All posts by Tara de Ryk

Obituary

obit-Sarich,-Helen1

Helen Sarich
March 24, 1917 – April 29, 2014
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Helen Sarich (nee Sekulich) on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at the age of 97. Helen passed away peacefully at the Pasqua Hospital with her family at her side. She was born to Daniel and Antonia Sekulich on March 24, 1917 on a farm outside of Bladworth, SK. In 1936 Helen married Tony Sarich, a local man; they moved to a farm north of Davidson where they resided for 28 years, and later retiring to Davidson, SK. Helen is predeceased by her husband Tony, son David, son-in-law Michael Zaholuk, and siblings Joseph, Matt, Stan, Rose, and Katherine. Helen is remembered by her children: Anne Zaholuk, Ron (Susan) Sarich, Terry (Marianne) Sarich, Allan (Kae) Sarich, Victoria Heinrichs, Toni Sarich, and daughter-in-law Lois Sarich. Grandchildren: Lori (Ray) Herauf, Janet (Rod) Baxter, Joanne (Howie) Elder, Jackie (Wade) Williamson, Lorne (Rhonda) Sarich, Scott Sarich, Amanda (Andre) Sarich, Kurt Sarich, Adam Sarich, Nicole (David) Sarich, and Demi Sarich. Siblings: Maizie Siroski, John(Katie) Sekulich, Vi Siroski, and sister-in-law Joan Sekulich; along with 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Helen lived a long and healthy life, full of family, friends and a strong faith. She was an avid bowler, curler, car player and a founding member of the C.W.L. in the local Sacred Heart Parish. A celebration of Helen’s life was held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. For friends so wishing, memorials in memory of Helen may be directed to the Sask. Alzheimer’s Association or to the charity of your choice.

Davidson, featured

Commercial property taxes take a hike

Property taxes are going up for commercial property owners in Davidson.
Overall, the municipal levy is up about 5 per cent, or $47,000, to raise $1,074,998 in revenues from property taxes to help balance Davidson’s 2014 $2.2 million operating budget.
Council approved the budget at its April 24 meeting.
Commercial property owners will see the biggest increase in their tax bills. Council decided to raise the commercial millrate from 21.41 to 25.61 and increase the base tax by $50. The base tax charged on vacant lots is going up from $400 to $450 and the base tax charged on a lot with improvements will now be $500.
Meanwhile, council reduced the residential millrate from 13.55 to 12.93 and the agricultural millrate from 15.28 to 14.52.
Most residential property taxes will remain about the same as last year, town administrator Gary Edom said.
Instead, council decided to shift the tax increase onto commercial ratepayers.
This news may appease residential property owners, some of whom, saw substantial tax increases in 2013 due to new assessments taking effect.
Edom said, as a result of the reassessment, residential property values went up significantly, while some commercial properties values decreased.
The town raises the remainder of its revenues needed to operate and maintain the municipality from federal and provincial operating grants, water and sewer rates and various fees and charges. Council transferred $304,000 from reserves to help balance the budget, which also contains a small surplus of $5,150.
About $200,000 of those reserves are coming from the recreation reserve fund and will be used to pay for repairs to the town hall roof, work that was completed this winter, which is why the item, although budgeted for in 2013 appears again in 2014.
Council also decided to withdraw about $100,000 from the utility reserve to cover costs of repair and maintenance work on the water tower as well as to install a new water line that will connect the reserve tanks at the water treatment plant.
To read more please see the May 5 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Obituary

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Linda Marie deRegt

April 3, 1949 – April 9, 2014
Linda deRegt lived most of her life in Hanley. She was the second oldest of four sisters born to Ernie and Susan Unrau.
After completing her grade 12, Linda took a hairdressing course at Marvel Beauty School in Saskatoon. A short time after, she took over the business of her good friend Linda Dietz and continued running her salon for over 40 years.
Linda worked so hard all of her life raising her sons, Darren and Bob, as a single parent. She was a faithful “hockey Mom” and always made sure her boys didn’t miss out. When Bob passed away three years ago Linda was heartbroken and she never got over losing him. Yet, in spite of all the struggles throughout Linda’s life, she always managed to bring a smile, her love and her generosity to anyone and everyone around her. Her sense of humour was enjoyed by all – she was quite a comedian.
Linda was always very involved in the community. She served on Town Council for many years and until her passing was on the board of the Hanley Housing Authority.
Linda’s senior clients had a special place in her heart. She often chauffeured them to different outings and appointments and brought them food if they were sick. Over the years many have passed away but Linda still saved their client cards. She said she just couldn’t throw them out.
A highlight for Linda and her family was when, in 2012, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for her continued devotion and service to her family and community. It was a very well deserved recognition for sure.
Linda spent her last two weeks and two days in the hospital. Her room was a busy place full of family, friends and lots of laughs. The doctors and nurses were often included in the joking around. Linda told us all that she had a wonderful birthday surrounded by family and friends. Unfortunately, she suffered a stroke sometime later in the evening after her birthday. This along with other medical complications made it difficult for her to communicate. We were all grateful, though, that Linda knew who we all were and she responded to each one of us.
Linda is survived by her son Darren (Trina) deRegt, grandsons Tyler (Katelyn) and Cody, granddaughter Emma; sisters Sylvia Unrau, Dorothy (Merle) Prpic and Elaine (Alan) Unrau; nieces and nephews Pam (Curtis) Hilkewich and children Emily and Joseph; Julie (Chris) Wintringham and children Liam and Lucas; Michelle (Kenny) Howard and children Brody and Davis; Mark (Annette) Prpic and children Kaeli, Abigail and Toby; Jen (Cory) Zdunich and children Michael, Megan, Faith and Gracie; Erin (Chad) Kuffert and children Sophie, Vincent and Violet; Mark and Lisa along with their families.
Linda is predeceased by her son Bob deRegt, parents Ernie and Susan Unrau, brother-in-law Mike Zdunich and life partner Peter Beckie.
A special thank you to all of Linda’s clients and friends in Hanley and the surrounding communities for your cards and gestures of kindness. Your loving support is very much appreciated.
Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.

Davidson

Corn planting clinics aim to yield success

A new crop of corn growers learned the ABCs of planting corn at a recent corn planter clinic in Regina.
Among the more than 100 farmers at the clinic was Davidson’s Rob Stone, a farmer and sales rep. for DuPont Pioneer, the company that put on the clinic.
A mainstay in crop rotations in Eastern Canada and the American Midwest, corn is becoming an option for farmers around here thanks to the development of hybrids that have earlier maturing dates and can handle the Prairie climate.
Because it’s such a new crop in Saskatchewan, Stone said Pioneer conducts the clinics to teach new growers the basics of planting corn and how to properly use their planting equipment.
“They say the best time for big yields is right before you open the bag of seed,” Stone said. “It all starts with the seed and how you put it in the ground.”
Corn is a row crop and requires specific seed spacing, precise seed depth and farmers need to know how to properly set, use and maintain planting equipment, he said.
“I tried some (corn) last year and I probably did everything wrong,” he admits.
He intends to try again this year and plans on doing a corn trial on his farm.
Corn is a different type of crop to plant than cereal, canola and pulse crops.
Stone said the clinics were an “eye-opener”.
“Our focus is large acres and going fast. Corn, it’s a different focus. You have to take time and make it work.”
Besides DuPont Pioneer reps and agronomists, clinic participants heard from Bill Lemkuhl, an independent crop consultant and farmer from Ohio. He led participants through a planter overview from “hitch pin to closing wheels” making sure a poorly adjusted planter can be identified and understanding the impact of poorly set planters.
Implement reps were also at the clinic, advising farmers on developments in planting equipment.
Stone said farmers are well advised to do their research before buying a corn planter so they buy the right implement for their situation. He said if it’s used, it may be worn out or it could have components not suited to Saskatchewan soil conditions.
Stone said he encourages people to consider corn as a crop, particularly farmers who raise cattle and can grow corn for silage.
To read more please see the April 7 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson

Co-op celebrates centennial

Riverbend Co-op marked 100 years of the Co-operative retail movement in the community by paying tribute to the Davidson Co-op’s 100th anniversary.
“Co-op has had a long history in Davidson and the board felt it should be here to celebrate it with you,” Dale Firby, general manager of Riverbend Co-op, said at the Co-op’s annual general meeting in Davidson March 20.
The event was a sort of homecoming for Firby. He currently resides in Outlook, but Davidson is his hometown. Firby began his career with the co-operative system 30 years ago, April 9 with the Davidson Co-op as a fuel truck driver.
“Davidson Co-op has weathered many storms over 100 years both real and financially,” Firby said.
Incorporated on April 14, 1914 as Davidson Co-operative Association Ltd. its first activities involved buying goods by carlot to share among members. Over the next few years its enterprises grew rapidly beginning with fuel supplies, farm implements, hardware, home furnishings, dry goods, groceries and a bakery, one of the first to be operated by a retail Co-op. In 1928 the Co-op built a new grocery and dry goods building.
The Davidson- Co-op weathered the Great Depression and set up an emergency benefit service for its members during these hard economic times of the 1930s. In the 1940s the Co-op continued to expand its services including egg candling station, distribution of pasteurized milk as well as adding a spur track to accommodate increased carload shipments of fuel and other goods. Each decade the Co-op grew and expanded, adding new buildings and storage sheds.
The windstorm of 1976 that blew through Davidson didn’t leave the Co-op unscathed either and the Co-op had to spend much of the year rebuilding.
To read more please see the March 31 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Obituary

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Colleen Gayle (Northrop) Griffith of Hanna, AB passed away suddenly on March 4th, 2014 at the age of 48 years.

Colleen was born to Sam & Joyce Northrop on October 27, 1965 in Craik, Saskatchewan near Davidson. The youngest of four children, Colleen quickly became involved in the family ranching operation, Porthorn Shorthorns. She loved the ranching lifestyle and embraced the country way of life.

She was an active member in many different clubs in the Davidson/Craik area including Davidson Lighthorse 4-H Club, Imperial 4-H Beef Club and the local Gymkhana Riding Club. Colleen was very proud when she became the Craik Rodeo Queen and the Shorthorn Lassie Queen for 2 consecutive years, where she advanced to the national competition at the Toronto Winter Fair. Colleen showed cattle for many years at the Regina Agribition for her family and for several other local breeders. She was a determined competitor in gymkhana’s, participating in all events, with her favorite being barrel racing. While competing at the Saskatchewan Provincial Gymkhana finals in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Colleen was honored with the ‘Miss Sportsmanship of the Year’ award.

In 1990, Colleen decided to follow her dreams and moved west to Alberta to become a ranch hand. She worked for the Butler Cattle Company in Youngstown, breaking & training horses. Colleen was a hard-working, brave young woman who was determined to continue her new life in Alberta. She also worked as a nanny and ranch hand for the Curry Ranch in Pollockville, AB, and even enjoyed a few curling bonspiels in the area. With Colleen’s caring disposition for people and animals alike, she began working part-time at the Hanna Veterinary Clinic, and eventually chose a life long career working at the Hanna Medical Centre.

In late 1991, Colleen met the love of her life, Brian Griffith. They were married on May 28, 1994 in Davidson, and moved to the Griffith family ranch south of Hanna, AB. Colleen & Brian were blessed with 4 sons, Royden, Matthew, Riley & Winston.
Together they shared a passion for ranching and a love for horses. They plunged head first into diversifying the family ranch.

On a visit to the ranch you could expect to join Colleen & Brian in their daily activities which could include: being chased by a turkey, spit on by a llama, kicked by a donkey, peed on by a dog, pecked by a chicken, flipping calves at branding, riding horses, experiencing a dog sled ride, or feeding cattle with a team of draft horses. The coffee was always on, and the door was always open to welcome family, friends and anyone wanting to visit.

Colleen’s pride and joy were her sons. She could be seen in the stands videotaping rodeos, football, soccer, and hockey, or whatever the boys were involved in. If she wasn’t videotaping, you sure knew she was there. Colleen’s booming voice could be heard from great distances, cheering her boys to skate harder, run faster, and spur quicker. Colleen continued to involve her family in showing llamas and horses, and participated in gymkhanas at various events throughout Alberta. As the boys grew older, Colleen was able to return to competing in barrel racing and became an active member in the ‘East Central Barrel Racing Club’. In 2012, Colleen won the 3D Senior Barrel Racing Championship on her horse ‘Bob’, receiving her coveted trophy buckle, which she was often seen sporting.

Not only was Colleen a devoted mother and wife, she truly loved her extended family and large circle of friends. Colleen will be remembered as a hardworking, compassionate woman, with a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious laugh. She touched the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing her and will be deeply missed by all.

Colleen will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her husband Brian, sons Royden, Riley, Winston & stepson Matthew, her brother Bill (Shirley) Northrop, Sisters Ila May Northrop, and Heather (Jerry) Willner. In-laws; Roy & Harriet Griffith, Keith Trudgeon, Connie (Daren) Balazic, Lorna (Wade) Williams, Bruce (Kathy) Griffith, Sheila (Dave) Boehlke, and Shirley (David) Hickle; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles & cousins. Colleen was pre-deceased by her parents Sam & Joyce Northrop and sister-in-law Faye Northrop.

Funeral services were held on March 11, 2014 at the Hanna Community Centre with Pastor Brian Hunter of Camrose officiating. Colleen was laid to rest in the Hanna Cemetery having her final ride on her favorite horse Bob.

In memory of Colleen, if family & friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the East Central Barrel Racing Club, PO Box 1975, Hanna AB, T0J 1P0.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Heartland Funeral Home. 403-854-2758
www.heartlandfuneralservices.com