Children’s winter Olympics

Wanru Anderson participated in an elementary school version of the biathlon, featuring scoops and balls, during Souris School’s Olympic play day on February 25. Other events included the bobsled event with GT Snow Racers, an Alpine skiing event with Crazy Carpets and a torch relay with rubber balls and toilet plungers. Most schools in the area participated in an activity to recognize the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Book signing for local author

(L-R) Local school teacher and author Renee Krafchuk signed a copy of her new children's book, "The Hockey Radio," for Jacquie VanDeWoestyne during a book signing at the Weyburn Public Library on February 26. Krafchuk was also selling copies of her self-published book, which was illustrated by her former student, Kyle Kot, who is now in Grade 12.

Heritage Fair

(L-R) Grade 4 students Emma Fletcher and Tyla Kopetzki displayed their project about the Great Lakes while Grade 5 students Tatum Abel and Kaitlyn Storer showed-off their Tommy Douglas project at the Assiniboia Park Elementary School Heritage Fair on March 3. Students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 participated in the event which saw their projects judged by Michele Craigen, Delise Fathers, Glen Pegg and April Sampson. The winning projects will advance to the Regional Heritage Fair.

Area residents win $100,000

Richard and Shelley Klatt took their $5 Set for Life ticket with them on vacation before they discovered the Scratch 'N Win ticket was a $100,000 winner.
The Yellow Grass couple purchased the ticket from R.J.'s Smoke Shop in Weyburn and intended to scratch it on the airplane.
"We had the ticket with us for two weeks of vacation and still didn't scratch it," laughed Richard.
"We got home on Friday and scratched it Saturday morning. I noticed it was a winner but I thought it was $10,000," recalled Richard. "I showed it to Shelley and she saw it was really $100,000! We did the happy dance!"
The Klatt's plan to use their winnings to renovate their home, pay-off debt, invest and take another holiday.

Gallery features Oungre artist

The Signal Hill Gallery is currently featuring the paintings of artist Lyn Johnson.
Johnson, who lives near Oungre, credits her long-standing success as an artist to her parents.
"My parents were hard-working people," said Johnson. "They gave me and my seven brothers and sisters all the necessities of life. Both my parents were very loving - they encouraged us to have a great imagination."
Johnson has had no formal training but accredits her artistic knowledge to her father, who was also a painter.
"I spent countless hours watching him create pictures," said Johnson. "All the painting techniques I make use of today in my works I learned from watching his great teaching."
Johnson said she is always exploring new ideas and experimenting to see what works. One of her favourite subjects to paint is portraits of people.
The exhibit is on display on the second floor of the Signal Hill Arts Centre until March 29.

Walking, talking artwork

(L-R) Shane Szczecinski had his "Weyburn" tattoo photographed by Nicole Griffin at the "Tattoo" art exhibition at the Allie Griffin Art Gallery during a reception on March 3. Local residents had their permanent tattoos photographed to be displayed at the exhibit, which will be at the gallery until March 22. Many residents came out to have their living artworks become a part of the exhibit and to have temporary tattoos airbrushed on their bodies. Local tattoo artist Mark Kenway was on hand to offer a professional opinion on the work. Szczecinski had 14 of his 15 tattoos done by Kenway.

Sex Please We're Sixty!

(L-R) Connie Nightingale, Ray Hamm, Freda Lautner, Margaret Loos, Bob Linnell and Sandy Bell were at a dress rehearsal for the Weyburn Agricultural Society's comedic performance of "Sex Please We're Sixty" on March 3. The annual dinner theatre will take place on March 11, 12 and 13 at the Royal Canadian Legion. There will also be a matinee performance on Sunday, March 14 at 2 p.m.

Sadie Bowerman award recipient

(L-R) Weyburn Girl Guides rainbow district commissioner Susann Patterson presented third-year Ranger Katie Lee with the Sadie Bowerman award at the club's Thinking Day celebration. This award, which is named for a former member of Weyburn Guiding, is given annually to a Guide who best represents the values and principles of Guiding, including maturity, leadership potential, responsibility, adaptability, cooperative and involvement in the community.

Symbolic skin art

(L-R) Commercial artist Brent Pylot used an airbrush to apply a temporary tattoo to Grade 6 student Riley Skogstad of Haig School on March 2 at the Allie Griffin Art Galley. Two days of workshops were held for local students regarding the meaning of symbolism. Pylot encouraged students to focus on symbols meaningful to them and helped them discover the significance of the symbols. Pylot also conducted a talk and tour on March 3 during an evening reception for the gallery's "Tattoo" art exhibition.

Former local woman runs half-marathon after nearly losing use of her legs

(L-R) Sisters Penny Burgess, Phyllis Jones and Wendy Dreis-Wallsmith along with mother Berty Lou Dreis were in Palm Springs, California recently. Dreis-Wallsmith competed in a half-marathon while her family cheered her on.

Former Weyburnite Wendy Dreis-Wallsmith recently completed a half-marathon in Palm Springs, California after recovering from surgery to save her legs.
Although this was Dreis-Wallsmith's fifth half-marathon since she began competing in 2007, this was the first she had competed in since recovering from surgery to correct her Compartment Syndrome.
Dreis-Wallsmith said that while training to run a full marathon she overworked her leg muscles, leading to her condition. Compartment Syndrome refers to the compression of nerves, blood vessels and muscle, leading to tissue death.
Dreis-Wallsmith received surgery to her legs in 2008. After a year of recovery, she began training for the half-marathon in October, 2009. She completed the 21 kilometre run in 2:15 - four minutes faster than her last half-marathon before the surgery.
At 44 years of age, Dreis-Wallsmith isn't slowing down.
"I'm just happy I could compete," said Dreis-Wallsmith. "I enjoy running. After the surgery, to realize I could run again was actually quite rewarding."
She said she was happy to have her sisters Penny Burgess of Weyburn and Phyllis Jones of Salmon Arm, British Columbia, and her mother Berty Lou Dreis of Weyburn in Palm Springs to cheer her on.
"To have someone there at the end of the finish line is encouraging," Dreis-Wallsmith said.
Currently residing in Port Coquitlam, BC, Dreis-Wallsmith said that she may consider training for a full marathon in the future.

Little Olympian
Noah Wendt did the torch run with a rubber ball and a toilet plunger at Souris School's Winter Olympic play day on February 25. Many of the students at local schools held similar exercises to commemorate the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Wheatland Senior Centre News
The results of the senior centre's activities for the week of February 21 to February 27:
Bridge: (Monday) 1st Andy Dumba, 2nd Chris Diemert, 3rd George Gillies.
Bridge: (Friday) 1st Erskine Sandiford, 2nd Jim Brown 3rd Andy Goeres.
Hi-Lo Whist: 1st Kay Bachman and Basil Holyer, 2nd Gordon and Phyllis Lindskog, 3rd Ella Hortness and Hilda Rohloff.
Canasta: 1st Arvella Soroka, 2nd Marlene Szczecinski, 3rd Lydia Borys.
Kaiser: 1st John Schiller and Basil Holyer, 2nd Kathy and Chris Diemert, 3rd Alice Schneider and Agnes Tumback.
Crib: (Thursday) 1st Basil Holyer and Howard Giroux, 2nd Vi Paterson and Marg Leavens, 3rd Ray Boucher and Merle Leavens.
Upcoming Events: The Tuesday afternoon dance will be performed by J. Goski on March 9. The month end supper is on March 26 with roast turkey being served.

