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Midale a Crop
Circle Hotbed
It wouldn’t
be a stretch to call Midale the crop circle capital of Canada.
Of the first 15 crop circles reported in Canada this summer, seven have
been in Midale. There was a lull for circles last year after several reports
in 1999. The formations have been concentrated in the fields of Dayle
Martinson and Robert Johner, two of the three farmers who were hit by
formations in 1999.
Estevan Airport Manager John Erickson is the Estevan contact for the Canadian
Crop Circle Research Network. Erickson doesn’t know why there’s
been a rebirth in the number of circles in Southeast Saskatchewan, but
has noticed one trend.
“They’ve become more intricate in patterns,” said Erickson.
“Where it used to be just a circle packed down around circles, now
there’s more to it. It’s more intricate, and the people from
the Crop Circle Research Centre in Massachusetts said that would happen.”
Several circles first appeared two weeks ago in the Martinson and Johner
fields, and four more were discovered within a week. Erickson found one
early September 4th and called Randy Johner to report it just before Randy
could call Erickson to report a different formation.
The first new formation in the Johner field is a circle with broken rings
around it and a small circle next to it. The other is a half-circle pressed
down with another circle inside the part of the grain that’s still
standing. There was a band inside the standing part about two feet wide
that made the second formation resemble a mushroom.
“The ones two years ago were much more impressive (than the first
ones this year), it was the first we’d ever seen, the first we’d
ever had,” said Johner’s son Randy. “It was hard to believe
somebody could have done it, because the crop was really pressed flat,
and when you press a crop down, sometimes it wants to come back up.”
“But this crop was pressed flat, it didn’t want to come back
up, but in order to press it that flat, I thought you’d have to press
it hard enough that you’d damage the heads, but there was no damage
to the heads,” continued Randy. “It’s quite impressive.
This time there’s more damage to the heads, so it leads you to believe
it could have been pressed down.”
The new formation in the Martinson field is a cloverleaf with three rings,
and where the rings intersect it forms a perfect equilateral triangle.
Beside it is a small circle, and inside the circle are three tufts of
grain standing in it about two feet in diameter.
Representatives from the research centre gave a presentation in Estevan
in 1999, but Erickson doesn’t anticipate them returning due to a
lack of funding.
The Johner’s combined around the formation a couple of days later,
eliminating the chance of further circles appearing in that field. Randy
said there isn’t a lot of money lost when the formations appear.
“We’re not concerned with the loss of the crop, but bean farmers
in England are quite upset with the crop circles because there’s
so many of them, and they’re so big it damages the crop,” said
Randy. “And they get them every year, so they’re quite frustrated
by them.”
Erickson believes these formations are legitimate and not directly man-made
for a number of reasons.
“There were no tracks entering them,” said Erickson. “The
fields this year are thick enough that if you walk in them, you can see
it from the air. There were no tracks, and they’re a little further
into the field than past ones.”
Erickson didn’t notice any signs of disturbances to the ground, such
as damage to the soil under the crop that’s down or stems of the
plant being broken off.
“It indicates to me that it would be pretty difficult for somebody
to make one without causing some kind of damage or leaving some evidence,”
said Erickson. “If someone was doing it, it wouldn’t take long
before they’re bragging about it. It’s human nature.”
He also questions if somebody has the money to afford the equipment that’s
required to do it that quickly or precisely.
Some tests on the circles were executed in 1999 to see if it’s safe
for people to enter the circles. They found batteries died in both their
cameras and their Geiger Counter, a device used to measure radioactivity.
They determined the seeds inside the circles were at five per cent germination,
while outside the circle they were at 95 per cent, a more regular finding.
They also determined there’s a slight splashover affect on the grain
up to about 20 feet from the circle.
Erickson said he’s flown a number of people over the circles, including
local media, representatives from the press in Regina and Yorkton, and
Paul Anderson and Deborah Warren from the Canadian Crop Circle Research
Network in Vancouver.
“I think for some people they aren’t amazed, because they think
it’s a hoax or they don’t want to know,” said Erickson.
“But the amazing part is what’s coming next: what circle, what
formation and where will it be.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind that there isn’t somebody
out there after dark and knocking these crops down with pieces of plywood,
I think that’s been proven,” continued Erickson.
While the grain is sterile and useless for the year, the ground recovers
and can be reseeded the next year.
“As patterns become more intricate, a lot of people have gone to
examine them, they’re understanding it’s something different
and unique,” said Erickson. “I think we’re very privileged
to have it happening in the Midale area.”
Bob Leslie is another Estevan resident who’s a crop circle aficionado.
