Monthly Archives: November 2015

Davidson

Pool gala draws full house

Arlene Low's character was in for quite a shock when she discovered the true identity of her online amour, played by Jim Cross, at the conclusion of "Well... Here's To Us?"
Arlene Low’s character was in for quite a shock when she discovered the true identity of her online amour, played by Jim Cross, at the conclusion of “Well… Here’s To Us?”

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Guests to a gala evening held in support of Davidson’s new swimming pool got to enjoy two great acts in one night.

Local thespians performed a comedy play — Well . . . Here’s to Us?, written by Jason and Arlene Low — that earned plenty of laughs during the fundraiser, held the evening of Nov. 21 in the Davidson Town Hall auditorium.

Also well received was a performance by comedian, magician and ventriloquist Doug Arden of Regina, who invited several audience members to serve as participants or, occasionally, victims in his magic tricks.

Jessica Foster, one of the swimming pool committee members who organized the gala, said it was a tremendous success and one of the more profitable events the committee has hosted this past year.

A fundraising total was not available at press time, but tickets for the event sold out in advance, with just over 200 attending on Saturday night.

Anne Willner and her staff catered the meal, including meat provided by local butcher shop JMR Meats, while members of the Kinsmen Club worked the bar.

As well as the meal and entertainment, a wide variety of donated items were sold through a silent auction.

The hall was decked with wintery decorations, including lights, trees and table centrepieces, many of them donated by Shayla Diakow.

For the full story, please see the Nov. 30 edition of The Davidson Leader.

Hanley

Goff: farmers need greater voice in industry

Cam Goff
Cam Goff

By Joel van der Veen

HANLEY — Cam Goff said his desire to see the needs of farmers put ahead of corporate interests is the driving force behind his run for re-election to the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley).

With the demise of the Canadian Wheat Board and the provincial wheat pools, Goff said, farmers have lost many of the institutions that gave them a voice in the industry.

“There’s really nowhere (left) where farmers can basically elect representatives to speak up for them and represent their interests,” he said, adding that provincial commissions like SaskBarley have an essential role to play.

Goff, one of seven candidates who have put their names forward to fill three positions on the commission board, is fronting a campaign that has involved newspaper and radio advertising.

Part of the first SaskBarley producer-elected board of directors that took office in January 2014, Goff said he wants to continue the work of establishing a “farmer-controlled” barley commission.

Some farmers may have faith that corporations can be trusted to respect their interests, but Goff said that’s not realistic.

“I absolutely do not believe that’s the case,” he said. “Corporate interests look out for corporations. That’s their job.”

Goff, 60, operates a family farm near Hanley with his two brothers and mother, comprised of 4,000 acres cropped with malt barley, canola, spring and winter wheat, oats, flax and peas.

He began farming in 1975 following his graduation from Kelsey Institute (now the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus in Saskatoon) with a degree in renewable sources. He and his wife Bev have three grown children.

Previously he had served as a director of the Canadian Wheat Board from 2008 to 2011, also sitting on the board of the Western Grains Research Foundation.

Goff said the experience had given him a broad knowledge of the industry, which he had carried over to his term with SaskBarley.

While serving on the commission, Goff said he has worked toward two primary concerns: addressing ongoing transportation problems and promoting a farmer-led variety development system.

For the full story, please see the Nov. 30 edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson, Loreburn, Sports

RaiTec makes it a team victory with provincial gold medal

The RaiTec’s Miranda Farrell (14) reaches for the ball during a match against Porcupine Plain.
The RaiTec’s Miranda Farrell (14) reaches for the ball during a match against Porcupine Plain.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — All season long, the Davidson/Loreburn RaiTec have been proving over and over again that they’ve got what it takes.

Last weekend, they got to prove it on the provincial stage.

The senior girls volleyball team capped a successful season with a win in the 2A provincial championships at Porcupine Plain on Nov. 20 and 21, defeating Invermay in the final on Saturday night to claim the title.

Close competition made it a tight victory for the RaiTec, with coach Tony Baldwin saying the girls’ team spirit was a major factor in their success.

“They supported each other right to the end,” he said. “These guys were just rock-solid teammates for each other, all 14 of them . . . They deserved to win.”

After winning at regionals in Arcola the previous weekend, Baldwin and his fellow coaches had high hopes for the RaiTec in Porcupine Plain.

The girls began the weekend with round-robin play on Friday afternoon, defeating Langham (25-13 and 25-20), the host team (25-18 and 25-21) and St. Walburg (25-14 and 25-20) in Pool A.

The RaiTec met a stronger challenge in their final round-robin game in Kelvington on Saturday morning, losing two straight sets to Invermay (25-16 and 25-23).

Baldwin said the girls had had the chance to watch the team in action the night before and sought to anticipate the oncoming attack.

“We tried to do some tinkering with the defence,” he said, taking the blame in retrospect for what he called “a coaching error on my part.”

The team quickly recovered from its disappointment, returning to Porcupine Plain in the afternoon for playoffs and defeating Kerrobert in two sets to advance (25-23 and 25-20).

A win over Foam Lake in two sets in the semifinal (25-10 and 25-21) qualified the RaiTec for the gold-medal game.

Baldwin said that power Maddy Vollmer’s performance was a highlight of those matches, observing, “They couldn’t get a block on her . . . It was the Maddy Vollmer show, it was amazing.”

The RaiTec were up against Invermay in the final, in which Baldwin said they returned to a full-on offensive strategy: “just pound the ball at ‘em and see what happens.”

He said the RaiTec’s back-row defence especially shone during those sets, as well as Jacey Sanden’s setting.

The RaiTec also benefitted from having five Grade 12 players, compared to just one Grade 12 on the Invermay team.

Even so, the teams appeared to be evenly matched. The RaiTec won the first set 25-22, while Invermay won the second 30-28.

Baldwin said his team took a significant lead in the third set. This was interrupted by a lengthy stop in play due to confusion over Invermay’s rotation, after which the team was able to narrow the gap considerably.

“We really had everybody firing, and they did too,” said Baldwin. “There were hits that we couldn’t even get close to. . . We gave ‘em the same thing right back.”

The RaiTec surged ahead toward the end, with Jackie Losie making the final successful serve that resulted in a 25-19 victory.

Sharing coaching duties with Baldwin were Karen McConnell and Hallie Vollmer, while Sandra Baldwin served as manager.

Graduating from the team this year are Grade 12 students Maddie Vollmer, Karissa Rendall, Jacey Sanden, Kaitlyn Baldwin and Jackie Losie.

Davidson, Obituary

Church, Evangeline (Angie)

Angie Church
Angie Church

Evangeline (Angie) Emma Church
Dec. 21, 1935 — Sept. 12, 2015

Angie was the second of six children born to George and Christina Redl of Wakaw, Sask. She had many fond memories of growing up with her sisters and brothers. She started working in the food service industry, a long and fulfilling career.

She worked in many places, finally settling in Davidson, as this was where her husband Lloyd Church was from. She worked at J.V.’s Cafe and the Davidson Hotel, where she was employed for more than 25 years.

Angie enjoyed visiting with family and friends, gardening, playing bingo, watching sports, making perogies and cabbage rolls.

She moved back to Wakaw to care for her mother and lived there even after her mother passed away. She came back to Davidson in November 2014. She really enjoyed her time in Davidson.

In the middle of August 2015, she fell and broke her hip. She passed away suddenly while awaiting a second surgery at Royal University Hospital.

Angie is lovingly remembered by daughter Pam (Kevin) Webber; grandchildren Dawn (Tim) and Aaron (friend Doreen); great-grandchildren Bryanna, Quinnton, Joshuwa and Lillie; also sisters Georgina Baudais, Elaine Kurtenbach and brother Arnold (Marg) Redl and many nieces, nephew and great-niece and nephews; also brother-in-law Ken (Sharon) Church and their family.

She was predeceased by her husband Lloyd; parents George and Christina; sister Eileen; brother Armand; and brothers-in-law Philip Baudais and James Kurtenbach.

A celebration of Evangeline’s life was held Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Davidson. It was officiated by Rev. Father Joseph Gyim-Austin, with the tribute by Arnold Redl; readers Bryanna Webber and Kylie Redl-Gosselin; registers Betty McLaren and Eleanor Schollar; active urnbearers Bryanna Webber, Quinnton Lockton, Joshuwa Webber and Lillie Webber; organist Lyle Kowalski. Hanson’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Interment will be held in the spring at Wakaw Cemetery.

Davidson, Obituary

Kergen, Ray

Ray Kergen
Ray Kergen

Raymond Omer Kergen
Oct. 31, 1935 — Nov. 16, 2015

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Raymond Omer Kergen, age 80, at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon.

Ray was born in Davidson, Sask., on Oct. 31, 1935, to William (Bill) and Alberta Kergen. When Ray was five years old his family moved to the Maple Valley district, where he remained until his passing.

He took his schooling at the Maple Valley country school. He took Grade 11 in Meadow Lake and stayed with his sister, Sue Brander. For Grade 12 he went to Campion College.

After his schooling, in the winter months he worked for his brother-in-law Hugh Brander in Meadow Lake, transporting freight to Green Lake, Beauval and Île-à-la-Crosse on the ice. One time the truck went through the ice but they managed to get out safely.

