Feature

Cundall is the honourary Relay co-chair

CAPTION:
Carol Cundall is the honourary co-chair for the 2009 Estevan Relay for Life.

By David Willberg
The honourary co-chair for Estevan's 2009 Relay for Life has carried a positive attitude throughout her battles with breast cancer.
Carol Cundall was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2005, after she had been having troubles breathing. A mammogram the year before showed no traces of cancer, but Cundall underwent another mammogram in December 2005 that detected cancer.
"I came out of surgery, and the first thing the doctor said was 'I don't think we got it all,'" said Cundall. "He said it didn't look good, he said it was cancer, and he said 'your margins aren't clear.' Everything that you don't want to hear, I heard within a week."
Doctors found out that Cundall had Stage 4 breast cancer, and it had spread to her bones and lungs.
A Positron Emission Topography (PET) scan showed the cancer was in her back, spine, ribs and all the way to the roof of her mouth.
"Cancer is staged," said Cundall. "If you're at Stage 1 - it's not that the cancer is insignificant, it could be the size of the cancer - but you caught it at early time. So if you're at Stage 1 or 2, you're kind of happier."
Cundall knew she was at least at Stage 3.
Stage 4 can be treated through chemotherapy, but there is no cure. It's terminal, Cundall said. She couldn't find any information on Stage 4 breast cancer, nor could she find anyone who is living well while in Stage 4.
Six rounds of chemotherapy were initially scheduled. Cundall wound up going through 10 rounds - the last one in September of 2006.
"I reacted really well to chemo," said Cundall. "I didn't have a problem with it. It didn't affect my appetite. Some things tasted different, but I found that if I ate quicker, I didn't notice it."
She didn't become sick or nauseous from the chemotherapy, and she didn't develop a tingling numbness in her fingers or toes. Cundall continued to work during the chemotherapy sessions.
Cundall still visits her Oncologist every four months. She knows she will need additional chemotherapy at some point. She also undergoes three hours of intravenous treatments at St. Joseph's Hospital every four weeks.
The hospital boasts a nice area for cancer patients, she said.
"It's very personal, it's very small, it's set up so nicely," said Cundall. "We have leather reclining chairs. You get heated blankets. They have TVs for us to watch. They're so good to us. I consider it my spa day."
Cundall said a positive attitude has made a difference in her fight against cancer. So have her faith, family and friends.
People from different churches have been praying for her since her diagnosis, she said. Her husband, her children, her siblings and her husband's family, plus her children's schools - have also been supportive.
Cundall's sister volunteered to help shave Cundall's head once Cundall's hair started falling out. Cundall believes that it was important to have fun, and find reasons to smile and laugh, even while battling cancer.
When she was diagnosed, Cundall said that Melodye Pierson - last year's honourary co-chair and another breast cancer survivor - was among those who offered support.
She has mentored other patients with Stage 3 or 4 breast cancer.
The Relay for Life does so much good for the community and for cancer research, Cundall said. It's good for people with cancer because it shows that cancer patients are fighting, and they aren't ashamed they have cancer.
Cundall has walked in the survivor lap the last three years. And she has been on a team twice, including last year, when she was the survivor for her team.
"The word survivor is so powerful because it gives you hope, because you hope that maybe one day there will be a cure, that maybe one day we won't see children afflicted with cancer," said Cundall. "Maybe we won't see children's parents have cancer.
"It gives you hope, and I think that's why people walk in the Relay."
When she walked in her first Relay in 2006, Cundall had no hair, and she had been through chemotherapy three days earlier.
Everybody knows somebody who has had cancer, Cundall said.
This year's Relay for Life will take place on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 at the Estevan Comprehensive School track. The fundraising goal is $175,000.

News

Building a fort
Caption: Jaylee Patterson and the rest of the students at Pleasantdale School built snow forts as part of the school's winter play day February 13. Students were divided into 10 teams, and tasked with the job of building the most impressive snow fort.

Police Report
*Police are investigating an incident in which a male subject, who was being evicted from a building, removed items belonging to the landlord and building owners. Charges of theft under $5,000 are being considered, and the file remains under investigation.
*Police are also investigating an incident in which a female subject failed to pay for her cab ride. Charges could be laid.
*A window was damaged at City Hall. It appears a vehicle backed into the building and broke the window. The vehicle then left the scene. It remains under investigation.
*Two separate motor vehicle accidents were reported at the intersection of 13th Avenue and Eighth Street. Extremely icy road conditions were a factor in both accidents. Public Works was notified to sand the intersection. Damages to the involved vehicles were minor and no injuries were reported.

Front yard pick-up will be temporary
Estevan residents will temporarily have their garbage picked up in their front yards instead of their back alleys, thanks to the amount of snow that has fallen in the city this winter.
City-wide front yard pick-up began February 17. Some areas, where front yard pick-up isn't possible, will continue to have back alley pick-up.
Mayor Gary St. Onge said that Regens Disposal was having trouble completing garbage pick-up in the back alleys. Trucks were stuck in the snow nine times on February 11, and three more times on the 12th.
"The snow has been building up, and when we go through with the front-end loaders, it basically pushes the snow to the side," said St. Onge. "It doesn't take the snow out of there in most places, so it's getting to be a real problem getting down the back alleys."
The trucks downed overhead lines both days, too, St. Onge said, because of the trucks' size and the mechanical arms that are used to scoop up the garbage containers.
Estevan's public works department and Regens Disposal were consulted prior to moving to front yard pick-up, St. Onge said.
Several areas in the northeast corner of the city have had front yard pick-up for a couple of weeks due to snow accumulations in their back alleys.
"The only other way we could clear the back alleys is to go in there and take out one loader full at a time, and that would take us until May to get it done," said St. Onge.
St. Onge noted that most people he talked to have understood the need to shift to front yard garbage pick-up.
Snow removal efforts this winter have cost Estevan about $200,000, St. Onge said.

Three carbon capture proposals received
SaskPower is moving forward with work on the Boundary Dam Integrated Carbon Capture and Sequestration Demonstration Project. Evaluations are currently underway on carbon capture technologies.
In July 2008, SaskPower issued a request-for-proposals for carbon capture technology for the demonstration project, inviting companies from across Canada and around the world to submit proposals for consideration.
Three companies have been shortlisted to proceed to the next stage for further evaluation - Powerspan Corp., Cansolv Technologies Inc. and Fluor Canada Ltd.
"We had an independent consultant evaluate the proposals based on performance, cost of capture, capital costs, operating costs and associated risks," said vice-president for integrated carbon capture and sequestration Mike Monea.
"The technologies that were selected present the lowest cost and risk for CO2 capture and are best suited to our demonstration project."
The federal government has contributed $240 million toward the project, which has an estimated price tag of $1.4 billion.
The companies will now move forward to the next stage of the process, which involves the preparation of detailed project designs, cost estimates and risk profiles.
Due to the rapidly evolving nature of the carbon capture industry, SaskPower will also continue to monitor and evaluate emerging carbon capture technologies and trends in the industry. The final selection of a carbon capture technology will take place by the end of 2009.
The Boundary Dam Integrated Carbon Capture and Sequestration Demonstration Project will transform Unit 4 at Boundary Dam Power Station into a producer of clean base load electricity, while enhancing provincial oil production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The project is also good for the economy - it will result in capital investment, increased royalty revenues (from coal and petroleum production) and innovative employment opportunities by extending the life of the unit for another 30 years.
To ensure long-term support for the province's economic growth, SaskPower will also continue with the development of other supply options.
Building on the already-diverse mix in the current generation fleet, future options under consideration include polygeneration, demand-side management, cogeneration, natural gas, imports, purchased power, nuclear, large and small hydro and renewables - like biomass and wind.

TTC meeting notes
Highlights from the February 11 meeting of the Estevan and District Board of Tourism, Trade and Commerce (TTC):
*Tim Schroh, Gwen Densley, Rod Beatty and Normand Poirier have been elected to the TTC's board of directors. The TTC has also elected their executive. Tim Leson is the president, Ken Sholter is the first vice-president and Schroh is the second vice-president.
*The TTC will have a booth at the spring national job fair in Toronto on March 31 and April 1. The TTC attended last October's fall national job fair to recruit skilled workers from Ontario to Estevan.
*Membership dollars will not be spent on the construction of a new Tourist Information Booth west of Estevan. Community development manager Michel Cyrenne said $100,000 will come from the former Estevan Tourism account. Another $30,000 will come from Spectra Foundation and $10,000 will come from the RM of Estevan. The remaining costs will be covered by a two per cent hospitality levy charged by some local hotels. The new tourist information booth will be a log cabin.
*St. Joseph's Hospital foundation Executive Director Roxy Blackmore was the guest speaker. Blackmore discussed the foundation's impact on the hospital, and the equipment the foundation has been able to purchase for the hospital, thanks to donations from the community.
*The next meeting will be the TTC's annual general meeting March 12 at the Days Inn Plaza. Tourism Saskatchewan president/CEO Lynda Haverstock will be the keynote speaker.

Land sales bring in $6.3 million
The latest sale of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights has brought in $6.3 million in revenue for the province, capping a record-breaking $928 million 2008-09 fiscal year for land sale revenue.
The total for the 2008-09 fiscal year is more than double the figure for 2007-08. The 2008 calendar year total was $1.12 billion, also a record.
"The lower results for the February land sale are not entirely unexpected," Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said. "The 75 per cent drop in the spot price of oil in the last seven months is a major contributing factor, along with the now much tighter financial markets in which energy companies are operating."
Alberta and British Columbia also had lower land sale results, Boyd said.
Boyd believes there are still reasons for optimism: the record calendar year in 2008; two-year exploration licenses that many companies purchased; and attractive oil and gas plays, such as Lower Shaunavon and the southeast's Bakken play, which Boyd believes will thrive in the medium and long-term.
February's sale included two petroleum and natural gas exploration licenses that sold for $339,000 and 144 lease parcels that attracted $5.9 million in bonus bids.
The Lloydminster area led the land sale with bonus bids of $3.1 million. The Weyburn-Estevan area was next at $2.2 million.
The highest price paid for a single parcel was $411,000. Sandstone Land & Mineral Company Ltd. acquired this 65-hectare lease in an oil pool 35 kilometres northeast of Lloydminster.
On a per hectare basis, the highest price paid was $6,889. Prairie Land & Investment Services Ltd. bid over $111,000 for a shallow rights lease of a 16-hectare parcel above the Bakken Formation, 16 kilometres east of Redvers.
The next sale of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights will be April 6.

Rempel leaving South East Cornerstone

The South East Cornerstone School Division is seeking a new director of education/CEO.
Don Rempel is leaving the division to become the director and CEO with the North East School Division. Rempel has held the director and CEO duties since South East Cornerstone's inception in 2005.
His final day with South East Cornerstone is July 31.
Rempel said the move will bring him and his family close to their hometown of Nipawin.
"At about this time last year, the director, Ivan Yanko, announced that he'd be retiring at the end of this school year (2008-09), so we thought that it would possibly be the last opportunity of my career to move back home," Rempel said.
Rempel left Nipawin in 2003 to become the director of education for Estevan's public and rural school divisions. He was then named the director of education for South East Cornerstone when Estevan public and rural merged with four other divisions to form South East Cornerstone.
Highlights from his time in the southeast include working with great administrators, teachers and board members, and the amalgamation of six divisions into one.
"I think anybody who's been in rural Saskatchewan the last three to four years has seen tremendous changes in education," said Rempel.
Rempel said the North East Division is smaller than South East Cornerstone in terms of the number of schools and students. But he said he already knows the board members in the northeast, and most of the principals.
South East Cornerstone School Board chair Audrey Trombley said the board has started planning for the recruitment and selection of Rempel's replacement. The process in finding Rempel's replacement will begin at the board's February 26 meeting.
Trombley hopes that a new director can be hired this spring. The preferred start date for a new director is August 1.

Legion holds past-president's banquet
The Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion installed their new executive during their annual past-president's banquet February 14.
President Eileen Rosner, first vice-president Lyle Dukart, past-president Dave Laing, sergeant-at-arms Jim Spenst and assistant sergeant-at-arms Troy LeBlanc were sworn in. First-year members of the executive were also sworn-in, and several new Legion members were inducted.
Laing was presented with his past-president's medal and badge.
Provincial first vice-president Peter Piper from Stoughton was the guest speaker. He talked about different sporting events that the Legion hosts, and he warned the audience that the sporting events could be eliminated if there isn't a better turn-out.
The Legion's provincial cribbage championship will be held March 14 in Estevan.
Nearly 80 people attended the banquet, including several past-presidents.

Envision offering assertiveness training
Envision Counselling and Support Centre will be offering a free one-day women's assertiveness training workshop in Estevan on Friday, March 13.
The assertiveness workshop offers women more effective ways to communicate with others. Women will learn that assertiveness is any behaviour that allows a person to express honest feelings comfortably.
The workshop will focus on giving participants skills that will help them to be direct, straightforward and most importantly honest with others without experiencing anxiety and guilt.
"The workshops provide a safe environment for women to come together and learn to communicate and assert themselves more effectively," said Envision executive director Patt Lenover-Adams.
Assertiveness training, Lenover-Adams says, is geared for women who often experience difficulty expressing their feelings to others, or saying "no" without feeling guilty.
Envision Counselling has received a grant from the Status of Women to sponsor the training in celebration of International Women's Day. It is a day to reflect on issues of significance to women and bring these issues to the attention of Saskatchewan people, and to appreciate the achievements women have made in their pursuit of equality.
The workshop is open to women over the age of 18. Women must pre-register by March 9 by contacting Envision Counselling and Support Centre.

Destino tenors coming to Estevan
Destino, a group of three young tenors, will appear in the Stars for Saskatchewan series at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Estevan at 2:30 pm. on March 8.
The three young talents - Leon Leontaridis, Joey Niceforo and Paul Ouellette - recently joined to form Destino, whose name means destiny in Italian and Spanish.
Before forming the group, the three vocalists, who have varied musical backgrounds including pop, opera, gospel, soul, jazz, and musical theatre, were pursuing successful solo careers that included singing at Carnegie Hall and for the Pope, and recording a No. 1 radio single.
After being hired to work on a project together they realized they possessed a strong on-stage chemistry. Destino was born. Their style has been dubbed popera, which is currently sweeping musical charts worldwide with singers such as Andrea Bocelli and Josh Grogan.
With Destino, popera now has Canadian representation.
Ticket orders have already come in from out of town fans who do not want to miss the performance.

World Day of Prayer is March 6
Estevan will be one of many communities in Canada participating in a World Day of Prayer service on Friday, March 6. The service is at 2 p.m. at St. Giles' Anglican Church.
People in more than 180 countries around the world, and 2,000 communities across Canada, are expected to gather for World Day of Prayer.
The independent state of Papua New Guinea will be the focus of this year's World Day of Prayer.
Papua New Guinea consists of hundreds of islands, cultures and languages. World Day of Prayer will provide information about the country's cultures, but also their social challenges: growing domestic violence, the spread of HIV/AIDS, and land and resource issues.

MS Walk is May 3
David Seipp, the local coordinator for the 2009 MS (multiple sclerosis) Walk in Estevan, is seeking teams for the event, which will be held on May 3.
Seipp said he would like to see 20 teams this year, which is five more than 2008. And he would like to see 150 walkers, which is 20 more than last year.
Prizes will be handed out in the following categories: top fundraising youth against MS (ages six to 13) team; top fundraising family and friends team; top corporate team; best costumes; best team spirit; best rookie team; and best team name.
Last year's walk raised $32,000, surpassing the goal of $25,000. Seipp said the goal for this year is $28,000. More than $750,000 was raised across the province in 2008.
Registration will be at noon and the walk starts at 1 p.m. Participants will walk three to five kilometres. Prizes will be handed out afterwards.
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. Between 55,000 and 75,000 Canadians have MS, including 3,500 people in Saskatchewan.

Farmer's Appreciation Evening is February 26
Saskatchewan business expert Paul Martin will be the keynote speaker for Estevan's Farmer's Appreciation Evening on February 26.
Martin is a mainstay in Saskatchewan business and political writing. For more than 35 years his journalism career has spanned radio, television and print media. He currently provides daily commentary on 15 radio stations province-wide, hosts talk shows on the local cable network and provides written commentary for business and other print publications.
Martin's ability to blend communications and business knowledge has prompted companies across the country to seek his advice on communications strategies and implementation in Saskatchewan.
He is in great demand as a public speaker and master of ceremonies throughout Saskatchewan and Western Canada. He has a strong belief that Saskatchewan's growth potential is rooted in smart business.
Martin chairs the board of the Regina Regional Economic Development Authority.
Martin's topic for his speech at the Farmer's Appreciation Evening will be "Is our boom sustainable?"
Other highlights of the evening include:
*The 2009 Farm Family of the Year Award will be presented to a local agricultural family.
*Local 4H club speakers will talk about issues important to youth and agriculture.
*Speeches from local dignitaries.
Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m. Supper will be served at 6:30.
Farmer's Appreciation Evening is a project of the Estevan Exhibition Association, and the Estevan and District Board of Tourism, Trade and Commerce.

Nominations sought for century farm award
Saskatchewan's Information Services Corporation (ISC) is accepting applications until March 15 for the 2009 ISC Century Family Farm Award.
The program pays tribute to the contributions of families who have farmed the same land continuously for 100 years or more.
"The ISC Century Family Farm Award is a fitting badge of honour recognizing the farm families who have made such significant contributions to our economy and prairie culture," said Minister of Crown Corporations Ken Cheveldayoff.
"Last year ISC awarded 325 families, and based on the current number of applications already approved, it looks like 2009 will honour a record number of Saskatchewan farming families."
The ISC Century Family Farm Awards are distributed annually with recipients being honoured at celebratory events across Saskatchewan in June of each year. Since the program's inception in 1981, 2,694 families have been recognized.
The following criteria are used to determine if applicants are eligible to receive an ISC Century Family Farm Award:
*Members of the same family have farmed or ranched on the land continuously for 100 years or more.
*The family must live in Saskatchewan and continue to operate the farm or ranch.
*The applicant has never received a Century Family Farm Award before.
Applicants simply fill out and submit an application form. Then, ISC, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Archives Board, will do all of the historical research required to determine the applicant's eligibility on their behalf, free of charge.
Once eligible, recipients receive a replica of their ancestor's original land grant or title, 12 ISC Century Family Farm Award certificates and a choice of one of two awards: an indoor wall plaque for free, or a cedar gate sign for $400.

