Davidson students Sarah Bublish, Logan Farrell, Ethan Schilling, Jacob Schilling and Carter Shaw display the awards they won at last weekend’s regional drama festival in Warman.
By Joel van der Veen
WARMAN — Despite facing some tough competition at this year’s regional festival, Davidson’s senior drama club put on what co-director Jason Low said was their best performance this year.
“They represented our school well,” said Low. “They were a fantastic pleasure to work with and direct.”
Davidson was one of seven schools to compete at the Region 11 Drama Festival at Warman High School from April 14 to 16.
The drama club presented SOuLD, an original play written by Low, with a total of 26 students forming the cast and crew.
Grade 12 student Carter Shaw, a longtime lighting and sound technician who served as stage manager for the first time, was named the best stage manager at the festival.
Noting that Shaw won the award the only time he was eligible for it, Low said, “He went in and out with a bang.”
Cast members Jacob Schilling and Sarah Bublish received acting awards of merit, while Ethan Schilling and Logan Farrell received technical awards of merit for their work with lighting and sound, respectively.
For the full story, please see the April 25 edition of The Davidson Leader.
Auctioneer Tory Manz keeps track of bids during a community auction in support of Davidson’s new swimming pool.
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.
Jacob Schilling and Jade Thomson are pictured in a scene from “SOuLD.”
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.
Lucille Markus (McDonell) was born on October 7, 1928. She passed away with her daughter, Sharon and her Health Centre family by her side on March 10, 2016.
She was predeceased by her husband, Al; her daughter, Terry; parents and two brothers.
Lucille is survived by her loving family: daughters, Sharon (Lorne Riecken) and Connie (Eugene Rudy); son, Paul (Debbie); son-in-law, George Bessey; and grandchildren, Tracey (Cory) Uhrich, Dana Bergerman, Greg Bessey, Lori (Gary) O’Brien, Beverly (Wayne) Lamb, Rochelle Riecken (Kevin), Ericson Markus (Farin), and Jenna Markus.
She also leaves to mourn: 15 great-grandchildren, of whom she was so proud; sisters, Jean (Gord) Permaine, Mardy Hopper; sisters-in-law, Sheila and Shirley McDonell; special cousins, Phoebe Fombeur and Keith and Sheila Hawkins; along with many friends old and new.
Lucille was born on her family farm near Grenfell, Saskatchewan, moving north to Aylsham, Sask. in 1940 where she completed her Grade 12 and where she met and married Al Markus.
In 1952, the family moved to Davidson where Al became partsman for Fred Gatzske. In 1955, Al partnered in building and operating the Massey Ferguson and Chrysler dealerships, and Lucille worked in the ‘Dry Goods’ department of the local Co-op. She was an avid curler, golfer and volunteered for these as well as C.G.I.T. and United Church Sunday School. Lucille and Al raised four children, Teresa, Sharon, Constance and Paul.
In 1965, the family moved to Carrot River, Sask. where Lucille helped on the farm and worked as a nurse’s aid at the hospital. Later, she purchased Jo’s Jeans in Nipawin and worked there until her retirement.
Lucille and Al spent their summers in Nipawin and their winters in Utah and B.C., until 2008 when health issues brought them full circle, back to Davidson.
Burial will be at the Aylsham Cemetery on Saturday, May 21st, at 2 p.m.
SCARFE, Hazel Marie (née Prpick) January 8, 1928 — April 4, 2016
Hazel passed away peacefully in her sleep at St. Ann’s Care Home in Saskatoon, where she received gentle care over the last year following a stroke. She is lovingly remembered by her children John Scarfe, Mary (Greg) McLellan, and Anna Sanders; daughter-in-law Brenda Scarfe; her grandchildren Carson (Tristin Enden) McLellan, Kate and Ben Houston, Erin and Kali Sanders, Montana Manion, and Jamie Scarfe; her brothers Bud (Bea) Prpick and Ray (Pauline) Perpick; her sisters/brother-in-law Sharon Prpick, Jim (Donna) Scarfe and Janet Prpick; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Hazel was predeceased by her husband of 51 years Albert; her son Joe; her daughters-in-law Christine Scarfe and Laurie Brower; her brothers Joe and Jim Prpick; her brother-in-law Jack (Shirley) Scarfe; and a niece and nephew, Lauree and Bob Scarfe.
Hazel was a kind, vibrant and loyal friend and family member who would generously offer her time and talents to others. She was born in Bladworth, Sask., and raised on a nearby farm by her parents Anna and Emil Prpick. The farm is where she developed her strong work ethic. She also had her hands full as big sister to four brothers. After Hazel graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Regina she became a school teacher and taught for nine years at many country schools including Briggs School District, Davidson, Steelman, Courval, Disley, and Regina Rural. She also worked with Social Services and managed Dale’s House in Regina. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she was an amazing seamstress and worked for Singer Sewing Machines. Hazel married in 1959 and enjoyed six years in the far north of Saskatchewan in Uranium City, where she had four children before moving the family south to La Ronge. She operated a business, Hazel’s Launderette, and was an active and involved member of the community, including as an ardent supporter of the arts, the NDP, and one year ran for the job of Mayor (to the dismay of her husband!). She was actively involved in the Catholic Church in La Ronge for almost 30 years before retiring to Saskatoon where she was a member of St Paul’s Cathedral for 20 years.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 at St. Paul’s Co-Cathedral (720 Spadina Cres East, Saskatoon). In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St Ann’s Senior Citizens Village Corp., 2910 Louise St, Saskatoon SK, S7J 3L8. Arrangements in care of David Schurr — Mourning Glory Funeral Services, Saskatoon, 306-978-5200, www.mourningglory.ca.
Greg Brkich, the Saskatchewan Party candidate for Arm River, eagerly watches election night coverage on the TV set in his campaign office on April 4.
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.
