Monthly Archives: May 2017

Craik, featured

A tale as old as time

Morgan Stephens, Sophie Kearns and Kaylee Watt dance as a trio.

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — Belle, the Beast and other characters were brought to life in this year’s recital by the Craik School of Dance.

The dance students presented Beauty and the Beast to an audience of about 65 people in the auditorium at Craik School on May 13.

The one-hour program, inspired by both the 1991 Disney animated film and the recent live-action remake, included roughly a dozen dance routines set to familiar songs like “Be Our Guest.”

Also featured were scenes from the movies, acted out on stage by a troupe of adult and child performers.

Dance instructor Amber Koza-Drimmie Vibert said she began planning the recital around the classic tale last year.

“It’s been my favourite movie my whole life,” she said.

A display in the school foyer included a cardboard stand-up promoting the 1991 movie, as originally displayed in a video rental store.

Vibert said they assigned acting parts a couple of weeks before the recital. After the other actors had made their choices, she tried a few roles and wound up playing Gaston, at the insistence of her students.

Her costume included boots made out of duct tape. Vibert said the character was a good fit for her, calling him “very flamboyant.”

Vibert had 10 students enrolled in Craik this year, ranging in age from five to 21 years. She taught in Craik one night a week and also operated a studio in Eyebrow.

For the full story and additional photos, please see the May 22 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured, Kenaston, Loreburn, Sports

Student athletes hot on the track despite cold weather

Competitors in the bantam boys 100-metre dash included Sam Thomson (far left) and Connor George (second from right) of Kenaston, and Logan Nelson-Schneider of Davidson (far right).

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A chilly spring day greeted young athletes from around the district as they gathered at Davidson School on Wednesday.

Davidson hosted eight other schools, including nearby Kenaston and Loreburn, in the east sectional track and field meet.

Paulette Killoh, one of the staff organizers, said the events ran on schedule for the most part.

Davidson hosts every three years, she noted, adding, “Every time you host you get a little better at it.”

Though the skies were sunny and clear, the temperature hovered between 5°C and 10°C for much of the day, and wind was also a constant presence.

Athletes, supervisors and spectators were bundled up warmly, some wrapping themselves in blankets and sleeping bags to guard against the frigid air.

Volunteers had to keep a close watch on the track during the hurdles events as the hurdles themselves were prone to falling over in the wind.

Killoh said they decided to hold the high jump in the high school gym, to avoid having similar problems with the bar.

It was a successful day for many of Davidson’s athletes, several of whom enjoyed first-place finishes in multiple events.

For the bantam girls, Maggie Boehm took first place in both the 100-m dash and the triple jump.

Among the midget girls, Jordan Matheson was first in the 100-m dash, long jump and triple jump, while Tylar Oliver was tops in both the 200-m and 400-m events.

Nolan Allan was first in three bantam boys events: the 100-m dash, high jump and long jump. Deiondre Boychuk led in the 400-m and 800-m events, while Hunter Herback was first in both discus throw and javelin throw.

Clay Murfitt, competing in the junior boys division, took first in the 100-m dash, 100-m hurdles and shot put.

For the senior boys, Jacob Schilling led in the 400-m and 800-m events.

Loreburn’s Anika Lakinger took first in shot put and javelin throw for the bantam girls, while Abigail Graham led in the 80-m hurdles and triple jump for the junior girls.

The top six competitors in each event are invited to move on to the district meet, which will be held the weekend of May 26 and 27 in Outlook.

Killoh said some Davidson athletes who qualified for districts would be unable to compete due to other commitments such as hockey or volleyball.

For the full story, detailed results and additional photos, please see the May 22 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured

Town to consider business licenses

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A new bylaw to license businesses in town will be on the table at Davidson’s next council meeting.

The bylaw would target businesses that aren’t currently paying commercial property tax in town, such as home-based and online operations.

During their regular meeting on Tuesday, councillors discussed some of the bylaws in use in other towns.

Mayor Tyler Alexander said a bylaw would bring in revenue while also enabling the town to track such businesses for promotional purposes.

“I agree personally that we should do something,” said the mayor, suggesting that a bylaw could be enacted by council soon to take effect at the start of next year.

Alexander expressed approval for the bylaw currently in effect in Outlook, where fees for business licenses generally range between $50 and $150 per year.

Administrator Gary Edom agreed to prepare a draft of a bylaw for council’s approval at the June meeting.

The subject of an updated business license bylaw has been discussed by council on and off over the past couple of years.

Bylaw 352, “The Licensing Bylaw,” was passed by council in April 1981, under Mayor Milan Puckett and administrator Bud Larson.

The bylaw officially remains on the books, although it has not been enforced in decades and is now outdated. Edom said it is due to be repealed.

The licensing bylaw required tradespeople, businessmen and operators to register and pay a license fee in order to carry on business within the town.

It makes provision for a license inspector to carry out enforcement, and sets out fees for everything from ambulances ($1 per year) to piano tuners ($10).

For our full report from town council, please see the May 22 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Kenaston, Obituary

Obituary: Benko, Clarence

Benko, Clarence “Chuck” John
July 29, 1938 — May 16, 2017

On May 16, 2017, Chuck Benko of Edmonton, Alberta (formerly of Kenaston, Sask.) sadly passed away at the age of 78 years old.

Dad will be greatly missed by his daughters Maria MacLeod, Christine (Dave) DaCosta, Suzanne (Kevin) Clemens and sons Thomas (Dagmar) Benko and Robert (Christine) Benko. Chuck will be forever missed by his brothers Leonard (Betty) Benko, James Benko, Jack (Lois) Benko and sisters Valerine Thurlow and Theresa (Elden) Owen.

Dad will always be missed by his many grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews and relatives from near and far.

He was predeceased by his mother Frances; father John; son Stephen and brother Andrew.

In keeping with the wishes of Chuck, there will be a Funeral Mass held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 75 Poirier Avenue, St. Albert, AB T8N 6A1.

Interment will take place at a later date. He will rest at the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Kenaston, Sask.

The family would like to thank the kind, caring, and professional staff in Unit 18 at the St. Albert Sturgeon Community Hospital where Chuck spent his last four months of life.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations can be made to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation 8602 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1.

To send condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com.

Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home, St. Albert Chapel, (780) 458-2222.

Loreburn, Obituary

Obituary: Glubis, Candace Jean

Glubis (nee Turnbull), Candace Jean
May 13, 1950 — May 13, 2017

Jean, age 67, passed away on May 13, 2017 at Outlook Union Hospital. Jean is lovingly remembered by her husband of 45 years, Ron Glubis; their children, Ryan (Amanda) Glubis, Allan (Barb) Glubis, Darelle (Jay) Church, Lesley (Brett) Glubis, Lynsey (Jim) Glubis; their 12 grandchildren, Nicole, Kaitlyn, Alyssa, Kyla, Jake, Luke, Dylan, Ashton, Samantha, Jorja, Eric and Lily; one great-granddaughter, Chayce; siblings John (Eloise) Turnbull and Bob (Barbara) Turnbull; and nieces and nephew Terri-Lee, Robbie and Jen. She is predeceased by her parents, William and Candace Turnbull; parents-in-law Jerry and Katherine Glubis; her nephew Ian Turnbull; and her grandson Parker Glubis.

Jean graduated from the University of Saskatchewan and enjoyed many years of teaching before she retired to continue farming with her husband near Strongfield. She enjoyed a love-filled life with family. She was a dedicated farmer’s wife, mother, sister, friend, teacher and traveller. Family was always a priority to Jean and she showed her caring and supportive nature by being involved in their adventures, celebrations and sorrows. Jean spoke fondly of her time working at Loreburn Central School as many of her students and fellow staff members held a special place in her heart. Volunteering in the community was important to Jean. Memorable journeys were: trips with her husband throughout the U.S., gallivanting with her dearest friend Dorothy, and travelling around the world with her children and grandchildren.

At Jean’s request, a private family Celebration of Life will be held at the family farm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Saskatchewan Hospice Palliative Care Association. Arrangements by Outlook Funeral Home.

Craik, featured

Mayor says Craik will recover fraud losses

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — Craik’s mayor says he believes the town will be able to retrieve the total amount it has lost to fraud, calculated at close to $40,000.

“I’m confident that we will recover, through various means, all of the funds that were lost,” David Ashdown told the Leader.

Those means include bonds held by the town, as well as the restitution to be paid by former town administrator Jeff Murray, who pled guilty to fraud in January.

According to figures provided by the town earlier this month, the loss to fraud totals $39,416.34.

Administrator Sarah Wells said the town currently has an open insurance claim through SGI, and is waiting to hear what the outcome will be.

“It’s not a guarantee,” said Wells, adding, “We’re definitely going to work with them and see what we can get.”

The mayor said he, the town councillors and employees are working to carefully follow established policies to ensure that Craik won’t be vulnerable to fraud again.

“Personally I’m very confident that a similar situation could not arise,” said Ashdown, adding that while he trusts the staff, “that doesn’t remove my fiduciary duty to check carefully.”

Wells, who began working for the town in November 2014, said her responsibilities to council have been consistent throughout that time.

“I make sure council has all the information to work with,” she said. “My office door is always open for them to come in and inspect anything that they wish.”

She confirmed that she provides detailed financial statements to council, including itemized credit card statements.

Ashdown said these documents are received by council members prior to each regular monthly meeting.

The council reviews and adopts financial statements, payroll and accounts payable at each meeting. Having these documents makes it possible for council members to do cross-references.

“I do a regular review ensuring that the invoice matches the check and the authorization,” Ashdown explained. “We have tightened up the administration considerably.”

The mayor clarified that these are not new policies for council, but that they must be followed in order to be effective at preventing or detecting any financial irregularities.

Ashdown said he draws from his own experience in dealing with public funds, as well as observing best practices from other municipalities.

“We’re very careful to strictly adhere to the policies we already have in place,” he said. “Unless it’s adhered to, it’s not worth anything.”

For the full story, please see the May 15 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.