All posts by Tara de Ryk

Craik, featured

Craik kids blown away by Tornado Hunter

Connor Watt and Jaden Wall get a close-up look at the truck used by Chris Chittick and the Tornado Hunters crew.

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — For Chris Chittick, following his dream has taken him to some close calls.

On May 31, 2013, he and his crew were tracking a pair of tornadoes near El Reno, Okla., when the two twisters merged into one.

The resulting storm was two-and-a-half miles wide, the widest ever recorded.

With their camera still running and thousands of people watching the live stream online, driver Ricky Forbes steered their truck into the ditch — their best hope of avoiding the storm.

The truck continued rolling with debris flying all around them, including a two-and-a-half tonne farm truck.

Chittick caught some air as the truck went over a bump, inadvertently closing his laptop computer and cutting off the stream suddenly.

His mom, who was watching online, called him moments later: “I think it’s time for you to grow up, get a real job, become a teacher, baker, whatever.”

But he said he has no plans to give up the life of a full-time storm chaser, saying that even near-misses like the El Reno storm have only served to increase his curiosity and passion.

Chittick, a member of the team from TV’s Tornado Hunters, visited Craik School on Monday morning.

Students, staff and visitors got to see video footage of some extreme storms, along with firsthand stories from Chittick’s unusual career.

They also got to check out one of the two trucks used by Chittick and his team — outfitted with custom equipment and covered with a bulletproof Kevlar composite material.

Chittick, a native of Michigan who now lives in Regina, has been observing nature’s might up-close for nearly 20 years.

He began chasing storms in 1998 while still a university student, driving west during his summer breaks. He spotted his first tornado in southeast Wyoming in 2000.

“I’ve been hooked ever since,” he said. “I’m a big believer in following your dreams, following your passions.”

Continue reading Craik kids blown away by Tornado Hunter →

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Kenny, Paula

Paula Susanna Kenny

Paula Susanna Kenny was born on June 4, 1916 to Jules and Marie LePoudre, and passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2017 at the age of 101. S

he was predeceased by her husband Harold; grandson Lyndon; great-grandson Hayden; sisters Mary, Andrea and Susan; brothers Andre, Paul, Octave and Clifford; and young brothers Andre and Octave in Belgium.

Paula will be lovingly remembered by her children Jean (Bob) Wilson, Gerald (Pat) Kenny, Marlene Chanski and Roy (Corinne) Kenny, 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, sister Leona Gartner and many nieces and nephews.

Paula loved working in her yard and won awards for her beautiful flowers. She planted a garden every year until the age of 99, and many friends and relatives enjoyed her fresh vegetables. Gramma was a cheerleader at many of her grandchildren’s sporting events, and she had a never-ending supply of ice cream, pizza pops and toonies for them. Your memory will live forever in our hearts.

We will dearly miss you, Mother, Gramma and Great-Gramma.

Hanley, Obituary

Obituary: Kolbeck, Drew Rae

Kolbeck, Drew Rae
Sept. 9, 1999 — Sept. 23, 2017

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. Drew leaves to mourn his parents Jeff and Tanya, brothers Dustin and Drayden, grandparents Bill and Diane Byrd, Dan and Kathy Kolbeck; great-grandma Audrey, aunts, uncles, cousins Twila and Dave Livingstone (Parker and Mason), Travis Byrd (Kailey, Trace, Luke) Cyndi, Cori and Mike Hallgrimson (Nic, Jacyln, Mason), Val and Dean Sigurdson (Bret, Josh, Sam), Chris and Jamie Kolbeck (William, Rylan).

Drew was predeceased by Granny Anne and Uncle Nic. Drew lived life fast and played hard with no regrets. His smile and personality lit up the room, he left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Drew loved dirt biking, cat walking, quadding and all extreme sports. Drew loved spending time with his friends. He always told his mom, “It’s not about the miles per gallon, it’s about the smiles per gallon.” We would like to thank the first responders, RUH trauma and ICU teams and Dr. Kelly for the outstanding care and compassion Drew received.

The Vigil of Prayers was held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Kenaston. The Celebration of Life Service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Hanley Centennial Hall, Hanley, Sask.

For those so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Drew may be directed to local charities: Hanley First Responders or the Hanley Fire Hall, with cheques payable to the Town of Hanley. Donations may also be made to the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association.

Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.

 

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Manz, John

John Manz

With heavy hearts we are so sad to announce the passing of John Manz on Sept. 21, 2017.

John fought and hung on as long as he could but it eventually overtook him. He passed away at the Davidson Health Centre with his family by his side.

John was born in Davidson on April 2, 1932. He attended Campbell School and after completing his schooling he started farming and working on the oil rigs. On March 4, 1955 he married Nola Wightman and together they bought the Manz family farm. It was a busy farm that was located near most of his brothers and sisters. His family always helped each other out whether it was butchering, moving machinery, fixing farm equipment . . . they seemed to be there for each other. In dad’s wallet he had a piece of paper with all his brothers’ and sisters’ names, birthdates and when they passed away.

John enjoyed all outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, playing ball, and especially the Manz Family Reunions. He always asked about all his nieces and nephews and took special interest in how they were doing. John was very social and enjoyed being on the go and helping his neighbours, friends and family. He liked to tease and joke around with everyone. He looked forward to having company and a good game of cards. Dad loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and always helped out anyway he could. His many acts of kindness and unconditional support will be hugely missed.

John would want all his family acknowledged: wife Nola Manz; daughters Glenda (Everett) Chester and Noreen (Wayne) Obrigewitsch; son Owen (Mel) Manz; grandchildren Stacy (Josh) Pohlman and Jana Chester and Leslie Chester, Mitchell (Stephanie) Obrigewitsch and Kendra (Chris) Kostyk and Caitlin Obrigewitsch, Justin Manz and Jascia Manz; great-grandchildren Weston and Rylie Pohlman, Ophelia and Bronson Obrigewitsch and Oliver Kostyk; sisters-in-law Joan Manz and Marj Wightman; and lots of nieces and nephews, too many to mention.

John was predeceased by parents John and Caroline Manz; parents-in-law Mary and Ken Wightman; brothers George, Conrad, Leonard, Jim, Jake, Martin, Walter and Eddie; sisters Alma Campbell and Erna Arend; brothers-in-law John Campbell and Joe Arend; and sisters-in-law Elsie, Emma, Joyce, Jackie, Madeline, Shirley and Helen.

A celebration of life will be held at Noreen and Wayne’s farm with immediate family. Memorial donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Davidson Health Centre. The family placed their trust in Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson.

Davidson, featured

Victim’s mom: tougher action needed on dangerous dogs

Danielle Sweet and her son Dominic stand outside their home in Davidson.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Without another word, Danielle Sweet dropped her phone, ran out the door and hopped in the car.

There was no stopping her.

She’d been told her son, 12-year-old Dominic, had been bit by a dog. For the moment, she didn’t need to know anything else.

“He’s my baby,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I just knew he got bit.”

Dominic had been playing in the yard outside a friend’s house on Grant Street when someone opened the door, allowing the dog inside — a pit bull-mastiff cross, about two years old — to slip out.

Within seconds, the dog had chased Dominic out of the yard. A man quickly managed to pin the dog, but not before the damage was done.

By the time his mother arrived, a neighbour had driven Dominic to the Davidson Health Centre. He had been bitten twice — once on his upper leg, and a second, deeper bite on his right arm, just below his elbow.

Danielle said her son was treated by Dr. Lang, receiving multiple stitches, inside and out.

More than a month after the Aug. 15 incident, Dominic’s arm is healing, slowly but surely.

“It only hurt for the first couple of days,” he said last week, pulling back his sleeve to reveal the fading but still visible scar.

Danielle said she’s still frustrated and angry about what happened, as well as what she called a slow response by local officials.

“I don’t want people to get hurt,” she said. “It’s not right. If they can’t control their animals, then they shouldn’t have them.”

A number of recent dog attacks have prompted Davidson town council to revisit the town’s animal control bylaw.

Town councillors agreed that the bylaw should be revised to allow faster action on the town’s part when an animal is deemed a threat.

Speaking during Tuesday’s council meeting, Coun. Gord Cross said he’d like to see it strengthened, to “put some teeth in it.”

His colleagues agreed, including Coun. Jessica Foster, who said, “I have zero tolerance for that in a community that’s this size.”

Assistant administrator Donna Bessey told council that town employees have to adhere to the animal control bylaw when a complaint is received about a potentially dangerous animal.

This often requires a hearing, attended by a judge, to determine whether or not the animal in question is dangerous.

The process must be followed unless the animal attacks a person or another domestic animal, in which case the owner is guilty of an offense.

“We are doing what we can,” Bessey told council, adding that she wanted to see changes made “so we can move swifter on it.” Continue reading Victim’s mom: tougher action needed on dangerous dogs →

Davidson, featured

Town, Kinsmen reap rewards from canola crop

Juri Klotz, a technician at Western Sales in Davidson, is operating this combine that’s straight-cutting the canola crop on the Town of Davidson’s pivot land. Western Sales and Davidson Kinsmen completed the harvest on the community project Sept. 15. Proceeds from the crop will be split between the Kinsmen and the Town of Davidson.

By Tara de Ryk

DAVIDSON — Canola has paid off for the Town of Davidson and for Davidson Kinsmen.

Yields were about 44 bushels to the acre, according to results of the 2017 harvest of the town’s irrigation pivot land, which wrapped up Sept. 15.

The crop made a profit, proceeds of which — about $50,000 — will be split between the Kinsmen and the town.

“This year was fantastic,” said Rob Warkentin, a FieldSmart agrologist with Western Sales in Davidson.

For seven years Warkentin’s been overseeing the agronomy on the town land, which is a joint initiative of Western Sales, Davidson Kinsmen and the Town of Davidson that began in 2011.

It’s become a sort of science project for him and the rest of the team behind the community initiative. Continue reading Town, Kinsmen reap rewards from canola crop →