Monthly Archives: March 2014

Obituary

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Joseph David Masich
February 25, 1928 – March 1, 2014

Joe Masich, a long time farmer in the Bladworth and Davidson districts, passed away in Davidson on Saturday, March 1 at the age of eighty-six.
Joe’s parents Joseph and Mary (Balen) Masich homesteaded near Bladworth in 1914. After a tornado in 1948 destroyed the Bladworth farmstead, the family moved southwest of Davidson to the Herb Stewart farm. The early years were filled with hard work, neighbours helping neighbours and strong family values.
Joe was predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Kathleen (Kay) Meints and Josephine (Jo) Duchscher. Joe is survived by his sister Emilie Dougans, three brothers Dan (Elaine), John (Ivy) and Larry; as well as many nephews and nieces and their children.
We are deeply grateful to the staff at the Davidson Health Centre and to Dr. Lang for the exceptional care given to Joe. For friends so wishing memorials in memory of Joe may be directed to the Davidson and District Health Foundation or to a charity of choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Service Ltd.

Obituary

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Patricia (PAT) Anne (Russell) Pavelich
August 9, 1936 – February 15, 2014
The family is saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Mother and Grandmother Pat Pavelich on February 15, 2014 at Davidson Health Centre.
Pat was survived by her husband of 54 years Vincent Pavelich; daughters: Anne (Wayne) Willner, Sonia (Les) Howells, and Trudy (Shawn) Smith; eight granddaughters: Crystal (Josh) Inwood, Cassandra (Randy) Cerniuk, Cayla (Art) Grasby, Candice Howells, Chelsey Willner, Aleah Willner, Jasmine Smith and Bailey Smith; great-grandchildren: Madyson, Matt, Brooklyn and Mason Cerniuk, and Cole Inwood; sister, Linda (Dennis) Huck; brothers, Gene (Joyce) Thompson and Lynn (Catherine Thompson); aunts, Joan (Leroy) Arnst and Patricia Wilson; life time friend Ruth Book as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and in-laws. Pat was predeceased by mother Anne Russell, father Fred Russell, stepmother Joyce Russell, sister Sandy Siemens, brother Kenneth Thompson and special aunt Eva Schiller as well as many other family members and in-laws.
The Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Saint Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church, Kenaston, Sask. Celebrant was Rev. Fr. Joseph Gyim-Austin. Music was provided by organist Mary Jane Morrison and the St. Andrew’s Choir directed by Patti Hertz. Active pallbearers were Pat’s granddaughters, urn bearers Crystal Inwood and Bailey Smith. Pallbearers were Cassandra Cerniuk, Cayla Grasby, Candice Howells, Chelsey Willner, Aleah Willner and Jasmine Smith. Interment was at the Family Plot, St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Kenaston, Sask.
The following is the tribute presented by Susan Anholt:
Patricia Anne Russell was born to Fred and Anne Russell in 1936 in Rouleau, Sask. Pat’s mom, Anne Russell was a school teacher and her career had taken her to Cactus Lake where she met Fred Russell.
Fred joined the army in 1939 and served until the end of the war. Fred and Anne were divorced in 1942, only to reunite and remarry in 1946. Anne Russell died in 1952 shortly after the birth of Pat’s only sibling Sandra. As a widower with a tiny infant, Fred later married Joyce, a widow and mother of four, Gene, Lynn, Linda and Ken. Joyce assumed the role of mothering baby Sandra. Pat was 15 and soon was away from home to finish her grade 12 in Francis Sask., living with her Aunt Eva and Tony Schiller. Clearly these formative years were to have a great influence over Pat.
Following the completion of high school, Pat was hired as a study supervisor at Kerrobert School. Pat worked in this capacity for one year until the time of her eighteenth birthday, when she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Pat was stationed in St. Jean, Quebec for basic training from November 1954 to February 1955. After training she was stationed in Ottawa and worked in the army dental corp. as a dental assistant. Pat was discharged in 1957, ready to move on to a new career.
Pat then attended Teacher’s College in Saskatoon; at that time a one year program. Upon graduation she immediately accepted a teaching position at Briggs School east of Kenaston. This rural school held familiarity for Pat as she had experienced living in a teacherage with her mother. Pat taught at Briggs School from 1958 to 1960.
Now in 1958 when a new, young, single teacher arrived to a farming community, the young farmers were quick to check out the new teacher. This was true for Vincent Pavelich and in 1959 Pat and Vincent were married. Apparently that charming Croatian won her heart!
Their first daughter Anne was born in 1960, followed by Sonia in 1962. The family was completed by the birth of Trudy in 1967.
During her time in the Kenaston community Pat has been a homemaker, a farmer’s wife with all that entails, a very competitive pitcher with the Kenaston Kuties, teacher, long-serving bus driver, bartender and co-manager of Traveller’s Service from 1986 – 1994.
Through these years Pat and her accordion were a familiar team at a house warming, birthday party, Christmas carolling, trail ride or ladies bonspiel. We could always count on Pat to lead a singsong long into the evening; many of us have fond memories of “Oh Me, Oh My”, “Oh Good Bye Blues” or my favorite “When Moses Was”. Over the years Pat’s repertoire evolved to Praise choruses and she used her gifts to entertain at the Seniors Center, Prairie View Lodge and AGlow events along with Idelle Westman and Connie Chomyshen. Pat enjoyed this so much she had her favourite choruses printed onto overhead transparencies so everyone could take part…
In 1993 Pat opted for the peaceful existence of town; moving first into the low rental units on Central Avenue then in 1994 purchasing her home at 609 – 4th Street. This residence was easily recognized due to the “Pat’s Reflexology” shingle hanging at the front of the house. For Pat, reflexology was another form of healing and whether it was the deep massage or the prayer that went along with it, clearly she was successful!
In recent years Pat has been a member of Kenaston Seniors and she was happy to spend time visiting and laughing with her peers.
Pat was a Christian who worshipped in the Roman Catholic tradition. She felt that she was fortunate to have the opportunity to study with various faith groups and Christian denominations. This experience gave her a working knowledge of the Bible and a living faith. Pat’s love of music has extended into this church as over the years it has been a rare sight to see her usual spot in the choir empty.
Pat wanted to have the miracles of her life acknowledged to you, her friends and family today.
• Her first miracle was seeing each of her beautiful girls for the first time.
• Pat experienced the miracle of sobriety in 1980 when she joined AA; through this affiliation she finally addressed her lifelong anger at God for the loss of her mother during her teenage years.
• The 1986 miracle of receiving Christ as her personal Saviour, and it was very important to Pat to acknowledge that she received the gift of the Holy Spirit when a Catholic priest anointed her with oil.
• The 1988 miracle of the complete healing of an aneurism on her aorta through prayer and laying on of hands.
• The miracle of seeing each of her grandchildren for the first time; experiencing all of the joy and none of the pain. Each grandchild was so important to Pat; you had only to watch her face in their presence to see her pride, joy and love!
• The miracle of seeing her sister Sandy experience a remission from cancer in order to receive Christ as her personal Saviour before a recurrence finally ended Sandy’s life.
• The miracle of completing Lay Formation training at the age of 63 to 65.
She was very thankful to AA for giving her God, her dear friend Ruth for leading her to Christ, Patti for teaching confirmation, Bishop Halpin for confirming her, Father Peter Couglin for baptizing her in the Holy Spirit and Margaret Ann, Lawrence and Bea for witnessing her baptism, Kathy and Ivan Hitchings and George Rolheiser for lay formation, and to Sparky, Connie and Angie for nourishing her love of music.
Pat was very proud of Anne, Sonia and Trudy, each with their own achievement and gifts. Vincent remained her good friend and love of her life to the end.
Memories of the grandchildren:
• Candice remembers grandma riding her bike to their house and having grandma singing the “Going to the Garden to eat Worms” song.
• Cayla remembers grandma always giving thoughtful Christmas gifts and telling her that she was proud of her for becoming a teacher.
• Crystal remembers watching question period on CPAC with grandma along with Blue Jays baseball, and specifically their favorite short stop, the hunky Alex Gonzalez. Maybe 2014 will be their year!
• Chelsey and Aleah remember hot dogs for two weeks during swimming lessons, her amazing driving skills, grace, Cowboy Church in the shop at the family reunion, playing piano with her and singing “God loves You”.
• Bailey remembers asking Grandma to share her pink lipstick and finally Grandma Pat saying you might as well just have that lipstick!
• Jasmine reflected that Grandma’s faith and relationship with God was a beautiful thing. Jasmine stated “She never pushed her feelings on me, but would be the first to pray for me. She taught me that God loves me and she loves me and that’s the way it should be…Hallelujah!”
• Cassandra remembers that Grandma Pat instilled a love of music in all of her granddaughters, they all have memories of singing along as she played the accordion or piano with grandpa backing her up on the spoons and the kids with shaker eggs.
Pat was true to those who she counted as friends and would come to their defense in any circumstance. If you knew Pat at all you knew she was a character. You will also know that Pat did not leave much to chance. Pat asked me to do her eulogy many years ago. In true Pat style she concluded the request with the words “you know, you weren’t my first choice but Ruth said she wouldn’t do it!” I laughed at the time and have laughed about that statement so many times since!” We all need a friend like Pat, they keep you honest!
I will close with Pat’s message to you all, “I want everyone here to know I am happy in eternity. And thanks for coming.”
For friends so wishing memorials in memory of Pat may be directed to the St. Andrew’s Church Fund, Kenaston Sask.; Saskatchewan Heart and Stroke Fund or to the Saskatchewan Diabetic Association.
Hanson’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

featured

Winter Games brings together top local athletes

Several young local athletes got a chance to enjoy their own Olympics last month and a couple even walked away with medals when they competed for Team Prairie Central and Team South West at the 2014 Saskatchewan Winter Games held Feb. 15 to 22 in Prince Albert.

“It was a great experience,” said Elbow’s Shane Lafontaine, 14, who won a gold medal with the Prairie Central badminton team. “The competition is really good. There was lots of pretty amazing athletes there. You’re kind of nervous when you start, but after you just get used to it and you start playing your sport. Its real good competition and lots of fun.”

Overall, the badminton team went undefeated at the Games going 3-0 in round-robin competition with victories over Parkland Valley, Regina and South West before moving on to the gold medal match against Rivers West (4-0). In the Feb. 22 final at Carlton Comprehensive High School, Prairie Central beat Rivers West 5-4 to take the gold.

“I was ecstatic,” Shane said. “I never thought that we could win and it just really made my week.”

Davidson’s Breanna Shaw and Hanley’s Kianna Dietz suited up as forwards for the Prairie Central female hockey team that finished fifth out of nine districts in the province that competed at the Games. The girls earned the spot by beating Parkland Valley 4-0 Feb. 22 at the Dave G. Stewart Arena after compiling a 1-2 record in round-robin play.

Kianna, 14, said the skill level of all the female hockey players was “awesome” making the tournament great to take part in. She said the Olympic-style organization of the games with an athletes village and having the best hockey players from all over Saskatchewan take part made the Games really special.

“I thought it was really cool to be with all the other athletes and the closing ceremonies were really cool,” said Breanna, 13. “Everyone was really nice and supporting. It was fun to be with everyone and meet new people.”

On the male hockey team, Hawarden’s Nolan Haugen and Loreburn’s Dodge Long led the attack for Team Prairie Central. After going 3-1 in round-robin play, the boys lost their final game 3-1 to Saskatoon Feb. 19 at the Art Hauser Centre putting them in fourth place.

Dean McNabb, a 13-year-old goaltender for Team South West, said there were several good teams at the Games, but winning and losing wasn’t really the main focus for their team. He said they were out there to have a good time and that is just what the week provided.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Dean, whose team finished sixth in the standings. “I met a lot of new people and the athletes village was really amazing. There was three gyms and we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted.”

The Prairie Central female curling team, which has Hanley’s Hanna Anderson as its skip, not only won a bronze medal at the Winter Games, but also qualified for the 2015 Canada Games training program.

“Now we train all year and then in December we playoff again for the Canada Games to represent Saskatchewan,” said Hanna, 16. “You do on-ice training and then you do nutrition and strategy and fitness and all that stuff.”

To read more please see the March 3 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson

Local phone numbers used in scam

Telemarketers with a too good to be true sales pitch designed to empty a person’s wallet for something that is not too good at all have found a new way to get people to fall for their tricks.

Daniel Williams, senior call-taker supervisor at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, said vacation call centres in Florida have started using a new form of “Caller ID Spoofing” where the first six digits of a person’s phone number followed by four random numbers appear on the phone. He said this tricks people into believing they are receiving a local call offering them a once in a lifetime travel package to an exotic location for a small credit card payment, which makes the actual “lousy deal” easier to believe.

“A lot of consumers now are very hesitant about picking up any blocked or foreign looking numbers, (but) this call has nothing to do with the number that is showing up,” said Williams. “Sometimes the call display shows the name of the person who the phone belongs to and sometimes it doesn’t. The legitimate holder of that number, they’re not (the one) dialing. It’s simply a call display trick.

“Then there are different pitches that they’re using at the start and it’s usually automated and the most common one is, ‘you’ve won 260,000 Air Miles, if you wish to claim press one,’ and when you press one you get patched through to the vacation call centre in Florida.”

Williams said selling lousy vacation packages is not illegal and has been around for a while and will continue to be as long as people are willing to buy them. He said the deception is the way the telemarketers are getting their foot in the door.

“In the last year more and more of what we’re seeing is they’ve gone to this first six digits of your phone number and then a random last four,” he said, noting Caller ID Spoofing has actually been around since 2004 and used to just be a series of random numbers. “It’s very common now. Where it is really worth our while to document the information is the consumer who has bought the vacation package on their credit card and then feels they’ve been cheated because they went into this because of the connection with Air Miles.”

Terry Oxman, a resident of Davidson, said he received a call with the number 306-567-1731 Feb. 18 at around 2 p.m. stating that he had won a vacation or prize. He said initially he thought it was a “Davidson local thing” and only hung up on the person because it was a bad connection.

Oxman said he called the number right back and received a message from SaskTel saying this number is out of service. It was only then that he realized it was a scam.

“This is the first time I recall it being a local call,” he said. “I would hate to hear someone got stung by this thinking it was a Davidson number.”

To read more please see the March 3 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Sports

Aztecs win mixed team curling sectionals

The Loreburn Aztecs, Outlook Blues and Davidson Raiders junior curling teams met up at sectionals last Thursday at the Davidson Communiplex with each school coming away with a rink advancing to the district playoffs March 7 and 8 at Rosetown.

The Blues junior boys curling team beat the Davidson squad of Cole Murfitt (injured), Addison Ouellette, Morgan Manz, Braeden Fowler and Reegan Taylor two games to none, while the Raiders junior girls team of Katherine Cool, Jordan Matheson, Hannah Gust and Jesselynne Palmer bested the Blues by the same score. In the mixed game the Aztecs rink of Kaitlyn Glubis, Shane Lafontaine, Tori Rendall and Jackson Norrish posted 7-3 and 6-4 scores to beat the Raiders squad of Phoenix Prpick, Breanne Townsend, Nathan Chomyshen and Jessica Townsend giving them the win.

Aztecs coach Heather Norrish said both of the mixed games were close and the outcome just came about through her players taking their time and thinking through the plays they learned to master in practice. She said winning is fine, but the players just getting in some games is the real reward.

“They’re learning lots about the game,” said Norrish. “Grant Abbott has been helping us with his expertise in curling and coming out and showing us different things and they’ve really learned a lot this year. The games are what they need. They gain experience on what to do.”

Tracey Palmer, coach of the Raiders curling team, said sectionals are just a great way for her players to gain experience in a game situation. She said the squads have been learning many different things this season including sweeping, turns, slides and everything else, so no matter how things turn out they can consider this a good season for curling.

“We have a number of kids this year, so that is good because we want to pique their interest and when that is piqued we want to keep going,” said Palmer. “It’s a sport that they can play for life. Hopefully they can get some experience here and want to continue to play.”

Norrish said the games in Rosetown would have four sectional winners going up against each other, but she doesn’t have any expectations about coming home with lots of victories. She said the hope is the curlers play well and apply what they’ve learned so far this winter.

“The kids have had some good learning experiences out on the ice so far,” she said. “I think that strategy wise they’ve learned a lot of things and hopefully they’ll have some good games.”

Davidson

Thieves come back for easy pickings

An early morning crime spree that targeted unlocked vehicles has local RCMP once again reminding rural residents to lock up their stuff.
Const. Kam Hay of the Craik RCMP detachment said sometime during the early morning hours of Friday, Feb. 21 three vehicles were stolen from Davidson and numerous others were entered and had their contents searched.
It was easy pickings for the thieves. All three of the stolen vehicles had their keys left in the ignitions. The vehicles have all been recovered.
Davidson seemed to be at the tail end of this latest crime spree. RCMP have received reports of similar incidents occurring around the same time in Hanley, Kenaston and Bladworth.
Donna Bessey said someone went through the vehicles parked outside her home in Bladworth. Nothing was taken. The thieves also went into the Bessey’s garage, but she said they couldn’t tell if anything was missing.
She said the suspects tried to steal a couple of trucks from Bladworth, but there was so much snow, they couldn’t get the vehicles unstuck.
Const. Hay said people might help prevent these crimes by not leaving wallets, purses, electronic equipment and other valuables in vehicles. People should also not leave keys in parked cars and trucks.
“As long as it is easy, they will keep coming back,” Hay said.
If anyone has information about these crimes, they are asked to contact Craik RCMP or to call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.