MAIDSTONE — Close to 100 friends gathered on Aug. 3 for a casual come-and-go farewell to the Speirs family at Silver Lake Regional Park. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to sit and reminisce with Dave, Rhonda and McKenna, and share the delicious cake beautifully decorated to commemorate the occasion by Maidstone AG Foods.
Dave and Rhonda grew up in Shaunavon and both attended the University of Saskatchewan. Rhonda taught in British Columbia and in Saskatchewan at Shell Lake, Turtleford and lastly Ratushniak Elementary in Maidstone where she taught Grade 4 and then kindergarten for 20 years. Her classroom was a unique and happy haven for multitudes of children in their first year of school until she retired in 2021. Dave's first job out of university was in Maidstone in September 1989. He taught in the high school, primarily physical education and senior English, and eventually became vice-principal. Dave was a stupendous sports coach through the years, taking Maidstone High School to numerous championships while helping many students attain personal bests and go on to future sports achievements. Many knew him as the heart and soul of Maidstone’s Mega Volley. In 2014, Dave received the SHSAA Merit Award for his years of service in school athletics and in 2023 a SHSAA banner was hung at the high school. Despite retiring in 2021, he continued to help whenever the need arose.
Outside of school, Rhonda volunteered at First Baptist Church with youth and led a women’s Bible study for many years in Maidstone. Dave played with the Maidstone Jets senior team for 14 years and served on the Maidstone Arena Board and Maidstone-Eldon Recreation Board.
Dave and Rhonda were married in 1994 and raised their two children, Matthew and McKenna in Maidstone. Matthew now lives with his wife, Kianne in Revelstoke, B.C. where he works for a law firm. McKenna is completing her third year of commerce at the University of Saskatchewan.
Thank you, Dave and Rhonda, for your friendship and devotion to our community. We will miss you but wish you much happiness in future endeavours as you enjoy your retirement years in Saskatoon.
Congratulations to Collette Carson and Pat O-Hare who exchanged marriage vows at the Thoroughbred Centre in Lexington, Ken. on Aug. 3 and enjoyed a five-day honeymoon in Nashville, Tenn. On Aug.19 they will have a ceremony, reception and dance at the Carson farm north of Maidstone. An open invitation is extended to join them after supper to visit and celebrate. (Please bring your own chairs and drinks.)
Connie Rodh of Maidstone was one of the lucky winners of $8,000 in Synergy Credit Union’s “Summer of Smiles” draw. As part of their 80th-anniversary celebrations, Synergy is giving away cash prizes between June 1 and Sept. 21, with four lucky winners every eight days. It’s easy to get your shot at a windfall – all you have to do is be a member. Way to go, Connie!
Maidstone Disc Golf had a super turnout for week 14 last Wednesday. High averages were Tier 1: Alex Francois -9, Tier 2: Andrew Williams +1, Tier 3: Kennedy Schmidt +10. Kudos to Alex Francois for an ace (hole-in-one) on hole 13. Drawn winners were Chase James and Andrew Williams. League members are reminded to make a minimum of five games to qualify for year-end awards. All players, regardless of how many times they’ve played, are welcome at the year-end mini-tourney as well as the awards presentation and supper the following month.
Pie bingos will be back at the Legion Hall for seven weeks starting Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. Hosted by Maidstone Health Care Auxiliary, this is a popular fundraiser every fall. Cost is only five cents per card per game with a half-time blackout at 10 cents per card. Check their poster to see if your area is scheduled to provide pies and workers this year (a contact from each area will phone). Proceeds go to purchase comfort items and equipment for Pine Island Lodge and Maidstone Health Complex (hospital).
Remember: Saturday, Aug. 19 is Waseca Community Day. Starting with the pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., activities continue all day including an outdoor market, bucket prize sales, face painting, balloon twisting, foam frenzy, petting zoo, barbecue lunch, fire department, RCMP, horse/wagon rides, Yellowhead Ramblers music, indigenous dancers, threshing machine demo. Check the poster for specific event times.
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