property, the economy and the environment.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 30, 2018
Bull-A-Rama an overwhelming success
Daniel Bushman
An adrenaline packed night had spectators filling up the Watrous Centennial Arena in anticipation as bull riders from across Western Canada including one rider from New Zealand strapped themselves in for quite a ride. Presented by the Watrous Kinsmen, Bull-A-Rama included top riders from Bull Riders Canada and youth from the area as well. With prize money to be handed out, the evening concluded with a cabaret featuring Nice Horse.
Organizer Chris Soroka said the whole event went really well and was better than he could have imagined. “We had a lot of turnout from Watrous and the surrounding communities.”
Estimating that were more than 700 people in attendance for the Apr. 21 Bull-A-Rama, Soroka said they were still tabulating the total amount of money that was brought in as part of the Watrous Daycare fundraiser.
“We as Kinsmen could not have been happier to see such a big turnout. It was an unbelievable feeling and I would love to see this happen again next year. By the way things sounded from sponsors, we would like to see this event happen again. Without such great sponsors we would not be able to put these events on. We really appreciated them and all the volunteers who helped to make this happen. It is a heart warming feeling to see people jump in and give a helping hand.”
Beginning the Bull-A-Rama, youngsters hopped on horses, riding before the main event. Leading up to the bull riding, the national anthem was sung and a moment of silence was held for the Humboldt Broncos and the team’s personnel. Former Bronco Brad Toews was on hand wearing his jersey as his daughter Sunshine carried a Broncos flag as she rode in remembrance of the team. After the moment of silence, the riders strapped themselves in and the bull riding got underway.
With over $5,000 in prize money up for grabs, this was the first BRC Central Tour stop, earning double points for riders for the BRC Finals.
In the Long Round, Edson, Alberta’s Micheal Ostashek took first with a score of 85, taking $1,229. In second was Ponoka Alberta’s Wacey Finkbeiner who took a score of 84 for $921. Cody Coverchuck of Meadow Lake, Sask. placed third with a score of 83 and took home $614. Jacob Gardner of Dawson Creek, B.C. was fourth with a 79, taking $307. While not winning money, Wade Marshall of Invercargill, New Zealand was fifth with a score of 78, Linden Roloff of Bezanson, Alta. was sixth with a 77, Tim Lipsett of Lumsden, Sask. was seventh with a score of 76 and Shane Peters of Delburne, Alta. was eighth with a score of 75.
In the Canadian Global Championship Round, Wacey Finkbeiner was first with a score of 87, taking home $2,475. In second was Tim Lipsett with a score of 82.5, taking home $2,025.
The overall average after the two rounds put Finkbeiner in first with a score of 171, claiming the buckle and earning total money of $3,396. Lipsett claimed second with an overall score of 158.5 for a total of $2,025. Ostashek who was first in the Long Round ended with a score of 85 for $1,229. Coverchuck placed fourth with a score of 83 and won $614. Gardner was fifth with a score of 79 and earnings of $307. While taking home any money, Marshall was sixth at 78, Roloff seventh at 77 and Peters placed eighth with a 75.
Before the Long Round and then before the Canadian Global Championship Round, aspiring riders took over the arena. Riding Peewee Bareback were Gavin Rose, Whip Gertner and Nolan Soroka. On Junior Bareback were Huck Watson, Bronc Toews and Cade Bartel. The Peewee SaddleBronc included Whip Gertner while Junior SaddleBronc had Bronc Toews, Chet Meston, Ryker Kempton and Houston Friesen. Riding in the Senior SaddleBronc were Ryley Humfrey and Jax Meston. After the two rounds, Hanley’s Houston Friesen won the mini bronc average.
Daniel Bushman
An adrenaline packed night had spectators filling up the Watrous Centennial Arena in anticipation as bull riders from across Western Canada including one rider from New Zealand strapped themselves in for quite a ride. Presented by the Watrous Kinsmen, Bull-A-Rama included top riders from Bull Riders Canada and youth from the area as well. With prize money to be handed out, the evening concluded with a cabaret featuring Nice Horse.
Organizer Chris Soroka said the whole event went really well and was better than he could have imagined. “We had a lot of turnout from Watrous and the surrounding communities.”
Estimating that were more than 700 people in attendance for the Apr. 21 Bull-A-Rama, Soroka said they were still tabulating the total amount of money that was brought in as part of the Watrous Daycare fundraiser.
“We as Kinsmen could not have been happier to see such a big turnout. It was an unbelievable feeling and I would love to see this happen again next year. By the way things sounded from sponsors, we would like to see this event happen again. Without such great sponsors we would not be able to put these events on. We really appreciated them and all the volunteers who helped to make this happen. It is a heart warming feeling to see people jump in and give a helping hand.”
Beginning the Bull-A-Rama, youngsters hopped on horses, riding before the main event. Leading up to the bull riding, the national anthem was sung and a moment of silence was held for the Humboldt Broncos and the team’s personnel. Former Bronco Brad Toews was on hand wearing his jersey as his daughter Sunshine carried a Broncos flag as she rode in remembrance of the team. After the moment of silence, the riders strapped themselves in and the bull riding got underway.
With over $5,000 in prize money up for grabs, this was the first BRC Central Tour stop, earning double points for riders for the BRC Finals.
In the Long Round, Edson, Alberta’s Micheal Ostashek took first with a score of 85, taking $1,229. In second was Ponoka Alberta’s Wacey Finkbeiner who took a score of 84 for $921. Cody Coverchuck of Meadow Lake, Sask. placed third with a score of 83 and took home $614. Jacob Gardner of Dawson Creek, B.C. was fourth with a 79, taking $307. While not winning money, Wade Marshall of Invercargill, New Zealand was fifth with a score of 78, Linden Roloff of Bezanson, Alta. was sixth with a 77, Tim Lipsett of Lumsden, Sask. was seventh with a score of 76 and Shane Peters of Delburne, Alta. was eighth with a score of 75.
In the Canadian Global Championship Round, Wacey Finkbeiner was first with a score of 87, taking home $2,475. In second was Tim Lipsett with a score of 82.5, taking home $2,025.
The overall average after the two rounds put Finkbeiner in first with a score of 171, claiming the buckle and earning total money of $3,396. Lipsett claimed second with an overall score of 158.5 for a total of $2,025. Ostashek who was first in the Long Round ended with a score of 85 for $1,229. Coverchuck placed fourth with a score of 83 and won $614. Gardner was fifth with a score of 79 and earnings of $307. While taking home any money, Marshall was sixth at 78, Roloff seventh at 77 and Peters placed eighth with a 75.
Before the Long Round and then before the Canadian Global Championship Round, aspiring riders took over the arena. Riding Peewee Bareback were Gavin Rose, Whip Gertner and Nolan Soroka. On Junior Bareback were Huck Watson, Bronc Toews and Cade Bartel. The Peewee SaddleBronc included Whip Gertner while Junior SaddleBronc had Bronc Toews, Chet Meston, Ryker Kempton and Houston Friesen. Riding in the Senior SaddleBronc were Ryley Humfrey and Jax Meston. After the two rounds, Hanley’s Houston Friesen won the mini bronc average.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 23, 2018
Sister of Chanda Van de Vorst delivers powerful message
Daniel Bushman
It can come down to one decision and that choice can lead to devastating and lifelong consequences. Through tragic circumstances in which a family was taken too soon, the sister of Chanda (nee Mierau) Van de Vorst is hoping people will make the right choice to not drive drunk or distracted.
Returning to the community she grew up in and the high school she attended, Tana Deibert shared her heart-wrenching experience of not only losing her sister, but a brother-in-law, a niece and nephew after the vehicle they were in was hit by a drunk driver. Deibert also talked to those at Winston High School in Watrous about how she has journeyed on through her own life since that horrific day Jan. 3, 2016.
Having spoken at more than 20 schools in both Saskatchewan and Alberta, Tana was invited to talk at Winston High School Apr. 16 by the school’s Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) group. “The main reason I decided to do my presentation is that one decision can make a difference. If I can make the decision process change in one person’s mind for each presentation that I do, it is well worth it. Being able to come to Winston High School, that has been my goal for over a year. This town grieved with us and I wanted to bring some type of healing and hope to the community of Watrous.”
Winston High School teacher and SADD adviser, Cindy Cantelon said the group started up this year after conversations last year amongst the current Gr. 12 students. After attending the provincial SADD conference in Saskatoon in October where Tana spoke, the local SADD group wanted to have her speak before next month’s grad.
Winston High School’s SADD president Damion Weber and vice president Chalsey Diment said the group began the year with no funds and after many fundraisers, collecting recycling and washing dishes for the Town Christmas party, they were able to use the money to attend the provincial SADD conference in Saskatoon.
“We brought in Mrs. Deibert to show the consequences of drinking and driving and the simple decisions you can make that could help save lives. We initially set the goal to bring this speaker before our Gr. 12 graduation to ensure our peers were safe during this time. We also decided to bring SADD into our school because we have watched and heard of many accidents involving alcohol during our high school years and decided it was time to take action. We may be a small group but we have high hopes in making an impact on others. We hope as we leave at the end of June that Winston SADD continues to thrive and helps to make positive change in regards to drinking and driving.”
With the high school students and staff along with community members and Tana’s family in attendance, Deibert, who is a teacher at Goodsoil shared about the struggles and reality of receiving word that her sister and her family perished because of a drunk driver.
Thirty-four-year-old Jordan, thirty-three-year-old Chanda and their kids, who were just five and two decided to visit friends in Osler Jan. 2, 2016. Playing board games and having a lot of fun, after an enjoyable night, the family decided to leave at midnight.
“It was during the same time, someone else was making decisions . . . after a night of drinking, what should have been a 10 minute drive for her to get home, the person ended up taking a right turn and not a left, going to Louis Riel Trail. She did not stop or take the curve and going 120 km/h, she blew through the stop sign, crossed the first double lane and in the other, hit the Van de Vorst car. It took me one year and seven months to go to that site after the crash,” said Deibert. “I had no interest going there but because there was a roadside memorial to be put up in honour of my sister and her family the following month, I went.”
It was 5:30 a.m., Jan. 3, 2016 and the phone rang at the Deibert home. “We didn’t answer. We thought why would someone call that early?”
An hour later, a member of the RCMP was at Tana’s door. Being in a small town of a couple hundred people, she knew something was wrong. “My husband answered and frantically called me to the door. All I could do was put my hands in the middle of my body. The member of the RCMP asked me if I was Chanda and Jordan’s sister. I said I was and he told me three words, “They are dead.” I asked about my nephew Miguire and he said he had died. I then asked about my niece Kamryn. He said she was still alive but did not know for how much longer.”
Getting ready to make the four hour drive from Goodsoil to Saskatoon, Tana said they arrived at Royal University Hospital to see her niece. As the family of 10 were near Kamryn’s side, doctors performed tests and it was determined that Kamryn was brain dead. The family agreed to keep her alive so that she could be put on the transplant donor list and it was during their time spent with Kamryn that the aunts painted her finger nails and toe nails. “Kamryn loved having her nails painted so we wanted to do that for her. Kamryn was our hero because she was able to save three lives through organ donation. I encourage everyone to have that discussion of donating organs. We have received letters over a year later from recipients that are doing well. Jordan and Chanda also had their tissue donated which will help save many lives as well.”
After 36 hours in the hospital, the family said one final goodbye to Jordan, Chanda, Kamryn and Miguire and began making funeral arrangements. Joining around 1,000 people at Elim Church in Saskatoon for the funeral, members of the Mierau and Van de Vorst families also had the upcoming and difficult task of attending court proceedings, waiting to hear from the driver of the other vehicle, Catherine McKay.
“We wanted to hear from her and see if there was any remorse but she was skyped in from prison. She was looking at the floor for the two minutes she was on the screen with no emotion or reaction. We left disappointed and angry and found out later that it would be six months before she would come to court.”
With the funeral over and court proceedings underway, Deibert said the family then began the process of cleaning out the contents of Chanda’s home.
Speaking to the students at Winston High School, Tana said, “I want you to close your eyes for a minute. Visualize yourself walking in the front door of your home, seeing the kitchen and its contents, the fridge, dishes left to be done, the bedroom needing to be organized, toys on the living room floor, the basement and the backyard. Remember the laughter, the family dinners, what is in the cupboards and the freezer. We went through it all and dispersed it. It took three months to go through. It was the hardest three months of my life.”
Deibert said the family also went and chose a grieving stone, writing down how each person should be remembered and the legacy they left. “All of the rain checks we had promised with Chanda, Jordan and the kids, those are all now at the grave site.”
Still trying to process the tragedy while coping with the tremendous loss of loved ones, another day that will forever be etched in the minds of the family arrived. Heading to the court house July 27, 2016, the room where sentencing was to take place was standing room only. With the Mierau and Van de Vorst families along with co-workers, friends and the kids of Catherine McKay in attendance, they all awaited the outcome.
“We could hear her coming before we saw her because she was wearing shackles,” said Tana of McKay’s arrival. Once in the court room, over 20 victim impact statements were read, spanning four and a half hours. After the statements were read including one from Tana, the judge accepted a joint submission from the crown and defence of a 10 year sentence for McKay in addition to a 12 year ban on driving and a weapons ban as well. Since that sentence was handed down, it was about six months later that the family was made aware that McKay was sent to a healing lodge near Maple Creek in an effort to allow her to become rehabilitated before being released at the end of her sentence.
“She has her own room, a living room and a bathroom. She has escorted day passes and can visit with her family.”
Trying to find a glimmer of hope through the dark valleys of life, Deibert started to pick up the pieces and returned to teaching. At first it was extremely difficult to make it through a day but eventually those struggles became more subdued. After an idea of wanting to share her story through a presentation, she approached her school’s principal.
“They let me do the presentation and that is why I am here today. This is my 22nd presentation and my goal is to one day present across Canada. There are five stages of grief and once you reach acceptance, if you don’t move forward, you are moving backwards. For me, it comes down to decisions. What are you going to do? It becomes your choice. When I wake up, I have something to do that I can try and make a difference in someone’s life. What is your goal? It is up to you to make wise decisions. You might think you won’t get caught driving down a back road impaired but maybe your best friend is on the same road thinking the same thing. What are you willing to do to make the right decision and how can you help others?”
Concluding her morning presentation at the high school, Deibert finished by flashing images of her family on the projector screen in the school’s gym. “The biggest element is the human element so I show the pictures of my family to show that there is a family behind every statistic. Any type of story you see or hear, there is a family behind every single tragedy. Even the ones you don’t hear about and that doesn’t mean just death, it means all kinds of tragedies.”
Wearing her sister’s hockey jersey and a necklace of courage in memory of her niece and nephew, Tana also wanted to convey a message to the residents of Watrous. “I just wanted to say thank you to the community for all that they have done for my family and for myself. I played at the Music Festival’s 50th Gala event here in Watrous Apr. 15 and everyone was so welcoming. It has just been everything that we are so appreciative of. From sitting and visiting with my mom, to being at the vigil a few years ago, hanging glow-sticks in remembrance of my sister and her family and supporting us through the GoFundMe page that was set up. Anything from small to large, we have appreciated it.”
Daniel Bushman
It can come down to one decision and that choice can lead to devastating and lifelong consequences. Through tragic circumstances in which a family was taken too soon, the sister of Chanda (nee Mierau) Van de Vorst is hoping people will make the right choice to not drive drunk or distracted.
Returning to the community she grew up in and the high school she attended, Tana Deibert shared her heart-wrenching experience of not only losing her sister, but a brother-in-law, a niece and nephew after the vehicle they were in was hit by a drunk driver. Deibert also talked to those at Winston High School in Watrous about how she has journeyed on through her own life since that horrific day Jan. 3, 2016.
Having spoken at more than 20 schools in both Saskatchewan and Alberta, Tana was invited to talk at Winston High School Apr. 16 by the school’s Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) group. “The main reason I decided to do my presentation is that one decision can make a difference. If I can make the decision process change in one person’s mind for each presentation that I do, it is well worth it. Being able to come to Winston High School, that has been my goal for over a year. This town grieved with us and I wanted to bring some type of healing and hope to the community of Watrous.”
Winston High School teacher and SADD adviser, Cindy Cantelon said the group started up this year after conversations last year amongst the current Gr. 12 students. After attending the provincial SADD conference in Saskatoon in October where Tana spoke, the local SADD group wanted to have her speak before next month’s grad.
Winston High School’s SADD president Damion Weber and vice president Chalsey Diment said the group began the year with no funds and after many fundraisers, collecting recycling and washing dishes for the Town Christmas party, they were able to use the money to attend the provincial SADD conference in Saskatoon.
“We brought in Mrs. Deibert to show the consequences of drinking and driving and the simple decisions you can make that could help save lives. We initially set the goal to bring this speaker before our Gr. 12 graduation to ensure our peers were safe during this time. We also decided to bring SADD into our school because we have watched and heard of many accidents involving alcohol during our high school years and decided it was time to take action. We may be a small group but we have high hopes in making an impact on others. We hope as we leave at the end of June that Winston SADD continues to thrive and helps to make positive change in regards to drinking and driving.”
With the high school students and staff along with community members and Tana’s family in attendance, Deibert, who is a teacher at Goodsoil shared about the struggles and reality of receiving word that her sister and her family perished because of a drunk driver.
Thirty-four-year-old Jordan, thirty-three-year-old Chanda and their kids, who were just five and two decided to visit friends in Osler Jan. 2, 2016. Playing board games and having a lot of fun, after an enjoyable night, the family decided to leave at midnight.
“It was during the same time, someone else was making decisions . . . after a night of drinking, what should have been a 10 minute drive for her to get home, the person ended up taking a right turn and not a left, going to Louis Riel Trail. She did not stop or take the curve and going 120 km/h, she blew through the stop sign, crossed the first double lane and in the other, hit the Van de Vorst car. It took me one year and seven months to go to that site after the crash,” said Deibert. “I had no interest going there but because there was a roadside memorial to be put up in honour of my sister and her family the following month, I went.”
It was 5:30 a.m., Jan. 3, 2016 and the phone rang at the Deibert home. “We didn’t answer. We thought why would someone call that early?”
An hour later, a member of the RCMP was at Tana’s door. Being in a small town of a couple hundred people, she knew something was wrong. “My husband answered and frantically called me to the door. All I could do was put my hands in the middle of my body. The member of the RCMP asked me if I was Chanda and Jordan’s sister. I said I was and he told me three words, “They are dead.” I asked about my nephew Miguire and he said he had died. I then asked about my niece Kamryn. He said she was still alive but did not know for how much longer.”
Getting ready to make the four hour drive from Goodsoil to Saskatoon, Tana said they arrived at Royal University Hospital to see her niece. As the family of 10 were near Kamryn’s side, doctors performed tests and it was determined that Kamryn was brain dead. The family agreed to keep her alive so that she could be put on the transplant donor list and it was during their time spent with Kamryn that the aunts painted her finger nails and toe nails. “Kamryn loved having her nails painted so we wanted to do that for her. Kamryn was our hero because she was able to save three lives through organ donation. I encourage everyone to have that discussion of donating organs. We have received letters over a year later from recipients that are doing well. Jordan and Chanda also had their tissue donated which will help save many lives as well.”
After 36 hours in the hospital, the family said one final goodbye to Jordan, Chanda, Kamryn and Miguire and began making funeral arrangements. Joining around 1,000 people at Elim Church in Saskatoon for the funeral, members of the Mierau and Van de Vorst families also had the upcoming and difficult task of attending court proceedings, waiting to hear from the driver of the other vehicle, Catherine McKay.
“We wanted to hear from her and see if there was any remorse but she was skyped in from prison. She was looking at the floor for the two minutes she was on the screen with no emotion or reaction. We left disappointed and angry and found out later that it would be six months before she would come to court.”
With the funeral over and court proceedings underway, Deibert said the family then began the process of cleaning out the contents of Chanda’s home.
Speaking to the students at Winston High School, Tana said, “I want you to close your eyes for a minute. Visualize yourself walking in the front door of your home, seeing the kitchen and its contents, the fridge, dishes left to be done, the bedroom needing to be organized, toys on the living room floor, the basement and the backyard. Remember the laughter, the family dinners, what is in the cupboards and the freezer. We went through it all and dispersed it. It took three months to go through. It was the hardest three months of my life.”
Deibert said the family also went and chose a grieving stone, writing down how each person should be remembered and the legacy they left. “All of the rain checks we had promised with Chanda, Jordan and the kids, those are all now at the grave site.”
Still trying to process the tragedy while coping with the tremendous loss of loved ones, another day that will forever be etched in the minds of the family arrived. Heading to the court house July 27, 2016, the room where sentencing was to take place was standing room only. With the Mierau and Van de Vorst families along with co-workers, friends and the kids of Catherine McKay in attendance, they all awaited the outcome.
“We could hear her coming before we saw her because she was wearing shackles,” said Tana of McKay’s arrival. Once in the court room, over 20 victim impact statements were read, spanning four and a half hours. After the statements were read including one from Tana, the judge accepted a joint submission from the crown and defence of a 10 year sentence for McKay in addition to a 12 year ban on driving and a weapons ban as well. Since that sentence was handed down, it was about six months later that the family was made aware that McKay was sent to a healing lodge near Maple Creek in an effort to allow her to become rehabilitated before being released at the end of her sentence.
“She has her own room, a living room and a bathroom. She has escorted day passes and can visit with her family.”
Trying to find a glimmer of hope through the dark valleys of life, Deibert started to pick up the pieces and returned to teaching. At first it was extremely difficult to make it through a day but eventually those struggles became more subdued. After an idea of wanting to share her story through a presentation, she approached her school’s principal.
“They let me do the presentation and that is why I am here today. This is my 22nd presentation and my goal is to one day present across Canada. There are five stages of grief and once you reach acceptance, if you don’t move forward, you are moving backwards. For me, it comes down to decisions. What are you going to do? It becomes your choice. When I wake up, I have something to do that I can try and make a difference in someone’s life. What is your goal? It is up to you to make wise decisions. You might think you won’t get caught driving down a back road impaired but maybe your best friend is on the same road thinking the same thing. What are you willing to do to make the right decision and how can you help others?”
Concluding her morning presentation at the high school, Deibert finished by flashing images of her family on the projector screen in the school’s gym. “The biggest element is the human element so I show the pictures of my family to show that there is a family behind every statistic. Any type of story you see or hear, there is a family behind every single tragedy. Even the ones you don’t hear about and that doesn’t mean just death, it means all kinds of tragedies.”
Wearing her sister’s hockey jersey and a necklace of courage in memory of her niece and nephew, Tana also wanted to convey a message to the residents of Watrous. “I just wanted to say thank you to the community for all that they have done for my family and for myself. I played at the Music Festival’s 50th Gala event here in Watrous Apr. 15 and everyone was so welcoming. It has just been everything that we are so appreciative of. From sitting and visiting with my mom, to being at the vigil a few years ago, hanging glow-sticks in remembrance of my sister and her family and supporting us through the GoFundMe page that was set up. Anything from small to large, we have appreciated it.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 16, 2018
Support received from around the world after tragedy
Daniel Bushman
Communities, provinces, a nation and parts of the world have banded together in a tremendous outpouring of support after the tragic crash involving the Humboldt Broncos Apr. 6. Players and personnel of the Broncos along with the team’s bus driver and members of Bolt FM passed away as the team’s bus was headed to Nipawin for a playoff game before being hit by a semi. Many of those who survived remain in serious or critical condition.
Since the tragic event, which has affected people from different corners of the world, people have banded together showing incredible support for all those affected. A GoFundMe page was started by Humboldt’s Sylvie Kellington in hopes of raising money for players and families affected by the tragedy and in six days, over 120,000 people from upwards of 60 countries around the world had donated more than $10.2 million, one of the largest campaigns ever. That number continued to climb as last week progressed.
While there are countless initiatives to mention, others showed support in a variety of ways including the National Hockey League where teams have paid tribute to the Broncos including on Apr. 7. The Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks wore ‘Broncos’ on the back of their jerseys and along with multiple clubs, were to donate the proceeds of their 50/50 to the Broncos. Moments of silence were held across the league and that extended into other leagues as well. Having a close relationship with players on the Humboldt team, Imperial’s Connor Ingram, who plays goal for the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch had #HumboldtStrong on the back of his mask. He and others are also donating money for every save he makes for the duration of the season and playoffs. The team also paid tribute Apr. 14 by wearing Humboldt on the back of their jerseys. A silent auction was also held with the proceeds benefitting the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) Air Ambulance. Proceeds from the 50/50 were also going to STARS.
At the Allan Cup in Rosetown, Rosetown Red Wings player David Stumborg who also suited up for the Drake Canucks this season wore his old Broncos sweater during warmups Apr. 9. Other players and coaches have also honoured and remembered those on the Humboldt team. Trainers and many many others have also remembered Dayna Brons, who was the team’s athletic therapist and the 16th person to pass away from the tragedy.
After the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers played their games Apr. 7, both head coaches headed to Saskatoon where they visited with members of the Broncos in hospital. Hockey Night in Canada hosts Don Cherry and Ron MacLean were also present as they travelled to Saskatoon and then Humboldt as well.
Some members of the media broadcasting hockey games have paid tribute to Bolt FM’s Tyler Bieber who did play-by-play for the Humboldt Broncos. Many including Calgary Flames play-by-play man Derek Wills dedicated their broadcasts to him. The voice of the Saskatoon Blades Les Lazaruk has offered to call a game next season, encouraging others to do so in Tyler’s memory. Other athletes and teams from various professional sports also paid tribute including the Saskatchewan Rush. In the MLB, Marcus Stroman of the Toronto Blue Jays wrote Humboldt Broncos! on his hat and is auctioning it off with the proceeds going towards the team. Cincinnati Reds player and Canadian Joey Votto wrote Humboldt Broncos on his cleats as he took to the field in Pittsburgh.
Then last week, sticks, microphones, trainer packs and broadcast headsets were placed outside of people’s front doors, at arenas, offices and municipal buildings across the world in remembrance of those who perished. On social media the tribute was named #SticksOutForHumboldt and was kick-started after former Bronco broadcaster Brian Munz tweeted out he received a text from a friend, encouraging people to place sticks outside. Other fundraisers and initiatives have also been planned in communities and in schools locally and nation-wide as people raise funds for the families and team. There were also vigils and community rallies in support of Humboldt and the Broncos including closer to home.
Locally, in Allan, where captain of the Broncos Logan Schatz was from, the community gathered Apr. 8 to mourn his loss and remember him and his team. Town of Allan Administrator Christine Dyck said, “The Town of Allan and surrounding community is in mourning with so many other communities, our entire country and families everywhere. The Humboldt Broncos bus collision Apr. 6th has shaken our world to the core. In the disaster, we lost one of our own, Logan Schatz. Allan residents grieve with Kelly and Bonnie and their entire family. On Saturday, flowers and a sign appeared in the snow in front of the Allan Town Office.
The Allan community is a quietly caring place. The communiplex committee worked hard over the weekend to put together a touching memorial vigil, which included some local representation as well as live streaming the Humboldt vigil. It is estimated that 300 people joined Logan’s grandparents in Allan on Sunday, Apr. 8th. The Schatz family has a kitchen overflowing with food. The Nutrien Allan mine rescue teams gave up the curling rink where they normally train at this time of year to enable the facility to be used for Logan’s service.
Through their sorrow, the town has pulled together, Saskatchewan strong, and many hands will be working through the weekend to get things ready for Logan’s final tribute. Our prayers are with all those lost, their families, friends and communities. We also pray for the survivors and hope they can come through this tragedy.
The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love. (H. Humphrey) #broncostrong”
A short drive away in Colonsay, people rallied behind Layne Matechuk, who also suited up for the Broncos this year. Amanda Reiman with the Colonsay Rec Board said, “On behalf of the Colonsay Rec Board and the Colonsay Town Council, we are deeply saddened by the Humboldt Broncos incomprehensible tragedy and there are few words that will bring comfort to the 15 families who have lost a loved one. Those families are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. To those still in hospital and their families, we offer you our strength and support in any way it is needed. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Schatz family for their loss of Logan and the grief they are all enduring is unimaginable. On Sunday, Apr. 8, we held a rally for Colonsay’s own, Layne Matechuk and a live stream of the Humboldt vigil. Layne remains in hospital and is fighting hard to get well and come home. Please keep Layne, his sister Carley and parents Kevin and Shelley in your prayers. We would like to thank the group of individuals who came together on very short notice Saturday to put together a wonderful tribute to the Humboldt Broncos. Our community continues to make me proud with their selfless acts of love and compassion. To the entire Matechuk family, we offer our shoulders for you to lean on, and our backs to help carry your burdens. May Layne be blessed with the strength and courage needed to pull through and endure what are likely to be difficult days ahead. Please continue to pray for the entire Bronco family. #broncostrong”
In Lanigan before the community’s minor hockey awards were presented Apr. 10, the town came together to remember and pay tribute to Humboldt and the Broncos. With numerous players from the area a part of the Broncos hockey system during their playing days along with Murray Brookbank, who was the Broncos assistant coach for many years, candles were lit, a jersey and headset were placed on a table and sticks set up in front of the stage to honour those who had passed on. Kyle Renwick opened the evening extending condolences and after a moment of silence, deputy mayor Mark Pratchler offered his condolences as well and said a few words to those in attendance. Following Pratchler, Brookbank shared a message to the minor hockey players and families at the Lanigan Town Hall. Brookbank said hockey is a big part of life in Saskatchewan and no one knows when a life can be taken. “Make sure and have fun and enjoy the game. In times like this we need to come together and stay together in support of Humboldt. Hug someone today and never take family and friends for granted.”
Former Bronco and current pastor in Lanigan, Brad Schroeder also said a few words during the tribute and led those in attendance in a time of prayer. Schroeder was followed by Mental Health Therapist Ryan Melin who talked about coping with tragedy.
Along with the tribute in Lanigan and other local communities, condolences and support also poured out on social media and flags in many places were lowered to half mast. Also in support of Humboldt, Niagara Falls went green and gold as both the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls were lit up with the Bronco colours. Messages of condolences from the Canadian Prime Minister, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, President Donald Trump and the Queen of England were also given. At the Legislature in Saskatchewan, the Bronco colours illuminated the building and will be used for 16 nights, honouring the 16 lives lost in the tragedy. Hockey sticks were set outside the Legislature and office doors as well and a book of condolences was also available for people to sign. Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer, who delivered the provincial budget last Tuesday also shared her condolences as her thoughts were with the families and the team.
In Humboldt, where flowers and tributes were placed at the steps leading into the rink, thousands of people filled the Elgar Petersen Arena for a vigil Apr. 8, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Scott Moe. With the rink full, other facilities were also made available for those attending the vigil. Meant to be a place for the community to begin the healing process, the inter-denominational service included messages from Humboldt mayor Rob Muench, Bronco president Kevin Garinger, a number of ministers, pastors and priests including team chaplain Sean Brandow and concluded with singing, hugs and tears.
During the vigil, Garinger provided words of what many felt and have been feeling. “We are gathered in a state of shock, and unthinkable heartache. This tragedy has devastated our families, our Humboldt Broncos organization, our community, Saskatchewan, Canada, and our world. For many of us, the real reach and scope of this community tragedy will not be fully realized for days, or weeks, or months or even years, as we continue to process everything that has taken place over these last days. But in all this darkness, a light has shone through. This light has come from the first responders and the medical professionals who have worked miracles and continue to work miracles for those members of our Broncos family. It comes from the remarkable community of Humboldt, and the countless communities across our province and country, as people come together to offer their strength, their time and their kindness. And they do this while they’re working through their own grief. This light has come from people across this globe, reaching out to offer condolences, and to share a truly staggering level of generosity and support. And this light will only grow in time. And in time, the darkness will be less. We are so grateful to the members of our extended hockey family, to our Saskatchewan and Canadian brothers and sisters, for their support. Countless partner organizations, companies, sports teams, television personalities, politicians and more have reached out, directly and indirectly, to offer their support. To everyone who has shared a message of condolence, to everyone who has called, or emailed, or posted online to show their support, we hear you, and we feel your love. I cannot put into words how much this has meant to us. I want to say to all the Humboldt Broncos families, billets, coaching staff, teammates, classmates, teachers, friends, community members - not one of us is alone in our grief. Continue to reach out. Reach out to one another for help and support. Across our region, our province, our country and our globe we will find strength in one another. Today and for everyday forward, we are all Humboldt Broncos, and we will be forever Humboldt Broncos strong.”
Also on the bus with the Broncos and team personnel were members of Bolt FM and the driver from Charlie’s Charters. Lyndon Friesen, president of Golden West Radio which Bolt FM is a member of, shared the following: “It is with great sadness that we have learned both Tyler and Brody were victims of this tragedy. Tyler travelled with the team frequently as the play-by-play announcer. Having been with Golden West since the launch of Bolt FM in news and on-air, Tyler was a shining example of what it means to serve a community. Brody had recently joined our Golden West family, mentored by Tyler and the Bolt FM team. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all the young men we lost and our own colleagues whose lives have been cut short by this tragic event.”
Charlie’s Charters, the company that employed bus driver Glen Doerksen shared a heartfelt post by the Kinistino Tigers: “The Tigers are saddened to learn that the gentleman who drove our bus to playoff games this spring was lost in the terrible accident yesterday. In talking to him, he spoke at length of his time in rinks with his own family and how much he enjoyed being able to take and watch other teams from minor, to senior, to SJHL to their hockey games. Our trips to Foam Lake and Allan were on horrible highways due to winter storms. We got on that bus and trusted him with our lives and both times he got us home safely. Tragically yesterday he and many others didn’t make it home and our hearts are broken for your families and friends including Charlie and the staff at Charlie’s Charters. We will never forget the smile on your face as we left Allan after winning the Championship and got you to give “two honks for the Cup”. Tonight Glen, we give two honks for you. Rest easy sir.”
Along with the outpouring from across the world, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is also providing counselling supports for people to utilize. CEO Scott Livingstone said, “On behalf of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, I want to offer our condolences to the family members, the Humboldt Broncos, City of Humboldt, and all of those who have lost a loved one . . . we are also thinking of those injured in the accident and the family members supporting them. Our thoughts are with them in this difficult time. I also want to extend my sincerest gratitude to all of the first responders, physicians, nurses, clerks, administrative staff, security and all other health providers that pulled together to respond to this situation. Many physicians and staff members were called away from their families and friends to deal with the significant number of patients, many with very serious injuries. They, along with other emergency services including police, fire departments and STARS, came together as one single team to provide care and comfort to those affected by this terrible event. I commend all involved for their quick and selfless actions. The Saskatchewan Health Authority has sent counsellors to various affected sites to provide support. We will continue to work with community leaders and community partners to determine what resources are required for grief counselling. This includes extending mental health supports to the first responders who were on site for the accident.”
The Psychology Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) issued a statement that they are aware of how this event may impact Humboldt, Nipawin, greater Saskatchewan, and hockey communities in days and weeks to come. Dr. Kristi Wright said, “There are no words to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to all those who were affected, and who lost precious family and community members. We would also like to thank all those who were there to provide immediate assistance and emergency care. This is a heart-breaking tragedy, felt province and nation-wide. As psychologists, we are prepared to assist individuals reacting to this terrible situation as best we possibly can. Most of the time, the immediate response and grief is an understandable reaction to such a traumatic event, and may not require any formal treatment aside from the love and support of family, friends, and community. However, if you feel you or a loved one requires professional assistance, you can consult with your family doctor or any mental health resource that have been made available to your community. They may refer you for counselling services, or you may also self-refer to local mental health services. Visit psychsask.ca/resources for a list of resources for both short-term and longer-term counselling and support services available in Saskatchewan.
This list will continue to be updated in the coming days and will include services that are freely available through the Saskatchewan Health Authority, community associations and organizations, as well as through privately-funded, fee-for-service resources.”
In the Horizon School Division, Director of Education and CEO Kevin Garinger, who is also the president of the Broncos issued the following letter to parents and caregivers: “It is with the deepest sadness that we mourn the loss of lives following Friday’s horrific accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the parents/caregivers, families, friends, teammates, classmates, billets, coaches, teachers, staff, fans, communities and countless others who have been impacted by this tragedy involving the Humboldt Broncos. Though our hearts are broken in the aftermath of this immense loss, I know that we will come together to offer each other strength and support in this extremely difficult time.
As a school division, Horizon is doing everything we can to support our students, staff and communities through this tragedy. A team of professionals has been mobilized across a number of Horizon schools to support the needs of grieving students and staff. These professionals include counsellors and other trained members of the Horizon Traumatic Events Response Team. In the coming days, we will be working to determine how best to support students and staff as we navigate these unthinkable circumstances. We are also encouraging anyone who feels the need for further support to make contact with health services and professionals in their area. Please contact your school principal with any questions, or for assistance connecting with these services.
I want to commend our first responders, emergency workers and medical professionals for their work in response to this terrible event. I also want to thank everyone who has sent messages of condolence and support from across Saskatchewan, Canada, and the world. I know that we will all keep the families and friends of those impacted by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers.”
Students and staff at schools throughout Horizon wore green and yellow Apr. 9 in a show of support and remembrance while the schools in Humboldt were closed Monday before resuming later in the week. Various fundraisers at schools within the province have also been taking place.
As many paused, reflected, mourned and tried to cope with such a tragedy, former Bronco players and coaches have also been doing the same. Spending considerable time on the ice, in the dressing room and on the bus, this tragedy has hit home for many. Watrous native Bob Beatty was a big part of the Humboldt Broncos, coaching the team from 1996 to 2004 and winning a national title in 2003. Like others who have stepped behind the bench in Humboldt, Beatty said the Broncos remain a team close to his heart.
“The team is certainly a huge part of the community as all teams are. The junior team in Humboldt is certainly the lifeblood of the community, the focal point, rallying point and topic of conversation, much the same as senior teams are in every town. It has hit home and living as close to Humboldt as I do in Watrous, the young fellas that have played for the Broncos around the surrounding area and beyond, there is a lot of support everywhere and not just in the hockey family. It is around the country and the entire world and we are mourning with the people of Humboldt and certainly the kids and the families that are impacted.”
Asked to speak at a vigil last week in B.C., Beatty said riding the bus has always been a big part of junior hockey. “It is a place where there is a lot of bonding and a lot of support and some ribbing and just a fun time to be with each other. Some of the bus trips get a bit gruelling but it is a time to bond together and you become part of a team. There is some satisfaction arriving at that point where you are part of a team. We all wonder why this time and not the other thousands of trips that we made, and not just hockey teams but the sporting world in general. Riding the bus is an essential part of competing in sport and this tragedy is just very sad.”
Since the Apr. 6 event, Beatty said the support towards the community of Humboldt and the people living there has been tremendous. “I hope they know we are all grieving with them and we are all a family. I hope that there is some semblance of comfort in the fact that there is an overwhelming amount of support for everybody involved.”
Three brothers that grew up on a farm near Drake were also part of the Humboldt Broncos during their hockey careers. Twin brothers Scott and Steven and their oldest brother Brad Schroeder each played for the team and were also trying to understand why such a tragedy took place. The three recalled many memories during their time with the club.
Playing with his twin brother Steven, Scott remembered the special bonds created by being part of a team, the brotherhood made and what it meant to be together in unity. “Especially in our years where we were lucky enough to win championships it was the attitude of winning that made the difference and so it’s my hope for these survivors (both families and players) that they would have an attitude of winning, to know that even though they’ve suffered a defeat in this, that they can still recover and that there is hope. In my years with the Broncos we stuck together in wins and losses because we were a team. I remember to just how special the bus was. Just the fact that we were all together was the main thing. One of my favourite memories of the bus was coming back from the airport after we won the RBC and we took the bus from Saskatoon to Humboldt and it was the happiest time. Then once we got to Humboldt we were able to be welcomed by the town at the rink. It just went to show how much the fans and the town was invested in the Broncos.”
Scott’s brother Steven was also a member of the Humboldt Broncos for three seasons with his last year being 2008-‘09. Attending the vigil in Humboldt Apr. 8, he shared these thoughts:
“Being a member of the Humboldt Broncos for three years was one of the greatest times in my life. If you were to ask people about the team during my time there, they might tell you all about different kinds of numbers. They might talk about the amount of games played, the wins we had, the losses, the goals or points, the amount of hours spent on the buses, or the championships. But looking back, it was a different number that counted. It was the number of teammates you would have and the friendships that lasted long after our time as Broncos. Friendships among teammates, coaches, trainers, media, billets, the fans and the community.
Hockey teams tend to create a certain kind of relationship. It’s a group of young men learning what it takes to overcome physical and mental challenges. They put aside differences for the good of the team. They sacrifice themselves for their teammates and they create memories that last a lifetime. It’s the kind of friendship where you can part ways for years and come back like nothing has changed, because you both wore the same jersey.
I was reminded of all of this on Apr. 6. In a second things can change. All those other numbers don’t matter if you don’t have people around you. The Humboldt Broncos and the city of Humboldt have shown us this. They have shown us that in the greatest darkness, there is still good. And they have shown us that when it comes down to it, we can all throw on the same jersey and be on the same team. They have inspired people all over Saskatchewan, Canada, and across the world.
To the members of the Humboldt Broncos, whose lives ended much to soon, I am sorry that you didn’t get the opportunity to see how you inspired a nation and brought people together. I’m sorry that you didn’t get the opportunity to grow up into men and enjoy your teammates longer. I hope and pray that you are remembered for how you played the game, how you laughed and treated people around you, how you lived, and not how you died.
To the members of the Broncos who are still with us, your families, and the city of Humboldt, thank you for your strength and determination. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to fight. And thank you for reminding us what truly matters in life. You epitomize everything that a Humboldt Bronco should be.”
Like his younger brothers, for three years Brad Schroeder wore the Bronco jersey and was also one of the assistant captains. Now the pastor at Christian Fellowship Church in Lanigan, Brad said growing up and playing minor hockey he looked forward to the days when he could ride the bus to games with his teammates. Citing the road trips on the bus as a highlight during his junior hockey career, Brad said it was the time spent with players and coaches that was precious.
“Your teammates really became family and times on the bus were times where you had nothing else to do but hang out with your friends, watch movies together, talk, play cards, etc. Bus rides were times where your bond as teammates grew. You didn’t always realize it, but they were built-in team-building times,” said Schroeder. “For myself and many others, junior hockey represented the first time I was strictly and primarily a hockey player. Your one job and focus is on hockey, on your team. And your time is more freed up than before to focus on hockey and your teammates. So in junior hockey there becomes tremendous camaraderie with teammates. You hang out at the rink at practice and games, at the gym when you work out together, and you are often spending any free time together hanging out at one of the billet homes as well. And of course you hang out together on the bus rides and in the hotels on road trips. Most of your days are spent with your teammates so you become very close very quickly. Junior hockey is a tremendously unique and special time in life. Most hockey players I know point to these years as a highlight of their hockey careers simply because of the camaraderie between teammates.”
Suiting up for Humboldt, Brad said he was blessed to play in that community. “It is an amazing town that loves and supports their team incredibly. It is amazing to me how quickly and deeply Humboldt adopts their players who come from all over the province and country as their own. Right from the get go, the Broncos players, no matter where you come from, become part of the Humboldt family. The Broncos have always been woven into the fabric of that community and the bond between town and team runs incredibly deep.”
It is that relationship between the team and the city that has remained strong through all of this.
“A tragedy of this magnitude has ripple effects that touch countless lives. Every person who knew someone involved in this tragedy, every person connected in some way with Humboldt and area, every person connected to the hockey world, every person who has ever lost someone, every person who has family and friends they can’t imagine losing, is affected in varying degrees. The breadth of the ripple effects is not surprising. And thankfully, technology these days allows people to offer support in a variety of ways, regardless of geographical distance. It is hard to see light and hope in the midst of a situation like this. And for many it may take a long time to see any of that. But the incredible support of countless individuals across the globe does provide a ray of hope. It speaks to the capacity for love and empathy and compassion in us. It speaks to the deep need we all have for community, for relationship. It speaks to the reality that healing can come through relationship. Every human being is acquainted with suffering to some degree. It is an unfortunate part of life in a broken world. But since we are all acquainted with it, we are each able to help others who are suffering. What the incredible support that has come in over these past days speaks to me is that no one has to suffer alone. There are countless people who are available and want to support people who are hurting, whether that help is in supplying practical needs, emotional support, prayer and spiritual help, whatever it may be.”
The church in Lanigan where Brad preaches each Sunday set up an area in the foyer last week as a place of remembrance and prayer. The room is a place that people can go to and have a quiet place to remember as well as to reflect and pray. It is also a place of encouragement and hope and Schroeder said it is during times like these where finding words to help cope is incredibly tough.
“Something like this is so difficult to comprehend. We are all full of questions and wrestling and often our questions go unanswered. But for what it’s worth I find two truths helpful right now. The first is God is not distant and unacquainted with our suffering. The second is death is God’s enemy. What I mean by these is this: God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. He lived among us and He suffered greatly, most explicitly as He went to the cross to die for us. He knows suffering. And because He shared in our humanity and knows our suffering He is able to help us in our time of need, when we are suffering, and invites us to come to Him (Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:14-16). He came because He wanted to put an end to suffering eternally, to offer us eternal hope and eternal life. The Bible speaks of death as God’s enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26) and something that has been and will be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:50-57; Hebrews 2:14-15; Revelation 20:14). He came to defeat death. And obviously this is not fully our reality at the moment, we all know that. We still experience death, as we are all too aware of right now. But it is what Jesus came to accomplish eternally and He tells us, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). Death isn’t God’s desire for us and He came to offer eternal life because He loves us (John 3:16). Even though I can’t understand the magnitude of this tragedy and I have many questions that don’t have answers right now I am able to know deeply that this breaks God’s heart even more than it does mine. We know that this isn’t the way it is supposed to be, and God agrees! That is the whole reason He came! He is not distant, He is with us. And He came to offer hope and healing and eternal life even in the midst of our earthly suffering. So I continue to believe and lean on the truths that God is with us and knows our suffering and offers healing, even eternally.”
Daniel Bushman
Communities, provinces, a nation and parts of the world have banded together in a tremendous outpouring of support after the tragic crash involving the Humboldt Broncos Apr. 6. Players and personnel of the Broncos along with the team’s bus driver and members of Bolt FM passed away as the team’s bus was headed to Nipawin for a playoff game before being hit by a semi. Many of those who survived remain in serious or critical condition.
Since the tragic event, which has affected people from different corners of the world, people have banded together showing incredible support for all those affected. A GoFundMe page was started by Humboldt’s Sylvie Kellington in hopes of raising money for players and families affected by the tragedy and in six days, over 120,000 people from upwards of 60 countries around the world had donated more than $10.2 million, one of the largest campaigns ever. That number continued to climb as last week progressed.
While there are countless initiatives to mention, others showed support in a variety of ways including the National Hockey League where teams have paid tribute to the Broncos including on Apr. 7. The Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks wore ‘Broncos’ on the back of their jerseys and along with multiple clubs, were to donate the proceeds of their 50/50 to the Broncos. Moments of silence were held across the league and that extended into other leagues as well. Having a close relationship with players on the Humboldt team, Imperial’s Connor Ingram, who plays goal for the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch had #HumboldtStrong on the back of his mask. He and others are also donating money for every save he makes for the duration of the season and playoffs. The team also paid tribute Apr. 14 by wearing Humboldt on the back of their jerseys. A silent auction was also held with the proceeds benefitting the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) Air Ambulance. Proceeds from the 50/50 were also going to STARS.
At the Allan Cup in Rosetown, Rosetown Red Wings player David Stumborg who also suited up for the Drake Canucks this season wore his old Broncos sweater during warmups Apr. 9. Other players and coaches have also honoured and remembered those on the Humboldt team. Trainers and many many others have also remembered Dayna Brons, who was the team’s athletic therapist and the 16th person to pass away from the tragedy.
After the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers played their games Apr. 7, both head coaches headed to Saskatoon where they visited with members of the Broncos in hospital. Hockey Night in Canada hosts Don Cherry and Ron MacLean were also present as they travelled to Saskatoon and then Humboldt as well.
Some members of the media broadcasting hockey games have paid tribute to Bolt FM’s Tyler Bieber who did play-by-play for the Humboldt Broncos. Many including Calgary Flames play-by-play man Derek Wills dedicated their broadcasts to him. The voice of the Saskatoon Blades Les Lazaruk has offered to call a game next season, encouraging others to do so in Tyler’s memory. Other athletes and teams from various professional sports also paid tribute including the Saskatchewan Rush. In the MLB, Marcus Stroman of the Toronto Blue Jays wrote Humboldt Broncos! on his hat and is auctioning it off with the proceeds going towards the team. Cincinnati Reds player and Canadian Joey Votto wrote Humboldt Broncos on his cleats as he took to the field in Pittsburgh.
Then last week, sticks, microphones, trainer packs and broadcast headsets were placed outside of people’s front doors, at arenas, offices and municipal buildings across the world in remembrance of those who perished. On social media the tribute was named #SticksOutForHumboldt and was kick-started after former Bronco broadcaster Brian Munz tweeted out he received a text from a friend, encouraging people to place sticks outside. Other fundraisers and initiatives have also been planned in communities and in schools locally and nation-wide as people raise funds for the families and team. There were also vigils and community rallies in support of Humboldt and the Broncos including closer to home.
Locally, in Allan, where captain of the Broncos Logan Schatz was from, the community gathered Apr. 8 to mourn his loss and remember him and his team. Town of Allan Administrator Christine Dyck said, “The Town of Allan and surrounding community is in mourning with so many other communities, our entire country and families everywhere. The Humboldt Broncos bus collision Apr. 6th has shaken our world to the core. In the disaster, we lost one of our own, Logan Schatz. Allan residents grieve with Kelly and Bonnie and their entire family. On Saturday, flowers and a sign appeared in the snow in front of the Allan Town Office.
The Allan community is a quietly caring place. The communiplex committee worked hard over the weekend to put together a touching memorial vigil, which included some local representation as well as live streaming the Humboldt vigil. It is estimated that 300 people joined Logan’s grandparents in Allan on Sunday, Apr. 8th. The Schatz family has a kitchen overflowing with food. The Nutrien Allan mine rescue teams gave up the curling rink where they normally train at this time of year to enable the facility to be used for Logan’s service.
Through their sorrow, the town has pulled together, Saskatchewan strong, and many hands will be working through the weekend to get things ready for Logan’s final tribute. Our prayers are with all those lost, their families, friends and communities. We also pray for the survivors and hope they can come through this tragedy.
The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love. (H. Humphrey) #broncostrong”
A short drive away in Colonsay, people rallied behind Layne Matechuk, who also suited up for the Broncos this year. Amanda Reiman with the Colonsay Rec Board said, “On behalf of the Colonsay Rec Board and the Colonsay Town Council, we are deeply saddened by the Humboldt Broncos incomprehensible tragedy and there are few words that will bring comfort to the 15 families who have lost a loved one. Those families are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. To those still in hospital and their families, we offer you our strength and support in any way it is needed. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Schatz family for their loss of Logan and the grief they are all enduring is unimaginable. On Sunday, Apr. 8, we held a rally for Colonsay’s own, Layne Matechuk and a live stream of the Humboldt vigil. Layne remains in hospital and is fighting hard to get well and come home. Please keep Layne, his sister Carley and parents Kevin and Shelley in your prayers. We would like to thank the group of individuals who came together on very short notice Saturday to put together a wonderful tribute to the Humboldt Broncos. Our community continues to make me proud with their selfless acts of love and compassion. To the entire Matechuk family, we offer our shoulders for you to lean on, and our backs to help carry your burdens. May Layne be blessed with the strength and courage needed to pull through and endure what are likely to be difficult days ahead. Please continue to pray for the entire Bronco family. #broncostrong”
In Lanigan before the community’s minor hockey awards were presented Apr. 10, the town came together to remember and pay tribute to Humboldt and the Broncos. With numerous players from the area a part of the Broncos hockey system during their playing days along with Murray Brookbank, who was the Broncos assistant coach for many years, candles were lit, a jersey and headset were placed on a table and sticks set up in front of the stage to honour those who had passed on. Kyle Renwick opened the evening extending condolences and after a moment of silence, deputy mayor Mark Pratchler offered his condolences as well and said a few words to those in attendance. Following Pratchler, Brookbank shared a message to the minor hockey players and families at the Lanigan Town Hall. Brookbank said hockey is a big part of life in Saskatchewan and no one knows when a life can be taken. “Make sure and have fun and enjoy the game. In times like this we need to come together and stay together in support of Humboldt. Hug someone today and never take family and friends for granted.”
Former Bronco and current pastor in Lanigan, Brad Schroeder also said a few words during the tribute and led those in attendance in a time of prayer. Schroeder was followed by Mental Health Therapist Ryan Melin who talked about coping with tragedy.
Along with the tribute in Lanigan and other local communities, condolences and support also poured out on social media and flags in many places were lowered to half mast. Also in support of Humboldt, Niagara Falls went green and gold as both the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls were lit up with the Bronco colours. Messages of condolences from the Canadian Prime Minister, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, President Donald Trump and the Queen of England were also given. At the Legislature in Saskatchewan, the Bronco colours illuminated the building and will be used for 16 nights, honouring the 16 lives lost in the tragedy. Hockey sticks were set outside the Legislature and office doors as well and a book of condolences was also available for people to sign. Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer, who delivered the provincial budget last Tuesday also shared her condolences as her thoughts were with the families and the team.
In Humboldt, where flowers and tributes were placed at the steps leading into the rink, thousands of people filled the Elgar Petersen Arena for a vigil Apr. 8, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Scott Moe. With the rink full, other facilities were also made available for those attending the vigil. Meant to be a place for the community to begin the healing process, the inter-denominational service included messages from Humboldt mayor Rob Muench, Bronco president Kevin Garinger, a number of ministers, pastors and priests including team chaplain Sean Brandow and concluded with singing, hugs and tears.
During the vigil, Garinger provided words of what many felt and have been feeling. “We are gathered in a state of shock, and unthinkable heartache. This tragedy has devastated our families, our Humboldt Broncos organization, our community, Saskatchewan, Canada, and our world. For many of us, the real reach and scope of this community tragedy will not be fully realized for days, or weeks, or months or even years, as we continue to process everything that has taken place over these last days. But in all this darkness, a light has shone through. This light has come from the first responders and the medical professionals who have worked miracles and continue to work miracles for those members of our Broncos family. It comes from the remarkable community of Humboldt, and the countless communities across our province and country, as people come together to offer their strength, their time and their kindness. And they do this while they’re working through their own grief. This light has come from people across this globe, reaching out to offer condolences, and to share a truly staggering level of generosity and support. And this light will only grow in time. And in time, the darkness will be less. We are so grateful to the members of our extended hockey family, to our Saskatchewan and Canadian brothers and sisters, for their support. Countless partner organizations, companies, sports teams, television personalities, politicians and more have reached out, directly and indirectly, to offer their support. To everyone who has shared a message of condolence, to everyone who has called, or emailed, or posted online to show their support, we hear you, and we feel your love. I cannot put into words how much this has meant to us. I want to say to all the Humboldt Broncos families, billets, coaching staff, teammates, classmates, teachers, friends, community members - not one of us is alone in our grief. Continue to reach out. Reach out to one another for help and support. Across our region, our province, our country and our globe we will find strength in one another. Today and for everyday forward, we are all Humboldt Broncos, and we will be forever Humboldt Broncos strong.”
Also on the bus with the Broncos and team personnel were members of Bolt FM and the driver from Charlie’s Charters. Lyndon Friesen, president of Golden West Radio which Bolt FM is a member of, shared the following: “It is with great sadness that we have learned both Tyler and Brody were victims of this tragedy. Tyler travelled with the team frequently as the play-by-play announcer. Having been with Golden West since the launch of Bolt FM in news and on-air, Tyler was a shining example of what it means to serve a community. Brody had recently joined our Golden West family, mentored by Tyler and the Bolt FM team. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all the young men we lost and our own colleagues whose lives have been cut short by this tragic event.”
Charlie’s Charters, the company that employed bus driver Glen Doerksen shared a heartfelt post by the Kinistino Tigers: “The Tigers are saddened to learn that the gentleman who drove our bus to playoff games this spring was lost in the terrible accident yesterday. In talking to him, he spoke at length of his time in rinks with his own family and how much he enjoyed being able to take and watch other teams from minor, to senior, to SJHL to their hockey games. Our trips to Foam Lake and Allan were on horrible highways due to winter storms. We got on that bus and trusted him with our lives and both times he got us home safely. Tragically yesterday he and many others didn’t make it home and our hearts are broken for your families and friends including Charlie and the staff at Charlie’s Charters. We will never forget the smile on your face as we left Allan after winning the Championship and got you to give “two honks for the Cup”. Tonight Glen, we give two honks for you. Rest easy sir.”
Along with the outpouring from across the world, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is also providing counselling supports for people to utilize. CEO Scott Livingstone said, “On behalf of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, I want to offer our condolences to the family members, the Humboldt Broncos, City of Humboldt, and all of those who have lost a loved one . . . we are also thinking of those injured in the accident and the family members supporting them. Our thoughts are with them in this difficult time. I also want to extend my sincerest gratitude to all of the first responders, physicians, nurses, clerks, administrative staff, security and all other health providers that pulled together to respond to this situation. Many physicians and staff members were called away from their families and friends to deal with the significant number of patients, many with very serious injuries. They, along with other emergency services including police, fire departments and STARS, came together as one single team to provide care and comfort to those affected by this terrible event. I commend all involved for their quick and selfless actions. The Saskatchewan Health Authority has sent counsellors to various affected sites to provide support. We will continue to work with community leaders and community partners to determine what resources are required for grief counselling. This includes extending mental health supports to the first responders who were on site for the accident.”
The Psychology Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) issued a statement that they are aware of how this event may impact Humboldt, Nipawin, greater Saskatchewan, and hockey communities in days and weeks to come. Dr. Kristi Wright said, “There are no words to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to all those who were affected, and who lost precious family and community members. We would also like to thank all those who were there to provide immediate assistance and emergency care. This is a heart-breaking tragedy, felt province and nation-wide. As psychologists, we are prepared to assist individuals reacting to this terrible situation as best we possibly can. Most of the time, the immediate response and grief is an understandable reaction to such a traumatic event, and may not require any formal treatment aside from the love and support of family, friends, and community. However, if you feel you or a loved one requires professional assistance, you can consult with your family doctor or any mental health resource that have been made available to your community. They may refer you for counselling services, or you may also self-refer to local mental health services. Visit psychsask.ca/resources for a list of resources for both short-term and longer-term counselling and support services available in Saskatchewan.
This list will continue to be updated in the coming days and will include services that are freely available through the Saskatchewan Health Authority, community associations and organizations, as well as through privately-funded, fee-for-service resources.”
In the Horizon School Division, Director of Education and CEO Kevin Garinger, who is also the president of the Broncos issued the following letter to parents and caregivers: “It is with the deepest sadness that we mourn the loss of lives following Friday’s horrific accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the parents/caregivers, families, friends, teammates, classmates, billets, coaches, teachers, staff, fans, communities and countless others who have been impacted by this tragedy involving the Humboldt Broncos. Though our hearts are broken in the aftermath of this immense loss, I know that we will come together to offer each other strength and support in this extremely difficult time.
As a school division, Horizon is doing everything we can to support our students, staff and communities through this tragedy. A team of professionals has been mobilized across a number of Horizon schools to support the needs of grieving students and staff. These professionals include counsellors and other trained members of the Horizon Traumatic Events Response Team. In the coming days, we will be working to determine how best to support students and staff as we navigate these unthinkable circumstances. We are also encouraging anyone who feels the need for further support to make contact with health services and professionals in their area. Please contact your school principal with any questions, or for assistance connecting with these services.
I want to commend our first responders, emergency workers and medical professionals for their work in response to this terrible event. I also want to thank everyone who has sent messages of condolence and support from across Saskatchewan, Canada, and the world. I know that we will all keep the families and friends of those impacted by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers.”
Students and staff at schools throughout Horizon wore green and yellow Apr. 9 in a show of support and remembrance while the schools in Humboldt were closed Monday before resuming later in the week. Various fundraisers at schools within the province have also been taking place.
As many paused, reflected, mourned and tried to cope with such a tragedy, former Bronco players and coaches have also been doing the same. Spending considerable time on the ice, in the dressing room and on the bus, this tragedy has hit home for many. Watrous native Bob Beatty was a big part of the Humboldt Broncos, coaching the team from 1996 to 2004 and winning a national title in 2003. Like others who have stepped behind the bench in Humboldt, Beatty said the Broncos remain a team close to his heart.
“The team is certainly a huge part of the community as all teams are. The junior team in Humboldt is certainly the lifeblood of the community, the focal point, rallying point and topic of conversation, much the same as senior teams are in every town. It has hit home and living as close to Humboldt as I do in Watrous, the young fellas that have played for the Broncos around the surrounding area and beyond, there is a lot of support everywhere and not just in the hockey family. It is around the country and the entire world and we are mourning with the people of Humboldt and certainly the kids and the families that are impacted.”
Asked to speak at a vigil last week in B.C., Beatty said riding the bus has always been a big part of junior hockey. “It is a place where there is a lot of bonding and a lot of support and some ribbing and just a fun time to be with each other. Some of the bus trips get a bit gruelling but it is a time to bond together and you become part of a team. There is some satisfaction arriving at that point where you are part of a team. We all wonder why this time and not the other thousands of trips that we made, and not just hockey teams but the sporting world in general. Riding the bus is an essential part of competing in sport and this tragedy is just very sad.”
Since the Apr. 6 event, Beatty said the support towards the community of Humboldt and the people living there has been tremendous. “I hope they know we are all grieving with them and we are all a family. I hope that there is some semblance of comfort in the fact that there is an overwhelming amount of support for everybody involved.”
Three brothers that grew up on a farm near Drake were also part of the Humboldt Broncos during their hockey careers. Twin brothers Scott and Steven and their oldest brother Brad Schroeder each played for the team and were also trying to understand why such a tragedy took place. The three recalled many memories during their time with the club.
Playing with his twin brother Steven, Scott remembered the special bonds created by being part of a team, the brotherhood made and what it meant to be together in unity. “Especially in our years where we were lucky enough to win championships it was the attitude of winning that made the difference and so it’s my hope for these survivors (both families and players) that they would have an attitude of winning, to know that even though they’ve suffered a defeat in this, that they can still recover and that there is hope. In my years with the Broncos we stuck together in wins and losses because we were a team. I remember to just how special the bus was. Just the fact that we were all together was the main thing. One of my favourite memories of the bus was coming back from the airport after we won the RBC and we took the bus from Saskatoon to Humboldt and it was the happiest time. Then once we got to Humboldt we were able to be welcomed by the town at the rink. It just went to show how much the fans and the town was invested in the Broncos.”
Scott’s brother Steven was also a member of the Humboldt Broncos for three seasons with his last year being 2008-‘09. Attending the vigil in Humboldt Apr. 8, he shared these thoughts:
“Being a member of the Humboldt Broncos for three years was one of the greatest times in my life. If you were to ask people about the team during my time there, they might tell you all about different kinds of numbers. They might talk about the amount of games played, the wins we had, the losses, the goals or points, the amount of hours spent on the buses, or the championships. But looking back, it was a different number that counted. It was the number of teammates you would have and the friendships that lasted long after our time as Broncos. Friendships among teammates, coaches, trainers, media, billets, the fans and the community.
Hockey teams tend to create a certain kind of relationship. It’s a group of young men learning what it takes to overcome physical and mental challenges. They put aside differences for the good of the team. They sacrifice themselves for their teammates and they create memories that last a lifetime. It’s the kind of friendship where you can part ways for years and come back like nothing has changed, because you both wore the same jersey.
I was reminded of all of this on Apr. 6. In a second things can change. All those other numbers don’t matter if you don’t have people around you. The Humboldt Broncos and the city of Humboldt have shown us this. They have shown us that in the greatest darkness, there is still good. And they have shown us that when it comes down to it, we can all throw on the same jersey and be on the same team. They have inspired people all over Saskatchewan, Canada, and across the world.
To the members of the Humboldt Broncos, whose lives ended much to soon, I am sorry that you didn’t get the opportunity to see how you inspired a nation and brought people together. I’m sorry that you didn’t get the opportunity to grow up into men and enjoy your teammates longer. I hope and pray that you are remembered for how you played the game, how you laughed and treated people around you, how you lived, and not how you died.
To the members of the Broncos who are still with us, your families, and the city of Humboldt, thank you for your strength and determination. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to fight. And thank you for reminding us what truly matters in life. You epitomize everything that a Humboldt Bronco should be.”
Like his younger brothers, for three years Brad Schroeder wore the Bronco jersey and was also one of the assistant captains. Now the pastor at Christian Fellowship Church in Lanigan, Brad said growing up and playing minor hockey he looked forward to the days when he could ride the bus to games with his teammates. Citing the road trips on the bus as a highlight during his junior hockey career, Brad said it was the time spent with players and coaches that was precious.
“Your teammates really became family and times on the bus were times where you had nothing else to do but hang out with your friends, watch movies together, talk, play cards, etc. Bus rides were times where your bond as teammates grew. You didn’t always realize it, but they were built-in team-building times,” said Schroeder. “For myself and many others, junior hockey represented the first time I was strictly and primarily a hockey player. Your one job and focus is on hockey, on your team. And your time is more freed up than before to focus on hockey and your teammates. So in junior hockey there becomes tremendous camaraderie with teammates. You hang out at the rink at practice and games, at the gym when you work out together, and you are often spending any free time together hanging out at one of the billet homes as well. And of course you hang out together on the bus rides and in the hotels on road trips. Most of your days are spent with your teammates so you become very close very quickly. Junior hockey is a tremendously unique and special time in life. Most hockey players I know point to these years as a highlight of their hockey careers simply because of the camaraderie between teammates.”
Suiting up for Humboldt, Brad said he was blessed to play in that community. “It is an amazing town that loves and supports their team incredibly. It is amazing to me how quickly and deeply Humboldt adopts their players who come from all over the province and country as their own. Right from the get go, the Broncos players, no matter where you come from, become part of the Humboldt family. The Broncos have always been woven into the fabric of that community and the bond between town and team runs incredibly deep.”
It is that relationship between the team and the city that has remained strong through all of this.
“A tragedy of this magnitude has ripple effects that touch countless lives. Every person who knew someone involved in this tragedy, every person connected in some way with Humboldt and area, every person connected to the hockey world, every person who has ever lost someone, every person who has family and friends they can’t imagine losing, is affected in varying degrees. The breadth of the ripple effects is not surprising. And thankfully, technology these days allows people to offer support in a variety of ways, regardless of geographical distance. It is hard to see light and hope in the midst of a situation like this. And for many it may take a long time to see any of that. But the incredible support of countless individuals across the globe does provide a ray of hope. It speaks to the capacity for love and empathy and compassion in us. It speaks to the deep need we all have for community, for relationship. It speaks to the reality that healing can come through relationship. Every human being is acquainted with suffering to some degree. It is an unfortunate part of life in a broken world. But since we are all acquainted with it, we are each able to help others who are suffering. What the incredible support that has come in over these past days speaks to me is that no one has to suffer alone. There are countless people who are available and want to support people who are hurting, whether that help is in supplying practical needs, emotional support, prayer and spiritual help, whatever it may be.”
The church in Lanigan where Brad preaches each Sunday set up an area in the foyer last week as a place of remembrance and prayer. The room is a place that people can go to and have a quiet place to remember as well as to reflect and pray. It is also a place of encouragement and hope and Schroeder said it is during times like these where finding words to help cope is incredibly tough.
“Something like this is so difficult to comprehend. We are all full of questions and wrestling and often our questions go unanswered. But for what it’s worth I find two truths helpful right now. The first is God is not distant and unacquainted with our suffering. The second is death is God’s enemy. What I mean by these is this: God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. He lived among us and He suffered greatly, most explicitly as He went to the cross to die for us. He knows suffering. And because He shared in our humanity and knows our suffering He is able to help us in our time of need, when we are suffering, and invites us to come to Him (Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:14-16). He came because He wanted to put an end to suffering eternally, to offer us eternal hope and eternal life. The Bible speaks of death as God’s enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26) and something that has been and will be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:50-57; Hebrews 2:14-15; Revelation 20:14). He came to defeat death. And obviously this is not fully our reality at the moment, we all know that. We still experience death, as we are all too aware of right now. But it is what Jesus came to accomplish eternally and He tells us, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). Death isn’t God’s desire for us and He came to offer eternal life because He loves us (John 3:16). Even though I can’t understand the magnitude of this tragedy and I have many questions that don’t have answers right now I am able to know deeply that this breaks God’s heart even more than it does mine. We know that this isn’t the way it is supposed to be, and God agrees! That is the whole reason He came! He is not distant, He is with us. And He came to offer hope and healing and eternal life even in the midst of our earthly suffering. So I continue to believe and lean on the truths that God is with us and knows our suffering and offers healing, even eternally.”
TWM Top Story - April 9, 2018
Winter cold sticks around as spring arrives
Daniel Bushman
Snow storms packed a punch in March and as the end of winter came to a close, the area was left with not only a lot more snow than in previous years but also contained a lot colder temperatures as well.
“March may have come in like a lion but it went out like frozen lamb chops,” said Environment Canada’s David Phillips, who added it was so frigid that some of the coldest overnight temperatures in the world heading into the final week of last month were found in the prairies. In fact as the final weekend of March arrived, various parts of the province shattered old records for low temperatures. According to Environment Canada over a dozen places including Watrous and Wynyard were part of that benchmark which spanned from Mar. 30 to Apr. 1.
Along with other locations setting new record low temperatures, Watrous saw its new record during Friday morning Mar. 30 reach -32.4˚C. The old record of -25.6˚C was set in 1969 with records dating back to 1953. Wynyard’s new record was -26.4˚C. The old record of -24.4˚C was set in 1975 with records dating back to 1941. Other places like Meadow Lake, Melfort, Nipawin, Prince Albert, Key Lake, Collins Bay, Assiniboia, Kindersley, Moose Jaw, Rosetown and Weyburn also set new records during the weekend.
“These are temperatures that would be considered cold in the dead of winter,” said an astonished Phillips. “We have seen March painfully cold throughout the entire month. There was not a lot of warmth with 1.6˚C as the warmest. What has made it particularly long was that February was more than 5˚C colder than normal and March has been up to six degrees colder than normal.”
In fact, it had been so cold that Phillips said a person would have to go back all the way to 1990 to observe a February and March as cold as the one in 2018.
But it was not just February and March that faced bone-chilling values. Winter began on a cold note in November and while there were some balmy moments in December and January, that was about it for nice weather.
“True to form, March was one of the snowiest months in your area,” said Phillips, who added the big question now becomes when will the snow leave?
Showing colder than normal values to start April, “It is going to be slow coming and the soil is not going to warm up quickly. Farmers are going to be lucky to get onto fields in April. I think they will as we will eventually see temperatures warm up . . . this year we are not going to go from slush to sweat, it is going to be a slow, patient and painful type of trend upwards. Then towards the middle and end of April there is no swing back to colder than normal kind of conditions.”
That is a far cry from even just two years ago as the area saw an incredible 20.8˚C day Apr. 2 with an overnight low of -4.4˚C. Other warmer days continued later in the month in 2016 as the grass began turning green and snow disappeared. Not so for this year’s Apr. 2. A dismal -8.4˚C with an added wind chill swept through during the day and an overnight value of -24.5˚C infiltrated the area. While both 2016 and 2018’s Apr. 2 numbers appear to be abnormal temperatures, Phillips was quick to remind people that April can be a cruel month. “It is cruel for Canadians because we think we are owed the spring like nice weather but it takes its sweet time coming.”
Daniel Bushman
Snow storms packed a punch in March and as the end of winter came to a close, the area was left with not only a lot more snow than in previous years but also contained a lot colder temperatures as well.
“March may have come in like a lion but it went out like frozen lamb chops,” said Environment Canada’s David Phillips, who added it was so frigid that some of the coldest overnight temperatures in the world heading into the final week of last month were found in the prairies. In fact as the final weekend of March arrived, various parts of the province shattered old records for low temperatures. According to Environment Canada over a dozen places including Watrous and Wynyard were part of that benchmark which spanned from Mar. 30 to Apr. 1.
Along with other locations setting new record low temperatures, Watrous saw its new record during Friday morning Mar. 30 reach -32.4˚C. The old record of -25.6˚C was set in 1969 with records dating back to 1953. Wynyard’s new record was -26.4˚C. The old record of -24.4˚C was set in 1975 with records dating back to 1941. Other places like Meadow Lake, Melfort, Nipawin, Prince Albert, Key Lake, Collins Bay, Assiniboia, Kindersley, Moose Jaw, Rosetown and Weyburn also set new records during the weekend.
“These are temperatures that would be considered cold in the dead of winter,” said an astonished Phillips. “We have seen March painfully cold throughout the entire month. There was not a lot of warmth with 1.6˚C as the warmest. What has made it particularly long was that February was more than 5˚C colder than normal and March has been up to six degrees colder than normal.”
In fact, it had been so cold that Phillips said a person would have to go back all the way to 1990 to observe a February and March as cold as the one in 2018.
But it was not just February and March that faced bone-chilling values. Winter began on a cold note in November and while there were some balmy moments in December and January, that was about it for nice weather.
“True to form, March was one of the snowiest months in your area,” said Phillips, who added the big question now becomes when will the snow leave?
Showing colder than normal values to start April, “It is going to be slow coming and the soil is not going to warm up quickly. Farmers are going to be lucky to get onto fields in April. I think they will as we will eventually see temperatures warm up . . . this year we are not going to go from slush to sweat, it is going to be a slow, patient and painful type of trend upwards. Then towards the middle and end of April there is no swing back to colder than normal kind of conditions.”
That is a far cry from even just two years ago as the area saw an incredible 20.8˚C day Apr. 2 with an overnight low of -4.4˚C. Other warmer days continued later in the month in 2016 as the grass began turning green and snow disappeared. Not so for this year’s Apr. 2. A dismal -8.4˚C with an added wind chill swept through during the day and an overnight value of -24.5˚C infiltrated the area. While both 2016 and 2018’s Apr. 2 numbers appear to be abnormal temperatures, Phillips was quick to remind people that April can be a cruel month. “It is cruel for Canadians because we think we are owed the spring like nice weather but it takes its sweet time coming.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 2, 2018
Watrous RCMP hold town hall
meeting in Imperial
Daniel Bushman
With RCMP led town hall meetings taking place across the province aimed at sharing information, hearing concerns and answering questions that people may have, members of the Watrous RCMP hosted an event in Imperial Mar. 21.
Close to 30 people from the Imperial, Simpson and Liberty area along with representation from surrounding rural municipalities were in attendance as they heard from sergeant Jeff Friedenstab and constables Dave Hannah and Jamie Dowling.
Friedenstab said he was pleased with the turnout and appreciated those who made the effort to attend and ask questions on a variety of topics.
One of the more prevalent issues that has been making headlines throughout the province is protecting property like farmyards where it may take police a bit of time to respond to. While Friedenstab said each situation is specific and different, there really is not one right answer in how to deal with that type of potential threat.
“For situations like that, I would say those involved need to weigh the consequences of their actions. When it comes to protection of property, there are provisions within the criminal code that allow people to take steps to protect their own personal well-being and that of others as well as property. It has to be reasonable in the eyes of the law in what they are doing. The first thing they should be doing before anything is calling 911. Do not act on your own. Make sure you know your land location and your family knows your land location so when you or they call in, we can respond as quickly as possible. We are able to utilize a prairie locator app so we can punch in the location and respond as efficiently as possible.”
Friedenstab said in an effort to help deter a potential threat, if someone does come on the property, let them know you are there. “Challenge them as to why they are there. If they are there for an illegal reason and they are discovered that can prompt them to leave. Having well-lit yards, a security system or a trail cam are also some options to help prevent thefts.”
The sergeant also noted that about 90 percent of vehicle thefts are a result of leaving keys in an unlocked vehicle. “All the vehicles that we have recovered, the keys were originally left in them and in some instances, firearms were left behind the seat at farmyards. We ask that the guns are locked up safely. We are trying to deter people from stealing vehicles and with Hwy. 2 going right through our area, we see a lot of transient crime. If thieves come through and aren’t able to find unlocked vehicles with keys in them then they will move on to somewhere else.”
With regards to marijuana, Friedenstab said there are pilot projects underway that would be used to help enforce driving under the influence. Other stipulations are also being implemented by the province. Friedenstab added the detachment is aware that marijuana, cocaine and meth are being used in the area.
While drug use can occur in many communities, Friedenstab said the detachment has observed an overall decline in crimes like break and enters. In 2015, there were 44 reported in the local area, in 2016 there were 37 and in 2017, just 17 break and enters. Those were largely done in outbuildings and shops outside of towns.
Addressing some of the questions posed by those in attendance, Friedenstab said the most common calls they receive relate to thefts, break and enters, mental health, personal violence and even malfunctions of railway crossing arms.
With five members at the detachment, Friedenstab told the attendees that the local RCMP services a large area with a population of roughly 4,500. Currently this year they have 1,680 files with 1,000 of those being related to traffic stats. “There are also false 911 calls and calls related to mental health situations that are included in those figures.”
As the hour and a half meeting wrapped up, Friedenstab said they are looking at holding something similar again down the road. “We encourage people to come out and share any concerns or ask any questions. We also encourage local municipalities to start up rural crime watch programs to help deter people from causing crimes.”
Meanwhile this past week, Saskatchewan police including the RCMP and conservation officers launched a gun amnesty program, encouraging people to turn in unwanted guns and ammunition, no questions asked. The law enforcement agencies made the announcement Mar. 26 in an effort to improve public safety. The program is targeted for people who have come across guns now in their possession and have no use for them.
“The province’s amnesty also allows people to turn in firearms and unwanted ammunition to local detachments who have had spouses, family members and loved ones that may have passed away and their guns are still stored away and are of no use.”
The program was implemented across Saskatchewan after Regina held a two week municipal gun amnesty program in 2017 where police reportedly collected 157 firearms. The program is slated to run until Apr. 27.
meeting in Imperial
Daniel Bushman
With RCMP led town hall meetings taking place across the province aimed at sharing information, hearing concerns and answering questions that people may have, members of the Watrous RCMP hosted an event in Imperial Mar. 21.
Close to 30 people from the Imperial, Simpson and Liberty area along with representation from surrounding rural municipalities were in attendance as they heard from sergeant Jeff Friedenstab and constables Dave Hannah and Jamie Dowling.
Friedenstab said he was pleased with the turnout and appreciated those who made the effort to attend and ask questions on a variety of topics.
One of the more prevalent issues that has been making headlines throughout the province is protecting property like farmyards where it may take police a bit of time to respond to. While Friedenstab said each situation is specific and different, there really is not one right answer in how to deal with that type of potential threat.
“For situations like that, I would say those involved need to weigh the consequences of their actions. When it comes to protection of property, there are provisions within the criminal code that allow people to take steps to protect their own personal well-being and that of others as well as property. It has to be reasonable in the eyes of the law in what they are doing. The first thing they should be doing before anything is calling 911. Do not act on your own. Make sure you know your land location and your family knows your land location so when you or they call in, we can respond as quickly as possible. We are able to utilize a prairie locator app so we can punch in the location and respond as efficiently as possible.”
Friedenstab said in an effort to help deter a potential threat, if someone does come on the property, let them know you are there. “Challenge them as to why they are there. If they are there for an illegal reason and they are discovered that can prompt them to leave. Having well-lit yards, a security system or a trail cam are also some options to help prevent thefts.”
The sergeant also noted that about 90 percent of vehicle thefts are a result of leaving keys in an unlocked vehicle. “All the vehicles that we have recovered, the keys were originally left in them and in some instances, firearms were left behind the seat at farmyards. We ask that the guns are locked up safely. We are trying to deter people from stealing vehicles and with Hwy. 2 going right through our area, we see a lot of transient crime. If thieves come through and aren’t able to find unlocked vehicles with keys in them then they will move on to somewhere else.”
With regards to marijuana, Friedenstab said there are pilot projects underway that would be used to help enforce driving under the influence. Other stipulations are also being implemented by the province. Friedenstab added the detachment is aware that marijuana, cocaine and meth are being used in the area.
While drug use can occur in many communities, Friedenstab said the detachment has observed an overall decline in crimes like break and enters. In 2015, there were 44 reported in the local area, in 2016 there were 37 and in 2017, just 17 break and enters. Those were largely done in outbuildings and shops outside of towns.
Addressing some of the questions posed by those in attendance, Friedenstab said the most common calls they receive relate to thefts, break and enters, mental health, personal violence and even malfunctions of railway crossing arms.
With five members at the detachment, Friedenstab told the attendees that the local RCMP services a large area with a population of roughly 4,500. Currently this year they have 1,680 files with 1,000 of those being related to traffic stats. “There are also false 911 calls and calls related to mental health situations that are included in those figures.”
As the hour and a half meeting wrapped up, Friedenstab said they are looking at holding something similar again down the road. “We encourage people to come out and share any concerns or ask any questions. We also encourage local municipalities to start up rural crime watch programs to help deter people from causing crimes.”
Meanwhile this past week, Saskatchewan police including the RCMP and conservation officers launched a gun amnesty program, encouraging people to turn in unwanted guns and ammunition, no questions asked. The law enforcement agencies made the announcement Mar. 26 in an effort to improve public safety. The program is targeted for people who have come across guns now in their possession and have no use for them.
“The province’s amnesty also allows people to turn in firearms and unwanted ammunition to local detachments who have had spouses, family members and loved ones that may have passed away and their guns are still stored away and are of no use.”
The program was implemented across Saskatchewan after Regina held a two week municipal gun amnesty program in 2017 where police reportedly collected 157 firearms. The program is slated to run until Apr. 27.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 26, 2018
Water projects and development lead list for Watrous in 2018
By Daniel Bushman
Marking Canada’s 150th birthday with a homecoming, seeing larger capital projects near completion, welcoming a few new businesses, the news of a heritage centre and daycare along with some water and sewer work were all part of a busy 2017. Now in 2018, Watrous will see a continuation of projects, infrastructure work, some changes with regards to bylaws and the addition of new homes and businesses.
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said, “We celebrated a homecoming this past year which was well attended and people had a really good time. We are also pleased with the stability of the medical clinic in Watrous and area communities and municipalities have helped to provide assistance to the town for those clinical operations and that has been helpful. We are encouraged to see our local RCMP numbers remain strong. In previous years it could take a while to replace an officer after they left but the local detachment has been able to bring members in to keep those numbers steady.”
Redden also highlighted a few other areas of interest where projects and work have been and continue to be done.
Water/Sewer
Lagoon expansion
In 2017, work was done to a lagoon expansion with the work to be fully completed in early 2018. Receiving two-thirds of the total funding to help cover the cost of the expansion, the town picked up the remaining tab to create a larger lagoon, accommodating more people and businesses locating to Watrous. With just a small amount of work left to the expansion, Redden said it is already operational.
Water treatment plant
The new reverse osmosis water treatment plant has been in operation for just over two years now and Redden said it is producing great quality water.
“The plant has been operating really good and we continue to learn more about the operations as we move along. We are putting out about 100,000 imperial gallons (450,000 litres) of treated water per day which equates to approximately 6.5 to 7 million imperial gallons (30 million litres) of water on a two month billing cycle.”
Sump pump bylaw
As spring arrived, Watrous council approved a sump pump bylaw which is aimed at regulating the discharge of ground water collected from residential subsurface drainage collection systems. Created to reduce the impact collected ground water has on the sanitary sewer collection system and lagoon, Redden said heavy rainfall events over the past few years have overwhelmed the sanitary sewer mains to the point where basement backups have occurred.
“If residents can direct ground water to the surface as opposed to the sanitary sewer, it will greatly reduce the burden on the system. In most residential homes, sump pits have been plumbed directly into the sanitary sewer drains. The bylaw now requires home owners to have installed a two-way sump pump diversion system which allows for the collected water to be diverted to either the surface or the sanitary drain. Clean ground water must be diverted to the surface from Apr. 1 to Sept. 30 but may be directed to the sanitary drain from Oct. 1 to Mar. 31. Council asks for your compliance with this bylaw by May 1.”
Water pipes/Main Street work
With the winter conditions and deep frost, some of the older water pipes under the road on Main Street were dealt a blow. Redden said they have no immediate plans to rip apart Main Street and repave it, but council has spent time looking at a capital plan.
“The issue with Main Street is the infrastructure underground and council has had some discussions in terms of planning to somehow remedy that. There is currently no immediate plan to pave Main Street as there is other street work that would have to be done along with that. Some of the valves under the road are also older so they would need to be replaced. Some sections of sidewalk could also be fixed so council does not have a short term plan right now. It is something that is being looked at and will continue to be looked at. We had a couple of water main bursts over the past two years and then two weeks ago some old service lines were leaking near the Pepper Tree Restaurant and Mainline, so looking at improvements is something that would have to be done on a much larger scale and a larger financial commitment.”
Redden also said during the winter months, town crews have been flushing the service lines, trying to keep lines thawed and running a camera underground to make sure things are working in proper order.
“This winter the frost really went deep so the issue of frozen water services has been more prevalent than in other years.”
Industrial and residential starts
Industrial development
Work was done last year on a new industrial parcel next to Watrous Home Hardware on the east part of town. Redden said the lots are for sale and a tender recently closed for the water/sewer installation. The power and phone lines have been connected and gas will be installed this year for that parcel of land owned by the town. A road will then be extended from 4th Ave. E., leading traffic to that area as the town hopes to see more commercial and industrial businesses built.
South of that location, near Hwy. 2 leading out of Watrous, the new Dodge dealership continues to make progress. Redden said the town has a proposed service road to the dealership just north of where the SaskPower substation used to be located at the junction of Hwy. 365 and Hwy. 2 and just south of Watrous Concrete. That road, once approved, will allow customers access to the dealership once it is completed later this year.
Housing starts
As for housing starts, Redden said one is currently underway on 12th Ave. E., north of the sportsgrounds and one sale is pending for a new start in the 500 block along 8th Ave. E., across from the Watrous and District Health Complex. There has also been interest from others on that parcel of land serviced and owned by the town.
Bylaw officers
Members of Commissionaires South Saskatchewan have been in the community since Jan. 1 to enforce the town’s bylaws. Town council approved the move which would see the new bylaw enforcement officers provide a stronger presence in town to help achieve enforcing some of the bylaws. So far, Redden said the bylaw officers have been in Watrous surveying the community and talking with residents. “They have been here a couple of times per month and right now they are getting to know the community and get an idea about the layout while meeting residents.”
Contracted out by the town for 2018, Redden said, “The same company has been going to Nokomis for the past few years and visits Watrous a few times a month. As the year progresses, they will be looking at implementing bylaws and once fall arrives, council will look at the progress made and decide if it is worth continuing with the contract or not.”
Marijuana legalization
As Canada gets set to legalize marijuana later this year, the province released a list of private retailers regulated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. Of those approximately 60 permits to private operators, Watrous was not included in the original list of communities. According to the government, the initial allocation of retail store permits will be in municipalities and First Nations with populations of at least 2,500, with larger communities being allocated additional permits. Eligible First Nations and municipalities will have the option to opt out of having a retail cannabis store in their community if they choose. The final number of retail permits will depend on the number of community leaders that decide to opt out.
Because of Watrous not being included on the list, council is taking a wait and see approach as to what happens in the future with regards to the legalization.
Town budget
As for the town budget, Redden said council will be meeting throughout March and will approve its budget in early April. “We are waiting for some firm revenue sharing numbers from the provincial government before we move forward with our budget. Once we have those then it can help determine what we can do in the future.”
By Daniel Bushman
Marking Canada’s 150th birthday with a homecoming, seeing larger capital projects near completion, welcoming a few new businesses, the news of a heritage centre and daycare along with some water and sewer work were all part of a busy 2017. Now in 2018, Watrous will see a continuation of projects, infrastructure work, some changes with regards to bylaws and the addition of new homes and businesses.
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said, “We celebrated a homecoming this past year which was well attended and people had a really good time. We are also pleased with the stability of the medical clinic in Watrous and area communities and municipalities have helped to provide assistance to the town for those clinical operations and that has been helpful. We are encouraged to see our local RCMP numbers remain strong. In previous years it could take a while to replace an officer after they left but the local detachment has been able to bring members in to keep those numbers steady.”
Redden also highlighted a few other areas of interest where projects and work have been and continue to be done.
Water/Sewer
Lagoon expansion
In 2017, work was done to a lagoon expansion with the work to be fully completed in early 2018. Receiving two-thirds of the total funding to help cover the cost of the expansion, the town picked up the remaining tab to create a larger lagoon, accommodating more people and businesses locating to Watrous. With just a small amount of work left to the expansion, Redden said it is already operational.
Water treatment plant
The new reverse osmosis water treatment plant has been in operation for just over two years now and Redden said it is producing great quality water.
“The plant has been operating really good and we continue to learn more about the operations as we move along. We are putting out about 100,000 imperial gallons (450,000 litres) of treated water per day which equates to approximately 6.5 to 7 million imperial gallons (30 million litres) of water on a two month billing cycle.”
Sump pump bylaw
As spring arrived, Watrous council approved a sump pump bylaw which is aimed at regulating the discharge of ground water collected from residential subsurface drainage collection systems. Created to reduce the impact collected ground water has on the sanitary sewer collection system and lagoon, Redden said heavy rainfall events over the past few years have overwhelmed the sanitary sewer mains to the point where basement backups have occurred.
“If residents can direct ground water to the surface as opposed to the sanitary sewer, it will greatly reduce the burden on the system. In most residential homes, sump pits have been plumbed directly into the sanitary sewer drains. The bylaw now requires home owners to have installed a two-way sump pump diversion system which allows for the collected water to be diverted to either the surface or the sanitary drain. Clean ground water must be diverted to the surface from Apr. 1 to Sept. 30 but may be directed to the sanitary drain from Oct. 1 to Mar. 31. Council asks for your compliance with this bylaw by May 1.”
Water pipes/Main Street work
With the winter conditions and deep frost, some of the older water pipes under the road on Main Street were dealt a blow. Redden said they have no immediate plans to rip apart Main Street and repave it, but council has spent time looking at a capital plan.
“The issue with Main Street is the infrastructure underground and council has had some discussions in terms of planning to somehow remedy that. There is currently no immediate plan to pave Main Street as there is other street work that would have to be done along with that. Some of the valves under the road are also older so they would need to be replaced. Some sections of sidewalk could also be fixed so council does not have a short term plan right now. It is something that is being looked at and will continue to be looked at. We had a couple of water main bursts over the past two years and then two weeks ago some old service lines were leaking near the Pepper Tree Restaurant and Mainline, so looking at improvements is something that would have to be done on a much larger scale and a larger financial commitment.”
Redden also said during the winter months, town crews have been flushing the service lines, trying to keep lines thawed and running a camera underground to make sure things are working in proper order.
“This winter the frost really went deep so the issue of frozen water services has been more prevalent than in other years.”
Industrial and residential starts
Industrial development
Work was done last year on a new industrial parcel next to Watrous Home Hardware on the east part of town. Redden said the lots are for sale and a tender recently closed for the water/sewer installation. The power and phone lines have been connected and gas will be installed this year for that parcel of land owned by the town. A road will then be extended from 4th Ave. E., leading traffic to that area as the town hopes to see more commercial and industrial businesses built.
South of that location, near Hwy. 2 leading out of Watrous, the new Dodge dealership continues to make progress. Redden said the town has a proposed service road to the dealership just north of where the SaskPower substation used to be located at the junction of Hwy. 365 and Hwy. 2 and just south of Watrous Concrete. That road, once approved, will allow customers access to the dealership once it is completed later this year.
Housing starts
As for housing starts, Redden said one is currently underway on 12th Ave. E., north of the sportsgrounds and one sale is pending for a new start in the 500 block along 8th Ave. E., across from the Watrous and District Health Complex. There has also been interest from others on that parcel of land serviced and owned by the town.
Bylaw officers
Members of Commissionaires South Saskatchewan have been in the community since Jan. 1 to enforce the town’s bylaws. Town council approved the move which would see the new bylaw enforcement officers provide a stronger presence in town to help achieve enforcing some of the bylaws. So far, Redden said the bylaw officers have been in Watrous surveying the community and talking with residents. “They have been here a couple of times per month and right now they are getting to know the community and get an idea about the layout while meeting residents.”
Contracted out by the town for 2018, Redden said, “The same company has been going to Nokomis for the past few years and visits Watrous a few times a month. As the year progresses, they will be looking at implementing bylaws and once fall arrives, council will look at the progress made and decide if it is worth continuing with the contract or not.”
Marijuana legalization
As Canada gets set to legalize marijuana later this year, the province released a list of private retailers regulated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. Of those approximately 60 permits to private operators, Watrous was not included in the original list of communities. According to the government, the initial allocation of retail store permits will be in municipalities and First Nations with populations of at least 2,500, with larger communities being allocated additional permits. Eligible First Nations and municipalities will have the option to opt out of having a retail cannabis store in their community if they choose. The final number of retail permits will depend on the number of community leaders that decide to opt out.
Because of Watrous not being included on the list, council is taking a wait and see approach as to what happens in the future with regards to the legalization.
Town budget
As for the town budget, Redden said council will be meeting throughout March and will approve its budget in early April. “We are waiting for some firm revenue sharing numbers from the provincial government before we move forward with our budget. Once we have those then it can help determine what we can do in the future.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 19, 2018
Raising awareness to slow down and move over
Daniel Bushman
It has been a tragic scene on too many roads in Saskatchewan as many motorists passing first responders and tow trucks parked along the side of the road do not slow down, putting the lives of those trying to save others at risk. In some very unfortunate cases, people have been tragically killed because of motorists not slowing down and moving over.
During the evening Mar. 7, towing companies and emergency response personnel from across Saskatchewan including those from Watrous joined in solidarity as part of a Slow Down and Move Over Awareness Rally. The annual event was held to honour and show respect to those who have been killed along roads in the province while trying to help others. It was also meant to raise awareness that motorists need to slow down and move over while passing tow trucks and emergency response personnel on roads in the province.
Members of Watrous Towing, EMS and fire stopped on the shoulder along Hwy. 2 during the evening Mar. 7 and activated their lights.
One year ago, the first ever rally was held after tow truck driver Courtney Schaefer died in a four vehicle crash on Hwy. 22 in southeastern Saskatchewan. During that rally, hundreds of trucks from across Saskatchewan activated their emergency lights, showing respect while raising awareness.
Hoping to see the annual event continue and become a nationwide awareness campaign, first responders and tow truck drivers will once again plan to turn on their emergency lights and stand beside their vehicles next year, honouring Schaefer and other drivers who have been tragically killed while on the job.
Daniel Bushman
It has been a tragic scene on too many roads in Saskatchewan as many motorists passing first responders and tow trucks parked along the side of the road do not slow down, putting the lives of those trying to save others at risk. In some very unfortunate cases, people have been tragically killed because of motorists not slowing down and moving over.
During the evening Mar. 7, towing companies and emergency response personnel from across Saskatchewan including those from Watrous joined in solidarity as part of a Slow Down and Move Over Awareness Rally. The annual event was held to honour and show respect to those who have been killed along roads in the province while trying to help others. It was also meant to raise awareness that motorists need to slow down and move over while passing tow trucks and emergency response personnel on roads in the province.
Members of Watrous Towing, EMS and fire stopped on the shoulder along Hwy. 2 during the evening Mar. 7 and activated their lights.
One year ago, the first ever rally was held after tow truck driver Courtney Schaefer died in a four vehicle crash on Hwy. 22 in southeastern Saskatchewan. During that rally, hundreds of trucks from across Saskatchewan activated their emergency lights, showing respect while raising awareness.
Hoping to see the annual event continue and become a nationwide awareness campaign, first responders and tow truck drivers will once again plan to turn on their emergency lights and stand beside their vehicles next year, honouring Schaefer and other drivers who have been tragically killed while on the job.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 12, 2018
Winter Storm Blasts Area
By Daniel Bushman
March roared in like a lion across Saskatchewan bringing with it much needed moisture for farmers but headaches for motorists and sore muscles for shovellers. The storm which brought anywhere from 7 cm of snow to more than 40 cm in areas of central and southeastern Saskatchewan also created treacherous road conditions and closing highways around Regina.
In communities like Watrous, crews were out removing snow throughout the weekend and into last week after the area was hit with around 30 cm. Climatologist with Environment Canada David Phillips said the snow provided “a shot in the arm for the economy and producers.”
While Phillips said there was no specific data available for Watrous, he looked at nearby stations and found anywhere between 25 and 35 cm had fallen. Phillips pegged the Watrous area more than likely had around 30 cm, more than what the area had received all winter.
“That accumulation would have been from Sunday, Monday and Tuesday so there were close to 60 hours worth although it was not always snowing, but for most of that period it was snowing or blowing or drifting snow.”
While a good chunk of western Saskatchewan received a dose of snow from a storm in Alberta, the central and southeastern sections were the recipients of a Colorado storm. Some areas also received snow from both with the Colorado storm carrying moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
“This storm was good for moisture but I don’t think it is your last one,” Phillips added. “When you look statistically over averages in Watrous, about 21 cm of snow falls after the first of March to sometime maybe in April or May . . . what you have got up to this particular one was about 25 cm of snow so this one was more than what you had all winter.”
Despite the added accumulation, Phillips said the large snowfall probably will not produce a flood. “I don’t think this storm when it melts will unless you had an instant melt and the ground was too frozen and the water ran into lakes. My sense is that it was bone-dry up to that time so it won’t become a flood issue. What will depend upon that is will you get more Colorado lows and April showers? I don’t think one is out of the woods yet but it wasn’t as though you had a lot of recharge going on there in the fall and then the winter. It is not as if you are in a very moist situation, you are in a deficit situation still, when you look at the maps. This is more of a blessing.”
Some of that fallen snow was forecast to melt over the weekend as the forecast showed temperatures climbing above 0˚C. However, the climatologist said not to get your hopes up for spring quite yet.
“That is not spring arriving, it is a little teaser and sometimes March can disappoint us. We think that it is over and spring is around the corner and then we get back into some snow and cold.”
As for the snow accumulations, the following is a summary of total snowfall for Saskatchewan received by Environment Canada as of 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Mar. 6. The summary of the 48 hour snowfall totals are in centimetres and include: Melville: 43, Prince Albert: 39, Vibank: 34, Regina: 30-35, Strasbourg: 32, Yorkton: 32, Codette: 30, Wynyard: 30, Qu’Appelle: 29, Christopher Lake: 27, Hudson Bay: 25, Broadview: 25, Langenburg: 24, Limrick: 24, Saskatoon: 20-25, Kipling: 20-25, Maryfield: 22, Holbein: 22, Weyburn: 15-20, Melfort: 15-20, Moosomin: 20, Estevan: 20, Yorkton: 20, Coronach: 20, Lucky Lake: 19, La Ronge: 19, Pontrilas: 19, Spalding: 19, Kipling: 18, Emma Lake: 17, North Battleford: 15, Carlyle: 15, Gerald: 15, Conquest: 13, Oxbow: 12, Ile-a-la-Crosse: 11, Stewart Valley: 10, Rockhaven: 9, and Clavet: 7.
By Daniel Bushman
March roared in like a lion across Saskatchewan bringing with it much needed moisture for farmers but headaches for motorists and sore muscles for shovellers. The storm which brought anywhere from 7 cm of snow to more than 40 cm in areas of central and southeastern Saskatchewan also created treacherous road conditions and closing highways around Regina.
In communities like Watrous, crews were out removing snow throughout the weekend and into last week after the area was hit with around 30 cm. Climatologist with Environment Canada David Phillips said the snow provided “a shot in the arm for the economy and producers.”
While Phillips said there was no specific data available for Watrous, he looked at nearby stations and found anywhere between 25 and 35 cm had fallen. Phillips pegged the Watrous area more than likely had around 30 cm, more than what the area had received all winter.
“That accumulation would have been from Sunday, Monday and Tuesday so there were close to 60 hours worth although it was not always snowing, but for most of that period it was snowing or blowing or drifting snow.”
While a good chunk of western Saskatchewan received a dose of snow from a storm in Alberta, the central and southeastern sections were the recipients of a Colorado storm. Some areas also received snow from both with the Colorado storm carrying moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
“This storm was good for moisture but I don’t think it is your last one,” Phillips added. “When you look statistically over averages in Watrous, about 21 cm of snow falls after the first of March to sometime maybe in April or May . . . what you have got up to this particular one was about 25 cm of snow so this one was more than what you had all winter.”
Despite the added accumulation, Phillips said the large snowfall probably will not produce a flood. “I don’t think this storm when it melts will unless you had an instant melt and the ground was too frozen and the water ran into lakes. My sense is that it was bone-dry up to that time so it won’t become a flood issue. What will depend upon that is will you get more Colorado lows and April showers? I don’t think one is out of the woods yet but it wasn’t as though you had a lot of recharge going on there in the fall and then the winter. It is not as if you are in a very moist situation, you are in a deficit situation still, when you look at the maps. This is more of a blessing.”
Some of that fallen snow was forecast to melt over the weekend as the forecast showed temperatures climbing above 0˚C. However, the climatologist said not to get your hopes up for spring quite yet.
“That is not spring arriving, it is a little teaser and sometimes March can disappoint us. We think that it is over and spring is around the corner and then we get back into some snow and cold.”
As for the snow accumulations, the following is a summary of total snowfall for Saskatchewan received by Environment Canada as of 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Mar. 6. The summary of the 48 hour snowfall totals are in centimetres and include: Melville: 43, Prince Albert: 39, Vibank: 34, Regina: 30-35, Strasbourg: 32, Yorkton: 32, Codette: 30, Wynyard: 30, Qu’Appelle: 29, Christopher Lake: 27, Hudson Bay: 25, Broadview: 25, Langenburg: 24, Limrick: 24, Saskatoon: 20-25, Kipling: 20-25, Maryfield: 22, Holbein: 22, Weyburn: 15-20, Melfort: 15-20, Moosomin: 20, Estevan: 20, Yorkton: 20, Coronach: 20, Lucky Lake: 19, La Ronge: 19, Pontrilas: 19, Spalding: 19, Kipling: 18, Emma Lake: 17, North Battleford: 15, Carlyle: 15, Gerald: 15, Conquest: 13, Oxbow: 12, Ile-a-la-Crosse: 11, Stewart Valley: 10, Rockhaven: 9, and Clavet: 7.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 5, 2018
Watrous RCMP hold meeting with local representatives
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to share information, discuss local issues and brainstorm solutions to problems, members of the Watrous RCMP met with area elected officials in the Heritage Room in Watrous Feb. 22. The meeting was the second such Community Visit with elected officials and community representatives held with local RCMP in the past year.
Watrous RCMP Sgt. Jeff Friedenstab led the meeting and felt it was important to get together with those representing local councils and rural municipalities to dialogue, share information and address any concerns or issues that may be prevalent.
“The Community Visit gives officials a chance to talk with one another and discuss things they are seeing in their area and hear if others are experiencing similar problems,” Friedenstab said. “It helps build relationships and trust so people feel free to bring issues and problems to our attention.”
In addition to Friedenstab, Cst. Dave Hannah and Cst. Jamie Dowling from the Watrous detachment were also in attendance with other delegates encompassing an area stretching to the RM of Prairie Rose, down to Nokomis, over to the RM of Big Arm and up to Manitou Beach and Watrous. The group that was in attendance during the Thursday evening visit touched on a variety of topics including the federal government’s upcoming marijuana legislation. Friedenstab said there was not a lot of new information that could be communicated with regards to the legislation as the RCMP does not know what the laws will be quite yet.
In addition to the upcoming legislation, Friedenstab talked about enforcement of drug impaired drivers. “We have Standard Field Sobriety Testing and Drug Recognition Evaluator Programs that we use to catch drug impaired drivers. New devices for detection similar to what are being used for alcohol are being tested but none are approved yet.”
Rural crime watch programs and the importance of having them were also highlighted during the meeting.
“I told the group in attendance that if there were three things I could impart on them to help us and themselves: one was the establishment of crime watch groups; the second was the use of trail cams on their property; and the third was taking common sense proactive approaches like locking vehicles and not leaving keys anywhere in them, even if in a locked shop. If the shop is broken into, the auto is gone and not leaving firearms in vehicles or unlocked in the home.”
With crime watch programs, Friedenstab added the RCMP does not expect citizen’s crime watch groups to do the job of the RCMP but rather to work with them as extra eyes and ears and as a means of communicating suspicious activity to the police and to their neighbours.
“The Watrous detachment boundaries leave us a large area to police even when fully staffed. The detachment currently has one sergeant, four constables and one public service employee.”
Friedenstab also highlighted the fact that crime statistics are low for the area. While he stated there was one three week spike last June and July, it was attributed to individuals coming out of Saskatoon that were eventually apprehended following a high speed chase into town.
Overall, Friedenstab was pleased with the discussion and topics and added the community visits will continue into the future.
“I may also expand them into a town hall format, opening them up to anyone from the area.”
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to share information, discuss local issues and brainstorm solutions to problems, members of the Watrous RCMP met with area elected officials in the Heritage Room in Watrous Feb. 22. The meeting was the second such Community Visit with elected officials and community representatives held with local RCMP in the past year.
Watrous RCMP Sgt. Jeff Friedenstab led the meeting and felt it was important to get together with those representing local councils and rural municipalities to dialogue, share information and address any concerns or issues that may be prevalent.
“The Community Visit gives officials a chance to talk with one another and discuss things they are seeing in their area and hear if others are experiencing similar problems,” Friedenstab said. “It helps build relationships and trust so people feel free to bring issues and problems to our attention.”
In addition to Friedenstab, Cst. Dave Hannah and Cst. Jamie Dowling from the Watrous detachment were also in attendance with other delegates encompassing an area stretching to the RM of Prairie Rose, down to Nokomis, over to the RM of Big Arm and up to Manitou Beach and Watrous. The group that was in attendance during the Thursday evening visit touched on a variety of topics including the federal government’s upcoming marijuana legislation. Friedenstab said there was not a lot of new information that could be communicated with regards to the legislation as the RCMP does not know what the laws will be quite yet.
In addition to the upcoming legislation, Friedenstab talked about enforcement of drug impaired drivers. “We have Standard Field Sobriety Testing and Drug Recognition Evaluator Programs that we use to catch drug impaired drivers. New devices for detection similar to what are being used for alcohol are being tested but none are approved yet.”
Rural crime watch programs and the importance of having them were also highlighted during the meeting.
“I told the group in attendance that if there were three things I could impart on them to help us and themselves: one was the establishment of crime watch groups; the second was the use of trail cams on their property; and the third was taking common sense proactive approaches like locking vehicles and not leaving keys anywhere in them, even if in a locked shop. If the shop is broken into, the auto is gone and not leaving firearms in vehicles or unlocked in the home.”
With crime watch programs, Friedenstab added the RCMP does not expect citizen’s crime watch groups to do the job of the RCMP but rather to work with them as extra eyes and ears and as a means of communicating suspicious activity to the police and to their neighbours.
“The Watrous detachment boundaries leave us a large area to police even when fully staffed. The detachment currently has one sergeant, four constables and one public service employee.”
Friedenstab also highlighted the fact that crime statistics are low for the area. While he stated there was one three week spike last June and July, it was attributed to individuals coming out of Saskatoon that were eventually apprehended following a high speed chase into town.
Overall, Friedenstab was pleased with the discussion and topics and added the community visits will continue into the future.
“I may also expand them into a town hall format, opening them up to anyone from the area.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 19, 2018
Nutrien's operations to continue
as fourth quarter report released
Daniel Bushman
Operations will continue at Nutrien’s Allan and Lanigan potash mines along with its local farm retail centres as the merged company of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan and Agrium moves forward. There had been some reports that one or two mines could be shut down should fertilizer demand taper off but speaking to reporters earlier this month in Saskatoon, Nutrien CEO Chuck Margo said the company’s plans are going to be very similar to last year with more potash being produced this year.
Vice President, Investor and Corporate Relations for Nutrien, Richard Downey spoke to The Watrous Manitou and said operations are rolling right along since the merger took place.
“Late last year there was a little bit of down time just for inventory management (at the mines) but they are all back up and running full out. Demand for potash globally is extremely strong right now so we have got all the mines running pretty hard.”
With demand for potash high and the company moving forward, Downey also addressed jobs within the mines and retail farm centres. “Across the company at the corporate level, there will be some impact on jobs but those are corporate functions where you’ve got two tax departments or two communications departments for example. There will be some reduction at the corporate level but the operations, there will be really no impact.”
As progress continues for Nutrien, Downey said, “It is great to have the merger closed as of the start of the year because it has been almost two years in preparation for it. It has been a busy time putting the two companies together but it has been going well. We are focused on getting the systems and people in place that we need to and are already starting to deliver on our synergies so things are going well.”
Moving ahead in 2018, Downey has been pleased with the strong demand on the potash side of things and added the Chinese nitrogen production has come down, helping the nitrogen markets in terms of pricing.
“It looks like overall demand is going to be good globally for really all three fertilizers.”
Earlier this month the company released its fourth quarter results and some of the notable items outlined by Nutrien included:
• Agrium fourth quarter earnings from continuing operations, adjusted for items not included in guidance, of $0.781 per share (net earnings from continuing operations of $0.19 per share);
• PotashCorp fourth quarter adjusted earnings of $0.06 per share (net loss of $0.09 per share);
• 2017 earnings for Agrium were supported by record Retail EBITDA of $1.2 billion and margins of 10 percent, while stronger potash prices, sales volumes and lower cash costs per tonne benefited both companies;
• Nutrien full-year 2018 guidance of $2.10 to $2.60 earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding incremental D&A related to purchase price allocation of $150 million to $300 million;
• Nutrien 2018 EBITDA3 of $3.2 billion to $3.7 billion;
• Nutrien sold its equity stake in Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL) in January 2018 for net proceeds of $685 million;
• Nutrien announced an agreement to purchase Agrichem, a leading Brazilian specialty plant nutrition company with total annual historical net sales of over $55 million; and
• Nutrien achieved over $40 million in run-rate synergies year-to-date 2018.
As for the PotashCorp gross margin bridge, Nutrien said the potash gross margin grew due to higher prices and reduced per-tonne costs while nitrogen gross margin benefited from stronger sales prices, more than offsetting higher per-tonne costs. The phosphate gross margin declined due to lower realized selling prices and a $276 million non-cash impairment charge relating to the company’s White Springs and feed phosphate facilities.
Also in its fourth quarter report, Nutrien stated it is hoping to complete integration by bringing people, systems, assets and operations together while aligning operations and reporting to work as one. The company is also aiming to deliver synergies with a $500 million annual run-rate expected by the end of 2019, achieving synergies below industry benchmark standards.
Moving forward, Nutrien added it will be conducting a complete portfolio review of the combined company, determining key priorities and completing required sales of equity investments. Some of its capital priorities will involve a continued investment in growth opportunities with a focus on retail, enhancing shareholder returns and maintaining a strong balance sheet with investment grade credit ratings.
As the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services looks to grow, Downey said Nutrien will not only play a critical role in feeding the future but will also put a strong focus on community.
“The commitment to the community and the communities in which we operate are critical. Nutrien is the largest employer in the province and I imagine one of the largest contributors and that will continue.”
as fourth quarter report released
Daniel Bushman
Operations will continue at Nutrien’s Allan and Lanigan potash mines along with its local farm retail centres as the merged company of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan and Agrium moves forward. There had been some reports that one or two mines could be shut down should fertilizer demand taper off but speaking to reporters earlier this month in Saskatoon, Nutrien CEO Chuck Margo said the company’s plans are going to be very similar to last year with more potash being produced this year.
Vice President, Investor and Corporate Relations for Nutrien, Richard Downey spoke to The Watrous Manitou and said operations are rolling right along since the merger took place.
“Late last year there was a little bit of down time just for inventory management (at the mines) but they are all back up and running full out. Demand for potash globally is extremely strong right now so we have got all the mines running pretty hard.”
With demand for potash high and the company moving forward, Downey also addressed jobs within the mines and retail farm centres. “Across the company at the corporate level, there will be some impact on jobs but those are corporate functions where you’ve got two tax departments or two communications departments for example. There will be some reduction at the corporate level but the operations, there will be really no impact.”
As progress continues for Nutrien, Downey said, “It is great to have the merger closed as of the start of the year because it has been almost two years in preparation for it. It has been a busy time putting the two companies together but it has been going well. We are focused on getting the systems and people in place that we need to and are already starting to deliver on our synergies so things are going well.”
Moving ahead in 2018, Downey has been pleased with the strong demand on the potash side of things and added the Chinese nitrogen production has come down, helping the nitrogen markets in terms of pricing.
“It looks like overall demand is going to be good globally for really all three fertilizers.”
Earlier this month the company released its fourth quarter results and some of the notable items outlined by Nutrien included:
• Agrium fourth quarter earnings from continuing operations, adjusted for items not included in guidance, of $0.781 per share (net earnings from continuing operations of $0.19 per share);
• PotashCorp fourth quarter adjusted earnings of $0.06 per share (net loss of $0.09 per share);
• 2017 earnings for Agrium were supported by record Retail EBITDA of $1.2 billion and margins of 10 percent, while stronger potash prices, sales volumes and lower cash costs per tonne benefited both companies;
• Nutrien full-year 2018 guidance of $2.10 to $2.60 earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding incremental D&A related to purchase price allocation of $150 million to $300 million;
• Nutrien 2018 EBITDA3 of $3.2 billion to $3.7 billion;
• Nutrien sold its equity stake in Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL) in January 2018 for net proceeds of $685 million;
• Nutrien announced an agreement to purchase Agrichem, a leading Brazilian specialty plant nutrition company with total annual historical net sales of over $55 million; and
• Nutrien achieved over $40 million in run-rate synergies year-to-date 2018.
As for the PotashCorp gross margin bridge, Nutrien said the potash gross margin grew due to higher prices and reduced per-tonne costs while nitrogen gross margin benefited from stronger sales prices, more than offsetting higher per-tonne costs. The phosphate gross margin declined due to lower realized selling prices and a $276 million non-cash impairment charge relating to the company’s White Springs and feed phosphate facilities.
Also in its fourth quarter report, Nutrien stated it is hoping to complete integration by bringing people, systems, assets and operations together while aligning operations and reporting to work as one. The company is also aiming to deliver synergies with a $500 million annual run-rate expected by the end of 2019, achieving synergies below industry benchmark standards.
Moving forward, Nutrien added it will be conducting a complete portfolio review of the combined company, determining key priorities and completing required sales of equity investments. Some of its capital priorities will involve a continued investment in growth opportunities with a focus on retail, enhancing shareholder returns and maintaining a strong balance sheet with investment grade credit ratings.
As the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services looks to grow, Downey said Nutrien will not only play a critical role in feeding the future but will also put a strong focus on community.
“The commitment to the community and the communities in which we operate are critical. Nutrien is the largest employer in the province and I imagine one of the largest contributors and that will continue.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 12, 2018
Watrous Co-op to amalgamate with Saskatoon
By Daniel Bushman
With a vote of 88 percent in favour, history was made Feb.7 as Co-op members in Watrous voted to amalgamate with the Saskatoon Co-op. The amalgamation meeting was held at the Watrous Civic Centre and needing to attain at least 66 percent in favour in order to move forward, 123 voted yes and 16 no.
Watrous Co-op General Manager Andrew Parrott, Saskatoon Co-op CEO Grant Wicks and Watrous Co-op Vice President Ron Frey spoke to members and guests in attendance about the reasons for amalgamating before opening the floor for questions from members.
A handful of people posed questions ranging from receiving equity, Co-op numbers, differing costs of groceries and petroleum, board representation and what would happen if the local Co-op indeed amalgamated. Parrott, Wicks and Frey fielded the questions and while there were those in attendance who disagreed with the move to amalgamate, looking at financial projections Parrott said, “If we didn’t do this we would have had to seriously look at our operations as a whole and what is making money for us and what we are losing money on and then having to change it. This way we can keep everyone exactly the same and all positions can stay and we are really excited about that. This is definitely the right way to go forward.”
Wicks, who made the trip to Watrous for the Feb. 7 meeting also tried to address some of the concerns raised during the meeting. “These questions that ask about numbers, facts and figures, we can provide those and provide people with answers, whether they are the ones they want or not. We can give them an answer but when their concerns are based on feelings and maybe unease and fear around change and what is going to happen in the future, it is very hard to answer those questions with facts and figures because it is about how people feel. The only way we can really respond to those is through our actions going forward. That is what I would ask people of Watrous and members of Watrous Co-op to do. Watch what we do and how we keep our promises and if you are not satisfied that we are doing what we said we would do, you let us know. It is our intent to live up to the letter and the spirit of all our commitments and we will let the local people judge us on it. It is going to be up to us to show those folks that the right decision was made.”
Following the question period, a motion was made to amalgamate and voting took place. Just a week previous, Hepburn members also voted in favour to amalgamate with Saskatoon. With the overwhelming majority voting to move forward in both communities, Parrott said the results showed that the local board and directors are on the right track moving forward.
“We are very happy with the results and are looking forward to joining with Saskatoon and Hepburn in creating new Co-ops. It is a really exciting day for us.”
All that remains now is official approval from members in Saskatoon to have both Watrous and Hepburn join forces. If approved, Parrott said Watrous will amalgamate Aug. 19, 2018. With lots of work left to do in order to get ready, Parrott said once that August date gets closer, information packages with new member numbers will be sent out.
“The way we are working that right now is most of the Co-op numbers are four digit numbers and we have to get to a six digit number so we are just going to be adding two numbers to the front of them and if it’s a three digit number then three numbers.”
Jointly going to be part of something new, Wicks said Saskatoon Co-op might have a bigger representation than a smaller community because there is more people but stressed the amalgamation to form a new cooperative will be a new company. “It is not us and them anymore it is all of us together.”
The Saskatoon CEO said amalgamating will benefit the Watrous Co-op, adding expertise and resources for potentially new opportunities in the community. “If (any new opportunities) turn out to be good business decisions and it is something that the membership is going to get behind, we can spend $1 million, or two or three or four or five million dollars on a new facility and perhaps a new commodity. That would have been very difficult for Watrous to do simply because they just wouldn’t have the resources or expertise.”
Another question that was a concern for those employed with the Watrous Co-op was retention of staff. “I can tell you that there has been a lot of amalgamations across western Canada as retails are faced with the same realities that Saskatoon and Watrous and Hepburn have been faced with,” said Wicks. “I am not aware of any situations where there have been job losses but I am aware of several where there has been new jobs created.”
Moving forward, once approved by Saskatoon Co-op members, Wicks said the next steps to amalgamate involve blending equity files, policies resolved, and human resource issues that need to be worked through.
“There is a lot of work to be done but it is the first time it’s happened for Saskatoon Co-op and we’ve reached out to some of our sister retails here in the province of Saskatchewan who have been through it lately and gotten some insight through them . . . We are going to be seeking that advice and getting that input from other retails that have been through it and find the best practices and take it forward. It is going to be busy but it is going to be worth it.”
By Daniel Bushman
With a vote of 88 percent in favour, history was made Feb.7 as Co-op members in Watrous voted to amalgamate with the Saskatoon Co-op. The amalgamation meeting was held at the Watrous Civic Centre and needing to attain at least 66 percent in favour in order to move forward, 123 voted yes and 16 no.
Watrous Co-op General Manager Andrew Parrott, Saskatoon Co-op CEO Grant Wicks and Watrous Co-op Vice President Ron Frey spoke to members and guests in attendance about the reasons for amalgamating before opening the floor for questions from members.
A handful of people posed questions ranging from receiving equity, Co-op numbers, differing costs of groceries and petroleum, board representation and what would happen if the local Co-op indeed amalgamated. Parrott, Wicks and Frey fielded the questions and while there were those in attendance who disagreed with the move to amalgamate, looking at financial projections Parrott said, “If we didn’t do this we would have had to seriously look at our operations as a whole and what is making money for us and what we are losing money on and then having to change it. This way we can keep everyone exactly the same and all positions can stay and we are really excited about that. This is definitely the right way to go forward.”
Wicks, who made the trip to Watrous for the Feb. 7 meeting also tried to address some of the concerns raised during the meeting. “These questions that ask about numbers, facts and figures, we can provide those and provide people with answers, whether they are the ones they want or not. We can give them an answer but when their concerns are based on feelings and maybe unease and fear around change and what is going to happen in the future, it is very hard to answer those questions with facts and figures because it is about how people feel. The only way we can really respond to those is through our actions going forward. That is what I would ask people of Watrous and members of Watrous Co-op to do. Watch what we do and how we keep our promises and if you are not satisfied that we are doing what we said we would do, you let us know. It is our intent to live up to the letter and the spirit of all our commitments and we will let the local people judge us on it. It is going to be up to us to show those folks that the right decision was made.”
Following the question period, a motion was made to amalgamate and voting took place. Just a week previous, Hepburn members also voted in favour to amalgamate with Saskatoon. With the overwhelming majority voting to move forward in both communities, Parrott said the results showed that the local board and directors are on the right track moving forward.
“We are very happy with the results and are looking forward to joining with Saskatoon and Hepburn in creating new Co-ops. It is a really exciting day for us.”
All that remains now is official approval from members in Saskatoon to have both Watrous and Hepburn join forces. If approved, Parrott said Watrous will amalgamate Aug. 19, 2018. With lots of work left to do in order to get ready, Parrott said once that August date gets closer, information packages with new member numbers will be sent out.
“The way we are working that right now is most of the Co-op numbers are four digit numbers and we have to get to a six digit number so we are just going to be adding two numbers to the front of them and if it’s a three digit number then three numbers.”
Jointly going to be part of something new, Wicks said Saskatoon Co-op might have a bigger representation than a smaller community because there is more people but stressed the amalgamation to form a new cooperative will be a new company. “It is not us and them anymore it is all of us together.”
The Saskatoon CEO said amalgamating will benefit the Watrous Co-op, adding expertise and resources for potentially new opportunities in the community. “If (any new opportunities) turn out to be good business decisions and it is something that the membership is going to get behind, we can spend $1 million, or two or three or four or five million dollars on a new facility and perhaps a new commodity. That would have been very difficult for Watrous to do simply because they just wouldn’t have the resources or expertise.”
Another question that was a concern for those employed with the Watrous Co-op was retention of staff. “I can tell you that there has been a lot of amalgamations across western Canada as retails are faced with the same realities that Saskatoon and Watrous and Hepburn have been faced with,” said Wicks. “I am not aware of any situations where there have been job losses but I am aware of several where there has been new jobs created.”
Moving forward, once approved by Saskatoon Co-op members, Wicks said the next steps to amalgamate involve blending equity files, policies resolved, and human resource issues that need to be worked through.
“There is a lot of work to be done but it is the first time it’s happened for Saskatoon Co-op and we’ve reached out to some of our sister retails here in the province of Saskatchewan who have been through it lately and gotten some insight through them . . . We are going to be seeking that advice and getting that input from other retails that have been through it and find the best practices and take it forward. It is going to be busy but it is going to be worth it.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 5, 2018
Scott Moe wins Sask. Party leadership race
Article courtesy Jordan Twiss/Shellbrook Chronicle
It took five months of campaigning, and five ballots.
But after all was said and done, Rosthern-Shellbrook MLA and former environment minister, Scott Moe, shocked the province by being selected as the leader of the Saskatchewan Party, and Saskatchewan’s new premier.
Nowhere was the surprise more palpable than at Saturday’s Sask. Party Leadership Convention, held at Saskatoon’s Praireland Park, where more than 2,000 party members gathered to celebrate, and greet the man or woman who would be selected to lead the Sask. Party into the post-Brad Wall era.
Moe’s victory, which saw him garner 8,075 votes (or 53.9 per cent of the vote), defied the predictions of pollsters, which, in the week leading into the convention, had Moe pegged as a distant third place finisher, behind fellow leadership candidates Ken Cheveldayoff, and Alanna Koch.
It was also a come-from-behind victory, as Moe trailed Koch by fewer than 50 votes after the results of the first ballot were read, with Cheveldayoff a close but unexpected third, Gordon Wyant in fourth place, and Tina Beaudry-Mellor a distant fifth.
However, once Beaudry-Mellor and Wyant were removed from the running after the second and third ballots, respectively, Moe surged into the lead. And Cheveldayoff’s elimination from leadership contention after the fourth ballot results were revealed, gave Moe the push he needed to take the place of the outgoing Premier Wall, who officially retired from politics on Jan. 31.
In the end, Moe topped Koch, who was deputy minister to Premier Wall before taking a leave of absence to run for the Sask. Party leadership, by just 1,161 votes in the fifth and deciding ballot.
But while the closeness of the race sparked questions about division within the party, Moe was quick to silence any doubt, and said that he, his fellow candidates, and the party, would be united going forward.
“We are stronger and more unified than ever before,” he said in his victory speech.
“I am truly humbled to be a part of this team, and by the trust that you have placed in me to lead this party, and this province, into the future.”
Moe launched his bid for the Sask. Party leadership Sept. 1, 2017, with the support of 21 of his fellow MLAs, and a promise to “stand with Saskatchewan” – a promise he reiterated many times throughout the campaign, and at the leadership convention.
His platform included promises to balance the budget by 2019, restore PST exemptions on crop, health, and life insurance, and establish a ministry of international trade and exports, which will be responsible for growing Saskatchewan’s presence in markets around the world.
However, in a media scrum with reporters following his victory, Moe said his first priority upon returning to Regina would be to get up to speed on budget talks, and look to implement his promise on PST exemptions, and a separate promise to spend $30 million to put 400 educational assistants in classrooms across the province.
Moe added that he’d also be looking at the policy platforms of his fellow candidates, to see if any can be implemented by his government going.
Most notable, however, was Moe’s vow to continue leading the province’s stand against the federal carbon tax being imposed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government – even if it means taking the feds to court.
“I will fight for this province. I will fight for our economy to ensure that we do not have a carbon tax, “ he said.
“Justin Trudeau, if you’re wondering how far I will go, just watch me.”
Wall fires parting shots
Many of Moe’s statements echoed ones made by Premier Wall in his final address to the party at Saturday’s convention.
Defiant in his exit as he was in his final years as leader of the Sask. Party, Wall began by imploring the party to unite in the aftermath of the leadership race, and face the challenges that lie ahead. Namely, the 2020 general election.
“It is important that the state of the party be strong tonight because of what lies ahead, because of what we will need to do in the future, and because of what we will need to do on behalf of the province in 2020,” he said.
From there, Wall used his 30-minute address to fire parting shots at the opposition: the opposition NDP in Saskatchewan, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s NDP government, and the federal government.
Taking aim at the feds first, Wall said the Sask. Party would continue its opposition to the federal carbon tax, and that it wouldn’t seek approval from Ottawa on its Made-in-Saskatchewan strategy to combat climate change, or any other policies.
“We don’t work for the feds. This party works for the people of Saskatchewan,” he said.
Turning to the Saskatchewan NDP next, Wall denounced the party’s cynicism about the province’s future prospects, and its discomfort with the province’s reliance on the oil and gas, and mining sectors.
He added that, going forward, the Sask. Party must continue to be the party of hope and optimism.
“If we come out of this convention today… if we come out humble and hard-working and disciplined, offering a vision and a program worthy of this great province, if we come out of here united behind a leader, well, then hope wins,” he said.
“Because this is the new Saskatchewan, and hope wins here.”
* Editor’s note: Jordan Twiss covered the leadership convention on behalf of the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association, providing members with the article and accompanying photos.
Article courtesy Jordan Twiss/Shellbrook Chronicle
It took five months of campaigning, and five ballots.
But after all was said and done, Rosthern-Shellbrook MLA and former environment minister, Scott Moe, shocked the province by being selected as the leader of the Saskatchewan Party, and Saskatchewan’s new premier.
Nowhere was the surprise more palpable than at Saturday’s Sask. Party Leadership Convention, held at Saskatoon’s Praireland Park, where more than 2,000 party members gathered to celebrate, and greet the man or woman who would be selected to lead the Sask. Party into the post-Brad Wall era.
Moe’s victory, which saw him garner 8,075 votes (or 53.9 per cent of the vote), defied the predictions of pollsters, which, in the week leading into the convention, had Moe pegged as a distant third place finisher, behind fellow leadership candidates Ken Cheveldayoff, and Alanna Koch.
It was also a come-from-behind victory, as Moe trailed Koch by fewer than 50 votes after the results of the first ballot were read, with Cheveldayoff a close but unexpected third, Gordon Wyant in fourth place, and Tina Beaudry-Mellor a distant fifth.
However, once Beaudry-Mellor and Wyant were removed from the running after the second and third ballots, respectively, Moe surged into the lead. And Cheveldayoff’s elimination from leadership contention after the fourth ballot results were revealed, gave Moe the push he needed to take the place of the outgoing Premier Wall, who officially retired from politics on Jan. 31.
In the end, Moe topped Koch, who was deputy minister to Premier Wall before taking a leave of absence to run for the Sask. Party leadership, by just 1,161 votes in the fifth and deciding ballot.
But while the closeness of the race sparked questions about division within the party, Moe was quick to silence any doubt, and said that he, his fellow candidates, and the party, would be united going forward.
“We are stronger and more unified than ever before,” he said in his victory speech.
“I am truly humbled to be a part of this team, and by the trust that you have placed in me to lead this party, and this province, into the future.”
Moe launched his bid for the Sask. Party leadership Sept. 1, 2017, with the support of 21 of his fellow MLAs, and a promise to “stand with Saskatchewan” – a promise he reiterated many times throughout the campaign, and at the leadership convention.
His platform included promises to balance the budget by 2019, restore PST exemptions on crop, health, and life insurance, and establish a ministry of international trade and exports, which will be responsible for growing Saskatchewan’s presence in markets around the world.
However, in a media scrum with reporters following his victory, Moe said his first priority upon returning to Regina would be to get up to speed on budget talks, and look to implement his promise on PST exemptions, and a separate promise to spend $30 million to put 400 educational assistants in classrooms across the province.
Moe added that he’d also be looking at the policy platforms of his fellow candidates, to see if any can be implemented by his government going.
Most notable, however, was Moe’s vow to continue leading the province’s stand against the federal carbon tax being imposed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government – even if it means taking the feds to court.
“I will fight for this province. I will fight for our economy to ensure that we do not have a carbon tax, “ he said.
“Justin Trudeau, if you’re wondering how far I will go, just watch me.”
Wall fires parting shots
Many of Moe’s statements echoed ones made by Premier Wall in his final address to the party at Saturday’s convention.
Defiant in his exit as he was in his final years as leader of the Sask. Party, Wall began by imploring the party to unite in the aftermath of the leadership race, and face the challenges that lie ahead. Namely, the 2020 general election.
“It is important that the state of the party be strong tonight because of what lies ahead, because of what we will need to do in the future, and because of what we will need to do on behalf of the province in 2020,” he said.
From there, Wall used his 30-minute address to fire parting shots at the opposition: the opposition NDP in Saskatchewan, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s NDP government, and the federal government.
Taking aim at the feds first, Wall said the Sask. Party would continue its opposition to the federal carbon tax, and that it wouldn’t seek approval from Ottawa on its Made-in-Saskatchewan strategy to combat climate change, or any other policies.
“We don’t work for the feds. This party works for the people of Saskatchewan,” he said.
Turning to the Saskatchewan NDP next, Wall denounced the party’s cynicism about the province’s future prospects, and its discomfort with the province’s reliance on the oil and gas, and mining sectors.
He added that, going forward, the Sask. Party must continue to be the party of hope and optimism.
“If we come out of this convention today… if we come out humble and hard-working and disciplined, offering a vision and a program worthy of this great province, if we come out of here united behind a leader, well, then hope wins,” he said.
“Because this is the new Saskatchewan, and hope wins here.”
* Editor’s note: Jordan Twiss covered the leadership convention on behalf of the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association, providing members with the article and accompanying photos.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 29, 2018
Hughes honoured for his dedication to the game
By Daniel Bushman
With local rinks essentially considered a second home for Lockwood’s Hilton Hughes, the well-known and now retired official has not only spent considerable time on the ice with whistle in hand but has also sported numerous other hats off the ice as well. Assuming the role of Long Lake Hockey League Referee in Chief in 1978 and remaining in that position to this day, Hughes was recently recognized by the league for his involvement over the years.
The announcement came as a surprise to no one (except for Hilton) and for the 90 year old, Dec. 29 was just like any other winter night during the regular season. With a frigid evening outside, Hughes bundled up and made the trek from his farm located on the outskirts of Lockwood and headed to the familiar confines of a nearby hockey arena. Something he has done for decades, Hughes entered the rink in Drake and began his usual routine of getting ready to watch the puck drop. However on this December evening, it would be a little different.
“I didn’t know anything about it all,” said a surprised Hughes about being honoured. “A few of my relations came including some from Alberta. I didn’t know that and if I would have seen them I would have wondered what was going on.”
Posted ahead of time on the LLHL website and through word of mouth, a date was set by the league to recognize Hughes. With the LLHL comprised of teams from Davidson, Drake, Lanigan, LeRoy, Watrous and Wynyard, it would be the Canucks and Monarchs that were in attendance for Hughes’ recognition. League president Ryan Collins and secretary and statistician Vern Rudneski made the drive out from Watrous and were also on hand to present Hughes with a winter jacket embroidered with the words Long Lake Hockey League. A handful of officials mentored through the years by Hughes were also on hand for the occasion.
Collins, who is not only the league president but officiates himself said it was an honour to be a part of the ceremony, adding Hilton is someone that cannot be replaced. “Wherever I went as an official or player, I think he was at every game and I think he has probably been to every rink in Saskatchewan.”
Over the decades, Hughes helped to organize when, where and which officials and linesmen would be headed to each arena in the region and he has been a tremendous Referee in Chief for the league since its inception in 1978. It was also during that time that Hughes also officiated many senior and some minor hockey league contests. Collins said through those years, Hughes was able to provide other officials with insight and experience.
“You could always ask Hilton a question about officiating and everyone looked up to him. He earned a lot of respect around the league and he is just a genuine human being and a professional. Everyone comes and goes on the LLHL executive but Hilton has been there since the league’s inception. We are very grateful for his service and dedication.”
LLHL secretary and statistician Vern Rudneski said Hughes was respected by the players both on and off the ice as he would chat and kid with them during games. It was also appreciated by teams to not have to find officials for games as Hilton took care of that. “He was a mentor to many young officials as he visited with them between periods offering encouragement and helpful tips. He drove many miles following hockey games and continues to follow his great-grandkids in their hockey. The LLHL felt it was time to acknowledge the many years of dedication.”
Receiving the accolades, Hughes said it was a tremendous honour. “It meant a lot and what I’ve done has been rewarding.”
While hockey has always been in his blood, officiating was not far behind. With a vast knowledge of the game, Hughes enjoyed playing the sport but swapped his stick for a whistle and traded in his sweater for the striped variety back in 1952, when he was 25 years old.
“I went to Cupar one night with Nokomis in case they were short,” said Hughes. “Funny part was, I was standing and talking to my uncle and somebody from Cupar asked me if I would represent Nokomis on the ice.”
Looking to lend a hand, Hughes grabbed a whistle and that is where it all started. Born in Cupar and moving to Lockwood in 1942, Hughes would call hundreds of games throughout his career, making good friendships and earning respect from players, coaches and fans along the way.
“It was the camaraderie that I enjoyed. If you respected the players then they would respect you. You could be the best official in the world but if you were against them and they saw that . . . you had to earn their respect and to get it you had to earn it and that is what I tried to do.”
While Hughes mainly focused on officiating senior hockey, he also strapped on the skates to help with minor hockey too. However, with cows to milk on the farm near Lockwood, Hughes had to do a bit of juggling to make things work.
“I would milk the cows in the morning, then go officiate at one of the rinks. I remember doing a tournament in Simpson and I milked the cows in the morning then went and did a game and came back to do chores before driving back to Simpson for the night game. That was just part of everyday life back then.”
Another memory that Hughes recalled was being able to do a Pee Wee tournament in Watrous. Citing the experience as an honour to be chosen for, Hughes remembered hundreds of people packing the rink in Watrous. Three of the teams represented were from Watrous, Foam Lake and Eston and one of the players on Foam Lake’s team was future NHL’er Bernie Federko. Another player Hughes thought was very talented was Eston’s Blythe Stevenson who would go on to play with the Swift Current Broncos of the WCHL.
Hughes worked two games during that tournament and then had to head back to milk his cows. Wanting to return to watch the later game, Hilton recalled he was scheduled for two other games the next day.
“I was impressed with the kids and I was wanting to go back to watch that last game. The enthusiasm from the kids was something that struck me. They gave it a lot of effort.”
Throughout his time as an official, Hughes enjoyed being on the ice, calling upwards of 70 games a season. During that time, he also managed to avoid getting seriously injured, aside from one major blow.
Before helmets were made mandatory, Hughes was officiating a senior game in Nokomis during a stormy night in 1973. After dropping the puck, Hughes was backing up from the circle when a shot came careening towards him. Clipping him in the head, Hilton went down with a fractured skull and spent the next six weeks in a hospital.
“We had helmets the next year,” Hughes quipped.
Back on the ice after that season, Hilton continued to do what he loved and a few years after that, the Long Lake Hockey League was formed.
“I was getting calls from people about what was being called or not being called at games and so we just formed an association,” said Hughes.
Taking on the position of Referee in Chief for the LLHL in 1978, Hilton has held that role ever since. As part of his work on and off the ice, in June 1988, he was honoured as a life member of the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association referee division, something not many people in the province are recognized for. Hughes also received a special award of merit in 1991 and was entered into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame for the Lockwood & National Midget Organizing Committee.
Wes Smith, past Referee’s Division Executive Member and SODM (Saskatchewan Officiating Development Model) Supervisor with the Saskatchewan Hockey Association spent many officiating years with Hilton on the executive of the Referees Division. Both Zone coordinators in the Division for many years, Smith said the pair spent lots of weekends together planning for upcoming seasons in addition to watching officials in their respective areas. “Before the days of instant communication that we enjoy today, we relied on Hilton to find out the early outcome of many provincial playoff games. He seemed to attend one every night somewhere within his driving range. Some of the games he was actually on the ice so he could give a firsthand account of the game he had seen.”
Smith also had the honour of presenting Hilton with his Lifetime Award with the Referees Division and when he found out the LLHL also acknowledged Hughes for his dedication to the game, he was thrilled.
“He was great to work with as he has such a sense of humour that he could easily diffuse a volatile situation both on and off the ice. I am so glad the Long Lake Hockey League honoured Hilton for his service. I played in that league before I went over to the ‘dark side.’ I knew Hilton then and my parents were friends with the Hughes’ as well as I grew up south on Hwy. 20 near Nokomis. I will always respect him for his many contributions to hockey.”
While Hughes has now been retired from officiating for the past eight years, he keeps close watch from the stands, going to as many senior hockey games as he can. He also puts on the miles during the winter travelling to watch his great-grandkids suit up as well.
“It has been pretty great to watch them and then being honoured at the game in December was an honour for me too. I didn’t know anything about it and usually I would have lots to say but they kept it a secret. It was a pretty special moment.”
By Daniel Bushman
With local rinks essentially considered a second home for Lockwood’s Hilton Hughes, the well-known and now retired official has not only spent considerable time on the ice with whistle in hand but has also sported numerous other hats off the ice as well. Assuming the role of Long Lake Hockey League Referee in Chief in 1978 and remaining in that position to this day, Hughes was recently recognized by the league for his involvement over the years.
The announcement came as a surprise to no one (except for Hilton) and for the 90 year old, Dec. 29 was just like any other winter night during the regular season. With a frigid evening outside, Hughes bundled up and made the trek from his farm located on the outskirts of Lockwood and headed to the familiar confines of a nearby hockey arena. Something he has done for decades, Hughes entered the rink in Drake and began his usual routine of getting ready to watch the puck drop. However on this December evening, it would be a little different.
“I didn’t know anything about it all,” said a surprised Hughes about being honoured. “A few of my relations came including some from Alberta. I didn’t know that and if I would have seen them I would have wondered what was going on.”
Posted ahead of time on the LLHL website and through word of mouth, a date was set by the league to recognize Hughes. With the LLHL comprised of teams from Davidson, Drake, Lanigan, LeRoy, Watrous and Wynyard, it would be the Canucks and Monarchs that were in attendance for Hughes’ recognition. League president Ryan Collins and secretary and statistician Vern Rudneski made the drive out from Watrous and were also on hand to present Hughes with a winter jacket embroidered with the words Long Lake Hockey League. A handful of officials mentored through the years by Hughes were also on hand for the occasion.
Collins, who is not only the league president but officiates himself said it was an honour to be a part of the ceremony, adding Hilton is someone that cannot be replaced. “Wherever I went as an official or player, I think he was at every game and I think he has probably been to every rink in Saskatchewan.”
Over the decades, Hughes helped to organize when, where and which officials and linesmen would be headed to each arena in the region and he has been a tremendous Referee in Chief for the league since its inception in 1978. It was also during that time that Hughes also officiated many senior and some minor hockey league contests. Collins said through those years, Hughes was able to provide other officials with insight and experience.
“You could always ask Hilton a question about officiating and everyone looked up to him. He earned a lot of respect around the league and he is just a genuine human being and a professional. Everyone comes and goes on the LLHL executive but Hilton has been there since the league’s inception. We are very grateful for his service and dedication.”
LLHL secretary and statistician Vern Rudneski said Hughes was respected by the players both on and off the ice as he would chat and kid with them during games. It was also appreciated by teams to not have to find officials for games as Hilton took care of that. “He was a mentor to many young officials as he visited with them between periods offering encouragement and helpful tips. He drove many miles following hockey games and continues to follow his great-grandkids in their hockey. The LLHL felt it was time to acknowledge the many years of dedication.”
Receiving the accolades, Hughes said it was a tremendous honour. “It meant a lot and what I’ve done has been rewarding.”
While hockey has always been in his blood, officiating was not far behind. With a vast knowledge of the game, Hughes enjoyed playing the sport but swapped his stick for a whistle and traded in his sweater for the striped variety back in 1952, when he was 25 years old.
“I went to Cupar one night with Nokomis in case they were short,” said Hughes. “Funny part was, I was standing and talking to my uncle and somebody from Cupar asked me if I would represent Nokomis on the ice.”
Looking to lend a hand, Hughes grabbed a whistle and that is where it all started. Born in Cupar and moving to Lockwood in 1942, Hughes would call hundreds of games throughout his career, making good friendships and earning respect from players, coaches and fans along the way.
“It was the camaraderie that I enjoyed. If you respected the players then they would respect you. You could be the best official in the world but if you were against them and they saw that . . . you had to earn their respect and to get it you had to earn it and that is what I tried to do.”
While Hughes mainly focused on officiating senior hockey, he also strapped on the skates to help with minor hockey too. However, with cows to milk on the farm near Lockwood, Hughes had to do a bit of juggling to make things work.
“I would milk the cows in the morning, then go officiate at one of the rinks. I remember doing a tournament in Simpson and I milked the cows in the morning then went and did a game and came back to do chores before driving back to Simpson for the night game. That was just part of everyday life back then.”
Another memory that Hughes recalled was being able to do a Pee Wee tournament in Watrous. Citing the experience as an honour to be chosen for, Hughes remembered hundreds of people packing the rink in Watrous. Three of the teams represented were from Watrous, Foam Lake and Eston and one of the players on Foam Lake’s team was future NHL’er Bernie Federko. Another player Hughes thought was very talented was Eston’s Blythe Stevenson who would go on to play with the Swift Current Broncos of the WCHL.
Hughes worked two games during that tournament and then had to head back to milk his cows. Wanting to return to watch the later game, Hilton recalled he was scheduled for two other games the next day.
“I was impressed with the kids and I was wanting to go back to watch that last game. The enthusiasm from the kids was something that struck me. They gave it a lot of effort.”
Throughout his time as an official, Hughes enjoyed being on the ice, calling upwards of 70 games a season. During that time, he also managed to avoid getting seriously injured, aside from one major blow.
Before helmets were made mandatory, Hughes was officiating a senior game in Nokomis during a stormy night in 1973. After dropping the puck, Hughes was backing up from the circle when a shot came careening towards him. Clipping him in the head, Hilton went down with a fractured skull and spent the next six weeks in a hospital.
“We had helmets the next year,” Hughes quipped.
Back on the ice after that season, Hilton continued to do what he loved and a few years after that, the Long Lake Hockey League was formed.
“I was getting calls from people about what was being called or not being called at games and so we just formed an association,” said Hughes.
Taking on the position of Referee in Chief for the LLHL in 1978, Hilton has held that role ever since. As part of his work on and off the ice, in June 1988, he was honoured as a life member of the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association referee division, something not many people in the province are recognized for. Hughes also received a special award of merit in 1991 and was entered into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame for the Lockwood & National Midget Organizing Committee.
Wes Smith, past Referee’s Division Executive Member and SODM (Saskatchewan Officiating Development Model) Supervisor with the Saskatchewan Hockey Association spent many officiating years with Hilton on the executive of the Referees Division. Both Zone coordinators in the Division for many years, Smith said the pair spent lots of weekends together planning for upcoming seasons in addition to watching officials in their respective areas. “Before the days of instant communication that we enjoy today, we relied on Hilton to find out the early outcome of many provincial playoff games. He seemed to attend one every night somewhere within his driving range. Some of the games he was actually on the ice so he could give a firsthand account of the game he had seen.”
Smith also had the honour of presenting Hilton with his Lifetime Award with the Referees Division and when he found out the LLHL also acknowledged Hughes for his dedication to the game, he was thrilled.
“He was great to work with as he has such a sense of humour that he could easily diffuse a volatile situation both on and off the ice. I am so glad the Long Lake Hockey League honoured Hilton for his service. I played in that league before I went over to the ‘dark side.’ I knew Hilton then and my parents were friends with the Hughes’ as well as I grew up south on Hwy. 20 near Nokomis. I will always respect him for his many contributions to hockey.”
While Hughes has now been retired from officiating for the past eight years, he keeps close watch from the stands, going to as many senior hockey games as he can. He also puts on the miles during the winter travelling to watch his great-grandkids suit up as well.
“It has been pretty great to watch them and then being honoured at the game in December was an honour for me too. I didn’t know anything about it and usually I would have lots to say but they kept it a secret. It was a pretty special moment.”
TWM Top Story - Jan 22, 2018
Local writer's song makes Academy shortlist
Daniel Bushman
It has been quite the journey for song writer and singer Bruce Rawling who not only had one of his songs included in a movie but it also made the Academy Awards short list for original song. Rawling, who lives at Manitou Beach with his wife Bonnie, was recently recognized for his song, Walk On Faith, which is part of the movie Year By The Sea.
“I was pretty shocked and excited,” said Bruce. “This whole journey has just been an amazing ride! I feel very honoured to have even made it this far!”
Last month, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced 70 songs for nominations to be the best original song, with the winner taking home an Oscar. Rawling’s song Walk On Faith is part of that list and is up against contributions from people like Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, Nick Jonas and Dierks Bently. Over the past few weeks, voting members of the Academy’s music branch received the list of the eligible choices along with a compilation of video clips representing the songs’ placement in their respective films. Members then vote for up to five picks in order of preference. Once the votes are tallied, the top five songs selected from the music branch then go out as nominees for general voting, with a maximum of two songs from any one film allowed to appear on the final ballot. Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced Jan. 23.
“This is most definitely a highlight. It’s not every day that this has happened, let me assure you. It always feels good when something you create is appreciated, and when it touches people’s hearts. Even when it’s on a small scale.”
Writing for a number of years, Rawling began his craft while in high school where he wrote songs and delivered newspapers with his very close friend Dale Johnson. As Rawling started playing in bands and eventually toured to many different types of venues, Johnson’s path took him to Hollywood where he is now a movie producer.
“He has been sending me scripts to write songs for as I feel inspired. I’ve written several songs for scripts that he has sent, some have made it as far as the director’s desk and others didn’t fit with the direction of the films. This is the first American film that I’ve had a song included in a major film.”
Born in Outlook, Rawling grew up in Meadow Lake and now calls Manitou Beach home. Along with Bonnie, the pair have recently come alongside Arnold and Millie Strueby at Danceland to help support where they can. When not at the beach, Bruce hits the open road touring and singing throughout western Canada. There is also the possibility the producers of Year By The Sea may have him tour through the United States to promote the movie soundtrack.
While Rawling said his journey through life has brought with it ups and downs, he has continued to lean on his faith. “I’ve known good times, but have also had some really difficult times as well. For me it has been my faith in Jesus that has helped me so many times to carry on. The song ‘Walk On Faith’ is an expression of that for me.
“Every step of this process has been surprising and exciting. I went in with no expectations, and so each step along this journey has just felt like a bonus! It’s been really good to work with people who have a passion for telling a story, and who have integrity, vision, and incredible perseverance.”
Released in 2016, Year By The Sea stars Karen Allen, Yannick Bisson, S Epatha Merkerson, Michael Cristofer and Celia Imrie and is directed by Alexander Janko. The feature film is based on Joan Anderson’s New York Times best-selling memoir, Year By The Sea and is about a woman hoping to reclaim who she was before marriage and children. An empty nester retreats to Cape Cod where she embarks upon a quest to set herself free.
Daniel Bushman
It has been quite the journey for song writer and singer Bruce Rawling who not only had one of his songs included in a movie but it also made the Academy Awards short list for original song. Rawling, who lives at Manitou Beach with his wife Bonnie, was recently recognized for his song, Walk On Faith, which is part of the movie Year By The Sea.
“I was pretty shocked and excited,” said Bruce. “This whole journey has just been an amazing ride! I feel very honoured to have even made it this far!”
Last month, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced 70 songs for nominations to be the best original song, with the winner taking home an Oscar. Rawling’s song Walk On Faith is part of that list and is up against contributions from people like Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, Nick Jonas and Dierks Bently. Over the past few weeks, voting members of the Academy’s music branch received the list of the eligible choices along with a compilation of video clips representing the songs’ placement in their respective films. Members then vote for up to five picks in order of preference. Once the votes are tallied, the top five songs selected from the music branch then go out as nominees for general voting, with a maximum of two songs from any one film allowed to appear on the final ballot. Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced Jan. 23.
“This is most definitely a highlight. It’s not every day that this has happened, let me assure you. It always feels good when something you create is appreciated, and when it touches people’s hearts. Even when it’s on a small scale.”
Writing for a number of years, Rawling began his craft while in high school where he wrote songs and delivered newspapers with his very close friend Dale Johnson. As Rawling started playing in bands and eventually toured to many different types of venues, Johnson’s path took him to Hollywood where he is now a movie producer.
“He has been sending me scripts to write songs for as I feel inspired. I’ve written several songs for scripts that he has sent, some have made it as far as the director’s desk and others didn’t fit with the direction of the films. This is the first American film that I’ve had a song included in a major film.”
Born in Outlook, Rawling grew up in Meadow Lake and now calls Manitou Beach home. Along with Bonnie, the pair have recently come alongside Arnold and Millie Strueby at Danceland to help support where they can. When not at the beach, Bruce hits the open road touring and singing throughout western Canada. There is also the possibility the producers of Year By The Sea may have him tour through the United States to promote the movie soundtrack.
While Rawling said his journey through life has brought with it ups and downs, he has continued to lean on his faith. “I’ve known good times, but have also had some really difficult times as well. For me it has been my faith in Jesus that has helped me so many times to carry on. The song ‘Walk On Faith’ is an expression of that for me.
“Every step of this process has been surprising and exciting. I went in with no expectations, and so each step along this journey has just felt like a bonus! It’s been really good to work with people who have a passion for telling a story, and who have integrity, vision, and incredible perseverance.”
Released in 2016, Year By The Sea stars Karen Allen, Yannick Bisson, S Epatha Merkerson, Michael Cristofer and Celia Imrie and is directed by Alexander Janko. The feature film is based on Joan Anderson’s New York Times best-selling memoir, Year By The Sea and is about a woman hoping to reclaim who she was before marriage and children. An empty nester retreats to Cape Cod where she embarks upon a quest to set herself free.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 15, 2018
Watrous Co-op seeking to amalgamate
By Daniel Bushman
In a move that would see substantial savings, create a large partnership and provide members with positive benefits, the Watrous Co-op is planning to amalgamate with the Saskatoon Co-op and Hepburn Co-op. Contingent on approval from its members, general manager of the Watrous Co-op Andrew Parrott said in early 2017, boards from Watrous, Hepburn and Saskatoon had a vision of strengthening the co-ops by partnering to provide benefits to all members. The boards also reviewed a feasibility study planning the proposed partnership through amalgamation and found the benefits to the members were very positive.
“Today’s retail landscape continues to become more complex, and our competitors are continuing to expand and consolidate,” Parrott said. “Adding value for current and future members was at the forefront of this decision, but this also positions our co-ops to remain competitive, relevant and successful in an ever-changing market. By partnering together with neighbouring co-ops that share values, our co-ops will become better together.”
Financially, Parrott said the partnership would see the Watrous Co-op sites realize a savings of $300,000 per year because of increased efficiencies. “The feasibility study shows that the amalgamated co-op will be in a strong financial position to continue our emphasis on our Equity and Cash Back Programs to our members. Equity programs from both retails are in a strong position and would be expected to continue following amalgamation.”
If the amalgamation were to move forward, Parrott said there would be no job losses and added the feasibility study conducted by the co-ops showed the opportunity for new job creation. “All employees of the Watrous Co-op will have the opportunity to be employed with the new co-operative association. This may involve different responsibilities for our team members.”
In addition, the general manager said, “All members will benefit as a result of this partnership through amalgamation. By partnering, we will realize benefits from increased sales, increased margins and greater net savings. We will be able to offer all members a wider range of products and services, some of which are not currently available at the Watrous Co-op today. Amalgamation will also provide some communities with products and services that might not have been previously available in their communities. The biggest benefit to members from these co-ops by far would be the ability to use one co-op number in over eight communities and at over 30 different locations.”
While still in the early stages, Parrott said they will try to retain similar co-op numbers for the members and equity accumulated in either co-operative association will not be lost. “Individual equity will automatically be carried forward. If you are a member who holds membership at two or more of these co-ops, any and all equity would be combined.”
With the potential amalgamation on the horizon, a meeting is being held during the evening Feb. 7 at the civic centre in Watrous where members can register, listen to an information session and then cast their vote. Parrott said if everything passes, the goal is to begin the amalgamation process immediately after the vote has taken place. The effective date of the amalgamation could be as early as summer 2018. The new co-op’s board would be comprised of nine elected officials with elections held annually thereafter according to the bylaws.
“This is an exciting time for our co-op and for the community and this will set us up to be successful in the future. Co-ops were built on the concept of working together to help serve their communities better. That founding principle remains at the heart of this partnership, even as the world around us continues to change. If people have questions about any of the information or the amalgamation, I encourage them to get in touch with me.”
The local co-operative dates back to 1934 when a group of local farmers in Renown held the first organizational meeting Nov. 17, 1934. That resulted in Renown Co-operative being incorporated Mar. 23, 1935. According to the co-op’s website, operating out of a caboose for the first few years, the group had a part-time employee and only wood and coal was handled. The first agent was R. Norris, who at the time, was also the Pool Elevator Agent. Twine was added for sale and in 1937, gasoline and oil were also available to buy from the co-op.
Then in the early 1940s, the co-op moved into a building, formerly used by Security Lumber Company and owned by J.O. Davis. The co-op rented the building and also hired Davis to be its manager. At that time, wrenches, farm implement parts and other items were added as inventory. Not long after that, the co-op purchased stock of groceries, hardware and dry goods from the Libby Bros. General Store. It was also at that time in 1943 when the board of directors grew to nine.
As WWII ended, farm fuel sales increased and all fuel sales were delivered in 45 gallon drums. In 1951, metred fuel began and M. Laird had a contract to deliver the co-op’s fuel. The fuel was contracted out until the bulk fuel business moved to Watrous, which was when the local co-op elected to buy their own delivery truck.
Coal was used as a heating material and until the late 1950s, it was handled primarily at the Amazon Branch of the Renown Co-op. The Amazon Branch eventually closed in 1959.
With an eye on the future, discussion took place with plans to either include operating a bulk station only, building a store in Renown and expanding; or centralizing and support the organization of a co-op centre in Watrous.
As farms grew, some of the rural populations declining and Watrous becoming larger, a special meeting was held January 1958 to discuss relocating the co-op to Watrous. A feasibility survey took place and presented to the board in July 1961 and a decision was made to relocate to Watrous. Even though the co-op was still operating as the Renown Co-op Association, just over one year later on Nov. 1, 1962, the grand opening of the bulk station and store took place. The Renown store officially closed in September 1965 and the name changed to the Watrous Co-op Association at the next annual general meeting.
From there, the Watrous Co-op continued to grow and gained new members while primarily focusing on petroleum, oil, hardware and feed. Then in 1998, the Watrous Co-op elected to expand and over the next decade, grew in all areas. Part of that growth included the construction of a food store, the gas bar and C-store and the farm and hardware centre in Watrous.
By Daniel Bushman
In a move that would see substantial savings, create a large partnership and provide members with positive benefits, the Watrous Co-op is planning to amalgamate with the Saskatoon Co-op and Hepburn Co-op. Contingent on approval from its members, general manager of the Watrous Co-op Andrew Parrott said in early 2017, boards from Watrous, Hepburn and Saskatoon had a vision of strengthening the co-ops by partnering to provide benefits to all members. The boards also reviewed a feasibility study planning the proposed partnership through amalgamation and found the benefits to the members were very positive.
“Today’s retail landscape continues to become more complex, and our competitors are continuing to expand and consolidate,” Parrott said. “Adding value for current and future members was at the forefront of this decision, but this also positions our co-ops to remain competitive, relevant and successful in an ever-changing market. By partnering together with neighbouring co-ops that share values, our co-ops will become better together.”
Financially, Parrott said the partnership would see the Watrous Co-op sites realize a savings of $300,000 per year because of increased efficiencies. “The feasibility study shows that the amalgamated co-op will be in a strong financial position to continue our emphasis on our Equity and Cash Back Programs to our members. Equity programs from both retails are in a strong position and would be expected to continue following amalgamation.”
If the amalgamation were to move forward, Parrott said there would be no job losses and added the feasibility study conducted by the co-ops showed the opportunity for new job creation. “All employees of the Watrous Co-op will have the opportunity to be employed with the new co-operative association. This may involve different responsibilities for our team members.”
In addition, the general manager said, “All members will benefit as a result of this partnership through amalgamation. By partnering, we will realize benefits from increased sales, increased margins and greater net savings. We will be able to offer all members a wider range of products and services, some of which are not currently available at the Watrous Co-op today. Amalgamation will also provide some communities with products and services that might not have been previously available in their communities. The biggest benefit to members from these co-ops by far would be the ability to use one co-op number in over eight communities and at over 30 different locations.”
While still in the early stages, Parrott said they will try to retain similar co-op numbers for the members and equity accumulated in either co-operative association will not be lost. “Individual equity will automatically be carried forward. If you are a member who holds membership at two or more of these co-ops, any and all equity would be combined.”
With the potential amalgamation on the horizon, a meeting is being held during the evening Feb. 7 at the civic centre in Watrous where members can register, listen to an information session and then cast their vote. Parrott said if everything passes, the goal is to begin the amalgamation process immediately after the vote has taken place. The effective date of the amalgamation could be as early as summer 2018. The new co-op’s board would be comprised of nine elected officials with elections held annually thereafter according to the bylaws.
“This is an exciting time for our co-op and for the community and this will set us up to be successful in the future. Co-ops were built on the concept of working together to help serve their communities better. That founding principle remains at the heart of this partnership, even as the world around us continues to change. If people have questions about any of the information or the amalgamation, I encourage them to get in touch with me.”
The local co-operative dates back to 1934 when a group of local farmers in Renown held the first organizational meeting Nov. 17, 1934. That resulted in Renown Co-operative being incorporated Mar. 23, 1935. According to the co-op’s website, operating out of a caboose for the first few years, the group had a part-time employee and only wood and coal was handled. The first agent was R. Norris, who at the time, was also the Pool Elevator Agent. Twine was added for sale and in 1937, gasoline and oil were also available to buy from the co-op.
Then in the early 1940s, the co-op moved into a building, formerly used by Security Lumber Company and owned by J.O. Davis. The co-op rented the building and also hired Davis to be its manager. At that time, wrenches, farm implement parts and other items were added as inventory. Not long after that, the co-op purchased stock of groceries, hardware and dry goods from the Libby Bros. General Store. It was also at that time in 1943 when the board of directors grew to nine.
As WWII ended, farm fuel sales increased and all fuel sales were delivered in 45 gallon drums. In 1951, metred fuel began and M. Laird had a contract to deliver the co-op’s fuel. The fuel was contracted out until the bulk fuel business moved to Watrous, which was when the local co-op elected to buy their own delivery truck.
Coal was used as a heating material and until the late 1950s, it was handled primarily at the Amazon Branch of the Renown Co-op. The Amazon Branch eventually closed in 1959.
With an eye on the future, discussion took place with plans to either include operating a bulk station only, building a store in Renown and expanding; or centralizing and support the organization of a co-op centre in Watrous.
As farms grew, some of the rural populations declining and Watrous becoming larger, a special meeting was held January 1958 to discuss relocating the co-op to Watrous. A feasibility survey took place and presented to the board in July 1961 and a decision was made to relocate to Watrous. Even though the co-op was still operating as the Renown Co-op Association, just over one year later on Nov. 1, 1962, the grand opening of the bulk station and store took place. The Renown store officially closed in September 1965 and the name changed to the Watrous Co-op Association at the next annual general meeting.
From there, the Watrous Co-op continued to grow and gained new members while primarily focusing on petroleum, oil, hardware and feed. Then in 1998, the Watrous Co-op elected to expand and over the next decade, grew in all areas. Part of that growth included the construction of a food store, the gas bar and C-store and the farm and hardware centre in Watrous.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 8, 2018
PotashCorp and Agrium merge to form Nutrien
Daniel Bushman
Combining forces to create the world’s largest ag-retail network and the largest potash producer with nearly 20,000 employees and operations and investments in 14 countries, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. and Agrium Inc. successfully completed a merger of equals to form Nutrien.
After receiving clearance from the United States’ Federal Trade Commission Dec. 27 and obtaining all regulatory approvals required to close their proposed merger of equals transaction, the transaction closed to begin the new year Jan. 1, 2018. Trading of Nutrien shares then began on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges under the ticker symbol NTR Jan. 2.
“We are proud to launch Nutrien, a company that will forge a unique position within the agriculture industry,” said Chuck Magro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nutrien. “Our company will have an unmatched capability to respond to customer and market opportunities, focusing on innovation and growth across our retail and crop nutrient businesses. Importantly, we intend to draw upon the depth of our combined talent and best practices to build a new company that is stronger and better equipped to create value for all our stakeholders.”
The merger of equals between Potash Corporation and Agrium is very significant within the local area as it means that potash mines near Lanigan and Allan along with Crop Production Services locations at Colonsay, Drake, Liberty and Watrous all fall under the same umbrella.
With Nutrien moving forward, the company is expected to generate $500 million (US) of annual operating synergies, primarily from distribution and retail integration, production and SG&A optimization, and procurement savings. The company said it expects to achieve approximately $250 million (US) of those synergies by the end of 2018 with the full annualized run-rate achieved by the end of 2019.
In a release issued by Nutrien, the company said, “With major capacity expansion projects complete, expected proceeds from the divestiture of equity investments and significant cash flow generation capability, Nutrien will have flexibility to invest in focused growth initiatives and return excess capital to shareholders, while also prioritizing a strong investment grade credit rating profile.”
Along with the merge, a board and senior leadership team will be moving the company forward. While some of the company’s board of directors (with equal representation from Agrium and PotashCorp.) and members of its senior leadership team were previously announced, others have now been named. The group includes: Jochen Tilk, who will serve as the Executive Chair and Derek Pannell, who will serve as the Board’s independent Lead Director. Nutrien’s senior leadership team includes: Wayne Brownlee, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Steve Douglas, Executive Vice President and Chief Integration Officer. Additional members of Nutrien’s senior leadership team include: Harry Deans, Executive Vice President and President, Nitrogen; Michael Frank, Executive Vice President and President, Retail; Kevin Graham, Executive Vice President and President, Sales; Susan Jones, Executive Vice President and President, Phosphate; Lee Knafelc, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer; Leslie O’Donoghue, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer; Joe Podwika, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer; Brent Poohkay, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer; Raef Sully, Executive Vice President and President, Potash; and Mike Webb, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.
The company will have its registered head office in Saskatoon with other corporate offices in Calgary, Loveland Campus in Loveland, Colo. and the Northbrook sales office in Northbrook, Ill.
As the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services, the company will produce and distribute over 25 million tonnes of potash, nitrogen and phosphate products worldwide. With this capability and its agriculture retail network, Nutrien feels it is well positioned to supply the needs of its customers. “We operate with a long-term view and are committed to working with our stakeholders as we address our economic, environmental and social priorities. The scale and diversity of our integrated portfolio provides a stable earnings base, multiple avenues for growth and the opportunity to return capital to shareholders.”
As Nutrien began operating last week, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall was cautiously optimistic about the recently approved merger, based on commitments made in recent meetings with the Chief Executive Officers and Board Chairs of the two merging corporations.
Wall said those commitments included: Nutrien’s registered head office and global potash operations will be located in Saskatoon; corporate office positions in Saskatchewan will increase by at least 15 per cent, to approximately 300; approximately 4,500 of Nutrien’s 20,000 employees worldwide will be located in Saskatchewan; two new business functions will relocate to Saskatchewan; and CEO and/or Executive Chair of the Nutrien Board and the President of Nutrien’s potash operations will live and work in Saskatchewan.
“This is a strong commitment to Saskatchewan, which will ensure that the merger results in a net benefit for our province,” Wall said. “All of these commitments remain subject to approval of the new Nutrien board. Our government will be closely monitoring future developments, but I have every expectation that Nutrien will follow through on their commitments to Saskatchewan.”
Saskatchewan NDP interim leader Nicole Sarauer also voiced her opinion on the merger this past week. In an article in the Star Phoenix, Sarauer said it was very concerning the company had not gone far enough to provide assurances of keeping existing corporate office jobs in the province.
“We’ve heard very little about what’s going to happen to those Saskatchewan jobs, and we’ve heard little reassurance that those jobs are going to stay in Saskatchewan over the long term.”
With the merger of equals complete and the new company formed, The Watrous Manitou reached out to Nutrien’s Investors and Media Relations department on a couple of occasions last week to see what impact, if any, would occur to any of the local area facilities and whether jobs or sites would be affected. However by press time, the paper had not heard back.
Daniel Bushman
Combining forces to create the world’s largest ag-retail network and the largest potash producer with nearly 20,000 employees and operations and investments in 14 countries, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. and Agrium Inc. successfully completed a merger of equals to form Nutrien.
After receiving clearance from the United States’ Federal Trade Commission Dec. 27 and obtaining all regulatory approvals required to close their proposed merger of equals transaction, the transaction closed to begin the new year Jan. 1, 2018. Trading of Nutrien shares then began on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges under the ticker symbol NTR Jan. 2.
“We are proud to launch Nutrien, a company that will forge a unique position within the agriculture industry,” said Chuck Magro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nutrien. “Our company will have an unmatched capability to respond to customer and market opportunities, focusing on innovation and growth across our retail and crop nutrient businesses. Importantly, we intend to draw upon the depth of our combined talent and best practices to build a new company that is stronger and better equipped to create value for all our stakeholders.”
The merger of equals between Potash Corporation and Agrium is very significant within the local area as it means that potash mines near Lanigan and Allan along with Crop Production Services locations at Colonsay, Drake, Liberty and Watrous all fall under the same umbrella.
With Nutrien moving forward, the company is expected to generate $500 million (US) of annual operating synergies, primarily from distribution and retail integration, production and SG&A optimization, and procurement savings. The company said it expects to achieve approximately $250 million (US) of those synergies by the end of 2018 with the full annualized run-rate achieved by the end of 2019.
In a release issued by Nutrien, the company said, “With major capacity expansion projects complete, expected proceeds from the divestiture of equity investments and significant cash flow generation capability, Nutrien will have flexibility to invest in focused growth initiatives and return excess capital to shareholders, while also prioritizing a strong investment grade credit rating profile.”
Along with the merge, a board and senior leadership team will be moving the company forward. While some of the company’s board of directors (with equal representation from Agrium and PotashCorp.) and members of its senior leadership team were previously announced, others have now been named. The group includes: Jochen Tilk, who will serve as the Executive Chair and Derek Pannell, who will serve as the Board’s independent Lead Director. Nutrien’s senior leadership team includes: Wayne Brownlee, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Steve Douglas, Executive Vice President and Chief Integration Officer. Additional members of Nutrien’s senior leadership team include: Harry Deans, Executive Vice President and President, Nitrogen; Michael Frank, Executive Vice President and President, Retail; Kevin Graham, Executive Vice President and President, Sales; Susan Jones, Executive Vice President and President, Phosphate; Lee Knafelc, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer; Leslie O’Donoghue, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer; Joe Podwika, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer; Brent Poohkay, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer; Raef Sully, Executive Vice President and President, Potash; and Mike Webb, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.
The company will have its registered head office in Saskatoon with other corporate offices in Calgary, Loveland Campus in Loveland, Colo. and the Northbrook sales office in Northbrook, Ill.
As the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services, the company will produce and distribute over 25 million tonnes of potash, nitrogen and phosphate products worldwide. With this capability and its agriculture retail network, Nutrien feels it is well positioned to supply the needs of its customers. “We operate with a long-term view and are committed to working with our stakeholders as we address our economic, environmental and social priorities. The scale and diversity of our integrated portfolio provides a stable earnings base, multiple avenues for growth and the opportunity to return capital to shareholders.”
As Nutrien began operating last week, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall was cautiously optimistic about the recently approved merger, based on commitments made in recent meetings with the Chief Executive Officers and Board Chairs of the two merging corporations.
Wall said those commitments included: Nutrien’s registered head office and global potash operations will be located in Saskatoon; corporate office positions in Saskatchewan will increase by at least 15 per cent, to approximately 300; approximately 4,500 of Nutrien’s 20,000 employees worldwide will be located in Saskatchewan; two new business functions will relocate to Saskatchewan; and CEO and/or Executive Chair of the Nutrien Board and the President of Nutrien’s potash operations will live and work in Saskatchewan.
“This is a strong commitment to Saskatchewan, which will ensure that the merger results in a net benefit for our province,” Wall said. “All of these commitments remain subject to approval of the new Nutrien board. Our government will be closely monitoring future developments, but I have every expectation that Nutrien will follow through on their commitments to Saskatchewan.”
Saskatchewan NDP interim leader Nicole Sarauer also voiced her opinion on the merger this past week. In an article in the Star Phoenix, Sarauer said it was very concerning the company had not gone far enough to provide assurances of keeping existing corporate office jobs in the province.
“We’ve heard very little about what’s going to happen to those Saskatchewan jobs, and we’ve heard little reassurance that those jobs are going to stay in Saskatchewan over the long term.”
With the merger of equals complete and the new company formed, The Watrous Manitou reached out to Nutrien’s Investors and Media Relations department on a couple of occasions last week to see what impact, if any, would occur to any of the local area facilities and whether jobs or sites would be affected. However by press time, the paper had not heard back.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 1, 2018
Watrous Coach of the Year named
Daniel Bushman
With a tremendous dedication for the sport, knowledge of the game, and the ability to see players become the best they can be, this year’s Watrous Coach of the Year selection was a home run. Nominated by multiple people for the award, Alana Armstrong said it was an honour to be recognized in a community where there are so many amazing and dedicated coaches.
Finding out she had been named as this year’s recipient, Armstrong was at first speechless. “Yeah that never happens,” she said, laughing about being at a loss for words. After letting the recognition sink in, Alana said, “I was thrilled to have been nominated and feel so appreciated. It is really nice to have people feel you are doing a good job and that the efforts you put in are appreciated.”
Getting into coaching around 20 years ago when her oldest daughter began playing ball, Armstrong said each year has been an amazing experience. “I always learn something new and love learning new ways to help players learn. Each player learns in different ways and I love the challenge of working with each one.”
Armstrong’s desire to coach and get into coaching came right from a young age as an athlete herself. Having some amazing coaches that were inspiring to her, she wanted to do the same. “I wanted to coach to be able to give back and hopefully influence others in a positive way. I think sport can really shape children and it has lots of valuable lessons and character building built in to competition.”
The coaching abilities and the way in which Armstrong leads by example have not gone unnoticed as she was nominated by multiple people for this year’s Watrous Coach of the Year award. Lisa Oakes was one of the nominators as was Lori Dengler and Susie Schindel who sent in a nomination on behalf of the Watrous Royals Squirt ball team. Reading their nominations at the Town of Watrous’ annual Christmas party Dec. 8, it was evident at how deserving this year’s recipient was.
In her letter, Oakes noted Armstrong recently coached the Watrous girls squirt ball team to a silver medal in Redvers and Oakes was in awe of Alana’s dedication and knowledge of the game.
“She seems to have a way with the kids and it is always a treat watching how much the girls can improve their skills under her guidance. I have even witnessed her giving advice to players on opposing teams when base coaching our runners - she really just wants to see everyone out there doing their best at a game they love. A true testament to her character and her love of the sport!”
Oakes continued by stating that in addition to coaching the squirt team, Alana gave the remainder of her summer to coach the District Showcase team in a tournament in Prince Albert where they earned a bronze medal.
“Alana is a vital member of the Watrous Minor Ball executive and leads the way in our ball program in Watrous! She organizes clinics for girls of all ages to attend, applies for grants and organizes meetings and registrations. Thank you Alana for your contribution to softball in our town!”
Like the letter written by Oakes, the other nomination letter submitted by Dengler and Schindel noted how Armstrong leads by example and is very passionate about coaching. In addition to her love for the sport, Armstrong also brings exceptional experience and skills while impacting the girls she coaches, allowing them to go above and beyond how to play ball.
“She expects the girls to show up with a good attitude and sportsmanship. Anything less is not tolerated. She is tough when she needs to be in an encouraging way. She gives each girl a fair chance to learn the game and play the positions. She is there beside them encouraging them but also challenging them to be resilient.”
Reading the nomination letter at the civic centre Dec. 8, Dengler said Armstrong has what is true dedication to the girls she coaches, willing to coach them. “These girls truly love and respect Alana. The impact she has on them is remarkable.”
While Armstrong was unable to be at this year’s awards ceremony in Watrous as she was watching the 2017 Roar of the Rings curling finals in Ottawa, she said it is certainly amazing to be recognized in a community where she has watched her kids play many different sports with the help of volunteers and school coaches.
“I have witnessed great coaching for many years in this community and Watrous is certainly lucky to have so many wonderful volunteers that give selflessly season after season. For me, I just love teaching or improving skills and watching the kids grow and use what you taught them to succeed. It’s a special moment when something you teach works and the look of sheer joy they have is so rewarding! My oldest daughter has helped out when she is around and got to experience a bit of that feeling. She told me, ‘Now I know why you do it.’ . . . it’s that ah ha moment when the player gets it!”
With numerous seasons of experience over her time as a ball coach, Armstrong also shared a few highlights from her tenure. “Many of my highlights involve a player’s first hit, a home run, or the first time a team turns a double play. Taking your small town team and beating the big cities is also a joy. We won a few Saskatoon city championships and did well in tournaments in Alberta and Manitoba. This year was my first provincial medal as a coach and that is certainly a highlight as well. I am so proud of all the girls I have coached and they are always respectful and work really hard.”
The coach has also greatly appreciated the support over the years as well, noting that she has had the good fortune of working with amazing assistant coaches and very helpful parents. “I would like to thank them for their endless support. I love the sports I coach and the kids and parents that I work with, and hopefully my passion for the game can help others grow in positive ways. If you ever get the chance to coach - jump at it! The experience gives back far more than is ever put in!!”
Daniel Bushman
With a tremendous dedication for the sport, knowledge of the game, and the ability to see players become the best they can be, this year’s Watrous Coach of the Year selection was a home run. Nominated by multiple people for the award, Alana Armstrong said it was an honour to be recognized in a community where there are so many amazing and dedicated coaches.
Finding out she had been named as this year’s recipient, Armstrong was at first speechless. “Yeah that never happens,” she said, laughing about being at a loss for words. After letting the recognition sink in, Alana said, “I was thrilled to have been nominated and feel so appreciated. It is really nice to have people feel you are doing a good job and that the efforts you put in are appreciated.”
Getting into coaching around 20 years ago when her oldest daughter began playing ball, Armstrong said each year has been an amazing experience. “I always learn something new and love learning new ways to help players learn. Each player learns in different ways and I love the challenge of working with each one.”
Armstrong’s desire to coach and get into coaching came right from a young age as an athlete herself. Having some amazing coaches that were inspiring to her, she wanted to do the same. “I wanted to coach to be able to give back and hopefully influence others in a positive way. I think sport can really shape children and it has lots of valuable lessons and character building built in to competition.”
The coaching abilities and the way in which Armstrong leads by example have not gone unnoticed as she was nominated by multiple people for this year’s Watrous Coach of the Year award. Lisa Oakes was one of the nominators as was Lori Dengler and Susie Schindel who sent in a nomination on behalf of the Watrous Royals Squirt ball team. Reading their nominations at the Town of Watrous’ annual Christmas party Dec. 8, it was evident at how deserving this year’s recipient was.
In her letter, Oakes noted Armstrong recently coached the Watrous girls squirt ball team to a silver medal in Redvers and Oakes was in awe of Alana’s dedication and knowledge of the game.
“She seems to have a way with the kids and it is always a treat watching how much the girls can improve their skills under her guidance. I have even witnessed her giving advice to players on opposing teams when base coaching our runners - she really just wants to see everyone out there doing their best at a game they love. A true testament to her character and her love of the sport!”
Oakes continued by stating that in addition to coaching the squirt team, Alana gave the remainder of her summer to coach the District Showcase team in a tournament in Prince Albert where they earned a bronze medal.
“Alana is a vital member of the Watrous Minor Ball executive and leads the way in our ball program in Watrous! She organizes clinics for girls of all ages to attend, applies for grants and organizes meetings and registrations. Thank you Alana for your contribution to softball in our town!”
Like the letter written by Oakes, the other nomination letter submitted by Dengler and Schindel noted how Armstrong leads by example and is very passionate about coaching. In addition to her love for the sport, Armstrong also brings exceptional experience and skills while impacting the girls she coaches, allowing them to go above and beyond how to play ball.
“She expects the girls to show up with a good attitude and sportsmanship. Anything less is not tolerated. She is tough when she needs to be in an encouraging way. She gives each girl a fair chance to learn the game and play the positions. She is there beside them encouraging them but also challenging them to be resilient.”
Reading the nomination letter at the civic centre Dec. 8, Dengler said Armstrong has what is true dedication to the girls she coaches, willing to coach them. “These girls truly love and respect Alana. The impact she has on them is remarkable.”
While Armstrong was unable to be at this year’s awards ceremony in Watrous as she was watching the 2017 Roar of the Rings curling finals in Ottawa, she said it is certainly amazing to be recognized in a community where she has watched her kids play many different sports with the help of volunteers and school coaches.
“I have witnessed great coaching for many years in this community and Watrous is certainly lucky to have so many wonderful volunteers that give selflessly season after season. For me, I just love teaching or improving skills and watching the kids grow and use what you taught them to succeed. It’s a special moment when something you teach works and the look of sheer joy they have is so rewarding! My oldest daughter has helped out when she is around and got to experience a bit of that feeling. She told me, ‘Now I know why you do it.’ . . . it’s that ah ha moment when the player gets it!”
With numerous seasons of experience over her time as a ball coach, Armstrong also shared a few highlights from her tenure. “Many of my highlights involve a player’s first hit, a home run, or the first time a team turns a double play. Taking your small town team and beating the big cities is also a joy. We won a few Saskatoon city championships and did well in tournaments in Alberta and Manitoba. This year was my first provincial medal as a coach and that is certainly a highlight as well. I am so proud of all the girls I have coached and they are always respectful and work really hard.”
The coach has also greatly appreciated the support over the years as well, noting that she has had the good fortune of working with amazing assistant coaches and very helpful parents. “I would like to thank them for their endless support. I love the sports I coach and the kids and parents that I work with, and hopefully my passion for the game can help others grow in positive ways. If you ever get the chance to coach - jump at it! The experience gives back far more than is ever put in!!”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 18, 2017
Watrous Citizen of the Year named
Daniel Bushman
Giving selflessly of her time and considering many within the community as family, this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year was overwhelmed and humbled when she got the call that she had received this year’s honour. Nominated by the tenants of Diamond Jubilee Court in Watrous, Sylvia Dubeczy appreciated the residents for their thoughtfulness and kind words.
Born in Germany and moving to a farm near Sedley, Sask. with her parents when she was 20 years old, Dubeczy called Watrous home in 1993 and started working for the local housing authority in 2000.
“I see the work I do here as a real opportunity to provide assistance. These people have helped build this country and are now in their senior years and I want to show my appreciation back to them,” said Dubeczy who added, “It is not just me though, this is a community effort. Everyone from the electricians, the plumbers, contractors to maintenance and volunteers, everybody comes to the Jubilee Court to help make things run. In the housing authority, I can not do what I am able to do without the assistance of others and I feel they too need to be recognized. All of the volunteers that come in and give of their time and talents and those who do meals on wheels, it is truly a whole community that is involved.”
Citing her current role as the best job she has ever had, it was back in the 1990s after a swim at the spa that Dubeczy fell in love with the area and made friends.
“I am an only child and I had three cousins in Germany and that was it. So when I came here and met friends they became like my family. There are many within Watrous and the surrounding area that are like family and I care very much about the people here and I think they care about me.”
After listening to three of the tenants from Jubilee Court read the nomination letter during the awards ceremony Dec. 8, the feeling appears very mutual. Many of the residents shared in the nomination letter why Dubeczy was deserving of the honour. Here are some of those responses:
• “I have only known her for a short time, but I feel she is a friend and very helpful;”
• “Sylvia is kind and friendly! She has treated me to coffee;”
• “Sylvia has driven me to medical appointments in Saskatoon and Watrous;”
• “She listens to all complaints;”
• “My fridge quit working so with help of a dolly, Sylvia helped move the old fridge and replaced it with a working one;”
• “She is a pretty nice lady! She is one of those people, who will do anything for you;”
• “Sylvia comes whenever I call and is mindful about your personal problems;”
• “Sylvia comes to the building at all hours, calling on tenants to see if everything is okay;”
• “Sylvia is helpful, kind, dedicated, capable, entertaining, unselfish and generous;” and
• “She brings out the best in all of us!”
Rooted in her faith, Sylvia said the way in which she lives her life is through her faith and belief. “I enjoy so much of what I do. After I lost my right leg, the support that I received from people and the love and care that they showed was tremendous. They helped me to stand up again and I am trying to return those sentiments.”
Daniel Bushman
Giving selflessly of her time and considering many within the community as family, this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year was overwhelmed and humbled when she got the call that she had received this year’s honour. Nominated by the tenants of Diamond Jubilee Court in Watrous, Sylvia Dubeczy appreciated the residents for their thoughtfulness and kind words.
Born in Germany and moving to a farm near Sedley, Sask. with her parents when she was 20 years old, Dubeczy called Watrous home in 1993 and started working for the local housing authority in 2000.
“I see the work I do here as a real opportunity to provide assistance. These people have helped build this country and are now in their senior years and I want to show my appreciation back to them,” said Dubeczy who added, “It is not just me though, this is a community effort. Everyone from the electricians, the plumbers, contractors to maintenance and volunteers, everybody comes to the Jubilee Court to help make things run. In the housing authority, I can not do what I am able to do without the assistance of others and I feel they too need to be recognized. All of the volunteers that come in and give of their time and talents and those who do meals on wheels, it is truly a whole community that is involved.”
Citing her current role as the best job she has ever had, it was back in the 1990s after a swim at the spa that Dubeczy fell in love with the area and made friends.
“I am an only child and I had three cousins in Germany and that was it. So when I came here and met friends they became like my family. There are many within Watrous and the surrounding area that are like family and I care very much about the people here and I think they care about me.”
After listening to three of the tenants from Jubilee Court read the nomination letter during the awards ceremony Dec. 8, the feeling appears very mutual. Many of the residents shared in the nomination letter why Dubeczy was deserving of the honour. Here are some of those responses:
• “I have only known her for a short time, but I feel she is a friend and very helpful;”
• “Sylvia is kind and friendly! She has treated me to coffee;”
• “Sylvia has driven me to medical appointments in Saskatoon and Watrous;”
• “She listens to all complaints;”
• “My fridge quit working so with help of a dolly, Sylvia helped move the old fridge and replaced it with a working one;”
• “She is a pretty nice lady! She is one of those people, who will do anything for you;”
• “Sylvia comes whenever I call and is mindful about your personal problems;”
• “Sylvia comes to the building at all hours, calling on tenants to see if everything is okay;”
• “Sylvia is helpful, kind, dedicated, capable, entertaining, unselfish and generous;” and
• “She brings out the best in all of us!”
Rooted in her faith, Sylvia said the way in which she lives her life is through her faith and belief. “I enjoy so much of what I do. After I lost my right leg, the support that I received from people and the love and care that they showed was tremendous. They helped me to stand up again and I am trying to return those sentiments.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 11, 2017
Bull wins top title at back to back events
By Daniel Bushman
With a tremendous showing just a few weeks ago at Farmfair International in Edmonton, Nordal Limousin and Angus were hoping for another successful event, this time on a much larger stage. With the very best qualifiers from across Canada, Simpson’s Rob and Cindy Garner and their partners entered their three show bulls at this year’s Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.
The group submitted their yearling bull Boss Lake Dark Horse, their senior Limousin bull Greenwood Canadian Impact and their Red Angus bull Red Lazy MC Tradition. All three animals had shown well at Farmfair International, especially Greenwood Canadian Impact who was crowned Supreme Champion.
Hoping for more success in Regina, the three bulls along with the Garners and their partners spent Nov. 19 to 24 at the largest beef cattle show in Canada. Recognized as one of the biggest multi-breed events across the globe, the trio of bulls went up against entries from across the nation and from the United States.
Since Agribition is the final show of the season, Rob Garner said it is also where the very best of all breeds of cattle are shown. “Purebred cattle from all across Canada that have been shown throughout the year end up at Agribition. The competition is always stiff as the very best are there. It could be compared to the playoffs of any sport. Winning at a division or local level is great but Agribition is like winning the biggest prize of all.”
With hours of grooming and great care spent in preparing the three bulls for the big stage, it was soon time to show them.
“In the Limousin show, our yearling bull, Boss Lake Dark Horse won Junior Champion Yearling. Our senior Limousin bull, Greenwood Canadian Impact (who was Supreme Champion in Edmonton) won the Grand Champion Limousin award. Our Red Angus bull, Red Lazy MC Tradition won Reserve Senior Champion Red Angus bull. As these three bulls have won Grand Champion awards at major shows this fall, they were qualified to enter the most coveted show of all beef cattle shows, the Agribition RBC Beef Supreme.”
With all of the breed champions attending from major shows across Canada and the United States, the RBC Beef Supreme has become a display of the very best cattle. Garner said, “These cattle shown contain some of the most influential genetics in the business. Many of the cattle in this show will have added exposure to assist the owners marketing them worldwide.”
Not only are a lot of the top cattle from North America in attendance but the judges are also the cream of the crop. Since the competition is the crown jewel at the highest level, the five judges selected from Argentina, Texas and Canada are very respected and distinguished cattlemen and cattlewomen.
At the RBC Beef Supreme, Garner said the females led the way first followed by the bulls. As the judges were tabulating the scores of the female animals after they had been shown, the bulls began entering the ring. Rob said his excitement and anticipation grew as his trio of bulls came up and were taken to the ring.
Once the bulls paraded through, the panel of judges tabulated their results and all the animals, both male and female, returned to the ring. From there, the top 10 of each were announced, a very noteworthy accomplishment in itself. The announcement after the top 10 were recognized was the crowning of both male and female RBC Supreme Champions.
“As the moment grew closer, being nervous and excited would be an understatement. As our bull Greenwood Canadian Impact had won the Supreme in Edmonton two weeks earlier we hoped he would be popular with these judges also. Well he was. Greenwood Canadian Impact was slapped by one of the judges as the 2017 Agribition RBC Supreme Champion bull. Impact made a bit of history as he is the first Limousin bull to win this major award. He has won two major Supreme awards back to back.”
Garner said what was also unique was the female champion had also won the Alberta Supreme at Farmfair International, the same competition that Greenwood Canadian Impact had won at.
“The recognition of having your animal win is something that is rarely achieved. The animal has to be one of the very best and has to be presented at a very high-calibre. In addition, the judges for that day have to place him very high to acquire enough of a score to come out on top. With over 40 bulls in this show being the very best of many breeds, this award is very special to win.”
While the Garners have exhibited cattle at Agribition for many years, this one took top spot and will be a highlight for years to come.
As for Greenwood Canadian Impact, his show career is now over and he has returned to the Garner farm.
“We have been fortunate with the added exposure and wins and because of that, his genetics will be marketed and sent to many other countries around the world.”
By Daniel Bushman
With a tremendous showing just a few weeks ago at Farmfair International in Edmonton, Nordal Limousin and Angus were hoping for another successful event, this time on a much larger stage. With the very best qualifiers from across Canada, Simpson’s Rob and Cindy Garner and their partners entered their three show bulls at this year’s Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.
The group submitted their yearling bull Boss Lake Dark Horse, their senior Limousin bull Greenwood Canadian Impact and their Red Angus bull Red Lazy MC Tradition. All three animals had shown well at Farmfair International, especially Greenwood Canadian Impact who was crowned Supreme Champion.
Hoping for more success in Regina, the three bulls along with the Garners and their partners spent Nov. 19 to 24 at the largest beef cattle show in Canada. Recognized as one of the biggest multi-breed events across the globe, the trio of bulls went up against entries from across the nation and from the United States.
Since Agribition is the final show of the season, Rob Garner said it is also where the very best of all breeds of cattle are shown. “Purebred cattle from all across Canada that have been shown throughout the year end up at Agribition. The competition is always stiff as the very best are there. It could be compared to the playoffs of any sport. Winning at a division or local level is great but Agribition is like winning the biggest prize of all.”
With hours of grooming and great care spent in preparing the three bulls for the big stage, it was soon time to show them.
“In the Limousin show, our yearling bull, Boss Lake Dark Horse won Junior Champion Yearling. Our senior Limousin bull, Greenwood Canadian Impact (who was Supreme Champion in Edmonton) won the Grand Champion Limousin award. Our Red Angus bull, Red Lazy MC Tradition won Reserve Senior Champion Red Angus bull. As these three bulls have won Grand Champion awards at major shows this fall, they were qualified to enter the most coveted show of all beef cattle shows, the Agribition RBC Beef Supreme.”
With all of the breed champions attending from major shows across Canada and the United States, the RBC Beef Supreme has become a display of the very best cattle. Garner said, “These cattle shown contain some of the most influential genetics in the business. Many of the cattle in this show will have added exposure to assist the owners marketing them worldwide.”
Not only are a lot of the top cattle from North America in attendance but the judges are also the cream of the crop. Since the competition is the crown jewel at the highest level, the five judges selected from Argentina, Texas and Canada are very respected and distinguished cattlemen and cattlewomen.
At the RBC Beef Supreme, Garner said the females led the way first followed by the bulls. As the judges were tabulating the scores of the female animals after they had been shown, the bulls began entering the ring. Rob said his excitement and anticipation grew as his trio of bulls came up and were taken to the ring.
Once the bulls paraded through, the panel of judges tabulated their results and all the animals, both male and female, returned to the ring. From there, the top 10 of each were announced, a very noteworthy accomplishment in itself. The announcement after the top 10 were recognized was the crowning of both male and female RBC Supreme Champions.
“As the moment grew closer, being nervous and excited would be an understatement. As our bull Greenwood Canadian Impact had won the Supreme in Edmonton two weeks earlier we hoped he would be popular with these judges also. Well he was. Greenwood Canadian Impact was slapped by one of the judges as the 2017 Agribition RBC Supreme Champion bull. Impact made a bit of history as he is the first Limousin bull to win this major award. He has won two major Supreme awards back to back.”
Garner said what was also unique was the female champion had also won the Alberta Supreme at Farmfair International, the same competition that Greenwood Canadian Impact had won at.
“The recognition of having your animal win is something that is rarely achieved. The animal has to be one of the very best and has to be presented at a very high-calibre. In addition, the judges for that day have to place him very high to acquire enough of a score to come out on top. With over 40 bulls in this show being the very best of many breeds, this award is very special to win.”
While the Garners have exhibited cattle at Agribition for many years, this one took top spot and will be a highlight for years to come.
As for Greenwood Canadian Impact, his show career is now over and he has returned to the Garner farm.
“We have been fortunate with the added exposure and wins and because of that, his genetics will be marketed and sent to many other countries around the world.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 4, 2017
Precautionary drinking water advisory issued after water main break
By Daniel Bushman
With thousands of gallons spewing out of Watrous’ water system, valves had to be shutoff around Main Street in Watrous and a precautionary drinking water advisory issued. Crews worked hard to repair the Nov. 24 break after it occurred around 10 p.m. Friday night. Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said with the installation of the new reverse osmosis water treatment plant, new high flow alarms were triggered when the break occurred.
“Operators including myself receive messages immediately when high water flows out of the ordinary occur. We had up to 800 gallons of water per minute leaving the water plant when the burst occurred. Typically on a Friday night around 10 p.m. there would be around 80 gallons per minute leaving the plant so we knew something was wrong.”
A large hole in the pipe was created by the water break and crews spent a few hours trying to isolate the area. “In a lot of cases when there is a water break, it will come to the surface and it can be easy to identify where it is coming from. In this situation it found its way into our sanitary sewer so we had to pry open the manholes to find where it was.”
Leading to Main Street, crews were able to narrow down their search and turned water off to residences and businesses along Main Street and nearby. Then on Saturday morning, they continued to pinpoint the spot where the pipe had burst.
“We ended up having to dig a few holes and also repaired a valve on Main Street to isolate the leak even further. By Monday we had fixed the portion of busted pipe and water was turned back on later in the afternoon.”
However, because of the depressurization caused by the water main repair and wanting to ensure the safety of the town’s drinking water supply, Tarasoff said they were required to notify the Water Security Agency. A precautionary drinking water advisory was then issued by the Agency Monday evening, Nov. 27. The advisory, which was expected to last until early this week at the latest included residents and users on the 100 Block, 200 Block and 300 Block of Main Street, the 100 Blocks of 2nd Ave. E., 3rd Ave. E., 3rd Ave. W., 4th Ave. E. and 4th Ave. W., the 200 Block of 4th Ave. W., and the Watrous Co-op Gas and Convenience Store.
Tarasoff said the advisory would be lifted once two separate sets of samples came back clear. “We had to send samples away to be tested and were hoping to receive them back before the weekend. If not, then they should be here early this week and if all goes well, the precautionary advisory will be lifted in short order.”
In an effort to ensure safety and have the water system back up and running as quickly as possible, Tarasoff wanted to remind residents that crews do everything they can in situations like the recent water main break.
“I want to assure people that we respond as quickly as possible and try and have everything fixed and ready to go as safely and as promptly as we can. There are a lot of steps needed to be taken before we are able to give the green light and unfortunately with a break like the one we had, it took some time to safely have it fixed.”
By Daniel Bushman
With thousands of gallons spewing out of Watrous’ water system, valves had to be shutoff around Main Street in Watrous and a precautionary drinking water advisory issued. Crews worked hard to repair the Nov. 24 break after it occurred around 10 p.m. Friday night. Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said with the installation of the new reverse osmosis water treatment plant, new high flow alarms were triggered when the break occurred.
“Operators including myself receive messages immediately when high water flows out of the ordinary occur. We had up to 800 gallons of water per minute leaving the water plant when the burst occurred. Typically on a Friday night around 10 p.m. there would be around 80 gallons per minute leaving the plant so we knew something was wrong.”
A large hole in the pipe was created by the water break and crews spent a few hours trying to isolate the area. “In a lot of cases when there is a water break, it will come to the surface and it can be easy to identify where it is coming from. In this situation it found its way into our sanitary sewer so we had to pry open the manholes to find where it was.”
Leading to Main Street, crews were able to narrow down their search and turned water off to residences and businesses along Main Street and nearby. Then on Saturday morning, they continued to pinpoint the spot where the pipe had burst.
“We ended up having to dig a few holes and also repaired a valve on Main Street to isolate the leak even further. By Monday we had fixed the portion of busted pipe and water was turned back on later in the afternoon.”
However, because of the depressurization caused by the water main repair and wanting to ensure the safety of the town’s drinking water supply, Tarasoff said they were required to notify the Water Security Agency. A precautionary drinking water advisory was then issued by the Agency Monday evening, Nov. 27. The advisory, which was expected to last until early this week at the latest included residents and users on the 100 Block, 200 Block and 300 Block of Main Street, the 100 Blocks of 2nd Ave. E., 3rd Ave. E., 3rd Ave. W., 4th Ave. E. and 4th Ave. W., the 200 Block of 4th Ave. W., and the Watrous Co-op Gas and Convenience Store.
Tarasoff said the advisory would be lifted once two separate sets of samples came back clear. “We had to send samples away to be tested and were hoping to receive them back before the weekend. If not, then they should be here early this week and if all goes well, the precautionary advisory will be lifted in short order.”
In an effort to ensure safety and have the water system back up and running as quickly as possible, Tarasoff wanted to remind residents that crews do everything they can in situations like the recent water main break.
“I want to assure people that we respond as quickly as possible and try and have everything fixed and ready to go as safely and as promptly as we can. There are a lot of steps needed to be taken before we are able to give the green light and unfortunately with a break like the one we had, it took some time to safely have it fixed.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 27, 2017
Melron Marks 20 Years
By Daniel Bushman
Starting out with just one backhoe and the future unknown, two decades later a local business has not only surpassed its expectations but has grown to include a large fleet of machinery while garnering the support of many. Thousands and thousands or perhaps millions and millions of buckets of dirt and gravel later, Melron Services in Watrous recently marked its 20th year in business.
Owned by Ron and Melissa Ediger, the pair started it up back in 1997 and Melissa recalled the first time Ron suggested the idea; an idea that would later demolish original expectations by leaps and bounds.
“Ron was still working at Mainline Motors and he came home after work one day and told me that we should get a backhoe,” Melissa said. “I looked at him and thought he was crazy. He told me that we should go for it and that he felt there was a need for the services in the area.”
So the pair agreed to give it a try, coming up with the name Melron (three letters from each of their names), and away they went.
“We started up in September of 1997 with one backhoe and began doing trenching services in and around Watrous,” said Ron, who had previously owned a business in Nokomis before working at Mainline. Utilizing that previous business experience, shortly after starting up the company in 1997, Melron bought a truck and a trailer and then added to its fleet with a tandem unit as well. Ron and Melissa’s son Trent also joined the company and then after New Year’s they began expanding by hiring another staff member.
“We hired Adam Jabs in 1998 and he has been with us ever since,” said Ron.
Purchasing Sly Yanoshewski’s shop in the fall of 1998, Ron said the company continued to pick up steam and with the local area support it was receiving, “we expanded, spread our wings and never looked back.”
Over the years Melron Services continued to add to its repertoire by growing in the aggregate business, did more excavating, demolition, land clearing and also got into marketing trailers and designing their own EZ MUV Packer, which offers an affordable spike tooth packer with hydraulic transport wheels.
“Trent and I came up with that idea one day,” Ron said of the EZ MUV Packer. “It just grew from there and we added flat deck, car hauler, utility and enclosed trailers as well.”
Along with the various expansions taking place, Melron Services also created a larger shop. In 2008, a 60’ x 100’ building was constructed at 708 4th Ave. E., in Watrous near Hwy. 365. The shop contains offices, space for machinery to be repaired and maintained and also a graphics design area called Melron Graphics which is managed by Trent’s wife Roxy.
In addition to the larger facility, more equipment was purchased and employees hired on. Currently employing 30 people, Melron Services also added numerous pieces of machinery and equipment throughout its two decades including:
• four excavators including a backhoe;
• eight larger wheel loaders;
• a caterpillar;
• three skid steers;
• packers;
• a large gravel crushing spread;
• gravel trailers and mega trailers; and
• 42 service trucks and large trucks.
“This has allowed us to do all sorts of projects and jobs in and around Watrous and the surrounding area,” said Ron.
In fact, Melron has not only done a lot of dirt work and demolitions, but they did road gravelling for nine rural municipalities this year. They have also done lots of site work for business locations including the new Chrysler dealership coming to Watrous and they haul to all of the surrounding mines.
“When BHP began its initial work, we hauled all the gravel to the site south of LeRoy. There is a lot of gravel that we have hauled there over the years. The business we have received since we first started the company has just multiplied for us. We didn’t quit, we just kept rolling.”
Part of that success can also be attributed to two other things: support from the area and doing a good job.
Ron said, “We have had very good support from the local community and from the surrounding larger local area. We cater to those within an 80 mile radius and go to the end of the RM of Big Arm, over by Govan and Semans and north of Jansen. We live in a community where it is wonderful to do business in. There are a lot of friendly people and we are just so fortunate to live in Watrous.”
Melissa echoed those comments as well. “The support has been great and we just love it here. People have been so supportive and this truly is a wonderful community.”
Ron and Melissa said the tremendous support by the area was evident earlier this year when the company held a customer appreciation day, marking its 20 years in business.
“We had a lot of people come out that day in July. It was great to see them enjoying the day and it was fun to visit with them as well.”
The pair also acknowledged their staff as well and the job that they do. “We have 30 staff and they include everyone from the technicians to truck drivers to equipment operators to office staff and we pride ourselves in knowing that our staff do a good job and to hear they do a good job makes it satisfying to know that we are moving in the right direction.”
And that direction will continue as both Ron and Melissa are looking forward to what the future holds. “When we started I didn’t think it would grow like this,” said Ron. “Our first job was at the Howatt farm east of Lockwood and from there we just continued to do more jobs and grow. We couldn’t be more thrilled with how things have turned out 20 years later and how supportive this community and the area have been.”
By Daniel Bushman
Starting out with just one backhoe and the future unknown, two decades later a local business has not only surpassed its expectations but has grown to include a large fleet of machinery while garnering the support of many. Thousands and thousands or perhaps millions and millions of buckets of dirt and gravel later, Melron Services in Watrous recently marked its 20th year in business.
Owned by Ron and Melissa Ediger, the pair started it up back in 1997 and Melissa recalled the first time Ron suggested the idea; an idea that would later demolish original expectations by leaps and bounds.
“Ron was still working at Mainline Motors and he came home after work one day and told me that we should get a backhoe,” Melissa said. “I looked at him and thought he was crazy. He told me that we should go for it and that he felt there was a need for the services in the area.”
So the pair agreed to give it a try, coming up with the name Melron (three letters from each of their names), and away they went.
“We started up in September of 1997 with one backhoe and began doing trenching services in and around Watrous,” said Ron, who had previously owned a business in Nokomis before working at Mainline. Utilizing that previous business experience, shortly after starting up the company in 1997, Melron bought a truck and a trailer and then added to its fleet with a tandem unit as well. Ron and Melissa’s son Trent also joined the company and then after New Year’s they began expanding by hiring another staff member.
“We hired Adam Jabs in 1998 and he has been with us ever since,” said Ron.
Purchasing Sly Yanoshewski’s shop in the fall of 1998, Ron said the company continued to pick up steam and with the local area support it was receiving, “we expanded, spread our wings and never looked back.”
Over the years Melron Services continued to add to its repertoire by growing in the aggregate business, did more excavating, demolition, land clearing and also got into marketing trailers and designing their own EZ MUV Packer, which offers an affordable spike tooth packer with hydraulic transport wheels.
“Trent and I came up with that idea one day,” Ron said of the EZ MUV Packer. “It just grew from there and we added flat deck, car hauler, utility and enclosed trailers as well.”
Along with the various expansions taking place, Melron Services also created a larger shop. In 2008, a 60’ x 100’ building was constructed at 708 4th Ave. E., in Watrous near Hwy. 365. The shop contains offices, space for machinery to be repaired and maintained and also a graphics design area called Melron Graphics which is managed by Trent’s wife Roxy.
In addition to the larger facility, more equipment was purchased and employees hired on. Currently employing 30 people, Melron Services also added numerous pieces of machinery and equipment throughout its two decades including:
• four excavators including a backhoe;
• eight larger wheel loaders;
• a caterpillar;
• three skid steers;
• packers;
• a large gravel crushing spread;
• gravel trailers and mega trailers; and
• 42 service trucks and large trucks.
“This has allowed us to do all sorts of projects and jobs in and around Watrous and the surrounding area,” said Ron.
In fact, Melron has not only done a lot of dirt work and demolitions, but they did road gravelling for nine rural municipalities this year. They have also done lots of site work for business locations including the new Chrysler dealership coming to Watrous and they haul to all of the surrounding mines.
“When BHP began its initial work, we hauled all the gravel to the site south of LeRoy. There is a lot of gravel that we have hauled there over the years. The business we have received since we first started the company has just multiplied for us. We didn’t quit, we just kept rolling.”
Part of that success can also be attributed to two other things: support from the area and doing a good job.
Ron said, “We have had very good support from the local community and from the surrounding larger local area. We cater to those within an 80 mile radius and go to the end of the RM of Big Arm, over by Govan and Semans and north of Jansen. We live in a community where it is wonderful to do business in. There are a lot of friendly people and we are just so fortunate to live in Watrous.”
Melissa echoed those comments as well. “The support has been great and we just love it here. People have been so supportive and this truly is a wonderful community.”
Ron and Melissa said the tremendous support by the area was evident earlier this year when the company held a customer appreciation day, marking its 20 years in business.
“We had a lot of people come out that day in July. It was great to see them enjoying the day and it was fun to visit with them as well.”
The pair also acknowledged their staff as well and the job that they do. “We have 30 staff and they include everyone from the technicians to truck drivers to equipment operators to office staff and we pride ourselves in knowing that our staff do a good job and to hear they do a good job makes it satisfying to know that we are moving in the right direction.”
And that direction will continue as both Ron and Melissa are looking forward to what the future holds. “When we started I didn’t think it would grow like this,” said Ron. “Our first job was at the Howatt farm east of Lockwood and from there we just continued to do more jobs and grow. We couldn’t be more thrilled with how things have turned out 20 years later and how supportive this community and the area have been.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 20, 2017
Bulls a cut above at international show
By Daniel Bushman
To say it was a successful showing at this year’s Farmfair International for Nordal Limousin and Angus might be a bit of an understatement. Not only did Rob and Cindy Garner of Simpson find themselves with a tremendous outcome with their three show bulls, but they also received keys to a brand new vehicle.
Raising purebred and commercial beef cattle, Garner said they invest a lot of time and effort into their farm and ranch, taking pride in what they do. By raising their purebred cattle to introduce new and stronger genetics and improve production in their herds, the bulls entered into this year’s show Nov. 8 to 12, translated into a winning combination.
With major cattle shows held across the country each fall, Farmfair International in Edmonton, Alta. proves to be one of the largest in Western Canada. Exhibitors of purebred beef cattle display from 10 different breeds at the mid-November show. With some of the best cattle that breeders have produced entered into the show, judges award champions in both male and female divisions of each breed. Along with their partners, the Garners entered three bulls at this year’s Farmfair International, two in the Limousin show and one in the Red Angus show.
Designated as national shows, the Limousin and Red Angus events proved to be competitive with animals vying to be named National Champion. Garner explained how his animals fared:
“Our ‘Mature Bull’ (two years of age born 2015), Greenwood Canadian Impact, won the Grand Champion award making him the 2017 National Champion Limousin Bull. Our Junior Bull (one year of age born 2016), Boss Lake Dark Horse, won Reserve Junior Champion Bull. We also entered a ‘Mature Bull’ (two years old born 2015) in the Red Angus Show which was also designated a National Show. The bull, Red Lazy MC Tradition, won the Grand Champion Bull award also taking the title of 2017 National Champion Red Angus Bull.”
Garner said in just a select few of the major shows there is also an overall breed champions event at the conclusion of the show. The designated Supreme Show displays all of the breed champions, which was the case this year. At Farmfair International, an Alberta Supreme was held where Champions from the Olds Fall Classic and the Lloydminster Stockade Roundup along with the Champions from Farmfair International were eligible to compete.
With a panel of five judges who have significant experience from across Canada and internationally, the judges rank the entries based on their personal preference as to what they like to see in the ideal beef animal. Since Garner’s bulls all did well, the three qualified for the Supreme Show. Red Lazy MC Tradition won the Olds Fall Classic Red Angus show and the National Red Angus Show at Farmfair International, the bull Boss Lake Dark Horse won Olds Fall Classic Limousin show, and the third bull Greenwood Canadian Impact, won the Lloydminster Stockade Roundup Limousin show and the National Limousin show at Farmfair International.
After the judges made their notes and placed the animals, Red Lazy MC Tradition and Greenwood Canadian Impact were a cut above, making the top five in the Supreme Show.
“Our bull, Greenwood Canadian Impact was popular with the judges with his near perfect conformation, size and mobility plus his attractive presence as he was given three firsts and two seconds. On a point system Greenwood Canadian Impact was scored with the highest amount of top placings, giving him the Supreme Championship award.”
Collecting top spot was not only a tremendous honour but each of the Supreme Champion breeders in the female and bull category were awarded a 2018 Dodge Ram pickup, sponsored by Dodge.
While Greenwood Canadian Impact was first overall, Garner’s other bull, Red Lazy MC Tradition placed third in the final Supreme Show judging. Boss Lake Dark Horse did not rank but Garner said if they decide to show him another year and he wins a championship, he will be eligible for this competition again.
Winning a major show like Farmfair International was a very rewarding achievement and Garner said it provided recognition of having an animal that other breeders may want to use in their breeding programs.
“As the name says, Farmfair International is truly that. Visitors come from over 10 countries looking for opportunities to purchase genetics from the breeders who show and exhibit their cattle. Winning a championship, or even more so, the Supreme Show, adds more buyer’s interest as they can take semen or embryos back to their countries with these elite genetics. This gives the foreign buyers added value in their herds at home and offering to their customers by purchasing the very best Canada has to offer. Our two National Champion bulls have semen being exported to Mexico, Australia and the United States.”
With his bulls reaching such a high status through the show, Garner said the breeders that the animals were originally bought from kept the bulls and fed, grew and pampered them to get to the elite show ring stature.
“It takes a tremendous amount of care, attention and dedication to have these animals presented in such an impressive manner. They are fed the very best in feed, exercised daily, washed, clipped and groomed every day well in advance of the show time. At show time their hair coats are combed and prepared with such complete perfection. It is easier to take care of a large herd of cattle than it is to complete the management planning and precise presentation of a small group of show cattle. Our partners, the Scott and Jacquie Payne family from Lloydminster have done an outstanding job of presenting Greenwood Canadian Impact. Red Lazy MC Tradition is being shown by our partners Clint and Laurie Morasch from Bassano, Alta., who have achieved many championship awards in the past two years.”
While Garner was pretty excited to not only have his animals place well but also to get the keys to a new vehicle, he added the three bulls will be hitting the road to Regina for Agribition. Competing in the breed shows at Agribition, Garner said it is the final show of the year. With cattle coming from across Canada to take part in this year’s event, Garner said all three of his bulls have already qualified to compete in the final event, the RBC Beef Supreme show.
“It is one of the most prestigious honours to win. The competition will be stiff but will be exciting to watch as once again they will be part of the very best beef genetics Canada has to offer to our own industry and around the world.”
By Daniel Bushman
To say it was a successful showing at this year’s Farmfair International for Nordal Limousin and Angus might be a bit of an understatement. Not only did Rob and Cindy Garner of Simpson find themselves with a tremendous outcome with their three show bulls, but they also received keys to a brand new vehicle.
Raising purebred and commercial beef cattle, Garner said they invest a lot of time and effort into their farm and ranch, taking pride in what they do. By raising their purebred cattle to introduce new and stronger genetics and improve production in their herds, the bulls entered into this year’s show Nov. 8 to 12, translated into a winning combination.
With major cattle shows held across the country each fall, Farmfair International in Edmonton, Alta. proves to be one of the largest in Western Canada. Exhibitors of purebred beef cattle display from 10 different breeds at the mid-November show. With some of the best cattle that breeders have produced entered into the show, judges award champions in both male and female divisions of each breed. Along with their partners, the Garners entered three bulls at this year’s Farmfair International, two in the Limousin show and one in the Red Angus show.
Designated as national shows, the Limousin and Red Angus events proved to be competitive with animals vying to be named National Champion. Garner explained how his animals fared:
“Our ‘Mature Bull’ (two years of age born 2015), Greenwood Canadian Impact, won the Grand Champion award making him the 2017 National Champion Limousin Bull. Our Junior Bull (one year of age born 2016), Boss Lake Dark Horse, won Reserve Junior Champion Bull. We also entered a ‘Mature Bull’ (two years old born 2015) in the Red Angus Show which was also designated a National Show. The bull, Red Lazy MC Tradition, won the Grand Champion Bull award also taking the title of 2017 National Champion Red Angus Bull.”
Garner said in just a select few of the major shows there is also an overall breed champions event at the conclusion of the show. The designated Supreme Show displays all of the breed champions, which was the case this year. At Farmfair International, an Alberta Supreme was held where Champions from the Olds Fall Classic and the Lloydminster Stockade Roundup along with the Champions from Farmfair International were eligible to compete.
With a panel of five judges who have significant experience from across Canada and internationally, the judges rank the entries based on their personal preference as to what they like to see in the ideal beef animal. Since Garner’s bulls all did well, the three qualified for the Supreme Show. Red Lazy MC Tradition won the Olds Fall Classic Red Angus show and the National Red Angus Show at Farmfair International, the bull Boss Lake Dark Horse won Olds Fall Classic Limousin show, and the third bull Greenwood Canadian Impact, won the Lloydminster Stockade Roundup Limousin show and the National Limousin show at Farmfair International.
After the judges made their notes and placed the animals, Red Lazy MC Tradition and Greenwood Canadian Impact were a cut above, making the top five in the Supreme Show.
“Our bull, Greenwood Canadian Impact was popular with the judges with his near perfect conformation, size and mobility plus his attractive presence as he was given three firsts and two seconds. On a point system Greenwood Canadian Impact was scored with the highest amount of top placings, giving him the Supreme Championship award.”
Collecting top spot was not only a tremendous honour but each of the Supreme Champion breeders in the female and bull category were awarded a 2018 Dodge Ram pickup, sponsored by Dodge.
While Greenwood Canadian Impact was first overall, Garner’s other bull, Red Lazy MC Tradition placed third in the final Supreme Show judging. Boss Lake Dark Horse did not rank but Garner said if they decide to show him another year and he wins a championship, he will be eligible for this competition again.
Winning a major show like Farmfair International was a very rewarding achievement and Garner said it provided recognition of having an animal that other breeders may want to use in their breeding programs.
“As the name says, Farmfair International is truly that. Visitors come from over 10 countries looking for opportunities to purchase genetics from the breeders who show and exhibit their cattle. Winning a championship, or even more so, the Supreme Show, adds more buyer’s interest as they can take semen or embryos back to their countries with these elite genetics. This gives the foreign buyers added value in their herds at home and offering to their customers by purchasing the very best Canada has to offer. Our two National Champion bulls have semen being exported to Mexico, Australia and the United States.”
With his bulls reaching such a high status through the show, Garner said the breeders that the animals were originally bought from kept the bulls and fed, grew and pampered them to get to the elite show ring stature.
“It takes a tremendous amount of care, attention and dedication to have these animals presented in such an impressive manner. They are fed the very best in feed, exercised daily, washed, clipped and groomed every day well in advance of the show time. At show time their hair coats are combed and prepared with such complete perfection. It is easier to take care of a large herd of cattle than it is to complete the management planning and precise presentation of a small group of show cattle. Our partners, the Scott and Jacquie Payne family from Lloydminster have done an outstanding job of presenting Greenwood Canadian Impact. Red Lazy MC Tradition is being shown by our partners Clint and Laurie Morasch from Bassano, Alta., who have achieved many championship awards in the past two years.”
While Garner was pretty excited to not only have his animals place well but also to get the keys to a new vehicle, he added the three bulls will be hitting the road to Regina for Agribition. Competing in the breed shows at Agribition, Garner said it is the final show of the year. With cattle coming from across Canada to take part in this year’s event, Garner said all three of his bulls have already qualified to compete in the final event, the RBC Beef Supreme show.
“It is one of the most prestigious honours to win. The competition will be stiff but will be exciting to watch as once again they will be part of the very best beef genetics Canada has to offer to our own industry and around the world.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 13, 2017
Snow arrives along with November
By Daniel Bushman
Snow shovels were dusted off, roads, driveways and sidewalks cleared and snowmobilers rejoiced as snow pelted the area along with the arrival of November. That was quite the contrast to last November when temperatures were well-above normal and there was no trace of snow to be found. Even this October was essentially spared from the snow but Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning as November approached, courtesy of a low pressure system.
Moving through the prairie provinces during the latter part of the first week of November, heavy snow and winds created headaches for motorists and those digging out of mounds of snow as the accumulation of snow began adding up. From that event, Environment Canada released amounts of total snowfall accumulations (in centimetres) throughout the province as of 2 p.m. Nov. 4: Canora had 16 cm; Elbow had 13 cm; Fort Qu’Appelle had 11 cm; Kamsack had 17 cm; Limerick had 10 cm; Lucky Lake had 17 cm; Maple Creek had 12 cm; Maryfield had 7 cm; Outlook had 9 cm; Regina had 11 cm; Rockhaven had 7 cm; Saskatoon had between 5 and 10 cm; Spalding had 8 cm; Swift Current had 15 cm; Vibank had 14 cm; and Yorkton had 15 cm.
Locally, David Phillips with Environment Canada said there was between three and four centimetres of snow that fell although there were reports of more that came down.
“Winter has arrived,” said Phillips after talking about the heavy snowfall. “Last year, November was one of the warmest Novembers on record but the month before that was winter-like. Even though winter makes an appearance, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are in it for the long haul.”
Whether or not the winter atmosphere decides to permanently stick around until the spring, it was a grim reminder of how fast it can get cold. On Nov. 5, Phillips said the temperature dropped to -20.1˚C during the morning when the normal low for this time of year would be about -8˚C. As for the daytime highs, for this time of year, they could be well-above the freezing mark.
In fact in November 2016, there was a stretch from Nov. 3 to 14 where the daytime high hit at least 10˚C and even reached 17.5˚C (Nov. 9). That has not been the case so far for this November.
“Clearly this has been a bit of a slap in the face,” said Phillips of the cooler weather this as opposed to last year.
While the cold was not that welcome to most, Phillips did say that nature has provided a bit of a break with regards to moisture. With more precipitation than normal in October and November, Phillips said it has aided in helping improve the moisture deficit.
“In October we had more than 75 mm of precipitation where normally it would be 28 mm so that is a good start on trying to bring back those soil moisture levels. Even in November, in the first six days we had around seven to eight millimetres of precipitation when normally you would see about two.”
While there can be uncertainty in the weather, especially on the prairies, from a farming standpoint, “We’ve seen some restoring of moisture levels because of what happened in October and November. The other thing is that harvest was finished in time, much earlier than it normally would be, which was good news.”
While that has been positive news, it was the cold temperatures that really took a bite out of the enjoyment of being outside. “The morning of -20.1˚C was almost a record cold spanning over the last 10 or 12 years. The record was -20.4˚C but at other stations nearby there have been colder temperatures for Nov. 5. No question it was cold and we could likely see that continue.”
With November being colder than normal, including the arrival of more arctic and polar air, Phillips regretfully said people could be dealing with more of that down the road.
“When we look at the winter as a whole, we do see conditions that seem to favour colder than normal.”
Phillips added it is not always a guarantee that it will be colder than normal and used last year’s November as an example. “It was a very similar kind of water pattern in the Pacific (last year) and the winter was not as bad as it has been in the past.”
So as November moves along and the official start of winter (Dec. 21) creeps closer and closer, Phillips summed up what people could be in store for.
“For those that like winter to be cold and snowy, they won’t be disappointed and those that don’t want it to be a frigid kind of period from Halloween to Easter, I think they will also not have to deal with that.”
By Daniel Bushman
Snow shovels were dusted off, roads, driveways and sidewalks cleared and snowmobilers rejoiced as snow pelted the area along with the arrival of November. That was quite the contrast to last November when temperatures were well-above normal and there was no trace of snow to be found. Even this October was essentially spared from the snow but Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning as November approached, courtesy of a low pressure system.
Moving through the prairie provinces during the latter part of the first week of November, heavy snow and winds created headaches for motorists and those digging out of mounds of snow as the accumulation of snow began adding up. From that event, Environment Canada released amounts of total snowfall accumulations (in centimetres) throughout the province as of 2 p.m. Nov. 4: Canora had 16 cm; Elbow had 13 cm; Fort Qu’Appelle had 11 cm; Kamsack had 17 cm; Limerick had 10 cm; Lucky Lake had 17 cm; Maple Creek had 12 cm; Maryfield had 7 cm; Outlook had 9 cm; Regina had 11 cm; Rockhaven had 7 cm; Saskatoon had between 5 and 10 cm; Spalding had 8 cm; Swift Current had 15 cm; Vibank had 14 cm; and Yorkton had 15 cm.
Locally, David Phillips with Environment Canada said there was between three and four centimetres of snow that fell although there were reports of more that came down.
“Winter has arrived,” said Phillips after talking about the heavy snowfall. “Last year, November was one of the warmest Novembers on record but the month before that was winter-like. Even though winter makes an appearance, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are in it for the long haul.”
Whether or not the winter atmosphere decides to permanently stick around until the spring, it was a grim reminder of how fast it can get cold. On Nov. 5, Phillips said the temperature dropped to -20.1˚C during the morning when the normal low for this time of year would be about -8˚C. As for the daytime highs, for this time of year, they could be well-above the freezing mark.
In fact in November 2016, there was a stretch from Nov. 3 to 14 where the daytime high hit at least 10˚C and even reached 17.5˚C (Nov. 9). That has not been the case so far for this November.
“Clearly this has been a bit of a slap in the face,” said Phillips of the cooler weather this as opposed to last year.
While the cold was not that welcome to most, Phillips did say that nature has provided a bit of a break with regards to moisture. With more precipitation than normal in October and November, Phillips said it has aided in helping improve the moisture deficit.
“In October we had more than 75 mm of precipitation where normally it would be 28 mm so that is a good start on trying to bring back those soil moisture levels. Even in November, in the first six days we had around seven to eight millimetres of precipitation when normally you would see about two.”
While there can be uncertainty in the weather, especially on the prairies, from a farming standpoint, “We’ve seen some restoring of moisture levels because of what happened in October and November. The other thing is that harvest was finished in time, much earlier than it normally would be, which was good news.”
While that has been positive news, it was the cold temperatures that really took a bite out of the enjoyment of being outside. “The morning of -20.1˚C was almost a record cold spanning over the last 10 or 12 years. The record was -20.4˚C but at other stations nearby there have been colder temperatures for Nov. 5. No question it was cold and we could likely see that continue.”
With November being colder than normal, including the arrival of more arctic and polar air, Phillips regretfully said people could be dealing with more of that down the road.
“When we look at the winter as a whole, we do see conditions that seem to favour colder than normal.”
Phillips added it is not always a guarantee that it will be colder than normal and used last year’s November as an example. “It was a very similar kind of water pattern in the Pacific (last year) and the winter was not as bad as it has been in the past.”
So as November moves along and the official start of winter (Dec. 21) creeps closer and closer, Phillips summed up what people could be in store for.
“For those that like winter to be cold and snowy, they won’t be disappointed and those that don’t want it to be a frigid kind of period from Halloween to Easter, I think they will also not have to deal with that.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 6, 2017
Watrous business broken into during afternoon
Daniel Bushman
Thanks to some quick action by a pair of local residents, damage was mitigated and not a lot stolen after a break-in at the Watrous Pharmacy. Despite numerous cars parked along Main Street and during the early part of the afternoon Sunday, Oct. 29, a suspect gained access to the pharmacy by smashing the glass on one of the main doors to the building. From there, he went inside the pharmacy for just a couple of minutes before fleeing.
Around 2 p.m. Oct. 29, long-time Watrous resident Lyle Smith was driving north on Main Street when he heard what he thought was loud hammering. Since Sunday happened to be a really windy day, Smith was looking for the hammering to come from the top of a building where shingles may have flown off or signs may have become unhinged. Realizing that it was not someone trying to fix a roof but rather a robber breaking into a building, Smith parked in front of Affinity Credit Union, directly across the street from the pharmacy.
Standing by the end of his truck, Smith quickly called 911 and watched as the suspect smashed the door. “He threw a rock the size of a baseball at one of the doors at the front entrance, breaking the glass. He then kicked it out and went straight to the back of the building.”
As a couple of minutes passed, Smith remained on the phone with 911 and the man came out. “He looked around a bit and was going to start walking down Main Street like nothing happened. He saw me across the street looking at him and I told the person on the phone, “He’s just leaving now.” The guy knew where he was going, crossed the street and then went around the corner by the RBC Royal Bank. By the time I got there he had disappeared.”
Since the pharmacy was not open Sunday, owner Alana Armstrong and her staff were not inside. Not expecting to receive a call of a break-in during a Sunday afternoon, let alone ever, Armstrong’s phone began ringing. On the other end was Melanie Mooney, who was on the same side of the street as Smith. Mooney, who works at Affinity Credit Union also saw the incident and quickly called 911 and then Armstrong.
Mooney had pulled in front of the credit union to take out some cash from the ATM and while in her vehicle noticed someone standing at the pharmacy door.
“I realized he was breaking the glass door to enter,” said Mooney. “I called 911 and was on the phone the entire time. My cell phone indicated my call was placed to 911 at 2:04 p.m. After my 911 call, I called Alana at her home to notify her. Because of my Affinity Credit Union training on robberies, I went home and completed a number of pages to describe the robber and the incident, then delivered it to the police station.”
After Mooney placed a call to Armstrong, Alana hopped into her vehicle and headed over to the pharmacy and by the time she got there, police had arrived.
Quickly arriving after receiving the call of a break-in, officers determined the individual had been inside for a few minutes, exited and fled on foot. A search of the business revealed a small amount of prescription pills were taken.
Members of the detachment took witness statements, which provided a description of the suspect and staff from the pharmacy reported that an individual from Ontario had been in the pharmacy on three occasions on Friday, Oct. 27 trying to get an out of province prescription filled.
On Tuesday, Oct. 31, Ontario Provincial Police from Norfolk County contacted the Watrous RCMP and advised they had identified a suspect who had text his ex-wife that he had broken into the pharmacy and that he was on his way back to Ontario. She in turn reported this to the Ontario Provincial Police. Watrous RCMP said the OPP is currently assisting them and making attempts to locate the suspect and arrest him for one count of break, enter and theft.
Armstrong said, “I really appreciate our community watch and because of it, there was hardly any damage done and minimal items taken.”
Armstrong said the pharmacy was last broken into in the late 1980s and thought the Oct. 29 incident was really quite strange.
“It was really bizarre that a person would try and gain access through the front door during a Sunday afternoon, especially with all the people parked downtown.”
Smith figured if he and Mooney would not have been in the area, the suspect may have made off with significantly more. “There was no one else outside at the time and I just happened to hear this loud banging and then saw him. Both Melanie and I quickly got on our phones and it wasn’t long after that he came out and left.”
After the whole situation unfolded, Smith said he began replaying it in his head and started thinking of the things he could have done differently.
“It was one of those if I should have done this or I should have done that but I had no idea if he had a gun or whatever. Once he saw me looking at him he started moving fairly fast.”
While the perpetrator got away, at least for now, Smith provided a description.
“He had a pullover sweater that looked like those work socks that have the red and white stripe around them and he was wearing a grey toque and blue jeans.”
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspect can contact the Watrous RCMP or Crimestoppers.
Daniel Bushman
Thanks to some quick action by a pair of local residents, damage was mitigated and not a lot stolen after a break-in at the Watrous Pharmacy. Despite numerous cars parked along Main Street and during the early part of the afternoon Sunday, Oct. 29, a suspect gained access to the pharmacy by smashing the glass on one of the main doors to the building. From there, he went inside the pharmacy for just a couple of minutes before fleeing.
Around 2 p.m. Oct. 29, long-time Watrous resident Lyle Smith was driving north on Main Street when he heard what he thought was loud hammering. Since Sunday happened to be a really windy day, Smith was looking for the hammering to come from the top of a building where shingles may have flown off or signs may have become unhinged. Realizing that it was not someone trying to fix a roof but rather a robber breaking into a building, Smith parked in front of Affinity Credit Union, directly across the street from the pharmacy.
Standing by the end of his truck, Smith quickly called 911 and watched as the suspect smashed the door. “He threw a rock the size of a baseball at one of the doors at the front entrance, breaking the glass. He then kicked it out and went straight to the back of the building.”
As a couple of minutes passed, Smith remained on the phone with 911 and the man came out. “He looked around a bit and was going to start walking down Main Street like nothing happened. He saw me across the street looking at him and I told the person on the phone, “He’s just leaving now.” The guy knew where he was going, crossed the street and then went around the corner by the RBC Royal Bank. By the time I got there he had disappeared.”
Since the pharmacy was not open Sunday, owner Alana Armstrong and her staff were not inside. Not expecting to receive a call of a break-in during a Sunday afternoon, let alone ever, Armstrong’s phone began ringing. On the other end was Melanie Mooney, who was on the same side of the street as Smith. Mooney, who works at Affinity Credit Union also saw the incident and quickly called 911 and then Armstrong.
Mooney had pulled in front of the credit union to take out some cash from the ATM and while in her vehicle noticed someone standing at the pharmacy door.
“I realized he was breaking the glass door to enter,” said Mooney. “I called 911 and was on the phone the entire time. My cell phone indicated my call was placed to 911 at 2:04 p.m. After my 911 call, I called Alana at her home to notify her. Because of my Affinity Credit Union training on robberies, I went home and completed a number of pages to describe the robber and the incident, then delivered it to the police station.”
After Mooney placed a call to Armstrong, Alana hopped into her vehicle and headed over to the pharmacy and by the time she got there, police had arrived.
Quickly arriving after receiving the call of a break-in, officers determined the individual had been inside for a few minutes, exited and fled on foot. A search of the business revealed a small amount of prescription pills were taken.
Members of the detachment took witness statements, which provided a description of the suspect and staff from the pharmacy reported that an individual from Ontario had been in the pharmacy on three occasions on Friday, Oct. 27 trying to get an out of province prescription filled.
On Tuesday, Oct. 31, Ontario Provincial Police from Norfolk County contacted the Watrous RCMP and advised they had identified a suspect who had text his ex-wife that he had broken into the pharmacy and that he was on his way back to Ontario. She in turn reported this to the Ontario Provincial Police. Watrous RCMP said the OPP is currently assisting them and making attempts to locate the suspect and arrest him for one count of break, enter and theft.
Armstrong said, “I really appreciate our community watch and because of it, there was hardly any damage done and minimal items taken.”
Armstrong said the pharmacy was last broken into in the late 1980s and thought the Oct. 29 incident was really quite strange.
“It was really bizarre that a person would try and gain access through the front door during a Sunday afternoon, especially with all the people parked downtown.”
Smith figured if he and Mooney would not have been in the area, the suspect may have made off with significantly more. “There was no one else outside at the time and I just happened to hear this loud banging and then saw him. Both Melanie and I quickly got on our phones and it wasn’t long after that he came out and left.”
After the whole situation unfolded, Smith said he began replaying it in his head and started thinking of the things he could have done differently.
“It was one of those if I should have done this or I should have done that but I had no idea if he had a gun or whatever. Once he saw me looking at him he started moving fairly fast.”
While the perpetrator got away, at least for now, Smith provided a description.
“He had a pullover sweater that looked like those work socks that have the red and white stripe around them and he was wearing a grey toque and blue jeans.”
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspect can contact the Watrous RCMP or Crimestoppers.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 30, 2017
Work continues on road #668
Daniel Bushman
After beginning improvements to road #668 in early September, work continued through October and will move into November. Barricades have been set up along a pair of sections of road #668 between Watrous and Guernsey so crews can complete the projects.
With the road in rough condition and in need of repair, Rural Municipality of Usborne Administrator Anna Rintoul said things have been progressing since work began and crews are hopeful for good and cooperative weather over the next few weeks.
The plan for the sections of road #668 is to improve the surface and upgrade the road to primary weights. So far, asphalt milling and cementing on both portions have been done and sub-base repair in certain sections has been added. Aiming to be completed before winter, Rintoul said paving along with work on applicable approaches and aprons for safety and protection of investment is still to be finished.
As the work takes place, barriers have been set up and detours marked in an effort to keep motorists from using those stretches of #668. People wanting to head out of Watrous on #668 are being rerouted south of town to Hwy. 2 where they can use the Lockwood grid road. After travelling along that road, a left turn at the detour arrow will have motorists headed back towards #668 where they can access the road once again. After a brief drive eventually passing the edge of Little Manitou Lake, vehicles will approach a curve which would lead them past the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church. However, another detour is set up before the curve, directing traffic north along another grid road before they can make a right turn. Following the detour arrow signs, those travelling the road will eventually arrive at an intersection where they can resume driving north on #668 towards the PotashCorp Lanigan mine, Guernsey and Hwy. 16. Those headed south on #668 towards Watrous or from road #761 (which connects to Drake) can use the same detours.
With a good amount of traffic using #668 on a daily basis, the RM said having the barriers in place for the safety of those working on the road and also for motorists is important.
“Since work started, several people have been driving around the barricades and through construction. The RM is encouraging motorists to plan accordingly and use the detours where possible to avoid unsafe situations and delays in construction.”
As the two current portions of road #668 are being worked on, a third stretch is also on the schedule to be repaired. Once the current two projects are completed then improvements on the third section would take place. That work would involve the curve by the former Sharon Mennonite Church but Rintoul said that might not happen this year.
“This is all dependent on when the current stretches are completed.”
Overall, road #668 will see 6.06 km of work done by the RM of Usborne with another 2.54 km completed by the RM of Morris, located at N9, 10, 11 and E of SE 14-32-24 W2.
Daniel Bushman
After beginning improvements to road #668 in early September, work continued through October and will move into November. Barricades have been set up along a pair of sections of road #668 between Watrous and Guernsey so crews can complete the projects.
With the road in rough condition and in need of repair, Rural Municipality of Usborne Administrator Anna Rintoul said things have been progressing since work began and crews are hopeful for good and cooperative weather over the next few weeks.
The plan for the sections of road #668 is to improve the surface and upgrade the road to primary weights. So far, asphalt milling and cementing on both portions have been done and sub-base repair in certain sections has been added. Aiming to be completed before winter, Rintoul said paving along with work on applicable approaches and aprons for safety and protection of investment is still to be finished.
As the work takes place, barriers have been set up and detours marked in an effort to keep motorists from using those stretches of #668. People wanting to head out of Watrous on #668 are being rerouted south of town to Hwy. 2 where they can use the Lockwood grid road. After travelling along that road, a left turn at the detour arrow will have motorists headed back towards #668 where they can access the road once again. After a brief drive eventually passing the edge of Little Manitou Lake, vehicles will approach a curve which would lead them past the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church. However, another detour is set up before the curve, directing traffic north along another grid road before they can make a right turn. Following the detour arrow signs, those travelling the road will eventually arrive at an intersection where they can resume driving north on #668 towards the PotashCorp Lanigan mine, Guernsey and Hwy. 16. Those headed south on #668 towards Watrous or from road #761 (which connects to Drake) can use the same detours.
With a good amount of traffic using #668 on a daily basis, the RM said having the barriers in place for the safety of those working on the road and also for motorists is important.
“Since work started, several people have been driving around the barricades and through construction. The RM is encouraging motorists to plan accordingly and use the detours where possible to avoid unsafe situations and delays in construction.”
As the two current portions of road #668 are being worked on, a third stretch is also on the schedule to be repaired. Once the current two projects are completed then improvements on the third section would take place. That work would involve the curve by the former Sharon Mennonite Church but Rintoul said that might not happen this year.
“This is all dependent on when the current stretches are completed.”
Overall, road #668 will see 6.06 km of work done by the RM of Usborne with another 2.54 km completed by the RM of Morris, located at N9, 10, 11 and E of SE 14-32-24 W2.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 23, 2017
Chrysler dealership coming to Watrous
By Daniel Bushman
As the ceremonial shovel hit the ground, crews began setting up shop and work commenced on what will become a new vehicle dealership just off Hwy. 2 in Watrous. Curtis Merrifield and Jason Ediger, who both grew up in the area along with Keegan McAvoy, all of the Mainline Automotive Group, have joined forces with former co-owner of Mainline Motors in Watrous Don Campbell to build a brand new Chrysler dealership.
Merrifield and his wife Janel worked at Mainline Motors in Watrous with Gerald Merrifield and business partner Don Campbell before moving to Rosetown to take on dealerships there. The new company, Manitou Mainline Chrysler purchased the Chrysler franchise from Hendry’s out of Nokomis and will officially take over June 30, 2018. Along with Ediger, McAvoy and Campbell, Merrifield said the group is aiming to have the facility done by July 15 and officially open as Manitou Mainline Chrysler Aug. 1.
“Watrous is a great place to do business and it always has been,” said an excited Merrifield. “The business community is very strong and Jason and I grew up in the area and we are looking forward to the opportunity. We approached Hendry’s with the opportunity of moving the franchise to Watrous and we are eager to get going.”
Melron Services out of Watrous is doing the excavating and ground work for the 25,000 square foot facility which is being built by Wright Construction. With the building being constructed on a five acre paved lot near Hwy. 2, a road to the dealership will be created off road #668 next to Watrous Concrete.
Merrifield said the business which will employ 35 people will be selling new and used vehicles, offering service and selling parts. By bringing in a third car dealership to the community, Merrifield said it will add to the two already in town.
“Mainline Motors and Centennial Ford are strong companies in Watrous and by coming to town, we are hoping to add to that and bring even more people into the community.”
As for Hendry’s in Nokomis, Merrifield said they have operated a solid business over the years and have been great to deal with through the whole purchasing process.
“We are going to have a great partnership with them going forward. They will get their parts through us, will still service vehicles and maybe sell some new vehicles through us as well. We are going to work together by offering parts and new vehicles to them. They have had a great business for a lot of years as a Chrysler dealership.”
With the new dealership coming to Watrous next year and the Chrysler name attached with it, Bob Hendry with Hendry’s Western Service Station Limited in Nokomis said their dealership in Nokomis will still be operating past the June 30 franchise takeover date.
“We are planning on staying here in Nokomis,” said Hendry, whose business has been a Chrysler dealership since 1961. “We will be selling used vehicles and repairing cars and when it comes to new units or parts, we will be going through the new dealership in Watrous.”
Along with his brother Ron, the pair will mark 44 years at Hendry’s next spring and said they have had a lot of loyal customers support them throughout the years.
“We’ve had a real good customer base from Nokomis and the surrounding area. We have really appreciated their support over the years.”
As the new Chrysler dealership officially begins taking shape in Watrous, Merrifield added he appreciated help from the town including Dion Tarasoff, Orrin Redden, mayor Ed Collins and members of council as everything was finalized and approved.
“Moving forward, Jason, myself and Keegan are going to be heavily involved throughout the process along with Don and we will continue to do so once we get up and running. We are excited and our whole group is excited to get to Watrous and sell cars.”
By Daniel Bushman
As the ceremonial shovel hit the ground, crews began setting up shop and work commenced on what will become a new vehicle dealership just off Hwy. 2 in Watrous. Curtis Merrifield and Jason Ediger, who both grew up in the area along with Keegan McAvoy, all of the Mainline Automotive Group, have joined forces with former co-owner of Mainline Motors in Watrous Don Campbell to build a brand new Chrysler dealership.
Merrifield and his wife Janel worked at Mainline Motors in Watrous with Gerald Merrifield and business partner Don Campbell before moving to Rosetown to take on dealerships there. The new company, Manitou Mainline Chrysler purchased the Chrysler franchise from Hendry’s out of Nokomis and will officially take over June 30, 2018. Along with Ediger, McAvoy and Campbell, Merrifield said the group is aiming to have the facility done by July 15 and officially open as Manitou Mainline Chrysler Aug. 1.
“Watrous is a great place to do business and it always has been,” said an excited Merrifield. “The business community is very strong and Jason and I grew up in the area and we are looking forward to the opportunity. We approached Hendry’s with the opportunity of moving the franchise to Watrous and we are eager to get going.”
Melron Services out of Watrous is doing the excavating and ground work for the 25,000 square foot facility which is being built by Wright Construction. With the building being constructed on a five acre paved lot near Hwy. 2, a road to the dealership will be created off road #668 next to Watrous Concrete.
Merrifield said the business which will employ 35 people will be selling new and used vehicles, offering service and selling parts. By bringing in a third car dealership to the community, Merrifield said it will add to the two already in town.
“Mainline Motors and Centennial Ford are strong companies in Watrous and by coming to town, we are hoping to add to that and bring even more people into the community.”
As for Hendry’s in Nokomis, Merrifield said they have operated a solid business over the years and have been great to deal with through the whole purchasing process.
“We are going to have a great partnership with them going forward. They will get their parts through us, will still service vehicles and maybe sell some new vehicles through us as well. We are going to work together by offering parts and new vehicles to them. They have had a great business for a lot of years as a Chrysler dealership.”
With the new dealership coming to Watrous next year and the Chrysler name attached with it, Bob Hendry with Hendry’s Western Service Station Limited in Nokomis said their dealership in Nokomis will still be operating past the June 30 franchise takeover date.
“We are planning on staying here in Nokomis,” said Hendry, whose business has been a Chrysler dealership since 1961. “We will be selling used vehicles and repairing cars and when it comes to new units or parts, we will be going through the new dealership in Watrous.”
Along with his brother Ron, the pair will mark 44 years at Hendry’s next spring and said they have had a lot of loyal customers support them throughout the years.
“We’ve had a real good customer base from Nokomis and the surrounding area. We have really appreciated their support over the years.”
As the new Chrysler dealership officially begins taking shape in Watrous, Merrifield added he appreciated help from the town including Dion Tarasoff, Orrin Redden, mayor Ed Collins and members of council as everything was finalized and approved.
“Moving forward, Jason, myself and Keegan are going to be heavily involved throughout the process along with Don and we will continue to do so once we get up and running. We are excited and our whole group is excited to get to Watrous and sell cars.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 16, 2017
Sask Party leadership candidate visits constituency
By Daniel Bushman
Seeking to become the next leader of the Saskatchewan Party with current premier Brad Wall getting set to retire from politics, candidate Scott Moe was joined by MLA for Humboldt-Watrous Donna Harpauer as the pair visited the local constituency. Currently endorsed by 22 Saskatchewan Party MLAs including 11 cabinet ministers and Harpauer, the MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook chatted with The Watrous Manitou during their stop Sept. 29.
Moe, who comes from a rural setting much like the Humboldt-Watrous constituency said the whole leadership transition has been something he has been committed to since Wall’s announcement was made earlier this year.
With a leadership convention slated for late January, where members of the Saskatchewan Party will elect a new leader, Moe said once word came that Wall would be stepping away from politics, there was some fairly quick discussions by a number of people within the caucus and from outside of it on how to foster the transition and what role to play. From that, Moe felt led to put his hat in the ring, joining a handful of other leadership hopefuls.
“I can honestly say with me putting my name forward as a leadership candidate, I would be very hesitant to do that without the team of caucus and cabinet support that we have been able to assemble. It is important for me because I believe in collaborating on direction and policy and all of those things that are important, not just in this run but ultimately being able to form a government and to govern properly on behalf of the people in the province.”
Thrilled to be working with his team including Harpauer, Moe noted the importance of having the support from so many within the party and from outside of it. He also talked about the importance of Harpauer and being able to work with her since 2011.
“She is a friend and colleague and she is also a mentor as she has been in government since 1999. She represents an area similar to what I represent. I have relied on Donna and others from time to time for guidance and advice on how to best represent constituents and how to best navigate the halls of government if you will. To have her on our team is greatly appreciated by me.”
Harpauer, the Minister of Finance said there is a very good reason why there is such strong support for Moe. “We have seen his ability to take on new files, to take on new challenges and to do so and show leadership throughout. He is the only candidate that has 11 cabinet ministers that are behind him. We have seen him work at that table and how he has brought us to decisions that we can support and get behind. He has led those decisions as well as work with caucus members and bring them on board. He is definitely collaborative but most of all it is the vision. Scott is very committed to his family and that is so important to all of us to keep that in mind. We are doing this for our families and all of the families in the province.”
Moe, who will be returning to the Humboldt-Watrous constituency before the convention in January said his journey into politics was one that he did not expect would one day involve possibly becoming the next premier of Saskatchewan. The MLA’s road into politics started with volunteering for things his kids were involved with. “At some point in time you find yourself organizing work bees to replace canteen structures at your sports grounds and from there it grew to organizing additional work bees and dollars to renovate your local hockey arena and things of that nature. The next thing you find is you are involved with regional projects such as fundraising for regional hospitals and things of that nature and you start to realize that your hockey arena and community don’t operate in isolation, they are part of a broader region; a broader region where communities, when they work together, they are stronger together. The next thing you know you are in a provincial election running for the Saskatchewan Party and then if you turn around and take a breather, you find you are in a race to be the leader of that particular party. I don’t know if there is ever a path where you set out on and say, “This is where I think I will end up.” . . . I am having a lot of fun along the way.”
Moe also touched on the importance of rural and urban sectors within the province and the need to depend on each other. Whether it is mining, agriculture or manufactured goods, products that are exported across the globe may come from rural areas and the people developing and extracting the products may come from urban places.
“We are very linked in the province of Saskatchewan between our urban centres and our rural communities. I grew up on a farm between Parkside and Shellbrook and my wife and I have been involved off and on in the agriculture industry.”
With a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan, Moe said the agriculture industry is one of the very fabrics of the economy in Saskatchewan. “I understand the industry but I also rely on people that I know that are actively involved in the industry as we move forward. It is a fast moving and exciting part of the Saskatchewan economy and it is part of each of our communities.”
Moe has also been vocal about not wanting to see a carbon tax come to the province, something the federal government is implementing. Rather, Moe said Saskatchewan will be promoting a different conversation around carbon “than one of just taxing our industries to the tune of $2 or $2.5 billion a year. Saskatchewan has a great position to talk about a more fulsome carbon conversation whether that would be in the efforts that are being made in our power generation as we move forward in the next decade of a 40 percent reduction in emissions in how we generate our power here in the province of Saskatchewan. Whether it would be in the efforts that have been made and are being made in our energy industry or our mining industry, which are among the best in the world. When compared to industries around the world I would (say) that they are very sustainable.”
Moe also touched on the incorporation of things like no-till agriculture and implementing pulse crops that fix their own nitrogen. The MLA said the province has great innovation to share with the rest of the world in no-till technology and carbon capture and storage in mining. “I think this is something that Saskatchewan people and Saskatchewan industry can be very very proud of.”
Moving towards the leadership convention in January, Moe said he will continue to address the issue of the carbon tax and will also be focusing on three other key themes:
• committing to getting the budget back to balance and getting the fiscal house in order in the province;
• the continuing support for communities and families through investment and infrastructure with municipalities, investment in hospitals and schools across the province and investment in services; and
• the effort to stand with, support and allow businesses in the province to flourish. “In Saskatchewan, we have 43,000 businesses that operate in communities all across our province and we need to continue to support every opportunity for those businesses to expand and employ people in our province.”
As Moe seeks to not only implement his key themes but also aim at taking the reins of the party in January, he was quick to add that his journey towards the chance at being the next leader would not be possible without his family.
“My wife is fully supportive and happy with the decision to do this. She loves our community and our province as much as anyone I know. Our children are grown and left home and are supportive of the things we do. It is a family decision and a decision I have been able to make fortunately with my caucus colleagues and other colleagues I have. Ultimately it is a decision that has to sit right with your family, and it does with ours. We are fully committed to our community and our province and moving forward with the decision that we’ve made.”
By Daniel Bushman
Seeking to become the next leader of the Saskatchewan Party with current premier Brad Wall getting set to retire from politics, candidate Scott Moe was joined by MLA for Humboldt-Watrous Donna Harpauer as the pair visited the local constituency. Currently endorsed by 22 Saskatchewan Party MLAs including 11 cabinet ministers and Harpauer, the MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook chatted with The Watrous Manitou during their stop Sept. 29.
Moe, who comes from a rural setting much like the Humboldt-Watrous constituency said the whole leadership transition has been something he has been committed to since Wall’s announcement was made earlier this year.
With a leadership convention slated for late January, where members of the Saskatchewan Party will elect a new leader, Moe said once word came that Wall would be stepping away from politics, there was some fairly quick discussions by a number of people within the caucus and from outside of it on how to foster the transition and what role to play. From that, Moe felt led to put his hat in the ring, joining a handful of other leadership hopefuls.
“I can honestly say with me putting my name forward as a leadership candidate, I would be very hesitant to do that without the team of caucus and cabinet support that we have been able to assemble. It is important for me because I believe in collaborating on direction and policy and all of those things that are important, not just in this run but ultimately being able to form a government and to govern properly on behalf of the people in the province.”
Thrilled to be working with his team including Harpauer, Moe noted the importance of having the support from so many within the party and from outside of it. He also talked about the importance of Harpauer and being able to work with her since 2011.
“She is a friend and colleague and she is also a mentor as she has been in government since 1999. She represents an area similar to what I represent. I have relied on Donna and others from time to time for guidance and advice on how to best represent constituents and how to best navigate the halls of government if you will. To have her on our team is greatly appreciated by me.”
Harpauer, the Minister of Finance said there is a very good reason why there is such strong support for Moe. “We have seen his ability to take on new files, to take on new challenges and to do so and show leadership throughout. He is the only candidate that has 11 cabinet ministers that are behind him. We have seen him work at that table and how he has brought us to decisions that we can support and get behind. He has led those decisions as well as work with caucus members and bring them on board. He is definitely collaborative but most of all it is the vision. Scott is very committed to his family and that is so important to all of us to keep that in mind. We are doing this for our families and all of the families in the province.”
Moe, who will be returning to the Humboldt-Watrous constituency before the convention in January said his journey into politics was one that he did not expect would one day involve possibly becoming the next premier of Saskatchewan. The MLA’s road into politics started with volunteering for things his kids were involved with. “At some point in time you find yourself organizing work bees to replace canteen structures at your sports grounds and from there it grew to organizing additional work bees and dollars to renovate your local hockey arena and things of that nature. The next thing you find is you are involved with regional projects such as fundraising for regional hospitals and things of that nature and you start to realize that your hockey arena and community don’t operate in isolation, they are part of a broader region; a broader region where communities, when they work together, they are stronger together. The next thing you know you are in a provincial election running for the Saskatchewan Party and then if you turn around and take a breather, you find you are in a race to be the leader of that particular party. I don’t know if there is ever a path where you set out on and say, “This is where I think I will end up.” . . . I am having a lot of fun along the way.”
Moe also touched on the importance of rural and urban sectors within the province and the need to depend on each other. Whether it is mining, agriculture or manufactured goods, products that are exported across the globe may come from rural areas and the people developing and extracting the products may come from urban places.
“We are very linked in the province of Saskatchewan between our urban centres and our rural communities. I grew up on a farm between Parkside and Shellbrook and my wife and I have been involved off and on in the agriculture industry.”
With a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan, Moe said the agriculture industry is one of the very fabrics of the economy in Saskatchewan. “I understand the industry but I also rely on people that I know that are actively involved in the industry as we move forward. It is a fast moving and exciting part of the Saskatchewan economy and it is part of each of our communities.”
Moe has also been vocal about not wanting to see a carbon tax come to the province, something the federal government is implementing. Rather, Moe said Saskatchewan will be promoting a different conversation around carbon “than one of just taxing our industries to the tune of $2 or $2.5 billion a year. Saskatchewan has a great position to talk about a more fulsome carbon conversation whether that would be in the efforts that are being made in our power generation as we move forward in the next decade of a 40 percent reduction in emissions in how we generate our power here in the province of Saskatchewan. Whether it would be in the efforts that have been made and are being made in our energy industry or our mining industry, which are among the best in the world. When compared to industries around the world I would (say) that they are very sustainable.”
Moe also touched on the incorporation of things like no-till agriculture and implementing pulse crops that fix their own nitrogen. The MLA said the province has great innovation to share with the rest of the world in no-till technology and carbon capture and storage in mining. “I think this is something that Saskatchewan people and Saskatchewan industry can be very very proud of.”
Moving towards the leadership convention in January, Moe said he will continue to address the issue of the carbon tax and will also be focusing on three other key themes:
• committing to getting the budget back to balance and getting the fiscal house in order in the province;
• the continuing support for communities and families through investment and infrastructure with municipalities, investment in hospitals and schools across the province and investment in services; and
• the effort to stand with, support and allow businesses in the province to flourish. “In Saskatchewan, we have 43,000 businesses that operate in communities all across our province and we need to continue to support every opportunity for those businesses to expand and employ people in our province.”
As Moe seeks to not only implement his key themes but also aim at taking the reins of the party in January, he was quick to add that his journey towards the chance at being the next leader would not be possible without his family.
“My wife is fully supportive and happy with the decision to do this. She loves our community and our province as much as anyone I know. Our children are grown and left home and are supportive of the things we do. It is a family decision and a decision I have been able to make fortunately with my caucus colleagues and other colleagues I have. Ultimately it is a decision that has to sit right with your family, and it does with ours. We are fully committed to our community and our province and moving forward with the decision that we’ve made.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 9, 2017
Heavy rainfall rolls through area
By Daniel Bushman
After a very dry summer, rain and lots of it signalled the beginning of October as around three inches fell within the Watrous area. While the moisture provided a welcome reprieve to the drought like conditions, it also created havoc to some places within the resort village of Manitou Beach.
The rains arrived as a low pressure system, which also included snow in some southern parts of the province stuck around Oct. 1 to 3. Heavy rain with thunderstorms contributed to significant rainfall amounts in a line stretching from Maple Creek through Watrous and up to Hudson Bay. Heavy snow fell over Cypress Hills Provincial Park with accumulations of 51 cm reported as of Tuesday evening.
Environment Canada issued the following summary of the total rainfall amounts as of 5 p.m. Oct. 3: Watrous (72.8 mm), Lucky Lake (67.6 mm), Hudson Bay (62 mm), Last Mountain (59.4 mm), Elbow (58.2 mm), Wynyard (58 mm), Kindersley and Maple Creek (56 mm), Leader (51 mm), Swift Current (45.3 mm), Melfort (28.5 mm), Outlook (25.3 mm), Moose Jaw (23.7 mm), and Regina (21.4 mm).
There was also reportedly close to two inches that fell in Lanigan and up to three in Jansen and even more the came down east of Watrous. With at least 72.8 mm or 2.8 inches of rain falling within the Watrous area according to Environment Canada, water filled the channels leading out of Watrous near phase two of the Rotary Walking Trail. As last Monday continued on, the situation worsened at Manitou Beach where water spilled down streets, running into the berms along the shoreline. The water came at such a constant and torrid pace Oct. 2 that places like the Nu-Inn and the Salty Surf experienced flood damage.
Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec said, “Our berm is a wonderful thing and it protects us from the high lake level but it can cause other issues too. It keeps water out but it keeps water in. Even with the sump pits that we put in, they are just not built to handle such a large downpour at once. A nice gentle rain with a bit of water we can manage but with a case like we just had, I don’t know what it would take to be able to have the right equipment down there. To put big pumps in to handle that large amount, you are talking thousands and thousands of dollars.”
Worobec said village crews began pumping the water as best as they could around the affected areas including at the Nu-Inn. “We almost had it looked after and if the rain would have quit about 20 minutes before it did we would have had it protected but it just was too much and we couldn’t quite keep it back long enough. The Salty Surf too, the water collected there and we were trying to help them out along with keeping other areas of the beach looked after. I really appreciated the maintenance staff and Town and Country Pump for their immense efforts for trying to keep the flood waters at bay.”
As far as Wellington Creek and the flow of water from the system south of there, Worobec said it ended up being okay.
“We have a huge culvert going into the lake now from the creek and plus they’ve built up the sides of the creek at the north end so it was manageable. I think that the pond at the south end was low enough so it took a lot of the volume that was coming down the channel towards Wellington, so it was okay.”
Down about a foot after the dry summer, Worobec figured the lake rose about two or three inches with the rainfall last week. “It is still better than what it was when we started the year but we would love to be able to experience normal rains throughout a year.”
Ironically enough, a nasty storm reared its head almost one year ago to the day as harvest operations were still underway for many producers. During the first week of October 2016, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement early in the week to prepare people for the arrival of snow aided by wind gusts.
While Monday, Oct. 3 escaped without harm, the snow and wind hit hard late Tuesday, Oct. 4. Those travelling in the local area during the evening had to slow right down as roads were slushy while the whipping wind caused reduced visibility. Snow fell overnight in western and central Saskatchewan and then throughout Wednesday, Oct. 5 before it started to taper off Thursday. At that time, a major low pressure system brought rain or snow to much of southern Saskatchewan. Colder air was drawn into the system and most of the precipitation was in the form of snow.
The Watrous area was forecast to see anywhere between 10 to 15 cm of snow throughout that storm. In Saskatoon, power was out throughout a large chunk of the city Oct. 5 and they received upwards of 11 cm of snow.
By Daniel Bushman
After a very dry summer, rain and lots of it signalled the beginning of October as around three inches fell within the Watrous area. While the moisture provided a welcome reprieve to the drought like conditions, it also created havoc to some places within the resort village of Manitou Beach.
The rains arrived as a low pressure system, which also included snow in some southern parts of the province stuck around Oct. 1 to 3. Heavy rain with thunderstorms contributed to significant rainfall amounts in a line stretching from Maple Creek through Watrous and up to Hudson Bay. Heavy snow fell over Cypress Hills Provincial Park with accumulations of 51 cm reported as of Tuesday evening.
Environment Canada issued the following summary of the total rainfall amounts as of 5 p.m. Oct. 3: Watrous (72.8 mm), Lucky Lake (67.6 mm), Hudson Bay (62 mm), Last Mountain (59.4 mm), Elbow (58.2 mm), Wynyard (58 mm), Kindersley and Maple Creek (56 mm), Leader (51 mm), Swift Current (45.3 mm), Melfort (28.5 mm), Outlook (25.3 mm), Moose Jaw (23.7 mm), and Regina (21.4 mm).
There was also reportedly close to two inches that fell in Lanigan and up to three in Jansen and even more the came down east of Watrous. With at least 72.8 mm or 2.8 inches of rain falling within the Watrous area according to Environment Canada, water filled the channels leading out of Watrous near phase two of the Rotary Walking Trail. As last Monday continued on, the situation worsened at Manitou Beach where water spilled down streets, running into the berms along the shoreline. The water came at such a constant and torrid pace Oct. 2 that places like the Nu-Inn and the Salty Surf experienced flood damage.
Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec said, “Our berm is a wonderful thing and it protects us from the high lake level but it can cause other issues too. It keeps water out but it keeps water in. Even with the sump pits that we put in, they are just not built to handle such a large downpour at once. A nice gentle rain with a bit of water we can manage but with a case like we just had, I don’t know what it would take to be able to have the right equipment down there. To put big pumps in to handle that large amount, you are talking thousands and thousands of dollars.”
Worobec said village crews began pumping the water as best as they could around the affected areas including at the Nu-Inn. “We almost had it looked after and if the rain would have quit about 20 minutes before it did we would have had it protected but it just was too much and we couldn’t quite keep it back long enough. The Salty Surf too, the water collected there and we were trying to help them out along with keeping other areas of the beach looked after. I really appreciated the maintenance staff and Town and Country Pump for their immense efforts for trying to keep the flood waters at bay.”
As far as Wellington Creek and the flow of water from the system south of there, Worobec said it ended up being okay.
“We have a huge culvert going into the lake now from the creek and plus they’ve built up the sides of the creek at the north end so it was manageable. I think that the pond at the south end was low enough so it took a lot of the volume that was coming down the channel towards Wellington, so it was okay.”
Down about a foot after the dry summer, Worobec figured the lake rose about two or three inches with the rainfall last week. “It is still better than what it was when we started the year but we would love to be able to experience normal rains throughout a year.”
Ironically enough, a nasty storm reared its head almost one year ago to the day as harvest operations were still underway for many producers. During the first week of October 2016, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement early in the week to prepare people for the arrival of snow aided by wind gusts.
While Monday, Oct. 3 escaped without harm, the snow and wind hit hard late Tuesday, Oct. 4. Those travelling in the local area during the evening had to slow right down as roads were slushy while the whipping wind caused reduced visibility. Snow fell overnight in western and central Saskatchewan and then throughout Wednesday, Oct. 5 before it started to taper off Thursday. At that time, a major low pressure system brought rain or snow to much of southern Saskatchewan. Colder air was drawn into the system and most of the precipitation was in the form of snow.
The Watrous area was forecast to see anywhere between 10 to 15 cm of snow throughout that storm. In Saskatoon, power was out throughout a large chunk of the city Oct. 5 and they received upwards of 11 cm of snow.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 2, 2017
Industrial lots created in Watrous
By Daniel Bushman
With a growing need to expand the business sector in Watrous and with no more commercial and industrial lots available, the town made the decision to purchase land within the Rural Municipality of Morris No. 312. The area that the town bought is located next to Watrous Home Hardware Building Centre and the property owned by Imperial Oil on the southeasterly part of the community.
A total of 20 lots averaging 100 feet wide by 200 feet deep are being created on the new parcel for interested commercial and industrial companies. Town Administrator Orrin Redden said, “Each lot is about 20,000 square feet or close to half an acre of land. They are similar to the ones we sold along Midway Street off of 4th Ave. E.”
Now available for purchase, the lots will be sold for around $40,000 each and will have power, gas, water and sewer; all similar services to what the residential lots in town have. “We had exhausted properties within the community and there was not much left so we decided to create these 20 additional lots for those within the commercial and industrial sector to purchase.”
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said power was brought in a few months ago and a request for gas has been made. Town crews are also going to be shaping the area and removing some of the top soil either later this fall or early spring.
Another project that town crews will be working on is the road leading out to the new area. Currently there is no through road but Tarasoff said 4th Ave. E. extends through the southern part of where Home Hardware is currently located.
“They will be moving some of their items from that area and that will allow us to eventually develop a gravel road which will head out towards our newly purchased land. Once the road is completed by Home Hardware, we will be able to access the area since that is really the only place to get to the property. We also have to work on the corner of 4th Ave. E. where it connects to Hwy. 365 by Melron Services so we will be doing that early in the spring. We are also working on our drainage plan for the 20 lots as well and that is currently underway.”
By Daniel Bushman
With a growing need to expand the business sector in Watrous and with no more commercial and industrial lots available, the town made the decision to purchase land within the Rural Municipality of Morris No. 312. The area that the town bought is located next to Watrous Home Hardware Building Centre and the property owned by Imperial Oil on the southeasterly part of the community.
A total of 20 lots averaging 100 feet wide by 200 feet deep are being created on the new parcel for interested commercial and industrial companies. Town Administrator Orrin Redden said, “Each lot is about 20,000 square feet or close to half an acre of land. They are similar to the ones we sold along Midway Street off of 4th Ave. E.”
Now available for purchase, the lots will be sold for around $40,000 each and will have power, gas, water and sewer; all similar services to what the residential lots in town have. “We had exhausted properties within the community and there was not much left so we decided to create these 20 additional lots for those within the commercial and industrial sector to purchase.”
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said power was brought in a few months ago and a request for gas has been made. Town crews are also going to be shaping the area and removing some of the top soil either later this fall or early spring.
Another project that town crews will be working on is the road leading out to the new area. Currently there is no through road but Tarasoff said 4th Ave. E. extends through the southern part of where Home Hardware is currently located.
“They will be moving some of their items from that area and that will allow us to eventually develop a gravel road which will head out towards our newly purchased land. Once the road is completed by Home Hardware, we will be able to access the area since that is really the only place to get to the property. We also have to work on the corner of 4th Ave. E. where it connects to Hwy. 365 by Melron Services so we will be doing that early in the spring. We are also working on our drainage plan for the 20 lots as well and that is currently underway.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 25, 2017
Detours set up as road work continues on #668
By Daniel Bushman
Those travelling along road #668 between Watrous and Guernsey will have to give themselves some extra time as detours have been set up while sections of the road are under repair. The road work began at the start of September within the Rural Municipality of Usborne and it could be wrapped up by Nov. 1, although the exact end date is currently uncertain.
“The road is in poor condition and is in dire need of repair and resurfacing,” said RM of Usborne Reeve Jack Gibney. “Right now it is being upgraded to primary weights.”
With road work underway, detours have been put in place, deterring motorists from using stretches of #668 so that repairs can safely continue. People wanting to head out of Watrous on #668 are being rerouted south of town to Hwy. 2 where they can use the Lockwood grid road. After travelling along that road, a left turn at the detour arrow will have motorists headed back towards #668 where they can access the road once again. After a brief drive eventually passing the edge of Little Manitou Lake, vehicles will approach a curve which would lead them past the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church. However, another detour is set up before the curve, directing traffic north along another grid road before they can make a right turn. Following the detour arrow signs, those travelling the road will eventually arrive at an intersection where they can resume driving north on #668 towards the PotashCorp Lanigan mine, Guernsey and Hwy. 16. Those headed south on #668 towards Watrous or from road #761 (which connects to Drake) can use the same detours.
While the project of repairing and resurfacing #668 was in the works for a while, the RM of Usborne is splitting some of the costs with the RM of Morris while the remainder falls under the jurisdiction of the RM of Usborne. In addition to the stretches of road currently being worked on, Gibney said they are also looking at improving the curve by the former Sharon Mennonite Church as well as a culvert replacement section from last year’s construction season.
“We might not get to that this year but it is in the works to fix. All of this work is being done under the SARM Municipal Roads for the Economy Program (MREP), which is 50 cent dollars up to $750,000 for each RM. Not only are there two RMs working together but we also have huge gravel deposits and highway traffic from Hwy. 365, and that has taken a toll on the road.”
Overall, road #668 will see 6.06 km of work done by the RM of Usborne and 2.54 km completed by the RM of Morris, located at N9, 10, 11 and E of SE 14-32-24 W2.
Since there will still be some time yet before the work is completed, detours will be set up for the duration of the project, which means an increase of traffic along grid roads. Gibney said because of that, the RM will be trying to put dust control down on those roads for ratepayer and traffic safety.
By Daniel Bushman
Those travelling along road #668 between Watrous and Guernsey will have to give themselves some extra time as detours have been set up while sections of the road are under repair. The road work began at the start of September within the Rural Municipality of Usborne and it could be wrapped up by Nov. 1, although the exact end date is currently uncertain.
“The road is in poor condition and is in dire need of repair and resurfacing,” said RM of Usborne Reeve Jack Gibney. “Right now it is being upgraded to primary weights.”
With road work underway, detours have been put in place, deterring motorists from using stretches of #668 so that repairs can safely continue. People wanting to head out of Watrous on #668 are being rerouted south of town to Hwy. 2 where they can use the Lockwood grid road. After travelling along that road, a left turn at the detour arrow will have motorists headed back towards #668 where they can access the road once again. After a brief drive eventually passing the edge of Little Manitou Lake, vehicles will approach a curve which would lead them past the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church. However, another detour is set up before the curve, directing traffic north along another grid road before they can make a right turn. Following the detour arrow signs, those travelling the road will eventually arrive at an intersection where they can resume driving north on #668 towards the PotashCorp Lanigan mine, Guernsey and Hwy. 16. Those headed south on #668 towards Watrous or from road #761 (which connects to Drake) can use the same detours.
While the project of repairing and resurfacing #668 was in the works for a while, the RM of Usborne is splitting some of the costs with the RM of Morris while the remainder falls under the jurisdiction of the RM of Usborne. In addition to the stretches of road currently being worked on, Gibney said they are also looking at improving the curve by the former Sharon Mennonite Church as well as a culvert replacement section from last year’s construction season.
“We might not get to that this year but it is in the works to fix. All of this work is being done under the SARM Municipal Roads for the Economy Program (MREP), which is 50 cent dollars up to $750,000 for each RM. Not only are there two RMs working together but we also have huge gravel deposits and highway traffic from Hwy. 365, and that has taken a toll on the road.”
Overall, road #668 will see 6.06 km of work done by the RM of Usborne and 2.54 km completed by the RM of Morris, located at N9, 10, 11 and E of SE 14-32-24 W2.
Since there will still be some time yet before the work is completed, detours will be set up for the duration of the project, which means an increase of traffic along grid roads. Gibney said because of that, the RM will be trying to put dust control down on those roads for ratepayer and traffic safety.
TWM Top story - Sept. 18, 2017
Merger between PotashCorp and Agrium delayed
Daniel Bushman
The world’s largest crop nutrient company and a major global producer and distributor of agricultural products, services and solutions will have to wait just a little longer before turning into the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services. In June, PotashCorp and Agrium said the parties expected closure of the proposed merger of equals transaction to take place in the third quarter of 2017 but that has since been pushed back. Both companies said they remain highly confident in merging but expect to do so by the end of the fourth quarter of 2017.
In a release issued by PotashCorp and Agrium, the companies said the regulatory review and approval process has progressed in all remaining jurisdictions. “In Canada and the U.S., the parties are working with the Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) and the Federal Trade Commission to resolve final issues in superphosphoric acid (SPA) and nitric acid.”
On Sept. 11, it was announced that the CCB granted unconditional regulatory approval for the proposed merger of equals by issuing a no-action letter. The CCB concluded the proposed transaction is not likely to lead to a substantial lessening or prevention of competition with respect to potash fertilizer, phosphate fertilizers and nitric acid.
“The CCB found that global prices of potash are correlated with prices in Canada and that customers can source potash from multiple suppliers. The issuance of the no-action letter satisfies the Canadian regulatory condition of closing of the proposed merger of equals transaction.”
Both PotashCorp and Agrium previously received unconditional clearance for the merger in both Brazil and Russia. The regulatory review and approval process continues in the U.S., China and India. The companies, which have a local presence in the region, were also informed that the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) in China and, independently, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) intend to condition their respective approvals of the proposed transaction on the divestment of certain of PotashCorp’s offshore minority ownership interests.
“The remedies under consideration are not expected to impact the estimated $500 million of annual operating synergies.”
Once the closing of the merger transaction does take place between PotashCorp and Agrium, the new company will be known as Nutrien - the largest provider of crop inputs and services in the world.
Currently PotashCorp is the largest crop nutrient company across the globe, producing three essential nutrients to help farmers grow healthier and more abundant crops. PotashCorp, which has mines near Lanigan and Allan, is the largest producer, by capacity, of potash and one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate.
Agrium is a major global producer and distributor of agricultural products, services and solutions. The company produces nitrogen, potash and phosphate fertilizers, with a combined wholesale nutrient capacity of approximately 11 million tonnes. The Agrium retail distribution has a network of 1,500 facilities and over 3,300 crop consultants able to provide advice and products to its grower customers. The company currently has Crop Production Services Canada retail locations at Watrous, Colonsay, Liberty, and Viscount and a wholesale solution storage facility at Clavet.
As the pair of globally known companies move closer to merging, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall reminded them about maintaining a presence in the prairie province. After shuffling his cabinet last month, Wall told reporters that in the weeks following, the government will be getting in touch with PotashCorp and Agrium to make sure that when the two do in fact merge to become Nutrien, the new company’s head office will be in Saskatchewan.
“We want to ensure that Saskatchewan, as the head office for this company, has the maximum number of head office jobs, that the presence in this province is indisputably the head office.”
While the merger process continues and details of the company have not been finalized, according to the StarPhoenix, the merger is expected to create a company valued at $26 billion (U.S.) with around 20,000 employees.
Daniel Bushman
The world’s largest crop nutrient company and a major global producer and distributor of agricultural products, services and solutions will have to wait just a little longer before turning into the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services. In June, PotashCorp and Agrium said the parties expected closure of the proposed merger of equals transaction to take place in the third quarter of 2017 but that has since been pushed back. Both companies said they remain highly confident in merging but expect to do so by the end of the fourth quarter of 2017.
In a release issued by PotashCorp and Agrium, the companies said the regulatory review and approval process has progressed in all remaining jurisdictions. “In Canada and the U.S., the parties are working with the Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) and the Federal Trade Commission to resolve final issues in superphosphoric acid (SPA) and nitric acid.”
On Sept. 11, it was announced that the CCB granted unconditional regulatory approval for the proposed merger of equals by issuing a no-action letter. The CCB concluded the proposed transaction is not likely to lead to a substantial lessening or prevention of competition with respect to potash fertilizer, phosphate fertilizers and nitric acid.
“The CCB found that global prices of potash are correlated with prices in Canada and that customers can source potash from multiple suppliers. The issuance of the no-action letter satisfies the Canadian regulatory condition of closing of the proposed merger of equals transaction.”
Both PotashCorp and Agrium previously received unconditional clearance for the merger in both Brazil and Russia. The regulatory review and approval process continues in the U.S., China and India. The companies, which have a local presence in the region, were also informed that the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) in China and, independently, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) intend to condition their respective approvals of the proposed transaction on the divestment of certain of PotashCorp’s offshore minority ownership interests.
“The remedies under consideration are not expected to impact the estimated $500 million of annual operating synergies.”
Once the closing of the merger transaction does take place between PotashCorp and Agrium, the new company will be known as Nutrien - the largest provider of crop inputs and services in the world.
Currently PotashCorp is the largest crop nutrient company across the globe, producing three essential nutrients to help farmers grow healthier and more abundant crops. PotashCorp, which has mines near Lanigan and Allan, is the largest producer, by capacity, of potash and one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate.
Agrium is a major global producer and distributor of agricultural products, services and solutions. The company produces nitrogen, potash and phosphate fertilizers, with a combined wholesale nutrient capacity of approximately 11 million tonnes. The Agrium retail distribution has a network of 1,500 facilities and over 3,300 crop consultants able to provide advice and products to its grower customers. The company currently has Crop Production Services Canada retail locations at Watrous, Colonsay, Liberty, and Viscount and a wholesale solution storage facility at Clavet.
As the pair of globally known companies move closer to merging, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall reminded them about maintaining a presence in the prairie province. After shuffling his cabinet last month, Wall told reporters that in the weeks following, the government will be getting in touch with PotashCorp and Agrium to make sure that when the two do in fact merge to become Nutrien, the new company’s head office will be in Saskatchewan.
“We want to ensure that Saskatchewan, as the head office for this company, has the maximum number of head office jobs, that the presence in this province is indisputably the head office.”
While the merger process continues and details of the company have not been finalized, according to the StarPhoenix, the merger is expected to create a company valued at $26 billion (U.S.) with around 20,000 employees.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 11, 2017
Roadside memorial honours Van de Vorst family
By Daniel Bushman
Honouring the memory of a family whose lives were tragically taken just over a year and a half ago by a drunk driver, the province’s first roadside memorial sign was unveiled last month. In partnership with the families of Chanda (nee Mierau) and Jordan Van de Vorst and with the support of the Province of Saskatchewan, MADD Canada unveiled a pair of roadside memorial signs to honour victims of impaired driving.
The new signs, which were unveiled Aug. 29, include the names of Chanda, Jordan and their children Kamryn and Miguire along with MADD Canada’s red ribbon image. Created to honour the Van de Vorsts, the signs will also serve as a powerful reminder to motorists about the tragic impact of impaired driving.
Chanda’s mom Marie, along with members of her family were on hand near Wanuskewin Road north of Saskatoon last month as part of the memorial unveiling. Marie who made the trip from Watrous said it was the first time she had been back at the site since the crash.
“I appreciate the support that victims do receive from MADD Canada,” said Marie. “This sign is definitely a reminder of the horrific collision but it is also a memorial to commemorate the lives of Chanda, Jordan, Kamryn and Miguire. Hopefully people will pause and realize how devastating their lives could be if a whole family was taken away from them in a flash.”
Mierau and the Van de Vorst family were both notified in May about plans to unveil the memorial sign and then about a week before the announcement took place, Marie got a phone call that it would be going ahead.
“They asked if they could use the names of our children to make the sign and we agreed. It is kind of unique that it is the first in the province.”
Put up permanently on the eastbound and westbound sides of Hwy. 11 near Wanuskewin Road, the memorial signs will act as a reminder to those passing by to think twice about drinking and driving.
Jordan’s dad Lou, who was also at the announcement said, “This is a way for us to honour our son, our daughter-in-law and our grandchildren, and also to put a very important spotlight on the problem of impaired driving. We want people to see this sign and truly understand that innocent lives are at risk anytime someone drives impaired.”
MADD Canada said roadside memorial signs are a moving way to honour victims and a powerful awareness tool to remind people about the importance of always driving sober. MADD Canada has collaborated with governments in other provinces, including Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, to install memorial signs for victims of impaired driving.
“One person’s choice to drive impaired destroyed this beautiful family,” said MADD Canada National President Patricia Hynes-Coates. “This roadside memorial offers a permanent tribute to their memories. We hope people see this sign, reflect on this terrible tragedy and vow to never drive impaired. MADD Canada thanks the Van de Vorst and Mierau families for their strength, and the Government of Saskatchewan for its support.”
By Daniel Bushman
Honouring the memory of a family whose lives were tragically taken just over a year and a half ago by a drunk driver, the province’s first roadside memorial sign was unveiled last month. In partnership with the families of Chanda (nee Mierau) and Jordan Van de Vorst and with the support of the Province of Saskatchewan, MADD Canada unveiled a pair of roadside memorial signs to honour victims of impaired driving.
The new signs, which were unveiled Aug. 29, include the names of Chanda, Jordan and their children Kamryn and Miguire along with MADD Canada’s red ribbon image. Created to honour the Van de Vorsts, the signs will also serve as a powerful reminder to motorists about the tragic impact of impaired driving.
Chanda’s mom Marie, along with members of her family were on hand near Wanuskewin Road north of Saskatoon last month as part of the memorial unveiling. Marie who made the trip from Watrous said it was the first time she had been back at the site since the crash.
“I appreciate the support that victims do receive from MADD Canada,” said Marie. “This sign is definitely a reminder of the horrific collision but it is also a memorial to commemorate the lives of Chanda, Jordan, Kamryn and Miguire. Hopefully people will pause and realize how devastating their lives could be if a whole family was taken away from them in a flash.”
Mierau and the Van de Vorst family were both notified in May about plans to unveil the memorial sign and then about a week before the announcement took place, Marie got a phone call that it would be going ahead.
“They asked if they could use the names of our children to make the sign and we agreed. It is kind of unique that it is the first in the province.”
Put up permanently on the eastbound and westbound sides of Hwy. 11 near Wanuskewin Road, the memorial signs will act as a reminder to those passing by to think twice about drinking and driving.
Jordan’s dad Lou, who was also at the announcement said, “This is a way for us to honour our son, our daughter-in-law and our grandchildren, and also to put a very important spotlight on the problem of impaired driving. We want people to see this sign and truly understand that innocent lives are at risk anytime someone drives impaired.”
MADD Canada said roadside memorial signs are a moving way to honour victims and a powerful awareness tool to remind people about the importance of always driving sober. MADD Canada has collaborated with governments in other provinces, including Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, to install memorial signs for victims of impaired driving.
“One person’s choice to drive impaired destroyed this beautiful family,” said MADD Canada National President Patricia Hynes-Coates. “This roadside memorial offers a permanent tribute to their memories. We hope people see this sign, reflect on this terrible tragedy and vow to never drive impaired. MADD Canada thanks the Van de Vorst and Mierau families for their strength, and the Government of Saskatchewan for its support.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 4, 2017
Harpauer named Minister of Finance: leadership race underway
By Daniel Bushman
As a handful of Saskatchewan Party MLAs entered the race to become the next leader of the party, Premier Brad Wall elected to shuffle the cabinet last week to fill some of the vacated portfolios of those running for the leadership position. One of those receiving a substantial portfolio was local MLA Donna Harpauer, who was announced as the new Minister of Finance.
Harpauer, who is the MLA for Humboldt-Watrous said each time she has been asked to serve in government, it has been an honour, including last week when she was named as Minister of Finance.
“It was a little bit of a surprise and I am truly honoured that the premier has the confidence in me,” Harpauer said, “I will work as hard as I can to do the best for the Saskatchewan people. We have a path to balance and I firmly believe in that path and we will be working very hard in our next budget which we will start the deliberations pretty much immediately to keep us on that path to balance while still having good solid services for our citizens and for those most in need.”
Previously, Harpauer had large portfolios including Social Services (twice) and Education (once). “Every one is a learning curve and they have their challenges but they also have really great people that will help you and work with you.”
Harpauer said quarterly updates will continue with regards to the budget and they will make adjustments as needed. “I am glad it is on track,” Harpauer said. “That budget is set and we will just monitor it as it goes and start building on the next one.”
While the graduate of Lanigan Central High School said there are some challenging things in the budget, she added the government will have to monitor those and stay on the path of bringing the budget to balance in three years. “I will be continuing the work that the previous finance minister started. I have big shoes to fill obviously because Kevin (Doherty) did a great job. Our resource revenues are not recovering yet and we will have to work through that and work through a path to balance.”
As Harpauer begins her new role as Minister of Finance, the week previous Doherty released a report on the status of the provincial budget. Doherty said the 2017-‘18 Saskatchewan Budget remained on track at first quarter, with no change in the bottom-line forecast.
“The Saskatchewan economy is performing well so far, and for the first time in two years is projected to post positive growth,” Doherty said. “We have more to accomplish, but at first quarter we are meeting our fiscal challenge by controlling spending and shifting away from over-reliance on volatile resource revenue.”
According to Doherty, at first quarter, a deficit of $684.7 million is forecast, unchanged from the budget. Revenue at first quarter is forecast to increase $42 million (0.3 percent) from budget, while total expense is forecast to increase by about $82 million (0.6 percent).
In a release, the government said as planned, part of the budget’s $300 million contingency - about $40 million - is being used to offset expense pressures. A further $125 million of the contingency is being used to offset compensation savings that, because of the time required for negotiations to continue, will not be achieved this fiscal year.
“The reason we built a contingency into this year’s budget was to help address in-year pressures,” Doherty said. “We still have work to do to control government’s overall costs, including savings we are working hard to achieve in total compensation expense.”
Relating to Saskatchewan’s economy, the provincial government said 2017 has experienced the third-highest growth among Canadian provinces in manufacturing sales; the third-highest growth in average weekly earnings; the third-highest growth in population; and the second-highest growth in new motor-vehicle sales.
“Private sector forecasters have recognized strength in Saskatchewan’s economic performance and have increased real GDP growth forecasts for 2017 from an average of 1.7 percent at budget to 2.1 percent,” Doherty said. “At first quarter, our government remains on track with our fiscal plan to return Saskatchewan’s budget to balance in three years, by 2019-‘20.”
As the budget update was released in August, the opposition NDP were disappointed with the news.
“You don’t need to be a financial expert to know they should not be bragging about blowing through half of the budgeted contingency fund in the first quarter of the year,” said NDP Leader Nicole Sarauer. “The Sask. Party’s attempts to spin the facts would be laughable if the consequences weren’t hurting Saskatchewan families so deeply.”
The opposition party said there are many other key financial indicators that they were disappointed with.
“Under the Sask. Party, Saskatchewan is now seventh for retail trade, seventh for housing starts, eighth for wholesale trade, eighth for building permits, ninth in the country for employment, and the Saskatchewan unemployment rate is higher than the national average for the first time since 1989.”
With a large task ahead at trying to balance the budget for Saskatchewan over the next three years, Harpauer was not the only one with a new portfolio. Other MLAs were also part of the shuffle including another local MLA Greg Brkich, who becomes the new Government House Leader. During his past terms, the MLA for Arm River has served as the Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Committee of the Whole, Vice-Chair of the Caucus Standing Policy Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice and was a member of the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice, the Private Bills House Committee, Treasury Board, and the Investment Board. Premier Brad Wall also appointed Brkich as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, Agriculture Programs Innovation Initiative.
Meanwhile, Doherty, who was the Minister of Finance is now Minister of Advanced Education while Deputy Premier Don Morgan becomes Minister of Justice and Attorney General, while retaining responsibility for Labour and the Workers’ Compensation Board. Bronwyn Eyre becomes Minister of Education and Minister responsible for the Status of Women and Dustin Duncan becomes Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for SaskPower, SaskWater, the Water Security Agency and the Global Transportation Hub. Nancy Heppner re-enters cabinet as Minister of Energy and Resources and Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission; Paul Merriman becomes Minister of Social Services and Government Deputy House Leader; Steven Bonk becomes Minister of Economy and Minister responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan, Innovation and Trade; Larry Doke becomes Minister of Government Relations and Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs; and Gene Makowsky becomes Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.
Six other ministers retained their current cabinet responsibilities including Lyle Stewart, Jim Reiter, Greg Ottenbreit, Christine Tell, Joe Hargrave and David Marit. Warren Kaeding becomes Legislative Secretary to the Minister responsible for SaskTel (cellular and internet coverage) along with his current duties as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture.
The shuffle was made following the removal of MLA Bill Boyd after the province’s conflict of interest commissioner concluded a recent trip to China Boyd took fell below the standards expected of MLAs. Boyd is reportedly facing charges for environmental violations. In addition, cabinet ministers vying to be the next leader of the party also have to give up their portfolios after Wall announced Aug. 10 that he would be retiring as premier and from elected politics when a new leader is elected.
Harpauer, who was first elected in 1999 (the same time as Wall) said she has taken a keen interest in who will be the next leader of the party. However, for the long-time MLA, when it came time to decide if she would make a run at the premier’s chair, Harpauer was quick to reply.
“Nope,” she chuckled. “There are a number showing interest but no I am not considering it.”
Current MLAs Jeremy Harrison (who withdrew his name Sept. 1 to back Scott Moe), Alanna Koch, Ken Cheveldayoff, Gord Wyant and Tina Beaudry-Mellor all tossed their names into the ring and this past Friday, MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook Scott Moe added his name to the list. Like Harpauer, Moe comes from rural Saskatchewan and Harpauer, who was raised on a farm near Guernsey said she has decided to throw her support behind Moe. With rural Saskatchewan roots, Harpauer said Moe has a strong vision and would make for a good leader, standing up for Saskatchewan and facing issues like the carbon tax.
“I think it is going to be a good race and obviously there is still support for our party and that is good to see. The people that are interested in leading our party are pretty strong. I know that we are facing challenging times right now but in the big picture we are definitely in a better spot than we were a decade ago. As much as we have challenges and resource revenue, I think our province is still strong.”
Following a meeting of the provincial council, the Saskatchewan Party will elect its new leader at a leadership convention Jan. 27, 2018, in Saskatoon. The leader will be elected through a one-member, one-vote voting system. The Saskatchewan Party also released all of the leadership election campaign rules which included: the nomination filing deadline for candidates is Nov. 24; a filing fee of $25,000 will be required from all candidates; there will be a campaign expense limit of $250,000; candidates will be required to disclose the names of all donors who made donations of $250 or more; and the membership sales deadline in order to be eligible to vote is Dec. 8, in order to ensure all members that request a mail-in ballot receive one.
While Harpauer and others wait to see who becomes the next leader of the party, she also reflected on her time working with and for Wall.
“Brad and I were first elected in 1999 so we’ve been together throughout the journey of his career. I have to say to have him as a colleague and a friend has truly been an honour. He is a great leader and I think he has been a very, very steady leader for our province and I’ve been proud and honoured to serve with him and for him.”
The MLA for Humboldt-Watrous said while a lot of things have happened since the party formed government in 2007, she felt Wall has moved the province in a positive direction.
“It is exciting that we have record population growth that we’ve seen in the history of the province as well as the number of tax initiatives that we put forward that helps the most vulnerable in the province. Brad has been someone that I can trust, he has a sense of humour, he can be serious and has been a great example and I think he will leave a lasting legacy in our province.”
By Daniel Bushman
As a handful of Saskatchewan Party MLAs entered the race to become the next leader of the party, Premier Brad Wall elected to shuffle the cabinet last week to fill some of the vacated portfolios of those running for the leadership position. One of those receiving a substantial portfolio was local MLA Donna Harpauer, who was announced as the new Minister of Finance.
Harpauer, who is the MLA for Humboldt-Watrous said each time she has been asked to serve in government, it has been an honour, including last week when she was named as Minister of Finance.
“It was a little bit of a surprise and I am truly honoured that the premier has the confidence in me,” Harpauer said, “I will work as hard as I can to do the best for the Saskatchewan people. We have a path to balance and I firmly believe in that path and we will be working very hard in our next budget which we will start the deliberations pretty much immediately to keep us on that path to balance while still having good solid services for our citizens and for those most in need.”
Previously, Harpauer had large portfolios including Social Services (twice) and Education (once). “Every one is a learning curve and they have their challenges but they also have really great people that will help you and work with you.”
Harpauer said quarterly updates will continue with regards to the budget and they will make adjustments as needed. “I am glad it is on track,” Harpauer said. “That budget is set and we will just monitor it as it goes and start building on the next one.”
While the graduate of Lanigan Central High School said there are some challenging things in the budget, she added the government will have to monitor those and stay on the path of bringing the budget to balance in three years. “I will be continuing the work that the previous finance minister started. I have big shoes to fill obviously because Kevin (Doherty) did a great job. Our resource revenues are not recovering yet and we will have to work through that and work through a path to balance.”
As Harpauer begins her new role as Minister of Finance, the week previous Doherty released a report on the status of the provincial budget. Doherty said the 2017-‘18 Saskatchewan Budget remained on track at first quarter, with no change in the bottom-line forecast.
“The Saskatchewan economy is performing well so far, and for the first time in two years is projected to post positive growth,” Doherty said. “We have more to accomplish, but at first quarter we are meeting our fiscal challenge by controlling spending and shifting away from over-reliance on volatile resource revenue.”
According to Doherty, at first quarter, a deficit of $684.7 million is forecast, unchanged from the budget. Revenue at first quarter is forecast to increase $42 million (0.3 percent) from budget, while total expense is forecast to increase by about $82 million (0.6 percent).
In a release, the government said as planned, part of the budget’s $300 million contingency - about $40 million - is being used to offset expense pressures. A further $125 million of the contingency is being used to offset compensation savings that, because of the time required for negotiations to continue, will not be achieved this fiscal year.
“The reason we built a contingency into this year’s budget was to help address in-year pressures,” Doherty said. “We still have work to do to control government’s overall costs, including savings we are working hard to achieve in total compensation expense.”
Relating to Saskatchewan’s economy, the provincial government said 2017 has experienced the third-highest growth among Canadian provinces in manufacturing sales; the third-highest growth in average weekly earnings; the third-highest growth in population; and the second-highest growth in new motor-vehicle sales.
“Private sector forecasters have recognized strength in Saskatchewan’s economic performance and have increased real GDP growth forecasts for 2017 from an average of 1.7 percent at budget to 2.1 percent,” Doherty said. “At first quarter, our government remains on track with our fiscal plan to return Saskatchewan’s budget to balance in three years, by 2019-‘20.”
As the budget update was released in August, the opposition NDP were disappointed with the news.
“You don’t need to be a financial expert to know they should not be bragging about blowing through half of the budgeted contingency fund in the first quarter of the year,” said NDP Leader Nicole Sarauer. “The Sask. Party’s attempts to spin the facts would be laughable if the consequences weren’t hurting Saskatchewan families so deeply.”
The opposition party said there are many other key financial indicators that they were disappointed with.
“Under the Sask. Party, Saskatchewan is now seventh for retail trade, seventh for housing starts, eighth for wholesale trade, eighth for building permits, ninth in the country for employment, and the Saskatchewan unemployment rate is higher than the national average for the first time since 1989.”
With a large task ahead at trying to balance the budget for Saskatchewan over the next three years, Harpauer was not the only one with a new portfolio. Other MLAs were also part of the shuffle including another local MLA Greg Brkich, who becomes the new Government House Leader. During his past terms, the MLA for Arm River has served as the Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Committee of the Whole, Vice-Chair of the Caucus Standing Policy Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice and was a member of the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice, the Private Bills House Committee, Treasury Board, and the Investment Board. Premier Brad Wall also appointed Brkich as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, Agriculture Programs Innovation Initiative.
Meanwhile, Doherty, who was the Minister of Finance is now Minister of Advanced Education while Deputy Premier Don Morgan becomes Minister of Justice and Attorney General, while retaining responsibility for Labour and the Workers’ Compensation Board. Bronwyn Eyre becomes Minister of Education and Minister responsible for the Status of Women and Dustin Duncan becomes Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for SaskPower, SaskWater, the Water Security Agency and the Global Transportation Hub. Nancy Heppner re-enters cabinet as Minister of Energy and Resources and Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission; Paul Merriman becomes Minister of Social Services and Government Deputy House Leader; Steven Bonk becomes Minister of Economy and Minister responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan, Innovation and Trade; Larry Doke becomes Minister of Government Relations and Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs; and Gene Makowsky becomes Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.
Six other ministers retained their current cabinet responsibilities including Lyle Stewart, Jim Reiter, Greg Ottenbreit, Christine Tell, Joe Hargrave and David Marit. Warren Kaeding becomes Legislative Secretary to the Minister responsible for SaskTel (cellular and internet coverage) along with his current duties as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture.
The shuffle was made following the removal of MLA Bill Boyd after the province’s conflict of interest commissioner concluded a recent trip to China Boyd took fell below the standards expected of MLAs. Boyd is reportedly facing charges for environmental violations. In addition, cabinet ministers vying to be the next leader of the party also have to give up their portfolios after Wall announced Aug. 10 that he would be retiring as premier and from elected politics when a new leader is elected.
Harpauer, who was first elected in 1999 (the same time as Wall) said she has taken a keen interest in who will be the next leader of the party. However, for the long-time MLA, when it came time to decide if she would make a run at the premier’s chair, Harpauer was quick to reply.
“Nope,” she chuckled. “There are a number showing interest but no I am not considering it.”
Current MLAs Jeremy Harrison (who withdrew his name Sept. 1 to back Scott Moe), Alanna Koch, Ken Cheveldayoff, Gord Wyant and Tina Beaudry-Mellor all tossed their names into the ring and this past Friday, MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook Scott Moe added his name to the list. Like Harpauer, Moe comes from rural Saskatchewan and Harpauer, who was raised on a farm near Guernsey said she has decided to throw her support behind Moe. With rural Saskatchewan roots, Harpauer said Moe has a strong vision and would make for a good leader, standing up for Saskatchewan and facing issues like the carbon tax.
“I think it is going to be a good race and obviously there is still support for our party and that is good to see. The people that are interested in leading our party are pretty strong. I know that we are facing challenging times right now but in the big picture we are definitely in a better spot than we were a decade ago. As much as we have challenges and resource revenue, I think our province is still strong.”
Following a meeting of the provincial council, the Saskatchewan Party will elect its new leader at a leadership convention Jan. 27, 2018, in Saskatoon. The leader will be elected through a one-member, one-vote voting system. The Saskatchewan Party also released all of the leadership election campaign rules which included: the nomination filing deadline for candidates is Nov. 24; a filing fee of $25,000 will be required from all candidates; there will be a campaign expense limit of $250,000; candidates will be required to disclose the names of all donors who made donations of $250 or more; and the membership sales deadline in order to be eligible to vote is Dec. 8, in order to ensure all members that request a mail-in ballot receive one.
While Harpauer and others wait to see who becomes the next leader of the party, she also reflected on her time working with and for Wall.
“Brad and I were first elected in 1999 so we’ve been together throughout the journey of his career. I have to say to have him as a colleague and a friend has truly been an honour. He is a great leader and I think he has been a very, very steady leader for our province and I’ve been proud and honoured to serve with him and for him.”
The MLA for Humboldt-Watrous said while a lot of things have happened since the party formed government in 2007, she felt Wall has moved the province in a positive direction.
“It is exciting that we have record population growth that we’ve seen in the history of the province as well as the number of tax initiatives that we put forward that helps the most vulnerable in the province. Brad has been someone that I can trust, he has a sense of humour, he can be serious and has been a great example and I think he will leave a lasting legacy in our province.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 28, 2017
Work continues at BHP’s Jansen site: no sanction consideration for 2018
By Daniel Bushman
Despite BHP’s Jansen project not going to the board for sanction consideration in 2018, work continues on the shafts at the mine site located between Jansen and LeRoy. Bronwyn Wilkinson with BHP said the results for the financial year (FY17) ending June 2017 were presented in London and Melbourne Aug. 22 and it was during that time the company indicated that Jansen will not go to the board for sanction consideration during the 2018 calendar year. The news of the sanction not moving forward in 2018 comes a few months after CEO Andrew Mackenzie indicated that there was the possibility the Jansen project could go to the board for sanction as early as June 2018.
Despite the date for the sanction being pushed back, Wilkinson said that will not stop progress at the site where crews continue to sink the production and service shafts.
“Projects by their nature can take a long time to get to sanction and Jansen is a really big investment and it is a greenfield project in a commodity that is new to us,” Wilkinson said. “We have to make sure we are doing it right. I think it is something that any responsible company does and that is go very very cautiously on big investments.”
While some across the globe and Saskatchewan began questioning the ‘delay’ and what it would mean for the future of the Jansen project, analyst Ben Isaacson with Scotiabank released a report Aug. 22 stating the market may be reading too much from the so-called Jansen delay headlines.
In the report provided to The Watrous Manitou, it stated, “Simply put, we do not think Jansen is delayed. What has been delayed is management seeking board approval to greenlight the project in 2018. We don’t consider this a real delay, as capex and construction to complete the shafts will continue unchanged through the end of 2019. Therefore, board approval is not required for another two years . . .”
Reiterating the fact that work will continue on the shafts and on the project while BHP looks at its options to enhance the returns on the project, Mackenzie said, “I would just point out that once we have completed the shafts, we will have totally de-risked the project. We will have dealt with all the difficult parts of it.”
While the work on the shafts continues, so too does the focus on growing the project to become a strong part of BHP’s future. Peter Beavan, BHP’s Chief Financial Officer indicated the world will need a new potash supply but the timing of the supply and demand gap remains uncertain. However, Beavan said, “We do think sometime in the 2020s we are going to see a requirement in that market for some form of new greenfield production.”
While BHP will not seek sanction to go to the board during the 2018 calendar year, Wilkinson said it will give the company some more time to work on studies around the project and deliver value that they will be looking at in those studies. “It will also allow us to investigate other options, for instance, like looking for a potential partner in the project.”
So far, approximately $3.8 billion has been committed to the project and at the end of the financial year (June 30, 2017), the production shaft had reached about 75 percent of its planned depth (planned depth is ~975 m) and the service shaft about 70 percent (planned depth ~one km).
By Daniel Bushman
Despite BHP’s Jansen project not going to the board for sanction consideration in 2018, work continues on the shafts at the mine site located between Jansen and LeRoy. Bronwyn Wilkinson with BHP said the results for the financial year (FY17) ending June 2017 were presented in London and Melbourne Aug. 22 and it was during that time the company indicated that Jansen will not go to the board for sanction consideration during the 2018 calendar year. The news of the sanction not moving forward in 2018 comes a few months after CEO Andrew Mackenzie indicated that there was the possibility the Jansen project could go to the board for sanction as early as June 2018.
Despite the date for the sanction being pushed back, Wilkinson said that will not stop progress at the site where crews continue to sink the production and service shafts.
“Projects by their nature can take a long time to get to sanction and Jansen is a really big investment and it is a greenfield project in a commodity that is new to us,” Wilkinson said. “We have to make sure we are doing it right. I think it is something that any responsible company does and that is go very very cautiously on big investments.”
While some across the globe and Saskatchewan began questioning the ‘delay’ and what it would mean for the future of the Jansen project, analyst Ben Isaacson with Scotiabank released a report Aug. 22 stating the market may be reading too much from the so-called Jansen delay headlines.
In the report provided to The Watrous Manitou, it stated, “Simply put, we do not think Jansen is delayed. What has been delayed is management seeking board approval to greenlight the project in 2018. We don’t consider this a real delay, as capex and construction to complete the shafts will continue unchanged through the end of 2019. Therefore, board approval is not required for another two years . . .”
Reiterating the fact that work will continue on the shafts and on the project while BHP looks at its options to enhance the returns on the project, Mackenzie said, “I would just point out that once we have completed the shafts, we will have totally de-risked the project. We will have dealt with all the difficult parts of it.”
While the work on the shafts continues, so too does the focus on growing the project to become a strong part of BHP’s future. Peter Beavan, BHP’s Chief Financial Officer indicated the world will need a new potash supply but the timing of the supply and demand gap remains uncertain. However, Beavan said, “We do think sometime in the 2020s we are going to see a requirement in that market for some form of new greenfield production.”
While BHP will not seek sanction to go to the board during the 2018 calendar year, Wilkinson said it will give the company some more time to work on studies around the project and deliver value that they will be looking at in those studies. “It will also allow us to investigate other options, for instance, like looking for a potential partner in the project.”
So far, approximately $3.8 billion has been committed to the project and at the end of the financial year (June 30, 2017), the production shaft had reached about 75 percent of its planned depth (planned depth is ~975 m) and the service shaft about 70 percent (planned depth ~one km).
TWM Top Story - Aug. 21, 2017
New physician coming to Watrous as another departs
Daniel Bushman
After providing service to Watrous, Imperial and the surrounding communities for nearly three years, physician Dr. Mohamed Elgendy will be moving closer to his family later next month. While Elgendy’s time in the area comes to an end, the Saskatoon Health Region in partnership with the Town of Watrous have been busy recruiting another physician.
Elgendy said, “Undoubtedly, it is hard for me to leave Watrous and Imperial after being part of this wonderful community. I arrived years ago, and what made it easy for me to settle down is receiving so much support at all levels. It is quite emotional for me to be leaving, but in order to be back with my family, I am going to move to Regina. I want to express my thanks to the community, and I know you will be in the good hands of my colleagues.”
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said the community is appreciative of Dr. Elgendy and the time he dedicated towards his patients and staff. “We want to wish him well in the future.”
Manager with Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region, Angela Luron said Elgendy will finish out his three year contract in September before moving to Regina.
“We fully understand and support his decision to be with his family and we know it hasn’t been easy living away from them for quite a while now,” Luron said. “Dr. Elgendy has been a strong member of the primary health care team and the acute care team as well as the long-term care team. The health region is very thankful for his many contributions and know he is going to be missed by his teams, patients and by the communities of Watrous and Imperial.”
While Elgendy departs next month, come October, Dr. Olanike Adebayo will be joining the local team in Watrous and Imperial. Between Elgendy’s departure and Olanike’s arrival, locum support has been obtained for certain days in September and October to help with the transition. Doctor Akhtar, Dr. Choudhary, and nurse practitioner Jessica Niyongabo will also support this physician transition.
Already residing in Canada for several years, Adebayo is familiar with the medical system and is currently completing the SIPPA training program. From there she will join the Watrous and Imperial team in October. Adebayo obtained her medical training in Nigeria with many years of medical experience in different clinical settings in Nigeria and the area including emergency, long-term care and general family practice.
Luron said both Olanike and her husband have visited Watrous and Imperial and are really looking forward to establishing life in a smaller community while their grown children live in various provinces taking post-secondary education.
Redden said the town is looking forward to the arrival of Adebayo and are grateful for the efforts made by the Saskatoon Health Region, Luron and the primary health team for their ability to quickly recruit a physician to take over from Elgendy.
Having three physicians working in the local facilities, the team also includes a nurse practitioner and Luron said the four provide the area with a strong team.
“Our physicians and nurse practitioner provide care within a collaborative practice model so that means a community member can been seen by any one of the four providers. Since we’ve implemented the electronic medical record system in 2015, this makes sure that any of the four providers can access the patient information that they need in order to have the full story and all of the information required to provide the best care.”
With a focus on providing solid care and the expected arrival of Adebayo in a couple of months, Luron said Nurse Practitioner Jessica Niyongabo has also accepted another one year term position.
“We are very pleased that Jessica Niyongabo has accepted another temporary, full-time nurse practitioner position with the team, while Erin Boyce remains on leave from this position. Now that Jessica has established her clinical practice as a nurse practitioner, she will be looking for opportunities to reach out in the community to support health promotion for children, youth, and adults.”
Luron said those opportunities may include specific health information/education talks, as well as other opportunities and community projects to connect and support healthy living and illness prevention.
“Health promotion is a very important part of primary health, so we invite community members to reach out to Jessica if they have ideas. This can be done through the idea box in the primary health centre waiting room, or by calling Jessica at the health centre (306-946-1241).”
Daniel Bushman
After providing service to Watrous, Imperial and the surrounding communities for nearly three years, physician Dr. Mohamed Elgendy will be moving closer to his family later next month. While Elgendy’s time in the area comes to an end, the Saskatoon Health Region in partnership with the Town of Watrous have been busy recruiting another physician.
Elgendy said, “Undoubtedly, it is hard for me to leave Watrous and Imperial after being part of this wonderful community. I arrived years ago, and what made it easy for me to settle down is receiving so much support at all levels. It is quite emotional for me to be leaving, but in order to be back with my family, I am going to move to Regina. I want to express my thanks to the community, and I know you will be in the good hands of my colleagues.”
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said the community is appreciative of Dr. Elgendy and the time he dedicated towards his patients and staff. “We want to wish him well in the future.”
Manager with Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region, Angela Luron said Elgendy will finish out his three year contract in September before moving to Regina.
“We fully understand and support his decision to be with his family and we know it hasn’t been easy living away from them for quite a while now,” Luron said. “Dr. Elgendy has been a strong member of the primary health care team and the acute care team as well as the long-term care team. The health region is very thankful for his many contributions and know he is going to be missed by his teams, patients and by the communities of Watrous and Imperial.”
While Elgendy departs next month, come October, Dr. Olanike Adebayo will be joining the local team in Watrous and Imperial. Between Elgendy’s departure and Olanike’s arrival, locum support has been obtained for certain days in September and October to help with the transition. Doctor Akhtar, Dr. Choudhary, and nurse practitioner Jessica Niyongabo will also support this physician transition.
Already residing in Canada for several years, Adebayo is familiar with the medical system and is currently completing the SIPPA training program. From there she will join the Watrous and Imperial team in October. Adebayo obtained her medical training in Nigeria with many years of medical experience in different clinical settings in Nigeria and the area including emergency, long-term care and general family practice.
Luron said both Olanike and her husband have visited Watrous and Imperial and are really looking forward to establishing life in a smaller community while their grown children live in various provinces taking post-secondary education.
Redden said the town is looking forward to the arrival of Adebayo and are grateful for the efforts made by the Saskatoon Health Region, Luron and the primary health team for their ability to quickly recruit a physician to take over from Elgendy.
Having three physicians working in the local facilities, the team also includes a nurse practitioner and Luron said the four provide the area with a strong team.
“Our physicians and nurse practitioner provide care within a collaborative practice model so that means a community member can been seen by any one of the four providers. Since we’ve implemented the electronic medical record system in 2015, this makes sure that any of the four providers can access the patient information that they need in order to have the full story and all of the information required to provide the best care.”
With a focus on providing solid care and the expected arrival of Adebayo in a couple of months, Luron said Nurse Practitioner Jessica Niyongabo has also accepted another one year term position.
“We are very pleased that Jessica Niyongabo has accepted another temporary, full-time nurse practitioner position with the team, while Erin Boyce remains on leave from this position. Now that Jessica has established her clinical practice as a nurse practitioner, she will be looking for opportunities to reach out in the community to support health promotion for children, youth, and adults.”
Luron said those opportunities may include specific health information/education talks, as well as other opportunities and community projects to connect and support healthy living and illness prevention.
“Health promotion is a very important part of primary health, so we invite community members to reach out to Jessica if they have ideas. This can be done through the idea box in the primary health centre waiting room, or by calling Jessica at the health centre (306-946-1241).”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 14, 2017
Forever Young
mural unveiled
By Daniel Bushman
At 20 feet high, spanning 80 feet in length and mounted 10 feet above the ground, the world’s largest free-standing mural can be found at the village of Young. The mural, created by local artist Michael Gaudet has already been attracting people to the area while catching the eye of those travelling along Hwy. 2 next to the community. Located near the road, the Forever Young mural was permanently put up on a huge steel frame and unveiled in July for all to see.
Forever Young fundraising committee member Agnes Thompson said the idea for the mural came about in 2010 after a group of people involved with the community’s 100 year celebration decided a mural depicting Young’s heritage, culture and history over the past 100 years would be a wonderful tribute to the village.
“We believe it to be one of a kind and on a scale of one to 10, our committee is at a 15 for thrilled,” said Thompson.
After the idea was born in 2010, Gaudet was hired to create the mural within the community’s hockey arena. With experience of constructing more than 60 large murals across Canada over three decades, Gaudet, a Manitou Beach artist and author, made the world’s largest free-standing mural just a 15 minute drive from his home. Painting started in late spring of 2012 and six months later, the project was completed featuring 31 images in a montage style design. Gaudet said all of the scenes and people are recognizable and sourced from the Young history book and also from private photograph collections from the community.
In addition to the unique mural, Gaudet said a legend is also being created near the left-hand side of the outdoor structure and will feature an outline of every aspect of the mural that will have a number designating its meaning. Below that will be a list of all the pictures that will allow viewers to identify all of the images.
Gaudet said the mural of monumental proportions was a challenging one to paint. “Not only was it a lot of physical work, at 1,600 square feet, but the images themselves were very detailed and rigorous to paint. My technique calls for about 15 glazes over the entire surface, so in all, the painting entailed about 24,000 square feet of application to finish. That’s a lot.”
When it comes to mural projects like the one he did in Young, Gaudet said he begins each creation by collaborating with stakeholders in order to come up with an authorized design.
“Once this happens, the rough sketches are upgraded to a scale drawing that is suitable to be replicated as a limited edition print. The print can then be marketed in order to raise funds for the mural.”
As funds were raised and the mural completed, posts were put 11 feet into the ground next to Hwy. 2 earlier this year in order to hold the finished project. The stand itself weighs approximately 26,000 pounds and there is 900 feet of 2 x 6, 640 feet of channel iron, the support pipes are 16 inches in diameter and there is 3/8” wall thickness. A total of 275 cubic yards of gravel was also used in the trench that was dug to support the base of the mural.
Thompson said, “Due to the weight we hired a crane to put it up and we had additional help from Melron Services and some of their equipment. We also had use of additional equipment from some of our committee members and putting it up was achieved with little problem.”
As the committee worked on erecting the mural near Hwy. 2, Gaudet did some last minute touches as many people stopped by. “Most would take photos and move on but those that stopped and came down to chat, those folks were excited and full of compliments for those that persevered to see it standing.”
With the committee hoping to see the free-standing structure as a place to stop and even make a day trip to, Thompson said,“We see some nice landscaping with grass and gravel, picnic tables, benches, washrooms, lighting and parking. The possibilities are endless and of course, as always, dependent on funds.”
So far, the cost to date has been approximately $55,000 and the majority of the total funds to cover that cost have come from many fundraisers including Texas Hold ‘em nights. “Of course we have had many donations from people that are supportive of the project.”
Agnes said they had tremendous help from many over the years starting with a large committee. However, she added people’s commitments and priorities changed over time so currently the committee consists of Wayne and Nancy Holdner, Lyle and Gwen Johnson, Terry Sperling, Leanne Deneiko and Agnes Thompson.
“The committee had a vision of making this into a huge mural for all the world to see, as a matter of pride for us. We believe the mural will provide a wow factor by any and all who see it, and put Young on the map. And with that, the entire community can feel proud to call this place their home!”
For those interested in checking the mural out, plans are underway to celebrate its completion with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Young, slated for 2 p.m. Aug. 26.
mural unveiled
By Daniel Bushman
At 20 feet high, spanning 80 feet in length and mounted 10 feet above the ground, the world’s largest free-standing mural can be found at the village of Young. The mural, created by local artist Michael Gaudet has already been attracting people to the area while catching the eye of those travelling along Hwy. 2 next to the community. Located near the road, the Forever Young mural was permanently put up on a huge steel frame and unveiled in July for all to see.
Forever Young fundraising committee member Agnes Thompson said the idea for the mural came about in 2010 after a group of people involved with the community’s 100 year celebration decided a mural depicting Young’s heritage, culture and history over the past 100 years would be a wonderful tribute to the village.
“We believe it to be one of a kind and on a scale of one to 10, our committee is at a 15 for thrilled,” said Thompson.
After the idea was born in 2010, Gaudet was hired to create the mural within the community’s hockey arena. With experience of constructing more than 60 large murals across Canada over three decades, Gaudet, a Manitou Beach artist and author, made the world’s largest free-standing mural just a 15 minute drive from his home. Painting started in late spring of 2012 and six months later, the project was completed featuring 31 images in a montage style design. Gaudet said all of the scenes and people are recognizable and sourced from the Young history book and also from private photograph collections from the community.
In addition to the unique mural, Gaudet said a legend is also being created near the left-hand side of the outdoor structure and will feature an outline of every aspect of the mural that will have a number designating its meaning. Below that will be a list of all the pictures that will allow viewers to identify all of the images.
Gaudet said the mural of monumental proportions was a challenging one to paint. “Not only was it a lot of physical work, at 1,600 square feet, but the images themselves were very detailed and rigorous to paint. My technique calls for about 15 glazes over the entire surface, so in all, the painting entailed about 24,000 square feet of application to finish. That’s a lot.”
When it comes to mural projects like the one he did in Young, Gaudet said he begins each creation by collaborating with stakeholders in order to come up with an authorized design.
“Once this happens, the rough sketches are upgraded to a scale drawing that is suitable to be replicated as a limited edition print. The print can then be marketed in order to raise funds for the mural.”
As funds were raised and the mural completed, posts were put 11 feet into the ground next to Hwy. 2 earlier this year in order to hold the finished project. The stand itself weighs approximately 26,000 pounds and there is 900 feet of 2 x 6, 640 feet of channel iron, the support pipes are 16 inches in diameter and there is 3/8” wall thickness. A total of 275 cubic yards of gravel was also used in the trench that was dug to support the base of the mural.
Thompson said, “Due to the weight we hired a crane to put it up and we had additional help from Melron Services and some of their equipment. We also had use of additional equipment from some of our committee members and putting it up was achieved with little problem.”
As the committee worked on erecting the mural near Hwy. 2, Gaudet did some last minute touches as many people stopped by. “Most would take photos and move on but those that stopped and came down to chat, those folks were excited and full of compliments for those that persevered to see it standing.”
With the committee hoping to see the free-standing structure as a place to stop and even make a day trip to, Thompson said,“We see some nice landscaping with grass and gravel, picnic tables, benches, washrooms, lighting and parking. The possibilities are endless and of course, as always, dependent on funds.”
So far, the cost to date has been approximately $55,000 and the majority of the total funds to cover that cost have come from many fundraisers including Texas Hold ‘em nights. “Of course we have had many donations from people that are supportive of the project.”
Agnes said they had tremendous help from many over the years starting with a large committee. However, she added people’s commitments and priorities changed over time so currently the committee consists of Wayne and Nancy Holdner, Lyle and Gwen Johnson, Terry Sperling, Leanne Deneiko and Agnes Thompson.
“The committee had a vision of making this into a huge mural for all the world to see, as a matter of pride for us. We believe the mural will provide a wow factor by any and all who see it, and put Young on the map. And with that, the entire community can feel proud to call this place their home!”
For those interested in checking the mural out, plans are underway to celebrate its completion with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Young, slated for 2 p.m. Aug. 26.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 7, 2017
Chase ends in Watrous
By Daniel Bushman
Three people face numerous charges after a high speed chase originating in Saskatoon involving police, an air support unit, canine members and spike belts came to an end in Watrous July 25. In addition, the three that were apprehended were found to have outstanding warrants while the vehicle involved in the pursuit was previously identified as being used in a number of local area property crimes.
Shortly after 1 p.m., July 25, Saskatoon Police observed a vehicle believed to be stolen in the 1500 block of Lorne Ave. in Saskatoon. Despite attempts to stop the vehicle, it evaded police and continued driving erratically at high speeds. Saskatoon Police Service’s Air Support Unit tracked the vehicle, relaying its position to ground units.
As the vehicle was leaving city limits, a pair of passengers left the vehicle near Range Road 3040 and attempted to hide in the bushes. Police apprehended 40-year-old Dana Blackie and 26-year-old Jennafer Lane and took them into custody. The driver of the vehicle, 38-year-old Michael Basaraba, continued to evade police and shortly before 4 p.m., Watrous RCMP were advised of the high speed pursuit which was entering the detachment’s area on Hwy. 763 just east of Allan.
The suspect vehicle evaded a spike belt deployed at the junction of Hwy. 763 and Hwy. 2 west of Young and continued east through Young towards Watrous. At Renown Road and Hwy. 2, a Watrous officer was able to successfully deploy another spike belt. Despite having a flat tire, the suspect reached an area close to Centennial Ford where he abandoned the vehicle. Fleeing on foot for a short distance, Basaraba was tackled by another Watrous officer. The suspect was then taken into custody by Saskatoon City Police with assistance from air support and canine members and transported back to Saskatoon.
Basaraba along with Blackie and Lane are charged with:
• Careless use of firearm (x2);
• Possession of Dangerous Weapon (x2);
• Carry Concealed Weapon (x2);
• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm (x2);
• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in Vehicle (x2);
• Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition (x2); and
• Possession of Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence (x2).
Basaraba is also charged with:
• Possession of Stolen Property Over $5,000;
• Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle;
• Evading Police; and
• Possession of Firearms Contrary to Order (x2).
All three individuals were also found to have outstanding warrants. Each made an appearance in court Aug. 3.
The suspect vehicle involved in the pursuit was also identified as being used in a number of recent property crimes off Breckner Road, located in and around the RM of Morris.
On June 27th Watrous RCMP were called to a break and enter at a rural property in the RM of Morris off Breckner Road. A work shop had been broken into and a pellet gun and .12 gauge shotgun were reported as stolen. Later that afternoon Watrous RCMP received a call of a suspicious vehicle in a field within the RM. A description and licence plate was obtained and when checked, the licence was stolen from a vehicle north of Osler. Used .12 gauge shotgun shells were also found in the field where the truck had been.
Then on July 5th, Watrous RCMP responded to another break, enter and theft at the same location off Breckner Road. This time a different work shop was broken into and a large quantity of tools were stolen.
On July 14th, RCMP received a call of a large fuel theft which had occurred overnight from the Crop Production Services yard south of Watrous off Hwy. 2. One thousand dollars worth of fuel and fuel pumps were stolen.
The following day, the same rural property off Breckner Road was entered and fuel stolen from the farm fuel tanks. The following morning a 1999 Dodge Ram, which had the keys left in it, was stolen from a farm in the RM of Viscount. Later that afternoon suspects attempting to steal fuel from farm tanks from the rural property off Breckner Road were confronted by the land owner. The suspects were in the 1999 Dodge Ram and a newer white Dodge Ram. A license plate number was obtained which later was found to be stolen from a truck at an acreage in the Pike Lake area. The 1999 Dodge was later located off Ave. M in Saskatoon on July 21st.
The investigation into the incidents is ongoing.
The RCMP would like to remind people to not leave their keys in vehicles, even if the vehicle is in a shop it can be stolen if the shop is broken into. This is important in light of SGI considering penalties or added premiums in the event a vehicle is stolen with the keys left in it. Do not leave firearms in the back seat of vehicles or in shops and sheds, they should be kept under lock and key. Many of these stolen firearms end up chopped down and in the hands of street gangs in the city which pose a risk to others and police. If you are going to be away from your property for holidays alert your neighbours and ask them to check on your place. Trail cameras set up on access points to property have in the past provided police with good pictures of suspects and vehicles. Consider setting up Agri-watch groups in your area and linking one another on Facebook, if you would like more information on Agri-Watch contact the Watrous RCMP office.
If you have any information on these crimes or any others please contact your local RCMP detachment or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
By Daniel Bushman
Three people face numerous charges after a high speed chase originating in Saskatoon involving police, an air support unit, canine members and spike belts came to an end in Watrous July 25. In addition, the three that were apprehended were found to have outstanding warrants while the vehicle involved in the pursuit was previously identified as being used in a number of local area property crimes.
Shortly after 1 p.m., July 25, Saskatoon Police observed a vehicle believed to be stolen in the 1500 block of Lorne Ave. in Saskatoon. Despite attempts to stop the vehicle, it evaded police and continued driving erratically at high speeds. Saskatoon Police Service’s Air Support Unit tracked the vehicle, relaying its position to ground units.
As the vehicle was leaving city limits, a pair of passengers left the vehicle near Range Road 3040 and attempted to hide in the bushes. Police apprehended 40-year-old Dana Blackie and 26-year-old Jennafer Lane and took them into custody. The driver of the vehicle, 38-year-old Michael Basaraba, continued to evade police and shortly before 4 p.m., Watrous RCMP were advised of the high speed pursuit which was entering the detachment’s area on Hwy. 763 just east of Allan.
The suspect vehicle evaded a spike belt deployed at the junction of Hwy. 763 and Hwy. 2 west of Young and continued east through Young towards Watrous. At Renown Road and Hwy. 2, a Watrous officer was able to successfully deploy another spike belt. Despite having a flat tire, the suspect reached an area close to Centennial Ford where he abandoned the vehicle. Fleeing on foot for a short distance, Basaraba was tackled by another Watrous officer. The suspect was then taken into custody by Saskatoon City Police with assistance from air support and canine members and transported back to Saskatoon.
Basaraba along with Blackie and Lane are charged with:
• Careless use of firearm (x2);
• Possession of Dangerous Weapon (x2);
• Carry Concealed Weapon (x2);
• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm (x2);
• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in Vehicle (x2);
• Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition (x2); and
• Possession of Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence (x2).
Basaraba is also charged with:
• Possession of Stolen Property Over $5,000;
• Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle;
• Evading Police; and
• Possession of Firearms Contrary to Order (x2).
All three individuals were also found to have outstanding warrants. Each made an appearance in court Aug. 3.
The suspect vehicle involved in the pursuit was also identified as being used in a number of recent property crimes off Breckner Road, located in and around the RM of Morris.
On June 27th Watrous RCMP were called to a break and enter at a rural property in the RM of Morris off Breckner Road. A work shop had been broken into and a pellet gun and .12 gauge shotgun were reported as stolen. Later that afternoon Watrous RCMP received a call of a suspicious vehicle in a field within the RM. A description and licence plate was obtained and when checked, the licence was stolen from a vehicle north of Osler. Used .12 gauge shotgun shells were also found in the field where the truck had been.
Then on July 5th, Watrous RCMP responded to another break, enter and theft at the same location off Breckner Road. This time a different work shop was broken into and a large quantity of tools were stolen.
On July 14th, RCMP received a call of a large fuel theft which had occurred overnight from the Crop Production Services yard south of Watrous off Hwy. 2. One thousand dollars worth of fuel and fuel pumps were stolen.
The following day, the same rural property off Breckner Road was entered and fuel stolen from the farm fuel tanks. The following morning a 1999 Dodge Ram, which had the keys left in it, was stolen from a farm in the RM of Viscount. Later that afternoon suspects attempting to steal fuel from farm tanks from the rural property off Breckner Road were confronted by the land owner. The suspects were in the 1999 Dodge Ram and a newer white Dodge Ram. A license plate number was obtained which later was found to be stolen from a truck at an acreage in the Pike Lake area. The 1999 Dodge was later located off Ave. M in Saskatoon on July 21st.
The investigation into the incidents is ongoing.
The RCMP would like to remind people to not leave their keys in vehicles, even if the vehicle is in a shop it can be stolen if the shop is broken into. This is important in light of SGI considering penalties or added premiums in the event a vehicle is stolen with the keys left in it. Do not leave firearms in the back seat of vehicles or in shops and sheds, they should be kept under lock and key. Many of these stolen firearms end up chopped down and in the hands of street gangs in the city which pose a risk to others and police. If you are going to be away from your property for holidays alert your neighbours and ask them to check on your place. Trail cameras set up on access points to property have in the past provided police with good pictures of suspects and vehicles. Consider setting up Agri-watch groups in your area and linking one another on Facebook, if you would like more information on Agri-Watch contact the Watrous RCMP office.
If you have any information on these crimes or any others please contact your local RCMP detachment or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
TWM Top Story - July 17, 2017
Loblaw responds to public frustrations
By Daniel Bushman
It has been two years since Watrous Shop Easy closed its doors and despite earlier efforts by the previous owners to keep the store open in 2015, the building at 215 Main Street in Watrous remains vacant. While Loblaw, the national company that now owns the place, continues to seek a new owner, many residents and former customers of the grocery store and flower shop have become disappointed with the current situation of the property.
Leading up to the Watrous - Manitou Beach Canada 150 Homecoming, which took place over the July long weekend, several residents reached out to Loblaw regarding the state of the building and its vacancy. On Facebook, one post written by a local resident contained an updated photo of the exterior and was shared to Loblaw, asking the company to “notice the broken window, askew blinds, dirty torn posters and peeling paint.” The post continued, “That is not even mentioning the winter conditions of snow and ice that accumulate on the sidewalk and that is removed by community workers and not at your expense. Our community is hosting a homecoming this weekend that will see our area’s size double. This is what our guests will see and the image they will take home in their minds of our downtown. Not very nice is it? Please be reminded that when you chose to close a thriving business that had local owners who cared, the building did NOT look anything like it does now.”
The Watrous Manitou reached out to Loblaw seeking comment on the status of the building and also requested a response from the company to pass along to concerned residents. Tammy Smitham, Vice President, External Communication, Loblaw Companies Limited said, “Since the closure of the Watrous Shop Easy, we have been actively seeking a buyer for the property and have listed the property nationally to improve our opportunities to find a buyer. We are currently working with a property manager who is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the property. Residents raised concerns with the property and we are working to address those concerns. We apologize to the residents of Watrous for the inconvenience. Should residents continue to have concerns, we welcome the feedback.”
Community Development Officer for the area Brendan Manz, who is also part of the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group said the local group would like to see someone take over the building and they continue to remain in contact with Loblaw regarding the property.
“The town has fielded calls for the property but nothing has transpired so far.”
In 2015, previous owners Jerry and Gloria Luscombe said they tried to work with Loblaw to renew a viable lease or purchase the property but despite their best efforts, the Luscombes were left with the difficult decision to close the doors on the 5,738 square foot building.
“There were several factors that came into play when negotiating the purchase of the building from Loblaw,” said Gloria. “With the building being 57 years old, it required several updates. Although some repairs were made to the building to address health and safety issues, there were still many necessary outstanding repairs and improvements that were required. Along with the building concerns there would need to be additional updates to obsolete lighting and refrigeration. Lastly, signing a 10-year franchise agreement would not have been viable given uncertain economic times.”
Gloria said it has been tough since they were left with the difficult choice to close. “It’s been two years and we still feel the loss both personally and for the community as well. It is heartbreaking to see the empty building and frustrating to think that Loblaw would not negotiate something feasible that would have benefited everyone involved.”
By Daniel Bushman
It has been two years since Watrous Shop Easy closed its doors and despite earlier efforts by the previous owners to keep the store open in 2015, the building at 215 Main Street in Watrous remains vacant. While Loblaw, the national company that now owns the place, continues to seek a new owner, many residents and former customers of the grocery store and flower shop have become disappointed with the current situation of the property.
Leading up to the Watrous - Manitou Beach Canada 150 Homecoming, which took place over the July long weekend, several residents reached out to Loblaw regarding the state of the building and its vacancy. On Facebook, one post written by a local resident contained an updated photo of the exterior and was shared to Loblaw, asking the company to “notice the broken window, askew blinds, dirty torn posters and peeling paint.” The post continued, “That is not even mentioning the winter conditions of snow and ice that accumulate on the sidewalk and that is removed by community workers and not at your expense. Our community is hosting a homecoming this weekend that will see our area’s size double. This is what our guests will see and the image they will take home in their minds of our downtown. Not very nice is it? Please be reminded that when you chose to close a thriving business that had local owners who cared, the building did NOT look anything like it does now.”
The Watrous Manitou reached out to Loblaw seeking comment on the status of the building and also requested a response from the company to pass along to concerned residents. Tammy Smitham, Vice President, External Communication, Loblaw Companies Limited said, “Since the closure of the Watrous Shop Easy, we have been actively seeking a buyer for the property and have listed the property nationally to improve our opportunities to find a buyer. We are currently working with a property manager who is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the property. Residents raised concerns with the property and we are working to address those concerns. We apologize to the residents of Watrous for the inconvenience. Should residents continue to have concerns, we welcome the feedback.”
Community Development Officer for the area Brendan Manz, who is also part of the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group said the local group would like to see someone take over the building and they continue to remain in contact with Loblaw regarding the property.
“The town has fielded calls for the property but nothing has transpired so far.”
In 2015, previous owners Jerry and Gloria Luscombe said they tried to work with Loblaw to renew a viable lease or purchase the property but despite their best efforts, the Luscombes were left with the difficult decision to close the doors on the 5,738 square foot building.
“There were several factors that came into play when negotiating the purchase of the building from Loblaw,” said Gloria. “With the building being 57 years old, it required several updates. Although some repairs were made to the building to address health and safety issues, there were still many necessary outstanding repairs and improvements that were required. Along with the building concerns there would need to be additional updates to obsolete lighting and refrigeration. Lastly, signing a 10-year franchise agreement would not have been viable given uncertain economic times.”
Gloria said it has been tough since they were left with the difficult choice to close. “It’s been two years and we still feel the loss both personally and for the community as well. It is heartbreaking to see the empty building and frustrating to think that Loblaw would not negotiate something feasible that would have benefited everyone involved.”
TWM Top Story - July 4, 2017
Homecoming celebration a huge success
Daniel Bushman
With over 900 people registered and even more than that number celebrating in Watrous and Manitou Beach, the Watrous - Manitou Beach Canada 150 Homecoming was a weekend to remember. Kicking off with registration June 30 and ending July 2, the celebration was jam-packed with events, entertainment, fun and memories.
Chairperson of the homecoming committee Karen Schroeder Mark was grateful to see so many people participating in the weekend’s festivities. “We also really appreciated the support from our business community in the form of donations to help offset the costs of the event and we felt the excitement and anticipation leading up to the start of the weekend as well.”
One of the major highlights of the weekend was the parade, with around 70 entries. After serving around 450 people at the pancake breakfast Saturday morning, people headed towards Main Street and other areas in town to catch a glimpse of the parade.
“There was a sense of general happiness on the morning of the parade as everyone assembled ready to have our first parade in several years. People were feeling proud and happy and when everyone gathered together for the parade, the feeling was really magnified.”
Schroeder Mark said a special mention goes out to Watrous resident Maynard Fossen for his efforts as the parade marshal. “It was because of his efforts that the parade was as good as it was. I also think it bears mentioning that people put a lot of effort into their floats. Their pride in their country, organization, or business was on full display that morning.”
After the parade Saturday morning, opening ceremonies were held with O Canada being performed, the cadet colour party brought in the flags and Sergeant Jeff Friedenstab raised the flag. Watrous Mayor Ed Collins, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec and Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Morris Bob Penrose said a few words of welcome along with Schroeder Mark.
After the opening ceremony was held, a flyby took place and activities throughout Watrous and Manitou Beach were held. With lots of flags waving around town and properties spruced up, Schroeder Mark said she had never seen so many red and white planters.
With entertainment in the evenings Friday and Saturday, lots of volunteers lent a hand throughout the weekend. Schroeder Mark appreciated the many volunteers including the Kinsmen, School of Dance, the Daycare Committee, and Affinity Credit Union, who took over some large and key aspects of the weekend. Denise Lucas managed the bulk of the social media, posting on behalf of the committee and Earl Hayhurst of Video Stop set up shop Friday at the street dance, selling candy, popcorn and other treats.
“The Town of Watrous staff was also a huge help for the whole operation. Both the office staff (particularly Susan Jabs and Taya Tokarski) as well as the public works staff helped enormously and we appreciate that. The committee as a whole had to work pretty hard too, especially just before and during the weekend and that was tremendously appreciated.”
Schroeder Mark said the weekend as a whole was a big success and she has heard many compliments since. “The beach was also a big buzz of activity and those fireworks were spectacular and capped off a very memorable Canada Day. There were loads of people out to watch them. The beach looked very full. The people made this weekend what it was! When the planning is completed, it is just a framework within which people make their own fun. Our communities were ready to celebrate and it showed. Thanks everybody! We enjoyed helping you celebrate a huge milestone for Canada.”
Daniel Bushman
With over 900 people registered and even more than that number celebrating in Watrous and Manitou Beach, the Watrous - Manitou Beach Canada 150 Homecoming was a weekend to remember. Kicking off with registration June 30 and ending July 2, the celebration was jam-packed with events, entertainment, fun and memories.
Chairperson of the homecoming committee Karen Schroeder Mark was grateful to see so many people participating in the weekend’s festivities. “We also really appreciated the support from our business community in the form of donations to help offset the costs of the event and we felt the excitement and anticipation leading up to the start of the weekend as well.”
One of the major highlights of the weekend was the parade, with around 70 entries. After serving around 450 people at the pancake breakfast Saturday morning, people headed towards Main Street and other areas in town to catch a glimpse of the parade.
“There was a sense of general happiness on the morning of the parade as everyone assembled ready to have our first parade in several years. People were feeling proud and happy and when everyone gathered together for the parade, the feeling was really magnified.”
Schroeder Mark said a special mention goes out to Watrous resident Maynard Fossen for his efforts as the parade marshal. “It was because of his efforts that the parade was as good as it was. I also think it bears mentioning that people put a lot of effort into their floats. Their pride in their country, organization, or business was on full display that morning.”
After the parade Saturday morning, opening ceremonies were held with O Canada being performed, the cadet colour party brought in the flags and Sergeant Jeff Friedenstab raised the flag. Watrous Mayor Ed Collins, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec and Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Morris Bob Penrose said a few words of welcome along with Schroeder Mark.
After the opening ceremony was held, a flyby took place and activities throughout Watrous and Manitou Beach were held. With lots of flags waving around town and properties spruced up, Schroeder Mark said she had never seen so many red and white planters.
With entertainment in the evenings Friday and Saturday, lots of volunteers lent a hand throughout the weekend. Schroeder Mark appreciated the many volunteers including the Kinsmen, School of Dance, the Daycare Committee, and Affinity Credit Union, who took over some large and key aspects of the weekend. Denise Lucas managed the bulk of the social media, posting on behalf of the committee and Earl Hayhurst of Video Stop set up shop Friday at the street dance, selling candy, popcorn and other treats.
“The Town of Watrous staff was also a huge help for the whole operation. Both the office staff (particularly Susan Jabs and Taya Tokarski) as well as the public works staff helped enormously and we appreciate that. The committee as a whole had to work pretty hard too, especially just before and during the weekend and that was tremendously appreciated.”
Schroeder Mark said the weekend as a whole was a big success and she has heard many compliments since. “The beach was also a big buzz of activity and those fireworks were spectacular and capped off a very memorable Canada Day. There were loads of people out to watch them. The beach looked very full. The people made this weekend what it was! When the planning is completed, it is just a framework within which people make their own fun. Our communities were ready to celebrate and it showed. Thanks everybody! We enjoyed helping you celebrate a huge milestone for Canada.”
Local area thrust into the spotlight
Daniel Bushman
With summer underway and people from various corners of the globe including Saskatchewan visiting Manitou Beach, the resort community and its unique lake continue to be recognized. Not only will the beach be featured nationally July 4 as part of Still Standing’s third season on CBC but it is also getting noticed by others.
Those who read Maclean’s Magazine may have noticed Manitou Beach and Watrous were recently profiled in an article entitled, Dreams of Canada by Allen Abel. According to the article, Abel spent time in Saskatchewan meeting many faces in a quest to find the true meaning of the vast country. Starting out, Abel visited Uranium City in northern Saskatchewan before venturing south through dozens of communities. As part of his adventures, Abel stopped at Manitou Beach where he chatted with Danceland co-owner Millie Strueby about her life, Danceland and its uniqueness.
During that time, it also happened to be the Winston High School graduation in Watrous (May 5) and so the writer popped by the curling rink to check it out. Abel chatted with Principal Terry Braman and graduate Brady Fossen. From there, Abel headed to Duck Lake to find out more about its history and continued along, profiling a variety of other prairie places. Photos including Strueby at Danceland, dancers enjoying Polkafest, the elevator in Watrous and a snapshot of graduation in Watrous make up the section in the magazine. The Watrous Manitou contacted Maclean’s Magazine a few weeks ago in an effort to conduct an interview about Abel’s visit and why he chose to visit and write about the area but TWM had not heard back as of press time.
Then just last week, Narcity, which highlights things to do and see in and around Regina, listed Manitou Beach as one of 13 incredible beaches in Saskatchewan you never knew existed. In the article on Narcity.com, writer Naomi Zurevinski noted that Saskatchewan has some gorgeous beaches close to Regina that are worth the drive to explore.
Under the one to two hour drive category listed in the article, Manitou Beach joins others like Echo Lake Public Beach, Sandy Beach, and Katepwa Lake Beach.
Here is what Zurevinski had to say about Manitou: “The beach here is beautiful, and if you want to stay and explore a little more, there’s plenty to do. This is a perfect location to camp or stay for a weekend because Manitou Beach also has a mineral spa, mini golf, and even a drive-in theatre.”
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz, who is also part of the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group said anytime the area is profiled in a positive way is a benefit to the region.
“Travel writers and bloggers have been visiting Manitou Beach for years and when they come we try to do the best we can to make them feel welcome. While we were not aware that Mr. Abel was in the area, it was great to see that Maclean’s Magazine decided to profile both Manitou Beach and Watrous. We are excited for the summer ahead and those who decide to visit. It once again reaffirms that Manitou Beach and Watrous are great places to live, play and do business in.
Daniel Bushman
With summer underway and people from various corners of the globe including Saskatchewan visiting Manitou Beach, the resort community and its unique lake continue to be recognized. Not only will the beach be featured nationally July 4 as part of Still Standing’s third season on CBC but it is also getting noticed by others.
Those who read Maclean’s Magazine may have noticed Manitou Beach and Watrous were recently profiled in an article entitled, Dreams of Canada by Allen Abel. According to the article, Abel spent time in Saskatchewan meeting many faces in a quest to find the true meaning of the vast country. Starting out, Abel visited Uranium City in northern Saskatchewan before venturing south through dozens of communities. As part of his adventures, Abel stopped at Manitou Beach where he chatted with Danceland co-owner Millie Strueby about her life, Danceland and its uniqueness.
During that time, it also happened to be the Winston High School graduation in Watrous (May 5) and so the writer popped by the curling rink to check it out. Abel chatted with Principal Terry Braman and graduate Brady Fossen. From there, Abel headed to Duck Lake to find out more about its history and continued along, profiling a variety of other prairie places. Photos including Strueby at Danceland, dancers enjoying Polkafest, the elevator in Watrous and a snapshot of graduation in Watrous make up the section in the magazine. The Watrous Manitou contacted Maclean’s Magazine a few weeks ago in an effort to conduct an interview about Abel’s visit and why he chose to visit and write about the area but TWM had not heard back as of press time.
Then just last week, Narcity, which highlights things to do and see in and around Regina, listed Manitou Beach as one of 13 incredible beaches in Saskatchewan you never knew existed. In the article on Narcity.com, writer Naomi Zurevinski noted that Saskatchewan has some gorgeous beaches close to Regina that are worth the drive to explore.
Under the one to two hour drive category listed in the article, Manitou Beach joins others like Echo Lake Public Beach, Sandy Beach, and Katepwa Lake Beach.
Here is what Zurevinski had to say about Manitou: “The beach here is beautiful, and if you want to stay and explore a little more, there’s plenty to do. This is a perfect location to camp or stay for a weekend because Manitou Beach also has a mineral spa, mini golf, and even a drive-in theatre.”
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz, who is also part of the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group said anytime the area is profiled in a positive way is a benefit to the region.
“Travel writers and bloggers have been visiting Manitou Beach for years and when they come we try to do the best we can to make them feel welcome. While we were not aware that Mr. Abel was in the area, it was great to see that Maclean’s Magazine decided to profile both Manitou Beach and Watrous. We are excited for the summer ahead and those who decide to visit. It once again reaffirms that Manitou Beach and Watrous are great places to live, play and do business in.
TWM Top Story - June 26, 2017
Ready to celebrate as homecoming arrives
Daniel Bushman
After many hours of planning and organizing, the candles will be lit, the cake cut and festivities underway as residents, familiar faces and visitors will commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday and the Watrous - Manitou Beach Homecoming this weekend. Chairperson of the Canada 150 Homecoming celebration Karen Schroeder Mark said the homecoming committee is looking forward to the festivities and seeing residents and visitors take in as much as they can from June 30 to July 2.
“I hope that people are excited to partake in all of the events and festivities that we’ve planned for them,” said Schroeder Mark. “We are also excited to have people return home and feel that the Canada 150 Homecoming celebration will be one to remember.”
With registration Friday and Saturday, those looking to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday will also be able to enjoy a variety of activities Saturday. Schroeder Mark said those interested in attending the beef on a bun supper held at the curling rink in Watrous will need to purchase their tickets by noon on June 27th.
“That will ensure that there will be enough food for those in attendance. We also have a lot of other things planned throughout the homecoming. We will have everything from a pancake breakfast and parade Saturday morning, to opening ceremonies at Cenotaph Park and a meet and greet and recognition of local businesses at the curling rink later in the afternoon. Entertainment has been lined up Friday evening and Saturday and suppers are also planned. It will be a lot of fun for everyone and there will be something for people of all ages to enjoy.”
Schroeder Mark said they have also got heritage displays, bingo, monster truck rides, an art show, the grand opening of the Rotary Walking Trail phase two, bouncy castles, a Beach Boogie, and pool activities all set to go.
As for the parade, a kids bike parade will commence at 10:15 a.m. followed by the larger parade at 10:30 a.m. The parade will start with floats lined up between the elementary and high schools. From there, it will go along 8th Ave. E. before turning on Main Street. Heading south on Main Street, floats will turn left at 2nd Ave. E. and then make another left a few blocks later at 3rd St. E. The parade route will end at 8th Ave. E. near the Watrous and District Health Complex.
While the majority of activities including the parade have been planned for Watrous, Manitou Beach is also getting set to celebrate as well. Manitou Beach councillor Chris Moffatt said this year’s fireworks, which take place at dusk, will be a bit different than in recent years as they will be moving them close to the resort community as opposed to across the lake.
“They are going to be held between the Nu-Inn and tennis courts on the west side of the village. We will be setting them off behind the pump station towards the water so they should be more visible than in the past. Since it is Canada’s 150th birthday, we will be syncing the fireworks up to music and will have a sound system set up as well.”
Road blocks will be set up near the fireworks but Moffatt encourages people to watch from the main beach and around that location to get a great view.
“We would like people to come down to the main beach and they should be able to hear the music and the fireworks should be more visible as well.”
Moffatt added they are still looking for volunteers for a variety of activities that are being planned in addition to the fireworks, which take place Saturday evening.
“We will have some entertainment during the afternoon Saturday with hoop dancer Lawrence Roy Jr. and singer Amy McDade. Vendors will be set up along the street at the main beach area like in years past and Danceland will be hosting events as well. We will not be having a pancake breakfast Saturday as that will be in Watrous but we are holding one Sunday at the community hall. It will be right near the flea market so people can check that out as well. We are looking forward to marking Canada’s birthday and enjoying the homecoming.”
Daniel Bushman
After many hours of planning and organizing, the candles will be lit, the cake cut and festivities underway as residents, familiar faces and visitors will commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday and the Watrous - Manitou Beach Homecoming this weekend. Chairperson of the Canada 150 Homecoming celebration Karen Schroeder Mark said the homecoming committee is looking forward to the festivities and seeing residents and visitors take in as much as they can from June 30 to July 2.
“I hope that people are excited to partake in all of the events and festivities that we’ve planned for them,” said Schroeder Mark. “We are also excited to have people return home and feel that the Canada 150 Homecoming celebration will be one to remember.”
With registration Friday and Saturday, those looking to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday will also be able to enjoy a variety of activities Saturday. Schroeder Mark said those interested in attending the beef on a bun supper held at the curling rink in Watrous will need to purchase their tickets by noon on June 27th.
“That will ensure that there will be enough food for those in attendance. We also have a lot of other things planned throughout the homecoming. We will have everything from a pancake breakfast and parade Saturday morning, to opening ceremonies at Cenotaph Park and a meet and greet and recognition of local businesses at the curling rink later in the afternoon. Entertainment has been lined up Friday evening and Saturday and suppers are also planned. It will be a lot of fun for everyone and there will be something for people of all ages to enjoy.”
Schroeder Mark said they have also got heritage displays, bingo, monster truck rides, an art show, the grand opening of the Rotary Walking Trail phase two, bouncy castles, a Beach Boogie, and pool activities all set to go.
As for the parade, a kids bike parade will commence at 10:15 a.m. followed by the larger parade at 10:30 a.m. The parade will start with floats lined up between the elementary and high schools. From there, it will go along 8th Ave. E. before turning on Main Street. Heading south on Main Street, floats will turn left at 2nd Ave. E. and then make another left a few blocks later at 3rd St. E. The parade route will end at 8th Ave. E. near the Watrous and District Health Complex.
While the majority of activities including the parade have been planned for Watrous, Manitou Beach is also getting set to celebrate as well. Manitou Beach councillor Chris Moffatt said this year’s fireworks, which take place at dusk, will be a bit different than in recent years as they will be moving them close to the resort community as opposed to across the lake.
“They are going to be held between the Nu-Inn and tennis courts on the west side of the village. We will be setting them off behind the pump station towards the water so they should be more visible than in the past. Since it is Canada’s 150th birthday, we will be syncing the fireworks up to music and will have a sound system set up as well.”
Road blocks will be set up near the fireworks but Moffatt encourages people to watch from the main beach and around that location to get a great view.
“We would like people to come down to the main beach and they should be able to hear the music and the fireworks should be more visible as well.”
Moffatt added they are still looking for volunteers for a variety of activities that are being planned in addition to the fireworks, which take place Saturday evening.
“We will have some entertainment during the afternoon Saturday with hoop dancer Lawrence Roy Jr. and singer Amy McDade. Vendors will be set up along the street at the main beach area like in years past and Danceland will be hosting events as well. We will not be having a pancake breakfast Saturday as that will be in Watrous but we are holding one Sunday at the community hall. It will be right near the flea market so people can check that out as well. We are looking forward to marking Canada’s birthday and enjoying the homecoming.”
TWM Top Story - June 19, 2017
Watrous Napa opening later this year
Daniel Bushman
Aiming to carry a myriad of parts for customers with vehicles of all makes and models, agricultural implements and even lawn equipment like mowers, Watrous Napa will officially open this fall. Work is currently underway on the new business, which will be built next to John’s Plate Restaurant along Hwy. 2 in Watrous.
Co-owner of the company Chad Mierau is excited about the opportunity of opening the parts store. “It has been a long time coming for us,” said Mierau. “We have been working on this project for the past two years and it is great to see it becoming a reality.”
Joined by Michael Hayward, Marie Mierau and Tana Diebert, Chad said the owners looked at a variety of locations within the community and felt the current spot was the best fit.
“We wanted to have a presence right along the highway where people enter the community and to us it made the most sense to go there.”
Aiming to open in October, Mierau said the brand new building will be 60’ x 100’ and feature a 3,500 square foot warehouse and a 2,500 square foot showroom filled with parts.
“We want to carry every type of part to cater to as many people as we can. Having a 6,000 square foot building will allow us to have a substantial amount of space for inventory. Ideally, we would like to have as many parts in stock as possible so the customer can come in and get the part they need right away. If we don’t have it in stock, we can request overnight delivery so it would be here as quickly as possible.”
While there is a few months until the doors officially open, Mierau said they will be requiring some help in the new facility.
“We will be looking for applicants to work at Watrous Napa. We will need a parts manager, a second parts person who can also take care of customers at the front counter and a sales representative who will be travelling and selling parts on our behalf. People can give myself or Michael a call if they are interested in being a part of our team.”
With the ground work laid and the building to follow, Chad said he and the other owners are looking forward to serving the community and surrounding area. “It is exciting. I am pumped about the opportunity and look forward to the future when we get open and underway.”
Daniel Bushman
Aiming to carry a myriad of parts for customers with vehicles of all makes and models, agricultural implements and even lawn equipment like mowers, Watrous Napa will officially open this fall. Work is currently underway on the new business, which will be built next to John’s Plate Restaurant along Hwy. 2 in Watrous.
Co-owner of the company Chad Mierau is excited about the opportunity of opening the parts store. “It has been a long time coming for us,” said Mierau. “We have been working on this project for the past two years and it is great to see it becoming a reality.”
Joined by Michael Hayward, Marie Mierau and Tana Diebert, Chad said the owners looked at a variety of locations within the community and felt the current spot was the best fit.
“We wanted to have a presence right along the highway where people enter the community and to us it made the most sense to go there.”
Aiming to open in October, Mierau said the brand new building will be 60’ x 100’ and feature a 3,500 square foot warehouse and a 2,500 square foot showroom filled with parts.
“We want to carry every type of part to cater to as many people as we can. Having a 6,000 square foot building will allow us to have a substantial amount of space for inventory. Ideally, we would like to have as many parts in stock as possible so the customer can come in and get the part they need right away. If we don’t have it in stock, we can request overnight delivery so it would be here as quickly as possible.”
While there is a few months until the doors officially open, Mierau said they will be requiring some help in the new facility.
“We will be looking for applicants to work at Watrous Napa. We will need a parts manager, a second parts person who can also take care of customers at the front counter and a sales representative who will be travelling and selling parts on our behalf. People can give myself or Michael a call if they are interested in being a part of our team.”
With the ground work laid and the building to follow, Chad said he and the other owners are looking forward to serving the community and surrounding area. “It is exciting. I am pumped about the opportunity and look forward to the future when we get open and underway.”
TWM Top Story - June 12, 2017
Local communities and RM received funding for water and wastewater projects
A handful of communities and a rural municipality from the area received a boost from the federal and provincial governments as part of 75 new water and wastewater projects that were recently announced. The projects represent combined federal, provincial and local partner funding of more than $94 million, with the Government of Canada contributing more than $45 million, the Government of Saskatchewan providing nearly $25 million and local partners covering the remaining costs.
The funding will support such initiatives as building new sewage treatment lagoons, upgrading sewage pumps, and improving drinking water supply systems. This work is aimed at improving the reliability of water and wastewater services, while also allowing for future growth and development in communities across Saskatchewan.
Of those local places that will benefit from the funding include:
• the Town of Allan (drinking water reservoir rehabilitation) with federal funding of $115,000 and provincial funding of $57,500;
• the Town of Colonsay (wastewater pipeline rehabilitation) with federal funding of $43,000 and provincial funding of $21,500;
• the Resort Village of Manitou Beach (wastewater pump station and mains upgrade) with federal funding of $128,000 and provincial funding of $64,000;
• the Town of Nokomis (two new wells and supply pipeline) with federal funding of $567,500 and provincial funding of $283,750; and
• the RM of Usborne No. 310 (Guernsey water supply and treatment upgrade) with federal funding of $181,125 and provincial funding of $90,562.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ralph Goodale and Government Relations Minister Donna Harpauer were on hand in Regina to make the announcement as part of the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) projects and Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.
“The investments in infrastructure we are making will benefit Canadians for years to come - creating economic growth and middle-class jobs now, while laying the foundation for sustainable growth in the future,” said Goodale. “These water and wastewater projects will protect the environment and help keep our Saskatchewan communities healthy for generations to come.”
“The Government of Saskatchewan will continue to invest in infrastructure projects to improve our citizens’ quality of life as our province continues to grow,” Harpauer said. “Since 2007, we have invested more than $350 million in municipal infrastructure projects across the province.”
The CWWF projects announced earlier this month are part of the bilateral agreement between Canada and Saskatchewan announced Sept. 16, 2016. These are in addition to $29.5 million in federal funding and $14.7 million in provincial funding announced that day for 10 water projects and more than $17.9 million in federal funding and $8.9 million in provincial funding announced Jan. 11, 2017, for an additional 26 projects under the CWWF.
A handful of communities and a rural municipality from the area received a boost from the federal and provincial governments as part of 75 new water and wastewater projects that were recently announced. The projects represent combined federal, provincial and local partner funding of more than $94 million, with the Government of Canada contributing more than $45 million, the Government of Saskatchewan providing nearly $25 million and local partners covering the remaining costs.
The funding will support such initiatives as building new sewage treatment lagoons, upgrading sewage pumps, and improving drinking water supply systems. This work is aimed at improving the reliability of water and wastewater services, while also allowing for future growth and development in communities across Saskatchewan.
Of those local places that will benefit from the funding include:
• the Town of Allan (drinking water reservoir rehabilitation) with federal funding of $115,000 and provincial funding of $57,500;
• the Town of Colonsay (wastewater pipeline rehabilitation) with federal funding of $43,000 and provincial funding of $21,500;
• the Resort Village of Manitou Beach (wastewater pump station and mains upgrade) with federal funding of $128,000 and provincial funding of $64,000;
• the Town of Nokomis (two new wells and supply pipeline) with federal funding of $567,500 and provincial funding of $283,750; and
• the RM of Usborne No. 310 (Guernsey water supply and treatment upgrade) with federal funding of $181,125 and provincial funding of $90,562.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ralph Goodale and Government Relations Minister Donna Harpauer were on hand in Regina to make the announcement as part of the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) projects and Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.
“The investments in infrastructure we are making will benefit Canadians for years to come - creating economic growth and middle-class jobs now, while laying the foundation for sustainable growth in the future,” said Goodale. “These water and wastewater projects will protect the environment and help keep our Saskatchewan communities healthy for generations to come.”
“The Government of Saskatchewan will continue to invest in infrastructure projects to improve our citizens’ quality of life as our province continues to grow,” Harpauer said. “Since 2007, we have invested more than $350 million in municipal infrastructure projects across the province.”
The CWWF projects announced earlier this month are part of the bilateral agreement between Canada and Saskatchewan announced Sept. 16, 2016. These are in addition to $29.5 million in federal funding and $14.7 million in provincial funding announced that day for 10 water projects and more than $17.9 million in federal funding and $8.9 million in provincial funding announced Jan. 11, 2017, for an additional 26 projects under the CWWF.
TWM Top Story - June 5, 2017
Tourism remains integral to area
By Daniel Bushman
With over 150 thousand visitors to the area each year and more than $25 million being spent in the local economy, it is no wonder why tourism is a huge part of Watrous and Manitou Beach. With tourists coming to the area from all corners of the world and amenities, businesses and things to do and discover to support that influx, the area remains one of the premier destinations to stop at in Saskatchewan.
Community Development Officer and the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group’s Brendan Manz said tourism is what many people from outside the area know it for.
“We get over 150 thousand visitors per year to Watrous and Manitou Beach and while we get a lot of day traffic, from our numbers at our various accommodations and the regional campground, tens of thousands of people spend the night here as well.”
Manz said the economic benefits stemming from the more than $25 million being spent per year in the local economy from visitors helps keep the business sector rolling. That money is going towards restaurants and gas stations to food stores and other businesses. Money is also being spent on leisure activities, lodging and artisans to name a few.
“We have a lot of great things to offer and as a brand, we have a very good one out there. People think really positively of Watrous and Manitou and when you talk to people at trade shows, they see the sign of where we are from and right away a smile comes to their face.”
Attending trade shows in Edmonton, Calgary, Regina and Saskatoon, Manz said other extensive marketing is done online and through advertising. “We try and get the word out to as many people as we can to attract them to the area.”
With people looking to get away, tourism continues to be a big part of not only the Watrous and Manitou Beach area, but also Saskatchewan. As the provincial government marked Saskatchewan Tourism Week earlier this month, it also highlighted the significance of tourism and how big of a contributor the industry is to the Saskatchewan economy. Some of those statistics included:
• Annually, tourism generates more than $2.15 billion in travel expenditures;
• Nearly 65,000 residents are employed in tourism or tourism-related jobs;
• In 2015, more than 12.2 million visits were made to and within the province; and
• Saskatchewan’s tourism sector is 95 percent small- or medium-sized businesses.
Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said, “Saskatchewan communities, urban and rural, sparkle with unique energy and hospitality, and provide visitors with authentic, welcoming experiences and wonderful travel memories.”
Some of those visiting the province and more specifically Manitou Beach and Watrous are travel writers from every corner of the globe.
“We get travel writers throughout the summer from right around the world,” said Manz. “In the past few years, we’ve had people from three different continents and about seven different countries come to our community to write about us and they go back and their articles are published in magazines, blogs, online articles and sold to various outlets in the United States and across the world.”
More recently, Little Manitou Lake at Manitou Beach was selected as part of a book that lists 150 Canadian experiences by province. Destination Canada in partnership with Lonely Planet published a book in South Korea listing the experiences. Only Wanuskewin, the RCMP Heritage Centre, and Little Manitou Lake were featured from Saskatchewan.
“The 49-page book is also going to be featured as part of a Canada 150th celebration taking place at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, on Canada Day. ”
With more and more recognition over the past handful of years, including in the new 49-page book in South Korea, Manitou Beach and its lake have been springing up in a variety of publications. Just this past year Manitou Beach and Little Lake Manitou were featured in the En Route magazine, the in-flight magazine for Air Canada.
“Our article was going around the world literally, by air, so anytime you can get something like that is great. We are fortunate to be able to live in such a great place with a lot of amenities and have a lake that gains world recognition more and more each year. We are truly a place of unsinkable experiences.”
By Daniel Bushman
With over 150 thousand visitors to the area each year and more than $25 million being spent in the local economy, it is no wonder why tourism is a huge part of Watrous and Manitou Beach. With tourists coming to the area from all corners of the world and amenities, businesses and things to do and discover to support that influx, the area remains one of the premier destinations to stop at in Saskatchewan.
Community Development Officer and the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group’s Brendan Manz said tourism is what many people from outside the area know it for.
“We get over 150 thousand visitors per year to Watrous and Manitou Beach and while we get a lot of day traffic, from our numbers at our various accommodations and the regional campground, tens of thousands of people spend the night here as well.”
Manz said the economic benefits stemming from the more than $25 million being spent per year in the local economy from visitors helps keep the business sector rolling. That money is going towards restaurants and gas stations to food stores and other businesses. Money is also being spent on leisure activities, lodging and artisans to name a few.
“We have a lot of great things to offer and as a brand, we have a very good one out there. People think really positively of Watrous and Manitou and when you talk to people at trade shows, they see the sign of where we are from and right away a smile comes to their face.”
Attending trade shows in Edmonton, Calgary, Regina and Saskatoon, Manz said other extensive marketing is done online and through advertising. “We try and get the word out to as many people as we can to attract them to the area.”
With people looking to get away, tourism continues to be a big part of not only the Watrous and Manitou Beach area, but also Saskatchewan. As the provincial government marked Saskatchewan Tourism Week earlier this month, it also highlighted the significance of tourism and how big of a contributor the industry is to the Saskatchewan economy. Some of those statistics included:
• Annually, tourism generates more than $2.15 billion in travel expenditures;
• Nearly 65,000 residents are employed in tourism or tourism-related jobs;
• In 2015, more than 12.2 million visits were made to and within the province; and
• Saskatchewan’s tourism sector is 95 percent small- or medium-sized businesses.
Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said, “Saskatchewan communities, urban and rural, sparkle with unique energy and hospitality, and provide visitors with authentic, welcoming experiences and wonderful travel memories.”
Some of those visiting the province and more specifically Manitou Beach and Watrous are travel writers from every corner of the globe.
“We get travel writers throughout the summer from right around the world,” said Manz. “In the past few years, we’ve had people from three different continents and about seven different countries come to our community to write about us and they go back and their articles are published in magazines, blogs, online articles and sold to various outlets in the United States and across the world.”
More recently, Little Manitou Lake at Manitou Beach was selected as part of a book that lists 150 Canadian experiences by province. Destination Canada in partnership with Lonely Planet published a book in South Korea listing the experiences. Only Wanuskewin, the RCMP Heritage Centre, and Little Manitou Lake were featured from Saskatchewan.
“The 49-page book is also going to be featured as part of a Canada 150th celebration taking place at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, on Canada Day. ”
With more and more recognition over the past handful of years, including in the new 49-page book in South Korea, Manitou Beach and its lake have been springing up in a variety of publications. Just this past year Manitou Beach and Little Lake Manitou were featured in the En Route magazine, the in-flight magazine for Air Canada.
“Our article was going around the world literally, by air, so anytime you can get something like that is great. We are fortunate to be able to live in such a great place with a lot of amenities and have a lake that gains world recognition more and more each year. We are truly a place of unsinkable experiences.”
TWM's Top Story - May 29, 2017
Taking a cautious approach as budget approved
By Daniel Bushman
With a reassessment year across Saskatchewan and substantial changes stemming from the provincial budget, there was not a lot of big ticket items planned in this year’s town budget for Watrous. While council did increase the municipal levy by about four and a half percent, it was the school portion of the taxes that witnessed the largest increase.
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said not only was it a reassessment year - which occurs every four years in Saskatchewan - but the school levy, which the provincial government sets is going up by about 17 percent from just over an overall levy of $600,000 to just over $700,000.
For example, the school portion which makes up roughly a third of a person’s taxes might be $1,000 and it is going up 17 percent. That would mean the overall number jumps to $1,170 and when you combine that with the remainder of your taxes, that could equate to about an eight and a half percent increase overall.
“The reassessment years really change things, especially when there is a jump from the school side,” said Redden.
The effects from the provincial budget are also being felt by the town itself as Redden said some of the changes to the Provincial Sales Tax on things like construction work for example will now include PST.
“We purchase a lot of materials and supplies for facilities, public works and everything so that will be a bit of a hit for us moving forward.”
The town also had to cut a few things out of its budget to help maintain a reasonable increase on the municipal tax side. Those cuts equated to between $30,000 and $40,000 on the public works side and involve equipment purchases. “Those purchases have just been essentially postponed for now.”
While tax increases are never enjoyable, Watrous mayor Ed Collins said the move was made in order to keep services within the community.
“We had a sense that people in Watrous did not want to see services cut and we wanted to maintain what we already have. With the increase in the PST and cuts made through the provincial budget, we would have had to cut some services if we didn’t raise taxes. We hear how wonderful a place Watrous is to live in and we didn’t want that to change by cutting some of the services that the community offers.”
Looking at the numbers, Redden said the overall budget for Watrous sits with expenses of around $7 million with $3 million of that going towards the lagoon expansion. “Essentially it is about $4 million without large capital. In terms of expenses, it would be around that $4 million and then closer to that $7 million mark with the lagoon expansion.”
As for the expansion itself, Redden said it is largely complete.
“Everything has gone really well with timeliness of the lagoon expansion. They were able to get a lot of work done in the winter and early in the spring whereas some years they may not have been able to due to the weather.”
Other areas of note that will see funds allocated to include:
• The street work budget remained largely intact to keep up with paving and doing some side streets. Paving work will be proposed which include some local improvements;
• The water treatment plant had some media filter tanks installed and what was left on that project is quite minimal dollar wise compared to previous years, according to Redden;
• While not taking place this year, going forward the town will be looking at doing another well;
• REACT is building a new landfill at Humboldt so Watrous has a capital commitment to that which is around $300,000 over five years. Everyone involved with REACT will be part of the overall financial commitment to building the new landfill;
• The new ice resurfacer which has already received generous donations put towards it is also expected to arrive later this year. The town will be replacing the current unit;
• A new mobility van was purchased; and
• The town is continuing on with its commercial/light industrial lot development where the current Watrous Home Hardware is located on the east side of town at 4th Ave. E. Going behind the Home Hardware where currently a field sits, Redden said, “We don’t have any sort of commercial or light industrial property services right now but we are committing to the power and gas. In terms of street work and water and sewer, demand will dictate when that happens. We know where it is going, it has been laid out and surveyed. There will be about 20 lots and will be similar to the ones where a few of the new shops around Midway Street are located. That will be phased in, depending on development in that area.”
The town administrator added, “Outside of the big lagoon expansion it is largely an operating budget. The municipal levy as a whole is about a four and a half percent increase but the school portion, which we can’t control, is upwards of 17 percent. In these reassessment years people will see anything from decreases to significant increases on their taxes. We just didn’t want it to rise substantially so that is why we elected not to go ahead with any new big projects.”
By Daniel Bushman
With a reassessment year across Saskatchewan and substantial changes stemming from the provincial budget, there was not a lot of big ticket items planned in this year’s town budget for Watrous. While council did increase the municipal levy by about four and a half percent, it was the school portion of the taxes that witnessed the largest increase.
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said not only was it a reassessment year - which occurs every four years in Saskatchewan - but the school levy, which the provincial government sets is going up by about 17 percent from just over an overall levy of $600,000 to just over $700,000.
For example, the school portion which makes up roughly a third of a person’s taxes might be $1,000 and it is going up 17 percent. That would mean the overall number jumps to $1,170 and when you combine that with the remainder of your taxes, that could equate to about an eight and a half percent increase overall.
“The reassessment years really change things, especially when there is a jump from the school side,” said Redden.
The effects from the provincial budget are also being felt by the town itself as Redden said some of the changes to the Provincial Sales Tax on things like construction work for example will now include PST.
“We purchase a lot of materials and supplies for facilities, public works and everything so that will be a bit of a hit for us moving forward.”
The town also had to cut a few things out of its budget to help maintain a reasonable increase on the municipal tax side. Those cuts equated to between $30,000 and $40,000 on the public works side and involve equipment purchases. “Those purchases have just been essentially postponed for now.”
While tax increases are never enjoyable, Watrous mayor Ed Collins said the move was made in order to keep services within the community.
“We had a sense that people in Watrous did not want to see services cut and we wanted to maintain what we already have. With the increase in the PST and cuts made through the provincial budget, we would have had to cut some services if we didn’t raise taxes. We hear how wonderful a place Watrous is to live in and we didn’t want that to change by cutting some of the services that the community offers.”
Looking at the numbers, Redden said the overall budget for Watrous sits with expenses of around $7 million with $3 million of that going towards the lagoon expansion. “Essentially it is about $4 million without large capital. In terms of expenses, it would be around that $4 million and then closer to that $7 million mark with the lagoon expansion.”
As for the expansion itself, Redden said it is largely complete.
“Everything has gone really well with timeliness of the lagoon expansion. They were able to get a lot of work done in the winter and early in the spring whereas some years they may not have been able to due to the weather.”
Other areas of note that will see funds allocated to include:
• The street work budget remained largely intact to keep up with paving and doing some side streets. Paving work will be proposed which include some local improvements;
• The water treatment plant had some media filter tanks installed and what was left on that project is quite minimal dollar wise compared to previous years, according to Redden;
• While not taking place this year, going forward the town will be looking at doing another well;
• REACT is building a new landfill at Humboldt so Watrous has a capital commitment to that which is around $300,000 over five years. Everyone involved with REACT will be part of the overall financial commitment to building the new landfill;
• The new ice resurfacer which has already received generous donations put towards it is also expected to arrive later this year. The town will be replacing the current unit;
• A new mobility van was purchased; and
• The town is continuing on with its commercial/light industrial lot development where the current Watrous Home Hardware is located on the east side of town at 4th Ave. E. Going behind the Home Hardware where currently a field sits, Redden said, “We don’t have any sort of commercial or light industrial property services right now but we are committing to the power and gas. In terms of street work and water and sewer, demand will dictate when that happens. We know where it is going, it has been laid out and surveyed. There will be about 20 lots and will be similar to the ones where a few of the new shops around Midway Street are located. That will be phased in, depending on development in that area.”
The town administrator added, “Outside of the big lagoon expansion it is largely an operating budget. The municipal levy as a whole is about a four and a half percent increase but the school portion, which we can’t control, is upwards of 17 percent. In these reassessment years people will see anything from decreases to significant increases on their taxes. We just didn’t want it to rise substantially so that is why we elected not to go ahead with any new big projects.”
TWM's Top Story - May 22, 2017
Local community's council approves proposal for medicinal marijuana company
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With the legalization of recreational marijuana on the horizon, more and more marijuana production companies, including those that produce medicinal marijuana, have taken an interest in Canada. That interest has found its way to Saskatchewan as the Regina Leader-Post reported that Canopy Growth Corp. acquired rTrees Producers Limited Inc. in Yorkton and Harvest One Cannabis Inc. announced its plans for a marijuana production facility in Lucky Lake. In Nokomis, a medicinal marijuana facility is one step closer to becoming a reality after town council approved a company’s business proposal.
Town of Nokomis Administrator Tanya Zdunich said the business proposal presented to council by Nature’s Alternative Remedies was recently accepted. “After public notice was given, the town only received letters of approval and none that objected to the business proposal.”
Since there were no letters against Nature’s Alternative Remedies business proposal, council gave its municipal approval to move ahead with the proposed project.
Speaking to The Watrous Manitou from Colorado, founder and spokesperson of Nature’s Alternative Remedies, Rafael Bracero said they were interested in exploring Nokomis as a possible location to grow medicinal marijuana because it fit a lot of the company’s criteria.
“We easily went through thousands of listings looking for the right piece of land. We wanted something within town limits but far enough away from public spaces, schools and residential areas and that really worked out for us in Nokomis. There is infrastructure there, trades in the area and stores so that also increases the value of the land to us.”
The piece of land approved for the company is located at the very southern part of Nokomis when you enter town.
While Bracero admitted there were some initial hesitancies from local area taxpayers, those posing questions had the chance to have their inquiries heard.
“Half of the other towns we dealt with, it was a denial pretty much out of the gate when they heard medical marijuana. We initially dealt with about four other towns before finding Nokomis and so far we have been really happy with our decision on choosing Nokomis. Everyone is very nice and they seem to be very welcoming regarding the medical marijuana . . . I don’t think people that are initially against it would be against it if they knew more information. I just think that their initial reaction speaks to how successful the propaganda against marijuana has been.”
Even though the business proposal has been approved in Nokomis, Bracero said they still have some hurdles to jump. A licence to sell medicinal marijuana is one of those steps and rezoning the land is another.
However, once all of that is cleared then Nature’s Alternative Remedies will get to work. Bracero said the facilities will house medicinal marijuana and will license, produce and sell the product.
“We would be growing everything indoors. It has to be in a secure facility with security, employees have to have background checks, no criminal records are allowed and there won’t be any real foot traffic. The facility will not be a storefront where customers can go and buy products over the counter or anything like that. It is just for the production of medicinal marijuana as of right now.”
Bracero was also quick to point out that not just anyone will be able to purchase the medicinal marijuana.
“They couldn’t get it from us without a valid prescription. It wouldn’t be something that we would sell to them over the counter. They would have to go through checks where we would contact their physician to make sure their prescription is valid and then make sure the doctor’s credentials are valid. There are a few checks before they would receive any product from us.”
As for when the medicinal marijuana would be available to people and other licensed distributors, Bracero said it could take at least a year to receive a licence and could take as long as three years before everything gets rolling.
Despite the time frame, Bracero is optimistic about the whole venture and was very encouraged when Nokomis approved his business proposal.
“We have been to towns that the instant they heard medical marijuana, they completely shut down the idea so we were really excited to find a town that accepted what our initial plan was . . . they are willing to hear people and their ideas and be open minded. Everyone has been really nice and helpful and we certainly look forward to working with them.”
With some experience in the medical marijuana industry, Bracero said the five buildings that will be constructed to house the product will range between 8,000 and 12,000 square feet. That also means an influx of employment to the community.
Initially, the founder’s thought is to have eight full-time and twice as many part-time staff for the first phase building. As the remaining four facilities come online, Bracero said more employees would be added. “Any job that can be taken up by a local would make us happy.”
In addition to providing employment to those in the area, Rafael said the company will also be giving a donation to the community based on its gross sales. Starting with two and a half percent and increasing half a percent every year until topping out at four, Bracero wants to be more than just a place that makes money and not shut the door on those who have granted him access to be in the area.
“I have seen these companies sprout up in California and Colorado and they can make literally millions but add little value to the community around them. Sometimes when a company helps the community it can really help and even save dying communities by creating jobs and revenue. What we wanted to do is not only create jobs and revenue but actually give a piece of our sales to Nokomis so their lives are enriched for basically saying yes to having us come here. We really do want to help the community and those around us and not have it be something that drags down the community. We want to be a positive influence as much as we can.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With the legalization of recreational marijuana on the horizon, more and more marijuana production companies, including those that produce medicinal marijuana, have taken an interest in Canada. That interest has found its way to Saskatchewan as the Regina Leader-Post reported that Canopy Growth Corp. acquired rTrees Producers Limited Inc. in Yorkton and Harvest One Cannabis Inc. announced its plans for a marijuana production facility in Lucky Lake. In Nokomis, a medicinal marijuana facility is one step closer to becoming a reality after town council approved a company’s business proposal.
Town of Nokomis Administrator Tanya Zdunich said the business proposal presented to council by Nature’s Alternative Remedies was recently accepted. “After public notice was given, the town only received letters of approval and none that objected to the business proposal.”
Since there were no letters against Nature’s Alternative Remedies business proposal, council gave its municipal approval to move ahead with the proposed project.
Speaking to The Watrous Manitou from Colorado, founder and spokesperson of Nature’s Alternative Remedies, Rafael Bracero said they were interested in exploring Nokomis as a possible location to grow medicinal marijuana because it fit a lot of the company’s criteria.
“We easily went through thousands of listings looking for the right piece of land. We wanted something within town limits but far enough away from public spaces, schools and residential areas and that really worked out for us in Nokomis. There is infrastructure there, trades in the area and stores so that also increases the value of the land to us.”
The piece of land approved for the company is located at the very southern part of Nokomis when you enter town.
While Bracero admitted there were some initial hesitancies from local area taxpayers, those posing questions had the chance to have their inquiries heard.
“Half of the other towns we dealt with, it was a denial pretty much out of the gate when they heard medical marijuana. We initially dealt with about four other towns before finding Nokomis and so far we have been really happy with our decision on choosing Nokomis. Everyone is very nice and they seem to be very welcoming regarding the medical marijuana . . . I don’t think people that are initially against it would be against it if they knew more information. I just think that their initial reaction speaks to how successful the propaganda against marijuana has been.”
Even though the business proposal has been approved in Nokomis, Bracero said they still have some hurdles to jump. A licence to sell medicinal marijuana is one of those steps and rezoning the land is another.
However, once all of that is cleared then Nature’s Alternative Remedies will get to work. Bracero said the facilities will house medicinal marijuana and will license, produce and sell the product.
“We would be growing everything indoors. It has to be in a secure facility with security, employees have to have background checks, no criminal records are allowed and there won’t be any real foot traffic. The facility will not be a storefront where customers can go and buy products over the counter or anything like that. It is just for the production of medicinal marijuana as of right now.”
Bracero was also quick to point out that not just anyone will be able to purchase the medicinal marijuana.
“They couldn’t get it from us without a valid prescription. It wouldn’t be something that we would sell to them over the counter. They would have to go through checks where we would contact their physician to make sure their prescription is valid and then make sure the doctor’s credentials are valid. There are a few checks before they would receive any product from us.”
As for when the medicinal marijuana would be available to people and other licensed distributors, Bracero said it could take at least a year to receive a licence and could take as long as three years before everything gets rolling.
Despite the time frame, Bracero is optimistic about the whole venture and was very encouraged when Nokomis approved his business proposal.
“We have been to towns that the instant they heard medical marijuana, they completely shut down the idea so we were really excited to find a town that accepted what our initial plan was . . . they are willing to hear people and their ideas and be open minded. Everyone has been really nice and helpful and we certainly look forward to working with them.”
With some experience in the medical marijuana industry, Bracero said the five buildings that will be constructed to house the product will range between 8,000 and 12,000 square feet. That also means an influx of employment to the community.
Initially, the founder’s thought is to have eight full-time and twice as many part-time staff for the first phase building. As the remaining four facilities come online, Bracero said more employees would be added. “Any job that can be taken up by a local would make us happy.”
In addition to providing employment to those in the area, Rafael said the company will also be giving a donation to the community based on its gross sales. Starting with two and a half percent and increasing half a percent every year until topping out at four, Bracero wants to be more than just a place that makes money and not shut the door on those who have granted him access to be in the area.
“I have seen these companies sprout up in California and Colorado and they can make literally millions but add little value to the community around them. Sometimes when a company helps the community it can really help and even save dying communities by creating jobs and revenue. What we wanted to do is not only create jobs and revenue but actually give a piece of our sales to Nokomis so their lives are enriched for basically saying yes to having us come here. We really do want to help the community and those around us and not have it be something that drags down the community. We want to be a positive influence as much as we can.”
TWM Top Story - May 15, 2017
Fire destroys home in Allan
By Daniel Bushman
A family in Allan has been left with virtually nothing after a fire destroyed their home. Kimberlee Garman and her boyfriend Clayton Mosier were at home during the evening May 6 when the fire ignited.
Kimberlee’s sister Rhonda Balion said the blaze started around 9:30 p.m. when the panel box shorted out. While Kimberlee’s eight year old son and nine month old daughter were not at home at the time, Kimberlee and Clayton managed to get out of the house before the fire engulfed the building.
“It was the most horrible nightmare you can imagine,” said Rhonda. “Watching the fire and seeing the firefighters running here and there trying everything to stop it. We were standing there watching the fire take over the house, knowing that they are losing their home and possessions. It was just the worst feeling in the world.”
Balion said Kimberlee and her family were not able to save much as the fire ravaged through everything within the home. Balion figured the blaze was eventually put out sometime around 11 p.m. and was extremely grateful for the help from the Allan and Clavet Fire Departments and Allan First Responders for their quick response and hard work.
Since the fire May 6, Balion said her sister and her family are doing the best they can. “There is so much to think about and do.”
Balion said for those who would like to lend a hand of support, a gofundme page has been set up online or people can drop of funds to Rhonda and she will pass them along.
“I have also had people ask if they can e-transfer money to someone and they can. It can be done to myself at rmebalion@hotmail.com. Once a place is established later on they will be in need of larger household items.”
Balion said the family has greatly appreciated everyone that has already supported Kimberlee and her family with donations of money, clothing, non-perishable food, baby foods, meals, gift cards and many extras.
For those would like to donate, here is the address for the gofundme page: www.gofundme.com/help-kim-family-after-the-fire. People can also go to www.gofundme.com and in the search bar type Allan, SK. The page, ‘Help Kim & family after the fire’ will appear and people can click on it and then proceed to ‘Donate Now.’
By Daniel Bushman
A family in Allan has been left with virtually nothing after a fire destroyed their home. Kimberlee Garman and her boyfriend Clayton Mosier were at home during the evening May 6 when the fire ignited.
Kimberlee’s sister Rhonda Balion said the blaze started around 9:30 p.m. when the panel box shorted out. While Kimberlee’s eight year old son and nine month old daughter were not at home at the time, Kimberlee and Clayton managed to get out of the house before the fire engulfed the building.
“It was the most horrible nightmare you can imagine,” said Rhonda. “Watching the fire and seeing the firefighters running here and there trying everything to stop it. We were standing there watching the fire take over the house, knowing that they are losing their home and possessions. It was just the worst feeling in the world.”
Balion said Kimberlee and her family were not able to save much as the fire ravaged through everything within the home. Balion figured the blaze was eventually put out sometime around 11 p.m. and was extremely grateful for the help from the Allan and Clavet Fire Departments and Allan First Responders for their quick response and hard work.
Since the fire May 6, Balion said her sister and her family are doing the best they can. “There is so much to think about and do.”
Balion said for those who would like to lend a hand of support, a gofundme page has been set up online or people can drop of funds to Rhonda and she will pass them along.
“I have also had people ask if they can e-transfer money to someone and they can. It can be done to myself at rmebalion@hotmail.com. Once a place is established later on they will be in need of larger household items.”
Balion said the family has greatly appreciated everyone that has already supported Kimberlee and her family with donations of money, clothing, non-perishable food, baby foods, meals, gift cards and many extras.
For those would like to donate, here is the address for the gofundme page: www.gofundme.com/help-kim-family-after-the-fire. People can also go to www.gofundme.com and in the search bar type Allan, SK. The page, ‘Help Kim & family after the fire’ will appear and people can click on it and then proceed to ‘Donate Now.’
TWM Top Story - May 8, 2017
Watrous Childcare Inc. purchases building
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After 18 months of planning and countless hours of fundraising efforts, the Watrous Childcare Inc. committee has found itself with a home. Watrous Childcare Inc. Director Brendan Manz said early in the new year the committee caught wind that the Pentecostal Church in Watrous was going up for sale, a place that seemed like the perfect fit.
Discussions took place with the Pentecostal Church group and the Watrous Childcare Inc. committee and with the help of Avril Reifferscheid from Realty Executives Watrous, an agreement was reached for the property at 709 Main Street.
“As of Apr. 10 everything was finalized and is now the property of Watrous Childcare Inc.,” said a pleased Manz who added the Watrous and District Food Bank, which operates out of the back of the building will remain, providing a source of revenue. With the place located across the street from the Watrous Elementary School, Manz said they could not have asked for a better location.
“We looked at other potential sites around Watrous as far as where we could go. We looked at renovating existing residential and commercial properties, we looked at new potential builds around the schools or hospital, but once this opened up, we thought this would be absolutely perfect. It is also right on main street and that means it is a very visible location and we think that is important.”
Since there is now an actual building, the next step for the Watrous Childcare Inc. committee is to begin its fundraising and grant campaign. The goal has been set at reaching $200,000, which will help cover off the remaining dollars owed to the Pentecostal Church and then be used towards renovations that are needed.
“We will look at everything from fencing, improvements to the roof, windows, doing some plumbing and electrical and other aspects with regards to specific rules and regulations that have been outlined by the government. We have to meet a certain standard but overall the building is in very good shape. We are just looking to build on that and make it the best daycare facility we possibly can.”
While no firm operating date has been set, Manz said they will be starting the tendering process to have a local contractor begin work right away. Renovations will continue and items checked off the to-do list as dollars come in.
“At the same time not all the renovations need to be completed in order for us to open. We may look at opening before all the renovations are completed but we will have to decide that. The sooner we have the funds, the sooner the renovations will be completed and the sooner we will be able to open.”
Manz said the committee is excited to be one step closer to opening the daycare and has appreciated the board members who have been working hard to see it come to fruition. He also added the community has been tremendous for its ongoing support.
“For attracting new families to our community, many look for a community daycare or a licensed daycare facility, knowing those facilities will be held to a certain standard. Not having one can be a deterrent for people and we think this is a great project for the long-term economic growth of the community. It helps make sure that people want to move here and can take care of their families when they do.”
For those who would like to contribute to the project or learn how to help, people can contact Manz at the Watrous Town Office.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After 18 months of planning and countless hours of fundraising efforts, the Watrous Childcare Inc. committee has found itself with a home. Watrous Childcare Inc. Director Brendan Manz said early in the new year the committee caught wind that the Pentecostal Church in Watrous was going up for sale, a place that seemed like the perfect fit.
Discussions took place with the Pentecostal Church group and the Watrous Childcare Inc. committee and with the help of Avril Reifferscheid from Realty Executives Watrous, an agreement was reached for the property at 709 Main Street.
“As of Apr. 10 everything was finalized and is now the property of Watrous Childcare Inc.,” said a pleased Manz who added the Watrous and District Food Bank, which operates out of the back of the building will remain, providing a source of revenue. With the place located across the street from the Watrous Elementary School, Manz said they could not have asked for a better location.
“We looked at other potential sites around Watrous as far as where we could go. We looked at renovating existing residential and commercial properties, we looked at new potential builds around the schools or hospital, but once this opened up, we thought this would be absolutely perfect. It is also right on main street and that means it is a very visible location and we think that is important.”
Since there is now an actual building, the next step for the Watrous Childcare Inc. committee is to begin its fundraising and grant campaign. The goal has been set at reaching $200,000, which will help cover off the remaining dollars owed to the Pentecostal Church and then be used towards renovations that are needed.
“We will look at everything from fencing, improvements to the roof, windows, doing some plumbing and electrical and other aspects with regards to specific rules and regulations that have been outlined by the government. We have to meet a certain standard but overall the building is in very good shape. We are just looking to build on that and make it the best daycare facility we possibly can.”
While no firm operating date has been set, Manz said they will be starting the tendering process to have a local contractor begin work right away. Renovations will continue and items checked off the to-do list as dollars come in.
“At the same time not all the renovations need to be completed in order for us to open. We may look at opening before all the renovations are completed but we will have to decide that. The sooner we have the funds, the sooner the renovations will be completed and the sooner we will be able to open.”
Manz said the committee is excited to be one step closer to opening the daycare and has appreciated the board members who have been working hard to see it come to fruition. He also added the community has been tremendous for its ongoing support.
“For attracting new families to our community, many look for a community daycare or a licensed daycare facility, knowing those facilities will be held to a certain standard. Not having one can be a deterrent for people and we think this is a great project for the long-term economic growth of the community. It helps make sure that people want to move here and can take care of their families when they do.”
For those who would like to contribute to the project or learn how to help, people can contact Manz at the Watrous Town Office.
TWM Top Story - May 1, 2017
Province restores funding to libraries
By Daniel Bushman
With provincial funding cut to the majority of Saskatchewan libraries followed by a public outcry, the provincial government admitted it made a mistake and reversed course. Restoring funding to libraries, including local Wheatland Regional Library branches in Allan, Colonsay, Drake, Lanigan, Nokomis, Viscount, Watrous and Young, the announcement provided the perfect ending to an otherwise rocky chapter.
After cuts were first unveiled during the provincial government’s budget in the latter part of March, an announcement was made early last week to restore funding back to 2016-‘17 levels. That was welcome news for many including Community Librarian in Watrous Kathleen Kimmig.
“There was a big outcry across the province and to see the decision changed, it just shows how important libraries are in every day life,” a pleased Kimmig said. “It shows that patrons are behind us and know that libraries are necessary services.”
While funding for the library system in parts of northern Saskatchewan remained consistent with last year’s levels, the move last week now ensures regional and municipal libraries and the interlibrary loan services across the province remain operational.
With people showing their support towards libraries in Saskatchewan, Education Minister Don Morgan said, “Premier Wall has always said that we would be the kind of government that would admit its mistakes and then fix those mistakes. There were many necessary, difficult decisions taken in this budget, however the reductions in library funding without giving libraries the tools to meet the new challenge was a mistake.”
The announcement to restore funding translates into providing $4.8 million in addition to the $3.5 million that was already made available during the province’s budget. In addition, the government said a consultative review with Saskatchewan libraries and municipalities is being conducted to determine the way forward in terms of what is best for library users and communities as well as what is also financially responsible.
With the news early last week, Wheatland Regional Library was busy working to come up with a plan for how its services will now be restored. On its website, it stated: “Please standby for news on how services will be restored.”
Early in April, Wheatland stated Saskatchewan public libraries were unable to share materials between different library agencies due to the cuts. In April, Wheatland Regional Library stated anything requested from libraries in other regions would not be filled and patrons were unable to place holds on materials from other regions.
The cuts sparked outrage from numerous people within the province and various events like the ‘Drop Everything and Read’ were held; like the one in Watrous, where people were encouraged to read to raise awareness.
“I think by the province announcing the cuts it served as a good wake up call and allowed people to see the real value of our libraries in our communities,” Kimmig said from the library in Watrous. “I think people really thought about what they would do without a library and didn’t want to see that come to fruition. Now that the cuts have been reversed, I am very happy to see things being reinstated.”
With a new chapter beginning, the government said it will be engaging with libraries, municipalities and the public to develop a long-term strategy for the future of libraries. This will include reviewing The Public Libraries Act to ensure libraries have modern legislation that reflects current needs. This will also involve working with libraries to find efficiencies, including options for transportation and co-location, to ensure the most effective use of available resources.
By Daniel Bushman
With provincial funding cut to the majority of Saskatchewan libraries followed by a public outcry, the provincial government admitted it made a mistake and reversed course. Restoring funding to libraries, including local Wheatland Regional Library branches in Allan, Colonsay, Drake, Lanigan, Nokomis, Viscount, Watrous and Young, the announcement provided the perfect ending to an otherwise rocky chapter.
After cuts were first unveiled during the provincial government’s budget in the latter part of March, an announcement was made early last week to restore funding back to 2016-‘17 levels. That was welcome news for many including Community Librarian in Watrous Kathleen Kimmig.
“There was a big outcry across the province and to see the decision changed, it just shows how important libraries are in every day life,” a pleased Kimmig said. “It shows that patrons are behind us and know that libraries are necessary services.”
While funding for the library system in parts of northern Saskatchewan remained consistent with last year’s levels, the move last week now ensures regional and municipal libraries and the interlibrary loan services across the province remain operational.
With people showing their support towards libraries in Saskatchewan, Education Minister Don Morgan said, “Premier Wall has always said that we would be the kind of government that would admit its mistakes and then fix those mistakes. There were many necessary, difficult decisions taken in this budget, however the reductions in library funding without giving libraries the tools to meet the new challenge was a mistake.”
The announcement to restore funding translates into providing $4.8 million in addition to the $3.5 million that was already made available during the province’s budget. In addition, the government said a consultative review with Saskatchewan libraries and municipalities is being conducted to determine the way forward in terms of what is best for library users and communities as well as what is also financially responsible.
With the news early last week, Wheatland Regional Library was busy working to come up with a plan for how its services will now be restored. On its website, it stated: “Please standby for news on how services will be restored.”
Early in April, Wheatland stated Saskatchewan public libraries were unable to share materials between different library agencies due to the cuts. In April, Wheatland Regional Library stated anything requested from libraries in other regions would not be filled and patrons were unable to place holds on materials from other regions.
The cuts sparked outrage from numerous people within the province and various events like the ‘Drop Everything and Read’ were held; like the one in Watrous, where people were encouraged to read to raise awareness.
“I think by the province announcing the cuts it served as a good wake up call and allowed people to see the real value of our libraries in our communities,” Kimmig said from the library in Watrous. “I think people really thought about what they would do without a library and didn’t want to see that come to fruition. Now that the cuts have been reversed, I am very happy to see things being reinstated.”
With a new chapter beginning, the government said it will be engaging with libraries, municipalities and the public to develop a long-term strategy for the future of libraries. This will include reviewing The Public Libraries Act to ensure libraries have modern legislation that reflects current needs. This will also involve working with libraries to find efficiencies, including options for transportation and co-location, to ensure the most effective use of available resources.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 24, 2017
Provincial Court in Watrous closes
By Daniel Bushman
With the last case heard and final remarks made, Provincial Court in Watrous was officially adjourned for good. The final gavel came down in Watrous Apr. 20 as the court room along with other circuit courts in communities like Carnduff, Big River and Southey are also being reportedly closed down.
“I am sorry to see it close,” said Ken Williams, LL.B., of Mah Law Office in Watrous.
Involved with a few cases on the final day of court in Watrous, Williams said, “I have attended Provincial Court since I got here in 2006 and we have been very fortunate to have had consistency with the Magistrate and Clerk over that time.”
Williams said Provincial Courts in smaller communities are usually for those who make their first appearance related to charges or for traffic offenses. “The bulk of the trials are already held in Saskatoon Provincial Court.”
The circuit courts, like the one that was held every third Thursday of the month in Watrous allowed a way for locals required to attend to not have to travel a lengthy distance. Since Watrous’ court is now closed, matters will be heard in Saskatoon with court sitting every weekday of the month in the city.
Executive Legal Officer for Provincial Court of Saskatchewan Jan Whitridge explained the decision as to why Watrous will no longer be a part of the circuit.
“The Chief Judge for the Provincial Court is responsible for allocating limited Provincial Court resources in the most efficient and effective way possible. The Chief Judge reviews the allocation of judicial resources in the province on a regular basis and in doing so, monitors court activity at court circuit locations. In collaboration with the judges who preside in the relevant circuit locations and after consulting with representatives of Court Services, Ministry of Justice, the Chief Judge determined that Provincial Court sittings at the circuit location of Watrous would be discontinued.”
When Williams first heard that Provincial Court would be closed in the community he was a bit surprised but noted the docket in Watrous has been getting shorter and shorter during more recent years.
While there have been less appearances recently, Williams said it was a nice thing to have the circuit court in Watrous for local and area residents.
“Say for example someone allegedly didn’t stop at a stop sign in town and wanted to appeal their case, they could do so in Watrous with minimum disruption to their daily lives. Now if that person felt they wanted to appeal, they would have to travel to Saskatoon and appear at Provincial Court there. I think not having Provincial Court in Watrous will impact those in the community.”
Now that Provincial Court is closed in Watrous, Williams figured his criminal career in law will also come to an end. While he will still continue to practice, he said, “I was already doing very little of the criminal law type of work, so I probably won’t do much of that aspect of the job anymore.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 17, 2017
Seeking a solution for the Quill Lakes
By Daniel Bushman
Thousands of acres of farmland have been lost, millions of dollars sucked from the economy and the livelihoods of many drowned as floodwaters continue to cause terrible consequences within the Quill Lakes region. Dedicating the past five years to try and find a solution to the high water levels, Chair of the Quill Lakes Watershed Association Number 14 Kerry Holderness explained the scenario at the Rural Municipality of Prairie Rose’s annual ratepayers supper in Jansen Apr. 6.
“One of my neighbours thought he was going to retire on his farm and got carried off in an ambulance because the water was basically at his doorstep,” said Holderness. “He couldn’t sell his land and he couldn’t get out. Another neighbour lost over two-thirds of his land underwater and my grandfather’s yard site is just about gone. My family history around me is disappearing.”
Other neighbours close to Holderness have also been hit hard. “Every rise in water is another casualty. Another neighbour had to leave and get out, he couldn’t keep up with the losses. This is what is happening. The costs of this flood are more than just dollars and cents. These stories are taking place throughout the lakes system.”
Currently the Quill Lakes Watershed Association that Holderness is with represents about 900,000 acres in a watershed of 2.1 million. In just a little over a year there are eight member RMs and four member urban municipalities involved out of a possible 19 RMs, 11 urban municipalities and seven First Nations reserves.
Part of what the group is trying to convey is that now is not the time for people to be pointing fingers about who is at fault for the high water but rather figure out a way to fix the problem. The watershed association also came up with some interesting research suggesting that an occurrence like this may have also happened in the past and without agricultural activity.
Finding records relating to the Red River Valley floods in Manitoba to the North American Great Plains and the Devil’s Lake area in North Dakota, the group indicated things may have happened with a climate shift.
“Devil’s Lake for example shows fluctuations over the past 4,000 years from overflowing to dry periods, reflecting climate changes. Some of the peaks were 1,100 and 2,200 years ago. The last time this kind of a climate event happened the Vikings came to North America and the Mayan civilization disappeared. A study on the Red River flooding pointed to the fact that the Red River floods prior to 1826 were more frequent and more severe than after 1826. Who are we going to blame for that?”
As was the case with high water levels in those situations, Holderness said the volume of water during the annual runoff for the Quill Lakes has increased substantially over recent years and continues to do so. If the current threat continues it does not bode well for those residing in the region.
“We were averaging 100 million cubic metres per year in the previous 30 years and in the last 10, we have averaged 423 million. In 2011, it was the peak year and it was almost eight times the average runoff. We had almost eight years of normal rainfall in one year. You wonder why you can’t store this water on your land?”
In a three decade span, prior to the current flood, Holderness said the lake area received three trillion cubic metres of runoff water but in the last 10 years, there has been 4.23 trillion cubic metres.
Researching data through the Weather Network using records dating back to 2005, a local area producer provided Holderness with some large precipitation numbers. According to the data, during that time span, the Quill Lakes have had 202 inches of rain while the Yorkton region, which also had flooding issues had 134 inches of rain. The Saskatoon region, including the Allan Hills had 91 inches of rain.
Those numbers pushed the water level at the Quill Lakes past its recorded historical level from 1914 when it was around 519.6 metres. Now the water is over a metre above that and rising.
“Big Quill has risen 6.8 metres in 12 years and we only have .65 metres to go until overflow. When it gets up to 1.28 metres from where it is right now, the water will run out of the watershed as fast as it is coming in.”
The enormous amount of water that continues to fill and flood the land has also been sinking the economy. With no real numbers on how much of an impact the flooding has had on the economy, the watershed association began doing extensive research. The association accumulated figures from Statistics Canada, average yields and other critical information from Crop Insurance and the Water Security Agency. From that data, Holderness said they estimate there is approximately 33,579 acres of unusable private land because of flooding.
Taking the number of acres on an average yield, using a five year rotation with a 4:1 multiplier factor ratio formula, Holderness said crop losses to the regional and provincial economy were estimated at $43 million last year, an $8.5 million rise from the year before due to the higher water levels.
The watershed association then did a calculation to see how much a one centimetre increase in the water level would cost the provincial economy. “Every centimetre is a $500,000 loss annually and they are predicting this could last 50 years or better, so we are talking about an increase in annual losses of $500,000 per year for every centimetre for the next how many decades?”
With those staggering figures, Holderness then calculated the amount of room left before the water level would reach maximum capacity. Factoring that rise in water would equate to another 53,000 acres lost. That would put the annual losses in crops at today’s prices at $112 million. If it stayed like that for a decade, that number adds up to over $1 billion. The predictions of 10 to 25 more years of this wet cycle and time to recover the land flooded with higher salt content water may take decades to recover.
“This doesn’t include the losses to businesses, the grain transportation industry, machinery dealerships and the livestock industry which was decimated because there is not a significant piece of pasture land for anyone anywhere.”
Holderness said there are businesses berming up their properties, others have shutdown completely and more have lost staff because they are unable to access the property.
“There used to be $2 million worth of grain that would come up the 640 grid (between what was then two lakes) to an elevator from the Wynyard side and those producers may go somewhere else because it is getting to be too far to get to.”
Holderness said the Hwy. 16 and Hwy. 6 junction is also being built up right now to withstand the water.
“They are building it two metres higher and in order to do that you have to go almost triple the width of the highway at the base. They had another build up before this one and as the lake keeps coming up, pieces of highway will have to be built up. It may be up in that $75 million dollar range just for highway construction if we don’t get a handle on these lakes.”
Private property losses have also been substantial and unfathomable while environmental issues with salt water flooding are not the same as fresh water flooding.
Trying to come up with a solution that would work, a couple of years ago the Kutawagan Creek Diversion project proposal, by the Water Security Agency, was unveiled but later scrapped in 2015. Shortly after, Holderness and others formed the watershed association and received a study about a year later. Since then, the organization has been busy trying to come up with a positive solution while the province has also come out with a new water strategy on agricultural drainage. Holderness said the economic impacts of this policy are being debated and it has become a hot button issue as many farmers across the province are battling extreme wet conditions.
The Quill Lakes Watershed Association has also compiled its economic impact study and its Common Ground proposal with both being completed in January. They have also started a consultation process with those downstream and have been in contact with Wascana Upper Qu’Appelle Watershed (WUQWATR).
“We had a back and forth conversation with WUQWATR and they have written a letter to the provincial government explaining that something needs to be done.”
Holderness said the association has already been to the Calling Lakes Planning Commission in the Fort Qu’Appelle area and were asked to speak at the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds.
“Our proposal is basically a high level proposal,” Holderness said. “We did the pre-engineering on it to make sure it could be done and then we went to people downstream to see if it was okay to continue. That is where we are at right now and we are trying to get the consultation process going and are moving slowly to make sure we are doing it in the right steps. We want to make sure we have the support all the way up and down stream.”
The Common Ground proposal, which is what Holderness and the group came up with involves protecting the economy, the environment and private property.
“These things we found were common ground and that is why we called this the Common Ground proposal.”
Using mitigation studies done by the provincial government and taking positives from the Kutawagan Diversion Project proposal, the group’s Common Ground proposal calls for the removal of up to 33 percent of the water from the Quill Lakes (the Kutawagan was for nine percent). By removing that water it would help to dilute some of the saline water and would try to minimize the effects of that. By not electing to use that proposal, Holderness said the alternative is to see the water overflow on its own.
“In order to stop the lakes from overflowing, you have to stop them from rising. This proposal addresses the downstream concerns and it also addresses the concerns in the Quill Lakes about the mounting losses every year. In the diversion programs that were in previous mitigation studies, they had the water going over a hump and to Last Mountain Lake. There wasn’t a lot of storage capacity in that. There was some in Jansen Lake but a lot of diversions that would have been in place would send water downstream during their peaks, creating potential flooding downstream.”
By going in the direction of the new proposal, Holderness said in the spring when flooding becomes a concern for many downstream, the Kutawagan valley, which has more storage capacity would be able to hold additional water until there would be room in the system downstream to drain it. There would also be a back door clause where if water is stored in the Kutawagan valley and there is no room in the system downstream, Holderness said it could still go into the Quill Lakes.
“The way we are doing it, we are allowing ourselves to go both ways with the water and that provides another safety factor.”
Another phase of the Common Ground proposal suggests identifying aquifer capacity and depositing saline water underground. Holderness said they have been in contact with an oil field engineer out of Calgary who suggests that this would be a way of getting rid of a significant volume of saline water to help protect downstream water quality. Currently the Quill Lakes Watershed Association has applied for a study and are waiting for approval on it. While developing this option would be costly, Holderness said it would not even come close to the amount of economic losses already inflicted within the area, and future losses that will compound with time.
“If the studies are positive, we could look at moving to a test well. Once you can stabilize the lakes’ water, if you can get it down a little ways, producers in the Quill Lakes could have an adequate outlook again. It is important to understand, no one is asking for the ability to drain the lake, it needs to be stabilized and managed. We are pushing hard for this Common Ground proposal to go forward because we can no longer afford to procrastinate. Doing nothing is not an option!”
While Holderness admits that the flooding situation and how to deal with it is a complicated issue, there has been good response at all levels. Holderness said finding a positive solution would be a tremendous step in the right direction for many who have lost virtually everything.
“People are trapped, still having to make payments on loans while their land is underwater. The losses are still increasing and if they stop making payments on the land that is underwater, they risk losing the rest of their farm. The economic impacts are affecting family units, communities, jobs and school enrolment. This wet cycle is effecting more than people realize and it is more severe in some places than others but it is affecting everyone in the province right now. Most people think it is a bunch of farmland going underwater but to many people it is generations, past and present and future being destroyed. At what point in time can we call this an emergency?”
By Daniel Bushman
Thousands of acres of farmland have been lost, millions of dollars sucked from the economy and the livelihoods of many drowned as floodwaters continue to cause terrible consequences within the Quill Lakes region. Dedicating the past five years to try and find a solution to the high water levels, Chair of the Quill Lakes Watershed Association Number 14 Kerry Holderness explained the scenario at the Rural Municipality of Prairie Rose’s annual ratepayers supper in Jansen Apr. 6.
“One of my neighbours thought he was going to retire on his farm and got carried off in an ambulance because the water was basically at his doorstep,” said Holderness. “He couldn’t sell his land and he couldn’t get out. Another neighbour lost over two-thirds of his land underwater and my grandfather’s yard site is just about gone. My family history around me is disappearing.”
Other neighbours close to Holderness have also been hit hard. “Every rise in water is another casualty. Another neighbour had to leave and get out, he couldn’t keep up with the losses. This is what is happening. The costs of this flood are more than just dollars and cents. These stories are taking place throughout the lakes system.”
Currently the Quill Lakes Watershed Association that Holderness is with represents about 900,000 acres in a watershed of 2.1 million. In just a little over a year there are eight member RMs and four member urban municipalities involved out of a possible 19 RMs, 11 urban municipalities and seven First Nations reserves.
Part of what the group is trying to convey is that now is not the time for people to be pointing fingers about who is at fault for the high water but rather figure out a way to fix the problem. The watershed association also came up with some interesting research suggesting that an occurrence like this may have also happened in the past and without agricultural activity.
Finding records relating to the Red River Valley floods in Manitoba to the North American Great Plains and the Devil’s Lake area in North Dakota, the group indicated things may have happened with a climate shift.
“Devil’s Lake for example shows fluctuations over the past 4,000 years from overflowing to dry periods, reflecting climate changes. Some of the peaks were 1,100 and 2,200 years ago. The last time this kind of a climate event happened the Vikings came to North America and the Mayan civilization disappeared. A study on the Red River flooding pointed to the fact that the Red River floods prior to 1826 were more frequent and more severe than after 1826. Who are we going to blame for that?”
As was the case with high water levels in those situations, Holderness said the volume of water during the annual runoff for the Quill Lakes has increased substantially over recent years and continues to do so. If the current threat continues it does not bode well for those residing in the region.
“We were averaging 100 million cubic metres per year in the previous 30 years and in the last 10, we have averaged 423 million. In 2011, it was the peak year and it was almost eight times the average runoff. We had almost eight years of normal rainfall in one year. You wonder why you can’t store this water on your land?”
In a three decade span, prior to the current flood, Holderness said the lake area received three trillion cubic metres of runoff water but in the last 10 years, there has been 4.23 trillion cubic metres.
Researching data through the Weather Network using records dating back to 2005, a local area producer provided Holderness with some large precipitation numbers. According to the data, during that time span, the Quill Lakes have had 202 inches of rain while the Yorkton region, which also had flooding issues had 134 inches of rain. The Saskatoon region, including the Allan Hills had 91 inches of rain.
Those numbers pushed the water level at the Quill Lakes past its recorded historical level from 1914 when it was around 519.6 metres. Now the water is over a metre above that and rising.
“Big Quill has risen 6.8 metres in 12 years and we only have .65 metres to go until overflow. When it gets up to 1.28 metres from where it is right now, the water will run out of the watershed as fast as it is coming in.”
The enormous amount of water that continues to fill and flood the land has also been sinking the economy. With no real numbers on how much of an impact the flooding has had on the economy, the watershed association began doing extensive research. The association accumulated figures from Statistics Canada, average yields and other critical information from Crop Insurance and the Water Security Agency. From that data, Holderness said they estimate there is approximately 33,579 acres of unusable private land because of flooding.
Taking the number of acres on an average yield, using a five year rotation with a 4:1 multiplier factor ratio formula, Holderness said crop losses to the regional and provincial economy were estimated at $43 million last year, an $8.5 million rise from the year before due to the higher water levels.
The watershed association then did a calculation to see how much a one centimetre increase in the water level would cost the provincial economy. “Every centimetre is a $500,000 loss annually and they are predicting this could last 50 years or better, so we are talking about an increase in annual losses of $500,000 per year for every centimetre for the next how many decades?”
With those staggering figures, Holderness then calculated the amount of room left before the water level would reach maximum capacity. Factoring that rise in water would equate to another 53,000 acres lost. That would put the annual losses in crops at today’s prices at $112 million. If it stayed like that for a decade, that number adds up to over $1 billion. The predictions of 10 to 25 more years of this wet cycle and time to recover the land flooded with higher salt content water may take decades to recover.
“This doesn’t include the losses to businesses, the grain transportation industry, machinery dealerships and the livestock industry which was decimated because there is not a significant piece of pasture land for anyone anywhere.”
Holderness said there are businesses berming up their properties, others have shutdown completely and more have lost staff because they are unable to access the property.
“There used to be $2 million worth of grain that would come up the 640 grid (between what was then two lakes) to an elevator from the Wynyard side and those producers may go somewhere else because it is getting to be too far to get to.”
Holderness said the Hwy. 16 and Hwy. 6 junction is also being built up right now to withstand the water.
“They are building it two metres higher and in order to do that you have to go almost triple the width of the highway at the base. They had another build up before this one and as the lake keeps coming up, pieces of highway will have to be built up. It may be up in that $75 million dollar range just for highway construction if we don’t get a handle on these lakes.”
Private property losses have also been substantial and unfathomable while environmental issues with salt water flooding are not the same as fresh water flooding.
Trying to come up with a solution that would work, a couple of years ago the Kutawagan Creek Diversion project proposal, by the Water Security Agency, was unveiled but later scrapped in 2015. Shortly after, Holderness and others formed the watershed association and received a study about a year later. Since then, the organization has been busy trying to come up with a positive solution while the province has also come out with a new water strategy on agricultural drainage. Holderness said the economic impacts of this policy are being debated and it has become a hot button issue as many farmers across the province are battling extreme wet conditions.
The Quill Lakes Watershed Association has also compiled its economic impact study and its Common Ground proposal with both being completed in January. They have also started a consultation process with those downstream and have been in contact with Wascana Upper Qu’Appelle Watershed (WUQWATR).
“We had a back and forth conversation with WUQWATR and they have written a letter to the provincial government explaining that something needs to be done.”
Holderness said the association has already been to the Calling Lakes Planning Commission in the Fort Qu’Appelle area and were asked to speak at the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds.
“Our proposal is basically a high level proposal,” Holderness said. “We did the pre-engineering on it to make sure it could be done and then we went to people downstream to see if it was okay to continue. That is where we are at right now and we are trying to get the consultation process going and are moving slowly to make sure we are doing it in the right steps. We want to make sure we have the support all the way up and down stream.”
The Common Ground proposal, which is what Holderness and the group came up with involves protecting the economy, the environment and private property.
“These things we found were common ground and that is why we called this the Common Ground proposal.”
Using mitigation studies done by the provincial government and taking positives from the Kutawagan Diversion Project proposal, the group’s Common Ground proposal calls for the removal of up to 33 percent of the water from the Quill Lakes (the Kutawagan was for nine percent). By removing that water it would help to dilute some of the saline water and would try to minimize the effects of that. By not electing to use that proposal, Holderness said the alternative is to see the water overflow on its own.
“In order to stop the lakes from overflowing, you have to stop them from rising. This proposal addresses the downstream concerns and it also addresses the concerns in the Quill Lakes about the mounting losses every year. In the diversion programs that were in previous mitigation studies, they had the water going over a hump and to Last Mountain Lake. There wasn’t a lot of storage capacity in that. There was some in Jansen Lake but a lot of diversions that would have been in place would send water downstream during their peaks, creating potential flooding downstream.”
By going in the direction of the new proposal, Holderness said in the spring when flooding becomes a concern for many downstream, the Kutawagan valley, which has more storage capacity would be able to hold additional water until there would be room in the system downstream to drain it. There would also be a back door clause where if water is stored in the Kutawagan valley and there is no room in the system downstream, Holderness said it could still go into the Quill Lakes.
“The way we are doing it, we are allowing ourselves to go both ways with the water and that provides another safety factor.”
Another phase of the Common Ground proposal suggests identifying aquifer capacity and depositing saline water underground. Holderness said they have been in contact with an oil field engineer out of Calgary who suggests that this would be a way of getting rid of a significant volume of saline water to help protect downstream water quality. Currently the Quill Lakes Watershed Association has applied for a study and are waiting for approval on it. While developing this option would be costly, Holderness said it would not even come close to the amount of economic losses already inflicted within the area, and future losses that will compound with time.
“If the studies are positive, we could look at moving to a test well. Once you can stabilize the lakes’ water, if you can get it down a little ways, producers in the Quill Lakes could have an adequate outlook again. It is important to understand, no one is asking for the ability to drain the lake, it needs to be stabilized and managed. We are pushing hard for this Common Ground proposal to go forward because we can no longer afford to procrastinate. Doing nothing is not an option!”
While Holderness admits that the flooding situation and how to deal with it is a complicated issue, there has been good response at all levels. Holderness said finding a positive solution would be a tremendous step in the right direction for many who have lost virtually everything.
“People are trapped, still having to make payments on loans while their land is underwater. The losses are still increasing and if they stop making payments on the land that is underwater, they risk losing the rest of their farm. The economic impacts are affecting family units, communities, jobs and school enrolment. This wet cycle is effecting more than people realize and it is more severe in some places than others but it is affecting everyone in the province right now. Most people think it is a bunch of farmland going underwater but to many people it is generations, past and present and future being destroyed. At what point in time can we call this an emergency?”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 10, 2017
Kidney dialysis is a part of life for local resident
By Daniel Bushman
For the past few years, Manitou Beach resident, artist and author Michael Gaudet has been faced with the decision of life or death. Choosing life, Gaudet makes the trek to Saskatoon three times a week for kidney dialysis. As March marked National Kidney Month, Gaudet continued to travel the over 600 kilometres each week to receive dialysis. Unfortunately for Michael, this is not a new occurrence as he was faced with a similar experience earlier in life.
At 19 years old, Gaudet was living and working in Toronto, Ont. when he was told at Sunnybrook Medical Centre that he had end stage renal failure and emergency life-saving dialysis was required. The blood cleansing and fluid retention control therapy was initiated to try and buy some time for Gaudet while he waited for a kidney donor and transplant.
“Only seven months later, which seemed like an eternity at the time, my brother Steven donated a kidney to me. This gift of life sustained my health and vitality for over 34 years, a longevity record in Western Canada.”
However, while the Manitou Beach resident was able to do enjoy his life and create masterpieces with his paint brush, in May of 2014 his kidney function had deteriorated to the point where he needed to return to weekly dialysis treatments three times a week. Gaudet began his routine of travelling to St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon each week, remaining a dialysis patient with no real end in sight.
“I am on the kidney transplant waiting list but the average waiting time is anywhere from three and five years, though that is no guarantee. When people ask me if I am still attending dialysis three times a week, I say, ‘Well, it is a case of dialysis do or die!’”
The long road to what Gaudet hopes is an eventual recovery has provided a bit of a positive note as the now author purchased a laptop and began typing his handwritten notes which formed a book.
Called ‘Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner’s Guide to Immortality,’ the book is a memoir penned by Gaudet that provides detail of his near-death experience but also how human triumph beat adversity with his kidney transplant. “It is a story of my eventual rise to become a painter of monumental murals. This was my way of leaving my mark on the mortal world after my close brush with an early demise.”
Gaudet’s first book was also written in an effort to provide a realistic story of severely deteriorating health before coming back in a healthy way, “My hope is that every dialysis patient will have an opportunity to read about my recovery so that they will have their hopes bolstered.”
With many turning the pages of Gaudet’s first published work, the author has now turned his focus towards his second of three books called, ‘A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved.’ Slated to be released in the summer, Gaudet has already sold 100 advanced signed copies and a benefactor who read the first book came forward to cover the production costs.
“The theme of book two is a continuation of my evolving career as a mural painter and includes the story of the truly monumental mural that I designed and painted at Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon. The story of my wildly successful kidney transplant also looms large in the story. In this way, I wish to insinuate the kidney health phenomenon once again in a literary setting.”
With the month of March highlighting all things kidneys, the strong advocate said not only is he writing books but also reaching out on social media. About three years ago and while he was still a transplant recipient and doing well, Michael’s wife Sharon encouraged him to have a peer-to-peer support group for kidney patients and their families on Facebook. Taking her advice Gaudet created ‘Kidney Transplant Donors and Recipients.’ Within a year, the group had 900 members from every corner of the planet. Now, the group has grown exponentially to include over 14,000 members.
“KTDR has evolved to become the busiest place on the ‘net for all things kidney. It is always very inspiring to read about people who, after such a long wait, finally receive that elusive gift of life. Every time I witness this miracle in real time, I think, someday I will get the call.”
Until that call comes for Michael, Gaudet said he will continue to raise awareness of kidney health. “Dr. Mike Moser said it best: “Awareness Saves Lives!” Kidney health awareness needs a champion(s) . . . By the end of 2012, there were more than 41,000 people living with end-stage renal failure in Canada. Of those, 42 percent were living with a kidney transplant while 58 percent were on dialysis. People with a kidney transplant cost the health care system about $50,000 less per year.”
Until that transplant comes for Michael, he continues to try and find his own way to the city. A few of Gaudet’s friends have generously lent a hand and offered a ride as he can become drained after dialysis. Gaudet also tried using the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) but with the bus schedule not allowing enough time for Gaudet to receive full treatments of dialysis, he found himself in the emergency room numerous times and elected not to continue with that route.
While there are things to do in Saskatoon, Gaudet hopes that the three trips each week will come to an end sooner than later. “Think about it. An in-unit dialysis patient is really left with no other choice than to commit to attending three times a week, and this includes travel time to and from. So, we are obligated to sit in the chair, tethered to a machine, for four hours each time. Many of us read, nap, or work on our portable devices. I made a decision when I started back on dialysis to stay busy and focused on my laptop. So, in a very positive twist, I am making the best of a challenging situation by remaining productive when I have the energy!”
While Gaudet is able to write his books when he is able and feels up to it, there is no say in whether or not he can stay home one week instead of travelling to Saskatoon. His only other alternative is receiving a kidney transplant which can only occur from a living donor or a deceased one.
Despite waiting day after day and having to receive dialysis three times each week, Gaudet remains busy in other ways, painting commissions over the winter and into the spring and summer. Currently the artist said he is negotiating with a Saskatchewan town to design and paint another major mural project. He and Sharon are also looking forward to their 10th year of owning G-G’s Gallery and Gifts at Manitou Beach.
“My outlook on life is: Make the best of every day. Stay positive. It costs the same to have a positive attitude as it does to be mired in a negative mind-set. The cost for both is nothing. It’s all a matter of our attitude, and with a positive outlook, your chances of success and glowing health are much better.”
To stay updated with Gaudet, people can visit www.mrgaudet.com
By Daniel Bushman
For the past few years, Manitou Beach resident, artist and author Michael Gaudet has been faced with the decision of life or death. Choosing life, Gaudet makes the trek to Saskatoon three times a week for kidney dialysis. As March marked National Kidney Month, Gaudet continued to travel the over 600 kilometres each week to receive dialysis. Unfortunately for Michael, this is not a new occurrence as he was faced with a similar experience earlier in life.
At 19 years old, Gaudet was living and working in Toronto, Ont. when he was told at Sunnybrook Medical Centre that he had end stage renal failure and emergency life-saving dialysis was required. The blood cleansing and fluid retention control therapy was initiated to try and buy some time for Gaudet while he waited for a kidney donor and transplant.
“Only seven months later, which seemed like an eternity at the time, my brother Steven donated a kidney to me. This gift of life sustained my health and vitality for over 34 years, a longevity record in Western Canada.”
However, while the Manitou Beach resident was able to do enjoy his life and create masterpieces with his paint brush, in May of 2014 his kidney function had deteriorated to the point where he needed to return to weekly dialysis treatments three times a week. Gaudet began his routine of travelling to St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon each week, remaining a dialysis patient with no real end in sight.
“I am on the kidney transplant waiting list but the average waiting time is anywhere from three and five years, though that is no guarantee. When people ask me if I am still attending dialysis three times a week, I say, ‘Well, it is a case of dialysis do or die!’”
The long road to what Gaudet hopes is an eventual recovery has provided a bit of a positive note as the now author purchased a laptop and began typing his handwritten notes which formed a book.
Called ‘Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner’s Guide to Immortality,’ the book is a memoir penned by Gaudet that provides detail of his near-death experience but also how human triumph beat adversity with his kidney transplant. “It is a story of my eventual rise to become a painter of monumental murals. This was my way of leaving my mark on the mortal world after my close brush with an early demise.”
Gaudet’s first book was also written in an effort to provide a realistic story of severely deteriorating health before coming back in a healthy way, “My hope is that every dialysis patient will have an opportunity to read about my recovery so that they will have their hopes bolstered.”
With many turning the pages of Gaudet’s first published work, the author has now turned his focus towards his second of three books called, ‘A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved.’ Slated to be released in the summer, Gaudet has already sold 100 advanced signed copies and a benefactor who read the first book came forward to cover the production costs.
“The theme of book two is a continuation of my evolving career as a mural painter and includes the story of the truly monumental mural that I designed and painted at Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon. The story of my wildly successful kidney transplant also looms large in the story. In this way, I wish to insinuate the kidney health phenomenon once again in a literary setting.”
With the month of March highlighting all things kidneys, the strong advocate said not only is he writing books but also reaching out on social media. About three years ago and while he was still a transplant recipient and doing well, Michael’s wife Sharon encouraged him to have a peer-to-peer support group for kidney patients and their families on Facebook. Taking her advice Gaudet created ‘Kidney Transplant Donors and Recipients.’ Within a year, the group had 900 members from every corner of the planet. Now, the group has grown exponentially to include over 14,000 members.
“KTDR has evolved to become the busiest place on the ‘net for all things kidney. It is always very inspiring to read about people who, after such a long wait, finally receive that elusive gift of life. Every time I witness this miracle in real time, I think, someday I will get the call.”
Until that call comes for Michael, Gaudet said he will continue to raise awareness of kidney health. “Dr. Mike Moser said it best: “Awareness Saves Lives!” Kidney health awareness needs a champion(s) . . . By the end of 2012, there were more than 41,000 people living with end-stage renal failure in Canada. Of those, 42 percent were living with a kidney transplant while 58 percent were on dialysis. People with a kidney transplant cost the health care system about $50,000 less per year.”
Until that transplant comes for Michael, he continues to try and find his own way to the city. A few of Gaudet’s friends have generously lent a hand and offered a ride as he can become drained after dialysis. Gaudet also tried using the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) but with the bus schedule not allowing enough time for Gaudet to receive full treatments of dialysis, he found himself in the emergency room numerous times and elected not to continue with that route.
While there are things to do in Saskatoon, Gaudet hopes that the three trips each week will come to an end sooner than later. “Think about it. An in-unit dialysis patient is really left with no other choice than to commit to attending three times a week, and this includes travel time to and from. So, we are obligated to sit in the chair, tethered to a machine, for four hours each time. Many of us read, nap, or work on our portable devices. I made a decision when I started back on dialysis to stay busy and focused on my laptop. So, in a very positive twist, I am making the best of a challenging situation by remaining productive when I have the energy!”
While Gaudet is able to write his books when he is able and feels up to it, there is no say in whether or not he can stay home one week instead of travelling to Saskatoon. His only other alternative is receiving a kidney transplant which can only occur from a living donor or a deceased one.
Despite waiting day after day and having to receive dialysis three times each week, Gaudet remains busy in other ways, painting commissions over the winter and into the spring and summer. Currently the artist said he is negotiating with a Saskatchewan town to design and paint another major mural project. He and Sharon are also looking forward to their 10th year of owning G-G’s Gallery and Gifts at Manitou Beach.
“My outlook on life is: Make the best of every day. Stay positive. It costs the same to have a positive attitude as it does to be mired in a negative mind-set. The cost for both is nothing. It’s all a matter of our attitude, and with a positive outlook, your chances of success and glowing health are much better.”
To stay updated with Gaudet, people can visit www.mrgaudet.com
TWM Top Story - Apr. 3, 2017
Tough decisions remain as province digests budget
By Daniel Bushman
A couple of weeks after the provincial budget was released by the Saskatchewan government, there has not been a lot of love shown towards it by many in the province. Facing a substantial deficit, the provincial government had to make some tough calls which unfortunately involved cuts across many sectors. As part of the budget released Mar. 22, funding has been cut in many areas including libraries and school divisions. Another area that is being effected involves municipalities and last week, President of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Gordon Barnhart voiced his frustration.
“We expected (the) provincial budget to be tough, but nothing prepared us for the crisis some of our members now face,” Barnhart said. “The province has eliminated $36 million in funding from more than 100 hometowns without consultation after most municipalities’ budgets have already been finalized. Many councils will need to hike property taxes to stay in the black.”
While the revenue sharing formula was left intact - something that had increased dramatically over the years - the Canadian Union of Public Employees said revenue sharing grants were cut by 5.1 percent overall. That translated into municipalities losing over $35 million in grants in lieu of property taxes effective Apr. 1.
CUPE said those grants in lieu of property taxes are paid by Crown corporations SaskPower and SaskEnergy which will continue to add a surcharge on residents’ utility bills even though the corporations will no longer pay the grants in lieu of taxes.
“In some cases, this move will result in funding decreases equivalent to 40 to 50 percent of this year’s municipal revenue sharing,” Barnhart said. “Unlike the fluctuating nature of municipal revenue sharing, eliminating payments in lieu is permanent, leaving hometowns scrambling to find ways to make up this shortfall every year.”
Larger centres like Saskatoon and Regina will lose more than $10 million. In Regina, that equates to the city’s annual budget for park maintenance. In Yorkton, SUMA said that city will lose $1.6 million.
“Many communities do not have large reserves,” Barnhart said. “Besides, reserve funds are usually a contingency plan for snow removal emergencies, major water main breaks, and other unexpected catastrophic infrastructure needs - not for last-minute, permanent cuts by the Province.”
In Regina last week, MLA for Humboldt-Watrous and Minister of Government Relations Donna Harpauer met with mayors regarding the issue. Harpauer told reporters that there were times where they agreed to disagree during the meeting but they will try and look at how to get around those issues and get to a place that works for both parties involved.
After seeing the budget, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said the situation for municipalities does not look great. “The numbers aren’t in yet but it appears it will have a fairly negative effect not only on our town but all of the towns in the province. We will know better when numbers come in but it will certainly have a negative impact no doubt. We are just bracing for that and it was something we didn’t think the government would renege on, that being the payments in lieu of taxes.”
Collins said the provincial government was up front on the revenue sharing which allowed communities to budget for that, they just did not know about the grants in lieu.
“It is a substantial amount of money. We aren’t sure what it will be here but it could be substantial,” said Collins, who added Watrous is currently going through its own budget process. “I can certainly see this having a negative effect on having to raise taxes in regards to that but we are not through the process yet.”
It was not only municipalities that are facing a rough road ahead as school divisions across the province have a lot of tough decisions to make. Director of Education with Horizon School Division Kevin Garinger said while many in education breathed a sigh of relief that elected boards will be maintained and large-scale school division amalgamations will not be implemented, Garinger said it came at a cost as the sector will see cuts to Trustee remuneration through reduced Governance funding.
“You should be aware that the provincial budget came out and it was announced that a 1.2 percent reduction in education funding would exist. At first blush, this seems like a decent figure but one has to remember that the government fiscal year runs from Apr. 1, 2017 to Mar. 31, 2018. This does translate to $22 million across the sector. However, because school division fiscal years run from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31, the actual reduction in education funding is more accurately reflected as $54 million. This reduction will pose a significant challenge to our entire sector that can only be addressed by working closely together with all other school divisions to realize even deeper efficiency savings. Work has already begun to establish provincial project teams to address areas, which include Education Act amendments, sector purchasing and services, organizational design and staffing and structural governance changes. I can assure you that Horizon School Division is and will continue to be committed as an active partner in supporting these process reviews.”
Another area being impacted is in libraries across the province. Saskatchewan Library Trustees’ Association (SLTA) released a statement saying it is both shocked and troubled by the cuts to library funding.
“Now, more than ever, libraries play a critical role in the social, educational, cultural and economic success of Saskatchewan communities. Our libraries are an essential investment in the future of our communities and are essential drivers of success in school preparedness, reading readiness, economic and employment success, and social equity. Our public libraries are a vital link for every resident and every community ensuring success of all people of Saskatchewan, regardless of location or background.”
The SLTA said the province has eliminated the operating grant to the municipal library systems in Regina and Saskatoon which comes at a loss of $1.3 million. The seven regional library systems have received an almost 60 percent reduction in operating funding which is a reduction of $3.5 million while funding to PNLS, in northern Saskatchewan, remains the same at $974,000.
“It was a huge disappointment that libraries were not forewarned or consulted with given the severity of the budget cuts. SLTA strongly urges the Provincial Government to find alternative solutions for keeping libraries adequately funded.”
That impact also hit Watrous as Collins said the cuts equate to a $10,000 reduction for the community to try and work around. “That may seem insignificant to what cities are talking about but that is not insignificant to the town of Watrous. In our mind it is important to have libraries and it will be something we will have to look at.”
Collins also noted The Urban Highway Connector Program, which is a cost sharing program will see funding cut by a third and that could impact the community and others. “We have Hwy. 2 that goes through the middle of town and Hwy. 365. If they are going to cut some funding to those . . . it is just another downloading of services to municipalities.”
As for the Watrous budget, Collins said they are continuing to work on it and now that both the provincial and federal budgets were released in March, the town will be able to have a better understanding of which direction it needs to go.
“We should have something in place later in April or May.”
*Update: the provincial government announced it will cap the grants-in-lieu reduction to municipalities at no more than 30 percent of the amount the municipality receives in revenue sharing.
“As the province moves away from its dependence on resource revenues and addresses a $1.2 billion revenue shortfall, we made the decision to cancel the grants-in-lieu paid to municipalities by SaskPower and SaskEnergy,” Government Relations Minister Donna Harpauer said. “For the vast majority of municipalities, this was equivalent to reducing their revenue sharing by about 15 percent or less.
“However, for a few, the reduction was more than 30 percent. After discussions with SUMA, we felt that it was too much of a burden to put on those municipalities, so we are capping the reduction to ensure that no municipality will see a reduction of more than 30 percent of their revenue sharing amount.”
The 30 percent cap will result in nine municipalities retaining a portion of their grants-in-lieu payments from SaskPower and SaskEnergy. They are Estevan, Humboldt, Melfort, Melville, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Weyburn and Yorkton.
The government said while these payments by SaskPower and SaskEnergy are referred to as grants-in-lieu of taxes, they are based on a flat percentage of utility sales within a municipality and are unrelated to the value of property.
The provincial government stated that the $29 million in grants-in-lieu based on estimated property taxes on provincially-owned assets are still being paid to municipalities by other Crowns and government ministries. SaskPower also collects a municipal surcharge on power bills, which results in another $74 million for municipalities. Municipalities will also receive $257 million in municipal revenue sharing this year, more than double the amount they received in revenue sharing a decade ago.
Harpauer said the grants-in-lieu reduction is a one-year measure as part of the government’s three year plan to return to balance and that the government will be meeting with SUMA and SARM to discuss a complete revamping of the various streams of funding municipalities receive from the province.
The 30 percent cap will cost about $3 million, which means the SaskPower and SaskEnergy grants-in-lieu reduction with the cap applied will reduce municipal funding by about $32 million.
“Even after this $32 million reduction, municipalities are still receiving more than $360 million in grants-in-lieu, municipal surcharge and revenue sharing.”
By Daniel Bushman
A couple of weeks after the provincial budget was released by the Saskatchewan government, there has not been a lot of love shown towards it by many in the province. Facing a substantial deficit, the provincial government had to make some tough calls which unfortunately involved cuts across many sectors. As part of the budget released Mar. 22, funding has been cut in many areas including libraries and school divisions. Another area that is being effected involves municipalities and last week, President of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Gordon Barnhart voiced his frustration.
“We expected (the) provincial budget to be tough, but nothing prepared us for the crisis some of our members now face,” Barnhart said. “The province has eliminated $36 million in funding from more than 100 hometowns without consultation after most municipalities’ budgets have already been finalized. Many councils will need to hike property taxes to stay in the black.”
While the revenue sharing formula was left intact - something that had increased dramatically over the years - the Canadian Union of Public Employees said revenue sharing grants were cut by 5.1 percent overall. That translated into municipalities losing over $35 million in grants in lieu of property taxes effective Apr. 1.
CUPE said those grants in lieu of property taxes are paid by Crown corporations SaskPower and SaskEnergy which will continue to add a surcharge on residents’ utility bills even though the corporations will no longer pay the grants in lieu of taxes.
“In some cases, this move will result in funding decreases equivalent to 40 to 50 percent of this year’s municipal revenue sharing,” Barnhart said. “Unlike the fluctuating nature of municipal revenue sharing, eliminating payments in lieu is permanent, leaving hometowns scrambling to find ways to make up this shortfall every year.”
Larger centres like Saskatoon and Regina will lose more than $10 million. In Regina, that equates to the city’s annual budget for park maintenance. In Yorkton, SUMA said that city will lose $1.6 million.
“Many communities do not have large reserves,” Barnhart said. “Besides, reserve funds are usually a contingency plan for snow removal emergencies, major water main breaks, and other unexpected catastrophic infrastructure needs - not for last-minute, permanent cuts by the Province.”
In Regina last week, MLA for Humboldt-Watrous and Minister of Government Relations Donna Harpauer met with mayors regarding the issue. Harpauer told reporters that there were times where they agreed to disagree during the meeting but they will try and look at how to get around those issues and get to a place that works for both parties involved.
After seeing the budget, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said the situation for municipalities does not look great. “The numbers aren’t in yet but it appears it will have a fairly negative effect not only on our town but all of the towns in the province. We will know better when numbers come in but it will certainly have a negative impact no doubt. We are just bracing for that and it was something we didn’t think the government would renege on, that being the payments in lieu of taxes.”
Collins said the provincial government was up front on the revenue sharing which allowed communities to budget for that, they just did not know about the grants in lieu.
“It is a substantial amount of money. We aren’t sure what it will be here but it could be substantial,” said Collins, who added Watrous is currently going through its own budget process. “I can certainly see this having a negative effect on having to raise taxes in regards to that but we are not through the process yet.”
It was not only municipalities that are facing a rough road ahead as school divisions across the province have a lot of tough decisions to make. Director of Education with Horizon School Division Kevin Garinger said while many in education breathed a sigh of relief that elected boards will be maintained and large-scale school division amalgamations will not be implemented, Garinger said it came at a cost as the sector will see cuts to Trustee remuneration through reduced Governance funding.
“You should be aware that the provincial budget came out and it was announced that a 1.2 percent reduction in education funding would exist. At first blush, this seems like a decent figure but one has to remember that the government fiscal year runs from Apr. 1, 2017 to Mar. 31, 2018. This does translate to $22 million across the sector. However, because school division fiscal years run from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31, the actual reduction in education funding is more accurately reflected as $54 million. This reduction will pose a significant challenge to our entire sector that can only be addressed by working closely together with all other school divisions to realize even deeper efficiency savings. Work has already begun to establish provincial project teams to address areas, which include Education Act amendments, sector purchasing and services, organizational design and staffing and structural governance changes. I can assure you that Horizon School Division is and will continue to be committed as an active partner in supporting these process reviews.”
Another area being impacted is in libraries across the province. Saskatchewan Library Trustees’ Association (SLTA) released a statement saying it is both shocked and troubled by the cuts to library funding.
“Now, more than ever, libraries play a critical role in the social, educational, cultural and economic success of Saskatchewan communities. Our libraries are an essential investment in the future of our communities and are essential drivers of success in school preparedness, reading readiness, economic and employment success, and social equity. Our public libraries are a vital link for every resident and every community ensuring success of all people of Saskatchewan, regardless of location or background.”
The SLTA said the province has eliminated the operating grant to the municipal library systems in Regina and Saskatoon which comes at a loss of $1.3 million. The seven regional library systems have received an almost 60 percent reduction in operating funding which is a reduction of $3.5 million while funding to PNLS, in northern Saskatchewan, remains the same at $974,000.
“It was a huge disappointment that libraries were not forewarned or consulted with given the severity of the budget cuts. SLTA strongly urges the Provincial Government to find alternative solutions for keeping libraries adequately funded.”
That impact also hit Watrous as Collins said the cuts equate to a $10,000 reduction for the community to try and work around. “That may seem insignificant to what cities are talking about but that is not insignificant to the town of Watrous. In our mind it is important to have libraries and it will be something we will have to look at.”
Collins also noted The Urban Highway Connector Program, which is a cost sharing program will see funding cut by a third and that could impact the community and others. “We have Hwy. 2 that goes through the middle of town and Hwy. 365. If they are going to cut some funding to those . . . it is just another downloading of services to municipalities.”
As for the Watrous budget, Collins said they are continuing to work on it and now that both the provincial and federal budgets were released in March, the town will be able to have a better understanding of which direction it needs to go.
“We should have something in place later in April or May.”
*Update: the provincial government announced it will cap the grants-in-lieu reduction to municipalities at no more than 30 percent of the amount the municipality receives in revenue sharing.
“As the province moves away from its dependence on resource revenues and addresses a $1.2 billion revenue shortfall, we made the decision to cancel the grants-in-lieu paid to municipalities by SaskPower and SaskEnergy,” Government Relations Minister Donna Harpauer said. “For the vast majority of municipalities, this was equivalent to reducing their revenue sharing by about 15 percent or less.
“However, for a few, the reduction was more than 30 percent. After discussions with SUMA, we felt that it was too much of a burden to put on those municipalities, so we are capping the reduction to ensure that no municipality will see a reduction of more than 30 percent of their revenue sharing amount.”
The 30 percent cap will result in nine municipalities retaining a portion of their grants-in-lieu payments from SaskPower and SaskEnergy. They are Estevan, Humboldt, Melfort, Melville, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Weyburn and Yorkton.
The government said while these payments by SaskPower and SaskEnergy are referred to as grants-in-lieu of taxes, they are based on a flat percentage of utility sales within a municipality and are unrelated to the value of property.
The provincial government stated that the $29 million in grants-in-lieu based on estimated property taxes on provincially-owned assets are still being paid to municipalities by other Crowns and government ministries. SaskPower also collects a municipal surcharge on power bills, which results in another $74 million for municipalities. Municipalities will also receive $257 million in municipal revenue sharing this year, more than double the amount they received in revenue sharing a decade ago.
Harpauer said the grants-in-lieu reduction is a one-year measure as part of the government’s three year plan to return to balance and that the government will be meeting with SUMA and SARM to discuss a complete revamping of the various streams of funding municipalities receive from the province.
The 30 percent cap will cost about $3 million, which means the SaskPower and SaskEnergy grants-in-lieu reduction with the cap applied will reduce municipal funding by about $32 million.
“Even after this $32 million reduction, municipalities are still receiving more than $360 million in grants-in-lieu, municipal surcharge and revenue sharing.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 27, 2017
Heritage Centre a reality after agreement reached
By Daniel Bushman
Not only will Watrous and area residents be able to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday this year but there is another reason to be excited in 2017. For the past five years, a local group has been seeking to create a Heritage Centre to serve Watrous, Manitou Beach and the surrounding area. Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Board member Kathy Bergen said the exciting endeavor of creating the Heritage Centre is now a reality.
“An agreement has been reached between the Board of the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre and SaskWater Corporation for the purchase of the Provincial Building on Main Street in Watrous.”
Bergen said the four decade old building, located next to the Watrous Post Office, has been well maintained as a government facility with regular inspections and recent upgrades to its roof, windows and insulation.
“The purchase and renovation of the SaskWater building will be a key part of the revitalization of the Main Street economy, and be great addition to our tourism industry. It will also add to the community by providing recreational and educational programs.”
Currently, some of the offices within the provincial building are being leased but Bergen said those will be maintained as a revenue stream.
With the remaining space, Bergen said, “The vision is to create exhibit spaces, archival storage and work areas, as well as a gallery/travelling exhibit area. The great pioneer type museums already in existence will not be duplicated, but the focus will be on the rich history specific to this area.”
On the hunt to find a suitable space and location, the Heritage group’s search took place in both Watrous and Manitou Beach. Since available buildings in the communities were not large enough or suitable for what the group was looking for, Bergen said they explored the option of constructing a facility. However, with the economic downturn the option to build became less appealing.
Then came the opportunity to look at the Provincial Building on Main Street in Watrous. “Almost a year ago, the board entered into conversations with SaskWater and from there we were able to reach an agreement.”
Bergen said the board, which includes: vice-chairman Lionel Sproule, treasurer Robert Cannon, secretary Darlene Kornelsen and members Sue Alcock, Karen Schroeder-Mark, Ron Frey, Lyle Emmons and Jean Margetts are really excited about what the future holds.
“We are eager to begin creating a unique place to display our area’s history.”
A campaign is now in the works to raise funds for the purchase and renovation of the building, which will be launched soon.
Leading up to acquiring the future home of the Heritage Centre, Bergen said board members have been busy making other preparations. “The Centre is incorporated as a non-profit, and has worked on the creation of policies, been involved in professional development, as well as training in the area of archives and exhibits.”
Over these past years there have been exhibits at the Heritage Room, the Gallery, the library, and Manitou Springs Hotel. A website, (www.watrousheritage.ca) has been created and is an online archives, exhibiting photos, documents, videos and other interesting items. The group also has a Facebook page containing local heritage photos and events (www.facebook.com/WatrousManitouBeachHeritage/).
By Daniel Bushman
Not only will Watrous and area residents be able to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday this year but there is another reason to be excited in 2017. For the past five years, a local group has been seeking to create a Heritage Centre to serve Watrous, Manitou Beach and the surrounding area. Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Board member Kathy Bergen said the exciting endeavor of creating the Heritage Centre is now a reality.
“An agreement has been reached between the Board of the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre and SaskWater Corporation for the purchase of the Provincial Building on Main Street in Watrous.”
Bergen said the four decade old building, located next to the Watrous Post Office, has been well maintained as a government facility with regular inspections and recent upgrades to its roof, windows and insulation.
“The purchase and renovation of the SaskWater building will be a key part of the revitalization of the Main Street economy, and be great addition to our tourism industry. It will also add to the community by providing recreational and educational programs.”
Currently, some of the offices within the provincial building are being leased but Bergen said those will be maintained as a revenue stream.
With the remaining space, Bergen said, “The vision is to create exhibit spaces, archival storage and work areas, as well as a gallery/travelling exhibit area. The great pioneer type museums already in existence will not be duplicated, but the focus will be on the rich history specific to this area.”
On the hunt to find a suitable space and location, the Heritage group’s search took place in both Watrous and Manitou Beach. Since available buildings in the communities were not large enough or suitable for what the group was looking for, Bergen said they explored the option of constructing a facility. However, with the economic downturn the option to build became less appealing.
Then came the opportunity to look at the Provincial Building on Main Street in Watrous. “Almost a year ago, the board entered into conversations with SaskWater and from there we were able to reach an agreement.”
Bergen said the board, which includes: vice-chairman Lionel Sproule, treasurer Robert Cannon, secretary Darlene Kornelsen and members Sue Alcock, Karen Schroeder-Mark, Ron Frey, Lyle Emmons and Jean Margetts are really excited about what the future holds.
“We are eager to begin creating a unique place to display our area’s history.”
A campaign is now in the works to raise funds for the purchase and renovation of the building, which will be launched soon.
Leading up to acquiring the future home of the Heritage Centre, Bergen said board members have been busy making other preparations. “The Centre is incorporated as a non-profit, and has worked on the creation of policies, been involved in professional development, as well as training in the area of archives and exhibits.”
Over these past years there have been exhibits at the Heritage Room, the Gallery, the library, and Manitou Springs Hotel. A website, (www.watrousheritage.ca) has been created and is an online archives, exhibiting photos, documents, videos and other interesting items. The group also has a Facebook page containing local heritage photos and events (www.facebook.com/WatrousManitouBeachHeritage/).
TWM Top Story Mar. 20, 2017
Winterhawks crowned league champions
Daniel Bushman
For the first time since winning Long Lake Hockey League titles in the 2006-‘07 and 2007-‘08 seasons, the Watrous Winterhawks took home the league championship at home Mar. 14. Even with St. Patrick’s Day approaching, there was no luck of the Irish needed on this night as the team made sure it was not leaving the ice without the LLHL trophy.
Up 2-1 in the best of five series against the defending champion Lanigan Pirates, both teams got down to business right from the opening faceoff. With a fast pace and lots of big hits, teams traded shots in the early going before an injury to Winterhawk Brady Larock had him helped off the ice and to the dressing room.
When play resumed, Pirate forward Tyson Hobbins came in on Watrous netminder Brennan Duncan and wired a quick shot but the goaltender ensured the puck stayed out of the net. Playing smart hockey, both teams were not willing to make the first mistake but with 8:33 remaining in the first period, Watrous captain Woody Klassen spotted Craig McCallum who fed linemate Trent Campbell and he wristed a shot past Lanigan goalie David Reekie to open the scoring.
With the score 1-0, skaters from both teams continued to race up and down the ice but it was the Pirates who got called for slashing. Looking to capitalize, the high-octane Winterhawk powerplay went to work. Once again the combination of Klassen, Campbell and McCallum struck but this time it was the LLHL’s leading scorer McCallum that beat Reekie with five seconds remaining with the man advantage.
Up 2-0, Watrous found itself in a bit of trouble when the officials called a goalie interference penalty with 1:06 remaining. However, it was McCallum that turned the momentum around and flying down the ice wired a slapshot off the post with 14 seconds left. While the puck stayed out of the net, Watrous skated into the break leading 2-0 and 11-7 in the shot department.
In the second period and still on the penalty kill, speedster Craig McCallum picked up right where he left off and on a clean sheet of ice danced his way into Lanigan territory and on a breakaway, slid the puck through the legs of Reekie to make it 3-0. The goal which came 39 seconds into the period was a shorthanded marker for number 23 and his second of the evening.
Teams traded penalties as the second period continued along and later in the middle frame it was the two netminders that stole the show. Both Reekie and Duncan were on their game, kicking out pucks and making big saves when called upon as players feverishly tried to apply pressure.
With some penalty trouble later in the frame, Watrous eventually found itself with a powerplay opportunity and late in that advantage McCallum received a pass from Campbell and his slapshot rang the post but stayed out. There was no more scoring in the period and Watrous found itself just 20 minutes away from winning the league championship.
In the final stanza, Watrous played a patient but fast paced game and with 13:34 to go, forward Mitch Friesen was able to get open for a chance in the slot but Reekie stuck out the blocker to keep his team within three. The Pirates then headed to the penalty kill a short time later and Watrous brought out its number one unit and like they had done previously, went to work.
With the puck at the blueline, Woody Klassen fired a low shot towards Reekie and Campbell got a piece of it on the way to the net and the puck found the back of the cage to make it 4-0 Watrous. Doug McLeod added the extra helper on the marker and midway through the final 20 minutes, Watrous began eyeing the clock.
Despite a late penalty and pressure by Lanigan on the powerplay, the Winterhawks and goalie Brennan Duncan remained resilient. With time winding down, Lanigan dumped the puck deep into Watrous territory and the home team began to celebrate as the final buzzer sounded.
The 4-0 victory capped off the team’s 11th title in its history while Duncan recorded his second shutout of the series and third of the playoffs. Woody Klassen and Craig McCallum each had three points in game four as the final shots were 26-21 for Watrous.
Along with captain Woody Klassen, assistants Braydon Vanthuyne, Patrick Ullyott and Trent Campbell accepted the league trophy from LLHL President and former Winterhawk Ryan Collins.
Head coach Lane Manson enjoyed the victory and although it has been a while since the team won a league championship, it made the victory even sweeter for the coach. “That game three in Lanigan was not the way we’ve played and after that loss we really wanted to play like we knew we could. In game five, the team played really well and a lot of guys really stepped up and did their job. It was a top to bottom team effort.”
As the players and coaches soaked up the victory last Tuesday, the team’s season was not quite over. The Winterhawks are in a position to capture a provincial title to go along with its league championship. Watrous headed to Gull Lake for game one of the best of three Provincial B Final Mar. 18. The team returns home for game two Mar. 25 and if necessary, will host Gull Lake in a third game Mar. 26.
“Winning the league at home was really nice and now we have an opportunity to win the provincial title at home as well. We have a special group of guys and it always is when you have a championship team.”
Daniel Bushman
For the first time since winning Long Lake Hockey League titles in the 2006-‘07 and 2007-‘08 seasons, the Watrous Winterhawks took home the league championship at home Mar. 14. Even with St. Patrick’s Day approaching, there was no luck of the Irish needed on this night as the team made sure it was not leaving the ice without the LLHL trophy.
Up 2-1 in the best of five series against the defending champion Lanigan Pirates, both teams got down to business right from the opening faceoff. With a fast pace and lots of big hits, teams traded shots in the early going before an injury to Winterhawk Brady Larock had him helped off the ice and to the dressing room.
When play resumed, Pirate forward Tyson Hobbins came in on Watrous netminder Brennan Duncan and wired a quick shot but the goaltender ensured the puck stayed out of the net. Playing smart hockey, both teams were not willing to make the first mistake but with 8:33 remaining in the first period, Watrous captain Woody Klassen spotted Craig McCallum who fed linemate Trent Campbell and he wristed a shot past Lanigan goalie David Reekie to open the scoring.
With the score 1-0, skaters from both teams continued to race up and down the ice but it was the Pirates who got called for slashing. Looking to capitalize, the high-octane Winterhawk powerplay went to work. Once again the combination of Klassen, Campbell and McCallum struck but this time it was the LLHL’s leading scorer McCallum that beat Reekie with five seconds remaining with the man advantage.
Up 2-0, Watrous found itself in a bit of trouble when the officials called a goalie interference penalty with 1:06 remaining. However, it was McCallum that turned the momentum around and flying down the ice wired a slapshot off the post with 14 seconds left. While the puck stayed out of the net, Watrous skated into the break leading 2-0 and 11-7 in the shot department.
In the second period and still on the penalty kill, speedster Craig McCallum picked up right where he left off and on a clean sheet of ice danced his way into Lanigan territory and on a breakaway, slid the puck through the legs of Reekie to make it 3-0. The goal which came 39 seconds into the period was a shorthanded marker for number 23 and his second of the evening.
Teams traded penalties as the second period continued along and later in the middle frame it was the two netminders that stole the show. Both Reekie and Duncan were on their game, kicking out pucks and making big saves when called upon as players feverishly tried to apply pressure.
With some penalty trouble later in the frame, Watrous eventually found itself with a powerplay opportunity and late in that advantage McCallum received a pass from Campbell and his slapshot rang the post but stayed out. There was no more scoring in the period and Watrous found itself just 20 minutes away from winning the league championship.
In the final stanza, Watrous played a patient but fast paced game and with 13:34 to go, forward Mitch Friesen was able to get open for a chance in the slot but Reekie stuck out the blocker to keep his team within three. The Pirates then headed to the penalty kill a short time later and Watrous brought out its number one unit and like they had done previously, went to work.
With the puck at the blueline, Woody Klassen fired a low shot towards Reekie and Campbell got a piece of it on the way to the net and the puck found the back of the cage to make it 4-0 Watrous. Doug McLeod added the extra helper on the marker and midway through the final 20 minutes, Watrous began eyeing the clock.
Despite a late penalty and pressure by Lanigan on the powerplay, the Winterhawks and goalie Brennan Duncan remained resilient. With time winding down, Lanigan dumped the puck deep into Watrous territory and the home team began to celebrate as the final buzzer sounded.
The 4-0 victory capped off the team’s 11th title in its history while Duncan recorded his second shutout of the series and third of the playoffs. Woody Klassen and Craig McCallum each had three points in game four as the final shots were 26-21 for Watrous.
Along with captain Woody Klassen, assistants Braydon Vanthuyne, Patrick Ullyott and Trent Campbell accepted the league trophy from LLHL President and former Winterhawk Ryan Collins.
Head coach Lane Manson enjoyed the victory and although it has been a while since the team won a league championship, it made the victory even sweeter for the coach. “That game three in Lanigan was not the way we’ve played and after that loss we really wanted to play like we knew we could. In game five, the team played really well and a lot of guys really stepped up and did their job. It was a top to bottom team effort.”
As the players and coaches soaked up the victory last Tuesday, the team’s season was not quite over. The Winterhawks are in a position to capture a provincial title to go along with its league championship. Watrous headed to Gull Lake for game one of the best of three Provincial B Final Mar. 18. The team returns home for game two Mar. 25 and if necessary, will host Gull Lake in a third game Mar. 26.
“Winning the league at home was really nice and now we have an opportunity to win the provincial title at home as well. We have a special group of guys and it always is when you have a championship team.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 13, 2017
Train derails near Watrous crossing
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Three railcars derailed and traffic was blocked for a few hours just east of the rail crossing at Watrous on Hwy. 2 last Wednesday night. Watrous RCMP received a request for assistance from CN rail dispatch for a train derailment at 9:54 p.m. Mar. 8. The derailment occurred approximately 50 meters east of the east rail crossing at Watrous on Hwy. 2.
CN spokesperson Kate Fenske said the CN train departing the yard was travelling at slow speeds when it derailed three cars northeast of where Watrous Salvage is located. Fenske said the cars were carrying potash fertilizer and remained upright during the incident. There were no injuries or leaks as crews worked to clear the crossing at Hwy. 2.
Watrous RCMP responded to help provide traffic control and were advised by CN that rail cars three, four and five derailed. The remaining rail cars were able to be pulled back by another locomotive, clearing the rail crossing.
Work crews moved the cars and laid them next to the tracks as they worked to clear the crossing and the crossing was opened at midnight and traffic allowed to flow through. Crews remained on scene Thursday Mar. 9 as large semis were called in to haul the damaged cars away. While the area was cleared, the derailed cars remained in a ditch adjacent to the tracks during the afternoon Thursday.
The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Three railcars derailed and traffic was blocked for a few hours just east of the rail crossing at Watrous on Hwy. 2 last Wednesday night. Watrous RCMP received a request for assistance from CN rail dispatch for a train derailment at 9:54 p.m. Mar. 8. The derailment occurred approximately 50 meters east of the east rail crossing at Watrous on Hwy. 2.
CN spokesperson Kate Fenske said the CN train departing the yard was travelling at slow speeds when it derailed three cars northeast of where Watrous Salvage is located. Fenske said the cars were carrying potash fertilizer and remained upright during the incident. There were no injuries or leaks as crews worked to clear the crossing at Hwy. 2.
Watrous RCMP responded to help provide traffic control and were advised by CN that rail cars three, four and five derailed. The remaining rail cars were able to be pulled back by another locomotive, clearing the rail crossing.
Work crews moved the cars and laid them next to the tracks as they worked to clear the crossing and the crossing was opened at midnight and traffic allowed to flow through. Crews remained on scene Thursday Mar. 9 as large semis were called in to haul the damaged cars away. While the area was cleared, the derailed cars remained in a ditch adjacent to the tracks during the afternoon Thursday.
The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 6, 2017
Seeking answers after drunk driver moved to healing lodge
By Daniel Bushman
There seems to be a lot more questions than answers for family and friends of Jordan, Chanda (Mierau), Kamryn and Migure Van de Vorst who were tragically killed by a drunk driver. Reports recently surfaced that the person responsible for their deaths was transferred to a healing lodge, just one month after receiving her 10 year sentence.
Just over one year ago, the Van de Vorsts were killed after Catherine McKay’s vehicle slammed into the family’s car near Saskatoon. McKay was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drunk driving and according to numerous reports is now serving her time at a healing lodge near Maple Creek.
Chanda’s mom Marie, who resides in Watrous said on the day of the sentencing both families were told at some point McKay would be moved to a healing lodge but they did not figure it would be right away. “I don’t think anybody at that time really knew when.”
Looking for answers and clarity about why McKay was transferred so fast, Mierau said she was surprised when she heard McKay was reportedly moved to Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge near Maple Creek.
“Spending a short time in a penitentiary with a 10 year sentence after killing a whole family, is that fair? I don’t know. It is tough to say really how one feels because I have been told many times the justice system is broken. It makes you wonder is the holistic and spiritual approach equal to a penitentiary approach? I don’t know.”
According to Correctional Service Canada (CSC), Aboriginal Healing Lodges are correctional institutions where Aboriginal values, traditions and beliefs to design services and programs for offenders are used. Aboriginal concepts of justice and reconciliation are also included with a holistic and spiritual approach. The programs include guidance and support from Elders and Aboriginal communities.
In all cases, CSC said they thoroughly assess an offender’s risk to public safety before a decision is made to move a person to a healing lodge.
Like Marie, the father of Jordan, Lou Van de Vorst was dismayed when he found out Catherine was transferred early into her sentence. “She killed four people,” Lou told reporters. “The severity of her sentence should reflect the fact she killed four people. When you say, okay she got sent to a healing lodge right away, it is sort of a shock . . . I hope in terms of her rehabilitation that part of it is her speaking out against impaired driving and she starts promoting sober driving because of what she went through, because of what she did to other people.”
Healing lodges like the one McKay is at operate in one of two ways. They may be funded and operated by CSC and its staff or they may be funded by CSC and managed by community partner organizations. In the second case, community partner organizations sign an agreement with CSC under Section 81 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA). There are currently nine CSC healing lodges across Canada. Four are managed by CSC and five under Section 81.
At Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge, it is a lodge for strictly women offenders with a focal point being a spiritual lodge where teachings, ceremonies, and workshops with Elders take place. Okimaw Ohci contains both single and family residential units, as offenders may have their children stay with them. Each unit has a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchenette with an eating area, and a living room.
A personal life plan is created for each Aboriginal offender outlining what she needs emotionally, physically, and spiritually to help with her rehabilitation. Programs are aimed at helping offenders build the strength they need to make essential changes in their lives. Programs address vocational training, family and children, Aboriginal language, and nature. CSC said the women learn how to live independently by cooking, doing laundry, cleaning, and doing outdoor maintenance chores.
“When you read that kind of information, we all thought it sounded like a better atmosphere than in prison,” said Marie. “Catherine McKay now has the opportunity to heal while the victims are just left with a lot of unanswered questions. Is this being fair? I really don’t know compared to a federal penitentiary. I understand that she will be at the healing lodge for the remainder of her sentence.”
By Daniel Bushman
There seems to be a lot more questions than answers for family and friends of Jordan, Chanda (Mierau), Kamryn and Migure Van de Vorst who were tragically killed by a drunk driver. Reports recently surfaced that the person responsible for their deaths was transferred to a healing lodge, just one month after receiving her 10 year sentence.
Just over one year ago, the Van de Vorsts were killed after Catherine McKay’s vehicle slammed into the family’s car near Saskatoon. McKay was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drunk driving and according to numerous reports is now serving her time at a healing lodge near Maple Creek.
Chanda’s mom Marie, who resides in Watrous said on the day of the sentencing both families were told at some point McKay would be moved to a healing lodge but they did not figure it would be right away. “I don’t think anybody at that time really knew when.”
Looking for answers and clarity about why McKay was transferred so fast, Mierau said she was surprised when she heard McKay was reportedly moved to Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge near Maple Creek.
“Spending a short time in a penitentiary with a 10 year sentence after killing a whole family, is that fair? I don’t know. It is tough to say really how one feels because I have been told many times the justice system is broken. It makes you wonder is the holistic and spiritual approach equal to a penitentiary approach? I don’t know.”
According to Correctional Service Canada (CSC), Aboriginal Healing Lodges are correctional institutions where Aboriginal values, traditions and beliefs to design services and programs for offenders are used. Aboriginal concepts of justice and reconciliation are also included with a holistic and spiritual approach. The programs include guidance and support from Elders and Aboriginal communities.
In all cases, CSC said they thoroughly assess an offender’s risk to public safety before a decision is made to move a person to a healing lodge.
Like Marie, the father of Jordan, Lou Van de Vorst was dismayed when he found out Catherine was transferred early into her sentence. “She killed four people,” Lou told reporters. “The severity of her sentence should reflect the fact she killed four people. When you say, okay she got sent to a healing lodge right away, it is sort of a shock . . . I hope in terms of her rehabilitation that part of it is her speaking out against impaired driving and she starts promoting sober driving because of what she went through, because of what she did to other people.”
Healing lodges like the one McKay is at operate in one of two ways. They may be funded and operated by CSC and its staff or they may be funded by CSC and managed by community partner organizations. In the second case, community partner organizations sign an agreement with CSC under Section 81 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA). There are currently nine CSC healing lodges across Canada. Four are managed by CSC and five under Section 81.
At Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge, it is a lodge for strictly women offenders with a focal point being a spiritual lodge where teachings, ceremonies, and workshops with Elders take place. Okimaw Ohci contains both single and family residential units, as offenders may have their children stay with them. Each unit has a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchenette with an eating area, and a living room.
A personal life plan is created for each Aboriginal offender outlining what she needs emotionally, physically, and spiritually to help with her rehabilitation. Programs are aimed at helping offenders build the strength they need to make essential changes in their lives. Programs address vocational training, family and children, Aboriginal language, and nature. CSC said the women learn how to live independently by cooking, doing laundry, cleaning, and doing outdoor maintenance chores.
“When you read that kind of information, we all thought it sounded like a better atmosphere than in prison,” said Marie. “Catherine McKay now has the opportunity to heal while the victims are just left with a lot of unanswered questions. Is this being fair? I really don’t know compared to a federal penitentiary. I understand that she will be at the healing lodge for the remainder of her sentence.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 20,2017
Population numbers released as Canada sees increase
Daniel Bushman
Patterns of population growth were evident through most of Canada including Saskatchewan as Statistics Canada released its results of the 2016 Census count on population and dwellings. Canada also led the G7 in population growth from 2011 to 2016, rising on average one percent per year.
Canada saw a five percent increase in population from 2011 to 2016, going from 33,476,688 to 35,151,728 people. Provincially, Nunavut had the largest population increase (12.7 percent), going from 31,906 in 2011 to 35,944 people in 2016; Alberta was second (11.6 percent), going from just over 3.6 million people in 2011 to slightly over four million in 2016; and Saskatchewan ranked third with a 6.3 percent increase, going from 1,033,381 in 2011 to 1,098,352 in 2016. New Brunswick was the only province to see a decline in population (-0.5 percent).
The population count in 2016 was 10 times greater than in 1871, when the first Census after Confederation recorded 3.5 million people in Canada. Over that time, Statistics Canada said Canadians have been making their way west. “In 1871, most Canadians lived in the four founding provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, while Western Canada was sparsely populated. By 2016, close to one-third of the population lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.”
For the first time since joining Confederation, all three Prairie provinces recorded the highest rates of provincial population growth from 2011 to 2016.
While the overall population in Saskatchewan increased, some local area communities and rural municipalities experienced decreases. Locally, here are the population figures of those communities and rural municipalities in alphabetical order:
Communities
• Allan dropped from 648 people in 2011 to 644 in 2016 (-0.6 percent change);
• Colonsay dropped from 475 people in 2011 to 451 in 2016 (-5.1 percent change);
• Drake dropped from 202 people in 2011 to 197 in 2016 (-2.5 percent change);
• Etters Beach stayed the same with 30 people in 2011 and 2016;
• Holdfast increased from 169 people in 2011 to 247 in 2016 (46.2 percent change);
• Imperial increased from 349 people in 2011 to 360 in 2016 (3.2 percent change);
• Jansen dropped from 126 people in 2011 to 96 in 2016 (-23.8 percent change);
• Lanigan dropped from 1,390 people in 2011 to 1,377 in 2016 (-0.9 percent change);
• LeRoy increased from 427 people in 2011 to 450 people in 2016 (5.4 percent change);
• Liberty dropped from 88 people in 2011 to 78 in 2016 (-11.4 percent change);
• Manitou Beach increased from 257 people in 2011 to 314 people in 2016 (22.2 percent change);
• Meacham increased from 84 people in 2011 to 99 people in 2016 (17.9 percent change);
• Nokomis increased from 397 people in 2011 to 404 in 2016 (1.8 percent change);
• Plunkett dropped from 75 people in 2011 to 60 in 2016 (-20 percent change);
• Simpson dropped from 131 in 2011 to 127 in 2016 (-3.1 percent change);
• Viscount dropped from 252 in 2011 to 185 in 2016 (-26.6 percent change);
• Watrous increased from 1,857 people in 2011 to 1,900 in 2016 (2.3 percent change);
• Young increased from 239 people in 2011 to 244 in 2016 (2.1 percent change); and
• Zelma stayed the same with 35 people in 2011 and 2016.
Rural Municipalities
• Arm River No. 252 increased by one, going from 249 people in 2011 to 250 in 2016 (0.4 percent change);
• Big Arm No. 251 dropped from 200 people in 2011 to 191 in 2016 (-4.5 percent change);
• Blucher No. 343 increased from 1,876 people in 2011 to 2,006 in 2016 (6.9 percent change);
• Colonsay No. 342 increased from 240 people in 2011 to 269 in 2016 (12.1 percent change);
• LeRoy No. 339 increased from 490 people in 2011 to 502 in 2016 (2.4 percent change);
• Lost River No. 313 increased from 209 people in 2011 to 242 in 2016 (15.8 percent change);
• Morris No. 312 dropped from 316 people in 2011 to 290 in 2016 (-8.2 percent change);
• Prairie Rose No. 309 dropped from 259 people in 2011 to 220 in 2016 (-15.1 percent change);
• Sarnia No. 221 increased from 266 people in 2011 to 322 people in 2016 (21.1 percent change);
• Usborne No. 310 dropped from 547 people in 2011 to 529 in 2016 (-3.3 percent change);
• Viscount No. 341 dropped from 371 people in 2011 to 338 in 2016 (-8.9 percent change);
• Wood Creek No. 281 increased from 205 people in 2011 to 224 people in 2016 (9.3 percent change);
• Wolverine No. 340 increased from 464 people in 2011 to 480 in 2016 (3.4 percent change); and
• Wreford No. 280 dropped from 150 people in 2011 to 135 in 2016 (-10 percent change).
While population and dwelling counts were released in February, other statistics like age and sex, type of dwelling, families, income, immigration and others will be unveiled as the year progresses. For more information, people can log on to www.statcan.gc.ca.
Daniel Bushman
Patterns of population growth were evident through most of Canada including Saskatchewan as Statistics Canada released its results of the 2016 Census count on population and dwellings. Canada also led the G7 in population growth from 2011 to 2016, rising on average one percent per year.
Canada saw a five percent increase in population from 2011 to 2016, going from 33,476,688 to 35,151,728 people. Provincially, Nunavut had the largest population increase (12.7 percent), going from 31,906 in 2011 to 35,944 people in 2016; Alberta was second (11.6 percent), going from just over 3.6 million people in 2011 to slightly over four million in 2016; and Saskatchewan ranked third with a 6.3 percent increase, going from 1,033,381 in 2011 to 1,098,352 in 2016. New Brunswick was the only province to see a decline in population (-0.5 percent).
The population count in 2016 was 10 times greater than in 1871, when the first Census after Confederation recorded 3.5 million people in Canada. Over that time, Statistics Canada said Canadians have been making their way west. “In 1871, most Canadians lived in the four founding provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, while Western Canada was sparsely populated. By 2016, close to one-third of the population lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.”
For the first time since joining Confederation, all three Prairie provinces recorded the highest rates of provincial population growth from 2011 to 2016.
While the overall population in Saskatchewan increased, some local area communities and rural municipalities experienced decreases. Locally, here are the population figures of those communities and rural municipalities in alphabetical order:
Communities
• Allan dropped from 648 people in 2011 to 644 in 2016 (-0.6 percent change);
• Colonsay dropped from 475 people in 2011 to 451 in 2016 (-5.1 percent change);
• Drake dropped from 202 people in 2011 to 197 in 2016 (-2.5 percent change);
• Etters Beach stayed the same with 30 people in 2011 and 2016;
• Holdfast increased from 169 people in 2011 to 247 in 2016 (46.2 percent change);
• Imperial increased from 349 people in 2011 to 360 in 2016 (3.2 percent change);
• Jansen dropped from 126 people in 2011 to 96 in 2016 (-23.8 percent change);
• Lanigan dropped from 1,390 people in 2011 to 1,377 in 2016 (-0.9 percent change);
• LeRoy increased from 427 people in 2011 to 450 people in 2016 (5.4 percent change);
• Liberty dropped from 88 people in 2011 to 78 in 2016 (-11.4 percent change);
• Manitou Beach increased from 257 people in 2011 to 314 people in 2016 (22.2 percent change);
• Meacham increased from 84 people in 2011 to 99 people in 2016 (17.9 percent change);
• Nokomis increased from 397 people in 2011 to 404 in 2016 (1.8 percent change);
• Plunkett dropped from 75 people in 2011 to 60 in 2016 (-20 percent change);
• Simpson dropped from 131 in 2011 to 127 in 2016 (-3.1 percent change);
• Viscount dropped from 252 in 2011 to 185 in 2016 (-26.6 percent change);
• Watrous increased from 1,857 people in 2011 to 1,900 in 2016 (2.3 percent change);
• Young increased from 239 people in 2011 to 244 in 2016 (2.1 percent change); and
• Zelma stayed the same with 35 people in 2011 and 2016.
Rural Municipalities
• Arm River No. 252 increased by one, going from 249 people in 2011 to 250 in 2016 (0.4 percent change);
• Big Arm No. 251 dropped from 200 people in 2011 to 191 in 2016 (-4.5 percent change);
• Blucher No. 343 increased from 1,876 people in 2011 to 2,006 in 2016 (6.9 percent change);
• Colonsay No. 342 increased from 240 people in 2011 to 269 in 2016 (12.1 percent change);
• LeRoy No. 339 increased from 490 people in 2011 to 502 in 2016 (2.4 percent change);
• Lost River No. 313 increased from 209 people in 2011 to 242 in 2016 (15.8 percent change);
• Morris No. 312 dropped from 316 people in 2011 to 290 in 2016 (-8.2 percent change);
• Prairie Rose No. 309 dropped from 259 people in 2011 to 220 in 2016 (-15.1 percent change);
• Sarnia No. 221 increased from 266 people in 2011 to 322 people in 2016 (21.1 percent change);
• Usborne No. 310 dropped from 547 people in 2011 to 529 in 2016 (-3.3 percent change);
• Viscount No. 341 dropped from 371 people in 2011 to 338 in 2016 (-8.9 percent change);
• Wood Creek No. 281 increased from 205 people in 2011 to 224 people in 2016 (9.3 percent change);
• Wolverine No. 340 increased from 464 people in 2011 to 480 in 2016 (3.4 percent change); and
• Wreford No. 280 dropped from 150 people in 2011 to 135 in 2016 (-10 percent change).
While population and dwelling counts were released in February, other statistics like age and sex, type of dwelling, families, income, immigration and others will be unveiled as the year progresses. For more information, people can log on to www.statcan.gc.ca.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 13, 2017
Province projected to have larger deficit
Daniel Bushman
The news was not what people wanted to hear but the reality of weaker resource prices is taking its toll on the province. During the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s annual convention last week, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall reportedly said the province will see a projected $1.2 billion budget shortfall as opposed to a $434 million one, announced in June. Despite the larger deficit, Wall said the province will meet the challenge head on.
Speaking to delegates at the 112th annual SUMA conference in Saskatoon Feb. 6, Wall said hard decisions will have to be made moving forward. It was reported that because of weak resource prices cutting into royalty revenues, the shortfall ballooned from $434 million up to more than $1 billion.
“Everything is on the table for consideration,” Wall told reporters. “When I say that everything is on the table for consideration, I mean everything. We mean everything.”
Wall said they have come up with scenarios and “it points to significant layoffs in important sectors like health care . . . We are seeking to balance this year and if it is not this year then it has to be a very short term very clear transparent way to get there.”
While the deficit picture does not look positive with potash and uranium prices remaining weak, Wall said oil prices are recovering.
It was also reported that larger deficit will also have an affect on municipal revenue sharing as that is expected to drop by 5.1 percent or approximately $13 million for the 2017-‘18 year.
As Wall stated the province will do what it can to keep the books balanced and maneuver through the difficult challenges it faces, NDP leader Trent Wotherspoon was quick to blame the tough choices due to financial mismanagement during the prosperous years.
Speaking to reporters at the SUMA convention, Wotherspoon said, “Right now, we have to be supporting our classrooms, supporting our municipalities, supporting health care.”
More than 1,000 delegates from towns, villages, cities, and northern municipalities across Saskatchewan spent four days at SUMA’s 112th convention. Some of the highlights included:
• five elections which completed the SUMA Board of Directors. Those members include President - Councillor Gordon Barnhart, Town of Saltcoats; Vice-President of Towns - Mayor Rodger Hayward, Town of Naicam; Vice-President of Villages, Resort Villages, and Northern Municipalities - Mayor Mike Strachan, Village of Torquay; Saskatoon/Regina Executive Member - Councillor Darren Hill, City of Saskatoon; and Northern Regional Director - Mayor Bobby Woods, Northern Village of Buffalo Narrows.
With Strachan going to the Executive Committee from a Regional Director position, SUMA also welcomed Southeast Regional Director - Councillor Lori Stephan, Town of Broadview;
• passed eight policy resolutions, including ones on fair taxation on provincial park residences, carbon pricing, and water quality assurance;
• the President’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony celebrated 14 long-serving municipal employees, seven long-serving council members, and former SUMA Board member, Fred Clipsham.
The full provincial cabinet attended the Bear Pit.
“I look forward to working with our new Board on behalf of Saskatchewan’s hometowns over the next four years,” said President Barnhart. “This is a group of passionate and dedicated elected officials who will work hard to make progress on the issues affecting Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, villages, and northern municipalities.”
Daniel Bushman
The news was not what people wanted to hear but the reality of weaker resource prices is taking its toll on the province. During the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s annual convention last week, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall reportedly said the province will see a projected $1.2 billion budget shortfall as opposed to a $434 million one, announced in June. Despite the larger deficit, Wall said the province will meet the challenge head on.
Speaking to delegates at the 112th annual SUMA conference in Saskatoon Feb. 6, Wall said hard decisions will have to be made moving forward. It was reported that because of weak resource prices cutting into royalty revenues, the shortfall ballooned from $434 million up to more than $1 billion.
“Everything is on the table for consideration,” Wall told reporters. “When I say that everything is on the table for consideration, I mean everything. We mean everything.”
Wall said they have come up with scenarios and “it points to significant layoffs in important sectors like health care . . . We are seeking to balance this year and if it is not this year then it has to be a very short term very clear transparent way to get there.”
While the deficit picture does not look positive with potash and uranium prices remaining weak, Wall said oil prices are recovering.
It was also reported that larger deficit will also have an affect on municipal revenue sharing as that is expected to drop by 5.1 percent or approximately $13 million for the 2017-‘18 year.
As Wall stated the province will do what it can to keep the books balanced and maneuver through the difficult challenges it faces, NDP leader Trent Wotherspoon was quick to blame the tough choices due to financial mismanagement during the prosperous years.
Speaking to reporters at the SUMA convention, Wotherspoon said, “Right now, we have to be supporting our classrooms, supporting our municipalities, supporting health care.”
More than 1,000 delegates from towns, villages, cities, and northern municipalities across Saskatchewan spent four days at SUMA’s 112th convention. Some of the highlights included:
• five elections which completed the SUMA Board of Directors. Those members include President - Councillor Gordon Barnhart, Town of Saltcoats; Vice-President of Towns - Mayor Rodger Hayward, Town of Naicam; Vice-President of Villages, Resort Villages, and Northern Municipalities - Mayor Mike Strachan, Village of Torquay; Saskatoon/Regina Executive Member - Councillor Darren Hill, City of Saskatoon; and Northern Regional Director - Mayor Bobby Woods, Northern Village of Buffalo Narrows.
With Strachan going to the Executive Committee from a Regional Director position, SUMA also welcomed Southeast Regional Director - Councillor Lori Stephan, Town of Broadview;
• passed eight policy resolutions, including ones on fair taxation on provincial park residences, carbon pricing, and water quality assurance;
• the President’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony celebrated 14 long-serving municipal employees, seven long-serving council members, and former SUMA Board member, Fred Clipsham.
The full provincial cabinet attended the Bear Pit.
“I look forward to working with our new Board on behalf of Saskatchewan’s hometowns over the next four years,” said President Barnhart. “This is a group of passionate and dedicated elected officials who will work hard to make progress on the issues affecting Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, villages, and northern municipalities.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 6, 2017
Helping out as Telemiracle approaches
Daniel Bushman
In less than a month, people will be ringing those phones and raising money to help people in Saskatchewan as Telemiracle 41 takes centre stage across the province. In the meantime, local communities like Watrous are doing their part to raise funds as local Kinette Haley Ruether said Telemiracle is one of the Kinsmen and Kinettes favourite times of the year.
With various local initiatives and fundraisers taking place, Ruether said so far they have donated the proceeds of the Kinettes craft show’s soup and sandwich lunch, have played a Toilets for Telemiracle game and this past Sunday went door-to-door to canvas for donations.
One of the popular fundraisers put on by the Kinettes was the Toilets for Telemiracle campaign. People would request the toilet be placed on someone’s front lawn and a donation or insurance against the porcelain object would be handed over towards the Kin for Telemiracle. Various residents in town found themselves with the toilet on their lawn and called up Ruether to get her and the Kin crew to come remove the object.
“Our Toilets for Telemiracle campaign has gone over tremendously! I think both the community and our club had a lot of fun with it,” said Haley. “We really appreciated everyone that supported the initiative and played along. There are a lot of good sports in the community.”
While the toilet campaign ended last week, Ruether said from the success that the Kin had from it, there is a strong possibility it could return in the future.
“We are still bringing in the last few donations but are excited to say that through a combination of toilet insurance sales and moving the toilets around town, the Toilets for Telemiracle campaign has raised over $4,000!”
Other events are also being lined up to raise funds for Telemiracle including an annual Sweetheart Lunch Feb. 13 at the Senior Centre, the annual Winston High School’s Ham and Scalloped Potato Supper Feb. 9, the Watrous Elementary School’s annual bake sale Feb. 14 and other student fundraising and various business and individual initiatives. There are also Helping Hands that can be purchased at various businesses with the money going to Telemiracle.
Ruether said raising funds locally for Telemiracle also means that there is a good possibility that some of that stays within the community. For example, a portion of the new mobility van that was recently purchased was part of an application to Telemiracle.
“The community’s donations to Telemiracle have now made it full circle!”
Those who want to contribute to Telemiracle this year can get in touch with Haley or any member of the Kinsmen or Kinettes. “We are excited for Telemiracle 41 and this year there is a big crew headed to Saskatoon. They will be comprised of about 12 Kinettes, a few Kinsmen and a couple of other volunteers.”
In Saskatoon Mar. 4 and 5, Telemiracle 41 will be broadcast live from TCU Place on all CTV Saskatchewan stations. Telemiracle is a 20-hour telethon that has raised over $111 million over 39 years, more money per capita than any other telethon in the world. All the money raised at Telemiracle is spent in Saskatchewan helping Saskatchewan people.
The money raised at Telemiracle provides resources to residents with specialized needs for medical assistance and equipment, such as:
• Specialty wheelchairs at a cost of $3,000 to $5,000 each;
• Wheelchair lifts worth $2,000 each;
• Scooters that average between $2,500 and $4,500 each;
• A trip to Edmonton for a child’s heart surgery valued at $2,000 to $5,000;
• “Talking Machines,” at a cost of $10,000 each that enable people who are non-verbal to communicate with words; and
• Ceiling tracks, worth $1,000 to $4,000 each, to make a person with a disability mobile in their own home.
Throughout the year, Saskatchewan people of all ages with special needs apply to the Kinsmen Foundation for financial assistance. The resulting miracles are varied, but the goal is always the same - to have a direct, positive affect on each recipient’s quality of life.
Local talent selected for Telemiracle 41
As preparations continue for Telemiracle 41 Mar. 4 and 5 in Saskatoon, the Saskatchewan talent line up was recently announced and includes some familiar performers. The Winston Garage Band from Watrous will be part of the 60 acts that will take the stage this year.
Here is the list released by Telemiracle and includes: Abby Wilson - Canora; Aneurin Sheasby - Saskatoon; Ashley Peterson - St. Walburg; Atlanta Wagmann - Goodsoil; Autumn Alexander - Weyburn; Ava Zoller - North Battleford; Beau Duckarmie - Macoun; Bold Dance Productions - Prince Albert; Bryce King - Saskatoon; Chelsea Sauve - Wapella; Claire Swidzinski - Yorkton; Dale Von Bieker - Nipawin; Dance INK - Saskatoon; Emilie Kirchgesner and Sarah Grieve - Saskatoon; Encore Musical Theatre and Dance Company - Fillmore and Stoughton; Garden Dance - Saskatoon and Battleford; Get Up and Sing - Marengo; Graham Dyck - Warman; Hallelujah - Moose Jaw; Hana Coates - Saskatoon; Ignite Danceworks Inc. - Saskatoon; James “Jimbo” Betts - Melville; Jayneika Okemow-Bull - Cut Knife; Joy of Vox - Saskatoon; Justin LaBrash and True North - Lumsden; Kaitlyn Clark and Alysa MacDonald - Rosetown; Karissa Hoffart - Minton; Katherine Downton - Saskatoon; Kayla Perkins - Yorkton; Latin Dance Academy Danza Morena - Saskatoon; Lii Pchii Daanseur la Prayrii - Saskatoon; Lisa Moen - Saskatoon; Lloydminster Malanka Dancers - Lloydminster; Mackenzie Sproat - Regina; Marlee Gerde and Taylor McPeek - Coronach; Matt Bantle One Man Band - Saskatoon; Melody Sterner - Saskatoon; Mike Wowk - Langham; Nathan Pylypuk - Regina; Newera - Regina; Regina Mini Express and the Expressions - Regina; Ryan and Brian - Saskatoon; Ryan Riopay - Regina; Saskatoon Expressions - Saskatoon; Saskatoon Mini Express - Saskatoon; Scott Dreveny - Regina; Shayla Ulmer - Neudorf; Shell Shocked - Davidson; Sheri-Lynn Turgeon - Martensville; Stella and Rowan Mansell - Saskatoon; Sweet Note Harmony - Indian Head; Sylvia Chave - Delisle; Tayler Tluchak & Chris Sikorsky - Regina and Saskatoon; The Hourhand - Regina; The Journalist - Caronport; The Sundrops - Swift Current; Trinity Moostoos - Prince Albert; Tyson Grismer - Saskatoon; Winston Garage Band - Watrous; and Zack Halkett and Tynael Lundquist - Hagen.
Performance times will be posted on Telemiracle’s website after Feb. 15.
Daniel Bushman
In less than a month, people will be ringing those phones and raising money to help people in Saskatchewan as Telemiracle 41 takes centre stage across the province. In the meantime, local communities like Watrous are doing their part to raise funds as local Kinette Haley Ruether said Telemiracle is one of the Kinsmen and Kinettes favourite times of the year.
With various local initiatives and fundraisers taking place, Ruether said so far they have donated the proceeds of the Kinettes craft show’s soup and sandwich lunch, have played a Toilets for Telemiracle game and this past Sunday went door-to-door to canvas for donations.
One of the popular fundraisers put on by the Kinettes was the Toilets for Telemiracle campaign. People would request the toilet be placed on someone’s front lawn and a donation or insurance against the porcelain object would be handed over towards the Kin for Telemiracle. Various residents in town found themselves with the toilet on their lawn and called up Ruether to get her and the Kin crew to come remove the object.
“Our Toilets for Telemiracle campaign has gone over tremendously! I think both the community and our club had a lot of fun with it,” said Haley. “We really appreciated everyone that supported the initiative and played along. There are a lot of good sports in the community.”
While the toilet campaign ended last week, Ruether said from the success that the Kin had from it, there is a strong possibility it could return in the future.
“We are still bringing in the last few donations but are excited to say that through a combination of toilet insurance sales and moving the toilets around town, the Toilets for Telemiracle campaign has raised over $4,000!”
Other events are also being lined up to raise funds for Telemiracle including an annual Sweetheart Lunch Feb. 13 at the Senior Centre, the annual Winston High School’s Ham and Scalloped Potato Supper Feb. 9, the Watrous Elementary School’s annual bake sale Feb. 14 and other student fundraising and various business and individual initiatives. There are also Helping Hands that can be purchased at various businesses with the money going to Telemiracle.
Ruether said raising funds locally for Telemiracle also means that there is a good possibility that some of that stays within the community. For example, a portion of the new mobility van that was recently purchased was part of an application to Telemiracle.
“The community’s donations to Telemiracle have now made it full circle!”
Those who want to contribute to Telemiracle this year can get in touch with Haley or any member of the Kinsmen or Kinettes. “We are excited for Telemiracle 41 and this year there is a big crew headed to Saskatoon. They will be comprised of about 12 Kinettes, a few Kinsmen and a couple of other volunteers.”
In Saskatoon Mar. 4 and 5, Telemiracle 41 will be broadcast live from TCU Place on all CTV Saskatchewan stations. Telemiracle is a 20-hour telethon that has raised over $111 million over 39 years, more money per capita than any other telethon in the world. All the money raised at Telemiracle is spent in Saskatchewan helping Saskatchewan people.
The money raised at Telemiracle provides resources to residents with specialized needs for medical assistance and equipment, such as:
• Specialty wheelchairs at a cost of $3,000 to $5,000 each;
• Wheelchair lifts worth $2,000 each;
• Scooters that average between $2,500 and $4,500 each;
• A trip to Edmonton for a child’s heart surgery valued at $2,000 to $5,000;
• “Talking Machines,” at a cost of $10,000 each that enable people who are non-verbal to communicate with words; and
• Ceiling tracks, worth $1,000 to $4,000 each, to make a person with a disability mobile in their own home.
Throughout the year, Saskatchewan people of all ages with special needs apply to the Kinsmen Foundation for financial assistance. The resulting miracles are varied, but the goal is always the same - to have a direct, positive affect on each recipient’s quality of life.
Local talent selected for Telemiracle 41
As preparations continue for Telemiracle 41 Mar. 4 and 5 in Saskatoon, the Saskatchewan talent line up was recently announced and includes some familiar performers. The Winston Garage Band from Watrous will be part of the 60 acts that will take the stage this year.
Here is the list released by Telemiracle and includes: Abby Wilson - Canora; Aneurin Sheasby - Saskatoon; Ashley Peterson - St. Walburg; Atlanta Wagmann - Goodsoil; Autumn Alexander - Weyburn; Ava Zoller - North Battleford; Beau Duckarmie - Macoun; Bold Dance Productions - Prince Albert; Bryce King - Saskatoon; Chelsea Sauve - Wapella; Claire Swidzinski - Yorkton; Dale Von Bieker - Nipawin; Dance INK - Saskatoon; Emilie Kirchgesner and Sarah Grieve - Saskatoon; Encore Musical Theatre and Dance Company - Fillmore and Stoughton; Garden Dance - Saskatoon and Battleford; Get Up and Sing - Marengo; Graham Dyck - Warman; Hallelujah - Moose Jaw; Hana Coates - Saskatoon; Ignite Danceworks Inc. - Saskatoon; James “Jimbo” Betts - Melville; Jayneika Okemow-Bull - Cut Knife; Joy of Vox - Saskatoon; Justin LaBrash and True North - Lumsden; Kaitlyn Clark and Alysa MacDonald - Rosetown; Karissa Hoffart - Minton; Katherine Downton - Saskatoon; Kayla Perkins - Yorkton; Latin Dance Academy Danza Morena - Saskatoon; Lii Pchii Daanseur la Prayrii - Saskatoon; Lisa Moen - Saskatoon; Lloydminster Malanka Dancers - Lloydminster; Mackenzie Sproat - Regina; Marlee Gerde and Taylor McPeek - Coronach; Matt Bantle One Man Band - Saskatoon; Melody Sterner - Saskatoon; Mike Wowk - Langham; Nathan Pylypuk - Regina; Newera - Regina; Regina Mini Express and the Expressions - Regina; Ryan and Brian - Saskatoon; Ryan Riopay - Regina; Saskatoon Expressions - Saskatoon; Saskatoon Mini Express - Saskatoon; Scott Dreveny - Regina; Shayla Ulmer - Neudorf; Shell Shocked - Davidson; Sheri-Lynn Turgeon - Martensville; Stella and Rowan Mansell - Saskatoon; Sweet Note Harmony - Indian Head; Sylvia Chave - Delisle; Tayler Tluchak & Chris Sikorsky - Regina and Saskatoon; The Hourhand - Regina; The Journalist - Caronport; The Sundrops - Swift Current; Trinity Moostoos - Prince Albert; Tyson Grismer - Saskatoon; Winston Garage Band - Watrous; and Zack Halkett and Tynael Lundquist - Hagen.
Performance times will be posted on Telemiracle’s website after Feb. 15.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 30, 2017
By Daniel Bushman
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the weather in Saskatchewan went from a bone-chilling -30˚C one week to a balmy 6˚C the next. After all, it is the prairies and the way that the elements can turn on a dime, the first month of 2017 went pretty much how it seems to usually go. The only thing that may have been a little more unusual was just how dramatic those swings were.
Environment Canada’s David Phillips said the variety of temperatures in winter and even thaws in January can be a bit more commonplace, but it was the extreme changes between those that caught people off guard.
“We saw temperatures go down to -30˚C and it stayed from about Dec. 7 to the 18th and then what happened? It warmed up. Then you got some cold weather around the Christmas period and then it warmed up again where temperatures were almost at the freezing mark. Then in January you got another cold bout where temperatures were in the -30˚C range and now they have swung to melting temperatures. I think it is not the back and forth, it is the extreme of back and forth. You have the depths of cold to the balminess of warmth. It is almost like polar to tropical.”
Comparing the start of this year’s winter to the previous one, Phillips said last year’s version had 12 days where the temperatures went below -20˚C. Heading into the final week of January, there were 28 of those days where values dipped below -20˚C. In terms of days -30˚C or below, there were three days last year and already six days this time around.
In fact it got so chilly in the province earlier this month that daily natural gas consumption over a 24-hour period from Jan. 12 to 13 tied the previous record set in December 2016 of 1.33 PetaJoules (PJ) of natural gas. This is now the fourth consecutive winter in a row that a new record has been established, and eight of the top 10 peak load or near record-setting days for SaskEnergy have occurred this winter.
SaskEnergy said the previous 24-hour record was set Dec. 16th, 2016 due to the extreme cold temperatures, along with high natural gas consumption from industrial customers and power plants. The 1.33 PJ record is three percent higher than the record set in January 2016. A PetaJoule is a unit of measurement equivalent to one million GigaJoules (GJ) of natural gas – the average home in Saskatchewan consumes about 102 GJ of natural gas annually.
With an added extreme cold warning in effect and temperatures dropping below -30˚C (-40˚C with an added wind chill), travel was not recommended during the night Jan. 12 as white out conditions existed across the province. Motorists hit ditches as visibility was poor at best. Then a night later, a power outage occurred after a larger trip on the line. SaskPower crews worked hard to get power restored to the area after the outage hit around 6 p.m. Affecting places like Allan, Colonsay, Viscount, parts of Saskatoon and all the way over to Nokomis, the outage lasted until after 11 p.m.
Despite the cold weather invading the region, it eventually subsided and much warmer values arrived, commencing a January thaw. The slushy roads and sunshine continued through the latter part of the month, leaving the bitter cold behind; for at least a while.
“You don’t always get a January thaw but this one has been noteworthy because it is fairly mild. When you hit 6˚C in mid-January, it is something,” said Phillips. “A January thaw can be just a half degree above freezing and may go for one day but this one was longer than that. Even when it cooled off with a bit of snow, it was still above normal.”
The dramatic swing into the thaw went from a dismal -30˚C to record warm values just under a week later. A total of 21 record high temperatures were set in the province Jan. 18 including a 94-year-old mark in Saskatoon. Locally, values in places like Last Mountain Lake, Watrous and Wynyard also set new marks. For Last Mountain Lake, the new record set was 5.7˚C, beating the previous mark of 3.7˚C from 2009. Watrous reached 6.4˚C, eclipsing the old record of 4.0˚C also set in 2009. Wynyard reached 6.2˚C, shattering its mark of 2.4˚C set in 1991. Maple Creek was the warmest (12.2˚C), breaking its record of 10.1˚C from 2014 on Jan. 18.
While above-normal numbers hovered around the region for the remainder of January, Phillips said do not be mistaken, winter is still sticking around.
“I think the polar vortex is going to return and you haven’t seen the end of winter as you have had it but what is happening is that the days are getting longer and you are gaining about two and a half minutes a day of daylight. The sun is also a little higher in the sky and the warmth is a bit more intense. However, any spring like weather you get is false spring and is just a teaser but the warmer weather does make winter go faster.”
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the weather in Saskatchewan went from a bone-chilling -30˚C one week to a balmy 6˚C the next. After all, it is the prairies and the way that the elements can turn on a dime, the first month of 2017 went pretty much how it seems to usually go. The only thing that may have been a little more unusual was just how dramatic those swings were.
Environment Canada’s David Phillips said the variety of temperatures in winter and even thaws in January can be a bit more commonplace, but it was the extreme changes between those that caught people off guard.
“We saw temperatures go down to -30˚C and it stayed from about Dec. 7 to the 18th and then what happened? It warmed up. Then you got some cold weather around the Christmas period and then it warmed up again where temperatures were almost at the freezing mark. Then in January you got another cold bout where temperatures were in the -30˚C range and now they have swung to melting temperatures. I think it is not the back and forth, it is the extreme of back and forth. You have the depths of cold to the balminess of warmth. It is almost like polar to tropical.”
Comparing the start of this year’s winter to the previous one, Phillips said last year’s version had 12 days where the temperatures went below -20˚C. Heading into the final week of January, there were 28 of those days where values dipped below -20˚C. In terms of days -30˚C or below, there were three days last year and already six days this time around.
In fact it got so chilly in the province earlier this month that daily natural gas consumption over a 24-hour period from Jan. 12 to 13 tied the previous record set in December 2016 of 1.33 PetaJoules (PJ) of natural gas. This is now the fourth consecutive winter in a row that a new record has been established, and eight of the top 10 peak load or near record-setting days for SaskEnergy have occurred this winter.
SaskEnergy said the previous 24-hour record was set Dec. 16th, 2016 due to the extreme cold temperatures, along with high natural gas consumption from industrial customers and power plants. The 1.33 PJ record is three percent higher than the record set in January 2016. A PetaJoule is a unit of measurement equivalent to one million GigaJoules (GJ) of natural gas – the average home in Saskatchewan consumes about 102 GJ of natural gas annually.
With an added extreme cold warning in effect and temperatures dropping below -30˚C (-40˚C with an added wind chill), travel was not recommended during the night Jan. 12 as white out conditions existed across the province. Motorists hit ditches as visibility was poor at best. Then a night later, a power outage occurred after a larger trip on the line. SaskPower crews worked hard to get power restored to the area after the outage hit around 6 p.m. Affecting places like Allan, Colonsay, Viscount, parts of Saskatoon and all the way over to Nokomis, the outage lasted until after 11 p.m.
Despite the cold weather invading the region, it eventually subsided and much warmer values arrived, commencing a January thaw. The slushy roads and sunshine continued through the latter part of the month, leaving the bitter cold behind; for at least a while.
“You don’t always get a January thaw but this one has been noteworthy because it is fairly mild. When you hit 6˚C in mid-January, it is something,” said Phillips. “A January thaw can be just a half degree above freezing and may go for one day but this one was longer than that. Even when it cooled off with a bit of snow, it was still above normal.”
The dramatic swing into the thaw went from a dismal -30˚C to record warm values just under a week later. A total of 21 record high temperatures were set in the province Jan. 18 including a 94-year-old mark in Saskatoon. Locally, values in places like Last Mountain Lake, Watrous and Wynyard also set new marks. For Last Mountain Lake, the new record set was 5.7˚C, beating the previous mark of 3.7˚C from 2009. Watrous reached 6.4˚C, eclipsing the old record of 4.0˚C also set in 2009. Wynyard reached 6.2˚C, shattering its mark of 2.4˚C set in 1991. Maple Creek was the warmest (12.2˚C), breaking its record of 10.1˚C from 2014 on Jan. 18.
While above-normal numbers hovered around the region for the remainder of January, Phillips said do not be mistaken, winter is still sticking around.
“I think the polar vortex is going to return and you haven’t seen the end of winter as you have had it but what is happening is that the days are getting longer and you are gaining about two and a half minutes a day of daylight. The sun is also a little higher in the sky and the warmth is a bit more intense. However, any spring like weather you get is false spring and is just a teaser but the warmer weather does make winter go faster.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 23, 2017
Trying to avoid getting sick
Daniel Bushman
This year’s cold and flu season has been nothing to sneeze at and it appears as though more and more people have been finding themselves catching a cold or getting the flu. As many in the area deal with prolonged sniffles and flu symptoms, they are not alone.
“We have seen an increase in influenza cases in the last couple of weeks, and we expect flu activity will continue through March,” Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said. “I encourage everyone to get a flu shot if they haven’t already. This season’s vaccine is a good match for circulating strains, including H3N2.”
Receiving a flu shot or not, there were 590 lab-confirmed influenza cases in Saskatchewan between September and Jan. 7, with a spike of 175 cases during the final week of December.
Deputy Medical Health Officer for the Saskatoon Health Region Dr. Johnmark Opondo said the past month or so has been when the peak of the flu activity has occurred. “This year the flu has come in and the timing was towards the mid to end of December when we saw a lot. I think last year we had a much milder flu season so it wasn’t as remarkable but at the same time we are seeing an increase in influenza activity it is also cough and cold season.”
Opondo said because of the combined seasons there are cold viruses that are quite active along with the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which presents as a cold is particularly nasty in young children.
The RSV is the most common virus in young children and most will become infected with RSV before they turn two years of age. Some of the common symptoms of RSV are cough, runny nose, fever, and other cold-like symptoms. The health region said RSV is most common in the winter months and is very contagious and spread through physical contact and through the air by coughing or sneezing.
“RSV is a very strong virus and it can live outside the body on counter tops or other objects for several hours.”
As people try to avoid becoming sick, Opondo suggested the most important thing people need to do is get immunized. “This particular year, the circulated strain of influenza virus is a good match in what is in the vaccine.”
Add in a few days of rest and stay away from others and the risk of transmitting the disease to others lessens. Opondo also recommends that people wash their hands when they have the flu.
“The reason why we ask you to wash your hands frequently is because a lot of people sneeze into their hands and touch a lot of surfaces after sneezing. During cold and flu season, wash your hands frequently and try to avoid touching around your face. Even just rubbing your eyes you can self inoculate with the flu virus.”
While dealing with cold and flu symptoms is not enjoyable, the Deputy Medical Health Officer said by the end of January or early February there should begin to be a respite from influenza.
For those seeking the flu shot, the funded vaccine is available from many pharmacies across the province, some physician offices, and public health clinics. Locally, pharmacies in Watrous, Lanigan, Nokomis and Humboldt are able to administer the flu shot this year.
Pharmacists can only immunize adults and children nine years of age and older who have a valid Saskatchewan health card. Children under nine need to be vaccinated at a public health clinic or physician office.
As of Dec. 31, an estimated 238,830 flu vaccine doses were administered in Saskatchewan – 64 percent by public health nurses and other providers, and 36 percent by pharmacists.
Daniel Bushman
This year’s cold and flu season has been nothing to sneeze at and it appears as though more and more people have been finding themselves catching a cold or getting the flu. As many in the area deal with prolonged sniffles and flu symptoms, they are not alone.
“We have seen an increase in influenza cases in the last couple of weeks, and we expect flu activity will continue through March,” Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said. “I encourage everyone to get a flu shot if they haven’t already. This season’s vaccine is a good match for circulating strains, including H3N2.”
Receiving a flu shot or not, there were 590 lab-confirmed influenza cases in Saskatchewan between September and Jan. 7, with a spike of 175 cases during the final week of December.
Deputy Medical Health Officer for the Saskatoon Health Region Dr. Johnmark Opondo said the past month or so has been when the peak of the flu activity has occurred. “This year the flu has come in and the timing was towards the mid to end of December when we saw a lot. I think last year we had a much milder flu season so it wasn’t as remarkable but at the same time we are seeing an increase in influenza activity it is also cough and cold season.”
Opondo said because of the combined seasons there are cold viruses that are quite active along with the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which presents as a cold is particularly nasty in young children.
The RSV is the most common virus in young children and most will become infected with RSV before they turn two years of age. Some of the common symptoms of RSV are cough, runny nose, fever, and other cold-like symptoms. The health region said RSV is most common in the winter months and is very contagious and spread through physical contact and through the air by coughing or sneezing.
“RSV is a very strong virus and it can live outside the body on counter tops or other objects for several hours.”
As people try to avoid becoming sick, Opondo suggested the most important thing people need to do is get immunized. “This particular year, the circulated strain of influenza virus is a good match in what is in the vaccine.”
Add in a few days of rest and stay away from others and the risk of transmitting the disease to others lessens. Opondo also recommends that people wash their hands when they have the flu.
“The reason why we ask you to wash your hands frequently is because a lot of people sneeze into their hands and touch a lot of surfaces after sneezing. During cold and flu season, wash your hands frequently and try to avoid touching around your face. Even just rubbing your eyes you can self inoculate with the flu virus.”
While dealing with cold and flu symptoms is not enjoyable, the Deputy Medical Health Officer said by the end of January or early February there should begin to be a respite from influenza.
For those seeking the flu shot, the funded vaccine is available from many pharmacies across the province, some physician offices, and public health clinics. Locally, pharmacies in Watrous, Lanigan, Nokomis and Humboldt are able to administer the flu shot this year.
Pharmacists can only immunize adults and children nine years of age and older who have a valid Saskatchewan health card. Children under nine need to be vaccinated at a public health clinic or physician office.
As of Dec. 31, an estimated 238,830 flu vaccine doses were administered in Saskatchewan – 64 percent by public health nurses and other providers, and 36 percent by pharmacists.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 16, 2017
Projects on the docket for Watrous as 2017 begins
Daniel Bushman/TWM
There was a lot of activity taking place within Watrous during 2016 as crews were busy improving streets, working on the new water treatment plant and opening a new fitness facility. While there was a lot going on in 2016, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said people can expect more to come for the community as 2017 gets going.
While work on the water treatment project, which included reverse osmosis water started in the fall of 2014, it was substantially completed in 2016. “Now operating for over a year, some tweaking and adjustments continue but we are very happy with the project.”
Overall, Collins said the noteworthy project came in with a total cost of about $2.7 million with $900,000 in grant funding.
Along with the water treatment plant upgrades, a new well was created to ensure an adequate water supply to the plant. “That project also started in late 2014 and was completed in 2016. We have been using that well for about a year now.”
With the pair of water related projects streamlined, funding was recently announced for a lagoon expansion and aeration project. Work got underway for that in late 2016 and despite the fall weather preventing progress, Collins said the project will be completed in 2017. “The project is estimated to cost $3.4 million with two-thirds of the funding through the New Build Canada Fund.”
As water related projects were a large part of 2016, other areas within the community also received work and improvements. The Watrous Fitness Centre officially opened its doors in the Mall at 3rd and Main and Collins said it has been a bonus to have it in the community.
“Usage and membership numbers continue to be very positive and it has been a great addition to our recreation facilities.”
In addition to the fitness facility in Watrous, Collins said the sportsgrounds also received a significant face lift this past summer.
“A small diamond was added, shale brought in, the concession building was renovated, upgrades were done to the bleachers along with continuing work on road and parking improvements.”
Other projects like extensive road work and improvements also took place in other parts of town within 2016. A new mobility van, which was budgeted for in the early part of last year is also being delivered shortly. As the calendar flipped to 2017, the community is also turning its focus towards marking Canada’s 150th birthday with a joint homecoming between Watrous and Manitou Beach. The mayor also added there are more items on the agenda for 2017.
After years of hard work, Watrous was accepted this past fall to the accredited level of the Main Street Saskatchewan Program. With the announcement Sept. 27, Watrous will now be able to access a full package of program services and benefits at the accredited level.
After the announcement was made, Community Development Officer Brendan Manz said to be accredited in the Main Street Program is a tremendous step towards the long term economic viability of Watrous. “Together with Manitou Beach, we welcome more than 150,000 visitors annually to our community. This is a chance to revitalize our main street and for it to become a destination of its own for locals and visitors alike. With this announcement, our main street businesses, town council and local residents are eager to get to work in developing our future vision, streetscape designs and beautification plans for Main Street Watrous.”
Along with being accredited for the Main Street Program, Collins said a continued emphasis will be on improving street infrastructure and the lagoon expansion.
In addition to that work, Collins said the town is also working to secure land and subdivision approvals to develop commercial and light industrial parcels east of Home Hardware Building Centre.
With regards to health and safety, Collins said clinic operations at the hospital remain stable while fire department is well equipped and has good leadership with its members.
While the budget for the town will not be completed until late February or early March, Collins said they are looking forward to a positive 2017, one that can build off of 2016.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
There was a lot of activity taking place within Watrous during 2016 as crews were busy improving streets, working on the new water treatment plant and opening a new fitness facility. While there was a lot going on in 2016, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said people can expect more to come for the community as 2017 gets going.
While work on the water treatment project, which included reverse osmosis water started in the fall of 2014, it was substantially completed in 2016. “Now operating for over a year, some tweaking and adjustments continue but we are very happy with the project.”
Overall, Collins said the noteworthy project came in with a total cost of about $2.7 million with $900,000 in grant funding.
Along with the water treatment plant upgrades, a new well was created to ensure an adequate water supply to the plant. “That project also started in late 2014 and was completed in 2016. We have been using that well for about a year now.”
With the pair of water related projects streamlined, funding was recently announced for a lagoon expansion and aeration project. Work got underway for that in late 2016 and despite the fall weather preventing progress, Collins said the project will be completed in 2017. “The project is estimated to cost $3.4 million with two-thirds of the funding through the New Build Canada Fund.”
As water related projects were a large part of 2016, other areas within the community also received work and improvements. The Watrous Fitness Centre officially opened its doors in the Mall at 3rd and Main and Collins said it has been a bonus to have it in the community.
“Usage and membership numbers continue to be very positive and it has been a great addition to our recreation facilities.”
In addition to the fitness facility in Watrous, Collins said the sportsgrounds also received a significant face lift this past summer.
“A small diamond was added, shale brought in, the concession building was renovated, upgrades were done to the bleachers along with continuing work on road and parking improvements.”
Other projects like extensive road work and improvements also took place in other parts of town within 2016. A new mobility van, which was budgeted for in the early part of last year is also being delivered shortly. As the calendar flipped to 2017, the community is also turning its focus towards marking Canada’s 150th birthday with a joint homecoming between Watrous and Manitou Beach. The mayor also added there are more items on the agenda for 2017.
After years of hard work, Watrous was accepted this past fall to the accredited level of the Main Street Saskatchewan Program. With the announcement Sept. 27, Watrous will now be able to access a full package of program services and benefits at the accredited level.
After the announcement was made, Community Development Officer Brendan Manz said to be accredited in the Main Street Program is a tremendous step towards the long term economic viability of Watrous. “Together with Manitou Beach, we welcome more than 150,000 visitors annually to our community. This is a chance to revitalize our main street and for it to become a destination of its own for locals and visitors alike. With this announcement, our main street businesses, town council and local residents are eager to get to work in developing our future vision, streetscape designs and beautification plans for Main Street Watrous.”
Along with being accredited for the Main Street Program, Collins said a continued emphasis will be on improving street infrastructure and the lagoon expansion.
In addition to that work, Collins said the town is also working to secure land and subdivision approvals to develop commercial and light industrial parcels east of Home Hardware Building Centre.
With regards to health and safety, Collins said clinic operations at the hospital remain stable while fire department is well equipped and has good leadership with its members.
While the budget for the town will not be completed until late February or early March, Collins said they are looking forward to a positive 2017, one that can build off of 2016.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 9, 2017
Homecoming planned for Watrous and Manitou Beach
By Daniel Bushman
With the stroke of midnight signalling the end of 2016 and with the beginning of 2017 underway, an entire nation is getting set to celebrate this year including various communities like Watrous and Manitou Beach. This year marks Canada’s 150th birthday and the two local communities plan to mark the milestone with a homecoming celebration June 30 to July 1.
Karen Schroeder Mark, chairperson of the Canada 150 Homecoming Celebration entitled ‘Welcome home! You are a part of our history!’ said people had expressed that they would like to see something happen to commemorate the nation’s 150th birthday. Through some informal meetings and discussion, a committee was set up.
“We have already been meeting for about half a year and a great deal of work has already gone into planning events in both Watrous and Manitou Beach,” said Schroeder Mark. “We hope that people will enjoy the festivities and use the homecoming as an opportunity to renew old acquaintances and make new friends.”
Festivities get going Friday, June 30 with registration and visiting at the Watrous Civic Centre. “We are hoping to have some displays set up and also hold a street dance later in the evening in addition to the beer gardens.”
On Saturday, people can enjoy activities like an opening ceremony, parade, dances, a Beach Boogie, pancake breakfast, children’s activities, community supper, fireworks at Manitou Beach, Canada Day activities at both Watrous and Manitou Beach and other activities sponsored by local groups.
As for some of the musical entertainment, Schroeder Mark said, “The Boar Hawks will be playing Friday night at the beer gardens and Bush League Orchestra will hit the stage on Saturday at the Manitou Beach Boogie. Hammer Jammer is also playing and he will be at the street dance on Friday while the College Nine will be out from the city to entertain during the parade as well as at a few other venues on Saturday.”
Schroeder Mark said there will also be an opportunity for people to meet and greet former friends and neighbours at the Watrous Curling Rink. “We really want to encourage people to come to the curling rink and visit and catch up. It should make for a great time.”
However, in order to have a successful homecoming celebration, Schroeder Mark said people need to lend a hand by providing addresses and contact information of families not residing in the area in order for the committee to get in touch with them regarding registering for the event.
“We need to spread the word and have updated addresses in order to let people know about our big celebration. There will be another batch of information being sent out but the key is having people register for the event. If we don’t have people registering then we won’t be able to pay for all of the venues, entertainment, decorations and other material needed for the celebration.”
Schroeder Mark said current residents are also strongly encouraged to register in order to help cover costs for the occasion.
“Everyone seems delighted that we are putting something like this on, especially during Canada’s 150th birthday. It also provides an excuse for people to come back home and visit. I think having events like this keeps a community together and it strengthens the community for those who are here.”
People who have yet to register or who have names and addresses of former residents can phone or email the town office or download a registration form off the local homecoming’s Facebook page (watrous & manitou beach canada 150 homecoming 2017).
Schroeder Mark said they will also be searching for volunteers for the homecoming for a variety of roles. “We will need a lot of help leading up to the day but the communities seem to always rally around events like this. There will be a volunteer list posted at the town office in Watrous and we have a lot of groups already willing to lend a hand and doing various activities.”
People can keep an eye on how things are going via the local homecoming’s Facebook page (watrous & manitou beach canada 150 homecoming 2017) and on Twitter (@WM_Homecoming17).
“It is going to be a fun time and a great opportunity to share stories, rekindle friendships and make new memories.”
By Daniel Bushman
With the stroke of midnight signalling the end of 2016 and with the beginning of 2017 underway, an entire nation is getting set to celebrate this year including various communities like Watrous and Manitou Beach. This year marks Canada’s 150th birthday and the two local communities plan to mark the milestone with a homecoming celebration June 30 to July 1.
Karen Schroeder Mark, chairperson of the Canada 150 Homecoming Celebration entitled ‘Welcome home! You are a part of our history!’ said people had expressed that they would like to see something happen to commemorate the nation’s 150th birthday. Through some informal meetings and discussion, a committee was set up.
“We have already been meeting for about half a year and a great deal of work has already gone into planning events in both Watrous and Manitou Beach,” said Schroeder Mark. “We hope that people will enjoy the festivities and use the homecoming as an opportunity to renew old acquaintances and make new friends.”
Festivities get going Friday, June 30 with registration and visiting at the Watrous Civic Centre. “We are hoping to have some displays set up and also hold a street dance later in the evening in addition to the beer gardens.”
On Saturday, people can enjoy activities like an opening ceremony, parade, dances, a Beach Boogie, pancake breakfast, children’s activities, community supper, fireworks at Manitou Beach, Canada Day activities at both Watrous and Manitou Beach and other activities sponsored by local groups.
As for some of the musical entertainment, Schroeder Mark said, “The Boar Hawks will be playing Friday night at the beer gardens and Bush League Orchestra will hit the stage on Saturday at the Manitou Beach Boogie. Hammer Jammer is also playing and he will be at the street dance on Friday while the College Nine will be out from the city to entertain during the parade as well as at a few other venues on Saturday.”
Schroeder Mark said there will also be an opportunity for people to meet and greet former friends and neighbours at the Watrous Curling Rink. “We really want to encourage people to come to the curling rink and visit and catch up. It should make for a great time.”
However, in order to have a successful homecoming celebration, Schroeder Mark said people need to lend a hand by providing addresses and contact information of families not residing in the area in order for the committee to get in touch with them regarding registering for the event.
“We need to spread the word and have updated addresses in order to let people know about our big celebration. There will be another batch of information being sent out but the key is having people register for the event. If we don’t have people registering then we won’t be able to pay for all of the venues, entertainment, decorations and other material needed for the celebration.”
Schroeder Mark said current residents are also strongly encouraged to register in order to help cover costs for the occasion.
“Everyone seems delighted that we are putting something like this on, especially during Canada’s 150th birthday. It also provides an excuse for people to come back home and visit. I think having events like this keeps a community together and it strengthens the community for those who are here.”
People who have yet to register or who have names and addresses of former residents can phone or email the town office or download a registration form off the local homecoming’s Facebook page (watrous & manitou beach canada 150 homecoming 2017).
Schroeder Mark said they will also be searching for volunteers for the homecoming for a variety of roles. “We will need a lot of help leading up to the day but the communities seem to always rally around events like this. There will be a volunteer list posted at the town office in Watrous and we have a lot of groups already willing to lend a hand and doing various activities.”
People can keep an eye on how things are going via the local homecoming’s Facebook page (watrous & manitou beach canada 150 homecoming 2017) and on Twitter (@WM_Homecoming17).
“It is going to be a fun time and a great opportunity to share stories, rekindle friendships and make new memories.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 2, 2017
Water rushes into local business
By Daniel Bushman
It was a rather unusual and unfortunate sight on main street in Watrous as water spewed out of a portion of the road, forcing motorists and those walking to take a detour. The water pipe burst also wreaked havoc on at least one local business while forcing crews to shutoff water to a portion of Watrous until the pipe was replaced.
Like a fountain at a mall, water gushed up from below the road just before 5 p.m. Dec. 19 near Video Stop, located at the corner of 3rd Ave. and Main Street. While the water eventually disappeared below the surface, it found its way to the local video rental place and promptly began filling up the building’s basement.
Comparing it to a fast flowing waterfall, owner of Video Stop Earl Hayhurst said the water gushed below the main floor for approximately five hours before it started to let up.
“I have never seen anything like that before,” said Hayhurst. “It was incredible how much water came in. I felt helpless just watching it pour into my basement. Some of the water also managed to seep in from the roadway and into the front entrance.”
Located in the former Roxy Theatre, Hayhurst estimated at one point there was about 15 inches of water throughout the entire basement. Considering at one time the building contained a giant movie screen, space for seating and a concession area, that is a substantial amount of water filling up a large area.
“There were originally two sump pumps down there trying to get the water out but it eventually flooded my furnace so we had to bring in additional help. Richardson Services brought their units in and hauled away nine trucks worth of water and it was still coming in.”
While the water eventually did subside, Hayhurst said his basement was transformed into a pit of mud and without a furnace, the main level was a little cool.
“A new furnace is now installed but until then I had my heaters blasting heat to keep things warm.”
Watrous Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said the old cast line that burst was part of the original installation many years ago. Once the pipe in question was located, it had a gaping hole in the side of it. While Tarasoff did not speculate on what caused it to break, a lot of work went into finding and fixing the broken pipe.
“We had to turn off water to a couple of blocks to isolate the leak. We had some newer pipe that we used for repairs about 13 years ago that we dug towards and then went from there to find the leak. I would estimate it was about 25 feet of pipe that we exposed before the hole was found.”
With crews working hard Monday night and all day Tuesday, the pipe was replaced and water turned back on for residents and businesses after 5 p.m. Dec. 20.
“That was quite the event,” said Hayhurst. “I appreciated the job the crew did to help get things fixed. I used to like waterfalls but now I’m not so sure.”
By Daniel Bushman
It was a rather unusual and unfortunate sight on main street in Watrous as water spewed out of a portion of the road, forcing motorists and those walking to take a detour. The water pipe burst also wreaked havoc on at least one local business while forcing crews to shutoff water to a portion of Watrous until the pipe was replaced.
Like a fountain at a mall, water gushed up from below the road just before 5 p.m. Dec. 19 near Video Stop, located at the corner of 3rd Ave. and Main Street. While the water eventually disappeared below the surface, it found its way to the local video rental place and promptly began filling up the building’s basement.
Comparing it to a fast flowing waterfall, owner of Video Stop Earl Hayhurst said the water gushed below the main floor for approximately five hours before it started to let up.
“I have never seen anything like that before,” said Hayhurst. “It was incredible how much water came in. I felt helpless just watching it pour into my basement. Some of the water also managed to seep in from the roadway and into the front entrance.”
Located in the former Roxy Theatre, Hayhurst estimated at one point there was about 15 inches of water throughout the entire basement. Considering at one time the building contained a giant movie screen, space for seating and a concession area, that is a substantial amount of water filling up a large area.
“There were originally two sump pumps down there trying to get the water out but it eventually flooded my furnace so we had to bring in additional help. Richardson Services brought their units in and hauled away nine trucks worth of water and it was still coming in.”
While the water eventually did subside, Hayhurst said his basement was transformed into a pit of mud and without a furnace, the main level was a little cool.
“A new furnace is now installed but until then I had my heaters blasting heat to keep things warm.”
Watrous Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said the old cast line that burst was part of the original installation many years ago. Once the pipe in question was located, it had a gaping hole in the side of it. While Tarasoff did not speculate on what caused it to break, a lot of work went into finding and fixing the broken pipe.
“We had to turn off water to a couple of blocks to isolate the leak. We had some newer pipe that we used for repairs about 13 years ago that we dug towards and then went from there to find the leak. I would estimate it was about 25 feet of pipe that we exposed before the hole was found.”
With crews working hard Monday night and all day Tuesday, the pipe was replaced and water turned back on for residents and businesses after 5 p.m. Dec. 20.
“That was quite the event,” said Hayhurst. “I appreciated the job the crew did to help get things fixed. I used to like waterfalls but now I’m not so sure.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 19, 2016
The Mosaic Company makes donation towards Manitou Beach
By Daniel Bushman
An early Christmas present arrived for the resort village of Manitou Beach as The Mosaic Company donated $150,000 to help out the community deal with its high water levels. Following the flooding situation closely this year, Public Affairs Manager for Mosaic Tyler Hopson said the company felt it was important to step up and lend a hand.
“We came out to Manitou Beach in September and met with Mayor Gerry Worobec and our eyes were opened with how much of an issue the high water levels have become.”
With employees from Mosaic’s Colonsay potash mine residing in Watrous, Manitou Beach and the surrounding area, Hopson said the company felt it was important to contribute towards the resort’s berm raise project and keep the high water levels at bay.
“This is an important spot for the province and it is very unique with a lot of history. We really feel that this area is something worth preserving.”
Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec said the generous donation from Mosaic will have a tremendous impact on the finances of the resort community.
“As a government agency, we do not have a lot of surplus revenue and have had to borrow in order to fund our portion of the flood prevention project. Our portion of the recent emergency flood prevention construction could exceed $1 million dollars and we intend to use $100,000 of Mosaic’s generous grant to offset these costs. We are allocating the remaining balance of $50,000 toward a long term/permanent solution such as a water diversion project or something similar.”
Earlier this year, Manitou Beach was approved for up to $3.877 million through the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program and work got underway in the fall. That funding is what is being used to pay for the raising of the existing berm by one metre to protect residents, businesses, regional park areas, Camp Easter Seal and infrastructure like sewage lift stations.
With the warmer weather in November, Worobec said the work on the one metre berm raise project progressed nicely including a new beachfront area.
“Many beach businesses, historic landmarks and valued residential properties have been saved from future flooding and possible disaster through the construction of elevated berms.”
Now that the work is winding down, the village is anticipating the completion of all planned construction except for the paving of Lake Avenue, which will take place in the spring of 2017, along with beautification.
“Currently, the construction taking place at Wellington Creek - a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike - will protect it from future rising lake levels. Overall, we are more than pleased with how all of this has turned out and it has been a pleasure to work with Golder Associates Ltd., the Water Security Agency’s Flood Reduction Program, and all of the subcontractors. We thank everyone who has been involved on every level, at every stage of the process.”
By Daniel Bushman
An early Christmas present arrived for the resort village of Manitou Beach as The Mosaic Company donated $150,000 to help out the community deal with its high water levels. Following the flooding situation closely this year, Public Affairs Manager for Mosaic Tyler Hopson said the company felt it was important to step up and lend a hand.
“We came out to Manitou Beach in September and met with Mayor Gerry Worobec and our eyes were opened with how much of an issue the high water levels have become.”
With employees from Mosaic’s Colonsay potash mine residing in Watrous, Manitou Beach and the surrounding area, Hopson said the company felt it was important to contribute towards the resort’s berm raise project and keep the high water levels at bay.
“This is an important spot for the province and it is very unique with a lot of history. We really feel that this area is something worth preserving.”
Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec said the generous donation from Mosaic will have a tremendous impact on the finances of the resort community.
“As a government agency, we do not have a lot of surplus revenue and have had to borrow in order to fund our portion of the flood prevention project. Our portion of the recent emergency flood prevention construction could exceed $1 million dollars and we intend to use $100,000 of Mosaic’s generous grant to offset these costs. We are allocating the remaining balance of $50,000 toward a long term/permanent solution such as a water diversion project or something similar.”
Earlier this year, Manitou Beach was approved for up to $3.877 million through the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program and work got underway in the fall. That funding is what is being used to pay for the raising of the existing berm by one metre to protect residents, businesses, regional park areas, Camp Easter Seal and infrastructure like sewage lift stations.
With the warmer weather in November, Worobec said the work on the one metre berm raise project progressed nicely including a new beachfront area.
“Many beach businesses, historic landmarks and valued residential properties have been saved from future flooding and possible disaster through the construction of elevated berms.”
Now that the work is winding down, the village is anticipating the completion of all planned construction except for the paving of Lake Avenue, which will take place in the spring of 2017, along with beautification.
“Currently, the construction taking place at Wellington Creek - a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike - will protect it from future rising lake levels. Overall, we are more than pleased with how all of this has turned out and it has been a pleasure to work with Golder Associates Ltd., the Water Security Agency’s Flood Reduction Program, and all of the subcontractors. We thank everyone who has been involved on every level, at every stage of the process.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 12, 2016
Couple named Citizens of the Year
By Daniel Bushman
Synonymous with the annual Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine, this year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year have spent countless hours organizing the longest running annual event in the community, something that has gained provincial and national notoriety.
Recognized for their hard work and dedication within the community, Watrous residents Jason and Laura Lindgren were named this year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year.
Honoured at the Town of Watrous’ Christmas party Dec. 8 and nominated by Andy and Irena Broadfoot, when Jason first received the call that he and Laura were named citizens of the year, he said, “Oh, thank you.”
Laura said her husband came home and told her they would be going to the town’s Christmas party this year and she thought that would be a nice idea.
“Then he told me we were the Watrous Citizens of the Year,” Laura said. “I responded with a yeah right, really? I was definitely surprised!”
Coming the same year as the annual Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine marked its 25th year, the newest citizens of the year have spent countless hours volunteering for that event; something they are proud of being able to put on year after year.
“It has been a major part of our lives and our family’s lives since 1996,” Jason said. “We don’t eat at our kitchen table from May until August as it becomes the Fun Run office. Once the car show is over, you start planning for next year.”
Both said being able to give back to the community through the annual event has been important to them.
“It seems that everyone’s lives are so busy and preoccupied that there are less and less people around willing to get involved with local clubs and organizations that are such an important part of living in a rural community.”
Featuring vehicles of all makes and models, Main Street in Watrous is packed from one end to the other during a Saturday in July as part of the annual Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine. Thanks to the Lindgrens and other volunteers, the show has grown to become one of the largest car shows in rural Saskatchewan. Consistently attracting over 175 entries for the annual event, the show and shine also includes a full day of family-oriented events.
“The growing success of the event keeps us going and we would hate to see that come to an end. We are always trying to grow the show and the friends and people you meet are a big part of why we keep doing it. From what we understand, this is the longest running event that the Town of Watrous has hosted.”
In the nomination letter submitted by Andy and Irena Broadfood it states almost any car enthusiast will say the event is always a success, getting bigger and better every year.
“Year after year they and their dedicated team of volunteers put on this spectacular event and it is appreciated, known and endorsed all across Canada,” remarked Irena.
Broadfoot said what makes the Lindgrens so passionate about the Fun Run is they are car and community people to the core. “Jason has always lent a hand or a spare part or elbow grease or expertise to assist a fellow gear head in their latest project. One cool thing about the Lindgrens is that they treat everyone equal.”
Irena said there is no possibility to repay them for their countless hours that they donated to the event. “Nor could we put a monetary value on the advertising, exposure and good will that the Watrous and Manitou area has received from the Fun Run. And all because one family has stood by and taken this event to the next level.”
While Jason and Laura were quick to deflect praise, adding the event is an achievement of many, they did appreciate the recognition of being honoured as this year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year.
Growing the Fun Run over the years, both Jason and Laura have also been an integral part of the community in other ways including being on the Relay for Life committee.
As for Jason, he knows Watrous well as he was born and raised in the community. After graduating from high school, he worked for Hayter Drilling and was an apprentice mechanic at Acme Service in Watrous. From there he made the move from grease to canola oil and attended Kelsey Professional Cooking with the purpose of returning to Watrous to open Paul’s Place Restaurant.
“My parents Joan and Paul Smorodin had been successful business entrepreneurs in Watrous in the early 1960s. They owned and operated a pool hall, a TV and radio business, an auto wrecker, an auto body, flipped numerous homes and brought fast food to Watrous when they built and operated the Original Burger King in town and at Manitou Beach. The one at Manitou Beach is still in operation with very few changes since it was built.”
Jason was able to attain his dream of opening a restaurant and along with Laura and his mom Joan, built and opened Paul’s Place in 1987. Later Joan sold her shares to Jason and Laura and they continued to manage the restaurant until selling it after their 20th anniversary in December of 2007.
Jason was also one of 12 enrolled in the pilot day release apprenticeship cooking program and received his Red Seal Certification in 1989. He was also a member of the provincial cook trade board in addition to the curriculum and development committee for the cook trade.
“I also served as an active board member of the local Chamber of Commerce, the Watrous Curling Club and helped out as a Beaver leader with the local Cubs and Beavers.”
Most recently, since 2008, Jason has worked as a sales consultant for Mainline Motors.
While Jason is originally from Watrous, Laura was born in Noranda, Que. and moved to Young in 1967 when Noranda opened what is now known as the Mosaic Colonsay mine.
After graduation she went to Saskatoon Business College and was employed with Northland Stationers. Moving to Watrous in 1987, she and Jason combined to work in the restaurant business. Many who ate at Paul’s Place might remember the famous House dip and Caesar dressing, something that Laura was responsible for.
“I will still make it on occasion,” she said.
Laura started working for Watrous Insurance Brokers in 2009 and then Western Financial Group in Watrous. She now works from home for Western Financial Group’s head office in High River, Alta. as part of their central processing unit.
Married in 1988, the pair have two children, a son Aaron born in 1990 and a daughter Delaney born in 1992.
“Aaron lives in Toronto now and is the Director of Fuels for Mac’s Convenience and Delaney is married and lives in Watrous. She is a dance teacher in Aberdeen and Imperial.”
During Delaney’s dancing years as a student, Laura was an active member of the Watrous School of Dance executive as treasurer, co-president and then spent two terms on the Dance Festival Committee.
“We moved back to Watrous not only to start a business but also to raise our children close to family and friends, knowing Watrous had everything to offer.”
Now almost 30 years after their decision to return to the area, the pair now bear the distinction of being Watrous Citizens of the Year.
As for whether or not the couple will continue their hard work with the car show?
“Every year Laura says this is our last year and I pretend I don’t hear her,” Jason laughed. “I guess she needs to stop asking because she knows the answer. The phone is already ringing for next year’s event. The 26th annual will be July 29th, 2017. See you there!”
By Daniel Bushman
Synonymous with the annual Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine, this year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year have spent countless hours organizing the longest running annual event in the community, something that has gained provincial and national notoriety.
Recognized for their hard work and dedication within the community, Watrous residents Jason and Laura Lindgren were named this year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year.
Honoured at the Town of Watrous’ Christmas party Dec. 8 and nominated by Andy and Irena Broadfoot, when Jason first received the call that he and Laura were named citizens of the year, he said, “Oh, thank you.”
Laura said her husband came home and told her they would be going to the town’s Christmas party this year and she thought that would be a nice idea.
“Then he told me we were the Watrous Citizens of the Year,” Laura said. “I responded with a yeah right, really? I was definitely surprised!”
Coming the same year as the annual Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine marked its 25th year, the newest citizens of the year have spent countless hours volunteering for that event; something they are proud of being able to put on year after year.
“It has been a major part of our lives and our family’s lives since 1996,” Jason said. “We don’t eat at our kitchen table from May until August as it becomes the Fun Run office. Once the car show is over, you start planning for next year.”
Both said being able to give back to the community through the annual event has been important to them.
“It seems that everyone’s lives are so busy and preoccupied that there are less and less people around willing to get involved with local clubs and organizations that are such an important part of living in a rural community.”
Featuring vehicles of all makes and models, Main Street in Watrous is packed from one end to the other during a Saturday in July as part of the annual Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine. Thanks to the Lindgrens and other volunteers, the show has grown to become one of the largest car shows in rural Saskatchewan. Consistently attracting over 175 entries for the annual event, the show and shine also includes a full day of family-oriented events.
“The growing success of the event keeps us going and we would hate to see that come to an end. We are always trying to grow the show and the friends and people you meet are a big part of why we keep doing it. From what we understand, this is the longest running event that the Town of Watrous has hosted.”
In the nomination letter submitted by Andy and Irena Broadfood it states almost any car enthusiast will say the event is always a success, getting bigger and better every year.
“Year after year they and their dedicated team of volunteers put on this spectacular event and it is appreciated, known and endorsed all across Canada,” remarked Irena.
Broadfoot said what makes the Lindgrens so passionate about the Fun Run is they are car and community people to the core. “Jason has always lent a hand or a spare part or elbow grease or expertise to assist a fellow gear head in their latest project. One cool thing about the Lindgrens is that they treat everyone equal.”
Irena said there is no possibility to repay them for their countless hours that they donated to the event. “Nor could we put a monetary value on the advertising, exposure and good will that the Watrous and Manitou area has received from the Fun Run. And all because one family has stood by and taken this event to the next level.”
While Jason and Laura were quick to deflect praise, adding the event is an achievement of many, they did appreciate the recognition of being honoured as this year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year.
Growing the Fun Run over the years, both Jason and Laura have also been an integral part of the community in other ways including being on the Relay for Life committee.
As for Jason, he knows Watrous well as he was born and raised in the community. After graduating from high school, he worked for Hayter Drilling and was an apprentice mechanic at Acme Service in Watrous. From there he made the move from grease to canola oil and attended Kelsey Professional Cooking with the purpose of returning to Watrous to open Paul’s Place Restaurant.
“My parents Joan and Paul Smorodin had been successful business entrepreneurs in Watrous in the early 1960s. They owned and operated a pool hall, a TV and radio business, an auto wrecker, an auto body, flipped numerous homes and brought fast food to Watrous when they built and operated the Original Burger King in town and at Manitou Beach. The one at Manitou Beach is still in operation with very few changes since it was built.”
Jason was able to attain his dream of opening a restaurant and along with Laura and his mom Joan, built and opened Paul’s Place in 1987. Later Joan sold her shares to Jason and Laura and they continued to manage the restaurant until selling it after their 20th anniversary in December of 2007.
Jason was also one of 12 enrolled in the pilot day release apprenticeship cooking program and received his Red Seal Certification in 1989. He was also a member of the provincial cook trade board in addition to the curriculum and development committee for the cook trade.
“I also served as an active board member of the local Chamber of Commerce, the Watrous Curling Club and helped out as a Beaver leader with the local Cubs and Beavers.”
Most recently, since 2008, Jason has worked as a sales consultant for Mainline Motors.
While Jason is originally from Watrous, Laura was born in Noranda, Que. and moved to Young in 1967 when Noranda opened what is now known as the Mosaic Colonsay mine.
After graduation she went to Saskatoon Business College and was employed with Northland Stationers. Moving to Watrous in 1987, she and Jason combined to work in the restaurant business. Many who ate at Paul’s Place might remember the famous House dip and Caesar dressing, something that Laura was responsible for.
“I will still make it on occasion,” she said.
Laura started working for Watrous Insurance Brokers in 2009 and then Western Financial Group in Watrous. She now works from home for Western Financial Group’s head office in High River, Alta. as part of their central processing unit.
Married in 1988, the pair have two children, a son Aaron born in 1990 and a daughter Delaney born in 1992.
“Aaron lives in Toronto now and is the Director of Fuels for Mac’s Convenience and Delaney is married and lives in Watrous. She is a dance teacher in Aberdeen and Imperial.”
During Delaney’s dancing years as a student, Laura was an active member of the Watrous School of Dance executive as treasurer, co-president and then spent two terms on the Dance Festival Committee.
“We moved back to Watrous not only to start a business but also to raise our children close to family and friends, knowing Watrous had everything to offer.”
Now almost 30 years after their decision to return to the area, the pair now bear the distinction of being Watrous Citizens of the Year.
As for whether or not the couple will continue their hard work with the car show?
“Every year Laura says this is our last year and I pretend I don’t hear her,” Jason laughed. “I guess she needs to stop asking because she knows the answer. The phone is already ringing for next year’s event. The 26th annual will be July 29th, 2017. See you there!”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 5, 2016
Ingram having year to remember
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Perhaps it was destiny when Connor Ingram first put on a Long Lake Lightning jersey during his minor hockey days or maybe it was just meant to be that the Imperial product would one day be drafted by a team with the lightning logo. After having his named called by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round of this year’s NHL Entry Draft, Ingram has been enjoying quite the year. Not only did the Imperial native get selected by the Lighting but he is currently one of the top netminders in the Western Hockey League and could very well get a call to be one of this year’s goaltenders at the World Junior Hockey Championships later this month.
For a guy who grew up playing mini sticks against his older brothers in the living room of his parent’s home to being asked to play goal for older age groups during his minor hockey days, Connor has excelled in his hockey career over the years.
A couple weeks after being drafted by the Lightning and during a brief pit stop at his parent’s home, Connor along with dad Brent and mom Joni graciously opened their home to The Watrous Manitou to chat about the whirlwind year.
Since that time visiting with the Ingrams, Connor’s year to remember has continued to provide memorable moments with a mention in the Hockey News while grabbing the attention of members of the national media. In the Hockey News, Ryan Kennedy featured Ingram as a ‘Prospect Need To Know’ while TSN’s Bob McKenzie wrote that Ingram and Carter Hart of Everett have been the best Canadian goalies in junior hockey this season.
“And it really hasn’t been close either,” McKenzie wrote. “Barring unforeseen developments, they are expected to be Team Canada’s tandem.”
If McKenzie’s prognostication is correct and Ingram nabs a spot at Hockey Canada’s selection camp, then not only will a kid from Imperial be wearing the Canadian colours later this month but he will be joined by another Imperial native, Kris Knoblauch, who was selected to help guide the team from the bench.
When asked about potentially making team Canada and joining Knoblauch, Connor said, “It would be pretty cool to have a couple of us from Imperial supporting Canada. It is crazy to think it could happen. I know I spent a lot of time as a kid playing World Juniors in my head at the rink.”
With around 350 people residing in Imperial, Connor’s dad Brent said to have two people potentially involved at the World Junior tournament from the community would be something special.
“It is fantastic that Kris has made it. He has put in so much time and is such an outstanding coach, having success everywhere he goes. If Connor got lucky and made it, to have two people from this tiny town that would be something, especially since it could happen at the same time.”
Joni said the family is very familiar with the World Junior tournament and it has become a part of their Christmas tradition as they watch it on TV each year. This year would be no different although if her son made the team, they would be watching from the stands not their couch.
“Well I would be too nervous to watch so I would probably be hiding in the washroom or something, but we would be there,” Joni quipped.
And it could very well happen as Connor currently sits second in the WHL with a .933 save percentage and third with a goals against average of 2.23. Ingram’s record through 22 games was 12-9-1 and he has recorded one shutout.
“That would be so cool to see him play and this year the tournament is in Toronto and Montreal so Canada would be very well supported by the hometown crowd.”
While the waiting game is on for Connor as to whether or not he will be selected to make team Canada, there is no question as to his NHL draft status.
Taken in the third round and number 88 overall, the 19-year-old prospect shared his experience about getting the call in June that he was part of the Lightning organization.
With his flight just about set to take off, Ingram was informed that he had been drafted in the NHL. Bottled up with excitement, he then had to turn his phone off and wait to land before sharing the news.
“It was pretty cool,” Connor said about getting the call. “I found out right before we left so I basically had to turn my phone off. It was a gruelling hour before I could figure out what was going on but it was fun. When I landed, I turned my phone back on and there were over 100 texts.”
From there, Ingram essentially repacked his bags and headed to Tampa Bay to take part in a rookie and prospect camp.
“It was a lot more intense than anything I had ever been at before. It was a tough week but a fun week.”
During his time south of the border, Ingram met the man that drafted him, NHL legend and general manager Steve Yzerman.
“Me and another goalie were the only two left in the room and Mr. Yzerman came in and introduced himself, like we didn’t know who he was,” Ingram chuckled.
Brent said when he and Joni heard about their son being drafted, it was an exciting moment. “It is always fun as a parent seeing your kids reach goals they want and set in life. So many kids play hockey and don’t get a chance to do that and he did. I think it is just as exciting to see him set a goal in life and reach it.”
While Connor now finds himself the property of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, Joni said there were certainly bumps along the way to get there.
Since there were not a lot of kids that suited up to play hockey in Imperial, Connor would play defense in his age category and goal for his older brother’s team, which was also coached by his dad.
“As a goaltender he was always playing in an age group above,” Brent said. “When he was six, he was playing two age groups above. On his older brother Keeran’s team, we had players from Dilke, Girvin, Holdfast, Penzance, Imperial, Simpson and Stalwart and our population was still small enough to play D in provincials.”
Joni added that Connor was always younger than everyone else and some days he would be sick but would have to play because there was no one else to take his spot.
“That was what small town hockey was like. You had a little bit of representation from everywhere. We would go into provincials with two lines and three defenseman and one goalie.”
Over the next few years as Connor got older, there were not enough players left to form a team in his age group. While his three older brothers (Bryce, Mark and Keeran) were able to finish their minor hockey in Watrous, Connor headed to Clavet to play net.
“It seemed sad to me at the time to see him give up playing defense,” Joni said. “I always found the goaltending position to be a bit more stressful so I preferred when he played out.”
Playing in Clavet and being the netminder on a more regular basis, Connor began making the transition as he refined his craft. Then, a few years later came his time in Prince Albert.
Ingram joined the Midget AAA team during the 2013-‘14 season and had a 16-4-3 record with a 1.98 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. After being named the top netminder in the SMAAAHL, Connor and the Mintos advanced to the Telus Cup. Reaching the finals, Ingram made 60 saves in that final contest to help his team take gold in triple overtime.
“That was probably one of the most fun things I’ve done,” said Connor. “That memory is definitely up there and it was fun living in the city of Prince Albert.”
As his Midget career came to an end and despite a WHL camp invite in Victoria not working out, Ingram tried his hand at Kamloops.
“I actually didn’t really want to go. I was going to miss the start of camp for football in Watrous and I wanted to be a starter that year for the Wildcats.”
Putting his desire to play six-man football aside, Ingram headed west to Kamloops to give it a try. The Blazers liked what they saw and brought him on board. Since then, he has been the club’s netminder.
“Kamloops is a great place. It is a very hockey based community and they treat you well.”
Having that support helped Ingram on the ice as he was named the team MVP and also found himself receiving WHL goalie of the week honours on a few occasions last season.
A modest and laid back individual, Connor was quick to deflect praise for his milestones and credits his family and coaches who have helped him out along the way.
“My family for sure have been great. It has also been crazy the amount of people around town that reach out to you during the year when you are struggling or anything like that. Being from a small town, it is that much more special. It is a place that supports me.”
Ingram said it is also nice to return home and head to the rink in Imperial where his career first began.
“It is fun to go back, even hearing the sound of the front door, you can always tell when someone is coming into the rink. It is a cool place to go back to and I spent a lot of time down there. They have great burgers and when the curling bonspiels were on, there were people everywhere.”
Joni said being able to live in Imperial and receive the support from the community throughout Connor’s hockey journey has been tremendous.
“There is a sense of community and it is just amazing in a small town when something like this happens. It is very incredible and it is neat because there are people who don’t really watch hockey but are watching Connor. Our neighbour is 94 and likes to watch Connor play when he is on TV.”
For a young netminder who was assessed a penalty each time he shot a ball at his parent’s venetians while playing mini sticks to now making stellar glove saves on national TV, the next chapter of his hockey career could very well be another one to remember.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Perhaps it was destiny when Connor Ingram first put on a Long Lake Lightning jersey during his minor hockey days or maybe it was just meant to be that the Imperial product would one day be drafted by a team with the lightning logo. After having his named called by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round of this year’s NHL Entry Draft, Ingram has been enjoying quite the year. Not only did the Imperial native get selected by the Lighting but he is currently one of the top netminders in the Western Hockey League and could very well get a call to be one of this year’s goaltenders at the World Junior Hockey Championships later this month.
For a guy who grew up playing mini sticks against his older brothers in the living room of his parent’s home to being asked to play goal for older age groups during his minor hockey days, Connor has excelled in his hockey career over the years.
A couple weeks after being drafted by the Lightning and during a brief pit stop at his parent’s home, Connor along with dad Brent and mom Joni graciously opened their home to The Watrous Manitou to chat about the whirlwind year.
Since that time visiting with the Ingrams, Connor’s year to remember has continued to provide memorable moments with a mention in the Hockey News while grabbing the attention of members of the national media. In the Hockey News, Ryan Kennedy featured Ingram as a ‘Prospect Need To Know’ while TSN’s Bob McKenzie wrote that Ingram and Carter Hart of Everett have been the best Canadian goalies in junior hockey this season.
“And it really hasn’t been close either,” McKenzie wrote. “Barring unforeseen developments, they are expected to be Team Canada’s tandem.”
If McKenzie’s prognostication is correct and Ingram nabs a spot at Hockey Canada’s selection camp, then not only will a kid from Imperial be wearing the Canadian colours later this month but he will be joined by another Imperial native, Kris Knoblauch, who was selected to help guide the team from the bench.
When asked about potentially making team Canada and joining Knoblauch, Connor said, “It would be pretty cool to have a couple of us from Imperial supporting Canada. It is crazy to think it could happen. I know I spent a lot of time as a kid playing World Juniors in my head at the rink.”
With around 350 people residing in Imperial, Connor’s dad Brent said to have two people potentially involved at the World Junior tournament from the community would be something special.
“It is fantastic that Kris has made it. He has put in so much time and is such an outstanding coach, having success everywhere he goes. If Connor got lucky and made it, to have two people from this tiny town that would be something, especially since it could happen at the same time.”
Joni said the family is very familiar with the World Junior tournament and it has become a part of their Christmas tradition as they watch it on TV each year. This year would be no different although if her son made the team, they would be watching from the stands not their couch.
“Well I would be too nervous to watch so I would probably be hiding in the washroom or something, but we would be there,” Joni quipped.
And it could very well happen as Connor currently sits second in the WHL with a .933 save percentage and third with a goals against average of 2.23. Ingram’s record through 22 games was 12-9-1 and he has recorded one shutout.
“That would be so cool to see him play and this year the tournament is in Toronto and Montreal so Canada would be very well supported by the hometown crowd.”
While the waiting game is on for Connor as to whether or not he will be selected to make team Canada, there is no question as to his NHL draft status.
Taken in the third round and number 88 overall, the 19-year-old prospect shared his experience about getting the call in June that he was part of the Lightning organization.
With his flight just about set to take off, Ingram was informed that he had been drafted in the NHL. Bottled up with excitement, he then had to turn his phone off and wait to land before sharing the news.
“It was pretty cool,” Connor said about getting the call. “I found out right before we left so I basically had to turn my phone off. It was a gruelling hour before I could figure out what was going on but it was fun. When I landed, I turned my phone back on and there were over 100 texts.”
From there, Ingram essentially repacked his bags and headed to Tampa Bay to take part in a rookie and prospect camp.
“It was a lot more intense than anything I had ever been at before. It was a tough week but a fun week.”
During his time south of the border, Ingram met the man that drafted him, NHL legend and general manager Steve Yzerman.
“Me and another goalie were the only two left in the room and Mr. Yzerman came in and introduced himself, like we didn’t know who he was,” Ingram chuckled.
Brent said when he and Joni heard about their son being drafted, it was an exciting moment. “It is always fun as a parent seeing your kids reach goals they want and set in life. So many kids play hockey and don’t get a chance to do that and he did. I think it is just as exciting to see him set a goal in life and reach it.”
While Connor now finds himself the property of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, Joni said there were certainly bumps along the way to get there.
Since there were not a lot of kids that suited up to play hockey in Imperial, Connor would play defense in his age category and goal for his older brother’s team, which was also coached by his dad.
“As a goaltender he was always playing in an age group above,” Brent said. “When he was six, he was playing two age groups above. On his older brother Keeran’s team, we had players from Dilke, Girvin, Holdfast, Penzance, Imperial, Simpson and Stalwart and our population was still small enough to play D in provincials.”
Joni added that Connor was always younger than everyone else and some days he would be sick but would have to play because there was no one else to take his spot.
“That was what small town hockey was like. You had a little bit of representation from everywhere. We would go into provincials with two lines and three defenseman and one goalie.”
Over the next few years as Connor got older, there were not enough players left to form a team in his age group. While his three older brothers (Bryce, Mark and Keeran) were able to finish their minor hockey in Watrous, Connor headed to Clavet to play net.
“It seemed sad to me at the time to see him give up playing defense,” Joni said. “I always found the goaltending position to be a bit more stressful so I preferred when he played out.”
Playing in Clavet and being the netminder on a more regular basis, Connor began making the transition as he refined his craft. Then, a few years later came his time in Prince Albert.
Ingram joined the Midget AAA team during the 2013-‘14 season and had a 16-4-3 record with a 1.98 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. After being named the top netminder in the SMAAAHL, Connor and the Mintos advanced to the Telus Cup. Reaching the finals, Ingram made 60 saves in that final contest to help his team take gold in triple overtime.
“That was probably one of the most fun things I’ve done,” said Connor. “That memory is definitely up there and it was fun living in the city of Prince Albert.”
As his Midget career came to an end and despite a WHL camp invite in Victoria not working out, Ingram tried his hand at Kamloops.
“I actually didn’t really want to go. I was going to miss the start of camp for football in Watrous and I wanted to be a starter that year for the Wildcats.”
Putting his desire to play six-man football aside, Ingram headed west to Kamloops to give it a try. The Blazers liked what they saw and brought him on board. Since then, he has been the club’s netminder.
“Kamloops is a great place. It is a very hockey based community and they treat you well.”
Having that support helped Ingram on the ice as he was named the team MVP and also found himself receiving WHL goalie of the week honours on a few occasions last season.
A modest and laid back individual, Connor was quick to deflect praise for his milestones and credits his family and coaches who have helped him out along the way.
“My family for sure have been great. It has also been crazy the amount of people around town that reach out to you during the year when you are struggling or anything like that. Being from a small town, it is that much more special. It is a place that supports me.”
Ingram said it is also nice to return home and head to the rink in Imperial where his career first began.
“It is fun to go back, even hearing the sound of the front door, you can always tell when someone is coming into the rink. It is a cool place to go back to and I spent a lot of time down there. They have great burgers and when the curling bonspiels were on, there were people everywhere.”
Joni said being able to live in Imperial and receive the support from the community throughout Connor’s hockey journey has been tremendous.
“There is a sense of community and it is just amazing in a small town when something like this happens. It is very incredible and it is neat because there are people who don’t really watch hockey but are watching Connor. Our neighbour is 94 and likes to watch Connor play when he is on TV.”
For a young netminder who was assessed a penalty each time he shot a ball at his parent’s venetians while playing mini sticks to now making stellar glove saves on national TV, the next chapter of his hockey career could very well be another one to remember.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 28, 2016
Changes and adjustments taking place at Potash Corporation
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Approximately 100 permanent employee and 40 temporary positions are being reduced at Potash Corporation’s Cory potash facility while production is being curtailed at both of the company’s Lanigan and Allan mines.
The potash giant outlined its operational changes and inventory adjustments Nov. 23 with the Cory workforce reduction primarily taking effect in February and the remaining changes occurring in the third quarter of 2017.
“This is a difficult day for our employees and their families, and we are committed to helping those affected through this transition,” said Mark Fracchia, President PCS Potash. “We are making this decision to optimize production to our lowest cost operations, including Rocanville and other Saskatchewan sites, where new capacity was added and employment levels have risen by approximately 265 since 2014.”
The operational changes at the Cory potash facility will involve a move to produce only white potash with an expected operational capability of approximately 0.8 million tonnes. The company said the facility previously had a capability of around 1.4 million tonnes and produced both red and white potash. Overall those changes will see a reduction of approximately 100 permanent employees and 40 temporary positions while about 350 employees will remain at the site.
“PotashCorp is intent on providing severance packages, assistance, transition programs and information on existing openings at other sites for affected employees. The operational change is not expected to impact the availability or quality of products across the company’s portfolio of operations and, as such, impacts to customers are not anticipated.”
As for the Lanigan and Allan mines, the company said with the ramp up of additional low cost production from the Rocanville site and consistent with Potash Corporation’s practice of matching supply with market demand, Lanigan will curtail its production for six weeks beginning January 2017 and Allan will curtail production for 12 weeks beginning February 2017.
Potash Corporation said the number of temporary layoffs associated with those inventory adjustments are not known at this time as the company continues to assess the opportunities for reassigning positions to capital and maintenance projects during the down time.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Approximately 100 permanent employee and 40 temporary positions are being reduced at Potash Corporation’s Cory potash facility while production is being curtailed at both of the company’s Lanigan and Allan mines.
The potash giant outlined its operational changes and inventory adjustments Nov. 23 with the Cory workforce reduction primarily taking effect in February and the remaining changes occurring in the third quarter of 2017.
“This is a difficult day for our employees and their families, and we are committed to helping those affected through this transition,” said Mark Fracchia, President PCS Potash. “We are making this decision to optimize production to our lowest cost operations, including Rocanville and other Saskatchewan sites, where new capacity was added and employment levels have risen by approximately 265 since 2014.”
The operational changes at the Cory potash facility will involve a move to produce only white potash with an expected operational capability of approximately 0.8 million tonnes. The company said the facility previously had a capability of around 1.4 million tonnes and produced both red and white potash. Overall those changes will see a reduction of approximately 100 permanent employees and 40 temporary positions while about 350 employees will remain at the site.
“PotashCorp is intent on providing severance packages, assistance, transition programs and information on existing openings at other sites for affected employees. The operational change is not expected to impact the availability or quality of products across the company’s portfolio of operations and, as such, impacts to customers are not anticipated.”
As for the Lanigan and Allan mines, the company said with the ramp up of additional low cost production from the Rocanville site and consistent with Potash Corporation’s practice of matching supply with market demand, Lanigan will curtail its production for six weeks beginning January 2017 and Allan will curtail production for 12 weeks beginning February 2017.
Potash Corporation said the number of temporary layoffs associated with those inventory adjustments are not known at this time as the company continues to assess the opportunities for reassigning positions to capital and maintenance projects during the down time.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 21, 2016
Extensive work being conducted by SaskPower
By Daniel Bushman
Ensuring customers have reliable power while supporting future economic growth in the region is SaskPower’s goal as work continues in the area. The extensive work is taking place in an area encompassing communities like Watrous, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Viscount, Drake, Lanigan, Humboldt, Bruno and Annaheim.
SaskPower said it has started construction on its new $3 million Watrous substation in September to replace the existing 1950s vintage station. “Substations are critical electrical infrastructure transforming electricity from high to low voltage so we can deliver power to customers.”
Part of that construction also includes building new power lines to connect the new station to the existing system. While some of the work is weather dependent, SaskPower is hoping to have everything in service by early 2017.
“The new substation will serve customers in: Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Liberty, Holdfast, Stalwart, Penzance, as well as the Rural Municipalities of Arm River, Big Arm, McCraney, Morris, Sarnia, Wood Creek, Wreford and surrounding areas.”
While work continues on the new substation, SaskPower said in 2016, residential and commercial customers within the area made over 40 new connection or reconstruction requests. “Additional maintenance work in the region, worth over $3.5 million, includes replacement/reinforcement of aging wood poles, upgrades to electrical devices that assist our field technicians in troubleshooting and locating problems in our system, relocating/upgrading overhead power lines out of the middle of farmers’ fields and remediating power structures located in water-logged areas.”
Since system improvements are ongoing, SaskPower said there may be planned outages. “Customers will be notified in advance. Planned power outages are listed on saskpower.com and on Twitter.”
By Daniel Bushman
Ensuring customers have reliable power while supporting future economic growth in the region is SaskPower’s goal as work continues in the area. The extensive work is taking place in an area encompassing communities like Watrous, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Viscount, Drake, Lanigan, Humboldt, Bruno and Annaheim.
SaskPower said it has started construction on its new $3 million Watrous substation in September to replace the existing 1950s vintage station. “Substations are critical electrical infrastructure transforming electricity from high to low voltage so we can deliver power to customers.”
Part of that construction also includes building new power lines to connect the new station to the existing system. While some of the work is weather dependent, SaskPower is hoping to have everything in service by early 2017.
“The new substation will serve customers in: Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Liberty, Holdfast, Stalwart, Penzance, as well as the Rural Municipalities of Arm River, Big Arm, McCraney, Morris, Sarnia, Wood Creek, Wreford and surrounding areas.”
While work continues on the new substation, SaskPower said in 2016, residential and commercial customers within the area made over 40 new connection or reconstruction requests. “Additional maintenance work in the region, worth over $3.5 million, includes replacement/reinforcement of aging wood poles, upgrades to electrical devices that assist our field technicians in troubleshooting and locating problems in our system, relocating/upgrading overhead power lines out of the middle of farmers’ fields and remediating power structures located in water-logged areas.”
Since system improvements are ongoing, SaskPower said there may be planned outages. “Customers will be notified in advance. Planned power outages are listed on saskpower.com and on Twitter.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 14, 2016
Warm weather replaces wet October
By Daniel Bushman
After a soggy October that contained snow, rain and fog, the month of November has been much more pleasant thus far, with sunshine and temperatures reaching into the mid-teens. Environment Canada’s David Phillips said given what people in Saskatchewan experienced last month, the recent November temperatures have almost been like an atmospheric gift.
“Temperatures were cooler than normal in October and you had a lot more rain, a lot more wet days and then the early snow arrived,” said Phillips who added that trend reversed when the calendar was flipped over to November. “It was almost as if nature felt sorry for people in Saskatchewan and across the prairies and since then we have seen a remarkable string of great weather that is more of what you would see at the end of September.”
While abnormally warm days can sometimes occur late in the year, it is the duration in which they have lasted that has caught people’s attention. With highs pegged between 15˚C and 18˚C for the Watrous area last week, Phillips said those values were similar to ones back in 1962, when it was 16.1˚C on Nov. 8.
On the other side of the coin, Phillips said it could also be much worse. “When you think of how cold it could be, it could be -19˚C as it was back in 1971 or you could have six to eight centimetres of snow. You realize that this is something quite unusual and unseasonably warm.”
Many people were able to utilize the warm stretch including some farmers who had yet to get the crop off their fields. “The quality and quantity was maybe hurt because of October’s misery but the latest warm spell has been fantastic news.”
While people were a bit spoiled with the well-above normal values, Phillips said not to get used to it as it will not last forever.
“It is just nature setting you up for a big fall which will probably happen before the end of the month. But we clearly know the benefit from this warmth is that it makes winter that much shorter.”
From a practical point of view, Phillips said the warm weather will eventually give way to colder values, especially since November is a month that typically resets itself. The month in Saskatchewan has also always contained snow at some point as typically winter takes a foothold. “When we look at the difference between October and November, we often find the greatest drop in temperature for any month is often at this time where you go from almost late summer in October to early winter.”
Despite snow typically being on the ground already, Phillips said people certainly received a nice surprise in its absence. “The high right now should be about 1˚C but it has been almost a dozen degrees higher on some days. I’m sure Saskatchewan residents have smiles on their face because it is really unseasonably wonderful weather.”
Phillips said Environment Canada is still calling for it to be more of a colder winter but added that once it does arrive, it could contain something for everyone. “These wild swings that you might see in November will probably continue. The durations won’t be as long but there will be something for everybody.”
By Daniel Bushman
After a soggy October that contained snow, rain and fog, the month of November has been much more pleasant thus far, with sunshine and temperatures reaching into the mid-teens. Environment Canada’s David Phillips said given what people in Saskatchewan experienced last month, the recent November temperatures have almost been like an atmospheric gift.
“Temperatures were cooler than normal in October and you had a lot more rain, a lot more wet days and then the early snow arrived,” said Phillips who added that trend reversed when the calendar was flipped over to November. “It was almost as if nature felt sorry for people in Saskatchewan and across the prairies and since then we have seen a remarkable string of great weather that is more of what you would see at the end of September.”
While abnormally warm days can sometimes occur late in the year, it is the duration in which they have lasted that has caught people’s attention. With highs pegged between 15˚C and 18˚C for the Watrous area last week, Phillips said those values were similar to ones back in 1962, when it was 16.1˚C on Nov. 8.
On the other side of the coin, Phillips said it could also be much worse. “When you think of how cold it could be, it could be -19˚C as it was back in 1971 or you could have six to eight centimetres of snow. You realize that this is something quite unusual and unseasonably warm.”
Many people were able to utilize the warm stretch including some farmers who had yet to get the crop off their fields. “The quality and quantity was maybe hurt because of October’s misery but the latest warm spell has been fantastic news.”
While people were a bit spoiled with the well-above normal values, Phillips said not to get used to it as it will not last forever.
“It is just nature setting you up for a big fall which will probably happen before the end of the month. But we clearly know the benefit from this warmth is that it makes winter that much shorter.”
From a practical point of view, Phillips said the warm weather will eventually give way to colder values, especially since November is a month that typically resets itself. The month in Saskatchewan has also always contained snow at some point as typically winter takes a foothold. “When we look at the difference between October and November, we often find the greatest drop in temperature for any month is often at this time where you go from almost late summer in October to early winter.”
Despite snow typically being on the ground already, Phillips said people certainly received a nice surprise in its absence. “The high right now should be about 1˚C but it has been almost a dozen degrees higher on some days. I’m sure Saskatchewan residents have smiles on their face because it is really unseasonably wonderful weather.”
Phillips said Environment Canada is still calling for it to be more of a colder winter but added that once it does arrive, it could contain something for everyone. “These wild swings that you might see in November will probably continue. The durations won’t be as long but there will be something for everybody.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 7, 2016
Poppy Campaign honours those who serve
Daniel Bushman/TWM
This week Canadians across the country will pause to remember those who fought for our freedom and those who continue to do so. As Remembrance Day takes place Nov. 11, the annual Poppy Campaign is also underway throughout the region.
Serving the Watrous area, Poppy Chair for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 290 in Nokomis Doug Potter said the poppy represents supreme sacrifice and is the symbol of remembrance.
“People are encouraged to wear a poppy or display a wreath to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country and help Veterans and their families.”
Potter said the annual Poppy Campaign, which runs from the last Friday in October to Remembrance Day has benefitted local communities like Watrous because money raised is placed in trust and then used to provide assistance. The funds are used for care facilities, for elderly or disabled Veterans and their families, community medical appliances and medical research, drop-in centres, meals on wheels, transportation and related services to help Veterans and their families.
“Watrous is extremely good at supporting the Poppy Campaign, which is why we try to give as much money back as we can. The schools really support it, the local businesses including the bakery really support it as well. A lot of businesses support through financial donations and a large portion of the money stays in the community.”
Potter said they have helped provide funds for a variety of items in Watrous like the gazebo at the Watrous District Health Complex. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 290 also recently provided $1,000 to the Watrous First Responders and $1,000 to the Watrous District Health Complex through the poppy fund.
“People can donate towards the poppy fund during our Poppy Campaign but they can also bequest to the poppy fund anytime as well. A receipt can be provided to those who donate in that way.”
With about 70 members part of the Legion in Nokomis and many others involved in Legions throughout the country, Potter said it is important to reflect on Remembrance Day and the sacrifice that was made by many.
“It is remembrance because we are remembering the ones who fought for our freedom and our rights. You might not have any of that if they had not gone to fight. I tell kids that they have their right to choose because their grandfathers went overseas to fight and guarantee their freedom. Remembrance Day is a time to remember them and to try and remember so there is never another war. War is a terrible thing. It takes too many young lives and destroys countries. War should never happen but it does.”
Potter said, “I encourage people to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony, purchase a poppy and support the Poppy Campaign. I know how it is with a long weekend coming up but people should still try and attend a ceremony and remember those who fought for our freedom.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
This week Canadians across the country will pause to remember those who fought for our freedom and those who continue to do so. As Remembrance Day takes place Nov. 11, the annual Poppy Campaign is also underway throughout the region.
Serving the Watrous area, Poppy Chair for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 290 in Nokomis Doug Potter said the poppy represents supreme sacrifice and is the symbol of remembrance.
“People are encouraged to wear a poppy or display a wreath to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country and help Veterans and their families.”
Potter said the annual Poppy Campaign, which runs from the last Friday in October to Remembrance Day has benefitted local communities like Watrous because money raised is placed in trust and then used to provide assistance. The funds are used for care facilities, for elderly or disabled Veterans and their families, community medical appliances and medical research, drop-in centres, meals on wheels, transportation and related services to help Veterans and their families.
“Watrous is extremely good at supporting the Poppy Campaign, which is why we try to give as much money back as we can. The schools really support it, the local businesses including the bakery really support it as well. A lot of businesses support through financial donations and a large portion of the money stays in the community.”
Potter said they have helped provide funds for a variety of items in Watrous like the gazebo at the Watrous District Health Complex. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 290 also recently provided $1,000 to the Watrous First Responders and $1,000 to the Watrous District Health Complex through the poppy fund.
“People can donate towards the poppy fund during our Poppy Campaign but they can also bequest to the poppy fund anytime as well. A receipt can be provided to those who donate in that way.”
With about 70 members part of the Legion in Nokomis and many others involved in Legions throughout the country, Potter said it is important to reflect on Remembrance Day and the sacrifice that was made by many.
“It is remembrance because we are remembering the ones who fought for our freedom and our rights. You might not have any of that if they had not gone to fight. I tell kids that they have their right to choose because their grandfathers went overseas to fight and guarantee their freedom. Remembrance Day is a time to remember them and to try and remember so there is never another war. War is a terrible thing. It takes too many young lives and destroys countries. War should never happen but it does.”
Potter said, “I encourage people to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony, purchase a poppy and support the Poppy Campaign. I know how it is with a long weekend coming up but people should still try and attend a ceremony and remember those who fought for our freedom.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 31, 2016
Voters head to the polls throughout the region
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Ballots were cast and decisions made throughout the area last week as voters headed to the polls in communities, rural municipalities and school subdivisions. The following election results were received before press time and also include acclamations.
Communities:
Watrous - Mayor Ed Collins was acclaimed. With 256 voters casting ballots, those voted in for council include John Gunderson, Gary Bergen, Jody Lewis, Patricia Isherwood Thomas, Jean Margetts and Neil McDonald.
Allan - With 230 voters casting ballots, Les Alm was elected as mayor. Those elected on council were Corey Church, Louise Hagel, J. Patrick O’Grady, Karen Larsen, Lyle Dieno and Steve Holtorf.
Colonsay - James Gray was acclaimed as mayor while Lonnie Burns, Warren Cooper, Aaron Reid, Amanda Reiman, Scott Yausie and Tracy Yousie were voted in as councillors.
Drake - Peter Nicholson was voted in as mayor. On council, Terry Willems, Ron Kiefer and Erica Thiele were declared elected by acclamation.
Imperial - Mayor Edward Abrey and councillors Brent Ingram, Patricia Joa, Ryan Kelly, Susan Parish, Leslie Sainsbury and Randy Shaw were all acclaimed.
Jansen - Mayor Albert Cardinal and councillors Kathy Jones, Elmer Kinzel and Ken Manyk were acclaimed.
Lanigan - Mayor Andrew Cebryk was acclaimed. With 280 electors who voted, Tony Mycock, Marilyn Bodner, Paul Mamer, Mark Pratchler, Velda Daelick and Wendy Mehrer were elected as council members.
LeRoy - Mayor Brian Thoen and councillors Don Brown, Ken Crowter, Denis McKnight, Kurt Schreiner, Zosimo Serrano and Ray Sussums were all acclaimed.
Liberty - Mayor Jennifer Langlois and councillors Tanner Hebron and Kyle Mooney were all acclaimed.
Plunkett - Rick Hayes was acclaimed as mayor.
Simpson - Jeremy Nimchuk was acclaimed as mayor. Voted in on council are Karaley Abrey, Colleen Brooker, Melinda Hassel and Jim Zitaruk.
Viscount - Moe Kirzinger was acclaimed as mayor. Those voted in on council are Melissa Dieno, Dustin Gusikoski, Mitch Gusikoski and Derek Holcomb.
Young - Robert Clinkard was elected as mayor while a call for nominations for a councillor has been issued.
Zelma - Stuart Elderkin was acclaimed as mayor while William Birrell and Brian Fischer were acclaimed as councillors.
Rural Municipalities
RM of Big Arm - Reeve Eugene Lucas, councillor for division one Dean Wolff, councillor for division three Trevor Lewis and councillor for division five Larry Waldow were all acclaimed.
RM of Colonsay - Reeve Gerald Yausie, councillor for division one Alan Garner and councillor for division three Duncan McVicar were acclaimed while Marvin Lang was elected for division five.
RM of LeRoy - Calvin Buhs is the reeve, Cody Block is the councillor for division one, Donald Williams is the councillor for division three and Tracy Mollenbeck is the councillor for division five.
RM of Lost River - Charles Smith is the reeve; Dale Walter is the councillor for division one, Karsten Frydenlund is the councillor for division three and Larry Sommerfeld is the councillor for division five.
RM of Morris - Robert Penrose was acclaimed as reeve while Dale Miettinen was acclaimed in division one and Keith Thoner was acclaimed in division three. Gordon Anderson was elected in division five.
RM of Prairie Rose - Darin Pedersen was acclaimed as reeve while Andre (Andy) Ribi was acclaimed as division one councillor, Trevor Blair was acclaimed as division three councillor and David Paetsch was acclaimed as division five councillor.
RM of Usborne - Jack Gibney was voted in as reeve. Ryan Morningstar was acclaimed for councillor in division one, Howard Toews was acclaimed for councillor in division three and Fred Toman was acclaimed for councillor in division five.
RM of Viscount - Reeve Gordon Gusikoski, councillor for division one Eric Langston, councillor for division two Bruce Deneiko, councillor for division three Blair Welter and councillor for division five Douglas Thoms will be representing the RM.
RM of Wolverine - Bryan Gibney was voted in as reeve while Dennis Merkosky was voted in as councillor for division five. Craig Bartel is the councillor for division one and Elise Dale is the councillor for division three.
RM of Wood Creek - Glen Busse is the reeve, David Hill is the councillor for division one, David Vanthuyne is the councillor for division three and Blair Crawford is the councillor for division five. A call for nominations for a councillor in division four has been issued.
RM of Wreford - Dean Hobman was elected as reeve while councillor for division one Craig Smith and councillor for division three Jeff Gingrich were acclaimed.
Horizon School Division
Those already acclaimed locally within the Horizon School Division subdivisions include:
Subdivision two (Annaheim/Lake Lenore/St. Brieux/Middle Lake/Humboldt): Linda Mattock; and
Subdivision three (Viscount/Watrous): Jennifer Lemky.
Locally, here are the results of the Horizon School Division subdivision elections:
Subdivision four (encompassing Lanigan, Guernsey, Muenster, Watson, Wimmer and Daphne) - Mark Fedak was elected;
Subdivision five (encompassing Jansen, LeRoy, Dafoe and Wynyard) - Lori-Anne Proznick;
Subdivision eight (encompassing Simpson, Imperial, Liberty, Penzance, Holdfast, Duval and Strasbourg) - Cheryl Vertefuille was elected; and
Subdivision nine (encompassing Drake, Lockwood, Govan, Semans, Raymore and Punnichy) - Jolene Koopman was elected.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Ballots were cast and decisions made throughout the area last week as voters headed to the polls in communities, rural municipalities and school subdivisions. The following election results were received before press time and also include acclamations.
Communities:
Watrous - Mayor Ed Collins was acclaimed. With 256 voters casting ballots, those voted in for council include John Gunderson, Gary Bergen, Jody Lewis, Patricia Isherwood Thomas, Jean Margetts and Neil McDonald.
Allan - With 230 voters casting ballots, Les Alm was elected as mayor. Those elected on council were Corey Church, Louise Hagel, J. Patrick O’Grady, Karen Larsen, Lyle Dieno and Steve Holtorf.
Colonsay - James Gray was acclaimed as mayor while Lonnie Burns, Warren Cooper, Aaron Reid, Amanda Reiman, Scott Yausie and Tracy Yousie were voted in as councillors.
Drake - Peter Nicholson was voted in as mayor. On council, Terry Willems, Ron Kiefer and Erica Thiele were declared elected by acclamation.
Imperial - Mayor Edward Abrey and councillors Brent Ingram, Patricia Joa, Ryan Kelly, Susan Parish, Leslie Sainsbury and Randy Shaw were all acclaimed.
Jansen - Mayor Albert Cardinal and councillors Kathy Jones, Elmer Kinzel and Ken Manyk were acclaimed.
Lanigan - Mayor Andrew Cebryk was acclaimed. With 280 electors who voted, Tony Mycock, Marilyn Bodner, Paul Mamer, Mark Pratchler, Velda Daelick and Wendy Mehrer were elected as council members.
LeRoy - Mayor Brian Thoen and councillors Don Brown, Ken Crowter, Denis McKnight, Kurt Schreiner, Zosimo Serrano and Ray Sussums were all acclaimed.
Liberty - Mayor Jennifer Langlois and councillors Tanner Hebron and Kyle Mooney were all acclaimed.
Plunkett - Rick Hayes was acclaimed as mayor.
Simpson - Jeremy Nimchuk was acclaimed as mayor. Voted in on council are Karaley Abrey, Colleen Brooker, Melinda Hassel and Jim Zitaruk.
Viscount - Moe Kirzinger was acclaimed as mayor. Those voted in on council are Melissa Dieno, Dustin Gusikoski, Mitch Gusikoski and Derek Holcomb.
Young - Robert Clinkard was elected as mayor while a call for nominations for a councillor has been issued.
Zelma - Stuart Elderkin was acclaimed as mayor while William Birrell and Brian Fischer were acclaimed as councillors.
Rural Municipalities
RM of Big Arm - Reeve Eugene Lucas, councillor for division one Dean Wolff, councillor for division three Trevor Lewis and councillor for division five Larry Waldow were all acclaimed.
RM of Colonsay - Reeve Gerald Yausie, councillor for division one Alan Garner and councillor for division three Duncan McVicar were acclaimed while Marvin Lang was elected for division five.
RM of LeRoy - Calvin Buhs is the reeve, Cody Block is the councillor for division one, Donald Williams is the councillor for division three and Tracy Mollenbeck is the councillor for division five.
RM of Lost River - Charles Smith is the reeve; Dale Walter is the councillor for division one, Karsten Frydenlund is the councillor for division three and Larry Sommerfeld is the councillor for division five.
RM of Morris - Robert Penrose was acclaimed as reeve while Dale Miettinen was acclaimed in division one and Keith Thoner was acclaimed in division three. Gordon Anderson was elected in division five.
RM of Prairie Rose - Darin Pedersen was acclaimed as reeve while Andre (Andy) Ribi was acclaimed as division one councillor, Trevor Blair was acclaimed as division three councillor and David Paetsch was acclaimed as division five councillor.
RM of Usborne - Jack Gibney was voted in as reeve. Ryan Morningstar was acclaimed for councillor in division one, Howard Toews was acclaimed for councillor in division three and Fred Toman was acclaimed for councillor in division five.
RM of Viscount - Reeve Gordon Gusikoski, councillor for division one Eric Langston, councillor for division two Bruce Deneiko, councillor for division three Blair Welter and councillor for division five Douglas Thoms will be representing the RM.
RM of Wolverine - Bryan Gibney was voted in as reeve while Dennis Merkosky was voted in as councillor for division five. Craig Bartel is the councillor for division one and Elise Dale is the councillor for division three.
RM of Wood Creek - Glen Busse is the reeve, David Hill is the councillor for division one, David Vanthuyne is the councillor for division three and Blair Crawford is the councillor for division five. A call for nominations for a councillor in division four has been issued.
RM of Wreford - Dean Hobman was elected as reeve while councillor for division one Craig Smith and councillor for division three Jeff Gingrich were acclaimed.
Horizon School Division
Those already acclaimed locally within the Horizon School Division subdivisions include:
Subdivision two (Annaheim/Lake Lenore/St. Brieux/Middle Lake/Humboldt): Linda Mattock; and
Subdivision three (Viscount/Watrous): Jennifer Lemky.
Locally, here are the results of the Horizon School Division subdivision elections:
Subdivision four (encompassing Lanigan, Guernsey, Muenster, Watson, Wimmer and Daphne) - Mark Fedak was elected;
Subdivision five (encompassing Jansen, LeRoy, Dafoe and Wynyard) - Lori-Anne Proznick;
Subdivision eight (encompassing Simpson, Imperial, Liberty, Penzance, Holdfast, Duval and Strasbourg) - Cheryl Vertefuille was elected; and
Subdivision nine (encompassing Drake, Lockwood, Govan, Semans, Raymore and Punnichy) - Jolene Koopman was elected.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 24, 2016
Berm work begins at Manitou Beach
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With a plan of attack in place, large equipment began arriving Oct. 14 as work got underway at Manitou Beach on a one metre berm raise project. Dealing with record high water levels and in need of assistance, Manitou Beach was recently approved for up to $3.877 million through the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program. That funding is what is being used to pay for the raising of the existing berm by one metre to protect residents, businesses, regional park areas, Camp Easter Seal and infrastructure like sewage lift stations.
Manitou Beach foreman Fraser Murray said the plan is to begin work at Camp Easter Seal (pictured below) and head eastward. After advancing past the main beach and Mike’s Beach Bar towards Relics, construction will then shift to the east end and work its way back west.
A straight berm is also being created between the former Nu-Inn to the lift station by the tennis court and a beach area will be reclaimed. The sand that will be used for the regional beach is being taken from inside the Hesco barriers and Murray said it will help to try and beautify the area while maintaining a functional berm.
As for the main beach, Murray said the project is still going through the development stages but plans are being made to save the gazebo and beaches. “The berms will be set up in a way that will not affect the beach. Mike’s volleyball court at the beach bar will be bermed around as well to save that. We are putting a big focus on tourism so a lot of the work in the main area is designed to keep things looking good and allow tourists to continue to come and enjoy the area.”
Along with the construction work, the road running along the west shoreline will also be ripped up over the next couple of weeks. “At that end, the road is the berm so that will be coming right out and everything built up. It is the same type of project that was done a few years ago, it is just being built higher.”
During the construction period, Murray said there is a lot of equipment coming in and the area along the shoreline is not a safe place for people to stop and check out. “We are asking people to stay back and let workers do their job. For some of those big trucks, visibility is not great.”
Residents and visitors are also reminded to watch out for dump trucks hauling materials from the beach’s pit down Jean St. and across Lake Ave. and McLachlan Ave. In addition, Pukwana Dr. will be closed during construction with back lane access only and there is also no access to McLachlan Ave. from Shawondasse Dr. and Saskatoon and Roy streets.
“We really want to stress to people not to cross or go around barriers or barricades that have been set up. If for some reason people need to cross the work area please do so with extreme caution and try to stay out of the way of trucks and equipment. We want everyone to be safe with all the work taking place.”
As work progresses, Murray is hoping for some decent weather so crews can make a strong push until at least the middle of November. If they get a good stretch and are able to compact the clay for the berms, Fraser said the gravel and the rest of it can be put on even if the weather is cold. “That could take us right up to Dec. 1 and then we would be working again in the spring to beautify it. Other plans are also being worked on for the Wellington Park area and we are trying to finish off with a product that looks great.”
The long-time beach resident estimates that the water rose about eight inches this year before dropping five and then rising back up three. “In the late 1920s, Danceland was built to be out over the water. That was the highest it was,” Fraser said. “I would guess that was probably a metre and a half to two metres lower than what it is now. It is unprecedented. When it rains and the water flows, it really flows. We usually get nine to 11 inches of moisture in a year and we have had years of over 30 so that has also been a factor. Our water table is really high.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With a plan of attack in place, large equipment began arriving Oct. 14 as work got underway at Manitou Beach on a one metre berm raise project. Dealing with record high water levels and in need of assistance, Manitou Beach was recently approved for up to $3.877 million through the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program. That funding is what is being used to pay for the raising of the existing berm by one metre to protect residents, businesses, regional park areas, Camp Easter Seal and infrastructure like sewage lift stations.
Manitou Beach foreman Fraser Murray said the plan is to begin work at Camp Easter Seal (pictured below) and head eastward. After advancing past the main beach and Mike’s Beach Bar towards Relics, construction will then shift to the east end and work its way back west.
A straight berm is also being created between the former Nu-Inn to the lift station by the tennis court and a beach area will be reclaimed. The sand that will be used for the regional beach is being taken from inside the Hesco barriers and Murray said it will help to try and beautify the area while maintaining a functional berm.
As for the main beach, Murray said the project is still going through the development stages but plans are being made to save the gazebo and beaches. “The berms will be set up in a way that will not affect the beach. Mike’s volleyball court at the beach bar will be bermed around as well to save that. We are putting a big focus on tourism so a lot of the work in the main area is designed to keep things looking good and allow tourists to continue to come and enjoy the area.”
Along with the construction work, the road running along the west shoreline will also be ripped up over the next couple of weeks. “At that end, the road is the berm so that will be coming right out and everything built up. It is the same type of project that was done a few years ago, it is just being built higher.”
During the construction period, Murray said there is a lot of equipment coming in and the area along the shoreline is not a safe place for people to stop and check out. “We are asking people to stay back and let workers do their job. For some of those big trucks, visibility is not great.”
Residents and visitors are also reminded to watch out for dump trucks hauling materials from the beach’s pit down Jean St. and across Lake Ave. and McLachlan Ave. In addition, Pukwana Dr. will be closed during construction with back lane access only and there is also no access to McLachlan Ave. from Shawondasse Dr. and Saskatoon and Roy streets.
“We really want to stress to people not to cross or go around barriers or barricades that have been set up. If for some reason people need to cross the work area please do so with extreme caution and try to stay out of the way of trucks and equipment. We want everyone to be safe with all the work taking place.”
As work progresses, Murray is hoping for some decent weather so crews can make a strong push until at least the middle of November. If they get a good stretch and are able to compact the clay for the berms, Fraser said the gravel and the rest of it can be put on even if the weather is cold. “That could take us right up to Dec. 1 and then we would be working again in the spring to beautify it. Other plans are also being worked on for the Wellington Park area and we are trying to finish off with a product that looks great.”
The long-time beach resident estimates that the water rose about eight inches this year before dropping five and then rising back up three. “In the late 1920s, Danceland was built to be out over the water. That was the highest it was,” Fraser said. “I would guess that was probably a metre and a half to two metres lower than what it is now. It is unprecedented. When it rains and the water flows, it really flows. We usually get nine to 11 inches of moisture in a year and we have had years of over 30 so that has also been a factor. Our water table is really high.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 17, 2016
MP visits area
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Talking with local residents and hearing their concerns, Member of Parliament for Moose Jaw - Lake Centre - Lanigan Tom Lukiwski was in the area last week as part of a Come and Go event.
“This is a brand new riding for me and it is important to get around to a lot of the communities just to allow people to come out and meet me if they have any questions,” the MP said. “People can also talk to me about some of the issues that they have and if nothing else, just let them know I am accessible.”
With stops in Kenaston (Oct. 11), Outlook (Oct. 11), Manitou Beach (Oct. 12) and Lanigan (Oct. 13), Lukiwski spoke to The Watrous Manitou on a number of issues.
Beginning with the high water levels at Manitou Beach, Lukiwski said it is a provincial issue; however, he has been advocating and doing what he can to find out if there is a possibility to divert some of the water. Lukiwski said he has talked to the former and current provincial Environment Minister and is doing what he can to help.
The local MP also talked about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent carbon tax announcement, which according to the Globe and Mail essentially means premiers have to adopt the tax or cap-and-trade plan or a levy will be imposed by the government to the tune of a minimum $50 a tonne by 2022. Then that revenue would be returned to the provinces.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall adamantly opposes the move and Lukiwski feels adding a carbon tax right now is not the way to go and would have a negative impact on the province’s economy.
“If you took every car, every plane and every train off the streets, out of the skies and off the rail lines; if you reduced Canada’s carbon emissions to zero, it would be less than 1.6 percent of the world’s total emissions. While yes I agree that everyone needs to do their part, what is really needed is if you are really concerned about climate change you would have to get the world’s largest emitters (being the United States, Brazil and China and places like that) to come up with something to reduce their emissions in a significant manner.”
With the economy the way it is this year, Lukiwski said imposing a carbon tax can do great damage to resource producing economies like Saskatchewan and Alberta.
“(Trudeau) assured Canadians during the last election that he would not unilaterally impose a carbon tax on provinces. He would consult with them and make sure they would be able to work with the federal government. He has betrayed the provinces on that.”
As Lukiwski disputed Trudeau’s carbon tax he also took aim at the growing deficit. After it appeared as though the current government would run a temporary deficit and balance the budget by the time the next election comes around in 2019, the local MP said, “That is out the window. Now we are looking at at least a $30 billion annualized deficit with no plan to get back to balance by 2019 . . . in tough economic times my belief has always been more than ever to try and balance budgets. Now is not the time to be running deficits.”
While Lukiwski is not pleased with the current government, he wants to continue to try and be an effective member of the opposition. “I think this government to date has been more focused on reversing some pieces of legislation that we brought in instead of having a vision to go forward.”
Seeking a direction within the Conservative Party, Lukiwski also talked about the current search for a new leader. The Conservatives are in the midst of a leadership campaign with a permanent leader to be elected in May. “It is tough to set policy for an example without a permanent leader and it is tough to set a firm direction on almost anything without permanent leadership in place.”
With numerous people running to become the next leader, Lukiwski said he elected not to run but is supporting former Speaker of the House of Commons Andrew Scheer. “I am not going to be running for the leadership position but I think Andrew would make an excellent leader and I think he has all the attributes of a good leader and I am certainly going to be giving all the support I possibly can.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Talking with local residents and hearing their concerns, Member of Parliament for Moose Jaw - Lake Centre - Lanigan Tom Lukiwski was in the area last week as part of a Come and Go event.
“This is a brand new riding for me and it is important to get around to a lot of the communities just to allow people to come out and meet me if they have any questions,” the MP said. “People can also talk to me about some of the issues that they have and if nothing else, just let them know I am accessible.”
With stops in Kenaston (Oct. 11), Outlook (Oct. 11), Manitou Beach (Oct. 12) and Lanigan (Oct. 13), Lukiwski spoke to The Watrous Manitou on a number of issues.
Beginning with the high water levels at Manitou Beach, Lukiwski said it is a provincial issue; however, he has been advocating and doing what he can to find out if there is a possibility to divert some of the water. Lukiwski said he has talked to the former and current provincial Environment Minister and is doing what he can to help.
The local MP also talked about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent carbon tax announcement, which according to the Globe and Mail essentially means premiers have to adopt the tax or cap-and-trade plan or a levy will be imposed by the government to the tune of a minimum $50 a tonne by 2022. Then that revenue would be returned to the provinces.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall adamantly opposes the move and Lukiwski feels adding a carbon tax right now is not the way to go and would have a negative impact on the province’s economy.
“If you took every car, every plane and every train off the streets, out of the skies and off the rail lines; if you reduced Canada’s carbon emissions to zero, it would be less than 1.6 percent of the world’s total emissions. While yes I agree that everyone needs to do their part, what is really needed is if you are really concerned about climate change you would have to get the world’s largest emitters (being the United States, Brazil and China and places like that) to come up with something to reduce their emissions in a significant manner.”
With the economy the way it is this year, Lukiwski said imposing a carbon tax can do great damage to resource producing economies like Saskatchewan and Alberta.
“(Trudeau) assured Canadians during the last election that he would not unilaterally impose a carbon tax on provinces. He would consult with them and make sure they would be able to work with the federal government. He has betrayed the provinces on that.”
As Lukiwski disputed Trudeau’s carbon tax he also took aim at the growing deficit. After it appeared as though the current government would run a temporary deficit and balance the budget by the time the next election comes around in 2019, the local MP said, “That is out the window. Now we are looking at at least a $30 billion annualized deficit with no plan to get back to balance by 2019 . . . in tough economic times my belief has always been more than ever to try and balance budgets. Now is not the time to be running deficits.”
While Lukiwski is not pleased with the current government, he wants to continue to try and be an effective member of the opposition. “I think this government to date has been more focused on reversing some pieces of legislation that we brought in instead of having a vision to go forward.”
Seeking a direction within the Conservative Party, Lukiwski also talked about the current search for a new leader. The Conservatives are in the midst of a leadership campaign with a permanent leader to be elected in May. “It is tough to set policy for an example without a permanent leader and it is tough to set a firm direction on almost anything without permanent leadership in place.”
With numerous people running to become the next leader, Lukiwski said he elected not to run but is supporting former Speaker of the House of Commons Andrew Scheer. “I am not going to be running for the leadership position but I think Andrew would make an excellent leader and I think he has all the attributes of a good leader and I am certainly going to be giving all the support I possibly can.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 10, 2016
Storm slams Saskatchewan
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Harvest operations were halted, motorists drove at a slower pace and people had to get out their snow shovels as the first taste of winter came whipping through the province last week. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement early in the week and by Tuesday night the snow, wind and ice pellets began arriving.
Those travelling in the local area during the evening Oct. 4 had to go slower as roads were slushy while the wind caused reduced visibility. Snow continued to fall overnight in western and central Saskatchewan and then dropped throughout Wednesday and into Thursday before it started to taper off.
Environment Canada said the major low pressure system brought rain or snow to much of southern Saskatchewan while gusty northerly winds caused reduced visibility in many areas. That forced many indoors as travel was not recommended in various parts of the province including east of Saskatoon.
The Watrous area was forecast to see anywhere between 10 to 15 cm of snow throughout the storm although those early numbers may have been surpassed. In Saskatoon, power was out throughout a large chunk of the city Wednesday and RCMP detachments across Saskatchewan were also busy Wednesday responding to multiple minor collisions on the province’s roads and highways. With weather a factor in many of them, a number of vehicles slid off slippery roads. RCMP reported 46 such calls received by 1 p.m. Fortunately, there were no major collisions to report up to that point and in some cases, traffic was temporarily diverted.
The major storm system that brought significant snow to Saskatchewan Wednesday and Thursday had the highest amounts fall along a band from Cypress Hills Park northeast through Saskatoon and on to Island Falls. Environment Canada reported a few locations seeing more than 40 cm in total.
Some of the accumulated snowfall reports received by Environment Canada as of early Friday morning (in centimeters) included: Christopher Lake 42, Cypress Hills Park 41, St. Isidore de Bellevue 41, Holbein 33, Saskatoon 30, Pelican Narrows 30, Prince Albert 28, Island Falls 23, Southend 22, Waskesiu Lake 16, La Ronge 14, Beechy 13, North Battleford 13, Wynyard 13, Moose Jaw 12, Strasbourg 12, Swift Current 10 and Regina 10.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Harvest operations were halted, motorists drove at a slower pace and people had to get out their snow shovels as the first taste of winter came whipping through the province last week. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement early in the week and by Tuesday night the snow, wind and ice pellets began arriving.
Those travelling in the local area during the evening Oct. 4 had to go slower as roads were slushy while the wind caused reduced visibility. Snow continued to fall overnight in western and central Saskatchewan and then dropped throughout Wednesday and into Thursday before it started to taper off.
Environment Canada said the major low pressure system brought rain or snow to much of southern Saskatchewan while gusty northerly winds caused reduced visibility in many areas. That forced many indoors as travel was not recommended in various parts of the province including east of Saskatoon.
The Watrous area was forecast to see anywhere between 10 to 15 cm of snow throughout the storm although those early numbers may have been surpassed. In Saskatoon, power was out throughout a large chunk of the city Wednesday and RCMP detachments across Saskatchewan were also busy Wednesday responding to multiple minor collisions on the province’s roads and highways. With weather a factor in many of them, a number of vehicles slid off slippery roads. RCMP reported 46 such calls received by 1 p.m. Fortunately, there were no major collisions to report up to that point and in some cases, traffic was temporarily diverted.
The major storm system that brought significant snow to Saskatchewan Wednesday and Thursday had the highest amounts fall along a band from Cypress Hills Park northeast through Saskatoon and on to Island Falls. Environment Canada reported a few locations seeing more than 40 cm in total.
Some of the accumulated snowfall reports received by Environment Canada as of early Friday morning (in centimeters) included: Christopher Lake 42, Cypress Hills Park 41, St. Isidore de Bellevue 41, Holbein 33, Saskatoon 30, Pelican Narrows 30, Prince Albert 28, Island Falls 23, Southend 22, Waskesiu Lake 16, La Ronge 14, Beechy 13, North Battleford 13, Wynyard 13, Moose Jaw 12, Strasbourg 12, Swift Current 10 and Regina 10.
TWM Top Stories - Oct. 3, 2016
Main Street Watrous to be revitalized
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After years of hard work, Watrous has been accepted to the accredited level of the Main Street Saskatchewan Program. With the announcement Sept. 27, Watrous will now be able to access a full package of program services and benefits at the accredited level.
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz said to be accredited in the Main Street Program is a tremendous step towards the long term economic viability of Watrous. “Together with Manitou Beach, we welcome more than 150,000 visitors annually to our community. This is a chance to revitalize our main street and for it to become a destination of its own for locals and visitors alike. With this announcement, our main street businesses, town council and local residents are eager to get to work in developing our future vision, streetscape designs and beautification plans for Main Street Watrous.”
Watrous joins Nipawin as the only two to advance to the accredited level this year while Yorkton, Wadena and Unity enter the program at the affiliate level.
Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said, “Our government is proud to announce the newest members of our Main Street Saskatchewan Program. Traditional downtowns serve as the hearts of our communities that, with a bit of investment in the organizations and buildings, can continue to meet the needs of the community and our growing province. That’s where the Main Street Program comes in and that’s why it’s such a great program to implement across the province.”
The Main Street Saskatchewan Program’s aim is to provide communities with an opportunity to revitalize historic commercial downtowns by supporting downtown development, heritage conservation, and economic growth.
As part of the Main Street Program, communities can enter it in one of two tiers:
• for the competitive accredited tier that Watrous has now been accepted in, communities are required to commit to meeting the highest performance standards in order to receive the full package of program services and benefits; and
• the affiliate tier is open to those interested in the main street approach but are not ready to commit to all the accredited standards. This tier receives a reduced level of service.
Since being introduced in 2011, a total of 21 communities have participated in the Main Street Saskatchewan Program. Since then, the program has generated 158 new jobs, 56 business openings, $6 million spent on building rehabilitation and streetscape improvements and $7.6 million in private investment in property acquisitions in Main Street Program areas.
In addition to providing training and technical support, Main Street Saskatchewan distributes more than $300,000 per year in matching grant funds to participating communities.
“Now that we are accepted into the accredited level, this program will be a big benefit to Watrous,” said Manz. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with local businesses and residents in the future and utilize the opportunity we have been given with the Main Street Saskatchewan Program.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After years of hard work, Watrous has been accepted to the accredited level of the Main Street Saskatchewan Program. With the announcement Sept. 27, Watrous will now be able to access a full package of program services and benefits at the accredited level.
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz said to be accredited in the Main Street Program is a tremendous step towards the long term economic viability of Watrous. “Together with Manitou Beach, we welcome more than 150,000 visitors annually to our community. This is a chance to revitalize our main street and for it to become a destination of its own for locals and visitors alike. With this announcement, our main street businesses, town council and local residents are eager to get to work in developing our future vision, streetscape designs and beautification plans for Main Street Watrous.”
Watrous joins Nipawin as the only two to advance to the accredited level this year while Yorkton, Wadena and Unity enter the program at the affiliate level.
Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said, “Our government is proud to announce the newest members of our Main Street Saskatchewan Program. Traditional downtowns serve as the hearts of our communities that, with a bit of investment in the organizations and buildings, can continue to meet the needs of the community and our growing province. That’s where the Main Street Program comes in and that’s why it’s such a great program to implement across the province.”
The Main Street Saskatchewan Program’s aim is to provide communities with an opportunity to revitalize historic commercial downtowns by supporting downtown development, heritage conservation, and economic growth.
As part of the Main Street Program, communities can enter it in one of two tiers:
• for the competitive accredited tier that Watrous has now been accepted in, communities are required to commit to meeting the highest performance standards in order to receive the full package of program services and benefits; and
• the affiliate tier is open to those interested in the main street approach but are not ready to commit to all the accredited standards. This tier receives a reduced level of service.
Since being introduced in 2011, a total of 21 communities have participated in the Main Street Saskatchewan Program. Since then, the program has generated 158 new jobs, 56 business openings, $6 million spent on building rehabilitation and streetscape improvements and $7.6 million in private investment in property acquisitions in Main Street Program areas.
In addition to providing training and technical support, Main Street Saskatchewan distributes more than $300,000 per year in matching grant funds to participating communities.
“Now that we are accepted into the accredited level, this program will be a big benefit to Watrous,” said Manz. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with local businesses and residents in the future and utilize the opportunity we have been given with the Main Street Saskatchewan Program.”
RCMP busy dealing with thefts
Watrous RCMP responded to more than two dozen reports of theft from vehicles and at least one theft of a truck within a 12-hour period last week. Reports began surfacing Wednesday morning of bicycles being taken and unlocked vehicles rummaged through during the early morning hours Sept. 28 in Watrous and Young.
It appears that the incidents were not specific to certain areas of the communities as many residents in Watrous residing on the east side and west side experienced the same thing.
This is not the first time that vehicles have been tampered with this year in the area and RCMP want to emphasize to residents to lock their vehicles to prevent theft. “Prevention is key. No opportunity equals no crime.”
People with any information about these or any other crimes can call the Watrous RCMP at 306-946-3316 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through Sask-Tel Mobility at *8477, text TIP206 plus your message to CRIMES (274637) or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com where you can also view information on other unsolved crimes. Crime Stoppers is anonymous and does not subscribe to call display and calls are not traced or recorded. If your information leads to an arrest or charge you may be eligible for a cash award.
Copper wire theft
Investigations conducted involving the theft of copper wire by Saskatoon RCMP and provincial GIS members have resulted in arrests and charges. On Sept. 14th, a compound in the Colonsay area was broken into and copper wire was stolen. A search warrant was executed at a residence located in Young where the stolen wire was located as well as offence related property. With the assistance of Watrous RCMP, two adults were arrested and charged. Forty-three year old Raymon Hounjet of Young and 39-year-old Shannon Rausch of Saskatoon face multiple charges including break, enter and theft.
On Sept. 24th, the same compound was broken into and copper wire was stolen. A search warrant was executed at a residence in the Grandora District where the stolen wire was located as well as offence related property. With the assistance of Warman RCMP, two adult males from Grandora and Saskatoon were arrested and charged. The copper wire recovered in this incident was returned to the rightful owner. This investigation is still ongoing and there may be further charges as the investigation evolves and items recovered and believed to be stolen unrelated to this offence are identified.
Extortion and fraud charges stayed
Extortion and fraud charges that were laid in 2015 have been stayed against Watrous resident Dwight Hayter after he was accused of trying to defraud and extort money from his employees at the Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa. According to the Star Phoenix, at a preliminary hearing in Saskatoon Sept. 14, a judge found there was insufficient evidence to proceed to trial on one set of charges. The remaining two counts of extortion and two counts of fraud were stayed. The Star Phoenix said unless new information comes forward within the next year, the charges will be dropped. Hayter still faces a charge of accepting repayment of an employee’s wages under Section 76 of the Labour Standards Act. The Star Phoenix said the Crown did not believe there was a reasonable likelihood of conviction given information that came forward during and after the preliminary hearing.
Break, enter and theft at Kelvington Golf Course
Greenwater RCMP and Crime Stoppers are seeking assistance from the public in solving the following crime which happened Sept. 19th. During this time, unknown person(s) broke into and entered the outbuildings at the Kelvington golf course, stealing liquor from the snacks and drinks golf cart at Kelvington. The Greenwater RCMP continues their investigation.
Watrous RCMP responded to more than two dozen reports of theft from vehicles and at least one theft of a truck within a 12-hour period last week. Reports began surfacing Wednesday morning of bicycles being taken and unlocked vehicles rummaged through during the early morning hours Sept. 28 in Watrous and Young.
It appears that the incidents were not specific to certain areas of the communities as many residents in Watrous residing on the east side and west side experienced the same thing.
This is not the first time that vehicles have been tampered with this year in the area and RCMP want to emphasize to residents to lock their vehicles to prevent theft. “Prevention is key. No opportunity equals no crime.”
People with any information about these or any other crimes can call the Watrous RCMP at 306-946-3316 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through Sask-Tel Mobility at *8477, text TIP206 plus your message to CRIMES (274637) or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com where you can also view information on other unsolved crimes. Crime Stoppers is anonymous and does not subscribe to call display and calls are not traced or recorded. If your information leads to an arrest or charge you may be eligible for a cash award.
Copper wire theft
Investigations conducted involving the theft of copper wire by Saskatoon RCMP and provincial GIS members have resulted in arrests and charges. On Sept. 14th, a compound in the Colonsay area was broken into and copper wire was stolen. A search warrant was executed at a residence located in Young where the stolen wire was located as well as offence related property. With the assistance of Watrous RCMP, two adults were arrested and charged. Forty-three year old Raymon Hounjet of Young and 39-year-old Shannon Rausch of Saskatoon face multiple charges including break, enter and theft.
On Sept. 24th, the same compound was broken into and copper wire was stolen. A search warrant was executed at a residence in the Grandora District where the stolen wire was located as well as offence related property. With the assistance of Warman RCMP, two adult males from Grandora and Saskatoon were arrested and charged. The copper wire recovered in this incident was returned to the rightful owner. This investigation is still ongoing and there may be further charges as the investigation evolves and items recovered and believed to be stolen unrelated to this offence are identified.
Extortion and fraud charges stayed
Extortion and fraud charges that were laid in 2015 have been stayed against Watrous resident Dwight Hayter after he was accused of trying to defraud and extort money from his employees at the Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa. According to the Star Phoenix, at a preliminary hearing in Saskatoon Sept. 14, a judge found there was insufficient evidence to proceed to trial on one set of charges. The remaining two counts of extortion and two counts of fraud were stayed. The Star Phoenix said unless new information comes forward within the next year, the charges will be dropped. Hayter still faces a charge of accepting repayment of an employee’s wages under Section 76 of the Labour Standards Act. The Star Phoenix said the Crown did not believe there was a reasonable likelihood of conviction given information that came forward during and after the preliminary hearing.
Break, enter and theft at Kelvington Golf Course
Greenwater RCMP and Crime Stoppers are seeking assistance from the public in solving the following crime which happened Sept. 19th. During this time, unknown person(s) broke into and entered the outbuildings at the Kelvington golf course, stealing liquor from the snacks and drinks golf cart at Kelvington. The Greenwater RCMP continues their investigation.
TWM Top Stories - Sept. 26, 2016
Hoofin' it for Hunger a success
Way to go Watrous and area as over $9,000 was raised for the Watrous and District Food Bank as part of the Hoofin' It For Hunger walk Sept. 21. In total, just over $7,000 was raised through personal donations and pledges and another $2,000 by the local RBC Royal Bank! Those taking part met at Manitou Lodge and joined up with residents, taking them in wheelchairs.
Way to go Watrous and area as over $9,000 was raised for the Watrous and District Food Bank as part of the Hoofin' It For Hunger walk Sept. 21. In total, just over $7,000 was raised through personal donations and pledges and another $2,000 by the local RBC Royal Bank! Those taking part met at Manitou Lodge and joined up with residents, taking them in wheelchairs.
RNs part of layoffs in health region
Daniel Bushman/TWM
As layoffs were announced by the Saskatoon Health Region Sept. 15, it was not known specifically which of the 70 positions were being affected and where. Dealing with a deficit of over $30 million, the health region said it had been working to eliminate the gap between revenues and expenses to achieve a balanced budget and because of it were forced to issue layoffs.
At the time of the announcement earlier this month, President and CEO of the Saskatoon Health Region Dan Florizone said, “We have made these decisions knowing how difficult this is for employees across our region. We built our sustainability plan on the principles of not compromising patient care and doing everything we can to protect frontline services while delivering health care in the most efficient way possible. We had hoped to avoid affecting the jobs of any of our over 11,000 employees. However, we knew that with over 70 percent of our entire budget devoted to staffing, not affecting jobs was extremely unlikely.”
While no specific positions were listed at the time of the layoff announcement, the president of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses said 12 registered nurses were a part of the number.
Saskatchewan Union of Nurses President Tracy Zambory said the news of RNs being laid off was disappointing. “Unfortunately we know that the Saskatoon Health Region isn’t the only region struggling with looming budget deficits. While this has been the most public and official layoff announcement, there has been a gradual but steady erosion of registered nurses at the bedside through the abolishment of positions and not filling vacancies for quite some time now. Registered nurses are acutely aware of the fact that decisions like these will likely have a negative impact on patient care.”
Zambory said reducing the number of RNs providing direct patient care in response to budget shortfalls is not a long-term solution to take care of current health care challenges.
“Research consistently shows that appropriate registered nurse staffing has a direct positive impact on patient outcomes and safety, including reduced hospital complications and infections, shortened hospital stays and fewer readmissions – all of this has been shown to have a direct impact on the bottom line, ultimately resulting in cost-savings to the system.”
Zambory said the reductions in the number of direct care providers in response to current-year budget deficits is a short-term fix.
The Watrous Manitou contacted the health region to see if any of the 12 RN layoffs or any of the other 58 positions were specific to the area. The region said because of the impacts across areas and out of respect for employees involved, they issued the following statement: “Approximately 70 people in about 30 position types have been affected. This includes people with in-scope positions in all unions (SEIU, SUN, HSAS) and people in out-of-scope positions, including management positions across both urban and rural locations.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
As layoffs were announced by the Saskatoon Health Region Sept. 15, it was not known specifically which of the 70 positions were being affected and where. Dealing with a deficit of over $30 million, the health region said it had been working to eliminate the gap between revenues and expenses to achieve a balanced budget and because of it were forced to issue layoffs.
At the time of the announcement earlier this month, President and CEO of the Saskatoon Health Region Dan Florizone said, “We have made these decisions knowing how difficult this is for employees across our region. We built our sustainability plan on the principles of not compromising patient care and doing everything we can to protect frontline services while delivering health care in the most efficient way possible. We had hoped to avoid affecting the jobs of any of our over 11,000 employees. However, we knew that with over 70 percent of our entire budget devoted to staffing, not affecting jobs was extremely unlikely.”
While no specific positions were listed at the time of the layoff announcement, the president of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses said 12 registered nurses were a part of the number.
Saskatchewan Union of Nurses President Tracy Zambory said the news of RNs being laid off was disappointing. “Unfortunately we know that the Saskatoon Health Region isn’t the only region struggling with looming budget deficits. While this has been the most public and official layoff announcement, there has been a gradual but steady erosion of registered nurses at the bedside through the abolishment of positions and not filling vacancies for quite some time now. Registered nurses are acutely aware of the fact that decisions like these will likely have a negative impact on patient care.”
Zambory said reducing the number of RNs providing direct patient care in response to budget shortfalls is not a long-term solution to take care of current health care challenges.
“Research consistently shows that appropriate registered nurse staffing has a direct positive impact on patient outcomes and safety, including reduced hospital complications and infections, shortened hospital stays and fewer readmissions – all of this has been shown to have a direct impact on the bottom line, ultimately resulting in cost-savings to the system.”
Zambory said the reductions in the number of direct care providers in response to current-year budget deficits is a short-term fix.
The Watrous Manitou contacted the health region to see if any of the 12 RN layoffs or any of the other 58 positions were specific to the area. The region said because of the impacts across areas and out of respect for employees involved, they issued the following statement: “Approximately 70 people in about 30 position types have been affected. This includes people with in-scope positions in all unions (SEIU, SUN, HSAS) and people in out-of-scope positions, including management positions across both urban and rural locations.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 19, 2016
Protecting Manitou Beach
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Dealing with record high water levels, the resort community of Manitou Beach received some welcome news as provincial funding has been approved for a one metre berm raise project. In addition to receiving approval for the berm raise, council will also be putting forward a motion to request work begin on initiating a water diversion project.
Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec and the Water Security Agency’s (WSA) Patrick Boyle confirmed the funding approval of $3.877 million through the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program. The program provides funding to communities/municipalities using a 75 percent government – 25 percent community cost-share formula, meaning the resort will be on the hook for about $900,000.
“We will however be negotiating with the province to have this amount reduced,” said Worobec.
If all goes well, Boyle said construction on the berms should start shortly. “It is hoped construction will begin the first week in October and the basic protection measures will be finished before the onset of winter with final works to be complete the next spring/summer.”
Worobec said the work will be disruptive but extensive measures have been engineered into traffic control and detours.
“They will only be put in place when needed and where needed. We ask that everyone remain patient and remember what the final outcome will be, which is the beach will be properly protected from the rising waters. When the last shovel of dirt and the last rock is put in place we will all sleep a little better knowing that everything possible that could be done will be done.”
Boyle said the latest funding from WSA comes after significant 2016 spring inflow into the lake and persistent rains throughout the summer, raising the water level to the crest of the present berm. “Raising it is critical to protect against further precipitation events and 2017 spring inflow.”
Having the WSA invest roughly $7 to $8 million into protective measures at Manitou Beach over the last handful of years, Worobec said the latest project to raise the berms will include several aspects.
The first component is raising the existing berm one metre to protect residents, businesses, regional park areas, Camp Easter Seal and infrastructure like sewage lift stations. “If the lift stations are compromised then we would be required to shut down our water system as well, which would prove to be disastrous.”
Secondly, when the resort community experiences heavy rain fall, maintenance staff are left to pump large amounts of water from the south side of Lake Avenue over the berm and into the lake. “We will be doing ground work that will channel that water to fewer central locations and installing large sump pits with automatic pumps that will operate year-round with minimal supervision.”
A straight berm is going to be created between the Nu-Inn to the lift stations by the tennis court. “We will then dewater the south portion and reclaim the regional park and beach area. This is will be a huge asset to the village and business owners.”
Worobec said once the berm is raised from the tennis court west to Camp Easter Seal, they will be dewatering the south side of the street paralleling the regional park picnic area. “We will also be removing all the dead trees, filling the low areas with clay and gravel to create a parking lot for visitors.”
Lastly, the mayor said they will be doing repairs to slow areas of the berm that are currently piping or leaking water.
Appreciative of the support through the funding, Worobec said, “All of this work should give us roughly five or more years of breathing room.”
The resort community has also asked the WSA if they have hit the trigger marks to initiate plans for the water diversion project. “Their response was yes,” Worobec said.
Boyle confirmed that the WSA is considering the project with the community but added a proposed diversion project will take considerable time. Boyle outlined a few steps that have to be taken in order for the diversion project to begin taking shape. “Detailed design of the construction is required, acquiring the land control is complex, environmental assessments will have to be conducted and stakeholders consultations would have to take place. This will all take some time before any project would be given an approval.”
Worobec said council at Manitou Beach is getting the ball rolling and will be putting forward a motion to officially request the work begin immediately in regards to the diversion. “Following the completion of the berm project we will be able to put all our energy and time into a diversion project. On behalf of myself, council, and staff, thank you for your support, and patience. Keep in mind that this will be a long process as there needs to be environmental impact studies, communication with affected land owners, Aboriginal affairs and so on. It is expected that it will take two years to see it through to completion.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Dealing with record high water levels, the resort community of Manitou Beach received some welcome news as provincial funding has been approved for a one metre berm raise project. In addition to receiving approval for the berm raise, council will also be putting forward a motion to request work begin on initiating a water diversion project.
Manitou Beach Mayor Gerry Worobec and the Water Security Agency’s (WSA) Patrick Boyle confirmed the funding approval of $3.877 million through the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program. The program provides funding to communities/municipalities using a 75 percent government – 25 percent community cost-share formula, meaning the resort will be on the hook for about $900,000.
“We will however be negotiating with the province to have this amount reduced,” said Worobec.
If all goes well, Boyle said construction on the berms should start shortly. “It is hoped construction will begin the first week in October and the basic protection measures will be finished before the onset of winter with final works to be complete the next spring/summer.”
Worobec said the work will be disruptive but extensive measures have been engineered into traffic control and detours.
“They will only be put in place when needed and where needed. We ask that everyone remain patient and remember what the final outcome will be, which is the beach will be properly protected from the rising waters. When the last shovel of dirt and the last rock is put in place we will all sleep a little better knowing that everything possible that could be done will be done.”
Boyle said the latest funding from WSA comes after significant 2016 spring inflow into the lake and persistent rains throughout the summer, raising the water level to the crest of the present berm. “Raising it is critical to protect against further precipitation events and 2017 spring inflow.”
Having the WSA invest roughly $7 to $8 million into protective measures at Manitou Beach over the last handful of years, Worobec said the latest project to raise the berms will include several aspects.
The first component is raising the existing berm one metre to protect residents, businesses, regional park areas, Camp Easter Seal and infrastructure like sewage lift stations. “If the lift stations are compromised then we would be required to shut down our water system as well, which would prove to be disastrous.”
Secondly, when the resort community experiences heavy rain fall, maintenance staff are left to pump large amounts of water from the south side of Lake Avenue over the berm and into the lake. “We will be doing ground work that will channel that water to fewer central locations and installing large sump pits with automatic pumps that will operate year-round with minimal supervision.”
A straight berm is going to be created between the Nu-Inn to the lift stations by the tennis court. “We will then dewater the south portion and reclaim the regional park and beach area. This is will be a huge asset to the village and business owners.”
Worobec said once the berm is raised from the tennis court west to Camp Easter Seal, they will be dewatering the south side of the street paralleling the regional park picnic area. “We will also be removing all the dead trees, filling the low areas with clay and gravel to create a parking lot for visitors.”
Lastly, the mayor said they will be doing repairs to slow areas of the berm that are currently piping or leaking water.
Appreciative of the support through the funding, Worobec said, “All of this work should give us roughly five or more years of breathing room.”
The resort community has also asked the WSA if they have hit the trigger marks to initiate plans for the water diversion project. “Their response was yes,” Worobec said.
Boyle confirmed that the WSA is considering the project with the community but added a proposed diversion project will take considerable time. Boyle outlined a few steps that have to be taken in order for the diversion project to begin taking shape. “Detailed design of the construction is required, acquiring the land control is complex, environmental assessments will have to be conducted and stakeholders consultations would have to take place. This will all take some time before any project would be given an approval.”
Worobec said council at Manitou Beach is getting the ball rolling and will be putting forward a motion to officially request the work begin immediately in regards to the diversion. “Following the completion of the berm project we will be able to put all our energy and time into a diversion project. On behalf of myself, council, and staff, thank you for your support, and patience. Keep in mind that this will be a long process as there needs to be environmental impact studies, communication with affected land owners, Aboriginal affairs and so on. It is expected that it will take two years to see it through to completion.”
TWM Top Stories - Sept.12, 2016
Manitou Beach receiving funding for berms
Manitou Beach mayor Gerry Worobec confirmed to TWM that the resort community will see its berm raise one metre. Worobec said the provincial government is committing $3.877 million towards Water Security Agency for the berm raise with the beach's portion around $900 thousand.TWM has contacted the Water Security Agency but due to press deadline constraints, we will have a more in-depth article in our Sept. 19 edition.
Manitou Beach mayor Gerry Worobec confirmed to TWM that the resort community will see its berm raise one metre. Worobec said the provincial government is committing $3.877 million towards Water Security Agency for the berm raise with the beach's portion around $900 thousand.TWM has contacted the Water Security Agency but due to press deadline constraints, we will have a more in-depth article in our Sept. 19 edition.
Packing Danceland as Harris delivers
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Daniel Bushman/TWM
TWM Top Stories - Sept. 5, 2016
Filming for CBC show wraps up at Manitou Beach
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Manitou Beach was thrust into the spotlight last week as members of the CBC show Still Standing filmed an episode for their upcoming season.
“We are having a great time so far,” said host Jonny Harris, who graciously spent a few minutes talking with the Watrous Manitou last Thursday. “It is messing with my head though because I had no idea you could find a full on beach front, resort/wellness community in southern Saskatchewan. I didn’t know Canada had its own Dead Sea.”
Harris talked with locals about the high water levels while also having some fun. The comedian chatted with Sue Alcock at Danceland, Fraser Murray on the swings (pictured below), played volley pong with Mike Nicholson (pictured right), visited with Orrin McIntosh about his scale models and also spent time with a few other local faces.
Harris said McIntosh’s scale models of local historic buildings was fascinating. “With Danceland he can go take measurements to build his scale model but the Chalet Pool he scaled it all from photographs. It is amazing the job that he has done.”
The comedian and host of the show found Manitou Beach interesting because of the way the lake draws thousands of tourists every year but continues to rise. “It is really threatening the place and it is an interesting story.”
Jonny planned to go for a float at Manitou Springs Mineral Spa Thursday evening and then hop in the lake Friday.
“That is my favourite thing about doing this show is there are places where you slap your forehead and say, ‘I had no idea this was in our country.’ It is definitely one of the more interesting stories and I love the whole romantic notion that in the roaring 1920s the social elite would come to Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan to soak in the healing powers of the waters.”
Admitting Danceland was bigger than he originally thought, Harris was quick to point out that hearing the stories about it being flocked with big bands coming to play over the years was fascinating.
Regardless of the water levels present at the resort community Harris said, “People here are resilient and want to stay and make it work. It is crazy is how much the water has risen over the last six or seven years. Between the berms and potential diversion project, I hope things will go well here for sure.”
Since filming an episode is like a whirlwind tour, Harris does a bit of homework on each destination before hitting the road. Once he and the crew arrive, he is able to have a first hand look at the area and then goes to work on his comedy routine. “I go to the hotel and sit down with the guys and go over things.”
Then at the end of the week, Harris takes the stage and offers his comedic insight during a free show. The show includes local anecdotes and they are added into the episode that is scheduled to appear on season three of Still Standing.
With two seasons already in the books, Harris said he has really enjoyed the opportunity. “I do. I have gotten to see a lot of places across the country that you might not have reason to visit. If we can sort of get the word out (about them) it is great. It is never really our mission to just try to save a place, we are just there to find out about it. But I like the idea of finding these incredibly interesting stories and sharing them."
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Manitou Beach was thrust into the spotlight last week as members of the CBC show Still Standing filmed an episode for their upcoming season.
“We are having a great time so far,” said host Jonny Harris, who graciously spent a few minutes talking with the Watrous Manitou last Thursday. “It is messing with my head though because I had no idea you could find a full on beach front, resort/wellness community in southern Saskatchewan. I didn’t know Canada had its own Dead Sea.”
Harris talked with locals about the high water levels while also having some fun. The comedian chatted with Sue Alcock at Danceland, Fraser Murray on the swings (pictured below), played volley pong with Mike Nicholson (pictured right), visited with Orrin McIntosh about his scale models and also spent time with a few other local faces.
Harris said McIntosh’s scale models of local historic buildings was fascinating. “With Danceland he can go take measurements to build his scale model but the Chalet Pool he scaled it all from photographs. It is amazing the job that he has done.”
The comedian and host of the show found Manitou Beach interesting because of the way the lake draws thousands of tourists every year but continues to rise. “It is really threatening the place and it is an interesting story.”
Jonny planned to go for a float at Manitou Springs Mineral Spa Thursday evening and then hop in the lake Friday.
“That is my favourite thing about doing this show is there are places where you slap your forehead and say, ‘I had no idea this was in our country.’ It is definitely one of the more interesting stories and I love the whole romantic notion that in the roaring 1920s the social elite would come to Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan to soak in the healing powers of the waters.”
Admitting Danceland was bigger than he originally thought, Harris was quick to point out that hearing the stories about it being flocked with big bands coming to play over the years was fascinating.
Regardless of the water levels present at the resort community Harris said, “People here are resilient and want to stay and make it work. It is crazy is how much the water has risen over the last six or seven years. Between the berms and potential diversion project, I hope things will go well here for sure.”
Since filming an episode is like a whirlwind tour, Harris does a bit of homework on each destination before hitting the road. Once he and the crew arrive, he is able to have a first hand look at the area and then goes to work on his comedy routine. “I go to the hotel and sit down with the guys and go over things.”
Then at the end of the week, Harris takes the stage and offers his comedic insight during a free show. The show includes local anecdotes and they are added into the episode that is scheduled to appear on season three of Still Standing.
With two seasons already in the books, Harris said he has really enjoyed the opportunity. “I do. I have gotten to see a lot of places across the country that you might not have reason to visit. If we can sort of get the word out (about them) it is great. It is never really our mission to just try to save a place, we are just there to find out about it. But I like the idea of finding these incredibly interesting stories and sharing them."
Potash Corporation and Agrium confirm preliminary merger talks
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Amidst current prices, both Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan and Agrium confirmed last week that they are in preliminary discussions regarding a potential merger of equals.
In a statement released by both companies, the pair said no decision has been made as to whether to proceed with such a combination, no agreement has been reached and there can be no assurance that any transaction will result from these discussions.
Premier Brad Wall took to twitter last Tuesday, tweeting out, “Will work to ensure SK interests protected by any Potash/Agrium merger. Jobs, economic impact and revenue will be our top priority.”
The release by Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan and Agrium was issued after a report surfaced by Bloomberg News Aug. 30. In the report, it stated: “The potential deal comes as fertilizer companies struggle with depressed crop prices, which have pressured spending by farmers. Over the past year, spot potash prices in the U.S. corn belt have fallen 34 percent and other crop nutrients have also gotten cheaper. Potash buyers in India and China have delayed signing contracts for supplies, damping demand.”
If a potential merger does go through, Bloomberg News said the combined company would own more than 50 percent of North American potash capacity. Those assets, according to the report would be the main challenge if the merger faces regulatory hurdles.
Stifel analyst Paul Forward was named in the report, stating anti-trust concerns could be addressed by selling one or more potash assets to competitors such as BHP Billiton Ltd. or K+S AG.
The merger “would likely create significant value, particularly amidst a depressed backdrop for global fertilizer prices,” Forward said.
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan has a pair of mines in the region near Lanigan and Allan. Potash Corporation is also the world’s largest fertilizer company by capacity, producing potash, nitrogen and phosphate.
A global leader in agricultural products, services and solutions, Agrium has a local presence with retail areas located in Watrous, Colonsay, Viscount and Liberty. They also have a Solutions Storage wholesale facility in Clavet. Agrium can be found across the globe including North and South America, Australia, Egypt and Europe.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Amidst current prices, both Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan and Agrium confirmed last week that they are in preliminary discussions regarding a potential merger of equals.
In a statement released by both companies, the pair said no decision has been made as to whether to proceed with such a combination, no agreement has been reached and there can be no assurance that any transaction will result from these discussions.
Premier Brad Wall took to twitter last Tuesday, tweeting out, “Will work to ensure SK interests protected by any Potash/Agrium merger. Jobs, economic impact and revenue will be our top priority.”
The release by Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan and Agrium was issued after a report surfaced by Bloomberg News Aug. 30. In the report, it stated: “The potential deal comes as fertilizer companies struggle with depressed crop prices, which have pressured spending by farmers. Over the past year, spot potash prices in the U.S. corn belt have fallen 34 percent and other crop nutrients have also gotten cheaper. Potash buyers in India and China have delayed signing contracts for supplies, damping demand.”
If a potential merger does go through, Bloomberg News said the combined company would own more than 50 percent of North American potash capacity. Those assets, according to the report would be the main challenge if the merger faces regulatory hurdles.
Stifel analyst Paul Forward was named in the report, stating anti-trust concerns could be addressed by selling one or more potash assets to competitors such as BHP Billiton Ltd. or K+S AG.
The merger “would likely create significant value, particularly amidst a depressed backdrop for global fertilizer prices,” Forward said.
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan has a pair of mines in the region near Lanigan and Allan. Potash Corporation is also the world’s largest fertilizer company by capacity, producing potash, nitrogen and phosphate.
A global leader in agricultural products, services and solutions, Agrium has a local presence with retail areas located in Watrous, Colonsay, Viscount and Liberty. They also have a Solutions Storage wholesale facility in Clavet. Agrium can be found across the globe including North and South America, Australia, Egypt and Europe.
TWM Top Stories - Aug. 29, 2016
Woman recalls near-death experience
Daniel Bushman/TWM
A woman from St. John’s, Newfoundland is lucky to be alive after her trip across Canada came to a horrifying end southwest of Watrous. Elle Gottzi and her two-year-old Husky Naina had successfully crossed the country after going more than 10,000 km over three weeks and were on their way home when her vehicle veered into a slough.
Facing all sorts of roads, weather conditions and wildlife, it was not until she was motoring along on Hwy. 15 between Kenaston and the Junction of Hwy. 2 when her trip went horribly wrong.
On that particular August day, Gottzi mapped out her route which would take her from Three Hills, Alta. to Raymore. “My path happened to fall on Hwy. 15 and it turned out to be a dangerous mix of unpredictable road with very little signage to none at all,” said a shaken Gottzi.
With the sun going down and driving on a highway with eroded pavement, loose stones and muddy pot holes, Gotzzi had to keep her eyes peeled. It was on one of those broken pieces of road that completely knocked her Honda Element out of control, sending it into the slough and landing upside down.
Trapped in her vehicle as water filled the interior, Gottzi tried to remain focused while holding her breath. With oxygen being replaced by water and trying not to panic, Elle frantically searched for a way out.
“I was holding my breath and periodically swallowing the swampy dirty water to lessen the pressure in my lungs. I was carefully and blindly examining with my hands everything around me in the car while in an upside down position.”
Gottzi needed to break the windows to get out but could not find anything heavy enough. Running out of air and with her last gasp to survive, Gottzi extended her feet and felt the ground. Realizing one of the windows was broken, she knew it was her only way out. Not knowing where her dog was, Gottzi managed to slip through the space where the back window was located and like a bullet, shot towards the surface.
Gasping and gulping for air, Elle did not see her Husky Naina and chaotically began searching for her friend. “I had an extra pair of keys for the car in my pocket so I swam to the trunk and desperately was fighting to open it. It wouldn’t work and later on after I saw the car on the ground, I understood why because it was completely deviated and stuck.”
Relentlessly diving below the surface to find a way to her dog, Gottzi could see nothing. “The water was a heavy mix of algae, lots of leaches and debris.”
The survivor caught a glimpse of a vehicle approaching so she did her best to elevate herself on the sunken car and flagged the motorists down. “It was a couple and they called 9-1-1 and the guy immediately jumped into the water as I was repeating that I needed to save my dog.”
The motorist, Andrew Leslie found Niana around the back of the vehicle but it was too late as she was lifeless. Gottzi spent the next half an hour trying to revive her friend but to no avail.
An ambulance and a member of the Watrous RCMP soon arrived on scene and Elle described to them the tragic events that had just unfolded. With adrenaline pumping and not feeling her injuries, Gottzi refused to go to the hospital and stayed beside her lifeless companion.
“When I was describing what happened, I felt like I had killed my dog. That was all that was going through my mind.”
Sopping wet and with her belongings and shoes in the slough, Gottzi was able to get some clothes from Andrew Leslie and Carah Campbell and she sat in their car to warm up.
The RCMP member attending the scene was Constable Carl Diduck and he offered to take Elle to Watrous to find her a place to stay as Lorri Struthers from Watrous Towing arrived to haul the vehicle out of the water.
“When I went to pull out Elle’s vehicle the water was up to my shoulders when I hooked it up.”
Not wanting to leave Naina, Elle placed the body of her dog in the trunk of the police cruiser and arrived in Watrous at the Watrous Animal Hospital.
“It was Saturday night and the clinic was closed but somehow by luck the owners happened to drive by us when we were there. After hearing my story, they agreed to keep Naina’s body in the freezer until I sorted things out.”
Realizing just how close she was with her own death, Gottzi began having flashbacks and spent the night in a motel crying while fighting the images in her mind.
After the dreadful night, Struthers arrived to pick up Gottzi Sunday morning to take her back to the slough to try and recover some of her items. After finding a few of her things floating around, Elle decided to head deeper into the water.
“I spent close to an hour in the slough with wounded feet full of cuts, cold and shivering and I hadn’t eaten anything properly for a few days before that as well.”
Originally from Ukraine, Gottzi did manage to recover almost everything including her iPhone, iPad, iPod, GPS and plenty of other random items.
“I was in disbelief that I found so many of them, since stepping on the ground of the slough was nearly impossible. It was like soft clay that made me sink and it was covered in heavy algae and sharp branches and rocks.”
Gottzi also dealt with leaches and was covered head to toe but she was able to get what she could from the slough. Staying in the community, Elle soon met other people from the area that generously helped her out.
Struthers and his wife Susan took Elle under their wings and introduced her to Lori Harper. “She turned out to be an amazing soul, who surrounded me with so much positive energy, that I even managed to smile here and there.”
During that time Gottzi decided to cremate her dog in order to bring her back home. “Lori drove me for more than four hours in total to get to the cremation place with my dog and then back. All the people I was meeting were truly the special kind.”
While Gottzi’s horrifying experience of hitting the slough had ended, less than 24 hours later, another near fatal accident occurred at the exact same spot.
“Literally the tires of their car followed mine and a couple from the United States, Barbara and Tim, ended up in the slough on the right side of the road opposite of me.”
Struthers could not believe how these two incidents were so close together. “The tire marks made a perfect ‘x’ on the road. They hit the same approach and drowned their vehicle.”
While Elle hit the slough around dusk, the second incident was during the middle of the day. “It was on the highway about a half mile west from Huck Road,” said Lorrie.
While the car driven by the American couple landed right side up, their experience was “word for word the same thing that happened in regards to losing control when they hit the same spot I did,” said Gottzi.
“Two accidents 15 hours apart at the same spot, that is just the beginning in my opinion. Luckily for the couple no one got hurt but in my case, I lost a dearly loved puppy in a terrible way, that will never stop haunting me.”
Gottzi ventured out once more to where she went into the slough but this time was equipped with a flashlight, snorkel and magnet that she got from Sly’s Repair.
But with the murky condition of the water, the tools did not help in retrieving her items so she elected to go bare foot. Hovering over some of the spots where her items might be, Elle was beginning to lose hope in finding anything further. Proclaiming not to be religious, Gottzi was running out of ideas and pleaded for help to find her camera.
“I said in a sad voice if there is anyone up there please hear me and let me find the camera. Literally seconds later I felt something that I thought was another one of those big rocks I had lifted. I lifted the item ready to see another rock and it was my camera.”
Despite it being damaged by water, Gottzi was happy to have found it. “It was a small victory and later on it turned out the SD card that my pictures were on worked and my pictures were saved!”
Gottzi also found one of her books about healing plants and herbs and sticking out of it was a piece of paper with text titled, An Unbeliever Convinced. “I have never had anything like it in my car or with me before that and I had no idea how it made it to the book in the form it did. It was strange and a bit spooky to say the least. I kept the page just for memory.”
After spending part of Aug. 10 in the slough, Elle got word her dog had been cremated and her brief time in the area was coming to an end.
During her last day in Watrous, Gottzi was getting ready to check out of her room and pay when she was given some overwhelming news. “The owner of the place (Lane Manson) simply told me, ‘you don’t owe anything. I am sorry about your bad luck and really wish you well.’ I was amazed at just another kind gesture after so many I was getting in the town of Watrous. I was at a loss for words. I was never really that used to meeting good and kind people in my life before, especially in big numbers.”
After being dropped off at the airport in Regina by Lorrie and Susan, Elle departed back home Aug. 11, which happened to be the same day as her mother’s memorial day.
Arriving at the airport broken hearted and in tears with her bag and urn in her arms, Gottzi headed straight for her partner who was there waiting.
Looking back on her tragic near-death experience, Elle knows she is lucky to be alive and wants to use her experience to draw attention to the condition of the roads.
“After driving more than 10,000 km crossing the country in all sorts of conditions and roads, it took Saskatchewan’s back country to have my trip abruptly end and be fatal for my dog. It took an American couple to drive there to have pretty much the same end as well. If a dog’s life isn’t important for some you can easily imagine a kid instead, a human life. It is just a matter of time before the next story like mine appears.”
The Watrous Manitou contacted the Minstry of Highways and Infrastructure to see if anything will be done to improve Hwy. 15 not only between Kenaston and the Junction of Hwy. 2 where the two incidents occurred but between the Junction of Hwy. 2 and Nokomis where the highway continues towards.
Sonja Orban with the ministry said safety is a priority and something they keep in mind each and every day as they design, build and maintain the provincial transportation system.
“The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is aware of the gravel spots on Hwy. 15 between the junction of Nokomis and Hwy. 2. This road is a Thin Membrane Surface (TMS) road that has deteriorated over the years. Although the ministry has upgraded a large number of TMS roads there is still more work to be done.”
Orban said there are no current plans to pave that stretch of road but she did say that MHI reviews the prioritization of TMS upgrades on an annual basis.
In the meantime, crews have installed signs in the area indicating pavement to gravel and gravel to pavement and have been conducting routine maintenance on Hwy. 15 from Nokomis to the junction of Hwy. 2 as needed. This work includes hand patching, gravel blading, and the placement of hot mix. Crews had also planned to do some spot sealing in August in addition to re-gravel ling a large gravel section west of the junction of Hwy. 2 this fall.
As for the portion of road that Gottzi was travelling on, Orban said the highway was re-graded and reconstructed to a gravel surface starting in 2012. “Crews have also continued to perform routine maintenance on this road such as blading, spot improvements, patching and spot sealing. This season, crews will be sealing this section of road.”
Maintenance or not, Gottzi was less than impressed with the highway’s condition calling them exceptionally bad and dangerous. “How many more accidents and fatalities will it take before someone pays attention to it? And it is suppose to be a tourist area with Manitou Beach nearby, where local businesses expect tourists to visit the area.”
While the road and the circumstances surrounding it are not positive, there is a silver lining in all of this as Gottzi wanted to shed some light on the generosity of local residents in the area. She extended her appreciation to: “Lorrie Struthers from Watrous Towing who went beyond any limits to help me with everything possible. His wife Susan’s hospitality, support and her amazing food was very very much appreciated. Lori Harper, the twin spirit, and an amazing soul. Carah Campbell and Andrew Leslie, the couple who spotted and stopped at the accident, and called 9-1-1. They also helped me with clothes and shoes and tried to calm me down. Thank you so much. To Lane Manson, the owner of TB’s Bar and Grill and the hotel I stayed, thank you so much for being so kind and understanding to me and letting me stay free of charge. To the Watrous Animal Hospital and owner Dr. Allison Bartel for being there at the right time and helping me free of charge. Also for the crew at the clinic for getting a paw print and fur of my baby, again free of charge. Pip’s Esso for letting me use the phone and to the people of Watrous, thank you. I wish I would have visited the place under different circumstances and I wish the roads to such special places were not so deadly.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
A woman from St. John’s, Newfoundland is lucky to be alive after her trip across Canada came to a horrifying end southwest of Watrous. Elle Gottzi and her two-year-old Husky Naina had successfully crossed the country after going more than 10,000 km over three weeks and were on their way home when her vehicle veered into a slough.
Facing all sorts of roads, weather conditions and wildlife, it was not until she was motoring along on Hwy. 15 between Kenaston and the Junction of Hwy. 2 when her trip went horribly wrong.
On that particular August day, Gottzi mapped out her route which would take her from Three Hills, Alta. to Raymore. “My path happened to fall on Hwy. 15 and it turned out to be a dangerous mix of unpredictable road with very little signage to none at all,” said a shaken Gottzi.
With the sun going down and driving on a highway with eroded pavement, loose stones and muddy pot holes, Gotzzi had to keep her eyes peeled. It was on one of those broken pieces of road that completely knocked her Honda Element out of control, sending it into the slough and landing upside down.
Trapped in her vehicle as water filled the interior, Gottzi tried to remain focused while holding her breath. With oxygen being replaced by water and trying not to panic, Elle frantically searched for a way out.
“I was holding my breath and periodically swallowing the swampy dirty water to lessen the pressure in my lungs. I was carefully and blindly examining with my hands everything around me in the car while in an upside down position.”
Gottzi needed to break the windows to get out but could not find anything heavy enough. Running out of air and with her last gasp to survive, Gottzi extended her feet and felt the ground. Realizing one of the windows was broken, she knew it was her only way out. Not knowing where her dog was, Gottzi managed to slip through the space where the back window was located and like a bullet, shot towards the surface.
Gasping and gulping for air, Elle did not see her Husky Naina and chaotically began searching for her friend. “I had an extra pair of keys for the car in my pocket so I swam to the trunk and desperately was fighting to open it. It wouldn’t work and later on after I saw the car on the ground, I understood why because it was completely deviated and stuck.”
Relentlessly diving below the surface to find a way to her dog, Gottzi could see nothing. “The water was a heavy mix of algae, lots of leaches and debris.”
The survivor caught a glimpse of a vehicle approaching so she did her best to elevate herself on the sunken car and flagged the motorists down. “It was a couple and they called 9-1-1 and the guy immediately jumped into the water as I was repeating that I needed to save my dog.”
The motorist, Andrew Leslie found Niana around the back of the vehicle but it was too late as she was lifeless. Gottzi spent the next half an hour trying to revive her friend but to no avail.
An ambulance and a member of the Watrous RCMP soon arrived on scene and Elle described to them the tragic events that had just unfolded. With adrenaline pumping and not feeling her injuries, Gottzi refused to go to the hospital and stayed beside her lifeless companion.
“When I was describing what happened, I felt like I had killed my dog. That was all that was going through my mind.”
Sopping wet and with her belongings and shoes in the slough, Gottzi was able to get some clothes from Andrew Leslie and Carah Campbell and she sat in their car to warm up.
The RCMP member attending the scene was Constable Carl Diduck and he offered to take Elle to Watrous to find her a place to stay as Lorri Struthers from Watrous Towing arrived to haul the vehicle out of the water.
“When I went to pull out Elle’s vehicle the water was up to my shoulders when I hooked it up.”
Not wanting to leave Naina, Elle placed the body of her dog in the trunk of the police cruiser and arrived in Watrous at the Watrous Animal Hospital.
“It was Saturday night and the clinic was closed but somehow by luck the owners happened to drive by us when we were there. After hearing my story, they agreed to keep Naina’s body in the freezer until I sorted things out.”
Realizing just how close she was with her own death, Gottzi began having flashbacks and spent the night in a motel crying while fighting the images in her mind.
After the dreadful night, Struthers arrived to pick up Gottzi Sunday morning to take her back to the slough to try and recover some of her items. After finding a few of her things floating around, Elle decided to head deeper into the water.
“I spent close to an hour in the slough with wounded feet full of cuts, cold and shivering and I hadn’t eaten anything properly for a few days before that as well.”
Originally from Ukraine, Gottzi did manage to recover almost everything including her iPhone, iPad, iPod, GPS and plenty of other random items.
“I was in disbelief that I found so many of them, since stepping on the ground of the slough was nearly impossible. It was like soft clay that made me sink and it was covered in heavy algae and sharp branches and rocks.”
Gottzi also dealt with leaches and was covered head to toe but she was able to get what she could from the slough. Staying in the community, Elle soon met other people from the area that generously helped her out.
Struthers and his wife Susan took Elle under their wings and introduced her to Lori Harper. “She turned out to be an amazing soul, who surrounded me with so much positive energy, that I even managed to smile here and there.”
During that time Gottzi decided to cremate her dog in order to bring her back home. “Lori drove me for more than four hours in total to get to the cremation place with my dog and then back. All the people I was meeting were truly the special kind.”
While Gottzi’s horrifying experience of hitting the slough had ended, less than 24 hours later, another near fatal accident occurred at the exact same spot.
“Literally the tires of their car followed mine and a couple from the United States, Barbara and Tim, ended up in the slough on the right side of the road opposite of me.”
Struthers could not believe how these two incidents were so close together. “The tire marks made a perfect ‘x’ on the road. They hit the same approach and drowned their vehicle.”
While Elle hit the slough around dusk, the second incident was during the middle of the day. “It was on the highway about a half mile west from Huck Road,” said Lorrie.
While the car driven by the American couple landed right side up, their experience was “word for word the same thing that happened in regards to losing control when they hit the same spot I did,” said Gottzi.
“Two accidents 15 hours apart at the same spot, that is just the beginning in my opinion. Luckily for the couple no one got hurt but in my case, I lost a dearly loved puppy in a terrible way, that will never stop haunting me.”
Gottzi ventured out once more to where she went into the slough but this time was equipped with a flashlight, snorkel and magnet that she got from Sly’s Repair.
But with the murky condition of the water, the tools did not help in retrieving her items so she elected to go bare foot. Hovering over some of the spots where her items might be, Elle was beginning to lose hope in finding anything further. Proclaiming not to be religious, Gottzi was running out of ideas and pleaded for help to find her camera.
“I said in a sad voice if there is anyone up there please hear me and let me find the camera. Literally seconds later I felt something that I thought was another one of those big rocks I had lifted. I lifted the item ready to see another rock and it was my camera.”
Despite it being damaged by water, Gottzi was happy to have found it. “It was a small victory and later on it turned out the SD card that my pictures were on worked and my pictures were saved!”
Gottzi also found one of her books about healing plants and herbs and sticking out of it was a piece of paper with text titled, An Unbeliever Convinced. “I have never had anything like it in my car or with me before that and I had no idea how it made it to the book in the form it did. It was strange and a bit spooky to say the least. I kept the page just for memory.”
After spending part of Aug. 10 in the slough, Elle got word her dog had been cremated and her brief time in the area was coming to an end.
During her last day in Watrous, Gottzi was getting ready to check out of her room and pay when she was given some overwhelming news. “The owner of the place (Lane Manson) simply told me, ‘you don’t owe anything. I am sorry about your bad luck and really wish you well.’ I was amazed at just another kind gesture after so many I was getting in the town of Watrous. I was at a loss for words. I was never really that used to meeting good and kind people in my life before, especially in big numbers.”
After being dropped off at the airport in Regina by Lorrie and Susan, Elle departed back home Aug. 11, which happened to be the same day as her mother’s memorial day.
Arriving at the airport broken hearted and in tears with her bag and urn in her arms, Gottzi headed straight for her partner who was there waiting.
Looking back on her tragic near-death experience, Elle knows she is lucky to be alive and wants to use her experience to draw attention to the condition of the roads.
“After driving more than 10,000 km crossing the country in all sorts of conditions and roads, it took Saskatchewan’s back country to have my trip abruptly end and be fatal for my dog. It took an American couple to drive there to have pretty much the same end as well. If a dog’s life isn’t important for some you can easily imagine a kid instead, a human life. It is just a matter of time before the next story like mine appears.”
The Watrous Manitou contacted the Minstry of Highways and Infrastructure to see if anything will be done to improve Hwy. 15 not only between Kenaston and the Junction of Hwy. 2 where the two incidents occurred but between the Junction of Hwy. 2 and Nokomis where the highway continues towards.
Sonja Orban with the ministry said safety is a priority and something they keep in mind each and every day as they design, build and maintain the provincial transportation system.
“The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is aware of the gravel spots on Hwy. 15 between the junction of Nokomis and Hwy. 2. This road is a Thin Membrane Surface (TMS) road that has deteriorated over the years. Although the ministry has upgraded a large number of TMS roads there is still more work to be done.”
Orban said there are no current plans to pave that stretch of road but she did say that MHI reviews the prioritization of TMS upgrades on an annual basis.
In the meantime, crews have installed signs in the area indicating pavement to gravel and gravel to pavement and have been conducting routine maintenance on Hwy. 15 from Nokomis to the junction of Hwy. 2 as needed. This work includes hand patching, gravel blading, and the placement of hot mix. Crews had also planned to do some spot sealing in August in addition to re-gravel ling a large gravel section west of the junction of Hwy. 2 this fall.
As for the portion of road that Gottzi was travelling on, Orban said the highway was re-graded and reconstructed to a gravel surface starting in 2012. “Crews have also continued to perform routine maintenance on this road such as blading, spot improvements, patching and spot sealing. This season, crews will be sealing this section of road.”
Maintenance or not, Gottzi was less than impressed with the highway’s condition calling them exceptionally bad and dangerous. “How many more accidents and fatalities will it take before someone pays attention to it? And it is suppose to be a tourist area with Manitou Beach nearby, where local businesses expect tourists to visit the area.”
While the road and the circumstances surrounding it are not positive, there is a silver lining in all of this as Gottzi wanted to shed some light on the generosity of local residents in the area. She extended her appreciation to: “Lorrie Struthers from Watrous Towing who went beyond any limits to help me with everything possible. His wife Susan’s hospitality, support and her amazing food was very very much appreciated. Lori Harper, the twin spirit, and an amazing soul. Carah Campbell and Andrew Leslie, the couple who spotted and stopped at the accident, and called 9-1-1. They also helped me with clothes and shoes and tried to calm me down. Thank you so much. To Lane Manson, the owner of TB’s Bar and Grill and the hotel I stayed, thank you so much for being so kind and understanding to me and letting me stay free of charge. To the Watrous Animal Hospital and owner Dr. Allison Bartel for being there at the right time and helping me free of charge. Also for the crew at the clinic for getting a paw print and fur of my baby, again free of charge. Pip’s Esso for letting me use the phone and to the people of Watrous, thank you. I wish I would have visited the place under different circumstances and I wish the roads to such special places were not so deadly.”
CUPW and Canada Post reach agreement in principle Aug. 30
Canada Post/CUPW update Tuesday: Agreement In Principle
Statement from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers:
"We have worked relentlessly for the past few days with the assistance of Special Mediator William Kaplan and the head of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services, Guy Baron, to finalize our negotiations.
Bargaining continued until the early hours of this morning and we have now achieved two agreements in principle, one for each of the RSMC and Urban Bargaining Units. The negotiating committee has unanimously recommended to the National Executive Board that we accept these agreements in principle. The majority of the National Executive Board has voted to accept these agreements and are recommending that the membership ratify them. We achieved these agreements because we remained strong and maintained our strategy.
The tentative collective agreements must be ratified by a majority vote of the members in each respective bargaining unit. The ratification vote process can be found in section 6.18 of our National Constitution.
The members of the negotiating committee thank everyone for all of your support and solidarity activities during this difficult round of negotiations. The last few days have been difficult with the on again - off again job activities. Thanks to all of you for being patient. We could not have achieved these tentative agreements without your support."
Canada Post/CUPW update Tuesday: Agreement In Principle
Statement from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers:
"We have worked relentlessly for the past few days with the assistance of Special Mediator William Kaplan and the head of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services, Guy Baron, to finalize our negotiations.
Bargaining continued until the early hours of this morning and we have now achieved two agreements in principle, one for each of the RSMC and Urban Bargaining Units. The negotiating committee has unanimously recommended to the National Executive Board that we accept these agreements in principle. The majority of the National Executive Board has voted to accept these agreements and are recommending that the membership ratify them. We achieved these agreements because we remained strong and maintained our strategy.
The tentative collective agreements must be ratified by a majority vote of the members in each respective bargaining unit. The ratification vote process can be found in section 6.18 of our National Constitution.
The members of the negotiating committee thank everyone for all of your support and solidarity activities during this difficult round of negotiations. The last few days have been difficult with the on again - off again job activities. Thanks to all of you for being patient. We could not have achieved these tentative agreements without your support."
TWM's Top Story - Aug. 22, 2016
Lots to enjoy at the beach despite high water
By Daniel Bushman
The resort community of Manitou Beach has remained resilient despite high water levels over the years. Visitors continue to check out one of the province’s gems and mayor of the beach, Gerry Worobec said council is committed to working with the provincial government and the Water Security Agency (WSA) to come up with a solution to try and alleviate record water levels.
Despite the water continually rising, the beach has remained a popular destination for many people across the globe. Worobec said those who are hesitant to come out are encouraged to pack their bags and see what the beach has to offer.
“We have an amazing campground, one of the last drive-ins, a really challenging and unique mini-golf, a beautiful golf course, bed and breakfasts, hotels, spas, businesses, Wellington Creek and the list goes on and on,” he said. “There is still lots to do, lots to see and lots to enjoy.”
While Worobec hopes people will not shy away from making the beach a place to visit, the long-time resident of the community also understands the importance of the high water.
Patrick Boyle with the WSA said current lake levels have risen just over 1.5 m over the past six years and are the highest on record. Currently, levels are around 497.4 m above sea level (m), up from 495.89 m in August 2010. Because of the continual increase from spring thaws and heavy rains, the beach is trying to remain vigilant by looking at different alternatives to alleviate the impact.
“We are at a crucial point and something needs to be done,” said Worobec. “Something will be done but what ends up being done remains to be seen yet.”
A few alternatives that have been mentioned by Worobec involve raising the current berm by either half a meter or one metre in addition to implementing a water diversion project.
“With a one metre raise it would be almost like a peak top and you could barely see over top of it and the footprint would be huge. It would also disrupt the roadway from one end of the beach to the other.”
The mayor is instead hoping for a compromise and wants to see about a half a metre added to the berm with about a 40 inch flattop that could be packed to use as a walking trail from one end to the next. Then if a lot more rain comes crews can put the barriers on top in a quick time frame.
However, Worobec said ultimately they would like to see a diversion project move forward in unison with the berm raise. “The two projects need to go hand in hand.”
Whatever the final outcome is, the mayor said it has to be sufficient for the village to survive and to protect them while maintaining some sort of level of tourism.
The issue of dealing with high water levels is nothing new for the community as the WSA has already contributed roughly $4 million to help protect properties in the village since 2011. That funding ranges from helping with road raising, creating berms, adding to those berms, pumping, sandbagging and more recently installing a wave break system on top of the berms in 2015.
This year, Emergency Management and Fire Services worked with the resort village to prepare a single hazard preparedness plan to augment the emergency plan component of the community plan in the event of a breach of the berms. WSA also entered into an agreement with the community for funding assistance for pumping from behind the berms during runoff and precipitation events as well as to initiate considerable maintenance and repair of the berms.
The WSA said it is also continuing to provide the geotechnical and hydro-technical support from an engineering firm in the design and supervision of the repairs and in monitoring of the berm stability and safety.
As Manitou Beach hopes for a viable solution, Minister of Environment, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Corporation, and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Herb Cox also has a keen interest on how things go.
The MLA has spent time with his family at Manitou Beach over the past several years and recently took the opportunity to meet with council and delegates during his recent stay. Touring around the village, Cox viewed the situation and also inspected the berms currently set up along the shore that protect the community from the ever rising water.
“Every year we see that it increases and we are looking at various alternatives, whether we raise that berm up again to continue to protect it,” said Cox. “We are also aware that the village is proposing a diversion that would divert some water away from Manitou Beach and we are going to continue to investigate that and see what we can do in the future with that. No decisions have been made yet but for now our first concern is to make sure that the existing berm is safe and will hold back the lake to protect village businesses and residents.”
Boyle said any project is possible but if it is going to be some type of water diversion project “the community would need to act as the proponent to move this forward. WSA will certainly review any proposal that would come forward.”
The minister added they will continue to keep the lines of communication open with elected village leaders and like many visitors to the beach, Cox hopes the water will start to recede.
“The regional park campground is in my opinion one of the better ones in the province. There is lots to do there. There is a great little golf course, the drive-in theatre as well and my wife enjoys the flea market on Sunday mornings. If the weather is a little inclement you can go to the spa. It is a great community and it truly is a gem in the province. We have to be aware of that and I think we will do whatever is necessary to maintain it and make sure it continues into the future. A lot of people depend on that resort and enjoy that resort.”
With a beach to enjoy and lots of services available, Worobec said people thinking of visiting should come despite the high water levels.
“There is still lots to do and a lot of things you can enjoy doing. We are going to try and maintain a beach front and accommodate those people that want to come and enjoy the beach.”
By Daniel Bushman
The resort community of Manitou Beach has remained resilient despite high water levels over the years. Visitors continue to check out one of the province’s gems and mayor of the beach, Gerry Worobec said council is committed to working with the provincial government and the Water Security Agency (WSA) to come up with a solution to try and alleviate record water levels.
Despite the water continually rising, the beach has remained a popular destination for many people across the globe. Worobec said those who are hesitant to come out are encouraged to pack their bags and see what the beach has to offer.
“We have an amazing campground, one of the last drive-ins, a really challenging and unique mini-golf, a beautiful golf course, bed and breakfasts, hotels, spas, businesses, Wellington Creek and the list goes on and on,” he said. “There is still lots to do, lots to see and lots to enjoy.”
While Worobec hopes people will not shy away from making the beach a place to visit, the long-time resident of the community also understands the importance of the high water.
Patrick Boyle with the WSA said current lake levels have risen just over 1.5 m over the past six years and are the highest on record. Currently, levels are around 497.4 m above sea level (m), up from 495.89 m in August 2010. Because of the continual increase from spring thaws and heavy rains, the beach is trying to remain vigilant by looking at different alternatives to alleviate the impact.
“We are at a crucial point and something needs to be done,” said Worobec. “Something will be done but what ends up being done remains to be seen yet.”
A few alternatives that have been mentioned by Worobec involve raising the current berm by either half a meter or one metre in addition to implementing a water diversion project.
“With a one metre raise it would be almost like a peak top and you could barely see over top of it and the footprint would be huge. It would also disrupt the roadway from one end of the beach to the other.”
The mayor is instead hoping for a compromise and wants to see about a half a metre added to the berm with about a 40 inch flattop that could be packed to use as a walking trail from one end to the next. Then if a lot more rain comes crews can put the barriers on top in a quick time frame.
However, Worobec said ultimately they would like to see a diversion project move forward in unison with the berm raise. “The two projects need to go hand in hand.”
Whatever the final outcome is, the mayor said it has to be sufficient for the village to survive and to protect them while maintaining some sort of level of tourism.
The issue of dealing with high water levels is nothing new for the community as the WSA has already contributed roughly $4 million to help protect properties in the village since 2011. That funding ranges from helping with road raising, creating berms, adding to those berms, pumping, sandbagging and more recently installing a wave break system on top of the berms in 2015.
This year, Emergency Management and Fire Services worked with the resort village to prepare a single hazard preparedness plan to augment the emergency plan component of the community plan in the event of a breach of the berms. WSA also entered into an agreement with the community for funding assistance for pumping from behind the berms during runoff and precipitation events as well as to initiate considerable maintenance and repair of the berms.
The WSA said it is also continuing to provide the geotechnical and hydro-technical support from an engineering firm in the design and supervision of the repairs and in monitoring of the berm stability and safety.
As Manitou Beach hopes for a viable solution, Minister of Environment, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Corporation, and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Herb Cox also has a keen interest on how things go.
The MLA has spent time with his family at Manitou Beach over the past several years and recently took the opportunity to meet with council and delegates during his recent stay. Touring around the village, Cox viewed the situation and also inspected the berms currently set up along the shore that protect the community from the ever rising water.
“Every year we see that it increases and we are looking at various alternatives, whether we raise that berm up again to continue to protect it,” said Cox. “We are also aware that the village is proposing a diversion that would divert some water away from Manitou Beach and we are going to continue to investigate that and see what we can do in the future with that. No decisions have been made yet but for now our first concern is to make sure that the existing berm is safe and will hold back the lake to protect village businesses and residents.”
Boyle said any project is possible but if it is going to be some type of water diversion project “the community would need to act as the proponent to move this forward. WSA will certainly review any proposal that would come forward.”
The minister added they will continue to keep the lines of communication open with elected village leaders and like many visitors to the beach, Cox hopes the water will start to recede.
“The regional park campground is in my opinion one of the better ones in the province. There is lots to do there. There is a great little golf course, the drive-in theatre as well and my wife enjoys the flea market on Sunday mornings. If the weather is a little inclement you can go to the spa. It is a great community and it truly is a gem in the province. We have to be aware of that and I think we will do whatever is necessary to maintain it and make sure it continues into the future. A lot of people depend on that resort and enjoy that resort.”
With a beach to enjoy and lots of services available, Worobec said people thinking of visiting should come despite the high water levels.
“There is still lots to do and a lot of things you can enjoy doing. We are going to try and maintain a beach front and accommodate those people that want to come and enjoy the beach.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 15, 2016
Sensational season for McWillie
Daniel Bushman/TWM
This year has been nothing short of spectacular for Watrous’ Tyler McWillie. The ball player has not only pitched in to help his team win a provincial title but he was also named to team Saskatchewan who played at the Canada Cup. With his recent success he is also swinging towards a national title and will be attending a Blue Jays Academy Tournament later this year.
Playing AAA Midget baseball with the Muenster Red Sox, McWillie and the team competed in provincials July 21 to 24, winning the title. Along with a few other players from Muenster, Tyler was selected for Team Saskatchewan to play in the Baseball Canada Cup Aug. 3 to 8 in Fort McMurray, Alta.
In the team’s opening game Aug. 3 in Fort McMurray, Saskatchewan beat B.C. 8-0 as McWillie served as the designated hitter. The batter had one run and a hit with four at bats. In the second game, Saskatchewan met Alberta but fell 2-0. McWillie was the team’s pinch hitter having a single at bat.
Saskatchewan was back on the field Aug. 4 as it took on Ontario. Down 5-0 after four, Saskatchewan scored five in the fifth but gave up a run in the ninth to fall 6-5. McWilllie had three at bats with one RBI.
With a 1-2 record, Saskatchewan faced B.C. Aug. 5 and McWillie was given the nod to pitch. Tyler went five innings, giving up five hits and six runs with one strike out. However, the club dropped the game 10-4.
Down but not out, Saskatchewan began to turn the corner as it beat Alberta 7-3 in its next game to improve to 2-3. McWillie who was playing third base also had a hit and one RBI in the game.
Entering Saturday’s action, Saskatchewan continued to heat up, beating Ontario 6-2 to even its record at 3-3. Tyler had three at bats and recorded one hit and a RBI.
Sitting with a record of 3-3, Saskatchewan headed into the final day of the Baseball Canada Cup with some momentum.
“We were underdogs and no one expected anything out of us,” McWillie said. “We just went off in the last half of the round robin.”
On a winning streak, Saskatchewan met Quebec in the semifinal Aug. 7 in what would be an epic comeback for the prairie team. Quebec roared out of the gates as they scored seven runs in the first and one in the second to go up by eight. However, the resilient bunch from Saskatchewan began chipping away and they put two runs on the board in the third, fourth and sixth innings. The team was not finished there as Saskatchewan added four more in the seventh and pushed the game into extra innings.
The 17 hit barrage helped Saskatchewan reach extra innings and after a walk and single in the 11th inning, an error allowed Saskatchewan to score and advance to the Baseball Canada Cup final with a big 11-10 victory.
“Some of us definitely thought we were kind of out of it but we kept grinding,” said McWillie. “We got a couple of runs here and there and then a big inning in the seventh. That was crazy.”
McWillie and Saskatchewan met B.C. in the gold medal game and the son of Norm and Renai said the team felt it had a good chance of winning.
In the game, B.C. struck first taking a 1-0 lead but that was short-lived as Saskatchewan tied the contest in the second. McWillie added a two RBI single in the top of the sixth which eventually proved to be the difference as Saskatchewan went on to win 6-1 to take gold.
“It is still kind of sinking in. No one expected anything,” said McWillie of their chances at the tournament. “We just played loose and had fun and that worked out for us.”
This was just the second time in the event’s 28 year history and the first time since 1994 that team Saskatchewan captured the Baseball Canada Cup. In fact, the last time the team won, McWillie was not born yet.
The ball player said the title is something special and a definite highlight for him.
While the win was tremendous, McWillie does not have too long to savour it as he and the team from Muenster are now headed to Sherbrooke, Que. for the Midget National Championships Aug. 18 to 22. The team’s first game is against Nova Scotia as the club takes on other provincial winning teams.
“We know we definitely have the talent so I think Saskatchewan can do it. We will see how it goes.”
Thinking that would be the final event of an already magical 2016, McWillie was just recently notified that he made the Saskatchewan/Manitoba team which will be competing at the Blue Jays Baseball Academy Tournament 12. The national amateur tournament at the Rogers Centre in Toronto takes place Sept. 14 to 19 with teams represented from across the country. The goal of the event is to provide a showcase opportunity for the best 160 amateur ball players born in Canada with college eligibility.
Asked if this has been a highlight year, McWillie said, “You can’t ask for much more.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
This year has been nothing short of spectacular for Watrous’ Tyler McWillie. The ball player has not only pitched in to help his team win a provincial title but he was also named to team Saskatchewan who played at the Canada Cup. With his recent success he is also swinging towards a national title and will be attending a Blue Jays Academy Tournament later this year.
Playing AAA Midget baseball with the Muenster Red Sox, McWillie and the team competed in provincials July 21 to 24, winning the title. Along with a few other players from Muenster, Tyler was selected for Team Saskatchewan to play in the Baseball Canada Cup Aug. 3 to 8 in Fort McMurray, Alta.
In the team’s opening game Aug. 3 in Fort McMurray, Saskatchewan beat B.C. 8-0 as McWillie served as the designated hitter. The batter had one run and a hit with four at bats. In the second game, Saskatchewan met Alberta but fell 2-0. McWillie was the team’s pinch hitter having a single at bat.
Saskatchewan was back on the field Aug. 4 as it took on Ontario. Down 5-0 after four, Saskatchewan scored five in the fifth but gave up a run in the ninth to fall 6-5. McWilllie had three at bats with one RBI.
With a 1-2 record, Saskatchewan faced B.C. Aug. 5 and McWillie was given the nod to pitch. Tyler went five innings, giving up five hits and six runs with one strike out. However, the club dropped the game 10-4.
Down but not out, Saskatchewan began to turn the corner as it beat Alberta 7-3 in its next game to improve to 2-3. McWillie who was playing third base also had a hit and one RBI in the game.
Entering Saturday’s action, Saskatchewan continued to heat up, beating Ontario 6-2 to even its record at 3-3. Tyler had three at bats and recorded one hit and a RBI.
Sitting with a record of 3-3, Saskatchewan headed into the final day of the Baseball Canada Cup with some momentum.
“We were underdogs and no one expected anything out of us,” McWillie said. “We just went off in the last half of the round robin.”
On a winning streak, Saskatchewan met Quebec in the semifinal Aug. 7 in what would be an epic comeback for the prairie team. Quebec roared out of the gates as they scored seven runs in the first and one in the second to go up by eight. However, the resilient bunch from Saskatchewan began chipping away and they put two runs on the board in the third, fourth and sixth innings. The team was not finished there as Saskatchewan added four more in the seventh and pushed the game into extra innings.
The 17 hit barrage helped Saskatchewan reach extra innings and after a walk and single in the 11th inning, an error allowed Saskatchewan to score and advance to the Baseball Canada Cup final with a big 11-10 victory.
“Some of us definitely thought we were kind of out of it but we kept grinding,” said McWillie. “We got a couple of runs here and there and then a big inning in the seventh. That was crazy.”
McWillie and Saskatchewan met B.C. in the gold medal game and the son of Norm and Renai said the team felt it had a good chance of winning.
In the game, B.C. struck first taking a 1-0 lead but that was short-lived as Saskatchewan tied the contest in the second. McWillie added a two RBI single in the top of the sixth which eventually proved to be the difference as Saskatchewan went on to win 6-1 to take gold.
“It is still kind of sinking in. No one expected anything,” said McWillie of their chances at the tournament. “We just played loose and had fun and that worked out for us.”
This was just the second time in the event’s 28 year history and the first time since 1994 that team Saskatchewan captured the Baseball Canada Cup. In fact, the last time the team won, McWillie was not born yet.
The ball player said the title is something special and a definite highlight for him.
While the win was tremendous, McWillie does not have too long to savour it as he and the team from Muenster are now headed to Sherbrooke, Que. for the Midget National Championships Aug. 18 to 22. The team’s first game is against Nova Scotia as the club takes on other provincial winning teams.
“We know we definitely have the talent so I think Saskatchewan can do it. We will see how it goes.”
Thinking that would be the final event of an already magical 2016, McWillie was just recently notified that he made the Saskatchewan/Manitoba team which will be competing at the Blue Jays Baseball Academy Tournament 12. The national amateur tournament at the Rogers Centre in Toronto takes place Sept. 14 to 19 with teams represented from across the country. The goal of the event is to provide a showcase opportunity for the best 160 amateur ball players born in Canada with college eligibility.
Asked if this has been a highlight year, McWillie said, “You can’t ask for much more.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 8, 2016
Manitou Beach election held as water levels a focus
Daniel Bushman/TWM
A new mayor and four councillors were elected at Manitou Beach as residents cast their votes during the resort community’s July 30 election. While some faces are familiar, others are joining council for the first time.
After previous mayor Eric Upshall decided not to run this time around, former councillor Gerry Worobec (pictured) put his name forward and was elected for the mayoral position.
Joining the Manitou Beach resident on council are returnees Larry Zemlak and Chris Moffatt and newcomers Laurie Bzdel and Douglas Guenther.
The Watrous Manitou spoke to Worobec on his appointment and Gerry said he appreciated those who put their trust in him and elected him as mayor.
“I hope I am worthy of your trust and I am hoping to strive to take care of not just the larger tasks at hand but the little stuff too.”
This is not Worobec’s first time as mayor as the barber also wore that hat after being a councillor in the 1990s. After stepping away from the political ring for a few years, Gerry elected to hop back in and was most recently a councillor at the resort community before getting the mayoral job.
“Including my most recent term, I have served about 16 years on council at Manitou Beach.”
During his time on council, Worobec noted the water levels at the beach have continued to increase. The mayor said he wants to keep pushing for a solution to see those levels drop.
Worobec said he recently had a good meeting with provincial Ministry of Environment minister Herb Cox who saw firsthand what the water levels looked like.
“He came out on his own and we made a presentation to him. We took him for a drive at the beach, stopping at key stops to show him how bad the water levels have gotten.”
Currently there is a proposal floating around that would see the berms along the shoreline increased by one metre. Worobec said the resort community would much rather prefer another route or some type of compromise.
“We hope that there will eventually be a water diversion project done. The water levels are 2 and 1/2 metres above where they normally should be and the rains we had a few weeks ago increased the lake levels by five inches. This is a serious concern.”
While the levels remain increasingly high, Worobec said they will also focus on other projects and successful events with hopes of continuing to attract visitors and potential residents to the area.
“We just have to keep going on other projects.”
As the new council begins its journey, Worobec wanted to welcome the four councillors and appreciated them for letting their names stand.
The mayor also added that he looks forward to working with Watrous Mayor Ed Collins and the town of Watrous to come up with new and innovative ideas to stimulate both communities.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
A new mayor and four councillors were elected at Manitou Beach as residents cast their votes during the resort community’s July 30 election. While some faces are familiar, others are joining council for the first time.
After previous mayor Eric Upshall decided not to run this time around, former councillor Gerry Worobec (pictured) put his name forward and was elected for the mayoral position.
Joining the Manitou Beach resident on council are returnees Larry Zemlak and Chris Moffatt and newcomers Laurie Bzdel and Douglas Guenther.
The Watrous Manitou spoke to Worobec on his appointment and Gerry said he appreciated those who put their trust in him and elected him as mayor.
“I hope I am worthy of your trust and I am hoping to strive to take care of not just the larger tasks at hand but the little stuff too.”
This is not Worobec’s first time as mayor as the barber also wore that hat after being a councillor in the 1990s. After stepping away from the political ring for a few years, Gerry elected to hop back in and was most recently a councillor at the resort community before getting the mayoral job.
“Including my most recent term, I have served about 16 years on council at Manitou Beach.”
During his time on council, Worobec noted the water levels at the beach have continued to increase. The mayor said he wants to keep pushing for a solution to see those levels drop.
Worobec said he recently had a good meeting with provincial Ministry of Environment minister Herb Cox who saw firsthand what the water levels looked like.
“He came out on his own and we made a presentation to him. We took him for a drive at the beach, stopping at key stops to show him how bad the water levels have gotten.”
Currently there is a proposal floating around that would see the berms along the shoreline increased by one metre. Worobec said the resort community would much rather prefer another route or some type of compromise.
“We hope that there will eventually be a water diversion project done. The water levels are 2 and 1/2 metres above where they normally should be and the rains we had a few weeks ago increased the lake levels by five inches. This is a serious concern.”
While the levels remain increasingly high, Worobec said they will also focus on other projects and successful events with hopes of continuing to attract visitors and potential residents to the area.
“We just have to keep going on other projects.”
As the new council begins its journey, Worobec wanted to welcome the four councillors and appreciated them for letting their names stand.
The mayor also added that he looks forward to working with Watrous Mayor Ed Collins and the town of Watrous to come up with new and innovative ideas to stimulate both communities.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 1, 2016
Heavy rains cause flooding in July
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After a relatively quiet start to the summer season, active weather and torrential rains blasted through July. As funnel clouds developed frequently within the area, it was a few heavy downpours that really caused problems this past month.
On July 11, under a rainfall warning issued by Environment Canada, buckets of rain fell from the sky as streets, yards and basements in Watrous filled with water. In Manitou Beach, a funnel cloud was spotted by residents that same afternoon. Due to the excessive precipitation, the road near Danceland had to be dug out to allow rushing water from Wellington Creek to head into an already high lake.
Environment Canada said a slow-moving low pressure system gave anywhere from 50 to over 100 mm of rain in some areas of central and southern parts of the province. Those living in or around Watrous experienced anywhere from 80 to over 100 mm of rain between July 11 to 13.
Other places like Holdfast saw 99 mm and the Last Mountain area had 44 mm of rainfall.
“It has been a real soggy July,” said Environment Canada’s David Phillips. “Maybe it was a good thing coming into July that it was a little drier. Precipitation from April, May and June was only about two-thirds of what you would normally get.”
Despite feeling the brunt of the low pressure system, the area continued to experience active weather. Another funnel cloud was spotted, this time around Watrous later in the afternoon July 16. Then a few days later, more rain blasted communities and farms. With mammatus clouds hovering overhead, an intense storm rolled through the area July 19. A tornado was also reported near Davidson that evening and power was knocked out to several communities including Imperial, Holdfast, Liberty and the surrounding area.
As more severe thunderstorm watches were issued following the July 19 event, it was not until July 23 that the area had another heavy rainfall. During the 25th annual Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine, the rain came roaring down from the sky. Filling the streets and flooding basements once again, water pooled together as the morning progressed.
There were also reports of hail south of Watrous and by the time the afternoon arrived, the rain moved along but the damage had been done.
Phillips said while June is often the wettest month, this July turned out to be the second wettest month in history with records going back to 1953. “You had 183.5 mm of rain (over seven inches) where normally it would be 51 mm. You got a lot of rain in short periods of time. In fact there were three days where there was more than 25 mm of rain. You would normally see maybe one of those every two years (but) you had three of them.”
With flooding in the area during both heavy rainfalls, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins heard over 50 homes were affected with varying degrees of water seepage or sewer backup. Collins said the town applied for provincial assistance and got approved for that. “People that don’t have insurance will be able to claim to the provincial government. It is unfortunate for those who got flooded,” said Collins who had water in his basement as well. “Hats off to our town crew as they were out and about and we had over ground pumping with Richardson who was here with trucks working late at night. We felt we did our due diligence reacting after it happened.”
With so much rainfall, a temporary flood recovery centre opened up to the public in Watrous last week to provide support and advice to residents of the community and RM of Morris. Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said after consultations with local officials they decided to open a temporary Provincial Disaster Assistance Program flood recovery centre to offer support to those in the area who were affected by recent flooding.
Phillips said the active weather throughout the province in July contained everything from hail, heavy rains, strong winds, funnel clouds and tornadoes. “It was really a rock and rolling kind of month. We know that July can often be the peak month for hail and tornadoes and heavy doses of rain. It is often the warmest month and when the crops are growing feverishly like they have been then there is a lot of added moisture to the air. That can sometimes be just enough to trigger these things off.”
Watrous Ministry of Agriculture Regional Crops Specialist Cory Jacob said with the large amount of rainfall, fields are stressed and full of water, especially in lower spots. “It is the low spots that have water and if the crop is not dead it is going to likely die from getting water logged for a period of time. But aside from that, we are going to see pretty good crops.”
Jacob calculated just over seven inches of rain in two weeks and said it was too much for the area in such a short period of time.
With that active weather rolling through Saskatchewan, Jacob some local fields received pea-sized hail. Besides the water issues, Jacob said some lodging has really shown up in the cereals. “It just depends if the crops stand back up or not.”
Moving into August, Jacob said hopefully the rain stops and insect and disease issues will stay away. “It looks like we will have an above-average crop and I wish the growers a good harvest. Don’t despair, if producers are losing some acres or yield, it is the way Mother Nature is. There is still the potential in isolated areas to have a bumper crop but probably it will average out to more of an above-average crop. The canola still looks good but the pulses are probably the worst affected by this rain.”
While it can be tough predicting when and how much rain will arrive in any given month, Phillips said when it comes to temperatures, their models are showing warmer than normal values for August.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After a relatively quiet start to the summer season, active weather and torrential rains blasted through July. As funnel clouds developed frequently within the area, it was a few heavy downpours that really caused problems this past month.
On July 11, under a rainfall warning issued by Environment Canada, buckets of rain fell from the sky as streets, yards and basements in Watrous filled with water. In Manitou Beach, a funnel cloud was spotted by residents that same afternoon. Due to the excessive precipitation, the road near Danceland had to be dug out to allow rushing water from Wellington Creek to head into an already high lake.
Environment Canada said a slow-moving low pressure system gave anywhere from 50 to over 100 mm of rain in some areas of central and southern parts of the province. Those living in or around Watrous experienced anywhere from 80 to over 100 mm of rain between July 11 to 13.
Other places like Holdfast saw 99 mm and the Last Mountain area had 44 mm of rainfall.
“It has been a real soggy July,” said Environment Canada’s David Phillips. “Maybe it was a good thing coming into July that it was a little drier. Precipitation from April, May and June was only about two-thirds of what you would normally get.”
Despite feeling the brunt of the low pressure system, the area continued to experience active weather. Another funnel cloud was spotted, this time around Watrous later in the afternoon July 16. Then a few days later, more rain blasted communities and farms. With mammatus clouds hovering overhead, an intense storm rolled through the area July 19. A tornado was also reported near Davidson that evening and power was knocked out to several communities including Imperial, Holdfast, Liberty and the surrounding area.
As more severe thunderstorm watches were issued following the July 19 event, it was not until July 23 that the area had another heavy rainfall. During the 25th annual Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine, the rain came roaring down from the sky. Filling the streets and flooding basements once again, water pooled together as the morning progressed.
There were also reports of hail south of Watrous and by the time the afternoon arrived, the rain moved along but the damage had been done.
Phillips said while June is often the wettest month, this July turned out to be the second wettest month in history with records going back to 1953. “You had 183.5 mm of rain (over seven inches) where normally it would be 51 mm. You got a lot of rain in short periods of time. In fact there were three days where there was more than 25 mm of rain. You would normally see maybe one of those every two years (but) you had three of them.”
With flooding in the area during both heavy rainfalls, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins heard over 50 homes were affected with varying degrees of water seepage or sewer backup. Collins said the town applied for provincial assistance and got approved for that. “People that don’t have insurance will be able to claim to the provincial government. It is unfortunate for those who got flooded,” said Collins who had water in his basement as well. “Hats off to our town crew as they were out and about and we had over ground pumping with Richardson who was here with trucks working late at night. We felt we did our due diligence reacting after it happened.”
With so much rainfall, a temporary flood recovery centre opened up to the public in Watrous last week to provide support and advice to residents of the community and RM of Morris. Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said after consultations with local officials they decided to open a temporary Provincial Disaster Assistance Program flood recovery centre to offer support to those in the area who were affected by recent flooding.
Phillips said the active weather throughout the province in July contained everything from hail, heavy rains, strong winds, funnel clouds and tornadoes. “It was really a rock and rolling kind of month. We know that July can often be the peak month for hail and tornadoes and heavy doses of rain. It is often the warmest month and when the crops are growing feverishly like they have been then there is a lot of added moisture to the air. That can sometimes be just enough to trigger these things off.”
Watrous Ministry of Agriculture Regional Crops Specialist Cory Jacob said with the large amount of rainfall, fields are stressed and full of water, especially in lower spots. “It is the low spots that have water and if the crop is not dead it is going to likely die from getting water logged for a period of time. But aside from that, we are going to see pretty good crops.”
Jacob calculated just over seven inches of rain in two weeks and said it was too much for the area in such a short period of time.
With that active weather rolling through Saskatchewan, Jacob some local fields received pea-sized hail. Besides the water issues, Jacob said some lodging has really shown up in the cereals. “It just depends if the crops stand back up or not.”
Moving into August, Jacob said hopefully the rain stops and insect and disease issues will stay away. “It looks like we will have an above-average crop and I wish the growers a good harvest. Don’t despair, if producers are losing some acres or yield, it is the way Mother Nature is. There is still the potential in isolated areas to have a bumper crop but probably it will average out to more of an above-average crop. The canola still looks good but the pulses are probably the worst affected by this rain.”
While it can be tough predicting when and how much rain will arrive in any given month, Phillips said when it comes to temperatures, their models are showing warmer than normal values for August.
TWM Top Story - July 11, 2016
Storm season arrives as SaskPower looks to repair Watrous substation
Daniel Bushman
Lightning, hail, funnel clouds (including one east of Watrous July 7), a handful of tornadoes and power outages have been themes throughout parts of Saskatchewan this July. On the same day as a funnel cloud was spotted east of Watrous (pictured), Environment Canada said others were reported near Greenwater Lake, Govan and Yorkton areas. Environment Canada also confirmed a landspout tornado near Estevan July 7.
With the unpredictable weather, a few power outages have also occurred and SaskPower has plans to address the issues. Heather Johnson with SaskPower said crews had a busy weekend to kick off July courtesy of some active weather across the province.
“There were a number of weather-related outages (primarily lightning), including in Regina; Moose Jaw; the Turtleford, St. Walburg, Paradise Hill, Turtle Lake, Frenchman Butte area; Carivale, Carnduff and surrounding area; Elbow and area; Davidson; and Wilcox area.”
Locally the lights went out just before midnight July 3 affecting Watrous, Simpson, Imperial, Manitou Beach, Liberty, Penzance, Holdfast and the surrounding areas.
“The cause was downed poles because of the weather, and about 500 customers were impacted. Power was fully restored shortly after 11 a.m. (July 4) Some customers may have been restored sooner due to the nature of the repair work and whether or not it was possible to switch some areas to other lines while the work was being done.”
Johnson added crews had to deal with over two inches of rain, bringing in track machines to get access to the poles that needed to be repaired and replaced.
With the numerous unplanned power outages recently taking place in and around the Watrous area, Johnson said while some cannot necessarily be totally prevented, SaskPower is working on short- and long-term plans to improve the reliability to customers served by the Watrous substation.
“Within the next two weeks or so, SaskPower will be replacing all the breakers and line protection in the substation with new, more reliable equipment. In the longer-term (June 2017), we’re planning to decommission the existing substation and build a new modular substation to serve the customers in the area.”
Johnson said over the past five years, 34 percent of unplanned SaskPower outages have been caused by aging infrastructure. In addition, 31 percent are caused by the weather/environment, another 31 percent by nature like trees, birds and animals and the remaining four percent accidental contact like vehicles or vandalism.
Being storm season in Saskatchewan Johnson said there are steps people can take to stay safe and prepared.
For more on how to be prepared and what to put in an outage kit, people can visit www.saskpower.com.
Daniel Bushman
Lightning, hail, funnel clouds (including one east of Watrous July 7), a handful of tornadoes and power outages have been themes throughout parts of Saskatchewan this July. On the same day as a funnel cloud was spotted east of Watrous (pictured), Environment Canada said others were reported near Greenwater Lake, Govan and Yorkton areas. Environment Canada also confirmed a landspout tornado near Estevan July 7.
With the unpredictable weather, a few power outages have also occurred and SaskPower has plans to address the issues. Heather Johnson with SaskPower said crews had a busy weekend to kick off July courtesy of some active weather across the province.
“There were a number of weather-related outages (primarily lightning), including in Regina; Moose Jaw; the Turtleford, St. Walburg, Paradise Hill, Turtle Lake, Frenchman Butte area; Carivale, Carnduff and surrounding area; Elbow and area; Davidson; and Wilcox area.”
Locally the lights went out just before midnight July 3 affecting Watrous, Simpson, Imperial, Manitou Beach, Liberty, Penzance, Holdfast and the surrounding areas.
“The cause was downed poles because of the weather, and about 500 customers were impacted. Power was fully restored shortly after 11 a.m. (July 4) Some customers may have been restored sooner due to the nature of the repair work and whether or not it was possible to switch some areas to other lines while the work was being done.”
Johnson added crews had to deal with over two inches of rain, bringing in track machines to get access to the poles that needed to be repaired and replaced.
With the numerous unplanned power outages recently taking place in and around the Watrous area, Johnson said while some cannot necessarily be totally prevented, SaskPower is working on short- and long-term plans to improve the reliability to customers served by the Watrous substation.
“Within the next two weeks or so, SaskPower will be replacing all the breakers and line protection in the substation with new, more reliable equipment. In the longer-term (June 2017), we’re planning to decommission the existing substation and build a new modular substation to serve the customers in the area.”
Johnson said over the past five years, 34 percent of unplanned SaskPower outages have been caused by aging infrastructure. In addition, 31 percent are caused by the weather/environment, another 31 percent by nature like trees, birds and animals and the remaining four percent accidental contact like vehicles or vandalism.
Being storm season in Saskatchewan Johnson said there are steps people can take to stay safe and prepared.
For more on how to be prepared and what to put in an outage kit, people can visit www.saskpower.com.
TWM Top Story - July 4, 2016
Ingram's name called at NHL draft
Daniel Bushman/TWM
(photo credit Kelvin Harrison)
The 2016 NHL entry draft will be one to remember for Connor Ingram and his family as the netminder’s name was called during the third round of this year’s draft. With the 88th overall pick, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected the former Long Lake Lightning goaltender.
The Imperial native who now plays for the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League was the eighth netminder chosen during the draft June 25 and second from the WHL. Ingram opted not to attend the draft in Buffalo this year and instead spent some time in Kamloops.
One of 34 WHL players selected in this year’s draft, Ingram was on a plane ready to take off for Saskatoon to play his dad in a round of golf when he found out the Lightning selected him. The goalie told Marty Hastings of Kamloops This Week that he received a call from a number he did not have on his phone which turned out to be Ingram’s agent saying Tampa drafted him.
On Tampa Bay’s website, Lightning director of amateur scouting Al Murray said that when Ingram was available when Tampa was on the clock in the third round with its 88th overall pick, they struck quickly.
“We’ll have four goalies that we like at our development camp that can play but Connor Ingram, he was our top-ranked goalie, so we liked Connor. There were a couple other guys right beside him that went earlier, so it was a very easy choice at that time that he was the top guy on our board and he was a goalie that we really liked. He went to the Hockey Canada goalie camp about two weeks ago, and Dave Alexander, our goalie coach for Syracuse was there, worked with all those goalies and came back with rave reviews on Connor. He really liked him during the season, and he confirmed a lot of the things that we felt.”
Letting the feeling of being drafted to the NHL sink in, Connor tweeted out, “This feeling is surreal. Thanks to everyone who helped me along the way, wouldn’t be here without you. Can’t thank the @TBLightning enough for this opportunity. Forever grateful.”
Connor’s parents, Joni and Brent were camping at Douglas Provincial Park during the draft and had to deal with bad phone reception and buckets of rain.
With previous plans to play golf with his dad, Connor also text to see if his mom would like to accompany Brent to Saskatoon Saturday. Sensing there could be something up, Joni obliged and the pair got ready to go.
Since there was spotty reception at the park, their phones remained silent but once the Ingrams began venturing towards Saskatoon, Brent’s phone started going off. An earlier text from Connor informed Brent that his son’s plane had been delayed a few hours in Kamloops.
“It was absolutely pouring so we decided to come back to the trailer just for a half hour or so and that is when we got the news from Connor’s agent,” said Joni.
With the rain pouring and not being able to hear the voice on the other end, Joni said they asked Connor’s agent a few times to repeat what he was saying. When they were able to make out what their son’s agent was saying, they could not believe it.
Hearing that his son was drafted, Brent said it was really exciting. “I think it is kind of an affirmation for him with all the time that he has put in playing. He loves that sport and loves that game and there were times I think when he was young and playing where he didn’t make a team here or didn’t make a team there but he stuck with it and kept working hard. It came to bear fruit for him Saturday. It was kind of unique.”
Getting selected in the third round of the NHL entry draft was even more icing on the cake for Ingram as he had quite the month. Earlier in June he attended team Canada’s National Junior Team development camp and will be doing so again later this month in Toronto for a chance to represent his country at the World Junior Championships in December.
“He has had a busy June,” said Brent. “He thought he was just going to train all June then all of the sudden he was in Calgary for three or four days then he scooted out to Kamloops to do some more training and see his goalie coach then all of the sudden he is back to Saskatchewan for two days and gone to Tampa Bay.”
Ingram joined other prospects of the Tampa Bay Lightning last week for the team’s annual Development Camp. The roster consisted of a total of 33 players: 21 forwards, eight defencemen and four goaltenders.
“We are very excited,” said Joni of how this year has gone for Connor.
“So many kids work so hard and going through bantam hockey and not being drafted into the WHL . . . We are very excited,” added Brent.
Once the busy netminder returns from Tampa Bay, TWM will have more with Connor and his unbelievable summer.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
(photo credit Kelvin Harrison)
The 2016 NHL entry draft will be one to remember for Connor Ingram and his family as the netminder’s name was called during the third round of this year’s draft. With the 88th overall pick, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected the former Long Lake Lightning goaltender.
The Imperial native who now plays for the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League was the eighth netminder chosen during the draft June 25 and second from the WHL. Ingram opted not to attend the draft in Buffalo this year and instead spent some time in Kamloops.
One of 34 WHL players selected in this year’s draft, Ingram was on a plane ready to take off for Saskatoon to play his dad in a round of golf when he found out the Lightning selected him. The goalie told Marty Hastings of Kamloops This Week that he received a call from a number he did not have on his phone which turned out to be Ingram’s agent saying Tampa drafted him.
On Tampa Bay’s website, Lightning director of amateur scouting Al Murray said that when Ingram was available when Tampa was on the clock in the third round with its 88th overall pick, they struck quickly.
“We’ll have four goalies that we like at our development camp that can play but Connor Ingram, he was our top-ranked goalie, so we liked Connor. There were a couple other guys right beside him that went earlier, so it was a very easy choice at that time that he was the top guy on our board and he was a goalie that we really liked. He went to the Hockey Canada goalie camp about two weeks ago, and Dave Alexander, our goalie coach for Syracuse was there, worked with all those goalies and came back with rave reviews on Connor. He really liked him during the season, and he confirmed a lot of the things that we felt.”
Letting the feeling of being drafted to the NHL sink in, Connor tweeted out, “This feeling is surreal. Thanks to everyone who helped me along the way, wouldn’t be here without you. Can’t thank the @TBLightning enough for this opportunity. Forever grateful.”
Connor’s parents, Joni and Brent were camping at Douglas Provincial Park during the draft and had to deal with bad phone reception and buckets of rain.
With previous plans to play golf with his dad, Connor also text to see if his mom would like to accompany Brent to Saskatoon Saturday. Sensing there could be something up, Joni obliged and the pair got ready to go.
Since there was spotty reception at the park, their phones remained silent but once the Ingrams began venturing towards Saskatoon, Brent’s phone started going off. An earlier text from Connor informed Brent that his son’s plane had been delayed a few hours in Kamloops.
“It was absolutely pouring so we decided to come back to the trailer just for a half hour or so and that is when we got the news from Connor’s agent,” said Joni.
With the rain pouring and not being able to hear the voice on the other end, Joni said they asked Connor’s agent a few times to repeat what he was saying. When they were able to make out what their son’s agent was saying, they could not believe it.
Hearing that his son was drafted, Brent said it was really exciting. “I think it is kind of an affirmation for him with all the time that he has put in playing. He loves that sport and loves that game and there were times I think when he was young and playing where he didn’t make a team here or didn’t make a team there but he stuck with it and kept working hard. It came to bear fruit for him Saturday. It was kind of unique.”
Getting selected in the third round of the NHL entry draft was even more icing on the cake for Ingram as he had quite the month. Earlier in June he attended team Canada’s National Junior Team development camp and will be doing so again later this month in Toronto for a chance to represent his country at the World Junior Championships in December.
“He has had a busy June,” said Brent. “He thought he was just going to train all June then all of the sudden he was in Calgary for three or four days then he scooted out to Kamloops to do some more training and see his goalie coach then all of the sudden he is back to Saskatchewan for two days and gone to Tampa Bay.”
Ingram joined other prospects of the Tampa Bay Lightning last week for the team’s annual Development Camp. The roster consisted of a total of 33 players: 21 forwards, eight defencemen and four goaltenders.
“We are very excited,” said Joni of how this year has gone for Connor.
“So many kids work so hard and going through bantam hockey and not being drafted into the WHL . . . We are very excited,” added Brent.
Once the busy netminder returns from Tampa Bay, TWM will have more with Connor and his unbelievable summer.
TWM Top Story - June 27, 2016
Canada Post work disruption could still occur
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Entering the final week of June, the potential for a Canada Post work disruption at the start of July still remains. Barring some type of deal after press time, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) remains without a new collective agreement for its urban and RSMC members. If no deal is reached this week then a potential work disruption could take place starting July 2.
In the June 20 edition of TWM, National President of CUPW Mike Palecek said come July 2 the union would be in a position to strike or be locked out by Canada Post which could result in a complete shutdown. That would mean people will have no choice but to wait until the dispute ends before mail delivery resumes.
If there is a work disruption, deals were made that would see pension and social assistance cheques delivered in addition to ensuring live animals are not trapped in the mail system as they were in 2011.
While CUPW could be locked out or opt to strike, smaller centres like Watrous for example fall under the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA). National President of the CPAA Brenda McAuley said they are a non-striking union. “From the early days of the association being formed our members overwhelmingly voted in favour of final selection arbitration instead of striking.”
McAuley said if a work disruption occurs, for CPAA members it will be business as usual. “The doors to our offices will be open and we are able to sell all our retail products (like) stamps, coins, money grams, money orders, etc. However, there will be no mail going out or parcels.”
McAuley added it is CPAA’s understanding that no mail will be inducted from the mail processing plant. “Canada Post has a policy to not accept mail whether it be local or out of community. Our association is grateful to know that pensioners and those living on low incomes will not suffer during this potential strike or lock-out. Both urban and rural postal workers (that work in some of the 3,260 CPAA offices) have an agreement with the corporation to continue to deliver pension and social assistance cheques, and have further committed to ensuring no live animals get caught in the mail if there is a shutdown due to a labour dispute.”
In the June 20 edition of TWM, Canada Post spokesperson Mouktar Abdillahi said, “Canada Post understands the importance of the service we provide, and we’ve been working hard since negotiations started in late 2015 to get a deal that is fair to our employees, recognizes the changes to our business and the evolving needs of our customers. As we are in conciliation, no legal work disruption can occur until the end of June. Canada Post is committed to keep customers informed throughout the process of labour negotiations so they can prepare accordingly.”
If a work disruption does indeed go ahead and newspapers are unable to be delivered, they can be picked up during the week at the Watrous Manitou at 309 Main Street in Watrous or readers can go online to read it.
People can access the online edition if the work disruption is implemented by visiting www.twmnews.com. From there they can click the ‘Online Subscription’ tab and enter the password: mail
If subscribers have any questions regarding the online subscription they can contact our office at 306-946-3343.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Entering the final week of June, the potential for a Canada Post work disruption at the start of July still remains. Barring some type of deal after press time, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) remains without a new collective agreement for its urban and RSMC members. If no deal is reached this week then a potential work disruption could take place starting July 2.
In the June 20 edition of TWM, National President of CUPW Mike Palecek said come July 2 the union would be in a position to strike or be locked out by Canada Post which could result in a complete shutdown. That would mean people will have no choice but to wait until the dispute ends before mail delivery resumes.
If there is a work disruption, deals were made that would see pension and social assistance cheques delivered in addition to ensuring live animals are not trapped in the mail system as they were in 2011.
While CUPW could be locked out or opt to strike, smaller centres like Watrous for example fall under the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA). National President of the CPAA Brenda McAuley said they are a non-striking union. “From the early days of the association being formed our members overwhelmingly voted in favour of final selection arbitration instead of striking.”
McAuley said if a work disruption occurs, for CPAA members it will be business as usual. “The doors to our offices will be open and we are able to sell all our retail products (like) stamps, coins, money grams, money orders, etc. However, there will be no mail going out or parcels.”
McAuley added it is CPAA’s understanding that no mail will be inducted from the mail processing plant. “Canada Post has a policy to not accept mail whether it be local or out of community. Our association is grateful to know that pensioners and those living on low incomes will not suffer during this potential strike or lock-out. Both urban and rural postal workers (that work in some of the 3,260 CPAA offices) have an agreement with the corporation to continue to deliver pension and social assistance cheques, and have further committed to ensuring no live animals get caught in the mail if there is a shutdown due to a labour dispute.”
In the June 20 edition of TWM, Canada Post spokesperson Mouktar Abdillahi said, “Canada Post understands the importance of the service we provide, and we’ve been working hard since negotiations started in late 2015 to get a deal that is fair to our employees, recognizes the changes to our business and the evolving needs of our customers. As we are in conciliation, no legal work disruption can occur until the end of June. Canada Post is committed to keep customers informed throughout the process of labour negotiations so they can prepare accordingly.”
If a work disruption does indeed go ahead and newspapers are unable to be delivered, they can be picked up during the week at the Watrous Manitou at 309 Main Street in Watrous or readers can go online to read it.
People can access the online edition if the work disruption is implemented by visiting www.twmnews.com. From there they can click the ‘Online Subscription’ tab and enter the password: mail
If subscribers have any questions regarding the online subscription they can contact our office at 306-946-3343.
TWM Top Stories - June 20, 2016
Arrest made in Carlson case
On Friday afternoon, June 17 the RCMP made an arrest near Moose Jaw in relation to an eight-year old homicide investigation. Taylor Wolff from Saskatoon has been charged with one count of second degree murder (section 235 of the Criminal Code) in the death of James Carlson of Watrous. Wolff, who is 31 years old is appearing in Saskatoon Provincial Court Monday, June 20. Inspector Karen Munro, “F” Division RCMP said, “It is because of the persistence and dedication of the investigators involved that charges were laid. In these types of situations, our hope is always to bring some closure for families, so they can say goodbye to their loved ones.” In 2008, Carlson disappeared from the Watrous area under suspicious circumstances. On May 14, 2008 James was working at a Watrous area farm during the day. He made an appointment to do work at another farm the following day. Between 7 and 8 p.m. that evening, James went to Video Stop and this is believed to be the last confirmed sighting of James. Five days later, James’ work truck and all his work tools were located abandoned in a field near Allan. The following day, his residence on 4th Ave. E. in Watrous was examined by the RCMP Forensic Identification Section. This examination revealed evidence to support the belief that James Carlson was murdered. In May, 2010, James’ white Monte Carlo was located concealed on a secluded rural property near Rosthern. It was reported to police by the land owner who advised the car was sitting abandoned in the location for two years. Over the years, tips from the public have been received and extensive searches conducted around the Watrous, Imperial and Holdfast areas. Farm land, rock piles, bush areas, bodies of water and wells have been examined. In 2013, the RCMP Historical Case Unit created a YouTube video revealing details of the James Carlson investigation and asked farmers and land owners to check for any sign of James Carlson’s remains or any indication of suspicious activity. James has not been located to date.
On Friday afternoon, June 17 the RCMP made an arrest near Moose Jaw in relation to an eight-year old homicide investigation. Taylor Wolff from Saskatoon has been charged with one count of second degree murder (section 235 of the Criminal Code) in the death of James Carlson of Watrous. Wolff, who is 31 years old is appearing in Saskatoon Provincial Court Monday, June 20. Inspector Karen Munro, “F” Division RCMP said, “It is because of the persistence and dedication of the investigators involved that charges were laid. In these types of situations, our hope is always to bring some closure for families, so they can say goodbye to their loved ones.” In 2008, Carlson disappeared from the Watrous area under suspicious circumstances. On May 14, 2008 James was working at a Watrous area farm during the day. He made an appointment to do work at another farm the following day. Between 7 and 8 p.m. that evening, James went to Video Stop and this is believed to be the last confirmed sighting of James. Five days later, James’ work truck and all his work tools were located abandoned in a field near Allan. The following day, his residence on 4th Ave. E. in Watrous was examined by the RCMP Forensic Identification Section. This examination revealed evidence to support the belief that James Carlson was murdered. In May, 2010, James’ white Monte Carlo was located concealed on a secluded rural property near Rosthern. It was reported to police by the land owner who advised the car was sitting abandoned in the location for two years. Over the years, tips from the public have been received and extensive searches conducted around the Watrous, Imperial and Holdfast areas. Farm land, rock piles, bush areas, bodies of water and wells have been examined. In 2013, the RCMP Historical Case Unit created a YouTube video revealing details of the James Carlson investigation and asked farmers and land owners to check for any sign of James Carlson’s remains or any indication of suspicious activity. James has not been located to date.
Road work underway in Watrous
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With nice weather, road crews in Watrous have been busy as the construction season ramps up. Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said various roads in the community will be worked on as the summer season moves along.
Some of the contracted maintenance is already completed as Redden said Diamond Asphalt finished crack sealing on various streets. A smaller paving crew was also brought in to do lots of the asphalt patches.
“We have had to do a lot more sewer service replacements the last couple of years and have now done most of our patching that we are planning to do this year.”
On the slate for late July is base work as crews will excavate and haul in the pit run and road based gravel on four or five blocks. One of those includes a well used road which runs through town.
The majority of base work has been done on 4th St. E. (Hospital Road) and sealed up. This year crews will work on a piece of that street from Hwy. 2 up to about 3rd Ave. (by the Mainline Motors Body Shop). “That will complete the base work on Hospital Road all the way from Hwy. 2 to Hwy. 365.”
Crews will also start base work to a block on 2nd St. W. between 2nd Ave. and 3rd Ave. In addition, on the 400 block of 4th Ave. E., local improvements are being done.
After experiencing issues with sewer services failing on that block, the town sent a camera down at each residence to see the condition of the pipes and replaced any sewer services that needed to be done.
With that work completed and barring a petition not to move forward with local improvements on that block, the town will have excavation for the proper base and new concrete curbs done. If no petition was brought forward this past weekend, that work would be done later on in July. Once started, it could take two weeks of continuous work before being completed.
Redden said they are also proposing base work and curb on a couple of other blocks on 1st St. W. from 3rd Ave. to 4th Ave. and from 5th Ave. to 6th Ave.
“That will complete 1st St. W., which will then have curb all the way from Hwy. 2 to 8th Ave. Essentially council has a prioritized plan for dealing with the streets,” Redden said. “The priority is working out from Main Street in terms of the curb work starting with 1st St. E. and 1st St. W. Some of them we are concentrating more on the base work but we are gradually getting to the curb work as well.”
In addition to the 400 block on 4th Ave. E., Redden said they hope to be doing the rest of the road work in late July and early August.
The town administrator said this year’s construction period will be a little bit busier in terms of the work they are undertaking from a base work perspective. “Council has increased their budget for this type of work recognizing largely the side streets. That work is not local improvements where the homeowners would participate but it is entirely out of the town’s operating budget. Council increased that budget significantly starting last year.”
In addition to that road work, Redden also touched on a few other items of note:
• ongoing updgrades to vehicles and equipment as the town added a street sweeper and a one ton to its fleet;
• a lot of drainage work that has been over the past few years is wrapping up. There is a bit of work left to do along Hwy. 365 near the water treatment plant. Most of it had to be excavated out but in that area crews will have to do some filling;
• the town has done more dust proofing than in the past on some side streets and in the industrial area;
• the town will be undertaking the replacement of a lot of street blade signs. Redden said they are doing a large number of them this year which are placed at various intersections; and
• improving signage around Kinsmen Park. Redden said there has been some concern about people not recognizing that the park is signed as a playground which would be no different than the school zone. Kinsmen Park may get overlooked a bit so the town is going to try and improve the signage there as well.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With nice weather, road crews in Watrous have been busy as the construction season ramps up. Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said various roads in the community will be worked on as the summer season moves along.
Some of the contracted maintenance is already completed as Redden said Diamond Asphalt finished crack sealing on various streets. A smaller paving crew was also brought in to do lots of the asphalt patches.
“We have had to do a lot more sewer service replacements the last couple of years and have now done most of our patching that we are planning to do this year.”
On the slate for late July is base work as crews will excavate and haul in the pit run and road based gravel on four or five blocks. One of those includes a well used road which runs through town.
The majority of base work has been done on 4th St. E. (Hospital Road) and sealed up. This year crews will work on a piece of that street from Hwy. 2 up to about 3rd Ave. (by the Mainline Motors Body Shop). “That will complete the base work on Hospital Road all the way from Hwy. 2 to Hwy. 365.”
Crews will also start base work to a block on 2nd St. W. between 2nd Ave. and 3rd Ave. In addition, on the 400 block of 4th Ave. E., local improvements are being done.
After experiencing issues with sewer services failing on that block, the town sent a camera down at each residence to see the condition of the pipes and replaced any sewer services that needed to be done.
With that work completed and barring a petition not to move forward with local improvements on that block, the town will have excavation for the proper base and new concrete curbs done. If no petition was brought forward this past weekend, that work would be done later on in July. Once started, it could take two weeks of continuous work before being completed.
Redden said they are also proposing base work and curb on a couple of other blocks on 1st St. W. from 3rd Ave. to 4th Ave. and from 5th Ave. to 6th Ave.
“That will complete 1st St. W., which will then have curb all the way from Hwy. 2 to 8th Ave. Essentially council has a prioritized plan for dealing with the streets,” Redden said. “The priority is working out from Main Street in terms of the curb work starting with 1st St. E. and 1st St. W. Some of them we are concentrating more on the base work but we are gradually getting to the curb work as well.”
In addition to the 400 block on 4th Ave. E., Redden said they hope to be doing the rest of the road work in late July and early August.
The town administrator said this year’s construction period will be a little bit busier in terms of the work they are undertaking from a base work perspective. “Council has increased their budget for this type of work recognizing largely the side streets. That work is not local improvements where the homeowners would participate but it is entirely out of the town’s operating budget. Council increased that budget significantly starting last year.”
In addition to that road work, Redden also touched on a few other items of note:
• ongoing updgrades to vehicles and equipment as the town added a street sweeper and a one ton to its fleet;
• a lot of drainage work that has been over the past few years is wrapping up. There is a bit of work left to do along Hwy. 365 near the water treatment plant. Most of it had to be excavated out but in that area crews will have to do some filling;
• the town has done more dust proofing than in the past on some side streets and in the industrial area;
• the town will be undertaking the replacement of a lot of street blade signs. Redden said they are doing a large number of them this year which are placed at various intersections; and
• improving signage around Kinsmen Park. Redden said there has been some concern about people not recognizing that the park is signed as a playground which would be no different than the school zone. Kinsmen Park may get overlooked a bit so the town is going to try and improve the signage there as well.
TWM Top Story - June 13, 2016
Tourism a big part of area
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With lots to see and do, it should come as no surprise that the Watrous and Manitou Beach area continues to become a go to destination for visitors and potential residents a like.
With more than 200 businesses and unique attractions including Little Manitou Lake itself, Community Development Officer Brendan Manz said tourism continues to be an integral part of the local region.
“Our numbers are around 200,000 visitors a year and that is people who are travelling more than 40 km to come here and visit. That might be for appointments, coming to the beach for the day, staying for the night or even something else. That is a significant amount of visitors to the area and that relays into about $25 million into our economy.”
Manz said the tourism dollars generated in the area are comparable to what would be found in smaller cities in the province. “Because of all that we have to offer, it is a huge asset to our communities.”
As more and more visitors stop by the area, Manz said Manitou Beach continues to be recognized on an international stage. Travel writers from across the globe have marked Manitou Beach on their list of locations to visit and in 2015, Manz said there were eight different travel writers representing four different countries from three different continents that visited Manitou Beach.
In addition, RVwest magazine, which has readership across western Canada and the western United States issued its Readers’s Choice awards and out of Saskatchewan, Manitou Beach was voted tops in three different categories. MSN.ca also named the resort community as a top 10 Canadian beach.
With people enjoying unsinkable experiences, there is more on the schedule as 2016 reaches its summer season. Along with the annual fireworks and a day of fun at Manitou Beach July 1, Manz said there are a few other highlights on the schedule that people will be able to enjoy.
The ninth edition of the Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail takes place July 9 and 10 at various locations within the area. People can view studios where artwork created by local artists is offered for purchase. “We love supporting our artists and seeing them promote their work. They are a big part of our tourism industry and that goes hand in hand with other things like the flea market, the antique stores and the farmers market. They all parlay into that whole visitor experience we offer our guests.”
The annual Watrous Fun Run Show ‘n’ Shine car show marks its 25th year July 23 as it will take over Main Street in Watrous. One of the largest car shows in rural Saskatchewan, the event is geared towards car enthusiasts of all ages and includes a full day of family-oriented events.
Everything from classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, hot rods and customs with specialty cars to antique tractors have drawn huge crowds over the years. Entries for the popular event come from across Western Canada with the occasional American entry. Another crowd pleaser at the Fun Run Show ‘n’ Shine is Kevin Therris and Prairieland Motorsports with their Bio Diesel Jet Car.
Supplementing the incredible walk through automotive history is a wide variety of other activities which include: a pancake breakfast, Beeper the Clown, the dog performances at Memorial Park, face painting and balloons for the kids.
Once the day comes to a close, the vehicle entrants go for a cruise from Watrous to Manitou Beach. The highway between the two communities is lined with spectators who get the chance to view the variety of vehicles.
“Organizer of the event Jason Lindgren and his team have a lot of great things in store for this year.”
For the first time, an Artist Creation Expo is taking place at Manitou Beach Aug. 2 to 13. Local artist Sarah McKen has spearheaded the event and Manz said it will be similar to the chainsaw event last year but on a little bit smaller scale.
“We will have sculptors coming in from right across Saskatchewan and probably beyond to work for two weeks right at Manitou Beach. The sculptors will work with all different types of materials to build their creations. Once the finished product is completed, it will remain in our community and become part of our attraction here. That is something that people can look forward to.”
In addition to the scheduled events, Manz said Manitou Beach is also looking at constructing an events centre while the famous Danceland remains a popular destination to dance and even get married.
“It is great to see and with our central location in the province it gives us a bit of a leg up on hosting events and we probably have more accommodations than any community in the province our size. Because of that, it helps us to attract different events.”
Coinciding with the summer season, the 2016-‘17 Activities Guide has also been released showcasing tourism within the area. “We understand that people are hosting different things like reunions, gatherings or weddings so having an Activities Guide close by gives visitors and residents a chance to see what the area has to offer. It also builds a source of community pride and I think we should be proud of what we have to offer here. I encourage residents to go down and spend some time at the beach, spend some time in Watrous and support the different events that we have each year. It goes a long way.”
To check out the guide or for more on tourism, Manz said people can visit www.watrousmanitou.com.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With lots to see and do, it should come as no surprise that the Watrous and Manitou Beach area continues to become a go to destination for visitors and potential residents a like.
With more than 200 businesses and unique attractions including Little Manitou Lake itself, Community Development Officer Brendan Manz said tourism continues to be an integral part of the local region.
“Our numbers are around 200,000 visitors a year and that is people who are travelling more than 40 km to come here and visit. That might be for appointments, coming to the beach for the day, staying for the night or even something else. That is a significant amount of visitors to the area and that relays into about $25 million into our economy.”
Manz said the tourism dollars generated in the area are comparable to what would be found in smaller cities in the province. “Because of all that we have to offer, it is a huge asset to our communities.”
As more and more visitors stop by the area, Manz said Manitou Beach continues to be recognized on an international stage. Travel writers from across the globe have marked Manitou Beach on their list of locations to visit and in 2015, Manz said there were eight different travel writers representing four different countries from three different continents that visited Manitou Beach.
In addition, RVwest magazine, which has readership across western Canada and the western United States issued its Readers’s Choice awards and out of Saskatchewan, Manitou Beach was voted tops in three different categories. MSN.ca also named the resort community as a top 10 Canadian beach.
With people enjoying unsinkable experiences, there is more on the schedule as 2016 reaches its summer season. Along with the annual fireworks and a day of fun at Manitou Beach July 1, Manz said there are a few other highlights on the schedule that people will be able to enjoy.
The ninth edition of the Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail takes place July 9 and 10 at various locations within the area. People can view studios where artwork created by local artists is offered for purchase. “We love supporting our artists and seeing them promote their work. They are a big part of our tourism industry and that goes hand in hand with other things like the flea market, the antique stores and the farmers market. They all parlay into that whole visitor experience we offer our guests.”
The annual Watrous Fun Run Show ‘n’ Shine car show marks its 25th year July 23 as it will take over Main Street in Watrous. One of the largest car shows in rural Saskatchewan, the event is geared towards car enthusiasts of all ages and includes a full day of family-oriented events.
Everything from classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, hot rods and customs with specialty cars to antique tractors have drawn huge crowds over the years. Entries for the popular event come from across Western Canada with the occasional American entry. Another crowd pleaser at the Fun Run Show ‘n’ Shine is Kevin Therris and Prairieland Motorsports with their Bio Diesel Jet Car.
Supplementing the incredible walk through automotive history is a wide variety of other activities which include: a pancake breakfast, Beeper the Clown, the dog performances at Memorial Park, face painting and balloons for the kids.
Once the day comes to a close, the vehicle entrants go for a cruise from Watrous to Manitou Beach. The highway between the two communities is lined with spectators who get the chance to view the variety of vehicles.
“Organizer of the event Jason Lindgren and his team have a lot of great things in store for this year.”
For the first time, an Artist Creation Expo is taking place at Manitou Beach Aug. 2 to 13. Local artist Sarah McKen has spearheaded the event and Manz said it will be similar to the chainsaw event last year but on a little bit smaller scale.
“We will have sculptors coming in from right across Saskatchewan and probably beyond to work for two weeks right at Manitou Beach. The sculptors will work with all different types of materials to build their creations. Once the finished product is completed, it will remain in our community and become part of our attraction here. That is something that people can look forward to.”
In addition to the scheduled events, Manz said Manitou Beach is also looking at constructing an events centre while the famous Danceland remains a popular destination to dance and even get married.
“It is great to see and with our central location in the province it gives us a bit of a leg up on hosting events and we probably have more accommodations than any community in the province our size. Because of that, it helps us to attract different events.”
Coinciding with the summer season, the 2016-‘17 Activities Guide has also been released showcasing tourism within the area. “We understand that people are hosting different things like reunions, gatherings or weddings so having an Activities Guide close by gives visitors and residents a chance to see what the area has to offer. It also builds a source of community pride and I think we should be proud of what we have to offer here. I encourage residents to go down and spend some time at the beach, spend some time in Watrous and support the different events that we have each year. It goes a long way.”
To check out the guide or for more on tourism, Manz said people can visit www.watrousmanitou.com.
TWM Top Story - June 6, 2016
Deficit forecast as province unveils budget
Daniel Bushman/TWM
The province is forecast to run a $434 million deficit as the Saskatchewan government unveiled its budget June 1. While taxes will not be increased and substantial cuts to programs and services should be avoided, some areas were not immune.
In the 2016-‘17 budget released June 1, the overall forecasted revenue of $14.02 billion is down 1.8 percent from the previous budget while overall forecasted spending is up two percent from the last budget to $14.46 billion. That leaves a forecasted deficit of $434 million.
While taxes will remain the same, among some of the areas that will see changes include the Children’s and Seniors’ Drug Plan. The drug plan is now up $5 per prescription, resulting in a $25 per prescription maximum. The government stated the change helps make the plan more sustainable, offsetting some of the annual increase by $6.75 million in 2016-‘17, and $9 million annually.
Another area targeted is The Active Families Benefit, a refundable Personal Income Tax credit, which is now being eliminated, saving the government $5.5 million per year. The credit was initiated to assist families with the cost of registering children in cultural, recreational and sports activities.
MLA for the Humboldt-Watrous riding Donna Harpauer said it is a very challenging budget and will have very controlled spending. “We are committed to keeping the economy strong and are not going to raise any taxes. We are going to focus on where we best need to spend our dollars in order to support families and focus on the economy and balance the budget in 2018.”
As far as the local area is concerned, Harpauer said that basically it is status quo with the exception for revenue sharing for municipal governments in which the government is keeping its promise.
She added that school divisions will not have the increases they were hoping for but also will not see cuts, being forced to manage much like the province in a very basic budget.
Harpauer said the premier has been up front to bring the province back to a balance budget but did not want to make major cuts to cause damage to the economy. “We are going to take a look at all our programming . . . and make changes that we can that will still deliver good services.”
The news of the deficit and the lack of increased spending to areas like health care and education did not sit well with the opposition NDP. NDP Finance Critic Cathy Sproule said there was nothing in the budget that justified a long delay from it being delivered earlier this year. “When, during the election, did the Sask Party mention their plans to hike prescription drug costs, and pull the rug out from hard-working families who rely on a little extra assistance just to get by? None of that was in their platform or their Throne Speech just two weeks ago. The tiny increases allotted for both health care and education are not nearly enough to even maintain programs at their current levels. As a result school divisions and health regions will need to make difficult decisions in the coming months.”
Despite a forecasted deficit, here are some of the areas where funding has been allocated within the budget:
Health care
A record $5.17 billion health budget will go towards health infrastructure, improving access to care and reducing wait times for surgery and diagnostic services. The health budget is an increase of $57.4 million, or 1.1 percent, over 2015-‘16.
Some of the items include:
• Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) will receive $3.4 billion for operating funding, an increase of 2.3 percent over funding provided to RHAs last year. Included is $20 million in additional funding to reduce surgical wait times;
• the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency is receiving more than $167 million in funding in this budget, up $9.8 million from last year, or 6.2 percent. The substantial increase in funding will help pay for the addition of 15 new cancer drugs that were approved last year;
• the budget includes $500,000 to fulfil the government’s campaign commitment to expand its robotic telemedicine to more northern communities. This project allows health care professionals to connect with patients remotely and provide real-time assessment, diagnosis and patient management;
• the budget is also reducing RHA administration expenses by $7.5 million and re-investing that funding to frontline staff in long-term care homes. This equals a five percent reduction in general administration costs, to be determined as part of RHA budget finalization in coming months; and
• capital investments total $71.4 million in 2016-‘17, including a 25 percent increase (to a total of $34.7 million) for capital maintenance across the province. Capital funding is also being provided for a power plant upgrade at Saskatoon Royal University Hospital, electrical renewal projects at Regina’s General and Pasqua hospitals, and completion of construction at the Kelvington Integrated Care Facility.
Education
The overall investment in education is increasing by 7.8 percent to a total of $2.2 billion. This includes $391.4 million for capital investments. The government’s investment in infrastructure includes:
• $310.5 million, an increase of $153.1 million for the 18 joint-use schools being built on nine sites;
• $33.4 million for preventative maintenance and renewal;
• $4.6 million for emergency building repairs;
• $41.9 million for ongoing capital projects including schools in St. Brieux, Langenburg, Gravelbourg, and Martensville as well as École Connaught, Sacred Heart and the new Mâmawêyatitân Centre replacing Scott Collegiate in Regina; and
• $1 million for school facility assessments.
The budget also increases funding for classroom supports by $4 million. Government is providing $288 million to school divisions for supports for learning funding in the 2016-‘17 school year. This funding includes supports for students with intensive needs, students in vulnerable circumstances and students who require English as an additional language support. In addition, $5.4 million of school operating funding is being targeted to support Syrian refugee students.
Funding for Youth at High Risk facilities is also increasing by $600,000 over last year, to help address salary and enrolment pressures, for a total investment of $5.8 million.
Highways
For the first time in Saskatchewan history, the Highways and Infrastructure budget tops $1 billion and includes:
• $355 million for capital construction;
• $30 million in new funding for the first year of the Highways 2020 Plan – a three-year, $70 million surge in highway repair and maintenance; and
• $500 million for the Regina Bypass.
More than 1,300 km of provincial highways will see repairs or upgrades this year including:
• continuing work on major projects like the Regina Bypass and twinning on Hwy. 7 and 16 near Saskatoon and Hwy. 39 between Estevan and Bienfait;
• starting construction on new overpasses at Warman and Martensville;
• upgrading more than 100 km of rural highways to improve safety and access, including Hwy. 322 north of Silton and Hwy. 354 near Dilke; and
• 200 km of repaving.
As part of the Highways 2020 Plan, $30 million will be invested in repairs to many highways throughout the province, including Hwy. 220 and 322 in the Silton-Strasbourg area; Hwy. 924 to Dore Lake; Hwy. 340 north of Radisson; Hwy. 376 between Maymont and Asquith; Hwy. 45 south of Outlook; and Hwy. 58 between Chaplin and Shamrock.
Municipalities
The overall funding for municipal revenue sharing represents an increase of $56.7 million or 16.2 percent from the previous budget. The municipal revenue sharing figure, announced earlier, is based on the formula of one percentage point of Provincial Sales Tax (PST) revenue. A record $271.6 million is being provided to municipalities in municipal revenue sharing in 2016-‘17. That’s up $6.4 million or 2.4 percent from last year’s budget.
Urban revenue sharing for all cities, towns, villages and resort villages will amount to $174.6 million in 2016-‘17. Revenue sharing for rural municipalities, which includes organized hamlets, will total $76.7 million, and northern municipalities will receive just under $20.3 million this fiscal year.
Agriculture
The Ministry of Agriculture’s budget will increase by 7.5 percent for a total of $389.8 million. This includes $254.6 million to fully fund business risk management programs, a $14.6 million increase from the previous year. The budget also includes $71.2 million for strategic initiatives under the federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 Agreement, with $26.8 million for agricultural research and $4.2 million to support events and organizations like Canada’s Farm Progress Show, 4-H Saskatchewan and Agriculture in the Classroom.
The ministry will also achieve expense reductions from a decrease in amortization costs and operational savings, with no impact on programming, customer service or staffing. One change for the 2016-‘17 year will be the discontinuation of the 2015 Agricultural Crown Land Sale program.
The Ministry of Agriculture expects to net $148 million in revenue from land sales during 2016-‘17. Any cultivated or previously cultivated land that is eligible for sale that has not been purchased will continue to be subject to rental increases in upcoming years.
Social services
The budget is $1.052 billion, a 5.1 percent increase from the last fiscal year.
Part of that includes at-risk children, youth and their families benefitting from a $16.7 million investment, which involves:
• $7.9 million for medically fragile children and those with complex needs;
• $5.7 million for foster care and extended family care;
• $2.3 million in preventative services to keep children from coming into the care of the ministry; and
• $0.8 million for Assisted Adoption.
In response to the Saskatchewan Poverty Reduction Strategy, Social Services is undertaking a redesign of its income assistance programs to simplify administration, improve client service and support transitions to independence and participation in the economic and social life of the province.
Other provisions include:
• $210 million will be dedicated to the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program for people with significant and enduring disabilities;
• $3.4 million will address the emerging needs of those with intellectual disabilities and support the transition of individuals from Valley View Centre as homes and programs become available;
• work on a third assessment and stabilization home – part of the safety net of supports for people with intellectual disabilities – will begin;
• $494 million for income assistance programs (including SAID) that help more than 30,000 individuals and families to meet their basic needs. This investment includes $36.5 million for the Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA), an increase of $19.5 million over last fiscal year; and
• $3.8 million for housing programs. The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation will support the Disability Strategy, Poverty Reduction Strategy and Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan by focusing on accessible, affordable housing for those most in need.
To view more on the budget visit the government’s website: www.gov.sk.ca.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
The province is forecast to run a $434 million deficit as the Saskatchewan government unveiled its budget June 1. While taxes will not be increased and substantial cuts to programs and services should be avoided, some areas were not immune.
In the 2016-‘17 budget released June 1, the overall forecasted revenue of $14.02 billion is down 1.8 percent from the previous budget while overall forecasted spending is up two percent from the last budget to $14.46 billion. That leaves a forecasted deficit of $434 million.
While taxes will remain the same, among some of the areas that will see changes include the Children’s and Seniors’ Drug Plan. The drug plan is now up $5 per prescription, resulting in a $25 per prescription maximum. The government stated the change helps make the plan more sustainable, offsetting some of the annual increase by $6.75 million in 2016-‘17, and $9 million annually.
Another area targeted is The Active Families Benefit, a refundable Personal Income Tax credit, which is now being eliminated, saving the government $5.5 million per year. The credit was initiated to assist families with the cost of registering children in cultural, recreational and sports activities.
MLA for the Humboldt-Watrous riding Donna Harpauer said it is a very challenging budget and will have very controlled spending. “We are committed to keeping the economy strong and are not going to raise any taxes. We are going to focus on where we best need to spend our dollars in order to support families and focus on the economy and balance the budget in 2018.”
As far as the local area is concerned, Harpauer said that basically it is status quo with the exception for revenue sharing for municipal governments in which the government is keeping its promise.
She added that school divisions will not have the increases they were hoping for but also will not see cuts, being forced to manage much like the province in a very basic budget.
Harpauer said the premier has been up front to bring the province back to a balance budget but did not want to make major cuts to cause damage to the economy. “We are going to take a look at all our programming . . . and make changes that we can that will still deliver good services.”
The news of the deficit and the lack of increased spending to areas like health care and education did not sit well with the opposition NDP. NDP Finance Critic Cathy Sproule said there was nothing in the budget that justified a long delay from it being delivered earlier this year. “When, during the election, did the Sask Party mention their plans to hike prescription drug costs, and pull the rug out from hard-working families who rely on a little extra assistance just to get by? None of that was in their platform or their Throne Speech just two weeks ago. The tiny increases allotted for both health care and education are not nearly enough to even maintain programs at their current levels. As a result school divisions and health regions will need to make difficult decisions in the coming months.”
Despite a forecasted deficit, here are some of the areas where funding has been allocated within the budget:
Health care
A record $5.17 billion health budget will go towards health infrastructure, improving access to care and reducing wait times for surgery and diagnostic services. The health budget is an increase of $57.4 million, or 1.1 percent, over 2015-‘16.
Some of the items include:
• Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) will receive $3.4 billion for operating funding, an increase of 2.3 percent over funding provided to RHAs last year. Included is $20 million in additional funding to reduce surgical wait times;
• the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency is receiving more than $167 million in funding in this budget, up $9.8 million from last year, or 6.2 percent. The substantial increase in funding will help pay for the addition of 15 new cancer drugs that were approved last year;
• the budget includes $500,000 to fulfil the government’s campaign commitment to expand its robotic telemedicine to more northern communities. This project allows health care professionals to connect with patients remotely and provide real-time assessment, diagnosis and patient management;
• the budget is also reducing RHA administration expenses by $7.5 million and re-investing that funding to frontline staff in long-term care homes. This equals a five percent reduction in general administration costs, to be determined as part of RHA budget finalization in coming months; and
• capital investments total $71.4 million in 2016-‘17, including a 25 percent increase (to a total of $34.7 million) for capital maintenance across the province. Capital funding is also being provided for a power plant upgrade at Saskatoon Royal University Hospital, electrical renewal projects at Regina’s General and Pasqua hospitals, and completion of construction at the Kelvington Integrated Care Facility.
Education
The overall investment in education is increasing by 7.8 percent to a total of $2.2 billion. This includes $391.4 million for capital investments. The government’s investment in infrastructure includes:
• $310.5 million, an increase of $153.1 million for the 18 joint-use schools being built on nine sites;
• $33.4 million for preventative maintenance and renewal;
• $4.6 million for emergency building repairs;
• $41.9 million for ongoing capital projects including schools in St. Brieux, Langenburg, Gravelbourg, and Martensville as well as École Connaught, Sacred Heart and the new Mâmawêyatitân Centre replacing Scott Collegiate in Regina; and
• $1 million for school facility assessments.
The budget also increases funding for classroom supports by $4 million. Government is providing $288 million to school divisions for supports for learning funding in the 2016-‘17 school year. This funding includes supports for students with intensive needs, students in vulnerable circumstances and students who require English as an additional language support. In addition, $5.4 million of school operating funding is being targeted to support Syrian refugee students.
Funding for Youth at High Risk facilities is also increasing by $600,000 over last year, to help address salary and enrolment pressures, for a total investment of $5.8 million.
Highways
For the first time in Saskatchewan history, the Highways and Infrastructure budget tops $1 billion and includes:
• $355 million for capital construction;
• $30 million in new funding for the first year of the Highways 2020 Plan – a three-year, $70 million surge in highway repair and maintenance; and
• $500 million for the Regina Bypass.
More than 1,300 km of provincial highways will see repairs or upgrades this year including:
• continuing work on major projects like the Regina Bypass and twinning on Hwy. 7 and 16 near Saskatoon and Hwy. 39 between Estevan and Bienfait;
• starting construction on new overpasses at Warman and Martensville;
• upgrading more than 100 km of rural highways to improve safety and access, including Hwy. 322 north of Silton and Hwy. 354 near Dilke; and
• 200 km of repaving.
As part of the Highways 2020 Plan, $30 million will be invested in repairs to many highways throughout the province, including Hwy. 220 and 322 in the Silton-Strasbourg area; Hwy. 924 to Dore Lake; Hwy. 340 north of Radisson; Hwy. 376 between Maymont and Asquith; Hwy. 45 south of Outlook; and Hwy. 58 between Chaplin and Shamrock.
Municipalities
The overall funding for municipal revenue sharing represents an increase of $56.7 million or 16.2 percent from the previous budget. The municipal revenue sharing figure, announced earlier, is based on the formula of one percentage point of Provincial Sales Tax (PST) revenue. A record $271.6 million is being provided to municipalities in municipal revenue sharing in 2016-‘17. That’s up $6.4 million or 2.4 percent from last year’s budget.
Urban revenue sharing for all cities, towns, villages and resort villages will amount to $174.6 million in 2016-‘17. Revenue sharing for rural municipalities, which includes organized hamlets, will total $76.7 million, and northern municipalities will receive just under $20.3 million this fiscal year.
Agriculture
The Ministry of Agriculture’s budget will increase by 7.5 percent for a total of $389.8 million. This includes $254.6 million to fully fund business risk management programs, a $14.6 million increase from the previous year. The budget also includes $71.2 million for strategic initiatives under the federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 Agreement, with $26.8 million for agricultural research and $4.2 million to support events and organizations like Canada’s Farm Progress Show, 4-H Saskatchewan and Agriculture in the Classroom.
The ministry will also achieve expense reductions from a decrease in amortization costs and operational savings, with no impact on programming, customer service or staffing. One change for the 2016-‘17 year will be the discontinuation of the 2015 Agricultural Crown Land Sale program.
The Ministry of Agriculture expects to net $148 million in revenue from land sales during 2016-‘17. Any cultivated or previously cultivated land that is eligible for sale that has not been purchased will continue to be subject to rental increases in upcoming years.
Social services
The budget is $1.052 billion, a 5.1 percent increase from the last fiscal year.
Part of that includes at-risk children, youth and their families benefitting from a $16.7 million investment, which involves:
• $7.9 million for medically fragile children and those with complex needs;
• $5.7 million for foster care and extended family care;
• $2.3 million in preventative services to keep children from coming into the care of the ministry; and
• $0.8 million for Assisted Adoption.
In response to the Saskatchewan Poverty Reduction Strategy, Social Services is undertaking a redesign of its income assistance programs to simplify administration, improve client service and support transitions to independence and participation in the economic and social life of the province.
Other provisions include:
• $210 million will be dedicated to the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program for people with significant and enduring disabilities;
• $3.4 million will address the emerging needs of those with intellectual disabilities and support the transition of individuals from Valley View Centre as homes and programs become available;
• work on a third assessment and stabilization home – part of the safety net of supports for people with intellectual disabilities – will begin;
• $494 million for income assistance programs (including SAID) that help more than 30,000 individuals and families to meet their basic needs. This investment includes $36.5 million for the Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA), an increase of $19.5 million over last fiscal year; and
• $3.8 million for housing programs. The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation will support the Disability Strategy, Poverty Reduction Strategy and Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan by focusing on accessible, affordable housing for those most in need.
To view more on the budget visit the government’s website: www.gov.sk.ca.
TWM Top Story - May 30, 2016
Local roads requiring attention this spring
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Conditions during spring can become hazardous to chunks of roads in Saskatchewan, leaving motorists to do their best to manoeuver around crumbling stretches. Around the Watrous area that is no exception as Communications Consultant with the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure Sonja Orban said the spring thaw is a vulnerable time for highways across the province.
“Potholes are formed by the expansion and contraction of water that has entered into the subsurface of the road. When water freezes it expands, this causes the pavement to expand, bend or crack which weakens the road.”
Because of the damage that spring thaw can cause, portions of local roads in the area have forced motorists to slow way down. The Watrous Manitou asked the ministry for updates on some of the local highways that are maintained by the Ministry of Highways and what is being done to repair them. Those highways include:
• Hwy. 2 between Watrous and Young (pictured above) - crews are grading and putting down base in the area;
• Hwy. 2 between Watrous and Holdfast - blading, patching and other routine maintenance is planned. It is well flagged and signed;
• Hwy. 365 between Watrous and Manitou Beach - routine maintenance is planned including blading and patching;
• Hwy. 15 between Nokomis and the junction of Hwy. 2 - routine maintenance is planned including blading and patching;
• Hwy. 15 between Kenaston and the junction of Hwy. 2 - about 14.5 km of grading of Hwy. 15 from 5 km west to 19.5 km west of its junction of Hwy. 2 is now complete. Cleanup is underway;
• Hwy. 20 between Lanigan and Nokomis - routine maintenance will be done including blading and patching. It is well signed.
Orban said blading, patching and other routine maintenance work will occur throughout construction season to improve the road surface.
“Construction season has already started on Saskatchewan highways. Contractors are working to complete ongoing projects.”
Orban also wanted to remind motorists travelling through construction zones to obey signage and slow to 60 km/h in the work zone. “It’s the law. There are also times where speeds need to be reduced even when workers are not present. This may include areas where there are sharp drop-offs or loose stones.”
Orban said providing good quality roads is a priority for the government and in addition to record highways budgets, a $70 million surge in highway repairs and upgrades was announced during the recent election campaign. “Details on which roads will be repaired will be provided when the provincial budget is released in early June.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Conditions during spring can become hazardous to chunks of roads in Saskatchewan, leaving motorists to do their best to manoeuver around crumbling stretches. Around the Watrous area that is no exception as Communications Consultant with the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure Sonja Orban said the spring thaw is a vulnerable time for highways across the province.
“Potholes are formed by the expansion and contraction of water that has entered into the subsurface of the road. When water freezes it expands, this causes the pavement to expand, bend or crack which weakens the road.”
Because of the damage that spring thaw can cause, portions of local roads in the area have forced motorists to slow way down. The Watrous Manitou asked the ministry for updates on some of the local highways that are maintained by the Ministry of Highways and what is being done to repair them. Those highways include:
• Hwy. 2 between Watrous and Young (pictured above) - crews are grading and putting down base in the area;
• Hwy. 2 between Watrous and Holdfast - blading, patching and other routine maintenance is planned. It is well flagged and signed;
• Hwy. 365 between Watrous and Manitou Beach - routine maintenance is planned including blading and patching;
• Hwy. 15 between Nokomis and the junction of Hwy. 2 - routine maintenance is planned including blading and patching;
• Hwy. 15 between Kenaston and the junction of Hwy. 2 - about 14.5 km of grading of Hwy. 15 from 5 km west to 19.5 km west of its junction of Hwy. 2 is now complete. Cleanup is underway;
• Hwy. 20 between Lanigan and Nokomis - routine maintenance will be done including blading and patching. It is well signed.
Orban said blading, patching and other routine maintenance work will occur throughout construction season to improve the road surface.
“Construction season has already started on Saskatchewan highways. Contractors are working to complete ongoing projects.”
Orban also wanted to remind motorists travelling through construction zones to obey signage and slow to 60 km/h in the work zone. “It’s the law. There are also times where speeds need to be reduced even when workers are not present. This may include areas where there are sharp drop-offs or loose stones.”
Orban said providing good quality roads is a priority for the government and in addition to record highways budgets, a $70 million surge in highway repairs and upgrades was announced during the recent election campaign. “Details on which roads will be repaired will be provided when the provincial budget is released in early June.”
TWM Top Stories - May 23, 2016
RCMP Report
Monday the 16th of May, Watrous RCMP and the RCMP Forensic Identification Section, attended the Manitou Beach Regional Park after receiving two separate reports of break, enter and theft. Culprits gained entry to Manitou Beach Golf and Country Club and the regional park office. RCMP believe both incidents are related. A golf cart had been taken by the suspect(s) and was later located abandoned undamaged.
If you have information about this or any other crime, please contact the Watrous RCMP Detachment at 306-946-3316 or you may call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through SaskTel at *8477, or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
Shortly before 10 a.m. May 16, Watrous RCMP and Strasbourg EMS were dispatched to a single motor vehicle roll over 15 kms east of Nokomis on Hwy. 744 in the RM of Mount Hope. The lone occupant of the vehicle sustained minor injuries. The male driver from Nokomis was treated and released on scene. The vehicle sustained extensive damage and had to be towed to an SGI compound in Watrous. No charges have been laid.
Monday the 16th of May, Watrous RCMP and the RCMP Forensic Identification Section, attended the Manitou Beach Regional Park after receiving two separate reports of break, enter and theft. Culprits gained entry to Manitou Beach Golf and Country Club and the regional park office. RCMP believe both incidents are related. A golf cart had been taken by the suspect(s) and was later located abandoned undamaged.
If you have information about this or any other crime, please contact the Watrous RCMP Detachment at 306-946-3316 or you may call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through SaskTel at *8477, or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
Shortly before 10 a.m. May 16, Watrous RCMP and Strasbourg EMS were dispatched to a single motor vehicle roll over 15 kms east of Nokomis on Hwy. 744 in the RM of Mount Hope. The lone occupant of the vehicle sustained minor injuries. The male driver from Nokomis was treated and released on scene. The vehicle sustained extensive damage and had to be towed to an SGI compound in Watrous. No charges have been laid.
Fleeing a city on fire
Daniel Bushman/TWM
As wildfires roared towards homes in Fort McMurray, Alta., family members of those caught up in the catastrophe were left waiting by their phones to hear how their loved ones were doing. Four weeks ago, fires invaded the city of 80,000 people and forced a city-wide evacuation. Of the thousands that had to take what they could and get out, some have connections to Watrous.
It just all happened so fast:
Watrous resident Jean Isherwood’s sister Donna and her husband Larry Dewey were part of the many who had to evacuate the city and were forced north. With vehicles leaving one after the other Isherwood said what should have taken little time to arrive at a work camp ended up being about seven hours.
Living in the downtown area, Donna and Larry were unable to go south to Edmonton because of the fires and found their way north towards a work camp. Once there they stayed a few days before being airlifted to Edmonton. “They had an elderly friend who they were travelling together with,” Jean said. “I think that was one of the reasons why they were airlifted out.”
When the evacuation order was first issued, Isherwood said the Deweys did not have much time to pack.
“They had less than a half an hour but in the morning we had talked to her and she said it was a beautiful day and the sun was shining and there was no smoke. It just all happened so fast and they didn’t really have a chance to pack.”
Isherwood’s nephew Monte, his wife Pauline and their two girls also live in the city and were also evacuated north. Leaving from the Thickwood neighbourhood, the family drove to safety.
Now weeks later since escaping the fires, Isherwood said the Deweys were hopeful they would be getting back sooner than later but with fires still burning, it does not appear to be the case. “But they are safe and that was the main concern. They are totally stressed of course but just knowing that everybody got out okay is just a miracle.”
Ten minutes to pack up and leave:
What would you take with you given just 10 minutes while not knowing if anything left behind would be there when you returned? That was the case for Watrous resident Heather Pister’s son and his family as they too had to scramble to get out.
Living in Fort McMurray, Pister’s son Lonnie, his wife Heidi and their two daughters Sadie and Charley were notified that they had 10 minutes to pack up and go.
“When they were told to leave, they were in the process of grabbing things like clothes and food and not knowing how long they would be gone for,” said Heather, who owns the Little Olive Health Market in Watrous.
Residing in the Timberlea neighbourhood, which is located in the north end of the city, the family was unable to use the south route to get out and had to head north. “They couldn’t use Hwy. 63 south but luckily they had a camper in a compound near the north part of the highway so they got to get that.”
After hitching up the camper, Lonnie and his family began driving the 53.5 km towards Fort Mackay. “Because it was bumper to bumper, I am not sure they got that far,” said Heather. “They might have stopped before Fort Mackay and then the next day they were able to find a way south to Boyle, Alta., located north of Edmonton.”
However, because thousands of others from Fort McMurray also ventured north, Pister said traffic was backed up for a long time. “What normally would take close to three hours to drive to Boyle from Fort McMurray took them nine and a half hours.”
After being able to escape, Lonnie and his family eventually made their way to Watrous to stay with Heather for a few days. As images of destroyed homes and vehicles began popping up, the family found out that their home was one of those spared.
As portions of Fort McMurray were completely destroyed, oilsands camps remained unharmed. During the May 14 weekend Lonnie was given the green light to head back to work at CNRL while Heidi (a nurse in the city) and the kids flew to Vancouver to stay with her family.
After driving past the city to the CNRL camp, Lonnie told his mom “it looked like a zombie apocalypse but without the zombies. It was devastating and there are no words to describe it.”
While Lonnie was able to start working again, for other oilsands workers it was short-lived as the massive fire forced 8,000 oilsands workers from 12 plants last Monday.
“I can’t fathom what people are going through,” Heather said as she had planned before the fires to visit her kids in Fort McMurray this past weekend. “It will be quite different the next time I go up there. It is just unreal.”
Last week, fires were still burning in areas of the city and there were reports of explosions last Tuesday including a fourplex that was destroyed in the Thickwood neighbourhood. That area is just south of the Timberlea neighbourhood where Lonnie and Heidi’s house is.
With the fire growing and having reached the Saskatchewan border late last week, the only timeline as to when residents of Fort McMurray could return was a conditional one and that may only be at the start of June. However, Heather said her son figured it could even be longer than that.
As residents of the Alberta city wait to go back, Heather said the outpouring of support from across the country has been incredible.
“Canada has really pulled together. When the kids were down we went to Saskatoon and ate at Earl’s. The waitress overheard us talking about the situation in Fort McMurray and came back and said the meal is on us. Lonnie and Heidi had tears streaming down their faces and were so grateful for the support. I am happy that they and others were able to get out of Fort McMurray and are safe. It is just hard to even imagine what they are going through.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
As wildfires roared towards homes in Fort McMurray, Alta., family members of those caught up in the catastrophe were left waiting by their phones to hear how their loved ones were doing. Four weeks ago, fires invaded the city of 80,000 people and forced a city-wide evacuation. Of the thousands that had to take what they could and get out, some have connections to Watrous.
It just all happened so fast:
Watrous resident Jean Isherwood’s sister Donna and her husband Larry Dewey were part of the many who had to evacuate the city and were forced north. With vehicles leaving one after the other Isherwood said what should have taken little time to arrive at a work camp ended up being about seven hours.
Living in the downtown area, Donna and Larry were unable to go south to Edmonton because of the fires and found their way north towards a work camp. Once there they stayed a few days before being airlifted to Edmonton. “They had an elderly friend who they were travelling together with,” Jean said. “I think that was one of the reasons why they were airlifted out.”
When the evacuation order was first issued, Isherwood said the Deweys did not have much time to pack.
“They had less than a half an hour but in the morning we had talked to her and she said it was a beautiful day and the sun was shining and there was no smoke. It just all happened so fast and they didn’t really have a chance to pack.”
Isherwood’s nephew Monte, his wife Pauline and their two girls also live in the city and were also evacuated north. Leaving from the Thickwood neighbourhood, the family drove to safety.
Now weeks later since escaping the fires, Isherwood said the Deweys were hopeful they would be getting back sooner than later but with fires still burning, it does not appear to be the case. “But they are safe and that was the main concern. They are totally stressed of course but just knowing that everybody got out okay is just a miracle.”
Ten minutes to pack up and leave:
What would you take with you given just 10 minutes while not knowing if anything left behind would be there when you returned? That was the case for Watrous resident Heather Pister’s son and his family as they too had to scramble to get out.
Living in Fort McMurray, Pister’s son Lonnie, his wife Heidi and their two daughters Sadie and Charley were notified that they had 10 minutes to pack up and go.
“When they were told to leave, they were in the process of grabbing things like clothes and food and not knowing how long they would be gone for,” said Heather, who owns the Little Olive Health Market in Watrous.
Residing in the Timberlea neighbourhood, which is located in the north end of the city, the family was unable to use the south route to get out and had to head north. “They couldn’t use Hwy. 63 south but luckily they had a camper in a compound near the north part of the highway so they got to get that.”
After hitching up the camper, Lonnie and his family began driving the 53.5 km towards Fort Mackay. “Because it was bumper to bumper, I am not sure they got that far,” said Heather. “They might have stopped before Fort Mackay and then the next day they were able to find a way south to Boyle, Alta., located north of Edmonton.”
However, because thousands of others from Fort McMurray also ventured north, Pister said traffic was backed up for a long time. “What normally would take close to three hours to drive to Boyle from Fort McMurray took them nine and a half hours.”
After being able to escape, Lonnie and his family eventually made their way to Watrous to stay with Heather for a few days. As images of destroyed homes and vehicles began popping up, the family found out that their home was one of those spared.
As portions of Fort McMurray were completely destroyed, oilsands camps remained unharmed. During the May 14 weekend Lonnie was given the green light to head back to work at CNRL while Heidi (a nurse in the city) and the kids flew to Vancouver to stay with her family.
After driving past the city to the CNRL camp, Lonnie told his mom “it looked like a zombie apocalypse but without the zombies. It was devastating and there are no words to describe it.”
While Lonnie was able to start working again, for other oilsands workers it was short-lived as the massive fire forced 8,000 oilsands workers from 12 plants last Monday.
“I can’t fathom what people are going through,” Heather said as she had planned before the fires to visit her kids in Fort McMurray this past weekend. “It will be quite different the next time I go up there. It is just unreal.”
Last week, fires were still burning in areas of the city and there were reports of explosions last Tuesday including a fourplex that was destroyed in the Thickwood neighbourhood. That area is just south of the Timberlea neighbourhood where Lonnie and Heidi’s house is.
With the fire growing and having reached the Saskatchewan border late last week, the only timeline as to when residents of Fort McMurray could return was a conditional one and that may only be at the start of June. However, Heather said her son figured it could even be longer than that.
As residents of the Alberta city wait to go back, Heather said the outpouring of support from across the country has been incredible.
“Canada has really pulled together. When the kids were down we went to Saskatoon and ate at Earl’s. The waitress overheard us talking about the situation in Fort McMurray and came back and said the meal is on us. Lonnie and Heidi had tears streaming down their faces and were so grateful for the support. I am happy that they and others were able to get out of Fort McMurray and are safe. It is just hard to even imagine what they are going through.”
TWM Top Story - May 16, 2016
Nurse Practitioner taking leave
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After being a part of the Watrous/Imperial Primary Health Team since May 2014, Nurse Practitioner Erin Boyce will be taking a temporary leave for one year. Manager, Primary Health Care Angela Luron said Boyce’s last day with the team will be Friday, May 20.
Patients who were already booked to see Erin past May 20 will be receiving a call to be re-booked and Luron praised Boyce’s work during her time with the team.
“In her role as a Nurse Practitioner, she has added such a tremendous value to the health teams in both Watrous and Imperial and also to the communities as well through her clinical expertise, passion and commitment in caring for her patients everyday. We know that she will be very missed.”
Nurse Practitioner Erin Boyce said, “I have greatly enjoyed my time practicing in Watrous and Imperial. These are rich and vibrant communities with wonderful people. I have appreciated being able to serve as a Nurse Practitioner in these communities. At this point in my career, I have decided to build on my current experience and have accepted a temporary, one year position as a Nurse Practitioner in a different department of the Saskatoon Health Region.”
Watrous mayor Ed Collins said when they heard the news they were disappointed that Boyce would be leaving. “Erin filled a great void here in our community and was very well received and it will certainly be sad to see her leave. We are disappointed she is leaving but are happy the health region is on top of it to find a replacement.”
With the leave coming up, Luron said Primary Health will be posting a temporary position this week, bringing on a new Nurse Practitioner to replace Erin for this one year’s time. “We anticipate a start date within the month of June and will keep the community updated.”
In an effort to minimize service disruption until that time, Luron said they will be working with the three local physicians as well as many other partners and colleagues in Watrous and Imperial.
The health region is also addressing the clinic wait times at the Watrous Primary Health Centre. “Over the past several months now, the team has recognized that community members have had a longer wait to make non-urgent clinic appointments.”
Luron said they have been working hard at the way patients are scheduled and how the work is divided among the physicians and nurse practitioner. “We have made some changes to our scheduling and to our work flow processes that have helped to improve access and reduce the wait times. We are in the process of implementing more strategies to reduce the wait times. These particular strategies are posted on the walls of the Primary Health Centre and they include things like managing prescription refills more effectively with our patients, changing how we handle lab results follow ups and different things like that.”
In the next few weeks, Luron said they would be sharing more information with the community about the strategies to reduce wait times including information on what community members can do to help ensure that the region is making the most of the health resources in the community.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After being a part of the Watrous/Imperial Primary Health Team since May 2014, Nurse Practitioner Erin Boyce will be taking a temporary leave for one year. Manager, Primary Health Care Angela Luron said Boyce’s last day with the team will be Friday, May 20.
Patients who were already booked to see Erin past May 20 will be receiving a call to be re-booked and Luron praised Boyce’s work during her time with the team.
“In her role as a Nurse Practitioner, she has added such a tremendous value to the health teams in both Watrous and Imperial and also to the communities as well through her clinical expertise, passion and commitment in caring for her patients everyday. We know that she will be very missed.”
Nurse Practitioner Erin Boyce said, “I have greatly enjoyed my time practicing in Watrous and Imperial. These are rich and vibrant communities with wonderful people. I have appreciated being able to serve as a Nurse Practitioner in these communities. At this point in my career, I have decided to build on my current experience and have accepted a temporary, one year position as a Nurse Practitioner in a different department of the Saskatoon Health Region.”
Watrous mayor Ed Collins said when they heard the news they were disappointed that Boyce would be leaving. “Erin filled a great void here in our community and was very well received and it will certainly be sad to see her leave. We are disappointed she is leaving but are happy the health region is on top of it to find a replacement.”
With the leave coming up, Luron said Primary Health will be posting a temporary position this week, bringing on a new Nurse Practitioner to replace Erin for this one year’s time. “We anticipate a start date within the month of June and will keep the community updated.”
In an effort to minimize service disruption until that time, Luron said they will be working with the three local physicians as well as many other partners and colleagues in Watrous and Imperial.
The health region is also addressing the clinic wait times at the Watrous Primary Health Centre. “Over the past several months now, the team has recognized that community members have had a longer wait to make non-urgent clinic appointments.”
Luron said they have been working hard at the way patients are scheduled and how the work is divided among the physicians and nurse practitioner. “We have made some changes to our scheduling and to our work flow processes that have helped to improve access and reduce the wait times. We are in the process of implementing more strategies to reduce the wait times. These particular strategies are posted on the walls of the Primary Health Centre and they include things like managing prescription refills more effectively with our patients, changing how we handle lab results follow ups and different things like that.”
In the next few weeks, Luron said they would be sharing more information with the community about the strategies to reduce wait times including information on what community members can do to help ensure that the region is making the most of the health resources in the community.
TWM Top Stories - May 9, 2016
Manitou mayor not seeking re-election
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After 20 years of being involved in government on a provincial and local level, Manitou Beach mayor and former MLA Eric Upshall has decided he will not be seeking re-election this summer.
“The last seven years have been very stressful and with seven years at the local government level and 13 years before that at the provincial government level, I am ready to be done,” said Upshall. “I am just ready to step aside and have someone else pick up the traces because I feel I have fulfilled any commitment that was required of me to try to put myself in public service.”
Upshall wanted to spur on the democratic process and elected to announce his future intentions now instead of closer to the July 30 election. “There is nothing that excites an area more than a political race because it gets everyone involved . . . I would like to encourage everyone to think about what can they do for a few years and take their turn to manage the affairs at Manitou Beach. While it is difficult at times it is very rewarding as well.”
Reflecting on the past seven years as mayor of the resort community, Upshall said they have been able to stay ahead of the lake and the water coming up. “We have made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear when the first berm went in by paving all the streets. It wasn’t without its controversy but I think at the end of the day, people are very happy with the streets being paved.”
Upshall said other changes like those at Wellington Creek have also made a big difference with trying to contain high water during the spring runoff.
While the water has risen over the years, keeping the beaches available has also been something on Upshall’s to do list. Despite some of the sand at the beaches underwater, Upshall said they have tried to make it a place that residents and visitors can still enjoy. “If people say, “well there is no beaches so there is no use coming,” then that is what effects the whole business community of Manitou Beach and Watrous. It has been an interesting exercise of how to keep ahead of a disaster, not just an environmental disaster but an economic disaster. I think for the most part we have done okay.”
The mayor also noted a few enjoyable events over the years including the first ever chainsaw competition. “We also have a community meeting every year and a community barbecue every year. At the community meeting in July, it is an open house and people can come and ask any questions and get any answers they want. That has been applauded by a lot of people at the beach, they really enjoy it.”
He is also anticipating the Artistic Creation Expo this year. In addition, Upshall said he is excited about the events centre that will be constructed later this year.
“I think that will be a huge boost for the whole area because this events centre will be a 50’ x 80’ building . . . it will be something that will draw people here in larger numbers in terms of family reunions and weddings and that type of stuff.”
But the thing that has satisfied Upshall the most during his tenure is how the village has come together. “Sometimes you find if you are not doing things properly, the community will become fragmented. The councils that I have enjoyed chairing as mayor have been very successful in unifying the community around events and community pride. That is very satisfying.”
Upshall said they have also taken steps to try and bring Watrous to the fray and make the communities one.
While the election is still a few months away, Upshall said there is still a lot of work to be done. “We are planning the events centre, we have the whole water situation and we are monitoring it and working with the government to try and get the diversion project incorporated into the strategy of handling the water situation. We also have to get our budget finalized and there is lots to do.”
As the mayor wraps up his time in political life, Upshall has appreciated people’s patience, support and advice during his term and also wanted to mention the Watrous Manitou for its interest in the beach. “The fact that the Manitou has followed our events and is concerned about our events and the people of Manitou Beach and the area is something that is really important to the communications involved in any public service or public life. The paper provided that outlet for us and it is much appreciated.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After 20 years of being involved in government on a provincial and local level, Manitou Beach mayor and former MLA Eric Upshall has decided he will not be seeking re-election this summer.
“The last seven years have been very stressful and with seven years at the local government level and 13 years before that at the provincial government level, I am ready to be done,” said Upshall. “I am just ready to step aside and have someone else pick up the traces because I feel I have fulfilled any commitment that was required of me to try to put myself in public service.”
Upshall wanted to spur on the democratic process and elected to announce his future intentions now instead of closer to the July 30 election. “There is nothing that excites an area more than a political race because it gets everyone involved . . . I would like to encourage everyone to think about what can they do for a few years and take their turn to manage the affairs at Manitou Beach. While it is difficult at times it is very rewarding as well.”
Reflecting on the past seven years as mayor of the resort community, Upshall said they have been able to stay ahead of the lake and the water coming up. “We have made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear when the first berm went in by paving all the streets. It wasn’t without its controversy but I think at the end of the day, people are very happy with the streets being paved.”
Upshall said other changes like those at Wellington Creek have also made a big difference with trying to contain high water during the spring runoff.
While the water has risen over the years, keeping the beaches available has also been something on Upshall’s to do list. Despite some of the sand at the beaches underwater, Upshall said they have tried to make it a place that residents and visitors can still enjoy. “If people say, “well there is no beaches so there is no use coming,” then that is what effects the whole business community of Manitou Beach and Watrous. It has been an interesting exercise of how to keep ahead of a disaster, not just an environmental disaster but an economic disaster. I think for the most part we have done okay.”
The mayor also noted a few enjoyable events over the years including the first ever chainsaw competition. “We also have a community meeting every year and a community barbecue every year. At the community meeting in July, it is an open house and people can come and ask any questions and get any answers they want. That has been applauded by a lot of people at the beach, they really enjoy it.”
He is also anticipating the Artistic Creation Expo this year. In addition, Upshall said he is excited about the events centre that will be constructed later this year.
“I think that will be a huge boost for the whole area because this events centre will be a 50’ x 80’ building . . . it will be something that will draw people here in larger numbers in terms of family reunions and weddings and that type of stuff.”
But the thing that has satisfied Upshall the most during his tenure is how the village has come together. “Sometimes you find if you are not doing things properly, the community will become fragmented. The councils that I have enjoyed chairing as mayor have been very successful in unifying the community around events and community pride. That is very satisfying.”
Upshall said they have also taken steps to try and bring Watrous to the fray and make the communities one.
While the election is still a few months away, Upshall said there is still a lot of work to be done. “We are planning the events centre, we have the whole water situation and we are monitoring it and working with the government to try and get the diversion project incorporated into the strategy of handling the water situation. We also have to get our budget finalized and there is lots to do.”
As the mayor wraps up his time in political life, Upshall has appreciated people’s patience, support and advice during his term and also wanted to mention the Watrous Manitou for its interest in the beach. “The fact that the Manitou has followed our events and is concerned about our events and the people of Manitou Beach and the area is something that is really important to the communications involved in any public service or public life. The paper provided that outlet for us and it is much appreciated.”
Local couple wins $100,000
Daniel Bushman/TWM
(photo courtesy Clark Stork/Boldt FM)
It was a special day for Bob and Marilyn Wignes of Watrous as they not only celebrated Bob’s birthday but also found out they were the grand prize winners of this year’s Humboldt Broncos Spring Lottery of Cash. Marilyn said she was pretty elated and pumped when she found out Apr. 30 that they had won $100,000.
Celebrating Bob’s birthday in their backyard, the pair had been expecting a lot of company when the phone call came.
“Some of our family and friends were there and I had gone in the house to get something and I saw the phone was blinking.”
Marilyn picked up the phone and pushed the button to see that the caller was ‘Brockman’ from Humboldt. “I phoned the number back right away and it was a woman that answered and she gave me all the information. I just couldn’t believe it.”
Wignes went outside with a big grin and signalled something was up. As those in attendance found out about the good news and it began to sink in, Bob said, “it was once in a lifetime. We have been buying tickets there and we have bought quite a few pretty much every year and probably will continue.”
Bob and Marilyn have enjoyed watching the Broncos, especially in the past when local area players would suit up.
The pair made the drive to Humboldt last week not to watch hockey, but rather to take part in the cheque presentation (pictured above).
While the pair do not plan on spending the money right away, they may take a trip in the near future.
“It is a once in a lifetime deal,” said Bob. “It sweetens retirement,” said Marilyn.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
(photo courtesy Clark Stork/Boldt FM)
It was a special day for Bob and Marilyn Wignes of Watrous as they not only celebrated Bob’s birthday but also found out they were the grand prize winners of this year’s Humboldt Broncos Spring Lottery of Cash. Marilyn said she was pretty elated and pumped when she found out Apr. 30 that they had won $100,000.
Celebrating Bob’s birthday in their backyard, the pair had been expecting a lot of company when the phone call came.
“Some of our family and friends were there and I had gone in the house to get something and I saw the phone was blinking.”
Marilyn picked up the phone and pushed the button to see that the caller was ‘Brockman’ from Humboldt. “I phoned the number back right away and it was a woman that answered and she gave me all the information. I just couldn’t believe it.”
Wignes went outside with a big grin and signalled something was up. As those in attendance found out about the good news and it began to sink in, Bob said, “it was once in a lifetime. We have been buying tickets there and we have bought quite a few pretty much every year and probably will continue.”
Bob and Marilyn have enjoyed watching the Broncos, especially in the past when local area players would suit up.
The pair made the drive to Humboldt last week not to watch hockey, but rather to take part in the cheque presentation (pictured above).
While the pair do not plan on spending the money right away, they may take a trip in the near future.
“It is a once in a lifetime deal,” said Bob. “It sweetens retirement,” said Marilyn.
TWM Top Stories - May 2, 2016
Fires deemed suspicious
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Three fires started in the Watrous area are being considered suspicious while the cause of a fourth has been undetermined. Last week local firefighters spent around seven hours dousing flames Apr. 26 and were back out to extinguish another Apr. 27.
Around 2 a.m. Apr. 26, Watrous RCMP received a report of a fire in the Rural Municipality of Morris, about one kilometre south of Manitou Beach. Constable Marcel Taekema attended the scene and noted a brush fire, which had potential to get out of control. The Watrous Fire Department was notified and Fire Chief Wayne Vielhauer said they attended the blaze.
Burning between Watrous and the local gun range, crews began containing the fire but before they were finished, other calls came in.
Watrous RCMP said they received two more reports of fires located in the RM of Usborne and one fire unit was sent over while the remainder of the firefighters continued to contain the first fire.
The second fire, which engulfed bales and destroyed a corral was about five miles southeast of Watrous.
Vielhauer said about two miles from that fire was the third blaze. Fire crews headed over to that fire and by around 9 a.m., the unit had everything out.
Vielhauer said there were eight members from the fire department who fought the fires through the early morning hours, using two pumper trucks, the UTV and rescue unit.
“Thankfully not having the wind provided for calm conditions so the fires didn’t spread rapidly.”
The fourth fire occurred during the afternoon Apr. 27 and Vielhauer said it was in the same area as the third but had yet to determine whether it was a flare up or suspicious in nature. “There were eight of us that fought the fire and we got the call around 2:30 p.m. and it took a couple of hours to get it put out.”
At this time, RCMP and Watrous Fire Department are currently investigating the fires. RCMP are asking that if anyone has information on this or any other crime to call the Watrous RCMP at 306-946-3316, or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or text TIP206 and your message to CRIMES (274637) or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com. Calls are completely anonymous and if information leads to an arrest or charge a person may be eligible for a cash reward.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Three fires started in the Watrous area are being considered suspicious while the cause of a fourth has been undetermined. Last week local firefighters spent around seven hours dousing flames Apr. 26 and were back out to extinguish another Apr. 27.
Around 2 a.m. Apr. 26, Watrous RCMP received a report of a fire in the Rural Municipality of Morris, about one kilometre south of Manitou Beach. Constable Marcel Taekema attended the scene and noted a brush fire, which had potential to get out of control. The Watrous Fire Department was notified and Fire Chief Wayne Vielhauer said they attended the blaze.
Burning between Watrous and the local gun range, crews began containing the fire but before they were finished, other calls came in.
Watrous RCMP said they received two more reports of fires located in the RM of Usborne and one fire unit was sent over while the remainder of the firefighters continued to contain the first fire.
The second fire, which engulfed bales and destroyed a corral was about five miles southeast of Watrous.
Vielhauer said about two miles from that fire was the third blaze. Fire crews headed over to that fire and by around 9 a.m., the unit had everything out.
Vielhauer said there were eight members from the fire department who fought the fires through the early morning hours, using two pumper trucks, the UTV and rescue unit.
“Thankfully not having the wind provided for calm conditions so the fires didn’t spread rapidly.”
The fourth fire occurred during the afternoon Apr. 27 and Vielhauer said it was in the same area as the third but had yet to determine whether it was a flare up or suspicious in nature. “There were eight of us that fought the fire and we got the call around 2:30 p.m. and it took a couple of hours to get it put out.”
At this time, RCMP and Watrous Fire Department are currently investigating the fires. RCMP are asking that if anyone has information on this or any other crime to call the Watrous RCMP at 306-946-3316, or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or text TIP206 and your message to CRIMES (274637) or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com. Calls are completely anonymous and if information leads to an arrest or charge a person may be eligible for a cash reward.
The Watrous Manitou brings home handful of awards
The Watrous Manitou is proud to announce that the newspaper came home with a handful of awards including two first place finishes at the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association's Better Newspapers Competition. Nominated for five awards and up against other weekly newspapers from across the province, the Watrous Manitou’s Daniel Bushman won first place for best Saskatchewan Arts or Cultural Story and best Black and White photo. Bushman also collected three third place finishes for best Agriculture coverage, best Feature story and best Health/Healthcare coverage. Bushman’s story about the CBK building’s iconic history and demolition, which ran in the Aug. 3, 2015 edition of TWM, edged out 26 others for best Saskatchewan Arts or Cultural Story. Bushman’s black and white photo of runningback Brayden Moneo of the Winston Wildcats also received top honours and ran in the Oct. 19, 2015 edition of TWM.
Daniel received third place for best Agricultural coverage with the stories in the Watrous Manitou’s 2015 agriculture issue, which ran Mar. 16. In the best Feature Story category, Bushman placed third with the story on local artist and author Michael Gaudet. That story was featured in the Oct. 19, 2015 edition of TWM. The final third place was awarded for best Health/Healthcare coverage with Bushman’s Mar. 30, 2015 story on STARS providing care across Saskatchewan and in Watrous. The SWNA Better Newspapers Competition is held annually and aims to celebrate overall achievements of weekly newspapers in Saskatchewan
The Watrous Manitou is proud to announce that the newspaper came home with a handful of awards including two first place finishes at the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association's Better Newspapers Competition. Nominated for five awards and up against other weekly newspapers from across the province, the Watrous Manitou’s Daniel Bushman won first place for best Saskatchewan Arts or Cultural Story and best Black and White photo. Bushman also collected three third place finishes for best Agriculture coverage, best Feature story and best Health/Healthcare coverage. Bushman’s story about the CBK building’s iconic history and demolition, which ran in the Aug. 3, 2015 edition of TWM, edged out 26 others for best Saskatchewan Arts or Cultural Story. Bushman’s black and white photo of runningback Brayden Moneo of the Winston Wildcats also received top honours and ran in the Oct. 19, 2015 edition of TWM.
Daniel received third place for best Agricultural coverage with the stories in the Watrous Manitou’s 2015 agriculture issue, which ran Mar. 16. In the best Feature Story category, Bushman placed third with the story on local artist and author Michael Gaudet. That story was featured in the Oct. 19, 2015 edition of TWM. The final third place was awarded for best Health/Healthcare coverage with Bushman’s Mar. 30, 2015 story on STARS providing care across Saskatchewan and in Watrous. The SWNA Better Newspapers Competition is held annually and aims to celebrate overall achievements of weekly newspapers in Saskatchewan
TWM Top Story - Apr. 25, 2016
Local co-op marks milestone
Daniel Bushman
With a strong focus on community and a lengthy tradition of being locally owned and operated, the Watrous Co-op is recognizing eight decades within the area. Reflecting back over 80 years of history, Watrous Co-op General Manager Andrew Parrott said they are a large employer within the community, employing 65 staff.
“We live here in Watrous and are community owned and operated from our nine board members through to our management team and staff. Our profits are your profits and our money stays here in the community and does not go to a head office in some far away city. We are invested in Watrous.”
The local co-op has also stressed an importance when it comes to donating towards many local organizations throughout the trading area. “We have an aggressive member relations program. Last year we donated $14,000 to organizations in our community and we have a budget of $20,000 for this year. We are truly community minded.”
With sales of $19.29 million last year, the Watrous Co-op has come a long way since its inception. According to the Co-op’s website, the first organizational meeting for the company was held Nov. 17, 1934 by a group of local farmers in Renown. From there, the Renown Co-operative was incorporated Mar. 23, 1935.
Operating out of a caboose for the first few years, the co-op had a part-time employee and only wood and coal was handled. The first agent was R. Norris, who at the time, was also the Pool Elevator Agent. Twine was added for sale and in 1937, gasoline and oil were also available to buy from the co-op.
Then in the early 1940s, the co-op moved into a building, formerly used by Security Lumber Company and owned by J.O. Davis. The co-op rented the building and also hired Davis to be its manager. At that time, wrenches, farm implement parts and other items were added as inventory.
Not long after that, the co-op purchased stock of groceries, hardware and dry goods from the Libby Bros. General Store. It was also at that time in 1943 when the Board of Directors grew to nine.
As WWII ended, farm fuel sales increased and all fuel sales were delivered in 45 gallon drums. In 1951, metred fuel began and M. Laird had a contract to deliver the co-op’s fuel. The fuel was contracted out until the bulk fuel business moved to Watrous, which was when the local co-op elected to buy their own delivery truck.
Coal was used as a heating material and until the late 1950s, it was handled primarily at the Amazon Branch of the Renown Co-op. The Amazon Branch eventually closed in 1959.
With an eye on the future, discussion took place with plans to either include operating a bulk station only, building a store in Renown and expanding; or centralizing and support the organization of a co-op centre in Watrous.
With farms growing, some of the rural populations declining and Watrous becoming larger, a special meeting was held January 1958 to discuss relocating the co-op to Watrous. A feasibility survey took place and presented to the board in July 1961 and a decision was made to relocate to Watrous.
Even though the co-op was still operating as the Renown Co-op Association, just over one year later on Nov. 1, 1962, the grand opening of the Bulk Station and Store took place.
The Renown Store officially closed in September 1965 and the name changed to the Watrous Co-op Association at the next annual general meeting.
From there, the Watrous Co-op continued to grow and gain new members while primarily focusing on petroleum, oil, hardware and feed.
Then in 1998, the Watrous Co-op elected to expand and over the next decade, grew in all areas.
Parrott said part of that growth included the construction of a 10,000 sq. ft. food store in 1999 but outgrew it within 14 years. In 2013, the Watrous Co-op then expanded its food store at 107-2nd Ave. W. to 16,0000 sq. ft.
“This store is very modern with a full server meat department with trained meat cutters on site. It has a full service deli department ready to serve customers with soup and sandwiches for lunch to meat and cheese trays for a big event. Our food store has a produce department with a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.”
The general manager said they do fruit baskets and trays and veggie trays that are made to order. The in-store bakery also provides daily baked products with made to order cakes and trays. “We also have a great selection of groceries from frozen, dairy and dry goods in the grocery department. Our great staff is eager to provide you with great customer service.”
In close proximity to the co-op’s grocery store is the Gas Bar and C-store at 104-1st Ave. W. Parrott said the gas bar as it is now was built in 2007. “With great staff and full service, we are able to provide our customers with Top Tier Co-op fuel, regular, mid-grade and premium Gas as well as Co-op premium diesel and propane.”
The C-store offers a bit of everything from lotto tickets, carbonated slushies, coffee, tea, fresh sandwiches made daily, hot Vern’s pizza as well as candy, chips and cold drinks. Parrott said they also have an automotive section with DEF and a good variety of oil and novelty items. “For customers that want to make some noise, we also have fireworks.”
The third co-op facility on the west side of the community is the Farm and Hardware Centre at 410-1st Ave. W. along Hwy. 2. “Built in 2004, our great staff are able to help customers with any farm project from building corrals to selling and delivering grain bins, as well as helping with the care of your livestock. We have a great selection of hardware for any weekend do-it-yourselfer including plumbing, electrical and paint centre.”
Parrott said they also carry products from patios to RV items in addition to hunting supplies and yard care.
The general manager who came to Watrous this past July said, “As we reflect back on the past 80 years of the Co-op, We are very excited to work toward insuring that the Watrous Co-op will be around for the next 80 years.”
The Watrous Co-operative Board of Directors includes: President Brad Ulmer, Vice President Ron Frey, Secretary Lori Ann Frey, Delegate Doug Gregory and directors Konn Hawkes, Bob Lee, Brendan Manz, Steven Leslie and Dale Schatz.
The management team includes: General Manager Andrew Parrott, Food Store Manager Carl Danku, Gas Bar C-Store Manager Sharon Hildebrand and Farm and Hardware Manager Taylor Engele.
Daniel Bushman
With a strong focus on community and a lengthy tradition of being locally owned and operated, the Watrous Co-op is recognizing eight decades within the area. Reflecting back over 80 years of history, Watrous Co-op General Manager Andrew Parrott said they are a large employer within the community, employing 65 staff.
“We live here in Watrous and are community owned and operated from our nine board members through to our management team and staff. Our profits are your profits and our money stays here in the community and does not go to a head office in some far away city. We are invested in Watrous.”
The local co-op has also stressed an importance when it comes to donating towards many local organizations throughout the trading area. “We have an aggressive member relations program. Last year we donated $14,000 to organizations in our community and we have a budget of $20,000 for this year. We are truly community minded.”
With sales of $19.29 million last year, the Watrous Co-op has come a long way since its inception. According to the Co-op’s website, the first organizational meeting for the company was held Nov. 17, 1934 by a group of local farmers in Renown. From there, the Renown Co-operative was incorporated Mar. 23, 1935.
Operating out of a caboose for the first few years, the co-op had a part-time employee and only wood and coal was handled. The first agent was R. Norris, who at the time, was also the Pool Elevator Agent. Twine was added for sale and in 1937, gasoline and oil were also available to buy from the co-op.
Then in the early 1940s, the co-op moved into a building, formerly used by Security Lumber Company and owned by J.O. Davis. The co-op rented the building and also hired Davis to be its manager. At that time, wrenches, farm implement parts and other items were added as inventory.
Not long after that, the co-op purchased stock of groceries, hardware and dry goods from the Libby Bros. General Store. It was also at that time in 1943 when the Board of Directors grew to nine.
As WWII ended, farm fuel sales increased and all fuel sales were delivered in 45 gallon drums. In 1951, metred fuel began and M. Laird had a contract to deliver the co-op’s fuel. The fuel was contracted out until the bulk fuel business moved to Watrous, which was when the local co-op elected to buy their own delivery truck.
Coal was used as a heating material and until the late 1950s, it was handled primarily at the Amazon Branch of the Renown Co-op. The Amazon Branch eventually closed in 1959.
With an eye on the future, discussion took place with plans to either include operating a bulk station only, building a store in Renown and expanding; or centralizing and support the organization of a co-op centre in Watrous.
With farms growing, some of the rural populations declining and Watrous becoming larger, a special meeting was held January 1958 to discuss relocating the co-op to Watrous. A feasibility survey took place and presented to the board in July 1961 and a decision was made to relocate to Watrous.
Even though the co-op was still operating as the Renown Co-op Association, just over one year later on Nov. 1, 1962, the grand opening of the Bulk Station and Store took place.
The Renown Store officially closed in September 1965 and the name changed to the Watrous Co-op Association at the next annual general meeting.
From there, the Watrous Co-op continued to grow and gain new members while primarily focusing on petroleum, oil, hardware and feed.
Then in 1998, the Watrous Co-op elected to expand and over the next decade, grew in all areas.
Parrott said part of that growth included the construction of a 10,000 sq. ft. food store in 1999 but outgrew it within 14 years. In 2013, the Watrous Co-op then expanded its food store at 107-2nd Ave. W. to 16,0000 sq. ft.
“This store is very modern with a full server meat department with trained meat cutters on site. It has a full service deli department ready to serve customers with soup and sandwiches for lunch to meat and cheese trays for a big event. Our food store has a produce department with a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.”
The general manager said they do fruit baskets and trays and veggie trays that are made to order. The in-store bakery also provides daily baked products with made to order cakes and trays. “We also have a great selection of groceries from frozen, dairy and dry goods in the grocery department. Our great staff is eager to provide you with great customer service.”
In close proximity to the co-op’s grocery store is the Gas Bar and C-store at 104-1st Ave. W. Parrott said the gas bar as it is now was built in 2007. “With great staff and full service, we are able to provide our customers with Top Tier Co-op fuel, regular, mid-grade and premium Gas as well as Co-op premium diesel and propane.”
The C-store offers a bit of everything from lotto tickets, carbonated slushies, coffee, tea, fresh sandwiches made daily, hot Vern’s pizza as well as candy, chips and cold drinks. Parrott said they also have an automotive section with DEF and a good variety of oil and novelty items. “For customers that want to make some noise, we also have fireworks.”
The third co-op facility on the west side of the community is the Farm and Hardware Centre at 410-1st Ave. W. along Hwy. 2. “Built in 2004, our great staff are able to help customers with any farm project from building corrals to selling and delivering grain bins, as well as helping with the care of your livestock. We have a great selection of hardware for any weekend do-it-yourselfer including plumbing, electrical and paint centre.”
Parrott said they also carry products from patios to RV items in addition to hunting supplies and yard care.
The general manager who came to Watrous this past July said, “As we reflect back on the past 80 years of the Co-op, We are very excited to work toward insuring that the Watrous Co-op will be around for the next 80 years.”
The Watrous Co-operative Board of Directors includes: President Brad Ulmer, Vice President Ron Frey, Secretary Lori Ann Frey, Delegate Doug Gregory and directors Konn Hawkes, Bob Lee, Brendan Manz, Steven Leslie and Dale Schatz.
The management team includes: General Manager Andrew Parrott, Food Store Manager Carl Danku, Gas Bar C-Store Manager Sharon Hildebrand and Farm and Hardware Manager Taylor Engele.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 18, 2016
Water levels remain high at Manitou Beach
Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
Despite not having a heavy runoff this spring, high water levels at Manitou Beach remain a concern. Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall said the water level is up about four inches but added the resort community is fortunate not to have experienced a heavy runoff this spring. “We still have an issue though because the levels are very high and we still have the Hesco barriers along the lake.”
Last year a portion of the road had to be dug out near Danceland and water rose about 24 cm higher than it was from that previous fall. Barriers were eventually put up along the shoreline and Upshall said this year the water is still incredibly high and further precautions are being looked at.
The mayor said a meeting was recently held regarding emergency planning and organizing with SaskWater, Sergeant Earl LeBlanc from the local RCMP and Emergency Management and Fire and Safety (EMFS) who were at Manitou Beach last year to set up the barriers.
“It was a good discussion about the safety element of the situation here. If the berm was to break, what would be flooded? Where would people go? Where would the exits be? We had very good discussion on that and the EMFS and the office is working on that . . . we don’t know this spring when the frost comes out of the berms what kind of shape they are going to be in.”
Last fall, Upshall said crews repaired two potential breaches on the berms, one by Danceland and one at the east end. “This year they are going to be monitoring those repairs. They were temporary repairs and (crews)will be trying to decide if there is anything more to do. There are two more areas that need to be repaired. There is a real soft spot at the condos and also west of the Nu-Inn.”
This spring, Upshall said they are planning to try and raise the beaches a little bit to keep the water back in many areas. “We’d like to fill the areas in with sand and bring it up above the water so that there may be a beach there. We don’t know exactly how that is going to happen yet but that is on our agenda for this spring.”
Since the water levels are not decreasing, another berm is being engineered by SaskWater. “They would like to have in place engineering plans to raise the berm another metre if certain triggers are met like rainfall, the height of the lake and a few different things. They are getting that all done so that it can be put into action quite quickly. Certainly, it is not what we want (to see) because it is very expensive. We also put the word back through SaskWater that we still want the diversion water project done. Now that the election is over and budgets are being tweaked, we put that forward.”
Upshall also wanted to encourage residents at the beach to be mindful of the high water. “If you are in a low lying area, we are asking people to think about if that berm ever started to blow out . . . we are asking people to make sure to have a plan if you have to get out quick. We are going to be sending out some information on this right away. Have a pre-arranged meeting place, make sure a route is planned if you think the water levels are encroaching on your property and you had to get out. Think about what you would do because there is nothing to say that something can’t happen and that lake can’t push through that berm in those potential breach areas. We are working on them and we patched them but just keep it in mind (as a safety precaution).”
Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
Despite not having a heavy runoff this spring, high water levels at Manitou Beach remain a concern. Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall said the water level is up about four inches but added the resort community is fortunate not to have experienced a heavy runoff this spring. “We still have an issue though because the levels are very high and we still have the Hesco barriers along the lake.”
Last year a portion of the road had to be dug out near Danceland and water rose about 24 cm higher than it was from that previous fall. Barriers were eventually put up along the shoreline and Upshall said this year the water is still incredibly high and further precautions are being looked at.
The mayor said a meeting was recently held regarding emergency planning and organizing with SaskWater, Sergeant Earl LeBlanc from the local RCMP and Emergency Management and Fire and Safety (EMFS) who were at Manitou Beach last year to set up the barriers.
“It was a good discussion about the safety element of the situation here. If the berm was to break, what would be flooded? Where would people go? Where would the exits be? We had very good discussion on that and the EMFS and the office is working on that . . . we don’t know this spring when the frost comes out of the berms what kind of shape they are going to be in.”
Last fall, Upshall said crews repaired two potential breaches on the berms, one by Danceland and one at the east end. “This year they are going to be monitoring those repairs. They were temporary repairs and (crews)will be trying to decide if there is anything more to do. There are two more areas that need to be repaired. There is a real soft spot at the condos and also west of the Nu-Inn.”
This spring, Upshall said they are planning to try and raise the beaches a little bit to keep the water back in many areas. “We’d like to fill the areas in with sand and bring it up above the water so that there may be a beach there. We don’t know exactly how that is going to happen yet but that is on our agenda for this spring.”
Since the water levels are not decreasing, another berm is being engineered by SaskWater. “They would like to have in place engineering plans to raise the berm another metre if certain triggers are met like rainfall, the height of the lake and a few different things. They are getting that all done so that it can be put into action quite quickly. Certainly, it is not what we want (to see) because it is very expensive. We also put the word back through SaskWater that we still want the diversion water project done. Now that the election is over and budgets are being tweaked, we put that forward.”
Upshall also wanted to encourage residents at the beach to be mindful of the high water. “If you are in a low lying area, we are asking people to think about if that berm ever started to blow out . . . we are asking people to make sure to have a plan if you have to get out quick. We are going to be sending out some information on this right away. Have a pre-arranged meeting place, make sure a route is planned if you think the water levels are encroaching on your property and you had to get out. Think about what you would do because there is nothing to say that something can’t happen and that lake can’t push through that berm in those potential breach areas. We are working on them and we patched them but just keep it in mind (as a safety precaution).”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 11, 2016
Sask Party takes majority
Daniel Bushman/TWM
For a third consecutive term the Saskatchewan Party claimed a majority government as voters headed to the polls in the province Apr. 4. After a record turnout for advance voting, results poured in during election night as the Saskatchewan Party took 51 seats while the opposition New Democrats captured 10.
According to Elections Saskatchewan, 110,716 ballots were cast during the five days of advance voting in the provincial general election, which was an increase of 66 percent over 2011. Overall though, 426,706 votes were cast during this year’s election, which equated to 56.83 percent of registered voters.
Locally, Saskatchewan Party candidate Donna Harpauer was elected in the Humboldt-Watrous Constituency while Saskatchewan Party candidate Greg Brkich was voted in for the Arm River Constituency.
In the Humboldt-Watrous Constituency, Harpauer received 5,747 votes followed by the NDP’s Adam Duke with 1,569, the Liberal Party’s Robert Tutka with 212 and the Green Party’s Lori Harper with 185.
Harpauer said winning another election is a humbling experience.
“You are in awe that people will put their trust in you and of course it definitely helps that I have a leader that I have with Brad Wall,” said the MLA. “(The constituency) is an area that I am passionate about and I have lived the majority of my life in. I was raised in between Watrous and Humboldt and I am very passionate about rural Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan as a whole.”
Representing Watrous back in 1999 before the boundaries changed, Harpauer said it is nice be involved with the area again. “It is going to be fun revisiting people that I represented in the past, plus people I know from my past from living in the area.”
Looking ahead from a provincial government standpoint, Harpauer did not hide the fact that there will be some challenges for the budget.
“Some decisions will have to be made and we made promises - although they were very modest promises in this election - those promises we are going to keep. We are just going to be very very mindful that we need to get in an environment that encourages investments so that we can be in the position that we can continue to invest in services for the people in things like health care, education and social programs. We have to get the coffers back in a very healthy shape so we can continue those investments.”
Even though Harpauer was first elected in 1999, she said every election day still has her glued to the polling numbers. “It is crazy. No matter what the polls show I am always nervous. Until you actually see the numbers come up on the screen, I think it is a nail-biter every time.”
With the majority government in power for another term, Harpauer said, “I am looking forward to the next four years.”
Adjacent to Harpauer’s constituency is the Arm River Constituency which is where Brkich was once again elected. Brkich received 6,128 votes followed by the NDP’s Denise Leduc with 1,424, PC Party’s Raymond Carrick with 339, the Green Party’s Dale Dewar with 256 and Liberal Party’s Russ Collicott with 205.
The long-time politician said, “It is nice to return as the MLA for Arm River. I want to thank the voters who came out and supported me and also the people that came out to vote, which is important. I had a great team and that is why we did very well. That was a big part of it.”
Brkich said he was very happy with the turnout and how things played out as a whole. “We had some seats that were very close last election and they were very close again but we hung on to pretty well all of them. It shows that people are accepting our platform and believe in the things that we have done so far and believe that we can keep moving this province forward.”
Similar to his territory in 1999, Brkich is looking forward to meeting new faces and familiar ones in the recently changed Arm River Constituency. “A lot of people I have known since 1999 but you can get out of touch with some of the towns and mayors over the years that were not in the (Arm River-Watrous) constituency, so it is good to meet them again. I am looking forward to the new area and also to keep working with the other part of the constituency.”
Brkich said over the next four years, he will try his best and added his office is always open for people to contact. “If anybody has any issues or concerns, phone the office and we will try our very best to help them in any way we can.”
While Harpauer and Brkich were re-elected, one of the bigger surprises of this year’s election was NDP leader Cam Broten losing Saskatoon Westview. The Saskatchewan Party’s David Buckingham edged out Broten 3,866 to 3,634 in a close race.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
For a third consecutive term the Saskatchewan Party claimed a majority government as voters headed to the polls in the province Apr. 4. After a record turnout for advance voting, results poured in during election night as the Saskatchewan Party took 51 seats while the opposition New Democrats captured 10.
According to Elections Saskatchewan, 110,716 ballots were cast during the five days of advance voting in the provincial general election, which was an increase of 66 percent over 2011. Overall though, 426,706 votes were cast during this year’s election, which equated to 56.83 percent of registered voters.
Locally, Saskatchewan Party candidate Donna Harpauer was elected in the Humboldt-Watrous Constituency while Saskatchewan Party candidate Greg Brkich was voted in for the Arm River Constituency.
In the Humboldt-Watrous Constituency, Harpauer received 5,747 votes followed by the NDP’s Adam Duke with 1,569, the Liberal Party’s Robert Tutka with 212 and the Green Party’s Lori Harper with 185.
Harpauer said winning another election is a humbling experience.
“You are in awe that people will put their trust in you and of course it definitely helps that I have a leader that I have with Brad Wall,” said the MLA. “(The constituency) is an area that I am passionate about and I have lived the majority of my life in. I was raised in between Watrous and Humboldt and I am very passionate about rural Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan as a whole.”
Representing Watrous back in 1999 before the boundaries changed, Harpauer said it is nice be involved with the area again. “It is going to be fun revisiting people that I represented in the past, plus people I know from my past from living in the area.”
Looking ahead from a provincial government standpoint, Harpauer did not hide the fact that there will be some challenges for the budget.
“Some decisions will have to be made and we made promises - although they were very modest promises in this election - those promises we are going to keep. We are just going to be very very mindful that we need to get in an environment that encourages investments so that we can be in the position that we can continue to invest in services for the people in things like health care, education and social programs. We have to get the coffers back in a very healthy shape so we can continue those investments.”
Even though Harpauer was first elected in 1999, she said every election day still has her glued to the polling numbers. “It is crazy. No matter what the polls show I am always nervous. Until you actually see the numbers come up on the screen, I think it is a nail-biter every time.”
With the majority government in power for another term, Harpauer said, “I am looking forward to the next four years.”
Adjacent to Harpauer’s constituency is the Arm River Constituency which is where Brkich was once again elected. Brkich received 6,128 votes followed by the NDP’s Denise Leduc with 1,424, PC Party’s Raymond Carrick with 339, the Green Party’s Dale Dewar with 256 and Liberal Party’s Russ Collicott with 205.
The long-time politician said, “It is nice to return as the MLA for Arm River. I want to thank the voters who came out and supported me and also the people that came out to vote, which is important. I had a great team and that is why we did very well. That was a big part of it.”
Brkich said he was very happy with the turnout and how things played out as a whole. “We had some seats that were very close last election and they were very close again but we hung on to pretty well all of them. It shows that people are accepting our platform and believe in the things that we have done so far and believe that we can keep moving this province forward.”
Similar to his territory in 1999, Brkich is looking forward to meeting new faces and familiar ones in the recently changed Arm River Constituency. “A lot of people I have known since 1999 but you can get out of touch with some of the towns and mayors over the years that were not in the (Arm River-Watrous) constituency, so it is good to meet them again. I am looking forward to the new area and also to keep working with the other part of the constituency.”
Brkich said over the next four years, he will try his best and added his office is always open for people to contact. “If anybody has any issues or concerns, phone the office and we will try our very best to help them in any way we can.”
While Harpauer and Brkich were re-elected, one of the bigger surprises of this year’s election was NDP leader Cam Broten losing Saskatoon Westview. The Saskatchewan Party’s David Buckingham edged out Broten 3,866 to 3,634 in a close race.
TWM Top Story - April 6, 2016
Provincial election approaches
Daniel Bushman
Judging by the amount of voters participating in the first day of advance voting last Wednesday, there could be a higher number of people in Saskatchewan casting their ballot for the provincial election. Voters head to the polls Apr. 4 and after featuring responses from candidates within the Humboldt-Watrous constituency last week, here are the responses to questions posed by the Watrous Manitou to the Arm River candidates that were able to reply back to the paper:
Arm River Constituency
Health care is on the minds of many, is it a priority for you and your party?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: Health care is one of the most important issues that we hear from the people of Saskatchewan. When the Saskatchewan Party was first elected, one of the first things we committed to doing was building 14 new long-term care facilities, including the facility in Watrous. The Saskatchewan Party has also committed to building a Children’s Hospital and building a new hospital in Moose Jaw. Our plan is to maintain and expand the current health services that we have in rural Saskatchewan. Doctor shortages have been an issue in rural Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Party government has addressed this issue with a number of initiatives, including forgiving up to $120,000 in Saskatchewan student loans for new doctors who practice in communities of less than 10,000 people; and doubling the number of post-graduate physician training seats at the College of Medicine and increasing undergraduate medical training seats from 60 to 100. Saskatchewan is affirming its commitment to improving access to physician services by releasing a planning document that forecasts the need for physicians and specialists over the long term. This allows us to take a longer term strategic approach to strengthening and sustaining our physician workforce. A Saskatchewan Party government will also establish a $3,000 non-refundable income tax credit amount of both volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical first responders.
NDP Denise Leduc: Absolutely. Health care is a top priority. The NDP would redirect $25 million annually from the bloated health administration to where it matters most, front line health care workers. Additionally, we would end Lean which would save $82 million over four years. We are also committed to cutting ER wait times, improving mental health services and making ambulances more affordable. I recently met a gentleman who has over $4,000 in ambulance fees, and that is not okay.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: Health care is the number one problem in Saskatchewan. The PC Party wants to do away with the 14 health regions. These regions are spending millions for the salaries of a few administrators. Eliminating these regions would return money and resources to the front line workers and bring more accountability to health care.
Mining and agriculture are big sectors in the area, how will your party try and get Saskatchewan’s economy rolling again or do you feel it is rolling already?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: As we all know, agriculture has and always will be a big driver of Saskatchewan’s economy. We have and are investing with the federal government $388 million over five years for Growing Forward 2, which includes risk management programs as well as strategic initiatives for producers and agribusiness, such as $9 million to build a new Food Industry Development Centre in Saskatoon. Our government realizes that we are part of a global economy. I feel that the Saskatchewan Party is best suited to keeping free trade and access to world markets open so that our producers can realize the best value for their product. I feel our Saskatchewan Party government is best suited to keeping our oil and mining moving forward in this province. As we all know, we are in a slump with oil and low potash sales, but with the right government in power, we will work with those industries to keep them viable here in Saskatchewan.
NDP Denise Leduc: I think most of us personally know of people out of work or struggling in Saskatchewan. Some of these people are even having to leave this province just to find work. I know several Saskatchewan residents who are currently working in northern Alberta because they couldn’t find work here. The NDP would stimulate the economy through infrastructure investment, diversifying the economy by sparking new industries, and breathing life back into industries that have been abandoned. In both natural resources and agriculture, we need to have smart, hassle-free ways to get our products to market. This includes responsible pipeline development. The NDP will also improve grain transportation and marketing systems, as well as protect the rights and interests of agricultural producers.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: First of all, let’s look at farming. The last time crop insurance was reviewed was in the spring, which is the busiest time of the year for farmers. Every day, I hear from farmers with concerns about high premiums and coverage that falls short of the cost of production. Ag-stability and calf stability need to have improvements as well. If we could make better use of the short line rail systems, and help them get the cars they need, we could reduce the wear and tear on some of our highways. I’m not as familiar with mining. Although the industry has suffered some decline, it is still vital to our economy. This is an area where creating as much added value to the product will help us out of this economic downturn.
Tourism is also a big part of the area and the province. With recent years of excess water, will your party lend a hand to places like Manitou Beach and others to help alleviate those high water levels?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: Our government has worked with the local government in Manitou to build a berm to keep Manitou from flooding. We will continue to work with local RMs, towns and farmers to alleviate the flooding issues.
NDP Denise Leduc: We’ll invest in infrastructure to invest in emergency preparedness for flooding, so communities will be able to better mitigate the impacts of flooding.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: At present there are 1,500 drainage projects in Saskatchewan. All are going to be reviewed. At the rate of one per day during summer inspection, this would take 10 years to complete. The Quill Lakes and Manitou Lake have to be moved to a point of importance. In regards to the Quill Lakes and Manitou Lake, new water should be stopped from entering the lake. When water enters, it takes on the properties of the lake and is no longer potable. A community group should be established to review the problem. The committee should consist of local people who understand the water entering the lake and have an idea about moving the water. Where and how to move the water needs to be considered. Consultants from Water Security and soil experts also need to be consulted and their expert opinions heeded, not dictated.
Is education a priority for your party and what would you like to see done within that area?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: Education has remained a priority for the Saskatchewan Party government. Provincial funding for K-12 education has increased by over 31 percent from 2007 to 2015. Over half of Saskatchewan schools have been renovated or repaired since 2007. Nearly $1 billion has been invested to build 40 brand new or replacement schools and undertake 25 major school renovations. The number of teachers and education support workers has grown since 2007, including 600 more teachers in the province and 200 more student support teachers. In addition, the number of licensed childcare spaces has increased by nearly 5,000 since 2007.
NDP Denise Leduc: Education is definitely a priority and we are proposing changes at all levels: early childhood education, K-12 and post-secondary education. A sample of things the NDP is proposing is twice the funding for Early Childhood Intervention Programs, 2,000 new childcare spaces and better salaries for early childhood educators. In the schools we will hire 300 more educational assistants and 300 more teachers. We will also be reducing tuition fees for post-secondary education with a $1,000 annual scholarship for all Saskatchewan students (up to $6,000). Furthermore, we would convert student loans to grants and eliminate interest on all existing student loans.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: Our problems with education are very different from the cities. One of the big issues is the amount of time some students spend riding the bus. I believe there is only so much time a student can ride the bus and still be able to learn. Time spent on the bus is time lost and will never be made up. Reviewing routes and finding the most efficient ones should alleviate some of this.
What will your party look at doing when it comes to infrastructure and roads?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: Since 2007, over $345 million has been invested in municipal infrastructure projects such as wastewater and water treatment plants, lagoon development and expansion and new municipal and recreational facilities. Revenue sharing to municipalities has more than doubled from $127 million in 2007 to $271 million in 2016 – the highest amount in Saskatchewan history. Over $1.7 billion has been provided to Saskatchewan municipalities since 2008. A Saskatchewan Party government will invest $2.7 billion in highways and transportation infrastructure over the next four years. Beginning next year, a Saskatchewan Party government will also initiate a surge in highway repair and maintenance as part of our Highways 2020 plan. Starting with an additional $30 million in funding next year and $40 million over the following two years, a Saskatchewan government will invest an additional $70 million to repair and maintain highways in Saskatchewan. This represents over a 20 percent increase next year from the current highway maintenance and repair budget of $145 million. We realize that there is still more work to do when it comes to highways and infrastructure. As funding allows, we will always be striving to improve in this area.
NDP Denise Leduc: The NDP plans on stimulating the economy by building infrastructure. We will fix and expand hospitals, care homes, schools, and build new ones. After the decade long resource boom we have had, there is absolutely no reason roads should be in the state of disrepair that they are. The NDP will rebuild the Ministry of Highways to get more roads built and paved in a more cost-effective way than the current practice of hiring expensive consultants and excessive contracting out.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: There are several highways that need to be moved higher on the list of priorities. Hwy. 42 from Keeler to Eyebrow, Kenaston to Hwy. 2, Hwy. 19 from Hwy. 42 to Hwy. 15 to bring it up to primary weights. The Yellowhead Hwy. 16 needs to be twinned. I would welcome the views of the Central Area Transportation Planning Committee.
If elected, what are some things that you and your party would be willing to do to help young families and seniors?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: A Saskatchewan Party government will introduce individualized funding for children under the age of six who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A Saskatchewan Party government will allow Graduate Retention Program (GRP) recipients to use up to $10,000 of their GRP benefits towards the down payment on the purchase of their first home in Saskatchewan. We will also allow senior homeowners with household incomes under $70,000 to defer the education portion of their property taxes beginning in 2017.
NDP Denise Leduc: The NDP will be cutting taxes for the majority of families by asking the wealthiest three percent to pay a little more. We will deliver more affordable utility rates including electricity, heating, telephone and auto insurance. The NDP will increase minimum wage and promote living wage incentives. Cam Broten has recently announced that the NDP would give seniors an option to defer their property taxes through a low interest equity loan. This would give seniors more money in their pockets, allow them to stay in their homes longer and the loan would be paid back when they sell their house.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: Our seniors need better health care. Eliminating the health regions will bring accountability and resources to the front line workers. The PC Party will continue to work for senior’s care. These are the people who built our country and they must be treated with dignity and respect. Most workers do the best they can but due to understaffing are struggling to keep up. The PC Party has been fighting for young farm families by stopping farmers from competing with their own pension plan to buy farmland. Rural Saskatchewan needs family farms to remain viable.
Why should people vote for you?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: I would like to thank those who have supported me in my previous four terms in office. If re-elected, I will bring to the Legislature my years of experience and knowledge of this constituency and the wants and needs of the constituents in this area. Having spent all of my life as a resident in Arm River and my 16 years of meeting and talking to local governments as well as residents of this constituency; if elected, I will continue to bring the needs of local Arm River residents to the Saskatchewan Legislature.
NDP Denise Leduc: As a librarian I am considered a public employee, but honestly, I prefer the term public servant. I like that term because I believe that whether you are a small-town librarian or an elected official you are there to serve the public. I think the only way you can serve the public is by listening to the cares and concerns of the people you represent. I would encourage people to vote for me because I am committed to listening, serving and being available to every person in my riding.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: I have had the benefit of serving on the RM council and working with people in the country elevator. One must listen to the local people. With the size of Arm River, I believe we should follow the lead of bankers by going directly to the community on a regular basis, rather than expect the people to come to the constituency office. Hopefully you remember me on election day.
Daniel Bushman
Judging by the amount of voters participating in the first day of advance voting last Wednesday, there could be a higher number of people in Saskatchewan casting their ballot for the provincial election. Voters head to the polls Apr. 4 and after featuring responses from candidates within the Humboldt-Watrous constituency last week, here are the responses to questions posed by the Watrous Manitou to the Arm River candidates that were able to reply back to the paper:
Arm River Constituency
Health care is on the minds of many, is it a priority for you and your party?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: Health care is one of the most important issues that we hear from the people of Saskatchewan. When the Saskatchewan Party was first elected, one of the first things we committed to doing was building 14 new long-term care facilities, including the facility in Watrous. The Saskatchewan Party has also committed to building a Children’s Hospital and building a new hospital in Moose Jaw. Our plan is to maintain and expand the current health services that we have in rural Saskatchewan. Doctor shortages have been an issue in rural Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Party government has addressed this issue with a number of initiatives, including forgiving up to $120,000 in Saskatchewan student loans for new doctors who practice in communities of less than 10,000 people; and doubling the number of post-graduate physician training seats at the College of Medicine and increasing undergraduate medical training seats from 60 to 100. Saskatchewan is affirming its commitment to improving access to physician services by releasing a planning document that forecasts the need for physicians and specialists over the long term. This allows us to take a longer term strategic approach to strengthening and sustaining our physician workforce. A Saskatchewan Party government will also establish a $3,000 non-refundable income tax credit amount of both volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical first responders.
NDP Denise Leduc: Absolutely. Health care is a top priority. The NDP would redirect $25 million annually from the bloated health administration to where it matters most, front line health care workers. Additionally, we would end Lean which would save $82 million over four years. We are also committed to cutting ER wait times, improving mental health services and making ambulances more affordable. I recently met a gentleman who has over $4,000 in ambulance fees, and that is not okay.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: Health care is the number one problem in Saskatchewan. The PC Party wants to do away with the 14 health regions. These regions are spending millions for the salaries of a few administrators. Eliminating these regions would return money and resources to the front line workers and bring more accountability to health care.
Mining and agriculture are big sectors in the area, how will your party try and get Saskatchewan’s economy rolling again or do you feel it is rolling already?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: As we all know, agriculture has and always will be a big driver of Saskatchewan’s economy. We have and are investing with the federal government $388 million over five years for Growing Forward 2, which includes risk management programs as well as strategic initiatives for producers and agribusiness, such as $9 million to build a new Food Industry Development Centre in Saskatoon. Our government realizes that we are part of a global economy. I feel that the Saskatchewan Party is best suited to keeping free trade and access to world markets open so that our producers can realize the best value for their product. I feel our Saskatchewan Party government is best suited to keeping our oil and mining moving forward in this province. As we all know, we are in a slump with oil and low potash sales, but with the right government in power, we will work with those industries to keep them viable here in Saskatchewan.
NDP Denise Leduc: I think most of us personally know of people out of work or struggling in Saskatchewan. Some of these people are even having to leave this province just to find work. I know several Saskatchewan residents who are currently working in northern Alberta because they couldn’t find work here. The NDP would stimulate the economy through infrastructure investment, diversifying the economy by sparking new industries, and breathing life back into industries that have been abandoned. In both natural resources and agriculture, we need to have smart, hassle-free ways to get our products to market. This includes responsible pipeline development. The NDP will also improve grain transportation and marketing systems, as well as protect the rights and interests of agricultural producers.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: First of all, let’s look at farming. The last time crop insurance was reviewed was in the spring, which is the busiest time of the year for farmers. Every day, I hear from farmers with concerns about high premiums and coverage that falls short of the cost of production. Ag-stability and calf stability need to have improvements as well. If we could make better use of the short line rail systems, and help them get the cars they need, we could reduce the wear and tear on some of our highways. I’m not as familiar with mining. Although the industry has suffered some decline, it is still vital to our economy. This is an area where creating as much added value to the product will help us out of this economic downturn.
Tourism is also a big part of the area and the province. With recent years of excess water, will your party lend a hand to places like Manitou Beach and others to help alleviate those high water levels?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: Our government has worked with the local government in Manitou to build a berm to keep Manitou from flooding. We will continue to work with local RMs, towns and farmers to alleviate the flooding issues.
NDP Denise Leduc: We’ll invest in infrastructure to invest in emergency preparedness for flooding, so communities will be able to better mitigate the impacts of flooding.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: At present there are 1,500 drainage projects in Saskatchewan. All are going to be reviewed. At the rate of one per day during summer inspection, this would take 10 years to complete. The Quill Lakes and Manitou Lake have to be moved to a point of importance. In regards to the Quill Lakes and Manitou Lake, new water should be stopped from entering the lake. When water enters, it takes on the properties of the lake and is no longer potable. A community group should be established to review the problem. The committee should consist of local people who understand the water entering the lake and have an idea about moving the water. Where and how to move the water needs to be considered. Consultants from Water Security and soil experts also need to be consulted and their expert opinions heeded, not dictated.
Is education a priority for your party and what would you like to see done within that area?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: Education has remained a priority for the Saskatchewan Party government. Provincial funding for K-12 education has increased by over 31 percent from 2007 to 2015. Over half of Saskatchewan schools have been renovated or repaired since 2007. Nearly $1 billion has been invested to build 40 brand new or replacement schools and undertake 25 major school renovations. The number of teachers and education support workers has grown since 2007, including 600 more teachers in the province and 200 more student support teachers. In addition, the number of licensed childcare spaces has increased by nearly 5,000 since 2007.
NDP Denise Leduc: Education is definitely a priority and we are proposing changes at all levels: early childhood education, K-12 and post-secondary education. A sample of things the NDP is proposing is twice the funding for Early Childhood Intervention Programs, 2,000 new childcare spaces and better salaries for early childhood educators. In the schools we will hire 300 more educational assistants and 300 more teachers. We will also be reducing tuition fees for post-secondary education with a $1,000 annual scholarship for all Saskatchewan students (up to $6,000). Furthermore, we would convert student loans to grants and eliminate interest on all existing student loans.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: Our problems with education are very different from the cities. One of the big issues is the amount of time some students spend riding the bus. I believe there is only so much time a student can ride the bus and still be able to learn. Time spent on the bus is time lost and will never be made up. Reviewing routes and finding the most efficient ones should alleviate some of this.
What will your party look at doing when it comes to infrastructure and roads?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: Since 2007, over $345 million has been invested in municipal infrastructure projects such as wastewater and water treatment plants, lagoon development and expansion and new municipal and recreational facilities. Revenue sharing to municipalities has more than doubled from $127 million in 2007 to $271 million in 2016 – the highest amount in Saskatchewan history. Over $1.7 billion has been provided to Saskatchewan municipalities since 2008. A Saskatchewan Party government will invest $2.7 billion in highways and transportation infrastructure over the next four years. Beginning next year, a Saskatchewan Party government will also initiate a surge in highway repair and maintenance as part of our Highways 2020 plan. Starting with an additional $30 million in funding next year and $40 million over the following two years, a Saskatchewan government will invest an additional $70 million to repair and maintain highways in Saskatchewan. This represents over a 20 percent increase next year from the current highway maintenance and repair budget of $145 million. We realize that there is still more work to do when it comes to highways and infrastructure. As funding allows, we will always be striving to improve in this area.
NDP Denise Leduc: The NDP plans on stimulating the economy by building infrastructure. We will fix and expand hospitals, care homes, schools, and build new ones. After the decade long resource boom we have had, there is absolutely no reason roads should be in the state of disrepair that they are. The NDP will rebuild the Ministry of Highways to get more roads built and paved in a more cost-effective way than the current practice of hiring expensive consultants and excessive contracting out.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: There are several highways that need to be moved higher on the list of priorities. Hwy. 42 from Keeler to Eyebrow, Kenaston to Hwy. 2, Hwy. 19 from Hwy. 42 to Hwy. 15 to bring it up to primary weights. The Yellowhead Hwy. 16 needs to be twinned. I would welcome the views of the Central Area Transportation Planning Committee.
If elected, what are some things that you and your party would be willing to do to help young families and seniors?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: A Saskatchewan Party government will introduce individualized funding for children under the age of six who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A Saskatchewan Party government will allow Graduate Retention Program (GRP) recipients to use up to $10,000 of their GRP benefits towards the down payment on the purchase of their first home in Saskatchewan. We will also allow senior homeowners with household incomes under $70,000 to defer the education portion of their property taxes beginning in 2017.
NDP Denise Leduc: The NDP will be cutting taxes for the majority of families by asking the wealthiest three percent to pay a little more. We will deliver more affordable utility rates including electricity, heating, telephone and auto insurance. The NDP will increase minimum wage and promote living wage incentives. Cam Broten has recently announced that the NDP would give seniors an option to defer their property taxes through a low interest equity loan. This would give seniors more money in their pockets, allow them to stay in their homes longer and the loan would be paid back when they sell their house.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: Our seniors need better health care. Eliminating the health regions will bring accountability and resources to the front line workers. The PC Party will continue to work for senior’s care. These are the people who built our country and they must be treated with dignity and respect. Most workers do the best they can but due to understaffing are struggling to keep up. The PC Party has been fighting for young farm families by stopping farmers from competing with their own pension plan to buy farmland. Rural Saskatchewan needs family farms to remain viable.
Why should people vote for you?
Sask Party Greg Brkich: I would like to thank those who have supported me in my previous four terms in office. If re-elected, I will bring to the Legislature my years of experience and knowledge of this constituency and the wants and needs of the constituents in this area. Having spent all of my life as a resident in Arm River and my 16 years of meeting and talking to local governments as well as residents of this constituency; if elected, I will continue to bring the needs of local Arm River residents to the Saskatchewan Legislature.
NDP Denise Leduc: As a librarian I am considered a public employee, but honestly, I prefer the term public servant. I like that term because I believe that whether you are a small-town librarian or an elected official you are there to serve the public. I think the only way you can serve the public is by listening to the cares and concerns of the people you represent. I would encourage people to vote for me because I am committed to listening, serving and being available to every person in my riding.
PC Party Raymond Carrick: I have had the benefit of serving on the RM council and working with people in the country elevator. One must listen to the local people. With the size of Arm River, I believe we should follow the lead of bankers by going directly to the community on a regular basis, rather than expect the people to come to the constituency office. Hopefully you remember me on election day.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 28, 2016
Q and A as provincial election approaches
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With a record number of candidates nominated for the Saskatchewan general election, voters will have quite a few options when it comes to voting Apr. 4. As the election nears, the Watrous Manitou attempted to contact candidates within the local ridings to get their thoughts on a variety of issues.
