Feature

Christmas in the face of war
Caption: Estevan's Ken Raine spent Christmas in Europe from 1942
to 1944 while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
By David Willberg
Ken Raine of Estevan still gets emotional when he hears Christmas carols like "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" and "I'll be Home for Christmas."
The songs were first performed in the Second World War, when Allied troops were in Europe, trying to defeat Adolph Hitler. They were tributes to soldiers who wouldn't be able to return for the holidays.
"I still have music of Bing Crosby, and I listened to it just a couple nights ago, singing those old Christmas songs," said Raine.
Raine, a leading aircraftsman with the Royal Canadian Air Force, spent Christmas overseas from 1942 to 1944. He was stationed in northern England in 1942, and he moved to northern Ireland in 1943 and 1944. A mechanic, he worked on Sunderland flying boats in Ireland and Halifax bombers in England.
"Actually, the first Christmas in the service in 1941 I was home, and then the next three … I was away for Christmas overseas."
Raine was discharged from the service in October 1945 - four months after the Allied troops were victorious. Raine was home for Christmas that year.
Christmas is typically filled with cheer and joy for people, Raine said. But it was tough on him to be so far away from home, and his girlfriend, at Christmas time.
"You were thinking of home," said Raine. "You're enjoying your day on Christmas, but your memories are all at home.
"We're cultured to think that Christmas is a very family-centred, wonderful time to be home with the family. But we knew we weren't going to be there. It wasn't that we were in depression or anything, but we knew it was a fact of life."
There were people to be around with on Christmas. He had buddies in the air force. He lived in a Nisson hut - a corrugated tin barrack shaped like a long barrel cut down the centre - with 23 other people.
Boiled mutton was the staple in his diet. And that's not a good thing, Raine said. It tasted terrible. Food rations were strictly enforced.
"You didn't go to big fancy restaurants," Raine said.
Christmas dinner was just like home, though. The high-ranking officers prepared a big turkey dinner, with all the trimmings, for the soldiers.
Christmas was green in the regions of Ireland and Britain where Raine was stationed. That's why the song "White Christmas" meant so much to him. Christmas was the only time that he missed the snow, he said.
"You think of skating parties, and going out with a team of horses and sleigh riding, that goes with my culture," said Raine.
A truce was called for Christmas each year. Allied soldiers who were fighting in the front lines would pause from the fighting, and talk to their German enemies about life back home. Raine never talked to his foes on Christmas day, but knew of soldiers who did.
He did receive Christmas gifts from home - confectionary, chocolate bars or gum, and maybe a Christmas cake or a pair of socks. Ships were used to transport soldiers, not mail, Raine said, so delivery times were erratic.
"If you got a nice gift, you put it under your bunker and brought it out once in a while," Raine said.
Gifts might arrive in time for Christmas, he said. People would try to time delivery just right so that the present would be there right before December 25.
Audible communication, such as phone calls, was non-existent.
"I think the one thing that I recall is that you never knew when the end was in sight," said Raine. "Those days you had a radio, of course, and some news, but a lot of the news was propaganda, that we're winning the war. But you didn't know."
Raine said it's a good thing that military personnel are now sent over in shifts, instead of years at a time.
"When we went over, it was to the end," said Raine. "We didn't know if it was going to be a year or 10 years, it just seemed like it went on and on and on.
"The longer that you were away for Christmas, the more it seemed like you were never going to get home again. But we did."

News

Mines donate to Salvation Army
(L-R) Prairie Mines and Royalty plant manager Doug Barnstable, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Local 7606 president Lorne Wagner, and Estevan Salvation Army Captain Heather Fudge participated in cheque presentations December 11 at the Boundary Dam Mine. Barnstable and Wagner presented a cheque for $1,685, which was raised by staff and UMWA members at two separate Christmas parties. They also handed over a $2,500 corporate cheque.

Police report
*Police are seeking the whereabouts of Justin Wesley Garrow, who is unlawfully at large after escaping custody at the Estevan Court house. It is a criminal offence to counsel or aid a person who is unlawfully at large, and anyone who does will be charged.
*A 21-year-old Estevan male was arrested and charged for driving while over .08. He will appear in Estevan court at a later date.
*A male was found beaten up and bloodied at the 1000 block of Sixth Street. The 31-year-old was transported to hospital with undetermined injuries. He was later taken to hospital in Regina. Police are investigating.
*A motorist was charged with operating an unregistered vehicle following a two-vehicle accident at Fourth Street and Kensington Avenue. Neither vehicle required a tow.
*Police are investigating, and Social Services has been notified, of a possible assault in the Spruce Ridge area of the city.
*Several boxes of laminate flooring, and several pounds of meat, were stolen out of the back of a pick-up truck parked outside of a local lounge. The items were loaded into another truck. The matter is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Estevan Police Service or Crime Stoppers.

