At the close of every year, many news organizations feature what is known in journalistic circles as “Year Enders.”
It’s a nice tradition that allows people like me to recognize the people who have been kind enough to share their stories with us over the past 12 months. I’ve always contended everyone has a story to tell, and 2023 has only served to reconfirm that. So, I’d like to acknowledge…
Maureen Schreiber, who shared ‘a yarn about yarn’ in January. With her partner Courtlin Batt, Schreiber runs Unwind Wool, which helps customers from nine to 90 stick to their knitting.
In February, Alesha Manning shared the story of Creatique, a marketplace for more than 60 local small and home-based vendors like Amanda Connery, who started making laser-cut handmade gifts while on maternity leave in 2017.
In March, we told the story of Carla Humphreys, the owner of Music Central, who has been making music fun for kids and adults for more than 50 years.
April saw us visit with Michelle and Luke Baburic of Big Rock Crystals, Minerals & Fossils, who told us about some of Mother Nature’s most fascinating creations.
In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day, June’s column recounted the story of a First Nation entrepreneur who had a profound influence on the life of a boy growing up on the Lake Huron shoreline in the early 1960s. The entrepreneur’s name was Harry George. The boy was me.
In July, Wasan Jema, waste program specialist in the Okotoks waste services unit, shared the story of a new recycling workshop that was being offered for the first time to Okotoks residents and to fourth graders in our schools.
In August, we met Colleen DeSantis of NaturaSoy Candles, which started out 15 years ago as one of only five soy wax candle makers in Canada and now ships products all over North America from its facility in Fisher Park.
In September, Sian Anderson, Okotoks’ community wellness team lead and staff liaison to the United Way Partnership committee told us how United Way funds are allocated to local charities, emphasizing that all United Way contributions from Okotoks supporters stay in our town.
I interviewed Allan Boss, Okotoks’ culture and heritage team leader, for the October column. He discussed how arts and culture should be an economic driver in the community. “It’s not a ‘not-for-profit' sector,” he contended, “it’s a ‘social profit’ sector which, like the other ‘for-profit’ sectors, will help build our community.”
And last month, we heard that one of the reasons why Jack and Roxanna Rutko of SteelHorse Truck Outfitters decided to locate their business in Okotoks was because their research showed there were more trucks per capita here than just about any place else.
There are also many others who have helped me over the past year, like Laurie Carmichael, Marius Oelschig, Karen McWhirter, Sharon Nichols, Ted Murphy and others, who have provided stories, ideas, inspiration and encouragement. Thanks to you all.