Here are the responses from candidates within the Humboldt-Watrous Constituency that were able to get back to the paper:
Health care is on the minds of many, is it a priority for you and your party?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: The Saskatchewan Party is committed to ensuring that every Saskatchewan resident can receive timely access to quality health care services. Although there is more work to do, since 2007 the Saskatchewan Party has demonstrated their commitment to quality health care by: increasing overall operating funding by $1.7 billion (49 percent); increasing funding to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency by 100 percent; hiring 3,000 more nurses of all designations; recruiting and retaining nearly 650 more doctors; investing over $1.2 billion in infrastructure to replace 13 outdated long-term care facilities (including the facility in Watrous), build two new long-term care facilities, replace the hospitals at Moose Jaw and North Battleford and to build a new Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon; and investing $236 million in the ‘Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative’ which has resulted in the surgical wait times in our province going from the highest in all of Canada to the lowest. If re-elected, the Saskatchewan Party will continue to build on our strong record in health care by: reducing administration in Regional Health Authorities, saving $7.5 million to be allocated towards frontline care in long-term care facilities; reducing CT scan wait times by allowing the option of paying privately using the ‘two-for-one’ model in which clinics must provide one scan at no charge on the public list for every privately paid scan; extending palliative care leave from eight weeks to 26 weeks to help those caring for family members in the final stages of life; providing $500,000 in annual funding to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind to integrate vision loss rehabilitation services into the mainstream health system; and introducing an individualized funding program for children under the age of six who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
NDP Adam Duke: Health care is an absolute priority for the New Democrats. During a decade of resource boom, the Sask Party let us down. They blew millions on the toxic Lean program in health care, while cutting front line workers and ignoring the crisis in senior care and the $2 billion in infrastructure repairs required by hospitals in the province. New Democrats will invest in senior care and health care. We will hire more nurse practitioners and put heath care workers back on the front lines. We will reduce emergency room wait times, and invest in fixing up our hospitals and long-term care homes. We will hire more front line workers for our care homes, and legislate minimum quality of care standards to ensure all seniors receive the top-notch care they deserve. We will also end per km billing and facility transfer ambulance fees that unfairly hurt those of us living in rural Saskatchewan. We will partner with health regions and private EMS to ensure that it is a fair and accessible service that benefits patients and local EMS employees.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: Health care is a priority for my party and myself. I have had the opportunity to listen to people in the area and along with the Liberal platform, have many issues and ideas to address and implement. From rolling back the broad scale implementation of the Lean program to undertaking initiatives to reduce emergency room wait time. With the alarming amount of issues in the current health care system I believe getting people that have been neglected the proper care and then making those accountable for the neglect should be our top priorities.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: Health care is definitely important for the Saskatchewan Green Party and ensuring economic security and providing access to health for all is a top priority. The Saskatchewan Green Party government would: put doctors on salary, ending the ‘fee for service’ model; eliminate ambulance fees by putting them back under Medicare; expand the provincial drug plan to cover the entire drug formulary, cover all citizens regardless of income and lower the patient user cost to $15/prescription; expand Medicare to cover optical, dental and other non-insured health services including alternative therapies; define ‘timely access’ to needed health services; and maintain and expand secondary health care and pro-health facilities and equipment.
Mining and agriculture are big sectors in the area, how will your party try and get Saskatchewan’s economy rolling again or do you feel it is rolling already?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: The economy is and will remain the number one priority for the Saskatchewan Party. It is only through the dividends of a strong economy that governments of any stripe can have the resources needed to invest in services for their citizens such as health care, education and safety net programs. Saskatchewan has been an economic and population growth success story in Canada over the past eight years; however, although agriculture has remained relatively strong, our province is experiencing a softening in potash and uranium markets as well as a plummet in the oil prices. To keep Saskatchewan strong and moving forward, a re-elected Saskatchewan Party would continue to build on the key priority areas identified in our economic plan introduced in 2012, The Saskatchewan Plan for Growth – Vision 2020 and Beyond. Our economic plan going forward would include: investing in infrastructure – further details outlined in question number five; education and training to Develop Saskatchewan’s Labour Force – further details outlined in question number four; keeping taxes low and Saskatchewan’s economy competitive; since 2007, the Saskatchewan Party has reduced personal income tax, saving taxpayers over $3.8 billion and reduced the education property tax, saving taxpayers and businesses almost $1.18 billion; the Saskatchewan Party reduced the small business tax rate by two percent and has kept the Corporate Income Tax and Manufacturing and Processing Tax Rate competitive with other provinces; if re-elected the Saskatchewan Party has committed to keeping our taxes as low as possible to keep our competitive advantage so we can continue to attract investment; since 2007, the Saskatchewan Party reduced regulatory costs for businesses by $12.4 million, exceeding our target of $5 million. If re-elected we will continue to work with the business community to identify further savings through regulatory changes; supporting Increased Trade, Investment and Exports Through International Engagement and Advancing Saskatchewan’s Advantages in Natural Resources and Agriculture; when Premier Brad Wall the leader of the Saskatchewan Party has done more to promote and raise awareness of what Saskatchewan has to offer than any previous premier in the history of our province. We are no longer an unknown jurisdiction in the global trade markets and considered a “wee little province” as we were once termed by the previous NDP Premier Lorne Calvert. Exports have increased by nearly 65 percent since 2007, from just under $20 billion in 2007 to over $32.5 billion in 2015, making Saskatchewan the largest per capita exporter in Canada. Specific to agriculture, in 2015, Saskatchewan supplied 65 percent of the world’s lentil exports, 55 percent of the world’s pea exports, 39 percent of the world’s durum exports and 21 percent of the world’s canola seed exports; a re-elected Saskatchewan Party government would continue to lead and/or support trade missions to countries where there are potential markets for our products; innovating and diversifying our economy around our economic strengths; since 2007, the Saskatchewan Party has undertaken a number of innovative initiatives to stimulate and/or attract economic development. Some of these initiatives are: the creation of the Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan, the introduction of the Manufacturing and Processing Exporter Tax Incentive, a tax incentive for primary steel producers and the establishment of the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence. Provincial research and development funding totaled almost $230 million between 2013 and 2015; and if re-elected, the Saskatchewan Party will introduce a Saskatchewan Commercial Innovation Incentive (SCI) as a new growth tax incentive that will apply to new products resulting from qualifying intellectual property such as patents that are commercialized in Saskatchewan.
NDP Adam Duke: We need to work to strengthen and diversify our economy - we cannot keep putting all our eggs in one basket. Stimulating the economy through infrastructure investments, sparking new industry and boosting our manufacturing sector are a way forward that provides stability and good, mortgage-paying jobs. We are also committed to exploring opportunities to create more jobs in the oil, gas, forestry, and agricultural sectors.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: The movement of our goods to market over the past few years has been in great question, backlogs within the transportation industry has effect on people and businesses alike. I believe our economy is on a minor rebound but if we don’t act quick we could fall back into the same disarray. Investment into pipelines to help move our oil and free up valuable space on our railway systems would be a great advantage to all business and workers alike. As well as promoting partnerships with private industries to help draw additional refineries into our province to create thousands of new full time jobs.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: The Saskatchewan Green Party fully supports the principles of sustainable development: ensuring that market prices of goods and services fully incorporate the environmental costs of their production and consumption and achieving greater resource and energy efficiency and development and use of environmentally sustainable technologies. The Saskatchewan Green Party supports rural revitalization by: increasing and expanding the ability for communities and businesses to thrive in rural Saskatchewan; ensuring much needed government services are easily accessible in rural Saskatchewan; ensuring high speed access to the Internet is made available immediately; and the creation of a Ministry of Rural Revitalization to oversee these projects. A Saskatchewan Green Party government would also launch a provincial agricultural transportation strategy with input from all farm stakeholders, including farmers.
Tourism is also a big part of the area and the province. With recent years of excess water, will your party lend a hand to places like Manitou Beach and others to help alleviate those high water levels?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: Manitou Beach will always remain very near and dear to my heart as I spent many summer days there both at bible camp and on Sunday afternoons with my family. I fondly remember the smell of the mineral water and french fries and vinegar at the old chalet and watching the swimmers swing above the water on the rings suspended from the ceiling. It remains an important destination, not only for its unique mineral content but also for Camp Easter Seal and all that it provides for children and individuals with disabilities. My colleagues, Herb Cox and Greg Brkich, and I met with community members from Manitou Beach a few months prior to the call of the election and they proposed a potential plan to reroute some water prior to it coming into Manitou Lake. The officials from Environment were tasked to review that proposal to evaluate its feasibility. To date I have not seen that evaluation. As everyone understands there are a number of challenges with the high levels of water at Manitou Beach, not only because the water once it enters the lake cannot be diverted somewhere else because of the mineral content, but also because many of the water systems in our province are experiencing high water levels and there are concerns if additional water is brought into these systems. If re-elected the Saskatchewan Party will continue to work with community members to try to identify possible solutions.
NDP Adam Duke: Manitou Beach is a Saskatchewan treasure and I have loved camping at the regional park for years. The only other lake I consistently camped at was Waldsea Lake, which was located a few miles north of Humboldt. Sadly, it was completely flooded out several years ago. We need to do what we can to protect Manitou Beach from further flooding. New Democrats are committed to investing in infrastructure to help in emergency preparedness for flooding so communities will be able to better mitigate the impacts of flooding and I will be an active partner in improving the high water situation for the residents and business owners of Manitou Beach.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: The Saskatchewan Green Party believes strongly in the revitaliztion of our province and with the creation of a Ministry of Rural Revitalization these important issues will be addressed.
Is education a priority for your party and what would you like to see done within that area?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: Building on our strong record in education, if re-elected the Saskatchewan Party will continue to invest in K-12 education while maintaining a strong focus on improving student achievement. Since 2007 when the Saskatchewan Party formed government we have: increased funding to the Horizon School Division by 27.3 percent; increased the number of Pre-K programs provincially by 104 percent; supported an increase province wide of 614 more teachers, 200 more student support teachers, 55 more educational assistants, 24 percent more speech language pathologists, 45 percent more psychologists and 53 percent more occupational therapists; and invested nearly $966 million in education capital, building 40 new or replacement schools and completing major renovations on 25 additional schools. This is a 330 percent increase over the previous government over the same period of time.
In addition, if re-elected the Saskatchewan Party will continue its commitment to post-secondary education and skills training. Since 2007 we have: increased funding for post-secondary institutions by 61 percent; invested $360 million specific to First Nations/Metis education and skills development; increased the training capacity for apprentices by 84 percent; and increased Adult Basic Education training seats by 50 percent.
NDP Adam Duke: Far too many classes in our province are overcrowded and under-resourced. Teachers are stretched thin and many students are not getting the one-on-one attention that they need. The NDP will hire 300 more teachers and 300 more educational assistants and improve funding to school boards so that our kids’ classrooms have the proper resources that they need. It was very concerning to hear of the upcoming staff cuts at Prairie Spirit School Division, which includes Allan and Colonsay. We need to provide more support for our kids, not less. We will also make post secondary education more affordable. Tuition has increased 34 percent under the Sask Party, and in many fields Saskatchewan students pay more than students in the rest of Canada. The NDP will reduce tuition fees with a $1,000 yearly scholarship for all Saskatchewan students, convert student loans to grants, and eliminate interest on all existing student loans.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: Education is a major driver in our economy. We need a properly trained work force to keep our province growing. I believe helping to stabilize provincial funding for universities to help alleviate rising tuition rates as well as working with industry and trade associations to identify key knowledge and skills missing from our current post secondary curriculum are necessary in keeping our people and our province thriving.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: Ensuring economic security and providing access to basic education and health for all the citizens of Saskatchewan is a top priority for the Saskatchewan Green Party. With the implementation of a Ministry of Rural Revitalization, education in Saskatchewan will again be important and supported.
What will your party look at doing when it comes to infrastructure and roads?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: Nearly $18 billion has been invested in government infrastructure over the past eight years under a Sask Party government – schools, hospitals, long-term care homes, highways etc. In addition, the revenue sharing funding for municipalities has been more than doubled to assist our local governments meet their infrastructure pressures. Specifically, $5.2 billion has been invested in Saskatchewan’s provincial highway network which is $1 billion more in eight years than the NDP invested in the entire 16 years they were in government. If re-elected, the Saskatchewan Party will continue to invest in the province’s highways through the Highways 2020 Plan which will inject $2.7 billion in highways and transportation infrastructure over the next four years. This is a $70 million increase from what was invested over the past four years.
NDP Adam Duke: The NDP is committed to stimulating the economy by investing in infrastructure. We will fix and expand our hospitals, care homes and schools, as well as build new ones. We will also rebuild the Ministry of Highways to get more roads built and paved in a way that is more cost effective. We will maintain reliable revenue sharing so our municipalities can plan for infrastructure investment that they deem highest priority to their community.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: I have been driving the roads in this constituency for years and over that time I have seen highway projects and roadways neglected. The lack of accountability on these issues are unacceptable and have effected everyone from the regular commuter to the highway truck driver and businesses alike. The Liberal party and myself would look at addressing the road repairs already underway and work with the federal government to address the flooding issues effecting our constituency.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: The Saskatchewan Green Party supports the strengthening of Saskatchewan infrastructures and roadways. The establishment of the Ministry of Rural Revitalization would help to ensure all citizens can travel safely on our roadways and drink safe water from their taps.
If elected, what are some things that you and your party would be willing to do to help young families and seniors?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: The best thing any government can do to help young families is to facilitate an environment that will encourage and sustain a strong economy so that they can gain an opportunity for financial independence and success. To assist with affordability however, since 2007, the Saskatchewan Party government’s tax reductions have removed 112,000 Saskatchewan residents from the provincial tax roll entirely and have saved families and individuals almost $3.8 billion. A family of four with $50,000 annual income paid about $2,302 in income tax in 2007. In 2016 they will pay zero. In addition, the Saskatchewan Party government introduced the Children’s Prescription Drug Plan and the Active Families Benefit and eliminated PST on children’s clothing. Since 2007, we have increased child care spaces by 53 percent, including additional spaces in Humboldt and in Lanigan. For young families where one or both parents are students, we introduced the Graduate Retention Program and the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship. If re-elected, the Saskatchewan Party will increase the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship from $500 per year to $750 per year and will allow post-secondary graduates to use up to $10,000 of their Graduate Retention Program tax credits towards the down payment on their first home in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Party is also committed to ensuring our seniors are treated with the respect and dignity they have earned and deserve. Along with the improvements made to long-term care facilities mentioned in question number one, the Saskatchewan Party has launched a Home First/Quick Response pilot to assist seniors who wish to ‘age in place’. To assist seniors with affordability, the Saskatchewan Party tripled the Senior’s Income Plan so senior’s in Saskatchewan now have the highest income supplement in Canada. If re-elected, the Saskatchewan party will allow senior homeowners with household incomes under $70,000 to defer the education portion of their property taxes until the residence is sold or ownership is transferred to someone other than the spouse or common-law partner or when the senior and spouse or common-law partner no longer reside in the home.
NDP Adam Duke: Our platform is focused on making life more affordable for families and seniors, as well as fixing the public services they count on, like health care and education. Our income tax cut, combined with our pledge to lower the cost of utilities, will put more money in the pockets of families, making life more affordable for families. Seniors will benefit from having the option to defer their property taxes until they sell their homes, saving them thousands of dollars every year, and boost the senior’s income plan by $50 per month. These measures will go a long way to making the lives of families and seniors easier.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: The Liberal party has a number of points aimed at helping families and seniors. For everyone in Saskatchewan, we will raise the basic personal income tax exemption to a level equivalent to a full-time minimum wage job. This will result in all Saskatchewan residents paying income tax only on earnings that exceed this new basic personal amount, effective Jan. 1, 2017. For seniors we have a wide number of sweeping changes coming in for care homes. These changes include incentives for developers to include more level two care facilities, as well as changing the care guild lines for staff too patient’s ratios. The Liberal party has everyone in this province in mind and changes that will effect everyone in a positive way.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: The Saskatchewan Green Party government would: Green the Grid. We will add lots of additional renewable energy to our power system by enabling local citizens and businesses to sell surplus power they produce to SaskPower; renewable technology. Our government will position Saskatchewan to take full advantage of the world’s desire for green energy by fostering local industries in conservation and in solar, wind, geothermal energy; hemp industry. Hemp is another very viable area of job creation for Saskatchewan, where it could be grown and processed for restoration projects; and our government believes in creating jobs that do good in our world. By funding asbestos removal, site remediation, home repairs, provincial parks and pasture lands protection, we will ensure prosperity and well-being for generations to come. For seniors we would: establish a dedicated emergency phone number, similar to 9-1-1, for senior citizens; create an Adult Protection Act, to protect seniors from being abused in their own homes and living spaces; set up a Seniors’ Advocate, at arms-length from the provincial government; prepare a provincial seniors strategy to coordinate these plans and put them into action; and add a Minister of Seniors’ Issues to oversee the provincial seniors strategy.
Why should people vote for you?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: I was raised on a small farm near Guernsey and have lived in the Humboldt-Watrous region for the majority of my life because I love this region and the people who live here. It has been an honour for me to serve this area in the Legislature. I am also proud to be a part of Brad Wall’s team and see the positive change and optimism we now have in Saskatchewan. Under the NDP, Saskatchewan had the worst job creation record in Canada. We now have the second best job creation in Canada. Under the NDP, our population declined. Now Saskatchewan has grown by 128,000 people. Under the NDP, 52 rural hospitals were closed, 176 schools were closed and 1,200 long-term care beds for seniors were closed. Now we are building hospitals, schools and long-term care facilities. Under the NDP taxes were raised 21 times. The Saskatchewan Party has made record income tax and education property tax cuts for everyone in Saskatchewan. I understand that there is more work that needs to be done. On Apr. 4, I ask voters to compare the Saskatchewan Party record to that of the NDP record and decide which party will keep Saskatchewan strong and moving forward and which party will take Saskatchewan back? Which leader is more capable of keeping Saskatchewan strong through a softening in our economy? Do we want a leader that will keep Saskatchewan’s interests in the forefront of the national stage or a leader who will take us back to the days of when we had a premier who called Saskatchewan a ‘wee little province?’ On Apr. 4 I hope to have your support!
NDP Adam Duke: I am confident that I will be the hardest working elected public servant for the people of Humboldt-Watrous. Being born and raised in Humboldt I am committed to providing real local representation and will stand up for our rural communities so our voices are heard in Regina. I will be open to ideas from all residents and consult with stakeholders. Rural Saskatchewan is being taken for granted and we need a voice that will put the people that live here ahead of the political party they represent. I will put the people of Humboldt-Watrous first and it would be a tremendous honour to represent you in the Legislature.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: With my experience as a truck driver I have gotten to see and experience a wide number of issues effecting our constituency. From highways in disrepair to wide spread flooding. With the frustration I hear and see from people, I have used that motivation to get into politics. I am running because I am tired of being ignored by the people who are supposed to be representing us and want that to end. I may not know all the questions or the solutions to every problem, but I am willing to listen to the people and make sure our voice is heard when our issues arise. So if you are tired with the current complacency shown by the other parties, vote for Robert Tutka who is used to living by the words: complacency kills.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: Why vote for me? Visit: http://saskgreen.ca/index.php/party/policy/platform/ and http://saskgreen.ca/index.php/leader/
* Unfortunately due to space constraints, TWM was not able to include the Arm River constituency candidate responses in this week’s edition. Their responses will appear in next week’s edition.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With a record number of candidates nominated for the Saskatchewan general election, voters will have quite a few options when it comes to voting Apr. 4. As the election nears, the Watrous Manitou attempted to contact candidates within the local ridings to get their thoughts on a variety of issues.
Here are the responses from candidates within the Humboldt-Watrous Constituency that were able to get back to the paper:
Health care is on the minds of many, is it a priority for you and your party?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: The Saskatchewan Party is committed to ensuring that every Saskatchewan resident can receive timely access to quality health care services. Although there is more work to do, since 2007 the Saskatchewan Party has demonstrated their commitment to quality health care by: increasing overall operating funding by $1.7 billion (49 percent); increasing funding to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency by 100 percent; hiring 3,000 more nurses of all designations; recruiting and retaining nearly 650 more doctors; investing over $1.2 billion in infrastructure to replace 13 outdated long-term care facilities (including the facility in Watrous), build two new long-term care facilities, replace the hospitals at Moose Jaw and North Battleford and to build a new Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon; and investing $236 million in the ‘Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative’ which has resulted in the surgical wait times in our province going from the highest in all of Canada to the lowest. If re-elected, the Saskatchewan Party will continue to build on our strong record in health care by: reducing administration in Regional Health Authorities, saving $7.5 million to be allocated towards frontline care in long-term care facilities; reducing CT scan wait times by allowing the option of paying privately using the ‘two-for-one’ model in which clinics must provide one scan at no charge on the public list for every privately paid scan; extending palliative care leave from eight weeks to 26 weeks to help those caring for family members in the final stages of life; providing $500,000 in annual funding to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind to integrate vision loss rehabilitation services into the mainstream health system; and introducing an individualized funding program for children under the age of six who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
NDP Adam Duke: Health care is an absolute priority for the New Democrats. During a decade of resource boom, the Sask Party let us down. They blew millions on the toxic Lean program in health care, while cutting front line workers and ignoring the crisis in senior care and the $2 billion in infrastructure repairs required by hospitals in the province. New Democrats will invest in senior care and health care. We will hire more nurse practitioners and put heath care workers back on the front lines. We will reduce emergency room wait times, and invest in fixing up our hospitals and long-term care homes. We will hire more front line workers for our care homes, and legislate minimum quality of care standards to ensure all seniors receive the top-notch care they deserve. We will also end per km billing and facility transfer ambulance fees that unfairly hurt those of us living in rural Saskatchewan. We will partner with health regions and private EMS to ensure that it is a fair and accessible service that benefits patients and local EMS employees.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: Health care is a priority for my party and myself. I have had the opportunity to listen to people in the area and along with the Liberal platform, have many issues and ideas to address and implement. From rolling back the broad scale implementation of the Lean program to undertaking initiatives to reduce emergency room wait time. With the alarming amount of issues in the current health care system I believe getting people that have been neglected the proper care and then making those accountable for the neglect should be our top priorities.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: Health care is definitely important for the Saskatchewan Green Party and ensuring economic security and providing access to health for all is a top priority. The Saskatchewan Green Party government would: put doctors on salary, ending the ‘fee for service’ model; eliminate ambulance fees by putting them back under Medicare; expand the provincial drug plan to cover the entire drug formulary, cover all citizens regardless of income and lower the patient user cost to $15/prescription; expand Medicare to cover optical, dental and other non-insured health services including alternative therapies; define ‘timely access’ to needed health services; and maintain and expand secondary health care and pro-health facilities and equipment.
Mining and agriculture are big sectors in the area, how will your party try and get Saskatchewan’s economy rolling again or do you feel it is rolling already?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: The economy is and will remain the number one priority for the Saskatchewan Party. It is only through the dividends of a strong economy that governments of any stripe can have the resources needed to invest in services for their citizens such as health care, education and safety net programs. Saskatchewan has been an economic and population growth success story in Canada over the past eight years; however, although agriculture has remained relatively strong, our province is experiencing a softening in potash and uranium markets as well as a plummet in the oil prices. To keep Saskatchewan strong and moving forward, a re-elected Saskatchewan Party would continue to build on the key priority areas identified in our economic plan introduced in 2012, The Saskatchewan Plan for Growth – Vision 2020 and Beyond. Our economic plan going forward would include: investing in infrastructure – further details outlined in question number five; education and training to Develop Saskatchewan’s Labour Force – further details outlined in question number four; keeping taxes low and Saskatchewan’s economy competitive; since 2007, the Saskatchewan Party has reduced personal income tax, saving taxpayers over $3.8 billion and reduced the education property tax, saving taxpayers and businesses almost $1.18 billion; the Saskatchewan Party reduced the small business tax rate by two percent and has kept the Corporate Income Tax and Manufacturing and Processing Tax Rate competitive with other provinces; if re-elected the Saskatchewan Party has committed to keeping our taxes as low as possible to keep our competitive advantage so we can continue to attract investment; since 2007, the Saskatchewan Party reduced regulatory costs for businesses by $12.4 million, exceeding our target of $5 million. If re-elected we will continue to work with the business community to identify further savings through regulatory changes; supporting Increased Trade, Investment and Exports Through International Engagement and Advancing Saskatchewan’s Advantages in Natural Resources and Agriculture; when Premier Brad Wall the leader of the Saskatchewan Party has done more to promote and raise awareness of what Saskatchewan has to offer than any previous premier in the history of our province. We are no longer an unknown jurisdiction in the global trade markets and considered a “wee little province” as we were once termed by the previous NDP Premier Lorne Calvert. Exports have increased by nearly 65 percent since 2007, from just under $20 billion in 2007 to over $32.5 billion in 2015, making Saskatchewan the largest per capita exporter in Canada. Specific to agriculture, in 2015, Saskatchewan supplied 65 percent of the world’s lentil exports, 55 percent of the world’s pea exports, 39 percent of the world’s durum exports and 21 percent of the world’s canola seed exports; a re-elected Saskatchewan Party government would continue to lead and/or support trade missions to countries where there are potential markets for our products; innovating and diversifying our economy around our economic strengths; since 2007, the Saskatchewan Party has undertaken a number of innovative initiatives to stimulate and/or attract economic development. Some of these initiatives are: the creation of the Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan, the introduction of the Manufacturing and Processing Exporter Tax Incentive, a tax incentive for primary steel producers and the establishment of the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence. Provincial research and development funding totaled almost $230 million between 2013 and 2015; and if re-elected, the Saskatchewan Party will introduce a Saskatchewan Commercial Innovation Incentive (SCI) as a new growth tax incentive that will apply to new products resulting from qualifying intellectual property such as patents that are commercialized in Saskatchewan.
NDP Adam Duke: We need to work to strengthen and diversify our economy - we cannot keep putting all our eggs in one basket. Stimulating the economy through infrastructure investments, sparking new industry and boosting our manufacturing sector are a way forward that provides stability and good, mortgage-paying jobs. We are also committed to exploring opportunities to create more jobs in the oil, gas, forestry, and agricultural sectors.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: The movement of our goods to market over the past few years has been in great question, backlogs within the transportation industry has effect on people and businesses alike. I believe our economy is on a minor rebound but if we don’t act quick we could fall back into the same disarray. Investment into pipelines to help move our oil and free up valuable space on our railway systems would be a great advantage to all business and workers alike. As well as promoting partnerships with private industries to help draw additional refineries into our province to create thousands of new full time jobs.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: The Saskatchewan Green Party fully supports the principles of sustainable development: ensuring that market prices of goods and services fully incorporate the environmental costs of their production and consumption and achieving greater resource and energy efficiency and development and use of environmentally sustainable technologies. The Saskatchewan Green Party supports rural revitalization by: increasing and expanding the ability for communities and businesses to thrive in rural Saskatchewan; ensuring much needed government services are easily accessible in rural Saskatchewan; ensuring high speed access to the Internet is made available immediately; and the creation of a Ministry of Rural Revitalization to oversee these projects. A Saskatchewan Green Party government would also launch a provincial agricultural transportation strategy with input from all farm stakeholders, including farmers.
Tourism is also a big part of the area and the province. With recent years of excess water, will your party lend a hand to places like Manitou Beach and others to help alleviate those high water levels?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: Manitou Beach will always remain very near and dear to my heart as I spent many summer days there both at bible camp and on Sunday afternoons with my family. I fondly remember the smell of the mineral water and french fries and vinegar at the old chalet and watching the swimmers swing above the water on the rings suspended from the ceiling. It remains an important destination, not only for its unique mineral content but also for Camp Easter Seal and all that it provides for children and individuals with disabilities. My colleagues, Herb Cox and Greg Brkich, and I met with community members from Manitou Beach a few months prior to the call of the election and they proposed a potential plan to reroute some water prior to it coming into Manitou Lake. The officials from Environment were tasked to review that proposal to evaluate its feasibility. To date I have not seen that evaluation. As everyone understands there are a number of challenges with the high levels of water at Manitou Beach, not only because the water once it enters the lake cannot be diverted somewhere else because of the mineral content, but also because many of the water systems in our province are experiencing high water levels and there are concerns if additional water is brought into these systems. If re-elected the Saskatchewan Party will continue to work with community members to try to identify possible solutions.
NDP Adam Duke: Manitou Beach is a Saskatchewan treasure and I have loved camping at the regional park for years. The only other lake I consistently camped at was Waldsea Lake, which was located a few miles north of Humboldt. Sadly, it was completely flooded out several years ago. We need to do what we can to protect Manitou Beach from further flooding. New Democrats are committed to investing in infrastructure to help in emergency preparedness for flooding so communities will be able to better mitigate the impacts of flooding and I will be an active partner in improving the high water situation for the residents and business owners of Manitou Beach.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: The Saskatchewan Green Party believes strongly in the revitaliztion of our province and with the creation of a Ministry of Rural Revitalization these important issues will be addressed.
Is education a priority for your party and what would you like to see done within that area?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: Building on our strong record in education, if re-elected the Saskatchewan Party will continue to invest in K-12 education while maintaining a strong focus on improving student achievement. Since 2007 when the Saskatchewan Party formed government we have: increased funding to the Horizon School Division by 27.3 percent; increased the number of Pre-K programs provincially by 104 percent; supported an increase province wide of 614 more teachers, 200 more student support teachers, 55 more educational assistants, 24 percent more speech language pathologists, 45 percent more psychologists and 53 percent more occupational therapists; and invested nearly $966 million in education capital, building 40 new or replacement schools and completing major renovations on 25 additional schools. This is a 330 percent increase over the previous government over the same period of time.
In addition, if re-elected the Saskatchewan Party will continue its commitment to post-secondary education and skills training. Since 2007 we have: increased funding for post-secondary institutions by 61 percent; invested $360 million specific to First Nations/Metis education and skills development; increased the training capacity for apprentices by 84 percent; and increased Adult Basic Education training seats by 50 percent.
NDP Adam Duke: Far too many classes in our province are overcrowded and under-resourced. Teachers are stretched thin and many students are not getting the one-on-one attention that they need. The NDP will hire 300 more teachers and 300 more educational assistants and improve funding to school boards so that our kids’ classrooms have the proper resources that they need. It was very concerning to hear of the upcoming staff cuts at Prairie Spirit School Division, which includes Allan and Colonsay. We need to provide more support for our kids, not less. We will also make post secondary education more affordable. Tuition has increased 34 percent under the Sask Party, and in many fields Saskatchewan students pay more than students in the rest of Canada. The NDP will reduce tuition fees with a $1,000 yearly scholarship for all Saskatchewan students, convert student loans to grants, and eliminate interest on all existing student loans.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: Education is a major driver in our economy. We need a properly trained work force to keep our province growing. I believe helping to stabilize provincial funding for universities to help alleviate rising tuition rates as well as working with industry and trade associations to identify key knowledge and skills missing from our current post secondary curriculum are necessary in keeping our people and our province thriving.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: Ensuring economic security and providing access to basic education and health for all the citizens of Saskatchewan is a top priority for the Saskatchewan Green Party. With the implementation of a Ministry of Rural Revitalization, education in Saskatchewan will again be important and supported.
What will your party look at doing when it comes to infrastructure and roads?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: Nearly $18 billion has been invested in government infrastructure over the past eight years under a Sask Party government – schools, hospitals, long-term care homes, highways etc. In addition, the revenue sharing funding for municipalities has been more than doubled to assist our local governments meet their infrastructure pressures. Specifically, $5.2 billion has been invested in Saskatchewan’s provincial highway network which is $1 billion more in eight years than the NDP invested in the entire 16 years they were in government. If re-elected, the Saskatchewan Party will continue to invest in the province’s highways through the Highways 2020 Plan which will inject $2.7 billion in highways and transportation infrastructure over the next four years. This is a $70 million increase from what was invested over the past four years.
NDP Adam Duke: The NDP is committed to stimulating the economy by investing in infrastructure. We will fix and expand our hospitals, care homes and schools, as well as build new ones. We will also rebuild the Ministry of Highways to get more roads built and paved in a way that is more cost effective. We will maintain reliable revenue sharing so our municipalities can plan for infrastructure investment that they deem highest priority to their community.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: I have been driving the roads in this constituency for years and over that time I have seen highway projects and roadways neglected. The lack of accountability on these issues are unacceptable and have effected everyone from the regular commuter to the highway truck driver and businesses alike. The Liberal party and myself would look at addressing the road repairs already underway and work with the federal government to address the flooding issues effecting our constituency.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: The Saskatchewan Green Party supports the strengthening of Saskatchewan infrastructures and roadways. The establishment of the Ministry of Rural Revitalization would help to ensure all citizens can travel safely on our roadways and drink safe water from their taps.
If elected, what are some things that you and your party would be willing to do to help young families and seniors?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: The best thing any government can do to help young families is to facilitate an environment that will encourage and sustain a strong economy so that they can gain an opportunity for financial independence and success. To assist with affordability however, since 2007, the Saskatchewan Party government’s tax reductions have removed 112,000 Saskatchewan residents from the provincial tax roll entirely and have saved families and individuals almost $3.8 billion. A family of four with $50,000 annual income paid about $2,302 in income tax in 2007. In 2016 they will pay zero. In addition, the Saskatchewan Party government introduced the Children’s Prescription Drug Plan and the Active Families Benefit and eliminated PST on children’s clothing. Since 2007, we have increased child care spaces by 53 percent, including additional spaces in Humboldt and in Lanigan. For young families where one or both parents are students, we introduced the Graduate Retention Program and the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship. If re-elected, the Saskatchewan Party will increase the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship from $500 per year to $750 per year and will allow post-secondary graduates to use up to $10,000 of their Graduate Retention Program tax credits towards the down payment on their first home in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Party is also committed to ensuring our seniors are treated with the respect and dignity they have earned and deserve. Along with the improvements made to long-term care facilities mentioned in question number one, the Saskatchewan Party has launched a Home First/Quick Response pilot to assist seniors who wish to ‘age in place’. To assist seniors with affordability, the Saskatchewan Party tripled the Senior’s Income Plan so senior’s in Saskatchewan now have the highest income supplement in Canada. If re-elected, the Saskatchewan party will allow senior homeowners with household incomes under $70,000 to defer the education portion of their property taxes until the residence is sold or ownership is transferred to someone other than the spouse or common-law partner or when the senior and spouse or common-law partner no longer reside in the home.
NDP Adam Duke: Our platform is focused on making life more affordable for families and seniors, as well as fixing the public services they count on, like health care and education. Our income tax cut, combined with our pledge to lower the cost of utilities, will put more money in the pockets of families, making life more affordable for families. Seniors will benefit from having the option to defer their property taxes until they sell their homes, saving them thousands of dollars every year, and boost the senior’s income plan by $50 per month. These measures will go a long way to making the lives of families and seniors easier.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: The Liberal party has a number of points aimed at helping families and seniors. For everyone in Saskatchewan, we will raise the basic personal income tax exemption to a level equivalent to a full-time minimum wage job. This will result in all Saskatchewan residents paying income tax only on earnings that exceed this new basic personal amount, effective Jan. 1, 2017. For seniors we have a wide number of sweeping changes coming in for care homes. These changes include incentives for developers to include more level two care facilities, as well as changing the care guild lines for staff too patient’s ratios. The Liberal party has everyone in this province in mind and changes that will effect everyone in a positive way.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: The Saskatchewan Green Party government would: Green the Grid. We will add lots of additional renewable energy to our power system by enabling local citizens and businesses to sell surplus power they produce to SaskPower; renewable technology. Our government will position Saskatchewan to take full advantage of the world’s desire for green energy by fostering local industries in conservation and in solar, wind, geothermal energy; hemp industry. Hemp is another very viable area of job creation for Saskatchewan, where it could be grown and processed for restoration projects; and our government believes in creating jobs that do good in our world. By funding asbestos removal, site remediation, home repairs, provincial parks and pasture lands protection, we will ensure prosperity and well-being for generations to come. For seniors we would: establish a dedicated emergency phone number, similar to 9-1-1, for senior citizens; create an Adult Protection Act, to protect seniors from being abused in their own homes and living spaces; set up a Seniors’ Advocate, at arms-length from the provincial government; prepare a provincial seniors strategy to coordinate these plans and put them into action; and add a Minister of Seniors’ Issues to oversee the provincial seniors strategy.
Why should people vote for you?
Sask Party Donna Harpauer: I was raised on a small farm near Guernsey and have lived in the Humboldt-Watrous region for the majority of my life because I love this region and the people who live here. It has been an honour for me to serve this area in the Legislature. I am also proud to be a part of Brad Wall’s team and see the positive change and optimism we now have in Saskatchewan. Under the NDP, Saskatchewan had the worst job creation record in Canada. We now have the second best job creation in Canada. Under the NDP, our population declined. Now Saskatchewan has grown by 128,000 people. Under the NDP, 52 rural hospitals were closed, 176 schools were closed and 1,200 long-term care beds for seniors were closed. Now we are building hospitals, schools and long-term care facilities. Under the NDP taxes were raised 21 times. The Saskatchewan Party has made record income tax and education property tax cuts for everyone in Saskatchewan. I understand that there is more work that needs to be done. On Apr. 4, I ask voters to compare the Saskatchewan Party record to that of the NDP record and decide which party will keep Saskatchewan strong and moving forward and which party will take Saskatchewan back? Which leader is more capable of keeping Saskatchewan strong through a softening in our economy? Do we want a leader that will keep Saskatchewan’s interests in the forefront of the national stage or a leader who will take us back to the days of when we had a premier who called Saskatchewan a ‘wee little province?’ On Apr. 4 I hope to have your support!
NDP Adam Duke: I am confident that I will be the hardest working elected public servant for the people of Humboldt-Watrous. Being born and raised in Humboldt I am committed to providing real local representation and will stand up for our rural communities so our voices are heard in Regina. I will be open to ideas from all residents and consult with stakeholders. Rural Saskatchewan is being taken for granted and we need a voice that will put the people that live here ahead of the political party they represent. I will put the people of Humboldt-Watrous first and it would be a tremendous honour to represent you in the Legislature.
Liberal Party Robert Tutka: With my experience as a truck driver I have gotten to see and experience a wide number of issues effecting our constituency. From highways in disrepair to wide spread flooding. With the frustration I hear and see from people, I have used that motivation to get into politics. I am running because I am tired of being ignored by the people who are supposed to be representing us and want that to end. I may not know all the questions or the solutions to every problem, but I am willing to listen to the people and make sure our voice is heard when our issues arise. So if you are tired with the current complacency shown by the other parties, vote for Robert Tutka who is used to living by the words: complacency kills.
Green Party Lori Ellen Harper: Why vote for me? Visit: http://saskgreen.ca/index.php/party/policy/platform/ and http://saskgreen.ca/index.php/leader/
* Unfortunately due to space constraints, TWM was not able to include the Arm River constituency candidate responses in this week’s edition. Their responses will appear in next week’s edition.
TWM Top Stories - Mar. 21, 2016
Projects on the go as council approves budget
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With the water treatment plant up and running, other various projects on the go and a slight tax increase, the Town of Watrous has approved its budget. Town administrator Orrin Redden said as part of the budget, the province announced that the education school portion of people’s property taxes has not been changed. However, there is a slight jump in the municipal levy as Watrous town council approved a two and a half per cent increase.
“If you are talking about an average homeowner, the municipal side would only be about $50 to $60 a year more on average,” said Redden. The increase is very similar to last year’s raise as the community tries to keep pace with inflationary costs.
Redden also provided the Watrous Manitou with some of the items on the slate for this year:
Water/sewer:
The new well project that was initiated along with the water treatment plant will see some more work completed. In addition, Redden said local improvements for water main replacements will also be looked at as effected owners will be notified directly. Over the past 20 years a good chunk of the older cast iron mains have been replaced but Redden said there are still some around and they will be proposed to be replaced.
As for the water treatment plant, there were new water rates that came into effect Jan. 1, reflecting the cost of the plant and the operating costs that are associated with it. “For the most part it wasn’t a huge increase given what is coming out of the taps. We are extremely happy with the water that we are providing people.”
Lagoon project:
The recently announced lagoon expansion for Watrous will see funding through the New Building Canada Plan - Small Communities Fund with an estimated cost for the expansion of just over $3.4 million. That total will be shared on a one-third basis, with the federal and provincial governments and the town of Watrous.
Redden said the town submitted an application and funds were awarded by the federal and provincial governments. The project will be initiated in 2016 and Redden said there is a lot of work ahead. “Based on what we know at this time it will probably be a two year project. The plan would be to tender that project in a couple of months and see some of the earth work done on that this year.”
The new primary lagoon cell, secondary cell expansion, gravity main and all associated works will improve the reliability and performance of wastewater collection and treatment systems for the residents of the community.
Street work:
The last few years council has put an increased emphasis on tidying up the side streets. “The majority of our east and west avenues are in pretty good shape but some of our side streets we have been trying to get to rebuilds on those and we will continue to put an increased emphasis on that.”
Redden said the priority is working from Main Street out to get a good base in place so they do not have to deal with the heaves in the spring.
Drainage work:
Redden said the last few years there has been quite a bit of effort put in to tidying up the drainage ditches so when spring runoff or heavy rains arrive, the water can exit town quicker. “We will be completing the major work this year and then after that hopefully it is more of a routine maintenance item.”
Mobility van:
Council is proposing to replace the current mobility van this year. “It is a town owned vehicle and council is looking to hopefully replace that mobility van this year. We have applied for some funding . . . hopefully we are successful there and we can replace that vehicle this year.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With the water treatment plant up and running, other various projects on the go and a slight tax increase, the Town of Watrous has approved its budget. Town administrator Orrin Redden said as part of the budget, the province announced that the education school portion of people’s property taxes has not been changed. However, there is a slight jump in the municipal levy as Watrous town council approved a two and a half per cent increase.
“If you are talking about an average homeowner, the municipal side would only be about $50 to $60 a year more on average,” said Redden. The increase is very similar to last year’s raise as the community tries to keep pace with inflationary costs.
Redden also provided the Watrous Manitou with some of the items on the slate for this year:
Water/sewer:
The new well project that was initiated along with the water treatment plant will see some more work completed. In addition, Redden said local improvements for water main replacements will also be looked at as effected owners will be notified directly. Over the past 20 years a good chunk of the older cast iron mains have been replaced but Redden said there are still some around and they will be proposed to be replaced.
As for the water treatment plant, there were new water rates that came into effect Jan. 1, reflecting the cost of the plant and the operating costs that are associated with it. “For the most part it wasn’t a huge increase given what is coming out of the taps. We are extremely happy with the water that we are providing people.”
Lagoon project:
The recently announced lagoon expansion for Watrous will see funding through the New Building Canada Plan - Small Communities Fund with an estimated cost for the expansion of just over $3.4 million. That total will be shared on a one-third basis, with the federal and provincial governments and the town of Watrous.
Redden said the town submitted an application and funds were awarded by the federal and provincial governments. The project will be initiated in 2016 and Redden said there is a lot of work ahead. “Based on what we know at this time it will probably be a two year project. The plan would be to tender that project in a couple of months and see some of the earth work done on that this year.”
The new primary lagoon cell, secondary cell expansion, gravity main and all associated works will improve the reliability and performance of wastewater collection and treatment systems for the residents of the community.
Street work:
The last few years council has put an increased emphasis on tidying up the side streets. “The majority of our east and west avenues are in pretty good shape but some of our side streets we have been trying to get to rebuilds on those and we will continue to put an increased emphasis on that.”
Redden said the priority is working from Main Street out to get a good base in place so they do not have to deal with the heaves in the spring.
Drainage work:
Redden said the last few years there has been quite a bit of effort put in to tidying up the drainage ditches so when spring runoff or heavy rains arrive, the water can exit town quicker. “We will be completing the major work this year and then after that hopefully it is more of a routine maintenance item.”
Mobility van:
Council is proposing to replace the current mobility van this year. “It is a town owned vehicle and council is looking to hopefully replace that mobility van this year. We have applied for some funding . . . hopefully we are successful there and we can replace that vehicle this year.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 14, 2016
Outage eerily familiar
Daniel Bushman/TWM
In the future, people in the Watrous area may want to circle Mar. 13 on their calendar as a potential day for a power outage. Unintentionally, people were left in the dark on Mar. 13, 2015 and then again this year. While the 2016 incident was not nearly as long as the one in 2015, it had people without power for a few hours.
SaskPower confirmed that high winds caused a trip on one of the major lines in the Holdfast, Imperial, Govan, Earl Grey and surrounding areas. The issue was reported at 12:25 p.m. and SaskPower patrolled the line and re-established power. However, the trip was found to extend to substations in the area so it took a while to patrol and fix everything. Power was brought back to the 1,500 customers gradually, with the last ones back online at 4:15 p.m.
In 2015, the outage lasted much longer. Mar. 13 happened to fall on a Friday in 2015 and lasted nearly 12 hours. First reported around 5 a.m. that Friday, power was lost to customers in and around Watrous, Imperial, Holdfast, Simpson, Guernsey and Young.
In 2015, SaskPower said during that particular incident about 2,400 customers were without power at one point. Some customers had their power restored within four hours, with the exception of the town of Watrous, Manitou Beach and some rural areas north of Watrous, which were without power until about 4:50 p.m.
The loss of power was attributed to faulty equipment causing extensive damage to the Watrous substation and components of the substation transformer.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
In the future, people in the Watrous area may want to circle Mar. 13 on their calendar as a potential day for a power outage. Unintentionally, people were left in the dark on Mar. 13, 2015 and then again this year. While the 2016 incident was not nearly as long as the one in 2015, it had people without power for a few hours.
SaskPower confirmed that high winds caused a trip on one of the major lines in the Holdfast, Imperial, Govan, Earl Grey and surrounding areas. The issue was reported at 12:25 p.m. and SaskPower patrolled the line and re-established power. However, the trip was found to extend to substations in the area so it took a while to patrol and fix everything. Power was brought back to the 1,500 customers gradually, with the last ones back online at 4:15 p.m.
In 2015, the outage lasted much longer. Mar. 13 happened to fall on a Friday in 2015 and lasted nearly 12 hours. First reported around 5 a.m. that Friday, power was lost to customers in and around Watrous, Imperial, Holdfast, Simpson, Guernsey and Young.
In 2015, SaskPower said during that particular incident about 2,400 customers were without power at one point. Some customers had their power restored within four hours, with the exception of the town of Watrous, Manitou Beach and some rural areas north of Watrous, which were without power until about 4:50 p.m.
The loss of power was attributed to faulty equipment causing extensive damage to the Watrous substation and components of the substation transformer.
Community makes an impact for Telemiracle
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Marking the 40th year of Telemiracle, people in Saskatchewan stepped up in a big way, including those in Watrous and the area as phones were ringing and donations pouring in during the Mar. 5 and 6 telethon. This year just over $5.2 million was raised, almost $1 million more than last year’s total. The number from local donations was also larger than last year as Watrous Kin set a goal of $40,000 for the 40th year of Telemiracle.
Along with residents, the Kin were busy fundraising for the milestone event and at the end of the day, not only did the community attain its goal but surpassed it, tallying just over $60,000.
Kinette Haley Ruether said they were overwhelmed when they started gathering and tallying up the donations for Telemiracle. “A couple big donations came in on Friday night and Saturday morning, adding even more excitement to Telemiracle weekend. Our Kin Clubs were so proud to be heading to Regina to represent Watrous and area and finally to be able to reveal our mock wedding total and grand total.”
With generosity abundant, the first ever Kin mock wedding in Watrous made up a large percentage of that total which included:
• $25,475.24 from the Kin mock wedding fundraiser;
• $7,119 from Anthony Allin at Watrous 5 Pin;
• $5,900 from the Manitou Lodge pie auction;
• $4,000 from the Ediger family and $620 from Melron Services employees;
• $2,500 from the WES helping hands and bake sale;
• $1,500 from the WHS ham and scalloped potato supper;
• $1,300 from Affinity Credit Union;
• $800 from Watrous Home Hardware Building Centre;
• $400 from the Watrous Bakery; and
• the remainder from personal donations and helping hands.
Ruether said they also took along $140.50 on behalf of Jacob Siegfried, who had his 12th birthday in December. Instead of birthday gifts, Siegfried asked his friends to bring a donation for Telemiracle 40.
In addition, Watrous resident Shawna Hanson also made a presentation in honour of her dad Murray. After the sudden passing of her father, Hanson wanted to do something to help make a difference as her dad had strongly supported Telemiracle during his employment with Cameco at Key Lake.
The owner of Miz Bojangles Hair Salon in Watrous set a goal of $4,000 and was going to shave her head if achieved. Hanson’s boyfriend Shane McCullum also hopped on board and if $5,000 was raised, he was also going to shave his head. Not only did they reach $5,000 but sporting their ‘Murray haircuts,’ Shawna and Shane presented a cheque for $13,584.25.
“The support from the community is absolutely amazing. We are so lucky to live in such a generous town,” said Ruether.
Being the 40th edition of Telemiracle this year, Ruether said the event was really special. “About 20 of us went this year from Watrous including three volunteers, two Kinsmen and the remainder being Kinettes. Bob and Dawn Lee worked backstage with the talent, Kyla McDonald worked in the massage therapy area, the Kinsmen guys worked security and the majority of the Kinettes were on phone teams answering calls on the donation line.
Excluding the most recent numbers, the 20-hour telethon had raised more than $111 million over 39 years, more money per capita than any other telethon in the world.
All the money raised at Telemiracle is spent in Saskatchewan helping Saskatchewan people.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Marking the 40th year of Telemiracle, people in Saskatchewan stepped up in a big way, including those in Watrous and the area as phones were ringing and donations pouring in during the Mar. 5 and 6 telethon. This year just over $5.2 million was raised, almost $1 million more than last year’s total. The number from local donations was also larger than last year as Watrous Kin set a goal of $40,000 for the 40th year of Telemiracle.
Along with residents, the Kin were busy fundraising for the milestone event and at the end of the day, not only did the community attain its goal but surpassed it, tallying just over $60,000.
Kinette Haley Ruether said they were overwhelmed when they started gathering and tallying up the donations for Telemiracle. “A couple big donations came in on Friday night and Saturday morning, adding even more excitement to Telemiracle weekend. Our Kin Clubs were so proud to be heading to Regina to represent Watrous and area and finally to be able to reveal our mock wedding total and grand total.”
With generosity abundant, the first ever Kin mock wedding in Watrous made up a large percentage of that total which included:
• $25,475.24 from the Kin mock wedding fundraiser;
• $7,119 from Anthony Allin at Watrous 5 Pin;
• $5,900 from the Manitou Lodge pie auction;
• $4,000 from the Ediger family and $620 from Melron Services employees;
• $2,500 from the WES helping hands and bake sale;
• $1,500 from the WHS ham and scalloped potato supper;
• $1,300 from Affinity Credit Union;
• $800 from Watrous Home Hardware Building Centre;
• $400 from the Watrous Bakery; and
• the remainder from personal donations and helping hands.
Ruether said they also took along $140.50 on behalf of Jacob Siegfried, who had his 12th birthday in December. Instead of birthday gifts, Siegfried asked his friends to bring a donation for Telemiracle 40.
In addition, Watrous resident Shawna Hanson also made a presentation in honour of her dad Murray. After the sudden passing of her father, Hanson wanted to do something to help make a difference as her dad had strongly supported Telemiracle during his employment with Cameco at Key Lake.
The owner of Miz Bojangles Hair Salon in Watrous set a goal of $4,000 and was going to shave her head if achieved. Hanson’s boyfriend Shane McCullum also hopped on board and if $5,000 was raised, he was also going to shave his head. Not only did they reach $5,000 but sporting their ‘Murray haircuts,’ Shawna and Shane presented a cheque for $13,584.25.
“The support from the community is absolutely amazing. We are so lucky to live in such a generous town,” said Ruether.
Being the 40th edition of Telemiracle this year, Ruether said the event was really special. “About 20 of us went this year from Watrous including three volunteers, two Kinsmen and the remainder being Kinettes. Bob and Dawn Lee worked backstage with the talent, Kyla McDonald worked in the massage therapy area, the Kinsmen guys worked security and the majority of the Kinettes were on phone teams answering calls on the donation line.
Excluding the most recent numbers, the 20-hour telethon had raised more than $111 million over 39 years, more money per capita than any other telethon in the world.
All the money raised at Telemiracle is spent in Saskatchewan helping Saskatchewan people.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 7, 2016
Funding announced for Watrous lagoon expansion
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Watrous will be expanding its lagoon after substantial funding for two drinking water projects and nine wastewater projects in Saskatchewan were recently awarded. The federal and provincial governments are contributing just over $5.3 million each towards the 11 projects, including a combined $2.28 million for the lagoon expansion for Watrous.
The local project is receiving funding through the New Building Canada Plan - Small Communities Fund with an estimated cost for the expansion of just over $3.4 million. That total will be shared on a one-third basis between the federal and provincial governments and the town of Watrous.
Watrous mayor Ed Collins said, “We are pleased to receive this significant financial contribution from our federal and provincial partners. It would be very difficult for our community to undertake a project of this magnitude without their support. These improvements will enable us to meet current wastewater regulations and ensure we have the capacity for future growth.”
The Town of Watrous plans to construct a new primary lagoon cell, secondary cell expansion, gravity main and all associated works. The project will improve the reliability and performance of wastewater collection and treatment systems for the residents of the community.
Meanwhile, the village of Drake was also awarded funds for its wastewater lagoon expansion. The total estimated cost for that project totals $726,000.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Watrous will be expanding its lagoon after substantial funding for two drinking water projects and nine wastewater projects in Saskatchewan were recently awarded. The federal and provincial governments are contributing just over $5.3 million each towards the 11 projects, including a combined $2.28 million for the lagoon expansion for Watrous.
The local project is receiving funding through the New Building Canada Plan - Small Communities Fund with an estimated cost for the expansion of just over $3.4 million. That total will be shared on a one-third basis between the federal and provincial governments and the town of Watrous.
Watrous mayor Ed Collins said, “We are pleased to receive this significant financial contribution from our federal and provincial partners. It would be very difficult for our community to undertake a project of this magnitude without their support. These improvements will enable us to meet current wastewater regulations and ensure we have the capacity for future growth.”
The Town of Watrous plans to construct a new primary lagoon cell, secondary cell expansion, gravity main and all associated works. The project will improve the reliability and performance of wastewater collection and treatment systems for the residents of the community.
Meanwhile, the village of Drake was also awarded funds for its wastewater lagoon expansion. The total estimated cost for that project totals $726,000.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 29, 2016
Lots on the go at Manitou Beach
Daniel Bushman/TWM
The high water level, unique chainsaw competition and Canada Day celebrations were a few items that made headlines at Manitou Beach in 2015. Despite the high water levels not really receding, there are also a few positive things in the works for residents and visitors at the resort community for 2016.
Manitou Beach Deputy Mayor Gerry Worobec said they have met again with the Department of Highways and the Water Security Agency to seek a solution to the high water. “The diversion option isn’t off the table yet but they are looking at other things. In their opinion we haven’t hit those triggers to make (the diversion option) happen yet.”
Worobec said they have also talked about other ways to dewater the lake like implementing an injection well. But for right now, the short term solution might be raising the berm another half a metre or a metre.
The deputy mayor said council remains in conversation with the Water Security Agency to see what type of action needs to be taken as spring nears.
“Everyone has been really good about the water issue and have stayed positive. I think for the most part, the community understands that we are doing the best that we can with what we have to work with there.”
While the high water issue will not be drying up anytime soon, the resort community is looking at different ways to improve the area. After applying and getting the green light on the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program grant, money will be spent on items like an event centre at the sports grounds.
Worobec said the approximately 40’ x 80’ centre would hold events like the chainsaw competition under a cover but it would also open up to the elements. “Then if the weather turns bad we can close it in. We want to have it in conjunction with the community hall.”
The deputy mayor also talked about the success of the chainsaw carving event, held for the first time at Manitou Beach in 2015. “It went really well and we are going to be doing that again next year. We have already started planning for that and that is what that community event centre is going to be primarily for. We are hoping to have a little better weather and we will probably set up the venue just a little bit different than we did last year.”
Worobec said they are also planning to come up with bases to put the carvings on that were done last summer at the competition. “We will get those displayed around the village for the summer. A couple will also go to Kinsmen Park because they were such substantial donors.”
Along with an event centre, a community garden is also being planned and will be up and running this spring. Worobec said the ground has been prepared and poles put in. “They hauled a substantial amount of topsoil in there. Communities in Bloom are looking after that.”
Worobec said Communities in Bloom is also doing things like maintaining flower beds all over the village and getting trees trimmed in the correct manner.
With natural beauty in and around the area, Worobec said they are going to be doing more work on the trails which run from one end of the beach to the other. Along with adding some signage, grooming and other work is slated for this year.
“We are trying to leave them as natural as we can but there will be some spots where we are going to have to groom them some and flatten them out just because of how the terrain is. There is also plans to purchase a few pieces of outdoor exercise equipment. We are going to place them in certain spots so as you’re walking you can stop and use them.”
Another addition coming to the resort community will be an off-leash dog park. “We have pretty well nailed down a location for an off-leash dog park. There will be one third of the area for small dogs and the larger area for bigger dogs. There will be a staging area where you will come in and close the gate behind you. You can get your dog settled down and then go into the large park or small park and then take your dog off the leash. There will be garbage cans and doggie bags available to use to clean up. We decided we are going to go ahead and build the park and we have all the elk fencing we got from by Jansen that we will use.”
Worobec added that the purchase of the drive-in is nearly complete by the village and the resort community has found that moving the flea market to the sports grounds has proven to be a very good decision. “We have had very positive feedback from vendors and patrons.”
Along with the flea market and drive-in playing shows in the summer, some other events on the schedule for 2016 include:
• Winterfest, which went this past weekend with a pancake breakfast, chili cook off, skating on the rink among other fun things;
• Canada Day celebrations July 1 on the main road along the shore with beer gardens, entertainment and fireworks to follow that evening;
• Manitou Mingle continues to be held once in a while as does a pancake breakfast; and
• an election is coming up in July.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
The high water level, unique chainsaw competition and Canada Day celebrations were a few items that made headlines at Manitou Beach in 2015. Despite the high water levels not really receding, there are also a few positive things in the works for residents and visitors at the resort community for 2016.
Manitou Beach Deputy Mayor Gerry Worobec said they have met again with the Department of Highways and the Water Security Agency to seek a solution to the high water. “The diversion option isn’t off the table yet but they are looking at other things. In their opinion we haven’t hit those triggers to make (the diversion option) happen yet.”
Worobec said they have also talked about other ways to dewater the lake like implementing an injection well. But for right now, the short term solution might be raising the berm another half a metre or a metre.
The deputy mayor said council remains in conversation with the Water Security Agency to see what type of action needs to be taken as spring nears.
“Everyone has been really good about the water issue and have stayed positive. I think for the most part, the community understands that we are doing the best that we can with what we have to work with there.”
While the high water issue will not be drying up anytime soon, the resort community is looking at different ways to improve the area. After applying and getting the green light on the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program grant, money will be spent on items like an event centre at the sports grounds.
Worobec said the approximately 40’ x 80’ centre would hold events like the chainsaw competition under a cover but it would also open up to the elements. “Then if the weather turns bad we can close it in. We want to have it in conjunction with the community hall.”
The deputy mayor also talked about the success of the chainsaw carving event, held for the first time at Manitou Beach in 2015. “It went really well and we are going to be doing that again next year. We have already started planning for that and that is what that community event centre is going to be primarily for. We are hoping to have a little better weather and we will probably set up the venue just a little bit different than we did last year.”
Worobec said they are also planning to come up with bases to put the carvings on that were done last summer at the competition. “We will get those displayed around the village for the summer. A couple will also go to Kinsmen Park because they were such substantial donors.”
Along with an event centre, a community garden is also being planned and will be up and running this spring. Worobec said the ground has been prepared and poles put in. “They hauled a substantial amount of topsoil in there. Communities in Bloom are looking after that.”
Worobec said Communities in Bloom is also doing things like maintaining flower beds all over the village and getting trees trimmed in the correct manner.
With natural beauty in and around the area, Worobec said they are going to be doing more work on the trails which run from one end of the beach to the other. Along with adding some signage, grooming and other work is slated for this year.
“We are trying to leave them as natural as we can but there will be some spots where we are going to have to groom them some and flatten them out just because of how the terrain is. There is also plans to purchase a few pieces of outdoor exercise equipment. We are going to place them in certain spots so as you’re walking you can stop and use them.”
Another addition coming to the resort community will be an off-leash dog park. “We have pretty well nailed down a location for an off-leash dog park. There will be one third of the area for small dogs and the larger area for bigger dogs. There will be a staging area where you will come in and close the gate behind you. You can get your dog settled down and then go into the large park or small park and then take your dog off the leash. There will be garbage cans and doggie bags available to use to clean up. We decided we are going to go ahead and build the park and we have all the elk fencing we got from by Jansen that we will use.”
Worobec added that the purchase of the drive-in is nearly complete by the village and the resort community has found that moving the flea market to the sports grounds has proven to be a very good decision. “We have had very positive feedback from vendors and patrons.”
Along with the flea market and drive-in playing shows in the summer, some other events on the schedule for 2016 include:
• Winterfest, which went this past weekend with a pancake breakfast, chili cook off, skating on the rink among other fun things;
• Canada Day celebrations July 1 on the main road along the shore with beer gardens, entertainment and fireworks to follow that evening;
• Manitou Mingle continues to be held once in a while as does a pancake breakfast; and
• an election is coming up in July.
TWM Top Stories - Feb. 15, 2016
Blood donors left to give elsewhere as clinic not returning
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Donors giving blood in Watrous last week were surprised and even shocked to learn that Canadian Blood Services will not be returning to the community for blood donor clinics.
On a note posted to the door of the Watrous Civic Centre where the clinic was held, it stated: “We (Canadian Blood Services) will not be returning to Watrous for Blood Donor Clinics after today’s (Feb. 8, 2016) clinic. As the need for donors remains constant, however, we would ask that you please consider donating at either of our clinics in Humboldt or Saskatoon. Thank you for your patronage and please continue to Give Life . . .”
The Watrous Manitou reached out to Canadian Blood Services and Judy Jones, Associate Director Donor Relations, Alberta, Saskatchewan and N.W.T. said the permanent decision not to return was a difficult one.
“While needing a constant supply of blood, Canadian Blood Services also reviews our operations to determine the best and most efficient locations to hold clinics and adjust the client schedule accordingly. Decisions were made based on a number of factors, including: projected demand for blood products, the number of units typically collected at this clinic, labour and transportation costs, and distance to our manufacturing facilities. Canadian Blood Services wants to assure you these changes will not affect the safe and secure blood supply for local hospital patients.”
Jones said there are no real alternative clinics for the Watrous donors to attend but added there are many ways residents can continue to Give Life to patients in need. “Males 17 to 35 can join our Stem Cell Registry. We also encourage everyone to consider registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor with your provincial program. The citizens of Watrous are also invited to help us spread awareness of the importance of blood donation through social media.”
Canadian Blood Services said it has hosted mobile clinics in Watrous since 2009 with three clinics a year. This past clinic Feb. 8, Canadian Blood Services collected 65 units out of their target of 77.
Despite Watrous donors now having to drive elsewhere to donate blood, Jones said the need for blood is constant. “Every minute of every day someone in Canada needs blood and often from more than one generous donor. For example, it can take up to 50 donors to help one motor vehicle accident victim. Each week, a minimum of 18,000 units of blood need to be collected in Canada for use in a range of life-saving procedures, such as surgeries and cancer treatments.”
With clinics in Watrous now permanently ended, it appears as though the community is not alone. When asked, Canadian Blood Services also informed the newspaper that the Feb. 22 clinic in Lanigan will be the community’s last.
Jones said the reason to permanently end that clinic are the same as ones that came into play for Watrous.
“We understand these changes may have an impact on the blood donation routine of residents of Lanigan and we apologize for any inconvenience. Patients across Canada continue to need the generous gift of life from donors like them on a regular basis.”
Jones said people of Lanigan are invited to book their next blood donation appointment at the Humboldt clinic location.
“Canadian Blood Services also needs about 170,000 additional donors per year to maintain the national blood supply. Approximately 52 per cent of Canadians say they, or a family member, have needed blood or blood products for surgery or for medical treatment. Approximately one in two Canadians are eligible to give blood, however, last year only one in 60 eligible donors actually did. Canadian Blood Services also loses close to 40 per cent of our donor base every year (reasons include age, eligibility, one time donor or changing circumstances). These factors underscore the reason why eligible donors should consider donating blood when they are able.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Donors giving blood in Watrous last week were surprised and even shocked to learn that Canadian Blood Services will not be returning to the community for blood donor clinics.
On a note posted to the door of the Watrous Civic Centre where the clinic was held, it stated: “We (Canadian Blood Services) will not be returning to Watrous for Blood Donor Clinics after today’s (Feb. 8, 2016) clinic. As the need for donors remains constant, however, we would ask that you please consider donating at either of our clinics in Humboldt or Saskatoon. Thank you for your patronage and please continue to Give Life . . .”
The Watrous Manitou reached out to Canadian Blood Services and Judy Jones, Associate Director Donor Relations, Alberta, Saskatchewan and N.W.T. said the permanent decision not to return was a difficult one.
“While needing a constant supply of blood, Canadian Blood Services also reviews our operations to determine the best and most efficient locations to hold clinics and adjust the client schedule accordingly. Decisions were made based on a number of factors, including: projected demand for blood products, the number of units typically collected at this clinic, labour and transportation costs, and distance to our manufacturing facilities. Canadian Blood Services wants to assure you these changes will not affect the safe and secure blood supply for local hospital patients.”
Jones said there are no real alternative clinics for the Watrous donors to attend but added there are many ways residents can continue to Give Life to patients in need. “Males 17 to 35 can join our Stem Cell Registry. We also encourage everyone to consider registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor with your provincial program. The citizens of Watrous are also invited to help us spread awareness of the importance of blood donation through social media.”
Canadian Blood Services said it has hosted mobile clinics in Watrous since 2009 with three clinics a year. This past clinic Feb. 8, Canadian Blood Services collected 65 units out of their target of 77.
Despite Watrous donors now having to drive elsewhere to donate blood, Jones said the need for blood is constant. “Every minute of every day someone in Canada needs blood and often from more than one generous donor. For example, it can take up to 50 donors to help one motor vehicle accident victim. Each week, a minimum of 18,000 units of blood need to be collected in Canada for use in a range of life-saving procedures, such as surgeries and cancer treatments.”
With clinics in Watrous now permanently ended, it appears as though the community is not alone. When asked, Canadian Blood Services also informed the newspaper that the Feb. 22 clinic in Lanigan will be the community’s last.
Jones said the reason to permanently end that clinic are the same as ones that came into play for Watrous.
“We understand these changes may have an impact on the blood donation routine of residents of Lanigan and we apologize for any inconvenience. Patients across Canada continue to need the generous gift of life from donors like them on a regular basis.”
Jones said people of Lanigan are invited to book their next blood donation appointment at the Humboldt clinic location.
“Canadian Blood Services also needs about 170,000 additional donors per year to maintain the national blood supply. Approximately 52 per cent of Canadians say they, or a family member, have needed blood or blood products for surgery or for medical treatment. Approximately one in two Canadians are eligible to give blood, however, last year only one in 60 eligible donors actually did. Canadian Blood Services also loses close to 40 per cent of our donor base every year (reasons include age, eligibility, one time donor or changing circumstances). These factors underscore the reason why eligible donors should consider donating blood when they are able.”
Water advisory remains for at least this week
Daniel Bushman/TWM
If all goes well, the precautionary drinking water advisory that was issued for users of the Town of Watrous drinking water system will be rescinded later this week.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said they started filling the final reservoir Feb. 11 and are in the process of getting the last reservoir into service.
“Once it is filled, we will be doing our bacteriological sampling. We are required to have two sets of samples come back negative and once we have achieved that we will request that the Water Security Agency rescind the precautionary drinking advisory. At that point we are hopeful by the end of this week things will be back to the new normal.”
Tarasoff said once the advisory is lifted, the town will be posting a notice to let residents know. People can also contact the town office if they have any questions.
The advisory was issued Jan. 18 as part of the next portion of the renovations at the water treatment plant. The precautionary measure was implemented because a couple of reservoirs were previously out of service and are being put back on line.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
If all goes well, the precautionary drinking water advisory that was issued for users of the Town of Watrous drinking water system will be rescinded later this week.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said they started filling the final reservoir Feb. 11 and are in the process of getting the last reservoir into service.
“Once it is filled, we will be doing our bacteriological sampling. We are required to have two sets of samples come back negative and once we have achieved that we will request that the Water Security Agency rescind the precautionary drinking advisory. At that point we are hopeful by the end of this week things will be back to the new normal.”
Tarasoff said once the advisory is lifted, the town will be posting a notice to let residents know. People can also contact the town office if they have any questions.
The advisory was issued Jan. 18 as part of the next portion of the renovations at the water treatment plant. The precautionary measure was implemented because a couple of reservoirs were previously out of service and are being put back on line.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 8, 2016
'Renewed focus' to sell building
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After the difficult decision was made to close the doors of the Watrous Shop Easy at the end of July last year, the building on main street continues to remain vacant. However, according to its current owner Loblaw, it appears as though they are looking to change that.
Chris Lavoie, Senior District Manager, National Affiliated Independents Operations, Western Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited said Loblaw is actively looking to sell the property at the site of the former Watrous Shop Easy.
“The community will notice a renewed focus by Loblaw to market and sell the property. While we are not exclusively looking for a buyer that is interested in keeping the building a grocery store, we are happy to continue to supply a new owner with grocery items if they wish to open a grocery store on the site.”
The seemingly heightened interest from the company comes after former owners of the Watrous Shop Easy Jerry and Gloria Luscombe gave it their best shot to try and purchase the property or renew a viable lease.
In the Aug. 10 edition of the Watrous Manitou, Gloria said, “There were several factors that came into play when negotiating the purchase of the building from Loblaw. With the building being 57 years old, it required several updates. Although some repairs were made recently to the building to address health and safety issues, there were still many necessary outstanding repairs and improvements that were required. Along with the building concerns there would need to be additional updates to obsolete lighting and refrigeration.”
Since the proposal to purchase the business went unsuccessful, the Luscombes looked at the option to lease.
“Signing a 10-year franchise agreement would not have been viable given uncertain economic times.”
Because of that, the pair had to close the doors to the grocery store and flower shop at the end of July 2015.
Talking with the Watrous Manitou last week, Gloria said, “The closure of the store has had a large impact on the community, the former employees and our family. Although it has been just over six months since the closure, the loss is still very real. We truly wish for everyone involved the outcome could have been different.”
Since the vacant building remains available to purchase and with what appears to be a growing demand for a second grocery store in Watrous, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said the town of Watrous has been in communication with representatives from Loblaw throughout the process and are following the situation closely.
“We are eager to see a resolution and the vacancy filled as soon as possible. We feel the community and its residents would like to see another grocery store open in that location but that will be up to any new investor.”
Manz said the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group is continuing to market and promote investment opportunities within Watrous and Manitou Beach throughout the province and beyond. “We are also committed to continuing to see an active business sector throughout our community and along main street.”
Manz said if anyone is interested in finding out more about the Shop Easy opportunity to contact the town office or Loblaw directly.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After the difficult decision was made to close the doors of the Watrous Shop Easy at the end of July last year, the building on main street continues to remain vacant. However, according to its current owner Loblaw, it appears as though they are looking to change that.
Chris Lavoie, Senior District Manager, National Affiliated Independents Operations, Western Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited said Loblaw is actively looking to sell the property at the site of the former Watrous Shop Easy.
“The community will notice a renewed focus by Loblaw to market and sell the property. While we are not exclusively looking for a buyer that is interested in keeping the building a grocery store, we are happy to continue to supply a new owner with grocery items if they wish to open a grocery store on the site.”
The seemingly heightened interest from the company comes after former owners of the Watrous Shop Easy Jerry and Gloria Luscombe gave it their best shot to try and purchase the property or renew a viable lease.
In the Aug. 10 edition of the Watrous Manitou, Gloria said, “There were several factors that came into play when negotiating the purchase of the building from Loblaw. With the building being 57 years old, it required several updates. Although some repairs were made recently to the building to address health and safety issues, there were still many necessary outstanding repairs and improvements that were required. Along with the building concerns there would need to be additional updates to obsolete lighting and refrigeration.”
Since the proposal to purchase the business went unsuccessful, the Luscombes looked at the option to lease.
“Signing a 10-year franchise agreement would not have been viable given uncertain economic times.”
Because of that, the pair had to close the doors to the grocery store and flower shop at the end of July 2015.
Talking with the Watrous Manitou last week, Gloria said, “The closure of the store has had a large impact on the community, the former employees and our family. Although it has been just over six months since the closure, the loss is still very real. We truly wish for everyone involved the outcome could have been different.”
Since the vacant building remains available to purchase and with what appears to be a growing demand for a second grocery store in Watrous, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said the town of Watrous has been in communication with representatives from Loblaw throughout the process and are following the situation closely.
“We are eager to see a resolution and the vacancy filled as soon as possible. We feel the community and its residents would like to see another grocery store open in that location but that will be up to any new investor.”
Manz said the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group is continuing to market and promote investment opportunities within Watrous and Manitou Beach throughout the province and beyond. “We are also committed to continuing to see an active business sector throughout our community and along main street.”
Manz said if anyone is interested in finding out more about the Shop Easy opportunity to contact the town office or Loblaw directly.
TWM Top Stories - Feb. 1, 2016
Armed robbery in Imperial
By Daniel Bushman
A scary situation unfolded last Thursday in Imperial as two armed suspects entered a bank and demanded cash. Watrous RCMP are investigating the armed robbery that occurred at 11:20 a.m. Jan. 28 at a financial institution on the 300 block of Royal Street in Imperial.
Police said two suspects entered the financial institution and demanded cash before fleeing in an unknown direction from the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one inside the building at the time of the incident was physically injured.
The two suspects (pictured right) are described as:
• male, 6’ tall with a slim build; and
• male, 5’6” tall with a stalky build.
Both were dressed in camouflage-patterned face masks. One suspect was wearing a red and black checkered coat/sweater and the second suspect was wearing a camouflage hooded jacket.
Road blocks were set up for some time around the community of Imperial after the incident as Watrous RCMP, Saskatoon General Investigation and Forensic Identification Sections and RCMP Police Dog Services continue to investigate.
If people have information regarding this incident, contact the Watrous RCMP at 306-946-3316 or if they wish to remain anonymous, they may call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through SaskTel at *8477, or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com. People may be eligible for a reward.
Meanwhile, Director of Education and CEO of Horizon School Division Kevin Garinger released a letter to parents and caregivers Jan. 28 stating: operating out of an abundance of care and safety, Horizon School Division placed a number of schools in hold and secure following the incident at the bank in Imperial.
“While the local RCMP conducted their excellent work to ensure the safety of our communities, our school administrators brought students inside their buildings and secured all outside doors. Classes resume as normal under this procedure and no one is allowed in or out of the school. In one instance, students were participating in activities at their local rink and that facility was placed in hold and secure as well.”
Garinger said to ensure the safety of students and staff in the surrounding areas, the following schools were placed in hold and secure as a precaution: Imperial School, Schell School (Holdfast), Winston High School, Watrous Elementary, Nokomis School, Raymore School, Sask Central Hutterian School, William Derby School, Punnichy elementary and high schools, George Gordon Education Centre and Bulyea School. Courtesy calls were also made to First Nations partners informing them of what was done in the schools.
Later in the day, RCMP indicated that the situation was safe, approximately 30 minutes after the division was informed of the situation. “We appreciate the swift work of our administrators and community partners in the RCMP to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” said Garinger.
By Daniel Bushman
A scary situation unfolded last Thursday in Imperial as two armed suspects entered a bank and demanded cash. Watrous RCMP are investigating the armed robbery that occurred at 11:20 a.m. Jan. 28 at a financial institution on the 300 block of Royal Street in Imperial.
Police said two suspects entered the financial institution and demanded cash before fleeing in an unknown direction from the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one inside the building at the time of the incident was physically injured.
The two suspects (pictured right) are described as:
• male, 6’ tall with a slim build; and
• male, 5’6” tall with a stalky build.
Both were dressed in camouflage-patterned face masks. One suspect was wearing a red and black checkered coat/sweater and the second suspect was wearing a camouflage hooded jacket.
Road blocks were set up for some time around the community of Imperial after the incident as Watrous RCMP, Saskatoon General Investigation and Forensic Identification Sections and RCMP Police Dog Services continue to investigate.
If people have information regarding this incident, contact the Watrous RCMP at 306-946-3316 or if they wish to remain anonymous, they may call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through SaskTel at *8477, or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com. People may be eligible for a reward.
Meanwhile, Director of Education and CEO of Horizon School Division Kevin Garinger released a letter to parents and caregivers Jan. 28 stating: operating out of an abundance of care and safety, Horizon School Division placed a number of schools in hold and secure following the incident at the bank in Imperial.
“While the local RCMP conducted their excellent work to ensure the safety of our communities, our school administrators brought students inside their buildings and secured all outside doors. Classes resume as normal under this procedure and no one is allowed in or out of the school. In one instance, students were participating in activities at their local rink and that facility was placed in hold and secure as well.”
Garinger said to ensure the safety of students and staff in the surrounding areas, the following schools were placed in hold and secure as a precaution: Imperial School, Schell School (Holdfast), Winston High School, Watrous Elementary, Nokomis School, Raymore School, Sask Central Hutterian School, William Derby School, Punnichy elementary and high schools, George Gordon Education Centre and Bulyea School. Courtesy calls were also made to First Nations partners informing them of what was done in the schools.
Later in the day, RCMP indicated that the situation was safe, approximately 30 minutes after the division was informed of the situation. “We appreciate the swift work of our administrators and community partners in the RCMP to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” said Garinger.
Precautionary drinking water advisory continues for Watrous
The precautionary drinking water advisory issued last month remains in effect this week for users of the Town of Watrous drinking water system.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said they should have the last reservoir on line sometime this week and will do testing shortly after.
Tarasoff said he is hopeful that the advisory will be lifted by the end of the week.
The advisory was issued Jan. 18 as part of the next portion of the renovations at the water treatment plant. The precautionary measure was implemented because a couple of reservoirs were previously out of service and are being put back on line.
The precautionary drinking water advisory issued last month remains in effect this week for users of the Town of Watrous drinking water system.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said they should have the last reservoir on line sometime this week and will do testing shortly after.
Tarasoff said he is hopeful that the advisory will be lifted by the end of the week.
The advisory was issued Jan. 18 as part of the next portion of the renovations at the water treatment plant. The precautionary measure was implemented because a couple of reservoirs were previously out of service and are being put back on line.
TWM Top Stories - Jan. 25, 2016
Local communities look back and ahead
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Various projects and highlights occurred throughout communities including Watrous as 2015 came to a close. More of the same appears ahead for the local area as 2016 is underway. The Watrous Manitou contacted a handful of local area communities to see how things went in 2015 and what residents might expect for 2016.
TWM will try and have more on a few others like Manitou Beach and the Simpson Homecoming in an upcoming edition.
Here are some of the responses that we received:
Watrous: Mayor Ed Collins felt things went well for Watrous this past year. “While some other communities may not be showing growth, I think we are showing modest growth.”
Two of the larger projects that the community have been working on and almost completed are the new reverse osmosis water treatment plant and well. “They took a lot of our resources, both man power and money, and were big items from last year. I have been a part of council for a long time and there have been a lot of highlights but this water system has to be the highlight of the century for us I think.”
Collins said work should wrap up on the plant in 2016 along with some minor things regarding the well.
Looking back at 2015, the mayor said there were a few other highlights that included:
• the opening of the Watrous Fitness Centre and the forming of that committee. Along with that came the RCMP Musical Ride;
• there was a major upgrade to the lights in the Centennial Arena with a price tag around $50,000; and
• the Watrous Medical Clinic moved to the Watrous and District Health Complex so that all of the health services are now under one roof. “As much as we hate to see something leave main street, long-term the move will be good.”
Turning the page on 2015 and looking at 2016, Collins said not to expect a lot of big ticket items as the town takes care of the major expenditure of the RO water system.
“We are not looking to do any big things but we do look forward to some commercial and light industrial lot development.”
Collins said they are also looking to wrap up the water metre replacement program, which has taken place over the last few years. “Pretty much all residential are done with and we just have the big commercial size left so that will be done.”
The mayor also added that there is the possibility of purchasing a new mobility van.
As far as the residential lots by the hospital are concerned, there is nothing new to report but they are ready to go. Collins is also hopeful that some of the vacant main street businesses will also be filled.
Street and maintenance wise, the mayor said regular street remediation and curbing is planned for 2016 mainly on the streets but not the avenues.
Allan: Mayor Rob Vogelgesang took over as mayor after an election in September and will be in the position until October when another election is held.
Looking ahead, “We entered into a program where we are getting involved more to get street repair done. The biggest thing is purchasing equipment and stuff to do the repairs ourselves and save some money.”
The mayor added that everything is going great with the pool and at the rink. “We are pretty much booked solid every weekend with tournaments coming out of Saskatoon. They added heat out on the bleachers and into the player’s boxes. We did that and it is unreal how that has changed how many people want to come out to the rink. We are also so much cheaper than in the city.”
While the community is still selling their new lots, there have been a fair amount of retired people moving to Saskatoon.
For 2016, Vogelgesang said the community is looking to continue to do more repairs on roads. He added that hiring a rec director a few years ago has been a big benefit.
As for the community as a whole, the mayor said, “We just need everyone to continue to work with council so we can continue to grow the town and move in the same direction.”
Colonsay: Mayor Jim Gray said 2015 saw some items that were on the checklist looked after. This year, Gray said they have to get a waterline installed for the new Co-op project and do some more street work.
Once the snow disappears Gray said construction will begin on the new 10,000 square foot Co-op which will be located near the entrance to the community. The mayor said the facility will include groceries, liquor and farm supplies along with a card lock for both gas and diesel fuel and pumps.
Drake: Mayor Peter Nicholson said the village was pretty much on par for the course in 2015, although there were a couple of issues that cropped up. “We did have some water main breaks as our systems got older. They are getting to the end of their expected lifespan and showing some results of their age. Other than that we didn’t have anything major happen.”
Nicholson said they are still working to get funding for their lagoon expansion. “That is still in the works and we won’t go ahead with that until we get something back from the government. Other than that, there is really nothing planned substantially for the next year.”
Nicholson said they are still working to get funding for their lagoon expansion. “That is still in the works and we won’t go ahead with that until we get something back from the government. Other than that, there is really nothing planned substantially for the next year.”
Nicholson added Drake Meats underwent a large expansion and took over the former grocery store building across the street from its location, converting it into offices. The post office that was located in the building is still operating.
There was also at least one new house put in the community as well. “Lots were bought and a house was brought in so it created some interest in town.”
Imperial: Mayor Ronald Klenk said their rink project was a big undertaking in 2015. The facility had a $70,000 upgrade and recieved donations through fundraising efforts. “It was pretty much a major upgrade of the artificial ice plant.”
The ice was installed and ready to be used by the beginning of December and Klenk said having the upgrades was something that had to be done. “The rink is pretty much the focal point of the community for the winter.”
Last year the mayor said they also worked on some streets and sidewalks, did some tree trimming and other maintenance.
In 2016, Klenk said they are going to do some roof repairs to the rink but other than that are going to be meeting about the budget.
“I really appreciate the residents for their commitment to the community and their generosity in helping with these projects.”
Viscount: Mayor Moe Kirzinger said there was a lot of water damage from the rains in 2015. “We have got lots of cleanup to do this summer and a bunch of paving we have to do. We had a few houses built last year, which is down from the other years but there is still a little bit happening.”
The community also held a fundraising project to purchase a new Zamboni.
Looking ahead, Kirzinger said there is nothing really big planned other than some paving and a little maintenance.
Young: Mayor Brian Rowan said the community hired new town foreman Terry Haughn who was brought in during the spring and “has done a good job.”
Like Watrous, Rowan said one of the priorities in the community has been getting the new reverse osmosis water system on tap. The mayor said it has come along slowly but it should be up and running pretty quick.
“We had to send our computers back in because they weren’t working so that held us up for a while but they are supposed to be back shortly. Once they are hooked up then the plant should be up and running.”
Rowan figured that could happen within the next month and said people are looking forward to the new change. “I think a lot of people are ready. The taps, toilets and everything the water goes through it leaves stains, so that should all be cleaned up.” Rowan said the system will roughly cost around $325,000.
Looking at 2016, Rowan said a committee was set up to move the playground and install equipment at the new site. “They are in the process of raising money and already have one grant. It will be moved by the swimming pool, not far from where it is. They have some equipment already so they will start on that. It will be right by the pool so it will all be in one spot.”
With the ice in at the rink, Rowan said the community also has a new Zamboni. The previous one the rink used was a tractor. “We have had that one for 20 some years. Now we have an Olympic that we got from Winnipeg.”
Other than that, Rowan said they will continue to do road maintenance and keep the cemetery clean.
The community also had a by-election as Julia Schultz was named as councillor.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Various projects and highlights occurred throughout communities including Watrous as 2015 came to a close. More of the same appears ahead for the local area as 2016 is underway. The Watrous Manitou contacted a handful of local area communities to see how things went in 2015 and what residents might expect for 2016.
TWM will try and have more on a few others like Manitou Beach and the Simpson Homecoming in an upcoming edition.
Here are some of the responses that we received:
Watrous: Mayor Ed Collins felt things went well for Watrous this past year. “While some other communities may not be showing growth, I think we are showing modest growth.”
Two of the larger projects that the community have been working on and almost completed are the new reverse osmosis water treatment plant and well. “They took a lot of our resources, both man power and money, and were big items from last year. I have been a part of council for a long time and there have been a lot of highlights but this water system has to be the highlight of the century for us I think.”
Collins said work should wrap up on the plant in 2016 along with some minor things regarding the well.
Looking back at 2015, the mayor said there were a few other highlights that included:
• the opening of the Watrous Fitness Centre and the forming of that committee. Along with that came the RCMP Musical Ride;
• there was a major upgrade to the lights in the Centennial Arena with a price tag around $50,000; and
• the Watrous Medical Clinic moved to the Watrous and District Health Complex so that all of the health services are now under one roof. “As much as we hate to see something leave main street, long-term the move will be good.”
Turning the page on 2015 and looking at 2016, Collins said not to expect a lot of big ticket items as the town takes care of the major expenditure of the RO water system.
“We are not looking to do any big things but we do look forward to some commercial and light industrial lot development.”
Collins said they are also looking to wrap up the water metre replacement program, which has taken place over the last few years. “Pretty much all residential are done with and we just have the big commercial size left so that will be done.”
The mayor also added that there is the possibility of purchasing a new mobility van.
As far as the residential lots by the hospital are concerned, there is nothing new to report but they are ready to go. Collins is also hopeful that some of the vacant main street businesses will also be filled.
Street and maintenance wise, the mayor said regular street remediation and curbing is planned for 2016 mainly on the streets but not the avenues.
Allan: Mayor Rob Vogelgesang took over as mayor after an election in September and will be in the position until October when another election is held.
Looking ahead, “We entered into a program where we are getting involved more to get street repair done. The biggest thing is purchasing equipment and stuff to do the repairs ourselves and save some money.”
The mayor added that everything is going great with the pool and at the rink. “We are pretty much booked solid every weekend with tournaments coming out of Saskatoon. They added heat out on the bleachers and into the player’s boxes. We did that and it is unreal how that has changed how many people want to come out to the rink. We are also so much cheaper than in the city.”
While the community is still selling their new lots, there have been a fair amount of retired people moving to Saskatoon.
For 2016, Vogelgesang said the community is looking to continue to do more repairs on roads. He added that hiring a rec director a few years ago has been a big benefit.
As for the community as a whole, the mayor said, “We just need everyone to continue to work with council so we can continue to grow the town and move in the same direction.”
Colonsay: Mayor Jim Gray said 2015 saw some items that were on the checklist looked after. This year, Gray said they have to get a waterline installed for the new Co-op project and do some more street work.
Once the snow disappears Gray said construction will begin on the new 10,000 square foot Co-op which will be located near the entrance to the community. The mayor said the facility will include groceries, liquor and farm supplies along with a card lock for both gas and diesel fuel and pumps.
Drake: Mayor Peter Nicholson said the village was pretty much on par for the course in 2015, although there were a couple of issues that cropped up. “We did have some water main breaks as our systems got older. They are getting to the end of their expected lifespan and showing some results of their age. Other than that we didn’t have anything major happen.”
Nicholson said they are still working to get funding for their lagoon expansion. “That is still in the works and we won’t go ahead with that until we get something back from the government. Other than that, there is really nothing planned substantially for the next year.”
Nicholson said they are still working to get funding for their lagoon expansion. “That is still in the works and we won’t go ahead with that until we get something back from the government. Other than that, there is really nothing planned substantially for the next year.”
Nicholson added Drake Meats underwent a large expansion and took over the former grocery store building across the street from its location, converting it into offices. The post office that was located in the building is still operating.
There was also at least one new house put in the community as well. “Lots were bought and a house was brought in so it created some interest in town.”
Imperial: Mayor Ronald Klenk said their rink project was a big undertaking in 2015. The facility had a $70,000 upgrade and recieved donations through fundraising efforts. “It was pretty much a major upgrade of the artificial ice plant.”
The ice was installed and ready to be used by the beginning of December and Klenk said having the upgrades was something that had to be done. “The rink is pretty much the focal point of the community for the winter.”
Last year the mayor said they also worked on some streets and sidewalks, did some tree trimming and other maintenance.
In 2016, Klenk said they are going to do some roof repairs to the rink but other than that are going to be meeting about the budget.
“I really appreciate the residents for their commitment to the community and their generosity in helping with these projects.”
Viscount: Mayor Moe Kirzinger said there was a lot of water damage from the rains in 2015. “We have got lots of cleanup to do this summer and a bunch of paving we have to do. We had a few houses built last year, which is down from the other years but there is still a little bit happening.”
The community also held a fundraising project to purchase a new Zamboni.
Looking ahead, Kirzinger said there is nothing really big planned other than some paving and a little maintenance.
Young: Mayor Brian Rowan said the community hired new town foreman Terry Haughn who was brought in during the spring and “has done a good job.”
Like Watrous, Rowan said one of the priorities in the community has been getting the new reverse osmosis water system on tap. The mayor said it has come along slowly but it should be up and running pretty quick.
“We had to send our computers back in because they weren’t working so that held us up for a while but they are supposed to be back shortly. Once they are hooked up then the plant should be up and running.”
Rowan figured that could happen within the next month and said people are looking forward to the new change. “I think a lot of people are ready. The taps, toilets and everything the water goes through it leaves stains, so that should all be cleaned up.” Rowan said the system will roughly cost around $325,000.
Looking at 2016, Rowan said a committee was set up to move the playground and install equipment at the new site. “They are in the process of raising money and already have one grant. It will be moved by the swimming pool, not far from where it is. They have some equipment already so they will start on that. It will be right by the pool so it will all be in one spot.”
With the ice in at the rink, Rowan said the community also has a new Zamboni. The previous one the rink used was a tractor. “We have had that one for 20 some years. Now we have an Olympic that we got from Winnipeg.”
Other than that, Rowan said they will continue to do road maintenance and keep the cemetery clean.
The community also had a by-election as Julia Schultz was named as councillor.
Water advisory remains for this week
Daniel Bushman
The precautionary drinking water advisory that was issued Monday, Jan. 18 remains in effect this week for users of the Town of Watrous drinking water system.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said they are working towards completing the renovations to the reservoir and hope to be able to fill it this week with testing to follow.
Tarasoff said he is hopeful that the advisory will be lifted during the first week of February.
The advisory that was issued earlier this month is part of moving on to the next portion of the renovation at the water treatment plant. The advisory was issued as a precautionary measure because a couple of reservoirs were previously out of service and are now being put back on line.
With the reverse osmosis water on tap in Watrous, the total RO project is getting closer to being fully completed. In an effort to get to that point, the precautionary drinking water advisory was issued.
Daniel Bushman
The precautionary drinking water advisory that was issued Monday, Jan. 18 remains in effect this week for users of the Town of Watrous drinking water system.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said they are working towards completing the renovations to the reservoir and hope to be able to fill it this week with testing to follow.
Tarasoff said he is hopeful that the advisory will be lifted during the first week of February.
The advisory that was issued earlier this month is part of moving on to the next portion of the renovation at the water treatment plant. The advisory was issued as a precautionary measure because a couple of reservoirs were previously out of service and are now being put back on line.
With the reverse osmosis water on tap in Watrous, the total RO project is getting closer to being fully completed. In an effort to get to that point, the precautionary drinking water advisory was issued.
TWM Top Stories - Jan. 18, 2016
Watrous under precautionary water advisory Jan. 18
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With reverse osmosis water now flowing into homes and businesses in Watrous, the total project is getting closer to being fully completed. In an effort to get to that point, a precautionary drinking water advisory has been issued for Watrous as of 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18.
The advisory applies to all users of the Town of Watrous drinking water system and Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said, “It is part of moving on to the next portion of the renovation at the water treatment plant. We are putting the holding reservoir and our pumping chamber back into operation. We are hoping to get off of our temporary pumping distribution pumping sometime this week and move back into our new pumps.”
Tarasoff is hopeful the precautionary water advisory will be lifted by the end of the week. “It just depends a bit on contractors, timing and how things go at the beginning of the week. We don’t foresee it being any more than a couple of weeks maximum. It is a precautionary measure that we want to take because we had taken a couple of our reservoirs out of service and now they will be put back into service early this week.”
Because the safety of the drinking water supply cannot be ensured at all times during the precautionary advisory, the following precautions can be taken:
• boil all water used for drinking purposes for at least one minute, at a rolling boil prior to usage;
• boil water to be used for other activities where it may be ingested including brushing teeth or soaking false teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, food or drink which will not be subsequently heated and ice cubes;
• do not drink from any public drinking fountains supplied with water from the public water supply;
• under most circumstances, there is no need to boil water used for other household purposes such as laundry. Adults, adolescents and older children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water. Dishes may be disinfected by washing in dishwasher machines that have a dry cycle or a final rinse that exceeds 45˚C for 20 minutes, 50˚C for five minutes, or 72˚C for one minute;
• ensure that younger children and infants are sponge bathed;
• use an alternative water source known to be safe, if they do not wish to boil the water; and
• consult with a physician if you have cuts or rashes that are severe before using the water.
While residents need to take precautions, Tarasoff said there is light at the end of the tunnel. “We are moving forward and getting closer to the completion of the project and this is the next step that we need to take in order to get things operating 100 per cent.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With reverse osmosis water now flowing into homes and businesses in Watrous, the total project is getting closer to being fully completed. In an effort to get to that point, a precautionary drinking water advisory has been issued for Watrous as of 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18.
The advisory applies to all users of the Town of Watrous drinking water system and Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said, “It is part of moving on to the next portion of the renovation at the water treatment plant. We are putting the holding reservoir and our pumping chamber back into operation. We are hoping to get off of our temporary pumping distribution pumping sometime this week and move back into our new pumps.”
Tarasoff is hopeful the precautionary water advisory will be lifted by the end of the week. “It just depends a bit on contractors, timing and how things go at the beginning of the week. We don’t foresee it being any more than a couple of weeks maximum. It is a precautionary measure that we want to take because we had taken a couple of our reservoirs out of service and now they will be put back into service early this week.”
Because the safety of the drinking water supply cannot be ensured at all times during the precautionary advisory, the following precautions can be taken:
• boil all water used for drinking purposes for at least one minute, at a rolling boil prior to usage;
• boil water to be used for other activities where it may be ingested including brushing teeth or soaking false teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, food or drink which will not be subsequently heated and ice cubes;
• do not drink from any public drinking fountains supplied with water from the public water supply;
• under most circumstances, there is no need to boil water used for other household purposes such as laundry. Adults, adolescents and older children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water. Dishes may be disinfected by washing in dishwasher machines that have a dry cycle or a final rinse that exceeds 45˚C for 20 minutes, 50˚C for five minutes, or 72˚C for one minute;
• ensure that younger children and infants are sponge bathed;
• use an alternative water source known to be safe, if they do not wish to boil the water; and
• consult with a physician if you have cuts or rashes that are severe before using the water.
While residents need to take precautions, Tarasoff said there is light at the end of the tunnel. “We are moving forward and getting closer to the completion of the project and this is the next step that we need to take in order to get things operating 100 per cent.”
Coming together to remember
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Messages, phone calls and people showing their support continue to pour in as the Van de Vorst and Mierau families mourn the loss of four family members. It is not just the Van de Vorst and Mierau families seeking answers and peace as communities including Watrous have been trying to process the tragic events from earlier this month.
Jordan, Chanda and their children Kamryn and Miguire Van de Vorst were killed just a few days after the start of 2016 after their vehicle was hit by a another driver, who now faces charges relating to impaired driving.
After the news surfaced about the devastating incident, people from Watrous - where Chanda is originally from - and others began rallying around the family to show their support.
Chanda’s mom Marie Mierau, sister Tana Deibert and brother Chad Mierau spoke to the Watrous Manitou and said right from the start, the support from so many people has been incredible.
Marie said the unit in the hospital “went above and beyond to get us through the first two days.”
Chad added people that were off-shift would stop by to see how the family was doing.
Back at home in Watrous, both said the support has been fantastic. “The messages, the phone calls and people sending us hugs has been great. Everybody is wanting to do everything they can and asking what they can do to help out. It has been phenomenal and really good.”
Tana, who is a teacher at Goodsoil, said the support where she teaches has been amazing. “They did a glow stick tribute at 3 p.m. on Friday and 99 per cent of the high school students that were supposed to be on spare stayed. That says a lot right there. Like mom and Chad said, I don’t even think we know how much support we have. I don’t think we realize yet how much it has impacted everybody.”
In Saskatoon where the Van de Vorsts resided, in Watrous and across the globe, people paid tribute to the family Jan. 9 by lighting glow sticks in remembrance. In Watrous, it was estimated that at least 400 residents braved the elements to gather at Cenotaph Park while many more posted pictures of their own tributes via social media.
Marie said seeing the incredible amount of pictures of people showing their support was very touching. “A lot of people went out of their way to do that.”
Chad said, “It was amazing how it took off and how quickly it exploded through social media, word of mouth and all over the world. It was incredible. I saw pictures from Dubai, Germany, Sweden, Hawaii, Florida, the Netherlands and everywhere. Another one I saw was the local women’s hockey team, the Hockey Bags, skating around with glow sticks with the lights off in the rink. It was very cool and pretty awesome to see. Chanda would have been smiling.”
Tana said, “It was heartwarming and amazing how everyone took it their own way, their own method and own creativity. I picture Jordan, Chanda, Kamryn and Miguire looking down from Heaven and seeing all that, seeing all the bright lights and seeing all the love. That is what I picture them seeing.”
While the family wished they could be at multiple places at once to see the tributes, they were also able to do their own. The group gathered to sing, ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ before tossing their glow sticks in the air.
In Watrous, despite the cold temperatures, people came together to grieve and support the families as Pastor Darren Holland and Watrous Mayor Ed Collins shared during the evening tribute. A moment of silence was held and people were invited to pray. Glow sticks were handed out and people were encouraged to hang them up in the park or in their windows at their homes.
Mayor Collins said it was nice to see the community gather together to show their support as Holland also provided heartfelt words to those grieving.
One of the co-organizers of the event, Lori Ann Frey said the community is known to rally together when one of their own needs support.
“I think when everyone found out that the tragic accident took the life of a hometown girl and her family, we all felt heartbreak and devastation. In times like this, no one really knows what to say, how to say it or what to do. It’s just a horrible feeling of loss and the only thing to do is come together to support those that lost and to support each other as we try and sort this out in our hearts and our minds. That is exactly what Watrous did.”
Frey said a few people from the area were chatting about the vigil page on Facebook calling everyone to light glow sticks in memory of the Van de Vorsts. The discussion centred around trying to do something in Watrous to show the family that the community is supporting them.
“Jodi Abrey had started the process of contacting the Town about a possible venue but was looking for support and help to figure out exactly what needed to be done. Sara Dunne and Haley Ruether got on board and contacted the Kinettes and Kinsmen about helping out with glow sticks. Anthony Allin jumped on board to help plan and track down glow sticks and get them to Watrous in time for the event. We only had a few days, but working together, glow sticks were sourced, funds were donated (Kinettes, Kinsmen and Watrous 5-Pin), glow sticks were picked up and speakers were found. Without being asked, the Town prepared the Cenotaph Park site by pushing snow and making sure we had a sound system.”
Frey said seeing the community come together and gather on a very chilly night was truly heartwarming.
“We think there were 400 plus people there based on the number of glow sticks that we went through. We were all there to mourn and to remember Chanda, Jordan, Kamryn and Miguire. Pastor Darren and Mayor Collins were able to sum up everyone’s feelings and I think that everyone felt a sense of peace after it was done. The glow sticks and the snowflake lights that Ray and Marla Suik brought glowed that night as did many windows in town. Our hope is that Marie, Chad and their families feel the support of their community and know that we all grieve along with them.”
Earlier in the week, Jordan’s father read a statement in front of the Saskatoon provincial court extending the family’s sincerest appreciation to all the individuals who provided care and support during the difficult time.
“This was a very traumatic event for us all and has affected us very deeply. We have lost a large piece of our family, four people who we loved immensely and who love us equally. We miss them terribly and we will not be able to replace them . . . we believe the RCMP has done their very best in their investigation and pray that justice will be served. We have to live with a large hole in our hearts and (the driver) will have to live remembering what she did and the four lives that she took . . . there has been so much support from everybody and complete strangers who have emailed, contacted and just lent their support to us. We just want to say how much we appreciate that. Finally, I would also especially like to thank the organ transplant team at the hospital. They took great care to ensure that our children and grandchildren will have a part in improving the quality of life in so many others.”
On the same day that Van de Vorst released a statement, Wiegers Financial and Benefits posted on its Facebook page the legacy that will be left by Jordan, Chanda, Kamryn and Miguire for people needing organ transplants. “In the midst of all the news of the incredibly tragic car accident that claimed the lives of Jordan, Chanda, Kamryn, and Miguire Van de Vorst, there is a glimmer of hope. Jordan’s employer, Phenomenome Discoveries Inc., and the Van de Vorst family have revealed that more than 50 people will receive organ transplants on behalf of the Van de Vorst family. We cannot begin to know the sorrow of their family and friends, but we sincerely hope that news of the many lives the Van de Vorsts have improved or saved gives them a moment of comfort.”
Chad said Kamryn, in particular, will help a lot of people more so than the other three. “As a family unit (Jordan’s family and our family), we all discussed it briefly and everybody was on board with doing whatever we could. We are excited to see how that plays out and to see what happens to the people on the other end.”
Tana said people need to talk about being a donor and share that decision with others. “Have the conversation. Have it with everybody in your family so everyone knows what everybody’s wishes are. They are difficult discussions and is not a priority when your health is well but it is an important conversation to have.”
As the family continues to mourn, they spent a few moments reflecting back to the holidays when the Van de Vorsts were visiting.
“Chanda was very determined to get here,” said Marie. “She had the flu Christmas Day but was determined to be here with the family. Chanda always made a point of spending time with all her family over the holidays. That is always how she was, she didn’t want to miss anything.”
Tana said as soon as Migure opened one of his Christmas gifts, his dad Jordan had to go set it up. “It was a race car track. He went downstairs and got it all set up and then him and Migure hung out downstairs figuring out what to do and how to press the buttons. Jordan wanted the present just as much as Migure did I think . . . It was really neat to see them both having fun with the same gift.”
Chad bought Miguire some mini-sticks for Christmas and was teaching him how to play hockey. “He was just getting into that and Kamryn was big into the Barbies, dress up, make up and crafts.”
Chad said the kids were able to spend time in Watrous for pretty well a week over Christmas. “Almost all the members of the family, both Jordan’s side and our side saw those two kids over Christmas and New Years. If you’re looking for positives out of all of this, at least it was after we all got to hang out with them for a good portion of Christmas and New Years. If this was before Christmas, in my mind, it would have been 10 times worse.”
On New Year’s Eve, Chad said his brother-in-law Jordan, who was a very talented photographer, Chanda and the kids were out taking pictures of the Northern Lights. “Migure fell asleep in the car but the other three were in the picture with the aurora in the background. It was the first time Kamryn saw the aurora.”
The next day the family of four were out tobogganing and skating. Marie said the Van de Vorsts happened to take some days off between Christmas and New Years just to do family stuff. “Normally they didn’t do that but this year they did.”
Tana said she is remembering her sister’s family as a strong unit. “They tried to do everything together as much as they could but also had their own creative outlets and their own desires. At the end of the day, the family was most important to them.”
As the family begins moving forward during the grieving process, Chad said what has stuck out for him has been the support.
“That says it all,” said Marie. “This has hit everybody hard and not just us, not just Watrous or the province. Anybody that hears the story, it makes everyone think that in an instant things are different.”
Tana encourages people to live in the present and not push things off for later. “Everyone says I want to do this or do that but then does it later. Do it if it is something that you want to do. Chanda was always supportive of what everyone was doing. She was supportive and really had 100 per cent faith in other people.”
Chad said, “They are all heroes.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Messages, phone calls and people showing their support continue to pour in as the Van de Vorst and Mierau families mourn the loss of four family members. It is not just the Van de Vorst and Mierau families seeking answers and peace as communities including Watrous have been trying to process the tragic events from earlier this month.
Jordan, Chanda and their children Kamryn and Miguire Van de Vorst were killed just a few days after the start of 2016 after their vehicle was hit by a another driver, who now faces charges relating to impaired driving.
After the news surfaced about the devastating incident, people from Watrous - where Chanda is originally from - and others began rallying around the family to show their support.
Chanda’s mom Marie Mierau, sister Tana Deibert and brother Chad Mierau spoke to the Watrous Manitou and said right from the start, the support from so many people has been incredible.
Marie said the unit in the hospital “went above and beyond to get us through the first two days.”
Chad added people that were off-shift would stop by to see how the family was doing.
Back at home in Watrous, both said the support has been fantastic. “The messages, the phone calls and people sending us hugs has been great. Everybody is wanting to do everything they can and asking what they can do to help out. It has been phenomenal and really good.”
Tana, who is a teacher at Goodsoil, said the support where she teaches has been amazing. “They did a glow stick tribute at 3 p.m. on Friday and 99 per cent of the high school students that were supposed to be on spare stayed. That says a lot right there. Like mom and Chad said, I don’t even think we know how much support we have. I don’t think we realize yet how much it has impacted everybody.”
In Saskatoon where the Van de Vorsts resided, in Watrous and across the globe, people paid tribute to the family Jan. 9 by lighting glow sticks in remembrance. In Watrous, it was estimated that at least 400 residents braved the elements to gather at Cenotaph Park while many more posted pictures of their own tributes via social media.
Marie said seeing the incredible amount of pictures of people showing their support was very touching. “A lot of people went out of their way to do that.”
Chad said, “It was amazing how it took off and how quickly it exploded through social media, word of mouth and all over the world. It was incredible. I saw pictures from Dubai, Germany, Sweden, Hawaii, Florida, the Netherlands and everywhere. Another one I saw was the local women’s hockey team, the Hockey Bags, skating around with glow sticks with the lights off in the rink. It was very cool and pretty awesome to see. Chanda would have been smiling.”
Tana said, “It was heartwarming and amazing how everyone took it their own way, their own method and own creativity. I picture Jordan, Chanda, Kamryn and Miguire looking down from Heaven and seeing all that, seeing all the bright lights and seeing all the love. That is what I picture them seeing.”
While the family wished they could be at multiple places at once to see the tributes, they were also able to do their own. The group gathered to sing, ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ before tossing their glow sticks in the air.
In Watrous, despite the cold temperatures, people came together to grieve and support the families as Pastor Darren Holland and Watrous Mayor Ed Collins shared during the evening tribute. A moment of silence was held and people were invited to pray. Glow sticks were handed out and people were encouraged to hang them up in the park or in their windows at their homes.
Mayor Collins said it was nice to see the community gather together to show their support as Holland also provided heartfelt words to those grieving.
One of the co-organizers of the event, Lori Ann Frey said the community is known to rally together when one of their own needs support.
“I think when everyone found out that the tragic accident took the life of a hometown girl and her family, we all felt heartbreak and devastation. In times like this, no one really knows what to say, how to say it or what to do. It’s just a horrible feeling of loss and the only thing to do is come together to support those that lost and to support each other as we try and sort this out in our hearts and our minds. That is exactly what Watrous did.”
Frey said a few people from the area were chatting about the vigil page on Facebook calling everyone to light glow sticks in memory of the Van de Vorsts. The discussion centred around trying to do something in Watrous to show the family that the community is supporting them.
“Jodi Abrey had started the process of contacting the Town about a possible venue but was looking for support and help to figure out exactly what needed to be done. Sara Dunne and Haley Ruether got on board and contacted the Kinettes and Kinsmen about helping out with glow sticks. Anthony Allin jumped on board to help plan and track down glow sticks and get them to Watrous in time for the event. We only had a few days, but working together, glow sticks were sourced, funds were donated (Kinettes, Kinsmen and Watrous 5-Pin), glow sticks were picked up and speakers were found. Without being asked, the Town prepared the Cenotaph Park site by pushing snow and making sure we had a sound system.”
Frey said seeing the community come together and gather on a very chilly night was truly heartwarming.
“We think there were 400 plus people there based on the number of glow sticks that we went through. We were all there to mourn and to remember Chanda, Jordan, Kamryn and Miguire. Pastor Darren and Mayor Collins were able to sum up everyone’s feelings and I think that everyone felt a sense of peace after it was done. The glow sticks and the snowflake lights that Ray and Marla Suik brought glowed that night as did many windows in town. Our hope is that Marie, Chad and their families feel the support of their community and know that we all grieve along with them.”
Earlier in the week, Jordan’s father read a statement in front of the Saskatoon provincial court extending the family’s sincerest appreciation to all the individuals who provided care and support during the difficult time.
“This was a very traumatic event for us all and has affected us very deeply. We have lost a large piece of our family, four people who we loved immensely and who love us equally. We miss them terribly and we will not be able to replace them . . . we believe the RCMP has done their very best in their investigation and pray that justice will be served. We have to live with a large hole in our hearts and (the driver) will have to live remembering what she did and the four lives that she took . . . there has been so much support from everybody and complete strangers who have emailed, contacted and just lent their support to us. We just want to say how much we appreciate that. Finally, I would also especially like to thank the organ transplant team at the hospital. They took great care to ensure that our children and grandchildren will have a part in improving the quality of life in so many others.”
On the same day that Van de Vorst released a statement, Wiegers Financial and Benefits posted on its Facebook page the legacy that will be left by Jordan, Chanda, Kamryn and Miguire for people needing organ transplants. “In the midst of all the news of the incredibly tragic car accident that claimed the lives of Jordan, Chanda, Kamryn, and Miguire Van de Vorst, there is a glimmer of hope. Jordan’s employer, Phenomenome Discoveries Inc., and the Van de Vorst family have revealed that more than 50 people will receive organ transplants on behalf of the Van de Vorst family. We cannot begin to know the sorrow of their family and friends, but we sincerely hope that news of the many lives the Van de Vorsts have improved or saved gives them a moment of comfort.”
Chad said Kamryn, in particular, will help a lot of people more so than the other three. “As a family unit (Jordan’s family and our family), we all discussed it briefly and everybody was on board with doing whatever we could. We are excited to see how that plays out and to see what happens to the people on the other end.”
Tana said people need to talk about being a donor and share that decision with others. “Have the conversation. Have it with everybody in your family so everyone knows what everybody’s wishes are. They are difficult discussions and is not a priority when your health is well but it is an important conversation to have.”
As the family continues to mourn, they spent a few moments reflecting back to the holidays when the Van de Vorsts were visiting.
“Chanda was very determined to get here,” said Marie. “She had the flu Christmas Day but was determined to be here with the family. Chanda always made a point of spending time with all her family over the holidays. That is always how she was, she didn’t want to miss anything.”
Tana said as soon as Migure opened one of his Christmas gifts, his dad Jordan had to go set it up. “It was a race car track. He went downstairs and got it all set up and then him and Migure hung out downstairs figuring out what to do and how to press the buttons. Jordan wanted the present just as much as Migure did I think . . . It was really neat to see them both having fun with the same gift.”
Chad bought Miguire some mini-sticks for Christmas and was teaching him how to play hockey. “He was just getting into that and Kamryn was big into the Barbies, dress up, make up and crafts.”
Chad said the kids were able to spend time in Watrous for pretty well a week over Christmas. “Almost all the members of the family, both Jordan’s side and our side saw those two kids over Christmas and New Years. If you’re looking for positives out of all of this, at least it was after we all got to hang out with them for a good portion of Christmas and New Years. If this was before Christmas, in my mind, it would have been 10 times worse.”
On New Year’s Eve, Chad said his brother-in-law Jordan, who was a very talented photographer, Chanda and the kids were out taking pictures of the Northern Lights. “Migure fell asleep in the car but the other three were in the picture with the aurora in the background. It was the first time Kamryn saw the aurora.”
The next day the family of four were out tobogganing and skating. Marie said the Van de Vorsts happened to take some days off between Christmas and New Years just to do family stuff. “Normally they didn’t do that but this year they did.”
Tana said she is remembering her sister’s family as a strong unit. “They tried to do everything together as much as they could but also had their own creative outlets and their own desires. At the end of the day, the family was most important to them.”
As the family begins moving forward during the grieving process, Chad said what has stuck out for him has been the support.
“That says it all,” said Marie. “This has hit everybody hard and not just us, not just Watrous or the province. Anybody that hears the story, it makes everyone think that in an instant things are different.”
Tana encourages people to live in the present and not push things off for later. “Everyone says I want to do this or do that but then does it later. Do it if it is something that you want to do. Chanda was always supportive of what everyone was doing. She was supportive and really had 100 per cent faith in other people.”
Chad said, “They are all heroes.”
TWM Top Stories - Jan. 11, 2016
Local businesses broken into
Daniel Bushman/TWM
It was not the way a handful of business owners wanted to end 2015. According to local RCMP, sometime in the early morning hours of Dec. 31, businesses in Watrous, Nokomis and Strasbourg fell victim to break, enter and thefts.
Locally, RCMP said there was one businesses in Watrous and one in Nokomis broken into. Police said they have been able to connect four break, enter and thefts and one attempted break, enter and theft together.
The businesses were locked and shut down for the evening and entry was gained through the front door. Once inside, RCMP said at least two suspects went through the office areas. Cash was stolen from a pair of the locations. The investigation is ongoing however RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in solving these crimes.
If people have information regarding this or any other crime they can contact the Watrous, Southey or Strasbourg RCMP. If people have information and wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a tip via their website: <http://saskcrimestoppers.com/> or text in a tip: TIP206 + your tip to CRIMES
Daniel Bushman/TWM
It was not the way a handful of business owners wanted to end 2015. According to local RCMP, sometime in the early morning hours of Dec. 31, businesses in Watrous, Nokomis and Strasbourg fell victim to break, enter and thefts.
Locally, RCMP said there was one businesses in Watrous and one in Nokomis broken into. Police said they have been able to connect four break, enter and thefts and one attempted break, enter and theft together.
The businesses were locked and shut down for the evening and entry was gained through the front door. Once inside, RCMP said at least two suspects went through the office areas. Cash was stolen from a pair of the locations. The investigation is ongoing however RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in solving these crimes.
If people have information regarding this or any other crime they can contact the Watrous, Southey or Strasbourg RCMP. If people have information and wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a tip via their website: <http://saskcrimestoppers.com/> or text in a tip: TIP206 + your tip to CRIMES
Local dancer captures silver at global event
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Countless hours and dedication to her craft allowed a Watrous dance student to hit the global stage at the World Ballet, Jazz and Modern Championship in Mikolajki, Poland. Sydney Hicks and her family headed across the ocean as Sydney’s Ballet, Modern and Jazz small group represented team Canada Dec. 7 to 12 in Poland.
Chosen through an audition process, Hicks joined Carly Hill and Eddye Kirk from Regina and Margaux Labossiere and Dana Coleman from Winnipeg to train and compete in an adult small group 16 years of age and older. The crew spent three weekends together learning choreography for their ballet by Angele Lavergne, jazz and modern groups by Brianna Willis and also practiced on their own.
Once at the competition, performances were done in rounds and judges selected dances to qualify and move on to the next round. In total there could be up to four rounds to qualify for the final top six gold medal round, adding a lot of excitement to the competition.
Sydney said being able to compete against others from across the world was a cool experience. “There was so much variety in everyone’s styles of dance. I couldn’t keep my eyes off any of the routines. It truly was amazing.
“I am very thankful to be given the chance to compete, let alone go to a world competition. There was so much to see.”
Sydney’s ballet small group competed on Monday Dec. 7 and qualified for the gold medal round. The award presentation was held in the evening with an Olympic style format with podium, flag rising and national anthem. The placement was not communicated until the award ceremony. Sydney’s mom Marni said the highlight of the week came during that ceremony when Sydney’s Team Canada West ballet small group was announced and awarded the silver medal. The gold medal went to Italy and the bronze to South Africa.
Hicks said their modern group then competed Dec. 9 and made it through to the second round. “We placed 17th out of 31 groups. Finally our jazz group competed on Dec. 12 and placed 12th out of 24 groups.”
Some of the groups that Sydney faced were from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, Gibraltar, Croatia, Sweden, Finland, South Africa, Germany, Ukraine, Slovak Republic, Lithuania and Japan. Some countries had more than one group representing them in a category.
Overall Canada came home with seven gold medals, five silver and three bronze in age groups including children, junior and adult. “Nothing can be more thrilling for these dancers than standing on the podium and representing Canada. For Canada’s gold medal presentations, hearing the Canadian national anthem while our flag was raised was an emotional experience!”
Sydney said the silver medal and being able to see the variety of talent from other countries were highlights for her. “The talent was beyond anything I’ve ever seen before. Everyone there was great.”
Canadian National Director Bonnie Dyer said, “A true champion is someone who is gracious if they win, and even more gracious if they do not. In years to come, medals and trophies will be misplaced, but the memories of your journey and training to dance on the world stage, meeting new friends, striving to do your best and being proud to represent your country - these are the memories you will carry with you forever.”
While the dancers were able to perform against some of the world’s top talent, they were also required to raise funds to cover all travel, choreography fees, team jackets, hotels and Canadian and International fees. Since dance is not recognized in Canada as a sporting event, each dancer was also required to obtain their own sponsorship.
“Sydney and her family would like to send out a special thank you to those who sponsored her journey to the world stage in Mikolajki, Poland including the following businesses and clubs: Watrous Mainline Motors, Watrous Kinsmen Club, Watrous School of Dance, The Pepper Tree Restaurant, Dunham Services, Ken Vanthuyne Crop Scouting Inc., Hammond Realty and Gary Schreiner-Hail Insurance. Thank you to TB’s Bar and Grill for hosting the Steak Night fundraiser and to all of our family and friends who attended or sent personal donations. Special recognition to Chris Dunham and Lori Ann Frey for your endless support and fundraising efforts and to Shylo Frey and Marilyn Stobbs for your cookie making and sales donation. Last but not least thank you to all of our family and friends who supported Sydney before we left and with your encouraging messages while we were there.”
With the International Dance Organization (IDO) 2016 World Ballet, Jazz and Modern Championships slated for Oct. 25 to 30 in Wetzlar, Germany, Hicks encourages other dancers to audition for the Canadian National Dance Team. “It’s an extraordinary experience to represent Canada at the world level and to build friendships with dancers from all over the world.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Countless hours and dedication to her craft allowed a Watrous dance student to hit the global stage at the World Ballet, Jazz and Modern Championship in Mikolajki, Poland. Sydney Hicks and her family headed across the ocean as Sydney’s Ballet, Modern and Jazz small group represented team Canada Dec. 7 to 12 in Poland.
Chosen through an audition process, Hicks joined Carly Hill and Eddye Kirk from Regina and Margaux Labossiere and Dana Coleman from Winnipeg to train and compete in an adult small group 16 years of age and older. The crew spent three weekends together learning choreography for their ballet by Angele Lavergne, jazz and modern groups by Brianna Willis and also practiced on their own.
Once at the competition, performances were done in rounds and judges selected dances to qualify and move on to the next round. In total there could be up to four rounds to qualify for the final top six gold medal round, adding a lot of excitement to the competition.
Sydney said being able to compete against others from across the world was a cool experience. “There was so much variety in everyone’s styles of dance. I couldn’t keep my eyes off any of the routines. It truly was amazing.
“I am very thankful to be given the chance to compete, let alone go to a world competition. There was so much to see.”
Sydney’s ballet small group competed on Monday Dec. 7 and qualified for the gold medal round. The award presentation was held in the evening with an Olympic style format with podium, flag rising and national anthem. The placement was not communicated until the award ceremony. Sydney’s mom Marni said the highlight of the week came during that ceremony when Sydney’s Team Canada West ballet small group was announced and awarded the silver medal. The gold medal went to Italy and the bronze to South Africa.
Hicks said their modern group then competed Dec. 9 and made it through to the second round. “We placed 17th out of 31 groups. Finally our jazz group competed on Dec. 12 and placed 12th out of 24 groups.”
Some of the groups that Sydney faced were from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, Gibraltar, Croatia, Sweden, Finland, South Africa, Germany, Ukraine, Slovak Republic, Lithuania and Japan. Some countries had more than one group representing them in a category.
Overall Canada came home with seven gold medals, five silver and three bronze in age groups including children, junior and adult. “Nothing can be more thrilling for these dancers than standing on the podium and representing Canada. For Canada’s gold medal presentations, hearing the Canadian national anthem while our flag was raised was an emotional experience!”
Sydney said the silver medal and being able to see the variety of talent from other countries were highlights for her. “The talent was beyond anything I’ve ever seen before. Everyone there was great.”
Canadian National Director Bonnie Dyer said, “A true champion is someone who is gracious if they win, and even more gracious if they do not. In years to come, medals and trophies will be misplaced, but the memories of your journey and training to dance on the world stage, meeting new friends, striving to do your best and being proud to represent your country - these are the memories you will carry with you forever.”
While the dancers were able to perform against some of the world’s top talent, they were also required to raise funds to cover all travel, choreography fees, team jackets, hotels and Canadian and International fees. Since dance is not recognized in Canada as a sporting event, each dancer was also required to obtain their own sponsorship.
“Sydney and her family would like to send out a special thank you to those who sponsored her journey to the world stage in Mikolajki, Poland including the following businesses and clubs: Watrous Mainline Motors, Watrous Kinsmen Club, Watrous School of Dance, The Pepper Tree Restaurant, Dunham Services, Ken Vanthuyne Crop Scouting Inc., Hammond Realty and Gary Schreiner-Hail Insurance. Thank you to TB’s Bar and Grill for hosting the Steak Night fundraiser and to all of our family and friends who attended or sent personal donations. Special recognition to Chris Dunham and Lori Ann Frey for your endless support and fundraising efforts and to Shylo Frey and Marilyn Stobbs for your cookie making and sales donation. Last but not least thank you to all of our family and friends who supported Sydney before we left and with your encouraging messages while we were there.”
With the International Dance Organization (IDO) 2016 World Ballet, Jazz and Modern Championships slated for Oct. 25 to 30 in Wetzlar, Germany, Hicks encourages other dancers to audition for the Canadian National Dance Team. “It’s an extraordinary experience to represent Canada at the world level and to build friendships with dancers from all over the world.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 4, 2016
Incredible support from community as hampers go out
Daniel Bushman/TWM
The generosity of residents from Watrous and the surrounding area once again overflowed as the Watrous and District Food Bank packed up and handed out its annual Christmas hampers. With help from the Watrous Elementary School SRC and principal Pat Borsa, members of the food bank along with local Rotarians helped to pack up the hampers.
This year, a total of 85 large hampers went out Dec. 19 which included toys for 88 kids. Chair of the food bank Darren Holland said the community support this year was incredible. “We had huge toy drives from the Bargain Shop and Integra Tire which really was awesome. Co-op donated all of the turkeys and hams for the Christmas hampers and donations from Watrous Rotary and other organizations helped tremendously. We said there was a bigger need this year as we had 61 hampers last year and 85 this year and people really helped out.”
Along with food and toys for the Christmas hampers, clothing and other donations were also accepted. Holland said because of the quantity of items, they relocated to a section of the mini mall on 3rd Ave. E. “Dan Boehr gave us a spot in the mall. We literally took over the space from wall to wall with food and donations of other items.”
Holland said dozens and dozens of people also graciously volunteered their time leading up to distributing the hampers. “Whenever the need goes out, people step up. There are so many people it is hard to remember everyone because there is such a large number.”
The chair of the food bank said board members also helped in a huge way. “Amanda Dezotell deserves a lot of credit. She was making the list and checking it twice and put in the orders and planned it. Every one of the board members have been great helping out. Glenda Cox-McArthur coordinated the toy drives and put the items we received in beautiful gift bags for the kids. All the toys are staying within the local area and given to kids that received the hampers in our communities.”
Wrapping up another successful Christmas hamper food drive, Holland said it was a lot of fun to see people’s willingness to help and their eagerness to call and volunteer. “I had a lot of calls from people hearing there was a need. It was really good.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
The generosity of residents from Watrous and the surrounding area once again overflowed as the Watrous and District Food Bank packed up and handed out its annual Christmas hampers. With help from the Watrous Elementary School SRC and principal Pat Borsa, members of the food bank along with local Rotarians helped to pack up the hampers.
This year, a total of 85 large hampers went out Dec. 19 which included toys for 88 kids. Chair of the food bank Darren Holland said the community support this year was incredible. “We had huge toy drives from the Bargain Shop and Integra Tire which really was awesome. Co-op donated all of the turkeys and hams for the Christmas hampers and donations from Watrous Rotary and other organizations helped tremendously. We said there was a bigger need this year as we had 61 hampers last year and 85 this year and people really helped out.”
Along with food and toys for the Christmas hampers, clothing and other donations were also accepted. Holland said because of the quantity of items, they relocated to a section of the mini mall on 3rd Ave. E. “Dan Boehr gave us a spot in the mall. We literally took over the space from wall to wall with food and donations of other items.”
Holland said dozens and dozens of people also graciously volunteered their time leading up to distributing the hampers. “Whenever the need goes out, people step up. There are so many people it is hard to remember everyone because there is such a large number.”
The chair of the food bank said board members also helped in a huge way. “Amanda Dezotell deserves a lot of credit. She was making the list and checking it twice and put in the orders and planned it. Every one of the board members have been great helping out. Glenda Cox-McArthur coordinated the toy drives and put the items we received in beautiful gift bags for the kids. All the toys are staying within the local area and given to kids that received the hampers in our communities.”
Wrapping up another successful Christmas hamper food drive, Holland said it was a lot of fun to see people’s willingness to help and their eagerness to call and volunteer. “I had a lot of calls from people hearing there was a need. It was really good.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 21, 2015
Watrous Citizens of the Year and Watrous Coaches of the Year announced
Citizens of the Year:
Volunteering is nothing new for Brian and Terry Smethurst and when a person learns about their generosity spanning over the years, it should come as no surprise that they were named this year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year.
The pair were recognized for their achievement Dec. 10 and Brian said, “We were totally shocked and didn’t expect it all. We were very much honoured.”
Nominated by Andy and Irena Broadfoot, both Brian and Terry have not been shy to help when needed.
Brian was involved with the local fire department service for 38 years. During the earlier years, Brian said the fire department and ambulance were one. “Terry was also involved with the ambulance with us as well for a brief time and I was with (the ambulance) for 18 years and that is kind of how things got started.”
From there, Brian said over the years his mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the Smethursts contacted the Alzheimer’s Society in Regina to get some information about it. They realized there should be a support group in Watrous and worked to get that going. “It was very successful. A lot of people were very appreciative of having that type of support for the community.”
From there, the Smethursts have spent many hours lending a hand, helping with meals on wheels and also getting involved with Habitat for Humanity. After garnering some interest at Brian’s work, both he and Terry became interested in build days. “We have been involved in four homes being built in Saskatoon during different stages.”
A few years ago, when the town of Borden was facing serious flooding, Brian contacted some people at the mine and a group headed out along with Terry to do what they could.
“We helped them set their pumps up and they were extremely appreciative of us coming out. Terry also came along with us and is always involved with all the events that happen.”
Then, when the Watrous Gym idea was brought up, both Brian and Terry hopped on board right from the start. “We did fundraising and started on the project in November of 2014. We managed to get the gym open in February and now I am just in the process of finishing off the change rooms and showers.
“It has been absolutely great working on all these projects,” said Brian. “It has not been just us doing these projects but the whole community. Everybody pulled together and it was not just us.”
Terry said the gym committee also did a lot of work with the RCMP Musical Ride that arrived in Watrous this past summer. They also tore the interior of the current gym building apart and got it to where it is today.
Being able to lend a hand has been something both Brian and Terry have always done. “There is such a gratitude of being able to help people that you know and they can come out of it much better,” said Brian. “We all have a good life and are very lucky with living here. It is very exciting being able to give back to people locally, around the province or anywhere else. It is very exciting and you sure feel good at the end of the day. It is very important to us.”
Terry said it has been good to be able to live in a small town and be part of the volunteer group that help along the way. “Everybody pulls together and it is a very strong community.”
The pair have been in Watrous for around 40 years and said they were quite involved with various activities when their kids were going through school and doing sports. “Over the years we were also involved with the Manitou Stock Car Club at the beach. When that was created I was involved with helping to build the track and then after that, Terry and I ended up being First Responders for all the race days and doing timekeeping, checking vehicles, maintenance of the track and all of that.”
To be recognized for their tireless efforts over the years, Terry said they were very honoured to be selected. “We want to thank Andy and Irena for nominating us and for the committee for selecting us. To be selected it is great and quite an honour. We never thought of it ever being just us because (we feel) whatever we do is a group thing. Everyone should be recognized.”
Coaches of the Year:
Dedication, passion and the desire to see kids have fun while doing a sport they love are a few things that this year’s coaches of the year emulate. Deservedly so, this year the Watrous Coach of the Year was awarded to two people instead of one.
Judo coaches Darryl Potts and Glen Miller were nominated by Winston High School football coach and judo parent Steve Armstrong. The pair were then recognized as this year’s winner’s Dec. 10.
“Surprised and happy,” said Darryl when he found out.
“Steve came over and said that he talked to a few other people to run the practice on Thursday,” said Glen. “I looked at him and said, ‘Okay, why?’ He said we had won coach of the year . . . it was a very nice surprise, especially when you are nominated by somebody who is a coach. They know how much effort goes into being a coach.”
Potts could not remember when he first got into coaching but has been a mainstay with the local club as a competitor and now coach. “I started when I was 28 and was one of the first group.”
Potts wanted to pass along his knowledge of the sport and over the years has had moments where he has been proud of his students. Potts recalled a pair of highlights that stuck out for him. There was a young lady having a hard time at a competition and was in tears. Potts pulled her aside and explained that she did not have to compete if she did not want to. However, he did suggest she try one match. “She got herself straightened out and came out onto the mat and splatted another young lady and the next three. When she came off the mat, her feet were like four feet in the air and she was just pumped. It was really neat to see you could actually help them. It doesn’t work for everybody but it worked that time.”
Another young girl from the same family continually fought against the same athlete through her years in judo. Potts said they were great friends off the mat but on the mat, fierce competitors. “Our young lady had her in an arm bar and it was painful. She didn’t want to tap because she didn’t want to lose. Finally the referee stopped it and she rolled over on the ground and started to cry because her arm hurt. The young lady from our club starts to cry, the other coach starts to cry and I am doing the same thing. I don’t remember who won but it was one of those moments where people are so close, yet they fight so hard.”
Glen first got into coaching in 1998 after being approached by instructor Vince Seymour. “I figured I am here anyway I might as well be out there learning.” Miller was bringing two of his kids all the time and said getting involved looked like fun. “I always enjoyed doing stuff like that so I joined in 1997 and then helped Vince coach in 1998.”
Glen said one particular highlight that stuck out for him was at a competition in Regina where an athlete with the Ju-No-Ri club was having a hard time throwing a person. “He looked over at me and I just gave him a couple of gestures and he went out and did exactly what I told him and just came up and looked at me with a great big smile on his face like, ‘Wow that worked.’ When you see them look at you and you give them instructions for what to do and they do it and it works perfect for them and they come up with a big smile on their face, it makes it all worthwhile.”
Miller added that every time the club attends a tournament and the kids fight hard and come off the mat smiling, “that is always a highlight. Winning is secondary, the main thing is to go out there and have fun and enjoy yourself. If you can go and have fun and enjoy yourself then the winning will come.
“The ultimate compliment that any athlete can give a coach is to surpass their skills,” said Glen. Darryl added they have had several do just that.
The pair were also quick to deflect praise, stating they have received a lot of help. “We can go out and coach but if we didn’t have good junior coaches helping us and younger athletes come up and help or parents of the kids that are on the mat come and help coach, if we didn’t have them we wouldn’t have the judo club we have. It is very important having those assistant junior coaches helping. The other thing is the parents. If you don’t have good parents and support helping you . . . that really makes a difference. We have always had a good group of parents helping us. The community has also stood behind us and the elementary school (has allowed us to use their facility). It is great to be here where we are in small town Saskatchewan.”
Volunteering is nothing new for Brian and Terry Smethurst and when a person learns about their generosity spanning over the years, it should come as no surprise that they were named this year’s Watrous Citizens of the Year.
The pair were recognized for their achievement Dec. 10 and Brian said, “We were totally shocked and didn’t expect it all. We were very much honoured.”
Nominated by Andy and Irena Broadfoot, both Brian and Terry have not been shy to help when needed.
Brian was involved with the local fire department service for 38 years. During the earlier years, Brian said the fire department and ambulance were one. “Terry was also involved with the ambulance with us as well for a brief time and I was with (the ambulance) for 18 years and that is kind of how things got started.”
From there, Brian said over the years his mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the Smethursts contacted the Alzheimer’s Society in Regina to get some information about it. They realized there should be a support group in Watrous and worked to get that going. “It was very successful. A lot of people were very appreciative of having that type of support for the community.”
From there, the Smethursts have spent many hours lending a hand, helping with meals on wheels and also getting involved with Habitat for Humanity. After garnering some interest at Brian’s work, both he and Terry became interested in build days. “We have been involved in four homes being built in Saskatoon during different stages.”
A few years ago, when the town of Borden was facing serious flooding, Brian contacted some people at the mine and a group headed out along with Terry to do what they could.
“We helped them set their pumps up and they were extremely appreciative of us coming out. Terry also came along with us and is always involved with all the events that happen.”
Then, when the Watrous Gym idea was brought up, both Brian and Terry hopped on board right from the start. “We did fundraising and started on the project in November of 2014. We managed to get the gym open in February and now I am just in the process of finishing off the change rooms and showers.
“It has been absolutely great working on all these projects,” said Brian. “It has not been just us doing these projects but the whole community. Everybody pulled together and it was not just us.”
Terry said the gym committee also did a lot of work with the RCMP Musical Ride that arrived in Watrous this past summer. They also tore the interior of the current gym building apart and got it to where it is today.
Being able to lend a hand has been something both Brian and Terry have always done. “There is such a gratitude of being able to help people that you know and they can come out of it much better,” said Brian. “We all have a good life and are very lucky with living here. It is very exciting being able to give back to people locally, around the province or anywhere else. It is very exciting and you sure feel good at the end of the day. It is very important to us.”
Terry said it has been good to be able to live in a small town and be part of the volunteer group that help along the way. “Everybody pulls together and it is a very strong community.”
The pair have been in Watrous for around 40 years and said they were quite involved with various activities when their kids were going through school and doing sports. “Over the years we were also involved with the Manitou Stock Car Club at the beach. When that was created I was involved with helping to build the track and then after that, Terry and I ended up being First Responders for all the race days and doing timekeeping, checking vehicles, maintenance of the track and all of that.”
To be recognized for their tireless efforts over the years, Terry said they were very honoured to be selected. “We want to thank Andy and Irena for nominating us and for the committee for selecting us. To be selected it is great and quite an honour. We never thought of it ever being just us because (we feel) whatever we do is a group thing. Everyone should be recognized.”
Coaches of the Year:
Dedication, passion and the desire to see kids have fun while doing a sport they love are a few things that this year’s coaches of the year emulate. Deservedly so, this year the Watrous Coach of the Year was awarded to two people instead of one.
Judo coaches Darryl Potts and Glen Miller were nominated by Winston High School football coach and judo parent Steve Armstrong. The pair were then recognized as this year’s winner’s Dec. 10.
“Surprised and happy,” said Darryl when he found out.
“Steve came over and said that he talked to a few other people to run the practice on Thursday,” said Glen. “I looked at him and said, ‘Okay, why?’ He said we had won coach of the year . . . it was a very nice surprise, especially when you are nominated by somebody who is a coach. They know how much effort goes into being a coach.”
Potts could not remember when he first got into coaching but has been a mainstay with the local club as a competitor and now coach. “I started when I was 28 and was one of the first group.”
Potts wanted to pass along his knowledge of the sport and over the years has had moments where he has been proud of his students. Potts recalled a pair of highlights that stuck out for him. There was a young lady having a hard time at a competition and was in tears. Potts pulled her aside and explained that she did not have to compete if she did not want to. However, he did suggest she try one match. “She got herself straightened out and came out onto the mat and splatted another young lady and the next three. When she came off the mat, her feet were like four feet in the air and she was just pumped. It was really neat to see you could actually help them. It doesn’t work for everybody but it worked that time.”
Another young girl from the same family continually fought against the same athlete through her years in judo. Potts said they were great friends off the mat but on the mat, fierce competitors. “Our young lady had her in an arm bar and it was painful. She didn’t want to tap because she didn’t want to lose. Finally the referee stopped it and she rolled over on the ground and started to cry because her arm hurt. The young lady from our club starts to cry, the other coach starts to cry and I am doing the same thing. I don’t remember who won but it was one of those moments where people are so close, yet they fight so hard.”
Glen first got into coaching in 1998 after being approached by instructor Vince Seymour. “I figured I am here anyway I might as well be out there learning.” Miller was bringing two of his kids all the time and said getting involved looked like fun. “I always enjoyed doing stuff like that so I joined in 1997 and then helped Vince coach in 1998.”
Glen said one particular highlight that stuck out for him was at a competition in Regina where an athlete with the Ju-No-Ri club was having a hard time throwing a person. “He looked over at me and I just gave him a couple of gestures and he went out and did exactly what I told him and just came up and looked at me with a great big smile on his face like, ‘Wow that worked.’ When you see them look at you and you give them instructions for what to do and they do it and it works perfect for them and they come up with a big smile on their face, it makes it all worthwhile.”
Miller added that every time the club attends a tournament and the kids fight hard and come off the mat smiling, “that is always a highlight. Winning is secondary, the main thing is to go out there and have fun and enjoy yourself. If you can go and have fun and enjoy yourself then the winning will come.
“The ultimate compliment that any athlete can give a coach is to surpass their skills,” said Glen. Darryl added they have had several do just that.
The pair were also quick to deflect praise, stating they have received a lot of help. “We can go out and coach but if we didn’t have good junior coaches helping us and younger athletes come up and help or parents of the kids that are on the mat come and help coach, if we didn’t have them we wouldn’t have the judo club we have. It is very important having those assistant junior coaches helping. The other thing is the parents. If you don’t have good parents and support helping you . . . that really makes a difference. We have always had a good group of parents helping us. The community has also stood behind us and the elementary school (has allowed us to use their facility). It is great to be here where we are in small town Saskatchewan.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 14, 2015
Work on phase two of Rotary Trail underway
Daniel Bushman
With nice conditions to kick off the beginning of December, phase two of the Watrous Rotary Walking Trail also got rolling as work on the path was being done last week.
Watrous Rotary President Al Mosewich said the progress on the trail has been excellent and support from the community tremendous. “We had the Ministry of Highways issue a permit and all of the legal background work has been completed. We are at the stage now where we are starting to move topsoil. We will be installing in the drainage areas, culverts and start to build up a base of gravel.”
Mosewich said there are a lot of people who want to be involved in helping which can be done by making donations at the town office. “It is a big community project and not just Rotary. The Kinsmen are involved and we will be getting help from other groups as well. We also have a lot of contractors involved to help make it a reality.”
So far Mosewich said they have raised about half of the project’s estimated goal of $60,000. “We are encouraging people who want to support local projects to consider making a donation to the trail. They will receive a tax receipt from the town of Watrous. It is an income tax deductible type of donation. The Rotary Club’s treasurer is Peter Sundquist and tax receipts are issued for any donations that are made.”
Since phase two was introduced, Mosewich said they have made a slight tweak to where the trail will cross over the road and return to town. Originally the crossing was closer to the junction of main street and the highway between Watrous and Manitou Beach but it will now be closer to the transfer station and cemetery junction near the Rotary gazebo.
Currently people can utilize the first phase of the 1.6 km walking trail which starts at 8th Ave. W. and heads north alongside main street. Mosewich figured in about 12 months time, the second phase of the trail will be completed. That portion will be about 1.2 km in distance and will continue back towards Watrous on private property in a field. The trail will end by the school bus depot and water treatment plant area but walkers wanting to extend their journey can take 13th Ave. and do a bit of a loop.
“People can walk in a bigger circle rather than just back and forth. I think for people that are walking, it is going to be something that will vary their route and there are a number of people walking that way now but walking up along the highway. I think where you will also see a tremendous difference is people with kids on bicycles. Instead of going up on the highway you will be able to travel along the trail. It will be much better.”
Mosewich said the success of the project so far has been overwhelming and added they are eyeing another addition down the road. “In the future, the plan is to extend the trail even further. There are many people who are supporters of seeing the trail go out to Manitou Beach. There has been a number of different options suggested and proposed.”
But until then, Mosewich said they are just happy to get the construction of phase two underway and are looking forward to getting it completed.
Daniel Bushman
With nice conditions to kick off the beginning of December, phase two of the Watrous Rotary Walking Trail also got rolling as work on the path was being done last week.
Watrous Rotary President Al Mosewich said the progress on the trail has been excellent and support from the community tremendous. “We had the Ministry of Highways issue a permit and all of the legal background work has been completed. We are at the stage now where we are starting to move topsoil. We will be installing in the drainage areas, culverts and start to build up a base of gravel.”
Mosewich said there are a lot of people who want to be involved in helping which can be done by making donations at the town office. “It is a big community project and not just Rotary. The Kinsmen are involved and we will be getting help from other groups as well. We also have a lot of contractors involved to help make it a reality.”
So far Mosewich said they have raised about half of the project’s estimated goal of $60,000. “We are encouraging people who want to support local projects to consider making a donation to the trail. They will receive a tax receipt from the town of Watrous. It is an income tax deductible type of donation. The Rotary Club’s treasurer is Peter Sundquist and tax receipts are issued for any donations that are made.”
Since phase two was introduced, Mosewich said they have made a slight tweak to where the trail will cross over the road and return to town. Originally the crossing was closer to the junction of main street and the highway between Watrous and Manitou Beach but it will now be closer to the transfer station and cemetery junction near the Rotary gazebo.
Currently people can utilize the first phase of the 1.6 km walking trail which starts at 8th Ave. W. and heads north alongside main street. Mosewich figured in about 12 months time, the second phase of the trail will be completed. That portion will be about 1.2 km in distance and will continue back towards Watrous on private property in a field. The trail will end by the school bus depot and water treatment plant area but walkers wanting to extend their journey can take 13th Ave. and do a bit of a loop.
“People can walk in a bigger circle rather than just back and forth. I think for people that are walking, it is going to be something that will vary their route and there are a number of people walking that way now but walking up along the highway. I think where you will also see a tremendous difference is people with kids on bicycles. Instead of going up on the highway you will be able to travel along the trail. It will be much better.”
Mosewich said the success of the project so far has been overwhelming and added they are eyeing another addition down the road. “In the future, the plan is to extend the trail even further. There are many people who are supporters of seeing the trail go out to Manitou Beach. There has been a number of different options suggested and proposed.”
But until then, Mosewich said they are just happy to get the construction of phase two underway and are looking forward to getting it completed.
TWM Top Story - Dec. 7, 2015
Support shown at refugee crisis meeting
Daniel Bushman/TWM
As Canada gets set to open its doors to refugees from Syria by the end of this year, those in communities across the country are preparing to lend a hand. In an effort to help with the global refugee crisis, an informational meeting was held Nov. 29 in Watrous at the Lutheran Church.
Reverend Nancy Yee, who initiated the Syrian Refugee Crisis information event said they had a very good turnout. “The speakers were great, informative and passionate about helping refugees and the audience was attentive, interested and positive. It was very well attended with over 80 people. Proportionately, that is a very large attendance considering the Watrous population.”
Along with speakers currently involved with the crisis, Yee and community church leaders hoped the informational meeting would help address some misconceptions and answer questions about the refugee crisis.
“The more we arm ourselves with the facts and truth, the more our hearts can soften to do the right thing. Fear and negativity hardens hearts while truth convicts and softens hearts. The more we live in the truth of life, the better our society. On a personal note, I’ve never had an interest in the refugee situation, although I come from immigrant stock (my parents immigrated to Canada in the 1950s). Refugees were never on my radar until a little boy’s body washed up on shore a few months ago. That image moved me. And once you’re moved, you need to act. I did research, reflected on my responsibility and allowed myself to feel for the families. Once something touches your heart, that’s a sign that you’re to do something. The people at the meeting received great information, heard inspired stories, hard facts and personal truths that I’m sure made them more informed about the refugee situation.”
According to the UN Refugee Agency, worldwide displacement is at an all-time high as wars, conflict and persecution continue to force people from their homes. The agency said the number of people forcibly displaced at the end of 2014 had risen to nearly 60 million, well above the 37.5 million a decade ago. One of those countries is Syria, which is the world’s biggest producer of both internally displaced people (7.6 million) and refugees (3.88 million at the end of 2014).
One organization that is trying to help those displaced in Syria is the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Speaking on behalf of MCC was Karis Brandes.
Brandes said there is a lot of misinformation out there about refugees. “I think the more that we know, the more we can do to help and to ease the fear. Helping people in need is a positive thing and I think it is good for the community.”
During her time in Saskatoon, Brandes worked in refugee assistance, read case files, worked with new arrivals and met them at the airport. “We also lived in a refugee neighbourhood for six years in Saskatoon and were able to develop relationships with them.”
Brandes mostly spoke about her own personal experiences working with both MCC doing settlement and living in the neighbourhood in Saskatoon. “I spoke about the need that is out there for refugees that come to Canada and the issues they face. There are lots of practical ways that we can get involved by building relationships and helping them in their new surroundings. It was encouraging to see a good turnout.”
At the presentation Yee received nearly 50 names from those in attendance which she is now currently creating a database with. “Once that is finished, I think we need to create a steering committee and have a group of people lead this.”
After volunteers are sought by Yee, the group is planning to connect with a Sponsorship Agreement Holder to begin the process of paperwork, filling profiles and other necessary tasks. Yee said Klaus Gruber from the Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon said under a special program they could have a family come to the area between one and four months. “I’m not sure if that will happen with us but that time frame is a possibility.”
Since there was enough interest at the meeting, Yee said they will move forward with organizing. “I am grateful to the Watrous community for showing such compassion and care. When we were putting up posters around town, a couple of the posters were torn down. This was discouraging. However, the number of people who attended the meeting tells me there are many people who care. And it’s these voices that need to be louder than the ones who tear down posters. Again, if people who couldn’t make it to the meeting want more information or would like to volunteer to help, they can contact any church leader to get updates. I am hoping that there will be several fundraising events in the near future and the whole community will come out to support them as they arise.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
As Canada gets set to open its doors to refugees from Syria by the end of this year, those in communities across the country are preparing to lend a hand. In an effort to help with the global refugee crisis, an informational meeting was held Nov. 29 in Watrous at the Lutheran Church.
Reverend Nancy Yee, who initiated the Syrian Refugee Crisis information event said they had a very good turnout. “The speakers were great, informative and passionate about helping refugees and the audience was attentive, interested and positive. It was very well attended with over 80 people. Proportionately, that is a very large attendance considering the Watrous population.”
Along with speakers currently involved with the crisis, Yee and community church leaders hoped the informational meeting would help address some misconceptions and answer questions about the refugee crisis.
“The more we arm ourselves with the facts and truth, the more our hearts can soften to do the right thing. Fear and negativity hardens hearts while truth convicts and softens hearts. The more we live in the truth of life, the better our society. On a personal note, I’ve never had an interest in the refugee situation, although I come from immigrant stock (my parents immigrated to Canada in the 1950s). Refugees were never on my radar until a little boy’s body washed up on shore a few months ago. That image moved me. And once you’re moved, you need to act. I did research, reflected on my responsibility and allowed myself to feel for the families. Once something touches your heart, that’s a sign that you’re to do something. The people at the meeting received great information, heard inspired stories, hard facts and personal truths that I’m sure made them more informed about the refugee situation.”
According to the UN Refugee Agency, worldwide displacement is at an all-time high as wars, conflict and persecution continue to force people from their homes. The agency said the number of people forcibly displaced at the end of 2014 had risen to nearly 60 million, well above the 37.5 million a decade ago. One of those countries is Syria, which is the world’s biggest producer of both internally displaced people (7.6 million) and refugees (3.88 million at the end of 2014).
One organization that is trying to help those displaced in Syria is the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Speaking on behalf of MCC was Karis Brandes.
Brandes said there is a lot of misinformation out there about refugees. “I think the more that we know, the more we can do to help and to ease the fear. Helping people in need is a positive thing and I think it is good for the community.”
During her time in Saskatoon, Brandes worked in refugee assistance, read case files, worked with new arrivals and met them at the airport. “We also lived in a refugee neighbourhood for six years in Saskatoon and were able to develop relationships with them.”
Brandes mostly spoke about her own personal experiences working with both MCC doing settlement and living in the neighbourhood in Saskatoon. “I spoke about the need that is out there for refugees that come to Canada and the issues they face. There are lots of practical ways that we can get involved by building relationships and helping them in their new surroundings. It was encouraging to see a good turnout.”
At the presentation Yee received nearly 50 names from those in attendance which she is now currently creating a database with. “Once that is finished, I think we need to create a steering committee and have a group of people lead this.”
After volunteers are sought by Yee, the group is planning to connect with a Sponsorship Agreement Holder to begin the process of paperwork, filling profiles and other necessary tasks. Yee said Klaus Gruber from the Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon said under a special program they could have a family come to the area between one and four months. “I’m not sure if that will happen with us but that time frame is a possibility.”
Since there was enough interest at the meeting, Yee said they will move forward with organizing. “I am grateful to the Watrous community for showing such compassion and care. When we were putting up posters around town, a couple of the posters were torn down. This was discouraging. However, the number of people who attended the meeting tells me there are many people who care. And it’s these voices that need to be louder than the ones who tear down posters. Again, if people who couldn’t make it to the meeting want more information or would like to volunteer to help, they can contact any church leader to get updates. I am hoping that there will be several fundraising events in the near future and the whole community will come out to support them as they arise.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 30, 2015
Tough decisions ahead for health region
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Cuts and job losses are coming to the Saskatoon Health Region and in fairly short order as the region tries to halt its substantial deficit. CEO of the Saskatoon Health Region Dan Florizone spoke to reporters, including the Watrous Manitou Nov. 26, and said the region has been left with no choice but to make changes.
“We are looking right across the board,” said Florizone. “We are looking at every service, every support, every provision of support that comes from places like Saskatoon, Humboldt or Rosthern and out to areas like Watrous. I can’t tell you right now what the impact will be only because we haven’t had decisions made on the options moving forward.”
Currently, the health region is forecast to run around a $45 million deficit, equating to a shortfall of about $4 million each month. “Our whole objective is to make sure that by the end of this year, particularly in the last month of this fiscal year (which is March), that revenues match expenses. I am all about eliminating that $4 million gap. I am trying not to bring a structural deficit into the new year.”
Because the region is trying to stop its worst deficit on record, Florizone said everything is up for consideration. “I have personally gone through 1,100 lines. Eleven-hundred is the number of every program and every service. We have looked at everything,” said Florizone. “I have a short list and we are cycling through and doing a deep dive in the short listed number. That is about 84 lines that we are going through in a more in-depth way. We have looked at what could be done, what might be done and also the risk associated with it. Every program needs to be viewed from the perspective of what would be the impact on the patients.”
Florizone said the whole aim is to minimize job loss through the process but added that since staff costs make up 70 plus per cent of the budget, unfortunately there will be those that will lose their jobs.
“We will always go to non-staff areas first, we will always want to be able to minimize those impacts but staffing is a big component of our costs.”
As for how many people will be left without employment, Florizone said the actual number will depend. “It depends largely on the areas that are targeted and the programs and services that would be withdrawn. Obviously we have a certain level of attrition so there will be staff turnover. There always is and we will be looking at that first. Second of all we are still working away at those who are eligible to retire. Maybe there is something we could look at with respect to incentives so that we create the kind of win-win for those that are willing and interested in retirement.”
Another area that is up for debate relates to overtime and sick days and how to curb both. “The reality is that we see more overtime as it almost has become the way we do things . . . our numbers actually aren’t the worst in the province and we perform better than many regional health authorities. I don’t want to paint a bleak picture of Saskatoon but the reason we are so eager to go after overtime is because it is a waste. There has got to be a better way.”
Florizone said with regards to sick time he wants to look into what it is a reflection of. “Are our staff well? Is their poor morale? When we are in overcapacity what we know is that we are putting patients at risk, staff at risk and people are being stretched too thin. That feeds more sick time, those vacancies feed more overtime and that becomes a vicious cycle.”
Florizone said through some of the region’s practices and approaches, he is hoping to turn that around. During the news conference, the Watrous Manitou asked about hiring more people to help alleviate the overtime costs.
The CEO said they have been exploring that option, something he said “has been some of our more positive moves. We have avoided $20 million in spending by hiring staff by providing community based programs. We have done that because we have been able to avoid unnecessary admissions, care for more patients and respond to the demographic changes.”
Florizone added, “We can’t be asking already overstretched staff to even go further and I know again this is the juxtaposition we are in when we are looking at (that) $45 million. Obviously something has to give so we are trying to be very cognisant of workload of need and of minimizing those impacts to patients, residents and clients we serve.”
The CEO also stated that a much greater concern is trying to keep up with growth and those utilizing the region’s services. “We have not kept pace with the demographic growth. Not only population growth but the aging of the population, a change in the makeup of the population and the need for us to be responding each and every day.”
Florizone said he would like to have a decision as to where the cuts would be coming from sooner rather than later. “I think we are in a cycle of probably a couple of weeks at the soonest. That would be a very aggressive time line. I need to work with decision makers, the board and closely with government as the changes will have implications.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Cuts and job losses are coming to the Saskatoon Health Region and in fairly short order as the region tries to halt its substantial deficit. CEO of the Saskatoon Health Region Dan Florizone spoke to reporters, including the Watrous Manitou Nov. 26, and said the region has been left with no choice but to make changes.
“We are looking right across the board,” said Florizone. “We are looking at every service, every support, every provision of support that comes from places like Saskatoon, Humboldt or Rosthern and out to areas like Watrous. I can’t tell you right now what the impact will be only because we haven’t had decisions made on the options moving forward.”
Currently, the health region is forecast to run around a $45 million deficit, equating to a shortfall of about $4 million each month. “Our whole objective is to make sure that by the end of this year, particularly in the last month of this fiscal year (which is March), that revenues match expenses. I am all about eliminating that $4 million gap. I am trying not to bring a structural deficit into the new year.”
Because the region is trying to stop its worst deficit on record, Florizone said everything is up for consideration. “I have personally gone through 1,100 lines. Eleven-hundred is the number of every program and every service. We have looked at everything,” said Florizone. “I have a short list and we are cycling through and doing a deep dive in the short listed number. That is about 84 lines that we are going through in a more in-depth way. We have looked at what could be done, what might be done and also the risk associated with it. Every program needs to be viewed from the perspective of what would be the impact on the patients.”
Florizone said the whole aim is to minimize job loss through the process but added that since staff costs make up 70 plus per cent of the budget, unfortunately there will be those that will lose their jobs.
“We will always go to non-staff areas first, we will always want to be able to minimize those impacts but staffing is a big component of our costs.”
As for how many people will be left without employment, Florizone said the actual number will depend. “It depends largely on the areas that are targeted and the programs and services that would be withdrawn. Obviously we have a certain level of attrition so there will be staff turnover. There always is and we will be looking at that first. Second of all we are still working away at those who are eligible to retire. Maybe there is something we could look at with respect to incentives so that we create the kind of win-win for those that are willing and interested in retirement.”
Another area that is up for debate relates to overtime and sick days and how to curb both. “The reality is that we see more overtime as it almost has become the way we do things . . . our numbers actually aren’t the worst in the province and we perform better than many regional health authorities. I don’t want to paint a bleak picture of Saskatoon but the reason we are so eager to go after overtime is because it is a waste. There has got to be a better way.”
Florizone said with regards to sick time he wants to look into what it is a reflection of. “Are our staff well? Is their poor morale? When we are in overcapacity what we know is that we are putting patients at risk, staff at risk and people are being stretched too thin. That feeds more sick time, those vacancies feed more overtime and that becomes a vicious cycle.”
Florizone said through some of the region’s practices and approaches, he is hoping to turn that around. During the news conference, the Watrous Manitou asked about hiring more people to help alleviate the overtime costs.
The CEO said they have been exploring that option, something he said “has been some of our more positive moves. We have avoided $20 million in spending by hiring staff by providing community based programs. We have done that because we have been able to avoid unnecessary admissions, care for more patients and respond to the demographic changes.”
Florizone added, “We can’t be asking already overstretched staff to even go further and I know again this is the juxtaposition we are in when we are looking at (that) $45 million. Obviously something has to give so we are trying to be very cognisant of workload of need and of minimizing those impacts to patients, residents and clients we serve.”
The CEO also stated that a much greater concern is trying to keep up with growth and those utilizing the region’s services. “We have not kept pace with the demographic growth. Not only population growth but the aging of the population, a change in the makeup of the population and the need for us to be responding each and every day.”
Florizone said he would like to have a decision as to where the cuts would be coming from sooner rather than later. “I think we are in a cycle of probably a couple of weeks at the soonest. That would be a very aggressive time line. I need to work with decision makers, the board and closely with government as the changes will have implications.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 23, 2015
Winter weather arrives with authority
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After experiencing above normal temperatures for a good portion of November, it was only a matter of time before the snow and colder weather arrived. Those wintery conditions did not hold back last week as they came blowing through the province. High winds and rain mixed with snow knocked out power while creating havoc on roads.
A wind warning was issued for a large part of the province including the Watrous area last Wednesday. Intense northwesterly winds between 70 and 90 km/h developed over western Saskatchewan and in places like Estevan, reportedly reached up to 100 km/hr.
Those strong winds mixed with the snow began creating power outages throughout the province including in places like Allan, Bradwell, Colonsay, Holdfast, Imperial, Simpson, Manitou Beach, Renown, Watrous, Viscount and Young.
In Watrous, the community went dark around 9 a.m. after a fire occurred at the substation in town. SaskPower crews worked feverishly to get the power back on and just before 11 a.m., the lights came on for some in town.
SaskPower spokesperson Jonathan Tremblay said the small fire at the substation ended up blowing a fuse. Crews were able to address most of the fixes in a couple of hours, but a part of Watrous and the surrounding area still awaited the power to return. Those remaining places had to wait until around 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon before power was restored. In other areas like Simpson, the power was reportedly off for close to seven hours.
Tremblay said there were other localized issues across the province but most occurred in the Watrous region, spanning all the way to Humboldt, Davidson and Outlook.
Unfortunately outages were not the only thing people dealt with last Wednesday as road conditions deteriorated as the day went on. Wind and flurries created reduced visibility and roads became icy.
By 11 a.m. last Wednesday, RCMP Saskatchewan said the high winds mixed with rain and snow impacted the road conditions in many areas across the province. Between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Nov. 18, the RCMP Dispatch Centre in Regina received more than 25 calls of motor vehicle collisions, including single vehicles losing control and sliding off the road. The reports of collisions were primarily in the Saskatoon area and southern areas of the province. However, there were collisions reported in the Beauval and Ile-à-la Cross areas. RCMP said none of those collisions resulted in any serious injuries.
Later on in the day, a school bus had been travelling on Hwy. 35 north of Tisdale when it lost control on the ice and flipped on its side in the opposing ditch. Along with the driver, there were four children on the bus and they were all treated on scene and released. Highway 35 was closed for approximately 30 minutes as the tow truck retrieved the bus from the ditch.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After experiencing above normal temperatures for a good portion of November, it was only a matter of time before the snow and colder weather arrived. Those wintery conditions did not hold back last week as they came blowing through the province. High winds and rain mixed with snow knocked out power while creating havoc on roads.
A wind warning was issued for a large part of the province including the Watrous area last Wednesday. Intense northwesterly winds between 70 and 90 km/h developed over western Saskatchewan and in places like Estevan, reportedly reached up to 100 km/hr.
Those strong winds mixed with the snow began creating power outages throughout the province including in places like Allan, Bradwell, Colonsay, Holdfast, Imperial, Simpson, Manitou Beach, Renown, Watrous, Viscount and Young.
In Watrous, the community went dark around 9 a.m. after a fire occurred at the substation in town. SaskPower crews worked feverishly to get the power back on and just before 11 a.m., the lights came on for some in town.
SaskPower spokesperson Jonathan Tremblay said the small fire at the substation ended up blowing a fuse. Crews were able to address most of the fixes in a couple of hours, but a part of Watrous and the surrounding area still awaited the power to return. Those remaining places had to wait until around 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon before power was restored. In other areas like Simpson, the power was reportedly off for close to seven hours.
Tremblay said there were other localized issues across the province but most occurred in the Watrous region, spanning all the way to Humboldt, Davidson and Outlook.
Unfortunately outages were not the only thing people dealt with last Wednesday as road conditions deteriorated as the day went on. Wind and flurries created reduced visibility and roads became icy.
By 11 a.m. last Wednesday, RCMP Saskatchewan said the high winds mixed with rain and snow impacted the road conditions in many areas across the province. Between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Nov. 18, the RCMP Dispatch Centre in Regina received more than 25 calls of motor vehicle collisions, including single vehicles losing control and sliding off the road. The reports of collisions were primarily in the Saskatoon area and southern areas of the province. However, there were collisions reported in the Beauval and Ile-à-la Cross areas. RCMP said none of those collisions resulted in any serious injuries.
Later on in the day, a school bus had been travelling on Hwy. 35 north of Tisdale when it lost control on the ice and flipped on its side in the opposing ditch. Along with the driver, there were four children on the bus and they were all treated on scene and released. Highway 35 was closed for approximately 30 minutes as the tow truck retrieved the bus from the ditch.
TWM Top Stories - Nov. 16, 2015
Delegates seek help for high water levels
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With signed petitions in hand and questions at the ready, a group of delegates representing Manitou Beach met with politicians in Regina to talk about what needs to be done to relieve the resort village’s high water levels. Currently Manitou Beach is experiencing its highest water levels on record and each passing year the levels only get worse.
Making a presentation and plea for help Nov. 10 in Regina were Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall, councillor Larry Zemlak, Manitou Beach condo association’s Linda Dufour, resident Sherwin Petersen, Community Development Officer Brendan Manz, Camp Easter Seal’s Su Huynh and Keith Polley and Manitou Springs Hotel and Mineral Spa CEO Dwight Hayter.
Upshall provided members of the provincial government in attendance with a report on the situation and then called on each of the delegates representing the beach to present issues from their vantage points.
“We laid out our concerns about the state of the nation at the beach. The first thing they said they would do is repair the berm where it needs to be repaired. We appreciate that but the real issue here is to stop the water from coming in.”
As water continues to rise each spring, Upshall said the lake has become more diluted. “You can still float in it, which is good, but it is certainly not as salty as it used to be.”
The mayor said while the option of diverting fresh water away from the lake does bring with it a cost of around $1.2 million, it falls well short of potentially losing the annual $20 to $25 million of revenue that comes into the area from tourism. Comparing those figures, Upshall felt the diversion project should move forward rather than running the risk of additional flooding and seeing less tourism activity and dollars because of it.
“The $1.2 million is not a lot of money in terms of other projects going on around the province as well.”
Minister responsible for SaskWater and the Water Security Agency Herb Cox was one of those at the meeting. He was joined by local MLA Greg Brkich and the pair talked after the meeting with the Watrous Manitou.
Cox said he felt the team from Manitou Beach provided a great presentation and were able to get their point across. “We certainly heard what they said and we certainly empathise with the situation. Both Greg (Brkich) and I are familiar with Manitou. We go there every summer pretty much so we know what is going on.”
Stemming from the presentation, Cox said two issues sprung up with regards to the current high water levels: the immediate threat to the berm and the long term plan to try and alleviate things moving forward.
“What we are going to do is, number one, look after the immediate issue. We are working right now to decide what we do need to do yet this fall or over the winter to try to prevent any further damage being done should we have water rise in the spring . . . I think by spring we may have a better indication of what the needs are and what we need to do going forward.”
Brkich echoed Cox’s thoughts noting the resort community has been dealing with flooding for a number of years. “We have helped build the berms and the highway up there. It is a very unique place and lake but also very challenging to divert and move water out of there. It is one of the challenges we face and like Herb said, the most immediate thing is to make sure there is no flooding of Manitou itself. We are willing to work with the village to ensure that, in the short term to start with.”
Upshall said the delegates representing the beach made a point of telling those in attendance that a diversion project could only happen with help from the government. “We don’t have the authority or financial where withal to complete this project. For us to deal with everyone down stream from railroads, rural municipalities, land owners, the town of Watrous and Last Mountain Lake residents, that is a provincial responsibility . . . we impressed on them that they have to be the proponent and implement and finance.”
After spending years trying to prevent flooding, Upshall said the resort village is tapped out of funds. “We have done a very good job at holding back the water for a number of years but it just keeps getting higher and higher. Now we need the help.”
The mayor appreciated previous help with erecting berms, barriers and trap bags but as the water rises, the berm gets weaker. “We can fix the berm but we have to stop the water from coming in. We told them this is not a magic bullet. The amount of water that is going to go downstream to Last Mountain Lake would be one centimeter.”
Upshall felt that the volume of water is a reasonable request and hoped that the government would agree.
Cox said he understands the severity of the situation and how integral the resort community is when it comes to tourism. “I do go to Manitou and it is absolutely a jewel in this province and a unique lake in North America for sure. You have to also think about the individuals and the people that live there. People that have structures that are threatened are pumping water 24/7 to try to alleviate those problems. All of those factors are important to us as they are to the citizens of Manitou and the town of Watrous. It is definitely an important part of our overall tourism in this province. I think next spring will give us some indication of perhaps what direction we need to go.”
Brkich said, “The mayor and council made an excellent presentation and they are definitely on the radar screen. We know they are in a tough situation as are many other resort areas that are facing similar situations of flooding. Those are the challenges we face right across the province. It is just not one place, it is many places.
Upshall said, “We are doing all we can and the good news is the berms are going to be fixed where they are weak. We had a good hearing and we are going to keep our nose to the grindstone and think about what else we can do and what other angles we can take."
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With signed petitions in hand and questions at the ready, a group of delegates representing Manitou Beach met with politicians in Regina to talk about what needs to be done to relieve the resort village’s high water levels. Currently Manitou Beach is experiencing its highest water levels on record and each passing year the levels only get worse.
Making a presentation and plea for help Nov. 10 in Regina were Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall, councillor Larry Zemlak, Manitou Beach condo association’s Linda Dufour, resident Sherwin Petersen, Community Development Officer Brendan Manz, Camp Easter Seal’s Su Huynh and Keith Polley and Manitou Springs Hotel and Mineral Spa CEO Dwight Hayter.
Upshall provided members of the provincial government in attendance with a report on the situation and then called on each of the delegates representing the beach to present issues from their vantage points.
“We laid out our concerns about the state of the nation at the beach. The first thing they said they would do is repair the berm where it needs to be repaired. We appreciate that but the real issue here is to stop the water from coming in.”
As water continues to rise each spring, Upshall said the lake has become more diluted. “You can still float in it, which is good, but it is certainly not as salty as it used to be.”
The mayor said while the option of diverting fresh water away from the lake does bring with it a cost of around $1.2 million, it falls well short of potentially losing the annual $20 to $25 million of revenue that comes into the area from tourism. Comparing those figures, Upshall felt the diversion project should move forward rather than running the risk of additional flooding and seeing less tourism activity and dollars because of it.
“The $1.2 million is not a lot of money in terms of other projects going on around the province as well.”
Minister responsible for SaskWater and the Water Security Agency Herb Cox was one of those at the meeting. He was joined by local MLA Greg Brkich and the pair talked after the meeting with the Watrous Manitou.
Cox said he felt the team from Manitou Beach provided a great presentation and were able to get their point across. “We certainly heard what they said and we certainly empathise with the situation. Both Greg (Brkich) and I are familiar with Manitou. We go there every summer pretty much so we know what is going on.”
Stemming from the presentation, Cox said two issues sprung up with regards to the current high water levels: the immediate threat to the berm and the long term plan to try and alleviate things moving forward.
“What we are going to do is, number one, look after the immediate issue. We are working right now to decide what we do need to do yet this fall or over the winter to try to prevent any further damage being done should we have water rise in the spring . . . I think by spring we may have a better indication of what the needs are and what we need to do going forward.”
Brkich echoed Cox’s thoughts noting the resort community has been dealing with flooding for a number of years. “We have helped build the berms and the highway up there. It is a very unique place and lake but also very challenging to divert and move water out of there. It is one of the challenges we face and like Herb said, the most immediate thing is to make sure there is no flooding of Manitou itself. We are willing to work with the village to ensure that, in the short term to start with.”
Upshall said the delegates representing the beach made a point of telling those in attendance that a diversion project could only happen with help from the government. “We don’t have the authority or financial where withal to complete this project. For us to deal with everyone down stream from railroads, rural municipalities, land owners, the town of Watrous and Last Mountain Lake residents, that is a provincial responsibility . . . we impressed on them that they have to be the proponent and implement and finance.”
After spending years trying to prevent flooding, Upshall said the resort village is tapped out of funds. “We have done a very good job at holding back the water for a number of years but it just keeps getting higher and higher. Now we need the help.”
The mayor appreciated previous help with erecting berms, barriers and trap bags but as the water rises, the berm gets weaker. “We can fix the berm but we have to stop the water from coming in. We told them this is not a magic bullet. The amount of water that is going to go downstream to Last Mountain Lake would be one centimeter.”
Upshall felt that the volume of water is a reasonable request and hoped that the government would agree.
Cox said he understands the severity of the situation and how integral the resort community is when it comes to tourism. “I do go to Manitou and it is absolutely a jewel in this province and a unique lake in North America for sure. You have to also think about the individuals and the people that live there. People that have structures that are threatened are pumping water 24/7 to try to alleviate those problems. All of those factors are important to us as they are to the citizens of Manitou and the town of Watrous. It is definitely an important part of our overall tourism in this province. I think next spring will give us some indication of perhaps what direction we need to go.”
Brkich said, “The mayor and council made an excellent presentation and they are definitely on the radar screen. We know they are in a tough situation as are many other resort areas that are facing similar situations of flooding. Those are the challenges we face right across the province. It is just not one place, it is many places.
Upshall said, “We are doing all we can and the good news is the berms are going to be fixed where they are weak. We had a good hearing and we are going to keep our nose to the grindstone and think about what else we can do and what other angles we can take."
Water advisory lifted; RO water on tap
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Despite a few delays along the way, residents and businesses in Watrous now have access to reverse osmosis water. During part of the installation, a precautionary drinking water advisory was issued but that was lifted Monday, Nov. 9 after testing of the water checked out.
While there is still some work left to be done on a few other areas of the plant, like replacing older piping, the water is flowing.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said everything has been operating as it should be and he is pleased with how it has gone so far.
“The water is certainly good to drink.”
Tarasoff said if people have concerns or comments, they can give the town office a call. He also wants to remind people that the flushing program conducted last month was not quite completed so they will be re-addressing it come spring.
The original announcement that Watrous would be receiving funding towards a new reverse osmosis water treatment facility came Oct. 11, 2013. During that announcement both the federal and provincial governments along with the town spilled the news.
While it took a little longer than first anticipated to complete, it was all systems go last week. However, with a project of this magnitude came a fairly significant price tag.
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden provided the Watrous Manitou with some rounded numbers for the project:
• new well number six: $450,000;
• supply line to connect well six to existing infrastructure/supply line to water treatment plant: $200,000; and
• water treatment plant: $2.4 million with the total amount pegged at $3,050,000 with work spread out over three budget years (2014-‘16).
Redden said the amount will be paid for through a few different ways including:
• Build Canada Fund Grant: $447,300 each from the provincial and federal governments for a total of $894,600;
• loan for $1.2 million; and
• town own revenue sources (Capital Reserve Funds and three annual budgets): $955,400.
New utility rates (water/sewer) will also be implemented and will take effect Jan. 1, 2016. Redden said that will be the first rate increase since Jan. 1, 2014.
“Consumers should expect to see their bills increase by about 12 per cent next year.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
Despite a few delays along the way, residents and businesses in Watrous now have access to reverse osmosis water. During part of the installation, a precautionary drinking water advisory was issued but that was lifted Monday, Nov. 9 after testing of the water checked out.
While there is still some work left to be done on a few other areas of the plant, like replacing older piping, the water is flowing.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said everything has been operating as it should be and he is pleased with how it has gone so far.
“The water is certainly good to drink.”
Tarasoff said if people have concerns or comments, they can give the town office a call. He also wants to remind people that the flushing program conducted last month was not quite completed so they will be re-addressing it come spring.
The original announcement that Watrous would be receiving funding towards a new reverse osmosis water treatment facility came Oct. 11, 2013. During that announcement both the federal and provincial governments along with the town spilled the news.
While it took a little longer than first anticipated to complete, it was all systems go last week. However, with a project of this magnitude came a fairly significant price tag.
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden provided the Watrous Manitou with some rounded numbers for the project:
• new well number six: $450,000;
• supply line to connect well six to existing infrastructure/supply line to water treatment plant: $200,000; and
• water treatment plant: $2.4 million with the total amount pegged at $3,050,000 with work spread out over three budget years (2014-‘16).
Redden said the amount will be paid for through a few different ways including:
• Build Canada Fund Grant: $447,300 each from the provincial and federal governments for a total of $894,600;
• loan for $1.2 million; and
• town own revenue sources (Capital Reserve Funds and three annual budgets): $955,400.
New utility rates (water/sewer) will also be implemented and will take effect Jan. 1, 2016. Redden said that will be the first rate increase since Jan. 1, 2014.
“Consumers should expect to see their bills increase by about 12 per cent next year.”
TWM Top Stories - Nov. 9, 2015
Town hopeful water advisory will be lifted this week
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With one more step before the precautionary drinking water advisory can be lifted, people in Watrous could soon be able to use the new reverse osmosis water system. Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said water samples were sent away last week to be tested and if everything checks out, then the Water Security Agency will give the go ahead for the advisory to be lifted.
“We are hopeful that the advisory will be lifted sometime Monday, Nov. 9,” said Tarasoff. “We are really looking forward to being 100 per cent operational.”
The advisory was established in October as a flushing program was done and the new water system installed.
Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said as the project flows towards completion he is excited about the reverse osmosis water. “We are confident the system will be fine and we are on the last legs here on getting the advisory lifted.”
Collins admits the project has been longer than they hoped and said, “We have had some interruptions, delays and brown water and I certainly appreciate people being patient over the whole thing. I think at the end of the day the finished product will be something that we can all be proud and happy about.”
Tarasoff said while the water should soon be on tap, crews will be busy near the water treatment facility removing and installing piping as they move into the next phase. “There will be some ground work done over the next week or so.
”That work will not deter the town from lifting the advisory and once the green light is given for the advisory to be lifted, the Watrous Manitou will provide updates on our website (www.twmnews.com) and facebook page (www.facebook.com/thewatrousmanitou) to alert the public.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With one more step before the precautionary drinking water advisory can be lifted, people in Watrous could soon be able to use the new reverse osmosis water system. Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said water samples were sent away last week to be tested and if everything checks out, then the Water Security Agency will give the go ahead for the advisory to be lifted.
“We are hopeful that the advisory will be lifted sometime Monday, Nov. 9,” said Tarasoff. “We are really looking forward to being 100 per cent operational.”
The advisory was established in October as a flushing program was done and the new water system installed.
Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said as the project flows towards completion he is excited about the reverse osmosis water. “We are confident the system will be fine and we are on the last legs here on getting the advisory lifted.”
Collins admits the project has been longer than they hoped and said, “We have had some interruptions, delays and brown water and I certainly appreciate people being patient over the whole thing. I think at the end of the day the finished product will be something that we can all be proud and happy about.”
Tarasoff said while the water should soon be on tap, crews will be busy near the water treatment facility removing and installing piping as they move into the next phase. “There will be some ground work done over the next week or so.
”That work will not deter the town from lifting the advisory and once the green light is given for the advisory to be lifted, the Watrous Manitou will provide updates on our website (www.twmnews.com) and facebook page (www.facebook.com/thewatrousmanitou) to alert the public.
New program aims to curb farm thefts
Daniel Bushman/TWM
It is the first of its kind in the province and Watrous RCMP Constable Marcel Taekema is hoping the Agri-Watch program will become a useful tool in preventing crime. Fifty-six farmers and acreage owners were in attendance at the Young Community Hall Oct. 21 to hear about the new program after theft issues within the area have cropped up.
First unveiled in Chilliwack B.C. last year, Taekema is hoping the Agri-Watch program will also take off in Saskatchewan. “It is basically an information sharing system that is self-run by civilians with RCMP or police over watch. Essentially you attend a meeting, you get an Agri-Watch sign and the sign has the local RCMP non-emergency number and an in case of emergency number on it. The idea is if you see something suspicious you can either talk to the Agri-Watch program coordinator and they can talk to us or you can call the RCMP and we will go out there and make a police file and report it. That is what we are here for.”
Since this is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, Taekema said he wanted to use the Rural Municipality of Morris, Watrous, Young and Imperial as a trial area. “Anyone in that area is more than welcome to get on board.”
Taekema said local farmer Jason Johns has agreed to be the coordinator for the program and Marcel said having someone willing to help out means that the program should be able to get off on the right foot.
With a coordinator in place, Taekema said anytime the RCMP receives information to share or concerns are brought up by the public, then they can be addressed through that person.
“Then the coordinator can talk to me or if I have information to share about suspicious people, vehicles or occurrences then I can pass that information on to the coordinator and they can disperse it.”
Taekema said the farm related crime trend needs to end and establishing a program like Agri-Watch is a good step in that direction. “There is money involved here with thousands of dollars of equipment, diesel fuel and grain and stuff getting stolen. There is organized crime with professional thieves that make a living off this and there are the younger teenagers that do it for fun. There is a financial aspect and we want to diminish the crime and financial gain they are getting off farmers.”
The constable said the program has worked well in British Columbia and while Saskatchewan has a different demographic and geographical layout, all it means is “we have to tweak some stuff. But for the most part I think it can be successful here. The biggest thing is empowering the community to take back their community and take ownership. The police can do something but a lot of it lies on the public as well.”
The plan is to hold another meeting before spring planting and Taekema said he is looking forward to seeing if the program can become a positive one. “I think with a little bit of education and some partnership with the police, hopefully we can make a difference.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
It is the first of its kind in the province and Watrous RCMP Constable Marcel Taekema is hoping the Agri-Watch program will become a useful tool in preventing crime. Fifty-six farmers and acreage owners were in attendance at the Young Community Hall Oct. 21 to hear about the new program after theft issues within the area have cropped up.
First unveiled in Chilliwack B.C. last year, Taekema is hoping the Agri-Watch program will also take off in Saskatchewan. “It is basically an information sharing system that is self-run by civilians with RCMP or police over watch. Essentially you attend a meeting, you get an Agri-Watch sign and the sign has the local RCMP non-emergency number and an in case of emergency number on it. The idea is if you see something suspicious you can either talk to the Agri-Watch program coordinator and they can talk to us or you can call the RCMP and we will go out there and make a police file and report it. That is what we are here for.”
Since this is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, Taekema said he wanted to use the Rural Municipality of Morris, Watrous, Young and Imperial as a trial area. “Anyone in that area is more than welcome to get on board.”
Taekema said local farmer Jason Johns has agreed to be the coordinator for the program and Marcel said having someone willing to help out means that the program should be able to get off on the right foot.
With a coordinator in place, Taekema said anytime the RCMP receives information to share or concerns are brought up by the public, then they can be addressed through that person.
“Then the coordinator can talk to me or if I have information to share about suspicious people, vehicles or occurrences then I can pass that information on to the coordinator and they can disperse it.”
Taekema said the farm related crime trend needs to end and establishing a program like Agri-Watch is a good step in that direction. “There is money involved here with thousands of dollars of equipment, diesel fuel and grain and stuff getting stolen. There is organized crime with professional thieves that make a living off this and there are the younger teenagers that do it for fun. There is a financial aspect and we want to diminish the crime and financial gain they are getting off farmers.”
The constable said the program has worked well in British Columbia and while Saskatchewan has a different demographic and geographical layout, all it means is “we have to tweak some stuff. But for the most part I think it can be successful here. The biggest thing is empowering the community to take back their community and take ownership. The police can do something but a lot of it lies on the public as well.”
The plan is to hold another meeting before spring planting and Taekema said he is looking forward to seeing if the program can become a positive one. “I think with a little bit of education and some partnership with the police, hopefully we can make a difference.”
TWM Top Stories - Nov. 2, 2015
Shaping Main Street
Daniel Bushman/TWM
The results were announced from over 200 surveys regarding downtown Watrous as more than 50 people attended the Shape Our Main Street public meeting this past Thursday. People in attendance also had the opportunity to listen to local Community Development Officer Brendan Manz and other speakers discuss the potential future of Main Street in Watrous.
One of the speakers was Manager, Historic Places Program - Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport Bruce Dawson. Dawson said the Saskatchewan Main Street Program is a comprehensive, community-driven and proven methodology to revitalize historic downtowns. It is based on four cornerstones of activity: community organization; economic restructuring; design/heritage conservation; and marketing/promotion.
Using those cornerstones, communities are able to transform their Main Street area into a vibrant place to work, shop and enjoy, something Dawson feels can be a tremendous benefit.
Manz said the Main Street program is going to hit on different things like business retention, expansion and filling other gaps. “That is not going to be just on Main Street but spill out to all other corners of the community and along Hwy. 2 and up Hwy. 365.”
Manz touched on the fact that there are great assets in the community and this program is a chance to really build on those. “Someone told me once when they come to our community that it is great but it needs a bit of polish. I think this program is one of those things where you can bring out the polish and buffer up some of the real good things in our community. That starts with our Main Street and the historical buildings . . . for us to look at that and see where it goes, we are still going to evaluate it. We heard from the speakers that it is an ongoing thing, but I think this is a great start.”
One community that got on board with the program and has since found tremendous success is Maple Creek. Royce Pettyjohn, Manager of Community/Economic Development and Main Street Program Coordinator with that town said Watrous is a very comparable place and in a similar spot Maple Creek was when it began its revitalization.
Looking at the similarities between communities, Manz said Maple Creek is on the cusp of a destination area and with the amount of visitors, economic development and the types of business they have, it is much the same as Watrous.
“When you have 330,000 visitors at the (Cypress Hills) park, much like we have at the beach on a yearly basis, all of the sudden downtown Maple Creek becomes part of that destination. I think that is very important for us to see. It is a chance for people to stay in our community and this can become a sector where they want to stay and spend money and stay longer in our community. I think there is a really good opportunity here. Visitors already have a really good perception of our community and think it is pretty great. We know there is some work to do and fill some gaps and that is what we are looking to do.”
Results from recent surveys done regarding Watrous and its Main Street were also looked at, providing some indicators on what has been done well and what needs to be worked on. “Some of the positives were the people, the merchants and the stores. I think the people that do support them love supporting our businesses. I think the overall perception in our community of our Main Street businesses is very good but we know there are challenges.”
Some of those challenges highlighted by the survey included doing work on aging buildings, repairing sidewalks and some overall upkeep. Stemming from those results, the topic of empty buildings on Main Street also came up.
“We get phone calls all the time about our vacancies and we are doing what we can. I don’t look at them as vacancies I look at them as opportunities. As a marketing group we are making sure that those marketing opportunities are known. People that are coming into our community will know we aren’t closed for business but very open for business and this is a great place to invest . . . We are promoting them as opportunities to come to a great community and invest in them.”
As for the remainder of the challenges that are ahead, Manz said, “They are all things that can be polished. We have it, we just need to get underneath it a bit and bring out the shine. That is what we saw a lot of in that survey.”
Manz will be taking the results - which will soon be on the town of Watrous’ website - to council and will go over them in depth. “This won’t be the only research we will do. Once we get into the planning process we will be heavily involved within the community and have the community have a say in what our next steps will be and how they feel about it. This is just the start of everything.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
The results were announced from over 200 surveys regarding downtown Watrous as more than 50 people attended the Shape Our Main Street public meeting this past Thursday. People in attendance also had the opportunity to listen to local Community Development Officer Brendan Manz and other speakers discuss the potential future of Main Street in Watrous.
One of the speakers was Manager, Historic Places Program - Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport Bruce Dawson. Dawson said the Saskatchewan Main Street Program is a comprehensive, community-driven and proven methodology to revitalize historic downtowns. It is based on four cornerstones of activity: community organization; economic restructuring; design/heritage conservation; and marketing/promotion.
Using those cornerstones, communities are able to transform their Main Street area into a vibrant place to work, shop and enjoy, something Dawson feels can be a tremendous benefit.
Manz said the Main Street program is going to hit on different things like business retention, expansion and filling other gaps. “That is not going to be just on Main Street but spill out to all other corners of the community and along Hwy. 2 and up Hwy. 365.”
Manz touched on the fact that there are great assets in the community and this program is a chance to really build on those. “Someone told me once when they come to our community that it is great but it needs a bit of polish. I think this program is one of those things where you can bring out the polish and buffer up some of the real good things in our community. That starts with our Main Street and the historical buildings . . . for us to look at that and see where it goes, we are still going to evaluate it. We heard from the speakers that it is an ongoing thing, but I think this is a great start.”
One community that got on board with the program and has since found tremendous success is Maple Creek. Royce Pettyjohn, Manager of Community/Economic Development and Main Street Program Coordinator with that town said Watrous is a very comparable place and in a similar spot Maple Creek was when it began its revitalization.
Looking at the similarities between communities, Manz said Maple Creek is on the cusp of a destination area and with the amount of visitors, economic development and the types of business they have, it is much the same as Watrous.
“When you have 330,000 visitors at the (Cypress Hills) park, much like we have at the beach on a yearly basis, all of the sudden downtown Maple Creek becomes part of that destination. I think that is very important for us to see. It is a chance for people to stay in our community and this can become a sector where they want to stay and spend money and stay longer in our community. I think there is a really good opportunity here. Visitors already have a really good perception of our community and think it is pretty great. We know there is some work to do and fill some gaps and that is what we are looking to do.”
Results from recent surveys done regarding Watrous and its Main Street were also looked at, providing some indicators on what has been done well and what needs to be worked on. “Some of the positives were the people, the merchants and the stores. I think the people that do support them love supporting our businesses. I think the overall perception in our community of our Main Street businesses is very good but we know there are challenges.”
Some of those challenges highlighted by the survey included doing work on aging buildings, repairing sidewalks and some overall upkeep. Stemming from those results, the topic of empty buildings on Main Street also came up.
“We get phone calls all the time about our vacancies and we are doing what we can. I don’t look at them as vacancies I look at them as opportunities. As a marketing group we are making sure that those marketing opportunities are known. People that are coming into our community will know we aren’t closed for business but very open for business and this is a great place to invest . . . We are promoting them as opportunities to come to a great community and invest in them.”
As for the remainder of the challenges that are ahead, Manz said, “They are all things that can be polished. We have it, we just need to get underneath it a bit and bring out the shine. That is what we saw a lot of in that survey.”
Manz will be taking the results - which will soon be on the town of Watrous’ website - to council and will go over them in depth. “This won’t be the only research we will do. Once we get into the planning process we will be heavily involved within the community and have the community have a say in what our next steps will be and how they feel about it. This is just the start of everything.”
Water advisory remains for at least another week
Daniel Bushman/TWM
If everything goes according to plan, it appears that the precautionary drinking water advisory issued for Watrous will be rescinded later this week. The advisory was issued in October as crews install a new reverse osmosis water system unit.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said they are nearing the finish line for the new system.
“Our flushing program that we have been doing is wrapping up and if everything tests out, we are hoping to have the advisory removed later this week.”
Tarasoff said they will be doing a second flushing program but that will not be until next spring.
Once the advisory is lifted, people will be notified through the town reader board on main street and the Watrous Manitou will provide updates on its website, Facebook page and Twitter feed. TWM will also have a further update in our next edition.
In the meantime, because the safety of the drinking water supply cannot be ensured at all times during the precautionary advisory, the Water Security Agency said people can take the following precautions:
• boil all water used for drinking purposes for at least one minute, at a rolling boil prior to usage;
• boil water to be used for other activities where it may be ingested including brushing teeth or soaking false teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, food or drink which will not be subsequently heated and ice cubes;
• do not drink from any public drinking fountains supplied with water from the public water supply;
• under most circumstances, there is no need to boil water used for other household purposes such as laundry. Adults, adolescents and older children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water. Dishes may be disinfected by washing in dishwasher machines that have a dry cycle or a final rinse that exceeds 45˚C for 20 minutes, 50˚C for five minutes, or 72˚C for one minute;
• ensure that younger children and infants are sponge bathed;
• use an alternative water source known to be safe, if they do not wish to boil the water; and
• consult with a physician if you have cuts or rashes that are severe before using the water.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
If everything goes according to plan, it appears that the precautionary drinking water advisory issued for Watrous will be rescinded later this week. The advisory was issued in October as crews install a new reverse osmosis water system unit.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said they are nearing the finish line for the new system.
“Our flushing program that we have been doing is wrapping up and if everything tests out, we are hoping to have the advisory removed later this week.”
Tarasoff said they will be doing a second flushing program but that will not be until next spring.
Once the advisory is lifted, people will be notified through the town reader board on main street and the Watrous Manitou will provide updates on its website, Facebook page and Twitter feed. TWM will also have a further update in our next edition.
In the meantime, because the safety of the drinking water supply cannot be ensured at all times during the precautionary advisory, the Water Security Agency said people can take the following precautions:
• boil all water used for drinking purposes for at least one minute, at a rolling boil prior to usage;
• boil water to be used for other activities where it may be ingested including brushing teeth or soaking false teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, food or drink which will not be subsequently heated and ice cubes;
• do not drink from any public drinking fountains supplied with water from the public water supply;
• under most circumstances, there is no need to boil water used for other household purposes such as laundry. Adults, adolescents and older children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water. Dishes may be disinfected by washing in dishwasher machines that have a dry cycle or a final rinse that exceeds 45˚C for 20 minutes, 50˚C for five minutes, or 72˚C for one minute;
• ensure that younger children and infants are sponge bathed;
• use an alternative water source known to be safe, if they do not wish to boil the water; and
• consult with a physician if you have cuts or rashes that are severe before using the water.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 26, 2015
Liberals win majority while Lukiwski takes local riding
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After nearly a decade, there is a new face of government in Canada. People across the country headed to vote Oct. 19 and while Saskatchewan essentially remained a Conservative stronghold, across the country the Liberal Party formed a majority government, winning 184 seats.
The Conservatives became the official opposition garnering 99 seats while the New Democratic Party, which was the official opposition after the last election in 2011, dropped to third with 44 seats. The Bloc garnered 10 seats and the Green Party one.
With a majority government, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau will make history, joining his late father Pierre Trudeau as a Prime Minister of Canada - the first father and son to be given that honour.
Meanwhile, after being relegated to official opposition status, the Conservative Party released a statement that Stephen Harper is resigning as leader. Harper will keep his seat in parliament but a search will be conducted for a new leader.
NDP leader Tom Mulcair, whose party had the lead out of the gate when the writ was dropped, was unable to maintain that advantage and the party finished third. During his concession speech, Mulcair said he would continue to work for Canadians.
Locally in the newly formed Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding, Conservative Tom Lukiwski captured 23,272 votes to win the seat. Lukiwski was followed by NDP candidate Dustan Hlady with 9,978 votes; Liberal Party candidate Perry Juttla with 7,545 votes; Green Party candidate Shawn Setyo with 961 votes; and Rhino Party candidate Robert Thomas with 208 votes.
Lukiwski said he was overwhelmed by the support he received within the riding and is looking forward to working for those he will represent. With such a large riding, Lukiwski estimated he put over 10,000 kms on his vehicle during the campaign to visit the various communities.
“In the end it was extremely worthwhile and the reception I had was phenomenal and fantastic. Saskatchewan people obviously are some of the best people in the world and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Being a Member of Parliament is nothing new for Lukiwski as he did so in the former Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre riding. “I have had a pretty good track record over the past 11 years of representing my constituents and representing them well. There have been thousands of people walking through my door the last 11 years that I have been able to help. That is what motivates me and gets me up in the morning. It is the ability - although it doesn’t happen all the time - but the ability to make a positive difference in someone’s life . . . I enjoy helping people.”
While Lukiwski will continue to represent his constituents, he also talked about Prime Minister Stephen Harper electing to resign his position as party leader.
“When you lose an election and lose it particularly in the way we did with an overwhelming majority for the Liberals, the appropriate thing I think to do is to step down and let someone else take over the helm. It was a surprise although I have to say I was very, very sorry to see him leave. I think that history will treat him very kindly.”
From an economic and fiscal standpoint, Lukiwski said Harper was tremendous. “We had the lowest tax level federally that we’ve seen in 50 years. He handled the world financial crisis better than could have been expected. Our country came out of that crisis earlier and stronger than any other country in the world. We got back to balanced budgets and we entertained and conducted a very aggressive free-trade agenda. We signed 39 free-trade agreements around the world, which ensures our economic prosperity will be sustained for the next generation.”
On a more personal level, Lukiwski said he admires Harper and added he has huge intellect and leadership qualities. “He was tough, decisive, highly intelligent and motivated. He also had a softer side that most Canadians didn’t see and I think that was the unfortunate thing. He was compassionate and caring and extremely funny. He had an extremely unique and very strong sense of humour that I just found very entertaining to me. I remember listening to him talk in caucus meetings and coming up with one-liners that I thought were hilarious. I will miss that. He really was a tremendous person and he cared greatly about Canadians and the future of Canada. He will be missed and I will miss him a lot.”
Asked whether Lukiwski would take a run at the leadership position, “No. Frankly I am not bilingual and I think we need someone that is a fluently bilingual person. I want to serve and assist as best as I can. Hopefully I will be in a position that I can take some form of leadership role in our upcoming caucus. I have been there for 11 years and I have gained a lot of experience and I hope to be able to assist our new leader in any way.”
As Lukiwski adapts to being in an opposition role in government, he said he is still focused on his riding. “I am looking forward to the new challenges. We are in opposition now which obviously is different than being in government, but I am looking forward to continuing to represent my constituents and hold this new government to account.”
Overall, more than 17 million people across the country turned out to vote during this election (68.49 per cent), up from just over 14.8 million people (61.1 per cent) in 2011. This year’s turnout was the highest since the early 1990s when 71.8 per cent of the country voted in 1992.
According to Elections Canada, voter turnout was also strong in Saskatchewan with 551,914 of 765,102 registered electors (72.14 per cent) casting their ballot.
In the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding, voter turnout was 73.02 per cent with 41,965 of 57,471 registered electors voting.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After nearly a decade, there is a new face of government in Canada. People across the country headed to vote Oct. 19 and while Saskatchewan essentially remained a Conservative stronghold, across the country the Liberal Party formed a majority government, winning 184 seats.
The Conservatives became the official opposition garnering 99 seats while the New Democratic Party, which was the official opposition after the last election in 2011, dropped to third with 44 seats. The Bloc garnered 10 seats and the Green Party one.
With a majority government, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau will make history, joining his late father Pierre Trudeau as a Prime Minister of Canada - the first father and son to be given that honour.
Meanwhile, after being relegated to official opposition status, the Conservative Party released a statement that Stephen Harper is resigning as leader. Harper will keep his seat in parliament but a search will be conducted for a new leader.
NDP leader Tom Mulcair, whose party had the lead out of the gate when the writ was dropped, was unable to maintain that advantage and the party finished third. During his concession speech, Mulcair said he would continue to work for Canadians.
Locally in the newly formed Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding, Conservative Tom Lukiwski captured 23,272 votes to win the seat. Lukiwski was followed by NDP candidate Dustan Hlady with 9,978 votes; Liberal Party candidate Perry Juttla with 7,545 votes; Green Party candidate Shawn Setyo with 961 votes; and Rhino Party candidate Robert Thomas with 208 votes.
Lukiwski said he was overwhelmed by the support he received within the riding and is looking forward to working for those he will represent. With such a large riding, Lukiwski estimated he put over 10,000 kms on his vehicle during the campaign to visit the various communities.
“In the end it was extremely worthwhile and the reception I had was phenomenal and fantastic. Saskatchewan people obviously are some of the best people in the world and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Being a Member of Parliament is nothing new for Lukiwski as he did so in the former Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre riding. “I have had a pretty good track record over the past 11 years of representing my constituents and representing them well. There have been thousands of people walking through my door the last 11 years that I have been able to help. That is what motivates me and gets me up in the morning. It is the ability - although it doesn’t happen all the time - but the ability to make a positive difference in someone’s life . . . I enjoy helping people.”
While Lukiwski will continue to represent his constituents, he also talked about Prime Minister Stephen Harper electing to resign his position as party leader.
“When you lose an election and lose it particularly in the way we did with an overwhelming majority for the Liberals, the appropriate thing I think to do is to step down and let someone else take over the helm. It was a surprise although I have to say I was very, very sorry to see him leave. I think that history will treat him very kindly.”
From an economic and fiscal standpoint, Lukiwski said Harper was tremendous. “We had the lowest tax level federally that we’ve seen in 50 years. He handled the world financial crisis better than could have been expected. Our country came out of that crisis earlier and stronger than any other country in the world. We got back to balanced budgets and we entertained and conducted a very aggressive free-trade agenda. We signed 39 free-trade agreements around the world, which ensures our economic prosperity will be sustained for the next generation.”
On a more personal level, Lukiwski said he admires Harper and added he has huge intellect and leadership qualities. “He was tough, decisive, highly intelligent and motivated. He also had a softer side that most Canadians didn’t see and I think that was the unfortunate thing. He was compassionate and caring and extremely funny. He had an extremely unique and very strong sense of humour that I just found very entertaining to me. I remember listening to him talk in caucus meetings and coming up with one-liners that I thought were hilarious. I will miss that. He really was a tremendous person and he cared greatly about Canadians and the future of Canada. He will be missed and I will miss him a lot.”
Asked whether Lukiwski would take a run at the leadership position, “No. Frankly I am not bilingual and I think we need someone that is a fluently bilingual person. I want to serve and assist as best as I can. Hopefully I will be in a position that I can take some form of leadership role in our upcoming caucus. I have been there for 11 years and I have gained a lot of experience and I hope to be able to assist our new leader in any way.”
As Lukiwski adapts to being in an opposition role in government, he said he is still focused on his riding. “I am looking forward to the new challenges. We are in opposition now which obviously is different than being in government, but I am looking forward to continuing to represent my constituents and hold this new government to account.”
Overall, more than 17 million people across the country turned out to vote during this election (68.49 per cent), up from just over 14.8 million people (61.1 per cent) in 2011. This year’s turnout was the highest since the early 1990s when 71.8 per cent of the country voted in 1992.
According to Elections Canada, voter turnout was also strong in Saskatchewan with 551,914 of 765,102 registered electors (72.14 per cent) casting their ballot.
In the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding, voter turnout was 73.02 per cent with 41,965 of 57,471 registered electors voting.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 19, 2015
Voters head to the polls
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After 11 weeks of campaigning, people are headed to the polls to elect the next members of parliament. Those who did not take part in the advance polls Oct. 9 to 12 can still cast their ballot Oct. 19.
If the advance polls were any indication of voter turnout, then this federal election could see an increase of people heading to the polls. According to Elections Canada, preliminary figures showed some 3.6 million electors voted at the advance polls in this general election. That is a 71 per cent increase from the 2,100,855 electors who voted in advance in the 2011 general election. Elections Canada said the increase was due in part to an additional advance voting day on Sunday, offered for the first time.
Overall, 850,000 Canadians voted Oct. 9 and over 1.2 million on Monday, Oct. 12, representing the two busiest days of advance voting ever.
Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Marc Mayrand released estimated elector numbers who voted during advance voting. In Saskatchewan, the preliminary estimations showed 95,829 people turned out with 5,561 in the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding. The largest turnout in Saskatchewan was in the Saskatoon West riding with just over 10,000 electors voting.
For those unable to vote early, a voter information card was sent out by Elections Canada stating where and when people can cast their ballot Oct. 19. Many communities within the area have stations set up at community centres and schools.
Here are some interesting 2015 general election numbers provided by Elections Canada:
• 26.4 million electors;
• 230,000 election workers;
• 338 electoral districts;
• 20,000 polling places;
• 65,000 polling stations;
• 300 voter information cards printed per second;
• 12 hours to vote at a polling station on election day;
• 2.1 million km2 in Canada’s largest electoral district (Nunavut);
• 6 km2 in Canada’s smallest electoral district (Toronto–Centre);
• 72,747 electors per electoral district (on average);
• 80 truckloads of election material sent across Canada;
• 105,140 ballot boxes;
• 244,377 voting pencils (that is about 18.5 km of pencils laid end to end!);
• 338 Elections Canada offices (one in each riding) and 140 satellites offices;
• 8,000 telephone lines;
• 5,000 computers; and
• 340 servers
In the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding, seeking votes are Conservative candidate Tom Lukiwski, NDP candidate Dustan Hlady, Liberal candidate Perry Juttla, Rhino Party candidate Robert Thomas and Green Party candidate Shawn Setyo.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
After 11 weeks of campaigning, people are headed to the polls to elect the next members of parliament. Those who did not take part in the advance polls Oct. 9 to 12 can still cast their ballot Oct. 19.
If the advance polls were any indication of voter turnout, then this federal election could see an increase of people heading to the polls. According to Elections Canada, preliminary figures showed some 3.6 million electors voted at the advance polls in this general election. That is a 71 per cent increase from the 2,100,855 electors who voted in advance in the 2011 general election. Elections Canada said the increase was due in part to an additional advance voting day on Sunday, offered for the first time.
Overall, 850,000 Canadians voted Oct. 9 and over 1.2 million on Monday, Oct. 12, representing the two busiest days of advance voting ever.
Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Marc Mayrand released estimated elector numbers who voted during advance voting. In Saskatchewan, the preliminary estimations showed 95,829 people turned out with 5,561 in the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding. The largest turnout in Saskatchewan was in the Saskatoon West riding with just over 10,000 electors voting.
For those unable to vote early, a voter information card was sent out by Elections Canada stating where and when people can cast their ballot Oct. 19. Many communities within the area have stations set up at community centres and schools.
Here are some interesting 2015 general election numbers provided by Elections Canada:
• 26.4 million electors;
• 230,000 election workers;
• 338 electoral districts;
• 20,000 polling places;
• 65,000 polling stations;
• 300 voter information cards printed per second;
• 12 hours to vote at a polling station on election day;
• 2.1 million km2 in Canada’s largest electoral district (Nunavut);
• 6 km2 in Canada’s smallest electoral district (Toronto–Centre);
• 72,747 electors per electoral district (on average);
• 80 truckloads of election material sent across Canada;
• 105,140 ballot boxes;
• 244,377 voting pencils (that is about 18.5 km of pencils laid end to end!);
• 338 Elections Canada offices (one in each riding) and 140 satellites offices;
• 8,000 telephone lines;
• 5,000 computers; and
• 340 servers
In the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding, seeking votes are Conservative candidate Tom Lukiwski, NDP candidate Dustan Hlady, Liberal candidate Perry Juttla, Rhino Party candidate Robert Thomas and Green Party candidate Shawn Setyo.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 12, 2015
Local food bank thankful for support
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With reminders of generosity and thankfulness during the thanksgiving season, one local organization has been helping address hunger needs in the area for more than a decade.
Serving primarily the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson and Imperial areas, the Watrous and District Food Bank has provided food hampers to clients for 13 years. The local organization has also garnered incredible support from the community and released results from its annual general meeting held Oct. 5.
Chair of the food bank Darren Holland said they have received the highest level of community support since they began over a decade ago. The food bank, which now operates out of the Watrous Pentecostal Church, also had its largest food drive in 2014 as Centennial Ford spearheaded an initiative involving community members, businesses and schools.
“We have appreciated the support, it really has been tremendous,” said Holland.
To show how much of an impact the local food bank has had in the area, here are some statistics (from July 2014 to June 2015):
• groceries were the largest expense going from $10,442.69 in 2014 to $13,970.33 in 2015;
• overall expenses were $13,487.28 in 2014 and $15,344.94 in 2015;
• personal donations were the greatest source of funding for the food bank with $5,847.86 in 2014 and $6,336.99 in 2015;
• other donations came from local businesses, the Saskatoon Food Bank, corporate donations, local churches, groups and teams;
• income for the food bank was $10,678.02 in 2014 and $17,333.44 in 2015;
• total households utilizing the food bank are 28;
• total clients are 44;
• clients by age: four adults 65 years and older, 33 adults under age 65 and 11 children; and
• there are five homes with children and 23 homes with no children that use the food bank.
“We greatly appreciate the many individuals and businesses that continue to donate funds and a variety of perishable and non-perishable food items.”
Holland mentioned businesses and individuals like RBC Royal Bank Watrous Branch, Integra Tire, the Bargain Shop, Interlake Human Resources and volunteers have all lent a hand in one way or another.
Others have graciously stepped up to join Holland on the board and include secretary Glenda Cox-McArthur and members Judy Dunne, Sharon Therens, Erin Wolff, Amanda Dezotell and Amanda McArthur.
Along with the board, 13 volunteers purchase groceries, prepare and distribute hampers and stock shelves. Holland said Interlake Human Resources lends a hand, packing dry hampers on a regular basis.
Having such an active group has been integral to the food bank’s success in garnering donations while providing clients with hampers throughout the year.
To obtain more items for the food bank, a food drive will be taking place later this month. The Trick or Eat food drive will see Watrous Kinettes visiting homes in Watrous Oct. 31 during the afternoon and early part of the evening collecting non-perishable food donations. People can leave a bag with the donation outside their door if they will not be home or they can drop a donation off at the Pentecostal Church on main street and 8th Ave. between 2 and 3 p.m. Nov. 1. For more information, check out this week’s Coming Events section on page 18.
Other food drives are also in the works providing many opportunities for people to donate food. Holland said people can also donate food at a drop off location at the Watrous Co-op grocery store.
Some of the items people can donate include: canned meats like fish and tuna, canned stews, canned soups, canned veggies and fruit, pastas, rice, pasta sauces, cereals hot or cold, Cheez Whiz and peanut butter.
Holland said cash donations are also accepted and are used to pay for items to help stock the hampers handed out every second and fourth Wednesday at the food bank.
While December is still a couple months away, Holland said they will begin to think about the annual Christmas hampers. People considering donating either monetary or produce can certainly do that. Those who donate funds can either pass them on to any board member or mail them to the food bank at Box 794 in Watrous.
People who would like to receive a hamper or know of someone that would like one can let the food bank know.
If people need assistance, Holland said they can call him or the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church office at 306-946-3785.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
With reminders of generosity and thankfulness during the thanksgiving season, one local organization has been helping address hunger needs in the area for more than a decade.
Serving primarily the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson and Imperial areas, the Watrous and District Food Bank has provided food hampers to clients for 13 years. The local organization has also garnered incredible support from the community and released results from its annual general meeting held Oct. 5.
Chair of the food bank Darren Holland said they have received the highest level of community support since they began over a decade ago. The food bank, which now operates out of the Watrous Pentecostal Church, also had its largest food drive in 2014 as Centennial Ford spearheaded an initiative involving community members, businesses and schools.
“We have appreciated the support, it really has been tremendous,” said Holland.
To show how much of an impact the local food bank has had in the area, here are some statistics (from July 2014 to June 2015):
• groceries were the largest expense going from $10,442.69 in 2014 to $13,970.33 in 2015;
• overall expenses were $13,487.28 in 2014 and $15,344.94 in 2015;
• personal donations were the greatest source of funding for the food bank with $5,847.86 in 2014 and $6,336.99 in 2015;
• other donations came from local businesses, the Saskatoon Food Bank, corporate donations, local churches, groups and teams;
• income for the food bank was $10,678.02 in 2014 and $17,333.44 in 2015;
• total households utilizing the food bank are 28;
• total clients are 44;
• clients by age: four adults 65 years and older, 33 adults under age 65 and 11 children; and
• there are five homes with children and 23 homes with no children that use the food bank.
“We greatly appreciate the many individuals and businesses that continue to donate funds and a variety of perishable and non-perishable food items.”
Holland mentioned businesses and individuals like RBC Royal Bank Watrous Branch, Integra Tire, the Bargain Shop, Interlake Human Resources and volunteers have all lent a hand in one way or another.
Others have graciously stepped up to join Holland on the board and include secretary Glenda Cox-McArthur and members Judy Dunne, Sharon Therens, Erin Wolff, Amanda Dezotell and Amanda McArthur.
Along with the board, 13 volunteers purchase groceries, prepare and distribute hampers and stock shelves. Holland said Interlake Human Resources lends a hand, packing dry hampers on a regular basis.
Having such an active group has been integral to the food bank’s success in garnering donations while providing clients with hampers throughout the year.
To obtain more items for the food bank, a food drive will be taking place later this month. The Trick or Eat food drive will see Watrous Kinettes visiting homes in Watrous Oct. 31 during the afternoon and early part of the evening collecting non-perishable food donations. People can leave a bag with the donation outside their door if they will not be home or they can drop a donation off at the Pentecostal Church on main street and 8th Ave. between 2 and 3 p.m. Nov. 1. For more information, check out this week’s Coming Events section on page 18.
Other food drives are also in the works providing many opportunities for people to donate food. Holland said people can also donate food at a drop off location at the Watrous Co-op grocery store.
Some of the items people can donate include: canned meats like fish and tuna, canned stews, canned soups, canned veggies and fruit, pastas, rice, pasta sauces, cereals hot or cold, Cheez Whiz and peanut butter.
Holland said cash donations are also accepted and are used to pay for items to help stock the hampers handed out every second and fourth Wednesday at the food bank.
While December is still a couple months away, Holland said they will begin to think about the annual Christmas hampers. People considering donating either monetary or produce can certainly do that. Those who donate funds can either pass them on to any board member or mail them to the food bank at Box 794 in Watrous.
People who would like to receive a hamper or know of someone that would like one can let the food bank know.
If people need assistance, Holland said they can call him or the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church office at 306-946-3785.
TWM Top Stories - Oct. 5, 2015
Precautionary drinking water advisory issued for Watrous
Daniel Bushman/TWM
For at least the next three weeks, Watrous is under a precautionary drinking water advisory as of 10 a.m. Oct. 5. The advisory applies to all users of the Town of Watrous drinking water system and Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said it is due to water main cleaning and the intermittent depressurization of the distribution system as they finalize the installation of the community’s new reverse osmosis water system.
Tarasoff said they are looking at about three weeks of work and people will see large volumes of discoloured water during the flushing process. The flushing will begin from the treatment plant and work its way south. Once completed and after testing, when the town meets the Water Security Agency’s requirements, the advisory will be lifted.
Because the safety of the drinking water supply cannot be ensured at all times during the precautionary advisory, the Water Security Agency said people can take the following precautions:
• boil all water used for drinking purposes for at least one minute, at a rolling boil prior to usage;
• boil water to be used for other activities where it may be ingested including brushing teeth or soaking false teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, food or drink which will not be subsequently heated and ice cubes;
• do not drink from any public drinking fountains supplied with water from the public water supply;
• under most circumstances, there is no need to boil water used for other household purposes such as laundry. Adults, adolescents and older children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water. Dishes may be disinfected by washing in dishwasher machines that have a dry cycle or a final rinse that exceeds 45˚C for 20 minutes, 50˚C for five minutes, or 72˚C for one minute;
• ensure that younger children and infants are sponge bathed;
• use an alternative water source known to be safe, if they do not wish to boil the water; and
• consult with a physician if you have cuts or rashes that are severe before using the water.
As the advisory is underway, the new reverse osmosis unit was installed in the water treatment plant last week and over the next three to four weeks Tarasoff said it will be put together and electrical and plumbing work will be completed.
Once it is ready and tested, Tarasoff said it will be commissioned and the town will be running the water into its reservoirs. The estimated time when residents will have reverse osmosis water is around the beginning of November.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
For at least the next three weeks, Watrous is under a precautionary drinking water advisory as of 10 a.m. Oct. 5. The advisory applies to all users of the Town of Watrous drinking water system and Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said it is due to water main cleaning and the intermittent depressurization of the distribution system as they finalize the installation of the community’s new reverse osmosis water system.
Tarasoff said they are looking at about three weeks of work and people will see large volumes of discoloured water during the flushing process. The flushing will begin from the treatment plant and work its way south. Once completed and after testing, when the town meets the Water Security Agency’s requirements, the advisory will be lifted.
Because the safety of the drinking water supply cannot be ensured at all times during the precautionary advisory, the Water Security Agency said people can take the following precautions:
• boil all water used for drinking purposes for at least one minute, at a rolling boil prior to usage;
• boil water to be used for other activities where it may be ingested including brushing teeth or soaking false teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, food or drink which will not be subsequently heated and ice cubes;
• do not drink from any public drinking fountains supplied with water from the public water supply;
• under most circumstances, there is no need to boil water used for other household purposes such as laundry. Adults, adolescents and older children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water. Dishes may be disinfected by washing in dishwasher machines that have a dry cycle or a final rinse that exceeds 45˚C for 20 minutes, 50˚C for five minutes, or 72˚C for one minute;
• ensure that younger children and infants are sponge bathed;
• use an alternative water source known to be safe, if they do not wish to boil the water; and
• consult with a physician if you have cuts or rashes that are severe before using the water.
As the advisory is underway, the new reverse osmosis unit was installed in the water treatment plant last week and over the next three to four weeks Tarasoff said it will be put together and electrical and plumbing work will be completed.
Once it is ready and tested, Tarasoff said it will be commissioned and the town will be running the water into its reservoirs. The estimated time when residents will have reverse osmosis water is around the beginning of November.
Manitou Beach seeking help to divert water
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With their highest water levels on record and the resort community running out of options, Manitou Beach received some news about its future. Members of the village attended a public meeting Sept. 29 to learn about what the next steps moving forward will be.
After starting the process of finding a long-term solution with the rising water levels over a year and a half ago, Mayor Eric Upshall said they have now received an engineer’s report. While the report was being done, water continued to rise so the Water Security Agency (WSA) helped the village earlier this year to set up berms along the shoreline. Now that fall is here and the water is still high, Upshall said WSA is looking to reinforce three places along the berm where the possibility of breaches are high.
Patrick Boyle with the Water Security Agency said since 2011, through the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program, WSA has committed roughly $3.5 million to protect the area around Manitou Beach.
Boyle said berm stability and the results from the engineer’s report seeking a long-term solution are under review to see what would be a potential project moving forward. “At this stage, it appears that raising the berms would be the most economical approach. No decision has been made on that and on any potential projects but we are committed to working with the resort village as we look forward to further assessing some of those implications of either a diversion project or raising an existing berm.”
Boyle said the berms could be raised another metre but Upshall said the community does not have any more time to wait and see if the levels get higher. After raising roads, adding more sand and recently installing berms, he stresses a diversion project needs to be done.
“We have reached the point where we can’t take anymore and it is going to be severely affecting our economic activity here. We are trying to be good stewards of this lake.”
However, the mayor said the WSA is not a proponent behind the diversion project, leaving the beach in a holding pattern as the village does not have the financial wherewith all or jurisdiction. “When you are dealing with a number of other groups who will be affected anywhere from digging a road up and putting in bigger culverts to flooding some land in the spring to people at Long Lake, I think it is a matter of people understanding what is needed here and being able to work together to share the service water area that we have. We are not going to take (the water) all down to the southeast. We are just getting rid of some of it. There will be a small affect on the water body like Last Mountain Lake.”
Upshall said the water diversion proposal outlines diverting the freshwater inflow going into Manitou Beach and not saltwater from the lake. “One place is the Wellington Creek inflow where there would be a diversion dike put up approximately by the Watrous lagoons. The other one would be at the south end of Freshwater Lake. Those two diversions would meet and go to a canal that was built in the 1960s . . . you would have some land area that when there is a spring runoff would be covered with water for a while. That would mean you would have to put bigger culverts in certain areas to accommodate the flow.”
Upshall said the volume of freshwater that would be going to the southeast through the proposed diversion would be very small compared to the damage it would do at Manitou Beach. “Those diversions would take approximately 30 per cent of the water away from the lake in the spring.”
Boyle provided a different approach and said with the engineering reports “we are looking at all the angles on it. Right now looking at it, the berms would be the most economical one currently. There is a lot of work and things that would factor in to any other diversion project. Before we could consider that, there would have to be regulatory requirements and public consultation downstream. We would have to do a lot more work with some of those things. Raising the berms seems to be a different option in that respect. We are looking at both of those right now.”
Upshall hopes people will be able to understand that a diversion project needs to proceed and is seeking support. He is encouraging people to go to the village’s website (www.manitoubeach.ca) to do so. A link for the diversion project is being posted along with a list of names of ministers and other government members that can be contacted. “We are going to be setting up a petition process where you can just click on the petition and be added to the list. We are also circulating handwritten petitions that we will be presenting to the legislature and they will be asking the government to carry out the diversion project as outlined in the Golder engineering report.”
To seek a meeting and garner support, Upshall has already contacted the president of the Water Security Agency and placed a call to the provincial minister responsible for WSA.
“I informed him we would be looking for a meeting. At that meeting we will be explaining how tourism in this area is very important, how the sewer water system in this village is very important to keep it intact, personal property and the overall economy is being affected by this high water.
“We are doing this because we are forced into it,” said Upshall. “It is incumbent I believe upon government to take the lead on this. We will certainly support them in working with them but that is why we are going to talk to the minister and let him know we are stewards of the lake and we are wanting to keep this lake a great area for people that live here and those that visit it.”
Upshall said the situation is difficult but the resort community is not giving up. “The key here is that we are not going away . . . we just can’t go away on this issue because the lake issue is not going away. We want everybody to have their voice heard in terms of supporting Little Manitou Lake in terms of having its level maintained no higher than it is right now and work towards a plan to reduce the levels.”
TWM sent an inquiry to the minister responsible for WSA for additional comment but a response was not returned by press time.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With their highest water levels on record and the resort community running out of options, Manitou Beach received some news about its future. Members of the village attended a public meeting Sept. 29 to learn about what the next steps moving forward will be.
After starting the process of finding a long-term solution with the rising water levels over a year and a half ago, Mayor Eric Upshall said they have now received an engineer’s report. While the report was being done, water continued to rise so the Water Security Agency (WSA) helped the village earlier this year to set up berms along the shoreline. Now that fall is here and the water is still high, Upshall said WSA is looking to reinforce three places along the berm where the possibility of breaches are high.
Patrick Boyle with the Water Security Agency said since 2011, through the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program, WSA has committed roughly $3.5 million to protect the area around Manitou Beach.
Boyle said berm stability and the results from the engineer’s report seeking a long-term solution are under review to see what would be a potential project moving forward. “At this stage, it appears that raising the berms would be the most economical approach. No decision has been made on that and on any potential projects but we are committed to working with the resort village as we look forward to further assessing some of those implications of either a diversion project or raising an existing berm.”
Boyle said the berms could be raised another metre but Upshall said the community does not have any more time to wait and see if the levels get higher. After raising roads, adding more sand and recently installing berms, he stresses a diversion project needs to be done.
“We have reached the point where we can’t take anymore and it is going to be severely affecting our economic activity here. We are trying to be good stewards of this lake.”
However, the mayor said the WSA is not a proponent behind the diversion project, leaving the beach in a holding pattern as the village does not have the financial wherewith all or jurisdiction. “When you are dealing with a number of other groups who will be affected anywhere from digging a road up and putting in bigger culverts to flooding some land in the spring to people at Long Lake, I think it is a matter of people understanding what is needed here and being able to work together to share the service water area that we have. We are not going to take (the water) all down to the southeast. We are just getting rid of some of it. There will be a small affect on the water body like Last Mountain Lake.”
Upshall said the water diversion proposal outlines diverting the freshwater inflow going into Manitou Beach and not saltwater from the lake. “One place is the Wellington Creek inflow where there would be a diversion dike put up approximately by the Watrous lagoons. The other one would be at the south end of Freshwater Lake. Those two diversions would meet and go to a canal that was built in the 1960s . . . you would have some land area that when there is a spring runoff would be covered with water for a while. That would mean you would have to put bigger culverts in certain areas to accommodate the flow.”
Upshall said the volume of freshwater that would be going to the southeast through the proposed diversion would be very small compared to the damage it would do at Manitou Beach. “Those diversions would take approximately 30 per cent of the water away from the lake in the spring.”
Boyle provided a different approach and said with the engineering reports “we are looking at all the angles on it. Right now looking at it, the berms would be the most economical one currently. There is a lot of work and things that would factor in to any other diversion project. Before we could consider that, there would have to be regulatory requirements and public consultation downstream. We would have to do a lot more work with some of those things. Raising the berms seems to be a different option in that respect. We are looking at both of those right now.”
Upshall hopes people will be able to understand that a diversion project needs to proceed and is seeking support. He is encouraging people to go to the village’s website (www.manitoubeach.ca) to do so. A link for the diversion project is being posted along with a list of names of ministers and other government members that can be contacted. “We are going to be setting up a petition process where you can just click on the petition and be added to the list. We are also circulating handwritten petitions that we will be presenting to the legislature and they will be asking the government to carry out the diversion project as outlined in the Golder engineering report.”
To seek a meeting and garner support, Upshall has already contacted the president of the Water Security Agency and placed a call to the provincial minister responsible for WSA.
“I informed him we would be looking for a meeting. At that meeting we will be explaining how tourism in this area is very important, how the sewer water system in this village is very important to keep it intact, personal property and the overall economy is being affected by this high water.
“We are doing this because we are forced into it,” said Upshall. “It is incumbent I believe upon government to take the lead on this. We will certainly support them in working with them but that is why we are going to talk to the minister and let him know we are stewards of the lake and we are wanting to keep this lake a great area for people that live here and those that visit it.”
Upshall said the situation is difficult but the resort community is not giving up. “The key here is that we are not going away . . . we just can’t go away on this issue because the lake issue is not going away. We want everybody to have their voice heard in terms of supporting Little Manitou Lake in terms of having its level maintained no higher than it is right now and work towards a plan to reduce the levels.”
TWM sent an inquiry to the minister responsible for WSA for additional comment but a response was not returned by press time.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 28, 2015
Providing a sense of hope
By Daniel Bushman
After just a few minutes of listening to Tyler Durman speak at Winston High School in Watrous last week, it came as no surprise that the former teacher has captivated audiences across the globe. With tremendous insight, humour and honesty, Durman has spoken to over four million teens and preteens about life and some of the experiences that come with it.
Last week the California resident spoke to staff and students during Winston High’s launch of We Are All Wildcats. Then in the evening, parents and the public had an opportunity to listen to Durman relay his message of hope and strengthening relationships with teens.
“The school has discovered a beautiful thing that a lot of students here feel that they really belong but there are some that (may feel they) don’t, which is typical of this age group,” said Durman. “But instead of going, ‘Oh well that is how teenagers are,’ they have put together this initiative about making this feel more like a community for everybody.”
With thousands of teens and preteens confiding in Durman over the years, the speaker shared his message with students in Watrous. Durman hoped through the chat the group would be able to take away a couple of things, including hope. “That is one of the most powerful things. Hope, in the fact that if I am hurting I won’t always feel this way and I won’t always have to feel lonely or afraid. The second thing I hope they take away is the sense that they matter. They can live inside an amazing story.”
After a the morning event at the high school, Durman then shared with parents and the public during an evening talk, providing real tools and answers to raw questions.
“There are a lot of hurting parents out there and a lot afraid of teen years,” said Durman. “I want them to walk away with a sense of hope that it will be okay and they are not alone in this.”
Durman said questions he often hears from parents deal with everyday issues like disrespect or what to do when a teen rolls their eyes after a lecture and then walks out. “I have great answers to that. A bigger question is how about freedom? What do I do if my kid wants more freedom than I think they are ready for? That is a dilemma because we don’t want them to feel like we don’t trust them because then they are more likely to be less trustworthy,” said the father of five. “On the other hand, we can’t just dole out freedom because they think they are ready.”
Durman said the answer to that first began in Canada 20 years ago when a dad said his daughter wanted a boyfriend and he did not know what to do and was afraid of losing her. “Twenty years ago I didn’t have an answer to that. So I started listening to these conversations I have with kids. Kids tell me things they have never told anybody. I used to think I was special but now I know it is because I don’t know their friends, parents or teachers and I am going to fly out of town, so I am a safe place.”
Because of that, Durman said it has provided a glimpse into the lives of teens allowing him to make observations that most adults do not get to make. “Even as a former teacher I never got to hear those things. Those are the things that are going to be helpful to answer these questions.”
Equipped with real answers for today’s tough questions for a parent with a teenager, Durman has outlined realities of parenting and teaching in his book, Counterintuitive - what four million teenagers wish we knew.
“I have spoken to over four million teens and preteens and these are lessons about the surprising and counterintuitive things kids need from the adults in their lives. A lot of what it takes to parent well or teach well is counterintuitive.”
Described as a short, not dry and non-clinical book, Durman said the chapters are short enough for dads to read on the toilet before their legs go numb. “It is story driven but it is all these powerful truths so that when you are done reading this book you really have a handle on what does my child need? Is it okay if they don’t like me right now? How do I handle it when they test me? What do I do if I think I need to search their room? Do I do that? How do I do that? What about screens and internet history?”
The author said the book with bite-sized wisdom has some solid tangible answers but what it really offers is a foundation of what a parent or teacher’s role in a child’s life is. “We make the choices we make based on what we believe will make us happy. If we believe the wrong thing about our role in our kids lives then we will be making the wrong decisions and we will be going backwards instead of towards the direction we want to go. We just don’t know we are going backwards.”
Durman struggled in his own life as a crisis of faith led to isolation and eventual homelessness. “My life fell apart years ago. I talk about this in my book but I kind of screwed up my life and then I was feeling hopeless. I had worked with teenagers before and someone gave me a chance to speak to them again. I had been homeless and all of those things and that opened this new door to this career. I always thought I would do something with cars but I love doing this because there is nothing better than getting up and knowing you really make a difference in the world. It is just so much fun, it really is.”
Now equipped with a desire to offer hope, Durman said the reality of parenting can be just as tough today as it once was.
“I think it is more complicated but not harder. I think there is some cultural influences that make it more difficult. Technology makes it a bit more difficult but the fundamentals of who kids are and what they need is the same. That hasn’t changed in the 25 years I have been doing this. It is fun to have real answers. I get emails and phone calls all the time from parents. I got one recently from a woman in Saskatchewan saying it changed her life, literally changed her life, because it gave her a new way to look. A man from the board of governors from the University of Southern California (USC) heard me speak two weeks ago and wrote me an email saying, ‘this gave me so much hope, thank you. I want to get together with you and make a movie.’ It is fun to have something tangible that is real that gives real answers to real questions.”
To check out Durman’s book, people can purchase it on www.amazon.com or visit www.bitesizedwisdom.com
By Daniel Bushman
After just a few minutes of listening to Tyler Durman speak at Winston High School in Watrous last week, it came as no surprise that the former teacher has captivated audiences across the globe. With tremendous insight, humour and honesty, Durman has spoken to over four million teens and preteens about life and some of the experiences that come with it.
Last week the California resident spoke to staff and students during Winston High’s launch of We Are All Wildcats. Then in the evening, parents and the public had an opportunity to listen to Durman relay his message of hope and strengthening relationships with teens.
“The school has discovered a beautiful thing that a lot of students here feel that they really belong but there are some that (may feel they) don’t, which is typical of this age group,” said Durman. “But instead of going, ‘Oh well that is how teenagers are,’ they have put together this initiative about making this feel more like a community for everybody.”
With thousands of teens and preteens confiding in Durman over the years, the speaker shared his message with students in Watrous. Durman hoped through the chat the group would be able to take away a couple of things, including hope. “That is one of the most powerful things. Hope, in the fact that if I am hurting I won’t always feel this way and I won’t always have to feel lonely or afraid. The second thing I hope they take away is the sense that they matter. They can live inside an amazing story.”
After a the morning event at the high school, Durman then shared with parents and the public during an evening talk, providing real tools and answers to raw questions.
“There are a lot of hurting parents out there and a lot afraid of teen years,” said Durman. “I want them to walk away with a sense of hope that it will be okay and they are not alone in this.”
Durman said questions he often hears from parents deal with everyday issues like disrespect or what to do when a teen rolls their eyes after a lecture and then walks out. “I have great answers to that. A bigger question is how about freedom? What do I do if my kid wants more freedom than I think they are ready for? That is a dilemma because we don’t want them to feel like we don’t trust them because then they are more likely to be less trustworthy,” said the father of five. “On the other hand, we can’t just dole out freedom because they think they are ready.”
Durman said the answer to that first began in Canada 20 years ago when a dad said his daughter wanted a boyfriend and he did not know what to do and was afraid of losing her. “Twenty years ago I didn’t have an answer to that. So I started listening to these conversations I have with kids. Kids tell me things they have never told anybody. I used to think I was special but now I know it is because I don’t know their friends, parents or teachers and I am going to fly out of town, so I am a safe place.”
Because of that, Durman said it has provided a glimpse into the lives of teens allowing him to make observations that most adults do not get to make. “Even as a former teacher I never got to hear those things. Those are the things that are going to be helpful to answer these questions.”
Equipped with real answers for today’s tough questions for a parent with a teenager, Durman has outlined realities of parenting and teaching in his book, Counterintuitive - what four million teenagers wish we knew.
“I have spoken to over four million teens and preteens and these are lessons about the surprising and counterintuitive things kids need from the adults in their lives. A lot of what it takes to parent well or teach well is counterintuitive.”
Described as a short, not dry and non-clinical book, Durman said the chapters are short enough for dads to read on the toilet before their legs go numb. “It is story driven but it is all these powerful truths so that when you are done reading this book you really have a handle on what does my child need? Is it okay if they don’t like me right now? How do I handle it when they test me? What do I do if I think I need to search their room? Do I do that? How do I do that? What about screens and internet history?”
The author said the book with bite-sized wisdom has some solid tangible answers but what it really offers is a foundation of what a parent or teacher’s role in a child’s life is. “We make the choices we make based on what we believe will make us happy. If we believe the wrong thing about our role in our kids lives then we will be making the wrong decisions and we will be going backwards instead of towards the direction we want to go. We just don’t know we are going backwards.”
Durman struggled in his own life as a crisis of faith led to isolation and eventual homelessness. “My life fell apart years ago. I talk about this in my book but I kind of screwed up my life and then I was feeling hopeless. I had worked with teenagers before and someone gave me a chance to speak to them again. I had been homeless and all of those things and that opened this new door to this career. I always thought I would do something with cars but I love doing this because there is nothing better than getting up and knowing you really make a difference in the world. It is just so much fun, it really is.”
Now equipped with a desire to offer hope, Durman said the reality of parenting can be just as tough today as it once was.
“I think it is more complicated but not harder. I think there is some cultural influences that make it more difficult. Technology makes it a bit more difficult but the fundamentals of who kids are and what they need is the same. That hasn’t changed in the 25 years I have been doing this. It is fun to have real answers. I get emails and phone calls all the time from parents. I got one recently from a woman in Saskatchewan saying it changed her life, literally changed her life, because it gave her a new way to look. A man from the board of governors from the University of Southern California (USC) heard me speak two weeks ago and wrote me an email saying, ‘this gave me so much hope, thank you. I want to get together with you and make a movie.’ It is fun to have something tangible that is real that gives real answers to real questions.”
To check out Durman’s book, people can purchase it on www.amazon.com or visit www.bitesizedwisdom.com
TWM Top Story - Sept. 21, 2015
Opinions wanted for local survey
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With a focus on revitalizing main street in Watrous, a survey has been created to let people have their say on what they would like to see downtown become. Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said, “We have seen some recent business closures on main street which always results in a lot of concern locally. Though these closures are more to do with attrition and not a down turn in the local economy, this survey is well-timed.”
The goal of the survey, which can be found at www.watrousmainstreet.com, is to get people looking at the future of downtown and help develop a plan. Topics such as the overall vitality, parking, amenities, first impressions, store fronts and events all make up the survey.
“We encourage residents, business owners and visitors to fill out this survey and provide feedback,” said Manz. “Whether you frequent main street in Watrous often or haven’t been in years, we want to hear from you.”
The community development officer said the data will give them a chance to see what the impression is of downtown and really what the public thinks and feels. So far, Manz said the initial results have shown a wide variety of everything from a dying downtown to a realization that this is not necessarily a downturn but more the attrition of some of the businesses and the succession and different things taking over.
The survey is expected to be available through September with the results tabulated after. For those not wanting to take the survey online, they can pick up one at the town office in Watrous and fill it out. After the results are gathered, Manz said they will hold a public meeting in October. An additional evening with other guest speakers highlighting the Main Street Saskatchewan Program is also in the works.
“We are hoping to gain some momentum and community engagement on this. That is our main goal and this is to make sure people feel engaged with their downtown. This is their community and I want to make sure that is the case going forward.”
The role of the survey also ties in with the Main Street Saskatchewan Program, something the Town of Watrous became an affiliate member of in late 2014. “This provincial government initiative was developed to revitalize historic downtowns. The program is based on a four point approach that is implemented in a coordinated and integrated manner – Community Organization, Economic Restructuring, Heritage Conservation and Promotion.”
Manz’s job will be to take the results of the survey and develop a plan for the future involving the provincial program. “The downtown is always the heartbeat of a community and you never like to see those gaps or businesses close. From a visitor coming into your community, people look at that and say why is there so many closed businesses and that sort of thing. We know that first impressions are very important and this survey gives me an idea of what people feel their first impressions are. It also just gives us some data and ideas. We are asking people for some ideas . . . and we will look at everything.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With a focus on revitalizing main street in Watrous, a survey has been created to let people have their say on what they would like to see downtown become. Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said, “We have seen some recent business closures on main street which always results in a lot of concern locally. Though these closures are more to do with attrition and not a down turn in the local economy, this survey is well-timed.”
The goal of the survey, which can be found at www.watrousmainstreet.com, is to get people looking at the future of downtown and help develop a plan. Topics such as the overall vitality, parking, amenities, first impressions, store fronts and events all make up the survey.
“We encourage residents, business owners and visitors to fill out this survey and provide feedback,” said Manz. “Whether you frequent main street in Watrous often or haven’t been in years, we want to hear from you.”
The community development officer said the data will give them a chance to see what the impression is of downtown and really what the public thinks and feels. So far, Manz said the initial results have shown a wide variety of everything from a dying downtown to a realization that this is not necessarily a downturn but more the attrition of some of the businesses and the succession and different things taking over.
The survey is expected to be available through September with the results tabulated after. For those not wanting to take the survey online, they can pick up one at the town office in Watrous and fill it out. After the results are gathered, Manz said they will hold a public meeting in October. An additional evening with other guest speakers highlighting the Main Street Saskatchewan Program is also in the works.
“We are hoping to gain some momentum and community engagement on this. That is our main goal and this is to make sure people feel engaged with their downtown. This is their community and I want to make sure that is the case going forward.”
The role of the survey also ties in with the Main Street Saskatchewan Program, something the Town of Watrous became an affiliate member of in late 2014. “This provincial government initiative was developed to revitalize historic downtowns. The program is based on a four point approach that is implemented in a coordinated and integrated manner – Community Organization, Economic Restructuring, Heritage Conservation and Promotion.”
Manz’s job will be to take the results of the survey and develop a plan for the future involving the provincial program. “The downtown is always the heartbeat of a community and you never like to see those gaps or businesses close. From a visitor coming into your community, people look at that and say why is there so many closed businesses and that sort of thing. We know that first impressions are very important and this survey gives me an idea of what people feel their first impressions are. It also just gives us some data and ideas. We are asking people for some ideas . . . and we will look at everything.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 14, 2015
Q and A with the local federal candidates
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Voters will head to the polls next month to determine who the next federal government will be. In the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding, there are five candidates vying for votes to represent the area in Ottawa: Conservative Party candidate Tom Lukiwski, NDP candidate Dustan Hlady, Liberal Party candidate Perry Juttla, Green Party candidate Shawn Setyo and Rhinoceros Party candidate Robert Thomas.
The Watrous Manitou submitted a list of questions to the candidates with each asked to get back to the newspaper with their responses. After sending out the questions in August and providing a reminder in early September, three of the five candidates responded. Below are the questions submitted to each candidate and their responses in order of when each replied back to TWM.
Health care issues seem to always be on the minds of many. Is health care a priority for you and your party?
Hlady: Health care continues to be a concern for the NDP. Even after we won a hard fought battle to bring universal coverage to Saskatchewan under Tommy Douglas, it continues to be a fight to keep. Progress on wait times has stalled and demands on the system have increased. Harper has let the provincial Health Accords expire and has taken a hands-off approach allowing lower standards of care and leaves the door open to privatization. The NDP will stop Harper’s unilateral cuts and get back to working with provinces. Our top priorities will be to improve access to primary, long-term and homecare, improving prescription drug coverage, better mental health services and measures to prevent long-term illnesses.
Thomas: Health care is very important to Rhinos. The Party demands health care be based upon science given the massive slaughter of Rhinos for their horns in traditional medicines. Rhinos would shake all government programs upside down and use any change for health care. We would cut up all government credit cards (including MPs and Senators) using the savings to nurse health care back to life.
Lukiwski: Health care is extremely important. While the delivery of health care is that of the provinces, the federal government plays a significant role in the funding of health care. Our Conservative Government has increased annual federal funding for Saskatchewan Health Care to record levels. For example, in 2015 Saskatchewan will receive over $1.08 billion in health care funding from the federal government. That is an increase of over $250 Million over 2010 levels. While my opponents sometimes fear-monger on this issue, the facts do not back up their frivolous accusations.
Agriculture is a key sector in this area, what is being done by yourself and your party to help producers and others involved in agriculture?
Hlady: I attended Question Period in Ottawa during the height of the grain transportation crisis. New Democrats continued to bring the issue to the Conservatives; however, it was met with laughter and heckling. I saw Conservative MPs heckle yelling, “boo hoo” and wringing their eyes in fake crying. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and it made me so angry I had to leave. The biggest problem our province was facing at the time wasn’t being taken seriously by our elected members. Canadian farms have been hit hard by Conservative cuts and sell-offs. The NDP has developed a comprehensive food strategy, from farm to fork. The NDP will invest in rural economies by expanding business risk management programs, and support new and young farmers. We will work with farmers to develop collective solutions to replace the services lost when the Wheat Board was dismantled by the Conservatives.
Thomas: I have personally helped out on friends and relatives farms, I know how to run a bin sweep. I drive a truck as part of my job in the oil patch and I learnt to drive truck hauling grain. The Rhino Party believes agriculture is good because you have to eat. We care about farmers. This has been a very bad year for agriculture and farmers may well need financial help. No party is saying anything about helping, that is except for us. We don’t know why they are silent. To assist farmers, the Rhinos will immediately declare beef jerky as currency until the poor crops are forgotten or it is eaten. The Rhino Party will strongly encourage the other parties to top our plan.
The Rhinos realize with less cash, farmers might have a hard time paying taxes especially given how hard it is to get grain to market. To assist farmers a Rhino Government would accept grain – at a 10 per cent price premium – as payment. One advantage to this program is the government will get the grain cars moving, as we all know the lengths Revenue Canada will go to collect monies.
To get the grain cars moving the Rhinos would institute the Random Railcar Payment Program (RRiPP).Under RRiPP lockable mailboxes would be welded to all grain cars. In a random grain car each week we would place the paycheques for the presidents of the CPR and CNR. Every Friday the serial number of the grain car would be given to the CNR and CPR. If the grain car was at the port, the two presidents would get paid that week. If the farmers aren’t getting paid then the presidents of the CPR and CNR aren’t getting paid.
Lukiwski: The quality of product delivered by Saskatchewan’s agricultural producers are the best in the world. We have provided support to our producers by making substantial improvements to both farm income stabilization programs and disaster relief programs. Our Conservative Government has also assisted producers by opening up new markets throughout the world to ensure our producers will always have a place to market their products. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and Europe will have a tremendous positive impact on our producers as well as the Trans Pacific Partnership, which we are currently negotiating.
If elected, what types of things would be available to young families and also seniors by your party?
Hlady: For young families we will implement a national daycare where no one will pay more than $15 a day for daycare. Daycare is extremely expensive. Every day I hear people tell me that they couldn’t afford to work and have daycare. They say often half or more of their paycheck goes towards daycare expenses. This doesn’t make sense. We will plan on keeping the Universal Child Care benefit in place and unlike the Conservatives we won’t tax it.
While I’m door knocking I hear many concerns for our senior citizens. There is no doubt in my mind that seniors are finding it harder and harder to afford every day essentials. This isn’t fair. The NDP has committed to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement that will lift hundreds of thousands of seniors out of poverty. My party has committed to reversing Harper’s decision to raise retirement age from 65 to 67 and that we will protect workplace pensions through legislation. The NDP will reverse cuts to Veteran’s Affairs and reopening the Veteran’s Affairs offices that were closed by Harper.
Thomas: We all know young families and seniors struggle to make ends meet, they could use the muscle of the federal government to stretch every nickel. Rhinos realize seniors only receive a couple of dollars monthly extra each year from the federal government. This, despite the present government raising the OAS eligibility age to 67; Rhinos would take drastic action to ensure seniors get a decent pension. We will increase monthly pensions to $10,000/month by following the present government’s lead and increasing the OAS eligibility age to 105. This measure will also save $20 billion annually.
Young families face many financial hurdles. They never seem to have enough left over money for any extras. Rhinos realize this. To help out young families, the Rhinos would declare every third Monday a family free day at all swimming pools. Rhinos would also grant child benefits available to all MPs and Senators to every citizen.
Lukiwski: With regards to young families, our government realizes that raising children can be very expensive. We recently enhanced the Universal Child Care Benefit so that families receive $1,920 per year per child under six years of age and $720 per year per child for those aged six through 17. Unlike the plans of some of the other parties, our plan puts money directly into parents pockets and does not require a massive bureaucracy.
Our government has taken a number of measures to improve the lives of our seniors. The creating of the position of a Minister of State for Seniors has guaranteed that seniors issues have direct representation at the Cabinet table. Our government has been extremely responsive to the needs of seniors. In addition to allowing pension income splitting, we have doubled the Pension Income Credit and increased the GIS earnings exemption from $500 to $3,500.
With terrorism still prevalent today, keeping Canadians safe has become more and more important. What is your party doing to ensure people are safe?
Hlady: Terrorism is a real threat in today’s world. The NDP is committed to involvement in UN and NATO mandated missions. We should never take the decision to send our brave men and women into combat lightly. We agree with all other parties on the importance of fighting terrorism. Bill C51, the so-called anti-terrorism bill doesn’t do that. Instead it decreases the right to protest the government and gives CSIS greater powers, turning them from an intelligence gathering agency to an agency with policing power with little to no accountability.
Thomas: Rhinos are worried about terrorism. It seems we’ve made many enemies. We feel privatizing the military would make the fight against terrorism more efficient and less costly. The war on terrorism will continue but might be scaled back on weekends and overnight so as not to pay overtime.
Lukiwski: ISIS is terrorizing many parts of the world through their gruesome executions of anyone who doesn’t agree with them and their jihadi terrorist attacks. The brutality of these attacks is shocking. Simply put, they must be destroyed. In order to fulfil this duty, military strikes against ISIS is a must. I find it unconscionable that the NDP is not in favour of this action, which is necessary in order to destroy ISIS. A federal government must protect Canadians from all threats, both foreign and domestic. Any party that is not prepared to do this is not fit to govern.
In addition to our strong action in the foreign front, we have also taken action to address threats inside our own borders. We have passed the Protection of Canadians from Terrorism Act which gives the Canadian Security Intelligence Service the tools to properly investigate threats to our safety. Our Conservative Government has also allocated additional funding to the RCMP, CSIS and the CBSA to combat terrorism threats.
Will small businesses be able to see benefits or help if your party is elected?
Hlady: Yes! The NDP tried to pass a bill lowering small and medium-size business tax from 11 per cent to nine per cent in February this year in Parliament. Both the Conservatives and the Liberals unfortunately voted it down. The NDP will make it happen if we form government as small and medium-size businesses have create 80 per cent of new jobs in this country.
Thomas: We want to see small business grow and flourish as it is the economic engine of the economy. At times it sputters and needs a tune-up. The Rhinos have a policy where small business are less than one employee. We need to expand these businesses. From here on in small business would be described as more than one employee but less than two employees and must fit in a 4’ x 8’ plywood box.
Lukiwski: Our government realizes that creating a business friendly tax climate is essential to job creation and to the overall success of small businesses. We have taken a number of steps to assist small businesses and more will be announced as the campaign progresses. In addition to lowering the small business tax rate, we have increased the income level for the small business tax rate from $300,000 to $500,000. Our government is also reducing the amount of EI premiums paid by small businesses through the Small Business Job Credit.
Tourism is essential for this area - how important is tourism to you and your party?
Hlady: The tourism industry presently does not have a strong federal partner. Harper made cuts of $24 million to the tourism industry in a time were American tourism in Canada was dropping. It makes no sense. The return on investing in tourism always pays off. The NDP plan for marketing tourism to the U.S.A. is to increase our marketing to $30 million a year over the course of three years. I want to make sure that some of that promotion is on the great tourism spots in Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan.
Thomas: As a child I remember going to the old Manitou pool. One of the big attractions of the pool were the rings where you could swing across the width of the pool. Sadly, with the demise of the pool, there are no rings in the new spa. To correct this and encourage people to return to Little Manitou Lake the Rhino Party would build on this by setting up rings to swing on the width of the lake. The Rhinos would also try to integrate tourism throughout the riding by exploring a tourist monorail between all attractions to attract more tourists.
Lukiwski: Tourism plays a vital part in our economy. Our Conservative Government has launched the Federal Tourism Strategy which is aimed at increasing awareness of Canada as a premier tourism destination, as well as encouraging investments in the tourism sector. The riding of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan is home to some of the most beautiful scenery and landscapes in the entire world. We shouldn’t be shy about telling the world what a great place this is!
What does it mean for you to run in the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding?
Hlady: I am honoured to represent a vote for change in this riding. The state of politics has been very discouraging, especially with the recent Harper majority government. I’ve met people on the doorstep that are giving up voting after a lifetime of engagement in the democratic process. With the NDP you can vote for the change you want and actually get it. I’m excited to be a part of it.
I’m also looking forward to serving my constituents. I will remain accessible. If elected, you can contact me anytime and I will personally get back to you. I will be in Watrous door knocking on Sept. 25 and if anyone wants me to stop by, they can call 306-313-9508 anytime.
Thomas: It is an honour and a privilege to run. I’m running to hopefully make the election less boring and get people not only to ask more questions of candidates, but to come out and vote.
Lukiwski: To represent the riding of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan is to represent the heartland of Saskatchewan. From the bedroom communities surrounding Regina and Saskatoon, to the City of Moose Jaw, to numerous towns and villages and our agricultural heartland, this riding represents all facets of our great province. It’s the riding which I’ve lived in for most of my adult life. I believe it’s very important that you live in the riding which you represent. It allows you to hear and address the concerns and thoughts of constituents on a daily basis.
Why should people vote for you?
Hlady: I recently had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the Saskatchewan Legislative Internship Program. With this program I was able to work with Members of the Legislative assembly from both parties and learn the role of an elected representative. Now, I want to represent you in Ottawa.
I believe we have the plan to fix Ottawa and I know NDP Leader Tom Mulcair will make a great prime minister. You know the NDP, you know we always fight for the little guy and that we want to see a Canada where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. I’m ready and I hope you are too.
Thomas: I can’t do any worse and who knows I might even do better.
Lukiwski: People should vote for the individual who will best represent them in Ottawa. I have a strong record of delivering results for the constituents whom I represent. Whether it be funding a major infrastructure project, or simply providing assistance in filling out a passport application, I have been there to serve the constituents of the previous riding of Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre for the past decade and, if elected, I plan on providing the same great level of service and representation to the residents of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Voters will head to the polls next month to determine who the next federal government will be. In the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding, there are five candidates vying for votes to represent the area in Ottawa: Conservative Party candidate Tom Lukiwski, NDP candidate Dustan Hlady, Liberal Party candidate Perry Juttla, Green Party candidate Shawn Setyo and Rhinoceros Party candidate Robert Thomas.
The Watrous Manitou submitted a list of questions to the candidates with each asked to get back to the newspaper with their responses. After sending out the questions in August and providing a reminder in early September, three of the five candidates responded. Below are the questions submitted to each candidate and their responses in order of when each replied back to TWM.
Health care issues seem to always be on the minds of many. Is health care a priority for you and your party?
Hlady: Health care continues to be a concern for the NDP. Even after we won a hard fought battle to bring universal coverage to Saskatchewan under Tommy Douglas, it continues to be a fight to keep. Progress on wait times has stalled and demands on the system have increased. Harper has let the provincial Health Accords expire and has taken a hands-off approach allowing lower standards of care and leaves the door open to privatization. The NDP will stop Harper’s unilateral cuts and get back to working with provinces. Our top priorities will be to improve access to primary, long-term and homecare, improving prescription drug coverage, better mental health services and measures to prevent long-term illnesses.
Thomas: Health care is very important to Rhinos. The Party demands health care be based upon science given the massive slaughter of Rhinos for their horns in traditional medicines. Rhinos would shake all government programs upside down and use any change for health care. We would cut up all government credit cards (including MPs and Senators) using the savings to nurse health care back to life.
Lukiwski: Health care is extremely important. While the delivery of health care is that of the provinces, the federal government plays a significant role in the funding of health care. Our Conservative Government has increased annual federal funding for Saskatchewan Health Care to record levels. For example, in 2015 Saskatchewan will receive over $1.08 billion in health care funding from the federal government. That is an increase of over $250 Million over 2010 levels. While my opponents sometimes fear-monger on this issue, the facts do not back up their frivolous accusations.
Agriculture is a key sector in this area, what is being done by yourself and your party to help producers and others involved in agriculture?
Hlady: I attended Question Period in Ottawa during the height of the grain transportation crisis. New Democrats continued to bring the issue to the Conservatives; however, it was met with laughter and heckling. I saw Conservative MPs heckle yelling, “boo hoo” and wringing their eyes in fake crying. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and it made me so angry I had to leave. The biggest problem our province was facing at the time wasn’t being taken seriously by our elected members. Canadian farms have been hit hard by Conservative cuts and sell-offs. The NDP has developed a comprehensive food strategy, from farm to fork. The NDP will invest in rural economies by expanding business risk management programs, and support new and young farmers. We will work with farmers to develop collective solutions to replace the services lost when the Wheat Board was dismantled by the Conservatives.
Thomas: I have personally helped out on friends and relatives farms, I know how to run a bin sweep. I drive a truck as part of my job in the oil patch and I learnt to drive truck hauling grain. The Rhino Party believes agriculture is good because you have to eat. We care about farmers. This has been a very bad year for agriculture and farmers may well need financial help. No party is saying anything about helping, that is except for us. We don’t know why they are silent. To assist farmers, the Rhinos will immediately declare beef jerky as currency until the poor crops are forgotten or it is eaten. The Rhino Party will strongly encourage the other parties to top our plan.
The Rhinos realize with less cash, farmers might have a hard time paying taxes especially given how hard it is to get grain to market. To assist farmers a Rhino Government would accept grain – at a 10 per cent price premium – as payment. One advantage to this program is the government will get the grain cars moving, as we all know the lengths Revenue Canada will go to collect monies.
To get the grain cars moving the Rhinos would institute the Random Railcar Payment Program (RRiPP).Under RRiPP lockable mailboxes would be welded to all grain cars. In a random grain car each week we would place the paycheques for the presidents of the CPR and CNR. Every Friday the serial number of the grain car would be given to the CNR and CPR. If the grain car was at the port, the two presidents would get paid that week. If the farmers aren’t getting paid then the presidents of the CPR and CNR aren’t getting paid.
Lukiwski: The quality of product delivered by Saskatchewan’s agricultural producers are the best in the world. We have provided support to our producers by making substantial improvements to both farm income stabilization programs and disaster relief programs. Our Conservative Government has also assisted producers by opening up new markets throughout the world to ensure our producers will always have a place to market their products. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and Europe will have a tremendous positive impact on our producers as well as the Trans Pacific Partnership, which we are currently negotiating.
If elected, what types of things would be available to young families and also seniors by your party?
Hlady: For young families we will implement a national daycare where no one will pay more than $15 a day for daycare. Daycare is extremely expensive. Every day I hear people tell me that they couldn’t afford to work and have daycare. They say often half or more of their paycheck goes towards daycare expenses. This doesn’t make sense. We will plan on keeping the Universal Child Care benefit in place and unlike the Conservatives we won’t tax it.
While I’m door knocking I hear many concerns for our senior citizens. There is no doubt in my mind that seniors are finding it harder and harder to afford every day essentials. This isn’t fair. The NDP has committed to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement that will lift hundreds of thousands of seniors out of poverty. My party has committed to reversing Harper’s decision to raise retirement age from 65 to 67 and that we will protect workplace pensions through legislation. The NDP will reverse cuts to Veteran’s Affairs and reopening the Veteran’s Affairs offices that were closed by Harper.
Thomas: We all know young families and seniors struggle to make ends meet, they could use the muscle of the federal government to stretch every nickel. Rhinos realize seniors only receive a couple of dollars monthly extra each year from the federal government. This, despite the present government raising the OAS eligibility age to 67; Rhinos would take drastic action to ensure seniors get a decent pension. We will increase monthly pensions to $10,000/month by following the present government’s lead and increasing the OAS eligibility age to 105. This measure will also save $20 billion annually.
Young families face many financial hurdles. They never seem to have enough left over money for any extras. Rhinos realize this. To help out young families, the Rhinos would declare every third Monday a family free day at all swimming pools. Rhinos would also grant child benefits available to all MPs and Senators to every citizen.
Lukiwski: With regards to young families, our government realizes that raising children can be very expensive. We recently enhanced the Universal Child Care Benefit so that families receive $1,920 per year per child under six years of age and $720 per year per child for those aged six through 17. Unlike the plans of some of the other parties, our plan puts money directly into parents pockets and does not require a massive bureaucracy.
Our government has taken a number of measures to improve the lives of our seniors. The creating of the position of a Minister of State for Seniors has guaranteed that seniors issues have direct representation at the Cabinet table. Our government has been extremely responsive to the needs of seniors. In addition to allowing pension income splitting, we have doubled the Pension Income Credit and increased the GIS earnings exemption from $500 to $3,500.
With terrorism still prevalent today, keeping Canadians safe has become more and more important. What is your party doing to ensure people are safe?
Hlady: Terrorism is a real threat in today’s world. The NDP is committed to involvement in UN and NATO mandated missions. We should never take the decision to send our brave men and women into combat lightly. We agree with all other parties on the importance of fighting terrorism. Bill C51, the so-called anti-terrorism bill doesn’t do that. Instead it decreases the right to protest the government and gives CSIS greater powers, turning them from an intelligence gathering agency to an agency with policing power with little to no accountability.
Thomas: Rhinos are worried about terrorism. It seems we’ve made many enemies. We feel privatizing the military would make the fight against terrorism more efficient and less costly. The war on terrorism will continue but might be scaled back on weekends and overnight so as not to pay overtime.
Lukiwski: ISIS is terrorizing many parts of the world through their gruesome executions of anyone who doesn’t agree with them and their jihadi terrorist attacks. The brutality of these attacks is shocking. Simply put, they must be destroyed. In order to fulfil this duty, military strikes against ISIS is a must. I find it unconscionable that the NDP is not in favour of this action, which is necessary in order to destroy ISIS. A federal government must protect Canadians from all threats, both foreign and domestic. Any party that is not prepared to do this is not fit to govern.
In addition to our strong action in the foreign front, we have also taken action to address threats inside our own borders. We have passed the Protection of Canadians from Terrorism Act which gives the Canadian Security Intelligence Service the tools to properly investigate threats to our safety. Our Conservative Government has also allocated additional funding to the RCMP, CSIS and the CBSA to combat terrorism threats.
Will small businesses be able to see benefits or help if your party is elected?
Hlady: Yes! The NDP tried to pass a bill lowering small and medium-size business tax from 11 per cent to nine per cent in February this year in Parliament. Both the Conservatives and the Liberals unfortunately voted it down. The NDP will make it happen if we form government as small and medium-size businesses have create 80 per cent of new jobs in this country.
Thomas: We want to see small business grow and flourish as it is the economic engine of the economy. At times it sputters and needs a tune-up. The Rhinos have a policy where small business are less than one employee. We need to expand these businesses. From here on in small business would be described as more than one employee but less than two employees and must fit in a 4’ x 8’ plywood box.
Lukiwski: Our government realizes that creating a business friendly tax climate is essential to job creation and to the overall success of small businesses. We have taken a number of steps to assist small businesses and more will be announced as the campaign progresses. In addition to lowering the small business tax rate, we have increased the income level for the small business tax rate from $300,000 to $500,000. Our government is also reducing the amount of EI premiums paid by small businesses through the Small Business Job Credit.
Tourism is essential for this area - how important is tourism to you and your party?
Hlady: The tourism industry presently does not have a strong federal partner. Harper made cuts of $24 million to the tourism industry in a time were American tourism in Canada was dropping. It makes no sense. The return on investing in tourism always pays off. The NDP plan for marketing tourism to the U.S.A. is to increase our marketing to $30 million a year over the course of three years. I want to make sure that some of that promotion is on the great tourism spots in Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan.
Thomas: As a child I remember going to the old Manitou pool. One of the big attractions of the pool were the rings where you could swing across the width of the pool. Sadly, with the demise of the pool, there are no rings in the new spa. To correct this and encourage people to return to Little Manitou Lake the Rhino Party would build on this by setting up rings to swing on the width of the lake. The Rhinos would also try to integrate tourism throughout the riding by exploring a tourist monorail between all attractions to attract more tourists.
Lukiwski: Tourism plays a vital part in our economy. Our Conservative Government has launched the Federal Tourism Strategy which is aimed at increasing awareness of Canada as a premier tourism destination, as well as encouraging investments in the tourism sector. The riding of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan is home to some of the most beautiful scenery and landscapes in the entire world. We shouldn’t be shy about telling the world what a great place this is!
What does it mean for you to run in the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding?
Hlady: I am honoured to represent a vote for change in this riding. The state of politics has been very discouraging, especially with the recent Harper majority government. I’ve met people on the doorstep that are giving up voting after a lifetime of engagement in the democratic process. With the NDP you can vote for the change you want and actually get it. I’m excited to be a part of it.
I’m also looking forward to serving my constituents. I will remain accessible. If elected, you can contact me anytime and I will personally get back to you. I will be in Watrous door knocking on Sept. 25 and if anyone wants me to stop by, they can call 306-313-9508 anytime.
Thomas: It is an honour and a privilege to run. I’m running to hopefully make the election less boring and get people not only to ask more questions of candidates, but to come out and vote.
Lukiwski: To represent the riding of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan is to represent the heartland of Saskatchewan. From the bedroom communities surrounding Regina and Saskatoon, to the City of Moose Jaw, to numerous towns and villages and our agricultural heartland, this riding represents all facets of our great province. It’s the riding which I’ve lived in for most of my adult life. I believe it’s very important that you live in the riding which you represent. It allows you to hear and address the concerns and thoughts of constituents on a daily basis.
Why should people vote for you?
Hlady: I recently had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the Saskatchewan Legislative Internship Program. With this program I was able to work with Members of the Legislative assembly from both parties and learn the role of an elected representative. Now, I want to represent you in Ottawa.
I believe we have the plan to fix Ottawa and I know NDP Leader Tom Mulcair will make a great prime minister. You know the NDP, you know we always fight for the little guy and that we want to see a Canada where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. I’m ready and I hope you are too.
Thomas: I can’t do any worse and who knows I might even do better.
Lukiwski: People should vote for the individual who will best represent them in Ottawa. I have a strong record of delivering results for the constituents whom I represent. Whether it be funding a major infrastructure project, or simply providing assistance in filling out a passport application, I have been there to serve the constituents of the previous riding of Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre for the past decade and, if elected, I plan on providing the same great level of service and representation to the residents of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 7, 2015
Harvest operations underway in the area
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The humming of combines and the sight of grain being emptied into grain trucks are becoming more and more common now that September has arrived. Harvest is well underway in the area and Regional Crop Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture Cory Jacob said operations were more advanced this year compared to the same period the last few.
“The crops progressed nicely in the summer and got ahead of the game when it was dry.”
According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s latest weekly crop report, producers across the province had almost 30 per cent of the 2015 crop combined and an additional 30 per cent was swathed or ready to straight-cut. That was above the five-year average for this time of year which was 14 per cent combined and 26 per cent swathed or ready to straight cut.
Overall regionally, producers in the southwest were furthest advanced, with 51 per cent of the crop combined. Producers in the southeast had 45 per cent of the crop combined. Twenty per cent of the crop was combined in the west-central region; 13 per cent in the northwest; 11 per cent in the east-central region; and 10 per cent in the northeast.
Jacob, who works out of the regional office in Watrous said closer to home a bit of the canola in the area was being swathed while wheat and barley was coming off the fields along with peas and lentils.
“It looks great and we are off to a good start. Anything you get harvested by September is just a bonus in my opinion.”
While Jacob was waiting to hear about local yield numbers, he figured they would start coming in around average.
Despite a delay in receiving rain this year, Jacob said it needs to do its part and hold off for harvest.
“At the end of July and the beginning of August, those rains did help and were definitely timely but it was a little bit too much at once. Like a lot of farmers said, “Where was this in May when we really needed it? (Now) if it could just stay dry, we will be good to go. We had a couple of heavy dews a few weeks ago and I don’t even know what time guys were starting at.”
Jacob said if those heavy dews depart and the forest fire smoke stays away, things should progress nicely. Of course there is always the risk that frost may crop up, something that was experienced a few weeks ago in the far western part of the province. “I don’t know for how long but it sounds like it wasn’t long enough to cause substantial damage.”
The good news, according to Jacob, is that it appears September will be relatively warm. “Hopefully we don’t get a risk of frost. If crops mature in the next couple of weeks, the risk of frost is going to be pretty minimal. The crops will get past that stage where frost is going to harm them. The late seeded crops will be the only ones that will be a little bit susceptible to frost.”
While the real damage to this year’s crop was done in May, June and early July with the lack of rain, Jacob said things have turned around. “The way the prices are and the optimism, it will still be not a bad year. I hope everyone has a good and safe harvest.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The humming of combines and the sight of grain being emptied into grain trucks are becoming more and more common now that September has arrived. Harvest is well underway in the area and Regional Crop Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture Cory Jacob said operations were more advanced this year compared to the same period the last few.
“The crops progressed nicely in the summer and got ahead of the game when it was dry.”
According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s latest weekly crop report, producers across the province had almost 30 per cent of the 2015 crop combined and an additional 30 per cent was swathed or ready to straight-cut. That was above the five-year average for this time of year which was 14 per cent combined and 26 per cent swathed or ready to straight cut.
Overall regionally, producers in the southwest were furthest advanced, with 51 per cent of the crop combined. Producers in the southeast had 45 per cent of the crop combined. Twenty per cent of the crop was combined in the west-central region; 13 per cent in the northwest; 11 per cent in the east-central region; and 10 per cent in the northeast.
Jacob, who works out of the regional office in Watrous said closer to home a bit of the canola in the area was being swathed while wheat and barley was coming off the fields along with peas and lentils.
“It looks great and we are off to a good start. Anything you get harvested by September is just a bonus in my opinion.”
While Jacob was waiting to hear about local yield numbers, he figured they would start coming in around average.
Despite a delay in receiving rain this year, Jacob said it needs to do its part and hold off for harvest.
“At the end of July and the beginning of August, those rains did help and were definitely timely but it was a little bit too much at once. Like a lot of farmers said, “Where was this in May when we really needed it? (Now) if it could just stay dry, we will be good to go. We had a couple of heavy dews a few weeks ago and I don’t even know what time guys were starting at.”
Jacob said if those heavy dews depart and the forest fire smoke stays away, things should progress nicely. Of course there is always the risk that frost may crop up, something that was experienced a few weeks ago in the far western part of the province. “I don’t know for how long but it sounds like it wasn’t long enough to cause substantial damage.”
The good news, according to Jacob, is that it appears September will be relatively warm. “Hopefully we don’t get a risk of frost. If crops mature in the next couple of weeks, the risk of frost is going to be pretty minimal. The crops will get past that stage where frost is going to harm them. The late seeded crops will be the only ones that will be a little bit susceptible to frost.”
While the real damage to this year’s crop was done in May, June and early July with the lack of rain, Jacob said things have turned around. “The way the prices are and the optimism, it will still be not a bad year. I hope everyone has a good and safe harvest.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 31, 2015
Suspects plead guilty for murder of Holdner
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Two men pled guilty for the 2013 murder of Alexander (AJ) Holdner and are spending time behind bars. Robert McCamon and Kyle Scott were sentenced Aug. 24 at Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatoon for their roles in the death of Holdner.
McCamon pleaded guilty to second degree murder and will serve life in prison with no chance of parole for 17 years. Scott pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact, receiving four years but will serve one year after getting credit for time already served.
Before midnight July 11, 2013, officers were on a routine patrol in Saskatoon and stopped to check out a broken down truck on Circle Drive just south of 11th St. W. Inside, officers found Holdner unresponsive. The 25-year-old Holdner, who was known to many in Young and Watrous, had just recently moved to Saskatoon from Young.
Police later apprehended Scott and McCamon who at the time were 18 and 19 years old.
In a 2013 article in the Watrous Manitou, AJ’s father Wayne and mother Nancy recalled memories of their son.
Wayne said AJ loved to lend a hand and when he had a job to do, he would do his best. “Bolts were flying, wrenches were moving. That was what AJ lived for. When I didn’t have something for him, then it was right back to his vehicle.”
The vehicle, his black Ford, was cleaned once a day and Wayne said his son enjoyed taking things apart if they did not sound right.
“His vehicle was all he worried about . . . it didn’t matter how his clothes looked, he was working on his truck.” Wayne said that was when his son was in his glory and always talked about what he would do next with his truck.
AJ’s mother Nancy said he loved music, action movies and video games and as a kid used to spend hours in the sandbox playing with Tonka toys and toy farm equipment. He also formed a special bond with the family’s pet Jack Russell Terrier named Zeus.
Nancy said AJ really liked working and helping people even if it was something like shovelling grain. “Anything that made him feel useful and kept him moving . . . his mind was always in high gear.”
“When he was younger he had to go,” Wayne agreed. “Whether it was playing with his siblings or on his own, he would just go.”
Once, on a camping trip with friends, both parents recalled AJ and the boys covering themselves with the muck in the water. “There wasn’t much white showing on those boys except for maybe their teeth from their smiles and the whites of their eyes,” Nancy said. “It was pretty entertaining watching them; they were having a lot of fun.”
Nancy also said AJ was on a special, restricted diet because of Phenylketonuria (PKU) - an autosomal recessive metabolic genetic disorder. Because of that diet, she said AJ would get creative in the meals he made as an adult. “There was a point in time where he thought maybe he wanted to be a chef. His ambitions were to be a chef or a mechanic.”
However, Nancy said dealing with meat sort of turned him off that career because he never ate it.
Wayne said through his years AJ never meant anybody harm, he “just sometimes didn’t know where the line was because he was so busy all the time. He was a character in that sense and always had a smile.”
“Anybody who knew him, I think he probably taught them a lot of lessons about life,” said Nancy.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Two men pled guilty for the 2013 murder of Alexander (AJ) Holdner and are spending time behind bars. Robert McCamon and Kyle Scott were sentenced Aug. 24 at Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatoon for their roles in the death of Holdner.
McCamon pleaded guilty to second degree murder and will serve life in prison with no chance of parole for 17 years. Scott pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact, receiving four years but will serve one year after getting credit for time already served.
Before midnight July 11, 2013, officers were on a routine patrol in Saskatoon and stopped to check out a broken down truck on Circle Drive just south of 11th St. W. Inside, officers found Holdner unresponsive. The 25-year-old Holdner, who was known to many in Young and Watrous, had just recently moved to Saskatoon from Young.
Police later apprehended Scott and McCamon who at the time were 18 and 19 years old.
In a 2013 article in the Watrous Manitou, AJ’s father Wayne and mother Nancy recalled memories of their son.
Wayne said AJ loved to lend a hand and when he had a job to do, he would do his best. “Bolts were flying, wrenches were moving. That was what AJ lived for. When I didn’t have something for him, then it was right back to his vehicle.”
The vehicle, his black Ford, was cleaned once a day and Wayne said his son enjoyed taking things apart if they did not sound right.
“His vehicle was all he worried about . . . it didn’t matter how his clothes looked, he was working on his truck.” Wayne said that was when his son was in his glory and always talked about what he would do next with his truck.
AJ’s mother Nancy said he loved music, action movies and video games and as a kid used to spend hours in the sandbox playing with Tonka toys and toy farm equipment. He also formed a special bond with the family’s pet Jack Russell Terrier named Zeus.
Nancy said AJ really liked working and helping people even if it was something like shovelling grain. “Anything that made him feel useful and kept him moving . . . his mind was always in high gear.”
“When he was younger he had to go,” Wayne agreed. “Whether it was playing with his siblings or on his own, he would just go.”
Once, on a camping trip with friends, both parents recalled AJ and the boys covering themselves with the muck in the water. “There wasn’t much white showing on those boys except for maybe their teeth from their smiles and the whites of their eyes,” Nancy said. “It was pretty entertaining watching them; they were having a lot of fun.”
Nancy also said AJ was on a special, restricted diet because of Phenylketonuria (PKU) - an autosomal recessive metabolic genetic disorder. Because of that diet, she said AJ would get creative in the meals he made as an adult. “There was a point in time where he thought maybe he wanted to be a chef. His ambitions were to be a chef or a mechanic.”
However, Nancy said dealing with meat sort of turned him off that career because he never ate it.
Wayne said through his years AJ never meant anybody harm, he “just sometimes didn’t know where the line was because he was so busy all the time. He was a character in that sense and always had a smile.”
“Anybody who knew him, I think he probably taught them a lot of lessons about life,” said Nancy.
Aug. 24, 2015
Mosquitoes return with a vengeance after quiet July
Daniel Bushman/TWM
That nice feeling of not having to deal with mosquitoes over the summer disappeared pretty quickly as people were reminded in short order of how pesky the little insects can be. Species of mosquitoes hit the jackpot with more rain and hot temperatures in early August. Because of that, they began coming out in droves.
Entomologist Phil Curry with the Ministry of Health said although there was a slight increase early in the spring, the hot and dry conditions moved in drying up the habitat for the mosquitoes and dwindled the numbers.
However, that changed in a hurry once August arrived. “With these recent heavy rains followed by continued hot weather we have seen a real emergence of the common summer time pest mosquitoes: Aedes vexan. They will remain active particularly on these hot and humid nights. It is a species that is very aggressive and likes biting animals and other mammals. It will bite during the day time and more in the evening when the humidity levels are high.”
As an example, Curry’s own trap on his farm had around 300 total mosquitoes during the first week of August and the week when the mosquitoes began to swarm, there were over 2,000. “They are very active and aggressive and will bite anything that moves.”
Curry said people can expect to deal with the annoying insects for at least another few weeks until they obtain a blood meal and die.
“We haven’t had a lot of mosquitoes so people have gotten used to not having mosquitoes out there. When you get an aggressive species like this, I think the combination of large numbers and the fact we haven’t had mosquitoes for a few months comes as a shock to see them.”
But the Aedes vexan is not the only species humming about as Culex tarsalis are also in the mix.
“Their population has peaked now and we are seeing higher numbers in some areas. They can carry the West Nile virus and the risk levels up until now remained at low to moderate levels with a little higher risk when you get into southern areas. These mosquitoes are very effective at transmitting the virus during hot nights. They pick up the virus from birds and can either infect other birds or bite humans or horses or other animals as well.”
Curry said the virus has been detected in infected mosquitoes in southern Saskatchewan so there is a risk during this time of year. However, he encourages people to still enjoy the summer but just take precautions when heading outdoors.
“By all means enjoy the summer weather and you can reduce the risk of mosquito bites by wearing appropriate insect repellents, loose fitting clothing with long sleeves and pants and it is important to maintain your screens on your windows and doors.”
Curry reminds people that dusk is happening a little earlier now as the days get shorter and mosquito activity really picks up after 8 p.m. as people are still outside, wrapping up their recreational activities. “It is very important to try and avoid getting bitten at that time.”
Daniel Bushman/TWM
That nice feeling of not having to deal with mosquitoes over the summer disappeared pretty quickly as people were reminded in short order of how pesky the little insects can be. Species of mosquitoes hit the jackpot with more rain and hot temperatures in early August. Because of that, they began coming out in droves.
Entomologist Phil Curry with the Ministry of Health said although there was a slight increase early in the spring, the hot and dry conditions moved in drying up the habitat for the mosquitoes and dwindled the numbers.
However, that changed in a hurry once August arrived. “With these recent heavy rains followed by continued hot weather we have seen a real emergence of the common summer time pest mosquitoes: Aedes vexan. They will remain active particularly on these hot and humid nights. It is a species that is very aggressive and likes biting animals and other mammals. It will bite during the day time and more in the evening when the humidity levels are high.”
As an example, Curry’s own trap on his farm had around 300 total mosquitoes during the first week of August and the week when the mosquitoes began to swarm, there were over 2,000. “They are very active and aggressive and will bite anything that moves.”
Curry said people can expect to deal with the annoying insects for at least another few weeks until they obtain a blood meal and die.
“We haven’t had a lot of mosquitoes so people have gotten used to not having mosquitoes out there. When you get an aggressive species like this, I think the combination of large numbers and the fact we haven’t had mosquitoes for a few months comes as a shock to see them.”
But the Aedes vexan is not the only species humming about as Culex tarsalis are also in the mix.
“Their population has peaked now and we are seeing higher numbers in some areas. They can carry the West Nile virus and the risk levels up until now remained at low to moderate levels with a little higher risk when you get into southern areas. These mosquitoes are very effective at transmitting the virus during hot nights. They pick up the virus from birds and can either infect other birds or bite humans or horses or other animals as well.”
Curry said the virus has been detected in infected mosquitoes in southern Saskatchewan so there is a risk during this time of year. However, he encourages people to still enjoy the summer but just take precautions when heading outdoors.
“By all means enjoy the summer weather and you can reduce the risk of mosquito bites by wearing appropriate insect repellents, loose fitting clothing with long sleeves and pants and it is important to maintain your screens on your windows and doors.”
Curry reminds people that dusk is happening a little earlier now as the days get shorter and mosquito activity really picks up after 8 p.m. as people are still outside, wrapping up their recreational activities. “It is very important to try and avoid getting bitten at that time.”
Carving out a winner as event a huge success
Daniel Bushman/TWM
The talent was evident and the finished products inspiring as carvers from across the country, including a few that appear on the television show Carver Kings, took part in the first ever Manitou Maple Madness chainsaw carving competition.
The group including Joerg Jung of British Columbia; Dave Kemp, LeRoy Robillard, Kevin Bendig and Doug Lingelbach of Saskatchewan; Jim Niedermayer of Manitoba; and Mike Winia and Jacob and Paul Frenette of Ontario had the task of coming up with at least two creations during the Aug. 13 to 16 competition at Manitou Beach.
While they were allotted time each day to carve their larger project from a chunk of wood, the group competed in a quick cut competition Thursday evening and only had two hours to come up with something unique.
Those works were put up for bid in a silent auction format and at the end of the weekend they garnered almost $8,000 with half of that going to Camp Easter Seal.
Lumberjill Kat Spencer also joined the carvers as she put on demonstrations while instructing sponsors on how to throw an axe. The sponsors then went head-to-head to show off their skills with Konn Hawkes representing Affinity Credit Union in Watrous taking the win.
Once the weekend came to an end, the nine carvers had their work judged and here are the results: first place - Mike Winia, winning $3,500; second place - Doug Lingelbach, winning $2,500; people’s choice - Mike Winia, winning $1,500; and carver’s choice - Paul Frenette, winning $1,000.
Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall said the event was an overwhelming success. “People were excited when they started to see the carvings come together. At the end of the day all the comments were extremely positive. I think everybody went away happy and the nice part is the carvers went away happy in terms of the sponsorship and hospitality they received.”
Upshall estimated between three and four thousand people went through the gates throughout the event. “It was nice to see the excitement from the crowd that came. I think the next time there will be a lot more people because the word will be out.”
Carvers used local wood and the large finished products will remain in the area. Upshall said they offered a few to the Watrous Kinsmen for Kinsmen Park because of their contribution for the event. “The rest will be going around the beach. We don’t know where they are going but we will have a meeting and decide where to place them.”
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz echoed Upshall’s comments about the positive success that the event brought with it. “Overall it went great. We had a very good turnout,” Manz said. “I think with any first event it takes people getting out and seeing what it is all about. We know the campground was full and the spa was full. With a ball tournament in Watrous and weddings too, I got a lot of comments of how busy the communities were and how good it was to see.”
Manz said when events like these are held, whether at Manitou Beach or Watrous, everybody can benefit. “It was great to go out to the beach and see the festival site packed with people on Saturday afternoon and then you come to Watrous and main street was busy and stores were busy. It was great economic development for the communities and everybody benefits from that.”
Manz said Manitou Maple Madness is scheduled to return in 2017 during Aug. 10 to 13. “We are definitely planning on having this again. We realize that this opens up our eyes to what type of events we can not only put together ourselves, but to host. This year has been great as far as hosting provincial curling in winter and we have more events lined up for the fall yet. This is just the start of I think a lot of things to come.”
To see more pictures and read more about the event and those taking part, see pages 10 and 11 of this week’s paper. You can also check out Manitou Beach news by Sue Alcock in this week’s edition.
Daniel Bushman/TWM
The talent was evident and the finished products inspiring as carvers from across the country, including a few that appear on the television show Carver Kings, took part in the first ever Manitou Maple Madness chainsaw carving competition.
The group including Joerg Jung of British Columbia; Dave Kemp, LeRoy Robillard, Kevin Bendig and Doug Lingelbach of Saskatchewan; Jim Niedermayer of Manitoba; and Mike Winia and Jacob and Paul Frenette of Ontario had the task of coming up with at least two creations during the Aug. 13 to 16 competition at Manitou Beach.
While they were allotted time each day to carve their larger project from a chunk of wood, the group competed in a quick cut competition Thursday evening and only had two hours to come up with something unique.
Those works were put up for bid in a silent auction format and at the end of the weekend they garnered almost $8,000 with half of that going to Camp Easter Seal.
Lumberjill Kat Spencer also joined the carvers as she put on demonstrations while instructing sponsors on how to throw an axe. The sponsors then went head-to-head to show off their skills with Konn Hawkes representing Affinity Credit Union in Watrous taking the win.
Once the weekend came to an end, the nine carvers had their work judged and here are the results: first place - Mike Winia, winning $3,500; second place - Doug Lingelbach, winning $2,500; people’s choice - Mike Winia, winning $1,500; and carver’s choice - Paul Frenette, winning $1,000.
Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall said the event was an overwhelming success. “People were excited when they started to see the carvings come together. At the end of the day all the comments were extremely positive. I think everybody went away happy and the nice part is the carvers went away happy in terms of the sponsorship and hospitality they received.”
Upshall estimated between three and four thousand people went through the gates throughout the event. “It was nice to see the excitement from the crowd that came. I think the next time there will be a lot more people because the word will be out.”
Carvers used local wood and the large finished products will remain in the area. Upshall said they offered a few to the Watrous Kinsmen for Kinsmen Park because of their contribution for the event. “The rest will be going around the beach. We don’t know where they are going but we will have a meeting and decide where to place them.”
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz echoed Upshall’s comments about the positive success that the event brought with it. “Overall it went great. We had a very good turnout,” Manz said. “I think with any first event it takes people getting out and seeing what it is all about. We know the campground was full and the spa was full. With a ball tournament in Watrous and weddings too, I got a lot of comments of how busy the communities were and how good it was to see.”
Manz said when events like these are held, whether at Manitou Beach or Watrous, everybody can benefit. “It was great to go out to the beach and see the festival site packed with people on Saturday afternoon and then you come to Watrous and main street was busy and stores were busy. It was great economic development for the communities and everybody benefits from that.”
Manz said Manitou Maple Madness is scheduled to return in 2017 during Aug. 10 to 13. “We are definitely planning on having this again. We realize that this opens up our eyes to what type of events we can not only put together ourselves, but to host. This year has been great as far as hosting provincial curling in winter and we have more events lined up for the fall yet. This is just the start of I think a lot of things to come.”
To see more pictures and read more about the event and those taking part, see pages 10 and 11 of this week’s paper. You can also check out Manitou Beach news by Sue Alcock in this week’s edition.
Top Story - Aug. 17, 2015
*Click on each image to see the candidate's name and party affiliation
Federal election called
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Campaigning is officially underway across the country as the 42nd federal general election has been called. Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked Governor General David Johnston to dissolve Parliament, calling an election for Monday, Oct. 19.
Reportedly, this election campaign will last 11 weeks and will be one of the longest in the country’s history.
Two of the significant changes as voters go to the polls will be the number of federal electoral districts increasing from 308 to 338 and the boundaries of approximately 87 per cent of electoral districts are changing.
For the local riding, now called Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan, the electoral district boundaries now encompass places as far west as Outlook, north to Clavet, over to Meacham, Lanigan and LeRoy, then south to Jansen, Craven and Milestone and over through Moose Jaw and Eyebrow.
According to the Redistribution Federal Electoral Districts website, the riding contains just over 71,000 people, including the city of Moose Jaw and those within the Watrous region.
Currently seeking votes to be the Member of Parliament for the new riding includes: Conservative candidate Tom Lukiwski; NDP candidate Dustan Hlady; Liberal candidate Perry Juttla; and Green Party candidate Shawn Setyo.
Since the riding is new, along with the candidates, the Watrous Manitou reached out to each for a photo and bio to let you get to know them a little better. Leading up to the election, the Watrous Manitou will also be submitting questions to each candidate and will run the returned responses later next month.
Here are the candidates for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan and the bios each submitted:
Tom Lukiwski - Conservative
Born in Esterhazy, Sask. in 1951, Tom has been a lifelong resident of the province and has lived in the riding of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan for over two decades.
Although first elected as a Member of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre in 2004, Tom Lukiwski has been a leader in Saskatchewan public life for many years. Previous to running for federal politics, Tom was responsible for running his own small business. Tom’s professional career included serving as the Executive Director of the former Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan and General Manager of the Saskatchewan Party.
Tom was first elected to the House of Commons on June 28, 2004. During this time he served as the Chair of the Saskatchewan Conservative Caucus. He has sat on many Parliamentary Committees including the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. He was also instrumental on the subcommittee that dealt with the Federal Accountability Act.
After being re-elected in January of 2006, Tom was sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform. He was once again re-elected in Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre in 2008 and again in May 2011. Today, Tom plays an active role in his duties as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader, and has a leading role on the Procedure and House Affairs Committee.
Tom’s busy schedule has included a commitment to community service. He has served on the Labatt Brier Committee and the Saskatchewan Roughriders Marketing Board of Directors and has also played key roles with Skate Canada, the Bill Clarke Fundraiser in Support of Parkinson’s Disease and the Peter Gzowski Fundraiser for Literacy.
When Tom is away from his parliamentary duties, he enjoys working on his golf game. Tom currently resides at Regina Beach with his wife Diane. He also has two grown sons, Tyler and Ryland and two granddaughters.
Dustan Hlady - NDP
As part of Tom Mulcair’s NDP team, Dustan Hlady said he is ready to fight for people’s priorities in Parliament and deliver results for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan.
Dustan comes to the job with valuable political experience. He has interned at Saskatchewan’s Legislative Assembly. He has led meetings with public servants and politicians, including all living former premiers of our province. He has also learned about public administration from chiefs and band staff on several reserves, and from municipal leaders in the communities of La Ronge and Stony Rapids.
To broaden his horizons, Dustan has also spent time on Parliament Hill, at Quebec’s National Assembly, and in the Scottish and UK Parliaments learning about the social, economic and environmental issues each government faces.
Dustan believes today’s young people have tremendous potential to build a better Canada. His desire to have a positive impact led him to work in schools as a pre-service teacher and educational assistant. Now he’s taking the next step by pursuing his teaching degree at the University of Regina.
A devoted community volunteer, Dustan serves on the planning committee for Performer’s Café and Cineview. He has also worked with Joe’s Place Youth Centre and Campus For All, an inclusion program for university students with intellectual disabilities.
Dustan is a longtime Moose Jaw resident along with his wife Carrie and their sons Reese and Cohen.
Perry Juttla - Liberal
Driven by a fundamental belief in equality of opportunity, Perry Juttla has dedicated much of his life to helping improve the lives of those in his communities and is now committed to being a strong local voice in Ottawa for all residents of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan.
Perry has been a lifelong Liberal, volunteering and door-knocking since he was 14. At the age of 20, Perry ran in the 2003 Saskatchewan Provincial Elections as the Liberal candidate in Regina Walsh Acres. Perry later attended the University of Regina, where he earned two Bachelors of Arts degrees - one in Economics and one in Political Science - and ran in the Student Union Presidential Election. He has gained valuable experience with diversified business holdings in agriculture, commercial real estate, and is launching the job creation website bidyets.com - a free service where people post a job they need done while also allowing them to bid on jobs they know how to do. Perry spends much of his free time with local organizations. He was an Aid Stations Organizer for the Queen City Marathon and he also volunteered with the Food Bank, the Heart and Kidney Foundation, and various Runs for the Cure.
Shawn Setyo - Green Party
There was no bio available from Setyo by press time.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Campaigning is officially underway across the country as the 42nd federal general election has been called. Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked Governor General David Johnston to dissolve Parliament, calling an election for Monday, Oct. 19.
Reportedly, this election campaign will last 11 weeks and will be one of the longest in the country’s history.
Two of the significant changes as voters go to the polls will be the number of federal electoral districts increasing from 308 to 338 and the boundaries of approximately 87 per cent of electoral districts are changing.
For the local riding, now called Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan, the electoral district boundaries now encompass places as far west as Outlook, north to Clavet, over to Meacham, Lanigan and LeRoy, then south to Jansen, Craven and Milestone and over through Moose Jaw and Eyebrow.
According to the Redistribution Federal Electoral Districts website, the riding contains just over 71,000 people, including the city of Moose Jaw and those within the Watrous region.
Currently seeking votes to be the Member of Parliament for the new riding includes: Conservative candidate Tom Lukiwski; NDP candidate Dustan Hlady; Liberal candidate Perry Juttla; and Green Party candidate Shawn Setyo.
Since the riding is new, along with the candidates, the Watrous Manitou reached out to each for a photo and bio to let you get to know them a little better. Leading up to the election, the Watrous Manitou will also be submitting questions to each candidate and will run the returned responses later next month.
Here are the candidates for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan and the bios each submitted:
Tom Lukiwski - Conservative
Born in Esterhazy, Sask. in 1951, Tom has been a lifelong resident of the province and has lived in the riding of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan for over two decades.
Although first elected as a Member of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre in 2004, Tom Lukiwski has been a leader in Saskatchewan public life for many years. Previous to running for federal politics, Tom was responsible for running his own small business. Tom’s professional career included serving as the Executive Director of the former Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan and General Manager of the Saskatchewan Party.
Tom was first elected to the House of Commons on June 28, 2004. During this time he served as the Chair of the Saskatchewan Conservative Caucus. He has sat on many Parliamentary Committees including the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. He was also instrumental on the subcommittee that dealt with the Federal Accountability Act.
After being re-elected in January of 2006, Tom was sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform. He was once again re-elected in Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre in 2008 and again in May 2011. Today, Tom plays an active role in his duties as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader, and has a leading role on the Procedure and House Affairs Committee.
Tom’s busy schedule has included a commitment to community service. He has served on the Labatt Brier Committee and the Saskatchewan Roughriders Marketing Board of Directors and has also played key roles with Skate Canada, the Bill Clarke Fundraiser in Support of Parkinson’s Disease and the Peter Gzowski Fundraiser for Literacy.
When Tom is away from his parliamentary duties, he enjoys working on his golf game. Tom currently resides at Regina Beach with his wife Diane. He also has two grown sons, Tyler and Ryland and two granddaughters.
Dustan Hlady - NDP
As part of Tom Mulcair’s NDP team, Dustan Hlady said he is ready to fight for people’s priorities in Parliament and deliver results for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan.
Dustan comes to the job with valuable political experience. He has interned at Saskatchewan’s Legislative Assembly. He has led meetings with public servants and politicians, including all living former premiers of our province. He has also learned about public administration from chiefs and band staff on several reserves, and from municipal leaders in the communities of La Ronge and Stony Rapids.
To broaden his horizons, Dustan has also spent time on Parliament Hill, at Quebec’s National Assembly, and in the Scottish and UK Parliaments learning about the social, economic and environmental issues each government faces.
Dustan believes today’s young people have tremendous potential to build a better Canada. His desire to have a positive impact led him to work in schools as a pre-service teacher and educational assistant. Now he’s taking the next step by pursuing his teaching degree at the University of Regina.
A devoted community volunteer, Dustan serves on the planning committee for Performer’s Café and Cineview. He has also worked with Joe’s Place Youth Centre and Campus For All, an inclusion program for university students with intellectual disabilities.
Dustan is a longtime Moose Jaw resident along with his wife Carrie and their sons Reese and Cohen.
Perry Juttla - Liberal
Driven by a fundamental belief in equality of opportunity, Perry Juttla has dedicated much of his life to helping improve the lives of those in his communities and is now committed to being a strong local voice in Ottawa for all residents of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan.
Perry has been a lifelong Liberal, volunteering and door-knocking since he was 14. At the age of 20, Perry ran in the 2003 Saskatchewan Provincial Elections as the Liberal candidate in Regina Walsh Acres. Perry later attended the University of Regina, where he earned two Bachelors of Arts degrees - one in Economics and one in Political Science - and ran in the Student Union Presidential Election. He has gained valuable experience with diversified business holdings in agriculture, commercial real estate, and is launching the job creation website bidyets.com - a free service where people post a job they need done while also allowing them to bid on jobs they know how to do. Perry spends much of his free time with local organizations. He was an Aid Stations Organizer for the Queen City Marathon and he also volunteered with the Food Bank, the Heart and Kidney Foundation, and various Runs for the Cure.
Shawn Setyo - Green Party
There was no bio available from Setyo by press time.
Top Story - Aug. 10, 2015
Doors close at Watrous Shop Easy
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With prices being reduced, shelves emptied and the final day of business approaching, despite their best efforts to renew a viable lease or purchase the property, the owners of the Watrous Shop Easy were left with the difficult decision to close their doors.
Owners Jerry and Gloria Luscombe said since the leasing option did not work, they submitted a proposal to Loblaw to purchase the business in Watrous. However, it was unsuccessful and the strong community supporters were then left no choice but to close the grocery store and flower shop.
“There were several factors that came into play when negotiating the purchase of the building from Loblaw,” said Gloria. “With the building being 57 years old, it required several updates. Although some repairs were made recently to the building to address health and safety issues, there were still many necessary outstanding repairs and improvements that were required. Along with the building concerns there would need to be additional updates to obsolete lighting and refrigeration. Lastly, signing a 10-year franchise agreement would not have been viable given uncertain economic times.”
Since the announcement of closing was made public July 9th, the Luscombes said they were overwhelmed by the community’s support in purchasing the remaining inventory before the doors closed at the end of July.
The Watrous Manitou contacted Loblaw regarding the closure and what the future holds for the building. Chris Lavoie, Senior District Manager, National Affiliated Independents Operations Lead, Western Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited issued the following statement:
“At this time we do not have confirmed plans for the building or the store and are actively seeking a buyer for the building. Loblaw Companies has appreciated the opportunity to serve the needs of the Watrous community through the Shop Easy store for the last 30 years, the last five being with the current owners. We have been working with the store owners to repair the building and support the business as needed to ensure residents of Watrous continued to receive the great level of service and product assortment they expect from Shop Easy. Despite the ongoing efforts of both parties we were not able to find a mutually agreeable arrangement and as such have decided to close the business on July 31, 2015. We wish the store owners and their team continued success in their future endeavors.”
The closure at the end of last month came as it was reported by numerous national media outlets that Loblaw is closing 52 stores across the country over the next year.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With prices being reduced, shelves emptied and the final day of business approaching, despite their best efforts to renew a viable lease or purchase the property, the owners of the Watrous Shop Easy were left with the difficult decision to close their doors.
Owners Jerry and Gloria Luscombe said since the leasing option did not work, they submitted a proposal to Loblaw to purchase the business in Watrous. However, it was unsuccessful and the strong community supporters were then left no choice but to close the grocery store and flower shop.
“There were several factors that came into play when negotiating the purchase of the building from Loblaw,” said Gloria. “With the building being 57 years old, it required several updates. Although some repairs were made recently to the building to address health and safety issues, there were still many necessary outstanding repairs and improvements that were required. Along with the building concerns there would need to be additional updates to obsolete lighting and refrigeration. Lastly, signing a 10-year franchise agreement would not have been viable given uncertain economic times.”
Since the announcement of closing was made public July 9th, the Luscombes said they were overwhelmed by the community’s support in purchasing the remaining inventory before the doors closed at the end of July.
The Watrous Manitou contacted Loblaw regarding the closure and what the future holds for the building. Chris Lavoie, Senior District Manager, National Affiliated Independents Operations Lead, Western Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited issued the following statement:
“At this time we do not have confirmed plans for the building or the store and are actively seeking a buyer for the building. Loblaw Companies has appreciated the opportunity to serve the needs of the Watrous community through the Shop Easy store for the last 30 years, the last five being with the current owners. We have been working with the store owners to repair the building and support the business as needed to ensure residents of Watrous continued to receive the great level of service and product assortment they expect from Shop Easy. Despite the ongoing efforts of both parties we were not able to find a mutually agreeable arrangement and as such have decided to close the business on July 31, 2015. We wish the store owners and their team continued success in their future endeavors.”
The closure at the end of last month came as it was reported by numerous national media outlets that Loblaw is closing 52 stores across the country over the next year.
Top Story - Aug. 3, 2015
Iconic building slated for demolition
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
A recognizable fixture filled with history and nostalgia will soon be a distant memory as crews began taking down the CBK building just outside of Watrous. Owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Company and opened in 1939, the aging CBK building that was full of life decades ago is being wiped away.
CBC Transmitter Supervisor for Saskatchewan, Stephen Tomchuk, said while the transmitter will remain intact, broadcasting on 540 kHz on the AM dial at 50,000 watts, the decision to remove the vacant building on the property was actually made quite a number of years ago.
“As technology improved, things went from the old transmitter building of some 4,000 square feet to support the transmitter to what we have now. The new transmitter covers a whole nine square feet which is the same output power as the original big red that was in the old building.”
Tomchuk said maintenance issues and the fact that the new transmitter does not produce the same kind of heating capabilities as the old one were part of the decision to demolish the building. “We were sinking thousands of dollars a month to heat the building throughout the winter just to maintain it.”
As time moved along, the CBK building fell into disrepair and in 2007 a new place was built. Once the switch over to the new building occurred, activity in the aging facility was basically shut down.
Tomchuk said the CBC was in contact with the local heritage committee to acknowledge the company was interested in possibly passing the building along, but unfortunately, the costs to repair it were just too much.
“It is extremely expensive. Before we moved out, we did a repair just on the generator roof building which comprises less than a quarter of the total roof space for that building and it was $25,000. That was 15 years ago so you can imagine with the price increases to do something four times that large it would be in excess of $100,000 just to get the roof in shape to prevent it from leaking. Of course there are all the repairs inside. There is asbestos in pipe insulation, asbestos in floor tiles, there is lead paint and all sorts of things that would have to be upgraded in order to allow access.”
Watrous Manitou Heritage Committee Chair Kathy Bergen said effort was put forward by the local group to somehow save the building or have its ownership turned over but because of the environmental considerations and cost they knew from the beginning that the site was not practical for a museum.
Instead, the heritage group took steps to preserve the history through videos, photographs as well as artifacts they gleaned from the building. Even the inaugural broadcast was provided to the group by the CBC and pictures, video and the broadcast can be viewed on the group’s website (www.watrousheritage.ca).
The committee was also able to get in touch with Tomchuk and tagged and photographed items to be removed and preserved. Ownership of those items were passed over to the committee and Bergen said while it seemed like short notice when word came down that the building was going to be destroyed, the items were already tagged and ready to be taken out.
“Our dream is to re-create parts of the interior like a broadcast room and perhaps even the fallout shelter,” said Bergen. “With that in mind, we have items that would help do that. There is office furniture and equipment, older style electronics, tubes that powered the transmitters, cabinets, doors, railings, recordings, manuals and other items.”
With help from Dan Boehr and the Town of Watrous, the committee was able to remove the larger objects from the building. However, one item that will be lost is the floor map containing the call letters and location of each CBC transmitter in the country.
“The map is one of the issues and is made of a roll type of linoleum that has asbestos in it,” said Tomchuk. Because of that, it will be part of the demolition.
CBK Radio 540 first hit the airwaves with 50,000 watts of RF power July 29, 1939. Local transmitter site monitor Dwight Kornelsen said Watrous was chosen as the ideal location for such a transmitter for numerous reasons including minerals in the soil, flat land and altitude. Over the decades the building housed numerous employees who helped to transmit a radio signal and despite the storm of 1976 which knocked down the original 456 foot tower near the building, the place continued to be a focal point for transmitting radio signals.
Bergen said the building and the replaced tower have been a source of pride for the community over the years. “They helped put Watrous on the map, so to speak. Its presence was a constant reminder of the important role the transmitter played over the years to Saskatchewan and Western Canada. The Prairie Reflections history book aptly called the chapter about CBK, “Our Radio Station.” I know there are many in the community who mourn the loss of the once beautiful and iconic building, and rightly so. We will do our best to make sure it is not forgotten. The new transmitter along with the tower still serve CBC radio, and will continue to do so for years to come.”
One of those “losing an old friend” is long-time Watrous resident and past CBC employee Orin McIntosh.
After spending a good part of his childhood in Watrous, McIntosh headed to Manitoba to begin a career with the CBC in 1953. It was not long after when he returned to Watrous in 1957.
Working as a transmitter operator, McIntosh had the task of keeping the transmitter going while having a daily log of the equipment they were running. He also had to keep a program log and if there was any air time lost, it was important to have a good record of the times of programming lost and why.
“It was busy in the early years that’s for sure,” said McIntosh who added when he started in Watrous there was a boss, caretaker and four or five technicians working at the transmitter. “We had an early morning shift and we signed off at midnight so there was always a late shift.”
McIntosh was interested in radio right from a young age and when the transmitter was built near Watrous, he was 10 years old. Now 86, McIntosh said, “I was pretty interested in crystal sets and when CBK went on the air, if you had a crystal set you had no trouble picking up something. CBK was pretty powerful and it didn’t take a lot to be able to get CBK out of a pair of headphones.”
The Watrous resident said the tower was such a landmark in the early years and was very unique. “That set of lights at night was important to people that lived in the area. I am sure people probably got lost in the country more than once and as soon as you spotted CBK, you knew what direction to go.”
When the doors first opened in 1939, the facility was state-of-the-art, had air conditioning, heating and with the RCA transmitter that was housed inside, McIntosh said the building was more or less built for that transmitter.
“The studios and living quarters almost made it in the early years a complete radio station. There was programming from there in the early years and before I moved to Watrous there might have been as many as 20 people working there at one time. They had the English and French programming and there was local programming coming right from the studios. When it was first opened in 1939, it was quite an important and outstanding building.”
Over the decades McIntosh remembers a few important memories that stick out including the tower coming down during a bad wind storm in 1976. “There were so many things to do and it was a terrible thing at the time. People lost that light and the tower. It was also a disturbing time for us too. There were other events like in March 1967, we had a very severe snowstorm and we couldn’t get out to the transmitter. You could hardly move in town and it took us some real digging out to recover from that snow. That would be the worst snow storm that I recall.”
When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and the threat of a nuclear bomb was present, McIntosh remembers the CBC built an underground shelter. “You were on alert all the time and you didn’t know with the way the world politics were going at that time. It was quite nerve-wracking.”
After his time with CBC and throughout his retirement, McIntosh began creating scale model replicas of local buildings with incredible detail, one of which is the CBK building. “That is a lot more important to have now than I guess it was. It is here and part of the things to see once we get a museum.”
McIntosh said the local heritage website, which features his scale model replicas also has stories, pictures and other interesting items for people to view of the CBK building including a visitor’s log kept at the transmitter. “If you can remember your visit - I think my first one was in 1946 - you can find your name in the book.”
As far as the building coming down, McIntosh said it is quite disappointing. “I can remember as a boy watching the tower go up and I saw the tower come down with the storm in 1976. The tower will stay but the building will not.”
McIntosh is not the only one who will miss not seeing the landmark. Twenty-two years ago Watrous resident Dwight Kornelsen assumed the role of transmitter site monitor when McIntosh decided to retire. Kornelsen said when the opportunity came up, it was a dream come true and he has been doing it ever since.
Performing periodic site checks involving a series of metre readings of whichever transmitter is on the air in the new building, Kornelsen makes sure everything operates normally. If something is not right, he calls the technician in Saskatoon and is often guided through some trouble-shooting procedures. “Sometimes he calls me if they are getting an abnormal reading or a building alarm and I can go to the site, tell him exactly what I am seeing, and we go from there. Being an electrician and having a background in ham radio helps me to perform this job. The guys in the transmitter shop in Saskatoon rely on my knowledge of these things too.”
Like many others who have resided in Watrous, Kornelsen remembers the now empty building as a youngster. After growing up and assuming the role as transmitter site monitor, he shared a few highlights. “My fondest memories are of being in the old building cleaning the floors and polishing it all up in preparation for an open house. There were several in the 22 years that I have been involved with it. They were always very well attended, surprising everyone by how many people showed up to get a glimpse of what goes on behind those stucco walls. I especially liked to work in the old building when Peter Gzoski’s Morningside show or Vicki Gabaro was playing through the house speakers. It gave me a real appreciation for the role that the CBC plays in broadcasting as Canada’s Public Broadcaster.”
While Dwight’s position with the CBC will remain the same after the demolition of the old building, he said it will be sad to see the place go.
“It really was full of history. From World War II, up to the Cuban missile crisis, (which incidentally was the reason for the large stand-by generator and the nuclear fall-out shelter being constructed in the early 1960s). There was so much precision hand-crafted work in the original construction that you just do not see anymore. I guess I knew once all the equipment was moved into the new building, it would only be a matter of time before the CBC decided to tear down the old building. The roof was leaking, the windows were shot and there is a lot of hazardous materials in there too. For the CBC it is a liability, and poses a danger to the public as it deteriorates further.”
Demolition on the building was started July 21 and Tomchuk said the crew expected to have it completed in 15 days. Of those 15 days, seven were specific to hazardous materials issues inside the building before the demise of the structure.
“By the end of the first weekend of August it should be at ground level,” said Tomchuk.
Kornelsen said it is kind of ironic that the CBK station went to air on July 29, 1939 and then essentially 76 years later almost to the day, the old building will succumb to the wreckers.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
A recognizable fixture filled with history and nostalgia will soon be a distant memory as crews began taking down the CBK building just outside of Watrous. Owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Company and opened in 1939, the aging CBK building that was full of life decades ago is being wiped away.
CBC Transmitter Supervisor for Saskatchewan, Stephen Tomchuk, said while the transmitter will remain intact, broadcasting on 540 kHz on the AM dial at 50,000 watts, the decision to remove the vacant building on the property was actually made quite a number of years ago.
“As technology improved, things went from the old transmitter building of some 4,000 square feet to support the transmitter to what we have now. The new transmitter covers a whole nine square feet which is the same output power as the original big red that was in the old building.”
Tomchuk said maintenance issues and the fact that the new transmitter does not produce the same kind of heating capabilities as the old one were part of the decision to demolish the building. “We were sinking thousands of dollars a month to heat the building throughout the winter just to maintain it.”
As time moved along, the CBK building fell into disrepair and in 2007 a new place was built. Once the switch over to the new building occurred, activity in the aging facility was basically shut down.
Tomchuk said the CBC was in contact with the local heritage committee to acknowledge the company was interested in possibly passing the building along, but unfortunately, the costs to repair it were just too much.
“It is extremely expensive. Before we moved out, we did a repair just on the generator roof building which comprises less than a quarter of the total roof space for that building and it was $25,000. That was 15 years ago so you can imagine with the price increases to do something four times that large it would be in excess of $100,000 just to get the roof in shape to prevent it from leaking. Of course there are all the repairs inside. There is asbestos in pipe insulation, asbestos in floor tiles, there is lead paint and all sorts of things that would have to be upgraded in order to allow access.”
Watrous Manitou Heritage Committee Chair Kathy Bergen said effort was put forward by the local group to somehow save the building or have its ownership turned over but because of the environmental considerations and cost they knew from the beginning that the site was not practical for a museum.
Instead, the heritage group took steps to preserve the history through videos, photographs as well as artifacts they gleaned from the building. Even the inaugural broadcast was provided to the group by the CBC and pictures, video and the broadcast can be viewed on the group’s website (www.watrousheritage.ca).
The committee was also able to get in touch with Tomchuk and tagged and photographed items to be removed and preserved. Ownership of those items were passed over to the committee and Bergen said while it seemed like short notice when word came down that the building was going to be destroyed, the items were already tagged and ready to be taken out.
“Our dream is to re-create parts of the interior like a broadcast room and perhaps even the fallout shelter,” said Bergen. “With that in mind, we have items that would help do that. There is office furniture and equipment, older style electronics, tubes that powered the transmitters, cabinets, doors, railings, recordings, manuals and other items.”
With help from Dan Boehr and the Town of Watrous, the committee was able to remove the larger objects from the building. However, one item that will be lost is the floor map containing the call letters and location of each CBC transmitter in the country.
“The map is one of the issues and is made of a roll type of linoleum that has asbestos in it,” said Tomchuk. Because of that, it will be part of the demolition.
CBK Radio 540 first hit the airwaves with 50,000 watts of RF power July 29, 1939. Local transmitter site monitor Dwight Kornelsen said Watrous was chosen as the ideal location for such a transmitter for numerous reasons including minerals in the soil, flat land and altitude. Over the decades the building housed numerous employees who helped to transmit a radio signal and despite the storm of 1976 which knocked down the original 456 foot tower near the building, the place continued to be a focal point for transmitting radio signals.
Bergen said the building and the replaced tower have been a source of pride for the community over the years. “They helped put Watrous on the map, so to speak. Its presence was a constant reminder of the important role the transmitter played over the years to Saskatchewan and Western Canada. The Prairie Reflections history book aptly called the chapter about CBK, “Our Radio Station.” I know there are many in the community who mourn the loss of the once beautiful and iconic building, and rightly so. We will do our best to make sure it is not forgotten. The new transmitter along with the tower still serve CBC radio, and will continue to do so for years to come.”
One of those “losing an old friend” is long-time Watrous resident and past CBC employee Orin McIntosh.
After spending a good part of his childhood in Watrous, McIntosh headed to Manitoba to begin a career with the CBC in 1953. It was not long after when he returned to Watrous in 1957.
Working as a transmitter operator, McIntosh had the task of keeping the transmitter going while having a daily log of the equipment they were running. He also had to keep a program log and if there was any air time lost, it was important to have a good record of the times of programming lost and why.
“It was busy in the early years that’s for sure,” said McIntosh who added when he started in Watrous there was a boss, caretaker and four or five technicians working at the transmitter. “We had an early morning shift and we signed off at midnight so there was always a late shift.”
McIntosh was interested in radio right from a young age and when the transmitter was built near Watrous, he was 10 years old. Now 86, McIntosh said, “I was pretty interested in crystal sets and when CBK went on the air, if you had a crystal set you had no trouble picking up something. CBK was pretty powerful and it didn’t take a lot to be able to get CBK out of a pair of headphones.”
The Watrous resident said the tower was such a landmark in the early years and was very unique. “That set of lights at night was important to people that lived in the area. I am sure people probably got lost in the country more than once and as soon as you spotted CBK, you knew what direction to go.”
When the doors first opened in 1939, the facility was state-of-the-art, had air conditioning, heating and with the RCA transmitter that was housed inside, McIntosh said the building was more or less built for that transmitter.
“The studios and living quarters almost made it in the early years a complete radio station. There was programming from there in the early years and before I moved to Watrous there might have been as many as 20 people working there at one time. They had the English and French programming and there was local programming coming right from the studios. When it was first opened in 1939, it was quite an important and outstanding building.”
Over the decades McIntosh remembers a few important memories that stick out including the tower coming down during a bad wind storm in 1976. “There were so many things to do and it was a terrible thing at the time. People lost that light and the tower. It was also a disturbing time for us too. There were other events like in March 1967, we had a very severe snowstorm and we couldn’t get out to the transmitter. You could hardly move in town and it took us some real digging out to recover from that snow. That would be the worst snow storm that I recall.”
When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and the threat of a nuclear bomb was present, McIntosh remembers the CBC built an underground shelter. “You were on alert all the time and you didn’t know with the way the world politics were going at that time. It was quite nerve-wracking.”
After his time with CBC and throughout his retirement, McIntosh began creating scale model replicas of local buildings with incredible detail, one of which is the CBK building. “That is a lot more important to have now than I guess it was. It is here and part of the things to see once we get a museum.”
McIntosh said the local heritage website, which features his scale model replicas also has stories, pictures and other interesting items for people to view of the CBK building including a visitor’s log kept at the transmitter. “If you can remember your visit - I think my first one was in 1946 - you can find your name in the book.”
As far as the building coming down, McIntosh said it is quite disappointing. “I can remember as a boy watching the tower go up and I saw the tower come down with the storm in 1976. The tower will stay but the building will not.”
McIntosh is not the only one who will miss not seeing the landmark. Twenty-two years ago Watrous resident Dwight Kornelsen assumed the role of transmitter site monitor when McIntosh decided to retire. Kornelsen said when the opportunity came up, it was a dream come true and he has been doing it ever since.
Performing periodic site checks involving a series of metre readings of whichever transmitter is on the air in the new building, Kornelsen makes sure everything operates normally. If something is not right, he calls the technician in Saskatoon and is often guided through some trouble-shooting procedures. “Sometimes he calls me if they are getting an abnormal reading or a building alarm and I can go to the site, tell him exactly what I am seeing, and we go from there. Being an electrician and having a background in ham radio helps me to perform this job. The guys in the transmitter shop in Saskatoon rely on my knowledge of these things too.”
Like many others who have resided in Watrous, Kornelsen remembers the now empty building as a youngster. After growing up and assuming the role as transmitter site monitor, he shared a few highlights. “My fondest memories are of being in the old building cleaning the floors and polishing it all up in preparation for an open house. There were several in the 22 years that I have been involved with it. They were always very well attended, surprising everyone by how many people showed up to get a glimpse of what goes on behind those stucco walls. I especially liked to work in the old building when Peter Gzoski’s Morningside show or Vicki Gabaro was playing through the house speakers. It gave me a real appreciation for the role that the CBC plays in broadcasting as Canada’s Public Broadcaster.”
While Dwight’s position with the CBC will remain the same after the demolition of the old building, he said it will be sad to see the place go.
“It really was full of history. From World War II, up to the Cuban missile crisis, (which incidentally was the reason for the large stand-by generator and the nuclear fall-out shelter being constructed in the early 1960s). There was so much precision hand-crafted work in the original construction that you just do not see anymore. I guess I knew once all the equipment was moved into the new building, it would only be a matter of time before the CBC decided to tear down the old building. The roof was leaking, the windows were shot and there is a lot of hazardous materials in there too. For the CBC it is a liability, and poses a danger to the public as it deteriorates further.”
Demolition on the building was started July 21 and Tomchuk said the crew expected to have it completed in 15 days. Of those 15 days, seven were specific to hazardous materials issues inside the building before the demise of the structure.
“By the end of the first weekend of August it should be at ground level,” said Tomchuk.
Kornelsen said it is kind of ironic that the CBK station went to air on July 29, 1939 and then essentially 76 years later almost to the day, the old building will succumb to the wreckers.
July 13, 2015
Watrous Shop Easy closing its doors
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Despite their best efforts, the owners of the Watrous Shop Easy made the tough decision to close their doors at the end of July. After submitting a proposal to purchase the Main Street business from Loblaws, Jerry and Gloria Luscombe said in the end it did not work out.
A strong community supporter, the Luscombes said, “Despite our best efforts to renew a viable lease or purchase the property, it was unsuccessful.”
Because of that, the store which offered fresh flowers, produce, fresh meat, dairy and groceries will be closing July 31.
“We have sincerely appreciated the support from the community over the past four years.” said the pair. “We will have selected inventory reduced leading up to the last day of business.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Despite their best efforts, the owners of the Watrous Shop Easy made the tough decision to close their doors at the end of July. After submitting a proposal to purchase the Main Street business from Loblaws, Jerry and Gloria Luscombe said in the end it did not work out.
A strong community supporter, the Luscombes said, “Despite our best efforts to renew a viable lease or purchase the property, it was unsuccessful.”
Because of that, the store which offered fresh flowers, produce, fresh meat, dairy and groceries will be closing July 31.
“We have sincerely appreciated the support from the community over the past four years.” said the pair. “We will have selected inventory reduced leading up to the last day of business.”
Spotting the signs
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Motorists heading along a local roadway east of Watrous towards Guernsey and Drake may have been speeding without knowing it. While the intention is for those not driving heavy trucks or semis to go a maximum of 90 km/h along Hwy. 668, a recent traffic stop by a traffic safety enforcement unit in June concluded otherwise.
The road 668 that heads east from Watrous is under the jurisdiction of the Rural Municipality of Morris for about three kilometres before the RM of Usborne takes over. The first speed sign motorists approach from Watrous shows maximum 90 km/h. Within throwing distance, another sign contains an image of a truck with a green circle around it. Just below that image another sign states ‘maximum 70’ with the word TRUCKS on it (see 1 on map).
Further along the road, a similar sign with a truck is posted before the turnoff which previously went to Manitou Beach. However, in this case the word TRUCKS does not appear (see 2 on map).
Driving past that turnoff and continuing along 668, a motorist will pass the Philadelphia M.B. Church and reach the turn to head to Guernsey. They can also continue east on a grid road to Drake which turns to 761. Signs are in place right after the railway tracks on 761 with the first one indicating maximum 80 km/h. The image of the truck within the green circle and a 70 km/h sign (see 3 on map) follow a short distance later.
Turning around and heading back on Hwy. 668, a 90 km/h sign is followed by the same 70 km/h sign with the truck and green circle (see 4 on map).
After getting closer to Watrous and just up the hill past where the Manitou Beach turnoff is located, another truck sign is posted. However, unlike the previous couple of signs, this time the word TRUCKS is present (see 5 on map).
Where the recent confusion came for local area resident Dave Lockyer and others is the understanding that the speed limit is 90 km/h for motorists and 70 km/h for heavy trucks and semis. Lockyer said he was not driving a truck but was ticketed during the traffic safety enforcement unit’s stop in June for going over 70 km/h.
Lockyer was driving east past Watrous along Hwy. 668 when he was flagged down by an oncoming RCMP vehicle involved with the traffic safety enforcement unit. Thinking the speed limit was 90 km/h, Lockyer was informed it was actually 70 km/h from where he was just east of the CBK transmission station.
“He said the limit was due to trucks on that stretch of highway and gave me a speeding ticket,” Lockyer said.
To provide a bit of clarity, Manager, Media Relations with SGI Kelley Brinkworth said the sign with the green circle containing a picture of a truck inside just means heavy trucks should use that roadway.
“It does not mean that any attached regulatory black and white sign (like the 70 km/h sign) only applies to trucks. The regulatory speed limit sign with the text MAXIMUM 70 TRUCKS means the 70 km/h speed limit only applies to trucks. Other vehicles would follow the direction of the regulatory speed limit sign like the 80 or 90, whatever is posted.”
However, administrator for the RM of Usborne Keith Schulze said the intention on the 668 road is for motorists to go 90 km/h and not 70 km/h. “There are 70 km/h signs up but they are just referring to trucks.”
According to the RM’s bylaw No. 3-95, it states that the council of the RM of Usborne No. 310 enacts that “no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a greater speed than 90 km/h on that portion of a public highway described as follows: That portion of Primary Grid Road No. 668 running: north of section 19 and east of sections 30 and 31, all of Township 31, Range 24, W2nd; and Thru Section 5, East of Section 8, North of Section 9, 10 and 11, East of Sections 14, 23, 26 and 35, all of Township 32, Range 24, W2nd; and East of Sections 2 and 11, North of Section 12 and East of Sections 13 and 24, all of Township 33, Range 24, W2nd; and North of Sections 19 and 20 of Township 33, Range 23, W2nd. Signs indicating the maximum speed allowed shall be erected at the commencement of the speed zone and signs shall be erected showing the end of the speed zone.”
Because of the recent ticket to Lockyer and the confusion with the truck signs, Schulze said he will be looking into the matter to try and find out if other signs can be put up.
“If people have any questions they can give the RM office a call.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Motorists heading along a local roadway east of Watrous towards Guernsey and Drake may have been speeding without knowing it. While the intention is for those not driving heavy trucks or semis to go a maximum of 90 km/h along Hwy. 668, a recent traffic stop by a traffic safety enforcement unit in June concluded otherwise.
The road 668 that heads east from Watrous is under the jurisdiction of the Rural Municipality of Morris for about three kilometres before the RM of Usborne takes over. The first speed sign motorists approach from Watrous shows maximum 90 km/h. Within throwing distance, another sign contains an image of a truck with a green circle around it. Just below that image another sign states ‘maximum 70’ with the word TRUCKS on it (see 1 on map).
Further along the road, a similar sign with a truck is posted before the turnoff which previously went to Manitou Beach. However, in this case the word TRUCKS does not appear (see 2 on map).
Driving past that turnoff and continuing along 668, a motorist will pass the Philadelphia M.B. Church and reach the turn to head to Guernsey. They can also continue east on a grid road to Drake which turns to 761. Signs are in place right after the railway tracks on 761 with the first one indicating maximum 80 km/h. The image of the truck within the green circle and a 70 km/h sign (see 3 on map) follow a short distance later.
Turning around and heading back on Hwy. 668, a 90 km/h sign is followed by the same 70 km/h sign with the truck and green circle (see 4 on map).
After getting closer to Watrous and just up the hill past where the Manitou Beach turnoff is located, another truck sign is posted. However, unlike the previous couple of signs, this time the word TRUCKS is present (see 5 on map).
Where the recent confusion came for local area resident Dave Lockyer and others is the understanding that the speed limit is 90 km/h for motorists and 70 km/h for heavy trucks and semis. Lockyer said he was not driving a truck but was ticketed during the traffic safety enforcement unit’s stop in June for going over 70 km/h.
Lockyer was driving east past Watrous along Hwy. 668 when he was flagged down by an oncoming RCMP vehicle involved with the traffic safety enforcement unit. Thinking the speed limit was 90 km/h, Lockyer was informed it was actually 70 km/h from where he was just east of the CBK transmission station.
“He said the limit was due to trucks on that stretch of highway and gave me a speeding ticket,” Lockyer said.
To provide a bit of clarity, Manager, Media Relations with SGI Kelley Brinkworth said the sign with the green circle containing a picture of a truck inside just means heavy trucks should use that roadway.
“It does not mean that any attached regulatory black and white sign (like the 70 km/h sign) only applies to trucks. The regulatory speed limit sign with the text MAXIMUM 70 TRUCKS means the 70 km/h speed limit only applies to trucks. Other vehicles would follow the direction of the regulatory speed limit sign like the 80 or 90, whatever is posted.”
However, administrator for the RM of Usborne Keith Schulze said the intention on the 668 road is for motorists to go 90 km/h and not 70 km/h. “There are 70 km/h signs up but they are just referring to trucks.”
According to the RM’s bylaw No. 3-95, it states that the council of the RM of Usborne No. 310 enacts that “no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a greater speed than 90 km/h on that portion of a public highway described as follows: That portion of Primary Grid Road No. 668 running: north of section 19 and east of sections 30 and 31, all of Township 31, Range 24, W2nd; and Thru Section 5, East of Section 8, North of Section 9, 10 and 11, East of Sections 14, 23, 26 and 35, all of Township 32, Range 24, W2nd; and East of Sections 2 and 11, North of Section 12 and East of Sections 13 and 24, all of Township 33, Range 24, W2nd; and North of Sections 19 and 20 of Township 33, Range 23, W2nd. Signs indicating the maximum speed allowed shall be erected at the commencement of the speed zone and signs shall be erected showing the end of the speed zone.”
Because of the recent ticket to Lockyer and the confusion with the truck signs, Schulze said he will be looking into the matter to try and find out if other signs can be put up.
“If people have any questions they can give the RM office a call.”
July 6, 2015
Colour in Watrous water caused by turbidity
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Residents in Watrous may have noticed a brownish tint in their water over the past month as the community is currently experiencing higher levels of turbidity.
Town Administrator Orrin Redden said as part of the requirements of phase two of the Water Treatment Plant upgrade in Watrous, they have had to reduce filtering capacity which has impacted the turbidity of the treated water.
“Turbidity is the lack of clarity or brilliance in water. The water may be aesthetically unpleasing at times however it remains safe for consumption.”
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said staff continue to keep a close eye on the town’s potable water by performing regular daily sampling and bacteria tests as required by an operating permit.
“We are working with the Water Security Agency and our consulting engineers to deliver the best possible water during the construction stages of our Water Treatment Plant upgrades.”
With a lack of precipitation this year, pressure has been placed on the plant’s capacity to meet demand for those using it. “The higher usage and reduced filtering capacity has impacted the quality of our water,” said Tarasoff. “Our current demand and usage has doubled over the past six weeks.”
Because of the hot and dry period which has hit the area, Redden is asking the public for patience and understanding while the water quality is improved.
“We are encouraging property owners to exercise general conservation measures.”
Some of those include:
• avoiding excess watering of lawns and gardens;
• only watering early in the morning or late in the evening;
• reducing the number of loads of laundry or dishes by washing only full loads in your wash machine or dishwasher;
• turning the faucet off while brushing your teeth or shaving; and
• checking your fixtures for leaks. Even a small drip from a faucet or a continually running toilet can use a large volume of water.
Tarasoff said a few simple water conservation measures will have a large impact on the amount of water used during each day. “These measures will assist us in providing the best quality water during these water treatment plant upgrades.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Residents in Watrous may have noticed a brownish tint in their water over the past month as the community is currently experiencing higher levels of turbidity.
Town Administrator Orrin Redden said as part of the requirements of phase two of the Water Treatment Plant upgrade in Watrous, they have had to reduce filtering capacity which has impacted the turbidity of the treated water.
“Turbidity is the lack of clarity or brilliance in water. The water may be aesthetically unpleasing at times however it remains safe for consumption.”
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said staff continue to keep a close eye on the town’s potable water by performing regular daily sampling and bacteria tests as required by an operating permit.
“We are working with the Water Security Agency and our consulting engineers to deliver the best possible water during the construction stages of our Water Treatment Plant upgrades.”
With a lack of precipitation this year, pressure has been placed on the plant’s capacity to meet demand for those using it. “The higher usage and reduced filtering capacity has impacted the quality of our water,” said Tarasoff. “Our current demand and usage has doubled over the past six weeks.”
Because of the hot and dry period which has hit the area, Redden is asking the public for patience and understanding while the water quality is improved.
“We are encouraging property owners to exercise general conservation measures.”
Some of those include:
• avoiding excess watering of lawns and gardens;
• only watering early in the morning or late in the evening;
• reducing the number of loads of laundry or dishes by washing only full loads in your wash machine or dishwasher;
• turning the faucet off while brushing your teeth or shaving; and
• checking your fixtures for leaks. Even a small drip from a faucet or a continually running toilet can use a large volume of water.
Tarasoff said a few simple water conservation measures will have a large impact on the amount of water used during each day. “These measures will assist us in providing the best quality water during these water treatment plant upgrades.”
Smoke from wildfires blanket province
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Fires continued to rage in the northern part of the province, forcing reportedly more than 4,000 people from their homes last week. In the central and southern part of the province, heavy smoke descended throughout the week which reduced visibility and prompted Environment Canada to issue a special air quality statement.
Fire crews worked hard to keep the blazes under control and the number of fires fluctuated as last week progressed.
As of last Monday, the Ministry of Environment said 115 active forest fires burned with 37 of them greater than 100 hectares. The fires burning June 29 increased the total number of wildfires to 510 for the season, well above the 186 experienced in the province in 2014. As of July 1, there were 110 active fires in the province, 49 greater than 100 hectares. The total was also up to 525 wildfires in the province, compared to 190 at that point in 2014. The numbers rose July 2 as there were 116 active fires with 51 greater than 100 hectares. There had been 537 wildfires by that point this year compared to 192 in 2014.
Both Premier Brad Wall and Opposition Leader Cam Broten visited the areas directly affected by the fires and both tweeted out their appreciation towards those fighting the fires. Wall also mentioned that there were 500 plus people fighting fires in northern Saskatchewan, at least 40 helicopters, 16 tankers, 41 ground crew from Ontario, two planes from Quebec and one plane that came from Newfoundland to help.
The rapid burning fires over northern Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories created intense smoke which floated south over much of Saskatchewan. Non-essential travel was not recommended to the La Ronge and La Loche areas while the communities of Montreal Lake, Timber Bay, Weyakwin/Ramsey Bay, East Trout Lake, Lamp Lake, Wadin Bay, Sucker River, English Bay, Nemeiben sub-division, Grandmother’s Bay, Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, Missinipe, La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation were under evacuation, with other communities evacuating individuals with health issues related to smoke.
According to the Ministry of Environment, smoky conditions continued to make fire suppression efforts difficult late last week, particularly for aircraft, but smoke was moderating in some areas.
Throughout Saskatchewan, visibility was significantly reduced especially June 29 and in many areas it was less than two kilometres. Air quality was also very poor as smoke near the ground caused high health risk conditions.
Those driving the roads within the Watrous region dealt with a thick haze and even the lake at Manitou Beach was hardly visible from various vantage points in the resort community.
With the smoke filling the air, the Lung Association of Saskatchewan provided information regarding breathing problems such as asthma and COPD when it comes to smoke from forest fires.
The Lung Association said for someone without lung problems, wood smoke can:
• irritate eyes, lungs, throat and sinuses;
• increase the risk of heart attacks;
• trigger headaches and allergies; and
• reduce lung function, especially in children.
For someone with lung problems, wood smoke can cause all of the above sooner and it can:
• trigger asthma attacks;
• worsen COPD; and
• worsen pneumonia.
To try and prevent problems when there is wood smoke in the air, the Lung Association provided some recommendations:
• remain indoors;
• keep doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut;
• use air conditioners on the recirculation setting so outside air will not be moved inside;
• refrain from exercising outdoors;
• take extra precaution with children, who are more susceptible to smoke because their breathing systems are still developing and they breathe in more air (and therefore more smoke) than adults;
• older adults are more likely to have heart or lung disease, which can make them more susceptible to smoke. Extra precaution should also be taken during forest fire season;
• keep your windows and vents closed while driving. Again, only use air conditioning in the “recirculate” setting; and
• pay attention to air quality reports.
For more on the wildfires, people can visit www.environment.gov.sk.ca/fire
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Fires continued to rage in the northern part of the province, forcing reportedly more than 4,000 people from their homes last week. In the central and southern part of the province, heavy smoke descended throughout the week which reduced visibility and prompted Environment Canada to issue a special air quality statement.
Fire crews worked hard to keep the blazes under control and the number of fires fluctuated as last week progressed.
As of last Monday, the Ministry of Environment said 115 active forest fires burned with 37 of them greater than 100 hectares. The fires burning June 29 increased the total number of wildfires to 510 for the season, well above the 186 experienced in the province in 2014. As of July 1, there were 110 active fires in the province, 49 greater than 100 hectares. The total was also up to 525 wildfires in the province, compared to 190 at that point in 2014. The numbers rose July 2 as there were 116 active fires with 51 greater than 100 hectares. There had been 537 wildfires by that point this year compared to 192 in 2014.
Both Premier Brad Wall and Opposition Leader Cam Broten visited the areas directly affected by the fires and both tweeted out their appreciation towards those fighting the fires. Wall also mentioned that there were 500 plus people fighting fires in northern Saskatchewan, at least 40 helicopters, 16 tankers, 41 ground crew from Ontario, two planes from Quebec and one plane that came from Newfoundland to help.
The rapid burning fires over northern Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories created intense smoke which floated south over much of Saskatchewan. Non-essential travel was not recommended to the La Ronge and La Loche areas while the communities of Montreal Lake, Timber Bay, Weyakwin/Ramsey Bay, East Trout Lake, Lamp Lake, Wadin Bay, Sucker River, English Bay, Nemeiben sub-division, Grandmother’s Bay, Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, Missinipe, La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation were under evacuation, with other communities evacuating individuals with health issues related to smoke.
According to the Ministry of Environment, smoky conditions continued to make fire suppression efforts difficult late last week, particularly for aircraft, but smoke was moderating in some areas.
Throughout Saskatchewan, visibility was significantly reduced especially June 29 and in many areas it was less than two kilometres. Air quality was also very poor as smoke near the ground caused high health risk conditions.
Those driving the roads within the Watrous region dealt with a thick haze and even the lake at Manitou Beach was hardly visible from various vantage points in the resort community.
With the smoke filling the air, the Lung Association of Saskatchewan provided information regarding breathing problems such as asthma and COPD when it comes to smoke from forest fires.
The Lung Association said for someone without lung problems, wood smoke can:
• irritate eyes, lungs, throat and sinuses;
• increase the risk of heart attacks;
• trigger headaches and allergies; and
• reduce lung function, especially in children.
For someone with lung problems, wood smoke can cause all of the above sooner and it can:
• trigger asthma attacks;
• worsen COPD; and
• worsen pneumonia.
To try and prevent problems when there is wood smoke in the air, the Lung Association provided some recommendations:
• remain indoors;
• keep doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut;
• use air conditioners on the recirculation setting so outside air will not be moved inside;
• refrain from exercising outdoors;
• take extra precaution with children, who are more susceptible to smoke because their breathing systems are still developing and they breathe in more air (and therefore more smoke) than adults;
• older adults are more likely to have heart or lung disease, which can make them more susceptible to smoke. Extra precaution should also be taken during forest fire season;
• keep your windows and vents closed while driving. Again, only use air conditioning in the “recirculate” setting; and
• pay attention to air quality reports.
For more on the wildfires, people can visit www.environment.gov.sk.ca/fire
June 29, 2015
Health centre opens after relocation
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With a new name and location, the Watrous Primary Health Centre, formerly known as the Watrous Medical Clinic, opened its doors for the first time on Tuesday, June 23. After moving from its spot along main street, the centre is now under the same roof as other Saskatoon Health Region services.
Manager, Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region Angela Luron said the Primary Health Centre is located down the northwest wing of the Watrous District Health Complex and the community is encouraged to use the new entrance built off the terrace. Lots of angle parking has been added along 3rd St. E. and a new sidewalk was installed for people to use.
“We ask everyone coming to their doctor and nurse practitioner appointments to please use this designated parking and entrance,” Luron said. “The hours of operation remain the same (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Monday to Friday, while the phone number has changed to 306-946-1241.”
Watrous District Health Complex Site Leader/Manager Client Services Holly Srochenski said, “It is exciting to have the Primary Health Centre join us at the Watrous District Health Complex. What a great way to serve our clients and our community by having many health care services under one roof. We look forward to working with the Primary Health team to continue to provide “Better Everyday” quality health care.”
Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said having all of the health services at one place makes perfect sense for those who utilize them. “It is great for everyone and we are pleased to have been able to form a good partnership with the Saskatoon Health Region. We have been working with them and have been really happy with the partnership that we have created.”
Opening up in its new space June 23, Luron said the centre’s name change comes along with the partnership that the medical clinic, the Town of Watrous and Primary Health Care/SHR have been building over the last three to four years.
“Primary Health as a model of health care includes the traditional clinical services as well as the important components of integrated inter-professional practice and also the multi-sectoral collaboration and community engagement. As Primary Health, we are extremely pleased with the strong local partnerships that have been building and we are really looking forward to continuing this growth and development in Watrous and in Imperial.”
After operating for a few days last week, Luron said they already saw the benefits not only for patients being able to access services much more easily and quickly in the same building, but also for all of the different health professionals and supports in the building.
“We have seen so many examples already of what it means to be under one roof and how much easier it is to touch base with each other and just check in on certain things and move ideas and patient care forward in a way that is so much simpler.”
Moving the Primary Health team into the Watrous District Health Complex involved the cooperation and commitment of many people including those already working in the facility. Luron said the town, council and internal and external project teams were a big help. “I appreciate everyone’s considerable efforts to bring us to our new space. The Town of Watrous have been such strong partners with us over the last few years, in particular in stabilizing the primary health component of health services in the community. We as a larger team and as a community wouldn’t be where we are today without that partnership. It has been essential.”
Now that the move has been made, Luron said the team at the centre is also making the transition with its Electronic Medical Record system (EMR) called Med Access.
“We really appreciate the community’s patience as we have been training for the EMR and packing and moving. Over the next few weeks while we implement this new charting system we will have less appointment times available. Once we are fully operational with this system and settled into our new space, the community will see appointment availability increasing again and we anticipate this to happen in August. Until then we appreciate everyone’s patience.”
Along with the Watrous Primary Health Centre, the Watrous District Health Complex also includes community services like Population and Public Health, Home Care, Mental Health and Addictions and Physiotherapy in addition to Acute Care with inpatient and outpatient services, the Emergency Department, Long-Term Care and EMS.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With a new name and location, the Watrous Primary Health Centre, formerly known as the Watrous Medical Clinic, opened its doors for the first time on Tuesday, June 23. After moving from its spot along main street, the centre is now under the same roof as other Saskatoon Health Region services.
Manager, Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region Angela Luron said the Primary Health Centre is located down the northwest wing of the Watrous District Health Complex and the community is encouraged to use the new entrance built off the terrace. Lots of angle parking has been added along 3rd St. E. and a new sidewalk was installed for people to use.
“We ask everyone coming to their doctor and nurse practitioner appointments to please use this designated parking and entrance,” Luron said. “The hours of operation remain the same (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Monday to Friday, while the phone number has changed to 306-946-1241.”
Watrous District Health Complex Site Leader/Manager Client Services Holly Srochenski said, “It is exciting to have the Primary Health Centre join us at the Watrous District Health Complex. What a great way to serve our clients and our community by having many health care services under one roof. We look forward to working with the Primary Health team to continue to provide “Better Everyday” quality health care.”
Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said having all of the health services at one place makes perfect sense for those who utilize them. “It is great for everyone and we are pleased to have been able to form a good partnership with the Saskatoon Health Region. We have been working with them and have been really happy with the partnership that we have created.”
Opening up in its new space June 23, Luron said the centre’s name change comes along with the partnership that the medical clinic, the Town of Watrous and Primary Health Care/SHR have been building over the last three to four years.
“Primary Health as a model of health care includes the traditional clinical services as well as the important components of integrated inter-professional practice and also the multi-sectoral collaboration and community engagement. As Primary Health, we are extremely pleased with the strong local partnerships that have been building and we are really looking forward to continuing this growth and development in Watrous and in Imperial.”
After operating for a few days last week, Luron said they already saw the benefits not only for patients being able to access services much more easily and quickly in the same building, but also for all of the different health professionals and supports in the building.
“We have seen so many examples already of what it means to be under one roof and how much easier it is to touch base with each other and just check in on certain things and move ideas and patient care forward in a way that is so much simpler.”
Moving the Primary Health team into the Watrous District Health Complex involved the cooperation and commitment of many people including those already working in the facility. Luron said the town, council and internal and external project teams were a big help. “I appreciate everyone’s considerable efforts to bring us to our new space. The Town of Watrous have been such strong partners with us over the last few years, in particular in stabilizing the primary health component of health services in the community. We as a larger team and as a community wouldn’t be where we are today without that partnership. It has been essential.”
Now that the move has been made, Luron said the team at the centre is also making the transition with its Electronic Medical Record system (EMR) called Med Access.
“We really appreciate the community’s patience as we have been training for the EMR and packing and moving. Over the next few weeks while we implement this new charting system we will have less appointment times available. Once we are fully operational with this system and settled into our new space, the community will see appointment availability increasing again and we anticipate this to happen in August. Until then we appreciate everyone’s patience.”
Along with the Watrous Primary Health Centre, the Watrous District Health Complex also includes community services like Population and Public Health, Home Care, Mental Health and Addictions and Physiotherapy in addition to Acute Care with inpatient and outpatient services, the Emergency Department, Long-Term Care and EMS.
June 22, 2015
Survey seeks interest for community daycare facility
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
As more young families move to the Watrous area, the need for childcare has grown. While many that work have been able to utilize several providers within the community, a survey has been created to determine if there is a desire to establish a community daycare facility.
Along with Krystal Klenk, who has her Early Childhood Education level three diploma and Brendan Manz, who is the Community Development Officer, parent Sara Dunne said she felt the need to get the ball rolling.
“A community daycare facility has been something that has come up in many conversations I have had with local moms over the last couple years. Lots of people feel it would be a huge benefit to our community, but it’s a really big project to undertake,” Dunne said. “After seeing how a smaller community like Nokomis came together to bring a facility to their town, I think that Watrous has the ability to make it happen here as well. We have lots of great day homes throughout the community but the bottom line is there are way more families requiring child care than there are spaces available. We don’t want to step on toes and take business away from those day homes either, that is not the purpose of this. It is simply to provide more day care spaces to meet the need of a growing population with many young families.”
To see just how great of a need there is, Dunne has created a survey, which can be found on the Town of Watrous website under news and various places on Facebook. Available to take until June 30, the survey is adapted from the provincial government’s website. “It is intended to be used as a tool to assess the need for day care services in a community. This is the first official step we have taken to prove a need.”
So far Dunne said there has been overwhelming support as there are many families who have no child care at all or are relying on family to watch their kids while they work. “My intent was just to start a conversation, to put feelers out there and see how other people felt about the community’s day care deficit, and if people would be willing to help make a facility happen. Survey results are rolling in. People are asking to be on the planning committee, to help with whatever we need and to provide manpower for fundraising events when the time comes. Even families who do not need child care are wanting to be a part of this.”
Dunne hopes that the facility would also be able to accommodate those doing shift work by offering extended hours of care.
“I think it will help a lot of the existing families in our community. It may allow some parents who have been staying at home with their children due to a lack of child care to return to the workforce if they wish. Having a licensed daycare facility is also a huge attraction for young families who may be looking at relocating to Watrous for employment or education opportunities.”
While there are still numerous steps to be taken before a facility is operable, once the survey time period ends, Dunne said a community meeting will be established to further assess people’s needs. “Hopefully we can put together a committee to head up this project as well as let the public know a little bit more about our intentions and what will need to be done to make this dream a reality.”
Dunne, Klenk and Manz have been working together to get the idea in motion and from there will see how it goes. “We have also had guidance from Raeleen Hulan who was a big part of the Nokomis daycare project. A few local parents have offered to help and expressed interest in being on the committee, which is awesome.”
Currently in a situation where she does not have care lined up for her own children when she returns to work from maternity leave, Dunne said she is very hopeful the project will come to fruition.
“I know many other parents who are also stressed out about their situations as well.
“If you would like to follow our progress and join the conversation, we have a Facebook group called Lets Talk Daycare that anyone can be a part of. If anyone has any questions or concerns, or is interested in being a part of our planning committee, feel free to contact Krystal, Brendan or myself. We are all very excited about this and feel there is real good potential that with the help of our community, we can make this happen!”
Those interested in being a part of the community daycare facility project can visit www.education.gov.sk.ca/elcc/licenseemanual to check out the Child Care Licensee Manual. “It outlines the rules and regulations of setting up and operating a facility and is a good read for everyone who wants to be involved!”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
As more young families move to the Watrous area, the need for childcare has grown. While many that work have been able to utilize several providers within the community, a survey has been created to determine if there is a desire to establish a community daycare facility.
Along with Krystal Klenk, who has her Early Childhood Education level three diploma and Brendan Manz, who is the Community Development Officer, parent Sara Dunne said she felt the need to get the ball rolling.
“A community daycare facility has been something that has come up in many conversations I have had with local moms over the last couple years. Lots of people feel it would be a huge benefit to our community, but it’s a really big project to undertake,” Dunne said. “After seeing how a smaller community like Nokomis came together to bring a facility to their town, I think that Watrous has the ability to make it happen here as well. We have lots of great day homes throughout the community but the bottom line is there are way more families requiring child care than there are spaces available. We don’t want to step on toes and take business away from those day homes either, that is not the purpose of this. It is simply to provide more day care spaces to meet the need of a growing population with many young families.”
To see just how great of a need there is, Dunne has created a survey, which can be found on the Town of Watrous website under news and various places on Facebook. Available to take until June 30, the survey is adapted from the provincial government’s website. “It is intended to be used as a tool to assess the need for day care services in a community. This is the first official step we have taken to prove a need.”
So far Dunne said there has been overwhelming support as there are many families who have no child care at all or are relying on family to watch their kids while they work. “My intent was just to start a conversation, to put feelers out there and see how other people felt about the community’s day care deficit, and if people would be willing to help make a facility happen. Survey results are rolling in. People are asking to be on the planning committee, to help with whatever we need and to provide manpower for fundraising events when the time comes. Even families who do not need child care are wanting to be a part of this.”
Dunne hopes that the facility would also be able to accommodate those doing shift work by offering extended hours of care.
“I think it will help a lot of the existing families in our community. It may allow some parents who have been staying at home with their children due to a lack of child care to return to the workforce if they wish. Having a licensed daycare facility is also a huge attraction for young families who may be looking at relocating to Watrous for employment or education opportunities.”
While there are still numerous steps to be taken before a facility is operable, once the survey time period ends, Dunne said a community meeting will be established to further assess people’s needs. “Hopefully we can put together a committee to head up this project as well as let the public know a little bit more about our intentions and what will need to be done to make this dream a reality.”
Dunne, Klenk and Manz have been working together to get the idea in motion and from there will see how it goes. “We have also had guidance from Raeleen Hulan who was a big part of the Nokomis daycare project. A few local parents have offered to help and expressed interest in being on the committee, which is awesome.”
Currently in a situation where she does not have care lined up for her own children when she returns to work from maternity leave, Dunne said she is very hopeful the project will come to fruition.
“I know many other parents who are also stressed out about their situations as well.
“If you would like to follow our progress and join the conversation, we have a Facebook group called Lets Talk Daycare that anyone can be a part of. If anyone has any questions or concerns, or is interested in being a part of our planning committee, feel free to contact Krystal, Brendan or myself. We are all very excited about this and feel there is real good potential that with the help of our community, we can make this happen!”
Those interested in being a part of the community daycare facility project can visit www.education.gov.sk.ca/elcc/licenseemanual to check out the Child Care Licensee Manual. “It outlines the rules and regulations of setting up and operating a facility and is a good read for everyone who wants to be involved!”
June 15, 2015
Local area the place to be this summer
Daniel Bushman
The list of things to do and discover is long and events numerous as the summer gets set to kick off in Watrous and Manitou Beach. People searching for a place to have a holiday or even a day trip do not need to look far as many of the items on a destination checklist can be found right here. Judging by the numbers over the past few years, it appears as though visitors have been checking the area out as the town and resort village look for a strong 2015.
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz said around 150,000 visitors frequent Watrous and Manitou Beach each year, bringing between $20 to $25 million into the local economy through tourism. That can be anything from coming to play hockey, a weekend at the spa, taking in a movie, golfing, camping or other events. “We know many other businesses feed off that. Talking with main street businesses in Watrous, they see the benefit of what the tourism dollars brings to the community and how much busier they are in the summer.”
Tourism dollars have been integral not only in Watrous and Manitou Beach but province wide. According to Tourism Saskatchewan, travel spending exceeds $2.12 billion annually and there are more than 12.5 million visits to and within the province every year. Tourism also employs 57,000 Saskatchewan residents and in addition, almost 80 per cent of tourism businesses and events in the province are in communities other than Regina and Saskatoon.
This year there are numerous events planned locally. Along with the flea market at Manitou Beach each Sunday, movies at the drive-in, dances at Danceland, ball tournaments scheduled for Watrous, the annual Studio Trail and swim meets, Manz highlighted a few other notable events that residents and visitors can circle on their calendars.
Canada Day celebrations at Manitou Beach - July 1
Regardless of where the water levels are, street vendors will set up shop at the resort community of Manitou Beach. During Canada Day people can check out numerous tables by the shore, enjoy a fun-filled afternoon and cap off the day by watching fireworks. “I know people from across the province come to Manitou Beach for July long.”
RCMP Musical Ride - July 23
Visiting Atlantic provinces and Saskatchewan in 2015, the RCMP Musical Ride tour will be stopping in Watrous July 23. Manz said we are lucky enough that the local gym committee and Mosaic (a main sponsor) are bringing the event to town.
Along with the show, other things will be taking place at the sports grounds in Watrous that day. Local band Bush League Orchestra will be performing before the horses and riders take centre stage and a group will be singing O Canada. Merchandise will also be for sale and the horses will be available to pet after the show ends.
The Musical Ride is a fundraiser for the Watrous Gym committee and tickets are being sold for the event.
“It is going to be a big event for us. A travel writer from Colorado is touring the province and will be in Watrous that night as well.”
Fun Run Auto Show and Shine - July 25
A few days later, the 24th annual Watrous and Manitou Beach Fun Run Auto Show and Shine arrives.
The popular event that occupies main street in Watrous returns for another year as it continues to grow.
Activities from previous events include: a pancake breakfast, concessions, face painting, Professor Fun Stuff and Beeper the Clown. The Sask Agility dogs have also taken part numerous times over the years.
On display for car enthusiasts to enjoy are early production vehicles right up to the newest, most up-to-date vehicles in stock form as well as custom and modified vehicles.
With over 140 entries on a yearly basis, another attraction that has been a highlight is Kevin Therres’s vehicle from Prairieland Motorsports. The bio-diesel jet car is a 2006 Mustang jet funny car with a Canadian Forces F-5 fighter jet engine.
While people can look at the vehicles lined up and down main street, a lot of other activities are planned making the yearly event family friendly.
Manz said having the fun run is something not a lot of communities offer. “The car show is one of the longest running rural car shows in the province. Community organizations and businesses get involved in that event and it showcases what Watrous has to offer. People come from right across the province. It is a stable event and for us it is a great community event. It is nice to see people out and main street packed that day.”
Chainsaw Carving Competition - Aug. 13 to 16
The Resort Village of Manitou Beach will be on the cutting edge as it hosts a carving competition called Manitou Maple Madness. The event goes Aug. 13 to 16 and will feature professional carvers from Saskatchewan as well as from across Canada, including Jeorge Jung and Mike Winia – Husky World Cup Carvers; Paul and Robert Frenette from the television series Carver Kings and Jim Neidemeyer and Kyle Reed, The Pas Festival carvers.
During the four day event, a total of 10 carvers will be creating beautiful wood sculptures that will remain in the village for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
Manz said on the first day, carvers will engage in a “quick cut” competition with the finished smaller carvings sold in a silent auction. Half of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to Camp Easter Seal.
Manz said another exciting feature at this event will be an axe throwing demonstration by Kat Spencer, a professional lumberjill from Smokey Lake, Alta. Kat will also be tutoring eligible sponsors who will then participate in an axe throwing competition themselves.
"We have been working very hard to promote the area as a tourist destination over the last number of years and this event will certainly draw interest from around the province.”
Among other things, the event will feature a water boiling competition, beer gardens and kids entertainment.
In addition to all of the events and attractions in Watrous and Manitou Beach, Manz said there are going to be reunions, weddings and conferences. “Those bring a lot of economic impact to our communities. We are able to have such a great tourism industry because of our location, facilities and businesses. The quality of life and community that we have compounds everything and it is great to have that. We are hoping for a busy summer and I am looking forward to a great year.”
Daniel Bushman
The list of things to do and discover is long and events numerous as the summer gets set to kick off in Watrous and Manitou Beach. People searching for a place to have a holiday or even a day trip do not need to look far as many of the items on a destination checklist can be found right here. Judging by the numbers over the past few years, it appears as though visitors have been checking the area out as the town and resort village look for a strong 2015.
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz said around 150,000 visitors frequent Watrous and Manitou Beach each year, bringing between $20 to $25 million into the local economy through tourism. That can be anything from coming to play hockey, a weekend at the spa, taking in a movie, golfing, camping or other events. “We know many other businesses feed off that. Talking with main street businesses in Watrous, they see the benefit of what the tourism dollars brings to the community and how much busier they are in the summer.”
Tourism dollars have been integral not only in Watrous and Manitou Beach but province wide. According to Tourism Saskatchewan, travel spending exceeds $2.12 billion annually and there are more than 12.5 million visits to and within the province every year. Tourism also employs 57,000 Saskatchewan residents and in addition, almost 80 per cent of tourism businesses and events in the province are in communities other than Regina and Saskatoon.
This year there are numerous events planned locally. Along with the flea market at Manitou Beach each Sunday, movies at the drive-in, dances at Danceland, ball tournaments scheduled for Watrous, the annual Studio Trail and swim meets, Manz highlighted a few other notable events that residents and visitors can circle on their calendars.
Canada Day celebrations at Manitou Beach - July 1
Regardless of where the water levels are, street vendors will set up shop at the resort community of Manitou Beach. During Canada Day people can check out numerous tables by the shore, enjoy a fun-filled afternoon and cap off the day by watching fireworks. “I know people from across the province come to Manitou Beach for July long.”
RCMP Musical Ride - July 23
Visiting Atlantic provinces and Saskatchewan in 2015, the RCMP Musical Ride tour will be stopping in Watrous July 23. Manz said we are lucky enough that the local gym committee and Mosaic (a main sponsor) are bringing the event to town.
Along with the show, other things will be taking place at the sports grounds in Watrous that day. Local band Bush League Orchestra will be performing before the horses and riders take centre stage and a group will be singing O Canada. Merchandise will also be for sale and the horses will be available to pet after the show ends.
The Musical Ride is a fundraiser for the Watrous Gym committee and tickets are being sold for the event.
“It is going to be a big event for us. A travel writer from Colorado is touring the province and will be in Watrous that night as well.”
Fun Run Auto Show and Shine - July 25
A few days later, the 24th annual Watrous and Manitou Beach Fun Run Auto Show and Shine arrives.
The popular event that occupies main street in Watrous returns for another year as it continues to grow.
Activities from previous events include: a pancake breakfast, concessions, face painting, Professor Fun Stuff and Beeper the Clown. The Sask Agility dogs have also taken part numerous times over the years.
On display for car enthusiasts to enjoy are early production vehicles right up to the newest, most up-to-date vehicles in stock form as well as custom and modified vehicles.
With over 140 entries on a yearly basis, another attraction that has been a highlight is Kevin Therres’s vehicle from Prairieland Motorsports. The bio-diesel jet car is a 2006 Mustang jet funny car with a Canadian Forces F-5 fighter jet engine.
While people can look at the vehicles lined up and down main street, a lot of other activities are planned making the yearly event family friendly.
Manz said having the fun run is something not a lot of communities offer. “The car show is one of the longest running rural car shows in the province. Community organizations and businesses get involved in that event and it showcases what Watrous has to offer. People come from right across the province. It is a stable event and for us it is a great community event. It is nice to see people out and main street packed that day.”
Chainsaw Carving Competition - Aug. 13 to 16
The Resort Village of Manitou Beach will be on the cutting edge as it hosts a carving competition called Manitou Maple Madness. The event goes Aug. 13 to 16 and will feature professional carvers from Saskatchewan as well as from across Canada, including Jeorge Jung and Mike Winia – Husky World Cup Carvers; Paul and Robert Frenette from the television series Carver Kings and Jim Neidemeyer and Kyle Reed, The Pas Festival carvers.
During the four day event, a total of 10 carvers will be creating beautiful wood sculptures that will remain in the village for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
Manz said on the first day, carvers will engage in a “quick cut” competition with the finished smaller carvings sold in a silent auction. Half of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to Camp Easter Seal.
Manz said another exciting feature at this event will be an axe throwing demonstration by Kat Spencer, a professional lumberjill from Smokey Lake, Alta. Kat will also be tutoring eligible sponsors who will then participate in an axe throwing competition themselves.
"We have been working very hard to promote the area as a tourist destination over the last number of years and this event will certainly draw interest from around the province.”
Among other things, the event will feature a water boiling competition, beer gardens and kids entertainment.
In addition to all of the events and attractions in Watrous and Manitou Beach, Manz said there are going to be reunions, weddings and conferences. “Those bring a lot of economic impact to our communities. We are able to have such a great tourism industry because of our location, facilities and businesses. The quality of life and community that we have compounds everything and it is great to have that. We are hoping for a busy summer and I am looking forward to a great year.”
June 8, 2015
Changes taking place as clinic move nears
By Daniel Bushman
As the team at the Watrous Medical Clinic gears up for a move to the Watrous District Health Complex later this month, various other changes have also been taking place. The Watrous/Imperial Primary Health Team is implementing a new medical record system just as they welcome back nurse practitioner Erin Boyce and new physician Dr. Kavita Choudhary.
Manager, Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region Angela Luron said the health team will be going live with its Electronic Medical Record system (EMR) called Med Access June 22.
“This system essentially takes the place of a paper chart and allows appropriate team members to communicate with each other to best support our patients.”
Luron said it will allow for better access to best practice guidelines and templates and will also be able to track lab results, prescription history, chronic disease prevention and management and screening.
“The EMR also saves time for the providers which allows them to spend more time face to face with their patients.”
Electronic Medical Record systems are currently used in eight of the rural Saskatoon Health Region Primary Health Centres and all personal health information is secure. Luron said the information will only be shared with another health care provider if the provider is approved to access it.
Whenever a provider opens a patient chart, a permanent record is created with a time, date and the name of the person who accessed it. “This is to protect the public and the health team members, and helps to ensure appropriate use of the technology in health services.”
During the implementation of the EMR system, the health clinic will be closed June 10, 17, 19 and 22 so the team can be trained while preparing for the move to the Watrous District Health Complex June 22.
Luron was quick to point out that the Emergency Department operates as part of Acute Care Services, and will remain open 24/7. “The community should continue accessing the Emergency Department for their emergency health needs.”
However, in the weeks following June 22 there will be fewer appointments available at the clinic as the team gets used to using the new system.“We recognize that this may be frustrating for the community and we ask people for their patience and their understanding as the system becomes a part of our everyday work.”
Once in place, Luron said the system will play a tremendous role in terms of simplifying chart information and allowing health care team members to communicate with each other while allowing quick access to the right patient information at the right time.
Luron said previous experiences in other communities have been positive.
Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said, “We are excited for the return of nurse practitioner Erin Boyce, and the arrival of Dr. Choudhary and her family. We also look forward to the implementation of the EMR in our community. This will support the best care possible for the team and their patients. We know there will be minor service disruptions when the clinic is closed, and we would ask everyone to be patient during this important transition.”
As the system gets set to go live, the Primary Health Team welcomed back Boyce May 12 and new physician Dr. Choudhary May 28.
Choudhary was originally trained as a physician in India and most recently was living in Toronto as a permanent resident. She completed the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program and along with her husband and eight-year-old daughter moved to Watrous.
“Together with Dr. Elgendy and Dr. Akhtar, we have now returned to having four full-time providers on the Primary Health Team. This will allow us to better meet the needs of the community, including looking for opportunities to partner with various local groups to support health promotion,” said Luron.
As for the team relocating from the current medical clinic in Watrous to the Watrous District Health Complex, Luron said, “The entire team is looking forward to the move to joining our colleagues at the Health Complex on June 22. We would invite the community to stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.”
As the team at the Watrous Medical Clinic gears up for a move to the Watrous District Health Complex later this month, various other changes have also been taking place. The Watrous/Imperial Primary Health Team is implementing a new medical record system just as they welcome back nurse practitioner Erin Boyce and new physician Dr. Kavita Choudhary.
Manager, Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region Angela Luron said the health team will be going live with its Electronic Medical Record system (EMR) called Med Access June 22.
“This system essentially takes the place of a paper chart and allows appropriate team members to communicate with each other to best support our patients.”
Luron said it will allow for better access to best practice guidelines and templates and will also be able to track lab results, prescription history, chronic disease prevention and management and screening.
“The EMR also saves time for the providers which allows them to spend more time face to face with their patients.”
Electronic Medical Record systems are currently used in eight of the rural Saskatoon Health Region Primary Health Centres and all personal health information is secure. Luron said the information will only be shared with another health care provider if the provider is approved to access it.
Whenever a provider opens a patient chart, a permanent record is created with a time, date and the name of the person who accessed it. “This is to protect the public and the health team members, and helps to ensure appropriate use of the technology in health services.”
During the implementation of the EMR system, the health clinic will be closed June 10, 17, 19 and 22 so the team can be trained while preparing for the move to the Watrous District Health Complex June 22.
Luron was quick to point out that the Emergency Department operates as part of Acute Care Services, and will remain open 24/7. “The community should continue accessing the Emergency Department for their emergency health needs.”
However, in the weeks following June 22 there will be fewer appointments available at the clinic as the team gets used to using the new system.“We recognize that this may be frustrating for the community and we ask people for their patience and their understanding as the system becomes a part of our everyday work.”
Once in place, Luron said the system will play a tremendous role in terms of simplifying chart information and allowing health care team members to communicate with each other while allowing quick access to the right patient information at the right time.
Luron said previous experiences in other communities have been positive.
Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said, “We are excited for the return of nurse practitioner Erin Boyce, and the arrival of Dr. Choudhary and her family. We also look forward to the implementation of the EMR in our community. This will support the best care possible for the team and their patients. We know there will be minor service disruptions when the clinic is closed, and we would ask everyone to be patient during this important transition.”
As the system gets set to go live, the Primary Health Team welcomed back Boyce May 12 and new physician Dr. Choudhary May 28.
Choudhary was originally trained as a physician in India and most recently was living in Toronto as a permanent resident. She completed the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program and along with her husband and eight-year-old daughter moved to Watrous.
“Together with Dr. Elgendy and Dr. Akhtar, we have now returned to having four full-time providers on the Primary Health Team. This will allow us to better meet the needs of the community, including looking for opportunities to partner with various local groups to support health promotion,” said Luron.
As for the team relocating from the current medical clinic in Watrous to the Watrous District Health Complex, Luron said, “The entire team is looking forward to the move to joining our colleagues at the Health Complex on June 22. We would invite the community to stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.”
End of an era for family business
By Daniel Bushman
After numerous oil changes, tire rotations and repaired engines, a longtime fixture in Watrous will be turning out the lights later this month. For over half a century Acme Service has been a mainstay in the community, catering to customers near and far.
Forming a partnership in 1950, Jake Kornelsen and Joe Jewell operated the business until Jake’s son Herb took over from Jewell in 1971. Twenty-one years later, Jake passed over his keys to Herb’s wife Ruth and the couple have owned the business ever since.
The business itself dates back to the 1920s when it was B.A. Service located at the corner of Main Street and 3rd Ave. W. Less than 30 years later, Jake would find himself with an opportunity to be a partner. From there, the Kornelsen name would become synonymous with Acme Service in Watrous.
“When dad (added) the Chrysler dealership in 1965, he ran Westside Service, where Centennial Ford is now,” Herb said. “Then where the Baptist Church is, behind that, there was a B.A. bulk station. They had three places they ran. Joe would stay downtown and dad would manage at (Westside) and we would deliver fuel in the winter time.”
Over the years, Acme sold Chrysler and Plymouth vehicles and then in 1990 made the move to general repair and towing.
With three bays at the ready and tow trucks close by, the service station was kept busy and Herb said finding work was never an issue. “We have been fortunate that way and have always had work.”
Herb started working at the shop in 1964 after school and then on weekends. Once school ended he would spend his summers at Acme. At that time, Jake and Joe ran the shop from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
When Herb joined his dad as a business partner, the Watrous resident said the experience of working together was really neat. That relationship went past Jake’s retirement as he would still find a chair waiting for him at the shop.
“My dad, right until just before he passed away would come down just about every afternoon at 2 p.m. Sometimes he would stop by in the morning after his first round of golf at 8:30 a.m. just to check up on everything.”
Ruth recalled a recent trip her and Herb took to B.C. this past fall. “Herb called the business to see how things were going and Jake picked up.” Ruth said the rest of the staff was busy working so Jake heard the phone ring and thought he would answer. The former owner proceeded to let his son know how things were going and even helped out a customer in Nokomis that had locked her keys in her car.
The towing aspect of the business also provided many hours of service over the years. Towing since he was 21, Herb logged a lot of miles over a 44 year span.
“We tow pretty well south to Holdfast, east to Nokomis and Jansen, north to Hwy. 16, Guernsey, Viscount and over to Colonsay. With Mainline we tow further. We go to Foam Lake, Wynyard and Saskatoon. GM Roadside has been a fairly major customer but CAA has been by far our biggest customer for towing.”
With unexpected calls anytime of the day, Kornelsen said he has also helped out with some unique requests.
“I have towed cows out of dugouts that have been stuck in there and I have had to go swimming for cars.”
Herb has also towed a Dodge Viper, Porsche, Austin Mini but never did get to check Lamborghini or Ferrari off his list.
Citing the business’s 50 and 60 year celebrations as highlights, Herb and Ruth have also had the opportunity to employ many familiar faces over the years. Herb figured the most employees at one time reached five plus him and his dad. Most recently Bob Silzer and Walter Bushman have been on staff with Herb and Ruth.
While employees have come and gone, Herb and Ruth said one constant has remained: customer loyalty.
“It has been a great thing. We have had customers come, then their kids and their kids. There might even be some four generation families that Acme has taken care of.”
While residents of Watrous have used Acme Service, Herb said others from the surrounding area have also stopped by. “It has been people from the community and around Watrous like Young, Allan, Viscount, Guernsey, south to Imperial and Liberty. They have all been really good customers. When we were in the car dealership business, we got to know people from quite a distance.”
While the Kornelsens are grateful for the support, the pair decided it was time to move into their next stage of life. With the business up for sale, Mark and Chris Dunham of Watrous made the decision to take over a fair bit of the specialized automotive equipment and inventory.
Herb said the towing and building aspects are still available for sale but is happy that Mark and Chris will be expanding on their business ventures.
As for Herb and Ruth, once the doors close June 26, “Our immediate future is to take it easy, do a little travelling and play with the grandkids.” Herb said he also wants to do a little more fishing and golfing and help their children with projects if they need a hand.
By Daniel Bushman
After numerous oil changes, tire rotations and repaired engines, a longtime fixture in Watrous will be turning out the lights later this month. For over half a century Acme Service has been a mainstay in the community, catering to customers near and far.
Forming a partnership in 1950, Jake Kornelsen and Joe Jewell operated the business until Jake’s son Herb took over from Jewell in 1971. Twenty-one years later, Jake passed over his keys to Herb’s wife Ruth and the couple have owned the business ever since.
The business itself dates back to the 1920s when it was B.A. Service located at the corner of Main Street and 3rd Ave. W. Less than 30 years later, Jake would find himself with an opportunity to be a partner. From there, the Kornelsen name would become synonymous with Acme Service in Watrous.
“When dad (added) the Chrysler dealership in 1965, he ran Westside Service, where Centennial Ford is now,” Herb said. “Then where the Baptist Church is, behind that, there was a B.A. bulk station. They had three places they ran. Joe would stay downtown and dad would manage at (Westside) and we would deliver fuel in the winter time.”
Over the years, Acme sold Chrysler and Plymouth vehicles and then in 1990 made the move to general repair and towing.
With three bays at the ready and tow trucks close by, the service station was kept busy and Herb said finding work was never an issue. “We have been fortunate that way and have always had work.”
Herb started working at the shop in 1964 after school and then on weekends. Once school ended he would spend his summers at Acme. At that time, Jake and Joe ran the shop from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
When Herb joined his dad as a business partner, the Watrous resident said the experience of working together was really neat. That relationship went past Jake’s retirement as he would still find a chair waiting for him at the shop.
“My dad, right until just before he passed away would come down just about every afternoon at 2 p.m. Sometimes he would stop by in the morning after his first round of golf at 8:30 a.m. just to check up on everything.”
Ruth recalled a recent trip her and Herb took to B.C. this past fall. “Herb called the business to see how things were going and Jake picked up.” Ruth said the rest of the staff was busy working so Jake heard the phone ring and thought he would answer. The former owner proceeded to let his son know how things were going and even helped out a customer in Nokomis that had locked her keys in her car.
The towing aspect of the business also provided many hours of service over the years. Towing since he was 21, Herb logged a lot of miles over a 44 year span.
“We tow pretty well south to Holdfast, east to Nokomis and Jansen, north to Hwy. 16, Guernsey, Viscount and over to Colonsay. With Mainline we tow further. We go to Foam Lake, Wynyard and Saskatoon. GM Roadside has been a fairly major customer but CAA has been by far our biggest customer for towing.”
With unexpected calls anytime of the day, Kornelsen said he has also helped out with some unique requests.
“I have towed cows out of dugouts that have been stuck in there and I have had to go swimming for cars.”
Herb has also towed a Dodge Viper, Porsche, Austin Mini but never did get to check Lamborghini or Ferrari off his list.
Citing the business’s 50 and 60 year celebrations as highlights, Herb and Ruth have also had the opportunity to employ many familiar faces over the years. Herb figured the most employees at one time reached five plus him and his dad. Most recently Bob Silzer and Walter Bushman have been on staff with Herb and Ruth.
While employees have come and gone, Herb and Ruth said one constant has remained: customer loyalty.
“It has been a great thing. We have had customers come, then their kids and their kids. There might even be some four generation families that Acme has taken care of.”
While residents of Watrous have used Acme Service, Herb said others from the surrounding area have also stopped by. “It has been people from the community and around Watrous like Young, Allan, Viscount, Guernsey, south to Imperial and Liberty. They have all been really good customers. When we were in the car dealership business, we got to know people from quite a distance.”
While the Kornelsens are grateful for the support, the pair decided it was time to move into their next stage of life. With the business up for sale, Mark and Chris Dunham of Watrous made the decision to take over a fair bit of the specialized automotive equipment and inventory.
Herb said the towing and building aspects are still available for sale but is happy that Mark and Chris will be expanding on their business ventures.
As for Herb and Ruth, once the doors close June 26, “Our immediate future is to take it easy, do a little travelling and play with the grandkids.” Herb said he also wants to do a little more fishing and golfing and help their children with projects if they need a hand.
June 1, 2015
Protecting Manitou Beach
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With record water levels and no place for it to go, the resort community of Manitou Beach made the decision to declare a local state of emergency. Despite previous efforts to keep the water from the lake at bay, levels continued to rise becoming too much.
Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall said the move to declare a local state of emergency gives the municipality the authority to do all acts and take proceedings that are reasonably necessary to meet the local emergency. While the hope is that the levels will drop, it appears there is no decline for the immediate future.
Last week, village workers along with the department of government relations and their emergency management and fire safety branch were busy putting up structures along the beach. Trap bags, used where the ground is not suitable to be wet and uneven along with HESCO barriers, which are deployable earth-filled flood barriers were being put in place.
Upshall said Camp Easter Seal is also involved in the project and they are having work done to protect the camp.
Last week, Upshall said crews started placing the barriers along the shore and once finished, they will stretch from the east end of the lake to the west where the tennis courts and Camp Easter Seal are located.
Volunteers were also on hand filling sandbags, which are being used to help keep things in place. The rubber perogy looking protector that was previously used on top of the berm will aid in giving a waterproof curtain.
Through this process, Upshall has appreciated the department of government relations and their emergency management and fire safety branch. “These people have been fantastic out here. They are very easy to work with and we have all our village employees working with them too. They brought 10 or 12 staff over the last few weeks and are here until it is completed.”
Meeting each day to assess the situation and get a progress report, Upshall said last week it was decided that the Water Security Agency is having Golder Associates do a complete analysis of the old berm that was built in 2011.
“We know we have seepage there and there is a problem with the water in the old berm. We know we have seepage coming in under the berm in several locations and they will be giving some advice on the potential of piping. After that, we will be deciding what kind of a structure will be needed here for the long term.”
While Upshall is not sure yet what will happen in the future, he said the newly installed barriers are going to keep the wave action back. “As soon as the engineers give their report, we will be discussing what the permanent structure should look like.”
Upshall said the work that is being done is to prevent a disaster from happening. “All we are doing is making sure people can still come here and have fun. That is what this is all about and the people who live here can be sure that they can stay here and have fun. Our lift stations are critical to be able to keep the lights on at Manitou Beach and this whole process that we have done goes a long way to make sure people can come and enjoy this place.”
If residents and visitors are concerned that the barriers may be a bit of an obstacle to get to the waterfront, Upshall said they will be creating walkways and stairs over them so people can still go in the lake. The boat launch is also being left open with a gate type system being put in place.
“This whole thing is to make sure that Manitou Beach still functions relatively the same as it always has. It is so important to everybody and with council’s help we want to create that climate of activity to sustain economic development. That is what we are trying to do.”
Despite the water issues, Upshall was quick to point out that there are lots of activities going on this summer like the July 1 Street Fair and fireworks, the chainsaw carving competition and the use of the lake in general.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With record water levels and no place for it to go, the resort community of Manitou Beach made the decision to declare a local state of emergency. Despite previous efforts to keep the water from the lake at bay, levels continued to rise becoming too much.
Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall said the move to declare a local state of emergency gives the municipality the authority to do all acts and take proceedings that are reasonably necessary to meet the local emergency. While the hope is that the levels will drop, it appears there is no decline for the immediate future.
Last week, village workers along with the department of government relations and their emergency management and fire safety branch were busy putting up structures along the beach. Trap bags, used where the ground is not suitable to be wet and uneven along with HESCO barriers, which are deployable earth-filled flood barriers were being put in place.
Upshall said Camp Easter Seal is also involved in the project and they are having work done to protect the camp.
Last week, Upshall said crews started placing the barriers along the shore and once finished, they will stretch from the east end of the lake to the west where the tennis courts and Camp Easter Seal are located.
Volunteers were also on hand filling sandbags, which are being used to help keep things in place. The rubber perogy looking protector that was previously used on top of the berm will aid in giving a waterproof curtain.
Through this process, Upshall has appreciated the department of government relations and their emergency management and fire safety branch. “These people have been fantastic out here. They are very easy to work with and we have all our village employees working with them too. They brought 10 or 12 staff over the last few weeks and are here until it is completed.”
Meeting each day to assess the situation and get a progress report, Upshall said last week it was decided that the Water Security Agency is having Golder Associates do a complete analysis of the old berm that was built in 2011.
“We know we have seepage there and there is a problem with the water in the old berm. We know we have seepage coming in under the berm in several locations and they will be giving some advice on the potential of piping. After that, we will be deciding what kind of a structure will be needed here for the long term.”
While Upshall is not sure yet what will happen in the future, he said the newly installed barriers are going to keep the wave action back. “As soon as the engineers give their report, we will be discussing what the permanent structure should look like.”
Upshall said the work that is being done is to prevent a disaster from happening. “All we are doing is making sure people can still come here and have fun. That is what this is all about and the people who live here can be sure that they can stay here and have fun. Our lift stations are critical to be able to keep the lights on at Manitou Beach and this whole process that we have done goes a long way to make sure people can come and enjoy this place.”
If residents and visitors are concerned that the barriers may be a bit of an obstacle to get to the waterfront, Upshall said they will be creating walkways and stairs over them so people can still go in the lake. The boat launch is also being left open with a gate type system being put in place.
“This whole thing is to make sure that Manitou Beach still functions relatively the same as it always has. It is so important to everybody and with council’s help we want to create that climate of activity to sustain economic development. That is what we are trying to do.”
Despite the water issues, Upshall was quick to point out that there are lots of activities going on this summer like the July 1 Street Fair and fireworks, the chainsaw carving competition and the use of the lake in general.
Modest increase in taxes after budget approved
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With more projects and improvements on the way for Watrous, residents will see an increase in their taxes for this year.
At the May 11 town council meeting, the 2015 budget was approved with a municipal mill rate set at 6.095. While the education portion of the tax remains the same, Mayor Ed Collins said the new mill rate means a 3.65 per cent increase for the overall municipal portion.
“We would consider this to be a modest tax increase.”
While Collins said people never like to see a jump in taxes, it allows for the town to keep up with growth, maintain roads and other infrastructure.
Collins said some of the items that have contributed to the increase include:
• curbing on a few streets;
• street improvements;
• new lighting for the hockey arena;
• purchasing new equipment like a backhoe;
• having an employee to oversee cemetery maintenance; and
• the new water treatment plant.
“The day to day stuff doesn’t change much but these ones I mentioned are things that don’t happen every year,” said Collins. “They are the new things we are doing and the reason for the bump. Other than that, everything stays much the same. We continue to operate in a reasonably fiscal manner.”
Collins said there are some funds being used for the water treatment plant but the project is being done more out of the capital budget as opposed to the operating one. “People already see that on their water bill and have for quite a while.”
Property tax notices went out in January based on last year’s figures and with the increase in this year’s budget, updated notices have been mailed out.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With more projects and improvements on the way for Watrous, residents will see an increase in their taxes for this year.
At the May 11 town council meeting, the 2015 budget was approved with a municipal mill rate set at 6.095. While the education portion of the tax remains the same, Mayor Ed Collins said the new mill rate means a 3.65 per cent increase for the overall municipal portion.
“We would consider this to be a modest tax increase.”
While Collins said people never like to see a jump in taxes, it allows for the town to keep up with growth, maintain roads and other infrastructure.
Collins said some of the items that have contributed to the increase include:
• curbing on a few streets;
• street improvements;
• new lighting for the hockey arena;
• purchasing new equipment like a backhoe;
• having an employee to oversee cemetery maintenance; and
• the new water treatment plant.
“The day to day stuff doesn’t change much but these ones I mentioned are things that don’t happen every year,” said Collins. “They are the new things we are doing and the reason for the bump. Other than that, everything stays much the same. We continue to operate in a reasonably fiscal manner.”
Collins said there are some funds being used for the water treatment plant but the project is being done more out of the capital budget as opposed to the operating one. “People already see that on their water bill and have for quite a while.”
Property tax notices went out in January based on last year’s figures and with the increase in this year’s budget, updated notices have been mailed out.
May 25, 2015
Manitou Beach has called for a state of
local emergency as water levels remain high
Here is the statement from Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall: Spring has arrived and all looks green and beautiful. That is the good news. We are still very concerned about the water level of the lake as it continues to rise so I will give you an update of what has recently transpired. We have declared a state of local emergency under section 20 of The Emergency Planning Act, which gives the municipality the authority to do all acts and take proceedings that are reasonably necessary to meet the local emergency.
While we all hope that the lake level will recede, the reality is that it continues to rise. The lake has never been this high in recorded history and the last time it was anywhere near this height, according to PFRA records, was in the late 1920s and it took the drought of the 1930s to bring it down to a reasonable level.
Keeping all this in mind, we are continuing our fight to keep the waters in check. We have devised a plan consisting of four strategic elements.
Last year we asked the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (SWSA) to help us by having a plan engineered that would divert major surface water inflows. This would include Wellington Creek and Freshwater Lake. The engineering firm of Golder and Associates gave the report to SWSA Friday, May 15th. We will be meeting them as soon as possible to discuss immediate implementation of this plan. This action would prevent major events like spring run-off and heavy thunderstorms from increasing lake levels.
To prevent Wellington Creek from flooding local properties, we have lined the banks with water filled bladders and have sand bags ready to be placed across the highway. This would contain heavy flows and direct water into the lake.
We have been working with Emergency Management and Fire Safety, which is a department within the Ministry of Government Relations. They have provided us with an option to use Hesco barriers, a series of three feet square and four feet high cages filled with sand, as a temporary measure which will line the lake shore in strategic areas.
We have asked for a meeting with SWSA where we will be requesting a significant addition to the height of the berm where necessary along the entire length of the village. This would include a series of weeping tile and sumps to contain any seepage coming under or through the berm.
We believe these actions will prevent major damage during the summer rain season; however, in extreme weather conditions there are no guarantees.
In conclusion, history has shown us extreme highs and lows in the level of our lake. It appears we are in a new era for lake levels and we are planning for the worst-case scenario. We also must keep in mind that the tax base of Manitou Beach can not carry the brunt of the necessary expenditure. The success of this emergency measures plan is clearly dependent on help from the provincial government.
local emergency as water levels remain high
Here is the statement from Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall: Spring has arrived and all looks green and beautiful. That is the good news. We are still very concerned about the water level of the lake as it continues to rise so I will give you an update of what has recently transpired. We have declared a state of local emergency under section 20 of The Emergency Planning Act, which gives the municipality the authority to do all acts and take proceedings that are reasonably necessary to meet the local emergency.
While we all hope that the lake level will recede, the reality is that it continues to rise. The lake has never been this high in recorded history and the last time it was anywhere near this height, according to PFRA records, was in the late 1920s and it took the drought of the 1930s to bring it down to a reasonable level.
Keeping all this in mind, we are continuing our fight to keep the waters in check. We have devised a plan consisting of four strategic elements.
Last year we asked the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (SWSA) to help us by having a plan engineered that would divert major surface water inflows. This would include Wellington Creek and Freshwater Lake. The engineering firm of Golder and Associates gave the report to SWSA Friday, May 15th. We will be meeting them as soon as possible to discuss immediate implementation of this plan. This action would prevent major events like spring run-off and heavy thunderstorms from increasing lake levels.
To prevent Wellington Creek from flooding local properties, we have lined the banks with water filled bladders and have sand bags ready to be placed across the highway. This would contain heavy flows and direct water into the lake.
We have been working with Emergency Management and Fire Safety, which is a department within the Ministry of Government Relations. They have provided us with an option to use Hesco barriers, a series of three feet square and four feet high cages filled with sand, as a temporary measure which will line the lake shore in strategic areas.
We have asked for a meeting with SWSA where we will be requesting a significant addition to the height of the berm where necessary along the entire length of the village. This would include a series of weeping tile and sumps to contain any seepage coming under or through the berm.
We believe these actions will prevent major damage during the summer rain season; however, in extreme weather conditions there are no guarantees.
In conclusion, history has shown us extreme highs and lows in the level of our lake. It appears we are in a new era for lake levels and we are planning for the worst-case scenario. We also must keep in mind that the tax base of Manitou Beach can not carry the brunt of the necessary expenditure. The success of this emergency measures plan is clearly dependent on help from the provincial government.
Escaping the Vietnam War
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With bombs raining down from the sky and guns spewing bullets nearby, it was bedlam four decades ago for those living in the southern part of Vietnam. Recently, many marked the 40th anniversary of the fall of the city of Saigon, a time in history that effectively signalled the end of the Vietnam War.
Just a teenager at the time, Trang Carlson was caught in the war, where up to four million Vietnamese were killed. While Carlson was able to flee, eventually being sponsored by a local couple in the Watrous area, others were not so lucky.
Carlson recalled her long journey to Canada, going back 40 years ago. She said the communist group from the north took over the city of Saigon Apr. 30, 1975, sending panic throughout the area.
“That day we could hear the bombs and bullets all around,” said Carlson. “They were close to us and it was really scary. I remember that for some reason, people told us not to stay inside the home. If a bomb hit the house then people could get trapped. Many were outside and I remember the tanks when they took over.”
Carlson said they had to welcome the troops to Saigon as they entered the fallen city.
In Saigon (now called Ho Chi Minh City), Carlson stayed very close to their ‘White House’ when it fell. But for most of the time she lived with her family in Nha Trang, a coastal city about 400 kms north of Saigon.
“When I was a teenager and went to school, I remember that I saw army trucks with coffins. The army trucks carried coffins with dead soldiers and delivered them to their loved ones and families. I saw families cry as the army truck drove up and parked in front of their home. I saw that so often on the way to school and back home.”
Trang was one of 10 children and her parents were between 45 and 50 years old at the time. Her father was a vehicle and equipment manager with the army so they lived on the base, but he also had other business interests and rental properties. When the war hit the area, they lost everything. “My mom had to look after 10 kids while my father was in the re-education camp (learning about the ways of the new government). I was so young and I didn’t think how hard that was for my mom. We didn’t have enough food to eat.”
Because her father worked for the southern government before the war ended, he had to spend time at the re-education camp, which essentially was a prison.
During that time, the communist government changed its currency multiple times, devaluing and limiting the amount of money each family had. Trang’s mom did her best to hide some gold she had from before. She would later use it to arrange for Trang to escape Vietnam in an effort to have her daughter help support the family. “She told me if I can make it to America then I would at least be able to help my family. My mom sat me down and told me that I had to realize I would only have a 10 per cent chance of making it to America and 90 per cent that I would not make it. I remember very clearly that I told my mom I would take that chance.”
Trang embarked on her journey alone because her mom could not bear to have more than one child go. “If more than one went and something happened, then two or three of us would die at the same time. She arranged for one of us to go at a time.”
Trang, along with one girl she knew from her home town and others who were strangers ventured to an isolated area through a forest, arriving at a beach. “There was a little tiny boat that took us to a small island. When we were there, we waited but the boat didn’t come to get us.”
Fishermen alerted people that the boat Trang’s parents had paid for her to board had been captured by the government. Authorities were now en route to the area to arrest those waiting, including Carlson. As the news given by the local fishermen was reaching those on the island, many were upset at what might happen.
Carlson sought out a place to hide along with the one girl she knew. “We went away from the people and I sat there and prayed to God that He would help me to get out of Vietnam and if He couldn’t help me, then to just give me the courage to go into the ocean.”
Suddenly, Carlson said a young fisherman came up to them and offered to help them hide on another island until it was safe. He promised to bring rice and water each day. “We were in a desperate situation so I said yes to him.”
Along the way, Trang’s friend changed her mind and with so many islands close together, the fisherman stopped to drop her off. However, Carlson could not let her friend stay behind.
“I don’t know why, but I pulled her back into the canoe and on the way we went to another island and saw another boat that was trying to escape Vietnam.”
With that boat parked on an island filling up with gasoline and food, the fisherman said they should try to get in. “When I tried to get in, because it was really tiny, a person who had a gun held it to my head and said if I came up, they would shoot me. The boat was tiny and they protected it so not too many people would get in. Somehow, one person I met while walking in the jungle was in the boat and he said, ‘she is my sister and they are my family.’ They let me on and my friend and the fisherman as well.”
While the person was not a brother, people did not know each other and allowed the trio into the boat.
With 45 people on the small fishing boat, they had to dump fish out. Carlson said the boat was so tiny they could not move. “I sat in the bottom of the boat like that for days.”
Soon after boarding, the boat was on its way out to sea. Unfortunately the journey would hit a major hurdle.
“We went for a day then the engine died,” said Carlson. “We just floated on the ocean and we didn’t have a compass. There were fishermen on the boat that only looked at the sky or whatever and we wanted to go to the Philippines, which was the closest country. When we were on the ocean, the boat just floated and lots of water got in the bottom. People got big cups to get the water out.”
Hoping for some sort of miracle, Trang recalled the reason her mom suggested she flee to open waters. Her parents had secretly listened to the BBC England International News at night and heard that the American government could help the Vietnamese people who escaped Vietnam and were on the ocean. “They would try to help and rescue us and that is why my mom sent me to escape. The U.S. Navy had aircraft searching waters offshore for escaping boats.”
During her time on the ocean, Carlson did not witness any airplanes although sometimes ships very far away would come into view. “People would try and burn their shirts or whatever they could find to get people to come help us. They were so far away and all you saw was a tiny thing on the ocean.”
One day, luck changed and the American Navy spotted Trang’s boat drifting on the ocean. With a large storm on the horizon, Carlson said the Navy felt they should help.
“They dropped a box close to our boat but we didn’t know if we should get the box. At the time, there were so many rumours of the communists dropping something and if people took it to their boat and opened it, it was a bomb.”
Because of those rumours, some people were skeptical while others said to go get it.
Carlson said one man who had 11 or 12 people in his family on board decided to go get the box as there was no water and food left on the boat. “He swam to get it and opened it and if it was a grenade or bomb he would die by himself.”
When he opened the box, he saw food and water and a radio so that they were able to communicate with the U.S. aircraft overhead.
From there, Trang said they would eventually be rescued not by the American Navy but by a large Japanese cargo ship. It was the only ship able to reach them before the coming storm would sink their boat. She said it was heaven to be on a boat that was not rocking wildly, but it took her many days to regain her strength.
After being rescued, Carlson stayed at a refugee camp in Singapore for one year and then was moved to a camp in Japan for another year and a half.
To this day, Trang does not forget about being rescued by the ship. She keeps in touch with the captain and crew members by exchanging letters each Christmas to thank them for saving her life.
To come to North America, in 1981 Trang and her friend Loan Tran were sponsored by James and Belle Mullet, who lived on a farm near Guernsey. Trang and her friend stayed with the couple for a short time and Carlson soon got a job in Watrous at a restaurant.
Trang and Loan also met Peter and Katie Sawatzky through the Bethany Church where James was the pastor.
Because of the driving distance between the farm and Watrous, “We stayed with the Sawatzkys a few weeks while working at a Chinese restaurant in town. They were very fond of us and we loved them. They told us to write letters to our families and they mailed the letters for us.”
During her brief stay in the Watrous area, Trang was required to visit the immigration office in Saskatoon once a month. On one of her trips, Trang went to a grocery store where she met another Vietnamese girl. “She was so happy to see me because there were not too many of us in Saskatoon.”
Excited to connect with someone from her country, Trang and her friend moved to Saskatoon shortly after, living with her sponsor’s daughter, Lina Mullet. Carlson began work and was able to help send money to her family back home.
Carlson put in long hours, spending seven days a week in a sewing factory because she did not have any family in Canada. During her free time, Trang learned English.
In 1989, Trang enrolled in typing and computer classes and then a bookkeeping course at Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon. She soon obtained a job working in a law office where she would work late after hours learning her work and people’s names so when they phoned she would know who they were.
“I was very determined to make a life for myself and learn.”
Trang worked at the law office for the next 21 years and only recently decided to do part time work so she could visit her parents in Vietnam more often. Carlson has been able to visit her mom and dad in her home country once a year but as they have gotten older, she is now able to spend more time with them.
Carlson is also married to husband Rick and the pair adopted a son from her home country.
“Life is so good,” Carlson said. “I was very lucky to be able to make it and help my family and send money home for my mom and dad to buy food. I didn’t make that much back then so I didn’t help as much as I hoped to, but at least it was a little bit.”
With bombs raining down from the sky and guns spewing bullets nearby, it was bedlam four decades ago for those living in the southern part of Vietnam. Recently, many marked the 40th anniversary of the fall of the city of Saigon, a time in history that effectively signalled the end of the Vietnam War.
Just a teenager at the time, Trang Carlson was caught in the war, where up to four million Vietnamese were killed. While Carlson was able to flee, eventually being sponsored by a local couple in the Watrous area, others were not so lucky.
Carlson recalled her long journey to Canada, going back 40 years ago. She said the communist group from the north took over the city of Saigon Apr. 30, 1975, sending panic throughout the area.
“That day we could hear the bombs and bullets all around,” said Carlson. “They were close to us and it was really scary. I remember that for some reason, people told us not to stay inside the home. If a bomb hit the house then people could get trapped. Many were outside and I remember the tanks when they took over.”
Carlson said they had to welcome the troops to Saigon as they entered the fallen city.
In Saigon (now called Ho Chi Minh City), Carlson stayed very close to their ‘White House’ when it fell. But for most of the time she lived with her family in Nha Trang, a coastal city about 400 kms north of Saigon.
“When I was a teenager and went to school, I remember that I saw army trucks with coffins. The army trucks carried coffins with dead soldiers and delivered them to their loved ones and families. I saw families cry as the army truck drove up and parked in front of their home. I saw that so often on the way to school and back home.”
Trang was one of 10 children and her parents were between 45 and 50 years old at the time. Her father was a vehicle and equipment manager with the army so they lived on the base, but he also had other business interests and rental properties. When the war hit the area, they lost everything. “My mom had to look after 10 kids while my father was in the re-education camp (learning about the ways of the new government). I was so young and I didn’t think how hard that was for my mom. We didn’t have enough food to eat.”
Because her father worked for the southern government before the war ended, he had to spend time at the re-education camp, which essentially was a prison.
During that time, the communist government changed its currency multiple times, devaluing and limiting the amount of money each family had. Trang’s mom did her best to hide some gold she had from before. She would later use it to arrange for Trang to escape Vietnam in an effort to have her daughter help support the family. “She told me if I can make it to America then I would at least be able to help my family. My mom sat me down and told me that I had to realize I would only have a 10 per cent chance of making it to America and 90 per cent that I would not make it. I remember very clearly that I told my mom I would take that chance.”
Trang embarked on her journey alone because her mom could not bear to have more than one child go. “If more than one went and something happened, then two or three of us would die at the same time. She arranged for one of us to go at a time.”
Trang, along with one girl she knew from her home town and others who were strangers ventured to an isolated area through a forest, arriving at a beach. “There was a little tiny boat that took us to a small island. When we were there, we waited but the boat didn’t come to get us.”
Fishermen alerted people that the boat Trang’s parents had paid for her to board had been captured by the government. Authorities were now en route to the area to arrest those waiting, including Carlson. As the news given by the local fishermen was reaching those on the island, many were upset at what might happen.
Carlson sought out a place to hide along with the one girl she knew. “We went away from the people and I sat there and prayed to God that He would help me to get out of Vietnam and if He couldn’t help me, then to just give me the courage to go into the ocean.”
Suddenly, Carlson said a young fisherman came up to them and offered to help them hide on another island until it was safe. He promised to bring rice and water each day. “We were in a desperate situation so I said yes to him.”
Along the way, Trang’s friend changed her mind and with so many islands close together, the fisherman stopped to drop her off. However, Carlson could not let her friend stay behind.
“I don’t know why, but I pulled her back into the canoe and on the way we went to another island and saw another boat that was trying to escape Vietnam.”
With that boat parked on an island filling up with gasoline and food, the fisherman said they should try to get in. “When I tried to get in, because it was really tiny, a person who had a gun held it to my head and said if I came up, they would shoot me. The boat was tiny and they protected it so not too many people would get in. Somehow, one person I met while walking in the jungle was in the boat and he said, ‘she is my sister and they are my family.’ They let me on and my friend and the fisherman as well.”
While the person was not a brother, people did not know each other and allowed the trio into the boat.
With 45 people on the small fishing boat, they had to dump fish out. Carlson said the boat was so tiny they could not move. “I sat in the bottom of the boat like that for days.”
Soon after boarding, the boat was on its way out to sea. Unfortunately the journey would hit a major hurdle.
“We went for a day then the engine died,” said Carlson. “We just floated on the ocean and we didn’t have a compass. There were fishermen on the boat that only looked at the sky or whatever and we wanted to go to the Philippines, which was the closest country. When we were on the ocean, the boat just floated and lots of water got in the bottom. People got big cups to get the water out.”
Hoping for some sort of miracle, Trang recalled the reason her mom suggested she flee to open waters. Her parents had secretly listened to the BBC England International News at night and heard that the American government could help the Vietnamese people who escaped Vietnam and were on the ocean. “They would try to help and rescue us and that is why my mom sent me to escape. The U.S. Navy had aircraft searching waters offshore for escaping boats.”
During her time on the ocean, Carlson did not witness any airplanes although sometimes ships very far away would come into view. “People would try and burn their shirts or whatever they could find to get people to come help us. They were so far away and all you saw was a tiny thing on the ocean.”
One day, luck changed and the American Navy spotted Trang’s boat drifting on the ocean. With a large storm on the horizon, Carlson said the Navy felt they should help.
“They dropped a box close to our boat but we didn’t know if we should get the box. At the time, there were so many rumours of the communists dropping something and if people took it to their boat and opened it, it was a bomb.”
Because of those rumours, some people were skeptical while others said to go get it.
Carlson said one man who had 11 or 12 people in his family on board decided to go get the box as there was no water and food left on the boat. “He swam to get it and opened it and if it was a grenade or bomb he would die by himself.”
When he opened the box, he saw food and water and a radio so that they were able to communicate with the U.S. aircraft overhead.
From there, Trang said they would eventually be rescued not by the American Navy but by a large Japanese cargo ship. It was the only ship able to reach them before the coming storm would sink their boat. She said it was heaven to be on a boat that was not rocking wildly, but it took her many days to regain her strength.
After being rescued, Carlson stayed at a refugee camp in Singapore for one year and then was moved to a camp in Japan for another year and a half.
To this day, Trang does not forget about being rescued by the ship. She keeps in touch with the captain and crew members by exchanging letters each Christmas to thank them for saving her life.
To come to North America, in 1981 Trang and her friend Loan Tran were sponsored by James and Belle Mullet, who lived on a farm near Guernsey. Trang and her friend stayed with the couple for a short time and Carlson soon got a job in Watrous at a restaurant.
Trang and Loan also met Peter and Katie Sawatzky through the Bethany Church where James was the pastor.
Because of the driving distance between the farm and Watrous, “We stayed with the Sawatzkys a few weeks while working at a Chinese restaurant in town. They were very fond of us and we loved them. They told us to write letters to our families and they mailed the letters for us.”
During her brief stay in the Watrous area, Trang was required to visit the immigration office in Saskatoon once a month. On one of her trips, Trang went to a grocery store where she met another Vietnamese girl. “She was so happy to see me because there were not too many of us in Saskatoon.”
Excited to connect with someone from her country, Trang and her friend moved to Saskatoon shortly after, living with her sponsor’s daughter, Lina Mullet. Carlson began work and was able to help send money to her family back home.
Carlson put in long hours, spending seven days a week in a sewing factory because she did not have any family in Canada. During her free time, Trang learned English.
In 1989, Trang enrolled in typing and computer classes and then a bookkeeping course at Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon. She soon obtained a job working in a law office where she would work late after hours learning her work and people’s names so when they phoned she would know who they were.
“I was very determined to make a life for myself and learn.”
Trang worked at the law office for the next 21 years and only recently decided to do part time work so she could visit her parents in Vietnam more often. Carlson has been able to visit her mom and dad in her home country once a year but as they have gotten older, she is now able to spend more time with them.
Carlson is also married to husband Rick and the pair adopted a son from her home country.
“Life is so good,” Carlson said. “I was very lucky to be able to make it and help my family and send money home for my mom and dad to buy food. I didn’t make that much back then so I didn’t help as much as I hoped to, but at least it was a little bit.”
May 18, 2015
Diehl Tire closes after 36 years
By Daniel Bushman
After nearly four decades of service in Watrous, vehicles were hoisted up one final time at Diehl Tire. After purchasing the business in May of 1979 from Jim and Ken Crawford, a then 24-year-old Andy Diehl began a long career in the community.
Originally from Prince Albert, Diehl spent some time in Alberta before moving back to Saskatchewan where he bought Crawford Tire and Battery in Watrous.
“This was my way to get back to Saskatchewan,” Diehl said. “When I bought it, it was predominately a tire shop that did some mechanical. Over the years, I basically did mostly mechanical and some tires.”
Located on the corner at 113 Main Street in Watrous, Diehl said he served mostly those from the area. “But because of Manitou Beach, there were definitely a lot of tourists we looked after. For the first many years we worked long hours and so a lot of times we serviced people when other places were closed. The first 14 years I worked seven days a week.”
During his duration in business, Diehl said there were years when four people were employed at one time but the last few, the business had two full-time and one part-time employee.
As the doors closed Apr. 30, Diehl reflected on his time serving the area. “Thirty-six years is a long time and I was only able to accomplish it because of the loyalty of the bulk of my customers. I have been very fortunate with employees that have been very loyal. It has been a combination of good employees and good customers.”
Admitting that owning a tire shop was the last thing on Diehl’s mind, he was glad he took it on. “In all honesty it was my way back to Saskatchewan but I had no intention of it lasting this long. I was just fortunate that I ended up in a really good and solid community. It just ended up being a better fit than I anticipated.”
Diehl said he is planning on selling the property and intends on taking the building down. As for what comes next: “My immediate plan is to not make any plans.”
By Daniel Bushman
After nearly four decades of service in Watrous, vehicles were hoisted up one final time at Diehl Tire. After purchasing the business in May of 1979 from Jim and Ken Crawford, a then 24-year-old Andy Diehl began a long career in the community.
Originally from Prince Albert, Diehl spent some time in Alberta before moving back to Saskatchewan where he bought Crawford Tire and Battery in Watrous.
“This was my way to get back to Saskatchewan,” Diehl said. “When I bought it, it was predominately a tire shop that did some mechanical. Over the years, I basically did mostly mechanical and some tires.”
Located on the corner at 113 Main Street in Watrous, Diehl said he served mostly those from the area. “But because of Manitou Beach, there were definitely a lot of tourists we looked after. For the first many years we worked long hours and so a lot of times we serviced people when other places were closed. The first 14 years I worked seven days a week.”
During his duration in business, Diehl said there were years when four people were employed at one time but the last few, the business had two full-time and one part-time employee.
As the doors closed Apr. 30, Diehl reflected on his time serving the area. “Thirty-six years is a long time and I was only able to accomplish it because of the loyalty of the bulk of my customers. I have been very fortunate with employees that have been very loyal. It has been a combination of good employees and good customers.”
Admitting that owning a tire shop was the last thing on Diehl’s mind, he was glad he took it on. “In all honesty it was my way back to Saskatchewan but I had no intention of it lasting this long. I was just fortunate that I ended up in a really good and solid community. It just ended up being a better fit than I anticipated.”
Diehl said he is planning on selling the property and intends on taking the building down. As for what comes next: “My immediate plan is to not make any plans.”
Growing season off to a good start
By Daniel Bushman
Thanks to some sunshine and warmer temperatures, green thumbs have been busy landscaping their yards and planting gardens. Unlike the past couple of springs where snow and cold weather decided to stick around longer than usual, this spring was much more agreeable for those wanting to get outdoors and plant.
Owner of Green Acres Greenhouse in Watrous, Mel Penrose said, “I’m hearing from people that gardens are in and some are even up with peas, carrots and radishes. People may want to hold off on beans and corn for a bit as they are heat loving and don’t want to be up if there is a risk of frost.”
However, now is the time to plant all the hearty annuals like pansies, violas, dianthus and dusty miller. “Even snapdragons can go in. They like to get their roots established and don’t like it when it is too hot when first planted. The cool weather is good for root development, you just don’t want a frost.”
Penrose said a good rule of thumb for people debating when to plant or having plants covered is keeping an eye on the forecast. “If it is going to be a hard freeze, they should just cover things up overnight.”
For plants coming from a greenhouse, Penrose said they need a few days of hardening off before being planted out. “That increases the survival rate. If they can get used to the outdoor wind and sun before they can actually be transplanted that helps. A couple of days of that should usually be enough.”
One of the big hits this year at the greenhouse are the calla lilies. “We started growing them back in February and they have been tremendous. They were slow at the start but turned out beautifully.”
Penrose said the sunshine and fresh air also made a difference for the lilies. “They are a crop that likes to sit wet and you get issues if you don’t have some cooperation. Most things you grow on the dry side but with callas, you keep wet.”
Another thing that continues to grow in popularity is gardening itself, especially with the younger generation. “Everybody is excited to grow a vegetable garden, including in pots. It doesn’t seem to be a fad, it seems to be a trend. Everyone wants to eat healthier and raise their kids to be healthier. Growing gardens are where people’s roots are too. Parents and grandparents had big vegetable gardens and people remember that. It feels like a good and healthy thing to be doing.”
Penrose said having raised beds are also on the rise, allowing people to get a jump on the season. “You can get stuff in raised beds earlier because the soil warms quicker, you can get them planted quicker and they are easier to cover. If you have plants in a raised bed they are easier to tend because there is less bending and less backache.”
Now in her 15th season, Penrose said there have been lots of changes in the gardening world since she first opened her doors.
“It used to be everyone had annuals in beds and that would be their garden. Now they have switched over to doing it in pots and having landscaping as low maintenance. Some moms and dads are both working and want to enjoy their yard and not work in it all day.”
People with little to a lot of growing experience looking for advice can give Penrose or the staff at the greenhouse a call. “We love to give anybody help with landscapes or pots. We also do a lot of custom pots up. Even if people want to know what colours to combine or even a growth habit, we would love to help. I will often visit people’s yards and it can provide a different perspective as well.”
By Daniel Bushman
Thanks to some sunshine and warmer temperatures, green thumbs have been busy landscaping their yards and planting gardens. Unlike the past couple of springs where snow and cold weather decided to stick around longer than usual, this spring was much more agreeable for those wanting to get outdoors and plant.
Owner of Green Acres Greenhouse in Watrous, Mel Penrose said, “I’m hearing from people that gardens are in and some are even up with peas, carrots and radishes. People may want to hold off on beans and corn for a bit as they are heat loving and don’t want to be up if there is a risk of frost.”
However, now is the time to plant all the hearty annuals like pansies, violas, dianthus and dusty miller. “Even snapdragons can go in. They like to get their roots established and don’t like it when it is too hot when first planted. The cool weather is good for root development, you just don’t want a frost.”
Penrose said a good rule of thumb for people debating when to plant or having plants covered is keeping an eye on the forecast. “If it is going to be a hard freeze, they should just cover things up overnight.”
For plants coming from a greenhouse, Penrose said they need a few days of hardening off before being planted out. “That increases the survival rate. If they can get used to the outdoor wind and sun before they can actually be transplanted that helps. A couple of days of that should usually be enough.”
One of the big hits this year at the greenhouse are the calla lilies. “We started growing them back in February and they have been tremendous. They were slow at the start but turned out beautifully.”
Penrose said the sunshine and fresh air also made a difference for the lilies. “They are a crop that likes to sit wet and you get issues if you don’t have some cooperation. Most things you grow on the dry side but with callas, you keep wet.”