Public Assistance Required
The Estevan City Police Service is still on the lookout for a 21-year-old Estevan man who is unlawfully at large after escaping from the Estevan Provincial courthouse on Thursday December 6, 2007.
Justin Garrow was to appear in Estevan Provincial Court on a breach of a conditional sentence order. There is currently a Western Canada Wide Warrant for the Arrest of Garrow.
He is described as 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, wearing jeans and a hoodie. He is balding with reddish curly hair. He commonly wears ballcaps or if wearing a hoodie the hood is typically up.
If anyone has information on the location of Garrow please contact the Estevan Police Service at (306) 634-4767.

This has been a memorable year in Saskatchewan
* The Grey Cup victory by our Saskatchewan Roughriders;
Other significant changes;
* New jobs and new challenges for many people in our province, including me.
* However, now it's time to slow down for a few short days and take stock of what's important.
* Our families, our friends and our good fortune - to live and prosper in a land of abundance and a province where life is safe, and life is sweet.
* So, in this my first Christmas Message as Premier of Saskatchewan, I'd like to invite you to take that time and take stock.
* Renew old acquaintances.
* Hug your kids.
* Go visit your neighbour. Share some fellowship at work.
* Phone your mother.
* Do all of those things that you've had to put off because we are living our lives in this fast paced, hectic world - full of cell phones and computers, family activities and work, and lately Christmas concerts - demanding our constant attention.
* If you do one thing this year, do this: make Christmas a special time for your family and friends.
* And better still....make it special for a stranger; someone who is not so fortunate, someone who is hungry, or sick, or lonely or worried about the future. This is the Saskatchewan that made national news when an entire province came together to send kids battling cancer to the Grey Cup.
* And I also ask you to spare a thought for the many people working extra hours during the holiday season - people who may not be able to spend this special day with loved ones.
* Whether they're working in health care, on the highways and streets or in fire halls or police cruisers, they are giving up their special times and special moments to make life safer and more secure for you and I.
* On behalf of a grateful province, I would like to express my sincere thanks for their service.
* There are also men and women from Saskatchewan around the world who are putting themselves in harm's way so that others may enjoy the freedom and prosperity we celebrate this holiday season.
* My special message to you is simple and heartfelt.
* God bless you. Come home safe.
* "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
* For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
* From Tami, Megan, Colter, Faith and I, Merry Christmas Saskatchewan, and a Happy New Year to each and every one of you.
Premier, Brad Wall

Merry Christmas to all!
Christmas is a truly blessed and peaceful time of the year. We are so fortunate to live in a province and country where we realize the true meaning of peace. Freedom is enjoyed because of those who fought and continue to serve in our forces. We must also remember and thank all those in protective services. Our province is enjoying a thriving economy, but many people are facing hardships this holiday season. We must keep in our hearts those who are less fortunate. Christmas is about peace, hope, and giving. Let us not forget the real reason we celebrate. Keep Christ in Christmas.
Doreen Eagles
Estevan MLA

Christmas- A Special Time of the Year
Another year has past. It's Christmas! There is a distinct bustle in the streets, the malls, and in local cafes. It's a time of Christmas plays, suppers, and community events full of energy and enthusiasm.
In Estevan and Weyburn it's the Christmas kettle kick-off by the Salvation Army, in Moosomin it's Bethlehem Live sponsored by various community Churches, and in Carlyle it's the Dickens Festival. Each community has its own event to celebrate the season of Christmas.
It's a special time of the year to celebrate, fellowship with family and friends, and to ponder the birth of Jesus. As the prophet Isaiah stated, "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government will be on His shoulders."
For the Salvation Army it's a time to bring the Spirit of Christmas to those who would otherwise be forgotten - to the aged and lonely, the ill, the poor and unfortunate.
As the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens proclaims, "Merry Christmas…God Bless us, Everyone!" Have a happy and safe Christmas season and a great 2008!
Ed Komarnicki, M.P.
Souris-Moose Mountain

Season’s Greetings
As we prepare for the holiday season of Christmas and New Year's, we are reminded of the spirit of this season - the spirit of peace and goodwill.
Many of us will be reminded of the abundant blessings that we share with family and friends, in a province and nation of peace and wealth.
But we live in complicated times. Our great province and nation are experiencing unprecedented economic prosperity, but still people are living in poverty.
Never before has democracy touched the lives of so many across the globe, but injustice and strife continue for many of Earth's people.
Even within our own homes and families and neighbourhoods there may be conflict and hurt.
When those shepherds two thousand years ago heard the Christmas anthem of "Peace on Earth and goodwill to all" it was not a description of things as they were but more a vision of what might be.
We yet share that vision of peace and goodwill for ourselves and our families, for our neighbourhoods and communities.
We yet share that vision for our province and nation and ultimately our world.
And what we wish for ourselves we desire for all.
Angels sang of Peace and Goodwill... it is our human challenge to make it so for our children, our neighbours, our world.
In this holiday season, Betty and I and many of us will treasure our time with family and our family traditions, sharing our own faith traditions, remembering with love those whose chairs will be empty this Christmas, and sharing in the abundance and freedom that we are given in Saskatchewan.
May we go from this season renewed again in our commitment to sharing the peace and goodwill of which angels once sang at the birth of a Child with all children of all nations.
Betty and I extend to you and yours, a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Official Opposition,
Lorne Calvert

