Feature

Kelly's return from treatment in China
Caption: (L-R) Becky and Pat Kelly are back from China, where Becky was receiving stem cell treatment for multiple sclerosis.
By David Willberg
Becky Kelly's unassisted steps at a hospital in China were big strides forward in her battle with progressive multiple sclerosis.
The Estevan resident received stem cell treatments during a one-month stay at a Chinese hospital in December and January. Kelly received one stem cell injection each week - four were via spinal fluid and one was intravenous. She also received an intravenous bone marrow injection.
The stem cells came from the umbilical chords of newborn babies.
"I have made progress, and the stem cells that they injected in me are still growing and multiplying," Becky told Lifestyles. "So hopefully there will be more improvements to come. They say that in the next six months you'll probably see some improvements."
Becky was accompanied to China by her husband, Pat, and her sister, Kim.
She took about 10 steps on her own, without the assistance of a walker, while in China. Her balance still needs improvement, but it's a sign that the stem cells are working.
"I still need support, whether it's walls or somebody, and that's really because my balance hasn't improved a lot," said Becky.
"It's going to take a lot of time to get the muscles back to normal, so to speak," added Pat. "I really find that she's able to move body parts that she couldn't in the past, whether they wouldn't respond, or the signals weren't getting through. Now it seems like the signal is getting through, she can move, but the muscles are so weak that it's a limited movement."
During her stem cell treatments, doctors withdrew fluid from Becky's spine, and injected the stem cells into her spine. After the treatment, she received an intravenous liquid treatment, mixed with a salene solution, and she had to remain on her back for six hours.
The fluid levels in her spine needed to be the same, or she would get headaches. She did suffer headaches after the second spinal injection. They lasted for two weeks. Therefore the intravenous treatment was needed. Becky didn't have headaches when doctors inserted more scalene solution after the third spinal stem cell injection.
Physiotherapy was twice a day, five days a week.
"They work with you so hard. My muscles got stronger while over there, for sure, and now I just have to continue with it here," said Becky.
Physiotherapy on its own wouldn't have yielded those results, Pat said. They don't know for sure how the stem cell technology works, but they know it's a "medical breakthrough."
"Something triggered the brain function to start working again," said Pat. "We can only assume it was the stem cells."
Becky will continue with physiotherapy. She has an exercise bicycle. She will also go to the swimming pool to walk in the water, which offers resistance and helps her build strength in her legs. The stem cells are supposed to continue to grow.
At least 15 Chinese people and six other people from countries other than China were receiving stem cell treatments at the hospital at the same time, Pat said.
Language barriers created challenges. It's a difficult language to learn, Pat said. Only one doctor and four or five nurses at the hospital spoke English. Two patient liaisons helped with the translation.
The Kelly's spent Christmas Day in China. It's not a celebrated holiday over there. Stores are open. The hospital did decorate for Christmas, and they had a Christmas dinner, but it wasn't the traditional turkey dinner with all of the fixings.
Sight-seeing opportunities were minimal. Sunday was their only day off. Becky had the headaches for two weeks, and one week it was raining, so they only had one opportunity to tour the area.
Becky said she would recommend the treatments to others. She's not sure if she will go back - some have for a booster - but it's a long way to travel, and very expensive.
"We're putting our hopes in the medical process coming to North America," said Pat. "That would be the ideal situation."
Community support was "incredible," they said. A cabaret was held a few weeks before she left. It raised over $20,000, and offset some of the expenses. China was a good experience, but they are glad to be back in Estevan, and in Canada.

News

African Children's Choir in concert
The African Children's Choir performed at a jam-packed Estevan Alliance Church January 16. The choir, made up of 27 children, danced and sang African music and gospel songs, to the delight of more than 300 people in attendance. Admission was by donation, and all proceeds will be directed to building schools for impoverished children in Africa. (Watch next week's edition of Lifestyles for more on the choir).

Police Service gets a new vehicle
Caption: (L-R) Aaron Turnbull from Wide Open Graphics (who supplied graphic wrapping of the vehicle) and Constable Don DeChief with the new Estevan Police Service school resource vehicle.
The Estevan Police Service is pleased to announce that businesses from the community have teamed together to purchase a new vehicle for the school resource officer.
At the start of 2008, the Estevan Police Service re-evaluated their commitment to the school resource officer program, and they quickly realized that for the program to work properly, they would have to assign a uniform member to a full-time school resource officer position.
Though this partnership had existed with the school boards for a number of years, their involvement had been sporadic in nature because of staffing issues.
Along with their commitment to assigning a full-time officer, Constable Don DeChief, they issued notice that they needed some type of transportation for DeChief to enable visitation to all the schools in the community.
They didn't have the financial resources to purchase a vehicle, a number of businesses from within the community teamed together to purchase and also decal a vehicle for them.
"We are very pleased with the visual appeal the vehicle projects," said Chief Bing Forbes.
See page 7 for a thank you to those businesses that purchased the vehicle.

POLICE REPORT
*Police are investigating a hit and run complaint. A suspect vehicle has been identified.
*A motorist prohibited from driving was arrested in the north end of the city.
*Police received a complaint of two individuals unlawfully in a residence in the Trojan area. The two males left the house when approached by the homeowner. Officers couldn't locate the males and the matter remains under investigation.
*Police received a theft complaint from a local business. A washer and dryer, and an exercise machine, were stolen during the weekend of January 5 and 6. The matter is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
*Police were called to a school when two males threatened a male student. The subjects had left the area when police arrived. The matter is under investigation.
*Police received a report of a vehicle leaking fuel onto a residential street. The vehicle was moved, and the fire department took care of the hazards.
*Police were called to a willful damage report. A vehicle was damaged in the Westview area.
*A domestic situation was referred to Social Services.
*An assault reported in the north end is under investigation.
*Police are investigating a reported criminal harassment.
*A two-vehicle accident was reported at the intersection of 13th Avenue and Sixth Street. There weren't any injuries, but both vehicles had to be towed. Damage was estimated at $15,000.
*Police charged a 65-year-old Estevan man for repeatedly making harassing phone calls to the same place. He has been charged in the past for the same offence.

Council notes
Highlights from the January 14 meeting of Estevan City Council:
*Creighton Lodge Trust Committee chair John Kish made another pitch for the City to fund Creighton Lodge. Kish requested $5 per capita; the City provided $1 per capita last year. Council would like to meet with Sun Country staff, local housing authorities and Creighton Lodge representatives to sort out Creighton Lodge's future.
*Leisure Services manager Helen Fornwald updated Council on her budget. A weight room card lock system won't be purchased this year. The present system has halted key thefts. Fornwald wants a summer administrative position reinserted into the budget. A $65,000 irrigation system for Torgeson Park would only cover half of the park.
*Estevan Tourism's 2008 funding request was referred. Tourism recently merged with the Estevan Chamber of Commerce.
*Council and the Estevan and District Board of Tourism, Trade and Commerce will split the costs on a $4,950 marketing publication. The Regina Leader-Post will publish it, and it will be distributed to Regina, Calgary and Fort McMurray.
*The City's insurance premiums came in at $219,770 for 2008, nearly $55,000 lower than last year.
*A stop sign will be installed on Fifth Street at the Second Avenue intersection. There is presently a yield sign.
*The Estevan Police Service budget was approved. Projected revenues are $466,000. General operating expenses are nearly $2.6 million. Capital expenses are $40,000.
*Residential refuse increased by three per cent in 2007.
*Council approved the consolidation of four lots in the 600 block of Fifth Street. The lots were previously CN Rail property; they will now be used for a service shop development.
*Water treatment plant chemical tenders, worth about $95,000, were awarded for aluminium sulphate, liquid chloride, potassium permanganate, ammonium sulphate, hydrofluosilicic acid and liquid chlorine.
*The 2008 sludge hauling tender was awarded for $125 per hour, with a minimum two-hour charge per call. Council is investigating the purchase of a $30,000 truck to haul sludge due to the expected cost of the sludge hauling contract.
*A total of $820,000 will be spent on concrete curb and sidewalk construction and restoration in 2008, including $500,000 for the Trojan subdivision.
*Rory Flemming and Kevin Smith were appointed as members-at-large for the Estevan Board of Police Commissioners.
*Three readings were given to a bylaw to reduce speed limits in back alleys from 50 to 30 kilometres per hour.

