(Leader photo by Tara de Ryk)
Agros bed push pops into Davidson for repairs
(Leader photo by Tara de Ryk)
(Leader photo by Tara de Ryk)
Influenza cases continue to rise
DAVIDSON—The number of confirmed influenza cases in Saskatchewan continues to rise. The trend shows no sign of abating.
For the week ending Feb. 17, there were 2,422 lab-confirmed cases of influenza in Saskatchewan since September, a 71 per cent increase over the number of cases at this time last year.
There were 121 new influenza cases identified for the week of Feb. 11 to 17, according to the Saskatchewan Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report, 13 fewer cases than the 134 new cases reported the week before.
People between the ages of 20 and 64 years of age followed by seniors age 65 and over are the folks most affected by flu this season.
Since September there have been 34 severe cases requiring admission to hospital and 11 deaths due to influenza.
Earlier in the season influenza A was the type most detected, with a noticeable spike from Dec. 23 to Jan. 20. After that influenza A detections have declined, however tests positive for influenza B have continued to climb and continue to be well above expected levels for this time of year.
Dr. David Torr, a medical health officer with Saskatchewan Health Authority, said this flu season has been different from past seasons.
“We were surprised to see (influenza) B in October, so early in the season,” Torr said. “Every year it has its surprises. This year B came in really early and said, ‘hey! I’m here.'”
He said A usually peaks around the end of December and declines through January then the B strain takes over. To have the B strain active since the fall is unusual.
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Hanley to address concerns over street names
HANLEY—Members of Hanley Senior Citizens club have a simple way to help strangers find their way around town.
When someone stops and asks for directions, they tell the stranger to follow them.
It’s easier to guide them to their destination than try to explain how to find a specific address.
This confusion could soon be cleared up.
The town of Hanley is looking at changing some civic addresses to make it easier for emergency services to find people in town.
Recent updates to the Provincial Civic Address Registry and the SASKPA911, the service that dispatches emergency services to the town, has prompted towns such as Hanley to update their civic addresses. Not all the town’s addresses are registered, so in the case of an emergency, it may be difficult or impossible for personnel unfamiliar with the town to locate people in distress.
Changes the town intends to make include switching some streets to avenues.
“The north-south streets are all correct, but there are a few streets that should be called avenues,” Darice Carlson, Hanley’s administrator, said.
These would be Walter Scott, Canada, Garfield, Lincoln and Grant streets. These streets are already registered with Information Services Corporation as avenues, however, back in 1984 Hanley town council made a bylaw calling them streets causing the confusion.
Another perplexing area in town is Canada and Walter Scott street. Despite the two different names, they are both the same street (that is supposed to be an avenue). At the intersection of 2nd Street, turn one way and you’re on Canada Street, turn the opposite direction, then it becomes Walter Scott Street.
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Daniels captivates audience with stories
DAVIDSON—Visual Artist Carol Daniels gave students at Davidson School the gift of a story on Feb. 14, sharing with them the traditional aboriginal custom of storytelling.
Her gift was given in the form of song, drumbeats and a story told in the oral tradition.
February is Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling month. As part of the celebration libraries throughout the province sponsored storytelling events, arranging for First Nations, Métis and Elders to visit libraries and schools to share their gifts.
In Davidson and Craik, Palliser Regional Library arranged for Daniels, an artist, singer and author of the novel “Bearskin Diary” to visit schools in the community.
At the beginning of the event, Victoria Martin, acting librarian for Davidson branch of Palliser Regional Library, offered Daniels a pouch of tobacco, placing it before her.
“The reason I was given tobacco is because that is what was traditionally done when someone comes and leaves something behind,” Daniels explained of the traditional offering to Elders so they may share their stories and knowledge.
“I will try to leave stories and songs behind.”
She asked students to place their hands on their hearts and to be quiet. She then picked up a drum and played a heart beat rhythm.
“Can you feel it?” she asked the children. “The heartbeat of the earth, which is what our hearts are and it runs through us all.”
She brought a collection of drums to the school, explaining the significance of different materials used to make the drum telling children to picture the animal as she played the beat.
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Allan wins silver at Sask. Winter Games
DAVIDSON—Davidson’s Jackson Allan won silver last Wednesday at the Saskatchewan Winter Games.
Jackson, 13, played forward on Team Prairie Central’s hockey team that played in the gold medal game against Team Saskatoon.
The city team won 6-4, although the loss was tough, Jackson said the experience of playing in the finals at the Saskatchewan Winter Games was a thrill.
“It was great. It was really exciting,” Jackson said.
Prairie Central was undefeated in round-robin play. The team beat Parkland Valley 11-0 in its first game of the tournament the morning of Feb. 19. In the afternoon, Prairie Central faced off against Team Lakeland, beating them soundly 6-2. The next day Prairie Central met Regina. This game was much closer with Prairie Central coming away with a 6-5 win.
Jackson’s ice time was limited in the game against Regina. He pulled a groin muscle in the game against Lakeland and as a result was suffering from the injury.
Jackson had high praise for the treatment he received from the athletic therapists at the Saskatchewan Winter Games. Thanks to massage therapy and yards of tensor bandage, he was able to play in the gold medal game against Saskatoon.
“It still hurt, but I didn’t want to miss that final game,” Jackson said.
Despite the injury, Jackson was a significant factor for Team Prairie Central, scoring two of the team’s four goals, including his team’s first goal of the game.
Leah Vanghel
September 12, 1925 – February 20, 2018
Leah passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2018. She was predeceased by her husband Fred Vanghel and son-in-law Joe Chamryk. She was survived by Fred and Jen, Don and Dot, Cork and Hazel, Terry and Julie, Barry and Laurie, Tom and Fran, Connie, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and special friend Urban McLaughlinn.
Leah loved gardening on the farm, having the grandchildren for the summer, visitors were welcome anytime for the afternoon, or to stay for supper. Family gatherings were one of her greatest joys.
She will be missed greatly by all, her family and friends alike.
The family would like to thank the staff at R.U.H. for care and compassion shown to Leah in her last hours.
A Celebration of Leah’s life will be held at the Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Davidson, Sask., on Saturday, February 24 at 11 a.m. Viewing and lunch will be held after the service. Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.