Feature

The ups and downs of a nature artist
Caption: Renowned Saskatchewan artist Glen Scrimshaw spoke to students at Sacred Heart School in Estevan October 11.
By David Willberg
"Art has been a part of my life since I've been a young boy," says Glen Scrimshaw, who is one of Saskatchewan's foremost artists. "As long as I could remember, I've painted and drawn and so on."
The Duck Lake-based nature artist visited Estevan October 11. He met the public, signed autographs and sold artwork and copies of his book at Tech Solutions. He also spoke to students at Sacred Heart School about the importance of following their dreams and never giving up.
Part proceeds from his book and art sales will be directed to the Rotary Club of Estevan and the United Way of Estevan. Scrimshaw is an honourary member of the Nipawin Rotary Club.
"The United Way touches so many different different charities, and of course Rotary is such a good organization, it's made up of business people, and they give to various charities as well," said Scrimshaw.
He decided to come to Estevan after meeting local Rotarian and Tech Solutions co-owner Andrea Sernick at a Rotary function.
Nature paintings are his preferred genre. He loves nature and enjoys painting it.
"I go with the flow," said Scrimshaw. "Whatever I can feel inside of me, and lately, for the last 20 years anyways, it's been nature. At one time in my life, I did a lot of horses and a lot of people, and so on ... but now I've focused on nature. That's what pulls me in, that's what speaks to me, so that's what I do."
He also enjoys painting the Northern Lights, lightning, moonlight and sunsets - anything to do with skies.
Living in small-town Saskatchewan creates challenges for an artist, Scrimshaw said. Isolation and a low population make it difficult to sell artwork. People need art in their lives, Scrimshaw said, but they also need to be able to afford it.
But living in a small town also has its perks, he said.
"We can go out and wander around and, minutes from most of the places where we live, we can be totally alone with nature," said Scrimshaw. "The more people you have, that just doesn't happen."
He has galleries in Duck Lake and Saskatoon. His work is displayed at other galleries in Canada, and people from around the world are on his mailing list.
He is in the midst of building a house outside of Duck Lake. He will have nature right at his front door, and a view of the lake.
His best work right now is being completed at night. Creativity stirs at 9 or 10 p.m. It means that he's up until 2 or 3 a.m. some days. Evening is when his stores are closed and the work on his house is finished for the day.
But there are still times when his best efforts come during the morning or afternoon. Sometimes he wants to paint, but he can't, such as when he's travelling. Sometimes all he wants to do is paint. And others, he doesn't want to break out his paintbrush. "But I love being creative," said Scrimshaw. "It doesn't matter to me what time of day it hits me, it's just important that it does hit me."
Scrimshaw released a book of paintings last year. Sales are going well, he said.
Scrimshaw said he loves speaking to school students. He has the same message for children that he has for adults. But when he looks children in the eye, he knows they are listening, and they understand his message.
"Teachers must feel it all the time when they see the light go on in their students' minds," said Scrimshaw. "It's just such a phenomenal feeling to touch somebody and you know you have something to do with their career or what they're going to do."
His advice to young artists?
"Don't give up. If you have it in you, do it, and work hard towards your goals, and you'll succeed. Anything that's wonderful, it seems like you really have to work towards. Whatever your dream is, follow it, follow it hard and be a good person, and persevere, and you'll get there," said Scrimshaw.

News

Canetic supports the United Way
(L-R): Diane Wenham and Stacy Odgers served bowls of hot chili on a cold day during Canetic Resources' fundraiser for the United Way of Estevan October 11. A silent auction was also a featured attraction. Proceeds will go to the United Way's annual Marathon October 12 and 13.

Police report
*Police are reminding the public to use caution with telemarketers after a suspicious company contacted an Estevan home looking for charitable donations.
*A 35-year-old Estevan female was arrested following a break-and-enter in Pleasantdale.
*An 18-year-old Midale male was arrested and charged with driving over the legal limit.
*A male released from court breached his conditions of no contact. He was charged. Later on, he was arrested for again making contact, and entering a licensed premise and purchasing alcohol. Those were also violations of his conditions. He was transported to Regina and appeared in court October 9.
*A seriously intoxicated person was charged with driving while over .08 and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. He was travelling southbound on 13th Avenue and failed to stop at the "T" intersection at First Street. He continued south over the valley edge. He was located by police and arrested.
*Police were called to a fight over a taxi fare. A male was going to have the taxi take him to an ATM to get money for the taxi. Police were later summoned to an ATM because the same male was causing difficulty for the taxi driver. The male was lodged in cells.
*A male was arrested for attempting to enter a local liquor establishment after it was closed and the permit was concluded.
*A motorist was charged for operating a vehicle without a valid driver's licence.
*A vehicle reported as stolen was found on Rafferty Dam. After investigation, the report was found to be a cover up for an accident that had happened the night before. Several charges are pending.

