Monthly Archives: October 2013

Obituary

obit Beecher

Beecher, Lavina
Sept. 2, 1921 – June 27, 2013
“It is not sorrow that lasts forever – it is love”.
Lavina is survived by her loving family: sons Amel and Malcolm Beecher; nephew Mark Wessley; niece Alison Wessley and son Lucas. Lavina was predeceased by her parents William and Mary Anne Wedow; husband Clarence; daughter Ardice; as well as cousins and other family members.
For friends so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Lavina may be directed to the charity of your choice.
A celebration of Lavina’s life funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 2 p.m. from the New Life Pentecostal Church, Davidson, Sask. with Pastors John Slemming and Russell Sparks officiating. Interment was in the family plot, Craik Community Cemetery, Craik, Sask.

featured

Welcome to Hawarden High

Alvin Patterson would like to welcome you to his nightmare.

The Hawarden resident has reformed the abandoned Hawarden School located at the end of Main Street into a house of horrors featuring an asylum theme of maniacs, ghouls and devils. The free haunted house exhibit will be open to those not of the faint of heart Oct. 27 and 28 coinciding with the Hawarden Fall Supper held in the Hawarden Hall on the first night.

“Everyone does Christmas,” said Patterson about why he decided to build Halloween High. “The first couple years (doing this) was just sitting by my (house) letting my Rottweiler out chasing the kids. That got to be fun, (but) my Rottweiler got old. The last couple times I’ve gotten so big the people are anxious to see what I’m coming up with next. I love seeing their smiles, but the screams are better.”

Patterson said construction on his carnival of the damned began in July and he has been spending about 22 hours a week building it. He said once completed the exhibit would feature three rooms of terror and he doesn’t recommend the very young walking through it.

“I’ve actually never had any children (at my exhibits),” he said. “It’s always been adults. Three years ago some friends of ours came with their kids and this one kid wouldn’t even go (in) there. One kid disappeared. We were talking and this older couple was coming up to the fog machine. I have no idea how, but (the kid) just stood right up in front of them. I actually had to escort those two out. They were just yelling and screaming.”

It was that scare in his yard three years ago that gave Patterson the bug to take his patrons hysteria to the next level. He spends around $400 to $500 a year on Halloween props and also includes volunteers from the community into his exhibits, so they can dish out some frights too.

“Last year I had one fellow who was completely in black and people would come into the haunted house and they’d see him there (and say) ‘oh, that’s pretty realistic’,” said Patterson. “Then they’d go to the back of the tent, look at everything and they’d come out (and say) ‘where did that go’ and he was on their other side. Then their daughter was a werewolf and she was the one being hanged. People would go by her and she’d just jump out.”

Patterson said his love of sitting in his workshop creating the next monstrosity is the reason behind his dedication to frightening people and it’s paying off with more brave souls coming by each year. He said the audience has grown from 30 people getting the “crap scared out of them” three years ago to 65 receiving chills last Halloween and with the horror show falling on the same weekend as the Hawarden Fall Supper this year he expects up to 100 victims this time.

“I only open up the weekend before Halloween and it just turns out that the Fall Supper, which is a great thing for the community, (is that weekend),” he said. “I can actually open up at 1 p.m. and they can go through and then go for the supper. I think there is a gospel concert after, so they can do all three in one day. Go get scared, get fed and then repent.”

Davidson

Churches establish youth groups

The Davidson Community Bible Church and New Life Pentecostal Assembly have established youth groups this fall in an effort to help kids in the area feel loved, accepted and welcomed while also having some fun at the same time.

Dave Hildebrandt, pastor of the Davidson Community Bible Church, said their bi-weekly Friday night youth group that is aimed towards grades 7 to 12 students is focused on providing “hi-energy” activities for the kids. He said their first three events this fall, including a bowling excursion to Allan, Capture the Flag game at a local farm and movie night, have been well attended and the kids seem like they’re having a lot of fun.

“We’ve had a really positive response,” said Hildebrant. “The only thing I keep hearing from parents is that kids are having a blast and they can’t wait to come back. We’ve had three completely different events and we’ve had a good turnout to all of them.”

Hildebrant said kids from all faiths could attend the events, which are run by a few adult volunteers. He said these nights are important because it brings a variety of kids together to show them they are all loved and accepted equally.

“We just want to provide for them somewhere they can make friends outside of the school where they can get good productive healthy relationships and support for whatever is going on in life,” he said. “We want to be a fun group, (but) we also want to be a support group that everyone who is going through hard times (that) we’re there for them as well.”

Russell Sparks, pastor of the New Life Pentecostal Assembly, said their weekly junior youth group, which is aimed towards grades 5 to 8 students and meets on Tuesday nights, was started so younger kids can remain engaged with their faith when they head into their high school years. He said a junior youth group is something entirely new as most youth groups in Canada start with Grade 8 students.

“We’re just looking to connect with that (grades 5 to 8) age as it’s also a very challenging age,” said Sparks. “You’re trying to figure out the basics of life, trying to figure out if you’re cool (and) if you’re accepted, so (it’s) giving them a place to explore stuff about themselves, stuff about God (and) stuff about relating with other people in a safe environment.”

To read more please see the October 14 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Sports

Raiders and Cougars battle for championship

The Davidson Raiders senior girls volleyball team put up a great effort making it to the championship game at their home tournament Oct. 5, but couldn’t handle a tough Imperial Cougars team once they got there.

Raiders coach Tony Baldwin said his girls got off to a slow start in the final game and then suffered through some confusion on the court. He said that took a bit of the steam out of their sails against Imperial, but he also credits the Cougars with playing strong to get the win.

