Monthly Archives: March 2013

Sports

Cyclones advance to provincial final

The Davidson Cyclones senior men’s hockey team is heading to the provincial finals this weekend with the opportunity to create a four-year provincial champion dynasty.

The Cyclones will face off against the Hudson Bay Hunters (14-6 in the Fishing Lake Hockey League this season) in Hudson Bay this Friday with game two going March 30 at the Davidson Rink. If necessary, game three will be played a day later back in Hudson Bay.

The Cyclones made their way to the finals by sweeping the Radville Nationals two games to nothing in South “C” Finals action by winning their second game 6-4 in come-from-behind fashion March 8 at the Radville Rink. The Cyclones won the first game 4-3 in Davidson March 2.

Jason Shaw, head coach of the Cyclones, said the second game was a “hard-working win” for the team against a skilled Radville club that played tough until the end. He said it was a smaller rink in Radville than the Cyclones are used to which made it especially hard for his team to eke out a win.

“Radville were ahead 4-3 in the third and (Derek Allan) scored our fourth one with about eight minutes left,” said Shaw. “That was a big goal and he then got another one to put us ahead. They had some pressure at the end, but we got an empty netter to seal the deal. It was close right till that sixth goal.”

Shaw said the team were missing a few players for the game and had to go with four defencemen after Zach Sim went down with an injury late in the game, but the players that were there had a “good game” enabling them to make it to the finals.

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

Davidson

Schools practise lockdown drills

School safety is on everyone’s minds after recent school shooting tragedies in the United States.

In an effort to put people at ease, schools in Davidson and Kenaston are letting students, staff and parents know they would be conducting drills in the near future at the schools in the event of a potential lockdown situation. Craik School has already been conducting these drills for several years now.

Jason Low, principal of Davidson School, said they have conducted perimeter (external doors locked) and interior (classroom doors locked) drills in the past, but more testing is needed with them. He said these drills are just preventive and they want to have some practice and a plan in place in case of a security situation.

“It’s a hot topic right now because of all those things (in the States),” said Low. “We’re just trying to do our part to stay on top of things and have our procedures in place and make sure that we’re practised and calm.”

Low said school staff has begun discussions at their meetings to determine their role and ways to keep students informed and at ease during a lockdown situation. He said one thing that staff would like to impress upon students is to put away their cell phones during a lockdown situation so as not to spread panic in the community and keep phone lines from being blocked for emergency services.

“It’s a learning curve for us too as we get going,” he said. “We’re trying to figure things out on how we can keep kids informed and calm and work with them.”

Kenaston School principal Ryan Johnson said they have formed a crisis team made up of three teachers and one office staff member and is meeting this week to plan their lockdown drill. He said this drill would be their first of the year, but they have conducted them at the school in the past.

“We’re going to go through the list of things that need to happen, such as the script that will be said over the intercom,” said Johnson about what will be discussed among the crisis team this week. “With the first one, we are going to let parents, community (members), staff and students know about it, so they will be aware about what they should be doing and it’s not a stressful situation.

“Then the next one, if we have one before the end of the year, will probably be a regular unannounced drill for practice purposes.”

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

Davidson

Preparing for the big melt

In spite of last weekend’s bone-chilling temperatures, spring is coming and people should start preparing for the big melt.
Last week Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency released its March forecast and outlook on spring runoff, advising folks that based on the amount of snowfall this winter, above normal runoff is expected for much of the province, with some parts having the potential for very high runoff and flooding.
The amount of snow in and around Davidson is more than normal.
Citizens could help prevent spring runoff from flooding streets by clearing snow and ice from storm drains near their homes, says Davidson’s town administrator Gary Edom.
“If people notice water building up in front of houses, they should let us know. Some people are really good and they try and open the storm drains themselves,” Edom said.
This is what June Wankel did last Thursday. She used an axe to chop ice from plugging the storm drain in front of her Railway Street home. This will help stop water from flooding Railway and Francis streets.
The potential for flooding will depend on how quickly the snow melts and if the area receives more snow or rain. The ground was fairly dry heading into winter, thanks to a hot dry summer and fall, with below normal rainfall in the area in 2012.
Provided the snow melts slowly, people may avoid the flooding and seepage problems experienced in 2011.
Still they could help prevent water from entering their basements by moving piles of snow away from foundations, ensuring downspouts are clear and draining away from their house and checking that sump pumps are working, Edom said.
People should note that damage to basements caused by water seeping into homes is not covered in Home Paks.
Damage due to melting snow and ice on a roof may be covered depending on the homeowner’s insurance policy. Insurance agent Jason Shaw advises people to check with their insurance broker to see what type of coverage they have.

Obituary

McJannet_David_Ian

McJannet
McJannet, David Ian
passed away peacefully Wednesday night, March 6, 2013 with family around him and has gone to be with the Lord. Ian was born in Davidson, Saskatchewan and migrated to Ontario in the 1960s. He and his wife Kay purchased and operated the very successful Love Printing in Ottawa, from which he retired as President and CEO. He was passionate about many things, not least of all his love of flying, having earned his private pilot’s license in his 40s. He loved time spent at the cottage in Quebec but beyond all, his family was the centre of his life. Lovingly remembered by his wife Kay (nee Sweet). Dearly missed by his children Cheryl, Dean (Martha), Cynthia and Melanie (Paul). Beloved brother to Reed (Valerie) and Mary. Adored and missed by his grandchildren Andrew, William, James, Ashley, Nicole, Benjamin and Grace. Dear nephew of Max (Joy), Eleanor and Grace. Loved by brother-in-law Ernie Murray (Sandra). Predeceased by his loving parents David and Rose Marjorie, his brother James William Roland, and uncles and aunts Agnes (Lenard), Jean, John (Helen), Annie (Charlie), Teddy, Isabel, Flip (Bert), Mary (Harry) and Dorothy (Tom). Also predeceased by loving uncle and aunt, Jack and Inez Howland. Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, as well as grand nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Ian’s life took place at the Irvine Memorial Chapel at Roselawn in Maitland, Ontario on Monday, March 11. In remembrance, memorial donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute or to the Canadian Cancer Society will be gratefully acknowledged. Visit an online memorial at www.irvinememorial.com. For all who knew and loved him; he is flying with the angels and this is Gulf Alpha Zulu Quebec signing off.

featured

Davidson harbours stranded motorists

Davidson’s population rose by about 200 the evening of March 3 and early morning of March 4 thanks to a blizzard that swept through the area closing Highway 11 between Chamberlain and Davidson for approximately 10 hours.

Trish Schilling, Davidson emergency management officer (EMO), said around 150 to 200 people ranging in age from a one-year-old baby to a 93-year-old lady were routed from Hwy. 11 to Davidson Town Hall between the hours of 7 p.m. March 3 to 1 a.m. March 4. She said the majority of people waited out the storm at the town hall, but many were also redirected to billets in the community and a sleeping space at the Davidson New Life Pentecostal Assembly.

“We have a billet list (of people) who are willing to take in stranded travellers, so we phoned them and exhausted that list,” said Schilling. “Then Russell and Angela Sparks opened up the Pentecostal Church and we billeted some out there. The remainder just held off (at the town hall) until the highways were opened (at 5 a.m.) and they took they their chances once the roads were clear.”

Around 20 billets in the community opened their homes to approximately 50 people, while another 25 people slept on bedding provided by the Davidson Health Centre at the Assembly. The remaining 75 to 125 people spent the night at the town hall where tables and chairs were set up, coffee was provided through volunteer work by Danielle Schneider, diapers were given by town residents and food in the form of pizzas and sandwiches were donated by Toppers Bar and Grill for the hungry stranded.

“We just provided a warm spot where travellers could be, so they weren’t on the side of the road,” said Schilling.

Craik RCMP constable Ian Smith said the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways closed the stretch of Hwy. 11 between Chamberlain and Davidson at approximately 7 p.m. March 3 due to three separate accidents on the curve at Hwy. 11 at Girvin and reopened it at around 5 a.m. He said there were “too many vehicles to count” in the ditch that night, but there were no injuries.

To read more please see the March 11 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson

Kinettes Club sells out Ladies Night Out

The Davidson Kinettes are thrilled their “Ladies Night Out” fund-raiser at Town Hall this Saturday has sold out.

Brenna Siroski, a member of the Kinettes, said the club doesn’t have their hearts set on a certain amount they’d like to raise as the main goal of the night out was just to provide a fun evening for the ladies in town. She said 224 tickets were sold for the event that features entertainment from Elvis impersonator Rory Allen.

“He was here quite a few years ago and is a phenomenal entertainer,” said Siroski, noting it was Stacey Siroski who recommended him for the show. “He really attracts a variety of a crowd of people. I know looking at my ticket sales that we have our young 20-year-olds coming out all the way up to my grandma who is in her 80s. We’re getting the whole spectrum with Rory Allen, which is really nice.”

Doors open at 7 p.m. for the night out with Allen taking the stage for the first of two 45-minute sets at 8 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and a 50-50 draw during the evening. There is not going to be a supper, but there will be a bar opened up for drinks along with a “bun lunch” after the entertainment.

A coat check at the door is being put on by Davidson School students, which will be run as a silver collection with all proceeds from the coat check going towards outdoor education trips.

Siroski said the Kinettes have been organizing a “Ladies Night Out” around every other year and always have a “really great turnout” with everyone in attendance having a good night. She said all money raised during the night would go towards “multiple” causes in the community.

“We don’t just designate it for one specific event,” she said. “Over the year the Kinettes give to individual families who apply for financial help or we’ve donated to the swimming pool and Telemiracle. We’ve helped with money going to the thrift store when it opened and we have a scholarship at the school. It’s just a variety of things.”

After the “Ladies Night Out,” Siroski said the next fund-raiser the Kinettes are putting on would be the second annual Davidson Amazing Race this June.