Monthly Archives: May 2016

Davidson, featured

Packed house for dance recital

Teagin Schneider, Rhett Gust and Marissa Cammer perform the character ballet "Arabian Dance" at the Davidson Optimist Dance Club's spring recital on May 1.
Teagin Schneider, Rhett Gust and Marissa Cammer perform the character ballet “Arabian Dance” at the Davidson Optimist Dance Club’s spring recital on May 1.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Close to 300 people filled the gymnasium at Davidson School on May 1 for the annual spring recital hosted by the Davidson Optimist Dance Club.

“We’re very excited and very impressed with what they have achieved this year,” said Kelly Allan, who emceed the program with Richelle Palmer.

The two-hour program featured dozens of dancers, presenting more than 30 routines in the ballet, tap, creative movement, lyrical, jazz and hip hop categories.

Also featured was the Grease production, which included several songs from the classic musical.

The 13-minute production received gold in Lanigan and Warman and also earned instructor Aundrea Mueller a choreography award in Warman.

The club had 95 dancers this year. They took part in competitions in Lanigan, Warman and Prince Albert. Teachers were Irene Williams, Aundrea Mueller, Shantell Hoehn, Kallie Nadeau and Tessa Gray. Student teachers included Emily Read, Tiara Shaw, Kasie Boyd and Sarah Allan, along with teacher-helper Chase Lyn Dean.

Allan said in her introduction that it had been another successful season for the club. The emcees highlighted the accomplishments of dancer Rhett Gust, who received the Youth Ambassador award in Lanigan, along with full scholarships to attend both a summer worskhop in Warman and a summer dance camp in Lanigan.

A silent auction held during the afternoon event raised $1,317.

The club also hosted its spring showcase on the evening of April 30, featuring solo and duet performances.

For the full list of performances, please see the May 9 edition of The Davidson Leader.

Craik, Obituary

Obituary: Wildfong, Elaine

Elaine Wildfong
Elaine Wildfong

WILDFONG, Elaine Susan (nee Adelman)
May 1, 1940 — May 2, 2016

It is with great sadness and much love that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Elaine Wildfong of Wetaskiwin, on Monday, May 2, 2016, at the age of 76 years.

She is survived by her loving family: children Wendy (Bob) Courtepatte, Terry Wildfong, Donna (Rodney) Bleakney and Doug (Audrey) Wildfong; grandchildren T.J. Wildfong, Chad (Nicole) Wildfong, Evan Dux, Sarah (Jesse) Hutchings, Dustin Gowler, Corey Gowler and Ian Wildfong; great-grandchildren Payten Jaime, Lincoln, Emma, Eli and Bobby; as well as many friends and extended family.

Elaine was predeceased by her husband James; parents Christian Jr. and Susanna Adelman; brothers Jim and Bob; brothers-in-law Lyle Hardy and Byron Berglund.

A memorial service was held.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Church (5115 51 Avenue, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, T9A 0V3) or to the Volunteer Association of the Cross Cancer Institute, care of the Alberta Cancer Foundation (710-10123 99 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3H1), in memory of Elaine Wildfong.

Baker Funeral Chapel, Wetaskiwin
(888) 752-2501 or (780) 352-2501
Condolences: www.womboldfuneralhomes.com

Craik, featured

Craik water task force calls it quits

web-craik

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — They say they feel unappreciated, disrespected and pushed aside, and quite frankly, they’re ready to move on.

Members of Craik’s water task force confirmed last week that they have decided to step down, nine months after joining forces to combat the town’s ongoing issues with potable water.

The six-member group formed last July following an extended water outage, pooling their experience and efforts with the ultimate goal of ending the drinking water advisory that has been in place in the Town of Craik since August 2010.

Last week, several members of the group said they have decided to resign, citing long-standing frustrations with the town and its council.

“It’s apparent that they don’t want us in there,” said member Dermot McCaw.

“There’s no sense in pressing forward if there’s no co-operation,” said Mark Wegner.

Speaking at a gathering with several of his colleagues on Wednesday, Kim Bakken said, “We’re done, as far as I can see.”

Four of the six members — including McCaw, Wegner, Bakken and town councillor Charla Edwards — were gathered to discuss the activities of the last several months, as well as working towards a formal statement to council. (Two other members, Shayne Stubbington and Jason Hay, were not present.)

Members maintain that their efforts, including repairs and maintenance on the old and new water plants, have saved the town thousands of dollars.

However, the council and the task force have grown divided over several issues, including the plants’ ongoing maintenance, funds collected for the water plant, and plans for moving forward.

McCaw said the relationship between council and the task force has deteriorated significantly since Feb. 11, when he and Wegner visited council to present a proposal for the town’s restructuring into an organized hamlet.

The two offered the idea as a possible solution to the town’s growing infrastructure concerns — including, but not limited to, the water plant — contending that Craik has limited resources to deal with those problems.

Wegner estimated that the town will be on the hook for at least $2 million in infrastructure upgrades and repairs in the next few years, due in part to poor maintenance of existing systems.

Council held a special meeting on the subject on Feb. 25, but ultimately did not make a motion on the matter.

Instead, they issued a statement to the effect that the town council could not move ahead with restructuring on its own momentum, based on their interpretation of The Municipalities Act.

Since then, communication between the town, the council and the task force has been limited, according to all sides, and disagreements have mounted.

For the full story, please see the May 2 edition of The Davidson Leader.

Craik, Davidson, featured

Storage units damaged, items stolen from Craik golf course

Wanda Erlandson submitted this photo showing the recent damage to the storage units at the Craik and District Golf Course.
Wanda Erlandson submitted this photo showing the recent damage to the storage units at the Craik and District Golf Course.

