Category Archives: Craik

Craik, Obituary

Obituary: Linfoot, Ed

Ed Linfoot

Ed died a peaceful death December 11, 2017. He was born September 25, 1931. Predeceased by his first wife, one son and one son-in-law. Survived by his wife, eight children, 24 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Ed at the age of 39 decided to go back to university for his pharmacy degree. Ed and his family moved to Leader, Sask., and purchased the pharmacy, naming it Leader Pharmacy. He enjoyed raising his family in Leader. Ed was very devout in his Catholic faith, enjoyed participating in the mass, and loved to sing. Ed worked as a pharmacist for 25 years. He was a man of technology, writing a pharmacy program in the 1980s, for which he took great pride. Computer work was very easy for him. His spiritual GPS was always set on God. As a pilot Ed initiated the construction of the Leader Airport. As one of the founders Ed enjoyed witnessing its completion, and having it named after him, “Linfoot Field.” Ed was active in all community life, as a Knight of Columbus, on town council and the recreation board. Ed also coached many sporting events. Ed retired to Mexico, where he loved to play tennis, problem-solved for the elderly in the TV business, and loved to dance, making many real good friends in the time in Mexico. Ed moved back to Canada to the theme of the Eco-Village in the RM of Craik. In the Eco-Village he enjoyed building a new home and lived there for nine years. Ed lived with many blessings in his long-lived life and he was a true Roughriders fan. Football was his passion, and “Green is the Colour!”

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Craik on December 19, 2017.

For those so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Ed may be directed to the Midlakes Pro Life Association, St. Joseph’s Church or the Craik Lions Club.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in charge of arrangements.

Aylesbury, Craik, Obituary

Marion Frances MacLaggan, 1945 – 2017

December 8, 2017 Marion MacLaggan passed away peacefully in her sleep with family at her side at the Sunnyside Adventists Care Home in Saskatoon. Marion was born in Paignton, Devon, England on March 27, 1945 to parents Ron and Frances Brown. The family moved to Moose Jaw in 1948 and later to Aylesbury, Sask., in 1951 where Ron ran the Red and White grocery store and where Marion completed her schooling. She then moved to Saskatoon in 1963 to become a Lab Tech at RUH. In Saskatoon she met Rae and they were married on April 19, 1965. They were blessed with son Kevin (grandson Kohl) of Saskatoon and daughter Ashley (granddaughter Moira) of Vancouver B.C. Also former daughter-in-law Merilee Morales of Saskatoon. Marion is predeceased by her parents Ron and Frances Brown and brother-in-law Terry MacLaggan of Saskatoon. She is survived by her husband Rae, son Kevin (grandson Kohl), daughter Ashley (granddaughter Moira) and by her only sibling Eric Brown (Sharron) of Cowichan Bay, B.C. Also surviving Marion are three nieces Brenda Fleury (Dean), Wanda Levac (Dwayne) and Debbie Longmore (Davyn) and their families all of Swift Current, Sask.; two nephews Gary Brown (Inge) and David Brown (Tabby) and their families of Whitehorse, Yukon and sister-in-law Lois (Terry) Johnston and family of Kelowna, B.C. Marion loved family most of all, her grandson and granddaughter being her pride and joy. Her favourite pastime was reading. She also liked travelling to Fairmont, B.C., curling and playing slow pitch when she was younger. She worked at RUH as a Lab Tech, Hi-Lo Mart, Pinder’s Drugs, MacLeod’s, K-Mart, Zellers, and finally London Drugs until her illness. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Sunnyside Adventist Care Home for the loving care Marion received there. At Marion’s request there will be no funeral. A family Memorial will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in Marion’s memory may be directed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Saskatchewan. Condolences for the family may be left at www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME (306) 244-5577.

Craik, featured

Council picks fix for Craik’s water

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — The Town of Craik has taken one more step towards restoring drinking water for local residents.

Councillors have approved a water treatment method, based on the results of pilot projects carried out at the water plant this summer.

Engineers are working on a detailed design proposal, according to a written update provided to ratepayers, and the town expects to begin seeking tenders for the project in December.

Mayor David Ashdown told the Leader last week that the town is making good progress on the matter, despite some delays and challenges.

“It’s taking a bit longer than personally I had hoped,” he said. “It’s certainly important that we do things right.”

The mayor said he was encouraged by the positive results shown from the pilot projects.

Ashdown said he was hopeful that safe drinking water would be available in Craik in the summer of 2018.

Once the town’s water is found to meet provincial standards, a three-month test period will follow to ensure that the treatment system can maintain that level of quality. Only once that’s finished will the boil water advisory be lifted.

“A certain level of caution” is needed, the mayor said, adding, “Once the advisory is off, I’d like it to be staying off.”

Craik has been under a boil water advisory since August 17, 2010 for “failing to meet minimum disinfection levels.”

The town has faced ongoing issues with a water plant constructed in 2009 by Mainstream Water Solutions, a Regina firm that has since filed for bankruptcy.

The update to ratepayers, prepared by Ashdown, states that restoring Craik’s drinking water “has been and continues to be the first priority” for the mayor and council.

Craik began working with engineers from KGS Group in 2015 to find and compare solutions to its water woes.

Their efforts received a couple of financial boosts starting last fall, when ratepayers voted in favour of directing the insurance payout from the Eco-Centre fire, roughly $380,000, towards the water fund.

At the time, the town estimated that the advisory could be lifted as early as November 2017, though various delays have pushed that prediction back.

A federal-provincial grant of more than $1.42 million for Craik, through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, was announced in January 2017.

The additional funds opened up the possibility of finding a suitable ground water source for the town. An exploratory drilling program began early this year, but five test drills in various locations all came up negative.

As such Craik will continue drawing water from an intake at the Arm River dam east of town. Some modifications will be made to the intake to ensure “the cleanest water possible enters the treatment process.”

Mayor Ashdown said a reliable source of ground water would have been preferable, but ultimately wasn’t an option. Continue reading Council picks fix for Craik’s water →

Craik, Davidson, featured

Two truck rollovers on icy highway

A semi truck lays in the median on Highway 11 south of Davidson following a rollover on Wednesday morning.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Winter arrived in dramatic fashion last Wednesday as Davidson and area received several centimetres of snowfall overnight.

A chilly Halloween evening turned into a white winter morning, producing plenty of ice on local roads and dangerous conditions on Highway 11.

The Davidson Volunteer Fire Department responded to two calls on Wednesday, both involving trucks that had rolled over and wound up in the ditch.

Deputy fire chief Don Willner said it’s pretty typical for the department to respond to similar calls each fall as winter makes its first appearance.

“It’s amazing that we are still caught off guard by snow,” he remarked.

The first call came at 4:10 a.m., with one rescue unit and one fire engine responding to a rollover on the highway about five kilometres north of Craik.

A one-tonne truck, towing a trailer with a tractor onboard, left the road and rolled into the ditch, leaving the driver trapped inside.

Willner said responders expected the worst when they arrived, based on the scale of the damage.

However, the driver suffered no injuries, Willner said, adding, “He was quite lucky.”

The occupant was removed with no tools required and both units returned to the fire hall by 5:45 a.m.

The second rollover was reported at 8:50 a.m., again on Highway 11 about one kilometre south of town. A single rescue unit responded with six members.

The driver of a northbound semi truck had lost control, and the vehicle spun around 180 degrees and rolled into the centre ditch.

The driver suffered minor injuries but was able to remove himself from the vehicle. He was transported to Davidson Health Centre. The fire crew returned to the hall at 9:40 a.m.

In social media posts on Wednesday, the fire department asked residents to avoid driving on the icy highway unless necessary, and to always drive according to conditions.

Members of the Craik RCMP detachment were also kept busy on Wednesday, responding to a total of nine highway incidents between 4 a.m. and 1 p.m.  