Another thing that continues to grow in popularity is gardening itself, especially with the younger generation. “Everybody is excited to grow a vegetable garden, including in pots. It doesn’t seem to be a fad, it seems to be a trend. Everyone wants to eat healthier and raise their kids to be healthier. Growing gardens are where people’s roots are too. Parents and grandparents had big vegetable gardens and people remember that. It feels like a good and healthy thing to be doing.”
Penrose said having raised beds are also on the rise, allowing people to get a jump on the season. “You can get stuff in raised beds earlier because the soil warms quicker, you can get them planted quicker and they are easier to cover. If you have plants in a raised bed they are easier to tend because there is less bending and less backache.”
Now in her 15th season, Penrose said there have been lots of changes in the gardening world since she first opened her doors.
“It used to be everyone had annuals in beds and that would be their garden. Now they have switched over to doing it in pots and having landscaping as low maintenance. Some moms and dads are both working and want to enjoy their yard and not work in it all day.”
People with little to a lot of growing experience looking for advice can give Penrose or the staff at the greenhouse a call. “We love to give anybody help with landscapes or pots. We also do a lot of custom pots up. Even if people want to know what colours to combine or even a growth habit, we would love to help. I will often visit people’s yards and it can provide a different perspective as well.”
May 11, 2015
Progress continues on water treatment facility
By Daniel Bushman
Work gets underway this week on the final phase of the reverse osmosis water system upgrade for Watrous. With the target date for the project to be completed later this year, lots of hours still need to be put in before it is ready to go.
After some unexpected delays last year, Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said it is all systems go as phase one is virtually completed. “The first phase included the building portion itself which will eventually house the equipment. Phase one is 95 per cent complete with a bit of outside work left.”
Phase two, which starts this week, involves the treatment aspect of the facility and will see the majority of work being done off-site. “Basically they will build, deliver and install the system when it’s ready. The second phase also includes pulling out some of the existing equipment and replacing it.”
Tarasoff said there could be times during the second phase where residents may notice reduced water pressure. Notices will also be issued during different times of the year alerting residents to restrict water usage.
Those instances will allow crews to continue working on getting the facility ready to go for its launch in October.
As the switch over to reverse osmosis water gets closer, Tarasoff said information will be sent out to homeowners, providing them with an understanding of the water quality and what it could or could not do to pipes, taps and other water related items in the home.
Town Administrator Orrin Redden said the total project comes with a cost of around $2.4 million and $894,000 of it is being covered by a federal and provincial government grant. Other funds will be drawn out of the town’s reserves, which have been built up for projects such as this and debt financing.
Along with the facility, Redden said it was also time to create a new well and supply line with the existing system which came with a cost around $400,000.
By Daniel Bushman
Work gets underway this week on the final phase of the reverse osmosis water system upgrade for Watrous. With the target date for the project to be completed later this year, lots of hours still need to be put in before it is ready to go.
After some unexpected delays last year, Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said it is all systems go as phase one is virtually completed. “The first phase included the building portion itself which will eventually house the equipment. Phase one is 95 per cent complete with a bit of outside work left.”
Phase two, which starts this week, involves the treatment aspect of the facility and will see the majority of work being done off-site. “Basically they will build, deliver and install the system when it’s ready. The second phase also includes pulling out some of the existing equipment and replacing it.”
Tarasoff said there could be times during the second phase where residents may notice reduced water pressure. Notices will also be issued during different times of the year alerting residents to restrict water usage.
Those instances will allow crews to continue working on getting the facility ready to go for its launch in October.
As the switch over to reverse osmosis water gets closer, Tarasoff said information will be sent out to homeowners, providing them with an understanding of the water quality and what it could or could not do to pipes, taps and other water related items in the home.
Town Administrator Orrin Redden said the total project comes with a cost of around $2.4 million and $894,000 of it is being covered by a federal and provincial government grant. Other funds will be drawn out of the town’s reserves, which have been built up for projects such as this and debt financing.
Along with the facility, Redden said it was also time to create a new well and supply line with the existing system which came with a cost around $400,000.
May 4, 2015
Resort communities battling elements
By Daniel Bushman
When it rains it pours and for at least two local resort communities, this year’s spring melt has been a rough one. While optimism remains, those of Etters Beach and Manitou Beach are hoping for some relief.
Acting mayor of Etters Beach Jerry Bell said they experienced more than just high water this spring as strong winds pushed ice onto the banks of the beach. While the ice from Last Mountain Lake had started to particalize, strong winds Apr. 18 blew it together, creating large mountains along the shoreline. In one particular instance, the ice threatened one cabin near the water. “It came up and rested on their waterfront windows and doors. Had it been ice sheets and not particalized, (the ice) would have probably pushed right through the cabin,” said Bell.
A corner of a boat house was also taken out from the event and a deck railing was warped at another property along the shore.
Bell said he does not ever remember the water being so high in spring. “I believe it was a contributing factor when the wind came along. It only had a foot or two to go and it was going over people’s frontage.”
Further erosion damage was also done to the boat launch, which was originally beat up during a flood in 2011. “None of this stuff is apparently covered by anything,” said Bell who added they are looking at all their options for the boat launch, which is used by villagers and tourists. “We have to take a look at what we can do like seek donations.”
If that happens, people would donate money when they put their boat in the lake and the funds would be used to keep the launch in good repair.
Since the ice incident Apr. 18, Bell said cleanup continued last week, but there was still some of the ice left on shore. However, when the ice was gone on the lake and the water stayed up, “the wave action took away pretty well everything except for about four big piles along the berm.”
As that issue was being alleviated another one flowed into the resort community Apr. 25. Rain hammered the area, flooding the resort’s ditches. “We had all the water out of the village from the spring runoff but the rain over that weekend filled the ditches back up so we are slowly getting those back down again.”
Because the water level is so high, the resort’s natural water drain through a culvert to the lake is already underwater. “We can’t open it up to drain out otherwise the lake will come in to us.”
Pumps were being used instead of the culvert to try and drain things through a hose over the berm and into the lake. “All the ground is so saturated so the water has really no place to go and sits on top.”
Having all of that water is nothing new after the flood that hit a few years ago. Since then, Bell said they have had to deal with more water than they need and with levels still high in 2015, the acting mayor said it poses a real concern for the future.
“We will have to investigate and see what to do because that will affect a lot of cabins along Last Mountain Lake. We are going to hopefully convince the government to at least sit down and talk with us about some opportunities and in particular the Watershed Authority. We need to have some serious discussion with them about what the future is going to look like on Last Mountain Lake. Based on that, we shouldn’t have to do anything more in the village itself but the frontage people may have to look at some sort of barriers for every spring.”
In the meantime, berms put up where it flooded in 2011 are holding the water back. “All the work that we did there is really doing its job,” said Bell. But the acting mayor added the focus is now on the ice each spring and if the water level stays high.
While those from Etters Beach map out what steps need to be taken, Bell praised the local residents. “We are quite a resilient community and it just amazes me how everyone sort of pulls together and watches out for each other. We come together and make things work but it is financially draining on the village to have this continually happen every year. We are trying to work together to come up with the best solutions.”
Another resort village is also trying to keep its spirits high as it also received a copious amount of rain over the last weekend of April. Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall said they had one and a half inches of rain, adding to the already 24 cm increase in the water level since the fall. With more water, Upshall said Wellington Creek does not have enough capacity to keep experiencing downpours and a lot more precipitation. The berms along the shore of the lake in the resort community are also holding back more water than they need. Upshall said the resort community is impatiently waiting for a study from engineers that would show a direction as to how to alleviate the water levels. However, that still has to be sent on to the provincial government. “We need to see something done this year but have to wait for approval.”
Upshall said time is becoming a factor to get that plan sent away and given the green light. “We need it quickly.”
By Daniel Bushman
When it rains it pours and for at least two local resort communities, this year’s spring melt has been a rough one. While optimism remains, those of Etters Beach and Manitou Beach are hoping for some relief.
Acting mayor of Etters Beach Jerry Bell said they experienced more than just high water this spring as strong winds pushed ice onto the banks of the beach. While the ice from Last Mountain Lake had started to particalize, strong winds Apr. 18 blew it together, creating large mountains along the shoreline. In one particular instance, the ice threatened one cabin near the water. “It came up and rested on their waterfront windows and doors. Had it been ice sheets and not particalized, (the ice) would have probably pushed right through the cabin,” said Bell.
A corner of a boat house was also taken out from the event and a deck railing was warped at another property along the shore.
Bell said he does not ever remember the water being so high in spring. “I believe it was a contributing factor when the wind came along. It only had a foot or two to go and it was going over people’s frontage.”
Further erosion damage was also done to the boat launch, which was originally beat up during a flood in 2011. “None of this stuff is apparently covered by anything,” said Bell who added they are looking at all their options for the boat launch, which is used by villagers and tourists. “We have to take a look at what we can do like seek donations.”
If that happens, people would donate money when they put their boat in the lake and the funds would be used to keep the launch in good repair.
Since the ice incident Apr. 18, Bell said cleanup continued last week, but there was still some of the ice left on shore. However, when the ice was gone on the lake and the water stayed up, “the wave action took away pretty well everything except for about four big piles along the berm.”
As that issue was being alleviated another one flowed into the resort community Apr. 25. Rain hammered the area, flooding the resort’s ditches. “We had all the water out of the village from the spring runoff but the rain over that weekend filled the ditches back up so we are slowly getting those back down again.”
Because the water level is so high, the resort’s natural water drain through a culvert to the lake is already underwater. “We can’t open it up to drain out otherwise the lake will come in to us.”
Pumps were being used instead of the culvert to try and drain things through a hose over the berm and into the lake. “All the ground is so saturated so the water has really no place to go and sits on top.”
Having all of that water is nothing new after the flood that hit a few years ago. Since then, Bell said they have had to deal with more water than they need and with levels still high in 2015, the acting mayor said it poses a real concern for the future.
“We will have to investigate and see what to do because that will affect a lot of cabins along Last Mountain Lake. We are going to hopefully convince the government to at least sit down and talk with us about some opportunities and in particular the Watershed Authority. We need to have some serious discussion with them about what the future is going to look like on Last Mountain Lake. Based on that, we shouldn’t have to do anything more in the village itself but the frontage people may have to look at some sort of barriers for every spring.”
In the meantime, berms put up where it flooded in 2011 are holding the water back. “All the work that we did there is really doing its job,” said Bell. But the acting mayor added the focus is now on the ice each spring and if the water level stays high.
While those from Etters Beach map out what steps need to be taken, Bell praised the local residents. “We are quite a resilient community and it just amazes me how everyone sort of pulls together and watches out for each other. We come together and make things work but it is financially draining on the village to have this continually happen every year. We are trying to work together to come up with the best solutions.”
Another resort village is also trying to keep its spirits high as it also received a copious amount of rain over the last weekend of April. Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall said they had one and a half inches of rain, adding to the already 24 cm increase in the water level since the fall. With more water, Upshall said Wellington Creek does not have enough capacity to keep experiencing downpours and a lot more precipitation. The berms along the shore of the lake in the resort community are also holding back more water than they need. Upshall said the resort community is impatiently waiting for a study from engineers that would show a direction as to how to alleviate the water levels. However, that still has to be sent on to the provincial government. “We need to see something done this year but have to wait for approval.”
Upshall said time is becoming a factor to get that plan sent away and given the green light. “We need it quickly.”
Apr. 20, 2015
Spirits high at Manitou Beach despite water levels
By Daniel Bushman
Even though more water has found its way to Manitou Beach, the higher levels have not deterred those residing at the resort community. Despite another spring of flooding, Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall said there is optimism heading into the summer.
“The water is high but our spirits our higher. We just have to keep that positive attitude,” said Upshall. “These things come and go during our lifetime and you just have to handle them. That is what we are doing. The day-to-day isn’t much fun but at the end of the day we have a wonderful lake, we have great people that live here and lots of tourists coming.”
This spring, Upshall said the highway near Danceland was cut again so the water from Wellington Creek would not flood properties extensively. “We got that out of the way but the water is about 24 cm higher than it was last fall.”
High winds early last week also created headaches, pushing large chunks of ice towards shore. Crews were tasked with keeping a close eye on the village’s lift stations, Danceland and the east end as the ice crashed along the berms.
“We are just trying to keep things as normal as possible even though the lake is not normal.”
Upshall said he talked to the engineers that are devising a plan that would try to alleviate water levels. “While this process is not fast, it is moving along. They are on the final stages on the engineer design and the cost of the diversion projects on Wellington Creek and at the east end.”
Once completed, the plans will be sent to the Water Security Agency and they will make a decision regarding the next step.
“We are not going to stop the local runoff and we are not going to stop the water coming in from the bottom (of the lake). We didn’t have much snow this year but Wellington Creek poured down for a few days and (water from) the east end rolled in there. We believe (the diversion) would be enough to stop the rise as we have seen it the last few years.”
Upshall is not sure if the resort community will have to lobby quite yet but that will depend on the decision from the Water Security Agency and the provincial government.
The issue of not having any beaches to use has also come to the forefront as water engulfed the shoreline. “That is going to have a really negative effect on the businesses of Manitou Beach but I think people will still come. Last year people packed in on those little beaches we had and we had a lot of people coming. We hope the same thing happens again this year.”
Upshall spent part of last week walking up and down the shoreline. The mayor said at this point there is nowhere to really put additional sand to have beaches. “If the lake goes down a bit, sure we would look at that . . . there is no point in putting sand in the water so it washes away. We will have to take it step by step.”
In an effort to reverse the negativity of not having any beaches, Upshall said they are creating some activities for the summer.
The annual fireworks and street fair is being planned for early July and people are also working on bringing in a chainsaw carving competition for Aug. 13 to 16, which Upshall said will be an event people can enjoy.
An off-leash dog park is also in the works as BHP Billiton donated game fence for the park.
“A lot of people come here with dogs and it can be a fight to keep the dogs on a leash but if they have a nice park to run in, that will be an advantage. I invite people from Watrous to come down and let their dogs off the leash and let them run. I don’t know the opening date of the park but hopefully it should be done fairly early this spring but we will see what the lake does to us.”
In addition, a fenced-in community garden will be created and the aim is to have that completed in the spring.
“Manitou Beach is sitting on the edge of this wonderful lake. The lake is sort of the reason why we are all here. Just because it is high it doesn’t negate Danceland from going strong and having the regular dances, the hotel and spa and the drive-in from continuing; all of those neat things we have here. Those things are still here and people can also experience the tranquility (of the area) while stepping back in the past a bit and shutting the world out on holidays. You can really enjoy yourself right to your soul and that is what a lot of people do. There is nothing changed in that respect. You have lots of activities and lots of nature to enjoy while you are here using the amenities of Manitou Beach.”
Upshall said he really appreciates the support people have given with the regards to the lake. “The residents have been great, pitching in and doing their part. Everyone understands that there is nothing any one person can do about it and I invite all people from around the world to come and have a little look at this paradise we got here. The lake is not going to destroy the attitude and positive vibe that we have from this area.”
By Daniel Bushman
Even though more water has found its way to Manitou Beach, the higher levels have not deterred those residing at the resort community. Despite another spring of flooding, Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall said there is optimism heading into the summer.
“The water is high but our spirits our higher. We just have to keep that positive attitude,” said Upshall. “These things come and go during our lifetime and you just have to handle them. That is what we are doing. The day-to-day isn’t much fun but at the end of the day we have a wonderful lake, we have great people that live here and lots of tourists coming.”
This spring, Upshall said the highway near Danceland was cut again so the water from Wellington Creek would not flood properties extensively. “We got that out of the way but the water is about 24 cm higher than it was last fall.”
High winds early last week also created headaches, pushing large chunks of ice towards shore. Crews were tasked with keeping a close eye on the village’s lift stations, Danceland and the east end as the ice crashed along the berms.
“We are just trying to keep things as normal as possible even though the lake is not normal.”
Upshall said he talked to the engineers that are devising a plan that would try to alleviate water levels. “While this process is not fast, it is moving along. They are on the final stages on the engineer design and the cost of the diversion projects on Wellington Creek and at the east end.”
Once completed, the plans will be sent to the Water Security Agency and they will make a decision regarding the next step.
“We are not going to stop the local runoff and we are not going to stop the water coming in from the bottom (of the lake). We didn’t have much snow this year but Wellington Creek poured down for a few days and (water from) the east end rolled in there. We believe (the diversion) would be enough to stop the rise as we have seen it the last few years.”
Upshall is not sure if the resort community will have to lobby quite yet but that will depend on the decision from the Water Security Agency and the provincial government.
The issue of not having any beaches to use has also come to the forefront as water engulfed the shoreline. “That is going to have a really negative effect on the businesses of Manitou Beach but I think people will still come. Last year people packed in on those little beaches we had and we had a lot of people coming. We hope the same thing happens again this year.”
Upshall spent part of last week walking up and down the shoreline. The mayor said at this point there is nowhere to really put additional sand to have beaches. “If the lake goes down a bit, sure we would look at that . . . there is no point in putting sand in the water so it washes away. We will have to take it step by step.”
In an effort to reverse the negativity of not having any beaches, Upshall said they are creating some activities for the summer.
The annual fireworks and street fair is being planned for early July and people are also working on bringing in a chainsaw carving competition for Aug. 13 to 16, which Upshall said will be an event people can enjoy.
An off-leash dog park is also in the works as BHP Billiton donated game fence for the park.
“A lot of people come here with dogs and it can be a fight to keep the dogs on a leash but if they have a nice park to run in, that will be an advantage. I invite people from Watrous to come down and let their dogs off the leash and let them run. I don’t know the opening date of the park but hopefully it should be done fairly early this spring but we will see what the lake does to us.”
In addition, a fenced-in community garden will be created and the aim is to have that completed in the spring.
“Manitou Beach is sitting on the edge of this wonderful lake. The lake is sort of the reason why we are all here. Just because it is high it doesn’t negate Danceland from going strong and having the regular dances, the hotel and spa and the drive-in from continuing; all of those neat things we have here. Those things are still here and people can also experience the tranquility (of the area) while stepping back in the past a bit and shutting the world out on holidays. You can really enjoy yourself right to your soul and that is what a lot of people do. There is nothing changed in that respect. You have lots of activities and lots of nature to enjoy while you are here using the amenities of Manitou Beach.”
Upshall said he really appreciates the support people have given with the regards to the lake. “The residents have been great, pitching in and doing their part. Everyone understands that there is nothing any one person can do about it and I invite all people from around the world to come and have a little look at this paradise we got here. The lake is not going to destroy the attitude and positive vibe that we have from this area.”
Apr. 13, 2015
New doctor being added to local team
By Daniel Bushman
With the upcoming departure of a physician involved with the Watrous and Imperial Primary Health team, the Saskatoon Health Region along with the town of Watrous have secured another doctor for the area.
Manager, Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region, Angela Luron said Dr. Kavita Choudhary is expected to be in Watrous in a couple of months.
“We anticipate she will begin practice on the Watrous and Imperial team in mid-June. She has expressed her areas of clinical interests that include adult and geriatric. She also has three years of internal medicine experience that she brings with her. We are really looking forward to having her join the team. She has also talked about how she is partial to rural life and she is looking forward to raising her family in the community.”
Choudhary was originally trained as a physician in India and most recently has been living in Toronto as a permanent resident. Currently she is completing the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program and upon successful completion, Choudhary along with her husband and eight-year-old daughter will be moving to Watrous.
As Dr. Pita Tingey is leaving the area at the end of May, Luron said the health region will keep services running smoothly until Choudhary arrives.
“In order to manage the interim, both without having a nurse practitioner on and having a bit of a physician gap, we will be working with Practitioner Staff Affairs to make sure there is enough coverage in Watrous and Imperial.”
Luron said having Choudhary join the team is important in terms of stability. “The Watrous and Imperial team provides care in quite a few different areas. That includes the emergency department, the inpatient and long-term care in both communities as well as the primary health clinic aspect of people’s day to day care. Having that full complement of four providers is quite important in terms of making sure there is enough coverage, making sure that all providers can manage their workload and really just making sure that we can meet the needs of the communities and surrounding areas as best as we can.”
Luron said they will also get nurse practitioner Erin Boyce, who has been on maternity leave, back early. “We are very pleased to have her back on the team towards the middle of May. That will help in terms of providing coverage and ensuring that service levels remain as they are. It also ensures that people can access appointments and the emergency department when they need to.”
As another transition arrives, Luron appreciates the ongoing commitments of the physicians as well as the patience of the community and the rest of the health care team moving forward.
By Daniel Bushman
With the upcoming departure of a physician involved with the Watrous and Imperial Primary Health team, the Saskatoon Health Region along with the town of Watrous have secured another doctor for the area.
Manager, Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region, Angela Luron said Dr. Kavita Choudhary is expected to be in Watrous in a couple of months.
“We anticipate she will begin practice on the Watrous and Imperial team in mid-June. She has expressed her areas of clinical interests that include adult and geriatric. She also has three years of internal medicine experience that she brings with her. We are really looking forward to having her join the team. She has also talked about how she is partial to rural life and she is looking forward to raising her family in the community.”
Choudhary was originally trained as a physician in India and most recently has been living in Toronto as a permanent resident. Currently she is completing the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program and upon successful completion, Choudhary along with her husband and eight-year-old daughter will be moving to Watrous.
As Dr. Pita Tingey is leaving the area at the end of May, Luron said the health region will keep services running smoothly until Choudhary arrives.
“In order to manage the interim, both without having a nurse practitioner on and having a bit of a physician gap, we will be working with Practitioner Staff Affairs to make sure there is enough coverage in Watrous and Imperial.”
Luron said having Choudhary join the team is important in terms of stability. “The Watrous and Imperial team provides care in quite a few different areas. That includes the emergency department, the inpatient and long-term care in both communities as well as the primary health clinic aspect of people’s day to day care. Having that full complement of four providers is quite important in terms of making sure there is enough coverage, making sure that all providers can manage their workload and really just making sure that we can meet the needs of the communities and surrounding areas as best as we can.”
Luron said they will also get nurse practitioner Erin Boyce, who has been on maternity leave, back early. “We are very pleased to have her back on the team towards the middle of May. That will help in terms of providing coverage and ensuring that service levels remain as they are. It also ensures that people can access appointments and the emergency department when they need to.”
As another transition arrives, Luron appreciates the ongoing commitments of the physicians as well as the patience of the community and the rest of the health care team moving forward.
Apr. 6, 2015
Warmer trend on the agenda for April
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The final few days of March provided a nice transition into April as temperatures reached double digits. Those numbers were welcome after the start of March was quite the opposite with much cooler values and bone-chilling wind chills.
David Phillips with Environment Canada said, “You had days at the beginning of the month with -30˚C and -25˚C. But then it really did warm up. What surprised me was that it didn’t return to those frigid temperatures. We know that March is more of a winter month than a spring month but this year it was clearly in the spring column.”
After a fistful of cold days to start March, the warmer weather took over and just four days got below 0˚C for the rest of the month. Phillips said that provided good news for producers as the ground began thawing.
The warmer weather, like 15˚C experienced on Mar. 31, was a far cry from last year when Mar. 31 reached a high of -10.4˚C. And while there were only eight days below 0˚C this March, there were 19 that dipped below zero during last year’s version.
As people were treated to a spell of warmer weather last week, there was also a chilly reminder that it is still early spring. Snow arrived late Wednesday night but soon disappeared Thursday as the sun took over.
Phillips said snow is not unusual during April. “Looking back at almost 50 years of records for Watrous, there has only been two Aprils without snow. We know a snowfall in April is not something that is a shocker. I would say given the historic evidence that we will probably see a little more of the white stuff.”
But before people panic, Phillips said the April snow is usually here one day and gone the next.
Looking at precipitation values, since Sept. 1 through March, Phillips said it has shown to be normal to a little bit wetter than normal.
“The moisture from the precipitation from the fall and winter is there. There is not a drought situation and my sense with the warm up is that it is only good news. Our models for April show for central and southern Saskatchewan as being warmer than normal.”
Phillips sees that warmer than normal trend carrying on through April and into May and early June. “It doesn’t mean everyday, but certainly the trend is that way.”
Even if there is a return to something colder for a day or two, Phillips said it does not last long. “It usually can be measured in a day or two at the most and you have the beauty of that Saskatchewan sunshine. Even if it is cool, the sunshine is still thawing the ground, warming the soil and getting the soil ready for the seed.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The final few days of March provided a nice transition into April as temperatures reached double digits. Those numbers were welcome after the start of March was quite the opposite with much cooler values and bone-chilling wind chills.
David Phillips with Environment Canada said, “You had days at the beginning of the month with -30˚C and -25˚C. But then it really did warm up. What surprised me was that it didn’t return to those frigid temperatures. We know that March is more of a winter month than a spring month but this year it was clearly in the spring column.”
After a fistful of cold days to start March, the warmer weather took over and just four days got below 0˚C for the rest of the month. Phillips said that provided good news for producers as the ground began thawing.
The warmer weather, like 15˚C experienced on Mar. 31, was a far cry from last year when Mar. 31 reached a high of -10.4˚C. And while there were only eight days below 0˚C this March, there were 19 that dipped below zero during last year’s version.
As people were treated to a spell of warmer weather last week, there was also a chilly reminder that it is still early spring. Snow arrived late Wednesday night but soon disappeared Thursday as the sun took over.
Phillips said snow is not unusual during April. “Looking back at almost 50 years of records for Watrous, there has only been two Aprils without snow. We know a snowfall in April is not something that is a shocker. I would say given the historic evidence that we will probably see a little more of the white stuff.”
But before people panic, Phillips said the April snow is usually here one day and gone the next.
Looking at precipitation values, since Sept. 1 through March, Phillips said it has shown to be normal to a little bit wetter than normal.
“The moisture from the precipitation from the fall and winter is there. There is not a drought situation and my sense with the warm up is that it is only good news. Our models for April show for central and southern Saskatchewan as being warmer than normal.”
Phillips sees that warmer than normal trend carrying on through April and into May and early June. “It doesn’t mean everyday, but certainly the trend is that way.”
Even if there is a return to something colder for a day or two, Phillips said it does not last long. “It usually can be measured in a day or two at the most and you have the beauty of that Saskatchewan sunshine. Even if it is cool, the sunshine is still thawing the ground, warming the soil and getting the soil ready for the seed.”
Mar. 30 - 2015
Watrous RCMP keep eye on school zone
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Over 70 vehicles were checked during a recent enforcement initiative in Watrous and the results were positive. Sergeant Earl LeBlanc with the Watrous RCMP said police conducted a traffic enforcement initiative Mar. 19 within the town’s school zones. LeBlanc said it consisted of roving patrols around the high school and stationary laser radar on main street by the elementary school.
Of the vehicles checked during the enforcement period, LeBlanc said no violation tickets were issued. LeBlanc said not handing out tickets can be in large part attributed to the recent addition of a radar speed limit sign.
“The Watrous RCMP thank the motorists that were present that day and to the Town of Watrous for the installment of the radar speed limit sign located at the south end of the school zone.”
The sign, put up along main street near the elementary school last fall flashes the speed of a vehicle as it gets closer to the school zone, reminding people to slow to 30 km/hr.
With the radar speed limit sign in place, LeBlanc said members of the detachment have noticed a decrease in speed by motorists.
Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said having the sign posted close to the school has been a big plus. “As a staff, we absolutely love the radar sign near our school. The constant reminder of vehicle speed being posted definitely affects the traffic speed in front of our building. Anything that can help with the safety of our students and people of the community is a real positive!”
Town administrator Dion Tarasoff said the sign was put up as part of an initiative after a group brought attention to the school zone area last summer. As part of that project, an illuminated crosswalk is being installed. Tarasoff said they are just waiting for the lights to be installed but in the meantime are looking at the possibility of adding more signage.
“It has been a positive initiative, so much so that council is considering buying a second radar speed limit sign.”
That sign would go north of where the current one is to alert traffic headed in the opposite direction of the school zone.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Over 70 vehicles were checked during a recent enforcement initiative in Watrous and the results were positive. Sergeant Earl LeBlanc with the Watrous RCMP said police conducted a traffic enforcement initiative Mar. 19 within the town’s school zones. LeBlanc said it consisted of roving patrols around the high school and stationary laser radar on main street by the elementary school.
Of the vehicles checked during the enforcement period, LeBlanc said no violation tickets were issued. LeBlanc said not handing out tickets can be in large part attributed to the recent addition of a radar speed limit sign.
“The Watrous RCMP thank the motorists that were present that day and to the Town of Watrous for the installment of the radar speed limit sign located at the south end of the school zone.”
The sign, put up along main street near the elementary school last fall flashes the speed of a vehicle as it gets closer to the school zone, reminding people to slow to 30 km/hr.
With the radar speed limit sign in place, LeBlanc said members of the detachment have noticed a decrease in speed by motorists.
Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said having the sign posted close to the school has been a big plus. “As a staff, we absolutely love the radar sign near our school. The constant reminder of vehicle speed being posted definitely affects the traffic speed in front of our building. Anything that can help with the safety of our students and people of the community is a real positive!”
Town administrator Dion Tarasoff said the sign was put up as part of an initiative after a group brought attention to the school zone area last summer. As part of that project, an illuminated crosswalk is being installed. Tarasoff said they are just waiting for the lights to be installed but in the meantime are looking at the possibility of adding more signage.
“It has been a positive initiative, so much so that council is considering buying a second radar speed limit sign.”
That sign would go north of where the current one is to alert traffic headed in the opposite direction of the school zone.
Mar. 23, 2015
Manitou Beach deals with spring melt
By Daniel Bushman
Seeing the snow disappear is usually a sign that warmer weather is on the way. However, it also means another year of water finding its way to the resort village of Manitou Beach. While perhaps not quite as severe as last year, the high water levels this spring have caused their fair share of problems.
Aided by above normal temperatures, snow melted at a rapid pace creating intense flows at Wellington Creek. Deputy mayor of Manitou Beach, Chris Moffatt said crews ripped out a portion of the road near Danceland Mar. 15 to help alleviate the levels. Before that though, the water had risen enough that it flowed towards buildings within the immediate area.
After pushing through the opened roadway, the water subsided within the park as it pushed into Little Lake Manitou.
Moffatt said the creek levels had gone down after the trench was created. Cooler temperatures also aided in a slower melt, which in turn provided some help.
However, residents and businesses had other issues to deal with. After a prolonged power outage Mar. 13, Moffatt said the pump at the water station needed to be fixed and a precautionary water boil advisory was implemented. Residents were instructed to boil water for at least one minute to ensure safety.
Moffatt said those in the village were also told to conserve water as much as possible while the pump was down last week.
The good news though is that Moffatt felt the worst was over although he added if there is a heavy rain or snowfall still to come, that could create issues. “That is what happened last year. We did add an extra berm along the lake to help with the higher water.”
The deputy mayor said it is too early to tell what the water level will be like in the lake but will have a better idea as the ice disappears. “Only time will tell but we are hoping for the best.”
As for the road that was dug out to help with the flows from Wellington, Moffatt said they will do a patch job once the water goes down, similar to what was done in the past.
Moffatt said those living in the resort community having problems with flooding can touch base with the village.
By Daniel Bushman
Seeing the snow disappear is usually a sign that warmer weather is on the way. However, it also means another year of water finding its way to the resort village of Manitou Beach. While perhaps not quite as severe as last year, the high water levels this spring have caused their fair share of problems.
Aided by above normal temperatures, snow melted at a rapid pace creating intense flows at Wellington Creek. Deputy mayor of Manitou Beach, Chris Moffatt said crews ripped out a portion of the road near Danceland Mar. 15 to help alleviate the levels. Before that though, the water had risen enough that it flowed towards buildings within the immediate area.
After pushing through the opened roadway, the water subsided within the park as it pushed into Little Lake Manitou.
Moffatt said the creek levels had gone down after the trench was created. Cooler temperatures also aided in a slower melt, which in turn provided some help.
However, residents and businesses had other issues to deal with. After a prolonged power outage Mar. 13, Moffatt said the pump at the water station needed to be fixed and a precautionary water boil advisory was implemented. Residents were instructed to boil water for at least one minute to ensure safety.
Moffatt said those in the village were also told to conserve water as much as possible while the pump was down last week.
The good news though is that Moffatt felt the worst was over although he added if there is a heavy rain or snowfall still to come, that could create issues. “That is what happened last year. We did add an extra berm along the lake to help with the higher water.”
The deputy mayor said it is too early to tell what the water level will be like in the lake but will have a better idea as the ice disappears. “Only time will tell but we are hoping for the best.”
As for the road that was dug out to help with the flows from Wellington, Moffatt said they will do a patch job once the water goes down, similar to what was done in the past.
Moffatt said those living in the resort community having problems with flooding can touch base with the village.
Mar. 16, 2015
Telemiracle another success
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The phones were ringing and donations pouring in as $4,312,457 was raised during Telemiracle 39 Mar. 7 and 8. While down from last year’s total of almost $5.3 million, the generosity remained strong in 2015 as people of Saskatchewan and across the country raised money during the annual event.
That kindness was also found in the Watrous area as members of the local Kinettes presented a cheque at Telemiracle totalling $18,818.23. Up early Sunday morning, the crew passed along the amount which included:
• $1,736 from the WHS ham and scalloped potato supper;
• $2,984.30 from the WES helping hands and bake sale;
• $500 from Watrous Home Hardware Building Centre;
• $2,500 from the local Kin;
• $1,578.75 from soup and sandwich events put on by Kinettes;
• $365.09 from helping hands coin boxes;
• $1,273.25 from the Kinette raffle basket;
• $1,350 from personal donations; and
• $5,686.75 from a pie auction at Manitou Lodge. The most expensive pie went for $325. That pie was donated again and purchased for $150.
Others also lent a hand including Anthony Allin at Watrous 5 Pin. Allin gave $2,015, which was collected through tips and donations.
Watrous Kinette president Sara Trenouth said the community did a tremendous job in coming together to raise money.
Trenouth said nine Kinettes headed to Saskatoon to take part in Telemiracle. “It was a great weekend to be able to be a part of something special like that. Everyone was there with a common goal and it was for a great cause.”
Other organizations also stepped up and during an hour of the show Mar. 8, PotashCorp helped to raise over $500,000 as it provided a $250,000 matching gift donation to the Kinsmen Foundation.
Big news also hit the stage Mar. 8 as Bob McGrath announced the 39th telethon marked his last Telemiracle appearance. The long-time supporter of Telemiracle expressed he has been in show business a long time and at this point in his life, wants to spend time with his wife Anne.
McGrath was one of the original cast members of Telemiracle 1 and appeared on 38 of the 39 annual telethons. Best known for his role as Bob on Sesame Street, McGrath has become a part of the fabric of Saskatchewan.
“We’ll miss him and the generosity he has shown Saskatchewan,” said Joan Steckhan, Executive Director of Kinsmen Telemiracle.
McGrath has helped Kinsmen Telemiracle raise over 105 million dollars in the 39 years it has broadcast the annual telethon.
The Kinsmen Foundation, through donations to Telemiracle, assists Saskatchewan people to acquire special needs equipment and access to medical treatment.
Looking ahead to the 40th Telemiracle, Trenouth said they have set their goal for the Watrous area to raise $40,000. “If anyone needs support with an event, we will provide the man power and help.”
Trenouth said they are also looking at other ways to raise funds for next year’s annual event.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The phones were ringing and donations pouring in as $4,312,457 was raised during Telemiracle 39 Mar. 7 and 8. While down from last year’s total of almost $5.3 million, the generosity remained strong in 2015 as people of Saskatchewan and across the country raised money during the annual event.
That kindness was also found in the Watrous area as members of the local Kinettes presented a cheque at Telemiracle totalling $18,818.23. Up early Sunday morning, the crew passed along the amount which included:
• $1,736 from the WHS ham and scalloped potato supper;
• $2,984.30 from the WES helping hands and bake sale;
• $500 from Watrous Home Hardware Building Centre;
• $2,500 from the local Kin;
• $1,578.75 from soup and sandwich events put on by Kinettes;
• $365.09 from helping hands coin boxes;
• $1,273.25 from the Kinette raffle basket;
• $1,350 from personal donations; and
• $5,686.75 from a pie auction at Manitou Lodge. The most expensive pie went for $325. That pie was donated again and purchased for $150.
Others also lent a hand including Anthony Allin at Watrous 5 Pin. Allin gave $2,015, which was collected through tips and donations.
Watrous Kinette president Sara Trenouth said the community did a tremendous job in coming together to raise money.
Trenouth said nine Kinettes headed to Saskatoon to take part in Telemiracle. “It was a great weekend to be able to be a part of something special like that. Everyone was there with a common goal and it was for a great cause.”
Other organizations also stepped up and during an hour of the show Mar. 8, PotashCorp helped to raise over $500,000 as it provided a $250,000 matching gift donation to the Kinsmen Foundation.
Big news also hit the stage Mar. 8 as Bob McGrath announced the 39th telethon marked his last Telemiracle appearance. The long-time supporter of Telemiracle expressed he has been in show business a long time and at this point in his life, wants to spend time with his wife Anne.
McGrath was one of the original cast members of Telemiracle 1 and appeared on 38 of the 39 annual telethons. Best known for his role as Bob on Sesame Street, McGrath has become a part of the fabric of Saskatchewan.
“We’ll miss him and the generosity he has shown Saskatchewan,” said Joan Steckhan, Executive Director of Kinsmen Telemiracle.
McGrath has helped Kinsmen Telemiracle raise over 105 million dollars in the 39 years it has broadcast the annual telethon.
The Kinsmen Foundation, through donations to Telemiracle, assists Saskatchewan people to acquire special needs equipment and access to medical treatment.
Looking ahead to the 40th Telemiracle, Trenouth said they have set their goal for the Watrous area to raise $40,000. “If anyone needs support with an event, we will provide the man power and help.”
Trenouth said they are also looking at other ways to raise funds for next year’s annual event.
Mar. 9, 2015
Frosty February leaves while March tries to make amends
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The sun and warmer temperatures finally arrived after the bitter cold February values disappeared. However, while it is warmer than it has been recently, Environment Canada’s David Phillips cautions not to put the snow shovel away just yet.
“March is all about duking it out between winter, which wants to hang on and summer, which wants to get a foot hold. I think we will see temperature swings yet . . . you will get melting during the day and freezing at night.”
While the disappearance of wind chills making it feel like -40˚C comes as a welcome addition for those in Saskatchewan, another story can be told about the frosty February. Bitter wind chills and below normal temperatures appeared to be the norm and Phillips said it was a cold month no question.
“It was even colder in Watrous than it was in Toronto and we had our coldest month ever here.”
For the Watrous area, the temperature averaged around -17.5˚C as opposed to the normal of -12˚C. But despite the five degree difference, Phillips said it was not as cold as last year’s February where there were 20 days below -20˚C as opposed to 11.
Despite the warmer version in 2015, last month came in as the coldest of this winter. “We saw December milder than normal and so was January. In people’s minds, in many ways, winter really began in February.
“February was colder compared to December and January, but it was not record breaking or as cold as last year.”
Phillips said this winter has contained swings in temperatures but the overall frigid days were not as great in numbers as they were in 2014. “There was a little bit of a variety and the number of days that were below -30˚C were not as many as last year. This winter so far, the number of days below -30˚C were 14 compared to about 26 that you had last year.”
Phillips said with the month of February now in the rear view mirror and March well underway, there is some positives on the horizon. “The good news is that this week people may think that spring has sprung going from a high of -18˚C late last week to above freezing . . . Our forecast for the spring period in March is we are calling for it to be near normal.”
For many who have braved the bone-chilling elements this winter, undoubtedly they will take the warm weather while it lasts.
“Unlike last year where it was brutally cold in March, this one we think may have a few days where you will get some Pacific breezes.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The sun and warmer temperatures finally arrived after the bitter cold February values disappeared. However, while it is warmer than it has been recently, Environment Canada’s David Phillips cautions not to put the snow shovel away just yet.
“March is all about duking it out between winter, which wants to hang on and summer, which wants to get a foot hold. I think we will see temperature swings yet . . . you will get melting during the day and freezing at night.”
While the disappearance of wind chills making it feel like -40˚C comes as a welcome addition for those in Saskatchewan, another story can be told about the frosty February. Bitter wind chills and below normal temperatures appeared to be the norm and Phillips said it was a cold month no question.
“It was even colder in Watrous than it was in Toronto and we had our coldest month ever here.”
For the Watrous area, the temperature averaged around -17.5˚C as opposed to the normal of -12˚C. But despite the five degree difference, Phillips said it was not as cold as last year’s February where there were 20 days below -20˚C as opposed to 11.
Despite the warmer version in 2015, last month came in as the coldest of this winter. “We saw December milder than normal and so was January. In people’s minds, in many ways, winter really began in February.
“February was colder compared to December and January, but it was not record breaking or as cold as last year.”
Phillips said this winter has contained swings in temperatures but the overall frigid days were not as great in numbers as they were in 2014. “There was a little bit of a variety and the number of days that were below -30˚C were not as many as last year. This winter so far, the number of days below -30˚C were 14 compared to about 26 that you had last year.”
Phillips said with the month of February now in the rear view mirror and March well underway, there is some positives on the horizon. “The good news is that this week people may think that spring has sprung going from a high of -18˚C late last week to above freezing . . . Our forecast for the spring period in March is we are calling for it to be near normal.”
For many who have braved the bone-chilling elements this winter, undoubtedly they will take the warm weather while it lasts.
“Unlike last year where it was brutally cold in March, this one we think may have a few days where you will get some Pacific breezes.”
Mar. 2, 2015
Awareness leads to more reported incidents
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
It was a busy 2014 for members of the local RCMP. While Sergeant Earl LeBlanc with the Watrous detachment said there are no significant areas of concern, reported incidents in 2014 were higher than in past years. But just because there was an increase, LeBlanc indicated the jump does not mean that there is significantly more crime taking place.
“Watrous remains a low crime area. I think more is being reported because people have become more aware and knowledgeable when it comes to crime.”
Encompassing a patrolling area north to Hwy. 16, south to Liberty, west towards Allan and east past Nokomis, last year LeBlanc said there were 1,905 incidents reported. That number was up from 1,355 in 2013 and 1,276 in 2012.
LeBlanc provided the example of cattle thefts as one reason for the increase. “Cattle thefts have been around for years but more recently they are gaining exposure. Before 2013, I don’t think there were any real cattle thefts reported but after a meeting took place with producers, we are getting calls about them.”
Being educated about thefts like that and others has paved the way for more calls to the authorities. Various other factors like something as simple as a criminal record check also has to be documented, increasing that reported incident number. LeBlanc said incidents that come in may not be considered crimes but they are still added to the total.
On one occasion last November, an alleged stolen vehicle had two flat tires and stopped in Watrous. The passengers then allegedly found another vehicle and headed to Imperial before ditching that vehicle in the RM of Big Arm. The group stole another before driving to Saskatoon where they were later arrested and received over 70 charges. LeBlanc said even though the group had nothing to do with Watrous other than they were driving through with flat tires and stopped, it had to be reported three times because of the vehicles involved in the area.
“So it was one event with the same people but because of all the vehicles involved, we had to do separate reports.”
Vehicle thefts, like those in November have been up in the area and LeBlanc said lots of opportunity type crimes like those have been committed. While most of the vehicles have been recovered, LeBlanc encourages the public to be aware.
Speeding is also on the rise and RCMP have focused on specific areas to help with that increase along with other safety violations. “It has also become more of a national enforcement.”
In 2014, over 700 traffic tickets were issued within the local patrol area and a total of 16 tickets handed out for impaired driving. Last year LeBlanc said 527 people were caught for speeding and in 2013, that number was 352.
LeBlanc provided the top four speeds registered in 2014 and noted they were not done by local residents:
• 156 km/h north of Young on Hwy. 2;
• 161 km/h through the outskirts of Young on Hwy. 2 and in the 100 km/h zone;
• 162 km/h north of Watrous on Hwy. 365; and
• 174 km/h on Hwy. 15 near Nokomis.
“Last summer there was a lot of people in the area. That increase was partly because of more people working here and the tourism. The largest increase of traffic was between the May long weekend and September.”
Aside from speeding, other criminal activity has been found. LeBlanc said there were 17 reported drug offenses in the area and fraudulent calls were also noted last year. “The biggest thing for people to know is that they are encouraged to call us to report something.”
Fraud wise, LeBlanc said do not open up emails or attachments that seem fishy; do not provide a person with personal information like a credit card number over the phone; and if someone claims they are from a person’s local bank and that person is uncomfortable with them, call the local bank back.
Looking at 2015, the Sergeant said they will have an emphasis on traffic enforcement, crime reduction and developing a healthy workplace.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
It was a busy 2014 for members of the local RCMP. While Sergeant Earl LeBlanc with the Watrous detachment said there are no significant areas of concern, reported incidents in 2014 were higher than in past years. But just because there was an increase, LeBlanc indicated the jump does not mean that there is significantly more crime taking place.
“Watrous remains a low crime area. I think more is being reported because people have become more aware and knowledgeable when it comes to crime.”
Encompassing a patrolling area north to Hwy. 16, south to Liberty, west towards Allan and east past Nokomis, last year LeBlanc said there were 1,905 incidents reported. That number was up from 1,355 in 2013 and 1,276 in 2012.
LeBlanc provided the example of cattle thefts as one reason for the increase. “Cattle thefts have been around for years but more recently they are gaining exposure. Before 2013, I don’t think there were any real cattle thefts reported but after a meeting took place with producers, we are getting calls about them.”
Being educated about thefts like that and others has paved the way for more calls to the authorities. Various other factors like something as simple as a criminal record check also has to be documented, increasing that reported incident number. LeBlanc said incidents that come in may not be considered crimes but they are still added to the total.
On one occasion last November, an alleged stolen vehicle had two flat tires and stopped in Watrous. The passengers then allegedly found another vehicle and headed to Imperial before ditching that vehicle in the RM of Big Arm. The group stole another before driving to Saskatoon where they were later arrested and received over 70 charges. LeBlanc said even though the group had nothing to do with Watrous other than they were driving through with flat tires and stopped, it had to be reported three times because of the vehicles involved in the area.
“So it was one event with the same people but because of all the vehicles involved, we had to do separate reports.”
Vehicle thefts, like those in November have been up in the area and LeBlanc said lots of opportunity type crimes like those have been committed. While most of the vehicles have been recovered, LeBlanc encourages the public to be aware.
Speeding is also on the rise and RCMP have focused on specific areas to help with that increase along with other safety violations. “It has also become more of a national enforcement.”
In 2014, over 700 traffic tickets were issued within the local patrol area and a total of 16 tickets handed out for impaired driving. Last year LeBlanc said 527 people were caught for speeding and in 2013, that number was 352.
LeBlanc provided the top four speeds registered in 2014 and noted they were not done by local residents:
• 156 km/h north of Young on Hwy. 2;
• 161 km/h through the outskirts of Young on Hwy. 2 and in the 100 km/h zone;
• 162 km/h north of Watrous on Hwy. 365; and
• 174 km/h on Hwy. 15 near Nokomis.
“Last summer there was a lot of people in the area. That increase was partly because of more people working here and the tourism. The largest increase of traffic was between the May long weekend and September.”
Aside from speeding, other criminal activity has been found. LeBlanc said there were 17 reported drug offenses in the area and fraudulent calls were also noted last year. “The biggest thing for people to know is that they are encouraged to call us to report something.”
Fraud wise, LeBlanc said do not open up emails or attachments that seem fishy; do not provide a person with personal information like a credit card number over the phone; and if someone claims they are from a person’s local bank and that person is uncomfortable with them, call the local bank back.
Looking at 2015, the Sergeant said they will have an emphasis on traffic enforcement, crime reduction and developing a healthy workplace.
Feb. 23, 2015
Storms slam different parts of the country
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
While residents in Saskatchewan were not digging through monstrous mounds of snow for buried vehicles or homes like residents living on the east coast, people did have to scoop a lot of the white stuff after a winter storm Feb. 14.
Meteorologist with Environment Canada Johnpaul Craigg said Saskatoon appeared to have been the hardest hit in the province, receiving between 12 to 15 cm of snow as the system brought with it high winds. Closer to the Watrous area, Craigg said there were reports of 6 to 7 cm of snow that arrived.
Those unfortunately headed along Hwy. 11 near Davidson had to deal with 10 to 15 cm of snow while around Regina there was 8 to 10 cm. “It seems that was the corridor that was hardest hit. It was also down by Regina where the winds were the strongest. That area and just north to Davidson saw the most blowing snow and the strongest wind speeds. We have had quite a bit of fresh snow and with that snowfall it doesn’t take a lot of wind for it to blow around.”
With sustaining winds pushing in one direction, drifts, blowing snow and poor visibility was a big factor for several accidents reported throughout the province. At one point, a portion of the highway between Davidson and Regina was closed.
Moving towards March, Craigg said people can expect lower than average values for this time of year and that could continue for the next few weeks. “There is not any real end to winter in the near future. Of course here in Saskatchewan winter can last and often does last long into March.”
Out on the east coast where snowfall topped 80 cm in some places during a storm over the same weekend as the one that hit Saskatchewan, Craigg said they had already experienced quite a few others this year.
“We think we have a lot of snowfall here, but when those big systems develop over the Atlantic, they have got lots of moisture and can get a lot more snow. Our problem out here is more blowing snow. Out there it is the mass amount of snowfall you can get.”
Craigg who has lived in Halifax said they would often get a storm that would start out as rain, turn to freezing rain, then to snow before changing back to freezing rain and reverting all the way back to rain.
Someone with local roots and who is familiar with Halifax is Watrous native Mitch Eliasson. The son of Ralph and Shelley resides in the eastern city with wife Jamie and said there has been a lot of snow but even more towards “interior Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and New Brunswick, the latter of which received a crazy amount of the white stuff.”
For example, Eliasson said in St. John, NB, the city declared a state of emergency earlier this month when it received around 130 cm of snow. Since that time, there have been several big storms to hit the area.
“The problem in Halifax is that the snow has been accompanied by rain, leading to road flooding throughout the city and incredibly icy conditions once things cooled off. The rain is also causing the snow to become very heavy, which in one particular instance caused the roof of our local curling rink to collapse.”
Another part of Nova Scotia pelted by less than ideal weather was Meteghan. Sergeant Earl LeBlanc of the Watrous RCMP grew up in that community and chatted with his dad last week about the storm. While snow is nothing new to the area, LeBlanc said it is the ice that has those in the area stunned. “My dad is 87 years old and in all his years he said he has never seen that much ice in the bay. For that saltwater to freeze, it needs to be cold.”
LeBlanc said Meteghan also has the snow drifts leaping up the windows like other places in the Maritimes but it is the boats being stuck and not being able to leave the bay that has everyone in disbelief.
Just over 550 kilometres away from Meteghan is Summerside, P.E.I., where residents had a tall order of snow to get rid of. For them, like many others, the problem was trying to find a shovel or snowblower to remove it. One couple could not find their car and with not much else to do, dug a 25 foot-long tunnel before eventually locating it. Others opened their front doors only to be greeted by a wall of snow. And there were those who tried to make light of the situation by opening house windows like fridge doors to stick beverages in the snow and keep them cool.
Environment Canada had forecasted some more snow over this past weekend for the Maritimes, although the amount was incredibly less than what was dumped during the previous February storm.
As for the Watrous area, the forecast is calling for sunshine as the week rolls along.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
While residents in Saskatchewan were not digging through monstrous mounds of snow for buried vehicles or homes like residents living on the east coast, people did have to scoop a lot of the white stuff after a winter storm Feb. 14.
Meteorologist with Environment Canada Johnpaul Craigg said Saskatoon appeared to have been the hardest hit in the province, receiving between 12 to 15 cm of snow as the system brought with it high winds. Closer to the Watrous area, Craigg said there were reports of 6 to 7 cm of snow that arrived.
Those unfortunately headed along Hwy. 11 near Davidson had to deal with 10 to 15 cm of snow while around Regina there was 8 to 10 cm. “It seems that was the corridor that was hardest hit. It was also down by Regina where the winds were the strongest. That area and just north to Davidson saw the most blowing snow and the strongest wind speeds. We have had quite a bit of fresh snow and with that snowfall it doesn’t take a lot of wind for it to blow around.”
With sustaining winds pushing in one direction, drifts, blowing snow and poor visibility was a big factor for several accidents reported throughout the province. At one point, a portion of the highway between Davidson and Regina was closed.
Moving towards March, Craigg said people can expect lower than average values for this time of year and that could continue for the next few weeks. “There is not any real end to winter in the near future. Of course here in Saskatchewan winter can last and often does last long into March.”
Out on the east coast where snowfall topped 80 cm in some places during a storm over the same weekend as the one that hit Saskatchewan, Craigg said they had already experienced quite a few others this year.
“We think we have a lot of snowfall here, but when those big systems develop over the Atlantic, they have got lots of moisture and can get a lot more snow. Our problem out here is more blowing snow. Out there it is the mass amount of snowfall you can get.”
Craigg who has lived in Halifax said they would often get a storm that would start out as rain, turn to freezing rain, then to snow before changing back to freezing rain and reverting all the way back to rain.
Someone with local roots and who is familiar with Halifax is Watrous native Mitch Eliasson. The son of Ralph and Shelley resides in the eastern city with wife Jamie and said there has been a lot of snow but even more towards “interior Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and New Brunswick, the latter of which received a crazy amount of the white stuff.”
For example, Eliasson said in St. John, NB, the city declared a state of emergency earlier this month when it received around 130 cm of snow. Since that time, there have been several big storms to hit the area.
“The problem in Halifax is that the snow has been accompanied by rain, leading to road flooding throughout the city and incredibly icy conditions once things cooled off. The rain is also causing the snow to become very heavy, which in one particular instance caused the roof of our local curling rink to collapse.”
Another part of Nova Scotia pelted by less than ideal weather was Meteghan. Sergeant Earl LeBlanc of the Watrous RCMP grew up in that community and chatted with his dad last week about the storm. While snow is nothing new to the area, LeBlanc said it is the ice that has those in the area stunned. “My dad is 87 years old and in all his years he said he has never seen that much ice in the bay. For that saltwater to freeze, it needs to be cold.”
LeBlanc said Meteghan also has the snow drifts leaping up the windows like other places in the Maritimes but it is the boats being stuck and not being able to leave the bay that has everyone in disbelief.
Just over 550 kilometres away from Meteghan is Summerside, P.E.I., where residents had a tall order of snow to get rid of. For them, like many others, the problem was trying to find a shovel or snowblower to remove it. One couple could not find their car and with not much else to do, dug a 25 foot-long tunnel before eventually locating it. Others opened their front doors only to be greeted by a wall of snow. And there were those who tried to make light of the situation by opening house windows like fridge doors to stick beverages in the snow and keep them cool.
Environment Canada had forecasted some more snow over this past weekend for the Maritimes, although the amount was incredibly less than what was dumped during the previous February storm.
As for the Watrous area, the forecast is calling for sunshine as the week rolls along.
Feb. 16, 2015
Local teams headed to the Hall of Fame
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Saskatchewan has been known as a place that produces some exceptional hockey talent and that holds true for a few local hockey teams as they are being recognized on a provincial level. The Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame (SHHOF) unveiled its 2015 inductees and on that list included a dynasty from Simpson and a junior hockey team containing local players and a coach with Watrous roots.
Members from the 1965-‘72 Simpson Flyers and the 2002-‘03 Humboldt Broncos were announced as part of this year’s inductees. The group, along with a handful of others will be enshrined in the SHHOF later this year.
The Flyers are being recognized for their phenomenal provincial performances, winning six titles in a seven year span. Over that time, 52 players were on the roster taking part in exhibition, tournament, league and provincial games.
Spokesperson and player from the team, Jules Vanthuyne said it is a big honour to have the group go into the Hall. “We are quite excited about it. When we played hockey, it was like a big family and we all had that camaraderie. It was a bunch of local boys playing hockey together.”
In 1965, the Flyers competed in the Long Lake Hockey League but lost to Mistatim in the north provincial championship. The next year, Simpson entered the Last Mountain League and defeated Wawota to claim the provincial championship. In the 1967-‘68 season, the team missed the provincial title as Lake Lenore defeated Wawota. However, they found their stride, winning the next five championships beating Wawota, Stewart Valley twice, Mistatim and Filmore. Simpson also captured the league championship in two of those years.
While not part of the 1965-‘72 contingent, the Flyers won provincials once more in 1979-‘80.
The team, which was comprised of 52 players included names like: Cyril Baade, Glen Busse, Lenard Crittenden, Jim Ellams, Ken Elder, Gabe Freeman, George Freeman, Claire Galt, Ken Galt, Barry Gibbs, Dennis Gibbs, John Groenveld, Allen Hannay, Rick Hicks, Dick Hoornaert, Don Hoornaert, Gordon Howat, Don Herr, Gary Isherwood, Raymond Kingston, Heney Klypak, Dallas McCallum, Brian McDade, Bev McDougall, Bob Moren, Glen Moren, Allan Pieper, Floyd Pieper, Keith Pieper, Ron Quennell, Craig Rintoul, Lawrence Roney, Stan Sivertson, Don Smith, Bucky Stewart, Allan Talbourdet, Greg Tittemore, Mike Tittemore, Tracy Ullyott, Bing Vanthuyne, Dennis Vanthuyne, Gary Vanthuyne, Glendon Vanthuyne, George Vanthuyne, Jerry Vanthuyne, Jules Vanthuyne, Kurt Vanthuyne, Lyndon Vanthuyne, Wayne Vanthuyne, Ray Vanthuyne and Ken Wilson. Goaltenders included: Glenn Crawford, Dallas McCallum, Keith Pieper and Lyndon Vanthuyne.
Some of those on staff were: Gordie Howat, Ken Freeman, Wilbur Gibbs, Ralph Blow and Harold Quennell.
Vanthuyne said Ken Freeman was the glue that kept the team rolling, filling the manager, coach, trainer and stick boy positions during his tenure.
“We needed someone to be able to do that and he spent countless hours helping out. He also kept statistics for an eight year period.”
Vanthuyne also added that everyone from goal judges to the officials had a part in helping the team continue to operate while finding success along the way. “It was not like it is now. We had to take a referee with us and if they got paid, they were lucky in those days. They did it for the love of the sport.”
While the Simpson Flyers of that era could be considered a dynasty of sorts, up the road and many decades later, another hockey club emerged.
The 2002-‘03 Broncos competed out of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and contained a group of familiar names to the region including coach and Watrous native Bob Beatty. He along with local players Brad Toews, Brendon Vanthuyne and former Watrous Winterhawk members Matt Brown and Craig Olynick were part of the team.
In 2002-‘03, the group finished first with a 39-12-6-3 regular season record before beating Melfort, North Battleford and Melville in the playoffs to win the league championship.
From there, they defeated the OCN Blizzard in the Anavet Cup and then beat Camrose of the AJHL in Charlottetown, P.E.I., winning the national championship.
Beatty, who now coaches and manages the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the B.C. Hockey League, considered it a privilege to be joining others who have been given the prestigious honour.
“Looking and seeing who the inductees are, it is a pretty impressive list of hockey people. It will be great to see the team again and a lot of them I haven’t seen for quite a few years.”
Having the chance to coach a group that took home a national title was also pretty special for Beatty. “We had built the organization to where we were having a pretty good degree of success but we hadn’t won a (big) championship yet. We had a few division championships but this was our first league championship. We were able to win the Anavet Cup and then of course the national championship. It was a pretty rewarding experience no doubt.”
The coach said having players with similar local roots on the team made the year a little more special. “We had Brad (Toews) as a big, solid winger providing a physical presence for us and Brendon (Vanthuyne) was a mobile defender with good puck skills. We also had Colin Johnson from Davidson, another solid two-way defenseman and Scott Degelman from Raymore as well as four kids from Humboldt.”
Thinking back to the amazing run for the national title, Beatty recalled a memory from that Charlottetown experience that brought him back home for a quick moment. “I looked behind the bench and Ross and Betty Carlson were there. Just to see them there was a pretty special moment. Seeing your neighbours and to be able to take in that experience with them was pretty cool.”
After not giving much thought to the possibility he could one day be in the SHHOF, when Beatty heard the team would be inducted he was quite excited. Beatty was also quick to point out how unique it is to be joined by the Simpson Flyers.
“I grew up watching them play against my heroes. They had a great rivalry against my heroes like Ervin and Ron Gross, Conn Borsheim, Gary Isherwood and Larry Dewey. I remember all those guys like it was yesterday. Dad would take me down to Simpson and we would watch them play in those provincial games.”
Joining the Flyers and Broncos as this year’s inductees are: former NHL’ers Wendel Clark, Dave Tiger Williams, Victor Lynn, Guyle Fielder; builders Dave King, Robert John Jackie McLeod, Gerry ‘Doc’ Rooney; grassroots Elgar Petersen; official Kevin Muench; and the 1933-‘34 Saskatoon Quakers.
While the SHHOF itself is located in Swift Current, this year’s induction banquet will be in Humboldt July 17.
The SHHOF first opened its doors in 2012 to celebrate 100 years of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Saskatchewan has been known as a place that produces some exceptional hockey talent and that holds true for a few local hockey teams as they are being recognized on a provincial level. The Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame (SHHOF) unveiled its 2015 inductees and on that list included a dynasty from Simpson and a junior hockey team containing local players and a coach with Watrous roots.
Members from the 1965-‘72 Simpson Flyers and the 2002-‘03 Humboldt Broncos were announced as part of this year’s inductees. The group, along with a handful of others will be enshrined in the SHHOF later this year.
The Flyers are being recognized for their phenomenal provincial performances, winning six titles in a seven year span. Over that time, 52 players were on the roster taking part in exhibition, tournament, league and provincial games.
Spokesperson and player from the team, Jules Vanthuyne said it is a big honour to have the group go into the Hall. “We are quite excited about it. When we played hockey, it was like a big family and we all had that camaraderie. It was a bunch of local boys playing hockey together.”
In 1965, the Flyers competed in the Long Lake Hockey League but lost to Mistatim in the north provincial championship. The next year, Simpson entered the Last Mountain League and defeated Wawota to claim the provincial championship. In the 1967-‘68 season, the team missed the provincial title as Lake Lenore defeated Wawota. However, they found their stride, winning the next five championships beating Wawota, Stewart Valley twice, Mistatim and Filmore. Simpson also captured the league championship in two of those years.
While not part of the 1965-‘72 contingent, the Flyers won provincials once more in 1979-‘80.
The team, which was comprised of 52 players included names like: Cyril Baade, Glen Busse, Lenard Crittenden, Jim Ellams, Ken Elder, Gabe Freeman, George Freeman, Claire Galt, Ken Galt, Barry Gibbs, Dennis Gibbs, John Groenveld, Allen Hannay, Rick Hicks, Dick Hoornaert, Don Hoornaert, Gordon Howat, Don Herr, Gary Isherwood, Raymond Kingston, Heney Klypak, Dallas McCallum, Brian McDade, Bev McDougall, Bob Moren, Glen Moren, Allan Pieper, Floyd Pieper, Keith Pieper, Ron Quennell, Craig Rintoul, Lawrence Roney, Stan Sivertson, Don Smith, Bucky Stewart, Allan Talbourdet, Greg Tittemore, Mike Tittemore, Tracy Ullyott, Bing Vanthuyne, Dennis Vanthuyne, Gary Vanthuyne, Glendon Vanthuyne, George Vanthuyne, Jerry Vanthuyne, Jules Vanthuyne, Kurt Vanthuyne, Lyndon Vanthuyne, Wayne Vanthuyne, Ray Vanthuyne and Ken Wilson. Goaltenders included: Glenn Crawford, Dallas McCallum, Keith Pieper and Lyndon Vanthuyne.
Some of those on staff were: Gordie Howat, Ken Freeman, Wilbur Gibbs, Ralph Blow and Harold Quennell.
Vanthuyne said Ken Freeman was the glue that kept the team rolling, filling the manager, coach, trainer and stick boy positions during his tenure.
“We needed someone to be able to do that and he spent countless hours helping out. He also kept statistics for an eight year period.”
Vanthuyne also added that everyone from goal judges to the officials had a part in helping the team continue to operate while finding success along the way. “It was not like it is now. We had to take a referee with us and if they got paid, they were lucky in those days. They did it for the love of the sport.”
While the Simpson Flyers of that era could be considered a dynasty of sorts, up the road and many decades later, another hockey club emerged.
The 2002-‘03 Broncos competed out of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and contained a group of familiar names to the region including coach and Watrous native Bob Beatty. He along with local players Brad Toews, Brendon Vanthuyne and former Watrous Winterhawk members Matt Brown and Craig Olynick were part of the team.
In 2002-‘03, the group finished first with a 39-12-6-3 regular season record before beating Melfort, North Battleford and Melville in the playoffs to win the league championship.
From there, they defeated the OCN Blizzard in the Anavet Cup and then beat Camrose of the AJHL in Charlottetown, P.E.I., winning the national championship.
Beatty, who now coaches and manages the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the B.C. Hockey League, considered it a privilege to be joining others who have been given the prestigious honour.
“Looking and seeing who the inductees are, it is a pretty impressive list of hockey people. It will be great to see the team again and a lot of them I haven’t seen for quite a few years.”
Having the chance to coach a group that took home a national title was also pretty special for Beatty. “We had built the organization to where we were having a pretty good degree of success but we hadn’t won a (big) championship yet. We had a few division championships but this was our first league championship. We were able to win the Anavet Cup and then of course the national championship. It was a pretty rewarding experience no doubt.”
The coach said having players with similar local roots on the team made the year a little more special. “We had Brad (Toews) as a big, solid winger providing a physical presence for us and Brendon (Vanthuyne) was a mobile defender with good puck skills. We also had Colin Johnson from Davidson, another solid two-way defenseman and Scott Degelman from Raymore as well as four kids from Humboldt.”
Thinking back to the amazing run for the national title, Beatty recalled a memory from that Charlottetown experience that brought him back home for a quick moment. “I looked behind the bench and Ross and Betty Carlson were there. Just to see them there was a pretty special moment. Seeing your neighbours and to be able to take in that experience with them was pretty cool.”
After not giving much thought to the possibility he could one day be in the SHHOF, when Beatty heard the team would be inducted he was quite excited. Beatty was also quick to point out how unique it is to be joined by the Simpson Flyers.
“I grew up watching them play against my heroes. They had a great rivalry against my heroes like Ervin and Ron Gross, Conn Borsheim, Gary Isherwood and Larry Dewey. I remember all those guys like it was yesterday. Dad would take me down to Simpson and we would watch them play in those provincial games.”
Joining the Flyers and Broncos as this year’s inductees are: former NHL’ers Wendel Clark, Dave Tiger Williams, Victor Lynn, Guyle Fielder; builders Dave King, Robert John Jackie McLeod, Gerry ‘Doc’ Rooney; grassroots Elgar Petersen; official Kevin Muench; and the 1933-‘34 Saskatoon Quakers.
While the SHHOF itself is located in Swift Current, this year’s induction banquet will be in Humboldt July 17.
The SHHOF first opened its doors in 2012 to celebrate 100 years of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association.
Feb. 9, 2015
Warmer values help kick off 2015; mixed predictions on Groundhog Day
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Almost two full degrees warmer during the day and edging six degrees better overnight, this year’s January beat out the previous version, which also included a bit of a heat wave. While people enjoyed the nice weather in January, some groundhogs were not too impressed with what will follow.
One of Canada’s famous groundhogs, Shubenacadie Sam saw his shadow Feb. 2, prognosticating six more weeks of winter. South of the border, the famous Punxsutawney Phil also saw his shadow, the same as he did last year.
However, it is not all bad as Wiarton Willie and Balzac Billy did not see their shadows, meaning an early spring. With mixed indications from the furry forecasters, perhaps the consensus will lie with Wiarton Willie and Balzac Billy for those hoping for warmer weather ahead.
While Saskatchewan was enjoying above-normal values earlier in the year, many out east experienced some rather unpleasant weather. Environment Canada’s David Phillips, who chats with the Watrous Manitou when it comes to the forecast, has dealt with it all. When contacted about Saskatchewan’s January, here is what was left on his answering machine: “I am not in the office today or for this month. I am kind of fed up with Nor’easters, clippers and frost quakes and decided to go looking for some warmth, sun and a sea breeze. Unlike last year when I snuck out of town, I am leaving now knowing that winter has been behaving as we forecasted. (There have been) a few surprises and you have to admit (it has) not been nearly as long and cold as last year. In any case, we are well beyond the halfway point and there is more winter behind us than ahead of us. Hope you are enjoying your weather, I know I will be. Bye for now.”
Looking at Environment Canada’s online data, January came in almost a full two degrees warmer than 2014’s opening month. The 2015 version averaged out to be -7.2˚C as a daytime high with the warmest day of 5.2˚C, coming Jan. 25.
During a mini heat wave, the coldest it got between Jan. 14 to Jan. 28 was only -4.7˚C. From Jan. 22 to 28, the daytime highs reached 4.4˚C, 3.3˚C, 3.4˚C, 5.2˚C, 5.1˚C, 1.8˚C and -2˚C.
While there was added wind chill values as the month closed off, the daytime high temperatures went to -10.1˚C, -7.7˚C and -11.5˚C to end the first month of 2015.
Along with warmer days, the nights were also much nicer than in previous years. The average overnight low came in at -16.5˚C, almost six degrees warmer than 2014. While the coldest night was -34.8˚C, 13 of the 31 nights were warmer than -10˚C.
Much like this year, the 2014 version of January also experienced a mini heat wave. While not quite as warm overall, the nicest day was 6.3˚C on Jan. 15. During a period from Jan. 11 to 19, just two of those days were below zero.
Overall, the first month of 2014 averaged out to be -9.1C for a daytime high and -22.4 as the overnight low. The warmest day was Jan. 15 when it got to 6.3˚C and the coldest night was -36.3˚C.
Looking at data from two years ago, that warm spell hit January in the early going and then jumped back into the deep freeze by the end of the month. Kicking off 2013, the first 10 days were warmer than -7˚C with Jan. 9 pegged at 5.2˚C and Jan. 10 at 4.2˚C. Then the -20˚C values settled in once the 20th arrived.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Almost two full degrees warmer during the day and edging six degrees better overnight, this year’s January beat out the previous version, which also included a bit of a heat wave. While people enjoyed the nice weather in January, some groundhogs were not too impressed with what will follow.
One of Canada’s famous groundhogs, Shubenacadie Sam saw his shadow Feb. 2, prognosticating six more weeks of winter. South of the border, the famous Punxsutawney Phil also saw his shadow, the same as he did last year.
However, it is not all bad as Wiarton Willie and Balzac Billy did not see their shadows, meaning an early spring. With mixed indications from the furry forecasters, perhaps the consensus will lie with Wiarton Willie and Balzac Billy for those hoping for warmer weather ahead.
While Saskatchewan was enjoying above-normal values earlier in the year, many out east experienced some rather unpleasant weather. Environment Canada’s David Phillips, who chats with the Watrous Manitou when it comes to the forecast, has dealt with it all. When contacted about Saskatchewan’s January, here is what was left on his answering machine: “I am not in the office today or for this month. I am kind of fed up with Nor’easters, clippers and frost quakes and decided to go looking for some warmth, sun and a sea breeze. Unlike last year when I snuck out of town, I am leaving now knowing that winter has been behaving as we forecasted. (There have been) a few surprises and you have to admit (it has) not been nearly as long and cold as last year. In any case, we are well beyond the halfway point and there is more winter behind us than ahead of us. Hope you are enjoying your weather, I know I will be. Bye for now.”
Looking at Environment Canada’s online data, January came in almost a full two degrees warmer than 2014’s opening month. The 2015 version averaged out to be -7.2˚C as a daytime high with the warmest day of 5.2˚C, coming Jan. 25.
During a mini heat wave, the coldest it got between Jan. 14 to Jan. 28 was only -4.7˚C. From Jan. 22 to 28, the daytime highs reached 4.4˚C, 3.3˚C, 3.4˚C, 5.2˚C, 5.1˚C, 1.8˚C and -2˚C.
While there was added wind chill values as the month closed off, the daytime high temperatures went to -10.1˚C, -7.7˚C and -11.5˚C to end the first month of 2015.
Along with warmer days, the nights were also much nicer than in previous years. The average overnight low came in at -16.5˚C, almost six degrees warmer than 2014. While the coldest night was -34.8˚C, 13 of the 31 nights were warmer than -10˚C.
Much like this year, the 2014 version of January also experienced a mini heat wave. While not quite as warm overall, the nicest day was 6.3˚C on Jan. 15. During a period from Jan. 11 to 19, just two of those days were below zero.
Overall, the first month of 2014 averaged out to be -9.1C for a daytime high and -22.4 as the overnight low. The warmest day was Jan. 15 when it got to 6.3˚C and the coldest night was -36.3˚C.
Looking at data from two years ago, that warm spell hit January in the early going and then jumped back into the deep freeze by the end of the month. Kicking off 2013, the first 10 days were warmer than -7˚C with Jan. 9 pegged at 5.2˚C and Jan. 10 at 4.2˚C. Then the -20˚C values settled in once the 20th arrived.
Feb. 2, 2015
Communities map out 2015
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Various projects, initiatives and changes can occur on a yearly basis in communities throughout Saskatchewan. For many local places, that is no different as the Watrous Manitou contacted several mayors to get their thoughts on 2015. Here are the responses from those able to get back to the paper:
Drake
Mayor Peter Nicholson said they are planning on doing their regular maintenance but also attempting to cover as many roads with sand sealing as possible. Nicholson said they are also hoping to move forward with their new lagoon cell.
Manitou Beach
A constant issue that residents and council continue to deal with still remains at the forefront in 2015. Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall said they want to see a resolve on the issue of diverting water from the lake. “We have been working on this constantly and are in communication with water corporation because they have engineers who are engineering a water diversion solution to stop the surface water from running into the lake.”
While Upshall said not all of the water can be diverted from Wellington Creek, Freshwater lake and the west end, “We are not taking no for an answer. We have to have this water stopped in this lake. People’s livelihoods are at stake here and the economic activity at the lake is at stake if the water keeps going up. The investment is at stake and we are not taking no for an answer in terms of how this has to be done. We have seen this lake rise 15 feet over the last number of years and it is to the brim.”
Hoping for not a lot of snow and minimal runoff, Upshall said, “We will be constantly working on it until we get the answer that we want.”
Despite that, Upshall said they want to continue to make improvements throughout the resort community involving roads, bringing in decorative lighting and expanding the skating rink at Wellington next year.
Work is slated to be done on the ski, bike and hike trails after not getting nearly as much done on them last year. “The staff’s time was taken up with the rising water and the things that came with that.”
Upshall said they have a couple of miles of fencing from BHP to use for their dog run area which is not up yet and Communities in Bloom is still looking at a community garden.
Another exciting aspect to 2015 for the village is putting together a chainsaw competition for August. “It is going to be good quality, with good carvers. We have a professional female axe thrower coming and she will be doing demonstrations.”
A quick cut competition is also being planned where the carvers will put down their saws from the main pieces and then spend an hour or so cutting a smaller item. “We are just starting to get donations,” Upshall said. “We need some major sponsors but I am really excited about it.”
Upshall hopes to make the competition a bi-annual event and in 2016 the community is working on a sculpture symposium where sculptors would come in and do something similar.
“This all ends up making sure we have a good event in 2019, which is our 100th anniversary. We are trying to get these things going now so that we can have something well polished by 2019.”
Viscount
It is business as usual for the community of Viscount as mayor Moe Kirzinger said projects like the water treatment plant have been really beneficial. Kirzinger said they are hoping to do some paving this year and perhaps see some more homes built. Archery, bowling and hockey are rolling and Kirzinger said the archery crew are aiming for a provincial event in the spring.
Watrous
Perhaps the biggest item on the agenda for Watrous is the new water treatment plant that is being constructed. Mayor Ed Collins said 2015 will see a commissioning and hopefully opening of the water treatment plant. “We are well on our way now. In 2014, we awarded the contract for phase one, which is the building. You will see some walls going up.”
Meanwhile, phase two tenders closed last month, moving the project one step closer to completion.
Along with a new water treatment plant will come a lagoon upgrade and planning is slated for this year on that project. “We have applied to the Canada Build Fund . . . this year would be more of a planning year and next year hopefully go to tender. Then we are looking at 2017.”
Commercial lot development is also on the horizon while the residential lots created on the east side of town are now available for purchase.
“The 14 lots are ready to go and last year we had some modest growth in new houses and commercial buildings.”
A few other items making headlines include the future opening of the Watrous Fitness Centre and the medical clinic moving to the Watrous District Health Complex later this year.
“We are working in partnership with the Saskatoon Health Region to get that done. Certainly that is a priority on the list for the next six months.”
Collins said the next thing approaching is the budget, which will be coming down in the next couple of months.
Young
Similar to Watrous, Young mayor Brian Rowan said the community is looking forward to getting its reverse osmosis water system up and running. With a new building, Rowan said they are hopeful to have the upgraded system going by spring and water pumped to homes in the community.
Rowan said they are also hoping to do some work on the cemetery this year as well. “We are going to spend some time cleaning it up.”
More street maintenance is also on the slate and they would like to try and upgrade some of the sidewalks.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Various projects, initiatives and changes can occur on a yearly basis in communities throughout Saskatchewan. For many local places, that is no different as the Watrous Manitou contacted several mayors to get their thoughts on 2015. Here are the responses from those able to get back to the paper:
Drake
Mayor Peter Nicholson said they are planning on doing their regular maintenance but also attempting to cover as many roads with sand sealing as possible. Nicholson said they are also hoping to move forward with their new lagoon cell.
Manitou Beach
A constant issue that residents and council continue to deal with still remains at the forefront in 2015. Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall said they want to see a resolve on the issue of diverting water from the lake. “We have been working on this constantly and are in communication with water corporation because they have engineers who are engineering a water diversion solution to stop the surface water from running into the lake.”
While Upshall said not all of the water can be diverted from Wellington Creek, Freshwater lake and the west end, “We are not taking no for an answer. We have to have this water stopped in this lake. People’s livelihoods are at stake here and the economic activity at the lake is at stake if the water keeps going up. The investment is at stake and we are not taking no for an answer in terms of how this has to be done. We have seen this lake rise 15 feet over the last number of years and it is to the brim.”
Hoping for not a lot of snow and minimal runoff, Upshall said, “We will be constantly working on it until we get the answer that we want.”
Despite that, Upshall said they want to continue to make improvements throughout the resort community involving roads, bringing in decorative lighting and expanding the skating rink at Wellington next year.
Work is slated to be done on the ski, bike and hike trails after not getting nearly as much done on them last year. “The staff’s time was taken up with the rising water and the things that came with that.”
Upshall said they have a couple of miles of fencing from BHP to use for their dog run area which is not up yet and Communities in Bloom is still looking at a community garden.
Another exciting aspect to 2015 for the village is putting together a chainsaw competition for August. “It is going to be good quality, with good carvers. We have a professional female axe thrower coming and she will be doing demonstrations.”
A quick cut competition is also being planned where the carvers will put down their saws from the main pieces and then spend an hour or so cutting a smaller item. “We are just starting to get donations,” Upshall said. “We need some major sponsors but I am really excited about it.”
Upshall hopes to make the competition a bi-annual event and in 2016 the community is working on a sculpture symposium where sculptors would come in and do something similar.
“This all ends up making sure we have a good event in 2019, which is our 100th anniversary. We are trying to get these things going now so that we can have something well polished by 2019.”
Viscount
It is business as usual for the community of Viscount as mayor Moe Kirzinger said projects like the water treatment plant have been really beneficial. Kirzinger said they are hoping to do some paving this year and perhaps see some more homes built. Archery, bowling and hockey are rolling and Kirzinger said the archery crew are aiming for a provincial event in the spring.
Watrous
Perhaps the biggest item on the agenda for Watrous is the new water treatment plant that is being constructed. Mayor Ed Collins said 2015 will see a commissioning and hopefully opening of the water treatment plant. “We are well on our way now. In 2014, we awarded the contract for phase one, which is the building. You will see some walls going up.”
Meanwhile, phase two tenders closed last month, moving the project one step closer to completion.
Along with a new water treatment plant will come a lagoon upgrade and planning is slated for this year on that project. “We have applied to the Canada Build Fund . . . this year would be more of a planning year and next year hopefully go to tender. Then we are looking at 2017.”
Commercial lot development is also on the horizon while the residential lots created on the east side of town are now available for purchase.
“The 14 lots are ready to go and last year we had some modest growth in new houses and commercial buildings.”
A few other items making headlines include the future opening of the Watrous Fitness Centre and the medical clinic moving to the Watrous District Health Complex later this year.
“We are working in partnership with the Saskatoon Health Region to get that done. Certainly that is a priority on the list for the next six months.”
Collins said the next thing approaching is the budget, which will be coming down in the next couple of months.
Young
Similar to Watrous, Young mayor Brian Rowan said the community is looking forward to getting its reverse osmosis water system up and running. With a new building, Rowan said they are hopeful to have the upgraded system going by spring and water pumped to homes in the community.
Rowan said they are also hoping to do some work on the cemetery this year as well. “We are going to spend some time cleaning it up.”
More street maintenance is also on the slate and they would like to try and upgrade some of the sidewalks.
Jan. 26, 2015
Yelich makes final tour stop as 2015 arrives
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Despite a gruelling travel schedule taking her around the globe and changes to federal riding boundaries, Member of Parliament for Blackstrap, Lynne Yelich found some time this past month to connect with residents in local communities. Yelich will be in a different riding when voters next go to the polls, but she wanted to stop by the area at least one more time as part of her annual winter tour.
With numerous changes since her first tour, including having different roles in government, Yelich said, “It was super to be in the communities and it will be sad and sentimental to think about how this was the last one. I don’t think I could have gone without doing one last one.”
Running in the new Grasswood riding, Yelich felt the boundary changes could prove difficult for an MP as some will have entire cities and smaller communities part of the same riding. “There are areas that are definitely different . . . with the spoke system the way it was, it was nice because you could get a really good balance of views on everything.”
Despite the upcoming changes, Yelich said a lot of the government’s focus remains on infrastructure and families. The MP felt it is important to “try to keep more tax dollars in the hands of Canadians in areas where we can support families and seniors.”
She also touched on the negativity between government and War Veterans. “I don’t know why it is portrayed as Veterans having issues with us. I think if you speak to Veterans, most of them have found that we have made investments where it has made it easier to apply for rebates for money back.”
Yelich also addressed the situation involving Canada Post’s changes to earlier pick-up in local communities like Watrous.
“We are going to definitely talk to who we can to see if they can maybe come out to these communities and have the people express their issues and problems. Whether it was an oversight or something (to that effect), I am hoping it will change and I too will approach Canada Post.”
Yelich said the move has impacted people and locations like Jansen, Lanigan, Drake and Watrous.
Looking back over her time as MP for Blackstrap, Yelich said, “I can’t tell you all the changes. In 2000 things were simpler, with security particularly. Our children are grown up and we have three grandchildren.”
More politically speaking, Yelich said a lot has happened. “To have our House of Commons stormed by a gunman and all of those things that happen somewhere else (happen here).”
Along with that, there are areas around the world where Canada is trying to help countries get back on their feet. “Those are way different issues than what we started with in 2000.”
Despite that, Yelich feels they have done a lot when it comes to creating jobs and getting the economy going. “When we went through the recession, I am still grateful that our government had the foresight to actually think about things like the rink program to help communities.”
Trade has also gotten larger for Canada. “There was hardly five or six nations we traded with and now we are up to about 40 nations we are working to have trade with.
“Our companies are very well respected around the world . . . and some of our agreements are to protect them from governments that are running roughshod over human rights and environmental rights. All of our agenda has been around trying to make sure we can create jobs because we are resource rich. People know that around the world and our country has earned a lot of respect.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Despite a gruelling travel schedule taking her around the globe and changes to federal riding boundaries, Member of Parliament for Blackstrap, Lynne Yelich found some time this past month to connect with residents in local communities. Yelich will be in a different riding when voters next go to the polls, but she wanted to stop by the area at least one more time as part of her annual winter tour.
With numerous changes since her first tour, including having different roles in government, Yelich said, “It was super to be in the communities and it will be sad and sentimental to think about how this was the last one. I don’t think I could have gone without doing one last one.”
Running in the new Grasswood riding, Yelich felt the boundary changes could prove difficult for an MP as some will have entire cities and smaller communities part of the same riding. “There are areas that are definitely different . . . with the spoke system the way it was, it was nice because you could get a really good balance of views on everything.”
Despite the upcoming changes, Yelich said a lot of the government’s focus remains on infrastructure and families. The MP felt it is important to “try to keep more tax dollars in the hands of Canadians in areas where we can support families and seniors.”
She also touched on the negativity between government and War Veterans. “I don’t know why it is portrayed as Veterans having issues with us. I think if you speak to Veterans, most of them have found that we have made investments where it has made it easier to apply for rebates for money back.”
Yelich also addressed the situation involving Canada Post’s changes to earlier pick-up in local communities like Watrous.
“We are going to definitely talk to who we can to see if they can maybe come out to these communities and have the people express their issues and problems. Whether it was an oversight or something (to that effect), I am hoping it will change and I too will approach Canada Post.”
Yelich said the move has impacted people and locations like Jansen, Lanigan, Drake and Watrous.
Looking back over her time as MP for Blackstrap, Yelich said, “I can’t tell you all the changes. In 2000 things were simpler, with security particularly. Our children are grown up and we have three grandchildren.”
More politically speaking, Yelich said a lot has happened. “To have our House of Commons stormed by a gunman and all of those things that happen somewhere else (happen here).”
Along with that, there are areas around the world where Canada is trying to help countries get back on their feet. “Those are way different issues than what we started with in 2000.”
Despite that, Yelich feels they have done a lot when it comes to creating jobs and getting the economy going. “When we went through the recession, I am still grateful that our government had the foresight to actually think about things like the rink program to help communities.”
Trade has also gotten larger for Canada. “There was hardly five or six nations we traded with and now we are up to about 40 nations we are working to have trade with.
“Our companies are very well respected around the world . . . and some of our agreements are to protect them from governments that are running roughshod over human rights and environmental rights. All of our agenda has been around trying to make sure we can create jobs because we are resource rich. People know that around the world and our country has earned a lot of respect.”
Jan. 19, 2015
Changes at Canada Post
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
An earlier time for mail pick-up along with a few rate increases have taken place at Canada Post as 2015 arrived. The move to have an earlier departure time for outgoing mail, involves Watrous and other surrounding communities, while the increase for different postage amounts has been implemented nationally.
Director of media relations for Canada Post Anick Losier said in an effort to address ongoing challenges in finding drivers to cover the roads between Saskatoon and Plunkett and Elrose, Canada Post decided to make changes to the timing of mail pick-up in the area.
“On average, mail will be picked up four hours earlier than before, ranging from 11 a.m. to the latest pick up scheduled at 2 p.m.”
Anick said the decision affects all street letter boxes as well as 16 post offices in our area. “We recommend our customers look at the new signage posted on our street equipment and the posters inside our post offices.”
Anick said Canada Post appreciates customers understanding with regards to the matter.
Local Member of Parliament Lynne Yelich visited communities within her riding last week during her annual Open House. Yelich addressed the situation involving Canada Post’s change to its pick-up.
“We are going to definitely talk to who we can to see if they can maybe come out to these communities and have the people express their issues and problems. Whether it was an oversight or something (to that effect), I am hoping it will change and I too will approach Canada Post.”
Yelich said the change is impacting people and locations like Jansen, Lanigan, Drake and Watrous. “(There is) a lot of work (to do) in a very narrow time for those that want to get their mail out. Using Xpresspost and things like that are going to be really challenged.”
Yelich also touched on the need for hospitals and those involved with water safety needing to mail their items out in quick order. “Especially when there are hospitals and water samples that have tight deadlines to get to their destinations.”
Meanwhile Anick said there is no increase for stamps but one in parcel shipping. It also appears from Canada Post’s website that increases to other postage rates were implemented this month. Some of those include:
• Lettermail for items paid by postage meter or postal indicia;
• Incentive Lettermail;
• USA and International letter-post;
• Business Reply Mail;
• Publications Mail (which include newspapers); and
• Unaddressed Admail
The average price increase for parcel services is also on the rise. Prices for Domestic parcel services went up by an average of 4.2 per cent for most customers. Prices for USA/International parcel services increased by an overall average of 1.8 per cent for most customers.
On Canada Post’s website, they attribute the rate increases to ensure they are able to meet service obligations to Canadians and address their financial pressure so that they do not become a burden on taxpayers. They also stated that the rate increases also allow them to address three specific challenges:
• the growing number of addresses we serve. Each year, approximately 200,000 new addresses are added to our network;
• the rising costs of doing business as a result of inflation and other cost pressures; and
• the urgent need to maintain and replace outdated equipment to ensure continued high levels of service.
To read more about the various increases, people can visit www.canadapost.ca and search ‘overview of changes’
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
An earlier time for mail pick-up along with a few rate increases have taken place at Canada Post as 2015 arrived. The move to have an earlier departure time for outgoing mail, involves Watrous and other surrounding communities, while the increase for different postage amounts has been implemented nationally.
Director of media relations for Canada Post Anick Losier said in an effort to address ongoing challenges in finding drivers to cover the roads between Saskatoon and Plunkett and Elrose, Canada Post decided to make changes to the timing of mail pick-up in the area.
“On average, mail will be picked up four hours earlier than before, ranging from 11 a.m. to the latest pick up scheduled at 2 p.m.”
Anick said the decision affects all street letter boxes as well as 16 post offices in our area. “We recommend our customers look at the new signage posted on our street equipment and the posters inside our post offices.”
Anick said Canada Post appreciates customers understanding with regards to the matter.
Local Member of Parliament Lynne Yelich visited communities within her riding last week during her annual Open House. Yelich addressed the situation involving Canada Post’s change to its pick-up.
“We are going to definitely talk to who we can to see if they can maybe come out to these communities and have the people express their issues and problems. Whether it was an oversight or something (to that effect), I am hoping it will change and I too will approach Canada Post.”
Yelich said the change is impacting people and locations like Jansen, Lanigan, Drake and Watrous. “(There is) a lot of work (to do) in a very narrow time for those that want to get their mail out. Using Xpresspost and things like that are going to be really challenged.”
Yelich also touched on the need for hospitals and those involved with water safety needing to mail their items out in quick order. “Especially when there are hospitals and water samples that have tight deadlines to get to their destinations.”
Meanwhile Anick said there is no increase for stamps but one in parcel shipping. It also appears from Canada Post’s website that increases to other postage rates were implemented this month. Some of those include:
• Lettermail for items paid by postage meter or postal indicia;
• Incentive Lettermail;
• USA and International letter-post;
• Business Reply Mail;
• Publications Mail (which include newspapers); and
• Unaddressed Admail
The average price increase for parcel services is also on the rise. Prices for Domestic parcel services went up by an average of 4.2 per cent for most customers. Prices for USA/International parcel services increased by an overall average of 1.8 per cent for most customers.
On Canada Post’s website, they attribute the rate increases to ensure they are able to meet service obligations to Canadians and address their financial pressure so that they do not become a burden on taxpayers. They also stated that the rate increases also allow them to address three specific challenges:
• the growing number of addresses we serve. Each year, approximately 200,000 new addresses are added to our network;
• the rising costs of doing business as a result of inflation and other cost pressures; and
• the urgent need to maintain and replace outdated equipment to ensure continued high levels of service.
To read more about the various increases, people can visit www.canadapost.ca and search ‘overview of changes’
Jan. 12, 2015
Cold weather takes toll on province
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Extreme cold warnings, added wind chill and numbing conditions provided less than ideal weather to kick off 2015. The arctic temperatures, which were well below the normal numbers for this time of year also aided in power outages and an increase in energy consumption in Saskatchewan. While the forecast is calling for improved values this week, winter weather has also prompted local travellers to seek warmer destinations.
Despite a rather pleasant -5˚C to kick off 2015, residents began to see a steep decline as the month progressed. Toss in a wind chill where it felt like -40˚C at times and being outdoors was not much fun.
In the Watrous area, according to Environment Canada, the daytime high for Jan. 3 was -19.5˚C without the wind chill. The following day was even cooler at -25.1˚C. Those numbers along with a nasty wind that reached 60 km/hr at times stuck around for much of last week. That prompted Environment Canada to issue a few extreme cold warnings. During a few days and nights, below normal temperatures combined with winds had values hit -40˚C and sometimes even lower.
While many people had the option to stay inside, power crews did not. As outages occurred, especially during a cold spell right near the end of 2014, SaskPower crews throughout Saskatchewan bundled up to restore service.
Heather Johnson with SaskPower said, “Over the last few days (of December), power outages were experienced in a number of communities across Saskatchewan . . . many of the outages were several hours long. Crews worked throughout the day and well into the night to restore service.”
Johnson said outages that crews were facing were due to icing and hoarfrost over the final week of December. Those issues caused outages and damage to lines and equipment. “Sometimes it is the weight of the ice on the lines that can interrupt the power supply or cause lines to come down. During windy conditions, lines may bang into each other. All of those can lead to power outages or other issues, such as flickering power.”
As crews dealt with numbing temperatures while trying to restore power, a new record for daily natural gas consumption in the province was set.
Along with high natural gas consumption and new customer growth, SaskEnergy said in the 24-hour period beginning Jan. 4, TransGas, the natural gas transmission subsidiary of SaskEnergy, delivered 1.27 PetaJoules (PJ) of natural gas to its customers in Saskatchewan. That increase edged the previous record set Dec. 6, 2013.
The company said record-setting and near record-setting usage days are happening more frequently as SaskEnergy adds new customers. Since the previous record was set, SaskEnergy has added over 7,300 new customers. SaskEnergy’s system is designed around the increased growth to help make sure that on peak record days the system is able to provide more natural gas than required.
Meanwhile, Watrous Travel owner Connie Woiden has noticed more traffic through the doors of her business at 216 Main Street as extreme cold has hit over the past few winters.
“We still see the greatest demand for vacation travel during school holidays, but there is strong demand from mid-November right through to the end of March. We have been lucky to have our winter charter program begin earlier the past few years. With some choices on direct flights from Saskatoon and Regina as early as November, we have seen many people take advantage of those, which tend to have a very good price point.”
Woiden said some of those warmer destinations that people seem to enjoy include Mexico, which remains very popular. “As our dollar weakens against the American dollar, it is good value for Canadians. We have direct flights to Cancun, the Mayan Riviera, Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit, Ixtapa and Huatulco.”
Cuba is also a popular choice according to Woiden. “We have been encouraging anyone who is interested to experience Cuba to go now. It is hard to predict what effect the changing relationship between the United States and Cuba will have, but it is a guarantee that it will change the Cuba that Canadians have known and loved for years.”
Woiden said the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Hawaiian islands, Florida, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Palm Springs and Anaheim are also frequent stops by local residents. She also said cruises are always a popular choice as well.
“We live in a community with many well travelled people and we are happy to be of assistance planning wonderful and exciting trips to all corners of the world. I strongly believe that there is great value in booking your travel plans with a licenced, full service travel agency such as Watrous Travel.”
For those people in Saskatchewan that have crossed their fingers for some of that warmer weather others in different destinations are receiving, they might get their wish.
Not including the wind chill, which was also very prevalent to start January 2014, people experienced very cold temperatures as values ranged from -20.4˚C to -27.9˚C. However, once Jan. 10 arrived last year, numbers began to go up from -5.2˚C on that day all the way to 6.3˚C by Jan. 15. In fact, from Jan. 11 to the 19th there were just two days below freezing.
While that trend did not last, it did provide a reprieve, something many are hoping for this year as well. If the forecast issued by Environment Canada late last week holds true, come Tuesday, warmer values could certainly be on the way.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Extreme cold warnings, added wind chill and numbing conditions provided less than ideal weather to kick off 2015. The arctic temperatures, which were well below the normal numbers for this time of year also aided in power outages and an increase in energy consumption in Saskatchewan. While the forecast is calling for improved values this week, winter weather has also prompted local travellers to seek warmer destinations.
Despite a rather pleasant -5˚C to kick off 2015, residents began to see a steep decline as the month progressed. Toss in a wind chill where it felt like -40˚C at times and being outdoors was not much fun.
In the Watrous area, according to Environment Canada, the daytime high for Jan. 3 was -19.5˚C without the wind chill. The following day was even cooler at -25.1˚C. Those numbers along with a nasty wind that reached 60 km/hr at times stuck around for much of last week. That prompted Environment Canada to issue a few extreme cold warnings. During a few days and nights, below normal temperatures combined with winds had values hit -40˚C and sometimes even lower.
While many people had the option to stay inside, power crews did not. As outages occurred, especially during a cold spell right near the end of 2014, SaskPower crews throughout Saskatchewan bundled up to restore service.
Heather Johnson with SaskPower said, “Over the last few days (of December), power outages were experienced in a number of communities across Saskatchewan . . . many of the outages were several hours long. Crews worked throughout the day and well into the night to restore service.”
Johnson said outages that crews were facing were due to icing and hoarfrost over the final week of December. Those issues caused outages and damage to lines and equipment. “Sometimes it is the weight of the ice on the lines that can interrupt the power supply or cause lines to come down. During windy conditions, lines may bang into each other. All of those can lead to power outages or other issues, such as flickering power.”
As crews dealt with numbing temperatures while trying to restore power, a new record for daily natural gas consumption in the province was set.
Along with high natural gas consumption and new customer growth, SaskEnergy said in the 24-hour period beginning Jan. 4, TransGas, the natural gas transmission subsidiary of SaskEnergy, delivered 1.27 PetaJoules (PJ) of natural gas to its customers in Saskatchewan. That increase edged the previous record set Dec. 6, 2013.
The company said record-setting and near record-setting usage days are happening more frequently as SaskEnergy adds new customers. Since the previous record was set, SaskEnergy has added over 7,300 new customers. SaskEnergy’s system is designed around the increased growth to help make sure that on peak record days the system is able to provide more natural gas than required.
Meanwhile, Watrous Travel owner Connie Woiden has noticed more traffic through the doors of her business at 216 Main Street as extreme cold has hit over the past few winters.
“We still see the greatest demand for vacation travel during school holidays, but there is strong demand from mid-November right through to the end of March. We have been lucky to have our winter charter program begin earlier the past few years. With some choices on direct flights from Saskatoon and Regina as early as November, we have seen many people take advantage of those, which tend to have a very good price point.”
Woiden said some of those warmer destinations that people seem to enjoy include Mexico, which remains very popular. “As our dollar weakens against the American dollar, it is good value for Canadians. We have direct flights to Cancun, the Mayan Riviera, Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit, Ixtapa and Huatulco.”
Cuba is also a popular choice according to Woiden. “We have been encouraging anyone who is interested to experience Cuba to go now. It is hard to predict what effect the changing relationship between the United States and Cuba will have, but it is a guarantee that it will change the Cuba that Canadians have known and loved for years.”
Woiden said the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Hawaiian islands, Florida, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Palm Springs and Anaheim are also frequent stops by local residents. She also said cruises are always a popular choice as well.
“We live in a community with many well travelled people and we are happy to be of assistance planning wonderful and exciting trips to all corners of the world. I strongly believe that there is great value in booking your travel plans with a licenced, full service travel agency such as Watrous Travel.”
For those people in Saskatchewan that have crossed their fingers for some of that warmer weather others in different destinations are receiving, they might get their wish.
Not including the wind chill, which was also very prevalent to start January 2014, people experienced very cold temperatures as values ranged from -20.4˚C to -27.9˚C. However, once Jan. 10 arrived last year, numbers began to go up from -5.2˚C on that day all the way to 6.3˚C by Jan. 15. In fact, from Jan. 11 to the 19th there were just two days below freezing.
While that trend did not last, it did provide a reprieve, something many are hoping for this year as well. If the forecast issued by Environment Canada late last week holds true, come Tuesday, warmer values could certainly be on the way.
Jan. 5, 2015
Local news headlines from 2014
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The Watrous area experienced another busy year with numerous events highlighting 2014. Going back through the issues of the Watrous Manitou from 2014, here are some local headlines that made news from January to December.
January:
Communities throughout the region looked ahead to what 2014 had in store for them as mayors spoke with the Watrous Manitou on projects and initiatives.
The flu season continued to take a stronghold in the province. By Jan. 6 , six people had died in Saskatchewan, 18 had been admitted to intensive care and there were 336 laboratory confirmed cases.
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz said 2013 had been a good year for tourism, building off a resurgence at Manitou Beach.
After two decades, Success RV’s, formerly owned by Keith Farnel, switched hands as Ryan and Renee Campbell took over Jan. 1.
After 50 years with the Watrous volunteer fire department, Alex Schroeder retired. Schroeder was presented an award for his dedication and service at the end of 2013 and was featured in the newspaper in January.
Local Member of Parliament Lynne Yelich visited the area on her annual winter tour. Yelich was in Watrous Jan. 15 marking her 13th tour.
Western Financial Group in Watrous underwent renovations to its building.
Winter let go of its icy grip. A windy Jan. 16 peeled shingles off some homes and in other parts of the province pushed semis off highways. Despite the 100 km/hr wind gusts, the warmer weather arrived to aid residents after a bone-chilling December.
February:
The month of February brought change to the Watrous Manitou as Daniel and Kim Bushman took over from Robin and Nicole Lay.
Former Watrous resident Dena McMartin began her role as associate vice-president (academic and research) at the University of Regina.
The Watrous Elementary School playground fund campaign marched forward with the aim of raising money to build a new play structure.
The province hopped on board to address grain transportation while urging railways to improve service to move crops to port.
Extreme weather struck on different scales as people in Canada dealt with wicked winter weather while those in Australia experienced an abnormally hot summer. Former Watrous resident Amber Dick chatted with TWM about the heat wave as southern Australia hit 49.3˚C Jan. 2 while Watrous was at -35.4˚C on that same day.
Members of council from Watrous took part in the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s 109th convention.
The top baby names were released in Saskatchewan with Liam being the most popular for a boy and Emma the most popular for a girl.
The federal budget was unveiled and while it came out as balanced, it received mixed reviews.
Near normal runoff was forecast for the area.
March:
A pair of local sisters were slated to hit the stage at Telemiracle. Brittney and Kelsey Mooney performed at the 38th Telemiracle, joining other talent from across the province.
Mainline Motors in Watrous experienced a partial change in ownership. With just under 30 years of owning and operating the business, Don Campbell made the decision to step away. Campbell’s interest and shares were sold to the other co-owner, Gerald Merrifield and his son Curtis.
The critically acclaimed beatboxing string trio Infinitus took to the stage in Watrous.
Local resident Orrin McIntosh unveiled his latest creation of the red brick school house that once stood in Watrous. McIntosh’s talent for scaling models of buildings provided another unique piece for people to view.
Cattle were disappearing from local farms in the Young area. In a two year span Richard Schaan and his neighbour noticed at least 41 head gone.
Horizon School Division named Kevin Garinger as new Director of Education and CEO. Garinger took over from Marc Danylchuk.
Manitou Springs was nominated by Tourism Saskatchewan for a second year in a row. The resort and mineral spa was a finalist for business of the year with over 50 full-time employees.
Despite cold weather in February, values began to warm up as the first week of March ended. Those temperatures continued into the middle of the month as snow began to melt.
Traffic complaints were on the rise in Watrous. The Watrous RCMP said they were up 30 per cent from the previous year.
The Watrous Music Festival wrapped up for another year with local talent coming away as winners. In total, there were 233 entries.
The Watrous Motel opened its doors to the public. A total of 36 rooms were constructed with full kitchenettes, granite counter tops and high-end furniture.
The provincial government kept the budget balanced. Revenue was projected at $14.07 billion with expenses pegged around $14 billion. A budget surplus was forecast at $71 million.
Former Watrous resident Jenn Bergen was recognized as one of the winners of the CBC Saskatchewan Future 40 award. Bergen was honoured for being one of the province’s new generation of leaders, builders and change-makers under the age of 40.
Centennial Ford was recognized for a national award. The dealership received the President’s Award for demonstrating outstanding achievement in sales and customer satisfaction.
Viscount native Melissa Morelli Lacroix unveiled her first book of poetry.
University of Saskatchewan moose research continued in rural Saskatchewan which included the Watrous area.
The local Kinettes marked 50 years in Watrous. A handful of current and past members shared their stories of what the organization meant to them and how it benefitted residents in the community.
TWM’s annual agriculture issue featured grain transport as a hot issue, Allen and Arlette Seib’s ranch, Gord and Blair Dengler’s farm operation and Christine Gingrich’s love for animals on her farm.
April:
The Watrous Dance Festival marked its 21st year. The festival expected to see between 1,500 to 1,800 people taking in the festival.
Physician Dr. Lelo Latakgomo decided to seek other opportunities at the end of August and a search for her replacement began.
Carlton Trail College saw changes including its name. The college also rebranded its logo and look after gathering input from various individuals.
Canada Post’s postage increase took effect.
Near normal runoff levels were expected as April rolled along.
Pharmacies received news of changes including providing essential services. In Watrous, the dispensary was being modified as part of renovations. A new private counselling room was being added and under new guidelines, pharmacists could extend current prescriptions if deemed appropriate.
TWM was recognized for award-winning work with five top-three finishes during the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association better newspapers competition.
Author Wes Funk added another chapter with a memoir of his life.
The Canadian Wheat Board began construction on its elevator near Colonsay. Once completed, the facility will have a car-loading rate of up to 1,600 mT per hour with a 134 car loop track. It will also include a workhouse with cleaning facilities and steel storage.
Melvin and Marlene Dieno of Young won $1 million with their winning lotto 6/49 ticket.
The practical nursing program in Watrous moved to its new facility. The building that houses the Carlton Trail College program features lab, classroom and computer space for students to utilize.
April brings showers and chilly weather.
May:
With new branding by the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, Watrous and Manitou Beach create a new logo and the statement ‘unsinkable.’
Prairie Harvest Country Store opened its doors on Main Street in Watrous. Owned by Joanne Gingrich, the store features a variety of items like greeting cards, gift wrap and antique pieces.
Graduations start taking place including the one at Winston High School.
The Frey crew continued to raise money for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. With a combined age of 32, Clay, Rayner and Shylo were closing in on raising $100,000 and were also named as national honourary chairs for the Gutsy Walk. The trio were also keynote speakers at a gala in Winnipeg.
Select grades were to be discontinued in Nokomis while Horizon’s office changed hands.
Residents noticed telemarketers using the local ‘946’ prefix.
Watrous Ambulance marked a milestone, celebrating its 40th year.
After 50 years of cutting hair, Ervin Gross handed over the clippers to Gerry Worobec. Gross called it a career May 30.
Watrous’ Walker Vanthuyne placed second in the 11 and under age group in a province wide Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers Association Student Compose Competition. Vanthuyne’s composition was called ‘Darkness.’
Ticks and mosquitoes began to take up residence in the province as summer arrived.
A grant for a three year study on healthy aging for seniors was announced. The study focused on improving health outcomes and services for rural seniors.
Storms send May away as sunshine arrived in time for June.
Allan took part in a growth program, which would result in small town living at reasonable prices.
A Women on the go tour stopped through Watrous and Manitou Beach with nearly 50 women spending time at local businesses.
June:
A group of high school students brought in speaker Dave Romano June 4 as he shared about his experiences with mental health. Romano battled depression, including suicidal thoughts. He shared his story with students at the school.
TWM unveiled its first Tourism Issue featuring various articles on the area including remaining a popular destination, the Studio Trail entering its seventh year, Camp Easter Seal celebrating history, pictures of Wellington and a map.
The Watrous Rotary Club celebrated its 50th anniversary. Current President Al Mosewich and others shared their experiences of being involved with Rotary.
The Warous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre group put on various exhibits throughout the year and talked to TWM about the importance of preserving history.
Nurse practitioner Erin Boyce arrived in Watrous while the search for a physician ended as Dr. Mohammed Elgendy was slated to arrive in Watrous later in the year.
High water levels from rains wreaked havoc on many areas including the Imperial region. Hundreds of acres were swallowed by water northeast of Imperial. Other areas in the province also experienced large amounts of rain.
The highway running past Imperial towards Liberty also washed out, forcing motorists and residents to find another route until it was repaired.
July:
The Jubilee Drive-In at Manitou Beach opened for the season as Moonlight Movies operated the facility.
Watrous native Sarah Davidson (S.J. Knightley) published a book, The Remnant Cities, which can be found on amazon.com.
Communities like Imperial continued to deal with flooding while tornadoes touched down and hail stones damaged homes. One twister in Saskatchewan July 5, hit between Davidson and Imperial while baseball-sized hail dropped on the community of Imperial, smashing windows, siding and vehicles.
The Wheatland Regional Library Watrous Branch kicked off its summer reading campaign.
Canada Day festivities were held across the region including in Watrous and Manitou Beach.
The Spirit of Manitou Trail was another success.
Sunshine helped crops grow after a wet start to the month.
The Fun Run Auto Show and Shine hit the streets of Watrous for its 23rd year July 26. Over 140 entries have participated on a yearly basis along with numerous activities for people to take part in.
The Johners took the stage at Danceland July 24, performing in front of residents and visitors.
A slight tax increase and a delay in Watrous’ reverse osmosis water system ended July.
Kelsey Mooney of Watrous talked with TWM about taking part in the Talent Network convention. Mooney was scouted and slated to work under Peace Management as a dancer, singer, model and actress.
Highway 16 was announced that it will be twinned as part of a project around Clavet.
August:
Sunshine arrived in the latter part of July and stayed in August to help take care of the water.
Imperial’s Daryl Lewis was awarded the STARS Lottery grand prize showhome in Regina valued at $1.45 million.
Communities in Bloom at Manitou Beach celebrated the unveiling of heritage plaques.
Cleanup began at various farms and homes as flood waters subsided.
Harvest began in parts of the province.
Author Janice Dick’s book, Other Side of the River was released in paperback form after being offered electronically.
The Gallery on 3rd in Watrous hired Jacey Bells as the Gallery Attendant. Other exhibits were held throughout the year at the building.
Candidates for the provincial election were nominated for their respective parties. The Saskatchewan Party nominated Donna Harpauer while the Saskatchewan Green Party nominated Lori Ellen Harper.
The staff at TWM took the ice bucket challenge after being nominated by the Watrous and District Ambulance and EMS crew.
Local artist Darrell Baschak headed east to help collaborate on a mural project in Prince Edward Island. The 8 x 15 foot project was of a Saskatchewan scene.
September:
Classes resumed in schools across the province.
The Terry Fox Run marked its 34th year as local residents raised funds for the event.
Despite cool and wet weather, harvest continued across the province.
Jaezila Crittenden was named director of the Regina Musical Theatre Studio with the Saskatchewan Express.
Horizon School Division underwent rebranding while holding learning and celebration days.
Cold temperatures arrived, making it tough for harvest.
RCMP made arrests after conducting a traffic blitz in Watrous.
Findings were released from a study relating to healthy aging in rural areas. Around 40 people spent part of the afternoon Sept. 12 at the Watrous Senior’s Centres learning more about the healthy aging study.
STARS made a landing in Watrous to unveil its newest addition. The AW139 helicopter conducted an exercise that saw it go to Watrous during the morning of Sept. 12.
The local fire department began a fundraising campaign for a UTV unit to add to its fleet.
Author Sigmund Brouwer was in Watrous where he spent some time with students talking about literacy.
Young native Jeff Woiden chatted with TWM about his job as the public address announcer for the Saskatoon Blades.
Jacky McArthur and husband Brad Bauml, who both grew up in the Watrous area won $1 million after Jacky had the winning ticket from the Children’s Wish Foundation Lottery.
Holly Worobec opened Kryk Clips pet grooming and styling on Main Street in Watrous. Worobec wanted to have a place for people to take their pets to be groomed or styled.
With some sunshine, harvest was able to advance.
PARTY brings issues to life as some students from Winston High School observed a mock crash. They also took in presentations and listened to a guest speaker who was involved in a real crash.
October:
Dr. Elgendy began practice in Watrous Oct. 6.
The new play structure at Watrous Elementary School got the green light after tremendous fundraising efforts. Local volunteers spend time Oct. 9 building the structure.
As fall approached, allergies began to take a hold on some.
BHP water project at Zelma reservoir was half completed. The mega project will see a 93 km long raw water supply system from the reservoir to BHP’s Jansen site mine.
The local food bank received great support and an initiative was held with both Watrous schools and local businesses to raise donations for as much food as possible.
The weather turned warmer than normal as the Kinsmen farming project wrapped up.
The STARS mobile unit rolled into Watrous.
Gertie Uhmann celebrated her 100th birthday Oct. 26. Uhmann shared with TWM a little bit about her life.
Education week took place while Horizon School Division experienced an increase in enrolment.
Terror gripped the nation as a gunman shot a soldier at the War Memorial in Ottawa then proceeded to invade the Parliament buildings. Local MP Lynne Yelich was in the Centre Block Building where the gunman entered. He was later killed near the entrance to the library.
The John Deere brand turned 100 in Watrous as it was first brought in by the Findlay family. Along with the Findlay family, the Westbys later joined forces before purchasing the remaining shares in 1981. Then in 2006, Farm and Garden Centre, now Cervus Equipment, bought the business.
Water concerns remained a big issue for Manitou Beach. Measures continued to be taken while the resort community sought answers.
Cam and Terilee Stokke took over A&S Charters from long-time owner Elwyn Beeler. The new company, C&T Bus Charters began rolling out of Watrous.
Harvest started to wrap up for producers.
Led by Irish born Stephen Maguire, Memory Lane graced Danceland with tributes to the 40s, 50s and 60s.
Founder of Dancing Sky Theatre Company in Meacham, Angus Ferguson was the recipient for the Leadership - Individual Award from the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts Awards Oct. 28.
November:
Remembrance Day services were held throughout the region.
A parenting and your child’s brain session took place at the curling rink in Watrous as local speakers shared about mental health and issues that can be associated with that.
Watrous was selected as one of 11 for a provincial program. The community was named in the Main Street Saskatchewan program which aims to help attract visitors and help with economic development.
After a tough decision Dr. Kadirah Tingey will be departing Watrous in 2015. Tingey arrived in Watrous in June of 2013.
Phase one of the reverse osmosis project in Watrous was underway. The phase included the building portion with an estimated completion of that project to take eight months.
Success RV’s in Watrous received a national award as one of the top 10 Canadian dealers for recreational vehicle maker K-Z.
Allocating Annie drew laughs from local audiences during the Saltwater Players annual dinner theatre production.
December:
Weather was a mixed bag as November came to an end. The yo-yo type temperatures began to climb in December, reaching above 0˚ on numerous occasions. However, during the final week of the month values dipped and wind chills in the -30˚C range were prevalent.
The Jubilees performed We Need a Little Christmas.
Renovations to John’s Plate took place, joining other businesses like Watrous Shop Easy and the Watrous Pharmacy, which made interior changes.
Manitou Beach will be creating a tower and trails to provide additional recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Other winter activities were also being worked on like a tobogganing hill and skating rink.
The provincial NDP selected Adam Duke to represent them in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency for the next election.
Aven Grace and Barbara Leavins performed in Watrous.
Saskatoon Health Region found its new CEO, naming Dan Florizone.
The 2014 Watrous Citizen of the Year was named. Pastor Doug Gregory, who has been involved within the community for nearly a decade received the honour.
Watrous resident Mildred Snell turned 105 and is featured in TWM’s Senior Spotlight.
A tap dancer with Watrous ties competed in Germany at the World Junior Tap Championships. Cameron Mcleod, granddaughter of Ed and Janet Ernst, and her contingent placed fourth out of 16 teams from around the world.
It is announced that the Watrous Medical Clinic is moving to the Watrous District Health Complex in June of 2015.
Break and enters were reported at Manitou Beach.
This compilation is just an overview of the year; many events were not included for reasons of time and space.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The Watrous area experienced another busy year with numerous events highlighting 2014. Going back through the issues of the Watrous Manitou from 2014, here are some local headlines that made news from January to December.
January:
Communities throughout the region looked ahead to what 2014 had in store for them as mayors spoke with the Watrous Manitou on projects and initiatives.
The flu season continued to take a stronghold in the province. By Jan. 6 , six people had died in Saskatchewan, 18 had been admitted to intensive care and there were 336 laboratory confirmed cases.
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz said 2013 had been a good year for tourism, building off a resurgence at Manitou Beach.
After two decades, Success RV’s, formerly owned by Keith Farnel, switched hands as Ryan and Renee Campbell took over Jan. 1.
After 50 years with the Watrous volunteer fire department, Alex Schroeder retired. Schroeder was presented an award for his dedication and service at the end of 2013 and was featured in the newspaper in January.
Local Member of Parliament Lynne Yelich visited the area on her annual winter tour. Yelich was in Watrous Jan. 15 marking her 13th tour.
Western Financial Group in Watrous underwent renovations to its building.
Winter let go of its icy grip. A windy Jan. 16 peeled shingles off some homes and in other parts of the province pushed semis off highways. Despite the 100 km/hr wind gusts, the warmer weather arrived to aid residents after a bone-chilling December.
February:
The month of February brought change to the Watrous Manitou as Daniel and Kim Bushman took over from Robin and Nicole Lay.
Former Watrous resident Dena McMartin began her role as associate vice-president (academic and research) at the University of Regina.
The Watrous Elementary School playground fund campaign marched forward with the aim of raising money to build a new play structure.
The province hopped on board to address grain transportation while urging railways to improve service to move crops to port.
Extreme weather struck on different scales as people in Canada dealt with wicked winter weather while those in Australia experienced an abnormally hot summer. Former Watrous resident Amber Dick chatted with TWM about the heat wave as southern Australia hit 49.3˚C Jan. 2 while Watrous was at -35.4˚C on that same day.
Members of council from Watrous took part in the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s 109th convention.
The top baby names were released in Saskatchewan with Liam being the most popular for a boy and Emma the most popular for a girl.
The federal budget was unveiled and while it came out as balanced, it received mixed reviews.
Near normal runoff was forecast for the area.
March:
A pair of local sisters were slated to hit the stage at Telemiracle. Brittney and Kelsey Mooney performed at the 38th Telemiracle, joining other talent from across the province.
Mainline Motors in Watrous experienced a partial change in ownership. With just under 30 years of owning and operating the business, Don Campbell made the decision to step away. Campbell’s interest and shares were sold to the other co-owner, Gerald Merrifield and his son Curtis.
The critically acclaimed beatboxing string trio Infinitus took to the stage in Watrous.
Local resident Orrin McIntosh unveiled his latest creation of the red brick school house that once stood in Watrous. McIntosh’s talent for scaling models of buildings provided another unique piece for people to view.
Cattle were disappearing from local farms in the Young area. In a two year span Richard Schaan and his neighbour noticed at least 41 head gone.
Horizon School Division named Kevin Garinger as new Director of Education and CEO. Garinger took over from Marc Danylchuk.
Manitou Springs was nominated by Tourism Saskatchewan for a second year in a row. The resort and mineral spa was a finalist for business of the year with over 50 full-time employees.
Despite cold weather in February, values began to warm up as the first week of March ended. Those temperatures continued into the middle of the month as snow began to melt.
Traffic complaints were on the rise in Watrous. The Watrous RCMP said they were up 30 per cent from the previous year.
The Watrous Music Festival wrapped up for another year with local talent coming away as winners. In total, there were 233 entries.
The Watrous Motel opened its doors to the public. A total of 36 rooms were constructed with full kitchenettes, granite counter tops and high-end furniture.
The provincial government kept the budget balanced. Revenue was projected at $14.07 billion with expenses pegged around $14 billion. A budget surplus was forecast at $71 million.
Former Watrous resident Jenn Bergen was recognized as one of the winners of the CBC Saskatchewan Future 40 award. Bergen was honoured for being one of the province’s new generation of leaders, builders and change-makers under the age of 40.
Centennial Ford was recognized for a national award. The dealership received the President’s Award for demonstrating outstanding achievement in sales and customer satisfaction.
Viscount native Melissa Morelli Lacroix unveiled her first book of poetry.
University of Saskatchewan moose research continued in rural Saskatchewan which included the Watrous area.
The local Kinettes marked 50 years in Watrous. A handful of current and past members shared their stories of what the organization meant to them and how it benefitted residents in the community.
TWM’s annual agriculture issue featured grain transport as a hot issue, Allen and Arlette Seib’s ranch, Gord and Blair Dengler’s farm operation and Christine Gingrich’s love for animals on her farm.
April:
The Watrous Dance Festival marked its 21st year. The festival expected to see between 1,500 to 1,800 people taking in the festival.
Physician Dr. Lelo Latakgomo decided to seek other opportunities at the end of August and a search for her replacement began.
Carlton Trail College saw changes including its name. The college also rebranded its logo and look after gathering input from various individuals.
Canada Post’s postage increase took effect.
Near normal runoff levels were expected as April rolled along.
Pharmacies received news of changes including providing essential services. In Watrous, the dispensary was being modified as part of renovations. A new private counselling room was being added and under new guidelines, pharmacists could extend current prescriptions if deemed appropriate.
TWM was recognized for award-winning work with five top-three finishes during the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association better newspapers competition.
Author Wes Funk added another chapter with a memoir of his life.
The Canadian Wheat Board began construction on its elevator near Colonsay. Once completed, the facility will have a car-loading rate of up to 1,600 mT per hour with a 134 car loop track. It will also include a workhouse with cleaning facilities and steel storage.
Melvin and Marlene Dieno of Young won $1 million with their winning lotto 6/49 ticket.
The practical nursing program in Watrous moved to its new facility. The building that houses the Carlton Trail College program features lab, classroom and computer space for students to utilize.
April brings showers and chilly weather.
May:
With new branding by the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, Watrous and Manitou Beach create a new logo and the statement ‘unsinkable.’
Prairie Harvest Country Store opened its doors on Main Street in Watrous. Owned by Joanne Gingrich, the store features a variety of items like greeting cards, gift wrap and antique pieces.
Graduations start taking place including the one at Winston High School.
The Frey crew continued to raise money for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. With a combined age of 32, Clay, Rayner and Shylo were closing in on raising $100,000 and were also named as national honourary chairs for the Gutsy Walk. The trio were also keynote speakers at a gala in Winnipeg.
Select grades were to be discontinued in Nokomis while Horizon’s office changed hands.
Residents noticed telemarketers using the local ‘946’ prefix.
Watrous Ambulance marked a milestone, celebrating its 40th year.
After 50 years of cutting hair, Ervin Gross handed over the clippers to Gerry Worobec. Gross called it a career May 30.
Watrous’ Walker Vanthuyne placed second in the 11 and under age group in a province wide Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers Association Student Compose Competition. Vanthuyne’s composition was called ‘Darkness.’
Ticks and mosquitoes began to take up residence in the province as summer arrived.
A grant for a three year study on healthy aging for seniors was announced. The study focused on improving health outcomes and services for rural seniors.
Storms send May away as sunshine arrived in time for June.
Allan took part in a growth program, which would result in small town living at reasonable prices.
A Women on the go tour stopped through Watrous and Manitou Beach with nearly 50 women spending time at local businesses.
June:
A group of high school students brought in speaker Dave Romano June 4 as he shared about his experiences with mental health. Romano battled depression, including suicidal thoughts. He shared his story with students at the school.
TWM unveiled its first Tourism Issue featuring various articles on the area including remaining a popular destination, the Studio Trail entering its seventh year, Camp Easter Seal celebrating history, pictures of Wellington and a map.
The Watrous Rotary Club celebrated its 50th anniversary. Current President Al Mosewich and others shared their experiences of being involved with Rotary.
The Warous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre group put on various exhibits throughout the year and talked to TWM about the importance of preserving history.
Nurse practitioner Erin Boyce arrived in Watrous while the search for a physician ended as Dr. Mohammed Elgendy was slated to arrive in Watrous later in the year.
High water levels from rains wreaked havoc on many areas including the Imperial region. Hundreds of acres were swallowed by water northeast of Imperial. Other areas in the province also experienced large amounts of rain.
The highway running past Imperial towards Liberty also washed out, forcing motorists and residents to find another route until it was repaired.
July:
The Jubilee Drive-In at Manitou Beach opened for the season as Moonlight Movies operated the facility.
Watrous native Sarah Davidson (S.J. Knightley) published a book, The Remnant Cities, which can be found on amazon.com.
Communities like Imperial continued to deal with flooding while tornadoes touched down and hail stones damaged homes. One twister in Saskatchewan July 5, hit between Davidson and Imperial while baseball-sized hail dropped on the community of Imperial, smashing windows, siding and vehicles.
The Wheatland Regional Library Watrous Branch kicked off its summer reading campaign.
Canada Day festivities were held across the region including in Watrous and Manitou Beach.
The Spirit of Manitou Trail was another success.
Sunshine helped crops grow after a wet start to the month.
The Fun Run Auto Show and Shine hit the streets of Watrous for its 23rd year July 26. Over 140 entries have participated on a yearly basis along with numerous activities for people to take part in.
The Johners took the stage at Danceland July 24, performing in front of residents and visitors.
A slight tax increase and a delay in Watrous’ reverse osmosis water system ended July.
Kelsey Mooney of Watrous talked with TWM about taking part in the Talent Network convention. Mooney was scouted and slated to work under Peace Management as a dancer, singer, model and actress.
Highway 16 was announced that it will be twinned as part of a project around Clavet.
August:
Sunshine arrived in the latter part of July and stayed in August to help take care of the water.
Imperial’s Daryl Lewis was awarded the STARS Lottery grand prize showhome in Regina valued at $1.45 million.
Communities in Bloom at Manitou Beach celebrated the unveiling of heritage plaques.
Cleanup began at various farms and homes as flood waters subsided.
Harvest began in parts of the province.
Author Janice Dick’s book, Other Side of the River was released in paperback form after being offered electronically.
The Gallery on 3rd in Watrous hired Jacey Bells as the Gallery Attendant. Other exhibits were held throughout the year at the building.
Candidates for the provincial election were nominated for their respective parties. The Saskatchewan Party nominated Donna Harpauer while the Saskatchewan Green Party nominated Lori Ellen Harper.
The staff at TWM took the ice bucket challenge after being nominated by the Watrous and District Ambulance and EMS crew.
Local artist Darrell Baschak headed east to help collaborate on a mural project in Prince Edward Island. The 8 x 15 foot project was of a Saskatchewan scene.
September:
Classes resumed in schools across the province.
The Terry Fox Run marked its 34th year as local residents raised funds for the event.
Despite cool and wet weather, harvest continued across the province.
Jaezila Crittenden was named director of the Regina Musical Theatre Studio with the Saskatchewan Express.
Horizon School Division underwent rebranding while holding learning and celebration days.
Cold temperatures arrived, making it tough for harvest.
RCMP made arrests after conducting a traffic blitz in Watrous.
Findings were released from a study relating to healthy aging in rural areas. Around 40 people spent part of the afternoon Sept. 12 at the Watrous Senior’s Centres learning more about the healthy aging study.
STARS made a landing in Watrous to unveil its newest addition. The AW139 helicopter conducted an exercise that saw it go to Watrous during the morning of Sept. 12.
The local fire department began a fundraising campaign for a UTV unit to add to its fleet.
Author Sigmund Brouwer was in Watrous where he spent some time with students talking about literacy.
Young native Jeff Woiden chatted with TWM about his job as the public address announcer for the Saskatoon Blades.
Jacky McArthur and husband Brad Bauml, who both grew up in the Watrous area won $1 million after Jacky had the winning ticket from the Children’s Wish Foundation Lottery.
Holly Worobec opened Kryk Clips pet grooming and styling on Main Street in Watrous. Worobec wanted to have a place for people to take their pets to be groomed or styled.
With some sunshine, harvest was able to advance.
PARTY brings issues to life as some students from Winston High School observed a mock crash. They also took in presentations and listened to a guest speaker who was involved in a real crash.
October:
Dr. Elgendy began practice in Watrous Oct. 6.
The new play structure at Watrous Elementary School got the green light after tremendous fundraising efforts. Local volunteers spend time Oct. 9 building the structure.
As fall approached, allergies began to take a hold on some.
BHP water project at Zelma reservoir was half completed. The mega project will see a 93 km long raw water supply system from the reservoir to BHP’s Jansen site mine.
The local food bank received great support and an initiative was held with both Watrous schools and local businesses to raise donations for as much food as possible.
The weather turned warmer than normal as the Kinsmen farming project wrapped up.
The STARS mobile unit rolled into Watrous.
Gertie Uhmann celebrated her 100th birthday Oct. 26. Uhmann shared with TWM a little bit about her life.
Education week took place while Horizon School Division experienced an increase in enrolment.
Terror gripped the nation as a gunman shot a soldier at the War Memorial in Ottawa then proceeded to invade the Parliament buildings. Local MP Lynne Yelich was in the Centre Block Building where the gunman entered. He was later killed near the entrance to the library.
The John Deere brand turned 100 in Watrous as it was first brought in by the Findlay family. Along with the Findlay family, the Westbys later joined forces before purchasing the remaining shares in 1981. Then in 2006, Farm and Garden Centre, now Cervus Equipment, bought the business.
Water concerns remained a big issue for Manitou Beach. Measures continued to be taken while the resort community sought answers.
Cam and Terilee Stokke took over A&S Charters from long-time owner Elwyn Beeler. The new company, C&T Bus Charters began rolling out of Watrous.
Harvest started to wrap up for producers.
Led by Irish born Stephen Maguire, Memory Lane graced Danceland with tributes to the 40s, 50s and 60s.
Founder of Dancing Sky Theatre Company in Meacham, Angus Ferguson was the recipient for the Leadership - Individual Award from the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts Awards Oct. 28.
November:
Remembrance Day services were held throughout the region.
A parenting and your child’s brain session took place at the curling rink in Watrous as local speakers shared about mental health and issues that can be associated with that.
Watrous was selected as one of 11 for a provincial program. The community was named in the Main Street Saskatchewan program which aims to help attract visitors and help with economic development.
After a tough decision Dr. Kadirah Tingey will be departing Watrous in 2015. Tingey arrived in Watrous in June of 2013.
Phase one of the reverse osmosis project in Watrous was underway. The phase included the building portion with an estimated completion of that project to take eight months.
Success RV’s in Watrous received a national award as one of the top 10 Canadian dealers for recreational vehicle maker K-Z.
Allocating Annie drew laughs from local audiences during the Saltwater Players annual dinner theatre production.
December:
Weather was a mixed bag as November came to an end. The yo-yo type temperatures began to climb in December, reaching above 0˚ on numerous occasions. However, during the final week of the month values dipped and wind chills in the -30˚C range were prevalent.
The Jubilees performed We Need a Little Christmas.
Renovations to John’s Plate took place, joining other businesses like Watrous Shop Easy and the Watrous Pharmacy, which made interior changes.
Manitou Beach will be creating a tower and trails to provide additional recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Other winter activities were also being worked on like a tobogganing hill and skating rink.
The provincial NDP selected Adam Duke to represent them in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency for the next election.
Aven Grace and Barbara Leavins performed in Watrous.
Saskatoon Health Region found its new CEO, naming Dan Florizone.
The 2014 Watrous Citizen of the Year was named. Pastor Doug Gregory, who has been involved within the community for nearly a decade received the honour.
Watrous resident Mildred Snell turned 105 and is featured in TWM’s Senior Spotlight.
A tap dancer with Watrous ties competed in Germany at the World Junior Tap Championships. Cameron Mcleod, granddaughter of Ed and Janet Ernst, and her contingent placed fourth out of 16 teams from around the world.
It is announced that the Watrous Medical Clinic is moving to the Watrous District Health Complex in June of 2015.
Break and enters were reported at Manitou Beach.
This compilation is just an overview of the year; many events were not included for reasons of time and space.
TWM Top Story Dec. 22, 2014
Watrous Medical Clinic moving
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With an eye on the future and looking to get numerous services under one roof, the Saskatoon Health Region, in partnership with the Town of Watrous, made the decision to move the Watrous Medical Clinic come June. While the building where the clinic currently operates out of is up for sale, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said the plan to relocate has been talked about for quite some time.
“This is not something that came up overnight,” Collins said, “We have been working very closely with the health region for a better part of a year or more about the possibility of moving and we did some looking around in regards to that.”
The medical clinic will be packing up and heading to the Watrous District Health Complex next year, joining other services in the same facility.
“I think it is a win win situation as there are many days of the week doctors and patients are going to the hospital then back to the clinic. The inconvenience caused by that won’t be the case as it will be all under one roof and in a health facility. I think it will be an improvement for patients, providers and the community in general.”
Manager, Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region, Angela Luron echoed those thoughts by Collins and said there were a few other reasons for the move.
Luron said health providers will be able to work more collaboratively with one another and with other health services.
“Another aspect of the move is with soundproofing in the current clinic space. We are facing some challenges with that regarding privacy (but) . . . the health complex was built to be a sound proof facility and that will improve patient privacy. The waiting room will also be further distanced from the registration area to help with this.”
Having Electronic Medical Records (EMR) is another big aspect in the decision. After close assessment, Luron said the region would have to invest quite significantly in the current clinic space in order to develop the infrastructure needed to support the EMR. “Moving into the health complex is financially sound in that the Internet Technology Services already exist and also any future investments will be within a facility that we own and operate rather than rent. The EMR has the potential to improve continuity of care for our patients and that the functionality within has the potential to increase the level of team work that all of the health providers experience.”
Services will not be disrupted during the transition and Collins said the move bodes well for the sustainability of health care in the community.
Luron said existing space in the health complex will be used for the clinic and the region will be working closely with those in the facility to see where the needs and opportunities for that are.
“Our priority as the health region is to ensure that all health care providers have the appropriate resources they need to provide safe, quality patient and family centred care in the community. We know that moving the clinic into the health complex will result in some changes and some movement within the health complex and we are committed to working transparently with folks as we move forward.”
The cost-sharing initiative will see the health region and the town both remain committed to investing strategically in order to stabilize health services in the community including physician and nurse practitioner recruitment and retention as well as other initiatives.
Luron said as planning develops and details and timelines are solidified, they will be shared with the public.
“This is not something that came up overnight,” Collins said, “We have been working very closely with the health region for a better part of a year or more about the possibility of moving and we did some looking around in regards to that.”
The medical clinic will be packing up and heading to the Watrous District Health Complex next year, joining other services in the same facility.
“I think it is a win win situation as there are many days of the week doctors and patients are going to the hospital then back to the clinic. The inconvenience caused by that won’t be the case as it will be all under one roof and in a health facility. I think it will be an improvement for patients, providers and the community in general.”
Manager, Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region, Angela Luron echoed those thoughts by Collins and said there were a few other reasons for the move.
Luron said health providers will be able to work more collaboratively with one another and with other health services.
“Another aspect of the move is with soundproofing in the current clinic space. We are facing some challenges with that regarding privacy (but) . . . the health complex was built to be a sound proof facility and that will improve patient privacy. The waiting room will also be further distanced from the registration area to help with this.”
Having Electronic Medical Records (EMR) is another big aspect in the decision. After close assessment, Luron said the region would have to invest quite significantly in the current clinic space in order to develop the infrastructure needed to support the EMR. “Moving into the health complex is financially sound in that the Internet Technology Services already exist and also any future investments will be within a facility that we own and operate rather than rent. The EMR has the potential to improve continuity of care for our patients and that the functionality within has the potential to increase the level of team work that all of the health providers experience.”
Services will not be disrupted during the transition and Collins said the move bodes well for the sustainability of health care in the community.
Luron said existing space in the health complex will be used for the clinic and the region will be working closely with those in the facility to see where the needs and opportunities for that are.
“Our priority as the health region is to ensure that all health care providers have the appropriate resources they need to provide safe, quality patient and family centred care in the community. We know that moving the clinic into the health complex will result in some changes and some movement within the health complex and we are committed to working transparently with folks as we move forward.”
The cost-sharing initiative will see the health region and the town both remain committed to investing strategically in order to stabilize health services in the community including physician and nurse practitioner recruitment and retention as well as other initiatives.
Luron said as planning develops and details and timelines are solidified, they will be shared with the public.
Dec. 15, 2014
2014 Watrous Citizen of the Year named
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Whether it is the recognizable Montreal Canadiens or Alouettes hat on his head or a welcoming smile, this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year has been involved within the community for nearly a decade. Resident Doug Gregory was surprised when he received a call that he had been selected with the honour.
“I wasn’t even thinking about (being up for citizen of the year),” said Gregory. “It is nice to be appreciated. I am not patting myself on the back because I don’t think I am doing anything special, I am just being who I am and getting involved. I see a need and try and help fill it with different organizations or within the community. It gives a person a good feeling.”
Gregory, who is the Pastor of the Baptist Church in Watrous, enjoys being immersed with various organizations. “Being community-minded, I definitely got that from my mother. That carried over as she was very community-minded back in our home town in Ontario. Wherever I am, it carries over to me and I get involved.”
After moving to Watrous nine years ago with wife Sarah, Gregory sits on the local Watrous Co-op board, the Interlake Human Resources board and the Watrous Seniors Centre board. Through the church, Gregory also helps to put on a Kids VBS each summer and lends a hand with the Carol Fest in December.
The 60-year-old said being involved within the community is extremely important. “Very much so. I have seen too many communities, especially small communities where things fall to the wayside because people want to see things happen but don’t want to be involved on the frontline . . . I find it is important (to be more involved).”
Growing up in northwestern Ontario, about 50 miles east of Thunder Bay, Gregory later lived in Toronto for a while then spent two years in Nipawin at college. “After that, I went to Penticton, B.C. and that summer my wife and I were married. Three years later, we ended up in Watrous.”
Gregory enjoys playing cards, which is partly why he got involved at the Seniors Centre and he also likes to read for the fun of it. “Because of what I do, so much of my reading is work based. I have a couple of authors that I enjoy sitting down and reading. I also like to go for walks and see Saskatchewan. My wife and I really enjoy seeing small town museums.”
As Gregory was officially recognized for his contributions to Watrous last week, he was still in disbelief of being bestowed with the title of 2014 citizen of the year. “I still haven’t wrapped my head around this. It is great to be nominated and great to be given this honour.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Whether it is the recognizable Montreal Canadiens or Alouettes hat on his head or a welcoming smile, this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year has been involved within the community for nearly a decade. Resident Doug Gregory was surprised when he received a call that he had been selected with the honour.
“I wasn’t even thinking about (being up for citizen of the year),” said Gregory. “It is nice to be appreciated. I am not patting myself on the back because I don’t think I am doing anything special, I am just being who I am and getting involved. I see a need and try and help fill it with different organizations or within the community. It gives a person a good feeling.”
Gregory, who is the Pastor of the Baptist Church in Watrous, enjoys being immersed with various organizations. “Being community-minded, I definitely got that from my mother. That carried over as she was very community-minded back in our home town in Ontario. Wherever I am, it carries over to me and I get involved.”
After moving to Watrous nine years ago with wife Sarah, Gregory sits on the local Watrous Co-op board, the Interlake Human Resources board and the Watrous Seniors Centre board. Through the church, Gregory also helps to put on a Kids VBS each summer and lends a hand with the Carol Fest in December.
The 60-year-old said being involved within the community is extremely important. “Very much so. I have seen too many communities, especially small communities where things fall to the wayside because people want to see things happen but don’t want to be involved on the frontline . . . I find it is important (to be more involved).”
Growing up in northwestern Ontario, about 50 miles east of Thunder Bay, Gregory later lived in Toronto for a while then spent two years in Nipawin at college. “After that, I went to Penticton, B.C. and that summer my wife and I were married. Three years later, we ended up in Watrous.”
Gregory enjoys playing cards, which is partly why he got involved at the Seniors Centre and he also likes to read for the fun of it. “Because of what I do, so much of my reading is work based. I have a couple of authors that I enjoy sitting down and reading. I also like to go for walks and see Saskatchewan. My wife and I really enjoy seeing small town museums.”
As Gregory was officially recognized for his contributions to Watrous last week, he was still in disbelief of being bestowed with the title of 2014 citizen of the year. “I still haven’t wrapped my head around this. It is great to be nominated and great to be given this honour.”
Dec. 8, 2014
Manitou Beach eyeing tower and trails
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With recreational opportunities available for residents and visitors who frequent Manitou Beach, additional activities like trails and using a lookout tower are on the docket for the near future. While the tower is some time away from being put up, Manitou Beach Councillor Chris Moffatt said the ski trails were going to be done at the Manitou Beach Golf Course and the Manitou and District Regional Park again this year.
Moffatt is hopeful that those ski trails will be expanded this season but the village requires some help grooming them.
“We are trying to get a bunch of volunteers lined up to help with the work. It takes about an hour or so to do the trails. That time could possibly grow a little towards two hours if we do expand some of the trail,” said Moffatt who added they could be ready by this week.
Along with the trails, the hill east of the community hall was also going to be packed down. Moffatt said the hill, which is used for tobogganing will be tamped down for sleds to slide down easier. “There is definitely snow there, it is just a matter of getting it so the toboggans will work easier going down.”
Plans are also in the works to create a small ice surface for skaters near the gazebo in Wellington Park. “We want to have something for kids and families to use if they like. We are hopeful to have something in place before Christmas.”
Another pair of projects being worked on include walking trails and a lookout tower. Preliminary prep work has been done on the trails that head east from the regional park and campground, through the valley of Wellington Park and to the east end of the village. “We did a bit of trail contouring and then trail clearing so that there is a walking trail that can be visible.”
The area where the previous water tower on the hill above Wellington Creek used to be has been marked for a tower. “What we are looking at doing is a feature point to attract both residents and visitors. We would like to put up an eight to 10 foot lookout tower . . . around 100 square feet in size.”
Moffatt said the structure would give a view of the lake, up Wellington Creek and show the valley to the south. “It gives an attraction and a focal point for individuals to go to.”
If all goes well, Moffatt said, “We will be doing a design on it and then be building it over winter. Crews will work on the components and then look at setting it up in the spring.”
While council did receive a few letters regarding constructing a tower in a natural space, Moffatt said he hopes that in the end the tower will be a benefit to residents and visitors. “There are concerns and we are considering them. We aren’t going to try and put up a sore thumb. It is going to be properly designed, properly constructed and safe, which is a primary concern. We are figuring the deck of the platform would be at the eight to 10 foot height mark.”
While the exact spot has not been picked yet, Moffatt said the tower probably would be placed a little bit further south than right near the edge of the top of the hill from Wellington.
“There has been a few of us up there looking at the potential site for it.”
In addition, there are also three trails that are being designed that would all start at the community hall.
The first one would be a loop from the hall to the tower. The second one would go down into Wellington Park and then along Lake Avenue. The third would be the longer of the trio going along the south boundary of the village from Wellington Creek, then up the hill, across Williams Street, down to the back of Jean Street and then down the hill tying up with Lake Avenue. That would tie in with the piers that were placed along Lake Avenue in the summer. From there, the trail would move west by the tennis courts then go to the top of the hill and back to the community hall.
Moffatt said eventually what they would like to do is tie in a trail further west past Camp Easter Seal into an area village owned.
Grant money contributed by Saskatchewan Tourism, Saskatchewan Trails and funds from the Recreation Board have allowed the village to begin implementing the project.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With recreational opportunities available for residents and visitors who frequent Manitou Beach, additional activities like trails and using a lookout tower are on the docket for the near future. While the tower is some time away from being put up, Manitou Beach Councillor Chris Moffatt said the ski trails were going to be done at the Manitou Beach Golf Course and the Manitou and District Regional Park again this year.
Moffatt is hopeful that those ski trails will be expanded this season but the village requires some help grooming them.
“We are trying to get a bunch of volunteers lined up to help with the work. It takes about an hour or so to do the trails. That time could possibly grow a little towards two hours if we do expand some of the trail,” said Moffatt who added they could be ready by this week.
Along with the trails, the hill east of the community hall was also going to be packed down. Moffatt said the hill, which is used for tobogganing will be tamped down for sleds to slide down easier. “There is definitely snow there, it is just a matter of getting it so the toboggans will work easier going down.”
Plans are also in the works to create a small ice surface for skaters near the gazebo in Wellington Park. “We want to have something for kids and families to use if they like. We are hopeful to have something in place before Christmas.”
Another pair of projects being worked on include walking trails and a lookout tower. Preliminary prep work has been done on the trails that head east from the regional park and campground, through the valley of Wellington Park and to the east end of the village. “We did a bit of trail contouring and then trail clearing so that there is a walking trail that can be visible.”
The area where the previous water tower on the hill above Wellington Creek used to be has been marked for a tower. “What we are looking at doing is a feature point to attract both residents and visitors. We would like to put up an eight to 10 foot lookout tower . . . around 100 square feet in size.”
Moffatt said the structure would give a view of the lake, up Wellington Creek and show the valley to the south. “It gives an attraction and a focal point for individuals to go to.”
If all goes well, Moffatt said, “We will be doing a design on it and then be building it over winter. Crews will work on the components and then look at setting it up in the spring.”
While council did receive a few letters regarding constructing a tower in a natural space, Moffatt said he hopes that in the end the tower will be a benefit to residents and visitors. “There are concerns and we are considering them. We aren’t going to try and put up a sore thumb. It is going to be properly designed, properly constructed and safe, which is a primary concern. We are figuring the deck of the platform would be at the eight to 10 foot height mark.”
While the exact spot has not been picked yet, Moffatt said the tower probably would be placed a little bit further south than right near the edge of the top of the hill from Wellington.
“There has been a few of us up there looking at the potential site for it.”
In addition, there are also three trails that are being designed that would all start at the community hall.
The first one would be a loop from the hall to the tower. The second one would go down into Wellington Park and then along Lake Avenue. The third would be the longer of the trio going along the south boundary of the village from Wellington Creek, then up the hill, across Williams Street, down to the back of Jean Street and then down the hill tying up with Lake Avenue. That would tie in with the piers that were placed along Lake Avenue in the summer. From there, the trail would move west by the tennis courts then go to the top of the hill and back to the community hall.
Moffatt said eventually what they would like to do is tie in a trail further west past Camp Easter Seal into an area village owned.
Grant money contributed by Saskatchewan Tourism, Saskatchewan Trails and funds from the Recreation Board have allowed the village to begin implementing the project.
Dec. 1, 2014
Weather a mixed bag as snow arrives
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Winter officially begins Dec. 21 but it is probably safe to say it unofficially arrived in November. Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning Nov. 27 for a large portion of Saskatchewan, including the Watrous region, where up to 25 cm of snow was forecast to fall.
The snow was brought in by a Pacific frontal system that went through Alberta, leaving residents with the tall task of grabbing shovels and snowblowers to dig out.
Environment Canada’s David Phillips said November contained a little bit of everything including lots of snow and some freezing rain.
Towards the east coast where the Buffalo area was dumped on, there were places north of the border that also got hit. Phillips said Parry Sound in Ontario got 90 cm of snow in one day, “That is all locally produced cold winds coming off open water and that produces lake snow.”
Phillips said November always seems to be a mixed bag. “Summer is hot and winter is cold and that is something we expect but in the transition season you can get some weather wars with cold air in the north and warm air in the south.”
Because of that, the weather can become unsettling and that can produce melting, freezing, deep cold values to balminess. When temperatures flirt with that freezing mark range where nature can’t make up its mind on how to precipitate, Phillips said that is when it can create the nasty type of weather. “Saskatchewan is not a hot bed for freezing rain, but it is not something that is foreign either. It does occur and typically you see more of it in November than you would in January or February.”
Seeking some positive news from November, Phillips said the 2014 version was much nicer than last year’s month.
Temperatures dipped well below their normal values as November 2013 neared an end and an added windchill put the bone-chilling weather even more on people’s minds. The Watrous area experienced high windchill values reaching -30˚C on a few days and highs dropped almost a dozen degrees from where they should have been.
The overnight low during last year’s November averaged out to -13.5˚C with the coldest night Nov. 22 when it plummeted to -31.1˚C. One night later it was -30.8˚C.
This year, while there were around the same number of days that were below freezing, the windchill was not nearly as severe and the nights were also warmer.
Add a nicer October to go with a better November in 2014 and Phillips said, “My sense is you are already ahead of the game from last year. We think there will be moments where you will wish you were somewhere else but we don’t think it will be the long drawn out, in your face kind of raw day after day like you had to put up with last year.”
Heading into December, temperatures should flatten out to be around near normal and the up and down of values should be the pattern for the winter. “It would be more of what we have seen this past two weeks with some melting and warmth and then back into the deep freeze. It will be that back and forth, up and down and something for everybody kind of winter.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Winter officially begins Dec. 21 but it is probably safe to say it unofficially arrived in November. Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning Nov. 27 for a large portion of Saskatchewan, including the Watrous region, where up to 25 cm of snow was forecast to fall.
The snow was brought in by a Pacific frontal system that went through Alberta, leaving residents with the tall task of grabbing shovels and snowblowers to dig out.
Environment Canada’s David Phillips said November contained a little bit of everything including lots of snow and some freezing rain.
Towards the east coast where the Buffalo area was dumped on, there were places north of the border that also got hit. Phillips said Parry Sound in Ontario got 90 cm of snow in one day, “That is all locally produced cold winds coming off open water and that produces lake snow.”
Phillips said November always seems to be a mixed bag. “Summer is hot and winter is cold and that is something we expect but in the transition season you can get some weather wars with cold air in the north and warm air in the south.”
Because of that, the weather can become unsettling and that can produce melting, freezing, deep cold values to balminess. When temperatures flirt with that freezing mark range where nature can’t make up its mind on how to precipitate, Phillips said that is when it can create the nasty type of weather. “Saskatchewan is not a hot bed for freezing rain, but it is not something that is foreign either. It does occur and typically you see more of it in November than you would in January or February.”
Seeking some positive news from November, Phillips said the 2014 version was much nicer than last year’s month.
Temperatures dipped well below their normal values as November 2013 neared an end and an added windchill put the bone-chilling weather even more on people’s minds. The Watrous area experienced high windchill values reaching -30˚C on a few days and highs dropped almost a dozen degrees from where they should have been.
The overnight low during last year’s November averaged out to -13.5˚C with the coldest night Nov. 22 when it plummeted to -31.1˚C. One night later it was -30.8˚C.
This year, while there were around the same number of days that were below freezing, the windchill was not nearly as severe and the nights were also warmer.
Add a nicer October to go with a better November in 2014 and Phillips said, “My sense is you are already ahead of the game from last year. We think there will be moments where you will wish you were somewhere else but we don’t think it will be the long drawn out, in your face kind of raw day after day like you had to put up with last year.”
Heading into December, temperatures should flatten out to be around near normal and the up and down of values should be the pattern for the winter. “It would be more of what we have seen this past two weeks with some melting and warmth and then back into the deep freeze. It will be that back and forth, up and down and something for everybody kind of winter.”
Nov. 24, 2014
Watrous one of 11 selected for program
By Daniel Bushman
Revitalization is a key theme for a Main Street Saskatchewan program which aims to help attract visitors and help with economic development in communities across the province. Along with five cities and five towns, Watrous was recently selected as one of 11 additional places in Saskatchewan to be a part of the program.
Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz was in Regina for the announcement and said the program is a downtown revitalization project combining community organization, economic restructuring, heritage conservation and design, marketing and promotion to conserve and capitalize on the unique strengths and assets of Saskatchewan communities.
“We are a destination spot and we know that,” Manz said. “When people come here, especially for economic development, we want them to stay here longer while spending more money. We feel with a really nice downtown core that is pedestrian friendly with a lot of retail services and a place where people want to be that will happen. It just provides another option for people to enjoy while they are here.”
There is two parts to the program with an accredited level side which Swift Current and Melfort received and an affiliate level which now includes Spiritwood, Regina, Kerrobert, Nipawin, Humboldt, Moose Jaw, Shellbrook, Langenburg and Watrous.
Manz said the affiliate level essentially is the entry part of the program but allows for Watrous to access a capacity building grant next year. “In the short term, we will be looking at starting a main street committee with local business owners. From there we can start planning for what type of projects we can do to enhance our downtown and then also look at things like surveys, research and inventories of our historic buildings.”
Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said, “Historic downtowns and commercial districts are important to our growing province. They support tourism, cultural and economic development and allow us to experience Saskatchewan’s unique architectural history. Saskatchewan’s historic areas enrich the lives of locals and visitors alike, and participation in the Main Street Saskatchewan program is a great way to ensure that these areas are utilized to their full potential.”
Manz said the nice thing about the program is that the ministry and their staff work with the town step by step to develop a plan. “To be one of the first communities is going to be a feather in our cap . . . hopefully one day we can achieve that accredited level and really get the full grants that are available to us. In the meantime, we are just happy to get involved and learn what we can and go from there.”
With four pilot communities and the 11 recently announced, there are just 15 in the province involved with the program. “It is a pretty big thing, not to mention that half of the ones announced are cities,” said Manz. “There are only a handful of small towns that are into this level so we know that is a big step. Not everyone is going to get a chance at this. I think we are also at an advantage for the fact we have council on board, have an active business community, a good crop of volunteers and those willing to help with fundraising initiatives.”
Manz said more information will be released as the program gets underway and planning begins.
“Being a part of this gives us a chance to really look at our downtown and our history. The Heritage Committee is another strong asset in our community that was recently formed and can help us out with this. Above anything else, this is a point of community pride and we know people utilize the downtown everyday and it is the heartbeat of the community.”
By Daniel Bushman
Revitalization is a key theme for a Main Street Saskatchewan program which aims to help attract visitors and help with economic development in communities across the province. Along with five cities and five towns, Watrous was recently selected as one of 11 additional places in Saskatchewan to be a part of the program.
Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz was in Regina for the announcement and said the program is a downtown revitalization project combining community organization, economic restructuring, heritage conservation and design, marketing and promotion to conserve and capitalize on the unique strengths and assets of Saskatchewan communities.
“We are a destination spot and we know that,” Manz said. “When people come here, especially for economic development, we want them to stay here longer while spending more money. We feel with a really nice downtown core that is pedestrian friendly with a lot of retail services and a place where people want to be that will happen. It just provides another option for people to enjoy while they are here.”
There is two parts to the program with an accredited level side which Swift Current and Melfort received and an affiliate level which now includes Spiritwood, Regina, Kerrobert, Nipawin, Humboldt, Moose Jaw, Shellbrook, Langenburg and Watrous.
Manz said the affiliate level essentially is the entry part of the program but allows for Watrous to access a capacity building grant next year. “In the short term, we will be looking at starting a main street committee with local business owners. From there we can start planning for what type of projects we can do to enhance our downtown and then also look at things like surveys, research and inventories of our historic buildings.”
Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said, “Historic downtowns and commercial districts are important to our growing province. They support tourism, cultural and economic development and allow us to experience Saskatchewan’s unique architectural history. Saskatchewan’s historic areas enrich the lives of locals and visitors alike, and participation in the Main Street Saskatchewan program is a great way to ensure that these areas are utilized to their full potential.”
Manz said the nice thing about the program is that the ministry and their staff work with the town step by step to develop a plan. “To be one of the first communities is going to be a feather in our cap . . . hopefully one day we can achieve that accredited level and really get the full grants that are available to us. In the meantime, we are just happy to get involved and learn what we can and go from there.”
With four pilot communities and the 11 recently announced, there are just 15 in the province involved with the program. “It is a pretty big thing, not to mention that half of the ones announced are cities,” said Manz. “There are only a handful of small towns that are into this level so we know that is a big step. Not everyone is going to get a chance at this. I think we are also at an advantage for the fact we have council on board, have an active business community, a good crop of volunteers and those willing to help with fundraising initiatives.”
Manz said more information will be released as the program gets underway and planning begins.
“Being a part of this gives us a chance to really look at our downtown and our history. The Heritage Committee is another strong asset in our community that was recently formed and can help us out with this. Above anything else, this is a point of community pride and we know people utilize the downtown everyday and it is the heartbeat of the community.”
Jump in numbers at flu clinics
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
If the numbers are any indication of not wanting to get the flu, it appears as though people in the area are trying their best to prevent getting influenza this season. The majority of flu clinics put on by the Saskatoon Health Region and Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region have seen increases in those receiving immunizations over last year.
Manager of Disease Control Public Health for the Saskatoon Health Region Karen Grauer said influenza is a highly contagious infection that can spread very easily and can make those vulnerable very ill. To try and combat a spread of influenza, Grauer said increases of people visiting flu clinics have been observed province wide.
Locally, in Allan, there were 171 people immunized this year while 126 were at a clinic in 2013. Lanigan saw a large jump seeing 606 this year compared to 425 in 2013. In Watrous, a total of 773 people were immunized at the flu clinic last month while 600 received it in 2013.
“Generally speaking, the numbers are up across the board,” said Grauer. “We saw 14 per cent of the whole population in the Saskatoon Health Region immunized in three weeks. That translates into over 48,000 people.”
Those numbers continued to increase last week as Colonsay and Nokomis hosted clinics as well.
The same could be said for the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, which includes the communities of Imperial and Holdfast where clinics were held.
Manager of Public Health Nursing Morag Granger said Imperial saw 227 people immunized at its clinic while Holdfast had 88. That is a rise from last year where from essentially October 2013 to May 2014, there were 259 people in Imperial immunized and 70 in Holdfast. Granger said the numbers from this year were just from single clinics held while last year included a much longer time period.
The increases, according to Granger, indicate that it is “extremely important to get immunized. It can protect people and those around them.”
Influenza can be very serious and immunized or not, people can tend to think of it not being that bad but Granger said there are deaths.
Aside from being poked with a needle, mists are available for those aged two to 17. “It is an easier way for kids to be immunized and is a preferred product for children.”
Those who seek a flu vaccine, it is recommended to everyone six months and older, but particularly important for people at high risk of serious complications from influenza including:
• children under five;
• pregnant women;
• adults 65 and older;
• nursing home residents;
• people with a chronic health condition; and
• caregivers and contacts of people at high risk.
Both Granger and Grauer agreed that the numbers were up this year in part because of the heightened attention to Ebola. Grauer said even though there are no cases of Ebola here, the issue has made individuals more aware of how contagious something that serious can spread on a global scale.
Granger said having nicer weather while the clinics were held in October may have also allowed more people to get out and be immunized as opposed to 2013.
“I believe that more will still come out and get the free immunization.”
With flu season starting usually in November and lasting until the end of March, Grauer said if people are planning to be protected against the flu, getting immunized sooner rather than later is recommended. That then gives the body a chance to become immune to the virus that could be spread.
Nov. 17, 2014
Nov. 10, 2014
Parenting and Your Child's Brain
By Daniel Bushman
Being a parent can be a struggle at times and as kids get older, the pressures of the world can become heavy. In an effort to help combat the pressure and also learn about mental health and issues that can be associated with that, three local members of the community will be speaking on Parenting and Your Child’s Brain.
Associate Pastor of Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church Nathan McCorkindale said, “We are inviting people to come and hear what the latest neuroscience has to say about the brain and what it means for how we influence our children and teens.”
McCorkindale is being joined by two local councillors, Paula Kessler and Ryan Melin at the Watrous Curling Rink Nov. 18 and will all be presenting.
Anyone is welcome to attend and McCorkindale said, “It is great information for parents, teachers, grandparents and anyone who cares about young people. We all have great influence in how our kids grow up.”
The whole idea to have an evening like this came about after McCorkindale was working with a person suffering from serious mental illness. “The parent asked me how do I get help and where do I go to? When our kids aren’t doing well, often we as parents don’t know where to turn either. That was the reason I got connected with Ryan and Paula and as a community, we have great councillors available to us through the school and health region. We wanted to make ourselves available to anybody who would like to know how to help their kids.”
McCorkindale said Parenting and Your Child’s Brain provides an opportunity for people who care about their kids to learn about mental health. “It certainly is not only for people with kids who are struggling but it is for parents who want to learn about some of the issues facing kids today and how they can parent well.”
Trying to be really practical in terms of learning new techniques to use when disciplining kids, McCorkindale said, “I know I have learned a lot just sitting and talking with Paula and Ryan as we have planned this. It has changed the way that I am parenting my kids and how I respond when my four year old is acting out. It is going to be real helpful information I think.”
With his Masters of Theology from Fresno Pacific University, McCorkindale said, “Starting these practices when kids are younger can really set them up for doing better in high school. We encourage parents with teenagers to come, but if you have a young child there is great information for you as well.”
The free evening event at the Watrous Curling Rink also provides an opportunity for parents to get to know Kessler and Melin, “Part of what we want to do to is publicize some of the great people that are working with your kids. If one day down the road you are in trouble and in need of help then you know who to turn too.”
By Daniel Bushman
Being a parent can be a struggle at times and as kids get older, the pressures of the world can become heavy. In an effort to help combat the pressure and also learn about mental health and issues that can be associated with that, three local members of the community will be speaking on Parenting and Your Child’s Brain.
Associate Pastor of Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church Nathan McCorkindale said, “We are inviting people to come and hear what the latest neuroscience has to say about the brain and what it means for how we influence our children and teens.”
McCorkindale is being joined by two local councillors, Paula Kessler and Ryan Melin at the Watrous Curling Rink Nov. 18 and will all be presenting.
Anyone is welcome to attend and McCorkindale said, “It is great information for parents, teachers, grandparents and anyone who cares about young people. We all have great influence in how our kids grow up.”
The whole idea to have an evening like this came about after McCorkindale was working with a person suffering from serious mental illness. “The parent asked me how do I get help and where do I go to? When our kids aren’t doing well, often we as parents don’t know where to turn either. That was the reason I got connected with Ryan and Paula and as a community, we have great councillors available to us through the school and health region. We wanted to make ourselves available to anybody who would like to know how to help their kids.”
McCorkindale said Parenting and Your Child’s Brain provides an opportunity for people who care about their kids to learn about mental health. “It certainly is not only for people with kids who are struggling but it is for parents who want to learn about some of the issues facing kids today and how they can parent well.”
Trying to be really practical in terms of learning new techniques to use when disciplining kids, McCorkindale said, “I know I have learned a lot just sitting and talking with Paula and Ryan as we have planned this. It has changed the way that I am parenting my kids and how I respond when my four year old is acting out. It is going to be real helpful information I think.”
With his Masters of Theology from Fresno Pacific University, McCorkindale said, “Starting these practices when kids are younger can really set them up for doing better in high school. We encourage parents with teenagers to come, but if you have a young child there is great information for you as well.”
The free evening event at the Watrous Curling Rink also provides an opportunity for parents to get to know Kessler and Melin, “Part of what we want to do to is publicize some of the great people that are working with your kids. If one day down the road you are in trouble and in need of help then you know who to turn too.”
Nov. 3, 2014
Water concerns rise
at Manitou Beach
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
It has been an ongoing issue and even more so this year as water levels from Little Manitou Lake crept higher and higher in the spring and summer months at the resort village of Manitou Beach. While measures have been taken numerous times to try and protect the shoreline, homes and businesses, it appears as though the water is becoming too much to handle.
Because of that, Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall said they engaged in talks with the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency to come up with a solution. Working on the issue since June, the Agency contracted a firm to provide two reports to council. “The first report was on the integrity of the berm. The berm is supposed to have about one metre of free board, which is the distance between the water and the top of the berm,” said Upshall.
After being surveyed, Upshall said they found the freeboard was anywhere between a half a metre to three quarters of a metre, well off from where it should be.
Council was provided a short term option with a fabric that would last a few years, but in the end the group elected to go with an option involving a rubber guard filled with clay. Tenders were recently sent out and the rubber guard was expected to arrive late last month and implemented before fall ends.
As for the beach areas and down by the tennis courts, Upshall figured either sandbagging or water tubes would have to be put in to help combat the water come spring.
The engineer’s report, which arrived Oct. 16 had to do with the level of the lake. In it, three recommendations of diverting water were provided: one on the west end towards Young, one around the Watrous lagoon area to stop the water from coming up Wellington Creek and the third towards Fresh Water Lake.
Upshall said while nothing can be done about the water coming into the lake from below, it was determined in the study that if diverting was done in a normal runoff year, they could stop about a half a metre of water from coming in and in a high runoff year, 1.3 metres from coming in. “That is a significant amount. We believe that we can handle the ground water as long as we can stop the surface water.”
However, the unfortunate news that Upshall realized was that the project’s cost would currently fall on the resort community.
“During the course of the meeting, it became obvious to us that they considered it our problem and only Manitou Beach’s problem . . . As a result, I sent a letter to Water Corp., the people we met with, requesting that a government funded water diversion/lake stabilization plan be implemented. What the implementation of that would mean is we would divert the water for a period of time until we got the lake to a level that everybody was satisfied with. Maybe four or five feet lower than it is now and that will take a few years depending on the weather.”
After being able to reduce the level, Upshall said they would then be able to open and close water gates as needed.
Because of all the clearances that would have to be garnered from land owners, rural municipalities and others, Upshall said the project needs the assistance from the province. “It is bigger than Manitou Beach. We are being threatened in three ways: economic activity is threatened because as our beaches get reduced there isn’t enough places for people to go and lay on the beach and do water activities; secondly, it is personal property security. We are really at risk for that; and thirdly, and probably as important as anything, is future investments. We have to create a situation here where the lake level is conducive to long-term financial investments to continue to increase the activities at Manitou Beach.”
While the hope is to be able to see some type of project move forward, Upshall said the downside is that nothing is happening for next spring. “They said there is no way to get all the clearances they need to stop the water from flowing in next year. That is really concerning to us. Raising the berm should help, but we are doing all we can here. These are not simple tasks to get clearances from land owners and drain water.”
The mayor said the key to getting this project moving forward is to have government assistance. “We cannot be expected to fund something like this. It would be millions of dollars to divert these waterways, build berms, put gates on them and stuff like that.”
Already paying under the flood prevention program for part of the berm raising, Upshall said they paid a lot of money just to berm it in the first place. “It has just got beyond the purview of the taxpayers of Manitou Beach.”
Upshall said the berm which was the first recommendation is a temporary measure until the lake goes down but the issue of high water will not be washed away.
“I ask that if people have concerns, they give the office a call. It is very frustrating and huge money. We have to make sure we protect our taxpayers at Manitou Beach and hope that people will cooperate with the divergent project. It is about economic activity and that is a huge part of this area.”
Before a shovel even hits the ground, Upshall was quick to point out that everyone will have input in anything that is done. “There will be lots of consultations. We need to make sure that the due process is done. But at the end of the day we need to have the economic security which is brought to us by a stable water level and lower water level at Little Manitou Lake.”
at Manitou Beach
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
It has been an ongoing issue and even more so this year as water levels from Little Manitou Lake crept higher and higher in the spring and summer months at the resort village of Manitou Beach. While measures have been taken numerous times to try and protect the shoreline, homes and businesses, it appears as though the water is becoming too much to handle.
Because of that, Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall said they engaged in talks with the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency to come up with a solution. Working on the issue since June, the Agency contracted a firm to provide two reports to council. “The first report was on the integrity of the berm. The berm is supposed to have about one metre of free board, which is the distance between the water and the top of the berm,” said Upshall.
After being surveyed, Upshall said they found the freeboard was anywhere between a half a metre to three quarters of a metre, well off from where it should be.
Council was provided a short term option with a fabric that would last a few years, but in the end the group elected to go with an option involving a rubber guard filled with clay. Tenders were recently sent out and the rubber guard was expected to arrive late last month and implemented before fall ends.
As for the beach areas and down by the tennis courts, Upshall figured either sandbagging or water tubes would have to be put in to help combat the water come spring.
The engineer’s report, which arrived Oct. 16 had to do with the level of the lake. In it, three recommendations of diverting water were provided: one on the west end towards Young, one around the Watrous lagoon area to stop the water from coming up Wellington Creek and the third towards Fresh Water Lake.
Upshall said while nothing can be done about the water coming into the lake from below, it was determined in the study that if diverting was done in a normal runoff year, they could stop about a half a metre of water from coming in and in a high runoff year, 1.3 metres from coming in. “That is a significant amount. We believe that we can handle the ground water as long as we can stop the surface water.”
However, the unfortunate news that Upshall realized was that the project’s cost would currently fall on the resort community.
“During the course of the meeting, it became obvious to us that they considered it our problem and only Manitou Beach’s problem . . . As a result, I sent a letter to Water Corp., the people we met with, requesting that a government funded water diversion/lake stabilization plan be implemented. What the implementation of that would mean is we would divert the water for a period of time until we got the lake to a level that everybody was satisfied with. Maybe four or five feet lower than it is now and that will take a few years depending on the weather.”
After being able to reduce the level, Upshall said they would then be able to open and close water gates as needed.
Because of all the clearances that would have to be garnered from land owners, rural municipalities and others, Upshall said the project needs the assistance from the province. “It is bigger than Manitou Beach. We are being threatened in three ways: economic activity is threatened because as our beaches get reduced there isn’t enough places for people to go and lay on the beach and do water activities; secondly, it is personal property security. We are really at risk for that; and thirdly, and probably as important as anything, is future investments. We have to create a situation here where the lake level is conducive to long-term financial investments to continue to increase the activities at Manitou Beach.”
While the hope is to be able to see some type of project move forward, Upshall said the downside is that nothing is happening for next spring. “They said there is no way to get all the clearances they need to stop the water from flowing in next year. That is really concerning to us. Raising the berm should help, but we are doing all we can here. These are not simple tasks to get clearances from land owners and drain water.”
The mayor said the key to getting this project moving forward is to have government assistance. “We cannot be expected to fund something like this. It would be millions of dollars to divert these waterways, build berms, put gates on them and stuff like that.”
Already paying under the flood prevention program for part of the berm raising, Upshall said they paid a lot of money just to berm it in the first place. “It has just got beyond the purview of the taxpayers of Manitou Beach.”
Upshall said the berm which was the first recommendation is a temporary measure until the lake goes down but the issue of high water will not be washed away.
“I ask that if people have concerns, they give the office a call. It is very frustrating and huge money. We have to make sure we protect our taxpayers at Manitou Beach and hope that people will cooperate with the divergent project. It is about economic activity and that is a huge part of this area.”
Before a shovel even hits the ground, Upshall was quick to point out that everyone will have input in anything that is done. “There will be lots of consultations. We need to make sure that the due process is done. But at the end of the day we need to have the economic security which is brought to us by a stable water level and lower water level at Little Manitou Lake.”
Oct. 27, 2014
Attack on a nation in Ottawa
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
A chilling and terrifying scene in Ottawa last Wednesday, Oct. 22 as a soldier at the War Memorial was shot before gunfire occurred on Parliament Hill in the Centre Block building. The Prime Minister and Members of Parliament were in the building including local MP Lynne Yelich.
It all started moments before 10 a.m. Ottawa time when 24-year-old Corporal Nathan Cirillo of Hamilton was shot at the War Memorial and later died. The suspect then allegedly ran towards a parked car, drove a short distance to Parliament Hill, before entering the Centre Block. Once inside, gunfire occurred near the entrance to the library where the shooter was killed.
The Prime Minister, other party leaders and MPs fled to safety as they were holding weekly meetings in the building. Video taken by the Globe and Mail showed the gunfire and yelling in the halls of the Centre Block between police and the shooter.
As police tried to determine whether or not another shooter was present, other buildings, businesses and hotels were on lock down while the situation unfolded.
MPs took to twitter to alert the public and families that they were safe including Ralph Goodale. The Deputy Liberal Leader from Regina had a public commitment in Regina and was en route to Saskatchewan. “My staff are all safe and locked in.”
Local MP Lynne Yelich was at the Centre Block when the incident occurred and did not tweet out until later in the evening as the lock down was lifted. “Thanks to all for the messages of concern and care. I am safe and happy to have my daughter here with me during this difficult time.”
After a request by TWM was made to interview Yelich, she released a statement Oct. 23: “Yesterday’s attack in our nation’s capital, at the sacred place that honours those who have sacrificed their lives for our country, and in the very institution that lies at the centre of our democracy, must be taken seriously and recognized for what it is – terrorism. This senseless act has shaken us all.
“I will never forget the danger that my caucus colleagues and I faced. Like so many others, I was unable to contact anyone following the loud gunfire in the hallway, but the composure of my colleagues, even in the face of fear, gave me strength. I will forever remember the compassion and commitment of those security personnel that put our safety ahead of theirs – House of Commons Security, RCMP, Ottawa Police, and Canadian Armed Forces – thank you all.
“Upon learning of the tragic death of a brave soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, who was gunned down while guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier, I am deeply saddened and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. As well, my thoughts and prayers are with Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent who was also killed earlier this week in Quebec. God bless our brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces who continue to sacrifice so much to ensure the safety and security of Canadians.
“These horrific events have been a sobering reminder that attacks on our security personnel are attacks on our country and our values. As Prime Minister Harper stated: ‘We have every confidence that Canadians will pull together with the kind of firm solidarity that has seen our country through many challenges. Together, we will remain vigilant against those at home or abroad who wish to harm us. But let there be no misunderstanding. Canada will never be intimidated. In fact, this will lead us to strengthen our resolve and redouble our efforts and those of our national security agencies to take all necessary steps to identify and counter threats, and keep Canada safe here at home.’“
Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke to Canadians in an evening televised address and in it touched on the attack on home soil. Harper also provided thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Cpl. Cirillo who died at the War Memorial.
Harper was also quick to remind Canadians of the compassionate and courageous nature of so many.
“Like those private citizens and first responders who came to provide aid to Corporal Cirillo as he fought for his life. And of course the members of our security forces in the RCMP, the City of Ottawa Police, and in Parliament who came quickly, and at great risk to themselves, to assist those of us who were close to the attack.”
Harper said the events that took place in Ottawa are a grim reminder that Canada is not immune to the types of attacks seen elsewhere around the world.
“We are also reminded that attacks on our security personnel and our institutions of governance are, by their very nature, attacks on our country. On our values, on our society, on us, Canadians, as a free and democratic people who embrace human dignity for all. But let there be no misunderstanding. We will not be intimidated. Canada will never be intimidated.”
Other leaders from different countries including United States President Barack Obama weighed in offering support and condolences.
The shooting also led to the Saskatchewan government cancelling outdoor and public portions of opening ceremony for the Legislature because of increased security concerns.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
A chilling and terrifying scene in Ottawa last Wednesday, Oct. 22 as a soldier at the War Memorial was shot before gunfire occurred on Parliament Hill in the Centre Block building. The Prime Minister and Members of Parliament were in the building including local MP Lynne Yelich.
It all started moments before 10 a.m. Ottawa time when 24-year-old Corporal Nathan Cirillo of Hamilton was shot at the War Memorial and later died. The suspect then allegedly ran towards a parked car, drove a short distance to Parliament Hill, before entering the Centre Block. Once inside, gunfire occurred near the entrance to the library where the shooter was killed.
The Prime Minister, other party leaders and MPs fled to safety as they were holding weekly meetings in the building. Video taken by the Globe and Mail showed the gunfire and yelling in the halls of the Centre Block between police and the shooter.
As police tried to determine whether or not another shooter was present, other buildings, businesses and hotels were on lock down while the situation unfolded.
MPs took to twitter to alert the public and families that they were safe including Ralph Goodale. The Deputy Liberal Leader from Regina had a public commitment in Regina and was en route to Saskatchewan. “My staff are all safe and locked in.”
Local MP Lynne Yelich was at the Centre Block when the incident occurred and did not tweet out until later in the evening as the lock down was lifted. “Thanks to all for the messages of concern and care. I am safe and happy to have my daughter here with me during this difficult time.”
After a request by TWM was made to interview Yelich, she released a statement Oct. 23: “Yesterday’s attack in our nation’s capital, at the sacred place that honours those who have sacrificed their lives for our country, and in the very institution that lies at the centre of our democracy, must be taken seriously and recognized for what it is – terrorism. This senseless act has shaken us all.
“I will never forget the danger that my caucus colleagues and I faced. Like so many others, I was unable to contact anyone following the loud gunfire in the hallway, but the composure of my colleagues, even in the face of fear, gave me strength. I will forever remember the compassion and commitment of those security personnel that put our safety ahead of theirs – House of Commons Security, RCMP, Ottawa Police, and Canadian Armed Forces – thank you all.
“Upon learning of the tragic death of a brave soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, who was gunned down while guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier, I am deeply saddened and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. As well, my thoughts and prayers are with Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent who was also killed earlier this week in Quebec. God bless our brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces who continue to sacrifice so much to ensure the safety and security of Canadians.
“These horrific events have been a sobering reminder that attacks on our security personnel are attacks on our country and our values. As Prime Minister Harper stated: ‘We have every confidence that Canadians will pull together with the kind of firm solidarity that has seen our country through many challenges. Together, we will remain vigilant against those at home or abroad who wish to harm us. But let there be no misunderstanding. Canada will never be intimidated. In fact, this will lead us to strengthen our resolve and redouble our efforts and those of our national security agencies to take all necessary steps to identify and counter threats, and keep Canada safe here at home.’“
Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke to Canadians in an evening televised address and in it touched on the attack on home soil. Harper also provided thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Cpl. Cirillo who died at the War Memorial.
Harper was also quick to remind Canadians of the compassionate and courageous nature of so many.
“Like those private citizens and first responders who came to provide aid to Corporal Cirillo as he fought for his life. And of course the members of our security forces in the RCMP, the City of Ottawa Police, and in Parliament who came quickly, and at great risk to themselves, to assist those of us who were close to the attack.”
Harper said the events that took place in Ottawa are a grim reminder that Canada is not immune to the types of attacks seen elsewhere around the world.
“We are also reminded that attacks on our security personnel and our institutions of governance are, by their very nature, attacks on our country. On our values, on our society, on us, Canadians, as a free and democratic people who embrace human dignity for all. But let there be no misunderstanding. We will not be intimidated. Canada will never be intimidated.”
Other leaders from different countries including United States President Barack Obama weighed in offering support and condolences.
The shooting also led to the Saskatchewan government cancelling outdoor and public portions of opening ceremony for the Legislature because of increased security concerns.
Oct. 20, 2014
Celebrating a milestone
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With the sun beaming through the window, books open on her desk and pictures of family pinned up on her board, Gertie Uhmann grabs a comfy spot and begins talking about the many memories from her life. While time feels like it can quickly zip by, Uhmann will be pausing to mark a special day this Sunday as she turns 100 years young.
Gertie now resides at the lodge in the Watrous District Health Complex, has her own room and spends time visiting with those sparing a few moments.
With a Come and Go Tea for Oct. 26 (see page two), Uhmann was gracious enough to spend some time chatting about years past.
Born Oct. 26, 1914, Uhmann has had quite the journey from that day she arrived into the world as a baby in Vienna, Austria. Gertie’s aunt raised her while her mom recovered after giving birth. After moving to Czechoslovakia in 1928, Gertie’s family lived in a fourplex style home. “It was a beautiful home with a factory on one side,” Uhmann said.
After attending school, Gertie made the choice to head to Northern England in her early 20s.
There, she married her sweetheart Gus in London in 1939. With not much besides the clothes on their backs, the pair stayed in camps that were located outside of the city after they were married. Regardless of tying the knot, Gertie said they had to sleep apart: Gus with the boys and she with the girls in separate camps.
The Uhmanns later made the decision to head to Canada as Gus trained to be a physical therapist. Finding a homestead near Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, the pair raised their children Eric and Dorothy.
While Gus continued as a registered physical therapist, Gertie managed the farm on her own.
With a sharp memory, Gertie said, “I had to learn how to farm, but there were some nice people who were our neighbours who also had immigrated to Canada and showed me how.”
Uhmann learned about the ways and techniques of the trade which included raising a handful of chickens, a cow, calf and a pig. Chuckling as she talked, Gertie opened up about their cow not providing milk right away, forcing them to have to buy some.
She also learned a few other tricks like how to lift an enormous bucket of pig food over a fence that was essentially as tall as she was.
As Gertie managed the farm, her husband Gus found his way to the Watrous area in order to earn a living for the family. Gus soon started work with Dr. Reginald Stipe at Stipe’s clinic in Manitou Beach. Uhmann eventually purchased and renovated his own clinic in 1947 which contained a dining room and modern suites.
While that building was flooded, destroying the in-patient quarter and mineral baths, Gus and Gertie went on to acquire another spa in Winnipeg, which they operated during the winter months.
The pair then resided at Manitou Beach during the summer months and more recently, were in Strasbourg until Gus passed away last year at the age of 95.
As her 100th birthday arrives, Uhmann has certainly accumulated a lifetime of stories and memories spanning across many different countries. Over that time, she also added various titles including mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother.
With the sun beaming through the window, books open on her desk and pictures of family pinned up on her board, Gertie Uhmann grabs a comfy spot and begins talking about the many memories from her life. While time feels like it can quickly zip by, Uhmann will be pausing to mark a special day this Sunday as she turns 100 years young.
Gertie now resides at the lodge in the Watrous District Health Complex, has her own room and spends time visiting with those sparing a few moments.
With a Come and Go Tea for Oct. 26 (see page two), Uhmann was gracious enough to spend some time chatting about years past.
Born Oct. 26, 1914, Uhmann has had quite the journey from that day she arrived into the world as a baby in Vienna, Austria. Gertie’s aunt raised her while her mom recovered after giving birth. After moving to Czechoslovakia in 1928, Gertie’s family lived in a fourplex style home. “It was a beautiful home with a factory on one side,” Uhmann said.
After attending school, Gertie made the choice to head to Northern England in her early 20s.
There, she married her sweetheart Gus in London in 1939. With not much besides the clothes on their backs, the pair stayed in camps that were located outside of the city after they were married. Regardless of tying the knot, Gertie said they had to sleep apart: Gus with the boys and she with the girls in separate camps.
The Uhmanns later made the decision to head to Canada as Gus trained to be a physical therapist. Finding a homestead near Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, the pair raised their children Eric and Dorothy.
While Gus continued as a registered physical therapist, Gertie managed the farm on her own.
With a sharp memory, Gertie said, “I had to learn how to farm, but there were some nice people who were our neighbours who also had immigrated to Canada and showed me how.”
Uhmann learned about the ways and techniques of the trade which included raising a handful of chickens, a cow, calf and a pig. Chuckling as she talked, Gertie opened up about their cow not providing milk right away, forcing them to have to buy some.
She also learned a few other tricks like how to lift an enormous bucket of pig food over a fence that was essentially as tall as she was.
As Gertie managed the farm, her husband Gus found his way to the Watrous area in order to earn a living for the family. Gus soon started work with Dr. Reginald Stipe at Stipe’s clinic in Manitou Beach. Uhmann eventually purchased and renovated his own clinic in 1947 which contained a dining room and modern suites.
While that building was flooded, destroying the in-patient quarter and mineral baths, Gus and Gertie went on to acquire another spa in Winnipeg, which they operated during the winter months.
The pair then resided at Manitou Beach during the summer months and more recently, were in Strasbourg until Gus passed away last year at the age of 95.
As her 100th birthday arrives, Uhmann has certainly accumulated a lifetime of stories and memories spanning across many different countries. Over that time, she also added various titles including mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Oct. 13, 2014
Local food bank receiving great support
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With the season of thanksgiving on many minds, the Watrous and District Food Bank has been a way for people to help those in need. Serving primarily Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson and Imperial by addressing hunger needs, the food bank has provided food hampers to clients in the area for the past 12 years. The local organization has also received tremendous support from the community including at least one initiative taking place throughout October.
Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said they now have a full compliment of board members to partner with tremendous volunteers who lend their support.
Joining Holland on the board are treasurer Dallas Manson, secretary Glenda Cox-McArthur and members Judy Dunne, Susan Diehl, Sharon Therens, Erin Wolff and Amanda Dezotell.
Along with the board, 13 volunteers purchase groceries, prepare and distribute hampers and stock shelves. Holland said Interlake Human Resources also lends a hand, packing dry hampers on a regular basis.
Having such an active group has been integral to the food bank’s success in garnering donations while providing clients with hampers throughout the year.
Logging numbers in March, Holland said there were 24 total households and 34 clients utilizing the local food bank. Of those 34 in March, four adults were 65 years and older while three of the 24 households had children.
Hampers put together at the food bank’s new location at the back of the Pentecostal Church in Watrous, consist of non-perishables like canned or dry soup, canned vegetables and fruit, canned fish or meat sauce, pasta or rice, cereal, juice and crackers or cookies. They also contain perishables like milk, bread, margarine, frozen meat, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruit.
On average, the number of hampers per month in 2014 has been 38 and Holland said last December, there were 51 special Christmas hampers prepared for all who applied. About half of the homes receiving Christmas hampers included children with 27 of them receiving gifts.
While December is still a couple months away, Holland said they will begin to think about the annual Christmas hampers. “People considering donating either monetary or produce can certainly do that. Those who donate funds can either pass them on to any board member or mail them to the food bank at Box 794 in Watrous.”
Those who enjoy gardening and have extra produce can also drop off items like apples, potatoes, carrots and other fresh food. Holland said they have already garnered some produce from gardens, something that is welcome at this time of the year.
But it is not just green thumbs pitching in. Local businesses and organizations within the community and surrounding area have also lent a hand. “It has been a huge benefit,” Holland said. “Several businesses and organizations have stepped up with volunteering and fundraising with all of it going towards helping.”
A We Scare Hunger campaign is underway in Watrous after Ford of Canada joined forces with the Free the Children organization.
Earl Amendt Jr. with Centennial Ford in Watrous said the dealership and other businesses in town are teaming up to get as many donations as possible during October. “Centennial Ford has challenged the local RBC and Affinity Credit Union branches to raise as much food as they can in pounds. Another competition is in place between Winston High School and the Watrous Elementary School.”
With added support from John’s Plate, Pepper Tree, TB’s and Water’s Edge Restaurant, the winning pair from the two challenges between banks and schools will each receive a pizza party for their entire crew. The Watrous Co-op and Watrous Shop Easy have also donated a prize and set up displays. “With every donation to the food bank, your name will be entered to win one of their prizes or a gift basket from Centennial Ford. Our goal is to raise enough food to fill the back of six half-ton trucks. We have weighed the truck without anything in it and will weigh it again when all the donations are in.”
Holland said support like the We Scare Hunger campaign, regular food drives, businesses raising money during casual Fridays to loading up the back of a truck have all benefitted the food bank.
“We have never lacked support since we were incorporated in 2002. Now with a full board and a team of volunteers, I am excited for the future of the food bank.”
Amendt said, “It is incredibly important to show our support to the local food bank. Thirty-six per cent of those helped by food banks are children. I couldn’t imagine not being able to feed my children and with a campaign like this, it will hopefully ensure that no one will go hungry.”
Amendt said that through this initiative they are hoping to have the opportunity to win an in-dealership visit from motivational speaker Spencer West, a man who overcame the odds after losing both his legs due to a genetic disorder when he was five years old. West has been in Watrous before, speaking at the student leadership conference at Winston High School a few years ago.
Aways welcoming support, Holland said, “It is one of the ways that neighbours can help neighbours, which is important for the community.”
If people need assistance, Holland said they can call him or the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church office at 306-946-3785.
Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said they now have a full compliment of board members to partner with tremendous volunteers who lend their support.
Joining Holland on the board are treasurer Dallas Manson, secretary Glenda Cox-McArthur and members Judy Dunne, Susan Diehl, Sharon Therens, Erin Wolff and Amanda Dezotell.
Along with the board, 13 volunteers purchase groceries, prepare and distribute hampers and stock shelves. Holland said Interlake Human Resources also lends a hand, packing dry hampers on a regular basis.
Having such an active group has been integral to the food bank’s success in garnering donations while providing clients with hampers throughout the year.
Logging numbers in March, Holland said there were 24 total households and 34 clients utilizing the local food bank. Of those 34 in March, four adults were 65 years and older while three of the 24 households had children.
Hampers put together at the food bank’s new location at the back of the Pentecostal Church in Watrous, consist of non-perishables like canned or dry soup, canned vegetables and fruit, canned fish or meat sauce, pasta or rice, cereal, juice and crackers or cookies. They also contain perishables like milk, bread, margarine, frozen meat, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruit.
On average, the number of hampers per month in 2014 has been 38 and Holland said last December, there were 51 special Christmas hampers prepared for all who applied. About half of the homes receiving Christmas hampers included children with 27 of them receiving gifts.
While December is still a couple months away, Holland said they will begin to think about the annual Christmas hampers. “People considering donating either monetary or produce can certainly do that. Those who donate funds can either pass them on to any board member or mail them to the food bank at Box 794 in Watrous.”
Those who enjoy gardening and have extra produce can also drop off items like apples, potatoes, carrots and other fresh food. Holland said they have already garnered some produce from gardens, something that is welcome at this time of the year.
But it is not just green thumbs pitching in. Local businesses and organizations within the community and surrounding area have also lent a hand. “It has been a huge benefit,” Holland said. “Several businesses and organizations have stepped up with volunteering and fundraising with all of it going towards helping.”
A We Scare Hunger campaign is underway in Watrous after Ford of Canada joined forces with the Free the Children organization.
Earl Amendt Jr. with Centennial Ford in Watrous said the dealership and other businesses in town are teaming up to get as many donations as possible during October. “Centennial Ford has challenged the local RBC and Affinity Credit Union branches to raise as much food as they can in pounds. Another competition is in place between Winston High School and the Watrous Elementary School.”
With added support from John’s Plate, Pepper Tree, TB’s and Water’s Edge Restaurant, the winning pair from the two challenges between banks and schools will each receive a pizza party for their entire crew. The Watrous Co-op and Watrous Shop Easy have also donated a prize and set up displays. “With every donation to the food bank, your name will be entered to win one of their prizes or a gift basket from Centennial Ford. Our goal is to raise enough food to fill the back of six half-ton trucks. We have weighed the truck without anything in it and will weigh it again when all the donations are in.”
Holland said support like the We Scare Hunger campaign, regular food drives, businesses raising money during casual Fridays to loading up the back of a truck have all benefitted the food bank.
“We have never lacked support since we were incorporated in 2002. Now with a full board and a team of volunteers, I am excited for the future of the food bank.”
Amendt said, “It is incredibly important to show our support to the local food bank. Thirty-six per cent of those helped by food banks are children. I couldn’t imagine not being able to feed my children and with a campaign like this, it will hopefully ensure that no one will go hungry.”
Amendt said that through this initiative they are hoping to have the opportunity to win an in-dealership visit from motivational speaker Spencer West, a man who overcame the odds after losing both his legs due to a genetic disorder when he was five years old. West has been in Watrous before, speaking at the student leadership conference at Winston High School a few years ago.
Aways welcoming support, Holland said, “It is one of the ways that neighbours can help neighbours, which is important for the community.”
If people need assistance, Holland said they can call him or the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church office at 306-946-3785.
Oct. 6, 2014
Doctor arrives in Watrous
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
After a few months of having locums fill in while the number of physicians temporarily decreased, Watrous’ newest physician has arrived and will be seeing patients this week.
With the number of doctors in Watrous returning to three after Dr. Lelo Latakgomo’s departure, Manager of Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region Angela Luron said, Dr. Mohammed Elgendy successfully completed the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment or SIPPA program and begins practice with the Watrous and Imperial primary health team Oct. 6.
Luron said it is very important to provide people with a compliment for the Watrous and Imperial communities and appreciates the communities’ patience during the transition period.
“We know that there are currently longer waits to get a clinic appointment. What we have been doing is working very closely with the health region’s practitioners staff affairs department to bring in locum positions. What that does is increase their provider coverage to make sure we are able to include the emergency department, long-term care, the clinic and those in Watrous.”
Luron said Elgendy is from Egypt but has been living in Canada for some time while doing a lot of training. “He is moving over with his family and two kids and is very excited to get to know and be a part of the community.”
Meanwhile, nurse practitioner Erin Boyce who started this past summer in Watrous is now on maternity leave. Luron said before taking maternity leave, Boyce was happy with how things had been going and is excited to return. “In the meantime, because nurse practitioners are hard to recruit, particularly in rural Saskatchewan, we haven’t been able to replace her temporarily. What we have been able to do is continue to work with practitioners staff affairs and arrange for some locum physician coverage over the next few months to make sure that people still have access to clinic appointments.”
Luron said primary health has appreciated the help and support by the partners from the local health regions and communities for continuing to work together to make sure that health needs are met.
“We know that during this time of transition, things have been a little bit stressful and we are looking forward to having a fully recruited team again.”
After a few months of having locums fill in while the number of physicians temporarily decreased, Watrous’ newest physician has arrived and will be seeing patients this week.
With the number of doctors in Watrous returning to three after Dr. Lelo Latakgomo’s departure, Manager of Primary Health Care for the Saskatoon Health Region Angela Luron said, Dr. Mohammed Elgendy successfully completed the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment or SIPPA program and begins practice with the Watrous and Imperial primary health team Oct. 6.
Luron said it is very important to provide people with a compliment for the Watrous and Imperial communities and appreciates the communities’ patience during the transition period.
“We know that there are currently longer waits to get a clinic appointment. What we have been doing is working very closely with the health region’s practitioners staff affairs department to bring in locum positions. What that does is increase their provider coverage to make sure we are able to include the emergency department, long-term care, the clinic and those in Watrous.”
Luron said Elgendy is from Egypt but has been living in Canada for some time while doing a lot of training. “He is moving over with his family and two kids and is very excited to get to know and be a part of the community.”
Meanwhile, nurse practitioner Erin Boyce who started this past summer in Watrous is now on maternity leave. Luron said before taking maternity leave, Boyce was happy with how things had been going and is excited to return. “In the meantime, because nurse practitioners are hard to recruit, particularly in rural Saskatchewan, we haven’t been able to replace her temporarily. What we have been able to do is continue to work with practitioners staff affairs and arrange for some locum physician coverage over the next few months to make sure that people still have access to clinic appointments.”
Luron said primary health has appreciated the help and support by the partners from the local health regions and communities for continuing to work together to make sure that health needs are met.
“We know that during this time of transition, things have been a little bit stressful and we are looking forward to having a fully recruited team again.”
Sept. 29, 2014
Woman with local roots wins $1 million
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
What appeared to be just a regular phone call turned out to be one with one million reasons to smile. Saskatoon’s Jacky McArthur, along with husband Brad Bauml both grew up in the Watrous area and were $1 million richer after Jacky had the winning ticket from this year’s Children’s Wish Foundation Lottery.
McArthur assumed the call she received earlier this month was just a regular physiotherapy appointment for a patient. But after hearing different news on the other end, it came as quite a shock. “I had to pull my husband out of an important meeting to tell him. I’m pretty sure he thought I’d lost my mind!”
The mom of sons Kohl and Ben is a physiotherapist in Saskatoon and claimed the prize Sept. 24 at the offices of the Children’s Wish Foundation.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2014, the Saskatchewan Children’s Wish Lottery decided to move away from a single-location show home so the grand prize winner could receive the entire $1 million in cash.
Saskatchewan chapter director Gay Oldhaver said, “This fundraiser is so important because it makes wishes possible. Children’s Wish includes brave children in every town and community, so we just knew that the lottery had to be a reflection of that too. Supporters from the all over Saskatchewan want to participate and share in the fun!”
While McArthur took home the big prize, a few other local faces also won in this year’s lottery. Taking home $150 prizes were Linda and David Adams of Watrous and Leonard and Vivian Boehm of Allan.
Others with local roots seem to be finding a stroke of luck lately. First, it was Young’s Marlene Dieno who collected a cool $1 million in April after having the winning Lotto 649 ticket for a guaranteed prize draw. Then, in August, Imperial’s Daryl Lewis was a grand prize winner in the STARS lottery, being awarded the Regina show home worth $1.45 million.
What appeared to be just a regular phone call turned out to be one with one million reasons to smile. Saskatoon’s Jacky McArthur, along with husband Brad Bauml both grew up in the Watrous area and were $1 million richer after Jacky had the winning ticket from this year’s Children’s Wish Foundation Lottery.
McArthur assumed the call she received earlier this month was just a regular physiotherapy appointment for a patient. But after hearing different news on the other end, it came as quite a shock. “I had to pull my husband out of an important meeting to tell him. I’m pretty sure he thought I’d lost my mind!”
The mom of sons Kohl and Ben is a physiotherapist in Saskatoon and claimed the prize Sept. 24 at the offices of the Children’s Wish Foundation.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2014, the Saskatchewan Children’s Wish Lottery decided to move away from a single-location show home so the grand prize winner could receive the entire $1 million in cash.
Saskatchewan chapter director Gay Oldhaver said, “This fundraiser is so important because it makes wishes possible. Children’s Wish includes brave children in every town and community, so we just knew that the lottery had to be a reflection of that too. Supporters from the all over Saskatchewan want to participate and share in the fun!”
While McArthur took home the big prize, a few other local faces also won in this year’s lottery. Taking home $150 prizes were Linda and David Adams of Watrous and Leonard and Vivian Boehm of Allan.
Others with local roots seem to be finding a stroke of luck lately. First, it was Young’s Marlene Dieno who collected a cool $1 million in April after having the winning Lotto 649 ticket for a guaranteed prize draw. Then, in August, Imperial’s Daryl Lewis was a grand prize winner in the STARS lottery, being awarded the Regina show home worth $1.45 million.
Sept. 22, 2014
Studying healthy aging and seeking results
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
In an effort to drum up ways to keep aging seniors healthy in their rural communities, a study was done by researchers from the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU) based out of the Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan.
Including Watrous, Young, Manitou Beach and other rural spots in the province, the focus was on improving healthy outcomes and services for rural seniors.
Researcher at the University of Regina (Prince Albert campus) Bonnie Jeffery said, “Population aging is one of the most critical issues facing Canada and beyond. These projects collectively aim to identify, develop and assess interventions to support healthy aging in rural communities across Saskatchewan.”
Locally, community partners in the study included Bev Bertram and Murray Westby of Watrous and Noreen Johns of Young.
With the trio in attendance, Jeffery along with project coordinator Juanita Bascsu talked about the findings at the Watrous Seniors Centre Sept. 12. Jeffery said they looked at what kind of supports people need to stay where they are as long as they wish, whether it is in the home or the community.
The three year local study involved interviewing 42 seniors to find out what they need. “We originally talked about what health needs seniors need addressed. We really found it is not just about health but about a whole bunch of other things like transportation, which is a huge issue. Just being able to interact in the community is also another big issue (for seniors).”
Jeffery said learning about those and other issues certainly broadened the view of what can be recommended and implemented. “I don’t think that rural populations and seniors get the attention both in the research literature or in the policy area. Saskatchewan is one, if not the only province in Canada that does not have an official seniors government strategy . . . we think it is really important that the government start to consider (a strategy). We hear a lot about pensions and seniors and most of the research regarding healthy aging in place has been done in cities or larger urban centres and has not taken into account the rural places. From that perspective, I think the study is important.”
With good support by the local volunteers, Jeffery said they developed a new three-year study with the same communities for specific projects.
Those three studies which will be implemented in the future include:
• an exercise program for a rural community which is feasible and low-cost. Jeffery said they will be testing people before the program on physical issues and social interaction. They will then deliver an exercise program for three months and follow up after;
• a built-in environment study, which means going into the communities and doing a detailed assessment. The research team will go around and check out things like sidewalks and streets to see if they are age friendly. “Our view is if it is age friendly for seniors, then it will help for people like young moms with strollers. Once completed, a report and recommendations will be submitted to town councils; and
• designing a program for information. Jeffery said they are going to work with people in the community for the third study to look at designing a program which would garner information resources for seniors.
“I really hope at the end of the study we will come out with some ideas that other rural communities can also take . . . I am cognizant of the fact that you can’t design programs that cost a lot because they may not be sustainable.”
Jeffery said they will return in the fall to seek volunteer participants for the first study, which will take place after Christmas.
“It is really great to see the support we get in rural communities for these ideas. I do get calls from other communities who want to participate but I don’t have the resources to get to those other areas in the province.”
In an effort to drum up ways to keep aging seniors healthy in their rural communities, a study was done by researchers from the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU) based out of the Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan.
Including Watrous, Young, Manitou Beach and other rural spots in the province, the focus was on improving healthy outcomes and services for rural seniors.
Researcher at the University of Regina (Prince Albert campus) Bonnie Jeffery said, “Population aging is one of the most critical issues facing Canada and beyond. These projects collectively aim to identify, develop and assess interventions to support healthy aging in rural communities across Saskatchewan.”
Locally, community partners in the study included Bev Bertram and Murray Westby of Watrous and Noreen Johns of Young.
With the trio in attendance, Jeffery along with project coordinator Juanita Bascsu talked about the findings at the Watrous Seniors Centre Sept. 12. Jeffery said they looked at what kind of supports people need to stay where they are as long as they wish, whether it is in the home or the community.
The three year local study involved interviewing 42 seniors to find out what they need. “We originally talked about what health needs seniors need addressed. We really found it is not just about health but about a whole bunch of other things like transportation, which is a huge issue. Just being able to interact in the community is also another big issue (for seniors).”
Jeffery said learning about those and other issues certainly broadened the view of what can be recommended and implemented. “I don’t think that rural populations and seniors get the attention both in the research literature or in the policy area. Saskatchewan is one, if not the only province in Canada that does not have an official seniors government strategy . . . we think it is really important that the government start to consider (a strategy). We hear a lot about pensions and seniors and most of the research regarding healthy aging in place has been done in cities or larger urban centres and has not taken into account the rural places. From that perspective, I think the study is important.”
With good support by the local volunteers, Jeffery said they developed a new three-year study with the same communities for specific projects.
