All posts by Tara de Ryk

Craik, featured

Guests travel through time at Prairie Pioneer Museum

Kevin Chambers tries his hand at writing with a quill pen while Christel Keiser provides instructions at the Prairie Pioneer Museum in Craik on July 9. Chambers was visiting from Simcoe, Ont., with other relatives; his mother, Maurie Mayer, is the niece of John Ackland of Craik.

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — Dip the pen into the inkwell, let the excess ink run off, and don’t press too hard.

As guests made their way through the schoolroom at the Prairie Pioneer Museum, Christel Keiser invited them to try writing their name with a quill pen, offering gentle instructions to each one.

It’s a delicate art, and some mastered it more quickly than others.

It was all part of a trip through time for visitors on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The Craik museum hosted a Fun Day on July 9, featuring a barbecue lunch, entertainment, tours, special displays and raffle prizes.

Guests were invited to make their way through the six buildings that make up the museum, checking out hundreds of artifacts that span more than a century of Prairie farm and town life.

A special display featured mourning items from the collection of Nancy Spencer, including lace and other pieces made from human hair, some dating as far back as the U.S. Civil War.

Spencer said she began collecting these items around 1970. After her grandmother died, she inherited a ring made with hair, and the collection has continued from there.

“I just find all this very fascinating,” she said. “I think it’s something people should remember.”

The items on display included beadwork made by Belgian nuns. Other items came from Switzerland, France and the U.S.

Spencer explained to guests how each of the items were used to commemorate and honour the dead — such as a clock with lace draped over it, with the pendulum stopped to mark the time of death.

Sweet Pea the Clown, visiting from Moose Jaw, made balloon animals for the kids in attendance.

Hamburgers and hot dogs were served, and donated prizes were raffled off.

Pauline Dixon, who serves as secretary on the museum board, said a total of 123 burgers were sold. She estimated that about 130 people attended altogether.

“It wasn’t as many as usual,” she said, adding that some guests stopped by to grab a hamburger or buy raffle tickets, but didn’t stay around. “It was just too hot.”

For the full story, please see the July 17 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

featured, Mistusinne

Mistusinne plants mini forest to mark Canada’s 150th

A new miniature forest planted at Mistusinne features 150 Scots pines of varying sizes in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday.

By Joel van der Veen

MISTUSINNE — All around the Lake Diefenbaker region are countless places to play.

But when a group of Mistusinne residents began planning their new project, they had a different purpose in mind.

The resort village recently christened Canada 150 Park, featuring a miniature forest of 150 Scots pine trees.

The park houses two clusters of trees with a meadow in the centre, where the native prairie grass is allowed to flourish and grow.

A winding path runs through the park, with signs and a bench where guests can sit and enjoy the view of Lake Diefenbaker.

Lynne Saas, chair of the village’s Canada 150 committee, was clear about their intentions.

“This isn’t a park for people to play in,” said Saas. “Good heavens, our whole village is a place for people to play . . . This is more (about) giving back to Mother Nature.”

The Resort Village of Mistusinne began to take shape in 1967, after the completion of Gardiner Dam and the resulting formation of Lake Diefenbaker. The village, located beside the lake, was incorporated in 1980.

Several groves of trees were planted, but over the years, many of these trees died prematurely.

Saas said a report prepared for the village decades ago stated that human interference, including improper pruning and tilling, played a role in the trees’ early demise.

After Saas wrote a proposal last year, the committee received a Canada 150 grant of $10,000, with matching funds contributed by the village.

The nine-member committee began working to establish a new forest that would replace a grove of dead trees and stumps.

For the full story, please see the July 17 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Andreas, Albert

Andreas, Albert

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Albert Andreas. He battled a short, painful fight with pancreatic cancer.

Albert was born September 16, 1937 to Nick and Barbara Andreas. He grew up on the family farm, seven miles east of Girvin, with three brothers and three sisters.

Albert married Arlene Martin on November 7, 1964 and they had three children. Family was what Albert loved to do. Albert and Arlene enjoyed raising their children on the farm where Albert was raised. Once Albert retired, they moved to Davidson. His favourite pastimes were playing pool or a good game of cards. He would quite often have luck on his side and obtain high cards at bridge.

Albert was always willing to lend a hand. He had a knack for fixing things and he often helped. It may have taken him some time and some thinking “outside the box” but it always came back to us in working condition.

Albert was predeceased by his wife Arlene, son Darcy, brother Frank and brother-in-law Jim.

He is survived by his daughters Roxanne (Paul) and Caron (Orrin); grandchildren Alysha (Bruce), Kristina, Nicholas, Nathan, Maria, Noel, Rachael and Eve; brothers Raymond (Beatrice), Ross (Catherine); sisters Shirley (Max), Helen and Doris (John) and numerous nieces and nephews.

We will miss you Dad.

Hanley, Obituary

Obituary: Olson, Timothy

Timothy Olson
1960 — 2017

The family of Timothy Olson of Hanley, Sask., is broken-hearted to announce his passing in Saskatoon, Sask., on July 12, 2017 after a short battle with cancer. Tim was a hard-working, down-to-earth man who loved his family and would do anything for them or anyone else. Tim was predeceased by his father Kenneth Olson. He is survived by his wife Hazel Martens; his children Matt (Kellie), Amanda, Skye and Erik (Kaitlyn); his stepchildren Eric (Becky), Clayton (Jori) and Leah Martens; grandchildren Laryssa, Rylee, Preston, Addley, Jackson, Jessa, Lexi and Olivia; his mother Mary Olson; siblings Greg (Gwen), Margie (Barry) Toman, Julie (Darren) Deobald and Dan (Brenda) as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

A celebration of Tim’s life funeral service will be held at the Hanley Centennial Community Hall on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Andy Gilkinson presiding.

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

Davidson

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Davidson, featured

New monument pays tribute to servicemen and women

Gordon McRae shakes hands with Second World War veteran Alf Stulberg shortly after the unveiling of the monument in front of Davidson Town Hall on July 1.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — More than 600 men and women from Davidson and district have served their country in uniform since the start of the First World War.

Their names will live on, engraved on a granite monument that was unveiled July 1 during the town’s Canada 150 festivities.

Roughly 150 people were present for the ceremony on Saturday afternoon outside Davidson Town Hall, where the monument was installed on June 19.

Gordon McRae, president of Branch 51 of the Royal Canadian Legion, said the idea for the monument originated close to a decade ago.

He and the late Fran Stone had discussed building a monument to all those who had served — complementing the existing cenotaph, which honours the fallen of the First and Second World Wars.

McRae began working on the project in earnest after Stone died in August 2014.

“These names shall never disappear, but will go down in history forever,” he said during the ceremony, amidst blistering heat.

Joining McRae for the unveiling was Alf Stulberg, the town’s last remaining Second World War veteran, and Alf’s grandson Trevor Bessey.

Stulberg, who will turn 96 in August, thanked those who had attended the ceremony, adding, “It’s a good thing we have Gordon here to keep us going.”

Gladys Junop served as emcee for the program, which began with the singing of “O Canada,” led by Geena Heinrich.

Comrade Wayne Morrison directed the colour party carrying the flags, with guests invited to follow as a parade behind them.

The group marched eastward down Washington Avenue past the monument, turning around at the end of the block and walking back.

Lavonne Lyke spoke on behalf of Arm River MLA Greg Brkich, who had left following the Saturday parade to attend another event within his constituency. She expressed his thanks to the Legion and its members.

Mayor Tyler Alexander also spoke briefly, expressing appreciation to McRae in particular, for his efforts in keeping the Legion branch active in the face of declining membership.

Atel Concrete, Ltd., of Saskatoon donated the concrete for the base and a short sidewalk leading up to it, which was installed by Tom Vanghel.

For the full story, please see the July 10 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.