I really thought about what to write in my last column of the year. What I concluded was that there’s something that I believe needs to be highlighted and discussed in this last issue of 2017; something that will go down in history and be remembered by Outlook and surrounding area residents for a long time.
The year 2017 itself.
The past twelve months have been an interesting time period in Outlook. So then, with that in mind, what did 2017 as a whole really mean?
It meant change. A change to the faces of local officials in Outlook by way of the civic election near the end of last year, and new ideas presented by new faces within the local chamber of commerce to try and better the community. But change can be something of a two-sided coin and present an argument of ‘positive versus negative’, at least depending on your views. We saw Outlook’s town administrator abruptly let go last month, and just last week, one of the town councillors gave her notice. Sometimes, change can be a confusing thing and has a way of moving on without some people.
It meant accountability. Just a few weeks ago, Outlook’s town council held a public meeting and encouraged residents to come out and ask questions about anything related to town business. The turnout of just under 400 people spoke volumes about how people care about what goes on in their town, and how they’ll continue to hold their elected officials accountable in the future.
It meant tragedy. This past summer, there were four deaths in Lake Diefenbaker and one in the South Saskatchewan River. The life claimed in the river was that of a 17-year old Outlook boy named Justin Warwaruk, and an entire community mourned the loss of a life taken far too soon. In 2017, our region’s local waters showed us that no matter how inviting, calm and serene they can appear to be at times, they don’t discriminate and they’re capable of ending anyone’s life. My own brother could’ve been victim number five in the lake last summer, but fate dealt my family a lighter hand than others. We learned to respect the water perhaps now more than ever.
It meant wrath. Nature showed a level of ferocity in this area not seen in a long time when a raging storm rattled the entire region this past July. It happened on a Thursday night, and by the next morning, I went on a tour of the area to survey the damage. Trees everywhere, branches littering streets and alleys, signs torn down, houses damaged, windows shattered, and over in the village of Strongfield, a curling rink – and beloved community hub – levelled to the ground. It was the kind of storm where you’ll tell your future grandkids, “I remember where I was when…”
It meant progress. For the past few years, a dedicated committee has been raising money for a new swimming pool in Outlook (and they still are). On July 2, they held a groundbreaking ceremony to signify the beginning of construction. So far, the pool is on track to open by next Canada Day, and a project that some people scoffed at is definitely becoming a reality.
It meant community togetherness. When it comes to putting on something truly special and memorable, I don’t know if there was anything that could top all the events centered on Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations in Outlook; the human maple leaf flag that came together at the football field, the veterans’ memorial ceremony at the cemetery, and all the pomp and circumstance of Canada Day weekend itself. On top of that, the Chamber of Commerce really stood out this year with the events that they organized, including the Community Appreciation Awards Night and the incredible Harvest Festival this past September. In 2017, people came together in a lot of ways in this part of the world.
We went a lot of places in the past year; some good, some bad, and some in between.
I think 2018 has a good chance of telling some eye-opening tales, too.
For this week, and for the last issue of 2017, that’s been the Ruttle Report.
