Members of the Southern Meats team from left to right are: Elda Botha, Gerhardt Botha, Cathareen Botha, Zandre Botha, Donna Stone, and Rob Stone. (Photo supplied)
“Hell Yeah!” That is the name of the award that Southern Meats, a Kenaston-based company, won on April 16 at the 23rd annual Moose Jaw and District Business Excellence awards night. Cathareen Botha of Southern Meats said the “Hell Yeah!” award is described this way:
“Often the success of a business is down to the way its
people pull together to propel the company for- ward and/or support the
community around it. Resilience, dedication, initiative, and positivity are
present in great force from employees in businesses across the borough and this
award seeks to acknowledge their admirable strengths and efforts.” She said it
is an honour to have Southern Meats recognized. “This recognition means a
lot to us. It acknowledges our commitment to excellence and the hard work of
our team,” she said in an email to the Leader.
“We are grateful for the support we’ve received and are
inspired to continue contributing to our community’s growth and success. We
hope to keep earning your trust and welcome your continued support and feedback
— because without it, we can’t grow or improve.” Cathareen, Elda Botha,
and Gerhardt Botha were in attendance to accept their award.
The regular meeting of David- son Town Council occurred
April 22 at the Town chambers. There were two delegates. Elaine Ebenal, on
behalf of the Davidson Housing Author- ity, was present to give a summary of
the authority’s activities and current need of board members. Ebenal
highlighted the need for housing for seniors and low-income individual/
families in communities and the strong desire to keep control of said housing
local to Davidson and area. She indicated that the housing authority is in need
of two additional members and has made similar presentations to the RMs of Arm
River and Willner. Ebenal asked council to con- sider recommending member- ship
to their social circles. She explained the commitment is essentially a one-hour
long meeting every six to seven weeks. Ebenal is hoping anyone considering
becoming a board member to help oversee vital housing in Davidson reach out to
her.
*****
Davidson Volunteer Fire Department (DFD) Fire Chief Cory Dean also attended the meeting to express DVD’s desire to learn how to better utilize the town’s water distribution system in events of fires within town limits. Dean wants to work with public works employees to better understand what physical limits exist to distribute water in times of emergency and help plan co-ordination between the two groups to more efficiently combat fires and maintain adequate water pressure. Dean expressed how the fire department experienced a few unexpected problems during the recent fire in the north industrial area of Davidson. Council agreed that the DFD and Public Works department needs to share needs, capabilities, and procedures to fully utilize DFD’s fire handling capabilities and the town’s distribution capabilities. Council further said that water pressure concerns experienced during the event are being remedied and are intended to be fully resolved by end of May.
*****
Council approved a motion to proceed with contracting with
MPE Engineering to provide engineering services for the Enterprise Lane Upgrade
project. The work includes revising the drawings created in 2024,
material selection, and up to awarding of contract. The current plan is to
complete the upgrade in this calendar year.
*****
Council approved buying 45 folding tables to facilitate
replacing the existing tables at the AGT Centre. The new tables may be used in
the Town Hall and existing tables at the hall would replace the tables at the
AGT Centre.
*****
Council received correspondence from the Ministry of
Government Relations which announced the residential Education Property Tax
Mill Rates for 2025 went down to 4.27 from 4.54 mills in 2024.
*****
Council approved donating a Family Season Swim Pass to
support the Davidson Skatepark Committee’s Market in the Park fundraiser.
Tickets are available at the annual fundraising event at Arnold Park in
Davidson on May 10. The winning ticket will be selected June 21 during Davidson
Days.
*****
Administration indicated that the town has hired an
Operations Manager to oversee Public Works activities, contracting, and related
functions. The manager will begin work May 12. Administration indicated that
its still accepting applications for the Public Works Department foreman
position until May 16. Administration further indicated that all summer
seasonal staffing positions have been filled. The landfill operator position
has also been filled and the landfill is now open for regular hours of operation.
*****
AGT rental rates for JAA and Cyclones are to increase by
five per cent to cover increased operational costs. Similarly, local rental
group fees are to increase from $130 to $140 per hour and out-of-town fees by
eight per cent.
*****
The Sask Lotteries grant of $16,218 has been allotted to the
local groups that applied for funding.
*****
The DFD asked the Fire Board for permission to begin
fundraising for a new fire rescue truck and possible conversion of existing
fire rescue truck to a wildland truck. The board approved the fundraiser, but
suggested they collect letters of intent in lieu of cash in the event they do
not proceed with the purchase.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our loving wife, mother and grandmother. Surrounded by family, Gloria passed peacefully on April 10, 2025. She will be deeply missed by her family, husband, Alan, children Ryan (Megan), Kari (Julian), Shalene, Chad (Kylee), grandchildren, Cameron and Connor, Asher, Karson and Deklan, Brielle, Brynn and Blake, mother, Nina Gust, as well as her siblings, nieces, nephews, friends and all who knew her. Gloria was predeceased by her father, Robert Gust, sister, Sandy Manz, brother, Brian Gust, father-in-law Leonard Gieselman, and mother-in-law Vivian Gieselman. Family Internment will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, followed by reception at the Parish Hall at 2:30 pm. Reception open to all who knew and loved Gloria. Arrangements entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, SK. If you wish, memorial donations can be made to Kinsmen Telemiracle or Davidson Cemetery Fund c/o Town of Davidson.
Clayton Schneider, the president of Panther Industries, thanked Davidson firefighters for their work at the scene of the fire. (Photos by Kevin Gilby)
Fire ravaged a building at a local business in Davidson on April 15. A pallet fire spread to an adjacent structure at Panther Industries, resulting in the loss of a building. “Lots of little blessings,” said Clayton Schneider, the president of Panther Industries. “No one got hurt; that’s the main thing. “First and foremost, what a wonderful volunteer fire department we have,” he continued. “It was minutes from the call to when they got here. They are just the best team a town like David- son could ask for.” Davidson Volunteer Fire Department (DFD) responded to a call at 3:46 p.m. on April 15 to a fire in the northern commercial area of Davidson. Fifteen members responded with four emergency vehicles in efforts to put out the fire. The rapid speed of the fire forced the firefighters’ efforts to change to containment to pre- vent further damage to adjoining lumber storage. EMS was on scene.
DFD cleared the scene and returned to base just before midnight that evening. Sask Power, SaskEnergy, EMS, RCMP provided support and assistance. The building — colloquially referred to as the Arlend Building named after the previous owner — housed equipment used to prepare lumber for the production of pallets. The firm recently installed new equipment to facilitate lumber cutting, notching, and other related production tasks. Schneider said having a fire hydrant mere metres from the property line, a dugout full of water across an adjacent road, and the favourable, although rare, south-east wind were silver linings to an otherwise costly fire.
“(The wind) was absolutely a gift from Baby Jesus,”
Schneider said. The wind and locality of the fire on the edge of property, in
addition to the work of the firefighters, are what prevented the fire from
spreading to other structures or inventory on site. The loss of
equipment and building have caused Panther staff to quickly find alternatives
to prevent shutting down. Schneider said he met with staff while the fire was
still being extinguished to draw up contingency plans. Schneider indicated that
while they determine the long-term solution, Panther will transport product
from two of its other locations based in Edmonton.
“Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do when you’re
watching things burn down,” he said. “But you have to take care of business and
people’s jobs. “I assured the five people affected by this that we are going to
take care of them and we’re going to get through it. There’s lots of silver
linings in here; we’re going to build a building that’s bigger, better, and
we’ve got the most loyal staff. “You’ve got to take care of your people. You
just have to.”
(From left) Gord Taylor, Zig Bagg, Tyler Bahnman, Zandre Botha, Jeff Doyle, Rhyder Schmit (front), and Cory Dieno were winners at the event. (Photos by Kevin Gilby)
About 80 hunters, fishermen, and those involved in wildlife preservation met on April 5 at the Bladworth Hall to celebrate their achievements and support local wildlife projects at the Arm River Wildlife Federation’s annual awards night. Vice-President Jeff Doyle provided a brief update on work being done at the Trout Pond Project west of Davidson. Among the enhancements, 40 additional seedlings will be planted this spring and an additional 1,000 trout have been ordered to replenish stocks. Doyle indicated that once the snow has receded, the organization plans to invite Davidson School Grade 6 students to assist in the planting of wildflowers. A boundary fence installation is hoped for this year, and organizers are hopeful they can have a few heavy-duty picnic tables brought in if anyone wants to donate them. “A big thank you to all the sponsors, we are trying to do projects like the gun range and trout pond, but it’s all volunteer work and it all takes money, so any help we get is greatly appreciated,” said Doyle. “Also a thank you to all that are using the pond. “We are very pleased with how the garbage has been cleaned up and just random people taking the full garbage bags and changing them. So awesome to see the area used and respected. Thank you.”
Approximately 80 people came to share hunting/fishing tales, while enjoying a smoked roast beef and the fixings prepared by the Bladworth Elks.
Award winners
Cory Dieno, 12.6 lbs – Walleye – Diamond A Farms
Tyler Bahnman, 24.8 lbs – Pike – Hansons Funeral Home
It is with great sadness and celebration we
announce the death of Randy. Davidson born and raised, he went from a farm boy,
to the man who could keep your farm running.
He was a father of four, his three sons Jeff,
Jason and Jordan, and his stepson Matt.
He leaves behind his loving spouse,
companion and caretaker Debbie, brothers Lorne and Brian and sisters Arlene,
Beryl, and Terry and six grandchildren.
Celebrations will be held Tuesday April 15th, 2:00 pm at the Davidson Town Hall. Lunch to follow.