Season’s Greetings from the Mayor
Christmas is such a great time of the year as it allows all of us to take a break from our busy lives and get together with family and friends.
On behalf of my wife Connie and myself I would like to wish all of our citizens a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 2007 was a very busy year for our City and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Estevan for their patience in dealing with the many detours and disruptions.
Major infrastructure work always includes a lot of inconvenience for everyone but the end product is worthwhile.
Our hope and prayers are that everyone who is traveling this holiday season will have safe journeys. May the true meaning of Christmas be with you always.
Mayor Gary St.Onge

His Honour Dr. Gordon Barnhart:
As we celebrate this special season, it is a great pleasure to extend greetings to you on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada.
Naomi and I want to express our sincere thanks to the thousands of people who warmly welcomed us throughout the past year. Our province has a wealth of committed volunteers who exemplify community spirit.
This year has been full of memorable events. Naomi and I were honoured to have a private audience with Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace in May. It is a deep privilege to represent our devoted monarch.
Saskatchewan proudly hosted Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal in June. Our citizens have a genuine respect and affection for the royal family; this was evident at every event during Princess Anne's visit.
Her Honour Mrs. Naomi Barnhart:
Throughout 2007, I have had many opportunities to address students and health care professionals about the benefits of physical fitness and nutrition. When parents involve their children in active play, and model a healthy lifestyle, children are likely to follow their example. I am delighted that this important message has been so enthusiastically received.
Gordon and I were honoured to be named Ambassadors for Saskatchewan in motion this year. This exciting initiative encourages Saskatchewan residents to join the physical activity movement, and to make exercise part of every day. We are pleased to support in motion's worthy goal; Saskatchewan can become the healthiest most physically active province in Canada.
His Honour:
It was gratifying to see our dream become reality this fall. The first Lieutenant Governor's Leadership Forum brought together 17 senior high school students from across the province. They learned about the vast educational and career opportunities in Saskatchewan. The students explored the meaning of leadership through unique access to outstanding Saskatchewan leaders.
We are thrilled that the 2007 Forum had tremendously positive outcomes; it was a life-changing experience for the participants. We believe that the Forum will have a long-term impact on our province, as these promising young people are better able to envision their future in Saskatchewan.
As we enjoy this festive season with family and friends, it is appropriate to reflect upon our countless blessings. How fortunate we are to benefit from the rights and freedoms afforded by our successful form of government. How blessed we are to live in a nation that embraces diversity and equality. How lucky we are to be residents of a province whose citizens are renowned for their generosity and compassion.
Naomi and I are grateful to live in such an amazing place, and to serve the Crown in Saskatchewan. We hope you will join us at the Lieutenant Governor's New Year's Day Levee at Government House in Regina.
We extend warm Season's greetings from our family to yours.
Lieutenant Govenor

Rotary Club hosts Carol Festival
Caption: Trinity Lutheran Church’s choir performed during the Rotary Carol Festival.
The Rotary Club of Estevan did their part to usher in the Christmas season with their 55th annual Christmas carol festival December 9 at St. Paul's United Church.
Eleven entries performed two songs each. Some played popular Christmas songs; others went with less-known selections. The Estevan Wind Ensemble played several songs during a prelude.
Audience members were able to get involved in the program by singing a few well-known Christmas carols. The evening concluded with Rotarians singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" to the crowd.
Admission was by donation, and proceeds will be directed to band programs in Estevan.

All-Niter cancelled for 2007-08
One of Estevan's largest youth events is taking a year off.
The Youth All-Niter has been a fixture on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day for youth in the community since 1999. The event attracted a record 460 young people for 2006-07.
But a lack of volunteers has forced the cancellation of the 2007-08 event. Organizer Bob Schultz said they had 10 volunteers confirmed for this year's All-Niter. Fifty volunteers assisted last year's event, he said.
Schultz said he knows a lot of groups in town are suffering from a volunteer shortage. Some of his perennial helpers were going to be out-of-town for New Year's Eve this year. Other volunteers have moved on since they no longer have children attending the event.
The All-Niter was ready to go, Schultz said. Most of the popular traditional events were going to be back this year. But he said he can't do it without the volunteers.
Schultz is optimistic that the All-Niter can return for New Year's Eve in 2008.

Laing returns as Legion president
Dave Laing will complete his two-year term as president of the Estevan Royal Canadian Legion in 2008.
His first year as president was a good one, he said. Finances are in good shape, and everything ran as it should.
Plans for 2008 include a renovation to the main hall and the club room, which will cost about $30,000.
"We'll be replacing the carpet and doing the floors," said Laing. Some furniture will also be replaced.
Laing said they have applied for a federal grant to offset some of the costs. The rest of the expense would be covered by Legion coffers.
The southeast district rally will be in Estevan next year.
New member recruitment will continue to be a priority, he said. The Legion has about 400 members. New members can have immediate voting rights.
Other officers for the Legion's executive include first vice-president Eileen Rosner, second vice-president Lyle Dukart, past-president Leo Saccary, sergeant-at-arms Jim Spenst and assistant sergeant-at-arms Ken Clarke.

Christmas services coming
Churches in the Estevan area will be busy hosting special services as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Services will take place on Christmas Eve at many churches in Estevan and the surrounding communities. Some churches will also have services on Christmas Day.
Watch next week's edition of Lifestyles for more Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service advertisements.

Exhibit creates a SMILE
Caption: Gloria George, Corinne Trebick-Gibson, Joyce Kirby, Peggy Van Rooy and Tammy Lewis were on hand for a reception December 6.
Missing: Frank Kovacs, DeeAnn Morlock Blondeau and Glenda Germain.
The artistic abilities of several members of SMILE Services (Society of Maintaining and Improving Life in Estevan) have been rewarded with an exhibit, called "Creating a SMILE," in the small gallery at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM).
A reception was held December 6. Several artists who have work hanging in the exhibit - Gloria George, Joyce Kirby, Tammy Lewis and Peggy Van Rooy - were present for the reception.
Corinne Trebick-Gibson from SMILE Services facilitated the exhibit.
"We've been doing artwork for a long time," said Trebick-Gibson. "We meet once a month, so there's been a lot of work to choose from.”
Trebick-Gibson contacted EAGM curator Cheryl Andrist to have Andrist take a look at the artwork. Andrist determined which pieces would be selected.
"For years I've been saying we should have a show, and encouraging them to do more creative stuff," said Trebick-Gibson.
Trebick-Gibson said Andrist was very impressed with the talents of the people in the art program.
Art is an important part of programming at SMILE Services, Trebick-Gibson said. It enables the participants, regardless of their age, to release emotions.
Many of the selections were of the artists' interests or passions, or depictions of people they know.
"Some people have used their pets in their work, some people have used family," said Trebick-Gibson. "Different inspirations and different ideas."
"Creating a SMILE" will remain at the small gallery until the end of the month.

Record-breaking year for land sales
The December sale of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights has capped a record-breaking year for sales.
The $15 million realized in this week's sale brought the 2007 year-end total to $250.3 million in revenue for the province. That shatters the previous record of $199.7 million set in 1994. The average of $618 per hectare this year breaks the previous record of $450 per hectare set in 1983.
"A quarter of a billion dollar investment by the industry for drilling and production rights in Saskatchewan signals the start of a very busy time in our oil patch," Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said.
"The province is committed to remaining competitive and maintaining the investment climate required to encourage development of our rich resources."
This month's sale included one exploration licence that sold for just under $350,000 and 176 lease parcels that brought in $14.8 million.
Once again the Estevan-Weyburn area dominated the sales activity on the strength of the hot Bakken Formation oil play with sales totalling $12.1 million. The Lloydminster area was next at $1.9 million followed by the Kindersley-Kerrobert area at $587,000 and the Swift Current area at $478,000.
The highest price paid for a single parcel was $1.3 million. Crescent Point General Partnership Corp. purchased this 129 hectare lease parcel of deeper rights adjacent to Stoughton in southeast Saskatchewan.
The highest price paid on a per-hectare basis was over $17,000. Triwest Energy Inc., which recently amalgamated with Provident Energy Resources Inc., placed a bid of over $1.1 million for a 64-hectare lease parcel of deeper rights beneath the Steelman Midale Beds Pool.
The next sale of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights will be February 11, 2008.

PREMIER COMMITS TO
EXPLORING OIL SANDS POTENTIAL
Premier Brad Wall wants both industry and Saskatchewan's new government to look at ways to encourage sustainable development of the province's oil sands resources.
The premier delivered a message today of investment optimism around both oil sands and conventional oil to a Regina business audience attending a Saskatchewan oil sands seminar organized by Wellington West Capital Inc.
"There is a lot of room for new investment in Saskatchewan's industry and the energy science and technology associated with it," Wall said. "Our oil sands could offer tremendous opportunities for economic growth if they are properly developed."
More than 100 business people attended the seminar, "Global Oil Sands Development: A Washington Perspective," which featured Paul Michael Wihbey, a Washington-based geopolitical energy strategist. In November, Wihbey presented "Oil Sands: Pivotal to a New World Oil Order" to blue ribbon investors in Zurich and Geneva where he positioned Saskatchewan as a significant energy producer leading the charge on North American energy security.
"Saskatchewan has an energy diversity that no other Canadian province can match in terms of primary energy supply," Wall said. "Oil is a critical part of that diversity, but we need research and new technology to unlock the resource that we have in not only oil sands but light, medium and heavy crude as well."
Saskatchewan's initial oil in place is currently estimated at just over 39 billion barrels, with more than 30 billion barrels remaining beyond reach - for now. If technology increased recovery rates by only five per cent, Saskatchewan's remaining recoverable reserves would more than double from current levels. "That is why we committed to $4 million over four years in Petroleum Technology Research Centre funding," Wall said.
While the extent of the province's oil sands resources is still unknown, government geoscientists estimate northwestern Saskatchewan contains 27,000 square kilometres of land with some level of oil sands potential.

