A community potluck supper was held Jan. 4 in the Borden Community Centre to pay tribute to Ken Tanchak, who has retired as RM of Great Bend administrator after serving in that capacity for 33 years.
More than120 from Borden, Radisson and the rural area were on hand for the event, with Reeve Ron Saunders as MC.
Before and while guests were eating, music was played by Bob Wardhaugh on his keyboard. For the program Archie Wainwright, who has been on council since 1978, gave a brief history of the councillors and reeves who have served during Ken's employment with the RM. He took over from Val Scherr on April 1, 1978.
Ron spoke of the years he has worked with Ken, first as councillor in 1985 and Reeve since 1993. Ron said he always found Ken helpful and professional. He describe Ken's skill in applying for and getting grants.
Ron also related a few humorous incidents, including one where Ken caught his tie in the shredder. After telling the tale, Ron presented Ken with a new tie.
Ken was always willing to give a helping hand in the community, Ron said, from being on the hall committee, secretary -treasurer of rhw golf club, to running the bowling alley.
Mayor Dave Buckingham congratulated Ken on behalf of the Village of Borden and presented him with a plaque. Mayor Walter Kyliuk extended congratulations from the Town of Radisson.
RCMP Corporal Gertrude Maxwell thanked Ken for all his help over the years. She said she appreciated what he taught her about the surrounding area.
Roy Saunders thanked Ken for the years he was on the hall committee with him. He said Ken was instrumental in getting the community centre built.
Sandra Long, Village administrator, thanked Ken for all his help getting the bowling alley up and running, for serving on the BCCPC and on the housing board for 23 years.
Ken's daughter, Corinne Szwydky, told her parents she is glad he is retiring so he can spend more time enjoying the cabin they have been working on at Memorial Lake since 1990.
Archie and Peggy Wainwright presented Linda with a gift and a senility prayer was read for Ken. The reeve and councillors in attendance presented Ken with a gift from the RM.
Ken said he will miss interacting with the many residents of the RM that he met on a daily or weekly basis. He listed some of the long term councillors he had served: Archie, Ron, Peter Prystupa, Erwin Hamp, Les Brookman, Ron Bezugly, past reeves Delbert Enns and the late Norm Bronsch. He also had long associations with RM workers Ed Rawlyk and the late Wilmer Wilkie.
Ken introduced the new RM administrator, who has come from the RM of Cody near Kamsack - Barry Hvidston and his wife Shanna and daughter Emilie.
Ken thanked his family for their support over the years and the ratepayers of the RM. He plans to stay in Borden, spend more time travelling in winter and at the lake in summer. He closed by saying that this old goat is officially out to pasture referring to a poster Barry had made inviting everyone to a retirement evening to put the old goat out to pasture complete with picture. Ken said he had more hair than the goat. Ken thanked everyone for 33 wonderful years as administrator and then he and Linda served cake to everyone.
At Borden School, semester exams are Jan. 24 to 27 with no school on Jan. 28. In the next semester the school will be offering wildlife management, taught by Mr. Link. Ms. Harpham will take over Grade 7 and 8 math. Grade 12 students will also be able to take Calculus 30 in Langham on the days the students go to Langham for home economics and industrial arts.
Teacher appreciation week is Feb. 13 to 19 and the winter break is Feb. 21 to 25.
The Breakfast for Learning program is ongoing and muffins are needed for this program. The community council is organizing a babysitting course in late March and first three weeks in April.
Feb. 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Brian Trainor will be at the school doing a workshop on cyber bullying - cyber smart parenting, Facebook safety and other cyber safety issues.
Basketball is ongoing, with junior and senior boys and junior girls playing through January with playoffs in early February . There is also curling available with practices in Radisson Tuesdays and Fridays.
In the band program, Melissa Saunders sold the most poinsettias out of all the students in band. Michael Crabb has been selected to perform with the U of S High School Select Wind Orchestra Jan. 28 to 30.
Radisson Royal Purple met Jan. 3 in the Radisson town office with seven ladies present. Donations were given to Bosco Society and Hafford and District Music Festival. Supreme HRL Nolan of British Columbia plans to visit the Lodge March 7.
The lodge is sponsoring a healthy choices poster and literary contest, which is held provincially but no longer nationally. The ladies and businesses are selling PEACE 100 tickets to help with addictions awareness. The draw is Jan. 29. Lorraine Olinyk and Roberta Harris have $50 tickets with proceeds going to the new Sask. Children's Hospital. Early bird draw for $1,000 is Jan. 29 and top prize of $50,000 will be drawn for Oct. 11.
Since 2011 is the lodge's 35th anniversary, the lodge plans to hold an event in June and invite former members and any other ladies in the surrounding towns.
The lodge raffle was won by Tina Hessell and Happy Birthday was sung to Lorraine, Ellen Cousins and Linda Yuskiw for January.
Bowling resumes at Borden Action Bowl Jan.10 and a new operator is required. Until one is found, Vern and Dianne Sylvester will look after the running of the alley, which has bowling Monday to Wednesday, morning or afternoon and evening. More bowlers need to sign up so all the teams can have five players on each. Call the village office at 997-2134 if you would like to bowl.