 

Columnists

Inefficient Faith
"You cannot do God's work without God's power".
That is the lesson that the apostles learned in Luke 9. They had tried to heal a sick boy and, in spite of their best efforts, they could not do it. When they asked Jesus why they failed, he talked to them about their need for stronger faith (Matthew 17:19-21), a more consistent prayer life (Mark 9:29) and a real belief in him (Luke 9:41). Apparently, they had forgotten where their strength came from.
Why would anyone try to do God's work by his or her own strength? Well, to be honest, it is easier. If we do not have to consider God, then we can make plans, set goals and decide on our own what we are going to do. Faith becomes a straight line from "point A" to "point B". Rally the troops, get people excited, work hard and get it done.
By contrast, working with God's power can seem quite inefficient. Things like praying, waiting on God, trusting in him, making yourself available to be used and serving your neighbour take tremendous amounts of time and energy. Rather than looking like a straight line from here to there, this type of faith looks much more like a river winding its way across a valley. It is slow and inefficient.
Now, I am not arguing that we should never make plans. My concern is that when my strength, my plans and my goals are the focus, God can be left out of the picture completely. We then become tempted to "sort things out" and to push for the results that we want to see happen, regardless of what God could be doing in the situation.
That makes me wonder: Is it possible that some of the things that you and I are trying so hard to fix could be "healed" if we were working with something more than our own power and strength?
As the old saying goes, "When we work, we work. When we pray, God works".
In that light, the "inefficient" things of God are not so bad after all.
"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:11).
Tim Pippus
Estevan Church
of Christ

THE BEAUTY OF DIVERSITY
By Linda Wegner
For the past three weeks I've been a participant in Diversity Conversations, a pilot project designed to address discrimination in all its ugly forms. It's been a challenging yet meaningful time as five of us, plus two facilitators, looked at our individual biases. The diversity of our backgrounds alone provided fodder for discussion: there were two Jewish participants, two government employees, someone from a mixed marriage and an evangelical Christian. Our discussions have been intense yet we're unanimous in our condemnation of hatred and discrimination of others who do not look or believe the same as we do.
Today we invited a few friends over for lunch following the morning church service. It was one of those unplanned but thoroughly enjoyed events. During the meal, the conversation turned to global economic challenges (what conversation doesn't these days!). That, of course, turned naturally to the election of President Obama, and quickly shifted to the matter of the election of an African American. Once more, the topic of racism and discrimination became the centre of conversation and once again we talked about our individual roles in a society that so easily judges a man or woman by outward appearance.
Through all these times and events the threads of an old Sunday School chorus keeps running through my mind: Jesus loves the little children/All the children of the world/Red and yellow, black and white/They are precious in His sight/Jesus loves the little children of the world.
The questions the ancient sage, Job, asked remain the same: "If I have denied justice…what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account? Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?" (Job 31:13-15)
God despises injustice. We'd better do the same!

 

Sports

Legault named Bruins MVP
CAPTION: (L-R) Bruins executive member Perry Wenham
presented the team MVP award to Tommy Legault.
Goaltender Tommy Legault's only season with the Eagle Drilling Estevan Bruins will be a memorable one, as he was named the club's MVP at an awards night February 14.
Legault, a 20-year-old goaltender from Quebec, joined the Bruins at the start of this season. He had a 15-15-1-4 record, a 2.93 goals against average and a .911 save percentage. He was named the SJHL's top goaltender in January.
"The team needed me to win the important games, so I stepped up my play," said Legault. "And we had a new goalie come in."
Legault said forwards Riley Tetreault, Chad Filteau and captain Kyle Garagan would have also been deserving MVP picks.
Tetreault won the club's other prestigious award, the Bill Shinske Memorial Award for on-ice and off-ice contributions.
"Bill's a founder of the Bruins and his name means so much to our organization," said Tetreault. "In our dressing room alone, we have his speech written on the floor, and you look at that every day."
Tetreault also won the Bruin Heart Award, which is decided by trainer Gerry Aspen and equipment manager Richard Winton.
"There are a lot of guys on our team who definitely deserve the awards just as much as I do," said Tetreault.
Garagan won three awards: most popular player; most aggressive player; and most involved in the community.
Filteau won awards for having the most hustle, and being the top scorer with 61 points.
Aspen was named the club's volunteer of the year for his many years of service.
Other award winners were: Mark Cross was named the top rookie; Colton MacPherson was named the top defenceman; Kyle Stroh won for most sportsmanlike; Mike Dopko was the most scholastic; Brant Harris was the most improved player; Davis Brown was picked as the most underrated; and Liam Brennan won for most games played.
Legault, Garagan, Tetreault, Stroh, Ian Clarke, Richard Jodoin, Todd Pansyshyn, Scott Doucet and Josh Elder were presented awards as 20-year-old graduating players with the Bruins.

Bruins will face Kindersley
CAPTION: Estevan beat Kindersley 5-0 in a game February 13. Estevan will play Kindersley in a best-of-five series starting February 20.
The Eagle Drilling Estevan Bruins hope that their 5-0 win against the Kindersley Klippers February 13 is foreshadowing for the playoffs.
The win, which came in the Bruins regular season finale, ended a six-game losing streak for the Black and Gold. It also ensured that the Bruins would face Kindersley in a first round, best-of-five series.
Estevan scored four times in the second period on their way to beating Kindersley. Riley Tetreault scored two short-handed goals. Richard Jodoin also had a short-handed goal. Ian Clarke and Brant Harris had the other goals.
"We all considered that game February 13 a playoff game," said Tetreault. "We knew we were facing them in the first round."
Shayne Barrie stopped 33 shots to get the shutout win. Estevan outshot the Klippers 45-33.
Captain Kyle Garagan said the club needed a win entering the playoffs.
A strong, physical forecheck will be needed to beat Kindersley in the playoffs, Garagan said.
"Their defencemen didn't want the puck after we forechecked pretty hard a few times," said Garagan. "They're not a very strong, physical team."
Head coach/GM Karry Biette said that stopping Kindersley forward Brett Leedahl will be another key factor in the series. Leedahl was among the SJHL's top scorers this year.
"He's a dynamic player and when he's on the ice, things happen," said Biette. "We have to be very aware of him defensively. If we can do that, I like our chances."
Physical play is the best way to stop Leedahl, Biette said.
"He's a smaller guy," said Biette. "He doesn't like to go in the corners, but he's crafty."
Chad Filteau will likely draw the assignment of shadowing Leedahl. Josh Elder and possibly Garagan could be matched up against Leedahl's all-star linemates Jordan Braid and Kirk Pearce.
Injured forwards Brody Haygarth and Kyle Stroh are both day-to-day, Biette said. He doesn't know if either will be back for the Kindersley series.
Estevan and Kindersley each won three games in the six-game season series. One of Kindersley's wins came in overtime.
The first two games are in Kindersley. Game 1 is February 20 and Game 2 is the following night. The next two games are in Estevan. Game 3 is on the 23rd and Game 4, if necessary, is the next night. Game 5, if necessary, is February 26 in Kindersley.
The winner of the Estevan/Kindersley series will play the Weyburn Red Wings in a best-of-seven, second round series.

Hull entertains at awards night
CAPTION: Former NHL all-star Dennis Hull was the featured
speaker at the Bruins awards banquet February 13.
Former NHL all-star Dennis Hull was the keynote speaker during the Eagle Drilling Estevan Bruins awards banquet February 14.
Hull shared stories from his experiences with the Chicago Blackhawks, Team Canada and his opponents.
"I get the chance to go all over the country, and speak at a lot of hockey banquets, so it's a real treat to be here," Hull said.
People seem to enjoy his stories, Hull said. Hull smiled throughout, and his stories generated plenty of laughter from the audience of more than 300 people.
Most of Hull's career was spent with the Blackhawks. He said they had some great teams, even though they never won a Stanley Cup.
He played more than six seasons alongside his legendary brother, Bobby, in Chicago.
"We're from a family of 11, so we're a pretty close group," said Dennis Hull. "To play on your same team as your brother was a real thrill, especially when he was the greatest player in the world at that time."
The thrill of his life was representing Canada at the eight-game 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union, which Canada won thanks to Paul Henderson's last-minute goal in the eighth and final game.
Hull also spoke with Bruin players prior to the banquet.
"I told them a little bit about my experience in the playoffs," said Hull. "That's where they're going now, so it's an important time of the year for them."
Two other speakers were at the banquet: Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Wes Cates and former Riders' linebacker Dan Rashovich.
Cates chronicled his journey to the CFL and the Riders. He was a star running back in college, but he bounced around various football leagues until he wound up in the CFL. Cates said he is "thankful and blessed" to play for the Riders and live in Saskatchewan.
Rashovich, who spent 16 years in the CFL, shared stories from the 1989 Grey Cup championship team, and talked about the importance of teamwork and accountability.

