Pictured above are the three contestants in the Lakeshore Stampede’s rodeo queen contest. Seen from left are Nicole Pyette, Jade Esmond and Deanna Watson.
ELBOW — This year’s Lakeshore Stampede will be held July 24, 25 and 26. This exciting three-day family event will once again include a rodeo queen contest. We are happy to have three young cowgirls competing for the crown.
Our first contestant is Jade Esmond from Eyebrow. She is 16 and is a current member of SHSRA and president of the local 4-H club. Jade has been riding for seven years and has recently started roping.
Jade is in Grade 10 at Eyebrow School and enjoys volleyball, badminton and curling. She also takes and teaches dance in her local dance club. Jade lives on a ranch and likes to work with animals. Her horse is Johnny.
Next, we have Nicole Pyette from Outlook. She is 17 and took riding lessons between the ages of 12 and 14. Her horse is a registered bay quarter horse named Bo. She enjoys pleasure riding and going to clinics. Nicole enjoys many school sports, such as basketball and softball. When she graduates she hopes to become a veterinary technician.
Our third contestant is Deanne Watson. Deanne is 20 and currently studying at the University of Saskatchewan for education. She has been in 4-H for 13 years and put on trick training clinics and taught lessons. The horse she will be riding is a 12-year-old registered quarter horse gelding used for 4-H, ranch work, reining, working cowhorse and western and English riding.
Her horse, “Star,” has won many hi-point awards in 4-H as well as the 2014 novice champion for the Ultimate Horsemanship Challenge Club. Star has been used in many clinics that Deanne taught for trick training as her demo horse, and he loves doing all of his tricks. Deanne enjoys horseback riding, snowboarding, fishing, camping and all kinds of sports. She lives on a mixed cattle and grain farm south of Saskatoon, near Dundurn.
We wish all three rodeo queen contestants good luck. The Lakeshore Stampede committee appreciates all surrounding communities for all their generous support, and we hope to see you at this year’s Lakeshore Stampede.
It is with great sadness the family of Lawrence Fields, formerly from Liberty, Sask., announce his sudden passing at Long Lake Valley Integrated Facility in Imperial, Sask., on Saturday, May 30, 2015. Lawrence was born to Harley and Elizabeth Fields in Liberty on March 13, 1922. He farmed in the Liberty district until his retirement. Lawrence was predeceased by his parents Harley and Elizabeth Fields; his first wife Hazel (1991) and his second wife Evelyn (2006) and a daughter Myrna (2005). He leaves to mourn his passing, son Elden (Lois) Fields; daughters Darlene (Joseph) Klyne; Carol (Wayne) Field and a son-in-law Ken Drimmie; 11 grandchildren, Raymond (Shirley) Drimmie, Doug (Twila) Drimmie, Wanda (Carl) Erlandson, Russell (Kia) Klyne, Kris (Lisa) Klyne, Jacqueline (Dane) Klyne, Patrick (Lori) Fields, Blair (Sandra) Fields, Sherry (Todd) Creasy, Shawn (Dianne) Field, Kevin (Kelly) Field; 19 great-grandchildren, Zoey and Aaron Drimmie, Micheal and Ashlyn Erlandson, Emmalee and Keenan Klyne, Skylar Klyne, Forbes and Avery Fields, Macy and Karsyn Fields, Vanessa and Eric Creasy, Amanda, Justus and Shelby Field, Colton, Bailey and Emma Field; two sisters, Enid Stotts and Nyela Glazier; and many nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service for Lawrence was held in the Liberty Memorial Hall, Liberty, Sask., on Friday, June 5, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating was Dr. Kathleen James-Cavan. Pallbearers were Sherry Creasy, Shawn Field, Kevin Field, Blair Fields, Patrick Fields and Kris Klyne. Attending the guest register were Judy Gebhard and Doreen Wolff. Ushers were Howard Nelson and Gilbert Nelson. The eulogy was given by Shawn Field. The pianist was Jeanine Knoblauch. Following the interment in Liberty cemetery, a funeral lunch was held in the lower level of the Liberty Memorial Hall. For online condolences, tributes or to make a donation in memory of Lawrence to Liberty Cemetery Fund or Long Lake Valley Health Foundation, please visit www.fotheringham-mcdougall.com.
Patricia Helen (Sekulich) McFarlane of Saskatoon (formerly Davidson, Sask.) was born on March 22, 1942 in Long Lac, Ont., to Mark and Margaret Sekulich. They lived in Ontario and would eventually move back to the family farm in Kenaston and then to Davidson. Mom attended school in Briggs and graduated from Davidson High School. During high school her passion was playing the saxophone and being involved with the Davidson Jubilee Marching Band. Many weekends were spent travelling to various towns playing at the local dances with the Teen Airs. After high school she followed her dream and attended Regina General Nursing School obtaining her Registered Nurse designation. Her career as an RN saw her working in Hamilton, Ont., at the Psychiatric Hospital, Saskatoon City Hospital, Davidson Union Hospital, the operating room at Royal University Hospital as well as home care in the later years. She married William McFarlane in November 1967 and had two children. They lived in town and later moved to the farm. Life was busy with work, gardening and sewing (especially quilts) and attending many hockey games and figure skating events. In January 2015, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer but did not let this disease define who she was. She lived her life with a strong spirit, genuine heart, considerate soul and an incredible underlying strength accepting her final days with courage and grace. Mom passed away at St. Paul’s hospital on June 8, 2015 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. As she was with us when we took our first breath, we were able to be there to hold her hand while she took her last breath. We would like to thank the incredible staff of St. Paul’s Hospital palliative care for the wonderful care Mom received during her last days. Pat is survived by her children Lynda (Gary) and Doug; grandchildren Chelsea (Chad), Marcus (Isabelle), Kaylah (Alex) and Candace; and great-grandchildren Eli and Kennedy. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law Bob (Phyllis) and Larry (Darlene), along with nephews and nieces and the best cousins you could ask for (those crazy Croatians). Pat was pre-deceased by her husband William, her parents Mark and Margaret and infant sister Kathleen. A celebration of life will be held on June 20, 2015 at 3 p.m. at Park Funeral Chapel (311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon). Interment of the ashes will be at a later date at the Davidson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Davidson Health Foundation in her memory. To view this obituary and share your memories, visit www.parkfuneral.ca “Obituaries & Tributes.” Arrangements entrusted to Kenneth J. Scheirich, Park Funeral Chapel, 306-244-2103.
CRAIK — David Ashdown won the Craik byelection for town council on June 3.
Ashdown took 97 of the 171 votes to win the council seat ahead of Mark Wegner and Mike Erlandson.
His experiences include serving in small town churches in Wolseley, Gull Lake and Craik before holding the position of Archdeacon of Athabasca and Archdeacon of Keewatin. In 2001, he was elected Bishop of Keewatin in 2001 and later elected Metropolitan of Rupert’s Land with title Archbishop in 2009.
Since moving back to Craik in 2014, Ashdown has kept his administrative experience and communication skills honed by being a vocal member of the community’s health care task force, writing various letters to government and health region officials, as well as speaking at rallies both in Craik and in front of the legislature building in Regina.
Before the byelection, Ashdown expressed his belief that there is a “need for more engagement by the council with the citizens of the community. People need to know what the council is doing, be consulted about priorities, have access to relevant information, and when for sound reasons information cannot be made available, the reasons should be given.”
“Open and transparent government is critical.”
In addition, Ashdown said he believes that civic pride is essential to growth. He said, “Properties in town need to be well-maintained and contribute to the sense that this is a good community in which to take up residence. Council needs to develop and implement strategies that ensure this happens.”
With only days before his first town council meeting, the new councillor expects to spend the first few sessions learning the dynamics of the meetings. Ashdown intends to quickly learn how to work with Mayor Rick Rogers and other councillors while pursuing the objectives that are important to him and, he believes, to the community.
Emily and Melissa Dixon presented their cousin Clayton Dixon with a chemo bag at his farm during a short visit home while in therapy.
By Kevin Gilby
CRAIK — A year-long school project dedicated to giving aid and comfort to people receiving cancer treatment has come to an end.
Inspired by a presentation given by a former student and ovarian cancer survivor Ashley Luther, members of the Students Representatives Council and the School Community Council set about following her lead and decided to help others by creating “chemotherapy bags.”
Throughout one’s treatment for cancer, chemotherapy sessions often last four to five hours or more the students learned. During that time, patients are unable to leave the facility for snacks or distraction and, if not prepared, boredom can quickly set in.
Each grade of the school was tasked with compiling a list of items that would be helpful to the patients.
With a little bit of imagination, and a lot of empathy, the students quickly determined the bags would need to be stocked with hard candies, water, juice, socks, books, lotions, and sometimes, toys among other items.
Lists in hand, students went home to ask for donations from friends, family, and community members to get the items needed and even obtained donations from some businesses.
Each bag was tailored to be specific for the needs of patients at different ages and interests. While some of the bags were earmarked for people known to the school, the majority of the bags were donated to accepting patients at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina.
Familiar with the hardships and loneliness treatment can cause, Grade 12 student Drayden Selinger surprised his mother Arlene when he informed her of what the school was planning to do.
Arlene Selinger, a cancer survivor herself, was overjoyed to learn of the care packages and quickly volunteered to add an extra special contribution.
During her treatment, she wanted to thank the volunteers that spend each day walking through the cancer centres giving patients and family members free coffee, juice and biscuits. While her initial offering of a financial contribution was declined, Arlene’s offer of homemade pillows was gladly accepted.
“Making these pillows gave me a purpose when going through my treatments,” Arlene said. “It was uplifting to receive thank you cards and notes from people I didn’t even know, but going through a similar experience as myself.”
Asked if the school would donate chemo bags again, Drayden said, “I don’t really hear a lot of people helping out with chemo bags or giving out extra stuff for people going through this, so I think it’s a really good idea to keep continuing this idea in the near future and further.”
Former cadet Jaclyn Edwards performs her duties as reviewing officer during the 553 Sherlock Squadron’s annual review on June 1 at Davidson Town Hall.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — Serving as the reviewing officer for the Sherlock Squadron’s annual review brought back a flood of memories for former cadet Jaclyn Edwards.
“This program changed my life,” she told the cadets gathered at Davidson Town Hall. “I kind of want to come back . . . I’m really proud of you guys.”
The local Royal Canadian Air Cadets squadron held its review on June 1, drawing a crowd of about 20 people to the auditorium to celebrate and recognize the cadets’ achievements over the past year.
This year will mark the squadron’s 30th anniversary in Davidson, but enrolment in the program has reached its lowest level yet with just four cadets finishing out the year.
Capt. Krystal Klenk said she’s hopeful that enrolment will increase next year, as the squadron welcomed several new cadets last fall.
“Our squadron may be small, but we have achieved and overcome to make this year a success,” she told the audience during her address.
Area director Gordon McRae also expressed his pride in the program and in the results he’s seen, exhibited in the many young people who have graduated from Air Cadets.
“I always feel proud of the program,” he said. “I would very much like to see it go on.”
Along with the ceremonial review, the program on Monday night included the presentation of awards and speeches by Klenk, McRae and Edwards. Ryan Potts served as master of ceremonies.
Jaclyn, 20, is the youngest child of Bill and Sandra Edwards. She followed in the footsteps of her older brother and sister by excelling in the program.
She recalled last week how she came along to meetings with her sister before she was old enough to join. As a cadet, she quickly caught up to her sister in rank, and as a senior cadet she was two years younger than her colleagues.
Edwards — now in her second year at the University of Saskatchewan, studying microbiology, immunology and biotechnology — said she took advantage of opportunities to improve her leadership skills.
“I’m more outgoing,” she said. “I’m not afraid to step up and take charge . . . It’s definitely helped that way.”
Edwards said the program gave her many other opportunities, from summer camps and flying experience to attending the world’s largest air show in Oshkosh, Wis.
She said serving as the reviewing officer was somewhat emotional for her because she once babysat the Townsend children, now enrolled in the program themselves.
Edwards also said she hopes to see enrolment increase, and that it would be a tremendous loss if Davidson lost the squadron. Added numbers would allow the cadets to explore more opportunities, she added.
L.A.C. Jessica Townsend received both the Star Cadet award and the Best Dressed award, while L.A.C. Breanna Townsend was honoured with the award for Most Proficient First-Year Cadet.
Corp. Weston Wilcox was presented with the Most Improved Cadet of the Year, traditionally presented to second-year cadets. Klenk noted that although he is technically in his first year, he has advanced enough to reach the ranking of a second-year cadet.
The squadron enjoyed another busy year of adventures, which included competing against other cadets in zone activities in Saskatoon, taking part in a survival weekend at Buffalo Pound and attending a Snowbirds air show at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.
In the winter, the cadets visited Mitchinson’s Flying Services in Saskatoon and had the opportunity to fly in a Cessna 152 two-passenger craft.
Over the year, cadets also toured the STARS Air Ambulance facility and helicopters in Saskatoon, viewed a Chinook duel propeller helicopter at 15 Wing, and flew in gliders at the Moose Jaw Gliding Centre.
Klenk, now in her sixth year as the squadron’s commanding officer, is herself a graduate of the squadron, having joined in 2004 at age 15.
She said she travels each week from her home near Watrous for the squadron meetings, noting that all of the leaders come from out of town.
Klenk said that the low enrolment numbers also mean there are fewer parent volunteers to help with the program, adding, “We also need people over here to help us grow.”
Local cadets will be busy with activities over the summer; the squadron will resume meeting in the fall with an open house on Sept. 14.
The program is open to recruits ages 12 and up. For more information, contact Klenk at 306-946-3773 or 306-946-9941, or email krykle@sasktel.net.
