The time has come. . . .
It was over a year and a half ago that I came to
know Carlyle as home.
My partner-in-crime had been offered a teaching position at one of the schools here and in what seemed like no time at all, we were officially Carlyle-bound.
It wasn't until I was nearing the completion of a previous contract that I began to browse the paper for possible employment. It was then that I came across an advertisement for the position of reporter at The Observer.
While I had no previous journalism or media experience, I thought the position would be a lot of fun and thought I might as well check it out. I looked at the position as a really great opportunity to meet new people, and learn about the community and area I have come to know as home.
And meet people and learn about the area did I ever!
I've talked to community members, volunteers, mayors, business owners, hockey players, teachers, figure skaters, little kiddos, cowboys, umpires, politicians, big kiddos. . . The list goes on-and-on.
I have met countless people with countless stories. I have met people who give to others before they give to themselves. I have met people who have heart wrenching stories that can bring a tear to the eye.
I have met people who with drive and determination have achieved all they have set out to accomplish. And I have met people that are passionate about their causes and care about their community.
Each and every time, I have been amazed by the people I have met through this experience. Countless times I have thought to myself. . .these people need to be recognized, these people deserve to be recognized.
There are so many people who have told me their story (even when they didn't feel as though they had a story to tell), who have put countless hours into their community (even though they think of it as nothing), and who have worked hard to keep their community alive (even though they think that "that's just what you should do").
And not only have I met some truly amazing people, I have really discovered what this area has to offer. We live in communities that are full of unique treasures. There are events that attract people from throughout the area and beyond such as Homespun, Dicken's and the Bear Claw Casino and Hotel Pow Wow.
There are fundraisers such as Creative Tables for Cancer and Drive for a Cure that raise money for cancer research, or Boogie Fest and Sink or Swim that raise money for recreational facilities.
There are venues such as the Red Barn that showcase the abilities of people throughout the region, or the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party that serves as a platform for talent. We live in an area where golf courses are fully booked, lakes are available and the waterslides are jam-packed. And if you are looking for something different, a person can always head down to the Motocross track, take in a Cornerstone production, jump on a horse at Artesian Sands Equestrian or test out a race car at the Eagle Motorsports track in Manor.
The options are endless and the people are amazing!
And while I have loved meeting new people, and I have loved learning about what the area has to offer, the time has come for me to move on. And while I am saddened to leave The Observer and all of the fun that goes along with the job, I am looking forward to what is to come.
So thank you to everyone who has told me their story, who has shared their experience and who has welcomed me into their events.
And last but not least, thank you to the staff at The Observer. It has been a pleasure.
