featured, Kenaston

Friends roast Firby on retirement

Barry Firby reacts to a remark by Manitoba Senator Don Plett during a charity roast in honour of his retirement, held June 17 at Kenaston Place.

By Joel van der Veen

KENASTON — The guest list ran the gamut from farmers and businessmen to MLAs, MPs and senators.

They were all there for one purpose — to take Barry Firby down a peg in the name of charity.

Close to 250 people were gathered at Kenaston Place on June 17 for a charity retirement roast, with Firby, a longtime coach, political and community organizer, as the “Man of the Hour.”

Firby, 70, and his family organized the event to celebrate his impending retirement from politics, and to support a couple of causes near to his heart.

He told the Leader he was pleased with the response and turnout, adding that there were no hard feelings.

“A roast, of course, is a bit of a different format,” he said. “Everything was meant to entertain. . . We said there was no holds barred, and it was fine.”

His daughter Mackenzie said they began planning the event at Christmas, inspired in part by a previous roast held in honour of the late Senator Doug Finley.

She acknowledged there was some risk involved: “You plan a big event like that . . . You don’t really know what they’re going to say.”

 

Proceeds from the evening are being divided equally between two causes.

Half will be donated to the Kenaston Community Recreation Board, which works to maintain, support and fundraise for the village’s pool, rink and community hall.

The other half will be directed to the Senator Doug Finley Memorial Fun, created to support young people interested in entering politics. The fund is named in honour of Finley, a campaign director for the Conservative Party who was appointed to the Senate in 2009 and died in 2013.

For the full story, please see the June 26 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

 

featured, Hanley

Jam-packed weekend as Hanley hosts annual ag fair

Madison and Adelita Carter ride on horseback during the town parade, part of the Hanley Ag Fair festivities.

By Joel van der Veen

HANLEY — Two days of events at the Hanley fairgrounds made for a fun-filled weekend for local families.

The Hanley Agricultural Fair kicked off with a parade through town on Friday night, and continued through Saturday with dozens of events, activities and attractions.

Andrea Townsend, who serves as treasurer on the Hanley and District Ag Society board, reported that more than 500 people attended on Friday, June 16, followed by another 300 on Saturday.

Attendance was down slightly from last year, Townsend said, attributing the drop to the off-and-on rain that fell throughout the weekend.

“Up until now, it’s just gone up and up and up,” she said, adding that the events went smoothly apart from the weather.

This was the eighth year for the revived fair, which received support from close to 50 local and regional sponsors.

For the full story and more colour photos, please see the June 26 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured, Sports

McNabb among picks for Golden Knights

Brayden McNabb speaks to the media following the Vegas Golden Knights’ announcement of their draft picks last week.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — One of Davidson’s own is among the draft picks for the NHL’s newest expansion team, the Vegas Golden Knights.

Brayden McNabb, for the last three seasons a defenceman with the Los Angeles Kings, was on the roster announced by the team Wednesday at the NHL Awards.

McNabb, 26, is the son of Kim and Jeannine McNabb, and was raised in the Davidson area.

In a Twitter post Thursday, he thanked the Kings for the past three years, calling them a great organization and saying he’d be forever grateful.

“Excited for a new start,” he also wrote.

His mother told the Leader on Wednesday that they had been aware of a potential move since Brayden was on the Kings’ unprotected list, and they also received some advance notice prior to Wednesday.

“We knew it was a possibility,” she said. “I kind of figured they were going to be picking him.”

In three seasons with the Kings, McNabb logged 42 points, including six goals and 36 assists. He also recorded a total of 491 hits.
Continue reading McNabb among picks for Golden Knights →

Davidson, featured, Sports

Senior boys honoured for sportsmanship

Davidson School’s senior boys basketball team displays its sportsmanship award banner at the June 19 school awards ceremony. Pictured from left are: Leonard Wipf (SaskMilk), coach Kim Rettger, coach Luke Edwards, Hunter Wall, Clay Murfitt, Andrew Read, Parker Smith, Morgan Manz, Cole Murfitt, Reegan Taylor, Mark Rettger, Tobi Arowolo, Rylan Slemming, Blake Allan and Dave Sandomirsky (SHSAA).

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Their grace in the face of defeat left an impression.

Last week, the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association (SHSAA) recognized that grace, presenting Davidson’s senior boys basketball team with the Sportsmanship Award.

The award was presented to the Raiders during the school’s annual awards ceremony, held June 19.

Dave Sandomirsky, SHSAA’s assistant executive director, spoke of the team’s skill and success throughout the season, as well as the reason they were being so honoured.

“In our society, we tend to reward and celebrate the winner,” he said. “But how do you react when you lose? . . . How do you carry yourself as a team while in competition?”

Sandomirsky said the team’s behaviour is a reflection of the school and its culture.

“The Raiders impressed people wherever they went, for all the right reasons,” he said. “They were humble in victory, respectful in defeat and did not get caught up in the moment to allow themselves to find places to lay blame.”

He read a statement from David Wells, coach of the Twin Lakes School in Buffalo Narrows, whose senior boys team defeated the Raiders in 1A regional playoffs in Davidson in March.

