Borden had a busy day June 16, with the trade show set up in the community centre. There were 28 displays set up. Winning door prizes at the trade show were Christine Boucher, Gayle Wensley, Sophia Hvidston, Shirley Jacobsen, Cyril Saunders, Cory Funk, Levi Gough twice, Anne Palmer, Vivian Elliot, Ivan Youchezin, Renita Saunders, Jason Graham, Silas Gough, Vanessa Wensley, Shelly Hawes and Lottie Petriew. The Borden firefighters had their truck and rescue unit on display and they served souvlaki on a bun in the afternoon in front of the hall.
The Borden Memorial Park and Prairie Lily Walking Trail were officially opened at 11:30 a.m. with guest speakers Mayor Dave Buckingham; the honourable Randy Weekes, Biggar MLA; Jamie Branderick, president of parks and recreation; and Rita Smith and Eileen Petrun of the Friendship Club telling how they got the money, who all worked on the project from schoolchildren up to the seniors, and how it is for everyone to enjoy, not just Borden residents.
The project was mainly funded by a grant from the federal New Horizons for Seniors with the Borden Seniors' Club, along with the parks and recreation board applying for and receiving the amount of $26,000. After the ribbon cutting everyone walked or drove up to the concession booth at the sports ground to enjoy free hotdogs, ice cream and beverages, courtesy of the seniors and parks and rec board.
Everyone gathered around the water treatment plant at 2:30 p.m. Jamie Branderick, village councillor, welcomed everyone and spoke of the process of building the plant and the benefits to the village, then read a letter from the honourable Lynn Yelich, MP, on behalf of the federal government. Randy Weekes, MLA for Biggar, spoke of the safe, clean drinking water that everyone can now enjoy and the grant from the Building Canada Fund to improve infrastructure, such as Borden received to further the growth of the village.
Mayor Dave Buckingham thanked the past council: mayor John Rawlyk, Frank Silcox, Heather Schroeder and Terry Tkaczyk for starting the project - especially Frank for his input and travels to the city with no charge. He also thanked the present council and staff for all their hard work: Tony Beaudry, Jamie Branderick, Ian Tracksell and Terry Tkaczyk along with administrator Sandy Long, assistant Darlene Sperling and Barry Hvidston, RM and village administrator, maintenance Peter Thiessen and Don Hebig. Dave also thanked the provincial and federal governments for the funding and all the suppliers.
He then spoke of the last five years - of two new wells with new lines replaced to the wells, power and radio controls, five blocks of the village water lines replaced, building the plant with 80,000 gallons storage and backup generator installed. He especially thanked Jim Buckingham from Shellbrook, who worked on the plant for over a year getting it all back on budget, oversaw the plant and trained Don Hebig to run it. Dave also thanked Scott Sutherland for all his work and the residents for their patience in waiting for everything to be in place.
Ian Tracksell then presented Jim Buckingham with a special hard hat - on top was the word Borden, with a well at one end pouring out rusty water, going through the letters which looked like pipes and ending with a gush of clean water. Also on the front was his new nickname, Double Rum Jim. Jim thanked the village council for all their help and outlined the stages that he went through to completion. The plant was then officially opened with Jim cutting the ribbon. Everyone went inside to tour the plant and to enjoy clean cold water and cupcakes.
The Borden Friendship Club invited other clubs for a program and supper June 12, with 18 of those 55-plus from Maymont and Radisson, 39 from Borden and five with the entertainment. Eileen Petrun welcomed everyone, then Ed Neufeld told a joke and introduced the entertainment from Radisson - Jack Karpan on steel guitar, Erwin Hamp on bass guitar and Russ Fountain who played guitar and did all the vocals. The group performed two sets. After a coffee break and a few more jokes from Ed, Rose Mandziak of Borden sang five songs. Door prizes were given out to all 23 guests and ten of the seniors from Borden, then Dianne and Ed Rawlyk and Bernice Buell served a hot supper with ham, potatoes, salads, veggies and dessert.
The Borden Community Centre preservation committee are busily raising funds to renovate the large basement room, putting in a washroom and dressing rooms. Their last fundraiser was the perogy supper and silent auction held June 1 along with Diefenbaker Days. It was very successful, thanks to the ladies who helped make the 1,500-plus perogies and to everyone who attended and for the many donations for the silent auction. Thanks to the community, they are much closer to completing their renos. The committee also looked after taking the bookings for the trade show June 16 and received the silver collection at the door.
Borden School kindergarten class held their grad June 14 in the school gym with graduates Owen Dyck, Liam Faith, Julia Siebert and Matthais Boucher. The kindergarten, Grade 1 and 2 sang an action song, Kindergarten Rock, then teacher Miss Jackie Corbett talked about the students and how she enjoyed them so much this past year. The Grade 1 and 2 students then performed for the graduates with You Have a Friend In Me! Miss Corbett presented scrolls to each student and roses to give to their moms. They then went to their classroom for a PowerPoint presentation of the kindergarten students throughout the year, followed by snacks and refreshments.
