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.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Last Sunday was the perfect day for a ride, and the perfect day to remind drivers that they aren’t the only ones on the road.

On May 24, the Sacred Heart Parish Hall in Davidson played the improbable host to dozens of motorcycle enthusiasts, stopping through town in support of Riders Against Government Exploitation (RAGE).

RAGE, which has been active across the province since 2013, held its Awareness Ride on Sunday, encouraging bikers to head out on the highways, to meet in Davidson and to help promote their causes.

President Rhonda Cwynar said the group has held the annual Awareness Ride for the past couple of years, using Davidson as a meeting point, but this was the first time they had set up a gathering place inside the town.

“We’re all spread all over Saskatchewan, so it’s pretty hard to organize one big event,” said Cwynar.

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, an event designed to remind drivers to keep an eye out for bikers while on the road, and in doing so, to reduce the number of collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles.

Cwynar said RAGE was formed to protest what its members viewed as unfair insurance rates imposed by SGI, as well as to promote awareness of riders and prevent accidents on Saskatchewan’s roads.

“Our main focus is lobbying to make sure that our riding community stays safe and viable,” said Cwynar.

She said SGI has not done enough to promote and enforce safe driving habits among drivers of all vehicles; instead, they have raised insurance rates for riders to compensate for the increased costs of accidents and injuries on roads and highways.

“We’re pushing to have a solution instead of soaring rates,” she said. “Rates are the end result of a lot of other things . . . They’re never looking at the real problem.”

Cwynar acknowledged that part of the problem is living in a country with a cold climate, where riders are off the road for half the year.

She also said that distracted driving is a growing problem, despite provincial laws designed to deter it, and that bikers are often vulnerable when other drivers aren’t paying attention to the traffic around them.

Cwynar said there was a small but steady turnout to the parish hall, where refreshments were served, and RAGE memberships and merchandise were being sold.

Dave Sotkowy, a Regina resident who serves as RAGE’s treasurer, said the weather was “gorgeous,” but added, “I think a lot of them are just hitting the Shell station and having a bite to eat there.”

The Awareness Run was followed last week by an announcement from cabinet minister Don McMorris and SGI, which will introduce a third option for injury coverage for motorcycle owners for the 2016 riding season.

Riders can currently choose from the full “No Fault” package, with more generous benefit levels, and Tort coverage, which includes reduced benefit levels but also allows the rider to sue the party at fault in a collision for additional losses.

A third option will provide the same level of benefits as the Tort coverage package, but without the ability to sue, allowing SGI to provide the coverage at a lower cost.

RAGE organizers welcomed the announcement, according to a post on the group’s Facebook page, and said the organization had been working with SGI’s motorcycle review committee for several years.

Another riders’ group, BACA — Bikers Against Child Abuse — also stopped in Davidson over the weekend, staying at the campground during their annual Legacy Run.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Town council has announced plans to appoint a committee to oversee the Davidson cemetery in response to recent concerns over its condition.

Council discussed these plans, as well as more immediate actions to be taken, at its regular meeting at Davidson Town Hall on Tuesday.

A delegation, which included residents Clarke and Debbie Doell and funeral director Todd Lockwood, visited council during the meeting to voice their concerns and offer suggestions.

Distributing photos she took recently at the cemetery, Debbie Doell read a list of her concerns, including reports of heavy loads being hauled through the site and large mounds of clay being left atop of graves.

“We feel that there has been a lack of maintenance and direction, and we would like to address this,” she told council, adding that she wanted to offer constructive advice, and not “to run anybody down.”

Lockwood said that he hears concerns directly from families because of his role as a funeral director.

“I’m out there a lot,” said Lockwood. “I’m feeling the heat from families that want something to take place . . . We’re the last people they see out there.”

Mayor Clayton Schneider expressed his thanks to the delegation for coming and explained plans to form a committee that would include representatives from town council and public works, as well as Lockwood and possibly additional members.

The proposed committee would meet four times a year at the start and, as present issues are dealt with, could scale back to a couple of meetings annually.

Schneider said council wants to move forward and address these concerns, saying, “If we just work together, we can get some problems solved.”

His thoughts were echoed by other council members, including Coun. Tyler Alexander, who said the need for work was evident in several areas.

“I think we have the staff to do it,” he said. “We just need to get everybody on the same page.”

Doell said the mounds of clay are “impossible to work with,” even for families who take on the task of maintaining their own plots.

Lockwood said the preferred practice is to level a gravesite with existing earth once a casket has been laid, then to top it up with around six inches of topsoil.

“It’s a learning curve,” he said of the process of digging and filling in graves. “It’s not a problem, it’s just something that needs to be worked with.”

Council was also asked about the cemetery fund, to which donations can be made in memory of the deceased, but Edom said it has essentially run dry.

“There’s virtually nothing in it,” he said, noting that only around $450 was donated last year, and that the fund was drained last year as the town dealt with excess moisture.

Edom said another factor behind the delay is that the town equipment can’t move some of the larger gravestones.

He said that Remco, which manufactures the stones, will move them as needed, but won’t deal directly with municipalities, instead working through funeral directors.

Lockwood said he was willing to offer his help to the committee. He also suggested that the town consider increasing its cemetery fee, which currently stands at $100, compared to city cemeteries that charge between $1,500 and $2,000 and require the use of burial vaults.

After the delegation had left, Schneider identified several key goals, such as immediately dealing with the Russell family plot, which has been in a state of disarray for more than a year.

Speaking later to public works foreman Doug Torrie, who also attended as a delegation, Schneider said the town needs to find a good source of topsoil, as well as a location to store it, and then using the soil to top up graves.

He also directed the staff to remove the existing mounds from gravesites, and noted that council would look at updating the town’s cemetery fees and bylaws.

Torrie said his staff was instructed as of Tuesday to stop driving heavy loads through the site.

Debbie Doell said Thursday that she appreciated council members taking the time to listen to her concerns and that she felt hopeful about their response.

“I felt it was very positive,” she said. “I felt that they did hear what we were stating, and they made constructive suggestions.”