麻豆传媒AV

Borden and District Co-op held their supper and 99th annual meeting April 24 in the Borden Community Centre, with the Borden Lions serving supper to about 100 guests.

Welcoming everyone and giving the blessing was board member Gary Nickel. Elected as chairperson was John Buswell and recording secretary, Ruben Rempel.

Al Penner read an article written by Joshua Wake (1914 -53), president when the co-op was first organized by Wake, Bob Hinde and secretary Charlie Orchard. The co-op started out selling wiring, fence posts and twine. A grocery store was built for $35,000 and Weatherby's was purchased store in 1940, which added lumber, coal and hardware to the lineup.

Guests at the meeting were Chris Theoret, retail advisor, Kirk VanKuk, Hepburn Co-op board president and Dusty MacDonald, president of FCL board.

In his president's report Luke Walker talked the vision of the early pioneers who held their first meeting May 29, 1914 to organize a local co-op, and the steps they took to accomplish that goal. They sold 200 shares at $25 each, starteing with fencing materials and twine, later adding coal and petroleum. The organization was named Borden Co-op in the 1940s. Phone service came in 1943. FCL became a supplier in 1951. In 1959 a lumber yard was added. In1965 the grocery store still in operation was built. The coal shed was closed in 1971. During the 1980s and '90s the two stores operated and fuel was delivered.

In the 200s, changes came. The fuel truck was obsolete so a service was shared with Hepburn. In 2010 the card lock opened and was paid off by February of 2013.

Borden now shares a general manager with Hepburn.

Walker said stated he is proud and excited for the co-op now and in to the future and to see the changes implemented over the next 100 years.

Brandy Tracksell had designed four logos for the 100th anniversary. One will be chosen soon.

In his financial statement, general manager Kori Fast said 2013 sales were $4,103,320 and cost of goods sold was $3,733,562, giving a gross margin of $369,758. Expenses were $492,606 showing a loss of operations of $122,848, but with the FCL patronage refund of $327,898 the co-op had a savings before taxes of $205,050.

Income taxes were $16,440, patronage allocations to members were $111,634 and transfer to general reserve of was $76,976. Net savings of $188,610 less the patronage allocation of $111,634 left a total of $209,256 in statutory reserve. The general reserve stands at $873,073 for a balance at year end of $1,082,329.

There are 503 active members, 121 inactive and FCL was appointed auditor for 2014 overseen by Myles, Penney & Norris accountants.

Fast brought greetings from the Hepburn Co-op board, congratulating Borden on 100th anniversary.

MacDonald presented Walker and the Borden Co-op with a inuksuk, a one of a kind sculpture from the Inuit of Arctic Co-op, in recognition of the co-op's 100th year.

The original agreement from 1914 was located, framed and on behalf of the co-op. David Sutherland presented it to Helen Sutherland, to be on display at the Borden Museum, which will have a wall display commeorating the co-op's 100th anniversary during 2014.

Board member Denise Nichol said celebrations will include an old fashioned street festival with 1914 prices, to be held the evening of Thursday, June 19.

Elections were held for directors as Rod Roenspies and Daved Meakin were stepping down after nine years and David Sutherland's term was up. Elected by the nominating committee were David Sutherland, Kendall Redhead and Darryl Wiebe, joining Luke Walker, Gary Nickel, Denise Nichol and Roy Saunders.

Door prizes were won by Brenda Roenspies, Jean Hryniuk, Jean Graham, Reuben Derksen, Joe Kasahoff and Zach Martens.

Borden will be busy the first weekend in May with the farmers' market opening on Friday, May 2 at the fire hall from 11 a.m.to 5 p.m..Saturday, May 3 Grad 2014 have a bottle drive and the 4-H Light Horse have a vet day to get animals vaccinated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.at Alana Gunsch's acreage. The Borden Dance Club have their recital at 7 p.m. on May 3 in the Borden Community Centre and on May 4 there is a potluck supper and Aven Grace concert in the Borden Community Centre with supper at 6 p.m.