By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Serving as the reviewing officer for the Sherlock Squadron’s annual review brought back a flood of memories for former cadet Jaclyn Edwards.

“This program changed my life,” she told the cadets gathered at Davidson Town Hall. “I kind of want to come back . . . I’m really proud of you guys.”

The local Royal Canadian Air Cadets squadron held its review on June 1, drawing a crowd of about 20 people to the auditorium to celebrate and recognize the cadets’ achievements over the past year.

This year will mark the squadron’s 30th anniversary in Davidson, but enrolment in the program has reached its lowest level yet with just four cadets finishing out the year.

Capt. Krystal Klenk said she’s hopeful that enrolment will increase next year, as the squadron welcomed several new cadets last fall.

“Our squadron may be small, but we have achieved and overcome to make this year a success,” she told the audience during her address.

Area director Gordon McRae also expressed his pride in the program and in the results he’s seen, exhibited in the many young people who have graduated from Air Cadets.

“I always feel proud of the program,” he said. “I would very much like to see it go on.”

Along with the ceremonial review, the program on Monday night included the presentation of awards and speeches by Klenk, McRae and Edwards. Ryan Potts served as master of ceremonies.

Jaclyn, 20, is the youngest child of Bill and Sandra Edwards. She followed in the footsteps of her older brother and sister by excelling in the program.

She recalled last week how she came along to meetings with her sister before she was old enough to join. As a cadet, she quickly caught up to her sister in rank, and as a senior cadet she was two years younger than her colleagues.

Edwards — now in her second year at the University of Saskatchewan, studying microbiology, immunology and biotechnology — said she took advantage of opportunities to improve her leadership skills.

“I’m more outgoing,” she said. “I’m not afraid to step up and take charge . . . It’s definitely helped that way.”

Edwards said the program gave her many other opportunities, from summer camps and flying experience to attending the world’s largest air show in Oshkosh, Wis.

She said serving as the reviewing officer was somewhat emotional for her because she once babysat the Townsend children, now enrolled in the program themselves.

Edwards also said she hopes to see enrolment increase, and that it would be a tremendous loss if Davidson lost the squadron. Added numbers would allow the cadets to explore more opportunities, she added.

L.A.C. Jessica Townsend received both the Star Cadet award and the Best Dressed award, while L.A.C. Breanna Townsend was honoured with the award for Most Proficient First-Year Cadet.

Corp. Weston Wilcox was presented with the Most Improved Cadet of the Year, traditionally presented to second-year cadets. Klenk noted that although he is technically in his first year, he has advanced enough to reach the ranking of a second-year cadet.

The squadron enjoyed another busy year of adventures, which included competing against other cadets in zone activities in Saskatoon, taking part in a survival weekend at Buffalo Pound and attending a Snowbirds air show at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

In the winter, the cadets visited Mitchinson’s Flying Services in Saskatoon and had the opportunity to fly in a Cessna 152 two-passenger craft.

Over the year, cadets also toured the STARS Air Ambulance facility and helicopters in Saskatoon, viewed a Chinook duel propeller helicopter at 15 Wing, and flew in gliders at the Moose Jaw Gliding Centre.

Klenk, now in her sixth year as the squadron’s commanding officer, is herself a graduate of the squadron, having joined in 2004 at age 15.

She said she travels each week from her home near Watrous for the squadron meetings, noting that all of the leaders come from out of town.

Klenk said that the low enrolment numbers also mean there are fewer parent volunteers to help with the program, adding, “We also need people over here to help us grow.”

Local cadets will be busy with activities over the summer; the squadron will resume meeting in the fall with an open house on Sept. 14.

The program is open to recruits ages 12 and up. For more information, contact Klenk at 306-946-3773 or 306-946-9941, or email krykle@sasktel.net.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Staff members at Davidson’s SARCAN depot are happy to accept recyclable beverage containers, as well as leftover paint and unused electronic equipment, during business hours.

It’s some of the other contributions they’ve had outside of those hours that they’re less than thrilled about.

Depot supervisor Debbie Vicente said employees often arrive at work in the mornings to discover that people have dropped their unwanted items off at the site overnight.

“We’ve had couches, we’ve had old furniture, we’ve had beds,” she said. “You name it, we’ve had it.”

While some of the castoff items would be accepted during the depot’s business hours, many — including microwave ovens, sinks and bathtubs — would not be.

Vicente said this has long been an issue at the Davidson depot, which is operated by Interlake Human Resources.

“We’re the ones that have to take it to the dump,” she said, noting that Interlake is then stuck with the landfill fees.

“We do have signs up,” she continued. “They’ll leave it right under the signs. . . They just ignore it.”

Vicente came by the Leader office last week to place an ad reminding the public not to leave unwanted items at the depot after hours.

Such dumping is illegal, but outside of installing video cameras at the site, little can be done to catch or deter perpetrators.

Town administrator Gary Edom said that illegal dumping is under provincial jurisdiction, adding that the only related bylaw on Davidson’s books concerns littering from vehicles.

The provincial government has recently mounted a campaign, reminding the public that illegal dumping can be reported through the TIP hotline at 1-800-667-7561. Ads state that all reports are investigated and calls are confidential.

For information on items accepted at SARCAN depots, visit sarcan.ca.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A local tradition was revived last month as Royal Canadian Legion members, their family, friends and other guests gathered for a medal presentation and strawberry social in Davidson.

The event was an opportunity to mark several milestones, including the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the 90th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion itself.

Anniversary medals were presented to four members: veterans Alfred Stulberg, Meryl Warren and Bob Booker, and to Wayne Morrison, former commanding officer of Davidson’s 553 Sherlock Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

An additional medal was presented to Stulberg on behalf of the government of France, in honour of his role in that country’s liberation by Allied forces in the summer of 1944.

About 60 people attended the social and presentation, held at the Davidson Seniors Centre on Friday, May 22.

Gordon McRae, president of the local Legion branch, said he was pleased with the turnout and response, given how the branch’s numbers have declined in recent years.

He thanked those in attendance for coming out and supporting the event, and said he hoped to ensure that Legion events like the Remembrance Day ceremony would continue on in Davidson.

Rev. Diane Eurig served as the emcee for the afternoon program, which included remarks by Coun. Kim Williams and Arm River-Watrous MLA Greg Brkich.

“I can only imagine this legion, our legion, was formed on blood, sweat and tears,” said Williams, who offered congratulations on behalf of Mayor Clayton Schneider and the rest of town council.

Brkich, who appeared on behalf of the provincial government, thanked Stulberg directly for his role, saying that he and other veterans “can never be thanked enough for the freedoms we have nowadays.”

Sylvia McConnell read selections from the Prairie Tapestry history book and other records, detailing the history of the local Legion branch, the Ladies Auxiliary and the members being honoured that day.

The local branch originated in April 1919 as part of the Great War Veterans Association. Over 200 residents of Davidson and district had enlisted in the military for the First World War; thirty-five of them did not return.

Though the branch was less active in the 1930s, it was reactivated at the end of the Second World War, in which 236 residents enlisted and 14 were killed.

McRae presented the four recipients with the Legion 90th anniversary medal, which features claret and white bands in honour of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

For the full story, please see the June 1 edition of The Davidson Leader.