Speakers announced for arena fundraiser
One of Canada's top sports personalities has been confirmed for Estevan's new arena fundraising dinner March 15 at the Estevan Comprehensive School.
Michael Landsberg, host of TSN's "Off the Record," will be the keynote speaker. Landsberg has hosted "Off the Record," a daily sports talk show, since its debut episode in 1997, and he has been with TSN since the network's inception in 1984.
Many of the biggest names in sports have appeared on "Off the Record" through panels and one-on-one interviews.
A representative from the Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders is expected to be at the function. The speaker line-up will be rounded out by former BC junior hockey player Michael Hoover. Hoover fought in Vietnam, served with Mossad - Israel's secretive intelligence agency - and wrote the book Kanook Kibbutznick since the end of his junior hockey career.
Tickets are now on sale for the fundraiser.
Proceeds will be directed to Estevan's new arena. The new arena committee has set a goal of $6 million in fundraising and naming rights sales before construction can begin. The current total is a little more than $4 million.

Spectra among the top 25 employers
Spectra Credit Union and Spectra Financial are pleased to be named one the Top 25 Best Small and Medium Employers in Canada for the third year in a row. The study, now in its fourth year, is published in the Globe and Mail.
Spectra finished 15th on this year's list.
"National recognition such as this highlights the fact that Spectra Credit Union is a great place to work and a great place to do business," said new CEO Tim Schroh. "I am excited to have joined a team that shares my belief that employees are a key factor to the continued success of an organization and I will continue to foster this positive environment within Spectra."
"Members recognize the fact that it is always preferable to deal with an organization where the employees are committed to its success," added president Joe Parent. "That has always been the case at Spectra, and we are again pleased to receive recognition for that."
The national awards program recognizes top employers with 50 to 400 employees. This study mirrors the renowned Best Employer in Canada initiative run by partner, Hewitt Associates; but it caters to smaller businesses.
The rankings are primarily determined using the results from employee opinion surveys. Seventeen key engagement drivers are detailed and analyzed. The evaluation process also includes the assessment of organization practices and perspectives from the leadership team.
More than 150 companies across Canada registered to participate in the study this year.
"Spectra Credit Union continues to be recognized as a top employer, not only by its employees here in Saskatchewan, but nationally as well," said Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles. "I would like to congratulate Spectra Credit Union on this prestigious designation and look forward to their continued growth and success."
Spectra Credit Union and Spectra Financial is based in Estevan. The organization employs more than 145 staff in 10 southeast Saskatchewan communities. With assets of $421 million, Spectra serves the financial needs of over 20,000 members.

Arts council offering classes
The Estevan Arts Council is again offering a variety of art classes at the Souris Valley Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
Local artists, as well as instructors from Watson, Oxbow and Goodwater, will be teaching classes in the winter sessions. Workshops are available for children, youth and adults.
"Carving a Wood Spirit," a beginner's wood carving class, is new this year. Mike Saretsky will be the instructor. The "Yo-yo Man," Bill Hook, is also coming to Estevan. He provides participants with professional yo-yos, and teaches new tricks.
Linda Gudmundson's "Caricature" class will return after a successful session in the fall. Gudmundson will also lead preschool children, accompanied by an adult, to bring out the Picasso in themselves. Children will take home finished canvases ready to frame.
Norma Jones continues to teach a variety of classes in drawing, painting and sculpting for children. Melanie Hiske will teach children how to scrapbook their photos.
Darlene Marten of the local Pottery Club has sessions in hand-building and wheel turning clay for adults and older teens. Marten will also lead children and an adult partner to create hand built clay projects where they will learn the basics of clay construction and take home finished pieces.
Sheila Kasick will teach the basics of acrylic paint for beginners, and participants will feel accomplished when they leave with a ready to frame canvas of a winter scene.

Bangsund wins Yes I Can Award
Caption: Lampman School student Blaine Bangsund (middle) received his Yes I Can! Award from principal Marilyn Zimmerman (L) and special education teacher Lori Dzuba (R).
A Lampman School student has been presented with a provincial award.
Blaine Bangsund, a Grade 11 student, is the recipient of a Yes I Can! Academic Award. The staff at Lampman School nominated Blaine.
Blaine has Duchenne muscular dystrophy with many complications, yet is on the honor roll, with distinction. Blaine was informed in November that he had won the provincial YES I CAN! Award
The school held an award ceremony January 14 to recognize Blaine's accomplishment. Many family, friends, community members, staff members, and school division members attended the awards ceremony.
The Saskatchewan unit of the Canadian Council for Exceptional Children annually hosts the Yes I Can! Awards to acknowledge the achievements of children and youth who have overcome barriers caused by disabilities.