Saskatchewan is going to the polls
Captions:
-Doreen Eagles, Sask. Party
-Morris Johnson, NDP
-Tim Seipp, Liberal
Saskatchewan residents are returning to the polls, this time for a provincial election.
Premier Lorne Calvert dropped the election writ October 10. The Estevan constituency has three candidates: incumbent Saskatchewan Party MLA Doreen Eagles and challengers Tim Seipp of the Liberals and Morris Johnson of the NDP
The NDP is seeking their fifth straight term. The Saskatchewan Party - the official opposition since 1999 - and the Liberals are trying to unseat the government.
When the election was called, the NDP had 30 seats and the Saskatchewan Party had 28. The Liberals had none.
Eagles said they have been expecting the election call for some time. Late September was the first date they had pinpointed for a potential election call. When it didn't happen, they expected it would come in mid-October.
"I think Mr. Calvert has spent right around half a billion dollars in the last short while, and that's probably a true indication an election is imminent," said Eagles.
Her election campaign office will be in the former Liquor Board store on Sixth Street in Estevan. In the weeks prior to the election, Eagles and her team have been confirming her office location, finishing election signs, finding staff and volunteers and finalizing their door-to-door strategy.
Eagles said the Sask. Party is cautiously optimistic that they will finally form government. Public opinion polls from earlier this year showed the Sask. Party in the lead.
"Everywhere we go, all of the MLAs for the Sask. Party, what we've heard is it's time for a change, and we have a tired old government that has lost touch with the people," said Eagles.
Seipp said the election call wasn't a surprise, because the NDP likes to have elections every four years
The Liberals worked on policy before the election. They want to create centres of education excellence in Saskatchewan, implement curbside recycling, eliminate Saskatchewan's debt, offer complete drug coverage for seniors and invest in education.
The Liberals have pledged to eliminate the education portion of property tax on residential land, while allowing school boards to tax commercial, industrial and agriculture land. Seipp called education property tax "regressive."
Seipp said it will take a lot of hard work to spread his ideas and win the constituency. He promised to be vocal in bringing government offices back to Estevan and attracting other projects, such as the clean coal plant, to the city.
Seipp also suggested that Estevan should be home to a clean coal head office. The longer the government delays the clean coal project, the high the price will go.
"We can't sit here and talk about left political ideologies and right political ideologies," said Seipp. "The Saskatchewan Liberals are about ideas and what's right for Saskatchewan, what's going to make Saskatchewan stronger."
A location for Seipp's office hasn't been determined.
Johnson could not be reached for comment. A Lake Alma area organic farmer who works at Schindle and Bazin, Johnson was nominated to represent the NDP late last month.
Technology, agriculture, health and education are all topics of knowledge and importance for Johnson. Johnson is a big believer in personalized medicine, customized to meet each individual's needs. Johnson believes the health care system is constantly improving, but there are ways it can still be improved, and the care accelerated.
Highway 39 from North Portal to Weyburn is the "billion dollar way," he said during his nomination meeting, with water, energy resources, road and rail transportation, business capital, management expertise and agricultural primary products all present. Those agriculture products would generate far more wealth as part of bio-products, such as ethanol and biofuels, than as raw exported products.

Ball updates clean coal progress
Max Ball isn't giving up on the clean coal plant.
Ball, the project manager for clean coal, was the guest speaker at the Estevan Chamber of Commerce's monthly meeting October 10. Ball was disappointed that the provincial government opted for natural gas instead of clean coal last month, but he said it's understandable since the clean coal plant would have cost $3.8 billion.
SaskPower's need for a new supply option also accellerated from 2012 to 2010.
Ball and his team will submit ideas to decrease costs and increase revenues before the end of December. Those changes would include better design and detail for the unit.
Ball said they weren't able to reach a balance for the cost of the project with the value of the carbon dioxide.
Natural gas prices are very volatile, Ball said, and more jurisdictions might look at natural gas as a supply option if the demand for coal burners remains high. Costs for natural gas plants would rise. Clean coal is also more environmentally friendly than natural gas, Ball said.
"I think we can get it done," said Ball. "We do have that cost hurdle that we have to overcome.
"It is a very promising opportunity."
Estevan has also established a clean coal coalition. Business, labour and civic representatives will work together to influence the government to bring the clean coal plant to Estevan.
The Canadian Institute for Clean Coal will conduct a tour of Estevan October 24, with a luncheon at the Estevan Royal Canadian Legion.

