Weekly top stories from Sept. 2024 and on
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Feb. 2, 2026
Official with local roots set for Olympic Winter Games
Daniel Bushman
With the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy slated for Feb. 6 to 22, a familiar face to the local area will be representing Canada on the global stage.
Following immense dedication, sacrifice, and hard work, on Aug. 12, 2025 Alex Clarke (nee Blair) was one of only 10 Canadian ice hockey officials chosen to work at the upcoming event.
Sharing about the honour in the Aug. 25, 2025 edition of The Watrous Manitou, Clarke, who was also a linesperson during the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China, said, “This selection is special to me as it is a second opportunity at an Olympic experience. The 2022 Olympics were filled with covid restrictions, changing protocols, daily testing and stress leading up to departure. When I arrived in Beijing, all I was able to take in was the inside of my hotel and the arenas so there was no real true Olympic experience.”
Looking forward to the opportunity in Italy, Clarke is joining two other female officials representing Saskatchewan. Not only ready but eager to bring her years of experience to the international stage, Clarke said, “To do this alongside so many Canadians is truly gratifying as those are a group of some of my closest friends!”
Following a lengthy evaluation process as part of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) ‘Road to Milan’, Clarke was evaluated in domestic competition, professional hockey and multiple IIHF tournaments prior to the final selection.
Dan Hanoomansingh, Hockey Canada officiating manager shared following the selection announcement in August that officiating at the Olympic Games is the pinnacle of an amateur official’s career. “These officials have been working tirelessly towards this goal for the last four years, and it is a credit to their determination and skill that they have made it a reality.”
Growing up on a farm near Drake and spending her winters officiating at the local rink, since that time, Clarke has been selected for provincial and national championships and has also officiated at the Western Hockey League, American Hockey League and Professional Women’s Hockey League levels.
Internationally, Alex has worked her way up the ranks, being part of the Women’s World Championship in August 2021, the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing and the Women’s World Championship gold medal game in 2023 and bronze medal contest in 2024.
Aiming to return to the Olympics in 2026, Clarke began working towards that goal after the 2022 Olympics ended. “I knew after being robbed of a true Olympic experience in 2022 due to the covid restrictions that I wanted to return to the Olympics. I also wanted to add to our family so given the timelines and my goals, I chose to stay active as a linesperson.”
Working a number of high level tournaments, both in North America and around the globe, this past season Clarke estimated she skated around 80 games and spent close to 100 days out of Saskatchewan. Alex travelled internationally to Japan and Czechia, along with a few trips to the U.S. and across Canada. “On top of that, I skated about 50 games within Saskatchewan, worked full time, supported a husband who farms and has overlapping busy seasons, and have two children. I had all the success I wanted and could manage this past season, and truly was ready for a break after skating the Professional Women’s Hockey League Championship series and a nine month season, which ended May 20.”
Looking forward to the next chapter in her already storied career as an official, Clarke extended her appreciation to her hometown for the support she has received over the years. “Drake as a community has been incredible in supporting and cheering me on throughout my officiating journey; it has truly been humbling how many community members reach out and share words of congratulations, support, etc. As a referee, we don’t often have people cheering us on, and often feel underappreciated or like our sacrifices don’t matter to anyone but ourselves. So, it is rewarding when I see a community rally behind me and support the success I’ve had.”
Clarke was also quick to point out during the interview in August 2025 the tremendous support she has received from her family, which has been instrumental throughout her career. “Whether it is my husband and kids sacrificing everything that they do so that I can travel and chase this dream, or my parents, siblings, and in-laws who have stepped in to help watch my children when I am gone on longer assignments, to aunts and uncles travelling or adjusting their schedules to see me skate, it has been truly appreciated.”
The 2026 Olympic Winter Games schedule for the women in ice hockey gets going Thursday, Feb. 5 with the gold medal and bronze medal games scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19.
Jan. 26, 2026
Weather wreaks havoc in January
Daniel Bushman
It has been a windy January in Saskatchewan and because of it, weather conditions have been impacted within the province. Despite a bit of a mixed bag of temperatures, going from melting values and freezing rain to arctic wind chill values in the -40˚C range, the wind has been fairly constant.
On Jan. 15 substantial wind gusts, blowing snow and melting values created treacherous road conditions in the central and southern parts of the province. With strong winds polishing the roads following above normal values, some snow arrived and travel was not recommended in some areas Thursday.
During the winter storm, Saskatchewan RCMP officers attended the scene of a multiple vehicle pile-up near the intersection of Hwy. 46 and Hwy. 1, southwest of Balgonie. Hwy. 46 was closed for an undetermined amount of time and multiple other highways in the Regina area were closed while travel was not recommended throughout numerous parts of Saskatchewan.
Officers also responded to a collision on Hwy. 10, south of the 364 junction, near Edgeley and closer to home there were reports of vehicles in ditches. With ice, snow-covered lanes, drifting and blowing snow, road closures/detours, and strong winds, conditions deteriorated rapidly Thursday and into the early hours of Friday.
On Thursday, Jan. 15, strong winds spread through much of southern and central Saskatchewan and Environment and Climate Change Canada released a list of recorded peak wind gusts measured in km/h: Yellow Grass (87), Meadow Lake (89), Prince Albert (93), Nipawin (94), Pilger (91), North Battleford (94), Saskatoon (89), Kindersley (89), Leader (91), Lucky Lake (102), Elbow (87), Watrous (94), Last Mountain (93), Yorkton (87), Maple Creek (87), Cypress Hills Park (85), Eastend (91), Swift Current (93), Mankota (102), Val Marie (96), Moose Jaw (100), Assiniboia (93), Regina (96), Rockglen (100), Coronach (104), Weyburn (85), and Estevan (104).
With gusts reaching the 90s in the Watrous area, shingles from homes could be spotted strewn about the following day. REACT bins were also toppled over and pushed into the street. While the wind did subside briefly, it returned this past week prompting a blowing snow advisory Jan. 20 and 21. Environment and Climate Change Canada said the advisory was a result of a strong cold front surging south through the province producing strong northwest winds with gusts as high as 80 km/h. The winds combined with light snow produced areas of poor visibility Tuesday night and into Wednesday. Conditions improved by Wednesday evening but the temperature did not as wind chill values of -43˚C were estimated overnight Jan. 21. Those arctic values continued into Thursday and Friday with highs of -28˚C and wind chill values in the -40˚C range. Overnight lows reaching the -38˚C range were also forecast.
According to the Weather Network, the powerful Arctic blast was one of the strongest cold setups of the 21st century for parts of Canada. With the prolonged stretch of cold weather, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada were hit hardest. For Saskatchewan and Manitoba that meant morning lows near -40˚C and daytime highs stuck in the -30˚C range. The Weather Network said this level of cold is rare in recent decades. “The Arctic air mass ranks among the strongest upper-level cold intrusions since 2000 for parts of central and eastern Canada.
Following the blast of arctic air, for the latter part of this week, the forecast is calling for warmer temperatures that are closer to the normals for this time of year (-10˚C as a high and -20˚C as a low).
Jan. 19, 2026
Rotarian receives honour for contributions
Daniel Bushman
Living out the Rotary Club’s motto of ‘Service Above Self,’ a local resident and member of the Watrous Rotary Club was recently honoured with the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition.
Acknowledging individuals who contribute or who have contributions made in their name of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation, Doug Gregory was presented with the honour by Rotary District Governor Wayne Jacobsen during a Nov. 25, 2025 Watrous Rotary event.
Completely caught off guard and surprised, Gregory said, “To receive that recognition by someone who made a contribution in my name, I was speechless. I had similar feelings when I found out I was named the Watrous Citizen of the Year in 2014. That recognition doesn’t come by chance, it comes from someone who feels you are doing something positive and puts your name down. I don’t do what I do for the rewards, it is just in my nature to help those in my community.”
According to Rotary, the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition was first established in 1957 to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. Then in 1978, Ida LeTulle Taylor became the first Paul Harris Fellow when her husband Vann Taylor, a district governor, made a donation in her name. That began a tradition of supporting the foundation by honouring others.
Expressing appreciation for Doug’s numerous contributions within the local club and the community, Watrous Rotarian Ron Morningstar shared Gregory was a worthy recipient. “I felt that Doug deserved the recognition and I wanted to make a contribution to the Rotary Foundation in his honour.”
With Gregory joining Watrous Rotary in 2017, Morningstar shared he has held numerous positions including treasurer (2021), club foundation chair (2023-‘24), and club membership chair (2021-present). “Doug also canvasses for our Rotary calendar and acts as a liaison between Watrous Rotary and the elementary and high school in Watrous. He has helped coordinate opportunities for students who posses leadership skills to attend a Rotary camp in Manitoba and before the pandemic, helped with sending students to Adventures in Agriculture and Adventures in Technology.”
Receiving Watrous Citizen of the Year accolades in 2014, Morningstar noted Gregory has done a number of things within the community including helping with the Watrous and District Food Bank, is on the Interlake Board and in previous years, has conducted Vacation Bible School camps. “Doug has made numerous contributions to our community and I was happy to be able to honour him through the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition.”
In becoming a Paul Harris Fellow, Morningstar shared Gregory joins a remarkable company of people throughout the globe. “They are recognized for their devotion to the ideal of good will, peace and understanding.”
Appreciating the values and what Rotary stands for, Gregory also wanted to encourage people to join the local club. “It is a very worthwhile organization. Money that the club raises goes back into the community and is also given to worthy national and international causes like PolioPlus. Locally, our Watrous Rotary Club has supported things including the walking trail, Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre, Interlake, the food bank, and the Kinettes while also contributing to some projects overseas.”
Jan. 12, 2026
SkullCreek Studios earns SCMA Award
Daniel Bushman
A lifelong passion for music has not only become a labour of love for Watrous resident Aspen Beveridge but it has translated into numerous accolades including back-to-back Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Awards.
Receiving multiple SCMA nominations in a variety of categories since relocating SkullCreek Studios to Watrous in 2022, after winning Studio of the Year in 2024, Beveridge once again took home top honours in 2025.
Selected amongst other prestigious studios within Saskatchewan, Beveridge shared candidly he was surprised to win a second consecutive time. “I thought it was a long shot last year and this year was no different. I’m just really excited and touched that the Saskatchewan Country Music Association and its members believe I’m doing something exceptional.”
Also a finalist for Bass Player of the Year and Record Producer of the Year (for the song Fly Away with artist Berk Jodoin), Beveridge was super excited to be nominated alongside his peers. “To be up for Bass Player of the Year felt good because of all the hours I had put in studying and learning different techniques. Being nominated for Recording Studio of the Year after winning last year was really flattering and I was honoured to receive that recognition along with Record Producer of the Year.”
Sincerely grateful to be recognized for multiple nominations while bringing home a second SCMA Studio of the Year award, Beveridge was also thrilled to see a number of his friends and clients in the spotlight. “That was the cherry on top for sure! My good friend Kurtis Kopp won both Drummer of the Year and the Humanitarian Award. Darryl Anderson won Indigenous Artist of the Year. Prehistoric Productions who I’ve worked with for many years also won Video of the Year.”
Able to attend the 2025 SCMA Awards gala in Regina Nov. 30, Beveridge noted how enjoyable it was. “It felt a bit like a reunion of sorts because you reconnect with artists and industry people that you might only see once a year. Thankfully my folks, Don and Carolyn were able to attend and I also brought my wife Anna and my mother-in-law, Eva. That was extremely important to me, because they are the primary reason I have any success and they’ve kept me going through all the ups and downs.”
It has been that type of support which has helped Aspen flourish within the music industry. Explaining how he is busier than ever while still feeling like he is learning along the way, the owner of SkullCreek Studios is looking forward to what 2026 holds. “My goal is not only to make my clients happy and meet their expectations, but to improve and expand on my own skills every time I’m in the studio. I’m sure there will be much more of that in 2026.”
Receiving calls from new and prospective clients since the SCMA awards were handed out, Beveridge has a number of projects already on the go. In addition to his studio work, Aspen is also part of a new group called Midnight Pines. “I will be debuting some songs very soon and I’m contributing with a lot of the song writing, playing bass, some guitar and singing harmonies, so I’m hoping it will be well received.”
As for what the spring and summer holds, the talented artist is planning a trip out west with Berk Jodoin for some shows and a few festivals dates. “I feel comfortable on the road, so I’m always looking forward to getting out there, meeting people and connecting with audiences.”
But before he embarks on a road trip to B.C. later this year, Beveridge continues mixing, writing, producing and recording music in his upstairs studio on the west side of Watrous. “It has been overwhelming,” he said of the support and trust he has received. “Sometimes I just sit and reflect on how lucky I am. I have an unbelievable support system and I know how rare that is. My parents, my wife, my community, the SCMA, SaskMusic, mentors, friends, family, etc. They hold me up, motivate me and keep me going. Thank you to everyone who continues to support and show interest in SkullCreek.”
Jan. 5, 2026
Watrous Fire Department Honoured
Daniel Bushman
Dedicated to helping those in times of need while ensuring the safety of others, the Watrous Fire Department was recently awarded with the 2025 Premier’s Commendation in recognition of the role played in combating wildfires in northern Saskatchewan.
Joining other departments from across the province, Watrous Fire Chief Shannon Craig was on hand at the Legislative Building in Regina Dec. 2 to accept the honour on behalf of the department. “This commendation acknowledges our department’s ability to deploy three of our members to assist with wildfire suppression efforts in northern Saskatchewan, supporting communities during an unprecedented wildfire season.”
“The Premier’s Commendation recognizes those whose actions exemplify courage, responsibility and service to others,” Premier Scott Moe said. “Those honoured today responded decisively in moments of great need, demonstrating the strength of character and commitment that uphold the values of our province.”
“This award is an acknowledgement of the bravery of those protecting Saskatchewan families and communities during one of the most devastating wildfire seasons on record,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod, K.C. said. “The award recipients are representative of the unwavering commitment and strength that defines this province.”
From 2012 to 2018 the award recognized Saskatchewanians, individually or in groups, who have conducted themselves bravely or meritoriously. In 2025, the program was revived to honour those who responded to the 2025 wildfire threats for their extraordinary efforts during the 2025 wildfire season. The Dec. 2 ceremony highlighted the volunteer and municipal fire departments, and type 2 firefighters who heroically protected communities and supported the Saskatchewan people when they were in need.
Sharing how the honour reflects the dedication, training, and commitment of the Watrous firefighters who are always ready to step up when called upon, Craig said, “We are proud to serve our community and our province. Thank you to our members, leadership, and supporters for standing by our sides.”
During the devastating wildfire season, on July 23, one unit comprised of three members (Jory Vanthuyne, Carman Morelli, and Hayden Jennett) from the Watrous Fire Department headed north to assist with efforts in the La Loche area. Connecting with local resident Travis Struthers, who was already up north fighting fires, the local department supported La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation.
The three members representing Watrous spent 10 days deployed in northern Saskatchewan where they cleared brush to create helicopter landing zones, helped the local fire department knock down a bush fire, patrolled the community for spot fires and flare-ups and stopped at Buffalo Narrows to observe the water bomber base.
On behalf of Watrous Town Council and the community, the Town of Watrous released the following statement: “We would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to the local fire department on being awarded the 2025 Premier’s Commendation from the Government of Saskatchewan for their role in combating wildfires during the 2025 season. In addition to this provincial recognition, our firefighters continue to provide outstanding service at home. Over recent weeks, they have responded to numerous local calls – both minor and major – demonstrating their ongoing commitment to protecting lives, property, and our community.
“The dedication, training, and selflessness of our fire department are essential to the safety and well-being of our residents. We are deeply grateful for their service, their leadership, and their willingness to step forward whenever they are needed, near or far. Thank you for everything you do for our community. For more information about the Watrous Fire Department or how to volunteer, please contact the Watrous Town Office.”
Dec. 22, 2025
Physicians secured for Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Hoping to see some stability in the new year with an eventual goal of having services available for the public around the clock, recruitment efforts continue for hospitals in Watrous and Lanigan.
At Watrous District Health Complex, those efforts have meant securing locum physicians over the past few months with the expectation that two full-time doctors will be arriving in February. After losing three of its physicians last summer, Watrous was able to secure one doctor while bringing in some temporary help.
Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) Holly Srochenski, Director of Primary Health Care for the area shared since fall Watrous has been utilizing the services of one primary health care physician and nurse practitioner while adding three locum physicians. “They have been helping and assisting in the clinic, in the ER and with acute care to have services open.”
Srochenski noted the current setup will continue until February when two new physicians are expected to be in Watrous. “We are anticipating their arrival for the beginning of February which will mean we will have three full-time primary health care physicians along with a nurse practitioner.”
Happy that two new physicians will be coming to town, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said, “I have been in contact with them and we have luckily found some accommodations for them which can be tough to get these days.”
With plans to augment a fourth provider, another nurse practitioner was also hired in October and is home-based out of Imperial. “We have also been utilizing the virtual physician program to ensure that we have the least amount of service disruptions as possible. We haven’t been disrupted lately, which has been great.”
To maintain services in Watrous, at the hospital’s lab, Srochenski said Point-of-Care Testing has also been implemented. “This allows nurses to run some testing so that even if there is no CLXT on call, the emergency room can remain open with the use of Point-of-Care Testing.”
A program which has been rolled out across province, Srochenski shared Watrous has been accessing it over the last couple of months. “It has already been used and the ER was not disrupted.”
While SHA has been able to recruit physicians and bring in programs to help alleviate service disruptions in Watrous, one area that it continues to seek help is at the long term care facility. Forced to temporarily close some of the beds at Manitou Lodge, Srochenski said that has been due to a lack of Continuing Care Assistants (CCA). “We were slowly trying to reopen some of the beds but we need more CCA staff in order to do that. If people would like to apply for that position or know of someone who would, they can drop off their resume with the manager.”
The Town of Watrous along with Carlton Trail College have also joined forces to try and offer a CCA program for interested applicants. “We are actively posting and recruiting a number of CCA positions, so that we can safely re-open the beds as soon as possible.”
In discussions with Carlton Trail College, Gunderson shared training will be offered for CCA in September 2026. With college locations in Humboldt, Watrous and Wynyard, Gunderson said if there is not enough applications in Watrous to warrant a class, students could connect via zoom for the classroom part of the training and for the lab portion, someone would come out to the community. “It is some time away yet but also good news that we have something on the forefront.”
In an effort to attract CCA applicants, Gunderson noted the Town of Watrous along with some surrounding municipalities have agreed to cover 50 per cent of the training costs for up to six CCA positions. “Hopefully between now and September we can have some recruits.”
In the meantime, Srochenski is pleased to see a pair of physicians on the way for Watrous in the new year. “I think knowing that two new physicians are coming has been exciting for the staff and the clinic and it will help to stabilize services. Once they arrive in February, the anticipation is to reopen fully.”
Seeing some positive things develop, Gunderson said, “We have worked hard to collaborate with both the Ministry of Health and SHA to try and get to where we are going to be in the next couple of months. Hopefully as we get there, we will be in good shape for the next while.”
While there is optimism in Watrous with the two physicians arriving in February and the CCA collaboration with Carlton Trail College, in Lanigan, as the community constructs housing for its physicians, the town was notified that one of its doctors will be leaving.
With funding available for three physicians, following the departure of one doctor in August while another one arrived in October, when Dr. Askari departs in the new year, Srochenski said that will leave Lanigan with one full-time physician and one nurse practitioner.
Working to get locum coverage in Lanigan while SHA tries to add more physicians, Srochenski said the community continues to use the virtual physician program. “For example, on Dec. 16, we ran 24 hours with the virtual physician program. I encourage people in Lanigan to check because we can be offering emergency services 24 hours a day if and when the virtual physician program is available to us. We have moved from the 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. services that we were at and have tried to expand our services by using the virtual physician program.”
If residents in both communities want to see if there are any service disruptions to local facilities, SHA provides information on its website: http://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/news-events/service-disruptions
With daily updates on current and upcoming (within 24 hours) temporary disruptions of emergency services at SHA facilities across the province, SHA indicated disruptions to emergency services of any length are posted and will also be reflected on individual facility and location pages. “The new service disruption notification system allows community members to check and see if emergency rooms are open or not.”
Frustrated with the situation in his community and the lack of physicians, Lanigan Mayor Tony Mycock said, “We had known Dr. Askari was leaving for about a year and now we have no replacement. I talked with the Minister of Health a week ago and was informed the next intake from the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program is not until July. That is really our only way to bring in new full-time physicians.”
Sharing the new doctor who arrived in October is doing great, Mycock understands locum coverage is being secured but added “this is definitely not where we want to be. We are doing everything we can as a community to support our doctors including building another house to serve a full compliment of doctors. We will have this house built and will anybody be able to use it?”
Since becoming mayor six years ago, Mycock remains disappointed that the situation in Lanigan has not improved. “I know we are not the only community to be dealing with this but my number one priority is Lanigan and I want to assure everyone I will keep doing what I can and keep lobbying to get to where we need to be. The situation is just concerning because we are growing and there is so much going on in the area. People need to be able to go to a doctor.”
Hoping to have less disruptions while securing more physicians in 2026, Srochenski did note that Central Parkland Lodge has been very stable with no staffing gaps in Lanigan and the acute care nursing staffing at both Lanigan and Watrous hospitals has been stable. “That has settled and we are not on disruptions because of nursing gaps.”
Mycock said, “I want to thank all of the staff at the hospital and Parkland Lodge for all they do to keep things running as best as they can. We have great people in place and we appreciate each and every one of them.”
Continuing to focus on recruiting to positions that need to be filled, Srochenksi said the gaps experienced are not just in Watrous and Lanigan but throughout the province. “Unfortunately there are staffing challenges as they ebb and flow. We just continue to recruit to positions we know need to be filled. If there are people looking for employment at any of our departments, we encourage people to apply and bring resumes to managers.”
Understanding the frustrations from residents of the communities and surrounding areas, Srochenski said, “I want to thank the communities for being very patient as we have worked through this but overall I think things are looking very positive.”
Dec. 15, 2025
New CAO for Watrous enjoying opportunity
Daniel Bushman
Following 26 years of dedication and commitment, over the past couple of months there has been a new face representing the Town of Watrous in the Chief Administrative Officer’s (CAO) role.
After the retirement of Orrin Redden, who first started as the CAO for Watrous on Jan. 25, 1999, Melissa Dieno officially began her tenure with the town on Oct. 20, 2025.
Working alongside Redden in different roles, the staff at the Town of Watrous shared the following statement: “After 26 years of dedicated service to the Town of Watrous, we are pleased to recognize and congratulate Orrin on his well-earned retirement. Throughout his time with the Town, Orrin was known for his reliability, strong work ethic, and unwavering commitment to keeping our community running smoothly. His contributions have made a lasting impact on Watrous, and he will be greatly missed by coworkers and residents alike. We extend our sincere thanks and warmest wishes to Orrin as he begins this next chapter.”
Pleased to welcome Dieno to the office, the Town of Watrous staff shared they are looking forward to having her join the team. “We are excited to have Melissa with us and are thrilled to not only work with her but to also welcome her to the community. Melissa brings a wealth of experience and has ties to Watrous and we are grateful she has decided to take on the role as CAO.”
As the new CAO and with a couple of months at the job, Dieno graciously took some time out of her busy schedule to share about the role and how it has been going so far.
When did you start as CAO in Watrous?
I began my role as Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Watrous on Oct. 20, 2025. It has been a smooth transition and I’m grateful for how welcoming everyone has been.
How has it gone so far?
It has gone very well. Council, staff, and community members have been incredibly supportive. The team at the Town Office has been fantastic to work with, and I’m enjoying getting familiar with ongoing projects and community priorities. I’m excited about the work ahead.
For those who may not know you, can you share a bit about yourself?
I’ve worked in municipal administration for 10 years, bringing experience from both urban and rural municipalities. Before entering this field, I spent 20 years in cosmetology, including time at the Watrous Klip and Kurl (with Brenda, Betty and Joanne), where I had the pleasure of also working beside Ervin Gross, who gave me my start. After completing my apprenticeship, my career took me elsewhere—but returning to Watrous truly feels like coming home.
I have strong ties here, with family and friends in the community, and that played a big role in making the decision to move back. I also have two grown sons, Mason (22) and Karson (19), who live and attend school in Regina. Being closer to them has been wonderful for all of us, and I’m incredibly grateful to be their mom—they are truly my pride and joy.
Are you looking forward to being in Watrous and meeting people of the community?
Absolutely. I’ve already felt the sense of community that Watrous is known for. I’m looking forward to meeting more residents, building relationships, and getting involved in community events and activities. Moving here has been an easy and enjoyable transition, and I’m excited to be part of the town’s bright future.
What are some items you are hoping to look at for Watrous?
My initial focus is on listening, learning, and understanding council’s goals and the community’s needs. Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue supporting:
• Strong, transparent communication between the Town and residents;
• Sustainable community growth and long-term planning;
• Economic development initiatives; and
• Maintaining and improving the infrastructure and services that Watrous depends on.
I’m committed to working collaboratively with council, staff, and the community to build on the strong foundation already here.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I have moved to Watrous and am genuinely excited to be involved in this amazing community. I appreciate the warm welcome I’ve already received and look forward to contributing to the continued success and vibrancy of the town.
Dec. 8, 2025
Watrous Coaches of the Year named
Daniel Bushman
Investing countless hours into the growth and development of their athletes while watching them become leaders, this year’s Watrous Coaches of the Year have not only found success on the field but off of it as well.
Dedicating time to the Winston High School football program over the years, Barry Croshaw, Doug Thomas, Terry Braman, Jarvis Engele and Kade Thomas were all recognized for their efforts by their players.
Nominated by members of this year’s Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 2A provincial gold medal winning team, the coaching staff was honoured to receive the award.
Amongst the players submitting a nomination for the football coaches to be named as this year’s recipients was Blake Morelli. Stating his coaches were deserving of the award, Morelli said, “To have a group of over 30 teenage boys willingly getting up at the crack of dawn for early morning practices for the entire football season is a sure sign the coaching staff are doing something right!”
Sharing how the staff have developed a program the athletes look forward to joining, Morelli said teenagers in the community thrive when being a part of the team and graduating players leave as better people for their experiences. “Through all my years of minor sports, I have had many memorable coaches; most of them being parent volunteers. This past season with the Winston High School football team was the first time I’ve ever had an entire coaching staff that didn’t have a player on the team. Not one of them had to be there, but the whole group of them were there by choice. They put a ton of work into preparing our team for practices and games.”
Considering himself fortunate to have played football, Morelli attributed the success of the team and lifelong memories to the coaching staff. “They always went above and beyond to bring out the best in us.”
Another player from the team, Justice Holland, shared how he considers it a privilege to have had the coaches over the past three years. “I have played a plethora of sports and I’ve had lots of amazing coaches, but none truly compared to the coaches of the Wildcat football team. It takes some serious commitment for a man to wake up at six in the morning just to deal with a bunch of teenagers for two hours. But yet every morning they still wake up and show up for the team. Their planning and determination is like no other coach.”
With members of the WHS football team in attendance at the Town of Watrous Christmas Party Nov. 22, it was evident how much admiration the athletes have for their coaches.
Reaching out to the Winston High School football staff to get their thoughts on what it means to be recognized for the honour and how meaningful it was to be nominated by their players for the award, the following is the responses received:
Barry Croshaw
What does it mean to you to receive Coach of the Year honours?
I am very honoured to be recognized with such a great group of men, and especially considering the outstanding coaches our community is blessed with, it is a tremendous honour to receive this award.
What did it mean to be nominated by players from your team?
It means everything, they are the ones that you spend hours with and hope to help grow into great citizens in our communities. It means the world to know they appreciate all that we try to accomplish alongside them. We as coaches are completely dependent on the players in order to achieve success in any form and to be nominated by them is very heartwarming.
Why do you coach the WHS football team?
I do it to give back to a sport that has given me so much as well as the relationships you build with your players, coaches, officials and even members of other teams.
How special was this year for you as a coach, not only being able to win a provincial title but be with a special group, both players and coaches?
It was a truly great experience, I couldn’t imagine a group of players or other coaches that would have been more enjoyable to work with and who deserved it more.
How many years have you been involved with the team?
I think this is year 34 for me.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to extend a huge thank you to those who nominated us, those who selected us and our communities for giving the boys so much support this year.
Doug Thomas
What does it mean to you to receive Coach of the Year honours?
It is a huge honour to be recognized by the Town of Watrous, as there are many excellent coaches in our community volunteering their time and energy.
What did it mean to be nominated by players from your team?
It was heartwarming to hear that some of our players had taken the time to nominate us. We spend many hours together during this and previous seasons. I respect these young men for the effort and commitment they show each and every week. Plus, they are fun to be around!
Why do you coach the WHS football team?
Win or lose, I coach because it is fun and we get a unique opportunity to influence and encourage. I hope that I am part of some special positive memories for each of our players, whether we win the gold medal or not.
How special was this year for you as a coach, not only being able to win a provincial title but be with a special group, both players and coaches?
It was extra special to be able to coach alongside Barry Croshaw and we will miss him dearly. He has the gift of looking out for everyone on the team, keeping a balanced perspective and valuing each contribution to our program – this includes the amazing support from our communities.
How many years have you been involved with the team?
This is my 18th year coaching football with the Wildcats.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I want to thank the players for their commitment to being their best, off and on the field, their families, the community, our supportive staff and students at Winston who organize the canteen and 50/50 draws, and my fellow coaches. It continues to be a pleasure waking up before 6 a.m. for a few months every fall.
Terry Braman
What does it mean to you to receive Coach of the Year honours?
It is a huge honour. There are so many great coaches in this community that it is humbling to receive this honour. Plus, to receive it as a staff, with coaches that are also my friends, makes it very special.
What did it mean to be nominated by players from your team?
It meant so much that our players took the time to nominate us and appreciate us as coaches. This was a special team, they showed toughness, resilience and appreciation the whole season. They are a great group of young men and I couldn’t be more proud to be their coach.
Why do you coach the WHS football team?
I have a passion and a love for the game of football. I would coach this sport for any team that I was given the chance. But to be a part of the Wildcat football program for 13 seasons now, it truly is special and I am so grateful to be a part of it.
How special was this year for you as a coach, not only being able to win a provincial title but be with a special group, both players and coaches?
This was a year where the football gods got it right. This team deserved it, the kids worked so hard and would not let adversity get in their way. As a coaching staff, we work so well together and the respect between us couldn’t be higher. It was unbelievably satisfying to see our players hoist that trophy on Nov. 8, the thought of it still brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.
How many years have you been involved with the team?
Thirteen seasons now.
Jarvis Engele
What does it mean to you to receive Coach of the Year honours?
It is a great honour to receive this award as a group of coaches. We are so fortunate both in our two school communities as well as the community as a whole that we have a large number of dedicated coaches who volunteer their time. Our community offers a wide variety of all sorts of activities – athletics, arts, music, among other things, which really enriches our community.
What did it mean to be nominated by players from your team?
It certainly was not something that was expected or needed as recognition is not what we coach for, but it was nice to know that our players have appreciated our time as their coaches.
Why do you coach the WHS football team?
I would say there are a number of reasons. Football is the ultimate team game, every player on the roster plays a significant role in the success of the team so it is great to see the kids thrive in a variety of roles. For me as someone who was fortunate to play football at Winston High growing up, I developed a love for the sport so getting into coaching is a great way to give back.
How special was this year for you as a coach, not only being able to win a provincial title but be with a special group, both players and coaches?
It was an awesome year for sure with a fantastic group of kids and coaches. The players really bought in and were committed to achieving at a high level which really made them a joy to coach. On the coaching side as well we have such a committed group which definitely makes it easier as all of us take on roles and support each other in various ways.
How many years have you been involved with the team?
I have been involved a couple of different ways, I was a player during the 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 seasons growing up in Watrous. After I graduated I moved away for school and work and began coaching again when I moved back in 2017.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A huge thank you to the community for their continued support for our program. From coming to games, donating to fundraisers, and many other things, the support we have makes a huge difference in the success we have!
Kade Thomas
What does it mean to you to receive Coach of the Year honours?
Receiving this award is not something I ever dreamed would happen. Even as a player I always wanted to be a coach, even so much my nickname for grad was Coach Thomas. To finally be able to coach, and be successful at it, is everything I ever wanted and this award confirms I am following the right path in this part of my life.
What did it mean to be nominated by players from your team?
Being nominated by them means the world to us coaches. It tells me that they felt supported, believed in, and valued throughout the season which is what we as coaches strive for. At the beginning of every year we hope to create a positive impact on their lives, and to hear it directly from them is humbling.
Why do you coach the WHS football team?
Personally, it is all I have ever known. My family moved to Watrous in 2008, three years into my life. Through my Dad, I was always a part of the team. I went on trips to games on the bus, showed up to the odd practice, and always was playing touch football in the end zone during home games. Now, it would feel strange to be part of any other team, Wildcat football is my second home.
How special was this year for you as a coach, not only being able to win a provincial title but be with a special group, both players and coaches?
This year was incredibly special for me. This was the last year I got to coach players I got to play with in my Gr. 12 year. It was tough transitioning from being their captain to coach, but thankfully they accepted me and I am forever grateful for them. Being able to win a provincial title with them made the journey feel complete.
How many years have you been involved with the team?
I have been involved with the team as a player and coach for the last seven years but it feels like I have been for my whole life.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to add a huge thanks to the community and all the parents of present and past Winston Wildcat football players. Without your support we wouldn’t have the success that we do.
Dec. 1, 2025
Watrous Citizen of the Year named
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for community, a desire to help others and a commitment to modelling positive experiences for youth, this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year is Cindy Mclean.
During the Town of Watrous Christmas Party Saturday, Nov. 22, Mclean was recognized for her efforts within the community. Cindy said, “When I found out, I really didn’t know what to say. I just asked if they were sure it was me. I was very surprised to say the least.”
For her countless hours of work, dedication and positive involvement, it should come as no surprise that Mclean was not only nominated but this year’s recipient for Watrous Citizen of the Year.
Nominated by Kendal Mclean, Cindy’s husband shared how integral his wife has been within the community. “She is a representative for the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre and on the Watrous Library board. She was a big contributor in helping to get the judo club the former SaskPower building and she works with the food bank to get school supplies for children in need.”
Wearing a number of hats for various organizations and minor sports groups over the years, Cindy was beyond grateful to receive the recognition. “It is a huge honour and I am so proud to call Watrous my home. They often say it takes a village and there are so many people in this community who lead by example and exemplify what it means to be valued members of Watrous and surrounding communities.”
A board member with the Watrous Library, Mclean shared how valuable and rewarding the experience has been. “It is so much fun to work with the staff and other board members to create fun programming opportunities for community members of all ages. The library offers so many resources that are free and allow people to connect and engage in so many unique opportunities like author readings, children’s activities, reading challenges and so many more.”
Holding a position on the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre board for the past few years, valuing the many community members who have given of their time and talents over the years to make the centre what it is, Mclean said, “To see the childcare centre expand has been an amazing experience. Not only will it allow more affordable childcare spaces but it creates more job opportunities for caregivers and allows our community to expand knowing that these childcare resources are in place.”
With Cindy and Kendal’s son active in sports, Cindy has also occupied various roles within hockey, judo and ball. “We have found value in being able to help engage with the volunteer commitments that go along with these sports opportunities.”
More recently, Cindy played an integral part in helping the Watrous Ju-No-Ri Judo Club secure a new location on Main Street. Through tireless efforts and many hours, after working hard this summer to see the Main Street space purchased by the club, Mclean said it was rewarding to see it open. “In the past the judo club practiced in school gyms and most recently in the back of the food bank building. The spaces were never permanent and often created barriers to the club’s sustainability as membership was limited due to space restrictions.”
Inquiring on a few occasions about the SaskPower building on Main Street when it came up for sale, Mclean felt it was an opportunity the club had to explore. While the journey was a roller coaster for the non-profit group to obtain the building in less than three months, Mclean was proud when they received the keys. “Through this experience I learned so much about the history of the Watrous Ju-No-Ri Judo Club and how so many families had benefited from being part of this club. The club has long-standing community roots and now has a permanent space to grow and highlight the sport of judo.”
With a number of local dedicated coaches and volunteers throughout the years, Mclean was thrilled to see the club with a permanent space. “This allows the club to honour those who have been members and coaches throughout the years and provides an opportunity for athletes and volunteers to engage for years to come.”
Also proud to contribute to the Watrous and Community Health Council and the Watrous and District Food Bank with school supply donations, Mclean feels community is very important. “Being part of a community creates friendships and connections that are so valuable to me. I have had the privilege of working alongside so many amazing members of this community and by doing so have created some great friendships and memories. Learning from others and hearing other people’s experiences is something I value about community. I also value the chance to engage youth and foster their commitment to community through example.”
Calling Watrous home for nearly 15 years, Mclean is really glad to have made the decision to move to the community. Able to join the Watrous Pharmacy team while getting involved within town, Mclean said it has been an incredibly amazing experience. “The people of this community host so many amazing events and create so many positive memories not just for the people of Watrous but also for visitors. These events cannot happen without volunteers and community resources. Getting involved not only contributes to the success of current events but also models positive experiences for youth to continue going forward and sustaining the level of community involvement that is necessary to keep a town growing and thriving.”
With a belief that community is lived and experienced through sports, arts, culture, faith, family and friendship, Mclean said, “Being part of a community is not measured on capacity alone but of willingness to engage and promote opportunities and create connections both big and small.”
Nov. 24, 2025
SkullCreek Studios up for multiple SCMA award nominations
Daniel Bushman/photo credit: Tracy Creighton
Collecting a number of nominations for his hard work and dedication, including winning Saskatchewan’s top Recording Studio of the Year in 2024, since relocating to Watrous in 2022, the accolades continue to pile up for Aspen Beveridge and SkullCreek Studios.
With a love for writing, producing and playing music, it should come as no surprise that Beveridge has once again been recognized for his efforts. A nominee in 2022, 2023 and 2024 for the Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Awards, Beveridge and SkullCreek Studios can be found listed in multiple categories in 2025.
Up for Bass Player of the Year, Record Producer of the Year (for the song Fly Away with artist Berk Jodoin), and Recording Studio of the Year, Beveridge said, “I am super excited to be nominated alongside my peers within the industry. To be up for Bass Player of the Year feels good because of all the hours I have put in studying and learning different techniques. Being nominated for Recording Studio of the Year after winning last year is really flattering and I am honoured to receive that recognition again along with Record Producer of the Year.”
Appreciating the recognition while doing something he is passionate about, Beveridge also had a hand in a few other nominations. Producing Josh Stumpf’s That Song in This Truck, which is up for Single of the Year and Berk Jodoin’s album Fly Away, which is nominated for Alternative Country Album of the Year, Beveridge and SkullCreek Studios is directly up for three awards while indirectly another two. “It feels good to be nominated and to have a few of my clients nominated as well. It has also pushed me to continue to grow and get better.”
Looking forward to attending this year’s SCMA Awards gala in Regina Nov. 30, Beveridge said, “The support I have received and continue to receive from my wife, family and clients has been overwhelming. I am looking forward to the night and also to what the future holds.”
Feeling the nominations over the past few years have given SkullCreek Studios more legitimacy, after winning Recording Studio of the Year in 2024, Beveridge said work has really ramped up. “After I was up for multiple nominations and then won Recording Studio of the Year, people started hearing more about the studio and because of it, I have never been busier.”
It has been quite the journey for Beveridge to get to where he is today. Enjoying music right from a young age, it was not until more recently that the former youth worker and University of Saskatchewan Huskies football player decided to try his hand in the music industry. “I had no plans to be a producer, it chose me.”
With goals of being a musician in a band before the idea of a producer even entered his mind, Aspen toured around with a group but when covid hit, that put a stop to the band. Growing up in a family whose passion is music and wanting to continue to immerse himself in that particular form of art, Beveridge went on to teach himself how to write, produce, record and play music. “I fell in love with it and while it has been challenging, it has also been rewarding.”
Eventually feeling a push to try his hand within the industry as a producer, Beveridge set up a studio in Saskatoon and began connecting and meeting others. As SkullCreek Studios continued to grow and wanting to put down some permanent roots with his wife, Aspen found the perfect opportunity in Watrous and relocated during the summer of 2022.
Mixing, writing, producing and recording music in his upstairs studio on the west side of the prairie community, the home’s angled walls were a perfect fit, catering to the acoustics while the overall space provided just the right ambiance. “When my wife and I started to look for a place to live, Watrous checked off all the right boxes. The area is also known for its arts and having a prior connection to Watrous with family who used to reside there, I felt supported and right at home from the outset.”
Close to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, an art gallery, music festivals and Danceland, Beveridge said those have also attracted clients to his studio. “They love it here when they come and now that I have lived in Watrous for a few years, I can recommend local attractions to the artists that come and record or have their music produced.”
A passion for music and the ability to connect with artists of all genres, Beveridge was quick to point out how tremendous the support has been from his wife, family and the music community, allowing him to operate SkullCreek Studios in small town Saskatchewan. “When we have guests to the studio, my parents provide them with tremendous hospitality while they stay at the house. We have created a warm and inviting space and for the clients, they enjoy getting away from city life for a while.”
Able to create trust between the artist and himself, that has become one of Beveridge’s favourite parts when it comes to producing music. “When that trust has been built and we are comfortable around each other, I can tell that they feel free just trying anything and that is when the magic happens. I think when people are comfortable, they are more confident, they perform better and are more open and that is when I think the creativity has room to grow.”
Continuing to welcome talent from all over Western Canada, Beveridge remains busy in his studio but has also branched out. “I recently wrote and produced a song with Andrew Sorsdahl called Dance Through The Dust for a documentary called Engaged and Enthused which is for the festival Dogpatch near Loon Lake, Sask. Earlier this year, I had the chance to tour with Berk Jodoin and we were on the west coast. We played at Fusion Festival in Surrey, B.C. and there was upwards of 90,000 people there. It was crazy. They want to have us back next year and so we are planning a tour of B.C. and Vancouver Island. It is crazy how things can come together like that.”
Getting into a groove and becoming more and more comfortable as a songwriter, producer and musician, as the end of 2025 arrives, Aspen continues to hone in his skills. “With the nominations I have received and also the awards, people are now looking at you to be a leader. When they come back or share their positive experiences with others about SkullCreek Studios, it is really heartwarming and I am looking forward to what the future holds.”
Nov. 17, 2025
Wildcats win provincial title at home
Daniel Bushman
For the first time since 2014 and after coming close in 2023, the Winston Wildcats are 2A Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) six-a-side football provincial champions.
Heading into the provincial final, it was no easy task as the Wildcats faced three time defending provincial champion, the Clavet Cougars. During conference play, the two teams split the season series against each other with the Wildcats winning in Watrous 54-14 Sept. 5 and the Cougars earning a 36-32 victory in Clavet Oct. 9. With both sitting at 5-1 in Conference 2, Watrous marched through the playoffs with wins over Preeceville (51-20) and Rosetown (64-30) while Clavet beat Wynyard (36-18) and Wakaw (34-16).