Craik, Davidson, Sports

Cyclones top Craik in pre-season action

Davidson’s Tim Spencer (57) and Craik’s Jared Broderson (22) battle for the puck during an exhibition game Wednesday.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — With a new season on the horizon, the Davidson Cyclones hit the ice for pre-season action against the Craik Warriors on Wednesday.

The Cyclones hosted the Warriors at the AGT Centre, leading from the start and ultimately winning 10-3.

Derek Allan, who has served as the Cyclones’ captain since 2012, said the game was a good opportunity for the team to play together on the ice before the season begins.

Allan said the Cyclones’ bench is currently a little emptier than they’d like it to be, calling the situation “not ideal.”

Fourteen players were on the bench on Wednesday. Allan said he has 13 or 14 players committed for this season, but he’s still trying to recruit more.

So far, Tim Spencer is the sole new addition to the Cyclones roster. A native of Carnduff, his career has included stints with multiple teams in the American Hockey League. He had three assists in Wednesday’s game.

Among the returning players are two imports, defensemen Brett Ward and Matt Saunderson.

Brad Morrison also returns as the Cyclones’ head coach, with Jason Schneider serving as assistant coach.

Given the team’s current numbers, Allan said it’s hard to predict what the season ahead will hold.

“We’ve lost quite a few really good players,” he said. “I think the team will jell pretty good. . . As long as we go out there and have fun, that’s the main thing.”

The Cyclones are again playing in the Long Lake Hockey League, which grew this season with the addition of the Wynyard Monarchs.

The league also includes the Drake Canucks, the Lanigan Pirates, the LeRoy Braves and the Watrous Winterhawks.

The Long Lake teams will face an expanded field of teams this year, thanks to an interlocking arrangement with the Fort Carlton Hockey League (FCHL).

Allan said they will be playing one game against each of the four FCHL teams, which include Tisdale, Wakaw, Waldheim and Hague. Those games will count towards the Long Lake teams’ records.

“We’ll get to see some new teams, instead of playing the same four or five teams all winter,” he said. “It’ll be good.” Continue reading Cyclones top Craik in pre-season action →

Craik, featured

Craik kids blown away by Tornado Hunter

Connor Watt and Jaden Wall get a close-up look at the truck used by Chris Chittick and the Tornado Hunters crew.

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — For Chris Chittick, following his dream has taken him to some close calls.

On May 31, 2013, he and his crew were tracking a pair of tornadoes near El Reno, Okla., when the two twisters merged into one.

The resulting storm was two-and-a-half miles wide, the widest ever recorded.

With their camera still running and thousands of people watching the live stream online, driver Ricky Forbes steered their truck into the ditch — their best hope of avoiding the storm.

The truck continued rolling with debris flying all around them, including a two-and-a-half tonne farm truck.

Chittick caught some air as the truck went over a bump, inadvertently closing his laptop computer and cutting off the stream suddenly.

His mom, who was watching online, called him moments later: “I think it’s time for you to grow up, get a real job, become a teacher, baker, whatever.”

But he said he has no plans to give up the life of a full-time storm chaser, saying that even near-misses like the El Reno storm have only served to increase his curiosity and passion.

Chittick, a member of the team from TV’s Tornado Hunters, visited Craik School on Monday morning.

Students, staff and visitors got to see video footage of some extreme storms, along with firsthand stories from Chittick’s unusual career.

They also got to check out one of the two trucks used by Chittick and his team — outfitted with custom equipment and covered with a bulletproof Kevlar composite material.

Chittick, a native of Michigan who now lives in Regina, has been observing nature’s might up-close for nearly 20 years.

He began chasing storms in 1998 while still a university student, driving west during his summer breaks. He spotted his first tornado in southeast Wyoming in 2000.

“I’ve been hooked ever since,” he said. “I’m a big believer in following your dreams, following your passions.”

Continue reading Craik kids blown away by Tornado Hunter →