As another year quickly draws to a close, we tend to look back.

Last year at this time everyone was looking forward to the beginning of a new century. Remember all the dire things that were predicted? We were so hyped up about what might happen, that when the year came in and life went on as usual, everyone was half disappointed.

The last year has been good to me. Through the internet have met many who formerly lived in or around Yorkton and who, through Dick DeRyk's myYorkton web site, have written to me saying my column has brought back memories of their stay in Yorkton.

A recent letter from Diana Taylor, who wrote on behalf of her mother Marion (MacLeay) Hume, recalled that Mrs. Hume was born in Yorkton in 1915 and attended Victoria and Burke Schools and graduated from the Yorkton Collegiate Institute.

After taking a business course she worked in the Graham Morrison legal office until her marriage to Gordon Hume, who was in the airforce in 1942.

Mrs. Taylor was born at the Queen Victoria hospital in Yorkton in 1942 and after the war the family moved to Campbell River, B.C.

Mrs. Taylor said she and her sister grew up on her mother's "Yorkton Yarns." From 1968 through the 1970s Mrs. Hume organized a Yorkton re-union get together in Victoria in Beacon Hill Park.

There are still YCI re-unions on the west coast. This past summer one such reunion was held in Comox at Les and Lucille Osborne's home.

"Transplanted Yortonites seem to share a special bond," said Mrs. Taylor.

Another email came from Jim Dean, son of Phil and the late Marie Dean of Yorkton.

Jim, after 35 years in education, retired two years ago. At the time of his retirement he was Superintendent with the Calgary Board of Education.

He spends his retirement years travelling, doing contract work and volunteering with the Calgary Stampede.

Living in a condo, he does not have to do yard work or shovel snow.

He said the column brings back wonderful memories about the "best little city on the prairies".

From Massett in the Queen Charlotte Islands was a recent message from Dave and Tracy Forai.

Dave was the economic development officer at Canora before he came to Yorkton as the manager of the Business Resource Centre.

He left the Resource Centre to become economic development officer of Massett in the Queen Charlotte Islands. He is now Chief Administration officer for the Municipality, as well as economic development officer.

The salmon fishing was great this year and they have their freezer full of such goodies.

Colin Brown of White Rock, B.C. sent an email saying he had enjoyed the myYorkton web site and the columns over the past six months. He was born in Yorkton in 1921. His father was with Canada Customs until his retirement in 1948.

Colin left Yorkton in 1939 to attend school in Toronto. In 1940 he joined the navy. and never returned to live here.

However he, along with his sister Joyce and brother Les, have been coming back to Yorkton in the June of each year for a few days of golf at the Deer Park Golf Course, where each learned the game as a child.

He said that Yorkton has changed over the years, but the people are still very friendly and they enjoy their annual get together.

In reply to a recent column about him, Perry Ehrlich writes that he has wonderful memories of Yorkton. Though he has not been back to Yorkton for some years, he brought his daughter here about eight years ago and she was overwhelmed with the friendliness of the people.

He states that life has been good to him and it is a real challenge combining his legal career with his musical activities, "but the music and kids bring me so much joy that it is worth the time."

Future plans include concerts, a possible tour, adjudicating at music festivals and in March will be co-ordinating the opening ceremonies of the World Figure Skating Championships.

Letters from other former Yorktonites and other friends will be the subject of a future column.

To all the many people who have phoned, written or stopped me on the street, I am glad that the columns have brought back memories of Yorkton and I thank you so much for your comments.

To Dick, thank you for allowing me to be part of your web site. Your inspiration and prodding have brought me happiness and a purpose.

To all a Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring happiness to you and yours.