The Borden Care Home addition was officially opened March 16. Chair of the board Craig Hamilton welcomed everyone. He gave a brief history of how it came to be built, starting from the public meetings held and the former Borden Hospital Foundation and trust fund deciding that the money should go to building a personal care home. The first 10-bed facility was built over 10 years ago and, once there was the demand, there was enough money to build an additional six double rooms attached to the original. With that he declared it officially open.
On behalf of the provincial government, MLA Randy Weekes congratulated the board on their addition, saying that one in seven people in Saskatchewan is 65 or older and that will be one in five in just a few years. Weekes then handed out Sask. pins to anyone wanting them.
Guests could tour the new addition, with four of the rooms occupied and two rooms available, while the main building has 10 occupants, with a few new ones coming in the last month or so while three moved into the city.
Plaques were placed on the walls of the hallway joining the two buildings. These are for community supporters: platinum, Laverne Heibert (Dyck) and the Dyck family; gold, Paul Katerynch, Delbert and Evelyn Enns and Murray and Sharon Assman; those giving over $100; corporate sponsors, RMs of Great Bend, Mayfield and Corman Park, Affinity Credit Union, Borden Hospital Foundation and Farm Credit; and community sponsors(any amount); along with two individual plaques from two larger donations from the Ruby Smith and Pete Peterson estates for the first building.
Craig introduced some of the original building committee: Delbert Enns, Clarence Williams, Murray Assman, Linda Dyck and Richard Mireau. He thanked the towns of Borden, Radisson and Langham and the RMs of Great Bend, Corman Park and Mayfield who all contributed. The present board consists of Craig Hamilton, Mary Hunchak, Joe Kasahoff, Richard Mireau, Kirk Maxwell, Doug Boyes, Terry Tkaczyk and Heather Pidwerbesky - manager and treasurer. Guests were then served beverages and dainties and there was more touring of the building.
Radisson TOPS chapter held their election of officers March 15. The slate of officers for 2012-2013 are leader Lorraine Olinyk, co-leader Evelyn Schultz, secretary Vera Nelson and treasurer Tina Hessell, with Doris Hamp appointed as weight recorder and her assistant is Doreen Parker. The new officers take over in April and the awards and installation event will be held in April.
The Borden United Church held a very successful St. Patrick's Day luncheon with a very good attendance to enjoy soup or stew with homemade buns, bread and cookies. Comb Trac Salvage crew came out dressed for the occasion in their St. Patrick's regalia. An afghan donated by Isobel Tracksell was won in a raffle draw by Doreen Parker of Radisson.
The Borden Friendship Club held their business meeting March 14 and upcoming for the club is a Kaiser Tournament March 22 at 7 p.m. with cash prizes. The person to redo the hardwood floor has been chosen and he will do that the week of May 13. The room cannot be rented out for five days to let the floor dry. The annual meeting will be April 11. A nominating committee of Elizabeth Derksen, Ann Brand and Audrey Baker volunteered to get the officers and committees lined up for that meeting.