Women honoured at TC Douglas Centre
The Tommy Douglas Centre is inviting women of all ages to learn about "Great Canadian Women" for an edutainment presentation celebrating International Women's Day in March.
Participants are asked to research the life of a Canadian woman who made a historically significant contribution to women's rights, growth and development. The information will then be presented in a dramatic manor in front of an audience on March 27 at 7 p.m.
"We would like to see a real mix of far-past, past and present women featured," said tourism and culture director for Tommy Douglas Centre John Nolan.
The presentation may feature significant women from the past or present, even local women may be featured. Those wishing to tell their own story about the path they have carved for the betterment of women are also encouraged to participate.
Nolan said that this presentation is important, in particular, for young people to experience because they have no concept of the past struggles of women who fought for the rights that Canadian women enjoy today.
"If you're not interested in the struggles of the past, what future do you have?" said Nolan.
"Great Canadian Women" presentations should be about 12 minutes in length. For more information contact Nolan at the Tommy Douglas Centre.

Weyburn Concert Series finalizes entertainers for new season
Weyburn Concert Series has finalized their entertainment line-up for their 2010-2011 season and extended their series to seven concerts.
The opening concert for their new season will be the Celtic Tenors on Monday, October 25. This act has been pursued by Weyburn Concert Series for two years.
The second concert is Duo Pianists - Bax and Chung - four hands on one piano, on Tuesday, November 2.
The third concert features Henri Loiselle, accompanied by Martin Janovski, on Monday, November 29.
The series second half begins with Weyburn's own accomplished pianist Meagan Milatz. Her concert will be an afternoon performance on Sunday, February 27, 2011.
Foothills Brass will perform on Thursday, March 24, 2011; Blackthorn will entertain on Monday, April 4, 2011; and Brothers from different Mothers will take the stage on Wednesday, April 13, 2011.
Season ticket prices have increased for the first time in three years. A $5 rebate is offered to anyone purchasing season tickets at the next two concerts. These include comedic musical performers Chuck and Albert on Tuesday, March 16 and the Poltava Dancers on Sunday, April 18. The Weyburn Ukrainian Dance Ensemble will be the lead-in performance for this concert.
Brochures and tickets will be available at the next two concerts.

"In Praise of Women"art auction donation

Linda Rudachyk and Leslie Stinson of The Family Place donated three black and white photographs to Charline Doney and Lynda Rideout of Envision Counselling Centre for the art auction being held on March 18 at Signal Hill Arts Centre. All proceeds from the "In Praise of Women - Art Exhibition and Gala Fundraiser Auction" will benefit Envision.

International Women’s Day celebrated in Weyburn
In honour of International Women’s Day (IWD), Envision Counselling and Support Centre in partnership with the Weyburn and Area Labour Council will be hosting “In Praise of Women - Art Exhibition and Gala Fundraiser Auction.”
This event will take place on Thursday, March 18 at Signal Hill Arts Centre starting at 6:30 p.m. The evening will include a wine and cheese reception and a presentation by guest speaker Linda Selin of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, followed by a live auction conducted by Lackey Real Estate.
Envision is also holding an on-line auction which can be accessed by visiting their website at www.envisioncounsellingcentre.com. The on-line auction will end on March 18 at noon.
IWD is on Monday, March 8 and is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated by the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. Each year, Canadians celebrate progress toward equality for women, reflect on current challenges and consider future steps in achieving equal opportunity for all women, in all aspects of their lives.
The IWD theme this year in Canada is “Strong Women. Strong Canada. Strong World.” This theme encourages women and girls to participate in leadership roles, thereby helping them thrive, reach their full potential, fulfill their dreams, and build a more prosperous Canada.
Patt Lenover-Adams, Director of Envision Counselling believes the art auction is a “wonderful way to support Envision programming which helps to empower women in our community.”
Envision will also be holding a Women’s Assertiveness Workshop in Weyburn on Saturday, March 27. Interested women that would like to attend the free one-day workshop are encouraged to call Envision to register.
Envision staff, volunteers and board of directors encourage everyone to take time on March 8 to honour the women, past and present, who work hard to make a difference in their communities and families.