Over 70 second, third and fourth generation descendants (aged three weeks to over 70) of Christian and Carrie Pederson, who farmed in the Thistledale district east of Borden from 1933 to the 1950s, gathered for a reunion over the Labour Day weekend at the home of Gloria and Graham Derbowka. Attending were descendants from six of the eight Pederson children, including ones from deceased sisters Agnes Orchard, Gladys Piprell of Borden and Mabel Hansen of Radisson.
Relatives, many who met for the first time, gathered to reminisce, visit and eat; look at old photos and family trees; play games and swim, plus visit Foster's Store and the museum in Borden. The highlight was a slo-pitch ball game where Aggie's Angels defeated Lloyd's Lions in a close, fun-filled game.
Out-of-town relatives travelled from B.C., Alberta, Ontario and points in Saskatchewan. Everyone returned home with more family history, photos, commemorative mugs and some chokecherry jelly.
Travis Waldner from Langham brought his four-hitch team of black Percherons to the Borden threshing site Sept. 14 and, after hitching them up to a McCormick Deering binder, managed to make many bundles of wheat sheaves in preparation for Sept. 28, Borden's 27th annual threshing day.
Doing the stooking was Stu Walton, Mel Brooke, Bill Fairbrother, Frank Block, Cyril Saunders, Travis's partner Jody, with Judy Martin and Jane Newbold trying their hand at it for awhile. Daylan Matechuk of Borden, along with his young son Gage, ran a John Deere tractor and ploughed a few start furrows for when they will plough with horses Sept. 28.
The gates open at 10 a.m., two miles north of the cemetery. The parade is at noon and the cook car will be open to enjoy borsch, bread and beverages. Horse-drawn events start at 12:30 p.m. with threshing around 2 - 2:30 p.m. There will be other demonstrations such as wood sawing, stationery engines, etc. The Borden Museum is open 3 - 7 p.m. and the harvest roast beef supper in the hall by coal oil lantern is from 5 - 7 p.m., with doors open soon after 4 p.m. to buy tickets.
A bridal shower was held Sept. 14 in the seniors' room to honour Samantha Boyes. The tables were tastefully decorated with white cloths with wedding rings and crystals scattered on top and orange, purple, white, blue and pink flower centrepieces.
Stephanie Baker was MC and Yasha and Jenna Mikituk had a purse scavenger hunt. The guests were divided into three groups and had to make a bride's dress from toilet paper, with Samantha and her mother Janet being the judges. Each model won a candleholder for the most traditional, the most modern and the most oriental dresses.
Joy Vaal, who has known Samantha and Andrew Harness, the groom, since they were young, quoted scriptures on righteousness, purity, being merciful and wished them a happily married life. More tributes were given to Samantha on being a good listener, very friendly, musical and encouraging to best friends, then the blessing was given and everyone enjoyed lunch. The gifts were opened and Samantha thanked all the ladies for coming, for the lovely gifts and to those who arranged the program.
With school back in full swing, there are a few new teachers in Borden School and two new bus drivers. Because there is quite a large enrollment for kindergarten, they are going to be with Grade 1 and Grade 2 will be in with Grade 3 and 4. Enrollment at Borden is just under 100 students.
Homeroom teachers are K-1 - Jacqueline Corbett; Grades 2, 3 and 4 - Baylee Gabora; Grade 5, 6 - Jenn Leonew, Grade 7, 8 - Terri Troupe-Logue, Grade 9, 10 - Shaun Dyck, Grade 11, 12 - Mitch Luiten and high school - Nicole Kaufman. Teacher/librarian is Shaun Dyck and principal is Dean Broughton.
Admin assistants are Sonia Sutherland and Elise Meister, counsellor Darcy Rathgeber, custodian Marylee Mikituk, SWEEP is Kelly Bararuk and educational associates are Carol Crabb, Sheri Sutherland, Gwen Dyck, Linda Yuskiw, Trina Mireau and Debra Matt.
The bus drivers are Peter Thiessen, Perry Nicol, Wilmer Rempel, Randy Swab and, for band, Kelly Wall. Division band instructor is Kendra Worman and, at Borden, Ms. Michelle Styles and driver education is Ted Kiryakos.
Due to provincial regulations there is added instruction time with period 1 starting at 8:50 a.m., noon hour running from 12 - 12:45 p.m. and the school day ending at 3:15 p.m., with no early dismissal Thursdays.
Junior girls' and senior boys' volleyball teams are practising and going to tournaments. Cross-country runners are training with meet dates Sept. 12 at Unity, Sept. 16 at Langham, Sept. 24 at Biggar and the division meet Oct. 2 in Delisle with provincials Oct. 12 in Medstead.
Borden Dance Club starts lessons in the Borden Community Centre and Seniors' Room Sept.16 and the Busy Bees Preschool Co-operative starts Sept. 19 in the Norman Smith Room at the community centre with Kendall Redhead as teacher. So far 13 children are registered.
The Borden School Community Council trade fair is Sept.18 in the community hall at 6:30 p.m.
The Borden 4-H Light Horse Club also has registration this week, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at the home of Alana Gunch.