Gifts for first baby of 2008
Caption: (L-R) Estevan Lifestyles Publications sales representative Kelli Nashiem presented gifts to Brad, Julia Louise and Colleen Durr.
The Durr's received gift certificates, baskets, packages and other items in honour of Julia Louise being the first baby born at St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan in 2008. Julia Louise was born at 12:11 a.m. on January 3. She measured 19 inches long, and she weighed seven pounds and one-and-a-half ounces.
Business sponsors were: Smitty's, Your Dollar Store With More, Little V.I.P. Children's Apparel/Sunset Embroidery, The Whistle Stop Toys, the Estevan Family Resource Centre Inc., A Loving Touch Florist, Cheez Bizkitz, Exhale Massage Clinic & Day Spa, the Estevan Shoppers Mall, Henders Drugs PharmaChoice and Innovations Hair & Tanning Salon.

Local gets ribbons at cat show
Caption: (L-R) David Drysdale holds his cat, and stands with Dan Lally, an all-breeds judge from a cat show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Estevan resident David Drysdale's cat won four ribbons in a household pet division at a recent cat show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Drysdale's cat earned overall finishes of second, two ninths, and a 10th in the event. Twenty-seven cats were entered in each of Drysdale's divisions.
"The cat I took with me was just a household pet," said Drysdale. "She's one that was rescued about four years ago."
People from all over North America attended the Sioux Falls show. Entrants brought their cat into the ring, the judge inspected the cat, compared the cat to the standard for that breed, and awarded points accordingly, Drysdale said.
Drysdale would like to see a similar show in Estevan in September. He has the Estevan Curling Club booked, and he would like to bring 100 to 140 exhibitors and eight judges from across North America.
The only stumbling block is finding enough hotel rooms. If he can't find enough accommodations, the show will be moved.
The shows are a lot of fun, he said, and feature many different breeds of cats. They're well-groomed, and well-taken care of.

New Family Resource Centre program
The Estevan Family Resource Centre has launched a new program for female elementary school students.
"The Girl Circle" targets girls in Grades 7 and 8. Facilitator Tracy Luddington said they attract girls from different friendship groups. They talk about girl issues and complete creative projects.
"They're going through a lot of things in Grade 7, and not a lot of adults understand the things they're going through, so it's good to have a safe space where they can talk about all that stuff," said Luddington.
The Family Resource Centre thought it was a much-needed program for the community. They decided the program should be for Grades 7 and 8 after speaking to people in the schools.
Luddington is a teacher by trade. She has worked with girls in Grades 7 and 8 at summer camps. She has previous experience with after school programs, too.
They're nearly done their first of three sections. Any girl who wants to participate is welcome to join the second session.
"The Girl Circle" is being run at Hillcrest School on Tuesdays, Spruce Ridge on Wednesdays and Westview School on Thursdays. They hope to an expanded second class at Hillcrest in February for Grade 4 students.

Salvation Army tops their goals
The Estevan Salvation Army's Christmas campaign surpassed a goal of $41,000 for kettles, mail-outs and donations.
The kettles brought in $14,950, the mail-outs brought in $21,080, and the donations fetched $11,500. Their grand total was more than $47,500.
"We're very thrilled," said Captain Heather Fudge. "Considering how we started with the kettles, we were short of people, and it was a big concern at the beginning. But we came out on top at the end."
The Salvation Army also filled hampers in December.
Fudge said the campaigns were a good introduction to the city. She arrived in Estevan at the end of October. She quickly learned what happens in the community at Christmas time.
She also now knows about the generosity of the people of Estevan, and how many organizations come together to help out the Salvation Army.
Funds will go to the Family Services division. Family Services fills hampers each month, and it provides money for emergency travel and lodging. New programs could be added this year, Fudge said.

Estevan hosts 4H playdowns
Caption: Chelsea Hookenson skipped the Browning Beef Club team to a provincial birth.
The Estevan Curling Club hosted the 4H regional playdowns January 11 and 12.
Sixteen teams - eight junior teams and eight senior teams - were entered. The top two teams from each division advanced to the provincial championship, to be held February 1 to 3 in Kelliher.
The Alida 4-H Beef Club won the senior division. Team members are skip Collin Boutin, lead Renne Boutin, second Skylar Mailhoit, third Jonathan Geisel, spare Emma Boutin and coaches Albert and Shelia Boutin.
The Browning Beef Club finished second in the senior division. Team members are skip Chelsea Hookenson, lead Allan Walter, second Mackenzie Craig, third Stephanie Gress, spares Lana Wyatt and Tyler Fornwald, and coaches Glenn Gress and Val Hookenson.
The Kelliher 4H Homecraft Club finished first in the junior division. The Weyburn Community 4H club was second.

Columnists

One Bad Word
There is likely no sentence in the Bible that is more "Un-North American" than, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21).
To submit means, "To yield oneself to the authority or will of another" and that is something that we simply have not been trained to do. Generally, I look after myself. I think about what I want. It is my time, my money, my energy and my life.
Yet, God asks me to put my interests to the side so that I can look after others. In fact, submission is the key to forming a truly Christian community. In the inspired words of the Apostle Paul, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4).
Then he adds the clincher: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Why would I want to submit to someone else? Why would I want to think about your needs before mine? Why should I treat you better than you deserve to be treated? I do those things because that is exactly what Christ did for me.
Jesus did not want to go to the cross (his urgent prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is proof of that), but the bottom line of his attitude was, "not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42). Can we say that? Can we get to a place where my will is not the measure of what I will or will not do? Paul prays that we can.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:16-19).
We are not asked to "try harder" but to "get out of the way". When we are "filled with fullness of God", his blessings and his life overflow through us.
Tim Pippus, Estevan Church of Christ

NO MORE SEA
By Linda Wegner
Did I ever mention that the Upper Sunshine Coast is surrounded by water? (Actually, given the number of wind and rain storms we've endured lately, "swamped" would probably be a better term…but back to the theme of this piece).
Depending on the day or mood, the Pacific Ocean reminds me of a protector or captor. For example, watching the daily news makes me realize how blessed we are to be in this isolated area; on the other hand, running out of something not readily available here elicits the opposite opinion. Medical appointments on Vancouver Island are welcome excuses for a trip across the sea.
Actually the Scriptures refer often to oceans and seas. There's the story of the drowning of an entire army in the Red Sea. In another place the Psalmist points out the keen insight of sailors as he writes: "Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep," (Psalm 107:23, 24). Later the prophet, Micah, wrote: "You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19) All of a sudden that mighty sea, all too often grey and foreboding, has a message for me.
I'm quite amazed at how God can alter my perspective in a flash. This week, while admittedly entertaining a more negative view of the 17 nautical miles separating us and the ferry terminal across the way, a description of heaven came to mind.
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth…also, there was no more sea." Revelation 21:1
Just think of it: No more separation, no more loneliness, no more stormy gales of life! What a glorious consolation on grey days!

GARDEN NOTES
By Gerry Fichtemann
NEW GARDEN SEEDS FOR 2008
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! That's what goes through my mind when it comes to ordering annual seeds from the new catalogs for 2008. It is one thing to pick up some seeds at the local grocery store or one of the local big-box stores however they only handle the old standard run of the mill seeds with nothing new to look forward to. It is much more exciting to look through the new catalogs and look at all the thousands of seeds that are now available plus all the new introductions.
Stokes Seeds (my favourite seed house) has a pumpkin that is pure white in colour. The pumpkin called Mr. Wrinkles is 20-30 lb with prominent statures and wrinkled pure white skin, if you are looking for a novelty Pumpkin.
Stokes also boasting a new cabbage developed for the 'single serving' market. These Chinese cabbage has miniature heads averaging only 2 lbs.
If it is a new variety of beans you're interested in why not try Stokes' variety called Nash. They have concentrated sets of smooth, straight dark green round pods on productive plants. Nash has good tolerance to cool night stress and extreme heat plus disease tolerance.
Stokes catalogs are available free from St. Catherines and I can give you the address if you give me a phone call at 634-6019.
Jung Seeds always has some new surprises in their catalog.
They have a new eggplant which is called Hansel. This eggplant was awarded the 2008 All America Winner. These are 'mini' eggplants 2-3" inches but can be grown to 10 inches. They remain tender with few seeds and no bitterness. Space-saving plants grow less than 3 feet. high, but are exceptionally high yielding. The eggplants are dark purple and produced in clusters of 3 to 6.
If you enjoy growing peas, Jung has a new variety that produces a crop before the summer heat hits. It is one of the highest yielding early crops. These peas are called 'Dakota' which produces in 57 days. These peas have resistance to fusarium wilt and powdery mildew.
Your kids will have fun giving them some giant sunflowers to grow along the back of the yard. The hybrid called 'Kong' is now rated as the tallest sunflowers available. Kong sunflowers grow 12 feet tall with multiple branching of 4-6 inch blooms of yellow.
Happy gardening! It's getting closer every day!
Gerry Fichtemann is the owner of River Bend Nursery.

Sports

Big Six season rolls along
The Carlyle Cougars continue to pace the Big Six Hockey League.
Carlyle defeated the Carnduff Red Devils 4-3 January 12 to improve their record to 14-1-1. The Cougars' 29 points puts them three ahead of the Midale Mustangs (13-2) for first in the West Division and the overall standings. Midale beat the Redvers Rockets 7-1 on the 12th.
The Arcola-Kisbey Combines (5-9-1-1) and the Wawota Flyers (5-9) continue to battle for third in the West Division. The two teams split a recent home-and-home: Wawota won 6-5 on the 11th, Arcola-Kisbey won 5-3 on the 12th. Arcola-Kisbey has a two-point lead, but they have played two more games.
The White Bear Redhawks (0-15) are still seeking their first win of the season.
The Oxbow Huskies continue to pace the East Division. Oxbow beat White Bear 15-6 January 12. The Huskies (9-3-3) have 21 points - two more than the Bienfait Coalers (7-6-2-3) and three more than Carnduff (9-6). Bienfait lost 5-4 to Carnduff in overtime on the 12th, but rebounded to beat the Pierson Bruins 7-6 in overtime on the 12th.
The Redvers Rockets (7-8) are fourth. In addition to the loss to Bienfait, they lost 6-5 to Pierson (3-8-1-1) on January 11.

Estevan loses tournament final
Caption: Players from the Estevan Bert Baxter Cougars female team battle for the puck with a member of the Regina Predators.
The Estevan Bert Baxter Bantam Cougars female hockey team came in second at their home tournament January 12 and 13.
Estevan dropped a 6-0 decision to the Winnipeg Rangers in the A final. Coach Kelly Kjersem said he was very pleased with how his team played in the final and in the tournament. He noted that Winnipeg brought a AA team to Estevan's tournament. The Cougars are a house league team.
Estevan reached the final by finishing on top of their round robin pool with a win and a tie. Estevan defeated the Weyburn Angels 4-1, and tied the Regina Predators 1-1.
Six teams competed in the tournament.

Track team competes in Regina
The Estevan Legion Track and Field team competed at the Janus Festival meet in Regina on January 12.
William Chamney collected six medals in the peewee male division. Chamney collected firsts in the high jump (1.2 metres) and the shot put (4.84 metres); seconds in the 60-metre dash (10.77 seconds), long jump (3.09 metres) and triathlon (290 points); and a third in the 200 metre run (39.06 seconds).
Kristina Chamney won bantam female bronze medals in the high jump (1.2 metres) and the shot put (5.4 metres). She also finished fourth in the triathlon (807 points), fifth in the 60-metre dash (9.58 seconds) and ninth in the long jump (3.23 metres).
James Chamney won three gold medals in the midget male division. Chamney was first in the 200-metre run (25.45 seconds), high jump (1.75 metres) and the long jump (5.38 metres).

Orsted eliminated at Southerns
Estevan's Sherilee Orsted went 0-3 at the SaskPower Southern Women's Playdowns January 10 to 13 in Lumsden.
Orsted opened the playdowns with an 8-3 loss to Jolene McIvor. Orsted then lost 7-4 to Penny Roy. A 9-6 loss to Wendy Thienes eliminated Orsted from the tournament.
Other members of Orsted's team were third Candace Newkirk, second Tricia MacKenzie and lead Kristen Schlamp.

Atom Bruins beat Weyburn
The Estevan Canetic Resources Tier 1 Atom Bruins beat Weyburn for the first time in league play this season, a 4-3 victory January 12.
Kaelan Holt paced the Bruins with two goals. Kyle Salaway and Seth Horn also scored for Estevan.
Jordan Hoffos got the win for the Bruins.

Bruins win a couple
Caption: Estevan's Kyle Stroh (24) emerges from a battle along the boards with the puck.
Two come-from-behind victories have ended the Estevan Bruins longest losing streak of the season.
Estevan scored three times in the third period to beat the Yorkton Terriers 4-2 January 13. The win ended a seven-game losing streak. Three nights later, they rallied from a 5-4 deficit in the third period, and beat the Kindersley Klippers 7-6 in a shootout.
Estevan was in the Battlefords to play the last place North Stars January 17. (Results not available at press time). Estevan returns to Kindersley on the 18th.
The Bruins were fifth in the SJHL's Sherwood Conference with 46 points (21-21-2-2), prior to the Battlefords game. Fourth place Yorkton was one point ahead. Five teams from each conference make the playoffs.
The Bruins completed three trades January 10 - the trade deadline for the SJHL and other junior leagues in Canada.
Defenceman Jorden MacSwain was acquired from Okotoks in the Alberta league. He scored two goals in his first game as a Bruin in the win over Kindersley. MacSwain gives the Bruins' blue-line some depth.
"We tried to recruit him this summer," said head coach/GM Karry Biette. "He opted to go to Alberta. I think it'll take some time to build his confidence back up, but at the same time, I think the potential is there for a very good player."
Forward Tyler Murray was traded to Melville, and forward Trent Rumple was shipped to the Nipawin Hawks. The Bruins received future considerations in both trades.
Murray needed a change of scenery, Biette said. Murray missed a year-and-a-half with a shoulder injury. Rumple worked hard on and off the ice, but couldn't keep up with the current forwards, and wasn't going to be back next year.
"I wasn't a buyer, I wasn't a seller, I was a believer, and we'll see if it pays dividends," said Biette.
The Bruins re-acquired forward Nick Colliton from Drayton Valley, also in Alberta, prior to the deadline.

ECS hosts basketball tournaments
Caption: Estevan played Yorkton Sacred Heart in the boys basketball tournament.
The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs boys' and girls' basketball teams hosted tournaments January 11 and 12.
The boys posted a 1-2 record and finished third. They opened with a 52-44 win over Bert Fox, but they lost 68-57 to Yorkton Sacred Heart and 58-31 to Weyburn. Weyburn went on to win the tournament.
Coach Luann Charles said the game against Yorkton Sacred Heart was actually their best of the tournament, despite the loss. Post Scott Meek played really well with his rebounding and pressure defence, she said, and he was likely the Elecs top scorer in the tournament.
The boys' Elecs will host another tournament January 25 and 26.
The girls finished 2-1 and finished second. They opened the tournament with a 53-32 loss to the eventual tournament champions from Melville, but they recovered to defeat Bengough 67-17 and Regina-Martin 57-35.
Coach Sheena Summers said they played really well in the tournament, but they ran into foul trouble against Melville and didn't make their shots. The Elecs got better as the tournament rolled along, she said.
The girls Elecs might host another tournament in February, Summers said.

From the Sidelines
Patriots move on
By Kyle Kapiczowski
The New England Patriots beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-20 to advance to the AFC Championship game. Meanwhile, the San Diego Chargers pulled off the upset of the day by defeating the Indianapolis Colts 28-24. The Patriots will now face the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Final. In the NFC, the Green Bay Packers beat Seattle 42-20 to advance the NFC title game and the New York Giants upset the Dallas Cowboys 21-17.
Here are my picks for the AFC and NFC title games: the Patriots will win by 10 and the Packers will win by 11. If the Packers and Pats move on it would be a rematch from Super Bowl XXXI.
In NFL news, Arkansas Razorbacks running back Darren McFadden will not play his senior year. He will be going into the 2008 NFL Entry Draft.
In the CFL, the B.C. Lions have hired former Saskatchewan Roughrider general manager Roy Shivers to be their director of player personnel. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have announced that Charlie Taaffe will be back as head coach for this coming season.
In NCAA football, the final polls were released. My teams: Oregon is No. 23, Florida is No. 13 and Oklahoma is ranked No. 8.
In NCAA football news, the SMU Mustangs have signed head coach June Jones to a contract worth $1.8 million. June Jones coached with the Hawaii Warriors.
In NCAA basketball, the Florida Gators beat Auburn 72-56. The Gators record is 15-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Florida is currently in second place behind the No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers who are 14-1 overall and 2-0 in division play.
In the NHL, the Calgary Flames have signed goalie Curtis Joseph to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. Joseph has played with five different NHL teams, most recently played the Phoenix Coyotes. Joseph backstopped Team Canada to a gold medal at the Spengler Cup.
In the English Premier League. Manchester United wasted Newcastle United 6-0. Man U's record is 16-3-3.
That's all folks!

Viewpoints

Tea Time
When I Grow Up
By Dani Stobbs
Caption: The African Children's Choir performed January 16 at the Estevan Alliance Church.
He stood before us and said "I am a ten year old Ugandan and when I grow up I want to be a doctor".
Wednesday night I attended the African Children's choir, and I'm so glad that I did. When I walked into the church I saw no empty seats, in fact the door greeter had to find two extra chairs so that 'the boyfriend' and I could sit at the back.
The children were dancing across the stage with their hands in the air and singing in unison. It was the most energy that I have seen in a long time, and their smiles were dazzling - even from the back of the room, the sense of achievement and joy that they seemed to have from being up there performing was so great.
As a night of entertainment it was sensational, but it was more than just the performance that struck me that night. When a former member of the choir got up at the front to share part of his testimony about what the choir had done in his life, I couldn't believe some of the words that he shared.
He mentioned that at 7 years old he decided that he needed to leave the place that he lived to venture out to the city alone to be able to find a way to be educated. When he heard of the African children's choir holding a conference to find child members, he went along.
Let me stop for just a moment here. SEVEN YEARS OLD? At seven years old, this child is already thinking about decision that will affect the rest of his life. He made a decision at SEVEN to move to the city ALONE.
I don't know about your opinion but I sure as heck haven't met a seven year old so far that would be thinking about his education in that context. To have at that age an awareness of making choices so you can help yourself out of the circumstances that you were born into. I was astounded with the bravery and courage and intelligence that these children had.
Then two young boys stood up and said "I'm sure you would like to adopt us, but you can't". The crowd laughed as they waited to hear why.
"You can't adopt us because we want to be educated to be doctors, lawyers and teachers, to help our country".
WOW! That is what I was thinking. They knocked the socks off of me. Because not only are these children advanced in years, and mature as to the things they have to consider, but they do not want to run away from the poverty and pain that has preceded them, but they want to do what they can to become the change that this world needs.
Now if a nine year old can stand in front of 200 people and declare their future goals and dreams for the country that that they live in, and if a 7 year old child can leave alone to move to a city to change his future for the better, then I feel ashamed of the amount of things that I lack in doing in this world.
They truly made me come away knowing that I have to be the change to see a change in this world.
Thanks to the African Children's Choir for a brilliant night!

What's Happening

Library Fear Factor
The Estevan Public Library hosted Fear Factor games January 13. Local youth competed in a series of physical challenges, followed by tests of what they would and wouldn't eat.

Two cheques presented
Bank of Montreal Estevan Branch Manager Lorrie Woynarski (middle) presented a cheque for $350 to Estevan United Way President Mark Pettitt (L) and a cheque for $981 to Estevan Family Resource Centre Early Development Educator Yuliya Dvuzhilova (R). The money for the Family Resource Centre was raised during the bank's silent auction last year. The United Way money is an annual corporate donation.

Christmas tree recycling
Joe Gervais and Troy Ruzicka were among the volunteers who circulated the community and picked up Christmas trees January 12. The Estevan Kinsmen Club sold hundreds of trees in December. The trees were deposited near the Leisure Centre, and they will be recycled.