The Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society鈥檚 annual dinner was about the past and the future at the same time. The society is raising money for the next steps for the mill, to make it not only an artifact, but a major part of the city.
鈥淲e鈥檙e reflecting on the history of the mill and other heritage buildings in Yorkton, but looking to the future and possible expansion as well. It鈥檚 all part of the excitement,鈥� said Larry Pearen with the Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society.
The first presentation at the event was YRHS student Maggie Robertson, who produced the film 鈥淭he Yorkton Brick Flour Mill Friends,鈥� which had its premiere screening at the event. The film interviews people involved in the mill, talking about their memories of it, the history of the society and why it鈥檚 worth preserving. Pearen said that their goal was to reach out and get young people interested.
鈥淲e need youth involvement, but they have to understand the project to get involved. We are hoping that with her initiative, maybe others step up and say 鈥渉ey, this is a good idea鈥� and move it forward.鈥�
The second speaker at the event was Scott Shiels, procurement manager for Grain Millers in Yorkton, presenting on the Past, Present and Future of Grain Millers. They鈥檙e in the same business now as the mill itself was in years ago 鈥� though at a much larger scale 鈥� and Pearen is thrilled that they were diamond sponsors at the event.
Grain Millers did more than speak at the meal, also donating $25,000 to the project.
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to see an international company like that step up,鈥� Pearen said.
The dinner is growing each year, said Pearen. Starting at 250 the first year, the most recent dinner saw over 320 people attend.
Beyond the dinner, the society wants to see what the community wants, and it wants to engage people and get their ideas for what the site could be. The next event for the Heritage Society will be on Oct. 10 at the Yorkton Public Library, with Royce Pettyjohn, who will talk about using heritage buildings as an economic driver.
Pearen thanks everyone for making the evening, and the project overall, a success.
鈥淚 want to thank all the businesses and people who are supporting us with donations. The business community has been outstanding about stepping up, and I hope everybody will shop locally and support local businesses, because they鈥檙e the heart and soul of the community.鈥�
