By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Health officials are once again urging the public to get vaccinated as flu season approaches.

Those looking for the influenza vaccine have extra options this year, as for the first time, Saskatchewan pharmacists are allowed to provide the vaccine to their customers.

About 200 of the 360 community pharmacies across the province will offer the vaccine, including Midway Pharmacy in Davidson.

Pharmacist Dave Nykiforuk said he and his staff were allowed to start administering vaccinations last Monday. As of noon on Wednesday, about 10 customers had requested the vaccine.

While the pharmacy may start setting appointments if demand increases, Nykiforuk said for now that customers may simply come in and request to be vaccinated.

New legislation, introduced last year and officially adopted earlier this month, allows the province’s pharmacists to administer vaccines and drugs, such as flu shots and injections of vitamin B12.

Health regions across the province will also continue to offer the vaccine at the standard public clinics, being held between late October and early November.

The vaccine is offered free of charge, whether taken at a clinic or at a pharmacy. Patients must present their provincial health card to receive the vaccine at pharmacies.

The flu vaccine is available for residents six months of age or older. Children aged nine or older can receive the vaccine at a pharmacy, but younger children must be vaccinated at a clinic.

In a news release, Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer, said he encourages everyone, especially those at a high risk and their caregivers, to get vaccinated.

Those at a high risk of developing complications from the flu include pregnant women, young children, the elderly and anyone with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems.

“Getting vaccinated early in the fall is the best way to protect yourself, your family and others around you during flu season,” Dr. Shahab was quoted.

In addition to the traditional vaccination, a nasal vaccine (FluMist) is being offered at the clinics as an option for children between the ages of two and 17.

According to the province, vaccines used this year include two influenza A viral components (H1N1 and H3N2) and one or two influenza viral B component(s). The World Health Organization has predicted that these strains are most likely to circulate in the coming season.

The Ministry of Health has estimated the effectiveness of the vaccine at around 60 per cent in healthy persons, but also stated that it is dependent upon multiple factors.

These include the match between strains in the vaccine and strains circulating in the patient’s community, as well as the patient’s age and immune response.

The province also stated that it is more effective in those who are younger and generally healthy, but may be less effective in older people. Those who get the flu after receiving the vaccine usually have a milder illness and are less likely to require hospitalization.

For the full story, including a listing of all clinics scheduled in Davidson and district this fall, please see the Oct. 26 edition of The Davidson Leader.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — The people of Saskatchewan have a reputation for generosity and kindness, and over the last four months, Cheryl Black says she’s seen more than enough proof to convince her.

Residents across the province have rallied in support of her son, his wife and their twin infant daughters, who were diagnosed with a fatal genetic condition at four months of age.

Since that diagnosis in June, upwards of $37,000 has been raised to support the family as they have migrated to British Columbia, where the girls are undergoing an experimental treatment.

“You know for sure when something like this happens,” said Black on Thursday. “They’re living off the love of this province, literally.”

Her son Dan Surine and his wife Melissa, who live in Saskatoon, became the proud parents of Addison and Emma on Feb. 2. The girls appeared healthy until later that spring.

In mid-May, the Surine family was visiting Davidson, where Black lives and is employed at the health centre as head housekeeper.

They were attending the graduation exercises at Davidson School — where Black’s sister, Cathy Rettger, is vice-principal — but had to leave early as Emma had fallen ill.

By early June, Emma had been diagnosed with Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disease that causes the loss of nerves within the spinal cord, as well as weakness with the corresponding muscles.

The disease affects the ability to walk, stand, sit, eat, breathe or swallow. It is the No. 1 genetic killer of infants and young children.

About one in 6,000 babies are affected by SMA, and it is typically fatal before the age of two. There is no known cure.

Genetic testing revealed that Addison is also affected by SMA, dealing a devastating blow to the family.

Despite the heartbreaking news, the Surines were quickly contacted by Families of SMA Canada, leading to them attending a conference in Kansas City, Missouri, and learning about a drug trial for which the girls would be eligible.

To take part, the family had to move from Saskatoon to British Columbia for 14 months, with Dan and Melissa leaving their home, jobs and lives behind in August.

Since this summer, family, friends and even strangers have stepped up to support the family, organizing a series of fundraisers to cover the costs involved, beginning with a GoFundMe account to pay for the family’s trip to Kansas City.

The Surines’ neighbours hosted a steak night and silent auction in August, while Anne Willner donated the proceeds from a Civic Holiday charity breakfast at Douglas Provincial Park to the cause.

Rettger’s friend Kelly Forsberg, a former Saskatchewan Roughriders employee now working as an event planner, organized a fundraiser at Saskatoon’s Rock Creek Tap and Grill on Aug. 30 with the help of Darian Durant.

Fans could get autographs signed or bid on a seat at the quaterback’s table to watch the day’s game. Silent auctions were also held; among the items up for bids was a round of golf with Rob Bagg and Weston Dressler, which eventually went for $3,500.

Bagg and Dressler came to the Harbor Golf Club and Resort in Elbow to make good on the deal, enjoying an afternoon game of golf, having supper and drinks, and signing autographs for fans.

The donations and support have been greatly appreciated by the Surines, who are now providing round-the-clock care for their daughters. Melissa’s background in nursing has proven helpful.

Emma’s SMA has progressed quickly; at three months she had nearly lost the ability to swallow, and now she depends on suction to remove the saliva from her mouth.

The girls are undergoing a series of six injections, with the fourth expected in late October. Due to the nature of drug trials, Dan and Melissa don’t know whether the girls are receiving a standard or double dose, or simply a placebo.

Rettger said they are seeing some improvement since the treatment began with increased movement in the girls’ arms and legs, but Addison has since lost the ability to swallow.

Black said she visited the family in Kelowna most recently in early October. In addition to the donations, she said they’ve also appreciated the support of the SMA community.

The whole experience has been overwhelming, she said, adding, “It’s hard to express how grateful you can be . . . It has been lovely.”

Rettger added that despite their exhaustion, Dan and Melissa are determined to “celebrate every day with the girls.”

“They are relentlessly positive,” she said. “They just seem to take each new thing in stride.”

To donate, visit gofundme.com/ypx7yv4.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Contractors interested in leading the construction of Davidson’s new pool have until Oct. 29 to dive right in.

Walker Projects, the Regina firm working on behalf of the town, released the request for proposals (RFP) online on Tuesday, kicking off the process through which Davidson will determine the builder of the pool.

Documents released via sasktenders.com last week included the architectural plan for the site, located just north of the current pool on a plot of land, roughly two acres in size, donated by Bryan Ulmer.

Also released were the blueprints for the building that will contain the change house and mechanical equipment, and the general requirements for proposals submitted to Walker Projects.

The process will include a local site walkthrough conducted by Daryl Andrew, the project manager from Walker working with the town, this Wednesday.

Once the deadline is reached, Walker Projects will rank each of the proposals using a point system that measures several criteria.

These include demonstrated comprehension of the project, compliance with the project scope, overall quality of design-build elements and pool systems, experience and past performance of the proponent team, proposed construction schedule, cost, and the overall quality and thoroughness of the proposal.

“They go through each submission, vet everybody,” explained Davidson recreation director Trevor Ouellette, adding that the town will be provided with the ranking and information on all proposals.

Over a couple of weeks, members of town council, the recreation board and the swimming pool committee will consider the proposals, with Walker’s report as a reference point, and narrow them down.

Ouellette also said that the RFP process, in comparison to seeking tenders, allows for greater communication and negotiation between parties, allowing the town to seek flexibility on the use of volunteer labour, time and materials.

The documents state Nov. 19 as the projected date the contract will be awarded; Ouellette said the group hopes to have made its decision by the Nov. 17 town council meeting.

“It’ll start to happen quuckly once these come in,” said Ouellette.

For the full story, please see the Oct. 19 edition of The Davidson Leader.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A windy day couldn’t spoil the festivities as the Riverbend Co-op celebrated the grand opening of its Davidson gas bar on Highway 11 on Thursday.

Two players from the Saskatchewan Roughriders — cornerbacks Tyron Brackenridge and Paul Woldu — were on hand for a couple of hours to sign autographs.

The event also included a ribbon cutting ceremony and a fundraising barbecue for Davidson’s new swimming pool. In addition, 10 cents from every litre of gas sold from the Co-op pumps on Thursday was donated towards the pool.

Several Co-op representatives and other dignitaries offered remarks during the short ceremony, including Davidson Mayor Clayton Schneider, who said businesses like Riverbend are helping the community to grow and thrive.

“We’re truly blessed to have businesses such as yourselves as part of our great community,” he said, also lauding the Co-op on its business sense in taking advantage of a new location along Highway 11, one of the province’s most heavily-travelled highways.

Dawn Erickson, board secretary for Riverbend Co-op, expressed her appreciation to Davidson residents for their support, saying, “I’m so proud of our staff and our facility.”

Riverbend general manager Greg Sarvis said the new gas bar had been in the works for more than three years, explaining, “It’s kind of full circle for me.”

He said the facility represented the single biggest Co-op investment in Davidson in two decades. He also commended the staff for weathering some surprises along the way.

Riverbend Co-op purchased the site on the east side of Highway 11 in the spring of 2012, demolishing the former restaurant and gas station to make way for the new project.

Construction was delayed but finally began in October of 2014. The station officially opened for business on Aug. 24.

For the full story, please see the Oct. 19 edition of The Davidson Leader.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Clown noses, an acoustic guitar and some blank newsprint were among the tools that helped Davidson students bring their creativity to life last week.

On Wednesday, the school hosted its annual visit from the Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange, bringing a team of six artists to lead workshops in drama, music, dance and the visual arts.

Davidson School vice-principal Cathy Rettger said staff members have made it a priority to bring the exchange program back each year. She recalled her own experience attending a dance-themed workshop several years ago.

“It was so comfortable and so natural, and we had so much fun,” she said. “They share that passion and that excitement with the kids.”

The five workshops were held throughout the day for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6, with each class rotating between each station.

Kenn McLeod and Amber Phelps-Bondaroff led a clowning workshop in the student lounge, taking each group through a series of improv exercises that included statues in various poses.

They then invited individual students or small groups to perform in front of their classmates, drawing them into simple scenarios and having them mime different objects.

In the library, Erik Mehlsen led a songwriting workshop, developing a set of lyrics with each class. He would then match the words to a melody, teach the students to sing their songs and record them on the spot, playing along on an acoustic guitar.

Over in the elementary wing, Saskatoon-area storyteller Danica Lorer shared her craft, while Taylor Hunt led a dance session.

Rowan Pantel supervised a puppetry workshop in the high school scicnce lab. Students were given only basic tools, including blank newsprint taken from unused roll ends, and instructed to create simple puppets.

Pantel is also the manager for the Cultural Exchange workshop tour, now in its 32nd year. The group of professional artists tours the province in a van for the month of October, visiting a total of 20 schools, reaching as far north as Sandy Bay.

For the full story, see the Oct. 19 edition of The Davidson Leader.