Support for Austin Green
Austin Green, a Grade 7 student at Lampman School who is currently battling Burkitt's leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, has received support from his community, a neighbouring town, and his classmates.
A parent of one of Austin's classmates collected goods for a raffle during Lampman School's recent production of "Annie." The raffle raised $555. Many of Austin's classmates performed in "Annie."
A bonus performance of "Annie" was offered for students from Lampman School and other schools. One of the schools that attended was Alameda School. They brought $255 for Austin.
The money will be used to cover expenses associated with Austin's treatment - medical costs, accommodations and transportation, among others.
Christine Branyik-Thornton, Austin's teacher for English, art and social studies, said his classmates send a letter to him every day. They call him almost every day.
His classmates have compiled a photo collage, with all of the students smiling and waving at Austin. Branyik-Thornton said its their effort to do what they can to boost Austin's morale.
Austin has also received visits from his peewee hockey team and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He is currently staying at the cancer ward at Regina's Pasqua Hospital.
Burkitt's leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are often diagnosed together. Burkitt's leukemia occurs when too many white blood cells called B lymphocytes form in the blood and bone marrow.

Santa reads letters
Santa Claus read children's Christmas wish list letters at the Whistle Stop Toys in Estevan December 12.
Letters were dropped off at the Whistle Stop and Access Communications.
Santa will read letters and greet children December 20.

Tickets on sale for Family Centre fundraiser
The Estevan Family Resource Centre has revamped their annual dinner theatre, which is their biggest fundraiser.
Applause Feast and Folly dinner theatre from Regina has traditionally provided the entertainment. Celebrity impersonator Robert Larrabee is the new performer. He will bring his "Evening with the Legends" show on Friday, February 1, 2008, to the Estevan Comprehensive School.
Doors open at 6 p.m. The school's Iron Chefs will serve the meal at 6:30. Larrabee will start at 7:30 p.m. Two 45-minute performances will be separated by an intermission.
Family Centre coordinator Colleen Macmillan said the costs for bringing Feast and Folly were going up, and they were making less money from the dinner theatre. The community has always supported the dinner theatre, she said, and Macmillan is confident the support will continue.
Larrabee's impersonations include Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison, she said.
Tickets are now on sale. Macmillan said they will be able to accommodate up to 400 people. Proceeds will go to the Estevan Family Resource Centre.

Final 2007 crop report
The harvest of 2007 got off to an early start for many Saskatchewan farmers, but is still continuing for some, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's final crop report for the year.
For some farmers in central and northern regions, spring started with harvesting the 2006 crop left out last fall. Approximately 200,000 acres were left to harvest, and about 70,000 acres were harvested. The remainder was not worth combining due to weathering and animal damage.
Seeding activity in the province began during the third week in April in the southwest, southeast, and west central areas. By the end of May, 80% of the crop was seeded.
By mid-June, a number of rural municipalities in the north eastern and east central areas of Saskatchewan reported 75% or less of their crop had been seeded, due to very wet field conditions.
Farmers seeded an estimated 33.1 million acres. Hot, dry weather in July and August put the brakes on a great looking crop and pushed crop development ahead.
Harvest started in late July in some areas of the province, and close to 40% was complete by the end of August. Wet conditions prolonged harvest in the east central and northern areas of the province. About 700,000 acres have yet to be harvested - most of them in the northeast.
Crop reporters expect that farmers will harvest 23.87 million tonnes of the major grains, oilseeds, and specialty crops for the 2007 crop year. The production estimate is less than 1% above the 10-year (1997-2006) average of 23.83 million tonnes, and 1% above 2006 production of 23.75 million tonnes.
The percentage of crops falling into the top grade category is above the 10-year average in about half of the crops. Downgrading came from insects, hail, low bushel weight, and weathering in late-harvested crops.
The hay crop was generally good this year - provincially the first and second cuts of brome/alfalfa hay on dry land averaged 1.5 tons per acre, above the 10-year average of 1.1 tons per acre. Quality was expected to be generally good to excellent. The lowest yields were reported in the southwest due to dry spring soils.

Columnists

What are you teaching?
Throughout the forty years that Moses led God's people in the desert, it seems that they were rarely happy. In fact, the two words that the Bible most often uses to describe their attitudes are "grumbled" or "complained". Now notice the word that describes them in the passage below.
"Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why did you bring the Lord's community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!" (Verses 2-5).
The sad part: The people still had not learned anything about God! For forty years, they complained, cried, and thought that they were going to die. Every time they were in need, God provided, yet here they are still complaining and still worrying!
Even worse than that though is the fact that this is now the second generation of God's people to do this. The people have raised their children to be fearful, worrying complainers too. Rather than teaching trust, thankfulness and reliance on God, the parents taught their kids to be just like them.
So, what are we teaching our children? Are we teaching them that every little thing is a huge problem, or are we teaching them to trust God? Are we teaching them to fret or to pray? Are we seeing our many blessings or only our few problems?
Are you leaving a legacy of faith or fear?
"The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:5-7).
Tim Pippus, Estevan Church of Christ

