Canada’s gold medal win and after-party over USA
VANCOUVER – If I’ve learned one thing from covering the Olympics in Vancouver it’s that a scribble pad makes an impeccable umbrella.
And on Feb. 26, a day after Canada’s women’s hockey team achieved golden status, I dodged rain drops with my note pad as I rushed with anticipation towards Team Canada’s drizzly downtown press conference.
Since a hockey roster is a large entity, only four Canadian women’s hockey players were in attendance and they included Jennifer Botterill, Jayna Hefford, Caroline Oulette and the …

The hospital is now reopened, as of the evening of Feb. 1.
An airborne asbestos threat at the Maple Creek Hospital caused its evacuation and the suspension of employees late last week. The facility was closed just after 5 p.m. on Feb. 25 because of concerns related to potentially loose asbestos. Patients were transfered or released and all staff were ordered to leave the building. The asbestos contamination was removed yesterday, and pending air quality results, officials are hopeful the facility will be reopened this week.
Beth Vachon, executive director of health …

Irene Florence Winzer, born April 20, 1929 to Henry and Lydia Biederman, passed away peacefully with family at her side on November 14, 2009.
Irene is predeceased by her parents, Lydia (1978) and Henry (1980); two sisters, Alma Louise who died in infancy and Edna Hostland in 2008; a baby brother in infancy, as well as Edwin (1965) and Fred (1997).
Irene was raised on the family farm north of Maple Creek attending school at Northridge until its closure at which time she attended the Galaway School. At the young age of …

Dear editor,
Numerous citizens are fast losing faith in our elected officials in Saskatchewan. Various citizens in the southwestern part of the province have taken the time and energy to write the premier and the minister of health concerning the problems with the Cypress Health Region.

Dear editor,
The community of Southwest Saskatchewan has been given the opportunity by the Ministry of Health to achieve the highest standards of healthcare possible in rural Saskatchewan now and into the future.

Thanks to everyone who has nominated someone for The Great Exchange. This idea has been brewing at the back of my head for a long, long time.

By Sheri Monk
On Dec. 3, 2009, Jodi Stork welcomed a new member to her family – an insulin pump.

By Sheri Monk
The new Cypress Credit Union building under construction at Maple Creek will not feature brick as included in original designs, but will be entirely stucco.

By Sheri Monk
One minute he was on his way to feed the cows. The next, Randy Bohnet was trying to save an outbuilding from the flames which consumed it.
“I didn’t even get down to feed the cows,” said Bohnet, who spotted the blaze and called for assistance.
Bohnet and his wife Katherine live southwest of Maple Creek, just off Highway No. 271 which leads to Fort Walsh.
Bohnet used the outbuilding for welding and tool storage, shortly before leaving to do chores, he had finished his task and put away his welding …

By Sheri Monk
With Valentine’s Day fresh on the minds and wallets of couples everywhere, fresh flowers still grace the counters of kitchens the world over.