On Dec. 8 Prairie Place in Arcola was host to three regulars of Applause Dinner Theatre based out of Regina. A dinner theatre was hosted by the Moose Mountain Health Care Recruitment Committee as a fundraising event.
Cocktails began at 6 p.m. and supper followed at 7 p.m. with the performance beginning shortly after 8 p.m. This year is the first time that the event was sold out with over 350 people in attendance. Many people from Stoughton, Lampman, Arcola, Manor, Carlyle, and more were able to make the trip. Used as a fun night out as well as a Christmas party venue, it was a great success.
The three performing took on the roles of Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Meatloaf, the Andrews Sisters, and many more. The evening was made into an interactive night where people were pulled on stage to dance.
A group of individuals from Arcola catered the meal, while a number of volunteers from both Carlyle and Arcola served. This year the meal was mostly sponsored by businesses in Carlyle, while next year businesses in Arcola will be asked to help.
"We have six tables from CMP. There are other large groups here too and smaller groups," Lynn Brady, one of the members of the Moose Mountain Health Care Recruitment Committee.
It was announced that evening a prospective new doctor may be coming to Arcola. There are still a number of things to be worked out, but many are hopeful a new physician will be brought into the area soon.
Currently stress in the southeast concerning physicians is at a high. To reiterate this fact The World-Spectator in Moosomin spoke to CEO of Sun Country Health Region, Marga Cugnet, recently regarding the hospital in Kipling.
"Right now we're at a 50 per cent vacancy rate across the health region," said Cugnet. "It's been getting higher over the last couple of years. Even though we've been successful in our recruitment efforts, we have been losing doctors as well."
"In the past year we've attracted five new doctors, including three through the SIPPA program, but at the same time nine doctors left the region as well."
"A year ago Estevan was in crisis with physicians, and now they're almost up to the number they require. We need 12-13 there and in Weyburn."
"We recruited 47 new grads and experienced nurses into the region last year, but they really don't want to go into the smaller centres," she said.
"To get them into Kipling, Arcola, Redvers is still a real challenge. We expanded our bursary program for nurses outside of Weyburn and Estevan, and none accepted it."
The Moose Mountain Health Care Recruitment Committee actively attempts to help with any costs related to bringing physicians to the area through subsidizing housing for incoming health professionals as well as help when relief physicians come to the area as well.
In addition the group helps to fund language exams if needed and absorb costs for flights of recruited doctors if they are coming to the area.
They ultimately help with any cost associative needs in order to attract people to the community.
"This is a great fundraiser for us," Brady said.
She continued to explain how new people to the area, including young families, may have difficulty finding a physician.
Associated with the 24 hour emergency services offered by the Arcola Hospital, Brady, explained that a doctor from Redvers is able to help alleviate some pressure through being on-call at times since the Redvers Hospital is not open 24 hours a day.
Regarding the evening Brady stated, "People respond because they know it's important for us to have adequate care."
A presentation was also made by Paul Cameron to Larry Gordon who is retiring as a councilor for the R.M. of Brock after 30 years of service. He was given an autographed photograph of Weston Dressler, as Gordon is a Roughrider fan, in a thank you for his dedication to the R.M.
