featured, Kenaston

Kenaston grads told to dream big

Pictured here is Kenaston's graduating class of 2016: Ruby Powder, Austin Evans and Tessa Tomlenovich.
Pictured here is Kenaston’s graduating class of 2016: Ruby Powder, Austin Evans and Tessa Tomlenovich.

By Joel van der Veen

KENASTON — They may be a small class from a small town, but that won’t stop Kenaston School’s class of 2016 from dreaming big dreams.

The class of three — Austin Evans, Ruby Powder and Tessa Tomlenovich — was celebrated during the graduation exercises, held Wednesday night at Kenaston Place.

“Small Town, Big Dreams” was the fitting theme for the trio, recognized as the smallest graduating class in school history.

A large crowd gathered for the program, with principal Greg McJannet and teacher Phil Guebert serving as the masters of ceremonies.

Throughout the evening, the graduates were encouraged to pursue those dreams and to make the most of the adventure that lies ahead of them.

“The opportunities for all of you are endless,” said Sun West School Division board trustee John Collins. “We wish you the best of luck as you go out to take on the world.”

Tessa Tomlenovich gave the tribute to the parents, with the mothers — Tammy Evans, Tammy Powder and Cindy Tomlenovich — providing the response.

Austin Evans made the tribute to the coaches, with the response provided by John Jamieson and Daniel Marsh.

Ruby Powder gave the tribute to the staff, while administrative assistant Carol Lewis offered the response.

The evening saw some repeated jokes at the students’ expense. Much was made of Austin Lewis’s penchant for shooting pen caps into the ceilings of Kenaston School.

Speakers made at least five references to Tessa Tomlenovich’s reputation for running late, while Ruby Powder was recognized as the “newbie,” having only joined the class in time for Grade 10.

For the full story, please see the July 4 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Reed, Max

Reed, George Maxwell

George Maxwell Reed passed away at Davidson, Sask., on June 4, 2016.

Max was born in Saskatoon and resided in Nokomis. He came to Davidson in 1951 and worked at an agriculture equipment dealership before opening the tire shop, which operated for 26 years. Max took his young family on an overland winter trip to Disneyland in a tent trailer instilling a sense of adventure in his children that they passed on to his grandchildren. An outgoing, avid football fan, he helped coach and mentor many of his children’s athletic and other endeavours. He was a long-time Kinsmen and town councillor, making time to support his community.

He will be missed by his wife Joy, his children Ritchie, Perry, Kirk, Todd and Arlene and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bladworth, Craik, Davidson, featured

Tactile history tour: Students get up-close look at Wilkins sculptures

Don Wilkins poses for a photo with a group of students at the surveyor statue in Chamberlain.
Don Wilkins poses for a photo with a group of students at the surveyor statue in Chamberlain.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — History and design are important, sure, but how many sculptures were built with climbing in mind?

Students from Davidson School had a hands-on encounter with the statues built by local craftsman Don Wilkins last week, taking a tour from Chamberlain to Bladworth to see the displays along Highway 11.

At each stop they got off their bus to view the sculptures. Many students took the opportunity to get as close as possible — scaling the buffalo hunter’s gun, dangling from the ox’s horn or climbing into the Red River carts.

Wilkins, who joined them for the tour on June 17, was clearly delighted with the experience.

The sculptures were built big to make them visible to highway drivers, and to allow people to immerse themselves in history.

“I don’t mind people touching my work,” he said at one point, telling the students later, “I’m flattered by this whole event.”

Students from grades 4 and 7 took part in the bus tour, organized by staff members Correne Pedersen, Arlene Low and Garrett Bailey, with Darwin Taylor driving the bus.

They made five stops, viewing the surveyor at Chamberlain, the ox and cart at Aylesbury, the buffalo hunter at Craik, the buffalo at Girvin and the Louis Riel statue at Bladworth.

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

Davidson, featured

Champions honoured as school presents end-of-year awards

Pictured are the award winners from Wednesday's ceremony at Davidson School.
Pictured are the award winners from Wednesday’s ceremony at Davidson School.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Two provincial sports titles made for a historic year for Davidson School.

As Sandra Baldwin said during the school’s annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, both the senior boys basketball team and the senior girls volleyball team made history in going all the way and winning provincial gold.

For the school to earn two titles in one year was itself a significant milestone, she added.

Baldwin called the teams up one by one, inviting the players to join hands with Kindergarten students and lead them to the front of the room.

“Kindergarteners,” she said, “you are holding the hands of champions.”

The students’ achievements in academics, athletics and drama were honoured during the ceremony, held in the gym on Wednesday. Tina Stone and Andrew Read served as masters of ceremonies.

Const. Kam Hay from the Craik RCMP detachment was on hand to present the Citizenship Award to Grade 11 student Miranda Farrell.

Senior basketball player Gabe Ebenal paid tribute to coach Kim Rettger, who received the West Central District’s Outstanding Coach award.

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

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.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan