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The Borden Co-op held their 101st annual meeting preceded by a roast beef supper served by the Borden Lions Club to 90 guests April 26.

John Buswell was nominated chairman and Ruben Rempel recording secretary. President of the board Luke Walker welcomed everyone and introduced Randy Graham, District 11 director elect.

Walker reported on the co-op today, talking about the aging buildings and the cost of  maintenance. Each store had a loss in 2015, as has the card lock due to lower fuel prices. He said the co-op has to learn from the past and look to the future, so the board will be considering ways to reduce costs in the upcoming year, always protecting the members’ equity.

Walker thanked General Manager Kori Fast for his work, sharing management at the two stores and also the staff. He closed by saying the co-op can only be as good as the members make it, urging members to shop locally.

Graham reported the Federated Co-op sales are down in 2015 due to the fuel deflation. He also gave a brief history of what he does.

Fast went through the auditor’s report and financial statements including renovations at the stores. He said so many shopping in the cities of Saskatoon and North Battleford, spending over $2 million, is why the local co-op cannot make a profit.

He said if members lose their store, it will affect the donations to the school and community organizations. He also pointed out someone will need to help the people who do not drive to get their supplies.

Fast said options may be fewer hours, close one or both stores or amalgamate. He explained the local co-op does not want to purchase elsewhere than Federated as a patronage refund would be lost. That refund was $170,378 in 2015. He added that if it were not for the Federated refund every year, Borden Co-op would have been closed a long time ago.  

For 2015, sales were $3,204,111, down from over $4 million in 2014. Cost of goods sold was $2,823,683, leaving a gross margin of $380,625, but expenses were $387,625 with the Federated refund of $170,378 the net savings were $173,114 after income tax of $12.395 paid.

Members received a patronage allocation of $38,101, while in 2014 they received nothing.

Auditors Myers, Norris and Penney were appointed for 2016 and Roy Saunders was re-nominated to the board. On the board are Luke Walker, president; Gary Nickel, vice-present; Denise Nichol, secretary; and directors Darrel Wiebe, Kendall Redhead and David Sutherland. 

Winning door prizes were Ron Bezugly, Murray Assman, Bill Shukin, John Petrun, Gerry Wainwright, Dave Parchoma and Darryl Walker.

A bridal shower honouring Candice Burnett was held April 26 in the Borden Seniors’ Room. Grandmother Jean Hryniuk sat at the guest register and Heather Burnett introduced the head table – Candice and bridesmaids Taylor Derbowka and Brittany Anweiller. Bridal shower bingo was held with Ann Brand the winner and a wedding word jumble with Sandi Long the winner. Taylor read a poem, Wishes for You, then the gifts were presented along with a cash card from the community. While gifts were opened the guests enjoyed lunch and beverages, then Candice thanked everyone for attending and for all the many lovely gifts.

The Borden Friendship Club held their monthly potluck supper April 27, with more than 60 out for the meal and more came for the program. President Eileen Petrun introduced visitors and welcomed everyone. Blowing out the candles on the cakes brought by Laura Loeppky and Martha Rempel were Ann Brand, Anna Elliot, Mary Thiessen, Ed Neufeld, Stan Foster, Ron Suderman, Larry Trischuk and Bob Wardhaugh. Ice cream was supplied by Claudia Dyck, Art Flath and Ed Neufeld.

Following dessert, the Borden Lions president John Buswell introduced the program for the evening. Playing piano were Levi Gough of Borden, Kacey Tkatchuk from Hafford, Aryn Polischuk from Borden, son of Dale Polischuk, and Terry Wik. Playing flute was  Jessie Gilchrist from Perdue, daughter of Ian and Patsy Gilchrist, who were at the event.

Levi, in Grade 3 Royal Conservatory of Music, played The Pink Panther and Sleeping Dragon. Kacey Tkachuk, Grade 9 RCM, played Sionfonia No. 6 in E Major (J.S. Bach) and Arabesque No. 1 (C.Debussu). Aryn played Mozart Sonata in A Minor and The Last Lullaby, then Aryn accompanied Jessie for Mucryiski Sonato for flute and piano and Jessie played Rachmarinoff Etude in Eb+ as a solo.

John then presented Aryn with the Borden Lions $500 scholarship for post-secondary education. Aryn has completed his second year at the University of Brandon in music and Jessie also attends the Brandon University in music. The Borden Lions scholarship is for students in second year of post-secondary education who graduated from Borden or Langham School or were home schooled. When Langham Lions folded they gave funds left to Borden, which is used for the scholarships. Past winners are 2006 and 2008 - Kerry Buswell, 2007 - Robyn Sherstibitoff, 2009 - Daniel Hunchak, 2011 - Shelby Ruel and Briar Kane, 2012 - Stephanie Derbawka, 2013 - Raquel Nickel, 2014 - Tyrell Sargent and 2015 - Nicole Tracksell.

Danika Pidwerbesky and Rachel Sutherland, from Borden School, play Club Volleyball with Waldheim United 16U girls and this past weekend they were playing in provincials in Saskatoon. Waldheim United won the silver medal in Division 2 Tier 2. Natalie Anderson from Borden also plays with them but was away for these games.