THIS IS WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
By Linda Wegner
Since our youngest son and his wife returned from Malawi where they spent a month helping in an orphanage for abandoned and abused children, I have a new perspective on Christmas. I expected to hear a lot of pain-filled stories but John and Nia are telling me about the joy and the singing that permeates the orphanage compound. Three times a day staff and children eat a cornmeal concoction …but they're eating. They've got no mattresses or blankets but they do have wooden beds and the nights are hot. In spite of pain, death and loss, their days and nights are filled with singing and celebration. Their rich store of praise turns their little into a veritable treasure house and makes each day a gift.
It's not always so when it comes to choosing gifts in my world. When it stretches the mind to think of one thing that a friend or family member wants, let alone needs, I can't help but get a bit antsy about the disparity between us and them. When hubbie asked me what I wanted under the tree, I couldn't think of a single thing.
Over the past several weeks I've passed on the great news that God wants our sins, our weaknesses, our failures and our fears. He's not neurotic-it's just that when we trust Him with our worst, He knows how to make it part of our best. Then, I've talked about giving the gift of understanding and forgiveness to those who have hurt us. Now, come to think of it, there are a couple of things I do want this year. I want gratitude that is untouched by circumstances, genuine compassion for others and joyful obedience to Christ. The best part? He wants to give them to me.
"He shall receive a blessing from the LORD" (Psalm 24:5)

IT'S CHRISTMAS!
Let me begin my column with a very sincere wish to everyone to have a happy Christmas season and look forward to a healthy and successful 2008.
Nearly every household has a Christmas tree. How did this trend get started?
FOLKLORE: It's generally agreed that the use of an evergreen tree as part of the Christmas celebration started over 400 years ago in Germany and spread to most parts of Northern Europe by the 19th century and eventually to North America. The enduring tree symbol remains a firmly-established part of our holiday customs, bringing together not only our sense of sight, touch and smell, but also a sense of tradition. The tree evokes a mood of holidays from long ago.
ECOLOGY: Your natural Christmas tree can be useful after the holidays, too. Placed in your back yard, it can become a birdfeeder. Bread, suet, popcorn and orange slices placed in the branches will definitely attract birds. Other uses for your tree include using the branches for mulch in your garden and using the stems for firewood. Balsam fir branch tips and needles can provide aromatic stuffing for sachets. Some cities and municipalities now have a Christmas tree: mulching program after the holiday season. This is all well and good providing that the trees are not infected with disease or scale, which' I noticed on some
of the trees sold in the Estevan area a few years ago. Personally I do not like the idea of a huge bonfire ... what a terrible waste, however if the trees are diseases with scale, then the idea of a bonfire is a good one.
LET IT SNOW: At this time of writing my article, we do not have very much snow on the ground. When the snow arrives, all your unwanted snow should be shoveled or blown from the sidewalks onto the garden area, lawn areas and definitely your perennials to insulate all the plants and shrubs. But don't get carried away and pile it up so high that come spring you will have an over-abundant of water on the perennials. Two or three feet won't do any harm. Any snow to which salt has been added should never be used on plants as this can cause serious damage to your plants.
Next week I will be writing an article titled 'A GARDENER'S CHRISTMAS with ideas for gift giving to a gardener.
Gerry Fichtemann is the owner of River Bend Nursery.455-

Sports

Atom Bruins compete in prospects challenge
The Estevan Canetic Atom Tier 1 Bruins competed in the Western Prospects Atom Tier 1 Challenge December 6 to 9 in Weyburn.
Estevan posted a 1-2 record in the round robin, and bowed out in the first round of the playoffs.
The Weyburn WIT Wings scored four times in the first four minutes on their way to a 7-3 win over Estevan in the Bruins opening game. Kyle Salaway had two goals for Estevan; Cory Peloquin had the other.
Estevan lost 10-4 in their second game to the Regina Flyers. Salaway, Peloquin, Kaelan Holt and Tyler Hengen scored for Estevan.
Estevan rebounded to beat the Prairie Storm Thunder 8-1 in their third game. Holt had a hat trick, and Seth Horn added two goals. Salaway, Brennan Riddle and Ryan Smith also scored for Estevan.
The Regina Hawks beat the Bruins 6-5 in the playoffs. Regina scored the winner in the final minute. Holt had a hat trick for the second straight game. Peloquin and Salaway also scored for Estevan.

Mustangs remain Undefeated
The Midale Mustangs are the only undefeated team remaining in the Big Six Hockey League.
Midale, in their first action since November 17, swept the Wawota Flyers in a home-and-home series, beating Wawota 9-1 in Midale December 7 and 5-3 in Wawota on the 8th.
Midale's 6-0 record has them first in the West Division, one point ahead of the 5-1-1 Carlyle Cougars. Carlyle beat the Bienfait Coalers 11-3 on the 7th.
The Arcola-Kisbey Combines (2-3-1) are third in the West. Wawota (1-5) is fourth and the White Bear Redhawks (0-7) are last.
The Oxbow Huskies lost their first game of the season - 4-3 to the Redvers Rockets December 9 - but they remain first in the East Division. Oxbow did manage a 4-2 win over the Carnduff Red Devils the night before.
Oxbow (6-1-1) has 13 points, and the club is four points up on the Bienfait Coalers (3-3-1-2). Redvers (4-4) is third, Carnduff (3-2) is fourth, thanks to the loss to Oxbow and a 5-3 win over Redvers.
The Pierson Bruins (1-3) are last. Pierson beat White Bear 10-1 December 9 for their first win in the Big Six.

Impressive deer head
Tiffany Toms poses with a deer head from an animal shot recently near Kipling.
The deer was shot by Leon Debreceni, who works with Toms at Big Sky 96, an oilfield company in the southeast.

Mermaids chosen for program
Caption: Alyssa Gibson, Brittany Gervais, Mackenzie Dahl, Tess Rensby and Dezirae Franke for a high performance synchronized swimming caption.
Five members of the Estevan Mermaids Synchronized Swim Club - Alyssa Gibson, Brittany Gervais, Mackenzie Dahl, Tess Rensby and Dezirae Franke - were chosen for this year’s provincial High Performance Program.
The quintet of swimmers was chosen by Laurie Wachs, the High Performance director for Synchro Saskatchewan, during a scouting trip to Estevan by Wachs in early December.
As part of High Performance, all competitive athletes between the ages of 11 and 17 are being assessed to develop the province’s talent pool for the 2011 Canada Winter Games.
Selected athletes are invited to participate in the High Performance Talent ID Program that will provide them with additional opportunities to improve skills and the drive to succeed, through shared training opportunities and information.

Local minor hockey teams faring well
Estevan's three entries in the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League have enjoyed good starts to the season, as they all have above .500 records.
The Apex Midget AA Bruins are sixth in the league's overall standings, but they have several games in hand on the teams in front of them. Estevan is 10-1-4 in league play, and their winning percentage (.80) is second-best in the league.
The TS&M Bantam AA Bruins are fourth in the league with a 9-3-1 record. They are just one point behind the third-place Weyburn Wings.
The Prairie Mines and Royalty Bruins are fifth in the league with a 6-5 record, but they have games in hand on the third and fourth place teams, the Weyburn Youngfellows and the Carlyle Moose Mountain Wild.
Teams will continue to play games until shortly before Christmas. League play will resume in the new year. Provincials will also start early in 2008.

Hockeyville seeking entries
Kraft Canada - together with the CBC, the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Player's Association (NHLPA) - is searching for the community that best embodies the spirit of hockey and hometown pride in the third annual Kraft Hockeyville competition.
People are encouraged to share their favorite hockey photos and grassroots hockey stories to win Hockeyville.
Submissions must include some basic information about the local arena. Once the community profile is created, residents can add the photos and stories they feel best represent hockey spirit.
Along with the hometown pride that comes along with being crowned Kraft Hockeyville 2008, the winning hockey community wins $100,000 to remodel their local arena!

Bruins split with Notre Dame
Caption: Estevan and Notre Dame players gather in front of the net after Bruin forward Trent Rumpel crashed into Notre Dame goalie Andre Guay.
The Estevan Bruins finished their season series with the Notre Dame Hounds in style December 11, thumping the Hounds 8-3 at the Civic Auditorium.
Estevan won five of six meetings with Notre Dame this year. The only loss was a 6-3 decision December 10 in Wilcox.
Despite their dominance over the Hounds, head coach/GM Karry Biette is pleased the Bruins won't play Notre Dame again.
"I think Notre Dame's going to get better," said Biette. "They're going to surprise some teams. It's a tough rink to go into."
The Bruins came out flat in the loss to Notre Dame, Biette said. The Hounds scored four times in the first 15 minutes of the game.
"The first 15 minutes were just flat," said Biette. "We didn't come out and play with the intensity and desire we needed to win the hockey game."
Biette said his team "dominated" in the 8-3 win over Notre Dame. Even though the game was tied 2-2 after the first period, the Bruins outshot the Hounds 29-9. The Bruins clamped down defensively in the final 40 minutes, and scored six unanswered goals in the second and third periods to build an 8-2 lead.
The Hounds played both games without star forward Rylan Schwarz, who was one of four SJHL representatives at the national Junior A top prospects game in Winkler, Manitoba.
In off-ice news, defenceman Dmitri Levin, acquired by the Bruins in November, continues to struggle to get his release from the Ontario Hockey League's Oshawa Generals.
Biette said Levin won't play for the Bruins until after the Christmas break.
Forward Vincein Scott, out since mid-October with a broken leg, will return after Christmas, Biette said. His cast has been removed, and he's been cleared to skate. Biette said Scott has been working hard in off-ice conditioning to ensure he's in good physical shape once the broken bone has healed.
Estevan has a 19-15-2-1 record and 41 points. They are third in the Sherwood Conference, but teams ahead of them, and behind them, have games in hand.
This season's toughest part of the schedule is finished, Biette said. Seven of 11 games in January are at home, and they have one three-game road trip remaining.
"Our toughest months were November and December," Biette said.
The Bruins host the league-leading Humboldt Broncos December 14, and close out the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule December 18 with a visit from the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