Wells, who nominated Davidson for the award, wrote that the Raiders came to his team’s dressing room after their loss, wishing them the best at Hoopla.

They helped them pack up, carried mats back to the gym and assisted with cleaning the change room.

“I have never experienced anything like that before,” wrote Wells, adding that his players agreed that “the Davidson coach and players were great people with tremendous character.”

For the full story and more photos, please see the June 26 edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Craik, Obituary

Obituary: Spencer, Violet

Violet Spencer
February 9, 1918 — May 27, 2017

Violet Alberta Sloan was born Feb. 9, 1918 at Kirriemuir, Alta., and passed away May 27 at the age of 99 in Craik.

She was predeceased by her husband George Ernest Barton Spencer in 1973, also by her parents Jack and Leona Sloan; sister Lyda Ward; brothers Chauncey (Jack); and Ralph. She is survived by brothers Jim (Evan) and wife Elaine of Saskatoon; and Stanley of Moose Jaw; three boys, Ernest (Nancy), David (Arlette) and Hilton (Wilma); eight grandchildren — Lori Ann and Michael, Tanya and Nicole, George, Peter, John and Rae-Lynn; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and a growing number of great-grandchildren.

Violet’s dad Jack came west with his three brothers on threshing excursions and homesteaded at Kirriemuir. Leona had come from New Brunswick with her sister to teach. The two were married in 1916.

In 1926 the growing family moved to the farm at Rose Hill and then a few years later to Dixmude, near the Spencer farm. Violet finished Grade 12 at Craik, a 12-mile round trip to school on her favourite horse Queen. After school in Craik Violet attended Normal School in Moose Jaw. She taught at three country schools near Bladworth, Davidson and Rose Hill, all in the depth of the depression. Her first salary was only $400 a year! But she ended up with $350 and an I.O.U. for $50.

Violet married George in 1942 and lived on the farm in the same house for 70-plus years. She returned to teaching when the family was older, teaching at Homesdale School west of Craik and as principal of Girvin School. Violet strongly believed in education and received a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan at the age of 70. Her priorities were family, farm and community. She was a member of the Foxbury and Craik United Churches, 4-H beef club, Craik band, Home and School and was on the local library board for 14 years.

Besides running the house, Violet also kept the farm books, hauled grain and tended a big garden. She was also active on an impressive list of provincial organizations: Palliser Regional Library, Saskatchewan Library Trustees Association and the Saskatchewan Library Board. She also served on the District 15 extension board from 1968 to 1982. Violet also operated the Country Book Store from home for 15 years and wrote a column on Canadian books for the Western Producer. The Oral History Room was a pet project and very dear to her heart. Violet’s hard work was recognized by letters of appreciation from Craik School, Davidson School Unit, the RCMP, a lifetime membership in the Craik Agricultural Society and an award from the Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan.

For fun Violet busied herself making dozens of quilts and filling binders and computer discs with Sloan genealogy. She also enjoyed square dancing, bridge and travel. Family, neighbours and strangers were all welcomed into her home and usually did not leave without tea or a meal.

Violet spent the last few years at the Craik and District Health Centre in great comfort. The family greatly appreciates the facility and staff that looked after her so well.

A Celebration of Violet’s life was held at Craik United Church on Saturday, June 3, 2017. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in charge of arrangements.

Davidson, featured

Town turns out for Movement of Hope

Erin Gust and her family — including her kids Will, Eva (obscured) and Georgia, and her mother Pat Dougan — push the Davidson town bell to mark the start of the Movement of Hope on June 11.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — As hundreds of people hit the streets of Davidson on Sunday afternoon, they had a vivid illustration of why they were there.

Erin Gust, a brain tumour patient and the organizer of Sunday’s run-walk-bike event, was among the walkers at the Movement of Hope.

“The 1K was a little harder than I thought it was going to be,” she said afterward.

Gust, who has undergone surgery and radiation treatment and is now in the midst of chemotherapy, was easy to spot with her shaven head.

Her condition also affects her walk, giving her a noticeable limp. The tumour’s location on the left side of her motor strip means it affects the right side of her body.

In spite of this, Gust wore a smile for much of the day, clearly thrilled at the turnout and the results.

The June 11 event raised around $22,000 for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, which provides support for medical research and also offers programs and resources for patients and their families.

“This is amazing,” Gust said as she surveyed the crowd gathered in the auditorium of Davidson Town Hall.

She was joined by much of her family, including her husband Billy and their children William, Eva and Georgia, and her parents Stuart and Pat Dougan.

Participants had the option of walking, biking or running on either a 1-km, 3-km or 5-km route. Arrows were painted on Davidson’s streets to guide them in the right direction.

Registration was held in the town hall auditorium, with the crowd moving outside to the starting line around 2 p.m.

Gust and her family used the town bell to mark the start of the run, with dozens of blue balloons being released at the same time.

“Our love is in the air today, and that’s what our balloons signify,” said organizer Karen Reich.

For the full story, please see the June 19 edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan