featured, Hanley

Hanley ag fair draws crowd a thousand strong

web-hanley-fair
Brennen Bear (left) of Saskatoon takes the lead from Hanley’s Tyler Thall in the finals of the lawnmower races at the Hanley Ag Fair.

By Tara de Ryk

HANLEY — Good weather and good times helped ensure record attendance at Hanley’s Ag Fair Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18.

They had 1,100 people through the gate Saturday, said Patti Prosofsky, one of the organizers of the event.

“It went really well, we had great turnout and everyone had a good time,” she said.

This year’s Ag fair featured popular events such as the parade, lawnmower races and burnout competition Friday night and minor ball, slo-pitch tourney and horticultural competition on Saturday.

Entries were down in the horticultural competition, said Darla Holland of Holland Garden and Greenhouse, the event’s sponsor.

This year competitors were judged on who had the best fairy gardens and best succulent gardens. The winners for adults were Kim Bohrson, first, and Jodi Zdunich, second. In the children’s category Mason Wandler took first prize with Jesse Westman finishing second. Hailey Richmond and Madison and Adelita Carter won third place ribbons.

This year, the Hanley Agricultural Society brought back the baking, bread, knitting and crochet contests that were once a staple and a tradition of agricultural fairs.

The Hanley 4-H Club returned to the Ag Fair to hold its annual achievement day on Saturday. The achievement day gives 4-H club’s 27 members, from seniors to younger cloverbuds, a chance to show off their projects including demonstrating showmanship and grooming skills.

Dave and Krista Erixon of Clavet served as judges.

For the full story and more photos, please see the June 27 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Bladworth, Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Bessey, Amy

Amy Bessey
Amy Bessey

Amy Bessey

The family of Amy Bessey (nee Stakiw) is saddened to announce her passing on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

Amy was born January 6, 1920 in Saltcoats, Sask. She was raised in Foam Lake, Sask. where her father was a section foreman for the CPR. She is lovingly remembered by her three daughters: Valerie (Ken Krpan), Lorna (Orest Marusiak) and Darlene (Ken Pontikes); grandchildren: Brian Krpan (Karen), Marcia Kimmerly (Jim), Mark Krpan (Charlene), Michael Krpan (Diana) and Zoe Pontikes; great-grandchildren: Rachel (Jack), Johnny (Bobbi), Luke, Jarred, Raylene, Ryan (Carlyne), Tyson, Quinn, Kendale and Sarah; great-great-grandchild, Makenna Amy; and sister-in-law Evelyn Mills, as well as a very large extended Bessey/Stakiw family.

She was predeceased by her husband Fred Bessey. Amy trained as a nurse at the St. Paul’s School of Nursing in Saskatoon (1943) and Vancouver (1944). Amy married Fred Bessey in 1945 and they operated the Commercial Hotel in Bladworth for 20 years. She returned to nursing at the Davidson Union Hospital during this time. In 1965 they moved to Montgomery Place in Saskatoon and she returned to St. Paul’s Hospital. She spent the next 20 years working in the Nursery with newborn babies and their mothers, retiring in 1985. Amy was an avid sports fan. She loved fishing and camping and her family have many fond memories of these times with her and Fred. For many years they never missed the Bladworth Sports Day. She enjoyed dancing, gardening, baking, playing cards, bingo and the slots at the casino. The lived in Mesa, Arizona during the winter for 18 years spending the rest of the year at Brantwood Estates in Saskatoon. For nearly the last decade she resided at Cedar Gardens.

A celebration of her life was held on May 25, 2016 at McClure United Church.

Memorial donations can be made to Bladworth Cemetery Fund or St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Hembroff, Walter

Walter Hembroff
Walter Hembroff

Walter Clarence Hembroff
April 14, 1923 — June 15, 2016

Walter passed away peacefully at the age of 93 at the Luther Special Care Home in Saskatoon where he had received excellent care for the past three years. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Gertrude (nee Klimack) and their children Brian (Margaret) Hembroff, Jeff (Lisa), Ronda (Devin), Joni (Avan), Krista (Derek),  Markie (Cody),  Adele (Jason), Colette (Jeremy), Corinne (Kelly);  Betty (Jim) Steinhauer, Jeff (Cerissa), Julie (Rick);  Barry (Marilyn) Hembroff, Jamie (Christina), Randy, Amanda;  Barb Dolan (Brad), Jon (Stephanie), Jenna (Andrew); as well as numerous great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Mary Jane Hembroff, his eight siblings and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law. Walter was always a very hard worker. He built their first home in Russell, Man. (he dug the basement using a shovel and a wheelbarrow). In early years, he hauled wood and grain with his own truck. He then hauled bulk fuel (in barrels back then) for British American Oil. He was the first general manager for the Co-op in Russell, Man. The family moved west to Davidson, Sask., in 1965 where Walter worked as the Co-op farm supply manager until his retirement in 1983. Walter and Gert then moved to Saskatoon where he enjoyed a long, healthy retirement. He enjoyed a good joke and watching almost any sport on TV and of course, the news. Walter had a very strong faith. He loved his Lord and Saviour and was actively involved in his church, always helping out wherever he could. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. The Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church (2801 Preston Ave, Saskatoon, Sask.). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Luther Special Care Home (1212 Osler St., Saskatoon, Sask., S7N OT9.) Arrangements in care of Lisa Ruf — MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES, SASKATOON, SK. (306-978-5200) www.mourningglory.ca.

Davidson, featured

Golf course staff help injured fawn

An injured fawn found at the Davidson Golf and Country Club on June 7 is shown in this submitted photo.
An injured fawn found at the Davidson Golf and Country Club on June 7 is shown in this submitted photo.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Staff at the Davidson Golf and Country Club took a hands-on role in rescuing an injured fawn found on the course earlier this month.

Maintenance worker Tori Sarich said she and co-worker Matt Edwards were out touring the grounds the morning of June 7 at around 7 o’clock.

“Every morning we take a drive around the golf course to see how it’s doing, how the greens look and everything,” she said. “We stopped by the third green. There was something lying right beside it.”

Upon closer inspection, they found a fawn, less than a week old, shivering and wet with dew. There were bite marks and blood on its head.

“We weren’t exactly sure what to do first,” said Sarich, adding that they did a Google search to find information and then left a phone message with wildlife authorities.

Officers returned their call later, telling them to keep a close eye on the deer and to keep him out of the tall grass so he could be located.

For the full story, please see the June 20 print edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured

Best class ever: Davidson honours class of 2016

Pictured is the Davidson School class of 2016 during its graduation ceremony on June 11: (back row) Gabriel Ebenal, Alex Rettger, Ben Nykiforuk, Kieran Boehm, Carter Shaw, Trevor Nelson, Dylan Sweet, Nicholas Chomyshen, James Morrison; (front row) Tristan Cool, Cheyanne Nordmarken, Kaitlyn Baldwin, Tina Stone, Sydney Booker, Jacey Sanden, Leland Millham and Killian McDonnell.
Pictured is the Davidson School class of 2016 during its graduation ceremony on June 11: (back row) Gabriel Ebenal, Alex Rettger, Ben Nykiforuk, Kieran Boehm, Carter Shaw, Trevor Nelson, Dylan Sweet, Nicholas Chomyshen, James Morrison; (front row) Tristan Cool, Cheyanne Nordmarken, Kaitlyn Baldwin, Tina Stone, Sydney Booker, Jacey Sanden, Leland Millham and Killian McDonnell.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — As Davidson School’s class of 2016 looked on, Karrie Stamnes paid tribute to them for helping her face her fears.

Years ago, in her first year at Davidson, Stamnes had confided her fear of snakes, spiders and other creepy crawlies to a class of Grade 5 students.

As the school year went on, those students did their best to help her overcome that phobia, in the form of rubber replicas that kept popping up in the classroom.

Stamnes said with a smile that those students “broke her in” as an educator, but she had more encouragement to offer.

“You have overcome many challenges to get here today,” she said. “Be willing to go out of your comfort zone, and you will constantly be surprised at what you can achieve.”

Stamnes was the master of ceremonies for Davidson School graduation exercises on June 11, as the school said goodbye to 18 outgoing students.

For the full story, please see the June 20 print edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan