The Davidson Atom Huskies pose for a group photo following their win in the A-side final over Outlook on Thursday.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — A blowout win over the Outlook Ice Hawks gave the Davidson Atom Huskies the A-side championship in the Fertile Valley Hockey League, closing the season on a high note.
The Huskies travelled to Outlook on Thursday night, winning 14-5 over the host team.
Kaden Berry was Davidson’s top scorer with seven goals. Mason Palmer and Zack Prpick both scored twice, while Carson Palmer, Hayden O’Brien and Kale O’Brien scored one goal each.
Davidson had hosted Outlook in the first game of the series on March 6, winning 14-10.
In that game, Kaden Berry scored five goals, while Hayden O’Brien scored four times. Mason Palmer had three goals, while Noah Schneider and Kale O’Brien also scored.
The Huskies finished the regular season in second place out of nine teams with 12 wins and four losses, with only Outlook ahead of them.
In addition to those named, the Huskies roster includes Landen Brown, Quayden Dean, Aiden Pasher, Evhan Allan, Ryder Pitre, Davin Anderson, Cody Riecken, Dylan Hryniuk and Parker Ackland, along with goalies Hunter Wightman and Daxton Tichit.
For this week’s full minor hockey report, including results from novice, peewee and bantam playoffs, please see the March 14 edition of The Davidson Leader.
Robert Martellacci of C21 Canada presents the organization’s 21st Century System Innovation Award to Sun West School Division officials, trustees and other attendees. (Leader photo by Joel van der Veen)
By Joel van der Veen
KENASTON — Close to 70 years after dropping out of high school, Ennis Waldner had some unfinished business to take care of.
Having joined the workforce after Grade 11 due to her father’s death in 1941, Waldner had made her way through life — including marriage and raising four children — thinking she had missed out on something.
“I always felt that I had been cheated,” Waldner recalled, speaking at the grand opening of the Distance Learning Centre (DLC) in Kenaston on Feb. 26.
After reading a newspaper ad, Waldner said she called the DLC to inquire about finishing her formal education.
“I got a very encouraging reply: ‘Of course it’s possible’,” she continued, adding she had some doubts after learning she needed seven credits to graduate. “I said, ‘I’ll be dead before I finish taking seven classes.'”
DLC staff checked again and realized she only needed four credits, and Waldner went back to school at age 86.
In June 2013, the octagenarian received her high school diploma, graduating with the rest of Kenaston’s Grade 12 class that year.
Waldner, now 91, had encouraging words of her own for other people in her situation as she spoke to a crowd of hundreds in the Kenaston School gymnasium.
“If you have the desire and you have the will, the centre here will certainly have the way for you,” she said. “It is possible.”
Division officials, staff, students and many others were on hand as the new DLC building was officially opened in late February, eight years after distance learning programs were first offered in Kenaston.
The 15,000-square foot building was completed in December and has been in use since early January, when the centre transitioned from its former home in Kenaston School.
The new facility — functioning as the province’s largest online school — houses 55 teachers, along with 10 administrators and support staff, offering a total of 120 courses.
To learn more, please read the March 7, 2016 print edition of The Davidson Leader. To subscribe email: davidsonleader@sasktel.net
Addison Ouellette played the South Saskatchewan Selects at the Texas School of Football’s international tournament in Fort Worth last month.
By Joel van der Veen
FORT WORTH — They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and that goes double when it comes to football.
Addison Ouellette of Davidson was part of the South Saskatchewan Selects U16 team that travelled to Fort Worth, Texas, last month for the Texas School of Football’s international tournament and showcase.
His father Trevor said the team played at a Catholic high school with a large field outfitted with grandstands, artificial turf and lights. The competition, he added, was just as impressive.
“There were no weak players out there on either side,” he said. “It was an elite league competition, and it showed.”
Addison and his team went undefeated in four games from Feb. 18 to 21, picking up the championship trophy at the end of the weekend.
In their opening game, the U16 team defeated the Euless Longhorns 33-0. The game was a highlight for Addison, who made an interception and scored a touchdown.
On Friday, they faced Georgia, winning 19-0, followed by a 27-12 win over the North Oak Cliff Eagles on Saturday. They faced the Eagles again on Sunday in the championship game, winning 19-0.
Trevor said the defence played exceptionally well over the weekend, only giving up two touchdowns. As the games were played according to U.S. rules, Addison served as the free safety.
Tryouts were held for the Saskatchewan team in November. One weekend practice was held before Christmas, with additional practices held every second weekend since then.
Addison was the sole six-man player on the team, as the other players came from larger centres and had played on nine-man and 12-man teams.
He said it was a great experience, from the weather to the competition, and added that he learned lots from watching the other players.
“You watch them do something better than you do, you just pick that up and learn from them,” he explained. “It was fun.”
Trevor observed that as it was the start of spring season for the U.S. teams, some of their competitors were less precise than he expected. He said they may have been sharper if the tournament had been closer to mid-season.
Though the Selects team only played in one tournament together, Trevor said it is considered a stepping stone towards the provincial U18 team.
Tryouts and camps will be held in coming months, beginning with a combine in April and the four-day camp in May. The 2016 Football Canada Cup will be held in Winnipeg in July.
Shannon Tomyn provided this photo of a coyote wandering up the driveway at Carla and Jared Shaw’s home in Davidson on Feb. 18.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — A coyote in your yard or on the doorstep might not be a welcome sight, but it shouldn’t be a cause for panic, according to a provincial conservation officer.
“Coyotes are more scared of humans than we are of them,” said Kevin Harrison, an officer based in Prince Albert, adding that the animals “tend to keep their distance.”
That said, Harrison added that anyone who encounters a coyote should not try to approach it or feed it, but should back away slowly, without running or turning their back.
His advice was echoed by local pest control provider Lee Storey, who said that despite the animals’ timidity towards humans, they do present some risk.
“It is dangerous, there’s no doubt about it,” said Storey. “A wild animal isn’t a good thing to have around at any time.”
In recent weeks, several Davidson residents have reported seeing coyotes wandering down streets or sidewalks and even venturing into their yards.
Carla Shaw spotted one walking toward her house on Olds Place on Feb. 18, around 1 p.m.
“It just wandered up and was pacing our driveway,” she said, adding that the coyote didn’t react when her husband Jared walked outside. “It wasn’t scared of anyone.”
Shannon Tomyn, who was visiting the Shaws at the time, said the coyote was looking at them through the front window and at one point approached the front steps, but then backed down and wandered away after a few minutes.
Tomyn said the animal was acting strange and didn’t look altogether well. Shaw said it was roughly the size of a medium or large dog, adding that she had seen foxes a few times before, but never a coyote.
She said the experience left her somewhat concerned for the safety of her children, who often play in the yard.
“We have a fenced-in yard,” said Shaw, “but they get out, for sure, and play in the front.”
Earlier that same day, Carla’s mother-in-law, Margo Shaw, said she saw a coyote walking along the sidewalk in front of her house on Lincoln Street.
She said the “big guy” walked up the driveway of their neighbours to the east, then around in front of the Shaw house. After that it headed off through the Cool and Merkosky yards towards Second Street.
“If you’re like me, you don’t want to be walking around if they’re out there,” said Margo, who called the town office to report the sighting.
Administrator Gary Edom said he had previously received another call from a local resident who reported seeing three of the animals in a neighbour’s yard. Edom then put out a call to Lee Storey.
For the full story, please see the Feb. 29 edition of The Davidson Leader.
Players from Davidson’s senior boys basketball team pose with the coaches and players they trained with during a weeklong cultural exchange program in Havana, Cuba this month.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — They left expecting to learn about basketball, and came back having learned about a whole lot more.
Seven players from Davidson’s senior boys basketball team spent their February break in Cuba, attending a week-long cultural exchange, training and competition camp at the country’s national sports training centre in Havana.
Back at school last week, they reported that the camp had been helpful in building up their skills, as they trained with and competed against Cuban players, going through drills and developing new offensive strategies.
“They were a lot bigger than us,” reported Huck Rettger, adding that the Cubans put up a tough challenge, but were also friendly hosts.
Along the way, the boys had the opportunity to learn about Cuban life and culture. Activities included salsa dancing lessons, a historical trip through Old Havana, and a visit to an inner city youth centre.
The Davidson players said they also came away with a greater appreciation of their own lives back home, particularly the material wealth they often take for granted.
“It was eye-opening how privileged we are here,” said Andrew Read, noting for example that the gym the boys trained in had toilets without proper seats.
Players taking part in the camp included Nick Chomyshen, Gabe Ebenal, James Morrison, Ben Nykiforuk, Andrew Read, and Huck and Mark Rettger.
The group, which also included 12 parents, flew out from Regina on Feb. 13 and returned eight days later.
The trip was organized through Canada-Cuba Sports and Cultural Festivals, and included airfare, accommodations, meals, transportation and most anticipated expenses.
Coach Kim Rettger, who had first proposed the trip to a young group of basketball players nearly a decade ago, was overwhelmingly positive about the program upon their return.
“This was the greatest experience I’ve ever had with a group of kids,” he said, adding that the trip combined sports, culture and humanitarian work, and calling it rewarding for both the players and himself.
DAVIDSON — They left expecting to learn about basketball, and came back having learned about a whole lot more.
Seven players from Davidson’s senior boys basketball team spent their February break in Cuba, attending a week-long cultural exchange, training and competition camp at the country’s national sports training centre in Havana.
Back at school last week, they reported that the camp had been helpful in building up their skills, as they trained with and competed against Cuban players, going through drills and developing new offensive strategies.
“They were a lot bigger than us,” reported Huck Rettger, adding that the Cubans put up a tough challenge, but were also friendly hosts.
Along the way, the boys had the opportunity to learn about Cuban life and culture. Activities included salsa dancing lessons, a historical trip through Old Havana, and a visit to an inner city youth centre.
The Davidson players said they also came away with a greater appreciation of their own lives back home, particularly the material wealth they often take for granted.
“It was eye-opening how privileged we are here,” said Andrew Read, noting for example that the gym the boys trained in had toilets without proper seats.
Players taking part in the camp included Nick Chomyshen, Gabe Ebenal, James Morrison, Ben Nykiforuk, Andrew Read, and Huck and Mark Rettger.
The group, which also included 12 parents, flew out from Regina on Feb. 13 and returned eight days later.
The trip was organized through Canada-Cuba Sports and Cultural Festivals, and included airfare, accommodations, meals, transportation and most anticipated expenses.
Coach Kim Rettger, who had first proposed the trip to a young group of basketball players nearly a decade ago, was overwhelmingly positive about the program upon their return.
“This was the greatest experience I’ve ever had with a group of kids,” he said, adding that the trip combined sports, culture and humanitarian work, and calling it rewarding for both the players and himself.
For the full story, please see the Feb. 29 edition of The Davidson Leader.
The Craik and District Health Centre is pictured above in this file photo.
By Joel van der Veen
CRAIK — “Do The Right Thing.” “Let Doctors Be Doctors.” “Dollars and Common Sense.”
The signs were loud and clear. So were the people holding them.
March 2 marks one year since a busload of residents from Craik and district went down to the Leg to raise a little hell.
They came armed with bullhorns, plastic signs and just a hint of piss and vinegar, determined to draw attention to what they saw as the erosion of their health care, and one more service being snatched away from a small town.
The rally drew the attention of media from across the province, as well as both Premier Brad Wall and Opposition Leader Cam Broten, who debated rural health care that day during Question Period.
Just shy of 12 months later, Craik has a new doctor working out of its health centre nine days out of 10, along with a part-time nurse practitioner.
Health services in Craik are at the same level — roughly, if not exactly — as they have been for the past four years. Dialogue between the town, the rural municipality and health regions is ongoing.
Has the situation improved since this time last year? All parties seem to agree that it has.
How much room for improvement remains? It depends on who you ask.
But while the situation in Craik is no longer at a boiling point, clearly there’s still some simmering going on.
Local voices
Hilton Spencer, who has served as reeve of the Rural Municipality of Craik since 1989, said the district has fought hard to preserve its existing services.
“We’re not going to give up,” he said, accusing health region administrators of working to centralize health care. “They are still pushing that mandate.”
Spencer gave much of the credit to the community itself for standing firm: “Had we done nothing, we wouldn’t even have a doctor.”
That seemed like a distinct possibility a year ago, as Dr. Elie Karam’s contract with Five Hills Health Region expired in January 2015.
Craik was then being served by locum doctors. Residents were concerned that the town would soon find itself without a doctor permanently.
Community leaders and volunteers formed a task force to protest this and other changes. A rally at the health centre on Feb. 27 was followed by the visit to Regina in March.
The task force has since been replaced by a formal, six-member committee, chaired by town councillor David Ashdown and with representation from both the town and RM.
Dr. Arowolo began practising in Craik last fall, and Ashdown said he and others are pleased with the care she’s providing.
However, Ashdown added, there remain some concerns about Craik’s other health services, as well as a fundamental lack of trust on the part of local residents.
“There is still, in the community, a high level of suspicion and mistrust for the health region,” he said, “and particularly the upper-level bureaucrats and administrators.”
Spencer expressed similar concerns, saying on behalf of local residents, “We’re still quite nervous.”
Signs of progress
Rural and remote health minister Greg Ottenbreit said he has had regular updates from the health regions on efforts to stabilize Craik’s services.
Compared to this time last year, he said, phone calls, emails and letters to his office regarding Craik have dropped substantially.
He acknowledged that not all residents are satisfied with the current state of affairs, saying, “For some members of the community, it may take some time to rebuild that trust, from their point of view.”
However, he said the level of service in the Craik-Davidson corridor has been stabilized and improved with the three-doctor team now in place.
Data provided by the ministry indicates that the area is now seeing “more consistent and stable emergency services.”
According to a year-over-year comparison, the district has seen only one service disruption in a three-month period, compared with more than 40 in the same timeframe previously.
“We believe that the service is a lot more stable,” said Ottenbreit. “I’m very happy with where things are right now.”
Terry Hutchinson, vice-president of community health services for Five Hills Health Region, said he is “very pleased” with the progress that has been made.
The latest meetings were held between the region and the community in October and December. Hutchinson said the region wants to keep talking about sustainable health services.
However, he added, mutual respect will be a necessity going forward: “Building trust is a two-way street.”
For the full story — including discussion of emergency services, and the part rural health care will play in the upcoming provincial election — please see the Feb. 22 edition of The Davidson Leader.
