All posts by Tara de Ryk

Davidson, featured

Al-Katib featured in pulsating picture

A strong Davidson contingent attended the premiere of “Changing the Pulse of the Province” in Saskatoon on Aug. 30. Pictured are (from left) Serra, Murad and Michelle Al-Katib, Vanna Gay Shaw, Angela and Jason Shaw, Monica and Gerrid Gust, Arlene and Jason Low, Corla Rokochy, Betty Crowley and Stephanie Prpick-Boss.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Murad Al-Katib was on the edge of his seat as he waited for the movie to start.

And with good reason: the film he was about to watch was telling his own story.

“Changing the Pulse of the Province,” a 27-minute documentary, premiered Aug. 30 at the Persephone Theatre at Saskatoon’s Remai Arts Centre.

The film was the third entry in the Popcorn and Entrepreneurship series, produced by the North Saskatoon Business Association.

The movie tells the story of Al-Katib, who was born and raised in Davidson, and the company he founded, AGT Food and Ingredients.

The company distributes lentils, chickpeas and other crops to more than 120 countries internationally, generating $2 billion a year in revenue.

Though he was interviewed extensively for the movie, Al-Katib said he had no say in the final cut and had to wait for the premiere like everyone else.

In the last year, Al-Katib has received two international awards, beginning with the Business for Peace Award, presented in a gala in Oslo, Norway on May 16.

On June 10, he accepted the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 award at a ceremony in Monaco.

This string of events may have given some the perception that Al-Katib actively seeks the spotlight, but he said the truth is actually the opposite of that.

“I don’t like the accolades and all of that all the time,” he told the Leader, characterizing himself as a humble, hard-working guy who “just did my job.”

He said he hopes the film will serve as an inspiration to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Continue reading Al-Katib featured in pulsating picture →

featured, Hanley, Sports

Sabers beat Viscount 72-21 to open season

Hanley’s Parker Mooney (23) heads off Viscount’s Bryce Welter (8) during Thursday’s senior football game.

By Joel van der Veen

HANLEY — A 72-21 win in their home opener gave the Hanley Sabers a solid start to their new season.

Hanley hosted the Viscount Vikings on Thursday in 1A six-man senior football action.

Though the visiting team remained competitive through the first half, the Sabers led throughout and ran away with the game in the fourth quarter, in which they added 30 points to their score.

While he was pleased with the outcome, Sabers coach Mark Anderson also said there was lots of work ahead for the team.

In particular, he said there was room for improvement with the team’s offensive line, saying they displayed skill but needed to work on their timing.

“On offence we have so many new starters,” said Anderson. “They’re just not clicking yet.”

The coach said he was feeling positive, given the team Hanley has this year and the high level of commitment they are showing.

“They’re into it fully,” he said, adding, “We’ve got to play faster and we’ve got to play tougher.” Continue reading Sabers beat Viscount 72-21 to open season →

Craik, featured

Gymkhana, horse pulls draw crowd to Craik

Emily Dixon competes in the pole bending event hosted by the Craik Ag Committee on Sept. 2.

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — A good time was guaranteed, and the Craik Ag Committee worked its hardest to deliver on that promise.

“Saddle Up, Shut Up and Hold On Tight” drew hundreds to the Craik fairgrounds on Sept. 2.

The afternoon event included horse pulls and gymkhana, with open and youth categories. A cold plate supper and cowboy social followed the main event.

“We were super happy with how it turned out,” said Kourtney Dixon, president of the revived Craik ag committee. “The people that have come out and supported us is phenomenal . . . We couldn’t ask for better.”

Dixon said roughly 200 paying guests went through the gate, in addition to children 10 and under, who were admitted free of charge.

The Craik ag committee became active again last year after going dormant in the early 1990s.

With permission from town council, they rebuilt the riding arena “from the ground up,” in Dixon’s words.

The arena measures 120 feet by 235 feet. Standing next to it is a building that houses the announcer’s booth and concession stand, along with a fenced-in area serving as the beer gardens.

