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Sargent family history on display at the museum

Borden and Radisson News

A baby shower was held at the home of Graham and Gloria Derbowka on Aug. 1 to welcome Jonah Rhys, new son of Jillian Golding and Dana Derbowka born July 12.

Adventures at the Borden Museum was held Aug. 4 and featured was the Sargent family history. Jonathon Sargent and his sister Laura Unruh spoke of their grandfather, Sydney Sargent, who emigrated to Canada from England in the early 1900s, He planned to join the North West Mounted Police in Ontario, but didn’t meet the height requirement. He then travelled west to Saskatchewan and homesteaded southwest of Borden. He married the neighbour’s daughter, May Louise Bradshaw, and they raised six children.

Sydney enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1916, was injured and sent home after 13 months overseas. He was no longer able to farm, so he opened the Pioneer Harness Shop in Borden. He fixed harnesses and leather goods and sold some dry goods until 1963.

Sydney’s daughter Madge married Tom Wensley of Borden, Fred moved to Dorintosh, Dora died at age 16, Pearl lived in Borden for many years and Gwen married and moved to Toronto.

Elmer married Jessie Tracksell in 1942 and lived west of Borden where they farmed. They founded Sargent’s Holiday Farm in 1967 and it was operated for 42 years, carried on by their daughter Laurie.

Their son, William (Karen), was the postmaster in Borden until retiring to Vancouver Island.

Son Jonathon married Leanne Sutherland and they live west of Borden on an acreage that was part of Elmer’s land and across the road from Sargent Holiday Farm.

Jonathon and Laura told of many incidents in the lives of their grandparents and parents and passed around photos, albums, poems Jessie wrote and postcards sent home from the war.

This Saturday, Renee Walker will be at the museum talking about nature in the local area.

A bridal shower was held Aug. 5 in the Borden Friendship Centre to honour Kelsey Derksen, daughter of Dennis and Tonia Derksen of Borden, who is to be married Aug. 19 in Dalmeny. MC was Erin Medforth, cousin and maid of honour. Winning prizes in the contest held were Ruby Wall and Sandra Long.

The café at Borden has opened with a new owner and is called T-Roy’s Sugarshack and Coffeeshop. The owner is Vern Acoose from rural Langham and manager is his sister Madeline Scrimbitt from rural Borden, with chef Christopher Klaassen and waitress Alex Acoose, daughter of Vern. For now they will be open Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. They will have a limited menu to start with, but will expand the menu as required. The community welcomes them as the café has been closed for more than a year.

St. John’s Anglican Church will be holding the dedication of their memorial garden with cement table and chairs placed east of the church, on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 11:30 a.m., following the 10:30 service by Rev. Sheldon Carr. A barbecue lunch will follow. Everyone is welcome to the service and dedication or just the dedication and lunch.

Aug. 5 was Rev. Carr’s first service after surgery a few months back. At the service Bonnie Millman presented the large Bible from Maymont Anglican Church to St. John’s at Borden. Maymont Church has closed and was desecrated a few weeks ago. George Abbott presented the church with a pair of silver vases that he had repaired and polished that had been in the Radisson Anglican Church at one time. There will be no service Aug. 12.

Radisson Agricultural Fair is this Saturday and Sunday, with exhibit entries being assembled in the evening of Friday or by 11 a.m. Saturday for judging in the afternoon. There will be a parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The weekend also features slo-pitch ball tournament both days, children’s activities, vintage tractor pull Sunday afternoon, food booths and a beer garden. There will be no gymkhana or light horse events due to swamp fever in the area.