Category Archives: Davidson

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Doyle, Harold

web-obit-doyleHarold Stanley Doyle
March 3, 1931 — November 7, 2016

Harold Doyle passed through the final stage of his life on November 7, 2016 at 85 years of age. He is survived by his spouse, Gail Sitwell. He is also survived by his seven children: Marilyn (Greg) Miscavish, Reenie (Terry) Scott, Christine Doyle, Wesley Doyle, Karen (Dennis) Anderson, Colleen Doyle and Sheila Doyle. He is lovingly remembered by his brother Lorne Doyle (Marianne) and his 15 grandchildren: Leah, Lori, Lindsay, Scott, Jolene, Ronda, Jeffrey, Joni, Krista, Torry, Daniel, Jesse, Alicia, PJ and Shannon. Harold has 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Marjorie and Lawrence Doyle; his sister Florence Lock and his young brother Leslie Doyle. Harold spent the majority of his life in Davidson, Sask. He was a proud farmer and loved his animals, crops and being outdoors. He had many interests over the years, including hunting, flying his airplane, painting, carving, playing the piano, golfing, skiing, horseshoes, and curling, to name a few. He will be remembered for his love of family, his appreciation for the wonders of nature, and for his adventurous and creative spirit. A memorial service took place at New Life Pentecostal Assembly on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. We thank Davidson Health Centre staff and Dr. Ola for Harold’s care during his final years.

Davidson, featured

Davidson kids fill gift boxes at packing party

From left, Grade 3 students Mason Berry, Sam Kinder, Emry Palmer and Ella Saclao pick items for their boxes on Wednesday for the Operation Christmas Child program at Davidson School.
From left, Grade 3 students Mason Berry, Sam Kinder, Emry Palmer and Ella Saclao pick items for their boxes on Wednesday for the Operation Christmas Child program at Davidson School.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — For a few hours on Wednesday, the elementary wing of Davidson School looked more like Santa’s workshop.

Workers were running to and fro, filling brightly coloured shoeboxes with toys, clothes and other items, collected in their classrooms over the past week.

A total of 107 boxes, packed and ready to go, were brought to the mini gym following the packing party on Wednesday afternoon.

In weeks to come, they will be transported to a regional dropoff point, then delivered to Ukraine and presented to dozens of underprivileged children through the Operation Christmas Child (OCC) program, operated by Samaritan’s Purse.

Dave and Colleen Spelliscy, who serve as local contacts for the program, were thrilled with the response from Davidson students.

The Spelliscys, longtime supporters of OCC, travelled to Costa Rica in May with a group that distributed 400 shoeboxes there.

This fall, they visited several classes in Davidson, showing pictures from their trip and talking about the shoebox program.

Further meetings with teachers paved the way for the school to participate in the program. Students were invited to bring in their donations in the days leading up to the packing party.

While the reaction to the idea was varied at first, teachers and students alike grew more excited over time, Dave said.

“It’s just phenomenal,” he said Wednesday, as he filled paper bags with popcorn for the students as a show of appreciation for their efforts.

“They’ve overwhelmed us with their generosity and their love for these kids all over the world,” said Colleen. “I don’t know if there’s a thank you big enough.”

For the full story and more photos, see the Nov. 21 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured

Second dentist to join Davidson clinic

Dr. Tatiana Novoselova
Dr. Tatiana Novoselova

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — It’s been a long journey from Kyrgyzstan to Davidson for Dr. Tatiana Novoselova.

The dentist, who emigrated from the former Soviet state to Canada in 1997, is set to join Dr. Abe Chaukla at the Davidson Dental Clinic, practising there part-time.

Dr. Novoselova told the Leader that she has visited the clinic a couple of times, getting to know the staff and seeing what a typical day looks like.

“I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “I spent time in the office and I know what I am getting into.”

Her homeland of Kyrgyzstan was part of the U.S.S.R. until its breakup in 1991. The dentist was born and raised there, and enjoyed a stable upbringing with both of her parents employed.

But changes were on the horizon in the early 1990s, with economic instability on the rise, and ethnic and cultural tension building.

“I just saw no future for myself there,” she said. “I had my dreams and I didn’t see that I could fulfill them in the country at that time.”

For the full story, please see the Nov. 14 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Doyle, Harold

web-obit-doyleHAROLD STANLEY DOYLE

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Harold Doyle, our father, grandfather, brother and uncle on Nov. 7. Harold was born March 3, 1931 and lived his life in Davidson where he proudly farmed for most of his life.

He will be missed by his seven children and their spouses, 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, his brother Lorne and Marianne, nephews and nieces and extended family.

In honour of our Dad, the family is planning a celebration of his life next summer with a gathering at the family farm. Date will be announced later.

Davidson, featured

Farmers scrambling to finish fall harvest

Harvest remains underway in the district as seen in this photo taken along Highway 44 about 15 km west of Davidson on Nov. 6.
Harvest remains underway in the district as seen in this photo taken along Highway 44 about 15 km west of Davidson on Nov. 6.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — In a normal year, the crops would be in around Thanksgiving, and by November most farmers would already be looking ahead to the next season.

But 2016 hasn’t been a normal year.

“Snow in October just changes the whole ball game,” said farmer Daniel LePoudre. “We were just ready for harvest and came to a clean stop. . . That was a challenging spot.”

LePoudre is part of a four-member operation under the name LePoudre Bros., including his sons Nathaniel and Garrett, himself and David Gauthier.

Like many farmers in the district, he’s closing the book on a frustrating month.

A dump of wet snow during the first week of October put harvest on hold for many producers in the area.

Those who had yet to complete the harvest could make only limited progress, given the level of moisture, softer ground and lack of sunlight.

As of Nov. 1, the LePoudre Bros. had several hundred acres still waiting to be harvested, including canola — some straight-cut, some swathed — and some oats.

“We’ve been able to do a little bit of combining,” said Daniel last week. “The boys have to cut pretty close to the ground.”

For the full story, see the Nov. 7 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured, Sports

Cyclones open season with OT loss to Watrous

Josh Sim of the Davidson Cyclones and Craig McCallum of the Watrous Winterhawks battle for the puck during Wednesday's game.
Josh Sim of the Davidson Cyclones and Craig McCallum of the Watrous Winterhawks battle for the puck during Wednesday’s game.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A 4-3 loss in overtime to Watrous marked the start of the Davidson Cyclones’ regular season.

The team hosted the Winterhawks on Wednesday at the Communiplex with an estimated crowd of 140 in attendance.

Cyclones manager Kirk Johnson said it was a good showing, given that the team had no pre-season games and little time on the ice together.

“We had one practice in town together and we had one skate in the city,” he said, adding that the team is starting to “get the rust off and get going.”

He described Wednesday’s game as a back-and-forth competition, noting that the Cyclones were unable to take advantage of multiple power plays in the third period.

For the full story, see the Nov. 7 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.