Flu clinics start October 15
Pregnant women are now included in Saskatchewan's publicly-funded immunization program, which begins October 15 in the Sun Country Health Region.
"Pregnant women are more likely than non-pregnant women to require medical care and hospitalization for flu-related complications, should they develop influenza," said Dr. Shauna Hudson, Sun Country's chief medical officer. "The influenza vaccine is safe at any stage of a woman's pregnancy."
Free immunization is available to all individuals in SCHR who have an increased risk of influenza-related complications. This also includes adults over 65 years of age, residents of long-term care facilities, children six months to 23 months of age, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
Hudson said it is also important that young children, especially those between six months and 23 months of age, receive the flu shot. Children in this age group are more likely to be hospitalized if they get the flu than older children.
Anyone interested in receiving a flu shot but not eligible for the publicly-funded vaccine should talk to their physician or public health nurse about purchasing an influenza vaccination. Local public health offices will hold clinics for the general public starting October 29.
Hudson recommends all Saskatchewan adults receive a flu shot from their public health nurse or physician to protect themselves, friends and families from influenza this winter. Frequent hand washing reduces the spread of influenza.
Residents eligible for the free flu shots will not be reimbursed if they purchase their vaccine outside the public program.

Record sales for gas rights
The results of the October sale of petroleum and natural gas rights are in and Saskatchewan has already broken the all-time one-year record for sales.
With one sale yet to be held this year, the annual total to date of over $235 million smashes the previous record of $199.7 million set in 1994. October's sale of $84 million came close to breaking the record for a single sale.
"High commodity prices, hot oil prospects and a competitive fiscal regime have all worked in Saskatchewan's favour," Industry and Resources Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "We've worked hard to establish an attractive investment climate for the oil and gas sector and as a result Saskatchewan people are feeling the benefits."
The sale included 10 exploration licenses that sold for $44.1 million and 249 lease parcels that brought in $39.9 million.
The Weyburn-Estevan area led the way again on the strength of the Bakken oil play, with sales of over $56.5 million. The Swift Current area was also strong with $25.4 million in sales, followed by the Lloydminster area at $1.7 million and the Kindersley-Kerrobert area at $427,000.
The highest price paid for a single parcel set another record at $10.2 million. Prairie Land & Investment Services Ltd. purchased a 1,500-hectare exploration license of deeper rights beneath the Benson Midale Beds Pool.
The highest price paid on a per hectare basis was $8,100. Villanova Energy Corp. was the successful bidder, acquiring a small 32-hectare lease parcel in the Midale Central Midale Beds Pool.
The next sale of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights will be Monday, December 3.

COUNCIL NOTES
Highlights from the October 9 meeting of Estevan City Council:
*New student-at-large Stephanie Gress was sworn in.
*Council pledged $1,700 for the Estevan Firefighters Association's annual social.
*Naming rights sales for Estevan's new arena have topped the $3.5 million mark. Residents are encouraged to purchase individual seats. The original deadline to sell $6 million in naming rights was September 30.
*The second storey of a commercial development on Fifth Street will be rezoned to accommodate two residential dwellings.
*A snowblower will be leased from a Regina firm for $20,700 per year for seven years, plus $4,000 for the final two months of this year. City manager Jim Puffalt said if Estevan didn't get a new snowblower, the city would not be able to withstand a major snowstorm.
*The King Street-Kensington Avenue intersection upgrades will be completed next year. Six tenders worth a total of $920,170 were awarded: Turnbull Excavating was awarded contracts for underground works, earthworks and grading, road construction and restoration; Mid-West Concrete will handle concrete curbing and islands; and Souris Valley Paving asphalt paving. Prices are guaranteed for next year. The budgeted amount was $645,000. Harvard Developments will pay for part of the project. City manager Jim Puffalt said they didn't want to start the project this year, then have to abandon it once the weather turned cold, and watch the intersection become a mess next year.
*A battery-powered floor polisher for the Leisure Centre will be purchased from Prairie Janitorial for $7,198.35.

Hannah's Helping Hands reaches Regina
Caption: Hannah Olfert and her younger sister, Kamri, handed out pillows and blankets in Regina October 6.
A seven-year-old Estevan girl's dream to provide blankets and pillows for homeless people took her to Regina October 6.
Hannah Olfert and her family brought about 100 blankets and approximately 40 pillows with them to Regina. The Olfert's handed out the blankets to people who were leaving a shelter in Regina following a turkey lunch.
The project, known as Hannah's Helping Hands, started as a way to help the homeless people of Estevan stay warm and comfortable during the night. Enough items were collected to help the homeless in Regina, too.
People from Estevan and area delivered pillows and blankets to the Olferts.