Setting up a rematch of 2023’s 2A six-a-side provincial final, head coach of the Wildcats Barry Croshaw shared his team was looking forward to facing Clavet in Watrous. “They are the benchmark of 2A football and we have a ton of respect for their program and coaches so it was nice to face them in the final.”
Able to compete at Croshaw Field while having the home crowd in attendance, the head coach shared how tremendous that proved to be. “With familiar surroundings and great community support, it is always a big advantage for us to play at home. It means so much to us and allows our players to focus solely on football.”
With the temperature hovering around -9˚C at kickoff Saturday afternoon, Nov. 8, Watrous received the ball to start the game. On its opening drive, the Wildcats utilized the running game as Trey Kelly and O’Neill Collins combined for a pair of first downs. Quarterback Justice Holland also elected to keep the ball and moved the chains deep into Clavet territory. After a holding penalty on Watrous, Kelly took the ball on first and long for eight yards. An incomplete pass on second down brought up a lengthy third down at the Clavet 27-yard line. Electing to go for it, Holland took the snap and surveying the field, found Addison Klassen and he not only hauled in the ball but found the end zone for the game’s opening points. A convert attempt by Holland was good and with 9:06 remaining, Watrous grabbed an early 8-0 advantage.
Receiving the ball following the major, Clavet’s Ryder Anderson returned it to his own 36-yard line. On the ensuing play, Clavet fumbled the ball and Andon Coward was able to recover it for Watrous.
At the Clavet 25-yard line, the Wildcats looked to add to its lead but a short run by Aaron Burgos and a pair of incomplete passes gave the Cougars the ball back with 7:27 left in quarter one.
Going to the air for the majority of the game, after an incomplete pass on first down, Clavet moved the ball to midfield on its second down attempt. On the following down, Anderson hauled in a pass and took it to the end zone; however, a flag was thrown and a penalty on the visitors brought it back. Geared for the air, Clavet continued to attack and passes to Anderson and Braeden Miller set up a third and nine situation on the Watrous 20. Quarterback Tyler Brakefield was able to spot a receiver but with just a short gain, the Wildcats forced a turnover with 4:12 left in the first quarter.
Unable to move the ball on its next possession, following a Watrous punt, Clavet took over and with a couple of passes into Watrous territory. Operating from the 19-yard line, the Cougars found the end zone as Brakefield hit Anderson for the major and following a successful convert by Ethan Fisher, the game was tied at eight with 43 seconds remaining in quarter one.
With the ball at its own 40, Watrous deployed Blake Morelli behind centre and a handoff to Trey Kelly made it second down and short. Moving the chains on second down, the opening quarter came to a close and through 12 minutes, teams were tied at eight.
In the second quarter, a handoff brought up second and short and with Holland back in at quarterback, a pair of incomplete passes had the Cougars taking back the ball. On its own 45, Clavet converted on first down to move to the Watrous 30 but a couple of knockdowns forced a third down attempt. Trying to move the chains, Clavet was unable to complete the pass and a turnover brought the Watrous offense on the field. Looking to sustain the drive, Holland found Klassen with a short pass on second down which went for a big gain. Keeping the ball, Holland scampered for five yards on the ensuing play before spotting Blake Morelli for another first down. A pair of handoffs brought up a third and two situation and after a timeout called by the home crew, Blake Morelli came in at quarterback and ran for a first down. With Holland returning, after an incomplete pass, Kelly carried the ball for seven yards to the Clavet 20-yard line. Looking to convert on third down, the completed pass came up just short of the first down marker and the Cougars would create the turnover.
As both teams looked to take the lead, the offense for Clavet went to work as a handful of passes put the Cougars in Watrous territory with two minutes to go. After an incomplete pass on second down, the visitors then faced a third and five at the Watrous 25-yard line. Taking a timeout with just over 1:20 left to play, Clavet threatened to score. With Brakefield behind centre, a pass toward the end zone was intercepted by Gabe Vielhauer and the safety turned on the jets and ran it all the way back to the Clavet one-yard line. Setting up a golden opportunity for Watrous to push ahead in the latter stages of the first half, O’Neill Collins went behind centre and pushed his way into the end zone with 1:11 left. The added convert attempt by Holland was good and Watrous took a 16-8 advantage.
Looking to reply before the half was over, Clavet started from its own 32-yard line as a screen pass to Anderson went for just a short gain. On second down, Andon Coward almost got to the quarterback while Liam Defosse-Calyniuk nearly had an interception to bring up a third down. Following a punt by Clavet, a completed pass to Chase Rheaume on second down put the Wildcats at the Clavet 29-yard line. After a low snap, which led to a quarterback sack on first down, Watrous had one more play before the half and Holland elected to go deep, hitting Rheaume, who made a spectacular catch down the sidelines. With a highlight reel grab, Rheaume was tackled near the Clavet five- yard line as time expired. After the opening two quarters, Watrous held a 16-8 advantage as both defensive units were able to keep each offense in check.
With some adjustments made by both sides during the half, Clavet received the ball to start the third quarter. Following a couple of passes, the Cougars were unable to advance into Watrous territory and were forced to punt. Like its opponents, Watrous tried to move down the field but following a procedure penalty, on third down the team was unable to convert and the Cougars took over at its own 47 with 8:41 left. As was the case during the first two quarters, the defense continued to shine and after a pass to Chase Loy, which took Clavet to midfield, a knockdown by Vielhauer on first down followed by a short run set up a third and five. An incomplete pass by Brakefield gave Watrous the ball back and with 7:01 left, Holland would find Rheaume once again, but this time number 24 would take the ball all the way to the end zone. An added convert by Holland increased the lead for Watrous to 22-8 with 6:37 left in quarter three.
Down but certainly not out, the defending provincial champion began moving the ball. With a big pass to Loy on second down, Clavet was spotted at the Watrous 18-yard line. With pressure by Everitt Solar on first down, it forced Brakefield to get away a shorter pass to bring up second and five. With 4:53 left, an incomplete pass made it third down. Spotting a receiver in the end zone, Brakefield hurled the ball down the middle of the field only to hit the bar of the upright and fall incomplete.
While the Cougars were unable to convert, on the following drive, a snap at the Watrous 10-yard line would roll into the end zone and Clavet jumped on the ball for the score. An added convert closed the gap to make it 24-16 Watrous with 3:34 left in the third.
Already with a couple of lengthy drives, Watrous was able to get another. Mixing up some runs with passes, the blue and gold advanced to the Clavet 22 before a holding call would set up a first and long situation. After a handoff and a pass that was knocked away, on third down, Clavet was able to force the turnover with 1:06 to go.
Playing solid all game, the Watrous defense once again stepped up and after a pair of incomplete passes, the Cougars punted the ball back. Returning to the field late in the quarter, a Blake Morelli reception brought the ball to Clavet’s 43-yard line. With the final play of the third quarter in the books, Watrous took a 24-16 lead into the fourth.
With 12 minutes separating the Wildcats from its first provincial championship since 2014, the team was forced to kick on third down but would receive the ball back after its defense once again held strong. Hoping to give his team some separation on the scoreboard, Holland dropped back and went deep to Morelli. The dynamic receiver hauled in the ball and took it down to the Clavet 10-yard line. Bringing up first down, Holland elected to keep the football and reached the four-yard line. Then with 8:17 left, the quarterback found Rheaume open in the end zone and once again, connected for a touchdown. An added convert made it 32-16 for the Wildcats.
Teams continued to battle in the latter stages of the contest and with 5:05 left and the ball in the hands of the Watrous offense, Holland’s tipped pass landed in the hands of Morelli and he was able to score. An added convert sailed through the uprights to make it 40-16.
Seeking to close the gap before time expired, Clavet responded with just over two minutes to play as Anderson hauled in a 20-yard pass from Brakefield and an added convert put the score at 40-24. Wanting to grab momentum back and following the two minute warning, with Morelli in at quarterback, Kelly’s number was called for a pair of runs. Looking to keep taking time off the clock, instead of handing off to Kelly up the middle, the quarterback kept the ball and found space to the outside. With lots of room to run, Morelli found the end zone for the score. Holland’s convert pushed the Wildcats ahead 48-24 with 1:19 to go. While the Cougars would add another major with 51 seconds to play, it would not be enough and an elated Watrous team collected a 48-32 victory and the provincial gold medal.
Proud of the group he was able to coach this year, Croshaw said they overcame every challenge they were faced with during the season because of their great attitudes and hard work. “This group was great to work with and they deserved this as much as any team I have coached, especially after we got derailed last year with some untimely injuries.”
With such a tight contest in the early stages, Croshaw felt his defense holding the team in the game during the first half and the long interception return by Vielhauer were big in providing confidence to the group. Then in the second half, the offense showed how dynamic they had been all year by providing a couple of big receptions for touchdowns. “That allowed us to kneel to finish the game which is always the best way to end a game if you can.”
Having only one loss during the entire year, Croshaw said the coaching staff was tremendously pleased with how the season went on a number of levels. “Winning the provincial championship is a dream come true for a lot of us but more importantly I was unbelievably pleased with all of the young men on the team. The Gr. 12s provided great leadership and were very willing to shoulder as much of the load as possible. Our young guys showed real growth throughout the season which will put them in a good starting point next year.”
As for his coaching staff, Croshaw said, “We are really lucky to have a very knowledgeable and committed group of coaches. We as a group spend a lot of time trying to put our players in positions to have success on and off the field and I am very proud to be a part of such a great group of men.”
Pleased with how the team did on the field, Croshaw said it could not have been made possible without the support of the communities the players represent. “Our community could not be more supportive, we always have big crowds at home games as well as a lot of fans when we are on the road. The community has always supported us as well when we have ran our various fundraisers including putting up permanent lights on our field that are second to none in a small town. Over the years the community has entrusted their kids to us and that support means as much as anything.”
Watching as people spilled onto the field to celebrate with the team following its provincial win at Croshaw Field, the team’s head coach shared this was his final year at the helm. “I debated stepping away after last year but I stayed with the hope that I could coach my last game on our home field in front of our communities that have supported the team so steadfastly throughout the years.”
With nearly 35 years coaching the Winston High School football team in Watrous, Croshaw has invested countless hours into the players, fellow coaches, Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association, and Football Saskatchewan. Recognized for his efforts over the years with a number of prestigious awards including being a part of eight provincial gold medal (1993, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2025) and three silver medal teams (1999, 2007, and 2023), Croshaw said the most rewarding part has been the relationships built with the players. “It is hard to describe how much these relationships mean and it is tremendously heartwarming when former players take time for a visit or just say hello. Reliving the old days with these guys brings back a flood of great memories.”
With a number of those former players in attendance watching this year’s provincial final (including two on his coaching staff), as for where the 2025 championship ranks, Croshaw shared, “All of the championships are very special and unique in their own way. I think this will stand out as our guys were so dominant throughout the year and always stepped up their game when we asked them to.”
After collecting one more title and going through another memorable season, appreciating all of the sacrifices made by his family over the years, the head coach said, “I look forward to watching many more years of football, but maybe from the other side of the field.”
This year’s SHSAA 2A six-a-side provincial winning Winston Wildcats team includes: Waylon Danyluk (5), Blake Morelli (7), O’Neill Collins (8), Tyson Collins (19), Trey Kelly (20), Owen Potter (21), Connor MacNeill (22), Chase Rheaume (24), Cameron Gilbertson (24), Aaron Burgos (26), Justice Holland (28), Brayden Kenington (32), Kade Chabot (33), Charlie Sainsbury (34), Jasper Edwards (36), Archer Burgos (38), Zachary Hemmingson (39), Parker Dreger (40), Brodie Klassen (42), Carter Edwards (43), Liam Defosse-Calyniuk (44), Gabe Vielhauer (46), Nolan Klassen (51), Kash Penrose (55), Cullen Veld (55), Wade Martin (56), Quinn MacMillan (58), Blake Langteigne (65), Everitt Solar (74), Terry Guan (77), Brian Martens (78), Linkan Wilda Wood (86), Addison Klassen (88), Jacob Tatum (92), and Andon Coward (96). Coaches include: Barry Croshaw, Doug Thomas, Terry Braman, Jarvis Engele, and Kade Thomas.
Nov. 10, 2025
Honouring those who served
Daniel Bushman
Wanting to honour those who served during the wars while sharing their stories, as Remembrance Day approaches, the Town of Watrous and the local heritage centre are recognizing the tremendous sacrifices made by Veterans.
Along with a Remembrance Day service Nov. 11 and an opportunity to learn more about local Veterans at the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, for the past few years, banners of Veterans have been put up along Main Street in Watrous as a way to pay tribute.
Bearing the images and names of Veterans who either grew up within the area or who have family residing in the area, the banners go up in mid-October and remain for approximately a month after Remembrance Day has passed.
Watrous Recreation Director Chelsea Murfitt who helped coordinate the project said since its inception, the number of banners has grown each year. In 2022 a total of 22 banners were put up along Main Street and following year, an additional 10 Veteran banners were added (one Veteran per banner side). For 2024, six new banners containing 12 Veterans joined the total and in 2025, there were five new banner submissions.
“The response to the project has been really heartwarming, but not surprising,” shared Murfitt. “This project gives families a way to publicly honour their loved ones who served their country and it allows them to preserve their story which is really special.”
With 64 Veterans displayed around town on the banners, Murfitt said having them up helps get people talking about the past, and reminds them to be thankful for the freedom Canadians have.
“I think that a Veteran banner project like the one Watrous has started is deeply meaningful on several levels — both for the community and for the families it honours,” said Murfitt adding there are a couple of important things the project brings forward which she noted:
• It is a public way to recognize and thank the men and women who served in the military.
• The banners serve as a visible symbol of the town’s respect and gratitude.
• Displaying the faces and names of Veterans helps educate younger generations about the cost of freedom and the importance of service. It encourages reflection and conversation about history, patriotism, and civic responsibility.
• Each banner represents a piece of the town’s story. Collectively, they create a living archive of the community’s contributions to national service — something that can be appreciated now and preserved for the future.
• For families, seeing their loved one honoured in such a public way is deeply emotional. It reassures them that their family member’s service will not be forgotten and that the community stands with them in gratitude.
Humbled to be part of the Veteran banner project, Murfitt said seeing families bringing in their pictures and sharing stories over the years about their loved ones has been really special. For those wanting to participate in the program, Murfitt encourages people to stop by the Town of Watrous office or get in touch with her for a form. With the next intake dates Jan. 9 to Feb. 13, 2026, Murfitt requires forms to be filled out and pictures scanned in high resolution in order for them to show up well on the banner. “The pictures can be scanned locally at The Watrous Manitou – who have been scanning them for us since the project began!”
As for who is able to be placed on a banner, Murfitt said there are a number of recognizable local names and faces but also some images of family and friends of those who moved to the community as well. “When we started out with the project we talked about whether or not we would just include local Veterans or if people that live in Watrous would like to see their family or friends displayed. We decided we would take them all. We wanted to honour them all and without a Legion, we felt it was a really great tribute. It acts as a reminder and a thank you to those who fought for us and our freedom. I feel it is a big deal.”
Along with the banner project, the local committee has also been working on compiling a book of stories featuring local Veterans. “We have put it out to people that we would eventually like to put together some sort of memory book featuring Veterans from the area. We don’t have a lot of submissions yet, but have a lot of people interested in doing it I think. So if you have submitted a banner and would like to also submit a story about your loved one, please do! People often ask what we want them to say in it and my answer is always the same. It can be short, just giving their information like where they were born, where they grew up, where they served etc. Or it can be more in depth and have stories and memories that they have shared with their families, or a family history on them. Whatever people are willing to share!”
In addition to the Veterans banner project, the Town of Watrous is also holding a Remembrance Day service at the Watrous Civic Centre Nov. 11. Open to the public, the service starts at 10:40 a.m. and Murfitt said having a program to remember those who have fought, and continue to fight, is incredibly important for both the individuals being honoured and the community as a whole. “Programs like these serve a purpose far beyond simple recognition. It is important to keep their sacrifices alive in our collective memory.
“Without intentional efforts to remember, stories of courage and sacrifice can fade over time. These programs ensure that Veterans’ contributions remain a visible and lasting part of our community’s identity.”
Following the service Nov. 11, Susan Struthers and Marilyn Cannon with the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre shared people are welcome to visit the centre. “We will have the heritage centre open Tuesday after the service and there is no charge to walk across the street from the Watrous Civic Centre and visit. We have created a specific area dedicated to our Veterans and hope people will take the time to pause and reflect on Remembrance Day.”
Nov. 3, 2025
Remembering the CBK building a decade later
Daniel Bushman
For years the CBK building just outside of Watrous was a fixture of the prairie landscape. While it was taken down in 2015, the iconic structure which opened in 1939 was a hub for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to transmit its broadcasts over the airwaves.
Over time the building became too expensive to upkeep and fell into disrepair. Demolition occurred after another structure was constructed and efforts were made by the Watrous Manitou Heritage Committee to secure items within the CBK building to preserve its history.
Now a decade later, all that remains are items acquired by the local Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, images captured by cameras and archived broadcasts.
Back in 2015, a few familiar faces involved with the CBK building shared about the pending demolition in an article that appeared in The Watrous Manitou. The following is a reprint of that story:
Iconic building slated for demolition
A recognizable fixture filled with history and nostalgia will soon be a distant memory as crews began taking down the CBK building just outside of Watrous. Owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Company and opened in 1939, the aging CBK building that was full of life decades ago is being wiped away.
CBC Transmitter Supervisor for Saskatchewan, Stephen Tomchuk, said while the transmitter will remain intact, broadcasting on 540 kHz on the AM dial at 50,000 watts, the decision to remove the vacant building on the property was actually made quite a number of years ago.
“As technology improved, things went from the old transmitter building of some 4,000 square feet to support the transmitter to what we have now. The new transmitter covers a whole nine square feet which is the same output power as the original big red that was in the old building.”
Tomchuk said maintenance issues and the fact that the new transmitter does not produce the same kind of heating capabilities as the old one were part of the decision to demolish the building. “We were sinking thousands of dollars a month to heat the building throughout the winter just to maintain it.”
As time moved along, the CBK building fell into disrepair and in 2007 a new place was built. Once the switch over to the new building occurred, activity in the aging facility was basically shut down.
Tomchuk said the CBC was in contact with the local heritage committee to acknowledge the company was interested in possibly passing the building along, but unfortunately, the costs to repair it were just too much.
“It is extremely expensive. Before we moved out, we did a repair just on the generator roof building which comprises less than a quarter of the total roof space for that building and it was $25,000. That was 15 years ago so you can imagine with the price increases to do something four times that large it would be in excess of $100,000 just to get the roof in shape to prevent it from leaking. Of course there are all the repairs inside. There is asbestos in pipe insulation, asbestos in floor tiles, there is lead paint and all sorts of things that would have to be upgraded in order to allow access.”
Watrous Manitou Heritage Committee Chair Kathy Bergen said effort was put forward by the local group to somehow save the building or have its ownership turned over but because of the environmental considerations and cost they knew from the beginning that the site was not practical for a museum.
Instead, the heritage group took steps to preserve the history through videos, photographs as well as artifacts they gleaned from the building. Even the inaugural broadcast was provided to the group by the CBC and pictures, video and the broadcast can be viewed on the group’s website (www.watrousheritage.ca).
The committee was also able to get in touch with Tomchuk and tagged and photographed items to be removed and preserved. Ownership of those items were passed over to the committee and Bergen said while it seemed like short notice when word came down that the building was going to be destroyed, the items were already tagged and ready to be taken out.
“Our dream is to re-create parts of the interior like a broadcast room and perhaps even the fallout shelter,” said Bergen. “With that in mind, we have items that would help do that. There is office furniture and equipment, older style electronics, tubes that powered the transmitters, cabinets, doors, railings, recordings, manuals and other items.”
With help from Dan Boehr and the Town of Watrous, the committee was able to remove the larger objects from the building. However, one item that will be lost is the floor map containing the call letters and location of each CBC transmitter in the country.
“The map is one of the issues and is made of a roll type of linoleum that has asbestos in it,” said Tomchuk. Because of that, it will be part of the demolition.
CBK Radio 540 first hit the airwaves with 50,000 watts of RF power July 29, 1939. Local transmitter site monitor Dwight Kornelsen said Watrous was chosen as the ideal location for such a transmitter for numerous reasons including minerals in the soil, flat land and altitude. Over the decades the building housed numerous employees who helped to transmit a radio signal and despite the storm of 1976 which knocked down the original 456 foot tower near the building, the place continued to be a focal point for transmitting radio signals.
Bergen said the building and the replaced tower have been a source of pride for the community over the years. “They helped put Watrous on the map, so to speak. Its presence was a constant reminder of the important role the transmitter played over the years to Saskatchewan and Western Canada. The Prairie Reflections history book aptly called the chapter about CBK, “Our Radio Station.” I know there are many in the community who mourn the loss of the once beautiful and iconic building, and rightly so. We will do our best to make sure it is not forgotten. The new transmitter along with the tower still serve CBC radio, and will continue to do so for years to come.”
One of those “losing an old friend” is long-time Watrous resident and past CBC employee Orin McIntosh.
After spending a good part of his childhood in Watrous, McIntosh headed to Manitoba to begin a career with the CBC in 1953. It was not long after when he returned to Watrous in 1957.
Working as a transmitter operator, McIntosh had the task of keeping the transmitter going while having a daily log of the equipment they were running. He also had to keep a program log and if there was any air time lost, it was important to have a good record of the times of programming lost and why.
“It was busy in the early years that’s for sure,” said McIntosh who added when he started in Watrous there was a boss, caretaker and four or five technicians working at the transmitter. “We had an early morning shift and we signed off at midnight so there was always a late shift.”
McIntosh was interested in radio right from a young age and when the transmitter was built near Watrous, he was 10 years old. Now 86, McIntosh said, “I was pretty interested in crystal sets and when CBK went on the air, if you had a crystal set you had no trouble picking up something. CBK was pretty powerful and it didn’t take a lot to be able to get CBK out of a pair of headphones.”
The Watrous resident said the tower was such a landmark in the early years and was very unique. “That set of lights at night was important to people that lived in the area. I am sure people probably got lost in the country more than once and as soon as you spotted CBK, you knew what direction to go.”
When the doors first opened in 1939, the facility was state-of-the-art, had air conditioning, heating and with the RCA transmitter that was housed inside, McIntosh said the building was more or less built for that transmitter.
“The studios and living quarters almost made it in the early years a complete radio station. There was programming from there in the early years and before I moved to Watrous there might have been as many as 20 people working there at one time. They had the English and French programming and there was local programming coming right from the studios. When it was first opened in 1939, it was quite an important and outstanding building.”
Over the decades McIntosh remembers a few important memories that stick out including the tower coming down during a bad wind storm in 1976. “There were so many things to do and it was a terrible thing at the time. People lost that light and the tower. It was also a disturbing time for us too. There were other events like in March 1967, we had a very severe snowstorm and we couldn’t get out to the transmitter. You could hardly move in town and it took us some real digging out to recover from that snow. That would be the worst snow storm that I recall.”
When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and the threat of a nuclear bomb was present, McIntosh remembers the CBC built an underground shelter. “You were on alert all the time and you didn’t know with the way the world politics were going at that time. It was quite nerve-wracking.”
After his time with CBC and throughout his retirement, McIntosh began creating scale model replicas of local buildings with incredible detail, one of which is the CBK building. “That is a lot more important to have now than I guess it was. It is here and part of the things to see once we get a museum.”
McIntosh said the local heritage website, which features his scale model replicas also has stories, pictures and other interesting items for people to view of the CBK building including a visitor’s log kept at the transmitter. “If you can remember your visit – I think my first one was in 1946 – you can find your name in the book.”
As far as the building coming down, McIntosh said it is quite disappointing. “I can remember as a boy watching the tower go up and I saw the tower come down with the storm in 1976. The tower will stay but the building will not.”
McIntosh is not the only one who will miss not seeing the landmark. Twenty-two years ago Watrous resident Dwight Kornelsen assumed the role of transmitter site monitor when McIntosh decided to retire. Kornelsen said when the opportunity came up, it was a dream come true and he has been doing it ever since.
Performing periodic site checks involving a series of metre readings of whichever transmitter is on the air in the new building, Kornelsen makes sure everything operates normally. If something is not right, he calls the technician in Saskatoon and is often guided through some trouble-shooting procedures. “Sometimes he calls me if they are getting an abnormal reading or a building alarm and I can go to the site, tell him exactly what I am seeing, and we go from there. Being an electrician and having a background in ham radio helps me to perform this job. The guys in the transmitter shop in Saskatoon rely on my knowledge of these things too.”
Like many others who have resided in Watrous, Kornelsen remembers the now empty building as a youngster. After growing up and assuming the role as transmitter site monitor, he shared a few highlights. “My fondest memories are of being in the old building cleaning the floors and polishing it all up in preparation for an open house. There were several in the 22 years that I have been involved with it. They were always very well attended, surprising everyone by how many people showed up to get a glimpse of what goes on behind those stucco walls. I especially liked to work in the old building when Peter Gzoski’s Morningside show or Vicki Gabaro was playing through the house speakers. It gave me a real appreciation for the role that the CBC plays in broadcasting as Canada’s Public Broadcaster.”
While Dwight’s position with the CBC will remain the same after the demolition of the old building, he said it will be sad to see the place go.
“It really was full of history. From World War II, up to the Cuban missile crisis, (which incidentally was the reason for the large stand-by generator and the nuclear fall-out shelter being constructed in the early 1960s). There was so much precision hand-crafted work in the original construction that you just do not see anymore. I guess I knew once all the equipment was moved into the new building, it would only be a matter of time before the CBC decided to tear down the old building. The roof was leaking, the windows were shot and there is a lot of hazardous materials in there too. For the CBC it is a liability, and poses a danger to the public as it deteriorates further.”
Demolition on the building was started July 21 and Tomchuk said the crew expected to have it completed in 15 days. Of those 15 days, seven were specific to hazardous materials issues inside the building before the demise of the structure.
“By the end of the first weekend of August it should be at ground level,” said Tomchuk.
Kornelsen said it is kind of ironic that the CBK station went to air on July 29, 1939 and then essentially 76 years later almost to the day, the old building will succumb to the wreckers.
A decade later
Since the article first appeared in The Watrous Manitou in 2015, 10 years later, TWM reached out to a few of those people interviewed.
While no longer the chair of the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Board but serving as a board member and actively involved, Kathy Bergen was pleased the local group was able to find a home for items collected from the CBK site.
Reaching out to Bergen about the important work done to secure the items before the CBK building was demolished, she said, “At that time, the heritage group did not have a facility – we were three years away from the purchase of the Main Street location. The heritage committee hauled many loads of items to space provided by Storage First where it was safely housed until the exhibit planning began.”
Kathy felt it was very important to get as many pieces as they could before the building was taken down. “Everything in the CBK building seemed to have a story to tell, so we did not want to leave anything behind.”
Once the design of the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre’s CBK exhibit space was mapped out, Bergen noted it was important for the group to include some of the special items along with a model of the transmitter building created by Orin McIntosh. “Space limitations prevented all the items to be on display but there is a re-creation of a wall from the broadcast room, the restored CBK letters from the outside of the building, a photo tour of the building’s interior, and a hand drawn map of the fall-out shelter, drawn by Orin McIntosh. If anyone visited the CBK building and signed the guest book, they can look up their signature. And there is more, there is a lot of information packed into that room!”
Because of space limitations, Bergen shared there are still some items in storage but as for the iconic floor map in the CBK building, it was not able to be saved. “The map indicated all the CBC stations in operations in 1939. We do have a photographic rendering on display, as well as photos and videos on the heritage centre’s website and the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre’s Youtube channel (WatrousManitouBeachHeritage).”
CBC was also very helpful in providing the local centre with the recording of the inaugural broadcast from 1939 and other audio clips which can be found at http://www.watrousheritage.ca. “It is so great that this history is here at home.”
Stating how hard it is to believe 10 years have passed since the CBK building came down, Kathy is grateful items were able to be preserved at the heritage centre. “I would like acknowledge the incredible support and knowledge of Orin McIntosh and Wayne Bjorndahl, both formerly employed at the transmitter, now both deceased. Others who contributed time and energy specifically to the CBK exhibit include Dwight Kornelsen, Ron Frey, Bryan Mireau, Rob Bennett, Allan Mosewich, Dan McIntosh, and Dion Tarasoff and his crew.”
Not only contributing to the heritage centre’s exhibit but also having a significant role with the CBK site, Dwight Kornelsen’s role has remained much the same as it was a decade ago at the site. Kornelsen did note there is a new solid state transmitter which is even smaller than the previous one, adding, “Of course with computer technology now, I have less calls to the site to do any hands-on or problem solving to help out. Occasionally, I need to do a hard restart of the modem.”
With a number of memories accumulated over the years, Kornelsen still thinks about his time at the CBK site and the opportunity he had visiting with Orin McIntosh about his experiences working for the CBC.
After sharing his story with The Watrous Manitou in 2015, Orin McIntosh sadly passed away a few years later. Creating a replica model of the CBK building before he passed, the unique recreation remains on display at the heritage centre. Reaching out to his son Dan, who is also involved with the local heritage centre, he graciously shared a few memories of his own.
Playing with a toy airplane on the floor of the CBK building, Dan remembered flying across the country on the big map of Canada. “I also recall exploring around the tower, finding rocks containing mica. If you put your ear up to one of the old metal poles supporting the transmission line out to the tower you could hear the music or voices being transmitted. I also used to drive my old car around the CBK compound before I had a license.”
Then in 1976, following the wind storm that destroyed a number of structures in Watrous including the CBK tower, returning home from Calgary, Dan recalled the carnage. “It was interesting how the cables and anchor supports held firm, resulting in the bottom half of the tower being mostly undamaged while the top part was flattened. Dad and I visited a farm near Allan where they built an aircraft hangar using parts reclaimed from the fallen tower.”
It was not just that storm where Dan’s dad had to ensure the site was okay and operating as it should. “I recall Dad going to CBK on a snowmobile after a big blizzard. He also would go there during thunderstorms to restore the transmitter if it went off the air. He was there more than once when lightning struck the tower or the building.”
Now with a dedicated room for the CBK site at the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, McIntosh said, “It is great to have the CBK model and the many artifacts on display at the heritage centre. I take great pride in explaining everything to visitors and I always refer to model to show where everything was located. Many local visitors will find their signatures in the visitor log book we have on display as many groups and school classes went on tours over the years.”
Jeff Siegfried whose wife Karen is the granddaughter of Orin McIntosh is the Community Enhancement Director for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group. Siegfried said it is important to preserve history like the CBK site and appreciates the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre for its efforts to showcase the community’s story in such a professional setting. “Anyone who hasn’t had the chance to visit the WMHC should really take the time to explore this first class attraction.”
Oct. 27, 2025
Watrous Kinsmen celebrate milestone
Daniel Bushman
For over seven decades, the Watrous Kinsmen Club has been serving the community’s greatest needs. Donating substantial funds, volunteering countless hours while getting to meet new people, on Nov. 8, the group will come together to mark its 75th anniversary since being chartered.
Starting out with 23 members as part of the original club (President Stan Johns, Secretary Manny Spector, Treasurer Roy Simile, Vic Rowe, Jack Collins, Don McKenzie, Jim Gibney, Joe Bourgeault, Bernie Levy, Norm Ross, Harry Cochrane, Roy Reichert, Jim Gendron, Norm Tastad, Dr. Moore, Bill Harmon, Len Meek, Frank Duffield, Mike Jaskiw, Harold Sather, Abbie Halvorson, Lorne Wert, and L.S. Bell), while the numbers have gone up and down over the decades, what has remained a constant is how the Watrous Kinsmen continues to be a fixture.
One of the 20 current members, Taylor Engele is no stranger when it comes to the club. With strong family ties to the Watrous Kin, having grandparents, an uncle, and more recently his wife, brother, and sister as members of the local Kinsmen and Kinettes, Engele understands the importance of getting involved.
Sharing how it feels great to be able to give back to the community that he is a part of, Taylor added becoming a member is also a great way to meet new people. “Kinsmen is all about supporting our community’s greatest needs and having fun while doing it. We meet on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from September to June and are always looking for new members. If anyone is interested in coming to a meeting to check it out they can contact any current Kinsmen member or email watrouskinsmen@kincanada.ca.”
With recent fundraising projects including the Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama in April and the Kin farming crop, Engele said the group remains busy as it turns its focus to hosting an annual rec hockey tournament in November and working on building an outdoor rink near the arena.
But it is not just those projects that the group have undertaken to help serve the community. “The Watrous Kinsmen have been an integral part of the community doing a number of service and fundraising projects over the years. We have contributed to a lot of projects over our 75 years and are proud to be able to do so.”
While the list is lengthy, some of the many projects and initiatives over the years have included: a Winston High School van; the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre; the food booth and bathroom facility near Croshaw Field; Watrous Elementary School playground equipment; Kin Park; Kinsmen Kids Fund; the Watrous swimming pool; annual scholarships; arena artificial ice project; plexiglass for the arena; ‘77 swimming pool; contributing to things like the Watrous School of Dance, Watrous Minor Hockey, Watrous Minor Ball, Winston Wildcat junior football and the WES soccer program; contributing to the breakfast for learning program at WES and WHS along with the safety patrol program and other programs at the schools; the kitchen/clubhouse/washrooms at the ball diamonds; kitchen in Watrous Centennial Arena; Historical July 1 parade and sports day; tree project in 1957; renovations at the sports grounds (1979-‘81); Kin Club Room construction in 1979 with major renovations in 2023; golf course renovations; sponsor of the air cadets and Cubs and Scouts; donations toward the Watrous Civic Centre; and TeleMiracle.
Along with local efforts made by the group, members have also taken on larger roles over the years. President of the club from 1973-‘74, Fred Townley, shared in a report to the Kinsman some of those positions earlier on included: Deputy Governor (Ben Schroeder, Murray Westby, Randy Chambers, Bob Finnigan, and John Bax); Chairman of the Kin Foundation (Wayne Phillips and Ken Crawford); Zone Foundation Rep (Ray Hall); District Treasurer (Fred Townley); and Governor (Borden Beeler). More recently, members of the Watrous Kinsmen have taken on significant roles with TeleMiracle, ensuring the success of the annual event.
The Watrous Kinsmen have also been active in other ways as well. In earlier years, Townley shared the local contingent participated in Kinsmen curling playdowns and in 1971, won the national championship in Saskatoon with the team of Duane Engele, Allan Miettinen, Allan Miller, and Bert Servis. “This was the last time there would be national playdowns as the eastern provinces dropped out, thus we are still the reigning Canadian champions.”
While Townley added the information he documented was created up to the 1980s, lots has occurred since then and felt the most important parts of being a member included the fellowship, leadership skills gained and the impact the club had within the community. Those values also resonated with Engele and others as the group continues to make a substantial impact while approaching its 75th anniversary.
“The Kinsmen are proud of the history of our club and are looking forward to celebrating all of the work that has been done for our community over 75 years with a lot of the people that helped make it happen!”
Looking forward to celebrating the milestone Nov. 8, Engele welcomes anyone who would like to attend the event with the Watrous Kinsmen. Held Saturday evening at the Watrous Civic Centre, the anniversary celebration includes cocktails, a supper and a program with entertainment by Jeff Rogstad from the Saskatoon Soaps Improv Comedy. Tickets are $50 and people can visit the Watrous Kinsmen Facebook page or call or text Engele at 306-229-9935 if they would like to purchase any.
Oct. 20, 2025
First snow arrives in area over Thanksgiving
Daniel Bushman
From snow in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and record lows set in B.C. and Alberta to record heat in Newfoundland and Labrador, Thanksgiving weekend across the country provided quite the mixed bag of weather.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), a strong fall storm over Thanksgiving impacted parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba bringing rain, snow and wind.
With the system exiting Montana and arriving in Saskatchewan Saturday afternoon, Oct. 11, it brought rain before transitioning into snow during the early morning hours Sunday. Spreading across portions of the province it moved eastward by Sunday evening before leaving Monday morning. Locally, the system brought with it rain and snow and according to ECCC data, at least 22.7 mm was registered Oct. 12 for the Watrous area. For Last Mountain Lake near Simpson, at least 23.8 mm was registered Oct. 12 and at least 20.6 mm was registered Oct. 12 around Pilger. Within the LeRoy area, ECCC data indicated at least 39 mm of total precipitation fell Oct. 12.
Gathering amounts from a mix of sources, ECCC provided the following measured liquid, whether rain or snow: Wynyard 45.4 mm, Hudson Bay 46.4 mm, Mista 44.2 mm, Nipawin 32.1 mm, Melfort 20.7 mm, Strasbourg 28.7 mm, Regina 27 mm, and Saskatoon 18 mm. Snow measurements received in cm: Strasbourg 7.6 and Eatonia 5.
Several automatic stations also reported snow on ground measurements, but should be regarded with caution as they can be subject to other environmental factors, such as wind blowing snow around. Measurements in cm: Island Falls snow on ground 14, Nipawin snow on ground 11, and Hudson Bay snow on ground 9.
As the storm moved east into Manitoba, it impacted much of west-central and northern areas Sunday morning to Monday overnight. With rain and snow mixed with wind, ECCC provided similar data to Saskatchewan: The Pas 67.5 mm, Westray 61.4 mm, Garys Meadow 60.7 mm, Swan River 52.4 mm, Durban 52.1 mm, Grand Rapids 48.6 mm, William River 46.2 mm, Thompson 38.7 mm, Norway House 33.3 mm, and Flin Flon 21.7 mm. Snow measurements in cm: Thompson 20, Flin Flon 12, Durban 10.2, and Snow Lake 35 (estimated).
Automatic stations also reported snow on ground measurements like Saskatchewan and included measurements in cm: Kelsey Dam 22, Flin Flon 12, and Swan River 7.
There was also strong winds behind the system in Manitoba on Sunday night with gusts reaching 87 km/hr. in Minnedosa and 85 km/hr. in Brandon.
Meanwhile, further west in B.C. and Alberta, it was unseasonably cold during Thanksgiving Day. At least seven areas set daily minimum records for Oct. 13 in Alberta with temperatures dropping to -9.3˚C in the Drumheller area, -12.4˚C in the Edson area, -12.7˚C in the Red Deer area, -9.9˚C in the Jasper area, -9.1˚C in the Beaverlodge area, -8.6˚C in the Brooks area, and -21.8˚C in the Hendrickson Creek area.
In B.C. at least 10 areas set or tied daily minimum records for Oct. 13 and included: the Bella Bella area (-1.6˚C), the Chetwynd area (-7.7˚C), Port Alberni area (-2.2˚C), Port Hardy area (-2.3˚C), Prince George area (-11.3˚C), Puntzi Mountain area (-15.7˚C), Quesnel area (-9.1˚C), Sechelt area (1.4˚C), Tatlayoko Lake area (-12.3˚C), and the Terrace area (-2.8˚C).
While it was cold and stormy spanning different parts of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, it was a much different story in Newfoundland and Labrador as a pair of places set or tied daily maximum temperatures. The Hopedale area tied a record of 16.7˚C set in 1946 while the Wabush Lake area set a new record of 15˚C, besting the previous one of 14.5˚C which was from 2021.
Oct. 13, 2025
Co-op services to continue for Imperial
The Moose Jaw Co-op Board of Directors and Management Team are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with the Imperial Co-op Board of Directors to ensure continued access to vital services in the Imperial community.
While not all operations will continue due to the age of certain assets, environmental considerations, and long-term viability, Moose Jaw Co-op stated it is committed to acquiring and upgrading the cardlock and food store operations.
The company stated in an Oct. 7 release: “We are eager to equip the cardlock with debit and credit card technology as soon as possible to allow access for all users, not just those with cardlock accounts. The exact timeline for this upgrade is still being determined.”
Imperial residents can continue to access products and services currently offered at the service station through the Liberty store location, with additional convenience available through Moose Jaw Co-op’s broader network of locations. Bulk petroleum and bulk propane services will remain available through Moose Jaw Co-op.
Moose Jaw Co-op is committed to ensuring current Imperial Co-op employees are treated with respect throughout this transition. Opportunities to join the Moose Jaw Co-op team will be made available where possible, though not all positions will continue as some sites will cease operation. “We extend sincere appreciation to the employees who have served the Imperial community with dedication over the years.”
The target date for transition is Nov. 10, 2025.
To prepare for this transition, Moose Jaw Co-op encourages members to purchase a Moose Jaw Co-op membership.
“We understand that Imperial members will have questions as details of the transition unfold. Some decisions, such as timelines, employment opportunities, site upgrades, and service specifics will take time to determine. Moose Jaw Co-op is committed to communicating openly and providing updates along the way as plans are confirmed and the transition progresses.
“As we move forward, we want to emphasize that the success of Co-op services in the Imperial area depends on strong community support. By choosing to shop locally and fuel locally, members directly help ensure that these essential services remain available for years to come.”
Moose Jaw Co-op looks forward to serving the Imperial community with strength, stability, and a shared commitment to sustainability.
Oct. 6, 2025
Lesley Kelly named finalist for prestigious award
Daniel Bushman
Through her tremendous work within the agriculture sector while tirelessly advocating, raising awareness and reducing the stigma of mental health, Lesley Kelly of Watrous has been named a finalists for the 2025 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards.
Joining 20 others spanning seven categories as part of Canada’s most distinguished recognition of entrepreneurial excellence, the Do More Agriculture Foundation co-founder is one of three finalists for the Social Change Award: National Impact. Celebrated across three regions, in the Social Change Award: National Impact category, Kelly (West region) is joined by Catherine Grenier of The Nature Conservancy of Canada (Central region) and Julie Carriere of INREST (East region).
“To stand among such remarkable women and represent the West in this category is truly an honour,” shared a humbled Kelly. “But more than anything, this moment is a reflection of the incredible community that surrounds me: friends, family, and colleagues who believed in our mission and the farmers and rural communities who have bravely shared their stories.”
Showcasing the power of women leaders throughout all seven categories, the 2025 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards finalists are not only founders and CEOs but community builders, advocates, technologists and cultural stewards. “This year’s women entrepreneurs are leading profitable businesses that drive innovation and create measurable social value,” said Linda Kuga Pikulin, President of Women of Influence+ and ROOM Women’s Network. “They understand that long-term value comes from combining strategy, people, and purpose. We’re proud to provide a platform that recognizes and amplifies that leadership.”
As part of the 33rd annual awards, Kelly joins a prestigious list of women who have not only been instrumental within their industries over the decades but influential as well. In Lesley’s case, the co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation has helped lead efforts to champion mental health in Canada’s agricultural sector. A farmer, speaker and advocate, over the years Kelly has brought her passion for agriculture and combined it with a deep commitment to community, raising awareness, reducing stigma and creating spaces where farmers can feel seen, supported and heard.
As part of that work, Kelly launched High Heels and Canola Fields, sharing stories from the farm and beyond. Generating conversations about mental health on local, provincial, national and even global stages, Lesley has helped to create positive change within the agriculture industry.
Those efforts have not gone unnoticed as Kelly shared the recent recognition shines a light on The Do More Agriculture Foundation’s important work. “That work is bigger than any one person. It is about creating change, saving lives, and building a future where every farmer feels seen, heard, and supported.”
Managing operations for the family’s fifth generation farm near Watrous, being appointed to boards while advocating for systematic change, Kelly has spoken across the globe. Displaying a belief in resilience, collaboration, and the power of connection, Lesley continues to build relationships while creating a culture in agriculture where mental health is openly talked about, supported and prioritized.
“People don’t have to do it all alone. Building community is just as important as building a business. Being the co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation and helping change how mental health is viewed and supported across Canadian farms is one of my proudest accomplishments.”
While Kelly shared facing stigma and judgement early on when advocating for mental health in a space that was not ready for it was a challenge, she remained grounded in her purpose. “I leaned on a supportive community and remembered that my work could impact countless lives, including my own children’s futures.”
Seeing a growing movement in agriculture to prioritize people as much as productivity since the foundation’s inception, Kelly is excited to be a part of that change and has been deeply grateful for the encouragement, kindness, and belief from so many. “This journey wouldn’t be possible without you.”
Joining the other finalists in Toronto, winners of the 2025 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards will be announced during a gala Nov. 14 at the Ritz-Carlton.
“We are honoured to celebrate the finalists of this year’s RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, which recognize the innovation, resilience, and leadership of women entrepreneurs across Canada,” said Niranjan Vivekanandan, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Commercial Banking at RBC. “These women entrepreneurs are breaking barriers and building businesses that strengthen our economy, enrich our communities, and inspire a more inclusive future – and we are proud to spotlight their achievements on this national stage.”
Sept. 29, 2025
Watrous Home Hardware partners with Tree Canada and Town of Watrous
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to enhance the Watrous Sports Grounds while providing long-term benefits for the community and the environment, members of Watrous Home Hardware were joined by volunteers Saturday morning, Sept. 6 to plant trees.
Through Home Hardware Stores Limited’s annual Community Tree Plant in partnership with Tree Canada, Erin Evenson with Watrous Home Hardware shared this is the eighth collaboration the local business has participated in. “This year’s project at the Watrous Sports Grounds highlights the importance of coming together as a community while creating a positive impact on the environment.”
Planting mature trees that will enhance the area, Tree Canada representative Kelvin Kelly once again guided the planting, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Pleased with how the day went, Evenson said having so many dedicated volunteers lending a hand allowed the project to run without a hitch. “We are grateful to our staff, the Town of Watrous, Watrous
Minor Ball and all of the volunteers who took time out of their day to help plant trees. Each person played a significant role through preparing the soil and carefully positioning the trees, ensuring they will grow. The tree planting effort is expected to have long-term positive impacts for years to come.”
Town of Watrous Recreation Director Chelsea Murfitt was one of those who lent a hand planting trees. “It was incredible to see these trees planted at the sports grounds. The area is already such a beautiful space with some of the best ball diamonds around, and the addition of these trees will only enhance the overall look and feel of the grounds.”
Murfitt shared when Evenson reached out about the project, she was really excited. “Trees are such a wonderful addition to any space, and I was so thankful she thought of us. We were also really fortunate to have volunteers from Watrous Minor Ball join us for the planting — it not only made the work go quicker, but it made the morning more fun!”
Appreciating the town’s public works department for having everything prepped before planting
day, Murfitt added, “They had the holes dug and the trees, dirt, and mulch delivered, which made the whole process smooth and efficient.”
Following the tree plant, Evenson said, “Participants shared positive feedback on how well the event was organized, and many noted the lasting value the trees will bring in terms of shade, natural beauty, and environmental benefits. After planting the trees, we hosted a barbecue with the volunteers, celebrating the success of the initiative.”
photos courtesy Erin Evenson
Over the years Watrous Home Hardware has planted a number of trees through the annual Community Tree Plant including along the Watrous Rotary Trail, at Last Mountain Regional Park, the Drake Park near Drake School, the Young Golf Course, and now most recently, Watrous Sports Grounds.
Sept. 22, 2025
Drive-in at Manitou Beach marks milestone
Daniel Bushman
With only a handful of drive-in movie theatres across Saskatchewan and just over 40 in Canada, the drive-in at Manitou Beach remains an iconic fixture. Outlasting the tests of time, as the calendar flipped to 2025, the unique venture marked 70 years.
While the place has experienced a few name changes, at times an uncertain future, and even a screen that was destroyed by a storm in 1976, the resiliency of those behind the business allowed it to become what it is today.
Entering its 70th year, as summer got underway, popcorn was popped, the latest flicks shown on the big screen and visitors from near and far were able to check the experience off their bucket list. Now with the season officially done following another busy summer, plans are already in the works to see a 71st year. With that chapter yet to be written in what has become a lengthy legacy, turning back the pages, it all began with a local man’s idea.
Early beginnings
Already operating the Roxy Theatre in Watrous during the 1950s, when Morley Crawford found out someone was planning to build a drive-in nearby, he looked for a location of his own. “My dad was aware of drive-ins being built all over the place,” shared Burt Crawford who would later take over the venture with his now late wife Bev. “He was not crazy about them but when he found out someone was going to build one in Watrous, he sought out some land at Manitou Beach.”
Spotting a gravel pit located on Block ‘D’ at Manitou Beach, the area at that time spanned 10.85 acres and was undivided. Morley explained to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach that he would like to build a drive-in there. “He said it would be really expensive to level all that land so the beach said he could have it for $1,” explained Burt. “After all the levelling, bulldozing and fixing up, Dad said it was the most expensive land he ever bought for $1.”
Acquiring Block ‘D’, Morley got to work and construction began in 1954. Enlisting Burt’s help and expertise, the younger Crawford utilized his engineering and surveying knowledge from university classes he had taken. “I remember getting those ramps all built up where cars park to see the screen and we did a lot of work to have it all ready to go for 1955.”
Jubilee Drive-In opens
Constructing a massive screen, installing speakers, a building to house the projector, concession area and washrooms, and making a toll booth to take tickets, it was nearly show time. Coinciding with Saskatchewan’s 50th anniversary as a province in 1955, as the drive-in was completed, it was aptly named Jubilee Drive-In. With the summer season and warmer weather approaching, in June of that year, the new venture officially opened and the first patrons arrived.
An ad appearing in the June 2, 1955 edition of The Watrous Manitou showed Timber Jack was playing Thursday, Friday and Saturday (June 2, 3 and 4). Last Time I Saw Paris followed June 6, 7, and 8 and as part of a double feature, Overland Pacific and White Mane (a horse story) played June 9, 10 and 11. Back then, admission was 60 cents for adults and 40 cents for students. Children 12 and under were able to get in for free.
Taking off in popularity, as word got out, more and more people attended the unique experience. Paying their admission, vehicles packed with patrons would line up from the gate to the main road entering Manitou Beach. Once inside, people found a spot and parked next to a post which included two speakers attached with a wire. With a vehicle on either side, patrons could roll down their window and hang the device on the inside of it to hear the movie. While people now tune in using the FM dial on their radio, back then Crawford said, “Occasionally people would forget the speakers were attached to their car and then after the movie they would drive off. One time my dad even drove off with a speaker attached to his car. He said, ‘Don’t you let anyone know about that,’” Burt said laughing.
For those who preferred to get more of a theatre experience, an indoor seating area for about 24 people was created (a place that remains today). People could view the film on comfy seats and be steps away from the concession. Washrooms were also located nearby and at intermission, Burt’s voice would come over the speaker: “There will be a short intermission before we continue with the main feature. The concession stand is open with a full line of refreshments!”
Back then Crawford explained people could purchase a hamburger for 30 cents, a hot dog for 20 cents, French Fries for 20 cents, and a slice of dill pickle for five cents. Coffee, milk or hot chocolate were 10 cents a piece.
Following intermission, as the film eventually reached its conclusion, customers started their vehicles and headed for the exits. Crawford would again take to the airwaves stating: “Please replace speakers on posts before leaving. The exit is forward and to the right. Please drive carefully and come back soon!”
Popularity grows
As movies continued to gain in notoriety, so did the Roxy Theatre and Jubilee Drive-In. A show would play one night at the theatre in Watrous and then hit the screen at the drive-in during another. “They really took off,” said Burt adding show listing calendars were distributed to 26 different towns within the area. “You wouldn’t think there would be that many towns around here but we sure sent out a lot of calendars. We would get calls from Saskatoon, Regina, Swift Current, and then as far away as Edmonton and Calgary, Alta. from people asking what was showing at the drive-in. It was something else. People would come to watch a movie, go golfing, camping, take a swim at the pool and then visit the flea market we ran at the drive-in on Sundays. It was a real tourist attraction.”
Teaming up
It was not long after the drive-in was constructed that Morley was joined on a full-time basis by his son Burt. Following his time working for an oil company interpreting seismic work records, Burt along with his wife Bev decided to move back to Watrous. “It was a good paying job but I wasn’t happy with it. My dad was turning 70 and television was just coming in so he was going to quit the theatre business and shut them down. No one was interested in investing in theatres or drive-ins. I asked him if I could try it for a year and if he thought it would be profitable and he said, ‘Yes’. So I talked to my boss and explained the situation and asked if I could try it for a year. He told me to give it a try and if it didn’t work out that a job would be waiting for me. Bev and I moved to Watrous in April 1961 and on the May long weekend my dad died of a heart attack on his way to the theatre. After that, Bev and I ended up staying in Watrous and raised our family.”
For the next 15 years, from 1961 to 1976, the Crawfords who operated under Roxy Developments ran the pair of ventures. Then as spring approached in 1976, they entered into a partnership with Burt’s school buddy, Dave Schafer and his wife Rose. Also constructing a car wash along Hwy. 2 in Watrous, the group was excited about what the future held. However, just a few months later, the infamous wind storm of ‘76 hit, causing extensive damage.
Screen destroyed
In the June 10, 1976 edition of The Watrous Manitou, an article outlined how winds estimated at over 100 m.p.h. wreaked havoc on the local area. Dubbed the worst wind storm ever experienced in central Saskatchewan at that time, it arrived around midnight Thursday and lasted for over an hour. The 465-foot-high CBK tower just outside of Watrous crashed to the ground and “practically every structure in town suffered damage.” That included at nearby Manitou Beach where the Jubilee Drive-In screen was destroyed. While the projection booth and concession area remained intact, the gigantic wooden screen toppled over.
“I remember we had a show playing that night and it was after midnight when it ended. There was a bit of the steel fence on the north side of the property flapping in the wind. A few hours later I got a call from Tom Magnuson and I asked him how serious it was. He said it was really serious and that the screen blew over. I can remember one of our employees, Helen Leslie (now Alcock) had put on our big message board: ‘Gone With The Wind.’ That was pretty funny.”
Despite the damage at the drive-in, shows continued playing at the Roxy Theatre in Watrous. Having to rebuild the big screen, Crawford credits Dave and his connections for getting it done. Getting in touch with an engineer to design a new screen in short order, Burt said, “It was made of steel to withstand a lot. There is steel backing and rolled aluminum on the front. At the time we needed the rolled aluminum but it was in Winnipeg. I had a motorhome so I drove down there, picked it up and put it in our Winnebago and then Dave and I pop riveted it on the steel backing. It was incredible how we were able to get that thing back up. Thanks to Dave it took us 21 days from when the screen blew down to when we built it, got up on hoists to paint it white and play our first movie.”
Upgrading technology
Back in business, Jubilee Drive-In started featuring films once again while the owners began looking at upgrading their technology. With equipment at both the theatre and drive-in comprised of two projectors using carbon arcs, similar to what welders use, Burt said it was time for a change. “Each projector could only run 20 minutes because the carbons were used up. We had to switch every 20 minutes so that when one ended we could start the other and people watching wouldn’t notice. It required having a full-time projectionist. On one projector you had to thread up the film and then start it and when it ran out you had to quickly start the other one.”
Learning about Zenon bulb technology, requiring only one projector, Burt thought that could be a viable option. With the pair driving down to Billings, Montana, hopping on a plane to Kansas City, Missouri and attending a show to see the equipment firsthand, Burt and Dave brought in the units. The new system also came with big 48 inch diameter reels allowing Roxy Theatre and Jubilee Drive-In to play full double features. “They were heavy and we would haul them on big boards from the theatre in Watrous to the drive-in at the beach. We had those for a number of years.”
Enjoying the opportunity to provide films to residents and visitors over the years, eventually the Crawfords became sole proprietors of the theatre and drive-in while the Schafers took over the car wash.
Hiring a number of local faces over the years to help run the theatre and drive-in, Burt shared how he enjoyed the opportunity to not only employ people from the community including his own three kids but own the two places his dad once had. “I compiled a list over the years of employees we had at both the theatre and drive-in and it was well over 100.”
End of an era
Enjoying the experience through the decades, in the 1990s, Burt decided it was time to shut the doors on the Roxy Theatre. The Crawfords continued to operate the drive-in during the summer months but as time went on, Burt eventually stepped back from his managerial duties. Bringing others on board to fill his shoes, Crawford made the decision to lease the drive-in for a few years to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Then in 2014, the Crawfords sold the historic venture to the resort village.
Gerald Worobec, Mayor of Manitou Beach at that time shared the resort made the decision to purchase the business because it added another attraction to the community. Like many from the area, Worobec also caught a few movies as a youngster and understood the value that it brought. “Growing up on a farm meant you couldn’t just go to town or to the beach at a moment’s notice. So when the opportunity came up to go to the beach it was a very rewarding experience and getting to go see a movie at the drive-in was always greatly enjoyed. You got to fill your face with extra buttery popcorn topped up with a bag of licorice and you were always able to get together with a few friends. And then of course when you got your licence and you owned a car, it was just that much more fun to go see a movie.”
Familiar faces return
With the Resort Village of Manitou Beach leasing out the drive-in for a few years, following that term, in 2017 Watrous resident Tara Hayden was brought in to manage the place. A role she had done prior to 2014, Hayden was incredibly excited to return. Humbled by the local support, she said, “I realized that the drive-in was more than just a place to watch a show. While things had changed over the years, what stayed the same was that everyone who showed up was there for the drive-in experience. You could not beat the open air movie watching (in your pajamas if you wanted), the big screen and of course the popcorn!”
Like Hayden and so many others who grew up in the area, Earl Hayhurst is no stranger to both the Roxy Theatre and Jubilee Drive-In. In Earl’s case though, he received the opportunity to learn the ropes from Crawford when he was younger. Employed at both places, Hayhurst recalls hauling reels and canisters from the theatre to the drive-in. “I really enjoyed working for Burt at both and not only watched a lot of movies but also learned how everything was done.”
Operating his own venture called Video Stop (one of the last remaining video rental places in Canada), Earl’s business is located in the former Roxy Theatre in Watrous where he was once employed by Burt. After working for Crawford for a number of years, like Hayden, the movie lover took on managerial duties at the drive-in, including overseeing the Sunday flea market.
Following in Hayden’s footsteps after the work she put in, Hayhurst was first asked in 2020 by then Mayor of Manitou Beach Gerald Worobec and Hayden if he would like to take over. Hayhurst agreed and a short time later he would end up navigating the drive-in through the covid pandemic. With regulations implemented by the province, Earl had to make adjustments on the fly. Patrons were instructed to park beside buckets instead of where speakers once sat decades ago. “The buckets ensured social distancing and maintained the right amount of people allowed in at one time,” said Hayhurst. “Additional safety precautions like hand sanitizer were added as well.”
With no new movies released in Hollywood during that time, Earl selected some classics and old favourites for viewers to enjoy. “I remember we had a sold out crowd for Back To The Future when we showed that movie. A person from Regina came and brought his DeLorean to the show.”
After covid regulations were dropped, other theme nights were added as people packed the drive-in for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles where they could enjoy a slice of pizza. “We also have a combine from the movie Twister at the drive-in so we brought in Twister and people took pictures of the combine before the show started. This year we showed Twisters so people could check out the combine from the first movie before the latest film was played.”
While Hayhurst stepped away from his role as manager for a few years following the pandemic, he returned this summer after current Manitou Beach Mayor Cheryl Hanson and members of council reached out to him. “It is good to be back and to see a lot of people who attended the drive-in and the flea market when I was there before.”
Welcoming Hayhurst to the familiar surroundings was a new projector and fresh coat of paint on the gigantic screen. Earl also contacted the staff he previously employed and they were thrilled to return. This time instead of coming up with classics and old favourites, Hayhurst was able to play the newest releases. “We have been really busy. It is great to see so many people coming out to the drive-in. It remains a popular place for people to check out.”
With the flea market held every Sunday morning during the summer months at the drive-in property, Hayhurst also oversaw the event. “When I came back this year, lots of people were excited to see me and it was nice to reconnect with a number of them.”
Shows halted
While 2025 was a busy season for movies and flea market finds, a few years ago that was not the case. After showing films for the majority of the summer in 2022, an explosion with the projector abruptly halted the season. Requiring a substantial amount of money to purchase a new projector, that put the future of the drive-in on hold. Following an outpouring of support to see it resurrected, during a May 2023 town hall meeting involving the Resort Village of Manitou Beach council, a decision was made to see it return.
Local resident steps up
Growing up in Watrous and attending a number of movies at the drive-in over the years, when the place was forced to shutdown in 2022, Lane Manson felt the need to do something. A business person, Manson approached the Resort Village of Manitou Beach council to see what he could do. “There was no easy fix and at the end of the day we needed to get some movies on the screen because the longer a business is closed the harder it is to get it going again.”
Working with the council at that time to figure out a solution, Manson created a plan and reached out to a number of different people. Able to bring in a team of individuals to help with the confectionery aspect of the drive-in along with gate admission and a weekly flea market, Manson connected with another group who provided him with a projector to use while collaborating on movie selection.
With the help of volunteers to ensure things ran smoothly, Manson also reached out to Crawford, who lent his support. “I was really thankful to get Burt on board. You talk about culture and heritage, the drive-in is part of our local culture and part of our local heritage. It is something cool we can offer.”
Renaming the drive-in to Salty Cinema Drive-In, Manson set it up as a not-for-profit organization which allowed for access to grants and funds specifically related to entertainment and events. He was also able to ensure the drive-in did not go extinct and in 2023, shows continued. “With a very fair lease arrangement with the village, operators are given the opportunity to do well. We collect part of the money brought in which is earmarked for the drive-in within that non-profit. The village put a lot into the drive-in and this was a way to set up a functioning business model where the drive-in can accept the support of people in many different fashions.”
With the drive-in being operational, Manson said, “It encouraged the resort village to pursue the insurance it had, allowing them to purchase a new projector and provide upkeep to the facility.”
Working with film studios and setting up the digital movies, Manson has invested a substantial amount of time since coming on board a few years ago to see the drive-in thrive. “This year was a really busy season and I am grateful to see the support we had from the community and surrounding areas.”
With Hayhurst and his staff joining Manson this summer, Lane said, “With Earl’s previous experience at the drive-in, when he came in, it was like he never left.”
Salty Cinema Drive-In remains fixture
With a double feature to end a successful and busy 2025 summer, despite the ups and downs over the decades, the drive-in at Manitou Beach continues to withstand the tests of time.
Thrilled to see it operating this year while attracting visitors from all over, Mayor of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach Cheryl Hanson said the drive-in remains an asset. “We are so fortunate as a community and as a region to have something like this. I think we have the best drive-in across Western Canada and having Earl Hayhurst coming back on board along with his expertise really added to it this year.”
Sharing that Manitou Beach was packed with visitors this summer, Hanson said the future looks bright, not just for the resort village but for the drive-in as well. “On behalf of council, we are thrilled to see the landmark turn 70 this year and hope to see it around for another 70 years! It is a great asset for this community and we are proud to be the home of Salty Cinema Drive-In.”
Sept. 15, 2025
Harvest rolling in region
Daniel Bushman
Harvest operations are underway throughout Saskatchewan as producers make progress in fields locally. Hoping for good weather and a safe and prosperous season, Rebecca Hort, Crops Extension Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture has been keeping an eye on the area.
Anticipating farmers will be busy in the fields following a slower start in September due to rain, Rebecca graciously took some time out of her busy schedule to share a bit about the progress.
How has harvest progress been going within the Watrous and Lanigan region?
Harvest is underway in the east-central region of the province. Certain crops in the region have been maturing unevenly, causing producers to swath and desiccate some of their crops. Most winter cereals and pulses have been taken off, with spring cereals being harvested currently. Oilseed crops are reaching maturity and are beginning to be harvested. Check out our weekly crop report on the Saskatchewan website to see harvest progress and reported yields.
How has this year gone compared to recent years?
With the lack of moisture at the beginning of the growing season, it caused crops to be very variable from germination to spray timing staging to maturity staging. Every year is different and this year we saw dry conditions during most of the growing season, thus impacting the timing of crop development.
Compared to the rest of the province, crop development was slower in the east-central region. The dry conditions caused germination and crop emergence to be slow and uneven. At the beginning of August, we welcomed rainfall for most of the east-central region, timely for later seeded cereal and oilseed crops but untimely for early seeded crops. Warm and dry conditions in late August caused crops to mature rapidly, followed by rain near the beginning of September, slowing the start of harvest.
With the combination of early season dry conditions and more moisture later in the season, variable yields will be expected for the region.
How did the growing season go as a whole?
Seeding progressed quite rapidly and the lack of moisture in June and July this year caused crops to mature more quickly. The crops in the east-central region saw some stress from dry conditions, heat and inconsistent moisture conditions throughout the growing season. These stress conditions caused variability in crop development.
In-crop spray timing was difficult for some producers this year as the crop emergence in the spring was uneven due to early season dry conditions and caused inconsistent crop stages.
In terms of crop pests, there were pockets of hot spots around the province where bertha armyworms were found at or nearing economic thresholds, causing some producers to spray their canola. Parts of the Watrous and Lanigan areas saw high counts of bertha armyworms in our weekly counts. Untimely rains in August and beginning of September caused harvest to become slightly delayed.
With harvest still underway, is there anything you would like to share with producers?
Producers should keep safety top of mind this harvest season including planning a quick tailgate meeting when moving to new fields to identify hazards (i.e. power lines, ditches, etc.) and reduce the risk of a combine fire by cleaning off chaff/dust buildup regularly. Keep a fire extinguisher on the combine and equipment, as well as have a tractor and cultivator nearby in high-risk fields to mitigate risk.
After harvest wraps up, heading into fall and winter, what is the hope for next year’s seeding season?
As with every year, we hope for the weather to provide us with adequate moisture at the right time for crop growth and development during next year’s seeding season.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
For more information or agronomic questions, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
Sept. 8, 2025
Watrous Ju-No-Ri Judo Club finds new home
Daniel Bushman
What has been a dream for decades has now become a reality for the Watrous Ju-No-Ri Judo Club. After utilizing the Watrous Elementary School gym since 1976 and more recently, space at Adam Stenerson’s building on 3rd Ave., E., an opportunity presented itself for the local club to have a place of its own.
With the SaskPower building on Main Street in Watrous for sale, fundraising efforts quickly began in order to acquire the property. Despite only having a brief period to raise money for a down payment, the local contingent was able to do it.
“We are very excited to finally have our own space,” shared Glen Miller and Ryan Klenk-Potts with Watrous Ju-No-Ri Judo Club. “The community has been so supportive of us getting this space and club executive member Cindy Mclean has been really amazing for us. She has done a lot of the leg work to get us to where we are and without her, this would have been a lot harder to do.”
Seeking support from the community, efforts got underway to purchase the building as soon as the club found out it was for sale. Sending out fundraising packages and coming up with other initiatives, the local group began receiving donations for the place.
“It has been unbelievable,” shared Miller and Klenk-Potts about the outpouring of support. “Watrous is such a warm and caring community and people have been willing to help us. We received generous donations from a number of businesses, organizations and private donors. We are so grateful for that and are also appreciative of Avril Reifferscheid of Realty Executives Watrous who was awesome in helping us throughout the buying process. This has been a dream of ours and we are so excited about it.”
With the support the judo club received, the pair indicated they were able to make the down payment on the building and start renovations. However, that is just the beginning as there will be more fundraising initiatives conducted to help maintain the place moving forward. “If people would like to contribute towards the building and the club, they are still welcome to do so.”
Getting the keys in late August, once renovated, the goal is to have approximately 1,000 square feet of space to use for practices which would allow more athletes to take part in judo. “We have really appreciated Adam allowing us to have space at his building over the years. At our new place, it will provide more room for our athletes to practice and we can also welcome additional members to take part.”
Hoping to have the dojo ready by the start of October, Miller, Klenk-Potts, Mclean and others have already been putting in a number of hours at the new facility. “Our spouses have helped us immensely throughout this whole process and we are also very appreciative to have our judo parents and members of our executive helping.”
Once completed, the building will not only provide ample space for athletes but will include an area for parents to watch practices and also contain a pair of washrooms. “It is going to be great when it is done and it will provide an opportunity for our elite athletes who want to train past the season to do so.”
Anticipating a fun year ahead, now that the club has secured its own location, Miller and Klenk-Potts said registration will be held Sept. 15 at the new dojo at 315 Main Street. “While it won’t be finished, we thought it would be nice for parents and athletes to come check out the progress and see what the new place will look like. We are really excited to have the space and the ability to welcome more athletes to compete this year. If people are unable to make it for the registration but want to sign up, they still can.”
Open to those ages seven to 70 (and older), Miller shared practices will be held Mondays and Thursdays with the younger group on the mats from 7 to 8 p.m. and the older crew from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The first practice will be held Sept. 18 at the 3rd Ave., E. location in Watrous and will then relocate to the new place once it is ready. “We are looking forward to the future of our judo club and are excited to have our new place.”
Sept. 1, 2025
Communities seeking help; SHA hopeful for future
Daniel Bushman
Work on seeing healthcare services fully resume in Lanigan and Watrous continues as the communities experienced changes and disruptions over the summer. After both towns saw their number of practicing physicians drop, heading into the fall, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has been able to secure some help.
In Watrous, after the departure of its three physicians, three temporary locums are arriving while a new doctor began practicing in August. Jacquie Holzmann, Executive Director, Primary Health Care Southeast for Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said new physician Dr. Memon started in August and will be joined by three locums after the September long weekend.
A pair of familiar faces, Dr. Chander Sharma and Dr. Kavita Choudhary, who worked in the community for a number of years before closing their practices in June and July are two of the locums lending a hand. “We just really appreciate Dr. Sharma and Dr. Choudhary for providing services. They are really committed to supporting the community they worked in for many years and they have really helped to stabilize services for the upcoming months in the community.”
Having the physicians provide services alongside nurse practitioner (NP) Melissa Schommer, Holzmann added SHA is still recruiting for a second permanent NP position. “We are in the process of filling that position and will be making some offers, which is really exciting.”
With the four physicians and NP on staff, Holzmann said SHA will continue to utilize its virtual physician program while now looking at reopening services like acute care beds. Optimistic to see the acute care beds reopen, she added there still remains shortages when it comes to nursing and lab staff. Needing physicians, nurses and lab technicians to be able to run an emergency room, Holzmann said, “Some of the disruptions we have faced in Watrous come on really short notice just due to staffing in all of those departments.”
Looking to better stabilize those levels, SHA is currently recruiting for two temporary vacancies in the lab. Anticipating staff to return in late fall, starting in September, SHA is also implementing point of care testing in Watrous. “This allows physicians and nurses working in the ER department to run several lab tests on emergency patients to help them triage patients when we are short lab staff so we don’t have to go on a disruption.”
Hoping to see the Watrous District Health Complex return to more consistent levels of operation with the significant additions recently made, Holzmann said SHA wants to see similar results in Lanigan.
With funding available for three physicians in Lanigan, currently there remains vacant positions after one of its doctors departed in August. With the physician leaving, that left NP Cassandra Leggott and Dr. Askari on staff to provide services.
Despite the shortage, Holzmann said SHA remains committed to achieving a full compliment of physicians and with success in securing locum services for August and September, additional resources have arrived. A second physician is also slated to join the community in October if all goes well. Additionally, Holzmann shared SHA is actively seeking a temporary NP for the community.
“We recognize the importance of having accessible ER services available in rural and remote communities and the impact they have on the residents and communities. In an effort to really help shift some of that off communities, we are committed to try and do whatever we can.”
As part of the work being done, Holzmann said relying on both Watrous and Lanigan has been tremendously valuable. “We have really strong partnerships with the mayors of Watrous and Lanigan and municipal leaders. We are making sure we have open communication and when it comes to working on recruitment and retention, we rely on those communities to help with that.”
With a health council recently created in Watrous and work being done with the Lanigan Medical Clinic Board, Holzmann said they have been great partners in sharing ideas while working collaboratively on retention and recruitment of providers with all of the services.
Hoping to achieve a full compliment of physicians in the future, in the meantime, Holzmann indicated outpatient lab services at both sites are not disrupted and residents should continue to access services as usual. As for primary health care, she suggests phoning the local clinics for availability. “Having the locum support we have added to both teams will help improve access for primary care appointments.”
Whenever there is a short term disruption to services (often 24 hours or less) in either community, Holzmann indicated the SHA communicates through local social media channels and other platforms, and ensures there is signage at the facilities alerting patients of changes. For service disruptions longer than seven days, they are posted on the SHA website. In the event of an emergency, Holzmann said 911 should always be called. “When 911 is called, paramedics can assess, treat and transport the patient to the nearest location where the patient can receive further medical attention. This will ensure that patients requiring urgent care will receive it in a timely fashion, at the correct location.”
Pleased to see a new doctor in the community and hoping more will be arriving in the future, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said he is thankful Dr. Sharma and Dr. Choudhary decided to temporarily help out over the next while. “The long term solution is to have some full-time doctors here, but as for right now, whatever help we can receive is positive.”
Hoping for some permanent solutions moving forward, Gunderson continues to have open communication with SHA. “I always like to have optimism but it is frustrating how so much has happened over the past year to be put in this position. It certainly makes for a tough situation when three physicians leave. Having said that, SHA is doing the best they can to help us and we understand we are not the only community in dire need of doctors.”
Also hoping to see a full compliment of physicians in his community sooner rather than later, Lanigan Mayor Tony Mycock said it has not been easy navigating through the shortage. “We are making the best of it and the virtual physician program has helped. Nurse Practitioner Cassandra Leggott and Dr. Askari have been amazing at trying to make sure we get coverage along with the locums, who have been good.”
With the potential of having a second full-time physician arriving in October, Mycock shared the doctor recently visited Lanigan. “I spent some time with him and showed him the community, hospital and the new school. We are really hoping he and his young family will move here.”
As part of the retention process, Mycock said another duplex is being constructed in September after the Lanigan Ambulance Association donated $1 million. “We are extremely grateful for the donation to help build another home. If we get a third doctor, we will need another house and this donation will help with that. Housing is tight so even if we need a space for locums or physicians or lab technicians, this allows us the ability to have that.”
Additionally, Mycock has invested a tremendous amount of time over the years with the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency. Through those efforts, Lanigan was invited to be a part of the 2025 Family Medicine Retreat in Saskatoon. Open to first and second year medical residents who will one day practice family medicine, Mycock said, “We have an opportunity to set up a booth and engage with them to profile our community. These are future doctors coming out of school looking for somewhere to work. It is an opportunity for us to showcase Lanigan and the agency will also be doing a community profile on their website about our community. It is another way to get Lanigan’s name out there.”
Hoping to see some results out of that retreat, Mycock also recently met with Minister of Health Jeremy Cockrill when the minister toured the local hospital. Along with councillor Jason Wolfe and members of the clinic board, the group voiced their concerns during the meeting. “We explained the issues with the SIPPA program and retention of doctors and hopefully the minister heard our concerns. Having our hospital and emergency services fully operational is something I have been fighting for over the past number of years. I will not be happy until we get to where we need to be.”
Aug. 25, 2025
Watrous Whitecaps host successful provincial meet
Daniel Bushman
There was a lot of excitement in Watrous July 26 and 27 as 274 swimmers representing 17 summer swim clubs from across Saskatchewan made a splash during this year’s Summer Swim Provincials.
Hosting the event, President of the Watrous Whitecaps Speed Swimming Club Tanya Jansen said it was a tremendous success. “On Saturday we had 60 events from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and those were followed by a banquet at Danceland. Then on Sunday, the meet featured 62 events, wrapping up with a medal ceremony at the conclusion of the day. Both days included beautiful weather, enthusiastic crowds, and strong community support, making it a memorable event and rewarding experience for all involved.”
Provincials officially got underway Saturday morning with a grand march before the singing of O Canada by Watrous Whitecaps athlete Greta Jackson. Swimmers then hopped into the pool for day one of the competition and after 60 featured events, a banquet was held at Danceland. Accommodating over 500 guests during the evening’s festivities, a ceremony was held to recognize swimmers and swim clubs for their achievements throughout the season.
With an opportunity to get back into the pool on Sunday, swimmers raced in a number of events with a medal ceremony wrapping up the final day.
While local athletes may have gotten off to a bit of a later start to the season compared to other clubs, following tremendous strides during the year and reaching personal best times throughout, 13 swimmers representing Watrous qualified for the provincial event. The following is how each did during the two days:
Leochelle Aundencial: fifth in the 50m backstroke, sixth in the 100m breaststroke, seventh in the 50m fly, ninth in the 50m fly, ninth in the 50m breaststroke, and fourth in the 200m free relay.
Logan Jansen: second in the 200m backstroke, third in the 100m free, third in the 100m backstroke, fourth in the 200m free, fifth in the 200m individual medley, fourth in the 200m free relay, and fourth in the 200m medley relay.
Marcus Chester: first in the 50m fly, first in the 100m breaststroke, first in the 100m fly, first in the 50m breaststroke, first in the 200m free relay, and first in the 200m medley relay.
Connor Jansen: third in the 50m fly, fourth in the 25m fly, fourth in the 200m individual medley, fifth in the 200m free, seventh in the 100m breaststroke, second in the 200m free relay, and second in the 200m medley relay.
Adam Jansen: 11th in the 25m fly, 12th in the 50m breaststroke, and fourth in the 200m free relay.
William Richardson: 11th in the 100m backstroke.
Maxym Dueck: 10th in the 100m individual medley, 11th in the 50m free, 12th in the 100m free, second in the 200m free relay and second in the 200m medley relay.
Mark Ierofieiev: eighth in the 50m backstroke.
Kellie Campbell: first in the 200m free, first in the 100m free, first in the 50m fly, first in the 100m fly, first in the 200m individual medley, first in the 200m free relay, and first in the 200m medley relay. Kellie also received the highest point aggregate award for girls 13 to 14 years old.
Amy Campbell: first in the 50m backstroke, first in the 100m backstroke, first in the 50m free, second in the 50m fly, third in the 50m breaststroke, first in the 200m free relay, and first in the 200m medley relay.
Mia Campbell: first in the 200m free, first in the 50m breaststroke, first in the 100m breaststroke, second in the 25m fly, second in the 50m free, first in the 200m medley relay, and second in the 200m free relay. Mia also received the highest point aggregate award for girls 11 to 12 years old.
Hadley Braman: fifth in the 100m breaststroke, eighth in the 50m breaststroke, and fourth in the 200m medley relay.
Nicole Ierofieieva: ninth in the 100m breaststroke.
“For provincial summer swimming, each swimmer who finishes in the top three in individual races and relays receives a medal while those placing fourth to sixth receive ribbons in the individual races. Our swimmers representing Watrous all competed hard and did so good. They should each be proud of their accomplishments.”
With tremendous representation from the local speed swimming club both in and out of the water, Jansen also noted how instrumental the over 110 volunteers were in seeing the meet go ahead. “Without them, it could not have happened. We had great support as a whole and from our community. Everything from people donating their time, putting out pop cans for fundraising, to the many sponsors who gave generously. All of those efforts allowed us to host the provincial meet and it was sincerely appreciated. We are also very grateful to the officials, the lifeguard team at the Watrous Swimming Pool and to Watrous Recreation Director Chelsea Murfitt for all the help and hard work in getting the pool looking fantastic.”
Aug. 18, 2025
Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival generates buzz of excitement
- photo courtesy Bev Jay
Daniel Bushman
Despite some rain and cooler weather, it did not deter people from enjoying this year’s Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival. With over 2,500 spectators taking in the Aug. 7 to 10 event, the most attended in its history, the 2025 version was nothing short of spectacular.
One of the festival organizers Fawne Inkster said not only was the event extremely successful, carvers created magnificent works while spectators stuck it out through the elements. Add in a committee who worked well together, volunteers that lent a hand to sponsors supporting the festival and Inkster said it ran smoothly. “Even with the rain and cooler temperatures, spectators still came from all over the province and this year’s festival saw its best numbers ever.”
As part of those numbers, Inkster shared a bus tour arrived from Regina during one of the days while a number of media outlets were on hand throughout the weekend to promote the event. Despite rain creating a muddy parking lot early on, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach lent a hand by bringing in some gravel while Lawrence Richardson from Richardson Services sucked up water from the beer gardens area with his truck so people could enjoy the festivities. “We also had Dave Morrison as our MC and he did a fabulous job with the music and getting the crowd into it. The Watrous Kinsmen ran the beer gardens which was a big help and we had a great variety of food vendors and craft vendors including a couple of bark carvers in attendance. There was lots for everyone to check out.”
As for the main event itself, eight carvers from across Canada were able to attend while one from Ireland made the trip to Manitou Beach. Unfortunately, Saskatchewan’s Gary Natomagan was unable to attend due to the current wildfire situation up north; however, the remaining nine carvers got to work Thursday morning.
With four days of carving including each competitor having to come up with three silent auction quick carves, it provided spectators with an opportunity to see pieces of wood come to life. Grabbing their chainsaws and getting to work, familiar faces like Jim Niedermayer (Manitoba), Kamron Garbe (B.C.), De Ann Holmes (Manitoba), Patricia Dippolito (Alta.), and Tyler Welfing (B.C.), were joined this year by Cornie Krahn (Man.), Stephanie Penner (Man.), Travis Peters (Alta.), and Para Havatitye (Ireland).
“All of the carvers were amazing!! So different from each other and also so different from other years. You could really see how passionate the carvers were through their work.”
Starting with massive pieces of wood, each created something entirely different from the other. With Havatitye’s Highlander farm scene, Penner’s frog, Niedermayer’s soaring eagle, a buffalo created by Holmes, Dippolito’s raccoons residing in a tree, a hummingbird bench made by Welfing, a massive tree gnome by Peters, a bear with an anchor by Krahn, and Garbe’s fox, heron and woman inspired by an old fable, the final masterpieces left spectators in awe.
Throughout the weekend, people had the opportunity to cast their votes for the pieces they liked the most. From those ballots, the top three received cash prizes while Carvers Choice and Committee Choice awards were also presented. This year, first place went to Para Havatitye from Ireland, who received $3,500. Second place was awarded to Stephanie Penner from Manitoba ($2,000), and third place went to Kamron Garbe from B.C. ($1,000). Because of how incredible the carvings were this year, Inkster said the committee had to tally up the votes four times to ensure they had it right. “That is how close things were.”
As for Carvers Choice, Penner was presented with the award earning $1,000 and Havatitye received the Committees Choice award which was also $1,000.
A large carving raffle was conducted leading up to the final day Sunday with the winner having the choice of a carving. With 891 of the 1,000 tickets sold, the winner chose to take Penner’s frog. The remaining carvings will be set up throughout the Resort Village of Manitou Beach for people to enjoy.
But it was not only the spectators who appreciated this year’s festival. Inkster mentioned the committee received really good feedback from all of the carvers. “It was really nice to see them visiting with each other, they helped each other out and still had fun even though they were competing against one another. You would often see the carvers talking to people in the crowd and Kamron said his 90-year-old grandpa came the one day and sat and watched him for three hours. I thought that was so special.”
Inkster added the carvers were all very nice and appreciative and expressed interest in coming back in 2027. “Para Havatitye from Ireland is planning on bringing more of his family next time and touring around the province prior to the festival. That was great to hear.”
Looking back on the 2025 Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival, Inkster said there were a few things that really stuck out. “At one point on Thursday we looked at the number of people that came out on a rainy cool day and were taken aback. Again on Sunday, the sun was out and so was the crowd. They were both wow moments. I always think it is a highlight when you see how quickly the carvers can make an almost 10 foot log look like something in a few hours.”
In addition to the spectators, vendors and the carvers attending this year’s event, Inkster said it could not have been made possible without the support of the community, sponsors and volunteers. “The support was amazing. The sponsors gave either monetary, in kind or items as donations. There were about 30 volunteers besides the committee (Fawne Inkster, Sherwyn and Poppy Peterson, Lori Gill, Garry Jay, Pat Weichel, Vince and Dee Armstrong, Jesse and Claire Weber, and council representative Sandra Hesdorfer) who put in time at the gate, raffle table, grounds and in the kitchen. The majority of the crowd were definitely from out of town so that’s great for us as well as the community. Both Manitou Beach and Watrous showed great support either by sponsoring, volunteering or attending.”
With such a tremendous success in 2025, Inkster and the committee are looking forward to the next festival in 2027. “Very much so. We will have a quick debriefing meeting shortly and then meet again in September to look at some options for giving back to the communities. And then we will start putting a couple things in place and go from there.”
Aug. 11, 2025
Annual Fun Run a tremendous success
Daniel Bushman
Not only did the sun arrive for the 34th annual Watrous Manitou Beach Fun Run but so did the people and their vehicles. With 268 registrations bringing in visitors to the community, Main Street in Watrous was packed Saturday, July 26.
Fun Run organizing committee member Adrian James said, “It was a great turnout for vehicles and spectators. It was really great to see everyone come out and fill Main Street again.”
Explaining how the show went really well from setup to take down with minimal hiccups, James added it was surreal to watch multiple blocks of Main Street occupied for the majority of the day. “There were amazing projects that vehicle owners put on display and they were able to show off their hard work. It was hard to say how many people attended this year to view the vehicles but it seemed like it was one of the busier shows to date.”
Enjoying all of the makes and models, people from Watrous and visitors to the area had the opportunity to view a number of tremendous entries at this year’s show. The public were also able to take in Beeper the Clown, the Sask. Agility Dogs, bouncy castles, food, shop at local businesses and even check out the 2025 Provincial Speed Swimming event at the swimming pool.
As part of the 34th Fun Run, James added there were multiple award winners, a pre-registration draw winner, five spectators choice awards and three local automotive dealers choice awards.
The recipients this year included:
• Pre-registration draw winner: Erwin Bateman.
• Local automotive dealers choices: Best GM: Greg Nicholson – 1988 Chevy C1500; Best Mopar: Lorne Lindell – 1975 Dodge Dart Sport; and Best Ford: Jim Leskun – 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback.
• Spectators Choice Awards: Christine Shire – 2018 Dodge Challenger T/A 392; Ron Schropp – 1970 Dodge 100; Allan Hopkins – 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7; Bob Chaplin – 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo; and Ben Kwiatkowski – 1993 Ford F-150.
• Other award winners included: Best V-Twin motorcycle: Larry Smith – 1978 Harley Iron Head; Best Vintage Import: Eric Epp – 1986 Nissan 300; Best Modern Import: Mark Druery – 2019 Nissan 370z; Best Import Motorbike: Keith King – 1974 Kawasaki Z1900; Up N’ Comin’ 15 and under award: Lexin Magnes – 1979 Honda Trike 70CC; and Labour of Love award: Darren Tarasoff – 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle.
To view the winners and their vehicles, people can visit the Watrous Fun Run Facebook page.
Looking back at the Fun Run, James said the support it garners each year from sponsors, the community and volunteers has been integral. “That support is pivotal. We wouldn’t have the show if not for the amazing amount of support we have from our sponsoring businesses and volunteers. It takes all hands on deck and more to make the show go smoothly, especially on the day of.”
July 21, 2025
Casting A Light on Mental Health
Daniel Bushman
The following article contains content related to suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text the suicide crisis helpline at 9-8-8.
Impacting people of all ages and backgrounds, mental illness is experienced by one in three Canadians during their lifetime. Every day more than 200 people in Canada attempt to take their lives and each year, approximately 4,500 people in Canada die by suicide (according to Statistics Canada).
Hoping to help those struggling with mental health and addictions after losing a loved one in 2022, a family with local roots launched Cast A Light on Mental Health. In memory of Stuart Ackerman, the annual event provides an opportunity to raise funds for various mental health programs for youth and adults while also honouring a son, husband, father, and friend.
Moving to Watrous in 1998 at the age of 10 and later graduating from Winston High School, Stuart battled in silence. With Stu’s mental health struggles becoming more apparent during his teenage years, as he reached adulthood, the avid fisherman saw health care professionals to try to help with the pain and trauma. Trying to plod through the darkness with a smile on his face, Stuart made time for his family and anyone he crossed paths with. But as the pressures from within grew, it eventually drove him to addictions. Combined with the pressures of life, the struggles became insurmountable and Stuart passed away on Apr. 8, 2022 at the age of 33.
A high-functioning, caring and generous person who faced depression and addiction, Stuart’s dad Steve shared his son did not want to burden anyone with his internal struggles. “We were quite naive to the challenges people face if they are having mental health struggles. We also felt there were a number of holes in the system during Stuart’s journey. We did not grasp just how important treatment for mental health was and the importance of talking about it. I have talked to countless people since then about mental health. Some refuse to talk about their mental health, and many have never thought about it, or never realized they have close friends or family members who struggle with it as well.”
Continuing to navigate through his mental health challenges, while in high school, Stuart met Courtney Federspiel and the pair were married in 2016. Raising a family together, it was during that time, Courtney shared Stuart received therapy and the care of a doctor. Walking alongside her husband through his struggles, Courtney explained the importance of being open about mental health. “It is a big step in someone feeling less alone and less shame around their journey. For those who have never experienced any mental health issues, it is very difficult to understand what someone else is going through. Sometimes that is okay to not understand but just be a support person and listen with an open mind.”
As the family learned more about mental health – before and after Stu’s passing – it became their hope to see the stigma and barriers surrounding mental health broken down. “Until recently, mental health was not discussed, at home or in the workplace,” said Steve. “Those who had mental health problems were ashamed of their condition and people did not talk about family members who struggled. Statistics indicate that men have a higher probability of mental health struggles with factors like stress, a history of trauma, and PTSD impacting them. There is also the stereotype that men need to be the provider and head of the family. Even if they are a high achiever, if they are not able to reach their personal goals, many can resort to undesirable activities like an eating disorder, alcohol, drugs, gambling, or other excessive behaviours.”
Wanting to see barriers broken down, understanding the severity of mental health issues and through positive discussions which led to helping others, in 2022 the family launched Cast A Light on Mental Health.
“Stu loved all things outdoors and was passionate about fishing,” said Courtney. “We wanted to create a way to honour his memory by doing something he loved while also helping others who may be struggling with mental health or addictions.”
“Most people have some place that is their safe place, a place that makes them happy and where day to day pressures will not bother them,” said Steve. “For Stu, that was fishing.”
With a goal of providing 100 percent of the proceeds from the now annual event to those struggling with mental health or addictions, Steve spoke to a number of groups in Saskatoon and the surrounding area. It was during that time where he learned there were not a lot of organizations out there who rely heavily on private funding. Wanting to support a cause that was close to home and beneficial to people like Stuart, his friends and others, the family chose Possibilities Recovery Center Inc.
Based out of Saskatoon, the centre provides opportunities for recovery from mental health and substance use disorders while promoting positive change in not only the life of the person living with substance use, but their families as well. Offering the first youth intensive outpatient mental wellness program in Saskatchewan for those ages 14 to 21, an intensive outpatient treatment program for adults, an aftercare program, and individual counselling, the Ackerman family felt strongly about the Saskatoon-based organization.
“Through the first two years of Cast A Light on Mental Health, we were able to donate $12,000 each year to Possibilities Recovery Center,” shared Steve. “Many people who require professional counselling do not reach out for help because cost is a barrier. Our donations will enable Possibilities Recovery Center to offer extended treatment to many who could not afford the service.”
Understanding the significance of the donations, Courtney said the family is very passionate about the annual event. “It is an opportunity for us to gather and remember Stu. He was an amazing person and was loved by so many people. It is also an opportunity to turn that grief into something positive by helping other people. That feels very rewarding to all of us. In the past the donations to Possibilities Recovery Center extended treatment programs for individuals already enrolled for treatment. This year the funds will be going towards youth programs with a focus on extending education to rural centres.”
Open to anyone to register and attend, over the past two years Cast A Light on Mental Health has been held in Shell Lake, Sask., which is a central location for the Ackerman’s extended family. Steve said, “This year we are going to be at Shell Lake Saturday, Aug. 16 and it is meant to allow people to take personal time for themselves and their families. Our theme is fishing but your theme could be something else like photography for example. Take time for yourself, look after your mental health. We encourage people to fish wherever they want to. They can join us in Shell Lake or if they choose to fish somewhere else like Last Mountain Lake, they can tag their photos and videos @calmfishingsk and use #CALMfishingSK when they post them on instagram. We would be happy to share them.”
Following a memorable day of fishing, a reception will be held at the Shell Lake Lion’s Club with a barbecue, door prizes, and silent auction. Speakers in attendance will also share their stories on mental health. For those unable to be there but who want to fish, Courtney said, “You can still register and fish any lake across Saskatchewan or Canada. With this option you will still be entered to win door prizes and receive a commemorative lure with your registration. Another option for people is a monetary donation or items for our door prizes or silent auction. If people want to donate items they can either contact Karen Abrey by Aug. 9 at 306-963-7415 or email k.abrey@sasktel.net or they can email info.calm.fishing@gmail.com.”
People can register for the Aug. 16 event at http://www.calmfishing.ca and there is also merchandise created by Stu’s cousin Todd on the website with the proceeds going towards mental health.
Asked what she would like to mention to those struggling with their mental health journey or those who know of someone struggling, Courtney shared the following:
“Mental health is something than can affect a person at any age and can be recurring throughout their lives. It is so important to be honest with how you are feeling. It is also very important to have support people you are comfortable with sharing this information with. It may be friends or family, but generally it is best to share with a professional. Education and awareness are very important but everyone needs tools to help them on their journey. These tools will be different for each person and the benefits will vary from person to person. Personally on my grief journey, I have used a registered psychologist, support groups, family doctor, as well as sharing with friends and family. There is no easy fix or cure unfortunately. Having multiple tools to pull from really helps.
“I think that is a common misconception that only one tool will be an instant cure, it puts a lot of pressure on the individual who is struggling. It also may lead to more shame if one of these tools isn’t effective for a person. I know Stu expressed some of those feelings when he tried a certain therapy method and he didn’t find it effective.
“I think it is also important as someone struggling with their mental health to recognize unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drug use can really compound the underlying issues and in cases such as Stu’s, become fatal. This is where suicide prevention, and prevention in general is so important. Possibilities Recovery Center this year is focusing our donations on youth and prevention. This will teach people how to recognize these feelings, create healthy coping mechanisms, and educate them on the available tools. It is so beneficial for people to hear stories similar to what they are currently going through at any age and feel like they are not alone and don’t feel the shame associated with it. I think that is where Possibilities Recovery Center really excels. Everyone’s journey is so different and regardless of family and circumstance you can still struggle.
“Everyone is worthy of mental health and addiction support. It may take multiple attempts but there will be days that feel more tolerable, sometimes tolerable has to be the milestone before you can find that joy in things again. For those supporting someone on their mental health journey sometimes just listening is the best gift you can give to someone.”
Reflecting back on his son’s journey, Steve said pretty much all of Stuart’s friends and family members didn’t realize he had a problem early on. “He phoned a lot of people and would always ask how they were doing but I don’t know that was reciprocated back to Stuart, because his condition wasn’t visible. Unknown to everyone, Stu was reaching out to those who were close to him. These conversations usually involved planning for the next fun event. Their conversation would offer his mind a few minutes of freedom from the pain inside him. Stu lived a very normal life on the outside but on the inside was full of turmoil and trauma. We miss him every day and it is our hope that through Cast A Light on Mental Health that we can not only honour Stuart but we can help others who are facing struggles and addictions.”
To learn more about Cast A Light on Mental Health, visit http://www.calmfishing.ca. To learn more about Possibilities Recovery Center, visit http://www.possibilitiesrecovery.ca.
July 14, 2025
Interlake to mark a milestone
Daniel Bushman
For the past five decades Interlake Human Resources Corporation has been a vital part of the Watrous community and surrounding area. Offering a number of services over the years, Interlake has grown to see an expanded day program location, a new group home, SARCAN depot building, and accessible vehicle. This year, Interlake is commemorating its 50th anniversary and is inviting the community to join in the celebration.
Having a party
Executive Director of Interlake Human Resources Corporation Angela Silzer said current and former participants, staff, board members, community partners and members of the community are invited for a come and go open house Wednesday, July 23 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The afternoon event at 116 Main Street in Watrous will provide people an opportunity to visit, view the expanded building and maybe even win a door prize.
Then on Thursday, Jeffery Straker will be at the Watrous Civic Centre for a 2 p.m. performance. “We are excited to mark our 50th anniversary and looking forward to having Jeffery in town to help us celebrate,” said an excited Silzer. “Our participants are eager to welcome visitors to our open house at Interlake (116 Main Street) and we are looking forward to the concert as well. If people want to purchase tickets to the Jeffery Straker concert, they can get in touch with Interlake.”
Interlake’s beginnings
From small beginnings to expanding its programs and adding other facilities like a SARCAN depot and group home in Watrous, Silzer shared a bit about Interlake’s history.
Officially incorporated July 29, 1975 following a needs assessment encompassing the then Long Lake School and Davidson School units, Silzer explained the assessment was conducted to provide services and supports to adults experiencing disabilities. “The original scope was to coordinate and supervise vocational training, then gradually expand to include the development of social and recreational programs. Contingent on the success of the programs, it was also to provide living residences in Watrous and Davidson.”
With the name Interlake derived by the area defined as Blackstrap to the north, Long Lake to the east, then south to Buffalo Pound and west to Diefenbaker Lake, for the first few years, Interlake operated with a few grants including a temporary one from Social Services. Then in 1981, permanent funding was secured from Social Services to have permanent staff in both Watrous and Davidson. With Community Living Division of the Ministry of Social Services (CLSD) as the operating funder, Silzer said it allowed Interlake to provide services and supports to adults experiencing intellectual disabilities.
Interlake day programs
With permanent funding secured, in 1979, Interlake was able to construct a place of its own in Watrous (which is now the home of the Gallery on 3rd). As the space eventually became too small, in 2007, Interlake moved to the former school division building at 116 Main Street. Silzer said the move not only helped to bring the non-profit, government funded charitable-based organization a more public presence being located right on Main Street but allowed for much more space and the possibility to provide services to more individuals.
Just over 15 years later, the Ministry of Social Services agreed to partially fund a 1,700 square foot expansion of Interlake’s day program space at 116 Main Street, something Silzer said was completed in 2023. “This has been a real benefit to our agency as we have been able to support even more individuals. In fact, it almost feels too small already some days – a great problem to have!.”
Coinciding with the day program in Watrous, a day program was also operated in Davidson, but Silzer noted due to dwindling numbers and services, in 2024 the decision was made to suspend the program’s services and have everything under one roof in Watrous.
Interlake group homes
In addition to the day programs offered in Davidson and Watrous, in the late 1990s, a group led by Lorna and Earl Mansell (parents of Gaylene Mansell, who is a current resident of the Interlake group home) approached Sask Housing and CLSD to convert one of the vacant Nokomis Housing Authority units into a 24 hour group living home. “That was approved to accommodate three to four individuals and in May 1999, the home known as Cathy’s Place (after the social worker at the time) was opened. About a year later, Interlake was approached to take over the supervision and staffing aspects which meant we now provided services in Davidson, Watrous and Nokomis.”
In 2021, CLSD approached Interlake with a proposal to construct a new group home in Watrous. In collaboration with Sask Housing and CLSD, with Interlake in charge of the operations and staffing duties, the residents relocated from Nokomis to the new home in Watrous. “The home in Nokomis was then closed and we celebrated moving into our new 24/7 365 days a year, four person home in April 2024.”
Receiving $1.4 million in construction funding from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, the Ministry of Social Services also provided approximately $505,000 in annual operating funding for the new group home.
Adjacent to the Watrous District Health Complex, Silzer said the new home provides a safe and sustainable living space for four individuals with intellectual disabilities. “Having this place in Watrous enables the residents to attend our active day program, increases the potential and opportunity for employment and volunteer experiences, and offers a wide variety of recreational, social and leisure activities to take part in. The group home truly allows for a greater sense of community inclusion and an enriched life for our individuals.”
Mobility van
While the new group home was being constructed and programs expanded, plans were in the works to buy a new 10 passenger accessible van for $125,000. Wanting to replace its existing aging vehicle, Interlake was unable to receive funding through the provincial government toward purchasing new vehicles so the organization launched a fundraising campaign in 2024.
Operating an active varied day program, an employment program, a supported independent living program and a four person group home, Silzer shared how important the new vehicle would be. “We continue to receive applications for service, and with those applications comes varying level of abilities, including some individuals that utilize wheelchairs and have physical restrictions. In order to accept and serve our individuals with physical limitations, we needed to purchase an accessible vehicle.”
After launching a fundraising campaign, Interlake secured some substantial donations from local businesses, organizations and families including Bryan Gegner and the Gegner family, and the late Edith Knezacek and the Knezacek family. “As our two longest attending participants, Edith and Bryan and families were very aware of how much positive impact this van would have on our programming.”
With a number of donations coming in, Silzer said Ron Ediger of Melron Services also stepped up in a substantial way, donating $100,000 to take care of the remaining costs. “We were so blown away by the generosity of the community. Since we purchased the new vehicle, it has been so valuable for our participants, enabling everyone, no matter their physical ability, to fully access every opportunity and experience being all together as a part of our group.”
Operating SARCAN depots
Providing opportunities for participants over the years through its different programs, Silzer said Interlake is also proud to be one of the original agencies to operate SARCAN depots in the province since SARCAN’s inception in 1988.
With depots in Watrous and Davidson, Silzer said, “The Davidson day program operated on one side of a Quonset-style building, while our SARCAN depot is on the other side. This building was generously offered many years ago by the man who owned and operated Panther Industries for Interlake to use.”
In Watrous, Silzer shared the SARCAN depot started in a shed beside the original Interlake building in the back alley between 3rd and 4th Ave. E., a block off Main Street. After years of operating from there, in 1999, SARCAN relocated to a building now owned by Rob Bennett along Hwy. 2 (next to the Watrous Town Bar).
With the business growing, in 2004 Interlake purchased a 2,400 square foot building at 105 Main Street (the former Dollar Den and Aurora). That was not the final move for SARCAN as Silzer said, “Success and progress now has the Watrous SARCAN depot in our hopefully permanent home, a 3,200 square foot building at 110 3rd Ave. W., across from Watrous Centennial Arena. Relocating to the new place as of January 2024, the bigger, modern and efficient facility features a more spacious customer reception area and more space for the Drop and Go service. With roughly 10,000 customers coming through the doors annually to recycle their beverage containers, paint, electronics, and batteries, during SARCAN’s reporting year as of Jan. 2024, the team from Watrous depot recycled 2.8 million beverage containers.
Employment opportunities
Establishing roots in the community over the years, Interlake has been able to assist their participants with many different forms of employment-related goals. Some of those include: confidential paper shredding (this was the first project started, and currently one of the biggest in-house projects that employs every one of the participants); many large and small groundskeeping jobs; a plastic engraving business; janitorial contracts; decorative painting; recycling; a water delivery business; and so many more, both in-house and in the community!
“Some of our participants are also employed at various local businesses in Watrous. Our participants and agency feel fortunate for all the support we receive from our community, and like to give back when we can by volunteering with many different organizations and activities when possible.”
Calling Watrous home
With an expanded building at 116 Main Street, a new group home, SARCAN depot building and a 10 passenger accessible van, Interlake is now mostly centralized in Watrous. “We have grown and we now have an active and diverse day program that provides vocational, recreational, educational and community inclusion services to up to 19 participants of various ages, in addition to our group home. Interlake operates a Supported Independent Living Program in Watrous and Davidson for those of our participants that may need some assistance in being successful with independent living. We currently employ 16 dedicated staff across our various programs, and seven at our SARCAN depots. We have a great volunteer Board of Directors and are excited about what the future holds. We sincerely appreciate the community support we have received and the relationships we have built over the past 50 years, and we look forward to everything the future holds for our organization and the people we support.”
July 7, 2025
Agriculture in the Classroom visits McArthur AgVentures
Daniel Bushman
With a really unique opportunity to learn about agriculture through a number of hands-on stations, students from Watrous Elementary School spent some time at McArthur Ag Ventures near Watrous.
Planning and hosting the Farm to Fork event with the help of Agriculture in the Classroom-SK (AITC-SK), McArthur Ag Ventures welcomed teachers and 130 students for the day June 17.
Providing a fantastic agricultural learning experience, Communications Manager with AITC-SK, Chandra Gusikoski, shared students rotated through hands-on stations at McArthur Ag Ventures which included honey bees, farm safety, planting, grains/seeds, crop protection, fertilizer, equipment, and drone/technology, and were lead by local ag professionals.
“For some of the students, it was their first time visiting a farm,” said Gusikoski. “And for all students, it was an opportunity to ask their burning questions about food production and get answers from accurate and credible sources. Most importantly, it was fun day of learning critically important information about agriculture and inspiring the next generation to care about and contribute to agriculture.”
Happy to once again plan and host the AITC-SK event at their farm, Brennan and Amanda McArthur said a barbecue lunch was provided by Flaman and the pair are grateful for the continued support each year. “We really appreciated the help with the stations this year from Emily Hawkes and Bryce Sinnamon from Amazon Honey, Robbie Martin from Brandt, Mark Flaman from Flaman Group of Companies, Bobbi Anderson and Melissa LeGare from P&H, Ashley Hart from Timac Agro, Alexis from Bayer, and John and Glenda McArthur, Josh Potter and Kehlan Morrey from McArthur Ag Ventures.”
Since 1994, Agriculture in the Classroom Sask Inc. (AITC-SK) has helped educate youth about agriculture through hands-on activities and inquiry-based educational resources. Every year it inspires more than 70,000 youth in Saskatchewan to gain a deeper understanding of and develop a stronger connection to the food production system, while also fostering their aspirations to potentially join the industry in the future.
With curriculum-linked initiatives available for Kindergarten to Grade 12 teachers and students across Saskatchewan at no cost, in 2024, AITC-SK reached 644 schools, 88,736 students and 266 communities through its program, including a visit to McArthur Ag Ventures for students at Watrous Elementary School.
June 30, 2025
Navigating through health care challenges
Daniel Bushman
With physicians departing both Watrous and Lanigan as others are being recruited, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is hoping to mitigate the challenges within the local area while maintaining services over the coming months.
SHA Executive Director Primary Health Care Integrated Rural Health Jacquie Holzmann knows the situations in both Watrous and Lanigan remain challenging. “We understand, especially in rural and remote areas, that people are frustrated and concerned about access to services. We apologize for these challenges. We are working really hard with other providers in the area and receiving any provincial support we can get to maintain and prevent any disruptions.”
As the focus from SHA continues to be on recruiting more staff and maintaining access to primary health care so people do not have to go outside of their home communities, Holzmann added the situation is not just unique to Watrous and Lanigan but a challenge across many areas of Saskatchewan.
Staffing situation
While the goal remains to eventually see four full-time physicians practicing in Watrous and three in Lanigan, after dedicating upwards of 10 years to the Watrous area, three physicians in that community made the tough decision to leave their practices. With one already departed and two wrapping up their time by the end of June and mid-July, Holzmann explained a pair of new physicians will be arriving in August. While SHA is still working on exact dates, the doctors will be orientating and settling into Watrous over the summer.
Until those physicians are able to begin practicing, the community will be relying on its nurse practitioner and others for help. “We have been working with all the physicians and nurse practitioners in the area to support service delivery. We do have some support coming from other physicians in the area for on call and long term care and alternate level of care (ALC) beds in the hospital.”
A job posting has also gone out by SHA for a second nurse practitioner for Watrous and while there are locums who can help cover during the transition, Holzmann indicated there is a shortage of those across the province as well. “It will be a mixture of locums, surrounding physicians and nurse practitioners that are supporting Watrous. Once the new physicians start, they will be in that mix of support. Our goal is to maintain services and have as few disruptions as possible for this area – Watrous and Lanigan specifically – using all the resources we have.”
Holzmann shared the hospital in Watrous is also experiencing some staffing challenges related to CLXT (Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology), which is impacting the centre. “Due to a recent leave, we are actively seeking to recruit and fill that vacancy.”
With changes occurring in Watrous over the next couple of months, in Lanigan, a third physician will be starting in October; however, one of the two current physicians will be departing in August. That means the community will be temporarily down to one doctor and a nurse practitioner for a few months. As SHA anticipates the upcoming shortage, Holzmann indicated that as of right now there will be no changes to services. “The clinic will remain open and the ER hours will remain the same. We are reevaluating Lanigan and we may enhance services to 24/7 with the virtual physician but that will be determined with physician resource availability over the summer. For right now, there is no anticipated changes over the next couple months in Lanigan.”
Despite the moves at Watrous District Health Complex and the current situation in Lanigan, Holzmann said SHA has been working on trying to maintain access and stability for acute and emergency services in those areas. “We know how important it is to communities and we want these facilities to remain open.”
Mayors respond
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson has appreciated the efforts made by SHA and hopes some stability will return to the community’s hospital. “I understand there is a shortage across the province, I just hope that we can see our services fully restored sooner rather than later. We are looking forward to welcoming the two new physicians to the community and hope they enjoy their time here. I also hope that SHA is able to recruit additional staff needed at the hospital including two more doctors so we can be at a full compliment of physicians.”
Appreciating the dedication of the current staff at the hospital, lodge, medical clinic and lab, Gunderson shared the Town of Watrous has been doing everything it can to try and recruit and retain health care providers.
Gunderson continued by stating, “To improve the service delivery in the lab, we have added a multi-site position (with Lanigan), resulting in increased coverage to Watrous. Also, with the implementation of the Laboratory Information System started in mid-June 2025, we will see efficiencies for our lab employees.
“Our health care services are vital to our community and the surrounding area. With an influx of tourists to the area over the summer and large events being held in Watrous and Manitou Beach, not having a hospital with all of its services including a 24/7 emergency department is concerning. If an incident occurs and someone requires immediate medical attention, they would have to be taken elsewhere and that time could be detrimental to their health and safety.”
Also understanding the severity of not having emergency services available 24/7 in Lanigan, with two nearby mines and construction taking place on major projects in town, Lanigan Mayor Tony Mycock shared Gunderson’s concerns. “Last week we had a little girl that had an injury at the sports grounds and had to go elsewhere to get care because our hospital was closed as it was after 7 p.m. These are the real frustrations for our residents. I have talked with John over the years about what our two communities can do to try and see services fully restored. I appreciate the efforts being made by SHA but it would be nice to see physicians staying in our communities longer. I do have some concerns about the current recruitment process as it doesn’t seem to be working. As a community, we are doing whatever we can. I hope that Lanigan will be able to see its emergency department open 24/7 in the near future with a full compliment of physicians and staff. We will continue to offer our support to SHA in their recruitment and retention efforts as best as we can.”
Minimizing disruptions
The SHA is piloting initiatives to address intermittent physician or staff coverage issues to ensure emergency departments (EDs) in rural and remote communities remain open and operational. The Virtual Physician program leverages the existing infrastructure of HealthLine 811 to provide nursing staff remote access to physicians to sustain ED services and avert service disruptions. All patients are assessed, triaged and receive treatment based on their care needs. As of Mar. 3, 2025, the program has successfully been launched in 28 rural communities.
Used in Lanigan for almost a year and for a few months in Watrous, Holzmann said having the virtual physician program will sustain emergency departments and avoid service disruptions during periods when there are physician gaps or shortages of physicians in communities. “The virtual physician program is a tool we have developed to help support communities that are experiencing human resource challenges while we continue to recruit. It is something we are currently doing in Lanigan and Watrous now and over the summer months to support services to remain stable.”
While the virtual physician program has allowed the local emergency department services to remain open for the most part, there have been multiple disruptions in Watrous over this past year. Holzmann said SHA’s goal is to try and minimize those. “In using our resources like a locum, the new physicians when they start and the virtual physician program, we are hoping to minimize any disruptions to emergency department services. Our goal in Watrous is to maintain services 24/7 in the emergency room with a mixture of local physicians and the virtual physician program.”
But it has not just been a lack of locums or physicians that has forced the emergency services to be disrupted in Watrous. Holzmann noted the services have also been disrupted due to lab and X-ray staff vacancies.
Concerns raised
With a number of service closures in Watrous since January, Saskatchewan NDP Associate Shadow Minister for Health said, “Imagine rushing your child to the hospital in an emergency, only to find a sandwich board out front saying the ER is closed. That’s exactly what’s happening in Watrous and it isn’t right. People deserve timely notice and accessible care. Anything less is dangerous and unacceptable.”
Executive Director with Interlake Human Resources in Watrous, Angela Silzer feels the uncertainty has been wearing people down. “So many people in the community are really on edge because if there are no emergency services here, where do you go? Humboldt? Saskatoon? I have parents in their 70s who wait months for follow-up appointments. I run an agency that supports adults with intellectual disabilities, including a group home. If one of my residents has a medical emergency, they need local care with doctors and staff they know and trust. The trauma of sitting in an ER in Saskatoon for hours—or even days—would be incredibly distressing for them, and it would strain our staff and cause ripple effects across the board. That worries me. That worries me a lot.”
Clarke said, “Reliable, local health care is essential to building and sustaining rural communities. The Sask. Party must stop taking rural and northern Saskatchewan for granted. Our hospitals must stay open — people’s lives depend on it.”
Service changes
As recruiting efforts through SHA continue, with a shortage of staff in both Watrous and Lanigan, that has also meant the two hospitals are currently only able to take alternative level of care patients. Holzmann said, “Both are offering ALC in their acute care beds at this time. As long as we have physicians that are available in the building we can continue that service.
If patients need an acute care bed, until we have more physicians, they would be transferred to a facility that can offer more acute services.”
As for long term care in Watrous and also in nearby Imperial (which the departing physicians in Watrous served), Holzmann said coverage will not be disrupted. “We will be using all of the resources in the area including other physicians and nurse practitioners to support all of the long term care patients in Imperial and Watrous as well as providing clinic services as able in those communities as well.”
For those wanting to utilize the Watrous Medical Clinic over the next while before the two new physicians arrive, Holzmann said, “The clinic will continue to remain open. We know there will be an impact to wait times and appointment availability, with one nurse practitioner in Watrous. As the two new physicians start over the summer, they will open up their schedules and people will have access to those new physicians.”
Holzmann noted people can continue to call the local clinic for availability and patients can also seek out other options like 8-1-1 to speak to a nurse for primary health care. “If the nurse deems that they may need to talk to a doctor, they can actually talk to an 8-1-1 doctor during the day for primary care. Pharmacists may also assist for those seeking prescription refills.”
With other clinics located in Lanigan, Nokomis, and Strasbourg, Holzmann added, “We are hoping that through sharing access to primary health care in the area that people can get access close to home and not have to travel long distances. We also hope people do not have to present to the emergency department for non-emergency needs. We are also actively recruiting an additional nurse practitioner and locums to support access to primary care.”
Pressures faced
Understanding the lack of resources in Lanigan and Watrous has meant more pressure on current staff, Holzmann shared physician recruitment remains a challenge in all rural areas due to the increased demand for on call work. “They not only provide clinic services but cover acute long term care as well as the weekends and after hours emergency services. That is definitely a challenge and a lot of communities tend to be smaller practices.”
With added pressures taking a toll on physicians, Holzmann shared SHA is trying to come up with innovative ways to focus on physician recruitment in Saskatchewan, especially in rural and remote areas. Highlighting the provincial government’s Health Human Resources Action Plan which targets initiatives to recruit, train and give incentives to doctors and other health care professionals working in Saskatchewan, Holzmann said, “The government has invested $100 million starting in 2023-‘24 to support the plan. There is definitely lots going on, lots of investments and creativity in addressing the challenges we have in Saskatchewan.”
Community collaboration
Hoping to one day see rural areas able to fully recruit and retain physicians, when it comes to the local region, Holzmann has greatly appreciated the work done by Watrous and Lanigan over the years. “Both communities have been extremely collaborative in working with SHA on looking at these challenges and finding solutions together and coming up with their own solutions. We are just really thankful for that partnership and they have a special relationship with their providers and physicians and do play a huge role. An example in Watrous, we were really challenged for continuing care aides and with some partnerships, Carlton Trail College will be running the program out of Watrous in September. I want to recognize both communities for their ongoing commitment for retaining and recruiting health care providers in their communities.”
June 23, 2025
Watrous and Manitou Beach must visit destinations
Daniel Bushman
With a number of notable events, a bucket list destination and attractions and amenities that are unique, Watrous and Manitou Beach continue to grow in popularity. This year is no exception and with summer arriving, more and more visitors will be making the local area a stop as part of their adventures.
Estimating 150,000 people come to Watrous and Manitou Beach each year, Watrous Manitou Marketing Group’s Community Enhancement Director Jeff Siegfried has not only been busy promoting the local area but has watched firsthand how integral tourism is.
Calling Watrous home since he was a youngster, Siegfried raised his own family in the community and continues to share the value of not only living and doing business in Watrous and Manitou Beach but also enjoying everything it has to offer.
Looking forward to a number of events scheduled for the summer season, Siegfried took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions about the area, the impact tourism is having and what might be occurring in 2025.
Why is tourism so important?
According to Destination Canada, tourism is a $130 billion industry in Canada ($98.4 billion by domestic travellers). By comparison, the economic size of the tourism industry sector ranks higher than groceries and just below mining, illustrating that travel is big business in Canada.
According to Tourism Saskatchewan, Watrous and Manitou Beach had 52,784 overnight trips to the region with 2.26 average number of nights spent per trip. This ranks with all other large centres/regions in the province.
In conversation with many residents in the area, people discovered Watrous and Manitou Beach as a tourist and eventually made it their seasonal or permanent home. Sustaining organic population growth is important to the local economy, employee talent pool, school enrollment and volunteer involvement.
How can people learn more about tourism and the area?
In addition to the Coming Events page in The Watrous Manitou, which is sponsored by the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, a weekly and seasonal event listing can be delivered right to your email inbox. You can also find it anytime on the website watrousmanitou.com/calendar. If you would like to subscribe to the season event listing, send an email to wmmgcalendar@gmail.com.
Another way is to get out there and “live well.” Residents and visitors can enjoy a minor ball game, the Rotary Trail and Memory Trail connecting the two communities. Walk the trails at Manitou Beach. Explore the off-leash dog park – even if you don’t have a dog. Walk through Wellington Park and just enjoy nature, which goes well with a picnic lunch or ice cream.
We are also the envy of many regions with a vibrant retail community that includes auto dealers, agriculture dealers, an RV dealer, tire shops, a veterinary clinic, a green house, a lumber yard, an ag centre, thrift store, many restaurants, a movie rental business, drive-in theatre, galleries, Heritage Centre, parks and playgrounds, a freshwater swimming pool and more.
How important has the WMMG been with promoting the local area?
I have been happy to welcome additional human resources by attracting Manitou Beach resident Jen Moffat to help with events and promotions. Jen has been added as a permanent full-time position and brings a wealth of experience and a toolbox full of skills.
In addition to Jen, we have been able to hire a summer student for July and August. Cameron Beveridge worked for WMMG last summer and will be able to build on last year’s experience during her summer away from high school.
With additional help, we’ve been able to cast a broader net across Canada through partnerships with digital and traditional media types. We’ve gained exposure in three additional tourism guides as well as radio stations and online newspaper publications. These paid partnerships often generate unsolicited editorials from journalists and travel writers that help people learn about the unique assets in our communities. People are hearing “Watrous and Manitou Beach” more often.
Jen and I represented Watrous and Manitou Beach at trade shows in Regina and Saskatoon this spring and engaged with even more curious visitors than previous years. We’re continuing to gain exposure from national organizations like Canadian Geographic who has written three articles about Manitou Beach in the last 12 months. The Tourism Association Industry of Canada will be featuring Watrous and Manitou Beach in the Member Spotlight section of national newsletter.
Are there a few events you would like to highlight for the summer season?
Some of the larger events that will be happening this summer include: the Manitou Busking Festival, Watrous and Manitou Beach Canada Day Celebrations, Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail, The Salt Shaker, The Fun Run, and Manitou Chainsaw Carving Festival. There are many other events at Mike’s Beach Bar, Danceland, Little Manitou Art Gallery, PepperTree, Mercredi’s Stage, TB’s, the Watrous and Area Arts Council and more. Don’t forget about the weekly Homegrown Handmade Market at Manitou Beach and the Flea Market at the drive-in. There are so many things to talk about! Make sure to check out the calendar page on the watrousmanitou.com website.
June 16, 2025
Honouring Our Veterans Decoration Day in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Remembering those who served and sacrificed for the freedom Canadians experience today, the first Honouring Our Veterans Decoration Day was held at the Watrous Cemetery June 6.
On a blustery Friday morning, approximately 56 students and staff from Watrous Elementary School and around 36 students and staff from Winston High School joined residents and guests from the community to mark the occasion.
Integral in seeing the day come to fruition, Susan Struthers and Marilyn Cannon with the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre conducted substantial research in an effort to find where those who served were laid to rest. With both having family who served during the wars, Struthers said they were able to locate the graves of over 200 Veterans at the Watrous Cemetery. “At first I had thought we might get close to 200 but I think when we finish all of our research it will be more like 250.”
For the morning ceremony, the pair we were able to place 212 flags at the Watrous Cemetery. Indicating there are more Veterans to be acknowledged, Struthers said, “A lot of people were surprised to find out we had so many Veterans at the cemetery. We didn’t anticipate running out of flags so we have more ordered for next year.”
If there are people who know of family members that are located at the Watrous Cemetery who served but did not receive a flag during the June 6 event, Struthers said they can let her or Marilyn know. “We are planning to do this yearly as a way to recognize and honour our Veterans so we want to ensure a flag is placed at those graves. It is very important to remember them because their service has allowed us to have the life we have.”
Pleased to see a number of people in attendance for the first Honouring Our Veterans Decoration Day in Watrous, Struthers was proud of the way each student was engaged during the ceremony. “They were wonderful. All of the kids were polite and respectful and after the ceremony, spent time walking around the cemetery to see where the flags were placed. The students are the future of remembrance and without them, acknowledging the Veterans and their sacrifices dies with us.”
Speaking at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Watrous each November, Pastor Darren Holland was asked to share June 6 about the importance of honouring our Veterans. Also providing some history about the Last Post and Reveille, following Holland, Watrous resident Frank Wilson played the pieces and was joined in attendance by the Watrous RCMP. Struthers said having them all there made the day memorable. “We really appreciated everyone who helped out with the event. It is very important to remember those who served for our freedom.”
Following the ceremony at the cemetery, Struthers noted around 40 people made their way to the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre for snacks, coffee and visiting. “The day went really well and hopefully more people will be able to attend and honour those who have served our country during next year’s Honouring Our Veterans Decoration Day.”
June 9, 2025
Impact from wildfires felt across province
*images courtesy Amber Kutschker
Daniel Bushman
With extremely dry conditions this spring including some of the driest on record in northern areas, the wildfire season has erupted in Saskatchewan. With no real end in sight as winds and a lack of moisture continue to feed the flames, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), as of June 4 there were a total of 243 wildfires (up from 172 last year at this time) with 24 active and nine not contained in the province.
With so many blazes running rampant, early last week the SPSA noted over 400 structures had been lost, more than 32 communities were in evacuation and well over 9,000 people were displaced. The amount of hectares consumed by the fires had hit astounding numbers as some of the larger blazes reached over 471,000 hectares (Shoe fire Lower Fishing Lake), 141,905 hectares (Pisew fire west of La Ronge), 71,130 hectares (Wolf fire west of Denare Beach), and 70,000 hectares (ditch fire north of Weyakwin).
Attacking from above
Helping to fight those wildfires from the air has been SPSA Air Attack Officer Travis Struthers. Calling Watrous home, Struthers has been tasked with leading water bomber pilots to fire drop zones, managing seven radio frequencies, and ensuring the safety of those fighting the fires on the ground from above. Currently assisting with the fight up north, Travis’ mom Susan shared that her son and other personnel have been doing everything they can to help. “It is unbelievable what they are doing up there and I can’t believe how they can keep going. They are mentally and physically drained. Every time they feel like they are making headway and saving things, the fires grow and engulf structures and they just can’t get ahead.”
Reports of homes, businesses and other compounds have been destroyed in various parts of the north while other structures Struthers said include SPSA bases. “They lost fire bases at Lower Fishing Lake and Denare Beach and their tanker base in La Ronge. So they are having to fly out of other areas now. One of the water bomber pilots, Norman Thomson and his family lost their house to a wildfire for a second time. After it burned in 1999 they rebuilt it in 2000 at Eagle Point and it was burned by the Pisew fire. Norman’s dad was a doctor in Watrous for most of his career and it is just devastating to see so much loss from these fires.”
Facing relentless winds and tinder-dry conditions, Struthers said it does not take long for the fires to move and grow, creating imminent danger. “These fire fighters are putting their lives on the line to help save whatever they can and deserve a lot of credit. Fire crews and all emergency personnel fighting the Wolf fire at Denare Beach June 2 were told to leave at 3:30 p.m. and within minutes the flames were in town driven by high winds. They got out of there just in time. Another crew fled for their lives near Creighton as they piled into trucks and narrowly escaped being burned in the fire.”
Struthers said she is amazed that there had not yet been any loss of life. “I am so proud of the work that the emergency personnel and the crew of the SPSA are doing. There are also departments from around here like Allan and Humboldt who have sent resources to help. It is heartwarming to see everyone come together to try and fight these fires.”
Fleeing from the wildfires
Measured at more than 141,000 hectares by the middle of last week, as the Pisew fire rapidly grew near La Ronge, Air Ronge and English Bay, winds pushed the flames closer to the communities and a mandatory evacuation was declared. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) stated it safely evacuated 49 acute care patients and residents from the La Ronge Health Centre and care homes in the community June 2 while other residents packed up what they could. Those leaving by bus were only able to take a bag and had to leave pets behind while others using their own transportation could take what they could.
Growing up in Watrous before embarking on a teaching career that led her to La Ronge in 2013, Amber Kutschker and her husband Cory were forced to leave their home in Air Ronge. Watching as the fire approached, Amber was prepared to leave before heading to school Monday morning. Explaining how the day started out with some of the best air quality and visibility the community had experienced in weeks, it was not long until that all changed. Teaching Gr. 9 at Churchill Community High School, as the afternoon approached, an announcement was made that a bus would be arriving to pick up students from Sucker River. It was not long after that when Amber received an alert on her phone that all residents needed to leave.
Having already gone through an evacuation order in 2015, Amber picked up her husband from work and the pair went home to quickly pack up what they could. With only one road leading out of the community because the other three were compromised by wildfires, along with their two cats, they joined a lengthy procession. Reaching 20 kilometres south of La Ronge, Amber and Cory then had to wait for about an hour for a pilot vehicle to arrive.
Told not to stop and to keep their four-way flashers on, the group headed south along Hwy. 2 where they approached the ditch fire near Weyakwin. It was there that Amber faced the scariest moment of her life. “We were driving and then there was a point where all you could see was orange and smoke. I ended up going off part of the road into the side of the ditch near the fire because we couldn’t see anything. I was able to get back on the road after a few vehicles slowed down to let us back in the line but you could not see anything.”
Eventually arriving in Watrous to stay with Amber’s parents after being on the road for eight hours, (normally it is a four and a half hour trip), she said, “There are no words to describe the level of anxiety we felt. We had to drive through areas where the smoke was so black you couldn’t see the road or anything outside the car!”
With thousands of others evacuating to centres across Saskatchewan or to homes of people willing to help, Amber kept a close eye on how things were going back up in La Ronge. Sharing at least two structures were destroyed June 3 because of spot fires four kilometres ahead of the main blaze, Kutschker said one of those was the iconic Robertson Trading. “It was devastating to see it had been burned down. It would be like a museum burning down for a community. It had been there for the past 60 years and there were countless works of Indigenous art and items in there that were destroyed that the community will never get back.”
On alert
Like so many others who have been affected by the wildfires, Lori Ann Frey and her family from Watrous were busy packing up items at their cabin in Candle Lake last week. With the Shoe fire raging less than 15 kilometres away June 4, Frey said it might be the last time she will see the cabin. “We took a few things that are irreplaceable to us but if I could pack up my whole cabin and move it I would.”
For the Frey family, Lori Ann shared the hardest part to leave behind is the cabin itself. “I know it is just a structure but for us, it is seven years of building and creating and nine years from start to finish. Every detail, every nook and every cranny has a story. We built this to have for lifetimes and that is being threatened.”
With a voluntary evacuation in place for Candle Lake as of June 4, the week prior Frey said the fire was moving about 15 kilometres per day due to the winds. Averaging about 400 m per day of growth with favourable winds early last week, Frey expected that could change by week’s end. “This whole process has been an emotional roller coaster. Today the sky is blue, the sun is shining and yet it is devastating. While we know we can rebuild, it is the loss of something irreplaceable, the uncertainty and the unknown.”
Frey shared many of the family’s neighbours at Candle Lake are full time residents and that is their only home. “Despite that, they are pitching in, making meals for firefighters, helping neighbours move things out and showing so much love and commitment. Our neighbour and friend and former co-worker of our sons’ are out fighting these fires. They are doing everything possible to save our community.”
With the village doing what it can and working around the clock to keep its residents safe, Frey said there is a very strong sense of community within Candle Lake and outside of it. “There are offers from landowners for people to store boats, campers, quads, and whatever they need stored. There have been offers to help move items, provide transportation, meals, and places to stay. It is overwhelming. We are so grateful for the phone calls, texts, offers of help, neighbours checking in and so many prayers, we appreciate all of it.”
Opening up their home
With over 30 communities evacuated due to the wildfires and no timeline as to when residents might return, thousands have had to find places to stay. That has meant hotels filling up in places throughout the province while others have had to look elsewhere, some even staying in their vehicle.
Near Drake, Gayle Warkentin and her husband Herman opened up their home to 10 evacuees. With the group arriving at 2:30 a.m. June 3, Warkentin said, “They don’t know if they will have a home to go back to.”
Gayle also shared she heard there are some evacuees in Regina that do not have access to food, laundry services or entertainment as they do not have a vehicle. “It is definitely a scary time for them.”
With Warkentin’s daughter involved in trying to support families evacuated from the north, Gayle said those staying at her house have enough food for now. She added they are looking forward to experiencing a few things in the local area like Manitou Beach to try and take their minds off of a stressful situation.
Helping out
Working for Casa Boldt Consulting, Kloey Bells shared the planning firm has been in contact with Sturgeon Lake leadership in an effort to provide donations to evacuees. With the company aiming to make as many trips as possible to Sturgeon Lake to ensure donations are delivered to those in need, Bells said any items that end up not going directly to the community will instead be directed to the Central Urban Metis Federation Inc. (CUMFI). “They are facilitating donations in Saskatoon for a variety of organizations supporting evacuees.”
In Watrous during the first weekend of June, Bells collected a number of donations from Winston High School families, Watrous Elementary School families, and Thrift On Main. Growing up in Watrous before moving to Saskatoon, Bells said if others would like to help in some way, Watrous Recreation Director Chelsea Murfitt has agreed to have people drop off items with her at the Town of Watrous office Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Items currently being accepted include: strollers, wheelchairs, clothing (all ages), summer clothing, baby/toddler sizes, swimsuits, shoes (all ages), toddler sizes, shopping/reusable bags, blankets/pillow (washed), towels (preferably new), hygiene products, feminine products, toothbrushes/paste, brushes/combs, shampoo, bodywash, children’s activities (0-10 years), new colouring books/crayons, easy to clean toys (0-6 years), and fishing rods.
Grateful for any donations received, Bells is also seeking volunteers willing to deliver the items to Saskatoon. “If there is anyone from the Watrous area or a group who would like to volunteer their time and/or their truck and trailer to help deliver donations, that would be sincerely appreciated.”
Bells added those looking to provide monetary funds could do so to the Red Cross, United Way Saskatoon or the Saskatoon Community Foundation. “This is an extremely stressful and anxious time for thousands of people who may not have a home to return to once the wildfire situation ends. There is no definite time as to when they can return to their communities so this is a way to try and help them during this unimaginable time.”
With northern animal rescues like Pretty in Pink Animal Rescue and Northern Transitional Dog Rescue working to help pets displaced from communities dealing with wildfires, Watrous Mainline GM’s Jillisa Merrifield shared they are collecting essential items at the dealership in Watrous until June 14. “People can come by and drop off donations and we will be taking them up north June 15. The animal rescues are looking for blankets, towels, sheets, cat litter, cat food, animal kennels/cages, puppy formula, puppy pee pads, adult and puppy dog food, beds, collars and leashes. Every item helps!”
Province allocates funding
Speaking during SPSA media conferences, Premier Scott Moe who has resided in the northern part of the province shared he has never seen anything like the voracity of the fires this year and how quickly they have been encroaching communities.
Explaining that over 90 percent of the fires that have been started in Saskatchewan have been caused from human activity, Moe said it has created a tremendous challenge for the province. With families leaving their places and not knowing if they will see them again, Moe said the province is doing whatever it can to help.
In addition to the resources already allocated, Moe announced the province offered $15 million to the Red Cross to help with the work of the SPSA in supporting those who are evacuating.
The Government of Canada indicated it will be matching donations to the Canadian Red Cross 2025 Saskatchewan Wildfires appeal from May 30 to June 29 to help in assisting those impacted by the wildfires in Saskatchewan.
“Saskatchewan people are known for coming together in times of need,” Moe said. “This fundraising initiative to support those impacted by the wildfires reflects the generosity shown in our province and throughout the country. We thank the Canadian Red Cross for their fundraising efforts and for providing support for evacuees as we continue to fight these wildfires.”
For more assistance and information, the provincial government shared evacuees can contact the SPSA number 1-855-559-5502 (toll free) or visit http://www.saskpublicsafety.ca for more information.
June 2, 2025
Watrous approves budget
Daniel Bushman
With a few larger ticket items included within this year’s budget like water and sewer going in on the east side of Watrous and the completion of the lagoon expansion, the Town of Watrous recently approved its budget.
Entering an assessment revaluation year (conducted provincially), Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden shared there will be about a two and a half percent increase to taxes in Watrous; however, some residents may see a decrease due to the assessment revaluation. With preliminary tax estimates sent out in January, now that the local budget has been finalized, updated notices are being issued.
While the community received additional funding from the provincial revenue sharing grant, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson explained the main reason for the tax increase this year. “As is the case everywhere else, we have been experiencing inflation and because of that, costs go up. We as a council felt that we had to bump that two to two and a half percent taxation levy to help cover that; however, for some, they may not be affected due to the assessment.”
When it comes to the expense side of the ledger and where money is being spent, Redden provided some areas where the Town of Watrous is investing in:
Transportation and Streets – funding has been allocated for vehicle maintenance and equipment. The Town of Watrous is proposing local improvements to street work like asphalt overlays. Exact locations and proposals will be evaluated and issued later this year.
Residential lots – across from the Watrous District Health Complex, the Town of Watrous has accepted a tender to do water and sewer for the 500 blocks of sixth and seventh avenues. “We have had interest in properties on those avenues and eighth avenue as well. The power and gas is already there so adding the water and sewer will allow people to construct dwellings.”
Water and sewer – the lagoon expansion twinning project continues. “It was about 25 percent completed last fall and work should move pretty rapidly over the next couple of months.”
Waste collection – following the first full year of the curbside carts, Redden felt the program seems to be working well. The Town of Watrous does not foresee any cost increase with the program this year.
Cemetery – a number of niches have been purchased for the first columbarium, which is getting full. With two columbariums at the Watrous Cemetery, planning and prep work will be done to bring in a third. Work is also being conducted on the north area of the cemetery to expand the area and the plan is to seed it before the end of 2025.
Sportsgrounds – work and maintenance was conducted, replacing some dugouts and renovating the kitchen in the concession building.
Town of Watrous backup generator – recently a backup generator was installed at the Town of Watrous office. “We acquired all of the materials last year and paid for them. This year work was done to put the backup generator in place at the town office/Watrous Civic Centre but it is not quite operable.”
Gunderson said the reason the community added a backup generator is because “if there was a power outage, there would be no disruption for the employees within the building. If there were a traumatic event and the whole community or a big part was without power, we could run all the operations out of our building. If it happened in winter, it would provide a place for people to go. It has been something we have been looking at for a long time.”
Main Street Revitalization – the majority of the work has been completed for the Main Street Revitalization program and Gunderson said he is pleased with how it went.
“People may have noticed there has been a bit of warranty work done on the paving stones and there will be a bit conducted on the sidewalk as well. In general, the feedback on the Main Street Revitalization project has been awesome. Of course with Thrift On Main and the Lost Aviator Coffee Lounge opening, it is great to see Main Street filled with people.”
In addition to the warranty work, Gunderson noted a few fixtures like planters, garbage receptacles and benches have arrived and are being placed along Main Street. “It is the next stage of our revitalization and the items are being set up. They can also be removed during winter so they can last longer.”
Other items – while not part of the budget, Gunderson said, “We have formed a Watrous and District Health and Wellness Group and have been meeting to touch on topics including healthcare.”
Council has been meeting surrounding the issue of housing. “We know there is a severe shortage, especially with rental housing. We are having meetings to discuss the current situation and are talking with potential developers to see if there is interest in getting something done within town. It is near the top of the list when it comes to our priorities. If we want people to move to town to work in the healthcare field, other sectors, and accommodate the potential population growth with the BHP mine near Jansen and the Aspen Power Station near Lanigan being constructed, we want to have places available.”
May 26, 2025
Knoblauch helping Oilers through Stanley Cup playoffs
Daniel Bushman
After taking the Edmonton Oilers to the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Final during his first year as the team’s head coach in 2023-‘24, Imperial’s Kris Knoblauch is one round away from doing that again.
Finishing the 2024-‘25 regular season with a 48-29-5 record, Edmonton advanced to the playoffs where the team once again met Los Angeles. After dropping the first two games, the Oilers began to find its stride and rattled off four wins in a row to advance to round two.
Facing Vegas, Edmonton earned a pair of wins to lead the series 2-0 before the Golden Knights took game three. The Oilers then shut the door in game four with a 3-0 victory and then again in game five, winning 1-0 in overtime. Ousting Vegas in five, Edmonton advanced to the Western Conference Final to face Dallas, a team it defeated in the same round last year.
Speaking during a Western Conference Final press conference May 20, Knoblauch shared there are certain elements of the game that a team needs to be successful at in order to succeed. “You need to be able to play a physical game, you have to be able to defend and score goals and another one is playing fast with some pace.”
Feeling his team utilized its speed during last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs where it reached the final against Florida, this year Knoblauch hopes to see his squad not only use that speed but make quick decisions while attacking the play. So far that has been working as Edmonton had accumulated an overall record of 8-3 through two rounds. Another big piece contributing to that success has been the return of players from injuries.
Heading into the playoffs there were a number of question marks surrounding injuries. Knoblauch said, “We weren’t sure exactly what everyone was going to bring.”
With those unknowns starting to pile up during the regular season, Knoblauch experimented with his lines to get an idea of what they would give come the postseason. “That (decision) has paid off in the playoffs right now with certain lines that we have put together. Also at the trade deadline we wanted players that could move around the lineup.”
Having players provide that flexibility has not only allowed Knoblauch and the team to collect some wins but build off that momentum. Add to that some stability in net with the Oilers not allowing a goal during the final two games against Vegas and Edmonton sits just one round away from returning to the Stanley Cup Final.
“I think guys did a good job of accepting their roles and just playing their game. We had two difficult opponents and we had to dig in and battle. It doesn’t get any easier now against Dallas.”
As Edmonton lost game one to the Stars and looked to rebound heading into game two, the team the Oilers met in last year’s Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers, took a 2-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in its matchup. The winner of each series will meet for the Stanley Cup.
May 19, 2025
Watrous Wonderkids win provincial challenge
Through some ingenuity, leadership, and creativity utilizing green energy, two brothers from Watrous were recently named the winners of the Municipal Marvels Student Challenge (MMSC).
With an idea of powering the future with clean energy when the power goes out in their community, Ray and Ryan Wang shared they were really excited to have their project selected. “We worked really hard on it and we were named as one of the finalists from across the province. We presented our challenge and were happy to win.”
Spearheaded by the Saskatchewan Science Centre and presented by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Science Centre Director of Development and Stewardship Tenielle Bogdan said the MMSC encouraged innovative thinking amongst youth in Saskatchewan, challenging them to think about sustainable solutions for their communities.
With the challenge inspired by the IMAX documentary film, Cities of the Future, a total of 17 submissions were received from schools and community groups including from the Watrous Wonderkids. Saskatchewan Science Centre Director of Community Programming Dave Loos said, “We narrowed it down to four finalist groups (Watrous, Drake, Harbour Landing School, and a Regina community group called the Country Club Estates). The Country Club Estates were then unable to attend the final presentations, so we had the three remaining finalists all present.”
For their project, the brothers presented powering the future with clean energy and what could happen if the power suddenly went out. “Watrous is a small town in Saskatchewan with about 2,000 people, but we’ve had lots of power outages – sometimes from storms, and sometimes from accidents like a truck hitting a power pole. We talked to local business owners and learned this really affects their work and daily life. Our idea was to create a clean energy system using solar panels and wind turbines to help Watrous have more reliable power, even when the main grid goes down.”
Proposing wind turbines outside of town, solar panels on rooftops and empty land, and storing energy in batteries, the pair also recognized a nearby bird migration path. “We want to protect them too so we would put turbines far away from lakes and wetlands like Last Mountain Lake. We would also use a special radar that could shut down turbines when big flocks fly by. This way we can protect nature and power for our town.”
With their innovative submission recognized as a finalist in January, the Watrous Wonderkids then prepared a model of their solution and wrote a speech to promote their project. Ray and Ryan’s dad Jimmy said, “Throughout the challenge, the boys received some mentoring from professional engineer Evan Zuk and about 10 days before their speech, two professionals from Associated Engineering lent a hand. They also got a model base from Watrous Home Hardware to use for their presentation.”
Providing a final pitch with the other finalists on the main stage at the 2025 Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s (SUMA) convention in Saskatoon in April, an online vote from delegates was then conducted to choose the top initiative. After tabulating the votes, the Watrous Wonderkids came out on top.
“The kids did pretty well on the stage and were the only team who did not bring any notes or scripts,” said Jimmy. “I think it was because they worked really hard on the project and did some research on it.”
Following the presentation on the main stage at SUMA, Wang noted there were a lot of mayors and professionals who visited with the kids. One of those mayors was John Gunderson of Watrous who attended the convention.
Stopping by Ray and Ryan’s display, Gunderson said, “First of all, I was so impressed with their presentation on stage in front of approximately 900 SUMA delegates. Judging by the round of applause, I know everyone was very impressed. When I visited with them you could tell they were passionate about their project. They were eager to give me a demonstration. On behalf of the community of Watrous I told them how proud we were of them.”
Back home in Watrous, the elementary school the boys attend was also excited for the pair. Principal Pat Borsa said, “We are extremely proud of both Ryan and Ray for their outstanding achievement and positive attitude towards the Marvels Student Challenge. They demonstrated dedication, leadership, and a strong commitment to their project and represented both our school and community very well.”
For their winning efforts, Loos said the Watrous Wonderkids received a cash prize, some prize bags from Associated Engineering, and a science party/experience. Jimmy noted the boys shared gifts with fellow students Adam Jansen and Axel McArthur, who were part of the team during the very early stages but had other commitments so were unable to continue.
Appreciating the Saskatchewan Science Centre, the professionals who helped them with advice, Watrous Home Hardware, Watrous Elementary School and all those who voted for them, Ray and Ryan said, “We are excited about the experience and winning the challenge. We believe even kids can come up with big ideas.”
May 12, 2025
Celebrating the 2025 graduating class of WHS
Daniel Bushman
Thirty-eight graduates were centre stage as they were honoured for their achievements during Winston High School’s 2025 graduation ceremony.
Held Friday, May 2, following a banquet meal at the Watrous Civic Centre, the class of 2025 was supported by family, friends and guests during the exercises at a packed Watrous Curling Rink.
Welcoming those in attendance, chairperson and Winston High School teacher Evan Libke commenced the ceremony as graduates each made their way to the stage. Once seated, graduates Catrina Knouse, Bryn Mensch and Olivia Tan were invited to perform O Canada.
Following the singing of the national anthem, Libke welcomed former WHS teacher Terry Leibel, who brought greetings on behalf of Horizon School Division. Sharing his heartfelt congratulations to the grads, Leibel said, “Today marks not only the end of a journey but the beginning of an exciting new chapter.”
Facing obstacles like global challenges and personal hurdles, through it all, the graduates showed resilience, adaptability and strength. “You demonstrated that success is not just about achievement but about perseverance, character and growth. You have grown not only in knowledge, but in compassion, in teamwork, in leadership and in kindness. These are qualities our world needs now more than ever.”
Leibel went on to thank parents and families for their unwavering support to the teachers and staff but also to the grads, making a difference that will last a lifetime. He concluded by sharing to the grads that their voice and dreams matter. “Your future is full of possibilities. Carry with you the lessons you have learned here. Stay curious, stay courageous and never underestimate the power of a kind word, a bold idea or a helping hand.”
Following greetings from Horizon School Division, Winston High School Principal Terry Braman delivered the Principal’s Message.
Welcoming those in attendance, Braman remarked there was a lot to celebrate for the graduating class and the teachers, not just from Watrous but from other communities who had a hand in helping a number of the students get to where they are today. Providing rapid fire memories, Braman shared some humorous reflections of students from over the years.
Following his rapid fire memories, Braman said, “In all the memories and accomplishments that this group has achieved – and there has been a lot – bottom line, you are generally good human beings that I am very proud of. In closing, continue to be a part of something bigger than yourself. You are a part of that at Winston and you will be given those opportunities in the future to be there for others to be shining examples. I will remember so much good when I think of you and I know that you can carry that on afterwards. Remember, once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
Providing a Tribute to Education was graduate Olivia Tan. Sharing education has the ability to open doors, spark dreams and transform lives, Tan said, “It is a force that builds stronger communities and a brighter future.”
Explaining that the journey to graduation would not have been possible without teachers, support staff and mentors walking alongside the grads, Olivia said, “Today we celebrate not just what we have learned but the people and the support system that helped us grow along the way.”
Remarking that education is not just about the highest grade or earning top marks, the graduate said it is about discovering where a person’s strengths lie, the challenges ahead and what sparks a passion. “It is about finding what you excel at and what you don’t and realizing both are equally important steps into building a future you are excited about.”
With education guided by teachers who encourage and challenge students each day, Tan said, “They help young people find confidence, think for themselves and believe in what they can achieve. Their influence often stays long after with the students after the school day ends. To every teacher and mentor who saw our potential before we did, thank you.”
Reaching the end of a chapter and looking ahead to the next, Tan reminded the graduating class “education isn’t something we need in the classroom or in the school, it is a life long adventure and the best part, the journey is just beginning.”
Responding to Olivia’s Tribute to Education was her mom and current Watrous Elementary School teacher Heidi Tan.
Pleased to be a part of the special celebration honouring the achievements of the graduating class of 2025, Tan said as teachers one of the greatest joys is watching students grow both academically and as people.
Noting how education is more than what happens in the classroom, Heidi shared it includes experiences, challenges, questions and moments of curiosity. “For some of you, high school has felt like a stepping stone and you are eager to move on to see what is next, and that is good. Real learning doesn’t stop when school ends. It continues in your jobs, your relationships, your travels and even in your mistakes. I encourage you, embrace the unknown, do something that scares you, take risks, make mistakes and most importantly, learn from them.”
Providing the Tribute to Community, graduate Maya Collins shared how proud she was to live in Watrous and graduates felt the support from not just Watrous but surrounding communities as well. “We would not be here tonight without the endless support we have received from you all over the years.”
Maya continued by noting the opportunities the grads enjoyed growing up would not have been possible without that support. “Your involvement has made huge difference in our lives. To every individual who has given their time, shared their talents or extended their kindness for the benefit of students, you are the reason this community continues to thrive. Thank you for everything you have provided for us and we hope to return the favour sometime.”
Grateful to everyone who has been a part of the journey while creating a community of belonging, Collins said, “You have accepted us for who we are but also shaped us into the people we are today.”
Providing a response from the community was WHS teacher and Watrous Kinsmen member Jarvis Engele.
Engele said looking at the communities represented on stage, he added each grad has experienced what it means to be a part of a community. “You have all experienced rich, vibrant communities right here in small town Saskatchewan.”
Encouraging students to take the importance of community into their adult lives, Engele said, “I believe that community is what you make it. If you serve your community, your community will serve you. If you see something you like in your community, support it. If you see something you don’t like, get involved and change it.”
Explaining community is not just a physical location but rather who a person surrounds themselves with, Jarvis said, “No matter where in the world you end up, know that you have the ability to build your own community. Find the people that are most important to you and keep them close. These are the people that will guide you and support you through the ups and downs of life. Finally, no matter how close or far away from home that you may end up, remember that you will always have a community here.”
Following Engele’s response, graduates Burke Bartko, Nathan Burgos, and Sarah Oakes shared a PowerPoint Presentation of the 2025 graduating class with the help of teachers Doug and Malisa Thomas. As part of the presentation, the class paid tribute to the late Jack Weber.
After the presentation, Libke introduced Barry Croshaw as this year’s guest speaker.
A teacher and coach, Croshaw was honoured to speak to the graduating class. Providing a number of laughs throughout his speech, Croshaw shared how he was thinking about words of wisdom or advice to give to the students but had brief flashbacks to Gr. 9 Social Studies. “I thought regardless of what I say, you aren’t going to be listening to me anyway,” he joked.
Coming across 50 kind things to say to kids while preparing his speech, Croshaw sarcastically went through a few before he shared how much of an impact the group has had. “We have the privilege of having many tremendous graduating classes pass through the halls of Winston High School and this year is really no exception.”
Citing how the 2025 class has been engaging, independent and fun to spend time with, Croshaw said the group would find time to say hi and share a few words about what is going on in their lives. “This is a group of very strong minded individuals that possess a very diverse array of interests and strengths.”
Strong academic students, tremendously talented athletes, very strong actors and artists, young farmers already playing significant roles on their farms and a large group involved in livestock, the now substitute teacher remarked, “This class is loaded with great young adults that I look forward to spending a class or two with when I am subbing in the school.”
Explaining to those in attendance how the class had gone through and continues to face some crazy times like covid and the current uncertainty south of the border, the speaker said they have been bombarded with information and dis-information, telling them what and how to think. “Your generation and your class in particular is being empowered to overcome these tumultuous times and have an answer for any attempts at any radical societal changes.”
As evidence by the many people who pointed out how compassionate the class has been, Croshaw said, “You have all the tools necessary to ensure our society is able to continue to move forward in unity and harmonious.”
With a strong foundation of knowledge and love, Croshaw added the trek for the group will involve many stumbles and falls but will be overcome with a belief in themselves and with support from family and friends.
Concluding with advice for the graduates to take away, Croshaw provided them with the following: Live with character and integrity; Tell the truth; Be kind; Breathe and take time to enjoy life; Get a life and expand your horizons; Be happy with what you have; Enjoy your family and don’t take your parents and siblings for granted; and Make a positive impact.
Following the guest speaker, this year’s Valedictorian, Shylo Frey, was next to the podium. Honoured to speak on behalf of the class, Frey said her classmates were like a family of individuals who have grown, struggled and laughed together. “We celebrate not just an ending but the beginning of a brand new chapter.”
Frey said each graduate has contributed in experiences and memories that have gotten them to where they are today. Beginning their high school careers during the pandemic, Frey detailed the journey through the challenging time. “Yet here we are now, stronger and wiser and more capable than we ever imagined.”
With high school more than just text books and marks, Shylo said the friendships and the support proved that together the graduates can handle anything. Looking back at the high points, the successes, and victories, Shylo added it was the moments where they fell short and stumbled and had to pick themselves back up that showed their finest. “Every challenge was a stepping stone, every failure was a setback and every lesson was an opportunity for growth.”
Thanking the teachers for their roles in each life of the graduates, friends for support and memories, communities who have supported the grads, and parents, siblings and families for their unconditional love, sacrifices and encouragement, Frey said, “We could not have reached this milestone without you.”
With new challenges, opportunities and adventures awaiting, Frey noted that no matter where paths lead, the lessons learned will guide them. “I challenge you to be brave, take risks and don’t be afraid to fail because every setback is an opportunity to grow. Stay curious, never stop learning, questioning or exploring and above all, be kind to yourself and others.”
Following the Valedictorian speech, graduate Vel Marhiz Brockman passed the torch to Gr. 11 student Blake Morelli. Following the tradition of passing along the torch, Braman returned to the stage to present each graduate with a scroll. Graduates then left the stage as Libke concluded the event with the exit of graduates.
This year’s WHS graduates include: Eduard Mehlmann, Maddox Hendry, Hunter Edwards, Cade Bartel, Samuel Perrault, Simon Vanthuyne, Carter Fendelet, Matt Schmidt, Ben Johns, Layton Thoner, Cade Armstrong, Matthew Johnston, Wyatt Hedlin, Catrina Knouse, Emma Schindel, Ella Thoner, Vaughn Mancao, Kurt Garcia, Burke Bartko, Hudson Edwards, Jase McNichol, Nathan Burgos, McKenna McDade, Cheyenne Barnes, Kennadie Kuntz, Maddison Martin, Shylo Frey, Maya Collins, Katy Laing, Sarah Oakes, Bryn Mensch, Marissa Miettinen, Olivia Tan, Lev Ritthaler, Paige Hunter, Vel Marhiz Brockman, Casper Foster, and Gabrielle Knouse.
May 5, 2025
Watrous Bull-A-Rama a tremendous success
Daniel Bushman
Not only was this year’s Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama a lot of fun for spectators and substantially supported, but because of it, money will be put back into the local community.
With Bull Riders of Canada (BRC) stampeding to town Apr. 26, those in attendance at Watrous Centennial Arena were treated to an entertaining evening. Watrous Kinsmen members and coordinators for the Bull-A-Rama, Alex Huisman and Jarvis Engele shared tickets sold out for the rodeo a few days before the event. “As a club we were very happy with how it went. For the most part things went pretty smoothly and we were ecstatic to have a sold out crowd. The atmosphere in the arena was something to experience, especially when there was a really good ride happening!”
Both Huisman and Engele added the feedback they have received from others since the evening event has also been really positive. “The BRC riders put on a great show for the crowd and kept everyone entertained! Kings and Renegades put on an awesome show for those who stuck around for the dance too!”
While there is still some tabulating left to do, after all of the hard work, Huisman and Engele noted it looks like the Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama raised around $40,000 which will be put towards building an outdoor rink for the community of Watrous. “We can’t say thank you enough to Watrous and the surrounding area and we could not have put this on without our sponsors. We also had many people helping out by working at the event and with set up/clean up, donating time, equipment, and resources. The event also doesn’t work if people don’t come, so we are really grateful to everyone who bought tickets and supported the event!”
As for the bull riding itself, following a stop in Thorhild, Alta., BRC rolled into Watrous with double points up for grabs in the BRC standings. With $7,500 in cash prizes put up by the Watrous Kinsmen to go along with other money, riders competed in the long round before the top eight stampeded into the championship round.
In the long round, rookie Jeremy Maisonneuve of Val-des-Monts, Que. put up an opening score of 86 to sit in first place. He was followed by Lucas Ozirney of Grenfell, Sask. with a score of 83.5. Marshall Senger of Meadow Lake, Sask. registered a score of 83 for third spot while Jhett Wheeler of Sylvan Lake, Alta. had a score of 81.5 for fourth. Hunter Ference of Consort, Alta. was fifth with a score of 80.5 while Jestin Jacklin of Ponoka, Alta. and Chase Skene of Prince Albert, Sask. tied for sixth with 79. Kayden Budde of Grande Prairie, Alta. had a score of 76.5 and Glen Erickson of Sundre, Alta. came in with 74.5. Rounding out the riders registering a score were Francisco Costa of Humaita, AM, Brazil with a 73 and Gilmar Santana of Ouro Preto, RO, Brazil who had 69.5.
Moving into the championship round, the bulls had the upper hand as riders were unable to register scores with exception of Maisonneuve, who collected a score of 82 for first place and the Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama belt buckle. For his efforts, the rider who has now won three BRC event titles earned a total of $6,130 while bringing in 800 points for the BRC standings. Ozimey took second with $1,560 and 540 points, Senger collected third with $1,040 and 480 points and Wheeler rounded out the top four with $520 and 420 points.
Following the Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama, Maisonneuve sat in first place overall in the BRC standings with 1,730 points and $11,430 earned. Senger was second with 1,110 points and $3,140 earnings, Jacklin third with 805 points and $2,155 in earnings and Santana fourth with 770 points and $7,275 earned.
Thrilled with the success of the group riding, Huisman and Engele said, “Speaking with the riders, the BRC, and our stock contractor, they all had a fantastic experience here in Watrous. They were very appreciative of the crowd and facility and are already asking when we are going to have them back!”
While hosting a future Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama is something the local club will be discussing, the pair added there is a lot of work that goes into it. “Our committee met and planned frequently for almost a year in advance. The weeks leading up to the event had our Kinsmen club in the rink almost every day getting it transformed for bull riding and then of course the event itself requires quite a bit of manpower to make sure things go smoothly and efficiently! The day after the event the club was back in the rink working at cleaning and taking everything apart.”
Despite all of the hard work, time and effort, Huisman and Engele said raising a substantial amount of money for the community and receiving a lot of support made it worthwhile. “We are just really appreciative of everyone who helped out or supported this event in any way including the work of all our Kinsmen members who put a ton of time into this. The support means the world to us and the best part of the event is that the money raised will be going right back into our community to serve its greatest needs!”
April 28, 2025
Working to secure physicians in local communities
Daniel Bushman
As the communities of Watrous and Lanigan hope to see healthcare services fully resume in the future, recruiting physicians continues. With doctors departing both towns and services having been temporarily disrupted, work is underway to provide supports to each.
In Watrous, Jacquie Holzmann, Executive Director, Primary Health Care Southeast for Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said the community will be losing its three physicians over the coming months but plans are in place to try and secure replacements.
“We have known about that for some time and we have two new physicians who are currently in the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program. If successful, they will start in the community sometime in July.”
In addition to the two physicians working through the SIPPA program, Watrous was also given incremental funding to add a fourth so SHA is currently in the process of recruiting two more doctors which would eventually give the community a total of four. Hoping to offer some stability until that time, along with a current nurse practitioner, a posting for a temporary second nurse practitioner has been put up. Watrous was also recently announced as part of the virtual physician program which will help support the emergency department.
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said, “We are happy SHA designated a couple of doctors to the Watrous Medical Clinic practice as well as servicing the hospital and long term care through the SIPPA program. Wait times have been fairly significant so adding a fourth physician will hopefully alleviate that to some degree. I am sure things will proceed as quickly as possible to get to that full compliment of doctors that we have been approved for. These are challenging times and we will try and be as positive as we can and look forward to the future.”
Understanding filling all of the roles will take some time, Holzmann said utilizing the virtual physician program, seeking a temporary second nurse practitioner and trying to bring in locums should aid in the process. “We have a shortage of physicians across the province, especially in rural and northern areas. Recruitment will take some time but I think with the work the SHA, SMA (Saskatchewan Medical Association) and the government are currently doing on focusing on retention and recruitment, I do think we will get there. I do think it is going to take us a bit of time. All of these other supports like the virtual physician program are really helping us until we get to that full capacity.”
After investing their time and efforts over the years, all three physicians from Watrous expressed their heartfelt gratitude toward the community and surrounding area through letters addressed to patients and families.
Dr. Olanike Adebayo, who has mixed emotions about her May 26 closure at Watrous Primary Health Centre, Imperial Clinic and Watrous District Health Complex said, “It has been my privilege and my pleasure to live and work in this community. Thank you.”
Dr. Chander Sharma, whose last day will be June 30 shared, “My experience as a part of your healthcare team has been really enriching and fulfilling.
“I am extremely thankful to you all for allowing me to serve in your entrusted medical care, I count it as a great honour and privilege. Thank you.”
After serving in Saskatchewan since May 2015, Dr. Kavita Choudhary will be closing her practice in Watrous July 10. “This decision to leave my practice has not been easy and leaving a practice with so many wonderful patients is the toughest part. I have valued the trusted doctor/patient relationship we developed and truly appreciated the opportunity to help you manage your healthcare needs.
“I really feel humbled and privileged for being your family doctor for all these years. I wish the best to you all in the future.”
On the departure of the physicians, Holzmann said SHA is indebted to their service. “It is not very often these days where physicians stay in the same practice for 10 years so we are just really indebted to the service these three physicians have given Watrous and the surrounding communities. We really want to thank them for their years of service they have dedicated to Watrous.”
On behalf of the community, Gunderson said, “We are happy with the services they provided to the community and wish them all the best in whatever their future endeavours might bring. We also collaborate with SHA whenever we experience a shortage of healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, continuing care aides and lab staff and are hopeful that the new doctors coming will not just be here for a short time. We hope they can get integrated into the community and enjoy it here and stay for quite a length of time.”
For patients, the physicians noted records can be transferred by contacting the clinics in Watrous and Imperial as soon as possible. If not, by default, the records will be retained by the Watrous and Imperial clinics and medical care will continue with the local team of providers.
As Watrous prepares for changes to its healthcare team, so is the community of Lanigan. With funding for three physicians, Holzmann said SHA is still recruiting for an additional one; however, notice was recently given that one of the current physicians will be leaving. “We don’t have a confirmation of that date but we are actively recruiting for those positions.”
With recruiting efforts now underway for two physicians instead of one, Lanigan has been able to rely on a nurse practitioner allowing for access to a provider while supporting the clinic. “She is a very important asset to that team.”
In addition to the current physicians and a nurse practitioner, the hospital in Lanigan has also used the virtual physician program to help support and operate the emergency department. “We have been doing that for the better part of the last year and that program now exists across rural and in the northern communities to help stabilize and support physician services where we have vacancies.”
Watching physicians come and go while doing his best to lobby for more help on behalf of the community of Lanigan, Mayor Tony Mycock shared the current situation is frustrating. “We finally get to two doctors and a potential for a third and then since that time we had two doctors resign so we are going back to one physician and one nurse practitioner.”
Recently attending the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s (SUMA) convention, Mycock talked with SHA’s recruitment agency and voiced his concerns. “The SIPPA (Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment ) program doesn’t seem to be working for rural Saskatchewan, we just can’t seem to retain doctors. I got up during the forum with the health minister and spoke for Lanigan.”
This is not the first time Mycock has tried to get help for his community. Four years ago during a SUMA convention, after hearing his concerns, the mayor was invited by the Saskatchewan NDP to lobby at the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly in Regina. “Every year since then I am getting up in front of the health minister during SUMA conventions voicing my frustrations for Lanigan.”
Understanding other communities are in similar situations or worse, Mycock shared a job posting for a temporary second nurse practitioner was recently posted to try and help. “The virtual physician program has also allowed us to keep the hospital open instead of going on bypass. I think it is a definite help but I don’t think it replaces somebody being able to see a doctor.
“Just being at SUMA and listening to other situations, we are still in a better position than other communities but with the growth in our region, it is a concern. We have a lot going on in our area with BHP and the Aspen Power Station and more people are living in town. There is no doubt Lanigan is going to grow and part of that is needing healthcare. The provincial government keeps saying everyone deserves access to a doctor but where the doctors are going to be coming from, I don’t know.”
With both Lanigan and Watrous experiencing temporary disruptions, when asked when emergency services can fully resume in Lanigan, Holzmann shared that is all dependant on having a full compliment of physicians. While recruitment for that continues, she added, “We really appreciate the existing team members for their continued work to provide the services in both the clinic and in the emergency department. Our physicians are operating the emergency department daily in that community at reduced hours and we are having supplemental support through the virtual physician program. We are definitely working to stabilize services for the community there.”
Hopeful SHA is able to bring in some help before Lanigan goes down to one doctor, Mycock feels the whole process has been one step forward and then one step back. “I thought four years ago that by this time we would be fully staffed with doctors and our ER would be open 24/7 but we have not got there yet. When you look at the situation in Lanigan, we will be down two doctors and in Watrous, it is three leaving. It is hard right now.”
With the upcoming departures, as both Watrous and Lanigan hope to receive a full compliment of physicians in the near future, Holzmann understands how critical it is to team up with the local communities. “We will continue to try to work to fill the gaps until such time we have successful recruitment in those positions.”
Candidate Q and A for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan
Daniel Bushman
People across Canada will be headed to the polls Apr. 28 as voters will choose who they feel should represent them in government. With election day quickly approaching, locally, five candidates put their names forward to become the next Member of Parliament for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan.
Following an Apr. 14 article featuring each of the five, in this week’s edition, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the candidates with four questions. The following are each of their responses which appear in alphabetical order by party name.
Conservative Party: Fraser Tolmie (incumbent)
Why did you decide to run in the federal election?
I am seeking re-election and this is a passion that I have for this riding. I believe the people of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan need to have a strong voice in Ottawa and that it is not someone that is going to be bringing a message back from Ottawa and telling them what to do which is what we have been dealing with with the Liberal government.
I believe that in the first four years that I have been in Ottawa we have been able to punch above our weight. I had the privilege of serving as the Deputy Critic for Veterans Affairs where we have worked very hard on that file. This riding in particular has brought forward some good policy for the Conservative platform concerning rail and how that impacts local businesses and farmers. We have also had influence over other ridings across Canada bringing good policy forward and they have relied on us for some advice and we have been able to give that.
Why should people vote for you?
I am a hard worker and someone who believes you don’t take this position for granted. This is a position of servitude not of status and that I serve at the people’s pleasure. In order to restore honour into politics I believe that we have to remember that, you serve the people of this riding, they don’t serve you.
What do you feel is the biggest issue right now for Canadians?
Honestly, I think we need to keep our eye on the ball, it is the economy. For the last 10 years, the Liberal government have run down the economy and used the people of Canada as a form of revenue for taxes. People don’t pay taxes, the government takes taxes. They have really been fiscally irresponsible, they have not really paid attention to the people and the challenges they are facing.
We have seen record number use of food banks and in Moose Jaw itself, the food bank almost shutdown in the summer. There was a lack of donations because people didn’t have anything extra to give and the food bank couldn’t afford the food because the costs had gone up and there was overuse. We had not seen something like this and when I hear (Liberal leader Mark) Carney saying they are going to build homes like they did after WWII that shows the state of the economy the Liberal government has put us in.
The Liberals are campaigning on change but they are the ones who put us in this problem and we need a new government to overhaul some of these bad policies.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It is a real honour and a privilege to have been able to serve the people of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan. I made a promise four years ago that we would get out and visit this riding as much as we could and I believe we have done that.
The riding boundaries have changed in this election and it is now actually five square kilometres larger than Switzerland. We are an unique riding and home to the Snowbirds and the town of Rouleau which featured Corner Gas. We have some really unique spots within this riding and I think it is a gemstone within Saskatchewan and I have been really proud to be able to serve as MP and hope to do so again.
Green Party of Canada: Mike Gardiner
Why did you decide to run in the federal election?
I’m in this to be a voice for the people who aren’t heard. I’m using my platform to bring up issues that are forgotten. I want us to talk about things like fair taxation on the wealthiest corporations and people, and closing tax loopholes so that we can pay for things like Universal Basic Income to lift everyone out of poverty, and so we can all start getting ahead financially and not having to live paycheque to paycheque.
Large corporations have too much control of our country. They have corporate lobbyists in the two largest parties, and they lobby for tax breaks, incentives, and corporate welfare. Last year, $30 billion of our tax money subsidized the fossil fuel industry, while they made $176 billion in profits. We could use that money for things like Universal Basic Income.
Why should people vote for you?
It’s a vote for hope in the future, and a vote for things that we hope to see. It would be a vote for your beliefs and convictions about how we need to change things as a society so that late-stage capitalism doesn’t continue to make us fall further into hyper individualization and further away from caring about each other in our community that we call Canada.
What do you feel is the biggest issue right now for Canadians?
I think it’s a failing capitalist system. It used to be a functional replacement of the barter system, but has grown into something far beyond that. We now have people hoarding more wealth than they could ever spend in their lifetime. In order to obtain a billion dollars, you would need to save $100,000 every year for 10,000 years.
We have an oligarchy of billionaires controlling the government to our south, saying they want to take Canada in order to take and sell our resources and make billions more. This kind of unfettered greed and expectation of limitless capital growth is unsustainable and is destroying our world, our democracies, our mental health, and our physical health. It is the underlying problem that none of us want to acknowledge.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We need to do a bit more critical thought when it comes to what career politicians are telling us. Right-wing politicians overload us with slogans, propaganda, and advertisements that have us look back to the “good old days” with rose coloured glasses, and they want us to forget that women, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ people did not have human rights back then.
We can’t afford to allow corporate lobbyists to privatize our healthcare or any of the things that we’ve worked together to build for each other. We can’t afford to allow private US corporations to charge us three times what our healthcare and medication costs right now.
“We used to live in a society. Now we live in an economy” (Dianne Whelan, 2023). We have drifted away from a community focus and have become so focused on ourselves and our own way of life that we have forgotten about all of the other beings that we are connected with through an intricate web that connects all life.
Hyper-individualization and lack of empathy and community connection are literally killing us. The only way that we’ve survived this long as human beings is by working together for the common good in our communities. Let’s do that again, and stand together to lift everyone up.
Liberal Party of Canada: Tabitha Mukamusoni
Why did you decide to run in the federal election?
I decided to run because I believe rural voices especially in regions like Moose Jaw–Lake Centre–Lanigan deserve to be heard loud and clear in Ottawa. After years working as a journalist and a community advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how too many decisions are made without truly understanding the realities we live with here.
I want to be a bridge between our people and federal decision-makers. I’m running to fight for better healthcare, in our rural communities, stronger support for families and farmers, and real opportunities for our youth to thrive right here at home without having to leave our communities behind.
Why should people vote for you?
Because I know what it means to listen, to work hard, and to bring people together.
I believe in the vision of Mark Carney’s Liberal team and I’m confident that, together, we can build a stronger, more united Canada.
For example, $10-a-day childcare is not just essential for working women like me it’s also a smart way to address the farm labour shortage in Saskatchewan. This program needs to be maintained and improved, with more available childcare spaces in rural areas. As a mother, I know how life-changing that support can be.
I also support strengthening AgriStability adding up to $3 million per farm to protect farmers from tariffs and market shocks. We can help young Canadians buy their first homes by using Canadian lumber and making low-interest loans available. And yes, I support ending the consumer carbon tax, which is hitting rural families hardest.
I’ve built my life around giving a voice to those who are often ignored, whether through journalism, community leadership, or community radio. I live here, I raise my family here, and I’ve been serving this community from the ground up. I will bring that same energy, empathy, and determination to Parliament. People should vote for me because I will be a tireless voice for them not just during the campaign, but every single day after.
What do you feel is the biggest issue right now for Canadians?
As a Liberal candidate in Moose Jaw–Lake Centre–Lanigan, I believe the biggest challenges are affordability and growing pressure from international tariffs, especially under Trump and China.
Whether it’s groceries, housing, gasoline, or farming equipment, Canadians are feeling the pinch. And in rural areas like ours, it’s even harder.
We need policies that reflect our real lives not just downtown priorities. Canadians want practical, fair solutions that make life more affordable and less complicated.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes, I want to highlight something we’ve been working on in Gravelbourg: international student recruitment, both at the high school and college level. It’s a model that works and it should be supported and expanded to other rural communities. These programs boost our local economy, enrich our education system, and help keep our communities vibrant and growing.
As a Member of Parliament, I will champion these initiatives at the federal level because rural Canada deserves bold, forward-looking ideas.
And finally, thank you. Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me into your towns, farms, and homes. I’m not a career politician. I’m a mother, a wife, a worker, and a neighbour who wants to make a difference. I truly believe that together, we can build a future where no one is left behind, where rural Saskatchewan is not only heard, but respected and supported.
NDP: Britt Baumann
Why did you decide to run in the federal election?
I have decided to run in this election because we are all ready for change. In past elections, we have sent Conservatives to Ottawa, and it seems that they have not done much for us. I receive a seasonal newsletter from our current MP that is filled with complaints about the carbon tax and how all our problems are due to this tax. Well, the carbon tax is gone now, but the Conservative party has not offered us anything new except slogans, a nod to the MAGA movement, and discrimination against Canadians they perceive to be different than them, that is not leadership, and now, more than ever, Saskatchewan needs effective leadership in Ottawa.
Why should people vote for you?
I have a PhD in public policy, which means that I have spent my career analyzing policies for effectiveness. Slogans such as ‘axe the tax’, ‘build the homes’, or ‘create the jobs’, are not policies. They are only goals. Let’s talk about housing for a moment. Canada is in the midst of a housing crisis, and thus far, the Liberals have applied ‘market solutions’ to the crisis and the Conservatives are demanding even stricter ‘market solutions.’ The bulk of their housing strategies involves cutting costs and taxes for developers—allowing the free market to sort things out. Well, I can assure you that if a purely market solution could solve the housing crisis, then we would not be in a housing crisis. Instead, let’s consider what has worked elsewhere. In the immediate short term, we could build subsidized non-profit housing suitable for families, seniors, and vulnerable persons. We need this in addition to any ‘market solutions’ the other parties are pitching.
What do you feel is the biggest issue right now for Canadians?
Absolutely, the biggest issue facing Canadians is the affordability crisis, and the Trump tariffs are making this crisis worse. This tariff war will lead to global inflation, and a global recession. Each time Trump speaks, the stock market roils. We have even seen dangerous instability in the bond markets. Down here on the ground, Canadians are losing their jobs. The farmers are worried if they will be able to sell their grain, the potash mines could be shut down, and our local business will suffer greatly. We need real action from Ottawa. New Democrats are calling for tax cuts to the working class, not for billionaires. Pierre Poilievre is making empty promises on tax cuts. Conservatives have championed the idea of ‘trickle-down economics’ over the last 50 years, but it is evident that the gap between rich and poor has only widened.
Remember that, with just 25 seats, the New Democrats brought you dental care, Pharmacare, and $10-a-day daycare. For the first time in years, many seniors could have their teeth fixed, essential diabetic medications and contraceptives are now covered through Pharmacare, and if only our premier would put his pride away and take the money, Saskatchewan would receive affordable daycare options. If you want to keep these cost-saving measures, we must return New Democrats to Ottawa. Saskatchewan people should remember that Poilievre and his Conservatives voted against dental care, against Pharmacare, against affordable daycare, against school food programs, against increased funding for low income seniors, and much more.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to point out that beautiful Little Manitou Lake is one of my favourite destinations in Saskatchewan. Each summer, you will see me camping in the Manitou Beach regional park, zipping around on my e-bike to visit the many art galleries, restaurants, antique shops and many other businesses that Watrous and Manitou Beach have to offer. Not only is it possible to enjoy the buoyant lake waters indoors at the Manitou Springs, but there is nothing more pleasant than grabbing an ice cream on the shore while watching the sunset. Warm summer nights can be spent at the wonderfully nostalgic Salty Cinema, and it is always a good time to dance on the horsehair floor at Danceland. The Watrous Manitou area is a vibrant community that requires positive attention from your Member of Parliament.
Many people are unaware that federal funding is available for communities such as Watrous and Manitou Beach. There are different programs focused on arts, sport, and various other community development such as the preservation of community history. In addition, there is funding available to assist business and community development specifically in rural Saskatchewan! If you were unaware of that, it is because your current Member of Parliament has not bothered to tell you.
If you send me to Ottawa, I will help rural Saskatchewan organizations and local small businesses locate and apply for the funding they need to bring their goals to reality. Also, I will fight in Parliament to demand that more money is allocated for community development. The New Democrats are in it for you, not for billionaires.
People’s Party of Canada: Chey Craik
Why did you decide to run in the federal election?
Because we believe Canada is at a turning point. For years, we’ve seen government from all sides make promises that they don’t keep. They’ve put political correctness ahead of common sense, special interests ahead of everyday Canadians, and global agendas ahead of our sovereignty. Enough is enough. It’s time for real change—change that puts Canadians first.
Why should people vote for you?
I grew up on the family farm just outside Moose Jaw, and live there with my wife of nearly 23 years with our two young adult children today. I understand the concerns of our riding and I am excited to be the voice we have never had. Our party does not have a whip to guide the vote as all other parties have. As MPs we will be allowed to vote our conscience, and the voice of our constituents.
What do you feel is the biggest issue right now for Canadians?
There are many, but if I had to pick one it would be the state of our economy. We need bold reforms to free our economy from government interference and unleash Canada’s potential. The PPC believes in free markets, fiscal responsibility, and putting money back into your pocket. Billions of taxpayer dollars are wasted every year on subsidies for large corporations while small businesses struggle. The PPC will cut corporate welfare programs and focus on creating a level playing field for all businesses.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We must restore Canadian values—values that unite us as one nation under one flag. Canada has always been a country built on hard work, individual responsibility, freedom of speech, respect for tradition, and equality under the law. These are the values we need to restore.
This election we need to vote our voice, not their fear.
Apr. 14, 2025
Blue Star Playhouse hits the right notes
Wanting to create an inviting space and a home for his music business, local area resident Guy Anderson recently launched Blue Star Playhouse in Watrous. Combining his passion for business, music and art, Anderson not only transformed the former SARCAN building on Main Street into Blue Star Music Inc.’s headquarters but added to it.
“It started out as being Blue Star Music Inc.’s headquarters but it just evolved from there,” said Anderson, who is also an original recording artist. “For years I was a subscriber to the Alberta ballet and Edmonton opera, and when the project began to take shape, I decided to make it into a performing venue with a similar, yet much smaller entertainment format.”
By transforming the building to create an intimate setting for original performers and patrons, Anderson constructed a stage, added professional lighting and installed professional sound equipment. “As I was working on the project, people would give me positive feedback about the idea. As such, I thought I would try to make the room special in terms of highest quality audio and visual entertainment. And of course, in addition, soft seat comfort for the listener.”
During the transformation process, as his concept became a reality, Anderson wanted to ensure the building’s original history was not forgotten. “Not only is it the world headquarters for Blue Star Music Inc., but when Metro and Amelia Bodnarek (Guy’s relatives) from Watrous built it in 1977, it was called Playhouse Crafts. I asked them if they’d mind me using the “Playhouse” part of the original name.”
With permission granted and a name selected, Guy’s work wrapped up and Blue Star Playhouse was ready to be unveiled. With ticket-holders from the community and surrounding areas, singer Eileen Laverty officially opened the venue with a sold out performance. Thrilled with how the Mar. 30 matinee went, Anderson said, “I have performed at a number of venues myself but when I looked at the crowd in attendance, they just sat and listened. You could hear a pin drop. That is what it is about, making the performer have centre stage. Most impressed with the venue was Eileen who sold out the Broadway Theatre in December. She’s a well-known performer and spoke positively about how she much enjoyed playing at Blue Star Playhouse.”
With numerous positive comments from those who attended the Mar. 30 performance, Manitou Beach resident Darrell Baschak was one of those patrons. Writing a number of reviews on behalf of the Watrous and Area Arts Council during this past season’s Stars for Saskatchewan Series in Watrous and Manitou Beach, Baschak was thoroughly impressed by Blue Star Playhouse. “There was a perceptible excitement and anticipation amongst the crowd prior to the show. We all had been anticipating the opening of the doors to Guy’s undertaking and we were certainly not disappointed.”
With a passion for music himself, Baschak shared Laverty opened her show in a personal way, warming up the crowd about her life experiences. Capturing the attention of those in attendance and bringing them into her songs, Baschak said many sang along. “I think the quality of Guy’s stage and room had something to do with it. The listening public is practically right on the stage making it somehow more personal and real. Eileen played two sets interspersed with her own compositions and some popular musicians such as Joni Mitchell, Dougie MacLean and Ian Tyson, all played in such a powerful and meaningful way. She is an accomplished guitarist and easily accompanies herself with nimble fingerings and chording. Her voice is sweet, evocative, honest and personal.”
Enjoying the ambiance of the room and the performance accompanying it, following the matinee, Baschak said, “It was quite obvious to all present that Guy Anderson has created something quite wonderful and unique here and that the possibilities are many for this venue. I anticipate that once word is out in the musical world, there will be a clamour to get on the list to perform and get tickets to the upcoming shows.”
With a goal of welcoming original artists, both young and old, Anderson already has people from B.C., Manitoba and Alberta who want to perform. “I am talking to touring artists, touring entertainers and am looking at different acts by classical musicians, jazz musicians and that type of thing.”
As for when people can expect tickets to go on sale for the next performance, Anderson figures he will host Sunday matinees at least once a month. “It will provide something for people to enjoy, especially visitors to the area who may be looking for things to do. I am looking forward to it.”
Apr. 7, 2025
Thrift On Main giving back
Daniel Bushman
Marking its one year anniversary next month, Thrift On Main in Watrous has not only experienced substantial support but because of that generosity, the non-profit organization is giving back.
With its financial year-end Mar. 31, Earl Amendt Jr. with Thrift On Main said in 10 and a half months, the store brought in just over $208,000 from sales. As part of that, the non-profit has been able to allocate $18,291.64 to its reserve account in case something should occur, like a furnace needing to be replaced. The store was also able to pay off just over 25 percent of its renovation and building costs while allocating funds to provide grants to non-profit and community organizations every six months.
As part of the grant funding, following its mid-year financial end in September where a total of $61,687.95 was given back to the community, for its financial year-end Mar. 31, a total of $66,353.54 will be distributed.
“We are very excited to be able to provide those funds to Watrous and surrounding communities and in less than a full year, Thrift On Main has been able to give back a total of $128,041.49,” shared Amendt. Adding the support they have received has been incredible, he said, “We are so grateful to our volunteers, businesses, community groups and individuals who have donated either funds, their services, or both. We also appreciate those who have given us items and to our customers for their support. This has all helped enormously to the success of this venture and it would not be possible without that support!”
With over a dozen requests during the first opportunity the grants were made available, Amendt said non-profit and community organizations are once again eligible to apply until Apr. 15. “We were very happy to be able to provide funding to a number of non-profit and community organizations in October and are thrilled to be able to do that again.”
For those wanting to apply, applications are available at Thrift On Main (211 Main Street in Watrous) and on their website (www.thrift-on-main.webflow.io/). “People from Watrous and surrounding communities can apply for whatever project they wish. The results of who will be receiving the grants will be released following that.”
Looking forward to providing funding to those in Watrous and surrounding communities, reflecting back on the past year, Amendt said it has gone extremely well. “We are really pleased since we first opened in May 2024. Because of our great volunteers, donations and lots of customers, revenues have been very good and that has in turn allowed us to give back. We are so grateful for the support and are looking forward to the rest of 2025. Anyone wishing to get involved in any aspect of Thrift On Main is warmly welcome to do so. Just stop by the store for more information.”
Mar. 31, 2025
Federal election set for April
Daniel Bushman
Canadians will head to the polls in April as a federal election was called Mar. 23. Asking the Governor General to dissolve Parliament just nine days after he was sworn in as Prime Minister, Mark Carney made the announcement noting the election will be held Apr. 28.
With tariff threats from the United States and uncertainty swirling around the economy, Carney along with other party leaders immediately kicked off their campaigns.
As part of that, Carney launched the 2025 Liberal campaign by announcing a middle-class tax cut. “In a crisis, Canadians come together to tackle challenges – because united, we are Canada strong. Canadians are ready for change, and our Liberal plan will cut taxes for the middle class, create higher paying jobs, build the fastest growing economy in the G7, and stand strong against President Trump’s tariffs.”
The proposed middle-class tax cut would save two-income families up to $825 a year, by reducing the marginal tax rate on the lowest tax bracket by one percentage point.
According to the Liberal Party, this announcement builds on action already taken to lower upfront costs and protect Canadians from American tariffs by: cancelling the consumer carbon tax; eliminating the GST on all homes up to $1 million for first-time home buyers; and changing the EI system so workers are able to get the supports they need, faster.
“So many Canadians are doing everything right. They’ve worked hard, secured a good job, and saved for the future. But often, it’s not enough,” added Carney. “My new government will focus on helping hard-working Canadians keep more of their paychecks to spend where it matters most: on homes, groceries, and their families. Every Canadian should be able to afford necessities, feel secure, and get ahead financially – and this tax cut will help them do that.”
While Carney unveiled the middle-class tax cut Mar. 23, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said it is time to put Canada first. “We cannot afford another lost Liberal decade. We need to put Canada First—for a change, with a new Conservative Government to axe taxes, reward work, unleash entrepreneurs, harvest our resources, make things here, build homes for our youth, secure our borders, rebuild our military, honour our history and proudly raise our flag.”
Along with repealing the carbon tax law and getting rid of the sales tax on new homes, in Brampton, Ont. on Mar. 24, Poilievre shared a new Conservative government would cut income tax by 15 percent, dropping the tax rate on the lowest income tax bracket from 15 percent to 12.75 percent, meaning the average Canadian worker earning $57,000 will save $900, with two income families saving $1,800 a year.
“Everywhere I go, Canadians tell me the same thing—life has never been more expensive. You’re working harder, but your work doesn’t pay like it used to, and it feels like you’re falling further behind,” said Poilievre. “Canadians deserve to bring home powerful paycheques for their families, and my 15 percent tax cut will do exactly that.”
Poilievre’s income tax cut is part of the broader Conservative Bring It Home Tax Cut on work, investment, energy and homebuilding.
Launching the NDP’s campaign Mar. 23, leader Jagmeet Singh shared the election is about who will protect Canadians, the things they care about most and from being sold out.
“People will say this election is about who can face off against Donald Trump,” said Singh. “But let’s be clear — the real question is who will fight for you, and make sure it’s not your job, your health care, or your future on the chopping block.”
The following day, Singh unveiled the first step in the NDP plan which would unlock public land to build more homes. “While working and middle-class families are being priced out of the market, big corporations are lining up to buy up homes, offices, and land at fire-sale prices,” said Singh. “The NDP is the only party, and I’m the only leader, who will fight to protect you and build homes you can afford.”
As part of the plan, the NDP will: set aside 100 percent of suitable federal crown land already owned to build over 100,000 rent-controlled homes by 2035; redesign and double the Public Land Acquisition Fund, investing $1 billion over five years into acquiring more public land to build more rent-controlled homes on; publicly finance new construction – with a new Community Housing Bank to partner with non-profit developers, co-ops, and Indigenous communities; speed up approvals on lands owned by the federal government to get workers on site, shovels in the ground, and homes built sooner; train 100,000 more people including newcomers, and people displaced by Donald Trump’s trade war in skilled trades and improve working conditions; and use Project Labour Agreements, or Community Benefits Agreements to support good jobs and improve the impacts for communities.
The Green Party of Canada was also seeking bold change, protecting the climate, creating good green jobs and building a fairer future. As part of that, the Green Party stated it is looking to make the largest investment in public housing since the 1970s, close unfair tax loopholes, strengthen universal health care, rebuild trust in government, and fight all forms of hate and discrimination.
With the 45th federal general election held Apr. 28, Elections Canada indicated offices will open soon in each of the 343 federal electoral districts (ridings). Electors can visit an office to register and vote early by special ballot or to get information about voting or becoming a candidate.
From Apr. 18 to 21 advance polling will take place while Apr. 20 to 22, special ballot voting is offered in acute care facilities such as hospitals.
Apr. 22 is the deadline to apply to vote by mail and to vote by special ballot at an Elections Canada office. Apr. 22 is also the deadline for voter registration in advance of election day and electors can still register at their election day poll just before they vote.
Monday, Apr. 28 is election day. Mobile polls will serve electors in long-term care facilities and seniors’ residences. Times vary for each institution. Electors can vote at their assigned polling station and can find the location by checking their voter information card or visiting elections.ca. Polls will be open for 12 hours (hours vary by time zone).
After election day, returning officers will validate the results, usually in the first two or three days after election day. The validated results will be posted on elections.ca.
Mar. 24, 2025
Province unveils budget as tariff threats loom
Daniel Bushman
Amidst the current economic climate and its uncertain future due to tariff threats from the United States, Saskatchewan’s 2025-‘26 Provincial Budget was delivered Mar. 19.
Appointed as the Deputy Premier and Finance Minister after former Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer did not seek re-election, Jim Reiter tabled his first budget on behalf of the province. “We understand this budget is being delivered at a very volatile time, due to the constantly changing tariff threats from the United States. Right now, we do not know what tariffs the U.S. may impose or how long they may last. As a result, it was not possible to build the exact impact of tariffs into the budget.
“However, we are not letting the tariff threat prevent us from following through on our commitments to the people of Saskatchewan. Our strong financial position means we are well-positioned to weather the impact of any tariffs that may be imposed on Canada and Saskatchewan.”
Reiter stated not knowing what tariffs will be imposed and for how long made developing the budget extremely challenging. “You have seen some other provinces include contingencies in their budgets. However, these contingencies are not surpluses that are set aside, they simply increase deficits that will already be funded by borrowing.”
While there were no built in contingencies, Reiter said the government was cautious on expenditures and prudent on revenues to best position themselves to try and weather the tariff storm. Touting a balanced budget with a surplus of $12 million, it was driven by forecast revenues of $21.1 billion, an increase of $1.2 billion, or six percent, compared to last year. Overall, the total expense is projected to be $21 billion, which is an increase of $909 million, or 4.5 percent, from the 2024-‘25 Budget.
Looking over the budget and surveying the economic landscape both at home and abroad, the official opposition were not impressed with the results. Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck said, “This budget has no plan to defend against tariffs or build our economy, and it actually cuts education and health care, where we already rank dead last in the country.”
Beck and the NDP went on to add the Saskatchewan budget fails to address affordable childcare, offers no serious relief on cost of living until 2026 and does nothing to tackle the growing addictions and mental health crisis in Saskatchewan. “The people of Saskatchewan want a government focused on the future, and this budget does nothing but take us backwards.”
Despite the disagreement by the opposition, the Saskatchewan government said when it comes to affordability, the budget reduces income taxes for every resident, family and small business in the province. It also helps make life more affordable for seniors, families with children, persons with disabilities, caregivers, new graduates, first-time homebuyers and people renovating their homes. The taxation changes introduced, including the initiatives in The Saskatchewan Affordability Act, provide over $250 million in tax savings this year.
The Saskatchewan government stated some of the affordability measures in the budget include: raising the basic personal exemption, spousal and equivalent-to-spousal exemption, dependent child exemption and the seniors supplement by $500 a year; increasing monthly income assistance benefits by two percent for Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and Saskatchewan Assured income for Disability (SAID) clients; increasing the Disability Tax Credit and Caregiver Tax Credit by 25 percent; doubling the Active Families Benefit refundable tax credit from $150 to $300 per child and doubling the income threshold to qualify to $120,000 to make children’s sports, arts, cultural and recreational activities more affordable for more Saskatchewan families; reinstating the Home Renovation Tax Credit; increasing the Graduate Retention Program benefit by 20 percent to a maximum of $24,000; and permanently maintaining the small business tax rate at one percent.
In addition, the government shared all education property tax mill rates will be reduced to absorb the increase in property assessment values and ensure this assessment year is revenue neutral for the province in each property class.
As for health care, the Ministry of Health budget is $8.07 billion while the Saskatchewan Health Authority will receive a $261.1 million increase for a total budget of $4.94 billion. As part of the province’s health care budget, there are plans to ramp up surgical volumes this year to perform 450,000 procedures over four years and reduce surgical wait times.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will receive a $6.6 million increase for additional paramedics in the system and Diagnostic Imaging will receive a $6 million boost to increase specialized medical imaging volumes to continue gains made in patient wait times.
Other acute care investment increases include: $6.6 million for HealthLine 811’s Virtual ER Physician Program to expand support to a minimum of 25 small-to-medium rural Emergency Department locations; $4.3 million to bolster the province’s kidney health programs to better meet patient demand for hemodialysis services; and $2 million for enhanced laboratory medicine services.
Supports for 65 new and enhanced permanent full-time nursing positions in 30 rural and northern locations across Saskatchewan for improved nursing stability and reduced reliance on contract nurses will receive a $4.9 million increase. In addition, this year’s budget includes a $94.6 million increase for physician services to support the province’s efforts to recruit and retain doctors, including funding for negotiated Saskatchewan Medical Association fee increases, increased utilization of services and additional physicians.
Mental health and addictions programs and services will receive $624 million including an increase of $20 million for targeted initiatives. This includes continued progress on the multi-year Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan, and expanded access to mental health and addictions services and care by delivering on the commitment to add 500 addictions treatment spaces across the province, doubling the public health system’s capacity.
With regards to education, the provincial government stated the Ministry of Education will receive $3.5 billion, an increase of $184 million, or 5.5 percent, over the previous year. That includes an increase of $186 million, or 8.4 percent, in school operating funding for a total of $2.4 billion.
The budget also includes an increase of $130 million to fund the new teacher collective agreement and address growing student enrollment and the challenges facing classrooms. There will be funding for 50 additional specialized support classrooms throughout the province and funding to improve kindergarten to Grade 3 reading levels in Saskatchewan.
There is also ongoing funding for the 21 new or consolidated schools and three major renovations underway across Saskatchewan, as well as funding to begin planning for one new replacement school and preplanning for four new schools in the Saskatoon area.
For post-secondary, the Ministry of Advanced Education receives $788 million in this year’s budget, with $1.6 billion invested in post-secondary education over the past two years. As part of their budget, universities, technical schools, Indigenous institutions and regional colleges will receive $718 million in operating and capital funding.
For the upcoming fiscal year, the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety will receive $798 million, including $119 million for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, while the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General will receive $271 million.
Other initiatives contained in the budget include: a record $362 million in municipal revenue sharing; a grant to the Food Banks of Saskatchewan to fulfill a two-year commitment; a $20 million increase across government in funding for community-based organizations; the creation of a new Saskatchewan Young Entrepreneur Bursary to support youth entrepreneurship in the province; a $5 million investment in the Rental Development Program to partner with housing providers to develop new supportive housing units for people who need additional support to live independently; a new program to fund school playgrounds will launch with $3.75 million annually. It is expected that up to 75 projects will be eligible to receive up to $50,000 in matched funding each year; the Community Rink Affordability Grant will increase from $2,500 to $5,000 per ice surface this upcoming winter; and there is approximately $1.7 billion through SaskPower for capital investment in Saskatchewan’s electricity system to meet increasing electricity demands including construction of the 370 MW natural gas-fired electrical plant in south-central Saskatchewan.
Mar. 17, 2025
Bull-A-Rama stampeding to Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Following a six year hiatus, the Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama returns to the community next month. The high-octane bull riding event was last held at the Watrous Centennial Arena in 2019 and planning for the 2025 version has been well underway for a number of months.
Hosting the Bull-A-Rama to help raise funds for an outdoor hockey rink in Watrous, local Kinsmen members Jarvis Engele and Alex Huisman have been busy spearheading the upcoming event. With just over a month until the big day (Apr. 26), the pair took some time out of their busy schedules to share about the Watrous Kinsmen Bull-A-Rama and how people can get involved.
Are you looking forward to hosting Bull-A-Rama?
Our club is extremely excited to be hosting the Bull-A-Rama again! The previous two times we held this event in 2018 and 2019 we had great community support and the response from the community was awesome. It also has been one of our more successful recent fundraising events.
How have things been going so far?
Things have been going well so far, an event of this scale has many elements to plan so we have been busy behind the scenes getting everything in order. We have had great response from the business community in regards to sponsorship, without this support we would not be able to hold this event so it is greatly appreciated! Bull Riders Canada is also quite excited to be back as they were very happy with how the last two Bull-A-Rama events in Watrous went.
Why did you decide to host Bull-A-Rama again?
There are a number of reasons to host this event, the biggest reason being that it was a great fundraiser for our community the last time it was held. We also received lots of feedback from the community and surrounding area about the event and how it was great to have something unique and different come to our community. Being from an area that is heavily connected to the agriculture sector, a bull riding event is a great way to connect and enjoy some entertainment!
How important do you feel an event like this is for the community?
We feel that events like these are vitally important to our community. As mentioned before, Bull-A-Rama was a successful fundraiser that helped a number of community initiatives. A large portion of the Bull-A-Rama proceeds last time went towards the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre which has become an integral part of our community. This year, the majority of the funds raised will be going towards our next big project which is building an outdoor rink for Watrous. An outdoor rink will add another accessible recreation option for people of all abilities and ages. Also, the event brings in spectators from outside the community, many of whom will frequent our businesses and support our economy.
Why should people attend and when can they purchase tickets?
I think people should attend because it will be a fantastic night of entertainment. Not only will you get to see some amazing bull riding but immediately after the bull riding there will be a cabaret (ages 19+) with live music that will be a ton of fun. The best part is, by attending you are helping raise funds for our community as money raised at this event will be going back into the community! Ticket information will be coming out soon with ticket sales to open in mid-March, we will be doing the majority of ticket sales online this year. Once ticket sales open we suggest buying early as we have had capacity crowds the last two times!
Are you still seeking sponsorships and if so, what can people do?
Yes, we are currently in the process of seeking out sponsorship so if you are someone who is interested in supporting and partnering with us on this event please reach out! We have a variety of sponsorship levels available to cater to any business and their needs. Interested sponsors can reach out to either Alex Huisman at huisman.ah@gmail.com or Jarvis Engele at jarvisengele@gmail.com to get more info.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We are looking forward to having a great event and we hope to see a huge crowd come out to support this fundraising event!
Mar. 10, 2025
Over $5.7 million raised during TeleMiracle 49
Daniel Bushman
For nearly five decades TeleMiracle has been helping people in Saskatchewan and this year was no different. With the telethon held Mar. 1 and 2, when the 49th edition wrapped up in Saskatoon, a total of $5,709,306 had been raised.
Through the generosity of many people, TeleMiracle 49 Chair Terri Troupe-Logue said, “TeleMiracle is a unique fundraiser that the whole province can take part in, in a meaningful and impactful way.”
Dubbed ‘Saskatchewan’s Charity,’ one of the highlights of this year’s show was the 80 talented Saskatchewan performers who appeared throughout the telethon including local area talent like Terri Hamilton (Jansen) joined by Lorna Leier McEwan (Tisdale) and Lanigan Dance Dynamics (Lanigan). Not only did the acts showcase the scope of talent from every corner of the province, but they also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented their donation of $100,000 just before the end of the broadcast.
In addition to the performers helping raise money, local area communities also contributed to TeleMiracle 49.
Attending the Mar. 1 and 2 event in Saskatoon, members of the Watrous Kin, on behalf of the community and surrounding areas, presented a cheque Sunday morning before 9 a.m. Appreciating everyone who participated in and donated to fundraising efforts over the past year, the local group unveiled a cheque for $21,149.49.
Just prior to the Watrous Kin being on stage, Joan Wallman of Nokomis unveiled a cheque on behalf of that community for $15,900. The money was brought in through a number of fundraisers including an online auction.
The Jansen & District Kin also attended TeleMiracle 49 and were on stage Saturday evening around 11:30 p.m. where they presented their total for $46,295. Like Watrous and Nokomis, the group held a number of different fundraisers to raise money and also canvassed in Lanigan, Jansen and Drake.
“We are so fortunate to have such generous donors in this province,” stated Troupe-Logue. “Their support will allow the Kinsmen Foundation to provide Saskatchewan residents assistance when they need it most.”
All of the TeleMiracle proceeds generated from the telethon stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, assistance with medical travel, and new and innovative health care equipment. The Foundation typically receives over 1,000 applications for assistance annually.
Following TeleMiracle 49, with this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 has now reached over $170 million.
Mar. 3, 2025
Curler with local roots win provincials
Daniel Bushman/ photo credit: Savanna Taylor/CURLSASK
As 22 teams gathered for this year’s Saskatchewan Mixed Doubles Provincials in Martensville, a familiar face to Watrous found herself with an opportunity to bring home a title.
Joined by husband Matthew and coached by mother-in-law Susan, Jessica (Hanson) Lang not only advanced to the playoffs but helped secure a provincial championship.
“Winning the 2025 Saskatchewan Mixed Doubles was an extraordinary experience and a true privilege,” shared Lang, who has spent many hours at the Watrous Curling Club over the years. “It’s rare to have the opportunity to compete alongside family members. My first experience was with my mom and sister during high school curling, and the second was with my husband and mother-in-law at the mixed doubles. Curling has always been a shared passion for my husband and me; we even met at a curling rink in Saskatoon. To have everything come full circle and win a provincial title together was an incredibly special moment.”
Looking forward to competing at this year’s provincial event Feb. 13 to 16, the Langs set their sights on success. In a triple knockout format, the duo took the first game over the Fedak/Behm rink 11-2 before losing to Just/Cherpin 8-3. Moved to the B event, the Langs edged Team Deck 6-5 to improve to 2-1 before dropping their fourth match against Ingram/Tenetuik 8-2.
Following a 2-2 record and placed in the C event, Jessica and Matthew got on a roll. Winning their next three games, the rink was able to secure a berth in the playoffs. Meeting Kuzyk/Gamble in the quarterfinal, Team Lang won by a convincing 9-0 score after three ends. The pair then faced the Lamontagne duo in the semifinal and despite being down 5-4 after seven, they nabbed a pair in the eighth to win 6-5.
Punching their ticket to the championship and taking on Garret and Jill Springer for the right to represent Saskatchewan at nationals, Jessica and Matthew quickly went up 7-0 after two ends. The Springer duo replied with two in the third before giving up singles in the fourth and fifth. With the score 9-2, the Springer rink fought back and scored five in the sixth while the Langs were able to add a single in the seventh. In the eighth and down 10-7, the Springers secured two points to get to within one but it was not enough as the Lang rink went on to win 10-9 and were named the 2025 Saskatchewan Mixed Doubles champions.
Excited to be a provincial winner alongside her husband and mother-in-law, Jessica recalled the final draw and said it began flawlessly with a 9-2 lead at the fifth end break. “However, finals can be unpredictable, and mixed doubles is a high-scoring game.”
Despite the Springers making it close, Jessica and Matthew were able to overcome the adversity. “We fought hard for the remainder of the game and ultimately secured our victory. We are proud of our tenacity and ability to stay focused against such talented opponents.”
Capturing the provincial title, the Lang family will now represent Team Saskatchewan at the 2025 Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championship Mar. 16 to 21 in Summerside, P.E.I. While Jessica wanted to compete in P.E.I., with having two young boys at home, the curler elected to remain behind. While Jessica will be supporting the team from the couple’s acreage near Clavet, her husband Matthew and mother-in-law will be joined by Matthew’s sister, Christine Gamble. “She will be stepping in for me and is the defending Saskatchewan champion in mixed doubles. I will be cheering them on enthusiastically from Saskatchewan.”
Thrilled with how the mixed doubles event concluded, looking back, it has been quite the curling career for Jessica. Growing up in Watrous and learning the sport right from a young age, Jessica went on to compete in two high school women’s provincial events, winning one of them. After graduating from Winston High School, she took part in several other provincial events, winning the U20 Junior title in 2013.
A few years later, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and working at Cargill, after getting married to Matthew, the pair ventured into mixed doubles at a national event in Leduc, Alta. in 2018. Thoroughly enjoying the experience and participating in a number of other events, in more recent years, Jessica shared her participation in competitive curling lessened due to work and family commitments. However, when the opportunity to compete at this year’s provincial mixed doubles event in Martensville came about, Jessica and Matthew jumped at the chance.
“The event was exceptionally well-organized, the ice conditions were superb, and the building setup for the curlers was excellent. Although we lost two games early on, starting out 2-2 and moving to the C event, this turned out to be an advantage. We had the opportunity to play a total of 10 games, which allowed us to become thoroughly acquainted with the ice.”
Eventually going on to collect her third provincial title, Lang explained “each provincial title holds unique significance, making them difficult to rank. I have been fortunate enough to win three provincial titles, and each one has been special in its own way.”
Relishing the chance to step back on the ice and compete whenever she is able, that also meant a recent return to her roots in preparation for the mixed doubles. “I am very grateful to the Watrous Curling Club who graciously opened their doors for us to get some practice in before the provincial event. The ice was great, and it was wonderful to be back in my home club.”
Feb. 17, 2025
Communities hoping for help at local hospitals
Daniel Bushman
Without a full compliment of health care services, including temporary disruptions, reduced emergency department hours and vacant positions, a pair of local communities are hoping for some immediate and positive changes.
As Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) continues to navigate through the demand for health care services by using the Saskatchewan government’s Human Resources (HHR) Action Plan, places like Watrous and Lanigan are trying to remain optimistic.
In Watrous, the situation has meant temporary disruptions to emergency services due to lack of staff in the lab and there is also a possibility of its three physicians leaving. In Lanigan, emergency services have not been offered 24/7 since around 2019 and more recently, one of its physicians elected to leave. While the current situation for both communities is better than some other rural centres, it has created uncertainty.
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson found out about two weeks ago that SHA has been having several meetings with the community’s physicians regarding their potential departures. “Our physicians are getting burned out and have not been receiving additional help for quite some time. My understanding is our doctors want to be here but indicated they will be leaving if things do not change. We have been informed that there have been some good meetings with SHA and our physicians.”
As a result of those meetings, to alleviate some of the pressures faced by the three physicians, Gunderson indicated acute care beds are temporarily closed at the hospital. “They still have respite and palliative care beds but this is a temporary measure until recruitment can take place to increase the number of providers in Watrous. That means people will need to be sent to Humboldt, Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon or elsewhere if they require acute care services.”
Along with changes to acute care beds, temporary service disruptions continue with the hospital’s emergency services. SHA stated the disruptions have been due to a staffing shortage in the laboratory medicine and diagnostic imaging department. SHA indicated it is a temporary staffing issue but it has meant those services have been unavailable during evenings, overnight and weekends for a good part of 2025.
Gunderson said the whole situation is unfortunate and hopes more help will be found for the lab so that full-time ER services can be restored. As for the physicians, now that meetings with SHA have taken place, Gunderson said, “I am getting more of a positive vibe that this is temporary and we will be back to full services hopefully soon.”
As Watrous hopes its physicians will remain and additional staff will be brought in for the lab, the community is not alone. While funding was secured last year for a third physician and a full-time nurse practitioner in Lanigan, Mayor Tony Mycock said they remain with two doctors after one recently opted to leave. That has meant emergency services at the hospital in Lanigan continue to be offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mycock noted his community is in a little bit of a different situation than Watrous but the biggest issue has been doctor coverage. “We had secured three physicians but unfortunately one of our doctors recently chose to leave. While we did have a new physician arrive Feb. 3, the recruitment process has started again. Because we have funding for three physicians, in the short term, SHA has been provided approval to use the funding to bring on another nurse practitioner to help out. It doesn’t really help us in the ER but it helps us with patients at the clinic and residents in long-term care.”
Trying to add other services to help, in June 2024, SHA extended a virtual physician program to the emergency department in Lanigan, something a number of other rural communities have been a part of. The temporary measure helps maintain access to local emergency department services as SHA tries to stabilize health human resources. “We have had a lot of positive feedback on the virtual ER,” Mycock said. “In the event where we don’t have a doctor, being able to use the virtual ER means the ER doesn’t have to be shut down. I have heard from a few people who have used it and they have given very positive results. It is not as good as having a doctor right there but there are very well trained people on the other end who will provide the help they need.”
Reaching out to SHA about the current situations in both Watrous and Lanigan, the health authority stated it is “committed to providing high-quality and accessible health care services to the people of Saskatchewan.”
Acknowledging that Watrous and Lanigan emergency departments have been experiencing intermittent service disruptions due to staffing challenges, SHA went on to state every jurisdiction in Canada is seeing increased demand for health care services.
In an effort to try and rectify the situation, SHA stated: “The Government of Saskatchewan, SHA and Saskatchewan Health Recruitment Agency are taking action to address the needs of patients. Guiding this effort is the Government of Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources (HHR) Action Plan (saskatchewan.ca/HHR).”
SHA stated that action plan includes:
• continued domestic and international recruitment of healthcare workers (To date, 428 internationally educated health professionals have arrived in Saskatchewan. A total of 424 of these are now employed in communities across the province);
• adding 250 new permanent full-time positions in 51 rural and remote communities, which includes RN positions. This includes nursing, paramedics, technologists and other staff members in communities across Saskatchewan;
• the Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive is investing $8.7 million to continue to fill hard-to-recruit positions. The program has seen great success, with 405 positions filled so far through this program; and
• the Final Clinical Placement Bursary continues to see interest with 201 approved applications since Mar. 31, 2024.
Understanding that it can take time to recruit help and see services stabilized, both Gunderson and Mycock hope their communities and the staff at both facilities will get some assistance soon. “The last I had heard there were 60 physician positions open in the province,” shared Gunderson. “A lot of them being rural positions. That is a concern not just for us but for the whole province.”
While appreciating the work done by SHA a few years ago to recruit RNs to both Watrous and Lanigan, Gunderson said it seems when one issue is resolved another occurs. “Now we have situations with shortages in the lab and physicians. It seems like there is always some sort of thing that is affecting communities like ours to be able to provide full services.”
Mycock echoed those comments adding he is hopeful to see full services resume in his community. “It just feels like we take one step forward then another step back. We got funding for a third doctor, had a physician accept the position, then one of our other doctors left so we are back to two doctors. SHA is working hard to bring in locums and I know we are better off than a lot of other communities but this is frustrating when this has been going on since 2019 and we are still not back up and running 24/7.”
Asking for the public’s patience as they wait for more resources to arrive, Gunderson wanted to express his appreciation to those who are working tirelessly at the hospital. “I thank those staff who continue to work hard and do what they can to provide the services we need here in Watrous. We really appreciate what the existing staff are doing and the services the physicians provide. I am quite hopeful that with the changes being proposed that SHA is committed to doing what they can to keep doctors here.”
Also very appreciative of the staff and doctors in Lanigan, Mycock said he would like to see something change when it comes to recruiting and retaining physicians in rural communities. “We are allocated for three doctors but only have two. I have heard there are other doctors leaving rural areas so I would really like to see SHA look into why they are leaving. I know it might not always be things that are fixable but if there are things that can be done better to retain staff then I think that is what needs to be done. It is all over the province and for us, where do we fit on that priority list? It seems hard that we can’t keep doctors in rural Saskatchewan.”
Frustrated that their communities remain without a full compliment of resources and hoping changes will be made, especially as the area continues to grow with projects like BHP and the Aspen Power Station being constructed, the mayors remain in constant communication with each other.
“We have talked at length about the situation at both of our hospitals and we are doing our best to advocate on behalf of Watrous and Lanigan and surrounding communities to see things change,” said Mycock.
Gunderson added, “If you look at the region as a whole, it is very important that we are able to continue to offer complete health services to our communities.”
With the existing intermittent service disruptions due to staffing challenges at both centres, SHA stated for patients who require urgent and emergency care, they should continue to call 911 or present to the emergency department. Patients whose needs are more minor in nature can also call HealthLine 811 or access care through their family physician.
Feb. 10, 2025
Local official earns unique opportunity
With a passion for hockey and taking a keen interest in officiating, referee Hudson Edwards is not only being noticed for his work on the ice but will be attending a high level tournament because of it.
Refining his craft over the years through the local minor hockey system, Edwards recently took a big step in his career. One of 83 officials to sign up for the U15 Male Sask First Regional Camps in December, Edwards was evaluated by Hockey Sask and ranked in the top 17 at the South Regional Camp. That effort earned him a spot at the U18 Top 160 Tournament which will be held in April.
With classroom and skating sessions as well as fitness testing and working three to four games at the tournament, Edwards was thrilled to be one of the 24 chosen. “The U15 Male Sask First Regional Camps was a great experience for sure. I definitely learned a lot of valuable things that I can use in games around the area and it was pretty cool to be selected to the U18 Top 160 Tournament.”
Going into the regional camp in Lumsden Dec. 7 and 8 with the mindset of making sure he treated the games the same as he does in Watrous, Edwards said, “I just tried to stay calm and stuck to my gut. It was a very good feeling to hear that was the kind of officials they were looking for.”
Growing up on a farm near Nokomis and currently attending Winston High School in Watrous, Edwards first started officiating when he was around 10. Turning 19 later this year, Edwards said, “I started reffing because when I was a kid I found that when I was watching a team I didn’t know about, I would usually just watch the officials and I developed an interest and respect for the job they do.”
That passion for officiating continued to grow and while Hudson remained a goalie, when he wasn’t making saves, he would put on an official’s jersey and grab a whistle. “Ever since I really started wearing the stripes I did some research and looked at the kind of life a professional official would have. I can say it really appealed to me.”
Investing his time and dedication into the game, the work Edwards has put in has not gone unnoticed.
Hockey Saskatchewan Manager, Officiating Development Trent Cey said despite coming from a rural area with not a lot of AA or AAA hockey, Hudson arrived at the U15 Male Sask First Regional Camp with a strong foundation that would have come from local support and senior officials he worked with. “He is eager to learn and improve his officiating skills and looks to have a passion to continue to find the next level to challenge him as an official.”
Sharing the upcoming U18 Sask First Tournament has proven to be a great springboard for officials to advance to higher levels of hockey, Cey added, “They all come in competing for spots to be in the A final games and for new opportunities for the next season.”
Understanding the importance of the April tournament, Edwards is looking forward to it. “I hope to be lucky enough for my name to get out to lots of Hockey Sask assignors around the province, especially with my plans to head to Saskatoon in the fall to attend the University of Saskatchewan and continue to officiate there.”
Being able to ref prestigious tournaments like the U15 Male Sask First Regional Camp in Lumsden and a recent U15 Top 160 Tournament in Regina, Edwards shared there have been a few people who have been instrumental in his development. “Definitely Trent Cey with Hockey Sask. He was at both the regional camp and Top 160 Tournament and is very helpful and knows his stuff about officiating. If there’s one guy I want reffing a game I’m playing in, it’s him. Another person is Ray Baulmen. Ray is the assigner for all senior, U18 and AA hockey in our area. He has been able to see me officiate a few times and has allowed me to work higher level games with older guys, which will really help me advance.”
Feb. 3, 2025
Full slate in 2024 paves way for packed 2025
Daniel Bushman
With so much to discover, enjoy and take in, it was no wonder the local area was a hot spot in 2024. Optimistic for an even stronger year ahead, Watrous Manitou Marketing Group’s Community Enhancement Director Jeff Siegfried said residents and visitors have been able to take advantage of Watrous and Manitou Beach’s offerings.
“From a whole host of activities, entertainment and festivals to the annual Fun Run, the local heritage centre and a variety of businesses for people to shop at, Watrous and Manitou Beach were hot beds of activity in 2024.”
Hosting multiple literary festivals and writers groups along with a self-guided poetry post tour at Manitou Beach, Siegfried noted the arts community had a variety of other events occur in 2024. Some of those took place at the Gallery on 3rd in Watrous, the Little Manitou Art Gallery, ODA Coffee and Wine Bar and at various destinations along the Spirt of Manitou Studio Trail. “People were delighted to view works created by talented local artists and some even purchased art to take back home with them. Our arts community is vibrant and we are lucky to have such a wide variety of offerings.”
Music was also a big part of 2024 as Siegfried shared it is a piece of the fabric of Manitou Beach. “Weekly performances at a number of venues like ODA, Mike’s Beach Bar, Manitou Waters Mercredi’s Stage, Little Manitou Art Gallery and Danceland all took place. In addition, the Manitou Beach Busker Festival and The Salt Shaker complimented the many concert performances booked at Danceland or by the Watrous and Area Arts Council.”
A destination attracting thousands of visitors from around the globe annually, Manitou Beach also saw people enjoy Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, and a Canada Day parade and fireworks put on by the Resort Village Rec Board.
“Manitou and District Regional Park Campground was also busy with travellers, who along with other visitors and residents to the area, enjoyed the lake, Memory Trail, walking trails, the off-leash dog park, golf, mini-golf, disc golf, and horseshoes at the horseshoe pit.”
Another attraction Siegfried highlighted was the Salty Cinema Drive-In, providing people with an opportunity to view movies from the comfort of their vehicle. “We are so fortunate to have a community like Manitou Beach that not only attracts visitors to our local area each year but in doing so, helps support our economy.”
Like Manitou Beach, Siegfried placed a spotlight on a number of events and attractions that took place in Watrous. “The Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre continues to impress visitors with its well-curated permanent displays as well as seasonal pop-ups and special events to enhance everyone’s experience while in the area. Indigenous storyteller Lindon J. Linklater and artist Diane Janvier-Dugan were highlights for the local centre this past season.”
With multiple dining options in both Watrous and Manitou Beach, Siegfried noted other local businesses including the recently opened non-profit Thrift On Main have been attractions for people. “Supporting our local businesses has been key in keeping our economy going. For many of them, the summer season is vital and having thousands of visitors coming through helps keep them sustainable.”
Seeing Main Street in Watrous redone through the Main Street Revitalization Project, Siegfried was pleased to welcome hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people for the annual Fun Run event. “Late July in Watrous always signals auto enthusiasts to attend the Watrous Fun Run and attendees were not disappointed with an abundance of chrome cruisers.”
Along with the Fun Run, a number of other events took place within the community including a full slate of swimming lessons, a speed swimming meet, tournaments at the ball diamonds, hockey games, curling, judo, and the Watrous Music Festival amongst others. “There is a lot to do in our communities and having the support we do from our residents and visitors is what keeps us going. We are looking forward to a number of events in 2025 and hope that people will enjoy what our area has to offer.”
Jan. 27, 2025
WHS graduate helping Huskies find success
By Daniel Bushman
Ensuring skates are sharpened, sticks readily available and the dressing room tidy, a 2020 graduate of Winston High School in Watrous has been an integral part of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team’s success.
In his fourth year with the club and fifth year at the U of S, while not on the ice, Tanner Sperling’s involvement extends to the bench and beyond. Working to achieve a Kinesiology degree and with an interest in physiotherapy, Sperling first became a student trainer during the 2021-‘22 season.
As part of a practicum offered to Kinesiology students, Tanner shared, “This role allowed me to gain practical experience, focusing on injury management, and I earned academic credit for it. Over the next two years, I also learned the ins and outs of skate sharpening and helped wherever I could.”
Ensuring the team is ready to go before hitting the ice, after two years of learning the ropes as a student trainer, Sperling was given the opportunity to step into the equipment manager’s role. Taking on the task during the 2023-‘24 season, now in his second full season, he has not looked back.
With practices held Monday through Thursday and games Friday and Saturday, Tanner along with his own team of four student trainers are kept busy. “Skate sharpening is an ongoing task. I will sharpen skates as players request plus make sure everyone’s skates are sharp before each game.”
Handling laundry, towels and under gear, Sperling, who helped design the team’s new jerseys has a host of other duties he is responsible for. “Along with maintenance, sharpening skates and repairing equipment, I order new sticks and gear when needed, give out equipment when things break and ensure the team has what it needs.”
While for the most part Sperling said the job is fairly relaxed with a number of hours set aside for tidying the dressing room and setting it up during the week, come game time, that all changes. “The intensity can increase with sticks breaking and having to cut and replace broken ones. I also have to replace and sharpen skate blades if they become damaged.”
Assisting players during home games at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon, when it comes to away games, Sperling remains nearby. “As a team we travel on Thursdays ahead of games and we bus to Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Calgary. For games in Vancouver and Langley, we fly.”
Being on the road is nothing new for Tanner aside from occupying space in a different rink. As soon as the team arrives, he makes sure the players and coaching staff feel right at home. That means doing a lot of the same things he does in Saskatoon. It has been that type of effort which has not gone unnoticed on the ice. Heading into the latter part of January, the team was on a roll, sitting second in the Canada West East Conference with a 16-4 record.
Hoping to see the momentum continue as the calendar flips to February, Sperling, who is now in his final year of Kinesiology said the most rewarding part about being the equipment manager has been seeing the team succeed. “Being a part of the team and knowing I am helping out the team is fulfilling. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Huskies. Coming to the rink every day is a highlight, and the camaraderie inside the locker room makes me feel like part of the team. It has been an incredible experience year after year.”
Jan. 20, 2025
Looking ahead at 2025 following busy 2024
A number of infrastructure projects, work conducted on Main Street and the continuation of a lagoon twinning expansion were on the docket for 2024 in Watrous. With optimism about the future, more is slated for 2025.
Sitting down with Watrous Mayor John Gunderson and Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden, the pair shared how this past year went and what people can expect for 2025.
The following are some areas of interest from 2024:
• the lagoon twinning project started in the fall and is about 25 percent completed.
• work on the Main Street Revitalization Project occurred. Everything has been ordered to wrap up the project except for street blades. There was a 50 percent deposit for the bollards, which should arrive by May.
• the Town of Watrous has been meeting with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group about doing some rebranding including a new logo. Once that is completed, the new logo would be placed on the new street lights along Main Street.
• 2024 was the first full year of the curbside carts program. There will be no increase in rates for 2025.
• there were some clerical changes at the Town of Watrous office with a few new faces taking over.
• on the equipment side, the grader was upgraded, something done every six to eight years.
• public works did quite a bit of street work on side streets, both on 2nd Street East and 2nd Street West.
• under planning and development, council adopted a new Official Community Plan and zoning bylaw in early fall. There has been some discussion with engineers about servicing more residential property across from the Watrous District Health Complex.
• a project that has been in discussion over the past few years has been a backup generator for the Town of Watrous building. When there is a power outage, with a generator, the Town of Watrous facility would continue to function. If there were a severe storm or event, the generator would provide a large heated building and kitchen for residents if needed. Concrete work was done in 2024 in anticipation for the new generator.
• upgrades were done at the Watrous Sports Grounds as electronic scoreboards were installed at the ball diamonds. Funded locally through donations and contributions, Croshaw Field also received lights at the playing field.
• council is pleased that Thrift On Main opened on Main Street. The non-profit has attracted traffic to Main Street and council hopes that will also lead to more developments nearby.
• council was also pleased to see SARCAN relocate to a larger facility while expanding environmentally with the things they accept. Council encourages residents to utilize that facility which is now across from Watrous Centennial Arena.
As for what is on the docket for 2025:
• budget deliberations are currently underway.
• 2025 is an assessment revaluation year which occurs province wide every four years. Typically Town of Watrous tax prepayment estimates are issued in January but due to the assessment revaluation year, it has temporary delayed that.
• work will be done to complete the lagoon twinning project.
• water and sewer work may be conducted across from the Watrous District Health Complex.
• residential asphalt overlays may be proposed for local improvements along some streets and will feature super ultra thin overlays.
• through Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance, the group is initiating a project to create the development of a Regional Emergency Measures Plan. That work is currently in the early stages.
• the generator at the Town of Watrous building is slated to be installed and operational.
• a memory wall will be placed at the Watrous Cemetery. People can purchase a bronze plaque to place on the granite wall.
• foundation work for the memory wall will be conducted with work to add a third columbarium. Work was also done north of the cemetery to help build it up using available fill material. The hope is to get that area levelled and seeded this year.
• working together with Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance, through that organization, an application for financing has been sent to Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation related to multi-family housing. There is a shortage of rental units in Watrous and surrounding communities and with BHP and the Aspen Power Station coming online in the future, people could be moving to Watrous. Council would like to see additional housing made available.
• a few commercial lots have been purchased near Watrous Home Hardware while another is currently being leased through the Town of Watrous.
• council is optimistic about 2025 and looking forward to what is ahead.
Jan. 13, 2025
A gift in memory of Oscar
submitted by Josh Hourie/SaskSPCA
The following article was featured in a recent issue of The Humanitarian newsletter and has been reprinted with permission
Earl and Terri Amendt know the special bond that can be formed with an animal.
Among Earl’s earliest memories is that of the family pets – a cat and a dog – who were the best of friends. Earl enjoyed seeing two animals, often viewed as mortal enemies, get along so well. Terri’s affection for animals stems from visits to her aunt’s farm, where she was surrounded by animals, establishing her life-long empathy for them.
Shortly after Earl and Terri married in 1992, they visited a farm where a litter of Lhasa Apso Maltese puppies were looking for a new home. A small caramel-coloured pup caught Terri’s eye. Believing she had found her new companion, Terri noticed it was puppy feeding time. As the small dogs crowded around the food bowl, one little black and white pup was pushed out of the way, relegated to the edge, watching his siblings gobble up the food. At that moment, Terri knew the black and white pup, now called Oscar, was coming home with them.
Not expecting to have children, Oscar was the happy recipient of the Amendt’s love and affection. Five years later, Earl and Terri welcomed their first of three children. As the family expanded, Oscar was there, alongside Earl and Terri, watching the kids grow. The Amendts described Oscar as, “a very good dog with a lot of patience and a great temperament.”
“Just like any other pet, they become part of your family. It’s not even like a pet anymore,” explained Earl, with Terri quickly adding, “he was our baby.”
The Amendts shared their lives with Oscar for 16 great years. After Oscar passed, Earl and Terri continued to welcome animals into their home, caring for their pets and stray cats as well. Their children, now adults, also have pets of their own.
Earl and Terri are lifetime members of the SaskSPCA and have previously supported the Society, having donated resources to the SaskSPCA Pet Food Bank. More recently, Earl joined the SaskSPCA Capital Campaign Cabinet to help raise funds for the Emergency Animal Care Centre (EACC). Earl took a special interest in the EACC’s dedicated animal safekeeping wing. Earl and Terri both strongly believe in helping animals and people escape abuse and neglect.
Building on their lifelong love of animals, Earl and Terri have generously donated $100,000 to the SaskSPCA There to Care Capital Campaign to build Saskatchewan’s animal crisis centre. Recognizing their contribution, a canine safekeeping room inside the EACC will be named “Oscar’s Room,” a tribute to their faithful dog of 16 years.
When asked if they had any messages for those considering donating to the centre, Earl responded very simply: “Do it,” before Terri added, “ Help with whatever amount you can give. It’s a very good cause.”
To learn more about special recognition opportunities similar to Oscar’s Room, please contact Frances Wach at 306-382-7722.
Jan. 6, 2025
Shop Local campaign a success
Daniel Bushman
As thousands of collected Shop Local ballots were dumped into a playpen (draw drum) from two big bags at the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, three lucky winners came away with prizes during the 2024 holiday season.
Presented by The Watrous Manitou with a focus on supporting local businesses during the holiday season, residents and visitors to Watrous and Manitou Beach had the opportunity to win $1,500 cash, a $500 gift card from Saskatoon Co-op Watrous and a $500 gift card from Watrous Home Hardware.
Assisting Daniel Bushman of The Watrous Manitou at the Dec. 20 draw, Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre’s Marilyn Cannon stirred the Shop Local ballots collected from participating businesses before randomly selecting three from the draw drum. From those, this year’s $1,500 grand prize winner was Betty Carlson of Watrous, the Co-op gift card winner was Kathie Thompson of Watrous and the Home Hardware gift card winner was Barb Rackel of Young.
“Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Shop Local initiative,” shared Bushman. “It was great to see so many ballots filled out at participating businesses. Shopping local, especially during the holiday season is so important for our local economy and it was heartwarming to see.”
With 22 participating businesses taking part in this year’s campaign, shoppers had the opportunity to enter their names between Nov. 25 and Dec. 19 for a chance to win. Pulling Carlson’s name Friday afternoon, Dec. 20 at the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, the grand prize winner was volunteering at Thrift On Main in Watrous when her name was drawn. Tracking her down, an excited Carlson, who was also in disbelief, made her way over to the centre to accept her winnings. “That made my day,” Carlson shared. “I am very excited and just can’t believe it.”
Betty said she shopped at a number of participating businesses during the campaign including Watrous Pharmacy, Watrous Barbershop and Salon, Affinity Credit Union, and the Saskatoon Co-op Food Store.
Happy to present Carlson with the $1,500 grand prize which can be spent at any of the participating businesses, Bushman said, “It was great to see so many people like Betty, Kathie and Barb take advantage of this initiative and support our local businesses. That support is so important to our community and now each winner is able to spend their winnings in the community.”
In addition to the participating businesses and all those who shopped local, Bushman also appreciated the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre for opening its doors Dec. 20 to host the draw. “I am really grateful to the heritage centre for allowing us to have our draw there. With cookies, hot chocolate, coffee and tea for those who attended, the centre also decorated a room for us and made everyone feel welcome. I certainly appreciated their help with providing a community venue to host the community initiative.”
Dec. 23, 2024
Work progressing at Aspen Power Plant
Daniel Bushman
Construction at the site of the new 370-megawatt (MW) natural gas power station near Lanigan is well-underway. Once completed, the between $1.3 and $1.7 billion Aspen Power Station will provide enough power for about 370,000 homes in Saskatchewan.
With a ways to go yet, as of Oct. 31, SaskPower indicated the massive project was 27 percent completed. As part of the progress, all 1,350 piles had been installed and the site’s evaporation pond was nearly complete. Work also began on building foundations and underground utilities, which will continue during the winter months.
As part of SaskPower’s 2027 completion goal, in addition to the new natural gas power station, to connect the facility to the power grid, SaskPower is also building a new 230-kilovolt (kV) line. That approximate three kilometre line will then connect from the existing Wolverine Switching Station located directly west.
The work on the project comes following the initial launch phase in April. After selecting Burns & McDonnell to be the engineer, procure, construct (EPC) partner to design and build the power station, Allan Construction began clearing the site in the spring. In June, Solentanche Bachy Canada started piling activities for the 1,350 piles and that work continued into the summer as more than half of the piling activities were finished.
Leading up to fall, 2Nations Bird Construction LP prepared for the start of underground piping, electrical and foundations work. On average, SaskPower indicated just under 100 workers were on site daily with that number increasing to about 250 as the fall work commenced. Heading into winter, with building foundations and underground utilities the focus, everything remains on schedule to see Aspen Power Station fully constructed by 2027.
As part of that massive undertaking, SaskPower highlighted its diverse participation within the project, outlining minimum spending commitments of $364 million for local companies, $54.6 million for Indigenous-owned companies and $25 million for women-owned companies. “Together, SaskPower and Burns & McDonnell strive to provide opportunity to local, Indigenous and women-owned companies wherever possible. We hope to meet or exceed the levels of participation that we’ve achieved with previous power station builds.”
To date, $178 million of the $364 million minimum set by SaskPower has been committed to local companies (49 percent of target), $140.1 million has been committed for Indigenous-owned companies, surpassing the $54.6 million minimum (256 percent of target) and $21.1 million has been committed of the minimum $25 million commitment to women-owned companies (85 percent of target). “We’re excited by the response we’ve had from local, Indigenous and women-owned companies that want to help us build Aspen Power Station. Not only are we on track to surpass our targets, but we’ve already been able to more than double our commitment to Indigenous-owned businesses.”
One example of achieving those commitments is SaskPower’s contract with 2Nations Bird Construction LP to complete the foundations and underground utilities work. “This is the largest contract ever awarded to an Indigenous-owned company for a SaskPower natural gas power station project. 2Nations Bird Construction is a limited partnership that is 51 percent owned by Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation and Fishing Lake First Nation. They’re two of 10 First Nations directly impacted by the Aspen project. That makes this partnership especially meaningful.”
SaskPower stated a key part of its procurement strategy is building supplier diversity and inclusive business practices. “We recognize the important role we play in Saskatchewan’s economic development. We’re committed to supplier diversity and inclusive business practices as key parts of our corporate procurement strategy.”
But it is not only creating diverse participation that SaskPower is committed to but also the environment. “We’re always working hard to reduce our impact and protect the environment. Both the federal and provincial governments regulate the Aspen project. Each government has its own area of responsibility. We’ll follow all applicable federal and provincial assessments and approval processes.”
SaskPower shared environmental protection standards are in place to reduce impacts on features like: waterbodies, sensitive lands, wildlife and their habitats, and heritage resources. “We also work with the Ministry of Environment and other regulatory agencies to ensure we meet all environmental requirements.”
For every power project done, SaskPower said it follows best-practice standards. “This helps us protect the environment no matter which stage the project is in.”
With the natural gas power station being built to operate in either simple cycle or combined cycle mode in an effort to support the grid as more and more renewables are added, SaskPower spokesperson Joel Cherry said in a Sept. 9 article in The Watrous Manitou, “The reason we are continuing to invest in natural gas is because we are striving toward a net zero greenhouse gas emission grid by 2050. We are adding a lot of renewable power to help us get there. We are expecting to have 3,000 megawatts of additional wind and solar on the grid by 2035. The thing about wind and solar is if it is not windy or sunny you don’t have access to that power. We need to have reliable dispatchable power whenever we need it so if the winds are low we can fire up our gas facilities to help provide that power.”
While SaskPower is currently looking at things like increasing imports from its neighbours and assessing the potential for small modular nuclear reactors for the future, Cherry said for the time being, “combine cycle natural gas facility like Aspen is our best bet to make sure we have reliable power for our customers.”
On track to meet its completion date in 2027, once operational Cherry explained the economic significance of having Aspen Power Station within the local region. “. . . when the plant is up and running it is going to be similar to our Chinook Power Plant where there are 25 people there full time. Then also when you have a facility like that it also requires services to support it so nearby communities will also be important sources of services for the plant too.”
Dec. 16, 2024
Watrous family honours loved one through The Boutique
Daniel Bushman
Wanting to honour his late wife while helping to support those going through their own cancer journeys, Watrous resident Greg Stokke along with family and friends were on hand this fall at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre to unveil a special room for cancer patients called ‘The Boutique’.
Joined at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre with sons Spencer and Preston, Kim’s mom Gail Crawford, family friend Paula Kessler and the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, Greg shared it was an emotional event listening to how The Boutique will help serve hundreds of cancer patients every year.
“Volunteers and staff have told me The Boutique is a special place where patients can escape the stresses of cancer and retreat into a ‘spa-like’ room to be fitted for head wear,” shared Stokke. “Kim was a generous and loving person and I know she would have wanted to support others that are going through cancer treatments.”
Also known as Kim’s Boutique, the newly renovated room in the main hallway at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre will provide over 400 cancer patients with wigs, head wear and accessories free of charge each year from donations through the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan. Offering cancer patients an important service while allowing them to regain their confidence and dignity, The Boutique provides them with hope and strength in their journey.
“We are so very grateful for this generous gift from Greg and his sons, in honour of Kim,” said Jakki Crowe, Director at the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan. “The Boutique is a tranquil and beautiful space in the Saskatoon Cancer Centre that provides a service that is truly appreciated by the patients that use it and will be for many years.”
Passing away following a lengthy battle with cancer Jan. 21, 2023 at the age of 50, Kim was born in Watrous and became a nurse while also building a farm with her husband Greg. With a priority of spending time with her family, Kim enjoyed camping, boating, skiing and snowmobiling. An avid animal lover, Kim was also a proud and loving mother. “She was elegant and graceful every day of her life,” shared Greg. “Kim’s legacy was her boys, Preston and Spencer, and she did an amazing job raising them. She passed along her most important values: love, honesty, hard work and togetherness.”
First diagnosed with melanoma in 2014 after discovering a mole, Greg explained Kim battled incredibly hard including undergoing four operations, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and many tests and scans. “She never backed away once from treatment and science. On top of that, she had faith, hope, spirit and strength. She had peace and love, and she loved her life.”
Giving of herself while being unselfish and caring, “she never complained once in her nine year cancer journey. She always put others first.”
Believing Kim’s life was extended because of the care and treatment she received from the Saskatoon Cancer Centre, when Greg was approached by the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan about honouring his wife through The Boutique, he was humbled to give back to cancer patient care. “Kim didn’t let cancer run her life. Kim lived her life on her own terms. She made the most out of every day with a positive attitude. My hope is that Kim’s story will provide strength to those who are battling cancer.”
To read more about Kim’s journey or to donate to the Kim Stokke Memorial Fundraiser in support of Saskatchewan cancer patients, people can visit: http://www.cancerfoundationsask.ca/patient/kim-stokkes-story/
Dec. 9, 2024
WES teacher named Watrous coach of the year
Daniel Bushman
Coaching numerous sports and age levels while investing in youth for over two decades, Watrous Elementary School teacher Matt Tan was named as this year’s Watrous Coach of the Year.
Receiving a call from Watrous Recreation Director Chelsea Murfitt that he had been chosen as this year’s recipient, Tan said, “I was pretty stunned. It is definitely an honour and I feel very privileged that I was nominated and got it.”
Nominated by Winston High School Principal Terry Braman, in his letter, Braman detailed how Tan is always willing to provide extra time to students while encouraging a healthy lifestyle and involvement through sport. “Matt is as committed of a coach as anyone you can find. He puts in countless hours for the youth of our community and does it with such a strong positive mindset that the athletes are lucky to have him.”
Most recently coaching a WHS senior girls volleyball team and now taking on duties for the senior girls basketball crew at the high school, Tan enjoys every opportunity. “It is the interaction with the kids and seeing them learn, applying what they learn, having fun and achieving success. The overall bond and the atmosphere they create in the game itself is special. How they can take something you teach them and how they can apply that in the game and have success and fun as a team is rewarding for me.”
Attending Aden Bowman in Saskatoon before enrolling at the University of Saskatchewan, as an athlete Tan was scouted and selected to compete in soccer. Encouraged to enter education instead of dentistry so he could continue to grow as an athlete, Tan said the decision to teach instead of being a dentist ended up working out for his coaching career. “I never really thought about being a coach but when I took education and became a teacher, being in the classroom with the kids, coaching was just meant to be.”
Moving to Sandy Bay and Black Lake, Matt began his teaching and coaching tenure. It was there where he took on badminton and soccer at the Saskatchewan Summer Games. Following his time in northern Saskatchewan, Matt along with his wife Heidi made the decision to relocate to Watrous where they both taught in nearby Simpson. From there, Matt took on a maternity leave position at Winston High School and then a role in Govan before eventually joining Heidi at Watrous Elementary School.
“After one year of teaching, we really fell in love with the community, the people and kids and decided to stay. That was probably one of the best decisions we made,” shared Tan who is now in his 21st year as a teacher at WES. “We have raised our family in a smaller community where everybody knows who you are.”
Since his time in Watrous, the Gr. 7 teacher has taken on numerous coaching duties including in soccer, basketball, badminton, volleyball, track and field, and both tackle and flag football. Through those experiences, he has also coached various different age groups. “That has been a neat experience because I like the idea that in senior there is a competitiveness and how you have to overcome obstacles but then at the grass roots level, you learn the basic fundamentals and just have fun with the game. It is neat to see how things evolve from the grass roots level to the higher levels.”
As an athlete, teacher, coach and a referee, Tan has utilized all of those perspectives which has created a positive outlook on how he coaches. “I was a bit shorter than everybody as a young player so I had a belief that I had to try harder and work harder to have an edge. When I got older and became a coach and referee, I understood not every call is going to be correct. So I learned to be calm, continue to pursue and try my best. I also learned that winning is not always the only thing but rather having fun, working hard and having a goal to pursue can create success.”
The way in which Tan has approached each sport and each team he leads has not gone unnoticed. Braman said Tan not only has the ability to push his athletes to be their best but also looks for opportunities to provide playing experiences to all of his players. “Fair play, sportsmanship and skill development have always been a part of Matt’s coaching philosophy.”
Sharing some of his coaching highlights like helping the WHS senior tackle football team win a provincial title to his teams excelling in 3A senior basketball, Tan also noted how it was rewarding coaching teams with younger athletes who beat teams with older competitors. “Sometimes size doesn’t matter but if we work as a team we can overcome stronger and bigger teams. Even in flag football, we didn’t win all our games but we competed with the older teams and were able to get a winning touchdown one game or worked hard and came close to winning in other games. It was not about having to win but about how the kids played, how they finished and how excited they were.”
Sharing how Tan remains dedicated to his coaching roles and family, Braman, who is also a coach shared volunteer coaching can be a thankless job and sooner or later every coach may question why they are doing it. “However, Matt Tan will always be able to answer that question because he sees the growth in his athlete’s skill level but more importantly, their character. It is that growth and success that eclipses the challenges in youth coaching for Matt. He is an excellent role model to be leading our youth and I am very grateful to have him coaching in our community.”
Sincerely appreciating Braman for nominating him, his wife Heidi and daughters Olivia and Gracie for allowing him to take the time to coach and to the girls he is currently coaching, Matt said, “Coaching and working with kids at any level has been a great and positive experience. It has helped me grow and learn as a person and better relate to the kids. It has been an absolute joy to be able to coach a variety of sports in Watrous.”
Dec. 2, 2024
Snow wallops area
Daniel Bushman
After receiving hardly any snow during last year’s November, a pair of storms this November brought almost half a year’s worth of snow in less than a week.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips said the week of Nov. 17 will be remembered as one of the snowiest in local history. “You received around 45 cm of snow with the two bouts, the weekend snow and then the bout earlier in the week.”
With snowfall warnings issued for both storms, as people dug out following the Nov. 19 to 20 and Nov. 22 to 25 events, Phillips said, “Typically the normal snowfall for you for a 30 year average for November is about 12 cm and you got almost four times that amount. When you consider that the amount for the year is usually around 84 cm, it was almost as if you got 54 percent above your annual snowfall from September to May. It really shows you what a real surprise it was for the first snowfall of the year.”
With the first system arriving from Montana, that snowfall event also created hazardous road conditions. Between 8:30 a.m. Nov. 19 and 8:30 a.m. Nov. 20, Saskatchewan RCMP received a total of 120 reports of weather related motor vehicle collisions and incidents throughout the province. While not as substantial as the first storm, between 12 a.m. Nov. 22 and 12 a.m. Nov. 25, Saskatchewan RCMP received reports of 16 motor vehicle collisions officers believe to be related to poor driving conditions.
As people continued to clean up after the pair of storms and roads were cleared, arctic weather was ushered in from Siberia. With temperatures plummeting to values resembling ones in January, during the final week of November Phillips shared it was almost 20˚C below the normal afternoon value of -4˚C.
“This cold that followed, it is not surprising. Often you get that wicked first snow storm and then what it does is it brings in the cold air from the north. This is a classic kind of arctic high and it is something you often see after a snow event.”
Despite the cooler values, Phillips indicated the overall month of November had actually been warmer than normal. “Up to Nov. 25, the average temperature was -2.4˚C while the normal was -5.7˚C. All of the cold air that arrived later will probably end up making it an average November but you went from late summer type weather in the early part of November to temperatures that are more like polar vortex kind of dead of winter.”
Experiencing a high of 14.5˚C Nov. 8 to -26˚C during the latter part of the month with an added wind chill, Phillips said, “It really shows what a dramatic turnaround you can get. The fall has actually been warmer than normal and drier than normal but you would never know that during the last week of November with the snow and cold air.”
Following the arctic blast and with winter not officially beginning until Dec. 21, Phillips said while it was a frigid end to November, values should improve. “We see the month of December as being warmer than normal and it is showing for most of the province, slightly warmer than normal. It will almost be like fall comes back and what you just got was a bit of a teaser as to what January or February might look like.”
Nov. 25, 2024
Armstrong receives Outstanding Service Award
Daniel Bushman
A fixture within the softball community and synonymous with ball in Watrous, for her years of dedication, passion and volunteering, local resident Alana Armstrong was honoured with Softball Saskatchewan’s 2024 Outstanding Service Award.
Presented Oct. 26 during Softball Saskatchewan’s Awards Luncheon and Hall of Fame Induction, Armstrong was recognized with the award for going above and beyond within the sport. A very worthy and surprised recipient, Alana said, “I don’t think any volunteers are looking for recognition; however, it is certainly an honour to be given a service award from Softball Saskatchewan. It is so rewarding to be recognized alongside the many other passionate volunteers of this association.”
Involved within minor ball since moving to Watrous in 1997, Armstrong has had a tremendous impact not only on the field as a coach but off of it as a volunteer.
Able to field competitive teams while developing players through years of coaching, Alana led them to numerous provincial championships, advancing to both Western Canadian and Canadian championships. Coaching both of her daughters over the years, she also coached in one of the first U12 District Showcases for District 5 in 2017. Before that, she coached a U14 crew at the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games in Estevan and most recently, launched the U19 A Prairie Renegades, which won gold at provincials in its very first year.
Softball Saskatchewan Executive Director Guy Jacobson stated perhaps one of the most defining moments of Alana’s coaching career was at the Canada Cup in 2023 with the Prairie Renegades. Playing against Ukraine, and through a display of sportsmanship and compassion, Armstrong’s team organized a fundraiser prior to the tournament and were able to present $1,400 to Ukraine after their game.
“This experience exemplifies Alana’s belief that some things are bigger than the game of softball,” said Jacobson. “She has always understood that the lessons learned in sports extend far beyond the field.”
While her tremendous work as a coach on the field is certainly evident, that can also be said for off of it as well. Along with coaching, Armstrong served in a number of roles with the Watrous Minor Ball Association including as president. Dedicating countless hours over the years, when she first got involved, Armstrong learned from the strong leadership of the late Gary Manson, Ken Harding and Dan Polkinghorne. Crediting those three individuals as a big part of the initial development of the diamonds currently in place at the Watrous Sports Grounds, Armstrong took pride in striving to provide the best possible facilities at an affordable price for the youth of the community. “I have enjoyed watching and encouraging the rural teams of Watrous and area to compete locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.”
Small town proud, reflecting back over her tenure, Armstrong shared she has gotten far more from the sport than she has put in. “There are opportunities for both recreational and super competitive players even in our small town, and athletes can pursue whichever level they desire. Watching young children as they grow and improve is by far the most rewarding part of volunteering. Seeing their faces light up with the success of learning and improving is just the greatest thing. It has been rewarding after years of being involved and getting to witness how much sport teaches beyond the game in the friendships and generosity of teammates, opponents and the community. Sport brings people together.”
Now after nearly three decades of dedication to the sport, Alana has become more than just a role model and coach but a mentor for many. Passing along her knowledge to the next group to lead the way, Jacobson said, “Her commitment to her players and the sport is truly inspiring. Congratulations, Alana! Your passion, dedication, and heart for the game have made a lasting impact on everyone you’ve coached and every community you’ve served. Thank you for everything you do!”
In addition to Armstrong being recognized with an Outstanding Service Award, Softball Saskatchewan presented the following awards during its Awards Luncheon and Hall of Fame Induction: Coach of the Year – Ryan Ray of Saskatoon, Male Athlete of the Year – Tom Norris of Delisle, Female Athlete of the Year – Cadence Colborn of Saskatoon, Volunteer of the Year – Gavin Russell of Saskatoon, Umpire of the Year – Bonnie Miller of Moose Jaw, Marilyn O’Driscoll Junior Umpire of the Year – Prysm Gooding of Estevan, Outstanding Service Award – Vanessa Kosteroski of Saskatoon, Outstanding Service Award – Brian McPhee of Regina, President’s Award Association of the Year – Dundurn Minor Ball, Ed Mann Bursary – Camryn Fuessel of Pilot Butte, and Ed Mann Bursary – Rhyan Sigmeth of Lumsden.
Jacobson said, “Congratulations to all who received well-deserved recognition for their outstanding contributions!”
Nov. 18, 2024
People head to the polls
Daniel Bushman
With nice weather and the opportunity to cast a ballot, voters in a number of local area communities headed to the polls to choose who they felt should represent them on their respective council and as a school board trustee. While some positions were already set by acclamation, others required elections and those results are below as of press time:
In Watrous, six of the seven candidates who were running for council will now join mayor John Gunderson.
The candidates who were elected were all incumbents, as they represented the community on council the previous term.
The following is the official vote count from the election: Taylor Engele (215 votes), Juanita Allin (208 votes), Adam Prokopchuk (186 votes), Jean Margetts (185 votes), Jody Lewis (183 votes), Lane Manson (180 votes), and Volodymyr Vakula (130 votes).
There were 240 voters who cast a ballot.
In Allan, an election was held for mayor and six councillor positions. The following is the official vote count from the election: Mayor – Jordan Hafichuk (167 votes) and Bonnie Lewis (39 votes). Councillor – Holly Hanson (168 votes), Matthew Holtorf (151 votes), Nicole DeCorby (149 votes), Sheldon Prefontaine (143 votes), Karla Shirley (119 votes), Dean Posnikoff (104 votes), Corina Ukraintez (103 votes), and Rebecca McCleod (89 votes).
There were 209 voters who cast a ballot.
In Jansen, an election was held for three councillor positions with those winning joining mayor Albert Cardinal. The following is the official vote count: Gabriel Zerbin (26 votes), Elmer Kinzel (25 votes), Kathy Jones (24 votes), and Matthew Brooks (four votes).
In Imperial, six of the seven candidates who were running for council will join mayor Edward Abrey.
The following is the official vote count from the election: Ryan Kelly (67 votes), Susan Parish (67 votes), Leslie Sainsbury (64 votes), Debbie Van Damme (64 votes), Kathy Williams (63 votes), Randy Shaw (34 votes), and Clint Ramsden (29 votes).
There were 70 voters who cast a ballot.
In Lanigan, six of the seven candidates who were running for council will now join mayor Tony Mycock.
The following is the official vote count from the election: Jason Wolfe (359 votes), Shanon Bay (303 votes), Brandon Klassen (298 votes), Owen Bernauer (275 votes), Kyle Boyko (219 votes), James Stephan (213 votes), and Terri Knaus (209 votes). Of those elected, Wolfe, Klassen and Bernauer will be new faces to the team as they join incumbents Bay, Boyko and Stephan.
There were 385 voters who cast a ballot.
In Nokomis, Jason Henry was elected as councillor with 59 votes over Heidi Hasenbein who had 48. Henry joins mayor David Mark and councillors Lisa Biccum, Sandra Howden, Lois Mortenson, Josh Lashbrook, and Rhonda Stepaniuk.
Horizon School Division Board Trustee elections were also held for the local area. For Subdivision 3, incumbent Jennifer Lemky was re-elected. For Subdivision 4, incumbent Mark Fedak was re-elected.
Nov. 11, 2024
Banner project honours those who serve
Daniel Bushman
Remembering while honouring and reflecting on the past, Veteran banners displaying images of those who served have been erected along Main Street in Watrous as a way to pay tribute.
Bearing the images and names of Veterans who either grew up within the area or who have family residing in the area, during mid-October through mid-November, people have been able to view the banners along Main Street in Watrous.
Watrous Recreation Director Chelsea Murfitt who helped coordinate the project a few years ago said since its inception, the number of banners has grown each year. In 2022 a total of 22 banners were put up along Main Street. The following year, an additional 10 Veteran banners were added highlighting 64 Veterans (one Veteran per banner side). For 2024, six new banners containing 12 Veterans joined the total.
“I have loved working on this project,” shared Murfitt. “With Watrous being a town that no longer has a Legion, I think a project like this starts a conversation. With the banners being on display, it helps to get people talking about the past, and reminds people to be so thankful for the people that fought for our freedom.”
Humbled to be a part of the Veteran banner project in Watrous, Murfitt said seeing families bringing in their pictures and sharing stories about their loved ones has been really special. “They are so proud to share their stories, and to see the banners hung up for all to see.”
First initiated when she started as Watrous Recreation Director in September 2021, Murfitt contacted a person out of Wadena who did a similar project. “They have a Legion so they were able to utilize that avenue for getting information but we formed a Veterans Banner Committee consisting of John Gunderson, Fawne Inkster, Dion Tarasoff, Fraser Mark, Anne Wood, Marilyn Cannon, Kathy Bergen and Bob Penrose. After bouncing some ideas off each other, we threw a sign up sheet out to gage any interest. Once people found out what we were doing, we had hundreds of calls and people signed up.”
With more calls coming in this year, the Watrous Recreation Director said, “If people are interested in having a banner up, the intake starts for them Jan. 6 and closes Feb. 14. You can pick up a form from the office anytime so that you can have everything ready for the intake days. We also ask people have their picture scanned in high resolution. The Watrous Manitou has been kind enough to scan these for people for us. Once all the information is filled out and you have your pictures scanned, you can come to the town office and pay the fee of $100 and the banners will be made for the following year!”
As for who is able to be placed on a banner, Murfitt said there are a number of recognizable local names and faces but also some images of family and friends of those who moved to the community as well. “When we started out with the project we talked about whether or not we would just include local Veterans or if people that live in Watrous would like to see their family or friends displayed. We decided we would take them all. We wanted to honour them all and without a Legion, we felt it was a really great tribute. It acts as a reminder and a thank you to those who fought for us and our freedom. I feel it is a big deal.”
Along with the banner project, the local committee has also been working on compiling a book of stories featuring local Veterans. “We have slowly been collecting stories of people’s loved ones to someday put together some sort of book. We haven’t received a ton yet, but we have a lot of people working with their families collecting information about their family members that they want added to the book. Anyone who wants more information about that can call me at the office!”
When asked why she feels it is important to take time to pause, remember and reflect through projects like the banners and book, Murfitt said, “Something like this that can help educate a younger generation on what has happened in the past, and what Veterans went through in order for us to live the lives we live today is extremely important. It is so important to have a sense of gratitude, empathy and respect for those who have served in the past, and those who continue to serve.”
Nov. 4, 2024
Saskatchewan Party earns fifth term following election
Daniel Bushman
It was a rather historic night as residents of Saskatchewan cast their ballots during the 2024 General Election. With a first preliminary count done Oct. 28, a second Oct. 30 and a final count Nov. 9, unofficial results put the Saskatchewan Party on track to receive a fifth straight term in government.
With 439,771 total votes reported as of Oct. 28, the Saskatchewan Party garnered 53 percent of the vote (232,760 votes) to lead in 35 constituencies while the Saskatchewan New Democrats had 39.5 percent of the vote (173,285 votes) and had the lead in 26 constituencies. The Sask. United Party received 4.1 percent of the votes (17,658 votes) followed by the Saskatchewan Green Party at 1.8 percent (7,726 votes), PC Saskatchewan at one percent (4,300 votes), the Buffalo Party at 0.8 percent (3,201 votes), the Saskatchewan Progress Party at 0.2 percent (510 votes), and Independent at 0.1 percent (331 votes).
Those numbers changed following the Oct. 30 second preliminary count as the Saskatchewan New Democrats gained a seat while the Saskatchewan Party lost one. With the final ballot count set for Nov. 9, following the Oct. 30 results, the Saskatchewan Party had 52.5 percent of the vote while the Saskatchewan New Democrats had just over 40 percent. The Sask. United Party received 3.9 percent of the votes (17,899 votes) followed by the Saskatchewan Green Party at 1.8 percent (7,853 votes), PC Saskatchewan at one percent (4,348 votes), the Buffalo Party at 0.8 percent (3,237 votes), the Saskatchewan Progress Party at 0.2 percent (521 votes), and Independent at 0.1 percent (336 votes).
Not since the days of when Tommy Douglas was premier has there been a government elected for five straight terms in Saskatchewan. And while the Saskatchewan Party unofficially returns with a majority government, it did not come without some losses. With health care and education at the forefront, a message was sent by a number of voters as the Saskatchewan New Democrats gained just over double the seats it had during the previous election (as of Oct. 30). That message pushed the Saskatchewan Party’s total seat count from 48 down to 34. As part of that, the governing party watched as the urban vote flipped to nearly all Saskatchewan New Democrats while it retained support in the rural areas.
As for the local constituencies, each will be represented by a new face as previous MLAs elected not to run and new constituency lines were drawn. For the Humboldt-Watrous constituency, as of Oct. 30, Saskatchewan Party candidate Racquel Hilbert was unofficially elected, receiving 5,215 votes followed by the NDP’s Kevin Fallis who garnered 2,075. The PC Party’s Rose Buscholl accumulated 653 votes, the Sask. United Party’s Carrie Ann Hradecki earned 591 votes, the Saskatchewan Green Party’s Sharon Thibault had 126 votes and the Buffalo Party’s Megan Christianson had 93.
“I was thrilled, honoured and quite relieved once I started seeing the numbers coming in,” shared Hilbert as she kept a close eye on the results during election night.
Attending urban and rural community meetings, knocking on doors and connecting with people, Hilbert said she listened to concerns with a feeling that all levels of government need to communicate. “It does begin with someone showing up and when I started seeing the results coming in, I was really quite thrilled and relieved because I got an accurate impression of what our constituency needs.”
Looking forward to heading to Regina and joining other elected candidates at the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Hilbert appreciated the work done by her team to help get her there. “My team included family, friends, and neighbours and I would not have been able to do it without their help, support, sacrifice, dedication, phone calls and letters they sent out. I also want to thank the constituents for casting a ballot and I am really looking forward to keeping the message a positive message moving forward. We have some incredibly amazing things happening and we want to expand on that and work on the things that need tweaking.”
For the Dakota-Arm River constituency, as of Oct. 30, Saskatchewan Party candidate Baret Kropf received 4,960 votes followed by the NDP’s Jordan Wiens who had 2,077. The Sask. United Party’s Darren Ebenal had 1,061 followed by the PC Party’s Raymond L. Carrick with 442 and the Saskatchewan Green Party’s Joseph Reynolds who accumulated 92 votes.
Collecting signs following the election, Kropf spared a few minutes to share about his victory. “I am really excited to have earned the trust of the Dakota-Arm River constituents.”
First winning the Saskatchewan Party candidate nomination before spending the past seven months covering every corner of the riding, Kropf shared what blew him away was how many great people he met. “I am really excited to not only journey with those people I met but to continue meeting great people and help not only our constituency but our province to grow and flourish.”
Looking forward to representing Dakota-Arm River, Kropf is excited to go alongside all of the other 61 elected candidates, not just those of the Saskatchewan Party. “The message has been clear that we have been able to continue to grow a strong economy for a bright future but at the end of the day, as Premier Scott Moe stated we also know we have some work to do and that is only going to get done with 61 of us MLAs who are working together not tearing each other apart. That is something I am looking forward to, is to bring some renewal into that process and keep making Saskatchewan a great place to raise families.”
Really appreciating the volunteers and supporters during his campaign, Kropf said, “We can’t do it without that great team that is behind all 61 MLAs.”
For the Kelvington-Wadena constituency, as of Oct. 30, Saskatchewan Party candidate Chris Beaudry received 4,960 votes followed by the NDP’s Lorne Schroeder who had 1,708 votes. The Sask. United Party’s Clint Gottinger received 822 and the Saskatchewan Green Party’s Gillian Halyk garnered 124.
Watching as the results came in Monday evening, an excited Beaudry said he appreciated all of the help he had during the campaign and was pleased with how everything went. “It was a lot of fun getting out and going to all of the events and talking to folks at the door. It was a different experience, one I won’t forget.”
Unofficially elected as the representative for Kelvington-Wadena, Beaudry expected to win after what he was hearing from people at events and door knocking. “I was a little nervous for a bit watching the entire election but I am happy with how things turned out and with what the premier said. I think that everyone sees we do need some change now and I believe that the Sask. Party is ready to make that change.”
Looking forward to becoming the MLA for the constituency, when asked if he is ready to get to work, Beaudry said, “Absolutely. That is what I have been most looking forward to. I want to get down there, dive into things and let the voices of Kelvington-Wadena be heard.”
Oct. 28, 2024
Watrous to vote for councillors
Daniel Bushman
While there will be no vote for mayor during this year’s elections for the Town of Watrous, people will be headed to the polls to cast their ballots for who they would like to see represent them on town council.
Following the acclamation of John Gunderson, who returns for another term as mayor, an election for six council spots will take place. Advance polling will be held Nov. 7 at the Heritage Room (404 Main Street) with election day set for Nov. 13, also at the Heritage Room (404 Main Street).
This year Juanita Allin, Taylor Engele, Jody Lewis, Lane Manson, Jean Margetts, Adam Prokopchuk, and Volodymyr Vakula have elected to throw their hats into the ring.
With six available spots and seven candidates vying for a seat, The Watrous Manitou emailed each, seeking a bio and posing the question of why each would like to run for council. There was no restrictions on length and the following are the responses TWM received (in alphabetical order by last name):
Juanita Allin
I have lived in Watrous for the past 25 years and currently manage the Nutrien Ag Solutions Research Farm. I have three children aged 13 to 20 and can be found in the stands watching them participate in a variety of sports.
I have always been interested in how groups operate. I have spent years on the Watrous School of Dance executive board, managed a variety of ball and hockey teams, stocked food booths, organized tournaments, and most recently took on the role coordinating officiating crews for minor hockey.
The best way to understand how any organization runs is to be involved. Four years ago, I had the desire to become a Town of Watrous councillor. I was successful and have spent the last four years learning how municipal governments operate. I see an exciting future with our town. We are seeing people moving back to Watrous and making this town home with their families. I want to be a part of that future. I want to help Watrous grow and maintain the quality of life that draws people to small town living.
Taylor Engele
My name is Taylor Engele and I am excited to be putting my name forward for re-election as a councillor for the Town of Watrous. I was born and raised in Watrous and have always been proud to call it home. My wife and I look forward to raising our two boys in such a great community. I have learned a lot in my first term on council and I look forward to continuing the work we have done to strengthen the town.
Throughout the years I have been an active member of the community of Watrous and surrounding area. I was a member of the Gym Committee that helped fundraise and build the Watrous Gym and Fitness Centre. I am a past president and current member of the Watrous Kinsmen, and am a board member for the Manitou Beach Golf Club and Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre. I have also been actively involved in sport around Watrous, previously coaching with the Winston Wildcat football team and currently with Watrous Minor Hockey.
My professional experience consists of my current role as a Regional Sales Manager for Meridian Manufacturing, as well as previous positions as Retail Sales Co-ordinator with Federated Co-op and Agro Manager at the Co-op in Watrous. Given these roles and my experience as a councillor, I believe I have the skill set to continue as a valuable member of council.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my bio, and I look for your support on Nov. 13th. I would be proud to continue serving you on Watrous Town Council.
Jody Lewis
I have been a resident of Watrous since 1989, having raised three children in this community. I am currently sitting as a town councillor for the past 27 years.
I want to see the Town of Watrous continue to grow and prosper while also having the benefits of small town life, safe and friendly. I believe I bring a common sense approach to council, with fiscal responsibility. I appreciate your support.
Lane Manson
My name is Lane Manson and I am a lifetime resident of Watrous. I moved away when I was 16 to pursue a career in hockey and returned home at 25 to invest in the hospitality industry.
I have been involved with local Rec Board, Watrous Winterhawks, coached WHS basketball and currently coach within Watrous Minor Hockey and Watrous Minor Ball.
My position with TB’s, Manitou Beach Golf Course, and now Danceland has had me working with many groups raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for community initiatives, often for profit with in-kind services donated as well as time organizing and promoting events.
After moving away from Watrous, I never found a place that I would want to raise a family like I would in Watrous, so that is what I am currently doing. I am married with three young children.
I have ran and am again running for town council because I wanted to learn about municipal politics and how the process works. I have enjoyed being a part of council and sitting on the WMMG. I find myself working with many of the same people and groups with a better understanding how the Town of Watrous is involved with these events and groups. I enjoy working with the administration team and others on council to guide town decisions.
Thanks for your consideration.
Jean Margetts
My name is Jean Margetts. I have been a Watrous town councillor for 11 years. I have operated the REACT transfer station for the past six years and I am chairperson of our local Watrous library.
Some of the projects we as a council have accomplished over the years to benefit our residents include: Main Street revitalization; reverse osmosis water treatment plant; twinning a line from 13th Ave. E. to the lagoon; curbside garbage pick up; columbariums at the cemetery; memorial banners for our Veterans; new town wells #6 and #7 ready to come on stream; east side residential development; east side commercial development; and helping with amenities such as the swimming pool, skating rink, curling rink and public library.
I feel we have kept the Town of Watrous inviting for people with young families to move here to raise their families. We do have some future projects on the table at this time that if they are a go, they will benefit young and older people.
I love the Town of Watrous and only see progress in the future.
Adam Prokopchuk
Hello my name is Adam Prokopchuk, I am currently a councillor for the Town of Watrous. I work as a Primary Care Paramedic employed by SHA. Part of my duties in this role is to respond to 911 calls, provide services to the community through our community paramedicine program, as well as work in a team orientated atmosphere.
Some of my daily responsibilities would entail making sure the ambulance is in a ready to respond state while going into Manitou Lodge Long-Term Care, helping with monthly vitals and helping my supervisor with a variety of projects. I also have acquired my phlebotomy training, and am excited to be able to provide this service back to the community.
When I am not busy with hands-on duties, I typically find myself researching/learning to keep my practice current and proficient. My core values would include accountability, transparency, selflessness, and equity. My work ethic comes from my parents who raised me to be committed to your work, appreciative for the opportunities before me, and to treat everyone with kindness and dignity.
A recent accomplishment I am personally proud of is becoming an International Trauma Life Support Instructor. I have been pursing this endeavour over the last six years of my profession. With 14 years of service as a paramedic I still love my profession with the same enthusiasm as day one!
I am running for town council because I would like to have the opportunity to help shape the future of Watrous. To continue learning about local level government. To be an advocate for the residents of our home. Thank you for your consideration in this year’s elections.
Volodymyr Vakula
My name is Volodymyr Vakula and I am proud to call Watrous my home for the past 12 years.
When we first moved here from the Ukraine, we knew we found a great community to live in.
Now, as a 27-year-old, I am committed to giving back and helping our town to grow.
I have been an active member of the Watrous Fire Department for the last six years, working alongside many of you to protect and serve our community.
I have worked at Canada Malting elevator in town for almost eight years and today I continue to support local farmers in the management role at Watrous Coop Agro. Additionally, as a property owner, I have long-term stake in the success of our community.
If elected to council, I would like to bring some fresh ideas, energy and leadership to help us continue building a strong community. My focus is making Watrous an even better place to live, work and raise a family. Together we can enhance our town’s infrastructure, support local businesses, and ensure that every member of our community feels heard and valued.
Let’s shape the future of Watrous, together.
I would appreciate your support on Nov. 13th of 2024 at Watrous Civic Centre.
Oct. 21, 2024
Thrift On Main gives back to community
Daniel Bushman
With the Thanksgiving season arriving, there was a lot to be thankful for at Thrift On Main in Watrous. Not only has the non-profit organization observed tremendous support from the community since it opened in May, but in turn, the store at 211 Main Street was able to give back to the community.
Offering grant funding as part of Thrift On Main’s mid-year financial end, Eric Upshall who helped spearhead the store said they were very fortunate to provide $61,687.95 to the community. “It was an exciting time for us just to know our labour of love was going to be spread out into the community to very worthy causes.”
In addition to four partnering churches receiving money, non-profit organizations and businesses were eligible to apply for grant funding. With over a dozen requests, on Oct. 15, Thrift On Main presented cheques to 12 community groups. Those included: Watrous and District Food Bank, Colonsay Food Bank, Winston High School Breakfast For Learning Program, Watrous School of Dance, Watrous Judo Club, Young Swimming Pool, Nokomis Museum, Interlake Human Resources, Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre, Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, Watrous and Area Arts Council, and Central Saskatchewan Medical First Responders.
Thrilled to be able to provide the funds, Upshall said it was incredible to see just over $61,600 generated in only four and a half months. “We were very happy to give the community and churches this amount of money. I see ourselves as equal to other community organizations. We are just one non-for-profit volunteer organization and we are turning donated inventory into cash for very worthy causes in Watrous and the surrounding communities where not all, but many are also run by volunteers. For me, it is exciting, it is emotional and it is very humbling.”
With Thrift On Main’s mid-year financial end Sept. 30 and its financial year-end Mar. 31, as part of that, the non-profit organization allocates 10 percent of its generated revenue into a reserve account in case something happens like the furnace goes. A total of 20 percent goes back into paying for the building and the remaining 70 percent goes back to the community.
In order to be able to provide that type of funding, Upshall said it would not be possible without the assistance of donors and volunteers. “We have many faithful donors and volunteers and in fact, our two oldest volunteers are 91 years old and we have a couple close behind them. The efforts of our volunteers, who are mostly seniors, turn into results that speak for themselves. It is very important to keep that going.”
Encouraging others to volunteer, Upshall said for those considering lending a hand, it can be for as little or for as much time as they would like. “We want to accommodate our volunteers. If you can only help once a month, that is good or if you can help three times a week, that is good. It is whatever the volunteer’s schedule permits them to do. All of the volunteers who come in are pleased with the great atmosphere that surrounds them in the store and we are fortunate to have the help we do.”
With volunteers a valuable asset to Thrift On Main, Upshall noted the donors are also an integral part in seeing the non-profit succeed. “Donors are enriching our community by cleaning out their garages, basements, sheds and closets. You feel good about being able to contribute to the community through the thrift store but you also feel good because you finally got that stuff cleaned up. What could be better than bringing back to life products that were riches some time ago and doing it with a consciousness of our environment by keeping them out of the landfill? Donated items are priced at a level that really eases a financial burden for families and individuals on a tight budget. It is pretty rewarding watching all ages coming in and having fun finding necessary items and unexpected treasures. That always puts a smile on my face.”
Feeling Thrift On Main has added another cylinder to the economic engine that powers the community while doing it with a social conscience, Upshall concluded, “We are just another organization helping the community doing our thing, just like others are doing their thing.”
Oct. 14, 2024
Parties make promises during election campaign
Daniel Bushman
With the writ dropped Oct. 1 and candidates campaigning throughout Saskatchewan, a number of promises have been doled out ahead of the election.
According to Elections Sask. there are seven registered parties vying for votes: Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan, New Democratic Party, Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Green Party, Saskatchewan Party, Saskatchewan Progress Party and the Saskatchewan United Party. As election day moves closer, the following (in alphabetical order and as of Oct. 8) is a brief summary from various media releases or from each party’s website of what they are offering:
Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan:
• Oct. 2 – will establish a new ministry, the Ministry of Seniors and Veterans Affairs. The first priority of this ministry will be to re-establish the Saskatchewan Transportation Company. It also ensures Veterans and seniors are getting the best care available in the health system. “We will no longer accept the diagnosis that you are too old to not get the care you need and deserve. The other primary goal will be to ensure that the seniors and Veterans that need affordable housing and taken care of as a priority.”
• Oct. 7 – introduced an economic and job creation plan for the next session via press conference.
NDP of Saskatchewan:
• Aug. 29 – guarantees taxes will not be raised, applying to all forms of provincial taxation: no increases to income taxes, small business taxes, provincial sales tax, and corporate taxes.
• Aug. 30 – will get rid of Marshal Service and redirect funding to hire more local officers; invest in mental health, addictions and housing support to help those in crisis; task force to target organized crime and drug traffickers; and rebate program for security upgrades to protect families, small businesses and places of worship.
• Sept. 3 – invest $2 billion in education to reduce class sizes, hire teachers and education workers, support students with complex learning needs and more. Investment will also address class size and complexity, increase English as an additional language funding, and build schools faster.
• Sept. 4 – committed to building a high school for White City and Emerald Park with shovels in the ground by the end of 2025.
• Sept. 5 – announces healthy school food program which will provide operating funding to school divisions, schools, parent groups, or non-profits to deliver food to students in public, separate, or francophone schools in Saskatchewan. Initial provincial investment of $10 million, ramping up to $55.5 million annually by end of government term.
• Sept. 6 – will build a new elementary school to replace St. Michael in Moose Jaw.
• Sept. 9 – will suspend Gas Tax on day one of new government if elected.
• Sept. 10 – will introduce a Landlord and Tenant Rent Protection Act and make all vacant provincial housing units available for families within four years.
• Sept. 11 – will cut the PST on kids’ clothes.
• Sept. 12 – will remove PST off groceries.
• Sept. 16 – will launch a start-up loan program, giving new entrepreneurs access to a loan of up to $40,000.
• Sept. 17 – unveiled a Hire Saskatchewan jobs plan with successful bidders for public projects chosen based on value and benefit to local communities and families.
• Sept. 19 – released a Northern Strategy to help address challenges faced by people in Northern Saskatchewan.
• Sept. 20 – commits to apology for the damage caused to First Nations and Métis people at the Île-à-la-Crosse and Timber Bay residential schools.
• Sept. 23 – will hire more permanent doctors and nurses and phase out private travel workers. Investing $1.1 billion in frontline services and implement a strategy to keep doctors and nurses working in Saskatchewan.
• Sept. 24 – will open Saskatoon City Hospital emergency room 24/7.
• Sept. 27 – commits to increasing surgery capacity, reducing wait times for Saskatchewan people by performing more surgeries in the public system by staffing up surgical rooms and increasing hours of operation.
• Oct. 4 – released fiscal plan to invest in healthcare, education and balance budget in a single term.
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
• Sept. 26 – unveiling of the party’s Affordability Plan. The plan looks at home building, home buying, and general family affordability containing numerous grants, tax breaks, and programs. They include a commitment to building 5,000 new energy efficient homes in five years, an equity backed government program to help first time home buyers, and investing in a commercial greenhouse industry. The overall goal is to improve the lives and pocketbooks of families in the province by creating food security, affordable low cost living and enable people to achieve home ownership.
Saskatchewan Green Party
An extensive 62 page platform ‘Let’s move forward together’ can be found on the party’s website (www.saskgreen.ca). As part of the detailed platform, it includes:
• ending poverty – a commitment to eliminating poverty, strengthening the economy, ensuring a fair return for resources, and supplying critical financial support for citizens.
• strengthening local communities and economies, a focus on jobs and employment, food security, improving education, respecting Indigenous Peoples and diversity, and envisioning culture.
• healthcare reform – also emphasizes healthy communities, lifestyles and environment. Strategies to reduce pollution, address social determinants of health, and encourage wise lifestyle choices.
• climate action – recognizing human rights consideration in the exposure to environmental contaminants and supports theory of an environmental bill of rights.
Saskatchewan Party
• Oct. 1 – will reduce personal income tax by raising the personal income tax exemption, the spousal exemption, the child exemption and the seniors supplement by $500 each year for the next four years.
• Oct. 1 – increase the Low Income Tax Credit 20 percent over next four years.
• Oct. 2 – increase the Graduate Retention Program benefit by 20 percent. The maximum benefit for a four-year university graduate will increase from $20,000 to $24,000. Graduates of one to three-year programs will also receive a 20 percent increase to their maximum amount.
• Oct. 2 – introduce a $5,000 rebate to partially cover the cost of Class 1 Truck Driver Training, paid out over five years.
• Oct. 3 – double the Active Families Benefit to $300 per year per child, reimbursing for the cost of children taking part in sports, arts, cultural and recreational activities. The Active Families Benefit for a child with a disability will also double to $400.
• Oct. 4 – introducing a permanent Saskatchewan Home Renovation Tax Credit while increasing the Saskatchewan First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit. Homeowners can claim a provincial income tax credit of up to $4,000 in renovation expenses each year and seniors will be able to claim an additional $1,000. Increasing the Saskatchewan First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit from $10,000 to $15,000, increasing the benefit from $1,050 to $1,575.
• Oct. 4 – increase the benefit to the 140 Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) clients under age 65 who live in a personal care home. The benefit will increase by an average of $115 a month, or about $1,380 per year.
• Oct. 7 – will introduce cervix self-screening Saskatchewan women will be given the option to receive a self-sampling kit in the mail to screen for human Papillomavirus (HPV).
• Oct. 7 – assist with the cost of fertility treatment by providing a 50 percent refundable tax credit for the cost of a first fertility treatment. The credit would help cover the costs for fertility treatments and related prescription drug costs to a maximum of $20,000, which would mean a $10,000 benefit.
• Oct. 8 – increasing the Disability Tax Credit, the Caregiver Tax Credit and the income exemption limit under the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program. The Disability Tax Credit for adults, the Disability Tax Credit Supplement for persons under 18 and the Caregiver Tax Credit for families who care for adult children or a parent with a disability would increase by 25 percent. SAID clients who work have a portion of their employment income exempted from reducing their SAID benefit. The Saskatchewan Party will increase the amount an individual, couple or family can earn without reducing their SAID benefit by $1,000.
• Oct. 9 – will extend coverage for glucose monitoring and supplies to seniors and young adults living with diabetes. About 9,000 seniors age 65 and over and 700 young adults ages 18 to 25 will benefit from the extension of coverage, in addition to the 600 children and youth who are currently covered. Both flash and continuous glucose monitors will be covered.
Saskatchewan Progress Party
Formerly the Saskatchewan Liberal Party, the last release found for the SPP was dated July 18, 2023. With one candidate listed as of Oct. 8 (Kate Tremblay for Regina Northeast), a list of policies for SPP can be found on its website: http://www.saskprogress.com.
Saskatchewan United Party
• Oct. 3 – unveiled Blueprint for Change. It included:
• eliminating the provincial gas tax, cutting the provincial sales tax in half to three percent, and providing a 65 percent discount on property taxes for seniors living in their primary residences.
• proposing a full royalty framework review on potash, to ensure the Saskatchewan people are receiving fair and equitable value for the world class resources they own.
• committed to providing the best possible healthcare system for the people of Saskatchewan by introducing the Saskatchewan Integrated Healthcare System (SIHS). Non-government private clinics would have the ability to build facilities and provide services to meet the demands of local communities while remaining publicly funded through government contracts.
• address the urgent need for more healthcare professionals in Saskatchewan, more medical school seats and residency spots will be opened in the province.
• will implement a targeted recruitment strategy that focuses on attracting nurses, doctors, lab technicians, and other medical professionals from all universities and colleges in Canada.
• will offer a program similar to the Royal Military College (RMC) Officer Program, where students and new healthcare professionals will have their education paid for in exchange for a commitment to serve in Saskatchewan for a specified period of time.
• would remove ideology in the education curriculum. Will implement standardized testing to address the current low rankings of children in reading, writing, science, and mathematics compared to the rest of Canada.
• needing less government and more efficiency, “one in, two out” is part of legislation that will be introduced where with every new regulation two must be removed.
• committed to putting criminals behind bars and ensuring that proper consequences are enforced. It is not enough to catch and release offenders; we must ensure that justice is served and that those who break the law face the full weight of its penalties.
Oct. 7, 2024
Writ dropped for provincial election
Daniel Bushman
People in Saskatchewan will be headed to the polls later this month after Premier Scott Moe requested Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty dissolve the Legislative Assembly Oct. 1 and issue a proclamation directing the issuance of the Writs of Election commencing Saskatchewan’s 30th General Election.
With election day set for Monday, Oct. 28, campaigning is underway within the newly created local area constituencies Humboldt-Watrous, Kelvington-Wadena and Dakota-Arm River.
The newly created boundaries for Humboldt-Watrous now include communities like Humboldt and Watrous while spanning west to Clavet, Bradwell and Allan and south to Simpson. As of Sept. 26, Elections Saskatchewan indicated the following potential candidates by party in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency: Megan Christianson of the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan, Sharon P. Thibault of the Saskatchewan Green Party, Racquel Hilbert of the Saskatchewan Party, and Carrie Ann Hradecki of the Saskatchewan United Party.
The newly created boundaries for Kelvington-Wadena include communities like Lanigan, Drake, Jansen, Nokomis and LeRoy to the west and then Wynyard, Foam Lake, Wadena, Kelvington to the east and up to Bjorkdale and Porcupine Plain. As of Sept. 26, Elections Saskatchewan indicated the following potentials candidates by party in the Kelvington-Wadena constituency: Gillian Halyk of the Saskatchewan Green Party and Chris Beaudry of the Saskatchewan Party.
The newly created boundaries for Dakota-Arm River include communities like Imperial, Liberty, Penzance, Holdfast and Bethune in the east to Davidson, Hanley, Kenaston, Loreburn and Outlook in the west. As of Sept. 26, Elections Saskatchewan indicated the following potential candidates by party in the Dakota-Big Arm constituency: Barret Kropf of the Saskatchewan Party and Darren Ebenal of the Saskatchewan United Party.
Leading up to the writ being dropped, on Sept. 25 Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck formally launched her campaign with hopes of becoming the next premier, accepting her nomination in Regina-Lakeview.
“This is a province full of opportunity,” shared Beck. “While Scott Moe is focused on distraction and division, it is that opportunity — that hope for a better future — that I’m working for. A future with a strong and growing economy, where our communities are safe and welcoming and small businesses are thriving — where people can live a good life on the pay cheques they take home after a hard day’s work.
“The future we’re working for is one where people can afford to put food on the table, buy clothes for their kids and keep a roof over their head. It’s one where everyone has access to quality healthcare, no matter where they live in this province — and where healthcare workers are valued as partners, not as an afterthought.
“A province where every child has the chance at a bright future. A quality education where teachers and education workers are respected as the professionals they are. And we’re taking out billboards to thank them, not to vilify them.
“That, my friends, is what I see in our future. It’s time for change.”
Meanwhile, Premier Scott Moe kicked off the Saskatchewan Party’s campaign Oct. 1, announcing that a re-elected Saskatchewan Party government will reduce personal income tax and raise low income tax credit. Looking to remain premier, Moe noted the Saskatchewan Party plan will reduce income tax by raising the personal income tax exemption, the spousal exemption, the child exemption and the seniors supplement by $500 each year for the next four years.
“That will save a family of four $2,100 over four years,” Moe said. “It will also save a senior couple $2,100 over four years. When combined with our government’s indexation of personal tax rates, a family of four will save more than $3,400 and a senior couple will save more than $3,100 over the next four years.”
Moe said a re-elected Saskatchewan Party government would also increase the Saskatchewan Low Income Tax Credit 20 percent over the next four years.
With the 30th General Election officially underway and people encouraged to cast their ballots, Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan said, “Fundamental to a free and fair election is that every voter has convenient and easy access to casting their ballot. This election we are broadening access to the ballot for our 800,000 plus eligible voters. We are doing that by expanding the vote by mail option and formalizing Voting Week with 56 hours of voting spread over six days.
“The creation of Voting Week is a crucial step in acknowledging the need to place the voter at the centre of our system. This broadens a voter’s access to the secret ballot, introducing multiple days, multiple places, and multiple ways of voting that offer greater convenience for eligible voters.
“Voting by mail is one of those ways of voting. It is a safe and secure alternative to voting in-person. Over the past two elections we’ve seen interest in this option rise from 4,400 absentee ballots in 2016 to 61,000 plus applications in 2020. Vote-by-mail ballots are not automatically mailed to every voter, as is the case in some jurisdictions outside Canada. Eligible voters must first apply in advance for one and provide a copy of ID with their application,” said Dr. Boda.
Sept. 30, 2024
Knoblauch enjoying role as head coach
Daniel Bushman
As the puck gets set to drop on the National Hockey League’s 2024-’25 regular season, looking back, it has been quite the journey for Imperial’s Kris Knoblauch.
One year ago, the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers was preparing to lead the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack into another season. A few months later, he was on a plane to Canada with the task of turning around the struggling Oilers.
“It was definitely unexpected,” shared Knoblauch who departed the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate for the NHL. “The fact that I was able to go from the New York Rangers organization to Edmonton, I was very lucky they were very understanding and were able to grant me the opportunity.”
Playing hockey at the University of Alberta in Edmonton before his coaching career took off, returning to Alberta’s capital two decades later, Knoblauch felt like it would be a good fit. “I spent quite a bit of time in this city and now to have an opportunity to come back was really exciting.”
With an opportunity to coach at the highest level and after winning championships in the Western and Ontario hockey leagues as a head coach, helping guide Canada’s National Junior Team, and taking Hartford to the third round of the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs, Knoblauch was hoping to bring that success with him to Edmonton.
Hired Nov. 13, 2023, just over a month after the NHL’s 2023-’24 regular season began, with the Oilers sitting at 3-9-1, Knoblauch not only got the team rolling but entered the record books. Becoming the first-ever head coach in the NHL to have two seven-game winning streaks during his first 25 games, he also guided the team through a 16 consecutive game winning streak, one short of tying the NHL all-time record. With that success and his club firing on all cylinders, Edmonton went from near the bottom of the standings to close to the top in their division. Compiling a regular season record of 49-27-6, Knoblauch and the Oilers qualified for the post-season.
With a talented team on the ice aided by a coaching staff taking the group in the right direction, Knoblauch was pleased at how the club finished out the regular season. Entering the playoffs as the number two seed representing the Pacific Division, in round one the Oilers beat Los Angeles four games to one before edging Vancouver in seven. Winning a pair of rounds in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Knoblauch met Dallas in the Western Conference Final, beating the Stars four games to two. With a wave of momentum, Edmonton advanced to the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.
Despite going down three games to none, the Oilers fought back to force a deciding game seven; however, Florida would win the Cup in a close 2-1 contest. “We had some exciting rounds, with two rounds that went seven games, two elimination games against Vancouver and then four elimination games in Florida, winning three of them.”
While Knoblauch had hoped to make it four elimination wins in the Stanley Cup Final, looking back, he explained how memorable this past year was. “It was very exciting for my family, my parents, my sister, and extended family who were able to come to Edmonton and be a part of it. That was special for me. For the hockey part of it, the way we came back in the final series down 3-0 and being able to force game seven, that would have been one of the highlights. Another one would have been the Dallas series, winning game six in Edmonton where it was just so exciting. There were a couple of games where the atmosphere in the building was electric. Being part of that atmosphere and to be on the winning side of it, is definitely one of the highlights.”
Knoblauch also shared how a visit by family and friends during the regular season left a lasting impression. Hosting the Arizona Coyotes and fellow Imperial native Connor Ingram for a game in April, a group from the Saskatchewan community made the trek out west to take in the contest and connected with the head coach. “I got to see them in Rogers Place and spend some time talking to everybody. Some hugs, some laughs, some good times. That would have been another highlight of my season.”
Holding his hometown in high regard, that has been reciprocated by the community as well. Recently, a sign was put up outside of Imperial to honour the head coach. “It is very special to me. Imperial will always be home to me. It is a town I am very proud of to say that I grew up in. There are a lot of special people to me whether it is family, friends or teachers or anybody at the community rink or wherever. There is a lot of good people there and it is something I am very proud of to say that Imperial is my home.”
With Edmonton Oilers flags flying within the community and the arena filled with people for watch parties, Knoblauch appreciated the support during the team’s Stanley Cup run. “I knew there were times where people were getting together and watching games. It was probably weeks after the playoffs where I was looking at pictures from my family or online, I just saw how big it was and how many people were a part of it. I am glad people were supportive and enjoying the Edmonton Oilers’ success and the excitement that was going on. I am very happy the town was supporting the Edmonton Oilers and myself.”
It has been that type of support, and that of his wife and family which has allowed Knoblauch to carve out a successful coaching career.
“Very few get the opportunity to be a head coach in the NHL and there is a lot of people who are qualified and capable of doing it,” he shared. “I am just fortunate . . . whether it was my first job as an assistant coach with the Prince Albert Raiders or moving on to the Kootenay Ice or Erie Otters. Every stop I have had has been really good timing and been a really good position for me to be there at. While I have been there I have tried to make the most of it.”
And make the most of it he has. With junior hockey championships, medals and awards, NHL records and more recently, a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, Knoblauch is looking forward to what the future holds. “We are optimistic that we are going to have another good season. We have the majority of our team coming back and I am excited to be working with the players that I get to work with and also the management, ownership and everything. It is ideal.”
Sept. 23, 2024
Thrift On Main receiving tremendous support
Daniel Bushman
Following its grand opening in May, Thrift On Main in Watrous has not only experienced substantial support but because of that generosity, the community and surrounding area has come together in a big way.
“It has gone really well,” shared Eric Upshall who helped to spearhead the non-profit organization. “We have been astonished by the first four and a half months since we have been open and revenues have been very good because we have had such great volunteers, good donations and we have had lots of customers.”
It has been that community support experienced on a number of levels which has really allowed Thrift On Main to be successful since its inception. As part of that, Upshall shared a recent example of former Watrous resident Jim Coulter’s desire to create a stained glass piece to go above the main doors of the building. “He wanted to do that for us and we said, absolutely. He had a plan in mind for a rural scene and recently came out to install the piece. It looks great!”
Coulter, who lived in Watrous on two separate occasions for a combined 32 years took a tour of Thrift On Main during the spring. As part of that visit, Coulter noticed the window which had a very unique opening and closing system to it. Offering to add the stained glass piece, during the summer Coulter put the two panels together. Creating a rural scene with an elevator and road to the town, Coulter said, “I thought they were appropriate for Watrous as a town itself.”
Also doing a piece at Manitou Lodge for the chapel when it was first opened a number of years ago, Coulter who now resides in Saskatoon but gets back to Watrous a few times a year to reconnect said, “I just like to be able to have part of myself still there. Watrous will always have a very impactful part of my heart.”
Following the progress of Thrift On Main since it opened, Coulter thinks it is wonderful for the community to have, especially with a number of Watrous churches working together at the non-profit organization. “Thrifting is a part of people’s lives now and a good place to go is the thrift store in Watrous. I wish the thrift store all the success because I think the ecumenical part is very important.”
With the stained glass piece now in place, thrilled with Coulter’s desire to share his talents, Upshall said, “It is really indicative of the community initiative and community building that this thrift shop has been able to accomplish. People are very helpful and willing to donate not just materials and possessions they don’t use anymore but right from the volunteers – which we have a really great core – to people like Jim offering to do something.”
In addition to Coulter’s donated piece, Upshall explained others have also lent their support through other means. As part of that, heading into the winter season, the group at Thrift On Main are planning to do a bit of work at the back end of the store.
“We are very very fortunate that the Watrous Rotary has supplied us with money to put double steel doors in the back to help keep snow out during the winter. We are also going to be insulating the back room because it will be too cold to work back there in the winter. And siding was generously donated to put on the back of the building. All of that work will take place this fall before winter.”
On the financial side of operations, as was the plan right from the start, Upshall noted non-profit and/or community organizations from Watrous and surrounding communities can apply for grant funding.
“Every six months we will do a distribution of the net revenue of the store to the community with the first one taking place mid-October. We have applications at our store at 211 Main Street, on our website, and a link on our Facebook page. People from Watrous and surrounding communities can apply for whatever project they wish. The results of who will be receiving the grants will be released near the end of October.”
With a percentage of revenue allocated to the community once the bills are paid each month, Upshall said, “We didn’t know what to expect when we opened. We had been told by others who helped us get organized we would be surprised and we were. We will be releasing the financials fairly soon and I think people will be pleasantly surprised by the volume of dollars that will be put out in the community.”
The member of the non-profit organization stressed those funds would not be made possible without people donating and volunteers helping at the store. “I cannot say enough about the volunteers because that support is generating a lot of money that is going back into the community and surrounding communities. I always say everybody is looking for donations and what this store is able to do is take money that you have spent years ago on items and turn it into cash. That alleviates the need for taking cash out of your pocket to some degree to support local efforts and projects. That cash through donations gets put back into the community.”
Sept. 16, 2024
Seeking a successful harvest season
Daniel Bushman
With harvest operations underway throughout Saskatchewan, producers continue to make progress in fields locally. Hoping for a safe and prosperous season, Ashley Kaminski, Crops Extension Specialist, has been keeping an eye on the region.
In addition to helping with harvest on her family farm within the local area, Ashley graciously took some time out of her busy schedule to share if producers have been pleased with how harvest is going, what the growing season looked like and what the hope is heading into the fall and winter seasons.
How has harvest progress been going within the Watrous and Lanigan region?
Harvest progress has been going well in our area. I believe the Watrous/Lanigan area has completed quite a bit of harvesting compared to neighbouring regions. The weather has co-operated for the most part which has allowed producers to accomplish a lot. Combines were rolling by Watrous in very good time in August, allowing for pulses and barley to be taken off without much or any rain delays.
Are producers pleased for the most part with their yields?
If we’re comparing yields to the last few years, producers should be very pleased with what they are pulling off. It’s a little early to tell what the average yield for canola in the region is, but other crops including peas, lentils, barley, and wheat have all been average to above average in terms of yield. I have heard of some weight and plump issues for barley that’s been coming off, which might cause for some marketing challenges, but thankfully the yield is still there. Wheat quality in the area has been good so far from what I’ve seen and heard, mostly 1CWRS getting pulled off with good protein.
How has this year gone compared to recent years?
This year has gone better I would say compared to recent years where we’ve had more drought or haven’t received timely rains. We have received inquiries throughout the season about lodging in cereals and there seem to be several different causes for it. A couple suspected causes I’ve outlined below.
1. Root rot. This has been a higher year for root rot issues around the province that has caused a good deal of lodging in cereals. Most cereals were planted into good moisture and received adequate rain in the early part of the growing season. With that, there was less incentive for the plants to set deep roots since the moisture was available. The temperature was high later in the growing season around mid to late-July during heading. Root rot develops better in warm dry weather and can result in lodging. One way to check for root rot in your cereals is to pull the plant and look at the sub-crown internode, which is the tissue that connects the seed to the wheat plant. A root rot infected plant will have dark discoloration instead of being white and healthy.
2. Hessian fly. We’ve received reports of hessian fly speckled widespread in the province this year. However, prime locations have been around the Battlefords and the southeast to Regina. Damage from hessian fly will happen in a different location than wheat stem sawfly. Usually, damage occurs in the second or third node of the plant where they lay eggs that can be found by splitting the stem carefully with your fingernails or a knife. Eggs are found in the spring on seedling plants and more frequently winter wheat and perennial grasses. There are two generations per year. Growers should look for two mm pupae this time of year in spring wheat. Parasitoids can be strong regulators of fly populations.
3. Wheat stem sawfly. This has been a topic of conversation the last two years in the province. Wheat stem sawfly has been reported this year in the west central part of the province as well as in areas around Moose Jaw. Wheat stem sawfly will lay eggs midway up the wheat stem, and then the larvae travel down the stem and tunnel out near the soil surface leaving the plant susceptible to lodging. Solid stem and semi-solid wheat are tolerant of WSSF. The provincial survey indicated large numbers in the southwest in 2023. The survey will be starting soon for the 2024 season and will include more sites and more northerly sites.
How did the growing season go as a whole?
Every year there are things that come up as risk factors for crop quality and yield. Overall though, there doesn’t seem to be a highlighted “disaster” factor for the 2024 crop season and I view that to be a success.
With harvest still underway, is there anything you would like to share with producers?
Time in the combine is often when producers are thinking about the following growing season . . . what crop they’re going to plant, possible fertility plans, canola seed sales are happening right now. I’m adding to the “to-do list” when I say to keep soil sampling in mind for this fall too. I know it can be inconvenient for some, but it really is the best way to establish a proper fertility plan for the next year. There are many resources available online and in person to help interpret results or get advice on the subject.
After harvest wraps up, heading into fall and winter, what is the hope for next year’s seeding season?
For over the winter, I hope for an intense cold snap before snowfall to perhaps discourage successful grasshopper hatching in the spring. Otherwise, I am all for a snowy winter with timely spring showers, as I wish for every year.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
People don’t often think of fall as the ideal time for field scouting. However, it is good for scouting for a couple of diseases in canola. Once canola is harvested or swathed, and you can manage to walk through the field without feeling like you’re swimming in it, take some time to pull some canola stems and clip them at the soil surface to inspect for possible blackleg and verticillium stripe. You might wonder what good that might do you considering the crop has been combined already. But it is good to look at incidence and severity in your field, especially since now is the time canola seed sales are happening. Is it worth switching up varieties on your farm or adding in an extra year between canola crops? Getting diseases confirmed with a test is worth looking into if you want to confirm presence and severity.
Sept. 9, 2024
Work progressing at Aspen Power Station
Photo courtesy SaskPower
Daniel Bushman
As shovels hit the ground to signal construction on a new 370-megawatt (MW) natural gas power station near Lanigan, since April the site has been transformed into a hub of activity. Costing between $1.3 and $1.7 billion to build, once completed, Aspen Power Station will provide enough power for about 370,000 homes in Saskatchewan.
With plans to have the station finished by 2027, SaskPower Spokesperson Joel Cherry shared the piling work is about one-third complete, underground pipe installation is starting and some of the road work is nearly complete. As that work continues, sub-contracts for a variety of services like the foundation are being issued.
Selecting Burns & McDonnell to be the engineer, procure, construct (EPC) partner to design and build the power station, as part of that, currently just under 100 people are on-site. Cherry indicated that number is expected to reach around 250 later this year. “Things will definitely be picking up. It is still early in the project but things are definitely getting underway especially when it comes to ground work.”
In addition to the new natural gas power station, to connect the facility to the power grid, SaskPower is also building a new 230-kilovolt (kV) line. That will connect from the existing Wolverine Switching Station located directly west. The line will be about three kilometres.
Currently on track to meet the 2027 completion date, Cherry explained the significance of having Aspen Power Station operating within the local region. “Right now they have 100 people working on the project and throughout construction there is going to be more people working there. Longer term, when the plant is up and running, I don’t have the exact number, but I think it is going to be similar to our Chinook Power Plant where there is something like 25 people there full-time. Then also when you have a facility like that it also requires services to support it so nearby communities will also be important sources of services for the plant too.”
Having the plant close to bigger load sources is also a positive and was another reason why Aspen Power Station is going up near Lanigan. “Saskatoon is not far away and that is a big user of power in the province. It is good to put generating facilities close to those sources because when you transmit power over long distances, you do have some losses on the line.”
With the natural gas power station being built to operate in either simple cycle or combined cycle mode in an effort to support the grid as more and more renewables are added, Cherry said, “The reason we are continuing to invest in natural gas is because we are striving toward a net zero greenhouse gas emission grid by 2050. We are adding a lot of renewable power to help us get there. We are expecting to have 3,000 megawatts of additional wind and solar on the grid by 2035. The thing about wind and solar is if it is not windy or sunny you don’t have access to that power. We need to have reliable dispatchable power whenever we need it so if the winds are low we can fire up our gas facilities to help provide that power.”
While SaskPower is currently looking at things like increasing imports from its neighbours and assessing the potential for small modular nuclear reactors for the future, Cherry said for the time being, “combine cycle natural gas facilities like Aspen is our best bet to make sure we have reliable power for our customers.”
Sept. 2, 2024
Generosity pours in for Interlake
*photo submitted
Daniel Bushman
With a goal of bettering people’s lives through programs and initiatives while wanting to take care of the future needs of its residents and participants, Interlake Human Resources in Watrous recently launched a fundraiser.
Garnering the public’s support, since creating the campaign in an effort to buy a 10 passenger accessible van, the community has come together in a big way. Unable to receive funding through the provincial government toward purchasing new vehicles, Executive Director of Interlake Human Resources Corporation, Angela Silzer said the non-profit charitable organization is extremely grateful with the donations they have already received.
Needing to reach $125,000 for a 10 passenger ProMaster 2500 accessible van, following a $10,000 donation by the Watrous Kinettes to kick off the fundraiser, Silzer said others have stepped up. “Bryan Gegner and the Gegner family, and the late Edith Knezacek and the Knezacek family have so kindly made donations towards our accessible van fundraising. As our two longest attending participants, Edith and Bryan and families are very aware of how much positive impact this van will have on our programming.”
In addition to the Gegner and Knezacek families, Silzer said Watrous resident Dallas Morningstar recently made a generous $1,000 donation. “Through the Mosaic Employee Giving Program at Mosaic potash mine where Dallas is employed, his donation will be matched giving us a total of $2,000!”
Julie Morelli from the Watrous Pharmacy also stopped by Interlake and provided an incredible $5,000 to the non-profit organization’s efforts. “I am blown away by the generosity of our donors! We sincerely appreciate the support!”
With a handful of donations toward the project, Silzer shared further about the importance of the van. “Right now Interlake Human Resources offers some transportation to and from its day program but having an accessible vehicle would allow the same service to those using a wheelchair and who may not have the option to get to the activity centre on their own.”
With outings to places like Saskatoon, Regina and Humboldt and necessary medical appointments outside of Watrous, having the accessible van would allow Interlake to transport participants easily and without having to schedule appointments around availability of other accessible sources.
“Some of our participants also have employment as a goal,” shared Silzer. “The accessible vehicle would permit us to open up the world of inclusive employment to them. We could drop off and pick up at any possible business or employment location easily.
“This vehicle will be so valuable for our participants, enabling everyone, no matter their physical ability, to fully access every opportunity and experience all together as a part of our group.”
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