From the Sidelines
Patriots remain undefeated
By Kyle Kapiczowski
The New England patriots are still the NFL's only unbeaten team. The Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-14 to get their 13th straight win. The Patriots are one win away from tying the 1972 Miami Dolphins' record of a 14-0 regular season record. The Patriots record is 13-0 and their next game is against the 3-10 New York Jets.
The Patriots have clinched their division and have also got home field advantage and a first round bye in the playoffs.
Other NFL scores were: Dallas got past Detroit 28-27, Washington beat Chicago 24-16, Jacksonville took out Carolina 37-6, Indianapolis hammered Baltimore 44-20, San Diego edged Tennessee 23-17 in overtime and Minnesota beat San Francisco 27-7.
In other NFL news, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison for his part in a dog fighting ring.
In NCAA football, Florida Gators sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow is the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner. Tebow becomes the third Florida Gator to win the trophy, joining Steve Spurrier in 1966 and Danny Wuerffel in 1996. I'm glad he won the award.
In the CFL, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have re-signed running back Wes Cates to a one-year contract, plus an option.
In the English Premier League, Manchester United beat Derby County 4-1. Manchester's next game is against Liverpool. Man U's record is 11 wins, two losses and three ties. Manchester United is one point back of Arsenal for first place in the league.
In the NHL, the Ottawa Senators beat the Dallas Stars 4-1. Ottawa is on a two-game winning streak. The Sens' record is 18-7-3. I hope the Senators keep winning.
In Major League Baseball, the New York Yankees have signed pitcher La Troy Hawkins to a one year contract worth $3.75 million.
The Washington Nationals have signed Paul Lo Duca to a one-year contract. Lo Duca will replace Brian Schneider as the catcher. I hope he does well.
That's all, folks!

Viewpoints

Editorial
Tea Time
Left Out in the Snow
By Dani Stobbs
Have you ever jumped out of a hot tub and rolled into snow at minus 24 and then jumped back into the hot tub?
If your answer is no, then I would have been able to relate to you a week ago. But if your answer is yes, then I say to you… "ARE YOU CRAZY?" My personal answer would be yes, and I am crazy.
Friday night began as a nice relaxing time of chilling and hanging out in my friend's new hot tub. Until however, myself and friend were coaxed into diving into the snow! I think all that hot steam had gone to my head, and I stupidly agreed.
With little on but shorts and top in the chilled air we leaped out and as quick as we could. We did a full roll and jumped back into the hot tub. You would think that jumping back into the nice steaming water would feel lovely and warm. NO IT DID NOT! I felt like how I would imagine a Christmas turkey would feel. I felt like I was being cooked and prodded with needles all over my body. I was definitely feeling a little over-done!
Now this week brought about events that have made me feel a little over done too. I am becoming a bit dry with the whole work permit situation. They have refused my work permit yet again for the third time! It seems that I'm not a worthy candidate to work in Estevan.
Every time I explain the reasons behind my rejections from the country, people are shocked and can't believe how much ignorance there has been for our city. It would take only a few minutes of going to a Saskatchewan website or read through the job section of newspapers to see how desperate the situation has become!
Although I guess all you employers out there don't really need staff (that's the claim of your government) - do you? Of course you do!!! I can't believe how much employment is available in this town, and the lengths that someone has to go to, just get a work permit!
It was a little like my hot tub experience. You start all warm and great sat in your cozy life, getting ready to be able to work, and it's like the system throws you into a field of cold snow, rolls you around a bit and then sticks you back. You're left tingling, and burning with the fury of not understanding, but eventually it dies down a bit, and you to get to a point where it feels good and warm again.
I'm praying with every bone in my body that the warm good feeling will return soon, but just for now I am still sat with that chill and burning feeling!
I wonder how long I will be left out in the snow?

What's Happening

Mall presents breakfast proceeds
(L-R) Violence Intervention Program (VIP) volunteer coordinator Alana Clow accepted a $449.82 cheque from Estevan Shoppers Mall administrative secretary Melanie Sinclair and Mall Merchants Association president Mary LeBlanc. The funds were raised during a Breakfast with Santa December 1 at the mall, which attracted 194 people. A couple cases of juice boxes were also donated to VIP.

Set for a Year lotto winners
(L-R) Estevan Bruins' Set for a Year Lotto chairman Jeff Pierson presented a cheque to lotto winners Danny and Diane Merkley of Glen Ewen. The Merkley's won $626.15 per week, for the next 52 weeks, in the annual lotto. The Bruins made over $30,000 through the lotto.

Christmas crafts
Caption: Sara Hollingshead painted Christmas balls at the Estevan Public Library.
The Estevan Public Library hosted family Christmas activities December 9. Children and parents skated at the Lignite Miners Centre. Children created crafts at the library, participated in a scavenger hunt and listened to stories.