Resurfacing finished
Resurfacing on the western half of Fourth Street in Estevan concluded October 10. Eight blocks, from 16th Avenue to 8th Avenue, were milled and received two layers of fresh asphalt. Water main replacements are wrapping up on the other eight blocks of Fourth Street. Once the watermains are installed, a layer of asphalt will be applied, and the final layers will come next spring.

National massage therapy awareness week
October 21 - October 27, 2007 “Cancer Care”
With an estimated 159,900 new cases of cancer occurring in Canada in 2007, Cancer Care is becoming an important topic in massage therapy. Massage therapy can offer cancer patients an alternative and complementary therapy that helps with pain management, muscular tension, nausea, fatigue and can help reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being. Massage therapy is a safe type of therapy to receive with cancer, however important considerations need to be undertaken when giving or receiving treatment. The focus of National Massage Therapy Week in 2007 on Cancer Care is focusing on educating the public on the benefits and the considerations when using massage therapy for people living with cancer.

Lyons receives volunteer award
Caption: Estevan Arts Council president Leslie Padwick presented the OSAC Volunteer of the Year Award to Brenda Lyons.
Estevan's Brenda Lyons has been presented with the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils Provincial Volunteer Recognition Award.
The Estevan Arts Council nominated Lyons for the award, and it was presented to her at their monthly meeting earlier this month. Lyons has co-chaired the Arts Council's Koncerts for Kids program for several years. She was recognized for her hard work, commitment and dedication to Koncerts for Kids and the Arts Council.
Lyons and Wendy May-Clark started chairing Koncerts for Kids in 2002. Both had been Koncerts for Kids supporters with their children. Lyons designed a plan to save Koncerts for Kids money to keep it going in Estevan.
"Brenda has done all the organizing of the series and I am just along for the moral support and her services," said May-Clark. "Over the past five years the series is maintaining itself through the initiative of Brenda, who has obtained corporate sponsors for each of the four concerts."
Lyons is also involved with local school, community, church and sporting organizations.
"The Arts Council opens our eyes to a vibrant world, just waiting on our doorstep to be discovered," said Lyons. "People need to see what is out in the world, discover and embrace the differences. As Arts Council members we need to continue to be strong advocates of our programming."

Flower fundraiser
Caption: Bev Pickering, Joyce Bod, Pat Steinke, Candy Smyth and Christy Smyth participated
in a breast cancer fundraiser October 5.
Estevan's Grower Direct Flowers store and Estevan's Relay for Life committee came together on a fundraiser for national Breast Cancer Awareness Day October 5.
Grower Direct had a special on pink carnations in breast cancer vases. They were also selling pink silk scarves and breast cancer cookies. Grower Direct is also selling tickets on a fleece blanket, with the draw to take place on October 31.
Members of Estevan's Relay for Life committee volunteered at Grower Direct throughout the day, delivering flowers, preparing vases and helping any way possible.
All proceeds from the activities will go to the breast cancer foundation.

Senior association seeking volunteers
The Zone 1 Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association (SSFA) committee is looking for individuals who are interested in working with seniors to form a Zone 1 Games committee to plan and organize the 55-plus games for 2008 in Zone 1.
This is not a full-time volunteer position. Board members are needed to promote the SSFA in their community. They also need someone to take the leadership position of president.
The SSFA provincial 55-plus games are in Yorkton from July 8 to 10, 2008.

Small business week activities
Two activities will take place in Estevan during Small Business Week October 14 to 20.
A "Grow Your Entrepreneurship" series will start on October 16 at 7 p.m. in the Business Enterprise Centre. The seminars are targeted at those who want to start their own business. Additional sessions are scheduled for October 23 and 30 and November 6.
A hot breakfast will be served October 18 at the Estevan Elks Lodge, starting at 7:30 a.m. Those in attendance will receive networking opportunities. University of Saskatchewan president Peter MacKinnon will be the guest speaker.

Sunrise offering youth entrepreneur competition
Sunrise Community Futures, with support from the Saskatchewan Youth Project Awards, is trying to promote entrepreneurship to young people.
The YouthBiz E-Show is a business competition for students in Grades 6 to 12, which helps young people uncover their entrepreneurial potential.
"YouthBiz E-Show is a great opportunity for young people to flex their entrepreneurial muscles," said Sunrise general manager Chantelle Ernst. "The competition is designed as an on-line tradeshow where students are the business owners and booth hosts.
"All students need is a great idea for a business and with a little creativity, they can develop a really great, interactive booth."
The technology used to develop the on-line tradeshow makes the viewing experience fun and exciting. Students simply fill out a registration form on the Sunrise Community Futures website and then they are able to compete in the regional YouthBiz E-Show competition.
Not only will participating students experience the world of business, but they can win cash prizes as well. A total of $1,900.00 will be awarded to students in early December.
"We've already been asked to present information on the YouthBiz E-Show in some schools in the southeast," said Sunrise spokesperson Ashley Benson. "The idea of the E-Show is exciting for students and teachers alike. And the prize money is added incentive to become involved."
The submission deadline is November 30 and the public viewing dates for the on-line student tradeshow will be in December.

Facts on small business
*Small businesses in Saskatchewan are defined as those with fewer than 50 employees or less than $5 million in annual sales.
*These are the most successful businesses in the province, and the life blood of the economy.
*Small businesses comprise more than 90% of the total number of non-agricultural private firms in the province.
*They directly employ about one-third of Saskatchewan's labour force.
*They account for 40% of total private sector employment.
*About 42% of all Saskatchewan businesses are located in rural areas -- they have an average of six employees and account for 25% of total employment in the province.
*Initiatives designed to support small business growth and development include:
-Encouraging development of business networks, business mentoring programs and new business collaborations; and
-Completing the "single window" initiative to co-ordinate regional business support networks with the services of the Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre.
*Entrepreneurship is a key to job creation in Saskatchewan.
* Entrepreneurs, working alone or in co-operatives, create the small businesses that provide most of the jobs in the province.
* Entrepreneurship is being encouraged through a variety of initiatives, including:
-Working with educational institutions, organizations and associations to improve education about private and co-operative enterprise as a career option.

Small Business Loans Association details
What is a Small Business Loans Association (SBLA)?
Community-based interest groups, co-operatives, corporations, Rural Development Corporations and Regional Economic Development Authorities can form SBLAs. Under The Business Corporations Act or The Co-operatives Act, the SBLA can incorporate as either “for profit” or “non-profit”.
Once approved and incorporated, an SBLA may access an interest-free revolving line of credit of up to $200,000 from Regional Economic and Co-operative Development. The SBLA, in turn, uses this line of credit to make loans of up to $15,000 to new and existing businesses.

Who May Borrow From an SBLA?
Any one business is eligible for the maximum $15,000 SBLA loan including any entrepreneur that has experienced difficulty in obtaining financing through traditional means. Businesses not eligible for assistance are those engaged in direct farming, exploration (for example, mining and oil extraction), residential real estate and multi-level marketing. Charitable and non-profit organizations do not qualify for assistance.
In making loans, an SBLA generally judges businesses on their ability to create jobs and to add services to communities. The ability of businesses to access traditional bank or credit union financing is also considered, as the intent of the program is to provide help to entrepreneurs who otherwise might not get started.

Harvest nears completion
Ninety-four per cent of the 2007 harvest is complete to date, compared to the five-year (2002-06) average of 82 per cent, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.
The southern part of the province is furthest advanced with 99 per cent complete. The northeast is least advanced with 80 per cent combined. Yield estimates continue to point to below average total production. Overall, quality could be considered average. According to crop reporters, producers in some regions expect to finish harvest this coming week, while those in other regions may need until the end of October. Producers who have finished harvesting have begun fall work, including straw baling, hauling bales, rock picking, fertilizer application and harrowing.
Frost, rain and migratory birds caused the majority of the crop damage during the past week.

Columnists

MY END OF THE BOAT
By Linda Wegner
Once again an official Thanksgiving Day in Canada has come and gone. Like millions of others, we gathered in the warmth of each others' company. We feasted in tangible expression of our thanks for the fruits of the harvest, we laughed, told stories (ah, what parents don't learn until a few decades after the events), and later we walked to assuage the effects of an incredibly delicious meal. It was a typical celebration but one I wanted to last forever.
Being with my family evokes so many memories: our sons' childhood days; times when Mom, now too weak to gather with family, prepared the meal; the excitement of prairie harvest times spent with cherished friends; and, most poignant of all, the soul-settling security of knowing I belong to an extended family of people who care.
Thanksgiving morning I received an email that contained a quotation so powerful that I've tacked it up beside my computer. Hugh Downs said it and it goes like this: "To say, my life is not tied to your life, is like saying, your end of the boat is sinking." Now if that doesn't make a person want to take time to look after relationships, personal and business, I don't know what would.
The Scriptures are full of thanksgiving. They also contain a veritable harvest of hints for productive living, including references on how to be and have a friend. Of them all, though, this one often comes to my mind: "A man [or woman] who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he [or she] rages against all wise judgment [sound wisdom]." Proverbs 18:1. Another version of this bit of wisdom reads like this: "He who stays away from others cares only about himself. He argues against all good wisdom."
Let us give thanks-and keep our end of the ship afloat!