On June 14, 1958, Ray married Stella Marie Hamel. They began farming, raising cattle, sheep, pigs and grain. They raised six children, four boys and two girls.

Ray worked off the farm at various times, including Con’s Construction for a few years and 17 years at Davidson Equipment (John Deere) as a salesperson. After that he took a job with Ian McCreary, driving the tractor, etc.

Ray spent 10 years as a Scout leader, taking boys to Guelph, Ont., and Prince Edward Island, enjoying his time Scouting.

Ray was never consumed by material things. His family and friends were the most important things in his life. One of his favourite sayings was, “Don’t let things that you can’t do anything about consume you.”

Ray was famous for his Nora Roberts pie (from a book he was reading); cornbread (Johnny Cake), and hollandaise sauce. He taught all his grandchildren how to make cornbread.

His 12 grandchildren will continue to talk about the countless cookie parties they had with Grandpa.

Ray was predeceased by his mother Alberta (Kieffer), father William Kergen, son Scott, brother Paul, sister-in-law Gladys Kergen, sister Sue Brander, and brothers-in-law Hugh Brander and Lorne Shirley.

He leaves to mourn his wife of 57 years, Stella; his children Grant (Norma), Craig (Sheryl), Curtis (Sondra), Veronica, Valarie (Daryl); 12 grandchildren: Kyle (Krissy), Lindsey (Michelle), Tyler (Erin), Alexandra (Mike), Graham (Alysia), Jayne (Mason), Craig, Shawn (Jay Lee), Owen (Meredith), Shayla (Brandon), Declon, Shontel and Jagger; great-grandchildren Kasch, Haylee, Jaredan, Averly, Elliot and Willow; and sisters Jean Shirley, Rita (Gus) Hoffart, Margaret Anne (Lawrence) Beckie and Frances Kergen.

Interment was in the family plot at the Davidson Community Cemetery. Hanson’s Funeral Home was in care of arrangements.

Davidson

MP denies using slur in victory speech

Conservative candidate and election winner Tom Lukiwski clasps his hands together as he speaks to supporters in Moose Jaw on Monday night.
Conservative candidate and election winner Tom Lukiwski clasps his hands together as he speaks to supporters in Moose Jaw on Monday night.

By Joel van der Veen

MOOSE JAW — Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski is denying reports that he used a slur to describe a local NDP candidate during his victory speech following the federal election a month ago.

Lukiwski issued the denial on Thursday afternoon, following the release of a video clip that showed him speaking to supporters at the Eagles Club hall in Moose Jaw on the night of Oct. 19.

In the clip, after giving his assessment of the election results — in which the Conservatives were reduced to 99 seats and the Liberals received a majority of 184 seats — Lukiwski turned his focus to Greg Lawrence, the Saskatchewan Party MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow.

He said Lawrence would have a tough battle ahead of him in the provincial election, owing to changes to the riding boundaries, and pledged his support to the campaign.

“He’s too important of an MLA to let go down to an NDP (horde or whore) just because of a bad boundary,” Lukiwski is heard saying in the clip.

Lawrence, the incumbent, is being challenged by New Democratic Party candidate Karen Purdy in the spring provincial election, scheduled for April 4, 2016.

The clip was recorded by Mickey Djuric, a former reporter for the Moose Jaw Times-Herald, who resigned from the daily newspaper last week.

Djuric posted the video online on Thursday, accompanied by a blog entry in which she said she had quit on principle after Times-Herald management decided not to publish a story she had written about the speech.

She alleged that managers blocked the story, saying it was not in the Times-Herald’s best interests to publish it and that they did not want to draw negative attention towards the paper.

“Following their mandate would lead to me compromising my values, ethics and morals as a journalist,” she wrote.

“I humbly and respectfully maintain that the wonderful citizens of Moose Jaw and this riding deserve better — no censorship, no deceit.”

Lukiwski told CBC on Thursday that he had referred to a “horde,” not a “whore,” in his speech, and insinuated that those who believed otherwise were hearing what they wanted to hear.

“If you want to hear ‘whore’ you can hear it,” he said. “If you want to hear ‘horde,’ you’ll hear that.”

He later issued a simple statement on Thursday afternoon, saying he wished to provide clarity on the matter of the video.

“At no point did I use any sort of profanity to describe the NDP,” he was quoted. “I have reached out to the NDP candidate, Ms. Purdy, to assure her that no such insult was ever used nor intended.”

For the full story — along with an editorial statement by the Leader on the incident — please see the Nov. 23 edition of The Davidson Leader.