Davidson

Health Trust Fund buys needed equipment

The Davidson Health Trust Fund continued its support of the Davidson Health Centre last month by giving over $18,000 to the Heartland Health Region for the purchase of needed capital equipment for the centre that will help both patients and health practitioners in their daily lives.

Glenys Smith, chairperson of the Davidson Health Trust Fund, said the not-for-profit fund is made up of local donations given to the committee over the years and is used for the comfort of the 40 residents at the long-term care facility.

“The fund buys the extra things that the health region does not (fully) fund,” said Smith, who has been on the committee since its formation in 2007. “We’ve bought things like curtains, just to make (the facility) more homey. We’ve bought some tables and chairs, a new TV and extra things that would make it more comfortable for them.”

The extra things the trust fund helped pay for in September were an Arjo Hydro-sonic Bathtub at a cost of $14,024, with Heartland Health Region covering the other 50 per cent of the $28,000 price tag for the tub, and a $4,488 WelchAllyn Vital Signs Monitor. This comes on the heels of the trust fund contributing $12,400 in July to pay for two Arjo Sara 3000 Sit Stand Lifts.

Cathy Hinther, care team manager for the Davidson Health Centre, said the help given by the Trust Fund is needed due to limited provincial funding provided to the centre for capital expenditures. She said the new machines are “state of the art” and much more advanced than what they were previously using giving the 70 professional and non-professional staff at the centre a better way.

“It updates the equipment, which enhances care and allows the staff to give safe care,” said Hinther. “With the policies around lifting as well, (sit-stand lifts) will allow staff not to lift patients.”

To read more please see the Oct. 8 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Obituary

Sampson

Georgina Sampson passed away peacefully in Saskatoon on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at the age of 93.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Kenneth and infant daughter Karen. Georgina is survived by her loving family: son Norm (Lynne), daughter Tress (Monte), grandchildren and great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and other family members.

The service of remembrance will be held at the Davidson United Church on October 9, 2012 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Diane Eurig officiating.

Interment will be in the family plot, Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Saskatoon, Sask. at a later date.

For friends so wishing memorials in memory of Georgina may be directed to any of the donor’s choice charities (see listed at service).

Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, Sask. in care of arrangements.

Obituary

Frederick Charles McAlaster

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Fred on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at the Davidson Health Care Centre at the age of 94 years.

Fred was predeceased by his parents Hector and Henrietta, his loving wife Verna May and son-in-law Randy Lorencz. Fred is survived by his loving family: sons Fred (Betty Ann) Hawman and family; Grant (Barb) Hawman and family, Joshua and Nicole; Paul (Denise) Hawman and family Joelle and Brittany; son Blain (Eunice) McAlaster and family, Lisa and Ryan Twa and daughter Gabrielle; daughter Sharon Lorencz and family Jason (Lindsay) Lorencz and Cole; Melody (Daryl) Hubich and Rhyen; Travis (Stephanie) Lorencz and family Hayden, Taylor, Skyler Lorencz and Taunya; brothers Sandy and Pat; sisters Florence, Marion, Jean and Evelyn; also numerous nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law.

The celebration of Fred’s life funeral service will be held at the Kisbey United Church, Kisbey, Sask. on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Michael William officiating.

Interment in the family plot, Percy Cemetery, Kisbey, Sask.

For friends so wishing, memorials in memory of Fred may be directed to the Saskatchewan Children’s Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.

Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, Sask. in care of arrangements.

A memorial service will be held for Fred on Friday, October 12, 2012 at 2 p.m. from the Davidson United Church, Davidson, Sask. with Rev. Diane Eurig officiating.

featured

Schmit and More plead guilty to second-degree murder

Devin Schmit and Darak More both pleaded guilty to second-degree murder at the Court of Queen’s Bench in Regina Sept. 28 in the death of Rob Vicente of Bladworth.

Schmit has been sentenced to life with no parole eligibility for 20 years, while More has been sentenced to life with no parole eligibility for 15 years. Both men also face mandatory lifetime bans on possessing firearms and must provide DNA samples.

Schmit and More were each going to trial to face first-degree murder charges in the death of Vicente after a quick preliminary hearing Sept. 10 and 11 at a Regina Provincial Court that ended after two days when it was decided there was enough evidence to head to trial.

Vicente, 25, was last seen in Davidson on Oct. 10, 2010.

On Oct. 12, Hanley RCMP was notified that he was missing.

Police reported on Oct. 14 that Vicente’s burned-out car was found in a vacant farmyard about 29 kilometres west of Davidson on Oct. 12.

Meanwhile, family and friends and many people from Bladworth and the wider community took part in extensive ground and air searches for Vicente.

On Feb. 11, 2011, Schmit and More were charged with first-degree murder and robbery. On Feb. 14, RCMP said they had discovered human remains in a farmyard on the edge of Davidson.

The remains were later confirmed to be those of Rob Vicente.

featured

Stats Canada corrects mistake

The Village of Aylesbury is out $7,500 or 50 per cent of their revenue this year after Statistics Canada miscounted their population size in the last census.

In the 2011 Canada wide census, which is conducted every five years, Aylesbury was reported as having a population of 10 residents and five private dwellings in use.

The actual number is 42 residents and 23 private dwellings, recently corrected by Stats Can and posted to their website. Unfortunately for Aylesbury, their provincial and federal grant money will still be based on 10 residents and five dwellings for this year, resulting in the $7,500 loss.

Jeff Murray, administrator for the Village of Aylesbury, said they are getting no help for the wrong numbers from the provincial or federal government, which was not the village’s fault in any way, and will just have to suck up the revenue loss.

“They are not going to be doing anything for it,” said Murray. “I’m not sure why, but that’s the way it is I guess.”

Murray got the population numbers corrected by submitting an ISC map showing the boundaries of Aylesbury and all the utility bills of the residents that had a civic address on it to Stats Can, so when the gas tax fund is distributed next June the village will get its actual amount.

“The (village) is not going to get their money (lost this year) in lieu,” he said. “Next year, they’re not going to increase it by the amount they should be, so (Aylesbury) lost that funding.”

Murray said the village did not increase its millrate to compensate for the mistake and will be dipping into savings this year to bandage the loss.

Laurent Roy, Statistics Canada manager of formal reviews of population counts, said this is “common” for a Stats Can census. He said in 2006, when the last census was conducted, 100 municipalities out of about 5,000 in Canada were found to have wrong numbers and had to be corrected.

“It looks like it will be the same amount this year,” said Roy. “There are 5,000 municipalities, so it is still a small amount of 100 corrections.”

He said it is the provincial government that deals with the grant money for municipalities, so Stats Can has no say in whether Aylesbury will be compensated for its loss.

Roy said the province will use the corrected numbers on the Stats Can website next year so any difficulties that were encountered this year should not be repeated.

Craik

Craik Farmers Market closes

Last week the overhead door closed for good on Craik Farmers Market.

After seven years, the small core group of volunteers who were keeping the market going decided this would be their last season. Friday, Sept. 21 was the market’s last sale day.

Last Tuesday, market founder Pauline Dixon, original vendor Joyce Miller and helper Marlene Stubbington were busy in the fire engine bay of Craik’s old town hall, packing up all that remained of the market’s “garage sale” merchandise.

These garage sale items were a mainstay at the farmers market, since it started the summer of 2006. The market’s purpose was to raise money to restore Craik’s old town hall and to give locals a place from which to sell their products, whether they be baked goods, garden veggies or local honey. Dixon, Miller, Carol Styles, Henry Dyck and Lyle and Gertie Bligh were the founding members.

Miller said prior to Craik’s farmers market, she used to sell her home baking at the farmers market in Moose Jaw. She recalled the days when she worked as a cook at Toppers restaurant in Davidson.

“I would work all day and come home and bake and then take 20 pies, plus cinnamon buns, tarts, cookies…I don’t know what all I took…up to Moose Jaw,” Miller said.

When Craik’s market opened up, every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Miller was able to sell her baking in Craik. She was a vendor for a few years and then became a volunteer.

Dixon said they decided to call it quits due to health reasons.

“Joyce can’t do it anymore for health reasons. Art and his brother Hritis aren’t kind to me. It’s sad to see it go, but my husband and me sometimes spend three days a week here…” Dixon said.

In the absence of a new contingent of volunteers coming forward, they opted to close the market.

To read more please see the Oct. 1 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan