Monthly Archives: January 2016

Craik, Davidson, featured, Sports

Local players making an impact with midget Mavericks

Charly Nolting of the Moose Jaw Mavericks attempts a shot during a Dec. 20 game against the Estevan Power Tech Panthers at Affinity Place.
Charly Nolting of the Moose Jaw Mavericks attempts a shot during a Dec. 20 game against the Estevan Power Tech Panthers at Affinity Place.

By Joel van der Veen

MOOSE JAW — It’s been a growing year for the Moose Jaw Mavericks, but coach Cam King says his players are learning plenty as the season moves on.

With only four players returning from last season, the girls have taken some time to bond and develop team dynamics, King said last month.

“I used to say it was two steps forward, one step back,” said the head coach. “Now it’s about three steps forward, one step back. So we’re making progress.”

The midget AA team, part of the South Saskatchewan Female Hockey League, has three players from this area on its roster.

Forward Charly Nolting of Craik returns for her third season, while forward Breanna Shaw of Davidson and defenceman Jewel Bakken of Craik are in their first full season with the Mavericks.

The coach described Nolting as a “fast skater, very strong (and) very physical.” She has four goals and four assists so far, giving her the fourth highest point total on the team’s roster.

Shaw, described as a “playmaker,” has three goals and one assist so far. King also referred to Bakken, who has recorded three assists, as a “solid, hard-working, gritty defenceman.”

“They all know their role,” said King. “They all play their role well, and for me, the most important part is they’re great kids.”

As of last week, the Mavericks stood at sixth place out of eight teams in the league, with six wins, 14 losses and one tie.

The team began January with back-to-back losses to the Parkland Lions, followed by a 3-1 win over the Weyburn NOV Drillers.

King, who was interviewed following consecutive losses in Estevan on Dec. 19 and 20, said the team is focusing on puck handling.

“When you get the puck, you should really have a plan of what you’re going to do with it,” he said, adding, “I can see continuous improvement every night.”

He also noted he has benefitted from the contributions of Shaw’s father Jason, who has joined as an assistant coach this year. King called him a “tremendous hockey guy.”

“I’ve coached a long time and I’ve learned a lot of stuff just from having him on the bench this year,” said King. “So he’s been a great help as well.”

The Mavericks will visit Davidson on Jan. 22, when they will challenge the Regina Ravens at the Communiplex starting at 7:15 p.m.

(With files from Jamie Harkins)

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Gourlay, Harold Robert

Harold Gourlay
Harold Gourlay

Harold Robert Gourlay
1946 — 2016

Harold Robert Gourlay of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of Lynn (Hillis) Gourlay, passed away on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 at the age of 69 years. Harold also leaves to cherish his memory his daughter Kelley (Kyle King); his sons Brent and Michael (Shiela), all of Medicine Hat; and his grandchildren Maralynn Sasse, Kelvin King, Robert Gourlay and Stephanie Gourlay. He also leaves to mourn five brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Harold was predeceased by his parents Hugh and Gertrude (Danielson) Gourlay; his mother and father-in-law, Arthur and Maizie Hillis; three sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law. Harold was raised on the family farm at Davidson, Sask. He spent several years as a truck driver in Saskatchewan and Alberta. He also spent 10 enjoyable years on Vancouver Island where he and Lynn ran a family business before relocating to Medicine Hat in 1993. Harold then returned to truck driving until his retirement. The family would like to thank Dr. Martin Wong and Dr. Bao Dang as well as the nurses on 5West at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. A come-and-go reception will be held at Saamis Creekside Centre, #11 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Memorial gifts in Harold’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com, subject heading Harold Gourlay. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel and Crematorium, “The Chapel in the Park,” Medicine Hat, Alta. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone 1-800-317-2647.

Craik, Obituary

Obituary: Nixon, Doris

Doris Nixon
Doris Nixon

Nixon, Doris Norma (Cook)
1921 — 2016

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Doris Nixon, aged 94 of Craik, Sask. Doris was born on July 6, 1921 and died on Jan. 12, 2016 at the Craik Health Centre. Her son Gary and close friends were by her side at the time of her passing.

Doris was predeceased by her parents Alice (Funston) Cook and Lawrence Cook; her brother Stanley and her beloved daughter Sharon (Nixon) LePoudre; husband Floyd Nixon on Dec. 31, 2001 and her son-in-law Jules LePoudre.

Doris leaves to mourn her passing her son Gary; her grandsons Jeff Schindler (Cindy Nordmarken) and family; Paul LePoudre and family; granddaughter Angela (Kevin) Berglund and family, as well as friends at the Craik Health Centre and in the Craik community.

A service of remembrance will be held at the Craik United Church on Jan. 18, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Worship leader Hilda Dale will preside. A time of fellowship will be held at the Craik Community Hall immediately following the burial at the Craik Cemetery.

Gary would like to thank the staff at the Craik Health Centre for the excellent care they gave Doris. Special thanks also to Cathy Sperling for her thoughtfulness and for the care she gave Doris in ways too numerous to mention. Thanks also to the Lee family for their visits and the many acts of kindness shown to Doris. Thank you as well to Dorothy and Pete Livingstone for the help they gave Doris over the years.

Doris grew up in the Rose Hill district east of Craik where her parents farmed. She attended Rose Hill School. Doris’s grandmother Alice (Barber) Cook lived with Doris and her parents for many years and was a great influence in her life. Doris helped her parents on the farm and worked for a time as a hired girl.

Doris met Floyd Nixon at a community dance when he came to Craik as part of a threshing crew in 1934.

Floyd joined the army in 1940 and was posted overseas for 4 and a half years. He returned to Canada on New Year’s Eve in 1945. Doris and Floyd were married on March 27, 1946, shortly after Floyd’s return.

Their daughter Sharon was born July 1, 1947 and their son Gary was born on March 4, 1953. Floyd and Doris purchased 13-23-28 W2nd through the Veterans Land Act. They also farmed the land of Daisy and Ben Arnold for 25 years. When Sharon was old enough to start school, the family moved to 11-23-28 W2nd where Gary now lives.

Doris was a member of the Foxbury United Church and later joined the Craik United Church when she and Floyd moved into Craik. She was also a member of the Hospital Aid and the Craik UCW. Doris enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbours and was especially overjoyed when her grandchildren and their children came to visit.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Craik Health Centre Foundation and the Craik United Church or the charity of your choice. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.

Craik, Obituary

Obituary: Wood, Shirley Belle

Shirley Wood
Shirley Wood

Wood, Shirley Belle
March 31, 1935 — November 29, 2015

Every so often tragedy strikes. Heaven has decided to take our mom/nana in a tragic accident on Sunday, November 29, 2015. Just goes to show you that the Angels on the other side needed a new angel to shake things up and make things more interesting (and that she will do). Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Jean Thurber and brother, Don Thurber. She leaves to cherish her memory her sisters, Lorraine (Neil) Songer, Ev (Glen) Fiske; brother, Dave (Yvonne) Thurber; sisters-in-law, Jeanie and Donna Thurber; daughters, Kathy (Garnet) Hjelsing, Connie (Chuck) Brazel, Diane Songer and Brenda Baskerville. She also leaves to mourn seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A celebration of Shirley’s life was held at 2 p.m., Friday, December 4, 2015 at the Craik Community Legion Hall. For friends so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Shirley may be directed to a charity of choice.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.

Bladworth, Davidson, Kenaston

Meet Davidson’s New Year’s baby of 2016

Levi Kevin Reich, born Jan. 1, 2016 at 11:35 p.m., is Davidson's New Year's baby.
Levi Kevin Reich, born Jan. 1, 2016 at 11:35 p.m., is Davidson’s New Year’s baby.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Levi Kevin Reich might have seemed like a long shot for Davidson’s New Year’s baby.

“We joked about having him as a New Year’s baby, but we didn’t think that would happen,” recalled his mother, Heather Puckett.

Levi wasn’t due until Feb. 11, but as it turns out, the joke was on his mom and dad.

Puckett went into labour around 6:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day, and five hours later, she delivered a healthy baby boy at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

She was only 34 weeks into her pregnancy, so Levi’s early arrival came as a surprise to both her and his father, Trevor Reich.

As of last week, mother and child were doing well, although Levi was expected to stay a few extra days in the hospital’s neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU).

“They just want him to grow a little more,” explained Puckett. “They haven’t given us a definite date yet. It could be by the weekend, I’m not sure though.”

Levi arrived at 11:35 p.m., weighing 5 lbs., 14 oz., and measuring 20.5 inches. Despite the surprise, his mother reported a smooth delivery.

The child’s arrival marked a happy start to 2016 for his parents, grandparents and many extended family members in Davidson and area.

Levi’s grandparents are Fran and Tom Vanghel of Davidson, Stan Schneider of Bladworth, and Kevin and Lorraine Reich of Saskatoon.

His great-grandparents are Val Thurlow of Kenaston and Norbert and Elaine Reich of Davidson.

Levi has two older siblings: Carter, 5, and Jayla, 4. His father Trevor works at Legend Autobody and Paint in Davidson, while Heather is a stay-at-home mother. The family resides in the former Zeleny home on Government Road.

Levi joins an exclusive club of past Davidson’s New Year’s babies that includes Brad McLaren, Carl Johnson and David Beckie.

Bladworth, Kenaston

Kerpans in court as Koch enters guilty plea

Danille Kerpan
Danille Kerpan

By Tara de Ryk

SASKATOON — John Koch, 50, pleaded guilty in Saskatoon provincial court Thursday to impaired driving causing the death of 25-year-old Danille Kerpan of Kenaston.

Koch’s lawyer entered a guilty plea to the charge of impaired driving causing death.

Koch was present, however, he did not appear before the court.

The matter was handled in minutes as the Crown and defence set a date of Jan. 18 for the next court appearance to arrange for a sentencing hearing.

Danille’s parents Allan and Melanie Kerpan of Kenaston, other family members and friends, who were court Thursday morning, immediately left the room.

Allan Kerpan said the proceedings were “slightly less dramatic” than they’d expected.

“It’s another step we have go through.”

On Oct. 10, 2014, Danille was driving south on Highway 11 to Davidson when her car was struck by a pickup truck heading north in the southbound lane near Bladworth.

Danille died at the scene. Koch was seriously injured and later charged with one count each of impaired driving causing death, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level above 0.08, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

On Thursday, as the Kerpans prepared to leave provincial court, outside a media scrum was taking place with members of the family of Jordan and Chanda Van De Vorst and their two children Kamryn, 5, and Miguire, 2.

The family of four was killed around 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 3 when their car was struck by an SUV north of Saskatoon on Highway 11. The SUV was crossing the Highway from Wanuskewin Road when it hit the Van De Vorsts’ car.

Catherine McKay had made a brief court appearance Thursday to answer to numerous charges relating to the death of the Van De Vorst family including four charges of impaired driving causing death.

As the Kerpans’ ordeal through the courts is about to wind down, another family’s is beginning.

“I offer them our condolences and they are welcome to give us a call. I would never have known how they could possibly feel prior to this happening to our family. You think you know, but you cannot possibly know the sorrow and the loss and the grief when you lose somebody, and theirs is times four,” Allan Kerpan said as a message from one grieving family to another, referring to the Van De Vorsts who had spoken to reporters moments before.

Kerpan said when he learned of the Van De Vorst family’s death he was overwhelmed with sadness.

“It renews the sadness and grief we’ve had with our case,” he said.

For the full story, please see the Jan. 11 edition of The Davidson Leader.