All posts by Tara de Ryk

Leader wins AWards

The Davidson Leader won several awards at the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association (SWNA) Better Newspapers Competition (BNC). The awards were presented at the SWNA’s BNC banquet in Regina April 6. Tara de Ryk, publisher of The Davidson Leader, (left) won three awards: Best Educational Coverage K-12 series of stories for her series about Davidson School’s Grade 4 class’s efforts to install a sunscreen dispenser at Panther Pool. She also won the Best Feature Story award for the story about Terry Dieno’s restoration of a P-51 Mustang and she won the award for Best Saskatchewan Arts or Cultural series of stories for her series on the restoration of Davidson’s coffee pot. Leanne Read (right) won the award for Best Advertisement for her colourful ad promoting print work. She also placed second in the Best Wildlife Photo category for her picture of mule deer bucks. The Davidson Leader was also recognized in the general excellence awards, placing second in the Best Front Page competition in its circulation classification.

Zwarich, Terry

In Loving Memory of Terry Steven Zwarich

March 4, 1960 – January 29, 2019

A Memorial Service was held for Terry on March 30, 2019 at Kenaston Place.

Terry was born on March 4, 1960 and passed away peacefully with his family and mother at his bedside in the General Hospital in Regina on January 29, 2019. He courageously battled cancer for five years enduring the pain with faith in God and a positive attitude.

Terry was trained as a plumber and had his own company. He was talented and had expertise in electrical, mechanical and roofing work.

Terry was a member of the World Cancer Organization and was an inspiration to many cancer patients in other countries.

He trusted in his Lord and was always grateful for every day. His positive attitude always saw the best in everyone.

He was predeceased by his dad, Steve, baby sister Diane and grandson Quinton, his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Left to cherish his memory are wife, Gwen, three sons Terry (Michelle) and family, Kyle (Taylor), Ian (Christine) and family, two stepsons, mother Verna, who really misses him, sister Nola (Bob), niece Cheryl, nephew Merle, aunt Stella and many cousins and friends. Verna thanks Rev. Gregg Rustulka, all those who participated in the service, the women and men on cleanup as well as everyone who attended this special day.

Luther, Ashley

Ashley Shandrel Luther

April 15, 1988 – March 1, 2019

Ashley was born in Regina on April 15, 1988 on her father Cliff’s 33rd birthday “the best gift ever.”

Ashley enjoyed her childhood growing up with her three brothers on Stillwater Farm near Aylesbury, Sask. She loved animals especially her kittens. There was rarely a photo taken without a kitty in her arms. Ashley loved spending time with her great-uncles Ken and Robert Leslie and her grandparents Myrna and Martin Luther at Riskan Hope Farm and also her grandparents Reg and Alice in Moose Jaw. She attended Craik School for her elementary years, growing up in such a loving community was truly a blessing that made Ashley the caring person that she was. She continued her education at Luther College High School where she enjoyed drama, cheerleading and was an accomplished swimmer, lifeguarding and instructing at Craik Regional Park in the summer. Ashley moved to Vancouver where she became a flight attendant for Sunwing travelling to many exotic destinations while also waitressing at Lucy’s Diner. There she met the love of her life Felix Heide from Germany. Ashley’s time at the ‘50s style diner sparked her interest in pinup modeling and she adopted her pinup name Elly Mayday inspired by a combination of the Beverly Hillbillies T.V. character Elly May Clampett and a nod to her aviation career.

At age 25 Ashley was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Rather than let this news dull her light, she decided it was her time to shine. Ashley was a pioneer modeling with her scars. It was the raw unflinching honesty of these photos that sent them racing virally around the world. Ashley was suddenly thrust into the limelight as an international role model setting the gold standard for body positivity, inspiring women of all ages to love themselves just the way they are. Ashley’s professional modeling career took off and she was signed in NYC, Miami and London U.K. landing the biggest contract of her career with Lane Bryant. Her photos appeared in Times Square, on buses, subways and billboards across the country. Ashley continued to raise awareness. She travelled to Australia and worked with ovarian cancer research and Women’s Weekly and the Ladyballs campaign. She had numerous modeling and speaking engagements across Canada. She received the Virginia Greene achievement award in 2017 honouring her life’s work.

Ashley leaves to celebrate her life and continue her legacy, her parents Deb and Cliff; brothers Dallas (Audrey), Dustin and Clinton; Felix Heide and family in Germany; grandmother Alice; numerous aunts and uncles and cousins. The family would like you to join them in a celebration of Ashley’s life at Aylesbury Hall on Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m.

New SGI Requirements could put small collision Repair shops out of businesses

Leland Millham uses a diagnostic scanner on a pickup truck that’s being repaired at Legend Autobody in Davidson. Legend Autobody and other small collision repair shops are worried about the sustainability of their enterprises once changes SGI is making to the accredited repairer program take effect April 2020.

DAVIDSON—Small, mom and pop collision repair shops fear that new requirements for autobody shops to keep their SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) accreditation will force them out of business.

SGI recently announced that it intends to introduce new equipment and training requirements that autobody repair shops must meet in order to retain their SGI accreditation.

SGI says the changes are needed due to how new vehicles are made. New vehicles have significant advancements in vehicle construction and driver safety technologies that require new tools, equipment and training to ensure the vehicles are repaired safely to the manufacturer’s standards.

SGI collision repair work is the main source of revenue for autobody shops.

“I feel this is going to close down a lot of smaller shops. I don’t know who is going to be left after this sweep,” Barry Millham said last Wednesday.

To read the full story, you’ll need to subscribe. Phone 306-567-2047, email davidsonleader@sasktel.net or click the Subscribe button.

Hamre, Ronald

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Ronald Hamre, age 92, announces his passing on Friday, March 29, 2019 at the Meadows, Swift Current, SK. Ronald Clare Hamre was born on December 28, 1926 in Hanley, SK — the third son of Tandrup & Marie Hamre. Ron married Wynona Adams on August 4, 1949 and they lived in Kenaston, SK and Swift Current. Ron spent much of his early working career working in his parent’s Red and White Store in Kenaston. Ron held a Journeyman Electrician Certificate and was involved with rural electrification around Kenaston. He also operated a TV and radio repair business. Ron was very involved in the community, serving on the Kenaston School Board for many years, and for nine years on the Davidson School Unit board — two of those as the Chair. Ron was a Boy Scout Leader for many years and was proud to help several young men become Queen Scouts. He was a Mason and member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and was a past Master of both. In 1969, Ron went to University and he was awarded a Bachelor of Education with Distinction in 1975. He and the family moved to Swift Current in 1971 and Ron taught Electronics, Electricity, Machine Shop, and Math at the Swift Current Comprehensive High School. He also established a Photography Club and a Ham Radio Club at the high school. Ron retired from teaching in 1990 and was able to spend more time pursuing his hobbies — Big Band music, amateur radio, camping, photography, gardening, stained glass, and model boat building. Special thanks to the caregivers at the Meadows for many years of excellent care provided to Ron. Ronald was predeceased by his parents, Tandrup & Marie Hamre; his brother and sister-in-law, Glenn and Dorothy Hamre; his sister-in-law, Muriel Hamre; and by his brother-in-law, Jim Adams. Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years, Wynona Hamre (nee Adams); his children, Kathryn (Evanna Simpson) Hamre (Regina, SK), Nancy Kirk (Climax, SK), Lyle (Chris) Hamre (Fredericton, NB), and Alynne Hamre (Swift Current, SK); his grandchildren, Blair (Stacy) Wasmann, Jori (Emma) Kirk, Logan (Kayla) Kirk, Rhett Kirk, Kate Hamre, and Spencer Hamre; his great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Aidan Wasmann, and Jaxon and Cooper Kirk; his brothers, Vance Hamre and Keith (Ethel) Hamre; and by many nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service for Ronald Hamre was held on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at 2:00 pm from the Swift Current Funeral Home Chapel, Swift Current, SK with Rev. Eleanor Rockabar officiating. “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” was sung by the congregation, with Mary Henderson serving as song leader and pianist. The eulogy was given by Jori Kirk. Ronald’s grandchildren, Blair Wasmann, Jori Kirk, Logan Kirk, Rhett Kirk, Kate Hamre, and Spencer Hamre served as Honorary Pallbearers. A Private Interment Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Ronald Hamre, donations made to the Alzheimer’s Society and the Meadows Auxiliary would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information, or to leave a personal message of condolence on the family’s obituary page, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com