Davidson, featured, Sports

Davidson minor ball fielding 10 teams this year

Afton Foster winds up for a pitch while coach Tori Sarich looks on during squirt girls softball practice at the Davidson Communiplex on Wednesday.
Afton Foster winds up for a pitch while coach Tori Sarich looks on during squirt girls softball practice at the Davidson Communiplex on Wednesday.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — More than 100 kids are playing minor ball in Davidson this year.

While the ball diamonds haven’t seen much activity yet, the teams have been busy with practices running inside the Communiplex five nights a week.

“The diamonds are looking good,” said co-ordinator Danielle Schneider.

She added that recreation director Trevor Ouellette and the town staff have “been working really hard to get them in shape.”

This year Davidson has a bantam girls team with 14 players, a peewee girls team with 13 and a squirt girls team with 13.

The girls teams are playing in the Moose Jaw Minor Girls Fastball League.

There are also two boys teams, a peewee team with nine players and a mosquito team with 11 players, both playing in a Moose Jaw league.

Twenty kids are registered for the two rookie ball teams, an even split of 10 girls and 10 boys. Meanwhile, 30 players are registered among the three Learn to Play teams, for kids aged six and under.

Registration closed on March 15 and some teams began practising the following week. Most of the teams have their first games scheduled this coming week.

Around 110 players are registered this year, roughly on par with last year. The program draws players from Bladworth, Kenaston, Loreburn, Elbow and Craik.

For the full story, please see the May 1 edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Aylesbury, Craik, Obituary

Obituary: Nielson, Mildred

web-obit-nielsonNielson, Mildred Elizabeth (nee Elliot)

With sadness, the family of Mildred Nielson announces her passing on April 19, 2017 at the Herb Basset Home in Prince Albert.

Mildred was born on the family farm in the Aylesbury district on Sept. 30, 1920 to Almer and Elsa Elliot. She attended school in Aylesbury with her three siblings and later travelled to Moose Jaw to attend Normal School. She taught briefly in country schools before moving to Nova Scotia where she married Jens Nielson on Oct. 28, 1943. Their first daughter Lynne was born there. Upon Jens’ discharge from the Air Force they returned to Saskatchewan and began farming. Soon after they welcomed Nadine and James to the family.

Mildred enjoyed gardening, genealogy, knitting, sewing, painting and L.O.B.A. as well as many other activities. She was very involved with the United Church and continued to attend Sunday services until she moved to Weldon. She had a smile for everyone and always had time to stop for a quick visit. Mildred and Jens were involved in both breeding and racing standard bred horses. In later years they enjoyed travelling with family and friends and were fortunate enough to visit Japan, Australia, Hawaii and many parts of both Canada and the U.S.

In 1985 Mildred and Jens retired and left the farm, moving into Craik where Mildred continued to live until moving to the Weldon Villa Care Home in 2010. She lived there for just over three years and was fortunate to make many new friends and spent many happy hours visiting and playing cards.

Mildred is lovingly remembered by daughters Lynne, Nadine (Wayne) Steen and son James (Connie) Nielson; grandchildren Colin (Angie) Steen, Todd (Cam) Steen and Quinn, Maren and Conlan Nielson; and four great-grandchildren, Erik, Luke, Gunnar and Haakon Steen. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Mildred was predeceased by Jens, her parents and siblings Arvid, Eldeen and Clarence.

A Celebration of Mildred’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home.

Davidson, featured

Town approves new pool fees

Swimmers jump into the Davidson pool near the end of last summer.
Swimmers jump into the Davidson pool near the end of last summer.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Fees for Davidson swimmers are on the rise this year, to match the increased operating costs of the town’s new pool.

Recreation director Trevor Ouellette said it’s long been clear that fees would have to increase after Davidson replaced its 50-year-old facility.

“Nothing’s getting cheaper,” he said Thursday. “It’s something that is going to have to come down the pipeline.”

He stressed that the increases are strictly to cover the pool’s operating costs — chemicals, energy and staffing — and are not related to the costs of construction.

Ouellette also said he researched what other comparable towns are charging, adding, “We’re not leading by any means, we’re not setting the trends.”

In the case of some program fees, he said, “We finally came in line with what other towns are charging.”

The fees were approved by Davidson town council at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday.

The cost of a family day pass, which covers up to two adults and four youth, will increase from $10 to $15.

A family season pass, previously priced at $145, will now sell for $210.

The prices for individual day, punch and season passes are also increasing for the most part, though the cost of a youth season pass remains at $90.

Program fees for swimming lessons are increasing by $5 per student for most levels.

Aquasize and lane swim users will see the costs of their season passes double — from $30 to $60 for Aquasize users, and from $25 to $60 for lane swimming.

For the full story, please see the April 24 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Craik, featured

Test drilling for Craik water source to begin in May

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By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — Test drilling for a potential ground water source for the Town of Craik is expected to begin in early May.

Town council heard during its April 13 meeting that employees of the Regina-based firm KGS Group would soon be drilling test wells to find a new source for the town’s water supply.

“They have to be able to get out and drill their test wells,” Mayor David Ashdown told council, saying that is expected to happen “as soon as the weather conditions are right.”

Representatives from KGS have recently met with the mayor, administrator Sarah Wells and town employee Kevin Gilby, and have performed visual exploration in the area, looking at three potential well sites.

It’s another step in the process of restoring potable drinking water to the citizens of Craik, who have been under a boil water advisory since August of 2010, due to ongoing issues with a treatment plant built by the now-defunct Mainstream Water Solutions.

Currently, Craik draws surface water from an intake at the Arm River dam east of town.

The town’s current plans include exploring alternate sources of water and treatment options, which were previously believed to be beyond the town’s financial capacity.

A federal-provincial grant totalling more than $1.42 million was announced in December of 2016, while an insurance payout of $380,000, resulting from the March 2016 fire that levelled the Eco-Centre, is also being directed towards the water project.

Ashdown had previously stated that Craik may have potable water again by the end of 2017 if the project proceeds at the expected pace.

For the full council report, please see the April 24 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Craik, Dilke

Two farms near Dilke robbed on same night

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By Joel van der Veen

DILKE — Two farmyards in the Dilke area were targeted by robbers on the same night, resulting in extensive damage and theft.

One yard north of the village was struck during the night of April 13, according to a news release issued by the Craik RCMP detachment.

Culprits stole a large quantity of power tools and other items from an unlocked shop and storage shed.

Police said they believe the suspect or suspects fled after encountering the family dog.

A second property southwest of Dilke was struck the same night, where a grain truck was driven into two locked storage containers.

The truck and containers suffered severe damage. Household items and tools were stolen from inside the containers.

Police noted the keys had been left inside the truck used in the crime, which was left at the scene.

Culprits also broke into an abandoned residence located on the same property, damaging a door to gain entry. The property and other buildings were searched, and other property damage was reported.

Both of the affected farmyards are located within the Rural Municipality of Sarnia.

Const. Kam Hay, who investigated both incidents, said there was no apparent connection between the two, besides the fact that they happened in the same area at around the same time.

For the full story, please see the April 24 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Kenaston

Kenaston teen headed to Toronto for talent convention

Alyssa Evashenko, a Grade 12 student at Kenaston School, is headed to Toronto in May to take part in the Canadian Model and Talent Convention.
Alyssa Evashenko, a Grade 12 student at Kenaston School, is headed to Toronto in May to take part in the Canadian Model and Talent Convention.

By Joel van der Veen

KENASTON — Alyssa Evashenko knows the value of a first impression.

She’ll be trying her best to make it a good one when she visits Toronto in May for the Canadian Model and Talent Convention.

Evashenko, 18, a Grade 12 student at Kenaston School, will be taking part in the four-day convention.

The event includes workshops, seminars and competition, and provides an opportunity for aspiring models, actors, singers and dancers to gain education, experience and exposure.

Between 380 and 400 participants from across Canada will be attending, vying for the attention of dozens of talent agents, scouts and managers.

Evashenko said she attended an audition in Saskatoon in December after hearing about it from a friend.

There, participants went through a short interview process, and those who made the cut were invited to the Toronto convention.

“They just judge you pretty much based off of your personality,” said Evashenko. “I didn’t expect to get chosen.”

Her interview went well, and she was invited to the convention, which runs May 11 to 14 at the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel.

For the full story, please see the April 24 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan