Davidson

Town in motion, but houses standing still

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Davidson is billed as the Community in Motion, and by and large it lives up to that name.

Seeders are rolling in nearby fields. Business is steady. Kids are pedalling their bicycles up and down Davidson’s streets, and soon they’ll be diving into the sparkling waters of the town’s new pool.

But things have slowed almost to a crawl in one sector: the housing market.

According to an informal count by the Leader, there were 17 houses for sale in Davidson as of last Thursday, based on real estate listings, ads online and in print, and on-site advertising. (Four acreages in the area are also for sale.)

Buyers looking for a home here have a range of options — from small starter homes with asking prices under $100,000, to newer, larger houses priced between $250,000 and $500,000.

Of those 17 houses, more than half have been listed or vacant for six months or longer.

Among these is a three-bedroom bungalow on Government Road, currently the home of Carl and Doris Kochendorfer. The house has been on the market for just over a year.

“Houses aren’t moving, not in Davidson,” Doris said last week. “I know it’s a good location . . . The economy is really bad right now.”

The elderly couple moved from the farm into town eight years ago. They tried listing their house with a couple of different agents and are currently trying for a private sale.

Recently, they reduced their asking price by $15,000 and are feeling encouraged after hearing of a couple of other houses that have sold recently.

Doris said they’re hopeful that the warm summer weather will bring more viewers and lead to a sale.

Real estate agent Vanna Gay Shaw acknowledged recently that the number of listings in Davidson at present is unusual.

Shaw, who has been selling real estate locally for more than two decades, also said houses are staying on the market longer than they used to.

“Two years ago, if a house came up, it was gone . . . if it was any good,” she remarked.

Shaw said she’s not sure why houses are moving so slowly, though the asking prices are likely a factor in some cases.

While the number of properties available might seem to suggest otherwise, Shaw also said there’s no mass exodus underway.

Of the owners currently trying to sell homes, only two have moved away from town.

In other cases, the reasons behind the sales are varied — the homeowners are relocating within town, the owner of the house has died, or the house is a new build.

For the full story, please see the June 5 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Craik, featured

Rubber hits the road in Craik bike rodeo

Aubrey Boyd stops at a checkpoint during a bike rodeo in Craik on May 27. Helping her out is volunteer Judy Anderson.

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — Safety was the order of the day during a fun event for the whole family in Craik last weekend.

Several businesses and local organizations partnered to host Craik Community Kids Safety Day on May 27.

Part of Third Street was closed to make room for a bike rodeo. Each participant made their way through seven stations, and volunteers were on hand to provide tune-ups, helmet fittings and other assistance.

Clear, sunny skies were much appreciated by organizers, though they had to keep close eyes on obstacles that were prone to being rearranged by the wind.

“We’ve really lucked out with the weather,” said volunteer Judy Anderson. “It’s not 60-mile-an-hour wind . . . yet.”

Const. Nathan Boyd of the Craik RCMP said just under 30 participants completed the bike rodeo.

The event wrapped up a little earlier than planned due to the wind, though all who had registered were able to make their way through. Boyd said they were pleased with the turnout and results, expressing appreciation to the sponsors and volunteers.

The Craik and District Lions Club and the Craik branch of the Royal Canadian Legion served a barbecue lunch in Cornerstone Park.

Public health nurse Sheri Warkentin provided a car seat clinic, while the SGI Safety Squad was also on hand to provide education.

The RCMP and the Craik Fire Department had their emergency vehicles on display, open for tours.

Craik Playschool operated a bake sale table, and local high school students provided face painting. A bean bag toss in front of the Long Lake Insurance office also proved to be a popular attraction.

Craik, Davidson, featured

Dulle on the road for mental health

Jade Dulle stopped in Davidson May 29, taking a pit stop during her Ride for Mental Health. She’s cycling 1,300 kilometres from Consul to Creighton to raise money and awareness for the Canadian Mental Health Foundation.

By Tara de Ryk

DAVIDSON — With the wind at her back, Jade Dulle’s managed to travel at a pretty good clip in her journey to raise money and awareness for mental health.

She set out from Consul May 23. Six days later she arrived in Davidson after cycling roughly 450 kilometres, completing one-third of a 1,300-km trek called Jade’s Ride for Mental Health. The ride will end in Creighton. Jade says the objective is to get there by June 20, but if the wind keeps blowing her way, she could reach the finish line ahead of schedule.

The fundraising effort is ahead of pace as well, having raised $14,000 towards her $20,000 goal.

These funds are much needed and, according to Jade, will go to a worthy and needy cause.

Jade, 21, battles bipolar disorder. She was diagnosed a year-and-a-half ago and says programs and services offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association have been very beneficial.

“They cover the vastness of mental health. The support is ongoing. I found it very helpful to different people I know and to myself.”

She points to the CMHA’s Mental Health First Aid course as one that helped the most.

“I became more aware. It taught me how to recognize symptoms of mental illness and how to help and how to remove people from situations that could trigger. Overall it gave me more confidence about mental health,” Jade said.

She has company along for the ride. She has a support crew of partner Courtney and her parents Calvin and Tracy Dulle who follow behind in an RV, its hazard lights flashing.

Her dad and Courtney take a shift on the bike every now and then so she can take a break, but Jade says she’s doing the majority of the cycling.

To support Jade’s Ride for Mental Health, people may go to CanadaHelps.org and search for the CMHA Saskatoon branch and under the Donate option, put their donation in honour of Jade’s Ride for Mental Health. People may also follow the ride on Facebook.

For the full story, please see the June 5 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Chamberlain

STC closure leaves a gap for rural riders

A Moose Jaw-bound STC bus leaves Bennett’s Garage in Chamberlain on Wednesday afternoon, one of the final departures as the company wound up operations last week. (Garage owner Lyle Bennett can be seen at left taking a video of the bus leaving.)

By Joel van der Veen

CHAMBERLAIN — At a quick glance, or even a long, hard stare, Bennett’s Garage doesn’t look like a major traffic hub.

But for decades, the Chamberlain business — a garage, service station and confectionery — has been a central checkpoint for Saskatchewan bus travellers and freight along Highway 11.

Three times a day, in the morning, early afternoon and evening, buses from Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon would meet in the middle at Bennett’s.

Passengers would switch buses when necessary, sometimes stopping in to buy a snack or use the facilities. Then the buses rolled on.

That all ended Wednesday, as the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC), a victim of changing times and deficit budgets, ended operations after 71 years in business.

Lyle Bennett, whose family has owned and operated the garage in Chamberlain for almost a century, said many of the drivers and even some passengers had become familiar faces.

“We got to know them on a first-name basis,” he said, calling the STC’s closure a loss. “It was a good schedule and it served the people of Saskatchewan well.”

The province had announced in March that it would end operating and capital subsidies to the STC, which was established under the CCF government of Tommy C. Douglas in 1946.

As a result, the company would stop accepting freight for delivery on May 19, and passenger services would end on May 31.

For the full story, please see the June 5 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

featured, Hanley

Street party raises funds for Hanley rink

Dustin Laventure (left) and Noemi Tews fight for the ball in a practice game of street hockey in Hanley on the afternoon of May 27. Also pictured at the back are David Tews and Case Hammond.

By Joel van der Veen

HANLEY — Summer in Hanley kicked off in fine form with a street hockey tournament and dance last weekend.

Between 20 and 30 players took their sticks to the street on May 27. A small section of Lincoln Street was fenced off for the games, which attracted both teens and younger kids.

Four games were played during the tournament, but the hockey continued until well after dark, with players remaining on the street till around 11 p.m.

At 8 p.m., Billy Bob, a three-piece band from Saskatoon, took the stage, playing a variety of fun music.

Organizer Cindy Prosofsky said the dance continued till shortly after midnight, ending after an equipment malfunction.

She said they were happy with the results and hope to make it an annual event.

“It was a good time and we learned a lot,” said Prosofsky. “Hopefully next time we can make it bigger and better.”

The events were organized to raise funds in support of the Hanley rink. The town is planning various upgrades to the facility, including the installation of artificial ice.

The arena, which was completed in 1981, currently relies on natural ice and is usually in operation for two months or so each year.

Organizers began fundraising in 2014, initially setting a goal of $1.5 million and later scaling back that target.

Prosofsky said they have raised around $150,000 so far and will soon begin work on some of the upgrades, including renovations to the penalty box and players’ benches.

The committee has been approved for a Community Initiatives Fund grant of $25,000, which Prosofsky said may be applied toward the purchase and installation of an overhead door.

Organizers are also looking at the purchase of a used artificial ice plant. Prosofsky said they plan to make a decision shortly.

Imperial, Obituary

Obituary: Burgess, William “Bill”

Burgess, William “Bill”

William James “Bill” Burgess passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 23rd at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina, surrounded and supported by his wife and family members.

He is survived by his loving wife Kay; six children, Mark, Greg, Marie, Joan, Peter, Anne and their spouses, along with nine grandchildren, Kyle, Cara, Maddisen, Shane, Reanne, Malorie, Taryn, Kirsten, Shanna and their spouses; 12 great-grandchildren, Blaine, Lily, Nolan, Lyla, Evan, Adeline, Malakai, Ethan, Arianne, Danika, Aiden and Justin.

He is also survived by his sister Cleone; his brother-in-law Norman and his sisters-in-law, Ann, Cecile, Val and Eileen and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by members of his immediate family: his parents Jim and Hester Burgess; his granddaughter Anita; his brother Russell and sister Joyce; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

He was born west of Imperial, on the family farm on September 28, 1928, the third of four children, to Jim and Hester Burgess. In 1951 he married Kay Krpan, the love of his life and they enjoyed 65 wonderful years of marriage. Bill was a gentle man who loved to tell stories, dance, play his banjo, play rummy, listen to music, hunt and of course his life’s work, carpentry. His passions are almost too numerous to mention. He will be sadly missed by his family.

For online condolences, tributes or to make a donation to Long Lake Valley Health Foundation in his memory, please visit fotheringham-mcdougall.com.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan