So, my new La Cretian best friend, Greg, has started a blog about La Crete. So far, he's just written one post (come on, it's his first night at it, give him a break!) but you should check it out.
It can give you a little taste of La Crete from his perspective, as well as how I am behaving in La Crete! :)
http://gregsnorthernadventures.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-life-in-la-crete.html?spref=fb
Enjoy!
-xo!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
High Valley meets my parents in Belleville, Ontario
This is a photo my dad took of my mom with High Valley, in Belleville, Ontario. High Valley was on tour with Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and since buying their CD I have fallen in love with their music. I looked up their tour dates and saw they would be in Belleville Ontario, about a 20 minute drive from my parents' house.
It only made sense for them to buy tickets.
So they did. They loved the concert. Their only complaint was that High Valley's portion was too short.
My parents made this colourful, lovely sign for High Valley and my mother bumped her way through the crowd and made her way to their table while signing autographs. All the while, both she and High Valley were laughing.
"We knew you were coming," one of them said to my mother. "Ashley told us!" I had interviewed them a few weeks before, via phone, regarding their nomination for the CCMAs.
I am kind of jealous that my parents, three provinces away, have met this local band and I still havent. And apparently we go to the same church, and their parents live just across the street.
They promised me a visit before Christmas, and High Valley, I'm still waiting! :)
Voting turn out in Northern Alberta
Here's a column I wrote for the November 3rd issue, just after our elections and first council meeting with our new council.
Enjoy!
Insider Reflections
Too many complaints for too little votes
Ashley Foley
In this past municipal election, I was much more enthusiastic and informed than in any other election that has affected me in the past.
This was mostly due to the fact that I am the main reporter for the Northern Pioneer, and covered all Council meetings for the three months prior to the election, so I was well informed of community issues. As well, I attended forums and spoke with most candidates running for election.
I felt thoroughly informed, both about current events and also about what each person was running for and why.
For once, I was ready to make an informed vote. However, since I had only been an Albertan resident for three months, I was unable to do so.
Fair enough, laws are laws. So that’s why I was unable to vote. Can you explain your reason?
I live in Ward 3 (La Crete) where, according to the 2010 Mackenzie County Unofficial Census, over 2,700 people reside. I find it frustrating to see that only 467 of you came out to vote on Election Day.
That’s about one sixth of the population that voted. Which means that one of six people complaining about municipal issues in the coffee shops, truck stops, or check out lines have the right to do so.
These issues include ward realignment, highway 88 paving, Zama Access road paving, the Ferry/ice Bridge crossing, and the list goes on. For the five out of six people in La Crete alone who did not vote, what right do you have to criticize our Council or current issues?
I desperately wanted to vote but was unable to do so. Five out of six people in La Crete chose not to vote. I would have loved to have the vote so many of you carelessly threw away.
But enough finger pointing at Ward 3 (La Crete), because most of the other Mackenzie County wards did not fair much better.
Ward 1, (Blue Hills/Tompkins) with a population of over 1,300 people had only 92 voters. That’s one in thirteen people who voted to elect the person who will represent your Ward for the next three years.
Ward 5 (Blumenort), with a population of over 1,100 people had only 63 voters. That’s one in seventeen people who voted.
Ward 7 (Fort Vermilion), with a population of over 725 people had 219 voters. Congratulations, Ward 7, because one in three people voted in your Ward. This Ward had a reasonable turn out, yet still fairly low.
Ward 8 (Rocky Lane), with a population of 380 permanent residents had 134 proud voters. Nearly half the permanent residents voted (however, there are 514 temporary residents, which makes the voting statistic much lower).
Ward 9 (High Level Rural), has a permanent population of 584 (603 residents including the temporary population), and had 99 voters. Though the numbers are much different than in Ward 3, these statistics are similar to Ward 3’s one in six people who voted in the 2010 municipal election.
These statistics come from the Mackenzie County 2010 Results and the 2010 Mackenzie County Unofficial Census Report.
If you didn’t vote because you were not eligible to vote, or had a family emergency, or simply have no interest in County issues such as ward realignment or highway 88 paving, then there is no wonder why your vote was not accounted for.
However, many non voters do attend forums to voice their opinions, or write letters to Council in mercy of grants or other favours, and complain over Council decisions without taking charge in the opportunity to vote.
We only get the chance to vote once every three years, and it’s the only time we are 100 per cent certain that our voice, our concerns, our vote, counts. In 2013, make yours count.
Enjoy!
Insider Reflections
Too many complaints for too little votes
Ashley Foley
In this past municipal election, I was much more enthusiastic and informed than in any other election that has affected me in the past.
This was mostly due to the fact that I am the main reporter for the Northern Pioneer, and covered all Council meetings for the three months prior to the election, so I was well informed of community issues. As well, I attended forums and spoke with most candidates running for election.
I felt thoroughly informed, both about current events and also about what each person was running for and why.
For once, I was ready to make an informed vote. However, since I had only been an Albertan resident for three months, I was unable to do so.
Fair enough, laws are laws. So that’s why I was unable to vote. Can you explain your reason?
I live in Ward 3 (La Crete) where, according to the 2010 Mackenzie County Unofficial Census, over 2,700 people reside. I find it frustrating to see that only 467 of you came out to vote on Election Day.
That’s about one sixth of the population that voted. Which means that one of six people complaining about municipal issues in the coffee shops, truck stops, or check out lines have the right to do so.
These issues include ward realignment, highway 88 paving, Zama Access road paving, the Ferry/ice Bridge crossing, and the list goes on. For the five out of six people in La Crete alone who did not vote, what right do you have to criticize our Council or current issues?
I desperately wanted to vote but was unable to do so. Five out of six people in La Crete chose not to vote. I would have loved to have the vote so many of you carelessly threw away.
But enough finger pointing at Ward 3 (La Crete), because most of the other Mackenzie County wards did not fair much better.
Ward 1, (Blue Hills/Tompkins) with a population of over 1,300 people had only 92 voters. That’s one in thirteen people who voted to elect the person who will represent your Ward for the next three years.
Ward 5 (Blumenort), with a population of over 1,100 people had only 63 voters. That’s one in seventeen people who voted.
Ward 7 (Fort Vermilion), with a population of over 725 people had 219 voters. Congratulations, Ward 7, because one in three people voted in your Ward. This Ward had a reasonable turn out, yet still fairly low.
Ward 8 (Rocky Lane), with a population of 380 permanent residents had 134 proud voters. Nearly half the permanent residents voted (however, there are 514 temporary residents, which makes the voting statistic much lower).
Ward 9 (High Level Rural), has a permanent population of 584 (603 residents including the temporary population), and had 99 voters. Though the numbers are much different than in Ward 3, these statistics are similar to Ward 3’s one in six people who voted in the 2010 municipal election.
These statistics come from the Mackenzie County 2010 Results and the 2010 Mackenzie County Unofficial Census Report.
If you didn’t vote because you were not eligible to vote, or had a family emergency, or simply have no interest in County issues such as ward realignment or highway 88 paving, then there is no wonder why your vote was not accounted for.
However, many non voters do attend forums to voice their opinions, or write letters to Council in mercy of grants or other favours, and complain over Council decisions without taking charge in the opportunity to vote.
We only get the chance to vote once every three years, and it’s the only time we are 100 per cent certain that our voice, our concerns, our vote, counts. In 2013, make yours count.
Many Hats in a small town
Here's a column I wrote a little while ago referring to small town politics. It's one of my favourite columns so far, so I hope you enjoy it!
Insider Reflections
With Ashley Foley
Many Hats in a Small Town
In small towns, especially La Crete and Fort Vermilion, there are a lot of organizations, businesses and leadership roles to be filled and fewer people to fill them.
The solution: each person wears a lot of hats.
