Park's Jewellery, established by Norman Park, has been an integral part of the business community of Yorkton since 1928.

Norman Park first opened his jewellery shop on Third Avenue, approximately where Hometown Cycle and Sports is now located. Later he moved the store to 5 West Broadway.

Norman R. Park was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1889 and as a young man came to Dauphin, Manitoba. With his brother Maurice he apprenticed as a watchmaker.

In 1910 he moved to Kindersley where he met and married his wife Mayme. After a few months residence in Regina, Mr. Park opened a jewellery store in Russell, Manitoba in 1918 and continued to operate the store in Russell until 1926 when he moved to Cranbrook, B.C.

In 1928 he purchased a jewellery store in Yorkton and continued to run the business until his death in 1950.

After his death, his two sons, Earle and Jack, who had been associated with their father in the business, took over the operation of the store, which was then located at 5 West Broadway.

On their retirement, the Park brothers sold the store to Guy Lamb, who later relocated the store to 25 Second Avenue. On the death of Guy Lamb in 1995, his brother Gary Lamb took over the store.

Another second-generation business person has left Yorkton.

Gordon Hallett recently sold out his interest in the Holiday Inn and has retired to Calgary. Son of Keith Hallett, he was born in Saltcoats and came with his family to Yorkton in 1945 when his father bought Yorkton Milling Co. (the mill is still standing at the corner of Beck and Livingstone.)

After he completed high school, he attended the University of Manitoba. On graduation he returned to Yorkton to take over the family business. H sold the business and moved to Red Deer Alberta where he was engaged in real estate, but on 1993 he returned to Yorkton to take over as manager of the Holiday Inn, the position he held until his retirement at the end of February 2000.

Gerry Peppler was one of eight Saskatchewan citizens receiving the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal for 1999.

Born and educated in Yorkton, Gerry has, through her involvement with the Yorkton Fair Board, North Eastern Seed and later with Yorkton Television, had a high profile in the community. After her retirement in1992 from television she expanded her involvement in the community as a volunteer.

Gerry received the YWCA Woman of the Year Distinction Award in 1997.

She is involved with the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers, Shelwin House, Parkland Victim Services, Yorkton Credit Union, the Special Olympics and other community projects.

This latest honor recognizes Gerry's dedication to her community and Saskatchewan.

Jason Parker, a speed skater of world class, was named the 1999 Saskatchewan Male Athlete of the Year.

His parents, Bill and Peggy Parker, picked up his award at a banquet held in Regina since Jason was skating in Japan. This is the second time Jason had been awarded Saskatchewan Male Athlete o f the Year. In 1997 he won this prestigious award for his efforts in the 1995 Canadian Winter Games, along with the Roland Michener Award for Excellence and Leadership Ability.

Jason was born and educated in Yorkton and he is now attending the University of Calgary where he is taking kinesiology, majoring in exercise physiology.

Jason 's aim is to participate in the next winter Olympics and is working hard to reach that goal. His sister Jacki-Lynn Parker is also in Calgary, where she teaches in the Calgary school sytem.