ESTEVAN — The past year brought ups and downs for Estevan, with major projects progressing and topics that affect everyone continuing to be discussed. The community has seen a return of major events, the start of new activities and big sports competitions.
The Estevan Mercury's Year in Review will walk you through all major southeast happening of 2023.
April:
April brought the first signs of spring, as well as a blizzard and many community happenings.
A number of students from the ECS travelled to table tennis provincials in Saskatoon on March 31 and April 1, and several came home with gold medals.
The Estevan Recreational Dance Club entertained the crowd at two sold-out recitals in early April.
The Estevan Kinette Club invited guests to join in for the celebration of its 75th birthday on April 1.
The Souris Valley Museum invited the community for an Easter egg hunt on April 1, and about 150 people stopped by.
The Estevan Mermaids demonstrated the progress they have made during the 2022-23 season during their annual water show on April 2 at the Estevan Leisure Centre's pool.
The Estevan Wildlife Federation hosted its 37th annual fundraising dinner, raffle and auction. The event brought in close to $40,000.
The Estevan Apex U18 AA Bruins' bid for a provincial title came to an end on April 2 in a 4-1 loss to the Saskatoon Riverkings at Affinity Place in the provincial final.
A walk with the cross was held in Estevan on Good Friday. Nearly 30 people came together to take turns carrying a large wooden cross through south Estevan.
The Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan celebrated their 50th anniversary this year, and the head of the STS was in Estevan on April 13 for a local event to mark the milestone.
Estevan military historian Craig Bird paid tribute to the Battle of Vimy Ridge through a presentation, marking the famed battle's 106th anniversary.
The Estevan Strippers' Molson Spring Bust Tournament ran from April 12-16 at Affinity Place, the Power Dodge Arena and the Bienfait Memorial Arena. Thirty-six teams were entered what is Saskatchewan's largest recreation hockey competition.
On April 15, St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church held a supper and comedy by Doug Arden fundraiser for a community centre, which is to be located at the former St. John School.
Darlene Himmelspeck of Estevan was in Oxbow in mid-April, where she presented a 20-inch by 24-inch photo of the 1963-64 Oxbow Huskies to Rae Wright. The Huskies made it to the league final that season.
The Sun City Prop Busters had its annual static display at the Estevan Market Mall on April 15.
Dr. Mehdi Horri has been charged with allegedly breaching the conditions of his undertaking by the provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons on April 14. His licence wasn't suspended until after the hearing in the fall.
The EAGM had Patrick Fernandez's exhibition called Tadhana on display in Gallery 1, and works by Jared Boechler and Nic Wilson combined into an exhibit named All Conditioned Things in Gallery 2, running from April 14 to May 26.
The 28th annual M.O.R.E. fundraiser for the Midale Rink, held on April 15 at the Harry 'O Memorial Arena, attracted about 300 people and helped raise $108,000.
The Royal Canadian Legion's Estevan branch recognized its members during its annual Vimy Awards Night on April 16.
Winter had one last blast in store for the city of Estevan and southeast Saskatchewan, bringing wet, heavy snow and strong winds to the area. The storm struck early on April 19 and lasted until the following day. It forced the city to mobilize snow-removal crews, and it also resulted in power outages and closed highways.
The Ladies Night Out fundraiser hosted by the Estevan Exhibition Association on April 22 proved to be entertaining for about 175 people in attenance.
Food, auctions and games helped raise funds on April 22 for the Creighton Lodge Trust Committee, with about 350 people in attendance. About $60,000 was raised for the expansion of the lodge's kitchen.
A team of Estevan billiards players won the Royal Canadian Legion's 8-ball championship for Saskatchewan.
The Estevan Extreme volleyball teams won gold and silver at provincials in Saskatoon.
Estevan firefighter Annie-France Bizier claimed a spot in the 2024 Saskatchewan Fire Fighters Calendar, raising funds for the Jim Pattison Hospital Foundation. The selection night took place April 22 at Casino Regina.
One of Saskatchewan's top innovators, Dr. Aaron Genest, was in Estevan April 26 to talk to the community about technology and innovations during the second Innovation Conversation.
Eight students from ECS travelled to the Saskatchewan Polytechnic main campus in Saskatoon to participate in Skills Canada provincials. Alyssa Saccary won a bronze medal for the bridal hairstyling event.
Estevan honoured 39 lives lost to workplace injuries and illnesses, including two locally, on the National Day of Mourning.
The Estevan Public Youth Centre's first cornhole tournament, sponsored by the Estevan Kinette Club, raised over $6,000 on April 29.
