All posts by Tara de Ryk

Cyclones bust Balcarres Broncs

DAVIDSON—Davidson Cyclones busted the Balcarres Broncs last Tuesday to advance to the Senior A South Semi-final against the Bethune Bulldogs.
Cyclones goalie Mark Zoerb shutout the Broncs to give his team the 5-0 win in Game 3 of the best of three-game series.
Cody Danberg (Pat Cey and Kyle Bortis) scored in the first minute of the game to put the Cyclones up 1-0.
While on the powerplay four minutes into the second period, Cey, from Zach Sim and Bortis, scored to give Davidson a two-goal advantage. Less than a minute later Carter Smith, from Derek Allan, padded the lead to 3-0. With eight minutes left in the period Bortis (Cey and Danberg) scored the Cyclones’ fourth unanswered goal of the game, ending Broncs’ goalie David Spooner’s night in net. The goalie change failed to turn the game to Balcarres’ favour. Bortis got his second goal of the game while the Cyclones were on the powerplay.
This would be the last goal of the night. The third period remained scoreless and Davidson skated away with the 5-0 win.
The Cyclones outplayed and out-hustled Balcarres throughout the game. The Broncs were noticeably out of gas and Spooner, who turned away 66 shots in Game 1 showed he is mortal.
“I think they wanted to try and win it in Balcarres the night before,” Cyclones coach Jason Shaw said.
This go-for-broke approach to Game 2 in Balcarres Feb. 16 cost the Broncs. Balcarres had a 2-0 lead late in the first period before Carter Smith, from Brett Ward, put Davidson on the scoreboard with 15 seconds remaining.
The score remained 2-1 well into the second period before Balcarres scored again to take a short-lived 3-1 lead. Seconds later, Brett Siroski, from Colton Allan, scored to close the gap. The Broncs came out in the third period with an early goal while on the powerplay for a 4-2 lead.
It looked as though the Broncs were on their way to a win and about to sweep the Cyclones out of provincials. Davidson, who had outshot Balcarres 32-17 by the end of the second period kept firing and wore Spooner down.
Sim scored first and then Cey had the tying goal. With three minutes remaining, Smith potted the go-ahead goal and Jason Schneider had the empty netter with 19 seconds remaining for the 6-4 win.
The Cyclones were in Bethune Sunday for Game 1 of the best of three South Semi-Final series. Game 2 is in Davidson this Thursday.

BSE case discovered in Alberta beef cow

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed late Thursday that a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a beef cow from Alberta.
No part of the animal’s carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems, CFIA reports.
This is Canada’s first confirmed case of BSE since 2011 and was detected through the national BSE surveillance program. BSE is a progressive, fatal neurological disease in cattle.
The agency has launched an investigation and is working with provincial and industry partners. As part of the investigation, the CFIA is seeking to confirm the age of the animal, its history and how it became infected. The investigation will focus in on the feed supplied to the animal during the first year of its life. The agency will also trace out all animals of equivalent risk and have them destroyed and tested for BSE.
Canada remains a “controlled BSE risk” country as recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health and this case should not affect current exports of Canadian cattle or beef.
In 2003 a case of BSE was discovered on a farm and as a result, the countries closed their borders to Canadian beef. The Canadian cattle industry has been rebuilding ever since.
BSE is thought to spread when cattle eat feed containing protein rendered from brains and spines of infected cattle and sheep. The practice was banned in 1997 and in 2007 the CFIA tightened feed rules to help eliminate the disease in Canada within 10 years.

Craik rallies to save health services

By Kevin Gilby
CRAIK—The Craik Saving Our Health Care task force recently announced their plans to hold two noon-hour rallies in the coming weeks to maintain and restore their health services. The first rally is schedule for Feb. 27 near the Craik Health Centre and the second on March 2, in the city of Regina on the first day the legislature is back in session.
The task force, composed of community members appointed by Craik’s Mayor and RM of Craik Reeve, have been meeting almost daily to discuss plans to secure their physician and their health centre against what they consider “the brunt ax of the bureaucrats.”
In preparation for the rallies, the group has been generating slogans for picket signs and planning the logistics to unify the voices of the community and area. The public is invited to join them and march near the Craik Health Centre to both show their support to the centre staff and physician, and to express their demands to be heard by the government and health regions.
The group has scheduled a bus to transport community and area members to Regina departing from the Craik Community Rink at 9:30 a.m. for the March 2 rally. Members of Central Butte have already agreed to join the rally in Regina.
In a Thursday news release, the task force summarized their continued concerns regarding negotiations for doctor coverage and for the support of the Craik Health Centre. The release also highlighted their plans on how to amplify their message in the following weeks.
As part of their effort, they have invited the leaders of all political parties in Saskatchewan to visit the community and health centre and meet with the community leaders.
Task force representative David Ashdown said, “We’ve invited the leaders of all four political parties to come talk to us and, in that way, we are trying to send a message that we are trying to make this an election issue.”
To read more, please see the Feb. 16 print edition of The Davidson Leader. To subscribe, email davidsonleader@sasktel.net

Winter road warriors trek across Canada

WinterbikerswebBy Tara de Ryk
KENASTON—Rare is the day when a dinky Honda C90 turns the head of a Harley Davidson man.
That day came last Monday for Bill Hannah who was all agog at the sight of two of those puny rides parked at the pumps of the PetroCan station in Kenaston.
“No windscreens,” Bill exclaimed, still excited about seeing the motorcycles, which look like a cross between a moped and a Vespa scooter. He was amazed that someone would venture out for a ride on the windswept Prairie in February.
He was even more impressed after going into the PetroCan and meeting their owners Rachel Lasham and Ed March, who are in the midst of a two continent trek from Alaska to Argentina.
“I got excited. I phoned home to Erna (his wife) and told her, ‘You won’t believe what I’ve seen,’” Bill says, adding it was cold out, about minus 22.
Lasham and March are from England and a couple months ago, they shipped their Honda C90s to Anchorage, Alaska, the start of their trip south to Argentina. When they reached Vancouver, they decided to veer off their planned course and make a cross-Canada trip as well, which is how they ended up in Kenaston Feb. 9.
“I walked into the PetroCan, they are nice young kids, I talked to them and took two pictures. I can’t believe what I saw.”
Bill said he and Erna both ride Harleys and he talked to Lasham and March about motorcycling.
“Bikers always connect with other bikers,” Bill said.
Hannah admits to feeling a little soft after meeting the two Brits. Bill said he and Erna ride in the summer when the roads are dry and free of ice and snow. They also ride Harley Davidson Road Kings and likely wouldn’t want to trade nearly 1600cc of power and cruising comfort for the Honda Cub’s 90ccs of output.

Liam & Emma’s popularity continues reign

Liam and Emma continue their reign as the most popular baby names, according to eHealth Saskatchewan, who last Wednesday, released the top 20 baby names for 2014.
Liam was the most popular baby name for the fifth year in a row for baby boys and Emma was the most popular girl’s name for the last six years for babies born in Saskatchewan. The second most popular names were William and Olivia.
There were 79 baby boys named Liam in 2014, followed by William, Noah, Mason and Jacob. There were 75 baby girls named Emma, followed by Olivia, Sophia, Emily and Ava.
To date there are 15,773 live births registered in Saskatchewan in 2014, which is an increase from 15,222 births in 2013. These numbers do not include Saskatchewan mothers who gave birth outside of the province. 
The 15,773 live births of 2014 is the highest since 1990, when 16,094 were registered.
The top 20 girl names, in order of popularity, were: Emma, Olivia, Sophia, Emily, Ava, Brooklyn, Avery, Sadie, Ella, Lily, Chloe, Zoey, Isabella, Abigail, Sarah, Aria, Harper, Hannah, Claire and Ellie.
The top 20 boy names, in order of popularity were: Liam, William, Noah, Mason, Jacob, Logan, Carter, Hudson, Lucas, Alexander, Jack, Jaxon, Oliver, Hunter, Luke, Lincoln, Samuel, Owen, Benjamin and Ethan.

LePoudre

Julius Paul LePoudre
Julius LePoudre of Annaheim passed away suddenly on January 21, 2015.
He is survived by his loving family: partner, Madeleine; children Paul (Shyra), Angela (Kevin), Jeff (Cindy); stepchildren Nicole (Daryl), Jennifer (Clint); 12 adored grandchildren; mother-in-law Doris Nixon; brother-in-law Gary Nixon; brother Daniel (Joanne), sisters Shirley (Harvey), Deborah (Clarke), Darlene (Wayne) and numerous other family members.
Julius was predeceased by his loving wife Sharon, parents Paul and Gabrielle, father-in-law, Floyd Nixon, numerous other family members and several fellow musicians.
Julius was born on September 26, 1946, the oldest child of Paul and Gabrielle LePoudre. He grew up on a farm east of Davidson enjoying his childhood years with his four siblings. It was during his childhood years that Julius was taught to play the guitar which would be one of his greatest passions throughout the remainder of his life.
On July 26, 1968 Julius married Sharon Nixon from Craik and they set up their home on a farm near his parents. Julius and Sharon loved the farm where they enjoyed the many aspects of farm life.
In March of 1979, a three-month-old baby boy came to stay with Julius and Sharon and became their precious son Paul. Soon a baby girl was hoped for and in July 1982 she arrived – just five days old- their beautiful Angela Marie. Throughout the years Julius and Sharon opened their hearts and home to so many children. They had so much love to give and were always reaching out.
In April of 1994 Sharon was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly she lost her courageous battle and passed away September of 1996. Julius found work outside of farming at Doepker Industries in Annaheim. After completing their school year, his children followed him and Annaheim became their home. Several years later he met Madeleine. Life was full. Julius had many great passions: his family, his friends and sharing his love of music with so many people throughout his lifetime.
Prayers were held Monday, January 26. The Mass of Christian Burial was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 27 with Rev. Father Joseph Gyim-Austin officiating. Interment followed in the family plot, Davidson Cemetery. Lunch was served by the CWL. Hanson’s Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
Memorial Mass was held in St. Ann’s Church in Annaheim, Saturday, January 31, Father Richard Meidl OSB officiating. Lunch and Musical Celebration followed in the Annaheim Town Hall.
If family or friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to: The Sask. Music Educators Assoc., the Sask. Music Festival Assoc., or to a charity of choice.