Auctioneer winner
Jason Leblanc, of Leblanc Auction Service in Estevan, Sask., was the winner July 22 of an auctioneer competition at the North Dakota state fair in Minot, N.D.
He won a plaque and buckle for his efforts, but said the win has already generated invitations to other competitions. Leblanc has been an auctioneer for six years.
Last year Leblanc won second place in the same competition, and this year was the only Canadian specifically invited to compete again.
“There were probably 30 Canadians in the audience and 150 Americans. I was the only Canadian there (in competition), so there was a little more pressure.”
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Competing helps him generate contacts for his own business, Leblanc said. He couldn’t elaborate on the secret of his own success, but “they judge you on clarity and ability to get the value of the item, and by adding humor to it or by knowing when to be humorous and when to be serious.”
Aid work winner
Former Zelma, Sask. farmer Don Bobiash recently received the first alumni award from the Rotary Foundation for his career service to Rotary’s ideals of international peace and understanding. Using a Rotary fellowship in 1982, Bobiash travelled through Africa and went on to write a book about co-operation among developing nations. As part of Canada’s foreign affairs department in Pakistan he managed aid programs for Afghan refugees.
Sask Pool curlers
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool is continuing as the title sponsor of the Saskatchewan men’s curling championship for another three years. The Pool Tankard will be played in North Battleford in 1997.
Turkey Track honored
The Ostrander family, who have been using the Turkey Track brand on their cattle for more than 150 years, recently received an environmental stewardship award from the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association.
The Swift Current area ranch grows alfalfa to reclaim alkali patches, uses cross fencing so herds don’t overgraze and has returned marginal crop land to pastures.
Racing to survive
A report done for the Manitoba government by a Winnipeg businessman has some suggestions for the future of horse racing in the province.
Ron Johnson recommended more attention be paid to the fans of the industry, not just the product, and that more race events be held in co-ordination with Regina and that harness events be held outside Winnipeg.
Tree lover honored
The 1996 winner of the Friend of the Trees Award is Karen Taylor-Browne of Saskatoon. She received the award from the Saskatchewan Forestry Association for her work to counter Dutch elm disease in Saskatchewan towns.
