All posts by Tara de Ryk

Davidson
Unlike humans, livestock have to remain outdoors year round, including during last week’s sustained cold temperatures that were as low as minus 40.

DAVIDSON—”An arctic high pressure ridge has settled in over Saskatchewan,” was the opening line of Environment Canada’s extreme cold warning issued last Thursday for Saskatchewan.

The entire province was included in the special weather alert, including this region of south central Saskatchewan.

Temperatures under this ridge were very cold with early morning in the mid-to-low minus 30s with a few localities sneaking past the -40 mark. Even with winds of five or 10 kilometres per hour, extreme wind chill values of -40 to -50 were widespread, according to Environment Canada.

Environment Canada warned people of the risk posed by the extreme cold including frostbite and hypothermia.

People were advised to keep emergency supplies in vehicles such as extra blankets and jumper cables.

Last Wednesday’s cold temperatures set new records. Elbow’s -36.1 set a new extreme cold temperature record, according to Environment Canada. At -41.7° Celsius, Feb. 6, 2019 marked the coldest day on record in Saskatoon on a Feb. 6 in more than 100 years. The last time it was that cold on that day was in 1907.

Davidson

Living snowfence considered

The Town of Davidson is considering replacing ineffective snow fencing such as this one behind Northside Manor with a tree row.

The Town of Davidson is considering a living windbreak instead of fences to contain the force of the prairie wind.

The town is consulting with Davidson’s Communities in Bloom committee for advice on planting trees to replace snow fencing behind Northside Manor and along the east side of Sellers Crescent.

They are looking at a proposal to plant two lines of shelterbelt trees adjacent to one another

“If anyone has seen the condition of the snow fence, this is a great idea,” said Mayor Tyler Alexander.

Council suggested inviting Community in Bloom members and the landowner to council’s Feb. 26 meeting to discuss the matter further.

Craik, Obituary

BUCHINSKI

Alvin Jacob Buchinski, born November 30, 1945 in Saskatoon, passed away January 22, 2019 in Craik, Sask. due to complications from alcoholism.

He was predeceased by his mother and father, Lillian and Jacob Buchinski.  He is survived by long-time companion and special friend Lynn Harder, his two daughters and four grandchildren: Minette Sawchyn, (Brie and Brody), Chantelle Alberts, (Lillian and Madeline) and brothers Edwin (Margaret), Ken (Elizabeth), Ben, Earl (Terry) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Raised in Smuts, Alvin completed high school in Aberdeen, Sask., then moved to Saskatoon to begin his working career in the steel industry. In his youth Alvin was active in playing hockey, fastball and curling. He loved country music, playing kaiser, fishing and above all watching sports.

A celebration of his life will be held 1:30 p.m., February 16, 2019 at the Craik Legion Hall. Donations in Alvin’s memory can be made to The Calder Centre in Saskatoon. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.

Davidson

Garbage piles up

It’s amazing how much garbage people produce. This photograph shows one month’s worth of household garbage the garbage truck has collected from residents of the Town of Davidson. The refuse has filled one corner of the new pit at Davidson’s landfill. The new pit remains closed to the general public. Only residential garbage collected by town employees during weekly pickup is being put in the new pit. Before spring this garbage will be spread out to form a cushion to help prevent the clay liner from being punctured when the pit is opened to the public and will be accepting garbage and debris. The pit is lined with one metre of clay that is topped with a thick layer of sand. The Town of Davidson has proposed new rates for the landfill and is also reviewing landfill operations.

Davidson, Kenaston

Names sought for Saskatchewan MADD memorial

KENASTON—Names are being sought to include on the Saskatchewan Memorial Monument for victims of impaired driving.

The monument will be located at Saskatoon City Hall and is a project spearheaded by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada and the Kerpan and Van de Vorst families. Kenaston’s Allan and Melanie Kerpan and Lou and Linda Van de Vorst have been working with MADD to get a memorial monument in Saskatchewan that honours the victims of impaired driving.

In October 2014 Allan and Melanie’s daughter Danille was driving on Highway 11 at Bladworth when she was killed by an impaired driver.

Lou and Linda’s son Jordan, 35, his wife Chanda, 33, and their two children, Kamryn, five and two-year-old Miguire, were killed when their vehicle was struck and killed by a drunk driver in January 2016.

The Kerpans and the Van der Vorsts have since become advocates for efforts to reduce impaired driving and have used their tragic circumstances to raise awareness of the impact of impaired driving.

The monument in Saskatoon joins a countrywide campaign, paid for by MADD Canada to bring monuments to Canadian province.

Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Manitoba already have memorials.

Allan Kerpan said anyone who has lost someone as a result of impaired driving is encouraged to have his or her name on the monument.

“It doesn’t matter when it happened. It could be 20, 10, one year or even 50 years ago. Time doesn’t matter,” he said.

What does matter, he said is that people know the monument is coming and that people know they have an opportunity to recognize their loved ones.

He said the City of Saskatoon was excellent to work with and offered them a site for the memorial on the north side of City Hall in downtown Saskatoon.

He is pleased with the location.

He said the other MADD memorial monuments in Canada are typically set up in cemeteries.

“We did not want ours in a cemetery,” he said due to the fact they already have memorials to their loved ones in cemeteries.

They wanted the monument in a visible, public place so that it is accessible to people. They want people to see it and to read it so they are aware of the impact of drinking and driving.

The memorial monument will be unveiled at a special ceremony on May 25, 2019. People have until May 5 to submit names.

The monument is made out of metal in a semi-circular shape. Kerpan said it shows arms outstretched. At its centre is a design similar to a small sundial to show the passage of time.

“It’s going to be a showpiece for Canada,” Kerpan said.

The names will be inscribed on the metal. Each year a memorial service will be held at the monument to honour the victims of impaired driving. Names will be added as needed each year.

“Hopefully not too many more,” Kerpan said.

If people wish to submit a name to be included on the memorial, they should contact Gillian Phillips, MADD Canada, victim services manager, 1-866-461-4077 or Allan and Melanie Kerpan at 306-252-2226.