Historic preservation advocate is honored—Toenyan works to preserve and promote
by Karin L Nauber
A bus trip to discuss the benefits of historic preservation may not seem like it would be award-worthy. But a little historic preservation group called Rethos thinks it is.
Rethos believes reusing and rehabbing old buildings is a sustainable, environmentally conscious practice.
According to their website, “We work to reduce energy use in old homes, encourage salvage and material reuse wherever possible, and promote reuse-friendly policies, aligning with our unique grassroots approach to re-imagining places.”
If you know Verna Toenyan who makes her home in Todd County, then you know that she, too, is an advocate of salvaging the historic and re-imagining places. Like the former Eagle Bend School for example.
Toenyan’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed and she received a nomination for the Outstanding Preservation Advocate award from Rethos.
Her award letter reads: “As a nominee for this award, you have been articulate and effective proponents for Rethos and our mission of historic preservation and building reuse. We are so thankful for the work you do to preserve and promote historic buildings. Thank you for all you do to support our work and historic preservation more broadly....