GARDEN NOTES
By Gerry Fichtemann
GARDENING TIPS
* If your evergreens are frequently injured by winter winds, consider using an anti-desiccant spray. The spray-on coating seals the needles or scales to minimize moisture loss.
* Hedges can be trimmed at any time of the season. This applies to green foliage hedges such as Siberian elm, cotoneaster and alpine currant. Flowering hedges should only be trimmed right after flowers are spent in late spring or summer.
* Did you know that it takes 625 gallons to provide an inch of water over 1000 square feet (50 X 20) with your sprinkler.
* For aphids, June bugs, black-spot, fungus diseases: steep 6 rhubarb leaves in two to three quarts of boiling water - spray on when cool.
* Save your egg-shells to be crushed and spread around plants that grow in the shade. That is usually where you will find slugs and the rings of coarsely crushed shells will deter them. The egg-shells also add calcium to the soil.
* To pray for a good crop is a good thing; to work for one doesn't do any harm either.
* Slugs will avoid a garden plant ringed with moth-ball crystals (not moth-balls). It is possible it will deter cats, dogs and raccoons. I'm going to experiment and see if it will deter the dastardly deer that plagues everyone.
* Cushion your knees as you work in the garden. Sew a half inch elastic to an old pair of potholders and slip them on under your workpants. It also helps in preventing your knees to be on damp soil which will give you arthritic troubles.
* Do not forget to dust your gladiolus bulbs with 'bulb-dust' for the prevention of bulb rot, damping off, and even those microscopic insects such as thrips.
* After using your garden tools, prepare them for a winter's rest by giving them a good cleaning and then wiping them with oil to keep them in good condition.
* Remember to keep watering your evergreens (which includes spruce, junipers, cedars, pines, etc.) right up till freeze-up. They need a good supply of moisture going into winter. Do not water your deciduous trees and shrubs any more. They will be fine with the good rainfall we just had.
Gerry Fichtemann is the owner of River Bend Nursery.

Sports

Motocross awards
Caption: (L-R) Cheyenne Sernick presented the 50 cc championship trophy to Roarke Franke as his father Randy watches on.
The South Cornerstone Racing Circuit handed out some hardware October 6. The top five finishers in each division - A class, B class, 50 cc, 65 cc, 85 cc, women's, GP beginner, youth 16 to 29 and veteran over-30 - were presented with trophies. The circuit had five races - three in Estevan and two in Carlyle - spread out over two-and-a-half months.

Badminton season begins
The Estevan Badminton Club's season started October 10.
The club meets Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the Spruce Ridge School gymnasium and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Estevan Comprehensive School gymnasium.
The club saw a large increase in the number of people playing both recreational and competitive badminton last season, and club president Dave Gallaway is optimistic that trend will continue. They had a mixture of school aged and adult players.
All ages and skill levels, from beginner to tournament players, are invited to participate. The club is looking into additional gym time to allow everyone an opportunity for playing time. Special events are also being planned.
The club offers the choice of a season membership or a nightly drop-in fee.

Bruins sweep Hounds
The Estevan Bruins are "ahead of the curve," according to head coach/GM Karry Biette.
A home-and-home sweep of the Notre Dame Hounds left the Bruins with a 7-4 record. Estevan trounced Notre Dame 9-3 in Estevan on October 7, and edged the Hounds the following night.
"The great thing about this hockey club is it's going to get better," said Biette. "I don't see the end in sight."
Estevan opened up a 5-0 lead early in the second period on the 7th. Notre Dame scored three times in the middle frame to close the gap to 5-3, but Estevan scored four times late in the third period to blow the game open.
Brody Haygarth led the way with two goals.
"The first one I got the puck from Brant Harris behind the net and put it in," said Haygarth, who hails from Alameda. "The second one I got it along the wall, shot the puck, and it went in."
Kyle Garagan, Riley Tetrault, Payden Benning, Niko Grose, Vincein Scott, Kyle Stroh and Chad Filteau also scored for the Bruins.
Estevan needed a third period goal from Kealin Wong to win the second game against Notre Dame. The teams were tied 1-1 after the first and 2-2 after the second. Stroh and Kyle Ermel had the other goals.
Karsten Felske was in net for both games.
Biette said the team has demonstrated more cohesion since a pair of three-game road trips in late September.
"It's tough when there's 24 or 25 guys in town, because some guys are in the line-up, and some guys aren't, and it's tough sometimes to get teamness because some guys are hoping that they were in the line-up," said Biette.
The games against Notre Dame were the first in a week, and Biette said it was good for the players to get a little time off.
On the trade front, the Bruins shipped forward Joel Humphries to Manitoba's Dauphin Kings for forward Trevor Mock and future considerations. Mock, a towering six-foot-six forward, had an assist in the first game against Notre Dame.
"He can skate and he goes to the net well," said Biette. "We needed some size up front, we needed some big players who could skate and contribute offensively."
Humphries was sharing the team's enforcer role with Scott. Biette said they kept Scott because Scott could contribute beyond just an enforcer's role.
Estevan plays the Weyburn Red Wings in a home-and-home series October 12 in Weyburn and the following night in Estevan. The La Ronge Ice Wolves visit Estevan October 16.

Curling season less than a month away
The Estevan Curling Club is trying to attract new curlers, both children and adults, this year.
New members, and those who haven't been members since 2004-05, will receive a $50 discount from this year's fees. Their fees will increase $25 per year in the following years until they are even with the normal rate. Club president Ashley Wallster said this strategy is in response to decreasing memberships and increasing costs.
Also, existing members who bring new curlers to the club will receive the same discount.
Tim Horton's is sponsoring a TimBits league for children ages five to nine. Open houses are December 9 and 16, and league play starts in January. Previous junior leagues started at age 10.
"We're looking at increasing the level of experience," said Wallster. "We don't want to be starting our curlers at age 10, because there's a pretty good gap by that time once you get into competitive curling for juniors. A little more experience, a little broader base, is what we're looking for."
Their other leagues begin November 5. Ladies play Monday nights. The competitive league is Tuesdays, recreation league is Wednesdays and the open league is Thursdays. They will also have afternoon senior's leagues and after school youth leagues.
Registrations have been coming in, Wallster said.
The club will host open houses from October 29 to November 1. Curlers can pay their league fees and throw a couple rocks. Free curling lessons will be offered to all ages.
Various bonspiels will be offered throughout the season, including men's, women's, open, youth, seniors and oilmen's. Estevan will host a junior men's and women's qualification bonspiel November 16 to 18, 4H regionals January 11 to 13, and Saskatchewan Curling Association youth regionals February 22 to 24.
The Southeast Ladies Classic is November 9 to 11. Top ladies teams from Saskatchewan and Manitoba will compete. Wallster said they want 16 teams; 13 are already registered.
"We've moved to the Saskatchewan tour from the World Curling Tour to help us elevate the number of teams," said Wallster. "We weren't pulling teams in from outside of the province."
Teams will be vying for points to qualify for provincials.
The provincial senior men's curling championship is January 30 to February 3. Eight of Saskatchewan's top over-50 teams will be competing.

From the Sidelines
Fighting Sioux remain undefeated
By Kyle Kapiczowski
The North Dakota Fighting Sioux came from behind to win the game 38-34 over Minnesota State. The Sioux were down 34-31; then on the Sioux's next drive quarterback Danny Freund threw the game-winning touchdown, which was an 81-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Chapell, to win the game.
The Sioux's record is 6-0 overall and 4-0 in division play. Their next game is against Nebraska-Omaha, who are also undefeated.
In NCAA Division IAA football, the North Dakota State Bison beat California- Davis 35-16. The Bison's record is 5-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Bison's next game is against Mississippi Valley State.
In NCAA Division I football, the Utah Utes beat Louisville 44-35. The Utes are 3-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play. Their next game is against San Diego State.
Other scores were: No. 18 Illinois beat No.19 Wisconsin 31-26, Temple beat Northern Illinois 16-15, No.6 Oklahoma beat Texas 28-21 and Notre Dame beat UCLA 20-6.
In the CFL, the Saskatchewan Roughriders beat the Calgary Stampeders 33-21 in a good game. Saskatchewan took two of three from Calgary this season. The Riders record is 9-5 and they now get ready for a home-and-home series against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
In the NFL, the New England Patriots beat the Cleveland Browns 34-17 in a one-sided game. The Patriots record is 5-0 and their next game is against the Dallas Cowboys.
Other scores were: Chicago beat Green Bay 27-20, Carolina beat New Orleans 16-13, Pittsburgh hammered Seattle 21-0 and San Diego beat Denver 41-7.
In Major League Baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks will play the Colorado Rockies in the National League Championship series. The Boston Red Sox are playing in the American League Championship Series and they will play the Cleveland Indians.
Hats off to the Estevan Bruins for their convincing 9-3 win over the Notre Dame Hounds.
That's all folks!

Viewpoints

EDITORIALS
Tea Time
Leave the Future for Tomorrow
By Dani Stobbs
Our first stop - London. Surprisingly, it was warm and sunny, nothing like the summer that they have had this year. We walked along to Buckingham Palace, and did indeed take a moment for a picture of us pretending to be drinking tea outside the gates. My friends thought I was a little strange, but I told them that it was something I had promised that I would do in my last column.
Not only that, but as we walked through 'Green Park' I noticed two rather bright orange trees that were going through their autumnal transition. Upon the grass, there were orange, red and brown leaves scattered around. So I fulfilled my other promise. I took off my shoes and pranced around in the crispy leaves - I have photographic evidence too! Once again, I came off looking a little strange, but it's one of life's simple life goals to do, and I achieved two of them that I can now tick off.
London was great - and I really did adapt well to becoming a tourist in my old home. We walked around the city and marvelled at the Tower of London, and walked across the Millennium Bridge, and sailed along the Thames taking picture after picture of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. One of the highlights however, was to get the chance to ride the London Eye. You have probably heard about it - it is the largest observation wheel in the world, and thankfully on this sunny day that we climbed into one of the pods, we could see across the whole of London while suspended there in the sky.
The 'flight' on the London eye was amazing, and I have never experienced London quite like it. To watch all the busyness of the streets, as people rush by with hectic lives, with no time to stop and look. But for those 30 minutes, I could just stop and see London from a bird’s eye view. It was magnificent. A beautiful view that was calmed to silence while we sat in the sky bubble.
My day in London got me pondering on life - as always! Just watching the busyness of London and people just walking past so fast without time to stop and appreciate - how many of us are like that? We spend so much time running around and making sure our time is managed, that time actually slips away. We get to a point where we cannot remember what standing still feel likes. Taking a moment to breathe in the air and truly see the present.
Our lives, especially mine, sometimes are spent worrying about the past and the future. We forget the present. What about if we had the chance to just stop, get on a big observation wheel, and look over what we failed to see when we were in life itself. Sometimes it's good to take a step back. Take one moment this week to just stop and appreciate the moment your in. Forget the past for just a moment, and leave the future for tomorrow.

Back to the polls
By David Willberg
To the surprise of nobody, Saskatchewan residents will be voting in a provincial election this fall.
The warning signs of a provincial election were all there. A series of spending announcements by the government. Pre-election advertising reached the airwaves. And perhaps the most obvious sign that an election was coming: the NDP likes to have an election every four years.
The most recent public opinion polls in the spring showed the Saskatchewan Party had a 25 per cent lead over the NDP. The Sask. Party is the favourite entering this election.
But that doesn’t mean they are a shoo-in.
The Saskatchewan Party was the favourite in the election four years ago, until former leader Elwin Hermanson foolishly said that of the province’s 50-plus Crown corporations, only SGI was untouchable.
The NDP had the ammunition they needed to win a fourth straight majority government.
The Sask. Party has a lot of good ideas. Their plan to reduce small business and corporate taxes has been adopted by the NDP, and has been pivotal in the economic prosperity and population growth the province is enjoying.
They recognized long ago that Saskatchewan needs more people. A smaller population base doesn’t leave more for the rest of us.
The NDP deserves credit for Saskatchewan’s population growth, too. The lower cost utility package trotted out before the 2003 election is a drawing card for people. Water, power, energy, phone service and car insurance are generally more affordable and more easily accessible than Alberta.
If the province’s population hasn’t topped one million people, it will soon.
The crux of the NDP campaign should be “Look at how far we’ve come. Our province is in its best shape in years. Keep us around, and watch this continue. Elect the Sask. Party or the Liberals, and you’re risking our prosperity.”
Rising oil prices are, of course, a factor in the economic growth, but neither party would want to take credit for high oil prices.
Saskatchewan hasn’t had an election with this much at stake in a long time. The strength of the next government will play a big role in whether the economic prosperity continues.

What's Happening

Skate with the Bruins
Several activities were held October 9 to 11 for Back our Bruins week in Estevan. Estevan Bruin players skated with the public October 9, joined fans for coffee and pumped gas on the 10th, and bagged groceries on the 11th.

ECS Olympics
The Estevan Comprehensive School hosted their annual Olympics October 5. Students spent the afternoon participating in a variety of athletic and skill-testing challenges. Many of them sported togas and other Greek attire as part of the Olympics.

Making Ice
Chris Lecy flooded the arena floor of the Lignite Miners Centre October 5. Ice making at the rink is well underway, and it should be finished in mid-October.

United Way tea
(L-R) Annette Ward and United Way of Estevan president Mark Pettitt chatted during a United Way tea October 9 at Creighton Lodge. United Way board members brought snacks and refreshments for Creighton Lodge residents. Creighton Lodge is staffed by Estevan Home Care, which is one of the United Way's member agencies. Many Creighton Lodge residents have donated to the United Way in the past, too.

Donation to Relay for Life
(L-R) Carrie Whitman from Estevan Lifestyles Publications presented $250 to
Estevan Relay for Life Chair Pat Steinke. The funds were raised through Lifestyles' two-page Breast Cancer awareness special, which ran October 5 and featured advertisements and informative stories.