Those three studies which will be implemented in the future include:
• an exercise program for a rural community which is feasible and low-cost. Jeffery said they will be testing people before the program on physical issues and social interaction. They will then deliver an exercise program for three months and follow up after;
• a built-in environment study, which means going into the communities and doing a detailed assessment. The research team will go around and check out things like sidewalks and streets to see if they are age friendly. “Our view is if it is age friendly for seniors, then it will help for people like young moms with strollers. Once completed, a report and recommendations will be submitted to town councils; and
• designing a program for information. Jeffery said they are going to work with people in the community for the third study to look at designing a program which would garner information resources for seniors.
“I really hope at the end of the study we will come out with some ideas that other rural communities can also take . . . I am cognizant of the fact that you can’t design programs that cost a lot because they may not be sustainable.”
Jeffery said they will return in the fall to seek volunteer participants for the first study, which will take place after Christmas.
“It is really great to see the support we get in rural communities for these ideas. I do get calls from other communities who want to participate but I don’t have the resources to get to those other areas in the province.”
Sept. 15, 2014
Cold temperatures serve notice
With lots of crops still left in the field and an abbreviated summer, people were scratching their heads last week as they were digging out mitts. Cold temperatures struck the region and a province over, large amounts of snow fell throughout a good chunk of Alberta last week.
Meteorologist with Environment Canada Terri Lang said people should not be shocked at the frigid temperatures at the start of September. “It is well within normals and averages of what can be seen at this time of year. The average frost date for this time of year is around Sept. 12 to 15 and the record lows are in the -10˚C category. Daily records are in that -4˚C range, so it is definitely not out of the average.”
While those values can be observed during September, Lang felt people were still caught off guard by the sudden change.
“Sunday (Sept. 7), everyone was out in the park with the barbeque, chucking a frisbee with highs in the upper 20s. Then, people woke up the next morning and it was windy and cold. Sometimes people think we can just ease into it, but it was like a sudden slap in the face.”
Mix that with a late spring, not a real hot summer aided by storms and flooding and “I think everyone was hoping for a nice, warm and dry fall.”
Lang did provide some good news as the middle of the month begins, reminding people that things can still turn around. “We are forecasting a ridge of high pressure to move in this week and that will bring temperatures to seasonal temperatures.”
While that comes as a positive, the risk of frost and low values last week were ill-timed as producers tried to get as much crop into the bin as possible. “There hasn’t been nice and long dry stretches for farmers to get their crops off,” said Lang who added throwing in the cold and damp weather has made it even trickier.
As Calgary and other Alberta communities experienced snow in September, Lang said that Saskatchewan is not immune either. Over the higher terrain like Cypress Hills, having snow in early September is not that unusual.
Looking ahead for Saskatchewan, the predictability of what to expect can be about as easy as trying to find a needle in a haystack.
The meteorologist said Environment Canada looks for indicators that might tell them if it will be hotter, drier or colder down the stretch. But for Saskatchewan, “There isn’t really anything (forecasters) can hang their hats on. It has been a warm, dry summer over B.C. and they are persisting with that. It was sort of warmer and drier over Atlantic Canada so they are persisting with that. But in the middle of the continent, there doesn’t seem to be an indication. It is sort of more the same . . . it hasn’t been spectacularly warm, it hasn’t been way below normal (but rather) it has been wet in some places and dry in others. There are no real good indicators.”
Lang said if people take anything away from what happened last week, “Be prepared for colder weather. This serves as a reminder that it is coming.”
Meteorologist with Environment Canada Terri Lang said people should not be shocked at the frigid temperatures at the start of September. “It is well within normals and averages of what can be seen at this time of year. The average frost date for this time of year is around Sept. 12 to 15 and the record lows are in the -10˚C category. Daily records are in that -4˚C range, so it is definitely not out of the average.”
While those values can be observed during September, Lang felt people were still caught off guard by the sudden change.
“Sunday (Sept. 7), everyone was out in the park with the barbeque, chucking a frisbee with highs in the upper 20s. Then, people woke up the next morning and it was windy and cold. Sometimes people think we can just ease into it, but it was like a sudden slap in the face.”
Mix that with a late spring, not a real hot summer aided by storms and flooding and “I think everyone was hoping for a nice, warm and dry fall.”
Lang did provide some good news as the middle of the month begins, reminding people that things can still turn around. “We are forecasting a ridge of high pressure to move in this week and that will bring temperatures to seasonal temperatures.”
While that comes as a positive, the risk of frost and low values last week were ill-timed as producers tried to get as much crop into the bin as possible. “There hasn’t been nice and long dry stretches for farmers to get their crops off,” said Lang who added throwing in the cold and damp weather has made it even trickier.
As Calgary and other Alberta communities experienced snow in September, Lang said that Saskatchewan is not immune either. Over the higher terrain like Cypress Hills, having snow in early September is not that unusual.
Looking ahead for Saskatchewan, the predictability of what to expect can be about as easy as trying to find a needle in a haystack.
The meteorologist said Environment Canada looks for indicators that might tell them if it will be hotter, drier or colder down the stretch. But for Saskatchewan, “There isn’t really anything (forecasters) can hang their hats on. It has been a warm, dry summer over B.C. and they are persisting with that. It was sort of warmer and drier over Atlantic Canada so they are persisting with that. But in the middle of the continent, there doesn’t seem to be an indication. It is sort of more the same . . . it hasn’t been spectacularly warm, it hasn’t been way below normal (but rather) it has been wet in some places and dry in others. There are no real good indicators.”
Lang said if people take anything away from what happened last week, “Be prepared for colder weather. This serves as a reminder that it is coming.”
Sept. 8, 2014
Keeping things tidy
A growing concern within Watrous has town council taking the step of ensuring properties are cleaned up through the year. Town administrator Orrin Redden said the issue of properties not being maintained is becoming more of a concern than in previous years.
If a lot does not meet a standard or the Town receives complaints, they will look into the matter and potentially send general correspondents requesting cleanup of the area to be done. “In most cases, those receiving the request make an effort to tidy up,” said Redden.
The issue is not just for residential properties but can extend into commercial and industrial.
A nuisance abatement bylaw has been established and put in place to allow council the right to implement measures if warranted.
“When things are adversely effecting a neighbours right to enjoy their property, council will begin the first step to try and see things are fixed.”
Redden said there are basically three categories that the Town looks at before contacting the property owner:
• General unsightly property with overgrown vegetation, weeds, trees, old appliances and vehicle parts strewn about;
• Numerous junked vehicles which can be as simple as not being operable and in state of disrepair; and
• Dilapidated building(s). If the property is vacant with the building not being maintained and having structural issues. Those buildings can be considered a public health safety and can also harbour pests and insects.
“The first step to alerting the owner is through general correspondents. If there is no response or the owner does not do a satisfactory job, then council has the authority through the bylaw and legislation to issue an order to remedy. That means towing a vehicle, trimming trees, mowing grass and even demolition. If an order is issued, the homeowner can appeal to council before a decision is made. If an order is given because the owner has not met the standard, then they are charged for the work that is done.”
Redden said the Town’s intent is not to single any individual out, but rather try and keep the community clean and tidy.
While Redden said the majority of people maintain their property, every year there are correspondents sent out to some degree. “For the most part, that is all it takes. However, if council is not satisfied after initiating a letter of correspondents, then they will move to the next step and issue an order to remedy.”
If a lot does not meet a standard or the Town receives complaints, they will look into the matter and potentially send general correspondents requesting cleanup of the area to be done. “In most cases, those receiving the request make an effort to tidy up,” said Redden.
The issue is not just for residential properties but can extend into commercial and industrial.
A nuisance abatement bylaw has been established and put in place to allow council the right to implement measures if warranted.
“When things are adversely effecting a neighbours right to enjoy their property, council will begin the first step to try and see things are fixed.”
Redden said there are basically three categories that the Town looks at before contacting the property owner:
• General unsightly property with overgrown vegetation, weeds, trees, old appliances and vehicle parts strewn about;
• Numerous junked vehicles which can be as simple as not being operable and in state of disrepair; and
• Dilapidated building(s). If the property is vacant with the building not being maintained and having structural issues. Those buildings can be considered a public health safety and can also harbour pests and insects.
“The first step to alerting the owner is through general correspondents. If there is no response or the owner does not do a satisfactory job, then council has the authority through the bylaw and legislation to issue an order to remedy. That means towing a vehicle, trimming trees, mowing grass and even demolition. If an order is issued, the homeowner can appeal to council before a decision is made. If an order is given because the owner has not met the standard, then they are charged for the work that is done.”
Redden said the Town’s intent is not to single any individual out, but rather try and keep the community clean and tidy.
While Redden said the majority of people maintain their property, every year there are correspondents sent out to some degree. “For the most part, that is all it takes. However, if council is not satisfied after initiating a letter of correspondents, then they will move to the next step and issue an order to remedy.”
Sept. 1, 2014
Back to school
PRESCHOOL:
While older students head to class this week, for many three and four year olds, the beginning of preschool will be the first time they experience being inside a classroom setting.
Held during the week at the Watrous Elementary School, teacher of the Watrous Cooperative Nursery School Janet Gregg, said she is looking forward to a new year. Tentatively scheduled to get underway Sept. 8, Gregg said those three and four years old will be spending the morning or afternoon at the school.
“I am looking forward to getting to know the children more from last year and meeting new children and their families.”
Three-year old kids that were registered will be in class Tuesday and Thursday mornings while those who are four will go in the afternoons. Last year Gregg said they also had Wednesdays set aside for four year old kids because of a larger class size. Depending on how many are registered will determine whether or not that will be an option this year.
Parents are once again helping out as duty parents and will take part in cleaning days throughout the year.
Having kids attend a school setting at a young age is really important according to Gregg. “Their brains are developing so quickly, to get as much input in as they can at that young age. In a fun environment, it has great benefit for the children.”
Along with classroom learning, Gregg said weather permitting, the kids head outside each day. “That physical aspect of their development is so important, especially as children seem to be more sedentary these days.”
The group also has circle time where children have a chance to talk to one another and Gregg introduces new skills to them.
To end the day, the teacher has story time. “It is so vital for children to hear stories being read to help them learn to read in later years. We have busy days; the children are on the go all the time.”
The teacher said they also have quite a few new technology purchases like iPads and an interactive table for learning.
“It is going to be a fun year and I am looking forward to it.”
WATROUS ELEMENTARY:
Did summer just end? With holidays disappearing in a blink of an eye, Watrous Elementary School teachers and students headed back to familiar surroundings for another school year.
Watrous Elementary School Principal Pat Borsa is looking forward to the fresh start for staff and students as they kick off the year. “It is an atmosphere that is hard to replicate anywhere. I know there will be lots of challenges ahead but there will also be a lot of achievements, successes and of course fun! I look forward to what this year will bring to our school.”
With kids from Kindergarten to Gr. 7 hitting the books Sept. 2, there will be a few new changes involving staff members as well. Borsa said Allie Woiden takes over in Gr. 2 while Heidi Tan is instructing a Gr. 5 class. Denise Wingrove is taking on a Gr. 1 class.
A new tin roof has also been put on the building and a thorough cleaning done inside.
Borsa estimates between 250 to 255 students will be coming through the doors to start the year.
The main focuses of the school year is: safe and caring environment and literacy.
As for the playground project, once enough funds are raised, it will be built. Ground work and surfacing along with the new equipment is pegged around $120,000 and various organizations, businesses and individuals have stepped up with funding.
While more money is needed, once completed, the new feature on the north side of the school will be another source of recreation students can enjoy.
WINSTON HIGH:
As the tone sounds, pencils hit paper and markers scribble on boards, students and staff at Winston High School are back for another year. The first day of school, Sept. 2, may be hard to believe as June seems like it just ended.
Winston High School Principal Terry Braman said summer went by in a blur and staff returned to gear up for the year Aug. 25.
While there were no significant program changes, Braman said there were a few staff moves. Teacher Shelley Harrick retired and replacing her is Kristin Carlson. Carlson will be leaving for her maternity leave sometime in October and Braman said Jodie Ewert-Molsberry will be filling in. “We (also) said goodbye to some people filling in temporary positions: Patti Fidelack, Pat Geddes and Muriel Wall.”
Extensive renovations were also done over the summer to the main washrooms and gym change rooms. “They look great and we are excited about them. I am very much looking forward to the year ahead.”
Braman, who has one year at Winston under his belt said, “I enjoyed my first year at Winston with the staff and students and I learned a lot as the year progressed. There has been many changes to our leadership in the division office, so that will be bringing change to our school as well.”
The principal expects around 170 students will be coming through the doors at the high school and thanks to the School Community Council (SCC), staff and students, “We have now received the class set of iPads that we fundraised for last year. We are excited to begin implementing them in our classrooms soon.”
Braman said the SCC is also looking for new members and those interested can give him a call at the high school.
While older students head to class this week, for many three and four year olds, the beginning of preschool will be the first time they experience being inside a classroom setting.
Held during the week at the Watrous Elementary School, teacher of the Watrous Cooperative Nursery School Janet Gregg, said she is looking forward to a new year. Tentatively scheduled to get underway Sept. 8, Gregg said those three and four years old will be spending the morning or afternoon at the school.
“I am looking forward to getting to know the children more from last year and meeting new children and their families.”
Three-year old kids that were registered will be in class Tuesday and Thursday mornings while those who are four will go in the afternoons. Last year Gregg said they also had Wednesdays set aside for four year old kids because of a larger class size. Depending on how many are registered will determine whether or not that will be an option this year.
Parents are once again helping out as duty parents and will take part in cleaning days throughout the year.
Having kids attend a school setting at a young age is really important according to Gregg. “Their brains are developing so quickly, to get as much input in as they can at that young age. In a fun environment, it has great benefit for the children.”
Along with classroom learning, Gregg said weather permitting, the kids head outside each day. “That physical aspect of their development is so important, especially as children seem to be more sedentary these days.”
The group also has circle time where children have a chance to talk to one another and Gregg introduces new skills to them.
To end the day, the teacher has story time. “It is so vital for children to hear stories being read to help them learn to read in later years. We have busy days; the children are on the go all the time.”
The teacher said they also have quite a few new technology purchases like iPads and an interactive table for learning.
“It is going to be a fun year and I am looking forward to it.”
WATROUS ELEMENTARY:
Did summer just end? With holidays disappearing in a blink of an eye, Watrous Elementary School teachers and students headed back to familiar surroundings for another school year.
Watrous Elementary School Principal Pat Borsa is looking forward to the fresh start for staff and students as they kick off the year. “It is an atmosphere that is hard to replicate anywhere. I know there will be lots of challenges ahead but there will also be a lot of achievements, successes and of course fun! I look forward to what this year will bring to our school.”
With kids from Kindergarten to Gr. 7 hitting the books Sept. 2, there will be a few new changes involving staff members as well. Borsa said Allie Woiden takes over in Gr. 2 while Heidi Tan is instructing a Gr. 5 class. Denise Wingrove is taking on a Gr. 1 class.
A new tin roof has also been put on the building and a thorough cleaning done inside.
Borsa estimates between 250 to 255 students will be coming through the doors to start the year.
The main focuses of the school year is: safe and caring environment and literacy.
As for the playground project, once enough funds are raised, it will be built. Ground work and surfacing along with the new equipment is pegged around $120,000 and various organizations, businesses and individuals have stepped up with funding.
While more money is needed, once completed, the new feature on the north side of the school will be another source of recreation students can enjoy.
WINSTON HIGH:
As the tone sounds, pencils hit paper and markers scribble on boards, students and staff at Winston High School are back for another year. The first day of school, Sept. 2, may be hard to believe as June seems like it just ended.
Winston High School Principal Terry Braman said summer went by in a blur and staff returned to gear up for the year Aug. 25.
While there were no significant program changes, Braman said there were a few staff moves. Teacher Shelley Harrick retired and replacing her is Kristin Carlson. Carlson will be leaving for her maternity leave sometime in October and Braman said Jodie Ewert-Molsberry will be filling in. “We (also) said goodbye to some people filling in temporary positions: Patti Fidelack, Pat Geddes and Muriel Wall.”
Extensive renovations were also done over the summer to the main washrooms and gym change rooms. “They look great and we are excited about them. I am very much looking forward to the year ahead.”
Braman, who has one year at Winston under his belt said, “I enjoyed my first year at Winston with the staff and students and I learned a lot as the year progressed. There has been many changes to our leadership in the division office, so that will be bringing change to our school as well.”
The principal expects around 170 students will be coming through the doors at the high school and thanks to the School Community Council (SCC), staff and students, “We have now received the class set of iPads that we fundraised for last year. We are excited to begin implementing them in our classrooms soon.”
Braman said the SCC is also looking for new members and those interested can give him a call at the high school.
Aug. 25, 2014
Cleaning up after flooding
The remnants left behind from high water levels are still evident and some areas remain moist as producers northeast of Imperial begin the long job of cleaning up after the flooding.
At the end of June and moving into July, rain not only hampered those trying to seed, but also dramatically raised water levels in Bulrush Lake. Cherry producer Bruce Hill has his operation and home right next to where Bulrush Lake flows. The water seeped into his backyard, killed trees decades old and essentially surrounded a large chunk of his property. Along with Hill, the Lewises seed operation next door and Hill’s brother David further down stream, had to do their best to keep the water at bay, with berms and other means.
At one point, the President of the Canadian Cherry Producers estimated the lake swelled to about 1,000 acres, significantly more than the 700 it can reach when full. Now that those levels have finally receded, the focus turns from the pumps to the cleanup. “On Aug. 4, the waters had receded back and now we are just waiting for the ground to dry,” Hill said.
With lots of lumber and railway ties saturated with water, Hill said they need to be moved along with a lot of other debris.
Operating their cherry farm of 5,000 trees, Bruce and Charlene figured they probably will not be harvesting this year because of the flooding and hail.
While the cherries are about one mile northeast of the Hill farmstead, they were still greatly affected and there is no estimation quite yet as to how many were lost.
“We are still dehydrating our frozen product but some of our trees may be weakened and will not get through the winter.”
That, added with the potential of water accumulating next year, has the producer a little concerned. “The water has to go down this fall or we could be in trouble next year.
“It has been a long haul,” Hill said. “We will start cleaning up probably next month but hopefully we do not have to wait for the frost to arrive for the ground to be solid.”
Meanwhile, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reports estimated insured damage caused by heavy rains and high winds across southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba in late June and July was just over $60 million, according to Property Claim Services (PCS).
IBC Vice-president, Western and Pacific, Bill Adams said, “The flooding, wind damage and transportation disruptions caused by these storms disrupted people’s lives and businesses. People were forced from their homes, roads were flooded and crops were destroyed. These storms are another example of the toll severe weather events are taking on Canadian families and communities.”
States of emergency were called in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and hundreds of residents had to leave their homes. Dozens of roads were impassable due to flooding including sections of at least 15 highways. The rain also led to record flow levels on rivers and streams in both provinces.
At the end of June and moving into July, rain not only hampered those trying to seed, but also dramatically raised water levels in Bulrush Lake. Cherry producer Bruce Hill has his operation and home right next to where Bulrush Lake flows. The water seeped into his backyard, killed trees decades old and essentially surrounded a large chunk of his property. Along with Hill, the Lewises seed operation next door and Hill’s brother David further down stream, had to do their best to keep the water at bay, with berms and other means.
At one point, the President of the Canadian Cherry Producers estimated the lake swelled to about 1,000 acres, significantly more than the 700 it can reach when full. Now that those levels have finally receded, the focus turns from the pumps to the cleanup. “On Aug. 4, the waters had receded back and now we are just waiting for the ground to dry,” Hill said.
With lots of lumber and railway ties saturated with water, Hill said they need to be moved along with a lot of other debris.
Operating their cherry farm of 5,000 trees, Bruce and Charlene figured they probably will not be harvesting this year because of the flooding and hail.
While the cherries are about one mile northeast of the Hill farmstead, they were still greatly affected and there is no estimation quite yet as to how many were lost.
“We are still dehydrating our frozen product but some of our trees may be weakened and will not get through the winter.”
That, added with the potential of water accumulating next year, has the producer a little concerned. “The water has to go down this fall or we could be in trouble next year.
“It has been a long haul,” Hill said. “We will start cleaning up probably next month but hopefully we do not have to wait for the frost to arrive for the ground to be solid.”
Meanwhile, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reports estimated insured damage caused by heavy rains and high winds across southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba in late June and July was just over $60 million, according to Property Claim Services (PCS).
IBC Vice-president, Western and Pacific, Bill Adams said, “The flooding, wind damage and transportation disruptions caused by these storms disrupted people’s lives and businesses. People were forced from their homes, roads were flooded and crops were destroyed. These storms are another example of the toll severe weather events are taking on Canadian families and communities.”
States of emergency were called in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and hundreds of residents had to leave their homes. Dozens of roads were impassable due to flooding including sections of at least 15 highways. The rain also led to record flow levels on rivers and streams in both provinces.
Aug. 18, 2014
Hot weather to stick around
After large amounts of rain that caused flooding in June and early July, the sunshine arrived to chase away the clouds. Environment Canada’s David Phillips said the rain finally decided to stop after a wet few months in Saskatchewan.
Moving past the opening weekend of July, Phillips said the precipitation around Watrous essentially evaporated.
“You only ended up with about 11 millimetres of rain in July whereas normally you would see about 67 mm. You had a lot more rain in June and May, so you didn’t need any more.”
Along with less precipitation, the number of days with rain in July dropped to eight as opposed to 14. “There was really quite a contrast,” said Phillips. “But what was different is that your temperatures did not warm up.”
July was more than 1˚C cooler than normal with one day above 30˚C. “I think that is what has stood out for me this summer. It was cool in May, cool in June and cool in July.”
Data from July showed the daytime average came in at 23.9˚C and the average overnight low sat at 11.3˚C. In total, seven of the 31 days were below 22˚C and 13 nights were cooler than 11˚C.
Despite those values, Phillips said August has been a turnaround in terms of temperatures averaging more than a degree warmer than normal.
The more summery-like values in August have also aided crop growth. “In some parts of the province, they need some precipitation. The fact that you have had less than normal (precipitation) in July and August, my sense is having some precipitation might not be that bad.”
Marching into the middle of August, the heat really turned up with highs pegged around the 30˚C mark last week. “I think the warmest point in summer descended upon you. There were elevated temperatures five to six degrees above normal and it was absolutely what the doctor ordered.”
Despite July tending to be warmer than August on average, this year appears to have deviated from that. “And in 2009, it was September that was the warmest. The warmth which has been missing (finally) came. It has come at the right time.”
Heading into last week, Phillips said July 4 was the only day over the summer where the temperature got to 30˚C. “By this time of year you normally have seven of those. It is not that it has been so brutally cold, it just has not been that hot.”
With those higher daytime temperatures last week, including a heat warning, the mention of frost is almost an afterthought. While Phillips said it is not impossible to get a frost in August, he said their models are showing warmer than normal values.
However, the nicer values can also mean the potential for extreme weather. Phillips said the timing comes a little bit beyond the peak season but if August remains warm, the downside is some of the ingredients for violent weather missing in July are around.
All in all though, “It hasn’t been a noteworthy year. There are always examples of twisters or hail but my sense is when we write the final chapter on summer severe weather it certainly won’t be memorable.”
Phillips said, “There has not been a parade of these things or more than what would normally be in a summer . . . I see more examples of that kind of weather in Alberta than in Saskatchewan.”
Looking at this week, early forecasts showed slightly above normal daytime highs with sunshine.
Moving past the opening weekend of July, Phillips said the precipitation around Watrous essentially evaporated.
“You only ended up with about 11 millimetres of rain in July whereas normally you would see about 67 mm. You had a lot more rain in June and May, so you didn’t need any more.”
Along with less precipitation, the number of days with rain in July dropped to eight as opposed to 14. “There was really quite a contrast,” said Phillips. “But what was different is that your temperatures did not warm up.”
July was more than 1˚C cooler than normal with one day above 30˚C. “I think that is what has stood out for me this summer. It was cool in May, cool in June and cool in July.”
Data from July showed the daytime average came in at 23.9˚C and the average overnight low sat at 11.3˚C. In total, seven of the 31 days were below 22˚C and 13 nights were cooler than 11˚C.
Despite those values, Phillips said August has been a turnaround in terms of temperatures averaging more than a degree warmer than normal.
The more summery-like values in August have also aided crop growth. “In some parts of the province, they need some precipitation. The fact that you have had less than normal (precipitation) in July and August, my sense is having some precipitation might not be that bad.”
Marching into the middle of August, the heat really turned up with highs pegged around the 30˚C mark last week. “I think the warmest point in summer descended upon you. There were elevated temperatures five to six degrees above normal and it was absolutely what the doctor ordered.”
Despite July tending to be warmer than August on average, this year appears to have deviated from that. “And in 2009, it was September that was the warmest. The warmth which has been missing (finally) came. It has come at the right time.”
Heading into last week, Phillips said July 4 was the only day over the summer where the temperature got to 30˚C. “By this time of year you normally have seven of those. It is not that it has been so brutally cold, it just has not been that hot.”
With those higher daytime temperatures last week, including a heat warning, the mention of frost is almost an afterthought. While Phillips said it is not impossible to get a frost in August, he said their models are showing warmer than normal values.
However, the nicer values can also mean the potential for extreme weather. Phillips said the timing comes a little bit beyond the peak season but if August remains warm, the downside is some of the ingredients for violent weather missing in July are around.
All in all though, “It hasn’t been a noteworthy year. There are always examples of twisters or hail but my sense is when we write the final chapter on summer severe weather it certainly won’t be memorable.”
Phillips said, “There has not been a parade of these things or more than what would normally be in a summer . . . I see more examples of that kind of weather in Alberta than in Saskatchewan.”
Looking at this week, early forecasts showed slightly above normal daytime highs with sunshine.
July 28
Slight tax increase; water project delayed
With a bit of an increase in taxes and a delay in Watrous’ reverse osmosis water system, council had a few tough decisions to make after provincial revenue sharing was down this year. While Watrous mayor Ed Collins said they prefer not to raise taxes, there were a lot of little things that needed a boost including street maintenance. “Our crews do an excellent job throughout the entire year and it is second to none. To provide that same amount of service, it costs a bit more money.”
Collins said they wanted this budget to be a responsible one and given that there are not any large ticket items added to this year, “I think the increase is pretty nominal.”
With 2013 being a reassessment year, Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said, if properties essentially remained the same after being assessed last year, there is really no change. On average, the increase to property taxes comes in around 2.8 per cent. “The low average might be around 2.2 per cent to a high of 3.25 per cent,” said Redden. “For example, a larger, newer home might see in the range of a $100 increase over the year.”
After the assessment revaluation, which happened provincially, Redden said there is no change to the industrial and commercial mill rate factors from 2013.
However, a small water/sewer rate increase was implemented January 1.
Council no longer controls the school portion of property tax as that now is done by the provincial government but Redden said there are no changes as they affect the Town of Watrous.
The province also handles revenue sharing, which was down $12,000. Redden said it is an unconditional grant so that money can be used for wherever council sees fit. The amount is tied in with the Provincial Sales Tax so how much communities receive, depends on how the province does economically.
One of the largest announcements last year was that Watrous would be getting a reverse osmosis type water treatment facility. Tenders were expected to go out earlier this year with the project to be completed by the end of 2014. However, Redden said a pilot test led to servicing and unexpected delays so a necessary second pilot was implemented.
After a July 14 update by the project engineer, Redden said they now hope to be tendering within six weeks. The project is estimated to take up to a year so the new date for people to get reverse osmosis water is Sept. 1 of 2015. “As it gets closer, more information will be made available to the public.”
Here are some other items from the budget:
Street Maintenance
• council increased its budget over the past few years to continue its service;
• proposed work this year includes side streets like 2nd St. E. and 2nd St. W. along with 8th Ave. E. across from the Watrous District Health Complex;
• no major paving is slated for this year but base work and sealing has and will continue to take place;
• drainage work continues as culverts are installed. Sections like 8th Ave. W. to Main Street and Main Street to the cemetery have seen culverts put in. Excavating and sloping is still slated for the year although most of the work is done for 2014; and
• ditches along Hwy. 365 where culvert work was previously done have been seeded.
Transportation safety
• council approved a budget for crosswalk signage for 6th Ave. W. and Main Street near the elementary school. They are finalizing some pricing for the signs; and
• council is also looking at permanently purchasing a radar speed sign to go in that area as well.
Lot Development
• residential lots across from the hospital will soon have power and gas lines fully installed. The lots will then be fully-serviced.
Recreational
• Watrous Centennial Arena will have improvements to the penalty box area with glass installed at the doors. Glass will be put around the entire ice surface except for the team boxes.
Water/Sewer
• work was recently done on 6th Ave. E. to improve the sewer pipeline and more work is expected on the 300 block before the end of the year;
• crews are continuing on a five-year plan to replace the water metres in town. Using a handheld electronic metre reader means the operator does not have to go and physically view the metres. They can essentially do it from a distance. Redden said by the end of this year, 90 per cent or better will be completed from that project;
• new well number six was dug last fall. A supply line still has to be installed to get to the existing infrastructure which could be done once the crops are taken off fields in fall.
Meanwhile, council has applied for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) after many in the community experienced some type of flooding and high water levels in June and the early part of July. Redden said they are waiting to hear back from PDAP as to whether or not the town has been approved.
Collins said they wanted this budget to be a responsible one and given that there are not any large ticket items added to this year, “I think the increase is pretty nominal.”
With 2013 being a reassessment year, Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said, if properties essentially remained the same after being assessed last year, there is really no change. On average, the increase to property taxes comes in around 2.8 per cent. “The low average might be around 2.2 per cent to a high of 3.25 per cent,” said Redden. “For example, a larger, newer home might see in the range of a $100 increase over the year.”
After the assessment revaluation, which happened provincially, Redden said there is no change to the industrial and commercial mill rate factors from 2013.
However, a small water/sewer rate increase was implemented January 1.
Council no longer controls the school portion of property tax as that now is done by the provincial government but Redden said there are no changes as they affect the Town of Watrous.
The province also handles revenue sharing, which was down $12,000. Redden said it is an unconditional grant so that money can be used for wherever council sees fit. The amount is tied in with the Provincial Sales Tax so how much communities receive, depends on how the province does economically.
One of the largest announcements last year was that Watrous would be getting a reverse osmosis type water treatment facility. Tenders were expected to go out earlier this year with the project to be completed by the end of 2014. However, Redden said a pilot test led to servicing and unexpected delays so a necessary second pilot was implemented.
After a July 14 update by the project engineer, Redden said they now hope to be tendering within six weeks. The project is estimated to take up to a year so the new date for people to get reverse osmosis water is Sept. 1 of 2015. “As it gets closer, more information will be made available to the public.”
Here are some other items from the budget:
Street Maintenance
• council increased its budget over the past few years to continue its service;
• proposed work this year includes side streets like 2nd St. E. and 2nd St. W. along with 8th Ave. E. across from the Watrous District Health Complex;
• no major paving is slated for this year but base work and sealing has and will continue to take place;
• drainage work continues as culverts are installed. Sections like 8th Ave. W. to Main Street and Main Street to the cemetery have seen culverts put in. Excavating and sloping is still slated for the year although most of the work is done for 2014; and
• ditches along Hwy. 365 where culvert work was previously done have been seeded.
Transportation safety
• council approved a budget for crosswalk signage for 6th Ave. W. and Main Street near the elementary school. They are finalizing some pricing for the signs; and
• council is also looking at permanently purchasing a radar speed sign to go in that area as well.
Lot Development
• residential lots across from the hospital will soon have power and gas lines fully installed. The lots will then be fully-serviced.
Recreational
• Watrous Centennial Arena will have improvements to the penalty box area with glass installed at the doors. Glass will be put around the entire ice surface except for the team boxes.
Water/Sewer
• work was recently done on 6th Ave. E. to improve the sewer pipeline and more work is expected on the 300 block before the end of the year;
• crews are continuing on a five-year plan to replace the water metres in town. Using a handheld electronic metre reader means the operator does not have to go and physically view the metres. They can essentially do it from a distance. Redden said by the end of this year, 90 per cent or better will be completed from that project;
• new well number six was dug last fall. A supply line still has to be installed to get to the existing infrastructure which could be done once the crops are taken off fields in fall.
Meanwhile, council has applied for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) after many in the community experienced some type of flooding and high water levels in June and the early part of July. Redden said they are waiting to hear back from PDAP as to whether or not the town has been approved.
July 21, 2014
Flood waters still remain a concern
The long stretch of sunshine has been a positive addition to the area but, despite a long stretch of it, high water levels northeast of Imperial are still prevalent.
Not out of the woods yet, Bruce Hill of Hill Berry Acres, where the flooding has taken place said last week there was a decline of about 10 inches of water. While that may be the only bright spot in the past few weeks, Hill along with his brother and the Lewises next door continue to deal with substantial amounts of water from Bulrush Lake.
With high levels to end June and a hail storm that carried rain July 5, it has not been a fun summer in that area.
Operating their cherry farm with 5,000 trees and rows spanning 470 feet long, Bruce and Charlene were not sure how many trees will be lost from the excess water.
While the cherries are about one mile northeast of the Hill farmstead, Bruce has had his hands full at home. “Pumping is still going on and we built a dike,” he said. “If we have strong north winds, the whitecaps come in.”
Hill said his Quonset, which is used as the cherry processing area, would be in even more jeopardy if the dike he created was not there or the water level rose. “The processing area needs to be food safe so it is a real concern along with our well. We have to have potable water for food safety to wash the cherries and stuff. If that dike wasn’t there, it would not be able to protect that well.”
The President of the Canadian Cherry Producers estimates that the lake has swelled to about 1,000 acres, significantly more than the 700 it gets when it is full. Because of that Hill added the water has surrounded the majority of his yard. “We probably lost quite a few trees. Some of those trees were planted in 1946 and are probably going to die.”
After the water does recede, Hill said they then have to begin the long task of cleaning up. “It is going to be huge. Can you imagine how heavy a railway tie soaked in water is going to be? I don’t know how the cleanup is going to be done yet . . . it is sort of one hour at a time right now. Because the water takes up such a big surface area, (when the sun comes out) it dries it down quite a bit. Wind is positive for the drying, but it also creates whitecaps which encroach on our property.”
Hill said the Lewises seeding operation next door also had to have a rock dike built to keep the water at bay. “The waves come right into the dike and they have a lot of machinery that also moved a lot of dirt in there. That is a huge investment.”
Hill compared the extreme flooding to a toothache that does not go away, “It is there all the time.”
While not looking too far ahead, Hill said, “We haven’t worried about the cost yet. We just have to keep the pumps running and will have to figure out how that is all going to get paid for.”
Not out of the woods yet, Bruce Hill of Hill Berry Acres, where the flooding has taken place said last week there was a decline of about 10 inches of water. While that may be the only bright spot in the past few weeks, Hill along with his brother and the Lewises next door continue to deal with substantial amounts of water from Bulrush Lake.
With high levels to end June and a hail storm that carried rain July 5, it has not been a fun summer in that area.
Operating their cherry farm with 5,000 trees and rows spanning 470 feet long, Bruce and Charlene were not sure how many trees will be lost from the excess water.
While the cherries are about one mile northeast of the Hill farmstead, Bruce has had his hands full at home. “Pumping is still going on and we built a dike,” he said. “If we have strong north winds, the whitecaps come in.”
Hill said his Quonset, which is used as the cherry processing area, would be in even more jeopardy if the dike he created was not there or the water level rose. “The processing area needs to be food safe so it is a real concern along with our well. We have to have potable water for food safety to wash the cherries and stuff. If that dike wasn’t there, it would not be able to protect that well.”
The President of the Canadian Cherry Producers estimates that the lake has swelled to about 1,000 acres, significantly more than the 700 it gets when it is full. Because of that Hill added the water has surrounded the majority of his yard. “We probably lost quite a few trees. Some of those trees were planted in 1946 and are probably going to die.”
After the water does recede, Hill said they then have to begin the long task of cleaning up. “It is going to be huge. Can you imagine how heavy a railway tie soaked in water is going to be? I don’t know how the cleanup is going to be done yet . . . it is sort of one hour at a time right now. Because the water takes up such a big surface area, (when the sun comes out) it dries it down quite a bit. Wind is positive for the drying, but it also creates whitecaps which encroach on our property.”
Hill said the Lewises seeding operation next door also had to have a rock dike built to keep the water at bay. “The waves come right into the dike and they have a lot of machinery that also moved a lot of dirt in there. That is a huge investment.”
Hill compared the extreme flooding to a toothache that does not go away, “It is there all the time.”
While not looking too far ahead, Hill said, “We haven’t worried about the cost yet. We just have to keep the pumps running and will have to figure out how that is all going to get paid for.”
July 14, 2014
Tornadoes and hail cause mayhem
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Part of Saskatchewan looked like a scene from the Wizard of Oz as tornadoes touched down, scattering debris, smashing windows and destroying property. Tornadoes were not the only things terrorizing the area as baseball-sized hail catapulted from the sky over the community of Imperial.
Environment Canada said a disturbance July 5 tracking across southern Saskatchewan brought heavy downpours, large hail and a few tornadoes. The extreme activity started at 12:50 p.m. at Perdue with 40 mm of rain in 20 minutes. From there, a tornado was spotted north of Outlook while two were viewed southwest and southeast of Kenaston. The disturbance eventually went through the Rural Municipality of Big Arm and the community of Imperial, leaving destruction in its path.
One of the tornadoes not originally mentioned by Environment Canada came along Hwy. 747 between Imperial and Davidson.
Around 4 p.m., Andrea Varney saw the tornado in the sky from her house. Varney said, “When you see a tornado like that, it’s your worst fear of living here coming to life.”
Lasting at least 10 minutes, Varney said the twister appeared to dodge the farmyard. “It came first from the west and seemed to be moving rapidly east.”
With the tornado spinning towards the barn at Varney’s place, she began praying for it to change its path. “It started to swerve more north from us, then started heading east again.”
While Varney and her property was spared, she said her neighbour three miles away was not so lucky. “They lost the barn corrals and many grain bins. There were many power poles gone in our area too.”
Varney said fortunately her neighbours made it through without any damage to their house and everyone was okay. “I have never experienced a tornado that close to everything that mattered in the world to me. They are breathtakingly beautiful from a distance, but then the reality of what they can do is terrifying.”
Also situated along Hwy. 747 was Joanna Shepherd who watched the twister close to her yard. “Luckily we had no tornado damage but we had lots of flooding the week before the tornado. So we had to rescue our sheep that had taken shelter from the rain,” Shepherd said. “The water around their shelter kept rising and at 9:30 p.m., we had to swim them through four feet of floodwater.”
Moving east to a community that seems to have a bulls-eye from above this year, Imperial was blasted yet again. Despite flooding and a washed out highway late June and earlier in July, baseball-sized hail dumped down on the community.
Resident Mark Higgins was on his way home from Regina around 3:30 p.m. when he could see a massive black cloud to the west. After learning from a friend about a potential tornado, Higgins watched from his home as the wind became stronger.
With clouds moving in different directions Higgins said, “I also noticed a lot of birds up in the sky. They seemed to know that something was going to happen. I have watched on television documentaries that animals seem to sense these things. One minute the birds were there, the next they had all disappeared.”
From there, Higgins heard a sound like a shotgun as hail landed on his neighbours metal garage roof. “I took cover,” said Higgins. “I have never seen anything like this in my life. The hail was coming down and then golf ball-sized pieces were landing on my grass with the odd baseball sized-hail.”
Higgins figured the storm lasted five to 10 minutes before the rain arrived. “Overall that seemed to last for about 45 minutes.”
With the damage done, Higgins and his neighbours began inspecting property and vehicles. “Luckily my car was in the garage and my house didn’t suffer any damage, but my neighbours rear window in his truck was put through from the hail. He also had some siding damage.”
Strewn branches, dented siding on homes and smashed windows were abundant in the community. “There must have been in the region of 20 baseball sized-hail on the ground between four of my neighbours properties . . . my neighbour in his 80s has lived in Imperial all his life and said that he has never experienced anything like this before. It was so surreal.”
Imperial mayor Ronald Klenk said the wind was high and massive hail stones came down. “It was not good. I thought there would be more damage than what I saw but there were houses and businesses that had siding damage and a few broken windows. I think one fellow had a tree fall on his truck.
“We got another 16 to 17 millimetres out of that storm and I heard one of our councillors who has a farm southeast of Imperial got about two inches.”
Klenk said since then, the water situation has slowly been getting better in town. “We tried shutting off the pump that we had rented for the sewer system but our two town pumps we have couldn’t quite keep up. So we fired that pump up again. We also found out that Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) turned down our application for assistance.”
Klenk said they are continuing to work on getting some sort of help. “(PDAP) only takes into account on your application one single event. If they would look at it and see we were totally saturated before those two inches; but those are things we are working on trying to see if we can’t get a different result.”
Klenk said Bulrush Lake, northeast of town has found itself to Last Mountain Lake. “There is a lot of water still going out of there,” Klenk said. “And Hwy. 2 is fixed again which helps a lot.
“Our town foreman, council and the people of Imperial have really been good and helpful through this whole situation.”
While tornadoes do not come all the time, Environment Canada’s Dan Kulak said this is the normal type of summer weather, “Normally we do get somewhere in the teens for the number of tornadoes per year and this is just the start of the season.”
It is fortunate that no one was injured or killed and Kulak said it is rare that they can be fatal. “The main killer in Canada with thunderstorm weather is lightning. Usually about 10 or so people on average per year are killed by lightning or indirect causes of lightning like structural fires. On average, we don’t get anybody killed by tornadoes . . . on a year-to-year basis the biggest threat is lightning,” said Kulak. “Lightning does kill more people on average than tornadoes, wind storms, hail storms and flooding combined in Canada.”
Part of Saskatchewan looked like a scene from the Wizard of Oz as tornadoes touched down, scattering debris, smashing windows and destroying property. Tornadoes were not the only things terrorizing the area as baseball-sized hail catapulted from the sky over the community of Imperial.
Environment Canada said a disturbance July 5 tracking across southern Saskatchewan brought heavy downpours, large hail and a few tornadoes. The extreme activity started at 12:50 p.m. at Perdue with 40 mm of rain in 20 minutes. From there, a tornado was spotted north of Outlook while two were viewed southwest and southeast of Kenaston. The disturbance eventually went through the Rural Municipality of Big Arm and the community of Imperial, leaving destruction in its path.
One of the tornadoes not originally mentioned by Environment Canada came along Hwy. 747 between Imperial and Davidson.
Around 4 p.m., Andrea Varney saw the tornado in the sky from her house. Varney said, “When you see a tornado like that, it’s your worst fear of living here coming to life.”
Lasting at least 10 minutes, Varney said the twister appeared to dodge the farmyard. “It came first from the west and seemed to be moving rapidly east.”
With the tornado spinning towards the barn at Varney’s place, she began praying for it to change its path. “It started to swerve more north from us, then started heading east again.”
While Varney and her property was spared, she said her neighbour three miles away was not so lucky. “They lost the barn corrals and many grain bins. There were many power poles gone in our area too.”
Varney said fortunately her neighbours made it through without any damage to their house and everyone was okay. “I have never experienced a tornado that close to everything that mattered in the world to me. They are breathtakingly beautiful from a distance, but then the reality of what they can do is terrifying.”
Also situated along Hwy. 747 was Joanna Shepherd who watched the twister close to her yard. “Luckily we had no tornado damage but we had lots of flooding the week before the tornado. So we had to rescue our sheep that had taken shelter from the rain,” Shepherd said. “The water around their shelter kept rising and at 9:30 p.m., we had to swim them through four feet of floodwater.”
Moving east to a community that seems to have a bulls-eye from above this year, Imperial was blasted yet again. Despite flooding and a washed out highway late June and earlier in July, baseball-sized hail dumped down on the community.
Resident Mark Higgins was on his way home from Regina around 3:30 p.m. when he could see a massive black cloud to the west. After learning from a friend about a potential tornado, Higgins watched from his home as the wind became stronger.
With clouds moving in different directions Higgins said, “I also noticed a lot of birds up in the sky. They seemed to know that something was going to happen. I have watched on television documentaries that animals seem to sense these things. One minute the birds were there, the next they had all disappeared.”
From there, Higgins heard a sound like a shotgun as hail landed on his neighbours metal garage roof. “I took cover,” said Higgins. “I have never seen anything like this in my life. The hail was coming down and then golf ball-sized pieces were landing on my grass with the odd baseball sized-hail.”
Higgins figured the storm lasted five to 10 minutes before the rain arrived. “Overall that seemed to last for about 45 minutes.”
With the damage done, Higgins and his neighbours began inspecting property and vehicles. “Luckily my car was in the garage and my house didn’t suffer any damage, but my neighbours rear window in his truck was put through from the hail. He also had some siding damage.”
Strewn branches, dented siding on homes and smashed windows were abundant in the community. “There must have been in the region of 20 baseball sized-hail on the ground between four of my neighbours properties . . . my neighbour in his 80s has lived in Imperial all his life and said that he has never experienced anything like this before. It was so surreal.”
Imperial mayor Ronald Klenk said the wind was high and massive hail stones came down. “It was not good. I thought there would be more damage than what I saw but there were houses and businesses that had siding damage and a few broken windows. I think one fellow had a tree fall on his truck.
“We got another 16 to 17 millimetres out of that storm and I heard one of our councillors who has a farm southeast of Imperial got about two inches.”
Klenk said since then, the water situation has slowly been getting better in town. “We tried shutting off the pump that we had rented for the sewer system but our two town pumps we have couldn’t quite keep up. So we fired that pump up again. We also found out that Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) turned down our application for assistance.”
Klenk said they are continuing to work on getting some sort of help. “(PDAP) only takes into account on your application one single event. If they would look at it and see we were totally saturated before those two inches; but those are things we are working on trying to see if we can’t get a different result.”
Klenk said Bulrush Lake, northeast of town has found itself to Last Mountain Lake. “There is a lot of water still going out of there,” Klenk said. “And Hwy. 2 is fixed again which helps a lot.
“Our town foreman, council and the people of Imperial have really been good and helpful through this whole situation.”
While tornadoes do not come all the time, Environment Canada’s Dan Kulak said this is the normal type of summer weather, “Normally we do get somewhere in the teens for the number of tornadoes per year and this is just the start of the season.”
It is fortunate that no one was injured or killed and Kulak said it is rare that they can be fatal. “The main killer in Canada with thunderstorm weather is lightning. Usually about 10 or so people on average per year are killed by lightning or indirect causes of lightning like structural fires. On average, we don’t get anybody killed by tornadoes . . . on a year-to-year basis the biggest threat is lightning,” said Kulak. “Lightning does kill more people on average than tornadoes, wind storms, hail storms and flooding combined in Canada.”
July 7, 2014
Rain hits hard as June ends
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
As if the amount of rain before the final weekend of June was not enough, more arrived forcing dozens of communities and rural municipalities in Saskatchewan to declare a state of emergency. Some places in the southeast part of the province saw around eight inches of rain over a 48 hour period, flooding homes, roads and fields.
While the southeast was hardest hit, near the community of Imperial, residents faced another uphill battle. With more than enough water in sloughs, lakes and fields, a large downpour made matters worse, washing out a portion of Hwy. 2.
The highway, which is a main means for many motorists experienced large levels of precipitation June 29 and was closed as a precaution. The rising water flowed towards the road before spilling over and eventually pushing right through later in the afternoon June 30. That was not the only highway experiencing severe damage as roads near the Manitoba and Saskatchewan border were flooded and closed. A portion of Hwy. 15 towards Kenaston from Hwy. 2 was also restricted.
Communications consultant with the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure Joel Cherry said they have been busy working on a solution to repair the roads. Because so many roads were washed out in the province, Cherry said they are assessing and prioritizing what needs to be repaired first. No time line was given as to when the roads will be fixed but Cherry said they are treating the destruction as an emergency situation and will repair Hwy. 2 along with others as soon as possible.
As for Hwy. 15, Cherry said last week there was some risk of flooding 16 km and 27 km west of the junction of Hwy. 15 and Hwy. 2. Those areas were temporarily reduced to one lane of traffic.
Cherry pointed out that people can visit the highway hotline map for the latest information (http://hotline.gov.sk.ca/map/en.html). Those roads that remain closed will be highlighted with red on the map.
Meanwhile, the area in which all the water has been ferociously flowing toward the broken highway is in the RM of Wood Creek, west of Imperial. Reeve John McArthur said the RM also encompasses part of Bulrush Lake which is between Imperial and Simpson and has had extremely high levels affecting farmers there.
“They cut the road on the east side of Bulrush Lake because it spilled its banks and started running to the east. We have a real issue there. Straight west (of Hwy. 2) past Richardson Pioneer’s plant, there was water running over the road and we had to close the road. It was basically a river that was running over the road.”
Like many others dealing with flood waters, McArthur spent Canada Day checking out the damage. Travelling west on the Renown road, closer to Watrous, McArthur said, “There are creeks and gullies that were formed, running down to the Devil’s Lake area. Our main road damage I would have to say is west of Simpson though. We have culverts that are washed out and closed roads which will need to be repaired.”
With a lot of repair work to do, McArthur was hopeful crews would start that last week or early this week. “West of Simpson in places had over four inches of rain in a 24-hour period,” said the reeve. “That water as it was rushing through the Devil’s Lake chain is what hit the highway south of Imperial and washed the asphalt away.”
McArthur and the RM declared a state of emergency, similar to what they did a few years ago when the water levels were also high. However, he said this time around, “We have way more trouble spots than before.”
Declaring a state of emergency has been a common thing for many places in the province. “There has already been 52 RMs declaring but there is a lot of criteria you have to meet before you can get money. It can only be grid roads and any back roads don’t qualify period. We have already been fixing and patching all spring to let farmers get to their fields to seed. Now (it is a mess).”
McArthur was hopeful to have the washed out roads fixed within the next week or two as farmers try and finish spraying and others living in the country search for routes to get to work.
“We also have to have the ability to hire a contractor too.”
While sunshine prevailed through most of last week, McArthur said there is still a lot of water to come from the hills around Devil’s Lake as it works its way down to Last Mountain Lake. “Once it quits running, we have to see how much damage is done to the road surface and then make a decision as to what to do to fix it. We have to fix our main roads, that is a no-brainer.”
McArthur estimates rainfall totals in Wood Creek come in as low as two inches in the north portion to a high of over four in the two day time span.
“People have to be patient and we will try and get the roads fixed and back to normal. It is a real challenge because the dirt roads are under water. They are basically a write-off. It is incredible, like lakes across roads.”
Provincially, the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency said there were a number of reports of over 240 millimetres of rain in certain areas with local creeks swelling up and creating wash outs of roads, culverts and bridges. On some creeks, it was the biggest flow the agency and local officials have seen from rainfall.
Like many other communities, the resort village of Manitou Beach had water threatening its berms. With a large part of the sandy beach gone, crews were doing their best to keep the water at bay.
East of Wynyard on Hwy. 16, water engulfed that chunk of road and further south to the Manitoba border, roads had to be closed because they were submerged. Carrot River RCMP advised that Hwy. 55 past the Shoal Lake entrance had areas with water over the road while at least one of the bridges was washed out. The same occurred happened near Wolseley, where over four feet of water submerged road lanes early last week.
In Moosomin, severe flooding created hazards and fast moving water. Yorkton, Melville and Regina were also hit hard with significant amounts of rain with a reported three inches to the Queen City June 29 alone. Those at the Rider game were pelted and streets were filled with water. The city also issued a request to residents to avoid flushing toilets and showering for fear of a sewer system backup.
Environment Canada said the system which brought heavy rainfall at the end of the month dumped amounts of 100 to 200mm along the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border from Yorkton through Moosomin to Redvers. The community of Gainsborough was also placed under a mandatory evacuation order.
Those residents in areas that have declared state of emergencies can check out the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program which is designed to help residents, small businesses, agricultural operations, communal organizations, nonprofit organizations, parks and communities recover from the effects of natural disasters including flooding, tornadoes, plow winds and other sever weather (www.gr.gov.sk.ca/PDAP).
The province is also offering free water testing to Saskatchewan residents with private drinking water sources that may be affected by flooding.
The Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory will provide free bacteriological testing for residents who are concerned about whether well or cistern water affected by flooding is safe to drink.
The free water testing is available until this flood event has ended. The provincial government said local health regions can provide residents with information on whether they are eligible for free testing, sample containers and payment exempt requisition forms. Those seeking information on flooded private wells and a list of health region contact numbers can go to www.health.gov.sk.ca/flooded-private-wells-fact-sheet.
The water security agency is also offering site assessments of flooded wells and cisterns, including testing of water used as a primary source of drinking water.
As if the amount of rain before the final weekend of June was not enough, more arrived forcing dozens of communities and rural municipalities in Saskatchewan to declare a state of emergency. Some places in the southeast part of the province saw around eight inches of rain over a 48 hour period, flooding homes, roads and fields.
While the southeast was hardest hit, near the community of Imperial, residents faced another uphill battle. With more than enough water in sloughs, lakes and fields, a large downpour made matters worse, washing out a portion of Hwy. 2.
The highway, which is a main means for many motorists experienced large levels of precipitation June 29 and was closed as a precaution. The rising water flowed towards the road before spilling over and eventually pushing right through later in the afternoon June 30. That was not the only highway experiencing severe damage as roads near the Manitoba and Saskatchewan border were flooded and closed. A portion of Hwy. 15 towards Kenaston from Hwy. 2 was also restricted.
Communications consultant with the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure Joel Cherry said they have been busy working on a solution to repair the roads. Because so many roads were washed out in the province, Cherry said they are assessing and prioritizing what needs to be repaired first. No time line was given as to when the roads will be fixed but Cherry said they are treating the destruction as an emergency situation and will repair Hwy. 2 along with others as soon as possible.
As for Hwy. 15, Cherry said last week there was some risk of flooding 16 km and 27 km west of the junction of Hwy. 15 and Hwy. 2. Those areas were temporarily reduced to one lane of traffic.
Cherry pointed out that people can visit the highway hotline map for the latest information (http://hotline.gov.sk.ca/map/en.html). Those roads that remain closed will be highlighted with red on the map.
Meanwhile, the area in which all the water has been ferociously flowing toward the broken highway is in the RM of Wood Creek, west of Imperial. Reeve John McArthur said the RM also encompasses part of Bulrush Lake which is between Imperial and Simpson and has had extremely high levels affecting farmers there.
“They cut the road on the east side of Bulrush Lake because it spilled its banks and started running to the east. We have a real issue there. Straight west (of Hwy. 2) past Richardson Pioneer’s plant, there was water running over the road and we had to close the road. It was basically a river that was running over the road.”
Like many others dealing with flood waters, McArthur spent Canada Day checking out the damage. Travelling west on the Renown road, closer to Watrous, McArthur said, “There are creeks and gullies that were formed, running down to the Devil’s Lake area. Our main road damage I would have to say is west of Simpson though. We have culverts that are washed out and closed roads which will need to be repaired.”
With a lot of repair work to do, McArthur was hopeful crews would start that last week or early this week. “West of Simpson in places had over four inches of rain in a 24-hour period,” said the reeve. “That water as it was rushing through the Devil’s Lake chain is what hit the highway south of Imperial and washed the asphalt away.”
McArthur and the RM declared a state of emergency, similar to what they did a few years ago when the water levels were also high. However, he said this time around, “We have way more trouble spots than before.”
Declaring a state of emergency has been a common thing for many places in the province. “There has already been 52 RMs declaring but there is a lot of criteria you have to meet before you can get money. It can only be grid roads and any back roads don’t qualify period. We have already been fixing and patching all spring to let farmers get to their fields to seed. Now (it is a mess).”
McArthur was hopeful to have the washed out roads fixed within the next week or two as farmers try and finish spraying and others living in the country search for routes to get to work.
“We also have to have the ability to hire a contractor too.”
While sunshine prevailed through most of last week, McArthur said there is still a lot of water to come from the hills around Devil’s Lake as it works its way down to Last Mountain Lake. “Once it quits running, we have to see how much damage is done to the road surface and then make a decision as to what to do to fix it. We have to fix our main roads, that is a no-brainer.”
McArthur estimates rainfall totals in Wood Creek come in as low as two inches in the north portion to a high of over four in the two day time span.
“People have to be patient and we will try and get the roads fixed and back to normal. It is a real challenge because the dirt roads are under water. They are basically a write-off. It is incredible, like lakes across roads.”
Provincially, the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency said there were a number of reports of over 240 millimetres of rain in certain areas with local creeks swelling up and creating wash outs of roads, culverts and bridges. On some creeks, it was the biggest flow the agency and local officials have seen from rainfall.
Like many other communities, the resort village of Manitou Beach had water threatening its berms. With a large part of the sandy beach gone, crews were doing their best to keep the water at bay.
East of Wynyard on Hwy. 16, water engulfed that chunk of road and further south to the Manitoba border, roads had to be closed because they were submerged. Carrot River RCMP advised that Hwy. 55 past the Shoal Lake entrance had areas with water over the road while at least one of the bridges was washed out. The same occurred happened near Wolseley, where over four feet of water submerged road lanes early last week.
In Moosomin, severe flooding created hazards and fast moving water. Yorkton, Melville and Regina were also hit hard with significant amounts of rain with a reported three inches to the Queen City June 29 alone. Those at the Rider game were pelted and streets were filled with water. The city also issued a request to residents to avoid flushing toilets and showering for fear of a sewer system backup.
Environment Canada said the system which brought heavy rainfall at the end of the month dumped amounts of 100 to 200mm along the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border from Yorkton through Moosomin to Redvers. The community of Gainsborough was also placed under a mandatory evacuation order.
Those residents in areas that have declared state of emergencies can check out the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program which is designed to help residents, small businesses, agricultural operations, communal organizations, nonprofit organizations, parks and communities recover from the effects of natural disasters including flooding, tornadoes, plow winds and other sever weather (www.gr.gov.sk.ca/PDAP).
The province is also offering free water testing to Saskatchewan residents with private drinking water sources that may be affected by flooding.
The Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory will provide free bacteriological testing for residents who are concerned about whether well or cistern water affected by flooding is safe to drink.
The free water testing is available until this flood event has ended. The provincial government said local health regions can provide residents with information on whether they are eligible for free testing, sample containers and payment exempt requisition forms. Those seeking information on flooded private wells and a list of health region contact numbers can go to www.health.gov.sk.ca/flooded-private-wells-fact-sheet.
The water security agency is also offering site assessments of flooded wells and cisterns, including testing of water used as a primary source of drinking water.
June 30, 2014
High water levels flood homes and fields
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
To state there has been a large amount of water in parts of the area would be a gross understatement. From sewer back ups in Imperial, flooded basements in Watrous, water engulfing fields to the salt water of Manitou Beach creeping up to the top of berms along the shore; June has been a wet and trying month.
Perhaps the worst of it all lies in sloughs and fields northeast of Imperial. With up to 13 inches of water in that area through the spring, water has taken a stranglehold, threatening livelihoods and homes in the process. One of those affected is farmer David Hill whose home is in the Rural Municipality of Wood Creek near what is known as Bulrush Lake.
Located a short distance from Imperial, Hill, along with brother Bruce and the Lewis family have watched as water flows through their land. For Bruce and the Lewis crew, that water has essentially surrounded them.
David said, “I have lost about as much as I can lose right now. The lake has broke the bank (of a grid road) and is flowing east. I think it is on its way south and you will likely see another lake (develop).”
Hill said the high water level is effecting a lot of people and leaving a wake in its path.
“There is a big monetary loss already,” Hill said. “By the time we could get up to even move some bales, I lost another 250 of them. The ground is so soft that you can’t get at anything. Our neighbours, the Lewises, have a tremendous loss. They had to build a dike around their yard and my brother Bruce has a tremendous loss with his cherry processing plant. It is just borderline if the water is going to stay out of there.”
Hill said the back road one mile off the highway is underwater. “We are in a disaster area and I don’t know what we are going to get out of this. Since this water has overflowed, there are a bunch of roads east of Imperial where it is crossing again. If there is a five inch rain there is going to be a mammoth bunch of water.”
When it was surveyed in the 1980s, Bulrush Lake had a high water point of 700 acres. “The government surveyed this extensively over the years . . . the survey markers from that are now underwater and I am thinking it is now likely covering 1,400 acres. I am also thinking that by the time a few more rains come, we could be looking at 2,800 acres. What we need here is a community organization support structure.”
Hill figured there is as much water running in as there is running out. “It is going south to the creek or Sailor's Bay. I don’t know what it is going to involve, the problem keeps growing.”
Right now Hill figures eight or nine landowners are included in the Bulrush Lake flooding with varying degrees of water damage. “Downstream where this is overflowing there is going to be a lot more.”
Hill said his home is high enough that it is now out of the danger zone, but his one corral was hit. “The worst of it is south at Lewises and Bruce’s place where they had to build dikes.”
The farmer hopes some kind of funding will be on the way to help with the damage that has been done. “The economic loss has been tremendous as has the productive loss.”
Southwest of all the water activity from Bulrush Lake, the community of Imperial had its own issues to deal with. Mayor Ronald Klenk said they have also experienced lots of damage. “Our serious problems started back on May 25 when we had a 12 hour power outage and two inches of rain. Our lift station got flooded and that was the start of it.”
With more rain, the ground became saturated and an additional two inches fell June 6 with more after. Klenk said so much water from sump pumps and weeping tile ran in to the sewer. “Our lift station pumps just couldn’t keep up with it. We had four vacuum trucks to start with to get it down and then we went to two which were pumping 24 hours a day along with our lift pumps. Since then we have rented a pump and pipes from Saskatoon and we have that going.”
Klenk said the pump is big enough to keep up with the water flow coming into the sewer.
While Klenk said Bulrush Lake has not affected the town, the moisture and rain has the water table high regardless. “There are all kinds of basements in town with water seeping in. I myself had sewer backup in the basement. In Imperial we are at 331 millimetres for the year and 219 mm have come in June.”
When the lift station was flooding, a restriction was put on to help alleviate the intake to the sewer. “Now with this other pump, that has lifted because the pump we have now will keep up.”
Klenk said they are in the process of purchasing a generator as a backup so the problem will not arise should the power go out. “It was unfortunate that we had a two inch downpour when the power was out. Once the flow into our sewer system slows down then we would be able to return this pump and pipes and go back to our lift station handling it.”
This is causing us more grief this year than a few years ago. “Our pumps had a tough time keeping up then but they managed to do it. This year is worse though.”
Further north at the resort community of Manitou Beach, water levels continue to rise from previous years. Mayor Eric Upshall said over his tenure on council, every year they have dealt with water. “Fortunately we started early in 2009 and got the berm going . . . beginning of this year, I didn’t have a concern because there was hardly any snow. Then we got 10 inches of wet snow on top of frozen ground and the lake has gone up dramatically again. Looking at it, the berm is designed for a three foot free board, which is three feet from the water level to the top, but we don’t have that anymore.”
Upshall said they are concerned with the integrity of the berms now but are focusing on trying to stop the inflow into the lake from surface water. The Water Security Agency has been notified and Upshall said the agency responded by attending a meeting last week. They will be looking at getting an engineer to determine the integrity of the berm, work with the community on inflows and while a large percentage of the lake comes from underneath, Upshall said they will look at freshwater, the drainage area, the runoff from south of Watrous and basically see if they can keep Freshwater Lake down so that it runs to Last Mountain Lake and south. That way they will do their best to save the lake. “We’ve got no beaches left and this is extremely serious.”
Upshall said the process is ongoing with the Water Security Agency and in the meantime the community is hoping to get rid of the dead water pools and then dump a few loads of sand for kids to play on at some of the beaches.
As for homeowners, Upshall said crews are doing the best they can for normal runoff in the village but anything abnormal like flash flooding is up to the homeowner. “We have helped some people with pumping in areas like Salty Surf, the condos and Nu-Inn. We have been getting pumps for them but anything abnormal, everyone is on their own. We have a lot of work to do but I am optimistic about working with the Water Security Agency.”
Despite the higher water, Upshall said the fireworks and events are still going ahead July 1.
In Watrous, flooding has also taken place as some residents have experienced water in their basements and yards.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said sump pumps have been going in basements as the ground water table is up. Crews have been able to do what they can to move surface water and as of last week, Tarasoff had not heard of any sewer backups. However, he encourages residents to redirect ground water in basements out of the house to the surface drains on the street. “That would be a big help for our lagoon and would take the pressure off it.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
To state there has been a large amount of water in parts of the area would be a gross understatement. From sewer back ups in Imperial, flooded basements in Watrous, water engulfing fields to the salt water of Manitou Beach creeping up to the top of berms along the shore; June has been a wet and trying month.
Perhaps the worst of it all lies in sloughs and fields northeast of Imperial. With up to 13 inches of water in that area through the spring, water has taken a stranglehold, threatening livelihoods and homes in the process. One of those affected is farmer David Hill whose home is in the Rural Municipality of Wood Creek near what is known as Bulrush Lake.
Located a short distance from Imperial, Hill, along with brother Bruce and the Lewis family have watched as water flows through their land. For Bruce and the Lewis crew, that water has essentially surrounded them.
David said, “I have lost about as much as I can lose right now. The lake has broke the bank (of a grid road) and is flowing east. I think it is on its way south and you will likely see another lake (develop).”
Hill said the high water level is effecting a lot of people and leaving a wake in its path.
“There is a big monetary loss already,” Hill said. “By the time we could get up to even move some bales, I lost another 250 of them. The ground is so soft that you can’t get at anything. Our neighbours, the Lewises, have a tremendous loss. They had to build a dike around their yard and my brother Bruce has a tremendous loss with his cherry processing plant. It is just borderline if the water is going to stay out of there.”
Hill said the back road one mile off the highway is underwater. “We are in a disaster area and I don’t know what we are going to get out of this. Since this water has overflowed, there are a bunch of roads east of Imperial where it is crossing again. If there is a five inch rain there is going to be a mammoth bunch of water.”
When it was surveyed in the 1980s, Bulrush Lake had a high water point of 700 acres. “The government surveyed this extensively over the years . . . the survey markers from that are now underwater and I am thinking it is now likely covering 1,400 acres. I am also thinking that by the time a few more rains come, we could be looking at 2,800 acres. What we need here is a community organization support structure.”
Hill figured there is as much water running in as there is running out. “It is going south to the creek or Sailor's Bay. I don’t know what it is going to involve, the problem keeps growing.”
Right now Hill figures eight or nine landowners are included in the Bulrush Lake flooding with varying degrees of water damage. “Downstream where this is overflowing there is going to be a lot more.”
Hill said his home is high enough that it is now out of the danger zone, but his one corral was hit. “The worst of it is south at Lewises and Bruce’s place where they had to build dikes.”
The farmer hopes some kind of funding will be on the way to help with the damage that has been done. “The economic loss has been tremendous as has the productive loss.”
Southwest of all the water activity from Bulrush Lake, the community of Imperial had its own issues to deal with. Mayor Ronald Klenk said they have also experienced lots of damage. “Our serious problems started back on May 25 when we had a 12 hour power outage and two inches of rain. Our lift station got flooded and that was the start of it.”
With more rain, the ground became saturated and an additional two inches fell June 6 with more after. Klenk said so much water from sump pumps and weeping tile ran in to the sewer. “Our lift station pumps just couldn’t keep up with it. We had four vacuum trucks to start with to get it down and then we went to two which were pumping 24 hours a day along with our lift pumps. Since then we have rented a pump and pipes from Saskatoon and we have that going.”
Klenk said the pump is big enough to keep up with the water flow coming into the sewer.
While Klenk said Bulrush Lake has not affected the town, the moisture and rain has the water table high regardless. “There are all kinds of basements in town with water seeping in. I myself had sewer backup in the basement. In Imperial we are at 331 millimetres for the year and 219 mm have come in June.”
When the lift station was flooding, a restriction was put on to help alleviate the intake to the sewer. “Now with this other pump, that has lifted because the pump we have now will keep up.”
Klenk said they are in the process of purchasing a generator as a backup so the problem will not arise should the power go out. “It was unfortunate that we had a two inch downpour when the power was out. Once the flow into our sewer system slows down then we would be able to return this pump and pipes and go back to our lift station handling it.”
This is causing us more grief this year than a few years ago. “Our pumps had a tough time keeping up then but they managed to do it. This year is worse though.”
Further north at the resort community of Manitou Beach, water levels continue to rise from previous years. Mayor Eric Upshall said over his tenure on council, every year they have dealt with water. “Fortunately we started early in 2009 and got the berm going . . . beginning of this year, I didn’t have a concern because there was hardly any snow. Then we got 10 inches of wet snow on top of frozen ground and the lake has gone up dramatically again. Looking at it, the berm is designed for a three foot free board, which is three feet from the water level to the top, but we don’t have that anymore.”
Upshall said they are concerned with the integrity of the berms now but are focusing on trying to stop the inflow into the lake from surface water. The Water Security Agency has been notified and Upshall said the agency responded by attending a meeting last week. They will be looking at getting an engineer to determine the integrity of the berm, work with the community on inflows and while a large percentage of the lake comes from underneath, Upshall said they will look at freshwater, the drainage area, the runoff from south of Watrous and basically see if they can keep Freshwater Lake down so that it runs to Last Mountain Lake and south. That way they will do their best to save the lake. “We’ve got no beaches left and this is extremely serious.”
Upshall said the process is ongoing with the Water Security Agency and in the meantime the community is hoping to get rid of the dead water pools and then dump a few loads of sand for kids to play on at some of the beaches.
As for homeowners, Upshall said crews are doing the best they can for normal runoff in the village but anything abnormal like flash flooding is up to the homeowner. “We have helped some people with pumping in areas like Salty Surf, the condos and Nu-Inn. We have been getting pumps for them but anything abnormal, everyone is on their own. We have a lot of work to do but I am optimistic about working with the Water Security Agency.”
Despite the higher water, Upshall said the fireworks and events are still going ahead July 1.
In Watrous, flooding has also taken place as some residents have experienced water in their basements and yards.
Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said sump pumps have been going in basements as the ground water table is up. Crews have been able to do what they can to move surface water and as of last week, Tarasoff had not heard of any sewer backups. However, he encourages residents to redirect ground water in basements out of the house to the surface drains on the street. “That would be a big help for our lagoon and would take the pressure off it.”
June 23, 2014
Watrous Rotary marks milestone
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
For the past 75 years, numerous projects, many hours of service and countless fundraising efforts have been undertaken by one of Watrous’ oldest service clubs. The Watrous Rotary Club was granted a charter by Rotary International in 1939 and the club has been on a mission to improve the community and the lives of others both at home and abroad.
Current president Al Mosewich said Rotary has grown into one of the most diverse and powerful service clubs in the world. “We are proud to have been a part of the success and are looking forward to what we can accomplish in the years ahead,” said Mosewich.
Being formed by Paul P. Harris, an attorney from Chicago in 1905, the Rotary Club of Chicago was a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. From there, Rotary expanded and in Watrous, the club was granted its charter May 23, 1939. Less than a month later, the group held a charter night in the Chalet at Manitou Beach, the present day dining hall for Camp Easter Seal.
The founding members of the Watrous Rotary Club were: president W.M. Claffy, vice-president R. Stipe, secretary/treasurer A. C. Debenham, S. of A. David Fotheringham, directors V.R. Code, R.D. Cahoon, A.J. Gordon, J.A. McGowan and members H.A. Ansell, J. Gordon Findlay, Wm. H. Hewlett, E.W. Nixon, E.B. Miller, C.P. Morrow, S.J. Nemetz, Ralph Reed, Reverend J. Robinson, W.D. Scampton, Frank Walsh, Jos. H. Symons, A. Turner and T. Strachan.
Similar to numbers from the beginning, Mosewich said Watrous Rotary currently has 19 active members and as of Apr. 2, the local crew were one of 34,558 clubs, organized into 538 districts in over 200 countries. There were also 1,220,115 individual Rotarians worldwide.
Over the years, Mosewich said they have undertaken numerous fundraising and service projects. Along with pool boards, suppers, raffles, auctions and garage sales, Mosewich said they have also done various service projects like meals on wheels, the Rotary Walking Trail, gazebo, Memorial Cenotaph Park and the RCMP Musical Ride. Initiatives like student exchanges and donations to local organizations such as Camp Easter Seal and the Watrous District Health Complex highlight just a pair of many.
Meeting every Tuesday for breakfast between May and September and for supper from October to April, Watrous Rotary has gone through some changes over the decades. “The most significant change has been the admission of women as Rotary members. They have changed the organization for the better, having more fun, chairing major projects and developing leadership skills, by getting things done.”
Mosewich added Rotarians have also been working with help from others since the late 1970s to eradicate polio. “The end game plan is now in place and polio is next after smallpox eradication. So what does Rotary intend to focus it’s energy and effort on once polio is eradicated? Peace. Worldwide Peace. Conflict prevention and resolution is on the agenda next and Rotarians have a lot of experience in this area. Getting children immunized in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other parts of the world where conflict is a way of life, and basic human rights have very little meaning.”
Among the many involved with the local group, a few were gracious to provide some thoughts of what it means to be a part of the organization.
Murray Westby was in Kinsmen for nearly 20 years, learning the value and satisfaction of volunteering. With an age limit at the time, Westby left Kinsmen and joined Rotary with encouragement from his business partner Gordon Findlay.
With various positions over the years including president from 1998-2000, Westby said, “Being a Rotary member gives you the opportunity to contribute your time and effort for the benefit of mankind, at the community, district and international levels. We have provided many local services over the years, but have also participated in many worldwide causes like polio eradication, the shelter box program and student exchanges. Working together with others, for those worthy causes, provided an opportunity for fellowship and camaraderie under the international umbrella of Rotary.”
Frank Wilson did not know much about Rotary until he got an invitation to a meeting in the 1980s. Since that time, Wilson has been learning more about Rotary and its operations.
Once a member, Wilson became interested in the Youth Exchange Program. “As I learned more about this program, and also the Group Study Exchanges, which brings people from many different countries to our doorstep, I came to believe that these two initiatives are two of the best things Rotary International does,” Wilson said. “These exchanges have brought a number of youth and interesting groups to Watrous over the years and I am happy to say that our club has been an exceptional host in accommodating them.”
Wilson, who has personally hosted a number of exchange people said both parties learned a lot from each other during the opportunity. “In addition to the exchange programs, I can take some pride in the fact that locally our club has shown generosity to a large number of projects, individuals and organizations which have come to us for financial assistance or to provide manpower on certain occasions. We do not hand out huge amounts of money but do provide enough assistance, financially and otherwise, to help things get done.”
In recent times, a few Rotary projects stand out for Wilson: the Rotary Walking Trail, paved north of eighth avenue on Main Street and the trail’s gazebo. “Many residents will also remember the RCMP Musical Ride coming to Watrous a number of years ago. This was a very successful Rotary fundraising project, which enabled Watrous Rotary Club in partnership with the Watrous Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to complete Watrous Memorial Park and the Cenotaph. As always, I am among many Rotarians that enjoy our mutual fellowship as we meet, greet and share a meal once every week.”
Ralph Schalm has also been involved with the local Rotary Club and was a past president. “When people find out that you are a Rotarian, it is surprising how many of them know something about what Rotary does, whether through a local community endeavour or an overseas project such as Polio Plus.”
Schalm said it is nice to be able to sit down with members and enjoy their company. “It is a club that makes me feel welcome and I would encourage people to become a Rotary member. It is a good feeling to be able to do good whether it is helping out in the local community or raising funds for an overseas project that will benefit people and ultimately make their lives better. It is also an ideal way to meet people in your community, especially if you are new to the area.”
The motto of Rotary is ‘service above self,’ and for Jim Coulter, it provides the vehicle in which people can serve. “Whether it be local assistance for magazine subscriptions for the library or a global project to eradicate polio internationally, Rotary is the means to a better world. An individual, in league with fellow Rotarians, can make a difference. In the process, we benefit by the camaraderie of other Rotarians. We laugh, we belong, (and) we do make a difference.”
Arlene Gegner joined Rotary after being intrigued by the values while being a volunteer. Gegner said not only does Rotary support the local community but many things globally. While it used to be just for men with women being just guests, times have changed. “This organization teaches you to reach out and lend a hand. Watrous Rotary has many great members and I would encourage anyone to join (including) ladies.”
Deborah Farago was invited to a supper meeting four years ago by Gegner. “What I experienced was the joy of doing good work with very good people.”
Farago said she has made wonderful friends, learned amazing things and feels the success of Rotary projects is having an element of fun, fellowship and food.
“I have experienced the joy of being a small part of international projects such as ripple effect and the end polio campaign. I have also had the privilege of meeting wonderful young people from around the world.”
After moving to Watrous, Ron Morningstar attended a supper meeting with Rotary and soon joined the club. “I find the projects and activities to be very worthwhile. Rotary clubs operate in a very ethical manner and members are dedicated to the four way test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
Morningstar said Rotary clubs work together to make the world a better place to live in. “Rotary members share personal support for one another and offer a strong sense of camaraderie.”
To learn more about the local Rotary group, people can visit www.facebook.com/watrousrotary
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
For the past 75 years, numerous projects, many hours of service and countless fundraising efforts have been undertaken by one of Watrous’ oldest service clubs. The Watrous Rotary Club was granted a charter by Rotary International in 1939 and the club has been on a mission to improve the community and the lives of others both at home and abroad.
Current president Al Mosewich said Rotary has grown into one of the most diverse and powerful service clubs in the world. “We are proud to have been a part of the success and are looking forward to what we can accomplish in the years ahead,” said Mosewich.
Being formed by Paul P. Harris, an attorney from Chicago in 1905, the Rotary Club of Chicago was a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. From there, Rotary expanded and in Watrous, the club was granted its charter May 23, 1939. Less than a month later, the group held a charter night in the Chalet at Manitou Beach, the present day dining hall for Camp Easter Seal.
The founding members of the Watrous Rotary Club were: president W.M. Claffy, vice-president R. Stipe, secretary/treasurer A. C. Debenham, S. of A. David Fotheringham, directors V.R. Code, R.D. Cahoon, A.J. Gordon, J.A. McGowan and members H.A. Ansell, J. Gordon Findlay, Wm. H. Hewlett, E.W. Nixon, E.B. Miller, C.P. Morrow, S.J. Nemetz, Ralph Reed, Reverend J. Robinson, W.D. Scampton, Frank Walsh, Jos. H. Symons, A. Turner and T. Strachan.
Similar to numbers from the beginning, Mosewich said Watrous Rotary currently has 19 active members and as of Apr. 2, the local crew were one of 34,558 clubs, organized into 538 districts in over 200 countries. There were also 1,220,115 individual Rotarians worldwide.
Over the years, Mosewich said they have undertaken numerous fundraising and service projects. Along with pool boards, suppers, raffles, auctions and garage sales, Mosewich said they have also done various service projects like meals on wheels, the Rotary Walking Trail, gazebo, Memorial Cenotaph Park and the RCMP Musical Ride. Initiatives like student exchanges and donations to local organizations such as Camp Easter Seal and the Watrous District Health Complex highlight just a pair of many.
Meeting every Tuesday for breakfast between May and September and for supper from October to April, Watrous Rotary has gone through some changes over the decades. “The most significant change has been the admission of women as Rotary members. They have changed the organization for the better, having more fun, chairing major projects and developing leadership skills, by getting things done.”
Mosewich added Rotarians have also been working with help from others since the late 1970s to eradicate polio. “The end game plan is now in place and polio is next after smallpox eradication. So what does Rotary intend to focus it’s energy and effort on once polio is eradicated? Peace. Worldwide Peace. Conflict prevention and resolution is on the agenda next and Rotarians have a lot of experience in this area. Getting children immunized in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other parts of the world where conflict is a way of life, and basic human rights have very little meaning.”
Among the many involved with the local group, a few were gracious to provide some thoughts of what it means to be a part of the organization.
Murray Westby was in Kinsmen for nearly 20 years, learning the value and satisfaction of volunteering. With an age limit at the time, Westby left Kinsmen and joined Rotary with encouragement from his business partner Gordon Findlay.
With various positions over the years including president from 1998-2000, Westby said, “Being a Rotary member gives you the opportunity to contribute your time and effort for the benefit of mankind, at the community, district and international levels. We have provided many local services over the years, but have also participated in many worldwide causes like polio eradication, the shelter box program and student exchanges. Working together with others, for those worthy causes, provided an opportunity for fellowship and camaraderie under the international umbrella of Rotary.”
Frank Wilson did not know much about Rotary until he got an invitation to a meeting in the 1980s. Since that time, Wilson has been learning more about Rotary and its operations.
Once a member, Wilson became interested in the Youth Exchange Program. “As I learned more about this program, and also the Group Study Exchanges, which brings people from many different countries to our doorstep, I came to believe that these two initiatives are two of the best things Rotary International does,” Wilson said. “These exchanges have brought a number of youth and interesting groups to Watrous over the years and I am happy to say that our club has been an exceptional host in accommodating them.”
Wilson, who has personally hosted a number of exchange people said both parties learned a lot from each other during the opportunity. “In addition to the exchange programs, I can take some pride in the fact that locally our club has shown generosity to a large number of projects, individuals and organizations which have come to us for financial assistance or to provide manpower on certain occasions. We do not hand out huge amounts of money but do provide enough assistance, financially and otherwise, to help things get done.”
In recent times, a few Rotary projects stand out for Wilson: the Rotary Walking Trail, paved north of eighth avenue on Main Street and the trail’s gazebo. “Many residents will also remember the RCMP Musical Ride coming to Watrous a number of years ago. This was a very successful Rotary fundraising project, which enabled Watrous Rotary Club in partnership with the Watrous Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to complete Watrous Memorial Park and the Cenotaph. As always, I am among many Rotarians that enjoy our mutual fellowship as we meet, greet and share a meal once every week.”
Ralph Schalm has also been involved with the local Rotary Club and was a past president. “When people find out that you are a Rotarian, it is surprising how many of them know something about what Rotary does, whether through a local community endeavour or an overseas project such as Polio Plus.”
Schalm said it is nice to be able to sit down with members and enjoy their company. “It is a club that makes me feel welcome and I would encourage people to become a Rotary member. It is a good feeling to be able to do good whether it is helping out in the local community or raising funds for an overseas project that will benefit people and ultimately make their lives better. It is also an ideal way to meet people in your community, especially if you are new to the area.”
The motto of Rotary is ‘service above self,’ and for Jim Coulter, it provides the vehicle in which people can serve. “Whether it be local assistance for magazine subscriptions for the library or a global project to eradicate polio internationally, Rotary is the means to a better world. An individual, in league with fellow Rotarians, can make a difference. In the process, we benefit by the camaraderie of other Rotarians. We laugh, we belong, (and) we do make a difference.”
Arlene Gegner joined Rotary after being intrigued by the values while being a volunteer. Gegner said not only does Rotary support the local community but many things globally. While it used to be just for men with women being just guests, times have changed. “This organization teaches you to reach out and lend a hand. Watrous Rotary has many great members and I would encourage anyone to join (including) ladies.”
Deborah Farago was invited to a supper meeting four years ago by Gegner. “What I experienced was the joy of doing good work with very good people.”
Farago said she has made wonderful friends, learned amazing things and feels the success of Rotary projects is having an element of fun, fellowship and food.
“I have experienced the joy of being a small part of international projects such as ripple effect and the end polio campaign. I have also had the privilege of meeting wonderful young people from around the world.”
After moving to Watrous, Ron Morningstar attended a supper meeting with Rotary and soon joined the club. “I find the projects and activities to be very worthwhile. Rotary clubs operate in a very ethical manner and members are dedicated to the four way test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
Morningstar said Rotary clubs work together to make the world a better place to live in. “Rotary members share personal support for one another and offer a strong sense of camaraderie.”
To learn more about the local Rotary group, people can visit www.facebook.com/watrousrotary
June 16 - 2014
Area remains popular destination
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
While the ‘healing waters’ at the resort community of Manitou Beach have been an attraction for years, both the beach and the town of Watrous continue to become more and more popular as visitors frequent the area.
Community Development Officer for the area Brendan Manz pointed out the economic impact for the area is tremendous, welcoming over 100,000 visitors a year. “We know it helps inject about $20 million into our local economy each and every year. The more we can continue to improve our tourist attractions and improve our visitor services that we have, we know that number can grow.”
Like it was decades ago, Manitou Beach still remains a hot spot for tourists. “The number one thing in tourism right now is people try to go somewhere unique,” Manz said. “We have one of three lakes in the world that have this type of water or can at least provide a similar experience. We are in the centre of the province and we have about 80 per cent of Saskatchewan’s population within two and a half hours of us. We are definitely accessible and our central location plays a part in that.”
Manz said people come from all over the globe to find the healing waters. The popularity of spas in Europe has translated into a thriving industry but Manz people can get that same spa experience closer to home. “If they know they can get that European style experience right in the middle of North America, it is a unique thing that people can take advantage of.”
While the resort community is a big draw for tourists, Manz said Watrous also plays a large part in bringing in dollars. “Watrous has the major resources like grocery stores, schools and services while Manitou Beach has the recreational activities and tourism accommodations. Within five kilometres, we offer anything that a visitor could need or want. Because services are spread across both communities, everybody can benefit from it. Each community feeds off each other which in turn helps grow the sector.”
After setting up google analytics for the community websites, Manz said within about a month data showed people accessing the sites from about 24 different countries, six different continents and 35 states. “We know people are looking for this type of tourism experience and we are happy to offer it.”
Since 2010, Manz said the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has been committed to building up the local tourism industry along with its economic development strategy. Working with provincial partners, the group has been able to make some strides and Manz is looking forward to seeing more tourists choosing Manitou Beach and Watrous as a destination to visit.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
While the ‘healing waters’ at the resort community of Manitou Beach have been an attraction for years, both the beach and the town of Watrous continue to become more and more popular as visitors frequent the area.
Community Development Officer for the area Brendan Manz pointed out the economic impact for the area is tremendous, welcoming over 100,000 visitors a year. “We know it helps inject about $20 million into our local economy each and every year. The more we can continue to improve our tourist attractions and improve our visitor services that we have, we know that number can grow.”
Like it was decades ago, Manitou Beach still remains a hot spot for tourists. “The number one thing in tourism right now is people try to go somewhere unique,” Manz said. “We have one of three lakes in the world that have this type of water or can at least provide a similar experience. We are in the centre of the province and we have about 80 per cent of Saskatchewan’s population within two and a half hours of us. We are definitely accessible and our central location plays a part in that.”
Manz said people come from all over the globe to find the healing waters. The popularity of spas in Europe has translated into a thriving industry but Manz people can get that same spa experience closer to home. “If they know they can get that European style experience right in the middle of North America, it is a unique thing that people can take advantage of.”
While the resort community is a big draw for tourists, Manz said Watrous also plays a large part in bringing in dollars. “Watrous has the major resources like grocery stores, schools and services while Manitou Beach has the recreational activities and tourism accommodations. Within five kilometres, we offer anything that a visitor could need or want. Because services are spread across both communities, everybody can benefit from it. Each community feeds off each other which in turn helps grow the sector.”
After setting up google analytics for the community websites, Manz said within about a month data showed people accessing the sites from about 24 different countries, six different continents and 35 states. “We know people are looking for this type of tourism experience and we are happy to offer it.”
Since 2010, Manz said the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has been committed to building up the local tourism industry along with its economic development strategy. Working with provincial partners, the group has been able to make some strides and Manz is looking forward to seeing more tourists choosing Manitou Beach and Watrous as a destination to visit.
June 9, 2014
Speaking out against
the battle with mental health
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Suicidal thoughts, feeling depressed and not being good enough can all add up during a day for around seven million Canadians living with mental illness. Addressing mental illness got very real last week for students and members of the public in Watrous as Minnesotan Dave Romano spent part of the afternoon June 4 speaking at Winston High School.
Romano laid out his struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts and posed a pair of questions to those in attendance. The speaker asked if those in the gymnasium knew of people living with mental illness or who have had suicidal thoughts. The amount of hands that went up proved just how important speaking on the issue is and should continue to be.
“My main job is simply to change the conversation about mental health and get the dialogue going,” Romano said. “Mental health is not hurting people or causing issues, it is the stigma that is related to it. If we can get talking about those things, kids can begin using their coping mechanisms and seeking adult support. If I can do those things and get the conversation going, then it will drastically change how we all view mental health.”
Romano grew up the youngest of five kids in Minnesota. At seven years old, he became more self conscious and began working towards being someone he was not. “I decided I was not good enough. I got into sports and felt more and more pressure to be a perfect athlete.”
The pressure got so intense that Romano would try and hurt himself to get out of those situations. “I would take a jump shot in basketball, try and land and break my ankle. Or we would be driving and I would hope we would get into an accident so I could be paralyzed and not have to deal with it.”
As Romano got older, things did not change and as he hit middle school, Romano began turning to thoughts of suicide. Despite being a top athlete and captain of the basketball and football teams, Romano felt the immense pressure of not being able to reach the bar he had set.
“You want to convey the stoic personality that everything is okay and you don’t want to show that weakness or show that you have to ask for help. A lot of times we teach ourselves to bottle up our emotions and be that tough person.”
While Romano kept his thoughts and feelings to himself, he managed to tell his parents. After eventually going to the doctor, Romano was diagnosed with depression but trudged forward feeling he could beat depression on his own.
“It started as me trying to be someone I wasn’t. I felt like there was something missing within myself and I tried to use sports and other activities, eventually doing crime to really fill that void and make myself feel something. Along with that, I used self injury which eventually led to a suicide attempt. No one (except my parents) had any idea. I was still a vibrant kid at school.”
After reaching an all-time low, Romano sat in his room contemplating death. Convincing himself life was the better option, Romano soon received help and therapy and slowly began getting control of his depression.
While Romano’s condition digressed after moving away from home to college, he was able to regain his confidence with help along the way.
Since that time, Romano has been finding his path while using his experiences to find out who he is as a man and athlete.
“If I would have talked with my mom and sought out support earlier, it could have been easier. I didn’t really understand what I was going through and didn’t really put an effort into it to get treatment. I didn’t think I needed too. If I could go back, I definitely would have changed my perception and tried harder.
“The biggest thing is if something doesn’t feel right and if you’re not happy, then there is something wrong. That is it, right there. If there is something wrong, utilizing adult support, councillors and friends to talk about those things is imperative to starting treatment and finding yourself and happiness.”
Romano, who was in Canada for the first time, said communicating and starting the conversation about mental illness is key. Knowing there is support from friends, family and others helps to make a first step towards recovery.
“It wasn’t the depression I struggled with, it was that stigma. I continue to deal with depression and have my good days and bad days, but I know I can talk about these issues and I know I can find these supports to handle my depression. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities that my story has given me to share.”
Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work at the College of St. Scholastica, Romano was brought to the high school as a guest speaker after Gr. 9 student Emily Maine and Gr. 10 student Paige Sundquist felt they needed to make a difference. With permission, the two started up the Mental Health Awareness Committee at Winston High and began a campaign with a committee of students.
Fundraising on their own, the group garnered $4,000 to bring in Romano.
“When they contacted me, I knew students had done this. I was expecting (older students) but these are young students which is amazing and beyond where I was and where so many people are. The fact that they have already started their advocacy journey at this point already shows their maturity, their knowledge and just how much they care about their community and fellow students.”
Romano said he wants to continue to get the message out wherever he goes, “I feel like I have the obligation to talk about depression, to tell my story so that people can also feel comfortable about it.”
the battle with mental health
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Suicidal thoughts, feeling depressed and not being good enough can all add up during a day for around seven million Canadians living with mental illness. Addressing mental illness got very real last week for students and members of the public in Watrous as Minnesotan Dave Romano spent part of the afternoon June 4 speaking at Winston High School.
Romano laid out his struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts and posed a pair of questions to those in attendance. The speaker asked if those in the gymnasium knew of people living with mental illness or who have had suicidal thoughts. The amount of hands that went up proved just how important speaking on the issue is and should continue to be.
“My main job is simply to change the conversation about mental health and get the dialogue going,” Romano said. “Mental health is not hurting people or causing issues, it is the stigma that is related to it. If we can get talking about those things, kids can begin using their coping mechanisms and seeking adult support. If I can do those things and get the conversation going, then it will drastically change how we all view mental health.”
Romano grew up the youngest of five kids in Minnesota. At seven years old, he became more self conscious and began working towards being someone he was not. “I decided I was not good enough. I got into sports and felt more and more pressure to be a perfect athlete.”
The pressure got so intense that Romano would try and hurt himself to get out of those situations. “I would take a jump shot in basketball, try and land and break my ankle. Or we would be driving and I would hope we would get into an accident so I could be paralyzed and not have to deal with it.”
As Romano got older, things did not change and as he hit middle school, Romano began turning to thoughts of suicide. Despite being a top athlete and captain of the basketball and football teams, Romano felt the immense pressure of not being able to reach the bar he had set.
“You want to convey the stoic personality that everything is okay and you don’t want to show that weakness or show that you have to ask for help. A lot of times we teach ourselves to bottle up our emotions and be that tough person.”
While Romano kept his thoughts and feelings to himself, he managed to tell his parents. After eventually going to the doctor, Romano was diagnosed with depression but trudged forward feeling he could beat depression on his own.
“It started as me trying to be someone I wasn’t. I felt like there was something missing within myself and I tried to use sports and other activities, eventually doing crime to really fill that void and make myself feel something. Along with that, I used self injury which eventually led to a suicide attempt. No one (except my parents) had any idea. I was still a vibrant kid at school.”
After reaching an all-time low, Romano sat in his room contemplating death. Convincing himself life was the better option, Romano soon received help and therapy and slowly began getting control of his depression.
While Romano’s condition digressed after moving away from home to college, he was able to regain his confidence with help along the way.
Since that time, Romano has been finding his path while using his experiences to find out who he is as a man and athlete.
“If I would have talked with my mom and sought out support earlier, it could have been easier. I didn’t really understand what I was going through and didn’t really put an effort into it to get treatment. I didn’t think I needed too. If I could go back, I definitely would have changed my perception and tried harder.
“The biggest thing is if something doesn’t feel right and if you’re not happy, then there is something wrong. That is it, right there. If there is something wrong, utilizing adult support, councillors and friends to talk about those things is imperative to starting treatment and finding yourself and happiness.”
Romano, who was in Canada for the first time, said communicating and starting the conversation about mental illness is key. Knowing there is support from friends, family and others helps to make a first step towards recovery.
“It wasn’t the depression I struggled with, it was that stigma. I continue to deal with depression and have my good days and bad days, but I know I can talk about these issues and I know I can find these supports to handle my depression. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities that my story has given me to share.”
Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work at the College of St. Scholastica, Romano was brought to the high school as a guest speaker after Gr. 9 student Emily Maine and Gr. 10 student Paige Sundquist felt they needed to make a difference. With permission, the two started up the Mental Health Awareness Committee at Winston High and began a campaign with a committee of students.
Fundraising on their own, the group garnered $4,000 to bring in Romano.
“When they contacted me, I knew students had done this. I was expecting (older students) but these are young students which is amazing and beyond where I was and where so many people are. The fact that they have already started their advocacy journey at this point already shows their maturity, their knowledge and just how much they care about their community and fellow students.”
Romano said he wants to continue to get the message out wherever he goes, “I feel like I have the obligation to talk about depression, to tell my story so that people can also feel comfortable about it.”
June 2, 2014
Studying healthy aging
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
It can be a difficult choice, and for a lot, a decision that has to be made. Many seniors in rural communities are having to leave familiar surroundings of a house or apartment as they get older.
To try and reverse that trend, researchers from the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU) at the University of Regina and Saskatchewan have been granted $749,335 to support rural aging research. The study includes Watrous, Young and other rural spots in the province with the aim of helping seniors age in their home communities.
The three year grant will focus on improving health outcomes and services for rural seniors. Researcher at the University of Regina (Prince Albert campus) Bonnie Jeffery said, “Population aging is one of the most critical issues facing Canada and beyond. These projects collectively aim to identify, develop and assess interventions to support healthy aging in rural communities across Saskatchewan.”
Funding dollars will support three interrelated studies targeted towards improving seniors’ mobility, social support, built environment and information needs of existing supports and services.
Locally, community partners in the study include Bev Bertram and Murray Westby of Watrous and Noreen Johns of Young.
Westby said the objective of the study is to try and enable seniors to have a better life and remain in their homes and communities. “We want to try and provide a rural perspective and contribute what we can.”
Westby hopes there will be some positive results stemming from the study. “It is an extremely admirable cause and the people involved are going to do what they can.”
The SPHERU is hoping that bringing together key stakeholders including policy makers, older adults and health professionals will enable a better understanding of how to improve healthy aging for rural seniors.
According to researcher Nazeem Muhajarine, with the University of Saskatchewan, partnerships and local collaboration are essential to identifying effective interventions to support healthy aging in rural and northern communities. “Through this research program, we are strongly committed to engaging with communities, partnering with older adults, mentoring new trainees and increasing Saskatchewan’s capacity to address pertinent topics in the field of healthy aging.”
As the aging demographic grows, Jeffery said healthy aging in place will become a global priority.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
It can be a difficult choice, and for a lot, a decision that has to be made. Many seniors in rural communities are having to leave familiar surroundings of a house or apartment as they get older.
To try and reverse that trend, researchers from the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU) at the University of Regina and Saskatchewan have been granted $749,335 to support rural aging research. The study includes Watrous, Young and other rural spots in the province with the aim of helping seniors age in their home communities.
The three year grant will focus on improving health outcomes and services for rural seniors. Researcher at the University of Regina (Prince Albert campus) Bonnie Jeffery said, “Population aging is one of the most critical issues facing Canada and beyond. These projects collectively aim to identify, develop and assess interventions to support healthy aging in rural communities across Saskatchewan.”
Funding dollars will support three interrelated studies targeted towards improving seniors’ mobility, social support, built environment and information needs of existing supports and services.
Locally, community partners in the study include Bev Bertram and Murray Westby of Watrous and Noreen Johns of Young.
Westby said the objective of the study is to try and enable seniors to have a better life and remain in their homes and communities. “We want to try and provide a rural perspective and contribute what we can.”
Westby hopes there will be some positive results stemming from the study. “It is an extremely admirable cause and the people involved are going to do what they can.”
The SPHERU is hoping that bringing together key stakeholders including policy makers, older adults and health professionals will enable a better understanding of how to improve healthy aging for rural seniors.
According to researcher Nazeem Muhajarine, with the University of Saskatchewan, partnerships and local collaboration are essential to identifying effective interventions to support healthy aging in rural and northern communities. “Through this research program, we are strongly committed to engaging with communities, partnering with older adults, mentoring new trainees and increasing Saskatchewan’s capacity to address pertinent topics in the field of healthy aging.”
As the aging demographic grows, Jeffery said healthy aging in place will become a global priority.
May 26, 2014
Telemarketers using local '946' prefix
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
A glance at the phone and the recognizable ‘946’ digits pop up. Expecting to hear a local voice on the other end, what a person gets is a telemarketing message or scam instead.
It appears that ‘946’ numbers are being used by outside companies to try and either scam or sell products to residents of Watrous and the immediate area.
Sergeant Earl LeBlanc with the local RCMP has heard of the ‘946’ calls and said it is not illegal for companies to get a ‘946’ number. However, in saying that, he added people need to take preventative measures and be safe when calls of that nature arrive.
“What companies will do is register phone numbers, taking local open numbers. They don’t pick a certain person to call, it is just random, although some of those numbers could be selected because that person may have entered a contest.”
LeBlanc encourages people to read the fine print when entering contests as some of them, like those online, state information could be shared or passed on, including a telephone number.
While LeBlanc said it is not against the law for someone to contact a person, he did add prevention is the easiest way to curb the calls.
LeBlanc provided a few tips when dealing with telemarketers or scams:
• do not believe that everyone calling with an exciting promotion or investment opportunity is trustworthy, especially if you do not know the caller or their company;
• do not invest or purchase a product or service without carefully checking out the investment, product, service, and the company;
• do not be afraid to request further documentation from the caller so you can verify the validity of the company;
• do not be fooled by the promise of a valuable prize in return for a low cost purchase;
• do not be pressured to send money to take advantage of a ‘special offer or deal’;
• do not be hurried into sending money to claim a prize that is available for only a ‘few hours’;
• do not disclose information about your finances, bank accounts or credit cards (not even the credit card expiry date);
• do not be afraid to hang-up the phone;
• do contact the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre if you are contacted by someone who promises you great prizes, but you are required to send money in advance for shipping, handling, taxes, etc.
• do contact the Canadian Anti fraud-Centre if you are contacted by someone who says that you have won a prize, but you have to purchase a product to qualify.
The Canadian Radio- Television and Communications Commission (CRTC) has also implemented steps that people can take to combat excessive calls.
Canadians have the choice to be a part of the National Do Not Call List (DNCL), which gives consumers the choice about receiving telemarketing calls. In fact, Canadians have registered over 12 million numbers to that list according to the CRTC.
The commission also investigates complaints and determines if the telemarketer violated the national DNCL rules. If a telemarketer has violated the rules, the CRTC may impose a penalty of up $1,500 per violation for individuals and up to $15,000 per violation for corporations.
Even if a person’s telephone number is on the national DNCL, they may still receive fraudulent telemarketing calls. The CRTC said, if a person receives a call that may be fraudulent, contact the local police or the Canadian Anti Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501.
When a person registers their phone number on the do not call list, it is added to the national DNCL within 24 hours. Telemarketers have 31 days to update their own lists, and a person may receive calls within those first 31 days.
When a number is registered, it stays on the national DNCL for six years. After that time, a person must re-register.
People can register by logging on to the website www.crtc.gc.ca
On the other end of the phone, a person or company using automated calling devices to make unsolicited telecommunications where there is no attempt to solicit must comply with certain conditions, including:
• restricting the calls to certain times during the day;
• beginning the calls with a clear message identifying the person on whose behalf the telecommunication is made and a brief description of the purpose of the call; and
•displaying the originating telecommunications number or an alternate telecommunications number where the originator can be reached.
In order to protect the privacy of Canadians, the CRTC is maintaining the current rules guiding the use of automated calling devices for telemarketing purposes.
The CRTC has also made minor modifications to the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules to ensure that telemarketers respect Canadians’ wishes not to be disturbed in their homes.
The CRTC’s investigations have resulted in close to $3.6 million in penalties issued (paid by telemarketers to the Receiver General for Canada) and $741,000 in other payments (total of $4.3 million).
LeBlanc said all it takes is for one person to believe a fraudster on the other end of the phone. The best way to combat that is to hang up the phone. “If you would shut the door on a travelling salesman, then why wouldn’t you hang up the phone on a telemarketer?”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
A glance at the phone and the recognizable ‘946’ digits pop up. Expecting to hear a local voice on the other end, what a person gets is a telemarketing message or scam instead.
It appears that ‘946’ numbers are being used by outside companies to try and either scam or sell products to residents of Watrous and the immediate area.
Sergeant Earl LeBlanc with the local RCMP has heard of the ‘946’ calls and said it is not illegal for companies to get a ‘946’ number. However, in saying that, he added people need to take preventative measures and be safe when calls of that nature arrive.
“What companies will do is register phone numbers, taking local open numbers. They don’t pick a certain person to call, it is just random, although some of those numbers could be selected because that person may have entered a contest.”
LeBlanc encourages people to read the fine print when entering contests as some of them, like those online, state information could be shared or passed on, including a telephone number.
While LeBlanc said it is not against the law for someone to contact a person, he did add prevention is the easiest way to curb the calls.
LeBlanc provided a few tips when dealing with telemarketers or scams:
• do not believe that everyone calling with an exciting promotion or investment opportunity is trustworthy, especially if you do not know the caller or their company;
• do not invest or purchase a product or service without carefully checking out the investment, product, service, and the company;
• do not be afraid to request further documentation from the caller so you can verify the validity of the company;
• do not be fooled by the promise of a valuable prize in return for a low cost purchase;
• do not be pressured to send money to take advantage of a ‘special offer or deal’;
• do not be hurried into sending money to claim a prize that is available for only a ‘few hours’;
• do not disclose information about your finances, bank accounts or credit cards (not even the credit card expiry date);
• do not be afraid to hang-up the phone;
• do contact the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre if you are contacted by someone who promises you great prizes, but you are required to send money in advance for shipping, handling, taxes, etc.
• do contact the Canadian Anti fraud-Centre if you are contacted by someone who says that you have won a prize, but you have to purchase a product to qualify.
The Canadian Radio- Television and Communications Commission (CRTC) has also implemented steps that people can take to combat excessive calls.
Canadians have the choice to be a part of the National Do Not Call List (DNCL), which gives consumers the choice about receiving telemarketing calls. In fact, Canadians have registered over 12 million numbers to that list according to the CRTC.
The commission also investigates complaints and determines if the telemarketer violated the national DNCL rules. If a telemarketer has violated the rules, the CRTC may impose a penalty of up $1,500 per violation for individuals and up to $15,000 per violation for corporations.
Even if a person’s telephone number is on the national DNCL, they may still receive fraudulent telemarketing calls. The CRTC said, if a person receives a call that may be fraudulent, contact the local police or the Canadian Anti Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501.
When a person registers their phone number on the do not call list, it is added to the national DNCL within 24 hours. Telemarketers have 31 days to update their own lists, and a person may receive calls within those first 31 days.
When a number is registered, it stays on the national DNCL for six years. After that time, a person must re-register.
People can register by logging on to the website www.crtc.gc.ca
On the other end of the phone, a person or company using automated calling devices to make unsolicited telecommunications where there is no attempt to solicit must comply with certain conditions, including:
• restricting the calls to certain times during the day;
• beginning the calls with a clear message identifying the person on whose behalf the telecommunication is made and a brief description of the purpose of the call; and
•displaying the originating telecommunications number or an alternate telecommunications number where the originator can be reached.
In order to protect the privacy of Canadians, the CRTC is maintaining the current rules guiding the use of automated calling devices for telemarketing purposes.
The CRTC has also made minor modifications to the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules to ensure that telemarketers respect Canadians’ wishes not to be disturbed in their homes.
The CRTC’s investigations have resulted in close to $3.6 million in penalties issued (paid by telemarketers to the Receiver General for Canada) and $741,000 in other payments (total of $4.3 million).
LeBlanc said all it takes is for one person to believe a fraudster on the other end of the phone. The best way to combat that is to hang up the phone. “If you would shut the door on a travelling salesman, then why wouldn’t you hang up the phone on a telemarketer?”
May 19, 2014
Making a difference close to home
Inspirational, gutsy and dedicated are just a few of many words that can be attached to three kids and their efforts to help raise money to curb Crohn’s and Colitis. Not only will 14-year-old Clay, 12-year-old Rayner and six-year-old Shylo Frey reach the mark of $100,000 in fundraising dollars this year for Crohn’s and Colitis, but the three were also named the national honourary chair family for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and keynote speakers at the ‘All that Glitters Gala’ in Winnipeg.
Over the past number of years, the siblings, who live on a farm in the Watrous area, have been busy raising money and spreading awareness for Crohn’s and Colitis. The three know about the diseases all too well as four family members, including their parents, and a few of their friends have been diagnosed. There is also the potential that the youngsters could one day have the disease.
In an effort to try and help find a cure, the Freys have been fundraising for a handful of years as part of the Gutsy Walk in Saskatoon, one of the largest single-day fundraisers for Crohn’s and Colitis. Since they were born, the three have been at every walk. The boys began raising money in 2007 and Shylo a year later.
Rayner, who has dedicated this year’s walk to Watrous resident Chris Dunham, who has been diagnosed with Crohn’s, said it is important to try and help others with the disease. “Our parents also have it, so it means a lot to the heart and it means something to us. (And Chris) had just gone through a hard time with it. It is a good way to give something to her because she had to fight through some bad pain.”
Over the past few years, Dunham’s Crohn’s disease has been very active, escalating to a traumatic few months. She developed a six inch blood clot in her brain and has also had a seizure and stroke because of it. While she recovered, she had a resection to remove scar tissue and a badly diseased portion of her bowel. As things begin to get back to normal, Dunham said she could not have gotten through it without support. That includes Rayner who is in the same class as Dunham’s son Cole.
“Rayner was so sad and concerned when he saw how upset Cole was at school everyday. No doubt having the same feelings himself at times watching his parents deal with the same disease and hoping it won’t be them in the hospital next. That is why Rayner asked his mom if he could dedicate his walk to me. I am honoured and proud to call them friends.”
Because Rayner’s father Murray and mother Lori Ann also have been diagnosed, Lori Ann said their kids have a higher chance of getting Crohn’s and Colitis. “The more they can fundraise, the more chance it will be cured before it can affect them.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation in part of the digestive tract while Crohn’s causes inflammation anywhere along the lining of the digestive tract, often spreading deep into affected tissues.
Murray was diagnosed with Crohn’s several years ago before the kids were born and Lori Ann shortly after Rayner arrived. Lori Ann had to be hospitalized, having her colon removed. “I have been healthy ever since but I started walking in the first walk in Saskatoon in 1995 or 1996 because I didn’t know how else to support Murray, his sister and everybody else.”
As Clay, Rayner and Shylo got older, the three took it upon themselves to start raising money. They have also come up with different ideas like wearing bikinis, speedos, coconut bras and dresses during the walk to generate more funds.
“It is kind of embarrassing at the start,” said Clay. “But once you get into it, you get cars honking and that adds to the fun.”
“The first year the boys walked, the goal was to be a top pledge earner which was $1,000 or more,” Lori Ann said. “They surpassed that and that is what kicked them into gear for something big. Since 2008 when they first strapped on bikinis, they have raised over $93,000.”
With an incredible amount already brought in, Lori Ann said the overall mark of $100,000 should be attained this year.
For their amazing efforts, the three were also recognized as honorary chairs this year and spoke a few weekends ago in Winnipeg at a gala event.
“It is a lot more special this year,” said Rayner.
The corporate gala event was a huge fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis and generated substantial support as it does each year. Rayner said to be a keynote speaker means, “We are important to people and they have recognized that what we are doing is a good thing for other people.”
“It makes me feel good,” Shylo said about trying to make a difference.
Clay added, “It is pretty important to know that we’ve helped other people in trying to find a cure so that other people don’t have to suffer from the disease.”
The work of the Frey family has not gone unnoticed by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Chief development officer Terrance Slobodian said, “Clay, Rayner and Shylo are great role models for us all, especially those who support the one in every 150 Canadians living with Crohn’s and Colitis. They have experienced first-hand the distressing blow that these chronic diseases have on Canadian families which include the missed hockey games, vacations cut short and time away from mom and dad. Lori Ann, Murray and the kids inspire each and every one of our 15,000 plus participants to fundraise just a little bit harder. I will be so very excited to see these fun-loving Gutsy Walk Ambassadors surpass and celebrate their $100,000 cumulative fundraising goal.”
The three are also part of a public service announcement that has aired on CTV in the east and western part of Canada. “They are part of the PSAs and the emails that are sent out,” Lori Ann said.
“We are very proud of them and it goes beyond the fundraising. We get mail from people all over Canada that we don’t know. They read about the kids and send them cheques to take. There are people that contact us and we have become good friends and they have said things like, ‘my daughter has this disease, we have thought about walking but didn’t think we could.’ Now they are inspired to do something.”
Spreading the word has also provided an opportunity for the kids to talk about Crohn’s and Colitis at other locations. The trio have done school presentations and spoke at other functions.
In celebration for the banner year, the three have decided to dress to the nines for the June 8 walk in Saskatoon. “It is a big celebration,” Lori Ann said. “They are the national chairs, the keynote speakers at the, All that Glitters Gala, it is also the 40th birthday of Chrohn’s and Colitis Canada and they are hitting a milestone with their fundraising. So we came up with the idea to dress up formally.”
The Freys have greatly appreciated the support and added people can still donate to this year’s walk by either getting in touch with them or going online to www.gutsywalk.ca. On the website, people can find Clay, Rayner and Shylo’s personal pages to pledge.
Inspirational, gutsy and dedicated are just a few of many words that can be attached to three kids and their efforts to help raise money to curb Crohn’s and Colitis. Not only will 14-year-old Clay, 12-year-old Rayner and six-year-old Shylo Frey reach the mark of $100,000 in fundraising dollars this year for Crohn’s and Colitis, but the three were also named the national honourary chair family for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and keynote speakers at the ‘All that Glitters Gala’ in Winnipeg.
Over the past number of years, the siblings, who live on a farm in the Watrous area, have been busy raising money and spreading awareness for Crohn’s and Colitis. The three know about the diseases all too well as four family members, including their parents, and a few of their friends have been diagnosed. There is also the potential that the youngsters could one day have the disease.
In an effort to try and help find a cure, the Freys have been fundraising for a handful of years as part of the Gutsy Walk in Saskatoon, one of the largest single-day fundraisers for Crohn’s and Colitis. Since they were born, the three have been at every walk. The boys began raising money in 2007 and Shylo a year later.
Rayner, who has dedicated this year’s walk to Watrous resident Chris Dunham, who has been diagnosed with Crohn’s, said it is important to try and help others with the disease. “Our parents also have it, so it means a lot to the heart and it means something to us. (And Chris) had just gone through a hard time with it. It is a good way to give something to her because she had to fight through some bad pain.”
Over the past few years, Dunham’s Crohn’s disease has been very active, escalating to a traumatic few months. She developed a six inch blood clot in her brain and has also had a seizure and stroke because of it. While she recovered, she had a resection to remove scar tissue and a badly diseased portion of her bowel. As things begin to get back to normal, Dunham said she could not have gotten through it without support. That includes Rayner who is in the same class as Dunham’s son Cole.
“Rayner was so sad and concerned when he saw how upset Cole was at school everyday. No doubt having the same feelings himself at times watching his parents deal with the same disease and hoping it won’t be them in the hospital next. That is why Rayner asked his mom if he could dedicate his walk to me. I am honoured and proud to call them friends.”
Because Rayner’s father Murray and mother Lori Ann also have been diagnosed, Lori Ann said their kids have a higher chance of getting Crohn’s and Colitis. “The more they can fundraise, the more chance it will be cured before it can affect them.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation in part of the digestive tract while Crohn’s causes inflammation anywhere along the lining of the digestive tract, often spreading deep into affected tissues.
Murray was diagnosed with Crohn’s several years ago before the kids were born and Lori Ann shortly after Rayner arrived. Lori Ann had to be hospitalized, having her colon removed. “I have been healthy ever since but I started walking in the first walk in Saskatoon in 1995 or 1996 because I didn’t know how else to support Murray, his sister and everybody else.”
As Clay, Rayner and Shylo got older, the three took it upon themselves to start raising money. They have also come up with different ideas like wearing bikinis, speedos, coconut bras and dresses during the walk to generate more funds.
“It is kind of embarrassing at the start,” said Clay. “But once you get into it, you get cars honking and that adds to the fun.”
“The first year the boys walked, the goal was to be a top pledge earner which was $1,000 or more,” Lori Ann said. “They surpassed that and that is what kicked them into gear for something big. Since 2008 when they first strapped on bikinis, they have raised over $93,000.”
With an incredible amount already brought in, Lori Ann said the overall mark of $100,000 should be attained this year.
For their amazing efforts, the three were also recognized as honorary chairs this year and spoke a few weekends ago in Winnipeg at a gala event.
“It is a lot more special this year,” said Rayner.
The corporate gala event was a huge fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis and generated substantial support as it does each year. Rayner said to be a keynote speaker means, “We are important to people and they have recognized that what we are doing is a good thing for other people.”
“It makes me feel good,” Shylo said about trying to make a difference.
Clay added, “It is pretty important to know that we’ve helped other people in trying to find a cure so that other people don’t have to suffer from the disease.”
The work of the Frey family has not gone unnoticed by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Chief development officer Terrance Slobodian said, “Clay, Rayner and Shylo are great role models for us all, especially those who support the one in every 150 Canadians living with Crohn’s and Colitis. They have experienced first-hand the distressing blow that these chronic diseases have on Canadian families which include the missed hockey games, vacations cut short and time away from mom and dad. Lori Ann, Murray and the kids inspire each and every one of our 15,000 plus participants to fundraise just a little bit harder. I will be so very excited to see these fun-loving Gutsy Walk Ambassadors surpass and celebrate their $100,000 cumulative fundraising goal.”
The three are also part of a public service announcement that has aired on CTV in the east and western part of Canada. “They are part of the PSAs and the emails that are sent out,” Lori Ann said.
“We are very proud of them and it goes beyond the fundraising. We get mail from people all over Canada that we don’t know. They read about the kids and send them cheques to take. There are people that contact us and we have become good friends and they have said things like, ‘my daughter has this disease, we have thought about walking but didn’t think we could.’ Now they are inspired to do something.”
Spreading the word has also provided an opportunity for the kids to talk about Crohn’s and Colitis at other locations. The trio have done school presentations and spoke at other functions.
In celebration for the banner year, the three have decided to dress to the nines for the June 8 walk in Saskatoon. “It is a big celebration,” Lori Ann said. “They are the national chairs, the keynote speakers at the, All that Glitters Gala, it is also the 40th birthday of Chrohn’s and Colitis Canada and they are hitting a milestone with their fundraising. So we came up with the idea to dress up formally.”
The Freys have greatly appreciated the support and added people can still donate to this year’s walk by either getting in touch with them or going online to www.gutsywalk.ca. On the website, people can find Clay, Rayner and Shylo’s personal pages to pledge.
May 12, 2014
New branding creates identity for area
By Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
With new branding and focus, Watrous and Manitou Beach are putting their stamp on something unique as they move ahead in 2014.
Community development officer Brendan Manz said in the past there was no specific brand to identify with and thought it would be nice to have something for Watrous and Manitou Beach for people to associate with.
An egg shaped logo with the letters ‘W’ and ‘M’ is part of the new look brand to go along with the statement of unsinkable. “We felt that was a good word to represent us,” Manz said.
From there, two unique logos for the communities were incorporated with similarities to the main ‘W’ and ‘M’ logo of unsinkable. “That is the main logo out there beyond our community.”
Manz said the move to ‘Unsinkable Watrous Manitou’ is more than just a slogan, it creates an identity and a perception. “We feel that we have something very unique and feel people can get behind it.”
Looking at development, Manz said he views it as a source of pride. “When you come to a community that has a distinct brand that everybody is behind it is great. I hear from visitors that they can almost feel it. It is a feeling that the community has and for us, it is very important. More than ever, we have people moving here and visitors coming here.”
Along with the new direction, Manz said they realized the Town of Watrous website needed to be updated and tweaked. The site has recently been relaunched containing various information which can be found at a familiar address at www.townofwatrous.com
“When you go on there, you will see something very different. There is new colours and something that represents the community really well.”
Manz said they want to be able to put their best foot forward with the site and hope it is used by both residents and visitors.
He added as the future arrives, “the brand will continue to develop so people can keep an eye out for more things around the community in the week and months ahead.
By Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
With new branding and focus, Watrous and Manitou Beach are putting their stamp on something unique as they move ahead in 2014.
Community development officer Brendan Manz said in the past there was no specific brand to identify with and thought it would be nice to have something for Watrous and Manitou Beach for people to associate with.
An egg shaped logo with the letters ‘W’ and ‘M’ is part of the new look brand to go along with the statement of unsinkable. “We felt that was a good word to represent us,” Manz said.
From there, two unique logos for the communities were incorporated with similarities to the main ‘W’ and ‘M’ logo of unsinkable. “That is the main logo out there beyond our community.”
Manz said the move to ‘Unsinkable Watrous Manitou’ is more than just a slogan, it creates an identity and a perception. “We feel that we have something very unique and feel people can get behind it.”
Looking at development, Manz said he views it as a source of pride. “When you come to a community that has a distinct brand that everybody is behind it is great. I hear from visitors that they can almost feel it. It is a feeling that the community has and for us, it is very important. More than ever, we have people moving here and visitors coming here.”
Along with the new direction, Manz said they realized the Town of Watrous website needed to be updated and tweaked. The site has recently been relaunched containing various information which can be found at a familiar address at www.townofwatrous.com
“When you go on there, you will see something very different. There is new colours and something that represents the community really well.”
Manz said they want to be able to put their best foot forward with the site and hope it is used by both residents and visitors.
He added as the future arrives, “the brand will continue to develop so people can keep an eye out for more things around the community in the week and months ahead.
May 5, 2014
April brings showers and chilly weather
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Cold and wet would probably best describe this past April in Saskatchewan. Below normal values, snow mixed with rain and not a lot of days with sunshine paved the way for April showers as the month came to a close.
While there was a hint of hope with sunshine late last week, Environment Canada’s David Phillips said there was almost 75 millimetres of precipitation for Watrous this April. “Talk about April showers where the normal is about 29 mm. You have had more than twice the amount as you would normally have.”
It certainly was a wet month with 18 wet days compared to eight and it did not help that the normal daytime highs were not around. “There is no disguising it. Temperatures turned out to be about four degrees colder than normal.”
“What really was telling were the daytime highs. The average temperature was 5.2˚C where as the normal would be 10.7C.”
Aided by wet and cloudy values, the temperature then came through lower than what it usually is. “The good thing about the cool temperatures is it sort of kept the flooding in check. The heavy rains didn’t help but if it had been very warm and wet there would have been high water problems.”
As the ground remained wet, Phillips said May began on a cool note. “The cold northerly air just doesn’t want to leave. Eventually it will, but May looks like it will be on the cool side starting out. There are temperatures that are 5˚ to 9˚ colder than normal instead of having highs of 16˚C which is the normal for Watrous.”
He said the summery weather can certainly occur in May, although Phillips said Environment Canada is calling for it to be a little colder than normal.
As summer moves closer, every day gets warmer and longer. However, Phillips said one good thing about this year’s spring was that it was not as cold as last year. But that has not helped get through what seems like a prolonged stretch of cold. “Now, you get to the point where you feel you are owed some summery like weather. April is a cooler month and on the prairies and it never really tends to be in the warmer column.”
Perhaps that could change as May begins to take more of a foothold.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Cold and wet would probably best describe this past April in Saskatchewan. Below normal values, snow mixed with rain and not a lot of days with sunshine paved the way for April showers as the month came to a close.
While there was a hint of hope with sunshine late last week, Environment Canada’s David Phillips said there was almost 75 millimetres of precipitation for Watrous this April. “Talk about April showers where the normal is about 29 mm. You have had more than twice the amount as you would normally have.”
It certainly was a wet month with 18 wet days compared to eight and it did not help that the normal daytime highs were not around. “There is no disguising it. Temperatures turned out to be about four degrees colder than normal.”
“What really was telling were the daytime highs. The average temperature was 5.2˚C where as the normal would be 10.7C.”
Aided by wet and cloudy values, the temperature then came through lower than what it usually is. “The good thing about the cool temperatures is it sort of kept the flooding in check. The heavy rains didn’t help but if it had been very warm and wet there would have been high water problems.”
As the ground remained wet, Phillips said May began on a cool note. “The cold northerly air just doesn’t want to leave. Eventually it will, but May looks like it will be on the cool side starting out. There are temperatures that are 5˚ to 9˚ colder than normal instead of having highs of 16˚C which is the normal for Watrous.”
He said the summery weather can certainly occur in May, although Phillips said Environment Canada is calling for it to be a little colder than normal.
As summer moves closer, every day gets warmer and longer. However, Phillips said one good thing about this year’s spring was that it was not as cold as last year. But that has not helped get through what seems like a prolonged stretch of cold. “Now, you get to the point where you feel you are owed some summery like weather. April is a cooler month and on the prairies and it never really tends to be in the warmer column.”
Perhaps that could change as May begins to take more of a foothold.
Apr. 28
RCMP busy during spring
By: Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
Maintaining the speed limit through school zones, understanding crosswalks to this weekend’s graduation in Watrous, local RCMP have been on their toes and keeping watch within the community. Sergeant Earl LeBlanc chatted with the Watrous Manitou on a variety of issues as we head into May and the warmer season.
Grad 2014:
As the first weekend of May arrives, so too does Winston High School’s graduation. With the festivities coming up in town this weekend, LeBlanc is encouraging people to make positive decisions.
“Whether it is students or adults, just make smart choices. We will be out and about this weekend.”
School zones:
While the speed limit can vary in school zones throughout Saskatchewan when kids are not at school, motorists driving through the marked areas in Watrous must go no faster than 30 km/hr and no more than 40 km/hr in other parts of town. In Watrous, like the majority of others around the area, school zone speed limits of 30 km/hr are in effect for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
LeBlanc said the only way the 24 hour effect would change is if the Town decided to adjust its bylaw. LeBlanc said larger centres do have specific hours for 30 km/hr school zones where the speed limit changes later in the day when kids are out of school. LeBlanc said if, for example, Watrous wanted to tweak the 24 hour zones, they would have to add signage stating the school zone speed limit hours. “It is the responsibility of the governing body to implement it.
“The school zones are short enough that they should not be an inconvenience to anybody. The zones usually range about a block either side.”
Whether that change would ever be considered, getting stopped for speeding in a school zone will bring a fine of at least $120 and that figure goes up from there, depending on the speed.
Over the past couple of months, LeBlanc said they have pulled over motorists in the school zones. “A lot of it was because of complaints we have been receiving from the schools about the speed. The speeds aren’t overly fast and we have never given an extremely high fine in a school zone. The people are responsible but they need to slow down a little bit.”
LeBlanc said in a lot of cases people forget they are going 40 km/hr instead of 30 km/hr.
Crosswalks:
When it comes to crosswalks, LeBlanc said motorists need to yield to pedestrians wanting to cross. “Even though there is not a crosswalk present, if a sidewalk extends from one corner of the street to the other corner of the street, that is a crosswalk even though it is not marked. Sometimes people don’t realize that and think there is no crosswalk. However, there has to be an attempt for an individual to want to cross.”
LeBlanc said if someone is in a position to be able to cross, then vehicles need to stop. “The onus is on the vehicle to stop, however, there has to be responsibility by the pedestrian to show intent to cross.”
For those not at a corner who decide to cross the street, LeBlanc said a vehicle is not required to stop.
Cabin break-ins:
With spring here and summer coming, LeBlanc said RCMP are finding people heading back to the cabin arrive and realize their place or shed has been broken into. LeBlanc said regardless of if it is a cabin or a small shed that has been vandalized or robbed, to give police a call. “People may think it is only their shed, but there could be 15 other ones (broken into). If no one alerts us, we may not be aware of it (on a larger scale). We are encouraging people that go to their cottage and realize property crime has happened to contact us.”
Scams:
While LeBlanc said phone and email scams have died down a bit, they still continue to pop up. “We are encouraging people not to provide a credit card number, banking information or personal information over the telephone or by way of email. Even if a bank contacts you, you can maybe recontact the bank to check. Just be wary of who you give your personal information to.”
By: Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
Maintaining the speed limit through school zones, understanding crosswalks to this weekend’s graduation in Watrous, local RCMP have been on their toes and keeping watch within the community. Sergeant Earl LeBlanc chatted with the Watrous Manitou on a variety of issues as we head into May and the warmer season.
Grad 2014:
As the first weekend of May arrives, so too does Winston High School’s graduation. With the festivities coming up in town this weekend, LeBlanc is encouraging people to make positive decisions.
“Whether it is students or adults, just make smart choices. We will be out and about this weekend.”
School zones:
While the speed limit can vary in school zones throughout Saskatchewan when kids are not at school, motorists driving through the marked areas in Watrous must go no faster than 30 km/hr and no more than 40 km/hr in other parts of town. In Watrous, like the majority of others around the area, school zone speed limits of 30 km/hr are in effect for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
LeBlanc said the only way the 24 hour effect would change is if the Town decided to adjust its bylaw. LeBlanc said larger centres do have specific hours for 30 km/hr school zones where the speed limit changes later in the day when kids are out of school. LeBlanc said if, for example, Watrous wanted to tweak the 24 hour zones, they would have to add signage stating the school zone speed limit hours. “It is the responsibility of the governing body to implement it.
“The school zones are short enough that they should not be an inconvenience to anybody. The zones usually range about a block either side.”
Whether that change would ever be considered, getting stopped for speeding in a school zone will bring a fine of at least $120 and that figure goes up from there, depending on the speed.
Over the past couple of months, LeBlanc said they have pulled over motorists in the school zones. “A lot of it was because of complaints we have been receiving from the schools about the speed. The speeds aren’t overly fast and we have never given an extremely high fine in a school zone. The people are responsible but they need to slow down a little bit.”
LeBlanc said in a lot of cases people forget they are going 40 km/hr instead of 30 km/hr.
Crosswalks:
When it comes to crosswalks, LeBlanc said motorists need to yield to pedestrians wanting to cross. “Even though there is not a crosswalk present, if a sidewalk extends from one corner of the street to the other corner of the street, that is a crosswalk even though it is not marked. Sometimes people don’t realize that and think there is no crosswalk. However, there has to be an attempt for an individual to want to cross.”
LeBlanc said if someone is in a position to be able to cross, then vehicles need to stop. “The onus is on the vehicle to stop, however, there has to be responsibility by the pedestrian to show intent to cross.”
For those not at a corner who decide to cross the street, LeBlanc said a vehicle is not required to stop.
Cabin break-ins:
With spring here and summer coming, LeBlanc said RCMP are finding people heading back to the cabin arrive and realize their place or shed has been broken into. LeBlanc said regardless of if it is a cabin or a small shed that has been vandalized or robbed, to give police a call. “People may think it is only their shed, but there could be 15 other ones (broken into). If no one alerts us, we may not be aware of it (on a larger scale). We are encouraging people that go to their cottage and realize property crime has happened to contact us.”
Scams:
While LeBlanc said phone and email scams have died down a bit, they still continue to pop up. “We are encouraging people not to provide a credit card number, banking information or personal information over the telephone or by way of email. Even if a bank contacts you, you can maybe recontact the bank to check. Just be wary of who you give your personal information to.”
Apr. 21
Pharmacies see changes as future begins to arrive
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With an ever evolving role a pharmacy plays in communities throughout Saskatchewan, there are also changes that come with those new adjustments. With different provincial regulations being introduced over the past few years, many pharmacies are now taking on more responsibilities.
That also means renovations to some places like the one in Watrous. Slated to wrap up later this year, the tweaks at the Watrous Pharmacy will enable staff to provide essential services and the best care possible.
As part of the renovations, pharmacist Cindy McLean said, “The dispensary will be modified to include a separate drop off and pick up window to enable efficiency of service. A new private counselling room is being added which will allow patients to access the new services that pharmacists can provide in a comfortable and private manor.”
Under new guidelines, McLean said pharmacists can extend current prescriptions if deemed appropriate. Legislation also allows pharmacists to prescribe certain medications under a circumstance that may lead to a disruption in prescription therapy.
While the services do not replace a visit to a physician, they provide an opportunity to potentially bridge the gap that may prevent a person from getting continual care.
McLean said if people are unable to see a physician for several days or if an emergency supply of medication is needed because it was left at home during travel, a pharmacist may provide an interim supply.
“These services are unique to each personal situation and interim supplies are considered on a case by case basis.”
Along with extending current prescriptions, pharmacists completing required training have also been allowed to prescribe for minor ailments. McLean said the service allows pharmacists to assist a patient in confirming a self-diagnosed ailment and if necessary, provide appropriate prescription therapy.
While a patient is required to have an interview with the pharmacist and a consultation, it will provide an opportunity to determine if the condition is correctly self-diagnosed. From there, treatment options based on guidelines set out by the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists will be used.
McLean said, “This service is limited to specific conditions which include cold sores, canker sores, oral thrush, mild to moderate acne, diaper rash, insect bites and allergic rhinitis (allergies).”
There is no charge to the patient receiving the care as it is subsidized by Saskatchewan Health.
The provincial government has also established the Saskatchewan Medication Assessment Program which provides a patient with a review of medications including those from over the counter.
McLean said the aim for the program is to allow patients a better understanding of why they are taking certain medications.
The comprehensive review with the program is often done in conjunction with a bubble pack service. McLean said the service involves a special daily packaging system which is put in place for a patient to allow for ease of administration and compliance.
McLean said the government offers to cover the cost of blister packaging fees for those at least 65 years old and residing in the community.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With an ever evolving role a pharmacy plays in communities throughout Saskatchewan, there are also changes that come with those new adjustments. With different provincial regulations being introduced over the past few years, many pharmacies are now taking on more responsibilities.
That also means renovations to some places like the one in Watrous. Slated to wrap up later this year, the tweaks at the Watrous Pharmacy will enable staff to provide essential services and the best care possible.
As part of the renovations, pharmacist Cindy McLean said, “The dispensary will be modified to include a separate drop off and pick up window to enable efficiency of service. A new private counselling room is being added which will allow patients to access the new services that pharmacists can provide in a comfortable and private manor.”
Under new guidelines, McLean said pharmacists can extend current prescriptions if deemed appropriate. Legislation also allows pharmacists to prescribe certain medications under a circumstance that may lead to a disruption in prescription therapy.
While the services do not replace a visit to a physician, they provide an opportunity to potentially bridge the gap that may prevent a person from getting continual care.
McLean said if people are unable to see a physician for several days or if an emergency supply of medication is needed because it was left at home during travel, a pharmacist may provide an interim supply.
“These services are unique to each personal situation and interim supplies are considered on a case by case basis.”
Along with extending current prescriptions, pharmacists completing required training have also been allowed to prescribe for minor ailments. McLean said the service allows pharmacists to assist a patient in confirming a self-diagnosed ailment and if necessary, provide appropriate prescription therapy.
While a patient is required to have an interview with the pharmacist and a consultation, it will provide an opportunity to determine if the condition is correctly self-diagnosed. From there, treatment options based on guidelines set out by the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists will be used.
McLean said, “This service is limited to specific conditions which include cold sores, canker sores, oral thrush, mild to moderate acne, diaper rash, insect bites and allergic rhinitis (allergies).”
There is no charge to the patient receiving the care as it is subsidized by Saskatchewan Health.
The provincial government has also established the Saskatchewan Medication Assessment Program which provides a patient with a review of medications including those from over the counter.
McLean said the aim for the program is to allow patients a better understanding of why they are taking certain medications.
The comprehensive review with the program is often done in conjunction with a bubble pack service. McLean said the service involves a special daily packaging system which is put in place for a patient to allow for ease of administration and compliance.
McLean said the government offers to cover the cost of blister packaging fees for those at least 65 years old and residing in the community.
Apr. 14
Near normal runoff levels expected for the area
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Last year a prolonged melt and more snow produced higher water levels for Watrous and the area but if conditions continue as they are, then residents can expect near normal runoff levels as April carries on.
Public works superintendent for Watrous Dion Tarasoff said water has been making its way to drains and crews are ensuring culverts are being thawed out to help the flow.
“There has been some water collecting in alleyways and residents can let us know about that,” said Tarasoff.
Crews have been trying to keep an eye out for excess water but if they have missed some, will try and address it to get the ground dry as spring rolls forward.
“The melting has not been as bad compared to last year,” Tarasoff said. “As the snow melts, we will be doing some street sweeping and patching.”
Melting has also been somewhat normal for a large chunk of Saskatchewan. The Water Security Agency (WSA) released its April forecast which ranges from well above normal runoff in the Prince Albert region to other areas that have already experienced spring runoff without any issues.
For the majority of the Watrous and Last Mountain Lake region, runoff is pegged at near normal. Areas that are in above normal ranges include Rosetown, Melfort, Nipawin, Lloydminster and Spiritwood. Where more runoff is expected is in the Prince Albert and Waskesiu Lake area.
Minister responsible for the (WSA) Ken Cheveldayoff said, “As the temperatures start to increase and the spring runoff begins, the Water Security Agency will be monitoring how much precipitation we receive going forward as this can be a major factor on how the runoff progresses.”
Last year more snow in April caused the agency to call for higher levels of runoff. Watrous was slotted into the above-normal category while Saskatoon had well-above-normal levels predicted.
Meetings were held in high risk areas which included more than 200 communities. At the time, the increased snow cover and late melt were factors in the higher levels.
That should not be the case this time around for Watrous and the surrounding areas including Manitou Beach. Wellington Creek was flowing quite high last year, causing the walking bridges in the park to be pushed around. This year, while the creek was flowing at a good pace early last week, the amount of snow is not nearly what it was in 2013.
Environment Canada’s extended forecast late last week was calling for sunshine and above freezing daytime temperatures. The normal day time high for this time of year is 10˚C.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
Last year a prolonged melt and more snow produced higher water levels for Watrous and the area but if conditions continue as they are, then residents can expect near normal runoff levels as April carries on.
Public works superintendent for Watrous Dion Tarasoff said water has been making its way to drains and crews are ensuring culverts are being thawed out to help the flow.
“There has been some water collecting in alleyways and residents can let us know about that,” said Tarasoff.
Crews have been trying to keep an eye out for excess water but if they have missed some, will try and address it to get the ground dry as spring rolls forward.
“The melting has not been as bad compared to last year,” Tarasoff said. “As the snow melts, we will be doing some street sweeping and patching.”
Melting has also been somewhat normal for a large chunk of Saskatchewan. The Water Security Agency (WSA) released its April forecast which ranges from well above normal runoff in the Prince Albert region to other areas that have already experienced spring runoff without any issues.
For the majority of the Watrous and Last Mountain Lake region, runoff is pegged at near normal. Areas that are in above normal ranges include Rosetown, Melfort, Nipawin, Lloydminster and Spiritwood. Where more runoff is expected is in the Prince Albert and Waskesiu Lake area.
Minister responsible for the (WSA) Ken Cheveldayoff said, “As the temperatures start to increase and the spring runoff begins, the Water Security Agency will be monitoring how much precipitation we receive going forward as this can be a major factor on how the runoff progresses.”
Last year more snow in April caused the agency to call for higher levels of runoff. Watrous was slotted into the above-normal category while Saskatoon had well-above-normal levels predicted.
Meetings were held in high risk areas which included more than 200 communities. At the time, the increased snow cover and late melt were factors in the higher levels.
That should not be the case this time around for Watrous and the surrounding areas including Manitou Beach. Wellington Creek was flowing quite high last year, causing the walking bridges in the park to be pushed around. This year, while the creek was flowing at a good pace early last week, the amount of snow is not nearly what it was in 2013.
Environment Canada’s extended forecast late last week was calling for sunshine and above freezing daytime temperatures. The normal day time high for this time of year is 10˚C.
Apr. 7
Physician being recruited for Watrous; doctor moving on
By Daniel Bushman
TWM
After being an integral part in helping emergency services o re-open in Watrous along with being part of a strong number of physicians practicing in Watrous, Dr. Lelo Latakgomo has decided to seek other opportunities.
The physician will be leaving Watrous at the end of August and along with the Saskatoon Health Region and the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, the town of Watrous is working to recruit another physician for Watrous and Imperial to replace Latakgomo.
Watrous mayor Ed Collins said Latakgomo was the first of the three current doctors to make a commitment to practice in town. Collins said her contributions were very appreciated in getting the Watrous Medical Clinic back on stable ground while providing care to patients in the district.
The position will be filled in the near future as the health regions and town recruit a new physician. The Saskatoon Health Region said a physician is slated to visit Watrous and Imperial Apr. 9.
In the meantime health-care services will continue uninterrupted and director of primary health for the Saskatoon Health Region Sheila Achilles said, “We appreciate that Dr. Akhtar and Dr. Tingey along with Nurse Practitioner Claire Chao will continue to work with patients and will provide health care to the people of Watrous/Imperial.”
Latakgomo said, “It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to leave the Watrous community. It has been a wonderful two years here and I wish everyone all the best. I hope the clinic and hospital continue to grow from strength to strength.”
The doctor was appreciative towards the town, clinic and hospital for the warm welcome. “I will always cherish my time here.”
Once plans are in place for a new physician, updates will be provided by the community and health region.
By Daniel Bushman
TWM
After being an integral part in helping emergency services o re-open in Watrous along with being part of a strong number of physicians practicing in Watrous, Dr. Lelo Latakgomo has decided to seek other opportunities.
The physician will be leaving Watrous at the end of August and along with the Saskatoon Health Region and the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, the town of Watrous is working to recruit another physician for Watrous and Imperial to replace Latakgomo.
Watrous mayor Ed Collins said Latakgomo was the first of the three current doctors to make a commitment to practice in town. Collins said her contributions were very appreciated in getting the Watrous Medical Clinic back on stable ground while providing care to patients in the district.
The position will be filled in the near future as the health regions and town recruit a new physician. The Saskatoon Health Region said a physician is slated to visit Watrous and Imperial Apr. 9.
In the meantime health-care services will continue uninterrupted and director of primary health for the Saskatoon Health Region Sheila Achilles said, “We appreciate that Dr. Akhtar and Dr. Tingey along with Nurse Practitioner Claire Chao will continue to work with patients and will provide health care to the people of Watrous/Imperial.”
Latakgomo said, “It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to leave the Watrous community. It has been a wonderful two years here and I wish everyone all the best. I hope the clinic and hospital continue to grow from strength to strength.”
The doctor was appreciative towards the town, clinic and hospital for the warm welcome. “I will always cherish my time here.”
Once plans are in place for a new physician, updates will be provided by the community and health region.
Mar. 31
Watrous Kinettes mark milestone
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
For half a century, Kinettes of Watrous have been making a difference in the community. Along with the Kinsmen, the contingent fundraises for community improvement while helping make Watrous a better place to live.
First established in 1920 by Hal Rogers in Hamilton, Ontario, Kin has become very familiar within many communities across the country. The Kinette Club of Watrous was first chartered in 1964 and has continued its focus of fundraising for community improvements ever since. People within Watrous and the area have benefitted with things like Kin Park, hot lunch programs, donations to local sports teams and Camp Easter Seal. The group also gathers funds each year for Telemiracle, benefitting Saskatchewan.
Current president of the Watrous Kinettes Kyla McDonald said other numerous community services are provided like Manitou Lodge bingo night, family fun day in the park, a child find clinic and a babysitter course offered to kids.
Twenty members make up the current crew of Kinettes in Watrous and McDonald said joining is easy. “One must contact any Kinette and ask to come to a meeting or just show up at a meeting held the first Tuesday of every month.”
However, McDonald said 50 years ago when the local group first chartered, it was a lot different than just popping in for a meeting. “Members had to be married to a Kinsmen member in order to join. While the Kin song has been updated since that time, when Kinettes first attended meetings or did projects, they wore uniforms. Minutes and agendas were written out by hand.”
McDonald said while technology and society has differed through the decades, the purpose of Kin has never changed. “The membership is and always has been driven with an underlying desire to help others and improve the communities in which we live.”
Kin runs from September through June with no meetings in July or August and each executive member is elected at the end of every year for a one year term. However, the presidency is usually taken on by the previously elected vice-president.
“It is great to see that after 50 years, the Kinette Club remains a vibrant aspect of our community, a great way to meet and work with awesome people and a fantastic opportunity to give back.”
Among the many who have been involved with Kinettes, a few were gracious enough to share their stories and what it meant for them to be a part of the organization.
Past president, life member and former Telemiracle chair Pat Smith joined Kinettes in 1976 to meet people. After just moving to Watrous, Smith felt it was a great opportunity to get to know others from Watrous.
With a group of at least 25, Smith said she was lucky to be mentored by the ladies. “I know that it was because of their commitment to ‘serving the community’s greatest needs’ that I became as involved in the organization as I did.”
Smith was also club president during its 25th anniversary and she would eventually become the liaison to the district board for the seven Kinette Clubs in the local zone.
With husband Lyle involved with Kinsmen, Smith said, “It was a great learning year for me and I got to meet more people in the Kin organization from across Saskatchewan. At our annual Kinsmen and Kinette convention at the end of our term as zone leaders, I was asked to run for vice district Kinette coordinator and let my name stand. Lyle also let his name stand for vice Kinsmen governor and we were both elected.”
Both Pat and Lyle’s commitment to Kin continued and over the next three years they were busy planning and travelling across Saskatchewan. As district Kinette coordinator, Smith also represented the Kinette Clubs of Saskatchewan at the National Board.
“We also were able to attend two national conventions as representatives of the Kinsmen and Kinettes of Saskatchewan in Penticton, B.C. and Sudbury, Ontario. On our National Board, there were seven other district representatives.”
Honoured in 1992 by the local club with a life membership Smith said her and Lyle’s involvement with Telemiracle was also significant as she put her name forward to chair of the event in its 22nd year.
"It was a very rewarding endeavor which I will always remember.”
Life member and former deputy governor Cheryl Veld said being part of Kin Canada and more specifically involved with the Watrous contingent was a life changing experience for her. “I do believe with all my heart that I would not be the person I am today if Kin was not a part of my life.”
Veld began her journey in 1994 and points to even a recent example of someone’s young granddaughter having a very aggressive cancer with a 50 per cent chance to battle through the disease.
“With tears in my eyes, how can you really try and express how it feels belonging to an organization that is there anytime you need them? From helping a family with the worst and most devastating crisis they can face or in the form of volunteer work, donations or projects in your community.”
Veld said the family of Kin not only reaches out to those in communities but it can help an individual have a life that has been blessed with amazing experiences, friendships and memories.
Like Smith, Vicky Finnigan said joining Kinettes was an opportunity to meet people and share ideas. “Our lives were enriched by other Kinettes across Canada.”
Finnigan said Kinettes also provided an opportunity for personal development. “We gained leadership skills and learned parliamentary procedure. We took turns at holding executive positions and being project chairs. The spirit of cooperation, toleration and equality was fostered. This was excellent training for other areas of our lives.
“One of the best decisions of my life was to join Kinettes. I learned to appreciate diversity. I learned that volunteering can be satisfying and I made lifelong friends. I cannot say enough good things about Kinettes.”
A member of the Kinette Club of Watrous for more than 15 years, Glenda Cox-McArthur said it provided her with many opportunities that may not have come otherwise.
“It enabled me to become involved in a national organization that focused on serving the community’s greatest needs. I was able to contribute to many worthwhile projects that upon completion, it gave me an immense sense of accomplishment and pride.”
Being a member of the executive in various positions, “I became aware of the structure of the Kin Association and that eventually motivated me to serve as a zone Kinette coordinator.”
As was the case with many people who decide to become local Kinettes, the impact of being a member can leave a lasting impression.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
For half a century, Kinettes of Watrous have been making a difference in the community. Along with the Kinsmen, the contingent fundraises for community improvement while helping make Watrous a better place to live.
First established in 1920 by Hal Rogers in Hamilton, Ontario, Kin has become very familiar within many communities across the country. The Kinette Club of Watrous was first chartered in 1964 and has continued its focus of fundraising for community improvements ever since. People within Watrous and the area have benefitted with things like Kin Park, hot lunch programs, donations to local sports teams and Camp Easter Seal. The group also gathers funds each year for Telemiracle, benefitting Saskatchewan.
Current president of the Watrous Kinettes Kyla McDonald said other numerous community services are provided like Manitou Lodge bingo night, family fun day in the park, a child find clinic and a babysitter course offered to kids.
Twenty members make up the current crew of Kinettes in Watrous and McDonald said joining is easy. “One must contact any Kinette and ask to come to a meeting or just show up at a meeting held the first Tuesday of every month.”
However, McDonald said 50 years ago when the local group first chartered, it was a lot different than just popping in for a meeting. “Members had to be married to a Kinsmen member in order to join. While the Kin song has been updated since that time, when Kinettes first attended meetings or did projects, they wore uniforms. Minutes and agendas were written out by hand.”
McDonald said while technology and society has differed through the decades, the purpose of Kin has never changed. “The membership is and always has been driven with an underlying desire to help others and improve the communities in which we live.”
Kin runs from September through June with no meetings in July or August and each executive member is elected at the end of every year for a one year term. However, the presidency is usually taken on by the previously elected vice-president.
“It is great to see that after 50 years, the Kinette Club remains a vibrant aspect of our community, a great way to meet and work with awesome people and a fantastic opportunity to give back.”
Among the many who have been involved with Kinettes, a few were gracious enough to share their stories and what it meant for them to be a part of the organization.
Past president, life member and former Telemiracle chair Pat Smith joined Kinettes in 1976 to meet people. After just moving to Watrous, Smith felt it was a great opportunity to get to know others from Watrous.
With a group of at least 25, Smith said she was lucky to be mentored by the ladies. “I know that it was because of their commitment to ‘serving the community’s greatest needs’ that I became as involved in the organization as I did.”
Smith was also club president during its 25th anniversary and she would eventually become the liaison to the district board for the seven Kinette Clubs in the local zone.
With husband Lyle involved with Kinsmen, Smith said, “It was a great learning year for me and I got to meet more people in the Kin organization from across Saskatchewan. At our annual Kinsmen and Kinette convention at the end of our term as zone leaders, I was asked to run for vice district Kinette coordinator and let my name stand. Lyle also let his name stand for vice Kinsmen governor and we were both elected.”
Both Pat and Lyle’s commitment to Kin continued and over the next three years they were busy planning and travelling across Saskatchewan. As district Kinette coordinator, Smith also represented the Kinette Clubs of Saskatchewan at the National Board.
“We also were able to attend two national conventions as representatives of the Kinsmen and Kinettes of Saskatchewan in Penticton, B.C. and Sudbury, Ontario. On our National Board, there were seven other district representatives.”
Honoured in 1992 by the local club with a life membership Smith said her and Lyle’s involvement with Telemiracle was also significant as she put her name forward to chair of the event in its 22nd year.
"It was a very rewarding endeavor which I will always remember.”
Life member and former deputy governor Cheryl Veld said being part of Kin Canada and more specifically involved with the Watrous contingent was a life changing experience for her. “I do believe with all my heart that I would not be the person I am today if Kin was not a part of my life.”
Veld began her journey in 1994 and points to even a recent example of someone’s young granddaughter having a very aggressive cancer with a 50 per cent chance to battle through the disease.
“With tears in my eyes, how can you really try and express how it feels belonging to an organization that is there anytime you need them? From helping a family with the worst and most devastating crisis they can face or in the form of volunteer work, donations or projects in your community.”
Veld said the family of Kin not only reaches out to those in communities but it can help an individual have a life that has been blessed with amazing experiences, friendships and memories.
Like Smith, Vicky Finnigan said joining Kinettes was an opportunity to meet people and share ideas. “Our lives were enriched by other Kinettes across Canada.”
Finnigan said Kinettes also provided an opportunity for personal development. “We gained leadership skills and learned parliamentary procedure. We took turns at holding executive positions and being project chairs. The spirit of cooperation, toleration and equality was fostered. This was excellent training for other areas of our lives.
“One of the best decisions of my life was to join Kinettes. I learned to appreciate diversity. I learned that volunteering can be satisfying and I made lifelong friends. I cannot say enough good things about Kinettes.”
A member of the Kinette Club of Watrous for more than 15 years, Glenda Cox-McArthur said it provided her with many opportunities that may not have come otherwise.
“It enabled me to become involved in a national organization that focused on serving the community’s greatest needs. I was able to contribute to many worthwhile projects that upon completion, it gave me an immense sense of accomplishment and pride.”
Being a member of the executive in various positions, “I became aware of the structure of the Kin Association and that eventually motivated me to serve as a zone Kinette coordinator.”
As was the case with many people who decide to become local Kinettes, the impact of being a member can leave a lasting impression.
Mar. 24, 2014
Government balances budget
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The Saskatchewan government elected not to raise taxes as they tabled a balanced budget last week, aimed at keeping Saskatchewan on the path of steady growth.
Finance minister Ken Krawetz said, “Our government’s preference will always be to balance the budget by controlling spending rather than by raising taxes. We were able to achieve that once again this year, while still making targeted investments in infrastructure, employment and job training, seniors, students, people with disabilities, children and families.”
In the budget, released Mar. 19, revenue for 2014-‘15 is projected at $14.07 billion, down slightly from last year, while expenses is pegged around $14 billion, down 0.2 per cent from last year. A budget surplus of $71 million is forecast while the province’s commercial crown corporations are projected to spend $2 billion on capital projects, up $100 million or 5.3 per cent from last year.
Local MLA Greg Brkich said the government prioritized and elected not to raise taxes. “We decided to make a tighter budget but there are still good things in it. There is $371 million for farmers and ranchers.”
Brkich said other areas also received increases and programs that will benefit residents of the province. “That is what the residents wanted when we talked to them (to) make sure we keep going with a balanced budget and prioritize our spending.”
The provincial NDP did agree with their counterparts and said the budget squeezes families and the services they count on. Deputy leader and finance critic Trent Wotherspoon said, “The message this budget sends everyday families is to brace themselves (because) the things they count on and really need improvements (for) are going to get even worse. Saskatchewan people are working harder than ever right now. They deserve a budget that uses the strong economy to benefit them now and in the long-term. They deserve for the strong economy to translate into better hospitals, smaller classrooms and a better cost of living.”
Here are some of the areas where funding has been allocated:
Agriculture
The agriculture budget of $371.6 million includes nearly $79 million for strategic initiatives like research and market development and a Western Livestock Price Insurance Program and enhancements to the Crop Insurance Program.
Approximately $242 million is being put into business risk management programs like AgriStability, AgriInvest and crop insurance. The crop insurance program also includes increased yield coverage for durum and barley, a new yield-loss coverage program for corn in the east central and southeast part of the province along with a Bee Mortality Insurance pilot program. The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation will deliver Western Livestock Price Insurance to Saskatchewan cattle and hog producers, providing them protection against unexpected market price declines.
Arts, culture and parks
Funding for provincial parks will increase by 4.6 per cent which includes capital and maintenance spending.
Funding to the Saskatchewan Arts Board increased three per cent while providing $7.7 million to Creative Saskatchewan, which was created to assist in marketing the works of all creative industries.
Highways
A total of $664.5 million will be used to build, maintain and operate Saskatchewan’s highway system, up $88.5 million from last year. Included in some of the budgeted projects is twinning Hwy. 16 from Saskatoon to Clavet. A total of $118 million worth of rural highway upgrades, $95 million to repave about 300 km of highways and $37.6 million to renew bridges and culverts was also tabbed in the budget.
Municipalities
The province’s municipalities are receiving $394.6 million in direct support, up $32.8 million from last year. A total of $257 million is being allocated in municipal revenue sharing, based on the formula of one point of the Provincial Sales Tax. That allocation represents a slight decrease of 2.8 per cent from last budget.
Urban revenue sharing for cities, towns, villages and resort villages will amount to $165.2 million while revenue sharing for rural municipalities will total $72.6 million. Revenue sharing totals for individual municipalities can be viewed at www.gr.gov.sk.ca/revenuesharing
Education
Funding has increased 3.1 per cent from last year and aims to address the challenges of growth that some school divisions are facing by providing $19.2 million in new funding for student enrolment increases.
The province also budgeted $815,000 in new funding to address bullying and cyber-bullying; $588,000 in new funding to expand English as an Additional Language supports and $200,000 in new funding to provide alternate format materials for students with disabilities.
Upgrading community net bandwidth to increase internet speeds for rural schools while expanding capacity in urban schools will see a $2 million increase.
Health care
Nearly $5 billion has been earmarked for health care and is a three per cent increase from last year. Part of the budget includes investments to reduce surgical wait times and emergency department waits, advance key capital projects, develop additional Collaborative Emergency Centres, improve services for seniors and support the rural physician workforce.
Capital investments total $95 million while the province has budgeted $4 million to reduce emergency department wait times and improve patient flow. That includes an emergency department wait time initiative, development of a program to provide house calls to seniors with complex needs.
The budget also invests $60.5 million in surgical wait lists to support achievement of the three-month wait time target in all health regions by the end of 2014-‘15.
To view more on the budget visit the government’s website: www.gov.sk.ca.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
The Saskatchewan government elected not to raise taxes as they tabled a balanced budget last week, aimed at keeping Saskatchewan on the path of steady growth.
Finance minister Ken Krawetz said, “Our government’s preference will always be to balance the budget by controlling spending rather than by raising taxes. We were able to achieve that once again this year, while still making targeted investments in infrastructure, employment and job training, seniors, students, people with disabilities, children and families.”
In the budget, released Mar. 19, revenue for 2014-‘15 is projected at $14.07 billion, down slightly from last year, while expenses is pegged around $14 billion, down 0.2 per cent from last year. A budget surplus of $71 million is forecast while the province’s commercial crown corporations are projected to spend $2 billion on capital projects, up $100 million or 5.3 per cent from last year.
Local MLA Greg Brkich said the government prioritized and elected not to raise taxes. “We decided to make a tighter budget but there are still good things in it. There is $371 million for farmers and ranchers.”
Brkich said other areas also received increases and programs that will benefit residents of the province. “That is what the residents wanted when we talked to them (to) make sure we keep going with a balanced budget and prioritize our spending.”
The provincial NDP did agree with their counterparts and said the budget squeezes families and the services they count on. Deputy leader and finance critic Trent Wotherspoon said, “The message this budget sends everyday families is to brace themselves (because) the things they count on and really need improvements (for) are going to get even worse. Saskatchewan people are working harder than ever right now. They deserve a budget that uses the strong economy to benefit them now and in the long-term. They deserve for the strong economy to translate into better hospitals, smaller classrooms and a better cost of living.”
Here are some of the areas where funding has been allocated:
Agriculture
The agriculture budget of $371.6 million includes nearly $79 million for strategic initiatives like research and market development and a Western Livestock Price Insurance Program and enhancements to the Crop Insurance Program.
Approximately $242 million is being put into business risk management programs like AgriStability, AgriInvest and crop insurance. The crop insurance program also includes increased yield coverage for durum and barley, a new yield-loss coverage program for corn in the east central and southeast part of the province along with a Bee Mortality Insurance pilot program. The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation will deliver Western Livestock Price Insurance to Saskatchewan cattle and hog producers, providing them protection against unexpected market price declines.
Arts, culture and parks
Funding for provincial parks will increase by 4.6 per cent which includes capital and maintenance spending.
Funding to the Saskatchewan Arts Board increased three per cent while providing $7.7 million to Creative Saskatchewan, which was created to assist in marketing the works of all creative industries.
Highways
A total of $664.5 million will be used to build, maintain and operate Saskatchewan’s highway system, up $88.5 million from last year. Included in some of the budgeted projects is twinning Hwy. 16 from Saskatoon to Clavet. A total of $118 million worth of rural highway upgrades, $95 million to repave about 300 km of highways and $37.6 million to renew bridges and culverts was also tabbed in the budget.
Municipalities
The province’s municipalities are receiving $394.6 million in direct support, up $32.8 million from last year. A total of $257 million is being allocated in municipal revenue sharing, based on the formula of one point of the Provincial Sales Tax. That allocation represents a slight decrease of 2.8 per cent from last budget.
Urban revenue sharing for cities, towns, villages and resort villages will amount to $165.2 million while revenue sharing for rural municipalities will total $72.6 million. Revenue sharing totals for individual municipalities can be viewed at www.gr.gov.sk.ca/revenuesharing
Education
Funding has increased 3.1 per cent from last year and aims to address the challenges of growth that some school divisions are facing by providing $19.2 million in new funding for student enrolment increases.
The province also budgeted $815,000 in new funding to address bullying and cyber-bullying; $588,000 in new funding to expand English as an Additional Language supports and $200,000 in new funding to provide alternate format materials for students with disabilities.
Upgrading community net bandwidth to increase internet speeds for rural schools while expanding capacity in urban schools will see a $2 million increase.
Health care
Nearly $5 billion has been earmarked for health care and is a three per cent increase from last year. Part of the budget includes investments to reduce surgical wait times and emergency department waits, advance key capital projects, develop additional Collaborative Emergency Centres, improve services for seniors and support the rural physician workforce.
Capital investments total $95 million while the province has budgeted $4 million to reduce emergency department wait times and improve patient flow. That includes an emergency department wait time initiative, development of a program to provide house calls to seniors with complex needs.
The budget also invests $60.5 million in surgical wait lists to support achievement of the three-month wait time target in all health regions by the end of 2014-‘15.
To view more on the budget visit the government’s website: www.gov.sk.ca.
Mar. 17, 2014
Traffic complaints on the rise
by Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
Cold winter or not, there was no deterring some motorists from ignoring the law in communities and on highways in Saskatchewan. As spring arrives, Watrous RCMP Sergeant Earl LeBlanc said speeding, illegal angle parking and u-turns have remained a rising issue.
Since January, LeBlanc said traffic complaints to the detachment are up 30 per cent from last year. “We have had complaints not just from Watrous but Manitou Beach and other communities about speeding. Of all the calls for service we have received this year, 50 per cent have been traffic related.”
The speed limit is 40 km/hr in town and 30 km/hr in school zones unless otherwise posted. To help enforce the growing issue of speeding, RCMP will be keeping a close eye on motorists.
That includes school zones, where the speed limit remains 30 km/hr every day of the year. “People need to be aware of kids when they are driving in the school zone,” said LeBlanc who added the playground at the school is also used outside of school hours meaning kids can be there throughout the day.
The sergeant said police are also noticing people going faster on highways and not just in towns. Speed related offenses begin at $120 and increase depending on the speed.
LeBlanc also addressed another prominent driving issue that is becoming more prevalent lately. He said they have received complaints about motorists angle parking going from one side of the road to park on the other side. The angle parking along with illegal u-turns can come with a $125 fine and will be enforced.
“People can give us a call about the traffic incidents if they see them. If they do phone us, a plate number, description of the vehicle and driver would help us.”
Talking and texting while driving is also gaining more and more traction as people use cell phones regularly. LeBlanc said if someone is caught doing that, they can be fined $280.
“With the number of complaints going up that means there will be an increase in enforcement.”
by Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
Cold winter or not, there was no deterring some motorists from ignoring the law in communities and on highways in Saskatchewan. As spring arrives, Watrous RCMP Sergeant Earl LeBlanc said speeding, illegal angle parking and u-turns have remained a rising issue.
Since January, LeBlanc said traffic complaints to the detachment are up 30 per cent from last year. “We have had complaints not just from Watrous but Manitou Beach and other communities about speeding. Of all the calls for service we have received this year, 50 per cent have been traffic related.”
The speed limit is 40 km/hr in town and 30 km/hr in school zones unless otherwise posted. To help enforce the growing issue of speeding, RCMP will be keeping a close eye on motorists.
That includes school zones, where the speed limit remains 30 km/hr every day of the year. “People need to be aware of kids when they are driving in the school zone,” said LeBlanc who added the playground at the school is also used outside of school hours meaning kids can be there throughout the day.
The sergeant said police are also noticing people going faster on highways and not just in towns. Speed related offenses begin at $120 and increase depending on the speed.
LeBlanc also addressed another prominent driving issue that is becoming more prevalent lately. He said they have received complaints about motorists angle parking going from one side of the road to park on the other side. The angle parking along with illegal u-turns can come with a $125 fine and will be enforced.
“People can give us a call about the traffic incidents if they see them. If they do phone us, a plate number, description of the vehicle and driver would help us.”
Talking and texting while driving is also gaining more and more traction as people use cell phones regularly. LeBlanc said if someone is caught doing that, they can be fined $280.
“With the number of complaints going up that means there will be an increase in enforcement.”
Mar. 10, 2014
Cattle disappearing from local farms
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
As the price of cattle has increased, numbers of livestock have mysteriously dwindled on at least two local pastures. The reduction is not because of selling part of the herd, rather it appears it is from them being stolen.
Richard Schaan is one of those farmers who has lost cattle over a two year span. Schaan who has cattle near Young said he and his neighbour have noticed at least 41 head gone during that time.
The two pastures which the pair have are located 13 miles southwest of Young and this past December, Schaan said he counted six less cattle in his area while his neighbour lost eight.
“We had full count for three days and I ended up missing two days of going down to count. During that time, we had six head go missing. We drove for three days and couldn’t find them anywhere.”
Of course that was not the first time this has happened to Schaan. During the first week of July in 2012, a total of 24 between the two farmers vanished.
Schaan recalled other places like Hanley and Lloydminster being hit over the past couple of years.
“I think it is because cattle are at high prices and people think they are worth taking now.”
In an effort to help prevent cattle theft, a local meeting was set up to try and raise awareness about the issue.
Along with Watrous RCMP, 30 farmers attended the event earlier this year.
From that, Schaan said they were provided with some ideas and are going to try and watch the area more.
Sergeant Earl LeBlanc of the Watrous detachment said cattle theft is something that has been happening throughout western Canada and not just in the local area. LeBlanc said farmers and the public who notice something unusual are encouraged to let the RCMP know. “If there is a cattle theft, vandalism or unusual activity taking place, make sure and report it.”
Crimestoppers is also another avenue for people to take if they would like to report a theft while remaining anonymous.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
As the price of cattle has increased, numbers of livestock have mysteriously dwindled on at least two local pastures. The reduction is not because of selling part of the herd, rather it appears it is from them being stolen.
Richard Schaan is one of those farmers who has lost cattle over a two year span. Schaan who has cattle near Young said he and his neighbour have noticed at least 41 head gone during that time.
The two pastures which the pair have are located 13 miles southwest of Young and this past December, Schaan said he counted six less cattle in his area while his neighbour lost eight.
“We had full count for three days and I ended up missing two days of going down to count. During that time, we had six head go missing. We drove for three days and couldn’t find them anywhere.”
Of course that was not the first time this has happened to Schaan. During the first week of July in 2012, a total of 24 between the two farmers vanished.
Schaan recalled other places like Hanley and Lloydminster being hit over the past couple of years.
“I think it is because cattle are at high prices and people think they are worth taking now.”
In an effort to help prevent cattle theft, a local meeting was set up to try and raise awareness about the issue.
Along with Watrous RCMP, 30 farmers attended the event earlier this year.
From that, Schaan said they were provided with some ideas and are going to try and watch the area more.
Sergeant Earl LeBlanc of the Watrous detachment said cattle theft is something that has been happening throughout western Canada and not just in the local area. LeBlanc said farmers and the public who notice something unusual are encouraged to let the RCMP know. “If there is a cattle theft, vandalism or unusual activity taking place, make sure and report it.”
Crimestoppers is also another avenue for people to take if they would like to report a theft while remaining anonymous.
Mar. 3, 2014
Mainline Motors sees partial change in ownership
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With just under 30 years of owning and operating Mainline Motors in Watrous, co-owner Don Campbell has made the decision to step away. Campbell’s interest and shares in Mainline were sold to the other co-owner Gerald Merrifield and also Gerald’s son Curtis who currently resides in Rosetown.
Not only has Campbell been a business partner with Merrifield but the pair remain very good friends as they each look forward to the future.
After being a member of the RCMP for 14 years, Campbell first joined Merrifield July 1, 1985 as they purchased Guy Beatty’s interest in the company. The duo then went into operation with owner Ed Klassen.
Two years later, Campbell and Merrifield became sole owners when Klassen retired.
Since that time, Mainline has expanded from its roots in Watrous to contain dealerships in Rosetown, Kindersley and also Virden and Birtle in Manitoba.
Campbell made the decision that now was a good opportunity to sell his portion. The Watrous resident said he plans to enjoy spending more time with his grandchildren while having the chance to take in some leisure time.
Campbell indicated he will be staying on at Mainline for a while to help assist with the transition.
“Mainline has been a big part of the community and will continue to do so,” he said. “The Watrous community and the surrounding areas have been very supportive and that is why we want to continue to support them.”
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
With just under 30 years of owning and operating Mainline Motors in Watrous, co-owner Don Campbell has made the decision to step away. Campbell’s interest and shares in Mainline were sold to the other co-owner Gerald Merrifield and also Gerald’s son Curtis who currently resides in Rosetown.
Not only has Campbell been a business partner with Merrifield but the pair remain very good friends as they each look forward to the future.
After being a member of the RCMP for 14 years, Campbell first joined Merrifield July 1, 1985 as they purchased Guy Beatty’s interest in the company. The duo then went into operation with owner Ed Klassen.
Two years later, Campbell and Merrifield became sole owners when Klassen retired.
Since that time, Mainline has expanded from its roots in Watrous to contain dealerships in Rosetown, Kindersley and also Virden and Birtle in Manitoba.
Campbell made the decision that now was a good opportunity to sell his portion. The Watrous resident said he plans to enjoy spending more time with his grandchildren while having the chance to take in some leisure time.
Campbell indicated he will be staying on at Mainline for a while to help assist with the transition.
“Mainline has been a big part of the community and will continue to do so,” he said. “The Watrous community and the surrounding areas have been very supportive and that is why we want to continue to support them.”
Feb. 24, 2014
Local sisters performing at Telemiracle
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
As the first weekend in March arrives the phones start ringing, donations start climbing and acts begin taking the stage as residents of Saskatchewan take part in Telemiracle. For two sisters, this year’s event will be extra special.
After auditioning to be a part of the 38th Telemiracle, Brittney and Kelsey Mooney are joining other talent from across the province at the telethon in Regina.
The daughters of Kelly and Melanie of Watrous are looking forward to the opportunity.
Younger sister Kelsey said, “We are very excited to perform on stage together! After Brittney moved to the city, we haven’t gotten to perform together as much as usual so it is always exciting and fun when we can get together again!”
Dancing since they were three and four years old, the duo joined forces on the stage a few years later and have had a blast ever since.
Now, getting the chance to join the televised program is something they can check off their bucket list. “Ever since we were little, we have always watched Telemiracle and talked of how we wanted to some day perform on it,” the pair said. “It is very exciting to finally pursue what we talked about for so long.”
Nineteen-year-old Brittney graduated from Winston High School in Watrous and after getting her diploma in esthetics at MC College last year, is taking photography at McKay Career Training.
But dancing has remained in her blood. “I continue to dance with Rhythms Dance Studio in Saskatoon and also dancing with the Abiding Lines Dance Company. I have also taken up Salsa and Meringue dancing and perform at various events in Saskatoon.”
Kelsey, meanwhile is in Gr. 12 in Watrous and the 17 year-old keeps her passion of dancing alive at the Watrous School of Dance and Rhythms Dance Studio in Saskatoon. She also teaches at the Imperial School of Dance.
The pair will be performing their tap duet 12:45 p.m., Mar. 2 and people can catch them on CTV.
Another crew is also heading to Regina from Watrous. Each year, donations are collected and a cheque from the area is presented on stage. Cassie Vanthuyne with the Watrous Kinettes said once again local fundraising has been done. “We had our Valentine’s lunch, winter blues basket and our soup and sandwich from the craft show. There was a ham and scalloped potato supper at the high school and coming up there is a bake sale at the elementary school as well as a helping hands competition.”
Helping hands can be found all over town and a pie auction at the Watrous District Health Complex Feb. 25 also raises funds for Telemiracle.
“The community is very supportive and always has been,” Vanthuyne said. “We would not raise the funds we do and our goals would not be reached without the community support. We love to present a large total on behalf of our community and the bigger the donation, the more it reflects how well our community comes together.”
With all the proceeds being donated back to Saskatchewan residents, Vanthuyne said it is important to donate. People can still provide funds locally and receipts can be issued.
Telemiracle 38 hits the stage Mar. 1 and 2 in Regina. Last year’s telethon raised over $5.5 million, providing residents of Saskatchewan assistance to acquire special needs equipment and access to medical treatment.
By Daniel Bushman/TWM
As the first weekend in March arrives the phones start ringing, donations start climbing and acts begin taking the stage as residents of Saskatchewan take part in Telemiracle. For two sisters, this year’s event will be extra special.
After auditioning to be a part of the 38th Telemiracle, Brittney and Kelsey Mooney are joining other talent from across the province at the telethon in Regina.
The daughters of Kelly and Melanie of Watrous are looking forward to the opportunity.
Younger sister Kelsey said, “We are very excited to perform on stage together! After Brittney moved to the city, we haven’t gotten to perform together as much as usual so it is always exciting and fun when we can get together again!”
Dancing since they were three and four years old, the duo joined forces on the stage a few years later and have had a blast ever since.
Now, getting the chance to join the televised program is something they can check off their bucket list. “Ever since we were little, we have always watched Telemiracle and talked of how we wanted to some day perform on it,” the pair said. “It is very exciting to finally pursue what we talked about for so long.”
Nineteen-year-old Brittney graduated from Winston High School in Watrous and after getting her diploma in esthetics at MC College last year, is taking photography at McKay Career Training.
But dancing has remained in her blood. “I continue to dance with Rhythms Dance Studio in Saskatoon and also dancing with the Abiding Lines Dance Company. I have also taken up Salsa and Meringue dancing and perform at various events in Saskatoon.”
Kelsey, meanwhile is in Gr. 12 in Watrous and the 17 year-old keeps her passion of dancing alive at the Watrous School of Dance and Rhythms Dance Studio in Saskatoon. She also teaches at the Imperial School of Dance.
The pair will be performing their tap duet 12:45 p.m., Mar. 2 and people can catch them on CTV.
Another crew is also heading to Regina from Watrous. Each year, donations are collected and a cheque from the area is presented on stage. Cassie Vanthuyne with the Watrous Kinettes said once again local fundraising has been done. “We had our Valentine’s lunch, winter blues basket and our soup and sandwich from the craft show. There was a ham and scalloped potato supper at the high school and coming up there is a bake sale at the elementary school as well as a helping hands competition.”
Helping hands can be found all over town and a pie auction at the Watrous District Health Complex Feb. 25 also raises funds for Telemiracle.
“The community is very supportive and always has been,” Vanthuyne said. “We would not raise the funds we do and our goals would not be reached without the community support. We love to present a large total on behalf of our community and the bigger the donation, the more it reflects how well our community comes together.”
With all the proceeds being donated back to Saskatchewan residents, Vanthuyne said it is important to donate. People can still provide funds locally and receipts can be issued.
Telemiracle 38 hits the stage Mar. 1 and 2 in Regina. Last year’s telethon raised over $5.5 million, providing residents of Saskatchewan assistance to acquire special needs equipment and access to medical treatment.
Feb. 17, 2014
Issues heard at SUMA convention
by: Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
Railway safety was a topic for discussing at this year’s Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s 109th convention. A contingent from Watrous joined mayors and councillors from across the province Feb. 2 to 5 in Regina for the SUMA event.
Mayor Ed Collins and the majority of councillors from Watrous spent time in sessions while networking with other members in attendance. Collins said among the hot topic issues relating to Watrous included railway safety.
“(Delegates) came up with a motion to work with the minister of transport to improve regulation and enforcement of rail safety,” said Collins. “That is of interest here with being on the main line and the speed of which the trains go when passing through.
“I think something needs to be done in that regard and SUMA supported it.”
A second item of interest is seeking to change the municipality act where those in local office can regulate and have a bit more freedom in dealing with vacant and derelict properties. “That is a concern with all communities. Those are things we deal with on a weekly and monthly basis. Hopefully they can come up with a better solution on how we can deal with those.”
Along with talking to other municipalities, Collins said they have an opportunity to hear about similar issues and how to deal with them.
Meanwhile, the provincial government is aiming to set a new mill rate factor limit of nine for the 2014 taxation year for all municipalities. Announced during the same week as the SUMA convention, the government said the move will support fairer taxation among municipal property tax classes.
“By fostering an ongoing climate of taxation fairness, we will help sustain growth and its benefits for all Saskatchewan residents,” Government relations minister Jim Reiter said.
The government said the majority of municipalities currently have substantially lower ratios than nine and the new limit is to mitigate instances where commercial, industrial, residential and agricultural property owners are not balanced fairly.
The maximum ratio of highest to lowest mill rate factors that will be implemented by any Saskatchewan municipality in 2014 is nine and is retroactive to Jan. 1.
After an interim mill rate factor limit was announced in April 2013, the government said the new change follows consultations with local government organizations, municipalities and business stakeholders.
All property in a municipality is classified by various types - either agricultural, residential or commercial. A municipality may use mill rate factors to transfer some costs of public services from one property classification to another. A maximum ratio puts a limit on how much can be transferred from one property classification to another.
This change to the municipal mill rate factors does not apply to education property taxes.
The announcement did not sit well with NDP leader Cam Broten who blasted the government’s move. Broten said it is wrong because “it forces Saskatchewan families to pay more, and takes money out of education to cover this government’s infrastructure holes in other areas.”
“Government revenue and government spending is higher than ever,” said Broten. “This government shouldn’t have to keep turning to Saskatchewan families to pay more.”
The opposition leader said that with increases planned this year for SaskTel internet, SaskEnergy, SaskPower, and SGI, Saskatchewan families will already face a much higher cost of living.
Broten said the education property tax was meant to pay for education, to fix crumbling, overcrowded schools and ensure the appropriate resources are in place for students and “not to cover shortfalls in the government’s infrastructure plan.
“Hiking education tax to use as a piggy bank to pay for the government’s shortcomings when it comes to overpasses and bridges is absolutely unacceptable.”
Feb. 10, 2014
Local health foundation huge help
by Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
For just over two decades, the local health foundation has been a driving force behind numerous projects in Watrous. The foundation has supplied funding towards various initiatives and projects including the Watrous District Health Complex, which was recently built.
Despite getting to their goal of seeing a new complex built, chair Murray Westby said they continue to move forward with more help for ongoing needs.
Recently, “We ended up providing money for grounds care,” Westby said. “We decided that this is part of the redevelopment project with the beautiful building now.”
Grass cutting and snow removing equipment was added for grounds care and maintenance, which will allow the crew an opportunity to use up-to-date technology.
Over the years, the foundation has seen the community benefit. “We have funded equipment and furnishings in the hospital like x-ray equipment, lab equipment and diagnostic equipment. We have bought one or two ambulances, and we have put a lot of money into the current mobility van. We have also basically been responsible for operating the medical clinic up until this past year.”
Throughout the last two decades, the foundation has contributed several hundred thousand dollars for health-related issues and even more so, it contributed to the local share of construction costs for the Watrous District Health Complex. That amount tallied $2.8 million for the building and then about $550,000 for furniture and equipment.
“We have had wonderful support from the community from organizations, businesses and individuals. We have also had some significant bequests.”
Westby said those who lent a hand donating towards the complex have been recognized on a wall inside the facility. Since that donor recognition board was put up, Westby said others have come forward with substantial funds. The board will be updated in the spring with those names. “We are thankful for the donations we have received.”
The foundation’s existence came to be when the Watrous Union Hospital was owned and administered by the participating municipalities, through a board structure. Westby went on the board in the early 1980s after becoming mayor and over time, the board had funds saved up.
The group felt the locally-raised money should be retained for the local facility, as did other communities in the same situation. The provincial government at the time did not agree, said Westby, so Watrous’ response was to establish the foundation in 1993.
“At that time, it was called the Watrous Union Hospital Foundation. Manitou Lodge also had its own foundation and we amalgamated those in later years . . . and it is now called the Watrous Community Health Foundation.”
Those involved knew there would be a need for a replacement of Manitou Lodge and work continued on that project.
Directors were appointed by the municipalities and that remains today. Currently the group includes: chair Murray Westby representing Watrous; vice chair David Manson, Rural Municipality of Usborne; secretary/treasurer Anita Ronich; Eric Upshall, Manitou Beach; Brian Rowan, Young; Fred McElree, Simpson; Dave Potts, Zelma; Ivan Allin, RM of Viscount; Bob Penrose, RM of Morris; John McArthur, RM of Wood Creek; and Shaun Thomson, RM of Wreford.
Westby said they still expect requests for other items to come in over time so the foundation will carry on its work.
“The foundation will continue to exist because we feel there is a need and purpose for it. We are looking at our history and we have been around pretty much 20 years. We have provided a lot of things that may not have been if we hadn’t been in existence. We will provide help where it is warranted.”
by Daniel Bushman/The Watrous Manitou
For just over two decades, the local health foundation has been a driving force behind numerous projects in Watrous. The foundation has supplied funding towards various initiatives and projects including the Watrous District Health Complex, which was recently built.
Despite getting to their goal of seeing a new complex built, chair Murray Westby said they continue to move forward with more help for ongoing needs.
Recently, “We ended up providing money for grounds care,” Westby said. “We decided that this is part of the redevelopment project with the beautiful building now.”
Grass cutting and snow removing equipment was added for grounds care and maintenance, which will allow the crew an opportunity to use up-to-date technology.
Over the years, the foundation has seen the community benefit. “We have funded equipment and furnishings in the hospital like x-ray equipment, lab equipment and diagnostic equipment. We have bought one or two ambulances, and we have put a lot of money into the current mobility van. We have also basically been responsible for operating the medical clinic up until this past year.”
Throughout the last two decades, the foundation has contributed several hundred thousand dollars for health-related issues and even more so, it contributed to the local share of construction costs for the Watrous District Health Complex. That amount tallied $2.8 million for the building and then about $550,000 for furniture and equipment.
“We have had wonderful support from the community from organizations, businesses and individuals. We have also had some significant bequests.”
Westby said those who lent a hand donating towards the complex have been recognized on a wall inside the facility. Since that donor recognition board was put up, Westby said others have come forward with substantial funds. The board will be updated in the spring with those names. “We are thankful for the donations we have received.”
The foundation’s existence came to be when the Watrous Union Hospital was owned and administered by the participating municipalities, through a board structure. Westby went on the board in the early 1980s after becoming mayor and over time, the board had funds saved up.
The group felt the locally-raised money should be retained for the local facility, as did other communities in the same situation. The provincial government at the time did not agree, said Westby, so Watrous’ response was to establish the foundation in 1993.
“At that time, it was called the Watrous Union Hospital Foundation. Manitou Lodge also had its own foundation and we amalgamated those in later years . . . and it is now called the Watrous Community Health Foundation.”
Those involved knew there would be a need for a replacement of Manitou Lodge and work continued on that project.
Directors were appointed by the municipalities and that remains today. Currently the group includes: chair Murray Westby representing Watrous; vice chair David Manson, Rural Municipality of Usborne; secretary/treasurer Anita Ronich; Eric Upshall, Manitou Beach; Brian Rowan, Young; Fred McElree, Simpson; Dave Potts, Zelma; Ivan Allin, RM of Viscount; Bob Penrose, RM of Morris; John McArthur, RM of Wood Creek; and Shaun Thomson, RM of Wreford.
Westby said they still expect requests for other items to come in over time so the foundation will carry on its work.
“The foundation will continue to exist because we feel there is a need and purpose for it. We are looking at our history and we have been around pretty much 20 years. We have provided a lot of things that may not have been if we hadn’t been in existence. We will provide help where it is warranted.”
Feb. 3, 2014
TWM switches hands
By Nicole Lay/The Watrous Manitou
The story of this winter has been one of wind so it only seems appropriate that the winds of change are also blowing through the Watrous Manitou.
The community newspaper that has served Watrous and area since 1933 is changing hands for only the fifth time in its 80-year history. Daniel and Kimberley Bushman of Watrous are taking over as owners and publishers from Robin and Nicole Lay effective today, Feb. 3.
“When the opportunity presented itself to purchase the newspaper, Kim and I were excited for the chance to continue something that has been a mainstay in this community and to bring readers their news on a weekly basis,” said Daniel who has been employed at TWM since July 2008 as reporter/photographer. Kim will join him in the office, taking on the bookkeeping aspect of the business as well as learning the publishing software used to create display ads, newspaper pages and the myriad custom printwork items offered to customers.
Daniel’s experience coupled with the continued presence of long-term staff members Laurie Regier and Melanie Gunderson will create a fairly seamless transition. That is not to say, however, that everything will remain exactly the same at 309 Main Street.
“While we want to keep the majority of the newspaper the same, there will be a few changes taking place. Two of the biggest changes will be in our hours and our website,” explained Daniel. Effective immediately, the office will be open at 8:30 am instead of 8 a.m. Monday to Friday but will remain open through the lunch hour to provide customers an opportunity to come in during that time. Every Friday, the office will close at 1 p.m.
“However, if there are events like a significant announcement in the afternoon Friday, we will still attend,” Daniel clarified.
The website has undergone a complete transformation, including its address. It can now be found at www.twmnews.com and no longer at www.thewatrousmanitou.com.
“There you will find everything from daily headlines, the weather forecast, road reports, online subscriptions, pictures, our top story and more. Online subscribers will be able to access their weekly paper at our new site and future online subscribers can do so as well, both at a lower price than our hard copy, which is due to postage rates.
“Essentially we want our website to be your one-stop shop to get up-to-date with what is going on in our area while also providing access to extras like video, pictures, audio and more.”
Fans and followers of TWM’s existing social media sites have nothing to fear. The facebook page (www.facebook.com/thewatrousmanitou) and twitter feed (www.twitter.com/twmnews) will still be active; the new website will simply add another way to reach customers and to keep everyone informed.
Now available - both online and in-store - are copies of photos Daniel has taken around the area. Long recognized as an exceptional photographer by readers, his pictures have also garnered top-three placements at the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Associations’ annual awards banquet. Further offerings along these lines are being planned and will be announced when ready.
Daniel’s past education and career path has been instrumental in developing and expanding his experience in the publishing world. Born and raised in Watrous, he graduated from Winston High School in 2002, went to Bethany Bible College for two years then to Western Academy Broadcasting College in Saskatoon. From there, Daniel worked in Melfort at CJVR/CK750 as a news/sports reporter. After a year he relocated to Saskatoon and worked for CJWW/92.9 the Bull and then Magic 98.3 as news/sports reporter.
Originally from Waldheim, Kim graduated in 2004 and attended Bethany for two years before moving to Saskatoon. She brings with her a background in records and bookkeeping from five years at Watrous Home Hardware, preceded by another combined five as a medical clinic receptionist in Watrous and Saskatoon. Besides looking forward to working side-by-side with her husband, Kim said, “I feel my office experience has provided me with valuable organizational skills and I am excited to bring my creativity to various components of the business.” Her flair in the latter area is evident in the scrapbooking and crafts she enjoys, while reading and spending time with family are also important activities in her life.
In July 2008, Kim and Daniel were married and moved to Watrous in August when Daniel began at TWM. The couple has never looked back, appreciating small-town life, the closeness of family and friends, and meeting new faces in a familiar setting. They welcomed daughter Natalie in 2011 and have another “little Bushman on the way”. The couple is very excited to remain a part of this community for years to come, said Daniel.
“Kim and I felt what better way to continue that, than to own TWM and further deepen our roots here. We thought it was pretty cool that all of the previous owners of TWM have been a husband and wife duo and we are looking forward to working together and continuing that tradition. While it may take a bit to get used to day-to-day operations at TWM, we are excited about the journey ahead.
“We really appreciate the support we have already received from family and friends,” the couple concluded.
By Nicole Lay/The Watrous Manitou
The story of this winter has been one of wind so it only seems appropriate that the winds of change are also blowing through the Watrous Manitou.
The community newspaper that has served Watrous and area since 1933 is changing hands for only the fifth time in its 80-year history. Daniel and Kimberley Bushman of Watrous are taking over as owners and publishers from Robin and Nicole Lay effective today, Feb. 3.
“When the opportunity presented itself to purchase the newspaper, Kim and I were excited for the chance to continue something that has been a mainstay in this community and to bring readers their news on a weekly basis,” said Daniel who has been employed at TWM since July 2008 as reporter/photographer. Kim will join him in the office, taking on the bookkeeping aspect of the business as well as learning the publishing software used to create display ads, newspaper pages and the myriad custom printwork items offered to customers.
Daniel’s experience coupled with the continued presence of long-term staff members Laurie Regier and Melanie Gunderson will create a fairly seamless transition. That is not to say, however, that everything will remain exactly the same at 309 Main Street.
“While we want to keep the majority of the newspaper the same, there will be a few changes taking place. Two of the biggest changes will be in our hours and our website,” explained Daniel. Effective immediately, the office will be open at 8:30 am instead of 8 a.m. Monday to Friday but will remain open through the lunch hour to provide customers an opportunity to come in during that time. Every Friday, the office will close at 1 p.m.
“However, if there are events like a significant announcement in the afternoon Friday, we will still attend,” Daniel clarified.
The website has undergone a complete transformation, including its address. It can now be found at www.twmnews.com and no longer at www.thewatrousmanitou.com.
“There you will find everything from daily headlines, the weather forecast, road reports, online subscriptions, pictures, our top story and more. Online subscribers will be able to access their weekly paper at our new site and future online subscribers can do so as well, both at a lower price than our hard copy, which is due to postage rates.
“Essentially we want our website to be your one-stop shop to get up-to-date with what is going on in our area while also providing access to extras like video, pictures, audio and more.”
Fans and followers of TWM’s existing social media sites have nothing to fear. The facebook page (www.facebook.com/thewatrousmanitou) and twitter feed (www.twitter.com/twmnews) will still be active; the new website will simply add another way to reach customers and to keep everyone informed.
Now available - both online and in-store - are copies of photos Daniel has taken around the area. Long recognized as an exceptional photographer by readers, his pictures have also garnered top-three placements at the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Associations’ annual awards banquet. Further offerings along these lines are being planned and will be announced when ready.
Daniel’s past education and career path has been instrumental in developing and expanding his experience in the publishing world. Born and raised in Watrous, he graduated from Winston High School in 2002, went to Bethany Bible College for two years then to Western Academy Broadcasting College in Saskatoon. From there, Daniel worked in Melfort at CJVR/CK750 as a news/sports reporter. After a year he relocated to Saskatoon and worked for CJWW/92.9 the Bull and then Magic 98.3 as news/sports reporter.
Originally from Waldheim, Kim graduated in 2004 and attended Bethany for two years before moving to Saskatoon. She brings with her a background in records and bookkeeping from five years at Watrous Home Hardware, preceded by another combined five as a medical clinic receptionist in Watrous and Saskatoon. Besides looking forward to working side-by-side with her husband, Kim said, “I feel my office experience has provided me with valuable organizational skills and I am excited to bring my creativity to various components of the business.” Her flair in the latter area is evident in the scrapbooking and crafts she enjoys, while reading and spending time with family are also important activities in her life.
In July 2008, Kim and Daniel were married and moved to Watrous in August when Daniel began at TWM. The couple has never looked back, appreciating small-town life, the closeness of family and friends, and meeting new faces in a familiar setting. They welcomed daughter Natalie in 2011 and have another “little Bushman on the way”. The couple is very excited to remain a part of this community for years to come, said Daniel.
“Kim and I felt what better way to continue that, than to own TWM and further deepen our roots here. We thought it was pretty cool that all of the previous owners of TWM have been a husband and wife duo and we are looking forward to working together and continuing that tradition. While it may take a bit to get used to day-to-day operations at TWM, we are excited about the journey ahead.
“We really appreciate the support we have already received from family and friends,” the couple concluded.
Jan. 27, 2014
Drugs finding their way into community
Last year in Watrous a total of 16 files involving drugs were written up by the local RCMP. The majority of those included marijuana with two containing cocaine.
Constable Brendan Fonteyne with the Watrous detachment said the statistics also showed it is not only youth involved. In fact, from the 16 total cases, just three involved those under 18. Of the 16 files, over half involved charges or precharges.
“I think drugs are a lot easier to come by with people moving in from cities to find work,” said Fonteyne. “I personally deal with the 18- to 40-year-old range but it (involves) male and female, young and old, and can be anybody.
“In Watrous it has started to become more of a problem. The first two years I was here we never really dealt with it but this last year it has been a lot more prevalent. The stabbing here was all drug fueled . . . selling drugs and people using harder drugs leads to more property crimes and break and enters. We haven’t had that yet and with the crime reduction (strategy in place), we don’t want that to happen.”
Just because the local detachment is based in Watrous, does not mean that this community is the only one seeing drugs. In small communities, Fonteyne said residents - whether temporary or permanent - are getting really good at hiding drugs, especially grow operations.
“People are moving out of small towns and moving into the city and then there are other people coming in (to those homes) for the lower cost of living.”
Back in August, Fonteyne and other members of the RCMP busted a grow operation in Viscount. What appeared to be an ordinary house reportedly contained 35 plants in the basement.
When people are selling or growing something, “that is what we are trying to stop. We don’t want that in our communities. We all live here and we don’t want that here.”
If a person thinks something strange is going on at a neighbour’s residence or elsewhere, Fonteyne said he or she can contact the RCMP, Crimestoppers or Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN).
The Ministry of Justice said SCAN legislation is intended to empower residents to “take back their neighbourhoods by reporting problem residences or businesses that are habitually used for illegal activities. These activities could include drugs, prostitution, gang or criminal activities, child sexual abuse or the unlawful sale or consumption of alcohol.”
Fonteyne said, “Ten years ago everybody knew their neighbours and now you don’t really know, so you have to be extra vigilant.”
With last year’s rash of break and enters in the Watrous area, including a stabbing, Fonteyne said, “It is a bigger problem and we are trying to combat it. There is a drug unit in Saskatoon and Regina and they are active in coming out to these communities and helping us do investigations.”
Last year in Watrous a total of 16 files involving drugs were written up by the local RCMP. The majority of those included marijuana with two containing cocaine.
Constable Brendan Fonteyne with the Watrous detachment said the statistics also showed it is not only youth involved. In fact, from the 16 total cases, just three involved those under 18. Of the 16 files, over half involved charges or precharges.
“I think drugs are a lot easier to come by with people moving in from cities to find work,” said Fonteyne. “I personally deal with the 18- to 40-year-old range but it (involves) male and female, young and old, and can be anybody.
“In Watrous it has started to become more of a problem. The first two years I was here we never really dealt with it but this last year it has been a lot more prevalent. The stabbing here was all drug fueled . . . selling drugs and people using harder drugs leads to more property crimes and break and enters. We haven’t had that yet and with the crime reduction (strategy in place), we don’t want that to happen.”
Just because the local detachment is based in Watrous, does not mean that this community is the only one seeing drugs. In small communities, Fonteyne said residents - whether temporary or permanent - are getting really good at hiding drugs, especially grow operations.
“People are moving out of small towns and moving into the city and then there are other people coming in (to those homes) for the lower cost of living.”
Back in August, Fonteyne and other members of the RCMP busted a grow operation in Viscount. What appeared to be an ordinary house reportedly contained 35 plants in the basement.
When people are selling or growing something, “that is what we are trying to stop. We don’t want that in our communities. We all live here and we don’t want that here.”
If a person thinks something strange is going on at a neighbour’s residence or elsewhere, Fonteyne said he or she can contact the RCMP, Crimestoppers or Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN).
The Ministry of Justice said SCAN legislation is intended to empower residents to “take back their neighbourhoods by reporting problem residences or businesses that are habitually used for illegal activities. These activities could include drugs, prostitution, gang or criminal activities, child sexual abuse or the unlawful sale or consumption of alcohol.”
Fonteyne said, “Ten years ago everybody knew their neighbours and now you don’t really know, so you have to be extra vigilant.”
With last year’s rash of break and enters in the Watrous area, including a stabbing, Fonteyne said, “It is a bigger problem and we are trying to combat it. There is a drug unit in Saskatoon and Regina and they are active in coming out to these communities and helping us do investigations.”
Jan. 20, 2014
Firefighter hangs up hat after 50 years
Moving to town in 1960, Schroeder got involved with the department three years later. “I was intrigued about it but I hadn’t really thought about joining,” said Schroeder who checked out the fire department’s bonspiel at the curling rink in 1963.
“They were short a curler, so I curled a bit and they asked, ‘Why don’t you join the fire department?’”
Agreeing to come on board, Schroeder said the volunteer position provided $1 per hour for his time but that was not the reason he joined the department.
“I was one of the younger ones there when I started, maybe even the youngest one,” said Schroeder. But over the years, “You got to know how the fire reacts and what to do. One time someone tried to light the skating rink on fire and went into a dressing room and started a fire. I had one guy with me and I crouched down because I had the hose and he was standing up. I opened the door a crack and he said, ‘Now I know why you are crouching down.’”
The long-time volunteer was also deputy fire chief for a number of years and recalls various changes over the decades. For example, a little canister and face mask were the equipment provided at first but that has since changed to an air pack, which is what the crew has now.
In order to dispatch members in the past, a siren located in the town office/firehall did the job from its location on Third Avenue where the art gallery now is. Schroeder said when that changed, the siren was placed on the SaskTel tower. Eventually the fire commissioners suggested a different response and a special phone was placed in volunteer members’ homes. As that became outdated, cellphones became the next way to notify volunteers of a fire.
“At the start, the guys that were on it were guys like you and me (and) learning on the go. Practice sessions didn’t really amount to much compared to what they are now.”
During his early years as a member, a 1937 open air truck was used, making it cold in the winter. At a fire, pumping would heat the unit as there was continuous water going through the engine to keep it cool. However, “You had to throw a fire coat over the radiator so it wouldn’t freeze up on you.”
Once the department received a rural truck, the crew was able to fight fires on farms and in fields.
Schroeder recalled the day the former pool at Manitou Beach caught fire. Fortunately the department spent some time practicing at the resort community previous to the incident for a fire. “We went to Camp Easter Seal and just about got stuck in the sand. I happened to be driving the truck (the day of the fire) to the beach and I knew I had one chance to get to the beach without getting stuck. As soon as I pushed the clutch in, (the truck) stopped and was stuck.”
Schroeder had positioned the truck close enough to the pool before getting stuck, so the contingent fought the fire and emptied the water tank. They then ended up sucking water out of the lake.
Once the fire was out, Herb Kornelsen brought a tow truck to pull out the unit. Schroeder said that fire was probably the biggest he fought over his 50 years. “Technically, yeah. The thing that saved it was it was winter time and if a spark went flying, it was not a large problem. It was quite a fire.
“One time we went to an elevator fire and the best thing you can do is let it burn because at least they can salvage some grain; otherwise, it is wet and there’s nothing you can salvage. The grain will eventually smother it.”
Over the years as more housing was created, it cut down on small fires. Until that was done, though, Schroeder said, “There used to be a path in some bush and kids would make some little huts and you always had about three or four little fires in there.”
Incredibly, during the 75-year-old Schroeder’s tenure, there have been just three tragedies with two people perishing in a fire at Manitou Beach and one in Watrous.
For Schroeder’s 50-year achievement, the Watrous Volunteer Fire Department presented him with a plaque during the town’s Christmas party in December.
While Schroeder has opted to call it a career, he does not regret his decision to take up fire fighting.
“I just enjoyed the experience and got to meet and know people by more than just a name. They were all a bunch of good guys. It has worked out fine.”
Moving to town in 1960, Schroeder got involved with the department three years later. “I was intrigued about it but I hadn’t really thought about joining,” said Schroeder who checked out the fire department’s bonspiel at the curling rink in 1963.
“They were short a curler, so I curled a bit and they asked, ‘Why don’t you join the fire department?’”
Agreeing to come on board, Schroeder said the volunteer position provided $1 per hour for his time but that was not the reason he joined the department.
“I was one of the younger ones there when I started, maybe even the youngest one,” said Schroeder. But over the years, “You got to know how the fire reacts and what to do. One time someone tried to light the skating rink on fire and went into a dressing room and started a fire. I had one guy with me and I crouched down because I had the hose and he was standing up. I opened the door a crack and he said, ‘Now I know why you are crouching down.’”
The long-time volunteer was also deputy fire chief for a number of years and recalls various changes over the decades. For example, a little canister and face mask were the equipment provided at first but that has since changed to an air pack, which is what the crew has now.
In order to dispatch members in the past, a siren located in the town office/firehall did the job from its location on Third Avenue where the art gallery now is. Schroeder said when that changed, the siren was placed on the SaskTel tower. Eventually the fire commissioners suggested a different response and a special phone was placed in volunteer members’ homes. As that became outdated, cellphones became the next way to notify volunteers of a fire.
“At the start, the guys that were on it were guys like you and me (and) learning on the go. Practice sessions didn’t really amount to much compared to what they are now.”
During his early years as a member, a 1937 open air truck was used, making it cold in the winter. At a fire, pumping would heat the unit as there was continuous water going through the engine to keep it cool. However, “You had to throw a fire coat over the radiator so it wouldn’t freeze up on you.”
Once the department received a rural truck, the crew was able to fight fires on farms and in fields.
Schroeder recalled the day the former pool at Manitou Beach caught fire. Fortunately the department spent some time practicing at the resort community previous to the incident for a fire. “We went to Camp Easter Seal and just about got stuck in the sand. I happened to be driving the truck (the day of the fire) to the beach and I knew I had one chance to get to the beach without getting stuck. As soon as I pushed the clutch in, (the truck) stopped and was stuck.”
Schroeder had positioned the truck close enough to the pool before getting stuck, so the contingent fought the fire and emptied the water tank. They then ended up sucking water out of the lake.
Once the fire was out, Herb Kornelsen brought a tow truck to pull out the unit. Schroeder said that fire was probably the biggest he fought over his 50 years. “Technically, yeah. The thing that saved it was it was winter time and if a spark went flying, it was not a large problem. It was quite a fire.
“One time we went to an elevator fire and the best thing you can do is let it burn because at least they can salvage some grain; otherwise, it is wet and there’s nothing you can salvage. The grain will eventually smother it.”
Over the years as more housing was created, it cut down on small fires. Until that was done, though, Schroeder said, “There used to be a path in some bush and kids would make some little huts and you always had about three or four little fires in there.”
Incredibly, during the 75-year-old Schroeder’s tenure, there have been just three tragedies with two people perishing in a fire at Manitou Beach and one in Watrous.
For Schroeder’s 50-year achievement, the Watrous Volunteer Fire Department presented him with a plaque during the town’s Christmas party in December.
While Schroeder has opted to call it a career, he does not regret his decision to take up fire fighting.
“I just enjoyed the experience and got to meet and know people by more than just a name. They were all a bunch of good guys. It has worked out fine.”