Dylan Fiessel

Farm Credit Canada or FCC have announced the recipients of their 2024 FCC 4-H Club Fund. This fund helps provide 4-H clubs across Canada with money to use in their operations. The FCC Club Fund has been in operation since 2013 and has given out over $1 million to over 2100 4-H clubs across Canada. Hugh Maynard is the interim CEO with 4-H Canada, who understands the impact this funding can have. 

The holiday season can be a time for peace, love, togetherness, and happiness. However, it can also be a time of stress as the pressure to buy gifts, plan events, and manage time, can be overwhelming. Those who maybe don’t have family or friends to go to during this time can also feel lonely and isolated. 

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association or the CMHA, nearly 52 percent of Canadians report feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation during the holiday season.

As the snow flies here in southeast Saskatchewan, snowmobiles are hitting the trails enjoying the winter weather and all it has to offer. The Souris River Snowmobile Club is made up of volunteers who help maintain and groom trails and take care of the warm-up shelters such as stocking firewood.

Duane Walkeden is a volunteer and executive secretary with the club. He said it’s all been made possible for a long time entirely by volunteers. 

The long train keeps rolling, the holiday train that is! CPKC is sending their 26th annual Holiday Train down the tracks and stopping in Weyburn on Wednesday, December 18th. Since 1999, CPKC has decorated up their holiday train and steamed through Canada and the U.S. spreading holiday cheer and raising funds for a great cause. Terry Cunha is a spokesperson with the CPKC who explains how the spirit of Christmas helps those in need. 

This event has been postponed to January 8th, 2025.

The Weyburn Agricultural Society will recap the 2024 year as well as look ahead to 2025 at its annual general meeting on December 18th at 7:30 p.m. in the board room at the Weyburn Agricultural Society office building, located beside the Exhibition Hall in the Ag Fair Grounds. 

Fillmore is preparing for their 19th annual Christmas Auction tomorrow at the Fillmore Rec Centre. A day full of great items, amazing people, and delicious food. This year marks the 19th straight that Fillmore has held a Christmas auction, one that Logan Keller, Fillmore rec board member, states has looked different throughout the years, but the spirit has remained the same.  

Protein Industries Canada in a recent news release, has partnered up with established plant-based food manufacturing companies to find improved uses for faba beans (Vicia faba). $7.7 million will be invested into this new project in conjunction with Griffith Foods, BFY Proteins, Botaniline and Faba Canada to fund this project. Lisa Campbell, senior director of programs with Protein Industries Canada, is excited for the future of faba beans within the plant-based food sector.   

Weyburn Youth Basketball are getting ready to hit the court with registration open for their Jr. NBA program. In partnership with Basketball Saskatchewan and Canada Basketball, the Jr. NBA program helps teach kids from Grade 1 all the way to Grade 6 about the enjoyment and teamwork of basketball. Raeanne Galvin is the southeast coordinator for the Jr. NBA program, explains the program and help kids stay active. 

The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings have had a great year both on the ice as well as off it. Sitting at 5th place in the SJHL and only three points away from 2nd place, the Red Wings are primed and ready to compete for a third straight playoff berth. However, their performance off the ice has been even more impressive, being active within the community and fundraising for many organizations here in Weyburn and the surrounding area. Ryder Burns is the sales and marketing director with the Red Wings, and he explains how community is such a big part of their team.  

The holiday season is a time of enjoying the company of friends and family, eating delicious food, and giving gifts. Unfortunately, it can be a time of financial stress as the pressure to buy gifts and host events becomes more and more prominent. The average Canadian will spend nearly $1400 during the holiday season and only 2% will stick to or spend below their budget, according to Statista.