Well Estevan, it’s been a slice, if only a small one.
A decent bite anyway.
I’ve been here just about 2 1/2 months, but an offer came a knocking and it’s one I can’t refuse, so I’m going to have to hit the bricks and leave your lovely town.
The current editor of the Westman Journal in Brandon, Man. gave his two-week notice and somehow the new opening was offered to yours truly, so it looks like I’m Manitoba bound.
In fact, I’m there right now as you’re reading this, either training for the new position at the Journal office, or sitting alone in a hotel room, crying nervously into a tub of ice cream, depending on what time of day you’ve picked up this issue of Southeast Lifestyles.
I’ve had quite the time here in the Energy City, though, and I’ve chronicled most of the highlights in this column.
Anyone who’s followed me — I like to think I have a following by the way, a cult-like group of sycophants who are small in number, but selflessly devoted to my disorderly vision — knows about my blunder of a trip here, going a little too fast in the wrong direction.
I wrote about my struggles starting from scratch, sleeping on a pile of clothes and eating off a cardboard box. I should give a big shout out to Living Hope’s Settlement Team for remedying this situation by fully furnishing my apartment.
Seriously, that kind of generosity is unreal and a shining example of what makes Estevan great, so thank you for the helping hand, I can’t express my appreciation enough.
Writers’ block was a problem I also faced, which was new to me in a work setting because as a reporter the information is usually supplied through interviews, so readers here got the privy of looking at work grinded out by a frazzled author in a nail biting frenzy.
This experience brought a whole new level of spite toward the journalistic deadline.
Then there are the interesting people I’ve met during my stint at the Mercury and Southeast Lifestyles — Estevan has a lot of community minded folks eager to go the extra mile to make the city a better place for themselves and their neighbours.
Whether it’s the people at Estevan Diversified Services and the talented senior arts class at Estevan Comprehensive School who, together, crafted the majorly important and inspiring human rights book Your Life, Your Rights, or the organizers and fundraisers of Fresh Air Fitness who have constructed an outdoor gym facility on donations and sponsorships alone.
This town has no shortage of people willing to do important and generous things on their own time or dime.
I’ve encountered remarkable people just passing through, like the two gentlemen who made a pit stop here while driving from Iowa to Alaska in a pair of Model T Fords, and I’ve also been fortunate enough to meet talented musicians, actors, actresses and other noteworthy proponents of the arts in my day-to-day reporting.
A lot of it comes as a perk of the job I guess, but being able to practise journalism in a vibrant community is what turns regular assignments into professional privileges.
A big thank you goes out to the staff at Estevan Mercury. They’ve been supportive, knowledgeable, and most importantly fun to work with.
I should also thank all the other people who’ve let me share their stories and posed for photos; some of you were understandably reluctant, yet let me plaster your faces across the pages of the newspaper anyway.
Similarly, I’d like to recognize the people who took the time to write in after reading a story — journalism isn’t about getting kudos, but it’s nice to know when the work is appreciated and accurate.
In fact, I received a letter this week from a lady in Lampman more or less telling me I need to find Jesus. Not quite a letter of appreciation, but it’s good to know someone out there is thinking of my spiritual well-being.
So thank you Ms. Morris, perhaps I’ll meet J.C. in Brandon.
A final thank you and good-bye to everyone else I’ve met, but failed to mention here, because your help and acquaintance haven’t gone unappreciated.
So there it is . . .
Adios Estevan,
Jaime Polmateer