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — Police are investigating following a break-in to the storage units at the Craik and District Golf Club.

Const. Kevin Morrissette of the Craik RCMP detachment said the incident was reported to police early last week.

Police found the storage units had been entered and damaged, and that some golf equipment was reported stolen.

Morrissette said the police are still determining the extent of the damage and thefts, and developing an inventory of the missing items. The case remains under investigation.

“We don’t have everyone’s statements yet,” he said. “There were quite a few units that were broken into.”

Rhonda Lang, a golfer who frequents the Craik course, said she learned of the break-ins on Wednesday. She said all the units were broken into, with all the doors suffering damage.

She said it appears the thief or thieves used a crowbar to rip the padlock off of her storage unit, leaving a hole in the door and breaking the clasp.

“They went through every pocket in the golf bags, as well as the cubby holes in the golf cart,” she said. “The golf GPS unit was stolen. We haven’t thoroughly checked yet to see what else is missing.”

The nine-hole, grass greens course is owned and operated by the Rural Municipality of Craik.

Batteries stolen from dealership

Police are also seeking the public’s help in solving a theft reported at the Young’s Equipment dealership in Davidson earlier in April.

According to a report from police, a male suspect driving a black Audi, believed to be an older model year, stole five batteries from the dealership at the south end of town on April 9.

Police say the man drove the car to the shop’s side door, loaded the 12-volt batteries into the trunk of the car and left the scene.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Craik RCMP detachment or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.

Elbow, featured, Loreburn

New vehicle on display at fire BBQ

Around 100 people attended a barbecue hosted by the Loreburn Volunteer Fire Department on April 20.
Around 100 people attended a barbecue hosted by the Loreburn Volunteer Fire Department on April 20.

By Joel van der Veen

LOREBURN — The latest addition to the Loreburn Volunteer Fire Department was front and centre at a recent fundraising event.

The department recently purchased and outfitted a quick response vehicle, at a cost of $37,000, with support from Enbridge and the Rural Municipality of Loreburn.

The vehicle was on display at a toonie barbecue held April 20 at the fire hall, where over 100 people from Loreburn and district stopped by to check it out and enjoy a quick bite.

Procuring the vehicle was an ongoing project, led by fire chief Steve South, village councillors Grant Abbott, Victor Dutkiewicz and Randy Urlacher, RM employees Dwayne Stamnes and Matt Hauberg, and local resident Ryan Tastad.

The area around Lake Diefenbaker was identified as an “extreme risk” zone by the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS) in its April 20 report.

The report also indicated extreme risk across much of southwestern Saskatchewan, while other areas across the province ranged from moderate to high risk.

The CWFIS report is updated on a daily basis with the risk level for each area fluctuating from day to day.

Both local fire chiefs indicated that their departments both have steady, dependable crews of volunteer firefighters who are accustomed to responding to wildfires.

Loreburn fire chief Steve South said his department already responded to one grass fire in late March, sparked by a burning barrel, and put it out in around an hour and a half.

“It didn’t get too bad or anything like that,” he said, adding that prior to that, it had been six months since the department was last called out. “It’s pretty quiet here, compared to some places, I suppose.”

South, who began serving as a volunteer around 2000, said the department tends to be busier in the summer and fall, noting that the recent dry weather will likely play a factor.

On average, he said, they handle a couple of wildfires each year. The department has around 25 volunteers, said South, adding, “We usually have a pretty good turnout.”

For the full story, please see the May 2 edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson, Loreburn, Sports

U18 Impact wins division gold

Members of the Loreburn Impact 18U pose for a group photo following their Division 2, Tier III win in the 2016 Conexus Provincial Volleyball Championships on April 24.
Members of the Loreburn Impact 18U pose for a group photo following their Division 2, Tier III win in the 2016 Conexus Provincial Volleyball Championships on April 24.

By Joel van der Veen

LOREBURN — A U18 girls club volleyball team drawing players from throughout the district capped their season with a win at a provincial championship last weekend.

On April 24, the Loreburn Impact 18U defeated the Saskatoon Connex 17U following three sets (25-21, 25-27 and 15-8) to take the gold medal in the Division 2, Tier III event in the 2016 Conexus Provincial Volleyball Championships.

Tony Baldwin, who coached the team with Laurice Vollmer and Karen McConnell, said the team’s roster included players from throughout the district, including Imperial, Davidson, Outlook, Loreburn, Dinsmore and Rosetown.

Though there were a total of 10 players, the team rarely had all players present for its tournaments, as most were involved in other activities including basketball, hockey, wrestling and badminton.

“Lots of them are multi-sport athletes,” said Baldwin, noting that the core of the team had played together before, though several new players joined this season.

The coach said the club team was formed with the goal of allowing the girls to enjoy the game, improve their skills and meet new friends, with winning being of secondary importance.

“They’re making friends and having fun, and that’s the goal,” he said. “We were entirely successful on that front. . . That’s the beauty of small-town club volleyball.”

The team competed mostly in tournaments, taking part in six such events, along with a single exhibition game in Rosetown and the provincial event, which ends their season.

All 10 were present for the division final on April 24, and Baldwin said he was pleased with the end result.

Local players on the team included Kaitlyn Baldwin of Davidson, Jacey Sanden and Lynzey Sanden from Loreburn, and Sarah Joa and Harper Rae from Imperial.

Also on the roster were Nikki Larson from Outlook, Kailyn Jensen and Jocelyn Thorpe from Dinsmore, and Chloe Montreuil and Naomi Hanna from Rosetown.