Ken Mayhew, long time reporter and editor of the Yorkton Enterprise, became a legend not only in this community, but within the newspaper industry.

Each week Ken chronicled the events of Yorkton. Typing with two fingers on a manual upright typewriter, he would literally fill the pages of the weekly newspaper singlehandedly.

Ken and his cocker spaniel Vickie were a common sight on the streets of Yorkton. Vickie, like Mary's little lamb, went everywhere that Ken went, whether it was a sporting event or a council meeting.

As a reporter, no local event was too insignificant, which meant he was busy six and sometimes seven nights a week. Besides reporting on meetings and events, Ken wrote a weekly sports column, and his Kenny Says column discussed various topics of general interest.

Ken was born in Renfrew, Ontario and while at school was Renfrew's correspondent for the Ottawa Citizen and the Toronto Star. He came to Yorkton in 1928 as a reporter for the Yorkton Enterprise. He moved up to associate editor, and then in 1952 was named editor by Sam Wynn, publisher of the newspaper.

Ken was active in the provincial and national weekly newspaper associations and was on the executive of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association.

Ken loved Yorkton and all who lived here. He became involved in all aspects of the community and served the community well.

Ever mindful of the needs of the less fortunate, Ken started the Enterprise Empty Stocking fund. Before Christmas each year the ladies of the Yorkton Benevolent Society would meet in the basement of the Enterprise building and make up hampers to be distributed to needy families.

Ken's love of sports led him to be president of the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association. His interest and efforts were recognized by a trophy--the Ken Mayhew Trophy--for the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey Association.

The Rotary Club had a special place in Ken's heart and he was involved in Rotary International as well as the Yorkton Rotary Club. He served as president of the local club.

Ken was the 45th president of the Yorkton Board of Trade (now known as the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce).

Ken's repect for all religions and his friendship with Father Athol Murray lead him to become a governor of Notre Dame College in Wilcox.

Ken was most generous with his time for young and green reporters. When I took over the Leader-Post Bureau in 1959 he was my mentor.

Soon after taking over as a reporter, ceremonies marking the coming of natural gas to Yorkton were to take place, including a cocktail party and dinner. I mentioned to Ken that as a lone woman I would not be attending.

He turned to me and sternly said, "As a reporter you are not a woman, you are nothing but the connection between the spoken and the written word. As a reporter you will go where and when there is a story."

At the time I felt he was a bid harsh, but on thinking it over, it was the best piece of advice I had ever had.

When the late King George and Queen Elizabeth stopped at Melville on their 1939 tour of Canada, Ken was there.

It was late at night and after covering the story Ken, with his trusty typewriter on his lap, wrote the story in the car on his way back home to Yorkton. With the co-operation of his back room staff, he had the Royal Edition of the paper out for subscribers early in the morning.

Ken's father James lived with Ken and and his wife Doris. Mr. Mayhew Sr. was part of the Enterprise family. The close relationship between father and son was severed on the death of Mr. Mayhew in January 1960. Ken's death in May of 1960 left a hole in the fabric of the community that was hard to fill.

Mayhew Drive, extending from East Broadway past the Parkland Mall to York Road, is named for Ken.