Monthly Archives: February 2013

Obituary

obit stephens

Stephens
Brian Charles
Brian Stephens, aged 86 years, passed away peacefully at Regina General Hospital on Monday, February 11, 2013.
Brian was born January 10, 1927 to Reginald and Blanche Stephens on the family farm in Norbury, Sask. He was the fourth of five children: Roy, Ed, Mary, Brian and Miles. He met the love of his life, Doris, and after two years of courtship they were married (1954) followed by the birth of their three sons Don, Dan and Rob. Brian farmed until entering the business world as a grain buyer (1965) beginning in Bapaume, Sask. Brian and Doris then transferred to Imperial in 1969 with three energetic boys and a big, white dog. He and Doris raised their children in Imperial until his death, where Doris still resides. He pursued his profession with passion and gusto until retirement in 1991. Through Brian’s life he was known as the local farmers’ “veterinarian service” and nurtured back to health many a horse and livestock. This became his natural calling. After retirement Brian became involved in raising registered American Quarter Horses; the herd grew to as many as 30. He became the supervisor of the Davidson Beef producers from 1992 to 2009. His passion was “Dori”, his family, horses, livestock sales and rodeos. Brian was known for his quiet strength and sharp wit; he always loved a good laugh and he was wise and a man of great integrity. Dori has always said, “Brian was always a farmer and a country boy”. His final hours were spent surrounded by his family, his unwavering wit ever present for story telling and laughs, until he slipped away.
Brian is survived by his wife of 58 years, Doris and three sons Don (Christine), Dan (Rosanne), Rob (Catherine); eight grandchildren Chad (Jenn), Rachelle (Connor), Chris (Erin), Jennifer (Chad), Chelce (Pat), Landon (Saila), Joel (Araby), Tanner (Carly); four great-grandchildren Morgan, Dalton, Anna, Emma; sister Mary and brother Miles (Jean) and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Reginald and Blanche and brothers Roy and Ed.
A memorial tea was held at Imperial Community Centre on February 15 conducted by Rev. Jack Robson.
Honourary pallbearers were all his family and friends. John and Deanna Hignett were register attendants. Ushers we David Hill and Vivian Hill. Jenn McCrae and Wendy Remoue gave the eulogy.
Brian’s ashes were laid to rest in the Imperial Cemetery during a private family graveside service held earlier in the day.
To leave on-line condolences, tributes or to make a donation, please visit www.fotheringham-mcdougall.com

featured

Lukiwski says Tory’s “screwed up” with push-poll calls

Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre MP Tom Lukiwski said someone in the Conservative Party “screwed up” by not identifying the party as the sponsor of the push-poll call that went out to many Saskatchewan residents two weeks ago voicing the party’s opposition to the province’s new riding boundaries.

That being said, he still objects to the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Saskatchewan’s final report tabled in the House of Commons Jan. 28 that redraws the province’s federal electoral map.

“I think you have to let them know who the sponsor of the calls are and that was not done,” said Lukiwski. “The party said there was a miscommunication there. I certainly take them at their word for that. They said they would be more diligent in the future and quite frankly had they identified the Conservative Party as being the sponsor of the call none of this, really controversy if you want to call it that, would have occurred.”

A push-poll call is a telemarketing call designed to rally opposition to a particular issue, but does so in a way that makes it seem it is a public-opinion survey. The push-poll call in this instance first gave the Conservative Party argument against creating urban-only ridings in Saskatchewan before asking recipients of the call to press a button if they are for or against these boundary changes.

Lukiwski said push-polls are not undemocratic as “all parties do them,” but whether they are effective or not could be debated. He said the call, which also went out to some of his constituents, is not the issue; it is the fact the Conservative Party did not identify themselves as the sponsor of it.

“Certainly a mistake was made,” he said. “That is the bottom line.”

Ralph Goodale, Liberal MP for Wascana, said he has filed a complaint with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) alleging the Conservative Party’s failure to identify themselves as the sponsor of the call broke telemarketing rules. He said the automated call said it came from Chase Research, but this company was obviously working on behalf of someone else and that someone else was not identified.

“It was essentially an anonymous call made for a political purpose and that purpose was not identified in the course of the call and that would appear to violate potentially a number of CRTC rules and regulations,” said Goodale. “It’s an issue here of transparency and honesty in making the call.

“Is it adequate to say Chase Research or should they say ‘hi, I’m employed by Chase Research, but I’m calling on behalf of the Conservative Party.’ That really is the nature of the issue here.”

To read more please see the Feb. 18 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson

Davidson students off to We Day

The grades 5 and 6 students at Davidson School are “excited about pretty much everything” concerning their trip to We Day in Saskatoon later this month, but pop rock band Hedley seems to be the big draw.

“More students want to go than we are able to take, but we are fortunate to be able to include so many by registering early and by showing commitment right from the start,” said Davidson School Grade 5 teacher Paul Stinson, noting 43 kids from the school will be heading to the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon Feb. 27 for the celebration of youth volunteerism.

“I expect this to be an inspiring experience and that the students will be bringing ideas and enthusiasm back with them from the event. Hopefully this will be a recurring event and there will be more opportunities next year for more students to participate.”

The first We Day in Saskatchewan will welcome 15,000 young people from schools across the province for a day of motivational speaking by celebrities and activists Martin Sheen, Mia Farrow and Free the Children founders Craig and Marc Kielburger as well as a concert by Hedley among other presentations.

“Hedley’s awesome,” said Grade 5 student Jesse Palmer. “I’ve never seen him before and that will be cool.”

Tickets to We Day are not sold and are only given to deserving young people who commit one act of local and one of global change for the betterment of others.

Grade 6 student Josh Warkentin said his class got tickets though their work on a toy sale they organized with the money raised going to help the less fortunate in Haiti and by working in a community garden.

Jordan Matheson, a Grade 5 student at Davidson School, said they earned their tickets to We Day by participating in Free The Children’s “Pennies for Change” initiative, which raised funds for clean water improvements in third-world countries, and building a community garden inside their classroom.

Stinson said the student’s dedication to improving the lives of others both locally and globally is nothing new for these kids as they do this every year. He said they learn about local and global issues through classes such as art and social studies and have worked on many different projects throughout the years that “show leadership and benefit others,” which makes him extremely proud of his students.

“It’s so easy to take things for granted or to focus on trivial problems,” he said. “I see classroom dynamics, how students treat each other and their willingness to work together to take action to improve things as a parallel to society as a whole. It makes me hopeful.”

Sports

Cyclones advance to second round

With the first round of the Long Lake Hockey League (LLHL) and provincial “C” playoffs behind them, the Davidson Cyclones senior men’s hockey team is set to face off with opponents much more difficult to handle.

The Cyclones recently made short work of the Nokomis Chiefs in the first round of the LLHL playoffs beating the club two games to nothing in a three-game series. The first round of provincials last week against the Loreburn 19ers wasn’t much different as Davidson crushed their neighbour to the west by a total of 17 goals to three in a two-game total goals wins series.

Now it gets interesting.

The Cyclones (13-9 during the regular season, finishing third in the LLHL standings) will face the LeRoy Braves (13-7-0-2, second in the LLHL) in the second round of the LLHL playoffs. In the second round of the provincial playoffs, Davidson is taking to the ice against the Kyle Elks (17-2-0-1 in the Sask. Valley Hockey League) in a rematch of the provincial “C” championships of last season.

“It’s going to be a tough series (against LeRoy),” said Jason Shaw, head coach of the Cyclones. “They’re a good hockey team. Hopefully we get some guys back and give them a go. With playing them and Kyle, they are both good teams, so we’ll have to play well to beat them, but I think we have as good a chance as any.”

Shaw said the club would have to get some players back from injuries and suspensions as well as just ice a full lineup if they hope to have a chance against LeRoy and Kyle.

Davidson has failed so far throughout the season at times to dress the needed, at least, nine forwards and five defencemen to make a good showing in tough games.

Cyclones forward Pat Cey is expected back for the second game against the Elks Feb. 22 at the Davidson Rink, but Kevin Johnson’s status is still up in the air. Johnson received an indefinite suspension after a fight in the 19ers game and it is not known when he might be allowed back.

As for injuries, Cyclones captain and second leading scorer Derek Allan is still out with a knee injury and there is no timetable for his return.

“We’re had to move some defencemen up to forward (against Nokomis Feb. 12) because of injuries and suspensions,” said Shaw. “We’re just trying to put together the best lineup we can and see how it goes.”

The two-game provincial “C” total goals wins series against the Elks goes this week, while there is no schedule set for the Cyclones three-game series against the Braves as of yet.

Davidson

Davidson Optimist Dance Club has a home to call its own

Fifty years in, dance in Davidson finally has a home to call its own.

The Davidson Optimist Dance Club (DODC) moved into their two new dance studios located in the basement of the Davidson Library on Washington Avenue this past October after spending the previous six months first investigating the structure and then renovating the former Davidson School Division office space.

Vonné Johnson, president of DODC, said the 83 dance students who train at the club in the disciplines of ballet, point, jazz, hip hop, tap and lyrical can thank the generous support of the many volunteers who helped transform the offices into the two studios as well as the donations that came in from members of the community to help pay for the needed repairs.

“This is the first time since Davidson (first) had dance in the 1960s that we have our own space,” said Johnson. “We’ve always relied on using the school or using churches, so it’s nice to have our own space where we don’t have to pack everything up (after classes finish).”

Johnson said the volunteers and paid professionals took out a few walls, insulated the ceiling to keep music from reaching the upstairs library and put in two different types of flooring among other things to get the space workable for its dancers after Davidson town council first let the club go ahead with renovations of the basement last March. She said they have also installed mirrors to enlarge the space and cleaned and painted the basement rooms to “give it some colour and some life” in an effort to inspire the dancers.

The DODC offers 30 different classes to its dance students, who range in age from four to 17, on three nights a week from the beginning of September to its final recital on April 14. The club also participates in various competitions during the spring months against other dance clubs.

To read more please see the Feb. 18 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Obituary

Walker, Darlene

Walker, Darlene Sandra

May 20, 1948 – February 10, 2013

 

 

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and dear friend to many.

Surrounded by her family, Darlene passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer. Darlene and Wayne were married on March 19, 1966 and made their home in Hanley. Darlene worked as an administrator for the R.M. of Rosedale for 36 years, retiring in 2009.

Darlene was active in her community, auditing books for many different organizations. She enjoyed gardening, coffee with friends and playing cards with her grandchildren. She was a great baker and anyone fortunate enough to have tasted her homemade buns can attest to this! She also enjoyed “road trips” going to the farm at Hawarden to “check the crops”.

Darlene was predeceased by her parents and father-in-law. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Wayne, her loving children Tracy (Tod) and Trent (Christine). She was a proud grandmother to Alix, Austin, Brandon, Nicholas and Tyler.

She will be dearly missed by her sisters Darcia MacGillivray (Bill – deceased), Valerie Persoage (Randy), Lorna Swanson (Bill) and Connie Chuley (Garth). She will also be missed by her mother-in-law Gwen Walker, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

At Darlene’s request a private family service was held. A time of lunch and fellowship took place at the Hanley Community Hall at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2013.

Interment to follow at a later date.

For friends so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Darlene may be directed to the Hanley United Church or the Hanley Centennial Hall Fund.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.