Category Archives: Kenaston

Kenaston, Sports

Kenaston jr. girls win district title

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The Kenaston School junior girls basketball team won at districts in Eatonia on Feb. 15. Pictured here are (back row from left) coach Jenna Zdunich Fisher, Shannyn Zdunich, Lexi Stacowich, Eve Matovich, Chloe George, Anne-Marie Collins, coach Nikki Francoeur; (front row) Julia Modien, Ayslee Blenkinsop, Rian Smith.

By Joel van der Veen

KENASTON — It was a solid win for the Kodiaks when it really counted.

Kenaston’s junior girls basketball team claimed the district title on Feb. 15 with a 42-25 win over Davidson in Eatonia.

Jenna Zdunich Fisher, who coached the team with Nikki Francoeur, said it was likely the team’s best-played game of the season.

“We only have eight players and they work really hard,” said Fisher.

The Kenaston team has won the district title three out of the last four years.

The Kodiak defence worked effectively to contain Davidson’s high scorers, also allowing their own players a chance to run up the score.

Grade 9 player Eve Matovich, typically a prolific scorer to begin with, did particularly well in the final, scoring 32 points.

“She’s never had a game like that,” said Fisher, noting that Matovich also plays on the senior team and is a strong contributor there.

Fisher said the defence had to focus on several Davidson players in particular, including Jordan Matheson, who scored 17 points in the final, including four three-point baskets.

“We couldn’t let her look at the basket,” said the coach. “We had to keep the ball out of her hand.”

The last couple of times the Kodiaks played Davidson, they lost by one point, Fisher added.

She said the team has worked hard on its defence this year, spending 75 per cent of its practice time in that area.

Earlier that day, Kenaston played Eatonia in the opening game, winning by a couple of points. Fisher said the younger players stepped up after others ran into foul trouble.

“It was close the whole game,” she said. “We got a couple at the end to jump ahead of them.”

Davidson defeated Loreburn on Jan. 31 in their first playoff game, then played Kenaston in the sectionals final on Feb. 7, winning 36-35.

The Raiders defeated Biggar in their opening game at districts to reach the final.

Davidson, featured, Kenaston, Loreburn

Trustee urges public to speak up on school divisions review

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By Joel van der Veen

KENASTON — John Collins has a message for anyone interested in the future of Saskatchewan’s public education system: now’s the time to speak your mind.

The trustee, who represents Davidson and area on the board of education for Sun West School Division, said people with an opinion on the subject should voice it.

“It’s better if it comes straight from the voters’ mouths to their local MLA,” Collins said Thursday. “If we don’t say anything, we can’t really complain at the end of it.”

Changes may be on the horizon for the structure of school divisions in the province.

Dan Perrins, a former deputy minister, presented a report on school governance to education minister Don Morgan in December.

In addition to history and context, the report offered three primary options for governance structures for the minister’s consideration.

Morgan then appointed a six-person panel to consult with stakeholders throughout the month of January, both in face-to-face meetings and through online submissions from the public.

The panel is expected to present its findings to the minister this month, with a public announcement to follow.

The province currently has 28 school divisions, each governed by elected boards of education, and a total K-12 student population of roughly 176,000.

Options identified by Perrins include a provincial model with a single public school board and an advisory board operating alongside it.

A regional model would set up four public boards of education, while a third model would restructure the current divisions into between eight and 14 new divisions.

Morgan has also indicated that the province could choose to stay with the status quo.

Collins said he has heard from a few people about the review, though not as many as he expected.

“I think it’s a pretty important piece that everybody needs to be aware of,” he said. “Everybody that has a vested interest should be talking to their MLA, or letting the government know what they think.”

Collins represents Subdivision 6 in Sun West School Division, which includes the schools in Davidson, Kenaston and Loreburn.

The subdivision also includes colony schools at Loreburn and Clear Springs and the Distance Learning Centre (DLC) in Kenaston.

For the full story, please see the Feb. 13 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Kenaston, Obituary

Obituary: Ouellette, Anne

Anne Ouellette (Strmotich)
June 29, 1940 — January 4, 2017

Anne passed away peacefully in Saskatoon on Jan. 4, 2017. She is lovingly remembered by her husband of 58 years Gerald (Gerry) Ouellette, daughter Carol Kidd (Byron), sons Perry (Betty), Glenn, Doug (Denise), grandchildren Mark, Brody (Jelena), Kimberley, Dayna, Nicole, Mackenzie, Madison, Kristina and great-grandchildren Maximilian and Tyler. She was predeceased by grandson Robin in 1982.

Anne was born on the family farm northwest of Bladworth, Sask. She attended school in Bladworth and Kenaston where she was active in school sports. As a “stay-at-home mom,” Anne provided a warm, loving environment for their four children. As a loving wife and mother, she provided support and encouragement, and was always just a phone call away. If she could, she would always help. She enjoyed sewing and making crafts, particularly her Christmas Village, a favourite project that grew every year!

For many years, while the grandchildren were still young, Anne looked forward to the family summer vacations, first at Waskesiu, Sask., and then Fairmont, B.C. In later years she enjoyed her bowling league and many friendships.

Anne is survived by her brothers George (Mac) and Frank, sisters Mary and Kay. She especially treasured her relationships with Mac and Mary. A special thank-you to a dear family friend, Pat Confrey, for many years of love and support.

Anne was predeceased by her beloved parents, Josip (Joe) and Matija (Matilda) and siblings Tony, John, Peter, Nick, Joe Jr. and Fran.

At Anne’s request a graveside service will be held at Kenaston in early spring 2017. Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.

Kenaston, Obituary

Obituary: Didur, Verla

web-obit-didurVerla Doreen Didur (nee Graham)

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved mother, Verla. After an extended stay in hospital, mom gently went to sleep on the morning of December 27, 2016.

Mom was best known for her love of people. Her quick smile, the twinkle in her eye when she was up to something and genuine interest in people was an integral part of her whole life. Even while in the hospital, mom continued to teach us lessons in kindness and unselfishness. She leaves behind many family and friends who will miss her deeply but are reminded of scriptures such as Revelations 21:3, 4 which was also a comfort to mom. Sleep well mom.

At Verla’s request, there will be no service. Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.

Kenaston, Obituary

Obituary: Prpich, Joseph

web-obit-prpichJoseph G. Prpich
Jan. 24, 1930 — Dec. 9, 2016

Joe passed away peacefully on December 9 at the age of 86 after a brief illness. He was predeceased by three siblings in Yugoslavia, his parents Manda (’83) and Steve (’94), brothers Ivan (’94) and Sam (’07), son Mitch (’96) and grandson Tyler (’94). Joe is remembered by his wife Marion of 57 years; sons Steve (Adrienne) and their children Mike (Julia), Chris (Jenn), Jen (Derek), Nick (Mackenzie) and Brittany (Brandon); son Rock (Reagan) and children Van and Jett; son Nick (Charlene) and children Tom, Tony, Alex and Katie; as well as nine great-grandchildren. Joe was born on the farm east of Kenaston in 1930, where he lived and farmed until his passing.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016 at St. Andrew’s R.C. Church in Kenaston. Memorial donations in memory of Joe may be directed to the Kenaston Fire Department and first responders or the Kenaston Community Rec. Board (KCRB). We imagine dad is sitting somewhere surrounded with family and friends who have passed before him with a smile on his face and a cold beer in his hand. Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.

Kenaston, Obituary

Obituary: Prpick, Sharon

web-obit-prpickSharon Prpick 

Social convener, story-teller, charmer, networker, best friend, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother, former Kenaston-area woman Sharon Prpick has died. Sharon passed away in Medicine Hat, Alta., on December 16, 2016. She was 85 years old.

Sharon was born in Regina on the eve of Autumn Equinox in 1931 to Mary Isobel (Holmes) Scarfe and George William Scarfe.

There was a clear inter-generational transfer of personal qualities, like incredible charm and friendliness from mother-to-daughter. Although Belle, as everyone called her mother, seemed closer to her ethnic roots because she was blessed with even more Irish blarney. You wouldn’t know it to look at Sharon, though. The bright red hair that she kept all her life made her look much like a typical resident of the Emerald Isle.

Sharon was the only girl in a family that included three brainy, bold boys: Jack, Albert and Jimmy. She more than held her own among all these strong personalities growing up and gave as good as she got. Family arguments were loud, passionate and loving, and Sharon’s voice was definitely heard above the din.

When she finished school and joined the corporate world in the mid ‘50s — not a common choice for young women in this period — she made her mark in rapidly expanding SaskPower as it scrambled to implement what Tommy Douglas said was his proudest accomplishment — better even than Medicare — electrifying rural Saskatchewan. Sharon’s job was to estimate the number of power poles and miles of power line to complete specific projects, a job she did with excellence and precision. She left the company to marry in the late ‘50s. The man she trained to replace her eventually ran SaskPower (she was kidded later that she should have stuck around!).

Her life became richer, more interesting and rewarding when she met a handsome, Bladworth-area farm boy, Joe Prpick. Over the course of their life on the farm, situated between Kenaston and Bladworth, Joe and Sharon raised enough food to feed hundreds of thousands of people and, oh yes, four kids, too; Danica, Paula, Luke and Sean. None of those kids remained on the farm, but struck out on their own to lead fulfilling lives with the loving support of Sharon and Joe.

During her life, no one crossed Sharon’s threshold without being fed or entertained, no baby left without being rocked and cuddled, and no life was left unchanged by her goodness and warmth.

Sharon lived well and despite her increasing infirmities in old age she never missed a chance for fun. Just days before she died, she went gambling and was up $84 at the Medicine Hat Casino before she left us. We should all be so lucky! In fact, anyone who met her was genuinely lucky and probably counted her as a friend by the end of their first meeting.

Sharon was predeceased by her parents “Scarfe” and “Belle”, husband Joe, infant son Matthew and her brothers Jack and Albert. She is survived by her children, brother Jimmy, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a huge cast of friends too numerous to mention.

A celebration of her life was held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Regina on Friday, December 30, 2016. A burial service will be held at the Kenaston Cemetery come spring.

In closing, in memory of Sharon, please consider donating to either of her favourite charities: Autism Canada (which you can find online at AutisimCanada.org), or to St. Andrew’s Catholic Church Cemetery Fund in Kenaston. Email etowen@sasktel.net for details on the cemetery fund.