featured, Holdfast

4H gives kids a well-rounded start

Kiana Ehmann poses with her American quarter horse mare Ginger.
Kiana Ehmann poses with her American quarter horse mare Ginger.

By Joel van der Veen

HOLDFAST — At age three she was riding horseback with her mom, and two years later she was trying it on her own.

At age nine she won her first buckle, as the high-point champion cowgirl on the Little Spurs rodeo circuit.

“I got a big buckle, it was as big as my dad’s,” recalled Kiana Ehmann, now 13 and a Grade 8 student at Schell School.

She credits much of her success to her involvement in 4H, for the opportunities it’s provided and the skills she’s developed along the way.

“(When) I started off I couldn’t ride by myself,” she said last week. “I’m still trying to be better than I am.”

“That’s what she does everyday,” her mother Michelle confirmed. “She lives on the back of a horse.”

Kiana is vice-president of the Heartland Light Horse 4H Club, based in Holdfast.

The club currently has 13 members, ranging in age from six to 18 years, and drawing from as far as Davidson, Bethune, Lumsden and Watrous.

Originally based in Moose Jaw, the club saw its enrolment dwindling six years ago, when it was down to four members.

Michelle agreed to take over as leader, and soon afterward they relocated the club to Holdfast, using the riding facilities at the Ehmann ranch south of town.

Her husband Jacob’s ancestors homesteaded the land in 1904. Jacob and Michelle now live there with their three kids Kiana, Lilly and Jack.

The club’s season runs from September to mid-May. In the fall and spring they focus on riding and related disciplines. They work on projects in the winter months, when it’s too cold to ride.

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

Davidson, featured

MLA absent as library users protest cuts

Library supporters stand outside Arm River MLA Greg Brkich's office on April 7 for a "Drop Everything and Read" protest against cuts to provincial funding for Saskatchewan's regional libraries.
Library supporters stand outside Arm River MLA Greg Brkich’s office on April 7 for a “Drop Everything and Read” protest against cuts to provincial funding for Saskatchewan’s regional libraries.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — They came, they stood, they read.

Between 30 and 35 people gathered outside the Davidson office of MLA Greg Brkich over the noon hour on April 7, in protest of recent budget cuts to Saskatchewan’s seven regional libraries.

Following the theme of “Drop Everything and Read,” they brought their books, each reading for 15 minutes or so and then continuing on with their day.

Some stood in silence, while others spoke strongly of the value of rural libraries and criticized the government’s decision.

The protest drew library supporters from Davidson, Craik and Bladworth, and as far away as Govan and Liberty.

“It is an erosion of our rural communities,” said Craik resident Pauline Dixon, adding that her town’s library is far more than just a place to borrow books.

Residents and visitors come to use the computers with assistance. Others gather there for coffee and socializing. The library also hosts art and music classes and summer programming for kids.

“I count on the library,” said Grace Swanson, also of Craik, who wanted to encourage residents to brainstorm ideas for saving the services. “Without it, I’ll be lost.”

Peter Farden, who farms east of Davidson, said the cuts reflected “a total lack of vision and understanding.”

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

featured, Hanley

Hanley Sno-Pitch raises $15K for cancer centre

Organizers Robyn Libke and Madison Prosofsky pose with a giant cheque for $15,675.95, representing the proceeds from this year’s Hanley Sno-Pitch Extravaganza on Feb. 11.
Organizers Robyn Libke and Madison Prosofsky pose with a giant cheque for $15,675.95, representing the proceeds from this year’s Hanley Sno-Pitch Extravaganza on Feb. 11.

By Joel van der Veen

HANLEY — A field of snow, seven teams and four spray-painted bases — all for a good cause. What’s not to love?

It was another successful year for the Hanley Sno-Pitch Extravaganza, an annual fundraiser for cancer research.

Organizers reported a clear day, a strong turnout and close to $16,000 raised.

“It was one of our nicer years,” said Madison Prosofsky, who organized the event with Robyn Libke. “It makes playing ball a lot of fun.”

The Extravaganza was held on Feb. 11 outside the Elks Hall, with seven teams taking part.

Including players and volunteers, around 125 people were involved in this year’s event, raising a total of $15,675.95 for the Saskatoon Cancer Centre.

The hall served as the event headquarters. Ball games were played on the adjacent lot with bases marked in pink spraypaint — “about as redneck as it gets,” in the words of organizers.

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

Davidson, featured

Town sets target date for new pool opening

Construction of Davidson's new pool was underway in September.
Construction of Davidson’s new pool was underway in September.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — June 16 is the target date for the opening of Davidson’s new swimming pool.

But multiple factors, including weather and contractors, have to fall into place for that to happen.

Recreation director Trevor Ouellette said he met Tuesday with representatives from the Saskatoon firm Allan’s Landscaping, Ltd., and informed them of the date he had in mind.

“They didn’t laugh us out of the meeting, but they did chuckle,” he said. “That’s a tight timeframe.”

The timeline will be heavily dependent on weather, but Ouellette said it’s possible they can stay on schedule with continued warm and dry conditions.

Fencing must be in place before the public health office will grant the town a license, and the ground must be levelled before fence construction begins.

Ouellette said he’s waiting on a quote and detailed plan from Allan’s for the fencing and landscaping, with preliminary approval given by town council.

The rec director said he has been lining up the staff for the upcoming pool season, including a total of seven instructor guards.

Quin Johnson will return as pool manager this summer.

For the full story, please see the April 10 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

featured, Hanley

Haunting humour was on the house in Hanley

Lovers and fellow ghosts Charles (Hayden Pitzel) and Nellie (Lauren Griffin) are surprised in a scene from The Hotel, this year's Hanley Composite School drama production.
Lovers and fellow ghosts Charles (Hayden Pitzel) and Nellie (Lauren Griffin) are surprised in a scene from The Hotel, this year’s Hanley Composite School drama production.

By Joel van der Veen

HANLEY — Last year, they played farmers beset by drought and depression, economic and otherwise, in the midst of the Dirty Thirties.

This year, they were ghosts creating havoc in Saskatoon’s Delta Bessborough hotel.

Leanne Griffin, co-director of the drama program at Hanley Composite School, said she likes giving her actors some variety in their roles from year to year.

“It’s good to stretch them and make sure they get to experience different styles of acting,” she said. “That helps them grow in their performances.”

Close to 80 people attended a dessert theatre at the school on Wednesday, featuring the club’s performance of The Hotel.

The 60-minute play was written by Griffin, and co-directed by herself and Brandon Hutchinson with a cast of eight students.

The story centres around a group of six ghosts at the Bessborough, who spend their days recreating their own deaths to scare hotel guests.

For the full story and more photos, please see the April 10 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured

Dorper herd a fun sideline for local lad

Carson Palmer's ewes come running as the 12-year-old carries a pail of oats. Palmer owns and cares for a herd of 26 ewes and their offspring on the family farm east of Davidson.
Carson Palmer’s ewes come running as the 12-year-old carries a pail of oats. Palmer owns and cares for a herd of 26 ewes and their offspring on the family farm east of Davidson.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — It’s a sunny spring day as Carson Palmer heads out to do his afternoon chores.

Tending a herd of 26 ewes and their lambs keeps the 12-year-old boy busy.

He’s often the first one up in the morning, and he’s back out there after he comes home from school.

Lambing is weeks away, and warm weather will be a welcome sight as the ewes in Carson’s herd begin delivering their offspring.

“It’s going to be a busy April and May around here,” says his father Dean.

Carson is the oldest child of Dean and Tracey Palmer, who live east of Davidson in the RM of Arm River.

Their family operation is largely built around livestock, including around 300 head of cattle, plus about 1,000 acres of cropland.

But the growing herd, made up of Dorper and Dorper-cross ewes, is Carson’s business.

“They’re entirely Carson’s enterprise,” says Dean, who clearly approves.

“It’s pretty unique . . . He can get out of the house and have some responsibility. He’s doing quite well.”

The Dorper breed was developed in South Africa in the late 1940s, according to the website of the Canadian Dorper Sheep Association.

Today, the Dorper breed is the second largest breed there with over 10 million head, representing more than 1/3 of the total sheep population in South Africa.

The breed has also seen increasing popularity around the world, including in Canada and the U.S.

Dorpers typically have white bodies and black heads, and their usual lifespan is about nine or 10 years.

They are recognized as a profitable breed given their early maturation and the strong demand for lambs.

As well, Dorpers shed their wool each summer, which reduces the work and expense required for their care.

For the full story, please see the April 10 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan