Monthly Archives: December 2015

Davidson

Off to see the wizard

Davidson School's Elementary Drama Club presented The Wizard of Oz on Dec. 4 before an audience of close to 250 people. In this scene, Marissa Townsend (playing the Wicked Witch) strikes fear into the heart of Maggie Boehm (the Cowardly Lion).
Davidson School’s Elementary Drama Club presented The Wizard of Oz on Dec. 4 before an audience of close to 250 people. In this scene, Marissa Townsend (playing the Wicked Witch) strikes fear into the heart of Maggie Boehm (the Cowardly Lion).

 

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A cast of colourful characters took an audience down the Yellow Brick Road for a delightful journey at Davidson School last weekend.

The elementary drama club presented The Wizard of Oz to a crowd of more than 240 people in the gymnasium on Dec. 4.

The play — based on the classic books by L. Frank Baum and the 1939 film starring Judy Garland — tells the story of Dorothy Gale, a farmgirl who is whisked away to the Land of Oz after a tornado strikes her Kansas home.

Together with her faithful dog Toto and the companions she meets along the way, Dorothy must defeat the Wicked Witch of the West and find her way back home.

The play featured a cast of 37 students in grades 4 through 6, made possible through a script that allowed multiple actors to portray the same character.

For instance, five girls — Heather Gust, Shayda Boychuk, Kelsey Fahlman, Lexi White and Taylei Pedersen — alternated in the role of Dorothy.

This allowed more students to take part but also provided a more even distribution of work, according to Arlene Low, one of the directors.

“We wanted everyone to have a role,” she said, adding that it opens up the production to students who might find it difficult to memorize pages of dialogue.

The script was an adaptation by Kathryn Schultz Miller of ArtReach Children’s Theatre. Serving as directors along with Low were Crystal Johnson, Ashton Mills and Correne Pedersen.

Rather than holding auditions, Low said the directors invited the students to play various drama games, working on techniques like improvisation, poise and movement.

This allowed them to witness the students in action and then cast them in roles for which they were best suited.

In addition to the acting talent on stage, the play featured contributions from other students, teachers, parents and community members.

For the full story, please see the Dec. 14 edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson, Sports

Junior boys bounce back in season opener

Davidson's Clay Murfitt (20) goes for a shot as Eston's Harrison Gardner (5) attempts a block during Tuesday's junior boys basketball game.
Davidson’s Clay Murfitt (20) goes for a shot as Eston’s Harrison Gardner (5) attempts a block during Tuesday’s junior boys basketball game.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — An exhibition game against Eston gave Davidson’s junior boys basketball team their first win of the season.

The Raiders hosted the Eston Mustangs on Tuesday night, winning 68-58 in their season opener.

Clay Murfitt scored a total of 36 points for Davidson, while Derek Schmiedge contributed 18 points to the team’s tally.

The Raiders were in a deficit position for much of the game, trailing 52-38 at the end of the third quarter.

The team pulled ahead in the final minutes, thanks to a late scoring rally by Murfitt and Schmiedge and a push by the defence to block Eston.

Davidson coach Garrett Bailey said he has 14 players in grades 7 through 9 on the roster this season, a large team compared to many of their competitors.

“I think our goal is to probably win districts,” said Bailey, noting that while some growth will be needed between now and then, the victory is well within the realm of possibility.

For the full story, please see the Dec. 14 edition of The Davidson Leader.

Kenaston, Obituary

Matovich, Ann

Ann Matovich
Ann Matovich

Matovich, Ann
1924 – 2015

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Ann Matovich, age 91, on Dec. 2, 2015 at Royal University Hospital.

Ann will be lovingly remembered by her children Genevieve, Diana (Jim) and John, as well as other family members. She was predeceased by her husband Steve in 1997.

A graveside service was held in Kenaston on Dec. 7, 2015. Special thanks to Fr. Rehl from RUH. Memorial donations may be made in Ann’s name to St. Andrew’s Parish (Box 94, Kenaston, SK S0G 1A0) or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home (306-244-5577).

Kenaston

Former Kenaston woman reported missing

Sheree Fertuck
Sheree Fertuck

KENASTON — Police are investigating the disappearance of a Saskatoon woman who was last seen in the Kenaston area earlier this week.

Sheree Fertuck, 51, formerly of Kenaston, was last seen leaving her family’s farmyard east of the village near Highway 15 around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, according to a news release issued by Saskatoon RCMP.

Her semi truck, which she uses to haul gravel, was found around 8 a.m. on Tuesday at a gravel pit, further east off the highway.

Fertuck is described as around 5’4″ in height, 250 lbs. with greying brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing grey sweat pants, a grey sweater and white running shoes.

Sheree is the daughter of Juliann and the late Michael Sorotski of the Kenaston district. She resides in Saskatoon. She and her husband, Greg Fertuck, have three children.

Police are continuing their investigation.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Saskatoon RCMP at 306-975-5145 or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Dundurn

Dundurn lights up in support of new fire hall

Members of the Emergency Response Team — from left, Terry Benson, Rikki Chobotuk, Laura Friesen, Brian Harrison and Tom Willms — pose with the custom cake designed by Amanda Bell. (Photos courtesy of Gary Boehm/GDB Imaging Photography)
Members of the Emergency Response Team — from left, Terry Benson, Rikki Chobotuk, Laura Friesen, Brian Harrison and Tom Willms — pose with the custom cake designed by Amanda Bell.
(Photos courtesy of Gary Boehm/GDB Imaging Photography)

By Joel van der Veen

DUNDURN — The fund for Dundurn’s new fire hall got a major boost as the community gathered for the lighting of the Memory Tree late last month.

Organizers said the project has raised more than $15,000 this year, and with donations still coming in, the total could exceed $20,000.

The ceremony on Nov. 27 included the singing of Christmas carols, lots of homemade goodies and a time to remember loved ones.

“It was a wonderful, moving ceremony,” said organizer Rosalind Arndt, part of the six-member committee behind this year’s program. “It was just so nice.”

Arndt estimated the crowd in attendance at over 100 people, including several members of the Dundurn Emergency Response Team.

Now in its fourth year, the memory tree lighting ceremony, initiated by Glen Cline, has become something of an annual tradition for Dundurn and area residents.

The tree, located outside the Dundurn Community Hall, was decorated by Patty and Sam Posnikoff. It will continue to be lit until mid-January.

Residents were invited to purchase a bulb for $20 in memory of a loved one, while personal or corporate donations and sponsorships were also accepted.

Arndt said there were upwards of 25 corporate sponsors this year. All donations in excess of $200 are recognized on a permanent plaque made by Waylyn Signs.

The Friday night program was emceed by Steve Menshenfriend and led off with the singing of “O Canada” by Brenda Presnell. Reaschelle Higginbotham and Courtney Schroeder read the list of people being remembered and those who had purchased the bulbs in their memory.

A group of students from Dundurn Elementary School, led by vice-principal Kirsten Tucker, sang a selection of Christmas carols. Dundurn students were also responsible for the paper angels that adorned the hall.

Baked goods, many of them homemade, were donated by community members for the occasion, while a special cake in the shape of a tree was provided by Amanda Bell.

Arndt said the memory tree project raised just over $43,000 for the new hall in its first three years. Donations are still being accepted through the office of the Rural Municipality of Dundurn.

Serving on the committee along with Arnst were Barb Olyniuk, Tanya Richmond, Alysia Kuzma, Carolyn Cartwright and Patty Posnikoff.

Bladworth, Davidson, Sports

Locals shine at CCA finals rodeo

Scott Sigfusson, left, and Logan Kadlec display the buckles they received at the Canadian Cowboys Association finals rodeo in November.
Scott Sigfusson, left, and Logan Kadlec display the buckles they received at the Canadian Cowboys Association finals rodeo in November.

By Joel van der Veen

REGINA — It was Scott Sigfusson’s best rodeo season yet — and considering how he’s done in past years, that’s no small feat.

The local cowboy ended the year as the Canadian Cowboys Association (CCA) high-point champion for the third time, receiving his buckle on Nov. 27 following the finals rodeo at Canadian Western Agribition.

“It’s super exciting to have that good of a year,” said Scott, the son of Ross and Jannice Sigfusson of Davidson.

As usual, Sigfusson had a full season, competing in close to 60 events, and enjoying plenty of success.

In October he competed in the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association’s finals rodeo in Brandon, taking top honours in tie-down roping and also earning the high-point championship there.

Sigfusson took part in three events in the CCA finals, finishing first in tie-down roping, second in steer wrestling and second in team roping with his partner Jim-Bob Gomersall.

He said the year was his best so far in terms of results, adding that it’s the kind of season he used to dream of having.

Sigfusson added that he finished the year in good physical shape as well, with only a few minor bumps and bruises.

Having spent the season as a rider on the community pasture at Kerrobert, he is now back in Davidson for the winter, working with ranchers David and Juanita Esmond.

Sigfusson said he purchased some young horses this fall and plans to continue practising and training throughout the winter.

“I want to keep doing it as long as my body will let me,” said Sigfusson, who turned 27 this month.

Another local rider, Logan Kadlec, also shared the spotlight during the CCA finals rodeo as one of two bullfighters working during the event, protecting bullriders from the animals during the competitions.

Kadlec, 24, the son of Murray and Gloria Kadlec of Bladworth, said he’s been riding bulls for several years, but this was his first full season as a bullfighter.

He said he was “tired of getting hurt” and added that bullfighting offers multiple benefits, including both a great adrenalin rush and a regular paycheque.

For the full story, please see the Dec. 7 edition of The Davidson Leader.