DAVIDSON — Changes to Davidson’s waste removal service may be in the cards as the town looks for potential cost savings.
Mayor Clayton Schneider said more research is needed before councillors can make an informed decision on the future of Davidson’s garbage collection.
“We’re going to do some information gathering,” he said during Tuesday’s council meeting. “Our focus for this next month’s going to be waste disposal.”
With costs rising and the town’s main garbage truck still sidelined with repair issues, some council members advised taking action sooner rather than later.
“We’re really got to admit that our back is up against the wall,” said Coun. Gerald Kenny. “We have to do something here pretty quick.”
Davidson’s public works staff has lately been using a backup truck to collect the town’s waste, as the main truck is suffering from what has been diagnosed as a transmission issue.
Kenny said he had made some phone calls to look at prices for used vehicles and had concluded that rear-pickup garbage trucks, similar to what Davidson currently uses, have become “a thing of the past.”
He had contacted Loraas Disposal Services, Ltd., who later got in touch with the town office to discuss service options available to the town.
In an email to administrator Gary Edom, sales agent Carey Chomyn provided quotes for waste removal services for Davidson, utilizing the town’s existing landfill.
“I am certainly not here to take away any local jobs or make any waves within Davidson,” wrote Chomyn. “Just thought I would present the pricing that could be had, and let the chips fall where they may with regard to what the town and residents desire.”
Currently, garbage is collected from residences every Thursday, with commercial garbage pickup offered twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays.
Loraas provides the town’s curbside recycling pickup every other Monday, while commercial recycling collection is done every other Tuesday.
According to Chomyn’s email, Loraas could provide garbage and recycling collection on alternating weeks for $11.15 per residence per month. Rates for commercial pickup were also provided.
For the full story, please see the Feb. 22 edition of The Davidson Leader.
Davidson’s Tory Allan makes good use of a penalty shot during the second period of the Cyclones’ playoff game against the Dinsmore/Lucky Lake Dynamos on Feb. 12.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — For the Davidson Cyclones, the best revenge was playing well.
The team bounced back on Feb. 12, recording a 7-2 win over the Dinsmore/Lucky Lake Dynamos — the minimum margin of victory needed for the Cyclones to move on to the next round of provincial “C” playoffs.
Manager Kirk Johnson said the team had put its primary focus on taking care of the score and leaving other challenges aside for the time being.
“They didn’t worry about what happened before,” he said. “Everybody put their best effort forward and they got ‘er done.”
The win followed a 6-2 loss to the Dynamos on Feb. 5, which had left the Cyclones in a do-or-die scenario for the second game in the total-point series.
Davidson was also left without its captain and second-leading scorer, Derek Allan, who was sidelined with a possible concussion in the previous game, owing to a hit by the Dynamos’ Carter Thomson.
Friday’s game opened with a tight first period. Both teams were held scoreless until the last four minutes, when Charles Inglis scored the first of two goals for Davidson.
Chris Henry then scored for the Dynamos, followed by Inglis’s second goal, setting the score at 2-1 for the Cyclones heading into the second period.
Davidson went on to enjoy a scoring streak, opened by Rhyse Dieno two minutes into the period. Tory Allan extended the Cyclones’ lead four minutes later with the first of three goals.
Midway through the period, Allan was tripped by a competitor while on a breakaway. He was awarded a penalty shot, which he successfully completed, bringing the score to 5-2.
Allan went on to achieve a hat trick, scoring a third goal with eight minutes remaining in the period. He was appropriately honoured by several young spectators, tossing about half a dozen hats on the ice to be collected by officials.
Justin Williams followed that up with a goal for the Dynamos, setting the score at 6-2 at the start of the third period.
The increasingly aggressive game reached its boiling point towards the end, as both the Cyclones’ Tory Allan and the Dynamos’ Carter Thomson were assessed game misconduct penalties due to fighting.
Finally, with 7:41 remaining in the game, Jared Molnar scored for Davidson, assisted by Charles Inglis, bringing the score to 7-2 and giving the Cyclones the necessary five-point lead.
