The RaiTec’s Tori Rendall (11) sends the ball over the net as the Hanley Sabers’ Kirsten Cory (11) and Vanessa Lohrey (10) attempt to block during a conference finals game in Davidson on Nov. 7.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — It was an action-packed day at Davidson School on Saturday as senior girls volleyball teams competed in conference finals.
The Davidson/Loreburn RaiTec came out on top, winning each of its sets throughout the day, while the Hanley Sabers were hot on their heels, finishing in second place.
Sandra Baldwin, manager for the RaiTec team, said the girls’ skills and ability to play together give them great flexibility on the court.
“It doesn’t seem to matter who we sub out, it’s pretty seamless,” said Baldwin. “The girls are familiar with their positions and understand what their jobs are. They play hard all the time.”
Four teams competed in conference finals in Davidson, playing each other in best-of-three matches.
The RaiTec, coached by Tony Baldwin, Karen McConnell and Hallie Volmer, defeated the Hanley Sabers in two sets to begin the morning. They went on to defeat the Strasbourg Vikings and the Southey Eagles, finishing the day undefeated.
The Hanley Sabers, coached by Scott Cory, quickly recovered from their opening loss. They also defeated Strasbourg and Southey, earning a second-place finish.
Both teams were scheduled to compete in 2A south regionals in Arcola on Nov. 14, along with the host team, Wolseley, Milestone and Kahkewistahaw.
The top two teams from that event will move on to provincials on Nov. 21 in Porcupine Plain.
For the full story, please see the Nov. 16 edition of The Davidson Leader.
Jan Ludwig herds cattle belonging to Siroski Farms from the corrals to the pasture in this 2012 file photo.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — After more than 75 years, the sun has set on an era for the former PFRA pastures at Willner and Elbow.
The cattle were brought off the fields last month, and now patrons are preparing for the first season under new management — themselves.
Despite a new Liberal government in Ottawa and calls to halt the transfer of the former PFRA grasslands, Ian McCreary said last week there’s little hope that the course will change at this point.
“Our sense is it’s going to be very difficult for them to change anything for our year,” he said. “It’s unlikely that we can avoid the transfer process . . . Governments tend to move not entirely quickly.”
McCreary sits on the board of directors elected last spring to oversee the Willner-Elbow Grazing Corporation, which is leasing the two pastures that had been operated by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration dating back to the early 1940s.
This will allow ranchers to continue using the land that has been available to them for generations, but not without a steep increase in the fees they must pay.
Such is the new reality facing ranchers, three years after the Conservative government announced its plans to end the Community Pasture Program.
This involved divesting the 85 pastures that were operated through the program — 62 of which were in Saskatchewan — on a gradual basis between 2013 and 2018.
The McCraney pasture was part of the first group of 10 to be transferred to the provincial government for the 2014 season.
This year, the Willner-Elbow pastures — with a combined total area of 36,200 acres, enough room for about 2,100 cattle and another 70 bulls — began the transition. The province takes over the pastures in March and will then lease them to the corporation.
McCreary said that existing patrons have paid their deposits and that the pastures are already expected to be about 75 per cent filled with existing cattle for the 2016 season.
The corporation has advertised that it will accept additional cattle, though current patrons will have first dibs on available capacity.
McCreary said the interest received so far indicates that the need for the pasture land is evident. He added that the “cattle cycle” is currently at a peak phase, with the average calf price last year reaching over $1,500.
“There’s a lot more interest in livestock now than there was when the process started,” he said, noting that cattle prices cycle through peaks and valleys.
He also said the corporation is optimistic that the current manager, Ross Sigfusson, will return for the 2016 season.
Lease fees are a new part of the equation for patrons. The province will charge around $135,000 for the season, representing about a third of the corporation’s total annual budget. As a result, McCreary estimated, grazing fees will increase by 30 to 40 per cent over what patrons paid last year.
The corporation also continues to grapple with the presence of leafy spurge, an invasive plant that displaces native vegetation in fields.
McCreary estimated that between 9,000 and 12,000 acres on the two pastures are affected by the spurge, making it a significant concern.
An existing sheep grazing program has helped address the problem on a short-term basis, as sheep will eat the spurge and leave the grass behind, but McCreary said a long-term solution is needed.
With the shift in Ottawa resulting from the Oct. 19 election, several nature groups, including Nature Saskatchewan, have called on the federal government to put an immediate pause on the transfer of former PFRA grasslands.
A news release issued Oct. 29 said a plan is needed to sustain the ecological values of sites like the Govenlock community pasture, protecting species at risk while allowing for ongoing use by cattle ranchers.
Nature Saskatchewan excutive director Jordan Ignatiuk said all signs have indicated the process is unlikely to stop, despite the change in power.
“We don’t expect that there’s going to be a reversal,” he said, noting that his organization is still encouraged by the Liberal government’s apparent commitment to the environment.
While it’s been difficult for Nature Saskatchewan to monitor the situation closely due to the sheer number of pastures, Ignatiuk added, “To some degree we’ve got an idea of what’s happening.”
The McCraney pasture began the transition process two years earlier and has been operated under a patron-directed corporation since then. McCreary said the Willner-Elbow patrons have been able to watch and learn from that transition.
For the full story, please see the Nov. 9 edition of The Davidson Leader.
DAVIDSON — The rich history of the Royal Canadian Legion, both locally and across the country, will be part of the focus of this year’s Remembrance Day service.
The annual service will be held on Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. in the auditorium at Davidson Town Hall, with Mary Jane Morrison serving as the emcee.
While the program usually features an address by a guest speaker, Legion branch president Gord McRae said this year, “We’re going to do it ourselves.”
Four speakers will address the audience, highlighting the history of the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Davidson, as well as the contributions of the Ladies Auxiliary.
The Legion celebrates its 90th anniversary this month. The Davidson branch predates the national organization, having been originally formed as a local branch of the Great War Veterans Association in April 1919.
The Nov. 11 service is organized annually as a combined effort of the local Legion branch and the Davidson Inter-Church Association.
Gladys Junop, Ila May Northrop, Mary Lynne Golphy and Bonnie Jean Low will be featured as speakers during Wednesday’s program.
The program will also honour veteran Alf Stulberg, who was recognized in May with a medal presented by the government of France in recognition of his role in that country’s liberation by Allied forces in the summer of 1944.
With the passing of fellow veteran Meryl Warren in September, Stulberg, 94, is the last surviving member of the Davidson branch to have served in the Armed Forces during the Second World War.
A community choir is being formed to lead the singing of the anthems and several hymns, to be accompanied on piano by Nancy Wilkins.
The service will also include a Scripture reading and a PowerPoint slide show put together by students from Davidson School. Refreshments, including a 90th anniversary cake, will be served following the program.
The school will host its own ceremony on Tuesday in the high school gym, with members of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Canadian Forces attending as special guests. Staff and students are being encouraged to attend both ceremonies.
George passed away peacefully at the age of 91 years in the Davidson Health Centre. He was born to August and Lydia Scheidt on the family farm near Salvador, Sask.
George had fond memories of growing up around horses, especially his very own Prince. He took all of his schooling in Salvador.
It was at a high school dance where George met his long-loved sweetheart Dorothy and they were married on July 8, 1947 at Hearts Hill Lutheran Church. This was the beginning of a loving relationship of over 68 years.
George and Dorothy started their married life farming in the Salvador (Luseland) district. George decided to become an elevator agent, starting with Federal Grain and moving on to Saskatchewan Wheat Pool for many years, most of that time spent in Mikado, Sask. He completed his grain-buying years in Davidson with United Grain Growers.
Among the many joys in his life, the greatest was his love for his wife and family. He was a truly gentle and kind husband and father, as well as so loving and proud of all his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-granddaughter.
In Davidson, George took an active role in the church, on council, in choir and helping with maintenance. He enjoyed the seniors centre, playing cards and socializing. In his younger years he enjoyed curling and after coming to Davidson he was an avid bowler.
George is lovingly remembered by his wife Dorothy; his children and grandchildren: Bob (Dorothy) Scheidt, Trevor, Heather (Curtis), and Garner; Janet (Fred) Ellersiek, Cinnamon (Erik) Dagsvik and Chris (Shaylene) Rudy; Shirley (Bob) Bender, Justin (Ninja) and Carla (Jared) Shaw; Stephen (Jan) Scheidt, Graham, Evan (Teaghan) and Neal (Laura); great-grandchildren Jessica, Brittany, Erika and Nik (Cinnamon); and Gracelyn, Jayne and Peyton (Carla); and great-great-granddaughter Sophie (Brittany). Geroge is also survived by two brothers, Donald (Margaret) and Art (Vi), as well many nieces and nephews.
George was predeceased by his parents August and Lydia, sister-in-law Marion and nephew Walter.
The celebration of George’s life was held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Davidson on Friday, October 30. It was officiated by Pastor Sonje Finnestad; eulogy by Rev. Stephen Scheidt; organist Carol Dieno; readers Carla Shaw and Heather Scheidt; ushers Lee and Mary Walker; register Joyce Doyle and Nina Gust; active pallbearers Trevor Scheidt, Garner Scheidt, Chris Rudy, Justin Bender, Evan Scheidt and Neal Scheidt.
Interment was at Davidson Community Cemetery.
Arrangements were in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home.
Premier Brad Wall listens to parts manager Cory Zastrizny at Young’s Equipment, Ltd., during his visit to Davidson on Tuesday.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — While Premier Brad Wall acknowledges his government’s record isn’t perfect, on one issue he’s content to pass the buck: the weather.
Asked upon his arrival in Davidson whether he’d brought the snow and cold wind with him, the premier quipped, “That’s the federal government.”
Wall visited the area on Tuesday, meeting with local officials in Davidson and Kenaston, and touring several area businesses, as well as the Distance Learning Centre.
Speaking to the Leader, he offered his thoughts on several topics, including the recent federal election, in which the Liberal Party received a decisive majority.
Wall said he believed his government and the outgoing Conservatives had accomplished lots together, even if they didn’t agree on everything, but added he wants to work effectively with the new government and Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau.
He said he had spoken to Trudeau briefly by telephone following his victory, noting that he was around the same age as the new PM when he was first elected premier in 2007.
“As long as we have our priorities right, all the other priorities seem to be clearer,” he observed.
Wall said he had met with Wascana MP Ralph Goodale, the province’s sole Liberal MP, on Monday. He also said he hopes to meet with Trudeau once he and his cabinet have been sworn in to discuss some issues of importance, including the Liberals’ pledge to boost infrastructure spending across the country.
While much of that money will target specific areas like green infrastructure, social projects and public transit, Wall said he hopes some funding will be available to address needs in Saskatchewan towns and villages.
Accompanied by Arm River-Watrous MLA Greg Brkich, the premier first visited Kenaston, meeting with Mayor ML Whittles and Reeve Murray Kadlec of the RM of McCraney.
He then travelled to Davidson, where he met with Mayor Clayton Schneider, Bladworth Mayor Ron Bessey, RM of Willner Reeve Len Palmer, and Coun. Doug Gregor, representing the RM of Arm River.
Wall said he was meeting informally with local officials to determine priorities, noting that the greatest municipal issue across the province is infrastructure, with continued growth placing higher demand on aging systems.
He also visited several businesses in Davidson, including Young’s Equipment, Western Sales and Fast Toys for Boys, meeting employees and talking briefly with managers.
At the latter business, he accepted an invitation by president Terry Dieno to visit a nearby hangar to check out “Lou IV,” a P-51D Mustang fighter plane flown during the Second World War.
Dieno purchased the famous model several years ago and is having it painstakingly rebuilt, estimating the current progress at around 75 per cent.
The premier got a close-up look at the Mustang, peering into the cockpit, and also enjoyed touring Dieno’s collection of vintage Pontiac GTO muscle cars.
Wall said paying for infrastructure, health care, education and other needs requires a broad tax base, explaining, “We need a strong economy to pay for all those things.”
For the full story, please see the Nov. 2 edition of The Davidson Leader.
Pictured above are the members of the Davidson-Loreburn RaiTec senior girls volleyball team. Seen, from left, are Jamie Sarich, Brianna Jess, Emily Read, Lynzey Sanden, Kaitlyn Baldwin, Karissa Rendall, Jackie Losie, Tori Rendall, Jacey Sanden, Madelyn Vollmer, Miranda Farrell, Gracie Allan, Kaitlyn Glubis, Breanna Shaw and Jessica Matheson.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — It’s seven in a row for the RaiTec senior girls volleyball team, but don’t think of calling it a lucky streak.
Rather, said manager Sandra Baldwin, it’s a combination of skill, consistency and commitment that has helped the team achieve so much success this season.
“We are able to set the pace for a game, and then maintain that pace,” she said. “They’re willing to work hard and stay focused.”
The RaiTec team — a co-op between Davidson and Loreburn — has won seven tournaments in a row, starting with a home tournament held the weekend of Sept. 11 and 12.
This was followed by wins in Porcupine Plain, Beechy, Assiniboia, Hanley and Humboldt, and culminated with a victory at a tournament in Outlook on the weekend of Oct. 23 and 24.
The RaiTec team includes six Grade 10 players, three from Grade 11 and five Grade 12s. Baldwin said the mix of ages has contributed to a healthy balance.
She also said the girls have stood firm even when falling behind, continuing to play their game, chipping away and, more often than not, coming out with a win.
The older players have brought strong leadership, while Baldwin said the team has a “deep bench” with all players displaying strengths.
Tony Baldwin, who coaches the team along with teacher Karen McConnell and intern Hallie Vollmer, said he’s excited about the team’s success for several reasons.
“These girls are at least as strong as they were last year,” he said, adding that he’s pleased to see the two schools coming together co-operatively.
For the full story, please see the Nov. 2 edition of The Davidson Leader.
