District No. 9 held their annual Royal Purple meeting in Asquith Elks Hall April 9, with 34 ladies from the five lodges - Allan, Asquith, Radisson, River City and Saskatoon - in attendance for lunch and then meeting at 1 p.m. Attending from Radisson OORP#347 were Audrey Baker and Lorraine Olinyk. The meeting was presided over by District Deputy Lynda McWatters from Saskatoon OORP #46. At the meeting it was decided to dispense with a District Deputy but continue to have an annual meeting, which will be in Radisson in 2012. The Lodge HRL will run the meeting. Friendship night, an informal fun get-together, will be in Allan June 15, 2011.
Draping of the Charter in memory of departed sisters was done beautifully by the Saskatoon ladies and Bettye Collins sang Just as I Am. Bettye Collins highlighted a 37-page document on the future of Royal Purple and what will be happening up to the year 2014. Cricket Coates and Vi Rathje highlighted events held by the Saskatchewan Royal Purple Association. Guest speakers at the meeting were Jay Richards, who spoke on teasing and bullying along with cyber bullying and the anti-bullying programs in place in Saskatoon. National Pink Day, April 13, is a day when everyone is encouraged to wear something pink. In Saskatoon there was to be a flag raising and rallyat City Hall, as well as an evening vigil.
Also speaking was Nicole White of Aids Saskatoon, who spoke about HIV in Saskatchewan and of the number of homeless people in the cities. Aids Saskatoon started 25 years ago to help people "Die With Dignity" and they now have an extensive outreach program to help the infected and the affected. This nationally chronic disease kills people within two to six years of being diagnosed and only about 50 per cent of those infected are on medication. In one year the YWCA in Saskatoon turned away 3,200 people looking for shelter. (photo)
Lorraine Olinyk represented Radisson TOPS at the TOPS Provincial Recognition Days in Saskatoon April 8 and Jean Sawchyn was the Radisson representative the next day. Friday afternoon guest speaker Andrew Down spoke on motivation in everyday life and regional director Sandra Seidlitz spoke on the FISH! philosophy of bringing fun into your everyday life. The evening session consisted of KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) ceremonies - Kops longevity awards, graduation, reinstatement and alumni, with some members being KOPS for 38 years. Then all the KOPS lit their flashlights for the Circle of Light while a solo was sung to pay tribute to them.
Saturday was Chapter royalty, previous royalty and introductions of the 2010 incoming royalty. After lunch Sandra Seidlitz spoke, followed by the chapter awards - best average weight loss and no gain chapters. The New You and Century Club parade was followed by a workshop on gentle path yoga. The day ended with an invitation to Provincial Recognition Days 2012 in Regina and raffle draws. (photo)
The Borden Community Centre Preservation Committee held a Borden Has Talent program in the Centre April 10 with ten contestants showcasing their talent. Matt Fairbrother was emcee and introduced each act. All contestants performed, followed by an intermission with cookies and beverages and collecting of more pledges, before they went back on stage for another series of ten acts.
First up was Avery Fairbrother on guitar and vocals and Dylan Sargent on drums. They performed Jungle Baby and Knocking on Heaven's Door, then Chloe Redhead sang True Friend and, for her second set, American Girl. Next up was Savannah Sutherland who danced a tap and then jazz number. Melissa Saunders showed off her whip-cracking skills - single, synchronized, fancy and precise, then rode a unicycle and did whip cracking while riding around the hall.
Ten students from Kindergarten - Grade 4 sang two action songs, This Land is My Land and Springtime is Merry, followed by Clayton Weibe playing the piano, four selections the first set and three after intermission. Tyler Golding displayed his magic tricks with cards, bending a steel fork, and giving correct answers written down for questions from the audience. Then JaeLynn Bagu (nee Rempel) sang Broken Wing and How Great Thou Art. Aryn Polichuk and Jessi Gilchrist entertained first with Aryn on piano and Jessi playing flute, then Jessi playing piano and Aryn guitar. The last act was Lyndon Block playing guitar for his brother Tarrell to sing I'm Yours, Don't Stop Believing and Simple Man. During the second intermission while the pledges were being tabulated, JAM - Jamie, Avery and Matt - entertained with guitar and singing.
The total amount raised in pledges was $3,426.00 and the door and cookie sales came to $750. The prizes were determined by the amount of money raised. Getting first and 20 per cent of their pledges was Lyndon and Tarrell Block; second and getting 15 per cent of his pledges was Tyler Golding; and in third was JaeLynn Bagu who got 10 per cent of her pledges. Each of the remaining seven contestants received 5 per cent of what they brought in for pledges.
A thank you and small gifts were given to Matt for emceeing and Tom Wensley for computer tabulating. Thank you to Affinity Credit Union for donations from Community Spirit Fund and from Casual Day Fund, to Lyndon Block for designing programs and Block's Agencies/Subway for all the cookies. A salute needs to go to the hardworking BCCPC who put on fundraising events to improve the Centre for everyone to enjoy. (photos)
