After 11 months, countless hockey games and squash matches, my first professional rodeo and chuckwagon race weekend, dozens of interviews and articles written about some very good people and a ton of memories, my time has come to say goodbye to Bonnyville.
After working for almost a year as the editor of the newspaper in Barrhead, the good people at Greatwest Newspapers offered me the opportunity to become the assistant publisher of the Bonnyville Nouvelle. It was a challenge I welcomed with open arms.
But I realized a couple of months ago the time had come to return to my true passion, which is being an editor and reporter, so I have accepted the opportunity to become the new editor of the Osoyoos Times in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.
Friday will mark my last day on the job here at the Nouvelle. I will be leaving my post with a ton of great memories of the people I have worked with and the people who live in and around Bonnyville.
The one thing I will most fondly remember about Bonnyville is what a generous and caring community this is.
I can't count the number of times or number of articles that have appeared in the Nouvelle continually highlighting the acts of kindness and generosity that define this community and the people who live here.
Bonnyville is a very prosperous and growing community and a lot of people are doing very well financially. But, like most places, there are people who are struggling to get by and others who have been affected by personal tragedy.
Time and time again, those who have so much are more than willing to step up to the plate to help those who don't have as much.
I will never forget the fundraising event held to help Baby Oksanah, the little Bonnyville girl who has endured numerous heart procedures in her first two years of life. The good people of this community helped raise in excess of $35,000 for Baby O and her parents Grant and Rebecca.
A few weeks ago, the community once again stepped up to help Bill and Anne-Marie Cole, who lost their home and business following a horrific electrical fire. Within days, friends and family had organized a huge fundraising auction and dinner/dance, which raised almost $80,000 for the Coles.
Whenever there is a worthy cause, the citizens of this community are always there to open their wallets and hearts to help the less fortunate.
It is this kind of generosity and community spirit that defines what the Town and MD of Bonnyville are all about.
Here at work, I have had the opportunity to work alongside a truly terrific group of dedicated and professional people who work so hard to ensure the Nouvelle is a newspaper they and every member of this community can be proud of.
I will always remember our production manager Nora Chachula, a true professional with an amazing work ethic and commitment to excellence.
I will never forget Susan Coates, who not only manages the front office, payroll and the endless phone calls, but does it exuding her wonderful Newfoundland charm and sense of humour.
I will fondly remember Lillian Goddard and her loud and contagious laugh. She and the girls in the back shop work their collective butts off and are a wonderful group of people and employees.
It has been amazing working with former editor Tanya Kostiw, a very bright and ambitious young lady who has continued her career as a senior reporter in Okotoks. With young people like Tanya leading the way, the future for quality journalism is bright indeed.
Same goes with current editor Melissa Barr and sports/community reporter Brandon MacLeod. Melissa is an extremely hard-working and dedicated professional who will continue to do a bang up job for readers of the Nouvelle long after I'm gone.
Brandon loves sports and his job and does a terrific job informing our readers about the people, athletes, teams and coaches who make the wonderful world of sports such an important part of our daily lives in small town Alberta.
Our sales team of Breanna Ernst and Amber Cook are among the best I've ever worked with in over 25 years in this business. They care about their clients and work very hard giving them outstanding value for the money they spend advertising with our newspaper.
Amber also has one of the best laughs in the history of mankind and has a way of easing up the tension that comes with working in the stress-filled newspaper industry.
Finally, I would like to thank Clare Gauvreau, the publisher of the Nouvelle, for taking a chance on me and bringing me to Bonnyville.
You have taught me a lot and been very supportive and I really appreciate getting to know you as a person and boss. It's little wonder the Nouvelle is one of the best community newspapers in Alberta for its size with you running the show.
To Colin, Simon, Paul, Mark, Rance and Alex, thanks for all the great squash matches and good laughs. Playing squash is a big part of my life and it was just great getting to know you guys and get back to playing the game I love so much.
To all the hockey boys from the Maple Leafs and Max Mechanical in the local men's recreational hockey league the past two winters, thanks for letting me be part of the team and having some good laughs.
Thanks also to David Sandfly and the hockey squad from Big Island. Winning that oldtimers tournament in Loon Lake in overtime last February is something I will always fondly remember.
Bonnyville is a tremendous hockey town and the number of good players for a town this size is remarkable and something I will always remember and talk about.
To all the local community leaders I have had the pleasure of getting to know and write about, I would also like to thank you for your commitment to making Bonnyville a wonderful place to live.
MD of Bonnyville Reeve Ed Rondeau is a committed community leader and one hell of a nice guy and the same can be said about Town Mayor Ernie Isley. It has been a blast and thank you.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to talk to me during my stay here and allowing me to tell your stories. I won't ever forget my time here. It has been great.
The future for Bonnyville looks extremely bright and hopefully one day in the not too distant future I will be able to return to say hello to some good friends.
Adios Alberta. Hello B.C. Thanks for the great memories.
