The Meridian Source looks back at events in November 2025.
Mental health takes centre stage
Bringing the community together and looking for signs of mental-health struggles has become a priority for many in Lloydminster.
Close to 400 residents of the Border City and surrounding area gathered at the Lloyd Ex on Monday, Nov. 17, to learn about becoming “first identifiers.”
The term, coined through an Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies (AAAS) mental-health initiative called Empowering Minds, focuses on building stronger rural communities and reducing the stigma associated with mental health.
First identifiers can recognize early signs of mental-health struggles and connect friends, neighbours and community members to the help they need.
Designed specifically for agricultural regions, the program acknowledges the unique stresses faced in rural life and emphasizes the importance of strong social connections, early intervention and community leadership in supporting mental well-being.
The evening featured a meal and presentation by speaker Ian Hill, who shared practical tools, personal stories and strategies to empower rural Albertans to look out for one another.
Lloyd dancers head to Ireland to compete
It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for two Lloyd dancers as they gear up to take the world stage this summer in Ireland.
Mea Gee, 13 and Charlie Johnston, 17, from Core Dynamics Pilates and Dance, will compete at the Dance World Cup in Dublin, Ireland.
“The competition is in July 2026,” said Patti Johnston, Core Dynamics Pilates and Dance owner.
It all started with an audition.
“They sent out advertising emails to studios and then we got to go audition in Edmonton,” said Charlie.
Gee said she it was quite the experience.
“We had to learn our audition dances pretty quick and then we ran them a couple of times,” she said. “They were watching and I was scared.”
Despite any nerves, the girls’ talents shone.
“There were five separate auditions the weekend they went, and they each made five teams,” Patti explained. “They’re in the ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop and contemporary teams.
“It’s a great opportunity for these two, from little old Lloyd.”
They’ve already begun their training in Edmonton.
“They’re travelling to Edmonton. It’s almost once a month for three days to meet with a team,” said Patti. “They learn their choreography and do small groups they can be selected for, anywhere from four to six hours.”
Lloyd honours Indigenous soldiers for first time
Lloydminster’s Remembrance Day service honoured Indigenous soldiers of Canada for the first time.
Cynthia Young and two of her grandchildren, Tenley and Torryn Jordan, laid the inaugural wreath at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School on Nov. 11.
“We talked about doing this last year and the organizers made sure we were on the list this year,” said Young. “I made sure we were all in our proper outfits and away we went to represent our culture and our people.”
Harris Electric donates to community groups
Harris Electric boosted local organizations with funding as a way to give back to the community that’s helped the business get to where it stands.
“We’re in a position with a lot of our customers and partners to help people,” said George Coles, Harris Electric owner. “This is about us doing everything we can to give back to the people that supported us.”
Coles recognizes that he and his director of operations, Curtis McKay, would not be in the position they are without the support of the community.
“There’s absolutely no way, I or Curtis, would be in this position if we weren’t in receipt of the helping hands of others,” he said. “We can’t be selfish with what we’ve been blessed with.”
In the recent donations, Harris Electric gave back to three Lloydminster and area organizations. Girls Beyond Borders received $500, the Paradise Valley and Districts Agricultural Society received $13,000 and Residents in Recovery received $3,000.
Card show packs Gold Horse Casino
Whether it was baseball, hockey, football or Pokémon, the Border City Card Show had it all.
The show drew a crowd of more than 450 card collectors and hobby enthusiasts to the Gold Horse Casino on Nov. 1 and raised $500 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lloydminster through ticket sales.
What began as a modest event in 2022 with just 11 tables has now grown into the seventh and largest show yet.
“Vendor-wise, we have 35 to 40 vendors, but some have upwards of four tables, so we have a total of 56 tables, which was every table the casino had available,” said organizer Chris Brinklow. “Those 56 include the stage tables for the all-day Magic: The Gathering tournament.”
Just 90 minutes after doors opened, the event was already on pace to surpass its previous attendance record.
“Hopefully, we can have some record numbers here, which speaks volumes for Lloydminster and the hobby market here,” Brinklow said.
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