Johnson noted that scoring that goal with Thomson looking on from the penalty box was probably “the best revenge we could ask for.”
He also had high praise for goaltender Brady Willner, calling his performance “unbelievable.”
“He was stopping stuff that I thought was going in,” said Johnson. “He was probably the difference, I would say.”
In the next round, the Cyclones face the Delisle Bruins in a two-game, total-point series. The first game was scheduled for Feb. 19 in Davidson, while the second will follow on Feb. 24 in Delisle.
The winner of that series will face either the Macklin Mohawks or the Eston Ramblers.
The Loreburn 14U girls club volleyball team is pictured after winning gold in the Tier III division during the Subway Saskatchewan Cup on Feb. 7 in Warman.
By Joel van der Veen
LOREBURN — Coming out on top was a good way for the Loreburn 14U girls club volleyball team to start things off.
Earlier this month, the team competed in its first tournament in Warman, winning gold in the Tier 3 division at the 14U Subway Saskatchewan Cup on Feb. 7.
Team manager Amanda Glubis said the eight players on the team — hailing from Loreburn, Davidson and Outlook — have all played on high school teams at the junior level, but this is their first season playing together as a club team.
“They really have clicked as a team,” she said last week, adding that the girls all exhibit a similar skill level. “I’m pretty excited . . . it’s working quite well.”
Playing from Loreburn are Alyssa Glubis, Abby Adams and Baylee Batza, while Davidson is represented by Sydney Smith, Tylar Oliver and Jordan Matheson. Two players from Outlook, Kennedy Pederson and Tanner Neufeld, complete the roster.
The team played seven games over the weekend, beginning with round-robin play on Saturday. Though they endured a couple of losses, the girls won their crossover game on Saturday night to determine their tier.
They went on to enjoy a string of wins on Sunday, culminating in their win over the Yorkton Blitz Storm in three sets during the Tier 3 final.
With club volleyball on the rise, Glubis said having the 14U team is beneficial for the parents as well as the players, giving them a taste of the club experience.
For instance, playing seven games in one tournament gave the girls plenty of time on the court, as opposed to school tournaments where a team might drop out of competition after two or three games.
“I think (the parents) were impressed with how much the kids did get to play,” said Glubis, adding that playing the game is the best way to develop skills.
The team began meeting in January and practises twice a week, but has not had any scheduled games outside of tournaments.
Glubis said it has been difficult to arrange court time in the cities, while their teams are reluctant to travel out of town for games.
“They don’t really want to come out here,” she reported. “It’s just too hard to get that organized.”
The Loreburn team is scheduled to compete in a tournament hosted by Regina’s Queen City Volleyball Club (QCVC) on March 12 and 13, followed by the provincial tournament in Saskatoon and Warman from April 15 to 17.
Carmen Heinrichs coaches the Loreburn team, assisted by Kaitlyn Glubis.
Adrienne van der Veen will begin her position as the new branch librarian for Davidson on Feb. 19.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — For Adrienne van der Veen, libraries have always felt like homes away from home.
Growing up in Owen Sound, Ont., she and her two brothers would often go to the public library after school.
There, she developed the habit of being a “voracious reader,” making her way through the Little House on the Prairie series and laughing at the antics of Gordon Korman’s Bruno and Boots.
Adrienne, who was hired this month as the new branch librarian for Davidson, said she’s excited to get started and looking forward to meeting the needs of library users here.
“I really enjoy getting to know people and being with kids,” she said, adding that she wants to be an “ambassador” for the library. “It’s an honour to be here.”
Adrienne grew up in Ontario and moved out west to attend Briercrest College and Seminary in Caronport, Sask., graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in intercultural studies with an emphasis on TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
She then moved to Moose Jaw, spending most of the next five years as an office administrator for Joe’s Place, a youth centre located in the city’s downtown core.
After her marriage in 2013, she and her husband Joel spent the next year in Moose Jaw, where their daughter Ellie was born in August 2014. They then spent seven months in Stettler, Alta., before moving to Davidson in March 2015.
Since last June, Adrienne has worked occasionally as a substitute at the Davidson branch of Palliser Regional Library.
She had previously volunteered with the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council, reading books to newcomers and helping them find materials of interest at the city library. In Stettler, she helped with a twice-weekly “Read and Rhyme” program.
Adrienne said last week she would like to look at developing new programs, starting with a regular story time for parents and children.
“We’ll explore our options in the future,” she said. “For now, we’ll start small, and grow as we go.”
Audrey Hamm, who serves as chair of the Davidson library board, said she and her colleagues were impressed with Adrienne’s enthusiasm and suggestions.
“It’s a good opportunity for some fresh ideas,” she said, adding that the board is hopeful that Adrienne will help draw younger users to the library.
Previously, September Brooke had served as the Davidson branch librarian, beginning in 1998 and continuing until she was diagnosed with cancer in 2014.
Brooke, who died Jan. 10 at the age of 53, is being recognized by Palliser through the institution of the September Brooke Rural Education Bursary, in honour of her dedication to lifelong learning and teaching.
“September left some big shoes to fill,” said Hamm, adding that despite the sad circumstances, “we’re pretty optimistic that Adrienne’s going to do a great job.”
Adrienne also said she was aware of Brooke’s contributions and dedication: “September’s set the bar pretty high, by all accounts.”
Debbie Shearwood will remain in her current role as assistant librarian. Also currently serving as staff members are Donna Sampson and Betty Maunder.
For the full story, please see the Feb. 15 edition of The Davidson Leader.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Viola Greene, aged 95 of Davidson, Sask.
Vi leaves to mourn her son Byron (Iris), Lance and Kayla; son David (Amber), Devin (Renee) Jorja and Finley and Derek (Meaghan) and Kaleb; son-in-law Dennis (Julie) Demeester and family Darla (Scott) Dillon, Riley, Zach and Samantha; and Dwayne (Lisa) Demeester.
Viola was predeceased by her husband Keith and daughter Donna.
An Anglican service was held Thursday, Feb. 4 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Davidson. Rev. Susan Anholt officiated. Interment was at the family plot in the Davidson Cemetery. Hanson’s Funeral Home was entrusted to arrangements.
The following tribute to Viola was given by her grandson, Devin Greene.
Viola May Reding was born on May 10, 1920 in Wakaw to parents George and Juditha Reding of Cudworth, Sask. Vi was the third of four children: there was older brother Alvin, older sister Myrtle, and younger brother Edwin. A fifth child, Lillian, died as an infant. They grew up on the family farm near Cudworth.
After finishing school in the late ‘30s, like many other young women at the time, Vi attended Normal School in Saskatoon to train to be a teacher.
Grandma mentioned this “normal school” many times, and it was something I always struggled with. Why was it called “normal” school? Could anyone go there? It seemed special or different, was it really? Was there an “abnormal” school? Eventually, I found out it was just the name of the school people went to in order to become a teacher.
By the early ‘40s, Vi was teaching in one-room schools in the Davidson area. She taught at Bengough, Lothian and Rosemae. A neighbouring farmer at Rosemae must have caught her eye, and in 1944 she married Keith Greene.
Vi and Keith lived on the Greene family farm, near Rosemae school. For those of you not familiar with all of the names of the rural school districts of 70 years ago, this is 20 miles west of Davidson, where my parents Dave and Amber still live.
I’ve seen some pictures of the farm from that time. The words sparse, barren, isolated quickly come to mind. It was flat bald prairie, with only a tiny house and barn. There were no trees. The entire house is the size of my parent’s current kitchen.
In 1948, they had their first child Donna. The next year they thought it would be a good idea to plant a couple thousand trees. Then after Byron was born in 1951, they planted a few thousand more. Since I’m sure the first round of planting thousands of trees by hand with a baby in tow went so well, a second child must have helped out lots. David was born in 1955. They didn’t plant any more trees.
Life in rural Saskatchewan could at times be lonely. There was always so much work to be done on the farm, it often seemed like there was little time for socializing. But Vi made time for it. She was a member of the Woodmere Sunshine Club (a social group of local farm women). She’d often visit and have coffee with the Dahls, Carrolls, Hewitts or other nearby neighbours. Together with Keith, they enjoyed regular square dancing, and were members of clubs in both Loreburn and Davidson. They also were heavily involved in the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society.
On the farm, Vi loved animals. She loved the cows and gave names to them. Blondie was her favourite milking cow. She loved to garden, and always had a big one. Even when they had moved into town, she still had a patch in the back yard that was always very bountiful. She had a green thumb and a knack for getting anything to grow. One of her favourite indoor plants was an amaryllis that had been given to her mother for a wedding present. It has been grown and split many times since. Some of us have bulbs from it now. For her, it would flower beautifully. The rest of us are struggling to achieve the same level of success as she did.
In 1978, they moved into town and retired from farming. They travelled in the winter months to Europe, South America, Hawaii and other places. But she always loved the farm, and enjoyed coming out to see it. She made a point to always come out at least once during harvest, so she could see the crops and maybe get a ride in the combine.
Most of my own memories of Grandma come from when I was going to school in Davidson and my brother Derek and I would stay at Grandma’s. Sometimes it was just after school for a couple of hours; sometimes it was overnight, because the buses couldn’t run due to a winter storm. We’d often play games: Grandma taught me how to play cribbage, whist and hearts. Or we’d play Rack-O (a card game) or Scrabble. She was particularly good at Scrabble, and difficult to beat. There was often a card table set up in the living room with some kind of giant puzzle on it that we would sit at for a bit and put in a few pieces.
Like most grandparents, she had a candy cupboard, and we were always quick to check it out. Usually there were peppermints or hard candy, but if you were lucky there were macaroons or rosebuds. These didn’t last long, however, because they were also some of Grandma’s favourites.
Grandma was very social and always enjoyed having tea or coffee with someone to visit. In the morning, she’d often walk down the street to Winnie Scott’s house for a coffee. Other days she would go with Nettie Dahl to the A&W. She loved her time at the senior’s centre and was a regular there. As a kid, I loved going there too, always with the hope of being able to play shuffleboard.
Grandma always had this quiet sort of confidence around her. She was this sweet old lady, but if she wanted to go somewhere, or do something, she did it. You did NOT make her doctor or dentist appointments on Tuesdays or Thursdays, because that was senior’s day. You didn’t interrupt her when Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy! were on.
Donna and Dennis were building a new house on the farm and she wanted to see it. So, she grabbed some of her friends, and drove out there and checked out the construction.
If you took her somewhere (like a family supper) and she was ready to leave, you knew. She wouldn’t say anything, but would simply go get her coat and shoes on and wait by the door. That was the sign she was ready to go home.
Not that many years ago, my mom caught Grandma and Nettie Dahl using a ladder in her backyard to pick apples off her apple tree. Mom asked what they were doing. “We want to make apple pie and the best apples are at the top of the tree. Don’t worry, the neighbours can’t see us.” Which is just the thing you’re most worried about when a couple of 90-year-old ladies are climbing ladders to pick apples.
Another example of her “matter-of-factness” was told to me by Grandma just last year. It was the story of when my Dad was born. It was March of 1955. It had just snowed and Grandma knew it was time to have the baby. So did they head straight to the hospital in Davidson? No. They hitched the tractor to the front of the car and took it through the snow to Loreburn. Then they caught the train down to Moose Jaw, so they could leave Byron and Donna with Grandpa’s parents. Then they took a bus back up to Davidson to the hospital to have David. I like to think it was Grandma’s own will power that prevented my dad from being born in the middle of a field or the back of a bus.
