Sports

Stamnes strikes them out in winter league ball

The lure of playing winter ball in front of professional scouts proved too much for one Loreburn native, so he packed up his bat and glove and headed to Palm Springs this past January and February for a reliever’s role with the British Columbia Bombers baseball team.

Brent Stamnes, 22, took to the mound seven times for the Bombers during their Jan. 19 to Feb. 9 season in the California Winter League (CWL) going 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA. In seven innings pitched, the 6’2″ 205 lb right-hander struck out six batters while allowing 10 walks and seven earned runs for the 6-12 Bombers.

“They called me one day at work and asked me to play baseball in Palm Springs in January,” said Stamnes, who earned the honour through his time playing with the Western Major Baseball League’s Saskatoon Yellow Jackets, a top collegiate team. “I couldn’t pass that up.”

Stamnes said the eight-team CWL is a minor league for free-agent players looking to gain attention from scouts for future contracts with independent teams or even minor league teams affiliated with big league clubs. He said this winter was his first time playing in the league and he was really pleased with the strong ability of the players who took to the field each day.

“There were a lot of guys in the league that have played independent or top-notch college ball or with a minor league affiliated team,” he said. “It was the top free agents looking for a job.”

Stamnes, who grew up playing ball in Loreburn and Davidson before moving on to play AAA baseball with the Moose Jaw Canucks as a midget player, said he originally played shortstop, but was moved to a pitcher’s role while suiting up with the Vancouver Island University Mariners.

“I figured out I had a good arm and I could throw, so I stuck with pitching after that,” he said, noting he utilizes four pitches including a curve, slider, a fastball that averages 88 m.p.h. and a changeup that sails over the plate 10 to 11 m.p.h. slower. “I try to set batters up to get them out with my high fastball, but my strongest pitch would be my curve.”

A tendon tear in his elbow forced Stamnes out with six days left in the regular season, but he said if given the chance he’d be back next year for another go at winter ball.

“Right now I’m doing (physiotherapy) to heal up my elbow, but I’m hoping to go for an open independent league tryout somewhere in May and to try and keep strong for next winter.”

Davidson

Davidson School students prepare to host Willow Awards

Davidson School students are busy setting up the lights, studying their lines, decorating the stage and rolling out the red carpet in anticipation for the 2013 SaskEnergy Willow Awards Gala that will be held at the school next Wednesday.

“The students have been busy for the last few months getting the activities completed,” said Debbie Jestin, Davidson School librarian and co-chair of the 2013 SaskEnergy Willow Awards Gala. “All the decorations are student work and the students are in charge of the program and they’re the ones who are going to be presenting it. The emcees are going to be students. The entertainers will be students and it all revolves around the 30 books (up for awards).”

The school is welcoming Saskatchewan Lieutenant-Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield, authors, dignitaries and guests from across the province to the Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice–Willow Awards (SYRCA) Gala held in the Davidson School gym April 24. The day will begin with writing workshops presented by Canadian authors for Kindergarten to Grade 9 students before moving on to the Gala that will feature student writing, art displays, singing, public speaking and acting during the awards program and finally end with a reception in the school library.

The SYRCA is a volunteer-run, non-profit charity that promotes reading among

Kindergarten to Grade 9 students by granting Willow Awards to the best Canadian and/or Saskatchewan book voted on by Saskatchewan school students in three designated categories. Ten 2012 books are nominated in each category with a Shining Willow Award presented to the top young readers’ book (Kindergarten to Grade 3), the Diamond Willow Award given out to the best upper elementary readers’ choice (grades 4 to 6) and a Snow Willow Award handed to the favourite young people’s book (grades 7 to 9).

“It’s a celebration of Canadian authors that write for children,” said Jestin. “Students all across Saskatchewan read these 10 books in each category and then vote on which one is their favourite, so it is actually the kids that are choosing the book that is going to win the award.”

To read more please see the April 15 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson

Masich, Francis J - card photo copy

Masich
Frances Joan Masich passed away peacefully in her sleep with family at her side, on Good Friday, March 29, 2013 at the Watrous Health Care Centre after a brief illness. Her funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church in Kenaston.
Frances is survived by her loving family: daughter Milly (Randy) Biederman and family Curtis and Aaron, son Tony (Margo) Masich and family Tyce and Tori, and son Bob, as well as nieces and nephews and other family members. Frances was predeceased by her loving husband Louis and daughter Teresa Masich, parents Steve and Mary Siroski as well as brothers, sisters and in-laws.
Frances was born and raised in the Kenaston district. Upon leaving her family home she started working as a cook and baker. One of the places she worked was the Kenaston Hotel. It was at the Kenaston Hotel that she met her future husband, Louis Masich. Frances and Louis were married in October, 1951 and began farming and raising their four children.
Frances was an avid homemaker and gardener. She often said her garden was the perfect therapy for her, a place where she could go and relax and connect with nature. She enjoyed growing flowers, fruit and vegetables.
Frances was an active member in the St. Andrew’s Catholic Women’s League, was a lector and participated in study of Sacred Scripture.
Frances spent the past few years of her life in residence at Jubilee Court in Watrous. She enjoyed the independent living, the active social programs and the daily interaction with other residents.
Milly, Tony and Bob thank all family and friends for their outpouring of kindness, cards, gifts and good wishes and for sharing their memories of Frances. We also extend our thanks to Brian and Todd for all their support.