Usually, I interview business owners, councillors, RCMP Officers, or Fire Fighters, and in meeting them in that persona, would create a biased judgement based on their role.
However, in attending Get to Know You Night and other events and small business interviews, I have come to realized that I had made biased assumptions on these figures based on their roles. Most of these people actually play more than one role in their community.
For example, in attending council meetings in Fort Vermilion, I had always assumed each of the business people sitting around the table were intimidating.
However, after meeting with Ray Toews in Fort Vermilion as a multi-business owner and Canadian Ranger, I was introduced to a softer, more friendly and less intimidating side of him.
It is said that judgements are made within the first ten seconds of meeting someone, and that first impressions are everything. Perhaps I was too quick to judge people based on their roles, titles and uniforms.
These people are the exact same people in flesh and blood, but show completely different personalities depending on which role they are in.
It all depends on their hat.
Perhaps that’s the special part that I get to experience that my classmates back in Toronto are missing out on, the closeness and multi-personalities that come with a small town.
Though I too grew up in a small town, much smaller than Fort Vermilion, as a child I hadn’t realized or learned to appreciate different traits in people. The teacher was a role model, the video store owner rented movies, and the person with peacock farm was the strange one nobody knew well.
On the other hand, these northern villages are unique. I don’t believe I would have ever experienced so many personalities in one individual by staying in a small town in Southern Ontario, because the nearest city or town is only minutes away.
Here, on the other hand, there is more responsibility on each individual, and less reliance on cities and government run resources for the communities to run effectively. And they do so in a uniquely wonderful away.
But it takes a lot of hats.
Insider Reflections
With Ashley Foley
Many Hats in a Small Town
In small towns, especially La Crete and Fort Vermilion, there are a lot of organizations, businesses and leadership roles to be filled and fewer people to fill them.
The solution: each person wears a lot of hats.
Usually, I interview business owners, councillors, RCMP Officers, or Fire Fighters, and in meeting them in that persona, would create a biased judgement based on their role.
However, in attending Get to Know You Night and other events and small business interviews, I have come to realized that I had made biased assumptions on these figures based on their roles. Most of these people actually play more than one role in their community.
For example, in attending council meetings in Fort Vermilion, I had always assumed each of the business people sitting around the table were intimidating.
However, after meeting with Ray Toews in Fort Vermilion as a multi-business owner and Canadian Ranger, I was introduced to a softer, more friendly and less intimidating side of him.
It is said that judgements are made within the first ten seconds of meeting someone, and that first impressions are everything. Perhaps I was too quick to judge people based on their roles, titles and uniforms.
These people are the exact same people in flesh and blood, but show completely different personalities depending on which role they are in.
It all depends on their hat.
Perhaps that’s the special part that I get to experience that my classmates back in Toronto are missing out on, the closeness and multi-personalities that come with a small town.
Though I too grew up in a small town, much smaller than Fort Vermilion, as a child I hadn’t realized or learned to appreciate different traits in people. The teacher was a role model, the video store owner rented movies, and the person with peacock farm was the strange one nobody knew well.
On the other hand, these northern villages are unique. I don’t believe I would have ever experienced so many personalities in one individual by staying in a small town in Southern Ontario, because the nearest city or town is only minutes away.
Here, on the other hand, there is more responsibility on each individual, and less reliance on cities and government run resources for the communities to run effectively. And they do so in a uniquely wonderful away.
But it takes a lot of hats.
Column about finding home.
Here's a column I wrote for the September 15th issue of the Northern Pioneer. I thought you may enjoy giving it a read.
It was written in refernce to Pioneer Days in La Crete this past summer.
Enjoy!
Insider Reflections
With Ashley Foley
Learning to Appreciate Home
This is the first time in eighteen years that I am not returning to school in September. However, with being a reporter, I am constantly learning, growing, and experiencing new things. Luckily, I will be a student forever.
My favourite part is experiencing the events I attend. Many reports attend and report on events, but I want to experience them. So don’t be surprised if I show up to your event and ask to participate, such riding passenger in the recent La Crete Mud Bog, golfing for my first time at the MCC charity golf tournament in La Crete, and getting my first ride in a combine at the Food Grains Harvest in La Crete.
However, one of the most touching experiences and emotional interviews I have ever done, was at last weeks’ Pioneer Days in La Crete, when I met Sarah, daughter of Henry Harvey Peters.
Henry Harvey Peters pioneered and established the farm located on the heritage ground -- or rather, the farm that was there. Today, we see it as a beautiful piece of history, frozen in time, for us to enjoy and learn from. However, Peters’ children see it differently.
I found Sarah sitting at a picnic table in the morning, just before the antique parade began. She saw me looking for a place to sit and offered me the seat beside her. At the time, I had no idea the adventure I was soon to discover with her. She had unknowingly asked a reporter to join her, and I had found the perfect interview subject.
She brought me in and painted a picture of the way things used to be on the farm for me. I know everyone else was enjoying the delicious waffles at the Wolfe House, the Loonie Toss, and other exciting events; but money can’t buy the joy I felt discovering the land and farm in its original use, with Sarah.
She showed me where she was born, where she played, and what it was like growing up on the farm. I mentioned that it was impressive to see all the antique machinery. She just smiled, rolled her eyes, and said, “You should have seen it when it was all up and running.”
She completely lit up when she talked about her father’s farm. It was like she was a kid again, playing in the flour mill with her brother, Cornie (who also toured with us for part of the day).
Even standing in the exact same place she had stood so many times before, she said the only things that felt a little like home any more were the flour mill, garage, barn and blacksmith.
As we stood between these buildings, she pointed in every direction sharing different stories. It was like her lips couldn’t move fast enough to get all the words out at once.
We went into the house they grew up in together, stopping in each room to share more memories. She pointed out things that myself or any other passer-by probably would over look, such as the shelves in the closet in the basement painted in multiple colours, or the fact that the room in the upper left hand corner was later used as a laundry room.
Cornie joined us, pointing out another small building between the barn and blacksmith. “That’s where we were born,” he told me. All seven of the first children were born and lived there, until the house was build, when Sarah was eleven.
They had wanted to go inside the building, but the doors were locked. Another realization that this place is no longer home.
When Sarah spoke of the way things were as a child and how things have changed, it brought her tears. She explained this was not what he father wanted, and he would have never let this happen to his land.
It really got me thinking. We are so naive and selfish in our own pleasures, that many do not stop to think of the original pioneers and what their wants were. Did anyone even ask the Peters’ children how they felt about their home becoming a tourist attraction? And in doing so, destroying what they remember as home?
She taught me so much about the pioneering days, and allowed me to understand a lot of the history in La Crete and how its grown over the past few decades. But most of all, she taught me to appreciate my home and my family; putting importance to the phrase “home is where the heart is.”
She taught me to cherish all my deepest and most sincere memories and not to take for granted each visit I take back to my quaint and charming hometown, Tamworth, in southern Ontario and not to read too deeply into the changed curtains, redecorated garage or strange car in the driveway. Because home isn’t found here.
Home is in people you love, and in the memories you share.
It was written in refernce to Pioneer Days in La Crete this past summer.
Enjoy!
Insider Reflections
With Ashley Foley
Learning to Appreciate Home
This is the first time in eighteen years that I am not returning to school in September. However, with being a reporter, I am constantly learning, growing, and experiencing new things. Luckily, I will be a student forever.
My favourite part is experiencing the events I attend. Many reports attend and report on events, but I want to experience them. So don’t be surprised if I show up to your event and ask to participate, such riding passenger in the recent La Crete Mud Bog, golfing for my first time at the MCC charity golf tournament in La Crete, and getting my first ride in a combine at the Food Grains Harvest in La Crete.