“In general we played pretty well,” said Baldwin. “Imperial had a great game. (Cougars player) Kennedy Lewis in particular played phenomenally well and when she’s playing at the net like that it’s pretty hard to get things done some days, but it was a good game.”

The Raiders and Cougars were evenly matched during the first set before Imperial stepped up the pace halfway through coming out with a 25-18 win. The Cougars led the majority of the second set and despite a comeback by Davidson halfway through pulled out a second 25-18 victory taking the championship plaque.

Imperial coach Earl LeBlanc said his team picked up their game in the final against Davidson compared to their round-robin loss against the Raiders earlier in the tournament. He said the Raiders played great, but his girls’ hard work this season on improving their fitness level helped them stay strong in the final.

“Earlier in the season fatigue was getting to us,” said LeBlanc. “Now fatigue is no longer an issue, so because of that we weren’t making a lot of mistakes at the end of the game. Probably the difference in the way we played (in the final) was the fact that our girls were still playing fresh and really working.”

LeBlanc said the Davidson crew did a good job putting together their home tournament by bringing in a mix of different quality teams, which helps his girls prepare for future games this year as they try to make it to provincials next month. He said it was extra special for his girls to play in this tournament as half of his team and three players on the Davidson side play together with the Imperial Scorpions club team.

Raiders middle Quin Johnson said Davidson “grounded off” against Imperial, but they are still proud of making it to the final game considering they had to best a tough Kahkewistahaw Hurricanes club in the semi-final game to make it that far. She said the Raiders shift coverage shined throughout the tournament, but they have to work on their mental game as they prepare for conferences to be played at Davidson the first weekend in November.

“We definitely get down on ourselves and that is one of our weak points,” said Quin. “If we get down a few points then it’s difficult to get back up, (but) I think one big hit and we’re back in.”

To read more please see the October 14 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Sports

Raiders senior football team completes successful season

The Davidson Raiders senior boys football team wrapped up their third season with a 95-44 loss at Kinsmen Field to the LCBI Bisons last Thursday, which ended a year the team believes helped lay down another stepping stone towards a prosperous future.

Looking to lock down a playoff spot the Bisons (3-2) hit the Raiders (1-4) hard and fast with LCBI running back Kayden Johnson scoring his first of four touchdowns of the night on the opening kickoff. After a Raider offence got tied up after the score, Johnson scored his second on the Bisons first play of their next possession.

Three more touchdowns later Davidson found themselves losing 30-0 halfway through the first quarter, which seemed to wake up the Raiders offence. In the first of many outstanding long runs during the game tight end Patrick Nordmarken sprinted 70-yards down the sidelines to give Davidson their first six points on the board.

Young quarterback Andrew Read and receiver Addison Ouellette were particularly strong during the game playing years beyond their actual age. They, along with a strong running game by tight end Casey Lloyd, helped the Raiders make the score a respectable 44-18 after the first quarter and 71-32 at the half.

The second half was similar to the first with the teams exchanging touchdowns seemingly at will. The Bisons offence led by Johnson, Cody Anderson and a great receiving game by Matt Edwards just proved too strong for the young Raider defence

Raiders tight end/quarterback Mike Kowalski said the team had their ups and downs during the game. He said the offence executed well, but considering this is only their third year of the program there are still a few things they need to polish.

“It was just a battle of the offences this game,” said Kowalski. “They have a really good running back and (then) we started picking up our play. Pat Nordmarken played outstanding running the ball and getting the points.”

Raiders coach Jason Low said his team played with a lot of heart and despite the loss they should look to the 44 points they put on the board and the fact everyone got some time on the field as positives to take out of the game. He said the team is making good strides, including their first win Oct. 4 over the Loreburn/Kenaston Aztecs, and should take comfort in the progress the team is making.

“We’ve got a bunch of guys there who just finished playing three years of what they said is the best sport (and) the best game they’ve ever played,” said Low. “You have to consider that when you’re building something you’re going to have little pieces of success and it’s going to continue. You can’t build a really successful season in three years, so I think we’re really happy with the steps we’ve made. The building blocks are all in place and we look forward to the future.”

To read more please see the October 14 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Obituary

obitMcLane, Velda

McLean, Velda Gayle
1936 – 2013
Velda Gayle McLean was born on Dec. 1, 1936 and received into the waiting arms of her daughter Diana on Sept. 17, 2013. She will be lovingly missed by her husband and friend of 50 years – Dalton; her daughters Linda (Ron) Book, Laurie (Ed) Niska, Joanne (Aime) Brochu, Beverly (Randy) Rusing, Jeannie (Jason) Coutts; son-in-law Joe Kretsch and her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild.
She was predeceased by her daughter Diana Joy Kretsch, her mother Gladys Meshka and her brother Ken Fraser.
As a homemaker, she passes on many favourite recipes; with her hobbies we all hold a treasure that she found or made; her nostalgia leaves us with many memories around the holidays and birthdays; her gardening leaves many flowers a bloom; her helping hands will not be forgotten by the community or by her family; the fish stories will live on; and her countless hours on the beach leave footprints that will never wash away. Velda spent her life looking after family, volunteering her time to many service clubs including Willing Workers, the Elbow Quilting Club and Wellness Clinic She enjoyed helping out at the Elbow rodeo, building of the Elbow playground and so many other community projects. She spent many happy days on the beach and loved to watch and teach all the kids to waterski and tube. Boating and fishing were some of her favourite pastimes. She enjoyed any activity her family and friends took part in.
Velda will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Her love will live on at every special occasion, the memories cherished, her laughter heard, her smile seen and her strength forever remembered!
We would like to thank all those who have paid tribute to Velda. Donations are gratefully received by the Elbow Quilting Club, the Palliative Care Unit at the Davidson Health Centre, the Canadian Cancer Research Fund or the charity of your choice.
Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.