TWM Top Story - Sept. 20, 2021
Off-leash dog park opens at Manitou Beach
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity for dogs to have a large outdoor space to exercise off-leash and the chance to utilize some terrain at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, a local group joined forces to create the community’s first-ever off-leash dog park. After a lot of planning and hard work, the park officially launched in July.
Having pets and their owners using the space on a frequent basis since it first opened, on behalf of the Off-Leash Dog Park Committee, Kaylee Guist graciously took some time to share about the park and how things have been going so far.
When did the dog park first open?
The park officially opened July 5th. Resort Village of Manitou Beach staff and volunteers installed the fence posts in the fall, and the fencing and gates were installed in the spring.
How has it been going so far?
The dog park has been well received and has a good amount of daily use. Patrons appreciate the variety of terrain and the natural landscape. Overall, there seems to be a lot of enthusiasm from dog owners about having an off-leash designated space.
For those who do not know about the dog park, what is it all about?
That is a great question since some people may be unfamiliar with dog parks in general. Dog parks are naturalized spaces where dogs are permitted to be off-leash while under the supervision of their owner. Dog parks allow both owner and dog to enjoy exercise while socializing with others.
The perimeter of the fencing is approximately two thousand feet. There is a well-worn path along the inside of the fence where most patrons walk, as well as some paths being trodden among the trees and shrubs in the lower part of the park.
The park is open to community members and visitors alike!
Why did the committee decide to create the dog park and when did that idea first come about?
This project initially started with a well-received Facebook post asking if there was interest in an off-leash dog park. The online discussion led to the formation of the Off-Leash Committee, who then submitted a proposal to the council of Manitou Beach and received approval at council’s next meeting.
Was it a costly venture to undertake?
The largest component of the dog park is the fencing, and the material was not costly as it was donated to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach by BHP. Hiring someone to install the fencing would have been a substantial expense, so we are grateful that the village generously allocated their time, manpower, and equipment to get the fencing in place.
Committee members will likely explore options for fundraising to support ongoing maintenance and future development of the park.
Where is it located at Manitou Beach?
The park is located on village property east of the Community Hall and south of the lookout point on the walking trail. We chose this location because it has a mix of rugged and level ground. The higher ground by the main entrance is fairly even and is best suited for small or elderly dogs. The rugged terrain further down the valley provides a challenge for larger, more active dogs.
How unique and important do you feel it is to have a dog park like this at Manitou Beach?
Off-leash parks are very common in urban settings but are not often seen in rural or beach communities, so it does seem quite unique!
The off-leash dog park benefits the beach community in multiple ways, such as creating another space that allows community members to gather and socialize. The park also creates a safe space for owners and dogs to exercise outdoors, which may result in better compliance regarding leashing bylaws outside of the park.
Can the park be used anytime?
People and their dogs are welcome to use the park at any time.
Is there a cost to use it?
There is no fee to use the park, we just ask that you clean up after your pets, respect other park patrons, and follow the rules posted by the entrance.
For those using the park, what are some rules to follow?
Some of the most pertinent rules are: pick up after your dog; your dog must be under your control and in your sight at all times; dogs must wear a collar and have a valid licence; dogs showing aggression towards people or animals must be immediately removed from the park; no smoking or vaping; and young children must be attended by an adult and under constant supervision.
Dogs prohibited from the off-leash park include: dogs that have been declared dangerous by court order, female dogs that are in heat; puppies less than four months old; and dogs that are ill or not inoculated.
Who have been instrumental in getting this park off the ground?
There are too many to mention them all by name, especially because we had volunteers from the community help install the fencing.
The council of Manitou Beach and the village staff have played a large role because they generously allocated time and resources to get the park up and running. The council has also allocated revenue from their pet licences to the dog park.
The members of the Off-Leash Committee initiated the project and look forward to continuing to work on developing the park. The committee consists of Marie Schmidt, Jessica Richardson, Marcie Seymour, Kaylee Guist, Robb LaRochelle (council liaison), and Poppy Peterson (council liaison).
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
We sincerely appreciate everyone who has visited the park and provided feedback! If you are interested in donating to the park or helping out in any way, please reach out to a committee member or find us on Facebook @manitoubeachdogpark
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity for dogs to have a large outdoor space to exercise off-leash and the chance to utilize some terrain at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, a local group joined forces to create the community’s first-ever off-leash dog park. After a lot of planning and hard work, the park officially launched in July.
Having pets and their owners using the space on a frequent basis since it first opened, on behalf of the Off-Leash Dog Park Committee, Kaylee Guist graciously took some time to share about the park and how things have been going so far.
When did the dog park first open?
The park officially opened July 5th. Resort Village of Manitou Beach staff and volunteers installed the fence posts in the fall, and the fencing and gates were installed in the spring.
How has it been going so far?
The dog park has been well received and has a good amount of daily use. Patrons appreciate the variety of terrain and the natural landscape. Overall, there seems to be a lot of enthusiasm from dog owners about having an off-leash designated space.
For those who do not know about the dog park, what is it all about?
That is a great question since some people may be unfamiliar with dog parks in general. Dog parks are naturalized spaces where dogs are permitted to be off-leash while under the supervision of their owner. Dog parks allow both owner and dog to enjoy exercise while socializing with others.
The perimeter of the fencing is approximately two thousand feet. There is a well-worn path along the inside of the fence where most patrons walk, as well as some paths being trodden among the trees and shrubs in the lower part of the park.
The park is open to community members and visitors alike!
Why did the committee decide to create the dog park and when did that idea first come about?
This project initially started with a well-received Facebook post asking if there was interest in an off-leash dog park. The online discussion led to the formation of the Off-Leash Committee, who then submitted a proposal to the council of Manitou Beach and received approval at council’s next meeting.
Was it a costly venture to undertake?
The largest component of the dog park is the fencing, and the material was not costly as it was donated to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach by BHP. Hiring someone to install the fencing would have been a substantial expense, so we are grateful that the village generously allocated their time, manpower, and equipment to get the fencing in place.
Committee members will likely explore options for fundraising to support ongoing maintenance and future development of the park.
Where is it located at Manitou Beach?
The park is located on village property east of the Community Hall and south of the lookout point on the walking trail. We chose this location because it has a mix of rugged and level ground. The higher ground by the main entrance is fairly even and is best suited for small or elderly dogs. The rugged terrain further down the valley provides a challenge for larger, more active dogs.
How unique and important do you feel it is to have a dog park like this at Manitou Beach?
Off-leash parks are very common in urban settings but are not often seen in rural or beach communities, so it does seem quite unique!
The off-leash dog park benefits the beach community in multiple ways, such as creating another space that allows community members to gather and socialize. The park also creates a safe space for owners and dogs to exercise outdoors, which may result in better compliance regarding leashing bylaws outside of the park.
Can the park be used anytime?
People and their dogs are welcome to use the park at any time.
Is there a cost to use it?
There is no fee to use the park, we just ask that you clean up after your pets, respect other park patrons, and follow the rules posted by the entrance.
For those using the park, what are some rules to follow?
Some of the most pertinent rules are: pick up after your dog; your dog must be under your control and in your sight at all times; dogs must wear a collar and have a valid licence; dogs showing aggression towards people or animals must be immediately removed from the park; no smoking or vaping; and young children must be attended by an adult and under constant supervision.
Dogs prohibited from the off-leash park include: dogs that have been declared dangerous by court order, female dogs that are in heat; puppies less than four months old; and dogs that are ill or not inoculated.
Who have been instrumental in getting this park off the ground?
There are too many to mention them all by name, especially because we had volunteers from the community help install the fencing.
The council of Manitou Beach and the village staff have played a large role because they generously allocated time and resources to get the park up and running. The council has also allocated revenue from their pet licences to the dog park.
The members of the Off-Leash Committee initiated the project and look forward to continuing to work on developing the park. The committee consists of Marie Schmidt, Jessica Richardson, Marcie Seymour, Kaylee Guist, Robb LaRochelle (council liaison), and Poppy Peterson (council liaison).
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
We sincerely appreciate everyone who has visited the park and provided feedback! If you are interested in donating to the park or helping out in any way, please reach out to a committee member or find us on Facebook @manitoubeachdogpark
TWM Top Story - Sept. 13, 2021
Provincial pilot program involves local couple's invention
Daniel Bushman
After wanting to protect some of the highest-risk workers along highway construction sites in Saskatchewan, a made-in Watrous project is now part of a provincial pilot program.
The Guardian Angel, a remote controlled automatic flagging assistance device (AFAD) created by Kim and Donna Kreutzer of Watrous is now being tested in work zones in Saskatchewan. Initiated by the Ministry of Highways, the new pilot program will see three sets of two of Guardian Angel AFADs on Saskatchewan highways for the remainder of the 2021 construction season.
The truck-mounted devices which are remote controlled allow flaggers to be off the roadway while controlling traffic and minimizing the risk of getting injured by oncoming traffic.
“Flag persons often have close calls with motorists who do not slow down or pay adequate attention while travelling through work zones,” Highways Minister Fred Bradshaw said in Moose Jaw during the Sept. 7 announcement. “Being able to take workers off the road and away from traffic helps negate the very real danger that is present every minute of each shift.”
Speaking on behalf of the Kreutzer family, Sales and Marketing Manager for Guardian Angel, Edward Anderson said after being approached about using Guardian Angel for the provincial pilot program, the team at Guardian Angel Auto Flagger Manufacturing were very happy to see it moving forward.
With trailer-mounted or stand-alone AFAD models being used for larger construction sites, the provincial government noted the size and weight of those models can make them more difficult to move. By using the Guardian Angel system, the truck-mounted model is ideal for projects like patching or other maintenance where workers are moving frequently because the truck can simply be driven forward as needed.
“We were determined to create a high quality, easy-to-use device that would eliminate the danger of collision with roadside flaggers and emergency crews,” Anderson said. “Our goal is that all flaggers and emergency crews make it home to their families each night.”
Speaking with Kim after the announcement by the Ministry of Highways, Anderson said he was very happy and excited. “Just the idea of being able to keep flaggers safe is paramount. If we can save a life, that is the goal of this device. Both Kim and Donna are thrilled that the provincial government decided to go forward with this pilot program.”
While preventable, according to WorkSafe Saskatchewan each year in Canada motorists kill approximately 20 flaggers. It was after one of those tragic incidents in 2012 that Kim and Donna felt they needed to do something. With kids and grandkids of their own and wanting those with the responsibility of being a flagger to remain safe at their job, the pair came up with a way to try and prevent more of those deaths along highways in Canada.
“Kim has spent a ton of hours on research, design and tweaking the Guardian Angel so I think he is very thrilled with the fact we are moving forward and in the right direction. This is a Watrous-made and a Saskatchewan-made product and it is solving a problem. This is addressing a safety concern on roads and it is pretty unique that it came right from Saskatchewan.”
Through the pilot program, the Guardian Angel devices are being utilized in the north, central and south regions of the province by different crews. Those crews will then evaluate the number of near misses, miscommunications and feedback from flag persons in those work zones and provide results of that information as part of the program.
Stressing that the AFAD was not created to take jobs away from flaggers but rather to help protect them, Anderson said the flag person can now operate the flagger in a safe way from a seat inside a vehicle or in the work zone and off the driving lane.
Going off the back of a vehicle, the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger hooks up to a receiver and is plugged into a trailer outlet under the lift gate. A flagger arm, traffic lights along with a camera are mounted together as part of the device and the person operating the unit uses a wireless remote. By doing that, Anderson noted it allows the flag person to assess the safest location and adjust to changing situations. The flag person is also removed from any danger areas and the unit itself does not require a trailer to maintain.
“Safety is a priority and even just a few months ago there was an incident and if this device was in place it could have kept that person from being in danger. We don’t have a machine that will make people perfect drivers but what we want to do is make sure all of the workers get home at night safely.”
That also includes those operating tow trucks as Anderson said a few towing companies including one from Saskatoon are using the units. “In North America, on average every nine days a tow truck driver is killed so we have been actively communicating with them about what Guardian Angel does and promoting safety and supporting their industry. We have also had positive feedback from fire departments who can use this device as well.”
With a number of provincial representatives in attendance during the new pilot program’s announcement, Anderson was encouraged to hear that safety is paramount. The spokesperson for Guardian Angel Auto Flagger Manufacturing is also hoping that if everything goes well with the project, the hope is to one day have Guardian Angel used right across the country and North America. “We are starting at home here and we do have a couple of private contractors like paving companies running them as well. Ideally it would be great to see auto flaggers used all over the continent to keep people safe. The intention of this device is not to take away jobs but to rather keep the operators safe. We feel we have something that is easy to use, convenient, and safe.”
Daniel Bushman
After wanting to protect some of the highest-risk workers along highway construction sites in Saskatchewan, a made-in Watrous project is now part of a provincial pilot program.
The Guardian Angel, a remote controlled automatic flagging assistance device (AFAD) created by Kim and Donna Kreutzer of Watrous is now being tested in work zones in Saskatchewan. Initiated by the Ministry of Highways, the new pilot program will see three sets of two of Guardian Angel AFADs on Saskatchewan highways for the remainder of the 2021 construction season.
The truck-mounted devices which are remote controlled allow flaggers to be off the roadway while controlling traffic and minimizing the risk of getting injured by oncoming traffic.
“Flag persons often have close calls with motorists who do not slow down or pay adequate attention while travelling through work zones,” Highways Minister Fred Bradshaw said in Moose Jaw during the Sept. 7 announcement. “Being able to take workers off the road and away from traffic helps negate the very real danger that is present every minute of each shift.”
Speaking on behalf of the Kreutzer family, Sales and Marketing Manager for Guardian Angel, Edward Anderson said after being approached about using Guardian Angel for the provincial pilot program, the team at Guardian Angel Auto Flagger Manufacturing were very happy to see it moving forward.
With trailer-mounted or stand-alone AFAD models being used for larger construction sites, the provincial government noted the size and weight of those models can make them more difficult to move. By using the Guardian Angel system, the truck-mounted model is ideal for projects like patching or other maintenance where workers are moving frequently because the truck can simply be driven forward as needed.
“We were determined to create a high quality, easy-to-use device that would eliminate the danger of collision with roadside flaggers and emergency crews,” Anderson said. “Our goal is that all flaggers and emergency crews make it home to their families each night.”
Speaking with Kim after the announcement by the Ministry of Highways, Anderson said he was very happy and excited. “Just the idea of being able to keep flaggers safe is paramount. If we can save a life, that is the goal of this device. Both Kim and Donna are thrilled that the provincial government decided to go forward with this pilot program.”
While preventable, according to WorkSafe Saskatchewan each year in Canada motorists kill approximately 20 flaggers. It was after one of those tragic incidents in 2012 that Kim and Donna felt they needed to do something. With kids and grandkids of their own and wanting those with the responsibility of being a flagger to remain safe at their job, the pair came up with a way to try and prevent more of those deaths along highways in Canada.
“Kim has spent a ton of hours on research, design and tweaking the Guardian Angel so I think he is very thrilled with the fact we are moving forward and in the right direction. This is a Watrous-made and a Saskatchewan-made product and it is solving a problem. This is addressing a safety concern on roads and it is pretty unique that it came right from Saskatchewan.”
Through the pilot program, the Guardian Angel devices are being utilized in the north, central and south regions of the province by different crews. Those crews will then evaluate the number of near misses, miscommunications and feedback from flag persons in those work zones and provide results of that information as part of the program.
Stressing that the AFAD was not created to take jobs away from flaggers but rather to help protect them, Anderson said the flag person can now operate the flagger in a safe way from a seat inside a vehicle or in the work zone and off the driving lane.
Going off the back of a vehicle, the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger hooks up to a receiver and is plugged into a trailer outlet under the lift gate. A flagger arm, traffic lights along with a camera are mounted together as part of the device and the person operating the unit uses a wireless remote. By doing that, Anderson noted it allows the flag person to assess the safest location and adjust to changing situations. The flag person is also removed from any danger areas and the unit itself does not require a trailer to maintain.
“Safety is a priority and even just a few months ago there was an incident and if this device was in place it could have kept that person from being in danger. We don’t have a machine that will make people perfect drivers but what we want to do is make sure all of the workers get home at night safely.”
That also includes those operating tow trucks as Anderson said a few towing companies including one from Saskatoon are using the units. “In North America, on average every nine days a tow truck driver is killed so we have been actively communicating with them about what Guardian Angel does and promoting safety and supporting their industry. We have also had positive feedback from fire departments who can use this device as well.”
With a number of provincial representatives in attendance during the new pilot program’s announcement, Anderson was encouraged to hear that safety is paramount. The spokesperson for Guardian Angel Auto Flagger Manufacturing is also hoping that if everything goes well with the project, the hope is to one day have Guardian Angel used right across the country and North America. “We are starting at home here and we do have a couple of private contractors like paving companies running them as well. Ideally it would be great to see auto flaggers used all over the continent to keep people safe. The intention of this device is not to take away jobs but to rather keep the operators safe. We feel we have something that is easy to use, convenient, and safe.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 6, 2021
Harvest delayed due to rains but progress being made
Daniel Bushman
Despite recent rains at the end of August, some producers have been able to make progress with harvest across the province. After a very dry and hot summer, many farmers were able to get on the fields earlier than usual to begin harvest. While last week’s rainfall delayed operations, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report, harvest was well ahead of the five-year average for this time of year (36 percent complete as of Aug. 30 compared to the average of 22 percent).
Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist, Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture said even with the slowdown due to the rain, harvest should still finish earlier than normal. “A good chunk of the cereal grains and pulses are already done,” noted Brown as August came to an end. “I’ve seen straight cut and swathed canola being taken off as early as last week.”
However, in speaking with a number of producers this summer, Brown said it has been very dry in a lot of areas throughout Saskatchewan, hindering development in crops. “Very dry. I’ve talked with producers this summer that have farmed their land for over 40 years and this was the first year they’ve seen some of their sloughs completely dry.”
Because of how dry conditions have been, as crops are coming off fields, Brown indicated there has been grade concerns with some grains testing lighter than a #1. “During canola development extreme heat can inhibit an enzyme going into the seed that prevents sprouting and I’ve heard of some pods having seeds sprouted inside but very sporadic and not enough to hurt grade fortunately.”
As for the recent rains, while they halted those trying to get crops off fields and into bins, there is a bit of an exception. “For harvest it will be more of a hindrance except for clearing green out of canola. The enzyme used to clear chlorophyll out of the seed requires moisture so this can help lower any distinctly green in the sample. For any other crops the rain increases risk of sprouting especially if it is in swath. Moisture this late will benefit next year’s crops and livestock producer’s pastures, hayland, dugouts and sloughs.”
According to the weekly Crop Report for the period of Aug. 24 to 30, 36 percent of the crop was in the bin, up from 29 percent. An additional 30 percent of the crop was swathed or ready to straight-cut.
The southwest region continues to have the most progress in the province with 47 percent of the crop now combined. The southeast region has 42 percent combined, the west-central 36 percent, the east-central 25 percent, the northeast 34 percent and the northwest 21 percent.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted 99 percent of the winter wheat, 83 percent of the fall rye, 85 percent of the lentils, 84 percent of the field peas, 57 percent of the mustard, 40 percent of the durum, 11 percent of the chickpeas, 36 percent of the spring wheat and 11 percent of the canola has been combined. An additional 19 percent of the canola and 16 percent of the mustard is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Explaining there is still lots of moisture needed to allow the subsoil moisture a heavy recharge in most areas, Brown said if the rain can hold off until after harvest that would provide an ideal ending to a tough summer. That and a deep snowpack over winter with a slow melt in spring.
According to the weekly Crop Report, topsoil moisture conditions continue to improve in most areas due to cooler temperatures and recent rains. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 40 percent adequate, 34 percent short and 25 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 28 percent adequate, 43 percent short and 29 percent very short.
For those heading back to the fields after the rains and noticing moisture is testing high, Brown said producers can find a fact sheet online to help determine when to run aeration to dry the grain (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/crops-and-irrigation/crop-guides-and-publications/natural-air-grain-drying).
Meanwhile, on Aug. 30, Agriculture Minister David Marit announced details of the AgriRecovery program, now referred to as the 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative. Producers were able to submit applications toward the Initiative Sept. 1, 2021.
The Initiative will consist of two payments totaling up to $200/head for cattle, with adjustments based on animal unit equivalents for other livestock. The initial payment will provide producers with $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of Aug. 1, 2021. Secondary payments will be up to $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of Dec. 31, 2021.
“We are here to support livestock producers during this difficult time,” Marit said. “We have worked efficiently to solidify initiative details and understand producers need financial assistance to help offset costs associated with herd management decisions.”
Eligible livestock for the Initiative include Canadian-owned female beef and dairy cattle, bison, elk, sheep or goats that are bred or intended to be bred. The number of open replacement females that can be considered eligible livestock is 15 percent of the total number of bred females.
Earlier in August, Marit announced $119 million in direct support for drought-affected livestock producers under the AgriRecovery program. AgriRecovery is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership agreement, with funding shared on a 60-40 federal-provincial basis.
The 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative will provide financial relief to help offset the extraordinary costs livestock producers face related to the current drought, with a per head payment on female breeding livestock.
Further details on the Initiative and applications will be available on the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation’s website, www.scic.ca.
Daniel Bushman
Despite recent rains at the end of August, some producers have been able to make progress with harvest across the province. After a very dry and hot summer, many farmers were able to get on the fields earlier than usual to begin harvest. While last week’s rainfall delayed operations, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report, harvest was well ahead of the five-year average for this time of year (36 percent complete as of Aug. 30 compared to the average of 22 percent).
Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist, Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture said even with the slowdown due to the rain, harvest should still finish earlier than normal. “A good chunk of the cereal grains and pulses are already done,” noted Brown as August came to an end. “I’ve seen straight cut and swathed canola being taken off as early as last week.”
However, in speaking with a number of producers this summer, Brown said it has been very dry in a lot of areas throughout Saskatchewan, hindering development in crops. “Very dry. I’ve talked with producers this summer that have farmed their land for over 40 years and this was the first year they’ve seen some of their sloughs completely dry.”
Because of how dry conditions have been, as crops are coming off fields, Brown indicated there has been grade concerns with some grains testing lighter than a #1. “During canola development extreme heat can inhibit an enzyme going into the seed that prevents sprouting and I’ve heard of some pods having seeds sprouted inside but very sporadic and not enough to hurt grade fortunately.”
As for the recent rains, while they halted those trying to get crops off fields and into bins, there is a bit of an exception. “For harvest it will be more of a hindrance except for clearing green out of canola. The enzyme used to clear chlorophyll out of the seed requires moisture so this can help lower any distinctly green in the sample. For any other crops the rain increases risk of sprouting especially if it is in swath. Moisture this late will benefit next year’s crops and livestock producer’s pastures, hayland, dugouts and sloughs.”
According to the weekly Crop Report for the period of Aug. 24 to 30, 36 percent of the crop was in the bin, up from 29 percent. An additional 30 percent of the crop was swathed or ready to straight-cut.
The southwest region continues to have the most progress in the province with 47 percent of the crop now combined. The southeast region has 42 percent combined, the west-central 36 percent, the east-central 25 percent, the northeast 34 percent and the northwest 21 percent.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted 99 percent of the winter wheat, 83 percent of the fall rye, 85 percent of the lentils, 84 percent of the field peas, 57 percent of the mustard, 40 percent of the durum, 11 percent of the chickpeas, 36 percent of the spring wheat and 11 percent of the canola has been combined. An additional 19 percent of the canola and 16 percent of the mustard is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
Explaining there is still lots of moisture needed to allow the subsoil moisture a heavy recharge in most areas, Brown said if the rain can hold off until after harvest that would provide an ideal ending to a tough summer. That and a deep snowpack over winter with a slow melt in spring.
According to the weekly Crop Report, topsoil moisture conditions continue to improve in most areas due to cooler temperatures and recent rains. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 40 percent adequate, 34 percent short and 25 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 28 percent adequate, 43 percent short and 29 percent very short.
For those heading back to the fields after the rains and noticing moisture is testing high, Brown said producers can find a fact sheet online to help determine when to run aeration to dry the grain (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/crops-and-irrigation/crop-guides-and-publications/natural-air-grain-drying).
Meanwhile, on Aug. 30, Agriculture Minister David Marit announced details of the AgriRecovery program, now referred to as the 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative. Producers were able to submit applications toward the Initiative Sept. 1, 2021.
The Initiative will consist of two payments totaling up to $200/head for cattle, with adjustments based on animal unit equivalents for other livestock. The initial payment will provide producers with $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of Aug. 1, 2021. Secondary payments will be up to $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of Dec. 31, 2021.
“We are here to support livestock producers during this difficult time,” Marit said. “We have worked efficiently to solidify initiative details and understand producers need financial assistance to help offset costs associated with herd management decisions.”
Eligible livestock for the Initiative include Canadian-owned female beef and dairy cattle, bison, elk, sheep or goats that are bred or intended to be bred. The number of open replacement females that can be considered eligible livestock is 15 percent of the total number of bred females.
Earlier in August, Marit announced $119 million in direct support for drought-affected livestock producers under the AgriRecovery program. AgriRecovery is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership agreement, with funding shared on a 60-40 federal-provincial basis.
The 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative will provide financial relief to help offset the extraordinary costs livestock producers face related to the current drought, with a per head payment on female breeding livestock.
Further details on the Initiative and applications will be available on the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation’s website, www.scic.ca.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 30, 2021
Rain arrives in August along with extreme weather
Daniel Bushman
After a very hot and dry July, the heat wave subsided as late August approached and rain and active weather including hail and tornadoes arrived.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), severe thunderstorms moved through southern Saskatchewan during the evening Aug. 23 bringing with it hail, rain and tornadoes. The following day, another tornado was confirmed as more rain rolled through the province.
On Aug. 23, a tornado was confirmed at 5:50 p.m. by Environment and Climate Change Canada 24 kms southwest of Hodgeville, damaging buildings at a farm yard. Less than two hours later another tornado was confirmed, this time just east of Kindersley at 7:04 p.m. While no damage was reported, the estimated wind speed of that tornado was 90 to 130 km/h.
A third tornado was also confirmed coming a day later as it was observed east of Ituna at approximately 3 p.m. Environment and Climate Change Canada received reports and photos of the tornado Aug. 24; however, there are no reports of damage at this time. This tornado has been given a preliminary rating of EF0.
Along with the tornadoes Aug. 23, hail struck at a number of areas. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, there was pea-sized hail (0.9 cm) at Shackleton, dime-sized hail (1.8 cm) at Wilcox, and nickel-sized hail (2.1 cm) at Blumenhof/Neville, south of Mortlach, west of Kerrobert and (2.1 cm) at Pense. West of Kindersley, quarter-sized hail (2.4 cm) was reported while ping pong ball-sized hail (3.5 cm) occurred at Major. At Moose Jaw, golf ball-sized hail (4.5 cm) struck the area.
As for precipitation, the 24 hour rainfall amounts using the Environment and Climate Change Canada observation network included (in millimetres): North Battleford 30.3 to 31.5, Regina 23.5 to 31, Kindersley 26.0, and Indian Head 25.1.
Using volunteer and CoCorahs observation network, amounts included (in millimetres): Regina: 13.2 to 30.2 (south end), North Battleford 41.9, Rabbit Lake 32.8, Moose Jaw 25.4, and Saskatoon 15 to 26.
Locally, the Watrous area received around 9.4 mm on Aug. 22, 9 mm on Aug. 23 and 6.9 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 9.4 mm and 26.2 mm for the month of June.
At Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary), the area received around 7.4 mm on Aug. 22, 11.2 mm on Aug. 23 and 0.5 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 12.1 mm and 23.7 mm for the month of June.
For the Humboldt and Lanigan area, no precipitation was recorded Aug. 22 by ECCC, there was 8.3 mm on Aug. 23 and 3.7 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 1.4 mm (July 19 had missing data) and 25.8 mm for the month of June.
As for the fields, while rain slowed harvest operations, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for the period of Aug. 17 to 23, harvest progressed to 29 percent complete, up from 20 percent the previous week and well over the five-year average of 12 percent.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted an additional 21 percent of the crop is now swathed or ready to straight-cut, ahead of the five-year average of 16 percent.
A total of 93 percent of winter wheat, 78 percent of fall rye, 76 percent of lentils, 81 percent of field peas, 42 percent of barley, 31 percent of durum, 23 percent of oats, 25 percent of spring wheat and six percent of canola has been combined. An additional 30 percent of canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.
According to the weekly report, harvest progress is most advanced in the southern regions. Producers in the southwest region have 43 percent combined, the southeast region 30 percent, the west-central 27 percent, the east-central 22 percent, the northeast 25 percent and the northwest 15 percent.
The cool weather and large amounts of rainfall across much of the province helped with the hot and dry conditions, however the Ministry of Agriculture noted much more rain is needed to break out of the current drought. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 32 percent adequate, 37 percent short and 30 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 23 percent adequate, 34 percent short and 42 percent very short. Provincially, pasture conditions are rated as one percent good, 15 percent fair, 46 percent poor and 38 percent very poor.
The majority of crop damage was due to wind, heavy rainfall and hail. Even with the rainfall, crop and pasture land is under extreme stress from the drought. Around the Hodgeville area, the tornado that touched down resulted in considerable damage to one farm yard, damaging equipment, buildings and grain bins.
Daniel Bushman
After a very hot and dry July, the heat wave subsided as late August approached and rain and active weather including hail and tornadoes arrived.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), severe thunderstorms moved through southern Saskatchewan during the evening Aug. 23 bringing with it hail, rain and tornadoes. The following day, another tornado was confirmed as more rain rolled through the province.
On Aug. 23, a tornado was confirmed at 5:50 p.m. by Environment and Climate Change Canada 24 kms southwest of Hodgeville, damaging buildings at a farm yard. Less than two hours later another tornado was confirmed, this time just east of Kindersley at 7:04 p.m. While no damage was reported, the estimated wind speed of that tornado was 90 to 130 km/h.
A third tornado was also confirmed coming a day later as it was observed east of Ituna at approximately 3 p.m. Environment and Climate Change Canada received reports and photos of the tornado Aug. 24; however, there are no reports of damage at this time. This tornado has been given a preliminary rating of EF0.
Along with the tornadoes Aug. 23, hail struck at a number of areas. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, there was pea-sized hail (0.9 cm) at Shackleton, dime-sized hail (1.8 cm) at Wilcox, and nickel-sized hail (2.1 cm) at Blumenhof/Neville, south of Mortlach, west of Kerrobert and (2.1 cm) at Pense. West of Kindersley, quarter-sized hail (2.4 cm) was reported while ping pong ball-sized hail (3.5 cm) occurred at Major. At Moose Jaw, golf ball-sized hail (4.5 cm) struck the area.
As for precipitation, the 24 hour rainfall amounts using the Environment and Climate Change Canada observation network included (in millimetres): North Battleford 30.3 to 31.5, Regina 23.5 to 31, Kindersley 26.0, and Indian Head 25.1.
Using volunteer and CoCorahs observation network, amounts included (in millimetres): Regina: 13.2 to 30.2 (south end), North Battleford 41.9, Rabbit Lake 32.8, Moose Jaw 25.4, and Saskatoon 15 to 26.
Locally, the Watrous area received around 9.4 mm on Aug. 22, 9 mm on Aug. 23 and 6.9 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 9.4 mm and 26.2 mm for the month of June.
At Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary), the area received around 7.4 mm on Aug. 22, 11.2 mm on Aug. 23 and 0.5 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 12.1 mm and 23.7 mm for the month of June.
For the Humboldt and Lanigan area, no precipitation was recorded Aug. 22 by ECCC, there was 8.3 mm on Aug. 23 and 3.7 mm on Aug. 24. In all of July, the area received a total of 1.4 mm (July 19 had missing data) and 25.8 mm for the month of June.
As for the fields, while rain slowed harvest operations, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for the period of Aug. 17 to 23, harvest progressed to 29 percent complete, up from 20 percent the previous week and well over the five-year average of 12 percent.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted an additional 21 percent of the crop is now swathed or ready to straight-cut, ahead of the five-year average of 16 percent.
A total of 93 percent of winter wheat, 78 percent of fall rye, 76 percent of lentils, 81 percent of field peas, 42 percent of barley, 31 percent of durum, 23 percent of oats, 25 percent of spring wheat and six percent of canola has been combined. An additional 30 percent of canola has been swathed or is ready to straight-cut.
According to the weekly report, harvest progress is most advanced in the southern regions. Producers in the southwest region have 43 percent combined, the southeast region 30 percent, the west-central 27 percent, the east-central 22 percent, the northeast 25 percent and the northwest 15 percent.
The cool weather and large amounts of rainfall across much of the province helped with the hot and dry conditions, however the Ministry of Agriculture noted much more rain is needed to break out of the current drought. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one percent surplus, 32 percent adequate, 37 percent short and 30 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 23 percent adequate, 34 percent short and 42 percent very short. Provincially, pasture conditions are rated as one percent good, 15 percent fair, 46 percent poor and 38 percent very poor.
The majority of crop damage was due to wind, heavy rainfall and hail. Even with the rainfall, crop and pasture land is under extreme stress from the drought. Around the Hodgeville area, the tornado that touched down resulted in considerable damage to one farm yard, damaging equipment, buildings and grain bins.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 23, 2021
Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival a cut above
Daniel Bushman
With more than 1,200 people taking in this year’s Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival featuring 10 carvers displaying tremendous talent, the 2021 event was dubbed an overwhelming success.
Held Aug. 12 to 15, Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Community Development Officer Vickie Clarke said there were some really high calibre carvers in attendance with this year’s winner being a longtime artist who just got into wood carving three years ago.
“This was actually the first year we had to create a list and make cuts to carvers because we had so much interest. Some of the carvers who came this year said we are the number two festival in Canada. That was encouraging and we want to continue to expand it and make our festival the premier event in the nation.”
With 10 carvers attending from all over Canada including B.C., Alta., Sask., Man., and Ont., there was over $8,000 in prize money up for grabs for the top three carvers voted by people in attendance, the carver’s choice and the committee’s choice. “In previous years we have had a panel of judges declare the top three winners but this year we decided to flip it allowing those in attendance to cast their vote for who they thought should win. There were still carvers who would like to have some judging from people who may be past carvers or who work within the arts industry that can pick out some nuances and things like that so we may return to that format in the future.”
As for this year, the first place winner was Gary Dennis Natomagan from Pinehouse Lake in Northern Saskatchewan. Natomagan created a carving featuring a bald eagle with a pair of wolves at the base. A longtime artist, Natomagan just got into wood carving three years ago and took home $3,500 for finishing in first place.
In second place was Kamron Garbe who created an octopus on top of a skull. With a love of art combined with woodworking, Garbe spent five years travelling before returning home where he lost himself in his craft and has been creating ever since. His second place work earned him $2,000.
Coming in third place was Marina Cole who returned to Manitou Beach after first picking up a chainsaw in 2016. With her passion of carving growing, Cole’s work depicted herself and her dog (who recently passed away) with wings. For third place, Cole won $1,000.
This year’s Committee’s Choice award for $1,000 went to Jim Niedermayer, a carver who has attended every chainsaw carving event at Manitou Beach. Born and raised in Powerview-Pine Falls, Man., Niedermayer has won many awards throughout his career and at this year’s festival created a pelican standing on a roped wooden post with waves beneath.
When it came time to select the Carver’s Choice Award, it was a four way tie. Agreeing to share the $1,000 prize money, this year’s winners were Natomagan, Cole, Niedermayer and Mike Winia. Winia who has also attended the festival in the past came from Ontario with his daughters. A third- generation logger and arborist, Winia created a momma bear with her cub and an owl perched at the top of a tree.
“This year’s winning carves were incredible and so were the quick carves that each carver made. They each had to make two quick carves and those were put up for silent auction with at least one going for over $600.”
For the larger carvings, a raffle was done for the first place carve with the winning ticket taking home Natomagan’s work. Then four others were randomly chosen and auctioned off with a few of those going for more than $2,000. “Some of the carvers ended up buying their own carving and took them home. The remaining ones that were not auctioned off will be staying within the Resort Village of Manitou Beach as part of our legacy carvings.”
Along with the carvings, Clarke said the addition of bringing in live bands to play Friday and Saturday night and a larger beer gardens also attracted more people to the event. “We got some really good feedback from the Saturday night entertainment which was the Beach Cats and Hired Gun with the Beach Cats doing three encores.”
While the carvers and live bands created a really unique atmosphere, Clarke was quick to point out that the festival would not have been made possible without the help of volunteers, the organizing committee and generous sponsors. “We had a tremendous group of volunteers and our committee was fantastic. As a festival this was one of the easiest I have ever put on because of the way everyone came together and stepped up to help. That is a reflection of Manitou Beach and Watrous. We had really good support from the community as a whole, right from the sponsors to the volunteers.”
As for how the carvers felt about attending the 2021 Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival, Clarke said they were blown away. “Hearing the comments from the carvers about being at the beach and how welcoming people are and how different they are, that is the main reason they come to this event. Community is one of the big reasons why the carvers come in. It is not the money, it is them getting better, them spending time with other carvers and them being in our community. I have been hearing how the beach has its own type of vibe and it is very artist based, has that slower pace and everyone wants to be supportive.”
With a great turnout and carvers leaving with smiles on their faces, Clarke said there has been talk of moving the festival from every other year to a yearly event. “We have had a request from some of the major sponsors to make this an annual event so we will sit down and take a look at not only trying to make this a bigger and better event but also one that could be held yearly. I am planning on travelling to Montana next month to see an international competition and plan to bring back some ideas on how we can do things better. We have a fantastic event and I look forward to seeing many more held in our community in years to come.”
Daniel Bushman
With more than 1,200 people taking in this year’s Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival featuring 10 carvers displaying tremendous talent, the 2021 event was dubbed an overwhelming success.
Held Aug. 12 to 15, Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Community Development Officer Vickie Clarke said there were some really high calibre carvers in attendance with this year’s winner being a longtime artist who just got into wood carving three years ago.
“This was actually the first year we had to create a list and make cuts to carvers because we had so much interest. Some of the carvers who came this year said we are the number two festival in Canada. That was encouraging and we want to continue to expand it and make our festival the premier event in the nation.”
With 10 carvers attending from all over Canada including B.C., Alta., Sask., Man., and Ont., there was over $8,000 in prize money up for grabs for the top three carvers voted by people in attendance, the carver’s choice and the committee’s choice. “In previous years we have had a panel of judges declare the top three winners but this year we decided to flip it allowing those in attendance to cast their vote for who they thought should win. There were still carvers who would like to have some judging from people who may be past carvers or who work within the arts industry that can pick out some nuances and things like that so we may return to that format in the future.”
As for this year, the first place winner was Gary Dennis Natomagan from Pinehouse Lake in Northern Saskatchewan. Natomagan created a carving featuring a bald eagle with a pair of wolves at the base. A longtime artist, Natomagan just got into wood carving three years ago and took home $3,500 for finishing in first place.
In second place was Kamron Garbe who created an octopus on top of a skull. With a love of art combined with woodworking, Garbe spent five years travelling before returning home where he lost himself in his craft and has been creating ever since. His second place work earned him $2,000.
Coming in third place was Marina Cole who returned to Manitou Beach after first picking up a chainsaw in 2016. With her passion of carving growing, Cole’s work depicted herself and her dog (who recently passed away) with wings. For third place, Cole won $1,000.
This year’s Committee’s Choice award for $1,000 went to Jim Niedermayer, a carver who has attended every chainsaw carving event at Manitou Beach. Born and raised in Powerview-Pine Falls, Man., Niedermayer has won many awards throughout his career and at this year’s festival created a pelican standing on a roped wooden post with waves beneath.
When it came time to select the Carver’s Choice Award, it was a four way tie. Agreeing to share the $1,000 prize money, this year’s winners were Natomagan, Cole, Niedermayer and Mike Winia. Winia who has also attended the festival in the past came from Ontario with his daughters. A third- generation logger and arborist, Winia created a momma bear with her cub and an owl perched at the top of a tree.
“This year’s winning carves were incredible and so were the quick carves that each carver made. They each had to make two quick carves and those were put up for silent auction with at least one going for over $600.”
For the larger carvings, a raffle was done for the first place carve with the winning ticket taking home Natomagan’s work. Then four others were randomly chosen and auctioned off with a few of those going for more than $2,000. “Some of the carvers ended up buying their own carving and took them home. The remaining ones that were not auctioned off will be staying within the Resort Village of Manitou Beach as part of our legacy carvings.”
Along with the carvings, Clarke said the addition of bringing in live bands to play Friday and Saturday night and a larger beer gardens also attracted more people to the event. “We got some really good feedback from the Saturday night entertainment which was the Beach Cats and Hired Gun with the Beach Cats doing three encores.”
While the carvers and live bands created a really unique atmosphere, Clarke was quick to point out that the festival would not have been made possible without the help of volunteers, the organizing committee and generous sponsors. “We had a tremendous group of volunteers and our committee was fantastic. As a festival this was one of the easiest I have ever put on because of the way everyone came together and stepped up to help. That is a reflection of Manitou Beach and Watrous. We had really good support from the community as a whole, right from the sponsors to the volunteers.”
As for how the carvers felt about attending the 2021 Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival, Clarke said they were blown away. “Hearing the comments from the carvers about being at the beach and how welcoming people are and how different they are, that is the main reason they come to this event. Community is one of the big reasons why the carvers come in. It is not the money, it is them getting better, them spending time with other carvers and them being in our community. I have been hearing how the beach has its own type of vibe and it is very artist based, has that slower pace and everyone wants to be supportive.”
With a great turnout and carvers leaving with smiles on their faces, Clarke said there has been talk of moving the festival from every other year to a yearly event. “We have had a request from some of the major sponsors to make this an annual event so we will sit down and take a look at not only trying to make this a bigger and better event but also one that could be held yearly. I am planning on travelling to Montana next month to see an international competition and plan to bring back some ideas on how we can do things better. We have a fantastic event and I look forward to seeing many more held in our community in years to come.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 16, 2021
SHA addresses temporary disruptions to emergency services in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
On more than one occasion in June and July, emergency services were temporarily disrupted at the Watrous District Health Complex. After multiple disruptions started to raise some questions from the general public, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) tried to provide some clarity on the situation.
Noting situations like the one in Watrous can happen from time to time in rural areas, Dr. Kevin Wasko, Physician Executive, Integrated Rural Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority explained why the services were temporarily suspended. “Acute and emergency services may be temporarily suspended in rural communities due to challenges in staffing across disciplines at these locations. Watrous is no exception. Staff require much deserved time off, which poses challenges to fill limited, temporary positions while staff are away. These challenges affect almost every health discipline, but some of the more notable ones that impact acute care disruptions are physicians, nursing, laboratory medicine and diagnostic imaging.”
During the disruptions where emergency services in Watrous were unavailable, people needing emergency care were able to utilize the services at either Humboldt or Saskatoon hospitals. While the number of disruptions in Watrous were more frequent during the past two months, Wasko assured that physician services remain stable in the community. “However, in a small physician group when leaves are taken (anticipated and unanticipated) they place pressures on the remaining physicians to maintain the service with an increased call burden.”
When asked if the temporary disruptions could continue through the latter part of summer and into fall, Wasko stated staffing challenges are not new or unique to rural areas. “The SHA continues to manage service disruptions in all areas of the province. The SHA always attempts to cover shifts with available human resources but that is not always possible, therefore recruitment of key staff mentioned above is occurring on an ongoing basis.”
That also includes other sectors within health care as Wasko noted SHA is continuing to recruit staff in all areas, including long-term care and home care. Wasko highlighted the Government of Saskatchewan announcing $6 million in new funding in their 2021-‘22 budget to add more than 100 CCA FTE positions to improve overall care for long-term care residents, plus strengthen and expand availability of home care services in rural and remote areas. As part of that, Wasko stated 90 CCA FTE positions will be added across the long-term care system this year.
While it was not specifically mentioned as to where those positions will be allocated, included within the provincial budget released Apr. 6, it stated: The Government of Saskatchewan is investing in health care programs to improve team-based care and service delivery within communities. The $6 million in new funding will be directed to fulfill an $18 million continuing care aide (CCA) commitment, which will ultimately add 300 CCA positions to improve overall care for long-term care residents, plus strengthen and expand availability of home care services in rural and remote areas. Ninety CCA positions are expected to be added this year.
While SHA tries to maintain its services, especially during COVID-19, due to the pandemic substantial pressures were placed on the province’s health care system this past year. With Watrous being designated as one of the rural hospitals in the province to take in COVID-19 patients as part of SHA’s rural response plan, Wasko said during this stressful time, the health authority has sincerely appreciated the work done by its workforce.
“Our workforce is our strength and that’s been demonstrated throughout the pandemic. Staff have consistently and courageously met the challenge each and every day to continue to serve the health care needs of the people of Saskatchewan. We will continue to support them as we gradually return to normal and learn to live with COVID-19. The SHA is monitoring all staffing levels and continues to actively recruit to many positions.”
Daniel Bushman
On more than one occasion in June and July, emergency services were temporarily disrupted at the Watrous District Health Complex. After multiple disruptions started to raise some questions from the general public, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) tried to provide some clarity on the situation.
Noting situations like the one in Watrous can happen from time to time in rural areas, Dr. Kevin Wasko, Physician Executive, Integrated Rural Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority explained why the services were temporarily suspended. “Acute and emergency services may be temporarily suspended in rural communities due to challenges in staffing across disciplines at these locations. Watrous is no exception. Staff require much deserved time off, which poses challenges to fill limited, temporary positions while staff are away. These challenges affect almost every health discipline, but some of the more notable ones that impact acute care disruptions are physicians, nursing, laboratory medicine and diagnostic imaging.”
During the disruptions where emergency services in Watrous were unavailable, people needing emergency care were able to utilize the services at either Humboldt or Saskatoon hospitals. While the number of disruptions in Watrous were more frequent during the past two months, Wasko assured that physician services remain stable in the community. “However, in a small physician group when leaves are taken (anticipated and unanticipated) they place pressures on the remaining physicians to maintain the service with an increased call burden.”
When asked if the temporary disruptions could continue through the latter part of summer and into fall, Wasko stated staffing challenges are not new or unique to rural areas. “The SHA continues to manage service disruptions in all areas of the province. The SHA always attempts to cover shifts with available human resources but that is not always possible, therefore recruitment of key staff mentioned above is occurring on an ongoing basis.”
That also includes other sectors within health care as Wasko noted SHA is continuing to recruit staff in all areas, including long-term care and home care. Wasko highlighted the Government of Saskatchewan announcing $6 million in new funding in their 2021-‘22 budget to add more than 100 CCA FTE positions to improve overall care for long-term care residents, plus strengthen and expand availability of home care services in rural and remote areas. As part of that, Wasko stated 90 CCA FTE positions will be added across the long-term care system this year.
While it was not specifically mentioned as to where those positions will be allocated, included within the provincial budget released Apr. 6, it stated: The Government of Saskatchewan is investing in health care programs to improve team-based care and service delivery within communities. The $6 million in new funding will be directed to fulfill an $18 million continuing care aide (CCA) commitment, which will ultimately add 300 CCA positions to improve overall care for long-term care residents, plus strengthen and expand availability of home care services in rural and remote areas. Ninety CCA positions are expected to be added this year.
While SHA tries to maintain its services, especially during COVID-19, due to the pandemic substantial pressures were placed on the province’s health care system this past year. With Watrous being designated as one of the rural hospitals in the province to take in COVID-19 patients as part of SHA’s rural response plan, Wasko said during this stressful time, the health authority has sincerely appreciated the work done by its workforce.
“Our workforce is our strength and that’s been demonstrated throughout the pandemic. Staff have consistently and courageously met the challenge each and every day to continue to serve the health care needs of the people of Saskatchewan. We will continue to support them as we gradually return to normal and learn to live with COVID-19. The SHA is monitoring all staffing levels and continues to actively recruit to many positions.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 9, 2021
Mosaic producing potash from Colonsay mine
Daniel Bushman
With its first dispatched potash produced Aug. 3, since operations resumed at Mosaic’s Colonsay mine earlier this summer, it has been a hive of activity.
Once the decision was made to recall its workers in June after first idling operations in August 2019 before indefinitely idling them in January 2020, Mosaic’s Sarah Fedorchuk, Vice President, Government and Public Affairs – North America said the company completed its restart on time and with excellent safety and environmental performance.
Now that production is underway - offsetting a portion of the production lost by the early closure of K1 and K2 potash mine shafts near Esterhazy - approximately 233 workers are on-site at the Colonsay mine with over half being recalled hourly employees.
While Colonsay previously employed around 500 people at its peak, to support the restart, Fedorchuk noted Mosaic brought in talent from Esterhazy who will return to their previous roles as production stabilizes and continues to ramp up. “We are extremely proud of our Mosaic team for their exceptional effort in safely restarting production in just under eight weeks. What an accomplishment.”
With the current focus for Colonsay on the near-term four-month sprint to resume production and meet promised 2021 customer orders through to the end of the year, when asked about the future, Fedorchuk said, “Right now, we’re focused on fulfilling promised customer orders through the end of the year. At this time, the recall remains temporary and we will make future decisions based on market dynamics and production capability and needs across our potash portfolio.”
As a result of the operational changes to both its Colonsay and Esterhazy sites, Mosaic indicated it expects to eliminate brine management expenses after July 2021 and materially increase 2022 available potash capacity to take advantage of the expected potash market strength. During the expected transition period of July 2021 to March 2022, the company anticipates its potash production to be reduced by approximately one million tonnes. By mid-2022, available annualized operational MOP capacity is expected to be 10.5 million tonnes.
“Mosaic has been managing inflows at Esterhazy since 1985, and has accelerated the development of the K3 shafts to allow for the ultimate closure of the K1 and K2 shafts,” said Joc O’Rourke, President and Chief Executive Officer. “For the last decade, we’ve run scenarios that relate to the early closure of these shafts. As a result of that planning, we expect to end up in a stronger position than ever in 2022.”
In the second quarter of 2021, Mosaic said it expects to record costs related to the following: $20 to $25 million in brine management cash costs to cover initial efforts to manage the accelerated inflows; $80 to $100 million in noncash charges for asset write downs for the remaining mining asset values at K1 and K2; and $50 to $100 million in a noncash asset retirement obligation reserve increase for the permanent closure of the underground works at K1 and K2.
Daniel Bushman
With its first dispatched potash produced Aug. 3, since operations resumed at Mosaic’s Colonsay mine earlier this summer, it has been a hive of activity.
Once the decision was made to recall its workers in June after first idling operations in August 2019 before indefinitely idling them in January 2020, Mosaic’s Sarah Fedorchuk, Vice President, Government and Public Affairs – North America said the company completed its restart on time and with excellent safety and environmental performance.
Now that production is underway - offsetting a portion of the production lost by the early closure of K1 and K2 potash mine shafts near Esterhazy - approximately 233 workers are on-site at the Colonsay mine with over half being recalled hourly employees.
While Colonsay previously employed around 500 people at its peak, to support the restart, Fedorchuk noted Mosaic brought in talent from Esterhazy who will return to their previous roles as production stabilizes and continues to ramp up. “We are extremely proud of our Mosaic team for their exceptional effort in safely restarting production in just under eight weeks. What an accomplishment.”
With the current focus for Colonsay on the near-term four-month sprint to resume production and meet promised 2021 customer orders through to the end of the year, when asked about the future, Fedorchuk said, “Right now, we’re focused on fulfilling promised customer orders through the end of the year. At this time, the recall remains temporary and we will make future decisions based on market dynamics and production capability and needs across our potash portfolio.”
As a result of the operational changes to both its Colonsay and Esterhazy sites, Mosaic indicated it expects to eliminate brine management expenses after July 2021 and materially increase 2022 available potash capacity to take advantage of the expected potash market strength. During the expected transition period of July 2021 to March 2022, the company anticipates its potash production to be reduced by approximately one million tonnes. By mid-2022, available annualized operational MOP capacity is expected to be 10.5 million tonnes.
“Mosaic has been managing inflows at Esterhazy since 1985, and has accelerated the development of the K3 shafts to allow for the ultimate closure of the K1 and K2 shafts,” said Joc O’Rourke, President and Chief Executive Officer. “For the last decade, we’ve run scenarios that relate to the early closure of these shafts. As a result of that planning, we expect to end up in a stronger position than ever in 2022.”
In the second quarter of 2021, Mosaic said it expects to record costs related to the following: $20 to $25 million in brine management cash costs to cover initial efforts to manage the accelerated inflows; $80 to $100 million in noncash charges for asset write downs for the remaining mining asset values at K1 and K2; and $50 to $100 million in a noncash asset retirement obligation reserve increase for the permanent closure of the underground works at K1 and K2.
TWM Top Story - July 19, 2021
Fun Run ready to roll for 30th year
Daniel Bushman
Marking three decades of vintage vehicles, unique cars and custom trucks, organizers of this year’s Watrous and Manitou Beach Fun Run Auto Show ‘N’ Shine are excited to see vehicles return to Watrous after not being able to line them up along Main Street in 2020.
While the Fun Run was able to have vehicles drive along Main Street in Watrous before heading off to other communities this past year, with COVID restrictions being lifted earlier this month in the province, vehicles will now be able to park along Main Street July 24 and people can check them out.
Watrous and Manitou Beach Fun Run Chairperson Al Madland said since this is a big anniversary for the event and with its return to Main Street in Watrous, he is hoping for a really big show. “We are pretty excited this year for the 30th anniversary. We are trying to make it as large as ever. There will be lots of new entries this year because people stayed home over the winter and built up some vehicles that we haven’t seen before. We are looking forward to having a bunch of people and vehicles back on Main Street again.”
For vehicle enthusiasts wanting to participate in this year’s show, Madland said whatever people think they would like to bring, he said they will be letting pretty much everything in the gate. “We already have had quite a few pre-register and the more we get, the merrier. If you pre-register then it gets you in the gate quicker because we can have your package ready to go and get you parked into position.”
For those planning to come as a group, Madland encourages them to get in touch before the July 24 event so that organizers can ensure they have ample space for them. People who would still like to register can go to the Fun Run’s website: www.watrousfunrun.com.
“With it being the 30th anniversary, we would love to get 300 vehicles here. Between motorcycles, cars, trucks, whatever people have to show, bring it and we will get it in.”
As for the show itself, it fires up Saturday morning and Madland noted a group will be doing a pancake breakfast, another cooking burgers later in the day and an ice cream shop will be set up. There will also be some cotton candy for the kids and Beeper the Clown is coming as well.
“We are trying our best to make it work on short notice. This will be like a normal car show that we have conducted in previous years with no restrictions and it is looking like it is coming together really well. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again and want to make it fun for the family.”
As people spend the day enjoying being outside and checking out some spectacular entries, as the show nears an end around 3 p.m., Madland said vehicles will form a line and drive past Manitou Lodge to show residents all of the vehicles. They will then venture to Manitou Beach to do a loop and that will wrap up the Fun Run.
“There is tons of interesting vehicles coming this year and in order to see them you have to be here. This will be one of the first large events in town since the pandemic started and restrictions lifted. In previous years it has been noted as the biggest small town car show in the province and we want to keep it that way.”
As far as support from the community, vehicle enthusiasts and those planning to participate, Madland said everyone is pumped to have the show again. Looking forward to it himself, the organizer added if there are people who would still like to volunteer, they are welcome to do so by getting in touch with Al. “It is more for parking in the morning which is the biggest thing and the night before we will be marking off the streets. We have lots on our plate but that’s okay. We are excited to be able to welcome everyone to the community and hope that they enjoy being here. It should be a really fun day.”
Daniel Bushman
Marking three decades of vintage vehicles, unique cars and custom trucks, organizers of this year’s Watrous and Manitou Beach Fun Run Auto Show ‘N’ Shine are excited to see vehicles return to Watrous after not being able to line them up along Main Street in 2020.
While the Fun Run was able to have vehicles drive along Main Street in Watrous before heading off to other communities this past year, with COVID restrictions being lifted earlier this month in the province, vehicles will now be able to park along Main Street July 24 and people can check them out.
Watrous and Manitou Beach Fun Run Chairperson Al Madland said since this is a big anniversary for the event and with its return to Main Street in Watrous, he is hoping for a really big show. “We are pretty excited this year for the 30th anniversary. We are trying to make it as large as ever. There will be lots of new entries this year because people stayed home over the winter and built up some vehicles that we haven’t seen before. We are looking forward to having a bunch of people and vehicles back on Main Street again.”
For vehicle enthusiasts wanting to participate in this year’s show, Madland said whatever people think they would like to bring, he said they will be letting pretty much everything in the gate. “We already have had quite a few pre-register and the more we get, the merrier. If you pre-register then it gets you in the gate quicker because we can have your package ready to go and get you parked into position.”
For those planning to come as a group, Madland encourages them to get in touch before the July 24 event so that organizers can ensure they have ample space for them. People who would still like to register can go to the Fun Run’s website: www.watrousfunrun.com.
“With it being the 30th anniversary, we would love to get 300 vehicles here. Between motorcycles, cars, trucks, whatever people have to show, bring it and we will get it in.”
As for the show itself, it fires up Saturday morning and Madland noted a group will be doing a pancake breakfast, another cooking burgers later in the day and an ice cream shop will be set up. There will also be some cotton candy for the kids and Beeper the Clown is coming as well.
“We are trying our best to make it work on short notice. This will be like a normal car show that we have conducted in previous years with no restrictions and it is looking like it is coming together really well. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again and want to make it fun for the family.”
As people spend the day enjoying being outside and checking out some spectacular entries, as the show nears an end around 3 p.m., Madland said vehicles will form a line and drive past Manitou Lodge to show residents all of the vehicles. They will then venture to Manitou Beach to do a loop and that will wrap up the Fun Run.
“There is tons of interesting vehicles coming this year and in order to see them you have to be here. This will be one of the first large events in town since the pandemic started and restrictions lifted. In previous years it has been noted as the biggest small town car show in the province and we want to keep it that way.”
As far as support from the community, vehicle enthusiasts and those planning to participate, Madland said everyone is pumped to have the show again. Looking forward to it himself, the organizer added if there are people who would still like to volunteer, they are welcome to do so by getting in touch with Al. “It is more for parking in the morning which is the biggest thing and the night before we will be marking off the streets. We have lots on our plate but that’s okay. We are excited to be able to welcome everyone to the community and hope that they enjoy being here. It should be a really fun day.”
TWM Top Story - July 12, 2021
Extreme heat wave takes area by storm
Daniel Bushman
A sizzling heat wave creating dry conditions not only had people in Saskatchewan seeking cooler shelter but also those in other parts of Western Canada. With heat records shattered at the end of June and early July, the threat of further drought and forest fires remained at the forefront as people and producers waited for moisture.
Conducting interviews with media outlets from across the globe about the incredible heat dome that began in B.C., Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips said at its peak, the temperature registered in Lytton, B.C. was hotter than values recorded in Las Vegas and Phoenix and surpassed numbers from Europe and South America. “It is only in Africa and parts of Asia that have been warmer than what we have seen in Lytton.”
In fact, it got so hot in British Columbia at the end of June that Phillips said it was not just the tiny community of Lytton that would have broken the all-time Canadian record. Phillips estimated 10 communities would have beaten the Yellowgrass and Midale record of 45˚C set back on July 5, 1937. “There were places like Kamloops and Kelowna that would have had the Canadian record if Lytton didn’t exist.”
Lytton first snagged the record June 27 reaching 46.6˚C and then bested it a day later, hitting 47.9˚C. That was followed up with 49.6˚C June 29. Devastation then hit the community the next day as a fire, which according to reports was human-caused, tore through the community. The fire reportedly resulted in two deaths and it was estimated that 90 percent of the village was destroyed.
As the temperatures remained high, the B.C. Coroners Service also reported 719 sudden deaths, three times more than what would normally occur in the province during the same period (June 25 through July 1). Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner said, “We are releasing this information as it is believed likely the extreme weather B.C. has experienced in the past week is a significant contributing factor to the increased number of deaths.”
As the coroners service began to see a downward trend from the number of deaths reported and with the heat dome leaving B.C. and inching its way east through Alberta to Saskatchewan, Phillips kept a close eye on the heat warnings. “On July 2, Saskatchewan had 32 heat warnings out, the next day 26 and then two July 4 and zero July 5. It was very short lived in Saskatchewan compared to what it was in British Columbia.”
However, despite the shorter impact in Saskatchewan
compared to B.C., Phillips said the heat dome was still powerful on the Prairies. With a warmer than normal summer in the forecast, he said, “You already had two days above 30˚C in May, six days above 30˚C in June and three days in July (as of July 5). That is a total of 11 while normally by this time of year you would have five. The yearly total is 10 or 11 so you have already matched your yearly total of hot days and you still have the dog days of summer to come which is typically at the end of July and the beginning of August.”
Phillips said what was so unusual about the recent heat dome is it came about a month earlier than when it typically could. Arriving as the hours of sunlight remained the longest, Phillips felt that was one of the contributing factors to the extreme and prolonged heat. “It occurred at the time of the year when the length of sunlight is around 17 hours compared to seven hours of darkness. Those temperatures during the day could just not cool off in those seven hours so it was easy to get back up to those elevated temperatures.”
Locally, Phillips noted the area reached at least 35.9˚C on July 2 which was one of a few records. “You had three days in a row in July that were records and you had two days in June that were all-time records.”
And those numbers were more likely even higher according to Phillips who explained the recorded values are generally taken in shaded areas. “If you go out in the sun you can add another six, seven or eight degrees. If you go over an urban area where there is asphalt and building material it is almost inhumane to have to deal with those kind of temperatures. No wonder it was dangerous to go outside in places.”
While the warmer weather has certainly made its presence felt throughout the local area, precipitation has not. “You did get some rains in May and they were helpful but in June you got about 27 mm of rain. It is normally the wettest month with about 85 mm so you are down and that is a concern.”
With the heat taking a lot of the remaining moisture right out of the ground, Phillips said rain is much needed. “Any kind of rain is helpful and you need it because if the temperatures stay warm there will be much more demand for them.”
Even without rain, the threat of lightning strikes remains as Phillips said they can still occur. “We have seen an incredible amount of lightning strikes out west. Some have been from nature’s thunderstorms but others have been created by dry heat because of the incredible warm temperatures. It is almost like a vicious cycle because one feeds off the other. Sometimes the rain can snuff out the fire but other times it can create an ignition.”
Currently Phillips said there are about 200 fires burning in British Columbia and about 60 percent of them have been lightning induced either through the fire itself creating the lightning or from thunderstorms. “Saskatchewan is dry too so there is concern that the forest fire season could come on.”
Due to the overwhelming heat and dry conditions covering most of the province, on July 2, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) issued a provincial fire ban for Crown lands, provincial parks and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District.
While many municipalities already had fire bans in place heading into the first weekend of July, the SPSA encouraged all municipalities to examine the fire risk in their area. The SPSA’s fire ban included any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks.
According to the SPSA, there were 18 wildfires burning in the province as of July 2 and overall, Saskatchewan already had 202 wildfires, which is slightly over the five-year average of 195.
With recent weather conditions being as extreme as they were, Phillips explained the connection to climate change, sharing that no factor creates the weather rather there is a multitude of factors that come together. “It is still our grandparent’s heat wave but they can have a different character and personality or a different nature because of the human input to it.”
Since weather conditions are different, Phillips said they can sometimes arrive earlier or later than usual, can be more extreme, more intense, out of place, or even out of season. “Generally what we see, we’ve already seen it but it has a different personality to it. I think if people begin to understand that, they will begin to say, ‘See how climate change does affect these extremes.’ It is not the trigger but it is a contributor. It could be that 30 or 40 percent of it would have been made worse because of the human component. I think if people understand that they will realize it is not a debate anymore but it is a discussion of what to do about it. We know the signature or the human DNA are very much part of these kind of extremes that we are seeing.”
Daniel Bushman
A sizzling heat wave creating dry conditions not only had people in Saskatchewan seeking cooler shelter but also those in other parts of Western Canada. With heat records shattered at the end of June and early July, the threat of further drought and forest fires remained at the forefront as people and producers waited for moisture.
Conducting interviews with media outlets from across the globe about the incredible heat dome that began in B.C., Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips said at its peak, the temperature registered in Lytton, B.C. was hotter than values recorded in Las Vegas and Phoenix and surpassed numbers from Europe and South America. “It is only in Africa and parts of Asia that have been warmer than what we have seen in Lytton.”
In fact, it got so hot in British Columbia at the end of June that Phillips said it was not just the tiny community of Lytton that would have broken the all-time Canadian record. Phillips estimated 10 communities would have beaten the Yellowgrass and Midale record of 45˚C set back on July 5, 1937. “There were places like Kamloops and Kelowna that would have had the Canadian record if Lytton didn’t exist.”
Lytton first snagged the record June 27 reaching 46.6˚C and then bested it a day later, hitting 47.9˚C. That was followed up with 49.6˚C June 29. Devastation then hit the community the next day as a fire, which according to reports was human-caused, tore through the community. The fire reportedly resulted in two deaths and it was estimated that 90 percent of the village was destroyed.
As the temperatures remained high, the B.C. Coroners Service also reported 719 sudden deaths, three times more than what would normally occur in the province during the same period (June 25 through July 1). Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner said, “We are releasing this information as it is believed likely the extreme weather B.C. has experienced in the past week is a significant contributing factor to the increased number of deaths.”
As the coroners service began to see a downward trend from the number of deaths reported and with the heat dome leaving B.C. and inching its way east through Alberta to Saskatchewan, Phillips kept a close eye on the heat warnings. “On July 2, Saskatchewan had 32 heat warnings out, the next day 26 and then two July 4 and zero July 5. It was very short lived in Saskatchewan compared to what it was in British Columbia.”
However, despite the shorter impact in Saskatchewan
compared to B.C., Phillips said the heat dome was still powerful on the Prairies. With a warmer than normal summer in the forecast, he said, “You already had two days above 30˚C in May, six days above 30˚C in June and three days in July (as of July 5). That is a total of 11 while normally by this time of year you would have five. The yearly total is 10 or 11 so you have already matched your yearly total of hot days and you still have the dog days of summer to come which is typically at the end of July and the beginning of August.”
Phillips said what was so unusual about the recent heat dome is it came about a month earlier than when it typically could. Arriving as the hours of sunlight remained the longest, Phillips felt that was one of the contributing factors to the extreme and prolonged heat. “It occurred at the time of the year when the length of sunlight is around 17 hours compared to seven hours of darkness. Those temperatures during the day could just not cool off in those seven hours so it was easy to get back up to those elevated temperatures.”
Locally, Phillips noted the area reached at least 35.9˚C on July 2 which was one of a few records. “You had three days in a row in July that were records and you had two days in June that were all-time records.”
And those numbers were more likely even higher according to Phillips who explained the recorded values are generally taken in shaded areas. “If you go out in the sun you can add another six, seven or eight degrees. If you go over an urban area where there is asphalt and building material it is almost inhumane to have to deal with those kind of temperatures. No wonder it was dangerous to go outside in places.”
While the warmer weather has certainly made its presence felt throughout the local area, precipitation has not. “You did get some rains in May and they were helpful but in June you got about 27 mm of rain. It is normally the wettest month with about 85 mm so you are down and that is a concern.”
With the heat taking a lot of the remaining moisture right out of the ground, Phillips said rain is much needed. “Any kind of rain is helpful and you need it because if the temperatures stay warm there will be much more demand for them.”
Even without rain, the threat of lightning strikes remains as Phillips said they can still occur. “We have seen an incredible amount of lightning strikes out west. Some have been from nature’s thunderstorms but others have been created by dry heat because of the incredible warm temperatures. It is almost like a vicious cycle because one feeds off the other. Sometimes the rain can snuff out the fire but other times it can create an ignition.”
Currently Phillips said there are about 200 fires burning in British Columbia and about 60 percent of them have been lightning induced either through the fire itself creating the lightning or from thunderstorms. “Saskatchewan is dry too so there is concern that the forest fire season could come on.”
Due to the overwhelming heat and dry conditions covering most of the province, on July 2, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) issued a provincial fire ban for Crown lands, provincial parks and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District.
While many municipalities already had fire bans in place heading into the first weekend of July, the SPSA encouraged all municipalities to examine the fire risk in their area. The SPSA’s fire ban included any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks.
According to the SPSA, there were 18 wildfires burning in the province as of July 2 and overall, Saskatchewan already had 202 wildfires, which is slightly over the five-year average of 195.
With recent weather conditions being as extreme as they were, Phillips explained the connection to climate change, sharing that no factor creates the weather rather there is a multitude of factors that come together. “It is still our grandparent’s heat wave but they can have a different character and personality or a different nature because of the human input to it.”
Since weather conditions are different, Phillips said they can sometimes arrive earlier or later than usual, can be more extreme, more intense, out of place, or even out of season. “Generally what we see, we’ve already seen it but it has a different personality to it. I think if people begin to understand that, they will begin to say, ‘See how climate change does affect these extremes.’ It is not the trigger but it is a contributor. It could be that 30 or 40 percent of it would have been made worse because of the human component. I think if people understand that they will realize it is not a debate anymore but it is a discussion of what to do about it. We know the signature or the human DNA are very much part of these kind of extremes that we are seeing.”
TWM Top Story - July 5, 2021
With the province experiencing a prolonged heat wave and with the temperature sitting at 31˚C Wednesday evening, June 30, the Watrous Fire Department had a friendly game of water soccer. Set up near the Watrous Centennial Arena, residents were invited to check out the competition while viewing the department's units.
TWM Top Story - June 28, 2021
WHS teacher named outstanding coach of the year
*photo courtesy Lori Bartko
Daniel Bushman
When it comes to making a tremendous impact as a coach both on and off the court, it should come as no surprise that Winston High School teacher Wendi Collins was named as this year’s Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) Horizon Central District Outstanding Female Coach of the Year.
SHSAA Executive Director Lyle McKellar said each of the 14 SHSAA Districts hand out an award annually to both a male and female coach who have made outstanding contributions within the coaching field and Collins was this year’s Horizon Central female recipient. With a focus on team while having fun and striving for success, Collins not only fit the bill but has made an impact on her students and peers as well.
Honoured to be recognized as the SHSAA Outstanding Female Coach of the Year for Horizon Central District, Collins believes sport is one of the most important high school activities for both an educator and student. “Being involved in sport teaches life lessons about dedication and teamwork that are hard to learn elsewhere. It also provides an opportunity for a very unique relationship between the educator and student athlete which allows for further growth in the high school environment as well. There is a direct correlation between classroom success and student involvement in extracurricular activities.”
After starting her coaching and teaching career in Rockglen in 2002, Collins has made stops at Lanigan Central High School (coaching from 2006-‘14) and Winston High School in Watrous (coaching from 2004-‘06 and 2014-present). During that time, Collins attended one boys volleyball provincials in 2002, four volleyball provincials with Watrous, and five volleyball provincial championships with Lanigan. During those appearances at provincials she earned a gold medal, two bronze medals and two fourth place finishes.
Winston High School teacher Lori Bartko who nominated Collins for this year’s SHSAA honour said there is no doubt Wendi has a passion for student involvement in athletics which has been demonstrated through her many coaching roles including senior boys volleyball, senior girls basketball, as well as badminton and track and field.
“Most of her time has been dedicated to senior girls volleyball. She has worked tirelessly building the volleyball program at Winston High School and contributed countless hours coaching while she was teaching at Lanigan Central High School.”
With many of her weekends occupied with travelling to tournaments across Saskatchewan before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Collins said there have been some great memories including her run to a provincial championship with the Lazers in Lanigan. “That was pretty exciting. The girls worked really hard throughout their whole high school career. That group of girls, they were determined that was their goal so being able to watch them accomplish that was pretty amazing.”
Collins also recalled another highlight from her coaching career. “One year when I was coaching in Lanigan the families of the athletes on my team organized to provide my family with supper each of the weekends I was away at a tournament. Every weekend a new family provided me with a meal to take home. It was a gesture that I will never forget!”
Now coaching at Winston High School and more recently dealing with the pandemic, like other coaches within the school division, Collins has had to try to navigate through it all. When it came to the teams she was coaching this past year, Wendi noted they had one month of volleyball (which included only two games) and a house league for girls basketball which only lasted three weeks.
“While everyone was disappointed in the length of the involvement of the sport this season I found it played a new appreciation in the eyes of the student athletes in the role sport plays in their lives. Once we were finally able to hit the court in October of 2020 I have never seen my players happier to be up at 6:30 a.m. Each practice and game they displayed a love of the game and it was heartwarming to say the least. It has really changed my perspective that it is not always the outcome of the competition that makes it a success!”
Understanding the many hours of work and dedication put into coaching, Winston High School Principal Terry Braman said Wendi was very deserving of the award. “Her commitment to our student athletes is evident year after year and we are fortunate to have her at Winston. She will continue to make an impact on our kids with her love of sports and coaching.”
Echoing similar sentiments as Braman, Bartko noted Wendi is the epitome of patience, kindness, and determination. “She has high expectations of her athletes and models the same behaviour both on
and off the court. Her camaraderie with her players and other coaches that she meets has led to lifelong friendships. Wendi exemplifies dedication to the sport of volleyball by giving endless hours to her players while still finding time for her family of three children and husband Scott. She also has a full-time teaching career at Winston High School. Wendi is most deserving of the SHSAA Outstanding Female Coach Award for her contributions to both her players and the sport of volleyball.”
Also named as the recipient of the Watrous Coach of the Year Award for 2019, reflecting on her years as a coach, Collins said it has been a pretty special experience. “What means the most to me as a coach is when I run into former players that I have coached and hear the memories that they have from their years spent with me. It is never about the success or failures, it is always about the crazy trips we have had in the 15 passenger van (getting stuck, running out of gas, me hitting the curb, etc.) or the sleep overs we had on numerous school floors. Whenever I hear of one of my former athletes coaching a team it puts a smile on my face as I like to believe they have learnt the value involved in becoming a coach and mentor.”
*photo courtesy Lori Bartko
Daniel Bushman
When it comes to making a tremendous impact as a coach both on and off the court, it should come as no surprise that Winston High School teacher Wendi Collins was named as this year’s Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) Horizon Central District Outstanding Female Coach of the Year.
SHSAA Executive Director Lyle McKellar said each of the 14 SHSAA Districts hand out an award annually to both a male and female coach who have made outstanding contributions within the coaching field and Collins was this year’s Horizon Central female recipient. With a focus on team while having fun and striving for success, Collins not only fit the bill but has made an impact on her students and peers as well.
Honoured to be recognized as the SHSAA Outstanding Female Coach of the Year for Horizon Central District, Collins believes sport is one of the most important high school activities for both an educator and student. “Being involved in sport teaches life lessons about dedication and teamwork that are hard to learn elsewhere. It also provides an opportunity for a very unique relationship between the educator and student athlete which allows for further growth in the high school environment as well. There is a direct correlation between classroom success and student involvement in extracurricular activities.”
After starting her coaching and teaching career in Rockglen in 2002, Collins has made stops at Lanigan Central High School (coaching from 2006-‘14) and Winston High School in Watrous (coaching from 2004-‘06 and 2014-present). During that time, Collins attended one boys volleyball provincials in 2002, four volleyball provincials with Watrous, and five volleyball provincial championships with Lanigan. During those appearances at provincials she earned a gold medal, two bronze medals and two fourth place finishes.
Winston High School teacher Lori Bartko who nominated Collins for this year’s SHSAA honour said there is no doubt Wendi has a passion for student involvement in athletics which has been demonstrated through her many coaching roles including senior boys volleyball, senior girls basketball, as well as badminton and track and field.
“Most of her time has been dedicated to senior girls volleyball. She has worked tirelessly building the volleyball program at Winston High School and contributed countless hours coaching while she was teaching at Lanigan Central High School.”
With many of her weekends occupied with travelling to tournaments across Saskatchewan before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Collins said there have been some great memories including her run to a provincial championship with the Lazers in Lanigan. “That was pretty exciting. The girls worked really hard throughout their whole high school career. That group of girls, they were determined that was their goal so being able to watch them accomplish that was pretty amazing.”
Collins also recalled another highlight from her coaching career. “One year when I was coaching in Lanigan the families of the athletes on my team organized to provide my family with supper each of the weekends I was away at a tournament. Every weekend a new family provided me with a meal to take home. It was a gesture that I will never forget!”
Now coaching at Winston High School and more recently dealing with the pandemic, like other coaches within the school division, Collins has had to try to navigate through it all. When it came to the teams she was coaching this past year, Wendi noted they had one month of volleyball (which included only two games) and a house league for girls basketball which only lasted three weeks.
“While everyone was disappointed in the length of the involvement of the sport this season I found it played a new appreciation in the eyes of the student athletes in the role sport plays in their lives. Once we were finally able to hit the court in October of 2020 I have never seen my players happier to be up at 6:30 a.m. Each practice and game they displayed a love of the game and it was heartwarming to say the least. It has really changed my perspective that it is not always the outcome of the competition that makes it a success!”
Understanding the many hours of work and dedication put into coaching, Winston High School Principal Terry Braman said Wendi was very deserving of the award. “Her commitment to our student athletes is evident year after year and we are fortunate to have her at Winston. She will continue to make an impact on our kids with her love of sports and coaching.”
Echoing similar sentiments as Braman, Bartko noted Wendi is the epitome of patience, kindness, and determination. “She has high expectations of her athletes and models the same behaviour both on
and off the court. Her camaraderie with her players and other coaches that she meets has led to lifelong friendships. Wendi exemplifies dedication to the sport of volleyball by giving endless hours to her players while still finding time for her family of three children and husband Scott. She also has a full-time teaching career at Winston High School. Wendi is most deserving of the SHSAA Outstanding Female Coach Award for her contributions to both her players and the sport of volleyball.”
Also named as the recipient of the Watrous Coach of the Year Award for 2019, reflecting on her years as a coach, Collins said it has been a pretty special experience. “What means the most to me as a coach is when I run into former players that I have coached and hear the memories that they have from their years spent with me. It is never about the success or failures, it is always about the crazy trips we have had in the 15 passenger van (getting stuck, running out of gas, me hitting the curb, etc.) or the sleep overs we had on numerous school floors. Whenever I hear of one of my former athletes coaching a team it puts a smile on my face as I like to believe they have learnt the value involved in becoming a coach and mentor.”
TWM Top Story - June 21, 2021
Local area the place to be this summer
Daniel Bushman
As more people receive their COVID-19 vaccination and the province aims to fully reopen later this summer, the local tourism sector is hoping to see more visitors and residents enjoy what Manitou Beach and Watrous has to offer.
With a slate full of summer activities including some new packages designed to attract guests to the area, Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Vickie Clarke has already seen an influx of visitors and anticipates a busy summer ahead. “Summer boosts our numbers incredibly which means people are spending money so we’ve got some new initiatives this year.”
And it is not just local people or those from Saskatchewan who are wanting to see the area. After attending a virtual event geared toward tourism called Rendez-vous Canada Marketplace, Clarke explained she was on calls promoting the local area with people from India, China, Italy, and Germany. Talking with a gentleman from China, Clarke was asked why the area was so unique. “I took my laptop and turned it around to show him the lake. I said this is not just any lake and it is the only one in Canada of its kind. People can forget how fortunate we are to be living here because we have the only saltwater mineral lake in Canada. It is pretty special.”
Tourism Packages
Looking to promote a few new tourism packages, Clarke invited a travel writer and film crew out to the area. That travel writer was former Saskatchewanderer Ashlyn George, who is the author of the Lost Girl’s Guide to Finding the World. George was able to not only experience some of the attractions like The Drive-In at Manitou Beach, the Little Manitou Art Gallery and Manitou Springs Mineral Spa but she also took part in a couple of the new tour packages that will be offered.
First George attended a farm tour southwest of Watrous with Matt and Lesley Kelly and Derek Martin where she got to check out the farm equipment, took part in a crop tour, milled some lentil flour to take home and shared a big meal from Oda’s Coffee + Wine Bar.
From there she headed to Manitou Beach where she embarked on a paddleboard adventure across the lake. With a dock built and equipment purchased by Michael Byrne of Oasis Village Manitou Beach, George headed across the lake and had a picnic on the shoreline care of Oda’s Coffee + Wine Bar, including a bottle of wine.
The third tour offered this summer and one that George also enjoyed was Art in the Park at Wellington Park. With local artist Michael Gaudet, the drawing basics workshop allows people to create intimate sketches of local flora, followed by a feast of pizza cooked in a stone oven nearby.
Clarke who was also on hand for Art in the Park said, “It was such a cool experience because Wellington Park is so unique and we have that stone oven nearby to utilize. We fired up the oven and we did a pizza for lunch for participants. It was very cool.”
Summer shop local passport program
As the summer heats up, the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group is also launching a summer shop local passport program. Running July, August and September, people have the chance to shop locally and win $500 while also having the opportunity to explore the area and have a little fun.
“The Watrous and Manitou Beach Shop Local Passport Program presented by the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has two components to it. One part is people shopping local and receiving a stamp. When people reach a certain number of stamps in their passports they can put their name in to receive $500 of Sea Monkey money which they can spend in the community. The other half of the program is we have a lot of families visiting each summer so they can take part in a scavenger hunt to look for different items like carvings.”
With the winner of the shop local summer program announced Sept. 20, Clarke said participating businesses can sign up by June 25 and be highlighted as part of the passport program. “The cost is $50 and those businesses will be featured as part of our summer shop local program. They can contact me at 306-917-7300 or email me at wmmg@sasktel.net if they want to sign up.”
July events
As July approaches, Clarke said there will be something for Canada Day at Manitou Beach. In addition to things like fireworks and live music, the Manitou Reflections Project will be dedicated during a public artwork unveiling.
What has been described as a world-class work of public art will be officially unveiled at Uhmann Centennial Park overlooking Little Manitou Lake. The 100 percent stainless steel artwork was designed with a gently curved surface that dramatically enhances its structural strength, while creating a very unique viewing experience. Partially funded by Heritage Canada, the project was made possible by the generous support of local businesses and community-minded individuals and created and designed by local artists.
The artwork was designed to reflect the iconic landscape of the north shore of Little Manitou Lake, where on a calm day the mineral-laden waters have a mirror-like quality that perfectly reflects the landscape and skies above.
Following the Canada Day celebrations and unveiling, during the second weekend in July, the first annual Buskers Festival will take place at Manitou Beach and in Watrous. Featuring street shows and street performers showcasing music, theatre, dance, and juggling, the festival coincides with the Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail which will be held within
the area July 10 and 11.
In Watrous, the 30th installment of the Watrous and Manitou Beach Annual Fun Run Auto Show ‘N’ Shine will be held July 24. While still in the planning stages, the event is seeking volunteers and will provide an opportunity for vehicle enthusiasts to enjoy viewing some incredible machines. More updates will be provided as the annual event nears (www.watrousfunrun.com).
Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival
In August, the Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival takes place Aug. 12 to 15 which Clarke said will be very similar to ones held in the past with an area for the kids, a beer gardens, and live entertainment. “People will be able to buy the quick carves and there will be an auction for half of the large carves on the Sunday.”
As for the carvers competing this year, Clarke said there was an overwhelming response so the committee had to reluctantly say no to a few. “We are going to have some really good carvers here and basically they are coming in from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and B.C.”
Along with other attractions, restaurants and amenities that Manitou Beach has, Clarke said, “It will be a very exciting summer.”
Daniel Bushman
As more people receive their COVID-19 vaccination and the province aims to fully reopen later this summer, the local tourism sector is hoping to see more visitors and residents enjoy what Manitou Beach and Watrous has to offer.
With a slate full of summer activities including some new packages designed to attract guests to the area, Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Vickie Clarke has already seen an influx of visitors and anticipates a busy summer ahead. “Summer boosts our numbers incredibly which means people are spending money so we’ve got some new initiatives this year.”
And it is not just local people or those from Saskatchewan who are wanting to see the area. After attending a virtual event geared toward tourism called Rendez-vous Canada Marketplace, Clarke explained she was on calls promoting the local area with people from India, China, Italy, and Germany. Talking with a gentleman from China, Clarke was asked why the area was so unique. “I took my laptop and turned it around to show him the lake. I said this is not just any lake and it is the only one in Canada of its kind. People can forget how fortunate we are to be living here because we have the only saltwater mineral lake in Canada. It is pretty special.”
Tourism Packages
Looking to promote a few new tourism packages, Clarke invited a travel writer and film crew out to the area. That travel writer was former Saskatchewanderer Ashlyn George, who is the author of the Lost Girl’s Guide to Finding the World. George was able to not only experience some of the attractions like The Drive-In at Manitou Beach, the Little Manitou Art Gallery and Manitou Springs Mineral Spa but she also took part in a couple of the new tour packages that will be offered.
First George attended a farm tour southwest of Watrous with Matt and Lesley Kelly and Derek Martin where she got to check out the farm equipment, took part in a crop tour, milled some lentil flour to take home and shared a big meal from Oda’s Coffee + Wine Bar.
From there she headed to Manitou Beach where she embarked on a paddleboard adventure across the lake. With a dock built and equipment purchased by Michael Byrne of Oasis Village Manitou Beach, George headed across the lake and had a picnic on the shoreline care of Oda’s Coffee + Wine Bar, including a bottle of wine.
The third tour offered this summer and one that George also enjoyed was Art in the Park at Wellington Park. With local artist Michael Gaudet, the drawing basics workshop allows people to create intimate sketches of local flora, followed by a feast of pizza cooked in a stone oven nearby.
Clarke who was also on hand for Art in the Park said, “It was such a cool experience because Wellington Park is so unique and we have that stone oven nearby to utilize. We fired up the oven and we did a pizza for lunch for participants. It was very cool.”
Summer shop local passport program
As the summer heats up, the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group is also launching a summer shop local passport program. Running July, August and September, people have the chance to shop locally and win $500 while also having the opportunity to explore the area and have a little fun.
“The Watrous and Manitou Beach Shop Local Passport Program presented by the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has two components to it. One part is people shopping local and receiving a stamp. When people reach a certain number of stamps in their passports they can put their name in to receive $500 of Sea Monkey money which they can spend in the community. The other half of the program is we have a lot of families visiting each summer so they can take part in a scavenger hunt to look for different items like carvings.”
With the winner of the shop local summer program announced Sept. 20, Clarke said participating businesses can sign up by June 25 and be highlighted as part of the passport program. “The cost is $50 and those businesses will be featured as part of our summer shop local program. They can contact me at 306-917-7300 or email me at wmmg@sasktel.net if they want to sign up.”
July events
As July approaches, Clarke said there will be something for Canada Day at Manitou Beach. In addition to things like fireworks and live music, the Manitou Reflections Project will be dedicated during a public artwork unveiling.
What has been described as a world-class work of public art will be officially unveiled at Uhmann Centennial Park overlooking Little Manitou Lake. The 100 percent stainless steel artwork was designed with a gently curved surface that dramatically enhances its structural strength, while creating a very unique viewing experience. Partially funded by Heritage Canada, the project was made possible by the generous support of local businesses and community-minded individuals and created and designed by local artists.
The artwork was designed to reflect the iconic landscape of the north shore of Little Manitou Lake, where on a calm day the mineral-laden waters have a mirror-like quality that perfectly reflects the landscape and skies above.
Following the Canada Day celebrations and unveiling, during the second weekend in July, the first annual Buskers Festival will take place at Manitou Beach and in Watrous. Featuring street shows and street performers showcasing music, theatre, dance, and juggling, the festival coincides with the Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail which will be held within
the area July 10 and 11.
In Watrous, the 30th installment of the Watrous and Manitou Beach Annual Fun Run Auto Show ‘N’ Shine will be held July 24. While still in the planning stages, the event is seeking volunteers and will provide an opportunity for vehicle enthusiasts to enjoy viewing some incredible machines. More updates will be provided as the annual event nears (www.watrousfunrun.com).
Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival
In August, the Manitou Beach Chainsaw Carving Festival takes place Aug. 12 to 15 which Clarke said will be very similar to ones held in the past with an area for the kids, a beer gardens, and live entertainment. “People will be able to buy the quick carves and there will be an auction for half of the large carves on the Sunday.”
As for the carvers competing this year, Clarke said there was an overwhelming response so the committee had to reluctantly say no to a few. “We are going to have some really good carvers here and basically they are coming in from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and B.C.”
Along with other attractions, restaurants and amenities that Manitou Beach has, Clarke said, “It will be a very exciting summer.”
TWM Top Story - June 14, 2021
Celebrating the WHS graduates of 2021
Daniel Bushman
On a beautiful June evening and navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, for a second consecutive year, the Winston High School graduation ceremony took place at The Drive-In at Manitou Beach.
While the pandemic has forced a number of changes over the past year, with the province getting closer to fully reopening, graduation events across Saskatchewan were given the green the light to proceed with certain guidelines. With WHS graduates, limited guests and members of their families able to participate in this year’s June 4 ceremony, the evening program was also live streamed on Facebook for others to view.
As was the case last year, while it was not the way this year’s Winston High School Gr. 12 students envisioned they would be graduating, they were still able to do so.
Along with Winston High School principal Terry Braman and teachers Lori Bartko and Lee Bells, the three were able to secure The Drive-in at Manitou Beach for the graduates to participate in a formal and socially distanced ceremony.
With graduates and two guests of their choosing sitting in hubs near the stage, images of the ceremony were put on a LED screen so those inside their vehicles watching nearby could view and listen to the event. Others unable to attend were able to watch online.
As the program commenced, chairperson and teacher Steve Armstrong shared how the graduates were able to rise above the challenges posed by the pandemic. “We are all very glad to be here, either in person or watching online.”
With the program moving along, after O Canada was played, Horizon School Division Superintendent of Student Services Darrell Paproski provided the message on behalf of the school division.
Offering congratulations to the graduates, Paproski stated how this year’s class was able to achieve so much as they head into the next chapter of their lives. While he added there will be challenges ahead, Paproski encouraged the students to remember that their future is bright and anything is possible when they set their minds to it.
Following Paproski’s message, WHS Principal Terry Braman remarked how this year’s graduation ceremonies were not how the students envisioned. As the pandemic continued to force changes over this past year, Braman said the staff and students were able to do their best in navigating through the challenges to get to the June 4 event.
Stating that this year’s class was a diverse group that carried a reputation, he added they are also full of promise. While there have been some bumps along the road for the class, Braman continued by stating how incredibly proud he was of the progress they made throughout their high school years.
Noting how remarkable the class was when it came to the amount of students graduating with honours and distinctions, doing so through the pandemic in addition to other challenges along the way was an incredible achievement. “It will be your badge of honour one day to say that you endured the pandemic during your Gr. 12 year.”
Encouraging the graduates to finish strong, Braman concluded by saying, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
After Braman’s message, graduate Carter Pidhorodetsky delivered a tribute to teachers and education. With a goal of one day becoming a teacher himself, Carter provided a humourous speech containing
puns and notes of encouragement. While the class made it through its high school years and the pandemic, Pidhorodetsky said, “The real ones who deserve the congratulations are the teachers. We weren’t the best kids . . . they deserve a round of applause.”
Being candid, Carter explained while the class learned some things, they will also forget some of those things as they embark on their next chapter. “But one thing we will remember is our teachers.”
Stating how fortunate the graduates were to not just have great teachers, Pidhorodetsky said they are great people as well. “They showed up with a good attitude ready to teach no matter what . . . they helped us accomplish our goals . . . I want to thank them all for putting up with us.”
Providing a response was WHS Vice-Principal Doug Thomas. Sharing about how Carter and himself challenged each other as to who could come up with the most puns in their speeches, Thomas started off with a number of ‘dad’ jokes instead. After getting a few laughs and even some horn blasts from those listening in nearby vehicles, Thomas noted how tough going through a pandemic this past year was.
Encouraging students and others to share how valuable and important teachers are to them, Thomas added, “There is no monetary amount that can equal the joy in knowing you are making a positive impact in a student.”
The teacher concluded by reminding everyone about the beauty of education and that people are all capable learners. He also shared that when obstacles come, it can be an opportunity to grow and that no one is ever alone. “You have a long line of supporters. If you are in a bind, reach out. We love you and we will miss you.”
Providing the tribute to the community was graduate Avery Collins. Thanking the various communities who are home to the graduates, Collins said it was a joy to grow up in Watrous where she was just a bike ride away from family. “Whether or not we leave, Watrous will always be part of our lives.”
Grandfather to Avery and former mayor of Watrous Ed Collins gave the response. Sharing about how the graduates played an important part in their communities, Ed thanked them for their work in various jobs and other roles as they helped to make their hometowns a better place. The former mayor also recalled being at a Winston High School graduation 30 years prior where it was his son graduating. Now with his granddaughter receiving a diploma, Collins said it brought back a lot of great memories.
He also thanked the class for providing entertainment to the communities like competing in sporting events and dance competitions. He also appreciated the volunteerism. “That showed you cared.” Encouraging the graduates to continue to volunteer, Ed said they would find it rewarding. “Your willingness to learn and gain experience will benefit you moving forward.”
Wishing the grads all the best and reminding them to never forget their roots, Collins ended by stating they should all be proud. “We are all proud of you.”
After Collins, graduate Sarah Pilling gave the tribute to the parents. Sharing about how lessons and advice from parents to their kids has changed over the years, Pilling added the advice remains important whether the graduates felt it was or not. Going into the world where lots can happen, Sarah said parents can provide each of the graduates with meaningful advice like accepting everyone you meet, being true to yourself and paying your bills on time. Thanking the parents for all that they have done, Sarah’s mom Kristie then gave the response.
Excited and honoured to have been
asked to give a speech, Kristie said along with her husband Jason, the pair have been able to teach, coach, and influence many of the graduates over the years. “You are a very unique class but you are also a hardworking, driven and smart class.”
Citing there are leaders throughout the graduating class, Pilling then left the group with some advice:
• leave home. You are fortunate to have been raised here but go somewhere to see, learn and experience. Meet people and have a meaningful conversation;
• unplug. Put your electronic devices away or you will miss out on experiences and meeting people. Focus on the positives and not the criticisms;
• find your people and you may also find love. Love with all your might and that includes loving yourself;
• find a path and if it is one without challenges, it probably won’t lead anywhere;
• be accountable and be able to move on;
• do not lie;
• never stop learning no matter how old you get;
• always question what you learn;
• always read what you sign; and
• thank your parents.
Pilling then ended her speech citing the lyrics from the song: Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw.
Giving this year’s tribute to the graduates was teacher Evan Libke. After a few laughs by sharing some excuses he has heard from a couple of the graduates over the years, in all seriousness, Libke talked about everyone facing difficulties during the pandemic including the graduates. “This group faced some unique challenges including things that we took for granted when we were their age.”
Recalling missed opportunities because of the pandemic, Libke said the graduates were also able to utilize the situation and bonded with classmates, grew their relationships that they may not have normally done and had time to pick up new skills and hobbies. And for some, he suggested they maybe even tried to improve their grades.
While he added there will be many more challenges ahead, Libke said the graduates will get through them like they have done before. Wishing the class good luck as many more chapters are left to be written, a powerpoint presentation then followed Libke.
With images of each graduate shown on the screen, graduates Shelby Allin, Mitchell Harding, Isaac Jensen and Amy Sundquist (pictured below) started the presentation before changing places with graduates Morgan Hendry, Maddison Rheaume and Jaycee Sperling as each provided information about the grads and their future plans.
After the presentation, WHS teacher Barry Croshaw was announced as the guest speaker. Bringing humour and wisdom, Croshaw began explaining what an honour it was that he would be asked to share a beautiful Friday evening with the graduating class. He remarked what a tremendous group of aspiring, talented and hardworking students there were graduating this year. With his wit and receiving some laughs throughout his speech, Croshaw was also serious and explained what a tremendous impact the pandemic has had. Whether it was missing out on opportunities at school, interacting with other students in the hallways or common area or not being able to compete in sports, Croshaw said the graduates need to carry on and grow as individuals throughout the challenges they will face. “You are about to embark on your own personal journey.”
Commenting how interconnected the class is around the world due to all of the technological advancements, Croshaw said if the students are willing, they can become agents of change to make the world a better place.
The graduates were encouraged to embrace their past but to also not live in it. Croshaw then continued by sharing a few points of advice:
• have integrity and do what is right;
• be kind in how you treat people;
• breathe. Take time to enjoy life;
• expand your horizons;
• do things out of the ordinary and grow as an individual;
• move out but enjoy your family;
• be happy with what you have; and
• spend time making extra memories and not extra money.
Like Kristie Pilling, Croshaw also quoted lyrics, but from Lee Ann Womack’s song, I Hope You Dance.
Concluding his speech, Croshaw said it was tremendous to have the graduates in school and encouraged them to use their unique abilities and personalities.
Following Croshaw was this year’s valedictorian, graduate Daniel Martin. Thanking his classmates for the honour of representing them, Martin also mentioned how much of an impact his mom, dad and grandfather had on his life. Also thanking the teachers for putting up with the class, Martin said after his older brother gave a tribute to the community a few years ago, he decided to begin writing a speech in hopes of one day being able to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
Sharing about having a great class, Martin also quipped that it may not have been the most mature or responsible class but noted how the group improved as years went along. “I think a ton of people would be proud. We are a smart, athletic, charming and good looking group.”
As new faces joined the class throughout the years of schooling, Martin highlighted a few strengths including the group being able to let things go. He also believed that any of his fellow classmates who put in the hard work and commitment in their given passion would be able to reach their goals.
Providing a few words of wisdom before passing the torch, Martin told his peers:
• do not be stupid. Think before you do something;
• do not let anyone crash your dreams; and
• be prepared for what is to come. While you may not always succeed, there is a reason and we can pick ourselves up and learn from those experiences.
“I love this town and I love this class,” said Martin adding if he ever has kids and they one day attend a similar school or live in a community like Watrous, “they will turn out pretty great.”
Following Martin’s valedictorian address, a video was played of the passing of the torch between Daniel and Gr. 11 student Pearce Bartko. From there, principal Terry Braman was on hand as each graduate took a scroll from a table and headed to centre stage. As each graduate was announced with their scroll, at the end of the presentation, Armstrong announced the program reached its conclusion for the evening.
The 2021 WHS graduates include: Shelby Allin, John Arsenal, Evan Borsa, Rebecka Braun, Avery Collins, Peyton Dinkel, Easton Ediger, Megan Fisher, Brett Grindheim, Sydney Hallborg, Mitchell Harding, Morgan Hendry, Lucas Holmes-Gundry, Julia Jenewein, Liam Jennett, Isaac Jensen, Caden Lee, Reier Lee, Andrew Lewis, Jackson Mark, Jake Martens, Ricky Martens, Daniel Martin, Alex McDonald, Travis McGrath, Sage Mierau, Benicio Moya-Moneo, Sean Nimchuk, Jordyn Parker, Carter Pidhorodetsky, Sarah Pilling, Maddison Rheaume, Dave Rivera, Ethan Schilling, Rachel Schroeder, Jacob Siegfried, Jaycee Sperling, Connor Stewart, Spencer Stokke, Amy Sundquist, Matthew Sundquist, Sikwan Swan, Jeremy Wiebe, and Jaida Yanoshewski.
Daniel Bushman
On a beautiful June evening and navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, for a second consecutive year, the Winston High School graduation ceremony took place at The Drive-In at Manitou Beach.
While the pandemic has forced a number of changes over the past year, with the province getting closer to fully reopening, graduation events across Saskatchewan were given the green the light to proceed with certain guidelines. With WHS graduates, limited guests and members of their families able to participate in this year’s June 4 ceremony, the evening program was also live streamed on Facebook for others to view.
As was the case last year, while it was not the way this year’s Winston High School Gr. 12 students envisioned they would be graduating, they were still able to do so.
Along with Winston High School principal Terry Braman and teachers Lori Bartko and Lee Bells, the three were able to secure The Drive-in at Manitou Beach for the graduates to participate in a formal and socially distanced ceremony.
With graduates and two guests of their choosing sitting in hubs near the stage, images of the ceremony were put on a LED screen so those inside their vehicles watching nearby could view and listen to the event. Others unable to attend were able to watch online.
As the program commenced, chairperson and teacher Steve Armstrong shared how the graduates were able to rise above the challenges posed by the pandemic. “We are all very glad to be here, either in person or watching online.”
With the program moving along, after O Canada was played, Horizon School Division Superintendent of Student Services Darrell Paproski provided the message on behalf of the school division.
Offering congratulations to the graduates, Paproski stated how this year’s class was able to achieve so much as they head into the next chapter of their lives. While he added there will be challenges ahead, Paproski encouraged the students to remember that their future is bright and anything is possible when they set their minds to it.
Following Paproski’s message, WHS Principal Terry Braman remarked how this year’s graduation ceremonies were not how the students envisioned. As the pandemic continued to force changes over this past year, Braman said the staff and students were able to do their best in navigating through the challenges to get to the June 4 event.
Stating that this year’s class was a diverse group that carried a reputation, he added they are also full of promise. While there have been some bumps along the road for the class, Braman continued by stating how incredibly proud he was of the progress they made throughout their high school years.
Noting how remarkable the class was when it came to the amount of students graduating with honours and distinctions, doing so through the pandemic in addition to other challenges along the way was an incredible achievement. “It will be your badge of honour one day to say that you endured the pandemic during your Gr. 12 year.”
Encouraging the graduates to finish strong, Braman concluded by saying, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
After Braman’s message, graduate Carter Pidhorodetsky delivered a tribute to teachers and education. With a goal of one day becoming a teacher himself, Carter provided a humourous speech containing
puns and notes of encouragement. While the class made it through its high school years and the pandemic, Pidhorodetsky said, “The real ones who deserve the congratulations are the teachers. We weren’t the best kids . . . they deserve a round of applause.”
Being candid, Carter explained while the class learned some things, they will also forget some of those things as they embark on their next chapter. “But one thing we will remember is our teachers.”
Stating how fortunate the graduates were to not just have great teachers, Pidhorodetsky said they are great people as well. “They showed up with a good attitude ready to teach no matter what . . . they helped us accomplish our goals . . . I want to thank them all for putting up with us.”
Providing a response was WHS Vice-Principal Doug Thomas. Sharing about how Carter and himself challenged each other as to who could come up with the most puns in their speeches, Thomas started off with a number of ‘dad’ jokes instead. After getting a few laughs and even some horn blasts from those listening in nearby vehicles, Thomas noted how tough going through a pandemic this past year was.
Encouraging students and others to share how valuable and important teachers are to them, Thomas added, “There is no monetary amount that can equal the joy in knowing you are making a positive impact in a student.”
The teacher concluded by reminding everyone about the beauty of education and that people are all capable learners. He also shared that when obstacles come, it can be an opportunity to grow and that no one is ever alone. “You have a long line of supporters. If you are in a bind, reach out. We love you and we will miss you.”
Providing the tribute to the community was graduate Avery Collins. Thanking the various communities who are home to the graduates, Collins said it was a joy to grow up in Watrous where she was just a bike ride away from family. “Whether or not we leave, Watrous will always be part of our lives.”
Grandfather to Avery and former mayor of Watrous Ed Collins gave the response. Sharing about how the graduates played an important part in their communities, Ed thanked them for their work in various jobs and other roles as they helped to make their hometowns a better place. The former mayor also recalled being at a Winston High School graduation 30 years prior where it was his son graduating. Now with his granddaughter receiving a diploma, Collins said it brought back a lot of great memories.
He also thanked the class for providing entertainment to the communities like competing in sporting events and dance competitions. He also appreciated the volunteerism. “That showed you cared.” Encouraging the graduates to continue to volunteer, Ed said they would find it rewarding. “Your willingness to learn and gain experience will benefit you moving forward.”
Wishing the grads all the best and reminding them to never forget their roots, Collins ended by stating they should all be proud. “We are all proud of you.”
After Collins, graduate Sarah Pilling gave the tribute to the parents. Sharing about how lessons and advice from parents to their kids has changed over the years, Pilling added the advice remains important whether the graduates felt it was or not. Going into the world where lots can happen, Sarah said parents can provide each of the graduates with meaningful advice like accepting everyone you meet, being true to yourself and paying your bills on time. Thanking the parents for all that they have done, Sarah’s mom Kristie then gave the response.
Excited and honoured to have been
asked to give a speech, Kristie said along with her husband Jason, the pair have been able to teach, coach, and influence many of the graduates over the years. “You are a very unique class but you are also a hardworking, driven and smart class.”
Citing there are leaders throughout the graduating class, Pilling then left the group with some advice:
• leave home. You are fortunate to have been raised here but go somewhere to see, learn and experience. Meet people and have a meaningful conversation;
• unplug. Put your electronic devices away or you will miss out on experiences and meeting people. Focus on the positives and not the criticisms;
• find your people and you may also find love. Love with all your might and that includes loving yourself;
• find a path and if it is one without challenges, it probably won’t lead anywhere;
• be accountable and be able to move on;
• do not lie;
• never stop learning no matter how old you get;
• always question what you learn;
• always read what you sign; and
• thank your parents.
Pilling then ended her speech citing the lyrics from the song: Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw.
Giving this year’s tribute to the graduates was teacher Evan Libke. After a few laughs by sharing some excuses he has heard from a couple of the graduates over the years, in all seriousness, Libke talked about everyone facing difficulties during the pandemic including the graduates. “This group faced some unique challenges including things that we took for granted when we were their age.”
Recalling missed opportunities because of the pandemic, Libke said the graduates were also able to utilize the situation and bonded with classmates, grew their relationships that they may not have normally done and had time to pick up new skills and hobbies. And for some, he suggested they maybe even tried to improve their grades.
While he added there will be many more challenges ahead, Libke said the graduates will get through them like they have done before. Wishing the class good luck as many more chapters are left to be written, a powerpoint presentation then followed Libke.
With images of each graduate shown on the screen, graduates Shelby Allin, Mitchell Harding, Isaac Jensen and Amy Sundquist (pictured below) started the presentation before changing places with graduates Morgan Hendry, Maddison Rheaume and Jaycee Sperling as each provided information about the grads and their future plans.
After the presentation, WHS teacher Barry Croshaw was announced as the guest speaker. Bringing humour and wisdom, Croshaw began explaining what an honour it was that he would be asked to share a beautiful Friday evening with the graduating class. He remarked what a tremendous group of aspiring, talented and hardworking students there were graduating this year. With his wit and receiving some laughs throughout his speech, Croshaw was also serious and explained what a tremendous impact the pandemic has had. Whether it was missing out on opportunities at school, interacting with other students in the hallways or common area or not being able to compete in sports, Croshaw said the graduates need to carry on and grow as individuals throughout the challenges they will face. “You are about to embark on your own personal journey.”
Commenting how interconnected the class is around the world due to all of the technological advancements, Croshaw said if the students are willing, they can become agents of change to make the world a better place.
The graduates were encouraged to embrace their past but to also not live in it. Croshaw then continued by sharing a few points of advice:
• have integrity and do what is right;
• be kind in how you treat people;
• breathe. Take time to enjoy life;
• expand your horizons;
• do things out of the ordinary and grow as an individual;
• move out but enjoy your family;
• be happy with what you have; and
• spend time making extra memories and not extra money.
Like Kristie Pilling, Croshaw also quoted lyrics, but from Lee Ann Womack’s song, I Hope You Dance.
Concluding his speech, Croshaw said it was tremendous to have the graduates in school and encouraged them to use their unique abilities and personalities.
Following Croshaw was this year’s valedictorian, graduate Daniel Martin. Thanking his classmates for the honour of representing them, Martin also mentioned how much of an impact his mom, dad and grandfather had on his life. Also thanking the teachers for putting up with the class, Martin said after his older brother gave a tribute to the community a few years ago, he decided to begin writing a speech in hopes of one day being able to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
Sharing about having a great class, Martin also quipped that it may not have been the most mature or responsible class but noted how the group improved as years went along. “I think a ton of people would be proud. We are a smart, athletic, charming and good looking group.”
As new faces joined the class throughout the years of schooling, Martin highlighted a few strengths including the group being able to let things go. He also believed that any of his fellow classmates who put in the hard work and commitment in their given passion would be able to reach their goals.
Providing a few words of wisdom before passing the torch, Martin told his peers:
• do not be stupid. Think before you do something;
• do not let anyone crash your dreams; and
• be prepared for what is to come. While you may not always succeed, there is a reason and we can pick ourselves up and learn from those experiences.
“I love this town and I love this class,” said Martin adding if he ever has kids and they one day attend a similar school or live in a community like Watrous, “they will turn out pretty great.”
Following Martin’s valedictorian address, a video was played of the passing of the torch between Daniel and Gr. 11 student Pearce Bartko. From there, principal Terry Braman was on hand as each graduate took a scroll from a table and headed to centre stage. As each graduate was announced with their scroll, at the end of the presentation, Armstrong announced the program reached its conclusion for the evening.
The 2021 WHS graduates include: Shelby Allin, John Arsenal, Evan Borsa, Rebecka Braun, Avery Collins, Peyton Dinkel, Easton Ediger, Megan Fisher, Brett Grindheim, Sydney Hallborg, Mitchell Harding, Morgan Hendry, Lucas Holmes-Gundry, Julia Jenewein, Liam Jennett, Isaac Jensen, Caden Lee, Reier Lee, Andrew Lewis, Jackson Mark, Jake Martens, Ricky Martens, Daniel Martin, Alex McDonald, Travis McGrath, Sage Mierau, Benicio Moya-Moneo, Sean Nimchuk, Jordyn Parker, Carter Pidhorodetsky, Sarah Pilling, Maddison Rheaume, Dave Rivera, Ethan Schilling, Rachel Schroeder, Jacob Siegfried, Jaycee Sperling, Connor Stewart, Spencer Stokke, Amy Sundquist, Matthew Sundquist, Sikwan Swan, Jeremy Wiebe, and Jaida Yanoshewski.
TWM Top Story - June 7, 2021
Contracting COVID-19: the long road to recovery
Daniel Bushman
It has been an arduous time as many people have done their best to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions finally begin to lift in Saskatchewan and vaccinations continue to be administered, for those who have contracted COVID-19, the journey to recovery has taken time and for some, it continues.
According to the Mayo Clinic, most people who have COVID-19 recover completely within a few weeks but for others like Watrous resident Cindy McLean and Oakville, Ont. Covid Long-Haulers Support Group Canada creator Susie Goulding, symptoms can linger for weeks and even months.
Described as long haulers, effects of COVID-19 can persist for more than four weeks in people after being diagnosed with the virus. While older people and those with many serious medical conditions are most likely to experience the lingering symptoms, the Mayo Clinic said even young and healthy people can feel unwell for weeks and months after being infected with symptoms.
For McLean who considers herself a COVID-19 long hauler, her road to recovery has been a lengthy one that still continues. The pharmacist in Watrous was first swabbed for COVID-19 back in Jan. 20, 2021 and after testing positive, she began her isolation period.
“I isolated for 21 days in my basement and my husband and my son, who both tested negative, isolated upstairs for 14 days,” said McLean. “I slept mostly 18 to 20 hours a day during my weeks in isolation. I was hospitalized twice and battled with severe fatigue and dehydration. I felt mentally and physically defeated as I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t getting better.”
Like others who have tested positive for COVID-19, McLean’s infection did not present with some of the typical symptoms such as a cough, sneezing or shortness of breath. Instead, she had extreme fatigue, confusion, dizziness, and weakness which ended with nausea, loss of appetite, muscle pain, fever, night sweats, dehydration, headaches, blood clotting, memory problems and brain fog.
“When I learned I had COVID-19 I felt scared, sad, angry, embarrassed, anxious, and overwhelmed. I had spent the last year doing everything in my power to keep myself, my family and the public I deal with safe from COVID-19. For me these feelings created a cascade of anxiety and shame. I second guessed every place I had gone, I analyzed every item I carried, and I worried about every person that I had talked to or had contact with in the last two weeks.”
Still not knowing where she contracted COVID-19 from, McLean also shared that because of her positive diagnosis, four of her co-workers who all tested negative were put into isolation for two weeks as the remaining staff were left to try and keep the doors open while providing an essential service to the public. “I want people to know that collectively almost all of us have been impacted in someway by COVID-19. People who are isolating or who are sick with COVID-19 are still people and need compassion and understanding.”
As those long days of dealing with COVID-19 began to turn into weeks, Cindy said it was not until she accepted that she was really sick that things began to get easier and her anxiety started to lift.
“I realized I wasn’t going to work the next week and I wasn’t cooking supper; my only job was to heal because that was all I could do. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent support system of my husband and son, my parents and in-laws, friends, and co-workers who enabled me to take the time I needed.”
Hoping she would bounce back after her 21 days in isolation, McLean said her daily improvement felt like it was going at a snail’s pace. “Weeks turned into months and I was improving so slowly that I was discouraged and depressed. I can remember one night I was trying to watch a hockey game and I couldn’t keep up with where the puck was on the ice.”
Not only was trying to focus on a hockey game hard but other things that were normally no problem for Cindy became nearly impossible. Climbing the stairs, walking to the end of her block, making herself something to eat were also out of the equation during the first months of having COVID-19. But it was through those tough times where she was encouraged to reach out and join a few support groups where she could hear similar experiences from others.
Once Cindy found a few of those groups, she felt more empowered and comforted to know that thousands of people across the country were also experiencing many of the same symptoms and emotions that she was.
One of those places that McLean found comfort in was the Covid Long-Haulers Support Group Canada (https://www.facebook.com/groups/920314451799658/?ref=share) established on Facebook. Created by Susie Goulding out of Oakville, Ont., the private group is currently the largest one of its kind in the country with over 13,500 members.
Like Cindy, Susie has also been working through her own lingering effects of COVID-19. Getting sick Mar. 21, 2020, Goulding figured she got the virus after a daily screening at a hospital. A few days later, she experienced a sore throat before a bunch of symptoms arrived shortly after that. While she didn’t have any trouble breathing or experienced a fever, Goulding recalled getting an ear, nose, throat and
sinus infection along with a cough. Susie also had extreme fatigue, found it hard to swallow and developed brain fog, things she still deals with today.
“I was suffering from severe cognitive dysfunction and fatigue to the point that it was completely debilitating. But my main issues were affecting the brain. Brain fog is like living with a broken brain and feels as though I have Alzheimer’s. You can't think straight, your memory is terrible, you forget everything and have so many issues. It's like trying to function with half your brain shut down. The fatigue that I also got left me lifeless for months. To this date, the injury to my brain is still healing.”
Early on, Goulding also dealt with intense pressure at the back of her head near the base of her skull. “It felt like I had been hit with a baseball bat.” Things then moved into her digestive system and affected her heart. “At one point I thought I might die because I felt like I was having a heart attack. My heart was racing and having unusual rhythms and it was really scary but I learnt to get up the next day and to just live with my symptoms.”
Since the pandemic was relatively new in Canada when Susie's numerous symptoms related to COVID-19 arrived, testing was not readily available at that time to confirm it was a positive case. With her condition worsening, by June 2020 Goulding went to the hospital with about 35 different symptoms related to the virus.
It was at that time her doctor felt Susie could assume she had COVID-19 along with a viral infection. “My doctor said we will do the test but it will probably come back negative because at that point it was over two months since I first had COVID-19.”
Goulding was not surprised when the test came back negative but with the severity of her condition and because of the lack of knowledge and information presented to her, she wanted to try and find others who went through similar experiences.
“My understanding is around 25 to 35 percent of all COVID-19 cases end up being long haulers and 85 to 95 percent of hospitalized cases are people who will become long haulers. Because there are so many of us, that is why I wanted to start the support group online,” she said from her Oakville, Ont. home. “The support group is to address these issues and bring Canadians together on a platform where we could speak about our COVID-19 culture which is much further behind what was happening in Europe and completely different than in the United States. Every country has its own culture as to what is happening and how the virus is progressing. I felt it was important to have our own safe place to speak with each other and to gain information.”
Launching her long haulers support group page in 2020, it has since ballooned to more than 13,500 members. During the first wave of the pandemic, Goulding noted many who joined were mostly middle-aged. Now most new members are those between 20 and 40 years old.
“There is another bracket of people who are not recovering. We are trying to reach out to other people to make them understand that this is something that needs to be really taken into consideration when masking up or not masking up and setting out. We just want people to be protecting themselves properly because you don’t want to end up as a long hauler.”
With members from all across Canada as part of the online support group, Goulding hopes to one day approach the federal government with the knowledge of letting them know what is needed to address the complexity and issues surrounding long haulers.
To reach a larger audience while allowing safe places for long haulers to share their experiences and information, Goulding recently branched out into provincial groups on Facebook including Saskatchewan (https://www.facebook.com/groups/977005726442284/?ref=share). She has also created a website (www.covidlonghaulcanada.com) with a number of different resources for people to access.
“Most people find that once they find the group that it is a big sigh of relief for them knowing that they are not alone. People don’t understand what we are going through and how could you understand if you haven’t gone through it yourself? There are all kinds of symptoms and debilitating things so it just provides some recognition that we are in a community.”
While much is still unknown about how COVID-19 will affect people over time, the Mayo Clinic stated those potentially long-lasting problems from COVID-19 make it even more important to reduce the spread by following precautions like wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding crowds, getting a vaccine when available and keeping hands clean.
When it comes to following those precautions, Goulding is frustrated when she hears there are people still not adhering to them or who think COVID-19 is a joke. “At first I was very frustrated and tried to reason with these people. I don’t think there is really any reasoning with them until they find out for themselves. Then they live with a lot of regret. They may get another family member sick or someone may pass away. They end up doing collateral damage, end up being a long hauler or having a severe case of COVID-19. That turns them around rather quickly but for me, I am focusing on much more positive things and I don’t worry about them anymore because there is no sense in changing their minds. Sometimes they may have to learn the hard way.”
For those who do consider themselves long haulers, when asked what is one of the most important things for them to do, Goulding said, “Find your support system and people who are positively influencing you and believe what is going on. Definitely be your own advocate as far as getting help from the medical profession. Do some homework and believe in yourself that this is happening to you and find strength in others coming together.”
As for McLean, after contracting COVID-19 on Jan. 20, 2021, she is still not 100 percent but is glad to be enjoying some of the tasks she could not do four months ago. She is also thankful to have found some support along the way. “I know there are many people who are or will experience lingering symptoms from this virus. I have found so much guidance and peace of mind by listening to other experiences. Knowledge is power and we are still gathering as much knowledge as we can about this virus and what it does to the human body physically and mentally.”
By being transparent about her journey, McLean hopes her story will help others while reducing the stigma surrounding contracting and being sick with COVID-19. “Whether you have had COVID-19, know someone or are caring for someone who had COVID-19, or lost someone you love due to COVID-19, it is important to know that we are all human and that we are all doing the best we can.”
Along with sharing her experience and being transparent, McLean has received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and hopes to return to her regular routine soon. She has also adopted a recovery plan with the help of her doctors, nurses, specialists, and therapists. “I can see improvements week to week in my symptoms and try really hard to focus on the progress rather than the setbacks. Some people only get a mild case of COVID-19 and some of us end up as long haulers. I often say I feel like one of the lucky ones as some people who fall ill with COVID-19 don’t get a chance to come home.”
Daniel Bushman
It has been an arduous time as many people have done their best to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions finally begin to lift in Saskatchewan and vaccinations continue to be administered, for those who have contracted COVID-19, the journey to recovery has taken time and for some, it continues.
According to the Mayo Clinic, most people who have COVID-19 recover completely within a few weeks but for others like Watrous resident Cindy McLean and Oakville, Ont. Covid Long-Haulers Support Group Canada creator Susie Goulding, symptoms can linger for weeks and even months.
Described as long haulers, effects of COVID-19 can persist for more than four weeks in people after being diagnosed with the virus. While older people and those with many serious medical conditions are most likely to experience the lingering symptoms, the Mayo Clinic said even young and healthy people can feel unwell for weeks and months after being infected with symptoms.
For McLean who considers herself a COVID-19 long hauler, her road to recovery has been a lengthy one that still continues. The pharmacist in Watrous was first swabbed for COVID-19 back in Jan. 20, 2021 and after testing positive, she began her isolation period.
“I isolated for 21 days in my basement and my husband and my son, who both tested negative, isolated upstairs for 14 days,” said McLean. “I slept mostly 18 to 20 hours a day during my weeks in isolation. I was hospitalized twice and battled with severe fatigue and dehydration. I felt mentally and physically defeated as I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t getting better.”
Like others who have tested positive for COVID-19, McLean’s infection did not present with some of the typical symptoms such as a cough, sneezing or shortness of breath. Instead, she had extreme fatigue, confusion, dizziness, and weakness which ended with nausea, loss of appetite, muscle pain, fever, night sweats, dehydration, headaches, blood clotting, memory problems and brain fog.
“When I learned I had COVID-19 I felt scared, sad, angry, embarrassed, anxious, and overwhelmed. I had spent the last year doing everything in my power to keep myself, my family and the public I deal with safe from COVID-19. For me these feelings created a cascade of anxiety and shame. I second guessed every place I had gone, I analyzed every item I carried, and I worried about every person that I had talked to or had contact with in the last two weeks.”
Still not knowing where she contracted COVID-19 from, McLean also shared that because of her positive diagnosis, four of her co-workers who all tested negative were put into isolation for two weeks as the remaining staff were left to try and keep the doors open while providing an essential service to the public. “I want people to know that collectively almost all of us have been impacted in someway by COVID-19. People who are isolating or who are sick with COVID-19 are still people and need compassion and understanding.”
As those long days of dealing with COVID-19 began to turn into weeks, Cindy said it was not until she accepted that she was really sick that things began to get easier and her anxiety started to lift.
“I realized I wasn’t going to work the next week and I wasn’t cooking supper; my only job was to heal because that was all I could do. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent support system of my husband and son, my parents and in-laws, friends, and co-workers who enabled me to take the time I needed.”
Hoping she would bounce back after her 21 days in isolation, McLean said her daily improvement felt like it was going at a snail’s pace. “Weeks turned into months and I was improving so slowly that I was discouraged and depressed. I can remember one night I was trying to watch a hockey game and I couldn’t keep up with where the puck was on the ice.”
Not only was trying to focus on a hockey game hard but other things that were normally no problem for Cindy became nearly impossible. Climbing the stairs, walking to the end of her block, making herself something to eat were also out of the equation during the first months of having COVID-19. But it was through those tough times where she was encouraged to reach out and join a few support groups where she could hear similar experiences from others.
Once Cindy found a few of those groups, she felt more empowered and comforted to know that thousands of people across the country were also experiencing many of the same symptoms and emotions that she was.
One of those places that McLean found comfort in was the Covid Long-Haulers Support Group Canada (https://www.facebook.com/groups/920314451799658/?ref=share) established on Facebook. Created by Susie Goulding out of Oakville, Ont., the private group is currently the largest one of its kind in the country with over 13,500 members.
Like Cindy, Susie has also been working through her own lingering effects of COVID-19. Getting sick Mar. 21, 2020, Goulding figured she got the virus after a daily screening at a hospital. A few days later, she experienced a sore throat before a bunch of symptoms arrived shortly after that. While she didn’t have any trouble breathing or experienced a fever, Goulding recalled getting an ear, nose, throat and
sinus infection along with a cough. Susie also had extreme fatigue, found it hard to swallow and developed brain fog, things she still deals with today.
“I was suffering from severe cognitive dysfunction and fatigue to the point that it was completely debilitating. But my main issues were affecting the brain. Brain fog is like living with a broken brain and feels as though I have Alzheimer’s. You can't think straight, your memory is terrible, you forget everything and have so many issues. It's like trying to function with half your brain shut down. The fatigue that I also got left me lifeless for months. To this date, the injury to my brain is still healing.”
Early on, Goulding also dealt with intense pressure at the back of her head near the base of her skull. “It felt like I had been hit with a baseball bat.” Things then moved into her digestive system and affected her heart. “At one point I thought I might die because I felt like I was having a heart attack. My heart was racing and having unusual rhythms and it was really scary but I learnt to get up the next day and to just live with my symptoms.”
Since the pandemic was relatively new in Canada when Susie's numerous symptoms related to COVID-19 arrived, testing was not readily available at that time to confirm it was a positive case. With her condition worsening, by June 2020 Goulding went to the hospital with about 35 different symptoms related to the virus.
It was at that time her doctor felt Susie could assume she had COVID-19 along with a viral infection. “My doctor said we will do the test but it will probably come back negative because at that point it was over two months since I first had COVID-19.”
Goulding was not surprised when the test came back negative but with the severity of her condition and because of the lack of knowledge and information presented to her, she wanted to try and find others who went through similar experiences.
“My understanding is around 25 to 35 percent of all COVID-19 cases end up being long haulers and 85 to 95 percent of hospitalized cases are people who will become long haulers. Because there are so many of us, that is why I wanted to start the support group online,” she said from her Oakville, Ont. home. “The support group is to address these issues and bring Canadians together on a platform where we could speak about our COVID-19 culture which is much further behind what was happening in Europe and completely different than in the United States. Every country has its own culture as to what is happening and how the virus is progressing. I felt it was important to have our own safe place to speak with each other and to gain information.”
Launching her long haulers support group page in 2020, it has since ballooned to more than 13,500 members. During the first wave of the pandemic, Goulding noted many who joined were mostly middle-aged. Now most new members are those between 20 and 40 years old.
“There is another bracket of people who are not recovering. We are trying to reach out to other people to make them understand that this is something that needs to be really taken into consideration when masking up or not masking up and setting out. We just want people to be protecting themselves properly because you don’t want to end up as a long hauler.”
With members from all across Canada as part of the online support group, Goulding hopes to one day approach the federal government with the knowledge of letting them know what is needed to address the complexity and issues surrounding long haulers.
To reach a larger audience while allowing safe places for long haulers to share their experiences and information, Goulding recently branched out into provincial groups on Facebook including Saskatchewan (https://www.facebook.com/groups/977005726442284/?ref=share). She has also created a website (www.covidlonghaulcanada.com) with a number of different resources for people to access.
“Most people find that once they find the group that it is a big sigh of relief for them knowing that they are not alone. People don’t understand what we are going through and how could you understand if you haven’t gone through it yourself? There are all kinds of symptoms and debilitating things so it just provides some recognition that we are in a community.”
While much is still unknown about how COVID-19 will affect people over time, the Mayo Clinic stated those potentially long-lasting problems from COVID-19 make it even more important to reduce the spread by following precautions like wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding crowds, getting a vaccine when available and keeping hands clean.
When it comes to following those precautions, Goulding is frustrated when she hears there are people still not adhering to them or who think COVID-19 is a joke. “At first I was very frustrated and tried to reason with these people. I don’t think there is really any reasoning with them until they find out for themselves. Then they live with a lot of regret. They may get another family member sick or someone may pass away. They end up doing collateral damage, end up being a long hauler or having a severe case of COVID-19. That turns them around rather quickly but for me, I am focusing on much more positive things and I don’t worry about them anymore because there is no sense in changing their minds. Sometimes they may have to learn the hard way.”
For those who do consider themselves long haulers, when asked what is one of the most important things for them to do, Goulding said, “Find your support system and people who are positively influencing you and believe what is going on. Definitely be your own advocate as far as getting help from the medical profession. Do some homework and believe in yourself that this is happening to you and find strength in others coming together.”
As for McLean, after contracting COVID-19 on Jan. 20, 2021, she is still not 100 percent but is glad to be enjoying some of the tasks she could not do four months ago. She is also thankful to have found some support along the way. “I know there are many people who are or will experience lingering symptoms from this virus. I have found so much guidance and peace of mind by listening to other experiences. Knowledge is power and we are still gathering as much knowledge as we can about this virus and what it does to the human body physically and mentally.”
By being transparent about her journey, McLean hopes her story will help others while reducing the stigma surrounding contracting and being sick with COVID-19. “Whether you have had COVID-19, know someone or are caring for someone who had COVID-19, or lost someone you love due to COVID-19, it is important to know that we are all human and that we are all doing the best we can.”
Along with sharing her experience and being transparent, McLean has received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and hopes to return to her regular routine soon. She has also adopted a recovery plan with the help of her doctors, nurses, specialists, and therapists. “I can see improvements week to week in my symptoms and try really hard to focus on the progress rather than the setbacks. Some people only get a mild case of COVID-19 and some of us end up as long haulers. I often say I feel like one of the lucky ones as some people who fall ill with COVID-19 don’t get a chance to come home.”
TWM Top Story - May 31, 2021
Area soaks up needed rain
Daniel Bushman
While more moisture is needed, the snow and rain that arrived heading into the May long weekend provided a massive injection into what was a very dry region. With drought-like conditions across the prairies this spring including within the local area, the clouds finally opened up and the moisture arrived.
After experiencing temperatures above 30˚C early on in the week, heading into May 21, a snowfall warning was issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. That snow which fell in various parts of the province was then followed by rain during portions of the weekend and into Victoria Day. Moving north from Montana the spring rainstorm even prompted rainfall warnings for parts of west-central Saskatchewan May 24.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Watrous accumulated at least 7.4 mm May 21, 25.9 mm May 24 and 3.3 mm May 25 for 36.6 mm or just about 1.5 inches.
The Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary area received 9.7 mm May 21, 2.1 mm May 23, at least 26.7 mm of rain May 24 and 2.8 mm May 24 for a total of 41.3 mm or just over 1.6 inches.
While data was unavailable for Lanigan, resident Aron Renwick said his rain gauge hit 1.6 inches over the weekend and including May 24 it reached 2.2 inches.
As for other areas in the province, the following are 24 hour rainfall amounts in millimetres as of 4 p.m. May 24:
Sourced from Environment and Climate Change Canada observation network: Waseca 51.9, Rosetown 42.1, Scott 40.4, Moose Jaw 37.4, North Battleford 36.2, Spiritwood 35.4, Yellow Grass 33, Estevan 32.1, Outlook 32.1, Saskatoon 30.6, Indian Head 30.5, Meadow Lake 30.3, Weyburn 30.2, Elbow 27.6, and Regina 27.2. Sourced from Saskatchewan Fire observation network: Northwest of Spiritwood (Birch) 54.6 and Meadow Lake area (Divde) 36.1. Sourced from CoCoRahs as of 7 a.m. on May 24: Vibank 36.1, Craven 32.3, and Lumsden 32.0. Sourced from volunteer observation networks as of 8 a.m. May 24: Estevan 36.8, Fort Qu’Appelle 30.5, Strasbourg 26.7, and Assiniboia 24.9.
Heading into what is considered the rainy season for Saskatchewan, Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture in Humboldt said with fields so dry the moisture was very welcome in the region. “Producers who finished seeding early and were hoping to get away to the lake or go camping over the long weekend may have been slightly disgruntled by the rain but for the most part it has put minds at ease for now.”
Brown said the much needed precipitation will help in a big way. “This moisture is going to help all crops, early seeded crops that were starting to scavenge deeper for moisture will be soaking it in and anything that was seeded shallower into a dryer seedbed will start germinating. It’s also very welcome for the ranchers who have had pastures beaten with dry conditions these past few years, this early moisture will start the pastures in the right direction.”
While the rains were a nice addition as the month of May neared an end, the cold temperatures arriving a few days prior forcing frost warnings were not. When asked if the frost will hurt some of the seeded crops, Brown said it depends on the crop type and the environmental conditions.
“Wet soils, dew and rain can buffer against a frost to a certain degree compared to dry soils. Spring cereals can handle frosts as low as -6˚C and the growing point remains below the soil surface until the three to five leaf stage so it has the ability to continue growing even if the first couple leaves die. New leaf growth usually appears in two to three days.”
Brown continued by stating, “Canola can survive a light frost that doesn’t damage the growing point, stage plays a factor as cotyledon is more susceptible than plants in the three to four leaf stage.” Following the frost, Brown recommends assessing injury three to five days after and if the growing point is green, firm and not pinched off the plant will recover. He also noted it may take up to 10 days to show regrowth depending on environmental conditions.
Flax is also susceptible like canola according to the Crops Extension Specialist as the cotyledons emerge above ground but it can still tolerate a frost around -3˚C. “Once past the two leaf stage and hardened off it can tolerate temperatures as low as -8˚C for a short time. Peas and lentils have good frost tolerance and can withstand temperatures in the -4˚C to -6˚C range and even if the frost kills the plant it has the ability to regrow from one of the scale nodes. Keep in mind this will delay maturity as you’re basically hitting the reset button on that plant.”
Brown said for those who were hit with a frost, wait at least 48 to 72 hours to check for damage and regrowth. “Frost damage isn’t always immediately visible and that time frame allows for some regrowth and a more accurate assessment can be made. If temperatures are cool, plant growth will slow down and it will take longer to see regrowth.”
As producers assess the damage, if any from the May frost, Brown added while the area received a nice dose of rain, more moisture would be welcome. “We will want more rain in the coming weeks for sure but right now I’d like to see some warmer temperatures and sun so these crops can get a good establishment. Canola seed treatments will only have activity for three weeks and may potentially stretch to four weeks after seeding. We want to see those plants reach the three to four leaf stage to no longer be vulnerable to economic levels of flea beetle damage.”
As far as how things are going in the fields, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for May 18 to 24, even with the rain, producers were still able to seed throughout all regions. Eighty-six percent of the crop was seeded in Saskatchewan, which is ahead of the five-year average of 77 percent for this time of year. Recent rains will greatly improve crop germination and emergence in many parts of the province that were delayed due to dry conditions.
The southwest region is the farthest along with 91 percent of the crop seeded. Eighty-nine percent has been seeded in the west-central, 87 percent seeded in the northwest, 86 percent seeded in the southeast, 85 percent seeded in the northeast and lastly, 77 percent seeded in the east-central region of the province.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six percent surplus, 80 percent adequate, 11 percent short and three percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four percent surplus, 66 percent adequate, 26 percent short and four percent very short. Pasture conditions are rated as zero percent excellent, 17 percent good, 39 percent fair, 34 percent poor and 10 percent very poor.
According to the Crop Report, earlier seeded crops have started to show good emergence, but cool night time temperatures have slowed growth in some areas.
Daniel Bushman
While more moisture is needed, the snow and rain that arrived heading into the May long weekend provided a massive injection into what was a very dry region. With drought-like conditions across the prairies this spring including within the local area, the clouds finally opened up and the moisture arrived.
After experiencing temperatures above 30˚C early on in the week, heading into May 21, a snowfall warning was issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. That snow which fell in various parts of the province was then followed by rain during portions of the weekend and into Victoria Day. Moving north from Montana the spring rainstorm even prompted rainfall warnings for parts of west-central Saskatchewan May 24.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Watrous accumulated at least 7.4 mm May 21, 25.9 mm May 24 and 3.3 mm May 25 for 36.6 mm or just about 1.5 inches.
The Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary area received 9.7 mm May 21, 2.1 mm May 23, at least 26.7 mm of rain May 24 and 2.8 mm May 24 for a total of 41.3 mm or just over 1.6 inches.
While data was unavailable for Lanigan, resident Aron Renwick said his rain gauge hit 1.6 inches over the weekend and including May 24 it reached 2.2 inches.
As for other areas in the province, the following are 24 hour rainfall amounts in millimetres as of 4 p.m. May 24:
Sourced from Environment and Climate Change Canada observation network: Waseca 51.9, Rosetown 42.1, Scott 40.4, Moose Jaw 37.4, North Battleford 36.2, Spiritwood 35.4, Yellow Grass 33, Estevan 32.1, Outlook 32.1, Saskatoon 30.6, Indian Head 30.5, Meadow Lake 30.3, Weyburn 30.2, Elbow 27.6, and Regina 27.2. Sourced from Saskatchewan Fire observation network: Northwest of Spiritwood (Birch) 54.6 and Meadow Lake area (Divde) 36.1. Sourced from CoCoRahs as of 7 a.m. on May 24: Vibank 36.1, Craven 32.3, and Lumsden 32.0. Sourced from volunteer observation networks as of 8 a.m. May 24: Estevan 36.8, Fort Qu’Appelle 30.5, Strasbourg 26.7, and Assiniboia 24.9.
Heading into what is considered the rainy season for Saskatchewan, Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture in Humboldt said with fields so dry the moisture was very welcome in the region. “Producers who finished seeding early and were hoping to get away to the lake or go camping over the long weekend may have been slightly disgruntled by the rain but for the most part it has put minds at ease for now.”
Brown said the much needed precipitation will help in a big way. “This moisture is going to help all crops, early seeded crops that were starting to scavenge deeper for moisture will be soaking it in and anything that was seeded shallower into a dryer seedbed will start germinating. It’s also very welcome for the ranchers who have had pastures beaten with dry conditions these past few years, this early moisture will start the pastures in the right direction.”
While the rains were a nice addition as the month of May neared an end, the cold temperatures arriving a few days prior forcing frost warnings were not. When asked if the frost will hurt some of the seeded crops, Brown said it depends on the crop type and the environmental conditions.
“Wet soils, dew and rain can buffer against a frost to a certain degree compared to dry soils. Spring cereals can handle frosts as low as -6˚C and the growing point remains below the soil surface until the three to five leaf stage so it has the ability to continue growing even if the first couple leaves die. New leaf growth usually appears in two to three days.”
Brown continued by stating, “Canola can survive a light frost that doesn’t damage the growing point, stage plays a factor as cotyledon is more susceptible than plants in the three to four leaf stage.” Following the frost, Brown recommends assessing injury three to five days after and if the growing point is green, firm and not pinched off the plant will recover. He also noted it may take up to 10 days to show regrowth depending on environmental conditions.
Flax is also susceptible like canola according to the Crops Extension Specialist as the cotyledons emerge above ground but it can still tolerate a frost around -3˚C. “Once past the two leaf stage and hardened off it can tolerate temperatures as low as -8˚C for a short time. Peas and lentils have good frost tolerance and can withstand temperatures in the -4˚C to -6˚C range and even if the frost kills the plant it has the ability to regrow from one of the scale nodes. Keep in mind this will delay maturity as you’re basically hitting the reset button on that plant.”
Brown said for those who were hit with a frost, wait at least 48 to 72 hours to check for damage and regrowth. “Frost damage isn’t always immediately visible and that time frame allows for some regrowth and a more accurate assessment can be made. If temperatures are cool, plant growth will slow down and it will take longer to see regrowth.”
As producers assess the damage, if any from the May frost, Brown added while the area received a nice dose of rain, more moisture would be welcome. “We will want more rain in the coming weeks for sure but right now I’d like to see some warmer temperatures and sun so these crops can get a good establishment. Canola seed treatments will only have activity for three weeks and may potentially stretch to four weeks after seeding. We want to see those plants reach the three to four leaf stage to no longer be vulnerable to economic levels of flea beetle damage.”
As far as how things are going in the fields, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for May 18 to 24, even with the rain, producers were still able to seed throughout all regions. Eighty-six percent of the crop was seeded in Saskatchewan, which is ahead of the five-year average of 77 percent for this time of year. Recent rains will greatly improve crop germination and emergence in many parts of the province that were delayed due to dry conditions.
The southwest region is the farthest along with 91 percent of the crop seeded. Eighty-nine percent has been seeded in the west-central, 87 percent seeded in the northwest, 86 percent seeded in the southeast, 85 percent seeded in the northeast and lastly, 77 percent seeded in the east-central region of the province.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six percent surplus, 80 percent adequate, 11 percent short and three percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four percent surplus, 66 percent adequate, 26 percent short and four percent very short. Pasture conditions are rated as zero percent excellent, 17 percent good, 39 percent fair, 34 percent poor and 10 percent very poor.
According to the Crop Report, earlier seeded crops have started to show good emergence, but cool night time temperatures have slowed growth in some areas.
TWM Top Story - May 24, 2021
Moisture arrives after concerns about dry conditions
Daniel Bushman
While some moisture arrived in the form of snow and rain as the May long weekend approached, a lack of moisture over the past few months has created very dry conditions in Saskatchewan.
Labelled as quite serious by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips, he added the drought-like conditions could very well become the big weather story of the year in Canada. “Some people are calling it a mega drought and I had a farmer email me from southwest Saskatchewan who has been farming for 65 years and collecting weather data for 45 and can’t remember a drier six months than what he has had now.”
Phillips said when it comes to precipitation accumulation dating back to the first of the year, Saskatchewan has less than 25 percent of what the province normally would have. Going back over the last 18 months, it is less than 50 percent of normal. “It is dry, there is no question.”
Having record breaking days of warm values last week did not help the situation as several places including the local area posted new highs including reaching 32˚C; a number that was about 10 to 12˚C warmer than normal. However, as the heat wave arrived, it was pushed out of the way later in the week as temperatures dropped. That also paved the way for the potential of moisture leading into the province’s wettest part of the year.
With May, June, July and August accounting for over 60 percent of the annual precipitation in Saskatchewan, Phillips said, “If it is going to rain, these next four months is when it does rain.
“At least we are into that beginning of the wet season and June is your wettest month and there is hope that will bring some relief.”
Weather records broken
With summer like temperatures, records throughout Saskatchewan were broken early last week. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, at least 20 areas tied or set new daily maximum temperature records on May 17. Some of those included: Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary) area with a new record of 31.5˚C. The previous record of 27.0˚C was set in 1988; Moose Jaw area with a new record of 31.9˚C. The previous record was 31.7˚C set in 1964; Saskatoon area with a new record of 32.6˚C. The previous record was 30.6˚C set in 1901; Swift Current area with a new record of 31.2˚C. The previous record was 30.7˚C set in 2006; Watrous area with a new record of 31.7˚C. The previous record of 29.4˚C was set in 1964; and the Wynyard area with a new record of 29.9˚C. The previous record of 27.4˚C was set in 1988.
The following day, nine more records were broken across the province May 18. A few of those included: Last Mountain Lake with a new record of 32.3˚C. The previous record was 30.0˚C set in 1992; the Watrous area with a new record of 32.1˚C. The previous record of 29.5˚C was set in 1992; and the Wynyard area with a new record of 31.9˚C. The previous record of 29.3˚C was set in 1992.
After two record breaking days early on in the week, as the long weekend approached, the 30˚C weather was replaced by below-normal values. It even included Environment and Climate Change Canada issuing a snowfall warning for the local area as snow and rain arrived overnight Thursday, May 20. The low pressure system spread snow and freezing rain to portions of Saskatchewan. Total snowfall accumulations were projected to be as high as 10 to 15 cm by the time it tapered off.
Tornado and dust devil activity
With a lack of moisture leading into the latter part
of May, dust devils have become more of a common occurrence. Phillips noted while they can be spotted in dry places like deserts, when it gets dry they can be found on the prairies as well.
“They appear especially at this time of year if you get some sun baked surfaces. When there is lots of surface heating that bakes the surface like a tarmac or a field, it can absorb the heat and warm up.”
With it being cool above the atmosphere and warm on the surface below that creates a rather unstable situation and Phillips said that can make for dust devils to spiral onto the scene. “On the prairies they can be a good size. They vary from a half a metre to about 10 metres wide and can be a few metres high to I’ve heard reports of 1,000 metres high. It can circulate clockwise or counterclockwise and can appear generally in the early afternoon during the heat of the day. The sun really bakes the ground, the air rises and then there is inflow of cooler air at the surface to where that air has risen, almost like a little vortex.”
While they usually are not sustainable, Phillips noted they look like tornadoes but are not really the same thing. “Tornadoes begin as a rotating cloud while these things begin at the surface and go up to a certain height and then are finished.”
With a few more sightings of dust devils this year, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada a tornado was also reported. At approximately 12:25 p.m. May 12 a brief tornado was observed about 10 kms northwest of Saskatoon. Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated there were no reports of damage and the tornado was given a preliminary rating of EF0.
Considered a landspout tornado, Environment and Climate Change Canada stated that it was generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms. Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous as they can topple trees, damage roofs, or toss debris a short distance.
Crop conditions
Trying to deal with the elements, the lack of moisture has allowed producers to get on the fields and in turn pushed seeding progress well-ahead of the five-year average.
According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for May 11 to 17, producers made tremendous progress with 74 percent of the 2021 crop seeded. That bests the five-year average of 48 percent for this time of year.
Overall, 82 percent of the crop has been seeded in the southwest region. Seventy-nine percent has been seeded in the southeast, 77 percent seeded in both the west-central and northwest regions and 63 percent seeded in the east-central and northeast regions.
There was scattered rainfall in the province with the Tisdale area receiving the highest amount at 25 mm thanks to a thunderstorm. The Christopher Lake area received 13 mm and the Pelly area received 10 mm.
Limited precipitation and warm windy conditions throughout the province have further reduced topsoil moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as zero percent surplus, 20 percent adequate, 48 percent short and 32 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as zero percent surplus, 13 percent adequate, 36 percent short and 50 percent very short.
According to the Crop Report, some farmers halted seeding canola while they waited for rain in the forecast. Others have opted to seed wheat or other cereals instead. Very little spraying is happening in the province due to low weed emergence and strong winds making for poor spraying conditions. For many parts of the province where precipitation has been very low, crop germination has been poor and patchy.
Fire bans
Throughout the province a number of fire bans remain in effect. According to the Saskatchewan Daily Municipal Fire Ban map, as of May 19, a total of 164 active RM fire bans were in effect while 42 active Urban Municipality fire bans were implemented (either advisories or partial bans). Those included the local area as a number of RMs and Urban Municipalities kept their bans in place from earlier this month.
With conditions so dry, a state of emergency was declared by the City of Prince Albert last Monday after a fire continued to grow northeast of the community. According to news reports the wildfire started around 2:30 p.m. May 19 in the RM of Buckland and high winds pushed it across city boundaries.
The City of Prince Albert said as of 4:30 p.m. May 18 the fire continued to grow in size and was approximately 40 square kilometres. The City registered 75 evacuated households as of May 19 and several roads in the vicinity around the fire were closed.
As of 8:30 a.m. May 20, the fire Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) reported the Cloverdale Fire as contained. Evacuees in the City of Prince Albert and RM of Buckland were able to return home. Evacuees that returned home were on a precautionary evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave on short notice when advised.
SaskPower said the fire also caused significant damage to a major transmission line. With the fire active, the company said they were working to carry out repairs as soon as possible; however, many impacted customers were likely to remain without power until Wednesday at the earliest.
Phillips said the massive fire near Prince Albert is also an indication that the dry conditions mixed with strong winds is not just taking place on fields. “This is (also) a forest fire issue, domestic and industrial water issue and even for recreation and tourism.”
Phillips said what is needed for the whole economy in Saskatchewan is a slow motion, percolating three day rain that doesn’t rain hard but rains throughout. “That is the soaking rain that can get down to where the seed is and really bring a lot of smiles to people’s faces and improve the outlook dramatically.”
Daniel Bushman
While some moisture arrived in the form of snow and rain as the May long weekend approached, a lack of moisture over the past few months has created very dry conditions in Saskatchewan.
Labelled as quite serious by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips, he added the drought-like conditions could very well become the big weather story of the year in Canada. “Some people are calling it a mega drought and I had a farmer email me from southwest Saskatchewan who has been farming for 65 years and collecting weather data for 45 and can’t remember a drier six months than what he has had now.”
Phillips said when it comes to precipitation accumulation dating back to the first of the year, Saskatchewan has less than 25 percent of what the province normally would have. Going back over the last 18 months, it is less than 50 percent of normal. “It is dry, there is no question.”
Having record breaking days of warm values last week did not help the situation as several places including the local area posted new highs including reaching 32˚C; a number that was about 10 to 12˚C warmer than normal. However, as the heat wave arrived, it was pushed out of the way later in the week as temperatures dropped. That also paved the way for the potential of moisture leading into the province’s wettest part of the year.
With May, June, July and August accounting for over 60 percent of the annual precipitation in Saskatchewan, Phillips said, “If it is going to rain, these next four months is when it does rain.
“At least we are into that beginning of the wet season and June is your wettest month and there is hope that will bring some relief.”
Weather records broken
With summer like temperatures, records throughout Saskatchewan were broken early last week. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, at least 20 areas tied or set new daily maximum temperature records on May 17. Some of those included: Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary) area with a new record of 31.5˚C. The previous record of 27.0˚C was set in 1988; Moose Jaw area with a new record of 31.9˚C. The previous record was 31.7˚C set in 1964; Saskatoon area with a new record of 32.6˚C. The previous record was 30.6˚C set in 1901; Swift Current area with a new record of 31.2˚C. The previous record was 30.7˚C set in 2006; Watrous area with a new record of 31.7˚C. The previous record of 29.4˚C was set in 1964; and the Wynyard area with a new record of 29.9˚C. The previous record of 27.4˚C was set in 1988.
The following day, nine more records were broken across the province May 18. A few of those included: Last Mountain Lake with a new record of 32.3˚C. The previous record was 30.0˚C set in 1992; the Watrous area with a new record of 32.1˚C. The previous record of 29.5˚C was set in 1992; and the Wynyard area with a new record of 31.9˚C. The previous record of 29.3˚C was set in 1992.
After two record breaking days early on in the week, as the long weekend approached, the 30˚C weather was replaced by below-normal values. It even included Environment and Climate Change Canada issuing a snowfall warning for the local area as snow and rain arrived overnight Thursday, May 20. The low pressure system spread snow and freezing rain to portions of Saskatchewan. Total snowfall accumulations were projected to be as high as 10 to 15 cm by the time it tapered off.
Tornado and dust devil activity
With a lack of moisture leading into the latter part
of May, dust devils have become more of a common occurrence. Phillips noted while they can be spotted in dry places like deserts, when it gets dry they can be found on the prairies as well.
“They appear especially at this time of year if you get some sun baked surfaces. When there is lots of surface heating that bakes the surface like a tarmac or a field, it can absorb the heat and warm up.”
With it being cool above the atmosphere and warm on the surface below that creates a rather unstable situation and Phillips said that can make for dust devils to spiral onto the scene. “On the prairies they can be a good size. They vary from a half a metre to about 10 metres wide and can be a few metres high to I’ve heard reports of 1,000 metres high. It can circulate clockwise or counterclockwise and can appear generally in the early afternoon during the heat of the day. The sun really bakes the ground, the air rises and then there is inflow of cooler air at the surface to where that air has risen, almost like a little vortex.”
While they usually are not sustainable, Phillips noted they look like tornadoes but are not really the same thing. “Tornadoes begin as a rotating cloud while these things begin at the surface and go up to a certain height and then are finished.”
With a few more sightings of dust devils this year, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada a tornado was also reported. At approximately 12:25 p.m. May 12 a brief tornado was observed about 10 kms northwest of Saskatoon. Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated there were no reports of damage and the tornado was given a preliminary rating of EF0.
Considered a landspout tornado, Environment and Climate Change Canada stated that it was generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms. Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous as they can topple trees, damage roofs, or toss debris a short distance.
Crop conditions
Trying to deal with the elements, the lack of moisture has allowed producers to get on the fields and in turn pushed seeding progress well-ahead of the five-year average.
According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report for May 11 to 17, producers made tremendous progress with 74 percent of the 2021 crop seeded. That bests the five-year average of 48 percent for this time of year.
Overall, 82 percent of the crop has been seeded in the southwest region. Seventy-nine percent has been seeded in the southeast, 77 percent seeded in both the west-central and northwest regions and 63 percent seeded in the east-central and northeast regions.
There was scattered rainfall in the province with the Tisdale area receiving the highest amount at 25 mm thanks to a thunderstorm. The Christopher Lake area received 13 mm and the Pelly area received 10 mm.
Limited precipitation and warm windy conditions throughout the province have further reduced topsoil moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as zero percent surplus, 20 percent adequate, 48 percent short and 32 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as zero percent surplus, 13 percent adequate, 36 percent short and 50 percent very short.
According to the Crop Report, some farmers halted seeding canola while they waited for rain in the forecast. Others have opted to seed wheat or other cereals instead. Very little spraying is happening in the province due to low weed emergence and strong winds making for poor spraying conditions. For many parts of the province where precipitation has been very low, crop germination has been poor and patchy.
Fire bans
Throughout the province a number of fire bans remain in effect. According to the Saskatchewan Daily Municipal Fire Ban map, as of May 19, a total of 164 active RM fire bans were in effect while 42 active Urban Municipality fire bans were implemented (either advisories or partial bans). Those included the local area as a number of RMs and Urban Municipalities kept their bans in place from earlier this month.
With conditions so dry, a state of emergency was declared by the City of Prince Albert last Monday after a fire continued to grow northeast of the community. According to news reports the wildfire started around 2:30 p.m. May 19 in the RM of Buckland and high winds pushed it across city boundaries.
The City of Prince Albert said as of 4:30 p.m. May 18 the fire continued to grow in size and was approximately 40 square kilometres. The City registered 75 evacuated households as of May 19 and several roads in the vicinity around the fire were closed.
As of 8:30 a.m. May 20, the fire Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) reported the Cloverdale Fire as contained. Evacuees in the City of Prince Albert and RM of Buckland were able to return home. Evacuees that returned home were on a precautionary evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave on short notice when advised.
SaskPower said the fire also caused significant damage to a major transmission line. With the fire active, the company said they were working to carry out repairs as soon as possible; however, many impacted customers were likely to remain without power until Wednesday at the earliest.
Phillips said the massive fire near Prince Albert is also an indication that the dry conditions mixed with strong winds is not just taking place on fields. “This is (also) a forest fire issue, domestic and industrial water issue and even for recreation and tourism.”
Phillips said what is needed for the whole economy in Saskatchewan is a slow motion, percolating three day rain that doesn’t rain hard but rains throughout. “That is the soaking rain that can get down to where the seed is and really bring a lot of smiles to people’s faces and improve the outlook dramatically.”
TWM Top Story - May 17, 2021
Remembering the first flights of Saskatchewan Air Ambulance
Daniel Bushman
From its inaugural flight to the Liberty area in 1946 to transporting more than 71,000 patients requiring urgent and critical care over the decades, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has been an instrumental part in helping to save lives. As the emergency response service which also happens to be the oldest, non-military, government air ambulance service in the world got off the ground 75 years ago, it has remained vital ever since.
With trains running on limited schedules, rough roads creating lengthy delays in rural areas and harsh winters forcing people to remain at home, then Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas had the idea of a flying ambulance that did not need to use those roads or wait for trains.
So when Saskatchewan Air Ambulance became airborne in 1946, the critical service’s first flight was to the Liberty area. Born in 1924 and residing on a farm near the community, Ivan Drimmie remembers that flight and a subsequent one that landed close by. While he was not at the inaugural flight when the Norseman-brand plane took off from its original home base in Regina to Liberty, he recalled what happened.
Landing northwest of Liberty about 4.8 kms (or three miles) from Drimmie’s place, the air service provided care to a woman suffering from diabetes-related complications. In the Liberty history book, ‘Early Days to Modern Ways’, it stated that Katie (nee Wolff) Mahoney was the first patient in the province to be picked up by the service when it was inaugurated Feb. 4, 1946. Married to Dennis in 1920, the couple farmed land four miles northwest of Liberty. After being transported to Regina by the air ambulance, Katie later passed away Feb. 5, 1946.
It was not long after that flight when the service returned to the area to pick up Drimmie’s neighbour who had leukemia.
Around 24 years old, Drimmie who attended the air ambulance’s second pick up in the rural area said, “Of course in the country during the winter there were no passable roads at that time. The air ambulance had just started out and landed on a field about a half a mile from our place. It landed and ran all the way to the other end pretty well and turned around and came back and had to wait until the patient came down.”
With the aircraft sitting on a field full of snow for about half an hour, by the time Drimmie’s neighbour, her father and two others got to the plane, the skis were frozen to the ground. After loading the patient into the plane, Drimmie said her father went back to his team of horses, navigating them away from the aircraft.
“Then the pilot tried to take off and he couldn’t because the skis were frozen to the ground so he asked us to get behind the tail and push,” said Drimmie from his current residence in Imperial.
Looking to lend a hand, Ivan got behind the tail of the plane with two others and started to push. “There was quite a wind and it finally broke loose.”
While the plane was able to head back to Regina with a patient onboard, that would not be the only time during the air ambulance’s tenure where a plane’s skis became stuck at a remote rural area. On the Canadian Aviation Historical Society Regina Chapter’s website, an article from the Leader-Post dated Dec. 24, 1993 shared that Don Campbell, an RCAF pilot during WWII was brought on by the air ambulance in 1948 and became the supervisor in 1951. In his book, Wings of Mercy, Campbell shared that
Premier Tommy Douglas wanted to go along for the ride to see how the operations were conducted. “On arrival at a remote farm, the aircraft’s skis became stuck in the melting snow. With the engine running and the propeller turning over, Campbell got out to fiddle with the skis. Douglas, in an overcoat and fedora, jumped out, too and went to work on the other ski. A horrified Campbell looked up to see Douglas’s hat being snatched off his head by the propeller. A few more inches and the province would have needed a new premier.”
Hearing the same story about the former premier and his desire to see the operation fine-tuned, Drimmie commended Douglas and all of those involved with Saskatchewan Air Ambulance for having the ability to get the program off the ground. “Having that service was incredible. To see a plane go overhead is one thing but to see it land as close to your place is another thing. The only other alternative was a two hour trip into town to catch a 4:00 train to take you to Regina and that would have taken pretty near most of the day to get out to a hospital service.”
Ivan’s daughter-in-law Connie said her mom, Marilyn Koza remembers the air ambulance service flying to the area to help Marilyn’s grandfather, Ray Tripps. Around the same time period when the two flights went to the Liberty area, Marilyn’s grandfather was also picked up by the service east of Penzance. “He was run over by his one way and struggled to keep consciousness for fear of the tractor circling back and running over him again which had happened to a neighbour,” recalled Connie who shared the story told by her mom. “He spent a long time in the field before someone decided to investigate the rogue tractor. My Mom remembers the plane coming for her grandfather.”
Since those flights to the Liberty and Penzance areas, something that was heralded as a marvel at that time, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance now averages approximately 110 flights per month around the province. There are more than 70 pilots, aircraft engineers, flight nurses, flight paramedics and administrative staff dedicated to providing medevac services to residents of the province.
According to Saskatchewan Air Ambulance, two out of three patient transports are triaged as urgent or emergent requiring critical care, meaning they are in the highest need when the air ambulance arrives and highly trained medical crews are able to provide critical care.
With such an important role to play in helping to save lives, crews are available 24 hours a day and they service every corner of the province from their now current base in Saskatoon at John G. Diefenbaker International Airport. In addition, the four modern King Air planes that are part of the fleet are on call and able to fly anywhere in North America.
The unique and important service also works closely with the neonatal transport teams in Regina and Saskatoon and the pediatric transport team in Saskatoon. Since the beginning, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has played a major role in helping those of all ages. According to the service, in 1948, the first baby was delivered aboard one of its planes between Rose Valley and Wadena. The family was so thankful, they named their baby boy after the pilot who was flying the aircraft.
“Saskatchewan Air Ambulance provides a critical service for the people of the province,” SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Jim Reiter said. “It has a unique and rich history dating back to 1946 and is a lifeline for all corners of Saskatchewan.”
“Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has been a great partner helping us provide high quality care to the people of this province,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the lives they have saved and the critical role they play helping ensure we can get to every corner of this province to help Saskatchewan residents when they are most in need.”
Daniel Bushman
From its inaugural flight to the Liberty area in 1946 to transporting more than 71,000 patients requiring urgent and critical care over the decades, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has been an instrumental part in helping to save lives. As the emergency response service which also happens to be the oldest, non-military, government air ambulance service in the world got off the ground 75 years ago, it has remained vital ever since.
With trains running on limited schedules, rough roads creating lengthy delays in rural areas and harsh winters forcing people to remain at home, then Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas had the idea of a flying ambulance that did not need to use those roads or wait for trains.
So when Saskatchewan Air Ambulance became airborne in 1946, the critical service’s first flight was to the Liberty area. Born in 1924 and residing on a farm near the community, Ivan Drimmie remembers that flight and a subsequent one that landed close by. While he was not at the inaugural flight when the Norseman-brand plane took off from its original home base in Regina to Liberty, he recalled what happened.
Landing northwest of Liberty about 4.8 kms (or three miles) from Drimmie’s place, the air service provided care to a woman suffering from diabetes-related complications. In the Liberty history book, ‘Early Days to Modern Ways’, it stated that Katie (nee Wolff) Mahoney was the first patient in the province to be picked up by the service when it was inaugurated Feb. 4, 1946. Married to Dennis in 1920, the couple farmed land four miles northwest of Liberty. After being transported to Regina by the air ambulance, Katie later passed away Feb. 5, 1946.
It was not long after that flight when the service returned to the area to pick up Drimmie’s neighbour who had leukemia.
Around 24 years old, Drimmie who attended the air ambulance’s second pick up in the rural area said, “Of course in the country during the winter there were no passable roads at that time. The air ambulance had just started out and landed on a field about a half a mile from our place. It landed and ran all the way to the other end pretty well and turned around and came back and had to wait until the patient came down.”
With the aircraft sitting on a field full of snow for about half an hour, by the time Drimmie’s neighbour, her father and two others got to the plane, the skis were frozen to the ground. After loading the patient into the plane, Drimmie said her father went back to his team of horses, navigating them away from the aircraft.
“Then the pilot tried to take off and he couldn’t because the skis were frozen to the ground so he asked us to get behind the tail and push,” said Drimmie from his current residence in Imperial.
Looking to lend a hand, Ivan got behind the tail of the plane with two others and started to push. “There was quite a wind and it finally broke loose.”
While the plane was able to head back to Regina with a patient onboard, that would not be the only time during the air ambulance’s tenure where a plane’s skis became stuck at a remote rural area. On the Canadian Aviation Historical Society Regina Chapter’s website, an article from the Leader-Post dated Dec. 24, 1993 shared that Don Campbell, an RCAF pilot during WWII was brought on by the air ambulance in 1948 and became the supervisor in 1951. In his book, Wings of Mercy, Campbell shared that
Premier Tommy Douglas wanted to go along for the ride to see how the operations were conducted. “On arrival at a remote farm, the aircraft’s skis became stuck in the melting snow. With the engine running and the propeller turning over, Campbell got out to fiddle with the skis. Douglas, in an overcoat and fedora, jumped out, too and went to work on the other ski. A horrified Campbell looked up to see Douglas’s hat being snatched off his head by the propeller. A few more inches and the province would have needed a new premier.”
Hearing the same story about the former premier and his desire to see the operation fine-tuned, Drimmie commended Douglas and all of those involved with Saskatchewan Air Ambulance for having the ability to get the program off the ground. “Having that service was incredible. To see a plane go overhead is one thing but to see it land as close to your place is another thing. The only other alternative was a two hour trip into town to catch a 4:00 train to take you to Regina and that would have taken pretty near most of the day to get out to a hospital service.”
Ivan’s daughter-in-law Connie said her mom, Marilyn Koza remembers the air ambulance service flying to the area to help Marilyn’s grandfather, Ray Tripps. Around the same time period when the two flights went to the Liberty area, Marilyn’s grandfather was also picked up by the service east of Penzance. “He was run over by his one way and struggled to keep consciousness for fear of the tractor circling back and running over him again which had happened to a neighbour,” recalled Connie who shared the story told by her mom. “He spent a long time in the field before someone decided to investigate the rogue tractor. My Mom remembers the plane coming for her grandfather.”
Since those flights to the Liberty and Penzance areas, something that was heralded as a marvel at that time, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance now averages approximately 110 flights per month around the province. There are more than 70 pilots, aircraft engineers, flight nurses, flight paramedics and administrative staff dedicated to providing medevac services to residents of the province.
According to Saskatchewan Air Ambulance, two out of three patient transports are triaged as urgent or emergent requiring critical care, meaning they are in the highest need when the air ambulance arrives and highly trained medical crews are able to provide critical care.
With such an important role to play in helping to save lives, crews are available 24 hours a day and they service every corner of the province from their now current base in Saskatoon at John G. Diefenbaker International Airport. In addition, the four modern King Air planes that are part of the fleet are on call and able to fly anywhere in North America.
The unique and important service also works closely with the neonatal transport teams in Regina and Saskatoon and the pediatric transport team in Saskatoon. Since the beginning, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has played a major role in helping those of all ages. According to the service, in 1948, the first baby was delivered aboard one of its planes between Rose Valley and Wadena. The family was so thankful, they named their baby boy after the pilot who was flying the aircraft.
“Saskatchewan Air Ambulance provides a critical service for the people of the province,” SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Jim Reiter said. “It has a unique and rich history dating back to 1946 and is a lifeline for all corners of Saskatchewan.”
“Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has been a great partner helping us provide high quality care to the people of this province,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the lives they have saved and the critical role they play helping ensure we can get to every corner of this province to help Saskatchewan residents when they are most in need.”
TWM Top Story - May 10, 2021
New owners take over Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa
Daniel Bushman
What has grown to become a world-renowned resort that has attracted people to Manitou Beach from all over the globe has changed hands. Owned and operated by the Hayter family for a number of years, in late 2020 the family made the decision to list Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa through Colliers for $7.5 million. After being listed, an interested group out of Ontario negotiated and eventually purchased the 2.44 acre property, officially taking over at the end of April.
Previous general manager and CEO Dwight Hayter said his family’s decision to put the resort up for sale was a difficult one. “After a lot of consideration my family and I thought the time was right. Fortunately we had quite a bit of interest from a variety of potential buyers while it was listed, even though we were in the middle of a pandemic, so we felt pretty fortunate to be in that position. My family and I deeply appreciate the support from the community, our patrons, and our staff throughout the years of our ownership of the resort.”
Hayter noted it was that support which ultimately allowed him the confidence to continue to invest in and upgrade the resort on a continuous basis. “By doing that, it in turn contributed significantly to our success in the Saskatchewan tourism industry. Although it is difficult for me to leave a place that I invested so much in, both financially and personally, I feel very confident in the new general manager and group of owners that the resort will be left in very good hands.”
Speaking on behalf of the group of owners which consists of five board of directors who are also bankers, general manager at the resort Kapil Thaker said they are excited to take on the venture. “They were attracted to the vicinity of this place to the lake and the hotel has a bit of a heritage as well. They look forward to a long association not only with the resort but they also would like to connect with the community as well at the same time.”
With a focus on building relationships and not wanting to disturb the environment and culture of the community, Thaker said the ownership group hopes to connect and plan with members of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach “so that there is always a harmony. They don’t want to be considered outsiders but rather become one of the residents. They came here before they purchased this property and were so happy. They said it was awesome, peaceful, quiet and a beautiful place and didn’t see any reason not to purchase it.”
As part of the negotiations to buy the property, Hayter stipulated one of the key components was that all of the staff were rehired. “Thankfully the new owners agreed that we had an excellent staff and that they would like to keep all 90 of them employed. Both parties wanted to make sure the transition of ownership was as “stress-free” as possible for all of the staff, and I think we certainly achieved that goal with virtually no changes in the staff or day-to-day operations on the day they took over ownership.”
Thaker and the board of directors agreed and stated, “What we have decided is that Dwight has managed this facility so well that we will be following in his footsteps. There won’t be any major changes, not even structurally. Maybe if it demands, we may change it, but in terms of the work, ethics and culture, it will remain the same. One thing we may do is taking it forward, like right now we don’t have an online presence with online travel agencies so we might do that, but apart from that we will be managing this place like it was before.”
With the change of ownership occurring at the end of April, Hayter wanted to wish the new ownership group all the best and hopes the business continues to prosper and grow. “I will be working closely with the new general manager in the coming days to ensure he is brought up to speed on everything he needs to know. We would hope that the public continues to frequent the resort, and fully support the new ownership group as they have for my family all of these years. My family would especially like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of our resort staff, both past and present, for the hard work and dedication to the business which ultimately led to its success throughout the years.”
Reflecting back on his tenure as the general manager, Hayter also recalled a few highlights. “I think some of the top highlights of my time here at the resort would be winning the Tourism Saskatchewan business of the year award, along with collecting and remitting almost $500,000 to our local Watrous Manitou Marketing Group through the two percent Destination Marketing Program we collected on hotel room sales. That money was ultimately used for the economic development of our two communities as well as tourism development. Making the top four finalists for Canadian Tourism business of the year, as well as making many donations to local events and groups are also some things that I will always remember as well.”
Taking on the general manager’s role from Dwight and after being on the job for a week or so, Thaker said there has been a lot to do but he has been enjoying his time so far. “I have never lived near a lake like Manitou and with it being considered the Dead Sea of Canada, it is a real wonder. On top of that, I have seen the community is very relaxed, welcoming and friendly, and not as rushed as I found in the Greater Toronto Area where I worked previously.”
With experience managing hotels as a revenue analyst, Thaker is planning to use his knowledge while learning from Hayter. “I appreciate Dwight helping me and I just look forward to meeting people around the resort and in the community.”
As for what is next for Hayter, the now former general manager said, “I have started a new company out of my home called TRIUMPH Business Consulting, which will focus on helping other businesses increase their profitability while solving other business problems and issues they may have. I love growing and developing businesses and am excited about my new opportunity to help others.”
Originally spearheaded by a local group, Manitou Springs Mineral Spa first opened at Manitou Beach Dec. 15, 1987, a few years after the Chalet Pool was destroyed by a fire. The facility, built on the same property where the Chalet Pool was located, welcomed people from all over as they utilized 90,000 gallons of heated water channeled from Little Manitou Lake, filtered, cleaned, then pumped into the three pools.
With the spa becoming a success, adjacent to the pool, a new 60 room hotel and convention centre named Manitou Springs Hotel opened its doors for business Sept. 1, 1991. According to the Sept. 9, 1991 edition of The Watrous Manitou over 271 people were fed at the resort’s restaurant that day and hotel registrations averaged 25 percent during the first four days of operation. A total of 26 permanent staff were hired with that number rising over the years.
At the grand opening of the hotel a few months later, in the Dec. 9, 1991 edition of The Watrous Manitou, chairman of Manitou Springs Mineral Spa board of directors Dale Hayter shared how the spa had benefitted from the hotel’s construction by trading the land for the mini mall which connected the two facilities. At that time, the businesses located in the mini mall were comprised of the Spa’s gift shop, Old Fashion Foods, Little Manitou Mineral Products, Boutique Joli, and Freckles Personal Care Studio.
Chair of the hotel board Earle Amendt also remarked during the grand opening that the hotel would not have come about without the commitment from local volunteers, legal firms, architects, two levels of government, and input by surrounding Rural Municipalities.
Since that time in 1991, the resort hotel has grown to include 102 rooms and suites, offers therapeutic and esthetic services, a fitness centre, has a Water’s Edge Restaurant and Lounge, an outdoor Terrace patio area, Water Crest Cafe, and meeting and convention facilities for up to 180 people including three meeting rooms and banquet services.
Daniel Bushman
What has grown to become a world-renowned resort that has attracted people to Manitou Beach from all over the globe has changed hands. Owned and operated by the Hayter family for a number of years, in late 2020 the family made the decision to list Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa through Colliers for $7.5 million. After being listed, an interested group out of Ontario negotiated and eventually purchased the 2.44 acre property, officially taking over at the end of April.
Previous general manager and CEO Dwight Hayter said his family’s decision to put the resort up for sale was a difficult one. “After a lot of consideration my family and I thought the time was right. Fortunately we had quite a bit of interest from a variety of potential buyers while it was listed, even though we were in the middle of a pandemic, so we felt pretty fortunate to be in that position. My family and I deeply appreciate the support from the community, our patrons, and our staff throughout the years of our ownership of the resort.”
Hayter noted it was that support which ultimately allowed him the confidence to continue to invest in and upgrade the resort on a continuous basis. “By doing that, it in turn contributed significantly to our success in the Saskatchewan tourism industry. Although it is difficult for me to leave a place that I invested so much in, both financially and personally, I feel very confident in the new general manager and group of owners that the resort will be left in very good hands.”
Speaking on behalf of the group of owners which consists of five board of directors who are also bankers, general manager at the resort Kapil Thaker said they are excited to take on the venture. “They were attracted to the vicinity of this place to the lake and the hotel has a bit of a heritage as well. They look forward to a long association not only with the resort but they also would like to connect with the community as well at the same time.”
With a focus on building relationships and not wanting to disturb the environment and culture of the community, Thaker said the ownership group hopes to connect and plan with members of the Resort Village of Manitou Beach “so that there is always a harmony. They don’t want to be considered outsiders but rather become one of the residents. They came here before they purchased this property and were so happy. They said it was awesome, peaceful, quiet and a beautiful place and didn’t see any reason not to purchase it.”
As part of the negotiations to buy the property, Hayter stipulated one of the key components was that all of the staff were rehired. “Thankfully the new owners agreed that we had an excellent staff and that they would like to keep all 90 of them employed. Both parties wanted to make sure the transition of ownership was as “stress-free” as possible for all of the staff, and I think we certainly achieved that goal with virtually no changes in the staff or day-to-day operations on the day they took over ownership.”
Thaker and the board of directors agreed and stated, “What we have decided is that Dwight has managed this facility so well that we will be following in his footsteps. There won’t be any major changes, not even structurally. Maybe if it demands, we may change it, but in terms of the work, ethics and culture, it will remain the same. One thing we may do is taking it forward, like right now we don’t have an online presence with online travel agencies so we might do that, but apart from that we will be managing this place like it was before.”
With the change of ownership occurring at the end of April, Hayter wanted to wish the new ownership group all the best and hopes the business continues to prosper and grow. “I will be working closely with the new general manager in the coming days to ensure he is brought up to speed on everything he needs to know. We would hope that the public continues to frequent the resort, and fully support the new ownership group as they have for my family all of these years. My family would especially like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of our resort staff, both past and present, for the hard work and dedication to the business which ultimately led to its success throughout the years.”
Reflecting back on his tenure as the general manager, Hayter also recalled a few highlights. “I think some of the top highlights of my time here at the resort would be winning the Tourism Saskatchewan business of the year award, along with collecting and remitting almost $500,000 to our local Watrous Manitou Marketing Group through the two percent Destination Marketing Program we collected on hotel room sales. That money was ultimately used for the economic development of our two communities as well as tourism development. Making the top four finalists for Canadian Tourism business of the year, as well as making many donations to local events and groups are also some things that I will always remember as well.”
Taking on the general manager’s role from Dwight and after being on the job for a week or so, Thaker said there has been a lot to do but he has been enjoying his time so far. “I have never lived near a lake like Manitou and with it being considered the Dead Sea of Canada, it is a real wonder. On top of that, I have seen the community is very relaxed, welcoming and friendly, and not as rushed as I found in the Greater Toronto Area where I worked previously.”
With experience managing hotels as a revenue analyst, Thaker is planning to use his knowledge while learning from Hayter. “I appreciate Dwight helping me and I just look forward to meeting people around the resort and in the community.”
As for what is next for Hayter, the now former general manager said, “I have started a new company out of my home called TRIUMPH Business Consulting, which will focus on helping other businesses increase their profitability while solving other business problems and issues they may have. I love growing and developing businesses and am excited about my new opportunity to help others.”
Originally spearheaded by a local group, Manitou Springs Mineral Spa first opened at Manitou Beach Dec. 15, 1987, a few years after the Chalet Pool was destroyed by a fire. The facility, built on the same property where the Chalet Pool was located, welcomed people from all over as they utilized 90,000 gallons of heated water channeled from Little Manitou Lake, filtered, cleaned, then pumped into the three pools.
With the spa becoming a success, adjacent to the pool, a new 60 room hotel and convention centre named Manitou Springs Hotel opened its doors for business Sept. 1, 1991. According to the Sept. 9, 1991 edition of The Watrous Manitou over 271 people were fed at the resort’s restaurant that day and hotel registrations averaged 25 percent during the first four days of operation. A total of 26 permanent staff were hired with that number rising over the years.
At the grand opening of the hotel a few months later, in the Dec. 9, 1991 edition of The Watrous Manitou, chairman of Manitou Springs Mineral Spa board of directors Dale Hayter shared how the spa had benefitted from the hotel’s construction by trading the land for the mini mall which connected the two facilities. At that time, the businesses located in the mini mall were comprised of the Spa’s gift shop, Old Fashion Foods, Little Manitou Mineral Products, Boutique Joli, and Freckles Personal Care Studio.
Chair of the hotel board Earle Amendt also remarked during the grand opening that the hotel would not have come about without the commitment from local volunteers, legal firms, architects, two levels of government, and input by surrounding Rural Municipalities.
Since that time in 1991, the resort hotel has grown to include 102 rooms and suites, offers therapeutic and esthetic services, a fitness centre, has a Water’s Edge Restaurant and Lounge, an outdoor Terrace patio area, Water Crest Cafe, and meeting and convention facilities for up to 180 people including three meeting rooms and banquet services.
TWM Top Story - May 3, 2021
Region experiencing dry conditions
Daniel Bushman
With a lack of moisture creating drought-like conditions so far this spring and the potential for grass fires, numerous fire bans have been implemented within Saskatchewan while producers seek moisture as seeding season nears.
Updated throughout the week, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s provincial daily municipal fire ban map, as of Apr. 29 there were 67 active Rural Municipality fire bans with 13 Urban Municipality fire bans. In the local area, there were fire bans put in place early last week including in the RM of Morris, the Village of Young, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, the RM of Wood Creek, the Village of Simpson, the RM of Prairie Rose and the RM of McKillop. More local fire bans may have been implemented after press time.
Watrous and District Fire Department Fire Chief Jory Vanthuyne said current conditions are not only dry but can be dangerous. “It is really dry and all the vegetation from last year is still really tall and can easily light.”
Vanthuyne noted there have been quite a few grass fires within the province so far this spring but “knock on wood we have only had one grass fire so far. Given the conditions I am quite shocked we haven’t had more but I don’t want to jinx it.”
Simpson and District Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire Chief Mike Moulai said conditions remain really dry around the Simpson and Imperial areas and so far in 2021, there has been three fires the department has responded to. “The first was a vehicle fire in January due to a failed block heater. The second was in March and was a Quonset fire which was suspicious. The most recent was a yard fire Apr. 22 which involved an abandoned house, grain bin and power poles.”
As for the Apr. 22 fire, members from the department in Simpson were called to the blaze in the RM of Wood Creek. Moulai said despite the tough and windy conditions, they were able to get it under control after working hard for four and a half hours. With the help of Robert Oakes who brought a load of water and others who were at the fire working the ditch to stop the blaze from crossing the road before firefighters arrived, Moulai said the department was appreciative of the help. “The conditions over the last two years have been very dry and this year is shaping up to be even worse.”
Similar to the situation around the Watrous and Simpson areas, in the Lanigan region, Lanigan Fire Department Fire Chief Barry Hooper said the conditions are dry there as well. “Knock on wood we have not had to respond to a grass fire yet but any type of spark could start something up. I remember years ago at one time we were responding to three or four calls a week. Thankfully this year, so far, so good.”
With conditions so dry, Vanthuyne said for those not under a fire ban and who are planning to have a controlled burn they are encouraged to contact the provincial call centre to report it. “If someone is driving by and sees it and calls 911 they won’t dispatch the fire department if they know that location is having a controlled burn. That saves people quite a bit of money because it costs them every time we show up whether or not it is an actual fire or a controlled one, they would still get a bill.”
For those planning on doing controlled burns in the spring, Vanthuyne suggests they make a fire break around whatever they are burning. “You want to make sure you are prepared in case it gets away. Have a water tank, tractor and with small fires in your yard, leaf blowers can be used to blow the fire back onto itself and it will put itself out. For small fires, garden hoses work well to soak the area with water that you don’t want to burn. Just make sure you have a plan. We’ve responded to fires in the past that people had a pit that was burning and they had burnt it three or four days prior. The wind changed direction and it picked up and stoked the fire and it spread out of the pit.”
Vanthuyne also noted that people should not be throwing cigarette butts out of their vehicle windows and into ditches as that can quickly spark a fire. For those operating ATVs or vehicles, he added to avoid driving or parking in dry tall grass or stubble. “Once things green up then it makes it tougher for the vegetation to burn but for right now it is really dry. Over 80 percent of the fires we respond to each year are for grass fires and if you exclude attending STARS landings then essentially all of our calls are for grass fires each year, especially in the spring when it is so dry.”
According to the Canadian Drought Monitor (CDM), which uses a variety of federal, provincial, and regional data sources to establish a single drought rating based on a five category system, as of Mar. 31 the local area ranged from moderate to severe drought conditions (with extreme and exceptional drought categories rating worse). Within the southeast corner of Saskatchewan around the Carnduff area, extreme drought conditions were noted.
Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist for the Ministry of Agriculture at the Regional Service Branch in Humboldt said the unfortunate lack of moisture also extends beyond the borders of Saskatchewan. “There is a large swath of the prairies that has seen below average moisture. From the Agroclimate maps Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada produces we can see from the assessment they took in March an area of varying below normal precipitation that runs from Edmonton all the way to Winnipeg.”
Taking a closer look at the local region, while Brown said information is still being collected on current soil moisture conditions, he has heard there is moisture but it varies on depth. “Some of the hilltops have dried out a bit as well as bare soil with little to no residue cover but the depressions are holding some moisture. It also varies on what type of stubble is on the field, pea and lentil stubble won’t trap as much snow as cereal or canola stubble and that will influence soil moisture too.”
Comparing soil moisture maps from a few years previous, Brown said 2021 seems similar to the soil moisture going into the growing season at the end of April 2019. “This time last year there was a bit more soil moisture than compared to 2021 and 2019 but we do still have a few weeks before things get fully underway so we still have an opportunity for more moisture before seeding.”
According to the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative’s (PARC) website, SaskAdapt, drought is the most frequent occurrence of extreme event for Saskatchewan. Starting in 1910, the years of drought impacting the province were listed as: 1910, 1914, 1917-‘21, 1924, 1929, 1931-‘39, 1958-‘63, 1967-‘69, 1974, 1977, 1979-‘81, 1983-‘86, 1988-‘92, 2001-‘03, and 2009.
On SaskAdapt it stated the impacts of the drought in 2001 and 2002 were major with 2002 being the worst one-year drought on record. During that time, according to SaskAdapt, agricultural production dropped $3.6 billion, the GDP fell $5.8 billion, there were 41,000 jobs lost, there was a negative net farm income for 2002 in Saskatchewan, previously reliable water supplies were challenged, and crop insurance payments in Saskatchewan were $1.431 billion.
Hoping to avoid severe drought like the one in 2002, Brown said any moisture is welcome for 2021 and timely precipitation during the growing season will also be important for a successful crop. In the meantime, the Crops Extension Specialist noted producers may be making small adjustments to seeding while staying within the recommended agronomic practices. “These may be things such as seeding slightly deeper to get to moisture if needed. Shallow crops such as canola for example may be seeded slightly deeper (one inch) or producers may wait for a precipitation event. Producers can check out our herbicide carryover map on Saskatchewan.ca/agriculture to get an idea of any residual herbicide carryover risk for their general region as well.”
As equipment begins to move and seeding rigs are serviced, Brown encouraged producers when they get on the fields to inspect the temperature of the soil. “Remember to check your soil temperature before seeding, once in the morning and once in the evening to get an average and keep in mind different crops have different temperature tolerances.”
Daniel Bushman
With a lack of moisture creating drought-like conditions so far this spring and the potential for grass fires, numerous fire bans have been implemented within Saskatchewan while producers seek moisture as seeding season nears.
Updated throughout the week, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s provincial daily municipal fire ban map, as of Apr. 29 there were 67 active Rural Municipality fire bans with 13 Urban Municipality fire bans. In the local area, there were fire bans put in place early last week including in the RM of Morris, the Village of Young, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, the RM of Wood Creek, the Village of Simpson, the RM of Prairie Rose and the RM of McKillop. More local fire bans may have been implemented after press time.
Watrous and District Fire Department Fire Chief Jory Vanthuyne said current conditions are not only dry but can be dangerous. “It is really dry and all the vegetation from last year is still really tall and can easily light.”
Vanthuyne noted there have been quite a few grass fires within the province so far this spring but “knock on wood we have only had one grass fire so far. Given the conditions I am quite shocked we haven’t had more but I don’t want to jinx it.”
Simpson and District Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire Chief Mike Moulai said conditions remain really dry around the Simpson and Imperial areas and so far in 2021, there has been three fires the department has responded to. “The first was a vehicle fire in January due to a failed block heater. The second was in March and was a Quonset fire which was suspicious. The most recent was a yard fire Apr. 22 which involved an abandoned house, grain bin and power poles.”
As for the Apr. 22 fire, members from the department in Simpson were called to the blaze in the RM of Wood Creek. Moulai said despite the tough and windy conditions, they were able to get it under control after working hard for four and a half hours. With the help of Robert Oakes who brought a load of water and others who were at the fire working the ditch to stop the blaze from crossing the road before firefighters arrived, Moulai said the department was appreciative of the help. “The conditions over the last two years have been very dry and this year is shaping up to be even worse.”
Similar to the situation around the Watrous and Simpson areas, in the Lanigan region, Lanigan Fire Department Fire Chief Barry Hooper said the conditions are dry there as well. “Knock on wood we have not had to respond to a grass fire yet but any type of spark could start something up. I remember years ago at one time we were responding to three or four calls a week. Thankfully this year, so far, so good.”
With conditions so dry, Vanthuyne said for those not under a fire ban and who are planning to have a controlled burn they are encouraged to contact the provincial call centre to report it. “If someone is driving by and sees it and calls 911 they won’t dispatch the fire department if they know that location is having a controlled burn. That saves people quite a bit of money because it costs them every time we show up whether or not it is an actual fire or a controlled one, they would still get a bill.”
For those planning on doing controlled burns in the spring, Vanthuyne suggests they make a fire break around whatever they are burning. “You want to make sure you are prepared in case it gets away. Have a water tank, tractor and with small fires in your yard, leaf blowers can be used to blow the fire back onto itself and it will put itself out. For small fires, garden hoses work well to soak the area with water that you don’t want to burn. Just make sure you have a plan. We’ve responded to fires in the past that people had a pit that was burning and they had burnt it three or four days prior. The wind changed direction and it picked up and stoked the fire and it spread out of the pit.”
Vanthuyne also noted that people should not be throwing cigarette butts out of their vehicle windows and into ditches as that can quickly spark a fire. For those operating ATVs or vehicles, he added to avoid driving or parking in dry tall grass or stubble. “Once things green up then it makes it tougher for the vegetation to burn but for right now it is really dry. Over 80 percent of the fires we respond to each year are for grass fires and if you exclude attending STARS landings then essentially all of our calls are for grass fires each year, especially in the spring when it is so dry.”
According to the Canadian Drought Monitor (CDM), which uses a variety of federal, provincial, and regional data sources to establish a single drought rating based on a five category system, as of Mar. 31 the local area ranged from moderate to severe drought conditions (with extreme and exceptional drought categories rating worse). Within the southeast corner of Saskatchewan around the Carnduff area, extreme drought conditions were noted.
Michael Brown, Crops Extension Specialist for the Ministry of Agriculture at the Regional Service Branch in Humboldt said the unfortunate lack of moisture also extends beyond the borders of Saskatchewan. “There is a large swath of the prairies that has seen below average moisture. From the Agroclimate maps Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada produces we can see from the assessment they took in March an area of varying below normal precipitation that runs from Edmonton all the way to Winnipeg.”
Taking a closer look at the local region, while Brown said information is still being collected on current soil moisture conditions, he has heard there is moisture but it varies on depth. “Some of the hilltops have dried out a bit as well as bare soil with little to no residue cover but the depressions are holding some moisture. It also varies on what type of stubble is on the field, pea and lentil stubble won’t trap as much snow as cereal or canola stubble and that will influence soil moisture too.”
Comparing soil moisture maps from a few years previous, Brown said 2021 seems similar to the soil moisture going into the growing season at the end of April 2019. “This time last year there was a bit more soil moisture than compared to 2021 and 2019 but we do still have a few weeks before things get fully underway so we still have an opportunity for more moisture before seeding.”
According to the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative’s (PARC) website, SaskAdapt, drought is the most frequent occurrence of extreme event for Saskatchewan. Starting in 1910, the years of drought impacting the province were listed as: 1910, 1914, 1917-‘21, 1924, 1929, 1931-‘39, 1958-‘63, 1967-‘69, 1974, 1977, 1979-‘81, 1983-‘86, 1988-‘92, 2001-‘03, and 2009.
On SaskAdapt it stated the impacts of the drought in 2001 and 2002 were major with 2002 being the worst one-year drought on record. During that time, according to SaskAdapt, agricultural production dropped $3.6 billion, the GDP fell $5.8 billion, there were 41,000 jobs lost, there was a negative net farm income for 2002 in Saskatchewan, previously reliable water supplies were challenged, and crop insurance payments in Saskatchewan were $1.431 billion.
Hoping to avoid severe drought like the one in 2002, Brown said any moisture is welcome for 2021 and timely precipitation during the growing season will also be important for a successful crop. In the meantime, the Crops Extension Specialist noted producers may be making small adjustments to seeding while staying within the recommended agronomic practices. “These may be things such as seeding slightly deeper to get to moisture if needed. Shallow crops such as canola for example may be seeded slightly deeper (one inch) or producers may wait for a precipitation event. Producers can check out our herbicide carryover map on Saskatchewan.ca/agriculture to get an idea of any residual herbicide carryover risk for their general region as well.”
As equipment begins to move and seeding rigs are serviced, Brown encouraged producers when they get on the fields to inspect the temperature of the soil. “Remember to check your soil temperature before seeding, once in the morning and once in the evening to get an average and keep in mind different crops have different temperature tolerances.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 26, 2021
FN Cannabis Co. setting up shop in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
After remaining vacant for a number of years, there has been considerable activity inside the former Shop Easy building in Watrous. With new owners leasing out the building, The Basement Spin Studio is up and running in the basement and on the main level, a partition has been created allowing part of the large space to be utilized by FN Cannabis Company.
The cannabis retail outlet which already has a store in Nipawin decided to expand its reach and chose Watrous as its next destination. While there is no official opening date as remodelling continues at its location along Main Street in Watrous, the company hopes to welcome customers by June 2021.
Speaking from her office in Nipawin, FN Cannabis Company General Manager Mellissa Thomas said everything is falling into place and they are just waiting for final approval from Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) which she added should be confirmed sooner rather than later.
As for the remodelling at the company’s location in Watrous, Thomas said, “There have been bumps along the way as we try to navigate through a pandemic but for the most part it has been a positive experience. The former Shop Easy building is a great location for our new store. We have worked with the owners closely and they are great to deal with. The team at FN Cannabis Company are eager to be able to show off the work that has been done inside.”
Citing how welcoming the community of Watrous has been to the team as they work on opening their retail outlet, Thomas said they are looking forward to eventually meeting everyone in person. After establishing a cannabis retail outlet in Nipawin in 2020, Thomas explained why FN Cannabis Company selected Watrous as a place they would like to do business in.
“When we were looking for communities to branch out, Watrous was one of the top places we had on our list. The community, proximity to the city, and Manitou Beach really stuck out to us. When we were looking at places in and around Watrous we were really excited by how friendly and welcoming the residents were. Small towns have a special feel to them and Watrous is exactly that. The fit was just right.”
In 2018, SLGA issued approximately 60 cannabis retail permits to private operators in as many as 40 Saskatchewan municipalities and First Nation communities. While Watrous was not one of those selected in 2018, in April 2020 SLGA began accepting applications for cannabis retail permits in Saskatchewan communities with populations less than 2,500. Then on Sept. 1, 2020, SLGA began accepting permit applications for stores in all communities within the province.
The provincial government stated communities could opt out of having cannabis retail stores while applicants able to seek permits within communities granting retail opportunities would first need to meet local municipal requirements, including zoning before being approved by SLGA. Interested businesses and individuals would also have to meet SLGA’s permitting requirements including a good character check, inventory tracking and store security.
In the case of Watrous, a couple of years after cannabis was legalized in Canada, Town Administrator Orrin Redden said council officially adopted its Cannabis Business License Bylaw May 11, 2020. The adopted bylaw provides for the regulation and licensing of cannabis businesses that are issued a permit by the cannabis authority in the Town of Watrous.
As part of Bylaw No. 02-2020 anyone wanting to operate a cannabis retail store must obtain a valid license, make an application to the Town of Watrous and provide proof of a valid cannabis permit issued by the cannabis authority.
With the local bylaw in place, FN Cannabis Company then made an application request to the Town of Watrous seeking permission to open a retail outlet in the community. After receiving the green light, they then sought approval from SLGA through its permit application process. Thomas said they are extremely confident that SLGA will approve their permit application and the company is eager to move forward and open its retail outlet in Watrous.
Once FN Cannabis Company does open its doors, as part of Bylaw No. 02-2020 the company will have to renew its license each year and it can be deemed to be cancelled without refund, if the provincial cannabis permit is cancelled, suspended or expires. The municipal bylaw also states the retail outlet is permitted to be open between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and shall not be located within 90 metres from the nearest property line of a playground, child care facility or school.
In addition to following the Town of Watrous Bylaw No. 02-2020, a building permit for FN Cannabis Company to conduct renovations on the former Shop Easy building in Watrous was also approved.
Thomas said while there is still a little work left to be done inside the building located on Main Street in Watrous, they are almost at the finish line. “It is great to see how much interest there is in our store. We would like to thank the community, residents, the Town of Watrous, and our contractors for all the help along the way so far. The experiences we have had makes us confident that Watrous is the right place for us and we look forward to creating connections in the future. We are currently hiring right now as well, you can forward your resumes to cody.kosowan@fncannabisco.ca.”
Priding itself on offering a wide selection of cannabis products and accessories, fair prices as well as a strong customer service team, Thomas said, “Our team enjoys answering questions about the products and they are all very knowledgeable. We will carry dry flower, a wide range of CBD products, concentrates, edibles, and more.”
Daniel Bushman
After remaining vacant for a number of years, there has been considerable activity inside the former Shop Easy building in Watrous. With new owners leasing out the building, The Basement Spin Studio is up and running in the basement and on the main level, a partition has been created allowing part of the large space to be utilized by FN Cannabis Company.
The cannabis retail outlet which already has a store in Nipawin decided to expand its reach and chose Watrous as its next destination. While there is no official opening date as remodelling continues at its location along Main Street in Watrous, the company hopes to welcome customers by June 2021.
Speaking from her office in Nipawin, FN Cannabis Company General Manager Mellissa Thomas said everything is falling into place and they are just waiting for final approval from Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) which she added should be confirmed sooner rather than later.
As for the remodelling at the company’s location in Watrous, Thomas said, “There have been bumps along the way as we try to navigate through a pandemic but for the most part it has been a positive experience. The former Shop Easy building is a great location for our new store. We have worked with the owners closely and they are great to deal with. The team at FN Cannabis Company are eager to be able to show off the work that has been done inside.”
Citing how welcoming the community of Watrous has been to the team as they work on opening their retail outlet, Thomas said they are looking forward to eventually meeting everyone in person. After establishing a cannabis retail outlet in Nipawin in 2020, Thomas explained why FN Cannabis Company selected Watrous as a place they would like to do business in.
“When we were looking for communities to branch out, Watrous was one of the top places we had on our list. The community, proximity to the city, and Manitou Beach really stuck out to us. When we were looking at places in and around Watrous we were really excited by how friendly and welcoming the residents were. Small towns have a special feel to them and Watrous is exactly that. The fit was just right.”
In 2018, SLGA issued approximately 60 cannabis retail permits to private operators in as many as 40 Saskatchewan municipalities and First Nation communities. While Watrous was not one of those selected in 2018, in April 2020 SLGA began accepting applications for cannabis retail permits in Saskatchewan communities with populations less than 2,500. Then on Sept. 1, 2020, SLGA began accepting permit applications for stores in all communities within the province.
The provincial government stated communities could opt out of having cannabis retail stores while applicants able to seek permits within communities granting retail opportunities would first need to meet local municipal requirements, including zoning before being approved by SLGA. Interested businesses and individuals would also have to meet SLGA’s permitting requirements including a good character check, inventory tracking and store security.
In the case of Watrous, a couple of years after cannabis was legalized in Canada, Town Administrator Orrin Redden said council officially adopted its Cannabis Business License Bylaw May 11, 2020. The adopted bylaw provides for the regulation and licensing of cannabis businesses that are issued a permit by the cannabis authority in the Town of Watrous.
As part of Bylaw No. 02-2020 anyone wanting to operate a cannabis retail store must obtain a valid license, make an application to the Town of Watrous and provide proof of a valid cannabis permit issued by the cannabis authority.
With the local bylaw in place, FN Cannabis Company then made an application request to the Town of Watrous seeking permission to open a retail outlet in the community. After receiving the green light, they then sought approval from SLGA through its permit application process. Thomas said they are extremely confident that SLGA will approve their permit application and the company is eager to move forward and open its retail outlet in Watrous.
Once FN Cannabis Company does open its doors, as part of Bylaw No. 02-2020 the company will have to renew its license each year and it can be deemed to be cancelled without refund, if the provincial cannabis permit is cancelled, suspended or expires. The municipal bylaw also states the retail outlet is permitted to be open between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and shall not be located within 90 metres from the nearest property line of a playground, child care facility or school.
In addition to following the Town of Watrous Bylaw No. 02-2020, a building permit for FN Cannabis Company to conduct renovations on the former Shop Easy building in Watrous was also approved.
Thomas said while there is still a little work left to be done inside the building located on Main Street in Watrous, they are almost at the finish line. “It is great to see how much interest there is in our store. We would like to thank the community, residents, the Town of Watrous, and our contractors for all the help along the way so far. The experiences we have had makes us confident that Watrous is the right place for us and we look forward to creating connections in the future. We are currently hiring right now as well, you can forward your resumes to cody.kosowan@fncannabisco.ca.”
Priding itself on offering a wide selection of cannabis products and accessories, fair prices as well as a strong customer service team, Thomas said, “Our team enjoys answering questions about the products and they are all very knowledgeable. We will carry dry flower, a wide range of CBD products, concentrates, edibles, and more.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 19, 2021
Remembering an iconic visit from Prince Philip
Daniel Bushman
As people from around the world mourned the passing of The Duke of Edinburgh who passed away Apr. 9, 2021 at the age of 99, many from the local area also reminisced about a visit Prince Philip took to Last Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary over 30 years ago.
An advocate for wildlife and wetlands as the President of the World Wildlife Fund, The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit to Saskatchewan in June of 1987 left a lasting impact. Along with attending an international conference in Regina, Prince Philip visited a burrowing owl site east of Regina and flew to Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary to celebrate the sanctuary’s centennial while witnessing the signing of establishing the north end of the lake as a National Wildlife Area (NWA).
The history of the bird sanctuary east of Simpson runs deep as land was set aside by Canada’s first prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald after learning waterfowl were common at the north end of Last Mountain Lake. Work was done in 1887 to ensure those lands would protect birds and through that, the bird sanctuary was established as the first in Canada and North America.
Commemorating the sanctuary’s centennial in 1987 and viewing the historic NWA signing, Habitat Biologist for Canadian Wildlife Service between 1978 and 2009, Philip Taylor, remembers the day Prince Philip arrived to the area by helicopter. In fact, Taylor who was in charge of managing Saskatchewan’s habitat program and sanctuaries was instrumental in planning the ceremony which included The Duke of Edinburgh.
As the centennial approached, Taylor along with then Canadian Wildlife Service area manager Clint Jorgenson began thinking about what they could do to commemorate it. Planning to establish nature trails, a driving tour, a viewing tower and information kiosk, Taylor said, “We were working on having it designated as a national historic site, which it now is, but that still didn’t tie together our ideas and thoughts about recognizing the centennial of establishing the bird sanctuary.”
As work progressed and one thing led to another, Taylor connected with the World Wildlife Fund’s Monte Hummel who mentioned Prince Philip was very interested in global conservation. With a special interest in Canada and being President of the World Wildlife Fund, a request was made to seek Prince Philip’s attendance for the centennial and NWA signing. “Buckingham Palace came back and said, ‘Yes the Prince is available and yes, the Prince is interested in coming.’”
Along with the opportunity to have Prince Philip attend the ceremony at Last Mountain Lake, a Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was scheduled to be held in Saskatchewan at the same time. “This conference proposed for being held in Regina was agreed to and it was another reason for Prince Philip to come in his role as President of the World Wildlife Fund. That year Canada nominated 12.8 million hectares
of wetland toward that Ramsar Convention. At that time it was the largest commitment to wetland conservation of any of the members.”
With a firm commitment by Buckingham Palace that Prince Philip would attend part of the two week convention, Taylor was thrilled he would also visit Last Mountain Lake and make a stop at a farm east of Regina to see a burrowing owl site.
However, before anything could take place, there were a number of rigorous meetings about Prince Philip’s itinerary. Taylor said a planned itinerary had to be agreed upon between Buckingham Palace, the World Wildlife Fund and Canadian Wildlife Service at Last Mountain Lake. “We developed an itinerary and of course had to learn protocol as to what we did, when to shake hands and what to call him. Then we had to discuss things like security. Things like what we were responsible for like ensuring the trails were safe and what route we would take. Then between the RCMP and Buckingham Palace, they took care of the security.”
Considered as a working visit in his official role as President of the World Wildlife Fund, once the itinerary was approved for Prince Philip, then work began on the June 5 ceremony itself. Set to arrive to commemorate the centennial and observe the signing of the NWA east of Simpson, an open invitation was sent out to the public including dignitaries, nearby neighbours, and students. Federal Environment Minister Tom McMillan and Provincial Minister of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Colin Maxwell were also invited as they would sign the agreement to establish the NWA while Prince Philip acted as the official witness.
In the June 10, 1987 edition of The Watrous Manitou, publisher at that time Frank Wilson was one of the many members of the media who covered the event.
With hundreds of people on hand during that Friday morning to catch a glimpse of Prince Philip, Wilson said The Duke of Edinburgh travelled to the site by military helicopter.
After touring a burrowing owl site 24 kilometres east of Regina and delivering an address at the Ramsar Conference Thursday evening, the following morning June 5, Wilson noted in his article, “The Duke’s arrival by helicopter was right on schedule at 9:30 a.m. at a landing area set aside near the speakers’ dias. He appeared, as always, to be enjoying himself and walked along the edge of the waiting crowd, stopping here and there to chat and say hello. Applause and greetings accompanied him and cameras by the dozen received a good workout. As with any Royal Visit, there was an atmosphere of excitement and satisfaction at being able to see Prince Philip and, in some cases, to have a brief word.”
After the Duke of Edinburgh’s informal walk to the podium, Regional Director of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Gordon Kerr welcomed those in attendance and introduced the official dignitaries which included Prince Philip, the Honourable Tom McMillan, Minister of Environment Canada, Colin Maxwell, Minister of Saskatchewan Parks, Recreation and Culture, Ed Crawford, President of Canada Life Assurance Company, and Robert Bateman, a world renowned nature artist.
As part of the event, Wilson said McMillan announced an agreement had been reached between the federal and provincial authorities to bring an additional 3,000 hectares of land under federal protection, making the bird sanctuary a National Wildlife Area. With Prince Philip witnessing the signing, McMillan and Maxwell endorsed the document.
“What he did that day was he put his signature on an agreement that Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada, the two governments, committed to contribute all of the Crown lands at the north end of the lake towards making the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area,” said Taylor.
Following that, McMillan also announced the Government of Canada presented $1 million towards the World Wildlife Fund, of which Prince Philip was President.
Maxwell, who originally came from Edinburgh, noted during the ceremony how pleased he was to be attending with The Duke of Edinburgh and that the coincidence of being from Edinburgh formed a happy association between himself and Prince Philip. He also emphasized the importance of the sanctuary at Last Mountain Lake and was thrilled with the new National Wildlife Area.
Also during the Friday morning event, Wilson stated Prince Philip was presented with an original painting by artist Robert Bateman depicting White Pelicans at Last Mountain Lake and also helped with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, marking the centenary of the bird sanctuary.
Reflecting back on that day, Wilson remarked the lasting impression he retained was the huge turnout The Duke of Edinburgh attracted. “To my mind that was a tribute to his popularity and stature wherever he went. The media presence was absolutely huge and members of the public were bused in from various parts of Saskatchewan. Even the weatherman co-operated!”
Another person in attendance from the area was Lillian Gingrich. With her farm a short drive away from where the event was taking place, after learning about it, she decided to attend along with members of her family. Gingrich recalled there being a lot of people who made the trek out to the bird sanctuary for the morning ceremony.
Dennis Simpson and his family were a few of those who made the drive out to the area east of Simpson. His dad, Lewis Simpson, was Reeve of the Municipality of Wreford No. 280 at the time and one of the dignitaries to receive an official invitation.
Simpson recalled it being a dry spring and as a result there was very little water in the wetlands. Water was pumped into the wetlands from Last Mountain Lake that spring and on the morning of the event, the Simpson family gathered with others next to Greensfield Park on the grassland and watched as three helicopters flew from the south along the lake to the site. “This would have provided a good view of the bird sanctuary to the officials. After the helicopters landed, the Prince and the other officials walked to the platform where the signing took place.”
Simpson noted that there were a number of schools from nearby communities who bused students to the site for the historic event. “Keeping track of a class of children would have been a challenge. Some of the teachers provided bright coloured hats or shirts to the students to help identify them.”
Sporting bright yellow hats with the slogan ‘I Love No Name’ on them were students from the school in Nokomis. Nokomis Shop-Rite owner Walter Driediger was approached by teacher Lila Haskey-Mutch before the June 5 event asking if he might have something bright that the students could wear to help them stand out from the large gathering so they would not get lost.
“We had a whole pile of those hats at the store,” said Driediger. “We gave them to the teachers to give to the students to wear. When Prince Philip saw the kids wearing the hats he had come up to the group and asked what ‘I Love No Name’ had meant. They explained that the hats came from the grocery store in Nokomis and it was a kind of product that they sold at the store.”
While he was not in attendance at the ceremony, Driediger ended up doing an interview about the students wearing the unique hats for a publication and weeks later his niece who was working overseas at the time was approached by her boss with a magazine article. “Her boss brought the magazine to her about Prince Philip visiting Saskatchewan and in it was a picture of the kids wearing the hats. He asked her if that was where she was from and she said, ‘Hey wait a minute, those hats are from my uncle’s store and that’s my uncle in that story!’”
Lila Haskey-Mutch said the hats were a perfect fit for the event and it helped both teachers and students stay together in the group. “I knew a lot of students and people would be there that day,” she recalled about not wanting anyone to wander off and get lost. “I went to Walter and asked if we could get enough hats for the staff members and students. The hats ended up attracting the Prince over to us. He asked about who the head master was and then wanted to know about the hats and what they meant. He was right in front of me and I explained it to him the best that I could.”
Haskey-Mutch who by chance in later years would meet Prince Philip’s son Prince Charles and Camilla, duchess of Cornwall during Canada’s 150th celebrations in Ottawa thought The Duke of Edinburgh was very friendly and curious about the hats. Teaching Kindergarten/Gr. 1 at Nokomis in 1987, Haskey-Mutch said it was a really unique event to be a part of. “We all met at the school at 8:30 a.m. and bused to the site. It was about a 45 minute program and some of the students were able to chat with Prince Philip.”
With Haskey-Mutch and students from Nokomis, joining other schools from Imperial, Simpson and Govan along with eager onlookers, as the official ceremony came to a conclusion, the Prince joined Philip Taylor, Clint Jorgenson, the RCMP driver and both provincial and federal ministers in a van as they drove through the bird sanctuary and newly signed NWA to a pick up point where a helicopter was waiting.
During the drive with Prince Philip, Taylor said, “We talked about the conservation programs, some of the rare birds coming through like the whooping cranes, the peregrine falcons and burrowing owls. He was very interested in the rare birds but he was also very interested in the common birds. We talked about some of the shore birds that nested there in the summer. He asked very good questions, he was very polite and had a good sense of humour.”
Taylor also shared a funny moment as he was chatting along with Jorgenson and talking about the sanctuary’s programs to Prince Philip. “I pointed over toward the horizon and said, ‘If you look just beside that little hill.’ The Prince looked at me and he said, ‘Hill?’ We both started to laugh because I then said, ‘A Saskatchewan hill is a little bit smaller than the ones you are used to in Scotland.’ He was very engaged and had a good sense of humour and he enjoyed it very much.”
Even prior to the ceremony, Taylor noted how relaxed Prince Philip seemed to be, deviating from the official itinerary. “It was fairly typical of him that he had his own idea of how he wanted to do it. He left the helicopter, walked past some of the audience on either side who were cordoned off and waved to them. In front of the main platform where he was going to be seated, he went right down to the audience and shook hands with the students, school teachers and others. He spent a lot of time doing that which they loved. We didn’t know how many people were going to come and they had been waiting a while to see him. When he was shaking hands and talking with the audience you could tell his security was a bit nervous. ”
Already a remarkable day in his mind, Taylor said Prince Philip’s participation and witnessing the signatures and agreement to establish the NWA ended up becoming the pinnacle of the program of wildlife conservation activities across Canada that year.
“His signing and witnessing of the agreement was crucial. It elevated the whole program to a Canada-wide one. Without the Prince coming, many things would have happened with the centennial but it would not have struck a chord across Canada in the same way. There are so many impressions people have about Prince Philip when he is working as a consort to the Queen. On this trip he was engaged, really interested in the wildlife and the questions he was asking were right down to why we were managing, what we were doing, working with our partners like Ducks Unlimited, the Wildlife Federation, Nature Saskatchewan and the community members around who were able to put cattle on to graze certain areas. He was really right into that and that impressed me.”
As the van reached the designated pick up point and Prince Philip concluded his tour of the area, Taylor said, “He got in the helicopter and apparently he flew the helicopter part way back.”
Following the successful June 5, 1987 event, a thank you letter was received from Brigadier Clive Robertson on behalf of Buckingham Palace:
The Duke of Edinburgh has asked me to write to thank you for the most successful and interesting morning at The Last Mountain Bird Sanctuary last week. His Royal Highness was very pleased to unveil the plaque and to tour the area with its fascinating bird life.
Prince Philip was delighted to receive the picture from Robert Bateman and would be grateful if you could pass on his sincere thanks to the artist for the magnificent work which he is very pleased to have.
Thank you again for arranging such an interesting visit which was clearly very much enjoyed by all of us.
Reflecting back on that morning over 30 years ago, while the event took a tremendous amount of planning, Taylor, the now retired Habitat Biologist for Canadian Wildlife Service remarked it was a highlight he will not soon forget.
“We set out a number of objectives for ourselves and the centennial was obviously a big one. Some of these things just fell into place. It was very exciting and even today thinking about it, it was like, wow that was pretty impressive. Even over the years of me coming down from Saskatoon virtually every week and spending a few days at Last Mountain Lake over that 30 year period, I met a lot of local people and so many remember that day. Either they had gone to it or their kids had gone to that event. It was for so many people a landmark day.”
Editor’s note: For those who attended the June 5, 1987 event and snapped a few photos, Administrative Services Officer, Canadian Wildlife Service, Lois Vanthuyne noted they would be interested in seeing them and adding them to their archives. People can email photos to lois.vanthuyne@canada.ca.
Daniel Bushman
As people from around the world mourned the passing of The Duke of Edinburgh who passed away Apr. 9, 2021 at the age of 99, many from the local area also reminisced about a visit Prince Philip took to Last Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary over 30 years ago.
An advocate for wildlife and wetlands as the President of the World Wildlife Fund, The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit to Saskatchewan in June of 1987 left a lasting impact. Along with attending an international conference in Regina, Prince Philip visited a burrowing owl site east of Regina and flew to Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary to celebrate the sanctuary’s centennial while witnessing the signing of establishing the north end of the lake as a National Wildlife Area (NWA).
The history of the bird sanctuary east of Simpson runs deep as land was set aside by Canada’s first prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald after learning waterfowl were common at the north end of Last Mountain Lake. Work was done in 1887 to ensure those lands would protect birds and through that, the bird sanctuary was established as the first in Canada and North America.
Commemorating the sanctuary’s centennial in 1987 and viewing the historic NWA signing, Habitat Biologist for Canadian Wildlife Service between 1978 and 2009, Philip Taylor, remembers the day Prince Philip arrived to the area by helicopter. In fact, Taylor who was in charge of managing Saskatchewan’s habitat program and sanctuaries was instrumental in planning the ceremony which included The Duke of Edinburgh.
As the centennial approached, Taylor along with then Canadian Wildlife Service area manager Clint Jorgenson began thinking about what they could do to commemorate it. Planning to establish nature trails, a driving tour, a viewing tower and information kiosk, Taylor said, “We were working on having it designated as a national historic site, which it now is, but that still didn’t tie together our ideas and thoughts about recognizing the centennial of establishing the bird sanctuary.”
As work progressed and one thing led to another, Taylor connected with the World Wildlife Fund’s Monte Hummel who mentioned Prince Philip was very interested in global conservation. With a special interest in Canada and being President of the World Wildlife Fund, a request was made to seek Prince Philip’s attendance for the centennial and NWA signing. “Buckingham Palace came back and said, ‘Yes the Prince is available and yes, the Prince is interested in coming.’”
Along with the opportunity to have Prince Philip attend the ceremony at Last Mountain Lake, a Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was scheduled to be held in Saskatchewan at the same time. “This conference proposed for being held in Regina was agreed to and it was another reason for Prince Philip to come in his role as President of the World Wildlife Fund. That year Canada nominated 12.8 million hectares
of wetland toward that Ramsar Convention. At that time it was the largest commitment to wetland conservation of any of the members.”
With a firm commitment by Buckingham Palace that Prince Philip would attend part of the two week convention, Taylor was thrilled he would also visit Last Mountain Lake and make a stop at a farm east of Regina to see a burrowing owl site.
However, before anything could take place, there were a number of rigorous meetings about Prince Philip’s itinerary. Taylor said a planned itinerary had to be agreed upon between Buckingham Palace, the World Wildlife Fund and Canadian Wildlife Service at Last Mountain Lake. “We developed an itinerary and of course had to learn protocol as to what we did, when to shake hands and what to call him. Then we had to discuss things like security. Things like what we were responsible for like ensuring the trails were safe and what route we would take. Then between the RCMP and Buckingham Palace, they took care of the security.”
Considered as a working visit in his official role as President of the World Wildlife Fund, once the itinerary was approved for Prince Philip, then work began on the June 5 ceremony itself. Set to arrive to commemorate the centennial and observe the signing of the NWA east of Simpson, an open invitation was sent out to the public including dignitaries, nearby neighbours, and students. Federal Environment Minister Tom McMillan and Provincial Minister of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Colin Maxwell were also invited as they would sign the agreement to establish the NWA while Prince Philip acted as the official witness.
In the June 10, 1987 edition of The Watrous Manitou, publisher at that time Frank Wilson was one of the many members of the media who covered the event.
With hundreds of people on hand during that Friday morning to catch a glimpse of Prince Philip, Wilson said The Duke of Edinburgh travelled to the site by military helicopter.
After touring a burrowing owl site 24 kilometres east of Regina and delivering an address at the Ramsar Conference Thursday evening, the following morning June 5, Wilson noted in his article, “The Duke’s arrival by helicopter was right on schedule at 9:30 a.m. at a landing area set aside near the speakers’ dias. He appeared, as always, to be enjoying himself and walked along the edge of the waiting crowd, stopping here and there to chat and say hello. Applause and greetings accompanied him and cameras by the dozen received a good workout. As with any Royal Visit, there was an atmosphere of excitement and satisfaction at being able to see Prince Philip and, in some cases, to have a brief word.”
After the Duke of Edinburgh’s informal walk to the podium, Regional Director of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Gordon Kerr welcomed those in attendance and introduced the official dignitaries which included Prince Philip, the Honourable Tom McMillan, Minister of Environment Canada, Colin Maxwell, Minister of Saskatchewan Parks, Recreation and Culture, Ed Crawford, President of Canada Life Assurance Company, and Robert Bateman, a world renowned nature artist.
As part of the event, Wilson said McMillan announced an agreement had been reached between the federal and provincial authorities to bring an additional 3,000 hectares of land under federal protection, making the bird sanctuary a National Wildlife Area. With Prince Philip witnessing the signing, McMillan and Maxwell endorsed the document.
“What he did that day was he put his signature on an agreement that Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada, the two governments, committed to contribute all of the Crown lands at the north end of the lake towards making the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area,” said Taylor.
Following that, McMillan also announced the Government of Canada presented $1 million towards the World Wildlife Fund, of which Prince Philip was President.
Maxwell, who originally came from Edinburgh, noted during the ceremony how pleased he was to be attending with The Duke of Edinburgh and that the coincidence of being from Edinburgh formed a happy association between himself and Prince Philip. He also emphasized the importance of the sanctuary at Last Mountain Lake and was thrilled with the new National Wildlife Area.
Also during the Friday morning event, Wilson stated Prince Philip was presented with an original painting by artist Robert Bateman depicting White Pelicans at Last Mountain Lake and also helped with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, marking the centenary of the bird sanctuary.
Reflecting back on that day, Wilson remarked the lasting impression he retained was the huge turnout The Duke of Edinburgh attracted. “To my mind that was a tribute to his popularity and stature wherever he went. The media presence was absolutely huge and members of the public were bused in from various parts of Saskatchewan. Even the weatherman co-operated!”
Another person in attendance from the area was Lillian Gingrich. With her farm a short drive away from where the event was taking place, after learning about it, she decided to attend along with members of her family. Gingrich recalled there being a lot of people who made the trek out to the bird sanctuary for the morning ceremony.
Dennis Simpson and his family were a few of those who made the drive out to the area east of Simpson. His dad, Lewis Simpson, was Reeve of the Municipality of Wreford No. 280 at the time and one of the dignitaries to receive an official invitation.
Simpson recalled it being a dry spring and as a result there was very little water in the wetlands. Water was pumped into the wetlands from Last Mountain Lake that spring and on the morning of the event, the Simpson family gathered with others next to Greensfield Park on the grassland and watched as three helicopters flew from the south along the lake to the site. “This would have provided a good view of the bird sanctuary to the officials. After the helicopters landed, the Prince and the other officials walked to the platform where the signing took place.”
Simpson noted that there were a number of schools from nearby communities who bused students to the site for the historic event. “Keeping track of a class of children would have been a challenge. Some of the teachers provided bright coloured hats or shirts to the students to help identify them.”
Sporting bright yellow hats with the slogan ‘I Love No Name’ on them were students from the school in Nokomis. Nokomis Shop-Rite owner Walter Driediger was approached by teacher Lila Haskey-Mutch before the June 5 event asking if he might have something bright that the students could wear to help them stand out from the large gathering so they would not get lost.
“We had a whole pile of those hats at the store,” said Driediger. “We gave them to the teachers to give to the students to wear. When Prince Philip saw the kids wearing the hats he had come up to the group and asked what ‘I Love No Name’ had meant. They explained that the hats came from the grocery store in Nokomis and it was a kind of product that they sold at the store.”
While he was not in attendance at the ceremony, Driediger ended up doing an interview about the students wearing the unique hats for a publication and weeks later his niece who was working overseas at the time was approached by her boss with a magazine article. “Her boss brought the magazine to her about Prince Philip visiting Saskatchewan and in it was a picture of the kids wearing the hats. He asked her if that was where she was from and she said, ‘Hey wait a minute, those hats are from my uncle’s store and that’s my uncle in that story!’”
Lila Haskey-Mutch said the hats were a perfect fit for the event and it helped both teachers and students stay together in the group. “I knew a lot of students and people would be there that day,” she recalled about not wanting anyone to wander off and get lost. “I went to Walter and asked if we could get enough hats for the staff members and students. The hats ended up attracting the Prince over to us. He asked about who the head master was and then wanted to know about the hats and what they meant. He was right in front of me and I explained it to him the best that I could.”
Haskey-Mutch who by chance in later years would meet Prince Philip’s son Prince Charles and Camilla, duchess of Cornwall during Canada’s 150th celebrations in Ottawa thought The Duke of Edinburgh was very friendly and curious about the hats. Teaching Kindergarten/Gr. 1 at Nokomis in 1987, Haskey-Mutch said it was a really unique event to be a part of. “We all met at the school at 8:30 a.m. and bused to the site. It was about a 45 minute program and some of the students were able to chat with Prince Philip.”
With Haskey-Mutch and students from Nokomis, joining other schools from Imperial, Simpson and Govan along with eager onlookers, as the official ceremony came to a conclusion, the Prince joined Philip Taylor, Clint Jorgenson, the RCMP driver and both provincial and federal ministers in a van as they drove through the bird sanctuary and newly signed NWA to a pick up point where a helicopter was waiting.
During the drive with Prince Philip, Taylor said, “We talked about the conservation programs, some of the rare birds coming through like the whooping cranes, the peregrine falcons and burrowing owls. He was very interested in the rare birds but he was also very interested in the common birds. We talked about some of the shore birds that nested there in the summer. He asked very good questions, he was very polite and had a good sense of humour.”
Taylor also shared a funny moment as he was chatting along with Jorgenson and talking about the sanctuary’s programs to Prince Philip. “I pointed over toward the horizon and said, ‘If you look just beside that little hill.’ The Prince looked at me and he said, ‘Hill?’ We both started to laugh because I then said, ‘A Saskatchewan hill is a little bit smaller than the ones you are used to in Scotland.’ He was very engaged and had a good sense of humour and he enjoyed it very much.”
Even prior to the ceremony, Taylor noted how relaxed Prince Philip seemed to be, deviating from the official itinerary. “It was fairly typical of him that he had his own idea of how he wanted to do it. He left the helicopter, walked past some of the audience on either side who were cordoned off and waved to them. In front of the main platform where he was going to be seated, he went right down to the audience and shook hands with the students, school teachers and others. He spent a lot of time doing that which they loved. We didn’t know how many people were going to come and they had been waiting a while to see him. When he was shaking hands and talking with the audience you could tell his security was a bit nervous. ”
Already a remarkable day in his mind, Taylor said Prince Philip’s participation and witnessing the signatures and agreement to establish the NWA ended up becoming the pinnacle of the program of wildlife conservation activities across Canada that year.
“His signing and witnessing of the agreement was crucial. It elevated the whole program to a Canada-wide one. Without the Prince coming, many things would have happened with the centennial but it would not have struck a chord across Canada in the same way. There are so many impressions people have about Prince Philip when he is working as a consort to the Queen. On this trip he was engaged, really interested in the wildlife and the questions he was asking were right down to why we were managing, what we were doing, working with our partners like Ducks Unlimited, the Wildlife Federation, Nature Saskatchewan and the community members around who were able to put cattle on to graze certain areas. He was really right into that and that impressed me.”
As the van reached the designated pick up point and Prince Philip concluded his tour of the area, Taylor said, “He got in the helicopter and apparently he flew the helicopter part way back.”
Following the successful June 5, 1987 event, a thank you letter was received from Brigadier Clive Robertson on behalf of Buckingham Palace:
The Duke of Edinburgh has asked me to write to thank you for the most successful and interesting morning at The Last Mountain Bird Sanctuary last week. His Royal Highness was very pleased to unveil the plaque and to tour the area with its fascinating bird life.
Prince Philip was delighted to receive the picture from Robert Bateman and would be grateful if you could pass on his sincere thanks to the artist for the magnificent work which he is very pleased to have.
Thank you again for arranging such an interesting visit which was clearly very much enjoyed by all of us.
Reflecting back on that morning over 30 years ago, while the event took a tremendous amount of planning, Taylor, the now retired Habitat Biologist for Canadian Wildlife Service remarked it was a highlight he will not soon forget.
“We set out a number of objectives for ourselves and the centennial was obviously a big one. Some of these things just fell into place. It was very exciting and even today thinking about it, it was like, wow that was pretty impressive. Even over the years of me coming down from Saskatoon virtually every week and spending a few days at Last Mountain Lake over that 30 year period, I met a lot of local people and so many remember that day. Either they had gone to it or their kids had gone to that event. It was for so many people a landmark day.”
Editor’s note: For those who attended the June 5, 1987 event and snapped a few photos, Administrative Services Officer, Canadian Wildlife Service, Lois Vanthuyne noted they would be interested in seeing them and adding them to their archives. People can email photos to lois.vanthuyne@canada.ca.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 12, 2021
Budget touted as protecting, building, growing province; deficit projected
Daniel Bushman
Aiming to protect, build and grow Saskatchewan while operating with a projected $2.6 billion deficit, Deputy Premier, Finance Minister, and Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer tabled the 2021-‘22 provincial budget Apr. 6.
“This budget will protect Saskatchewan people through the pandemic, as more vaccines are received and life begins to return to normal,” Harpauer said, noting the COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest shock to Saskatchewan, Canadian and world economies since WWII.
“This is a significant challenge that requires a significant response,” she added. “As a result, this year’s deficit will be larger and it will take longer to return to balance than we had anticipated. But we are going to make the investments needed now to protect Saskatchewan people through the end of the pandemic and to drive a strong economic recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.”
With a projected deficit of $2.6 billion, the provincial government hopes the fiscal path will steadily improve over the next three years with smaller deficits of $1.7 billion, $1.2 billion, and $770 million in 2024-‘25. A return to balance is expected in 2026-‘27.
“As much as we have a huge deficit I am very optimistic that we are going to recover relatively quickly and then turn our eyes to what we need to do to stimulate growth which is critical,” said Harpauer who noted she has complete faith in the people of Saskatchewan. “And the fact that we have what the world needs which is food, fuel and fertilizer.”
Harpauer stated while every province is in a similar situation when it comes to a deficit and borrowing, Saskatchewan fared better than most and will now have the lowest debt to GDP ratio in the country; with real GDP forecast to grow 3.4 percent in 2021 following a projected 4.2 percent contraction in 2020.
When asked how creating the budget went, Harpauer said the disheartening thing about building this year’s budget was that in previous years a goal was always set whether it was attaining a surplus or building towards one. “In this one, the goal was to ensure that we were covering the additional costs of COVID to keep our citizens safe which meant for $19 million of additional money that we put into health care, specific to COVID. It also lends on what we are going to need to do to recover and stimulate growth going forward as well. Basically we didn’t set an end goal and just hoped that the ditch wasn’t too deep. That is not where I’d like to be but we are all there. Now we have set forward a path to recover and build and I am confident in our path and I am optimistic it won’t take us as long as we are projecting in this budget.”
Indicated within the budget, revenue is forecast at $14.5 billion with expenses of $17.1 billion projected, an increase of $1 billion compared to last year. The total public debt, including Crown corporation debt, is projected to be $27.8 billion at Mar. 31, 2022 - up $4.2 billion compared to last year.
At a glance, the budget includes $1.5 billion to help protect Saskatchewan lives and livelihoods in the fight against COVID-19, following a $2 billion investment last year. A further $1.3 billion of support is in place for the next two years, for a multi-year commitment of $4.8 billion.
The budget provides $3.1 billion of planned capital spending to stimulate the economy and create jobs. It also invests $162 million in health care capital including a planning stage investment of $550,000 for new Watson and Estevan long-term care facilities.
There is $830 million going into operating, maintaining, building and improving Saskatchewan’s roads and highways including multiple passing-lane projects on Highways 2, 3, 12, 14 and 16.
The budget provides nearly $190 million for education capital including nearly $102 million to support 21 ongoing capital projects which will build 16 new schools and renovate five more.
Also within the budget, more than $324 million will be invested in government services infrastructure, $70.1 million for maintenance and upgrades to dams and canals, and nearly $245 million for municipal infrastructure. Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations will spend $1.6 billion on major capital projects this year, including nearly $938 million by SaskPower to improve the province’s electricity system to meet demand and maintain reliability.
The 2021-‘22 Budget includes record funding for workforce development of more than $39 million to strengthen Saskatchewan’s recovery from the pandemic. Nearly $18 million is being provided for Employment Assistance for Persons with Disabilities.
The 2021-‘22 Budget also includes nearly $175 million to provide all SaskPower customers with a 10 percent rebate on their power bills this year. Meanwhile, in May, every Saskatchewan driver will receive a rebate on their vehicle registrations from the Auto Fund.
This year’s budget reinstated the Community Rink Affordability Grant, providing communities with $2,500 per ice surface.
Total funding through the Saskatchewan Veteran Service Club Support Program will grow from $100,000 to $1.5 million this year. And the budget also restarts the Active Families Benefit, providing $150 per child enrolled in sport, recreation and cultural activities.
“In the election campaign last fall, we made 14 specific campaign commitments to make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people,” Harpauer said. “This budget fulfills all 14 of these commitments. We did what we said we would do.”
In addition, the budget contains a number of changes to taxes including the taxation of vapour products and heat-not-burn tobacco products, as well as a road use fee for electric vehicles at the time of registration to ensure that all road users contribute to road maintenance and replacement. Diving in a little deeper, here are a few more specifics within a handful of areas:
Health
This year’s record health budget of $6.54 billion - up $359 million or 5.8 percent from last year - includes a $90 million increase to support Saskatchewan’s comprehensive COVID response. This includes: the mass vaccination rollout; purchase of more personal protective equipment; supporting contact tracing measures; expansion of testing and assessment sites; additional provincial laboratory capacity; supports for long-term care; and coverage of added physician costs.
The budget provides Saskatchewan Health Authority with a $3.96 billion grant this year, up more than $221 million, or nearly six percent, compared to last year. The budget invests a record $458 million for mental health and addictions programs and services, up $23.4 million or 5.4 percent from last year. This includes $7.2 million for targeted mental health and addictions services including specific youth-focused initiatives, investments in suicide prevention, and expansion of harm reduction and addictions treatment.
A total of $6 million will be used to hire approximately 100 continuing care aides who will help long-term care clients with personal care, meals and medication.
“It’s the first year of our three-year, $18.4 million campaign commitment to hire 300 continuing care aides to work in long-term care and in existing and expanded home-care services in rural and remote areas,” Harpauer said. “This budget also keeps our election commitment to support children with Autism and their families, with $6 million to expand the Autism Spectrum Disorder program to provide individualized funding for children ages six to 11. We are fulfilling another platform commitment through a $5 million increase to expand eligibility under the Saskatchewan Insulin Pump Program - which means the cost of an insulin pump will now be covered for everyone in Saskatchewan who needs one.”
The funding will also cover continuous glucose monitoring for children and youth under age 18.
A $6.7 million increase will reduce ambulance fees for seniors to $135 per trip, down from $275 and $1.4 million is being invested to add a new STARS helicopter to deliver emergency care faster to rural and remote areas and save lives.
Education
Education spending across government is $3.75 billion, up more than $391 million, or 11.6 percent compared to last year. This includes spending on pre-K to Gr. 12 education, post-secondary education, and career training programs and commissions.
Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions will receive $1.96 billion in operating funding for the 2021-‘22 school year, a $19.2 million increase. This includes fully funding the two percent salary increase in the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement.
Specifically for the local area, Harpauer noted Horizon School Division will receive $77.079 million, a 2.5 percent increase. Project wise, work continues on seeing a new school in Lanigan built while $2.3 million has been allocated for structural repairs for the school in Allan.
Harpauer also noted Horizon School Division will receive $1.8 million for additional repairs over and above the maintenance budget that they have been allocated. That stimulus funding is able to be utilized for additional repairs and work.
Federal-provincial Safe Schools funding of $155 million has been provided over the last year to help school divisions and independent schools during the pandemic. More than $20 million of this funding will carry over into the 2021-‘22 school year.
An increase of $2 million in this budget brings child care funding up to $75.5 million and will create 176 additional licensed home-based spaces and 51 new licensed centre spaces.
This year’s budget will invest a total of $735 million in the post-secondary sector. Beyond the typical base budget, government will invest an additional $60 million over two years to be utilized for COVID recovery, revenue generation, and achieving priorities set out in the Growth Plan.
The budget includes $678.5 million for post-secondary institutions, up 4.4 percent compared to the previous year, as well as $39.8 million for student supports, a 10 percent increase. This includes an increase in the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship from $500 to $750 annually per eligible student to help with tuition costs.
Social Services
The budget provides social services and assistance with $1.56 billion, up more than $66 million, or 4.5 percent, compared to last year.
“This budget meets our election commitment to increase benefits to seniors with $3.5 million in additional funding for the Seniors Income Plan,” Harpauer said. “The investment will help low-income seniors enjoy a better quality of life with maximum payments increasing by $30 a month, effective July 1.”
Protection of Persons and Property
The budget provides more than $845 million for the protection of Saskatchewan persons and property, up $38.6 million, or 4.8 percent, compared to last year.
Agriculture
The budget includes a $23.1 million increase to the Ministry of Agriculture budget which totals $386.9 million, a six percent increase from the 2020-‘21 budget.
Agriculture Minister David Marit said, “The 2021-‘22 Agriculture budget will once again fully fund business risk management programs, provide a record level of per-acre coverage under the Crop Insurance Program, continue last year’s record investment in agriculture research, and make important investments in irrigation expansion.”
The Agriculture budget includes a $20.6 million increase to business risk management funding and the $150.1 million 2021 Crop Insurance Program includes coverage of $273 an acre.
This year’s budget also contains an additional $2 million for the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, which compensates Saskatchewan producers for crop damage and predation caused by wildlife, to address stronger commodity prices.
The budget will also once again include $32.9 million in funding for agriculture research, which matches last year’s record level of funding for research.
Additional investments will also be made to expand irrigation in Saskatchewan, with an increased $2.5 million for irrigation development projects. Once again, the Agriculture budget includes $71.2 million for strategic programs under the CAP agreement.
Budget reaction
With the budget tabled, Harpauer said, “Throughout this pandemic, we have witnessed Saskatchewan’s resolve, as our people made the sacrifices required to protect not only themselves, but also their families, friends, neighbours and co-workers. When this pandemic is over we will witness Saskatchewan’s resilience, as our economy recovers and grows, as businesses reopen and more people return to work, and as Saskatchewan recovers to be even stronger than before.”
As the provincial government tabled the budget Apr. 6, Saskatchewan New Democratic Party Leader Ryan Meili said it was out of touch and broke key campaign commitments.
“Scott Moe has failed Saskatchewan. This budget shows that the premier is in over his head and he hasn’t been honest with the people of this province about the realities we’re all facing,” said Meili. “People were having a tough time before COVID-19 hit and the Sask. Party’s failure to show leadership in containing the pandemic means those families are even further behind. This budget takes the same approach as the government’s pandemic response: weak half measures that don’t get the job done for Saskatchewan people.”
“The government said during the election they would balance the budget by 2024, knowing full well that they would not. That lie was confirmed today. They said there would be no tax increases for families. Instead, property taxes for families are going up. And now we see the government lied to families in the last election about their plans to increase staffing in our hard-hit long-term care facilities,” said Meili.
Along with reaction from the NDP, others also weighed in on the budget.
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation was encouraged stating the budget signals public education is a priority. “There are always resource challenges in schools and we always hope for funding increases beyond inflation and enrolment increases. However, these are difficult times for citizens and for government. A budget always requires tough choices to be made and the pandemic has increased financial pressure on the provincial government,” said STF President Patrick Maze. “This budget essentially holds the line for education. Given the circumstances, this is a realistic approach.”
However, Maze cautioned there will still be resource challenges in schools. “The challenges we had pre-pandemic haven’t gone away and now there are new ones. Students have all had very different experiences over the last year that will need to be addressed. School divisions will still have to make difficult decisions.”
According to the Saskatchewan Chamber, the budget contains several important new items for Saskatchewan businesses. “While the pandemic has impacted every household and business differently, we will collectively recover by focusing on health and safety protocols, and by vaccinating our residents as soon as possible. Once the pandemic is less of a concern, we expect the province to renew and increase its focus on the transition to economic recovery and building resilience into all we do in Saskatchewan,” said Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO, Steve McLellan.
McLellan noted the budget also contains important elements crucial to Saskatchewan businesses including continued financial supports for members of the business community negatively impacted by COVID-19, $3.1 billion of Capital Investments, and an investment of $3.2 million to improve the cyber security of Saskatchewan’s public service systems.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) felt the budget missed a crucial opportunity to invest in working people at a time when workers are struggling due to unemployment, illness, and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today was an opportunity for the government to put workers first, and make meaningful investments that would create jobs and get people back to work, make workplaces safer, and ensure that workers have the supports they need to be able to get through the rest of the pandemic,” said SFL President Lori Johb. “Unfortunately, this budget offers very little for the working people who have been on the front lines of this crisis since day one.”
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation called on the government to strengthen its plan to tackle the deficit. “It’s true the pandemic is creating costs for government, but every family and business has found ways to save money and the province needs to do that as well,” said Todd MacKay, the CTF’s Prairie Director. “Spending is going up in 10 out of the 11 major budget categories. It’s good to see the Saskatchewan government set a target to balance the budget, but it needs to work harder to hit that target earlier.”
The Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) was pleased the government is investing in agricultural programming and in improving rural telecommunications stating the government’s priorities for Agri-stability, irrigation development and research funding maintenance are positive impacts for the agriculture industry.
“COVID really has been a shock to the economy, and agriculture is well poised to lead the recovery, and we will,” APAS President Todd Lewis said. The budget will also once again include $32.9 million in funding for agriculture research, which matches last year’s record level of funding for research.
Additional investments will also be made to expand irrigation in Saskatchewan, with an increased $2.5 million for irrigation development projects. Once again, the Agriculture budget includes $71.2 million for strategic programs under the CAP agreement.
Daniel Bushman
Aiming to protect, build and grow Saskatchewan while operating with a projected $2.6 billion deficit, Deputy Premier, Finance Minister, and Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer tabled the 2021-‘22 provincial budget Apr. 6.
“This budget will protect Saskatchewan people through the pandemic, as more vaccines are received and life begins to return to normal,” Harpauer said, noting the COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest shock to Saskatchewan, Canadian and world economies since WWII.
“This is a significant challenge that requires a significant response,” she added. “As a result, this year’s deficit will be larger and it will take longer to return to balance than we had anticipated. But we are going to make the investments needed now to protect Saskatchewan people through the end of the pandemic and to drive a strong economic recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.”
With a projected deficit of $2.6 billion, the provincial government hopes the fiscal path will steadily improve over the next three years with smaller deficits of $1.7 billion, $1.2 billion, and $770 million in 2024-‘25. A return to balance is expected in 2026-‘27.
“As much as we have a huge deficit I am very optimistic that we are going to recover relatively quickly and then turn our eyes to what we need to do to stimulate growth which is critical,” said Harpauer who noted she has complete faith in the people of Saskatchewan. “And the fact that we have what the world needs which is food, fuel and fertilizer.”
Harpauer stated while every province is in a similar situation when it comes to a deficit and borrowing, Saskatchewan fared better than most and will now have the lowest debt to GDP ratio in the country; with real GDP forecast to grow 3.4 percent in 2021 following a projected 4.2 percent contraction in 2020.
When asked how creating the budget went, Harpauer said the disheartening thing about building this year’s budget was that in previous years a goal was always set whether it was attaining a surplus or building towards one. “In this one, the goal was to ensure that we were covering the additional costs of COVID to keep our citizens safe which meant for $19 million of additional money that we put into health care, specific to COVID. It also lends on what we are going to need to do to recover and stimulate growth going forward as well. Basically we didn’t set an end goal and just hoped that the ditch wasn’t too deep. That is not where I’d like to be but we are all there. Now we have set forward a path to recover and build and I am confident in our path and I am optimistic it won’t take us as long as we are projecting in this budget.”
Indicated within the budget, revenue is forecast at $14.5 billion with expenses of $17.1 billion projected, an increase of $1 billion compared to last year. The total public debt, including Crown corporation debt, is projected to be $27.8 billion at Mar. 31, 2022 - up $4.2 billion compared to last year.
At a glance, the budget includes $1.5 billion to help protect Saskatchewan lives and livelihoods in the fight against COVID-19, following a $2 billion investment last year. A further $1.3 billion of support is in place for the next two years, for a multi-year commitment of $4.8 billion.
The budget provides $3.1 billion of planned capital spending to stimulate the economy and create jobs. It also invests $162 million in health care capital including a planning stage investment of $550,000 for new Watson and Estevan long-term care facilities.
There is $830 million going into operating, maintaining, building and improving Saskatchewan’s roads and highways including multiple passing-lane projects on Highways 2, 3, 12, 14 and 16.
The budget provides nearly $190 million for education capital including nearly $102 million to support 21 ongoing capital projects which will build 16 new schools and renovate five more.
Also within the budget, more than $324 million will be invested in government services infrastructure, $70.1 million for maintenance and upgrades to dams and canals, and nearly $245 million for municipal infrastructure. Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations will spend $1.6 billion on major capital projects this year, including nearly $938 million by SaskPower to improve the province’s electricity system to meet demand and maintain reliability.
The 2021-‘22 Budget includes record funding for workforce development of more than $39 million to strengthen Saskatchewan’s recovery from the pandemic. Nearly $18 million is being provided for Employment Assistance for Persons with Disabilities.
The 2021-‘22 Budget also includes nearly $175 million to provide all SaskPower customers with a 10 percent rebate on their power bills this year. Meanwhile, in May, every Saskatchewan driver will receive a rebate on their vehicle registrations from the Auto Fund.
This year’s budget reinstated the Community Rink Affordability Grant, providing communities with $2,500 per ice surface.
Total funding through the Saskatchewan Veteran Service Club Support Program will grow from $100,000 to $1.5 million this year. And the budget also restarts the Active Families Benefit, providing $150 per child enrolled in sport, recreation and cultural activities.
“In the election campaign last fall, we made 14 specific campaign commitments to make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people,” Harpauer said. “This budget fulfills all 14 of these commitments. We did what we said we would do.”
In addition, the budget contains a number of changes to taxes including the taxation of vapour products and heat-not-burn tobacco products, as well as a road use fee for electric vehicles at the time of registration to ensure that all road users contribute to road maintenance and replacement. Diving in a little deeper, here are a few more specifics within a handful of areas:
Health
This year’s record health budget of $6.54 billion - up $359 million or 5.8 percent from last year - includes a $90 million increase to support Saskatchewan’s comprehensive COVID response. This includes: the mass vaccination rollout; purchase of more personal protective equipment; supporting contact tracing measures; expansion of testing and assessment sites; additional provincial laboratory capacity; supports for long-term care; and coverage of added physician costs.
The budget provides Saskatchewan Health Authority with a $3.96 billion grant this year, up more than $221 million, or nearly six percent, compared to last year. The budget invests a record $458 million for mental health and addictions programs and services, up $23.4 million or 5.4 percent from last year. This includes $7.2 million for targeted mental health and addictions services including specific youth-focused initiatives, investments in suicide prevention, and expansion of harm reduction and addictions treatment.
A total of $6 million will be used to hire approximately 100 continuing care aides who will help long-term care clients with personal care, meals and medication.
“It’s the first year of our three-year, $18.4 million campaign commitment to hire 300 continuing care aides to work in long-term care and in existing and expanded home-care services in rural and remote areas,” Harpauer said. “This budget also keeps our election commitment to support children with Autism and their families, with $6 million to expand the Autism Spectrum Disorder program to provide individualized funding for children ages six to 11. We are fulfilling another platform commitment through a $5 million increase to expand eligibility under the Saskatchewan Insulin Pump Program - which means the cost of an insulin pump will now be covered for everyone in Saskatchewan who needs one.”
The funding will also cover continuous glucose monitoring for children and youth under age 18.
A $6.7 million increase will reduce ambulance fees for seniors to $135 per trip, down from $275 and $1.4 million is being invested to add a new STARS helicopter to deliver emergency care faster to rural and remote areas and save lives.
Education
Education spending across government is $3.75 billion, up more than $391 million, or 11.6 percent compared to last year. This includes spending on pre-K to Gr. 12 education, post-secondary education, and career training programs and commissions.
Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions will receive $1.96 billion in operating funding for the 2021-‘22 school year, a $19.2 million increase. This includes fully funding the two percent salary increase in the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement.
Specifically for the local area, Harpauer noted Horizon School Division will receive $77.079 million, a 2.5 percent increase. Project wise, work continues on seeing a new school in Lanigan built while $2.3 million has been allocated for structural repairs for the school in Allan.
Harpauer also noted Horizon School Division will receive $1.8 million for additional repairs over and above the maintenance budget that they have been allocated. That stimulus funding is able to be utilized for additional repairs and work.
Federal-provincial Safe Schools funding of $155 million has been provided over the last year to help school divisions and independent schools during the pandemic. More than $20 million of this funding will carry over into the 2021-‘22 school year.
An increase of $2 million in this budget brings child care funding up to $75.5 million and will create 176 additional licensed home-based spaces and 51 new licensed centre spaces.
This year’s budget will invest a total of $735 million in the post-secondary sector. Beyond the typical base budget, government will invest an additional $60 million over two years to be utilized for COVID recovery, revenue generation, and achieving priorities set out in the Growth Plan.
The budget includes $678.5 million for post-secondary institutions, up 4.4 percent compared to the previous year, as well as $39.8 million for student supports, a 10 percent increase. This includes an increase in the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship from $500 to $750 annually per eligible student to help with tuition costs.
Social Services
The budget provides social services and assistance with $1.56 billion, up more than $66 million, or 4.5 percent, compared to last year.
“This budget meets our election commitment to increase benefits to seniors with $3.5 million in additional funding for the Seniors Income Plan,” Harpauer said. “The investment will help low-income seniors enjoy a better quality of life with maximum payments increasing by $30 a month, effective July 1.”
Protection of Persons and Property
The budget provides more than $845 million for the protection of Saskatchewan persons and property, up $38.6 million, or 4.8 percent, compared to last year.
Agriculture
The budget includes a $23.1 million increase to the Ministry of Agriculture budget which totals $386.9 million, a six percent increase from the 2020-‘21 budget.
Agriculture Minister David Marit said, “The 2021-‘22 Agriculture budget will once again fully fund business risk management programs, provide a record level of per-acre coverage under the Crop Insurance Program, continue last year’s record investment in agriculture research, and make important investments in irrigation expansion.”
The Agriculture budget includes a $20.6 million increase to business risk management funding and the $150.1 million 2021 Crop Insurance Program includes coverage of $273 an acre.
This year’s budget also contains an additional $2 million for the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, which compensates Saskatchewan producers for crop damage and predation caused by wildlife, to address stronger commodity prices.
The budget will also once again include $32.9 million in funding for agriculture research, which matches last year’s record level of funding for research.
Additional investments will also be made to expand irrigation in Saskatchewan, with an increased $2.5 million for irrigation development projects. Once again, the Agriculture budget includes $71.2 million for strategic programs under the CAP agreement.
Budget reaction
With the budget tabled, Harpauer said, “Throughout this pandemic, we have witnessed Saskatchewan’s resolve, as our people made the sacrifices required to protect not only themselves, but also their families, friends, neighbours and co-workers. When this pandemic is over we will witness Saskatchewan’s resilience, as our economy recovers and grows, as businesses reopen and more people return to work, and as Saskatchewan recovers to be even stronger than before.”
As the provincial government tabled the budget Apr. 6, Saskatchewan New Democratic Party Leader Ryan Meili said it was out of touch and broke key campaign commitments.
“Scott Moe has failed Saskatchewan. This budget shows that the premier is in over his head and he hasn’t been honest with the people of this province about the realities we’re all facing,” said Meili. “People were having a tough time before COVID-19 hit and the Sask. Party’s failure to show leadership in containing the pandemic means those families are even further behind. This budget takes the same approach as the government’s pandemic response: weak half measures that don’t get the job done for Saskatchewan people.”
“The government said during the election they would balance the budget by 2024, knowing full well that they would not. That lie was confirmed today. They said there would be no tax increases for families. Instead, property taxes for families are going up. And now we see the government lied to families in the last election about their plans to increase staffing in our hard-hit long-term care facilities,” said Meili.
Along with reaction from the NDP, others also weighed in on the budget.
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation was encouraged stating the budget signals public education is a priority. “There are always resource challenges in schools and we always hope for funding increases beyond inflation and enrolment increases. However, these are difficult times for citizens and for government. A budget always requires tough choices to be made and the pandemic has increased financial pressure on the provincial government,” said STF President Patrick Maze. “This budget essentially holds the line for education. Given the circumstances, this is a realistic approach.”
However, Maze cautioned there will still be resource challenges in schools. “The challenges we had pre-pandemic haven’t gone away and now there are new ones. Students have all had very different experiences over the last year that will need to be addressed. School divisions will still have to make difficult decisions.”
According to the Saskatchewan Chamber, the budget contains several important new items for Saskatchewan businesses. “While the pandemic has impacted every household and business differently, we will collectively recover by focusing on health and safety protocols, and by vaccinating our residents as soon as possible. Once the pandemic is less of a concern, we expect the province to renew and increase its focus on the transition to economic recovery and building resilience into all we do in Saskatchewan,” said Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO, Steve McLellan.
McLellan noted the budget also contains important elements crucial to Saskatchewan businesses including continued financial supports for members of the business community negatively impacted by COVID-19, $3.1 billion of Capital Investments, and an investment of $3.2 million to improve the cyber security of Saskatchewan’s public service systems.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) felt the budget missed a crucial opportunity to invest in working people at a time when workers are struggling due to unemployment, illness, and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today was an opportunity for the government to put workers first, and make meaningful investments that would create jobs and get people back to work, make workplaces safer, and ensure that workers have the supports they need to be able to get through the rest of the pandemic,” said SFL President Lori Johb. “Unfortunately, this budget offers very little for the working people who have been on the front lines of this crisis since day one.”
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation called on the government to strengthen its plan to tackle the deficit. “It’s true the pandemic is creating costs for government, but every family and business has found ways to save money and the province needs to do that as well,” said Todd MacKay, the CTF’s Prairie Director. “Spending is going up in 10 out of the 11 major budget categories. It’s good to see the Saskatchewan government set a target to balance the budget, but it needs to work harder to hit that target earlier.”
The Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) was pleased the government is investing in agricultural programming and in improving rural telecommunications stating the government’s priorities for Agri-stability, irrigation development and research funding maintenance are positive impacts for the agriculture industry.
“COVID really has been a shock to the economy, and agriculture is well poised to lead the recovery, and we will,” APAS President Todd Lewis said. The budget will also once again include $32.9 million in funding for agriculture research, which matches last year’s record level of funding for research.
Additional investments will also be made to expand irrigation in Saskatchewan, with an increased $2.5 million for irrigation development projects. Once again, the Agriculture budget includes $71.2 million for strategic programs under the CAP agreement.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 5, 2021
Mixed weather sends March out as both lamb and lion
Daniel Bushman
From breaking a daily maximum temperature record one day to a nasty spring storm the next, the end of March provided a typical glimpse of how the weather in Saskatchewan can change in a 24 hour span. T-shirts and shorts were the preferred attire Mar. 28 as people in the area took advantage of the beautiful weather. However, the dress code changed in a flash as T-shirts and shorts were replaced by parkas and boots the following day.
Heading into the final Sunday of March, the weather did not disappoint as the values hit the mid- to upper-teens in a lot of Saskatchewan communities. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada a number of places set daily maximum temperature records Mar. 28. Those included: Elbow Area (Elbow CS) had a new record of 17.2˚C, besting the old record of 16.2˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1955); Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary) Area (Last Mountain CS) set a new record of 18.5˚C besting the old record of 15.0˚C set in 1981 (records in this area have been kept since 1975); Lucky Lake Area (Lucky Lake) had new record of 17.8˚C besting the old record of 16.9˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1972); Saskatoon Area (Saskatoon RCS) had a new record of 18.2˚C besting the old record of 17.3˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1900); Watrous Area (Watrous East) had a new record of 17.6˚C besting the old record of 16.1˚C set in 1963 (records in this area have been kept since 1953); and Wynyard Area (Wynyard (AUT)) had a new record of 15.1˚C besting the old record of 12.8˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1964).
A day after being able to enjoy the beautiful weather, a spring storm warning was issued for the bulk of Saskatchewan and contained high winds, blowing snow, road closures, accidents, power outages and reduced visibility.
A strong low pressure system and cold front tracked eastwards across the central Prairies causing the mild temperatures and rain showers to give way to severe winds, heavy snow, and blowing snow. Severe northwesterly winds developed by midday and persisted into the night Monday. With treacherous conditions, temperatures fell below zero, leading to a rapid freeze of surfaces such as roadways and walkways.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips said it was quite the contrast going from warm weather to a frigid fast moving system. “You went from record warm temperatures on the 28th and 24 hours later it was like -20˚C with the wind chill. This was a real warm air, cold air collision.”
Phillips noted the record values in the local area for Mar. 28 were at least 11˚C warmer than they would normally be for this time of year. Then 24 hours later, a fast clipper cooled things down substantially, bringing a different air mass with some powerful winds.
“We saw winds in your community at least to 70 km/h in gusts. In between hours it could have been a lot higher,” said Phillips who added because of the wind, visibility was down to near-zero in many places.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the following are peak wind gusts reported at select stations over southern Saskatchewan from 6 a.m. Mar. 29 through to 3 a.m. Mar. 30 in kilometres per hour: Swift Current - 120, Mankota - 107, Eastend Cypress - 102, Estevan - 102, Val Marie - 100, Assiniboia - 94, Rosetown - 94, Regina - 93, Leader - 93, Rockglen - 93, Moose Jaw - 91, Scott - 91, Lucky Lake - 89, North Battleford - 87, and Saskatoon - 85.
Those windy conditions also created power outages in a number of communities. SaskPower stated a large number of outages ranging from the Maple Creek to Prince Albert areas occurred as a result of the spring storm.
As of 4:30 p.m. Mar. 29 SaskPower’s Outage Centre had fielded over 9,000 calls since the onset of the extreme weather.
As a result, there were 173 outages resulting in 8,450 customers without power and due to unsafe weather conditions, a number of communities were without power overnight. Those communities and surrounding rural customers that were part of the overnight outage included: Lucky Lake, Beechy, Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Elrose, Kyle, Colleville, Eatonia, Whitebear, Shaunavon, Maple Creek, and Macklin.
The following morning, crews were back out restoring power to the impacted areas. “We appreciate customers patience and understanding during this spring storm.”
During the spring storm, with low visibility and road conditions deteriorating, the community of Colonsay took in motorists for the night who were trying to navigate along Hwy. 16. The Watrous Manitou's Colonsay correspondent Florence Halvorson said the Town of Colonsay opened its town hall while the local motel was filled with people. The community also banded together to provide meals for those who spent the night, feeding them supper and breakfast. Seeing its residents come together in a time of need, the Town of Colonsay greatly appreciated the generosity from those who were able to lend a hand during the storm.
As conditions began to improve through Tuesday as the low pressure system tracked off into Manitoba, those in Winnipeg and Manitoba then had to deal with the system. “The day where you were getting those cold temperatures and wind chill they were having a record 20˚C in Winnipeg. Then Tuesday it was brutally cold (for them).”
Replacing the cold weather and snow drifts with sunshine and melting snow, above-normal values returned almost as quickly as they were forced to retreat. “It was clearly a one day wonder,” said Phillips of the spring storm. “We don’t know if it is winter’s last hurrah. We’d like to think it is but you typically in Saskatchewan get around 15 percent of your annual snowfall after this time into May.”
With temperatures five to seven degrees warmer than normal heading into this past weekend, Phillips said the long-term outlook looks milder than normal. “You can’t rule out some more snow and cold but it is getting less and less (likely) as the days get longer and we get into April. Then it becomes less and has no staying power.”
Daniel Bushman
From breaking a daily maximum temperature record one day to a nasty spring storm the next, the end of March provided a typical glimpse of how the weather in Saskatchewan can change in a 24 hour span. T-shirts and shorts were the preferred attire Mar. 28 as people in the area took advantage of the beautiful weather. However, the dress code changed in a flash as T-shirts and shorts were replaced by parkas and boots the following day.
Heading into the final Sunday of March, the weather did not disappoint as the values hit the mid- to upper-teens in a lot of Saskatchewan communities. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada a number of places set daily maximum temperature records Mar. 28. Those included: Elbow Area (Elbow CS) had a new record of 17.2˚C, besting the old record of 16.2˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1955); Last Mountain Lake (Sanctuary) Area (Last Mountain CS) set a new record of 18.5˚C besting the old record of 15.0˚C set in 1981 (records in this area have been kept since 1975); Lucky Lake Area (Lucky Lake) had new record of 17.8˚C besting the old record of 16.9˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1972); Saskatoon Area (Saskatoon RCS) had a new record of 18.2˚C besting the old record of 17.3˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1900); Watrous Area (Watrous East) had a new record of 17.6˚C besting the old record of 16.1˚C set in 1963 (records in this area have been kept since 1953); and Wynyard Area (Wynyard (AUT)) had a new record of 15.1˚C besting the old record of 12.8˚C set in 2010 (records in this area have been kept since 1964).
A day after being able to enjoy the beautiful weather, a spring storm warning was issued for the bulk of Saskatchewan and contained high winds, blowing snow, road closures, accidents, power outages and reduced visibility.
A strong low pressure system and cold front tracked eastwards across the central Prairies causing the mild temperatures and rain showers to give way to severe winds, heavy snow, and blowing snow. Severe northwesterly winds developed by midday and persisted into the night Monday. With treacherous conditions, temperatures fell below zero, leading to a rapid freeze of surfaces such as roadways and walkways.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips said it was quite the contrast going from warm weather to a frigid fast moving system. “You went from record warm temperatures on the 28th and 24 hours later it was like -20˚C with the wind chill. This was a real warm air, cold air collision.”
Phillips noted the record values in the local area for Mar. 28 were at least 11˚C warmer than they would normally be for this time of year. Then 24 hours later, a fast clipper cooled things down substantially, bringing a different air mass with some powerful winds.
“We saw winds in your community at least to 70 km/h in gusts. In between hours it could have been a lot higher,” said Phillips who added because of the wind, visibility was down to near-zero in many places.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the following are peak wind gusts reported at select stations over southern Saskatchewan from 6 a.m. Mar. 29 through to 3 a.m. Mar. 30 in kilometres per hour: Swift Current - 120, Mankota - 107, Eastend Cypress - 102, Estevan - 102, Val Marie - 100, Assiniboia - 94, Rosetown - 94, Regina - 93, Leader - 93, Rockglen - 93, Moose Jaw - 91, Scott - 91, Lucky Lake - 89, North Battleford - 87, and Saskatoon - 85.
Those windy conditions also created power outages in a number of communities. SaskPower stated a large number of outages ranging from the Maple Creek to Prince Albert areas occurred as a result of the spring storm.
As of 4:30 p.m. Mar. 29 SaskPower’s Outage Centre had fielded over 9,000 calls since the onset of the extreme weather.
As a result, there were 173 outages resulting in 8,450 customers without power and due to unsafe weather conditions, a number of communities were without power overnight. Those communities and surrounding rural customers that were part of the overnight outage included: Lucky Lake, Beechy, Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Elrose, Kyle, Colleville, Eatonia, Whitebear, Shaunavon, Maple Creek, and Macklin.
The following morning, crews were back out restoring power to the impacted areas. “We appreciate customers patience and understanding during this spring storm.”
During the spring storm, with low visibility and road conditions deteriorating, the community of Colonsay took in motorists for the night who were trying to navigate along Hwy. 16. The Watrous Manitou's Colonsay correspondent Florence Halvorson said the Town of Colonsay opened its town hall while the local motel was filled with people. The community also banded together to provide meals for those who spent the night, feeding them supper and breakfast. Seeing its residents come together in a time of need, the Town of Colonsay greatly appreciated the generosity from those who were able to lend a hand during the storm.
As conditions began to improve through Tuesday as the low pressure system tracked off into Manitoba, those in Winnipeg and Manitoba then had to deal with the system. “The day where you were getting those cold temperatures and wind chill they were having a record 20˚C in Winnipeg. Then Tuesday it was brutally cold (for them).”
Replacing the cold weather and snow drifts with sunshine and melting snow, above-normal values returned almost as quickly as they were forced to retreat. “It was clearly a one day wonder,” said Phillips of the spring storm. “We don’t know if it is winter’s last hurrah. We’d like to think it is but you typically in Saskatchewan get around 15 percent of your annual snowfall after this time into May.”
With temperatures five to seven degrees warmer than normal heading into this past weekend, Phillips said the long-term outlook looks milder than normal. “You can’t rule out some more snow and cold but it is getting less and less (likely) as the days get longer and we get into April. Then it becomes less and has no staying power.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 29, 2021
Local research farm a key component to global company
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to provide producers confidence in understanding how varieties and products can survive in local geographies and Prairie conditions, a research farm just outside of Watrous has not only be able to offer that key data but has done so for over 40 years.
Situated on Research Road, a few kilometres east of Watrous, Nutrien Ag Solutions operates a Seed Breeding and Innovation Department. Established in the late 1970s and known as the Research Farm, it has been a fixture within the area and like the agriculture industry, has had a number of transformations over the years.
Along with facilities, equipment and land plots located at the site near Watrous, currently there are three full-time staff including a farm manager/research agronomist who takes care of the day to day operations and is responsible for the safety of staff and the location. Two research technicians are also on site and they take care of the in-field operations. To help with additional work, four seasonal staff are brought on board.
Entering her 22nd year at the Research Farm is farm manager/research agronomist Juanita Allin who has been joined for the past five seasons by research technicians Shannon Craig and Evan Stacey.
“I am fortunate to have had a consistent team with me over the past five years,” said Allin who added she is grateful to have been able to hire many local university students over the years as well to support the program. “The relationships we build with summer staff over the years is one of the perks of this type of work. A lot of these are lifelong friendships built in the field during the summer.”
With the main research at Nutrien Ag Solutions location east of Watrous currently involving a small plot with an emphasis on canola variety development for commercial use, Allin said, “We do have our feet still in some cereal and forage variety trailing as well as research in the development of Nutrien Ag Solutions Loveland line of chemicals and crop nutritional products.”
Having the unique ability to accumulate and utilize the research to help grow the company and in turn, benefit producers, tours are held each year at the Research Farm for retail staff members of Nutrien to get an up close look at how things are progressing. By allowing tours, the Research Farm is then able to highlight the work being done and varieties being used for retail staff to market in future years.
“The Research Farm was located near Watrous due to the fact that it has an ‘average’ soil composition for the province. This allows us to showcase products that can be used in all areas. Then during the winter we run two greenhouse sessions, growing canola that supplements our larger greenhouse projects ran in Saskatoon at Innovation Place.”
Since the industry continues to advance, Allin said the main goals of the program are ever-evolving. “Currently increasing our shatter tolerance and clubroot resistance within our canola varieties is the focus of our efforts. This year we are also taking part in salinity reclamation trailing as our forage program has some excellent varieties for this use.”
Being able to stay on top of all of the advancements within the agriculture industry has been key over the years for the local area research farm. By doing that, Allin said sites like the one east of Watrous allows producers to gain confidence and knowledge in understanding the varieties and products have been thoroughly tested in geographies and conditions prior to entering the commercial stream.
In an effort to do that, Allin shared about how the operation runs throughout the year. “Since we are essentially farming on a small scale, our year cycles similar to that of a conventional producer. This time of year we are preparing for spring seeding, doing equipment maintenance, field planning and seed treating. Once we begin seeding we do not count our progress in acres, but in the number of research plots seeded. In Watrous our group is responsible for around 16,000 plots between our site in Watrous, and satellite sites in Lake Lenore and Allan. During the growing season we take care of our plots just as any producer would, spraying for weeds, insects and disease. We also spend time taking notes on the plots for things such as flowering, maturity and lodging to assist our breeding team. While we utilize chemical and mechanical weed control, we do spend time rouging for off types and weeding throughout the summer. Our research plots are harvested with combines that are similar to a producer’s, just a lot smaller. Each canola plot is weighed for yield and a small sample is taken while we combine in the field. In the fall, we start our preparations for the next year with fertilizer and chemical applications. Our winters are filled with training opportunities, equipment maintenance and our greenhouse.”
With five different farm hub locations spread throughout the Prairie provinces including the one near Watrous, Allin said the added hubs allow the company to test additional products under a wide variety of environments each year. While Nutrien Ag Solutions falls under the larger Nutrien umbrella, Allin noted for the most part their operations run separately from those within the mining division, although there have been some benefits to being within the same company.
“Our Seed Breeding and Innovation Department has been able to utilize farm land that is owned by Nutrien around the mines in Allan and Vanscoy which allows for some communication between the two divisions of Nutrien.”
Fortunate to be busy all year round, like other Nutrien research farms and operations within the province, due to the COVID-19 pandemic Allin said the Research Farm has had to adjust a few things. “We have modified a few of our processes to ensure that we are adhering to proper social distancing. We have moved to only one person per vehicle as well. Safety of our employees is a key value at Nutrien Ag Solutions.”
Despite navigating through the pandemic, Allin said the Research Farm remains committed to its research heading into the remainder of the year. “Moving into the 2021 season we will continue to work on the canola material that is moving through our system, we have some exciting products ahead. We are also looking forward to some increased technology use. We are utilizing drones to assist us with some of our note taking and overall health of our research plots.”
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to provide producers confidence in understanding how varieties and products can survive in local geographies and Prairie conditions, a research farm just outside of Watrous has not only be able to offer that key data but has done so for over 40 years.
Situated on Research Road, a few kilometres east of Watrous, Nutrien Ag Solutions operates a Seed Breeding and Innovation Department. Established in the late 1970s and known as the Research Farm, it has been a fixture within the area and like the agriculture industry, has had a number of transformations over the years.
Along with facilities, equipment and land plots located at the site near Watrous, currently there are three full-time staff including a farm manager/research agronomist who takes care of the day to day operations and is responsible for the safety of staff and the location. Two research technicians are also on site and they take care of the in-field operations. To help with additional work, four seasonal staff are brought on board.
Entering her 22nd year at the Research Farm is farm manager/research agronomist Juanita Allin who has been joined for the past five seasons by research technicians Shannon Craig and Evan Stacey.
“I am fortunate to have had a consistent team with me over the past five years,” said Allin who added she is grateful to have been able to hire many local university students over the years as well to support the program. “The relationships we build with summer staff over the years is one of the perks of this type of work. A lot of these are lifelong friendships built in the field during the summer.”
With the main research at Nutrien Ag Solutions location east of Watrous currently involving a small plot with an emphasis on canola variety development for commercial use, Allin said, “We do have our feet still in some cereal and forage variety trailing as well as research in the development of Nutrien Ag Solutions Loveland line of chemicals and crop nutritional products.”
Having the unique ability to accumulate and utilize the research to help grow the company and in turn, benefit producers, tours are held each year at the Research Farm for retail staff members of Nutrien to get an up close look at how things are progressing. By allowing tours, the Research Farm is then able to highlight the work being done and varieties being used for retail staff to market in future years.
“The Research Farm was located near Watrous due to the fact that it has an ‘average’ soil composition for the province. This allows us to showcase products that can be used in all areas. Then during the winter we run two greenhouse sessions, growing canola that supplements our larger greenhouse projects ran in Saskatoon at Innovation Place.”
Since the industry continues to advance, Allin said the main goals of the program are ever-evolving. “Currently increasing our shatter tolerance and clubroot resistance within our canola varieties is the focus of our efforts. This year we are also taking part in salinity reclamation trailing as our forage program has some excellent varieties for this use.”
Being able to stay on top of all of the advancements within the agriculture industry has been key over the years for the local area research farm. By doing that, Allin said sites like the one east of Watrous allows producers to gain confidence and knowledge in understanding the varieties and products have been thoroughly tested in geographies and conditions prior to entering the commercial stream.
In an effort to do that, Allin shared about how the operation runs throughout the year. “Since we are essentially farming on a small scale, our year cycles similar to that of a conventional producer. This time of year we are preparing for spring seeding, doing equipment maintenance, field planning and seed treating. Once we begin seeding we do not count our progress in acres, but in the number of research plots seeded. In Watrous our group is responsible for around 16,000 plots between our site in Watrous, and satellite sites in Lake Lenore and Allan. During the growing season we take care of our plots just as any producer would, spraying for weeds, insects and disease. We also spend time taking notes on the plots for things such as flowering, maturity and lodging to assist our breeding team. While we utilize chemical and mechanical weed control, we do spend time rouging for off types and weeding throughout the summer. Our research plots are harvested with combines that are similar to a producer’s, just a lot smaller. Each canola plot is weighed for yield and a small sample is taken while we combine in the field. In the fall, we start our preparations for the next year with fertilizer and chemical applications. Our winters are filled with training opportunities, equipment maintenance and our greenhouse.”
With five different farm hub locations spread throughout the Prairie provinces including the one near Watrous, Allin said the added hubs allow the company to test additional products under a wide variety of environments each year. While Nutrien Ag Solutions falls under the larger Nutrien umbrella, Allin noted for the most part their operations run separately from those within the mining division, although there have been some benefits to being within the same company.
“Our Seed Breeding and Innovation Department has been able to utilize farm land that is owned by Nutrien around the mines in Allan and Vanscoy which allows for some communication between the two divisions of Nutrien.”
Fortunate to be busy all year round, like other Nutrien research farms and operations within the province, due to the COVID-19 pandemic Allin said the Research Farm has had to adjust a few things. “We have modified a few of our processes to ensure that we are adhering to proper social distancing. We have moved to only one person per vehicle as well. Safety of our employees is a key value at Nutrien Ag Solutions.”
Despite navigating through the pandemic, Allin said the Research Farm remains committed to its research heading into the remainder of the year. “Moving into the 2021 season we will continue to work on the canola material that is moving through our system, we have some exciting products ahead. We are also looking forward to some increased technology use. We are utilizing drones to assist us with some of our note taking and overall health of our research plots.”
TWM Top Stories - Mar. 22, 2021
Human remains found in RM of Morris
RCMP release
Around 3:20 p.m. Feb. 28, Watrous RCMP responded to a call of a human skull located in a field in the RM of Morris by people looking for shed antlers. RCMP Major Crimes Unit South (MCUS) assumed the lead in the investigation with the assistance of the detachment, Saskatoon RCMP Forensic Identification Section, RCMP Police Dog Services, the Saskatchewan Coroners Service and a forensic anthropologist.
An autopsy took place Mar. 3 in Saskatoon. During the autopsy it was determined the individual was likely female and between 25 to 35 years of age. The remains do not appear to be historical in nature. At this time, it has not been confirmed whether this individual’s death is considered suspicious.
Collaborations will continue between RCMP MCUS and Saskatchewan police services and potentially neighbouring provinces to further efforts in identifying the deceased. In addition, further investigative efforts around DNA comparison and consultation with the National DNA Data Bank have been undertaken.
If anyone has information regarding this investigation, RCMP encourage them to call Watrous RCMP at 306-946-3316 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
For more reports from the RCMP, see page four.
RCMP release
Around 3:20 p.m. Feb. 28, Watrous RCMP responded to a call of a human skull located in a field in the RM of Morris by people looking for shed antlers. RCMP Major Crimes Unit South (MCUS) assumed the lead in the investigation with the assistance of the detachment, Saskatoon RCMP Forensic Identification Section, RCMP Police Dog Services, the Saskatchewan Coroners Service and a forensic anthropologist.
An autopsy took place Mar. 3 in Saskatoon. During the autopsy it was determined the individual was likely female and between 25 to 35 years of age. The remains do not appear to be historical in nature. At this time, it has not been confirmed whether this individual’s death is considered suspicious.
Collaborations will continue between RCMP MCUS and Saskatchewan police services and potentially neighbouring provinces to further efforts in identifying the deceased. In addition, further investigative efforts around DNA comparison and consultation with the National DNA Data Bank have been undertaken.
If anyone has information regarding this investigation, RCMP encourage them to call Watrous RCMP at 306-946-3316 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
For more reports from the RCMP, see page four.
Watrous and District Fire Department add new unit to fleet
Daniel Bushman
With a need to upgrade its current fleet and aiming to safely tackle grass and brush fires within the local area, the Watrous and District Fire Department recently received a brand new unit.
A very pleased Watrous and District Fire Department Chief Jory Vanthuyne said the new brush five wildland operations vehicle is not only state-of-the-art but it replaces the department’s 1978 Dodge ‘Engine 2’ which has served the area for over 40 years.
“It has been in the works for a few years and we really got started fundraising wise with the frozen tongue challenge.”
During that challenge in 2019 to see who could raise the most money with the loser having to stick their tongue to a frozen pole, Deputy Fire Chief Andrew Matheson raised $9,110.71 while Jeff Siegfried of Watrous Mainline Motors raised a total of $8,668.90.
With an overall price tag of just over $303,000 the local department used those funds from the challenge to get things started for the truck. Vanthuyne said with the way the department is structured, the local Rural Fire Association which includes surrounding Rural Municipalities and Manitou Beach also came on board to cover the rest of the amount through their fire levies.
“We are really thrilled that the Rural Fire Association was willing to help purchase this unit for us which will be used for grass and brush fires. Out of all the calls we respond to, at least 80 percent of them are for grass or brush fires so this new vehicle will be valuable to have, especially because we do a lot of driving throughout our area.”
Looking at a few different options, one from the United States and another from Manitoba, the Watrous and District Fire Department chose the unit from Manitoba.
“These two companies were the only ones on the market offering a specific body design that includes a roll cage behind the cab. Having that roll cage was a driving force in choosing this option. It is completely compliant with OH&S regulations for driving and having firefighters in the back. They are strapped and harnessed in so in the event if it ever did roll, that roll cage is engineered and designed to withstand the entire weight of the truck.”
But it is not just the roll cage that caught the eye of the local fire department. After the unit was delivered Mar. 11, Vanthuyne and Matheson were able to get a real good look at it. Vanthuyne said the new brush five wildland operations vehicle created by Acres and Sea Hawk also contains a three inch lift kit and 41 inch military spec tires. “It is designed to go through a lot of terrain and should handle anything we can throw at it.”
In addition there are turrets that swing out in front of the catwalk and firefighters can stand in the doorway and essentially fight the fire as they go. The truck is also equipped with two bumper sweeps on the front and can be turned on from inside the cab. If the fire is big or the department is short on members responding to a call, Vanthuyne said they can turn on the pump outside and then inside the cab they can drive along while the bumper sweeps spray water out the front. There is also fire communications installed in the unit so members can wear wireless headsets that loop into the radio system. The truck is also equipped with a trailer hitch and wiring harness to pull a flat deck trailer and side-by-side unit and carries a water capacity of 400 gallons.
“It will be a game changer for us as far as its ability, the places we can go and the functionality it has. We are planning to have this unit for the next 30 years and I know our members will be excited to be able to use it when the need arises.”
With the brand new vehicle in the Watrous and District Fire Department’s possession, Vanthuyne said the turn around time to receive it was rather quick. Because Acres and Sea Hawk already had the cab and chassis on site, once a decision was finalized to go ahead with the Manitoba unit, it did not take long. “It is a really, really good quality build and Canadian made. When we did our final meeting with them confirming the options we needed - that was in mid- to late-January - they had already started building the truck because they knew we wanted it so they just added the options after and were able to get it to us before grass fire season.”
The new grass and brush fire truck joins the department’s side-by-side, a rescue unit which also doubles as a command unit, and two pumpers (Engine 3 - the yellow pumper and Engine 4 - the red pumper).
Vanthuyne said there are plans to add to the fleet but understands that could take some time. “Ideally we would be looking at adding a tanker down the road and we are also talking about getting a utility truck to pull the trailer with the side-by-side, which would also be efficient and save on time once we arrive to a fire.”
Over the coming weeks, Vanthuyne said the local firefighters will be spending their practice nights learning about the functions on the truck and planning how to safely use it within the community and surrounding areas.
With around 10 members as part of the volunteer department, for those who may be interested in joining, Vanthuyne noted there is always a need for more members. “With a small town, there are those with shift work, some maybe on holidays or at work and you can’t expect people to be around 24/7 when calls come in. Those who would be interested in joining would need a valid class 5 driver’s licence. We just ask volunteers wanting to join to be willing to learn, be willing to help and be willing to attend practices. Being on the fire department is something I personally have enjoyed and it has always been something that has interested me.”
After traditionally holding practices every second Monday, the department now alternates between Mondays and Wednesdays. “Sometimes there were things going on during those Mondays so it was tough for everyone to be there. What we do now is we maintain the two week rotation but we hold one on a Monday then go with a Wednesday two weeks later and switch it up. It opens up another day hopefully for people to come if they can’t make it on one of those days.”
Vanthuyne said they also offer a junior firefighter program which essentially is for someone 16 to 18 years old. “They can apply and we go through parental consent and they can become a member of the department and would shadow our crew and respond to calls. It gives them an opportunity to see what it is all about.”
As spring approaches and the brush and grass fire season also arrives with it, Vanthuyne said, “We really appreciate the support we have received from the town, Manitou Beach and RMs in the past and being able to add the new brush unit will definitely be a tremendous help moving forward. If we are able to add a few volunteers as well for our department that would also go a long way in helping to make it a safe season ahead.”
Daniel Bushman
With a need to upgrade its current fleet and aiming to safely tackle grass and brush fires within the local area, the Watrous and District Fire Department recently received a brand new unit.
A very pleased Watrous and District Fire Department Chief Jory Vanthuyne said the new brush five wildland operations vehicle is not only state-of-the-art but it replaces the department’s 1978 Dodge ‘Engine 2’ which has served the area for over 40 years.
“It has been in the works for a few years and we really got started fundraising wise with the frozen tongue challenge.”
During that challenge in 2019 to see who could raise the most money with the loser having to stick their tongue to a frozen pole, Deputy Fire Chief Andrew Matheson raised $9,110.71 while Jeff Siegfried of Watrous Mainline Motors raised a total of $8,668.90.
With an overall price tag of just over $303,000 the local department used those funds from the challenge to get things started for the truck. Vanthuyne said with the way the department is structured, the local Rural Fire Association which includes surrounding Rural Municipalities and Manitou Beach also came on board to cover the rest of the amount through their fire levies.
“We are really thrilled that the Rural Fire Association was willing to help purchase this unit for us which will be used for grass and brush fires. Out of all the calls we respond to, at least 80 percent of them are for grass or brush fires so this new vehicle will be valuable to have, especially because we do a lot of driving throughout our area.”
Looking at a few different options, one from the United States and another from Manitoba, the Watrous and District Fire Department chose the unit from Manitoba.
“These two companies were the only ones on the market offering a specific body design that includes a roll cage behind the cab. Having that roll cage was a driving force in choosing this option. It is completely compliant with OH&S regulations for driving and having firefighters in the back. They are strapped and harnessed in so in the event if it ever did roll, that roll cage is engineered and designed to withstand the entire weight of the truck.”
But it is not just the roll cage that caught the eye of the local fire department. After the unit was delivered Mar. 11, Vanthuyne and Matheson were able to get a real good look at it. Vanthuyne said the new brush five wildland operations vehicle created by Acres and Sea Hawk also contains a three inch lift kit and 41 inch military spec tires. “It is designed to go through a lot of terrain and should handle anything we can throw at it.”
In addition there are turrets that swing out in front of the catwalk and firefighters can stand in the doorway and essentially fight the fire as they go. The truck is also equipped with two bumper sweeps on the front and can be turned on from inside the cab. If the fire is big or the department is short on members responding to a call, Vanthuyne said they can turn on the pump outside and then inside the cab they can drive along while the bumper sweeps spray water out the front. There is also fire communications installed in the unit so members can wear wireless headsets that loop into the radio system. The truck is also equipped with a trailer hitch and wiring harness to pull a flat deck trailer and side-by-side unit and carries a water capacity of 400 gallons.
“It will be a game changer for us as far as its ability, the places we can go and the functionality it has. We are planning to have this unit for the next 30 years and I know our members will be excited to be able to use it when the need arises.”
With the brand new vehicle in the Watrous and District Fire Department’s possession, Vanthuyne said the turn around time to receive it was rather quick. Because Acres and Sea Hawk already had the cab and chassis on site, once a decision was finalized to go ahead with the Manitoba unit, it did not take long. “It is a really, really good quality build and Canadian made. When we did our final meeting with them confirming the options we needed - that was in mid- to late-January - they had already started building the truck because they knew we wanted it so they just added the options after and were able to get it to us before grass fire season.”
The new grass and brush fire truck joins the department’s side-by-side, a rescue unit which also doubles as a command unit, and two pumpers (Engine 3 - the yellow pumper and Engine 4 - the red pumper).
Vanthuyne said there are plans to add to the fleet but understands that could take some time. “Ideally we would be looking at adding a tanker down the road and we are also talking about getting a utility truck to pull the trailer with the side-by-side, which would also be efficient and save on time once we arrive to a fire.”
Over the coming weeks, Vanthuyne said the local firefighters will be spending their practice nights learning about the functions on the truck and planning how to safely use it within the community and surrounding areas.
With around 10 members as part of the volunteer department, for those who may be interested in joining, Vanthuyne noted there is always a need for more members. “With a small town, there are those with shift work, some maybe on holidays or at work and you can’t expect people to be around 24/7 when calls come in. Those who would be interested in joining would need a valid class 5 driver’s licence. We just ask volunteers wanting to join to be willing to learn, be willing to help and be willing to attend practices. Being on the fire department is something I personally have enjoyed and it has always been something that has interested me.”
After traditionally holding practices every second Monday, the department now alternates between Mondays and Wednesdays. “Sometimes there were things going on during those Mondays so it was tough for everyone to be there. What we do now is we maintain the two week rotation but we hold one on a Monday then go with a Wednesday two weeks later and switch it up. It opens up another day hopefully for people to come if they can’t make it on one of those days.”
Vanthuyne said they also offer a junior firefighter program which essentially is for someone 16 to 18 years old. “They can apply and we go through parental consent and they can become a member of the department and would shadow our crew and respond to calls. It gives them an opportunity to see what it is all about.”
As spring approaches and the brush and grass fire season also arrives with it, Vanthuyne said, “We really appreciate the support we have received from the town, Manitou Beach and RMs in the past and being able to add the new brush unit will definitely be a tremendous help moving forward. If we are able to add a few volunteers as well for our department that would also go a long way in helping to make it a safe season ahead.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 15, 2021
Local postal service marks milestones
Daniel Bushman
A fixture within the community for well over a century, the Watrous Post Office has not only provided a rather unique service but has acted as a hub for residents to send and receive mail. Originally operating just west of Watrous at Mandal before relocating to Watrous a short time later, the local mailing service marked 115 years last month while the current building on Main Street turns 50 years old in 2021.
Commemorating 115 years of service within the area Feb. 1, 2021, over that time, countless pieces of mail have been received and delivered. With the postal service such an integral part of the lives of many residents, especially in earlier years using it to communicate with family and friends, the move to relocate to Watrous proved to be a valuable one.
As Saskatchewan officially became a province in 1905, the mail system soon arrived locally. Opening at Mandal Feb. 1, 1906 with postmaster Tobias N. Bjorndahl, the first mail day was Feb. 6, 1906. Located at his homestead, in addition to the postal service, Bjorndahl was kept busy operating a general store and blacksmith shop.
According to the local history book, Prairie Reflections, early postal routes in 1906-‘07 started from the end of the ‘steel’ at Strasbourg. One carrier had a route leading north to Taylorboro (about five miles northwest of Govan), then to Arlington Beach and north. Mail addressed to Mandal would come via west to Peacock Post Office (located between Nokomis and Simpson at the north end of Last Mountain Lake), north to Ridgeford, and then to Mandal. Other routes came from Davidson and Humboldt.
John Dahl was the first mail carrier on the Mandal-Peacock-Taylorboro-Strasbourg route so he would make a round trip each week. Travelling at times with a team of horses and a democrat, Dahl navigated through blizzards and other prairie conditions without highways, roads or telephone lines to follow. Despite a lack of significant advancements in infrastructure and communications at that time, Dahl made the trek as the lone driver, navigating through the countryside.
During the summer months, mail delivery was reportedly sped up as it was carried on the William Pearson Land Co. boat which plied Last Mountain Lake for several years with Captain W. C. Huggins at the helm. While there was no indication how long mail took to get from Mandal to the rail service, in the history book it noted a letter sent from Mandal to Markham, Ont. took nine days.
Along with Dahl’s mail carrier efforts, Jack Telfer was brought on to handle mail delivery from Watrous south to Simpson and Imperial until the C.P.R. line was constructed in 1912. Meanwhile, the first mail carrier through the Govan-Nokomis area was D. Kempton while other early mail carriers on the route included Henry Beeler and W. A. MacFarlane.
After the local service got up and running at Mandal in 1906, it was later moved to Watrous. Officially changing Sept. 1, 1908, the post office was relocated to the Bjorndahl store on the 100 block of Main Street with Bjorndahl remaining in his position. Two years later, a frame structure was constructed on 2nd Ave. W. in Watrous with living quarters at the rear of the location.
According to Library and Archives Canada, Bjorndahl continued to be the postmaster until Dec. 16, 1913. William Emerson Wright then took on the position Jan. 12, 1914 and was postmaster for nearly six years, receiving help from his daughter Susie. Then on Jan. 3, 1920, Edward Brook Miller was appointed postmaster and it was during his time of employment that a new brick building was built.
Throughout those early years, there were some unique items of interest recorded in the local history book. Those included:
• January 1912, New Year’s Day - all business was suspended except the post office was open from 10 to 11 a.m., for the distribution of His Majesty’s mail;
• January 1913, postal service has been improved to the extent that two mailboxes have been placed in position at the depot; one at each end for east and west mail. The mail deposited there will be lifted upon the arrival of the trains going each way;
• February 1920, there were 35 mailbags left by the passenger train from the east. Assistant mail carrier T. Fillel made three trips from the depot to the post office. T. Eaton Co. catalogues were responsible for the heavy mail; and
• February 1920, a heavy wire, strongly supported and reaching from the tops of the boxes to the ceiling, now encloses the waiting room from the other parts of the post office. Future box holders will be able to obtain their mail any hour of the day including holidays.
As the years progressed and mail service remained a valuable part of the local area, in November 1936, a new facility opened on the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E. in Watrous, replacing the Dadson and Cosford buildings. Miller remained postmaster until retiring May 4, 1948 and then Reginald E. P. Preston took over and would become the first postmaster in a new building which would be constructed in the early 1970s.
After a questionnaire was conducted by Preston in 1965 relating to projected accommodation needs in Watrous, a few years later a letter was submitted from the Watrous and District Chamber of Commerce to the Postmaster General and the Honorable Eric Kierans, a Cabinet Minister at that time. In the letter dated Dec. 18, 1968, the chamber sought consideration for a new or enlarged postal facility to be built in Watrous.
Due to a smaller space in the building on the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E., the chamber noted predictions for growth taken when that building was created fell short of what actually occurred over the next three decades. “The present utilization is far beyond this prediction which necessitated remodelling on two occasions to provide additional space for lock boxes. All available space is now utilized and further remodelling, to provide additional space, is now impossible.”
The letter further stated that in 1967, a total of 95 additional lock boxes were installed with 570 boxes being rented. In January 1968 a total of 629 boxes were rented and by the time of the letter (Dec. 18, 1968) 650 boxes were occupied accompanied by a waiting list for more.
“The 95 boxes installed in 1967 were to meet existing needs and to provide for the closing of the Renown Post Office. The Renown Post Office was closed in October 1967 and incorporated into the Watrous Post Office.”
The Venn Post Office which was located in a store that ceased operations was also suggested to move its boxes to Watrous as well. “This together with the present waiting list, makes additional boxes for Watrous a necessity.”
The local chamber also noted in its letter that the building where the post office was located was the only place in Watrous at that time still using coal as a heating fuel. “It is not uncommon to find the staff in the Watrous Post Office wearing overshoes and extra coats or sweaters to keep warm in the winter months.”
Submitting a scale drawing of the lobby, the chamber explained after the last remodelling, heating radiators were removed creating a very cold lobby. In addition, the lobby only allowed for a maximum of three people to utilize the lock box area. “This means that there is usually a line up in the lobby waiting to get to the lock boxes. This line up interferes with the orderly entrance and egress to and from the post office and the business counter.”
Along with a smaller lobby area and with the potential for further growth aided by new potash mines within the area including at Allan and Lanigan, Watrous and District Chamber Secretary Treasurer R. C. Parkinson signed off on the letter in hopes that a new postal facility would be built in Watrous.
After sending the letter to the Postmaster General and to the Honorable Eric Kierans to have a new or larger building take over from the one at the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E., approval was given to construct a new facility.
The new place was built in 1971 at the corner of Main Street and 4th Ave. W. and is where the post office currently resides. With Preston being the first postmaster to occupy the new space, fast forward five decades and the building is now marking its 50th year. Over that time the current facility has received renovations including new coats of paint to the exterior and interior, new flooring, a wheelchair accessibility ramp and automatic doors, signage, new cement stairs and rocks. Inside, the facility now has 1,560 post office boxes and there is also space created in the back of the building for sorting mail, a loading and unloading area, offices and a washroom for staff.
After opening the new one-storey building in 1971 and operating out of it for a couple of years, after a lengthy career, Preston then made the decision to retire. In the Nov. 29, 1973 edition of The Watrous Manitou it noted Preston retired Dec. 28, 1973 after 43 years of postal service. Beginning his career under his father R. P. Preston at Elstow, he was later employed at Viscount, Binscarth, Man. and then Jansen. Preston arrived in Watrous May 1, 1937 to work under E. B. Miller and then took on the official duties of postmaster Aug. 1, 1948. Preston also served for many years as
an executive member of the Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Postmasters’ Association, including terms as president and secretary. In 1967, he received a centennial medal in recognition of valuable service to the nation.
After Preston’s tenure as the community’s postmaster, a handful of others took on the role including Stanley Hawkes who was senior assistant to Preston. Hawkes held a temporary position after Preston and then James A. Longhurst took over until Dec. 28, 1984. After Longhurst retired, Eileen Hyatt was postmaster until 1995. Since that time, Bernadette Katuski has been the postmaster in the community.
Like Katuski and those who took on the role of postmaster, over the years, there have been a number of other faces employed at the post office. Currently, the staff employed in Watrous include: senior assistant Cynthia Hawkes, part-time staff members Lety Schalm and Iana Ierofieieva, Rural Route Mail Carrier Karen Bennett and janitor Janet Van Nieuw Amerongen.
“It is pretty special to reflect back and see who all worked here and contributed in making this a positive business for our community,” said Katuski. “We remain a very viable business and the foot traffic that we have here is pretty incredible. Being able to provide this service for the residents of our community is certainly rewarding.”
Continuing to serve Watrous, along with providing mail to 1,560 customers who utilize boxes at the Watrous location, the business also extends service to surrounding communities as Bennett delivers items to Manitou Beach, Plunkett, Lockwood, and Drake. Katuski said while technology has changed over time, the way in which mail is sent and delivered remains somewhat similar. “We get mail from all over the world; however, the focus has shifted a bit from lettermail to larger volumes of parcel mail due to the increase of online shopping. There is not as much as their used to be and it is more online ordering. We certainly saw that this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the holiday season approached in 2020 we saw more items arrive daily than we ever had before. That continued past Christmas and into January and we are still seeing high volumes of mail arriving throughout the week.”
While the online way of doing business continues to grow, other changes of significance have also taken place over the years. Some of those include the implementation of postal codes for communities and the introduction of computers for employees to use.
More recently, as the pandemic reached Saskatchewan, specific guidelines were put in place to keep staff and customers safe. Like other businesses within the province, masks are mandatory and social distancing and hand sanitizing is a must. “We have tried our best as we follow the guidelines set out by public health and the provincial government. We also wipe down mailboxes, sanitize within the facility and have a maximum number of people allowed inside at one time. Even when our retail counter service is closed for the day, masks remain mandatory as our lobby mail service area falls under the provincial mandatory mask area. By doing that we hope to minimize potential exposure and also ask that if anyone is not feeling well that they stay home. We want to be a safe place for our staff and our customers during this stressful time.”
Over her time as the postmaster in Watrous, Katuski recalled numerous highlights including seeing a myriad of stamps like one with a hole in it and another with special significance.
“All stamps have a special story; however, for me, my favourite was the Canadian Forces Snowbirds stamp unveiling in 2006. This was a very special experience as my son Nicholas was a member of the Snowbirds team and I unveiled this commemorative stamp alongside him in Moose Jaw. Having our two very different career paths meet in life was a very sweet moment.”
Katuski also had the opportunity to visit Canada Post’s headquarters in Ottawa and then when Watrous marked its 100th birthday, the postmaster was able to unveil a CBK pictorial cancellation stamp May 7, 2009. Displaying the iconic building and tower, Katuski said, “That was really neat to be able to announce that cancellation stamp, especially now that the CBK building has been demolished. Being able to have that CBK pictorial on our mail is a reminder about the community’s significant history.”
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s 50,000 watt prairie transformer was the only CBC outlet between Winnipeg and Vancouver and went live just outside of Watrous July 29, 1939. At the time of the 2009 unveiling, Katuski said the reason they chose the CBK building was because
they wanted to have a design that would be an icon to the communities.
The committee for Tourism and Economic Development along with local resident Gary Bergen came up with a design of the cancellation mark at that time and Katuski then submitted it to Canada Post for approval. “That is our rubber cancellation mark and it is used every day.”
Now 12 years later, Katuski and the staff are able to celebrate once again, this time for the 115th birthday of the local postal service and the 50th anniversary of the current building in Watrous. “Being one of the postmasters involved with the local service has been a real privilege for me. It is an interesting job to have because you never do the same thing. There are so many different facets of the services we provide and new challenges that arrive like the current pandemic that we are navigating through. Every day has been very unique and interesting.”
Daniel Bushman
A fixture within the community for well over a century, the Watrous Post Office has not only provided a rather unique service but has acted as a hub for residents to send and receive mail. Originally operating just west of Watrous at Mandal before relocating to Watrous a short time later, the local mailing service marked 115 years last month while the current building on Main Street turns 50 years old in 2021.
Commemorating 115 years of service within the area Feb. 1, 2021, over that time, countless pieces of mail have been received and delivered. With the postal service such an integral part of the lives of many residents, especially in earlier years using it to communicate with family and friends, the move to relocate to Watrous proved to be a valuable one.
As Saskatchewan officially became a province in 1905, the mail system soon arrived locally. Opening at Mandal Feb. 1, 1906 with postmaster Tobias N. Bjorndahl, the first mail day was Feb. 6, 1906. Located at his homestead, in addition to the postal service, Bjorndahl was kept busy operating a general store and blacksmith shop.
According to the local history book, Prairie Reflections, early postal routes in 1906-‘07 started from the end of the ‘steel’ at Strasbourg. One carrier had a route leading north to Taylorboro (about five miles northwest of Govan), then to Arlington Beach and north. Mail addressed to Mandal would come via west to Peacock Post Office (located between Nokomis and Simpson at the north end of Last Mountain Lake), north to Ridgeford, and then to Mandal. Other routes came from Davidson and Humboldt.
John Dahl was the first mail carrier on the Mandal-Peacock-Taylorboro-Strasbourg route so he would make a round trip each week. Travelling at times with a team of horses and a democrat, Dahl navigated through blizzards and other prairie conditions without highways, roads or telephone lines to follow. Despite a lack of significant advancements in infrastructure and communications at that time, Dahl made the trek as the lone driver, navigating through the countryside.
During the summer months, mail delivery was reportedly sped up as it was carried on the William Pearson Land Co. boat which plied Last Mountain Lake for several years with Captain W. C. Huggins at the helm. While there was no indication how long mail took to get from Mandal to the rail service, in the history book it noted a letter sent from Mandal to Markham, Ont. took nine days.
Along with Dahl’s mail carrier efforts, Jack Telfer was brought on to handle mail delivery from Watrous south to Simpson and Imperial until the C.P.R. line was constructed in 1912. Meanwhile, the first mail carrier through the Govan-Nokomis area was D. Kempton while other early mail carriers on the route included Henry Beeler and W. A. MacFarlane.
After the local service got up and running at Mandal in 1906, it was later moved to Watrous. Officially changing Sept. 1, 1908, the post office was relocated to the Bjorndahl store on the 100 block of Main Street with Bjorndahl remaining in his position. Two years later, a frame structure was constructed on 2nd Ave. W. in Watrous with living quarters at the rear of the location.
According to Library and Archives Canada, Bjorndahl continued to be the postmaster until Dec. 16, 1913. William Emerson Wright then took on the position Jan. 12, 1914 and was postmaster for nearly six years, receiving help from his daughter Susie. Then on Jan. 3, 1920, Edward Brook Miller was appointed postmaster and it was during his time of employment that a new brick building was built.
Throughout those early years, there were some unique items of interest recorded in the local history book. Those included:
• January 1912, New Year’s Day - all business was suspended except the post office was open from 10 to 11 a.m., for the distribution of His Majesty’s mail;
• January 1913, postal service has been improved to the extent that two mailboxes have been placed in position at the depot; one at each end for east and west mail. The mail deposited there will be lifted upon the arrival of the trains going each way;
• February 1920, there were 35 mailbags left by the passenger train from the east. Assistant mail carrier T. Fillel made three trips from the depot to the post office. T. Eaton Co. catalogues were responsible for the heavy mail; and
• February 1920, a heavy wire, strongly supported and reaching from the tops of the boxes to the ceiling, now encloses the waiting room from the other parts of the post office. Future box holders will be able to obtain their mail any hour of the day including holidays.
As the years progressed and mail service remained a valuable part of the local area, in November 1936, a new facility opened on the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E. in Watrous, replacing the Dadson and Cosford buildings. Miller remained postmaster until retiring May 4, 1948 and then Reginald E. P. Preston took over and would become the first postmaster in a new building which would be constructed in the early 1970s.
After a questionnaire was conducted by Preston in 1965 relating to projected accommodation needs in Watrous, a few years later a letter was submitted from the Watrous and District Chamber of Commerce to the Postmaster General and the Honorable Eric Kierans, a Cabinet Minister at that time. In the letter dated Dec. 18, 1968, the chamber sought consideration for a new or enlarged postal facility to be built in Watrous.
Due to a smaller space in the building on the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E., the chamber noted predictions for growth taken when that building was created fell short of what actually occurred over the next three decades. “The present utilization is far beyond this prediction which necessitated remodelling on two occasions to provide additional space for lock boxes. All available space is now utilized and further remodelling, to provide additional space, is now impossible.”
The letter further stated that in 1967, a total of 95 additional lock boxes were installed with 570 boxes being rented. In January 1968 a total of 629 boxes were rented and by the time of the letter (Dec. 18, 1968) 650 boxes were occupied accompanied by a waiting list for more.
“The 95 boxes installed in 1967 were to meet existing needs and to provide for the closing of the Renown Post Office. The Renown Post Office was closed in October 1967 and incorporated into the Watrous Post Office.”
The Venn Post Office which was located in a store that ceased operations was also suggested to move its boxes to Watrous as well. “This together with the present waiting list, makes additional boxes for Watrous a necessity.”
The local chamber also noted in its letter that the building where the post office was located was the only place in Watrous at that time still using coal as a heating fuel. “It is not uncommon to find the staff in the Watrous Post Office wearing overshoes and extra coats or sweaters to keep warm in the winter months.”
Submitting a scale drawing of the lobby, the chamber explained after the last remodelling, heating radiators were removed creating a very cold lobby. In addition, the lobby only allowed for a maximum of three people to utilize the lock box area. “This means that there is usually a line up in the lobby waiting to get to the lock boxes. This line up interferes with the orderly entrance and egress to and from the post office and the business counter.”
Along with a smaller lobby area and with the potential for further growth aided by new potash mines within the area including at Allan and Lanigan, Watrous and District Chamber Secretary Treasurer R. C. Parkinson signed off on the letter in hopes that a new postal facility would be built in Watrous.
After sending the letter to the Postmaster General and to the Honorable Eric Kierans to have a new or larger building take over from the one at the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave. E., approval was given to construct a new facility.
The new place was built in 1971 at the corner of Main Street and 4th Ave. W. and is where the post office currently resides. With Preston being the first postmaster to occupy the new space, fast forward five decades and the building is now marking its 50th year. Over that time the current facility has received renovations including new coats of paint to the exterior and interior, new flooring, a wheelchair accessibility ramp and automatic doors, signage, new cement stairs and rocks. Inside, the facility now has 1,560 post office boxes and there is also space created in the back of the building for sorting mail, a loading and unloading area, offices and a washroom for staff.
After opening the new one-storey building in 1971 and operating out of it for a couple of years, after a lengthy career, Preston then made the decision to retire. In the Nov. 29, 1973 edition of The Watrous Manitou it noted Preston retired Dec. 28, 1973 after 43 years of postal service. Beginning his career under his father R. P. Preston at Elstow, he was later employed at Viscount, Binscarth, Man. and then Jansen. Preston arrived in Watrous May 1, 1937 to work under E. B. Miller and then took on the official duties of postmaster Aug. 1, 1948. Preston also served for many years as
an executive member of the Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Postmasters’ Association, including terms as president and secretary. In 1967, he received a centennial medal in recognition of valuable service to the nation.
After Preston’s tenure as the community’s postmaster, a handful of others took on the role including Stanley Hawkes who was senior assistant to Preston. Hawkes held a temporary position after Preston and then James A. Longhurst took over until Dec. 28, 1984. After Longhurst retired, Eileen Hyatt was postmaster until 1995. Since that time, Bernadette Katuski has been the postmaster in the community.
Like Katuski and those who took on the role of postmaster, over the years, there have been a number of other faces employed at the post office. Currently, the staff employed in Watrous include: senior assistant Cynthia Hawkes, part-time staff members Lety Schalm and Iana Ierofieieva, Rural Route Mail Carrier Karen Bennett and janitor Janet Van Nieuw Amerongen.
“It is pretty special to reflect back and see who all worked here and contributed in making this a positive business for our community,” said Katuski. “We remain a very viable business and the foot traffic that we have here is pretty incredible. Being able to provide this service for the residents of our community is certainly rewarding.”
Continuing to serve Watrous, along with providing mail to 1,560 customers who utilize boxes at the Watrous location, the business also extends service to surrounding communities as Bennett delivers items to Manitou Beach, Plunkett, Lockwood, and Drake. Katuski said while technology has changed over time, the way in which mail is sent and delivered remains somewhat similar. “We get mail from all over the world; however, the focus has shifted a bit from lettermail to larger volumes of parcel mail due to the increase of online shopping. There is not as much as their used to be and it is more online ordering. We certainly saw that this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the holiday season approached in 2020 we saw more items arrive daily than we ever had before. That continued past Christmas and into January and we are still seeing high volumes of mail arriving throughout the week.”
While the online way of doing business continues to grow, other changes of significance have also taken place over the years. Some of those include the implementation of postal codes for communities and the introduction of computers for employees to use.
More recently, as the pandemic reached Saskatchewan, specific guidelines were put in place to keep staff and customers safe. Like other businesses within the province, masks are mandatory and social distancing and hand sanitizing is a must. “We have tried our best as we follow the guidelines set out by public health and the provincial government. We also wipe down mailboxes, sanitize within the facility and have a maximum number of people allowed inside at one time. Even when our retail counter service is closed for the day, masks remain mandatory as our lobby mail service area falls under the provincial mandatory mask area. By doing that we hope to minimize potential exposure and also ask that if anyone is not feeling well that they stay home. We want to be a safe place for our staff and our customers during this stressful time.”
Over her time as the postmaster in Watrous, Katuski recalled numerous highlights including seeing a myriad of stamps like one with a hole in it and another with special significance.
“All stamps have a special story; however, for me, my favourite was the Canadian Forces Snowbirds stamp unveiling in 2006. This was a very special experience as my son Nicholas was a member of the Snowbirds team and I unveiled this commemorative stamp alongside him in Moose Jaw. Having our two very different career paths meet in life was a very sweet moment.”
Katuski also had the opportunity to visit Canada Post’s headquarters in Ottawa and then when Watrous marked its 100th birthday, the postmaster was able to unveil a CBK pictorial cancellation stamp May 7, 2009. Displaying the iconic building and tower, Katuski said, “That was really neat to be able to announce that cancellation stamp, especially now that the CBK building has been demolished. Being able to have that CBK pictorial on our mail is a reminder about the community’s significant history.”
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s 50,000 watt prairie transformer was the only CBC outlet between Winnipeg and Vancouver and went live just outside of Watrous July 29, 1939. At the time of the 2009 unveiling, Katuski said the reason they chose the CBK building was because
they wanted to have a design that would be an icon to the communities.
The committee for Tourism and Economic Development along with local resident Gary Bergen came up with a design of the cancellation mark at that time and Katuski then submitted it to Canada Post for approval. “That is our rubber cancellation mark and it is used every day.”
Now 12 years later, Katuski and the staff are able to celebrate once again, this time for the 115th birthday of the local postal service and the 50th anniversary of the current building in Watrous. “Being one of the postmasters involved with the local service has been a real privilege for me. It is an interesting job to have because you never do the same thing. There are so many different facets of the services we provide and new challenges that arrive like the current pandemic that we are navigating through. Every day has been very unique and interesting.”
TWM Top Story - Mar. 8, 2021
Watrous shines during TeleMiracle 45
Daniel Bushman
Despite doing things a little differently when it came to raising funds for this year’s TeleMiracle, Watrous and the surrounding area once again showed what a community effort is all about.
With people across the province finding unique ways to garner funds for TeleMiracle 45 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, locally, Watrous Kin members and residents also did the same. Presenting the local total during a live virtual presentation Sunday afternoon, Feb. 28, on behalf of the community, Kin members Jillian and Jarvis Engele announced Watrous had raised $21,000!
An excited Jillian said, “We were extremely happy with the community support surrounding TeleMiracle this year! I think our community understands that the need is still very much there for this very important cause, despite the year we’ve had. We had many people contact us to make personal donations even up until our presentation was aired!”
As part of that tremendous local total, nearly $14,500 of it came from an online auction, something held for the first time. Items were donated by local businesses, organizations and residents including some delicious baking and people stepped up in a big way to show their support by purchasing the items up for bid.
“I was personally blown away with the success of our online Facebook auction. It was our first time trying something like this and it was extremely successful! We had so many
members of the community and surrounding areas wanting to donate items to auction off, and then put bids in for each item. Thanks again to everyone who participated in this fundraiser!”
As for the remainder of donations that the Watrous Kin passed along to TeleMiracle, here is a breakdown: personal donations ($2,793.39), online website ($700), online Facebook auction ($14,442), Helping Hands ($386.56), Watrous Elementary School - Subway lunch and candy bag sale ($678.05), and Watrous Kinsmen Club ($2,000).
Jillian said, “This is around average for what we have donated in the past, with the exception of the 40th TeleMiracle when we were able to raise an outstanding amount after our first Mock Wedding. Hopefully we will be able to get back to large gatherings in the future to help us with our fundraising efforts for causes like this one!”
By reaching over $20,000 during a year in which the province is navigating through a pandemic, Engele said it once again showed how special the community and surrounding area is. “We are so lucky to be apart of a community who is always willing to support our efforts again and again. A huge thank you to everyone who made our TeleMiracle donation happen this year! Every dollar counts and we appreciate your participation in our fundraising efforts.”
As for TeleMiracle itself, the 45th edition wrapped up in Saskatoon raising a total of $5,630,215. With this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $145 million.
This year’s final tote board total also included the proceeds of TeleMiracle’s first-ever online 50/50 raffle, which generated total ticket sales of $726,120 with the winner taking home half of the jackpot total.
“The generosity of Saskatchewan people is amazing and it showed again this year in their support of TeleMiracle,” said TeleMiracle 45 Chair Brian Angstadt. “Once again, TeleMiracle brought our province together and the impact of these donations will be felt across Saskatchewan during these times when residents need it the most.”
The broadcast which took place Feb. 27 and 28 featured no live audience with most live appearances by remote video. National Cast hosts were live in-studio, with physical distancing in-place. Content for the show was pre-recorded over many months leading up to the telethon. These changes to TeleMiracle were made with COVID safety in mind and were approved by provincial health authorities.
“Our show producers did a great job throughout the entire year of planning, working closely with the health authorities and making sure everyone involved with this year’s production followed all the COVID safety guidelines and protocols,” said Angstadt. “We did our best to follow, keep up with and exceed all the COVID safety protocols and guidelines at all times.”
Like in previous years, performers who were part of TeleMiracle 45 not only showcased their talents but also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented their donation of $100,000 live by remote video just before the end of the broadcast.
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
Watching this year’s show from her home, Jillian said it was neat to see how other Kin and organizers were able to adapt to the current times and pull off TeleMiracle 45 while following the proper restrictions and guidelines. “With that being said, I can’t wait until we can all go back and volunteer in person.”
And while TeleMiracle has ended for another year and planning begins for the 46th edition in 2022, Jillian noted local Kin continue to remain busy fundraising for the community. The Kinettes Leisure of the Month raffle kicks off Apr. 1 and a few tickets remain available for that. The Kinsmen are holding a When Will It Sink Lotto with up to 500 tickets (guesses) for how long an old car remains on the ice before falling through in a slough. The winner of that will receive $2,500 in gift cards to spend at local businesses.
Daniel Bushman
Despite doing things a little differently when it came to raising funds for this year’s TeleMiracle, Watrous and the surrounding area once again showed what a community effort is all about.
With people across the province finding unique ways to garner funds for TeleMiracle 45 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, locally, Watrous Kin members and residents also did the same. Presenting the local total during a live virtual presentation Sunday afternoon, Feb. 28, on behalf of the community, Kin members Jillian and Jarvis Engele announced Watrous had raised $21,000!
An excited Jillian said, “We were extremely happy with the community support surrounding TeleMiracle this year! I think our community understands that the need is still very much there for this very important cause, despite the year we’ve had. We had many people contact us to make personal donations even up until our presentation was aired!”
As part of that tremendous local total, nearly $14,500 of it came from an online auction, something held for the first time. Items were donated by local businesses, organizations and residents including some delicious baking and people stepped up in a big way to show their support by purchasing the items up for bid.
“I was personally blown away with the success of our online Facebook auction. It was our first time trying something like this and it was extremely successful! We had so many
members of the community and surrounding areas wanting to donate items to auction off, and then put bids in for each item. Thanks again to everyone who participated in this fundraiser!”
As for the remainder of donations that the Watrous Kin passed along to TeleMiracle, here is a breakdown: personal donations ($2,793.39), online website ($700), online Facebook auction ($14,442), Helping Hands ($386.56), Watrous Elementary School - Subway lunch and candy bag sale ($678.05), and Watrous Kinsmen Club ($2,000).
Jillian said, “This is around average for what we have donated in the past, with the exception of the 40th TeleMiracle when we were able to raise an outstanding amount after our first Mock Wedding. Hopefully we will be able to get back to large gatherings in the future to help us with our fundraising efforts for causes like this one!”
By reaching over $20,000 during a year in which the province is navigating through a pandemic, Engele said it once again showed how special the community and surrounding area is. “We are so lucky to be apart of a community who is always willing to support our efforts again and again. A huge thank you to everyone who made our TeleMiracle donation happen this year! Every dollar counts and we appreciate your participation in our fundraising efforts.”
As for TeleMiracle itself, the 45th edition wrapped up in Saskatoon raising a total of $5,630,215. With this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $145 million.
This year’s final tote board total also included the proceeds of TeleMiracle’s first-ever online 50/50 raffle, which generated total ticket sales of $726,120 with the winner taking home half of the jackpot total.
“The generosity of Saskatchewan people is amazing and it showed again this year in their support of TeleMiracle,” said TeleMiracle 45 Chair Brian Angstadt. “Once again, TeleMiracle brought our province together and the impact of these donations will be felt across Saskatchewan during these times when residents need it the most.”
The broadcast which took place Feb. 27 and 28 featured no live audience with most live appearances by remote video. National Cast hosts were live in-studio, with physical distancing in-place. Content for the show was pre-recorded over many months leading up to the telethon. These changes to TeleMiracle were made with COVID safety in mind and were approved by provincial health authorities.
“Our show producers did a great job throughout the entire year of planning, working closely with the health authorities and making sure everyone involved with this year’s production followed all the COVID safety guidelines and protocols,” said Angstadt. “We did our best to follow, keep up with and exceed all the COVID safety protocols and guidelines at all times.”
Like in previous years, performers who were part of TeleMiracle 45 not only showcased their talents but also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented their donation of $100,000 live by remote video just before the end of the broadcast.
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
Watching this year’s show from her home, Jillian said it was neat to see how other Kin and organizers were able to adapt to the current times and pull off TeleMiracle 45 while following the proper restrictions and guidelines. “With that being said, I can’t wait until we can all go back and volunteer in person.”
And while TeleMiracle has ended for another year and planning begins for the 46th edition in 2022, Jillian noted local Kin continue to remain busy fundraising for the community. The Kinettes Leisure of the Month raffle kicks off Apr. 1 and a few tickets remain available for that. The Kinsmen are holding a When Will It Sink Lotto with up to 500 tickets (guesses) for how long an old car remains on the ice before falling through in a slough. The winner of that will receive $2,500 in gift cards to spend at local businesses.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 1, 2021
Positive COVID-19 cases confirmed in Watrous; first vaccinations arrive
Daniel Bushman
As the number of positive COVID-19 cases started to drop in parts of Saskatchewan, a reminder of how quickly the situation can turn hit the local area last week. Multiple cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Watrous this past week and because of it, many within the community rallied in an effort to curb the spread.
Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) issued a release early last week confirming that in fact there was increased COVID-19 in Watrous. That was followed by notification of a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site which was made available to the public Feb. 23. Held outside of the Watrous Curling Rink starting at 10:30 a.m., a line of vehicles stretching at least two blocks to the Watrous District Health Complex provided a steady stream for health care providers as they administered the tests to those in vehicles. Two lines in the curling rink’s parking lot allowed for quicker testing at the site although at times there was a waiting period of about two hours. That line subsided by the time the afternoon arrived.
While SHA is unable to confirm how many positive cases there were at the drive-thru due to privacy reasons, providing services to the area, Medical Health Officer Dr. Jasmine Hasselback said in total, 359 swabs were taken.
“That is really, really amazing. That level of engagement from the community is phenomenal and applauded across the province. I am really glad to see that many people who saw the value of knowing the status in such a tumultuous time.”
Hasselback noted that right now it is a critical time in Saskatchewan where there has been multiple sacrifices made over the past number of months but added that it doesn't take much for a lot of people to become infected from a flare up of COVID-19.
With access to testing being a huge part of keeping a pulse on the virus and how quickly it can spread, Hasselback said with Watrous, there was a commitment to make sure there was an easier way to get to the tests.
“It is so valuable because knowing your status for COVID is a game changer.”
Hasselback continued by noting, “This sort of event, and bringing in drive-thru testing will become more and more just part of a routine way of being. That commitment to bringing the tests closer to you, and easier to have access to it really makes sure the more people get tested the better we have the understanding of what is going on.
“It has been beautiful to see the response in Watrous and the commitment to each other and coming out to get tested is the most measurable. But we have seen it in a lot of stories in the human side as well in the commitment and co-operation and the checking on each other virtually. There has been a lot of commitment to keep each other safe and we have seen that presented in a lot of ways.”
With multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Watrous, mayor John Gunderson said, “First and foremost, we will assist in whatever way possible to ensure Watrous continues to be a safe community for its residents. It is unfortunate that we are being faced with a number of positive COVID-19 cases and this is a sign to everyone to never let your guard down. For anyone who has tested positive we wish them a speedy recovery. Until we have all been vaccinated, we as a community must continue to be diligent in wearing masks and staying home as much as possible.”
With a speedy response to the multiple cases, Gunderson was appreciative of SHA for organizing a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site so quickly. “We also cannot thank the front-line workers in health care and all the other people in essential services enough who have helped us get through this over the past 11 months. Our hats go off to the local business community as well. Over the course of the pandemic, they have made sure that measures were taken to ensure the safety of their customers and employees. With the recent outbreak, a number of them have voluntarily taken the initiative to temporarily close their doors. This is a sacrifice on their part, and we acknowledge this.
“Watrous is a community of resilient people and we are confident that we will bounce back from this even stronger on the other side.”
Despite speculation of how many confirmed positive cases are in Watrous, SHA does not share specific numbers due to privacy reasons. So as cases began to pop up in the local area, they were within the Central East 1 zone, a zone that includes places like Watrous, Simpson, Manitou Beach, Drake, Etters Beach, Holdfast, Imperial, Jansen, Lanigan, LeRoy, Humboldt, Nokomis, Young, and Zelma.
While not being able to confirm if all the new cases were from Watrous, there was an increase in the Central East 1 zone this past week. After less than 10 active cases heading into the middle portion of February, as of Feb. 21 there were 11 active cases with seven new ones. A day later the number for the Central East 1 zone went to 21 active cases with 10 new ones. On Tuesday, Feb. 23 there were 26 active cases with five new ones and a day later, just one new case. On Feb. 25 there were 30 active cases and three new ones.
In an effort to stay safe, Hasselback said people should be adhering to instructions from public health. “If you are someone who has been told you should get tested, then please do. If you are someone who has been told to self-isolate then please do and do until they say you are free to go. If you do have symptoms and you are not connected to either of those pathways immediately self-isolate and arrange for testing.”
She also reiterated to keep socializing to the absolute minimum and adhere to the public health restrictions. “That will make a big difference if heaven forbid when a person does get it to make sure it doesn't affect as many folks. I think Watrous is a good example of just how connected we all are even when we are trying to stay disconnected physically. That regular hand washing, checking everyday how you are feeling in terms of symptoms (is important).”
Hasselback also suggested that masks fit properly when they are worn. “If you feel the airs are blowing up to your eyes or ears or below your chin, you don't have that seal. You want that air going through the mask and the mask alone. A good check for that is to take a few deep breaths when you put your mask on and try to figure out where the leaks may be. If there are no leaks that is good and it means you are breathing through the mask.”
The following are locally confirmed cases and updates that occurred throughout this past week. While there may be additional cases amidst speculation, the following cases and updates were obtained from officials:
Schools
On Feb. 17, Horizon School Division was made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Winston High School. Families in Watrous were informed of the case by the division and Horizon noted it was working closely with Public Health to assist in the contact tracing process.
Then on Feb. 21, Horizon School Division was made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Watrous Elementary School. That number was later adjusted to two on the provincial government’s website. Families at Watrous Elementary were informed as the division worked closely with Public Health to assist in the contact tracing process.
As students and staff at both schools returned from the February break, the schools remained open unless families were directed otherwise.
On Feb. 25, Horizon School Division was then made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Imperial School. Families at Imperial School were being informed of this case. As of last week, Imperial School remained open to students and staff.
In a statement, Horizon School Division said, “We all have a shared responsibility to limit the spread of COVID-19. We thank Horizon’s staff, students, and families for all their efforts to help mitigate the risks during this pandemic. We continue to require students and staff to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.”
Further details cannot be provided to maintain the privacy of the individuals involved.
Local businesses
Working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon Co-op indicated that staff from both the Watrous Food Store and the Farm and Agro stores had tested positive for COVID-19. On its website, the Co-op noted team members were self-isolating along with other employees who had close contact.
The confirmed cases were reported Feb. 20 and 21 at the Watrous Food Store and Feb. 21 at the Farm and Agro Store.
Saskatoon Co-op stated it will follow the direction of the SHA and will continue with the health and safety measures that were put in place in response to the pandemic: increasing already high standards for cleaning and sanitization; practicing physical distancing measures (including one-way aisles and plexi-glass barriers at counters); employees wearing masks to protect others; and team members are asked to stay home if feeling unwell, and the Co-op continues to encourage all team members to seek testing and undergo self-isolation if they feel any potential COVID-19 symptoms.
“We wish a quick and safe recovery to each of the individuals who have been affected by this virus. Our priority remains to keep our team members and customers safe and healthy while serving our friends and neighbours. We care greatly for the communities we work and live in and as a local, member-owned business, we take the responsibility to protect our communities seriously.”
At Model Meats, SHA declared an outbreak at the local business Feb. 22. According to the provincial government, a confirmed outbreak is when two or more people test positive for COVID-19 and are all linked to a specific non-household setting or event within a specific time period. In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and putting safety at the forefront, Model Meats temporarily closed its doors until further notice.
A number of other local businesses also made the decision to close temporarily out of an abundance of caution as they tried to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Some remained open but changed how they offered services like providing take out options or offering curb side pick up.
Under the direction of Watrous Library Board, due to the increased number of cases, the library in Watrous made the precautionary decision to not accept in person appointments to check out library materials and only offer curb side pick up until further notice.
The Town of Watrous office also closed temporarily and the community’s fitness centre and arena also shut down until further notice.
Manitou Lodge
In order to keep everyone in SHA facilities and care homes safe during the increase of COVID-19 in Watrous, family presence/visitation is being limited to compassionate reasons only at Manitou Lodge.
SHA noted the decision to restrict family presence is not taken lightly. “These measures are in place to keep you, your loved ones, and health care workers safe. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is asking the public for their support and co-operation in order to contain the spread of the virus.”
Compassionate care reasons may include, but are not limited to, family or support persons during end-of-life care, major surgery, intensive care/critical care, maternal/pediatrics, long-term care residents whose quality of life or care needs are unmet or those inpatients and outpatients with specific challenges.
SHA said no other visitors are allowed into the specified facilities or homes at this time and these limitations will remain in place until it is safe to return to the previous level of family presence.
Nutrien Mine - Allan
While not in the Central East 1 zone, west of Watrous an outbreak was declared by SHA at Nutrien Mine Allan Feb. 17. Larry Long, Senior VP, Potash Operations said, “At Nutrien, caring for the health and safety of our people and communities is a top priority. We are aware of the positive cases at our Allan site and will continue to work closely with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to investigate, maintain our protocols and take all actions necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
Vaccinations
While multiple positive cases of COVID-19 began showing up in Watrous, earlier in February, local health care workers, Manitou Lodge residents, and others were able to receive their first COVID-19 vaccinations.
As part of Phase 1, just over 150 people in Watrous - a combination of health care workers, long-term care residents and community members over age 70 - received their first doses of the vaccine as part of a total of 1,379 given on that day for the Central zone. In total, as of Feb. 21, the Central East zone had received 5,973 first doses given with 111 second doses given. In total, 41,933 first doses had been given in the province with 18,810 second doses administered as of Feb. 21.
With local residents receiving their first doses including those at Manitou Lodge, Phase 1 of the province’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan continued throughout Saskatchewan. Phase 1 of vaccine delivery is aimed at targeting residents and staff of long-term and personal-care homes, identified health care providers, residents 70 years and older and residents aged 50 and older in remote/Northern Saskatchewan.
As of Feb. 24, the provincial government noted 81 percent of residents in long-term care homes across Saskatchewan had received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to 81 percent of long-term care residents having received their first dose, 46 percent of long-term care residents received both their first and
second doses. Along with that, 76 percent of Saskatchewan’s personal care homes received their first dose and 24 percent have received both doses.
“Our health care workers are doing an excellent job of administering vaccines quickly, safely and efficiently in long-term care facilities across the province,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said. “The only thing slowing them down is the shortage of vaccines from the federal government.
“When we get enough doses, we will be able to quickly finish vaccinating all the residents and staff in our long-term care homes. We look forward to having our seniors in long-term care fully vaccinated as soon as possible so they are protected from the threat of COVID-19.”
For the remainder of the general public, Phase 2 is anticipated to begin in April, May or June of 2021, depending on available vaccine supplies. The second phase will focus on vaccinating the general population in 10-year increments. In an effort to offer the vaccination to all residents in Saskatchewan, SHA will operate 230 clinics in 180 communities.
Locally, for Watrous, Lanigan, and Nokomis, mass immunization clinics will be set up in those communities. In places like Humboldt, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Yorkton, drive-thru clinics will be created in addition to mass immunization clinics. Mobile clinics will be set up in communities like Ituna, Yorkton, Saskatoon and others further south.
In total, 43 mass immunization clinics will be set up in the Central region, five drive-thru clinics and seven mobile clinics.
In addition to SHA clinics, the provincial government noted there will also be many others including: participating pharmacies (last year 385 pharmacies in 113 different communities participated in the flu immunization program); participating physicians’ offices; First Nations clinics; community-based settings; and partnerships with large businesses/industries.
As local vaccination dates draw closer, information will be shared to let people know when they can be vaccinated. A central scheduling system for online access is being developed so appointments can be booked online through the Government of Saskatchewan website and a toll-free telephone line will also be established for residents to book appointments. Both are scheduled to be operational by March 2021.
On its website, the provincial government stated: “The timeline for Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Vaccination Delivery Strategy is dependent on vaccine supply and availability. The federal government is working to obtain as much vaccine as possible to distribute to provinces and territories. It’s important to understand the timeline for each phase may change due to vaccine availability. You will not miss your chance to get the vaccine when a new phase starts. Once you become eligible, you are always eligible. If you are in Phase 1, you can still get the vaccine in Phase 2.”
Phase 1 (the current phase) is expected to run until March 2021 with Phase 2 commencing April 2021 and running to Fall 2021.
Daniel Bushman
As the number of positive COVID-19 cases started to drop in parts of Saskatchewan, a reminder of how quickly the situation can turn hit the local area last week. Multiple cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Watrous this past week and because of it, many within the community rallied in an effort to curb the spread.
Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) issued a release early last week confirming that in fact there was increased COVID-19 in Watrous. That was followed by notification of a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site which was made available to the public Feb. 23. Held outside of the Watrous Curling Rink starting at 10:30 a.m., a line of vehicles stretching at least two blocks to the Watrous District Health Complex provided a steady stream for health care providers as they administered the tests to those in vehicles. Two lines in the curling rink’s parking lot allowed for quicker testing at the site although at times there was a waiting period of about two hours. That line subsided by the time the afternoon arrived.
While SHA is unable to confirm how many positive cases there were at the drive-thru due to privacy reasons, providing services to the area, Medical Health Officer Dr. Jasmine Hasselback said in total, 359 swabs were taken.
“That is really, really amazing. That level of engagement from the community is phenomenal and applauded across the province. I am really glad to see that many people who saw the value of knowing the status in such a tumultuous time.”
Hasselback noted that right now it is a critical time in Saskatchewan where there has been multiple sacrifices made over the past number of months but added that it doesn't take much for a lot of people to become infected from a flare up of COVID-19.
With access to testing being a huge part of keeping a pulse on the virus and how quickly it can spread, Hasselback said with Watrous, there was a commitment to make sure there was an easier way to get to the tests.
“It is so valuable because knowing your status for COVID is a game changer.”
Hasselback continued by noting, “This sort of event, and bringing in drive-thru testing will become more and more just part of a routine way of being. That commitment to bringing the tests closer to you, and easier to have access to it really makes sure the more people get tested the better we have the understanding of what is going on.
“It has been beautiful to see the response in Watrous and the commitment to each other and coming out to get tested is the most measurable. But we have seen it in a lot of stories in the human side as well in the commitment and co-operation and the checking on each other virtually. There has been a lot of commitment to keep each other safe and we have seen that presented in a lot of ways.”
With multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Watrous, mayor John Gunderson said, “First and foremost, we will assist in whatever way possible to ensure Watrous continues to be a safe community for its residents. It is unfortunate that we are being faced with a number of positive COVID-19 cases and this is a sign to everyone to never let your guard down. For anyone who has tested positive we wish them a speedy recovery. Until we have all been vaccinated, we as a community must continue to be diligent in wearing masks and staying home as much as possible.”
With a speedy response to the multiple cases, Gunderson was appreciative of SHA for organizing a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site so quickly. “We also cannot thank the front-line workers in health care and all the other people in essential services enough who have helped us get through this over the past 11 months. Our hats go off to the local business community as well. Over the course of the pandemic, they have made sure that measures were taken to ensure the safety of their customers and employees. With the recent outbreak, a number of them have voluntarily taken the initiative to temporarily close their doors. This is a sacrifice on their part, and we acknowledge this.
“Watrous is a community of resilient people and we are confident that we will bounce back from this even stronger on the other side.”
Despite speculation of how many confirmed positive cases are in Watrous, SHA does not share specific numbers due to privacy reasons. So as cases began to pop up in the local area, they were within the Central East 1 zone, a zone that includes places like Watrous, Simpson, Manitou Beach, Drake, Etters Beach, Holdfast, Imperial, Jansen, Lanigan, LeRoy, Humboldt, Nokomis, Young, and Zelma.
While not being able to confirm if all the new cases were from Watrous, there was an increase in the Central East 1 zone this past week. After less than 10 active cases heading into the middle portion of February, as of Feb. 21 there were 11 active cases with seven new ones. A day later the number for the Central East 1 zone went to 21 active cases with 10 new ones. On Tuesday, Feb. 23 there were 26 active cases with five new ones and a day later, just one new case. On Feb. 25 there were 30 active cases and three new ones.
In an effort to stay safe, Hasselback said people should be adhering to instructions from public health. “If you are someone who has been told you should get tested, then please do. If you are someone who has been told to self-isolate then please do and do until they say you are free to go. If you do have symptoms and you are not connected to either of those pathways immediately self-isolate and arrange for testing.”
She also reiterated to keep socializing to the absolute minimum and adhere to the public health restrictions. “That will make a big difference if heaven forbid when a person does get it to make sure it doesn't affect as many folks. I think Watrous is a good example of just how connected we all are even when we are trying to stay disconnected physically. That regular hand washing, checking everyday how you are feeling in terms of symptoms (is important).”
Hasselback also suggested that masks fit properly when they are worn. “If you feel the airs are blowing up to your eyes or ears or below your chin, you don't have that seal. You want that air going through the mask and the mask alone. A good check for that is to take a few deep breaths when you put your mask on and try to figure out where the leaks may be. If there are no leaks that is good and it means you are breathing through the mask.”
The following are locally confirmed cases and updates that occurred throughout this past week. While there may be additional cases amidst speculation, the following cases and updates were obtained from officials:
Schools
On Feb. 17, Horizon School Division was made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Winston High School. Families in Watrous were informed of the case by the division and Horizon noted it was working closely with Public Health to assist in the contact tracing process.
Then on Feb. 21, Horizon School Division was made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Watrous Elementary School. That number was later adjusted to two on the provincial government’s website. Families at Watrous Elementary were informed as the division worked closely with Public Health to assist in the contact tracing process.
As students and staff at both schools returned from the February break, the schools remained open unless families were directed otherwise.
On Feb. 25, Horizon School Division was then made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Imperial School. Families at Imperial School were being informed of this case. As of last week, Imperial School remained open to students and staff.
In a statement, Horizon School Division said, “We all have a shared responsibility to limit the spread of COVID-19. We thank Horizon’s staff, students, and families for all their efforts to help mitigate the risks during this pandemic. We continue to require students and staff to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.”
Further details cannot be provided to maintain the privacy of the individuals involved.
Local businesses
Working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon Co-op indicated that staff from both the Watrous Food Store and the Farm and Agro stores had tested positive for COVID-19. On its website, the Co-op noted team members were self-isolating along with other employees who had close contact.
The confirmed cases were reported Feb. 20 and 21 at the Watrous Food Store and Feb. 21 at the Farm and Agro Store.
Saskatoon Co-op stated it will follow the direction of the SHA and will continue with the health and safety measures that were put in place in response to the pandemic: increasing already high standards for cleaning and sanitization; practicing physical distancing measures (including one-way aisles and plexi-glass barriers at counters); employees wearing masks to protect others; and team members are asked to stay home if feeling unwell, and the Co-op continues to encourage all team members to seek testing and undergo self-isolation if they feel any potential COVID-19 symptoms.
“We wish a quick and safe recovery to each of the individuals who have been affected by this virus. Our priority remains to keep our team members and customers safe and healthy while serving our friends and neighbours. We care greatly for the communities we work and live in and as a local, member-owned business, we take the responsibility to protect our communities seriously.”
At Model Meats, SHA declared an outbreak at the local business Feb. 22. According to the provincial government, a confirmed outbreak is when two or more people test positive for COVID-19 and are all linked to a specific non-household setting or event within a specific time period. In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and putting safety at the forefront, Model Meats temporarily closed its doors until further notice.
A number of other local businesses also made the decision to close temporarily out of an abundance of caution as they tried to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Some remained open but changed how they offered services like providing take out options or offering curb side pick up.
Under the direction of Watrous Library Board, due to the increased number of cases, the library in Watrous made the precautionary decision to not accept in person appointments to check out library materials and only offer curb side pick up until further notice.
The Town of Watrous office also closed temporarily and the community’s fitness centre and arena also shut down until further notice.
Manitou Lodge
In order to keep everyone in SHA facilities and care homes safe during the increase of COVID-19 in Watrous, family presence/visitation is being limited to compassionate reasons only at Manitou Lodge.
SHA noted the decision to restrict family presence is not taken lightly. “These measures are in place to keep you, your loved ones, and health care workers safe. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is asking the public for their support and co-operation in order to contain the spread of the virus.”
Compassionate care reasons may include, but are not limited to, family or support persons during end-of-life care, major surgery, intensive care/critical care, maternal/pediatrics, long-term care residents whose quality of life or care needs are unmet or those inpatients and outpatients with specific challenges.
SHA said no other visitors are allowed into the specified facilities or homes at this time and these limitations will remain in place until it is safe to return to the previous level of family presence.
Nutrien Mine - Allan
While not in the Central East 1 zone, west of Watrous an outbreak was declared by SHA at Nutrien Mine Allan Feb. 17. Larry Long, Senior VP, Potash Operations said, “At Nutrien, caring for the health and safety of our people and communities is a top priority. We are aware of the positive cases at our Allan site and will continue to work closely with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to investigate, maintain our protocols and take all actions necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
Vaccinations
While multiple positive cases of COVID-19 began showing up in Watrous, earlier in February, local health care workers, Manitou Lodge residents, and others were able to receive their first COVID-19 vaccinations.
As part of Phase 1, just over 150 people in Watrous - a combination of health care workers, long-term care residents and community members over age 70 - received their first doses of the vaccine as part of a total of 1,379 given on that day for the Central zone. In total, as of Feb. 21, the Central East zone had received 5,973 first doses given with 111 second doses given. In total, 41,933 first doses had been given in the province with 18,810 second doses administered as of Feb. 21.
With local residents receiving their first doses including those at Manitou Lodge, Phase 1 of the province’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan continued throughout Saskatchewan. Phase 1 of vaccine delivery is aimed at targeting residents and staff of long-term and personal-care homes, identified health care providers, residents 70 years and older and residents aged 50 and older in remote/Northern Saskatchewan.
As of Feb. 24, the provincial government noted 81 percent of residents in long-term care homes across Saskatchewan had received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to 81 percent of long-term care residents having received their first dose, 46 percent of long-term care residents received both their first and
second doses. Along with that, 76 percent of Saskatchewan’s personal care homes received their first dose and 24 percent have received both doses.
“Our health care workers are doing an excellent job of administering vaccines quickly, safely and efficiently in long-term care facilities across the province,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said. “The only thing slowing them down is the shortage of vaccines from the federal government.
“When we get enough doses, we will be able to quickly finish vaccinating all the residents and staff in our long-term care homes. We look forward to having our seniors in long-term care fully vaccinated as soon as possible so they are protected from the threat of COVID-19.”
For the remainder of the general public, Phase 2 is anticipated to begin in April, May or June of 2021, depending on available vaccine supplies. The second phase will focus on vaccinating the general population in 10-year increments. In an effort to offer the vaccination to all residents in Saskatchewan, SHA will operate 230 clinics in 180 communities.
Locally, for Watrous, Lanigan, and Nokomis, mass immunization clinics will be set up in those communities. In places like Humboldt, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Yorkton, drive-thru clinics will be created in addition to mass immunization clinics. Mobile clinics will be set up in communities like Ituna, Yorkton, Saskatoon and others further south.
In total, 43 mass immunization clinics will be set up in the Central region, five drive-thru clinics and seven mobile clinics.
In addition to SHA clinics, the provincial government noted there will also be many others including: participating pharmacies (last year 385 pharmacies in 113 different communities participated in the flu immunization program); participating physicians’ offices; First Nations clinics; community-based settings; and partnerships with large businesses/industries.
As local vaccination dates draw closer, information will be shared to let people know when they can be vaccinated. A central scheduling system for online access is being developed so appointments can be booked online through the Government of Saskatchewan website and a toll-free telephone line will also be established for residents to book appointments. Both are scheduled to be operational by March 2021.
On its website, the provincial government stated: “The timeline for Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Vaccination Delivery Strategy is dependent on vaccine supply and availability. The federal government is working to obtain as much vaccine as possible to distribute to provinces and territories. It’s important to understand the timeline for each phase may change due to vaccine availability. You will not miss your chance to get the vaccine when a new phase starts. Once you become eligible, you are always eligible. If you are in Phase 1, you can still get the vaccine in Phase 2.”
Phase 1 (the current phase) is expected to run until March 2021 with Phase 2 commencing April 2021 and running to Fall 2021.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 15, 2021
The Basement Spin Studio ready to ride after opening
Daniel Bushman
As the arctic air transformed the outdoors into a bone-chilling deep freeze, indoors at The Basement Spin Studio in Watrous, the temperature has been cranked right up. Booked solid since opening during the latter part of January, the new business has been generating a lot of buzz.
Owner of The Basement Spin Studio Wanda Martin said the response she has had since launching her business in the basement of the former Shop Easy building on Main Street in Watrous has been amazing.
“Our grand opening was Jan. 23 and 24. It was a huge success and we booked up solid for those two days. Our first week open was during the week of Jan. 25 and since then, our classes have been booked solid with waiting lists. We started with 14 classes the first week and the wait lists were full.”
Since that inaugural week and with more and more people wanting to give spinning a try, Martin has increased the amount of classes from 14 to over 20 to help balance the demand. “We have added pop up classes throughout the week to increase the chances for our clients to get in and we have had some private classes as well for anyone that wants to book the studio as a group.”
With five bikes for participants to use and one for the instructor, Martin said classes span 35 minutes. Having been trained through the Authentic Instructor Training program created by Tash Marshall Bean, Martin is joined by eight other instructors who include: Angel Toews, Anna Bearss, Darlana Jones, Erin Wolff, Jadah Mensch, Jocelyn McArthur, Lindsy Olah, and Sophie Bartko.
After training and eagerly awaiting to hop on a bike themselves, instructors can be joined by participants who can choose to go for one spin or sign up for additional classes once they give it a try.
That was how Martin got into spinning herself and thought bringing it to Watrous would be a great idea.
“I decided to open The Basement Spin Studio after going to Dog House Spin Studio in Lanigan for several months. I really loved the experience, the lights, the music, and being a part of a team. It’s a workout that is upbeat and team driven, it gives you a great start or end to your day.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson was recently on hand at The Basement Spin Studio to welcome Martin to the local business community. Checking out a bike himself, Gunderson was pleased to see the business opening its doors on Main Street in Watrous. “I am happy that a new business is not only opening on Main Street in Watrous but that a new business is opening up in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is amazing to see and it will also provide an excellent opportunity for people to do some new physical activities during this tough time. After talking with Wanda, I was really happy to hear that she has been really busy so far.”
Ensuring the safety and well-being of those wanting to ride by following the COVID-19 guidelines set out by public health, Martin said The Basement Spin Studio also has an APP for participants wanting to join called GLOFOX or they can find the studio at thebasementspinstudio.com. Martin also carries some spin clothing branded by TBSS which can be found at her location next to the Watrous Pharmacy.
“Everyone that has come and supported us have given us positive feedback, which means a lot to The Basement Spin Studio instructors and myself. I am excited for the upcoming year as we get more people trying it in our community and surrounding areas.”
Daniel Bushman
As the arctic air transformed the outdoors into a bone-chilling deep freeze, indoors at The Basement Spin Studio in Watrous, the temperature has been cranked right up. Booked solid since opening during the latter part of January, the new business has been generating a lot of buzz.
Owner of The Basement Spin Studio Wanda Martin said the response she has had since launching her business in the basement of the former Shop Easy building on Main Street in Watrous has been amazing.
“Our grand opening was Jan. 23 and 24. It was a huge success and we booked up solid for those two days. Our first week open was during the week of Jan. 25 and since then, our classes have been booked solid with waiting lists. We started with 14 classes the first week and the wait lists were full.”
Since that inaugural week and with more and more people wanting to give spinning a try, Martin has increased the amount of classes from 14 to over 20 to help balance the demand. “We have added pop up classes throughout the week to increase the chances for our clients to get in and we have had some private classes as well for anyone that wants to book the studio as a group.”
With five bikes for participants to use and one for the instructor, Martin said classes span 35 minutes. Having been trained through the Authentic Instructor Training program created by Tash Marshall Bean, Martin is joined by eight other instructors who include: Angel Toews, Anna Bearss, Darlana Jones, Erin Wolff, Jadah Mensch, Jocelyn McArthur, Lindsy Olah, and Sophie Bartko.
After training and eagerly awaiting to hop on a bike themselves, instructors can be joined by participants who can choose to go for one spin or sign up for additional classes once they give it a try.
That was how Martin got into spinning herself and thought bringing it to Watrous would be a great idea.
“I decided to open The Basement Spin Studio after going to Dog House Spin Studio in Lanigan for several months. I really loved the experience, the lights, the music, and being a part of a team. It’s a workout that is upbeat and team driven, it gives you a great start or end to your day.”
Watrous Mayor John Gunderson was recently on hand at The Basement Spin Studio to welcome Martin to the local business community. Checking out a bike himself, Gunderson was pleased to see the business opening its doors on Main Street in Watrous. “I am happy that a new business is not only opening on Main Street in Watrous but that a new business is opening up in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is amazing to see and it will also provide an excellent opportunity for people to do some new physical activities during this tough time. After talking with Wanda, I was really happy to hear that she has been really busy so far.”
Ensuring the safety and well-being of those wanting to ride by following the COVID-19 guidelines set out by public health, Martin said The Basement Spin Studio also has an APP for participants wanting to join called GLOFOX or they can find the studio at thebasementspinstudio.com. Martin also carries some spin clothing branded by TBSS which can be found at her location next to the Watrous Pharmacy.
“Everyone that has come and supported us have given us positive feedback, which means a lot to The Basement Spin Studio instructors and myself. I am excited for the upcoming year as we get more people trying it in our community and surrounding areas.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 8. 2021
FCL and Blair's Family of Companies agree to joint venture
media release
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and Blair’s Family of Companies (Blair’s) are proud to announce they have agreed to enter into a joint venture that will continue to serve the ag retail needs of local farmers. The joint venture will own and operate Blair’s seven ag retail locations in Lanigan, Nokomis, Watrous, Liberty, McLean, Lipton and Rosthern.
“Blair’s is a trusted and well-respected local family business with history of serving farm customers and communities for generations, and whose values match our own. The joint venture is an opportunity for FCL to expand our presence in central and southeastern Saskatchewan, which will ultimately benefit our local Co-op member-owners and the entire Co-operative Retailing System,” said Ron Healey, FCL Vice-President of Ag and Consumer Business.
For 73 years, Blair’s Family of Companies has provided innovative crop input and animal nutrition products and services to local area farmers. The new joint venture will offer a broad range of crop input and animal nutrition products and services to continue to meet the business needs of local area farmers and ranchers. Blair’s Texcana Logistics fertilizer terminal located near Hanley, Sask., and farming operations, including Blair’s Ag Cattle Company, are not part of the joint venture.
“As a fourth-generation family business, Blair’s has always strived to be innovative, adaptable and resilient in meeting the opportunities and challenges presented by the ag retail industry. A key part of our strategy to continue demonstrating value to our customers, employees and communities, has been preparing our business for the future. We believe the joint venture with FCL, which shares the same core values and long-term commitment to agriculture as us, will ensure that we continue demonstrating value to our customers, employees and communities in the future. We are stronger together and better positioned to provide our customers with the solutions they require,” said Darren Blair, Blair’s Chief Operating Officer.
Blair’s Family of Companies management and team will continue to lead the day-to-day operations of the ag retail business.
The joint venture is subject to standard closing conditions, including Competition Bureau and other regulatory clearances.
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), based in Saskatoon, is the largest non-financial co-operative in Canada. FCL is a unique multibillion-dollar wholesaling, manufacturing, marketing and administrative co-operative owned by more than 160 autonomous local cooperatives across Western Canada. Together FCL and those local retail co-operatives form the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS). The CRS serves its members and communities with products and services that help build, feed and fuel individuals and communities from Vancouver Island to northwestern Ontario. The total workforce of 25,000 employees serve 1.9 million active individual members and many more non-member customers at 1,500 locations in more than 580 communities. FCL is a different kind of business – it is locally invested, community-minded and offers lifetime membership benefits including patronage refunds, quality products, quality service and fair prices. More information is available at www.fcl.crs.
Blair’s Family of Companies began near Drake in 1948, when founders, Sandy and Lindsay Blair, brought the first rail car of fertilizer into Saskatchewan. For over 72 years, Blair’s has remained committed to providing leading edge agriculture solutions to its customers and to investing in local communities. Blair’s dedicated and knowledgeable team of professionals are passionate about the business of agriculture and ensuring its customers’ success. Blair’s seven ag retails are located in the communities of Lanigan, Nokomis, Watrous, Liberty, McLean, Lipton and Rosthern. For more information, visit www.blairs.ag.
media release
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and Blair’s Family of Companies (Blair’s) are proud to announce they have agreed to enter into a joint venture that will continue to serve the ag retail needs of local farmers. The joint venture will own and operate Blair’s seven ag retail locations in Lanigan, Nokomis, Watrous, Liberty, McLean, Lipton and Rosthern.
“Blair’s is a trusted and well-respected local family business with history of serving farm customers and communities for generations, and whose values match our own. The joint venture is an opportunity for FCL to expand our presence in central and southeastern Saskatchewan, which will ultimately benefit our local Co-op member-owners and the entire Co-operative Retailing System,” said Ron Healey, FCL Vice-President of Ag and Consumer Business.
For 73 years, Blair’s Family of Companies has provided innovative crop input and animal nutrition products and services to local area farmers. The new joint venture will offer a broad range of crop input and animal nutrition products and services to continue to meet the business needs of local area farmers and ranchers. Blair’s Texcana Logistics fertilizer terminal located near Hanley, Sask., and farming operations, including Blair’s Ag Cattle Company, are not part of the joint venture.
“As a fourth-generation family business, Blair’s has always strived to be innovative, adaptable and resilient in meeting the opportunities and challenges presented by the ag retail industry. A key part of our strategy to continue demonstrating value to our customers, employees and communities, has been preparing our business for the future. We believe the joint venture with FCL, which shares the same core values and long-term commitment to agriculture as us, will ensure that we continue demonstrating value to our customers, employees and communities in the future. We are stronger together and better positioned to provide our customers with the solutions they require,” said Darren Blair, Blair’s Chief Operating Officer.
Blair’s Family of Companies management and team will continue to lead the day-to-day operations of the ag retail business.
The joint venture is subject to standard closing conditions, including Competition Bureau and other regulatory clearances.
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), based in Saskatoon, is the largest non-financial co-operative in Canada. FCL is a unique multibillion-dollar wholesaling, manufacturing, marketing and administrative co-operative owned by more than 160 autonomous local cooperatives across Western Canada. Together FCL and those local retail co-operatives form the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS). The CRS serves its members and communities with products and services that help build, feed and fuel individuals and communities from Vancouver Island to northwestern Ontario. The total workforce of 25,000 employees serve 1.9 million active individual members and many more non-member customers at 1,500 locations in more than 580 communities. FCL is a different kind of business – it is locally invested, community-minded and offers lifetime membership benefits including patronage refunds, quality products, quality service and fair prices. More information is available at www.fcl.crs.
Blair’s Family of Companies began near Drake in 1948, when founders, Sandy and Lindsay Blair, brought the first rail car of fertilizer into Saskatchewan. For over 72 years, Blair’s has remained committed to providing leading edge agriculture solutions to its customers and to investing in local communities. Blair’s dedicated and knowledgeable team of professionals are passionate about the business of agriculture and ensuring its customers’ success. Blair’s seven ag retails are located in the communities of Lanigan, Nokomis, Watrous, Liberty, McLean, Lipton and Rosthern. For more information, visit www.blairs.ag.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 1, 2021
Watrous Citizen of the Year named
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for people, developing meaningful relationships and selflessly serving within the community he calls home, the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year has not only continued to create connections despite a pandemic but in doing so has put others above himself.
When asked what it meant to be named the Watrous Citizen of the Year, Darren Holland said, “The biggest word that comes to mind is just appreciation. Appreciation for the community we are a part of. I came looking for a chance to serve in a church but along with that I ended up finding a community to call home. That is probably the biggest thing that comes to mind in terms of citizenship, is just my neighbours and my friends that I appreciate a lot along the way.”
Presenting the citizen of the year award for the first time in his official role as mayor, John Gunderson said, “The Watrous Citizen of the Year award originated a number of years ago with the selection being made by the Chamber of Commerce. This award has been presented by the Town of Watrous at the annual Staff and Volunteer Christmas Supper since the Chamber of Commerce no longer exists. Of course, with the COVID-19 restrictions this past year we were unable to do this as we normally do.”
Given to an individual or group of individuals who exemplify community spirit, Gunderson noted each year the selection committee receives a number of nominations and when reading them, they are proud to say the community has many people who are deserving recipients. “Thank you to all who submitted nominations. The winner of this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year award, Darren Holland, is an individual who generously gives his time and expertise to help make Watrous a better to place to live. Please take the time to congratulate him if the opportunity presents itself. Darren, you are a very deserving recipient and we want to thank you for all that you do and have done for our community of Watrous.”
Accepting the honour at the Watrous Town Office Jan. 25, Holland extended his appreciation to Gunderson and the rest of town council for the work they have done, especially during the pandemic. “Being able to adapt and even finding creative ways like streaming the Remembrance Day ceremony online and trying to stay somehow connected is so appreciated.”
Moving to Watrous in 1999 as an associate pastor before becoming lead pastor at Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church, over the years Holland has not only had an impact on the congregation he serves but also with those living in Watrous and the surrounding area. Graduating from Millar College of the Bible, Holland was hired as associate pastor at the church on Sept. 5, 1999. He soon became the lead pastor and has served there ever since.
In addition to his role as pastor, the 43-year-old who is married to Kandi and has three children, has also been an active member within his community in a number of ways. After the creation of the Watrous and District Food Bank, which first operated out of the Philadelphia MB Church office in Watrous, Holland has been and continues to be the chairperson of the non-profit organization. Through that role, he has lent his time and efforts to help provide a place for people to access food on a regular basis.
During each November as Remembrance Day approaches, Darren provides the scripture reading and message at the annual service held at the Watrous Civic Centre. While 2020 meant things would look a little different due to the pandemic, Holland was still able to be a part of a virtual service which was put online for the public to view.
Along with his dedication to the food bank and Remembrance Day service in the community, Darren has performed numerous weddings and funerals and has led services at Manitou Lodge. Darren has also helped with the youth program at his church, leads a bible study for a group of local seniors and genuinely cares for others.
In addition, Holland enjoys being a part of the local sports community and has been involved as a coach. He most notably coached alongside former Watrous resident Ralph Eliasson as the Winston Wildcats senior boys basketball team captured its first ever 2A provincial championship at HOOPLA in 2003. More recently, Darren has coached his own kids in both basketball and baseball and also enjoys being a hockey dad.
Growing up in Manitoba, Nebraska, and Alberta before he arrived in Saskatchewan, when it comes to the place he now calls home, Holland said, “Anything I’ve given in terms of to the community, I’ve received more back. We’ve received a lot in the way of our neighbours, in people from our community, in people who have coached our kids, and in people who have helped our family. The relationships working together with people has been rewarding. When I think about Watrous I think about how many people make it such a good place to live in. There are so many that give so much and I love seeing that in a community where there is a lot of people that do a lot. It has made for such a positive experience for our family.”
Holland also noted throughout his time in Watrous, the relationships he has made have been a real highlight. “The fun part of being in a place for a long time is you really get to know people more than just in passing. I’ve also been able to share in a lot families’ experiences with grief and loss and even in times of tragedy and challenges. But not only that, I have been able to get to know our families in the community not only in the good times but the difficult times and I have really benefitted in just getting to know people deeply.”
Noting the value of living in a community like Watrous, Holland added, “I have told our kids often how fortunate they are to have a community like this. Everyone from teachers, coaches to neighbours and friends. Even in the midst of a difficult year due to the pandemic, they have benefitted from the people around them. It is also the way people take care of and look out for each other in the midst of this pandemic that I appreciate. I also love being a dad and I used to coach other people’s kids and now being able to coach our own kids and see them in sports is great.”
With a love for sports, that was also one of the things that drew Holland to Watrous. Since the community is very much a sports town, it has similarities to the place in Nebraska that Darren grew up in. “Coming here was a natural fit not only for the experiences through sports it now gives to my kids but also for me to still be a part of it through enjoying coaching.”
Putting an emphasis on people and relationships, either within the community or local sports scene, Holland stressed what they mean to him, especially during the pandemic. “The greatest benefit of living in a small community is the connection we have. Then having this challenge where we are not able to be as connected in the places where we always meet and hang out like at the rink or around town, you miss those relationships. It has made walks down main street for me a little more meaningful when you bump into someone.”
With the guidelines and restrictions put in place by public health and the provincial government to ensure safety while curbing the spread of COVID-19, that has also meant not being able to visit residents at Manitou Lodge or having the sanctuary filled every Sunday at Philadelphia MB Church. Holland said despite not having that face to face connection like he was able to have before the pandemic, he is trying his best to remain connected.
“All the challenges with having to do things digitally instead of face to face have been all part of this pandemic and that has been a change for me at the lodge and as a church as well. We are trying to find new and creative ways to connect, although we are limited. After doing things much the same for 20 years or so, I am having to learn new things, but it is not just me, it has been that way for everybody.”
While there have been many changes, tweaks and adaptations during the pandemic, Holland’s passion for people has remained a high priority. That was noted in a portion of the citizen of the year nomination letter submitted to the Town of Watrous.
Growing up in Watrous and knowing Darren since he first arrived in the community in 1999, he has had a significant impact on my life and others. It is because of that along with his volunteerism and tremendous character that I felt he would be a worthy person to receive the citizen of the year award.
“Darren has the gift of kindness, a listening ear and a heart for people of all ages. Darren’s passion for his faith, the people of Watrous and those he serves within Philadelphia MB Church is a true testament to his character. While not wanting to be in the spotlight or seeking accolades, Darren has been a friend to many and a role model and inspiration to myself and others. He gives selflessly of his time and talents and I feel that he has the qualities that make him a worthy recipient of the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year.
“Putting others ahead of himself, Darren is an exemplary citizen and despite all of the uncertainty during the pandemic, he has ensured others are cared for, appreciated and looked after. It is because of all this and more that I feel Darren should be named the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year.”
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for people, developing meaningful relationships and selflessly serving within the community he calls home, the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year has not only continued to create connections despite a pandemic but in doing so has put others above himself.
When asked what it meant to be named the Watrous Citizen of the Year, Darren Holland said, “The biggest word that comes to mind is just appreciation. Appreciation for the community we are a part of. I came looking for a chance to serve in a church but along with that I ended up finding a community to call home. That is probably the biggest thing that comes to mind in terms of citizenship, is just my neighbours and my friends that I appreciate a lot along the way.”
Presenting the citizen of the year award for the first time in his official role as mayor, John Gunderson said, “The Watrous Citizen of the Year award originated a number of years ago with the selection being made by the Chamber of Commerce. This award has been presented by the Town of Watrous at the annual Staff and Volunteer Christmas Supper since the Chamber of Commerce no longer exists. Of course, with the COVID-19 restrictions this past year we were unable to do this as we normally do.”
Given to an individual or group of individuals who exemplify community spirit, Gunderson noted each year the selection committee receives a number of nominations and when reading them, they are proud to say the community has many people who are deserving recipients. “Thank you to all who submitted nominations. The winner of this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year award, Darren Holland, is an individual who generously gives his time and expertise to help make Watrous a better to place to live. Please take the time to congratulate him if the opportunity presents itself. Darren, you are a very deserving recipient and we want to thank you for all that you do and have done for our community of Watrous.”
Accepting the honour at the Watrous Town Office Jan. 25, Holland extended his appreciation to Gunderson and the rest of town council for the work they have done, especially during the pandemic. “Being able to adapt and even finding creative ways like streaming the Remembrance Day ceremony online and trying to stay somehow connected is so appreciated.”
Moving to Watrous in 1999 as an associate pastor before becoming lead pastor at Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church, over the years Holland has not only had an impact on the congregation he serves but also with those living in Watrous and the surrounding area. Graduating from Millar College of the Bible, Holland was hired as associate pastor at the church on Sept. 5, 1999. He soon became the lead pastor and has served there ever since.
In addition to his role as pastor, the 43-year-old who is married to Kandi and has three children, has also been an active member within his community in a number of ways. After the creation of the Watrous and District Food Bank, which first operated out of the Philadelphia MB Church office in Watrous, Holland has been and continues to be the chairperson of the non-profit organization. Through that role, he has lent his time and efforts to help provide a place for people to access food on a regular basis.
During each November as Remembrance Day approaches, Darren provides the scripture reading and message at the annual service held at the Watrous Civic Centre. While 2020 meant things would look a little different due to the pandemic, Holland was still able to be a part of a virtual service which was put online for the public to view.
Along with his dedication to the food bank and Remembrance Day service in the community, Darren has performed numerous weddings and funerals and has led services at Manitou Lodge. Darren has also helped with the youth program at his church, leads a bible study for a group of local seniors and genuinely cares for others.
In addition, Holland enjoys being a part of the local sports community and has been involved as a coach. He most notably coached alongside former Watrous resident Ralph Eliasson as the Winston Wildcats senior boys basketball team captured its first ever 2A provincial championship at HOOPLA in 2003. More recently, Darren has coached his own kids in both basketball and baseball and also enjoys being a hockey dad.
Growing up in Manitoba, Nebraska, and Alberta before he arrived in Saskatchewan, when it comes to the place he now calls home, Holland said, “Anything I’ve given in terms of to the community, I’ve received more back. We’ve received a lot in the way of our neighbours, in people from our community, in people who have coached our kids, and in people who have helped our family. The relationships working together with people has been rewarding. When I think about Watrous I think about how many people make it such a good place to live in. There are so many that give so much and I love seeing that in a community where there is a lot of people that do a lot. It has made for such a positive experience for our family.”
Holland also noted throughout his time in Watrous, the relationships he has made have been a real highlight. “The fun part of being in a place for a long time is you really get to know people more than just in passing. I’ve also been able to share in a lot families’ experiences with grief and loss and even in times of tragedy and challenges. But not only that, I have been able to get to know our families in the community not only in the good times but the difficult times and I have really benefitted in just getting to know people deeply.”
Noting the value of living in a community like Watrous, Holland added, “I have told our kids often how fortunate they are to have a community like this. Everyone from teachers, coaches to neighbours and friends. Even in the midst of a difficult year due to the pandemic, they have benefitted from the people around them. It is also the way people take care of and look out for each other in the midst of this pandemic that I appreciate. I also love being a dad and I used to coach other people’s kids and now being able to coach our own kids and see them in sports is great.”
With a love for sports, that was also one of the things that drew Holland to Watrous. Since the community is very much a sports town, it has similarities to the place in Nebraska that Darren grew up in. “Coming here was a natural fit not only for the experiences through sports it now gives to my kids but also for me to still be a part of it through enjoying coaching.”
Putting an emphasis on people and relationships, either within the community or local sports scene, Holland stressed what they mean to him, especially during the pandemic. “The greatest benefit of living in a small community is the connection we have. Then having this challenge where we are not able to be as connected in the places where we always meet and hang out like at the rink or around town, you miss those relationships. It has made walks down main street for me a little more meaningful when you bump into someone.”
With the guidelines and restrictions put in place by public health and the provincial government to ensure safety while curbing the spread of COVID-19, that has also meant not being able to visit residents at Manitou Lodge or having the sanctuary filled every Sunday at Philadelphia MB Church. Holland said despite not having that face to face connection like he was able to have before the pandemic, he is trying his best to remain connected.
“All the challenges with having to do things digitally instead of face to face have been all part of this pandemic and that has been a change for me at the lodge and as a church as well. We are trying to find new and creative ways to connect, although we are limited. After doing things much the same for 20 years or so, I am having to learn new things, but it is not just me, it has been that way for everybody.”
While there have been many changes, tweaks and adaptations during the pandemic, Holland’s passion for people has remained a high priority. That was noted in a portion of the citizen of the year nomination letter submitted to the Town of Watrous.
Growing up in Watrous and knowing Darren since he first arrived in the community in 1999, he has had a significant impact on my life and others. It is because of that along with his volunteerism and tremendous character that I felt he would be a worthy person to receive the citizen of the year award.
“Darren has the gift of kindness, a listening ear and a heart for people of all ages. Darren’s passion for his faith, the people of Watrous and those he serves within Philadelphia MB Church is a true testament to his character. While not wanting to be in the spotlight or seeking accolades, Darren has been a friend to many and a role model and inspiration to myself and others. He gives selflessly of his time and talents and I feel that he has the qualities that make him a worthy recipient of the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year.
“Putting others ahead of himself, Darren is an exemplary citizen and despite all of the uncertainty during the pandemic, he has ensured others are cared for, appreciated and looked after. It is because of all this and more that I feel Darren should be named the 2020 Watrous Citizen of the Year.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 25, 2021
Crews busy as storms hit in January
Daniel Bushman (photo courtes Bryan Mierau)
After experiencing above-normal values to begin 2021, a pair of wind storms including an Alberta clipper whipped through Saskatchewan in mid-January, leaving behind icy roads, power outages and other damage.
During the first storm that started to wreak havoc Jan. 13, high winds, freezing rain, and blowing snow created zero visibility on roads, knocked out power and moved and blew apart structures like ice fishing shacks. Motorists were also stranded on highways or in ditches and some were forced to spend the night.
The second storm, while not bringing the freezing rain brought with it high winds and it too created low visibility, icy roads and power outages. It also forced vehicles into ditches and had SaskPower crews busy restoring power throughout the province.
As many residents in the province, including locally, began cleaning up once the first storm blew through, a substantial amount of SaskPower customers were left in the dark. Despite the outages, crews braved the elements and were kept busy as they repaired and restored power.
According to SaskPower, the combination of high winds, rain and snow from the Jan. 13 storm caused widespread outages that impacted over 100,000 customers. As of noon Jan. 14, more than 780 outages had been reported and the SaskPower outage centre had taken more than 54,000 calls.
A few hours later, while some repairs had been made, the challenging weather conditions continued to create issues for SaskPower as 37,000 customers were being impacted by 321 outages across Saskatchewan. At that point, the outage centre had received over 65,000 calls. Because of the high winds, equipment like bucket trucks were unable to head out and be used safely. Due to that, crews were forced to wait for the wind conditions to improve.
As night arrived on Jan. 14, as of 10 p.m., SaskPower noted there were 16,000 customers being impacted by 384 outages. SaskPower stated the outage count went up because as larger outages were restored, they revealed smaller, more localized outages needing to be fixed. It was also at that point, SaskPower’s outage centre had taken over 72,000 calls since Jan. 13.
Due to the excessive damage and unsafe conditions, SaskPower was unable to restore power during the night to places like Kyle, Saskatchewan Landing, Tyner, White Bear, Clearwater Lake, Beechy, Demaine, Prairie Lake Provincial Park, Halbrite, Bromhead, Ralph, and Midale. However, communities like Regina, Davidson, Nipawin, Kindersley rurals and Midale were expected to have power restored that evening. Closer to home in places like Lanigan and Manitou Beach, power was also out.
Despite the conditions, SaskPower crews were able to get an early jump on repairs Jan. 15. As of 5:30 a.m., there were 4,073 customers without power, a much smaller number than the over 100,000 customers when the storm first hit Jan. 13. Less than five hours later, SaskPower stated there were about 4,000 customers being impacted by 177 outages. “We’re still finding damage as a result of the storm, including downed lines and broken poles,” stated SaskPower on its website.
As 5 p.m. arrived Jan. 15, SaskPower’s hard work was paying off as about 2,600 customers remained without power, mostly in the Weyburn and Beechy areas. A further update at 9 p.m. on Jan. 15 indicated technicians had been working tirelessly to restore service and at that point, about 200 customers remained without power.
The following day, on Saturday afternoon at 4:45 p.m., SaskPower said all known customers affected by the storm had their services restored. The company indicated some customers could have experienced minor planned outages over the coming days as crews conducted repairs.
“Once again, a huge thank you to our customers for your patience while our crews got the lights back on across the province.”
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, wind gusts reached as high as 143 km/h. at Bratts Lake and 133 km/h. at Yellowgrass during the Jan. 13 event. Gusts also hit the 100 km/h. mark in a number of other places including Saskatoon.
After outages were caused by the high winds, freezing rain and heavy snow during that first storm, another hefty wind blew through the region a week later. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a wind warning heading into the evening Jan. 19 as SaskPower crews were once again busy. While the outages were not as massive as the previous week, crews were out in different parts of Saskatchewan including within the local region.
According to SaskPower’s twitter feed, starting at 5:35 p.m. Jan. 19, some customers in Regina were without power while almost an hour later, Pennant, Battrum and the surrounding area waited for damage to be repaired. Power was later restored to those places before 10 p.m. while at 12:45 a.m. Jan. 20, those in Cypress Hills Park, Maple Creek and the surrounding area had power out until close to 3 a.m.
The Weldon area became the next place to lose power as crews were dispatched at 3:02 a.m. and then by 5:16 a.m. had restored services to the majority of customers with the remaining having their power turned on after 2 p.m. as crews repaired a broken pole/crossarm.
Another outage was also reported in Regina, this time in Normanview West after a cable fault. It was restored at just after 9 a.m. while crews remained busy in Regina as they were also sent to repair damage caused by a pole on fire in Regina Eastview.
After a power outage at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach during the first storm it prompted a boil water advisory and eventually led to no water pressure as residents had to limit the use of water consumption due to the resort’s sewer system being affected. While power was later restored, the boil water advisory lasted until Jan. 18 before it was lifted. The following week on Jan. 20 parts of the resort village were once again left without power, prompting another boil water advisory.
Manitou Beach resident Bryan Mierau was spared from the outage that hit parts of the beach Jan. 13 but not last week. At home during the morning Jan. 20 and with the wind howling outside, an outage occurred at the beach around 7:30 a.m. Not long after things went dark, Mierau looked out his window to find a SaskPower crew near his yard.
Mierau noted after the repairs were made his power was back on by 10:30 a.m. “A wire that connects the north south line to the east west line on the pole very close to home decided to blow off in the wind. The wind has been fierce this past week causing damage as it blows and blows.”
While the warmer weather has certainly been welcome in early 2021, the wind has not been during those January storms.
The most recent storm was not appreciated by Aron Renwick as he made the trek from his home in Lanigan east to Poundmaker during the morning Jan. 20. Leaving for work around 6:30 a.m., Renwick ended up in the ditch and later heard from others they also did the same. “Normally it takes me about 10 minutes to get to work but on Wednesday morning it took 35 minutes.”
Others from the local area heading out on highways early Wednesday morning also found themselves either in the ditch, turning back or on the side of the road to wait out the storm. “It was one of the worst storms I’ve ever seen.”
Daniel Bushman (photo courtes Bryan Mierau)
After experiencing above-normal values to begin 2021, a pair of wind storms including an Alberta clipper whipped through Saskatchewan in mid-January, leaving behind icy roads, power outages and other damage.
During the first storm that started to wreak havoc Jan. 13, high winds, freezing rain, and blowing snow created zero visibility on roads, knocked out power and moved and blew apart structures like ice fishing shacks. Motorists were also stranded on highways or in ditches and some were forced to spend the night.
The second storm, while not bringing the freezing rain brought with it high winds and it too created low visibility, icy roads and power outages. It also forced vehicles into ditches and had SaskPower crews busy restoring power throughout the province.
As many residents in the province, including locally, began cleaning up once the first storm blew through, a substantial amount of SaskPower customers were left in the dark. Despite the outages, crews braved the elements and were kept busy as they repaired and restored power.
According to SaskPower, the combination of high winds, rain and snow from the Jan. 13 storm caused widespread outages that impacted over 100,000 customers. As of noon Jan. 14, more than 780 outages had been reported and the SaskPower outage centre had taken more than 54,000 calls.
A few hours later, while some repairs had been made, the challenging weather conditions continued to create issues for SaskPower as 37,000 customers were being impacted by 321 outages across Saskatchewan. At that point, the outage centre had received over 65,000 calls. Because of the high winds, equipment like bucket trucks were unable to head out and be used safely. Due to that, crews were forced to wait for the wind conditions to improve.
As night arrived on Jan. 14, as of 10 p.m., SaskPower noted there were 16,000 customers being impacted by 384 outages. SaskPower stated the outage count went up because as larger outages were restored, they revealed smaller, more localized outages needing to be fixed. It was also at that point, SaskPower’s outage centre had taken over 72,000 calls since Jan. 13.
Due to the excessive damage and unsafe conditions, SaskPower was unable to restore power during the night to places like Kyle, Saskatchewan Landing, Tyner, White Bear, Clearwater Lake, Beechy, Demaine, Prairie Lake Provincial Park, Halbrite, Bromhead, Ralph, and Midale. However, communities like Regina, Davidson, Nipawin, Kindersley rurals and Midale were expected to have power restored that evening. Closer to home in places like Lanigan and Manitou Beach, power was also out.
Despite the conditions, SaskPower crews were able to get an early jump on repairs Jan. 15. As of 5:30 a.m., there were 4,073 customers without power, a much smaller number than the over 100,000 customers when the storm first hit Jan. 13. Less than five hours later, SaskPower stated there were about 4,000 customers being impacted by 177 outages. “We’re still finding damage as a result of the storm, including downed lines and broken poles,” stated SaskPower on its website.
As 5 p.m. arrived Jan. 15, SaskPower’s hard work was paying off as about 2,600 customers remained without power, mostly in the Weyburn and Beechy areas. A further update at 9 p.m. on Jan. 15 indicated technicians had been working tirelessly to restore service and at that point, about 200 customers remained without power.
The following day, on Saturday afternoon at 4:45 p.m., SaskPower said all known customers affected by the storm had their services restored. The company indicated some customers could have experienced minor planned outages over the coming days as crews conducted repairs.
“Once again, a huge thank you to our customers for your patience while our crews got the lights back on across the province.”
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, wind gusts reached as high as 143 km/h. at Bratts Lake and 133 km/h. at Yellowgrass during the Jan. 13 event. Gusts also hit the 100 km/h. mark in a number of other places including Saskatoon.
After outages were caused by the high winds, freezing rain and heavy snow during that first storm, another hefty wind blew through the region a week later. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a wind warning heading into the evening Jan. 19 as SaskPower crews were once again busy. While the outages were not as massive as the previous week, crews were out in different parts of Saskatchewan including within the local region.
According to SaskPower’s twitter feed, starting at 5:35 p.m. Jan. 19, some customers in Regina were without power while almost an hour later, Pennant, Battrum and the surrounding area waited for damage to be repaired. Power was later restored to those places before 10 p.m. while at 12:45 a.m. Jan. 20, those in Cypress Hills Park, Maple Creek and the surrounding area had power out until close to 3 a.m.
The Weldon area became the next place to lose power as crews were dispatched at 3:02 a.m. and then by 5:16 a.m. had restored services to the majority of customers with the remaining having their power turned on after 2 p.m. as crews repaired a broken pole/crossarm.
Another outage was also reported in Regina, this time in Normanview West after a cable fault. It was restored at just after 9 a.m. while crews remained busy in Regina as they were also sent to repair damage caused by a pole on fire in Regina Eastview.
After a power outage at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach during the first storm it prompted a boil water advisory and eventually led to no water pressure as residents had to limit the use of water consumption due to the resort’s sewer system being affected. While power was later restored, the boil water advisory lasted until Jan. 18 before it was lifted. The following week on Jan. 20 parts of the resort village were once again left without power, prompting another boil water advisory.
Manitou Beach resident Bryan Mierau was spared from the outage that hit parts of the beach Jan. 13 but not last week. At home during the morning Jan. 20 and with the wind howling outside, an outage occurred at the beach around 7:30 a.m. Not long after things went dark, Mierau looked out his window to find a SaskPower crew near his yard.
Mierau noted after the repairs were made his power was back on by 10:30 a.m. “A wire that connects the north south line to the east west line on the pole very close to home decided to blow off in the wind. The wind has been fierce this past week causing damage as it blows and blows.”
While the warmer weather has certainly been welcome in early 2021, the wind has not been during those January storms.
The most recent storm was not appreciated by Aron Renwick as he made the trek from his home in Lanigan east to Poundmaker during the morning Jan. 20. Leaving for work around 6:30 a.m., Renwick ended up in the ditch and later heard from others they also did the same. “Normally it takes me about 10 minutes to get to work but on Wednesday morning it took 35 minutes.”
Others from the local area heading out on highways early Wednesday morning also found themselves either in the ditch, turning back or on the side of the road to wait out the storm. “It was one of the worst storms I’ve ever seen.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 18, 2021
The start of 2021 has certainly been a mixed bag of weather. While temperatures have been mostly above-normal for this time of year, after a beautiful Jan. 9 of hoar frost and an incredible sunrise a few days later, high winds mixed with freezing rain and snow arrived Jan. 13.
The storm created zero visibility and forced the closure of some highways in Saskatchewan. Power outages, people stranded in their vehicles and debris strewn about was also reported. As people woke up Jan. 14, vehicles were spotted in ditches, power remained out in some areas, and items had been blown about.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, wind gusts reached as high as 143 km/h. at Bratts Lake and 133 km/h. at Yellowgrass. In Saskatoon it hit 102 km/h. Meanwhile, Environment and Climate Change Canada said there were at least 14 records broken on Jan. 13 for daytime highs including in the Watrous area where it hit 5˚C (the previous record of 3.5˚C was set in 1986). In the Last Mountain Lake area a new record of 5.2˚C was set, edging the previous record of 4˚C from 1989. And in the Wynyard area, it reached 6˚C with the old record of 5˚C set in 1987
The storm created zero visibility and forced the closure of some highways in Saskatchewan. Power outages, people stranded in their vehicles and debris strewn about was also reported. As people woke up Jan. 14, vehicles were spotted in ditches, power remained out in some areas, and items had been blown about.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, wind gusts reached as high as 143 km/h. at Bratts Lake and 133 km/h. at Yellowgrass. In Saskatoon it hit 102 km/h. Meanwhile, Environment and Climate Change Canada said there were at least 14 records broken on Jan. 13 for daytime highs including in the Watrous area where it hit 5˚C (the previous record of 3.5˚C was set in 1986). In the Last Mountain Lake area a new record of 5.2˚C was set, edging the previous record of 4˚C from 1989. And in the Wynyard area, it reached 6˚C with the old record of 5˚C set in 1987
TWM Top Story - Jan. 11, 2021
Discovering a wooly mammoth at Manitou Beach
Daniel Bushman
While it probably would not have been that hard to spot a woolly mammoth sauntering through our area thousands of years ago, finding fossils of the extinct group of elephants can be. But just over 60 years ago, a pair of boys exploring a gravel pit at Manitou Beach stumbled upon just that. Now, decades later, the artifact has been donated to the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, preserving the unique piece of history.
For a few weeks each summer, Gary Robins would look forward to making the trek from his home in Ontario out to Watrous to stay with his grandparents. It was during the summer of 1959 that 10-year-old Gary and his 12-year-old friend John Hunt came across the mammoth molar.
Back in the late 1950s, Blyth Construction Company, operating in the hills along Little Manitou Lake, was contracted to supply 500,000 tons of rock to the CNR. Gary’s grandparents, Morley and Josephine Crawford, owned and operated the Jubilee Drive-In, and there was a gravel pit right behind it. One day, Robins and Hunt decided to go exploring and headed for the pit.
“I’m not sure what we were doing there, just sort of playing or going to get sand for something,” said Robins, speaking from his home in Regina. “We both spent a lot of time at the drive-in that summer. My grandparents built it in 1955 for Saskatchewan’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee, so it would have been open for four years at that point.
“It seemed like a funny shaped rock with soft sand around it, and I think it was only because it was in a gravel pit that it had been uncovered. It was probably 10 or 12 feet below the surface and we only noticed it because a lot of sand and gravel had been dug away. We had no idea what it was, but it was certainly unusual.”
Fascinated by their find, Robins and Hunt began to pull the mammoth tooth out of the pit, but it started to fall apart. “It didn’t crumble but it split almost into layers, and it was the weirdest thing. It was darker and hard on the outside edges, but lighter towards the centre. We didn’t know what it was, but it seemed very old and we later figured out it was probably a fossil.”
Cemented together with sand and clay, the section of the tooth measured five and a half inches long by three inches wide and it was six tiers deep. While Gary had to return home to Ontario soon afterward, leaving the find behind with his friend, he noted it was pretty exciting and a very cool thing to find as a 10 year old boy.
While John Hunt has since passed away, his younger brother Burt, who was seven at the time and now lives in Alberta, recalled the day when the discovery was made. “I remember them bringing it home, and it was a scratch your head mystery as to what this thing was.”
Hoping to reveal the mystery or at least find a few answers, the boys employed the services of Bill Mollard, considered a local amateur geologist. Hunt said, “Nobody knew what that thing was but in those days Bill Mollard went back and forth to his brother’s place in Regina. We asked Bill to deliver the tooth to the Museum of Natural History in Regina and they confirmed that it was indeed the tooth of a woolly mammoth.”
After receiving some answers about the tooth, it was returned to the Hunts, as the Museum of Natural History already had one on display at the time. Burt said once word got out about what his brother and Gary had found, the tooth made its rounds in town including to school and to The Watrous Manitou office where it was put on display for all to see.
Royal Saskatchewan Museum Paleontologist Emily Bamforth works out of the T. rex Discovery Centre in Eastend, Sask. and said to her knowledge the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) is the species that definitely lived here. While she suspects that the larger Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) also may have made it this far north, Bamforth said they have also discovered mastodons in Saskatchewan, which are often mistaken for mammoths. “Mastodons were also pachyderms, but they had very different diets and life habits from mammoths.”
As for how rare the Manitou Beach discovery was, there have been others in the province, although Bamforth noted they are largely restricted to molars, and less commonly, tusks. “The fact that the Watrous specimen is a tooth is not surprising. As you likely are aware, teeth are made from enamel, which is a far more robust material than bone. Teeth fossilize well and don’t tend to break up and disintegrate as easily as bone. While there may have been more material associated with the Watrous find, it is equally likely the specimen was isolated.”
The most famous discovery though is the Kyle mammoth, the only complete mammoth skeleton unearthed in Saskatchewan. “It was found in 1964 near the town of Kyle by a municipal grader operator. The Kyle mammoth is a woolly mammoth. Mammoth fossils are often found in gravels, and sometimes turn up in commercial gravel pits. We recently received a mammoth tusk from a gravel pit operator near Saskatoon. More recently, two mammoth tusks were recovered near Regina by a company digging a rail spur. People also sometimes come across them while digging dugouts. Though mammoth ivory preserves well in places like the Yukon, specimens in Saskatchewan tend to come from waterlogged sediments and are therefore prone to desiccation and are very fragile.”
In the local history book, Prairie Reflections, Bill and Jack Mollard detailed the geological history of the landscape around the Watrous and Manitou Beach area which suggests this could potentially be a spot for other unique items from the past. The Mollards stated the last glacier to bury the Canadian Prairies below a thick sheet of ice began to melt back toward the northeast more than 20,000 years ago. As it retreated, it deposited a mixture of clay, silt, sand, gravel and boulders, similar to the soil mix where the local mammoth molar was found six decades ago.
As the glacier melted and ice-marginal lakes filled, overflowed and drained away, the running water eroded deep spillway channels with two located in the area (the Watrous Spillway east of Young and north of Watrous and the Lewis Spillway west of Renown). Since Little Manitou Lake, Freshwater Lake and Boulder Lake occupied low-lying parts of one of those former spillways, the old river channel carried a substantial amount of water from the glacial lake then sitting over the Saskatoon area. The Mollards estimated Little Manitou Lake was formed about 12,000 years ago, the same time frame that the mammoth molar dates back to, according to an article in the Aug. 20, 1959 edition of The Watrous Manitou.
Bamforth said without being able to date the actual specimen, there is no way to accurately determine the age of the Manitou Beach mammoth molar. “Using radiocarbon dating, the Kyle mammoth was dated to 12,200 +/- 200 years soon after it was found in the 1960s. Southern Saskatchewan (with the exception of the Cypress Hills region) was covered by glaciers until about 15,000 years ago, and mammoths were extinct by 10,000 years ago. Therefore ultimately, the age range of the Watrous mammoth must be between 15,000 and 10,000 years old. I would suggest that the date of 12,000 years, speculated back in 1959, was surprisingly accurate.”
Since its discovery in 1959, the tooth had remained in John Hunt’s possession. “My brother had it but passed away in 2011,” said Burt. “His wife had a whole bunch of stuff that had meaning for him and us and so she gave it back to me after they had it for decades.”
After learning that a Heritage Centre was being established in Watrous, Burt and his wife Wilma (nee van Schaffelaar) decided to donate the item back to the local area. “It shouldn’t be anywhere else,” he said. “Something that amazes me is that nobody has really found anything else like it around there. As far as I know nobody has found such a thing at the beach before or since then.”
Reminiscing about that day when he and John found the tooth, Gary was pleased to learn it had been donated to the Heritage Centre. “That’s great to hear. I am really thrilled to hear that. It was so unusual when we found it, and so different from anything I had ever seen before. I’m glad it’s found a permanent home at the Heritage Centre.”
Daniel Bushman
While it probably would not have been that hard to spot a woolly mammoth sauntering through our area thousands of years ago, finding fossils of the extinct group of elephants can be. But just over 60 years ago, a pair of boys exploring a gravel pit at Manitou Beach stumbled upon just that. Now, decades later, the artifact has been donated to the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, preserving the unique piece of history.
For a few weeks each summer, Gary Robins would look forward to making the trek from his home in Ontario out to Watrous to stay with his grandparents. It was during the summer of 1959 that 10-year-old Gary and his 12-year-old friend John Hunt came across the mammoth molar.
Back in the late 1950s, Blyth Construction Company, operating in the hills along Little Manitou Lake, was contracted to supply 500,000 tons of rock to the CNR. Gary’s grandparents, Morley and Josephine Crawford, owned and operated the Jubilee Drive-In, and there was a gravel pit right behind it. One day, Robins and Hunt decided to go exploring and headed for the pit.
“I’m not sure what we were doing there, just sort of playing or going to get sand for something,” said Robins, speaking from his home in Regina. “We both spent a lot of time at the drive-in that summer. My grandparents built it in 1955 for Saskatchewan’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee, so it would have been open for four years at that point.
“It seemed like a funny shaped rock with soft sand around it, and I think it was only because it was in a gravel pit that it had been uncovered. It was probably 10 or 12 feet below the surface and we only noticed it because a lot of sand and gravel had been dug away. We had no idea what it was, but it was certainly unusual.”
Fascinated by their find, Robins and Hunt began to pull the mammoth tooth out of the pit, but it started to fall apart. “It didn’t crumble but it split almost into layers, and it was the weirdest thing. It was darker and hard on the outside edges, but lighter towards the centre. We didn’t know what it was, but it seemed very old and we later figured out it was probably a fossil.”
Cemented together with sand and clay, the section of the tooth measured five and a half inches long by three inches wide and it was six tiers deep. While Gary had to return home to Ontario soon afterward, leaving the find behind with his friend, he noted it was pretty exciting and a very cool thing to find as a 10 year old boy.
While John Hunt has since passed away, his younger brother Burt, who was seven at the time and now lives in Alberta, recalled the day when the discovery was made. “I remember them bringing it home, and it was a scratch your head mystery as to what this thing was.”
Hoping to reveal the mystery or at least find a few answers, the boys employed the services of Bill Mollard, considered a local amateur geologist. Hunt said, “Nobody knew what that thing was but in those days Bill Mollard went back and forth to his brother’s place in Regina. We asked Bill to deliver the tooth to the Museum of Natural History in Regina and they confirmed that it was indeed the tooth of a woolly mammoth.”
After receiving some answers about the tooth, it was returned to the Hunts, as the Museum of Natural History already had one on display at the time. Burt said once word got out about what his brother and Gary had found, the tooth made its rounds in town including to school and to The Watrous Manitou office where it was put on display for all to see.
Royal Saskatchewan Museum Paleontologist Emily Bamforth works out of the T. rex Discovery Centre in Eastend, Sask. and said to her knowledge the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) is the species that definitely lived here. While she suspects that the larger Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) also may have made it this far north, Bamforth said they have also discovered mastodons in Saskatchewan, which are often mistaken for mammoths. “Mastodons were also pachyderms, but they had very different diets and life habits from mammoths.”
As for how rare the Manitou Beach discovery was, there have been others in the province, although Bamforth noted they are largely restricted to molars, and less commonly, tusks. “The fact that the Watrous specimen is a tooth is not surprising. As you likely are aware, teeth are made from enamel, which is a far more robust material than bone. Teeth fossilize well and don’t tend to break up and disintegrate as easily as bone. While there may have been more material associated with the Watrous find, it is equally likely the specimen was isolated.”
The most famous discovery though is the Kyle mammoth, the only complete mammoth skeleton unearthed in Saskatchewan. “It was found in 1964 near the town of Kyle by a municipal grader operator. The Kyle mammoth is a woolly mammoth. Mammoth fossils are often found in gravels, and sometimes turn up in commercial gravel pits. We recently received a mammoth tusk from a gravel pit operator near Saskatoon. More recently, two mammoth tusks were recovered near Regina by a company digging a rail spur. People also sometimes come across them while digging dugouts. Though mammoth ivory preserves well in places like the Yukon, specimens in Saskatchewan tend to come from waterlogged sediments and are therefore prone to desiccation and are very fragile.”
In the local history book, Prairie Reflections, Bill and Jack Mollard detailed the geological history of the landscape around the Watrous and Manitou Beach area which suggests this could potentially be a spot for other unique items from the past. The Mollards stated the last glacier to bury the Canadian Prairies below a thick sheet of ice began to melt back toward the northeast more than 20,000 years ago. As it retreated, it deposited a mixture of clay, silt, sand, gravel and boulders, similar to the soil mix where the local mammoth molar was found six decades ago.
As the glacier melted and ice-marginal lakes filled, overflowed and drained away, the running water eroded deep spillway channels with two located in the area (the Watrous Spillway east of Young and north of Watrous and the Lewis Spillway west of Renown). Since Little Manitou Lake, Freshwater Lake and Boulder Lake occupied low-lying parts of one of those former spillways, the old river channel carried a substantial amount of water from the glacial lake then sitting over the Saskatoon area. The Mollards estimated Little Manitou Lake was formed about 12,000 years ago, the same time frame that the mammoth molar dates back to, according to an article in the Aug. 20, 1959 edition of The Watrous Manitou.
Bamforth said without being able to date the actual specimen, there is no way to accurately determine the age of the Manitou Beach mammoth molar. “Using radiocarbon dating, the Kyle mammoth was dated to 12,200 +/- 200 years soon after it was found in the 1960s. Southern Saskatchewan (with the exception of the Cypress Hills region) was covered by glaciers until about 15,000 years ago, and mammoths were extinct by 10,000 years ago. Therefore ultimately, the age range of the Watrous mammoth must be between 15,000 and 10,000 years old. I would suggest that the date of 12,000 years, speculated back in 1959, was surprisingly accurate.”
Since its discovery in 1959, the tooth had remained in John Hunt’s possession. “My brother had it but passed away in 2011,” said Burt. “His wife had a whole bunch of stuff that had meaning for him and us and so she gave it back to me after they had it for decades.”
After learning that a Heritage Centre was being established in Watrous, Burt and his wife Wilma (nee van Schaffelaar) decided to donate the item back to the local area. “It shouldn’t be anywhere else,” he said. “Something that amazes me is that nobody has really found anything else like it around there. As far as I know nobody has found such a thing at the beach before or since then.”
Reminiscing about that day when he and John found the tooth, Gary was pleased to learn it had been donated to the Heritage Centre. “That’s great to hear. I am really thrilled to hear that. It was so unusual when we found it, and so different from anything I had ever seen before. I’m glad it’s found a permanent home at the Heritage Centre.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 4, 2021
Pair of local residents win Holiday Giveaway's big prizes
Daniel Bushman
With a strong emphasis on shopping local this holiday season, as part of the annual Holiday Giveaway campaign, thousands of entries were submitted by people utilizing businesses within Watrous and Manitou Beach. With a $5,000 grand prize to be spent locally and a $500 gift card from Saskatoon Co-op in Watrous as the secondary prize, a pair of local residents were this year’s winners.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the draw took place in the home of Vickie Clarke, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group. Streaming live online, Clarke used her niece’s playpen as a draw drum because of the substantial amount of entries received for this year’s giveaway.
Stirring the entries Dec. 21, Clarke pulled out the winning names of Georgina Cotts and Susan Hawkes, both of Watrous. Cotts received the grand prize of $5,000 which she can spend at any of the participating businesses while Hawkes took home the $500 gift card from the Saskatoon Co-op in Watrous.
Clarke presented both women with their winnings during the morning of Dec. 23 and each were thrilled to have won.
“When I got the call that I had won, I was surprised,” said an excited Cotts who entered her name at a number of local businesses during the Holiday Giveaway. “I have always shopped locally, especially this year.”
Cotts who has resided in Watrous for a number of years noted she is not one to really win anything. So when she got the call from Clarke, at first Georgina was a little unsure and thought maybe it was a scam but then when she realized she had indeed won, she was elated. “Now I just have to decide what I would like to spend the money on.”
When Clarke called Hawkes, like Georgina, Susan was in disbelief but was thrilled to learn she had won the gift card to the local Co-op. “I always shop local and I was overwhelmed when I found out I had won.”
Born and raised in Watrous and raising her own family in the community, Hawkes recalled winning a large prize from the Watrous Chamber many years ago and also a draw from the Shop Easy grocery store when it was still in operation. Then with the pandemic and the way 2020 had gone, winning the gift card was a real highlight for Hawkes. “I’ve been pretty lucky in the past with a few draws and I am just so thankful to have won this $500 gift card. It will be put to good use, that’s for sure!”
With the Holiday Giveaway being another big success, Clarke was pleased that 2020’s shop local campaign provided a few smiles as well.
“My understanding is that we have averaged well over 20,000 entries each year since the giveaway was first started and with the pandemic forcing people to stay closer to home, I would imagine we more than surpassed that number this year. Hearing from both Georgina and Susan and how much they value shopping local was really encouraging and I know that there are many more people from our community and even the surrounding area who utilize our local businesses. As a marketing group, we are so grateful for their support and I appreciate all of the local businesses who stepped up and participated again this year, especially during the year that we had.”
Clarke also noted that with the thousands of entries from customers shopping at local businesses, it illustrated just how much shopping is being done in the area. “By running our annual Holiday Giveaway, it acts as a great opportunity to promote local businesses and we are lucky to be able to have the services we do.”
In addition to the grand prize and secondary prize, a number of the participating businesses also gave away their own prizes (you can find the winners on page seven of this week's edition). “We really appreciated the willingness of businesses to provide their own prizes and also the residents and visitors who decided to shop locally this year. Without that support this Holiday Giveaway would not be the success that it is.”
Daniel Bushman
With a strong emphasis on shopping local this holiday season, as part of the annual Holiday Giveaway campaign, thousands of entries were submitted by people utilizing businesses within Watrous and Manitou Beach. With a $5,000 grand prize to be spent locally and a $500 gift card from Saskatoon Co-op in Watrous as the secondary prize, a pair of local residents were this year’s winners.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the draw took place in the home of Vickie Clarke, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group. Streaming live online, Clarke used her niece’s playpen as a draw drum because of the substantial amount of entries received for this year’s giveaway.
Stirring the entries Dec. 21, Clarke pulled out the winning names of Georgina Cotts and Susan Hawkes, both of Watrous. Cotts received the grand prize of $5,000 which she can spend at any of the participating businesses while Hawkes took home the $500 gift card from the Saskatoon Co-op in Watrous.
Clarke presented both women with their winnings during the morning of Dec. 23 and each were thrilled to have won.
“When I got the call that I had won, I was surprised,” said an excited Cotts who entered her name at a number of local businesses during the Holiday Giveaway. “I have always shopped locally, especially this year.”
Cotts who has resided in Watrous for a number of years noted she is not one to really win anything. So when she got the call from Clarke, at first Georgina was a little unsure and thought maybe it was a scam but then when she realized she had indeed won, she was elated. “Now I just have to decide what I would like to spend the money on.”
When Clarke called Hawkes, like Georgina, Susan was in disbelief but was thrilled to learn she had won the gift card to the local Co-op. “I always shop local and I was overwhelmed when I found out I had won.”
Born and raised in Watrous and raising her own family in the community, Hawkes recalled winning a large prize from the Watrous Chamber many years ago and also a draw from the Shop Easy grocery store when it was still in operation. Then with the pandemic and the way 2020 had gone, winning the gift card was a real highlight for Hawkes. “I’ve been pretty lucky in the past with a few draws and I am just so thankful to have won this $500 gift card. It will be put to good use, that’s for sure!”
With the Holiday Giveaway being another big success, Clarke was pleased that 2020’s shop local campaign provided a few smiles as well.
“My understanding is that we have averaged well over 20,000 entries each year since the giveaway was first started and with the pandemic forcing people to stay closer to home, I would imagine we more than surpassed that number this year. Hearing from both Georgina and Susan and how much they value shopping local was really encouraging and I know that there are many more people from our community and even the surrounding area who utilize our local businesses. As a marketing group, we are so grateful for their support and I appreciate all of the local businesses who stepped up and participated again this year, especially during the year that we had.”
Clarke also noted that with the thousands of entries from customers shopping at local businesses, it illustrated just how much shopping is being done in the area. “By running our annual Holiday Giveaway, it acts as a great opportunity to promote local businesses and we are lucky to be able to have the services we do.”
In addition to the grand prize and secondary prize, a number of the participating businesses also gave away their own prizes (you can find the winners on page seven of this week's edition). “We really appreciated the willingness of businesses to provide their own prizes and also the residents and visitors who decided to shop locally this year. Without that support this Holiday Giveaway would not be the success that it is.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 21, 2020
Q and A with the previous and current mayor of Watrous
Daniel Bushman
As 2020 comes to a close, this past year also saw a chapter end and a new one begin in Watrous. As municipal elections took place, now former mayor of Watrous, Ed Collins elected to step away from his position after serving for a number of years. That role was filled by former councillor and longtime resident of the community, John Gunderson.
The Watrous Manitou reached out to both who graciously shared a bit about themselves, some highlights of being a part of council, what is ahead for 2021 and a few other things. The following are the responses from both Collins and Gunderson.
Former Mayor of Watrous Ed Collins
For those who may not know you, tell me a bit about yourself and how you arrived in Watrous.
I was born in Melfort in northeast Saskatchewan and lived in a number of smaller communities before graduating from high school in Bjorkdale. I started my work life in Melfort, first working for the Sask. Department of Highways for eight years and then working for the Sask. Liquor & Gaming Authority for the past 42 years where I am still employed as a District Manager. This past July marked 50 years of employment with the Government of Saskatchewan.
I moved to Watrous in 1986 with my family to become the Liquor Store Manager. My wife Linda and I have three sons, three wonderful daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. We all reside in the great community of Watrous.
Since moving to Watrous I have been involved with a number of organizations over the years including the Chamber of Commerce, Kinsmen Club, K-40 Club, coaching minor sports teams, being an avid supporter of the Watrous Winterhawks and of course a part of Watrous Town Council.
When were you first elected to council?
I was elected to Watrous Town Council as a councillor in October of 1988 and served nine years in that capacity under the leadership of Murray Westby, whom I had a great deal of respect for and learned a great deal about civic politics.
After Murray stepped down as mayor in 1997, I was elected mayor, a position I held until the fall of 2020.
After 32 years on council it was time to begin another chapter in my life and enjoy that extra round of golf in the summer and spend more time with my family.
What were a few highlights during your time as part of council?
There were so many highlights during my time on council including: capital projects like replacing water and sewer lines; refurbishing the civic centre; the new RO water system and lagoon; working closely with the government and surrounding municipalities to replace our ageing Manitou Lodge; and the homecomings to celebrating Saskatchewan’s and Watrous’ 100th birthdays. The list goes on and on. All projects and celebrations that make a community continue to grow and prosper.
Was being the mayor of Watrous a rewarding experience for you?
Being mayor certainly was a very rewarding experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to work with many groups of individuals and organizations over the years, who like me wanted to see Watrous grow and prosper and become a great place to live, work and raise a family. It gave me the opportunity to see how the many volunteers of this community are not afraid to step up and offer their time and expertise for the betterment of the community. The support and encouragement from the community over the years was certainly a humbling experience.
What perhaps was one of the bigger challenges as mayor during your time in office?
One of the bigger ongoing challenges during my time in office was working to provide the services that meet the needs and expectations of the community within the financial resources that we had to work with.
How did you feel 2020 went for the community?
This past year has been difficult for all of us and there was not much in the way of highlights. The restrictions have kept us from our families and friends, have reduced or closed some of our leisure services and of course affected our business community severely. During all of this time we are constantly worried about our health and the health of others. I want to say thanks to all of our healthcare providers and EMS personnel for being there for us in a time of need. I also urge the community to support our local businesses at this time.
What is next for you now that you are no longer mayor?
As I mentioned earlier, it is time to step back a bit and enjoy some extra time with family and friends once this pandemic is over.
Is their anything else you would like to add or say to the community?
I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the entire community for all the support that I received during my time as mayor and councillor. To all the past council members and administration staff that I worked with over the years, I thank you for your input and guidance as we worked through the many challenges together as a team. To the present mayor and council, I know that our community is in good hands and wish you every success in the future.
I also want to wish everyone a safe and healthy Christmas season and a brighter New Year ahead!!!
Current Mayor of Watrous John Gunderson
For those who may not know you, tell me a bit about yourself and how you arrived in Watrous.
I have lived in Saskatchewan all of my life and grew up in the Preeceville area. After graduating from high school, I attended the Saskatchewan Technical Institute in Moose Jaw and graduated from there with a diploma in Business Administration. For the next 15 years I was employed with CIBC in a number of locations and this is how I met my wife Melanie while working in Regina.
We have been married for 39 years and blessed with two children; Jonelle who lives in Toronto and Matthew who is married to Lindsay and have given us two grandsons Wyatt (5) and Cade (2). They reside in Warman.
Following my employment with CIBC I wanted a change and this brought us to Watrous over 29 years ago. The last 23 years I have been a consultant with IG Wealth Management and plan to retire on Mar. 1, 2021.
When were you first elected to council?
I have been a member of Watrous Town Council for the past 11 years.
Have there been a few highlights during your time as part of council?
There have been many highlights over the past 11 years on council. Approximately 10 years ago we hired our first Community Development Officer to manage the activities of the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group which I feel confident in saying has built up the tourism sector locally and helped with the economic growth in the area.
We worked closely with the former Saskatoon Health Region to develop the Primary Health Care Centre in Watrous and were successful in hiring three doctors and now two nurse practitioners.
Of course, one of the biggest projects in Watrous has been the installation of the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant facility and expanding our lagoon shortly thereafter. Good quality water is a key factor when potential residents are considering Watrous as a place to live.
What does being acclaimed as mayor of Watrous mean to you?
Becoming acclaimed as mayor means a lot to me. I hope to continue the great leadership that Watrous has had from previous mayors and always to be aware of the needs of our citizens.
Are you looking forward to 2021?
I think we all have a lot to look forward to in 2021 and the future. First, with the vaccines now becoming available for the COVID-19 virus, there is light at the end of the tunnel that we will recover from this. As you have heard from many health specialists and government officials, the timeline for all to receive the vaccine is quite long and we have to be diligent to continue doing our part to keep the spread of the virus low. I realize that this is challenging particularly at this time of year but so important that we keep our contacts low and abide by the regulations. With the Internet and news media, we hear a lot of stories out there. If you have questions, the best available information can be obtained from Sask. Health and Health Canada Internet sites.
Watrous is a great community to live, work and play. As a council, we will continue to build upon past successes and make continual improvements to our infrastructure and other needs.
Is their anything else you would like to add?
In closing, on behalf of Watrous Town Council, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Daniel Bushman
As 2020 comes to a close, this past year also saw a chapter end and a new one begin in Watrous. As municipal elections took place, now former mayor of Watrous, Ed Collins elected to step away from his position after serving for a number of years. That role was filled by former councillor and longtime resident of the community, John Gunderson.
The Watrous Manitou reached out to both who graciously shared a bit about themselves, some highlights of being a part of council, what is ahead for 2021 and a few other things. The following are the responses from both Collins and Gunderson.
Former Mayor of Watrous Ed Collins
For those who may not know you, tell me a bit about yourself and how you arrived in Watrous.
I was born in Melfort in northeast Saskatchewan and lived in a number of smaller communities before graduating from high school in Bjorkdale. I started my work life in Melfort, first working for the Sask. Department of Highways for eight years and then working for the Sask. Liquor & Gaming Authority for the past 42 years where I am still employed as a District Manager. This past July marked 50 years of employment with the Government of Saskatchewan.
I moved to Watrous in 1986 with my family to become the Liquor Store Manager. My wife Linda and I have three sons, three wonderful daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. We all reside in the great community of Watrous.
Since moving to Watrous I have been involved with a number of organizations over the years including the Chamber of Commerce, Kinsmen Club, K-40 Club, coaching minor sports teams, being an avid supporter of the Watrous Winterhawks and of course a part of Watrous Town Council.
When were you first elected to council?
I was elected to Watrous Town Council as a councillor in October of 1988 and served nine years in that capacity under the leadership of Murray Westby, whom I had a great deal of respect for and learned a great deal about civic politics.
After Murray stepped down as mayor in 1997, I was elected mayor, a position I held until the fall of 2020.
After 32 years on council it was time to begin another chapter in my life and enjoy that extra round of golf in the summer and spend more time with my family.
What were a few highlights during your time as part of council?
There were so many highlights during my time on council including: capital projects like replacing water and sewer lines; refurbishing the civic centre; the new RO water system and lagoon; working closely with the government and surrounding municipalities to replace our ageing Manitou Lodge; and the homecomings to celebrating Saskatchewan’s and Watrous’ 100th birthdays. The list goes on and on. All projects and celebrations that make a community continue to grow and prosper.
Was being the mayor of Watrous a rewarding experience for you?
Being mayor certainly was a very rewarding experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to work with many groups of individuals and organizations over the years, who like me wanted to see Watrous grow and prosper and become a great place to live, work and raise a family. It gave me the opportunity to see how the many volunteers of this community are not afraid to step up and offer their time and expertise for the betterment of the community. The support and encouragement from the community over the years was certainly a humbling experience.
What perhaps was one of the bigger challenges as mayor during your time in office?
One of the bigger ongoing challenges during my time in office was working to provide the services that meet the needs and expectations of the community within the financial resources that we had to work with.
How did you feel 2020 went for the community?
This past year has been difficult for all of us and there was not much in the way of highlights. The restrictions have kept us from our families and friends, have reduced or closed some of our leisure services and of course affected our business community severely. During all of this time we are constantly worried about our health and the health of others. I want to say thanks to all of our healthcare providers and EMS personnel for being there for us in a time of need. I also urge the community to support our local businesses at this time.
What is next for you now that you are no longer mayor?
As I mentioned earlier, it is time to step back a bit and enjoy some extra time with family and friends once this pandemic is over.
Is their anything else you would like to add or say to the community?
I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the entire community for all the support that I received during my time as mayor and councillor. To all the past council members and administration staff that I worked with over the years, I thank you for your input and guidance as we worked through the many challenges together as a team. To the present mayor and council, I know that our community is in good hands and wish you every success in the future.
I also want to wish everyone a safe and healthy Christmas season and a brighter New Year ahead!!!
Current Mayor of Watrous John Gunderson
For those who may not know you, tell me a bit about yourself and how you arrived in Watrous.
I have lived in Saskatchewan all of my life and grew up in the Preeceville area. After graduating from high school, I attended the Saskatchewan Technical Institute in Moose Jaw and graduated from there with a diploma in Business Administration. For the next 15 years I was employed with CIBC in a number of locations and this is how I met my wife Melanie while working in Regina.
We have been married for 39 years and blessed with two children; Jonelle who lives in Toronto and Matthew who is married to Lindsay and have given us two grandsons Wyatt (5) and Cade (2). They reside in Warman.
Following my employment with CIBC I wanted a change and this brought us to Watrous over 29 years ago. The last 23 years I have been a consultant with IG Wealth Management and plan to retire on Mar. 1, 2021.
When were you first elected to council?
I have been a member of Watrous Town Council for the past 11 years.
Have there been a few highlights during your time as part of council?
There have been many highlights over the past 11 years on council. Approximately 10 years ago we hired our first Community Development Officer to manage the activities of the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group which I feel confident in saying has built up the tourism sector locally and helped with the economic growth in the area.
We worked closely with the former Saskatoon Health Region to develop the Primary Health Care Centre in Watrous and were successful in hiring three doctors and now two nurse practitioners.
Of course, one of the biggest projects in Watrous has been the installation of the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant facility and expanding our lagoon shortly thereafter. Good quality water is a key factor when potential residents are considering Watrous as a place to live.
What does being acclaimed as mayor of Watrous mean to you?
Becoming acclaimed as mayor means a lot to me. I hope to continue the great leadership that Watrous has had from previous mayors and always to be aware of the needs of our citizens.
Are you looking forward to 2021?
I think we all have a lot to look forward to in 2021 and the future. First, with the vaccines now becoming available for the COVID-19 virus, there is light at the end of the tunnel that we will recover from this. As you have heard from many health specialists and government officials, the timeline for all to receive the vaccine is quite long and we have to be diligent to continue doing our part to keep the spread of the virus low. I realize that this is challenging particularly at this time of year but so important that we keep our contacts low and abide by the regulations. With the Internet and news media, we hear a lot of stories out there. If you have questions, the best available information can be obtained from Sask. Health and Health Canada Internet sites.
Watrous is a great community to live, work and play. As a council, we will continue to build upon past successes and make continual improvements to our infrastructure and other needs.
Is their anything else you would like to add?
In closing, on behalf of Watrous Town Council, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
TWM Top Story - Dec. 14, 2020
Grey Cup champion with local ties shares about memorable experience
Daniel Bushman
While many in Saskatchewan sport the green and white when it comes to the Canadian Football League, there are some who live in the province who proudly wear the blue and gold. So after waiting 29 long years between championships, when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2019 Grey Cup, there was a lot to cheer about for the team’s players and its supporters.
Originally from Regina and suiting up for the Riders before being traded to Winnipeg in 2013, Pat Neufeld was one of the players able to relish in the moment of winning a cup in 2019. After missing out in 2013, the partner of Paula Sather (who was raised on a farm near Watrous) said when he finally got to hoist the cup, it was a surreal feeling.
“It was a little point of pride in being from Saskatchewan and having them trade me in their Grey Cup season, especially after thinking that was going to be my home for a good portion of my career,” said Neufeld from his residence in Saskatoon. “The Bombers organization has treated me so well. I have loved being a Bomber and I wanted nothing more than to win it with them. It was just such a great feeling winning it with those guys and that organization.”
Despite leaping out of the gate in 2019 with a 9-3 record, injuries at critical positions took a toll on the team and the blue and gold were 2-4 for the remainder of the regular season. Eventually finishing third with a record of 11-7, a trade deadline acquisition to bring in former Rider quarterback Zach Collaros aided in turning things around.
“When he came into our building, he assured all of us that he was good to go,” said Neufeld recalling the big move. “We got the full meal Zach in practice. He was practicing really well and was spending a ton of time in the facility, going above and beyond just to learn our system and learn the way we were operating. He came in and played lights out and our defence played tremendous throughout the end of the season and in the playoffs.”
Noting how the team had an incredible plus 13 turnover ratio, which ultimately set the tone throughout the post-season, Neufeld said things really came together. “We played our best football at our most critical part of the season. We worked really hard and ended up winning that championship, not just for the organization but for Bomber fans everywhere who had long suffered 29 years of not winning.”
For players like Pat, who narrowly missed out on raising the trophy in 2013 and had to come back from injury in 2019, the feeling of winning the big game against Hamilton proved to be a monumental effort. “I won a provincial championship in high school and that was awesome. You don’t really understand what it means then. You are just playing football with your buddies from high school and we were lucky enough to win it in my Gr. 12 season. I was part of the team that played in the championship game in college but we lost it and I didn’t get in a championship game again until 2019 so it was definitely sweet to savour.”
That moment of winning Grey Cup 107 in Calgary on Nov. 24, 2019 will not only be one for the ages but will forever be etched in Neufeld’s mind. Despite being forced off the field this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when what would have been Grey Cup week 2020, Neufeld was able to relive the 2019 championship game.
“It was pretty awesome. Myself and a couple of teammates were watching the game and doing live commentary and I distinctly remember feeling just a massive sense of relief when we won the Grey Cup. As soon as the final whistle blew it was sheer joy and I was hugging my teammates. Then a sudden calmness came over me and I was watching the confetti fly. Then I was finding my family and I just felt this massive sense of relief that we finally did it and this massive gorilla is off our backs. People can’t say anymore, ‘When are you guys going to do it, I’ve been waiting so long.’ After the relief I just started taking it in and was in such a celebratory mood. I was able to celebrate with teammates and the organization.”
Recalling last year’s celebrations, after returning from Calgary with the trophy, members of the team spent a week taking the Grey Cup to a few places in Winnipeg and parading it around the city. Neufeld figures at the official parade at least half of Winnipeg turned out. He also travelled to nearby Brandon, taking the trophy to a few high schools and to a Brandon Wheat Kings’ game. “We ended up signing autographs for two out of the three periods so it was really great to see the reception.”
That celebration would eventually extend past the Manitoba border to Saskatchewan where Paula and her family were able to enjoy time with the historic Grey Cup as well. Calvin and Cathy Sather farm near Watrous and while once avid Rider fans, as Paula started dating Pat, the green and white colours eventually turned into blue and gold. Along with Paula’s parents, her brother Brent and his wife Catherine and their kids all cheered on Pat as he won the Grey Cup.
“They are such a big support,” said Neufeld of the Sather family, adding he still gets a little emotional talking about the opportunity they all had to spend time with the Grey Cup. “To me it is such a great trophy and I have such reverence for the trophy so being able to share it with her family, my family and take pictures that we can all look back on and say how cool it was to have this 107 year old trophy in our backyard; drinking out of it, and taking pictures with it, it was just a real cool experience.”
Since there was no season in 2020, when asked if he considers the Bombers defending Grey Cup champions, Neufeld remarked: “I am really wondering what they will do with 2020. Maybe they will have a plaque on the Grey Cup and it is going to be like ‘Not played due to COVID’ or if we are going to be on their twice. I am not sure what is going to happen with that, so we will say we are still the defending champs.”
While Neufeld is fine with remaining a defending Grey Cup champion, he would have rather tried to defend the title in 2020 and not have had to sit out because of the pandemic. “It has been hard, I’m not going to lie. For me, football is just such a massive part of my life and our family life here. It is like cyclical and routine. Like this point in the offseason we are doing this, this point in the off-season we are doing this and then we are going to Winnipeg and that kind of thing. When this whole thing happened it was getting close to training camp and I wasn’t sure if camp was going to happen. I was still training like training camp was going to happen.”
With football such a big part of his life, once the season was officially cancelled in August, Neufeld said it was difficult to hear. Despite all of the circumstances due to the pandemic, like other players and coaches, Neufeld is keeping busy. Right now he is doing a bit of work in Saskatoon but hopes to get back on the field sooner rather than later.
“I love the CFL. I love the league and the tradition. Just the community feel around the league, it is a fan-driven league and there is so much fan and player access. I grew up as a fan and I really hope we get a chance to come together in stadiums and be able to watch the game and celebrate this great sport and this tradition of history. Just to be able to watch the game and play the game that I love with some great friends and the community would be cool.”
So when the CFL released its tentative schedule for 2021, Neufeld had a renewed sense of excitement. “When that schedule came out, me and a bunch of teammates started texting about a short week here, a long week here, we have this team and this team back to back, so already we are starting to scheme up so it is pretty cool.”
Hoping that the schedule means more positive things to come, the lineman shared about the value of seeing the league return.
“I am probably speaking for 99 percent of CFL players when I say this but we miss playing the game and playing in front of such great fans. Having Grey Cup week is such a great Canadiana experience where people from all across this country get to come together and celebrate a game, even if your team is not even playing. Hopefully in 2021 we can get an opportunity to come back and play and get back to some kind of normalcy.”
Daniel Bushman
While many in Saskatchewan sport the green and white when it comes to the Canadian Football League, there are some who live in the province who proudly wear the blue and gold. So after waiting 29 long years between championships, when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2019 Grey Cup, there was a lot to cheer about for the team’s players and its supporters.
Originally from Regina and suiting up for the Riders before being traded to Winnipeg in 2013, Pat Neufeld was one of the players able to relish in the moment of winning a cup in 2019. After missing out in 2013, the partner of Paula Sather (who was raised on a farm near Watrous) said when he finally got to hoist the cup, it was a surreal feeling.
“It was a little point of pride in being from Saskatchewan and having them trade me in their Grey Cup season, especially after thinking that was going to be my home for a good portion of my career,” said Neufeld from his residence in Saskatoon. “The Bombers organization has treated me so well. I have loved being a Bomber and I wanted nothing more than to win it with them. It was just such a great feeling winning it with those guys and that organization.”
Despite leaping out of the gate in 2019 with a 9-3 record, injuries at critical positions took a toll on the team and the blue and gold were 2-4 for the remainder of the regular season. Eventually finishing third with a record of 11-7, a trade deadline acquisition to bring in former Rider quarterback Zach Collaros aided in turning things around.
“When he came into our building, he assured all of us that he was good to go,” said Neufeld recalling the big move. “We got the full meal Zach in practice. He was practicing really well and was spending a ton of time in the facility, going above and beyond just to learn our system and learn the way we were operating. He came in and played lights out and our defence played tremendous throughout the end of the season and in the playoffs.”
Noting how the team had an incredible plus 13 turnover ratio, which ultimately set the tone throughout the post-season, Neufeld said things really came together. “We played our best football at our most critical part of the season. We worked really hard and ended up winning that championship, not just for the organization but for Bomber fans everywhere who had long suffered 29 years of not winning.”
For players like Pat, who narrowly missed out on raising the trophy in 2013 and had to come back from injury in 2019, the feeling of winning the big game against Hamilton proved to be a monumental effort. “I won a provincial championship in high school and that was awesome. You don’t really understand what it means then. You are just playing football with your buddies from high school and we were lucky enough to win it in my Gr. 12 season. I was part of the team that played in the championship game in college but we lost it and I didn’t get in a championship game again until 2019 so it was definitely sweet to savour.”
That moment of winning Grey Cup 107 in Calgary on Nov. 24, 2019 will not only be one for the ages but will forever be etched in Neufeld’s mind. Despite being forced off the field this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when what would have been Grey Cup week 2020, Neufeld was able to relive the 2019 championship game.
“It was pretty awesome. Myself and a couple of teammates were watching the game and doing live commentary and I distinctly remember feeling just a massive sense of relief when we won the Grey Cup. As soon as the final whistle blew it was sheer joy and I was hugging my teammates. Then a sudden calmness came over me and I was watching the confetti fly. Then I was finding my family and I just felt this massive sense of relief that we finally did it and this massive gorilla is off our backs. People can’t say anymore, ‘When are you guys going to do it, I’ve been waiting so long.’ After the relief I just started taking it in and was in such a celebratory mood. I was able to celebrate with teammates and the organization.”
Recalling last year’s celebrations, after returning from Calgary with the trophy, members of the team spent a week taking the Grey Cup to a few places in Winnipeg and parading it around the city. Neufeld figures at the official parade at least half of Winnipeg turned out. He also travelled to nearby Brandon, taking the trophy to a few high schools and to a Brandon Wheat Kings’ game. “We ended up signing autographs for two out of the three periods so it was really great to see the reception.”
That celebration would eventually extend past the Manitoba border to Saskatchewan where Paula and her family were able to enjoy time with the historic Grey Cup as well. Calvin and Cathy Sather farm near Watrous and while once avid Rider fans, as Paula started dating Pat, the green and white colours eventually turned into blue and gold. Along with Paula’s parents, her brother Brent and his wife Catherine and their kids all cheered on Pat as he won the Grey Cup.
“They are such a big support,” said Neufeld of the Sather family, adding he still gets a little emotional talking about the opportunity they all had to spend time with the Grey Cup. “To me it is such a great trophy and I have such reverence for the trophy so being able to share it with her family, my family and take pictures that we can all look back on and say how cool it was to have this 107 year old trophy in our backyard; drinking out of it, and taking pictures with it, it was just a real cool experience.”
Since there was no season in 2020, when asked if he considers the Bombers defending Grey Cup champions, Neufeld remarked: “I am really wondering what they will do with 2020. Maybe they will have a plaque on the Grey Cup and it is going to be like ‘Not played due to COVID’ or if we are going to be on their twice. I am not sure what is going to happen with that, so we will say we are still the defending champs.”
While Neufeld is fine with remaining a defending Grey Cup champion, he would have rather tried to defend the title in 2020 and not have had to sit out because of the pandemic. “It has been hard, I’m not going to lie. For me, football is just such a massive part of my life and our family life here. It is like cyclical and routine. Like this point in the offseason we are doing this, this point in the off-season we are doing this and then we are going to Winnipeg and that kind of thing. When this whole thing happened it was getting close to training camp and I wasn’t sure if camp was going to happen. I was still training like training camp was going to happen.”
With football such a big part of his life, once the season was officially cancelled in August, Neufeld said it was difficult to hear. Despite all of the circumstances due to the pandemic, like other players and coaches, Neufeld is keeping busy. Right now he is doing a bit of work in Saskatoon but hopes to get back on the field sooner rather than later.
“I love the CFL. I love the league and the tradition. Just the community feel around the league, it is a fan-driven league and there is so much fan and player access. I grew up as a fan and I really hope we get a chance to come together in stadiums and be able to watch the game and celebrate this great sport and this tradition of history. Just to be able to watch the game and play the game that I love with some great friends and the community would be cool.”
So when the CFL released its tentative schedule for 2021, Neufeld had a renewed sense of excitement. “When that schedule came out, me and a bunch of teammates started texting about a short week here, a long week here, we have this team and this team back to back, so already we are starting to scheme up so it is pretty cool.”
Hoping that the schedule means more positive things to come, the lineman shared about the value of seeing the league return.
“I am probably speaking for 99 percent of CFL players when I say this but we miss playing the game and playing in front of such great fans. Having Grey Cup week is such a great Canadiana experience where people from all across this country get to come together and celebrate a game, even if your team is not even playing. Hopefully in 2021 we can get an opportunity to come back and play and get back to some kind of normalcy.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 7, 2020
ALC beds temporarily closed at Lanigan;
Watrous sees access to resources as COVID cases increase
Daniel Bushman
As more and more daily active COVID-19 cases appear within the local region and throughout the province, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has been moving forward with its Health System Readiness plan. As part of that plan, a temporary closure of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) beds has been issued at Lanigan Hospital while resources have been allocated to the hospital in Watrous.
SHA stated the temporary closure of ALC beds at Lanigan Hospital went into effect Nov. 30 and will remain until further notice. “Due to active COVID-19 activity in the area, staffing challenges in Lanigan, and required redeployment of health care providers to other health services to support care, ALC beds will be temporarily closed at the facility effective Nov. 30, 2020. ALC admissions have also been temporarily suspended. Lab and X-ray services are not affected. Patients affected by the closure will also be temporarily relocated to appropriate facilities in the area as beds become available.”
SHA said in the event of an emergency, residents of Lanigan and the immediate area can call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency department in either Humboldt, Watrous, or Wynyard. Non-urgent health related questions can be directed to the provincial HealthLine by calling 8-1-1.
Back in April of this year, SHA shared its Integrated Rural Health plans and as part of those, Lanigan’s hospital was one of 12 designated ALC sites. Working to convert the 12 sites, a temporary suspension of emergency services also took place. As conversions to the 12 ALC sites occurred earlier in 2020, the majority were later allowed to reopen their emergency services because of lower than anticipated COVID numbers; however, due to staffing challenges, SHA noted the emergency services in Lanigan remained closed.
Having those emergency services suspended in Lanigan for the majority of this year has caused frustration for many in the community and surrounding area. SHA Physician Executive Dr. Kevin Wasko understands the disappointment and noted before the recent surge in COVID cases, officials had been working with SHA and community leaders to find new and innovative ways to provide emergency care in Lanigan.
“A lot of that work was underway in the fall to try to create some processes that made use of virtual care and also had times where there would be in-person emergency assessments from a physician as well. Those had been progressing quite well but with changes that came with our surge of cases in the province with COVID we had halted that. But there is the intention that when our numbers start to settle down and we start to see that we are better able to manage the surge of cases then at some point in the new year we would resume those conversations.”
Asked if Wasko could confirm whether or not emergency services would in fact resume in Lanigan, he stated, “They will look different than what they had previously, but how exactly they look differently is yet to be determined. It is something that is in the works. The involvement of community leaders, patient and family partners, that’s all been part of the work that has been underway.”
In Watrous, emergency services remain open as that facility has been marked as a COVID-19 hospital through SHA’s Integrated Rural Health plan. Meanwhile in Humboldt the hospital there also has emergency services open but is designated as a non-COVID hospital. Despite what each facility has been designated, VP of Integrated Rural Health, Karen Earnshaw said whether community or regional, all hospitals need to be COVID ready.
“What that means really is they need the ability to be ready to provide care to anyone who is needing that care. Since spring we have done training, we have done scaling up, we have ensured people have access to all the most appropriate personal protective equipment and whatever they may need to care for both COVID and non-COVID patients.”
As for what changes are currently taking place at the hospital in Watrous, Earnshaw said things are continuing along other than they have increased access to both physicians and licensed staff. Being deemed a COVID hospital, Watrous would be accepting COVID-19 patients should enough of a surge require it. Earnshaw stated the move to have increased access to both physicians and licensed staff is to ensure that there is less of a chance of being short a provider and having disruptions.
By adding to the numbers in Watrous, Wasko added that is what the recent changes in Lanigan have provided. “Yes we have reduced some of the services temporarily in Lanigan but that means we have been able to enhance the pool of staff and physicians that can serve Watrous to ensure that that service is even more stable and reliable as we go into an uncertain time over the next few months.”
With the ongoing surge in cases, SHA is moving ahead with its next phase of its surge plan, including required service slow downs to support the redeployment of up to 600 full-time equivalent staff to support pandemic response.
The move is being done with a goal to avoid a broad reduction of services across all areas in the health care system.
As part of the surge plan’s first phase, SHA will be creating capacity for 64 COVID patients requiring ICU care by mid-December to try to keep pace with projected demand. This means creating capacity to meet demand that is equivalent to 28 percent more ICU beds than what currently exists in Saskatoon and Regina.
SHA will also be creating capacity for 250 COVID patients requiring inpatient hospitalization by mid-December to try to keep pace with projected growth in demand. This is approximately equivalent to the capacity of the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current and the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital combined.
In addition, SHA stated it will be creating capacity for contact tracing of approximately 560 average cases per day to try to keep pace with projected growth in demand, including keeping pace with more than 6,000 hours of work per day created for contact tracers if cases reach this level by mid-December as projected.
Other parts of phase one include strengthening SHA’s supplemental labour pool to increase responsiveness to outbreaks and situations where large numbers of staff are required to isolate. SHA will also review surge plans every week to ensure each surge and any associated slow downs are as measured as possible to maintain an appropriate balance between urgent needs of the pandemic response and the need for Saskatchewan residents to have access to every day health services.
“Surges of this scale and on this timeline necessitate service slow downs to enable redeployment of staff, otherwise more people will die from COVID-19 because we can’t get them the help they need and we can’t get out in front of the virus,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “We acknowledge that this will result in some Saskatchewan residents experiencing localized service slow downs in pockets across the province, that is why we are committed to making these efforts as time-limited and targeted as possible.”
Over the coming days, SHA indicated services will be affected at different levels depending on local plans and needs. Services slowing down include some primary health care services, elective surgeries in urban centres, endoscopy/cystoscopy procedures, Women and Children’s Programming, diagnostics, therapies, ambulatory care, registration resources, environmental and food and nutrition services, rehab services and home care services.
SHA said, “It is critical to note that these services will still be available, just at reduced volumes or levels. The scale of service slow downs range by location and service type. In the vast majority of cases, these slow downs are simply reducing service volumes to enable redeployment of staff. There are some limited exceptions where services will be temporarily paused. These are highly localized programs like dental programs, therapeutic and rehabilitation programs and active living programs. Notifications for local staff and key local stakeholders for these service pauses will occur in the coming days and will be communicated publicly once those have occurred.”
By implementing the service changes, SHA can then redeploy up to 600 FTE staff to strengthen testing, contact tracing and to identify the health care workers necessary to expand hospital and ICU capacity to help keep COVID and non-COVID patients alive and ensure the SHA can provide the care they need.
“While we acknowledge that service slow downs will temporarily reduce access for Saskatchewan residents to some of their everyday health services, the alternative is for our health system to be overwhelmed and to risk our ability to provide critical lifesaving services to both COVID and non-COVID patients.”
On Nov. 26, SHA released a Health System Readiness update and in it, stated the number of cases in the province had risen 363 percent in the last 30 days and continued to grow. The number of those hospitalized was also up, a total of 383 percent in the last 30 days and growing. The percentage of ICU capacity being used for COVID patients was 27 percent and growing, up from five percent one month prior.
With 76 COVID-19 cases in long-term care and 27 outbreaks in facilities serving seniors or vulnerable clients as of Nov. 25, SHA noted protecting the most vulnerable is a priority.
As of Dec. 3 there were 259 new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan bringing the provincial total to date to 9,244 cases. The seven-day average of daily new cases was 269 (22.2 new cases per 100,000 population).
Of the 9,244 reported cases, 4,017 were considered active. A total of 5,173 people have recovered and 54 people have died.
One-hundred and twenty-eight people are in hospital with 104 receiving inpatient care and 24 in intensive care.
Watrous sees access to resources as COVID cases increase
Daniel Bushman
As more and more daily active COVID-19 cases appear within the local region and throughout the province, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has been moving forward with its Health System Readiness plan. As part of that plan, a temporary closure of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) beds has been issued at Lanigan Hospital while resources have been allocated to the hospital in Watrous.
SHA stated the temporary closure of ALC beds at Lanigan Hospital went into effect Nov. 30 and will remain until further notice. “Due to active COVID-19 activity in the area, staffing challenges in Lanigan, and required redeployment of health care providers to other health services to support care, ALC beds will be temporarily closed at the facility effective Nov. 30, 2020. ALC admissions have also been temporarily suspended. Lab and X-ray services are not affected. Patients affected by the closure will also be temporarily relocated to appropriate facilities in the area as beds become available.”
SHA said in the event of an emergency, residents of Lanigan and the immediate area can call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency department in either Humboldt, Watrous, or Wynyard. Non-urgent health related questions can be directed to the provincial HealthLine by calling 8-1-1.
Back in April of this year, SHA shared its Integrated Rural Health plans and as part of those, Lanigan’s hospital was one of 12 designated ALC sites. Working to convert the 12 sites, a temporary suspension of emergency services also took place. As conversions to the 12 ALC sites occurred earlier in 2020, the majority were later allowed to reopen their emergency services because of lower than anticipated COVID numbers; however, due to staffing challenges, SHA noted the emergency services in Lanigan remained closed.
Having those emergency services suspended in Lanigan for the majority of this year has caused frustration for many in the community and surrounding area. SHA Physician Executive Dr. Kevin Wasko understands the disappointment and noted before the recent surge in COVID cases, officials had been working with SHA and community leaders to find new and innovative ways to provide emergency care in Lanigan.
“A lot of that work was underway in the fall to try to create some processes that made use of virtual care and also had times where there would be in-person emergency assessments from a physician as well. Those had been progressing quite well but with changes that came with our surge of cases in the province with COVID we had halted that. But there is the intention that when our numbers start to settle down and we start to see that we are better able to manage the surge of cases then at some point in the new year we would resume those conversations.”
Asked if Wasko could confirm whether or not emergency services would in fact resume in Lanigan, he stated, “They will look different than what they had previously, but how exactly they look differently is yet to be determined. It is something that is in the works. The involvement of community leaders, patient and family partners, that’s all been part of the work that has been underway.”
In Watrous, emergency services remain open as that facility has been marked as a COVID-19 hospital through SHA’s Integrated Rural Health plan. Meanwhile in Humboldt the hospital there also has emergency services open but is designated as a non-COVID hospital. Despite what each facility has been designated, VP of Integrated Rural Health, Karen Earnshaw said whether community or regional, all hospitals need to be COVID ready.
“What that means really is they need the ability to be ready to provide care to anyone who is needing that care. Since spring we have done training, we have done scaling up, we have ensured people have access to all the most appropriate personal protective equipment and whatever they may need to care for both COVID and non-COVID patients.”
As for what changes are currently taking place at the hospital in Watrous, Earnshaw said things are continuing along other than they have increased access to both physicians and licensed staff. Being deemed a COVID hospital, Watrous would be accepting COVID-19 patients should enough of a surge require it. Earnshaw stated the move to have increased access to both physicians and licensed staff is to ensure that there is less of a chance of being short a provider and having disruptions.
By adding to the numbers in Watrous, Wasko added that is what the recent changes in Lanigan have provided. “Yes we have reduced some of the services temporarily in Lanigan but that means we have been able to enhance the pool of staff and physicians that can serve Watrous to ensure that that service is even more stable and reliable as we go into an uncertain time over the next few months.”
With the ongoing surge in cases, SHA is moving ahead with its next phase of its surge plan, including required service slow downs to support the redeployment of up to 600 full-time equivalent staff to support pandemic response.
The move is being done with a goal to avoid a broad reduction of services across all areas in the health care system.
As part of the surge plan’s first phase, SHA will be creating capacity for 64 COVID patients requiring ICU care by mid-December to try to keep pace with projected demand. This means creating capacity to meet demand that is equivalent to 28 percent more ICU beds than what currently exists in Saskatoon and Regina.
SHA will also be creating capacity for 250 COVID patients requiring inpatient hospitalization by mid-December to try to keep pace with projected growth in demand. This is approximately equivalent to the capacity of the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current and the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital combined.
In addition, SHA stated it will be creating capacity for contact tracing of approximately 560 average cases per day to try to keep pace with projected growth in demand, including keeping pace with more than 6,000 hours of work per day created for contact tracers if cases reach this level by mid-December as projected.
Other parts of phase one include strengthening SHA’s supplemental labour pool to increase responsiveness to outbreaks and situations where large numbers of staff are required to isolate. SHA will also review surge plans every week to ensure each surge and any associated slow downs are as measured as possible to maintain an appropriate balance between urgent needs of the pandemic response and the need for Saskatchewan residents to have access to every day health services.
“Surges of this scale and on this timeline necessitate service slow downs to enable redeployment of staff, otherwise more people will die from COVID-19 because we can’t get them the help they need and we can’t get out in front of the virus,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “We acknowledge that this will result in some Saskatchewan residents experiencing localized service slow downs in pockets across the province, that is why we are committed to making these efforts as time-limited and targeted as possible.”
Over the coming days, SHA indicated services will be affected at different levels depending on local plans and needs. Services slowing down include some primary health care services, elective surgeries in urban centres, endoscopy/cystoscopy procedures, Women and Children’s Programming, diagnostics, therapies, ambulatory care, registration resources, environmental and food and nutrition services, rehab services and home care services.
SHA said, “It is critical to note that these services will still be available, just at reduced volumes or levels. The scale of service slow downs range by location and service type. In the vast majority of cases, these slow downs are simply reducing service volumes to enable redeployment of staff. There are some limited exceptions where services will be temporarily paused. These are highly localized programs like dental programs, therapeutic and rehabilitation programs and active living programs. Notifications for local staff and key local stakeholders for these service pauses will occur in the coming days and will be communicated publicly once those have occurred.”
By implementing the service changes, SHA can then redeploy up to 600 FTE staff to strengthen testing, contact tracing and to identify the health care workers necessary to expand hospital and ICU capacity to help keep COVID and non-COVID patients alive and ensure the SHA can provide the care they need.
“While we acknowledge that service slow downs will temporarily reduce access for Saskatchewan residents to some of their everyday health services, the alternative is for our health system to be overwhelmed and to risk our ability to provide critical lifesaving services to both COVID and non-COVID patients.”
On Nov. 26, SHA released a Health System Readiness update and in it, stated the number of cases in the province had risen 363 percent in the last 30 days and continued to grow. The number of those hospitalized was also up, a total of 383 percent in the last 30 days and growing. The percentage of ICU capacity being used for COVID patients was 27 percent and growing, up from five percent one month prior.
With 76 COVID-19 cases in long-term care and 27 outbreaks in facilities serving seniors or vulnerable clients as of Nov. 25, SHA noted protecting the most vulnerable is a priority.
As of Dec. 3 there were 259 new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan bringing the provincial total to date to 9,244 cases. The seven-day average of daily new cases was 269 (22.2 new cases per 100,000 population).
Of the 9,244 reported cases, 4,017 were considered active. A total of 5,173 people have recovered and 54 people have died.
One-hundred and twenty-eight people are in hospital with 104 receiving inpatient care and 24 in intensive care.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 30, 2020
Living through the Spanish Flu pandemic over a century ago
Daniel Bushman
As provinces, countries and continents spanning the globe continue to press ahead during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic while waiting for a vaccine, the vast majority are trying to curb the spread of the virus. Somewhat similar to the Spanish Flu pandemic that hit just over 100 years ago, COVID-19 has caused tremendous loss worldwide.
Because of the way the COVID-19 pandemic has spread and taken lives, it has been compared to the Spanish Flu pandemic that also hit the globe over 100 years ago.
Referencing the Spanish Flu pandemic from 1918 and the widespread loss it caused, similar guidelines were also implemented back then. Curious to see what the similarities between the two were, I went digging into The Watrous Manitou’s archives and found a few articles relating to the Spanish Flu which appeared back in 1918. I also found a snippet in the local history book and visited the Saskatchewan Archives online to see if further information could be found. The following provides a bit of a snapshot of what life was like just over 100 years ago as residents experienced a pandemic of their own.
According to the Saskatchewan Archives, as the First World War was coming to an end in 1918, the Spanish Flu epidemic was running rampant across the globe. “Influenza killed more people worldwide in less than two years than the war did in five. It is estimated that 20 million people died from the Spanish Flu worldwide, while an estimated 17 million people were killed during the Great War.”
The Saskatchewan Archives indicated that in Canada 50,000 people died of the Spanish Flu with 5,000 of those people being from Saskatchewan. “The first cases of what would come to be referred to as the ‘Spanish Flu’ were reported on the Western Front in early 1918 . . . The first wave of what then came to be known as the “Spanish Flu” spread across the globe during the spring and summer of 1918, but it was the second wave of the flu that spread in the fall that would prove far more deadly.”
Comparing the Spanish Flu pandemic from 100 years ago to today and with a larger population now,
according to the World Health Organization, as of Nov. 27, there had been almost 61 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with just over 1.4 million deaths. In Canada, according to the federal government, there was over 353,000 total cases (7,362 in Saskatchewan) with close to 11,800 deaths in Canada as of Nov. 26 (40 in Saskatchewan).
Back in 1918, as soldiers began returning from the front, the Spanish Flu started to cause concern in Saskatchewan. According to the Saskatchewan Archives, the first public mention of the disease was in the Oct. 1, 1918 issue of the Regina Leader. “The first case of the flu occurred later in October and the disease continued to spread over the next three months, with the peak of deaths occurring in mid-November 1918.”
Fast forward to 2020 and with the advancement in technology and the ability to provide up to date information on a daily basis, Saskatchewan has seen its daily cases rise substantially in recent weeks. In October the largest daily spike was Oct. 24 when 78 new cases were reported. Since that time the highest daily number hit 400 in November and heading into the Nov. 23 week, the seven day average for daily cases was 219 (18 new cases per 100,000 population).
During its time, the Spanish Flu largely affected people between the ages of 20 and 40 years old and once infected, many victims died within 24 hours, although deaths seemed to be most common on the 10th day of illness. According to Saskatchewan Health, the majority of COVID-19 cases as of Nov. 23, 2020 were in the 20-39 year old age range (1,793) with the next highest in the 40-59 age bracket (872).
The province’s archives stated back in 1918 hotels and schools were converted into makeshift hospitals to accommodate the overflow of patients. Similar to what has taken place in 2020, people were also discouraged from holding meetings or attending public events back in 1918. Schools, theatres and public buildings were also closed, something that has also taken place during 2020.
As COVID-19 eventually makes its way into rural communities in Saskatchewan, so did the Spanish Flu. In the Oct. 31, 1918 edition of The Watrous Signal, an article appeared on the front page about the ‘flu’ arriving in Watrous:
The Spanish Influenza has come to town. It did not receive a very warm welcome. For weeks the citizens of Watrous had sought in various ways to baulk his entrance. Noses were sprayed, throats gargled, cathartics swallowed, gum camphor and assafetida worn about the neck, oil of eucalyptus freely inhaled, chloride of lime, etc. sprinkled about, sulphur put in the shoes, everything but stop the entrance of the travelling public, the most likely source of contagion.
With flu all about, north, south, east and west, there was nothing for Watrous but have it too. We have not heard the number of cases officially reported, but rumour has it that there are many. Almost every member of some families are down and friends have kindly turned nurses and helped in this hour of critical strain.
As of yet there have been no fatalities, though some are very ill. The illness of Dr. King has necessitated the appointment of Dr. Hone as assistant Medical Health Officer. The new doctor has come in time to be a help when physicians are taxed to their utmost.
Every precaution is being taken in the way of closing public places such as theatre and pool rooms, the school and churches having taken the initiative the week previous. No loitering in restaurants or public places is allowed. The best preventative, as now observed, is the wearing of cheesecloth over nose and mouth. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
There is very little if any abatement of the plague in the cities of Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Regina and Winnipeg. Deaths are reported every day and it is becoming a difficult matter to secure nurses to take care of the sick. Now that schools are closed, teachers are rendering yeoman service.
In another article on the same page, Seman’s Station Master, Robert Murray Sutherland, who was previously the station master at Venn for a number of years was one of those who succumbed to the Spanish Flu. “His assistant was the first to contract the disease, and shortly afterwards, the night operator.”
Under the heading Reminiscing With Pioneers in the local Prairie Reflections history book, Jack MacConnel chronicles the life of a pioneer. Under the year 1918, he states: There were a lot of people killed this year by an epidemic of ‘Spanish influenza.’ Most of the victims seemed to be the strongest men. Any of the women getting the flu would go to bed for a few days and soon recover, and of course any children who caught the flu would be nursed in bed and soon got over it, but a man who was strong, would not give up. Towards the end of the year people were so frightened by the number of deaths from influenza that most public meetings, school concerts and dances were cancelled for fear of getting the flu. We were almost afraid to go to town and soon hurried home.
While the local area has not had widespread COVID-19 cases thus far, the Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a release earlier this year that someone who tested positive for COVID-19 had been at the Watrous Co-op Food Store between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Aug. 28. While SHA is no longer providing those specific releases unless there is an outbreak declared, spanning from Oct. 23 to Nov. 19, Horizon School Division issued a handful of releases indicating they have been made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Viscount Central School, Muenster School, Wakaw School, the Punnichy area with a connection to several schools, Ituna School, and Cudworth School. The division also announced it was pausing extracurricular sports between teams who were travelling to other schools.
Similar to the school division, the provincial government has stated positive cases have been confirmed in the local Subzone of Central East 1. While not specifically noting where the cases were confirmed in the subzone, the communities within Central East 1 include: Alice Beach, Annaheim, Bruno, Bulyea, Chamberlain, Dilke, Drake, Duval, Englefeld, Etters Beach, Glen Harbour, Grandview Beach, Govan, Holdfast, Humboldt, Imperial, Island View, Jansen, Lanigan, Lake Lenore, LeRoy, Manitou Beach, Middle Lake, Muenster, Nokomis, Pilger, Quill Lake, St. Benedict, St. Gregor, Simpson, Spalding, Strasbourg, Sunset Cove, Watrous, Watson, Wee Too Beach, Young, and Zelma.
As of Nov. 26 there were 29 active cases within Central East 1 subzone with three new cases in a population of 25,487. There was also one death reported within that subzone.
In the Saskatoon subzone which also included places like Warman, Martensville and locally, Allan, Bradwell, Clavet, Colonsay, Meacham, and Viscount, there were 960 active cases with 125 new cases in a population of 334,757. There had been six deaths related to COVID-19 in that subzone as of Nov. 26.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as has been the case in other jurisdictions, the provincial government released guidelines as part of its Re-open Saskatchewan Plan. Having temporary closures and restrictions put in place along with issuing fines and having people self-isolate and maintain social distancing resembled similar situations in 1918.
In an edition of The Watrous Signal from 1918, the following regulations were specified from the province:
By order of his Honour the Lieutenant Governor the following regulations dealing with Epidemic Influenza (Spanish Influenza) in cities, towns, and villages must be observed.
The board of health in all cities, towns and villages in the province shall have power to apply and enforce the following regulations:
1. The above disease is a communicable disease which must be reported to the local Medical Health Officer.
2. Any place of amusement or entertainment such as theatres, pool rooms, bowling alleys and dance halls may be closed for such period of time as the board of health may consider necessary.
3. Epidemic Influenza (Spanish Influenza) must be isolated from the onset for a period of at least one week, and until all symptoms of the disease or complications following have disappeared. The house in which the patient is being treated must be placarded according to the regulations.
4. Any person failing, neglecting or refusing to observe the provisions of this regulation shall be guilty of an offence and liable, upon summary conviction thereof before a justice of the peace or magistrate, for each offence to a penalty of not more than $50 and costs of court.
M. M. Seymore, M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
Below that regulation in The Watrous Signal, a notice was issued by Dr. Sylvester Hone, the acting medical and health officer for council and the Town of Watrous:
In compliance with the order in council herewith published, all places of public assembly, will for their owners as well as the person’s safety frequenting them, remain closed under penalty as above.
Also barbers and restaurant keepers are requested for their own and customers’ safety, to only allow such number of persons in their places of business at one time as are being attended to, and admitting others to fill their places as they leave.
Like having to wear face masks, practicing proper hand washing, social distancing, using hand sanitizer, and then self-isolating should you have symptoms of COVID-19, there were recommendations to be safe in 1918 as well. In the Nov. 28, 1918 edition of The Watrous Signal, Professor Henry E. Smith, bacteriologist of the University of Pennsylvania’s laboratory of hygiene, suggested the following treatment for people attacked by Spanish influenza:
Use a teaspoon of salt dissolved in pt. water, night and morning for the upper respiratory passages and as a gargle. Get plenty of fresh air. Keep windows open all the time, rain or shine. Keep bowels moving freely. When symptoms first appear take a hot foot bath, a hot lemonade, a little quinine, go to bed and stay there for an entire day.
As the Spanish Flu continued to ravage the globe, another article in The Watrous Signal indicated there had been a number of people dying in northern Saskatchewan, including at Lac la Ronge and Stanley.
The news of the outbreak was noted by Provincial Police Constable G. D. Maxwell in a report dated Mar. 21 to Inspector Tait at Prince Albert.
Constable Maxwell made a patrol to Stanley and indicated in each home, on average, 15 people were sick with influenza and many more developed pneumonia. Because so many were sick, fires were not started to keep homes warm so “with the assistance of George Moberley of Lamson and Hubbard, the constable kindled fires and tended the sick with the aid of such medicines as he could find. At the end of the week there were still 20 cases of pneumonia and 60 of flu. The officer then returned to Lac la Ronge en route to Prince Albert for help. He found the epidemic had broken out in his absence and 11 deaths had resulted.”
As F. D. McConville had already left to Prince Albert, Maxwell stayed at Lac la Ronge to help. “On Mar. 15 I left Lac la Ronge detachment by dog team for Stanley, intending to proceed from there to Pelican Narrows. Mr. Wilson Revillon Freres’ man at Stanley post was travelling that way the same day so we travelled in company. We camped overnight at McLeod’s but found everyone gone from there to Stanley for the church gathering.”
The report continues by stating the following day they reached Stanley and while there had been some sickness prior to the arrival, “Imagine my astonishment on reaching Stanley to find every living soul in the settlement with the exception of two men on their backs with the flu.”
Finding several severe cases, Maxwell applied mustard plasters, Electric Oil and olive oil to those who were ill. Adding warm pieces of flannel next to the skin, he was also able to secure a few bottles of aspirin and gave it to severe cases.
“All the people for a considerable distance around had assembled at Stanley at the request of the Rev. Mr. Fraser who was holding service in the interest of the Forward Movement and who had come up from Pelican Narrows on Mar. 13. The result of this gathering was that the people were crowded together in the few shacks there are at Stanley and brought with them only enough food and dogfeed for a few days stay. Evidently some of them must have been germ carriers for everybody seemed to get sick over the weekend. But for the assistance of Geo. Moberley things might have been much worse before I arrived.”
On Saturday, Maxwell left for Lac la Ronge and during his week stay, six people died. “I caught sick myself the second day I started nursing them but I kept going, although my head was just about splitting at times.”
That following Friday night, Maxwell made a last round and then had about 20 cases pneumonia and 50 or 60 of the flu. “I decided to make a trip down to Lac la Ronge and from there to Prince Albert to secure help and medicines, and if possible, a doctor or a nurse.”
As the Spanish Flu would continue to spread throughout Saskatchewan taking around 5,000 lives before the pandemic was declared over, it was not the only thing to cause devastation and loss.
In the Apr. 22, 1920 edition of The Watrous Signal, a headline read: Grasshoppers Ate 45,000 Acres of Crop.
Approximately 45,000 acres of crop were destroyed in Saskatchewan by grasshoppers last summer and approximately 1,400,000 acres valued at $25,000,000 were saved.
There were 97 municipalities so badly infested as to necessitate the purchase of poison bait ingredients to fight the grasshoppers. The poison supplied purchased by the government were as follows: 2,720 tons of bran, 225 tons of sawdust, 122,636 gallons of molasses, 2,805 cases of lemons, 166 tons of arsenic, 34 tons of Paris green, and one barrel of amyl acetate. The total cost was $337,820.19. The municipalities were charged with one half of the cost and to date there has been collected from them the sum of $26,750.80.
Daniel Bushman
As provinces, countries and continents spanning the globe continue to press ahead during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic while waiting for a vaccine, the vast majority are trying to curb the spread of the virus. Somewhat similar to the Spanish Flu pandemic that hit just over 100 years ago, COVID-19 has caused tremendous loss worldwide.
Because of the way the COVID-19 pandemic has spread and taken lives, it has been compared to the Spanish Flu pandemic that also hit the globe over 100 years ago.
Referencing the Spanish Flu pandemic from 1918 and the widespread loss it caused, similar guidelines were also implemented back then. Curious to see what the similarities between the two were, I went digging into The Watrous Manitou’s archives and found a few articles relating to the Spanish Flu which appeared back in 1918. I also found a snippet in the local history book and visited the Saskatchewan Archives online to see if further information could be found. The following provides a bit of a snapshot of what life was like just over 100 years ago as residents experienced a pandemic of their own.
According to the Saskatchewan Archives, as the First World War was coming to an end in 1918, the Spanish Flu epidemic was running rampant across the globe. “Influenza killed more people worldwide in less than two years than the war did in five. It is estimated that 20 million people died from the Spanish Flu worldwide, while an estimated 17 million people were killed during the Great War.”
The Saskatchewan Archives indicated that in Canada 50,000 people died of the Spanish Flu with 5,000 of those people being from Saskatchewan. “The first cases of what would come to be referred to as the ‘Spanish Flu’ were reported on the Western Front in early 1918 . . . The first wave of what then came to be known as the “Spanish Flu” spread across the globe during the spring and summer of 1918, but it was the second wave of the flu that spread in the fall that would prove far more deadly.”
Comparing the Spanish Flu pandemic from 100 years ago to today and with a larger population now,
according to the World Health Organization, as of Nov. 27, there had been almost 61 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with just over 1.4 million deaths. In Canada, according to the federal government, there was over 353,000 total cases (7,362 in Saskatchewan) with close to 11,800 deaths in Canada as of Nov. 26 (40 in Saskatchewan).
Back in 1918, as soldiers began returning from the front, the Spanish Flu started to cause concern in Saskatchewan. According to the Saskatchewan Archives, the first public mention of the disease was in the Oct. 1, 1918 issue of the Regina Leader. “The first case of the flu occurred later in October and the disease continued to spread over the next three months, with the peak of deaths occurring in mid-November 1918.”
Fast forward to 2020 and with the advancement in technology and the ability to provide up to date information on a daily basis, Saskatchewan has seen its daily cases rise substantially in recent weeks. In October the largest daily spike was Oct. 24 when 78 new cases were reported. Since that time the highest daily number hit 400 in November and heading into the Nov. 23 week, the seven day average for daily cases was 219 (18 new cases per 100,000 population).
During its time, the Spanish Flu largely affected people between the ages of 20 and 40 years old and once infected, many victims died within 24 hours, although deaths seemed to be most common on the 10th day of illness. According to Saskatchewan Health, the majority of COVID-19 cases as of Nov. 23, 2020 were in the 20-39 year old age range (1,793) with the next highest in the 40-59 age bracket (872).
The province’s archives stated back in 1918 hotels and schools were converted into makeshift hospitals to accommodate the overflow of patients. Similar to what has taken place in 2020, people were also discouraged from holding meetings or attending public events back in 1918. Schools, theatres and public buildings were also closed, something that has also taken place during 2020.
As COVID-19 eventually makes its way into rural communities in Saskatchewan, so did the Spanish Flu. In the Oct. 31, 1918 edition of The Watrous Signal, an article appeared on the front page about the ‘flu’ arriving in Watrous:
The Spanish Influenza has come to town. It did not receive a very warm welcome. For weeks the citizens of Watrous had sought in various ways to baulk his entrance. Noses were sprayed, throats gargled, cathartics swallowed, gum camphor and assafetida worn about the neck, oil of eucalyptus freely inhaled, chloride of lime, etc. sprinkled about, sulphur put in the shoes, everything but stop the entrance of the travelling public, the most likely source of contagion.
With flu all about, north, south, east and west, there was nothing for Watrous but have it too. We have not heard the number of cases officially reported, but rumour has it that there are many. Almost every member of some families are down and friends have kindly turned nurses and helped in this hour of critical strain.
As of yet there have been no fatalities, though some are very ill. The illness of Dr. King has necessitated the appointment of Dr. Hone as assistant Medical Health Officer. The new doctor has come in time to be a help when physicians are taxed to their utmost.
Every precaution is being taken in the way of closing public places such as theatre and pool rooms, the school and churches having taken the initiative the week previous. No loitering in restaurants or public places is allowed. The best preventative, as now observed, is the wearing of cheesecloth over nose and mouth. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
There is very little if any abatement of the plague in the cities of Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Regina and Winnipeg. Deaths are reported every day and it is becoming a difficult matter to secure nurses to take care of the sick. Now that schools are closed, teachers are rendering yeoman service.
In another article on the same page, Seman’s Station Master, Robert Murray Sutherland, who was previously the station master at Venn for a number of years was one of those who succumbed to the Spanish Flu. “His assistant was the first to contract the disease, and shortly afterwards, the night operator.”
Under the heading Reminiscing With Pioneers in the local Prairie Reflections history book, Jack MacConnel chronicles the life of a pioneer. Under the year 1918, he states: There were a lot of people killed this year by an epidemic of ‘Spanish influenza.’ Most of the victims seemed to be the strongest men. Any of the women getting the flu would go to bed for a few days and soon recover, and of course any children who caught the flu would be nursed in bed and soon got over it, but a man who was strong, would not give up. Towards the end of the year people were so frightened by the number of deaths from influenza that most public meetings, school concerts and dances were cancelled for fear of getting the flu. We were almost afraid to go to town and soon hurried home.
While the local area has not had widespread COVID-19 cases thus far, the Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a release earlier this year that someone who tested positive for COVID-19 had been at the Watrous Co-op Food Store between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Aug. 28. While SHA is no longer providing those specific releases unless there is an outbreak declared, spanning from Oct. 23 to Nov. 19, Horizon School Division issued a handful of releases indicating they have been made aware of a COVID-19 diagnosis in an individual at Viscount Central School, Muenster School, Wakaw School, the Punnichy area with a connection to several schools, Ituna School, and Cudworth School. The division also announced it was pausing extracurricular sports between teams who were travelling to other schools.
Similar to the school division, the provincial government has stated positive cases have been confirmed in the local Subzone of Central East 1. While not specifically noting where the cases were confirmed in the subzone, the communities within Central East 1 include: Alice Beach, Annaheim, Bruno, Bulyea, Chamberlain, Dilke, Drake, Duval, Englefeld, Etters Beach, Glen Harbour, Grandview Beach, Govan, Holdfast, Humboldt, Imperial, Island View, Jansen, Lanigan, Lake Lenore, LeRoy, Manitou Beach, Middle Lake, Muenster, Nokomis, Pilger, Quill Lake, St. Benedict, St. Gregor, Simpson, Spalding, Strasbourg, Sunset Cove, Watrous, Watson, Wee Too Beach, Young, and Zelma.
As of Nov. 26 there were 29 active cases within Central East 1 subzone with three new cases in a population of 25,487. There was also one death reported within that subzone.
In the Saskatoon subzone which also included places like Warman, Martensville and locally, Allan, Bradwell, Clavet, Colonsay, Meacham, and Viscount, there were 960 active cases with 125 new cases in a population of 334,757. There had been six deaths related to COVID-19 in that subzone as of Nov. 26.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as has been the case in other jurisdictions, the provincial government released guidelines as part of its Re-open Saskatchewan Plan. Having temporary closures and restrictions put in place along with issuing fines and having people self-isolate and maintain social distancing resembled similar situations in 1918.
In an edition of The Watrous Signal from 1918, the following regulations were specified from the province:
By order of his Honour the Lieutenant Governor the following regulations dealing with Epidemic Influenza (Spanish Influenza) in cities, towns, and villages must be observed.
The board of health in all cities, towns and villages in the province shall have power to apply and enforce the following regulations:
1. The above disease is a communicable disease which must be reported to the local Medical Health Officer.
2. Any place of amusement or entertainment such as theatres, pool rooms, bowling alleys and dance halls may be closed for such period of time as the board of health may consider necessary.
3. Epidemic Influenza (Spanish Influenza) must be isolated from the onset for a period of at least one week, and until all symptoms of the disease or complications following have disappeared. The house in which the patient is being treated must be placarded according to the regulations.
4. Any person failing, neglecting or refusing to observe the provisions of this regulation shall be guilty of an offence and liable, upon summary conviction thereof before a justice of the peace or magistrate, for each offence to a penalty of not more than $50 and costs of court.
M. M. Seymore, M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
Below that regulation in The Watrous Signal, a notice was issued by Dr. Sylvester Hone, the acting medical and health officer for council and the Town of Watrous:
In compliance with the order in council herewith published, all places of public assembly, will for their owners as well as the person’s safety frequenting them, remain closed under penalty as above.
Also barbers and restaurant keepers are requested for their own and customers’ safety, to only allow such number of persons in their places of business at one time as are being attended to, and admitting others to fill their places as they leave.
Like having to wear face masks, practicing proper hand washing, social distancing, using hand sanitizer, and then self-isolating should you have symptoms of COVID-19, there were recommendations to be safe in 1918 as well. In the Nov. 28, 1918 edition of The Watrous Signal, Professor Henry E. Smith, bacteriologist of the University of Pennsylvania’s laboratory of hygiene, suggested the following treatment for people attacked by Spanish influenza:
Use a teaspoon of salt dissolved in pt. water, night and morning for the upper respiratory passages and as a gargle. Get plenty of fresh air. Keep windows open all the time, rain or shine. Keep bowels moving freely. When symptoms first appear take a hot foot bath, a hot lemonade, a little quinine, go to bed and stay there for an entire day.
As the Spanish Flu continued to ravage the globe, another article in The Watrous Signal indicated there had been a number of people dying in northern Saskatchewan, including at Lac la Ronge and Stanley.
The news of the outbreak was noted by Provincial Police Constable G. D. Maxwell in a report dated Mar. 21 to Inspector Tait at Prince Albert.
Constable Maxwell made a patrol to Stanley and indicated in each home, on average, 15 people were sick with influenza and many more developed pneumonia. Because so many were sick, fires were not started to keep homes warm so “with the assistance of George Moberley of Lamson and Hubbard, the constable kindled fires and tended the sick with the aid of such medicines as he could find. At the end of the week there were still 20 cases of pneumonia and 60 of flu. The officer then returned to Lac la Ronge en route to Prince Albert for help. He found the epidemic had broken out in his absence and 11 deaths had resulted.”
As F. D. McConville had already left to Prince Albert, Maxwell stayed at Lac la Ronge to help. “On Mar. 15 I left Lac la Ronge detachment by dog team for Stanley, intending to proceed from there to Pelican Narrows. Mr. Wilson Revillon Freres’ man at Stanley post was travelling that way the same day so we travelled in company. We camped overnight at McLeod’s but found everyone gone from there to Stanley for the church gathering.”
The report continues by stating the following day they reached Stanley and while there had been some sickness prior to the arrival, “Imagine my astonishment on reaching Stanley to find every living soul in the settlement with the exception of two men on their backs with the flu.”
Finding several severe cases, Maxwell applied mustard plasters, Electric Oil and olive oil to those who were ill. Adding warm pieces of flannel next to the skin, he was also able to secure a few bottles of aspirin and gave it to severe cases.
“All the people for a considerable distance around had assembled at Stanley at the request of the Rev. Mr. Fraser who was holding service in the interest of the Forward Movement and who had come up from Pelican Narrows on Mar. 13. The result of this gathering was that the people were crowded together in the few shacks there are at Stanley and brought with them only enough food and dogfeed for a few days stay. Evidently some of them must have been germ carriers for everybody seemed to get sick over the weekend. But for the assistance of Geo. Moberley things might have been much worse before I arrived.”
On Saturday, Maxwell left for Lac la Ronge and during his week stay, six people died. “I caught sick myself the second day I started nursing them but I kept going, although my head was just about splitting at times.”
That following Friday night, Maxwell made a last round and then had about 20 cases pneumonia and 50 or 60 of the flu. “I decided to make a trip down to Lac la Ronge and from there to Prince Albert to secure help and medicines, and if possible, a doctor or a nurse.”
As the Spanish Flu would continue to spread throughout Saskatchewan taking around 5,000 lives before the pandemic was declared over, it was not the only thing to cause devastation and loss.
In the Apr. 22, 1920 edition of The Watrous Signal, a headline read: Grasshoppers Ate 45,000 Acres of Crop.
Approximately 45,000 acres of crop were destroyed in Saskatchewan by grasshoppers last summer and approximately 1,400,000 acres valued at $25,000,000 were saved.
There were 97 municipalities so badly infested as to necessitate the purchase of poison bait ingredients to fight the grasshoppers. The poison supplied purchased by the government were as follows: 2,720 tons of bran, 225 tons of sawdust, 122,636 gallons of molasses, 2,805 cases of lemons, 166 tons of arsenic, 34 tons of Paris green, and one barrel of amyl acetate. The total cost was $337,820.19. The municipalities were charged with one half of the cost and to date there has been collected from them the sum of $26,750.80.
TWM Story - Nov. 23, 2020
Local food bank grateful for support during pandemic
Daniel Bushman
Facing a lot of unknowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, as board members of the Watrous and District Food Bank met as part of their annual general meeting Nov. 2, there was a sense of tremendous gratitude and appreciation towards the community and area.
Not only has the non-profit organization been able to purchase food items throughout the year for its clients but Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said financially it was the best year ever in terms of monetary support.
“When the pandemic arrived in our area in early 2020, we were not sure how this year would go. Residents and businesses in Watrous and the surrounding area answered that question as we not only had more income in 2020 compared to 2019 but personal donations were up substantially. Having our best year ever in terms of financial support puts us in a great position to help serve our local communities.”
This year, the local food bank reported an income of $49,269.56 with just over $25,000 of that coming from personal donations (for the period of July 2019 to June 2020). The Food Banks of Saskatchewan contributed $4,741.03, local businesses provided just over $1,900, local churches/similar groups gave just over $1,100 in support, the Watrous Rotary, Legion and social clubs donated $10,053.55, there was just over $3,000 in corporate donations, and local RMs contributed $3,000.
Comparing the numbers to 2019, the food bank had an approximately $17,000 increase in income this year over last. In fact, in almost every category on the income side of the ledger saw an uptick from last year with exception for local business ($4,597.23 in 2019) and corporate donations ($4,163 in 2019).
“The largest increase we saw was from personal donations,” said Holland. “We received just over $14,000 more in 2020 than we did in 2019 from people through personal donations and we are just so grateful for their contributions and generosity.”
As for expenses, there was a slight increase from 2019 to 2020 with the total for 2020 at $24,024.20 as opposed to $23,655.28 in 2019. The largest portion of expenses were attributed to food and goods for hampers with $20,870.41 spent in 2020 compared to $23,655.28 in 2019.
After issuing a call for monetary donations in 2018, Holland said the past two years have been really heartwarming for the board members of the Watrous and District Food Bank as more donations have come in.
Along with Holland, on the food bank board is treasurer Amanda Dezotell, secretary Glenda Cox McArthur, and members Judy Dunne, Erin Wolff, Amanda McArthur, Mary Kratchmer and Colleen Hunt. “We as a board feel so fortunate to live in the community we do. People have been so gracious and supportive, and this year with the pandemic, people have continued to help and we are just so appreciative of that.”
Serving clients in the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Nokomis, Viscount and Liberty areas every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, Holland said on average the food bank distributes about 60 hampers per month, down from five the previous year. Helping prepare and distribute those hampers are 18 volunteers who also purchase groceries, stock shelves and lend a hand where needed. Holland said the food bank greatly appreciates their help including assistance from participants at Interlake Human Resources in Watrous who come on a regular basis to pack dry hampers at the food bank’s location at 107 3rd Ave. E.
With an invitation extended to anyone else who would like to volunteer, in addition to packing and distributing regular hampers, the annual Christmas hampers will soon be packed. Last year 84 special Christmas hampers were prepared for all who applied. Holland indicated about half of those homes included children (149 adults and 69 children).
“Those who want a Christmas hamper or know of someone in need of one this year can contact the food bank by Dec. 9. For people who would like to contribute to the hampers this year, they can e-Transfer monetary donations to watrousfoodbank@gmail.com; drop off food donations or buy a brown bag full of items at the Saskatoon Watrous Co-op Food Store location; purchase toys at The Bargain Shop for the Integra Tire toy drive; or sponsor a family this Christmas for $135.”
Trying the idea of sponsoring a family for Christmas a few years ago, Holland said the food bank received an overwhelming response from the community and businesses for that initiative.
“People can individually sponsor a hamper, join other families and split the cost or get together with fellow employees or as an organization and buy a family Christmas hamper. We thought we would give it a try and see how it would go and we were so grateful to everyone who has participated.”
Packed inside the Christmas hampers, recipients will get either a turkey or ham, one dozen buns, a jug of milk, one dozen eggs, five pounds of Christmas oranges, 10 pounds of potatoes, carrots and onions, stuffing, Kraft Dinner, pasta or rice, Sidekicks or potato, a box of crackers, a breakfast item, cans of soup, canned meats, meals in a can, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, juice, cranberries, a cake mix, one tub of margarine, peanut butter and a box of chocolates. For hampers distributed to families with children, toys will be included in those as well.
“Over the years, we have had great community support and continual efforts made by many businesses through food, toy and monetary donations and we know that will continue again this year. Seeing the community coming together each year, it has become an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer. It has made the Christmas season very meaningful to some who have been a part of helping out in some way and it is also meaningful for those who receive the hampers as well.”
For more information on this year’s Christmas hampers, people can see the ad in this week’s paper below.
Daniel Bushman
Facing a lot of unknowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, as board members of the Watrous and District Food Bank met as part of their annual general meeting Nov. 2, there was a sense of tremendous gratitude and appreciation towards the community and area.
Not only has the non-profit organization been able to purchase food items throughout the year for its clients but Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said financially it was the best year ever in terms of monetary support.
“When the pandemic arrived in our area in early 2020, we were not sure how this year would go. Residents and businesses in Watrous and the surrounding area answered that question as we not only had more income in 2020 compared to 2019 but personal donations were up substantially. Having our best year ever in terms of financial support puts us in a great position to help serve our local communities.”
This year, the local food bank reported an income of $49,269.56 with just over $25,000 of that coming from personal donations (for the period of July 2019 to June 2020). The Food Banks of Saskatchewan contributed $4,741.03, local businesses provided just over $1,900, local churches/similar groups gave just over $1,100 in support, the Watrous Rotary, Legion and social clubs donated $10,053.55, there was just over $3,000 in corporate donations, and local RMs contributed $3,000.
Comparing the numbers to 2019, the food bank had an approximately $17,000 increase in income this year over last. In fact, in almost every category on the income side of the ledger saw an uptick from last year with exception for local business ($4,597.23 in 2019) and corporate donations ($4,163 in 2019).
“The largest increase we saw was from personal donations,” said Holland. “We received just over $14,000 more in 2020 than we did in 2019 from people through personal donations and we are just so grateful for their contributions and generosity.”
As for expenses, there was a slight increase from 2019 to 2020 with the total for 2020 at $24,024.20 as opposed to $23,655.28 in 2019. The largest portion of expenses were attributed to food and goods for hampers with $20,870.41 spent in 2020 compared to $23,655.28 in 2019.
After issuing a call for monetary donations in 2018, Holland said the past two years have been really heartwarming for the board members of the Watrous and District Food Bank as more donations have come in.
Along with Holland, on the food bank board is treasurer Amanda Dezotell, secretary Glenda Cox McArthur, and members Judy Dunne, Erin Wolff, Amanda McArthur, Mary Kratchmer and Colleen Hunt. “We as a board feel so fortunate to live in the community we do. People have been so gracious and supportive, and this year with the pandemic, people have continued to help and we are just so appreciative of that.”
Serving clients in the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Nokomis, Viscount and Liberty areas every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, Holland said on average the food bank distributes about 60 hampers per month, down from five the previous year. Helping prepare and distribute those hampers are 18 volunteers who also purchase groceries, stock shelves and lend a hand where needed. Holland said the food bank greatly appreciates their help including assistance from participants at Interlake Human Resources in Watrous who come on a regular basis to pack dry hampers at the food bank’s location at 107 3rd Ave. E.
With an invitation extended to anyone else who would like to volunteer, in addition to packing and distributing regular hampers, the annual Christmas hampers will soon be packed. Last year 84 special Christmas hampers were prepared for all who applied. Holland indicated about half of those homes included children (149 adults and 69 children).
“Those who want a Christmas hamper or know of someone in need of one this year can contact the food bank by Dec. 9. For people who would like to contribute to the hampers this year, they can e-Transfer monetary donations to watrousfoodbank@gmail.com; drop off food donations or buy a brown bag full of items at the Saskatoon Watrous Co-op Food Store location; purchase toys at The Bargain Shop for the Integra Tire toy drive; or sponsor a family this Christmas for $135.”
Trying the idea of sponsoring a family for Christmas a few years ago, Holland said the food bank received an overwhelming response from the community and businesses for that initiative.
“People can individually sponsor a hamper, join other families and split the cost or get together with fellow employees or as an organization and buy a family Christmas hamper. We thought we would give it a try and see how it would go and we were so grateful to everyone who has participated.”
Packed inside the Christmas hampers, recipients will get either a turkey or ham, one dozen buns, a jug of milk, one dozen eggs, five pounds of Christmas oranges, 10 pounds of potatoes, carrots and onions, stuffing, Kraft Dinner, pasta or rice, Sidekicks or potato, a box of crackers, a breakfast item, cans of soup, canned meats, meals in a can, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, juice, cranberries, a cake mix, one tub of margarine, peanut butter and a box of chocolates. For hampers distributed to families with children, toys will be included in those as well.
“Over the years, we have had great community support and continual efforts made by many businesses through food, toy and monetary donations and we know that will continue again this year. Seeing the community coming together each year, it has become an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer. It has made the Christmas season very meaningful to some who have been a part of helping out in some way and it is also meaningful for those who receive the hampers as well.”
For more information on this year’s Christmas hampers, people can see the ad in this week’s paper below.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 16, 2020
Local area residents head to the polls
Daniel Bushman
Despite a November blizzard that wreaked havoc across the province, people headed to the polls Nov. 9 to cast their ballots for municipality, Rural Municipality and Horizon School Division Board elections. While some previously had acclamations, others required an election to decide who would be representing each.
The following are the results received by press time from the local area communities, RMs and the Horizon School Division:
Allan: There was an election for the mayor and councillor positions. Candidates for mayor were Justin Gunnarson and Bonnie-Lee Lewis. Those running for a spot on council included Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Dean Posnikoff, Kelly Schatz, Russell Schick, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang. Here are the winners: mayor Bonnie-Lee Lewis and councillors Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Kelly Schatz, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang.
Colonsay: There was an election for six council positions. With 117 voters, Tony Walliser was elected with 100 votes, Warren Cooper was elected with 85 votes, Lonnie Burns was elected with 83 votes, Gordon Buckingham was elected with 80 votes, Amanda Reiman was elected with 60 votes, and Pamela Whitrow was elected with 52 votes. Dustin Pingert received 36 votes, Candice Ens received 34 votes and Andrew Sutherland received 11 votes.
Imperial: there was an election for mayor as Edward Abrey and Marcus Arcanum let their names stand. Abrey received 129 votes while Arcanum had five. There were four spoiled ballots and 134 people voted.
Lanigan: There was an election for both mayor and councillor positions. Tony Mycock received 308 votes and was elected as mayor while Kevin Armstrong received 29 votes. For council, James Stephan was elected with 242 votes, Kyle Boyko was elected with 229 votes, Marilyn Bodner was elected with 206 votes, Velda Daelick was elected with 203 votes, Wendy Mehrer was elected with 197 votes and Paul Mamer was elected with 195 votes. Shelby Elke received 191 votes, Aron Renwick received 189 votes and Colette Baker received 135 votes. There were two rejected ballots and 337 people voted.
Watrous: With John Gunderson already acclaimed as the next mayor of Watrous, this year eight residents put their names forward for six council seats. Taylor Engele was elected with 353 votes, Lane Manson was elected with 345 votes, Jody Lewis was elected with 323 votes, Juanita Allin was elected with 284 votes, Gary Bergen was elected with 270 votes, and Jean Margetts was elected with 184 votes. Patricia Isherwood received 182 votes and Sean Beischer received 161 votes. There were no rejected ballots with 397 people voting this year. In 2016, a total of 256 people voted.
Young: An election took place for four council seats after Agnes Thompson was acclaimed as mayor. Those elected for council included Jonathan Haines, Shannon Fraser-Hansen, Bruce McIver, and Brad Mason.
RM of Morris: There was an election for Division Five with Jaise Currie defeating Gordon Anderson.
RM of Wreford: There was an election for reeve as Peter Gauley defeated Shane Halstead.
The results of Horizon School Division’s Board elections are as follows:
Subdivision 1 – Jenna Hale (Bruno School, Cudworth School, Wakaw School); Subdivision 2 – Linda Mattock (Annaheim School, Lake Lenore School, St. Brieux School, Three Lakes School (Middle Lake), Humboldt Public School, Humboldt Collegiate Institute); Subdivision 4 – Mark Fedak (Englefeld School, Drake School, Muenster School, Watson School, Lanigan Elementary School, Lanigan Central High School); Subdivision 5 – Dana Stefanson (LeRoy School, Wynyard Elementary School, Wynyard Composite High School); Subdivision 7 – James Lissinna (Archerwill School, Rose Valley School, Robert Melrose Elementary School (Kelvington), Kelvington High School); Subdivision 9 – Douglas Armbruster (Punnichy Elementary Community School, Punnichy Community High School, Raymore School, Sask Central Hutterian School); and Subdivision 14 – Rhonda Kayseas (Tuition students attend: Wadena Elementary School, Wadena Composite High School).
Daniel Bushman
Despite a November blizzard that wreaked havoc across the province, people headed to the polls Nov. 9 to cast their ballots for municipality, Rural Municipality and Horizon School Division Board elections. While some previously had acclamations, others required an election to decide who would be representing each.
The following are the results received by press time from the local area communities, RMs and the Horizon School Division:
Allan: There was an election for the mayor and councillor positions. Candidates for mayor were Justin Gunnarson and Bonnie-Lee Lewis. Those running for a spot on council included Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Dean Posnikoff, Kelly Schatz, Russell Schick, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang. Here are the winners: mayor Bonnie-Lee Lewis and councillors Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Kelly Schatz, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang.
Colonsay: There was an election for six council positions. With 117 voters, Tony Walliser was elected with 100 votes, Warren Cooper was elected with 85 votes, Lonnie Burns was elected with 83 votes, Gordon Buckingham was elected with 80 votes, Amanda Reiman was elected with 60 votes, and Pamela Whitrow was elected with 52 votes. Dustin Pingert received 36 votes, Candice Ens received 34 votes and Andrew Sutherland received 11 votes.
Imperial: there was an election for mayor as Edward Abrey and Marcus Arcanum let their names stand. Abrey received 129 votes while Arcanum had five. There were four spoiled ballots and 134 people voted.
Lanigan: There was an election for both mayor and councillor positions. Tony Mycock received 308 votes and was elected as mayor while Kevin Armstrong received 29 votes. For council, James Stephan was elected with 242 votes, Kyle Boyko was elected with 229 votes, Marilyn Bodner was elected with 206 votes, Velda Daelick was elected with 203 votes, Wendy Mehrer was elected with 197 votes and Paul Mamer was elected with 195 votes. Shelby Elke received 191 votes, Aron Renwick received 189 votes and Colette Baker received 135 votes. There were two rejected ballots and 337 people voted.
Watrous: With John Gunderson already acclaimed as the next mayor of Watrous, this year eight residents put their names forward for six council seats. Taylor Engele was elected with 353 votes, Lane Manson was elected with 345 votes, Jody Lewis was elected with 323 votes, Juanita Allin was elected with 284 votes, Gary Bergen was elected with 270 votes, and Jean Margetts was elected with 184 votes. Patricia Isherwood received 182 votes and Sean Beischer received 161 votes. There were no rejected ballots with 397 people voting this year. In 2016, a total of 256 people voted.
Young: An election took place for four council seats after Agnes Thompson was acclaimed as mayor. Those elected for council included Jonathan Haines, Shannon Fraser-Hansen, Bruce McIver, and Brad Mason.
RM of Morris: There was an election for Division Five with Jaise Currie defeating Gordon Anderson.
RM of Wreford: There was an election for reeve as Peter Gauley defeated Shane Halstead.
The results of Horizon School Division’s Board elections are as follows:
Subdivision 1 – Jenna Hale (Bruno School, Cudworth School, Wakaw School); Subdivision 2 – Linda Mattock (Annaheim School, Lake Lenore School, St. Brieux School, Three Lakes School (Middle Lake), Humboldt Public School, Humboldt Collegiate Institute); Subdivision 4 – Mark Fedak (Englefeld School, Drake School, Muenster School, Watson School, Lanigan Elementary School, Lanigan Central High School); Subdivision 5 – Dana Stefanson (LeRoy School, Wynyard Elementary School, Wynyard Composite High School); Subdivision 7 – James Lissinna (Archerwill School, Rose Valley School, Robert Melrose Elementary School (Kelvington), Kelvington High School); Subdivision 9 – Douglas Armbruster (Punnichy Elementary Community School, Punnichy Community High School, Raymore School, Sask Central Hutterian School); and Subdivision 14 – Rhonda Kayseas (Tuition students attend: Wadena Elementary School, Wadena Composite High School).
TWM Top Story - Nov. 9, 2020
Remembering local Veterans and the invasionof Normandy
Daniel Bushman
As Remembrance Day approaches and people pause to reflect and honour those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom, there were many from the local area who were sent overseas to fight. Turning back the clock to 1994, close to exactly 50 years after D-Day, publisher of The Watrous Manitou at that time, Frank Wilson had the opportunity to visit with a few local residents who served and shared their stories.
According to History.com, code-named Operation Overlord, the battle of D-Day began June 6, 1944. Some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along an 80 kilometre stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. The invasion was an extensive military assault and required incredible planning. Prior to D-Day, Allies conducted a massive deception campaign in an effort to mislead the German military about the intended invasion target. Then by late August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. According to History,com, the Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
Now 76 years after D-Day and as Remembrance Day approaches and Canadians take time to remember those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom, we also pause to remember and honour those who have gone before us. As we also honour and remember those who were featured in Wilson’s article, the following is the story which appeared in the May 30, 1994 edition of The Watrous Manitou entitled, ‘Local veterans look back on the invasion of Normandy.’
D-Day 1944, the invasion of Nazi-held Europe at Normandy, code-named OVERLORD, will likely remain in memory as the most famous ‘day’ in the annals of military history. As in Shakespeare’s famous line, 50 years after the event veterans who survived are returning to Normandy this June to ‘stand a tip-toe’ among the many who saw action in that historic battle for the beaches and the subsequent liberation of millions.
For every man who attends the huge commemorative celebrations in Normandy next month there will be thousands who cannot, for one reason or another. Nevertheless, the memories of their youth in military service paints, to this day, an indelible mark upon their character and the way they have lived their lives. When two or more of these people gather it is not long before the stories begin, and so it was last week when, at my request, several veterans from Watrous took time to reminisce.
As we near the 50th anniversary of D-Day it was thought as a good time as any to set down just a few details of how things were in those days, from the personal perspective of a few who were eventually drawn into that monumental battle. Theirs is not the Big Picture, but rather a more intimate view of experiences among the teaming ranks of Allied Armies which were poised, in 1944 on English soil, to do a mighty deed . . .
The 25 Pounders
Roy Reichert of Watrous joined the Canadian Army at age 18 in the summer of 1940 at Saskatoon. He was pulled into the massive training system then underway across Canada, receiving the basics at Saskatoon and more advanced training at Dundurn. As part of a holding company of new recruits, he was posted to Halifax, and there began training in artillery, eventually becoming part of the 23rd Field Artillery (Self Propelled) at Sussex, New Brunswick.
The ‘self propelled’ connotation reflected the new mobility of battles being fought during World War Two. The 23rd’s 25-pounder guns were mounted on a tank chassis, ready to move at a moment’s notice or fire in any direction. The mount carried about 125 rounds of 25-pound artillery shot (thus the 25-pound description of the gun). These attributes were later to prove their worth most vividly not long after D-Day.
Reichert embarked for England in 1943 with almost 23,000 other men on the Queen Elizabeth, the Cunnard Line’s famous high speed passenger liner that had been renovated for transporting troops across the Atlantic. As with her equally famous sister ship, the Queen Mary, the ship, camouflaged in ghostly grey paint, had sufficient speed to outrun German submarines and made the four-day trip from Halifax to Grennock, Scotland unescorted. With that many men on board, however, living conditions allowed only one night out of three in a bunk. Otherwise sleep was snatched wherever it could be found in the tightly packed spaces.
In spite of the secrecy surrounding troop movements, Roy Reichert suspected through letters from his mother (!) that his brother Raymond was on board the Queen Elizabeth and, after a half-day search, met up with him for the first time since they had enlisted.
After arrival in Scotland, the 23rd Field Artillery was billeted in the southern part of England at Eastbourne, where the unit trained until the OVERLORD war machine pulled it into the inexorable violence of combat the following year.
The Normandy invasion plan was kept in the Most Secret category for obvious reasons. In preparation for the attack, considerable effort was made to deceive Hitler and the German Army into believing the invasion would centre around the French sea port of Pas de Calaise. There were all kinds of schemes to foster this subtle hint to the Germans, including an entire ‘phantom army’ ensconced in southern England under U.S. General George Patton. His command consisted of rubber blow-up tanks and vehicles, cardboard aircraft, wooden guns and plenty of phony radio traffic between non-existent units which Germans invariably monitored.
The men in Reichert’s outfit, and all of England in fact, knew OVERLORD was on the way, but not where or when. Seeing the monumental buildup of men and supplies throughout the British countryside, it was easy for anyone to put two and two together in predicting that an invasion of Europe was forthcoming. Once the 23rd Field Artillery was moved to the London dock area, the sum of two and two was almost incidental.
“We weren’t sure if we were going or when,” says Reichert. “I didn’t know the game plan until after the war.”
D-Day came and went while the 23rd was still in London. There was no particular comment at the time - everyone was too busy loading up, waterproofing their guns for the landing, and speculating when their turn would come. As with any solid military plan, OVERLORD contemplated failure at Normandy and had a backup plan to commit reserves at another location, if need be. In addition to Patton’s Third Army deception, Reichert feels they may have been part of that or possibly held in reserve pending a successful beachhead at Normandy. But all of that was hardly even speculation at the time when individual soldiers had only their own rumours to fill in the gaps under the prevailing blanket of secrecy.
In any event it was nearly a month after D-Day when Reichert’s unit landed in the path of the Third Canadian Division over the Normandy beach code-named JUNO.
“After all the fuss about waterproofing our guns and vehicles, we landed in about one foot of water!” said Reichert. They had no time to look over the beach, but raced inland to catch up with the Third Division, then staging a vicious fight at Caen, 10 miles away.
The battle at Caen led the Canadians into the churning maw of the battle of Falaise Gap, a huge, bloody encircling manoeuvre by the Allied Armies which decimated a large portion of the German Army in France. It was during this battle, says Reichert, that “we fired at targets around every point in the compass” proving the versatility of their four-man, self-propelled mount, and also illustrating the deadly speed of movement and confusion swirling about them.
“None of our crew was ever killed inside the gun mount,” Reichert says, recalling their casualties occurred when outside, exposed to shell fire or snipers. One death occurred when a round exploded prematurely just beyond the muzzle of the gun, but those inside the mount were unscathed.
There were more close calls to come as the 23rd fought its way out of France, through Belgium and into Holland, but it was in the aftermath of D-Day they saw their hottest action.
Reichert was near Willhelmshaven, Germany (a major submarine base) when the shooting stopped in May, 1945. As hostilities wound down, many of the units were repatriated to Canada and for his homeward cross of the Atlantic Reichert travelled on a much more comfortable aircraft carrier.
They approached the Nova Scotia shore in dense fog but, just as they entered Halifax harbour, the sun came out and shone across the city and its shoreline. “It was a beautiful site to see!” Reichert recalls. It was October, 1945.
The Radio Man
Roy Conn’s introduction into Canadian Army life began in his 18th year when he joined up in Regina. His experience was similar to that of Roy Reichert’s, although he completed basic training at Maple Creek and was then posted to Kingston, Ontario for further training with the Royal Canadian Signal Corps. His outfit crossed to England in August 1943 aboard the Queen Mary, and Conn ended up at Farnborough in a Signals Reinforcement Unit.
After training there he received a permanent posting to a 38-man signal section attached to the 4th Medium Artillery, arriving at Caterham-on-the-Valley during Christmas 1943. The signals unit looked after all communications between the 4th Medium and its Regimental and Brigade Headquarters. This involved telegraph, radio, telephone, telephone switchboards, the installation of telephone wire, in fact everything to do with communications and its equipment operation and maintenance.
As for D-Day, Conn said they knew it was definitely coming as their unit began waterproofing its vehicles and equipment for the invasion. Security was tight and leave passes were cancelled. The 4th Medium Artillery was equipped with 5.5 inch (the diameter of the muzzle) guns that weighed in at 10 tons each. They were pulled with Mac trucks, also weighing about 10 tons. These were all hoisted aboard ships at Brighton, ready for the Channel crossing but, like Reichert’s, Conn’s unit sat and stewed in Brighton for the next 23 days before sailing to the Normandy beachhead.
After three days of unloading on JUNO, the 4th Medium Artillery moved to the front in support of the First Polish Division, which was fighting alongside the Canadians, and remained with them for the war’s duration.
At Caen, the Poles immediately went into heavy action and suffered some hard knocks. As the battle engulfed Caen and raged on towards the Falaise Gap, the Polish Division was hammered very hard by casualties and lost nearly half its guns.
After that, it was with some relief the 4th was dispatched northwards along the French coast where they spent several weeks ‘potting away’ at Germany coastal guns that were installed on the Channel Islands. The 4th Medium’s guns, which fired an 80 pound shell propelled by bags of cordite, threw an untold number of shells at the concrete gun emplacements, however Conn wondered if they ever did do any real damage to the German emplacements.
His unit went on to the liberation Belgium, and spent the winter at Nijmegen, Holland, having arrived there just after the capture of a major German air base. Conn fell deathly ill with infectious hepatitis and spent some time in hospital back at Ghent.
He had a closer call later on when, ordered to direct traffic on a bridge ramp, he took off on a motorcycle towards the appropriate intersection. Conn had only practiced on the bike a few times before and when he arrived at the intersection in the midst of heavy traffic, hit the gas instead of the brake. He managed to slide underneath a big truck, rather than hitting it, and bares the scar to this day. The motorcycle was wrecked.
“What’ll I do with the bike?” he asked his C.O., who replied, “You know what you can do with that (so-and-so) bike!” Canadians, unlike the Americans, pampered their machinery!
Conn was also in the vicinity of Wilhelmshaven when Germany surrendered. The unit was moved back to Nijmegen and turned in their guns, vehicles, and all their equipment. Conn stayed on at Apeldorn, Holland to shovel paper work associated with the thousands of Canadians heading for home, and didn’t get to England until Christmas, 1945. In March 1946 he sailed for home on the Ile de France, arriving at Halifax on the sixth. A month later, in Regina, Conn was discharged and became a civilian again.
The Bomber’s Bomber
Don Mitchell took to the air, but only after joining the RCAF in 1942 at Regina and many months of training in Canada and England. He rattled from Brandon to Regina to Virden, and finally to Trenton, Ontario for bombardier training. This eventually got him all the way back to Dafoe, Saskatchewan for gunnery and bomb practice, and finally to Rivers, Manitoba for navigational school, where he graduated the course in July 1943.
Mitchell was among three or four thousand other men who boarded the liner Louis Pasteur for an uncomfortable trip to Scotland. The ship, which had been used to bring prisoners of war to Canada, “was hosed down with disinfectant and turned around for the trip back with us aboard,” said Mitchell. They lived, ate, and slept on or around one table in the hold.
Mitchell travelled to Bournemouth, England, and then on to operational training at Wellsbourne. He was posted to 426 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse and began his duties aboard Halifax and Landcaster bombers as the aircraft’s bomb aimer.
This was a responsible job, considering the object of the exercise was to drop bombs in an accurate manner on German targets. Leading up to the target, the bomb aimer actually took control of the aircraft’s navigation, guiding it right up to the point when bombs were released. Photographs of the target were taken simultaneously by the bombardier through a hookup on the bomb sight. Naturally the Germans discouraged bombers by shooting at them with all manner of flack and machine guns, and it took considerable fortitude to stay on a steady, prescribed bomb run through this deadly hail storm.
Flight crews could make up to a whopping $7 per day - while army types had to settle for around $1.50 - but they earned it! The air war accounted for a very high attrition rate among its personnel, and the number of missions they were allowed to fly was limited.
Mitchell completed 34 all told.
Mitchell began operations in the months leading up to D-Day when the squadron started plastering enemy communications, road and rail networks all over western France in advance of the invasion; no one location received a concentrated effort to keep the Germans guessing about Normandy. The week prior to D-Day they flew almost continuously and their ground crews went virtually sleepless to keep them in the air (the base commander later threw a huge party in one of the hangars for these stalwart crews).
On D-Day, Mitchell was impressed by the sight of the massive invasion armada, as seen from the air, stretching in solid convoys almost, it seemed, from one side of the English Channel to the other. He also remarked on
the crashed gliders which were strewn about all over the invasion area like broken toys. These had been towed to Normandy by twin-engined Dakotas (DC-8s), each containing upwards of 40 men, and had to land in fields studded with posts or other obstructions that had mines attached to them by the German defenders. The casualty rate was high. Mitchell remembers they had met flocks of these gliders headed for France while returning from an early morning bombing raid on D-Day.
Mitchell and his crew completed 25 missions after D-Day, keeping up the horrific pressure on German ground forces. In November 1944, Mitchell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, with an accompanying citation as follows: “Flight Sergeant Mitchell has attacked with the highest degree of accuracy numerous targets in Germany and the occupied countries. On one occasion in April 1944, in spite of an attack by a Junkers 88 and a fire which broke out in his aircraft, this airman continued to give directions to the pilot on his bombing run. His exceptional display of coolness and tenacity of purpose was largely responsible for the complete success of the mission.”
By Christmas 1944 Mitchell was back in Canada, and posted to Sea Island, Vancouver for a Fighter Control Course. He was there when the European war ended and thought of volunteering for the Pacific Campaign, however it also ended that summer and he flew no more.
A one-man operation
At age 18, Raymond Reichert, Roy’s brother, joined the Canadian Army in 1942. He trained at Maple Creek and took advanced training with the Regina Rifles for four months. Like any teenager, he thought his dreams had come true when he was posted to the Canadian Railway Company as a dispatch rider and given a big Harley motorcycle! The Railway Company was made up of personnel earmarked to operate trains in Europe after the Normandy invasion. As a dispatch rider, Reichert was part of the communications section that supported this Company.
With brother Roy, he sailed to England aboard the Queen Elizabeth (minus the Harley) and ended up at Colechester, England. The dispatch unit was re-united with their beloved Harleys but also learned to ride the British BMW and the ‘Snortin’ Norton.
“Running around England in the blackout could get a bit testy,” said Reichert, and he was thrown numerous times as a consequence of playing motorized blind man’s bluff. Dispatch riders were armed only with a revolver.
They knew D-Day was coming as activity reached an ever frantic pace, but were not really acquainted with warfare until arriving at the London docks. Here, they got their first sight of German buzz-bombs, self-propelled rockets sent over from France loaded with high explosives and aimed towards invasion staging areas. The buzz-bomb was not very accurate and no one knew where they might fall.
Raymond’s unit, consisting of about 460 men, arrived in France about one month after D-Day. He traded in his revolver and he said, “became a one-man operation with a motorcycle and a Sten gun!” As such, Reichert performed hundreds of ‘go-for’ jobs typical of dispatch
riders all over the theatre. He continued these duties without a scratch all through action in Belgium and Holland ending the war “somewhere in the Ruhr Valley,” when the surrender was signed. Reichert remained in Germany as part of the Allied occupational force until 1946, and arrived home aboard the Aquatania in February that year. Minus the Harley.
And so, among these four men there is a glimpse of excitement, tragedy, death, pride, fear, and courage that is all familiar to the human conduct of warfare. Obviously, there is more to be said, volumes in fact, for which there is insufficient space here.
The common thread of experience is, however, tied one way or another, either before it or after, to that day upon which world events turned ever since: D-Day.
Participation in World War II by Canadians gave our country a hard-earned stake in world affairs and an important say at its council table. Our service people fought with a skill and determination that impressed both enemy and ally alike, and left ensuing generations of Canadians with a great source of pride in such accomplishments. Such things need be remembered by our youth, not to glorify warfare, but to consider, celebrate and cherish the basic traditions of free societies that caused our people to fight in defence of them.
Because of these things, on June 6 we as Canadians in every small town or large city may “all stand a tip-toe when this day is named.”
Daniel Bushman
As Remembrance Day approaches and people pause to reflect and honour those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom, there were many from the local area who were sent overseas to fight. Turning back the clock to 1994, close to exactly 50 years after D-Day, publisher of The Watrous Manitou at that time, Frank Wilson had the opportunity to visit with a few local residents who served and shared their stories.
According to History.com, code-named Operation Overlord, the battle of D-Day began June 6, 1944. Some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along an 80 kilometre stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. The invasion was an extensive military assault and required incredible planning. Prior to D-Day, Allies conducted a massive deception campaign in an effort to mislead the German military about the intended invasion target. Then by late August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. According to History,com, the Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
Now 76 years after D-Day and as Remembrance Day approaches and Canadians take time to remember those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom, we also pause to remember and honour those who have gone before us. As we also honour and remember those who were featured in Wilson’s article, the following is the story which appeared in the May 30, 1994 edition of The Watrous Manitou entitled, ‘Local veterans look back on the invasion of Normandy.’
D-Day 1944, the invasion of Nazi-held Europe at Normandy, code-named OVERLORD, will likely remain in memory as the most famous ‘day’ in the annals of military history. As in Shakespeare’s famous line, 50 years after the event veterans who survived are returning to Normandy this June to ‘stand a tip-toe’ among the many who saw action in that historic battle for the beaches and the subsequent liberation of millions.
For every man who attends the huge commemorative celebrations in Normandy next month there will be thousands who cannot, for one reason or another. Nevertheless, the memories of their youth in military service paints, to this day, an indelible mark upon their character and the way they have lived their lives. When two or more of these people gather it is not long before the stories begin, and so it was last week when, at my request, several veterans from Watrous took time to reminisce.
As we near the 50th anniversary of D-Day it was thought as a good time as any to set down just a few details of how things were in those days, from the personal perspective of a few who were eventually drawn into that monumental battle. Theirs is not the Big Picture, but rather a more intimate view of experiences among the teaming ranks of Allied Armies which were poised, in 1944 on English soil, to do a mighty deed . . .
The 25 Pounders
Roy Reichert of Watrous joined the Canadian Army at age 18 in the summer of 1940 at Saskatoon. He was pulled into the massive training system then underway across Canada, receiving the basics at Saskatoon and more advanced training at Dundurn. As part of a holding company of new recruits, he was posted to Halifax, and there began training in artillery, eventually becoming part of the 23rd Field Artillery (Self Propelled) at Sussex, New Brunswick.
The ‘self propelled’ connotation reflected the new mobility of battles being fought during World War Two. The 23rd’s 25-pounder guns were mounted on a tank chassis, ready to move at a moment’s notice or fire in any direction. The mount carried about 125 rounds of 25-pound artillery shot (thus the 25-pound description of the gun). These attributes were later to prove their worth most vividly not long after D-Day.
Reichert embarked for England in 1943 with almost 23,000 other men on the Queen Elizabeth, the Cunnard Line’s famous high speed passenger liner that had been renovated for transporting troops across the Atlantic. As with her equally famous sister ship, the Queen Mary, the ship, camouflaged in ghostly grey paint, had sufficient speed to outrun German submarines and made the four-day trip from Halifax to Grennock, Scotland unescorted. With that many men on board, however, living conditions allowed only one night out of three in a bunk. Otherwise sleep was snatched wherever it could be found in the tightly packed spaces.
In spite of the secrecy surrounding troop movements, Roy Reichert suspected through letters from his mother (!) that his brother Raymond was on board the Queen Elizabeth and, after a half-day search, met up with him for the first time since they had enlisted.
After arrival in Scotland, the 23rd Field Artillery was billeted in the southern part of England at Eastbourne, where the unit trained until the OVERLORD war machine pulled it into the inexorable violence of combat the following year.
The Normandy invasion plan was kept in the Most Secret category for obvious reasons. In preparation for the attack, considerable effort was made to deceive Hitler and the German Army into believing the invasion would centre around the French sea port of Pas de Calaise. There were all kinds of schemes to foster this subtle hint to the Germans, including an entire ‘phantom army’ ensconced in southern England under U.S. General George Patton. His command consisted of rubber blow-up tanks and vehicles, cardboard aircraft, wooden guns and plenty of phony radio traffic between non-existent units which Germans invariably monitored.
The men in Reichert’s outfit, and all of England in fact, knew OVERLORD was on the way, but not where or when. Seeing the monumental buildup of men and supplies throughout the British countryside, it was easy for anyone to put two and two together in predicting that an invasion of Europe was forthcoming. Once the 23rd Field Artillery was moved to the London dock area, the sum of two and two was almost incidental.
“We weren’t sure if we were going or when,” says Reichert. “I didn’t know the game plan until after the war.”
D-Day came and went while the 23rd was still in London. There was no particular comment at the time - everyone was too busy loading up, waterproofing their guns for the landing, and speculating when their turn would come. As with any solid military plan, OVERLORD contemplated failure at Normandy and had a backup plan to commit reserves at another location, if need be. In addition to Patton’s Third Army deception, Reichert feels they may have been part of that or possibly held in reserve pending a successful beachhead at Normandy. But all of that was hardly even speculation at the time when individual soldiers had only their own rumours to fill in the gaps under the prevailing blanket of secrecy.
In any event it was nearly a month after D-Day when Reichert’s unit landed in the path of the Third Canadian Division over the Normandy beach code-named JUNO.
“After all the fuss about waterproofing our guns and vehicles, we landed in about one foot of water!” said Reichert. They had no time to look over the beach, but raced inland to catch up with the Third Division, then staging a vicious fight at Caen, 10 miles away.
The battle at Caen led the Canadians into the churning maw of the battle of Falaise Gap, a huge, bloody encircling manoeuvre by the Allied Armies which decimated a large portion of the German Army in France. It was during this battle, says Reichert, that “we fired at targets around every point in the compass” proving the versatility of their four-man, self-propelled mount, and also illustrating the deadly speed of movement and confusion swirling about them.
“None of our crew was ever killed inside the gun mount,” Reichert says, recalling their casualties occurred when outside, exposed to shell fire or snipers. One death occurred when a round exploded prematurely just beyond the muzzle of the gun, but those inside the mount were unscathed.
There were more close calls to come as the 23rd fought its way out of France, through Belgium and into Holland, but it was in the aftermath of D-Day they saw their hottest action.
Reichert was near Willhelmshaven, Germany (a major submarine base) when the shooting stopped in May, 1945. As hostilities wound down, many of the units were repatriated to Canada and for his homeward cross of the Atlantic Reichert travelled on a much more comfortable aircraft carrier.
They approached the Nova Scotia shore in dense fog but, just as they entered Halifax harbour, the sun came out and shone across the city and its shoreline. “It was a beautiful site to see!” Reichert recalls. It was October, 1945.
The Radio Man
Roy Conn’s introduction into Canadian Army life began in his 18th year when he joined up in Regina. His experience was similar to that of Roy Reichert’s, although he completed basic training at Maple Creek and was then posted to Kingston, Ontario for further training with the Royal Canadian Signal Corps. His outfit crossed to England in August 1943 aboard the Queen Mary, and Conn ended up at Farnborough in a Signals Reinforcement Unit.
After training there he received a permanent posting to a 38-man signal section attached to the 4th Medium Artillery, arriving at Caterham-on-the-Valley during Christmas 1943. The signals unit looked after all communications between the 4th Medium and its Regimental and Brigade Headquarters. This involved telegraph, radio, telephone, telephone switchboards, the installation of telephone wire, in fact everything to do with communications and its equipment operation and maintenance.
As for D-Day, Conn said they knew it was definitely coming as their unit began waterproofing its vehicles and equipment for the invasion. Security was tight and leave passes were cancelled. The 4th Medium Artillery was equipped with 5.5 inch (the diameter of the muzzle) guns that weighed in at 10 tons each. They were pulled with Mac trucks, also weighing about 10 tons. These were all hoisted aboard ships at Brighton, ready for the Channel crossing but, like Reichert’s, Conn’s unit sat and stewed in Brighton for the next 23 days before sailing to the Normandy beachhead.
After three days of unloading on JUNO, the 4th Medium Artillery moved to the front in support of the First Polish Division, which was fighting alongside the Canadians, and remained with them for the war’s duration.
At Caen, the Poles immediately went into heavy action and suffered some hard knocks. As the battle engulfed Caen and raged on towards the Falaise Gap, the Polish Division was hammered very hard by casualties and lost nearly half its guns.
After that, it was with some relief the 4th was dispatched northwards along the French coast where they spent several weeks ‘potting away’ at Germany coastal guns that were installed on the Channel Islands. The 4th Medium’s guns, which fired an 80 pound shell propelled by bags of cordite, threw an untold number of shells at the concrete gun emplacements, however Conn wondered if they ever did do any real damage to the German emplacements.
His unit went on to the liberation Belgium, and spent the winter at Nijmegen, Holland, having arrived there just after the capture of a major German air base. Conn fell deathly ill with infectious hepatitis and spent some time in hospital back at Ghent.
He had a closer call later on when, ordered to direct traffic on a bridge ramp, he took off on a motorcycle towards the appropriate intersection. Conn had only practiced on the bike a few times before and when he arrived at the intersection in the midst of heavy traffic, hit the gas instead of the brake. He managed to slide underneath a big truck, rather than hitting it, and bares the scar to this day. The motorcycle was wrecked.
“What’ll I do with the bike?” he asked his C.O., who replied, “You know what you can do with that (so-and-so) bike!” Canadians, unlike the Americans, pampered their machinery!
Conn was also in the vicinity of Wilhelmshaven when Germany surrendered. The unit was moved back to Nijmegen and turned in their guns, vehicles, and all their equipment. Conn stayed on at Apeldorn, Holland to shovel paper work associated with the thousands of Canadians heading for home, and didn’t get to England until Christmas, 1945. In March 1946 he sailed for home on the Ile de France, arriving at Halifax on the sixth. A month later, in Regina, Conn was discharged and became a civilian again.
The Bomber’s Bomber
Don Mitchell took to the air, but only after joining the RCAF in 1942 at Regina and many months of training in Canada and England. He rattled from Brandon to Regina to Virden, and finally to Trenton, Ontario for bombardier training. This eventually got him all the way back to Dafoe, Saskatchewan for gunnery and bomb practice, and finally to Rivers, Manitoba for navigational school, where he graduated the course in July 1943.
Mitchell was among three or four thousand other men who boarded the liner Louis Pasteur for an uncomfortable trip to Scotland. The ship, which had been used to bring prisoners of war to Canada, “was hosed down with disinfectant and turned around for the trip back with us aboard,” said Mitchell. They lived, ate, and slept on or around one table in the hold.
Mitchell travelled to Bournemouth, England, and then on to operational training at Wellsbourne. He was posted to 426 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse and began his duties aboard Halifax and Landcaster bombers as the aircraft’s bomb aimer.
This was a responsible job, considering the object of the exercise was to drop bombs in an accurate manner on German targets. Leading up to the target, the bomb aimer actually took control of the aircraft’s navigation, guiding it right up to the point when bombs were released. Photographs of the target were taken simultaneously by the bombardier through a hookup on the bomb sight. Naturally the Germans discouraged bombers by shooting at them with all manner of flack and machine guns, and it took considerable fortitude to stay on a steady, prescribed bomb run through this deadly hail storm.
Flight crews could make up to a whopping $7 per day - while army types had to settle for around $1.50 - but they earned it! The air war accounted for a very high attrition rate among its personnel, and the number of missions they were allowed to fly was limited.
Mitchell completed 34 all told.
Mitchell began operations in the months leading up to D-Day when the squadron started plastering enemy communications, road and rail networks all over western France in advance of the invasion; no one location received a concentrated effort to keep the Germans guessing about Normandy. The week prior to D-Day they flew almost continuously and their ground crews went virtually sleepless to keep them in the air (the base commander later threw a huge party in one of the hangars for these stalwart crews).
On D-Day, Mitchell was impressed by the sight of the massive invasion armada, as seen from the air, stretching in solid convoys almost, it seemed, from one side of the English Channel to the other. He also remarked on
the crashed gliders which were strewn about all over the invasion area like broken toys. These had been towed to Normandy by twin-engined Dakotas (DC-8s), each containing upwards of 40 men, and had to land in fields studded with posts or other obstructions that had mines attached to them by the German defenders. The casualty rate was high. Mitchell remembers they had met flocks of these gliders headed for France while returning from an early morning bombing raid on D-Day.
Mitchell and his crew completed 25 missions after D-Day, keeping up the horrific pressure on German ground forces. In November 1944, Mitchell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, with an accompanying citation as follows: “Flight Sergeant Mitchell has attacked with the highest degree of accuracy numerous targets in Germany and the occupied countries. On one occasion in April 1944, in spite of an attack by a Junkers 88 and a fire which broke out in his aircraft, this airman continued to give directions to the pilot on his bombing run. His exceptional display of coolness and tenacity of purpose was largely responsible for the complete success of the mission.”
By Christmas 1944 Mitchell was back in Canada, and posted to Sea Island, Vancouver for a Fighter Control Course. He was there when the European war ended and thought of volunteering for the Pacific Campaign, however it also ended that summer and he flew no more.
A one-man operation
At age 18, Raymond Reichert, Roy’s brother, joined the Canadian Army in 1942. He trained at Maple Creek and took advanced training with the Regina Rifles for four months. Like any teenager, he thought his dreams had come true when he was posted to the Canadian Railway Company as a dispatch rider and given a big Harley motorcycle! The Railway Company was made up of personnel earmarked to operate trains in Europe after the Normandy invasion. As a dispatch rider, Reichert was part of the communications section that supported this Company.
With brother Roy, he sailed to England aboard the Queen Elizabeth (minus the Harley) and ended up at Colechester, England. The dispatch unit was re-united with their beloved Harleys but also learned to ride the British BMW and the ‘Snortin’ Norton.
“Running around England in the blackout could get a bit testy,” said Reichert, and he was thrown numerous times as a consequence of playing motorized blind man’s bluff. Dispatch riders were armed only with a revolver.
They knew D-Day was coming as activity reached an ever frantic pace, but were not really acquainted with warfare until arriving at the London docks. Here, they got their first sight of German buzz-bombs, self-propelled rockets sent over from France loaded with high explosives and aimed towards invasion staging areas. The buzz-bomb was not very accurate and no one knew where they might fall.
Raymond’s unit, consisting of about 460 men, arrived in France about one month after D-Day. He traded in his revolver and he said, “became a one-man operation with a motorcycle and a Sten gun!” As such, Reichert performed hundreds of ‘go-for’ jobs typical of dispatch
riders all over the theatre. He continued these duties without a scratch all through action in Belgium and Holland ending the war “somewhere in the Ruhr Valley,” when the surrender was signed. Reichert remained in Germany as part of the Allied occupational force until 1946, and arrived home aboard the Aquatania in February that year. Minus the Harley.
And so, among these four men there is a glimpse of excitement, tragedy, death, pride, fear, and courage that is all familiar to the human conduct of warfare. Obviously, there is more to be said, volumes in fact, for which there is insufficient space here.
The common thread of experience is, however, tied one way or another, either before it or after, to that day upon which world events turned ever since: D-Day.
Participation in World War II by Canadians gave our country a hard-earned stake in world affairs and an important say at its council table. Our service people fought with a skill and determination that impressed both enemy and ally alike, and left ensuing generations of Canadians with a great source of pride in such accomplishments. Such things need be remembered by our youth, not to glorify warfare, but to consider, celebrate and cherish the basic traditions of free societies that caused our people to fight in defence of them.
Because of these things, on June 6 we as Canadians in every small town or large city may “all stand a tip-toe when this day is named.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 2, 2020
Sask. Party wins fourth consecutive majority
Daniel Bushman
While the official results will not be known until Nov. 7, the Saskatchewan Party received more than enough votes to win a fourth straight majority government, something not seen since the Tommy Douglas era. As voters from across the province cast their ballots, locally the Saskatchewan Party’s Donna Harpauer was re-elected in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency while Dana Skoropad won his seat in the Arm River constituency for the Saskatchewan Party.
With the COVID-19 pandemic creating challenges, voters had the option to submit their vote by mail and a total of 61,255 total mail ballots were issued in the province. Since it will take some time for the mailed ballots to reach their destination, according to Elections Saskatchewan that means a first preliminary count of the votes took place on election night (Oct. 26). From that count, 385,461 votes were tallied. A second preliminary count occurred Oct. 28 with mailed ballots that were received pushing that count to 425,670 votes and a final count of the remaining ballots that were mailed in will take place Nov. 7.
Because of the delay and with a few close races, that meant the outcome of who won in those close races was different than what it reflected Oct. 26. On election night after the ballots were tallied, according to Elections Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Party found itself with 50 seats (242,638 votes and 62.95 percent of the vote) followed by the New Democratic Party with 11 seats (112,263 votes and 29.12 percent of the vote).
If those results were to have held up through to the final count then the Saskatchewan Party would have gained two seats while the NDP would have dropped a pair of seats. Other results from the first preliminary count showed the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan garnering 11,055 votes or 2.87 percent of the total vote; the Green Party of Saskatchewan had 9,108 votes and 2.36 percent of the overall vote; the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan had 7,987 votes and 2.07 percent of the overall vote; Independents received 954 votes and 0.25 percent of the overall vote; and the Saskatchewan Liberals had 338 votes or 0.09 percent of the overall vote.
Those numbers did change after the second preliminary vote though as the NDP gained two seats back to reflect the Saskatchewan Party holding 48 seats while the NDP had 13.
Locally, after the second preliminary count, for the Humboldt-Watrous constituency: Donna Harpauer with the Saskatchewan Party received 5,564 votes; Wendy Sekulich with the NDP had 1,121 votes; Constance Maffenbeir with the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan had 525 votes; Rose Buscholl with the PC Party of Saskatchewan had 236 votes; and Jim Ternier with the Green Party had 175 votes. There were a total of 676 mail ballots issued with 440 of those counted.
For the Arm River constituency after the second preliminary count: Dana Skoropad with the Saskatchewan Party received 6,480 votes; Cam Goff with the NDP received 1,299 votes; Steve Forbes of the PC Party of Saskatchewan had 430; and Tiffany Giesbrecht of the Green Party had 192. There were a total of 584 mail ballots issued with 425 of those counted.
First elected to the Legislature representing the former Watrous constituency in 1999, Harpauer was once again re-elected in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency. Heading into the Oct. 26 election, Harpauer was the province’s Finance Minister and with members of her family joining her to watch the results come in, she was thrilled with the outcome.
“It is always an honour to have the confidence of the people of the Humboldt-Watrous constituency. Now I have to take on that responsibility to deliver on not only what we promised in the platform but to do what I feel is best and what is needed for those that are in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency.
We said that the ballot question was who do people believe and trust to manage an economic recovery because it is critical for the future of the province. We are hearing that the people are putting their trust in us so that is a task that we must take on very seriously and we will. We need to recover and we believe we can and we believe that we can grow going forward and balance our budget in a few years.”
With the pandemic posing some challenges during the campaign, Harpauer said it was more unique than in years past. In addition, this year Premier Scott Moe asked Harpauer to be the co-chair of the provincial campaign. “My role in this campaign was a little more divided. I had less time in the constituency itself and spent more time than I ever had before in Regina with debates and some of the larger provincial platforms. It was different for me; however, the people within the province were definitely there for me.”
Elected as part of the Saskatchewan Party’s first majority government and being part of the party for its four majority government victories, Harpauer noted the importance of the substantial victories. “I think it is a huge measure that we can now say that perhaps we will be the natural governing party within Saskatchewan. Considering when the Saskatchewan Party was formed, I think there was a lot of doubt. It was not a party that had any federal connections whatsoever. There was a lot of naysayers saying that it wouldn’t work and we have proven them wrong.”
As for Harpauer’s thoughts on Premier Scott Moe’s first election victory as premier, Harpauer has been a supporter since day one when he decided to run for the job after Brad Wall stepped away from politics.
“I have had faith in him and I still do. I think Scott is very strong but he is also very diverse. Scott can relate to the urban and rural, to First Nations and non-First Nations. He is that guy that is just relatable, easy to talk to and easy to approach. I think that is what Saskatchewan is looking for.”
With a victory in her constituency and previously holding the role of finance minister leading up to the election, Harpauer admitted that navigating through a pandemic will be daunting. However, with the goal of balancing a budget by 2024 without raising any taxes and making major cuts, she said, “It is definitely doable. Our recovery is going to be getting our business community back to where it was and then to grow going forward. We have proven that growth in our past and we will prove it once again. The Saskatchewan people are up to that task.”
Reflecting back on her time as MLA for the local area, Harpauer said, “This constituency has been awesome and it is always very humbling to know that I have their support as strong as what I do. I just hope that I measure up to what they expect and I will work very very hard to do so.”
While Harpauer was first elected to the Legislature in 1999, Arm River’s Dana Skoropad will be headed to Regina for the first time. Skoropad was nominated as the Saskatchewan Party candidate for the 2020 election after long-time MLA Greg Brkich decided to step away from the political ring.
After seeing the results come in during election night, Skoropad was thrilled with the outcome. “It has been a lot of time and a lot of hard work from a lot of people since the nomination process even began edging toward two years ago. All of that work all culminated into one night and watching the results come in, it was exciting, it was nerve-wracking, it was exhilarating, it was humbling, every emotion you could throw together. But in the end, I can’t just express how honoured I am that it worked out.”
Seeing the Saskatchewan Party form another majority government, Skoropad said he was pleased to see people of Saskatchewan give a strong mandate to the government.
“I think it speaks volumes to the quality of candidates that are in each constituency and the work that has been done beforehand by the candidates in the previous term and the leadership of Scott Moe. We will absolutely do our utmost to live up to that trust that has been given to us at this time.”
While the pandemic posed some challenges for Skoropad, like it did for others, the newly elected Arm River candidate said despite it all, once he got the green light and was able to practice social distancing and mask up, he hit the ground running.
“I was on the road and on doorsteps six days a week and I don’t think it is necessarily because that is what campaigning is, I think that is what the job that I was always looking to do as MLA. You have to meet people, you have got to talk and hear people and I think that is important. This campaign was really rewarding and I was welcomed into the lives of many people right across the constituency . . . (and) people took the time to share their stories with me.”
Now that he will be representing the constituency, Skoropad said it will be a learning experience. “It is exciting and it is an exciting new chapter in my life. I know that at the end of the day I am doing this because I want to make a difference and I want to serve people.”
Reaching out to The Watrous Manitou, NDP candidate Cam Goff wanted to extend his congratulations to Dana Skoropad of the Saskatchewan Party on his victory in the constituency of Arm River. “I trust that he will serve his constituents with honesty and diligence during his time as our member of the Legislative Assembly. I also offer my appreciation to Steve Forbes of the Progressive Conservative Party and Tiffany Giesbrecht of the Green Party for putting their names forward in this election. Without choice, there can be no democracy, and your contributions help ensure a healthy and diverse political system. Finally, I want to thank the people who supported me during my campaign. To all of you who donated your time, money, and effort, as well as voted for me, please accept my sincere gratitude. This was truly a remarkable experience.”
With each candidate wrapping up their campaigns as election day arrived, Skoropad took the opportunity to extend his appreciation to former MLA Greg Brkich for the work he did within the constituency and to the candidates who ran against him noting each ran respectful campaigns.
“I also want to thank all of the people of Arm River that supported me in this. That is not lost on me at all. I will certainly give my best, all of my hands, heart and mind and everything I’ve got.”
Daniel Bushman
While the official results will not be known until Nov. 7, the Saskatchewan Party received more than enough votes to win a fourth straight majority government, something not seen since the Tommy Douglas era. As voters from across the province cast their ballots, locally the Saskatchewan Party’s Donna Harpauer was re-elected in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency while Dana Skoropad won his seat in the Arm River constituency for the Saskatchewan Party.
With the COVID-19 pandemic creating challenges, voters had the option to submit their vote by mail and a total of 61,255 total mail ballots were issued in the province. Since it will take some time for the mailed ballots to reach their destination, according to Elections Saskatchewan that means a first preliminary count of the votes took place on election night (Oct. 26). From that count, 385,461 votes were tallied. A second preliminary count occurred Oct. 28 with mailed ballots that were received pushing that count to 425,670 votes and a final count of the remaining ballots that were mailed in will take place Nov. 7.
Because of the delay and with a few close races, that meant the outcome of who won in those close races was different than what it reflected Oct. 26. On election night after the ballots were tallied, according to Elections Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Party found itself with 50 seats (242,638 votes and 62.95 percent of the vote) followed by the New Democratic Party with 11 seats (112,263 votes and 29.12 percent of the vote).
If those results were to have held up through to the final count then the Saskatchewan Party would have gained two seats while the NDP would have dropped a pair of seats. Other results from the first preliminary count showed the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan garnering 11,055 votes or 2.87 percent of the total vote; the Green Party of Saskatchewan had 9,108 votes and 2.36 percent of the overall vote; the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan had 7,987 votes and 2.07 percent of the overall vote; Independents received 954 votes and 0.25 percent of the overall vote; and the Saskatchewan Liberals had 338 votes or 0.09 percent of the overall vote.
Those numbers did change after the second preliminary vote though as the NDP gained two seats back to reflect the Saskatchewan Party holding 48 seats while the NDP had 13.
Locally, after the second preliminary count, for the Humboldt-Watrous constituency: Donna Harpauer with the Saskatchewan Party received 5,564 votes; Wendy Sekulich with the NDP had 1,121 votes; Constance Maffenbeir with the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan had 525 votes; Rose Buscholl with the PC Party of Saskatchewan had 236 votes; and Jim Ternier with the Green Party had 175 votes. There were a total of 676 mail ballots issued with 440 of those counted.
For the Arm River constituency after the second preliminary count: Dana Skoropad with the Saskatchewan Party received 6,480 votes; Cam Goff with the NDP received 1,299 votes; Steve Forbes of the PC Party of Saskatchewan had 430; and Tiffany Giesbrecht of the Green Party had 192. There were a total of 584 mail ballots issued with 425 of those counted.
First elected to the Legislature representing the former Watrous constituency in 1999, Harpauer was once again re-elected in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency. Heading into the Oct. 26 election, Harpauer was the province’s Finance Minister and with members of her family joining her to watch the results come in, she was thrilled with the outcome.
“It is always an honour to have the confidence of the people of the Humboldt-Watrous constituency. Now I have to take on that responsibility to deliver on not only what we promised in the platform but to do what I feel is best and what is needed for those that are in the Humboldt-Watrous constituency.
We said that the ballot question was who do people believe and trust to manage an economic recovery because it is critical for the future of the province. We are hearing that the people are putting their trust in us so that is a task that we must take on very seriously and we will. We need to recover and we believe we can and we believe that we can grow going forward and balance our budget in a few years.”
With the pandemic posing some challenges during the campaign, Harpauer said it was more unique than in years past. In addition, this year Premier Scott Moe asked Harpauer to be the co-chair of the provincial campaign. “My role in this campaign was a little more divided. I had less time in the constituency itself and spent more time than I ever had before in Regina with debates and some of the larger provincial platforms. It was different for me; however, the people within the province were definitely there for me.”
Elected as part of the Saskatchewan Party’s first majority government and being part of the party for its four majority government victories, Harpauer noted the importance of the substantial victories. “I think it is a huge measure that we can now say that perhaps we will be the natural governing party within Saskatchewan. Considering when the Saskatchewan Party was formed, I think there was a lot of doubt. It was not a party that had any federal connections whatsoever. There was a lot of naysayers saying that it wouldn’t work and we have proven them wrong.”
As for Harpauer’s thoughts on Premier Scott Moe’s first election victory as premier, Harpauer has been a supporter since day one when he decided to run for the job after Brad Wall stepped away from politics.
“I have had faith in him and I still do. I think Scott is very strong but he is also very diverse. Scott can relate to the urban and rural, to First Nations and non-First Nations. He is that guy that is just relatable, easy to talk to and easy to approach. I think that is what Saskatchewan is looking for.”
With a victory in her constituency and previously holding the role of finance minister leading up to the election, Harpauer admitted that navigating through a pandemic will be daunting. However, with the goal of balancing a budget by 2024 without raising any taxes and making major cuts, she said, “It is definitely doable. Our recovery is going to be getting our business community back to where it was and then to grow going forward. We have proven that growth in our past and we will prove it once again. The Saskatchewan people are up to that task.”
Reflecting back on her time as MLA for the local area, Harpauer said, “This constituency has been awesome and it is always very humbling to know that I have their support as strong as what I do. I just hope that I measure up to what they expect and I will work very very hard to do so.”
While Harpauer was first elected to the Legislature in 1999, Arm River’s Dana Skoropad will be headed to Regina for the first time. Skoropad was nominated as the Saskatchewan Party candidate for the 2020 election after long-time MLA Greg Brkich decided to step away from the political ring.
After seeing the results come in during election night, Skoropad was thrilled with the outcome. “It has been a lot of time and a lot of hard work from a lot of people since the nomination process even began edging toward two years ago. All of that work all culminated into one night and watching the results come in, it was exciting, it was nerve-wracking, it was exhilarating, it was humbling, every emotion you could throw together. But in the end, I can’t just express how honoured I am that it worked out.”
Seeing the Saskatchewan Party form another majority government, Skoropad said he was pleased to see people of Saskatchewan give a strong mandate to the government.
“I think it speaks volumes to the quality of candidates that are in each constituency and the work that has been done beforehand by the candidates in the previous term and the leadership of Scott Moe. We will absolutely do our utmost to live up to that trust that has been given to us at this time.”
While the pandemic posed some challenges for Skoropad, like it did for others, the newly elected Arm River candidate said despite it all, once he got the green light and was able to practice social distancing and mask up, he hit the ground running.
“I was on the road and on doorsteps six days a week and I don’t think it is necessarily because that is what campaigning is, I think that is what the job that I was always looking to do as MLA. You have to meet people, you have got to talk and hear people and I think that is important. This campaign was really rewarding and I was welcomed into the lives of many people right across the constituency . . . (and) people took the time to share their stories with me.”
Now that he will be representing the constituency, Skoropad said it will be a learning experience. “It is exciting and it is an exciting new chapter in my life. I know that at the end of the day I am doing this because I want to make a difference and I want to serve people.”
Reaching out to The Watrous Manitou, NDP candidate Cam Goff wanted to extend his congratulations to Dana Skoropad of the Saskatchewan Party on his victory in the constituency of Arm River. “I trust that he will serve his constituents with honesty and diligence during his time as our member of the Legislative Assembly. I also offer my appreciation to Steve Forbes of the Progressive Conservative Party and Tiffany Giesbrecht of the Green Party for putting their names forward in this election. Without choice, there can be no democracy, and your contributions help ensure a healthy and diverse political system. Finally, I want to thank the people who supported me during my campaign. To all of you who donated your time, money, and effort, as well as voted for me, please accept my sincere gratitude. This was truly a remarkable experience.”
With each candidate wrapping up their campaigns as election day arrived, Skoropad took the opportunity to extend his appreciation to former MLA Greg Brkich for the work he did within the constituency and to the candidates who ran against him noting each ran respectful campaigns.
“I also want to thank all of the people of Arm River that supported me in this. That is not lost on me at all. I will certainly give my best, all of my hands, heart and mind and everything I’ve got.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 26, 2020
Election to take place in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Watrous residents will be headed to the polls to elect members of town council as the community received a number of candidates for the six vacant spots.
After long-time mayor Ed Collins elected not to run for another term, former town councillor John Gunderson has been acclaimed as mayor.
Gunderson said, “I am definitely looking forward to the new role of mayor on Watrous Town Council. I have served as a councillor for 11 years and have seen the community of Watrous achieve many things in that time period. Many times I hear people from outside of Watrous comment on what a great community Watrous is and I couldn’t agree more. This is a credit to not only the people who have served on council but to all of our residents and business owners who make Watrous a great place to live.”
With an unprecedented year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gunderson acknowledged that people may be faced with some challenges going forward. “But I know that by working together we will get through this.”
While Gunderson was acclaimed as mayor of Watrous, a total of eight people have let their names stand for six councillor seats after nominations officially closed in early October.
The former town councillor said, “It is great to see the number of people who have been nominated for the role of councillor. It is a commitment to serve on town council but also a rewarding one. We all get to work together to make Watrous a town to be proud of and good luck to all of the candidates.”
Vying for the six seats on council are Juanita Allin, Sean Beischer, Gary Bergen, Taylor Engele, Patricia Isherwood, Jody Lewis, Lane Manson and Jean Margetts.
In an effort to provide the community of Watrous with an opportunity to learn more about the candidates, The Watrous Manitou reached out to each seeking a bio while posing the question of why each decided to run.
The following are the responses received by The Watrous Manitou and appear in alphabetical order by last name.
Juanita Allin - I am Juanita Allin and I am proud to call Watrous home. A resident since 2000, I currently work for Nutrien Ag Solutions as a research agronomist and manager. I am a mother of three community involved children. An active participant in my children’s activities has found me on the Watrous Co-operative Nursery School Executive as well as the Watrous School of Dance Executive. Currently I am chairing the Watrous Dance Festival. I can also be found at the ball diamond stocking the kitchen and at the rink managing a team.
I have wanted to be a member of Watrous Town Council for a number of years and am excited to have the opportunity to serve a community I have been a member of for 20 years. Bringing diverse experience with me, I hope to use my level-headed and fair decision-making skills to serve my term on council.
Sean Beischer - I was born in Victoria, B.C. My family moved to Saskatchewan when I was 14 and we lived in Langham where I attended Walter W. Brown High School. After graduation, I moved to Saskatoon where I met my wife Stesha. We have two children. Jade is currently attending the U of S working towards a degree in agriculture. She teaches dance at the Hanley School of Dance and works at TB’s in her spare time. Our youngest, Tai is currently in Gr. 10 at Winston High School. He enjoys playing hockey, football, badminton and baseball. When he isn’t playing sports he works part time at Pip’s Esso and is trying to save enough money to buy his first car. I enjoy spending time with my family and can usually be found at the rink in the winter or in the summer at the ball field.
We moved to Lanigan in 2004 when I started working
at the PCS Lanigan Mine. We lived in Lanigan until 2017 when we decided to relocate to Watrous. Stesha was working in town at Nutrien Ag Solutions and drove from Lanigan for four years before we decided it was time to move. She always told me what a great community Watrous was and I was truly impressed when we came to town. We felt at home right away and have made lots of friends in our short time here. It is so impressive to see how many people are involved in all the different community groups and events. Watrous has a small town feel with big town benefits. There are so many great businesses and so much potential for more.
This community involvement is what has led me to put my name forward for town council. I personally want to become more involved in the town and be a part of our community’s continued growth. I feel that I am a good candidate for this position because I have many years of leadership experience in my current position at work. I am not scared to make hard decisions and like the challenge of solving problems. I have experience working within specific budgets, and planning personnel requirements to meet targets. Throughout my experience I have learned to listen to the issues and develop good plans to keep moving in the right direction.
I would like to thank all of our friends for welcoming us into this community and look forward to getting to know many more of you.
Gary Bergen - I was born and raised in Saskatoon and after graduation I obtained a Bachelors Degree (Saskatoon) and two Masters Degrees (San Francisco). In 1977, I married my wife Kathy and moving to Watrous in 1984, we raised our two children, Jonathan and Jennifer. We now enjoy spending time with our two granddaughters and one more who is just about here!
During my time in Watrous, I was the pastor at Watrous Baptist Church for 22 years and I continue to run a computer sales and service and graphics and website design business; something I have done for 28 years.
For about 20 years I have been involved with marketing and economic development in this area and for the last 10 years I have been involved with the establishment of the Heritage Centre in Watrous.
I was recently on Watrous Town Council for one term and during that time was appointed Chair of the Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance of Communities (MSMA), which includes Watrous and Manitou Beach.
The reason I decided to run again for council is because I have a passion for seeing this area of Watrous and Manitou Beach move forward and grow in every way, so that it is the best place in the world to live, work and visit!
Taylor Engele - My name is Taylor Engele and I am excited to be putting my name forward as a candidate for the council of the Town of Watrous. I was born and raised in Watrous and I look forward to raising my family in the place I am proud to call home. I see this opportunity to run for council as a way to learn more about my community and municipal governance, as well as a new challenge to build a stronger community.
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 & Fitness Centre. I am a past president and current member of the Watrous Kinsmen, and am on the board of directors for the Manitou Beach Golf Club. I have also been actively involved in sport around Watrous, coaching with the Winston Wildcat football team, being a member at the Manitou Beach Golf Club and a former player with the Watrous Winterhawk senior hockey club.
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 this business experience, I feel my skill set makes me well-suited to be a valuable member of council.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my bio and I look for your support on Nov. 9th. I would be proud to represent you on Watrous Town Council.
Patricia Isherwood - I am Patricia Isherwood and I am running for re-election as councillor for the Town of Watrous. I have been on council for 14 years and enjoy interacting with and getting to know the people in our great town.
I was born and raised near Watrous and left after high school graduation. I retired from the federal government in 2005 as a human resources manager/adviser and returned to Watrous. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made!! I have lived all over Saskatchewan and Manitoba and am very proud to call Watrous my home!!
I currently serve, and have served, on various council committees and boards and currently represent council on the local Watrous and Area Arts Council. I am also a delegate with the Affinity Credit Union Board.
I golf, curl, attend aquasize classes and enjoy watching our local hockey and ball teams. I used to volunteer at Manitou Lodge but with COVID-19 that is no longer possible. Hopefully I can return to that in the near future.
I look forward to serving the people of Watrous as a town councillor for another four years. Thank you for your votes.
Jody Lewis - I was born and raised in Nokomis, Sask. and I moved to Watrous in the fall of 1989 and have lived here ever since. I have been involved in the community on various boards since the early 1990s, including sitting on the Manitou Beach Golf Club board of directors and a proud member of Watrous Town Council since 1997. I have also helped coach some minor ball and minor hockey teams in Watrous, and have been a player and assistant coach with the Watrous Winterhawks.
Through the last 30 plus years in Watrous I have seen this community rise to the occasion many times through fundraising and volunteer commitments, making Watrous a great place to call home. I am proud of the accomplishments and infrastructure Watrous has made to attract business ventures and create outstanding community morale.
I am honoured to put my name forward for another term as a councillor for the Town of Watrous, and continue to help grow our community. Thank you for your support.
Lane Manson - I was born and raised in Watrous and have been a business owner in the community for the past 12 years. After a career in hockey, I decided to return to the community where I grew up in and not only began operating a few businesses but have put down roots here as well. Since I returned to Watrous, I have been involved with the Watrous Winterhawks senior hockey team and numerous fundraisers. In addition, I was directly involved with the original gym committee to have a gym started in town. And I have also been a member at large on the Watrous Recreation Board for the past 10 years.
I am running for council to try to keep Watrous a place that is great to work, do business and raise a family.
Jean Margetts - I have lived in Watrous for the past 10 years and have been a town councillor for seven of those years. I was an employee at Watrous Shop Easy before it closed and now I run the REACT Transfer Station at Watrous.
I have been involved within the community for a number of years. In addition to being a councillor, I am chairperson and Town of Watrous representative for Wheatland Library in Watrous, I sit on the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Board as a Town of Watrous representative, and am on the REACT Waste Management Board in Humboldt as a Town of Watrous representative.
I enjoy meeting people, spending time with my grandchildren, reading, fishing and baking.
I decided to run for council for another term because I enjoy the community of Watrous as I find it a safe and friendly place to live and do business in.
Daniel Bushman
Watrous residents will be headed to the polls to elect members of town council as the community received a number of candidates for the six vacant spots.
After long-time mayor Ed Collins elected not to run for another term, former town councillor John Gunderson has been acclaimed as mayor.
Gunderson said, “I am definitely looking forward to the new role of mayor on Watrous Town Council. I have served as a councillor for 11 years and have seen the community of Watrous achieve many things in that time period. Many times I hear people from outside of Watrous comment on what a great community Watrous is and I couldn’t agree more. This is a credit to not only the people who have served on council but to all of our residents and business owners who make Watrous a great place to live.”
With an unprecedented year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gunderson acknowledged that people may be faced with some challenges going forward. “But I know that by working together we will get through this.”
While Gunderson was acclaimed as mayor of Watrous, a total of eight people have let their names stand for six councillor seats after nominations officially closed in early October.
The former town councillor said, “It is great to see the number of people who have been nominated for the role of councillor. It is a commitment to serve on town council but also a rewarding one. We all get to work together to make Watrous a town to be proud of and good luck to all of the candidates.”
Vying for the six seats on council are Juanita Allin, Sean Beischer, Gary Bergen, Taylor Engele, Patricia Isherwood, Jody Lewis, Lane Manson and Jean Margetts.
In an effort to provide the community of Watrous with an opportunity to learn more about the candidates, The Watrous Manitou reached out to each seeking a bio while posing the question of why each decided to run.
The following are the responses received by The Watrous Manitou and appear in alphabetical order by last name.
Juanita Allin - I am Juanita Allin and I am proud to call Watrous home. A resident since 2000, I currently work for Nutrien Ag Solutions as a research agronomist and manager. I am a mother of three community involved children. An active participant in my children’s activities has found me on the Watrous Co-operative Nursery School Executive as well as the Watrous School of Dance Executive. Currently I am chairing the Watrous Dance Festival. I can also be found at the ball diamond stocking the kitchen and at the rink managing a team.
I have wanted to be a member of Watrous Town Council for a number of years and am excited to have the opportunity to serve a community I have been a member of for 20 years. Bringing diverse experience with me, I hope to use my level-headed and fair decision-making skills to serve my term on council.
Sean Beischer - I was born in Victoria, B.C. My family moved to Saskatchewan when I was 14 and we lived in Langham where I attended Walter W. Brown High School. After graduation, I moved to Saskatoon where I met my wife Stesha. We have two children. Jade is currently attending the U of S working towards a degree in agriculture. She teaches dance at the Hanley School of Dance and works at TB’s in her spare time. Our youngest, Tai is currently in Gr. 10 at Winston High School. He enjoys playing hockey, football, badminton and baseball. When he isn’t playing sports he works part time at Pip’s Esso and is trying to save enough money to buy his first car. I enjoy spending time with my family and can usually be found at the rink in the winter or in the summer at the ball field.
We moved to Lanigan in 2004 when I started working
at the PCS Lanigan Mine. We lived in Lanigan until 2017 when we decided to relocate to Watrous. Stesha was working in town at Nutrien Ag Solutions and drove from Lanigan for four years before we decided it was time to move. She always told me what a great community Watrous was and I was truly impressed when we came to town. We felt at home right away and have made lots of friends in our short time here. It is so impressive to see how many people are involved in all the different community groups and events. Watrous has a small town feel with big town benefits. There are so many great businesses and so much potential for more.
This community involvement is what has led me to put my name forward for town council. I personally want to become more involved in the town and be a part of our community’s continued growth. I feel that I am a good candidate for this position because I have many years of leadership experience in my current position at work. I am not scared to make hard decisions and like the challenge of solving problems. I have experience working within specific budgets, and planning personnel requirements to meet targets. Throughout my experience I have learned to listen to the issues and develop good plans to keep moving in the right direction.
I would like to thank all of our friends for welcoming us into this community and look forward to getting to know many more of you.
Gary Bergen - I was born and raised in Saskatoon and after graduation I obtained a Bachelors Degree (Saskatoon) and two Masters Degrees (San Francisco). In 1977, I married my wife Kathy and moving to Watrous in 1984, we raised our two children, Jonathan and Jennifer. We now enjoy spending time with our two granddaughters and one more who is just about here!
During my time in Watrous, I was the pastor at Watrous Baptist Church for 22 years and I continue to run a computer sales and service and graphics and website design business; something I have done for 28 years.
For about 20 years I have been involved with marketing and economic development in this area and for the last 10 years I have been involved with the establishment of the Heritage Centre in Watrous.
I was recently on Watrous Town Council for one term and during that time was appointed Chair of the Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance of Communities (MSMA), which includes Watrous and Manitou Beach.
The reason I decided to run again for council is because I have a passion for seeing this area of Watrous and Manitou Beach move forward and grow in every way, so that it is the best place in the world to live, work and visit!
Taylor Engele - My name is Taylor Engele and I am excited to be putting my name forward as a candidate for the council of the Town of Watrous. I was born and raised in Watrous and I look forward to raising my family in the place I am proud to call home. I see this opportunity to run for council as a way to learn more about my community and municipal governance, as well as a new challenge to build a stronger community.
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 & Fitness Centre. I am a past president and current member of the Watrous Kinsmen, and am on the board of directors for the Manitou Beach Golf Club. I have also been actively involved in sport around Watrous, coaching with the Winston Wildcat football team, being a member at the Manitou Beach Golf Club and a former player with the Watrous Winterhawk senior hockey club.
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 this business experience, I feel my skill set makes me well-suited to be a valuable member of council.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my bio and I look for your support on Nov. 9th. I would be proud to represent you on Watrous Town Council.
Patricia Isherwood - I am Patricia Isherwood and I am running for re-election as councillor for the Town of Watrous. I have been on council for 14 years and enjoy interacting with and getting to know the people in our great town.
I was born and raised near Watrous and left after high school graduation. I retired from the federal government in 2005 as a human resources manager/adviser and returned to Watrous. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made!! I have lived all over Saskatchewan and Manitoba and am very proud to call Watrous my home!!
I currently serve, and have served, on various council committees and boards and currently represent council on the local Watrous and Area Arts Council. I am also a delegate with the Affinity Credit Union Board.
I golf, curl, attend aquasize classes and enjoy watching our local hockey and ball teams. I used to volunteer at Manitou Lodge but with COVID-19 that is no longer possible. Hopefully I can return to that in the near future.
I look forward to serving the people of Watrous as a town councillor for another four years. Thank you for your votes.
Jody Lewis - I was born and raised in Nokomis, Sask. and I moved to Watrous in the fall of 1989 and have lived here ever since. I have been involved in the community on various boards since the early 1990s, including sitting on the Manitou Beach Golf Club board of directors and a proud member of Watrous Town Council since 1997. I have also helped coach some minor ball and minor hockey teams in Watrous, and have been a player and assistant coach with the Watrous Winterhawks.
Through the last 30 plus years in Watrous I have seen this community rise to the occasion many times through fundraising and volunteer commitments, making Watrous a great place to call home. I am proud of the accomplishments and infrastructure Watrous has made to attract business ventures and create outstanding community morale.
I am honoured to put my name forward for another term as a councillor for the Town of Watrous, and continue to help grow our community. Thank you for your support.
Lane Manson - I was born and raised in Watrous and have been a business owner in the community for the past 12 years. After a career in hockey, I decided to return to the community where I grew up in and not only began operating a few businesses but have put down roots here as well. Since I returned to Watrous, I have been involved with the Watrous Winterhawks senior hockey team and numerous fundraisers. In addition, I was directly involved with the original gym committee to have a gym started in town. And I have also been a member at large on the Watrous Recreation Board for the past 10 years.
I am running for council to try to keep Watrous a place that is great to work, do business and raise a family.
Jean Margetts - I have lived in Watrous for the past 10 years and have been a town councillor for seven of those years. I was an employee at Watrous Shop Easy before it closed and now I run the REACT Transfer Station at Watrous.
I have been involved within the community for a number of years. In addition to being a councillor, I am chairperson and Town of Watrous representative for Wheatland Library in Watrous, I sit on the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Board as a Town of Watrous representative, and am on the REACT Waste Management Board in Humboldt as a Town of Watrous representative.
I enjoy meeting people, spending time with my grandchildren, reading, fishing and baking.
I decided to run for council for another term because I enjoy the community of Watrous as I find it a safe and friendly place to live and do business in.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 19, 2020
WES students enjoy new play structure
Daniel Bushman
With a lot of hard work, dedication, and tremendous support from the community, students at Watrous Elementary School can now enjoy a new play structure.
After removing an aging play structure and several old climbers last year, the school began fundraising for a three phase playground project. Watrous Elementary School Vice Principal Rhonda Hardy who is part of the committee garnering funds for the new equipment said, “We are thrilled to have Phase 1 installed and it is already being used by students.”
After the new pieces for Phase 1 arrived at the school in early October, work commenced and the structure was built. Heading into the Thanksgiving weekend, students and staff were all smiles as the play structure was officially installed. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, a limited number of students are able to play on the equipment each recess, but Hardy said it is just fantastic to have the new structure in place so that it can be used for years to come.
Hardy noted the installation of the playground equipment before Thanksgiving was only made possible by the generous support and labour donation from three local business owners. “Royce Dyck and his crew from Quality Plus Construction saw the project through from start to finish, providing the manpower to put the structure together. Ron Ediger and his crew from Melron Services prepared the surface, provided gravel, and covered the area with sand following the install. And Dennis Irvine was our welder on site, preparing the channeling system under the structure. We sincerely appreciate their help. We also want to acknowledge Vaughn Jones at Integra Tire for providing some workers to shovel sand following the install and to Mark and Cathy McMann, the owners of Pip’s Esso & Subway for donating sub lunches for our workers and volunteers while on site.”
Seeing the kids smiling as they enjoy the new playground structure, Hardy feels overwhelmed at how the local community has come together during this very difficult year to provide the equipment for the students at Watrous Elementary School.
“We continue to be generously supported by local and area businesses as we move towards Phases 2 and 3 of our project and recently have had some additional donations. Those funds were generously provided by Ron Ediger and Melron Services ($1,000), the Watrous Kinettes ($1,000), and we also received $ 4,000 from the BHP Community Assistance Program.”
With the extra funding, Hardy said the school is hoping to garner enough money over the next few months to be able to order equipment for Phase 2 of the project with an expected installation date of spring 2021.
Daniel Bushman
With a lot of hard work, dedication, and tremendous support from the community, students at Watrous Elementary School can now enjoy a new play structure.
After removing an aging play structure and several old climbers last year, the school began fundraising for a three phase playground project. Watrous Elementary School Vice Principal Rhonda Hardy who is part of the committee garnering funds for the new equipment said, “We are thrilled to have Phase 1 installed and it is already being used by students.”
After the new pieces for Phase 1 arrived at the school in early October, work commenced and the structure was built. Heading into the Thanksgiving weekend, students and staff were all smiles as the play structure was officially installed. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, a limited number of students are able to play on the equipment each recess, but Hardy said it is just fantastic to have the new structure in place so that it can be used for years to come.
Hardy noted the installation of the playground equipment before Thanksgiving was only made possible by the generous support and labour donation from three local business owners. “Royce Dyck and his crew from Quality Plus Construction saw the project through from start to finish, providing the manpower to put the structure together. Ron Ediger and his crew from Melron Services prepared the surface, provided gravel, and covered the area with sand following the install. And Dennis Irvine was our welder on site, preparing the channeling system under the structure. We sincerely appreciate their help. We also want to acknowledge Vaughn Jones at Integra Tire for providing some workers to shovel sand following the install and to Mark and Cathy McMann, the owners of Pip’s Esso & Subway for donating sub lunches for our workers and volunteers while on site.”
Seeing the kids smiling as they enjoy the new playground structure, Hardy feels overwhelmed at how the local community has come together during this very difficult year to provide the equipment for the students at Watrous Elementary School.
“We continue to be generously supported by local and area businesses as we move towards Phases 2 and 3 of our project and recently have had some additional donations. Those funds were generously provided by Ron Ediger and Melron Services ($1,000), the Watrous Kinettes ($1,000), and we also received $ 4,000 from the BHP Community Assistance Program.”
With the extra funding, Hardy said the school is hoping to garner enough money over the next few months to be able to order equipment for Phase 2 of the project with an expected installation date of spring 2021.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 12, 2020
Elections upcoming for some local communities and RMs
Daniel Bushman
In some communities and rural municipalities within the local area, residents will be headed to the polls to cast their vote while others had seats filled by acclamation. With a call issued for nominations and the deadline to do so arriving Oct. 7, The Watrous Manitou emailed a request to the local area communities and RMs who advertised their call for nominations to see who would be representing each as either mayor, reeve or councillor.
The following are the results from those communities and RMs able to reply before press time:
Allan: there will be an election for the mayor and councillor positions. Candidates for mayor are Justin Gunnarson and Bonnie-Lee Lewis. Those running for a spot on council include Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Dean Posnikoff, Kelly Schatz, Russell Schick, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang.
Colonsay: Tracy Yousie has been acclaimed as mayor. There will be an election for six council positions. Those running for councillors include: Gordon Buckingham, Lonnie Burns, Warren Cooper, Candice Ens, Dustin Pingert, Amanda Reiman, Andrew Sutherland, Anthony (Tony) Walliser, and Pamela Whitrow.
Drake: Peter Nicholson remains as mayor after being acclaimed. Acclaimed as councillors are Terry Willems, Rory Anderson, Erica Thiele, and Erin Richard.
Imperial: there will be an election for mayor as Edward Abrey and Marcus Arcanum have let their names stand. The following councillors have all been acclaimed: Pat Joa, Susan Parish, Ryan Kelly, Les Sainsbury, Jonathon King, and Randy Shaw.
Jansen: Albert Cardinal remains as mayor after being acclaimed. Kathy Jones, Elmer Kinzel and Matthew Brooks have been acclaimed for council positions.
Lanigan: there will be an election for both the mayor and councillor positions. Running for mayor is Kevin Armstrong and Tony Mycock. Running for the six councillor seats is Colette Baker, Marilyn Bodner, Kyle Boyko, Velda Daelick, Shelby Elke, Paul Mamer, Wendy Mehrer, Aron Renwick, and James Stephan.
Liberty: Jennifer Langlois will be mayor and a further call for nominations has been issued for two councillors.
Nokomis: David Mark has been acclaimed as mayor while Kenny Braun, Dennis Kresier, and Ken Koenig were acclaimed as councillors.
Plunkett: Mike Devine will be mayor and councillors that have been acclaimed are Justin Haines and Michael Pastor.
Simpson: Helen Wallas will be mayor and Brenda Janzen and Jim Zitaruk will be councillors with a further call for nominations issued for councillor.
Viscount: Melissa Dieno will be the mayor of Viscount after being acclaimed but there will be an election for four councillor spots as five people let their names stand. They include: Mitch Gusikoski, Dustin Gusikoski, Andrea Young, Dean Schlosser, and Karen Vishloff.
Young: the mayor of Young will be Agnes Thompson after being acclaimed. An election will take place for the councillors for four seats. Those running include Gord Anderson, Jonathan Haines, Shannon Fraser-Hansen, Bruce McIver, and Brad Mason.
Watrous: John Gunderson will be the next mayor of the community but there will be an election for the councillor seats. With six available spots, eight people have let their names stand for council. Those include: Juanita Allin, Sean Beischer, Gary Bergen, Taylor Engele, Patricia Isherwood, Jody Lewis, Lane Manson and Jean Margetts.
RM of Big Arm: Sheldon Vance will be reeve while a further call for nominations has been issued for Division One. Trevor Lewis is the councillor for Division Three, and Larry Waldow is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Colonsay: Gerald Yausie was elected reeve by acclamation, there is a further call for nominations for Division One, Duncan McVicar was acclaimed for Division Three, and Marvin Lang was acclaimed for Division Five.
RM of LeRoy: Calvin Buhs was elected reeve by acclamation, Cody Block was elected by acclamation for Division One, Tom Senko was elected by acclamation for Division Three, and Tracy Mollenbeck was elected by acclamation for Division Five.
RM of Lost River: Charles Smith was elected reeve by acclamation. Dale Walter was elected as councillor for Division One by acclamation. Karsten Frydenlund, was elected as councillor for Division Three by acclamation. Larry Sommerfeld was elected councillor for Division Five by acclamation.
RM of Morris: Robert Penrose has been acclaimed as reeve. Dale Miettinen was acclaimed as councillor for Division One, Keith Thoner was acclaimed as councillor Division Three and there will be an election for Division Five as Gordon Anderson and Jaise Currie are running.
RM of Prairie Rose: Darin Pedersen is reeve, there is a further call for nominations for Division One, Trevor Blair is councillor for Division Three, and Corey Kinzel is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Wolverine: Bryan Gibney was elected reeve. Don Williams was elected councillor for Division One. There were no nominations received for either Division Three or Division Five so a call for further nominations is being issued.
RM of Wood Creek: Glen Busse will be reeve, David Hill is the councillor for Division One, David Vanthuyne is the councillor for Division Three, and Chris Klenk is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Wreford: there will be an election for reeve as Peter Gauley and Shane Halstead have been nominated for the position. Craig Smith has been re-elected for Division One and Jeff Gingrich has been re-elected for Division three.
RM of Usborne: Jack Gibney will be reeve, Ryan Morningstar is the councillor for Division One, Howard Toews is the councillor for Division Three, and Fred Toman is the councillor for Division Five. All have been re-elected by acclamation.
Daniel Bushman
In some communities and rural municipalities within the local area, residents will be headed to the polls to cast their vote while others had seats filled by acclamation. With a call issued for nominations and the deadline to do so arriving Oct. 7, The Watrous Manitou emailed a request to the local area communities and RMs who advertised their call for nominations to see who would be representing each as either mayor, reeve or councillor.
The following are the results from those communities and RMs able to reply before press time:
Allan: there will be an election for the mayor and councillor positions. Candidates for mayor are Justin Gunnarson and Bonnie-Lee Lewis. Those running for a spot on council include Ashley Carrobourg, Jordan Hafichuk, Megan Hull, Dean Posnikoff, Kelly Schatz, Russell Schick, Kent Sommerfeld, and Robert Vogelgesang.
Colonsay: Tracy Yousie has been acclaimed as mayor. There will be an election for six council positions. Those running for councillors include: Gordon Buckingham, Lonnie Burns, Warren Cooper, Candice Ens, Dustin Pingert, Amanda Reiman, Andrew Sutherland, Anthony (Tony) Walliser, and Pamela Whitrow.
Drake: Peter Nicholson remains as mayor after being acclaimed. Acclaimed as councillors are Terry Willems, Rory Anderson, Erica Thiele, and Erin Richard.
Imperial: there will be an election for mayor as Edward Abrey and Marcus Arcanum have let their names stand. The following councillors have all been acclaimed: Pat Joa, Susan Parish, Ryan Kelly, Les Sainsbury, Jonathon King, and Randy Shaw.
Jansen: Albert Cardinal remains as mayor after being acclaimed. Kathy Jones, Elmer Kinzel and Matthew Brooks have been acclaimed for council positions.
Lanigan: there will be an election for both the mayor and councillor positions. Running for mayor is Kevin Armstrong and Tony Mycock. Running for the six councillor seats is Colette Baker, Marilyn Bodner, Kyle Boyko, Velda Daelick, Shelby Elke, Paul Mamer, Wendy Mehrer, Aron Renwick, and James Stephan.
Liberty: Jennifer Langlois will be mayor and a further call for nominations has been issued for two councillors.
Nokomis: David Mark has been acclaimed as mayor while Kenny Braun, Dennis Kresier, and Ken Koenig were acclaimed as councillors.
Plunkett: Mike Devine will be mayor and councillors that have been acclaimed are Justin Haines and Michael Pastor.
Simpson: Helen Wallas will be mayor and Brenda Janzen and Jim Zitaruk will be councillors with a further call for nominations issued for councillor.
Viscount: Melissa Dieno will be the mayor of Viscount after being acclaimed but there will be an election for four councillor spots as five people let their names stand. They include: Mitch Gusikoski, Dustin Gusikoski, Andrea Young, Dean Schlosser, and Karen Vishloff.
Young: the mayor of Young will be Agnes Thompson after being acclaimed. An election will take place for the councillors for four seats. Those running include Gord Anderson, Jonathan Haines, Shannon Fraser-Hansen, Bruce McIver, and Brad Mason.
Watrous: John Gunderson will be the next mayor of the community but there will be an election for the councillor seats. With six available spots, eight people have let their names stand for council. Those include: Juanita Allin, Sean Beischer, Gary Bergen, Taylor Engele, Patricia Isherwood, Jody Lewis, Lane Manson and Jean Margetts.
RM of Big Arm: Sheldon Vance will be reeve while a further call for nominations has been issued for Division One. Trevor Lewis is the councillor for Division Three, and Larry Waldow is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Colonsay: Gerald Yausie was elected reeve by acclamation, there is a further call for nominations for Division One, Duncan McVicar was acclaimed for Division Three, and Marvin Lang was acclaimed for Division Five.
RM of LeRoy: Calvin Buhs was elected reeve by acclamation, Cody Block was elected by acclamation for Division One, Tom Senko was elected by acclamation for Division Three, and Tracy Mollenbeck was elected by acclamation for Division Five.
RM of Lost River: Charles Smith was elected reeve by acclamation. Dale Walter was elected as councillor for Division One by acclamation. Karsten Frydenlund, was elected as councillor for Division Three by acclamation. Larry Sommerfeld was elected councillor for Division Five by acclamation.
RM of Morris: Robert Penrose has been acclaimed as reeve. Dale Miettinen was acclaimed as councillor for Division One, Keith Thoner was acclaimed as councillor Division Three and there will be an election for Division Five as Gordon Anderson and Jaise Currie are running.
RM of Prairie Rose: Darin Pedersen is reeve, there is a further call for nominations for Division One, Trevor Blair is councillor for Division Three, and Corey Kinzel is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Wolverine: Bryan Gibney was elected reeve. Don Williams was elected councillor for Division One. There were no nominations received for either Division Three or Division Five so a call for further nominations is being issued.
RM of Wood Creek: Glen Busse will be reeve, David Hill is the councillor for Division One, David Vanthuyne is the councillor for Division Three, and Chris Klenk is the councillor for Division Five.
RM of Wreford: there will be an election for reeve as Peter Gauley and Shane Halstead have been nominated for the position. Craig Smith has been re-elected for Division One and Jeff Gingrich has been re-elected for Division three.
RM of Usborne: Jack Gibney will be reeve, Ryan Morningstar is the councillor for Division One, Howard Toews is the councillor for Division Three, and Fred Toman is the councillor for Division Five. All have been re-elected by acclamation.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 5, 2020
Celebrating the WHS graduating class of 2020
Daniel Bushman
While it was not the way Winston High School’s Gr. 12 students envisioned they would be graduating, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close earlier this year, the 2019-‘20 graduating class was able to celebrate with a parade in June before having a ceremony at the Jubilee Drive-In Sept. 26.
After schools around the province closed in spring, WHS principal Terry Braman promised the grad class there would be a ceremony later in the year. Along with teachers Lori Bartko and Lee Bells, the three were able to secure the drive-in at Manitou Beach for graduates wanting to participate in a formal and socially distanced ceremony.
With families sitting in hubs near the stage, a projector beamed images of the ceremony on the big screen as close family and friends watched and listened from inside their vehicles. Now onto the next part of their journey in life, just over 20 of the 39 members of the graduating class were in attendance for the big evening.
Led by chairperson and teacher Steve Armstrong who noted how unique it was to be able to have a graduation program at one of a handful of drive-ins in Saskatchewan, the program got underway with graduates Jessica Stokke and Emily Fossen singing O Canada.
Horizon School Division CEO and Director of Education Kevin Garinger was also in attendance and gave a message to the class. Noting how remarkable the event was, he said it was his 11th grad he had attended outdoors this year. On behalf of the school division board and local school board trustee Jennifer Lemke, Garinger brought greetings and listed a number of events that people have already endured in 2020. Talking about storms, Garinger recalled travelling to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and how the tour guide said when a person has lost everything, they can forget how important people are in their lives.
“This virus has taught us a lot,” said Garinger reflecting on how students were unable to finish their year at school. “For others, they have lost employment and for some, life.”
Garinger continued by stating throughout the pandemic it has also allowed people to gain so much like being able to spend more time with family and cherishing the little things in life. “In this time of COVID, you have endured such challenges . . . you have endured and faced incredible things in your lives.”
Despite the hurdles, Garinger concluded by saying parents, families, the community, and school division believe in the students, who can do anything they want to if they put their minds to it.
Following Garinger’s message, WHS principal Terry Braman provided a few words to the graduating class.
“This has been anything but an easy road to get to this night,” he said. “Finally, I would like to welcome everyone to Winston High School grad. I am thankful for this night and know how fortunate we are to have it.”
Recalling significant memories from the past school year, Braman noted the importance of academics and hosting SSLC at the school and within the community. “When we hosted SSLC you put yourselves all in and did something bigger than yourselves. It is an honour to call you all Wildcats . . . We do miss you but most importantly we believe in you.”
After Braman’s message, graduate Jessica Stokke delivered a tribute to the parents. Thanking everyone for attending the ceremony, Stokke thanked the parents and noted how blessed the graduates are to have them. “In successes they cheer us on and in failures they pick us up . . . you’ve always made us feel safe and loved.”
Responding to her daughter’s tribute, Terilee Stokke represented the parents, stating what an honour it was to talk to the class. “You taught us more than you can imagine . . . we are incredibly proud of you.”
Listing off the numerous qualities of the 2020 class including how kind and generous they are, Stokke provided a few pieces of advice: stay curious and keep learning; pursue what you love; be flexible; be resilient; be yourself; and never forget where you came from.
Graduate Jaz Lin Deneiko followed Terilee with a tribute to the teachers. Reminiscing about a joke played on the students by the teachers from her elementary school days for April Fools’ Day, Jaz Lin said how thankful the graduates were of their teachers, both from the elementary school and high school.
“We are so grateful for everything the teachers have done.”
Providing a response through a video recording, teacher Kristin Carlson who is currently at home on maternity leave said she was excited to share in the graduates special day. Carlson hopes that the graduates will be able to use the skills impressed upon them throughout their elementary and high school days and reach their full potential.
“You have also taught us many lessons as well and have shown perseverance and determination.”
Giving the tribute to the graduates was teacher Barry Croshaw. Retiring at the end of the last school year, Croshaw is back at Winston High School filling in and provided a very humourous tribute before ending on a serious note.
“This group is very talented . . . they have a wide array of interests and goals. They have a passion for empathy and understanding and want to be an engaging group.”
Knowing the 2020 graduates are ready to take the next step of their journey, Croshaw was honoured to be in attendance and deliver the tribute to the class.
“The time away from school and away from your friends shows perseverance and character. You did miss out on a portion of your senior year and I do feel bad for you. You took it in stride and kept going and handled it well. You overcame obstacles and it has been an honour to coach, teach and work with you.”
The tribute to education was given by graduate Emily Fossen who appreciated Horizon School Division playing a huge role in the lives of the students. “Thank you for your guidance and for being here.”
Fossen also noted how parents and grandparents have made a significant impact over the years and how students were listening to them even if they thought they weren’t.
Thinking about Watrous Elementary School’s theme of: ‘Be the best you can be,’ Fossen said that advice has always resonated with her. The former WHS student also talked about hosting SSLC and how the staff supported the students every step of the way as they welcomed hundreds of students and delegates to the community.
Emily was followed by her mom Andrea as she provided the response. “This is a class to truly celebrate,” said Andrea. Appreciating the honour to provide a speech, Fossen talked about paddling through life and sometimes people may feel exhausted along the way.
Noting there are times to know when to lead and when to follow, she also highlighted the images of a windshield and a rear view mirror. Andrea stated the windshield is much larger to look forward through instead of watching behind you in your smaller rear view mirror. “The future ahead of you is big and bright.”
Graduate Sophie Bartko shared the tribute to the community and how important community has been to each graduate. Explaining how the area came together to support the high school when SSLC was held, Bartko said it was tremendous to have people behind them each step of the way.
“When we asked for support from the community, we were able to find homes for 800 students. We were able to feed them all and through that experience it taught us to
give back . . . the community has made us feel like celebrities during our Christmas concerts and our community has shown us what hard work can do.”
Teacher and Watrous resident Lindsay Crittenden then gave the response and was appreciative of the former students and how generous they are. “You understood community and what stands out is that you are all ready to give back when you are asked. You recognize what community means . . . this class has selflessly demonstrated how to volunteer time and time again . . . you will do amazing things.”
A powerpoint presentation followed Crittenden as images of each graduate were shown on the big screen. Graduates Ally Tatum, Emily Thomas and Bailee Wilson-Manz provided information about each of their former classmates.
After the presentation, former teacher Denise Thoner was announced as the guest speaker. Thoner who taught for a number of years in Watrous was honoured to give the speech and provided the 2020 grads with a few rules for life. Going off of Jordan B. Peterson’s 12 Rules For Life, Thoner gave her own to the grads:
• Stand up straight with your shoulders straight. “Don’t slouch . . . show them what you have inside.”
• Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping. “Caring for yourself has a ripple effect.”
• Make friends with people who want the best for you.
• Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to someone else. “Comparison is meaningless and not helpful. Make small changes and reach higher and higher.”
• Set your room in perfect order before you criticize the world.
• Tell the truth or at least don’t lie.
• Pet a cat when you encounter one on a street. “. . . keep your eyes open for the little things that are worthwhile. Congratulations grads. Know that people in your community will always be there for you.”
Thoner concluded by adding that winning doesn’t always mean coming in first but rather doing better than you did before.
After Denise’s speech, graduate Carson Bells who was chosen as the valedictorian spoke on the importance of family, friends and teachers while recalling fun memories of the past.
After a few laughs, Bells said everyone has faced challenges during the pandemic including his class who was robbed of finishing their year at school because of it. “It was not easy. It was not fun and it was hard being cut off from our friends. It feels like we endured a lot.”
However, despite the pandemic, Carson said one bad year does not erase the memories of the years previous. “It is time to move on and this year is nothing but a speed bump.”
After Bells delivered the valedictorian speech, Braman used a couple of sanitized hockey sticks with a foam hand on them to congratulate each graduate as they took their scrolls. Socially distancing on the podium, one by one each graduate walked across the stage before Armstrong wrapped up the ceremonies and thanked everyone who attended.
While not all at the Friday evening ceremony, the 2020 WHS graduates include: Kaleb Afseth, Griffin Andreas, Ruby Andrews, Sophie Bartko, Carson Bells, Colby Blandin, Vahn Boldt, James Born, Christopher Buggy, Alex Chen, Justin Demmans, Jaz Lin Deneiko, Trygve Downer, Mason Edwards, Clint Fernandez, Emily Fossen, Zak Freeman, Jayme Galan, Emma Gregg, Cole Maine, Utkarsh Mandhotra, Sarah Martens, Lexi Martin, Nick Mehlmann, Roschyel Mendoza, Autumn Odne, Bethany Pratchler, Colby Reichert, Landen Rondeau, Tanner Sperling, Ashleigh Stewart, Jessica Stokke, Levi Sutherland, Ally Tatum, Emily Thomas, Ethan Todd, Walker Vanthuyne, Bailee Wilson-Manz, and Cassidy Yanoshewski.
To see photos of the 2020 graduates from Winston High School, check out the May 18 edition of The Watrous Manitou.
Daniel Bushman
While it was not the way Winston High School’s Gr. 12 students envisioned they would be graduating, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close earlier this year, the 2019-‘20 graduating class was able to celebrate with a parade in June before having a ceremony at the Jubilee Drive-In Sept. 26.
After schools around the province closed in spring, WHS principal Terry Braman promised the grad class there would be a ceremony later in the year. Along with teachers Lori Bartko and Lee Bells, the three were able to secure the drive-in at Manitou Beach for graduates wanting to participate in a formal and socially distanced ceremony.
With families sitting in hubs near the stage, a projector beamed images of the ceremony on the big screen as close family and friends watched and listened from inside their vehicles. Now onto the next part of their journey in life, just over 20 of the 39 members of the graduating class were in attendance for the big evening.
Led by chairperson and teacher Steve Armstrong who noted how unique it was to be able to have a graduation program at one of a handful of drive-ins in Saskatchewan, the program got underway with graduates Jessica Stokke and Emily Fossen singing O Canada.
Horizon School Division CEO and Director of Education Kevin Garinger was also in attendance and gave a message to the class. Noting how remarkable the event was, he said it was his 11th grad he had attended outdoors this year. On behalf of the school division board and local school board trustee Jennifer Lemke, Garinger brought greetings and listed a number of events that people have already endured in 2020. Talking about storms, Garinger recalled travelling to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and how the tour guide said when a person has lost everything, they can forget how important people are in their lives.
“This virus has taught us a lot,” said Garinger reflecting on how students were unable to finish their year at school. “For others, they have lost employment and for some, life.”
Garinger continued by stating throughout the pandemic it has also allowed people to gain so much like being able to spend more time with family and cherishing the little things in life. “In this time of COVID, you have endured such challenges . . . you have endured and faced incredible things in your lives.”
Despite the hurdles, Garinger concluded by saying parents, families, the community, and school division believe in the students, who can do anything they want to if they put their minds to it.
Following Garinger’s message, WHS principal Terry Braman provided a few words to the graduating class.
“This has been anything but an easy road to get to this night,” he said. “Finally, I would like to welcome everyone to Winston High School grad. I am thankful for this night and know how fortunate we are to have it.”
Recalling significant memories from the past school year, Braman noted the importance of academics and hosting SSLC at the school and within the community. “When we hosted SSLC you put yourselves all in and did something bigger than yourselves. It is an honour to call you all Wildcats . . . We do miss you but most importantly we believe in you.”
After Braman’s message, graduate Jessica Stokke delivered a tribute to the parents. Thanking everyone for attending the ceremony, Stokke thanked the parents and noted how blessed the graduates are to have them. “In successes they cheer us on and in failures they pick us up . . . you’ve always made us feel safe and loved.”
Responding to her daughter’s tribute, Terilee Stokke represented the parents, stating what an honour it was to talk to the class. “You taught us more than you can imagine . . . we are incredibly proud of you.”
Listing off the numerous qualities of the 2020 class including how kind and generous they are, Stokke provided a few pieces of advice: stay curious and keep learning; pursue what you love; be flexible; be resilient; be yourself; and never forget where you came from.
Graduate Jaz Lin Deneiko followed Terilee with a tribute to the teachers. Reminiscing about a joke played on the students by the teachers from her elementary school days for April Fools’ Day, Jaz Lin said how thankful the graduates were of their teachers, both from the elementary school and high school.
“We are so grateful for everything the teachers have done.”
Providing a response through a video recording, teacher Kristin Carlson who is currently at home on maternity leave said she was excited to share in the graduates special day. Carlson hopes that the graduates will be able to use the skills impressed upon them throughout their elementary and high school days and reach their full potential.
“You have also taught us many lessons as well and have shown perseverance and determination.”
Giving the tribute to the graduates was teacher Barry Croshaw. Retiring at the end of the last school year, Croshaw is back at Winston High School filling in and provided a very humourous tribute before ending on a serious note.
“This group is very talented . . . they have a wide array of interests and goals. They have a passion for empathy and understanding and want to be an engaging group.”
Knowing the 2020 graduates are ready to take the next step of their journey, Croshaw was honoured to be in attendance and deliver the tribute to the class.
“The time away from school and away from your friends shows perseverance and character. You did miss out on a portion of your senior year and I do feel bad for you. You took it in stride and kept going and handled it well. You overcame obstacles and it has been an honour to coach, teach and work with you.”
The tribute to education was given by graduate Emily Fossen who appreciated Horizon School Division playing a huge role in the lives of the students. “Thank you for your guidance and for being here.”
Fossen also noted how parents and grandparents have made a significant impact over the years and how students were listening to them even if they thought they weren’t.
Thinking about Watrous Elementary School’s theme of: ‘Be the best you can be,’ Fossen said that advice has always resonated with her. The former WHS student also talked about hosting SSLC and how the staff supported the students every step of the way as they welcomed hundreds of students and delegates to the community.
Emily was followed by her mom Andrea as she provided the response. “This is a class to truly celebrate,” said Andrea. Appreciating the honour to provide a speech, Fossen talked about paddling through life and sometimes people may feel exhausted along the way.
Noting there are times to know when to lead and when to follow, she also highlighted the images of a windshield and a rear view mirror. Andrea stated the windshield is much larger to look forward through instead of watching behind you in your smaller rear view mirror. “The future ahead of you is big and bright.”
Graduate Sophie Bartko shared the tribute to the community and how important community has been to each graduate. Explaining how the area came together to support the high school when SSLC was held, Bartko said it was tremendous to have people behind them each step of the way.
“When we asked for support from the community, we were able to find homes for 800 students. We were able to feed them all and through that experience it taught us to
give back . . . the community has made us feel like celebrities during our Christmas concerts and our community has shown us what hard work can do.”
Teacher and Watrous resident Lindsay Crittenden then gave the response and was appreciative of the former students and how generous they are. “You understood community and what stands out is that you are all ready to give back when you are asked. You recognize what community means . . . this class has selflessly demonstrated how to volunteer time and time again . . . you will do amazing things.”
A powerpoint presentation followed Crittenden as images of each graduate were shown on the big screen. Graduates Ally Tatum, Emily Thomas and Bailee Wilson-Manz provided information about each of their former classmates.
After the presentation, former teacher Denise Thoner was announced as the guest speaker. Thoner who taught for a number of years in Watrous was honoured to give the speech and provided the 2020 grads with a few rules for life. Going off of Jordan B. Peterson’s 12 Rules For Life, Thoner gave her own to the grads:
• Stand up straight with your shoulders straight. “Don’t slouch . . . show them what you have inside.”
• Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping. “Caring for yourself has a ripple effect.”
• Make friends with people who want the best for you.
• Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to someone else. “Comparison is meaningless and not helpful. Make small changes and reach higher and higher.”
• Set your room in perfect order before you criticize the world.
• Tell the truth or at least don’t lie.
• Pet a cat when you encounter one on a street. “. . . keep your eyes open for the little things that are worthwhile. Congratulations grads. Know that people in your community will always be there for you.”
Thoner concluded by adding that winning doesn’t always mean coming in first but rather doing better than you did before.
After Denise’s speech, graduate Carson Bells who was chosen as the valedictorian spoke on the importance of family, friends and teachers while recalling fun memories of the past.
After a few laughs, Bells said everyone has faced challenges during the pandemic including his class who was robbed of finishing their year at school because of it. “It was not easy. It was not fun and it was hard being cut off from our friends. It feels like we endured a lot.”
However, despite the pandemic, Carson said one bad year does not erase the memories of the years previous. “It is time to move on and this year is nothing but a speed bump.”
After Bells delivered the valedictorian speech, Braman used a couple of sanitized hockey sticks with a foam hand on them to congratulate each graduate as they took their scrolls. Socially distancing on the podium, one by one each graduate walked across the stage before Armstrong wrapped up the ceremonies and thanked everyone who attended.
While not all at the Friday evening ceremony, the 2020 WHS graduates include: Kaleb Afseth, Griffin Andreas, Ruby Andrews, Sophie Bartko, Carson Bells, Colby Blandin, Vahn Boldt, James Born, Christopher Buggy, Alex Chen, Justin Demmans, Jaz Lin Deneiko, Trygve Downer, Mason Edwards, Clint Fernandez, Emily Fossen, Zak Freeman, Jayme Galan, Emma Gregg, Cole Maine, Utkarsh Mandhotra, Sarah Martens, Lexi Martin, Nick Mehlmann, Roschyel Mendoza, Autumn Odne, Bethany Pratchler, Colby Reichert, Landen Rondeau, Tanner Sperling, Ashleigh Stewart, Jessica Stokke, Levi Sutherland, Ally Tatum, Emily Thomas, Ethan Todd, Walker Vanthuyne, Bailee Wilson-Manz, and Cassidy Yanoshewski.
To see photos of the 2020 graduates from Winston High School, check out the May 18 edition of The Watrous Manitou.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 28 2020
DMH celebrates 20 years in business
Daniel Bushman
Serving the community of Watrous and surrounding area with a priority on customer service and quality, DMH Plumbing and Heating Ltd. marked a milestone earlier this month.
Officially launching Sept. 1, 2000, Darren and Tammy Holmes have grown their business from small beginnings to serving Watrous and customers within a 100 km radius.
“Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude to our customers over the past 20 years. It is overwhelming to look back on,” said Tammy. “We have definitely worked very hard over the years to get to where we are.”
While Holmes said they have experienced challenges, ups and downs, and highs and lows over the years, the amazing support and loyalty of their customer base has sustained their business and kept its foundation strong. “We would not be where we are without them and for that we are so very grateful.”
After working for a few years for Murray Hanson of Hanson’s Plumbing and Heating, Darren Holmes took over the business and began operating under DMH Plumbing and Heating Ltd.
Starting in the same building where their shop is currently located in Watrous (102 - 3rd Ave. W.), Tammy explained when they moved in, the facility was just a shell of a building with no heat and power and only the front portion of the building existed. “Lorne Jones owned the building and we rented a quarter of the space. The rest of the building was used by Melvin Odne who was running Dumont Appliances.”
As DMH grew, the need for more space became evident. Darren and Tammy soon approached Jones and after renting the space for about a year, they bought the building. Adding heat, power and constructing a large addition on the back of the place to use as a shop, DMH continued to expand. While staff have come and gone over the years, they have maintained around four to five employees.
“Along with myself and Darren we have Ben Williams who is a journeyman plumber/gas fitter and he has been employed with DMH for over 11 years. We have also brought in Zach Cross who is a plumbing apprentice and has been employed with us for two years. DMH has always believed and supported the Sask Apprenticeship Program, sponsoring all of our employees through education and trade experience to obtain their journeymans status, which is a five year process.”
Being able to provide services related to all aspects of plumbing and heating, Tammy noted DMH also offers a whole host of other services including: new installations, new construction, repairs and maintenance of plumbing systems, heating, hydronic systems, air conditioning, gas fitting, water heaters, air purification systems, roto rooter, and financing. “We have been a SaskEnergy Network Member for almost 20 years as well and provide all of the SaskEnergy services for our community.”
With the ability to cater to customers in the local area while providing a myriad of services, Holmes said people can utilize the company’s skill set because of “our experience, knowledge, professional quality workmanship and products. We have always been dedicated to providing the best possible customer service and workmanship that we can. We are reliable, trustworthy, fair and honest. We take the utmost pride in our work and service.”
Reflecting back over the past two decades and focusing ahead on the future, both Darren and Tammy said they love the community and could not imagine being anywhere else.
“We are so blessed and fortunate to call Watrous home. Looking back through the years, even when things got a bit tough business wise, there was never a thought in our minds of moving to another community, or doing anything else. This is where our hearts are! We have developed many treasured relationships with our customers which have developed into friendships. We have also created friendships with other great businesses in town and with our community as a whole. This place is like an extended family and our home!”
While Holmes admits this year has brought on another set of challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple still see a bright future. “We look forward to continuing to provide our services with your support for years to come. We wouldn’t be DMH without you, our customers, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude.”
Daniel Bushman
Serving the community of Watrous and surrounding area with a priority on customer service and quality, DMH Plumbing and Heating Ltd. marked a milestone earlier this month.
Officially launching Sept. 1, 2000, Darren and Tammy Holmes have grown their business from small beginnings to serving Watrous and customers within a 100 km radius.
“Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude to our customers over the past 20 years. It is overwhelming to look back on,” said Tammy. “We have definitely worked very hard over the years to get to where we are.”
While Holmes said they have experienced challenges, ups and downs, and highs and lows over the years, the amazing support and loyalty of their customer base has sustained their business and kept its foundation strong. “We would not be where we are without them and for that we are so very grateful.”
After working for a few years for Murray Hanson of Hanson’s Plumbing and Heating, Darren Holmes took over the business and began operating under DMH Plumbing and Heating Ltd.
Starting in the same building where their shop is currently located in Watrous (102 - 3rd Ave. W.), Tammy explained when they moved in, the facility was just a shell of a building with no heat and power and only the front portion of the building existed. “Lorne Jones owned the building and we rented a quarter of the space. The rest of the building was used by Melvin Odne who was running Dumont Appliances.”
As DMH grew, the need for more space became evident. Darren and Tammy soon approached Jones and after renting the space for about a year, they bought the building. Adding heat, power and constructing a large addition on the back of the place to use as a shop, DMH continued to expand. While staff have come and gone over the years, they have maintained around four to five employees.
“Along with myself and Darren we have Ben Williams who is a journeyman plumber/gas fitter and he has been employed with DMH for over 11 years. We have also brought in Zach Cross who is a plumbing apprentice and has been employed with us for two years. DMH has always believed and supported the Sask Apprenticeship Program, sponsoring all of our employees through education and trade experience to obtain their journeymans status, which is a five year process.”
Being able to provide services related to all aspects of plumbing and heating, Tammy noted DMH also offers a whole host of other services including: new installations, new construction, repairs and maintenance of plumbing systems, heating, hydronic systems, air conditioning, gas fitting, water heaters, air purification systems, roto rooter, and financing. “We have been a SaskEnergy Network Member for almost 20 years as well and provide all of the SaskEnergy services for our community.”
With the ability to cater to customers in the local area while providing a myriad of services, Holmes said people can utilize the company’s skill set because of “our experience, knowledge, professional quality workmanship and products. We have always been dedicated to providing the best possible customer service and workmanship that we can. We are reliable, trustworthy, fair and honest. We take the utmost pride in our work and service.”
Reflecting back over the past two decades and focusing ahead on the future, both Darren and Tammy said they love the community and could not imagine being anywhere else.
“We are so blessed and fortunate to call Watrous home. Looking back through the years, even when things got a bit tough business wise, there was never a thought in our minds of moving to another community, or doing anything else. This is where our hearts are! We have developed many treasured relationships with our customers which have developed into friendships. We have also created friendships with other great businesses in town and with our community as a whole. This place is like an extended family and our home!”
While Holmes admits this year has brought on another set of challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple still see a bright future. “We look forward to continuing to provide our services with your support for years to come. We wouldn’t be DMH without you, our customers, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 21, 2020
Marketing Group hires new CDO
Daniel Bushman
After growing up in Young before obtaining a wealth of knowledge within the field of tourism, the new community development officer (CDO) with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has returned to her roots.
Officially taking on the role of CDO Sept. 1, Vickie Clarke said it has been going good. “Everybody has been really welcoming. A lot of people have been calling and saying, ‘We are excited to have you and we really want to work with you.’ The dynamics I have noticed have really changed since I was here last. The whole vibe at Manitou Beach is very uplifting and there is a lot more within the arts scene going on. With Watrous, there is so much more economically going on and a lot to work off of. That is really nice.”
Taking over from Brendan Manz as the new CDO, Clarke appreciated the work that has already been done over the past 10 years. “That was the really nice thing about coming into this role. Brendan really built the foundation that is here now for me and I can use it like a springboard. We can now build on what he has already done because it was a lot of really good work and I say that with all sincerity because I have seen other destination areas not do as well. That says a lot about the community and it says a lot about the leadership and how it is structured.”
Watrous Town Councillor and Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Board Chair John Gunderson was pleased that they were able to bring in someone like Clarke to take on the CDO role. With about 30 applications for the job, Gunderson noted there were a number with very good qualifications.
“In terms of the tourism aspect, I think our area is well respected in some of the things that our marketing group has done. We have been around for 10 years and I think we have made some huge strides in improving things in the area. Brendan did a great job and we will continue along that path and continue to improve.”
Since she grew up within the area, Vickie knows it well. In fact, her first job out of college was being the Recreation Director in Watrous. Planning to be in that position for a year, Clarke who already had a recreation diploma at that point then headed to the University of Regina where she obtained a Degree in Recreation with a Minor in Tourism. From there, she started a tour company which she had for the past 24 years. For 18 of those years, Clarke taught in the recreation and community development program at Saskatchewan Polytech with one of her students being Manz. While teaching, Clarke also received a Masters in Tourism from Royal Roads University out of Victoria, B.C. and she hopes to put all of her academic skills and experiences to good use as the local CDO.
“The nice part of all of that is that in the last 20 years I have been really involved in the tourism industry working with Tourism Saskatchewan, Tourism Saskatoon, and Tourism Regina. It is a nice background to have to come into this job.”
Looking to put her own stamp on things as the marketing group’s new CDO, Clarke is eager to build off of the foundation already laid out before her. “I am looking forward to utilizing initiatives from Tourism Saskatchewan that I’ve been a part of and can bring here. Things like building more tourism packages and more tourism offerings. There is such an opportunity because of the talented people in the area, not just at the beach but at Watrous and surrounding area.
“It is really nice to be able to come into a job like this that is so dynamic to be able to say I think we should be able to do this and bring your expertise to that. I am super excited and just the energy of the people lends to that. Things are happening here like different things at the beach and the new Heritage Centre so there are things that show we are continuing to build.”
Daniel Bushman
After growing up in Young before obtaining a wealth of knowledge within the field of tourism, the new community development officer (CDO) with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has returned to her roots.
Officially taking on the role of CDO Sept. 1, Vickie Clarke said it has been going good. “Everybody has been really welcoming. A lot of people have been calling and saying, ‘We are excited to have you and we really want to work with you.’ The dynamics I have noticed have really changed since I was here last. The whole vibe at Manitou Beach is very uplifting and there is a lot more within the arts scene going on. With Watrous, there is so much more economically going on and a lot to work off of. That is really nice.”
Taking over from Brendan Manz as the new CDO, Clarke appreciated the work that has already been done over the past 10 years. “That was the really nice thing about coming into this role. Brendan really built the foundation that is here now for me and I can use it like a springboard. We can now build on what he has already done because it was a lot of really good work and I say that with all sincerity because I have seen other destination areas not do as well. That says a lot about the community and it says a lot about the leadership and how it is structured.”
Watrous Town Councillor and Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Board Chair John Gunderson was pleased that they were able to bring in someone like Clarke to take on the CDO role. With about 30 applications for the job, Gunderson noted there were a number with very good qualifications.
“In terms of the tourism aspect, I think our area is well respected in some of the things that our marketing group has done. We have been around for 10 years and I think we have made some huge strides in improving things in the area. Brendan did a great job and we will continue along that path and continue to improve.”
Since she grew up within the area, Vickie knows it well. In fact, her first job out of college was being the Recreation Director in Watrous. Planning to be in that position for a year, Clarke who already had a recreation diploma at that point then headed to the University of Regina where she obtained a Degree in Recreation with a Minor in Tourism. From there, she started a tour company which she had for the past 24 years. For 18 of those years, Clarke taught in the recreation and community development program at Saskatchewan Polytech with one of her students being Manz. While teaching, Clarke also received a Masters in Tourism from Royal Roads University out of Victoria, B.C. and she hopes to put all of her academic skills and experiences to good use as the local CDO.
“The nice part of all of that is that in the last 20 years I have been really involved in the tourism industry working with Tourism Saskatchewan, Tourism Saskatoon, and Tourism Regina. It is a nice background to have to come into this job.”
Looking to put her own stamp on things as the marketing group’s new CDO, Clarke is eager to build off of the foundation already laid out before her. “I am looking forward to utilizing initiatives from Tourism Saskatchewan that I’ve been a part of and can bring here. Things like building more tourism packages and more tourism offerings. There is such an opportunity because of the talented people in the area, not just at the beach but at Watrous and surrounding area.
“It is really nice to be able to come into a job like this that is so dynamic to be able to say I think we should be able to do this and bring your expertise to that. I am super excited and just the energy of the people lends to that. Things are happening here like different things at the beach and the new Heritage Centre so there are things that show we are continuing to build.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 14, 2020
Individual who tested positive for COVID-19 visited local business
Daniel Bushman
Public Health officials are asking anyone who was at the Saskatoon Co-op Watrous Food Store location on Aug. 28 between 3 and 3:30 p.m. to immediately self-isolate if they have had or currently have symptoms of COVID-19 and to call HealthLine 811 to arrange for testing.
The COVID-19 alert comes as Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said the individual who tested positive for COVID-19 was at the following businesses when they were likely infectious:
• Co-op Watrous Food Store Aug. 28 between 3 and 3:30 p.m.;
• Waskesiu Tempo at Waskesiu Lake between 1 and 1:15 p.m. Sept. 5; and
• Lake Country Co-op C-Store and Cardlock at Wakaw between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 5.
“Public Health officials are advising individuals who were at these locations on the specified dates during the specified times to immediately self-isolate if they have had or currently have symptoms of COVID-19 and to call HealthLine 811 to arrange for testing. All other individuals who are not experiencing symptoms should self monitor for 14 days. It is important to note that individuals may develop symptoms from two to 14 days following exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.”
In a release issued Sept. 8 by the Saskatoon Co-op, the company confirmed the individual who visited the food store in Watrous and tested positive for COVID-19 was not a Saskatoon Co-op team member.
In an effort to continue to keep its team members and guests safe at its Watrous location, the Saskatoon Co-op stated: “The health and safety of our team members and our guests is our priority, and our response to the pandemic includes diligent sanitation practices, physical barriers and social distancing in our locations.
“Many of the practices we have adopted over the past few months exceed the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. We have and will continue to encourage our team members to stay home if unwell, and seek testing if experiencing symptoms.”
“We care greatly for the communities we work and live in and as a local, member-owned business, we take the responsibility to protect our communities seriously. We will continue to share how we are responding to the pandemic through the COVID-19 response page at SaskatoonCoop.ca, and will keep monitoring, evaluating, and enhancing this response as our environments continue to change. Thank you for your diligence, support, and care for each other as we all take the necessary steps to keep our communities safe.”
On the same day the COVID-19 alert was issued pertaining to Watrous, Waskesiu and Wakaw, a second one was released by SHA for another individual who tested positive for COVID-19 but was at Happy Hour Liquor in Pilot Butte between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Sept. 2.
While SHA could not release information regarding if the person at the Watrous food store resided in the area or was a traveller passing through, as of Sept. 8 when the COVID-19 alerts were issued, the Health Sub-Zone of Central East 1 which includes Watrous had no new or active cases. That also held true Sept. 9 and 10 within the Central East 1 sub-zone.
Along with Watrous other communities located within the Health Sub-Zone of Central East 1 included: Alice Beach, Annaheim, Bruno, Bulyea, Chamberlain, Dilke, Drake, Duval, Englefeld, Etters Beach, Glen Harbour, Grandview Beach, Govan, Holdfast, Humboldt, Imperial, Island View, Jansen, Lanigan, Lake Lenore, LeRoy, Manitou Beach, Middle Lake, Muenster, Nokomis, Pilger, Quill Lake, St. Benedict, St. Gregor, Simpson, Spalding, Strasbourg, Sunset Cove, Watrous, Watson, Wee Too Beach, Young, and Zelma.
SHA said if someone does have symptoms of COVID-19 they are to stay home and monitor themselves. Symptoms include: fever, cough, headache, muscle and/or joint aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, dizziness, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite (difficulty feeding for children), loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
To avoid getting sick, people can: keep at least two metres away from others when in public and wear a mask when that’s not possible; limit gatherings to the numbers specified in public health orders; wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
As SHA issued the alert in Watrous, on Sept. 8 there were seven new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the total to 1,669 reported cases. The new cases were located in the North Central (2), Saskatoon (1), Regina (3) and South Central (1) zones.
Of the 1,669 reported cases, 58 were considered active while a total of 1,587 people have recovered.
One person is in hospital in intensive care in Saskatoon. Of the 1,669 cases in the province: 254 cases are travellers; 838 are community contacts (including mass gatherings); 493 have no known exposures; and 84 are under investigation by local public health.
As Saskatchewan reached 1,669 total cases, nationally Canada hit 133,748. Next door in Alberta, there were 15,093 cases as of Sept. 8 while in Manitoba there were a total of 1,349. B.C. had 6,591 while Quebec led the way with 63,876 total cases and Ontario sat at 43,536.
Daniel Bushman
Public Health officials are asking anyone who was at the Saskatoon Co-op Watrous Food Store location on Aug. 28 between 3 and 3:30 p.m. to immediately self-isolate if they have had or currently have symptoms of COVID-19 and to call HealthLine 811 to arrange for testing.
The COVID-19 alert comes as Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said the individual who tested positive for COVID-19 was at the following businesses when they were likely infectious:
• Co-op Watrous Food Store Aug. 28 between 3 and 3:30 p.m.;
• Waskesiu Tempo at Waskesiu Lake between 1 and 1:15 p.m. Sept. 5; and
• Lake Country Co-op C-Store and Cardlock at Wakaw between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 5.
“Public Health officials are advising individuals who were at these locations on the specified dates during the specified times to immediately self-isolate if they have had or currently have symptoms of COVID-19 and to call HealthLine 811 to arrange for testing. All other individuals who are not experiencing symptoms should self monitor for 14 days. It is important to note that individuals may develop symptoms from two to 14 days following exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.”
In a release issued Sept. 8 by the Saskatoon Co-op, the company confirmed the individual who visited the food store in Watrous and tested positive for COVID-19 was not a Saskatoon Co-op team member.
In an effort to continue to keep its team members and guests safe at its Watrous location, the Saskatoon Co-op stated: “The health and safety of our team members and our guests is our priority, and our response to the pandemic includes diligent sanitation practices, physical barriers and social distancing in our locations.
“Many of the practices we have adopted over the past few months exceed the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. We have and will continue to encourage our team members to stay home if unwell, and seek testing if experiencing symptoms.”
“We care greatly for the communities we work and live in and as a local, member-owned business, we take the responsibility to protect our communities seriously. We will continue to share how we are responding to the pandemic through the COVID-19 response page at SaskatoonCoop.ca, and will keep monitoring, evaluating, and enhancing this response as our environments continue to change. Thank you for your diligence, support, and care for each other as we all take the necessary steps to keep our communities safe.”
On the same day the COVID-19 alert was issued pertaining to Watrous, Waskesiu and Wakaw, a second one was released by SHA for another individual who tested positive for COVID-19 but was at Happy Hour Liquor in Pilot Butte between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Sept. 2.
While SHA could not release information regarding if the person at the Watrous food store resided in the area or was a traveller passing through, as of Sept. 8 when the COVID-19 alerts were issued, the Health Sub-Zone of Central East 1 which includes Watrous had no new or active cases. That also held true Sept. 9 and 10 within the Central East 1 sub-zone.
Along with Watrous other communities located within the Health Sub-Zone of Central East 1 included: Alice Beach, Annaheim, Bruno, Bulyea, Chamberlain, Dilke, Drake, Duval, Englefeld, Etters Beach, Glen Harbour, Grandview Beach, Govan, Holdfast, Humboldt, Imperial, Island View, Jansen, Lanigan, Lake Lenore, LeRoy, Manitou Beach, Middle Lake, Muenster, Nokomis, Pilger, Quill Lake, St. Benedict, St. Gregor, Simpson, Spalding, Strasbourg, Sunset Cove, Watrous, Watson, Wee Too Beach, Young, and Zelma.
SHA said if someone does have symptoms of COVID-19 they are to stay home and monitor themselves. Symptoms include: fever, cough, headache, muscle and/or joint aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, dizziness, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite (difficulty feeding for children), loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
To avoid getting sick, people can: keep at least two metres away from others when in public and wear a mask when that’s not possible; limit gatherings to the numbers specified in public health orders; wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
As SHA issued the alert in Watrous, on Sept. 8 there were seven new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the total to 1,669 reported cases. The new cases were located in the North Central (2), Saskatoon (1), Regina (3) and South Central (1) zones.
Of the 1,669 reported cases, 58 were considered active while a total of 1,587 people have recovered.
One person is in hospital in intensive care in Saskatoon. Of the 1,669 cases in the province: 254 cases are travellers; 838 are community contacts (including mass gatherings); 493 have no known exposures; and 84 are under investigation by local public health.
As Saskatchewan reached 1,669 total cases, nationally Canada hit 133,748. Next door in Alberta, there were 15,093 cases as of Sept. 8 while in Manitoba there were a total of 1,349. B.C. had 6,591 while Quebec led the way with 63,876 total cases and Ontario sat at 43,536.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 7, 2020
Schools set to welcome back students for another year
Daniel Bushman
After an abrupt end to the 2019-‘20 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a lengthy time away from school, many students will be returning to classes Sept. 8. Preparing for their return, local principals, teachers and staff have been busy getting everything safely ready to welcome kids back to class.
With a number of guidelines being implemented at schools within local divisions, leading up to Sept. 8, Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said they have been incredibly busy preparing the school, hallways and classrooms.
“We have also been familiarizing ourselves with the return to school document with numerous guidelines and procedures. Our staff have also had numerous opportunities to collaborate together to make sure everything will be set for a safe and exciting return for our students.”
As part of the safe return to school and the classrooms within the facility, Borsa said throughout the building there is signage and reminders about being physically safe. “All of our classrooms are in the process of being set up to maximize physical distancing and will include desk barriers, hand sanitizers and the removal of fabric surfaces. There has been a return to school document created to outline all of the guidelines that will be followed. We will also send out a much shorter version with highlights of how our days will look.”
With safety being number one for both students and staff, Borsa said questions or concerns raised by parents and caregivers can be directed to either him or vice-principal Rhonda Hardy. But despite the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Borsa is looking forward to seeing the students arrive back at school. “Honestly I can’t wait to get our students back. The relationships we build with students is the best part of our job. We miss them and the buzz that school brings.”
Students arriving back to the elementary school will not only notice a few changes related to safety but also a few different faces as well. “Mr. Engele has moved over to the high school and we have a few people on leave including Mrs. Currie, Mrs. Wingrove, and Mrs. Janzen. Miss
Baade will be in Gr. 1 for the year, Mrs. Gullacher will do a short leave in Gr. 1 and Mrs. Haines will be doing a short leave in Gr. 6.”
Like at the elementary school, across the street at Winston High School, principal Terry Braman said a ton of work has gone into preparing for a new type of normal. “There will be significant changes so we have all been extremely busy putting things in place.”
As part of those changes, Braman said all students and staff will be required to wear masks and the school will include a new structured day to limit the amount of student interaction between cohorts (grades). “The safety of our students remains the first and foremost priority as it has always been. If anyone has any questions or concerns, they can contact me at the school.”
Braman noted even though it will be very different this year, he has missed the students and is excited to see them returning to school. “None of the staff enjoyed working from home because we all genuinely care about the kids and appreciate our relationships with them. It will be great to see them again.”
As far as staffing changes, the principal said the only new face to the school is Jarvis Engele as he will be joining the teaching staff, coming from the elementary school over to Winston High School.
After celebrating the graduating class of 2020 with a parade along Main Street in June, Braman said, “We are looking to organize a graduation event for our grads and their families for the end of September.”
Daniel Bushman
After an abrupt end to the 2019-‘20 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a lengthy time away from school, many students will be returning to classes Sept. 8. Preparing for their return, local principals, teachers and staff have been busy getting everything safely ready to welcome kids back to class.
With a number of guidelines being implemented at schools within local divisions, leading up to Sept. 8, Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said they have been incredibly busy preparing the school, hallways and classrooms.
“We have also been familiarizing ourselves with the return to school document with numerous guidelines and procedures. Our staff have also had numerous opportunities to collaborate together to make sure everything will be set for a safe and exciting return for our students.”
As part of the safe return to school and the classrooms within the facility, Borsa said throughout the building there is signage and reminders about being physically safe. “All of our classrooms are in the process of being set up to maximize physical distancing and will include desk barriers, hand sanitizers and the removal of fabric surfaces. There has been a return to school document created to outline all of the guidelines that will be followed. We will also send out a much shorter version with highlights of how our days will look.”
With safety being number one for both students and staff, Borsa said questions or concerns raised by parents and caregivers can be directed to either him or vice-principal Rhonda Hardy. But despite the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Borsa is looking forward to seeing the students arrive back at school. “Honestly I can’t wait to get our students back. The relationships we build with students is the best part of our job. We miss them and the buzz that school brings.”
Students arriving back to the elementary school will not only notice a few changes related to safety but also a few different faces as well. “Mr. Engele has moved over to the high school and we have a few people on leave including Mrs. Currie, Mrs. Wingrove, and Mrs. Janzen. Miss
Baade will be in Gr. 1 for the year, Mrs. Gullacher will do a short leave in Gr. 1 and Mrs. Haines will be doing a short leave in Gr. 6.”
Like at the elementary school, across the street at Winston High School, principal Terry Braman said a ton of work has gone into preparing for a new type of normal. “There will be significant changes so we have all been extremely busy putting things in place.”
As part of those changes, Braman said all students and staff will be required to wear masks and the school will include a new structured day to limit the amount of student interaction between cohorts (grades). “The safety of our students remains the first and foremost priority as it has always been. If anyone has any questions or concerns, they can contact me at the school.”
Braman noted even though it will be very different this year, he has missed the students and is excited to see them returning to school. “None of the staff enjoyed working from home because we all genuinely care about the kids and appreciate our relationships with them. It will be great to see them again.”
As far as staffing changes, the principal said the only new face to the school is Jarvis Engele as he will be joining the teaching staff, coming from the elementary school over to Winston High School.
After celebrating the graduating class of 2020 with a parade along Main Street in June, Braman said, “We are looking to organize a graduation event for our grads and their families for the end of September.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 31, 2020
Community rallies together to bring in playground equipment for WES
Daniel Bushman
With tremendous support from residents of Watrous, local businesses and through a number of events and fundraisers, Watrous Elementary School is moving ahead with Phase 1 of its new playground.
After safety concerns were raised and previous equipment on the school grounds was subsequently torn down in September 2019, staff at Watrous Elementary School along with the School Community Council (SCC) began garnering funds to purchase new structures.
Needing to raise between $113,000 and $114,000 for the entire project, Vice Principal at Watrous Elementary School Rhonda Hardy said, “During the winter months our staff and SCC were able to host several events to raise money for our playground including our Family Movie Night, the Christmas Basket Raffles, and our Community Bingo. In addition, we received several donations from local businesses and community members. Then everything shut down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic leaving us $25,000 short for Phase 1.”
With the pandemic reaching Saskatchewan and schools shutting down for the remainder of the 2019-‘20 school year, Hardy said staff were unsure if a new structure would be installed for the following year. However with incredible support from local businesses over the summer months and additional funds approved by Watrous Town Council, Hardy added they are now able to break ground.
In addition to the donations received heading into summer, Hardy said Richardson Pioneer (Nokomis Branch) recently donated $15,000 while Quality Plus Construction provided $10,000. Then this past week, Watrous Town Council approved $10,000 in funding to support the project. “These generous donations in addition to our fundraising and donations received before the pandemic will enable us to order a large play structure worth $66,000. Our community of Watrous has been very supportive even during these difficult times. There were so many businesses who donated prizes and monetary donations prior to COVID. We also created a few partnerships and fundraising opportunities that had to be put on hold due to COVID restrictions. We hope to be able to continue our efforts in the near future and add Phase 2 and Phase 3 to our playground.”
It is estimated that the structure will be installed the first week in October, so we are very hopeful that our fall weather cooperates. Hardy is hopeful to have the larger play structure installed as part of the first phase and enjoyed by students before winter. Phase 2 and Phase 3 which would include additional equipment would be installed as the funds are raised.
“Quality Plus Construction has generously donated some labour and we know we can count on community members if and when we need additional assistance with setup.”
With the overwhelming support, Hardy said the school along with the SCC feel very blessed to offer students a brand new structure to play on this fall. “With many grants and fundraisers unable to be realized this spring and summer, we were getting very worried our students may have to go without a playground for a second year in a row.”
While the new playground equipment will be thoroughly enjoyed by students, COVID guidelines have been put in place by Horizon School Division and the provincial government. Hardy stated that these restrictions include mandated staggered recesses and designated specific areas where each group of students must play while social distancing.
“Having Phase 1 of our playground plan ordered and installed will ensure we have enough options for our students to play on when enjoying recess outside. Once again we are sincerely grateful to our local businesses and community members who donated prizes and monetary donations, attended our fundraising events, and volunteered their time to make this first phase of this playground a reality for our students at Watrous Elementary! We can’t wait to get it in place for them.”
Daniel Bushman
With tremendous support from residents of Watrous, local businesses and through a number of events and fundraisers, Watrous Elementary School is moving ahead with Phase 1 of its new playground.
After safety concerns were raised and previous equipment on the school grounds was subsequently torn down in September 2019, staff at Watrous Elementary School along with the School Community Council (SCC) began garnering funds to purchase new structures.
Needing to raise between $113,000 and $114,000 for the entire project, Vice Principal at Watrous Elementary School Rhonda Hardy said, “During the winter months our staff and SCC were able to host several events to raise money for our playground including our Family Movie Night, the Christmas Basket Raffles, and our Community Bingo. In addition, we received several donations from local businesses and community members. Then everything shut down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic leaving us $25,000 short for Phase 1.”
With the pandemic reaching Saskatchewan and schools shutting down for the remainder of the 2019-‘20 school year, Hardy said staff were unsure if a new structure would be installed for the following year. However with incredible support from local businesses over the summer months and additional funds approved by Watrous Town Council, Hardy added they are now able to break ground.
In addition to the donations received heading into summer, Hardy said Richardson Pioneer (Nokomis Branch) recently donated $15,000 while Quality Plus Construction provided $10,000. Then this past week, Watrous Town Council approved $10,000 in funding to support the project. “These generous donations in addition to our fundraising and donations received before the pandemic will enable us to order a large play structure worth $66,000. Our community of Watrous has been very supportive even during these difficult times. There were so many businesses who donated prizes and monetary donations prior to COVID. We also created a few partnerships and fundraising opportunities that had to be put on hold due to COVID restrictions. We hope to be able to continue our efforts in the near future and add Phase 2 and Phase 3 to our playground.”
It is estimated that the structure will be installed the first week in October, so we are very hopeful that our fall weather cooperates. Hardy is hopeful to have the larger play structure installed as part of the first phase and enjoyed by students before winter. Phase 2 and Phase 3 which would include additional equipment would be installed as the funds are raised.
“Quality Plus Construction has generously donated some labour and we know we can count on community members if and when we need additional assistance with setup.”
With the overwhelming support, Hardy said the school along with the SCC feel very blessed to offer students a brand new structure to play on this fall. “With many grants and fundraisers unable to be realized this spring and summer, we were getting very worried our students may have to go without a playground for a second year in a row.”
While the new playground equipment will be thoroughly enjoyed by students, COVID guidelines have been put in place by Horizon School Division and the provincial government. Hardy stated that these restrictions include mandated staggered recesses and designated specific areas where each group of students must play while social distancing.
“Having Phase 1 of our playground plan ordered and installed will ensure we have enough options for our students to play on when enjoying recess outside. Once again we are sincerely grateful to our local businesses and community members who donated prizes and monetary donations, attended our fundraising events, and volunteered their time to make this first phase of this playground a reality for our students at Watrous Elementary! We can’t wait to get it in place for them.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 24, 2020
Horizon School Division preparing to return to school; Prairie Spirit issues memo to families
Daniel Bushman
Ensuring safety for staff and students has been the key focus of officials at Horizon School Division as the division readies for the resumption of school around the area. As Horizon staff and families prepare to see students return to classes for another school year, The Watrous Manitou reached out to Horizon School Division CEO Kevin Garinger to find out about what has been taking place over the past number of weeks.
Returning to school
After planning to return to school Sept. 1, that start date was recently pushed back a week by the provincial government allowing more preparation for school divisions throughout the province. “Opening day has changed to Sept. 8 as the premier announced. In the meantime I felt like we were on the path to be ready for Sept. 1.”
Garinger said the division welcomes back its staff Aug. 24 and they will be spending the majority of their time in schools preparing and making sure the procedures are practiced, planned and ready for when students return. The two phase process will see staff return two weeks before students to ensure they are ready to go and then students will now arrive Sept. 8. “We’ve got a lot of things we have implemented.”
Caretakers and facility staff have also been getting schools set up after each principal submitted floor plans in June indicating what schools would look like and where COVID-19 signage and decals would go. Garinger said that has now been established and is being implemented.
Principals have been in communication over the summer with the division and Garinger said, “These people want to do the best that they can for the kids. It is the incredible nature of our profession. Even during the holidays that is all people could think of, protecting the children, themselves, their colleagues and their families and I am grateful for that. We hope people will see a very strong plan that will help mitigate the risks of COVID-19.”
Wearing masks
Part of Horizon’s return to school plan will see masks required for Gr. 4 to 12 students in common areas and hallways; and in some classrooms where two metre physical distancing cannot be maintained. For all students including Pre-K to Gr. 3, it is recommended they also wear masks.
All staff are also required to wear masks where two metre physical distancing cannot be maintained and masks are required on all buses, for students of all ages and for bus drivers when loading and unloading students.
Masks will also be provided by the division for students and staff use. Masks with clear sections for the mouth are being purchased for Speech and Language Pathologists and teachers who have the need to ensure their students are accommodated (hard of hearing, cochlear implants, early learners, etc.).
Horizon is also in the process of purchasing a reusable cloth mask for all students and staff and in addition, the division will be providing face shields to all staff. Garinger also noted there are some other things the division will be doing like using different types of air filters within schools to ensure air quality is the highest it can be. Currently the school division has not engaged in purchasing air purification units, costing about $3,800 a piece and working in a 400 square foot area. The reason for that Garinger said is because classrooms are often times upwards of 800 or 900 square feet so the practicality and additional funding it would take to purchase them may be a challenge to support the initiative. However, Garinger said the division continues to monitor and address those needs as they come up.
Classroom sizes
While the division does not know exactly what things will look like yet with parents still making decisions on whether or not they will be sending students to school, Garinger said, “From an education standpoint we are going to educate everyone in Horizon. I have heard people wanting to go to other entities with some of the other entities wanting to take them on but I can’t say a loud enough statement that Horizon will educate all children.”
Garinger is hopeful that people who are not in immuno-compromised situations will send their children to school. “We will have them in our classrooms and we will manage them in a safe manner with strong protocols and plans that will govern how we will act and support our children in the same light. What I am strongly encouraging is that parents contact the school and talk to the principal if there is a need that way. Please inform the school and just allow us that time to understand who is going to be doing what so we can start planning around whether we need to add staff or start doing some other things. Or maybe their children in some way perhaps will look at doing a video conference into their classroom which might be an option for that family.”
As for how many kids will be in each classroom, Garinger noted Horizon School Division has one of the lowest class sizes in the province with its PTR (Pupil/Teacher Ratio) the third lowest. Because of that, Garinger said they have positioned themselves well but will be looking at any spots that may have larger numbers and will be preparing information to see what schools were able to achieve for those class sizes. From there the division will evaluate whether they may need to add staff or components of staff or support staff to make sure class sizes are at a place to keep children far enough apart and safe.
Garinger stressed cohorting is really critical and Horizon’s plan has some necessary components that are fluid for that. “We are also needing to ensure as the tides have shifted that adjustments are made to that plan to keep children and staff safe and healthy.”
Outside user groups like preschool and organizations
In the process of looking at outside user groups, Garinger noted daycares currently existing within schools will continue and typically have been ongoing. Where there are preschools that utilize facilities, Garinger who also sits on the Corporate Services Team for the Response Planning Team (RPT) for the province said last week they were discussing the potential of having those user groups continue to access the division’s facilities.
Trying to finalize a structure and look at how they can bring preschool back as quickly as possible, Garinger noted it may not be right away in September but officials are hopeful to have something in place either by Sept. 8 or as soon as they can in September. “People are so great and have been asking what they need to do to make sure it can happen. Now we are at a place where we are going to start looking at other components and that is one of them. We want to ensure safety for everyone.”
While the division works toward having preschool resume in its facilities, other outside user groups would not have permission to utilize them at this time.
“Again, with the hope we continue to review as we head into September and get towards the end of September, perhaps things will change or there will be more information that will allow us to do some things in a different manner. We have so much that is necessary to ensure that children and staff are well set up and structures and procedures and protocols are understood.”
Additional funding from the provincial government
“What we know is the funding is there on an as needed basis so ultimately we are utilizing the funds we were able to realize as savings from the past year.”
Those savings came from fuel costs by not running buses and sub costs. But while the division is able to use those savings, Garinger said they have also been purchasing Personal Protective Equipment and other types of equipment to outfit the schools to ensure they are ready.
“The idea is that there would be a request we could make to the ministry to try and access some of the $40 million if and when that becomes a necessity.”
Considering whether or not additional staff is needed to help early learners for the first month of returning to school to help make that transition smoother for the students, Garinger said staff at the central office have been working with principals to make sure that is being done properly.
“We recognize there is some additional spending through sub costs and other types of costs that we will need to support our families to ensure learning continues for kids. We also recognize we may have to add staff to have a cohort of kids who are all learning from home. That may be the case instead of having it as such where the learning is happening in the classroom. If there are enough children in say a Gr. 3 group for example that would require us to hire someone to look after that from a learn from home standpoint - we call them a learning from home teacher - then we may have to add to that level of full-time employment (FTE) in some capacity to make sure we can support that type of learning.”
Garinger said he is still hoping many parents will send their children to school with the knowledge there is a lot of strong plans being put in place for the safety and health of students. Ultimately those who need support will be informed and education will continue to be provided and delivered.
Prairie Spirit issues memo to families
As staff, students and families of Prairie Spirit School Division prepare to return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic, the local division provided memos to their families and staff earlier this month.
Prairie Spirit School Division sent out a memo to its families Aug. 7 with safety at the forefront. Prairie Spirit School Division Director of Education Lori Jeschke and Board Chairperson Sam Dyck noted while it is obvious that back to school is very different for everyone, they respect and appreciate the many concerns brought up regarding a return to school this September.
“We continue to be committed to communicating and connecting with you as we develop a plan for a safe and caring return to school.”
In addition to the division’s comprehensive plan that has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Jeschke and Dyck noted Prairie Spirit’s facilities, transportation, human resources, and learning teams have been working on their own plans within the larger division and provincial plans.
Schools will also be developing plans to share with families and one example that was highlighted included masks and face shields. The division will be providing masks and face shields for staff and students are encouraged to bring a mask from home to wear at school. If a student forgets their mask at home, a disposable mask will be made available, upon request.
“We are looking forward to working with our students and families in September. Prairie Spirit School Division is fully committed to supporting families with access to learning in the fall. We will continue to provide every opportunity for all students to be successful as we plan for a safe and smooth transition back to school.”
Understanding parents may have concerns or questions about the return to school, the pair recommended families remain registered at their local school, even if they are considering keeping their child at home at the start of the school year. “Some distance courses will be available to students, with a focus on blended learning at our schools. Families do not need to register outside the division to receive these services. We look forward to continuing to support our students through the local school. For more information, please contact your local school. School administrators will be available in their schools on Aug. 24.”
Also mentioned in the memo which can be found on Prairie Spirit’s website, each of the schools will be developing and sharing a school-specific safety plan with their learning communities. These plans will be available to parents later this month and will include details like: hygiene practices, school day schedule, plans for limiting student movement through the school and drop off and pick up plans.
As memos were sent to families on Aug. 11 the Government of Saskatchewan, Education’s Response Planning Team (RPT) and Public Health updated guidelines to support the safe return of children to school.
The province and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab provided additional guidance for divisions wishing to move to Level 2. This guidance is being made to provide consistent direction to school divisions which will implement specific plans and measures best suited to their location and facilities.
For those divisions exploring measures in Level 2, the following guidance has been provided by Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer:
Students in Gr. 4 through 12 wear a mask in high traffic areas, such as in hallways and on buses. For those students in Gr. 9 through 12, masks may be required in classrooms where it is not possible to maintain physical distancing or where students are outside of the cohort within their classroom, as well as all teachers and staff.
For those high schools that have a high density population, further discussions with Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions have resulted in factors being developed for those considering Level 3. Factors that would be considered include the location, structure and population density of the school. School divisions may consider additional options, including alternating days for high school students.
Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer has also directed the following additional measures to be included in all division plans: teacher and class cohorting, with a focus on cohorting teachers to a limited number of students and keeping students in one cohort as much as possible; in elementary school settings, students’ cohorts will be the classroom; in high school settings where cohorting is more complex, school divisions will be encouraged to find creative solutions to move students in cohorts where possible; front-facing instruction for students, any exceptions will be identified for approval by public health; and staggered start times, breaks and end times, where possible.
Responding to the additional guidelines, Prairie Spirit issued a memo Aug. 12 stating: “The Minister of Education and the Chief Medical Health Officer have provided additional guidelines to school divisions. It is recommended that school divisions consider moving to Level 2 of the government’s Saskatchewan Safe Schools Plan, which includes masks in schools.
“The Prairie Spirit Board of Education and senior leadership team have decided to move to Level 2 in the Division’s planning for a safe return to school. As a result, masks will be required for students in Gr. 4 through 12 where physical distancing is not possible (e.g. hallways and buses). Pre-Kindergarten to Gr. 3 students are encouraged to wear masks.
“Prairie Spirit staff members will be expected to wear masks when social distancing is not possible.”
Daniel Bushman
Ensuring safety for staff and students has been the key focus of officials at Horizon School Division as the division readies for the resumption of school around the area. As Horizon staff and families prepare to see students return to classes for another school year, The Watrous Manitou reached out to Horizon School Division CEO Kevin Garinger to find out about what has been taking place over the past number of weeks.
Returning to school
After planning to return to school Sept. 1, that start date was recently pushed back a week by the provincial government allowing more preparation for school divisions throughout the province. “Opening day has changed to Sept. 8 as the premier announced. In the meantime I felt like we were on the path to be ready for Sept. 1.”
Garinger said the division welcomes back its staff Aug. 24 and they will be spending the majority of their time in schools preparing and making sure the procedures are practiced, planned and ready for when students return. The two phase process will see staff return two weeks before students to ensure they are ready to go and then students will now arrive Sept. 8. “We’ve got a lot of things we have implemented.”
Caretakers and facility staff have also been getting schools set up after each principal submitted floor plans in June indicating what schools would look like and where COVID-19 signage and decals would go. Garinger said that has now been established and is being implemented.
Principals have been in communication over the summer with the division and Garinger said, “These people want to do the best that they can for the kids. It is the incredible nature of our profession. Even during the holidays that is all people could think of, protecting the children, themselves, their colleagues and their families and I am grateful for that. We hope people will see a very strong plan that will help mitigate the risks of COVID-19.”
Wearing masks
Part of Horizon’s return to school plan will see masks required for Gr. 4 to 12 students in common areas and hallways; and in some classrooms where two metre physical distancing cannot be maintained. For all students including Pre-K to Gr. 3, it is recommended they also wear masks.
All staff are also required to wear masks where two metre physical distancing cannot be maintained and masks are required on all buses, for students of all ages and for bus drivers when loading and unloading students.
Masks will also be provided by the division for students and staff use. Masks with clear sections for the mouth are being purchased for Speech and Language Pathologists and teachers who have the need to ensure their students are accommodated (hard of hearing, cochlear implants, early learners, etc.).
Horizon is also in the process of purchasing a reusable cloth mask for all students and staff and in addition, the division will be providing face shields to all staff. Garinger also noted there are some other things the division will be doing like using different types of air filters within schools to ensure air quality is the highest it can be. Currently the school division has not engaged in purchasing air purification units, costing about $3,800 a piece and working in a 400 square foot area. The reason for that Garinger said is because classrooms are often times upwards of 800 or 900 square feet so the practicality and additional funding it would take to purchase them may be a challenge to support the initiative. However, Garinger said the division continues to monitor and address those needs as they come up.
Classroom sizes
While the division does not know exactly what things will look like yet with parents still making decisions on whether or not they will be sending students to school, Garinger said, “From an education standpoint we are going to educate everyone in Horizon. I have heard people wanting to go to other entities with some of the other entities wanting to take them on but I can’t say a loud enough statement that Horizon will educate all children.”
Garinger is hopeful that people who are not in immuno-compromised situations will send their children to school. “We will have them in our classrooms and we will manage them in a safe manner with strong protocols and plans that will govern how we will act and support our children in the same light. What I am strongly encouraging is that parents contact the school and talk to the principal if there is a need that way. Please inform the school and just allow us that time to understand who is going to be doing what so we can start planning around whether we need to add staff or start doing some other things. Or maybe their children in some way perhaps will look at doing a video conference into their classroom which might be an option for that family.”
As for how many kids will be in each classroom, Garinger noted Horizon School Division has one of the lowest class sizes in the province with its PTR (Pupil/Teacher Ratio) the third lowest. Because of that, Garinger said they have positioned themselves well but will be looking at any spots that may have larger numbers and will be preparing information to see what schools were able to achieve for those class sizes. From there the division will evaluate whether they may need to add staff or components of staff or support staff to make sure class sizes are at a place to keep children far enough apart and safe.
Garinger stressed cohorting is really critical and Horizon’s plan has some necessary components that are fluid for that. “We are also needing to ensure as the tides have shifted that adjustments are made to that plan to keep children and staff safe and healthy.”
Outside user groups like preschool and organizations
In the process of looking at outside user groups, Garinger noted daycares currently existing within schools will continue and typically have been ongoing. Where there are preschools that utilize facilities, Garinger who also sits on the Corporate Services Team for the Response Planning Team (RPT) for the province said last week they were discussing the potential of having those user groups continue to access the division’s facilities.
Trying to finalize a structure and look at how they can bring preschool back as quickly as possible, Garinger noted it may not be right away in September but officials are hopeful to have something in place either by Sept. 8 or as soon as they can in September. “People are so great and have been asking what they need to do to make sure it can happen. Now we are at a place where we are going to start looking at other components and that is one of them. We want to ensure safety for everyone.”
While the division works toward having preschool resume in its facilities, other outside user groups would not have permission to utilize them at this time.
“Again, with the hope we continue to review as we head into September and get towards the end of September, perhaps things will change or there will be more information that will allow us to do some things in a different manner. We have so much that is necessary to ensure that children and staff are well set up and structures and procedures and protocols are understood.”
Additional funding from the provincial government
“What we know is the funding is there on an as needed basis so ultimately we are utilizing the funds we were able to realize as savings from the past year.”
Those savings came from fuel costs by not running buses and sub costs. But while the division is able to use those savings, Garinger said they have also been purchasing Personal Protective Equipment and other types of equipment to outfit the schools to ensure they are ready.
“The idea is that there would be a request we could make to the ministry to try and access some of the $40 million if and when that becomes a necessity.”
Considering whether or not additional staff is needed to help early learners for the first month of returning to school to help make that transition smoother for the students, Garinger said staff at the central office have been working with principals to make sure that is being done properly.
“We recognize there is some additional spending through sub costs and other types of costs that we will need to support our families to ensure learning continues for kids. We also recognize we may have to add staff to have a cohort of kids who are all learning from home. That may be the case instead of having it as such where the learning is happening in the classroom. If there are enough children in say a Gr. 3 group for example that would require us to hire someone to look after that from a learn from home standpoint - we call them a learning from home teacher - then we may have to add to that level of full-time employment (FTE) in some capacity to make sure we can support that type of learning.”
Garinger said he is still hoping many parents will send their children to school with the knowledge there is a lot of strong plans being put in place for the safety and health of students. Ultimately those who need support will be informed and education will continue to be provided and delivered.
Prairie Spirit issues memo to families
As staff, students and families of Prairie Spirit School Division prepare to return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic, the local division provided memos to their families and staff earlier this month.
Prairie Spirit School Division sent out a memo to its families Aug. 7 with safety at the forefront. Prairie Spirit School Division Director of Education Lori Jeschke and Board Chairperson Sam Dyck noted while it is obvious that back to school is very different for everyone, they respect and appreciate the many concerns brought up regarding a return to school this September.
“We continue to be committed to communicating and connecting with you as we develop a plan for a safe and caring return to school.”
In addition to the division’s comprehensive plan that has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Jeschke and Dyck noted Prairie Spirit’s facilities, transportation, human resources, and learning teams have been working on their own plans within the larger division and provincial plans.
Schools will also be developing plans to share with families and one example that was highlighted included masks and face shields. The division will be providing masks and face shields for staff and students are encouraged to bring a mask from home to wear at school. If a student forgets their mask at home, a disposable mask will be made available, upon request.
“We are looking forward to working with our students and families in September. Prairie Spirit School Division is fully committed to supporting families with access to learning in the fall. We will continue to provide every opportunity for all students to be successful as we plan for a safe and smooth transition back to school.”
Understanding parents may have concerns or questions about the return to school, the pair recommended families remain registered at their local school, even if they are considering keeping their child at home at the start of the school year. “Some distance courses will be available to students, with a focus on blended learning at our schools. Families do not need to register outside the division to receive these services. We look forward to continuing to support our students through the local school. For more information, please contact your local school. School administrators will be available in their schools on Aug. 24.”
Also mentioned in the memo which can be found on Prairie Spirit’s website, each of the schools will be developing and sharing a school-specific safety plan with their learning communities. These plans will be available to parents later this month and will include details like: hygiene practices, school day schedule, plans for limiting student movement through the school and drop off and pick up plans.
As memos were sent to families on Aug. 11 the Government of Saskatchewan, Education’s Response Planning Team (RPT) and Public Health updated guidelines to support the safe return of children to school.
The province and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab provided additional guidance for divisions wishing to move to Level 2. This guidance is being made to provide consistent direction to school divisions which will implement specific plans and measures best suited to their location and facilities.
For those divisions exploring measures in Level 2, the following guidance has been provided by Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer:
Students in Gr. 4 through 12 wear a mask in high traffic areas, such as in hallways and on buses. For those students in Gr. 9 through 12, masks may be required in classrooms where it is not possible to maintain physical distancing or where students are outside of the cohort within their classroom, as well as all teachers and staff.
For those high schools that have a high density population, further discussions with Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions have resulted in factors being developed for those considering Level 3. Factors that would be considered include the location, structure and population density of the school. School divisions may consider additional options, including alternating days for high school students.
Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer has also directed the following additional measures to be included in all division plans: teacher and class cohorting, with a focus on cohorting teachers to a limited number of students and keeping students in one cohort as much as possible; in elementary school settings, students’ cohorts will be the classroom; in high school settings where cohorting is more complex, school divisions will be encouraged to find creative solutions to move students in cohorts where possible; front-facing instruction for students, any exceptions will be identified for approval by public health; and staggered start times, breaks and end times, where possible.
Responding to the additional guidelines, Prairie Spirit issued a memo Aug. 12 stating: “The Minister of Education and the Chief Medical Health Officer have provided additional guidelines to school divisions. It is recommended that school divisions consider moving to Level 2 of the government’s Saskatchewan Safe Schools Plan, which includes masks in schools.
“The Prairie Spirit Board of Education and senior leadership team have decided to move to Level 2 in the Division’s planning for a safe return to school. As a result, masks will be required for students in Gr. 4 through 12 where physical distancing is not possible (e.g. hallways and buses). Pre-Kindergarten to Gr. 3 students are encouraged to wear masks.
“Prairie Spirit staff members will be expected to wear masks when social distancing is not possible.”
TWM Top Story - August 17, 2020
Former Watrous resident to be inducted into hall of fame
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for baseball and having the opportunity to watch young athletes grow both on and off the field, former Winston High School principal and ball advocate Allan Fitzsimmons has been named as one of this year’s Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.
Along with making substantial contributions in the classroom during his time in Watrous, Fitzsimmons also made an enormous impact when it came to ball. Previously inducted into the hall of fame under the Team Category as a second baseman with the 1967 Govan Angels (inducted in 1994) and the 1961-‘83 Leader Barons Senior team (inducted in 2016), Fitzsimmons has been a big part of Baseball Saskatchewan.
After his playing days ended and through his involvement and hard work as a volunteer within the sport, Allan will be inducted under the Individual Category as part of this year’s hall of fame class.
In the nomination letter submitted to Baseball Sask., it stated Fitzsimmons was able to increase the awareness of baseball in Saskatchewan through his dedication as a volunteer and because of that, participation numbers grew within the sport.
Along with being a fixture at the Watrous Minor Ball diamonds, beginning in 1995 Fitzsimmons also joined the Board of Representatives of Baseball Saskatchewan. Then from 1997-‘99 he was the Zone 5 Governor, overseeing all baseball activities in the large zone. In 1998 he was appointed Senior Supervisor and was in charge of running the Senior Provincial Championships and Post Provincial Play. Holding that position until 2002, Fitzsimmons was also elected as vice president in 2000, serving a two-year term before being appointed president in 2002. Serving a two-year term as president, that was followed by taking on the past president role for a two-year term.
While the majority of his work with Saskatchewan Baseball was done while living in Watrous, after retiring as the principal of Winston High School, in 2004 Allan moved to Saskatoon with his wife Penny. Two years later he was once again named as Senior Supervisor with Baseball Sask. and occupied that role until 2011.
With numerous contributions made during his time with Watrous Minor Ball, Baseball Sask. and ball in Western Canada and Canada, perhaps the only one surprised that he was named as a Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inductee for 2020 was Fitzsimmons himself.
“It was a complete surprise and a real shock when Jane Shury from the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum contacted me regarding my selection to the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame. I have to say it is an honour, but also have to say this would not have happened if it had not been for all the support I received throughout my baseball life: my parents, coaches, teammates, baseball officials, players, and my immediate family. These people encouraged me throughout the years and I thank them for supporting me and making this possible.”
Right from an early age, Allan enjoyed the sport of ball. Growing up in Govan, like so many others who called small communities in Saskatchewan their home, Fitzsimmons began playing minor baseball. “At that time, baseball was a small town sport. Over the years and as I moved to different communities, I continued playing and coaching and loving the game. I wanted to give back for all the enjoyment I gained from this great game called baseball so, in 1995, it was an easy decision when Jim Korte asked if I would join the Sask. Baseball Board of Representatives.”
Watching his three kids compete in the same game he loved growing up, along with coaching, Fitzsimmons said he enjoyed the opportunity to serve in a variety of positions with Saskatchewan Baseball Association (SBA). “The highlight of my SBA appointment was the opportunity to supervise many zone and provincial championships held throughout the province. I got to meet many young baseball players and got to watch our great game.”
Remaining heavily involved with SBA, Fitzsimmons continued to invest in the game by joining the Baseball Canada organization. It was during that time he served on the championship committee and as treasurer. “I also got the opportunity to supervise a number of national championships from coast to coast starting in 2002. That has continued right up to this year and has been a really enjoyable experience.”
Having the ability to remain involved with a sport he grew up enjoying and continues to enjoy, Fitzsimmons extended his appreciation to the provincial organization led by Mike Ramage and Greg Brons and the national organized led by Jim Baba. “Their support was invaluable for me continuing with baseball in Saskatchewan and throughout Canada.”
Looking forward to his induction into the hall of fame under the Individual Category, joining Fitzsimmons as 2020 inductees in that category are: the late Father Leonard Albers from Bengough, Sask.; Fred Curts of Holdfast, Sask.; Al Greschuk of Yorkton, Sask.; George Guillaume of Moose Jaw, Sask.; Elemer Jerkovits of Regina, Sask.; Rick Johnston of Maidstone, Sask.; Kevin Kusch of Lloydminster, Sask.; Rocky Nickel of Caronport, Sask.; the late Roy Taylor of Visalia, Calif. (Saskatoon, Sask.); Neil Urlacher of Okotoks, Alta. (Macklin, Sask.); and the late “Goldie” Wiggins of Fillmore, Sask.
Being inducted in the Team Category this year is the Aquadell Flyers Baseball Team (1947-‘72) and the Kamsack Cyclones. Being inducted in the Community Category is the Village of Gray, Sask.
Joining this year’s prestigious list of people, teams and the community of Gray, Fitzsimmons said, “It is a tremendous honour to be selected to the Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame and a huge thank you to all of you who promote our game of baseball.”
While the induction ceremony was originally scheduled for August, due to COVID-19, the hall of fame event has now been tentatively planned for Oct. 3 in North Battleford.
Daniel Bushman
With a passion for baseball and having the opportunity to watch young athletes grow both on and off the field, former Winston High School principal and ball advocate Allan Fitzsimmons has been named as one of this year’s Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.
Along with making substantial contributions in the classroom during his time in Watrous, Fitzsimmons also made an enormous impact when it came to ball. Previously inducted into the hall of fame under the Team Category as a second baseman with the 1967 Govan Angels (inducted in 1994) and the 1961-‘83 Leader Barons Senior team (inducted in 2016), Fitzsimmons has been a big part of Baseball Saskatchewan.
After his playing days ended and through his involvement and hard work as a volunteer within the sport, Allan will be inducted under the Individual Category as part of this year’s hall of fame class.
In the nomination letter submitted to Baseball Sask., it stated Fitzsimmons was able to increase the awareness of baseball in Saskatchewan through his dedication as a volunteer and because of that, participation numbers grew within the sport.
Along with being a fixture at the Watrous Minor Ball diamonds, beginning in 1995 Fitzsimmons also joined the Board of Representatives of Baseball Saskatchewan. Then from 1997-‘99 he was the Zone 5 Governor, overseeing all baseball activities in the large zone. In 1998 he was appointed Senior Supervisor and was in charge of running the Senior Provincial Championships and Post Provincial Play. Holding that position until 2002, Fitzsimmons was also elected as vice president in 2000, serving a two-year term before being appointed president in 2002. Serving a two-year term as president, that was followed by taking on the past president role for a two-year term.
While the majority of his work with Saskatchewan Baseball was done while living in Watrous, after retiring as the principal of Winston High School, in 2004 Allan moved to Saskatoon with his wife Penny. Two years later he was once again named as Senior Supervisor with Baseball Sask. and occupied that role until 2011.
With numerous contributions made during his time with Watrous Minor Ball, Baseball Sask. and ball in Western Canada and Canada, perhaps the only one surprised that he was named as a Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inductee for 2020 was Fitzsimmons himself.
“It was a complete surprise and a real shock when Jane Shury from the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum contacted me regarding my selection to the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame. I have to say it is an honour, but also have to say this would not have happened if it had not been for all the support I received throughout my baseball life: my parents, coaches, teammates, baseball officials, players, and my immediate family. These people encouraged me throughout the years and I thank them for supporting me and making this possible.”
Right from an early age, Allan enjoyed the sport of ball. Growing up in Govan, like so many others who called small communities in Saskatchewan their home, Fitzsimmons began playing minor baseball. “At that time, baseball was a small town sport. Over the years and as I moved to different communities, I continued playing and coaching and loving the game. I wanted to give back for all the enjoyment I gained from this great game called baseball so, in 1995, it was an easy decision when Jim Korte asked if I would join the Sask. Baseball Board of Representatives.”
Watching his three kids compete in the same game he loved growing up, along with coaching, Fitzsimmons said he enjoyed the opportunity to serve in a variety of positions with Saskatchewan Baseball Association (SBA). “The highlight of my SBA appointment was the opportunity to supervise many zone and provincial championships held throughout the province. I got to meet many young baseball players and got to watch our great game.”
Remaining heavily involved with SBA, Fitzsimmons continued to invest in the game by joining the Baseball Canada organization. It was during that time he served on the championship committee and as treasurer. “I also got the opportunity to supervise a number of national championships from coast to coast starting in 2002. That has continued right up to this year and has been a really enjoyable experience.”
Having the ability to remain involved with a sport he grew up enjoying and continues to enjoy, Fitzsimmons extended his appreciation to the provincial organization led by Mike Ramage and Greg Brons and the national organized led by Jim Baba. “Their support was invaluable for me continuing with baseball in Saskatchewan and throughout Canada.”
Looking forward to his induction into the hall of fame under the Individual Category, joining Fitzsimmons as 2020 inductees in that category are: the late Father Leonard Albers from Bengough, Sask.; Fred Curts of Holdfast, Sask.; Al Greschuk of Yorkton, Sask.; George Guillaume of Moose Jaw, Sask.; Elemer Jerkovits of Regina, Sask.; Rick Johnston of Maidstone, Sask.; Kevin Kusch of Lloydminster, Sask.; Rocky Nickel of Caronport, Sask.; the late Roy Taylor of Visalia, Calif. (Saskatoon, Sask.); Neil Urlacher of Okotoks, Alta. (Macklin, Sask.); and the late “Goldie” Wiggins of Fillmore, Sask.
Being inducted in the Team Category this year is the Aquadell Flyers Baseball Team (1947-‘72) and the Kamsack Cyclones. Being inducted in the Community Category is the Village of Gray, Sask.
Joining this year’s prestigious list of people, teams and the community of Gray, Fitzsimmons said, “It is a tremendous honour to be selected to the Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame and a huge thank you to all of you who promote our game of baseball.”
While the induction ceremony was originally scheduled for August, due to COVID-19, the hall of fame event has now been tentatively planned for Oct. 3 in North Battleford.
TWM Top Story - Aug. 10, 2020
Communities enjoy Fun Run cruise
Daniel Bushman
With the sun shining, vehicles lining up and car enthusiasts grabbing a spot along a street in a handful of local communities, the 29th annual Watrous and Manitou Beach Show ‘n’ Shine Fun Run was dubbed a tremendous success. While the July 25 event was tweaked this year due to COVID-19, the unique change provided other communities with a chance to view this year’s entries.
Participants in the 29th annual event enjoyed a cruise through Watrous, Manitou Beach, Lanigan, Drake and Nokomis and Fun Run administrator and spokesperson Dustin Hallborg said committee members had a lot of positive feedback because of it.
“Car enthusiasts from Manitou Beach, Lanigan, Drake, and Nokomis will often make the drive for our show on main street so it was nice to be able to bring the show to them. We are definitely looking at being able to work a cruise like this into our plans for the future, but we are hoping to have a classic show next year. That will all depend on developments over the next year.”
Being part of a brand new planning committee, Hallborg said despite dealing with the pandemic, they were pleased with how everything turned out. “We had a total of 76 entries in our virtual online show, which garnered a total of 754 votes. Funny enough, we also had 76 registered attendees for the cruise itself. We did have a few others join in around the Lanigan, Drake and Nokomis area, so probably closer to 80! We are so happy with the turnout. Everyone was cooperative and had a lot of fun!”
Hallborg also noted how integral the area was to make the 29th installment of the Fun Run so special. “We can’t express how grateful we are for the support and cooperation of our local communities. We also can’t thank Jason Lindgren and his family enough for all their years of dedication in making sure this event goes on, as well as all the volunteers and sponsors the Fun Run has had over the years. We are very excited for what next year will bring!”
Looking forward to marking the 30th event in 2021, Hallborg said the committee which consists of himself, Al Madland, Gerald Worobec, Tammy, Stuart, Sydney Hallborg, Roger Davidson, Pat McDade, Ian Richardson, numerous other volunteers and previous chairperson and longtime organizer Jason Lindgren said they would like some input from the community. “If people have ideas or suggestions that they would like to see, such as maybe featuring some local talent, they are welcome to contact us through email, our social media, or they can contact myself directly.”
As for this year’s winning entries, the virtual show winners included: Most Loved: Kyle and Kortney S. - 1969 Dodge Charger; Best GM: Alan R. - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu; Best Ford: Jim L. - 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback; Best Mopar: Kortney S. - 1975 Dodge W200; Best Euro: a tie! Cyndi D. - 1976 Peugeot 504 and Ryan J. - 1978 Porsche 911; Best JDM: a tie! Tyler L. - 2000 Honda S2000 and Dawn and Lance M. - 1976 Toyota LandCruiser; Best Other: Brennan B. - 2015 Victory Cross Country; Best Modern: Dave R. - 2013 Chevrolet Corvette; and Best Oldie: Harlan C. - 1930 Ford Model A.
The Cruise Day winners included: Best GM - Tom Dpitz, 1964 Chevrolet BelAir; Best Ford - Norm Mowles, 1956 Ford Sunliner; Best Mopar - Vince Nimchuck, 1970 Plymouth Road Runner; Best Euro - Jason Whitehead, 1971 VW Beetle; Best JDM - Nathan Thompson, 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer; Best Other - Don Pidlisny, 1948 REO SpeedWagon; Best Oldie - Doug Moir, 1931 Ford Model A; and Best Modern - Mark Severin, 2008 Ford Mustang GT.
Daniel Bushman
With the sun shining, vehicles lining up and car enthusiasts grabbing a spot along a street in a handful of local communities, the 29th annual Watrous and Manitou Beach Show ‘n’ Shine Fun Run was dubbed a tremendous success. While the July 25 event was tweaked this year due to COVID-19, the unique change provided other communities with a chance to view this year’s entries.
Participants in the 29th annual event enjoyed a cruise through Watrous, Manitou Beach, Lanigan, Drake and Nokomis and Fun Run administrator and spokesperson Dustin Hallborg said committee members had a lot of positive feedback because of it.
“Car enthusiasts from Manitou Beach, Lanigan, Drake, and Nokomis will often make the drive for our show on main street so it was nice to be able to bring the show to them. We are definitely looking at being able to work a cruise like this into our plans for the future, but we are hoping to have a classic show next year. That will all depend on developments over the next year.”
Being part of a brand new planning committee, Hallborg said despite dealing with the pandemic, they were pleased with how everything turned out. “We had a total of 76 entries in our virtual online show, which garnered a total of 754 votes. Funny enough, we also had 76 registered attendees for the cruise itself. We did have a few others join in around the Lanigan, Drake and Nokomis area, so probably closer to 80! We are so happy with the turnout. Everyone was cooperative and had a lot of fun!”
Hallborg also noted how integral the area was to make the 29th installment of the Fun Run so special. “We can’t express how grateful we are for the support and cooperation of our local communities. We also can’t thank Jason Lindgren and his family enough for all their years of dedication in making sure this event goes on, as well as all the volunteers and sponsors the Fun Run has had over the years. We are very excited for what next year will bring!”
Looking forward to marking the 30th event in 2021, Hallborg said the committee which consists of himself, Al Madland, Gerald Worobec, Tammy, Stuart, Sydney Hallborg, Roger Davidson, Pat McDade, Ian Richardson, numerous other volunteers and previous chairperson and longtime organizer Jason Lindgren said they would like some input from the community. “If people have ideas or suggestions that they would like to see, such as maybe featuring some local talent, they are welcome to contact us through email, our social media, or they can contact myself directly.”
As for this year’s winning entries, the virtual show winners included: Most Loved: Kyle and Kortney S. - 1969 Dodge Charger; Best GM: Alan R. - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu; Best Ford: Jim L. - 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback; Best Mopar: Kortney S. - 1975 Dodge W200; Best Euro: a tie! Cyndi D. - 1976 Peugeot 504 and Ryan J. - 1978 Porsche 911; Best JDM: a tie! Tyler L. - 2000 Honda S2000 and Dawn and Lance M. - 1976 Toyota LandCruiser; Best Other: Brennan B. - 2015 Victory Cross Country; Best Modern: Dave R. - 2013 Chevrolet Corvette; and Best Oldie: Harlan C. - 1930 Ford Model A.
The Cruise Day winners included: Best GM - Tom Dpitz, 1964 Chevrolet BelAir; Best Ford - Norm Mowles, 1956 Ford Sunliner; Best Mopar - Vince Nimchuck, 1970 Plymouth Road Runner; Best Euro - Jason Whitehead, 1971 VW Beetle; Best JDM - Nathan Thompson, 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer; Best Other - Don Pidlisny, 1948 REO SpeedWagon; Best Oldie - Doug Moir, 1931 Ford Model A; and Best Modern - Mark Severin, 2008 Ford Mustang GT.
TWM Top Story - July 20, 2020
The show continues at the Jubilee Drive-In as it marks 65th anniversary
Daniel Bushman
From the first movie hitting the big screen in 1955 to the delicious popcorn and refreshments served over the years, the Jubilee Drive-In at Manitou Beach has not only created lasting memories for movie-goers but the rare treasure on the prairies is marking a milestone.
First opening during the province’s diamond jubilee anniversary and despite a powerful wind storm that knocked over its screen 21 years later, the Jubilee Drive-In has withstood the test of time. Now celebrating 65 years in 2020, it remains one of only a few left in Saskatchewan.
Operating the Roxy Theatre in Watrous, it was Morley Crawford who decided he would create the iconic drive-in at Manitou Beach. Morley’s son Burt who later took over the business with his now late wife Bev said when his dad found out someone was planning to build a drive-in in Watrous, he quickly went looking for a location of his own.
“My dad was aware of drive-ins being built all over the place. 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 the beach. Where the old gravel pit was, that one block of land had been undivided. Block ‘D’ was 10.85 acres and so he told the village that he would like to build a drive-in but it would be really expensive to level all that land. The beach said he could have it for $1 but after all the levelling, bulldozing and fixing up, dad said it was the most expensive land he ever bought for $1.”
Starting construction at Manitou Beach in 1954, Burt was brought on by his dad for his expertise. Taking engineering and surveying in university Burt said, “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.”
Officially opening in time for June, Jubilee Drive-In began welcoming patrons. 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.
With admission 60 cents for adults and 40 cents for students, children 12 and under were able to get in for free. People could also 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.
With a show playing at the Roxy Theatre in Watrous one night and then hitting the screen at the drive-in during another, Crawford said the popularity at each grew. “We put out theatre calendars to 26 different towns in our 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 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 back then.”
Those attending the drive-in for a show would arrive and pay at something similar to a toll booth called the box office. Over the years, Bev Crawford or Rose Schafer would be stationed in the booth as a line of cars would turn off the main road entering the beach from Watrous and head toward the gate. There were also many other local faces who would occupy the box office after Bev and Rose.
Once inside the area, which was encompassed by steel fencing, people parked next to a post with speakers. “There were two speakers attached with a wire on each post so cars parked on either side of the post. People would roll down their window and hang the clunky speaker on the inside of the window. 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 be indoors instead of their vehicle, a seating area for about 24 people was created. Next to the room where the films were playing and behind where the comfy seats were situated, the concession would be hopping with popcorn, other food and drinks. Washrooms were also nearby for people to use 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!”
As the movie playing that night would come to a conclusion, patrons headed for the exits as Crawford would once again take to the speaker. “Please replace speakers on posts before leaving. The exit is forward and to the right. Please drive carefully and come back soon!”
As the Roxy Theatre in Watrous and the Jubilee Drive-In at Manitou Beach continued to play shows under the ownership of Morley, Burt kept a keen interest while working for an oil company interpreting seismic work records. But it was not long after the 1950s came to an end that Burt would return to his roots with his wife Bev.
“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 said 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.”
Through Roxy Developments Burt and Bev took over the pair of movie screens and continued to operate both, hiring a number of local faces including many who worked for Burt’s dad. “I have compiled a list over the years of employees we’ve had at both the theatre and drive-in and it is well over 100.”
From 1961 to 1976 the Crawfords took on the businesses and then as spring approached in 1976 the pair entered a partnership with Burt’s school buddy, Dave Schafer and his wife Rose. Also constructing a car wash along Hwy. 2 in Watrous, known then as Car Wash ‘67, the group was looking forward to the future. However, shortly after the Schafers joined the Crawfords, the infamous storm of ‘76 hit.
In the June 10, 1976 edition of The Watrous Manitou, the area suffered heavy damage with winds estimated at over 100 m.p.h. at times. Dubbed the worst wind storm ever experienced in central Saskatchewan at that time, it hit the local area around midnight Thursday and lasted for over an hour. The CBK tower which stood 465 feet high crashed to the ground and “practically every structure in town suffered damage.” That included 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 is really serious. 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 destruction, shows continued playing at the Roxy Theatre in Watrous while the big screen was rebuilt at the drive-in. Crawford credits Dave and his connections as he was able to get in touch with an engineer to design a new screen in short order. “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.”
Once the new screen was installed and movies began playing again, Burt and Dave had the chance to talk with a few people who were selling theatre equipment with bulb technology. The equipment at the Roxy Theatre and the Jubilee Drive-In at that time was comprised of two projectors using carbon arcs, similar to what welders use. Burt said, “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 the new Zenon bulb technology, which would require only one projector, Burt and Dave drove down to Billings, Montana and hopped a plane which eventually arrived in Kansas City, Missouri. After attending a show, seeing the equipment and noticing how well it worked, they brought in the new units.
Utilizing bulbs, the system also came with big 48 inch diameter reels allowing Roxy Theatre and the 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.”
Continuing to operate the drive-in, theatre and the car wash, after a few years, Dave and Rose solely took over the car wash while Burt and Bev continued on with the theatre and drive-in. Hiring a number of students and local faces over the years including Tara Hayden and Earl Hayhurst (the two most recent managers of the drive-in), Burt said he enjoyed the opportunity to not only employ locals including his own three kids but run the two places his dad once owned. While the Roxy Theatre on Main Street eventually shut its doors in the 1990s, the drive-in continued to operate during the summer months.
As time went on Burt stepped back from his managerial duties and others came on board to fill his shoes. Then after leasing the drive-in for a few years to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, the Crawfords sold the place to the resort village in 2014. Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec said, “The drive-in is unique I think because there are only a handful left in the province. The resort has so much to offer and the drive-in just adds one more aspect to a visit to Manitou.”
Like others with roots in the area, Worobec recalled his own memories of attending the drive-in. “Growing up at the farm meant that 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.”
Worobec’s story will certainly resonate with others who attended the drive-in over the years, having their fair share of fun as well. One of those people who watched movies at the drive-in and who has always had a love for a good film is Earl Hayhurst, owner of Video Stop and current manager of the Jubilee Drive-In.
Working at both the Roxy Theatre in Watrous (the same place now occupied by Video Stop) and at the drive-in, Hayhurst viewed thousands of movies over the years. It was during his younger years when he caught the bug for films.
Helping at the theatre in Watrous, Hayhurst learned the ropes from Crawford and was later brought on at the drive-in. “I remember hauling the reels and canisters from the theatre in town to the drive-in at the beach. I really enjoyed working at both places and not only watched a lot of movies but also learned how everything was done.”
That passion then grew into Hayhurst’s own business as he took over Video Stop in 1991. Another rarity in the province, the video rental store continues to operate in 2020; at the same place Earl worked at when he was younger. Then earlier this year when previous drive-in manager and longtime drive-in employee Tara Hayden tapped Hayhurst to see if he was interested in managing the drive-in, he jumped at the chance.
While the previous projectors are no longer in use and newer technology is now relied upon, Earl said, “It is pretty cool to be back there. Tara has been a tremendous help to me in getting things rolling and of course this year with COVID-19, we have had to make a few adjustments. But aside from that, with a fresh coat of paint and a few updates, it has been nice to be back at the drive-in.”
Unlike decades before, this year patrons will notice buckets set up where they have to park beside instead of speakers. The buckets not only ensure social distancing but also maintain the right amount of people allowed in at one time. Additional safety precautions like hand sanitizer have also been added.
“Normally the drive-in opens during the May long weekend but because of COVID-19 and a few pieces of equipment we were waiting for, we didn’t get started until June,” said Earl. “After a couple of minor hiccups during the first week or two, we got it sorted out and it has been going good ever since.”
With no new movies currently being released in Hollywood due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hayhurst has been selecting some classics and old favourites for viewers to enjoy. “I have been coming up with weekend themes like classics/favourites, monsters/horror, family, all Adam Sandler and then I am planning a few others before we shutdown in September.”
Having movies that resonate with fans has been fun for Hayhurst and that includes earlier this month when he featured Back To The Future. “We had a sold out crowd for that one July 10 and Josh Schattenkirk from Regina brought his DeLorean to the show. It was unreal having a car that was like the one in the movie at the drive-in. Then we played Smokey and the Bandit the other day and someone commented that if they knew it had been playing they would have brought the same type of Trans-Am that was in the movie. It is pretty fun seeing people getting excited to come and watch movies. We also have a combine outside of the drive-in that was in the movie Twister so I am looking at showing Twister as well.”
Being a fan of nostalgia himself, Earl has also brought back the double features, something Crawford used to do. “It makes for a late night and an early morning but people really enjoyed the double features before so I thought I would bring them back.”
Playing movies Thursdays to Sundays until September, Earl is also hoping to revive the flea market, something once held at the drive-in on Sundays. “Who needs sleep?” he laughed. “I have been in talks with the resort village and with health and safety inspectors and we are hoping to be able to bring vendors in to sell items during the summer. We will be following the guidelines set out by the provincial government as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan and it should be a great opportunity to have another attraction at the beach.”
Daniel Bushman
From the first movie hitting the big screen in 1955 to the delicious popcorn and refreshments served over the years, the Jubilee Drive-In at Manitou Beach has not only created lasting memories for movie-goers but the rare treasure on the prairies is marking a milestone.
First opening during the province’s diamond jubilee anniversary and despite a powerful wind storm that knocked over its screen 21 years later, the Jubilee Drive-In has withstood the test of time. Now celebrating 65 years in 2020, it remains one of only a few left in Saskatchewan.
Operating the Roxy Theatre in Watrous, it was Morley Crawford who decided he would create the iconic drive-in at Manitou Beach. Morley’s son Burt who later took over the business with his now late wife Bev said when his dad found out someone was planning to build a drive-in in Watrous, he quickly went looking for a location of his own.
“My dad was aware of drive-ins being built all over the place. 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 the beach. Where the old gravel pit was, that one block of land had been undivided. Block ‘D’ was 10.85 acres and so he told the village that he would like to build a drive-in but it would be really expensive to level all that land. The beach said he could have it for $1 but after all the levelling, bulldozing and fixing up, dad said it was the most expensive land he ever bought for $1.”
Starting construction at Manitou Beach in 1954, Burt was brought on by his dad for his expertise. Taking engineering and surveying in university Burt said, “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.”
Officially opening in time for June, Jubilee Drive-In began welcoming patrons. 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.
With admission 60 cents for adults and 40 cents for students, children 12 and under were able to get in for free. People could also 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.
With a show playing at the Roxy Theatre in Watrous one night and then hitting the screen at the drive-in during another, Crawford said the popularity at each grew. “We put out theatre calendars to 26 different towns in our 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 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 back then.”
Those attending the drive-in for a show would arrive and pay at something similar to a toll booth called the box office. Over the years, Bev Crawford or Rose Schafer would be stationed in the booth as a line of cars would turn off the main road entering the beach from Watrous and head toward the gate. There were also many other local faces who would occupy the box office after Bev and Rose.
Once inside the area, which was encompassed by steel fencing, people parked next to a post with speakers. “There were two speakers attached with a wire on each post so cars parked on either side of the post. People would roll down their window and hang the clunky speaker on the inside of the window. 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 be indoors instead of their vehicle, a seating area for about 24 people was created. Next to the room where the films were playing and behind where the comfy seats were situated, the concession would be hopping with popcorn, other food and drinks. Washrooms were also nearby for people to use 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!”
As the movie playing that night would come to a conclusion, patrons headed for the exits as Crawford would once again take to the speaker. “Please replace speakers on posts before leaving. The exit is forward and to the right. Please drive carefully and come back soon!”
As the Roxy Theatre in Watrous and the Jubilee Drive-In at Manitou Beach continued to play shows under the ownership of Morley, Burt kept a keen interest while working for an oil company interpreting seismic work records. But it was not long after the 1950s came to an end that Burt would return to his roots with his wife Bev.
“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 said 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.”
Through Roxy Developments Burt and Bev took over the pair of movie screens and continued to operate both, hiring a number of local faces including many who worked for Burt’s dad. “I have compiled a list over the years of employees we’ve had at both the theatre and drive-in and it is well over 100.”
From 1961 to 1976 the Crawfords took on the businesses and then as spring approached in 1976 the pair entered a partnership with Burt’s school buddy, Dave Schafer and his wife Rose. Also constructing a car wash along Hwy. 2 in Watrous, known then as Car Wash ‘67, the group was looking forward to the future. However, shortly after the Schafers joined the Crawfords, the infamous storm of ‘76 hit.
In the June 10, 1976 edition of The Watrous Manitou, the area suffered heavy damage with winds estimated at over 100 m.p.h. at times. Dubbed the worst wind storm ever experienced in central Saskatchewan at that time, it hit the local area around midnight Thursday and lasted for over an hour. The CBK tower which stood 465 feet high crashed to the ground and “practically every structure in town suffered damage.” That included 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 is really serious. 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 destruction, shows continued playing at the Roxy Theatre in Watrous while the big screen was rebuilt at the drive-in. Crawford credits Dave and his connections as he was able to get in touch with an engineer to design a new screen in short order. “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.”
Once the new screen was installed and movies began playing again, Burt and Dave had the chance to talk with a few people who were selling theatre equipment with bulb technology. The equipment at the Roxy Theatre and the Jubilee Drive-In at that time was comprised of two projectors using carbon arcs, similar to what welders use. Burt said, “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 the new Zenon bulb technology, which would require only one projector, Burt and Dave drove down to Billings, Montana and hopped a plane which eventually arrived in Kansas City, Missouri. After attending a show, seeing the equipment and noticing how well it worked, they brought in the new units.
Utilizing bulbs, the system also came with big 48 inch diameter reels allowing Roxy Theatre and the 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.”
Continuing to operate the drive-in, theatre and the car wash, after a few years, Dave and Rose solely took over the car wash while Burt and Bev continued on with the theatre and drive-in. Hiring a number of students and local faces over the years including Tara Hayden and Earl Hayhurst (the two most recent managers of the drive-in), Burt said he enjoyed the opportunity to not only employ locals including his own three kids but run the two places his dad once owned. While the Roxy Theatre on Main Street eventually shut its doors in the 1990s, the drive-in continued to operate during the summer months.
As time went on Burt stepped back from his managerial duties and others came on board to fill his shoes. Then after leasing the drive-in for a few years to the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, the Crawfords sold the place to the resort village in 2014. Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec said, “The drive-in is unique I think because there are only a handful left in the province. The resort has so much to offer and the drive-in just adds one more aspect to a visit to Manitou.”
Like others with roots in the area, Worobec recalled his own memories of attending the drive-in. “Growing up at the farm meant that 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.”
Worobec’s story will certainly resonate with others who attended the drive-in over the years, having their fair share of fun as well. One of those people who watched movies at the drive-in and who has always had a love for a good film is Earl Hayhurst, owner of Video Stop and current manager of the Jubilee Drive-In.
Working at both the Roxy Theatre in Watrous (the same place now occupied by Video Stop) and at the drive-in, Hayhurst viewed thousands of movies over the years. It was during his younger years when he caught the bug for films.
Helping at the theatre in Watrous, Hayhurst learned the ropes from Crawford and was later brought on at the drive-in. “I remember hauling the reels and canisters from the theatre in town to the drive-in at the beach. I really enjoyed working at both places and not only watched a lot of movies but also learned how everything was done.”
That passion then grew into Hayhurst’s own business as he took over Video Stop in 1991. Another rarity in the province, the video rental store continues to operate in 2020; at the same place Earl worked at when he was younger. Then earlier this year when previous drive-in manager and longtime drive-in employee Tara Hayden tapped Hayhurst to see if he was interested in managing the drive-in, he jumped at the chance.
While the previous projectors are no longer in use and newer technology is now relied upon, Earl said, “It is pretty cool to be back there. Tara has been a tremendous help to me in getting things rolling and of course this year with COVID-19, we have had to make a few adjustments. But aside from that, with a fresh coat of paint and a few updates, it has been nice to be back at the drive-in.”
Unlike decades before, this year patrons will notice buckets set up where they have to park beside instead of speakers. The buckets not only ensure social distancing but also maintain the right amount of people allowed in at one time. Additional safety precautions like hand sanitizer have also been added.
“Normally the drive-in opens during the May long weekend but because of COVID-19 and a few pieces of equipment we were waiting for, we didn’t get started until June,” said Earl. “After a couple of minor hiccups during the first week or two, we got it sorted out and it has been going good ever since.”
With no new movies currently being released in Hollywood due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hayhurst has been selecting some classics and old favourites for viewers to enjoy. “I have been coming up with weekend themes like classics/favourites, monsters/horror, family, all Adam Sandler and then I am planning a few others before we shutdown in September.”
Having movies that resonate with fans has been fun for Hayhurst and that includes earlier this month when he featured Back To The Future. “We had a sold out crowd for that one July 10 and Josh Schattenkirk from Regina brought his DeLorean to the show. It was unreal having a car that was like the one in the movie at the drive-in. Then we played Smokey and the Bandit the other day and someone commented that if they knew it had been playing they would have brought the same type of Trans-Am that was in the movie. It is pretty fun seeing people getting excited to come and watch movies. We also have a combine outside of the drive-in that was in the movie Twister so I am looking at showing Twister as well.”
Being a fan of nostalgia himself, Earl has also brought back the double features, something Crawford used to do. “It makes for a late night and an early morning but people really enjoyed the double features before so I thought I would bring them back.”
Playing movies Thursdays to Sundays until September, Earl is also hoping to revive the flea market, something once held at the drive-in on Sundays. “Who needs sleep?” he laughed. “I have been in talks with the resort village and with health and safety inspectors and we are hoping to be able to bring vendors in to sell items during the summer. We will be following the guidelines set out by the provincial government as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan and it should be a great opportunity to have another attraction at the beach.”
TWM Top Story - July 13, 2020
Moisture arrives in June; extreme weather hits province
Daniel Bushman
Labelled as the wettest month of the year, June provided much needed moisture for crops and other vegetation needed to grow within the local region. It also provided thunderstorms, hail and as July arrived, it spawned a few tornadoes in southern Saskatchewan.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) David Phillips said, “What we have certainly seen is some welcome rains that came to your area of the province in June and July. Things were looking pretty bleak up to that moment.”
After a dry April and May, June and July provided the injection of moisture needed for the area. As those precipitation amounts varied from Humboldt, Lanigan, Watrous and Last Mountain Lake, it appeared as though it was Humboldt receiving the brunt of activity. During a June 14 storm that rolled through the city there were reports of two and a half to up to four inches that fell including 25 mm (almost an inch) in a 10 minute span. That prompted Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench to issue a state of local emergency. The rain overwhelmed parts of the community and images on social media showed people swimming on some streets.
Areas around Humboldt also received a good dose of moisture as about 71 mm or close to three inches hit between June 8 and 15 (according to Saskatchewan Agriculture). Closer to Lanigan there were local reports of at least five inches falling in the area over a 10 day stretch in June.
For the Watrous area, according to ECCC data, by June 18 the area had received 67.2 mm of rain or just over two and a half inches. That total increased as the month ended and July began.
Overall, Phillips said Humboldt recorded at least 98 mm of rain during June and with amounts varying as you headed away from there, Watrous had accumulated about 75 mm. In July, as of the seventh, there was about eight mm of moisture for the month where normally it would have been about 10 or 11 mm by that time.
“For June and July (as of the seventh) you have had about 87 percent of your annual precipitation. June is the wettest month of the year and fortunately it was a lot wetter than in April and May.”
In April there was just 4.9 mm of rain that fell in Watrous. May was not much better with just 6.9 mm recorded as opposed to a normal of 52 mm. For the Long Lake area around Simpson and Imperial, according to ECCC data, April showed 3.3 mm of precipitation while May received approximately 13.7 mm. June was much higher than that as it hit at least 81 mm. Closer to Lanigan and Humboldt, it was a bit wetter for April with 9.3 mm of precipitation. May accumulated 22.4 mm of precipitation and June came in with nearly 100 mm.
While Saskatchewan had not been as wet and cool like Alberta’s capital city of Edmonton or as hot and humid as Manitoba, as July arrived so did the tornadoes.
During the afternoon and evening July 4 ECCC stated a cyclical tornadic supercell thunderstorm moved through southern Saskatchewan. “Environment and Climate Change Canada has received and verified reports of three separate tornadic events associated with this storm. In addition to the tornadoes, hail as large as softballs was also reported in the region.”
ECCC said the first event occurred near Glenbain, located southeast of Swift Current when around 4:30 p.m. a tornado touched down. No significant damage had been reported by July 5 but ECCC said during a second event about 10 minutes later, damage was done to a home and farm property in the area of Kincaid and Woodrow (southeast of Glenbain).
The third event was a tornado touching down near Assiniboia. That took place at 6:23 p.m. and while no significant damage was reported to ECCC, there were images posted to social media of toonie-sized hail that caused damage within the community to homes, vehicles and gardens. On the Town of Assiniboia’s website it stated, “To assist with the clean up after this past weekend’s storm, the operation’s staff will pick up broken branches
and bags of leaves and garden waste today. Please put them out by the curb.”
With the three confirmed tornadoes already in early July, Phillips said they are more common in Saskatchewan than in any other place in Canada with an average of about 15 per year. “They tend to be a little on the weak side with F0, F1 and maybe F2 but not much more than that. They do create some damage but it is really just the province where you do see a lot of hail storms, thunderstorms and from that tornadoes can spawn. I think there would have been more, stronger and intense ones (on July 4) if there would have been a little more heat and humidity.”
Another severe weather event occurred July 7 when ECCC noted intense thunderstorms moved through southwestern Saskatchewan and persisted into the night. This line brought severe wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain. A report of nickel-sized hail occurred in Golden Prairie and reports of trees being snapped took place near Hazenmore.
Some of the maximum wind gusts in kilometres per hour recorded by ECCC stations included: Mankota at 141, Coronach at 139, Val Marie at 117, Rockglen at 98, Assiniboia at 91, Kindersley at 89, Estevan at 87, and North Battleford at 83. Along with the high winds, there was a large amount of precipitation for those areas. The 24-hour accumulated precipitation in millimetres from ECCC stations (as of 11 a.m. July 8) included: North Battleford with 133.8, Edgerton with 73.1, Hussar with 64.2, Gilt Edge North with 54.5, Spiritwood with 51.8, and Ribstone south with 50. There were also reports of Assiniboia receiving around 61 mm of precipitation.
For the local area, while there has not been any confirmed tornadoes as of yet or a substantial amount of moisture in July like southern portions of the province have experienced, Phillips said, “In some parts of the prairies it has been too wet and not warm enough but I think your area is about as close to normal as it can be. Temperatures could be a little warmer but that is coming and precipitation has been pretty adequate. It hasn’t made up for the very dry April and May but it is better that you did get some rain when the crops are growing instead of the reverse.”
As for the temperature over the past few months, Phillips said it has been slightly on the cool side with May coming out to be about a half of a degree cooler than normal. June was about a degree cooler than normal but July so far has been close to normal. The trend moving forward shows normal to warmer than normal for the next month, something that Phillips said is perfect for the province. “The good kind of vacation and farm weather is ahead of you. It doesn’t look like it is going to be so warm but my sense is it will be pretty good.”
Daniel Bushman
Labelled as the wettest month of the year, June provided much needed moisture for crops and other vegetation needed to grow within the local region. It also provided thunderstorms, hail and as July arrived, it spawned a few tornadoes in southern Saskatchewan.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) David Phillips said, “What we have certainly seen is some welcome rains that came to your area of the province in June and July. Things were looking pretty bleak up to that moment.”
After a dry April and May, June and July provided the injection of moisture needed for the area. As those precipitation amounts varied from Humboldt, Lanigan, Watrous and Last Mountain Lake, it appeared as though it was Humboldt receiving the brunt of activity. During a June 14 storm that rolled through the city there were reports of two and a half to up to four inches that fell including 25 mm (almost an inch) in a 10 minute span. That prompted Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench to issue a state of local emergency. The rain overwhelmed parts of the community and images on social media showed people swimming on some streets.
Areas around Humboldt also received a good dose of moisture as about 71 mm or close to three inches hit between June 8 and 15 (according to Saskatchewan Agriculture). Closer to Lanigan there were local reports of at least five inches falling in the area over a 10 day stretch in June.
For the Watrous area, according to ECCC data, by June 18 the area had received 67.2 mm of rain or just over two and a half inches. That total increased as the month ended and July began.
Overall, Phillips said Humboldt recorded at least 98 mm of rain during June and with amounts varying as you headed away from there, Watrous had accumulated about 75 mm. In July, as of the seventh, there was about eight mm of moisture for the month where normally it would have been about 10 or 11 mm by that time.
“For June and July (as of the seventh) you have had about 87 percent of your annual precipitation. June is the wettest month of the year and fortunately it was a lot wetter than in April and May.”
In April there was just 4.9 mm of rain that fell in Watrous. May was not much better with just 6.9 mm recorded as opposed to a normal of 52 mm. For the Long Lake area around Simpson and Imperial, according to ECCC data, April showed 3.3 mm of precipitation while May received approximately 13.7 mm. June was much higher than that as it hit at least 81 mm. Closer to Lanigan and Humboldt, it was a bit wetter for April with 9.3 mm of precipitation. May accumulated 22.4 mm of precipitation and June came in with nearly 100 mm.
While Saskatchewan had not been as wet and cool like Alberta’s capital city of Edmonton or as hot and humid as Manitoba, as July arrived so did the tornadoes.
During the afternoon and evening July 4 ECCC stated a cyclical tornadic supercell thunderstorm moved through southern Saskatchewan. “Environment and Climate Change Canada has received and verified reports of three separate tornadic events associated with this storm. In addition to the tornadoes, hail as large as softballs was also reported in the region.”
ECCC said the first event occurred near Glenbain, located southeast of Swift Current when around 4:30 p.m. a tornado touched down. No significant damage had been reported by July 5 but ECCC said during a second event about 10 minutes later, damage was done to a home and farm property in the area of Kincaid and Woodrow (southeast of Glenbain).
The third event was a tornado touching down near Assiniboia. That took place at 6:23 p.m. and while no significant damage was reported to ECCC, there were images posted to social media of toonie-sized hail that caused damage within the community to homes, vehicles and gardens. On the Town of Assiniboia’s website it stated, “To assist with the clean up after this past weekend’s storm, the operation’s staff will pick up broken branches
and bags of leaves and garden waste today. Please put them out by the curb.”
With the three confirmed tornadoes already in early July, Phillips said they are more common in Saskatchewan than in any other place in Canada with an average of about 15 per year. “They tend to be a little on the weak side with F0, F1 and maybe F2 but not much more than that. They do create some damage but it is really just the province where you do see a lot of hail storms, thunderstorms and from that tornadoes can spawn. I think there would have been more, stronger and intense ones (on July 4) if there would have been a little more heat and humidity.”
Another severe weather event occurred July 7 when ECCC noted intense thunderstorms moved through southwestern Saskatchewan and persisted into the night. This line brought severe wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain. A report of nickel-sized hail occurred in Golden Prairie and reports of trees being snapped took place near Hazenmore.
Some of the maximum wind gusts in kilometres per hour recorded by ECCC stations included: Mankota at 141, Coronach at 139, Val Marie at 117, Rockglen at 98, Assiniboia at 91, Kindersley at 89, Estevan at 87, and North Battleford at 83. Along with the high winds, there was a large amount of precipitation for those areas. The 24-hour accumulated precipitation in millimetres from ECCC stations (as of 11 a.m. July 8) included: North Battleford with 133.8, Edgerton with 73.1, Hussar with 64.2, Gilt Edge North with 54.5, Spiritwood with 51.8, and Ribstone south with 50. There were also reports of Assiniboia receiving around 61 mm of precipitation.
For the local area, while there has not been any confirmed tornadoes as of yet or a substantial amount of moisture in July like southern portions of the province have experienced, Phillips said, “In some parts of the prairies it has been too wet and not warm enough but I think your area is about as close to normal as it can be. Temperatures could be a little warmer but that is coming and precipitation has been pretty adequate. It hasn’t made up for the very dry April and May but it is better that you did get some rain when the crops are growing instead of the reverse.”
As for the temperature over the past few months, Phillips said it has been slightly on the cool side with May coming out to be about a half of a degree cooler than normal. June was about a degree cooler than normal but July so far has been close to normal. The trend moving forward shows normal to warmer than normal for the next month, something that Phillips said is perfect for the province. “The good kind of vacation and farm weather is ahead of you. It doesn’t look like it is going to be so warm but my sense is it will be pretty good.”
TWM Top Story - July 6, 2020
SARCAN depots busy after reopening in June
Daniel Bushman
After reopening to the public in June, millions of containers have been dropped off at SARCAN recycling depots across the province. After taking proactive steps to close its recycling network Mar. 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, since getting the green light to reopen to the public, SARCAN depots like the ones in Watrous and Lanigan have been busy.
With 72 depots located in 64 communities in Saskatchewan, Manager of Communications and Culture SARC/SARCAN Recycling Sean Homenick said since June 8 SARCAN had collected over 37 million containers from customers. “We are averaging about 15 million containers per week and 2.5 million collected per day across the province.”
Sharing the figures June 30, Homenick felt the final tally for June would probably end up being a record high for returns in a single month. “To give some context, our busiest days are usually the day after holidays and long weekends (Jan. 2, after Labour Day, etc.) when we collect about 2.7 million containers. Since reopening, pretty much every day we have collected over 2.5 million containers, so it’s kind of like having our busiest day of the year 12 days in a row (and counting).”
That has also been the case locally as Homenick noted the depots in Watrous and Lanigan have collected about 30 percent more containers compared to the same time last year. “We have also served about 10 percent more customers at those locations compared to 2019.”
Not knowing what to expect when they reopened to the public, Homenick said previous to that SARCAN had experienced several slow weeks while people limited their activities outside of their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during the closure customers began accumulating containers and once the reopening occurred, the actual response “has been quite overwhelming. The people of Saskatchewan are really dedicated recyclers.”
Now that they have been open for a few weeks Homenick said one area in particular that has come as a surprise has been the Drop & Go system. “That is our line-skipping service that allows you to create an online account, visit the depot to print tags for your bags, and drop them off for our teams to count after you leave (you are paid by PayPal or can come back and pick up a cheque). We knew it would be more popular during the COVID-19 era because it is a much lower contact and quicker way to visit SARCAN, but people across Saskatchewan have really flocked to the system. Before COVID-19 we were handling about two percent of container volume through Drop & Go and since reopening some locations are handling 50 percent of their container volume through Drop &Go.” Employing over 700 people, who together divert almost 50 million pounds of beverage containers, household paint, and end-of-life electronics from Saskatchewan’s landfills every year, with such a demand for recycling items after reopening, Homenick said staff have done really well adjusting to the increase. “Obviously, the overwhelming response from customers has meant a lot of work for our teams, very busy working days, and working overtime in some locations. Our teams have been doing really well so far, and we are recruiting more employees to help with the continued backlog of containers coming into SARCAN depots.”
For customers who are planning to bring their containers to a depot like the one in Watrous, Homenick provided a few tips:
• Make sure you check our website for our hours of operation and information on our new safety procedures before you visit;
• Each depot has a Recycling Guide at the front door (in a high visibility vest) who can help guide you through your return options and let you know about the depot’s safety procedures and capacity limits;
• Due to physical distancing procedures, if customers are entering the main lineup they may be limited to only bring in what they can comfortably move through the lineups at one time;
• Drop & Go is still going to be the quickest and lowest contact way to visit SARCAN, and customers can use the system to bring in 15 bags and boxes of recyclables at a time; and
• If customers have a large amount of containers to bring in (more than 15 bags of containers) they should reach out to the depot to make an appointment to drop them off.
With some SARCAN depots having longer wait times than usual due to physical distancing and limits on customer capacity inside the facilities, Homenick has appreciated the continued patience and understanding from residents. “The response from Saskatchewan has been really overwhelming, and we want to thank everyone for continuing to recycle at SARCAN.”
Daniel Bushman
After reopening to the public in June, millions of containers have been dropped off at SARCAN recycling depots across the province. After taking proactive steps to close its recycling network Mar. 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, since getting the green light to reopen to the public, SARCAN depots like the ones in Watrous and Lanigan have been busy.
With 72 depots located in 64 communities in Saskatchewan, Manager of Communications and Culture SARC/SARCAN Recycling Sean Homenick said since June 8 SARCAN had collected over 37 million containers from customers. “We are averaging about 15 million containers per week and 2.5 million collected per day across the province.”
Sharing the figures June 30, Homenick felt the final tally for June would probably end up being a record high for returns in a single month. “To give some context, our busiest days are usually the day after holidays and long weekends (Jan. 2, after Labour Day, etc.) when we collect about 2.7 million containers. Since reopening, pretty much every day we have collected over 2.5 million containers, so it’s kind of like having our busiest day of the year 12 days in a row (and counting).”
That has also been the case locally as Homenick noted the depots in Watrous and Lanigan have collected about 30 percent more containers compared to the same time last year. “We have also served about 10 percent more customers at those locations compared to 2019.”
Not knowing what to expect when they reopened to the public, Homenick said previous to that SARCAN had experienced several slow weeks while people limited their activities outside of their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during the closure customers began accumulating containers and once the reopening occurred, the actual response “has been quite overwhelming. The people of Saskatchewan are really dedicated recyclers.”
Now that they have been open for a few weeks Homenick said one area in particular that has come as a surprise has been the Drop & Go system. “That is our line-skipping service that allows you to create an online account, visit the depot to print tags for your bags, and drop them off for our teams to count after you leave (you are paid by PayPal or can come back and pick up a cheque). We knew it would be more popular during the COVID-19 era because it is a much lower contact and quicker way to visit SARCAN, but people across Saskatchewan have really flocked to the system. Before COVID-19 we were handling about two percent of container volume through Drop & Go and since reopening some locations are handling 50 percent of their container volume through Drop &Go.” Employing over 700 people, who together divert almost 50 million pounds of beverage containers, household paint, and end-of-life electronics from Saskatchewan’s landfills every year, with such a demand for recycling items after reopening, Homenick said staff have done really well adjusting to the increase. “Obviously, the overwhelming response from customers has meant a lot of work for our teams, very busy working days, and working overtime in some locations. Our teams have been doing really well so far, and we are recruiting more employees to help with the continued backlog of containers coming into SARCAN depots.”
For customers who are planning to bring their containers to a depot like the one in Watrous, Homenick provided a few tips:
• Make sure you check our website for our hours of operation and information on our new safety procedures before you visit;
• Each depot has a Recycling Guide at the front door (in a high visibility vest) who can help guide you through your return options and let you know about the depot’s safety procedures and capacity limits;
• Due to physical distancing procedures, if customers are entering the main lineup they may be limited to only bring in what they can comfortably move through the lineups at one time;
• Drop & Go is still going to be the quickest and lowest contact way to visit SARCAN, and customers can use the system to bring in 15 bags and boxes of recyclables at a time; and
• If customers have a large amount of containers to bring in (more than 15 bags of containers) they should reach out to the depot to make an appointment to drop them off.
With some SARCAN depots having longer wait times than usual due to physical distancing and limits on customer capacity inside the facilities, Homenick has appreciated the continued patience and understanding from residents. “The response from Saskatchewan has been really overwhelming, and we want to thank everyone for continuing to recycle at SARCAN.”
TWM Top Story - June 29, 2020
Major water main project to take place in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
Making it a priority to replace the aging water main system on Main Street in Watrous and with the Saskatchewan government recently announcing a major cash injection to help stimulate the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, work will commence in July on Watrous’ Main Street.
As part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP), the Town of Watrous was approved for funding for the project along with additional street work. Through the province’s $150 million MEEP 2020 initiative Watrous has received $180,000 for its Main Street Water Replacement work and another $93,084 for additional capital street work including the 500 block of 8th Ave. E.
While the community has the option to use the funding by Mar. 31, 2022, the timing and the ability to save on some of the costs associated with the projects has the work starting in a few weeks. That means businesses and organizations located along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street will experience temporary interruptions to their water service.
Watrous Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said a precautionary drinking water advisory will be issued for those places that are located along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street and could last for the duration of the project. In an effort to try and alleviate the pressure of not having water service, Tarasoff said the town will be providing temporary water services if required.
“What we may have to do is look at the plumbing at some of the businesses to see if the main water can be shut off in the building. We would then have a licensed plumber come in to make an alteration. From there we would run a hose into the building for the day and then unhook it at the end of the day. Businesses need to have water and while it will pose a bit of a challenge to get that all set up we want to ensure that those places can still operate properly while construction is taking place.”
With TSL Mechanical out of Lanigan doing the water main replacements, Tarasoff noted they are scheduled to commence work July 15 with support from the Watrous public works crew. Starting on the 100 block and working their way north on Main Street, there will be some temporary restrictions in place for part of Hwy. 2 near TB’s Bar and Grill and Pip’s Esso and Subway. Once the crew works its way further north those restrictions will be lifted. Tarasoff said street access on each block will also be restricted to pedestrian traffic only while TSL Mechanical works to replace the water mains.
“My understanding is they will be taking out and replacing as they go. By doing that, our intent will be to restore the water service once each block is completed. While the service may be restored, the precautionary drinking water advisory will remain in place for the duration. We are looking at about three to four weeks of construction. It should go pretty quickly and we appreciate people’s patience and understanding.”
As the excavation takes place, Tarasoff noted any lead services that are found will hopefully be replaced. “The bulk of our lead services that are left in town are on Main Street because it is the older part of town. I think there are eight that we know of right now and we may find another one or two. We are hopeful that we can replace them as we do the water main replacement. Those are the service lines from the water main that run to the buildings.”
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said as the work commences depending on how crews are able to isolate the water main valves, there could also be some temporary outages spilling over to the immediate avenues. “We may have to shut off water to a block off Main Street on either side once we reach the main valves for each block. That would be a day type thing for those extended blocks if we had to shut them off. That just prevents the water from pushing through the valve we are trying to replace. Temporary water services would not be provided to those blocks because it would just be for a short time.”
Once all of the water main construction is done then crews will repair the street. “It is our intention to get a seal coat on the excavated portion of Main Street this year to provide a dust free asphalt like surface.”
Hoping to eliminate future water main breaks after the project is completed, other services like a complete street rebuild including new sidewalks would be part of a future phase. While there is no specific date as to when that could take place, Redden said with an estimated cost of $600,000 for each block minus the water main replacement of $180,000 that would be left to council to decide when that could occur and how that would be paid for.
“In terms of timing nothing has been determined but while we work on the water main replacement the hope is we can get as close to the buildings that still have the lead services so we will not have to worry about those in the future. The MEEP funding was unexpected but welcome and with the water mains needing to be replaced for some time, council felt this was a good opportunity to do that. We understand that some business owners might be disappointed that this work is taking place in July as opposed to fall but doing it now allows us to get a start on it and we have to find the time that suits a contractor. There is also a good possibility we can have the road sealed up this year instead of waiting until the next year due to the weather. It will be a dust-free service much like asphalt and we shouldn’t have to dig any more water breaks moving forward, something that can get quite costly in the winter months.”
As for the other funding the town received as part of MEEP, Redden said they will use that towards paving 8th Ave. E., where the new residential development is located near the Watrous and District Health Complex.
Daniel Bushman
Making it a priority to replace the aging water main system on Main Street in Watrous and with the Saskatchewan government recently announcing a major cash injection to help stimulate the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, work will commence in July on Watrous’ Main Street.
As part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP), the Town of Watrous was approved for funding for the project along with additional street work. Through the province’s $150 million MEEP 2020 initiative Watrous has received $180,000 for its Main Street Water Replacement work and another $93,084 for additional capital street work including the 500 block of 8th Ave. E.
While the community has the option to use the funding by Mar. 31, 2022, the timing and the ability to save on some of the costs associated with the projects has the work starting in a few weeks. That means businesses and organizations located along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street will experience temporary interruptions to their water service.
Watrous Public Works Superintendent Dion Tarasoff said a precautionary drinking water advisory will be issued for those places that are located along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street and could last for the duration of the project. In an effort to try and alleviate the pressure of not having water service, Tarasoff said the town will be providing temporary water services if required.
“What we may have to do is look at the plumbing at some of the businesses to see if the main water can be shut off in the building. We would then have a licensed plumber come in to make an alteration. From there we would run a hose into the building for the day and then unhook it at the end of the day. Businesses need to have water and while it will pose a bit of a challenge to get that all set up we want to ensure that those places can still operate properly while construction is taking place.”
With TSL Mechanical out of Lanigan doing the water main replacements, Tarasoff noted they are scheduled to commence work July 15 with support from the Watrous public works crew. Starting on the 100 block and working their way north on Main Street, there will be some temporary restrictions in place for part of Hwy. 2 near TB’s Bar and Grill and Pip’s Esso and Subway. Once the crew works its way further north those restrictions will be lifted. Tarasoff said street access on each block will also be restricted to pedestrian traffic only while TSL Mechanical works to replace the water mains.
“My understanding is they will be taking out and replacing as they go. By doing that, our intent will be to restore the water service once each block is completed. While the service may be restored, the precautionary drinking water advisory will remain in place for the duration. We are looking at about three to four weeks of construction. It should go pretty quickly and we appreciate people’s patience and understanding.”
As the excavation takes place, Tarasoff noted any lead services that are found will hopefully be replaced. “The bulk of our lead services that are left in town are on Main Street because it is the older part of town. I think there are eight that we know of right now and we may find another one or two. We are hopeful that we can replace them as we do the water main replacement. Those are the service lines from the water main that run to the buildings.”
Watrous Town Administrator Orrin Redden said as the work commences depending on how crews are able to isolate the water main valves, there could also be some temporary outages spilling over to the immediate avenues. “We may have to shut off water to a block off Main Street on either side once we reach the main valves for each block. That would be a day type thing for those extended blocks if we had to shut them off. That just prevents the water from pushing through the valve we are trying to replace. Temporary water services would not be provided to those blocks because it would just be for a short time.”
Once all of the water main construction is done then crews will repair the street. “It is our intention to get a seal coat on the excavated portion of Main Street this year to provide a dust free asphalt like surface.”
Hoping to eliminate future water main breaks after the project is completed, other services like a complete street rebuild including new sidewalks would be part of a future phase. While there is no specific date as to when that could take place, Redden said with an estimated cost of $600,000 for each block minus the water main replacement of $180,000 that would be left to council to decide when that could occur and how that would be paid for.
“In terms of timing nothing has been determined but while we work on the water main replacement the hope is we can get as close to the buildings that still have the lead services so we will not have to worry about those in the future. The MEEP funding was unexpected but welcome and with the water mains needing to be replaced for some time, council felt this was a good opportunity to do that. We understand that some business owners might be disappointed that this work is taking place in July as opposed to fall but doing it now allows us to get a start on it and we have to find the time that suits a contractor. There is also a good possibility we can have the road sealed up this year instead of waiting until the next year due to the weather. It will be a dust-free service much like asphalt and we shouldn’t have to dig any more water breaks moving forward, something that can get quite costly in the winter months.”
As for the other funding the town received as part of MEEP, Redden said they will use that towards paving 8th Ave. E., where the new residential development is located near the Watrous and District Health Complex.
TWM Top Story - June 22, 2020
With lots to offer, local area perfect for staycation
Daniel Bushman
With over 150,000 visitors to Watrous and Manitou Beach spending upwards of $25 million each year, the area has become a premier destination in the province. Despite the current COVID-19 pandemic and a number of guidelines put in place as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, many are hoping that despite not as many visitors to the area, this summer will be a safe and successful one.
Boasting unique properties contained in Little Manitou Lake along with a number of amenities and attractions that come with it, more and more people have not only visited Manitou Beach and Watrous but in a lot of cases, they have either called the area home or return year after year. While the region will still see visitors this summer, with all of the guidelines put in place by the Saskatchewan Health Authority to help combat the spread of COVID-19, it provides a prime opportunity for local residents to take advantage of the amenities right in their own back yard.
That includes shopping at local businesses as Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Chairperson John Gunderson said supporting local is very important, now more than ever. “Statistics show that each dollar spent at local independent businesses returns three times more money to the local economy than one spent at a chain. Shopping local also provides those businesses an economic boost and people with a convenient way to shop. It also can create jobs and those employees are customers who shop at other local businesses. As a marketing group we ask that people from Watrous and the surrounding area support local businesses because it is a challenging time for them.”
While Gunderson noted it will take some time before the marketing group sees how the current pandemic and closures fully impact local businesses, he is hopeful businesses can keep pushing forward. “Seeing them stay open and having our business community stay intact is probably our number one goal as a marketing group right now.”
Another item the marketing group is currently working on is filling the vacant Community Development Officer position left by Brendan Manz who took on a position with Tourism Regina. “Brendan did a fantastic job for us. I think I can safely say that tourism in particular had picked up since Brendan came on board and the marketing group was formed. Not only that, in general our economy is very strong and we are very thankful for the years he put in and the contributions he made. We are quite hopeful we can find a candidate who can fill his shoes and do a similar job.”
Until that time when a successful candidate is found, Gunderson said the marketing group will do as much as they can at the Board level to try and keep the local economy going. Despite the challenges, Gunderson added this summer provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy what Manitou Beach and Watrous has to offer.
With the Canada-US border remaining closed until at least July 21 and not a lot of interprovincial travel taking place, the Watrous resident said, “A lot of people have probably put off what would normally be their summer vacation plans and will spend more time locally. Whether that means using our recreational facilities that are gradually reopening like the golf course and regional campground, there might be more staycations as opposed to vacations. As a marketing group, we certainly want to encourage people to shop local and we likely will be focusing on that for the remainder of the year. As businesses are reopening we will be doing what we can to help them out.”
For the local golf courses, campgrounds and businesses who have since reopened as part of the Saskatchewan Re-open plan and others like the Manitou Beach Mini Golf who will open later this week, there remain some like the resort and mineral spa who are eagerly waiting to hear when or if they will receive the green light to operate this summer.
After opening its doors last year on June 28, the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre welcomed visitors every day during the summer. That allowed the opportunity for many people to tour through and research historic events and family roots. After the summer months, the Heritage Centre’s Kathy Bergen said the building on Main Street in Watrous remained open two days a week in the fall and winter, with special exhibits done for Remembrance Day and Christmas. However, as COVID-19 reached Saskatchewan, like many other public buildings, the local Heritage Centre shutdown in March. Since that time Bergen said work began on an exhibit to feature Century Farms, complete with oral histories from families. “This was put on hold when the Centre closed, but will continue to be worked on as we are able. The special exhibit which will be in place when the Centre can reopen will be the Hockey History of Watrous. The Heritage Centre will open when Phase 4 of the Saskatchewan Re-open plan is entered. Dates and times will be announced.”
An annual event that not only attracts car enthusiasts but hundreds of visitors to Watrous is the Watrous Manitou Beach Fun Run. Scheduled this year for July 25, planning had been underway for the 29th annual Fun Run. Administrator Dustin Hallborg who took on that role this year said, “The Watrous Manitou Beach Fun Run Committee would like to announce that we are revising our format so that we can still enjoy a wonderful summer weekend full of cars. While details are still being worked out, we intend to hold a “virtual” car show on our Facebook page over the coming weeks leading up to the event. On Saturday, July 25th, the Fun Run is hitting the road - cruising from Watrous through Lanigan, Nokomis, and back. We hope to bring some cheer to those that may be struggling during these tough times, all while staying safe in cars, and making some everlasting memories. More details to follow in the coming weeks!”
One of the first places in the local area to take safety measures when COVID-19 arrived in Saskatchewan was the Manitou Springs Mineral Spa and Resort. Temporarily shutdown, CEO/General Manager Dwight Hayter said, “When phase 4.2 is announced and we are allowed to open the mineral pool, we will be opening the entire Resort and all of its departments and will be running our usual hours of operation. Of course we will be following many new COVID-19 safety protocols for the safety of our guests and staff, as that is most important to us.”
Eager to reopen, Hayter said management and staff will be pleased to serve their VIP guests that are both local and from other areas. “We also realize that our business and all of its departments will have to be disinfected on a continuous basis in order to gain the trust of our guests that we are indeed a very safe place to visit.”
During the temporary closure, Hayter noted staff at the resort and mineral spa has been working to upgrade a few areas. “We have used our time very wisely while we have been closed, and although we have been operating only with a few staff, we have managed to upgrade different areas of the Resort and have focused primarily on the pool area. We have successfully got all the jets operating in the hot pool, worked at great length on pool tile repair, patched and repainted the pool as well as prepared our large patio for opening. Much painting and touching up has been done and we have focused on a lot of public areas that we normally couldn’t get to when we were open. We are hoping that the people of our great province will choose Manitou Springs Resort for their next vacation destination now that there is less international (and perhaps even less interprovincial) travel in the coming months due to the COVID pandemic.”
Down the road from the spa and resort, a few different places have been able to reopen. Shops like Manitou Mini Mart, Relics and Mike’s Beach Bar have welcomed customers and G-G's Gallery and Gifts, Bryan Mierau Photography and Murray Disc Golf are looking forward to seeing customers again. Another gem at Manitou Beach that has reopened is the Little Manitou Art Gallery.
Owner of the Little Manitou Art Gallery Sarah McKen said, “Our events are typically small gatherings and we will be able to proceed with events.”
Like other places within the resort community that have been able to reopen, McKen noted there are a few new protocols for public safety and peace of mind at her property. “Our come and go events will be monitored to respect the maximum size gatherings allowed. Hand sanitizer is provided at the gate, and check out. A soap and running water wash station is provided at the public portable toilet. The portable toilet is available by request, and sanitized after each use. We recommend only one family unit occupy a display pavilion at a time and our open-door presentation allows for great airflow and no door knob surfaces. Finally, I offer an informal COVID-19 Contact Registry. Visitors are invited to text to an internet cell number, which is listed at the gate each day they visit. The messages will provide the date of their visit and contact info. The messages are not monitored; it is a simple contact database. In the unexpected situation where Little Manitou Art Gallery is informed that a visitor has be diagnosed with COVID-19, I will be able to notify everyone who visited in that time period.”
What has become a growing attraction throughout the province during the pandemic has been drive-ins. Entering another season at Manitou Beach, the Jubilee Drive-In was scheduled to play its first movies of June this past weekend. While the season was a bit delayed due to technical issues, Earl Hayhurst who operates Video Stop in Watrous has been brought on to run the drive-in for this year. With help from previous manager Tara Hayden, Hayhurst who once worked at the Jubilee Drive-In when he was younger was eager to start. With extra rules and regulations in place as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, movie-goers will notice a few changes as they take in movies at the drive-in during the summer.
At iconic Danceland, changes have also taken place due to the pandemic. On its Facebook page dated June 8, Milie Strueby and Logan Rohatyn of Danceland stated, “We have unfortunately had to cancel all dances until Phase 5 cuts in. We are permitted to open during the second phase of Phase 4 but only 30 people are allowed. We are predicting that there will be no buffets or dances this summer. We are around if you want to chat with us.”
Hoping to see all of the businesses once again reopen at the resort village, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec was encouraged to see a few others welcoming customers again. From the resort village’s standpoint Worobec said they continue to determine the best approach to take for public places and facilities.
For right now, the mayor said they decided to keep the public washrooms closed because it is “nearly impossible to have staff available to sanitize washrooms after each use.”
As for some of the public parks at Manitou Beach, “We are already finding it difficult to manage bigger groups. We have observed some larger groups at the picnic area near Camp Easter Seal and I am sure there have been some at Wellington Park. We just ask that people wanting to use those places abide by the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) guidelines. People can certainly go to those areas we just ask they respect the guidelines set forth by SHA and the provincial government.”
Worobec also said people are welcome to utilize the walking trails and down at the lake, the beach area will reopen June 22. However, for those who do take advantage of the amenities, Worobec encourages people to maintain their distance and abide by SHA’s regulations.
Hoping the resort village and its visitors will move forward safely throughout the summer, as July 1 approaches, Worobec noted there will not be any official Canada Day celebrations. “We let the recreation board take the lead on that one and they decided they would not go through with any events this year including the fireworks. That also means there will not be the Big Float.”
Despite the cancellations, Worobec is optimistic things will one day return to a more normal. When that day arrives he hopes that all of the local area businesses will also be able to continue to operate. Last week CKOM out of Saskatoon noted that according to the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce 44 percent of closed businesses throughout Saskatchewan are unsure if they will be able to one day reopen.
“I hope that stat doesn’t hold true for us here and I hope that people stick around and stay close to home and spend what little dollars there is to spend here this summer. It is important that our local businesses stay open and thrive and continue to operate because we need them.”
Daniel Bushman
With over 150,000 visitors to Watrous and Manitou Beach spending upwards of $25 million each year, the area has become a premier destination in the province. Despite the current COVID-19 pandemic and a number of guidelines put in place as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, many are hoping that despite not as many visitors to the area, this summer will be a safe and successful one.
Boasting unique properties contained in Little Manitou Lake along with a number of amenities and attractions that come with it, more and more people have not only visited Manitou Beach and Watrous but in a lot of cases, they have either called the area home or return year after year. While the region will still see visitors this summer, with all of the guidelines put in place by the Saskatchewan Health Authority to help combat the spread of COVID-19, it provides a prime opportunity for local residents to take advantage of the amenities right in their own back yard.
That includes shopping at local businesses as Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Chairperson John Gunderson said supporting local is very important, now more than ever. “Statistics show that each dollar spent at local independent businesses returns three times more money to the local economy than one spent at a chain. Shopping local also provides those businesses an economic boost and people with a convenient way to shop. It also can create jobs and those employees are customers who shop at other local businesses. As a marketing group we ask that people from Watrous and the surrounding area support local businesses because it is a challenging time for them.”
While Gunderson noted it will take some time before the marketing group sees how the current pandemic and closures fully impact local businesses, he is hopeful businesses can keep pushing forward. “Seeing them stay open and having our business community stay intact is probably our number one goal as a marketing group right now.”
Another item the marketing group is currently working on is filling the vacant Community Development Officer position left by Brendan Manz who took on a position with Tourism Regina. “Brendan did a fantastic job for us. I think I can safely say that tourism in particular had picked up since Brendan came on board and the marketing group was formed. Not only that, in general our economy is very strong and we are very thankful for the years he put in and the contributions he made. We are quite hopeful we can find a candidate who can fill his shoes and do a similar job.”
Until that time when a successful candidate is found, Gunderson said the marketing group will do as much as they can at the Board level to try and keep the local economy going. Despite the challenges, Gunderson added this summer provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy what Manitou Beach and Watrous has to offer.
With the Canada-US border remaining closed until at least July 21 and not a lot of interprovincial travel taking place, the Watrous resident said, “A lot of people have probably put off what would normally be their summer vacation plans and will spend more time locally. Whether that means using our recreational facilities that are gradually reopening like the golf course and regional campground, there might be more staycations as opposed to vacations. As a marketing group, we certainly want to encourage people to shop local and we likely will be focusing on that for the remainder of the year. As businesses are reopening we will be doing what we can to help them out.”
For the local golf courses, campgrounds and businesses who have since reopened as part of the Saskatchewan Re-open plan and others like the Manitou Beach Mini Golf who will open later this week, there remain some like the resort and mineral spa who are eagerly waiting to hear when or if they will receive the green light to operate this summer.
After opening its doors last year on June 28, the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre welcomed visitors every day during the summer. That allowed the opportunity for many people to tour through and research historic events and family roots. After the summer months, the Heritage Centre’s Kathy Bergen said the building on Main Street in Watrous remained open two days a week in the fall and winter, with special exhibits done for Remembrance Day and Christmas. However, as COVID-19 reached Saskatchewan, like many other public buildings, the local Heritage Centre shutdown in March. Since that time Bergen said work began on an exhibit to feature Century Farms, complete with oral histories from families. “This was put on hold when the Centre closed, but will continue to be worked on as we are able. The special exhibit which will be in place when the Centre can reopen will be the Hockey History of Watrous. The Heritage Centre will open when Phase 4 of the Saskatchewan Re-open plan is entered. Dates and times will be announced.”
An annual event that not only attracts car enthusiasts but hundreds of visitors to Watrous is the Watrous Manitou Beach Fun Run. Scheduled this year for July 25, planning had been underway for the 29th annual Fun Run. Administrator Dustin Hallborg who took on that role this year said, “The Watrous Manitou Beach Fun Run Committee would like to announce that we are revising our format so that we can still enjoy a wonderful summer weekend full of cars. While details are still being worked out, we intend to hold a “virtual” car show on our Facebook page over the coming weeks leading up to the event. On Saturday, July 25th, the Fun Run is hitting the road - cruising from Watrous through Lanigan, Nokomis, and back. We hope to bring some cheer to those that may be struggling during these tough times, all while staying safe in cars, and making some everlasting memories. More details to follow in the coming weeks!”
One of the first places in the local area to take safety measures when COVID-19 arrived in Saskatchewan was the Manitou Springs Mineral Spa and Resort. Temporarily shutdown, CEO/General Manager Dwight Hayter said, “When phase 4.2 is announced and we are allowed to open the mineral pool, we will be opening the entire Resort and all of its departments and will be running our usual hours of operation. Of course we will be following many new COVID-19 safety protocols for the safety of our guests and staff, as that is most important to us.”
Eager to reopen, Hayter said management and staff will be pleased to serve their VIP guests that are both local and from other areas. “We also realize that our business and all of its departments will have to be disinfected on a continuous basis in order to gain the trust of our guests that we are indeed a very safe place to visit.”
During the temporary closure, Hayter noted staff at the resort and mineral spa has been working to upgrade a few areas. “We have used our time very wisely while we have been closed, and although we have been operating only with a few staff, we have managed to upgrade different areas of the Resort and have focused primarily on the pool area. We have successfully got all the jets operating in the hot pool, worked at great length on pool tile repair, patched and repainted the pool as well as prepared our large patio for opening. Much painting and touching up has been done and we have focused on a lot of public areas that we normally couldn’t get to when we were open. We are hoping that the people of our great province will choose Manitou Springs Resort for their next vacation destination now that there is less international (and perhaps even less interprovincial) travel in the coming months due to the COVID pandemic.”
Down the road from the spa and resort, a few different places have been able to reopen. Shops like Manitou Mini Mart, Relics and Mike’s Beach Bar have welcomed customers and G-G's Gallery and Gifts, Bryan Mierau Photography and Murray Disc Golf are looking forward to seeing customers again. Another gem at Manitou Beach that has reopened is the Little Manitou Art Gallery.
Owner of the Little Manitou Art Gallery Sarah McKen said, “Our events are typically small gatherings and we will be able to proceed with events.”
Like other places within the resort community that have been able to reopen, McKen noted there are a few new protocols for public safety and peace of mind at her property. “Our come and go events will be monitored to respect the maximum size gatherings allowed. Hand sanitizer is provided at the gate, and check out. A soap and running water wash station is provided at the public portable toilet. The portable toilet is available by request, and sanitized after each use. We recommend only one family unit occupy a display pavilion at a time and our open-door presentation allows for great airflow and no door knob surfaces. Finally, I offer an informal COVID-19 Contact Registry. Visitors are invited to text to an internet cell number, which is listed at the gate each day they visit. The messages will provide the date of their visit and contact info. The messages are not monitored; it is a simple contact database. In the unexpected situation where Little Manitou Art Gallery is informed that a visitor has be diagnosed with COVID-19, I will be able to notify everyone who visited in that time period.”
What has become a growing attraction throughout the province during the pandemic has been drive-ins. Entering another season at Manitou Beach, the Jubilee Drive-In was scheduled to play its first movies of June this past weekend. While the season was a bit delayed due to technical issues, Earl Hayhurst who operates Video Stop in Watrous has been brought on to run the drive-in for this year. With help from previous manager Tara Hayden, Hayhurst who once worked at the Jubilee Drive-In when he was younger was eager to start. With extra rules and regulations in place as part of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, movie-goers will notice a few changes as they take in movies at the drive-in during the summer.
At iconic Danceland, changes have also taken place due to the pandemic. On its Facebook page dated June 8, Milie Strueby and Logan Rohatyn of Danceland stated, “We have unfortunately had to cancel all dances until Phase 5 cuts in. We are permitted to open during the second phase of Phase 4 but only 30 people are allowed. We are predicting that there will be no buffets or dances this summer. We are around if you want to chat with us.”
Hoping to see all of the businesses once again reopen at the resort village, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec was encouraged to see a few others welcoming customers again. From the resort village’s standpoint Worobec said they continue to determine the best approach to take for public places and facilities.
For right now, the mayor said they decided to keep the public washrooms closed because it is “nearly impossible to have staff available to sanitize washrooms after each use.”
As for some of the public parks at Manitou Beach, “We are already finding it difficult to manage bigger groups. We have observed some larger groups at the picnic area near Camp Easter Seal and I am sure there have been some at Wellington Park. We just ask that people wanting to use those places abide by the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) guidelines. People can certainly go to those areas we just ask they respect the guidelines set forth by SHA and the provincial government.”
Worobec also said people are welcome to utilize the walking trails and down at the lake, the beach area will reopen June 22. However, for those who do take advantage of the amenities, Worobec encourages people to maintain their distance and abide by SHA’s regulations.
Hoping the resort village and its visitors will move forward safely throughout the summer, as July 1 approaches, Worobec noted there will not be any official Canada Day celebrations. “We let the recreation board take the lead on that one and they decided they would not go through with any events this year including the fireworks. That also means there will not be the Big Float.”
Despite the cancellations, Worobec is optimistic things will one day return to a more normal. When that day arrives he hopes that all of the local area businesses will also be able to continue to operate. Last week CKOM out of Saskatoon noted that according to the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce 44 percent of closed businesses throughout Saskatchewan are unsure if they will be able to one day reopen.
“I hope that stat doesn’t hold true for us here and I hope that people stick around and stay close to home and spend what little dollars there is to spend here this summer. It is important that our local businesses stay open and thrive and continue to operate because we need them.”
TWM Top Story - June 15, 2020
Q and A with the Watrous mayor and town administrator
Daniel Bushman
As residents and businesses within the community of Watrous get used to a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, cases have remained low in Saskatchewan as the middle of June approaches. With the province’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan reaching Phase Three June 8 and more things reopening like beaches and playgrounds, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the Town of Watrous to see how things have been going over the past few months.
With questions related to the budget, remaining vigilant during COVID-19 and wishing this year’s graduates the best, the following is a question and answer with Watrous Mayor Ed Collins and Town Administrator Orrin Redden.
How has the Town of Watrous council and staff been doing since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Saskatchewan?
As a council we have been meeting virtually through Zoom and it has been an effective way to get together and dialogue. Council as a whole has been getting used to this new normal and on June 22 we will once again be meeting together. However, instead of gathering in the council chambers we will be in the Heritage Room so we can socially distance.
The Town office opened to the public June 9 and with extra safety measures in place, it will continue to remain open moving forward. People are still encouraged to make any payments to the Town of Watrous electronically.
Our Public Works department have been socially distancing during their morning meetings and taking extra measures throughout the day to be safe.
What would you like to convey to the residents of the community as they remain vigilant during COVID-19 and have you been pleased with how people have been following Saskatchewan Health Authority’s guidelines?
As a resident and the mayor of the community, I would like to thank the folks of Watrous for the effort they have given. From what I’ve seen so far, they are obeying the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) guidelines and I want to thank them for that. Everyone seems to be doing their part and going forward we still need to remember to carry on with our social distancing and all of the other things recommended by SHA during this time.
The Town also certainly appreciates all of the work frontline workers, emergency services and everyone involved in health care have done and continue to do. We really appreciate it. It is a job well done and we want to pay tribute to them.
For local businesses who had to close and have since reopened or who have closed and are unable to reopen, how important is it as a community to support them and other local organizations during this time?
On behalf of the town, as mayor I’d like to say thank you to the businesses that reopened before the phases began taking effect. We really appreciated those who provided goods and services the community required during that time. They did it safely without a lot of fan fare and certainly did a good job with that. In saying that, a lot of other businesses were either closed temporarily, reduced their hours or closed permanently and I want them to know I feel for them. Hopefully when things get back to normal, whenever that may be, we are able to carry on like we were able to before.
Has the Town looked at doing anything to support businesses/residents during this unprecedented time?
Town council made the decision not to increase taxes this year. Council kept the municipal mill rate and base taxes the same and on the tax penalty side, council is in discussion regarding its discount/penalty structure. Generally on Aug. 1 we typically implement a one percent penalty on taxes that are not paid. We are a little ways from that date but council is in discussion with regards to any type of penalty that may or may not be implemented at that time.
How did this year’s budget go?
There were no changes to mill rates this year so taxes are not increasing.
In terms of street work, we have started on that on the 500 block of 8th St. E. That will receive curb and base work this year for sure and asphalt is a possibility. We are also working on 1st St. E. near Mainline Motors and are doing curb and base work as well.
The provincial government also recently announced funding as part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) which is an injection for communities to use as part of a stimulus package. We are waiting for confirmation from the provincial government to use those funds for additional street work and water main replacements.
On a stretch of Main Street starting from 8th Ave. and running north to Hwy. 365, we are doing double chip sealing. That costs roughly $120,000 for that project and it will prolong the longevity of that particular road. The streets and roads that we have are some of the best around and we want to keep them that way.
In addition to road work, we are doing some street lighting at 12th Ave. E. by the sportsgrounds. The 200 block will receive street lights and part of the 100 block will get curb and base and possibly asphalt. We have some other lighting to do at the new service road where it meets Hwy. 365.
Two years ago our water well number seven was installed and recently the supply line to tie it into the existing infrastructure was completed.
Minor ongoing upgrades continue at the Watrous Centennial Arena and swimming pool. We did a refresh on the old washroom concession at the sportsgrounds and will be doing some street lighting in the sportsgrounds as well with that work already started.
Over in the east industrial area by Home Hardware, Watrous Concrete and Manitou Mainline Chrysler, we are doing some tidying up, a bit of drainage work and levelling.
There was a request from residents of the community about creating a dog park. While it is not included in this year’s budget, council is discussing the request and feasibility of creating the dog park in town.
Beginning now and taking place over the coming years, an expansion is being constructed and completed at the cemetery. We needed to get started on it now to allow for the spruce trees and grass to grow so work has been done to extend the parcel of land our cemetery is located at.
In terms of the overall budget we have done a lot of water/sewer capital over the last few years and while that work will never end, this year we have idled back on some of the capital works and big budget items like the lagoon, water treatment plant and paved roads that have been previously worked on.
This budget is more of a maintenance type budget but we are excited about the possibility of that stimulus package offered by the provincial government. If we can get approved for that MEEP funding, we are more than willing to begin work this year on additional street work and water main replacements that we have earmarked for that program. That funding will also help create jobs and stimulate our local economy. We are pretty hopeful we can get that for this year but if not we will commence the work next year.
What will be taking place with places like the fitness centre, swimming pool and sportsgrounds?
Phase Three of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan which began June 8 included the reopening of fitness centres. Unlike in larger communities, the Watrous Fitness Centre is currently not staffed as patrons use a key pass to access the facility. With the fitness centre closed for the time being, council is discussing what the next steps will look like and if a staff person is required to reopen the centre. However, adding a staffed position will increase our expenses so we are just looking at the feasibility of that and if it makes sense for right now or sometime in the future.
Phase Four of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan includes pools and sportsgrounds but with Phase Three just launching, council had not yet received guidelines for what to expect for Phase Four. In terms of the swimming pool, no decision has been made as to whether or not it will remain closed for the season. We are doing a bunch of maintenance there right now in an effort to get it ready in case we are able to open it. A number of communities have decided to close their swimming pools for the year but we are waiting to see how it goes and what the guidelines include.
As of last week we were looking at allowing the play structures and swings at Kin Park to be used again after the government said we could reopen them June 12. With the sportsgrounds remaining closed, the play structure included in that area will also remain closed as it falls under Phase Four. Horizon School Division said its playgrounds are open effective June 12 in line with the Government of Saskatchewan Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
With graduation exercises cancelled in May, on behalf of the Town would you like to convey a message to this year’s graduates?
It is unfortunate and I really feel for the grads but at the same time I am sure they understand the seriousness of the situation we are in. As mayor, I certainly want to on behalf of the town congratulate them. I know it is a very special occasion and I want to wish them well. I think it is wonderful that the graduation parade was scheduled to be held June 14 to recognize the grads. I guess I would view the postponement as a temporary setback in their lives as they move forward. And while there will be lots of little bumps and bruises along the way, we are happy for them as they begin their journey after high school.
Daniel Bushman
As residents and businesses within the community of Watrous get used to a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, cases have remained low in Saskatchewan as the middle of June approaches. With the province’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan reaching Phase Three June 8 and more things reopening like beaches and playgrounds, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the Town of Watrous to see how things have been going over the past few months.
With questions related to the budget, remaining vigilant during COVID-19 and wishing this year’s graduates the best, the following is a question and answer with Watrous Mayor Ed Collins and Town Administrator Orrin Redden.
How has the Town of Watrous council and staff been doing since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Saskatchewan?
As a council we have been meeting virtually through Zoom and it has been an effective way to get together and dialogue. Council as a whole has been getting used to this new normal and on June 22 we will once again be meeting together. However, instead of gathering in the council chambers we will be in the Heritage Room so we can socially distance.
The Town office opened to the public June 9 and with extra safety measures in place, it will continue to remain open moving forward. People are still encouraged to make any payments to the Town of Watrous electronically.
Our Public Works department have been socially distancing during their morning meetings and taking extra measures throughout the day to be safe.
What would you like to convey to the residents of the community as they remain vigilant during COVID-19 and have you been pleased with how people have been following Saskatchewan Health Authority’s guidelines?
As a resident and the mayor of the community, I would like to thank the folks of Watrous for the effort they have given. From what I’ve seen so far, they are obeying the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) guidelines and I want to thank them for that. Everyone seems to be doing their part and going forward we still need to remember to carry on with our social distancing and all of the other things recommended by SHA during this time.
The Town also certainly appreciates all of the work frontline workers, emergency services and everyone involved in health care have done and continue to do. We really appreciate it. It is a job well done and we want to pay tribute to them.
For local businesses who had to close and have since reopened or who have closed and are unable to reopen, how important is it as a community to support them and other local organizations during this time?
On behalf of the town, as mayor I’d like to say thank you to the businesses that reopened before the phases began taking effect. We really appreciated those who provided goods and services the community required during that time. They did it safely without a lot of fan fare and certainly did a good job with that. In saying that, a lot of other businesses were either closed temporarily, reduced their hours or closed permanently and I want them to know I feel for them. Hopefully when things get back to normal, whenever that may be, we are able to carry on like we were able to before.
Has the Town looked at doing anything to support businesses/residents during this unprecedented time?
Town council made the decision not to increase taxes this year. Council kept the municipal mill rate and base taxes the same and on the tax penalty side, council is in discussion regarding its discount/penalty structure. Generally on Aug. 1 we typically implement a one percent penalty on taxes that are not paid. We are a little ways from that date but council is in discussion with regards to any type of penalty that may or may not be implemented at that time.
How did this year’s budget go?
There were no changes to mill rates this year so taxes are not increasing.
In terms of street work, we have started on that on the 500 block of 8th St. E. That will receive curb and base work this year for sure and asphalt is a possibility. We are also working on 1st St. E. near Mainline Motors and are doing curb and base work as well.
The provincial government also recently announced funding as part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) which is an injection for communities to use as part of a stimulus package. We are waiting for confirmation from the provincial government to use those funds for additional street work and water main replacements.
On a stretch of Main Street starting from 8th Ave. and running north to Hwy. 365, we are doing double chip sealing. That costs roughly $120,000 for that project and it will prolong the longevity of that particular road. The streets and roads that we have are some of the best around and we want to keep them that way.
In addition to road work, we are doing some street lighting at 12th Ave. E. by the sportsgrounds. The 200 block will receive street lights and part of the 100 block will get curb and base and possibly asphalt. We have some other lighting to do at the new service road where it meets Hwy. 365.
Two years ago our water well number seven was installed and recently the supply line to tie it into the existing infrastructure was completed.
Minor ongoing upgrades continue at the Watrous Centennial Arena and swimming pool. We did a refresh on the old washroom concession at the sportsgrounds and will be doing some street lighting in the sportsgrounds as well with that work already started.
Over in the east industrial area by Home Hardware, Watrous Concrete and Manitou Mainline Chrysler, we are doing some tidying up, a bit of drainage work and levelling.
There was a request from residents of the community about creating a dog park. While it is not included in this year’s budget, council is discussing the request and feasibility of creating the dog park in town.
Beginning now and taking place over the coming years, an expansion is being constructed and completed at the cemetery. We needed to get started on it now to allow for the spruce trees and grass to grow so work has been done to extend the parcel of land our cemetery is located at.
In terms of the overall budget we have done a lot of water/sewer capital over the last few years and while that work will never end, this year we have idled back on some of the capital works and big budget items like the lagoon, water treatment plant and paved roads that have been previously worked on.
This budget is more of a maintenance type budget but we are excited about the possibility of that stimulus package offered by the provincial government. If we can get approved for that MEEP funding, we are more than willing to begin work this year on additional street work and water main replacements that we have earmarked for that program. That funding will also help create jobs and stimulate our local economy. We are pretty hopeful we can get that for this year but if not we will commence the work next year.
What will be taking place with places like the fitness centre, swimming pool and sportsgrounds?
Phase Three of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan which began June 8 included the reopening of fitness centres. Unlike in larger communities, the Watrous Fitness Centre is currently not staffed as patrons use a key pass to access the facility. With the fitness centre closed for the time being, council is discussing what the next steps will look like and if a staff person is required to reopen the centre. However, adding a staffed position will increase our expenses so we are just looking at the feasibility of that and if it makes sense for right now or sometime in the future.
Phase Four of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan includes pools and sportsgrounds but with Phase Three just launching, council had not yet received guidelines for what to expect for Phase Four. In terms of the swimming pool, no decision has been made as to whether or not it will remain closed for the season. We are doing a bunch of maintenance there right now in an effort to get it ready in case we are able to open it. A number of communities have decided to close their swimming pools for the year but we are waiting to see how it goes and what the guidelines include.
As of last week we were looking at allowing the play structures and swings at Kin Park to be used again after the government said we could reopen them June 12. With the sportsgrounds remaining closed, the play structure included in that area will also remain closed as it falls under Phase Four. Horizon School Division said its playgrounds are open effective June 12 in line with the Government of Saskatchewan Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
With graduation exercises cancelled in May, on behalf of the Town would you like to convey a message to this year’s graduates?
It is unfortunate and I really feel for the grads but at the same time I am sure they understand the seriousness of the situation we are in. As mayor, I certainly want to on behalf of the town congratulate them. I know it is a very special occasion and I want to wish them well. I think it is wonderful that the graduation parade was scheduled to be held June 14 to recognize the grads. I guess I would view the postponement as a temporary setback in their lives as they move forward. And while there will be lots of little bumps and bruises along the way, we are happy for them as they begin their journey after high school.
TWM Top Story - June 8, 2020
WHS teacher receives highest honour from SHSAA
Daniel Bushman
A fixture in the classroom, an influential leader in high school athletics and a successful coach both on and off the field, Winston High School teacher Barry Croshaw has been bestowed with the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s (SHSAA) highest honour. Presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the total program of SHSAA over a period of time, Croshaw was one of just two people to receive this year’s honour.
Executive Director of SHSAA Lyle McKellar said Croshaw not only made contributions locally but within a district and at the provincial level across a variety of activities and programs including leadership, coaching, hosting, officiating, and school sport administration. After receiving this year’s Merit Award nominations and being scrutinized by a volunteer committee of past Merit Award winners, McKellar said the committee recommended that Barry be bestowed with the highest honour of the SHSAA.
“Barry has provided leadership within the Horizon Central District for many years and has spent time on the SHSAA Executive Council. In each of those roles he has promoted the ideals of the SHSAA philosophy. It is evident in Barry’s coaching that he truly believes in the SHSAA philosophy of developing citizenship skills in student athletes through a competitive school sport experience. He has high expectations of himself and the student athletes that he has had the opportunity to coach, and plan events for over the years. I truly believe that Barry has also been a leader in promoting the school sport philosophy among his colleagues and peers at the school, district, and provincial level.”
Croshaw who will be retiring from full-time teaching at the end of this school year joined Myles Loeffler from Martensville High School as the only other recipient of this year’s Merit Award. “Barry has always been looked at as a leader in the understanding and administration of not only six-man football but all levels of football in SHSAA,” said McKellar. “He has served many years as a conference commissioner for football always ensuring a quality school sport experience for all teams in the conference. His presence at local, district, and provincial track and field events is a testament to Barry’s belief that multi-sport participation is critical for student athlete development. Regardless of the competition, Barry, in addition to his coaching role, was always willing to lend a hand to make sure the event ran smoothly.”
Horizon School Division Director of Education and CEO Kevin Garinger was thrilled to learn that Croshaw had been named a recipient of the Merit Award and said, “I want to congratulate Barry Croshaw on receiving this year’s SHSAA Merit Award. This well-deserved award recognizes the fact that Barry has spent his remarkable career dedicated to high school sports. As a teacher, coach, and SHSAA executive, Barry has done so much for students, student-athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials. He has provided opportunities for sport and learning, not only within Winston High School and Horizon School Division but across Saskatchewan. As Chuck Noll, legendary coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers once said, “Good things come to those who hustle.” Barry is proof of this and has been an example of hard work and hustle to all who have been lucky enough to know him. Congratulations, Barry!”
The first time someone from Watrous has received the SHSAA Merit Award since 2007 when Ralph Eliasson was bestowed with the honour, McKellar stated, “Barry is one of those individuals that had a tremendous commitment to the ideals of school sport. Whether it was coaching, mentoring, or administrating, it was never about Barry but always about the student athletes and the SHSAA. He will be missed but his legacy will continue on for many years as those that he has influenced will continue to promote and practice the philosophy of school sport in all they do. Barry is such a genuine person. You would be very hard pressed to find someone that had a negative experience with Barry during his career. He is truly one of the greats of the SHSAA, not just as a coach, but as a promoter of school sport benefits to student athletes.”
Like McKellar and Garinger, Winston High School Principal Terry Braman who was the one to nominate Croshaw for the prestigious award was also appreciative of the leadership and character that Croshaw has displayed over his time at the school.
“It would be difficult to go into any place in Watrous and not see someone that Barry has had a positive impact on,” said Braman who arrived at Winston High in 2013 and coaches football alongside Croshaw. “He has dedicated himself to teaching and coaching at our school and everyone who has had experience working with Barry is better for it. His passion for Winston High School and being a Wildcat is unrivaled.”
Braman said the school’s staff and students are very proud of Croshaw adding he is beyond deserving of this award and has helped raise the youth of this community for three decades. “This had to be a very easy decision for the SHSAA as to us, Barry Croshaw is the epitome of high school athletics. It was an honour and privilege to nominate him.”
Two other teachers at Winston High School who have not only been on staff with Croshaw over the years but who are also a big part of the Wildcats football coaching staff also praised their colleague.
Teacher and offensive coordinator for the Wildcats, Steve Armstrong has worked with Barry for the past 23 years. Steve said over that time Barry has had a significant influence on the players and coaches that have participated in athletics at Winston High School.
“Barry is relentless in his approach to coaching the whole athlete. Barry likes to win, but it is more important to him that our student athletes become respectable and productive young men and women. His focus is on character development through sport, and I have never seen Barry waiver from this focus in the 23 years we have coached and worked together. His dedication to this ideal has influenced our school culture for the better, has instilled itself into the coaching philosophy of other coaches at our school and made Barry a key resource to our school division and provincial athletic associations. His philosophy has not only led to successful athletic programs but has also made Barry one of the most respected high school coaches in our province - especially within the football community.”
Like Armstrong, Doug Thomas has taught with Croshaw for over a decade and has also been involved with the senior and junior football programs. “Barry has shown me the level of commitment that is required to give our student-athletes the best opportunity to meet their goals. He is always the first to practice and the last to leave. He worked hard to get our junior tackle football program going and is constantly looking for opportunities to get our younger players on the field. People often wonder how our program keeps so many players engaged and excited - Barry is the reason. The success of the Wildcat football program is the product of great effort, planning, and time - much of this is carried on the shoulders of Mr. Croshaw. Barry has shown me that excellent leadership includes service and inclusion. As a new coach entering the program back in 2008, I was welcomed with open arms. My opinion was sought and valued by both Barry and Steve. I have seen this pattern repeated as new coaches have come and gone within the program. Barry’s actions also show that he values each and every player and the contributions they make on the field and in the locker room. He is intentional about giving every opportunity to all who want to belong - building on their strengths and finding an important role for them to play.”
Citing receiving the Merit Award as a tremendous honour, Croshaw was appreciative of the nomination submitted by Braman and the selection made by the SHSAA Merit Award panel. “I am humbled to think that my career has ended with inclusion into this group of Merit Award recipients.”
Starting his teaching career in Consul in the fall of 1989, after a year Croshaw moved to Watrous where he taught at the elementary school before moving across the street to Winston High School. Over that time, Croshaw taught a number of subjects and has been involved with coaching junior and senior football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and track and field. He has also done a bit of coaching in archery and curling and most recently has coached girls flag football.
But perhaps what the fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Pittsburgh Steelers is most known for when it comes to coaching is his involvement with the senior six-man Wildcats football team. First an assistant before becoming head coach of the team for many years, Croshaw has been involved with the blue and gold for 28 years. During that time he has helped to lead seven teams to a provincial championship and three more to silver medals.
When asked if there were some people who have been supportive, influential and instrumental over his time as a coach, Croshaw said, “A couple of guys that I really looked up to when I first started getting serious about coaching were Ralph Eliasson and John Kalmakoff. I learned a lot about how to conduct yourself as a coach from them. Of course the four administrators I worked under: Vern Rudneski, Al Fitzsimmons, Phil Gleim and Terry Braman were key because of all the support they offered and their belief in the value of education through athletics. There have been too many football coaches over the years to mention but Terry Braman, Doug Thomas and Steve Armstrong have been a huge source of support for a number of years. I have spent a lot of hours coaching with Steve and there is no way we have the success that we do without his contributions, support and friendship. The biggest mention needs to go to my wife Arlette, and kids Maddy and Dillon as they sacrificed many hours of me being away to coach and never wavered in their support of what I was doing.”
With retirement approaching, reflecting back on his career Croshaw shared a few highlights, something he said was hard to narrow down.
“From a pure outcome standpoint winning provincial championships in football is always something that comes to mind as a highlight for sure. That and having students that you are coaching win provincial titles and medals in track and field are very memorable to me. I also have many good memories of watching teams and students have success in other sports that I had the pleasure of watching as a spectator; like the atmosphere in our gym in the provincial final of girls volleyball or regional and provincial basketball. Seeing banners hanging in our gym makes me proud but knowing that regardless of having a banner on the wall or not, our students and coaches have represented Winston and our communities with class and sportsmanship and that gives me a far greater sense of pride. More importantly than the wins and losses, I will remember the smiles of the kids, the effort and dedication they exhibited regardless of the sport and the friendships that have come from these times. My best memories will always come from road trips on the bus with 40 singing football players, the “Good mornings” from kids whether it is at practice or just in the hallways, and travelling to places like La Loche where you get to know the students away from school. Of course the lifelong friends that I have made around the province through high school athletics are a big part of my life now and will be moving forward.”
In addition to those memories and receiving the SHSAA Merit Award, Croshaw has also experienced a number of other highlights as a recipient of many prestigious accolades. In 2011, Croshaw received the SHSAA Service Award and in 2013 was a co-recipient of the Watrous Citizen of the Year Award with Armstrong, Braman and Thomas. He also received the Darcey Busse Award for coaching excellence from Football Saskatchewan and was honoured with the Roughrider Recognition Award in 2016.
With such an impact in the sport of football both on and off the field during his teaching career, Executive Director of Football Saskatchewan Jeff Yausie said Football Saskatchewan was very pleased to hear that Croshaw was recognized through SHSAA’s most prestigious award.
“Barry has run one of the most successful six a side programs in our province if not the entire country. The interesting part about Barry is he competes at a very high level but he wins or loses with a smile on his face and he has always put the best interest of his players first. People in Saskatchewan are extremely passionate about football and it’s programs like the Winston Wildcats that we hold up as the hallmark of a small town football program. The number of Watrous players that have gone on to play elite post-secondary football, it is an impressive list! In 2016 Football Saskatchewan was pleased to honour Barry with our Darcey Busse Award for Coaching Excellence along with our Saskatchewan Roughrider Award that recognizes the significant contributions made by people like Barry to amateur football in their communities.”
Planning to stay in Watrous where he hopes to continue coaching and officiating or whatever else the school needs help with, Croshaw said he will fondly remember his time as a teacher and the support he received over that time. “I would like to say a huge thank you to our communities and parents for providing unquestioned support for our students and a bigger thank you to all of the students that have enriched my life and made this award such a memorable achievement. I hope that I have been a good role model and mentor to my students and athletes and that I have helped to steer athletics both locally and provincially in a way that benefits more kids. If I have done that and have had a positive impact on our kids then that’s what I would be most proud of.”
Daniel Bushman
A fixture in the classroom, an influential leader in high school athletics and a successful coach both on and off the field, Winston High School teacher Barry Croshaw has been bestowed with the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s (SHSAA) highest honour. Presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the total program of SHSAA over a period of time, Croshaw was one of just two people to receive this year’s honour.
Executive Director of SHSAA Lyle McKellar said Croshaw not only made contributions locally but within a district and at the provincial level across a variety of activities and programs including leadership, coaching, hosting, officiating, and school sport administration. After receiving this year’s Merit Award nominations and being scrutinized by a volunteer committee of past Merit Award winners, McKellar said the committee recommended that Barry be bestowed with the highest honour of the SHSAA.
“Barry has provided leadership within the Horizon Central District for many years and has spent time on the SHSAA Executive Council. In each of those roles he has promoted the ideals of the SHSAA philosophy. It is evident in Barry’s coaching that he truly believes in the SHSAA philosophy of developing citizenship skills in student athletes through a competitive school sport experience. He has high expectations of himself and the student athletes that he has had the opportunity to coach, and plan events for over the years. I truly believe that Barry has also been a leader in promoting the school sport philosophy among his colleagues and peers at the school, district, and provincial level.”
Croshaw who will be retiring from full-time teaching at the end of this school year joined Myles Loeffler from Martensville High School as the only other recipient of this year’s Merit Award. “Barry has always been looked at as a leader in the understanding and administration of not only six-man football but all levels of football in SHSAA,” said McKellar. “He has served many years as a conference commissioner for football always ensuring a quality school sport experience for all teams in the conference. His presence at local, district, and provincial track and field events is a testament to Barry’s belief that multi-sport participation is critical for student athlete development. Regardless of the competition, Barry, in addition to his coaching role, was always willing to lend a hand to make sure the event ran smoothly.”
Horizon School Division Director of Education and CEO Kevin Garinger was thrilled to learn that Croshaw had been named a recipient of the Merit Award and said, “I want to congratulate Barry Croshaw on receiving this year’s SHSAA Merit Award. This well-deserved award recognizes the fact that Barry has spent his remarkable career dedicated to high school sports. As a teacher, coach, and SHSAA executive, Barry has done so much for students, student-athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials. He has provided opportunities for sport and learning, not only within Winston High School and Horizon School Division but across Saskatchewan. As Chuck Noll, legendary coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers once said, “Good things come to those who hustle.” Barry is proof of this and has been an example of hard work and hustle to all who have been lucky enough to know him. Congratulations, Barry!”
The first time someone from Watrous has received the SHSAA Merit Award since 2007 when Ralph Eliasson was bestowed with the honour, McKellar stated, “Barry is one of those individuals that had a tremendous commitment to the ideals of school sport. Whether it was coaching, mentoring, or administrating, it was never about Barry but always about the student athletes and the SHSAA. He will be missed but his legacy will continue on for many years as those that he has influenced will continue to promote and practice the philosophy of school sport in all they do. Barry is such a genuine person. You would be very hard pressed to find someone that had a negative experience with Barry during his career. He is truly one of the greats of the SHSAA, not just as a coach, but as a promoter of school sport benefits to student athletes.”
Like McKellar and Garinger, Winston High School Principal Terry Braman who was the one to nominate Croshaw for the prestigious award was also appreciative of the leadership and character that Croshaw has displayed over his time at the school.
“It would be difficult to go into any place in Watrous and not see someone that Barry has had a positive impact on,” said Braman who arrived at Winston High in 2013 and coaches football alongside Croshaw. “He has dedicated himself to teaching and coaching at our school and everyone who has had experience working with Barry is better for it. His passion for Winston High School and being a Wildcat is unrivaled.”
Braman said the school’s staff and students are very proud of Croshaw adding he is beyond deserving of this award and has helped raise the youth of this community for three decades. “This had to be a very easy decision for the SHSAA as to us, Barry Croshaw is the epitome of high school athletics. It was an honour and privilege to nominate him.”
Two other teachers at Winston High School who have not only been on staff with Croshaw over the years but who are also a big part of the Wildcats football coaching staff also praised their colleague.
Teacher and offensive coordinator for the Wildcats, Steve Armstrong has worked with Barry for the past 23 years. Steve said over that time Barry has had a significant influence on the players and coaches that have participated in athletics at Winston High School.
“Barry is relentless in his approach to coaching the whole athlete. Barry likes to win, but it is more important to him that our student athletes become respectable and productive young men and women. His focus is on character development through sport, and I have never seen Barry waiver from this focus in the 23 years we have coached and worked together. His dedication to this ideal has influenced our school culture for the better, has instilled itself into the coaching philosophy of other coaches at our school and made Barry a key resource to our school division and provincial athletic associations. His philosophy has not only led to successful athletic programs but has also made Barry one of the most respected high school coaches in our province - especially within the football community.”
Like Armstrong, Doug Thomas has taught with Croshaw for over a decade and has also been involved with the senior and junior football programs. “Barry has shown me the level of commitment that is required to give our student-athletes the best opportunity to meet their goals. He is always the first to practice and the last to leave. He worked hard to get our junior tackle football program going and is constantly looking for opportunities to get our younger players on the field. People often wonder how our program keeps so many players engaged and excited - Barry is the reason. The success of the Wildcat football program is the product of great effort, planning, and time - much of this is carried on the shoulders of Mr. Croshaw. Barry has shown me that excellent leadership includes service and inclusion. As a new coach entering the program back in 2008, I was welcomed with open arms. My opinion was sought and valued by both Barry and Steve. I have seen this pattern repeated as new coaches have come and gone within the program. Barry’s actions also show that he values each and every player and the contributions they make on the field and in the locker room. He is intentional about giving every opportunity to all who want to belong - building on their strengths and finding an important role for them to play.”
Citing receiving the Merit Award as a tremendous honour, Croshaw was appreciative of the nomination submitted by Braman and the selection made by the SHSAA Merit Award panel. “I am humbled to think that my career has ended with inclusion into this group of Merit Award recipients.”
Starting his teaching career in Consul in the fall of 1989, after a year Croshaw moved to Watrous where he taught at the elementary school before moving across the street to Winston High School. Over that time, Croshaw taught a number of subjects and has been involved with coaching junior and senior football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and track and field. He has also done a bit of coaching in archery and curling and most recently has coached girls flag football.
But perhaps what the fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Pittsburgh Steelers is most known for when it comes to coaching is his involvement with the senior six-man Wildcats football team. First an assistant before becoming head coach of the team for many years, Croshaw has been involved with the blue and gold for 28 years. During that time he has helped to lead seven teams to a provincial championship and three more to silver medals.
When asked if there were some people who have been supportive, influential and instrumental over his time as a coach, Croshaw said, “A couple of guys that I really looked up to when I first started getting serious about coaching were Ralph Eliasson and John Kalmakoff. I learned a lot about how to conduct yourself as a coach from them. Of course the four administrators I worked under: Vern Rudneski, Al Fitzsimmons, Phil Gleim and Terry Braman were key because of all the support they offered and their belief in the value of education through athletics. There have been too many football coaches over the years to mention but Terry Braman, Doug Thomas and Steve Armstrong have been a huge source of support for a number of years. I have spent a lot of hours coaching with Steve and there is no way we have the success that we do without his contributions, support and friendship. The biggest mention needs to go to my wife Arlette, and kids Maddy and Dillon as they sacrificed many hours of me being away to coach and never wavered in their support of what I was doing.”
With retirement approaching, reflecting back on his career Croshaw shared a few highlights, something he said was hard to narrow down.
“From a pure outcome standpoint winning provincial championships in football is always something that comes to mind as a highlight for sure. That and having students that you are coaching win provincial titles and medals in track and field are very memorable to me. I also have many good memories of watching teams and students have success in other sports that I had the pleasure of watching as a spectator; like the atmosphere in our gym in the provincial final of girls volleyball or regional and provincial basketball. Seeing banners hanging in our gym makes me proud but knowing that regardless of having a banner on the wall or not, our students and coaches have represented Winston and our communities with class and sportsmanship and that gives me a far greater sense of pride. More importantly than the wins and losses, I will remember the smiles of the kids, the effort and dedication they exhibited regardless of the sport and the friendships that have come from these times. My best memories will always come from road trips on the bus with 40 singing football players, the “Good mornings” from kids whether it is at practice or just in the hallways, and travelling to places like La Loche where you get to know the students away from school. Of course the lifelong friends that I have made around the province through high school athletics are a big part of my life now and will be moving forward.”
In addition to those memories and receiving the SHSAA Merit Award, Croshaw has also experienced a number of other highlights as a recipient of many prestigious accolades. In 2011, Croshaw received the SHSAA Service Award and in 2013 was a co-recipient of the Watrous Citizen of the Year Award with Armstrong, Braman and Thomas. He also received the Darcey Busse Award for coaching excellence from Football Saskatchewan and was honoured with the Roughrider Recognition Award in 2016.
With such an impact in the sport of football both on and off the field during his teaching career, Executive Director of Football Saskatchewan Jeff Yausie said Football Saskatchewan was very pleased to hear that Croshaw was recognized through SHSAA’s most prestigious award.
“Barry has run one of the most successful six a side programs in our province if not the entire country. The interesting part about Barry is he competes at a very high level but he wins or loses with a smile on his face and he has always put the best interest of his players first. People in Saskatchewan are extremely passionate about football and it’s programs like the Winston Wildcats that we hold up as the hallmark of a small town football program. The number of Watrous players that have gone on to play elite post-secondary football, it is an impressive list! In 2016 Football Saskatchewan was pleased to honour Barry with our Darcey Busse Award for Coaching Excellence along with our Saskatchewan Roughrider Award that recognizes the significant contributions made by people like Barry to amateur football in their communities.”
Planning to stay in Watrous where he hopes to continue coaching and officiating or whatever else the school needs help with, Croshaw said he will fondly remember his time as a teacher and the support he received over that time. “I would like to say a huge thank you to our communities and parents for providing unquestioned support for our students and a bigger thank you to all of the students that have enriched my life and made this award such a memorable achievement. I hope that I have been a good role model and mentor to my students and athletes and that I have helped to steer athletics both locally and provincially in a way that benefits more kids. If I have done that and have had a positive impact on our kids then that’s what I would be most proud of.”
TWM Top Story - June 1, 2020
Local campgrounds set for shortened season
Daniel Bushman
With the weather getting warmer as the summer season approaches, local area campgrounds are looking forward to returning to a more normal. As parks and campgrounds have been listed under Phase Two of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan and with COVID-19 cases remaining low in the province, many local sites are able to reopen June 1 with a few changes.
Following guidelines listed in the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Manitou and District Regional Park’s Kathy Bergen said staff have been doing their best in anticipation of reopening June 1. “All reservations for May were cancelled and refunds were provided. All out of province bookings were contacted and also cancelled. Following that there were approximately 1,000 other reservations who had to be called to inform them of the re-open guidelines and moved to non-adjacent sites if needed. Most of the group bookings have been cancelled for now and individuals who felt they were higher risk when it came to health issues have also cancelled.”
Despite the inconvenience and for some, not being able to camp at the park this summer, Bergen said everyone has been understanding and cooperative. “One of the most challenging guidelines is to rent out every other site so camping sites are not adjacent to each other. This limits us to approximately 85 short term sites to rent. As all parks in Saskatchewan are subject to 50 percent capacity, the demand for sites is high. A further guideline currently in place is the closure of shower houses (and washrooms if attached), thus all camping units have to be self-contained for washrooms. Manitou and District Regional Park has a larger percentage of sites with sewer than many other parks so this is a benefit which draws inquiries here at this time.”
With the new guidelines being put in place, Bergen outlined further measures which include: the closure of the playground, camp kitchens, gazebo, and washrooms; payment in full is required at the time of booking; campers may visit other campers, but no more than 10 people at a site and those who do visit must still practice physical distancing; and sites will be sanitized between campers, so there cannot be check-ins before 2 p.m.
To minimize exposure of staff to customers, the office at the main entrance is also closed to the public and Plexiglas shields have been installed over the windows. “As all camping fees have now been collected from people, contactless transactions are reduced upon check-in. No cash will be handled for the sale of passes or firewood, etc.”
Being one of the larger regional parks in the province and usually very busy in July and August, to help monitor those who are coming into the park, during the day all traffic will use the check-in lane. “That means a bit of waiting from time to time, so we ask for people’s patience. At night the keypad lane will be used for entrance, and campers are equipped with a code.”
Despite the changes and added guidelines as part of the province’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Bergen said the park itself looks wonderful and will remain a nice setting for people to enjoy. “Many campers have said how much they are looking forward to just getting out of the house and enjoying the outdoors. Even if some beach amenities cannot open until later, people are not deterred from enjoying the lovely park. Unfortunately, this year non-camping visitors are not allowed into the park. In previous years it was a nice outing for people who would go for ice cream and then drive through the park, or who would come to have supper with someone camping here. These activities are suspended for now.”
Like the Manitou and District Regional Park, the Resort Village of Etters Beach is also expecting an influx of campers over the next few months. Falling under provincial jurisdiction as a provincial park, the Etters Beach recreation site campground consists of 14 serviced daily rental sites, 28 seasonal campsites along with 36 non-serviced sites for camping.
Clerk at the Resort Village of Etters Beach, Denise Brecht, said their seasonal sites opened when they were allowed to under the Re-open Saskatchewan plan. As of June 1, those using nightly sites will not be placed adjacent to each other and only 50 percent of the overall number of sites will be occupied.
“We are mandated by the provincial park guidelines because we rent space from the province so we have to follow those guidelines,” said Brecht. “As part of that there are other regulations that we need to adhere to. The beach area has to be closed but people are allowed to swim in the water. You can’t just sit and suntan and play on the beach but you can swim. Our showers have to be closed but our bathrooms can be open because they are separate units. Our boat launch can be open but our fish cleaning station is closed. Our playgrounds are closed off and our hall at the village is also closed. This year we also can’t offer swimming lessons as of right now and there are no kids programs at the park like there normally is. We have placed signage up around the area and ask that people continue to follow the recommended guidelines when it comes to social distancing and proper hand washing.”
In an effort to try and accommodate those who booked campsites early on at Etters Beach, Brecht said they had to suspend their booking site. “That allowed us to close every second site and then contact those who booked sites rom out of province. Most of the people who had booked by that time, we were able to shift them to the same type of site but just in a different area. We did the best we could and there is still some space available but only using half the sites we will be affected this summer.”
While Brecht noted most people have been understanding through the process, she added that many do not realize Etters Beach is specifically mandated by the province because the resort village is located on provincial government land and the regulations must be enforced. “If someone came in and inspected us they can close us down if we are not following the guidelines set out by the province so we do appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we move forward. We do have people who live at Etters and it is their only home. Keeping that community safe on their behalf is also part of what we have to look to try and do. They live here and for those who just go seasonally to camp, they can go home but if there was ever an outbreak at Etters there are people with no place to go because that is where they live.”
As the Manitou and District Regional Park and Etters Beach implement guidelines, with a June 1 reopening date, the Lanigan Lions Campground is also eagerly anticipating its season.
Lanigan Lions Campground Manager Brad Huculak said they have been undertaking the different requirements and like the regional park at Manitou Beach, there will not be showers or bathrooms open to the public. “Our only water we can have at the campground is at the sewer fill and washout stations. Everything else will have to be isolated so people will have to use their own washrooms and so nothing will be able to be open for now.”
With 34 sites in Lanigan, Huculak said they will be at 50 percent capacity with no one camping adjacent to each other. Pending an inspection during the final week of May, if the campground received the green light, Huculak said they would be able to reopen June 1.
“There has been a few calls already about availability through the summer and we are looking forward to the season which we hope will run right through to the end of September. We will be opening and trying to do our best to give access to people and hope we can provide a service even though it is going to be fairly limited. If the phases enhance then maybe the bathrooms will be allowed to be open later in the summer but we will have to wait until the government gives the go ahead.”
Meanwhile at LeRoy Leisureland, the regional park has not only teed up another golf season like the courses at Manitou Beach and Lanigan but they too are hoping for a good year ahead.
General Manager of LeRoy Leisureland Mirelle Geyer said so far the weekends have been busy as people take advantage of their golf course. “It has been nice to see people coming out to enjoy the golf course, families sharing a laugh and couples coming to golf. I think everybody is eager to get out and enjoy the awesome weather we’ve been having.”
Also following the guidelines of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Geyer said they are only able to have 50 percent campground capacity with every second site allowed to have a camper.
“Our grounds staff has been hard at work getting the campground in tip-top shape. We have been remarking the campsites, clearly lining out what sites will be allowed for use, making sure the hookups are ready and that the campgrounds are clean and ready for use once June 1 comes around.”
Recently adding 12 power sites with reverse osmosis water, LeRoy Leisureland has 10 seasonal sites and 26 non-seasonal sites which has meant people have been calling to book them over the past couple of weeks. “We are really filling up quickly, especially over the weekends. People are anxious to get out and enjoy the wonderful weather we’ve been having as well as getting out for a round of golf on our beautiful golf course.”
At Painted Rock Campground located just off Hwy. 16 and a few kilometres west of Colonsay, Bryan and Dawn Wall are excited to be able to open June 1. With 21 sites, the campground can reopen at 50 percent capacity and because of that the Walls have maximized their pull-through and full service sites.
“Unlike provincial campgrounds, we are allowed to accept out of province guests,” said Bryan. “We are excited about this change as it allows travellers and others relocating across the country a place to stay on their journey. We also offer long-term options for people working in the area.”
While water and power is available at all sites, plus a limited number of sites with sewer hook-up, Bryan highlighted a few other changes. “Washrooms will be available, following strict guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Unfortunately, showers must remain closed. Our small store will also not open this year. Contactless payment and firewood delivery is available for all campers. As with everyone else in this resilient province, our priority is in the protection of our customers and our staff.”
Daniel Bushman
With the weather getting warmer as the summer season approaches, local area campgrounds are looking forward to returning to a more normal. As parks and campgrounds have been listed under Phase Two of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan and with COVID-19 cases remaining low in the province, many local sites are able to reopen June 1 with a few changes.
Following guidelines listed in the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Manitou and District Regional Park’s Kathy Bergen said staff have been doing their best in anticipation of reopening June 1. “All reservations for May were cancelled and refunds were provided. All out of province bookings were contacted and also cancelled. Following that there were approximately 1,000 other reservations who had to be called to inform them of the re-open guidelines and moved to non-adjacent sites if needed. Most of the group bookings have been cancelled for now and individuals who felt they were higher risk when it came to health issues have also cancelled.”
Despite the inconvenience and for some, not being able to camp at the park this summer, Bergen said everyone has been understanding and cooperative. “One of the most challenging guidelines is to rent out every other site so camping sites are not adjacent to each other. This limits us to approximately 85 short term sites to rent. As all parks in Saskatchewan are subject to 50 percent capacity, the demand for sites is high. A further guideline currently in place is the closure of shower houses (and washrooms if attached), thus all camping units have to be self-contained for washrooms. Manitou and District Regional Park has a larger percentage of sites with sewer than many other parks so this is a benefit which draws inquiries here at this time.”
With the new guidelines being put in place, Bergen outlined further measures which include: the closure of the playground, camp kitchens, gazebo, and washrooms; payment in full is required at the time of booking; campers may visit other campers, but no more than 10 people at a site and those who do visit must still practice physical distancing; and sites will be sanitized between campers, so there cannot be check-ins before 2 p.m.
To minimize exposure of staff to customers, the office at the main entrance is also closed to the public and Plexiglas shields have been installed over the windows. “As all camping fees have now been collected from people, contactless transactions are reduced upon check-in. No cash will be handled for the sale of passes or firewood, etc.”
Being one of the larger regional parks in the province and usually very busy in July and August, to help monitor those who are coming into the park, during the day all traffic will use the check-in lane. “That means a bit of waiting from time to time, so we ask for people’s patience. At night the keypad lane will be used for entrance, and campers are equipped with a code.”
Despite the changes and added guidelines as part of the province’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Bergen said the park itself looks wonderful and will remain a nice setting for people to enjoy. “Many campers have said how much they are looking forward to just getting out of the house and enjoying the outdoors. Even if some beach amenities cannot open until later, people are not deterred from enjoying the lovely park. Unfortunately, this year non-camping visitors are not allowed into the park. In previous years it was a nice outing for people who would go for ice cream and then drive through the park, or who would come to have supper with someone camping here. These activities are suspended for now.”
Like the Manitou and District Regional Park, the Resort Village of Etters Beach is also expecting an influx of campers over the next few months. Falling under provincial jurisdiction as a provincial park, the Etters Beach recreation site campground consists of 14 serviced daily rental sites, 28 seasonal campsites along with 36 non-serviced sites for camping.
Clerk at the Resort Village of Etters Beach, Denise Brecht, said their seasonal sites opened when they were allowed to under the Re-open Saskatchewan plan. As of June 1, those using nightly sites will not be placed adjacent to each other and only 50 percent of the overall number of sites will be occupied.
“We are mandated by the provincial park guidelines because we rent space from the province so we have to follow those guidelines,” said Brecht. “As part of that there are other regulations that we need to adhere to. The beach area has to be closed but people are allowed to swim in the water. You can’t just sit and suntan and play on the beach but you can swim. Our showers have to be closed but our bathrooms can be open because they are separate units. Our boat launch can be open but our fish cleaning station is closed. Our playgrounds are closed off and our hall at the village is also closed. This year we also can’t offer swimming lessons as of right now and there are no kids programs at the park like there normally is. We have placed signage up around the area and ask that people continue to follow the recommended guidelines when it comes to social distancing and proper hand washing.”
In an effort to try and accommodate those who booked campsites early on at Etters Beach, Brecht said they had to suspend their booking site. “That allowed us to close every second site and then contact those who booked sites rom out of province. Most of the people who had booked by that time, we were able to shift them to the same type of site but just in a different area. We did the best we could and there is still some space available but only using half the sites we will be affected this summer.”
While Brecht noted most people have been understanding through the process, she added that many do not realize Etters Beach is specifically mandated by the province because the resort village is located on provincial government land and the regulations must be enforced. “If someone came in and inspected us they can close us down if we are not following the guidelines set out by the province so we do appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we move forward. We do have people who live at Etters and it is their only home. Keeping that community safe on their behalf is also part of what we have to look to try and do. They live here and for those who just go seasonally to camp, they can go home but if there was ever an outbreak at Etters there are people with no place to go because that is where they live.”
As the Manitou and District Regional Park and Etters Beach implement guidelines, with a June 1 reopening date, the Lanigan Lions Campground is also eagerly anticipating its season.
Lanigan Lions Campground Manager Brad Huculak said they have been undertaking the different requirements and like the regional park at Manitou Beach, there will not be showers or bathrooms open to the public. “Our only water we can have at the campground is at the sewer fill and washout stations. Everything else will have to be isolated so people will have to use their own washrooms and so nothing will be able to be open for now.”
With 34 sites in Lanigan, Huculak said they will be at 50 percent capacity with no one camping adjacent to each other. Pending an inspection during the final week of May, if the campground received the green light, Huculak said they would be able to reopen June 1.
“There has been a few calls already about availability through the summer and we are looking forward to the season which we hope will run right through to the end of September. We will be opening and trying to do our best to give access to people and hope we can provide a service even though it is going to be fairly limited. If the phases enhance then maybe the bathrooms will be allowed to be open later in the summer but we will have to wait until the government gives the go ahead.”
Meanwhile at LeRoy Leisureland, the regional park has not only teed up another golf season like the courses at Manitou Beach and Lanigan but they too are hoping for a good year ahead.
General Manager of LeRoy Leisureland Mirelle Geyer said so far the weekends have been busy as people take advantage of their golf course. “It has been nice to see people coming out to enjoy the golf course, families sharing a laugh and couples coming to golf. I think everybody is eager to get out and enjoy the awesome weather we’ve been having.”
Also following the guidelines of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, Geyer said they are only able to have 50 percent campground capacity with every second site allowed to have a camper.
“Our grounds staff has been hard at work getting the campground in tip-top shape. We have been remarking the campsites, clearly lining out what sites will be allowed for use, making sure the hookups are ready and that the campgrounds are clean and ready for use once June 1 comes around.”
Recently adding 12 power sites with reverse osmosis water, LeRoy Leisureland has 10 seasonal sites and 26 non-seasonal sites which has meant people have been calling to book them over the past couple of weeks. “We are really filling up quickly, especially over the weekends. People are anxious to get out and enjoy the wonderful weather we’ve been having as well as getting out for a round of golf on our beautiful golf course.”
At Painted Rock Campground located just off Hwy. 16 and a few kilometres west of Colonsay, Bryan and Dawn Wall are excited to be able to open June 1. With 21 sites, the campground can reopen at 50 percent capacity and because of that the Walls have maximized their pull-through and full service sites.
“Unlike provincial campgrounds, we are allowed to accept out of province guests,” said Bryan. “We are excited about this change as it allows travellers and others relocating across the country a place to stay on their journey. We also offer long-term options for people working in the area.”
While water and power is available at all sites, plus a limited number of sites with sewer hook-up, Bryan highlighted a few other changes. “Washrooms will be available, following strict guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Unfortunately, showers must remain closed. Our small store will also not open this year. Contactless payment and firewood delivery is available for all campers. As with everyone else in this resilient province, our priority is in the protection of our customers and our staff.”
TWM Top Story - May 25, 2020
TSB continues investigation regarding Guernsey train derailments
Daniel Bushman
It has been over five months since a train carrying crude oil derailed west of Guernsey and more than three months after a second train derailed just east of the community Feb. 6. With 34 cars coming off the tracks Dec. 9 and 32 out of 104 from a Canadian Pacific freight hauling crude oil derailing in February, investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) were called in while cleanup commenced at both sites.
According to the TSB, preliminary examination indicated an estimated 1.5 million litres of product was released to either the ground or atmosphere during the first derailment and site examination suggests that 27 of the cars lost product and released an estimated 1.6 million litres to either the ground or atmosphere in the second derailment.
Noting that both investigations remain in the examination and analysis phase, TSB’s Acting Director, Investigations, Rail/Pipeline Dan Holbrook sent a pair of safety advisory letters to the Director General of Rail Safety at Transport Canada relating to enhanced track standards for key routes and modifying key train speed based on various train risk profiles.
In Holbrook’s safety advisory letter highlighting enhanced track standards for key routes it stated, during the second derailment on the north side of the train, impact marks were observed on the wheel treads of tank cars located in the 28th, 29th and 31st positions behind the head-end locomotive. The marks observed were consistent with impact that occurs when a wheel tread contacts a broken rail.
The letter reads in 2015 the TSB investigated two Canadian National Railway (CN) derailments on the CN Ruel Subdivision involving the release of large volumes of petroleum crude oil. In both cases, Holbrook said amongst other factors, the cause of the derailment was related to either broken joint bars or a broken rail.
Since Jan. 1, 2015, the TSB stated it has been to seven train derailments involving tank cars that were transporting petroleum crude oil. Of those, six resulted in a significant release of petroleum crude oil and a review of the accidents indicated each of the seven derailments occurred on a key route on which the track was maintained in accordance with the Track Safety Rules (TSR) Class 3 or 4 standard. In each case, Holbrook stated the derailments occurred as a result of a broken rail, broken joint bars or other track infrastructure conditions. Six of those seven derailments since Jan. 1, 2015 occurred during the winter months.
In the letter Holbrook stated, “Although CP maintained the Sutherland Subdivision to a Class 4 standard, in the two months between Dec. 9, 2019 and Feb. 6, 2020, there were two significant derailments near Guernsey, both of which resulted in the release of substantial amounts of petroleum crude oil. While both investigations are ongoing, in both cases, the suspected cause appears to be related to a broken rail. Considering the 2015 CN derailments on the Ruel Subdivision and the recent CP experience on the Sutherland Subdivision, maintaining track to the TSR minimum standards on key routes may not be adequate to protect against derailments.”
Holbrook continued by noting, “In order to reduce the frequency and mitigate the risks associated with accidents involving key trains on key routes, it is imperative that the track infrastructure is adequately maintained. Considering that the underlying causes of the seven accidents identified were all related to failures of track infrastructure, Transport Canada is advised that the current TSR do not address the increased risks associated with the operation of key trains. Therefore, Transport Canada should consider revising the Rules Respecting Track Safety to include enhanced track standards for key routes.”
In the second safety advisory letter sent to the Director General of Rail Safety at Transport Canada which touched on modifying key train speed based on various train risk profiles, Holbrook stated train speed is one of the primary factors that contributes to the severity of a derailment. “However, other factors such as train length, train weight, the position of the first car(s) derailed, the position of the cars in the train and tank car design also play a role. In order to reduce the frequency of these accidents and the commensurate risk to the public, property and the environment, Transport Canada should further review and modify key train speeds, as appropriate, based on various train risk profiles while also considering other factors that influence the severity of a derailment.”
Right after the second derailment near Guernsey which forced the community to temporarily evacuate as a precaution, an order was given by the federal government restricting the speed of key trains. With the train travelling at 42 mph at the time of the second accident, TSB said the derailment happened at a speed that was permitted by the Rules Respecting Key Trains and Key Routes in force at the time. However, Holbrook said despite using the best tank cars available to transport petroleum crude oil, about 27 of the tank cars released an estimated 1.6 million litres of product. “This suggests that the recent tank car design improvements alone are insufficient to fully mitigate the risk of adverse consequences resulting from derailments involving DGs (dangerous goods), particularly at this speed.”
While he suggested other factors, such as the integrity of the track structure can play a role in a derailment, Holbrook noted there is a distinct tie between train speed and adverse outcome when large quantities of dangerous goods are involved.
Since both investigations remain in the examination and analysis phase with a final report still to come, to provide an idea of the process the TSB takes as it reaches a conclusion, much of the investigation occurs after its team leaves the site.
During the examination and analysis phase, the TSB may: examine company, vehicle, government and other records; examine selected wreckage in the laboratory and test selected components and systems; read and analyze recorders and other data; create simulations and reconstruct events; review autopsy and toxicology reports; conduct further interviews; determine the sequence of events; identify safety deficiencies; and update the public on the investigation.
Like the safety advisory letters that were released, the TSB does not wait until its investigation is complete or the final report is published to make important safety information public. If, at any stage of the investigation, the TSB identifies safety deficiencies, it informs those who can address the problem right away.
After the examination and analysis phase, TSB stated an investigation report is then drafted. The Board reviews the draft report and it may approve it, ask for minor amendments, or return it for further work. Once the draft report is approved, it is sent to designated reviewers on a confidential basis for comment.
A designated reviewer may be any person—including a company, corporation, manufacturer or association—who, in the opinion of the Board, will contribute to the completeness and accuracy of the report.
The Board considers all the designated reviewers’ comments and amends the report as required. Once the Board approves the final report, it is released to the public on the TSB website and through traditional and social media.
The TSB publishes its investigation reports as quickly as possible, but it takes the time it needs to conduct a thorough investigation and produce a report that advances safety and meets the expectations of the Canadian public and the transportation industry.
While there is still time before a final report is approved and released as the investigation continues, at both derailment sites east and west of Guernsey, large equipment was brought in to remove the derailed cars and to clean the area.
The Watrous Manitou reached out to the Ministry of Environment for an update as to how the progress was going and the ministry indicated that since Canadian Pacific Railway is responsible for all costs associated with the derailment, including the emergency response, environmental assessment and all required remediation, that CP would be in a better position to provide an update.
While the sites certainly look much different than they did during the derailments in December and February, after reaching out to Canadian Pacific after TSB’s update in April, the company indicated it did not have an update to provide at this time.
Daniel Bushman
It has been over five months since a train carrying crude oil derailed west of Guernsey and more than three months after a second train derailed just east of the community Feb. 6. With 34 cars coming off the tracks Dec. 9 and 32 out of 104 from a Canadian Pacific freight hauling crude oil derailing in February, investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) were called in while cleanup commenced at both sites.
According to the TSB, preliminary examination indicated an estimated 1.5 million litres of product was released to either the ground or atmosphere during the first derailment and site examination suggests that 27 of the cars lost product and released an estimated 1.6 million litres to either the ground or atmosphere in the second derailment.
Noting that both investigations remain in the examination and analysis phase, TSB’s Acting Director, Investigations, Rail/Pipeline Dan Holbrook sent a pair of safety advisory letters to the Director General of Rail Safety at Transport Canada relating to enhanced track standards for key routes and modifying key train speed based on various train risk profiles.
In Holbrook’s safety advisory letter highlighting enhanced track standards for key routes it stated, during the second derailment on the north side of the train, impact marks were observed on the wheel treads of tank cars located in the 28th, 29th and 31st positions behind the head-end locomotive. The marks observed were consistent with impact that occurs when a wheel tread contacts a broken rail.
The letter reads in 2015 the TSB investigated two Canadian National Railway (CN) derailments on the CN Ruel Subdivision involving the release of large volumes of petroleum crude oil. In both cases, Holbrook said amongst other factors, the cause of the derailment was related to either broken joint bars or a broken rail.
Since Jan. 1, 2015, the TSB stated it has been to seven train derailments involving tank cars that were transporting petroleum crude oil. Of those, six resulted in a significant release of petroleum crude oil and a review of the accidents indicated each of the seven derailments occurred on a key route on which the track was maintained in accordance with the Track Safety Rules (TSR) Class 3 or 4 standard. In each case, Holbrook stated the derailments occurred as a result of a broken rail, broken joint bars or other track infrastructure conditions. Six of those seven derailments since Jan. 1, 2015 occurred during the winter months.
In the letter Holbrook stated, “Although CP maintained the Sutherland Subdivision to a Class 4 standard, in the two months between Dec. 9, 2019 and Feb. 6, 2020, there were two significant derailments near Guernsey, both of which resulted in the release of substantial amounts of petroleum crude oil. While both investigations are ongoing, in both cases, the suspected cause appears to be related to a broken rail. Considering the 2015 CN derailments on the Ruel Subdivision and the recent CP experience on the Sutherland Subdivision, maintaining track to the TSR minimum standards on key routes may not be adequate to protect against derailments.”
Holbrook continued by noting, “In order to reduce the frequency and mitigate the risks associated with accidents involving key trains on key routes, it is imperative that the track infrastructure is adequately maintained. Considering that the underlying causes of the seven accidents identified were all related to failures of track infrastructure, Transport Canada is advised that the current TSR do not address the increased risks associated with the operation of key trains. Therefore, Transport Canada should consider revising the Rules Respecting Track Safety to include enhanced track standards for key routes.”
In the second safety advisory letter sent to the Director General of Rail Safety at Transport Canada which touched on modifying key train speed based on various train risk profiles, Holbrook stated train speed is one of the primary factors that contributes to the severity of a derailment. “However, other factors such as train length, train weight, the position of the first car(s) derailed, the position of the cars in the train and tank car design also play a role. In order to reduce the frequency of these accidents and the commensurate risk to the public, property and the environment, Transport Canada should further review and modify key train speeds, as appropriate, based on various train risk profiles while also considering other factors that influence the severity of a derailment.”
Right after the second derailment near Guernsey which forced the community to temporarily evacuate as a precaution, an order was given by the federal government restricting the speed of key trains. With the train travelling at 42 mph at the time of the second accident, TSB said the derailment happened at a speed that was permitted by the Rules Respecting Key Trains and Key Routes in force at the time. However, Holbrook said despite using the best tank cars available to transport petroleum crude oil, about 27 of the tank cars released an estimated 1.6 million litres of product. “This suggests that the recent tank car design improvements alone are insufficient to fully mitigate the risk of adverse consequences resulting from derailments involving DGs (dangerous goods), particularly at this speed.”
While he suggested other factors, such as the integrity of the track structure can play a role in a derailment, Holbrook noted there is a distinct tie between train speed and adverse outcome when large quantities of dangerous goods are involved.
Since both investigations remain in the examination and analysis phase with a final report still to come, to provide an idea of the process the TSB takes as it reaches a conclusion, much of the investigation occurs after its team leaves the site.
During the examination and analysis phase, the TSB may: examine company, vehicle, government and other records; examine selected wreckage in the laboratory and test selected components and systems; read and analyze recorders and other data; create simulations and reconstruct events; review autopsy and toxicology reports; conduct further interviews; determine the sequence of events; identify safety deficiencies; and update the public on the investigation.
Like the safety advisory letters that were released, the TSB does not wait until its investigation is complete or the final report is published to make important safety information public. If, at any stage of the investigation, the TSB identifies safety deficiencies, it informs those who can address the problem right away.
After the examination and analysis phase, TSB stated an investigation report is then drafted. The Board reviews the draft report and it may approve it, ask for minor amendments, or return it for further work. Once the draft report is approved, it is sent to designated reviewers on a confidential basis for comment.
A designated reviewer may be any person—including a company, corporation, manufacturer or association—who, in the opinion of the Board, will contribute to the completeness and accuracy of the report.
The Board considers all the designated reviewers’ comments and amends the report as required. Once the Board approves the final report, it is released to the public on the TSB website and through traditional and social media.
The TSB publishes its investigation reports as quickly as possible, but it takes the time it needs to conduct a thorough investigation and produce a report that advances safety and meets the expectations of the Canadian public and the transportation industry.
While there is still time before a final report is approved and released as the investigation continues, at both derailment sites east and west of Guernsey, large equipment was brought in to remove the derailed cars and to clean the area.
The Watrous Manitou reached out to the Ministry of Environment for an update as to how the progress was going and the ministry indicated that since Canadian Pacific Railway is responsible for all costs associated with the derailment, including the emergency response, environmental assessment and all required remediation, that CP would be in a better position to provide an update.
While the sites certainly look much different than they did during the derailments in December and February, after reaching out to Canadian Pacific after TSB’s update in April, the company indicated it did not have an update to provide at this time.
TWM Top Story - May 18, 2020
Hospital in Lanigan converted to ALC site; no conversions in Watrous yet
Daniel Bushman
Wanting to be prepared in case of a potential influx in COVID-19 cases, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) initiated its phased approach of converting hospitals as part of its COVID-19 surge plan. As part of that plan a number of hospitals including in Lanigan have temporarily been converted to Alternate Level of Care (ALC) sites leading to emergency services being disrupted. While not deemed an ALC site, Watrous has been identified as a COVID-ready hospital. So far the facility in Watrous has not been converted and emergency services resume.
SHA stated the reason for the ALC site conversion is to ensure capacity is available to address a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. “There are 12 community hospitals, including the facility in Lanigan, that are identified for temporary conversion to ALC as part of this plan. ALC refers to a patient that could be cared for in an alternate setting, rather than an acute care setting. This would refer to palliative, convalescing, respite, rehab or long-term care patients.”
In its rural update issued May 7, SHA stated while the efforts of residents in the province has resulted in some success to flatten the curve allowing Saskatchewan to reopen, planning is still being done for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. “The reality is that our health care system cannot change quickly to a marked increase in demand, if that curve suddenly starts to rise.”
Occurring in a phased approach over a four to six week period, SHA noted the first conversion phase involving community hospitals in Lanigan, Kerrobert, Herbert Preeceville, Broadview and Radville was scheduled to be completed. The remaining six temporary conversions to ALC sites in the province will follow in subsequent phases.
“The identified hospitals will be temporarily closed to acute care admissions and will only accept admissions to ALC. Emergency services in these locations will also be temporarily disrupted and will not be available at these facilities.”
SHA stated the measure is necessary to help protect its most vulnerable populations. “It will reduce traffic within these community hospitals, and will support the cohorting of staff, which reduces the risk of exposure. This measure
will also help us to increase capacity in our other sites for the potential COVID-19 surge in cases. Keeping patients and staff safe and healthy continues to be our number one priority.”
The conversion also allows for the movement of ALC patients from tertiary and regional hospitals to create space for a potential COVID-19 surge. It also separates COVID and non-COVID pre-acute or post-acute patients in the community in community hospitals to avoid transmission.
During a media conference May 13 and with new cases of COVID-19 low, SHA CEO Scott Livingstone was asked why the temporary conversions including in Lanigan went ahead.
Livingstone noted the decision to move forward with the planned ALC conversions in the 12 facilities in rural Saskatchewan was for a number of reasons. “One is to protect those folks in long-term care and to use the facilities capacity to provide care for alternative level of care positions in our larger facilities so that we can both build capacity to support the reopening of the health care system but also maintain capacity for a COVID surge and outbreaks as they arise throughout the pandemic.”
With emergency services temporarily disrupted and not available in Lanigan, SHA said in case of an emergency, people who live in the community or immediate area are asked to call 911. “EMS will assess the patient, initiate treatment and transport to the most appropriate facility to provide further care for the patient’s illness/injury. Alternatively, the patient could go to their nearest available emergency department. For non-urgent health related questions, those can be directed to HealthLine 811. This is the same process that would be in place in the case of a regular emergency services disruption at a community hospital.”
Despite those emergency services being temporarily disrupted and halted, Livingstone said SHA will continue to manage capacity and once the health care system is restarted then types of services may also change. That will also all depend on how things go with reduced restrictions and the reopening of other components of the economy over the coming weeks. Services offered to the community may also change depending on the types of COVID surges and how they are managed.
While the hospital in Lanigan is temporarily converted to an ALC site, in Watrous as part of SHA’s COVID-19 surge plan, that facility has been deemed a COVID-ready hospital. Unlike the 12 hospitals being made into ALC sites, SHA said changes to hospitals named COVID-ready will only occur when triggers determined through modelling have been reached.
“COVID designations are currently not in place for any hospital. There will be a phased approach to conversion that will be determined by the incidence and prevalence of COVID-19 in a community and the surrounding geographic area. Our priority is to care for people as close to home as possible.”
SHA indicated as hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients increase, regular hospitalizations of non-COVID patients will continue as normal. “By separating COVID-ready and non-COVID facilities we will avoid cross-contamination, decrease the risk of transmission, contain the virus, and prevent patients admitted for non-COVID-19 issues from becoming infected. All emergency departments continue to remain open in hospitals designated COVID-ready and non-COVID.”
Daniel Bushman
Wanting to be prepared in case of a potential influx in COVID-19 cases, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) initiated its phased approach of converting hospitals as part of its COVID-19 surge plan. As part of that plan a number of hospitals including in Lanigan have temporarily been converted to Alternate Level of Care (ALC) sites leading to emergency services being disrupted. While not deemed an ALC site, Watrous has been identified as a COVID-ready hospital. So far the facility in Watrous has not been converted and emergency services resume.
SHA stated the reason for the ALC site conversion is to ensure capacity is available to address a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. “There are 12 community hospitals, including the facility in Lanigan, that are identified for temporary conversion to ALC as part of this plan. ALC refers to a patient that could be cared for in an alternate setting, rather than an acute care setting. This would refer to palliative, convalescing, respite, rehab or long-term care patients.”
In its rural update issued May 7, SHA stated while the efforts of residents in the province has resulted in some success to flatten the curve allowing Saskatchewan to reopen, planning is still being done for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. “The reality is that our health care system cannot change quickly to a marked increase in demand, if that curve suddenly starts to rise.”
Occurring in a phased approach over a four to six week period, SHA noted the first conversion phase involving community hospitals in Lanigan, Kerrobert, Herbert Preeceville, Broadview and Radville was scheduled to be completed. The remaining six temporary conversions to ALC sites in the province will follow in subsequent phases.
“The identified hospitals will be temporarily closed to acute care admissions and will only accept admissions to ALC. Emergency services in these locations will also be temporarily disrupted and will not be available at these facilities.”
SHA stated the measure is necessary to help protect its most vulnerable populations. “It will reduce traffic within these community hospitals, and will support the cohorting of staff, which reduces the risk of exposure. This measure
will also help us to increase capacity in our other sites for the potential COVID-19 surge in cases. Keeping patients and staff safe and healthy continues to be our number one priority.”
The conversion also allows for the movement of ALC patients from tertiary and regional hospitals to create space for a potential COVID-19 surge. It also separates COVID and non-COVID pre-acute or post-acute patients in the community in community hospitals to avoid transmission.
During a media conference May 13 and with new cases of COVID-19 low, SHA CEO Scott Livingstone was asked why the temporary conversions including in Lanigan went ahead.
Livingstone noted the decision to move forward with the planned ALC conversions in the 12 facilities in rural Saskatchewan was for a number of reasons. “One is to protect those folks in long-term care and to use the facilities capacity to provide care for alternative level of care positions in our larger facilities so that we can both build capacity to support the reopening of the health care system but also maintain capacity for a COVID surge and outbreaks as they arise throughout the pandemic.”
With emergency services temporarily disrupted and not available in Lanigan, SHA said in case of an emergency, people who live in the community or immediate area are asked to call 911. “EMS will assess the patient, initiate treatment and transport to the most appropriate facility to provide further care for the patient’s illness/injury. Alternatively, the patient could go to their nearest available emergency department. For non-urgent health related questions, those can be directed to HealthLine 811. This is the same process that would be in place in the case of a regular emergency services disruption at a community hospital.”
Despite those emergency services being temporarily disrupted and halted, Livingstone said SHA will continue to manage capacity and once the health care system is restarted then types of services may also change. That will also all depend on how things go with reduced restrictions and the reopening of other components of the economy over the coming weeks. Services offered to the community may also change depending on the types of COVID surges and how they are managed.
While the hospital in Lanigan is temporarily converted to an ALC site, in Watrous as part of SHA’s COVID-19 surge plan, that facility has been deemed a COVID-ready hospital. Unlike the 12 hospitals being made into ALC sites, SHA said changes to hospitals named COVID-ready will only occur when triggers determined through modelling have been reached.
“COVID designations are currently not in place for any hospital. There will be a phased approach to conversion that will be determined by the incidence and prevalence of COVID-19 in a community and the surrounding geographic area. Our priority is to care for people as close to home as possible.”
SHA indicated as hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients increase, regular hospitalizations of non-COVID patients will continue as normal. “By separating COVID-ready and non-COVID facilities we will avoid cross-contamination, decrease the risk of transmission, contain the virus, and prevent patients admitted for non-COVID-19 issues from becoming infected. All emergency departments continue to remain open in hospitals designated COVID-ready and non-COVID.”
TWM Top Story - May 11, 2020
Charges laid after multiple break and enters including in Watrous
Daniel Bushman
After multiple break and enters to several businesses, residences and vehicles over a two month span in central Saskatchewan, a pair of people are now facing numerous charges.
Between Feb. 4 and Apr. 26, Saskatchewan RCMP received reports of break, enters, thefts and property-related offences across central Saskatchewan. A joint investigation involving a number of RCMP detachments was launched by the Saskatoon RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section (GIS) to identify those responsible for the crimes including one which occurred in Watrous.
From that investigation, police went over the evidence including surveillance videos which revealed an unknown male and a white Ford F-150 truck being present at crime scenes.
With the assistance of several RCMP detachments and Saskatoon Police Service, more information about the truck was received. Officers were then able to identify the owner of the vehicle and the male in the surveillance videos as 37-year-old Cody Kemick.
Saskatoon Provincial GIS along with officers from Saskatoon, Outlook, Rosetown and Humboldt detachments executed a search warrant May 2 at Kemick’s residence in Saskatoon. RCMP said Kemick and another occupant of the residence were arrested without incident.
Police then searched the residence and seized approximately $35,000 worth of stolen property including tools, computers, electronic devices, ammunition, cheques, hair salon products, lottery tickets and clothing. RCMP said these items are believed to be from break and enters from Watrous, Lucky Lake, Dinsmore, Rosetown, Kerrobert, Aberdeen, Humboldt, Milden, Conquest and Saskatoon.
Because of that, Kemick has been charged with three counts of Break and Enter, 10 counts of Possession of Stolen Property, one count of Theft and one count of Mischief.
A second person, Chantal Dubois of Saskatoon was charged with one count of Break and Enter and seven counts of Possession of Stolen Property.
Kemick and Dubois were remanded for court in Saskatoon on May 6, 2020.
Watrous RCMP Sergeant Jeffrey Friedenstab indicated some of the mentioned possession of stolen property charges are related to the break and enter at CIC. “It was determined they had fleet cards that were located in the safe at CIC. The fleet cards were stolen from the safe and used at different times. Because of that more charges will be forthcoming.”
As the investigation continues, Friedenstab noted the white Ford F-150 truck used during the break and enter at CIC is different than the white coloured truck used during the break, enter and attempted theft of the ATM at the Lanigan Esso. “There is more than one crime group running around right now and after looking at the surveillance video, we determined the truck from Lanigan was a different one than the one used at the CIC break and enter. Surveillance showed the grill of each truck was different and on the truck owned by Kemick, there was distinctive damage to the front end, middle front bumper which we found visible in the video provided to us by CIC.”
With RCMP continuing to search for the suspects involved in the break and enter in Lanigan, Friedenstab said police have issued two arrest warrants, one for 43-year-old Brenda Kayson and another for 26-year-old Julia Frenchman, both with no fixed address for possession of stolen property and uttering a forged document. The pair allegedly passed two CIC cheques that were stolen from the business.
In a separate case, Friedenstab said RCMP were able to identify the alleged suspects who were at the Best Way Construction break and enter in Watrous. “They were arrested in Humboldt for a break and enter at the RM of Wolverine shop. The vehicle they were in at the RM shop was the same one seen on surveillance video in Watrous checking out vehicles in the parking lot at Best Way Construction.”
While RCMP were able to lay charges related to the CIC break and enter and seize a substantial amount of stolen property, Friedenstab said they continue to look for those involved in other recent incidents. “If you have any information on any local break and enters, please contact the RCMP or Crime Stoppers. With the nice weather here, we also want to remind people to lock their doors both at home and in their vehicles. By locking your vehicles and your homes, it can prevent a lot of potential thefts.”
Daniel Bushman
After multiple break and enters to several businesses, residences and vehicles over a two month span in central Saskatchewan, a pair of people are now facing numerous charges.
Between Feb. 4 and Apr. 26, Saskatchewan RCMP received reports of break, enters, thefts and property-related offences across central Saskatchewan. A joint investigation involving a number of RCMP detachments was launched by the Saskatoon RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section (GIS) to identify those responsible for the crimes including one which occurred in Watrous.
From that investigation, police went over the evidence including surveillance videos which revealed an unknown male and a white Ford F-150 truck being present at crime scenes.
With the assistance of several RCMP detachments and Saskatoon Police Service, more information about the truck was received. Officers were then able to identify the owner of the vehicle and the male in the surveillance videos as 37-year-old Cody Kemick.
Saskatoon Provincial GIS along with officers from Saskatoon, Outlook, Rosetown and Humboldt detachments executed a search warrant May 2 at Kemick’s residence in Saskatoon. RCMP said Kemick and another occupant of the residence were arrested without incident.
Police then searched the residence and seized approximately $35,000 worth of stolen property including tools, computers, electronic devices, ammunition, cheques, hair salon products, lottery tickets and clothing. RCMP said these items are believed to be from break and enters from Watrous, Lucky Lake, Dinsmore, Rosetown, Kerrobert, Aberdeen, Humboldt, Milden, Conquest and Saskatoon.
Because of that, Kemick has been charged with three counts of Break and Enter, 10 counts of Possession of Stolen Property, one count of Theft and one count of Mischief.
A second person, Chantal Dubois of Saskatoon was charged with one count of Break and Enter and seven counts of Possession of Stolen Property.
Kemick and Dubois were remanded for court in Saskatoon on May 6, 2020.
Watrous RCMP Sergeant Jeffrey Friedenstab indicated some of the mentioned possession of stolen property charges are related to the break and enter at CIC. “It was determined they had fleet cards that were located in the safe at CIC. The fleet cards were stolen from the safe and used at different times. Because of that more charges will be forthcoming.”
As the investigation continues, Friedenstab noted the white Ford F-150 truck used during the break and enter at CIC is different than the white coloured truck used during the break, enter and attempted theft of the ATM at the Lanigan Esso. “There is more than one crime group running around right now and after looking at the surveillance video, we determined the truck from Lanigan was a different one than the one used at the CIC break and enter. Surveillance showed the grill of each truck was different and on the truck owned by Kemick, there was distinctive damage to the front end, middle front bumper which we found visible in the video provided to us by CIC.”
With RCMP continuing to search for the suspects involved in the break and enter in Lanigan, Friedenstab said police have issued two arrest warrants, one for 43-year-old Brenda Kayson and another for 26-year-old Julia Frenchman, both with no fixed address for possession of stolen property and uttering a forged document. The pair allegedly passed two CIC cheques that were stolen from the business.
In a separate case, Friedenstab said RCMP were able to identify the alleged suspects who were at the Best Way Construction break and enter in Watrous. “They were arrested in Humboldt for a break and enter at the RM of Wolverine shop. The vehicle they were in at the RM shop was the same one seen on surveillance video in Watrous checking out vehicles in the parking lot at Best Way Construction.”
While RCMP were able to lay charges related to the CIC break and enter and seize a substantial amount of stolen property, Friedenstab said they continue to look for those involved in other recent incidents. “If you have any information on any local break and enters, please contact the RCMP or Crime Stoppers. With the nice weather here, we also want to remind people to lock their doors both at home and in their vehicles. By locking your vehicles and your homes, it can prevent a lot of potential thefts.”
TWM Top Story - May 4, 2020
Phase one to reopen to begin; SHA releases new modelling data
Daniel Bushman
After implementing restrictions and social distancing measures while methodically and cautiously evaluating the current situation in the province, the first phase of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan begins May 4. As numbers of confirmed new cases of COVID-19 remained low last week with exception to Lloydminster and La Loche where the reopen plan has been put on hold, the launch of the first phase allows for some services to reopen with a second phase occurring later this month.
Phase one will allow for public access to medical services to be reinstated. That can also include access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. The provincial government said for those who reopen, when it is not possible to physically distance, providers will be required to take precautionary measures as outlined by the Chief Medical Health Officer.
Low-risk outdoor recreational activities will also be allowable with precautionary measures, including fishing and boat launches (May 4), golfing with physical distancing guidelines (May 15) and a fixed date (June 1) and clear guidelines for the operation of parks and campgrounds.
As those services commence and golf courses gear up to swing into the season May 15, the province’s second phase of reopening will occur May 19. That phase will include the reopening of retail businesses and select personal services that were previously not deemed allowable. Those retail businesses include: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good/adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV and snowmobile dealers; gift, book and stationery stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies.
The personal service businesses that can begin providing services to the public include: hairdresser/barber; registered massage therapist; acupuncturist; and acupressurist.
In both phases, the size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people. Meanwhile, the remaining three phases in the five phase plan have no determined start dates.
As Saskatchewan begins to reopen and other provinces across Canada release plans to reopen as well, there continues to be a strong emphasis on remaining vigilant in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Noting that just because the province is moving forward does not mean that COVID-19 is gone from its borders, last Tuesday the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released new modelling data regarding what if scenarios.
After its original models were unveiled Apr. 8, SHA has since been able to include Saskatchewan specific data and through the efforts of residents in the province, the numbers indicated Saskatchewan is in a significantly better spot to manage COVID-19 than before.
The latest data showed the province’s basic reproductive number for the virus is 3.12. SHA said that means the average number of people a single COVID-19 positive person in Saskatchewan would infect, had no interventions been undertaken and everyone was susceptible would be 3.12. However, with the introduction of public health measures in March and April, the effective reproductive number in Saskatchewan is actually 0.7 as of Apr. 25. That number is the average amount of people one person with the virus is likely to infect at the current time, after the effects of the interventions have been factored in.
While that number of 0.7 can change with behaviours and interventions, having it under the number one means the province is currently in a good spot. Analysis going back to early March indicates the value of this number has been under one since early April.
“This new data brings with it cautious optimism,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “Thanks to the Saskatchewan people’s efforts and our own robust actions on testing, contact tracing and other public health measures, we are flattening the curve and helping ensure our health system can manage the surge in demand that may come from COVID-19.”
Using the new Saskatchewan specific data, SHA said it can now adjust its planning scenarios and continue to plan for the worst while aiming for the best. Because SHA was able to plug Saskatchewan specific data into its models, it also adjusted the province’s COVID-19 Readiness Plan.
Stressing the models are not predictions but rather what ifs, SHA said they need to run the data in order to be prepared for a worst case scenario. However, that worst case scenario looked a lot better compared to the data from earlier in April.
From its Apr. 8 COVID-19 Readiness Plan and before it had its own reproductive number of 3.12, SHA took modelling estimates of three scenarios using a different reproductive number for each. From those scenarios released earlier in April:
• the upper-range (scenario 1) showed 408,000 cumulative total cases with 710 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 4,265, 215 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 1,280, 1,230 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 8,370 deaths.
• mid-range analysis (scenario 2) showed 262,000 cumulative total cases, 205 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,265, 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 380, 370 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 5,260 deaths.
• low-range analysis (scenario 3) showed 153,000 cumulative total cases, 60 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 390, 20 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 120, 120 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,075 deaths.
Being able to have a better picture of what could occur in the province and remembering the number as of Apr. 25 was 0.7, SHA created the Saskatchewan Age Stratified Scenario using its reproductive number of 3.12. From that scenario it showed the province could have 254,756 cumulative total cases, 190 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,736, a total of 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 412, a total of 403 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,050 deaths.
SHA said the revised planning scenario ensures Saskatchewan remains prepared for a major surge. It also indicated the maximum capacity can be reduced by 1,000 hospital beds, 400 ICU beds and 400 ventilators (total ventilators in planned scenario of 403 are within current SHA ventilator capacity of 486).
While the modelling numbers were encouraging as residents in Saskatchewan try to keep the spread of COVID-19 to a minimum, officials from SHA were quick to state that COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon. SHA indicated they will be monitoring the province as it begins to reopen in phases during May.
Along with its new Saskatchewan data modelling, SHA was also able to adjust its offensive and defensive portion of the COVID-19 Health System Readiness Plan.
From an offensive standpoint, some of those adjustments and continuations included:
• maximizing testing capacity, accessibility and speed, including ongoing expansion of rapid testing capability across the province and outreach to populations less likely to seek testing;
• surging contact tracing to stay ahead of demand, including a plan to meet any scenario up to 618 news cases per day in Saskatchewan;
• helping prevent spread by restricting staff to work in a single facility;
• contingency planning to use hotels to cohort COVID-19 positive patients who require intermediate care; and
• continuing to expand virtual care options to provide continuity of service while maintaining physical distancing, wherever possible.
Meanwhile, the SHA’s defensive strategy portion of the plan focuses on the readiness of its acute care services to meet any potential surge in demand from COVID-19.
While adjustments have been made to the plan like estimating needing 1,000 fewer hospital beds, 400 fewer ICU beds and 400 fewer ventilators than previously announced, staged activation of COVID-19, non-COVID-19, and mixed hospitals remains the same.
That means if required due to patient demand and safety, Watrous has been designated as a COVID-19 hospital while Lanigan has been designated a temporary conversion to alternate level of care patients.
If the need arrives, Watrous will have staged stand up based on demand and would receive COVID-19 patients only. Emergency services would remain open according to the report. Lanigan would see stand up with a temporary suspension of emergency services.
SHA said these changes are not immediate but the health authority proactively identified 20 out of its 65 hospitals that would be designated COVID-19 hospitals. COVID-19 hospitals will initially act as mixed hospitals but as the COVID-19 patient census increases, non-COVID patients may be relocated from the facility to non-COVID or mixed hospitals.
The staged responses related to integrated rural health stems from a potential increased demand through a combination of COVID and non-COVID facilities. That includes no facility closures and temporarily converting some hospitals like Lanigan to support alternative level of care patients over the next four to six weeks. That would mean alternate level of care patients will flow from tertiary and regional hospitals to create capacity in those locations. There would also be a temporary suspension of emergency department services to support reallocation of staff to higher need sites. SHA said no field hospitals for the local area have been contemplated as capacity in the rural area exists and timing and trigger points for deployment of the plan may be adjusted.
With the latest modelling data released Apr. 28, SHA and the Ministry of Health said they are developing a plan to resume, in a staged approach, community services, elective surgeries and diagnostics that were impacted by earlier service slowdowns. The elements of this plan will be activated in phases, with each phase triggered by surveillance data on transmission of the virus in the community. Identification of which services will resume will consider factors such as highest priority patient needs, risk of transmission of the virus, impact on COVID-19 surge capacity, impact on inventory of personal protective equipment and other factors.
“Going forward there will be ups and downs in our fight against COVID-19,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Shaw said. “That is why it is so critical that we be guided by the data and be willing to adapt as we learn more about COVID-19 and how the virus is behaving in the Saskatchewan context. While we support the province’s plan for gradually reopening the province, it is a critical time to remind Saskatchewan residents that this will be a phased process where we still need our citizens to be vigilant and practice the same precautions that have proven effective to date.”
SHA said Saskatchewan residents can continue to help by taking specific action, including: practicing good hygiene, washing hands regularly and physical distancing (two metres apart wherever possible); staying home, whenever and wherever possible; abiding by provincial and local travel, self-isolation, event and gathering restrictions; and avoiding visiting hospitals and long-term care facilities, unless there are compassionate reasons for doing so.
As of Apr. 28 when the new modelling data was released, Saskatchewan had one new confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Regina region, bringing the provincial total to 366. However, the following day a total of 17 new confirmed cases were reported including a sixth death in the province and a cluster identified in Lloydminster.
As of Apr. 29 the provincial total increased to 383 with 11 of the new cases from the far north (La Loche), five from the north region (four in Lloydminster) and one from the Saskatoon area.
Eighty-six of the cases were considered active while recoveries remained at 291. As of Apr. 29, there were 10 people in hospital – seven are receiving inpatient care (four in Lloydminster and three in Saskatoon), while three are in intensive care (Saskatoon).
The new COVID-19 cases in Lloydminster were linked to a cluster based in Lloydminster Hospital. Thirteen cases have been identified, including five health care workers and eight patients, and transmission has occurred in the hospital setting.
As of Apr. 29 patients were being co-horted in separate units in Lloydminster Hospital. All health care workers who have been identified as close contacts with a confirmed case are being tested as the contact investigation continues.
Meanwhile, a couple of mass-gathering events were recently held in Saskatchewan where the provincial government stated organizers mistakenly believed that gatherings were allowed as long as attendees maintained two metres of separation. However, these types of group events are not allowed – whether or not people practise physical distancing. Any gatherings that exceed 10 people are in violation of the current public health order.
As Saskatchewan reached a total of 383, comparatively, Canada had a total of 50,373 cases with the most in Quebec (25,757) followed by Ontario (15,728), Alberta (4,850) and B.C. (2,053). Next door in Manitoba, there were 272 cases. Overall in Canada there were 2,905 deaths due to COVID-19.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, there were almost three million confirmed cases with nearly 205,000 deaths. The United States accounted for almost one million of those confirmed cases with 50,492 deaths.
Daniel Bushman
After implementing restrictions and social distancing measures while methodically and cautiously evaluating the current situation in the province, the first phase of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan begins May 4. As numbers of confirmed new cases of COVID-19 remained low last week with exception to Lloydminster and La Loche where the reopen plan has been put on hold, the launch of the first phase allows for some services to reopen with a second phase occurring later this month.
Phase one will allow for public access to medical services to be reinstated. That can also include access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. The provincial government said for those who reopen, when it is not possible to physically distance, providers will be required to take precautionary measures as outlined by the Chief Medical Health Officer.
Low-risk outdoor recreational activities will also be allowable with precautionary measures, including fishing and boat launches (May 4), golfing with physical distancing guidelines (May 15) and a fixed date (June 1) and clear guidelines for the operation of parks and campgrounds.
As those services commence and golf courses gear up to swing into the season May 15, the province’s second phase of reopening will occur May 19. That phase will include the reopening of retail businesses and select personal services that were previously not deemed allowable. Those retail businesses include: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good/adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV and snowmobile dealers; gift, book and stationery stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies.
The personal service businesses that can begin providing services to the public include: hairdresser/barber; registered massage therapist; acupuncturist; and acupressurist.
In both phases, the size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people. Meanwhile, the remaining three phases in the five phase plan have no determined start dates.
As Saskatchewan begins to reopen and other provinces across Canada release plans to reopen as well, there continues to be a strong emphasis on remaining vigilant in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Noting that just because the province is moving forward does not mean that COVID-19 is gone from its borders, last Tuesday the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released new modelling data regarding what if scenarios.
After its original models were unveiled Apr. 8, SHA has since been able to include Saskatchewan specific data and through the efforts of residents in the province, the numbers indicated Saskatchewan is in a significantly better spot to manage COVID-19 than before.
The latest data showed the province’s basic reproductive number for the virus is 3.12. SHA said that means the average number of people a single COVID-19 positive person in Saskatchewan would infect, had no interventions been undertaken and everyone was susceptible would be 3.12. However, with the introduction of public health measures in March and April, the effective reproductive number in Saskatchewan is actually 0.7 as of Apr. 25. That number is the average amount of people one person with the virus is likely to infect at the current time, after the effects of the interventions have been factored in.
While that number of 0.7 can change with behaviours and interventions, having it under the number one means the province is currently in a good spot. Analysis going back to early March indicates the value of this number has been under one since early April.
“This new data brings with it cautious optimism,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “Thanks to the Saskatchewan people’s efforts and our own robust actions on testing, contact tracing and other public health measures, we are flattening the curve and helping ensure our health system can manage the surge in demand that may come from COVID-19.”
Using the new Saskatchewan specific data, SHA said it can now adjust its planning scenarios and continue to plan for the worst while aiming for the best. Because SHA was able to plug Saskatchewan specific data into its models, it also adjusted the province’s COVID-19 Readiness Plan.
Stressing the models are not predictions but rather what ifs, SHA said they need to run the data in order to be prepared for a worst case scenario. However, that worst case scenario looked a lot better compared to the data from earlier in April.
From its Apr. 8 COVID-19 Readiness Plan and before it had its own reproductive number of 3.12, SHA took modelling estimates of three scenarios using a different reproductive number for each. From those scenarios released earlier in April:
• the upper-range (scenario 1) showed 408,000 cumulative total cases with 710 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 4,265, 215 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 1,280, 1,230 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 8,370 deaths.
• mid-range analysis (scenario 2) showed 262,000 cumulative total cases, 205 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,265, 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 380, 370 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 5,260 deaths.
• low-range analysis (scenario 3) showed 153,000 cumulative total cases, 60 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 390, 20 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 120, 120 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,075 deaths.
Being able to have a better picture of what could occur in the province and remembering the number as of Apr. 25 was 0.7, SHA created the Saskatchewan Age Stratified Scenario using its reproductive number of 3.12. From that scenario it showed the province could have 254,756 cumulative total cases, 190 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,736, a total of 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 412, a total of 403 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,050 deaths.
SHA said the revised planning scenario ensures Saskatchewan remains prepared for a major surge. It also indicated the maximum capacity can be reduced by 1,000 hospital beds, 400 ICU beds and 400 ventilators (total ventilators in planned scenario of 403 are within current SHA ventilator capacity of 486).
While the modelling numbers were encouraging as residents in Saskatchewan try to keep the spread of COVID-19 to a minimum, officials from SHA were quick to state that COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon. SHA indicated they will be monitoring the province as it begins to reopen in phases during May.
Along with its new Saskatchewan data modelling, SHA was also able to adjust its offensive and defensive portion of the COVID-19 Health System Readiness Plan.
From an offensive standpoint, some of those adjustments and continuations included:
• maximizing testing capacity, accessibility and speed, including ongoing expansion of rapid testing capability across the province and outreach to populations less likely to seek testing;
• surging contact tracing to stay ahead of demand, including a plan to meet any scenario up to 618 news cases per day in Saskatchewan;
• helping prevent spread by restricting staff to work in a single facility;
• contingency planning to use hotels to cohort COVID-19 positive patients who require intermediate care; and
• continuing to expand virtual care options to provide continuity of service while maintaining physical distancing, wherever possible.
Meanwhile, the SHA’s defensive strategy portion of the plan focuses on the readiness of its acute care services to meet any potential surge in demand from COVID-19.
While adjustments have been made to the plan like estimating needing 1,000 fewer hospital beds, 400 fewer ICU beds and 400 fewer ventilators than previously announced, staged activation of COVID-19, non-COVID-19, and mixed hospitals remains the same.
That means if required due to patient demand and safety, Watrous has been designated as a COVID-19 hospital while Lanigan has been designated a temporary conversion to alternate level of care patients.
If the need arrives, Watrous will have staged stand up based on demand and would receive COVID-19 patients only. Emergency services would remain open according to the report. Lanigan would see stand up with a temporary suspension of emergency services.
SHA said these changes are not immediate but the health authority proactively identified 20 out of its 65 hospitals that would be designated COVID-19 hospitals. COVID-19 hospitals will initially act as mixed hospitals but as the COVID-19 patient census increases, non-COVID patients may be relocated from the facility to non-COVID or mixed hospitals.
The staged responses related to integrated rural health stems from a potential increased demand through a combination of COVID and non-COVID facilities. That includes no facility closures and temporarily converting some hospitals like Lanigan to support alternative level of care patients over the next four to six weeks. That would mean alternate level of care patients will flow from tertiary and regional hospitals to create capacity in those locations. There would also be a temporary suspension of emergency department services to support reallocation of staff to higher need sites. SHA said no field hospitals for the local area have been contemplated as capacity in the rural area exists and timing and trigger points for deployment of the plan may be adjusted.
With the latest modelling data released Apr. 28, SHA and the Ministry of Health said they are developing a plan to resume, in a staged approach, community services, elective surgeries and diagnostics that were impacted by earlier service slowdowns. The elements of this plan will be activated in phases, with each phase triggered by surveillance data on transmission of the virus in the community. Identification of which services will resume will consider factors such as highest priority patient needs, risk of transmission of the virus, impact on COVID-19 surge capacity, impact on inventory of personal protective equipment and other factors.
“Going forward there will be ups and downs in our fight against COVID-19,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Shaw said. “That is why it is so critical that we be guided by the data and be willing to adapt as we learn more about COVID-19 and how the virus is behaving in the Saskatchewan context. While we support the province’s plan for gradually reopening the province, it is a critical time to remind Saskatchewan residents that this will be a phased process where we still need our citizens to be vigilant and practice the same precautions that have proven effective to date.”
SHA said Saskatchewan residents can continue to help by taking specific action, including: practicing good hygiene, washing hands regularly and physical distancing (two metres apart wherever possible); staying home, whenever and wherever possible; abiding by provincial and local travel, self-isolation, event and gathering restrictions; and avoiding visiting hospitals and long-term care facilities, unless there are compassionate reasons for doing so.
As of Apr. 28 when the new modelling data was released, Saskatchewan had one new confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Regina region, bringing the provincial total to 366. However, the following day a total of 17 new confirmed cases were reported including a sixth death in the province and a cluster identified in Lloydminster.
As of Apr. 29 the provincial total increased to 383 with 11 of the new cases from the far north (La Loche), five from the north region (four in Lloydminster) and one from the Saskatoon area.
Eighty-six of the cases were considered active while recoveries remained at 291. As of Apr. 29, there were 10 people in hospital – seven are receiving inpatient care (four in Lloydminster and three in Saskatoon), while three are in intensive care (Saskatoon).
The new COVID-19 cases in Lloydminster were linked to a cluster based in Lloydminster Hospital. Thirteen cases have been identified, including five health care workers and eight patients, and transmission has occurred in the hospital setting.
As of Apr. 29 patients were being co-horted in separate units in Lloydminster Hospital. All health care workers who have been identified as close contacts with a confirmed case are being tested as the contact investigation continues.
Meanwhile, a couple of mass-gathering events were recently held in Saskatchewan where the provincial government stated organizers mistakenly believed that gatherings were allowed as long as attendees maintained two metres of separation. However, these types of group events are not allowed – whether or not people practise physical distancing. Any gatherings that exceed 10 people are in violation of the current public health order.
As Saskatchewan reached a total of 383, comparatively, Canada had a total of 50,373 cases with the most in Quebec (25,757) followed by Ontario (15,728), Alberta (4,850) and B.C. (2,053). Next door in Manitoba, there were 272 cases. Overall in Canada there were 2,905 deaths due to COVID-19.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, there were almost three million confirmed cases with nearly 205,000 deaths. The United States accounted for almost one million of those confirmed cases with 50,492 deaths.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 27, 2020
Province makes plans to Re-open Saskatchewan; local business survey results released
Daniel Bushman
As Saskatchewan keeps flattening the curve and new positive cases of COVID-19 remain low, the provincial government unveiled its plans to reopen Saskatchewan in an effort to keep the economy going in a safe way.
In a rare provincial address, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe spoke to residents of the province last Wednesday evening stating the government will be taking a cautious and methodical approach as it moves forward. Moe praised people of the province for following the guidelines and restrictions.
“Saskatchewan has reduced the spread of COVID-19. We have flattened the curve. And that is thanks to you. Each and every one of you.”
With 326 cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, 61 active, four deaths and five people in hospital on the day of Moe’s address, the premier said, “To put those numbers in context, on a per capita basis, the number of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan is about 70 percent below the Canadian average, and the number of serious outcomes - hospitalizations and deaths - is more than 90 percent below the national average. And at the same time, the COVID-19 testing rate in Saskatchewan is more than 40 percent higher than the national average. We are doing so well here.”
Taking the decision to reopen Saskatchewan extremely seriously, Moe noted there are risks on both sides. “If we move too quickly, we risk increasing the spread of COVID-19. If we move too slowly, we risk permanent damage to the livelihoods of thousands of Saskatchewan people. Businesses that may never reopen, and jobs that may never come back. So we have to find the right path.”
Moe hopes that right path is contained in the plan announced Apr. 23 which will be carried out in five phases. Joined by Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, Moe announced the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
“Over the next several weeks, restrictions will be gradually lifted by adding more types of businesses to the allowable businesses list, meaning that they can reopen if they so choose,” Moe said. “All businesses and public venues will be required to continue following physical distancing and cleaning and disinfection practices to protect both employees and customers. Members of the public will be expected to follow physical distancing rules and to stay home if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.”
The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan consists of five phases and the timing and order of the businesses and workplaces included in each phase is subject to change throughout the process based on a continuous assessment of transmission patterns and other factors.
Phase One – Beginning May 4
• The first phase of the plan includes the reopening of medical services restricted under the current public health order, and the resumption of low-risk outdoor recreational activities, including fishing and boat launches, golf courses and a fixed date for parks and campgrounds. The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
• On May 4, public access to medical services will be reinstated, including access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. When it is not possible to physically distance, providers will be required to take precautionary measures as outlined by the Chief Medical Health Officer.
• Low-risk outdoor recreational activities will be allowable with precautionary measures, including fishing and boat launches (May 4), golfing with physical distancing guidelines (May 15) and a fixed date (June 1) and clear guidelines for the operation of parks and campgrounds.
Phase Two – May 19
• The second phase of the plan includes the May 19 reopening of retail businesses and select personal services that were previously not deemed allowable.
• The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
• A full list of retail businesses and select personal services that will be deemed allowable in phase two is included in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, along with guidance, protocols, and physical distancing measures that allowable businesses and services are required to observe. Retail businesses that were previously not allowed can begin providing services to the public, including: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good/adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV and snowmobile dealers; gift, book and stationery stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies.
Some personal service businesses can begin providing services to the public, including: hairdresser/barber; registered massage therapist; acupuncturist; and acupressurist.
Phase Three – Date To Be Determined
• The third phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19, and does not have a pre-determined date. The third phase will include the reopening of remaining personal services, along with the reopening of restaurant-type facilities, gyms and fitness facilities, licensed establishments and childcare facilities. Capacity limits will remain in some facilities, such as limits to 50 percent of regular capacity for restaurants and licensed establishments. The remaining personal service businesses can begin providing services to the public, including: esthetician; tattoo artist; cosmetologist; electrologist; manicurist; pedicurist; sun tanning parlour; facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services are provided; and other personal service facilities.
• All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines and recommendations.
• Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 15 people.
Phase Four – Date To Be Determined
• The fourth phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19, and does not have a pre-determined date. The fourth phase will include the reopening of indoor and outdoor recreation and entertainment facilities.
• All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines and recommendations.
• Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 30 people.
Phase Five – Date To Be Determined
• The fifth phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19 and the preceding four phases, and will include the consideration of lifting long-term restrictions.
Monitoring Transmission of COVID-19 and Phase Advancement Criteria
• As restrictions are gradually lifted, the Government of Saskatchewan and Dr. Saqib Shahab, Chief Medical Health Officer, will carefully monitor the daily number of reported cases and other important indicators. These factors will inform decisions regarding the pace at which the restrictions can be lifted or put back in place if required.
• Transmission is controlled;
• Health system capacities are in place to test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact;
• Outbreak risks are minimized in special settings like health facilities and nursing homes;
• Preventive measures are in place in workplaces, schools and other essential places;
• Importation risks can be managed; and
• Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the new norm.
The plan will also provide clear guidance to the public so they can continue to follow current public health orders and prepare accordingly for lifting of restrictions.
A number of long-term measures and restrictions that are related to the highest risk areas will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
These long-term restrictions include:
• Maintaining the current Provincial State of Emergency;
• Recommendations against non-essential international and interprovincial travel;
• Mandatory 14-day self-isolation following international travel, exposure to COVID-19, or a positive COVID-19 test;
• Visitor restrictions limited to compassionate reasons at long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes and group homes;
• The suspension of classes in all primary and secondary educational institutions, both public and private; and
• Large public gatherings remain prohibited.
The following recommendations should remain in place through all five phases:
• Protective measures for vulnerable populations;
• Individuals should continue working from home if they can do so effectively;
• Physical distancing must be maintained, wherever possible;
• People must stay at home when they are sick;
• Vulnerable individuals, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions, should continue to exercise caution and minimize high-risk exposures, such as public outings;
• Personal hygiene will continue to be a key prevention measure;
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection should take place in workplaces, public spaces and recreational facilities;
• Although the public health order regarding the size of gatherings does not apply to businesses and workplaces, they are expected to follow the recommended public health measures, including: physical distancing for staff and clients; regular cleaning and disinfection; frequent hand washing and sanitizing; use of PPE where available and appropriate; and keeping staff who demonstrate or report COVID-19 symptoms out of the workplace; and
• Long-term care and personal care homes must ensure that each staff member works in only one facility.
Re-Open Saskatchewan does not include service delivery plans for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Resumption of elective surgeries, diagnostics and other non-essential procedures currently suspended as part of the COVID-19 system response will be considered separately, with updates on that plan coming in the near future.
During the announcement Apr. 23, Moe was asked if schools and universities would be able to reopen. “Universities would be the decision of the institutions as they made the decision on their own to go online. I likely expect for the most part that would continue throughout this term. With respect to schools, there really isn’t an opportunity for us to have a discussion around reopening schools in the next number of weeks. And as we get into the end of May early June we are nearing the end of the school year and I expect that we would have a discussion at some point as to whether it would be worth the risk to reopen the schools for just a week or two at the end of the year or allow them to continue to be closed and hope to reopen this fall. That is where the K to 12 school system is.”
With the announcement of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, the provincial government stated Saskatchewan residents should be aware that the public health order limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people remains in place. However, with extreme caution and under the following conditions, one or two close families may form an extended household group:
• The families or friends must remain consistent. Do not visit different families or friends every day.
• If you are going to create an extended household group, consider if any member of the group has any chronic health conditions that would put them at greater risk, or if they are in close contact with someone who could be vulnerable.
• Gatherings must still follow the public health order and be no more than 10 people.
• Stay home if you are ill.
• Maintain physical distancing where possible.
To read more about the full Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, people can visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
As the province released its plans to re-open Saskatchewan, recently over 100 local area businesses from 12 communities participated in a COVID-19 Business Impact Survey. The survey which was conducted through a partnership involving Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance (MSMA), the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce and the Watson and District Chamber of Commerce served as a business needs assessment, an inquiry into personal protective emergency (PPE) gear inventory, and more importantly a way to gauge stress levels of area businesses experiencing the closing down of the economy due to the COVID-19 world-wide pandemic. From the results, the survey indicated with 40 percent of respondents registering their stress levels at seven to eight on a scale of one to 10, cash flow, grants and financial supports were identified as the most immediate needs. Of those taking the survey, almost 68 percent had been in business for more than 10 years while 28 percent of the respondents were from the retail sector. The second largest group (27 percent) were direct to consumer services and the third largest group of respondents were part of accommodations and food services. Checking all of the boxes that applied, when it came to the impact COVID-19 had on operations, a total of 88 respondents or 77 percent said business operations was the number one thing that had been impacted. Number two was sales (69 percent) followed by customer demand (63 percent), supply chain (39 percent), employee availability (35 percent), and technology (eight percent). A total of 14 percent were not sure yet. The business survey service was set up by the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance and stated the responses from the area will be included in province-wide data to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 at a provincial level. In reviewing the responses, the survey stated local organizations have been at work, determining existing support services across the region, identifying gaps in services and researching potential supports that could be put in place in an attempt to guide businesses through this trying time. Responses were tracked by community and results were distributed out to local business associations following the initial Apr. 3 deadline for submissions.
Daniel Bushman
As Saskatchewan keeps flattening the curve and new positive cases of COVID-19 remain low, the provincial government unveiled its plans to reopen Saskatchewan in an effort to keep the economy going in a safe way.
In a rare provincial address, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe spoke to residents of the province last Wednesday evening stating the government will be taking a cautious and methodical approach as it moves forward. Moe praised people of the province for following the guidelines and restrictions.
“Saskatchewan has reduced the spread of COVID-19. We have flattened the curve. And that is thanks to you. Each and every one of you.”
With 326 cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, 61 active, four deaths and five people in hospital on the day of Moe’s address, the premier said, “To put those numbers in context, on a per capita basis, the number of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan is about 70 percent below the Canadian average, and the number of serious outcomes - hospitalizations and deaths - is more than 90 percent below the national average. And at the same time, the COVID-19 testing rate in Saskatchewan is more than 40 percent higher than the national average. We are doing so well here.”
Taking the decision to reopen Saskatchewan extremely seriously, Moe noted there are risks on both sides. “If we move too quickly, we risk increasing the spread of COVID-19. If we move too slowly, we risk permanent damage to the livelihoods of thousands of Saskatchewan people. Businesses that may never reopen, and jobs that may never come back. So we have to find the right path.”
Moe hopes that right path is contained in the plan announced Apr. 23 which will be carried out in five phases. Joined by Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, Moe announced the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
“Over the next several weeks, restrictions will be gradually lifted by adding more types of businesses to the allowable businesses list, meaning that they can reopen if they so choose,” Moe said. “All businesses and public venues will be required to continue following physical distancing and cleaning and disinfection practices to protect both employees and customers. Members of the public will be expected to follow physical distancing rules and to stay home if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.”
The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan consists of five phases and the timing and order of the businesses and workplaces included in each phase is subject to change throughout the process based on a continuous assessment of transmission patterns and other factors.
Phase One – Beginning May 4
• The first phase of the plan includes the reopening of medical services restricted under the current public health order, and the resumption of low-risk outdoor recreational activities, including fishing and boat launches, golf courses and a fixed date for parks and campgrounds. The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
• On May 4, public access to medical services will be reinstated, including access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. When it is not possible to physically distance, providers will be required to take precautionary measures as outlined by the Chief Medical Health Officer.
• Low-risk outdoor recreational activities will be allowable with precautionary measures, including fishing and boat launches (May 4), golfing with physical distancing guidelines (May 15) and a fixed date (June 1) and clear guidelines for the operation of parks and campgrounds.
Phase Two – May 19
• The second phase of the plan includes the May 19 reopening of retail businesses and select personal services that were previously not deemed allowable.
• The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
• A full list of retail businesses and select personal services that will be deemed allowable in phase two is included in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, along with guidance, protocols, and physical distancing measures that allowable businesses and services are required to observe. Retail businesses that were previously not allowed can begin providing services to the public, including: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good/adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV and snowmobile dealers; gift, book and stationery stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies.
Some personal service businesses can begin providing services to the public, including: hairdresser/barber; registered massage therapist; acupuncturist; and acupressurist.
Phase Three – Date To Be Determined
• The third phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19, and does not have a pre-determined date. The third phase will include the reopening of remaining personal services, along with the reopening of restaurant-type facilities, gyms and fitness facilities, licensed establishments and childcare facilities. Capacity limits will remain in some facilities, such as limits to 50 percent of regular capacity for restaurants and licensed establishments. The remaining personal service businesses can begin providing services to the public, including: esthetician; tattoo artist; cosmetologist; electrologist; manicurist; pedicurist; sun tanning parlour; facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services are provided; and other personal service facilities.
• All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines and recommendations.
• Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 15 people.
Phase Four – Date To Be Determined
• The fourth phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19, and does not have a pre-determined date. The fourth phase will include the reopening of indoor and outdoor recreation and entertainment facilities.
• All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines and recommendations.
• Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 30 people.
Phase Five – Date To Be Determined
• The fifth phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19 and the preceding four phases, and will include the consideration of lifting long-term restrictions.
Monitoring Transmission of COVID-19 and Phase Advancement Criteria
• As restrictions are gradually lifted, the Government of Saskatchewan and Dr. Saqib Shahab, Chief Medical Health Officer, will carefully monitor the daily number of reported cases and other important indicators. These factors will inform decisions regarding the pace at which the restrictions can be lifted or put back in place if required.
• Transmission is controlled;
• Health system capacities are in place to test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact;
• Outbreak risks are minimized in special settings like health facilities and nursing homes;
• Preventive measures are in place in workplaces, schools and other essential places;
• Importation risks can be managed; and
• Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the new norm.
The plan will also provide clear guidance to the public so they can continue to follow current public health orders and prepare accordingly for lifting of restrictions.
A number of long-term measures and restrictions that are related to the highest risk areas will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
These long-term restrictions include:
• Maintaining the current Provincial State of Emergency;
• Recommendations against non-essential international and interprovincial travel;
• Mandatory 14-day self-isolation following international travel, exposure to COVID-19, or a positive COVID-19 test;
• Visitor restrictions limited to compassionate reasons at long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes and group homes;
• The suspension of classes in all primary and secondary educational institutions, both public and private; and
• Large public gatherings remain prohibited.
The following recommendations should remain in place through all five phases:
• Protective measures for vulnerable populations;
• Individuals should continue working from home if they can do so effectively;
• Physical distancing must be maintained, wherever possible;
• People must stay at home when they are sick;
• Vulnerable individuals, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions, should continue to exercise caution and minimize high-risk exposures, such as public outings;
• Personal hygiene will continue to be a key prevention measure;
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection should take place in workplaces, public spaces and recreational facilities;
• Although the public health order regarding the size of gatherings does not apply to businesses and workplaces, they are expected to follow the recommended public health measures, including: physical distancing for staff and clients; regular cleaning and disinfection; frequent hand washing and sanitizing; use of PPE where available and appropriate; and keeping staff who demonstrate or report COVID-19 symptoms out of the workplace; and
• Long-term care and personal care homes must ensure that each staff member works in only one facility.
Re-Open Saskatchewan does not include service delivery plans for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Resumption of elective surgeries, diagnostics and other non-essential procedures currently suspended as part of the COVID-19 system response will be considered separately, with updates on that plan coming in the near future.
During the announcement Apr. 23, Moe was asked if schools and universities would be able to reopen. “Universities would be the decision of the institutions as they made the decision on their own to go online. I likely expect for the most part that would continue throughout this term. With respect to schools, there really isn’t an opportunity for us to have a discussion around reopening schools in the next number of weeks. And as we get into the end of May early June we are nearing the end of the school year and I expect that we would have a discussion at some point as to whether it would be worth the risk to reopen the schools for just a week or two at the end of the year or allow them to continue to be closed and hope to reopen this fall. That is where the K to 12 school system is.”
With the announcement of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, the provincial government stated Saskatchewan residents should be aware that the public health order limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people remains in place. However, with extreme caution and under the following conditions, one or two close families may form an extended household group:
• The families or friends must remain consistent. Do not visit different families or friends every day.
• If you are going to create an extended household group, consider if any member of the group has any chronic health conditions that would put them at greater risk, or if they are in close contact with someone who could be vulnerable.
• Gatherings must still follow the public health order and be no more than 10 people.
• Stay home if you are ill.
• Maintain physical distancing where possible.
To read more about the full Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, people can visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
As the province released its plans to re-open Saskatchewan, recently over 100 local area businesses from 12 communities participated in a COVID-19 Business Impact Survey. The survey which was conducted through a partnership involving Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance (MSMA), the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce and the Watson and District Chamber of Commerce served as a business needs assessment, an inquiry into personal protective emergency (PPE) gear inventory, and more importantly a way to gauge stress levels of area businesses experiencing the closing down of the economy due to the COVID-19 world-wide pandemic. From the results, the survey indicated with 40 percent of respondents registering their stress levels at seven to eight on a scale of one to 10, cash flow, grants and financial supports were identified as the most immediate needs. Of those taking the survey, almost 68 percent had been in business for more than 10 years while 28 percent of the respondents were from the retail sector. The second largest group (27 percent) were direct to consumer services and the third largest group of respondents were part of accommodations and food services. Checking all of the boxes that applied, when it came to the impact COVID-19 had on operations, a total of 88 respondents or 77 percent said business operations was the number one thing that had been impacted. Number two was sales (69 percent) followed by customer demand (63 percent), supply chain (39 percent), employee availability (35 percent), and technology (eight percent). A total of 14 percent were not sure yet. The business survey service was set up by the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance and stated the responses from the area will be included in province-wide data to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 at a provincial level. In reviewing the responses, the survey stated local organizations have been at work, determining existing support services across the region, identifying gaps in services and researching potential supports that could be put in place in an attempt to guide businesses through this trying time. Responses were tracked by community and results were distributed out to local business associations following the initial Apr. 3 deadline for submissions.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 20, 2020
Teachers continue to help students despite COVID-19 closures
Daniel Bushman
Under normal circumstances students and teachers would be back in their classrooms this week after the Easter break. However, with these uncertain times and schools closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, students, teachers and school divisions have had to adapt.
With doors closed and lockers empty at schools throughout Horizon School Division, the division is offering supplemental learning for students as teachers have been contacting families to best see how to move forward with learning supports.
In Watrous, working from home, Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said his staff has been doing what they can as things have been going about as good as can be expected. “Our staff communicates regularly through email, texting and Zoom. It is definitely strange not going to the school to see and talk to each other.”
Winston High School Principal Terry Braman said it has been a whirlwind of emotions as a staff since the announcement of the closure. “The staff including myself have been on a roller coaster but mainly our only concern is for our students, our kids, they are and always have been our main focus. Yes, we had concerns about their education but that is secondary, to us it is just caring about their own personal well-being. That is all that mattered to us when it was announced and it will be what drives us moving forward.”
Like other schools throughout the local area, Watrous Elementary and Winston High had to make rapid changes when word came from the Saskatchewan government that they would have to temporarily shut down. With Horizon School Division doing its best to provide supplemental learning resources for families and students through its schools during this time, despite the uncertainty and all of the changes, both Borsa and Braman noted their staffs have been amazing.
“They have been busy making personal phone calls, texts and emails to families, planning lessons for a time frame they have no idea what will be,” said Borsa who continued, “and of course they are learning new methods of instruction and new ways of how to deliver lessons. Zoom, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Seesaw, and Screencastify are just a few that we are learning how to use and trying to get comfortable with!!”
With his staff also busy, Braman said, “We personally connected back with our Winston families to discuss the options for supplemental learning that begins Apr. 20. Once we connected with our students and families, the staff has been hard at work preparing to deliver education remotely. This has been the great unknown but we are working our way through it and will continue to do so. I felt a strong sense of anxiety when thinking about the future of education with the pandemic but that only lasted a short time. It was immediately replaced by a sense of calm when I thought about my staff. I am a lucky principal with the dynamic, caring and resilient staff that I have at Winston. They are incredible people who give so much for our kids and from the bottom of their hearts, want the best for them. They are the best, hands down.”
As part of the supplemental learning opportunities, in an Apr. 9 message from Horizon School Division Director of Education Kevin Garinger, he appreciated the planning and preparation being done for Horizon students. “Working from your kitchen tables, your basements, your spare bedrooms, your patios, and anywhere else with a phone and the Internet, you have been keeping our system alive. You have been a source of calm and reassurance for families across Horizon, as you began reaching out, building upon relationships already established, and gathering critical feedback to support supplemental learning for students throughout this crisis. The hours you have spent engaged in this work has not gone unnoticed. I am inspired every day by your dedication, Horizon. Education is one of the key tools we have to wage war against this virus. We will continue to provide opportunities and support for education in the midst of the challenges we face. We will continue to teach. We will continue to learn. We will continue to be here for each other.”
Trying to establish a bit of a routine, with what would have been the Easter break now over, Borsa noted WES staff will continue to plan, learn and communicate with families and students through the supplemental learning time frame; however long that will be.
Braman said WHS will also begin supplemental learning and continue on in a “very fluid environment where flexibility will be key. The staff is starving to reconnect with students and we will be doing that through Google Classrooms, online video conferencing, phone, email, you name it, we will do it in light of the social distancing we must maintain.”
As supplemental learning becomes the new normal for at least the next while, both principals said it is tough knowing there are a number of highlights and events that would have taken place at each school over the coming months.
“It is definitely a very strange feeling not sitting together with staff to plan out activities that we usually have scheduled for the last couple of months of school,” said Borsa. “There are so many enjoyable events that everybody looks forward to at this time of year that are now up in the air. We really are all in this together and the unknown is what makes it difficult to comprehend. Even without the usual activities, it is really the daily interactions with our students that we miss the most.”
With his staff missing the students and many milestones ahead including a graduation that was supposed to be held in early May, Braman said, “I promised our Gr. 12s that we will have a graduation ceremony for them. I feel very strongly about this and they deserve it. It will be the details of the what, where, and when that will differ than the tradition.”
Hoping everyone is staying healthy and finding new ways to spend quality time with their families during this time, Borsa said he is looking forward to the day when the school bell rings once again and classes resume.
“When you have to stay at home and social distance, you realize very quickly how much we take for granted. Often in the spring the students and staff begin to look forward to spending more time outside and even getting ready for the upcoming summer to recharge, but right now I think its safe to say we would be happy to be back in our building following some very familiar routines.”
Braman also echoed those comments and hopes to be back at school soon. “Our students are the reason we do what we do. We are going to make the best of a bad situation and we will get through this like we do anything else, together.”
Daniel Bushman
Under normal circumstances students and teachers would be back in their classrooms this week after the Easter break. However, with these uncertain times and schools closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, students, teachers and school divisions have had to adapt.
With doors closed and lockers empty at schools throughout Horizon School Division, the division is offering supplemental learning for students as teachers have been contacting families to best see how to move forward with learning supports.
In Watrous, working from home, Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said his staff has been doing what they can as things have been going about as good as can be expected. “Our staff communicates regularly through email, texting and Zoom. It is definitely strange not going to the school to see and talk to each other.”
Winston High School Principal Terry Braman said it has been a whirlwind of emotions as a staff since the announcement of the closure. “The staff including myself have been on a roller coaster but mainly our only concern is for our students, our kids, they are and always have been our main focus. Yes, we had concerns about their education but that is secondary, to us it is just caring about their own personal well-being. That is all that mattered to us when it was announced and it will be what drives us moving forward.”
Like other schools throughout the local area, Watrous Elementary and Winston High had to make rapid changes when word came from the Saskatchewan government that they would have to temporarily shut down. With Horizon School Division doing its best to provide supplemental learning resources for families and students through its schools during this time, despite the uncertainty and all of the changes, both Borsa and Braman noted their staffs have been amazing.
“They have been busy making personal phone calls, texts and emails to families, planning lessons for a time frame they have no idea what will be,” said Borsa who continued, “and of course they are learning new methods of instruction and new ways of how to deliver lessons. Zoom, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Seesaw, and Screencastify are just a few that we are learning how to use and trying to get comfortable with!!”
With his staff also busy, Braman said, “We personally connected back with our Winston families to discuss the options for supplemental learning that begins Apr. 20. Once we connected with our students and families, the staff has been hard at work preparing to deliver education remotely. This has been the great unknown but we are working our way through it and will continue to do so. I felt a strong sense of anxiety when thinking about the future of education with the pandemic but that only lasted a short time. It was immediately replaced by a sense of calm when I thought about my staff. I am a lucky principal with the dynamic, caring and resilient staff that I have at Winston. They are incredible people who give so much for our kids and from the bottom of their hearts, want the best for them. They are the best, hands down.”
As part of the supplemental learning opportunities, in an Apr. 9 message from Horizon School Division Director of Education Kevin Garinger, he appreciated the planning and preparation being done for Horizon students. “Working from your kitchen tables, your basements, your spare bedrooms, your patios, and anywhere else with a phone and the Internet, you have been keeping our system alive. You have been a source of calm and reassurance for families across Horizon, as you began reaching out, building upon relationships already established, and gathering critical feedback to support supplemental learning for students throughout this crisis. The hours you have spent engaged in this work has not gone unnoticed. I am inspired every day by your dedication, Horizon. Education is one of the key tools we have to wage war against this virus. We will continue to provide opportunities and support for education in the midst of the challenges we face. We will continue to teach. We will continue to learn. We will continue to be here for each other.”
Trying to establish a bit of a routine, with what would have been the Easter break now over, Borsa noted WES staff will continue to plan, learn and communicate with families and students through the supplemental learning time frame; however long that will be.
Braman said WHS will also begin supplemental learning and continue on in a “very fluid environment where flexibility will be key. The staff is starving to reconnect with students and we will be doing that through Google Classrooms, online video conferencing, phone, email, you name it, we will do it in light of the social distancing we must maintain.”
As supplemental learning becomes the new normal for at least the next while, both principals said it is tough knowing there are a number of highlights and events that would have taken place at each school over the coming months.
“It is definitely a very strange feeling not sitting together with staff to plan out activities that we usually have scheduled for the last couple of months of school,” said Borsa. “There are so many enjoyable events that everybody looks forward to at this time of year that are now up in the air. We really are all in this together and the unknown is what makes it difficult to comprehend. Even without the usual activities, it is really the daily interactions with our students that we miss the most.”
With his staff missing the students and many milestones ahead including a graduation that was supposed to be held in early May, Braman said, “I promised our Gr. 12s that we will have a graduation ceremony for them. I feel very strongly about this and they deserve it. It will be the details of the what, where, and when that will differ than the tradition.”
Hoping everyone is staying healthy and finding new ways to spend quality time with their families during this time, Borsa said he is looking forward to the day when the school bell rings once again and classes resume.
“When you have to stay at home and social distance, you realize very quickly how much we take for granted. Often in the spring the students and staff begin to look forward to spending more time outside and even getting ready for the upcoming summer to recharge, but right now I think its safe to say we would be happy to be back in our building following some very familiar routines.”
Braman also echoed those comments and hopes to be back at school soon. “Our students are the reason we do what we do. We are going to make the best of a bad situation and we will get through this like we do anything else, together.”
TWM Top Story - Apr. 13, 2020
SHA releases COVID-19 response plan
Daniel Bushman
Implementing key strategies with hopes of mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the province, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released the next phase of its COVID-19 response plan which specifically noted Watrous and Lanigan facilities.
The details of the report were released as SHA aims to be transparent with the public. As part of that, if required due to patient demand and safety, SHA stated Watrous has been designated as a COVID-19 hospital while Lanigan has been designated a temporary conversion to alternate level of care patients.
If the need arrives, Watrous will have staged stand up based on demand and would receive COVID-19 patients only. Emergency services would remain open according to the report. Lanigan would see stand up starting immediately and phased over four to six weeks with a temporary suspension of emergency services.
SHA said these changes are not immediate but the health authority proactively identified 20 out of its 65 hospitals that would be designated COVID-19 hospitals. COVID-19 hospitals will initially act as mixed hospitals but as the COVID-19 patient census increases, non-COVID patients may be relocated from the facility to non-COVID or mixed hospitals.
The staged responses related to integrated rural health stems from a potential increased demand through a combination of COVID and non-COVID facilities. That includes no facility closures and temporarily converting some hospitals like Lanigan to support alternative level of care patients over the next four to six weeks. That would mean alternate level of care patients will flow from tertiary and regional hospitals to create capacity in those locations. There would also be a temporary suspension of emergency department services to support reallocation of staff to higher need sites. SHA said no field hospitals for the local area have been contemplated as capacity in the rural area exists.
“Our job as a health care system is to provide care for those in need and to be ready for any scenario,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “While we understand Canadian data is starting to show some hopeful signs about flattening the curve on COVID-19, it is critical to remember not to be complacent. We need to continue to escalate our response to ensure we are prepared for the worst case scenarios and we need the public to help us avoid those scenarios.
“We wanted to be transparent with the plan going forward so the public is aware of the escalated measures we will put into place if needed, but it is critical to remember that many of the changes proposed in this plan will be implemented only in response to anticipated surges in patient demand that start to exceed our capacity,” Livingstone continued. “Changes like conversion to COVID-19 dedicated hospitals will only occur where it is absolutely required to ensure safety and maintain access for patients who need our care.”
Also in the Health System Readiness report for COVID-19 released Apr. 8 was dynamic modelling to help assess the impact of various ‘what if’ scenarios. The modelling data indicates that the key variable for saving lives and protecting health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is public compliance with prescribed isolation measures, physical distancing, effective hand washing and staying home, whenever and wherever possible. It also indicates that current interventions are making a difference.
SHA stated the models continuously update and provide estimated scenarios about the transmission of COVID-19 in a population, the impact of various public health interventions, and impact on acute care demand.
Presenting three scenarios (high-range, mid-range, and low-range) Apr. 8 with estimates in addition to the non-COVID-19 hospital capacity, SHA noted each have key variables which are the basic reproductive constant (R0): the average number of people one person with COVID-19 would infect.
From that data, the modelling analysis includes: Scenario 1 – high-range - R0 = 4.0; Scenario 2 – mid-range - R0 = 2.76; and Scenario 3 – low-range - R0 = 2.4.
For scenario 1 (4.0 - high-range from early Canadian estimates), assuming Saskatchewan continues with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, modelling estimates showed at the peak, 4,265 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 1,280 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
For scenario 2 (2.76 - low Italy range), if Saskatchewan were to continue with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, at the peak, 1,265 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 380 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
For scenario 3 (2.4 - Wuhan, Imperial Model), if Saskatchewan were to continue with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, modelling estimates show at the peak, 390 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 120 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
Taking the modelling estimates of the three scenarios, SHA provided analysis of COVID-19 patients only with peak values (except where cumulative):
The upper-range (scenario 1) would have 408,000 cumulative total cases with 710 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 4,265, 215 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 1,280, 1,230 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 8,370 deaths.
Mid-range analysis (scenario 2) would see 262,000 cumulative total cases, 205 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,265, 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 380, 370 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 5,260 deaths.
Low-range analysis (scenario 3) would see 153,000 cumulative total cases, 60 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 390, 20 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 120, 120 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,075 deaths.
In its report, SHA said the dynamic modelling is not a prediction but rather an effort to provide a range of ‘what if’ scenarios. “Current interventions have made a difference. The most important variable to save lives and protect health care workers is public compliance with isolation measures, physical distancing and washing your hands.”
With models showing Saskatchewan is not immune to the spread of COVID-19, SHA warns people can expect more cases and deaths. “We are learning from the experience of other provinces and around the world - modelling scenarios are based on our best knowledge at this time and will continue to be updated with Saskatchewan data.”
In an effort to implement key strategies and prevent the spread of COVID-19, SHA has increased access to testing through the creation of 38 testing sites around the province and tripled the staff available for contact tracing efforts to detect and prevent community transmission.
The provincial health authority noted as public health measures and capacity for community care services continues to increase, the acute care system has also been planning to add capacity. Up to 57 percent more acute care capacity will be phased in as needed over the next several weeks in anticipation of increased hospitalization rates. They also stated that none of the major changes in this plan are immediate.
As of Apr. 5, 43 percent of Saskatchewan’s acute care beds were available for use, largely as a result of the slow down and preparation for the surge.
Looking at the bigger picture, SHA indicated it is implementing other key strategies including: increasing testing (over 14,000 tests performed); identifying cases early; expanding contact tracing capacity (over 300 percent increase in staff); enforcing Chief Medical Health Officer orders; data tools to manage cases, clusters and outbreaks; expanding HealthLine 811 (more than 250 staff trained); delivering more services through virtual care models (more than 750 clinicians set up); testing and assessment centres (38 SHA operated testing sites across the province and five assessment sites in operation with 21 planned to open in the coming weeks); prioritizing testing; protecting health care workers and first responders; screening in Long-Term Care; partnering with communities and across sectors; and messaging for health education, health promotion and health equity.
In addition to the measures being taken by SHA they said despite the pandemic the goal is to sustain essential and urgent health services for non-COVID patients.
Also in the report the health authority noted there will be disruptions to “normal” health services delivery. “This may mean alternate service delivery methods such as virtual care; the response will be staged according to increases in demand; cohorting of COVID-19 positive patients as much as possible. Field hospitals will be used where demand exceeds facility based on capacity; Ethical decision making will occur throughout all aspects and phases of the pandemic based on the SHA Ethical Framework; SHA will need to deploy staff and physicians to other facilities to support care; Safety and Infection Prevention and Control will guide SHA’s work; and centralized bed flow coordination service to better serve all patients.
With the ongoing implementation of a province-wide slow down of non-essential/non-urgent services, SHA explained what they have been able to do:
• freed up more than 1,000 beds so far;
• staged expansion of acute care capacity;
• phase in 57 percent more acute beds as needed;
• increase intensive care beds from 98 ICU beds to 963
beds as needed;
• preservation of supplies;
• labour pool strategy;
• dedicated spaces for cohorting COVID-19 patients;
• creation of designated COVID-19, non-COVID-19 and mixed hospitals as needed;
• creation of additional community treatment capacity;
• 450 ventilators are available to meet modelled demand for low and mid-range scenarios;
• planned capacity ventilator requirement of 860 creates a gap of 410 ventilators; however, there are confirmed orders for 200 with 100 expected in the next two to three weeks; and
• multiple orders for invasive and non-invasive ventilators have been placed and SHA and the ministry are working with vendors and the federal government to close this gap.
“No health system in the world can manage this challenge without the sustained help of the general public,” SHA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Shaw said. “To save lives, Saskatchewan residents need to do their best to stay healthy and strong and abide by the restrictions and guidelines for the general public around COVID-19. Demand will exceed our capacity as a health system if we are not diligent about these measures.”
After Saskatchewan released its report, the Public Health Agency of Canada provided its modelled scenarios Apr. 9. Like the SHA, the Public Health Agency of Canada used a series of models to generate scenarios including ‘no control,’ ‘weaker controls (delay and reduce the peak),’ and ‘stronger epidemic control.’ Other interventions such as border controls and domestic travel restrictions were also explored in the modelling studies.
In the scenarios showing the impact of public health measures, where stronger epidemic controls were used like a high degree of social distancing and isolation, at the peak between one and 10 percent of Canada would be infected as summer approached. With weaker controls (delay and reduce the peak) like low degree of physical distancing and low percentage of cases and their contracts traced and isolated or quarantined, at the peak, between 25 to 50 percent of people would be infected as fall approached. With no control efforts, at the peak, between 70 and 80 percent of people would be infected in summer.
When viewing the chart of cumulative deaths under different scenarios over the course of the pandemic, the Public Health Agency of Canada provided numbers for two scenarios where 2.5 percent and five percent of the population was infected. For 2.5 percent, there would be 934,000 cases of COVID-19, 73,000 hospitalizations, 23,000 patients in ICU and 11,000 deaths. If five percent of the population becomes infected, there would be just over 1.8 million cases, 146,000 hospitalizations, 46,000 patients in ICU and 22,000 deaths. Those numbers which fall under stronger epidemic control pale in comparison to if weaker and no controls would be implemented. If half of the population became infected, over 200,000 deaths could occur. If 80 percent of the population became infected with no controls in place, more than 300,000 deaths could occur.
The Public Health Agency of Canada stated, “Models cannot predict what will happen, but rather can help us understand what might happen to ensure we can plan for worst cases and drive public health action to achieve the best possible outcome. Canada is at an earlier stage of the COVID-19 pandemic than some other countries. We have an opportunity now to control the epidemic and prepare the health system. Other countries have shown that this can be done. We know what needs to be done: keep up physical distancing, increase testing, self-isolate cases, and rapidly trace contacts. This is the best way for Canada to get out of the epidemic in the shortest time possible with the fewest number of deaths.”
As both reports were released, Saskatchewan reported seven new, confirmed cases of COVID-19 Apr. 9, bringing the provincial total to 278. One hundred and sixty of the cases were considered active while 12 more people had recovered, bringing the provincial total to 115 recoveries.
Daniel Bushman
Implementing key strategies with hopes of mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the province, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released the next phase of its COVID-19 response plan which specifically noted Watrous and Lanigan facilities.
The details of the report were released as SHA aims to be transparent with the public. As part of that, if required due to patient demand and safety, SHA stated Watrous has been designated as a COVID-19 hospital while Lanigan has been designated a temporary conversion to alternate level of care patients.
If the need arrives, Watrous will have staged stand up based on demand and would receive COVID-19 patients only. Emergency services would remain open according to the report. Lanigan would see stand up starting immediately and phased over four to six weeks with a temporary suspension of emergency services.
SHA said these changes are not immediate but the health authority proactively identified 20 out of its 65 hospitals that would be designated COVID-19 hospitals. COVID-19 hospitals will initially act as mixed hospitals but as the COVID-19 patient census increases, non-COVID patients may be relocated from the facility to non-COVID or mixed hospitals.
The staged responses related to integrated rural health stems from a potential increased demand through a combination of COVID and non-COVID facilities. That includes no facility closures and temporarily converting some hospitals like Lanigan to support alternative level of care patients over the next four to six weeks. That would mean alternate level of care patients will flow from tertiary and regional hospitals to create capacity in those locations. There would also be a temporary suspension of emergency department services to support reallocation of staff to higher need sites. SHA said no field hospitals for the local area have been contemplated as capacity in the rural area exists.
“Our job as a health care system is to provide care for those in need and to be ready for any scenario,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “While we understand Canadian data is starting to show some hopeful signs about flattening the curve on COVID-19, it is critical to remember not to be complacent. We need to continue to escalate our response to ensure we are prepared for the worst case scenarios and we need the public to help us avoid those scenarios.
“We wanted to be transparent with the plan going forward so the public is aware of the escalated measures we will put into place if needed, but it is critical to remember that many of the changes proposed in this plan will be implemented only in response to anticipated surges in patient demand that start to exceed our capacity,” Livingstone continued. “Changes like conversion to COVID-19 dedicated hospitals will only occur where it is absolutely required to ensure safety and maintain access for patients who need our care.”
Also in the Health System Readiness report for COVID-19 released Apr. 8 was dynamic modelling to help assess the impact of various ‘what if’ scenarios. The modelling data indicates that the key variable for saving lives and protecting health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is public compliance with prescribed isolation measures, physical distancing, effective hand washing and staying home, whenever and wherever possible. It also indicates that current interventions are making a difference.
SHA stated the models continuously update and provide estimated scenarios about the transmission of COVID-19 in a population, the impact of various public health interventions, and impact on acute care demand.
Presenting three scenarios (high-range, mid-range, and low-range) Apr. 8 with estimates in addition to the non-COVID-19 hospital capacity, SHA noted each have key variables which are the basic reproductive constant (R0): the average number of people one person with COVID-19 would infect.
From that data, the modelling analysis includes: Scenario 1 – high-range - R0 = 4.0; Scenario 2 – mid-range - R0 = 2.76; and Scenario 3 – low-range - R0 = 2.4.
For scenario 1 (4.0 - high-range from early Canadian estimates), assuming Saskatchewan continues with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, modelling estimates showed at the peak, 4,265 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 1,280 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
For scenario 2 (2.76 - low Italy range), if Saskatchewan were to continue with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, at the peak, 1,265 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 380 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
For scenario 3 (2.4 - Wuhan, Imperial Model), if Saskatchewan were to continue with current levels of COVID-19 measures including testing, tracing and physical distancing, modelling estimates show at the peak, 390 COVID-19 patients will require to be in an acute care hospital simultaneously. Of those hospitalized, 120 COVID-19 patients will be in the ICU with 90 to 95 percent requiring ventilation.
Taking the modelling estimates of the three scenarios, SHA provided analysis of COVID-19 patients only with peak values (except where cumulative):
The upper-range (scenario 1) would have 408,000 cumulative total cases with 710 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 4,265, 215 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 1,280, 1,230 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 8,370 deaths.
Mid-range analysis (scenario 2) would see 262,000 cumulative total cases, 205 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 1,265, 60 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 380, 370 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 5,260 deaths.
Low-range analysis (scenario 3) would see 153,000 cumulative total cases, 60 hospital admissions per day, a hospital census of 390, 20 ICU admissions per day, an ICU census of 120, 120 patients requiring ventilation and a cumulative total of 3,075 deaths.
In its report, SHA said the dynamic modelling is not a prediction but rather an effort to provide a range of ‘what if’ scenarios. “Current interventions have made a difference. The most important variable to save lives and protect health care workers is public compliance with isolation measures, physical distancing and washing your hands.”
With models showing Saskatchewan is not immune to the spread of COVID-19, SHA warns people can expect more cases and deaths. “We are learning from the experience of other provinces and around the world - modelling scenarios are based on our best knowledge at this time and will continue to be updated with Saskatchewan data.”
In an effort to implement key strategies and prevent the spread of COVID-19, SHA has increased access to testing through the creation of 38 testing sites around the province and tripled the staff available for contact tracing efforts to detect and prevent community transmission.
The provincial health authority noted as public health measures and capacity for community care services continues to increase, the acute care system has also been planning to add capacity. Up to 57 percent more acute care capacity will be phased in as needed over the next several weeks in anticipation of increased hospitalization rates. They also stated that none of the major changes in this plan are immediate.
As of Apr. 5, 43 percent of Saskatchewan’s acute care beds were available for use, largely as a result of the slow down and preparation for the surge.
Looking at the bigger picture, SHA indicated it is implementing other key strategies including: increasing testing (over 14,000 tests performed); identifying cases early; expanding contact tracing capacity (over 300 percent increase in staff); enforcing Chief Medical Health Officer orders; data tools to manage cases, clusters and outbreaks; expanding HealthLine 811 (more than 250 staff trained); delivering more services through virtual care models (more than 750 clinicians set up); testing and assessment centres (38 SHA operated testing sites across the province and five assessment sites in operation with 21 planned to open in the coming weeks); prioritizing testing; protecting health care workers and first responders; screening in Long-Term Care; partnering with communities and across sectors; and messaging for health education, health promotion and health equity.
In addition to the measures being taken by SHA they said despite the pandemic the goal is to sustain essential and urgent health services for non-COVID patients.
Also in the report the health authority noted there will be disruptions to “normal” health services delivery. “This may mean alternate service delivery methods such as virtual care; the response will be staged according to increases in demand; cohorting of COVID-19 positive patients as much as possible. Field hospitals will be used where demand exceeds facility based on capacity; Ethical decision making will occur throughout all aspects and phases of the pandemic based on the SHA Ethical Framework; SHA will need to deploy staff and physicians to other facilities to support care; Safety and Infection Prevention and Control will guide SHA’s work; and centralized bed flow coordination service to better serve all patients.
With the ongoing implementation of a province-wide slow down of non-essential/non-urgent services, SHA explained what they have been able to do:
• freed up more than 1,000 beds so far;
• staged expansion of acute care capacity;
• phase in 57 percent more acute beds as needed;
• increase intensive care beds from 98 ICU beds to 963
beds as needed;
• preservation of supplies;
• labour pool strategy;
• dedicated spaces for cohorting COVID-19 patients;
• creation of designated COVID-19, non-COVID-19 and mixed hospitals as needed;
• creation of additional community treatment capacity;
• 450 ventilators are available to meet modelled demand for low and mid-range scenarios;
• planned capacity ventilator requirement of 860 creates a gap of 410 ventilators; however, there are confirmed orders for 200 with 100 expected in the next two to three weeks; and
• multiple orders for invasive and non-invasive ventilators have been placed and SHA and the ministry are working with vendors and the federal government to close this gap.
“No health system in the world can manage this challenge without the sustained help of the general public,” SHA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Shaw said. “To save lives, Saskatchewan residents need to do their best to stay healthy and strong and abide by the restrictions and guidelines for the general public around COVID-19. Demand will exceed our capacity as a health system if we are not diligent about these measures.”
After Saskatchewan released its report, the Public Health Agency of Canada provided its modelled scenarios Apr. 9. Like the SHA, the Public Health Agency of Canada used a series of models to generate scenarios including ‘no control,’ ‘weaker controls (delay and reduce the peak),’ and ‘stronger epidemic control.’ Other interventions such as border controls and domestic travel restrictions were also explored in the modelling studies.
In the scenarios showing the impact of public health measures, where stronger epidemic controls were used like a high degree of social distancing and isolation, at the peak between one and 10 percent of Canada would be infected as summer approached. With weaker controls (delay and reduce the peak) like low degree of physical distancing and low percentage of cases and their contracts traced and isolated or quarantined, at the peak, between 25 to 50 percent of people would be infected as fall approached. With no control efforts, at the peak, between 70 and 80 percent of people would be infected in summer.
When viewing the chart of cumulative deaths under different scenarios over the course of the pandemic, the Public Health Agency of Canada provided numbers for two scenarios where 2.5 percent and five percent of the population was infected. For 2.5 percent, there would be 934,000 cases of COVID-19, 73,000 hospitalizations, 23,000 patients in ICU and 11,000 deaths. If five percent of the population becomes infected, there would be just over 1.8 million cases, 146,000 hospitalizations, 46,000 patients in ICU and 22,000 deaths. Those numbers which fall under stronger epidemic control pale in comparison to if weaker and no controls would be implemented. If half of the population became infected, over 200,000 deaths could occur. If 80 percent of the population became infected with no controls in place, more than 300,000 deaths could occur.
The Public Health Agency of Canada stated, “Models cannot predict what will happen, but rather can help us understand what might happen to ensure we can plan for worst cases and drive public health action to achieve the best possible outcome. Canada is at an earlier stage of the COVID-19 pandemic than some other countries. We have an opportunity now to control the epidemic and prepare the health system. Other countries have shown that this can be done. We know what needs to be done: keep up physical distancing, increase testing, self-isolate cases, and rapidly trace contacts. This is the best way for Canada to get out of the epidemic in the shortest time possible with the fewest number of deaths.”
As both reports were released, Saskatchewan reported seven new, confirmed cases of COVID-19 Apr. 9, bringing the provincial total to 278. One hundred and sixty of the cases were considered active while 12 more people had recovered, bringing the provincial total to 115 recoveries.
TWM Top Story - Apr. 6, 2020
Doing your part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
Daniel Bushman
With local residents, businesses, organizations and communities as a whole trying to do their best to help flatten the curve while preventing the spread of COVID-19, it has meant numerous changes over recent weeks.
From schools shutting down, people self-isolating in their homes to businesses closing or tweaking their hours while implementing added safety measures, people have been trying to adjust in rapid fashion. Locally that has also meant numerous cancellations to events as each new week arrives.
While it has also created anxiety and a relatively unknown time line as to when things will return to a more normal, many people have continued to press ahead to the best of their ability. A big part of that new normal has been social distancing, gathering restrictions and self-isolation.
As April arrived the plea from health officials and all levels of government to remain vigilant continued. With the lowest number of new confirmed cases reported in Saskatchewan spanning over a week (eight on Mar. 31 and then nine Apr. 1), officials were quick to remind residents it is integral not to get complacent with precautions for COVID-19.
“It’s as important as ever to stay home whenever possible, and to avoid close contact (a minimum of two metres) with others to prevent spreading the virus,” read a statement on the Saskatchewan government website. “People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, travellers returning from international destinations, including the United States, and those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 are required to self-isolate under the current public health order.”
Despite the mandated self-isolation, the provincial government noted there were still reports of people across the province disregarding the directives, which will only increase the amount of time it takes to flatten the curve. “Do your part to help protect yourself, your neighbours and your community.”
Appreciating the many who have been heeding the warnings within his community, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said, “I would like to thank the residents who are following the social distancing and gathering restrictions as mandated by the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority and encourage those who are not to do so.”
Collins continued by acknowledging the local business sector and the important role they are playing during this trying time. “To the businesses that are open, thanks for the work that you have done to minimize the risk by the reduction of store hours, employees wearing personal protective equipment, the installation of shields at checkouts, etc. I know that these are difficult times for business and I applaud your efforts. We are in this together and if we all do our part we can reduce the risk and get back to normal sooner. Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!!”
In an effort to help stay safe and healthy, the Saskatchewan Government provided the following:
• Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into the bend of your elbow);
• Wash your hands often with soap and water;
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Maintain safe food practices;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Avoid unnecessary travel – inside and outside your community;
• Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited and you must practice social distancing; and
• If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough or breathing issues) use the self-assessment tool at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 to determine if you should contact HealthLine 811.
As many in Saskatchewan continue to try and flatten the curve of COVID-19, the eight new confirmed cases Mar. 31 were the lowest in a week. The following day Saskatchewan added nine more and on Thursday, 13 for a total of 206 confirmed cases. As of Apr. 2, four people were in hospital with two receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon, one in intensive care and another in the intensive care unit in Regina.
On Sunday, Mar. 29, two Saskatchewan residents located in separate parts of the province passed away in hospital as a result of complications related to the COVID-19 virus. The two deaths were the first in Saskatchewan tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of those one was related to travel while both people were in their 70s. On Apr. 1, the provincial government announced a third Saskatchewan resident in the 80 to 89 age range died from complications related to COVID-19.
Overall in the province as of Apr. 2, 96 cases are travellers, 44 are community contacts (mass gatherings included), 10 have no known exposures and 56 are under investigation by local public health. As of Apr. 1, 24 cases could be traced back to a Christopher Lake snowmobile rally dinner Mar. 14.
Of the overall cases in Saskatchewan, 103 are from the Saskatoon area, 44 from the Regina area, 38 from the north, nine from the central region, nine from the south and three from the far north.
Six cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults. Ninety-three cases are in the 20-44 age range; 74 are in the 45-64 age range; and 33 are in the 65-plus range. Fifty-five percent of the cases are males and 45 percent are females.
As of Apr. 2, six more people had recovered from COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the provincial total to 36.
To date (as of Apr. 2), 11,395 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. Saskatchewan continues to have the second highest rate of testing per capita among the provinces.
Meanwhile on a national level, as of Apr. 2 there were 10,132 confirmed cases in Canada which included just over 4,600 in Quebec, a total of 2,793 in Ontario, 1,066 in B.C. and 871 in Alberta.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, there were more than 900,000 confirmed cases around the world as of Apr. 2 with nearly 46,000 deaths in 205 countries, areas or territories. The United States made up more than 187,000 of those confirmed cases followed by Italy with more than 110,000, Spain with more than 102,000 and China with over 82,000. The Republic of Korea which had been near the top had dropped to 14th overall after taking substantial social distancing measures and sat at 9,976 confirmed cases.
Daniel Bushman
With local residents, businesses, organizations and communities as a whole trying to do their best to help flatten the curve while preventing the spread of COVID-19, it has meant numerous changes over recent weeks.
From schools shutting down, people self-isolating in their homes to businesses closing or tweaking their hours while implementing added safety measures, people have been trying to adjust in rapid fashion. Locally that has also meant numerous cancellations to events as each new week arrives.
While it has also created anxiety and a relatively unknown time line as to when things will return to a more normal, many people have continued to press ahead to the best of their ability. A big part of that new normal has been social distancing, gathering restrictions and self-isolation.
As April arrived the plea from health officials and all levels of government to remain vigilant continued. With the lowest number of new confirmed cases reported in Saskatchewan spanning over a week (eight on Mar. 31 and then nine Apr. 1), officials were quick to remind residents it is integral not to get complacent with precautions for COVID-19.
“It’s as important as ever to stay home whenever possible, and to avoid close contact (a minimum of two metres) with others to prevent spreading the virus,” read a statement on the Saskatchewan government website. “People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, travellers returning from international destinations, including the United States, and those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 are required to self-isolate under the current public health order.”
Despite the mandated self-isolation, the provincial government noted there were still reports of people across the province disregarding the directives, which will only increase the amount of time it takes to flatten the curve. “Do your part to help protect yourself, your neighbours and your community.”
Appreciating the many who have been heeding the warnings within his community, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said, “I would like to thank the residents who are following the social distancing and gathering restrictions as mandated by the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority and encourage those who are not to do so.”
Collins continued by acknowledging the local business sector and the important role they are playing during this trying time. “To the businesses that are open, thanks for the work that you have done to minimize the risk by the reduction of store hours, employees wearing personal protective equipment, the installation of shields at checkouts, etc. I know that these are difficult times for business and I applaud your efforts. We are in this together and if we all do our part we can reduce the risk and get back to normal sooner. Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!!”
In an effort to help stay safe and healthy, the Saskatchewan Government provided the following:
• Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into the bend of your elbow);
• Wash your hands often with soap and water;
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Maintain safe food practices;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Avoid unnecessary travel – inside and outside your community;
• Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited and you must practice social distancing; and
• If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough or breathing issues) use the self-assessment tool at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 to determine if you should contact HealthLine 811.
As many in Saskatchewan continue to try and flatten the curve of COVID-19, the eight new confirmed cases Mar. 31 were the lowest in a week. The following day Saskatchewan added nine more and on Thursday, 13 for a total of 206 confirmed cases. As of Apr. 2, four people were in hospital with two receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon, one in intensive care and another in the intensive care unit in Regina.
On Sunday, Mar. 29, two Saskatchewan residents located in separate parts of the province passed away in hospital as a result of complications related to the COVID-19 virus. The two deaths were the first in Saskatchewan tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of those one was related to travel while both people were in their 70s. On Apr. 1, the provincial government announced a third Saskatchewan resident in the 80 to 89 age range died from complications related to COVID-19.
Overall in the province as of Apr. 2, 96 cases are travellers, 44 are community contacts (mass gatherings included), 10 have no known exposures and 56 are under investigation by local public health. As of Apr. 1, 24 cases could be traced back to a Christopher Lake snowmobile rally dinner Mar. 14.
Of the overall cases in Saskatchewan, 103 are from the Saskatoon area, 44 from the Regina area, 38 from the north, nine from the central region, nine from the south and three from the far north.
Six cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults. Ninety-three cases are in the 20-44 age range; 74 are in the 45-64 age range; and 33 are in the 65-plus range. Fifty-five percent of the cases are males and 45 percent are females.
As of Apr. 2, six more people had recovered from COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the provincial total to 36.
To date (as of Apr. 2), 11,395 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. Saskatchewan continues to have the second highest rate of testing per capita among the provinces.
Meanwhile on a national level, as of Apr. 2 there were 10,132 confirmed cases in Canada which included just over 4,600 in Quebec, a total of 2,793 in Ontario, 1,066 in B.C. and 871 in Alberta.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, there were more than 900,000 confirmed cases around the world as of Apr. 2 with nearly 46,000 deaths in 205 countries, areas or territories. The United States made up more than 187,000 of those confirmed cases followed by Italy with more than 110,000, Spain with more than 102,000 and China with over 82,000. The Republic of Korea which had been near the top had dropped to 14th overall after taking substantial social distancing measures and sat at 9,976 confirmed cases.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 30, 2020
COVID-19 in Saskatchewan
Daniel Bushman
Trying to keep up with the situation regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the following are some of the updates received from the Saskatchewan Government and Saskatchewan Health Authority. Knowing that these can change in an instant, the information is accurate as of Mar. 26, 2020.
Saskatchewan had nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 95. There were no new presumptive cases awaiting testing. Three people have recovered from the virus, though there may be more cases yet to be reported to Public Health. Five people have been hospitalized: three in Regina and two in Saskatoon. Five cases are a result of local transmission, with one additional case reported Mar. 26 in the northern region. The rest are travel-related. Four confirmed cases relate to those 19 years of age and under. Forty-five cases are in the 20 to 44 age range; 32 are in the 45 to 64 range; and 14 cases have been confirmed in the 65-plus range. A total of 57 percent of the cases are males and 43 percent are females. To date, 6,915 COVID-19 tests have been performed by the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory.
Globally as of Mar. 26, according to the World Health Organization, China (81,961), Italy (74,386), and the United States (63,570) had the most cases with reports of the United States surpassing China. Canada had 3,409 cases with Quebec (1,629), Ontario (858), B.C. (725) and Alberta (486) having the most cases.
In Saskatchewan a public health order was amended to include the limiting of indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 10 people, except for families in the same household, and where critical public and business services are conducted. The order also states that all businesses not identified as critical public services be closed.
On Mar. 20, Premier Scott Moe signed an order pursuant to the provincial State of Emergency directing that all orders of the government and Chief Medical Health Officer must be followed and that law enforcement agencies in Saskatchewan have the full authority to enforce those orders. From that, all persons who have travelled internationally shall go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from date of arrival back into Canada.
“I know that the vast majority of Saskatchewan people are taking their personal responsibility seriously and following this order,” Moe said. “But a few are not. This is not a suggestion. It is not a guideline. It is the law and it must be followed.”
The Ministry of Health is working with licensing bodies to support the recruitment of recently retired health professionals like registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, laboratory, diagnostic technicians and others to assist with the expected demands on the acute care system during the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Domestic flights that had a confirmed case of COVID-19 identified onboard are now listed at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 under Travel Information.
The provincial government is trying to provide clarity to businesses surrounding the operations of allowable business services, in consultation with the Chief Medical Health Officer. A list of critical public services and allowable business services has been created to inform the business community of which businesses can continue to operate in accordance with social distancing practices.
The government released a comprehensive list of critical public services and business services that will be allowed to continue operating during the COVID-19 response and maintaining critical services to the public and industry to prevent supply chain disruption.
The list includes: health care and public health workers; law enforcement, public safety and first responders; production, processing and manufacturing and the supporting supply chains; transportation and logistics; government and community services; media and telecommunications; construction including maintenance and repair; select retail services; and banking and financial services. A more detailed list can be found on the government's website.
Effective Mar. 26, non-allowable business services will be unable to provide public-facing services. While closure of non-allowable business services prevents certain businesses from providing public facing services, it does not preclude opportunities for non-allowable business services to expand into online retailing, or providing pickup or delivery services. Examples of non-allowable business services that will be prohibited from providing public-facing services includes: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good and adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV, or snowmobile retailers; gift, book, or stationary stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies. This is in addition to the business services that were ordered closed Mar. 23.
The provincial government is temporarily suspending eviction hearings as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.
The Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) will not be accepting applications for eviction related to missed or late rent, or for other non-urgent claims. Previous eviction orders for non-urgent matters (example: not related to health and safety concerns) will not be enforced, and previously scheduled hearings for non-urgent matters have been cancelled.
The ORT will only be conducting eviction hearings for urgent situations where there is a potential risk to health or safety resulting from violence or damage to property. Hearings may also take place for situations where a tenant has been locked out by their landlord or where a landlord has been accused of not providing essential services such as power and water.
Tenants who are unable to pay their rent during the state of emergency will be expected to pay their rent in full once the state of emergency is over.
Town of Watrous statement: As more positive cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) are confirmed in Saskatchewan and around the world, the health and safety of our community remains a top priority.
In an effort to keep our staff and you safe while continuing to provide essential services to residents during this uneasy time, we ask that you please review the following important information from our Watrous Town Council and its administration:
• The Town of Watrous administrative staff are available via telephone and email from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer any questions you may have;
• Our essential services such as water supply, waste collection and emergency/protective services are critical to everyone’s well-being and they continue to function uninterrupted;
• Payment options for residents can be done online, by mail or through using our drop box which is available during office hours only in the main entrance at the Town Office; and
• The Transfer Station is currently operating under regular winter hours (Tuesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.) until further notice.
We would also like to remind everyone to continue to protect yourself, family, friends and our community by following orders and protocols issued by the provincial and federal governments. For all travellers returning from international destinations – including the United States – a mandatory 14-day self-isolation order has been implemented from the provincial and federal governments. Violation of the order may result in an arrest and a fine of $2,000.
For more on the mandatory order or for other COVID-19 information, people are encouraged to visit www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus or monitor local and provincial news outlets.
Most importantly, during this time please remember to remain at home whenever possible, practice proper hand washing and hygiene, observe all self-isolation protocols and please practice social distancing.
As of last week, many local businesses were providing home delivery of essential goods. Please support them during this time if you are able. People who do not want to venture out are encouraged to lean on their neighbours, friends or family who can safely be there to help.
We appreciate your understanding during this time as we as a community try to help ‘flatten the curve.’ By doing this we can also help our medical professionals take care of us. It takes every individual in our community and beyond to do their part in order for us to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remain safe from this global pandemic.
Daniel Bushman
Trying to keep up with the situation regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the following are some of the updates received from the Saskatchewan Government and Saskatchewan Health Authority. Knowing that these can change in an instant, the information is accurate as of Mar. 26, 2020.
Saskatchewan had nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 95. There were no new presumptive cases awaiting testing. Three people have recovered from the virus, though there may be more cases yet to be reported to Public Health. Five people have been hospitalized: three in Regina and two in Saskatoon. Five cases are a result of local transmission, with one additional case reported Mar. 26 in the northern region. The rest are travel-related. Four confirmed cases relate to those 19 years of age and under. Forty-five cases are in the 20 to 44 age range; 32 are in the 45 to 64 range; and 14 cases have been confirmed in the 65-plus range. A total of 57 percent of the cases are males and 43 percent are females. To date, 6,915 COVID-19 tests have been performed by the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory.
Globally as of Mar. 26, according to the World Health Organization, China (81,961), Italy (74,386), and the United States (63,570) had the most cases with reports of the United States surpassing China. Canada had 3,409 cases with Quebec (1,629), Ontario (858), B.C. (725) and Alberta (486) having the most cases.
In Saskatchewan a public health order was amended to include the limiting of indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 10 people, except for families in the same household, and where critical public and business services are conducted. The order also states that all businesses not identified as critical public services be closed.
On Mar. 20, Premier Scott Moe signed an order pursuant to the provincial State of Emergency directing that all orders of the government and Chief Medical Health Officer must be followed and that law enforcement agencies in Saskatchewan have the full authority to enforce those orders. From that, all persons who have travelled internationally shall go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from date of arrival back into Canada.
“I know that the vast majority of Saskatchewan people are taking their personal responsibility seriously and following this order,” Moe said. “But a few are not. This is not a suggestion. It is not a guideline. It is the law and it must be followed.”
The Ministry of Health is working with licensing bodies to support the recruitment of recently retired health professionals like registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, laboratory, diagnostic technicians and others to assist with the expected demands on the acute care system during the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Domestic flights that had a confirmed case of COVID-19 identified onboard are now listed at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 under Travel Information.
The provincial government is trying to provide clarity to businesses surrounding the operations of allowable business services, in consultation with the Chief Medical Health Officer. A list of critical public services and allowable business services has been created to inform the business community of which businesses can continue to operate in accordance with social distancing practices.
The government released a comprehensive list of critical public services and business services that will be allowed to continue operating during the COVID-19 response and maintaining critical services to the public and industry to prevent supply chain disruption.
The list includes: health care and public health workers; law enforcement, public safety and first responders; production, processing and manufacturing and the supporting supply chains; transportation and logistics; government and community services; media and telecommunications; construction including maintenance and repair; select retail services; and banking and financial services. A more detailed list can be found on the government's website.
Effective Mar. 26, non-allowable business services will be unable to provide public-facing services. While closure of non-allowable business services prevents certain businesses from providing public facing services, it does not preclude opportunities for non-allowable business services to expand into online retailing, or providing pickup or delivery services. Examples of non-allowable business services that will be prohibited from providing public-facing services includes: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good and adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV, or snowmobile retailers; gift, book, or stationary stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies. This is in addition to the business services that were ordered closed Mar. 23.
The provincial government is temporarily suspending eviction hearings as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.
The Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) will not be accepting applications for eviction related to missed or late rent, or for other non-urgent claims. Previous eviction orders for non-urgent matters (example: not related to health and safety concerns) will not be enforced, and previously scheduled hearings for non-urgent matters have been cancelled.
The ORT will only be conducting eviction hearings for urgent situations where there is a potential risk to health or safety resulting from violence or damage to property. Hearings may also take place for situations where a tenant has been locked out by their landlord or where a landlord has been accused of not providing essential services such as power and water.
Tenants who are unable to pay their rent during the state of emergency will be expected to pay their rent in full once the state of emergency is over.
Town of Watrous statement: As more positive cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) are confirmed in Saskatchewan and around the world, the health and safety of our community remains a top priority.
In an effort to keep our staff and you safe while continuing to provide essential services to residents during this uneasy time, we ask that you please review the following important information from our Watrous Town Council and its administration:
• The Town of Watrous administrative staff are available via telephone and email from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer any questions you may have;
• Our essential services such as water supply, waste collection and emergency/protective services are critical to everyone’s well-being and they continue to function uninterrupted;
• Payment options for residents can be done online, by mail or through using our drop box which is available during office hours only in the main entrance at the Town Office; and
• The Transfer Station is currently operating under regular winter hours (Tuesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.) until further notice.
We would also like to remind everyone to continue to protect yourself, family, friends and our community by following orders and protocols issued by the provincial and federal governments. For all travellers returning from international destinations – including the United States – a mandatory 14-day self-isolation order has been implemented from the provincial and federal governments. Violation of the order may result in an arrest and a fine of $2,000.
For more on the mandatory order or for other COVID-19 information, people are encouraged to visit www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus or monitor local and provincial news outlets.
Most importantly, during this time please remember to remain at home whenever possible, practice proper hand washing and hygiene, observe all self-isolation protocols and please practice social distancing.
As of last week, many local businesses were providing home delivery of essential goods. Please support them during this time if you are able. People who do not want to venture out are encouraged to lean on their neighbours, friends or family who can safely be there to help.
We appreciate your understanding during this time as we as a community try to help ‘flatten the curve.’ By doing this we can also help our medical professionals take care of us. It takes every individual in our community and beyond to do their part in order for us to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remain safe from this global pandemic.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 23, 2020
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Daniel Bushman
As the global pandemic COVID-19 (Coronavirus) spreads across the world and into Saskatchewan, things have been changing weekly, daily and even hourly. With a huge focus on social distancing to stop or slow down the spread of the highly contagious disease, numerous cancellations, postponements and initiatives have occurred. Implementing protocols, health and safety measures there are a large number of local businesses who remain open, including us, for as long as we are able.
But with all of the changes coming frequently, this article has been revised a number of times and most likely more information has since become available after press time. In an effort to try and provide you with factual and current information, the following article will key in on a number of areas including what local implementations have been taken, what Saskatchewan is doing as well as the financial aid package offered by the federal government.
As 16 cases of COVID-19 were reported by the Government of Saskatchewan in the province Mar. 18, it declared a provincial State of Emergency, giving the government broad powers to address the pandemic. This includes measures like the ability to limit travel to or from a community or region of the province and directing that property or equipment be deployed to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the news conference Mar. 18, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said, “If we are not able to flatten the curve, if we don’t take these social distancing measures seriously, there is no health system in the world that will be able to manage what will occur. It is incumbent on us in this province to do our level best to ensure that we are able to flatten that curve and that our health system is able to handle what is going to happen over the course of the next number of weeks and the next number of months.
“It is only together if we take this situation seriously and that is what I am asking each and every resident of this province to do, is to take this situation very seriously . . . we will get through this and we will get through this together.”
The government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Health Officer, also made a number of new orders Mar. 18 to reduce the risk to Saskatchewan people, prevent transmission and ensure that acute care services are preserved for residents most at risk for severe illness.
The following measures took effect immediately: public gatherings larger than 50 people are prohibited; all restaurants, bars and event venues must limit their seating to 50 percent of capacity or up to a maximum of 50 people, whichever is lesser. All must be able to ensure social distance of one to two metres between customers. Retail spaces including grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations are exempted from this policy but must have processes to maintain a one to two metre separation; all gyms, fitness centres, casinos and bingo halls are ordered to close until further notice; residents are advised to limit any non-essential travel outside of Saskatchewan, with the exception of people who live in border communities and are commuting for work; any licensed restaurants and taverns in Saskatchewan will be permitted to sell alcohol as an offsale according to SLGA regulations indefinitely; all crown utilities will implement bill-deferral programs allowing a zero-interest bill deferral for up to six months for Saskatchewan residents whose ability to make bill payments may be impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions; and all Government of Saskatchewan ministries, agencies and Crown corporations will implement a phased-in work from home policy effective Monday, Mar. 23, applicable to employees deemed non-essential. This means that any employees able to work from home should do so immediately, while providing managers a period to plan for work-force continuity.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is discontinuing all non-urgent/elective surgeries, procedures and diagnostics as of Mar. 23. This action will allow the SHA the ability to redeploy nurses and other staff and ensure medical supplies and personal protective equipment are available when needed and reduce risk of further exposure to our care providers and patients.
The SHA will continue to provide services to patients who require emergent and urgent care. Cancer, urgent and emergent surgeries will continue as planned. Patients will be contacted regarding their scheduled service.
Parents with children in daycares should be preparing for further restrictions.
Local area changes
As people are social distancing, self-quarantining themselves from trips around the globe, some businesses temporarily closing, events cancelled and governments trying to do what they feel is best, like you, I too am trying to navigate through uncharted waters. I would invite you to read this week’s editorial for what The Watrous Manitou and the Lanigan Advisor are each trying to do.
The following are a few things that local area communities are doing as well. If your community is not mentioned below, I do apologize and I would invite you to reach out to them if you are wondering what services have been cancelled, closed or postponed. With information changing so rapidly and with so many other intangibles, I was unable to contact each community directly. The following were obtained through social media posts or email and because things transpire so quickly, if I missed something or the below information has changed after press time, I do apologize:
Watrous: The Town of Watrous is taking precautionary measures and closing the Town Office, Civic Centre, Heritage Room, Fitness Centre, Gallery on 3rd, Watrous Centennial Arena, Watrous Curling Rink and Wheatland Regional Library Watrous Branch. The Town said people can use online payment options or regular mail for payments normally made to the Town. A drop box is also available inside the front office door. The Watrous Senior Centre is also closed until further notice.
In Watrous and Colonsay, the Saskatoon Co-op Food Store locations are providing an early shopping hour for the elderly and vulnerable (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.) each day and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays.
The Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre will be closed until further notice.
Also in Watrous and Manitou Beach a few businesses have either temporarily closed or are offering other methods of doing business like take-out and delivery options.
Watrous RCMP: in response to the on going COVID-19 pandemic Watrous RCMP are suspending front counter services. What does this mean? Criminal record checks will no longer be done until further notice, any issue that can be dealt with over the phone will be such as a motor vehicle collision report, statement forms and collision reports can be emailed out and returned in a similar fashion. If you are unsure of your issue, call the office at 306-946-3316 before attending. Watrous RCMP will continue to respond to emergency calls and will continue patrols of the towns, villages and RMs it serves. As always call 911 if it is an emergency situation.
Manitou Beach: The Resort Village has closed its office until further notice. Essential services like water and roads will continue and emails and calls will be monitored. Council meetings will also be conducted as scheduled but as a health and safety precaution, the meetings are closed to the general public.
In Imperial, the Town Office is closed until at least Mar. 30 when the decision will be reassessed. People can contact the Town at town.imperial@sasktel.net. After a council meeting, council also decided to refill all hand sanitizer dispensers in the community’s businesses and more updates will follow in the future.
In Colonsay, a number of places have also closed temporarily.
In Drake, Last Mountain Bowbenders have closed the indoor archery range at the Drake Sportsplex until further notice.
In Jansen, the RM of Prairie Rose and Village of Jansen office is closed until further notice. All Village of Jansen recreation facilities are closed including the Community Hall and bowling alley.
All branches of Parkland Regional Library are closed until at least Apr. 1. That includes the library in Jansen.
In Lanigan, the Town Office and the Town Public Works shop is closed. The Town Public Works crew will continue to perform their daily duties to ensure the community continues to operate smoothly. While the Town Office is closed there are a number of other ways to contact them like calling, online banking or emailing. All Town of Lanigan public facilities like the arena and hall are closed until further notice while the arena is closed for the season.
The Wheatland Library Lanigan Branch is closed until at least Apr. 1 meaning there is no story time and after school programs.
The Lanigan Co-op Food Store is opening one hour earlier (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) for those aged 65 and older or to other guests vulnerable during this time.
The Community Gift and Thrift store is closed for an indefinite period of time and asked that people do not drop off donations during that indefinite period.
In Allan, our correspondent Sarah Ross said the library has postponed all programming for the foreseeable future. The season at the communiplex has ended abruptly as well. Most events around town are currently postponed or wrapped up.
In Viscount, our correspondent Sandra Reid noted most things are cancelled for now.
Libraries: In addition to the Jansen, Watrous and Lanigan branches closing, Nokomis, Viscount and Young Wheatland Library branches are also closed until further notice.
MP Tom Lukiwski: in response to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, Tom Lukiwski’s Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan constituency office is closed to the public. Lukiwski’s constituency staff will continue to work on-site for the time being but will not receive in-person walk-in visits or appointments from the public.
Carlton Trail College: all regional learning locations including Watrous will be closed until further notice. Individual programming
Libraries: In addition to the Jansen, Watrous and Lanigan branches closing, Nokomis, Viscount and Young Wheatland Library Branches are also closed until further notice.
MP Tom Lukiwski: in response to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, Tom Lukiwski’s Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan constituency office is closed to the public. Lukiwski’s constituency staff will continue to work on-site for the time being but will not receive in-person walk-in visits or appointments from the public.
Carlton Trail College: all regional learning locations including Watrous will be closed until further notice. Individual programming and/or alternate learning scenarios will be communicated directly with students, as needed. College updates will be posted via its website www.carltontrailcollege.com.
Local groups willing to help
Amidst all of the closures taking place, a few groups have stepped up to lend a hand in their communities.
A Facebook group called Watrous Manitou Cares has been established for Watrous, Manitou Beach and the surrounding area. Created by Lori Ann Frey, the group is for people who may need assistance during this trying time and people who have the ability to help. On the page it stated: “Just a reminder to please follow the social distancing protocol as volunteers. When dropping off requested items please just ring doorbells/knock on the door and leave items at the door. We all want to be sure we are keeping everyone as safe as possible while still helping out, as well as limiting our contact with others outside our household. We each need to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Lori Ann said people who would like to utilize the service can call or text her at 306-946-7836. “We can get them connected with someone who can help out.”
The Jansen and District Kin also recognize that these are very uncertain times, and there may be people in their community who need a little extra help right now.
“If you know of someone elderly, immunocompromised, self-isolating, or who may be too anxious to go out in public that needs assistance please let us know. We would like to make sure everyone has all the groceries/supplies they need and we are willing to coordinate payment from you and delivery of any required items to you to the best of our abilities. Call or text Lyndsay at 306-360-7222 or Angel at 306-365-7545 or message us through Facebook! We also suggest that anyone who has an abundance of supplies (toilet paper, wipes, baby necessities, etc.) or non-perishable food items to please donate what they can to the Lanigan Food Bank.”
Saskatchewan schools, long-term care, hospitals, churches and travel
Long-term care/SHA facilities
On a more provincial level, the Chief Medical Health Officer of Saskatchewan made the following order pursuant to Section 45 of The Public Health Act effective Mar. 16: The Chief Medical Health Officer orders that visitors to long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes and group homes are restricted to essential visitors only. Essential visitors means immediate family visiting for compassionate reasons. SHA said under all circumstances do not visit if you have respiratory, gastric, or flu-like symptoms (common cold, diarrhea/vomiting) or if you have travelled outside of Saskatchewan in the past 14 days. All community, foundation and other public and spiritual gatherings within any SHA-operated facility are on hold effective immediately until further notice. Services provided by community volunteers who are 65 years of age or older, in non-essential service areas have been suspended.
Like other health care facilities, Manitou Lodge in Watrous has implemented strict visitor restrictions as required by Saskatchewan Health Authority. Because of those restrictions mandated by SHA, the lodge will be trying to allow family members of those in the lodge to FaceTime with their family member during activity hours. People can email mandmrec1@gmail.com or contact the house numbers: Harmony 306-946-1282, Sunrise 306-946-1281, and Prairie 306-946-1283. By having FaceTime, family members are welcome to keep in contact with loved ones during this time of isolation.
Central Parkland Lodge in Lanigan released the following statement Mar. 16: Due to the protection of our residents and health care staff, there has been a visitor restriction notice sent out from Saskatchewan Health Authority. If you are not feeling well, please stay home! If you are a volunteer over the age of 65, we ask that you please stay home as well!
In a post on its Facebook page, Central Parkland Lodge stated, “We are hoping for everyone to stay healthy and happy, and send our thanks for understanding the current situation. If you have any questions regarding volunteering or attending a program, please feel free to give me a call at any time 306-365-1425.”
Faith-based organizations
Faith-based organizations are no longer exempt to public gathering restrictions ordering that no public gathering of over 250 people in any one room take place.
Schools
Last Monday, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that all classes in Saskatchewan pre K-12 schools will be suspended indefinitely, effective Mar. 20, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Parents who were able to keep children home were encouraged to do so last week with no absence or grade impacts. Every student will receive a final grade based on their current grade, and students will progress to their next grade level next year. Every student who is eligible to graduate from Gr. 12 this year will graduate. The Ministry of Education and School Divisions will work with Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Institutions to adapt entry requirements for programs commencing in the next academic year.
The provincial government said teachers and staff can work from home or in schools as scheduled during the class cancellations. For the rest of the scheduled school year, the Ministry of Education will work with school divisions and Saskatchewan teachers to implement a supplemental curriculum program through distance and alternative learning methods. While this supplemental curriculum will have no impact on final grades, it will ensure that students seeking to continue learning will have the resources necessary to do so.
The provincial government indicated the measures apply to daycares that are co-located with schools, but do not apply to licensed daycare facilities outside of schools. Further measures regarding licensed daycare facilities are being considered and will be implemented at a later date.
Travel guidelines:
The Federal Government and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer recommended that any residents currently travelling internationally should return to Canada while commercial options were available. The Federal Government and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer also recommend avoiding all non-essential international travel until further notice.
The pair stated all travellers returning from international destinations - including the United States – need to self-isolate and monitor their health for 14 days upon return. Travellers returning from within Canada are advised to self-monitor for 14 days upon return.
Addressing the nation last Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said as the situation evolved so would the government’s response. As part of that, the border between Canada and the United States was closed for non-essential travel with goods and trade exempt.
Provincial aid
Finance Minister Donna Harpauer tabled the 2020-‘21 Estimates Mar. 18, the government’s spending plans for the coming year. The government is taking the unusual step of tabling the spending estimates without revenue forecasts for the coming year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is an unprecedented and challenging time in our province, our country and the world,” Harpauer said. “We are all feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our government’s first priority is the safety and health of Saskatchewan people. That is precisely why we need to proceed with these expenditures now, providing stability and much needed new spending at the start of the fiscal year. It is particularly important our health care funding flows and our infrastructure investment is in place to help our economy.
“We have a very strong cash position of $1.3 billion, so we are well positioned to manage through this challenging time, and are able to provide additional resources to address the health and economic challenges of COVID-19 as required.”
Capital investment of $2.7 billion by Crown corporations and Executive Government will serve as an important economic stimulus during this challenging time.
The Ministry of Health’s expense is $5.77 billion, a record investment and an increase of more than $211 million, or 3.8 percent, from one year ago.
The government will provide the Saskatchewan Health Authority with a $3.74 billion grant this year, an increase of $140.6 million, or 3.9 percent over last year. The government said this funds the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who today are on the front lines in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, while meeting the health needs of Saskatchewan residents.
Federal financial aid
The Federal Government announced Mar. 18 that along with waiving the period for employment insurance that new measures of up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses plus $55 billion to meet liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and households through tax deferrals would be used to stabilize the economy.
At a press conference, Trudeau said people who don’t qualify for employment insurance and who don’t have access to paid sick leave will be able to access the federal government’s emergency care benefit providing up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks. This flat-payment benefit would be administered through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provide income support to: workers, including the self-employed, who are quarantined or sick with COVID-19 but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits; workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent, but do not quality for EI sickness benefits; and parents with children who require care or supervision due to school closures, and are unable to earn employment income, irrespective of whether they qualify for EI or not.
Application for the benefit will be available in April 2020, and require Canadians to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements. They will need to re-attest every two weeks to reconfirm their eligibility.
For over 3.5 million families with children, who may also require additional support, the Government is proposing to increase the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts, only for the 2019-‘20 benefit year, by $300 per child. The overall increase for families receiving CCB will be approximately $550 on average; these families will receive an extra $300 per child as part of their May payment. In total, this measure will deliver almost $2 billion in extra support.
Together, the proposed enhancements of the GSTC and CCB will give a single parent with two children and low to modest income nearly $1,500 in additional short-term support.
The government said it is also taking steps to protect jobs, providing employers of small businesses with a temporary wage subsidy equal to 10 percent of salary paid to employees for a period of three months. This will encourage employers to keep staff on the payroll during these uncertain times.
The Canada Revenue Agency will defer the filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals, including certain trusts. For individuals (other than trusts), the return
filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020. However, the Agency encourages individuals who expect to receive benefits under the GSTC or the Canada Child Benefit not to delay the filing of their return to ensure their entitlements for the 2020-‘21 benefit year are properly determined.
For trusts having a taxation year ending Dec. 31, 2019, the return filing due date will be deferred until May 1, 2020.
The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all taxpayers to defer, until after Aug. 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020.
For lower income people, in May the government will supplement the GST credit to offset the consumer tax they pay. Every adult who qualifies will receive up to $300 and up to $150 per child.
For people paying off student loans, including young people and those starting a family, a six month interest free moratorium will be placed on their Canada Student Loans.
For those experiencing homelessness, the government is doubling the reaching home program which provides funding to communities to address their local needs.
For those fleeing domestic or gender-based violence, funding is being boosted for shelters that provide sanctuary when self-isolating at home is not an option.
For First Nations, Inuit and Metis Nation communities, a distinctions based Indigenous Community support fund is being set up.
For businesses, export development Canada will provide support. For farmers and primary producers the government will boost Farm Credit Canada. In the coming days, the government will look at ways to support them all like the Canada Account.
The Minister of Finance has also been in regular contact with the heads of Canada’s large banks, and continues to encourage them to show flexibility in helping their customers whose personal or business finances are affected by COVID-19. The Superintendent of Financial Institutions has also made clear his expectation that banks will use the additional lending capacity provided by recent government actions to support Canadian businesses and households.
In response, banks in Canada have affirmed their commitment to working with customers to provide flexible solutions, on a case-by-case basis, for managing through hardships caused by recent developments. This may include situations such as pay disruption, childcare disruption, or illness. Canada’s large banks have confirmed that this support will include up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products. These targeted measures respond to immediate challenges being faced across the country and will help stabilize the Canadian economy.
The Government, through CMHC, is providing increased flexibility for homeowners facing financial difficulties to defer mortgage payments on homeowner CMHC-insured mortgage loans. CMHC will permit lenders to allow payment deferral beginning immediately.
For a more comprehensive list, people can visit www.twmnews.com and click on the COVID-19 Updates page or visit www.canada.ca.
As of Mar. 19 Saskatchewan had four new, presumptive positive cases for COVID-19. The provincial total for cases was 20: 12 presumptive positive and eight confirmed. Three of the four presumptive positive cases are related to travel and one is a close contact of a previously reported case.
Daniel Bushman
As the global pandemic COVID-19 (Coronavirus) spreads across the world and into Saskatchewan, things have been changing weekly, daily and even hourly. With a huge focus on social distancing to stop or slow down the spread of the highly contagious disease, numerous cancellations, postponements and initiatives have occurred. Implementing protocols, health and safety measures there are a large number of local businesses who remain open, including us, for as long as we are able.
But with all of the changes coming frequently, this article has been revised a number of times and most likely more information has since become available after press time. In an effort to try and provide you with factual and current information, the following article will key in on a number of areas including what local implementations have been taken, what Saskatchewan is doing as well as the financial aid package offered by the federal government.
As 16 cases of COVID-19 were reported by the Government of Saskatchewan in the province Mar. 18, it declared a provincial State of Emergency, giving the government broad powers to address the pandemic. This includes measures like the ability to limit travel to or from a community or region of the province and directing that property or equipment be deployed to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the news conference Mar. 18, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said, “If we are not able to flatten the curve, if we don’t take these social distancing measures seriously, there is no health system in the world that will be able to manage what will occur. It is incumbent on us in this province to do our level best to ensure that we are able to flatten that curve and that our health system is able to handle what is going to happen over the course of the next number of weeks and the next number of months.
“It is only together if we take this situation seriously and that is what I am asking each and every resident of this province to do, is to take this situation very seriously . . . we will get through this and we will get through this together.”
The government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Health Officer, also made a number of new orders Mar. 18 to reduce the risk to Saskatchewan people, prevent transmission and ensure that acute care services are preserved for residents most at risk for severe illness.
The following measures took effect immediately: public gatherings larger than 50 people are prohibited; all restaurants, bars and event venues must limit their seating to 50 percent of capacity or up to a maximum of 50 people, whichever is lesser. All must be able to ensure social distance of one to two metres between customers. Retail spaces including grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations are exempted from this policy but must have processes to maintain a one to two metre separation; all gyms, fitness centres, casinos and bingo halls are ordered to close until further notice; residents are advised to limit any non-essential travel outside of Saskatchewan, with the exception of people who live in border communities and are commuting for work; any licensed restaurants and taverns in Saskatchewan will be permitted to sell alcohol as an offsale according to SLGA regulations indefinitely; all crown utilities will implement bill-deferral programs allowing a zero-interest bill deferral for up to six months for Saskatchewan residents whose ability to make bill payments may be impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions; and all Government of Saskatchewan ministries, agencies and Crown corporations will implement a phased-in work from home policy effective Monday, Mar. 23, applicable to employees deemed non-essential. This means that any employees able to work from home should do so immediately, while providing managers a period to plan for work-force continuity.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is discontinuing all non-urgent/elective surgeries, procedures and diagnostics as of Mar. 23. This action will allow the SHA the ability to redeploy nurses and other staff and ensure medical supplies and personal protective equipment are available when needed and reduce risk of further exposure to our care providers and patients.
The SHA will continue to provide services to patients who require emergent and urgent care. Cancer, urgent and emergent surgeries will continue as planned. Patients will be contacted regarding their scheduled service.
Parents with children in daycares should be preparing for further restrictions.
Local area changes
As people are social distancing, self-quarantining themselves from trips around the globe, some businesses temporarily closing, events cancelled and governments trying to do what they feel is best, like you, I too am trying to navigate through uncharted waters. I would invite you to read this week’s editorial for what The Watrous Manitou and the Lanigan Advisor are each trying to do.
The following are a few things that local area communities are doing as well. If your community is not mentioned below, I do apologize and I would invite you to reach out to them if you are wondering what services have been cancelled, closed or postponed. With information changing so rapidly and with so many other intangibles, I was unable to contact each community directly. The following were obtained through social media posts or email and because things transpire so quickly, if I missed something or the below information has changed after press time, I do apologize:
Watrous: The Town of Watrous is taking precautionary measures and closing the Town Office, Civic Centre, Heritage Room, Fitness Centre, Gallery on 3rd, Watrous Centennial Arena, Watrous Curling Rink and Wheatland Regional Library Watrous Branch. The Town said people can use online payment options or regular mail for payments normally made to the Town. A drop box is also available inside the front office door. The Watrous Senior Centre is also closed until further notice.
In Watrous and Colonsay, the Saskatoon Co-op Food Store locations are providing an early shopping hour for the elderly and vulnerable (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.) each day and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays.
The Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre will be closed until further notice.
Also in Watrous and Manitou Beach a few businesses have either temporarily closed or are offering other methods of doing business like take-out and delivery options.
Watrous RCMP: in response to the on going COVID-19 pandemic Watrous RCMP are suspending front counter services. What does this mean? Criminal record checks will no longer be done until further notice, any issue that can be dealt with over the phone will be such as a motor vehicle collision report, statement forms and collision reports can be emailed out and returned in a similar fashion. If you are unsure of your issue, call the office at 306-946-3316 before attending. Watrous RCMP will continue to respond to emergency calls and will continue patrols of the towns, villages and RMs it serves. As always call 911 if it is an emergency situation.
Manitou Beach: The Resort Village has closed its office until further notice. Essential services like water and roads will continue and emails and calls will be monitored. Council meetings will also be conducted as scheduled but as a health and safety precaution, the meetings are closed to the general public.
In Imperial, the Town Office is closed until at least Mar. 30 when the decision will be reassessed. People can contact the Town at town.imperial@sasktel.net. After a council meeting, council also decided to refill all hand sanitizer dispensers in the community’s businesses and more updates will follow in the future.
In Colonsay, a number of places have also closed temporarily.
In Drake, Last Mountain Bowbenders have closed the indoor archery range at the Drake Sportsplex until further notice.
In Jansen, the RM of Prairie Rose and Village of Jansen office is closed until further notice. All Village of Jansen recreation facilities are closed including the Community Hall and bowling alley.
All branches of Parkland Regional Library are closed until at least Apr. 1. That includes the library in Jansen.
In Lanigan, the Town Office and the Town Public Works shop is closed. The Town Public Works crew will continue to perform their daily duties to ensure the community continues to operate smoothly. While the Town Office is closed there are a number of other ways to contact them like calling, online banking or emailing. All Town of Lanigan public facilities like the arena and hall are closed until further notice while the arena is closed for the season.
The Wheatland Library Lanigan Branch is closed until at least Apr. 1 meaning there is no story time and after school programs.
The Lanigan Co-op Food Store is opening one hour earlier (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) for those aged 65 and older or to other guests vulnerable during this time.
The Community Gift and Thrift store is closed for an indefinite period of time and asked that people do not drop off donations during that indefinite period.
In Allan, our correspondent Sarah Ross said the library has postponed all programming for the foreseeable future. The season at the communiplex has ended abruptly as well. Most events around town are currently postponed or wrapped up.
In Viscount, our correspondent Sandra Reid noted most things are cancelled for now.
Libraries: In addition to the Jansen, Watrous and Lanigan branches closing, Nokomis, Viscount and Young Wheatland Library branches are also closed until further notice.
MP Tom Lukiwski: in response to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, Tom Lukiwski’s Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan constituency office is closed to the public. Lukiwski’s constituency staff will continue to work on-site for the time being but will not receive in-person walk-in visits or appointments from the public.
Carlton Trail College: all regional learning locations including Watrous will be closed until further notice. Individual programming
Libraries: In addition to the Jansen, Watrous and Lanigan branches closing, Nokomis, Viscount and Young Wheatland Library Branches are also closed until further notice.
MP Tom Lukiwski: in response to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, Tom Lukiwski’s Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan constituency office is closed to the public. Lukiwski’s constituency staff will continue to work on-site for the time being but will not receive in-person walk-in visits or appointments from the public.
Carlton Trail College: all regional learning locations including Watrous will be closed until further notice. Individual programming and/or alternate learning scenarios will be communicated directly with students, as needed. College updates will be posted via its website www.carltontrailcollege.com.
Local groups willing to help
Amidst all of the closures taking place, a few groups have stepped up to lend a hand in their communities.
A Facebook group called Watrous Manitou Cares has been established for Watrous, Manitou Beach and the surrounding area. Created by Lori Ann Frey, the group is for people who may need assistance during this trying time and people who have the ability to help. On the page it stated: “Just a reminder to please follow the social distancing protocol as volunteers. When dropping off requested items please just ring doorbells/knock on the door and leave items at the door. We all want to be sure we are keeping everyone as safe as possible while still helping out, as well as limiting our contact with others outside our household. We each need to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Lori Ann said people who would like to utilize the service can call or text her at 306-946-7836. “We can get them connected with someone who can help out.”
The Jansen and District Kin also recognize that these are very uncertain times, and there may be people in their community who need a little extra help right now.
“If you know of someone elderly, immunocompromised, self-isolating, or who may be too anxious to go out in public that needs assistance please let us know. We would like to make sure everyone has all the groceries/supplies they need and we are willing to coordinate payment from you and delivery of any required items to you to the best of our abilities. Call or text Lyndsay at 306-360-7222 or Angel at 306-365-7545 or message us through Facebook! We also suggest that anyone who has an abundance of supplies (toilet paper, wipes, baby necessities, etc.) or non-perishable food items to please donate what they can to the Lanigan Food Bank.”
Saskatchewan schools, long-term care, hospitals, churches and travel
Long-term care/SHA facilities
On a more provincial level, the Chief Medical Health Officer of Saskatchewan made the following order pursuant to Section 45 of The Public Health Act effective Mar. 16: The Chief Medical Health Officer orders that visitors to long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes and group homes are restricted to essential visitors only. Essential visitors means immediate family visiting for compassionate reasons. SHA said under all circumstances do not visit if you have respiratory, gastric, or flu-like symptoms (common cold, diarrhea/vomiting) or if you have travelled outside of Saskatchewan in the past 14 days. All community, foundation and other public and spiritual gatherings within any SHA-operated facility are on hold effective immediately until further notice. Services provided by community volunteers who are 65 years of age or older, in non-essential service areas have been suspended.
Like other health care facilities, Manitou Lodge in Watrous has implemented strict visitor restrictions as required by Saskatchewan Health Authority. Because of those restrictions mandated by SHA, the lodge will be trying to allow family members of those in the lodge to FaceTime with their family member during activity hours. People can email mandmrec1@gmail.com or contact the house numbers: Harmony 306-946-1282, Sunrise 306-946-1281, and Prairie 306-946-1283. By having FaceTime, family members are welcome to keep in contact with loved ones during this time of isolation.
Central Parkland Lodge in Lanigan released the following statement Mar. 16: Due to the protection of our residents and health care staff, there has been a visitor restriction notice sent out from Saskatchewan Health Authority. If you are not feeling well, please stay home! If you are a volunteer over the age of 65, we ask that you please stay home as well!
In a post on its Facebook page, Central Parkland Lodge stated, “We are hoping for everyone to stay healthy and happy, and send our thanks for understanding the current situation. If you have any questions regarding volunteering or attending a program, please feel free to give me a call at any time 306-365-1425.”
Faith-based organizations
Faith-based organizations are no longer exempt to public gathering restrictions ordering that no public gathering of over 250 people in any one room take place.
Schools
Last Monday, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that all classes in Saskatchewan pre K-12 schools will be suspended indefinitely, effective Mar. 20, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Parents who were able to keep children home were encouraged to do so last week with no absence or grade impacts. Every student will receive a final grade based on their current grade, and students will progress to their next grade level next year. Every student who is eligible to graduate from Gr. 12 this year will graduate. The Ministry of Education and School Divisions will work with Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Institutions to adapt entry requirements for programs commencing in the next academic year.
The provincial government said teachers and staff can work from home or in schools as scheduled during the class cancellations. For the rest of the scheduled school year, the Ministry of Education will work with school divisions and Saskatchewan teachers to implement a supplemental curriculum program through distance and alternative learning methods. While this supplemental curriculum will have no impact on final grades, it will ensure that students seeking to continue learning will have the resources necessary to do so.
The provincial government indicated the measures apply to daycares that are co-located with schools, but do not apply to licensed daycare facilities outside of schools. Further measures regarding licensed daycare facilities are being considered and will be implemented at a later date.
Travel guidelines:
The Federal Government and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer recommended that any residents currently travelling internationally should return to Canada while commercial options were available. The Federal Government and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer also recommend avoiding all non-essential international travel until further notice.
The pair stated all travellers returning from international destinations - including the United States – need to self-isolate and monitor their health for 14 days upon return. Travellers returning from within Canada are advised to self-monitor for 14 days upon return.
Addressing the nation last Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said as the situation evolved so would the government’s response. As part of that, the border between Canada and the United States was closed for non-essential travel with goods and trade exempt.
Provincial aid
Finance Minister Donna Harpauer tabled the 2020-‘21 Estimates Mar. 18, the government’s spending plans for the coming year. The government is taking the unusual step of tabling the spending estimates without revenue forecasts for the coming year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is an unprecedented and challenging time in our province, our country and the world,” Harpauer said. “We are all feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our government’s first priority is the safety and health of Saskatchewan people. That is precisely why we need to proceed with these expenditures now, providing stability and much needed new spending at the start of the fiscal year. It is particularly important our health care funding flows and our infrastructure investment is in place to help our economy.
“We have a very strong cash position of $1.3 billion, so we are well positioned to manage through this challenging time, and are able to provide additional resources to address the health and economic challenges of COVID-19 as required.”
Capital investment of $2.7 billion by Crown corporations and Executive Government will serve as an important economic stimulus during this challenging time.
The Ministry of Health’s expense is $5.77 billion, a record investment and an increase of more than $211 million, or 3.8 percent, from one year ago.
The government will provide the Saskatchewan Health Authority with a $3.74 billion grant this year, an increase of $140.6 million, or 3.9 percent over last year. The government said this funds the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who today are on the front lines in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, while meeting the health needs of Saskatchewan residents.
Federal financial aid
The Federal Government announced Mar. 18 that along with waiving the period for employment insurance that new measures of up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses plus $55 billion to meet liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and households through tax deferrals would be used to stabilize the economy.
At a press conference, Trudeau said people who don’t qualify for employment insurance and who don’t have access to paid sick leave will be able to access the federal government’s emergency care benefit providing up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks. This flat-payment benefit would be administered through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provide income support to: workers, including the self-employed, who are quarantined or sick with COVID-19 but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits; workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent, but do not quality for EI sickness benefits; and parents with children who require care or supervision due to school closures, and are unable to earn employment income, irrespective of whether they qualify for EI or not.
Application for the benefit will be available in April 2020, and require Canadians to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements. They will need to re-attest every two weeks to reconfirm their eligibility.
For over 3.5 million families with children, who may also require additional support, the Government is proposing to increase the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts, only for the 2019-‘20 benefit year, by $300 per child. The overall increase for families receiving CCB will be approximately $550 on average; these families will receive an extra $300 per child as part of their May payment. In total, this measure will deliver almost $2 billion in extra support.
Together, the proposed enhancements of the GSTC and CCB will give a single parent with two children and low to modest income nearly $1,500 in additional short-term support.
The government said it is also taking steps to protect jobs, providing employers of small businesses with a temporary wage subsidy equal to 10 percent of salary paid to employees for a period of three months. This will encourage employers to keep staff on the payroll during these uncertain times.
The Canada Revenue Agency will defer the filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals, including certain trusts. For individuals (other than trusts), the return
filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020. However, the Agency encourages individuals who expect to receive benefits under the GSTC or the Canada Child Benefit not to delay the filing of their return to ensure their entitlements for the 2020-‘21 benefit year are properly determined.
For trusts having a taxation year ending Dec. 31, 2019, the return filing due date will be deferred until May 1, 2020.
The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all taxpayers to defer, until after Aug. 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020.
For lower income people, in May the government will supplement the GST credit to offset the consumer tax they pay. Every adult who qualifies will receive up to $300 and up to $150 per child.
For people paying off student loans, including young people and those starting a family, a six month interest free moratorium will be placed on their Canada Student Loans.
For those experiencing homelessness, the government is doubling the reaching home program which provides funding to communities to address their local needs.
For those fleeing domestic or gender-based violence, funding is being boosted for shelters that provide sanctuary when self-isolating at home is not an option.
For First Nations, Inuit and Metis Nation communities, a distinctions based Indigenous Community support fund is being set up.
For businesses, export development Canada will provide support. For farmers and primary producers the government will boost Farm Credit Canada. In the coming days, the government will look at ways to support them all like the Canada Account.
The Minister of Finance has also been in regular contact with the heads of Canada’s large banks, and continues to encourage them to show flexibility in helping their customers whose personal or business finances are affected by COVID-19. The Superintendent of Financial Institutions has also made clear his expectation that banks will use the additional lending capacity provided by recent government actions to support Canadian businesses and households.
In response, banks in Canada have affirmed their commitment to working with customers to provide flexible solutions, on a case-by-case basis, for managing through hardships caused by recent developments. This may include situations such as pay disruption, childcare disruption, or illness. Canada’s large banks have confirmed that this support will include up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products. These targeted measures respond to immediate challenges being faced across the country and will help stabilize the Canadian economy.
The Government, through CMHC, is providing increased flexibility for homeowners facing financial difficulties to defer mortgage payments on homeowner CMHC-insured mortgage loans. CMHC will permit lenders to allow payment deferral beginning immediately.
For a more comprehensive list, people can visit www.twmnews.com and click on the COVID-19 Updates page or visit www.canada.ca.
As of Mar. 19 Saskatchewan had four new, presumptive positive cases for COVID-19. The provincial total for cases was 20: 12 presumptive positive and eight confirmed. Three of the four presumptive positive cases are related to travel and one is a close contact of a previously reported case.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 16, 2020
Local area steps up for Telemiracle 44
Daniel Bushman
As the streamers tumbled down from above and the curtain dropped, people in Saskatchewan once again had reason to celebrate as Telemiracle 44 raised just over $5.5 million. The 20-hour telethon which began Mar. 7 and ran until Mar. 8 in Regina had people across the province and beyond ringing those phones.
As part of the over $5.5 million raised, the community of Watrous and the surrounding area once again stepped up bringing in just over $5,000 more than last year’s local total. Watrous Kinette President Mel Rostie who was one of eight Kin members from Watrous attending this year’s Telemiracle said every year the local area comes together in a huge way. Rostie shared a breakdown of this year’s local donations:
• Pie Auction at Manitou Lodge: $7,550;
• Sweetheart Lunch: $603.99;
• Craft and Trade Show Lunch: $749;
• Toilets for Telemiracle: $4,868.90;
• Cassies Younique Party: $252.35;
• Winston High School Ham and Scalloped Potato Supper: $1,400;
• Watrous Kinsmen Donation: $2,020;
• Manitou Springs Hotel and Mineral Spa: $1,000;
• John’s Plate: $500;
• Personal donations: $709.55;
• Helping Hands: $463.25; and
• Watrous Elementary School Bake Sale: $1,153 (sent in by mail and not part of Sunday's presentation total).
That made the final Watrous Telemiracle total $21,270.04!
Rostie and seven local Kin members were all smiles as they presented this year’s total on stage in Regina Sunday afternoon. “We are proud to represent our community and sincerely appreciate everyone’s continued support. Those are your hard earned, generously given dollars.”
The group also worked shifts one and three on the phones and treasury. “We were humbled from the very start as the opening of the show told a story of a family who received much needed support from Telemiracle. The talent was amazing and the kinship that takes place behind the scenes was like a big family reunion.”
This year a pair of new Watrous Kin members took part in Telemiracle. Rostie said Alexina and Mikaela were able to experience what the 20-hour telethon was all about.
“Telemiracle further magnifies the passion our communities have for a better tomorrow,” said Alexina. “It provides hope to those who need it most. I am so fortunate to be involved with this inspiring event.”
Mikaela added, “Telemiracle is an inspirational community where we are able to give back and help others in need. I am proud to be a Watrous Kinette and happy I had the chance to attend.”
One of the many highlights of this year’s show were the 80 talented Saskatchewan performers who appeared throughout the telethon and during the Countdown to Telemiracle pre-show. As part of that, some local talent was centre stage including Nikeesha Goodsman of Viscount, Jenna Schmidt who was part of a dance group and Jarvis Mattson of Watrous.
Not only did the 80 performers showcase talents from every corner of the province, they also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented a total donation of $159,161 on stage just before the end of the broadcast.
“I am thrilled and humbled by the generosity of Saskatchewan people that supported Telemiracle this year,” said Telemiracle 44 Chair Jesse Shkuratoff. “Once again, Telemiracle brought our province together and the impact of these donations will be felt across Saskatchewan.”
As the final numbers on stage revealed a total of $5,523,472, with this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by Telemiracle since 1977 is now over $140 million.
“We were brought to tears once again as that final total was revealed,” said Rostie. “That just showed there are 5.5 million reasons to carry on with our fundraising efforts next year!”
All Telemiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
Daniel Bushman
As the streamers tumbled down from above and the curtain dropped, people in Saskatchewan once again had reason to celebrate as Telemiracle 44 raised just over $5.5 million. The 20-hour telethon which began Mar. 7 and ran until Mar. 8 in Regina had people across the province and beyond ringing those phones.
As part of the over $5.5 million raised, the community of Watrous and the surrounding area once again stepped up bringing in just over $5,000 more than last year’s local total. Watrous Kinette President Mel Rostie who was one of eight Kin members from Watrous attending this year’s Telemiracle said every year the local area comes together in a huge way. Rostie shared a breakdown of this year’s local donations:
• Pie Auction at Manitou Lodge: $7,550;
• Sweetheart Lunch: $603.99;
• Craft and Trade Show Lunch: $749;
• Toilets for Telemiracle: $4,868.90;
• Cassies Younique Party: $252.35;
• Winston High School Ham and Scalloped Potato Supper: $1,400;
• Watrous Kinsmen Donation: $2,020;
• Manitou Springs Hotel and Mineral Spa: $1,000;
• John’s Plate: $500;
• Personal donations: $709.55;
• Helping Hands: $463.25; and
• Watrous Elementary School Bake Sale: $1,153 (sent in by mail and not part of Sunday's presentation total).
That made the final Watrous Telemiracle total $21,270.04!
Rostie and seven local Kin members were all smiles as they presented this year’s total on stage in Regina Sunday afternoon. “We are proud to represent our community and sincerely appreciate everyone’s continued support. Those are your hard earned, generously given dollars.”
The group also worked shifts one and three on the phones and treasury. “We were humbled from the very start as the opening of the show told a story of a family who received much needed support from Telemiracle. The talent was amazing and the kinship that takes place behind the scenes was like a big family reunion.”
This year a pair of new Watrous Kin members took part in Telemiracle. Rostie said Alexina and Mikaela were able to experience what the 20-hour telethon was all about.
“Telemiracle further magnifies the passion our communities have for a better tomorrow,” said Alexina. “It provides hope to those who need it most. I am so fortunate to be involved with this inspiring event.”
Mikaela added, “Telemiracle is an inspirational community where we are able to give back and help others in need. I am proud to be a Watrous Kinette and happy I had the chance to attend.”
One of the many highlights of this year’s show were the 80 talented Saskatchewan performers who appeared throughout the telethon and during the Countdown to Telemiracle pre-show. As part of that, some local talent was centre stage including Nikeesha Goodsman of Viscount, Jenna Schmidt who was part of a dance group and Jarvis Mattson of Watrous.
Not only did the 80 performers showcase talents from every corner of the province, they also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented a total donation of $159,161 on stage just before the end of the broadcast.
“I am thrilled and humbled by the generosity of Saskatchewan people that supported Telemiracle this year,” said Telemiracle 44 Chair Jesse Shkuratoff. “Once again, Telemiracle brought our province together and the impact of these donations will be felt across Saskatchewan.”
As the final numbers on stage revealed a total of $5,523,472, with this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by Telemiracle since 1977 is now over $140 million.
“We were brought to tears once again as that final total was revealed,” said Rostie. “That just showed there are 5.5 million reasons to carry on with our fundraising efforts next year!”
All Telemiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 9, 2020
The Big Float named finalist for prestigious award
Daniel Bushman
Manitou Beach has once again found itself in the provincial spotlight after a lot of hard work and dedication by a number of individuals. One of nearly 90 nominations in 13 award categories for this year’s Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence, The Big Float at Manitou Beach was recognized as a finalist for the Community Event of the Year Award.
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz who was part of the organizing committee was thrilled to see The Big Float named as one of three finalists in its category. “We decided to focus on bringing in more events to go along with the annual Fun Run held in Watrous. From the Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition to a whole host of centennial celebrations held at Manitou Beach last year, there was a lot of effort put in by organizers. The fact that we are able to be recognized for the work that we do around events which have become an important aspect of our tourism industry, it is great to be recognized for that.”
After the idea flowed from wanting to plan something unique and new for the centennial celebrations at Manitou Beach, nearly 2,000 people registered for The Big Float held July 13, 2019. With people coming from all over Saskatchewan, other Canadian provinces and various parts around the globe, Manz said that July afternoon was pretty spectacular. “What a way to celebrate our lake and the unique features that we have with the water. The other thing it did was attract a different demographic to come float and be a part of the record. We had people attend from all over and they were able to see what it is like at Manitou Beach and what we have to offer. It was a chance to bring those people out who maybe normally would not have come out. Bringing upwards of 2,000 people into your community for a weekend is a pretty unique thing.”
Spearheaded by Manitou Beach resident Sarah McKen, Manz said the group would not have been able to pull everything off without all of the volunteers and committee members chipping in. “I commend them all for their willingness to help out and organize such a really unique event to our area and province.”
Because of the tremendous success of The Big Float in 2019, Manz added they are planning to have another one, this time for July 11, 2020. “We are going to partner with the Boogaloo this year because having both events fall on the same weekend last year worked out really well. We plan to coordinate the events together for this year and promote it as a whole.”
As for being named a finalist for the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence, this is the fifth different category that either a local business, person or event has been a finalist in over recent years. “A lifetime achievement award was given to Arnold and Millie Strueby of Danceland and Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa won Business of the Year and was a finalist for Service Excellence. Last year, the Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award was presented to the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group and now we are up for Community Event of the Year. It really shows we are not a one-trick pony. We have a lot of provincially recognized people, events and attractions here in our communities and that is saying a lot for us, especially when you consider we compete against others from larger centres.”
Joining The Big Float as a finalist in this year’s Community Event of the Year Award is Showdown in Cowtown from Maple Creek and The Boomtown Cup from Shaunavon.
The remaining finalists and categories include:
Business of the Year Award (over 20 Full-Time Employees) sponsored by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce - Saskatchewan Science Centre, Regina; Skyxe Saskatoon Airport, Saskatoon; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Business of the Year Award (under 20 Full-Time Employees) sponsored by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority - Grotto Gardens Country Market, Maple Creek; The Happy Nun Café, Forget; and Rebellion Brewing Company, Regina.
Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award Sponsored by Wanuskewin - Mane Productions, Saskatoon; Meewasin Valley Authority, Saskatoon; and Western Trophy Outfitters/Great Grey Outfitters, Candle Lake area.
Gil Carduner Marketing Award Sponsored by Phoenix Group - Canadian Western Agribition, Regina; SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Saskatoon; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Indigenous Tourism Experience Award sponsored by Regina Exhibition Association Limited - Aski Holistic Adventures, Cumberland; House Living Sky Casino Powwow, Swift Current; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Marquee Event of the Year Award sponsored by PrintWest - Canadian Western Agribition, Regina; NHL Heritage Classic, Regina; and Western Canada Summer Games, Swift Current.
Rookie of the Year Award sponsored by the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club - Nutrien Wonderhub, Saskatoon; Odla Restaurant and Market, Saskatoon; and Regina Beach Aquatic Adventures, Regina Beach.
Service Excellence Award sponsored by Delta Hotels by Marriott Regina - Farm One Forty, Vanscoy; Northern Lights Vintage Spa, Maple Creek; and Scott Lake Lodge, Scott Lake.
Tourism Employee of the Year Award sponsored by Harvard Broadcasting Regina - Arnold McKenzie, Legislative Assembly Service of Saskatchewan, Regina; Katie Willie, Wanuskewin, Saskatoon; and Robert Holden, Firesong, Fowler Lake.
Tourism Employer of the Year Award sponsored by the Regina Airport Authority - Atlas Hotel, Regina; CAA Saskatchewan; and Gold Eagle Lodge, North Battleford.
Travel Media Award - Kevin Dunn, Saskatoon; Karen Pinchin, Boston, MA; and Jenn Sharp, Saskatoon.
Tourism Builder Award sponsored by Tourism Saskatchewan - Brad Muir, Waskesiu Lake; Gordon Olson, Big River; and Dr. Ernie Walker, Saskatoon.
“Tourism Saskatchewan is exceedingly proud of the businesses, events, employees and leaders chosen for the gala spotlight,” Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said. “We look forward to honouring their vision, innovation, collaboration, pride of place and deep commitment to great service and experiences.”
This year the finalists and award recipients will be honoured at the 31st annual Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala Apr. 2 in Regina.
Daniel Bushman
Manitou Beach has once again found itself in the provincial spotlight after a lot of hard work and dedication by a number of individuals. One of nearly 90 nominations in 13 award categories for this year’s Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence, The Big Float at Manitou Beach was recognized as a finalist for the Community Event of the Year Award.
Community Development Officer Brendan Manz who was part of the organizing committee was thrilled to see The Big Float named as one of three finalists in its category. “We decided to focus on bringing in more events to go along with the annual Fun Run held in Watrous. From the Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition to a whole host of centennial celebrations held at Manitou Beach last year, there was a lot of effort put in by organizers. The fact that we are able to be recognized for the work that we do around events which have become an important aspect of our tourism industry, it is great to be recognized for that.”
After the idea flowed from wanting to plan something unique and new for the centennial celebrations at Manitou Beach, nearly 2,000 people registered for The Big Float held July 13, 2019. With people coming from all over Saskatchewan, other Canadian provinces and various parts around the globe, Manz said that July afternoon was pretty spectacular. “What a way to celebrate our lake and the unique features that we have with the water. The other thing it did was attract a different demographic to come float and be a part of the record. We had people attend from all over and they were able to see what it is like at Manitou Beach and what we have to offer. It was a chance to bring those people out who maybe normally would not have come out. Bringing upwards of 2,000 people into your community for a weekend is a pretty unique thing.”
Spearheaded by Manitou Beach resident Sarah McKen, Manz said the group would not have been able to pull everything off without all of the volunteers and committee members chipping in. “I commend them all for their willingness to help out and organize such a really unique event to our area and province.”
Because of the tremendous success of The Big Float in 2019, Manz added they are planning to have another one, this time for July 11, 2020. “We are going to partner with the Boogaloo this year because having both events fall on the same weekend last year worked out really well. We plan to coordinate the events together for this year and promote it as a whole.”
As for being named a finalist for the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence, this is the fifth different category that either a local business, person or event has been a finalist in over recent years. “A lifetime achievement award was given to Arnold and Millie Strueby of Danceland and Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa won Business of the Year and was a finalist for Service Excellence. Last year, the Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award was presented to the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group and now we are up for Community Event of the Year. It really shows we are not a one-trick pony. We have a lot of provincially recognized people, events and attractions here in our communities and that is saying a lot for us, especially when you consider we compete against others from larger centres.”
Joining The Big Float as a finalist in this year’s Community Event of the Year Award is Showdown in Cowtown from Maple Creek and The Boomtown Cup from Shaunavon.
The remaining finalists and categories include:
Business of the Year Award (over 20 Full-Time Employees) sponsored by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce - Saskatchewan Science Centre, Regina; Skyxe Saskatoon Airport, Saskatoon; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Business of the Year Award (under 20 Full-Time Employees) sponsored by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority - Grotto Gardens Country Market, Maple Creek; The Happy Nun Café, Forget; and Rebellion Brewing Company, Regina.
Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award Sponsored by Wanuskewin - Mane Productions, Saskatoon; Meewasin Valley Authority, Saskatoon; and Western Trophy Outfitters/Great Grey Outfitters, Candle Lake area.
Gil Carduner Marketing Award Sponsored by Phoenix Group - Canadian Western Agribition, Regina; SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Saskatoon; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Indigenous Tourism Experience Award sponsored by Regina Exhibition Association Limited - Aski Holistic Adventures, Cumberland; House Living Sky Casino Powwow, Swift Current; and Wanuskewin, Saskatoon.
Marquee Event of the Year Award sponsored by PrintWest - Canadian Western Agribition, Regina; NHL Heritage Classic, Regina; and Western Canada Summer Games, Swift Current.
Rookie of the Year Award sponsored by the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club - Nutrien Wonderhub, Saskatoon; Odla Restaurant and Market, Saskatoon; and Regina Beach Aquatic Adventures, Regina Beach.
Service Excellence Award sponsored by Delta Hotels by Marriott Regina - Farm One Forty, Vanscoy; Northern Lights Vintage Spa, Maple Creek; and Scott Lake Lodge, Scott Lake.
Tourism Employee of the Year Award sponsored by Harvard Broadcasting Regina - Arnold McKenzie, Legislative Assembly Service of Saskatchewan, Regina; Katie Willie, Wanuskewin, Saskatoon; and Robert Holden, Firesong, Fowler Lake.
Tourism Employer of the Year Award sponsored by the Regina Airport Authority - Atlas Hotel, Regina; CAA Saskatchewan; and Gold Eagle Lodge, North Battleford.
Travel Media Award - Kevin Dunn, Saskatoon; Karen Pinchin, Boston, MA; and Jenn Sharp, Saskatoon.
Tourism Builder Award sponsored by Tourism Saskatchewan - Brad Muir, Waskesiu Lake; Gordon Olson, Big River; and Dr. Ernie Walker, Saskatoon.
“Tourism Saskatchewan is exceedingly proud of the businesses, events, employees and leaders chosen for the gala spotlight,” Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said. “We look forward to honouring their vision, innovation, collaboration, pride of place and deep commitment to great service and experiences.”
This year the finalists and award recipients will be honoured at the 31st annual Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala Apr. 2 in Regina.
TWM Top Story - Mar. 2, 2020
Communities look back at 2019 and ahead for 2020
Daniel Bushman
With projects large and small taking place in communities within the area along with events, upgrades and maintenance, as each place maps out 2020 and reflects back on 2019, The Watrous Manitou attempted to reach out to the local area communities to see how 2019 went and what could be in store for 2020.
Here are the responses TWM received by press time:
Allan - Mayor Les Alm said there were a number of notable items from 2019. One of those was the continuation of work being done on the Allan and Community Emergency Response Centre. “On May 12, 2018 the official sod turning was held for the new Allan and Community Emergency Response Centre. Through generous donations and countless volunteer hours of hard work through 2018, 2019 and into 2020, the new centre is almost ready to move into. The new building will house the fire department, first responder group and be the emergency operations centre for the local Emergency Measure Organization. The grand opening is being planned for May during Emergency Preparedness Week.”
Alm noted the Farming for Parks and Recreation committee was also busy as the group planned and executed its first crop planted with proceeds going to Parks and Recreation in the community. Unfortunately he said 2019 was not the best year for farming and the crop will not be harvested until the spring but Alm greatly appreciated the generous donation of seed, fertilizer, equipment and time from businesses and local farmers. “Our hope is that this can continue into the future to raise money for recreation in the community.”
Patrons using the arena in Allan remembered Logan Schatz who tragically lost his life in a bus crash in 2018 and was the captain of the Humboldt Broncos. From the hard work of Kelly Schatz and friends, ‘Schatzy’s Corner’ was opened in the Allan and District Communiplex last winter. The area is for kids to shoot around in during their down time at tournaments in Allan and Alm said it has been very well used. “You really need to come and see it if you haven’t already. In March 2019 a ceremony was held to unveil the new signs naming the skating rink in the Allan and District Communiplex the ‘Logan Schatz Memorial Arena.’”
With volunteers stepping up throughout the community, Alm wanted to extend his appreciation to those on local committees. “They have been very busy planning and hosting events in town. We have had an ‘Old Fashion Christmas in the Park’ to library activities, museum and cultural events and in June, Family Day in the Park will take place.”
As 2020 has commenced, hockey and curling remained in full swing at the communiplex and in November Alm said municipal elections will be held. “Many of our current council members have decided not to put their names forward so hopefully there will be community interest in keeping Allan growing and vibrant.”
Colonsay - a short drive from Allan, in Colonsay Mayor Jim Gray said 2019 included paving a new street. “That was our biggest thing and this coming year we are going to pave the part in front of the Co-op.”
Also in 2019, Gray indicated they rented the former tire shop building to house fire trucks. “Otherwise it has been mostly everyday work.”
However, the mayor did note the news of Mosaic’s Colonsay potash mine idling indefinitely has been a big
blow to the community and its residents. “We have got a lot of people out of work and sounds as if it won’t be coming back.”
As far as what is to come for the community and projects in 2020, Gray said he will not know until the budget is approved.
Drake - Mayor Peter Nicholson said last year was really status quo in terms of projects although in late spring the lagoon expansion was finished. “That was a fairly big project and this year the community has secured another government grant for infrastructure improvements.”
With the latest grant, Nicholson said they are looking at doing some major water system repairs. “We are going to increase the holding capacity by 60,000 litres. There will be a new well dug, a refurbish of the existing well, upgrades to the existing facility, etc.”
In addition to the infrastructure projects, after it was announced that Conexus Credit Union would be closing its doors in Drake, the decision was made by council to purchase the building. “That is going to be renovated into a new town office, a new library facility, and a community meeting facility on the mezzanine level upstairs. We are hoping to have the renovations completed within the next six months.”
Guernsey - With Guernsey dissolving into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, aside from two major train derailments nearly two months apart, RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said 2019 was a relatively quiet year for Usborne/Guernsey. “There were no major capital projects or any real highlights. We applied again for the MREP grant to continue repairing/resurfacing PG 668, but were unsuccessful in obtaining funding. A few repairs were done on our own (shoulder work, etc.) but nothing as far as resurfacing goes. The plan is the same for 2020. We have an application in to complete another stretch of that road under the new SARM RIRG program, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for that.”
Imperial - Last year was a busy one in Imperial as Town Administrator Joslin Freeman shared some of the highlights and work that was done. Some of those items from 2019 included: street upgrades with sand sealing, sidewalk maintenance, roof replacements on the water treatment plant and sewer lift station, and the installation of a portable speed sign.
The Palliser Library Imperial Branch also had a makeover of sorts with new carpet and an administrative desk. “They also always have lots of fun programs happening for kids and adults.”
Another unique place Freeman shared about at Imperial is Jack’s Place. “It is going strong and for those not knowing what it is, it is a place to drop off and pick up stuff for free. There is everything from kitchen appliances to Christmas decorations and it is being operated by Shirley Flostrand. If you have a child going to university this is the place to come to get dishes, glasses and coffee mugs.”
Freeman also mentioned recycling has started back up and people have been very receptive to utilizing it.
As for items in 2020, Freeman said nothing is official as the budget has not been finalized, however, more street upgrades with sand sealing and the possibility of repaving Main Street are all on the table for discussion.
“There will be continued sidewalk maintenance, another business on Main Street will see rubber stone installed in front. In 2019 a fire hydrant replacement program was put in place and that will continue. There may be a slight increase in property tax, but currently nothing has been decided. The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members!”
Manitou Beach - Chief Administrative Officer Beverley Laird said there were a number of items taking place in 2019, a year in which the resort community marked a century of incorporation. Laird said a total of 43 properties changed hands from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019 and of those changes, 24 were new people coming to the beach.
As part of 2019, the resort village hosted its third ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition in August which saw a number of local people and visitors attend. Along with the chainsaw carving competition, the Centennial Committee, Recreation Board and many volunteers had events all year commemorating Manitou Beach’s 100 anniversary. “Winter Fest was held in February, Wisdom Weekend in May, Canada Day and The Big Float in July, and a Picnic Party and Water Ceremony in August. Also the Centennial Mural was installed on the north side of the Community Hall.”
The Manitou Reflections sculpture was also created by local artists and Laird said they expect it to be installed in the spring. “This stainless steel sculptural wall will be the focal point in the newly created lakeshore park called Uhmann Centennial Park.”
Along with centennial celebrations, 2019 also saw a bi-election and plans for a retirement living complex. A signage corridor was also planned and will be implemented. Laird noted the Jubilee Drive-In had great attendance and the flea market remains strong.
As 2019 came to a close and 2020 commenced, Laird said it was the first year in a long time that there were no major projects conducted. “There was no need to do any flood prevention projects as two lift stations had been upgraded in 2018. Water Security Agency was out this fall to assess how our berm was holding up and the results showed it is great. Water Security Agency gave us a gold star for our efforts.”
Meanwhile, as 2020 gets underway, along with elections taking place later this year Laird noted the subdivision separating the west end of the drive-in property will be completed and the parcel will be offered for development. The resort community is also looking at upgrading the east sewage lift station in 2020, repairing the walls in the sewage lagoon and possibly installing a new bridge in Wellington Park.
Simpson - Mayor Jeremy Nimchuk said a lot of rink fundraising has taken place. A comedy night, hockey draft, ladies night and New Year’s parties were held to raise funds for the facility.
“We need to do something with the rink whether it is removing the roof or trying to replace it. Regardless, we still need to raise money to pay for the power and keep the heat on.”
Other items of note from 2019 included placing new Christmas lights on the power poles in town which were all donated and creating an ice rink on Main Street across from the hotel. “This is the second time the rink has been made and it was all volunteers who did it.”
A twinkle tour was also held before Christmas which included a hot dog roast for the kids and ice skating.
In addition, Richardson Pioneer’s Simpson Ag Business Centre provided the Simpson Volunteer Fire Department with $25,000 which went towards new equipment, suits and nozzles.
As for 2020, Nimchuk said the community will start to plan for Homecoming 2021.
Viscount - Mayor of Viscount Moe Kirzinger said the Village moved into the former bank building at the beginning of last year. With a $56,000 accessibility grant
they were also able to make a parking lot at the rink. “We got half of it done with that grant and we want to do the other half. The rink has also been doing a trip of the month fundraiser for upgrades and that has been going good.”
Kirzinger noted the community has also annexed some land from the RM into the village boundaries as they were subdividing some industrial lots. “We had one person move in, a heavy equipment operator.”
The mayor also highlighted an increase in the school population and the village came in under budget.
“For our town we still have a full line of businesses which is good.”
For 2020, Kirzinger said some of the goals include paving and redoing infrastructure. The community’s annual street dance is planned for August and has been a tremendous fundraiser over the years. Aside from that, Kirzinger said there are no real other big celebrations for 2020.
Watrous - Town Administrator Orrin Redden said a big emphasis in 2019 was placed on the east industrial area where Manitou Mainline Chrysler is located.
“We did get the paving done in 2019 and addressed most of the drainage issues out there,” said Redden who noted the work was a big amount of the Town’s capital works budget.
“We paved the road to Manitou Mainline Chrysler and then there is a road constructed looping straight east from Home Hardware and down to Chrysler. We hope to complete that this year and there is some cleanup left to do. It won’t be paved anytime soon but we hope to complete the drainage and rough road work to gravel. The lots next to Home Hardware are also available for purchase and there is water, sewer, power, and gas hooked up.”
At the turn next to Watrous Concrete is where the former substation site is located. With that property now owned by the Town, Redden said they want to focus on tidying the area up before marketing that corner lot next to Hwy. 2.
With all of the significant road work being done in the east industrial area, Redden said there was not a lot of other street work completed in 2019. “We rebuilt a couple of blocks on 2nd Street West, just the excavation but not paving. Some of those sections were really frost boiled. We also did quite a bit of asphalt patching.”
In addition to that work, Main Street incurred a few unexpected water main breaks in 2019. An issue on the minds of council as 2020 moves along, Redden said, “The water main on Main Street is not holding up as well as others. Main Street is important but the trouble is if you begin to replace mains, you have to do it all at once. It needs a new water main, then the water services to the buildings need to be replaced, new sidewalks installed, and then new asphalt. The estimate is around $650,000 for one block.”
With a substantial amount of money needed to fix four blocks, Redden suggested there are other options, however, the main concern is the water main. “Something will have to be addressed to look at the breaks and a plan will have to be implemented. It is such an undertaking and there is no easy answer. Everyone recognizes the importance of the situation but it is a large undertaking. You would have to look at diverting traffic, possibly businesses having to help fund the project while trying to keep places easily accessible to their customers.”
Water/sewer work has become a large part of the community’s budget over recent memory as Redden figured in the past six to eight years, the Town of Watrous has undertaken $10 million worth of water/sewer work. “There is some debt that has to be paid back but replacing the water main on Main Street is definitely something that is receiving a lot of discussion.”
Sticking with the theme of water/sewer, new well number seven was created in 2018 and the plan for 2019 was to do a pipeline to tie it into the existing line. While the pipeline has yet to be tied into the existing line, Redden said the project was tendered in the fall and will now be a spring job. Building, mechanical and electrical still has to be completed and is something council will look at during budget deliberations for 2020.
“We have adequate water supply but if our main well went down for any length of time this well will be a reserve to ensure we can supply our reverse osmosis water treatment plant. We have three wells without this new one but the two older ones can’t meet the volume the plant requires to run. In addition we also decommissioned some of our old wells that we weren’t using last year as well.”
With the significant capital projects including the lagoon, water treatment plant and water/sewer in the east industrial area, Redden said there will not be a lot of additional projects planned for 2020.
One project that is on the horizon along with discussion of the water main on Main Street involves heavy rain events. “There can be issues with getting the sewer away when ground water gets in and bottlenecks things up. That is a big project with a few options to look at for how to get the water out of town quicker but that will be left up to council to sort out what to do moving forward.”
Aside from water/sewer projects and work being done in the east industrial area, Redden noted a few other things that took place in 2019 and what will continue in 2020:
• seeking more storage space, across the road from the east industrial area, the Town acquired the PFRA compound which is next to the Town shop and near the Watrous Fire Hall. With that, the newly added mobility van has a spot to park, joining the larger mobility vehicle as part of the fleet. “Acquiring that warehouse compound was really fortunate for us with that added space. There is not a lot of outside space at the Town shop;”
• bylaw enforcement continues with last year being year two of the program in Watrous. “We are continuing similar to last year with very little bylaw enforcement done in the winter;”
• the Watrous Cemetery did not see any major capital projects but through public works there has been an increased emphasis in upkeep and maintenance;
• the sportsgrounds has a new concession facility constructed through a partnership with the Winston High School’s football team, Watrous Minor Ball and the Town of Watrous;
• the rest area shelter near the rail tracks at the end of Main Street has been essentially completed with assistance from Manitou Springs Mineral Spa. “People come in using the rail to visit the spa and Manitou Springs helped provide funding for it. People can get off the train and rest while they wait for a ride to the spa. It will also act as a resting place for other travellers during the summer as well;” and
• housing starts continue on the residential lot property across from the Watrous District Health Complex. Three homes have been constructed with two of those completed. The Town has since received deposits on five others.
Young - CAO of Young, Lyle Hannan said there were a few items of note from 2019. “We had the office move to the old bank building at the end of 2019 and we replaced a truck and purchased an old fire pumper, but nothing major.”
Hannan said there is nothing major planned for 2020 although a general election will be held later in the year.
Daniel Bushman
With projects large and small taking place in communities within the area along with events, upgrades and maintenance, as each place maps out 2020 and reflects back on 2019, The Watrous Manitou attempted to reach out to the local area communities to see how 2019 went and what could be in store for 2020.
Here are the responses TWM received by press time:
Allan - Mayor Les Alm said there were a number of notable items from 2019. One of those was the continuation of work being done on the Allan and Community Emergency Response Centre. “On May 12, 2018 the official sod turning was held for the new Allan and Community Emergency Response Centre. Through generous donations and countless volunteer hours of hard work through 2018, 2019 and into 2020, the new centre is almost ready to move into. The new building will house the fire department, first responder group and be the emergency operations centre for the local Emergency Measure Organization. The grand opening is being planned for May during Emergency Preparedness Week.”
Alm noted the Farming for Parks and Recreation committee was also busy as the group planned and executed its first crop planted with proceeds going to Parks and Recreation in the community. Unfortunately he said 2019 was not the best year for farming and the crop will not be harvested until the spring but Alm greatly appreciated the generous donation of seed, fertilizer, equipment and time from businesses and local farmers. “Our hope is that this can continue into the future to raise money for recreation in the community.”
Patrons using the arena in Allan remembered Logan Schatz who tragically lost his life in a bus crash in 2018 and was the captain of the Humboldt Broncos. From the hard work of Kelly Schatz and friends, ‘Schatzy’s Corner’ was opened in the Allan and District Communiplex last winter. The area is for kids to shoot around in during their down time at tournaments in Allan and Alm said it has been very well used. “You really need to come and see it if you haven’t already. In March 2019 a ceremony was held to unveil the new signs naming the skating rink in the Allan and District Communiplex the ‘Logan Schatz Memorial Arena.’”
With volunteers stepping up throughout the community, Alm wanted to extend his appreciation to those on local committees. “They have been very busy planning and hosting events in town. We have had an ‘Old Fashion Christmas in the Park’ to library activities, museum and cultural events and in June, Family Day in the Park will take place.”
As 2020 has commenced, hockey and curling remained in full swing at the communiplex and in November Alm said municipal elections will be held. “Many of our current council members have decided not to put their names forward so hopefully there will be community interest in keeping Allan growing and vibrant.”
Colonsay - a short drive from Allan, in Colonsay Mayor Jim Gray said 2019 included paving a new street. “That was our biggest thing and this coming year we are going to pave the part in front of the Co-op.”
Also in 2019, Gray indicated they rented the former tire shop building to house fire trucks. “Otherwise it has been mostly everyday work.”
However, the mayor did note the news of Mosaic’s Colonsay potash mine idling indefinitely has been a big
blow to the community and its residents. “We have got a lot of people out of work and sounds as if it won’t be coming back.”
As far as what is to come for the community and projects in 2020, Gray said he will not know until the budget is approved.
Drake - Mayor Peter Nicholson said last year was really status quo in terms of projects although in late spring the lagoon expansion was finished. “That was a fairly big project and this year the community has secured another government grant for infrastructure improvements.”
With the latest grant, Nicholson said they are looking at doing some major water system repairs. “We are going to increase the holding capacity by 60,000 litres. There will be a new well dug, a refurbish of the existing well, upgrades to the existing facility, etc.”
In addition to the infrastructure projects, after it was announced that Conexus Credit Union would be closing its doors in Drake, the decision was made by council to purchase the building. “That is going to be renovated into a new town office, a new library facility, and a community meeting facility on the mezzanine level upstairs. We are hoping to have the renovations completed within the next six months.”
Guernsey - With Guernsey dissolving into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, aside from two major train derailments nearly two months apart, RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said 2019 was a relatively quiet year for Usborne/Guernsey. “There were no major capital projects or any real highlights. We applied again for the MREP grant to continue repairing/resurfacing PG 668, but were unsuccessful in obtaining funding. A few repairs were done on our own (shoulder work, etc.) but nothing as far as resurfacing goes. The plan is the same for 2020. We have an application in to complete another stretch of that road under the new SARM RIRG program, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for that.”
Imperial - Last year was a busy one in Imperial as Town Administrator Joslin Freeman shared some of the highlights and work that was done. Some of those items from 2019 included: street upgrades with sand sealing, sidewalk maintenance, roof replacements on the water treatment plant and sewer lift station, and the installation of a portable speed sign.
The Palliser Library Imperial Branch also had a makeover of sorts with new carpet and an administrative desk. “They also always have lots of fun programs happening for kids and adults.”
Another unique place Freeman shared about at Imperial is Jack’s Place. “It is going strong and for those not knowing what it is, it is a place to drop off and pick up stuff for free. There is everything from kitchen appliances to Christmas decorations and it is being operated by Shirley Flostrand. If you have a child going to university this is the place to come to get dishes, glasses and coffee mugs.”
Freeman also mentioned recycling has started back up and people have been very receptive to utilizing it.
As for items in 2020, Freeman said nothing is official as the budget has not been finalized, however, more street upgrades with sand sealing and the possibility of repaving Main Street are all on the table for discussion.
“There will be continued sidewalk maintenance, another business on Main Street will see rubber stone installed in front. In 2019 a fire hydrant replacement program was put in place and that will continue. There may be a slight increase in property tax, but currently nothing has been decided. The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members!”
Manitou Beach - Chief Administrative Officer Beverley Laird said there were a number of items taking place in 2019, a year in which the resort community marked a century of incorporation. Laird said a total of 43 properties changed hands from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019 and of those changes, 24 were new people coming to the beach.
As part of 2019, the resort village hosted its third ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition in August which saw a number of local people and visitors attend. Along with the chainsaw carving competition, the Centennial Committee, Recreation Board and many volunteers had events all year commemorating Manitou Beach’s 100 anniversary. “Winter Fest was held in February, Wisdom Weekend in May, Canada Day and The Big Float in July, and a Picnic Party and Water Ceremony in August. Also the Centennial Mural was installed on the north side of the Community Hall.”
The Manitou Reflections sculpture was also created by local artists and Laird said they expect it to be installed in the spring. “This stainless steel sculptural wall will be the focal point in the newly created lakeshore park called Uhmann Centennial Park.”
Along with centennial celebrations, 2019 also saw a bi-election and plans for a retirement living complex. A signage corridor was also planned and will be implemented. Laird noted the Jubilee Drive-In had great attendance and the flea market remains strong.
As 2019 came to a close and 2020 commenced, Laird said it was the first year in a long time that there were no major projects conducted. “There was no need to do any flood prevention projects as two lift stations had been upgraded in 2018. Water Security Agency was out this fall to assess how our berm was holding up and the results showed it is great. Water Security Agency gave us a gold star for our efforts.”
Meanwhile, as 2020 gets underway, along with elections taking place later this year Laird noted the subdivision separating the west end of the drive-in property will be completed and the parcel will be offered for development. The resort community is also looking at upgrading the east sewage lift station in 2020, repairing the walls in the sewage lagoon and possibly installing a new bridge in Wellington Park.
Simpson - Mayor Jeremy Nimchuk said a lot of rink fundraising has taken place. A comedy night, hockey draft, ladies night and New Year’s parties were held to raise funds for the facility.
“We need to do something with the rink whether it is removing the roof or trying to replace it. Regardless, we still need to raise money to pay for the power and keep the heat on.”
Other items of note from 2019 included placing new Christmas lights on the power poles in town which were all donated and creating an ice rink on Main Street across from the hotel. “This is the second time the rink has been made and it was all volunteers who did it.”
A twinkle tour was also held before Christmas which included a hot dog roast for the kids and ice skating.
In addition, Richardson Pioneer’s Simpson Ag Business Centre provided the Simpson Volunteer Fire Department with $25,000 which went towards new equipment, suits and nozzles.
As for 2020, Nimchuk said the community will start to plan for Homecoming 2021.
Viscount - Mayor of Viscount Moe Kirzinger said the Village moved into the former bank building at the beginning of last year. With a $56,000 accessibility grant
they were also able to make a parking lot at the rink. “We got half of it done with that grant and we want to do the other half. The rink has also been doing a trip of the month fundraiser for upgrades and that has been going good.”
Kirzinger noted the community has also annexed some land from the RM into the village boundaries as they were subdividing some industrial lots. “We had one person move in, a heavy equipment operator.”
The mayor also highlighted an increase in the school population and the village came in under budget.
“For our town we still have a full line of businesses which is good.”
For 2020, Kirzinger said some of the goals include paving and redoing infrastructure. The community’s annual street dance is planned for August and has been a tremendous fundraiser over the years. Aside from that, Kirzinger said there are no real other big celebrations for 2020.
Watrous - Town Administrator Orrin Redden said a big emphasis in 2019 was placed on the east industrial area where Manitou Mainline Chrysler is located.
“We did get the paving done in 2019 and addressed most of the drainage issues out there,” said Redden who noted the work was a big amount of the Town’s capital works budget.
“We paved the road to Manitou Mainline Chrysler and then there is a road constructed looping straight east from Home Hardware and down to Chrysler. We hope to complete that this year and there is some cleanup left to do. It won’t be paved anytime soon but we hope to complete the drainage and rough road work to gravel. The lots next to Home Hardware are also available for purchase and there is water, sewer, power, and gas hooked up.”
At the turn next to Watrous Concrete is where the former substation site is located. With that property now owned by the Town, Redden said they want to focus on tidying the area up before marketing that corner lot next to Hwy. 2.
With all of the significant road work being done in the east industrial area, Redden said there was not a lot of other street work completed in 2019. “We rebuilt a couple of blocks on 2nd Street West, just the excavation but not paving. Some of those sections were really frost boiled. We also did quite a bit of asphalt patching.”
In addition to that work, Main Street incurred a few unexpected water main breaks in 2019. An issue on the minds of council as 2020 moves along, Redden said, “The water main on Main Street is not holding up as well as others. Main Street is important but the trouble is if you begin to replace mains, you have to do it all at once. It needs a new water main, then the water services to the buildings need to be replaced, new sidewalks installed, and then new asphalt. The estimate is around $650,000 for one block.”
With a substantial amount of money needed to fix four blocks, Redden suggested there are other options, however, the main concern is the water main. “Something will have to be addressed to look at the breaks and a plan will have to be implemented. It is such an undertaking and there is no easy answer. Everyone recognizes the importance of the situation but it is a large undertaking. You would have to look at diverting traffic, possibly businesses having to help fund the project while trying to keep places easily accessible to their customers.”
Water/sewer work has become a large part of the community’s budget over recent memory as Redden figured in the past six to eight years, the Town of Watrous has undertaken $10 million worth of water/sewer work. “There is some debt that has to be paid back but replacing the water main on Main Street is definitely something that is receiving a lot of discussion.”
Sticking with the theme of water/sewer, new well number seven was created in 2018 and the plan for 2019 was to do a pipeline to tie it into the existing line. While the pipeline has yet to be tied into the existing line, Redden said the project was tendered in the fall and will now be a spring job. Building, mechanical and electrical still has to be completed and is something council will look at during budget deliberations for 2020.
“We have adequate water supply but if our main well went down for any length of time this well will be a reserve to ensure we can supply our reverse osmosis water treatment plant. We have three wells without this new one but the two older ones can’t meet the volume the plant requires to run. In addition we also decommissioned some of our old wells that we weren’t using last year as well.”
With the significant capital projects including the lagoon, water treatment plant and water/sewer in the east industrial area, Redden said there will not be a lot of additional projects planned for 2020.
One project that is on the horizon along with discussion of the water main on Main Street involves heavy rain events. “There can be issues with getting the sewer away when ground water gets in and bottlenecks things up. That is a big project with a few options to look at for how to get the water out of town quicker but that will be left up to council to sort out what to do moving forward.”
Aside from water/sewer projects and work being done in the east industrial area, Redden noted a few other things that took place in 2019 and what will continue in 2020:
• seeking more storage space, across the road from the east industrial area, the Town acquired the PFRA compound which is next to the Town shop and near the Watrous Fire Hall. With that, the newly added mobility van has a spot to park, joining the larger mobility vehicle as part of the fleet. “Acquiring that warehouse compound was really fortunate for us with that added space. There is not a lot of outside space at the Town shop;”
• bylaw enforcement continues with last year being year two of the program in Watrous. “We are continuing similar to last year with very little bylaw enforcement done in the winter;”
• the Watrous Cemetery did not see any major capital projects but through public works there has been an increased emphasis in upkeep and maintenance;
• the sportsgrounds has a new concession facility constructed through a partnership with the Winston High School’s football team, Watrous Minor Ball and the Town of Watrous;
• the rest area shelter near the rail tracks at the end of Main Street has been essentially completed with assistance from Manitou Springs Mineral Spa. “People come in using the rail to visit the spa and Manitou Springs helped provide funding for it. People can get off the train and rest while they wait for a ride to the spa. It will also act as a resting place for other travellers during the summer as well;” and
• housing starts continue on the residential lot property across from the Watrous District Health Complex. Three homes have been constructed with two of those completed. The Town has since received deposits on five others.
Young - CAO of Young, Lyle Hannan said there were a few items of note from 2019. “We had the office move to the old bank building at the end of 2019 and we replaced a truck and purchased an old fire pumper, but nothing major.”
Hannan said there is nothing major planned for 2020 although a general election will be held later in the year.
TWM Top Story - Feb 17, 2020
Area bands together after train derailment
Daniel Bushman
As a raging fire was extinguished, plumes of black smoke disappeared and residents returned to their homes, crews continued to clean up at the site of a train derailment near Guernsey. The second derailment to occur near the community in almost two months, at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Feb. 6, 32 cars out of 104 from a Canadian Pacific freight hauling crude oil derailed just east of Guernsey, sparking a massive blaze.
According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), CP’s crude oil unit train originated at Rosyth, Alta. and was destined for Stroud, Oklahoma, proceeding eastward at about 42 m.p.h. on the CP Sutherland Subdivision. TSB noted the train experienced a train-initiated emergency brake application at Mile 43.4, about 1 1/2 miles west of Guernsey. Subsequent examination identified that 32 tank cars had derailed with several tank cars breached and an undetermined amount of petroleum crude oil product released. The product ignited and a pool fire ensued involving a number of tank cars.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment indicated that when the derailment occurred, approximately 1.2 million litres of oil spilled from the cars. The ministry stated the amount of recovered oil is currently being determined and is complicated by the fact that a significant portion burned off during the incident.
While there were no injuries to the CP crew, which was comprised of a locomotive engineer and conductor, the TSB said the train itself consisted of two distributed-power locomotives (one at each end), a covered hopper car loaded with sand located in position two, followed by 104 tank cars loaded with petroleum crude oil (UN1267, Class 3 PG I) and another covered hopper loaded with sand located the 107th position (108 rolling stock in total).
With the train weighing 14,896 tons and 6,445 feet in length, TSB noted in a Feb. 14 preliminary report that the derailed tank cars were all DOT 117J100-W tank cars.
“The tank cars located from line 32 to 63 (32 cars) derailed. One derailed tank car that remained upright was otherwise unaffected and was subsequently re-railed. Of the remaining 31 derailed cars, about 19 derailed cars were involved in a pool fire from released product west of the crossing, while an estimated 12 cars derailed east of the crossing but were not directly involved in the fire.”
While TSB has found there have been no mechanical defects observed that could be considered casual to date, a review of the locomotive event recorder download determined that the train was handled in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
As the investigation continues with each tank car being cleaned, purged and staged prior to inspection, TSB indicated as of Feb. 12, about 17 of the derailed cards had been examined with several exhibiting breaches.
With the oil burning from the derailment Feb. 6 which created huge plumes of smoke overhead that morning, a mandatory evacuation was issued for residents of Guernsey.
Dissolved into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, Administrator Anna Rintoul said RCMP, fire personnel, CP, and Canadian Public Safety representatives worked closely with the RM as approximately 85 residents from the community left during the morning mandatory evacuation. Blocking off a portion of Hwy. 16 next to Guernsey and setting up detours, local fire, RCMP and EMS crews were able to keep everyone safe. CP’s emergency response team and contractors also arrived on site to work with local fire officials to control and extinguish the remaining fires while a team from the TSB attended.
After responding to the first train derailment west of Guernsey Dec. 9, Lanigan Fire Chief Barry Hooper thought he would never witness something like that again. Almost two months later and at around 6:15 a.m., Hooper found himself staring at his phone in disbelief as he read the call of another derailment, a short distance from the first one.
“You would think there would be a better chance at winning the Lotto Max than having two derailments so close together,” Hooper said. “It was almost identical to the first one and almost the same amount of cars but this time we were concerned about the smoke going over Guernsey. Responding to the fire, we notified the Humboldt Fire Department right away and we were stationed in Guernsey. In the community it stunk pretty good and there was also some stuff falling out of the sky.”
Like others including Jerome Fisher who was feeding cows at his nearby farm when he heard the brakes of the train before seeing a glow, Guernsey resident Al Bowman was also awake early Thursday morning. “I heard the train going by but it sounded different than usual. It was almost like a Department of Highways’ truck scraping snow on the highway and not that usual clickety-clack.”
With the wind coming out of the east and blowing in the direction of Bowman’s home, he heard a loud bang which rattled his windows before there was complete silence. Thinking the situation was somewhat unusual, Bowman shrugged it off and continued on with his morning routine. An hour or so later while on his computer he noticed a post on his Facebook page about a train derailment. Assuming it was from two months ago, he carried on until glancing out his window.
“I saw the black smoke and noticed flashing lights on the next street over. I had a feeling we were going to be evacuated.”
As the haze continued to wrap itself around the community like a thick blanket, the local fire department made the call to get everyone out. Situated at the former school in Guernsey, Hooper requested the Town of Lanigan open its doors for Guernsey residents and emergency crews did not waste time, going door to door to evacuate people from the hamlet.
It was not long after the decision to evacuate was made by the fire department when Bowman received a knock at his door and was told to go. Able to head to the hall in Lanigan, Bowman quickly packed up his things and joining others, left.
Lanigan Town Administrator Jennifer Thompson said the Lanigan Town Hall was quickly made available and with the help of volunteers, the community provided meals and refreshments to everyone at the hall.
“The Lanigan and District Fire Department contacted the Lanigan Town office on Thursday morning asking to prepare the Community Hall for evacuation of the Hamlet of Guernsey. With the help of local businesses, the Town of Lanigan was able to have a breakfast available. Dinner and supper were served that day as well with the help of volunteers and coordinator, Lanigan Town Councillor Velda Daelick at the helm. As it became apparent that the evacuation centre needed to be available on Friday as well, Town of Lanigan representatives were able to plan food for Guernsey residents on Friday.”
As Hooper and other members from the local fire department ensured residents were notified about the evacuation and with the Town of Lanigan opening up the hall, it was not long after the evacuation order when safety personnel, heavy equipment and other big machinery began arriving at the derailment site in droves.
CP emergency response and HazMat crews were also deployed to the scene to work with the fire department to assess and minimize the impact to the surrounding area. Other crews began appearing at the site from Manitoba, Alberta and other parts of Saskatchewan including a provincial safety response team.
The site became a hub of activity as semi after semi hauling equipment unloaded backhoes while gravel trucks began dropping off loads as well. A command post was created and Hooper estimated there were around a dozen bulldozers and loaders to go along with trailers, a food area, tents and washroom facilities.
“It was pretty much exactly the same as the first derailment. You didn’t realize how much equipment came through, but there was a lot.”
Helping to clean up the first derailment site about six kilometres west of Guernsey, Ron Ediger’s phone began going off Thursday. Based out of Watrous, the owner of Melron Services Ltd. answered the call and was asked to give the crews at the second derailment site a hand fighting the fire. “When we received the call to come immediately, our guys all stopped what they were doing and jumped into their trucks and equipment.”
Seven employees from Melron Services Ltd. began hauling numerous loads of dirt to the location just east of Guernsey to assist with getting the fire out. Teaming up with the other crews and emergency members, the group from Melron spent substantial time bringing in dirt to keep the blaze under control.
“They were all willing to go and do whatever they needed to help out,” said Ron. “We are so proud of them all.”
With large equipment busy digging and the fire still burning, crews started separating the railcars. With 34 cars derailing Dec. 9, this time crews dealt with 32 derailed cars. Once CP crews were given approval, they were able to pull the pin on the cars and locomotive still on the tracks so they could be moved away from the area.
With the heat turned up and the fire still burning, the Lanigan and Humboldt fire departments needed some extra resources with their water pumping efforts. “We had our tanker, they had their tanker and then there was another tanker that came from Saskatoon and we used the Nutrien Lanigan mine’s water supply. We kept the working equipment cool by spraying it down and that allowed the crews to keep working close to the derailment. Last time we pumped water for 37 hours straight and we were probably pretty close to that again. That whole time we had to haul water, driving back and forth to the mine but Nutrien had it set up for us.”
As each heap of railcars were separated, the glow from the fire began subsiding. However the smoke continued to plume during the late hours Thursday and into the early morning hours Friday. At that point the fire department grew concerned. Unlike the first derailment where the department let the fire burn itself out, this time they made the call to extinguish it.
“We didn’t do as much fire fighting in the first one because they let most of it burn and we mostly protected the equipment they used. This time, because of the wind direction pushing the smoke over Guernsey, after a certain length of time we did extinguish it.”
Nearly 32 hours after the derailment, the fire was deemed out. “We had the fire out by around 2 p.m. Friday and the first train went through a few hours later. Between the two derailments, we have probably used 10 years worth of pumping on our new fire truck. In total, with both derailments we probably spent around 80 hours out there and 75 hours of straight pumping.”
While Hwy. 16 was reopened less than 48 hours after the first derailment, because of the proximity of the second derailment from the curve along the highway, a detour remained in place until late Wednesday afternoon before the highway was reopened.
“We didn’t have the room like the first one,” said Hooper. “The biggest thing is there was not much room between the highway and the track so that is why the highway was still closed long after the fire.”
With the highway blocked off for part of last week, RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said the RM’s public works staff had been busy working with CP and the crews while maintaining the detour. “As of Wednesday morning there was still lots of equipment at the site and RCMP presence by the barricades.”
A short distance from the barricades in nearby Guernsey, last week Rintoul said things began returning to normal. “There are small bits of ash around town but CP was recently in Guernsey to see how everything looked.”
Allowed back to his home twice during the evacuation, Bowman was able to tend to his pets and make sure everything at his residence was okay. When word was given he could head home for good, he and other evacuees at the hall in Lanigan began clapping. “CP representatives had brought us all pizza so we had some and headed home. I haven’t talked to anyone else but at my place I found absolutely no damage from the smoke that went over Guernsey. No smell either.”
However, not having any damage may not be the case for everyone in the hamlet. Rintoul said evacuees had received instructions and forms for claims and reimbursements for eligible expenses because of the derailment.
“They are able to fill out claims and submit individually if need be. The RM will be submitting a bill for the roadwork and any damages to the roads as a result of the detour. CP has been really good about this, as we had to do this last time as well.”
With things starting to return to normal and as the evacuation order ended Feb. 7, Thompson said the Town of Lanigan was pleased to have been able to accommodate and assist Guernsey residents while they were relocated.
“We would like to thank the RM of Usborne, Lanigan and District Fire Department, Lanigan and District Ambulance Association, the RCMP, mutual aid organizations and Canadian Pacific Railway in ensuring the safety of our region during the initial hours of the train derailment. Thank you also to the volunteers and offers of support from surrounding communities and businesses. When an emergent situation occurs, we are all one community and it is greatly appreciated!”
From Bowman’s perspective, he was very appreciative of the way CP and the many volunteers and organizations took care of the whole situation. “Everyone was great. The Reeve, RM office staff, councillors, Lanigan volunteers, the Town of Lanigan, the RCMP, fire fighters and the representative CP sent to the Evacuation Centre to be with us. The CP reps were all amazing. Everyone had helping us as their number one goal. I’m still overwhelmed by their caring kindness. I had someone tell me, “What did you expect? This is Saskatchewan.” And I really believe that.”
Like so many others from the community and the area, Bowman did not think a second derailment would occur so close to Guernsey. “No I sure didn’t expect it but if I were to sum up what I took away from this event it would be finding out that there is a plan in place for emergencies such as this. That is comforting to know. That and how many good people there are ready to help.”
Like Bowman, CP was appreciative of the work done by local fire officials, Saskatchewan emergency response representatives, local government officials, local police and others for their support in responding to the incident. In a statement, CP said, “We also thank those impacted by the evacuation for their patience and understanding and apologize for the inconvenience this incident has caused. CP will continue to work with the affected residents who have now returned to their homes. Crews continue to work on-site to ensure all equipment is removed and the area fully restored.”
Overseeing the emergency operations, and environmental assessment and remediation efforts which are already underway, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment said Canadian Pacific Railway is responsible for all costs associated with the derailment, including the emergency response, environmental assessment and all required remediation. “The Ministry of Environment will provide ongoing regulatory oversight for contaminant remediation activities to ensure they are conducted in a timely and responsible manner and in accordance with all applicable legislated requirements as the operation proceeds. It is not known exactly how long the cleanup will take to complete but can be expected to take up to several months. Fortunately, in both cases, the spill was fully contained to the railway and highway ditches, and impacted a relatively small area. Frozen ground likely helped reduce the risk of contaminants penetrating too deeply in both the December and February incidents.”
A few days removed from fighting fires at the derailment site, looking back, Hooper said, “I just couldn’t believe it when that call came in a second time. Now there are two derailments to deal with. Two weeks ago we were in Saskatoon and had a debriefing on the first derailment and I guess we will be doing it again.”
Daniel Bushman
As a raging fire was extinguished, plumes of black smoke disappeared and residents returned to their homes, crews continued to clean up at the site of a train derailment near Guernsey. The second derailment to occur near the community in almost two months, at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Feb. 6, 32 cars out of 104 from a Canadian Pacific freight hauling crude oil derailed just east of Guernsey, sparking a massive blaze.
According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), CP’s crude oil unit train originated at Rosyth, Alta. and was destined for Stroud, Oklahoma, proceeding eastward at about 42 m.p.h. on the CP Sutherland Subdivision. TSB noted the train experienced a train-initiated emergency brake application at Mile 43.4, about 1 1/2 miles west of Guernsey. Subsequent examination identified that 32 tank cars had derailed with several tank cars breached and an undetermined amount of petroleum crude oil product released. The product ignited and a pool fire ensued involving a number of tank cars.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment indicated that when the derailment occurred, approximately 1.2 million litres of oil spilled from the cars. The ministry stated the amount of recovered oil is currently being determined and is complicated by the fact that a significant portion burned off during the incident.
While there were no injuries to the CP crew, which was comprised of a locomotive engineer and conductor, the TSB said the train itself consisted of two distributed-power locomotives (one at each end), a covered hopper car loaded with sand located in position two, followed by 104 tank cars loaded with petroleum crude oil (UN1267, Class 3 PG I) and another covered hopper loaded with sand located the 107th position (108 rolling stock in total).
With the train weighing 14,896 tons and 6,445 feet in length, TSB noted in a Feb. 14 preliminary report that the derailed tank cars were all DOT 117J100-W tank cars.
“The tank cars located from line 32 to 63 (32 cars) derailed. One derailed tank car that remained upright was otherwise unaffected and was subsequently re-railed. Of the remaining 31 derailed cars, about 19 derailed cars were involved in a pool fire from released product west of the crossing, while an estimated 12 cars derailed east of the crossing but were not directly involved in the fire.”
While TSB has found there have been no mechanical defects observed that could be considered casual to date, a review of the locomotive event recorder download determined that the train was handled in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
As the investigation continues with each tank car being cleaned, purged and staged prior to inspection, TSB indicated as of Feb. 12, about 17 of the derailed cards had been examined with several exhibiting breaches.
With the oil burning from the derailment Feb. 6 which created huge plumes of smoke overhead that morning, a mandatory evacuation was issued for residents of Guernsey.
Dissolved into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, Administrator Anna Rintoul said RCMP, fire personnel, CP, and Canadian Public Safety representatives worked closely with the RM as approximately 85 residents from the community left during the morning mandatory evacuation. Blocking off a portion of Hwy. 16 next to Guernsey and setting up detours, local fire, RCMP and EMS crews were able to keep everyone safe. CP’s emergency response team and contractors also arrived on site to work with local fire officials to control and extinguish the remaining fires while a team from the TSB attended.
After responding to the first train derailment west of Guernsey Dec. 9, Lanigan Fire Chief Barry Hooper thought he would never witness something like that again. Almost two months later and at around 6:15 a.m., Hooper found himself staring at his phone in disbelief as he read the call of another derailment, a short distance from the first one.
“You would think there would be a better chance at winning the Lotto Max than having two derailments so close together,” Hooper said. “It was almost identical to the first one and almost the same amount of cars but this time we were concerned about the smoke going over Guernsey. Responding to the fire, we notified the Humboldt Fire Department right away and we were stationed in Guernsey. In the community it stunk pretty good and there was also some stuff falling out of the sky.”
Like others including Jerome Fisher who was feeding cows at his nearby farm when he heard the brakes of the train before seeing a glow, Guernsey resident Al Bowman was also awake early Thursday morning. “I heard the train going by but it sounded different than usual. It was almost like a Department of Highways’ truck scraping snow on the highway and not that usual clickety-clack.”
With the wind coming out of the east and blowing in the direction of Bowman’s home, he heard a loud bang which rattled his windows before there was complete silence. Thinking the situation was somewhat unusual, Bowman shrugged it off and continued on with his morning routine. An hour or so later while on his computer he noticed a post on his Facebook page about a train derailment. Assuming it was from two months ago, he carried on until glancing out his window.
“I saw the black smoke and noticed flashing lights on the next street over. I had a feeling we were going to be evacuated.”
As the haze continued to wrap itself around the community like a thick blanket, the local fire department made the call to get everyone out. Situated at the former school in Guernsey, Hooper requested the Town of Lanigan open its doors for Guernsey residents and emergency crews did not waste time, going door to door to evacuate people from the hamlet.
It was not long after the decision to evacuate was made by the fire department when Bowman received a knock at his door and was told to go. Able to head to the hall in Lanigan, Bowman quickly packed up his things and joining others, left.
Lanigan Town Administrator Jennifer Thompson said the Lanigan Town Hall was quickly made available and with the help of volunteers, the community provided meals and refreshments to everyone at the hall.
“The Lanigan and District Fire Department contacted the Lanigan Town office on Thursday morning asking to prepare the Community Hall for evacuation of the Hamlet of Guernsey. With the help of local businesses, the Town of Lanigan was able to have a breakfast available. Dinner and supper were served that day as well with the help of volunteers and coordinator, Lanigan Town Councillor Velda Daelick at the helm. As it became apparent that the evacuation centre needed to be available on Friday as well, Town of Lanigan representatives were able to plan food for Guernsey residents on Friday.”
As Hooper and other members from the local fire department ensured residents were notified about the evacuation and with the Town of Lanigan opening up the hall, it was not long after the evacuation order when safety personnel, heavy equipment and other big machinery began arriving at the derailment site in droves.
CP emergency response and HazMat crews were also deployed to the scene to work with the fire department to assess and minimize the impact to the surrounding area. Other crews began appearing at the site from Manitoba, Alberta and other parts of Saskatchewan including a provincial safety response team.
The site became a hub of activity as semi after semi hauling equipment unloaded backhoes while gravel trucks began dropping off loads as well. A command post was created and Hooper estimated there were around a dozen bulldozers and loaders to go along with trailers, a food area, tents and washroom facilities.
“It was pretty much exactly the same as the first derailment. You didn’t realize how much equipment came through, but there was a lot.”
Helping to clean up the first derailment site about six kilometres west of Guernsey, Ron Ediger’s phone began going off Thursday. Based out of Watrous, the owner of Melron Services Ltd. answered the call and was asked to give the crews at the second derailment site a hand fighting the fire. “When we received the call to come immediately, our guys all stopped what they were doing and jumped into their trucks and equipment.”
Seven employees from Melron Services Ltd. began hauling numerous loads of dirt to the location just east of Guernsey to assist with getting the fire out. Teaming up with the other crews and emergency members, the group from Melron spent substantial time bringing in dirt to keep the blaze under control.
“They were all willing to go and do whatever they needed to help out,” said Ron. “We are so proud of them all.”
With large equipment busy digging and the fire still burning, crews started separating the railcars. With 34 cars derailing Dec. 9, this time crews dealt with 32 derailed cars. Once CP crews were given approval, they were able to pull the pin on the cars and locomotive still on the tracks so they could be moved away from the area.
With the heat turned up and the fire still burning, the Lanigan and Humboldt fire departments needed some extra resources with their water pumping efforts. “We had our tanker, they had their tanker and then there was another tanker that came from Saskatoon and we used the Nutrien Lanigan mine’s water supply. We kept the working equipment cool by spraying it down and that allowed the crews to keep working close to the derailment. Last time we pumped water for 37 hours straight and we were probably pretty close to that again. That whole time we had to haul water, driving back and forth to the mine but Nutrien had it set up for us.”
As each heap of railcars were separated, the glow from the fire began subsiding. However the smoke continued to plume during the late hours Thursday and into the early morning hours Friday. At that point the fire department grew concerned. Unlike the first derailment where the department let the fire burn itself out, this time they made the call to extinguish it.
“We didn’t do as much fire fighting in the first one because they let most of it burn and we mostly protected the equipment they used. This time, because of the wind direction pushing the smoke over Guernsey, after a certain length of time we did extinguish it.”
Nearly 32 hours after the derailment, the fire was deemed out. “We had the fire out by around 2 p.m. Friday and the first train went through a few hours later. Between the two derailments, we have probably used 10 years worth of pumping on our new fire truck. In total, with both derailments we probably spent around 80 hours out there and 75 hours of straight pumping.”
While Hwy. 16 was reopened less than 48 hours after the first derailment, because of the proximity of the second derailment from the curve along the highway, a detour remained in place until late Wednesday afternoon before the highway was reopened.
“We didn’t have the room like the first one,” said Hooper. “The biggest thing is there was not much room between the highway and the track so that is why the highway was still closed long after the fire.”
With the highway blocked off for part of last week, RM Administrator Anna Rintoul said the RM’s public works staff had been busy working with CP and the crews while maintaining the detour. “As of Wednesday morning there was still lots of equipment at the site and RCMP presence by the barricades.”
A short distance from the barricades in nearby Guernsey, last week Rintoul said things began returning to normal. “There are small bits of ash around town but CP was recently in Guernsey to see how everything looked.”
Allowed back to his home twice during the evacuation, Bowman was able to tend to his pets and make sure everything at his residence was okay. When word was given he could head home for good, he and other evacuees at the hall in Lanigan began clapping. “CP representatives had brought us all pizza so we had some and headed home. I haven’t talked to anyone else but at my place I found absolutely no damage from the smoke that went over Guernsey. No smell either.”
However, not having any damage may not be the case for everyone in the hamlet. Rintoul said evacuees had received instructions and forms for claims and reimbursements for eligible expenses because of the derailment.
“They are able to fill out claims and submit individually if need be. The RM will be submitting a bill for the roadwork and any damages to the roads as a result of the detour. CP has been really good about this, as we had to do this last time as well.”
With things starting to return to normal and as the evacuation order ended Feb. 7, Thompson said the Town of Lanigan was pleased to have been able to accommodate and assist Guernsey residents while they were relocated.
“We would like to thank the RM of Usborne, Lanigan and District Fire Department, Lanigan and District Ambulance Association, the RCMP, mutual aid organizations and Canadian Pacific Railway in ensuring the safety of our region during the initial hours of the train derailment. Thank you also to the volunteers and offers of support from surrounding communities and businesses. When an emergent situation occurs, we are all one community and it is greatly appreciated!”
From Bowman’s perspective, he was very appreciative of the way CP and the many volunteers and organizations took care of the whole situation. “Everyone was great. The Reeve, RM office staff, councillors, Lanigan volunteers, the Town of Lanigan, the RCMP, fire fighters and the representative CP sent to the Evacuation Centre to be with us. The CP reps were all amazing. Everyone had helping us as their number one goal. I’m still overwhelmed by their caring kindness. I had someone tell me, “What did you expect? This is Saskatchewan.” And I really believe that.”
Like so many others from the community and the area, Bowman did not think a second derailment would occur so close to Guernsey. “No I sure didn’t expect it but if I were to sum up what I took away from this event it would be finding out that there is a plan in place for emergencies such as this. That is comforting to know. That and how many good people there are ready to help.”
Like Bowman, CP was appreciative of the work done by local fire officials, Saskatchewan emergency response representatives, local government officials, local police and others for their support in responding to the incident. In a statement, CP said, “We also thank those impacted by the evacuation for their patience and understanding and apologize for the inconvenience this incident has caused. CP will continue to work with the affected residents who have now returned to their homes. Crews continue to work on-site to ensure all equipment is removed and the area fully restored.”
Overseeing the emergency operations, and environmental assessment and remediation efforts which are already underway, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment said Canadian Pacific Railway is responsible for all costs associated with the derailment, including the emergency response, environmental assessment and all required remediation. “The Ministry of Environment will provide ongoing regulatory oversight for contaminant remediation activities to ensure they are conducted in a timely and responsible manner and in accordance with all applicable legislated requirements as the operation proceeds. It is not known exactly how long the cleanup will take to complete but can be expected to take up to several months. Fortunately, in both cases, the spill was fully contained to the railway and highway ditches, and impacted a relatively small area. Frozen ground likely helped reduce the risk of contaminants penetrating too deeply in both the December and February incidents.”
A few days removed from fighting fires at the derailment site, looking back, Hooper said, “I just couldn’t believe it when that call came in a second time. Now there are two derailments to deal with. Two weeks ago we were in Saskatoon and had a debriefing on the first derailment and I guess we will be doing it again.”
TWM Top Story - Feb. 10, 2020
Train derailment forces evacuation
Daniel Bushman
Nearly two months after 34 railcars went off the tracks about six kilometres west of Guernsey, a second train derailment took place, this time much closer to the community. At around 6:15 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 a number of railcars containing crude oil derailed just a short distance east of Guernsey prompting evacuations and the closure to a portion of Hwy. 16.
Like the Dec. 9 event, which also involved crude oil and Canadian Pacific Rail, several railcars were ignited, spilling into the ditch and crumpling into a heap at a crossing. Speaking to members of the media Feb. 6, President of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency Marlo Pritchard noted he had received reports the train was carrying approximately 104 cars when 31 derailed approximately 10 kms from the previous derailment in December. About a dozen cars remained on fire during the afternoon Feb. 6 and there were still cars burning Feb. 7.
Attending the first derailment, local emergency crews also responded to last week’s scene as Guernsey was placed under a mandatory evacuation due to air quality concerns. Along with local first responders, CP emergency response teams were on hand Thursday to contain the fire. CP issued a statement indicating there were no injuries to its crew and there was no impact to waterways. As was the case in December, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) also deployed a team of investigators to the site of the derailment.
Planning to truck south to Moose Jaw, Jerome Fisher got up early last Thursday to feed his cows. Living at the farm his wife Beth grew up at, Jerome got on his jacket, braved the elements, and ventured outdoors. With the couple’s farm located less than one kilometre from where the derailment occurred, at 6:15 a.m. Fisher was busy tending to his cattle when he heard the train hit the brakes. Since the farm house obstructed his view of the train from where he was standing in the corral, Jerome did not see the cars burst into flames but rather a glow.
Illuminating the area as large plumes of smoke filled the sky, Paul Huls was also awake early in the morning and was driving along Hwy. 16 close to where the Fishers live. When Huls came upon the derailment, he said, “We saw a big fireball and then train cars burning.”
Jerome’s wife Beth was sleeping when she awoke to the ring of her phone. On the other end was her sister asking if she had heard about the derailment. With the wind blowing from the east, Fisher was fast asleep when the derailment took place. But after answering the call from her sister, when she looked out her window, Beth could see the fire and emergency vehicles just down the road.
“My first thought was, ‘not again,’” Fisher exclaimed as she watched the flames leap into the sky. Figuring the derailment must have involved oil as opposed to potash which is transported from the nearby mine, there was soon a knock at her door. A member from the Lanigan and District Fire Department stopped by around 7:30 a.m. to make sure the Fishers were aware of what was going on. “Since the wind was not headed in our direction, we were not evacuated and allowed to stay home.”
Watching from her window, Beth was surprised at how a second derailment could have happened near Guernsey in such a short time span. “I’ve lived here my whole life and I have never seen a train derailment. It is very odd to see two in two months. They had been doing a lot of work on that rail line during the fall and after this latest derailment, I was just hoping no one was hurt. I asked the firefighter who came to our house right away if anyone was hurt and I was told everyone was okay.”
With Jerome headed for Moose Jaw as part of his trucking job and daylight breaking, Beth could not believe the amount of black smoke billowing into the sky. The plume covered Guernsey as it pushed further east and not long after that, evacuations took place.
Since Guernsey has dissolved into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, Administrator Anna Rintoul said RCMP, fire personnel, CP, and Canadian Public Safety representatives worked closely with the RM as approximately 85 residents from Guernsey had to leave. The Lanigan and District Fire Department who responded to the scene requested the Town of Lanigan prepare for residents of Guernsey as they evacuated the community.
Lanigan Town Administrator Jennifer Thompson said the Lanigan Town Hall was made available for residents of Guernsey and with the help of volunteers, the Town of Lanigan provided meals and refreshments to everyone at the hall.
With people from Guernsey being told to leave, Beth’s home also became a haven for her son Logan’s family and nearby neighbours. “Logan just came off of working nights at Pound-Maker and had gone to bed but he was woken up and his family got evacuated around 8:30 a.m. They came to our place and two more neighbours and their little girl joined us as well. We have the space and were happy to welcome people over. I told my husband, “Guernsey is being evacuated.” He said, “Well how many people can our house hold?” There are lots of people in Guernsey who have connections that live close by so there were places for people to go.”
As her family and their neighbours came over, reflecting on the situation, Beth said she was just really grateful everyone was okay and not hurt. “I am so thankful for the time of year as well that there is not any dry grass around. I feel for the railroad crews and emergency people who have to deal with this. Kudos to them.”
A few kilometres southwest of the Fisher farm and a short drive from Guernsey is where Nutrien’s Lanigan potash mine is situated. With the thick smoke coming from the derailment and mine staff working above and below ground, Nutrien spokesperson Will Tigley said, “Right now our operations and teams at Lanigan are not impacted by this train derailment. We continue to monitor the situation and are taking the necessary precautions to keep our people safe.”
As word spread about the derailment, the news reached Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Faced with a second major event near Guernsey in less than two months, Federal Minister of Transport Marc Garneau issued the following through a number of tweets on his Twitter account: “I am seized with this morning’s rail incident in Guernsey, Sask. We are gathering the facts and I am following this very closely. Rail safety remains my top priority. The derailments of railway cars containing dangerous goods over the past year are concerning. I’m issuing an immediate order to slow trains carrying large quantities of dangerous goods on federally regulated railway tracks across Canada. Effective at midnight on Feb. 7, this Ministerial Order will require the slowdown of trains with 20 or more cars carrying dangerous goods. In cities, trains will be limited to 20 m.p.h. Outside of these areas, trains will be limited to 25 m.p.h. This will be in place for 30 days. This is a precautionary measure being taken today, as we are seeing similarities between today’s accident and other recent rail accidents. I’ve asked my officials to examine all issues related to these accidents to determine if additional safety measures will be required. I cannot compromise on safety and will not hesitate to take further swift action as is necessary.”
After Garneau’s announcement Feb. 6, Canadian Pacific Railway Limited also responded to the crude oil derailment near Guernsey.
“Immediately after the derailment, CP implemented a slow order on its crude trains as a precautionary measure as it gathers facts related to this incident. Since then, Transport Canada has issued a Ministerial Order, effective for 30 days at midnight on Friday, Feb. 7. The order requires a slowdown of “key trains (which contain 20 or more cars carrying dangerous goods). In metropolitan areas, these trains will be limited to 20 m.p.h. Outside these areas, trains will be limited to 25 m.p.h.”
“CP fully supports this action and it has been implemented effective immediately,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “Until we better understand the facts relating to today’s incident, it is prudent to operate with an abundance of caution. We equally share Minister Garneau’s concerns, and remain committed to safe operations, as we always have been.”
CP added it is working collaboratively with local officials in responding to the derailment and is deploying claims officers to assist community members displaced by the incident and evacuation. “CP is in close contact with regulators and local officials and will keep them informed as the situation progresses. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
The company also stated crews will be working diligently and will ensure the area is cleaned up and restored after CP safely recovers from this incident.
As Thursday night arrived residents from Guernsey remained evacuated and the Saskatoon Fire Department received a mutual aid request to help with the fire near the community, sending one water tanker to support operations. Crews continued to keep the blaze at bay and as the sun began coming up Friday morning, they were still hard at work at the derailment site.
Residents from Guernsey who had been evacuated Thursday spent the night with family, friends or in hotels and as of Friday morning, were still evacuated. Breakfast and lunch was served at the Lanigan Town Hall Friday for those displaced from their homes as they awaited more information on the situation from CP. With questions for CP surrounding the derailment and when residents of Guernsey could return home, Rintoual said the RM was grateful to the local volunteers in Lanigan for helping out and opening the hall.
For motorists using Hwy. 16 near Guernsey, according to the Highway Hotline, a portion of the highway remained closed as of press time. A detour was in place for motorists to head north on Hwy. 20 to Grid 340 then south on Grid Range Rd. 2233.
As information continues to be provided, The Watrous Manitou will have more on the derailment in next week’s edition.
Daniel Bushman
Nearly two months after 34 railcars went off the tracks about six kilometres west of Guernsey, a second train derailment took place, this time much closer to the community. At around 6:15 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 a number of railcars containing crude oil derailed just a short distance east of Guernsey prompting evacuations and the closure to a portion of Hwy. 16.
Like the Dec. 9 event, which also involved crude oil and Canadian Pacific Rail, several railcars were ignited, spilling into the ditch and crumpling into a heap at a crossing. Speaking to members of the media Feb. 6, President of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency Marlo Pritchard noted he had received reports the train was carrying approximately 104 cars when 31 derailed approximately 10 kms from the previous derailment in December. About a dozen cars remained on fire during the afternoon Feb. 6 and there were still cars burning Feb. 7.
Attending the first derailment, local emergency crews also responded to last week’s scene as Guernsey was placed under a mandatory evacuation due to air quality concerns. Along with local first responders, CP emergency response teams were on hand Thursday to contain the fire. CP issued a statement indicating there were no injuries to its crew and there was no impact to waterways. As was the case in December, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) also deployed a team of investigators to the site of the derailment.
Planning to truck south to Moose Jaw, Jerome Fisher got up early last Thursday to feed his cows. Living at the farm his wife Beth grew up at, Jerome got on his jacket, braved the elements, and ventured outdoors. With the couple’s farm located less than one kilometre from where the derailment occurred, at 6:15 a.m. Fisher was busy tending to his cattle when he heard the train hit the brakes. Since the farm house obstructed his view of the train from where he was standing in the corral, Jerome did not see the cars burst into flames but rather a glow.
Illuminating the area as large plumes of smoke filled the sky, Paul Huls was also awake early in the morning and was driving along Hwy. 16 close to where the Fishers live. When Huls came upon the derailment, he said, “We saw a big fireball and then train cars burning.”
Jerome’s wife Beth was sleeping when she awoke to the ring of her phone. On the other end was her sister asking if she had heard about the derailment. With the wind blowing from the east, Fisher was fast asleep when the derailment took place. But after answering the call from her sister, when she looked out her window, Beth could see the fire and emergency vehicles just down the road.
“My first thought was, ‘not again,’” Fisher exclaimed as she watched the flames leap into the sky. Figuring the derailment must have involved oil as opposed to potash which is transported from the nearby mine, there was soon a knock at her door. A member from the Lanigan and District Fire Department stopped by around 7:30 a.m. to make sure the Fishers were aware of what was going on. “Since the wind was not headed in our direction, we were not evacuated and allowed to stay home.”
Watching from her window, Beth was surprised at how a second derailment could have happened near Guernsey in such a short time span. “I’ve lived here my whole life and I have never seen a train derailment. It is very odd to see two in two months. They had been doing a lot of work on that rail line during the fall and after this latest derailment, I was just hoping no one was hurt. I asked the firefighter who came to our house right away if anyone was hurt and I was told everyone was okay.”
With Jerome headed for Moose Jaw as part of his trucking job and daylight breaking, Beth could not believe the amount of black smoke billowing into the sky. The plume covered Guernsey as it pushed further east and not long after that, evacuations took place.
Since Guernsey has dissolved into the Rural Municipality of Usborne, Administrator Anna Rintoul said RCMP, fire personnel, CP, and Canadian Public Safety representatives worked closely with the RM as approximately 85 residents from Guernsey had to leave. The Lanigan and District Fire Department who responded to the scene requested the Town of Lanigan prepare for residents of Guernsey as they evacuated the community.
Lanigan Town Administrator Jennifer Thompson said the Lanigan Town Hall was made available for residents of Guernsey and with the help of volunteers, the Town of Lanigan provided meals and refreshments to everyone at the hall.
With people from Guernsey being told to leave, Beth’s home also became a haven for her son Logan’s family and nearby neighbours. “Logan just came off of working nights at Pound-Maker and had gone to bed but he was woken up and his family got evacuated around 8:30 a.m. They came to our place and two more neighbours and their little girl joined us as well. We have the space and were happy to welcome people over. I told my husband, “Guernsey is being evacuated.” He said, “Well how many people can our house hold?” There are lots of people in Guernsey who have connections that live close by so there were places for people to go.”
As her family and their neighbours came over, reflecting on the situation, Beth said she was just really grateful everyone was okay and not hurt. “I am so thankful for the time of year as well that there is not any dry grass around. I feel for the railroad crews and emergency people who have to deal with this. Kudos to them.”
A few kilometres southwest of the Fisher farm and a short drive from Guernsey is where Nutrien’s Lanigan potash mine is situated. With the thick smoke coming from the derailment and mine staff working above and below ground, Nutrien spokesperson Will Tigley said, “Right now our operations and teams at Lanigan are not impacted by this train derailment. We continue to monitor the situation and are taking the necessary precautions to keep our people safe.”
As word spread about the derailment, the news reached Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Faced with a second major event near Guernsey in less than two months, Federal Minister of Transport Marc Garneau issued the following through a number of tweets on his Twitter account: “I am seized with this morning’s rail incident in Guernsey, Sask. We are gathering the facts and I am following this very closely. Rail safety remains my top priority. The derailments of railway cars containing dangerous goods over the past year are concerning. I’m issuing an immediate order to slow trains carrying large quantities of dangerous goods on federally regulated railway tracks across Canada. Effective at midnight on Feb. 7, this Ministerial Order will require the slowdown of trains with 20 or more cars carrying dangerous goods. In cities, trains will be limited to 20 m.p.h. Outside of these areas, trains will be limited to 25 m.p.h. This will be in place for 30 days. This is a precautionary measure being taken today, as we are seeing similarities between today’s accident and other recent rail accidents. I’ve asked my officials to examine all issues related to these accidents to determine if additional safety measures will be required. I cannot compromise on safety and will not hesitate to take further swift action as is necessary.”
After Garneau’s announcement Feb. 6, Canadian Pacific Railway Limited also responded to the crude oil derailment near Guernsey.
“Immediately after the derailment, CP implemented a slow order on its crude trains as a precautionary measure as it gathers facts related to this incident. Since then, Transport Canada has issued a Ministerial Order, effective for 30 days at midnight on Friday, Feb. 7. The order requires a slowdown of “key trains (which contain 20 or more cars carrying dangerous goods). In metropolitan areas, these trains will be limited to 20 m.p.h. Outside these areas, trains will be limited to 25 m.p.h.”
“CP fully supports this action and it has been implemented effective immediately,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “Until we better understand the facts relating to today’s incident, it is prudent to operate with an abundance of caution. We equally share Minister Garneau’s concerns, and remain committed to safe operations, as we always have been.”
CP added it is working collaboratively with local officials in responding to the derailment and is deploying claims officers to assist community members displaced by the incident and evacuation. “CP is in close contact with regulators and local officials and will keep them informed as the situation progresses. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
The company also stated crews will be working diligently and will ensure the area is cleaned up and restored after CP safely recovers from this incident.
As Thursday night arrived residents from Guernsey remained evacuated and the Saskatoon Fire Department received a mutual aid request to help with the fire near the community, sending one water tanker to support operations. Crews continued to keep the blaze at bay and as the sun began coming up Friday morning, they were still hard at work at the derailment site.
Residents from Guernsey who had been evacuated Thursday spent the night with family, friends or in hotels and as of Friday morning, were still evacuated. Breakfast and lunch was served at the Lanigan Town Hall Friday for those displaced from their homes as they awaited more information on the situation from CP. With questions for CP surrounding the derailment and when residents of Guernsey could return home, Rintoual said the RM was grateful to the local volunteers in Lanigan for helping out and opening the hall.
For motorists using Hwy. 16 near Guernsey, according to the Highway Hotline, a portion of the highway remained closed as of press time. A detour was in place for motorists to head north on Hwy. 20 to Grid 340 then south on Grid Range Rd. 2233.
As information continues to be provided, The Watrous Manitou will have more on the derailment in next week’s edition.
TWM Top Story - Feb. 3, 2020
Mosaic Colonsay idling for foreseeable future
Daniel Bushman
As Mosaic’s Colonsay potash mine began idling in September leaving hundreds without work, last week’s announcement of the mine idling for the foreseeable future was not the news employees, their families and the communities they reside in had been hoping for.
Impacting about 343 of its hourly workforce when the mine first began idling, Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations with Mosaic Sarah Fedorchuk said on Tuesday, Jan. 28 Mosaic met with its remaining Colonsay workforce to advise them the site will remain idled for the foreseeable future.
“While a difficult decision to make, giving our Colonsay workforce a clear picture of our plans is an important step in allowing them to best prepare for their future.”
While some of the company’s salaried Colonsay employees have since moved on to new roles in other areas of the business unit, Fedorchuk said the latest decision will impact the remaining approximately 80 salaried staff. “We met with them (Jan. 28) to discuss their role, varying end dates or other opportunities.”
Colonsay Mayor Jim Gray was disappointed with the announcement, leaving some from his community without a job. Upwards of 25 people had been residing in Colonsay while working at the mine and now with the latest news, the mayor said, “They are not going to keep all the employees here because there is not work here.”
Already feeling the pinch in town since September’s idling, Gray noted there had been five employees from Colonsay who were kept on at the site but were part of the number impacted Jan. 28. A bunch of other employees had already been transferred to Esterhazy according to Gray. “Most of them are out of work. Then your older ones who have been there all their lives, well they don’t know anything else but that. It is going to be hard. It is going to be hard in the town. Where do you find that kind of money that you are going to lose from potash sharing and stuff like that? Other small towns like Bruno, Viscount, and all through there, it is going to be hard on everybody. I just feel sorry for the workers and how it happened the way it has.”
A number of employees with Mosaic also reside in Watrous, the largest community within the immediate area. As they lost their jobs at the mine, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins reciprocated what his fellow mayor from Colonsay had to say. “As a community leader I’m disappointed and saddened by this news. I feel for the employees, their families, the community at large and all those who are directly affected as well as those indirectly affected. It will impact our business sector and possibly our schools, depending on the length of this idling.”
As he heard about the discouraging news, Collins said, “We are a resilient community and very diversified so hopefully that will assist in retaining a number of the affected employees to remain in our community. As the demand and price increases for this product we hope that the mine will open to full capacity in the foreseeable future.”
Like the hundreds who lost their jobs at the mine, local area resident Daniel Veld had spent a number of years working at Mosaic Colonsay. Starting at the mine Mar. 21, 2011, Veld was part of a production crew operating on the surface, running one of the areas from the lab/raw ore storage to compaction three.
When the idling was first announced in August, Veld saw his employment at the mine cease the following month. From there, like so many others, it became a waiting game. As each month passed and with no news of production resuming, Veld began looking for other job opportunities. While others have not been as fortunate, in December Daniel secured a position as a salesperson at Manitou Mainline Chrysler.
“I know another guy from our crew got on with CN and another in the trucking industry,” said Veld who has been selling vehicles now for just over a month. “Some have found work in and around Saskatoon with many others still looking.”
As the mine remains idle moving forward, Fedorchuk said Mosaic will be providing transition services, educational bursaries through a retraining fund to obtain new skills and education, and access to other services like its Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP).
Approximately 45 positions will remain in place at Colonsay to complete safety and regulatory checks and conduct minimal maintenance.
With the decision to begin idling its mine coming last year, Fedorchuk said at that time it was in response to a challenging spring. “We believe that idling Colonsay will allow us to reduce our current inventory levels, lower our cash costs of production and provide a buffer to any delay in new potash contract shipments.”
Unprecedented wet weather in the Midwest United States had negatively impacted its North American spring fertilizer sales volumes and phosphates margins. Mosaic said those same factors drove grain prices higher and provided significant opportunities in fall 2019 and beyond.
“We’ve experienced a North American spring season that was wetter and later than any in recorded history,” said Mosaic President and CEO Joc O’Rourke. “While our Potash and Mosaic Fertilizantes businesses continued to perform well, weakness in the phosphates market negatively impacted second quarter results.”
The company also indicated the accelerated ramp up of the low-cost Esterhazy K3 potash project was also a factor. The production, combined with available inventory facilitated the idling of the higher cost Colonsay potash mine. “These actions are expected to lower Mosaic’s cost of production, accelerate inventory depletion, avoid $40 to $50 million in cash expenditures in 2019, and increase the company’s leverage to strengthening markets into 2020.”
As the news was first announced that Mosaic's Colonsay mine is to remain idled for the foreseeable future, a few days later Nutrien confirmed that its Vanscoy mine will resume production in March 2020. Nutrien spokesperson Will Tigley said, “We are still reviewing exact timing and developing our recall plan for employees.”
Tigley indicated Nutrien expects a positive medium to long-term outlook in the potash markets as the company heads toward the spring of this year.
With word of Vanscoy resuming production next month, Tigley also confirmed Nutrien's Allan and Lanigan mines have been back to regular operations since late December.
Daniel Bushman
As Mosaic’s Colonsay potash mine began idling in September leaving hundreds without work, last week’s announcement of the mine idling for the foreseeable future was not the news employees, their families and the communities they reside in had been hoping for.
Impacting about 343 of its hourly workforce when the mine first began idling, Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations with Mosaic Sarah Fedorchuk said on Tuesday, Jan. 28 Mosaic met with its remaining Colonsay workforce to advise them the site will remain idled for the foreseeable future.
“While a difficult decision to make, giving our Colonsay workforce a clear picture of our plans is an important step in allowing them to best prepare for their future.”
While some of the company’s salaried Colonsay employees have since moved on to new roles in other areas of the business unit, Fedorchuk said the latest decision will impact the remaining approximately 80 salaried staff. “We met with them (Jan. 28) to discuss their role, varying end dates or other opportunities.”
Colonsay Mayor Jim Gray was disappointed with the announcement, leaving some from his community without a job. Upwards of 25 people had been residing in Colonsay while working at the mine and now with the latest news, the mayor said, “They are not going to keep all the employees here because there is not work here.”
Already feeling the pinch in town since September’s idling, Gray noted there had been five employees from Colonsay who were kept on at the site but were part of the number impacted Jan. 28. A bunch of other employees had already been transferred to Esterhazy according to Gray. “Most of them are out of work. Then your older ones who have been there all their lives, well they don’t know anything else but that. It is going to be hard. It is going to be hard in the town. Where do you find that kind of money that you are going to lose from potash sharing and stuff like that? Other small towns like Bruno, Viscount, and all through there, it is going to be hard on everybody. I just feel sorry for the workers and how it happened the way it has.”
A number of employees with Mosaic also reside in Watrous, the largest community within the immediate area. As they lost their jobs at the mine, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins reciprocated what his fellow mayor from Colonsay had to say. “As a community leader I’m disappointed and saddened by this news. I feel for the employees, their families, the community at large and all those who are directly affected as well as those indirectly affected. It will impact our business sector and possibly our schools, depending on the length of this idling.”
As he heard about the discouraging news, Collins said, “We are a resilient community and very diversified so hopefully that will assist in retaining a number of the affected employees to remain in our community. As the demand and price increases for this product we hope that the mine will open to full capacity in the foreseeable future.”
Like the hundreds who lost their jobs at the mine, local area resident Daniel Veld had spent a number of years working at Mosaic Colonsay. Starting at the mine Mar. 21, 2011, Veld was part of a production crew operating on the surface, running one of the areas from the lab/raw ore storage to compaction three.
When the idling was first announced in August, Veld saw his employment at the mine cease the following month. From there, like so many others, it became a waiting game. As each month passed and with no news of production resuming, Veld began looking for other job opportunities. While others have not been as fortunate, in December Daniel secured a position as a salesperson at Manitou Mainline Chrysler.
“I know another guy from our crew got on with CN and another in the trucking industry,” said Veld who has been selling vehicles now for just over a month. “Some have found work in and around Saskatoon with many others still looking.”
As the mine remains idle moving forward, Fedorchuk said Mosaic will be providing transition services, educational bursaries through a retraining fund to obtain new skills and education, and access to other services like its Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP).
Approximately 45 positions will remain in place at Colonsay to complete safety and regulatory checks and conduct minimal maintenance.
With the decision to begin idling its mine coming last year, Fedorchuk said at that time it was in response to a challenging spring. “We believe that idling Colonsay will allow us to reduce our current inventory levels, lower our cash costs of production and provide a buffer to any delay in new potash contract shipments.”
Unprecedented wet weather in the Midwest United States had negatively impacted its North American spring fertilizer sales volumes and phosphates margins. Mosaic said those same factors drove grain prices higher and provided significant opportunities in fall 2019 and beyond.
“We’ve experienced a North American spring season that was wetter and later than any in recorded history,” said Mosaic President and CEO Joc O’Rourke. “While our Potash and Mosaic Fertilizantes businesses continued to perform well, weakness in the phosphates market negatively impacted second quarter results.”
The company also indicated the accelerated ramp up of the low-cost Esterhazy K3 potash project was also a factor. The production, combined with available inventory facilitated the idling of the higher cost Colonsay potash mine. “These actions are expected to lower Mosaic’s cost of production, accelerate inventory depletion, avoid $40 to $50 million in cash expenditures in 2019, and increase the company’s leverage to strengthening markets into 2020.”
As the news was first announced that Mosaic's Colonsay mine is to remain idled for the foreseeable future, a few days later Nutrien confirmed that its Vanscoy mine will resume production in March 2020. Nutrien spokesperson Will Tigley said, “We are still reviewing exact timing and developing our recall plan for employees.”
Tigley indicated Nutrien expects a positive medium to long-term outlook in the potash markets as the company heads toward the spring of this year.
With word of Vanscoy resuming production next month, Tigley also confirmed Nutrien's Allan and Lanigan mines have been back to regular operations since late December.
TWM Top Story - Jan. 27, 2020
Local couple's invention created to protect flaggers
Daniel Bushman
They are preventable and can be avoided but each year flaggers are killed by motorists in construction zones across the country. After one of those tragic incidents in 2012, a local couple has come up with a way to try and put a stop to more of those deaths along highways in Canada.
Ashley Richards was just 18 years old when she was struck and killed by a vehicle in a construction zone near Midale on Hwy. 39. Despite signage put in place on that August day in 2012, Richards who was on the job just a short time was struck by a vehicle exceeding the allowable speed limit.
While the driver was found guilty of dangerous driving causing death, this is not the first time a flagger has been killed on a highway. According to WorkSafe Saskatchewan, each year in Canada motorists kill approximately 20 flaggers. Due in large part to the high speed of motorists, highway workers are at a high risk of being injured or even killed while flagging. It can become even more dangerous in high traffic areas where there is a greater risk of aggressive drivers.
After hearing about the horrific tragedy in 2012, Kim and Donna Kreutzer were heartbroken. With children and grandchildren of their own, Kim and his wife Donna learned that Ashley was an identical twin sister to Tamara and sister to four other siblings. Heading west to find work, Ashley ended up in Saskatchewan where she took training to become a flag person. Only in the province for three weeks, she had been planning to return home to New Brunswick before she was tragically killed.
“Then and there we decided we wanted to make it possible for a flag person to be out of the danger zone,” said Kim who added, “but not take the job away from people who want to work.”
Hoping to come up with an innovative product that would eliminate the risk of flaggers being injured or killed, the Kreutzers created the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger.
“With this auto flagger we believe that we have done what we set out to do. The flag person can now operate the flagger in a safe way and operate the flagger from a seat inside a vehicle or in the work zone and off the driving lane.”
Going off the back of a vehicle, the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger hooks up to a receiver and is plugged in to a trailer outlet under the lift gate. A flagger arm, traffic lights along with a camera are mounted together as part of the device and the person operating the unit uses a wireless remote.
“This allows the flag person to assess the safest location and adjust to changing situations. The flag person is removed from any danger areas and the unit itself does not require a trailer to maintain. There is no plate, no batteries, no solar panels, no generator and no more trouble backing up.”
Wanting to make a difference, Kim reached out to Ashley’s family to let them know about the work being done to try and save lives. It was not long after when Kim and Donna received a letter from Brenda and Tom Richards, Ashley’s parents.
“They told us they really hope the device will be accepted so that people working in the construction zones can return home safely to their families. They felt the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger will prevent some other senseless person from taking another life. Brenda and Tom said they miss Ashley every day and it is hard for them to drive through a construction zone. It makes them mad when they see people speeding through those zones and like us, they hope that 2020 will be safer for highway workers across the country.”
While just in the manufacturing stages, Kim said they have already secured a patent in Canada and the United States for the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger and are hoping to garner interest for the units. “I firmly believe this invention will help make construction zones safer, protecting workers and saving lives.”
Daniel Bushman
They are preventable and can be avoided but each year flaggers are killed by motorists in construction zones across the country. After one of those tragic incidents in 2012, a local couple has come up with a way to try and put a stop to more of those deaths along highways in Canada.
Ashley Richards was just 18 years old when she was struck and killed by a vehicle in a construction zone near Midale on Hwy. 39. Despite signage put in place on that August day in 2012, Richards who was on the job just a short time was struck by a vehicle exceeding the allowable speed limit.
While the driver was found guilty of dangerous driving causing death, this is not the first time a flagger has been killed on a highway. According to WorkSafe Saskatchewan, each year in Canada motorists kill approximately 20 flaggers. Due in large part to the high speed of motorists, highway workers are at a high risk of being injured or even killed while flagging. It can become even more dangerous in high traffic areas where there is a greater risk of aggressive drivers.
After hearing about the horrific tragedy in 2012, Kim and Donna Kreutzer were heartbroken. With children and grandchildren of their own, Kim and his wife Donna learned that Ashley was an identical twin sister to Tamara and sister to four other siblings. Heading west to find work, Ashley ended up in Saskatchewan where she took training to become a flag person. Only in the province for three weeks, she had been planning to return home to New Brunswick before she was tragically killed.
“Then and there we decided we wanted to make it possible for a flag person to be out of the danger zone,” said Kim who added, “but not take the job away from people who want to work.”
Hoping to come up with an innovative product that would eliminate the risk of flaggers being injured or killed, the Kreutzers created the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger.
“With this auto flagger we believe that we have done what we set out to do. The flag person can now operate the flagger in a safe way and operate the flagger from a seat inside a vehicle or in the work zone and off the driving lane.”
Going off the back of a vehicle, the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger hooks up to a receiver and is plugged in to a trailer outlet under the lift gate. A flagger arm, traffic lights along with a camera are mounted together as part of the device and the person operating the unit uses a wireless remote.
“This allows the flag person to assess the safest location and adjust to changing situations. The flag person is removed from any danger areas and the unit itself does not require a trailer to maintain. There is no plate, no batteries, no solar panels, no generator and no more trouble backing up.”
Wanting to make a difference, Kim reached out to Ashley’s family to let them know about the work being done to try and save lives. It was not long after when Kim and Donna received a letter from Brenda and Tom Richards, Ashley’s parents.
“They told us they really hope the device will be accepted so that people working in the construction zones can return home safely to their families. They felt the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger will prevent some other senseless person from taking another life. Brenda and Tom said they miss Ashley every day and it is hard for them to drive through a construction zone. It makes them mad when they see people speeding through those zones and like us, they hope that 2020 will be safer for highway workers across the country.”
While just in the manufacturing stages, Kim said they have already secured a patent in Canada and the United States for the Guardian Angel Auto Flagger and are hoping to garner interest for the units. “I firmly believe this invention will help make construction zones safer, protecting workers and saving lives.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 20, 2020
Trio from Watrous helps Hilltops capture sixth consecutive national title
Daniel Bushman
It is a feat that may never be replicated and one that was made possible with the help of former members of the Winston Wildcats football team. As the regular season came to a conclusion this past fall, the Saskatoon Hilltops not only went undefeated (8-0) but rolled right to the Canadian Junior Football League championship where the club beat Langley 11-6. Capturing its sixth straight national title, the only team in Canadian Junior Football League history to do so, the Hilltops also boasted three former members of the Wildcats from Watrous on this year’s roster.
Fifth year Hilltop Ryder Klisowsky, third year player Brady Fossen and first year player Cole Dunham who were all once members of the Wildcats high school football program sported the familiar colours of blue and gold with Saskatoon. The three who played during different seasons for the Wildcats in Watrous joined forces with other members of the Hilltops this year as each achieved success in capturing a national title.
Heading into his final year with the Hilltops, Klisowsky had been called upon to defend the offensive line while protecting his quarterback. For his hard work and dedication this past season, the Canadian Junior Football League in conjunction with the Prairie Football Conference announced Klisowsky as one of five players from the league named as a 2019 Conference Offensive Line All-Star.
“It meant a lot to receive this honour after lots of years of hard work! And a huge credit to my coaches for believing in and helping me reach this point,” said Klisowsky who was also awarded with a Don McDonald Memorial Scholarship and named the Hilltops Lineman of the Year.
As a whole, the Watrous product said despite a few injuries his season went really good. “Being named an all-star was for sure a highlight this year and being able to go undefeated and helping the team win six championships in a row was another. It was an unbelievable experience to be able to win another championship with everyone that I’ve played with for five years. There was nothing greater than winning with my family.”
From pre-season to the national championship, the Hilltops kicked off the perfect season by defeating Winnipeg Aug. 18 by a 34-20 score. From there Saskatoon beat Regina 34-16 Aug. 25, edged the Edmonton Huskies Sept. 1 by a close 24-22 score, upended Regina 28-21 Sept. 7, rolled over Calgary 53-6 Sept. 22 and scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Edmonton Wildcats 38-10 to close out the month. In October, the team continued to build momentum and took down the Winnipeg Rifles 49-22, upended the
Edmonton Wildcats 48-8 on Oct. 13 and then 31-7 Oct. 20. The team then beat the Edmonton Huskies Oct. 27 by a score of 30-14 before taking on the London Beefeaters Nov. 2 in a game which the Hilltops won handily by a 51-1 count. That set up the CJFL national championship against Langley. In a low scoring contest Nov. 16, Saskatoon came out on top 11-6 to take its sixth straight title.
“I was happy with how we worked as a team,” said Klisowsky on the season. “It might not have been perfect but we always found a way to win and that’s because we trusted in each other to figure out how to win. The national game was very emotional for me realizing that it was my last game with the team. We didn’t play as great as we should have in that game as a whole offensively but our defence stepped up and played amazing.”
Noting how great it has been to see a number of Watrous players contribute to the team over his five years, Klisowsky added the support from back home was also tremendous. “Everyone back home truly cares about us and there are no words to describe how grateful I am for everything they’ve done for me! Truly they are the best fans out there!”
Now that the lineman’s career with the Hilltops has come to an end, Klisowsky said he is grateful to a number of people and to all of his former coaches for helping him learn the skills and techniques which aided in his success. “A special thanks to Winston Widcats’ head coach Barry Croshaw for helping me to be able to move forward with my football career and everything he’s helped teach me. I also wanted to thank my parents for everything they’ve done for me because without their endless support there’s no way I would’ve been able to do well and continue with my football career. They deserve more praise than I could give and they’re the best parents anyone could ask for! And thank you to Daniel Bushman at The Watrous Manitou for all you’ve done with following us and telling the town about all we’ve done! Without you it wouldn’t be the same. Thank you for everything you’ve done!”
Like Ryder, this year Brady Fossen found himself in the starting lineup on a regular basis. Hoping to carry the momentum of the team’s success from last season, Fossen entered year three with Saskatoon. After being a special teams and backup player behind three fifth year linebackers the previous season, Fossen got the nod in the starting lineup for the 2019 campaign.
“The expectations on starting linebackers are high as we are expected to play downhill to stop the run as well as drop in passing situations to cover receivers. We could match up against 300+ pound offensive linemen or receivers who are often the fastest players on the field on any given play. Play action can make our lives even more difficult.”
Fossen said because of the added expectations, this year was definitely a learning curve as the former Wildcat adjusted to the significant increase in playing time. “I felt like I improved every game and finished the season as a better player than when I began.”
Facing tough competition, Fossen said the Hilltops were in some close games early on against Regina and the Edmonton Huskies but having the veteran presence on the team helped to push them forward and preserve the club’s winning streak into the Canadian Bowl.
“I was able to contribute a lot more than in previous years. That made the whole experience more special for me. It is pretty unbelievable to be a part of the sixth consecutive national championship for this team. I’m glad I was able to contribute and be a part of history.”
Being able to chip in and start in the Canadian Bowl also served as Fossen’s number one highlight from the year. “It was absolutely electric. The fans packed the stands and the rain was coming down when we marched onto the field. Langley came out next to the pounding of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica, which really fired everyone up, myself especially.”
While the game was a grind and not a lot of points were scored, Fossen said during the final drive Langley was down by five with one minute remaining. Making progress on its drive, Langley tried to pull ahead late with one last attempt. “On third down their quarterback scrambled and threw the ball, which was bobbled by the receiver and knocked down by one of our veteran defensive backs. The sideline erupted, knowing we had just won the game. Playing in such a close game makes the victory even more rewarding.”
Noting that he had the opportunity to play in big moments and in big games for his high school team in Watrous, Fossen said those key situations really helped him prepare for this year. “It was also definitely nice to have some former teammates with me. I get along really well with both Cole and Ryder and it was cool to see them on the practice field every day. I felt that both of them had a great season and I will be looking forward to seeing Cole back out there next year.”
Brady who received a scholarship at the end of the season for someone who is attending a post-secondary institution full-time said the support from back home really made this season a special one. “It was fantastic. My family was always there to support me, and I really appreciated that. They set aside their schedules to come watch me. My aunts and uncles came to watch some games as well. After games I would often have congratulatory texts from my co-workers from Blairs, and other friends.”
Cole Dunham who also was a recipient of a scholarship knows that feeling of having support from back home. Like Ryder and Brady, the first year Hilltop said there was not a game where he did not feel the support of his hometown.
“No matter where I looked there was always a familiar face in the crowd cheering us Watrous boys and the team on, because honestly none of us would be here without the support from our hometown, family and friends.”
While the other two members of the team from Watrous have had some experience suiting up for Saskatoon, this was Cole’s first year adjusting from the familiar six-man game to the 12-man style of football. “I think on a personal level, way better than I had expected going from six-man to 12-man football, but it was a humbling experience because there are a lot of great players out there.”
Happy with the way the team fared in 2019, Dunham made an immediate impact on the field as well. “The highlight of the year was getting the nod from the coaches saying I had an opportunity to play in my first year. The first time I got to run through those fireworks and really feel what a Hilltop game day is like, I really felt like a part of the team.”
Being able to compete and contribute, Dunham said it was surreal to be a part of a national champion and a privilege and experience of a lifetime. “I got a chance to play in most home games this year which was a great surprise for me as I was on special teams and also cornerback on defence. The national game was one of the most intense and nerve-wracking games I have ever watched but watching them hold up the trophy at the end was one of the most amazing feelings.”
And for Dunham, being able to not only share in the national championship victory but having the opportunity to practice and suit up with both Ryder and Brady was also memorable. “Getting the chance to play with Watrous players again made me feel like having a family within another family. It makes us feel pretty proud all coming from the Watrous Wildcats and bringing to the field what our coaches in Watrous taught us as well as what Hilltops coach Sarge (Tom Sargeant) taught us this season.”
Daniel Bushman
It is a feat that may never be replicated and one that was made possible with the help of former members of the Winston Wildcats football team. As the regular season came to a conclusion this past fall, the Saskatoon Hilltops not only went undefeated (8-0) but rolled right to the Canadian Junior Football League championship where the club beat Langley 11-6. Capturing its sixth straight national title, the only team in Canadian Junior Football League history to do so, the Hilltops also boasted three former members of the Wildcats from Watrous on this year’s roster.
Fifth year Hilltop Ryder Klisowsky, third year player Brady Fossen and first year player Cole Dunham who were all once members of the Wildcats high school football program sported the familiar colours of blue and gold with Saskatoon. The three who played during different seasons for the Wildcats in Watrous joined forces with other members of the Hilltops this year as each achieved success in capturing a national title.
Heading into his final year with the Hilltops, Klisowsky had been called upon to defend the offensive line while protecting his quarterback. For his hard work and dedication this past season, the Canadian Junior Football League in conjunction with the Prairie Football Conference announced Klisowsky as one of five players from the league named as a 2019 Conference Offensive Line All-Star.
“It meant a lot to receive this honour after lots of years of hard work! And a huge credit to my coaches for believing in and helping me reach this point,” said Klisowsky who was also awarded with a Don McDonald Memorial Scholarship and named the Hilltops Lineman of the Year.
As a whole, the Watrous product said despite a few injuries his season went really good. “Being named an all-star was for sure a highlight this year and being able to go undefeated and helping the team win six championships in a row was another. It was an unbelievable experience to be able to win another championship with everyone that I’ve played with for five years. There was nothing greater than winning with my family.”
From pre-season to the national championship, the Hilltops kicked off the perfect season by defeating Winnipeg Aug. 18 by a 34-20 score. From there Saskatoon beat Regina 34-16 Aug. 25, edged the Edmonton Huskies Sept. 1 by a close 24-22 score, upended Regina 28-21 Sept. 7, rolled over Calgary 53-6 Sept. 22 and scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Edmonton Wildcats 38-10 to close out the month. In October, the team continued to build momentum and took down the Winnipeg Rifles 49-22, upended the
Edmonton Wildcats 48-8 on Oct. 13 and then 31-7 Oct. 20. The team then beat the Edmonton Huskies Oct. 27 by a score of 30-14 before taking on the London Beefeaters Nov. 2 in a game which the Hilltops won handily by a 51-1 count. That set up the CJFL national championship against Langley. In a low scoring contest Nov. 16, Saskatoon came out on top 11-6 to take its sixth straight title.
“I was happy with how we worked as a team,” said Klisowsky on the season. “It might not have been perfect but we always found a way to win and that’s because we trusted in each other to figure out how to win. The national game was very emotional for me realizing that it was my last game with the team. We didn’t play as great as we should have in that game as a whole offensively but our defence stepped up and played amazing.”
Noting how great it has been to see a number of Watrous players contribute to the team over his five years, Klisowsky added the support from back home was also tremendous. “Everyone back home truly cares about us and there are no words to describe how grateful I am for everything they’ve done for me! Truly they are the best fans out there!”
Now that the lineman’s career with the Hilltops has come to an end, Klisowsky said he is grateful to a number of people and to all of his former coaches for helping him learn the skills and techniques which aided in his success. “A special thanks to Winston Widcats’ head coach Barry Croshaw for helping me to be able to move forward with my football career and everything he’s helped teach me. I also wanted to thank my parents for everything they’ve done for me because without their endless support there’s no way I would’ve been able to do well and continue with my football career. They deserve more praise than I could give and they’re the best parents anyone could ask for! And thank you to Daniel Bushman at The Watrous Manitou for all you’ve done with following us and telling the town about all we’ve done! Without you it wouldn’t be the same. Thank you for everything you’ve done!”
Like Ryder, this year Brady Fossen found himself in the starting lineup on a regular basis. Hoping to carry the momentum of the team’s success from last season, Fossen entered year three with Saskatoon. After being a special teams and backup player behind three fifth year linebackers the previous season, Fossen got the nod in the starting lineup for the 2019 campaign.
“The expectations on starting linebackers are high as we are expected to play downhill to stop the run as well as drop in passing situations to cover receivers. We could match up against 300+ pound offensive linemen or receivers who are often the fastest players on the field on any given play. Play action can make our lives even more difficult.”
Fossen said because of the added expectations, this year was definitely a learning curve as the former Wildcat adjusted to the significant increase in playing time. “I felt like I improved every game and finished the season as a better player than when I began.”
Facing tough competition, Fossen said the Hilltops were in some close games early on against Regina and the Edmonton Huskies but having the veteran presence on the team helped to push them forward and preserve the club’s winning streak into the Canadian Bowl.
“I was able to contribute a lot more than in previous years. That made the whole experience more special for me. It is pretty unbelievable to be a part of the sixth consecutive national championship for this team. I’m glad I was able to contribute and be a part of history.”
Being able to chip in and start in the Canadian Bowl also served as Fossen’s number one highlight from the year. “It was absolutely electric. The fans packed the stands and the rain was coming down when we marched onto the field. Langley came out next to the pounding of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica, which really fired everyone up, myself especially.”
While the game was a grind and not a lot of points were scored, Fossen said during the final drive Langley was down by five with one minute remaining. Making progress on its drive, Langley tried to pull ahead late with one last attempt. “On third down their quarterback scrambled and threw the ball, which was bobbled by the receiver and knocked down by one of our veteran defensive backs. The sideline erupted, knowing we had just won the game. Playing in such a close game makes the victory even more rewarding.”
Noting that he had the opportunity to play in big moments and in big games for his high school team in Watrous, Fossen said those key situations really helped him prepare for this year. “It was also definitely nice to have some former teammates with me. I get along really well with both Cole and Ryder and it was cool to see them on the practice field every day. I felt that both of them had a great season and I will be looking forward to seeing Cole back out there next year.”
Brady who received a scholarship at the end of the season for someone who is attending a post-secondary institution full-time said the support from back home really made this season a special one. “It was fantastic. My family was always there to support me, and I really appreciated that. They set aside their schedules to come watch me. My aunts and uncles came to watch some games as well. After games I would often have congratulatory texts from my co-workers from Blairs, and other friends.”
Cole Dunham who also was a recipient of a scholarship knows that feeling of having support from back home. Like Ryder and Brady, the first year Hilltop said there was not a game where he did not feel the support of his hometown.
“No matter where I looked there was always a familiar face in the crowd cheering us Watrous boys and the team on, because honestly none of us would be here without the support from our hometown, family and friends.”
While the other two members of the team from Watrous have had some experience suiting up for Saskatoon, this was Cole’s first year adjusting from the familiar six-man game to the 12-man style of football. “I think on a personal level, way better than I had expected going from six-man to 12-man football, but it was a humbling experience because there are a lot of great players out there.”
Happy with the way the team fared in 2019, Dunham made an immediate impact on the field as well. “The highlight of the year was getting the nod from the coaches saying I had an opportunity to play in my first year. The first time I got to run through those fireworks and really feel what a Hilltop game day is like, I really felt like a part of the team.”
Being able to compete and contribute, Dunham said it was surreal to be a part of a national champion and a privilege and experience of a lifetime. “I got a chance to play in most home games this year which was a great surprise for me as I was on special teams and also cornerback on defence. The national game was one of the most intense and nerve-wracking games I have ever watched but watching them hold up the trophy at the end was one of the most amazing feelings.”
And for Dunham, being able to not only share in the national championship victory but having the opportunity to practice and suit up with both Ryder and Brady was also memorable. “Getting the chance to play with Watrous players again made me feel like having a family within another family. It makes us feel pretty proud all coming from the Watrous Wildcats and bringing to the field what our coaches in Watrous taught us as well as what Hilltops coach Sarge (Tom Sargeant) taught us this season.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 13, 2020
SaskWater relocating operations from Watrous
Daniel Bushman
After working out of Watrous for a number of years, a recent decision by SaskWater will see its local area operations relocated. SaskWater Manager, Corporate Communications Courtney Mihalicz said the transition from the company’s current location at 102 – 13th Ave. E. in Watrous to a different community is expected to be completed by the summer of 2020.
“A decision was made to relocate staff to more efficiently manage resources and support the work required in that area,” stated Mihalicz who added SaskWater currently has several locations around the province including in Hanley where the three employees from the Watrous site will be based out of.
“The (Watrous) closure will not impact services in the area. Staff in that area are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Saskatoon Southeast Water Supply canal system and that work will continue as per normal operations.”
SaskWater, as a commercial Crown utility, has had a presence in Watrous since 2002 and prior to that, Mihalicz noted the Saskatchewan Water Supply Board, which became the Saskatchewan Water Corporation in 1984 operated in Watrous as well. Despite the company’s longevity within the community, once the transition does take place, the ATCO building at the current site in Watrous will be moved to Hanley while the shop and lot will remain. Currently the future of the shop and lot has yet to be determined.
The news of the relocation is the second such announcement involving Watrous as the provincial government announced last month the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s extension services in Watrous are being sent to Humboldt in March 2020. With five employees in Watrous from that sector able to continue their roles in Humboldt, Agriculture Minister David Marit said, “Establishing an office in Humboldt allows us to maximize the positive impact of our extension services on the agriculture community. We will continue to serve our clients in the Watrous region from our Humboldt office, while expanding specialists’ reach by being co-located with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation in a larger centre.”
The move from Watrous to Humboldt will bring the ministry and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation services together in the same community “enhancing the services offered by both organizations to producers in the region.”
Daniel Bushman
After working out of Watrous for a number of years, a recent decision by SaskWater will see its local area operations relocated. SaskWater Manager, Corporate Communications Courtney Mihalicz said the transition from the company’s current location at 102 – 13th Ave. E. in Watrous to a different community is expected to be completed by the summer of 2020.
“A decision was made to relocate staff to more efficiently manage resources and support the work required in that area,” stated Mihalicz who added SaskWater currently has several locations around the province including in Hanley where the three employees from the Watrous site will be based out of.
“The (Watrous) closure will not impact services in the area. Staff in that area are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Saskatoon Southeast Water Supply canal system and that work will continue as per normal operations.”
SaskWater, as a commercial Crown utility, has had a presence in Watrous since 2002 and prior to that, Mihalicz noted the Saskatchewan Water Supply Board, which became the Saskatchewan Water Corporation in 1984 operated in Watrous as well. Despite the company’s longevity within the community, once the transition does take place, the ATCO building at the current site in Watrous will be moved to Hanley while the shop and lot will remain. Currently the future of the shop and lot has yet to be determined.
The news of the relocation is the second such announcement involving Watrous as the provincial government announced last month the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s extension services in Watrous are being sent to Humboldt in March 2020. With five employees in Watrous from that sector able to continue their roles in Humboldt, Agriculture Minister David Marit said, “Establishing an office in Humboldt allows us to maximize the positive impact of our extension services on the agriculture community. We will continue to serve our clients in the Watrous region from our Humboldt office, while expanding specialists’ reach by being co-located with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation in a larger centre.”
The move from Watrous to Humboldt will bring the ministry and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation services together in the same community “enhancing the services offered by both organizations to producers in the region.”
TWM Top Story - Jan. 6, 2020
Watrous RCMP Detachment to lose member position
Daniel Bushman
Despite serving a large area encompassing a number of communities and rural municipalities, the Watrous RCMP Detachment will be losing one of its member positions. Currently staffed with a sergeant and four constables, the local detachment was recently informed that once an officer transfers out the vacant position will not be filled.
Since arriving at the Watrous RCMP Detachment three years ago, Sergeant Jeffrey Friedenstab has held meetings with local elected officials to keep them updated as to what is taking place within the area. The meetings are designed as a way for officials to provide feedback, bring up any concerns or pose questions. At the latest meeting in December, Friedenstab informed officials in attendance that the detachment will in fact be losing a member position.
“I am not worried about an increased workload for us, I am just worried about being able to cover the area,” explained Friedenstab. “Our entire detachment is around 4,500 square kilometres and it can take approximately 50 minutes to drive from one end to the other.”
Friedenstab’s understanding about the position not being filled at the local detachment is due to the province’s Emergency Response Teams in Prince Albert and Regina needing more member positions to become fully staffed. “Right now when there is a call and the Emergency Response Team has to be deployed they try and put one team together from the two places which defeats the purpose of having them in two places to begin with.”
In order to have the two-team model work in Prince Albert and Regina without pulling resources and funds away from each other, Friedenstab said something had to give elsewhere. “F Division Headquarters left it to each district management team and it came strictly down to being based on calls for service for criminal code calls. The amount of calls we have dictates we should have 3.2 officers here and since we had the lowest call volume in the central district, we had to give up a position. The north and south districts also had to give up a position as well.”
Seeking information on whether additional provincial funding could be used to maintain current staffing levels for the local detachment while increasing the number of Emergency Response Team positions in Saskatchewan, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the provincial finance minister’s office in Regina for an interview. However, The Watrous Manitou was referred to a Corrections and Policing official and received the following information: “Government works with the RCMP through the Provincial Policing Services Agreement to provide police services to rural municipalities, and urban municipalities with populations under 5,000 people. Approximately $91 million was provided to the RCMP for this purpose through the Provincial Policing Services Agreement in 2019-‘20. Government does not direct police operations, staffing levels or the organizational structure of the RCMP. For information on staffing levels, you may wish to contact “F” Division Headquarters in Regina.”
Reaching out to “F” Division Headquarters in Regina, RCMP Media Relations Officer Rob King said when analyzing the Watrous Detachment’s workload, time required to respond to calls in the area and the type of calls coming in, a member from Watrous would be better utilized in another position. While there is no set time as to when the transition will take place, King confirmed the move will be made to provide the province’s Emergency Response Team with an additional member in either Prince Albert or Regina.
When asked about the importance of having a full contingent of members in rural areas as opposed to relocating positions, King cited they are trying to be more strategic in where people are being placed. “With the creation of the Combined Traffic Services unit you are getting more traffic members working through and in and around the Watrous area and across the province. Before, that might have been something delegated off to detachments but now we are spreading it out through the Combined Traffic Services. With our CRT we are using information garnered from across the province to strategically combat crime or crime trends in certain areas. Potentially if something was happening in Watrous, we could bring five, six, seven, eight members in for a specific period of time to address that one situation. It is more trying to manage and trying to utilize taxpayer dollars to maximize the policing effect in the entire area.”
Despite those other services being offered, when Watrous Mayor Ed Collins and members of Watrous Town Council heard about the upcoming reduction at the detachment they were disappointed. “That is certainly a concern for us, given the fact that their territory has expanded in the last number of years. Certainly with the expanded territory we are worried about the reduction in services.”
Collins also noted that means losing a person living within the community and who is making a positive impact as well. “We are concerned about that. Anytime we lose someone, we lose potentially a family and someone working in the community. The Town is going to be writing a letter of non-support to our local MLA and/or “F” Division and we encourage residents to do the same.”
While Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Morris Bob Penrose was pleased to hear the area has a low call volume for criminal code calls, he was frustrated to hear the detachment will be losing a member. Sharing about recent thefts and trespassing on yard sites within his RM, after the meeting Penrose said, “I guess we should be happy that we have less crime which is why we are losing an officer but in turn does that mean we will get more crime because of where our position is in our province? West of Young in the RM of Morris, there always seems to be some problems, maybe that is the breaking off point by criminals travelling out here from Saskatoon. We have had a few things take place in Watrous over the years but we do live in a pretty good area so I guess we should be happy about that.”
Overall, King said after the position at the local detachment is not filled operations should be relatively the same. “Especially when you factor in something like the provincial response team for serious incidents. Like conservation officers, the highway traffic patrol officers are able to respond to serious incidents and you have CRT officers who not only do the traffic enforcement but if they are in the area and something serious happens they can respond to it as well. It is more spreading the membership and the work around in different areas as opposed to laying it all on the detachment areas. The workload for the specific detachment people remaining shouldn’t change too much.”
While the workload may be similar according to King, Friedenstab said situations could arise that could hamper that scenario. “If someone transfers, you are waiting to have that spot filled and it can take up to a year sometimes. If you have someone who goes on PAT leave or MAT leave or long-term ODS, then your four goes to three. Out of those three officers someone will be off and then one person would go on a day shift and one on a night shift or maybe nobody is working and there are people taking calls and that will affect service delivery. Then there are times where officers will be attending training and will not be able to respond while at those meetings out of town.”
Another situation that could arise with the decrease in members at the Watrous RCMP Detachment would be going from having sergeant status to one with a corporal.
“I think what bothered me the most was that by losing a person we might be losing a sergeant,” said a disappointed Penrose. “I grew up in Watrous and it was always a corporal but when we went to that sergeant status I felt that it was an important thing for the town. Just to take another step back, I think it is probably harder to go back to that.”
Penrose along with other local area RM members attending the meeting also brought up the fact that response times to farms would decrease with the loss of a member. “As farmers we know that in our yards, we are not going to have that immediate help. By removing a position it will just make it worse.”
When looking at just how large the patrolling area for the Watrous Detachment is whether responding to a farm or community outside of Watrous, a person can get a sense of the time it could take to arrive on scene. Starting from Breckner Road near the Mosaic potash mine by Colonsay, the detachment’s border heads west between Zelma and Allan and then moves southeast through the Rural Municipality of Morris. As part of that, the patrol area includes the communities of Young, Watrous, Manitou Beach, Simpson, Imperial and surrounding RMs as it heads down Hwy. 2 just beyond Liberty. The border then continues east over Last Mountain Lake to the railway crossing near Semans. From there the detachment area ventures north, encompassing Nokomis, Lockwood and up to the Drake grid road. At that juncture, the perimeter then goes west back to Breckner Road, south of Hwy. 16.
While it can take about 50 minutes for a responding officer to go from one corner of the patrolling area to the opposite one, Friedenstab said with a full compliment of RCMP members at the detachment over recent years, it has helped to alleviate that response time.
“Since I have been here we have always had our five members to cover that large area. Most of the time you are able to have two people working a shift so if you get a call you can go right away. With this upcoming change, a call with fewer numbers means you have to wait for a member to get up and get dressed. That means you also have to hold off until your backup arrives so there is two of you responding to the call and that ends up taking more time.”
Because of the upcoming changes, people are being encouraged to sign up for the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network. The network provides the RCMP and its Provincial Response Team partner agencies with the ability to communicate directly with the public on matters of crime prevention.
People can sign up at www.saskcrimewatch.ca to receive crime watch advisories from their local RCMP detachments and as situations might be occurring, detachment commanders will have the ability to send important advisories by text message, email or phone. Those who sign up or register online will have the ability to choose how they would like to receive these advisories. The network is designed to ensure that people in Saskatchewan can play an important part in public safety.
“At my farm if someone reported my truck stolen it can get out pretty quick on that advisory network so people could be looking out for it and it makes us all a little more aware. We are all walking around with a phone so it would be great for people to use it,” said Penrose.
While Penrose hopes the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network will help reduce and discourage crime locally, he is also hoping that the decision to remove a position at the Watrous RCMP Detachment will be reversed.
“We do a mail out for our taxes once a year and we will be providing an update to our taxpayers in that mail out to let their elected officials know about this situation.”
While King understands the disappointment from communities and RMs in the local area, he said a police presence will still remain. “We are supplementing the detachment now with so many more things like the combined traffic services, the PRT teams, and the Crime Reduction Teams. By supplementing all those things, the number of police hours in the area is probably actually going to increase even without this member.”
Daniel Bushman
Despite serving a large area encompassing a number of communities and rural municipalities, the Watrous RCMP Detachment will be losing one of its member positions. Currently staffed with a sergeant and four constables, the local detachment was recently informed that once an officer transfers out the vacant position will not be filled.
Since arriving at the Watrous RCMP Detachment three years ago, Sergeant Jeffrey Friedenstab has held meetings with local elected officials to keep them updated as to what is taking place within the area. The meetings are designed as a way for officials to provide feedback, bring up any concerns or pose questions. At the latest meeting in December, Friedenstab informed officials in attendance that the detachment will in fact be losing a member position.
“I am not worried about an increased workload for us, I am just worried about being able to cover the area,” explained Friedenstab. “Our entire detachment is around 4,500 square kilometres and it can take approximately 50 minutes to drive from one end to the other.”
Friedenstab’s understanding about the position not being filled at the local detachment is due to the province’s Emergency Response Teams in Prince Albert and Regina needing more member positions to become fully staffed. “Right now when there is a call and the Emergency Response Team has to be deployed they try and put one team together from the two places which defeats the purpose of having them in two places to begin with.”
In order to have the two-team model work in Prince Albert and Regina without pulling resources and funds away from each other, Friedenstab said something had to give elsewhere. “F Division Headquarters left it to each district management team and it came strictly down to being based on calls for service for criminal code calls. The amount of calls we have dictates we should have 3.2 officers here and since we had the lowest call volume in the central district, we had to give up a position. The north and south districts also had to give up a position as well.”
Seeking information on whether additional provincial funding could be used to maintain current staffing levels for the local detachment while increasing the number of Emergency Response Team positions in Saskatchewan, The Watrous Manitou reached out to the provincial finance minister’s office in Regina for an interview. However, The Watrous Manitou was referred to a Corrections and Policing official and received the following information: “Government works with the RCMP through the Provincial Policing Services Agreement to provide police services to rural municipalities, and urban municipalities with populations under 5,000 people. Approximately $91 million was provided to the RCMP for this purpose through the Provincial Policing Services Agreement in 2019-‘20. Government does not direct police operations, staffing levels or the organizational structure of the RCMP. For information on staffing levels, you may wish to contact “F” Division Headquarters in Regina.”
Reaching out to “F” Division Headquarters in Regina, RCMP Media Relations Officer Rob King said when analyzing the Watrous Detachment’s workload, time required to respond to calls in the area and the type of calls coming in, a member from Watrous would be better utilized in another position. While there is no set time as to when the transition will take place, King confirmed the move will be made to provide the province’s Emergency Response Team with an additional member in either Prince Albert or Regina.
When asked about the importance of having a full contingent of members in rural areas as opposed to relocating positions, King cited they are trying to be more strategic in where people are being placed. “With the creation of the Combined Traffic Services unit you are getting more traffic members working through and in and around the Watrous area and across the province. Before, that might have been something delegated off to detachments but now we are spreading it out through the Combined Traffic Services. With our CRT we are using information garnered from across the province to strategically combat crime or crime trends in certain areas. Potentially if something was happening in Watrous, we could bring five, six, seven, eight members in for a specific period of time to address that one situation. It is more trying to manage and trying to utilize taxpayer dollars to maximize the policing effect in the entire area.”
Despite those other services being offered, when Watrous Mayor Ed Collins and members of Watrous Town Council heard about the upcoming reduction at the detachment they were disappointed. “That is certainly a concern for us, given the fact that their territory has expanded in the last number of years. Certainly with the expanded territory we are worried about the reduction in services.”
Collins also noted that means losing a person living within the community and who is making a positive impact as well. “We are concerned about that. Anytime we lose someone, we lose potentially a family and someone working in the community. The Town is going to be writing a letter of non-support to our local MLA and/or “F” Division and we encourage residents to do the same.”
While Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Morris Bob Penrose was pleased to hear the area has a low call volume for criminal code calls, he was frustrated to hear the detachment will be losing a member. Sharing about recent thefts and trespassing on yard sites within his RM, after the meeting Penrose said, “I guess we should be happy that we have less crime which is why we are losing an officer but in turn does that mean we will get more crime because of where our position is in our province? West of Young in the RM of Morris, there always seems to be some problems, maybe that is the breaking off point by criminals travelling out here from Saskatoon. We have had a few things take place in Watrous over the years but we do live in a pretty good area so I guess we should be happy about that.”
Overall, King said after the position at the local detachment is not filled operations should be relatively the same. “Especially when you factor in something like the provincial response team for serious incidents. Like conservation officers, the highway traffic patrol officers are able to respond to serious incidents and you have CRT officers who not only do the traffic enforcement but if they are in the area and something serious happens they can respond to it as well. It is more spreading the membership and the work around in different areas as opposed to laying it all on the detachment areas. The workload for the specific detachment people remaining shouldn’t change too much.”
While the workload may be similar according to King, Friedenstab said situations could arise that could hamper that scenario. “If someone transfers, you are waiting to have that spot filled and it can take up to a year sometimes. If you have someone who goes on PAT leave or MAT leave or long-term ODS, then your four goes to three. Out of those three officers someone will be off and then one person would go on a day shift and one on a night shift or maybe nobody is working and there are people taking calls and that will affect service delivery. Then there are times where officers will be attending training and will not be able to respond while at those meetings out of town.”
Another situation that could arise with the decrease in members at the Watrous RCMP Detachment would be going from having sergeant status to one with a corporal.
“I think what bothered me the most was that by losing a person we might be losing a sergeant,” said a disappointed Penrose. “I grew up in Watrous and it was always a corporal but when we went to that sergeant status I felt that it was an important thing for the town. Just to take another step back, I think it is probably harder to go back to that.”
Penrose along with other local area RM members attending the meeting also brought up the fact that response times to farms would decrease with the loss of a member. “As farmers we know that in our yards, we are not going to have that immediate help. By removing a position it will just make it worse.”
When looking at just how large the patrolling area for the Watrous Detachment is whether responding to a farm or community outside of Watrous, a person can get a sense of the time it could take to arrive on scene. Starting from Breckner Road near the Mosaic potash mine by Colonsay, the detachment’s border heads west between Zelma and Allan and then moves southeast through the Rural Municipality of Morris. As part of that, the patrol area includes the communities of Young, Watrous, Manitou Beach, Simpson, Imperial and surrounding RMs as it heads down Hwy. 2 just beyond Liberty. The border then continues east over Last Mountain Lake to the railway crossing near Semans. From there the detachment area ventures north, encompassing Nokomis, Lockwood and up to the Drake grid road. At that juncture, the perimeter then goes west back to Breckner Road, south of Hwy. 16.
While it can take about 50 minutes for a responding officer to go from one corner of the patrolling area to the opposite one, Friedenstab said with a full compliment of RCMP members at the detachment over recent years, it has helped to alleviate that response time.
“Since I have been here we have always had our five members to cover that large area. Most of the time you are able to have two people working a shift so if you get a call you can go right away. With this upcoming change, a call with fewer numbers means you have to wait for a member to get up and get dressed. That means you also have to hold off until your backup arrives so there is two of you responding to the call and that ends up taking more time.”
Because of the upcoming changes, people are being encouraged to sign up for the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network. The network provides the RCMP and its Provincial Response Team partner agencies with the ability to communicate directly with the public on matters of crime prevention.
People can sign up at www.saskcrimewatch.ca to receive crime watch advisories from their local RCMP detachments and as situations might be occurring, detachment commanders will have the ability to send important advisories by text message, email or phone. Those who sign up or register online will have the ability to choose how they would like to receive these advisories. The network is designed to ensure that people in Saskatchewan can play an important part in public safety.
“At my farm if someone reported my truck stolen it can get out pretty quick on that advisory network so people could be looking out for it and it makes us all a little more aware. We are all walking around with a phone so it would be great for people to use it,” said Penrose.
While Penrose hopes the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network will help reduce and discourage crime locally, he is also hoping that the decision to remove a position at the Watrous RCMP Detachment will be reversed.
“We do a mail out for our taxes once a year and we will be providing an update to our taxpayers in that mail out to let their elected officials know about this situation.”
While King understands the disappointment from communities and RMs in the local area, he said a police presence will still remain. “We are supplementing the detachment now with so many more things like the combined traffic services, the PRT teams, and the Crime Reduction Teams. By supplementing all those things, the number of police hours in the area is probably actually going to increase even without this member.”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 23, 2019
Watrous Citizens of the Year named
By Daniel Bushman
The hours of planning, volunteering, fundraising and renovating are countless, but all of the hard work done by a number of volunteers has not gone unnoticed. With this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year award going to a group, members of Watrous Childcare Inc. were all smiles as their names were called for the 2019 honour.
What started out in 2015 as an idea to see a community run daycare centre created and one day open in Watrous became a reality in 2019. While community members have come and gone from the committee since its inception, many have remained and Watrous Childcare Inc. President Sara Dunne, Vice-President Brendan Manz, Treasurer Sabrina Hanchuk, Secretary Lindsay Crittenden, Jennifer Beeler, Erin Wolff, Rae-ann Brown, Tiffany Dreger, Christa Braman and Vaughn Jones were all on hand at the Town of Watrous Christmas party Dec. 12 to receive Citizen of the Year accolades.
Nominated by Shannon Williams, the local resident detailed in her letter how the group began its fundraising efforts four years ago which included barbecues, selling Christmas trees, perogies, holding bowling tournaments, conducting a sold-out trailer lottery and securing funds from local businesses and organizations.
With important steps taken to ensure that a daycare could become a reality, Williams outlined the efforts by the Watrous Childcare Inc. committee: “While continually working to fundraise, the committee also began looking at potential locations for the Childcare Centre while considering the feasibility of building a new building or renovating an existing building. The committee also began working with the Ministry of Early Childhood Education to align the organization with the many rules and regulations associated with opening a licensed daycare centre in Saskatchewan.”
As work intensified, in 2017 the group received a massive boost when Watrous Childcare Inc. partnered with the Watrous Kinsmen and Kinettes to purchase the Pentecostal Church building on Main Street, across from the Watrous Elementary School.
“With the building secured, work to renovate the building began. The committee transitioned to not only working as fundraisers, but also to becoming project managers. The committee oversaw the renovations ensuring that the design and specs would meet the needs and safety of the children who would be in attendance, while also providing an environment that promotes the many aspects of early learning education. This over $100,000 renovation included all new drywall, flooring, kitchen, bathrooms, a one-of-a-kind loft, roof, furnace, air conditioner, siding, play yard, and signage. Following the renovation, the committee transitioned once again, into business managers. The first executive director and staff was hired in June of 2019, and the daycare officially opened for business on July 3. The official ribbon cutting was held on Sept. 21. Through fundraising, project management, and business management, the committee created a much needed community asset. The 20 seat daycare’s attendance is nearly full on a daily basis!”
It was that tremendous effort and dedication by the members over that time which Williams felt they were deserving of Watrous Citizen of the Year honours.
“Without the dedication, commitment, and perseverance this group of community residents have shown, the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre would not exist today. The Centre not only serves a need today but will create a legacy for childcare in Watrous for future generations. This is why they deserve to be 2019 Watrous Citizens of the Year.”
Accepting the award and speaking on behalf of the group, Manz thanked Williams for her nomination while also extending gratitude towards the Town of Watrous for the prestigious honour.
“We came together as a group of citizens. In front of you today you have mothers and fathers. Some of us have grown up here while others have not. We have existing day care providers, health care professionals, entrepreneurs, teachers, those from legal and financial backgrounds, those who have worked on boards, while others who hadn’t. But because of our diverse backgrounds, we each had our own set of skills we could bring to the board. We are accepting this award for what we were able to achieve, but none of it would have been possible without the citizens and local businesses of Watrous and the area supporting our vision.”
Through the generosity of the local Kinsmen and Kinettes, Manz said the building they were able to acquire is essentially mortgage free. “This will go a long way to keep the centre financially viable and the service we provide affordable for all families in the community.”
During the acceptance speech and on behalf of the group, Manz stated, “We would also like to recognize some of our major supporters including the Watrous Rotary Club, the Town of Watrous, Affinity Credit Union, the Mosaic Company, Nutrien, Manitou & District Regional Park, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, and Melron Services. We would also like to thank Royce Dyck and his team at Quality Plus Construction plus the many other local subcontractors and trades who worked on various parts of our renovation.
“We’d like to thank and recognize our staff and volunteers. Krystal Klenk-Potts, as the centre’s first Executive Director gave up her own licence day home to come and share her passion for childcare at a community run facility. We’d like to recognize her staff including Sophie, Rachelle, and Trista. Every week we hear from families whose children cannot wait to go to daycare the next day! That is a testament to the job they do day in and day out. In only a few short months, our 20 seat facility already sees on average 15 kids a day and we only know this number will continue to grow. We are also happy to report that the centre has turned a small profit in four of the five months we’ve been in operation and setting us up for one day (hopefully soon) to receive government funding to continue to grow the programing at the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre.”
With the community banding together and joining forces with members of Watrous Childcare Inc. to support the new facility, Manz and the group were tremendously appreciative of the citizens of Watrous. “You supported our fundraisers – from bowling tournaments, Christmas tree and perogie sales, online auctions, garage sales, barbecues, steak and trivia nights, our sold-out trailer raffle, and other organizations’ events that supported the daycare including mock weddings, rodeos, steak nights, and work place campaigns; we can’t thank everyone enough!”
By Daniel Bushman
The hours of planning, volunteering, fundraising and renovating are countless, but all of the hard work done by a number of volunteers has not gone unnoticed. With this year’s Watrous Citizen of the Year award going to a group, members of Watrous Childcare Inc. were all smiles as their names were called for the 2019 honour.
What started out in 2015 as an idea to see a community run daycare centre created and one day open in Watrous became a reality in 2019. While community members have come and gone from the committee since its inception, many have remained and Watrous Childcare Inc. President Sara Dunne, Vice-President Brendan Manz, Treasurer Sabrina Hanchuk, Secretary Lindsay Crittenden, Jennifer Beeler, Erin Wolff, Rae-ann Brown, Tiffany Dreger, Christa Braman and Vaughn Jones were all on hand at the Town of Watrous Christmas party Dec. 12 to receive Citizen of the Year accolades.
Nominated by Shannon Williams, the local resident detailed in her letter how the group began its fundraising efforts four years ago which included barbecues, selling Christmas trees, perogies, holding bowling tournaments, conducting a sold-out trailer lottery and securing funds from local businesses and organizations.
With important steps taken to ensure that a daycare could become a reality, Williams outlined the efforts by the Watrous Childcare Inc. committee: “While continually working to fundraise, the committee also began looking at potential locations for the Childcare Centre while considering the feasibility of building a new building or renovating an existing building. The committee also began working with the Ministry of Early Childhood Education to align the organization with the many rules and regulations associated with opening a licensed daycare centre in Saskatchewan.”
As work intensified, in 2017 the group received a massive boost when Watrous Childcare Inc. partnered with the Watrous Kinsmen and Kinettes to purchase the Pentecostal Church building on Main Street, across from the Watrous Elementary School.
“With the building secured, work to renovate the building began. The committee transitioned to not only working as fundraisers, but also to becoming project managers. The committee oversaw the renovations ensuring that the design and specs would meet the needs and safety of the children who would be in attendance, while also providing an environment that promotes the many aspects of early learning education. This over $100,000 renovation included all new drywall, flooring, kitchen, bathrooms, a one-of-a-kind loft, roof, furnace, air conditioner, siding, play yard, and signage. Following the renovation, the committee transitioned once again, into business managers. The first executive director and staff was hired in June of 2019, and the daycare officially opened for business on July 3. The official ribbon cutting was held on Sept. 21. Through fundraising, project management, and business management, the committee created a much needed community asset. The 20 seat daycare’s attendance is nearly full on a daily basis!”
It was that tremendous effort and dedication by the members over that time which Williams felt they were deserving of Watrous Citizen of the Year honours.
“Without the dedication, commitment, and perseverance this group of community residents have shown, the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre would not exist today. The Centre not only serves a need today but will create a legacy for childcare in Watrous for future generations. This is why they deserve to be 2019 Watrous Citizens of the Year.”
Accepting the award and speaking on behalf of the group, Manz thanked Williams for her nomination while also extending gratitude towards the Town of Watrous for the prestigious honour.
“We came together as a group of citizens. In front of you today you have mothers and fathers. Some of us have grown up here while others have not. We have existing day care providers, health care professionals, entrepreneurs, teachers, those from legal and financial backgrounds, those who have worked on boards, while others who hadn’t. But because of our diverse backgrounds, we each had our own set of skills we could bring to the board. We are accepting this award for what we were able to achieve, but none of it would have been possible without the citizens and local businesses of Watrous and the area supporting our vision.”
Through the generosity of the local Kinsmen and Kinettes, Manz said the building they were able to acquire is essentially mortgage free. “This will go a long way to keep the centre financially viable and the service we provide affordable for all families in the community.”
During the acceptance speech and on behalf of the group, Manz stated, “We would also like to recognize some of our major supporters including the Watrous Rotary Club, the Town of Watrous, Affinity Credit Union, the Mosaic Company, Nutrien, Manitou & District Regional Park, the Resort Village of Manitou Beach, and Melron Services. We would also like to thank Royce Dyck and his team at Quality Plus Construction plus the many other local subcontractors and trades who worked on various parts of our renovation.
“We’d like to thank and recognize our staff and volunteers. Krystal Klenk-Potts, as the centre’s first Executive Director gave up her own licence day home to come and share her passion for childcare at a community run facility. We’d like to recognize her staff including Sophie, Rachelle, and Trista. Every week we hear from families whose children cannot wait to go to daycare the next day! That is a testament to the job they do day in and day out. In only a few short months, our 20 seat facility already sees on average 15 kids a day and we only know this number will continue to grow. We are also happy to report that the centre has turned a small profit in four of the five months we’ve been in operation and setting us up for one day (hopefully soon) to receive government funding to continue to grow the programing at the Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre.”
With the community banding together and joining forces with members of Watrous Childcare Inc. to support the new facility, Manz and the group were tremendously appreciative of the citizens of Watrous. “You supported our fundraisers – from bowling tournaments, Christmas tree and perogie sales, online auctions, garage sales, barbecues, steak and trivia nights, our sold-out trailer raffle, and other organizations’ events that supported the daycare including mock weddings, rodeos, steak nights, and work place campaigns; we can’t thank everyone enough!”
TWM Top Story - Dec. 16, 2019
Train derailment sparks explosion near Guernsey
Daniel Bushman
Thirty-four railcars went off the tracks about six kilometres west of Guernsey going from a peaceful night to a raging inferno. Hauling crude oil and heading towards the community, the CP cars derailed adjacent to Hwy. 16 around 12 a.m. Dec. 9. Piling up on the tracks and blocking Wolverine Road, the railcars spilled into the ditches and slid into a pasture near a pair of homes.
The clock struck 12:18 a.m. and Lanigan Fire Chief Barry Hooper’s phone went off. Seeing it was an emergency call, Barry joined other firefighters as they quickly got into their gear and raced towards the scene. With temperatures plummeting during the middle of the night, the firefighters arrived to the massive fire as heavy black smoke engulfed Hwy. 16.
“You could not see a thing,” said Hooper who has never witnessed such an incident during his over three decades with the department. “There was just heavy black smoke.”
Scouting out the area while flames leapt into the night sky, the local firefighters noted a pair of farm houses just across the tracks off Wolverine Road and went to see if anyone was home.
With their driveways merging together a short distance from the railway crossing, Melanie Loessl and her daughter Jennifer live next door to each other. Used to trains rolling through the area, when the cars carrying crude oil derailed and the fire was ignited, Melanie and Jennifer were sleeping. It was not until over an hour from when the railcars left the tracks that Jennifer got a knock on her door from the Lanigan Fire Department.
With flames engulfing the cars a short jaunt away, Jennifer answered her front door and then quickly gave her mom a call. Waking up to her phone, Melanie saw her daughter’s number on the screen.
“It was around 1:40 a.m. when Jennie called and she told me to look out my window. The train derailed pretty much right at the end of the driveway. I looked out and all I saw were those flames.”
Comparing it to something out of a movie, Melanie was instructed that her family might have to evacuate and she was to get to her daughter’s right away. With adrenaline pumping, Melanie braved the frigid elements and ventured outdoors to Jennifer’s place.
“When I looked down the driveway, it was crazy. It was engulfed in flames. I thought it was right in our yard.”
As the smoke from the intense fire continued to build and with the wind pushing the plume over the highway, Hooper and the fire department’s next objective was to block the road as quickly as possible.
“All of the sudden a semi came through the smoke,” said the fire chief. “Believe it or not, you couldn’t even see his headlights. We could hear him but we didn’t know if he was even going to make it through the smoke. It is hard for someone to visualize that black heavy smoke but you couldn’t see a thing.”
With the driver safely through on Hwy. 16, Hooper radioed dispatch who contacted Humboldt/Lanigan RCMP to attend the scene and block the road. Waiting for the RCMP and preventing motorists from venturing through the smoke, Hooper’s focus shifted back to the fire at the derailment. “We knew we weren’t going to put it out so we did a walk around trying to stay away from the site as far as we could. You couldn’t get across Wolverine Road at the crossing so we drove all the way around. There was an engine parked alone on the east side and we thought there was 10 or 12 cars derailed but you couldn’t tell because of the dark black smoke.”
As the fire department assessed the situation the RCMP arrived and blockades were set up at various points including further west near Plunkett and east near the junction of Hwy. 16 and road #668 just outside of Guernsey.
With the surreal sight continuing to play out about 300 yards away from Jennifer’s house, looking out the window Melanie figured she saw about a dozen cars on fire either in the ditch or in her pasture. “Some of them had fallen towards our houses and some I guess had fallen to the other side towards the highway but we couldn’t even see the other side of the tracks so it was hard to tell.”
As the fire intensified and with safety a priority, firefighters told Loessl and her family to pack a bag to leave just in case. Getting her jacket on to head home and grab her belongings, Melanie left Jennifer’s place around 2:41 a.m. and on her short trek, an explosion filled the night air.
“I was coming back down the driveway when one of the cars blew up. It was unbelievable. The flames. The heat. I ran into the pasture because it scared me. The flames were so high, the cars looked like mini cars compared to the flames. It was scary.”
Once safely back at her home, Melanie quickly packed and then around 3:15 a.m. the family was told they should leave. As Loessl and her family vacated the area to her cousin’s place nearby, CP emergency response and HazMat crews were deployed to the scene to work with the Lanigan Fire Department to assess and minimize the impact to the surrounding area. With no injuries, a CP spokesperson said CP crews made initial assessments of the situation, including the number of cars involved.
Hooper and his team soon got word there were 34 cars that had derailed with more remaining on the tracks. “Once we got that number we had to find where all of these cars were and just east of the crossing there were at least 10 or 12 on a pile.”
While determining where all of the railcars were located, unhooking a locomotive still hooked up near the derailment became a concern. “Once CP crews got approval, they pulled the pin and pulled about 70 cars away just to get them out so they wouldn’t catch on fire.”
As each hour passed by, the flames showed no sign of slowing down and continued to aid in the gigantic heavy black cloud of smoke. Hooper said they called in the Humboldt Fire Department to help with water pumping efforts and located a water supply at the Nutrien Lanigan mine. “We had our tanker, they had their tanker and then there was another tanker that came from Saskatoon and that was our only water supply. We pumped water for 37 hours straight. That was just the pumping part and that whole time we had to haul water, driving back and forth to the mine. Nutrien had it set up for us there to haul water. We were never going to put the fire out at that point but they did pump some water for protection and to cool equipment.”
By the end of the first shift for the Lanigan Fire Department, they had deployed 16 people who were there for 24 hours and then more firefighters attended from Lanigan to relieve the ones on scene for a few hours before switching back.
“In total we probably spent around 39 hours out there and 37 hours of straight pumping. That is probably five years worth of pumping on our new truck right there. That is a lot of pumping and our new truck worked just perfect. Everything was heated up inside and kept guys warm. Everything worked really well.”
As daybreak arrived, more and more people began appearing at the area west of Guernsey, coming from Manitoba, Alberta and other parts of Saskatchewan including a provincial safety response team. Semi after semi hauling equipment also unloaded backhoes while gravel trucks began dropping off loads as well. A command post was set up on the south side of the fire and as everyone was set to continue containing the area, the wind changed.
“We had a whole bunch of hoses setup to pump some water but the wind changed so we had to get out of there. Everyone had to switch out and go back all the way around to the highway because the railway crossing was still blocked.”
With more people and equipment arriving each hour, Hooper estimated there were around a dozen bulldozers and a dozen loaders to go along with trailers, a food area, tents and washroom facilities. “You didn’t realize how much equipment came through until later on but it was a lot. Gravel trucks from all over started showing up dumping gravel for the track beds and to make some approaches wherever they had to. There were things happening all over. Once it got dark that night then they started hauling gravel to the east side to build up the gravel to get the line reopen.”
As the large equipment began digging, crews started separating the cars. Working in the heat, equipment operators were forced to temporarily back out before resuming operations again. Because it was so hot, the Lanigan Fire Department was responsible for cooling the equipment with water. “We were working fairly close to the heat the whole time. It was nice and warm but it was fairly dangerous. All of the sudden there would be a whistle coming from these tanks and they are getting pressure and there were a few that did blow but for the most part it wasn’t too bad. As they pulled the tanks apart they were burning a long time and some of them were red hot.”
While a large portion of the 34 cars that derailed caught fire, Hooper estimated eight or 10 that came off the tracks did not. “They were derailed so it was quite a job to pull them out of the way.”
As a windy and frigid Monday continued, CP said crews worked diligently and ensured the area would be cleaned up and restored after the company safely recovers from the incident. Later in the afternoon, Hwy. 16 remained closed as the fires continued to burn and smoke filled the sky. CP emergency response and HazMat crews worked closely with the firefighters to extinguish an area of the derailment site that was still burning. Removal of derailed cars was also underway in portions of the site where it was safe.
CP also stated there was no impact to waterways and they were in close contact with regulators and local officials to keep them informed as the situation progressed.
On Monday, Dec. 9 the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) also deployed a team of investigators to the site of the derailment to gather information and assess the occurrence. According to the TSB, preliminary examination indicated about 19 of the cars lost their entire loads releasing an estimated 1.5 million litres of product to either the ground or atmosphere. Travelling at about 45 mph and destined for Stroud, Oklahoma, the train experienced a train-initiated emergency brake application at mile 48.85, near Guernsey and the covered hopper car in position two and the following 33 tank cars derailed. The head-end 23 tank cars derailed east of the crossing and came to rest in various positions in a large pile over a distance of approximately 500 feet. About 20 of the 23 tank cars sustained breaches, released product and became engulfed in a large pool fire.
With the firefighters containing the area and other crews working in -30˚C temperatures, Melanie who returned home later in the morning Dec. 9 was appreciative of their efforts. “I feel sorry for them because it was so cold out and they were all out there working like crazy and making sure we were safe. It was endless hours for them and the workers trying to clean it up and get it out.”
While the highway remained closed as Tuesday morning arrived, CP reopened the rail line once all track repairs and safety inspections were completed. By Tuesday afternoon, nearly 40 hours after the derailment, fires at the site were contained while CP’s HazMat team reduced and extinguished what fires remained while working closely with the firefighters. The highway was later reopened and by 2 p.m. Hooper and his crew received the green light to head home.
“I don’t think hardly any fire department has experienced something like this,” said Hooper after reflecting on the incident. “I don’t think anybody is ever set for something like this.”
“I’ve lived there for 20 years and have seen nothing like that before,” said Melanie who added railcars were being loaded on semis this past Wednesday, Dec. 11 while the cleanup continued. “It can happen, I know that, and I am just thankful the workers were safe and everybody was safe through it all.”
Hooper agreed, “It is just a good thing no one was hurt or a life lost. I am proud of the members from our fire department and the work they did.”
As word of the derailment made its way across the country, local Member of Parliament for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan Tom Lukiwski expressed his concern and best wishes for the first responders who dealt with the derailment. “This time we were lucky. This could have been a tragedy on the scale of the Lac Megantic derailment in Quebec. This time, thank heavens, no one has been injured so far.”
With the event occurring near Guernsey, Lukiwski felt there remains a need for more oil pipelines. “They are not only vital to the economy of Western Canada. Pipelines are also the safest way to transport oil, period.
“How many more incidents like this do we need to prove that rail is the most dangerous way to transport oil? How many more environmental disasters? How many more lives put at risk?”
The local MP said, “They say that all politics is local and this is a prime example. The Liberal government’s failure to build pipelines is not some far-away policy debate. It’s affecting the quality of life and safety of real people right here in Saskatchewan.”
As work continued at the derailment site west of Guernsey last week, CP said crews were ensuring the area would be cleaned up and restored. Crews will remain on scene for a number of weeks and an investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
TWM Top Story - Dec. 9, 2019
Chase the Ace tops $100,00 for Heritage Centre
Wow, what a way to wrap up the year-long Chase the Ace project! On Nov. 29th when the Ace of Spades card was finally pulled from the diminished deck of cards, the confetti guns blasted away, patrons jam-packed into TB’s Bar & Grill broke into boisterous cheers and project leader Lyle Emmons along with vice-chair Glenda McArthur couldn’t contain their smiles as the colourful contents of the confetti guns rained down upon them. A huge cash jackpot to give away on the final night was a script that couldn’t have been written any better for the Chase the Ace finale.
The festivities marked the culmination of 53 consecutive weekly Friday night draws held at TB’s Bar & Grill. The inaugural Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Chase the Ace game concluded with the awarding of $54,787 in prize money! The weekly prize of $7,090 was won by Model Meats Staff, and the $47,697 Ace Jackpot was won by Trevor Soderberg of Young.
As the days rolled by during the final week of ticket sales for Chase the Ace, hundreds of individuals, all with smiles on their face and possibly visions of sugar plums, Santa and dollar signs in their mind, reached into their pockets to shell out more than $35,000 for tickets. They knew it was their last chance to purchase tickets for a shot at a major cash prize. Maybe it was the time of the season or maybe they felt good about the investment they were making in their community, regardless, they were happy and many voiced the opinion they were waiting for the fun to begin again in 2020.
Over the past number of weeks Emmons has been asked often, “How’s the game goin’?” In response, he has always expressed his deep-felt appreciation of how fully the community embraced Chase the Ace as a legitimate fundraising project, ultimately resulting in a truly successful fundraiser for our community’s new Heritage Centre. Ticket sales, metaphorically, went through the roof the past few weeks as the jackpot climbed into the $25,000 range and beyond. Ticket sales topped out at $233,100, half of which has been awarded as cash prizes, approximately 98 percent of which stayed in our extended community; the other half, minus expenses, is turned over to the Heritage Centre. Once the dust has settled, the Heritage Centre should be the recipient of approximately $110,000 from the game. Emmons also anticipates receiving a charitable gaming grant which will bump up the total proceeds from the game.
The Chase the Ace project confirmed, if it ever needed to be confirmed, our community can achieve much when individuals, groups and businesses work together for a common goal. The Heritage Centre and Chase the Ace are proof positive. Both undertakings were successful because of the team effort at a community level. Emmons swells with pride when he speaks of who comprised the Chase the Ace team of volunteers he led. The team included a committee of nine, 32 volunteer ticket sellers and two official game proxies; as well, a dozen local business locations were on board with staff to sell Chase the Ace tickets during business hours. Top to bottom, the game was a community effort. “The overall support from the community, the dedicated team of volunteers and the businesses involved was incredible,” says Emmons.
To be a player in the game, individuals had to purchase tickets. The tickets were valid only for that week’s draw. No doubt, it was the deep-set desire of the public to be a player in the game that ultimately resulted in the game’s success. Every ticket buyer is to be thanked for the support given to the game, and ultimately to the Heritage Centre.
Who bought Chase the Ace tickets? Through discussions with ticket buyers over the course of the year, Emmons discovered four types of individuals were buyers. The first type was the person tired of sending his/her money to Lotto Max or 649 and seeing no return to the community; the second individual felt the fundraising game was for a great cause (the Heritage Centre) and thus should be supported; the third type wanted a chance to win the cash jackpot (hey, there’s a little gambler in all of us!); and, for the fourth person it was the combination of all three aforementioned reasons that led to the purchase of tickets.
Whatever the reason, individuals have been lining up to buy tickets since the project kicked off at Watrous Mainline Motor Products on November 24, 2018, and good stories have been told by many of the cash prize winners. As an example, upon receiving the jackpot cheque, Trevor Soderberg told Emmons he is unfortunately one of the many potash miners hit by the recent lay-offs, so the jackpot cash was very timely, especially considering Christmas is just around the corner. Soderberg was volunteering at the dinner theatre in Young when he was informed he had won $47,697. As a way of giving back to his community, Soderberg used some of his windfall to purchase a raisin pie for $1,000 at the pie auction held in conjunction with the dinner theatre. Proceeds from the pie auction were to help cover the cost of renovations at the local community hall. Congratulations, Trevor, on many levels that’s a good news story!
A few of the 54 cash prize game winners graciously donated all or a portion of their winnings to the Heritage Centre, other winners re-invested some or all of their winnings in more tickets in hopes of achieving the big win. All support, from every ticket buyer, was much appreciated by the project’s committee.
How will the net proceeds from Chase the Ace be used? At the time of issuing the licence for the game, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority approved how the net proceeds from the game could be spent by the Heritage Centre. The Heritage Centre completed extensive (and expensive!) renovations and purchased many furnishings prior to opening on June 28, 2019, to create an excellent facility, so the proceeds have been put to good use.
Of course, facilities such as art galleries, museums and heritage centres do, from time to time, require additional funding from donations and fundraising. As successful as the game was, the Heritage Centre Board of Directors will appreciate additional funding from time to time in the future, if it is to remain an evolving home for our community’s history, a spot where our past can be preserved for the future. To that end, Emmons has indicated he is in the process of getting a group of volunteers together to pursue a second Chase the Ace licence with the expectation of starting another game in late February or early March.
The number of individuals and businesses involved with Chase the Ace was significant. The hard-working committee members included Lionel Sproule, Glenda McArthur, Darlene Kornelsen, Al Mosewich, Susan Jabs, Tracy Wiebe, Lyle Smith, Darlene Martin and Emmons. They were joined by Dave Somers and Ruth Morningstar, the game’s two official proxies. The team of volunteer ticket sellers included Sue Alcock, Vince and Dee Armstrong, Kathy Bergen, Shelley Engele, Ray and Janis Hall, Deb Holm, Nancy Holma, Jim Hrynkiw, Mel Manson, Karen and Fraser Mark, Garnet Martin, John McArthur, Sherwin Petersen, David and Joyce Potts, Cathy Sather, Les Schuster, Bob Silzer, Denise Thoner, Murray and Bella Treble, Bing and Wendy Vanthuyne, Keith and Cindy Vanthuyne, Bryan and Kerry Van Vaals, and Wes and Connie Woiden. Locations selling Chase the Ace tickets included Watrous Pharmacy, TB’s Bar & Grill, Affinity Credit Union, Watrous Mainline Motors, Manitou Springs Resort Spa, Watrous Town Office, Centennial Ford Sales, Miz Bojangles Hair Salon, P&H Elevator, Manitou Chrysler, ODA Coffee & Wine Bar, Golf Course Clubhouse Restaurant, and the Heritage Centre.
Wow, what a way to wrap up the year-long Chase the Ace project! On Nov. 29th when the Ace of Spades card was finally pulled from the diminished deck of cards, the confetti guns blasted away, patrons jam-packed into TB’s Bar & Grill broke into boisterous cheers and project leader Lyle Emmons along with vice-chair Glenda McArthur couldn’t contain their smiles as the colourful contents of the confetti guns rained down upon them. A huge cash jackpot to give away on the final night was a script that couldn’t have been written any better for the Chase the Ace finale.
The festivities marked the culmination of 53 consecutive weekly Friday night draws held at TB’s Bar & Grill. The inaugural Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre Chase the Ace game concluded with the awarding of $54,787 in prize money! The weekly prize of $7,090 was won by Model Meats Staff, and the $47,697 Ace Jackpot was won by Trevor Soderberg of Young.
As the days rolled by during the final week of ticket sales for Chase the Ace, hundreds of individuals, all with smiles on their face and possibly visions of sugar plums, Santa and dollar signs in their mind, reached into their pockets to shell out more than $35,000 for tickets. They knew it was their last chance to purchase tickets for a shot at a major cash prize. Maybe it was the time of the season or maybe they felt good about the investment they were making in their community, regardless, they were happy and many voiced the opinion they were waiting for the fun to begin again in 2020.
Over the past number of weeks Emmons has been asked often, “How’s the game goin’?” In response, he has always expressed his deep-felt appreciation of how fully the community embraced Chase the Ace as a legitimate fundraising project, ultimately resulting in a truly successful fundraiser for our community’s new Heritage Centre. Ticket sales, metaphorically, went through the roof the past few weeks as the jackpot climbed into the $25,000 range and beyond. Ticket sales topped out at $233,100, half of which has been awarded as cash prizes, approximately 98 percent of which stayed in our extended community; the other half, minus expenses, is turned over to the Heritage Centre. Once the dust has settled, the Heritage Centre should be the recipient of approximately $110,000 from the game. Emmons also anticipates receiving a charitable gaming grant which will bump up the total proceeds from the game.
The Chase the Ace project confirmed, if it ever needed to be confirmed, our community can achieve much when individuals, groups and businesses work together for a common goal. The Heritage Centre and Chase the Ace are proof positive. Both undertakings were successful because of the team effort at a community level. Emmons swells with pride when he speaks of who comprised the Chase the Ace team of volunteers he led. The team included a committee of nine, 32 volunteer ticket sellers and two official game proxies; as well, a dozen local business locations were on board with staff to sell Chase the Ace tickets during business hours. Top to bottom, the game was a community effort. “The overall support from the community, the dedicated team of volunteers and the businesses involved was incredible,” says Emmons.
To be a player in the game, individuals had to purchase tickets. The tickets were valid only for that week’s draw. No doubt, it was the deep-set desire of the public to be a player in the game that ultimately resulted in the game’s success. Every ticket buyer is to be thanked for the support given to the game, and ultimately to the Heritage Centre.
Who bought Chase the Ace tickets? Through discussions with ticket buyers over the course of the year, Emmons discovered four types of individuals were buyers. The first type was the person tired of sending his/her money to Lotto Max or 649 and seeing no return to the community; the second individual felt the fundraising game was for a great cause (the Heritage Centre) and thus should be supported; the third type wanted a chance to win the cash jackpot (hey, there’s a little gambler in all of us!); and, for the fourth person it was the combination of all three aforementioned reasons that led to the purchase of tickets.
Whatever the reason, individuals have been lining up to buy tickets since the project kicked off at Watrous Mainline Motor Products on November 24, 2018, and good stories have been told by many of the cash prize winners. As an example, upon receiving the jackpot cheque, Trevor Soderberg told Emmons he is unfortunately one of the many potash miners hit by the recent lay-offs, so the jackpot cash was very timely, especially considering Christmas is just around the corner. Soderberg was volunteering at the dinner theatre in Young when he was informed he had won $47,697. As a way of giving back to his community, Soderberg used some of his windfall to purchase a raisin pie for $1,000 at the pie auction held in conjunction with the dinner theatre. Proceeds from the pie auction were to help cover the cost of renovations at the local community hall. Congratulations, Trevor, on many levels that’s a good news story!
A few of the 54 cash prize game winners graciously donated all or a portion of their winnings to the Heritage Centre, other winners re-invested some or all of their winnings in more tickets in hopes of achieving the big win. All support, from every ticket buyer, was much appreciated by the project’s committee.
How will the net proceeds from Chase the Ace be used? At the time of issuing the licence for the game, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority approved how the net proceeds from the game could be spent by the Heritage Centre. The Heritage Centre completed extensive (and expensive!) renovations and purchased many furnishings prior to opening on June 28, 2019, to create an excellent facility, so the proceeds have been put to good use.
Of course, facilities such as art galleries, museums and heritage centres do, from time to time, require additional funding from donations and fundraising. As successful as the game was, the Heritage Centre Board of Directors will appreciate additional funding from time to time in the future, if it is to remain an evolving home for our community’s history, a spot where our past can be preserved for the future. To that end, Emmons has indicated he is in the process of getting a group of volunteers together to pursue a second Chase the Ace licence with the expectation of starting another game in late February or early March.
The number of individuals and businesses involved with Chase the Ace was significant. The hard-working committee members included Lionel Sproule, Glenda McArthur, Darlene Kornelsen, Al Mosewich, Susan Jabs, Tracy Wiebe, Lyle Smith, Darlene Martin and Emmons. They were joined by Dave Somers and Ruth Morningstar, the game’s two official proxies. The team of volunteer ticket sellers included Sue Alcock, Vince and Dee Armstrong, Kathy Bergen, Shelley Engele, Ray and Janis Hall, Deb Holm, Nancy Holma, Jim Hrynkiw, Mel Manson, Karen and Fraser Mark, Garnet Martin, John McArthur, Sherwin Petersen, David and Joyce Potts, Cathy Sather, Les Schuster, Bob Silzer, Denise Thoner, Murray and Bella Treble, Bing and Wendy Vanthuyne, Keith and Cindy Vanthuyne, Bryan and Kerry Van Vaals, and Wes and Connie Woiden. Locations selling Chase the Ace tickets included Watrous Pharmacy, TB’s Bar & Grill, Affinity Credit Union, Watrous Mainline Motors, Manitou Springs Resort Spa, Watrous Town Office, Centennial Ford Sales, Miz Bojangles Hair Salon, P&H Elevator, Manitou Chrysler, ODA Coffee & Wine Bar, Golf Course Clubhouse Restaurant, and the Heritage Centre.
TWM Top Story - Dec. 2, 2019
Village of Young and RM of Morris acquire Conexus building
Daniel Bushman
After an announcement was made earlier this year that Conexus Credit Union would be closing nine of its branches including in Young and Drake, the company then requested offers for its buildings which were left vacant in early October. From that, a handful of municipalities like Young and the Rural Municipality of Morris have come forward to take on the facilities.
In a release, the Village of Young and the RM of Morris No. 312 announced they acquired the Conexus Credit Union building in Young. The acquisition of the building was initially spearheaded by the RM of Morris and reeve Robert Penrose said, “We needed to address our aging administrative building and this was a great opportunity to do so.”
The RM of Morris discussed the potential opportunity with the Village of Young and both decided to propose acquisition of the building for the purposes of sharing a municipal office. “The ability to acquire a newer building, share operating costs, improve service to the public, and explore future collaboration between the municipalities was appealing,” explained Young Mayor Julia Schultz.
With the acquisition, the municipalities are planning to begin the move in December and noted they will be keeping the community informed as plans and dates get finalized.
Along with the acquisition of one of its buildings in Young, Conexus said over the past few months after requesting offers from communities to acquire and use its buildings in Chamberlain, Cupar, Drake, Middle Lake, Mossbank, Spy Hill, Young and two locations in Regina – Fifth Avenue and Wallace, the company has finalized several other offers. In addition to the Village of Young and the RM of Morris taking on the Conexus building in Young, the Town of Cupar has taken on the Conexus building in Cupar, Circle Project has taken on the Fifth Avenue location in Regina, and Ignite Adult Learning has taken on the Wallace location in Regina.
Conexus said it is still finalizing details for the buildings in Chamberlain, Drake, Middle Lake, Mossbank and Spy Hill.
Daniel Bushman
After an announcement was made earlier this year that Conexus Credit Union would be closing nine of its branches including in Young and Drake, the company then requested offers for its buildings which were left vacant in early October. From that, a handful of municipalities like Young and the Rural Municipality of Morris have come forward to take on the facilities.
In a release, the Village of Young and the RM of Morris No. 312 announced they acquired the Conexus Credit Union building in Young. The acquisition of the building was initially spearheaded by the RM of Morris and reeve Robert Penrose said, “We needed to address our aging administrative building and this was a great opportunity to do so.”
The RM of Morris discussed the potential opportunity with the Village of Young and both decided to propose acquisition of the building for the purposes of sharing a municipal office. “The ability to acquire a newer building, share operating costs, improve service to the public, and explore future collaboration between the municipalities was appealing,” explained Young Mayor Julia Schultz.
With the acquisition, the municipalities are planning to begin the move in December and noted they will be keeping the community informed as plans and dates get finalized.
Along with the acquisition of one of its buildings in Young, Conexus said over the past few months after requesting offers from communities to acquire and use its buildings in Chamberlain, Cupar, Drake, Middle Lake, Mossbank, Spy Hill, Young and two locations in Regina – Fifth Avenue and Wallace, the company has finalized several other offers. In addition to the Village of Young and the RM of Morris taking on the Conexus building in Young, the Town of Cupar has taken on the Conexus building in Cupar, Circle Project has taken on the Fifth Avenue location in Regina, and Ignite Adult Learning has taken on the Wallace location in Regina.
Conexus said it is still finalizing details for the buildings in Chamberlain, Drake, Middle Lake, Mossbank and Spy Hill.
TWM Top Story - Nov. 25, 2019
Local resident receives prestigious award
Daniel Bushman
Whether she is getting behind the wheel of her family’s combine during harvest, promoting agriculture through speaking engagements across the globe or creating a conversation about mental health, Lesley Kelly has not only been an advocate for the agriculture sector but a tremendous support to many within the industry and abroad.
For her efforts and dedication through promoting agriculture to both producers and consumers alike, Kelly was recently recognized as this year’s Food and Farming Champion Award recipient at the Public Trust Summit in Saskatoon. Held in a different Canadian city each year, Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan (FFC SK) said the goal of the conference is to increase public trust in Canada’s food system and felt the Watrous resident was the perfect person to be named as this year’s Champion Award recipient.
“This was our fourth year to present the Champion Award and we were pleased to see a great deal of support from the industry,” said Clinton Monchuk, Executive Director of FFC SK. “Our panel of judges had to choose from five impressive nominations from across all areas of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.”
Actively farming with her family near Watrous where they grow wheat, durum, canola, barley, oats, lentils, peas and flax, Lesley said, “I’m so very honoured to receive such an award because the agriculture industry is comprised of smart and talented people doing amazing things. To be recognized among my peers, is such an honour.”
The FFC SK said Kelly has done a tremendous amount for the industry and continues to be a positive force within it. “Lesley is the head and heart behind the popular High Heels & Canola Fields blog where she dispels myths about agriculture and brings consumers and farmers together. In the past year, she has expanded her reach by co-hosting the What the Farm podcast which explores various topics in food and farming through real life conversations. Lesley’s goal in being involved in agriculture beyond the farm is to build community and bring people together, create conversation, collaborate and identify solutions that help both the industry and consumers. Lesley is also a respected leader in advocating for mental health. In addition to being part of the national #BellLetsTalk campaign, she is the co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation whose mission is to break barriers and support all producers in taking care of their mental well-being.”
Not only an advocate for agriculture but a mother of two boys and the daughter of Garnet and Darlene Martin, Lesley explained the importance of agriculture and what it means to be recognized for her hard work. “Only two percent of the population are involved in agriculture and we are in a time where so many of us are interested in food and health. That also means there are so many questions as to how farming plays a huge role to what we buy in the grocery store and feed our families. Farming is no longer an occupation where you can only grow or raise food, sell your products and continue this cycle every year. Farmers are marketers, accountants, mechanics, lawyers, etc. and now communicators. Communication is needed to share why we do the things we do on our farm and answer those questions to help keep and maintain the trust we have with consumers. If we lose that trust, that is where we are seeing more regulations and our freedom of choice - the choice of how we farm dissipate, and at a cost. These regulations may not be in the best interests of the farmer and consumer.”
Recently emceeing the Saskatchewan Women in Ag conference in Saskatoon before heading to North Dakota to talk about mental health in agriculture with the North Dakota Farmers Union, Kelly said she wants to continue to help the agriculture industry by sharing different perspectives that consumers and others may not be hearing. “That might be from marketing campaigns, activists, etc. that are causing confusion and mistrust. I do that by sharing our daily life on the farm through pictures, videos and articles in hopes that it helps to answer questions and build community where people can go to talk about farming.”
It is through that sharing at various conferences, on her podcast and via social media that more and more people are taking note and learning the truth. Because of that Lesley’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by those within the agriculture industry. FFC SK said one of the nominators who submitted Kelly’s name for the Food and Farming Champion Award noted, “There is no piece of Saskatchewan agriculture that she has left untouched. Her mission of continual positivity, even in the face of adversity, is helping to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.”
Hearing those words and realizing the impact she has had on others, Lesley said, “When I first started my blog, High Heels & Canola Fields, I didn’t know where I wanted it to go but I did have a goal. My goal is to help make a positive impact on people, online and offline and in and outside the agriculture industry, and even further, to help make the world a better place. We are in a time where our nation and world is divided, and it’s hard to find acts of kindness and love in our social media feeds, and watching the news. If I can help make someone’s day better through a photo, a funny video or a vulnerable video about life, a nice message, that to me helps our world become a little bit kinder and brighter. I’ve learned that in agriculture, our people are our greatest assets. We’re always hearing about the latest innovation or the newest technology that will advance agriculture. But in my opinion, we’ve forgotten about the people and human part. If we focus on our people, that is where we will see the greatest opportunities and advancements in agriculture. By sharing different perspectives, I try to show how there is hope, love, kindness, even in adverse situations.”
After receiving the Food and Farming Champion Award Nov. 13 which honours those who work to advocate for agriculture and inspire public trust in Saskatchewan’s food industry, Lesley said it has not only been meaningful but has acted as a reminder to continue to do what she has been doing. That is breaking down barriers, blogging, co-hosting podcasts, speaking at conferences and other engagements, helping out with the family farm and just being a positive advocate for an industry she loves.
“I have the opportunity to do some pretty amazing things, and some I never thought were possibilities. I love what I am doing and am so grateful to travel and learn and talk to others from around the world. I started small, got out of my comfort zone and tried. Tried things to see if I liked them, tried new things to learn and having the courage to do so because I love the adventure. The adventure has also been of finding my place at the farm and industry table and sharing that journey and vulnerability with others because there are so many of us finding our way too. There are times where I have thought I don’t belong and I don’t have enough expertise to be here. What I have learned is have the courage to show up and speak up and to use my gifts, skills and experience to help. Having unique gifts, skills and experience are assets at the farm and within the industry and can help your team go further.”
Daniel Bushman
Whether she is getting behind the wheel of her family’s combine during harvest, promoting agriculture through speaking engagements across the globe or creating a conversation about mental health, Lesley Kelly has not only been an advocate for the agriculture sector but a tremendous support to many within the industry and abroad.
For her efforts and dedication through promoting agriculture to both producers and consumers alike, Kelly was recently recognized as this year’s Food and Farming Champion Award recipient at the Public Trust Summit in Saskatoon. Held in a different Canadian city each year, Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan (FFC SK) said the goal of the conference is to increase public trust in Canada’s food system and felt the Watrous resident was the perfect person to be named as this year’s Champion Award recipient.
“This was our fourth year to present the Champion Award and we were pleased to see a great deal of support from the industry,” said Clinton Monchuk, Executive Director of FFC SK. “Our panel of judges had to choose from five impressive nominations from across all areas of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.”
Actively farming with her family near Watrous where they grow wheat, durum, canola, barley, oats, lentils, peas and flax, Lesley said, “I’m so very honoured to receive such an award because the agriculture industry is comprised of smart and talented people doing amazing things. To be recognized among my peers, is such an honour.”
The FFC SK said Kelly has done a tremendous amount for the industry and continues to be a positive force within it. “Lesley is the head and heart behind the popular High Heels & Canola Fields blog where she dispels myths about agriculture and brings consumers and farmers together. In the past year, she has expanded her reach by co-hosting the What the Farm podcast which explores various topics in food and farming through real life conversations. Lesley’s goal in being involved in agriculture beyond the farm is to build community and bring people together, create conversation, collaborate and identify solutions that help both the industry and consumers. Lesley is also a respected leader in advocating for mental health. In addition to being part of the national #BellLetsTalk campaign, she is the co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation whose mission is to break barriers and support all producers in taking care of their mental well-being.”
Not only an advocate for agriculture but a mother of two boys and the daughter of Garnet and Darlene Martin, Lesley explained the importance of agriculture and what it means to be recognized for her hard work. “Only two percent of the population are involved in agriculture and we are in a time where so many of us are interested in food and health. That also means there are so many questions as to how farming plays a huge role to what we buy in the grocery store and feed our families. Farming is no longer an occupation where you can only grow or raise food, sell your products and continue this cycle every year. Farmers are marketers, accountants, mechanics, lawyers, etc. and now communicators. Communication is needed to share why we do the things we do on our farm and answer those questions to help keep and maintain the trust we have with consumers. If we lose that trust, that is where we are seeing more regulations and our freedom of choice - the choice of how we farm dissipate, and at a cost. These regulations may not be in the best interests of the farmer and consumer.”
Recently emceeing the Saskatchewan Women in Ag conference in Saskatoon before heading to North Dakota to talk about mental health in agriculture with the North Dakota Farmers Union, Kelly said she wants to continue to help the agriculture industry by sharing different perspectives that consumers and others may not be hearing. “That might be from marketing campaigns, activists, etc. that are causing confusion and mistrust. I do that by sharing our daily life on the farm through pictures, videos and articles in hopes that it helps to answer questions and build community where people can go to talk about farming.”
It is through that sharing at various conferences, on her podcast and via social media that more and more people are taking note and learning the truth. Because of that Lesley’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by those within the agriculture industry. FFC SK said one of the nominators who submitted Kelly’s name for the Food and Farming Champion Award noted, “There is no piece of Saskatchewan agriculture that she has left untouched. Her mission of continual positivity, even in the face of adversity, is helping to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.”
Hearing those words and realizing the impact she has had on others, Lesley said, “When I first started my blog, High Heels & Canola Fields, I didn’t know where I wanted it to go but I did have a goal. My goal is to help make a positive impact on people, online and offline and in and outside the agriculture industry, and even further, to help make the world a better place. We are in a time where our nation and world is divided, and it’s hard to find acts of kindness and love in our social media feeds, and watching the news. If I can help make someone’s day better through a photo, a funny video or a vulnerable video about life, a nice message, that to me helps our world become a little bit kinder and brighter. I’ve learned that in agriculture, our people are our greatest assets. We’re always hearing about the latest innovation or the newest technology that will advance agriculture. But in my opinion, we’ve forgotten about the people and human part. If we focus on our people, that is where we will see the greatest opportunities and advancements in agriculture. By sharing different perspectives, I try to show how there is hope, love, kindness, even in adverse situations.”
After receiving the Food and Farming Champion Award Nov. 13 which honours those who work to advocate for agriculture and inspire public trust in Saskatchewan’s food industry, Lesley said it has not only been meaningful but has acted as a reminder to continue to do what she has been doing. That is breaking down barriers, blogging, co-hosting podcasts, speaking at conferences and other engagements, helping out with the family farm and just being a positive advocate for an industry she loves.
“I have the opportunity to do some pretty amazing things, and some I never thought were possibilities. I love what I am doing and am so grateful to travel and learn and talk to others from around the world. I started small, got out of my comfort zone and tried. Tried things to see if I liked them, tried new things to learn and having the courage to do so because I love the adventure. The adventure has also been of finding my place at the farm and industry table and sharing that journey and vulnerability with others because there are so many of us finding our way too. There are times where I have thought I don’t belong and I don’t have enough expertise to be here. What I have learned is have the courage to show up and speak up and to use my gifts, skills and experience to help. Having unique gifts, skills and experience are assets at the farm and within the industry and can help your team go further.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 18, 2019
Food bank receives tremendous support as holiday season arrives
Daniel Bushman
Not only did the Watrous and District Food Bank receive an overwhelming response in 2019 after experiencing a deficit in 2018, but that response has allowed the non-profit organization to continue to purchase food items throughout the year. While monetary and food donations are still welcome, especially with the upcoming Christmas hampers, at its annual meeting Oct. 22, members of the food bank were pleased with how the year has gone.
Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said numerous people, organizations and businesses stepped up extending their generosity through monetary and food donations. “Our revenue essentially doubled from the year previous and we had so many new people support the food bank. Additional sponsors and rural municipalities also jumped on board and personal donations went up about three times over the previous year. Having all of that added help has made it easier for us financially to be able to purchase food items for those using the food bank.”
Breaking down the numbers from the financial report, this year expenses were up slightly from 2018 going from $21,491.25 to $23,658.28 with the greatest amount spent on food and goods for hampers ($20,394.01). As for the rest of this year’s expenses, $222.06 went to administrative, $315 was allocated for membership/registration fees, $261.25 went to advertising, $611.62 was for insurance, $12 was allocated for bank fees, $1,382.85 went towards utilities and $459.49 was spent on building supplies.
On the income side, the food bank saw a substantial increase after a call was issued last year for additional support. In 2018, the Watrous and District Food Bank had an income of $16,593.64 and in 2019 the total income was $32,224.74. Comparing the two years, personal donations saw the largest increase going from $4,229.05 in 2018 to $12,026.45 in 2019. Holland said it was incredible to see so many people lend a hand this past year. In addition, local businesses provided $4,597.23 in 2019, up from $2,127.06 last year. The Rotary/Legion/Social Clubs contributed $6,598.65 in 2019 compared to $4,886.66 last year while corporate donations also saw an increase this year going from $3,432.50 in 2018 to $4,163 in 2019. Another new area of revenue came from local rural municipalities as they contributed $3,000 this year. The Food Banks of Saskatchewan also provided $1,624.11, local churches/similar groups contributed $194.35 and the food bank had $20.95 in interest.
Overall, from July 2018 to June 2019, the food bank had a total income of $32,224.74 and total expenses of $23,658.28. “Thank you to the many individuals and businesses that continue to donate funds and a variety of perishable and non-perishable food items.”
Also noted at this year’s annual meeting was the addition of two new board members. Joining Holland, treasurer Amanda Dezotell, secretary Glenda Cox McArthur, Judy Dunne, Erin Wolff and Amanda McArthur are Mary Kratchmer and Colleen Hunt.
Serving clients in the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Nokomis, Viscount and Liberty areas every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, Holland said overall the food bank distributes about 65 hampers per month. Helping prepare and distribute those hampers are 18 volunteers who also purchase groceries, stock shelves and lend a hand where needed. Holland said the food bank greatly appreciates their help including assistance from Interlake who comes on a regular basis to pack dry hampers at the food bank’s location at 107 3rd Ave. E.
In addition to packing and distributing its regular hampers, for the annual Christmas hampers, last year the food bank handed out 84, up from 72 the year before. “About half of those homes that applied last year included children (154 adults and 87 children).”
Now with the holiday season approaching once again, the food bank is not only planning to provide special Christmas hampers but will also be offering gently used clothing. “One of the special projects that we are doing this year is providing clothes. Gwen Deneiko has been coordinating the project and when clients come to pick up their Christmas hampers they can go through Gwen’s Boutique and pick up some household items and gently used clothing. If you might have something you feel could be useful to a family whether it is clothes like jackets, toques, mitts, shirts or any practical items you are welcome to donate those.”
Another unique idea the food bank tried last year was sponsor a hamper. Holland said they received an overwhelming response from the community and businesses who donated funds to sponsor hampers for $135. “People can individually sponsor a hamper, join other families and split the cost or get together with fellow employees or as an organization and buy a family Christmas hamper. We thought we would give it a try last year and see how it would go and we were so grateful to everyone who participated and decided to do it again this year.”
Distributed Dec. 21, anyone in need of receiving a Christmas hamper this year can let the food bank know by Dec. 11. Packed inside the hampers, recipients will get either a turkey or ham, one dozen buns, a jug of milk, one dozen eggs, five pounds of Christmas oranges, 10 pounds of potatoes, carrots and onions, stuffing, Kraft Dinner, pasta or rice, Sidekicks or potato, a box of crackers, a breakfast item, cans of soup, canned meats, meals in a can, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, juice, cranberries, a cake mix, one tub of margarine, peanut butter and a box of chocolates. For hampers distributed to families with children, toys will be included in those as well.
People who prefer not to sponsor an entire hamper but want to help financially can do so either by mailing funds to Box 794 in Watrous or they can contact the food bank as well. Other initiatives are also being planned this year including the Watrous Emergency Services Stuff the Ambulance campaign which will be taking place Wednesday, Dec. 4. In conjunction with the Co-op Food Store in Watrous, members of the Watrous Emergency Services will be collecting donations in the Co-op food store parking lot during the early part of the evening. The goal is to stuff the ambulance as many times as possible with food donations which will be used to help fill Christmas hampers.
“Over the years, we have had great community support and continual efforts made by many businesses through food, toy and monetary donations and we know that will continue again this year. Along with the Stuff the Ambulance initiative, the Saskatoon Co-op food store in Watrous will be providing us with a cash donation to go towards the purchase of hams this year while Integra Tire in Watrous will be holding its annual Toy Drive where people can buy toys and drop them off at the business. People can also purchase toys at The Bargain Shop or toiletries at
Watrous Pharmacy for the hampers.”
Seeing the community coming together each year, Holland said it has become an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer. “It has made the Christmas season very meaningful to some who have been a part of helping out in some way and it is also meaningful for those who receive the hampers as well.”
Daniel Bushman
Not only did the Watrous and District Food Bank receive an overwhelming response in 2019 after experiencing a deficit in 2018, but that response has allowed the non-profit organization to continue to purchase food items throughout the year. While monetary and food donations are still welcome, especially with the upcoming Christmas hampers, at its annual meeting Oct. 22, members of the food bank were pleased with how the year has gone.
Chair of the Watrous and District Food Bank Darren Holland said numerous people, organizations and businesses stepped up extending their generosity through monetary and food donations. “Our revenue essentially doubled from the year previous and we had so many new people support the food bank. Additional sponsors and rural municipalities also jumped on board and personal donations went up about three times over the previous year. Having all of that added help has made it easier for us financially to be able to purchase food items for those using the food bank.”
Breaking down the numbers from the financial report, this year expenses were up slightly from 2018 going from $21,491.25 to $23,658.28 with the greatest amount spent on food and goods for hampers ($20,394.01). As for the rest of this year’s expenses, $222.06 went to administrative, $315 was allocated for membership/registration fees, $261.25 went to advertising, $611.62 was for insurance, $12 was allocated for bank fees, $1,382.85 went towards utilities and $459.49 was spent on building supplies.
On the income side, the food bank saw a substantial increase after a call was issued last year for additional support. In 2018, the Watrous and District Food Bank had an income of $16,593.64 and in 2019 the total income was $32,224.74. Comparing the two years, personal donations saw the largest increase going from $4,229.05 in 2018 to $12,026.45 in 2019. Holland said it was incredible to see so many people lend a hand this past year. In addition, local businesses provided $4,597.23 in 2019, up from $2,127.06 last year. The Rotary/Legion/Social Clubs contributed $6,598.65 in 2019 compared to $4,886.66 last year while corporate donations also saw an increase this year going from $3,432.50 in 2018 to $4,163 in 2019. Another new area of revenue came from local rural municipalities as they contributed $3,000 this year. The Food Banks of Saskatchewan also provided $1,624.11, local churches/similar groups contributed $194.35 and the food bank had $20.95 in interest.
Overall, from July 2018 to June 2019, the food bank had a total income of $32,224.74 and total expenses of $23,658.28. “Thank you to the many individuals and businesses that continue to donate funds and a variety of perishable and non-perishable food items.”
Also noted at this year’s annual meeting was the addition of two new board members. Joining Holland, treasurer Amanda Dezotell, secretary Glenda Cox McArthur, Judy Dunne, Erin Wolff and Amanda McArthur are Mary Kratchmer and Colleen Hunt.
Serving clients in the Watrous, Manitou Beach, Young, Simpson, Imperial, Nokomis, Viscount and Liberty areas every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, Holland said overall the food bank distributes about 65 hampers per month. Helping prepare and distribute those hampers are 18 volunteers who also purchase groceries, stock shelves and lend a hand where needed. Holland said the food bank greatly appreciates their help including assistance from Interlake who comes on a regular basis to pack dry hampers at the food bank’s location at 107 3rd Ave. E.
In addition to packing and distributing its regular hampers, for the annual Christmas hampers, last year the food bank handed out 84, up from 72 the year before. “About half of those homes that applied last year included children (154 adults and 87 children).”
Now with the holiday season approaching once again, the food bank is not only planning to provide special Christmas hampers but will also be offering gently used clothing. “One of the special projects that we are doing this year is providing clothes. Gwen Deneiko has been coordinating the project and when clients come to pick up their Christmas hampers they can go through Gwen’s Boutique and pick up some household items and gently used clothing. If you might have something you feel could be useful to a family whether it is clothes like jackets, toques, mitts, shirts or any practical items you are welcome to donate those.”
Another unique idea the food bank tried last year was sponsor a hamper. Holland said they received an overwhelming response from the community and businesses who donated funds to sponsor hampers for $135. “People can individually sponsor a hamper, join other families and split the cost or get together with fellow employees or as an organization and buy a family Christmas hamper. We thought we would give it a try last year and see how it would go and we were so grateful to everyone who participated and decided to do it again this year.”
Distributed Dec. 21, anyone in need of receiving a Christmas hamper this year can let the food bank know by Dec. 11. Packed inside the hampers, recipients will get either a turkey or ham, one dozen buns, a jug of milk, one dozen eggs, five pounds of Christmas oranges, 10 pounds of potatoes, carrots and onions, stuffing, Kraft Dinner, pasta or rice, Sidekicks or potato, a box of crackers, a breakfast item, cans of soup, canned meats, meals in a can, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, juice, cranberries, a cake mix, one tub of margarine, peanut butter and a box of chocolates. For hampers distributed to families with children, toys will be included in those as well.
People who prefer not to sponsor an entire hamper but want to help financially can do so either by mailing funds to Box 794 in Watrous or they can contact the food bank as well. Other initiatives are also being planned this year including the Watrous Emergency Services Stuff the Ambulance campaign which will be taking place Wednesday, Dec. 4. In conjunction with the Co-op Food Store in Watrous, members of the Watrous Emergency Services will be collecting donations in the Co-op food store parking lot during the early part of the evening. The goal is to stuff the ambulance as many times as possible with food donations which will be used to help fill Christmas hampers.
“Over the years, we have had great community support and continual efforts made by many businesses through food, toy and monetary donations and we know that will continue again this year. Along with the Stuff the Ambulance initiative, the Saskatoon Co-op food store in Watrous will be providing us with a cash donation to go towards the purchase of hams this year while Integra Tire in Watrous will be holding its annual Toy Drive where people can buy toys and drop them off at the business. People can also purchase toys at The Bargain Shop or toiletries at
Watrous Pharmacy for the hampers.”
Seeing the community coming together each year, Holland said it has become an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer. “It has made the Christmas season very meaningful to some who have been a part of helping out in some way and it is also meaningful for those who receive the hampers as well.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 11, 2019
The importance of Remembrance Day
Daniel Bushman
Canadians from coast to coast are pausing Nov. 11 to remember and honour those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom. It was at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 101 years ago when the Armistice was signed signalling the end of World War I. In communities like Watrous, people will observe a moment of silence Nov. 11 to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve.
Along with the community Remembrance Day ceremony taking place at the Watrous Civic Centre Nov. 11, local schools also held events of their own. President of the Lanigan Legion Branch #143 Jim Hatcher said being able to hold Remembrance Day ceremonies in schools and local communities each year not only honours those who fought for our freedom but it also plays an important role in teaching youth about the significance of the day and the sacrifices made.
“Unless we do that, the youth don’t really know what Remembrance Day is all about,” said Hatcher. “We try to impress upon them that people sacrificed very big for us and for our freedom that we enjoy today. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have that freedom. We want young people to know that because things can be forgotten.”
Like Hatcher, Nokomis Legion Branch #290 President Doug Potter said it is integral that Canadians honour those who provided us with our freedom. “They basically guaranteed our freedom. If it wasn’t for them who knows what things would be like today. The bravery of those men going ashore and into the unknown, they fought and died for our freedom. I encourage everyone to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony.”
A reminder of the past is also on display at the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre. A free Remembrance Day exhibit was created in honour of the local men and women who served and helped during the wars. Kathy Bergen with the Heritage Centre said people could stop by the building on Main Street in Watrous Nov. 8 and 9 to view the exhibit and can also see it after the Remembrance Day service Nov. 11 and for the remainder of the month.
The exhibit includes items from the since disbanded Watrous Legion, a Wall of Remembrance honouring four people who served from Watrous and Manitou Beach, an activity area for kids, and other additional items related to people who served from the area.
Bergen felt it was important to honour the locals who served and fought for our freedom and the exhibit provides a glimpse into that history from WWI and WWII.
In addition to acknowledging the significance of Remembrance Day through ceremonies and exhibits, the annual Poppy Campaign also took place across Canada. According to the Royal Canadian Legion, every year from the last Friday of October to Nov. 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms people enjoy today.
In Watrous, the Nokomis Legion Branch #290 drops off poppy boxes at a number of local places and businesses. With 70 members nationally involved with the Nokomis Legion Branch #290, Potter said they serve the Nokomis, Govan, Lockwood and Watrous area.
Like other legions within the country including Nokomis, Hatcher said Lanigan Legion Branch #143 also tries its best to make a difference in its area and hopes people would consider joining a branch. “Right now it is easier than ever to become a member. Because the numbers are decreasing so badly at branches, anyone can be a member. In Lanigan we meet once a month and we go through our local business and conduct things that we are able to try and do in the community. We put money back into the community through our poppy fund and our main objective is to look after our Veterans.”
Along with the fundraisers, visiting local schools and conducting monthly meetings, Hatcher said Lanigan Branch #143 members also organize the annual Remembrance Day service in Lanigan and a flag day in June where they decorate local Veterans’ graves. “That is super important when we put that flag on their graves that day. It is a showing of respect and acknowledgement of their service and what they did for us.”According to the Canadian War Museum, the war to end all wars 101 years ago left a massive impression on the country. Close to 61,000 Canadians were killed during the war, and another 172,000 wounded. Many more returned home broken in mind and body. From the small colony of Newfoundland 1,305 were killed and several thousand wounded.
In total, the Canadian War Museum said some 619,636 Canadians enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the war and approximately 424,000 served overseas. Of these men and women, 59,544 members of the CEF died during the war, 51,748 of them as a result of enemy action. The small Royal Canadian Navy reported 150 deaths from all causes. No accurate tabulation exists for Canadians who served as volunteers in the Royal Navy or British Army. An additional 1,388 Canadians died while serving with the British Flying Services.
Of the more than 172,000 Canadians who reported wounds during the war, medical authorities classified approximately 138,000 as battle casualties. The rest were injuries suffered away from the war zone. Of the wounded who survived, 3,461 men and one woman had a limb amputated. No reliable method existed for tracking or treating psychological casualties, but authorities identified over 9,000 Canadians as suffering from “shell shock”.
This was an enormous contribution from a population of just under eight million people in 1914. Approximately seven percent of the total population of Canada was in uniform at some point during the war, and hundreds of thousands of additional Canadians worked on the home front in support of the war.
Reflecting on the impact of Remembrance Day, Hatcher said he lost an uncle who was 19 years old during WWII. “He was in the trenches and it was his time to move, he stood up and it was over. I had a lot of uncles who were in the forces and only one did not come back home. It is important to take time to remember those who have fought for our freedom and continue to fight for our freedom. From soldiers that have gone before us to the officers and surviving Veterans today, we pause to remember and honour them. I am 78 years old and have lived in this free country for all of these years. It has a lot to do with the people who fought and made it possible for me to live here along with everybody else who are able to enjoy what we have. It could have been so much different. There are still things around the world that aren’t right and we are still losing people in peacekeeping efforts. Hopefully we can have our governments and others do things to keep peace in this world. The chance to live in this country and enjoy our freedom is pretty awesome.”
Daniel Bushman
Canadians from coast to coast are pausing Nov. 11 to remember and honour those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom. It was at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 101 years ago when the Armistice was signed signalling the end of World War I. In communities like Watrous, people will observe a moment of silence Nov. 11 to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve.
Along with the community Remembrance Day ceremony taking place at the Watrous Civic Centre Nov. 11, local schools also held events of their own. President of the Lanigan Legion Branch #143 Jim Hatcher said being able to hold Remembrance Day ceremonies in schools and local communities each year not only honours those who fought for our freedom but it also plays an important role in teaching youth about the significance of the day and the sacrifices made.
“Unless we do that, the youth don’t really know what Remembrance Day is all about,” said Hatcher. “We try to impress upon them that people sacrificed very big for us and for our freedom that we enjoy today. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have that freedom. We want young people to know that because things can be forgotten.”
Like Hatcher, Nokomis Legion Branch #290 President Doug Potter said it is integral that Canadians honour those who provided us with our freedom. “They basically guaranteed our freedom. If it wasn’t for them who knows what things would be like today. The bravery of those men going ashore and into the unknown, they fought and died for our freedom. I encourage everyone to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony.”
A reminder of the past is also on display at the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre. A free Remembrance Day exhibit was created in honour of the local men and women who served and helped during the wars. Kathy Bergen with the Heritage Centre said people could stop by the building on Main Street in Watrous Nov. 8 and 9 to view the exhibit and can also see it after the Remembrance Day service Nov. 11 and for the remainder of the month.
The exhibit includes items from the since disbanded Watrous Legion, a Wall of Remembrance honouring four people who served from Watrous and Manitou Beach, an activity area for kids, and other additional items related to people who served from the area.
Bergen felt it was important to honour the locals who served and fought for our freedom and the exhibit provides a glimpse into that history from WWI and WWII.
In addition to acknowledging the significance of Remembrance Day through ceremonies and exhibits, the annual Poppy Campaign also took place across Canada. According to the Royal Canadian Legion, every year from the last Friday of October to Nov. 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms people enjoy today.
In Watrous, the Nokomis Legion Branch #290 drops off poppy boxes at a number of local places and businesses. With 70 members nationally involved with the Nokomis Legion Branch #290, Potter said they serve the Nokomis, Govan, Lockwood and Watrous area.
Like other legions within the country including Nokomis, Hatcher said Lanigan Legion Branch #143 also tries its best to make a difference in its area and hopes people would consider joining a branch. “Right now it is easier than ever to become a member. Because the numbers are decreasing so badly at branches, anyone can be a member. In Lanigan we meet once a month and we go through our local business and conduct things that we are able to try and do in the community. We put money back into the community through our poppy fund and our main objective is to look after our Veterans.”
Along with the fundraisers, visiting local schools and conducting monthly meetings, Hatcher said Lanigan Branch #143 members also organize the annual Remembrance Day service in Lanigan and a flag day in June where they decorate local Veterans’ graves. “That is super important when we put that flag on their graves that day. It is a showing of respect and acknowledgement of their service and what they did for us.”According to the Canadian War Museum, the war to end all wars 101 years ago left a massive impression on the country. Close to 61,000 Canadians were killed during the war, and another 172,000 wounded. Many more returned home broken in mind and body. From the small colony of Newfoundland 1,305 were killed and several thousand wounded.
In total, the Canadian War Museum said some 619,636 Canadians enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the war and approximately 424,000 served overseas. Of these men and women, 59,544 members of the CEF died during the war, 51,748 of them as a result of enemy action. The small Royal Canadian Navy reported 150 deaths from all causes. No accurate tabulation exists for Canadians who served as volunteers in the Royal Navy or British Army. An additional 1,388 Canadians died while serving with the British Flying Services.
Of the more than 172,000 Canadians who reported wounds during the war, medical authorities classified approximately 138,000 as battle casualties. The rest were injuries suffered away from the war zone. Of the wounded who survived, 3,461 men and one woman had a limb amputated. No reliable method existed for tracking or treating psychological casualties, but authorities identified over 9,000 Canadians as suffering from “shell shock”.
This was an enormous contribution from a population of just under eight million people in 1914. Approximately seven percent of the total population of Canada was in uniform at some point during the war, and hundreds of thousands of additional Canadians worked on the home front in support of the war.
Reflecting on the impact of Remembrance Day, Hatcher said he lost an uncle who was 19 years old during WWII. “He was in the trenches and it was his time to move, he stood up and it was over. I had a lot of uncles who were in the forces and only one did not come back home. It is important to take time to remember those who have fought for our freedom and continue to fight for our freedom. From soldiers that have gone before us to the officers and surviving Veterans today, we pause to remember and honour them. I am 78 years old and have lived in this free country for all of these years. It has a lot to do with the people who fought and made it possible for me to live here along with everybody else who are able to enjoy what we have. It could have been so much different. There are still things around the world that aren’t right and we are still losing people in peacekeeping efforts. Hopefully we can have our governments and others do things to keep peace in this world. The chance to live in this country and enjoy our freedom is pretty awesome.”
TWM Top Story - Nov. 4, 2019
Plans in the works to create a multi-million dollar Manitou Oasis Village
Once built it will become one of the largest local area developments in recent memory, rivalling similar projects within Western Canada. The multi-phase, multi-million dollar Manitou Oasis Village which would be developed at Manitou Beach has been billed as a retirement living project and health centre. In addition it will also offer retail space, a community courtyard, state-of-the-art fitness aqua facility and 41 underground parking stalls.
Over 75 interested residents from the area filled the community hall at Manitou Beach to hear about the project during an informational meeting Oct. 29. With the meeting chaired by Community Development Officer Brendan Manz with introductions by former Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall, founder of Health Haven Holdings Ltd. Michael Byrne along with his senior project manager Dan Guenther, architect Paul Blaser and marketing strategist Daria Malin were in attendance to share about the substantial project.
“After doing extensive research over the past six months, I heard a lot of feedback from people saying they were interested about it and have realized just how much work has already gone into this project,” said Byrne who developed the concept. “It was very heartwarming to see this many people here and their positive responses. I think we have the ability to build community and this is what this is all about, it is community. I want to impress that this is not my project, this is our project.”
Michael who is from Edmonton and owns a cabin at Manitou Beach shared about his vision and his passion to create the upscale facility near the shores of Little Manitou Lake. “I fell in love with Manitou Beach,” said Byrne who has extensive experience within the financial services and capital market industry. “In 2006 my wife and I heard about the place on a Sunday. I looked it up and we came on a Wednesday and bought a cottage the following Sunday. I have always felt incredibly comfortable here and it is just a great place.”
Already putting in a tremendous amount of work and investment on the project, Byrne felt the resort community is the perfect fit for a development of this magnitude. “There is demand for upscale seniors’ housing and a growing demand for a healthy lifestyle environment. The natural health attributes at Manitou have been recognized for more than 100 years. There has also been an increase in popularity at the beach seeing a 20 percent increase of visitors between 2018 and 2019 and tourist numbers not seen in over 80 years. So why not Manitou Beach?”
The founder of the project noted health retreat destination vacations are a growing market with retreats and resorts across Canada and the United States. “This place will provide individuals with a learning and healing experience; an educational opportunity with regards to healthy meals, natural remedies, alternative medicine, the healing properties of Manitou Lake, and more.”
Comparing market data from a number of other senior housing complexes in Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Calgary, Byrne said the seniors’ housing at Manitou Beach will provide the same type of amenities as those in larger cities and will serve a growing demographic who want to lead independent, active and healthy lifestyles with their peers.
Looking at building Manitou Oasis Village in phases, Byrne said as demand grows they would expand on those phases. As of right now though, for the $18.9 million Phase 1 project, he is planning for 33 healing haven long-term units and six health vacation short term stays for people to enjoy. Meals and cleaning would also be part of those long-term units which would surround a courtyard. “It is going to be created as a village within the village.”
Currently Michael said a feasibility study has been done, land identified, a preliminary building design and rendering. Development costs have been completed and a corporate structure and financing model established. The .826 acre site which the complex would be built on has also been secured and is located across the street from the Burger Buoy and Manitou Springs Mineral Spa and Resort. At four storeys tall, the founder said it will not be a spa featuring pedicures or facials but more aimed towards a healing and therapeutic type centre.
“It is basically about taking full advantage of the natural attributes of the water, the air and the location of Manitou. It is so quiet you can hear the silence here. Manitou Beach is a diverse community of individuals from all walks of life and all professions and when they are here, everyone here is here for the same reason. It is a nice place to live. You have people here who have moved from all over Western Canada and beyond who have either built a house or fixed up a cottage. All I need to do is in the next year or so is find 33 people. I think I can do that.”
But before the 33 people are able to reside at Manitou Oasis Village, in order for Phase 1 to be successful, Byrne said the community has to show its support at the ground level. “That is why I structured this opportunity for individuals and businesses within Watrous and Manitou Beach to invest at the ground level. We are offering the opportunity to 25 people or entities who would be willing to invest $25,000 each and from there we proceed to the next level of development. A project of this magnitude may seem overwhelming and hard to comprehend to some but the communities of Watrous and Manitou Beach deserve it. As Paul Blaser, the architect stated, there is no doubt in Michael’s mind that he will see this project through.”
If all goes according to plan, those shovels on the multi-million dollar facility could be in the ground as early as mid-2020. After submitting a building permit, blueprint production and begin engineering site testing, construction would then commence on Phase 1. Phase 1 which would see the U-shape design and therapeutic amenities created also incorporates retail space which would be placed along the front of the building facing the lake. A target of completing construction would be 2021 while completion of Phase 2 is scheduled for late 2023/early 2024. The overall project could near or surpass the $40 million range.
Michael said there will be a significant amount of building materials and resources required, much of which can be accessed through local contractors and suppliers. “So far I have been able to hire my team who are all from Saskatchewan and am continuing to look forward on expanding that. I also welcome any questions on the project and people can reach me at 1-780-722-5221 or email michaelb@healthhavenholdings.com.”
Word of this development and of this magnitude has been welcome news for Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec. Attending the Oct. 29 meeting, Worobec said, “It is almost difficult to put the words together on what the future holds for the village on this project. It is incredible. We are looking at a potential $40 million complex going up in our little village. It is going to be the envy of Western Canada and beyond. To be a part of it is incredible and what Micheal and his team are doing is incredible. We are very fortunate to be a part of it.”
Noting the development would be a “tremendous anchor to keep the resort community viable and keep it going,” Worobec said the village would have a few things to do with its infrastructure but the mayor said accommodating the project is very workable. “We can make sure they are good to go with water and sewer and whatever else we need to supply. This project is going to stimulate so many other things. It is going to help us, it is going to help Watrous, the main street, housing sales and provide jobs. It is endless what it will do for us.”
Over 75 interested residents from the area filled the community hall at Manitou Beach to hear about the project during an informational meeting Oct. 29. With the meeting chaired by Community Development Officer Brendan Manz with introductions by former Manitou Beach Mayor Eric Upshall, founder of Health Haven Holdings Ltd. Michael Byrne along with his senior project manager Dan Guenther, architect Paul Blaser and marketing strategist Daria Malin were in attendance to share about the substantial project.
“After doing extensive research over the past six months, I heard a lot of feedback from people saying they were interested about it and have realized just how much work has already gone into this project,” said Byrne who developed the concept. “It was very heartwarming to see this many people here and their positive responses. I think we have the ability to build community and this is what this is all about, it is community. I want to impress that this is not my project, this is our project.”
Michael who is from Edmonton and owns a cabin at Manitou Beach shared about his vision and his passion to create the upscale facility near the shores of Little Manitou Lake. “I fell in love with Manitou Beach,” said Byrne who has extensive experience within the financial services and capital market industry. “In 2006 my wife and I heard about the place on a Sunday. I looked it up and we came on a Wednesday and bought a cottage the following Sunday. I have always felt incredibly comfortable here and it is just a great place.”
Already putting in a tremendous amount of work and investment on the project, Byrne felt the resort community is the perfect fit for a development of this magnitude. “There is demand for upscale seniors’ housing and a growing demand for a healthy lifestyle environment. The natural health attributes at Manitou have been recognized for more than 100 years. There has also been an increase in popularity at the beach seeing a 20 percent increase of visitors between 2018 and 2019 and tourist numbers not seen in over 80 years. So why not Manitou Beach?”
The founder of the project noted health retreat destination vacations are a growing market with retreats and resorts across Canada and the United States. “This place will provide individuals with a learning and healing experience; an educational opportunity with regards to healthy meals, natural remedies, alternative medicine, the healing properties of Manitou Lake, and more.”
Comparing market data from a number of other senior housing complexes in Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Calgary, Byrne said the seniors’ housing at Manitou Beach will provide the same type of amenities as those in larger cities and will serve a growing demographic who want to lead independent, active and healthy lifestyles with their peers.
Looking at building Manitou Oasis Village in phases, Byrne said as demand grows they would expand on those phases. As of right now though, for the $18.9 million Phase 1 project, he is planning for 33 healing haven long-term units and six health vacation short term stays for people to enjoy. Meals and cleaning would also be part of those long-term units which would surround a courtyard. “It is going to be created as a village within the village.”
Currently Michael said a feasibility study has been done, land identified, a preliminary building design and rendering. Development costs have been completed and a corporate structure and financing model established. The .826 acre site which the complex would be built on has also been secured and is located across the street from the Burger Buoy and Manitou Springs Mineral Spa and Resort. At four storeys tall, the founder said it will not be a spa featuring pedicures or facials but more aimed towards a healing and therapeutic type centre.
“It is basically about taking full advantage of the natural attributes of the water, the air and the location of Manitou. It is so quiet you can hear the silence here. Manitou Beach is a diverse community of individuals from all walks of life and all professions and when they are here, everyone here is here for the same reason. It is a nice place to live. You have people here who have moved from all over Western Canada and beyond who have either built a house or fixed up a cottage. All I need to do is in the next year or so is find 33 people. I think I can do that.”
But before the 33 people are able to reside at Manitou Oasis Village, in order for Phase 1 to be successful, Byrne said the community has to show its support at the ground level. “That is why I structured this opportunity for individuals and businesses within Watrous and Manitou Beach to invest at the ground level. We are offering the opportunity to 25 people or entities who would be willing to invest $25,000 each and from there we proceed to the next level of development. A project of this magnitude may seem overwhelming and hard to comprehend to some but the communities of Watrous and Manitou Beach deserve it. As Paul Blaser, the architect stated, there is no doubt in Michael’s mind that he will see this project through.”
If all goes according to plan, those shovels on the multi-million dollar facility could be in the ground as early as mid-2020. After submitting a building permit, blueprint production and begin engineering site testing, construction would then commence on Phase 1. Phase 1 which would see the U-shape design and therapeutic amenities created also incorporates retail space which would be placed along the front of the building facing the lake. A target of completing construction would be 2021 while completion of Phase 2 is scheduled for late 2023/early 2024. The overall project could near or surpass the $40 million range.
Michael said there will be a significant amount of building materials and resources required, much of which can be accessed through local contractors and suppliers. “So far I have been able to hire my team who are all from Saskatchewan and am continuing to look forward on expanding that. I also welcome any questions on the project and people can reach me at 1-780-722-5221 or email michaelb@healthhavenholdings.com.”
Word of this development and of this magnitude has been welcome news for Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec. Attending the Oct. 29 meeting, Worobec said, “It is almost difficult to put the words together on what the future holds for the village on this project. It is incredible. We are looking at a potential $40 million complex going up in our little village. It is going to be the envy of Western Canada and beyond. To be a part of it is incredible and what Micheal and his team are doing is incredible. We are very fortunate to be a part of it.”
Noting the development would be a “tremendous anchor to keep the resort community viable and keep it going,” Worobec said the village would have a few things to do with its infrastructure but the mayor said accommodating the project is very workable. “We can make sure they are good to go with water and sewer and whatever else we need to supply. This project is going to stimulate so many other things. It is going to help us, it is going to help Watrous, the main street, housing sales and provide jobs. It is endless what it will do for us.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 28, 2019
Liberals take minority government; Conservatives sweep Sask.
Daniel Bushman
Encouraging people to vote and have their say, nearly 18 million Canadians from coast to coast cast their ballots as part of this year’s federal election and at the end of the day a Liberal minority government was voted into power.
After having a majority during the last federal election, the Liberal Party received 157 seats this time around followed by the Conservative Party which gained seats for a total of 121. After a lackluster showing in the previous election, the Bloc Québécois attained 32 seats this time followed by the NDP - New Democratic Party with 24, the Green Party with three and one Independent seat was won by former Liberal Jody Wilson-Raybould.
While the Liberal Party won the most seats, overall it was the Conservative Party receiving the most number of votes according to Elections Canada with just over 6.1 million (34.4 percent) compared to just over 5.9 million (33.1 percent) that the Liberal Party garnered. The NDP were third overall in total votes with just over 2.8 million (15.9 percent).
In Saskatchewan, it was a wave of blue as the Conservative Party took all 14 ridings with 366,611 of the 570,505 votes (64.3 percent). Elections Canada data indicated the NDP were second in the number of votes with 111,379 (19.5 percent) followed by the Liberal Party with 66,031 (11.6 percent), the Green Party with 14,417 (2.5 percent) and the People’s Party of Canada with 10,211 (1.8 percent).
Locally in the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding voter turnout was approximately 73.49 percent (nationally it was approximately 65.95 percent) with a total of 43,273 votes cast. Of those votes in the local riding, 30,801 or 71.2 percent went to incumbent Conservative Tom Lukiwski. The NDP’s Talon Regent was second with 7,394 votes (17.1 percent) followed by the Liberal Party’s Cecilia Melanson with 2,383 votes (5.5 percent), the People’s Party of Canada’s Chey Craik with 1,565 votes (3.6 percent), and the Green Party’s Gillian Walker with 1,130 votes (2.6 percent).
While he was hoping to see the Conservative Party take over as the government, Lukiwski was pleased with the results in his riding and in Saskatchewan.
“I felt very confident going into the election. I had a great campaign team with hundreds and hundreds of volunteers who came out so we were feeling really optimistic about our chances.”
Stating he was a bit surprised to see such a high majority of people (71.2 percent) voting for him, Lukiwski added, “I think it was just a reflection of the fact that people were so disenchanted with the federal government with Justin Trudeau and the anger was palpable. It was beyond anything I’d ever seen before in my political career. That just paid off I think in the election results. It just ended up that people wanted a change and wanted Justin Trudeau to basically start respecting Western Canada again and that showed up in the results.”
With the Conservative Party claiming all 14 seats in Saskatchewan and 33 of 34 seats in Alberta, Lukiwski felt a message was sent to Parliament Hill. “That is a very, very strong statement I think to Mr. Trudeau that he has to start looking at and respecting and listening to the concerns of Western Canada, in particular our two provinces.”
As part of the Conservative stronghold in Saskatchewan and Alberta along with the increase in seats by the Bloc Québécois in Quebec, Lukiwski said it appears as though there is more division rising up in the country.
“I believe in a united Canada and I believe in all Canadians from every region in Canada should be able to participate in all aspects of our economy but Mr. Trudeau has brought this division on by himself in his attacks against Western Canadian premiers, for example.
“I also noted within hours of the election results there were a lot of ‘Wexit’ messages going on and I think the last time I saw there were over 55,000 or 60,000 people that signed up within an hour to a ‘Wexit’ page,” continued Lukiwski who shared about the potential separatist movement in the West. “That doesn’t look like to me people are calming down. If anything, their anger may be even higher now than it was prior to the election.”
Remaining the official opposition, the MP also admitted his party still has work left to be done, especially in Ontario and Quebec when it comes time to try and form government when the next election is called. However with a Liberal minority government, Lukiwski feels the next few years are going to be very challenging for that party and its leader. “The proof will be in the pudding if he is truly willing to work on behalf of all Canadians but in particular Western Canada then yes, perhaps this government can survive a little longer than would be normal but I’ve yet to see him demonstrate in any meaningful way that he really is listening and wants to work and support the oil and gas sector in Western Canada.”
As for Lukiwski, he plans to continue to try and represent his constituents as well as he can. “My approach has always been, I don’t care who voted for me or who didn’t vote for me, if one of my constituents needs help and comes to me for assistance I am going to give them every bit of assistance I possibly can.”
On a national level, the MP said he will remain supportive of his party’s leader Andrew Scheer and the Conservative caucus while putting pressure on the prime minister. “Hopefully we will be able to force him into taking action on some of these key files like the oil and gas file that would make a huge difference in the lives of Canadians out here in the West. We are hurting out here. The oil and gas sector is hurting and people are continuing to suffer financially. We need a way to get our product to tide water and unless Mr. Trudeau does an abrupt about face, that is not going to happen anytime soon.”
With the federal election over, a different type of election results poured in from Elections Canada as more than 1.1 million elementary and secondary school students participated in Student Vote Canada 2019. After learning about the electoral process, researching the parties and platforms, and debating Canada’s future, students cast their ballots for the official candidates running in their school’s riding. As of 3 p.m. Oct. 22 a total of 1,187,987 votes were reported from 7,981 schools, with results from 338 federal ridings.
From those, the Liberal Party took 22.3 percent of the popular vote and won 112 seats, forming a minority government. Justin Trudeau won in his riding of Papineau. The NDP formed the official opposition with 24.8 percent of the popular vote and 98 seats. Jagmeet Singh won his seat in Burnaby South. The Conservative Party took 25.1 percent of the popular vote and won 93 seats. Andrew Scheer won his seat in Regina-Qu’Appelle. The Green Party took 18.1 percent of the popular vote and won 27 seats. Elizabeth May won her seat in Saanich-Gulf Islands. The Bloc Québécois took 1.3 percent of the popular vote and won 12 seats. Yves-François Blanchet won his seat in Beloeil-Chambly.
In Saskatchewan, 45,249 students participated in Student Vote Canada 2019 and of the 14 seats up for grabs in the province, the Conservatives took 11 while the NDP won three.
Daniel Bushman
Encouraging people to vote and have their say, nearly 18 million Canadians from coast to coast cast their ballots as part of this year’s federal election and at the end of the day a Liberal minority government was voted into power.
After having a majority during the last federal election, the Liberal Party received 157 seats this time around followed by the Conservative Party which gained seats for a total of 121. After a lackluster showing in the previous election, the Bloc Québécois attained 32 seats this time followed by the NDP - New Democratic Party with 24, the Green Party with three and one Independent seat was won by former Liberal Jody Wilson-Raybould.
While the Liberal Party won the most seats, overall it was the Conservative Party receiving the most number of votes according to Elections Canada with just over 6.1 million (34.4 percent) compared to just over 5.9 million (33.1 percent) that the Liberal Party garnered. The NDP were third overall in total votes with just over 2.8 million (15.9 percent).
In Saskatchewan, it was a wave of blue as the Conservative Party took all 14 ridings with 366,611 of the 570,505 votes (64.3 percent). Elections Canada data indicated the NDP were second in the number of votes with 111,379 (19.5 percent) followed by the Liberal Party with 66,031 (11.6 percent), the Green Party with 14,417 (2.5 percent) and the People’s Party of Canada with 10,211 (1.8 percent).
Locally in the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding voter turnout was approximately 73.49 percent (nationally it was approximately 65.95 percent) with a total of 43,273 votes cast. Of those votes in the local riding, 30,801 or 71.2 percent went to incumbent Conservative Tom Lukiwski. The NDP’s Talon Regent was second with 7,394 votes (17.1 percent) followed by the Liberal Party’s Cecilia Melanson with 2,383 votes (5.5 percent), the People’s Party of Canada’s Chey Craik with 1,565 votes (3.6 percent), and the Green Party’s Gillian Walker with 1,130 votes (2.6 percent).
While he was hoping to see the Conservative Party take over as the government, Lukiwski was pleased with the results in his riding and in Saskatchewan.
“I felt very confident going into the election. I had a great campaign team with hundreds and hundreds of volunteers who came out so we were feeling really optimistic about our chances.”
Stating he was a bit surprised to see such a high majority of people (71.2 percent) voting for him, Lukiwski added, “I think it was just a reflection of the fact that people were so disenchanted with the federal government with Justin Trudeau and the anger was palpable. It was beyond anything I’d ever seen before in my political career. That just paid off I think in the election results. It just ended up that people wanted a change and wanted Justin Trudeau to basically start respecting Western Canada again and that showed up in the results.”
With the Conservative Party claiming all 14 seats in Saskatchewan and 33 of 34 seats in Alberta, Lukiwski felt a message was sent to Parliament Hill. “That is a very, very strong statement I think to Mr. Trudeau that he has to start looking at and respecting and listening to the concerns of Western Canada, in particular our two provinces.”
As part of the Conservative stronghold in Saskatchewan and Alberta along with the increase in seats by the Bloc Québécois in Quebec, Lukiwski said it appears as though there is more division rising up in the country.
“I believe in a united Canada and I believe in all Canadians from every region in Canada should be able to participate in all aspects of our economy but Mr. Trudeau has brought this division on by himself in his attacks against Western Canadian premiers, for example.
“I also noted within hours of the election results there were a lot of ‘Wexit’ messages going on and I think the last time I saw there were over 55,000 or 60,000 people that signed up within an hour to a ‘Wexit’ page,” continued Lukiwski who shared about the potential separatist movement in the West. “That doesn’t look like to me people are calming down. If anything, their anger may be even higher now than it was prior to the election.”
Remaining the official opposition, the MP also admitted his party still has work left to be done, especially in Ontario and Quebec when it comes time to try and form government when the next election is called. However with a Liberal minority government, Lukiwski feels the next few years are going to be very challenging for that party and its leader. “The proof will be in the pudding if he is truly willing to work on behalf of all Canadians but in particular Western Canada then yes, perhaps this government can survive a little longer than would be normal but I’ve yet to see him demonstrate in any meaningful way that he really is listening and wants to work and support the oil and gas sector in Western Canada.”
As for Lukiwski, he plans to continue to try and represent his constituents as well as he can. “My approach has always been, I don’t care who voted for me or who didn’t vote for me, if one of my constituents needs help and comes to me for assistance I am going to give them every bit of assistance I possibly can.”
On a national level, the MP said he will remain supportive of his party’s leader Andrew Scheer and the Conservative caucus while putting pressure on the prime minister. “Hopefully we will be able to force him into taking action on some of these key files like the oil and gas file that would make a huge difference in the lives of Canadians out here in the West. We are hurting out here. The oil and gas sector is hurting and people are continuing to suffer financially. We need a way to get our product to tide water and unless Mr. Trudeau does an abrupt about face, that is not going to happen anytime soon.”
With the federal election over, a different type of election results poured in from Elections Canada as more than 1.1 million elementary and secondary school students participated in Student Vote Canada 2019. After learning about the electoral process, researching the parties and platforms, and debating Canada’s future, students cast their ballots for the official candidates running in their school’s riding. As of 3 p.m. Oct. 22 a total of 1,187,987 votes were reported from 7,981 schools, with results from 338 federal ridings.
From those, the Liberal Party took 22.3 percent of the popular vote and won 112 seats, forming a minority government. Justin Trudeau won in his riding of Papineau. The NDP formed the official opposition with 24.8 percent of the popular vote and 98 seats. Jagmeet Singh won his seat in Burnaby South. The Conservative Party took 25.1 percent of the popular vote and won 93 seats. Andrew Scheer won his seat in Regina-Qu’Appelle. The Green Party took 18.1 percent of the popular vote and won 27 seats. Elizabeth May won her seat in Saanich-Gulf Islands. The Bloc Québécois took 1.3 percent of the popular vote and won 12 seats. Yves-François Blanchet won his seat in Beloeil-Chambly.
In Saskatchewan, 45,249 students participated in Student Vote Canada 2019 and of the 14 seats up for grabs in the province, the Conservatives took 11 while the NDP won three.
TWM Top Story - Oct. 21, 2019
Local couple thankful for remarkable recovery
Daniel Bushman
As Albert and Kathleen Kimmig spent Thanksgiving together at their farm north of Manitou Beach, Kathleen knew that things could have been very different. Driving from Watrous to her farm on May 5, 2018, smoke billowed off in the distance. What Kathleen did not realize until she arrived home was the smoke was coming from a grass fire on the yard with her husband unconscious next to it. Uncertain if Albert would survive 17 months ago, as this Thanksgiving approached, Albert not only left Manitou Lodge, walking out the doors himself but has reunited with Kathleen back at the farm.
While it was a monumental occasion Sept. 30 as Albert received hugs and cheers from staff and residents at Manitou Lodge in Watrous the road to being discharged from the long-term care facility, a very rare feat in itself, was a long one.
On a spring day in May, the wind picked up at the Kimmig farm north of Manitou Beach causing a grass fire to spread quickly. With the aid of the wind, the blaze engulfed a shed, two vehicles, a water truck with a tank, a fence and a row of trees. Albert who tried to extinguish the fire was overcome by the smoke and after receiving extensive burns to his body, the retired farmer had to be taken from the hospital in Watrous by STARS to Saskatoon and then to Edmonton to the burn unit. With 40 percent burn coverage to his body with second and third degree burns it was determined by doctors that Albert’s chance for survival was slim.
In isolation, Albert was bandaged from head to toe as he received 24 hour care. A tube was inserted into his mouth so he could obtain fluids and Albert would later undergo many hours of skin grafting. Specialists, nurses and aides spent considerable hours with Albert including a world-renowned burn expert in an attempt to have him recover.
“We are very grateful for the expertise of these wonderful workers and their skill knowledge,” said Kathleen who continued, “Albert had many skin grafts and surgeries and his right knee was burned to the bone. Albert has no kneecap and a flap transplant from his thigh now replaces as a covering. Microsurgery to connect arteries took place over eight hours and to date that site is still healing.”
Because Albert could not swallow, he also lost numerous pounds and was unable to speak during his time at the burn unit. “It was not until this summer a Saskatoon neurologist advised us that smoke inhalation had harmed his esophagus and had cut off oxygen to his brain.”
However, remarkably, after all of the surgeries, skin grafts and baby steps forward, Albert slowly began to eat soft food and thickened liquids. Gradually the now 79-year-old was able to eat solids and Kathleen recalled bringing him a burger which he indicated there was nothing finer.
Improving weekly, Albert was released from the burn unit in Edmonton in September 2018 and was checked in at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. He underwent further healing and physiotherapy before relocating to City Hospital in Saskatoon for more intense therapy.
“Several times he believed he could walk and staff would find him on the floor.”
Persevering and determined not to give up, Albert was transported closer to home by the end of October when he transferred to the hospital at the Watrous District Health Complex and then to Manitou Lodge until his release almost a year later on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Through his long and painful journey, Kathleen said the support he received was incredible. “He appreciated very much the encouragement, cards, letters and visits from friends and relatives and those from the Watrous area. The support received, whether financial, over the phone, prayers and personal visits were encouragement that kept hopes alive. The response through financial help we gratefully received assisted in all the expenses of being away from our community. Local assistance to the airport for rides and to home again, to house sitting and pet care, phone calls and hugs were much appreciated. We have such a responsive community towards needs and different issues that can only be met by smaller communities such as ours. We are certainly blessed.”
Now back at the farm for a couple of weeks since leaving Manitou Lodge, Kathleen said Albert loves to be busy but has not quite learned to pace himself. “His appetite is excellent, his short-term memory still a little slow and I believe I could serve the same meal to him two days in a row and he wouldn’t know. But when he recalls decades back, he is still ‘as sharp as a tack’ as the saying goes. He just completed taking apart, repairing and putting back together a heavy-duty stand mixer I have had since the 1970s.”
While Albert tinkers around the house, Kathleen admits her husband will miss having an audience for his stories while he was at the lodge. But just being back at home and able to walk by himself was virtually unimaginable when the road to recovery first began 17 months ago.
“We are so thankful and blessed that we know and give credit to our Father God. We are also very mindful of the skills of the medical profession and staff who partnered in Albert’s recovery. I was amazed at Albert’s determination to walk again against all odds. I commented to a relative that “what did we really expect when we prayed?” Prayer changes things. One of his plastic surgeons in Edmonton had given Albert a 30 to 40 percent chance of survival and commented later that he was surprised by Albert’s strong will power and his faith to overcome obstacles when it was known he probably would not survive. All things through our God is possible, if we believe. Thanksgiving praise is very prominent in our response to this miraculous recovery.”
Daniel Bushman
As Albert and Kathleen Kimmig spent Thanksgiving together at their farm north of Manitou Beach, Kathleen knew that things could have been very different. Driving from Watrous to her farm on May 5, 2018, smoke billowed off in the distance. What Kathleen did not realize until she arrived home was the smoke was coming from a grass fire on the yard with her husband unconscious next to it. Uncertain if Albert would survive 17 months ago, as this Thanksgiving approached, Albert not only left Manitou Lodge, walking out the doors himself but has reunited with Kathleen back at the farm.
While it was a monumental occasion Sept. 30 as Albert received hugs and cheers from staff and residents at Manitou Lodge in Watrous the road to being discharged from the long-term care facility, a very rare feat in itself, was a long one.
On a spring day in May, the wind picked up at the Kimmig farm north of Manitou Beach causing a grass fire to spread quickly. With the aid of the wind, the blaze engulfed a shed, two vehicles, a water truck with a tank, a fence and a row of trees. Albert who tried to extinguish the fire was overcome by the smoke and after receiving extensive burns to his body, the retired farmer had to be taken from the hospital in Watrous by STARS to Saskatoon and then to Edmonton to the burn unit. With 40 percent burn coverage to his body with second and third degree burns it was determined by doctors that Albert’s chance for survival was slim.
In isolation, Albert was bandaged from head to toe as he received 24 hour care. A tube was inserted into his mouth so he could obtain fluids and Albert would later undergo many hours of skin grafting. Specialists, nurses and aides spent considerable hours with Albert including a world-renowned burn expert in an attempt to have him recover.
“We are very grateful for the expertise of these wonderful workers and their skill knowledge,” said Kathleen who continued, “Albert had many skin grafts and surgeries and his right knee was burned to the bone. Albert has no kneecap and a flap transplant from his thigh now replaces as a covering. Microsurgery to connect arteries took place over eight hours and to date that site is still healing.”
Because Albert could not swallow, he also lost numerous pounds and was unable to speak during his time at the burn unit. “It was not until this summer a Saskatoon neurologist advised us that smoke inhalation had harmed his esophagus and had cut off oxygen to his brain.”
However, remarkably, after all of the surgeries, skin grafts and baby steps forward, Albert slowly began to eat soft food and thickened liquids. Gradually the now 79-year-old was able to eat solids and Kathleen recalled bringing him a burger which he indicated there was nothing finer.
Improving weekly, Albert was released from the burn unit in Edmonton in September 2018 and was checked in at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. He underwent further healing and physiotherapy before relocating to City Hospital in Saskatoon for more intense therapy.
“Several times he believed he could walk and staff would find him on the floor.”
Persevering and determined not to give up, Albert was transported closer to home by the end of October when he transferred to the hospital at the Watrous District Health Complex and then to Manitou Lodge until his release almost a year later on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Through his long and painful journey, Kathleen said the support he received was incredible. “He appreciated very much the encouragement, cards, letters and visits from friends and relatives and those from the Watrous area. The support received, whether financial, over the phone, prayers and personal visits were encouragement that kept hopes alive. The response through financial help we gratefully received assisted in all the expenses of being away from our community. Local assistance to the airport for rides and to home again, to house sitting and pet care, phone calls and hugs were much appreciated. We have such a responsive community towards needs and different issues that can only be met by smaller communities such as ours. We are certainly blessed.”
Now back at the farm for a couple of weeks since leaving Manitou Lodge, Kathleen said Albert loves to be busy but has not quite learned to pace himself. “His appetite is excellent, his short-term memory still a little slow and I believe I could serve the same meal to him two days in a row and he wouldn’t know. But when he recalls decades back, he is still ‘as sharp as a tack’ as the saying goes. He just completed taking apart, repairing and putting back together a heavy-duty stand mixer I have had since the 1970s.”
While Albert tinkers around the house, Kathleen admits her husband will miss having an audience for his stories while he was at the lodge. But just being back at home and able to walk by himself was virtually unimaginable when the road to recovery first began 17 months ago.
“We are so thankful and blessed that we know and give credit to our Father God. We are also very mindful of the skills of the medical profession and staff who partnered in Albert’s recovery. I was amazed at Albert’s determination to walk again against all odds. I commented to a relative that “what did we really expect when we prayed?” Prayer changes things. One of his plastic surgeons in Edmonton had given Albert a 30 to 40 percent chance of survival and commented later that he was surprised by Albert’s strong will power and his faith to overcome obstacles when it was known he probably would not survive. All things through our God is possible, if we believe. Thanksgiving praise is very prominent in our response to this miraculous recovery.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 14, 2019
Tree planting along Rotary Walking Trail a real community effort
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to beautify phase two of the Rotary Walking Trail in Watrous, help the environment and come together as a community, Tree Canada, local businesses, organizations and students from Watrous Elementary School joined forces to plant over 200 trees.
Part of an initiative between Home Hardware and Tree Canada, the Sept. 26 project involved other local groups like the Watrous Rotary, Green Acres Greenhouse and the Town of Watrous. With 110 trees to be planted through a Tree Canada and Home Hardware grant, Watrous Rotary provided a matching grant to cover an additional 110 trees for a total of 220.
Despite a cold September morning, the group of volunteers, local Rotarians, students and staff from Watrous Elementary School and staff members from Watrous Home Hardware got down to work. Leading up to the plant, Tree Canada Community Advisor for Saskatchewan, Kelvin Kelly was on hand to educate students about the importance of the trees to the environment.
Using an example of the weight of a volunteer student, Kelly noted an average sized tree, through a process of “photosynthesis” will absorb and store approximately 22 kg (48 lbs.) of carbon per year. That same tree as it goes through 42 years of its life would eventually store/sequester 2,000 pounds or one ton of carbon. Add another 219 trees to that total and in 42 years, with the 220 trees that were planted along the trail, they would have captured and stored approximately 440,000 pounds or 220 tons of carbon over that span. A real eye-opening figure, after explaining the value and benefit of the trees that would be planted in Watrous, Kelly and Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa along with the Gr. 6 and 7 classes and their teachers braved the elements and headed to the trail.
Borsa said about 65 students from both grades had a blast planting the trees despite the weather. They also enjoyed a pizza lunch afterwards courtesy of Home Hardware. “It was just a really good opportunity for our school and students to give something back to the community that will be part of it for years. We often have our community reach out to help our school, and this was a nice way to give a little back.”
Al Mosewich with the Watrous Rotary who has been integral in seeing the walking trail come to fruition over the years said phase two of the trail and the tree planting has really become a community project. “This is not just the Rotary’s project, it is the kids in school helping plant the trees; the generous donors supporting the path and providing these trees; Rotarian Jim Coulter helping mark the spots off for the trees to go; Dion Tarasoff and the Town of Watrous crew digging the holes; the Mierau family who are donating a gazebo to be placed nearby phase two of the trail; the Regier family who allowed us to put the trail on their land and also combine the crop before we planted these trees; Mel Penrose from the greenhouse who has staged everything for us and who has provided the mulch; Ken Bushman at Home Hardware who took the initiative to apply for the grant through Tree Canada for these trees; and the list goes on. I get excited to see our Rotarians, volunteers, staff from Home Hardware and the students and staff from the elementary school come together for a project like this. It is definitely a community effort and our local Rotarian Dan Mierau was really the workhorse behind this project for us. It all came together and it really shows the world how people can make a difference together.”
Mel Penrose from Green Acres Greenhouse said it has been such a terrific initiative that Home Hardware and the Watrous Rotary Club have taken. “They’ve accomplished something that will be appreciated by residents and visitors in Watrous for a long time. And involving the elementary school kids helps to foster that community pride and involvement for the future.”
Watching everything take place and seeing the camaraderie between everyone, Kelly noted how tremendous the support was for the project. “It is excellent to see everyone out here working together for such a good cause.”
As Tree Canada marked 27 years in their partnership with Home Hardware, Kelly said Home Hardware has been an integral part of helping the environment during that time as the two have joined forces on a national level to plant trees across the country. Over those years, Home Hardware and Tree Canada have planted more than 26,905 trees in Canadian communities valued at over $1 million.
As a whole, since 1992 Tree Canada has planted more than 82 million trees, greened more than 660 schoolyards, helped restore places hit by natural disasters and brought together urban forestry experts greening cities all across Canada.
“Here in Watrous, we really appreciate Ken and his team for stepping up and providing beauty, shelter and protection along the trail. This is the second year that Ken and the Home Hardware in Watrous have participated with the program, joining many other stores from across the country.”
Dealer/co-owner of Watrous Home Hardware Ken Bushman said it was great to see local groups come together to support a worthy cause including having the students and teachers from the elementary school come and join them.
“I am glad Home Hardware was able to help provide the trees to be planted along the trail and I was also reminded at how great the community of Watrous is. To have our staff, volunteers, local Rotarians and the Gr. 6 and 7 classes come together and plant the trees was really great to see. Mel Penrose from Green Acres was great in getting all of the trees together for us and we really appreciated all of her help. The support from everyone involved with this project from before we arrived to plant the trees until after they were all in the ground has been amazing.”
Daniel Bushman
With an opportunity to beautify phase two of the Rotary Walking Trail in Watrous, help the environment and come together as a community, Tree Canada, local businesses, organizations and students from Watrous Elementary School joined forces to plant over 200 trees.
Part of an initiative between Home Hardware and Tree Canada, the Sept. 26 project involved other local groups like the Watrous Rotary, Green Acres Greenhouse and the Town of Watrous. With 110 trees to be planted through a Tree Canada and Home Hardware grant, Watrous Rotary provided a matching grant to cover an additional 110 trees for a total of 220.
Despite a cold September morning, the group of volunteers, local Rotarians, students and staff from Watrous Elementary School and staff members from Watrous Home Hardware got down to work. Leading up to the plant, Tree Canada Community Advisor for Saskatchewan, Kelvin Kelly was on hand to educate students about the importance of the trees to the environment.
Using an example of the weight of a volunteer student, Kelly noted an average sized tree, through a process of “photosynthesis” will absorb and store approximately 22 kg (48 lbs.) of carbon per year. That same tree as it goes through 42 years of its life would eventually store/sequester 2,000 pounds or one ton of carbon. Add another 219 trees to that total and in 42 years, with the 220 trees that were planted along the trail, they would have captured and stored approximately 440,000 pounds or 220 tons of carbon over that span. A real eye-opening figure, after explaining the value and benefit of the trees that would be planted in Watrous, Kelly and Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa along with the Gr. 6 and 7 classes and their teachers braved the elements and headed to the trail.
Borsa said about 65 students from both grades had a blast planting the trees despite the weather. They also enjoyed a pizza lunch afterwards courtesy of Home Hardware. “It was just a really good opportunity for our school and students to give something back to the community that will be part of it for years. We often have our community reach out to help our school, and this was a nice way to give a little back.”
Al Mosewich with the Watrous Rotary who has been integral in seeing the walking trail come to fruition over the years said phase two of the trail and the tree planting has really become a community project. “This is not just the Rotary’s project, it is the kids in school helping plant the trees; the generous donors supporting the path and providing these trees; Rotarian Jim Coulter helping mark the spots off for the trees to go; Dion Tarasoff and the Town of Watrous crew digging the holes; the Mierau family who are donating a gazebo to be placed nearby phase two of the trail; the Regier family who allowed us to put the trail on their land and also combine the crop before we planted these trees; Mel Penrose from the greenhouse who has staged everything for us and who has provided the mulch; Ken Bushman at Home Hardware who took the initiative to apply for the grant through Tree Canada for these trees; and the list goes on. I get excited to see our Rotarians, volunteers, staff from Home Hardware and the students and staff from the elementary school come together for a project like this. It is definitely a community effort and our local Rotarian Dan Mierau was really the workhorse behind this project for us. It all came together and it really shows the world how people can make a difference together.”
Mel Penrose from Green Acres Greenhouse said it has been such a terrific initiative that Home Hardware and the Watrous Rotary Club have taken. “They’ve accomplished something that will be appreciated by residents and visitors in Watrous for a long time. And involving the elementary school kids helps to foster that community pride and involvement for the future.”
Watching everything take place and seeing the camaraderie between everyone, Kelly noted how tremendous the support was for the project. “It is excellent to see everyone out here working together for such a good cause.”
As Tree Canada marked 27 years in their partnership with Home Hardware, Kelly said Home Hardware has been an integral part of helping the environment during that time as the two have joined forces on a national level to plant trees across the country. Over those years, Home Hardware and Tree Canada have planted more than 26,905 trees in Canadian communities valued at over $1 million.
As a whole, since 1992 Tree Canada has planted more than 82 million trees, greened more than 660 schoolyards, helped restore places hit by natural disasters and brought together urban forestry experts greening cities all across Canada.
“Here in Watrous, we really appreciate Ken and his team for stepping up and providing beauty, shelter and protection along the trail. This is the second year that Ken and the Home Hardware in Watrous have participated with the program, joining many other stores from across the country.”
Dealer/co-owner of Watrous Home Hardware Ken Bushman said it was great to see local groups come together to support a worthy cause including having the students and teachers from the elementary school come and join them.
“I am glad Home Hardware was able to help provide the trees to be planted along the trail and I was also reminded at how great the community of Watrous is. To have our staff, volunteers, local Rotarians and the Gr. 6 and 7 classes come together and plant the trees was really great to see. Mel Penrose from Green Acres was great in getting all of the trees together for us and we really appreciated all of her help. The support from everyone involved with this project from before we arrived to plant the trees until after they were all in the ground has been amazing.”
TWM Top Story - Oct. 7, 2019
WES to replace demolished playground equipment
Daniel Bushman
After many years of providing a place for adventures and enjoyment, one of the play structures at Watrous Elementary School was taken down. Because of recent safety concerns, Horizon School Division elected to remove the aging structure Sept. 21, leaving a spot for new equipment in the future.
Contacted by The Watrous Manitou, Horizon School Division issued the following statement regarding the demolition: “Our facilities services staff are trained in playground safety, and perform regular inspections of each of our playground structures, and sites, on a monthly basis. Part of the inspection is to review components of the play structure and identify as to whether they may require repair, or replacement. Often, the components of the playground are not repairable, and no suitable replacement parts can be sourced because the components are quite old and the overall unit is at end of life.
In the case of Watrous Elementary, they have been busy upgrading their play structures for some time now. Their oldest unit, which was removed following discussions with the school, and the principal, had reached a point where a substantial amount of the apparatus was no longer acceptably safe, and so the decision was made to decommission it.
In general, if repairs are able to be completed by facilities staff, or by external playground contractors, we will opt to conduct the repairs, and do our best to maintain them in the best possible condition. We are at a stage however, where we have a few of these types of playgrounds that are 20 plus years old, made mostly of wood, and are at end of life.”
Built in 1993 with an estimated cost of $18,300 the playground equipment at Watrous Elementary School had served students, local residents and visitors for a number of years. According to an article in the May 24, 1993 edition of The Watrous Manitou that project moved forward in three phases with $6,500 of the funds initially raised coming from various school activities like the book fair, field day food sales, and Christmas concert. In the spring of 1992, staff from the school along with two members from the local school board made the decision to push ahead on the project and a landscape design was created. Numerous businesses and individuals also lent a hand financially and through volunteering to see the project come to fruition. Along with a play structure, the project also included sand around the equipment’s perimeter and an adjacent grassy area.
Now 26 years later current Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said with the recent demolition the school’s plan moving forward is to look at different companies who are selling playground equipment to see what could be placed at the elementary school. Borsa indicated the school would like to form a committee with members of the school’s community council (SCC) and then create a community playground committee similar to what was done a few years ago when the elementary school added new equipment to the northwest end of the grounds. Wanting the equipment to be used by students and kids from the community and those visiting town, Borsa said once a committee is formed, fundraising initiatives will take place in addition to a recent fundraiser that the school conducted for the future playground project.
Daniel Bushman
After many years of providing a place for adventures and enjoyment, one of the play structures at Watrous Elementary School was taken down. Because of recent safety concerns, Horizon School Division elected to remove the aging structure Sept. 21, leaving a spot for new equipment in the future.
Contacted by The Watrous Manitou, Horizon School Division issued the following statement regarding the demolition: “Our facilities services staff are trained in playground safety, and perform regular inspections of each of our playground structures, and sites, on a monthly basis. Part of the inspection is to review components of the play structure and identify as to whether they may require repair, or replacement. Often, the components of the playground are not repairable, and no suitable replacement parts can be sourced because the components are quite old and the overall unit is at end of life.
In the case of Watrous Elementary, they have been busy upgrading their play structures for some time now. Their oldest unit, which was removed following discussions with the school, and the principal, had reached a point where a substantial amount of the apparatus was no longer acceptably safe, and so the decision was made to decommission it.
In general, if repairs are able to be completed by facilities staff, or by external playground contractors, we will opt to conduct the repairs, and do our best to maintain them in the best possible condition. We are at a stage however, where we have a few of these types of playgrounds that are 20 plus years old, made mostly of wood, and are at end of life.”
Built in 1993 with an estimated cost of $18,300 the playground equipment at Watrous Elementary School had served students, local residents and visitors for a number of years. According to an article in the May 24, 1993 edition of The Watrous Manitou that project moved forward in three phases with $6,500 of the funds initially raised coming from various school activities like the book fair, field day food sales, and Christmas concert. In the spring of 1992, staff from the school along with two members from the local school board made the decision to push ahead on the project and a landscape design was created. Numerous businesses and individuals also lent a hand financially and through volunteering to see the project come to fruition. Along with a play structure, the project also included sand around the equipment’s perimeter and an adjacent grassy area.
Now 26 years later current Watrous Elementary School Principal Patrick Borsa said with the recent demolition the school’s plan moving forward is to look at different companies who are selling playground equipment to see what could be placed at the elementary school. Borsa indicated the school would like to form a committee with members of the school’s community council (SCC) and then create a community playground committee similar to what was done a few years ago when the elementary school added new equipment to the northwest end of the grounds. Wanting the equipment to be used by students and kids from the community and those visiting town, Borsa said once a committee is formed, fundraising initiatives will take place in addition to a recent fundraiser that the school conducted for the future playground project.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 30, 2019
Local primary health teams welcome new physicians
Daniel Bushman
There will be a couple of new faces to the health teams in Watrous, Imperial and Lanigan as a pair of physicians will be filling vacancies at each. After an announcement was made in March by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) that there would be a few changes to both teams this fall, Angela Luron with SHA said starting this week those changes will start taking place.
In Lanigan, beginning Sept. 30, Dr. Joseph Akinjobi will be joined by physician Dr. Marianne Awad to provide physician services at the Lanigan Integrated Hospital and the Lanigan and District Medical Clinic. Awad is taking over from Dr. Chander Sharma who is transferring to Watrous to take on the role vacated at the end of July by Dr. Hammad Akhtar.
Luron said Awad obtained her medical degree in 2007 from Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine in Egypt. Then in 2009 she received her Family Medicine residency at the Alexandria University Hospital in Egypt.
“Dr. Awad has experience practicing emergency medicine as well as family medicine, with a really strong focus on multidisciplinary, team-based care. She has a strong patient and family centred approach to her clinical practice. Dr. Awad has successfully completed the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA), providing her the opportunity to learn the Saskatchewan health system, which will certainly serve her well as she serves the community of Lanigan and area.”
As Awad and her family move to Lanigan, Sharma will be transferring to the Watrous Imperial team near the beginning of October.
“We can confirm that Dr. Sharma will be providing orientation in Lanigan for Dr. Awad from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 alongside Dr. Akinjobi. Dr. Sharma will then transition to the Watrous Imperial Primary Health Team on Oct. 4 of 2019 and will start his orientation. We are thankful for Dr. Sharma’s commitment and years of service in the Lanigan area and we are very pleased to welcome him to the Watrous Imperial team,” said Luron. “He will be joining his wife Dr. Kavita Choudhary and Dr. Olanike Adebayo along with two nurse practitioners Julie Wolff and Carrie Su.”
While Akhtar departed earlier this summer to join his family back in England, Luron said he will be returning to the area to provide several weeks of locum coverage throughout the fall with the Watrous Imperial team. During his time back, Akhtar will be providing a focused orientation for Sharma from Oct. 4 to 11. “There will be a limited number of appointments available with Dr. Akhtar in October and November in Watrous as well as in Imperial.”
Working in partnership with SHA, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said the news of having a full compliment of physicians and nurse practitioners on staff in the community is really positive. “Certainly it is good they were able to fill Dr. Akhtar’s vacant position so quickly. We are thrilled to have Dr. Sharma join our team.”
Luron also noted SHA appreciates being able to work in partnership with the Town of Watrous and the surrounding communities and RMs in providing the local health services. “We are always appreciative of working closely with them to make sure we are aware of community health needs and keeping them up to date with all of the planning around the providers.”
Daniel Bushman
There will be a couple of new faces to the health teams in Watrous, Imperial and Lanigan as a pair of physicians will be filling vacancies at each. After an announcement was made in March by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) that there would be a few changes to both teams this fall, Angela Luron with SHA said starting this week those changes will start taking place.
In Lanigan, beginning Sept. 30, Dr. Joseph Akinjobi will be joined by physician Dr. Marianne Awad to provide physician services at the Lanigan Integrated Hospital and the Lanigan and District Medical Clinic. Awad is taking over from Dr. Chander Sharma who is transferring to Watrous to take on the role vacated at the end of July by Dr. Hammad Akhtar.
Luron said Awad obtained her medical degree in 2007 from Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine in Egypt. Then in 2009 she received her Family Medicine residency at the Alexandria University Hospital in Egypt.
“Dr. Awad has experience practicing emergency medicine as well as family medicine, with a really strong focus on multidisciplinary, team-based care. She has a strong patient and family centred approach to her clinical practice. Dr. Awad has successfully completed the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA), providing her the opportunity to learn the Saskatchewan health system, which will certainly serve her well as she serves the community of Lanigan and area.”
As Awad and her family move to Lanigan, Sharma will be transferring to the Watrous Imperial team near the beginning of October.
“We can confirm that Dr. Sharma will be providing orientation in Lanigan for Dr. Awad from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 alongside Dr. Akinjobi. Dr. Sharma will then transition to the Watrous Imperial Primary Health Team on Oct. 4 of 2019 and will start his orientation. We are thankful for Dr. Sharma’s commitment and years of service in the Lanigan area and we are very pleased to welcome him to the Watrous Imperial team,” said Luron. “He will be joining his wife Dr. Kavita Choudhary and Dr. Olanike Adebayo along with two nurse practitioners Julie Wolff and Carrie Su.”
While Akhtar departed earlier this summer to join his family back in England, Luron said he will be returning to the area to provide several weeks of locum coverage throughout the fall with the Watrous Imperial team. During his time back, Akhtar will be providing a focused orientation for Sharma from Oct. 4 to 11. “There will be a limited number of appointments available with Dr. Akhtar in October and November in Watrous as well as in Imperial.”
Working in partnership with SHA, Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said the news of having a full compliment of physicians and nurse practitioners on staff in the community is really positive. “Certainly it is good they were able to fill Dr. Akhtar’s vacant position so quickly. We are thrilled to have Dr. Sharma join our team.”
Luron also noted SHA appreciates being able to work in partnership with the Town of Watrous and the surrounding communities and RMs in providing the local health services. “We are always appreciative of working closely with them to make sure we are aware of community health needs and keeping them up to date with all of the planning around the providers.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 23, 2019
Concerns raised about severe highway conditions
Daniel Bushman
It was to become a freshly paved high-clearance corridor for shippers to haul over-height loads across Saskatchewan but after construction began and funding was deferred, completion was halted on a stretch of Hwy. 15. While the project west of the Hwy. 2 junction south of Watrous and north of Simpson was scheduled to be finished in 2015, about 14 kilometres of the highway was never fully completed and with recent rains, the condition of that stretch became increasingly worse.
Many who travel that route on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis have come to expect they will be driving much slower than the speed limit and when it rains, those brave enough to venture out on the 14 km chunk of highway cross their fingers and hope not to slide off the road. A few weeks ago, after about three days worth of precipitation, those who had to navigate through the slick grooves along the bumpy patch of road to get to work or to transport students to school had to methodically weave their way over the terrain. For others unfamiliar with the road, they hit the ditch.
Alex Gill who feels the highway within the Rural Municipality of Wood Creek has been forgotten about has watched the familiar scene of vehicles hitting the ditch play out more times than he can remember. “Someone is going to get killed on this road,” said the local resident after noting four vehicles slid into the ditch during one of those rainy days in mid-September. “If there was an emergency that arose requiring first responders and the road was in this type of condition after a rain, how would they ever get to someone’s farm or out to a field to help?”
Like so many who utilize that portion of Hwy. 15, Gill has been left in disbelief about the conditions and has snapped pictures and taken videos to prove just how bad it has gotten. More recently, after a large amount of moisture fell he helplessly watched as one vehicle after another slid off the road and into the ditch. “A couple weeks ago after the rain I had a van and a truck go off the road right in front of me.”
While the section of road is currently maintained with added gravel and grading to help try and mitigate the issues, back in June 2011 the provincial government announced it would rebuild the whole stretch of Hwy. 15 from the Hwy. 2 junction all the way to Kenaston. In fact, in that announcement around $45 million was earmarked for the 57 kilometre stretch of road as part of the high-clearance corridor. The road was to go from a thin membrane surface to an asphalt concrete pavement capable of carrying primary weight truck traffic, the highest allowable weight at which shippers can transport their goods.
As the funds were put in place the process was to encompass three stages with the first stage beginning at the junction of Hwy. 11. That is where aggregate (gravel) crushing of materials began in preparation for on-road construction to commence in the spring and summer of 2012. Construction was then slated to continue east towards Hwy. 2 over the following three construction seasons with completion of the project in 2015. In addition, all the utility lines that could obstruct over-height loads were to be buried to allow items to be moved without the need to temporarily cut utility lines or other structures.
While work did in fact start at the junction of Hwy. 11 and utility lines were buried, work on the multi-million dollar project eventually ceased. Executive director of communications and customer service with the ministry of highways and construction Doug Wakabayashi explained the circumstances surrounding the sudden halt on completing the project. “Back in 2011 the province announced the creation of a high-clearance corridor that would run from Melville to the Alberta border. Part of the route included Hwy. 15 so as part of that route at the time it was announced the province was going to upgrade Hwy. 15 between the junction of Hwy. 2 and the junction of Hwy. 11. Subsequent to that, about 13 kms from the junction of Hwy. 11 running to the east were upgraded and paved and about 20 kms from the junction of Hwy. 2 to the west, the grading was completed but it was never surfaced. The reason for that is that was at the time when the province’s resource revenues fell drastically and there was a pretty major change in the fiscal position of the government. Due to that, the upgrades to Hwy. 15 was deferred.”
Living adjacent to where the unfinished portion of the highway is located is Robert Oakes and his family. Oakes was living on the property when the announcement was made to rebuild the highway back in 2011 but since crews left the 14 km stretch of road unfinished it has deteriorated. “A few weeks ago was the worst it has been but it is getting progressively worse. When it rains the water sits in the potholes and then you get 10 vehicles going over that spot and it gets twice as big.”
Oakes said gravel has been put on the road to help fill in the holes, temporarily fixing the situation but he would like to see the provincial government restore the project’s funding so the job can be completed.
“People using that road will stop on our driveway and they ask me how they can get off this highway. About two summers ago a person stopped on an approach with his camper and I went and asked if he needed help. He told me his family had been using this route every summer to go to Alberta but this was the last time.”
And it is not just the Oakes family who have had to deal with the incomplete highway on a daily basis. Not far across the road from where Robert and his family live is Len Moore. Moore’s story is very similar to Robert’s as he also has been dealing with the rough conditions. “If I go east, I have five miles of that mess and if I go west, I have four.”
Growing up on the farm along Hwy. 15 Moore eventually moved away for work but then about seven years ago returned home. Living 13 kms west of the junction of Hwy. 2 and 15, Moore has become increasingly frustrated about the way the incomplete road has been handled. “When it rains it is just a sloppy mess and for smaller cars it is virtually impassable.”
Like Gill and Oakes, Moore has also helped motorists out of the ditch when the conditions sour. “There has been people we have helped that have hit the ditch and we have pulled them out. I ride a motorcycle and even when they did have a good covering of gravel on there it was dangerous on a motorcycle. I had one guy two summers ago from France travelling around the world on a bicycle and he was worked up because the map didn’t show the gravel. I finished cutting my grass and put his bike in my truck and gave him a ride. Then just last spring right at the west end of the construction there was a rollover and less than a mile west of there on the asphalt there was a rough spot on a grade and a woman from Newfoundland rolled.”
The incident involving the woman occurred in August 2016 and it ultimately ended in tragedy as her dog was killed. Elle Gottzi and her two-year-old Husky Naina had successfully crossed the country after going more than 10,000 kms over three weeks and were on their way home when her vehicle veered into a slough.
Facing all sorts of roads, weather conditions and wildlife, it was not until she was motoring along on Hwy. 15 between Kenaston and the junction of Hwy. 2 when her trip went horribly wrong. On that particular August day, Gottzi mapped out her route which would take her from Three Hills, Alta. to Raymore. Speaking to The Watrous Manitou back in 2016, Gottzi said her path happened to fall on Hwy. 15.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Gottzi did her best to evade potholes, rough patches and broken pavement but it was on one of those broken pieces of road that completely knocked her Honda Element out of control, sending it into the slough and landing upside down. Trapped in her vehicle as water filled the interior, Gottzi tried to remain focused while frantically searching for a way out.
“I was holding my breath and periodically swallowing the swampy dirty water to lessen the pressure in my lungs. I was carefully and blindly examining with my hands everything around me in the car while in an upside down position.”
Gottzi needed to break the windows to get out but could not find anything heavy enough. Running out of air she extended her feet and felt the ground. Realizing one of the windows was broken, she knew it was her only way out. Not knowing where her dog was, Gottzi managed to slip through the space where the back window was located and shot towards the surface.
Gasping for air, Elle did not see her Husky Naina and chaotically began searching for her friend. Relentlessly diving below the surface to find a way to her dog, Gottzi could see nothing. The survivor caught a glimpse of a vehicle approaching so she did her best to elevate herself on the sunken car and flagged the motorists down. However it would be too late as her dog Naina perished.
Left with a horrifying experience and without a vehicle, Gottzi received an outpouring of support from the local community and eventually made it back home. However before leaving Watrous another accident occurred in essentially the same spot 15 hours later, this time a couple from the United States who ended up in a slough on the opposite side of the road where Gottzi’s vehicle went in.
“After driving more than 10,000 kms crossing the country in all sorts of conditions and roads, it took Saskatchewan’s back country to have my trip abruptly end and be fatal for my dog. It took an American couple to drive there to have pretty much the same end as well. If a dog’s life isn’t important for some, you can easily imagine a kid instead, a human life. It is just a matter of time before the next story like mine appears.”
Since those terrifying incidents in 2016 more rollovers have occurred and like previous owner of Watrous Towing Lorrie Struthers, current owner Shaun Wheten has responded to calls of vehicles rolling over or hitting the ditch along the 14 km stretch of Hwy. 15.
“That road has always been bad. I really don’t understand why it is such a bad road,” said Wheten. “I hate going down it and I will actually avoid it if I have to find someone. I will take other back roads and hauling vehicles on it especially, I will take a different road if I can.”
While Wheten figured some of those calls he has responded to along Hwy. 15 are a result of driver error he noted the condition of the road is not ideal. He also stressed when responding to incidents, motorists passing by his truck need to slow down. “You are basically helping us out and saving our lives by slowing down. I will never send my son out with a half-ton again. He went to do a fuel delivery and almost got smoked by a semi. My daughter was in my deck truck one time, honked the horn at me because someone spun out and hit the ditch close to us.”
But despite countless calls from local area residents and those passing through along Hwy. 15, the chunk of road remains unfinished. Shaking his head, Moore said he would really like to see that 14 km stretch fixed right away. “This road was engineered to be built up to grade and finished with asphalt and that is what I want to see. If they can’t do the other 30 kms or so immediately we can deal with that but we can’t deal with a half built highway.”
When asked about fixing that 14 km chunk as opposed to the whole highway, Wakabayashi indicated traffic volumes on that stretch of road are generally pretty low with around 210 to 240 vehicles per day. “In order to continue with the upgrades to Hwy. 15 with those traffic volumes it is difficult to prioritize that when you compare it with other needs on the provincial transportation system.”
Moore figured those lower numbers are due to more and more people avoiding the highway because of the conditions. “The dust caused by the gravel is dangerous too. There was one local driver who pulled into a yard because she knew there was a vehicle somewhere behind her and didn’t want to risk slowing down to turn south. Had she done that she would have been hit because the vehicle was right behind her but the dust made it impossible to see.”
Oakes said while the ministry may consider Hwy. 15 to be a lower priority with lower traffic volumes, he feels that by fixing that section could actually alleviate some of the traffic volume pressure on Hwy. 16. Oakes has been told by drivers pulling campers who come to his door that they will never again use Hwy. 15 and will be travelling along Hwy. 16. “People are going the extra distance to use Hwy. 16 or Hwy. 1 and it starts congesting those highways.”
Wakabayashi said he has heard the concerns of motorists and residents and a plan is being put in place to try and help remedy the situation. “So what we are doing right now is we are working with an individual named Richard Porter who has experience with transportation infrastructure issues in rural municipalities and with SARM and is also active on area transportation planning committees. He is helping us engage the local RMs so we can look at what options might exist to improve the performance of the gravel section of the highway. The weather we have seen (a few weeks ago) shows what can happen to the performance with the gravel section when it gets wet.”
Like many producers hoping to get back in their combines last week after the recent rains, Richard Porter was also hoping to be able to wrap up harvest soon. Porter confirmed he had been contacted by the ministry about meeting with local RMs about the road situation and the head chairperson of 11 transportation committees in the province and chair of the north central transportation planning committee said, “There is some discussion that will start after harvest.”
As for whether or not the road would eventually be completed and how much it would actually cost? “That would have to be prioritized,” continued Wakabayashi. “When we look at where we invest our money each year, for example in the last few years our capital construction budget has been in the $350 million range, which sounds like a lot of money and it is a lot of money, but where we invest that, that has to be prioritized amongst needs across the entire provincial highway system.”
So while motorists and local area residents wait for a solution and answers to a seemingly ever-growing issue, Wakabayashi said signage is being put in place, the condition of the highway has been updated on the provincial highway hotline to alert motorists of its condition and a grader is being brought in.
“We empathize with people that use that highway on a regular basis. Certainly we are aware of the condition of it. It is not like we don’t know the condition of it and we recognize that people are frustrated and right now our priority is to work with local governments and look at what options might exist for at least improving the gravel section of the road.”
Daniel Bushman
It was to become a freshly paved high-clearance corridor for shippers to haul over-height loads across Saskatchewan but after construction began and funding was deferred, completion was halted on a stretch of Hwy. 15. While the project west of the Hwy. 2 junction south of Watrous and north of Simpson was scheduled to be finished in 2015, about 14 kilometres of the highway was never fully completed and with recent rains, the condition of that stretch became increasingly worse.
Many who travel that route on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis have come to expect they will be driving much slower than the speed limit and when it rains, those brave enough to venture out on the 14 km chunk of highway cross their fingers and hope not to slide off the road. A few weeks ago, after about three days worth of precipitation, those who had to navigate through the slick grooves along the bumpy patch of road to get to work or to transport students to school had to methodically weave their way over the terrain. For others unfamiliar with the road, they hit the ditch.
Alex Gill who feels the highway within the Rural Municipality of Wood Creek has been forgotten about has watched the familiar scene of vehicles hitting the ditch play out more times than he can remember. “Someone is going to get killed on this road,” said the local resident after noting four vehicles slid into the ditch during one of those rainy days in mid-September. “If there was an emergency that arose requiring first responders and the road was in this type of condition after a rain, how would they ever get to someone’s farm or out to a field to help?”
Like so many who utilize that portion of Hwy. 15, Gill has been left in disbelief about the conditions and has snapped pictures and taken videos to prove just how bad it has gotten. More recently, after a large amount of moisture fell he helplessly watched as one vehicle after another slid off the road and into the ditch. “A couple weeks ago after the rain I had a van and a truck go off the road right in front of me.”
While the section of road is currently maintained with added gravel and grading to help try and mitigate the issues, back in June 2011 the provincial government announced it would rebuild the whole stretch of Hwy. 15 from the Hwy. 2 junction all the way to Kenaston. In fact, in that announcement around $45 million was earmarked for the 57 kilometre stretch of road as part of the high-clearance corridor. The road was to go from a thin membrane surface to an asphalt concrete pavement capable of carrying primary weight truck traffic, the highest allowable weight at which shippers can transport their goods.
As the funds were put in place the process was to encompass three stages with the first stage beginning at the junction of Hwy. 11. That is where aggregate (gravel) crushing of materials began in preparation for on-road construction to commence in the spring and summer of 2012. Construction was then slated to continue east towards Hwy. 2 over the following three construction seasons with completion of the project in 2015. In addition, all the utility lines that could obstruct over-height loads were to be buried to allow items to be moved without the need to temporarily cut utility lines or other structures.
While work did in fact start at the junction of Hwy. 11 and utility lines were buried, work on the multi-million dollar project eventually ceased. Executive director of communications and customer service with the ministry of highways and construction Doug Wakabayashi explained the circumstances surrounding the sudden halt on completing the project. “Back in 2011 the province announced the creation of a high-clearance corridor that would run from Melville to the Alberta border. Part of the route included Hwy. 15 so as part of that route at the time it was announced the province was going to upgrade Hwy. 15 between the junction of Hwy. 2 and the junction of Hwy. 11. Subsequent to that, about 13 kms from the junction of Hwy. 11 running to the east were upgraded and paved and about 20 kms from the junction of Hwy. 2 to the west, the grading was completed but it was never surfaced. The reason for that is that was at the time when the province’s resource revenues fell drastically and there was a pretty major change in the fiscal position of the government. Due to that, the upgrades to Hwy. 15 was deferred.”
Living adjacent to where the unfinished portion of the highway is located is Robert Oakes and his family. Oakes was living on the property when the announcement was made to rebuild the highway back in 2011 but since crews left the 14 km stretch of road unfinished it has deteriorated. “A few weeks ago was the worst it has been but it is getting progressively worse. When it rains the water sits in the potholes and then you get 10 vehicles going over that spot and it gets twice as big.”
Oakes said gravel has been put on the road to help fill in the holes, temporarily fixing the situation but he would like to see the provincial government restore the project’s funding so the job can be completed.
“People using that road will stop on our driveway and they ask me how they can get off this highway. About two summers ago a person stopped on an approach with his camper and I went and asked if he needed help. He told me his family had been using this route every summer to go to Alberta but this was the last time.”
And it is not just the Oakes family who have had to deal with the incomplete highway on a daily basis. Not far across the road from where Robert and his family live is Len Moore. Moore’s story is very similar to Robert’s as he also has been dealing with the rough conditions. “If I go east, I have five miles of that mess and if I go west, I have four.”
Growing up on the farm along Hwy. 15 Moore eventually moved away for work but then about seven years ago returned home. Living 13 kms west of the junction of Hwy. 2 and 15, Moore has become increasingly frustrated about the way the incomplete road has been handled. “When it rains it is just a sloppy mess and for smaller cars it is virtually impassable.”
Like Gill and Oakes, Moore has also helped motorists out of the ditch when the conditions sour. “There has been people we have helped that have hit the ditch and we have pulled them out. I ride a motorcycle and even when they did have a good covering of gravel on there it was dangerous on a motorcycle. I had one guy two summers ago from France travelling around the world on a bicycle and he was worked up because the map didn’t show the gravel. I finished cutting my grass and put his bike in my truck and gave him a ride. Then just last spring right at the west end of the construction there was a rollover and less than a mile west of there on the asphalt there was a rough spot on a grade and a woman from Newfoundland rolled.”
The incident involving the woman occurred in August 2016 and it ultimately ended in tragedy as her dog was killed. Elle Gottzi and her two-year-old Husky Naina had successfully crossed the country after going more than 10,000 kms over three weeks and were on their way home when her vehicle veered into a slough.
Facing all sorts of roads, weather conditions and wildlife, it was not until she was motoring along on Hwy. 15 between Kenaston and the junction of Hwy. 2 when her trip went horribly wrong. On that particular August day, Gottzi mapped out her route which would take her from Three Hills, Alta. to Raymore. Speaking to The Watrous Manitou back in 2016, Gottzi said her path happened to fall on Hwy. 15.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Gottzi did her best to evade potholes, rough patches and broken pavement but it was on one of those broken pieces of road that completely knocked her Honda Element out of control, sending it into the slough and landing upside down. Trapped in her vehicle as water filled the interior, Gottzi tried to remain focused while frantically searching for a way out.
“I was holding my breath and periodically swallowing the swampy dirty water to lessen the pressure in my lungs. I was carefully and blindly examining with my hands everything around me in the car while in an upside down position.”
Gottzi needed to break the windows to get out but could not find anything heavy enough. Running out of air she extended her feet and felt the ground. Realizing one of the windows was broken, she knew it was her only way out. Not knowing where her dog was, Gottzi managed to slip through the space where the back window was located and shot towards the surface.
Gasping for air, Elle did not see her Husky Naina and chaotically began searching for her friend. Relentlessly diving below the surface to find a way to her dog, Gottzi could see nothing. The survivor caught a glimpse of a vehicle approaching so she did her best to elevate herself on the sunken car and flagged the motorists down. However it would be too late as her dog Naina perished.
Left with a horrifying experience and without a vehicle, Gottzi received an outpouring of support from the local community and eventually made it back home. However before leaving Watrous another accident occurred in essentially the same spot 15 hours later, this time a couple from the United States who ended up in a slough on the opposite side of the road where Gottzi’s vehicle went in.
“After driving more than 10,000 kms crossing the country in all sorts of conditions and roads, it took Saskatchewan’s back country to have my trip abruptly end and be fatal for my dog. It took an American couple to drive there to have pretty much the same end as well. If a dog’s life isn’t important for some, you can easily imagine a kid instead, a human life. It is just a matter of time before the next story like mine appears.”
Since those terrifying incidents in 2016 more rollovers have occurred and like previous owner of Watrous Towing Lorrie Struthers, current owner Shaun Wheten has responded to calls of vehicles rolling over or hitting the ditch along the 14 km stretch of Hwy. 15.
“That road has always been bad. I really don’t understand why it is such a bad road,” said Wheten. “I hate going down it and I will actually avoid it if I have to find someone. I will take other back roads and hauling vehicles on it especially, I will take a different road if I can.”
While Wheten figured some of those calls he has responded to along Hwy. 15 are a result of driver error he noted the condition of the road is not ideal. He also stressed when responding to incidents, motorists passing by his truck need to slow down. “You are basically helping us out and saving our lives by slowing down. I will never send my son out with a half-ton again. He went to do a fuel delivery and almost got smoked by a semi. My daughter was in my deck truck one time, honked the horn at me because someone spun out and hit the ditch close to us.”
But despite countless calls from local area residents and those passing through along Hwy. 15, the chunk of road remains unfinished. Shaking his head, Moore said he would really like to see that 14 km stretch fixed right away. “This road was engineered to be built up to grade and finished with asphalt and that is what I want to see. If they can’t do the other 30 kms or so immediately we can deal with that but we can’t deal with a half built highway.”
When asked about fixing that 14 km chunk as opposed to the whole highway, Wakabayashi indicated traffic volumes on that stretch of road are generally pretty low with around 210 to 240 vehicles per day. “In order to continue with the upgrades to Hwy. 15 with those traffic volumes it is difficult to prioritize that when you compare it with other needs on the provincial transportation system.”
Moore figured those lower numbers are due to more and more people avoiding the highway because of the conditions. “The dust caused by the gravel is dangerous too. There was one local driver who pulled into a yard because she knew there was a vehicle somewhere behind her and didn’t want to risk slowing down to turn south. Had she done that she would have been hit because the vehicle was right behind her but the dust made it impossible to see.”
Oakes said while the ministry may consider Hwy. 15 to be a lower priority with lower traffic volumes, he feels that by fixing that section could actually alleviate some of the traffic volume pressure on Hwy. 16. Oakes has been told by drivers pulling campers who come to his door that they will never again use Hwy. 15 and will be travelling along Hwy. 16. “People are going the extra distance to use Hwy. 16 or Hwy. 1 and it starts congesting those highways.”
Wakabayashi said he has heard the concerns of motorists and residents and a plan is being put in place to try and help remedy the situation. “So what we are doing right now is we are working with an individual named Richard Porter who has experience with transportation infrastructure issues in rural municipalities and with SARM and is also active on area transportation planning committees. He is helping us engage the local RMs so we can look at what options might exist to improve the performance of the gravel section of the highway. The weather we have seen (a few weeks ago) shows what can happen to the performance with the gravel section when it gets wet.”
Like many producers hoping to get back in their combines last week after the recent rains, Richard Porter was also hoping to be able to wrap up harvest soon. Porter confirmed he had been contacted by the ministry about meeting with local RMs about the road situation and the head chairperson of 11 transportation committees in the province and chair of the north central transportation planning committee said, “There is some discussion that will start after harvest.”
As for whether or not the road would eventually be completed and how much it would actually cost? “That would have to be prioritized,” continued Wakabayashi. “When we look at where we invest our money each year, for example in the last few years our capital construction budget has been in the $350 million range, which sounds like a lot of money and it is a lot of money, but where we invest that, that has to be prioritized amongst needs across the entire provincial highway system.”
So while motorists and local area residents wait for a solution and answers to a seemingly ever-growing issue, Wakabayashi said signage is being put in place, the condition of the highway has been updated on the provincial highway hotline to alert motorists of its condition and a grader is being brought in.
“We empathize with people that use that highway on a regular basis. Certainly we are aware of the condition of it. It is not like we don’t know the condition of it and we recognize that people are frustrated and right now our priority is to work with local governments and look at what options might exist for at least improving the gravel section of the road.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 16, 2019
LLVIF implements new changes courtesy of local support
Daniel Bushman
Residents, patients and staff utilizing the Long Lake Valley Integrated Facility (LLVIF) in Imperial will notice a few upgrades all thanks to substantial support from the community and surrounding area.
With an expansion of the Telehealth Saskatchewan Program and a newly built patio fence at the facility, LLVIF Manager Blair Broadfoot said they were both possible only because of the number of generous donations that came in.
A total cost of approximately $4,000 to bring to LLVIF with $2,500 of that raised through community donations, the manager explained the significance of having the Telehealth Saskatchewan Program and what it means for Imperial and area residents.
“Telehealth allows patients to attend appropriate clinical appointments, consultations or follow-ups via video conferencing with a physician or specialist that is outside of their home community. This is done by using communication and information technology that allows two way communications between the physician and the patient. It is enhanced by the utilization of the latest in tele-diagnostic instruments which may include digital stethoscopes, patient examination cameras, and digital imaging. Telehealth enables a remote patient to ‘visit’ an out-of-town health care provider while remaining in their home community, health region or province.”
In one recent example, Broadfoot said a client explained how much he appreciated not having to travel for his consultation appointments. By not having to go a lengthy distance, he was able to remain close to home and concentrate on recovering from his illness.
Located within the facility, Broadfoot remarked the unique program is also able to provide professional education sessions for health care staff, physicians and the general public as well as offering various administrative services to members of regional health authorities in the province. Those services include health care administration meetings that help to reduce travel and increase participation in regional and provincial meetings.
“The Long Lake Valley Integrated Facility staff appreciate the opportunities the telehealth equipment allows for educational sessions. Travel and staff time was often a deterrent for attending education sessions.”
As the LLVIF received its new expanded program inside, outside a new patio fence was being built after the original one was deemed to be in disrepair. Now finished, Broadfoot said, “The fence cost $4,000 and again the community came through with donations of $3,000.”
Greatly appreciating the support for both recent changes, Broadfoot hopes that patients and staff using the facility will also enjoy the new improvements.
Daniel Bushman
Residents, patients and staff utilizing the Long Lake Valley Integrated Facility (LLVIF) in Imperial will notice a few upgrades all thanks to substantial support from the community and surrounding area.
With an expansion of the Telehealth Saskatchewan Program and a newly built patio fence at the facility, LLVIF Manager Blair Broadfoot said they were both possible only because of the number of generous donations that came in.
A total cost of approximately $4,000 to bring to LLVIF with $2,500 of that raised through community donations, the manager explained the significance of having the Telehealth Saskatchewan Program and what it means for Imperial and area residents.
“Telehealth allows patients to attend appropriate clinical appointments, consultations or follow-ups via video conferencing with a physician or specialist that is outside of their home community. This is done by using communication and information technology that allows two way communications between the physician and the patient. It is enhanced by the utilization of the latest in tele-diagnostic instruments which may include digital stethoscopes, patient examination cameras, and digital imaging. Telehealth enables a remote patient to ‘visit’ an out-of-town health care provider while remaining in their home community, health region or province.”
In one recent example, Broadfoot said a client explained how much he appreciated not having to travel for his consultation appointments. By not having to go a lengthy distance, he was able to remain close to home and concentrate on recovering from his illness.
Located within the facility, Broadfoot remarked the unique program is also able to provide professional education sessions for health care staff, physicians and the general public as well as offering various administrative services to members of regional health authorities in the province. Those services include health care administration meetings that help to reduce travel and increase participation in regional and provincial meetings.
“The Long Lake Valley Integrated Facility staff appreciate the opportunities the telehealth equipment allows for educational sessions. Travel and staff time was often a deterrent for attending education sessions.”
As the LLVIF received its new expanded program inside, outside a new patio fence was being built after the original one was deemed to be in disrepair. Now finished, Broadfoot said, “The fence cost $4,000 and again the community came through with donations of $3,000.”
Greatly appreciating the support for both recent changes, Broadfoot hopes that patients and staff using the facility will also enjoy the new improvements.
TWM Top Story - Sept. 9, 2019
Town of Watrous adds second mobility van to fleet
Daniel Bushman
Watching the faces of those at Manitou Lodge light up as they embark on another adventure or hearing that a resident from Watrous was able to attend an appointment who normally would be unable to on their own has been encouraging to Watrous Town Councillor and mobility van board member Pat Isherwood. With a new mobility van arriving in 2017 and a second smaller version just purchased by the town, Isherwood said, “Utilizing either mobility van is a specialized service that provides transportation options for residents with mobility impairments so those within the community now have the option of using either vehicle.”
After obtaining the new 14 passenger mobility van two years ago, which includes space for five wheelchairs, the Town of Watrous recently purchased its second smaller unit. Arriving last month and coming with a cost of $50,935, a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan was retrofitted to include space for a wheelchair and four people. The retrofit allows for a ramp to easily come down from the back of the van and a wheelchair to be loaded into the vehicle.
“Now that the minivan is in service, people from the community are welcome to utilize it to go back and forth in Watrous, travel to Manitou Beach and beyond. Those residents requiring the specialized service can then go to medical appointments, travel from their home to downtown or head to the Civic Centre for an event. They can also use them to be taken to a hair appointment or be dropped off at church. In the case of the residents at Manitou Lodge, they are often driven to a number of outings and really enjoy spending time at the different places they visit.”
However in order for people to use the vehicles, Isherwood said volunteer drivers are required. “We are grateful for Bob Silzer who has done a tremendous amount of driving and Monique Sundquist from the lodge has also given of her time but we do need more volunteers to help drive when residents need a lift somewhere.”
Isherwood said people willing to volunteer and drive either the larger mobility van or the minivan need a valid driver’s licence and a completed criminal record check. “We are fortunate to be able to have these units for residents to use but we really do need more volunteers willing to drive them.”
As of right now people wanting to rent out the mobility vans can take trips within Watrous, Manitou Beach or out of town. While the cost is minimal with a maximum cap within Watrous and to Manitou Beach per trip, Isherwood said the fees are there to help cover gas and any maintenance expenses. For those wanting to travel further than Watrous and the beach, a minimum charge is applied and an amount set per kilometre. “It is a reasonable amount for people and if anyone would like to use either mobility van or become a volunteer driver, they can contact the Town Office.”
Daniel Bushman
Watching the faces of those at Manitou Lodge light up as they embark on another adventure or hearing that a resident from Watrous was able to attend an appointment who normally would be unable to on their own has been encouraging to Watrous Town Councillor and mobility van board member Pat Isherwood. With a new mobility van arriving in 2017 and a second smaller version just purchased by the town, Isherwood said, “Utilizing either mobility van is a specialized service that provides transportation options for residents with mobility impairments so those within the community now have the option of using either vehicle.”
After obtaining the new 14 passenger mobility van two years ago, which includes space for five wheelchairs, the Town of Watrous recently purchased its second smaller unit. Arriving last month and coming with a cost of $50,935, a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan was retrofitted to include space for a wheelchair and four people. The retrofit allows for a ramp to easily come down from the back of the van and a wheelchair to be loaded into the vehicle.
“Now that the minivan is in service, people from the community are welcome to utilize it to go back and forth in Watrous, travel to Manitou Beach and beyond. Those residents requiring the specialized service can then go to medical appointments, travel from their home to downtown or head to the Civic Centre for an event. They can also use them to be taken to a hair appointment or be dropped off at church. In the case of the residents at Manitou Lodge, they are often driven to a number of outings and really enjoy spending time at the different places they visit.”
However in order for people to use the vehicles, Isherwood said volunteer drivers are required. “We are grateful for Bob Silzer who has done a tremendous amount of driving and Monique Sundquist from the lodge has also given of her time but we do need more volunteers to help drive when residents need a lift somewhere.”
Isherwood said people willing to volunteer and drive either the larger mobility van or the minivan need a valid driver’s licence and a completed criminal record check. “We are fortunate to be able to have these units for residents to use but we really do need more volunteers willing to drive them.”
As of right now people wanting to rent out the mobility vans can take trips within Watrous, Manitou Beach or out of town. While the cost is minimal with a maximum cap within Watrous and to Manitou Beach per trip, Isherwood said the fees are there to help cover gas and any maintenance expenses. For those wanting to travel further than Watrous and the beach, a minimum charge is applied and an amount set per kilometre. “It is a reasonable amount for people and if anyone would like to use either mobility van or become a volunteer driver, they can contact the Town Office.”
TWM Top Story - Sept. 2, 2019
Watrous duo help Giants take Westerns
Daniel Bushman
It was a season to remember for a pair of local ball players who not only put in a lot of time and dedication but were rewarded for all of their hard work. Cooper Isherwood and Kohle Huber dusted off their cleats and grabbed their ball gloves in anticipation of another ball season. The Watrous residents set their sights on having a successful year and at the end of it all, both added provincial and Western Canadian titles to their names.
After the Sask Five 15U Bantam AAA Giants captured a provincial title last year, the team along with Isherwood and Huber were looking to retain the title again this season. Advancing through league play to the 12-team provincial tournament in Saskatoon Aug. 2 to 4, the AAA Giants were 2-1 through round-robin play and then defeated the Saskatoon Astros in the semifinal. In the provincial championship, the Sask Five 15U AAA Giants took down the Regina White Sox 5-3 to capture the title once again and advance to the 15U AAA Western Canadian Championship in Lloydminster Aug. 16 to 18.
With the club on a roll, both Isherwood and Huber were anticipating that momentum to carry over to the Western Canadian Championships, and it did. In the championship event, Sask Five Giants went up against the Coquitlam Reds from B.C., Northwest Prairie Pirates out of Lloydminster, Carillon Sultans of Manitoba, North Winnipeg Pirates and the Red Deer Ernco Braves.
In the team’s first game Thursday evening, thanks to a pair of grand slams, the Giants surged past the host team from Lloydminster 16-11. Off to a 1-0 start, the Giants then faced Red Deer. In that Friday morning game, Sask Five tallied 10 hits with Huber getting three of them and Isherwood chipping in with two of his own. Huber also threw 47 pitches where he had a no hitter going against the Braves, giving up zero runs through three innings. Tugged on account of a pitch count to ensure he received the required rest before he took the mound again, Huber was followed by Easton Brons and closer Ethan Campbell. For his effort, Huber was recognized as the player of the game.
Scoring a combined 24 runs through two games and with all cylinders firing, the Giants continued their strong play and took game three over North Winnipeg by a 12-1 score. That gave the Saskatchewan contingent a 3-0 record with game four set for Saturday morning, Aug. 17.
Seeking a win to give the Giants an automatic berth to the final on Sunday, Huber and Isherwood came through to help secure a 9-1 win. Isherwood was also named player of the game for his efforts.
Sitting at 4-0 and an automatic berth to the final, the Sask Five Giants gave players some rest and an opportunity for some of the other players to step into a leadership role in their fifth game. In that fifth game of the tournament, Huber and Isherwood each produced multiple hits but it was not enough and the Sask Five Giants were unable to put points on the scoreboard. Despite the 11-0 defeat, the Giants shook off the loss and carried a 4-1 record into the final.
In the Western Canada Baseball championship final, Sask Five Giants met the host Northwest Prairie Pirates, a team which sat at 3-2 and had lost to the Giants earlier in the tournament. In the third Huber kicked off a seven run inning which led to the team eventually winning 11-4. Huber also pitched two and two-third innings allowing one hit, one run and getting one strike out on 38 pitches. The victory also gave the Giants an overall record of 5-1 with a total of 56 runs scored to 29 against.
Ecstatic with the huge win, both players from Watrous reflected on what they brought to the table in that championship match.
“For me in the final, my first at bat and first pitch of the game, their pitcher drilled me to make it my 12th hit by a pitch on the year,” said Isherwood. “This really got the bench excited as it set the tone. Then later in the game I threw a guy out trying to steal second base.”
Huber said, “In the final, the bases were loaded and I came up to bat. We were down 2-0 and I hit a single into left field scoring three runs and that got us going for the rest of the game.”
While taking home the top prize was a tremendous accomplishment for the team, it was even sweeter for the pair of local players who spent a lot of time travelling back and forth during the year. “We did put in a lot of time and miles,” said Isherwood who added, “Playing with Martensville makes it a one and a half hour drive for practices and our home games. Away games were in Saskatoon at the Nutana Ball Fields and we also played some tournaments in Saskatoon and Okotoks, Alta. and had an exhibition game down in Swift Current.”
Mostly catching and playing second or third base, Isherwood said putting in that extra time and then being able to win the title was an incredible experience. “It was amazing! I’ve never had so much adrenaline. Going off the start of the year, no one expected us to even win provincials. I have never experienced something like this ever. In the final game when there was a comeback to the mound when Kohle was pitching and he just stuck his arm out and caught it like a professional goalie for the second out, I knew we did it!!”
Agreeing with his teammate, Huber said, “It was very exciting to win this year.” Pitching and playing shortstop during the season Huber continued, “Two years ago I played with the Saskatoon Braves and we lost our semifinal game. If we would have won we would have went to Westerns so it was great. This year in the final at Westerns, for the final out it was an easy play to the second baseman and everyone ran from the dugout and field. It was a very special achievement.”
And even more special that the pair from Watrous were able to be a part of it. “We’ve been through a lot of sports together and it is very fun” said Huber.
Isherwood added, “It was fun and I could not have asked for a better year. The guys were awesome.”
Observing with other parents from the stands during the games and driving back and forth to practices in Martensville during the season, Jean Mulhall, Cooper’s mom said, “Watching these young men improve over the last three and a half months and staying strong and unified amongst the ups and downs of each inning played for the season, provincials and Westerns makes me a very very proud parent!”
Kohle’s mom Cindy said, “Even though Cooper and Kohle were from outside the Sask Five area they were made to feel welcome by the local boys on the team. By the end of the season their cohesiveness definitely showed when they were able to win two different championships within two weeks. It was truly a season to remember.”
Daniel Bushman
It was a season to remember for a pair of local ball players who not only put in a lot of time and dedication but were rewarded for all of their hard work. Cooper Isherwood and Kohle Huber dusted off their cleats and grabbed their ball gloves in anticipation of another ball season. The Watrous residents set their sights on having a successful year and at the end of it all, both added provincial and Western Canadian titles to their names.
After the Sask Five 15U Bantam AAA Giants captured a provincial title last year, the team along with Isherwood and Huber were looking to retain the title again this season. Advancing through league play to the 12-team provincial tournament in Saskatoon Aug. 2 to 4, the AAA Giants were 2-1 through round-robin play and then defeated the Saskatoon Astros in the semifinal. In the provincial championship, the Sask Five 15U AAA Giants took down the Regina White Sox 5-3 to capture the title once again and advance to the 15U AAA Western Canadian Championship in Lloydminster Aug. 16 to 18.
With the club on a roll, both Isherwood and Huber were anticipating that momentum to carry over to the Western Canadian Championships, and it did. In the championship event, Sask Five Giants went up against the Coquitlam Reds from B.C., Northwest Prairie Pirates out of Lloydminster, Carillon Sultans of Manitoba, North Winnipeg Pirates and the Red Deer Ernco Braves.
In the team’s first game Thursday evening, thanks to a pair of grand slams, the Giants surged past the host team from Lloydminster 16-11. Off to a 1-0 start, the Giants then faced Red Deer. In that Friday morning game, Sask Five tallied 10 hits with Huber getting three of them and Isherwood chipping in with two of his own. Huber also threw 47 pitches where he had a no hitter going against the Braves, giving up zero runs through three innings. Tugged on account of a pitch count to ensure he received the required rest before he took the mound again, Huber was followed by Easton Brons and closer Ethan Campbell. For his effort, Huber was recognized as the player of the game.
Scoring a combined 24 runs through two games and with all cylinders firing, the Giants continued their strong play and took game three over North Winnipeg by a 12-1 score. That gave the Saskatchewan contingent a 3-0 record with game four set for Saturday morning, Aug. 17.
Seeking a win to give the Giants an automatic berth to the final on Sunday, Huber and Isherwood came through to help secure a 9-1 win. Isherwood was also named player of the game for his efforts.
Sitting at 4-0 and an automatic berth to the final, the Sask Five Giants gave players some rest and an opportunity for some of the other players to step into a leadership role in their fifth game. In that fifth game of the tournament, Huber and Isherwood each produced multiple hits but it was not enough and the Sask Five Giants were unable to put points on the scoreboard. Despite the 11-0 defeat, the Giants shook off the loss and carried a 4-1 record into the final.
In the Western Canada Baseball championship final, Sask Five Giants met the host Northwest Prairie Pirates, a team which sat at 3-2 and had lost to the Giants earlier in the tournament. In the third Huber kicked off a seven run inning which led to the team eventually winning 11-4. Huber also pitched two and two-third innings allowing one hit, one run and getting one strike out on 38 pitches. The victory also gave the Giants an overall record of 5-1 with a total of 56 runs scored to 29 against.
Ecstatic with the huge win, both players from Watrous reflected on what they brought to the table in that championship match.
“For me in the final, my first at bat and first pitch of the game, their pitcher drilled me to make it my 12th hit by a pitch on the year,” said Isherwood. “This really got the bench excited as it set the tone. Then later in the game I threw a guy out trying to steal second base.”
Huber said, “In the final, the bases were loaded and I came up to bat. We were down 2-0 and I hit a single into left field scoring three runs and that got us going for the rest of the game.”
While taking home the top prize was a tremendous accomplishment for the team, it was even sweeter for the pair of local players who spent a lot of time travelling back and forth during the year. “We did put in a lot of time and miles,” said Isherwood who added, “Playing with Martensville makes it a one and a half hour drive for practices and our home games. Away games were in Saskatoon at the Nutana Ball Fields and we also played some tournaments in Saskatoon and Okotoks, Alta. and had an exhibition game down in Swift Current.”
Mostly catching and playing second or third base, Isherwood said putting in that extra time and then being able to win the title was an incredible experience. “It was amazing! I’ve never had so much adrenaline. Going off the start of the year, no one expected us to even win provincials. I have never experienced something like this ever. In the final game when there was a comeback to the mound when Kohle was pitching and he just stuck his arm out and caught it like a professional goalie for the second out, I knew we did it!!”
Agreeing with his teammate, Huber said, “It was very exciting to win this year.” Pitching and playing shortstop during the season Huber continued, “Two years ago I played with the Saskatoon Braves and we lost our semifinal game. If we would have won we would have went to Westerns so it was great. This year in the final at Westerns, for the final out it was an easy play to the second baseman and everyone ran from the dugout and field. It was a very special achievement.”
And even more special that the pair from Watrous were able to be a part of it. “We’ve been through a lot of sports together and it is very fun” said Huber.
Isherwood added, “It was fun and I could not have asked for a better year. The guys were awesome.”
Observing with other parents from the stands during the games and driving back and forth to practices in Martensville during the season, Jean Mulhall, Cooper’s mom said, “Watching these young men improve over the last three and a half months and staying strong and unified amongst the ups and downs of each inning played for the season, provincials and Westerns makes me a very very proud parent!”
Kohle’s mom Cindy said, “Even though Cooper and Kohle were from outside the Sask Five area they were made to feel welcome by the local boys on the team. By the end of the season their cohesiveness definitely showed when they were able to win two different championships within two weeks. It was truly a season to remember.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 26, 2019
Dancers young and old enjoy taking a twirl at Toonie Tuesdays
Daniel Bushman
Decades ago Danceland was hopping with people as hundreds would make the trip to the iconic building to take a whirl on the dance floor. With vehicles parked from one side of the road to the other, inside the historic dance hall at Manitou Beach, patrons would eagerly dance while listening to their favourite musicians perform. Now decades later and over the summer months that electric atmosphere has been revived with one car after another arriving at Danceland for something known as Toonie Tuesdays.
During a recent Tuesday evening in August, owner of Danceland Millie Strueby could be spotted playing the keyboard on stage as people entered through the doors. Strueby who came up with the idea of Toonie Tuesdays nearly 20 years ago is joined by four other musicians as they play during the Old Time music portion of the night. After the group hits the final note of their last song, a couple who have been driving out from Etters Beach each week during the summer take over. Over the past several weeks, the pair have been teaching those young and old a few dances. On this particular occasion it is the two-step. Going through the moves, kids flow onto the floor eager to learn, some with their friends and others with their parents or grandparents. Being put through the paces, the kids are encouraged to pair up with family members, creating a lasting memory and one cherished by many who years ago danced as youngsters themselves.
“It is just like the old days,” said Millie from the iconic Danceland. “We lost the family dance years ago because people didn’t bring kids to dances anymore. This year we decided to have Toonie Tuesday starting at 7:30 p.m. and an hour in, we leave some time for the kids so it provides them with an opportunity to learn how to dance.”
With a few upbeat songs for the kids to dance to, as the kids portion of the night wraps up with the famous Chicken Dance, they leave the floor with smiles on their faces and memories of a fun evening. Followed by an open mic before the lights are dimmed on another evening, Strueby’s decision to implement a different format this year for Toonie Tuesdays has paid off. Attracting hundreds of people to Danceland on a weekly basis, local and visiting families with young children have been coming to give dancing a try.
“The kids part of the evening is what has really taken off but of course there are adults who don’t know how to dance either so it is the adults and the children learning a different dance every week and doing some family dances as well. Overall we’ve had good crowds this year mainly because there are more people around than in other years and more families as well. I think over the years word has spread to come check out Toonie Tuesdays and this year we have had over 300 coming each week during summer.”
With Old Time music kicking things off along with the time slot geared towards the kids and local talent performing during the open mic portion, it has appeared to be the right combination. Getting the open mic part of the night off the ground this year has been local resident Al Madland and his team of Melvin Odne and Jarvis Mattson. Al who organized jam sessions at The Alley in Watrous during the winter months along with Odne and Mattson have combined forces with Strueby this summer.
“We have had a lot of younger people play or sing and it has been fun to watch them,” said Madland. “While it would be nice to see more of the local talent come out and perform, those who have been on stage have seemed to enjoy it.”
Found each Tuesday at the dance hall ensuring things run smoothly during the open mic part of the night, Madland watches from the back of the hall with a grin as the local talent takes the stage. Celebrating his birthday Aug. 20, coincidentally on the same night as Toonie Tuesday, Madland was happy with how the evening had gone.
“Along with some of the locals we have had a lot of people from the campground come out and sing this summer,” he said. “We have all of the equipment set up at Danceland for people to use if they like and what happens is people come to Manitou Beach to camp and see that we have an open mic night. Since they don’t have their equipment with them they ask if they can come out and use ours. Some perform on their own and some are put with a group. We have had a kid from Regina come out on three occasions. He’s 10 years old and can really sing. The first time he came out he was on the drums for the Miettinen girls from Watrous and the next two times he asked if he could sing. We have also had people from Manitoba and Alberta perform and people from numerous places in Saskatchewan as well. It gives them great experience and it also provides a great opportunity for them to learn what it is like playing in front of a crowd.”
With 355 people in attendance two weeks ago and another strong crowd last week, Madland said it has been really enjoyable. “Having Melvin on sound and Jarvis helping me out and performing as well has been great. Without them I wouldn’t be able to make it work. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces throughout the night makes it all worth it.”
With the open mic portion of the night allowing for a variety of music, Strueby said it all comes down to whoever shows up and whatever they decide to play. “There have been five piece bands show up but if bands don’t come or there is no local talent scheduled for the evening then Jarvis gets on stage. It is all spontaneous and whatever happens, happens. We get people coming and going and it is a full night of entertainment.”
With a smile on her face as she watches the enthusiastic dancers take a spin on the floating maple floor situated on layers of soft horse hair, Millie said, “Having the local talent play, that is fun and you don’t even have to know how to dance. Just watching the kids is fun. They get so excited and some of the little ones get dressed up for Toonie Tuesday because they are going to a dance at Danceland.”
And for the kids who break out a move or two on the dance floor, it becomes a memorable life moment for them as well. “I remember from those first years I did Toonie Tuesdays, I now have 20 and 30 year olds coming up to me saying they learned how to dance at Toonie night so it has paid off. Now they can go anywhere and feel more confident when they dance. It is a fun night and there is a lot of local talent coming out of the woodwork.”
While both Strueby and Madland encourage other local singers and bands to come perform, the pair are pleased with the results so far. In fact for Strueby, seeing Toonie Tuesdays continue on for nearly two decades has been quite a surprise after it originated from a jam session. With her husband Arnie and some of their band members from The Decades, Millie said the weekly night all started because they were strumming one time and people kept encouraging them to keep playing.
“So we called it a jam session at the beginning and it evolved into three or four people that clicked together and we went every Tuesday. So we added the Toonie part to it and just went with that. Two dollars gets you in the door like it did back then and it is a lot of fun.”
Now 19 years later, people are still coming back to spend their Tuesday evenings at Danceland. “It starts at the beginning of June and goes until the end of September. People of all ages can experience Danceland and dancing on its floor. Our only rule is no food or drinks on the floor because spills are bad to clean up. Other than that wear any clean shoes and have fun.”
Daniel Bushman
Decades ago Danceland was hopping with people as hundreds would make the trip to the iconic building to take a whirl on the dance floor. With vehicles parked from one side of the road to the other, inside the historic dance hall at Manitou Beach, patrons would eagerly dance while listening to their favourite musicians perform. Now decades later and over the summer months that electric atmosphere has been revived with one car after another arriving at Danceland for something known as Toonie Tuesdays.
During a recent Tuesday evening in August, owner of Danceland Millie Strueby could be spotted playing the keyboard on stage as people entered through the doors. Strueby who came up with the idea of Toonie Tuesdays nearly 20 years ago is joined by four other musicians as they play during the Old Time music portion of the night. After the group hits the final note of their last song, a couple who have been driving out from Etters Beach each week during the summer take over. Over the past several weeks, the pair have been teaching those young and old a few dances. On this particular occasion it is the two-step. Going through the moves, kids flow onto the floor eager to learn, some with their friends and others with their parents or grandparents. Being put through the paces, the kids are encouraged to pair up with family members, creating a lasting memory and one cherished by many who years ago danced as youngsters themselves.
“It is just like the old days,” said Millie from the iconic Danceland. “We lost the family dance years ago because people didn’t bring kids to dances anymore. This year we decided to have Toonie Tuesday starting at 7:30 p.m. and an hour in, we leave some time for the kids so it provides them with an opportunity to learn how to dance.”
With a few upbeat songs for the kids to dance to, as the kids portion of the night wraps up with the famous Chicken Dance, they leave the floor with smiles on their faces and memories of a fun evening. Followed by an open mic before the lights are dimmed on another evening, Strueby’s decision to implement a different format this year for Toonie Tuesdays has paid off. Attracting hundreds of people to Danceland on a weekly basis, local and visiting families with young children have been coming to give dancing a try.
“The kids part of the evening is what has really taken off but of course there are adults who don’t know how to dance either so it is the adults and the children learning a different dance every week and doing some family dances as well. Overall we’ve had good crowds this year mainly because there are more people around than in other years and more families as well. I think over the years word has spread to come check out Toonie Tuesdays and this year we have had over 300 coming each week during summer.”
With Old Time music kicking things off along with the time slot geared towards the kids and local talent performing during the open mic portion, it has appeared to be the right combination. Getting the open mic part of the night off the ground this year has been local resident Al Madland and his team of Melvin Odne and Jarvis Mattson. Al who organized jam sessions at The Alley in Watrous during the winter months along with Odne and Mattson have combined forces with Strueby this summer.
“We have had a lot of younger people play or sing and it has been fun to watch them,” said Madland. “While it would be nice to see more of the local talent come out and perform, those who have been on stage have seemed to enjoy it.”
Found each Tuesday at the dance hall ensuring things run smoothly during the open mic part of the night, Madland watches from the back of the hall with a grin as the local talent takes the stage. Celebrating his birthday Aug. 20, coincidentally on the same night as Toonie Tuesday, Madland was happy with how the evening had gone.
“Along with some of the locals we have had a lot of people from the campground come out and sing this summer,” he said. “We have all of the equipment set up at Danceland for people to use if they like and what happens is people come to Manitou Beach to camp and see that we have an open mic night. Since they don’t have their equipment with them they ask if they can come out and use ours. Some perform on their own and some are put with a group. We have had a kid from Regina come out on three occasions. He’s 10 years old and can really sing. The first time he came out he was on the drums for the Miettinen girls from Watrous and the next two times he asked if he could sing. We have also had people from Manitoba and Alberta perform and people from numerous places in Saskatchewan as well. It gives them great experience and it also provides a great opportunity for them to learn what it is like playing in front of a crowd.”
With 355 people in attendance two weeks ago and another strong crowd last week, Madland said it has been really enjoyable. “Having Melvin on sound and Jarvis helping me out and performing as well has been great. Without them I wouldn’t be able to make it work. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces throughout the night makes it all worth it.”
With the open mic portion of the night allowing for a variety of music, Strueby said it all comes down to whoever shows up and whatever they decide to play. “There have been five piece bands show up but if bands don’t come or there is no local talent scheduled for the evening then Jarvis gets on stage. It is all spontaneous and whatever happens, happens. We get people coming and going and it is a full night of entertainment.”
With a smile on her face as she watches the enthusiastic dancers take a spin on the floating maple floor situated on layers of soft horse hair, Millie said, “Having the local talent play, that is fun and you don’t even have to know how to dance. Just watching the kids is fun. They get so excited and some of the little ones get dressed up for Toonie Tuesday because they are going to a dance at Danceland.”
And for the kids who break out a move or two on the dance floor, it becomes a memorable life moment for them as well. “I remember from those first years I did Toonie Tuesdays, I now have 20 and 30 year olds coming up to me saying they learned how to dance at Toonie night so it has paid off. Now they can go anywhere and feel more confident when they dance. It is a fun night and there is a lot of local talent coming out of the woodwork.”
While both Strueby and Madland encourage other local singers and bands to come perform, the pair are pleased with the results so far. In fact for Strueby, seeing Toonie Tuesdays continue on for nearly two decades has been quite a surprise after it originated from a jam session. With her husband Arnie and some of their band members from The Decades, Millie said the weekly night all started because they were strumming one time and people kept encouraging them to keep playing.
“So we called it a jam session at the beginning and it evolved into three or four people that clicked together and we went every Tuesday. So we added the Toonie part to it and just went with that. Two dollars gets you in the door like it did back then and it is a lot of fun.”
Now 19 years later, people are still coming back to spend their Tuesday evenings at Danceland. “It starts at the beginning of June and goes until the end of September. People of all ages can experience Danceland and dancing on its floor. Our only rule is no food or drinks on the floor because spills are bad to clean up. Other than that wear any clean shoes and have fun.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 19, 2019
Manitou Maple Madness proves to be a cut above
Daniel Bushman
Carved out of massive pieces of wood, a gigantic crocodile watched motionless as spectators passed by while a pair of youngsters made a splash and an eagle soared under a blue tarp as nine carvers put their talents to the test during the third ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition. With a handful of other spectacular carvings thrust into the spotlight during the Aug. 8 to 11 event at Manitou Beach, carvers from across the country, including one from Manitou Beach, dazzled onlookers with their work.
Choosing from the enormous pieces of wood sourced from Glaslyn and locally and transported in by J.D. Weber Tree Services, once carvers made their selections, they got to work creating incredible and awe-inspiring masterpieces. One by one each project began taking shape and once the final touches were made, those watching the event were left in amazement.
Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec who was also one of the organizers said, “The carvers just knocked it out of the park this year. They just did an unreal job and we are really happy with the quality of carvings. They were really, really well done. Those poor judges had a tough time deciding who to give the nod to in the end but it was a real good event.”
After the hum of chainsaws ended Sunday, the judges took a walkabout to inspect each carving before making their decision. People in attendance also had the opportunity to vote on their favourite work and so did the carvers.
Taking home this year’s first place prize of $3,500 was Medicine Hat, Alberta’s Marina Cole who created ‘Cannon Ball’. Cole was also the winner of the People’s Choice award for $1,000 and was one of three carvers winning the Carvers’ Choice award (each receiving $334).
Each carver posted about their inspiration behind their work and Cole’s depicted two children swimming in the lake with one of them doing a cannonball into the water. The winning carver said, “My inspiration for this carving are my beautiful kids and beautiful Manitou Beach where everyone can come and enjoy the magnificent healing waters!”
Set up right next to Cole was this year’s second place winner of $2,000 and another Alberta carver, Ryan Villiers. Creating ‘Genie’s Quest,’ Villiers also joined Cole as one of the three winners of the Carvers’ Choice, receiving $334 for a total of $2,334.
Carving the Beast from Beauty and the Beast at the last Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition, Villiers was joined this year by his dad Colin and carved Abu the monkey from the movie Aladdin holding a lamp with Genie coming out of it. “Disney was always a childhood favourite and I always sketched the VHS covers in my sketch pad. There is too much turmoil in the world and carving the Genie from Aladdin, to me, represents happiness and enlightenment. The Genie has the gift of granting three wishes - whatever you desire! The Genie then makes your wishes come true . . . granting the happiness everyone desires and is hopeful for.”
With kids making a splash for first place and a Genie granting Abu’s wish to win some prize money, this year’s third place winner of $1,000 was Rob Milner from Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Milner created ‘Soaring Eagle,’ a majestic eagle flying near another perched on a cliff. Milner then created a bench attached to where the eagles were flying for people to sit. Enjoying the opportunity to be at Manitou Beach, during the morning of day three of the competition Milner posted on his Facebook page that Manitou Maple Madness was the best event he had ever attended. “Everyone here has been so kind. So far this has been a very pleasurable event and it isn’t even over yet. Loads of laughs and gold memories, and more to come.”
Milner also shared about his inspiration behind his creation. “I chose this bird for its symbol of beauty, bravery, courage, honour, pride, determination and grace. The eagle is viewed as a pure spirit. The eagle is known for its great strength, leadership and vision. An eagle never surrenders to the size or strength of its prey!! The eagle is man’s connection to the divine as it flies higher than any other bird. The eagle bestows freedom and the courage to look ahead.”
Along with the top three finishers and the People’s Choice award being handed out, the third winner of Carvers’ Choice was Winnipeg, Manitoba’s De-Ann Holmes for her creation, ‘Before Alice and Wonderland.’ Joining Cole and Villiers, Holmes took home $334 and shared her inspiration behind her carving. “The white rabbit is the spark of curiosity that activates Alice’s spiritual awakening. It is the white rabbit who leads Alice down the rabbit hole . . . It is the white rabbit which Alice runs after and searches for endlessly in Wonderland, a symbol of her quest for knowledge. The rabbit finds a watch - “Well no wonder you’re late! This clock is exactly two days slow!” - The Mad Hatter examining the watch.”
In addition to the winners, Marty Duerinckx created ‘Basic Instincts’ depicting an eagle holding a fish in its talons with a bear looking up at the eagle. Jim Niedermayer who has competed at the event in the past made a large Blue Heron looking up to the sky. Another returning carver, Doug Linglebach created ‘Big Bertha,’ a massive crocodile stretching a number of feet in length. Carver Patricia Dippolito’s inspiration came from Manitou Beach’s past as she carved a Sea Monkey and Manitou Beach’s own Wayne Seabrook carved ‘Bird Bath,’ using satire to make an environment statement with an eagle, gull and raven.
As for the rest of Manitou Maple Madness, carvers also participated in a quick carving event, creating bears, a beaver, owls and other works that people could bid on. A water boiling competition was also held as was axe throwing and bouncy castles were set up for the kids with food available for purchase. With lots to do and check out, Worobec said the entire four days were fantastic.
“They went really well and we had the best Thursday we ever had out of the three events we’ve held. We were blown away by that and while it was slower Friday evening because of the Rider game on TV and the Garth Brooks concert in Regina, Saturday was really good and so was Sunday.”
Worobec said the axe throwing was done by a crew out of Regina who allowed a number of competitors to try it out and some of them walked away with a prize. “We had really good sponsorship this year for prizes. People were coming out of the woodwork and lending a hand by sponsoring prizes. It was awesome.”
Men’s, ladies’ and kids’ events were set up for the axe throwing with prizes handed out and then the sign up sheet was quickly filled for the water boiling competition. “We ended up with two heats of four for the adults and two heats of four for the kids. The four winners then went head-to-head and we had four nice prizes for them.”
Then after everything wrapped up, the community came together to celebrate Manitou Beach’s 100th birthday since incorporation. With entertainment, powwow dancers, refreshments and birthday cake, Worobec said it went really well.
“While we did have a bit of a delay as we generated the cheques for the winning carvers, after announcing the winners we had the cake cutting and people enjoyed cake, juice, coffee and visited as well. Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said a few words on behalf of the community and our local MLA Donna Harpauer and local MP Tom Lukiwski were also in attendance. They were completely blown away by the event. The Lakeside Country Inn also took the carvers out for a cruise along the lake on their pontoon boat and I think they really enjoyed that experience as well. Our attendance as a whole was definitely higher than the previous two chainsaw carving competitions which was really good to see. That final day on Sunday, the parking lot was packed and the weather was practically perfect with the exception of a shower Friday.”
The mayor did note that the third ever event was to be the final one; however with the popularity of the chainsaw carving competition growing each year, he said it looks like it could continue.
“This was supposed to be the last one but people have been encouraging us to continue the event and it looks like we will be doing that. It has been picking up momentum and I think we would like to keep that going in two years time. We really had a good time and it was lots of fun. It was very busy, a lot of work and our volunteers did a tremendous job and at the end of the day, it was well worth every minute of it.”
Daniel Bushman
Carved out of massive pieces of wood, a gigantic crocodile watched motionless as spectators passed by while a pair of youngsters made a splash and an eagle soared under a blue tarp as nine carvers put their talents to the test during the third ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition. With a handful of other spectacular carvings thrust into the spotlight during the Aug. 8 to 11 event at Manitou Beach, carvers from across the country, including one from Manitou Beach, dazzled onlookers with their work.
Choosing from the enormous pieces of wood sourced from Glaslyn and locally and transported in by J.D. Weber Tree Services, once carvers made their selections, they got to work creating incredible and awe-inspiring masterpieces. One by one each project began taking shape and once the final touches were made, those watching the event were left in amazement.
Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec who was also one of the organizers said, “The carvers just knocked it out of the park this year. They just did an unreal job and we are really happy with the quality of carvings. They were really, really well done. Those poor judges had a tough time deciding who to give the nod to in the end but it was a real good event.”
After the hum of chainsaws ended Sunday, the judges took a walkabout to inspect each carving before making their decision. People in attendance also had the opportunity to vote on their favourite work and so did the carvers.
Taking home this year’s first place prize of $3,500 was Medicine Hat, Alberta’s Marina Cole who created ‘Cannon Ball’. Cole was also the winner of the People’s Choice award for $1,000 and was one of three carvers winning the Carvers’ Choice award (each receiving $334).
Each carver posted about their inspiration behind their work and Cole’s depicted two children swimming in the lake with one of them doing a cannonball into the water. The winning carver said, “My inspiration for this carving are my beautiful kids and beautiful Manitou Beach where everyone can come and enjoy the magnificent healing waters!”
Set up right next to Cole was this year’s second place winner of $2,000 and another Alberta carver, Ryan Villiers. Creating ‘Genie’s Quest,’ Villiers also joined Cole as one of the three winners of the Carvers’ Choice, receiving $334 for a total of $2,334.
Carving the Beast from Beauty and the Beast at the last Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition, Villiers was joined this year by his dad Colin and carved Abu the monkey from the movie Aladdin holding a lamp with Genie coming out of it. “Disney was always a childhood favourite and I always sketched the VHS covers in my sketch pad. There is too much turmoil in the world and carving the Genie from Aladdin, to me, represents happiness and enlightenment. The Genie has the gift of granting three wishes - whatever you desire! The Genie then makes your wishes come true . . . granting the happiness everyone desires and is hopeful for.”
With kids making a splash for first place and a Genie granting Abu’s wish to win some prize money, this year’s third place winner of $1,000 was Rob Milner from Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Milner created ‘Soaring Eagle,’ a majestic eagle flying near another perched on a cliff. Milner then created a bench attached to where the eagles were flying for people to sit. Enjoying the opportunity to be at Manitou Beach, during the morning of day three of the competition Milner posted on his Facebook page that Manitou Maple Madness was the best event he had ever attended. “Everyone here has been so kind. So far this has been a very pleasurable event and it isn’t even over yet. Loads of laughs and gold memories, and more to come.”
Milner also shared about his inspiration behind his creation. “I chose this bird for its symbol of beauty, bravery, courage, honour, pride, determination and grace. The eagle is viewed as a pure spirit. The eagle is known for its great strength, leadership and vision. An eagle never surrenders to the size or strength of its prey!! The eagle is man’s connection to the divine as it flies higher than any other bird. The eagle bestows freedom and the courage to look ahead.”
Along with the top three finishers and the People’s Choice award being handed out, the third winner of Carvers’ Choice was Winnipeg, Manitoba’s De-Ann Holmes for her creation, ‘Before Alice and Wonderland.’ Joining Cole and Villiers, Holmes took home $334 and shared her inspiration behind her carving. “The white rabbit is the spark of curiosity that activates Alice’s spiritual awakening. It is the white rabbit who leads Alice down the rabbit hole . . . It is the white rabbit which Alice runs after and searches for endlessly in Wonderland, a symbol of her quest for knowledge. The rabbit finds a watch - “Well no wonder you’re late! This clock is exactly two days slow!” - The Mad Hatter examining the watch.”
In addition to the winners, Marty Duerinckx created ‘Basic Instincts’ depicting an eagle holding a fish in its talons with a bear looking up at the eagle. Jim Niedermayer who has competed at the event in the past made a large Blue Heron looking up to the sky. Another returning carver, Doug Linglebach created ‘Big Bertha,’ a massive crocodile stretching a number of feet in length. Carver Patricia Dippolito’s inspiration came from Manitou Beach’s past as she carved a Sea Monkey and Manitou Beach’s own Wayne Seabrook carved ‘Bird Bath,’ using satire to make an environment statement with an eagle, gull and raven.
As for the rest of Manitou Maple Madness, carvers also participated in a quick carving event, creating bears, a beaver, owls and other works that people could bid on. A water boiling competition was also held as was axe throwing and bouncy castles were set up for the kids with food available for purchase. With lots to do and check out, Worobec said the entire four days were fantastic.
“They went really well and we had the best Thursday we ever had out of the three events we’ve held. We were blown away by that and while it was slower Friday evening because of the Rider game on TV and the Garth Brooks concert in Regina, Saturday was really good and so was Sunday.”
Worobec said the axe throwing was done by a crew out of Regina who allowed a number of competitors to try it out and some of them walked away with a prize. “We had really good sponsorship this year for prizes. People were coming out of the woodwork and lending a hand by sponsoring prizes. It was awesome.”
Men’s, ladies’ and kids’ events were set up for the axe throwing with prizes handed out and then the sign up sheet was quickly filled for the water boiling competition. “We ended up with two heats of four for the adults and two heats of four for the kids. The four winners then went head-to-head and we had four nice prizes for them.”
Then after everything wrapped up, the community came together to celebrate Manitou Beach’s 100th birthday since incorporation. With entertainment, powwow dancers, refreshments and birthday cake, Worobec said it went really well.
“While we did have a bit of a delay as we generated the cheques for the winning carvers, after announcing the winners we had the cake cutting and people enjoyed cake, juice, coffee and visited as well. Watrous Mayor Ed Collins said a few words on behalf of the community and our local MLA Donna Harpauer and local MP Tom Lukiwski were also in attendance. They were completely blown away by the event. The Lakeside Country Inn also took the carvers out for a cruise along the lake on their pontoon boat and I think they really enjoyed that experience as well. Our attendance as a whole was definitely higher than the previous two chainsaw carving competitions which was really good to see. That final day on Sunday, the parking lot was packed and the weather was practically perfect with the exception of a shower Friday.”
The mayor did note that the third ever event was to be the final one; however with the popularity of the chainsaw carving competition growing each year, he said it looks like it could continue.
“This was supposed to be the last one but people have been encouraging us to continue the event and it looks like we will be doing that. It has been picking up momentum and I think we would like to keep that going in two years time. We really had a good time and it was lots of fun. It was very busy, a lot of work and our volunteers did a tremendous job and at the end of the day, it was well worth every minute of it.”
TWM Top Story - Aug. 12, 2019
Record broken at 28th annual Watrous Fun Run
Daniel Bushman
Packed from one end of the street to the other, Main Street in Watrous was not only filled with vehicles of all makes and models but hundreds of people who were eager to check out each of the entries at this year’s Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine. As has been the case for so many years prior, the 28th annual event featured sunshine, family-friendly events, food and a tremendous amount of vehicles.
Noting this would be the final event for organizers Jason and Laura Lindgren, vehicle owners showed their support for the pair as 280 entries were submitted for this year’s Fun Run. That number also set a new record for the event beating 2017’s number of 274. Last year there were more than 230 entries registered.
With numbers climbing towards 300 as the morning went along, that meant overflow was needed to park all of the entries. Space was created at the Watrous Civic Centre parking lot along with a portion of 4th Ave. W. and even part of the parking space next to the former Shop Easy.
“This year’s show was excellent,” said Jason. “We had an average number of local entries and I think there were a quite a few vehicles still parked at home in the garage but I really appreciated all of the local residents who supported this year’s event.”
Enjoying the 2019 version as much as his previous 23 events, Lindgren said he and wife Laura first shadowed the Coachman Car Club back in 1995 and then began organizing in 1996. Having the support from local businesses, organizations and the volunteers over the years helped to make the annual event in Watrous grow to what it is now. Because of that continued support and popularity, Lindgren extended his sincere appreciation to those who have been behind the Fun Run in the past. He also hopes the many who have graciously supported the event will continue to do so in the future as the economic impact to the local area extends beyond that one day.
“A week after the show in Watrous Laura and I went to Brandon, Man. for the annual interprovincial car show called Super Run. It is held in Saskatoon every second year and other years it rotates between Brandon and Red Deer.”
Hosting anywhere between 600 and 1,000 vehicles over three days with activities throughout the week, Jason said they were able to visit with a number of people familiar with the annual event in Watrous and many who attended it.
“One individual from LaRonge had said that because of our event and hospitality, he and his wife have seriously considered Watrous as one of their potential retirement communities. Another gentleman had expressed that the event brought him to town and he was amazed at the huge selection of automobile inventory that Watrous had. He ended up purchasing a new truck at Centennial Ford because of it.”
As residents of a smaller community, Lindgren said being able to host events like the Watrous Fun Run is integral for the future growth and stability of the area. “There is a lot more economic spin off in a community than just food, lodging and fuel. It is because of these businesses that we are able to successfully cater to and host these events with such success. As small towns and villages seem to disappear, it is more important than ever to keep Watrous and Manitou Beach as a destination point on the map. A place where people want to live, work, raise a family and retire. I sincerely hope a group will take on the 29th annual edition July 25, 2020 and Fun Run events beyond next year as well. I will be embarrassed and very disappointed if the town and its business community let this event disappear.”
While no specific group has confirmed they will take on the event moving forward, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said, “The Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has taken an active role in finding the next group of people to carry on the Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine or create a similar Main Street event for next year.”
As for this year’s show, after it wrapped up and owners took their vehicles for a drive through Watrous and Manitou Beach, the annual award’s banquet was held. This year’s award winners from the show included:
Top 10 spectator picks (in no particular order other than number one received the most votes)
• 10th #256 Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy - sponsored by MCI Sales;
• ninth #194 Myles Eckersley - 1966 Chevelle - sponsored by Watrous Co-op;
• eighth #146 Roger Davidson - 1966 VW Beetle - sponsored by Gerry’s Barber Shop;
• seventh #114 Ellery Siermachesky - 1967 Ford - sponsored by Watrous Tire and Battery;
• sixth #111 Matt Anderson - 1987 Dodge Truck - sponsored by Watrous Concrete;
• fifth #42 Jacob Siegfried - 2014 Jeep - sponsored by M&M Small Engine Repair;
• fourth #196 Bernie Niska - 1934 Pontiac - sponsored by Care Printing;
• third #183 Garrett Benell - 1966 Chevelle - sponsored by Watrous Tire & Battery;
• second #116 Kyle Stachiack - 1969 Charger - sponsored by The Watrous Manitou; and
• first #180 Harlan Coakwell - 1959 Chev Apache - sponsored by Sly’s Repair
Best Harley
• #169 - Terry Sather - 2016 Harley Davidson - sponsored by DMH Plumbing & Heating
Best Antique Bike
• #148 - Gordon Anderson - 1956 - sponsored by Al’s Truck N’ Car Wash
Best Other Motorcycle
• #205 - Roger Davidson - 2017 Indian Chief - sponsored by Integra Tire
Best Paint
• #47 - Randy Worobec - 1932 Ford Coupe - sponsored by Storage First
Best Unrestored
• #239 - Brian Harrison - 1970 Cuda - sponsored by Watrous Home Hardware
Best Import
• #145 - Rick Middleton - 1960 Triumph - sponsored by H&R Block
Coolest Rat Rod
• #256 - Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy 5 Window Coupe - sponsored by Tri-Central Insurance
Oldest Entry
• #155 - Rob and Joyce Burkitt - 1924 Ford - sponsored by Watrous Lawn & Leisure
Farthest Entries - sponsored by Pip’s Esso & Subway
• #256 - Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy 5W Coupe - West Kelowna, B.C. - 1,305 km; and
• #13 - Tom Kennedy - 1934 Ford Pickup - Tappen, B.C. - 1,218 km
Dealer Picks
Best Ford
• #260 - Gerald Bernauer - 1968 Shelby Mustang - sponsored by Centennial Ford
Best GM
• #180 - Harlan Coakwell - 1959 Chev Apache - sponsored by Watrous Mainline Motors
Best Mopar
• # 140 - Lyle Poncelet - 1971 Hemi Challenger - sponsored by Manitou Mainline Chrysler
VIP Draw Winner
• #67 - Steve Harris - 1977 Olds Cutlass - sponsored by Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa
Pre-Registration Draw
• #37 -Al and Joanne Jennings - 1967 Beaumont Sport - sponsored by Watrous Fun Run
Best Club Participation
• Sask Ford Mercury Club - 29 club entries - sponsored by Watrous Fun Run
Daniel Bushman
Packed from one end of the street to the other, Main Street in Watrous was not only filled with vehicles of all makes and models but hundreds of people who were eager to check out each of the entries at this year’s Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine. As has been the case for so many years prior, the 28th annual event featured sunshine, family-friendly events, food and a tremendous amount of vehicles.
Noting this would be the final event for organizers Jason and Laura Lindgren, vehicle owners showed their support for the pair as 280 entries were submitted for this year’s Fun Run. That number also set a new record for the event beating 2017’s number of 274. Last year there were more than 230 entries registered.
With numbers climbing towards 300 as the morning went along, that meant overflow was needed to park all of the entries. Space was created at the Watrous Civic Centre parking lot along with a portion of 4th Ave. W. and even part of the parking space next to the former Shop Easy.
“This year’s show was excellent,” said Jason. “We had an average number of local entries and I think there were a quite a few vehicles still parked at home in the garage but I really appreciated all of the local residents who supported this year’s event.”
Enjoying the 2019 version as much as his previous 23 events, Lindgren said he and wife Laura first shadowed the Coachman Car Club back in 1995 and then began organizing in 1996. Having the support from local businesses, organizations and the volunteers over the years helped to make the annual event in Watrous grow to what it is now. Because of that continued support and popularity, Lindgren extended his sincere appreciation to those who have been behind the Fun Run in the past. He also hopes the many who have graciously supported the event will continue to do so in the future as the economic impact to the local area extends beyond that one day.
“A week after the show in Watrous Laura and I went to Brandon, Man. for the annual interprovincial car show called Super Run. It is held in Saskatoon every second year and other years it rotates between Brandon and Red Deer.”
Hosting anywhere between 600 and 1,000 vehicles over three days with activities throughout the week, Jason said they were able to visit with a number of people familiar with the annual event in Watrous and many who attended it.
“One individual from LaRonge had said that because of our event and hospitality, he and his wife have seriously considered Watrous as one of their potential retirement communities. Another gentleman had expressed that the event brought him to town and he was amazed at the huge selection of automobile inventory that Watrous had. He ended up purchasing a new truck at Centennial Ford because of it.”
As residents of a smaller community, Lindgren said being able to host events like the Watrous Fun Run is integral for the future growth and stability of the area. “There is a lot more economic spin off in a community than just food, lodging and fuel. It is because of these businesses that we are able to successfully cater to and host these events with such success. As small towns and villages seem to disappear, it is more important than ever to keep Watrous and Manitou Beach as a destination point on the map. A place where people want to live, work, raise a family and retire. I sincerely hope a group will take on the 29th annual edition July 25, 2020 and Fun Run events beyond next year as well. I will be embarrassed and very disappointed if the town and its business community let this event disappear.”
While no specific group has confirmed they will take on the event moving forward, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said, “The Watrous Manitou Marketing Group has taken an active role in finding the next group of people to carry on the Watrous Fun Run Auto Show and Shine or create a similar Main Street event for next year.”
As for this year’s show, after it wrapped up and owners took their vehicles for a drive through Watrous and Manitou Beach, the annual award’s banquet was held. This year’s award winners from the show included:
Top 10 spectator picks (in no particular order other than number one received the most votes)
• 10th #256 Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy - sponsored by MCI Sales;
• ninth #194 Myles Eckersley - 1966 Chevelle - sponsored by Watrous Co-op;
• eighth #146 Roger Davidson - 1966 VW Beetle - sponsored by Gerry’s Barber Shop;
• seventh #114 Ellery Siermachesky - 1967 Ford - sponsored by Watrous Tire and Battery;
• sixth #111 Matt Anderson - 1987 Dodge Truck - sponsored by Watrous Concrete;
• fifth #42 Jacob Siegfried - 2014 Jeep - sponsored by M&M Small Engine Repair;
• fourth #196 Bernie Niska - 1934 Pontiac - sponsored by Care Printing;
• third #183 Garrett Benell - 1966 Chevelle - sponsored by Watrous Tire & Battery;
• second #116 Kyle Stachiack - 1969 Charger - sponsored by The Watrous Manitou; and
• first #180 Harlan Coakwell - 1959 Chev Apache - sponsored by Sly’s Repair
Best Harley
• #169 - Terry Sather - 2016 Harley Davidson - sponsored by DMH Plumbing & Heating
Best Antique Bike
• #148 - Gordon Anderson - 1956 - sponsored by Al’s Truck N’ Car Wash
Best Other Motorcycle
• #205 - Roger Davidson - 2017 Indian Chief - sponsored by Integra Tire
Best Paint
• #47 - Randy Worobec - 1932 Ford Coupe - sponsored by Storage First
Best Unrestored
• #239 - Brian Harrison - 1970 Cuda - sponsored by Watrous Home Hardware
Best Import
• #145 - Rick Middleton - 1960 Triumph - sponsored by H&R Block
Coolest Rat Rod
• #256 - Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy 5 Window Coupe - sponsored by Tri-Central Insurance
Oldest Entry
• #155 - Rob and Joyce Burkitt - 1924 Ford - sponsored by Watrous Lawn & Leisure
Farthest Entries - sponsored by Pip’s Esso & Subway
• #256 - Hawkeye - 1936 Chevy 5W Coupe - West Kelowna, B.C. - 1,305 km; and
• #13 - Tom Kennedy - 1934 Ford Pickup - Tappen, B.C. - 1,218 km
Dealer Picks
Best Ford
• #260 - Gerald Bernauer - 1968 Shelby Mustang - sponsored by Centennial Ford
Best GM
• #180 - Harlan Coakwell - 1959 Chev Apache - sponsored by Watrous Mainline Motors
Best Mopar
• # 140 - Lyle Poncelet - 1971 Hemi Challenger - sponsored by Manitou Mainline Chrysler
VIP Draw Winner
• #67 - Steve Harris - 1977 Olds Cutlass - sponsored by Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa
Pre-Registration Draw
• #37 -Al and Joanne Jennings - 1967 Beaumont Sport - sponsored by Watrous Fun Run
Best Club Participation
• Sask Ford Mercury Club - 29 club entries - sponsored by Watrous Fun Run
TWM Top Story - Aug.5, 2019
The Big Float part of centennial celebrations
Daniel Bushman
It was almost like a snapshot from the 1920s (minus perhaps a giant inflatable pink flamingo or two) as people came out in droves July 13, 2019 to go for a float in Little Manitou Lake. Rivalling Banff during the 1920s, Manitou Beach was the place to be during the summer months as beach-goers would crowd the shores and take in the ‘healing waters.’ Over 90 years later, a familiar scene from the 1920s would play out, this time on a Saturday afternoon as nearly 2,000 people packed the beach to take part in the Big Float.
Aiming to set a local record for the most people floating in the buoyant water at one time, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said the afternoon event went extremely well. “We had 1,640 people from across the globe who registered to float. There were a lot of Saskatchewan and Alberta people who came for the event and we had a lot of publicity beforehand which really helped to put it in the spotlight. We had heard a few media outlets in Alberta even talked about the Big Float and it ended up being a fantastic day and the weather was great.”
Like others who made their way to the Big Float location near the Burger Buoy, ODA’s and Mike’s Beach Bar, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec thought back to when he was a kid. Going over the memories of being at the beach at an early age until now, Worobec could not recall seeing the place as busy as it was during that July afternoon. “This was probably for me one of the most exciting and spectacular events I’ve seen at the beach. I was awestruck with the whole thing. It was fabulous and I found out that there were people from all over the place who came and it was such a fun thing to be a part of. It was a blast and I really enjoyed it. I have never seen anything like it.”
Waking up to calm waters Saturday morning, Manz said organizers made a few final tweaks, set up the registration area across the road from the water and got set for what was to come.
“We had 3,000 engagements on our Facebook page leading up to the Big Float but were not sure how many people would actually come. We knew a large number was a possibility and actually there ended up being more people in attendance who did not register as part of that 1,640 number. Overall we could not have asked for a better turnout.”
In addition to 1,200 people registering from Saskatchewan, Manz noted 265 local people signed up for the event along with 85 from Alberta, 21 from Manitoba, 16 from B.C., 24 from other parts of Canada, 14 from the United States, and 15 from further destinations including three from Germany, three from Moscow, two from Switzerland, and two from the United Kingdom.
“The Big Float definitely engaged people who necessarily would not have come to see us but they sought to be a part of a local record which we attained and to be a part of this event. It got people coming out of the cities who normally would not have come to see us on that weekend. They received more exposure to Manitou Beach and it might be something we look to build on in the future.”
Agreeing wholeheartedly, Woroboc was pleased to see the beach receiving a lot of exposure from the people who turned out. “Brendan did a fabulous job of getting the word out leading up to the event. Every time I turned on the radio or went on Facebook or what have you, it was out there and was well done and organized. It was a pretty proud day and really fun and I hope the committee looks at trying it again next year. Maybe we will hit that 2,000 mark or better.”
In order to create an event like the Big Float, Manz said it could not have been done without the organizers, volunteers and the support from the local community.
“We really appreciated the community and volunteers willing to lend a hand. We had about 25 local residents helping out that day including members from the Watrous RCMP, Watrous Fire Department and Watrous EMS who were great to work with. Just a hats off to everyone for helping to make it happen.”
While Manz and Worobec were not around to experience the incredible numbers of people visiting Manitou Beach back in the 1920s, the pair heard from local residents that the beach looked like it once did during that time period.
“Back then the businesses were all busy and hundreds of people would be in the water and on the beach at any given time,” said Manz. “That is what this place used to be and that has always been our goal to get back to that and this day was an opportunity to celebrate it. On July 13, businesses were busy, people were swimming in the water and relaxing on the beach. When the horn blew at 2 p.m. to signal the official start of the Big Float and the plane flew overhead to snap pictures, people floating in the water and those on the beach gave an enormous cheer. To hear that many people so excited gave me goose bumps. It was incredible to witness.”
A real highlight to the year for a lot of people while signifying Manitou Beach’s 100th anniversary since incorporation, the Big Float is not the only thing people are celebrating. Later this week people will have the chance to once again mark the big year with the third-ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition followed by a community picnic.
Taking place next to the Community Hall at Manitou Beach, at least nine carvers will compete at this year’s chainsaw carving competition. Going Aug. 8 to 11, world class carvers will be showing off their talents by taking massive pieces of wood and creating masterpieces. A quick carve event will also return for a third year where people can watch and bid on the smaller carvings with the winning bidder taking the finished piece home.
Worobec said, “In addition to other things that are going to be happening during Aug. 8 to 11 like whittling, bouncy castles, having food vendors on site and a dunk tank, we will have a person doing some axe throwing demonstrations and we will do the water boiling competition again. Once people took to the water boiling competition during our second year of the chainsaw carving event, we had 16 competitors sign up and we took the winner from each heat so four people went head-to-head with some prizes awarded after. It ended up being a really fun event.”
The mayor of the beach noted a few returning carvers will be joined this year by a few new ones who will display their handiwork to those in attendance. People can watch the progress of the carvers each day with the final pieces being judged Sunday afternoon. Since hosting the event is quite costly to hold every other year, Worobec said some local businesses have stepped up in a major way for the 2019 event including Watrous Home Hardware, Manitou Mainline Chrysler and Melron Service. “Their sponsorship will help tremendously with this event and along with gate admission, a 50/50 draw and revenue from the beer gardens, it will all help with the added costs. This was not intended to be a money making event but to hold a different event for people to enjoy. I think it has started to become well-known and a lot of people look forward to it when it takes place.”
As carvers spend Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday creating and crafting their works, once they complete their projects Sunday, judging will take place in the early afternoon in conjunction with a community picnic.
Dignitaries will be in attendance for the picnic which will mark the community’s 100th anniversary. Worobec along with others will be speaking at the afternoon event and there will also be entertainment as well. People wanting to attend the picnic can bring their own food or buy some from the vendors on site. Birthday cake, coffee and juice will also be served and Manz said the entertainment for the big celebration includes Guy Anderson, The Garry Girlz and Pow wow drummers, singers and dancers.
“This day is pretty neat because it is the actual day of incorporation so it will be a nice wrap up with the chainsaw carving competition ending that afternoon as well.” Manz continued, “It has been a pretty terrific year both at Manitou Beach and in Watrous. With the opening of the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre and another great Fun Run Auto Show and Shine, the area’s popularity appears to be at an all-time high. There might not be as much going on in 2020 as of now but the popularity of the area continues to grow and these events help make that happen.”
Daniel Bushman
It was almost like a snapshot from the 1920s (minus perhaps a giant inflatable pink flamingo or two) as people came out in droves July 13, 2019 to go for a float in Little Manitou Lake. Rivalling Banff during the 1920s, Manitou Beach was the place to be during the summer months as beach-goers would crowd the shores and take in the ‘healing waters.’ Over 90 years later, a familiar scene from the 1920s would play out, this time on a Saturday afternoon as nearly 2,000 people packed the beach to take part in the Big Float.
Aiming to set a local record for the most people floating in the buoyant water at one time, Community Development Officer with the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group Brendan Manz said the afternoon event went extremely well. “We had 1,640 people from across the globe who registered to float. There were a lot of Saskatchewan and Alberta people who came for the event and we had a lot of publicity beforehand which really helped to put it in the spotlight. We had heard a few media outlets in Alberta even talked about the Big Float and it ended up being a fantastic day and the weather was great.”
Like others who made their way to the Big Float location near the Burger Buoy, ODA’s and Mike’s Beach Bar, Manitou Beach Mayor Gerald Worobec thought back to when he was a kid. Going over the memories of being at the beach at an early age until now, Worobec could not recall seeing the place as busy as it was during that July afternoon. “This was probably for me one of the most exciting and spectacular events I’ve seen at the beach. I was awestruck with the whole thing. It was fabulous and I found out that there were people from all over the place who came and it was such a fun thing to be a part of. It was a blast and I really enjoyed it. I have never seen anything like it.”
Waking up to calm waters Saturday morning, Manz said organizers made a few final tweaks, set up the registration area across the road from the water and got set for what was to come.
“We had 3,000 engagements on our Facebook page leading up to the Big Float but were not sure how many people would actually come. We knew a large number was a possibility and actually there ended up being more people in attendance who did not register as part of that 1,640 number. Overall we could not have asked for a better turnout.”
In addition to 1,200 people registering from Saskatchewan, Manz noted 265 local people signed up for the event along with 85 from Alberta, 21 from Manitoba, 16 from B.C., 24 from other parts of Canada, 14 from the United States, and 15 from further destinations including three from Germany, three from Moscow, two from Switzerland, and two from the United Kingdom.
“The Big Float definitely engaged people who necessarily would not have come to see us but they sought to be a part of a local record which we attained and to be a part of this event. It got people coming out of the cities who normally would not have come to see us on that weekend. They received more exposure to Manitou Beach and it might be something we look to build on in the future.”
Agreeing wholeheartedly, Woroboc was pleased to see the beach receiving a lot of exposure from the people who turned out. “Brendan did a fabulous job of getting the word out leading up to the event. Every time I turned on the radio or went on Facebook or what have you, it was out there and was well done and organized. It was a pretty proud day and really fun and I hope the committee looks at trying it again next year. Maybe we will hit that 2,000 mark or better.”
In order to create an event like the Big Float, Manz said it could not have been done without the organizers, volunteers and the support from the local community.
“We really appreciated the community and volunteers willing to lend a hand. We had about 25 local residents helping out that day including members from the Watrous RCMP, Watrous Fire Department and Watrous EMS who were great to work with. Just a hats off to everyone for helping to make it happen.”
While Manz and Worobec were not around to experience the incredible numbers of people visiting Manitou Beach back in the 1920s, the pair heard from local residents that the beach looked like it once did during that time period.
“Back then the businesses were all busy and hundreds of people would be in the water and on the beach at any given time,” said Manz. “That is what this place used to be and that has always been our goal to get back to that and this day was an opportunity to celebrate it. On July 13, businesses were busy, people were swimming in the water and relaxing on the beach. When the horn blew at 2 p.m. to signal the official start of the Big Float and the plane flew overhead to snap pictures, people floating in the water and those on the beach gave an enormous cheer. To hear that many people so excited gave me goose bumps. It was incredible to witness.”
A real highlight to the year for a lot of people while signifying Manitou Beach’s 100th anniversary since incorporation, the Big Float is not the only thing people are celebrating. Later this week people will have the chance to once again mark the big year with the third-ever Manitou Maple Madness Chainsaw Carving Competition followed by a community picnic.
Taking place next to the Community Hall at Manitou Beach, at least nine carvers will compete at this year’s chainsaw carving competition. Going Aug. 8 to 11, world class carvers will be showing off their talents by taking massive pieces of wood and creating masterpieces. A quick carve event will also return for a third year where people can watch and bid on the smaller carvings with the winning bidder taking the finished piece home.
Worobec said, “In addition to other things that are going to be happening during Aug. 8 to 11 like whittling, bouncy castles, having food vendors on site and a dunk tank, we will have a person doing some axe throwing demonstrations and we will do the water boiling competition again. Once people took to the water boiling competition during our second year of the chainsaw carving event, we had 16 competitors sign up and we took the winner from each heat so four people went head-to-head with some prizes awarded after. It ended up being a really fun event.”
The mayor of the beach noted a few returning carvers will be joined this year by a few new ones who will display their handiwork to those in attendance. People can watch the progress of the carvers each day with the final pieces being judged Sunday afternoon. Since hosting the event is quite costly to hold every other year, Worobec said some local businesses have stepped up in a major way for the 2019 event including Watrous Home Hardware, Manitou Mainline Chrysler and Melron Service. “Their sponsorship will help tremendously with this event and along with gate admission, a 50/50 draw and revenue from the beer gardens, it will all help with the added costs. This was not intended to be a money making event but to hold a different event for people to enjoy. I think it has started to become well-known and a lot of people look forward to it when it takes place.”
As carvers spend Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday creating and crafting their works, once they complete their projects Sunday, judging will take place in the early afternoon in conjunction with a community picnic.
Dignitaries will be in attendance for the picnic which will mark the community’s 100th anniversary. Worobec along with others will be speaking at the afternoon event and there will also be entertainment as well. People wanting to attend the picnic can bring their own food or buy some from the vendors on site. Birthday cake, coffee and juice will also be served and Manz said the entertainment for the big celebration includes Guy Anderson, The Garry Girlz and Pow wow drummers, singers and dancers.
“This day is pretty neat because it is the actual day of incorporation so it will be a nice wrap up with the chainsaw carving competition ending that afternoon as well.” Manz continued, “It has been a pretty terrific year both at Manitou Beach and in Watrous. With the opening of the Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre and another great Fun Run Auto Show and Shine, the area’s popularity appears to be at an all-time high. There might not be as much going on in 2020 as of now but the popularity of the area continues to grow and these events help make that happen.”
TWM Top Story - July 15, 2019
Local resident receives new lease on life
Daniel Bushman
For three days a week, spending four hours in a hospital receiving life-sustaining dialysis therapy each time over a five year time period, it had become painfully routine for Manitou Beach resident Michael Gaudet. Monday, June 10 appeared to be no different but by the time the day came to an end it would be life-altering for the 60-year-old who patiently awaited a kidney transplant.
Since he was informed that he needed a new kidney, the second time he would require such a transplant in his life, the artist and author essentially put his life on hold. Receiving upwards of 2,800 dialysis treatments and spending over 11,200 hours in a hospital over the next five years, June 10, 2019 started out like any other day for Gaudet. Michael and his wife Sharon got up on that June 10 morning, had a bite to eat and made the over one hour trek to Saskatoon where Michael spent the next four hours receiving dialysis. After another life-saving treatment, he and Sharon hopped back into the vehicle and returned home where they enjoyed supper and went to bed. Asleep and prepared to go in for another routine treatment, Gaudet’s phone rang. On the other end was nephrologist Dr. Ahmed Shoker, the medical director of the provincial transplant program.
“Michael, we have a kidney for you.”
Words Michael and Sharon had been waiting for . . . words that his supporters had been hoping for . . . and words that Gaudet had remarkably heard once before.
It was nearly 40 years ago when Gaudet was first diagnosed with end stage renal failure. On emergency dialysis in Toronto, he endured seven months of being hooked up to a machine before his brother Steve generously donated one of his own kidneys. Lasting for 34 years, a record Gaudet notes for Western Canada, his kidney began to taper off and in 2014 it was time for a new one. However, the problem this time around was that Michael did not have a willing donor and had to wait it out.
Unfortunately the local resident is not alone in that waiting game as four million Canadians and 850 million people across the globe are estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. That is according to the Kidney Foundation of Canada who noted chronic kidney disease causes at least 2.4 million deaths per year globally and is now the sixth fastest growing cause of death.
Elizabeth Myles, Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada said since 2008 the number of people living with kidney failure in Canada has grown by 35 percent. “It is the 10th leading non-accidental cause of mortality in Canada, so the situation remains alarming for Canadians.”
The Kidney Foundation of Canada further explained a person can lose more than 50 percent of their kidney function before symptoms appear. Currently, nearly 49,000 Canadians are being treated for kidney failure and 25 percent of patients were late referrals, meaning they began dialysis fewer than 90 days after first seeing a nephrologist.
For Gaudet, knowing he could die without dialysis, it meant five gruelling years of going back and forth to Saskatoon and being hooked up to a machine. “I never gave up hope though because my surgeon, Dr. Michael Moser kept saying to me that one of these days at 3 a.m. you will be wheeling down towards the operating room for a kidney. Just keep the faith.”
Not giving up or losing hope, the phone call Michael and Sharon had been waiting for finally came. Dr. Shoker explained to Gaudet that he had a kidney for him. While it was not a perfect match, it was indeed a good match.
Packing an overnight bag as quickly as he humanly could, like they had done so many times before, Michael and Sharon hopped into their vehicle and travelled to Saskatoon for one last time. Arriving at the hospital around 10:30 p.m., Gaudet said the whole series of events were a bit of a blur. “It just happened like a bolt out of the blue. Sure enough at 3 a.m. Dr. Moser was there saying, ‘I told you so.’”
Around 4:30 a.m., Michael had himself a new kidney and also met the person who received the other kidney from an organ donor who had passed away. The other recipient turned out to be Gaudet’s dialysis neighbour from the hospital ward. “Someone died of a heart attack but before he died, he signed his donor card and the family honoured his wishes. That is just huge. Sometimes families can intervene but now his kidney is living on in two different people and so he has a long legacy of kidney health ahead of him thanks to his amazing gift. I really encourage everyone out there to sign their donor cards, it is pretty painless.”
While Michael and his neighbour on the ward both received new leases on life, the new kidney in Gaudet took a bit of time to begin functioning properly. “The kidney was sleepy at the beginning so it took about a week. They gave me medication, almost like a kidney turbo booster and about five days later the kidney began working.”
Known for his gigantic murals, personal portraits and even penning books detailing his journey of receiving his first transplant, Gaudet soon began seeing immediate improvements to his health and well-being. After his new kidney began working properly, Gaudet’s blood pressure decreased, various blood components and toxins went down and he started to get more energy. He could go for walks without getting shortness of breath, his joint and muscle pain vanished and the biggest thing he noticed was better mental clarity.
“When you are on dialysis you can have pretty severe brain fog. Put it this way, if you think of something you need from town and write it down you have a hope. If you forget your list, you are out of luck. If you forget to write what you need down in the first place it passes right on by and you won’t have a clue what you needed.”
As his health improved considerably, within about two weeks since his transplant Gaudet’s new kidney was functioning normally. Over the course of four nights, Gaudet also shed 22 pounds of extra fluid. “For the first few days I had to have tons of fluid by intravenous to keep the kidney swimming but it wasn’t getting shed so I needed to go for three or four extra dialysis treatments just for comfort. Then after it kicked in, my doctor said I was doing dialysis without a machine. It was amazing and I really feel it is a new lease on life.”
While the kidney transplant has given Gaudet the knowledge that he will no longer be tethered to a dialysis machine, the transplant also brings with it anti rejection drugs and extra vitamins. “The anti rejection drugs tend to make a person more vulnerable for picking up any bugs so when I go to town I wear a mask just to be safe. For the next five or six weeks the medication will be pretty intense but after that it will taper off to more of a maintenance dosage.”
Anticipating living a normal life once again, the five year road of receiving dialysis was not an easy one but Gaudet knew he just had to push ahead.
“I had dialysis three times a week for four hours but that also meant driving to and from Manitou Beach to Saskatoon which is over an hour away. I basically just zoned out and cranked my tunes during each trip. What can you do besides persevere? I ended up in the emergency room 13 times over Christmas in 2014 with blood pressure issues and they just couldn’t get a handle on it. I switched doctors and all of a sudden I was told I needed this, this and this to deal with my blood pressure and after that I had no problems. Once we got all settled in and got the numbers and treatment figured out, I just went to Saskatoon, arrived at 11:45 a.m. and brought my laptop with me. It was like my portable office and I just tinkered around on my laptop. I figured eventually I would get that call for a transplant. You just have to stay positive. It did take five years but I was really trying to put signs out there to indicate I needed this replacement. Somehow or another the universe conspired to cooperate and it just came out like a bolt of lightning and it is like a real miracle. Lots of people, like hundreds and hundreds of people, were praying for me too and that was a real help for me.”
Having that support helped Gaudet tremendously but as he waited for his new kidney and as he made trips to and from Saskatoon each week, he still had bills to pay and a career to tend to.
“I was not ready to retire,” he said. “As much as I felt like it some days, I couldn’t.”
So to the best of his ability, he picked up his brush, put on his creative hat and continued to work. “I spent time on my signature large-scale murals when energy permitted including putting time and efforts towards the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s celebration mural which we unveiled earlier this year. I also worked on the audio book version of my first two books: ‘Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner’s Guide to Immortality,’ and ‘A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved.’ The audio-book versions were being narrated and produced by Regina-based sound engineer Shawn Broom of ‘The Story of U’ podcast fame.”
While he was not able to go full speed ahead, the artist and author was able to still accomplish a few projects. And as for what is next now that Gaudet has his new lease on life. He already has some work lined up once he feels a bit better. While in the hospital recovering from his transplant, Gaudet reached out to a bunch of different people and received up to two months of light design work that he can do from his drafting table at home. Because he can only lift 10 pounds for the time being, Gaudet figured he is a few months away from painting bigger projects but met someone in the hospital who would like him to do a commission.
“That will be a fun project to do once I am feeling up to it.”
Gaudet is also planning to help a kidney advocate based out of the United States who created a campaign to pass out decals to living donors and kidney recipients and he will be featured on an online program. “She wants me to create a whole new design campaign for her project and so far she has given out around 30,000 of these decals across the globe. There is also a new online show called Global Kidney Health which is done by Urban Health Alliance. It goes online as a video with interviews and I am talking about my kidney journey. It is going to be really interesting.”
With things looking up for Gaudet, aside from putting a temporary hold on his career, the artist said he now feels great. “I can walk three or four blocks before getting winded. Before I could barely make it to the car and I would be puffing for breath. When you are on dialysis you have a lot of extra fluid on board, even in your lungs but I left the hospital with them dry. One thing that I found very important was to buy a water bottle and stay hydrated. The best advice I can give to a transplant recipient is to be compliant, don’t mess with your medication, take the medication on time and listen to your doctor. Play by the rules.”
Hoping the new kidney lasts for a long time, like the one from his brother, Gaudet was sincerely appreciative towards his doctors, nurses, the donor family, his wife Sharon and all of those who have walked with him along the way. That appreciation was also extended to the multitudes who have been in similar situations as Michael and have been supportive to him as well.
In 2014 Gaudet created a Facebook support group with encouragement from his wife for peer-to-peer support. “In the first year back in 2014, the group grew to over 900 members. The idea was to ask members for strategies for kidney health and since that time, the group has grown to over 22,000 members. It is a ‘living encyclopedia for all things kidney-related.’ In a way, it is a powerful legacy to kidney health on the Internet.”
That group which has members from all over the world have acted as supporters, encouraging many on their journeys like Gaudet as they wait for a transplant or receive dialysis. “There are lots from that group who have had more than one transplant like myself and one person from that group has had four transplants. I have been posting updates throughout my journey and sometimes I receive 1,000 likes or 400 or 500 comments because people have been following me and hoping and praying I do get this transplant. I am just one of many on the site. It is like a cheering squad for all of the transplant recipients and dialysis patients. Someone will post on the site that they are going to persevere and they had a great day and dialysis was going good. Everyone wants to encourage everyone so they get behind that person through likes or positive comments. Your mental attitude is everything really. You can sink into despair or get really upset and angry but it won’t help. You have to stay positive and buo
Daniel Bushman
For three days a week, spending four hours in a hospital receiving life-sustaining dialysis therapy each time over a five year time period, it had become painfully routine for Manitou Beach resident Michael Gaudet. Monday, June 10 appeared to be no different but by the time the day came to an end it would be life-altering for the 60-year-old who patiently awaited a kidney transplant.
Since he was informed that he needed a new kidney, the second time he would require such a transplant in his life, the artist and author essentially put his life on hold. Receiving upwards of 2,800 dialysis treatments and spending over 11,200 hours in a hospital over the next five years, June 10, 2019 started out like any other day for Gaudet. Michael and his wife Sharon got up on that June 10 morning, had a bite to eat and made the over one hour trek to Saskatoon where Michael spent the next four hours receiving dialysis. After another life-saving treatment, he and Sharon hopped back into the vehicle and returned home where they enjoyed supper and went to bed. Asleep and prepared to go in for another routine treatment, Gaudet’s phone rang. On the other end was nephrologist Dr. Ahmed Shoker, the medical director of the provincial transplant program.
“Michael, we have a kidney for you.”
Words Michael and Sharon had been waiting for . . . words that his supporters had been hoping for . . . and words that Gaudet had remarkably heard once before.
It was nearly 40 years ago when Gaudet was first diagnosed with end stage renal failure. On emergency dialysis in Toronto, he endured seven months of being hooked up to a machine before his brother Steve generously donated one of his own kidneys. Lasting for 34 years, a record Gaudet notes for Western Canada, his kidney began to taper off and in 2014 it was time for a new one. However, the problem this time around was that Michael did not have a willing donor and had to wait it out.
Unfortunately the local resident is not alone in that waiting game as four million Canadians and 850 million people across the globe are estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. That is according to the Kidney Foundation of Canada who noted chronic kidney disease causes at least 2.4 million deaths per year globally and is now the sixth fastest growing cause of death.
Elizabeth Myles, Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada said since 2008 the number of people living with kidney failure in Canada has grown by 35 percent. “It is the 10th leading non-accidental cause of mortality in Canada, so the situation remains alarming for Canadians.”
The Kidney Foundation of Canada further explained a person can lose more than 50 percent of their kidney function before symptoms appear. Currently, nearly 49,000 Canadians are being treated for kidney failure and 25 percent of patients were late referrals, meaning they began dialysis fewer than 90 days after first seeing a nephrologist.
For Gaudet, knowing he could die without dialysis, it meant five gruelling years of going back and forth to Saskatoon and being hooked up to a machine. “I never gave up hope though because my surgeon, Dr. Michael Moser kept saying to me that one of these days at 3 a.m. you will be wheeling down towards the operating room for a kidney. Just keep the faith.”
Not giving up or losing hope, the phone call Michael and Sharon had been waiting for finally came. Dr. Shoker explained to Gaudet that he had a kidney for him. While it was not a perfect match, it was indeed a good match.
Packing an overnight bag as quickly as he humanly could, like they had done so many times before, Michael and Sharon hopped into their vehicle and travelled to Saskatoon for one last time. Arriving at the hospital around 10:30 p.m., Gaudet said the whole series of events were a bit of a blur. “It just happened like a bolt out of the blue. Sure enough at 3 a.m. Dr. Moser was there saying, ‘I told you so.’”
Around 4:30 a.m., Michael had himself a new kidney and also met the person who received the other kidney from an organ donor who had passed away. The other recipient turned out to be Gaudet’s dialysis neighbour from the hospital ward. “Someone died of a heart attack but before he died, he signed his donor card and the family honoured his wishes. That is just huge. Sometimes families can intervene but now his kidney is living on in two different people and so he has a long legacy of kidney health ahead of him thanks to his amazing gift. I really encourage everyone out there to sign their donor cards, it is pretty painless.”
While Michael and his neighbour on the ward both received new leases on life, the new kidney in Gaudet took a bit of time to begin functioning properly. “The kidney was sleepy at the beginning so it took about a week. They gave me medication, almost like a kidney turbo booster and about five days later the kidney began working.”
Known for his gigantic murals, personal portraits and even penning books detailing his journey of receiving his first transplant, Gaudet soon began seeing immediate improvements to his health and well-being. After his new kidney began working properly, Gaudet’s blood pressure decreased, various blood components and toxins went down and he started to get more energy. He could go for walks without getting shortness of breath, his joint and muscle pain vanished and the biggest thing he noticed was better mental clarity.
“When you are on dialysis you can have pretty severe brain fog. Put it this way, if you think of something you need from town and write it down you have a hope. If you forget your list, you are out of luck. If you forget to write what you need down in the first place it passes right on by and you won’t have a clue what you needed.”
As his health improved considerably, within about two weeks since his transplant Gaudet’s new kidney was functioning normally. Over the course of four nights, Gaudet also shed 22 pounds of extra fluid. “For the first few days I had to have tons of fluid by intravenous to keep the kidney swimming but it wasn’t getting shed so I needed to go for three or four extra dialysis treatments just for comfort. Then after it kicked in, my doctor said I was doing dialysis without a machine. It was amazing and I really feel it is a new lease on life.”
While the kidney transplant has given Gaudet the knowledge that he will no longer be tethered to a dialysis machine, the transplant also brings with it anti rejection drugs and extra vitamins. “The anti rejection drugs tend to make a person more vulnerable for picking up any bugs so when I go to town I wear a mask just to be safe. For the next five or six weeks the medication will be pretty intense but after that it will taper off to more of a maintenance dosage.”
Anticipating living a normal life once again, the five year road of receiving dialysis was not an easy one but Gaudet knew he just had to push ahead.
“I had dialysis three times a week for four hours but that also meant driving to and from Manitou Beach to Saskatoon which is over an hour away. I basically just zoned out and cranked my tunes during each trip. What can you do besides persevere? I ended up in the emergency room 13 times over Christmas in 2014 with blood pressure issues and they just couldn’t get a handle on it. I switched doctors and all of a sudden I was told I needed this, this and this to deal with my blood pressure and after that I had no problems. Once we got all settled in and got the numbers and treatment figured out, I just went to Saskatoon, arrived at 11:45 a.m. and brought my laptop with me. It was like my portable office and I just tinkered around on my laptop. I figured eventually I would get that call for a transplant. You just have to stay positive. It did take five years but I was really trying to put signs out there to indicate I needed this replacement. Somehow or another the universe conspired to cooperate and it just came out like a bolt of lightning and it is like a real miracle. Lots of people, like hundreds and hundreds of people, were praying for me too and that was a real help for me.”
Having that support helped Gaudet tremendously but as he waited for his new kidney and as he made trips to and from Saskatoon each week, he still had bills to pay and a career to tend to.
“I was not ready to retire,” he said. “As much as I felt like it some days, I couldn’t.”
So to the best of his ability, he picked up his brush, put on his creative hat and continued to work. “I spent time on my signature large-scale murals when energy permitted including putting time and efforts towards the Resort Village of Manitou Beach’s celebration mural which we unveiled earlier this year. I also worked on the audio book version of my first two books: ‘Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner’s Guide to Immortality,’ and ‘A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved.’ The audio-book versions were being narrated and produced by Regina-based sound engineer Shawn Broom of ‘The Story of U’ podcast fame.”
While he was not able to go full speed ahead, the artist and author was able to still accomplish a few projects. And as for what is next now that Gaudet has his new lease on life. He already has some work lined up once he feels a bit better. While in the hospital recovering from his transplant, Gaudet reached out to a bunch of different people and received up to two months of light design work that he can do from his drafting table at home. Because he can only lift 10 pounds for the time being, Gaudet figured he is a few months away from painting bigger projects but met someone in the hospital who would like him to do a commission.
“That will be a fun project to do once I am feeling up to it.”
Gaudet is also planning to help a kidney advocate based out of the United States who created a campaign to pass out decals to living donors and kidney recipients and he will be featured on an online program. “She wants me to create a whole new design campaign for her project and so far she has given out around 30,000 of these decals across the globe. There is also a new online show called Global Kidney Health which is done by Urban Health Alliance. It goes online as a video with interviews and I am talking about my kidney journey. It is going to be really interesting.”
With things looking up for Gaudet, aside from putting a temporary hold on his career, the artist said he now feels great. “I can walk three or four blocks before getting winded. Before I could barely make it to the car and I would be puffing for breath. When you are on dialysis you have a lot of extra fluid on board, even in your lungs but I left the hospital with them dry. One thing that I found very important was to buy a water bottle and stay hydrated. The best advice I can give to a transplant recipient is to be compliant, don’t mess with your medication, take the medication on time and listen to your doctor. Play by the rules.”
Hoping the new kidney lasts for a long time, like the one from his brother, Gaudet was sincerely appreciative towards his doctors, nurses, the donor family, his wife Sharon and all of those who have walked with him along the way. That appreciation was also extended to the multitudes who have been in similar situations as Michael and have been supportive to him as well.
In 2014 Gaudet created a Facebook support group with encouragement from his wife for peer-to-peer support. “In the first year back in 2014, the group grew to over 900 members. The idea was to ask members for strategies for kidney health and since that time, the group has grown to over 22,000 members. It is a ‘living encyclopedia for all things kidney-related.’ In a way, it is a powerful legacy to kidney health on the Internet.”
That group which has members from all over the world have acted as supporters, encouraging many on their journeys like Gaudet as they wait for a transplant or receive dialysis. “There are lots from that group who have had more than one transplant like myself and one person from that group has had four transplants. I have been posting updates throughout my journey and sometimes I receive 1,000 likes or 400 or 500 comments because people have been following me and hoping and praying I do get this transplant. I am just one of many on the site. It is like a cheering squad for all of the transplant recipients and dialysis patients. Someone will post on the site that they are going to persevere and they had a great day and dialysis was going good. Everyone wants to encourage everyone so they get behind that person through likes or positive comments. Your mental attitude is everything really. You can sink into despair or get really upset and angry but it won’t help. You have to stay positive and buo