By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — The total raised for Davidson’s new pool is now well over the $1.2-million mark, following a successful community auction on April 8.

The auction, held at the Davidson Communiplex and conducted by Manz Auctioneering Service, raised a total of $150,000.

Mary Jane Morrison, speaking on behalf of the swimming pool committee, said upwards of 250 people attended the event.

Over 100 items were sold over the course of the live auction, which began promptly at 7 p.m. and didn’t finish under sometime after midnight.

The event also included the announcement of a donation from PotashCorp, with the company matching the first $20,000 raised.

Ryan Shaw, who works at the PCS Allan mine, was on hand to make the presentation, which came less than halfway through the live auction.

Morrison said one of the highlights was the sale of six outdoor chairs, which were auctioned off individually.

Hidden inside one of them was round-trip airfare for two to Los Angeles, plus a pair of tickets to two LA Kings home games and a $300 hotel voucher, the latter part donated by Kings defenceman Davidson native Brayden McNabb.

The winning chair was purchased by Lyndon Cool, a former classmate of McNabb’s.

Morrison spoke of the atmosphere at that moment, saying, “The whole room was just so happy for him.”

The Kinsmen Club operated the bar for the evening, while numerous individuals, clubs and businesses donated food and auction items. Dozens of donated items were also sold through a silent auction.

“We had so much help, so much support,” said Morrison. “It was unbelievable … overwhelming.”

She said the committee is continually struck by the generosity of residents from Davidson and beyond, including the surrounding trading area and the three cities.

“We were confident that it would be successful, but maybe not to this degree,” said Morrison, adding that it “makes you feel good that we live in this community and in this province.”

She also said the committee, now active for more than three years, continues to work well, with members willing to meet any needs that arise.

“Someone always steps up and says ‘I’ll do it’,” she said. “They’re always just so enthusiastic and willing to take the lead.”

This was the second auction to benefit the pool project; the first was held in April 2014. The auction was expected to be one of the last major fundraising events for the pool.

Morrison said the committee will be focusing on managing the money that has been raised and determining how it can be spent effectively to develop the best facility for local users.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A tale of temptation, desires and consequences was the centrepiece of a dessert theatre night at Davidson School on Wednesday.

The school’s senior drama club presented SOuLD, a one-act play written by principal Jason Low, and co-directed by the playwright and his wife Arlene.

More than 200 people attended the dessert theatre night, which also included dance and musical performances and a silent auction with dozens of items available.

SOuLD mixed elements of comedy and drama, featuring a cast of colourful characters and an intriguing plot. It told the story of six young people who are offered the chance to enjoy their greatest desires, but at a terrible price.

The play was narrated by Jake (Jacob Schilling), who is invited along with five of his friends to an infernal party. Despite being warned by a mysterious hobo (Geena Heinrich), they go ahead to the ghastly gala, presided over by Lucifer (Morgan Manz), who deceives them each into bidding on the experiences they desire most.

Astrid (Sarah Allan) becomes an accomplished actress, while Patrick (Liam McJannet) tours the world as a rock-and-roll star.

Leah (Sarah Bublish) goes on a date with a handsome movie star, while Samantha (Emily Read) gets the opportunity to visit with her deceased mother one last time, and Matt (Justin Sandsbraaten) gets to fulfill his dream of becoming a ballet dancer.

Each one finds that the fulfillment of their wish is not quite what they’d expected, and only at the end does Lucifer reveal that they’ve been bidding not in dollars, but in years — and becoming his possessions in the process.

This was only the second time one of Low’s original plays has been performed in public — the first being Well, Here’s to Us, performed at last year’s swimming pool gala.

“Right up to this point, it’s pretty nerve-wracking,” Low said after the performance, adding that once the actors took their final bows, “It’s a pretty great feeling, actually.”

For the full story, please see the April 18 edition of The Davidson Leader.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Campaign workers, supporters and family members crowded into Greg Brkich’s campaign office on Washington Avenue on Monday night as the election results began pouring in.

Amidst the hubbub and chatter, Brkich’s eyes were fixed on the TV set for much of the evening, watching the coverage on CTV.

With close to two decades in provincial politics under his belt, Brkich said he’s always curious about the final results on election night.

“You know everybody that’s running,” he explained, noting that he felt the suspense, waiting for the totals to come in from some of the tighter races.

However, there was little doubt as to how things would play out in Arm River.

Brkich, 57, was elected to a fifth term as the Saskatchewan Party MLA for this area, winning the constituency with 73.3 per cent support.

He received a total of 6,128 votes, according to preliminary results, defeating his nearest competitor by more than 4,700 votes.

“To me, that shows people still have confidence in myself and the government,” he said Monday night.

Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party were returned to office for a third consecutive term, winning 51 out of 61 seats and receiving 62.6 per cent of the popular vote.

The Opposition New Democrats increased their seat count by just one, winning a total of 10 seats, but saw their share of the popular vote drop to 30.4 per cent.

The results were highly reminiscent of the last election — even down to the loss suffered by NDP leader Cam Broten, who came in second place in Saskatoon Westview, just as his predecessor Dwain Lingenfelter had done in Regina Douglas Park in 2011.

Despite both having a full slate, the Green Party and the Liberal Party were again shut out, as were the Progressive Conservatives, the Western Independence Party and all independent candidates.

Brkich, who farms near Bladworth, was first elected in Arm River in 1999, and was re-elected in 2003, 2007 and 2011. He gave much of the credit for his success to his local team, including business manager Ron Bessey and campaign manager Allen Patkau.

Donna Petit and Lavonne Lyke ran the campaign office in Davidson, while dozens of others contributed by knocking on doors, putting up signs or making phone calls on his behalf.

“I wouldn’t have won it without the team, plain and simple,” said Brkich. “I couldn’t imagine being out there by myself.”

For the full story, including detailed results and an interview with NDP candidate Denise Leduc, please see the April 11 edition of The Davidson Leader.