The Borden Museum celebrated their 25th anniversary by holding a free supper and entertainment in the Borden Community Centre March 14. Rivers West District for Sport, Culture and Recreation had given a $500 grant to celebrate the occasion.
Close to 150 enjoyed a ham and scalloped potato meal with anniversary cake and ice cream for dessert, prepared and served by the museum board. On display were pop-up articles – that were at least 25 years old – owned by board members, a crocheted tablecloth from early days and a quilt from pioneer days. On each table were handmade luncheon cloths and bouquets of live flowers. A 25th Happy Anniversary banner adorned one wall.
George Walker was MC and gave a bit of history of the museum from June 24, 1990. He introduced the present members: chair Karen Kerr, secretary Helen Sutherland, treasurer Darlene Penner, past president Heather Silcox, Sharon Assman and Wendell Dyck. He noted they are always in need of more members. In 1980 there were 15 on the board. Each year the museum has had a different theme and they need everyone in the area to join them in preserving this rich and diverse heritage.
Helen gave more info on the history of the museum, thanked all board members and volunteers over the years, and thanked the government and Rivers West for funding. She introduced the four summer students who had worked in the museum with the help of a grant from Federal Works Student Employment, except for 2014 when they had to rely on local funding.
MLA Randy Weekes presented Helen with a certificate for 25 years of service from the village, RM and board. Sharon Assman presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
Weekes spoke on behalf of the Saskatchewan government, congratulating Borden on their 25 years of preserving its rich history and being a showcase of community spirit and volunteerism. He extended special thanks to Helen for her commitment and dedication. Then he presented Karen and Darlene with a Saskatchewan flag for the museum.
James Steele, 2013 Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion – first one from the province – with his sister Desiree playing piano, entertained with a number of down east tunes.
Affinity Credit Union staff and board – Dianne Tracksell, Gerry Wainwright and Eric Pearce – presented Darlene and Karen with a cheque for $2,764.85 from the community development fund for communities.
Heather Silcox spoke on the grants available and ones they have received from the government, Sask Lotteries Culture and Sports and Rivers West Region. Then she talked of the legacy of Norman Smith and how funds donated by daughter Ruby had renovated the downstairs of the community centre into the Norman Smith Room, used by the pre-school, for meetings, dance club and others. She presented a framed picture and write-up of Norman Smith to Terry Tkaczyk, on behalf of the Village of Borden. It will be hung outside the room.
James and Desiree then did another set of Irish, Ukrainian and Metis tunes, closing with Orange Blossom Special.
The winners of the 20-plus silent auction items were then announced to close an enjoyable evening.
On behalf of the Borden Lions, Janet Winton presented a cheque for $200 to the Borden Grade 12 class from the proceeds of the soup and sandwich day held in February. Janet also thanked the K – Grade 6 classes who entertained at the community centre that day with songs, readings and skits.
A shower was held March 12 in the Borden Seniors’ Room to honour Ava Maria, daughter of Lyndon and Kayla Block. The head table was decorated with a pink banner with Kayla and Ava printed on it and a bouquet of flowers. Rachel Block was MC, introducing the head table Jeanette Block, Kayla and Ava and Karen Buckingham, Kayla’s mom.
Darlene Gossen read two poems about babies and a tribute to Ava Marie. Kayla had to identify the chocolate bars smeared on diapers to look like dirty diapers, then the many gifts were opened while the guests enjoyed lunch and beverages. Kayla thanked everyone for coming and for the many beautiful outfits, quilts, books, toys and the gift of money.
The Borden Lions held their annual speak-offs March 10 in the Norman Smith Room in the community centre. Lion John Buswell was MC for the evening.
John explained the rules. Any Grade 9-12 student from Borden or Langham was welcome to speak and could talk on any topic in the realm of common decency. Speeches were to be four to six minutes long. This speak-off was for local, district and regional, so the winner would go to the conference in North Dakota at the end of May, to represent Saskatchewan.
John introduced the judges – Perry Nichol, Myron Belej and Tom Redhead – timekeeper Lion Brian Gabrysh and guest Ronald Eweles, chair of the Opportunities for Youth for Multiple District SK5 and North and Â鶹´«Ã½AV Dakota.
First speaker was Shauna Langer, a Grade 11 student from Langham, who spoke on the significance of numbers in school and in social life. Then Chantelle MacLeod, a Grade 12 student from Langham talked of plans for the future and picking a career.
Rachel Sutherland, a Grade 9 student from Borden School, chose as her topic Teenage Dreams and Suicide – signs and symptoms and help available. Emma Prescesky, a Grade 12 student at Borden School, followed and also talked of suicide, on a personal note from losing a friend. She talked of the causes, lack of communications, what to look for and treatments available.
Last to speak was Duncan Sutherland, Grade 12 student from Borden School, who spoke on Earned or Given – about professional athletes who follow in their fathers’ footsteps, giving examples of some great players who have this advantage while others go out and earn their own fame.
While the judges conferred, John gave a brief history on each student and Ron Eweles talked of the Lions – the world’s largest service club with 1.3 million members and 46,000 clubs. He spoke of the work the Lions do worldwide. He also told the students that if the winner could not go to Fargo, N.D., the speech could be downloaded and sent in and judged that way. Dainties and juice were served by the Lions during the break.
On behalf of the judges, Perry Nichol announced the winners and said how the speeches were all very well prepared and that the students had done their homework on their chosen topic. In first place was Emma, who received $280 and the Donald Sutherland Memorial Plaque. She gets to go on to finals. Second was Rachel, getting $230, third was Chantelle who received $180 and Shauna and Duncan each received $55.