Bruins Playoff Bound
From the Sidelines
By Kyle Kapiczowski
The Estevan Bruins are in to the playoffs. The Bruins finished the regular season with a 24-25-3-4 record and finished in fifth place in the Sherwood Conference. The Bruins finished ahead of the Notre Dame Hounds for the final playoff spot. The Bruins are off to the next round and I hope they do well in the playoffs.
In the WHL, the Regina Pats los 5-2 to the Calgary Hitmen. Regina's record is 23-31-1-5. As for the Calgary hitmen they pounded the Moose Jaw Warriors 8-4 in their last game. Calgary's record is 51-7-3-1 and they continue to lead the Eastern Division.
In the NHL, the Pittsburgh Penguins have fired head coach Michel Terrien. The firing comes a year after Pittsburgh made it to the Stanley Cup final. Pittsburgh's new Coach will be Dan Bylsma.
In the CFL, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have released wide receiver Matt Dominguez. The Riders have resigned kicker and punter Jamie Borham and offensive lineman Joe McGrath to new contracts.
In NCAA basketball, the Florida Gators lost 88-86 to the Georgia Bulldogs. The Gators record is 19-6 overall and 6-4 in conference play.
In the National Lacrosse League, the Calgary Roughnecks lost 13-12 to the Colorado Mammoth. The Roughneck's record is 5-1 and they are one game up on the Colorado Mammoth for first place in the Western Division.
In NASCAR, Matt Kenseth won the Daytona 500. The race was called due to rain. Bobby Labonte who started in third position finished the race in 22nd place. The next race is the auto Club 500.
In the Camping World Truck Series, Todd Bodine won the NextEra Energy Recourses 250. Mike Skinner finished in seventh place. The next race is the San Bernardino County 200.
In the English Premier league, Manchester United beat Derby County 4-1. Manu's record is 17-2-5 and they are two points up on Liverpool for first place.
That's all folks!

Cougars advance in Big Six
The Carlyle Cougars have advanced to the second round of the Big Six Hockey League's playoffs.
Carlyle defeated the White Bear Redhawks in two games in a West Division best-of-three series. Carlyle won Game 1 8-3 on February 16, and Game 2 8-4 the following night.
Carlyle will now play the Midale Mustangs in a West Division semi-final. The Wawota Flyers and the Arcola-Kisbey Combines will meet in the other West Division semi-final.
The Carnduff Red Devils and the Pierson Bruins are tied at 1-1 in their East Division best-of-three series. Carnduff won Game 1 5-3 on February 13. Pierson responded with a 5-2 win in Game 2 on the 16th. Game 3 is February 20 in Pierson.
The winner of that series will play the Redvers Rockets in an East Division semi-final. The Oxbow Huskies and the Bienfait Coalers will play in the other East Division semi-final.
All division semi-finals will be best-of-five series.

Curling club hosts bonspiels
CAPTION: (L-R) Dwayne Donald, Glenn Willerth, Wade Rae
and Bill Kapiczowski won the men's A final.
CAPTION: CAPTION: (L-R) Dwayne Donald, Glenn Willerth, Wade Rae
and Bill Kapiczowski won the men's A final.

The Estevan Curling Club hosted separate men's and women's bonspiels from February 13 to 15.
Dwayne Donald and his team of Glenn Willerth, Wade Rae and Bill Kapiczowski defeated Wade Massier's team 7-4 in seven ends in the A final of the men's bonspiel. Donald scored two in the seventh end to break open a close 5-4 game, and ran Massier out of rocks in the eighth and final end.
Donald and Massier were the top teams throughout the weekend. They each posted 3-0 records in the preliminary round robins. They also had 26 points each for winning games and ends. But Donald won the tie-breaker because he only surrendered 11 points. Massier gave up 15.
The top four men's teams advanced to the A playoffs. Teams five through eight went to the B event.
Terry Marcotte defeated Arol Phair 8-5 in the B final.
Audrey Robinson and her team of Christine Massier, Becca Gustafson and Brooklyn Lemon won the ladies spiel with a 10-4, six-end win over Cheryl Anseth. Robinson scored three points in the third end for a 6-3 lead, and stole two in the fourth and fifth ends to lead 10-3. Anseth had one in the sixth.
Robinson's rink was perfect during the bonspiel, posting a 3-0 record and picking up 38 points in the round-robin.
Two B finals were held for the women. Bonnie Weber defeated Melody Willock 12-1 in six ends, and Janelle Gedak defeated Trish Donald 8-1, also in six ends.
Sixteen teams entered the men's bonspiel; eight were in the women's bonspiel.

Viewpoints

Tea Time
What is Your Passion?
By Dani Stobbs
When it comes round to writing this column, I try to think of new things that you would actually be interested in reading, and I still get surprised when people mention my column, because it's hard to believe that people read what you think and feel. I want to be able to share the things I am passionate about, and to get you guys excited for the things in life that you are passionate about.
I love hearing my friends' passions, whether it skiing, writing, reading, teaching, hair-cutting, truck driving, renovating, charity work etc. When you hear someone else get excited about the things they love it is contagious.
One of my biggest passions in life besides writing is working with youth. There is nothing like it. I remember when I was young, and people would ask me what do you want to be when you grow up, I rarely got asked the question what do you want to be now.
Maybe that's a problem that we have. With bypassing where they want to be now, how can they ever get to where they want to be? My biggest pet peeve working with youth is when adults say that "they are the leaders of tomorrow". I believe that is true, but they can also be the leaders of today, and I believe with all my heart that we have an expanse of youth in this city that are leaders now.
Being a leader in a Youth group means I get the privilege of meeting such young people. I see their passions for what they want to do now, and see that they can be the change we want to see in the world right now. There is something so special about this age group. They still have some of that worldly innocence left, and the dreams (that I believe is a reality too) that they can be and do anything. With that passion they can fire up this world, because they have the capability NOW!
I do not believe in age. It's a huge divider. It makes us think we cannot do things unless we are adults, or that older people could not understand young people, all these stereotypes that age bring. Break them down!
I know this woman that volunteers at youth group too. Let's call her Mrs. J. She has three children and is married. In the world I was taught to live in, it's not natural for me to be friends with her. I am in my early 20's about to get married; we are in different stages of our life. WHAT RUBBISH!!
Through being in relationship with this awesome woman, we have broken the age boundaries, we have dismissed the myth that we shouldn't get along. That when we break down the walls all generational separation we can finally start to become more complete in society.
With wisdom from age, innocence from the children, passions for change from the youth, we can become more than we ever thought we could be.
When I watched the elections for the USA, I thought to myself, too many people are laying their hopes and dreams on one man. What can one man do? He can lift one brick to the table, what can a thousand men do? They can build a mansion!
My passion is for youth to know that they are more than what their futures hold, they are as much of the now as they ever will be.
My passion is for a generational breakthrough that sees a society knowing that one man cannot change the world. We all have to change something ourselves to build this earth to where it should be!
My passion is for the human race to look beyond the amount of money they make, the job they have, the size of their house and focus on what is inside. Such a cliche I know, but it's true! Look for that which is everlasting.
The body lives for maybe a good 80/90 years, what do you want left? A pile of bricks or a real life legacy?!

Obama-Mania hits Canada
By David Willberg
Barack Obama did what George W. Bush wouldn't do - he made Canada the stop for his first official visit as president.
Obama-mania hit Canada in full force February 19 when the president arrived. He wasn't in Canada for a long time - only about six hours - but it was a good time, as he met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other politicians, and he provided a thrill to the hundreds of supporters who waited for Obama on Parliament Hill.
Obama's visit also restored a long-standing tradition. U.S. presidents usually make their first official visit in Canada. And why not? The nations are involved in extensive trading, and they share the world's largest unprotected border.
Bush proved to be an exception, as he went to Mexico, and not Canada, for his first official visit.
Granted, I don't blame Bush for choosing Mexico over Ottawa in the middle of February. I'm guessing Bush didn't visit beaches and clubs in Cancun, but Mexico was warm. And since he's from Texas, he probably preferred the heat of Mexico over the chills of Ottawa in February.
(Of course, that doesn't explain why Bush needed more than five years before he made his first official trip to Canada).
The honeymoon is still on for Obama in the U.S. It's never easy being the president of the U.S., but Obama picked a particularly difficult time, thanks to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and an economic crisis that has cost millions of jobs.
He has thrilled and captivated a nation with his speeches, demeanour and ideas.
On election night in November, one Canadian political commentator compared the Obama-mania to that of Pierre Trudeau in Canada. And regardless of what you think of Trudeau, nobody ever questioned Trudeau's charisma or his ability to captivate an audience.
Nobody knows whether Obama will prove to be a great president, or whether he will be just a great speaker who knows how to convey ideas. But he has given people excitement and hope at a time when those are needed.
And hopefully he enjoyed his first visit to Canada.

 

What's Happening

Snowshoes at school
(L-R) Dustin DeBruyne, Beau Duckarmie, Karissa Gustafson, and Austin Kuchinka enjoyed snowshoeing at Macoun School recently. Heavy snow fell on southeast Saskatchewan in mid-February, but that didn't deter the students from being outdoors.

Donation for hospital foundation
(L-R) St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation executive director Roxy Blackmore accepted a cheque for $6,000 from Taqa North foreman Ernie Speers, production administrators Kari Lee Bonokoski and Sharon Wock, and production technician Dean Hooper. The money will be used to purchase capital equipment for the hospital.