Davidson

FOSTER N - use for Leader Post

Foster, Gary
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Gary John Foster on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at the age of 64 years. Gary was predeceased by his parents William and Ruth. He will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his wife Sandy; brother David (Kelly); sisters Joy, Joan (Troyha), Wendy (Henry) and Brenda (Gary); brother-in-law Allen (Elizabeth); daughter Christine; numerous nephews, nieces and great-nephews and -nieces; as well as many other relatives and dear friends. Gary was born and raised in Davidson, Sask. and farmed at Davidson for many years. Gary had a great love of life, and enjoyed fishing, square dancing, golfing and curling until his Parkinson’s of 20 years and Stroke of 10 years made it impossible for him to continue. A memorial service for Gary will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Regina Funeral Home, Hwy #1 East, Regina, Sask. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gary’s memory may be made to the Parkinson Society of Saskatchewan, 610 Duchess Street, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 0R1 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Regina Funeral Home (306) 789-8850.

featured

Patrons organization argues 15-year lease too costly

The Saskatchewan Government’s decision to provide the use of fixed assets on community pastures such as fences, dugouts and cattle handling facilities to patrons at no cost is “very positive,” but the 15-year lease agreement offered by the government makes pasture grassland very expensive for small cattle producers, said the chair of a farmer-run patrons organization.

Ian McCreary, chair of the Community Pasture Patrons Association of Saskatchewan (CPPAS), said the lease fee requirement of patrons plus taxes they must pay varies between 40 and 50 cents a day per cow/calf payer. He said the lease fee requirement is 27 or 28 cents per head plus 13 to 23 cents per head for taxes depending on where the patrons graze their cattle.

“Right now the government is providing that land to the PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration) system at no charge and the PFRA system is running those pastures and losing money, significant amounts, and they are expecting the patrons to run those pastures and pay a lease fee of 27 or 28 cents a day and pay the taxes,” said McCreary. “The patron groups are looking at it and saying we’re going to be among the most expensive grass in North America.”

McCreary said small cattle producers must also have staff in the pasture in order to manage the grass appropriately, which further adds to patron’s costs. He said with the addition of this lease agreement patron groups in Saskatchewan are facing “way more expensive” costs for grassland than counterparts in Manitoba and Alberta as well as key grazing states in the United States.

“We need to find a way to get some additional savings,” he said. “Right now, can the pasture (patrons) afford to pay the lease fee? Well, it’s borderline. Every pasture (patron) has to take a look at those numbers, but it’s still more expensive grass. In Manitoba when these pastures got turned over, they turned it over to the patron groups with no lease fee. In Alberta, they turned their community pastures over and they agreed on a lease fee of $1.39 per animal unit a month.

“We need to find a way to get this lease fee lower in order to make the package more attractive.”

Lyle Stewart, Minister of Agriculture for the Government of Saskatchewan, said the 15-year lease term for community pastures was decided upon in discussions with patrons. He said the government originally suggested a five-year lease agreement, but patrons said that would not provide them with enough security, so it was moved up to the current term.

“All the province will get is about 27 cents (a head) and the rest of the costs are other costs (such as) labour, maintaining the fixed assets and so on,” said Stewart. “Those are things that patrons, as good business people, can be creative with.”

Stewart said the decision to provide the fixed assets on community pastures to patrons at no cost also came through these discussions with patrons after the government learned they would be getting these assets from the federal government at no cost.

To read more please see the April 8 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson

STC proposes to cancel travel services to Imperial this spring

Concerned citizens of Imperial have five days left to convince the Highway Traffic Board to keep their parcel and travel services with the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) before it is eliminated in mid-May.

The STC is proposing to discontinue the Regina to Lanigan bus service route via Nokomis and Watrous beginning May 18. Before the route can be discontinued the Highway Traffic Board must approve the move, but riders can make their opposition known to the board until April 17 through emails and letters stating how removing the service would hurt residents of the affected communities. The board will make the final decision on whether the bus route stays or goes in early May.

Gaylene Parry, a resident of Imperial, said removing the route would particularly hurt seniors who use the bus to get in and out of the cities for shopping, friendly visits and medical appointments. She said eliminating the service would also marginalize the town as a whole.

“Every time a small rural community loses another one of these things, it’s just one more bit of instability in the community,” said Parry. “People need to know that this is slated to happen. Really a letter writing campaign is what their option is to try and voice their opinion if they consider it a problem.”

Dean Madsen, director of business development with the STC, said they have identified the Regina to Lanigan bus service route as unjustifiable due to low ridership. He said discontinuing this route would also save the company costs as they deal with increased financial pressures.

“We were looking at routes and ridership which is very low and (the Regina to Lanigan route) has been low for the past five years with just an average of two passengers utilizing the service per trip,” said Madsen. “It is hard to justify keeping the service if it is not being utilized.”

Madsen said they have provided a mechanism for concerns of discontinuing the service to be made to the Highway Traffic Board, but it is up to the board now if the service is eliminated.

To read more please see the April 8 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan