The Borden graduation class for 2021 held their ceremonies June 11, starting with a parade around Borden at 1:30 p.m. riding on a hay rack pulled by Ken and Pat Crush’s team of gray quarter horses from Langham.
The five grads – Levi Gough, Takomee Kiskotagan, Jiho Lee, Jade Matte and Emma Usselman – then travelled to the sports grounds for the rest of the ceremonies outside in a tent with invited family and guests present.
Principal Brody Morris introduced the grads as they entered. The valedictorian address was given by Levi Gough and guest speaker was James Lawrence, who had taught in Borden in 2020. Mr. Morris presented the scrolls then thank you speeches were given. Levi thanked the parents and his dad Nathan replied. Jiho gave thanks to the staff and MacKenzie Fisher replied. Jade thanked all the coaches, which was replied to by Nicole Kaufman and Emma rendered thanks to the Grade 10 and 11 class, who were instrumental in arranging everything for the afternoon festivities.
The grads then held a rose ceremony where they gave roses to members of their families. A video presentation showed the five grads through the years of growing up and attending school. Following the video, a recessional was held and then it was off to Saskatoon to take more photos. Later on in the evening they gathered at the home of one of the grads and enjoyed a fireworks display to end the day.
The Borden Co-op held their annual meeting for 2020 on the evening of June 17 in the Borden Community Centre. On hand were the board, staff and a few members. Jamie Brandrick was chairman and Julia Orchard was recording secretary.
In his report, president of the board Luke Walker thanked manager Rob Schmidt and all the staff for their dedication and hard work during 2021, especially having to deal with the pandemic. He thanked the board for their input.
Darrel Wiebe’s FCL delegate report touched on how the strike affected FCL. He noted fuel needs are changing and discussions centre around refinery costs and productivity and the need to change to become profitable.
Schmidt’s report indicated the co-op had 52 new members join in 2020, many from surrounding communities. There was a 46 per cent increase in sales with sales at the grocery store totalling close to $1 million and farm supply sales increased 9.5 per cent. On the petroleum side, 2020 was not so good, with fewer people travelling due to COVID-19 and the drop in the price of fuel in 2020. There were 80,000 fewer litres sold at the cardlock.
Schmidt thanked the Hafford Co-op for supplying bulk fuels and also for making a few deliveries to the cardlock when the strike was on.
Total purchases from FCL were about 98 per cent resulting in a loyalty payment returned to Borden of $90,229 and a patronage refund of $46,397.
The board along with the employees are working on a plan for growth and sustainability for the future.
FCL is developing a program called Co-op Community Spaces to help protect, beautify and improve spaces across Western Canada. Since 2015, co-op has supported 147 projects with $10.5 million in capital funding distributed. In 2021 the program is providing $1 million to 15 projects in Western Canada. Borden is partnering with the Langham multi-use trail development committee and is providing $60,000 for River Edge Trails, a network on the North Saskatchewan River banks near Langham.
Total sales for 2020 were $3,254,947, cost of goods sold was $2,778,025 for a gross margin of $476,922. Expenses were $441,048 and with savings of $35,874 plus FCL allocations of $136,626, savings before income tax were $172,570. Income tax was $16,024, with net savings of $156,546.
Sales at Borden Co-op for 2020 were: general store $953,228 ($650,646 in 2019); farm supply $502,702 ($457,793 in 2019); and petroleum $1,799,017 ($2,265,522 in 2019).
Directors and officers for the ensuing year are: president Darrel Wiebe; vice-president Diane Tracksell; secretary Julia Orchard; manager Robbie Schmidt; and directors Glenn Sutherland, Brett Larsen, Justin Block and Luke Walker. The staff in 2020 consisted of Marlene Kulyk, Cody Greenslade, Melissa Braun, Kandis Brandrick, Danielle Beal, Kristyna Vondrasek, Jade Matte, Dorothy Fouhy and Schmidt.
Savannah Sutherland, daughter of Scott and Sonia of Borden, recently set a new provincial record for the 400M hurdles. Her coach Jason Reindi stated that Savannah holds the most provincial records in the history of the Saskatchewan track and field athletes, and is ranked seventh in the world in her age category. Her other coach is Lee Wolfater, who has worked with her for a few years. This fall Savannah will be attending the University of Michigan on a full athletic scholarship and majoring in biochemistry. Savannah will be attending track meets this summer and will probably land a spot on Canada’s team for the Junior Pan Am games in Columbia in late summer.
Winning the dessert of the month at the Borden Library for May was Alana Gunch and the winner of the 50/50 at the farmers market June 18 was Ruben Rempel.
