The Borden Lions held a western theme night Feb. 27 when District Governor Garry Joeko and his wife Gail paid a visit. MC John Buswell introduced invited guests Mayor Tom Redhead and Kendall, RM administrator Valerie Fendelet and her husband and three past district governors. Lion Sharon Assman gave the blessing and everyone enjoyed a roast beef dinner.
Toast to the Queen was given by Brian Gabrysh, and to Lions International by Stephen Derbawka. The Lions received their charter in May, 1981, so are celebrating 35 years of service in 2016. Charter members still active are Donald and Wendell Dyck, Bob Wardhaugh and Archie Wainwright. There are 23 members at present. A moment of silence was held for Lion Judy Dyck who passed away last fall.
John announced some of their events 鈥� the Mother鈥檚 Day brunch for diabetes, hosting Remembrance Day, Festival of Christmas Music and the Harold Empey visit with 鈥淛ust in Case鈥� binders. The 2015 scholarship was won by Aryn Polichuk of Borden. They also take part in Tag Day for Diabetes, sell CNIB calendars and do local catering.
John introduced District Governor Garry who spoke on what the Lions do locally and internationally. Next year the Lions celebrate 100 years. He encouraged people to get involved in your community, be daring and adventurous 鈥� be a Lion, recruit new members and teach them how to be a good Lion and to be leaders so they can go out in the world and build a better society. He also talked of Lions鈥� workshops, conventions, the work Lions do with guide dogs, STARS, the eye bank, the LCI Foundation, diabetes, children鈥檚 hospital and much more. And the Lions Pride magazine has gone digital.
DG Joeko then inducted four new members into the Borden Club and, along with their sponsors, gave them a pin and certificate 鈥� Pat and Perry Nicol, Brian Gabrysh and Claudia Dyck. Audrey Baker was absent due to illness. A DG pin and personal banner were given to the Borden Club and each new member also got his pin. LIC Monarch Chevron pins were given to the 35-year members 鈥� Don, Wendell, Bob and Archie. One will be sent to Murray Taylor and a 15-year pin for Judy Dyck was given posthumously to Wendell. John Buswell presented Borden鈥檚 banner and a donation to DG Joeko.
The entertainers 鈥� Bob Wardhaugh on keyboard, Archie Wainwright singing and Ed Neufeld on guitar 鈥� with the help of guests, sang Borden Lions Fa la la la and Lions Whippenpoof Song. John told of projects the local Lions do for fundraising and what they donate to locally and outside the community; then the trio began an evening of singing many western or cowboy songs and the guests could sing along using the overhead.
The Borden Friendship Club celebrated February birthdays Feb. 24 with over 45 out for the potluck supper. Blowing out the candles on the cake/ice cream brought by Dianne Rawlyk and Lorraine Olinyk was Mavis Blenkhorn.
The program was Jody Giesbrecht playing guitar and singing songs he has composed such as聽 Watch the Day Unfold, When the Fire Burns and About Trucking, along with gospel songs including I Saw the Light, I鈥檒l Fly Away and Just a Closer Walk with Thee. Jody and his family live by the CN tacks and train bridge at Ceepee, just north of Highway 16 and the Borden Bridge. He has worked for the Walkers at Borden, but also has a job in Saskatoon and plays in a band.
The Friendship Choir also sang a few pieces including Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Sentimental Journey, Old Rugged Cross and Mocking Bird Hill.
The artists of the month for March are Lew and Ruby Wall with rock/antler paintings, saw blade paintings, quilts, etc.
The last few nights yours truly has been watching our grandson Duncan Sutherland play volleyball in the Pacwest Provincials in Abbotsford, B.C. Their team, the COTR Avalanches, won the quarter-final, lost in the semifinal and played for the bronze medal, but lost out in a closely matched game. The COTR girls鈥� volleyball team, ranked sixth in the league, took out the third seed, second seed and beat the number one seed in five sets in the final game to take the gold medal for the first time in the college鈥檚 history. They are off to Holland, P.E.I. for the nationals in March.
Glenn, Sheri and Rachel flew out to see the games and it was neat seeing them on the screen in two of the games; they didn鈥檛 know I was keeping track of them.
Sheri, who is my youngest, will turn the big 50 March 8, so give her a call now she is over the hill!