Grandma had a habit of “collecting things” from auctions or garage sales and over time, these started to accumulate. Eventually her kids gradually started trying to remove things from the house. While she didn’t like this, she would put up with it to a point. Inevitably, someone would go too far, and attempt to get rid of something Grandma did not want to get rid of, and she basically kicked them out of her house. Donna once got a “Haven’t you got somewhere else to be?” Dave got a flat out “I think you should go now.”
Grandma was one of the sweetest people I ever knew. She was always happy, cheerful, and laughing. I’m sure she must have gotten mad some of the time, but I never saw it. The maddest I saw her get was when a contestant on Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy! got an easy answer wrong. Thank you Grandma for all you did for your family and friends. We love you, and we miss you.
Celebrating their win at the Viterra Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Prince Albert on Jan. 31 are, from left, lead Ashley Williamson, second Callan Hamon, third Ashley Howard and skip Jolene Campbell, with coach Russ Howard standing at the rear. (Photo courtesy of CURLSASK)
By Joel van der Veen
REGINA — Jolene Campbell’s oldest daughter stepped onto a curling sheet for the first time this past season. To no one’s surprise, she can’t wait to try it again.
Four-and-a-half-year-old Stella accompanied her mother to a recent practice, and Jolene says she’s asked to come along virtually every time since.
Her nieces and nephews are also starting to pick up the sport, Campbell added, saying, “It’s pretty neat to see the family tradition carry on.”
In this case, the family tradition includes plenty of time at the curling rink, as well as some excellent results on the ice.
Campbell set the bar a little higher last weekend as she and her teammates from Regina’s Highland Curling Club captured their first Viterra Scotties Tournament of Hearts provincial championship in Prince Albert.
Jolene is the daughter of Perry and Ronna McIvor, formerly of Davidson. Her teammates are third Ashley Howard, second Callan Hamon and lead Ashley Williamson.
The team played three games in 11 hours on Jan. 31, defeating Regina’s Michelle Englot 7-5 and then winning 6-4 over North Battleford’s Robyn Silvernagle in the semi-final.
Saskatoon’s Stefanie Lawton — who had the last two provincial women’s championships to her credit — was their challenger in the final. The Campbell rink came out ahead with a 7-4 win.
The win may have struck some observers as an upset, but Campbell chalked it up to a combination of skill, dedication and hard work.
“This team just really clicked well together right off the start,” she said, adding that they were “at the rink all the time.”
She also gave a share of the credit to coach Russ Howard, who is Ashley’s father. A prior men’s world champion and Olympic gold medallist, he currently works for TSN as a curling analyst.
“We went into provincials believing that we could come through winning the championship, and it worked out for us,” said Campbell.
At 34, the wife and mother of two — with a third child on the way — is a decade older than most of her teammates, who range in age from 22 to 26.
“I always joke to them that they are my other three kids,” said Campbell with a laugh, adding that she has felt comfortable taking on a leadership role with the younger players.
Of her teammates, she said, “They’re all mature beyond their years when it comes to getting out and working hard.”
Campbell and her team will represent the province at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Grande Prairie, Alta., from Feb. 20 to 28.
She began curling around the age of nine, taking part in the school program in Davidson. Campbell said that teacher Diane Taylor and her husband Gord were both sources of encouragement and support.
Previously, Campbell won the provincial junior title in 2002 and finished in third place at the Canadian Junior Curling Championships. She also won the Schmirler Curling Classic in 2007.
As the alternate for the Amber Holland rink, Campbell played in three past national Scotties tournaments, winning in 2011, and went on to take the silver medal at the Capital One World Women’s Curling Championship in Denmark that year.
Though she’s lived in Regina for the last decade, Campbell said she still feels the support of her hometown in spirit. Going a step further was the local Home Hardware shop, which helped by sponsoring her team this year.
Campbell can also rest assured that she’ll have her family watching and cheering her on at every step.
Her mother Ronna, speaking to the Leader from their home in Regina on Tuesday, said they watch the Scotties every year, but it will have an added appeal this time around.
“It’s going to be extra special to have our own daughter in it,” she said. “We’ll enjoy watching every minute of it.”