The project was supported by a grant from Federated Co-op Ltd., as well as various local sponsors, whose names are carved into wooden planks that line the outer walls of the arena. Continue reading Gymkhana, horse pulls draw crowd to Craik →

Craik, Obituary

Obituary: McGinnis, Anne

 

Anne McGinnis (née Hrechka)
January 9th, 1949 — September 5th, 2017

Anne McGinnis passed away on Tuesday, September 5th, 2017 with her family by her side. Anne was born on January 9th, 1949 in Peesane, Sask. She was predeceased by her parents John and Stella; sister Mary Noren; brothers-in-law Jerry Noren and Leo Shull; sisters-in-law Mary Hrechka and Bev Hrechka; and father-in-law Earl McGinnis.

Anne leaves behind the love of her life, Bill McGinnis, whom she married on June 11th, 1966. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters: Wanda (Dean Sunley), Wendy (Steve Sanden), and Wanesa (Bill Dell); her grandchildren: Hailey, Jenna and Hope Sunley, Josh, Aiden and Hanna Sanden, and Paige and April Dell, who all meant everything to her; her sister Kathy Shull; brothers Mike (Darlene) and Bill Hrechka; as well as many nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed.

In keeping with Anne’s wishes, a private family service will be held at a later date. Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations in Anne’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550, www.moosejawfuneralhome.com.

featured, Strongfield

Strongfield to rebuild curling rink

The Strongfield curling rink was destroyed in a wind storm on July 20.

By Joel van der Veen

STRONGFIELD — If you rebuild it, they will come back.

That’s what organizers in Strongfield are hoping, as they press forward with plans to replace the village curling rink, weeks after it was knocked down in a windstorm on July 20.

The rink, a popular destination for more than 50 years, drew crowds each week for curling and community suppers during the winter months.

Village officials say the insurance payout from the old rink should largely cover the cost of building a simple structure that is roughly the same size, allowing curling to resume for the coming season.

The council and recreation board have both indicated their support for the project, as have the volunteers who keep the rink running each year.

“They’re completely in favour to rebuild,” said Amanda Glubis, one of six members on the village rec board. “They know it’s an important part of our community.”

A public meeting to discuss the rink’s future on Aug. 24 drew about 30 people, many of them from other communities on Line 19.

Mayor Jeff Vollmer said most in attendance were in support of rebuilding, though others questioned the long-term viability of a curling rink in Strongfield.

Some were under the impression that the village would be taking out a loan to pay for the new structure, the mayor said, adding, “A lot of people were thinking that their taxes were going to go up.”

He said the insurance payout should pay for the building itself, while fundraising will pay for finishing touches further down the road.

For the full story, please see the Sept. 4 edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

 

Craik, Davidson, featured

Local Cadets return from glider school

Local Air Cadet Sgt. Emily Jones (second from right) spent six weeks at the Cadet Flying Training Centre in Gimli, Man.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — As they turn 16, many kids are aiming to pass their driver’s test and hit the road for the first time.

But Sgt. Jacob Heinrich found himself at the controls of a slightly different vehicle.

Heinrich, a Davidson resident, was at the Cadet Flying Training Centre (CFTC) in Gimli, Man., training on the Schweizer SGS 2-33A glider.

On Aug. 3, the day he turned 16, he went for his first solo flight, after weeks of flying with instructors.

“It kind of hits you and you’re like, ‘I’m up here alone,’” Heinrich recalled. “I’m not sure I know how to explain it . . . It feels quite cool.”

“It’s pretty awesome when you’re up in the air,” said his comrade, Sgt. Emily Jones of Craik. “It’s like nobody else is around.”

The two cadets attended the centre from mid-July to late August to train on the glider.

Both Heinrich and Jones began their Cadet careers with 553 Sherlock Squadron in Davidson, later transferring to 40 Snowbird Squadron in Moose Jaw after 553 was re-organized due to low enrolment.

They began the application process for the flying training centre last fall, which included ground school, a qualifying exam, and interviews with a selection board.

A total of 65 Cadets attended the centre this summer, most of them coming from the Prairie region.

“It was a very action-packed summer,” said Heinrich.

For the full story, please see the Sept. 4 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.