However, one of the most touching experiences and emotional interviews I have ever done, was at last weeks’ Pioneer Days in La Crete, when I met Sarah, daughter of Henry Harvey Peters.
Henry Harvey Peters pioneered and established the farm located on the heritage ground -- or rather, the farm that was there. Today, we see it as a beautiful piece of history, frozen in time, for us to enjoy and learn from. However, Peters’ children see it differently.
I found Sarah sitting at a picnic table in the morning, just before the antique parade began. She saw me looking for a place to sit and offered me the seat beside her. At the time, I had no idea the adventure I was soon to discover with her. She had unknowingly asked a reporter to join her, and I had found the perfect interview subject.
She brought me in and painted a picture of the way things used to be on the farm for me. I know everyone else was enjoying the delicious waffles at the Wolfe House, the Loonie Toss, and other exciting events; but money can’t buy the joy I felt discovering the land and farm in its original use, with Sarah.
She showed me where she was born, where she played, and what it was like growing up on the farm. I mentioned that it was impressive to see all the antique machinery. She just smiled, rolled her eyes, and said, “You should have seen it when it was all up and running.”
She completely lit up when she talked about her father’s farm. It was like she was a kid again, playing in the flour mill with her brother, Cornie (who also toured with us for part of the day).
Even standing in the exact same place she had stood so many times before, she said the only things that felt a little like home any more were the flour mill, garage, barn and blacksmith.
As we stood between these buildings, she pointed in every direction sharing different stories. It was like her lips couldn’t move fast enough to get all the words out at once.
We went into the house they grew up in together, stopping in each room to share more memories. She pointed out things that myself or any other passer-by probably would over look, such as the shelves in the closet in the basement painted in multiple colours, or the fact that the room in the upper left hand corner was later used as a laundry room.
Cornie joined us, pointing out another small building between the barn and blacksmith. “That’s where we were born,” he told me. All seven of the first children were born and lived there, until the house was build, when Sarah was eleven.
They had wanted to go inside the building, but the doors were locked. Another realization that this place is no longer home.
When Sarah spoke of the way things were as a child and how things have changed, it brought her tears. She explained this was not what he father wanted, and he would have never let this happen to his land.
It really got me thinking. We are so naive and selfish in our own pleasures, that many do not stop to think of the original pioneers and what their wants were. Did anyone even ask the Peters’ children how they felt about their home becoming a tourist attraction? And in doing so, destroying what they remember as home?
She taught me so much about the pioneering days, and allowed me to understand a lot of the history in La Crete and how its grown over the past few decades. But most of all, she taught me to appreciate my home and my family; putting importance to the phrase “home is where the heart is.”
She taught me to cherish all my deepest and most sincere memories and not to take for granted each visit I take back to my quaint and charming hometown, Tamworth, in southern Ontario and not to read too deeply into the changed curtains, redecorated garage or strange car in the driveway. Because home isn’t found here.
Home is in people you love, and in the memories you share.
drinking and driving rant
I wrote this little rant about drinking and driving in the summer. However, it was never published, just written for myself, but I thought you'd enjoy reading it.
In moving to La Crete, I have been introduced to “cruising,” apparently a pastime enjoyed largely by teens and young adults in Northern Alberta. To me, driving around in circles and up and down the same road time and time again, wasting gas and polluting the environment seems a little unorthodox, but, to each their own.
At first, I wasn’t phased by the constant back and forth driving of the same cars up and down main street in La Crete, or the crowds of trucks and Sunfires in the Co-op parking lot each evening throughout the weekends. Not until I showed up to work with a parking lot full of glass, of course.
Perhaps I was just naive in thinking these people racing up and down main street, or parked in a clutter in the middle of a parking lot, were just having innocent fun. Cruising seems fine enough, and I’m not opposed to a drink or two at a local gathering, but when it comes to drinking and driving ... that I have a problem with.
Much of the coffee shop gossip in La Crete surrounds the hot topic of RCMP, more specifically, the lack of RCMP coverage in La Crete. It never fails: every weekend you can hear screeching tires racing up and down the road and every Monday morning there is broken glass all over parking lots and streets.
Recently, the RCMP have been present in La Crete due to phone call complaints about reckless driving in the area. And, people have been punished for their actions. Still, the drinking and driving continues, and the lack of RCMP supervision on La Crete roads during weekends is still a major issue.
According to the RCMP, there should be one RCMP officer on patrol in La Crete. This is hardly enough to cover the entire town of La Crete each night. Shortly, La Crete should be getting another RCMP officer to help patrol the area, however, the name of the officer and date of arrival is still unknown to me.
When I first arrived in La Crete, I thought it was strange that the small town had double lanes through the middle of town. Now I see that this was a huge mistake. Putting double lanes in there is just asking for young people to race back and forth. It’s no secret that it happens, so why isn’t it being stopped?
Racers: I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but there is a time and place for drinking and for driving, but they should never be done together. If you want to race, sign up with Penner Speedway, just outside of La Crete. If you want to drink, go to Fort Vermilion or High Level to a pub or lounge, or on a friend’s back porch.
In a town that is booming with babies and children, what would make someone want to get drunk and speed up and down a road all night long? Do they understand they are not only putting themselves at danger, but innocent bystanders as well?
And if the loud, screeching tires; smashed bottles puncturing tires and shoes; putting themselves and others at danger; wasting money, gasoline and clean air didn’t already put me over, it was the behaviour of these young adults when in “racing mode.”
A couple of weeks ago, my friends and I took a walk in the evening. Evening walks used to be my favourite thing to do. Just as the sun sets and the skies turn into wonder water colours of pinks, purples and oranges. It’s the perfect time to walk in the summer, because the weather is not too hot and humid (in Ontario, at least! No need to worry about humidity here).
However, on my first and probably last evening walk in La Crete, I was disturbed by an ignorant and rude racer who slowed down, rolled down his window, and yelled absurd comments to me and three ladies I was walking with.
Like I said before, I couldn’t wrap my head around the sport of “cruising” for leisure, unless of course it was part of a date, but when “cruising” becomes racing, and racing becomes drinking, and drinking becomes reckless and unsafe driving, this becomes a problem for the community. For everyone who is driving through La Crete on a weekend, for everyone who has children, and for everyone whose son or daughter is involved in the act.
In moving to La Crete, I have been introduced to “cruising,” apparently a pastime enjoyed largely by teens and young adults in Northern Alberta. To me, driving around in circles and up and down the same road time and time again, wasting gas and polluting the environment seems a little unorthodox, but, to each their own.
At first, I wasn’t phased by the constant back and forth driving of the same cars up and down main street in La Crete, or the crowds of trucks and Sunfires in the Co-op parking lot each evening throughout the weekends. Not until I showed up to work with a parking lot full of glass, of course.
Perhaps I was just naive in thinking these people racing up and down main street, or parked in a clutter in the middle of a parking lot, were just having innocent fun. Cruising seems fine enough, and I’m not opposed to a drink or two at a local gathering, but when it comes to drinking and driving ... that I have a problem with.
Much of the coffee shop gossip in La Crete surrounds the hot topic of RCMP, more specifically, the lack of RCMP coverage in La Crete. It never fails: every weekend you can hear screeching tires racing up and down the road and every Monday morning there is broken glass all over parking lots and streets.
Recently, the RCMP have been present in La Crete due to phone call complaints about reckless driving in the area. And, people have been punished for their actions. Still, the drinking and driving continues, and the lack of RCMP supervision on La Crete roads during weekends is still a major issue.
According to the RCMP, there should be one RCMP officer on patrol in La Crete. This is hardly enough to cover the entire town of La Crete each night. Shortly, La Crete should be getting another RCMP officer to help patrol the area, however, the name of the officer and date of arrival is still unknown to me.
When I first arrived in La Crete, I thought it was strange that the small town had double lanes through the middle of town. Now I see that this was a huge mistake. Putting double lanes in there is just asking for young people to race back and forth. It’s no secret that it happens, so why isn’t it being stopped?
Racers: I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but there is a time and place for drinking and for driving, but they should never be done together. If you want to race, sign up with Penner Speedway, just outside of La Crete. If you want to drink, go to Fort Vermilion or High Level to a pub or lounge, or on a friend’s back porch.
In a town that is booming with babies and children, what would make someone want to get drunk and speed up and down a road all night long? Do they understand they are not only putting themselves at danger, but innocent bystanders as well?
And if the loud, screeching tires; smashed bottles puncturing tires and shoes; putting themselves and others at danger; wasting money, gasoline and clean air didn’t already put me over, it was the behaviour of these young adults when in “racing mode.”
A couple of weeks ago, my friends and I took a walk in the evening. Evening walks used to be my favourite thing to do. Just as the sun sets and the skies turn into wonder water colours of pinks, purples and oranges. It’s the perfect time to walk in the summer, because the weather is not too hot and humid (in Ontario, at least! No need to worry about humidity here).
However, on my first and probably last evening walk in La Crete, I was disturbed by an ignorant and rude racer who slowed down, rolled down his window, and yelled absurd comments to me and three ladies I was walking with.
Like I said before, I couldn’t wrap my head around the sport of “cruising” for leisure, unless of course it was part of a date, but when “cruising” becomes racing, and racing becomes drinking, and drinking becomes reckless and unsafe driving, this becomes a problem for the community. For everyone who is driving through La Crete on a weekend, for everyone who has children, and for everyone whose son or daughter is involved in the act.
First Column in the Pioneer: cell phone use
I was going through back issues of the Pioneer today, and I thought some of you may enjoy reading my first column I wrote, back in the August 25th issue. It's regarding cell phone use in public.
Ejoy!
Insider Reflections
With Ashley Foley
Growing up in a small town of about 500 with no cell phone service was not out of the ordinary for me. I didn’t use my cell phone much, and didn’t see the need to use it when I was at home.
Then when I spent four years in Toronto in school, we were taught not to have our cell phones on during a lecture. Heaven forbid your cell phone beeps to notify a text message or even worse, that awful Lady Gaga ring tone you thought was so cool when you downloaded comes on in the midst of a Psychology or Multimedia lecture.
Busted. Kicked out of the lecture. I’m not sure which is worse, being made fun of by the professor in front of a full lecture hall, or having to leave like a kindergartener who was being disruptive.
After moving to La Crete, I am very surprised at how dependent people are on their cell phones. And I’m not talking about the teenagers either, that’s inevitable. I’m talking about you guys, the mid thirties to seniors.
To me, my cell phone never comes before a face-to-face conversation. If I am at lunch and my cell phone goes off, I don’t answer it because the person I am visiting with is more important than a phone call.
However, I have been speechless at the number of events I have attended where people are not only not turning off their ringers, but also answering calls in the middle of the events.
For example, when I arrived at the MARA Field Day event a few weeks ago, I made sure to turn off my ringer before walking in. An old university habit, I suppose.
I was surprised to see that I was among the few who had the courtesy to turn off my ringer. In a room filled with people aged 35-60, I can’t count the number of times a cell phone disrupted the speakers.
Not only that, but there was more than one person who answered their cell phone without leaving the lecture, which not only was disruptive to the lecturers, but also to the people around that person, as well.
Of course, not everyone in attendance was gabbing on their cell phones, but there was constantly cell phones ringing and dinging throughout the lectures.
Today’s youth have been labeled as cell phone crazed and technology dependent, and this may be so. I for one, try to have polite cell phone etiquette in public places. I have been the one at the front of a lecture trying to get the attention of those on cell phones, and let’s be honest, how can I compete with a Lady Gaga ring tone?
