Category Archives: Davidson

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: McKenzie, Sharon

Sharon McKenzie

Sharon Carol McKenzie was born at Kamsack on Feb. 20, 1947 to Andy and Mabel Nordmarken. Sharon passed away Sept. 12, 2017 in Prince Albert. A Celebration of Life service took place at All Saints Anglican Church, Davidson on Sept. 27, 2017, and another in Pierceland on Sept. 30, 2017 at the Community Hall.

Sharon attended school in Davidson and graduated in 1965. She went into teaching and her career spanned nearly 40 years.

She was predeceased by her parents Andy and Mabel Nordmarken, her in-laws Ida and Angus McKenzie, brother-in-law Don McKenzie, sister-in-law Rose and her husband Mickey, nephew Terry Wees, and her special little dog Mattie.

She is survived by her husband Les and their dog Tobie, twin sister Shirley and Tom Blenkin, Ferne and Russell Wees, nieces Tracey Blenkin, Shelley Pelletier and Diane Cherry McCook, nephews Trevor Blenkin and Scott Wees, special great-nephew Thomas Neid Blenkin, sisters-in-law Marilyn and Jerry Hill, Gail McKenzie, Virginia McKenzie and families.

Davidson, featured

AGT commits $225K to Davidson rink

The Davidson Communiplex as seen on Google Street View.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — After more than two decades, Davidson’s rink is beginning a new season with a new name — and a long-term influx of cash.

AGT Food and Ingredients — headed by Davidson native Murad Al-Katib — has reached a sponsorship agreement with the town.

The company will contribute $15,000 annually towards the rink for the next 15 years, for a total of $225,000.

As part of the agreement, AGT has secured naming rights to the Davidson Communiplex, which will now become known as the AGT Centre.

Al-Katib announced the deal Wednesday in Davidson during a customer appreciation dinner held in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, with roughly 85 people in attendance.

He confirmed the news in a Twitter post that night, which read in part, “Be proud of your hometown. A big part of who you are.”

Al-Katib is the president and CEO of AGT Foods, which distributes lentils, chickpeas and other crops to more than 120 countries internationally.

Speaking to the Leader on Friday, Al-Katib said the company has previously contributed to facilities in other towns, including Rosetown, Wilkie and Eston.

“Davidson’s a very important community for us, not only in terms of business,” he said. “It’s my hometown.”

While arenas and sports facilities often serve as community hubs, small towns often struggle to cover the costs of operating and maintaining their rinks.

Al-Katib said he believes it’s important and valuable to ensure such facilities can remain viable.

“That’s pretty exciting for us,” he said. “We want to be a part of that.”

He also said he’s pleased to see the growth happening in Davidson, as evidenced by larger classes at the school and the continued popularity of minor sports here. Continue reading AGT commits $225K to Davidson rink →

Davidson, featured, Sports

Second gymkhana buckle for Oliver

Tylar Oliver and her horse Josey receive the high-point buckle in junior B girls gymkhana from Saskatchewan Riding Clubs Association president Kirsten Roy.

By Joel van der Veen

MOOSE JAW — Tylar Oliver has some more hardware to add to the collection after competing in provincial riding club finals last month.

Oliver, a Grade 10 student in Davidson, won the high-point Gymkhana buckle in the junior B girls division at the Saskatchewan Riding Clubs Association (SRCA) provincial finals in Moose Jaw.

She and her horse Josey, a chestnut mare, competed in three events — barrel racing, pole bending and the quadrangle race.

Oliver said she’s been riding as long as she can remember, adding, “My dad started me when we moved here, when I was 2.”

She has been riding Josey for the last three years.

Though the mare was new to some competitive events like barrel racing, Oliver said, “She already had that speed mindset in her.”

This was Oliver’s second gymkhana buckle. In 2014, she was the high-point champion in the junior C girls division. She was also voted the SRCA’s provincial queen that year, taking home a trophy saddle.

Nine riders and horses from the Davidson Riding Club competed in this year’s SRCA provincial finals, held Sept. 22 to 24 in Moose Jaw.

Besides Tylar, two other club members picked up high-point buckles over the weekend.

Valerie Brown, riding Penny, received the high-point buckle for her results in the Pioneer Western Performance events.

Meanwhile, Brenda Clarke and Drifter earned the high-point buckle in the senior ladies Gymkhana division, after placing first in three separate events.

Continue reading Second gymkhana buckle for Oliver →

Davidson

Staffing increase at health centre made permanent

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Increased staffing levels at the Davidson Health Centre are here to stay.

Three new positions added last year on a temporary basis have been made permanent, management confirmed to the Leader recently.

Gayle Riendeau, acting president and CEO of Heartland Health Region, said that the trial period for those positions was extended in the summer.

Ultimately, she added, “we came to the conclusion that the enhancements we had made were meeting the needs at the site.”

