BORDEN — Borden Museum held its annual meeting March 21 and outlined plans for 2023. They plan to include a separate dental office, upgrade the wiring and hire a summer student. They will open for the summer on June 3, Diefenbaker Daze weekend. On the board are president Karen Kerr, vice-president Heather Deck, secretary Brenda Tumbach and treasurer Ruben Rempel. Also on the board are Elaine Gunsch, Martha Rempel, Ed Neufeld, Heather Penner and Stew and Eleanor Walton. The museum will be holding a fundraiser supper April 22 in the Borden Community Centre at 5 p.m. by donation, and the village of Borden and volunteer firefighters will be hosting an evening of remembering the flood of 2013.
The Borden Lakeland Library held its annual meeting March 20 in the library. They reported increased circulation. The new librarian is Maryann McKay of Borden, with past librarian Beth Usselman now working at the RM office. The library will again be offering a children’s summer program that runs for six. On the library board are Mitzi Barkman, Lee Tracksell, Carol Crabb, Leanne Sargent, Brooke Burletoff, Carlye Saunders and Beth Usselman. Sublibrarian Gayle Wensley was recording secretary for the meeting.
March 5, St. John’s Anglican Church celebrated to thank all those involved with the installation of the wheelchair lift. Rev. Sheldon Carr outlined the details of the improvements, starting with a new accessible washroom in the basement in 2019 and then the fundraising for the wheelchair lift over the past three years. Rev. Carr thanked the Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon. He also mentioned community members: builders Graham and Dana; electrician Eldon; painters Lisa and Shaylene; vergers Ron and Brenda; Linda for getting grants; building inspector Lee; Access 2000; Radisson St. Paul Lutheran Church; fundraising supper and African night hosted by Mary and Ron Saunders; and everyone who contributed in any way to the fundraising. He also thanked Celtic Country for the entertainment for the evening, with Bob Wardhaugh playing keyboard and accordion, Ed Neufeld on guitar, Sean O’Connor on button accordion and Archie Wainwright vocals.
An interagency meeting was held March 23 in the Borden Community Centre with many groups and charities present. Each one was given a set amount of time to describe their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, struggles, successes and needs. Each group was asked what projects or events they are working on, whether they need student volunteers from the school and asked for ideas on joint fundraising. Serving as chair was Mayor Jamie Brandrick and recording secretary was Carly Hess, administrator.
Jamie and Carly represented the village and the bowling alley. A tournament is planned for April 1. Saskatoon Health Authority spoke on the Borden Primary Health Centre. On staff is NP Rosie Wad-ey. Offered are lab, foot care and a primary care consultant can be accessed.
Adrian, a Saskatoon firefighter, who organizes EMO groups outside of Saskatoon, said one is needed for Borden, Radisson and RM of Great Bend. There will be a training session May 6 and 7 at the community centre. Participation is free for potential EMO personnel.
Jess Larsen represented Little Sprouts Early Childhood Centre. It will host a burger sale April 1 at the hall,
Recreation board member Jillian Orchard reported Diefenbaker Daze will be held June 3 and 4. The board also hosted a winter carnival.
Perry Nicol for Borden Lions described catering activities and an ongoing chase the ace fundraiser (fifth-week winner Vern Epp). The group have a set of carts pulled by a garden tractor to lend out.
Ed Neufeld reported the Friendship Club has 93 members. Activities include in motion classes and monthly potluck suppers with a program.
Alana Gunsch presented on behalf of Borden School Community Council and Redberry biosphere. Emily Saunders spoke on behalf of the Borden Housing Authority, with all units managed full, and Borden Care Home. Affinity Credit Union manager Jill Giesbrecht told what they had to offer followed by Robin Baker, Radisson’s deputy mayor and the administrator speaking of their strengths, the need for volunteers at the skating rink and upcoming events. These include a burger sale March 30 at the arena and a Canada Day celebration. The town also operates a swimming pool and hosts an agricultural fair. The water treatment plant has been upgraded.
Brenda Tumbach described a museum fundraising supper April 22. A summer student will be hired.
Karen Kerr reported the farmers market starts May 5 in the Friendship Club Room and every Friday after from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rob Lee said Borden Golf Club has 30 members. Daily fees are $5 and membership for the season is $50.The course can be rented for $100/day for tournaments.
Luke Walker spoke on behalf of the Borden Co-op which is hoping to build a convenience store by the card lock over the next two or three years. He also reported the volunteer fire department has 22 active members. Training is ongoing. It costs $2,000 to $2,0000 to outfit one member so funding is always needed.
Ian Tracksell spoke on behalf of the Borden Cemetery and also added items regarding the firefighters. Lynette Schmidt spoke on behalf of minor ball for those four to 18 years. The group holds clinics and has players from four communities. Jennie Thompson spoke on behalf of the Borden Dance Club which attracts dancers from five surrounding towns. The club offers nine genres of dance and has been operating for more than 20 years in Borden.
Gloria Derbowka spoke on behalf of the BCCPC (Community Centre Committee). The committee has seven members and could always use more. She reported spending thousands for new curtains, hall carpeting, tables and chairs and kitchen supplies and now new flooring for the main hall.
Rev Carr spoke on behalf of St. John’s Anglican Church, which holds services every month at the care home. The church is sponsoring two refugee families from Ukraine and Syria and provides Christmas gift cards for needy families.
Peter Thiessen spoke on behalf of the Borden Fellowship Church and the ministerial fund to help needy people He also said Borden Care Home needs visitors to drop in and visit residents. The care home struggled through COVID-19 but is getting more residents now.
Tonia Derksen, on behalf of the RM, reported ongoing road projects. Jamie Brandrick talked of the Highway 16 Fire Commission which includes Dalmeny, Langham, Borden, Radisson, Maymont, Hafford, RM of Great Bend and RM of Mayfield. The organization helps out at highway collisions and fires.
Everyone was encouraged to hand in their information at the village office, then it will be compiled and used for future meetings or given to the groups.
Savannah Sutherland, who attends the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, recently set a new Canadian indoor 400m record of 51.60 at a Big Ten meet in Geneva, Ohio. Savannah has broken three of the U of Michigan track and field records in the 200m, 400m and 4x400m relay, and is in seventh place in NCAA standings. Her spring coach is Steve Rajewsky and her goal for upcoming outdoor meets is to reach the NCAA finals in 400m hurdles and break the U of M record.
