The sound of a vintage train whistle kicked off the 91Ô´´ Pioneer Banquet on Saturday, June 8.
Emcee Jim McGregor blew the whistle loaned by Grace Muller, a longtime volunteer with the B.C. Farm Museum.
The banquet was moved to Seniors' Week this year, instead of its traditional Nov. 19 timing. The by-invitation event is for people who are at least 70 years of age and have lived in 91Ô´´ for at least 60 years.
One of those is 96-year-old Joy Warne, who lived for many years in Brookswood before moving to 91Ô´´ City.
"A cheaper place to buy a house," she said about why she and her husband moved from Vancouver to 91Ô´´ in 1957.
She and many others at the banquet enjoyed vintage music by the Cypress Creek Duo, as well as a meal, and display on the history of the CN station in Fort 91Ô´´.
Rosemary Genberg, who chairs the banquet organizing committee, praised the rail presentation made possible by the 91Ô´´ Heritage Society. In addition to a display of historic items, the seniors were shown a six-minute video about local rail history created by Brookswood Secondary students.
"It was just such as good video," she commented. "And all the memorabilia we had was through 91Ô´´ Heritage was wonderful."