Category Archives: Mistusinne

Elbow, Mistusinne, Obituary

RIPPLINGER: REV. FR. STEPHEN

Mar 10, 1924 – Nov 8, 2018

With sadness, we announce the death of Fr. Stephen Ripplinger on Nov. 8, 2018. Fr. Steve was born on March 10, 1924 to Stephan & Catherine Ripplinger on a farm 1 mile south of Kendal, SK. Fr. Steve is survived by his siblings: Bernie Ripplinger (Angie), Edwin Ripplinger (Donna) &Bernadette Agi; brother-in-law Walter Rog, sister-in-law Clementine Ripplinger as well as many nieces nephews and friends. As well, Father Steve leaves to mourn Joan – the other half of the “team” – who worked with Father in Moose Jaw at Church of our Lady and Sacred Heart Parish in Davidson. For 45 years Joan wore many hats: parish worker, secretary, liturgist, confidante, companion and caregiver. Father Steve spent three years in the army in the Ordinance Corps in Montreal, working in the dock yards loading ships carrying war supplies to USSR ports.

After the war, Fr. Steve entered St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton for three years and then four years in Regina Cleri Seminary. Fr. Steve was ordained in 1953 as one member of the largest ordination class ever in the Archdiocese of Regina. After various early postings, he became pastor of Ceylon and the missions of Tribune and Trossachs, where he was for 15 years. Following this, Fr. Steve was co-pastor at Little Flower Parish in Regina. In 1971 -72, Father obtained his Master’s degree in “Pastoral Counselling” from St. Paul’s University in Ottawa and he was often sought out by individuals and families for help. On Aug. 1, 1972, Fr. Steve was appointed Pastor of Church of our Lady in Moose Jaw, where he served for 16 years. In July 1988, Father was transferred to Davidson parish for eight years. Throughout his 60 years of pastoring, Fr. Steve was always involved in the community in which he lived; he promoted and supported the C.W.L. in his parishes, was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and the Legion. Fr. Steve was an enthusiastic sportsman and outdoors man – belonging to wildlife groups and receiving numerous trophies for fishing, hunting, bowling and curling and became quite a good taxidermist and painter. Fr. Steve retired as a parish priest in 1996 and moved out to his cabin at Diefenbaker Lake. He then served the mission of Davidson at Elbow until he was 90 years old. Throughout his years of priesting, Fr. Steve was a “people” person. He treated everyone equally, no matter their status, making all feel welcome and important. Because of this, people have loved him and remembered him. Prayers were held on Wednesday Nov. 14, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. and the Mass Of Christian Burial on Nov. 15, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the Holy Rosary Cathedral, Regina, SK. Interment was held in the Kendal Community Cemetery, Kendal, SK. For those wishing donations may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation. Hanson’s Funeral Service of Davidson, SK in care of arrangements.

Elbow, Loreburn, Mistusinne, Sports, Strongfield

Curlers come home to Strongfield’s new rink

League curling resumes tonight, Monday, Feb. 12 in Strongfield. This new curling rink replaces the older structure that was toppled by a July 20, 2017 windstorm.
(Leader photo by Tara de Ryk)

STRONGFIELD—Curlers along Line 19 have come home.

Monday night curling has resumed at the Strongfield Curling Rink. The season kicks off tonight in the brand new rink that was built to replace the old rink that was destroyed by a July 20 windstorm.

A “Welcome home to Strongfield” banner was hung on the inside wall, greeting curlers as they stepped on the freshly made ice.

The banner is a thoughtful touch courtesy of Ron Sabiston.

When he was sorting through the remnants and equipment of the destroyed curling rink that were stored in the ice-skating rink next door, Sabiston said he found the banner, which was from the village’s homecoming celebration in 2012.

So he brought it over to the new curling rink and hung it up.

“This is like home. We’ve lived here the last four months,” Sabiston says.

He’s a member of a crew of volunteers who have been working nearly non-stop to get the new rink ready for the season.

He is known as “Northend Ron” to differentiate him from the other Rons living in and around the community including Downtown Ron and West Farm Ron.

“I found it kind of ironic. There were four Rons in town and then I get here and found out there’s two more Rons on the farm.”

Strongfield is like most Saskatchewan towns, populated by community-minded individuals who get things done. And they all have nicknames, so it can take a minute or two for a stranger to sort out who’s who.

George “Shorty” Follick was flooding the ice last Monday night. He’s known as Shorty to distinguish him from Strongfield’s former mayor George Bristow, who was of much taller stature.

Also part of the volunteer crew are Ryan Glubis, Strongfield Mayor Jeff Vollmer, Ronny Follick, Dave Wirth, Devon Ellscheid, Ernie Pryor, Jessica April and Amanda Glubis.

To read the entire story and see more photos, you will need to subscribe. Phone 306-567-2047 or email davidsonleader@sasktel.net

featured, Mistusinne

Mistusinne plants mini forest to mark Canada’s 150th

A new miniature forest planted at Mistusinne features 150 Scots pines of varying sizes in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday.

By Joel van der Veen

MISTUSINNE — All around the Lake Diefenbaker region are countless places to play.

But when a group of Mistusinne residents began planning their new project, they had a different purpose in mind.

The resort village recently christened Canada 150 Park, featuring a miniature forest of 150 Scots pine trees.

The park houses two clusters of trees with a meadow in the centre, where the native prairie grass is allowed to flourish and grow.

A winding path runs through the park, with signs and a bench where guests can sit and enjoy the view of Lake Diefenbaker.

Lynne Saas, chair of the village’s Canada 150 committee, was clear about their intentions.

“This isn’t a park for people to play in,” said Saas. “Good heavens, our whole village is a place for people to play . . . This is more (about) giving back to Mother Nature.”

The Resort Village of Mistusinne began to take shape in 1967, after the completion of Gardiner Dam and the resulting formation of Lake Diefenbaker. The village, located beside the lake, was incorporated in 1980.

Several groves of trees were planted, but over the years, many of these trees died prematurely.

Saas said a report prepared for the village decades ago stated that human interference, including improper pruning and tilling, played a role in the trees’ early demise.

After Saas wrote a proposal last year, the committee received a Canada 150 grant of $10,000, with matching funds contributed by the village.

The nine-member committee began working to establish a new forest that would replace a grove of dead trees and stumps.

For the full story, please see the July 17 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.