A story that spans three decades moves into a new chapter Dec. 1.
Raymond and Kam Pon opened Pon's Family Restaurant in 1978. Their Main Street location has been a constant in a downtown business sector that has seen many changes over the years.
As they hand over their business to new owners, the Luongs, the Pons have drafted a letter expressing their appreciation for the support of the community.
The Pons arrived on a graveled Highway 303 one dark, wintry, December night to launch a new beginning for their family.
"We were a bit scared, but also excited to what the future would hold for us," the letter states.
"In the end everything turned out just fine."
They estimate two million cups of coffee and a half million meals have been served to the people of Turtleford and district.
"Every single meal was prepared personally with the love and care of Ray, Kam and the dedicated staff," the letter states.
"All these meals and beverages weren't just nourishment for the hungry and thirsty people of Turtleford, but also the engine that allowed Ray and Kam to realize their dreams of providing a stable, safe home for themselves and their four children.
"With the excellent support structure that only a place like Saskatchewan can provide, all the kids were able to receive first-class educations that allowed them to work and travel to all corners of the world.
The letter provides an update and activities of the Pon's four children, Gary, Vance, Nancy and Bruce.
Gary is currently working for CP Rail in Calgary as a business analyst. Recently, Gary attended a one-year film program at Selkirk College in Nelson, B.C., went on a grand road trip to attend the San Diego ComicCon, cycled beside the Grand Canyon and tried his luck at the poker tables in Las Vegas. Prior to these adventures, Gary had spent seven years in Iqaluit Nunavut, in Canada's Arctic, working for the Department of Justice, first as a courthouse librarian and then as a policy analyst.
Vance provides audio and visual support to major events in facilities across Alberta. Examples include the re-christening of the Edmonton International Exhibition Centre (formerly the Agricom), conferences in the Banff Springs Hotel, gala balls in the Chateau Lake Louise and many diverse shows in and around Calgary.
In 2008, Nancy merged her events agency with Toucmidea, China's largest in-taxi, interactive media company. As an events professional, Nancy has met some of the world's leading personalities, including Roger Federer, Elton John, Jet Li, Quincy Jones and Placido Domingo, and is continuing her passion to create prestigious events for sports, charity, art and the environment. Nancy staged her third major solo exhibition as a professional watercolour artist in 2008 and continues to sell her line of art cards and watches in Shanghai boutiques.
Bruce left Mercedes-Benz in 2007 to start a boutique consulting company that helps banks to start up new subsidiaries in emerging markets. To date, Bruce has supported the establishment of seven banks in Russia, China, Korea, Romania and Arab Emirates. Bruce is studying to be a master practitioner of neuro-linguistic programming and hypnonsis, models and trains as a male pole acrobat in Berlin, Moscow and London.
The Pon's conclude, "Let's see the wonderful people of Turtleford turn once more to extend the warmest of greetings, support and love to Ninh, Sam and their four girls to help them start on their own new beginning."