The “staffing enhancements” were among the measures introduced by the health region last year with the goal of improving the centre’s efficiency, safety and quality of care.

The three additions included a licensed practical nurse (LPN) working on the night shift — 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

The region also created an assistant head nurse position, working three eight-hour shifts per week, or a total of 24 hours each week.

Finally, a combined lab/X-ray technician joined the staff for eight hours per week.

The three positions were announced in October of 2016, when they were filled on a temporary basis.

In the months that followed, the region continued to hold regular meetings between staff and management to discuss and address concerns.

“We’ve found it to be beneficial . . . in helping to resolve issues,” Riendeau said, adding that the meetings would continue, as would the strive to keep improving service and outcomes at the facility. “You’re never done making quality improvements.”

This past August, management again met with staff and the union local representative to inform them that the positions would be made permanent.

Riendeau said the positions were reposted with the new terms and it was her understanding as of mid-September that “they’ve all been filled.”

Local nurses went public with their concerns over staffing levels at the centre in August 2016, after the region chose not to fill a vacant relief nursing position there.

In a visit to Davidson town council, several nurses reported that the situation at the centre had become unsafe, posing a risk to the safety and health of both patients and staff.

In the weeks that followed, several patients also spoke out, describing how service interruptions at the centre resulted in them being sent home or transferred to other facilities.

In September, local staff met with rural and remote health minister Greg Ottenbreit in Davidson. The three temporary positions were announced the following month. Continue reading Staffing increase at health centre made permanent →

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Kenny, Paula

Paula Susanna Kenny

Paula Susanna Kenny was born on June 4, 1916 to Jules and Marie LePoudre, and passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2017 at the age of 101. S

he was predeceased by her husband Harold; grandson Lyndon; great-grandson Hayden; sisters Mary, Andrea and Susan; brothers Andre, Paul, Octave and Clifford; and young brothers Andre and Octave in Belgium.

Paula will be lovingly remembered by her children Jean (Bob) Wilson, Gerald (Pat) Kenny, Marlene Chanski and Roy (Corinne) Kenny, 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, sister Leona Gartner and many nieces and nephews.

Paula loved working in her yard and won awards for her beautiful flowers. She planted a garden every year until the age of 99, and many friends and relatives enjoyed her fresh vegetables. Gramma was a cheerleader at many of her grandchildren’s sporting events, and she had a never-ending supply of ice cream, pizza pops and toonies for them. Your memory will live forever in our hearts.

We will dearly miss you, Mother, Gramma and Great-Gramma.

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Manz, John

John Manz

With heavy hearts we are so sad to announce the passing of John Manz on Sept. 21, 2017.

John fought and hung on as long as he could but it eventually overtook him. He passed away at the Davidson Health Centre with his family by his side.

John was born in Davidson on April 2, 1932. He attended Campbell School and after completing his schooling he started farming and working on the oil rigs. On March 4, 1955 he married Nola Wightman and together they bought the Manz family farm. It was a busy farm that was located near most of his brothers and sisters. His family always helped each other out whether it was butchering, moving machinery, fixing farm equipment . . . they seemed to be there for each other. In dad’s wallet he had a piece of paper with all his brothers’ and sisters’ names, birthdates and when they passed away.

John enjoyed all outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, playing ball, and especially the Manz Family Reunions. He always asked about all his nieces and nephews and took special interest in how they were doing. John was very social and enjoyed being on the go and helping his neighbours, friends and family. He liked to tease and joke around with everyone. He looked forward to having company and a good game of cards. Dad loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and always helped out anyway he could. His many acts of kindness and unconditional support will be hugely missed.

John would want all his family acknowledged: wife Nola Manz; daughters Glenda (Everett) Chester and Noreen (Wayne) Obrigewitsch; son Owen (Mel) Manz; grandchildren Stacy (Josh) Pohlman and Jana Chester and Leslie Chester, Mitchell (Stephanie) Obrigewitsch and Kendra (Chris) Kostyk and Caitlin Obrigewitsch, Justin Manz and Jascia Manz; great-grandchildren Weston and Rylie Pohlman, Ophelia and Bronson Obrigewitsch and Oliver Kostyk; sisters-in-law Joan Manz and Marj Wightman; and lots of nieces and nephews, too many to mention.

John was predeceased by parents John and Caroline Manz; parents-in-law Mary and Ken Wightman; brothers George, Conrad, Leonard, Jim, Jake, Martin, Walter and Eddie; sisters Alma Campbell and Erna Arend; brothers-in-law John Campbell and Joe Arend; and sisters-in-law Elsie, Emma, Joyce, Jackie, Madeline, Shirley and Helen.

A celebration of life will be held at Noreen and Wayne’s farm with immediate family. Memorial donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Davidson Health Centre. The family placed their trust in Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson.