After many doctor’s appointments, Byrnell was told he had thyroid cancer in late October 2020 and had his first surgery in February. He has also recently had the diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma in his lymph nodes and possibly in his lungs. Being independent business owners, Byrnell and his wife will need as much help as they can get during this tough time. “I thought they got it all but was told this latest diagnosis is a very aggressive type of cancer,” Byrnell explains. Byrnell was scheduled to go for more tests this week, including a CT scan and a PET scan.
In the town of Moosomin, an outdoor rink and outdoor skate path were popular all winter “We had to come up with options for outdoor recreation because of the Covid restrictions, and it went over well, Rec director Mike Schwean said. This is the first year that Schwean tried the skate path and hopes it becomes a yearly tradition. “Once we get one year under our belts I am sure the second one will be a lot easier,” said Schwean.
Esterhazy Brenda Redman, who serves as Esterhazy’s recreation director added a skate way and an additional outdoor rink at the town’s regional park.
Batters was approached last year about making an outdoor rink to coincide with the Winter Carnival so that was somewhat of a trial run. “Last year was so warm so it wasn’t the ideal conditions for making the ice rink and we had to haul snow from all over the place to make the snow hill,” explains Batters. “Last year people enjoyed it so much so we gotta do it this year,” says Batters. “With COVID, it’s outdoors and it’s perfect. For sure we have to do it.” “It’s almost like they planted the seed last year and then it was a like a trial run last year. Who knew COVID-19 would hit us this year. It’s like it was almost meant to be,” Batters says.