By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — It was Pong all right, but not quite the way Virginia Mireau remembered it.

On Thursday afternoon she watched Grade 6 students Donta Desjarlais and Reggie Heinrich at a computer in their classroom at Davidson School, setting up a sophisticated game of table tennis.

The program — running on a KANO kit computer pieced together by the students — allowed them to customize a wide range of options, from the size and speed of the ball to the type of playfield.

It was a far cry from the black-and-white game she remembered playing on the TV set in her brother’s room decades ago.

But more impressive than the technology was the knowledge and mastery shown by students throughout the school.

“I’m surprised at the depth of understanding, right from Grade 1 on up,” said Mireau, an early learning coach based in Rosetown with Sun West School Division. “It’s apparent that there’s a lot of engagement with the students in the process.”

Mireau was one of roughly 80 guests visiting the school on Thursday afternoon for a school-wide demonstration, showcasing the results of a pilot project that began this fall in Davidson.

“Up to Code” is a program that aims to teach students the basics of computer literacy and introductory coding, by integrating these skills into their everyday curriculum.

It is based on an idea developed by staff members Sandra Baldwin and Arlene Low, who wanted to create a program to help students become fluent in what they called a new literacy and a 21st-century skill.

For the full story, see the May 30 edition of The Davidson Leader, or phone 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Each spring, downtown Davidson comes to life as new flowers are planted along the main street.

For more than a decade, the town’s Communities in Bloom (CIB) committee has been responsible for maintaining these and other green spaces.

Those who walk or drive down Washington Avenue every day sometimes take that work for granted, but it leaves an impression with visitors who come into town off the highway.

“It shows a little bit of pride in your community,” said CIB chairperson Stuart Dougan, adding that the rest stop on Highway 11 — home of the Giant Coffee Pot — is especially popular.

The committee is also responsible for the Centennial Walking Trail that winds around town. More recent projects have included the Bob Crowley Memorial Garden, dedicated in June 2011, and the Memory Tree located next to Davidson’s town hall.

Dougan said the local CIB branch has eight members, including his wife Pat, who serves as secretary-treasurer. In addition, Kim Williams and Mandy Tichit serve as liaisons between the committee and town council.

An area of focus for the committee this year will be the “Community in Motion” signs at the north and south ends of Davidson along Highway 11.

For the full story, see the May 30 edition of The Davidson Leader, or phone 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — After eight years of ministry in Canada, Father Joseph Gyim-Austin will return to his home country of Ghana this summer.

The Catholic priest has served parishioners in the Sacred Heart pastoral region — which includes churches in Davidson, Kenaston, Elbow and Outlook — since December 2008.

Father Joseph, 64, will continue his ministry in his home diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi, where he was ordained in 1981.

After working in Ghana for 17 years, he spent three years in the Aberdeen diocese in Scotland, then came west to Wausau, Wis., in 2001.

He said he witnessed his first snow in Scotland, and after seven years in Wisconsin he was well acquainted with winter weather.

“Saskatchewan has its own weather,” said Father Joseph. “I didn’t have any problem with it, as long as I was able to drive.”

He arrived in Saskatoon in May 2008, spending six months at St. Paul Co-Cathedral, then began his ministry here on Boxing Day of that year.

The priest said he had initially been assigned to Sacred Heart for five years, which was later extended by another three years.

He has visited his home country several times since coming to Davidson. Most recently he was home in 2014 for the installation of a new bishop.

Returning to Ghana had been on his mind, said the priest, adding that the opportunity was there for him when he decided he wanted to go home.

For the full story, see the May 30 edition of The Davidson Leader, or phone 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Trevor Dieno knows full well the power of a brand.

In mid-May, signs went up on the Tim Hortons restaurant still under construction on Highway 11 at the south end of Davidson.

Within minutes, Dieno said, cars were pulling up in search of donuts, deli sandwiches and double-doubles.

“As soon as it was up, there was instant traffic flow,” he said. “They were driving around sawhorses trying to get to the drive thru.”

That alone demonstrates the power of Tim Hortons, perhaps the quintessential Canadian business success story.

The chain, founded in 1964 by the late hockey player for which it is named, now includes more than 3,600 restaurants across Canada.

That number will grow by one more this week, as the Tim Hortons restaurant in Davidson prepares to open its doors to its first customers on May 27.

For the full story, see the May 23 edition of The Davidson Leader, or phone 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — It was a journey through the jungle at Davidson School last weekend, courtesy of Missoula Children’s Theatre and more than 50 local students.

The theatre company returned to Davidson School for a week, working with staff and students to mount a musical production of The Jungle Book.

They worked after school every day from May 9 to 13, presenting the fruit of their labours to a crowd of 240 people on Friday night.

“These guys put together this whole musical with less than 20 hours of rehearsal time with us,” director Jessie Selleck told the audience.

Arlene Low, part of the committee responsible for bringing Missoula to Davidson, said the company offers a valuable opportunity for local students.

“They learn so much about the stage and the skills needed to be part of a theatrical performance,” she said.

For the full story and more photos, see the May 23 edition of The Davidson Leader, or phone 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.