Wade Melvin Jones – age 56 of Craik, Sask., passed away suddenly on November 30, 2014. Wade was born in Davidson, Sask. on October 2, 1958 but grew up with his many siblings and beloved parents in Craik, Sask. He was actively involved in sports from a young age and helped coach many hockey and baseball teams. He spent several years as a Partsman at #11 Farm Equipment and Saskatoon Farm Equipment and enjoyed dealing with his many clients. Wade was a gentle, kind-hearted, fun-loving man who always had a kind word for everyone. He enjoyed performing and was known widely for his passion of music and singing. His pride and joy were his three children and six grandchildren and he took every opportunity to travel and spend time with them. He was predeceased by his mother Donna Mae, father Melvin, and brothers Ronald and Kenneth. He is survived by his loving family – his children: Jennifer (Todd), Jessica (Aaron), and Bryce; his grandchildren: Tessa, Keira, Colton, Caide, Ethan, and Ellia; his siblings: Carole (Les), Bill (Marcia), Marcia, Keith (Marilyn), Brent (Wanda), Rodney (Patty), Monty (Phyllis), and Melody (Owen), and his many extended family members. A memorial service to celebrate Wade’s life will be held at the Craik Memorial Hall, Craik, Sask. on Friday, December 5, 2014 at 3 p.m. Friends and family wishing to send donations may direct them to Craik Memorial Rink, 201 Fourth Street, Craik, Sask., S0G 0V0 in his honour.
Monthly Archives: December 2014
Physician services set to expand in district
By Kevin Gilby
DAVIDSON—The Heartland Health Region (HHR) and the Five Hills Health Region (FHHR) are to begin their expansion of the physician services in the Davidson/Craik corridor in early 2015.
The Ministry of Health encouraged the two regions to work together to provide a three-physician practice in the corridor. The need for a sustainable and reliable acute care/emergency service was identified in the region.
Margaret Baker, acting executive director for Primary Health Services Branch of the Ministry of Health, said, “the two regions have been talking for a couple years to provide a sustainable service in the two communities, both from emergency and every day perspectives.
“The plan involves three physicians working together, providing stabilized emergency services in Davidson. Craik would [have to] go to Davidson to get those services.”
According to Bert Linklater, senior VP of operations of FHHR, “we’ve for a long time not had a third position that could join the practice.” Previously, the physicians in Davidson and Craik have been attempting to co-ordinate their on-call schedules so that a physician is available 24/7.
Despite best efforts, Linklater says that there were “too many opportunities for there to be problems,” citing difficulty for EMS members to know which doctor was on-call and possible physician burn-out from working a two-in-three week on-call rotation. The College of Physicians recommends at most a one-in-three rotation.
Linklater indicated that it is a ministry directive to “reduce the number of times when hospitals go on bypass.” He explains that a hospital is in bypass when it is without an on-call physician and when in bypass, the hospital should discharge all acute care patients and ambulances services are not permitted to stop at the hospital. Patients in need of continued acute care would need to be transferred to a hospital with an on-call physician.
Referring to the Craik Health Centre, the Ministry of Health understands “that the Heartland Health Region will contract the physicians, and then Five Hills Health Region would hire the services to meet the needs for that community.”
“[The ministry] is supportive and recognizes that it provides continuity of care,” Baker said.
To read more, please see the Dec. 1 print edition of The Davidson Leader.
Improvements wanted to female change facilities at rink
By Kevin Gilby
DAVIDSON — Parents with daughters involved in youth hockey teams have requested improvements be made to the Communiplex change rooms. Davidson’s Recreation Board heard that community members have asked that a larger change area and separate shower and toilet facilities be provided for the mixed hockey teams.
At present, there is a small area set aside for the girls to change that can accommodate about three children at a time. While most teams only have two or three girls, a need for a larger space will only increase with the growing community.
Two proposals were focused on by the recreation board to address the issue.
To read more, please see the Dec. 1 print edition of The Davidson Leader.
Jr. drama club brings Pinocchio to life
DAVIDSON—Davidson School’s junior drama club is bringing the misbegotten adventures of the puppet Pinocchio to life Friday.
The production has proved popular among students, with a large cast and crew of 35 students from grades 3 to 6 involved in the performance.
With so much interest in drama, it’s meant that director Arlene Low had to be creative when it came to putting on the short 45-minute play so that all kids could play a part.
The solution was to have different children share the roles of the main characters. There are three Pinocchios and three talking crickets. There are also two choruses, as well as different narrators, puppets and puppeteers. Three students are crewmembers.
Low said this is the first time she’s rotated main characters in a play.
The transition of different characters will be seamless. As one Pinocchio goes off stage, the other one goes on.
Due to the size of the cast—having three Pinocchios and three crickets—it required more preparation usual because more costumes had to be made. Low said the production has had help from the community with Nina Gust, Lorraine Gust, Eileen McRae, Paulette Killoh, Debbie Jestin and Sandy Zoerb sewing costumes. Dee Ulmer loaned her talents by painting the set. High school students also assisted with the set.
Pinocchio is a timeless, classic story about a wooden puppet that longs to become a real boy. Its themes transcend generations.
“Pinocchio has a great lesson about honour, making good decisions and friendships,” Low said.
For the full story, please see the Dec. 1 print edition of The Davidson Leader.
Immunize or mask policy takes effect
Starting Monday, Dec. 1, people who haven’t had their flu shot will have to wear a mask when they enter Davidson and District Health Centre as well as other Heartland Health Region facilities where patient care and services are provided.
To minimize the spread of infections, Surgical/procedure masks will be available to people who have chosen not to be immunized against influenza. Instructions on how to put on and take off the masks will be posted to help people unfamiliar with wearing masks.
The requirement to be immunized or wear a mask is part of a new province-wide influenza immunize or mask policy in effect in all Saskatchewan health regions and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. The purpose is to further protect the health and safety of patients. It also serves to further protect healthcare workers, their colleagues, families, friends and communities.
All people are expected to immunize or mask if they come into hospitals, long-term care facilities, primary health care sites, public health locations and other sites where patients, residents or clients typically access health region care or services. It includes common areas in these facilities such as hallways, lobbies, and waiting rooms, as well as patient rooms, wards, units, departments and other areas where patients, residents or clients typically access care or services.
It is not too late to get your influenza immunizations. Public flu clinics continue in Heartland Health Region through December. From January 2015 to March 2015, flu shots are available at public health offices.
The immunize or mask policy remains in effect until April 3, 2015, the approximate end of the annual influenza season.
Bylaw prohibits feeding strays
By Kevin Gilby
DAVIDSON—At its Nov. 20 meeting Davidson town council discussed a complaint of a resident creating a nuisance by feeding stray cats in the community.
Under Davidson’s Animal Control Bylaw, residents who own or harbour “a dog or cat shall not allow the animal to create a nuisance to any person”. The individual was requested to cease the practice immediately as the animals were causing damage to neighboring properties.
Under the bylaw, No. 751, a first offence is punishable by $100 fine. A second offense is punishable by a $200 fine and any subsequent infractions is $400.