Leslie claims an interest in astronomy, the universe, the UFO phenomenon
and the unknown, and believes the force that causes these could be coming
from millions of light years away, and doesn’t believe it’s
a plasma vortex from the atmosphere that many do.
“It seems to me that it wouldn’t be so different all the time
because they change every time,” said Leslie. “Every circle
is different, every one is unique, they keep changing, and they’re
getting more complex and interesting. It’s getting now where it’s
unbelievable unless you see it, you just can’t explain them.”
“I think it’s planned, when these things happen on the Johner
and Martinson farm two out of three years, I don’t think something
out of nature will strike that farm all the time,” continued Leslie.
“If it was in the atmosphere, it could strike a city or anywhere,
not just in the first part of September. It has to happen (at this time),
because the crop is ready...and it has to be a wheat field, or it won’t
show up.”
Like Erickson, Leslie has a hard time believing any machine on Earth could
cause the circles. He thinks if people were to try it, they would discover
just how difficult it would be to make circles that look like those appearing
near Midale.
“Somebody could make a homemade one, but it would look homemade,”
said Leslie. “It would look amateurish. A machine didn’t do
it, it’s not homemade, because they look professional.”
He hopes they may find an answer to this one day, but until then, he’s
going to enjoy his favourite part of the formations: the circles themselves.
“People go out and walk through the circles and try to figure out
how they made them last night, but they miss the whole idea of the circle
because nobody tried to make it last night,” said Leslie. “They
spent all their energy trying to see marks, all their time on their hands
and knees looking to see if somebody walked in, how they got in, looking
at lines in the field. But they missed the whole circle, they never did
see how complicated it was because they’re so busy being skeptical
about it they don’t see the enormous technology that went into making
this thing.”
Estevan City Council
Notes - September 4, 2001
*Maurice Jago discussed efforts to bring the 2004 Summer Games to Estevan.
Jago said they need the support of Council to go ahead with the project.
He described some of Estevan’s strengths and some needs should they
get the game. Council approved the project in principle by a 4-1 margin
and will determine how much financial backing they’ll give at a later
date.
*Council believes the RM of Estevan #5 should have a public meeting regarding
the proposed lagoon west of the city. They also agreed to send a letter
to the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities addressing citizen
concerns.
*Council approved the purchase of a new Variable Speed Drive for the water
treatment plant at a cost of $16,464.57.
*The annual pool shutdown will continue until September 24.
*Council passed a bylaw banning smoking in Estevan City Hall.
*$13,850 will be spent for the continuation of constructing the pathways
at Luscar Park and $13,850 will be spent next year for the basketball
court at Torgenson Park.
*The by-law for rezoning the animal shelter was given third reading and
approved.
*Mayor Tim Perry will be attending the City Mayor’s and Manager’s
conference this week.
Rogers first to
submit papers
Former Alderman Barry Rogers is running in this year’s Estevan City
Council by-election.
Rogers served as Alderman from 1996-1999. He ran for re-election last
year, and while he was defeated, he finished only 125 votes out of a Council
seat. He was the first person to submit his nomination papers for this
year’s by-election to fill the seat vacated by Patricia Schryver.
Issues for Rogers this year include holding taxation to a realistic minimum,
continuation of walking and cycling paths for all Estevan citizens to
enjoy, and building on Estevan’s infrastructure programs and solving
problems.
“Infrastructure is a big concern in that we have to start reaping
more benefits from the provincial government as far as funding goes in
order to maintain our streets, especially the high traffic streets,”
said Rogers. “In my view it’s totally ridiculous the amount
of money that leaves the community every year through Video Lottery Terminals
and the amount of money we get back for upkeep and maintenance of roads
that are part of the provincial grid.”
Rogers considers dealing with the public and meeting different people
a highlight of his first term, and feels he gained “a multitude of
experiences” through serving on committees.
“I want to put to use the knowledge I gained in the first term,”
said Rogers. “It’s only fair to believe that what you learn
should be put to use, and as a teacher I strongly believe in that, I believe
the city won’t be getting their money’s worth if the information
and knowledge I gained in the first term isn’t put to use in subsequent
terms.”
Rogers works as the Commercial Cooking Teacher at ECS, has lived in Estevan
for 28 years and is married to Glennda. They have two sons: Jason and
Garrett.
Arts Council has
busy year
The Estevan Arts Council held its Annual General Meeting September 5.
Topics discussed during the meeting included: the Organization of Saskatchewan
Arts Council’s (OSAC) Showcase of the Arts, Stars for Saskatchewan,
Koncerts for Kids, Visual Arts and the Artist in Residence Program.
Estevan hosted OSAC Showcase last year, the provincial adjudicated art
show. Arts Council President Marguerite Gallaway said in her report she
was pleased with the reaction to it.
Reports were filed for Stars for Saskatchewan, Koncerts for Kids and Visual
Arts. Each group detailed some of the programs they had last season and
the growth they’ve had.
Artist in Residence Judy McNaughton filed a final report on her first
year in the community. McNaughton described some of her projects from
the past year, including tile mural workshops, pottery classes, the pottery
club, and the two ceramic community murals and a ceramic bench installed
in the city. McNaughton’s report also detailed some of her studio
work and her plans for her second year of residency.
The executive for 2001-2002 will be: President Marguerite Gallaway, Vice-President
and Visual Arts Coordinator Denise Epp, Past President Evelyn Johnson,
Treasurer Eric Pullam, Secretary Virginia Finstad, Koncerts for Kids Coordinator
Marilyn McCutcheon, and Stars for Saskatchewan Coordinator Warren Barton.
Expo Showcase 2001
Another event has been added to Estevan’s Showcase 2001.
The Estevan Garden Club is hosting a Produce Contest for the largest pumpkin,
potatoe and zucchini and the most unusual carrot.
This year’s Showcase is September 28-30. The indoor exhibits at the
Lignite Miners Centre are nearly sold out, and there will also be outdoor
exhibits, entertainment, demonstrations, a food court and a Tele-Miracle
Cabaret.
Custom Truck Sales
opens in Estevan
By David Willberg
Custom Truck Sales Inc. opened a dealership in Estevan on September 4.
Located on Escana Street in the industrial area of the city, the dealership
will provide both parts supply and repair service for heavy-duty trucks.
Operating in Saskatchewan for 36 years, they have been the province’s
Kenworth dealer since opening.
“Our primary business there will be a parts and service location
to service not only our own equipment but we’ll service anything
in the heavy-duty business,” said Regina Branch Manager Ken Leach.
President and General Manager Brent Leach said they chose Estevan because
there is a sizable customer base in the community.
“We felt that we would like to better serve our customers as well
as other people working within the heavy-truck business,” said Brent.
Ken said the response has been excellent since opening last week.
“We’ve been servicing Estevan and area on the parts side of
our business through outside parts sales people for 15-20 years,”
said Ken. We’ve been directly calling on customers in the Estevan
area with outside parts sales people, trying to look after servicing our
customers within that area.”
“This is an opportunity to improve on that by being locally available
to them on a day-to-day basis,” continued Ken. “It gives us
a much better opportunity to service them.”
Custom Truck Sales Inc. has locations in Regina and Saskatoon, and opened
an office in Winnipeg in 1986. They also provide full-maintenance leasing
out of their locations through Kenworth’s franchise leasing, PacLease.
“We’d like to provide our customers total quality service from
our operations,” said Brent. “We want to provide them a very
nice location and top quality service for the customers in Estevan and
the surrounding area.”
Humane Society
preparing to move
Five years of waiting is almost over for the Estevan Humane Society.
Estevan City Council passed third reading of a rezoning bylaw at their
September 4 meeting that will allow the Humane Society to move their animal
shelter from its present location near City Yard to the Estevan Brick
Plant south of the city. The facility will be an 80x45 foot building,
but before construction begins, they’ll have to finalize the purchase
of the building from its current owner.
Estevan Humane Society President Jocelyn Dougherty said the building,
more than double the size of the current shelter, will have a number of
benefits.
“There’s more space, so we can have the dogs and cats separated
from each other,” said Dougherty. “We’ll be able to have
an isolation room and a quarantine room in case there’s a dog bite
in the city and the dog has to be quarantined for ten days, we’ll
have the facility to offer that now.”
There’ll also be improved heating, as they’ll be able to monitor
air quality and humidity.
“The location is a good place for volunteers and staff to exercise
the animals,” said Dougherty. “It’s close enough to the
city that it will be accessible for our volunteers and staff to go to,
and for the general public to view pets or check to see if their lost
pets are there.”
Because they’ll be renovating the building instead of constructing
from scratch, the construction costs will be reduced and they’ll
have it completed sooner.
A lot of work has to be done before the facility opens, including repairing
a water line, installing electricity and heating, completing outside work
and installing sound restrictions. Dougherty said they’d like to
have it finished by Christmas, but it may be later than that.
Holy Hollyhocks
Mary and Leonard Loppe of Oxbow grew a Hollyhock plant to a whopping 10
feet 2 inches tall.
Leonard and Mary said there was no real secret to the success of the Hollyhocks
maybe it was all the moisture.
Blood Donor Clinic
to be held
Canadian Blood Services is pleased to announce that Estevan will hold
a donor clinic at the Souris Valley Aquatic & Leisure Center on Wednesday,
September 19.
The clinic, which will be convened by the Southern Gold Chapter IODE,
will run from 1:00pm to 3:30pm and 5:00pm to 7:30pm.
All donors in Estevan are encouraged to make an appointment to shorten
waiting times. To make your appointment or for more information on these
clinics please call 1-866-35 BLOOD.
By making a blood donation, you can help save up to four lives.
Stars kicks off
on the 30th
Pianist Kathleen Solose opens the Stars for Saskatchewan’s new season
September 30 at 2:30 pm at St. Paul’s Untied Church.
During the first half of the program, Solose’s fortepiano will be
a reproduction of an 1814 Viennese Streicher piano used by Beethoven,
Schubert and others.
Her early training was at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto,
then went to the Julliard School in New York for her Bachelor’s and
Master’s degrees. Accolades include first place at the Casagrande
International Competition in Italy and winner of the CBC’s national
auditions for both solo and chamber music.
Kazakstan youth
coming to Estevan
By David Willberg
Many of the top 10 and 11 year old hockey players from Kazakstan will
get a major culture shock this winter.
They’ll be spending Christmas in Estevan as part of a five year deal
between the Kazakstan Ice Hockey Federation and Hockey Ministries International
(HMI). The Kazakstani players will play three games in Estevan and a total
of 11 games in Consul, Caronport and Calgary from December 17-January
10.
“They’ll play 11 games in those different countries, and they’ll
represent the country of Kazakstan, and whatever team they’re playing
against will represent Team Canada,” said Estevan native and HMI
Western Canada Chapel Coordinator Barret Kropf. “We’ll have
Canada jerseys for the whole (Canadian) team to wear so during the game
it looks like it’s Canada against Kazakstan.”
Whichever country wins the most games will win the inaugural Freedom Cup.
During the five year agreement, there will be an annual team exchange.
Earlier this year, the Caronport Midget AA Cougars trekked to Kazakstan,
regularly playing in front of 6,000 fans.
The Kazakstan team will be from Ust Kamengorsk, which has two of the five
indoor rinks in that country. Most of the quality young players in the
country go to Ust, meaning those chosen to come here will be amongst the
best in their age group.
“One of the foundations of that agreement is to provide the kids
with the cultural experience in each country so the kids from Canada get
to experience the Kazakstan culture and the kids from Kazakstan can understand
a little more about the Canadian and North American culture,” said
Kropf.
“Through that process, we want to educate the kids physically, mentally,
spiritually and socially, so we’ll tour them around to the highlights
of each area,” continued Kropf. “We’ll do some youth activities
and try to tie in a spiritual component as well. We’ll billet them
out to families so they’ll get a social experience living with North
American families.”
Kropf was in Kazakstan two weeks ago to meet with hockey officials and
members of the team who will be coming to North America in December. He
took 50 sets of player equipment and 20 sets of goalie equipment with
him, donated by the NHL Players Association through their “Goals
and Dreams” fund.
“They get two lifelong dreams fulfilled with quality equipment and
they get to play hockey in North America,” said Kropf.
Kropf said sports and culture has taken a back seat in the country since
the USSR disbanded in 1992, but has recently turned the corner.
But many players can’t afford quality equipment, and Kropf has brought
back some of their equipment to Canada. Many players wear helmets as thick
as a milk carton or shin pads wrapped with foam.
“It’s equipment my grandfather might have worn 50 years ago
when he played hockey, but that’s what their best players are wearing
right now,” said Kropf.
To prevent equipment from being sold and ensure proper maintenance, it
has to be returned to HMI at the end of the season. If they want to use
it the next year, they can reapply the following season.
Kropf has put a lot of work and time into the program, including three
trips to Kazakstan, meeting with the country’s hockey officials and
politicians, finding sponsors, and developing relationships between the
two countries. Kropf estimates spending over $10,000 in the first year
of the program, but it’s been worth it.
“Anytime we can expose our kids to another culture and another worldview,
they’ll come back more appreciative, they’ll appreciate what
they have around them and not take it for granted,” said Kropf. “They’ll
appreciate a $5.00 allowance when they know $5.00 in Kazakstan is meal
money for a month.”
Anderson dominates
at chuckwagon races
Leroy Anderson of Esterhazy was the big winner at the Chariot and Chuckwagon
Races September 1-3 at Woodlawn Race Track.
Anderson took first and second place in the chariots division with three-day
total times of 174.85 and 177.98. Ross Schnell of Frobisher finished third
with a total time of 178.84.
Anderson also finished first in the chuckwagon division with a total time
of 182.99, one second ahead of Foam Lake runner-up Warner Shrader and
two seconds ahead of third place Alvin Hardy of Hudson Bay.
Shrader won the award for the best-dressed chariot, while Hardy won for
best-dressed wagon. Albert Buckingham of Moose Jaw won the award for the
fastest track time in the chuckwagon division with a 60.68.
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New league begins
play
Estevan’s
new touch football league began play on September 8 with eight teams playing
exhibition games at Royal Heights Park.
The Estevan Roughriders Fan Club is responsible for organizing the league,
and club Co-Chair Cory Zadorozniak was impressed with the calibre of play
on the field, as many of the teams had already had a few practices.
But he does expect some adjustment to the rules with several new ones
the players won’t be familiar with. The defence lines up 5 yards
off the ball, and offensive players aren’t allowed to block. The
first and third quarters are 20 minutes running time, and the second and
fourth quarters are 17 minutes running time followed by five plays. Teams
must run a play for the convert after a touchdown rather than kick the
ball, either from five yards for one point or ten yards for two.
The regular season will begin September 16 with games during the afternoon,
likely at the fields at Westview School and the Estevan Junior High. The
regular season will last six weeks and the playoffs two weeks.
Bruins Exhibition
Games
Notre Dame 0, Estevan 5:
It was a strong night for the experienced Bruins as Matt Korthuis, Brett
Hillier and Justin Kot each had a goal and an assist the second period
in the Bruins’ victory over the Hounds. Cam Breitkreuz in the first
period and Brad Herauf in the second also scored. Mike Clague with 12
saves and Brandon Cooper with 16, many during a three minute five-on-three
Notre Dame powerplay late in the game, combined for the shutout.
Estevan 5, Weyburn 3:
The Bruins had goals from five different players, and Billy Gerry made
25 saves in his first exhibition game of the year as the Bruins beat the
Wings in Weyburn. The Bruins outscoring the Wings 3-1 in the third period
was the key point in the game. Estevan outshot Weyburn 39-34.
Weyburn 8, Bruins 5:
The Red Wings powerplay was the difference, scoring seven times, and getting
two goal efforts from Evan Debert, Rob Nagel and Craig Schnell. Lee Gusdkoski
had three assists for the Wings. Tyler Selk had two goals and JJ McGrath
a goal and an assist for the Bruins, who outshot the Wings 42-33.
Bruins add a Trapp
By David Willberg
The Estevan Bruins have added a former Regina Pats star to their staff.
Doug Trapp will serve as an Assistant Coach for the Bruins this season.
Trapp is part of a strong hockey family, as his father Barry is the Head
Scout for Canada’s National Junior Team, and his son Bear is trying
out with the SJHL’s Melville Millionaires.
Trapp played one year in the SJHL with the Regina Pat Blues, then moved
up to the Pats for three seasons from 1982-85, including a 100 point season
in 1984-85. He was a second round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 1984,
and, after graduating from the Pats, played three years with the Rochester
Americans of the American Hockey League, winning the league championship
Calder Cup in 1987. He played two games for Buffalo while with the organization.
He has continued to play and coach hockey since 1988, and the last three
years was Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations with the Fort Knox
Junior “B” club in Fort Qu’Appelle.
Trapp came to Estevan a couple weeks ago to run Fas Gas, and approached
Head Coach and General Manager Nick Sereggela about helping with the club.
He isn’t sure what his role will be, but Trapp hopes to be at practice
and behind the bench as much as possible.
“Before summer started, I didn’t know that much (about the team),
I only saw them play once or twice last year,” said Trapp. “I’ve
gotten to know the guys in a hurry, I think I have a good feel for what’s
here.”
Trapp is expecting a good year this year with 17 returning players, some
solid recruits and the off-season acquistion of goaltender Mike Clague.
“I’m a hockey guy, hockey’s been my life,” said Trapp.
“I’m new in town, I thought it would be a great way to meet
people, I’m familiar with the league and I know the quality of the
league and the people in it. I know the organization in Estevan is good
and well-supported, and I saw that at training camp with the volunteers.”
Pitching clinic
There will be a girls’ softball pitching clinic on September 15 at
10:30 am. An instructor from Softball Saskatchewan will be in attendance,
and small group instruction will be offered for beginner, intermediate
and advanced classes. Call Ray Moser at 634-2488 or 634-4755 for more
information and to preregister by September 12.
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