Ask yourself this: how dependent on your cell phone are you? Could you go without texting, bbming, or calling for a day? A week? Or even for a couple of hours to give respect to the host of an event?
Ejoy!
Insider Reflections
With Ashley Foley
Growing up in a small town of about 500 with no cell phone service was not out of the ordinary for me. I didn’t use my cell phone much, and didn’t see the need to use it when I was at home.
Then when I spent four years in Toronto in school, we were taught not to have our cell phones on during a lecture. Heaven forbid your cell phone beeps to notify a text message or even worse, that awful Lady Gaga ring tone you thought was so cool when you downloaded comes on in the midst of a Psychology or Multimedia lecture.
Busted. Kicked out of the lecture. I’m not sure which is worse, being made fun of by the professor in front of a full lecture hall, or having to leave like a kindergartener who was being disruptive.
After moving to La Crete, I am very surprised at how dependent people are on their cell phones. And I’m not talking about the teenagers either, that’s inevitable. I’m talking about you guys, the mid thirties to seniors.
To me, my cell phone never comes before a face-to-face conversation. If I am at lunch and my cell phone goes off, I don’t answer it because the person I am visiting with is more important than a phone call.
However, I have been speechless at the number of events I have attended where people are not only not turning off their ringers, but also answering calls in the middle of the events.
For example, when I arrived at the MARA Field Day event a few weeks ago, I made sure to turn off my ringer before walking in. An old university habit, I suppose.
I was surprised to see that I was among the few who had the courtesy to turn off my ringer. In a room filled with people aged 35-60, I can’t count the number of times a cell phone disrupted the speakers.
Not only that, but there was more than one person who answered their cell phone without leaving the lecture, which not only was disruptive to the lecturers, but also to the people around that person, as well.
Of course, not everyone in attendance was gabbing on their cell phones, but there was constantly cell phones ringing and dinging throughout the lectures.
Today’s youth have been labeled as cell phone crazed and technology dependent, and this may be so. I for one, try to have polite cell phone etiquette in public places. I have been the one at the front of a lecture trying to get the attention of those on cell phones, and let’s be honest, how can I compete with a Lady Gaga ring tone?
Ask yourself this: how dependent on your cell phone are you? Could you go without texting, bbming, or calling for a day? A week? Or even for a couple of hours to give respect to the host of an event?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
A day with "Bob"
The other day, I went to Home Hardware to speak with a man we'll call "Bob" (as I've been asked to omit names from my blog), who is on the La Crete Health Committee. He was a great man, and gave me as much information as he could. I've interviewed him before, and being a 'man of many hats' I've seen him in the community quite a bit.
We talked about that subject, then he informed me of another great article idea and asked when I'd be able to come back out. Without hesitation, we both jumped in his truck and headed down 94th street to his other business.
Note to Torontonians and city slickers: in the country, it's not odd or dangerous to get in a car with someone you hardly know, even being a man or even a stranger. Especially in La Crete. And besides, his truck was huge, I couldn't resist.
He appologised for the smoke smell and informed me he was burning brush. That explains why my house has been covered in a black cloud of ash the last few days. He lives just on the other side of the small group of trees across the road.
After giving me a tour of his other business and doing some interviews, we talked horses on the drive back. He says he has a few of his own and recently went on a trailride in La Crete with 50 other horses. How this happened and nobody told me about it or I never found out, is still a mystery. Anyways, we went back to HomeHardware and he showed me some photos of the horses and trailride and it seemed absolutely lovely.
After having a rough day, "Bob" sure had a way of bringing light to a dull day. Hope to see you around more, "Bob!"
We talked about that subject, then he informed me of another great article idea and asked when I'd be able to come back out. Without hesitation, we both jumped in his truck and headed down 94th street to his other business.
Note to Torontonians and city slickers: in the country, it's not odd or dangerous to get in a car with someone you hardly know, even being a man or even a stranger. Especially in La Crete. And besides, his truck was huge, I couldn't resist.
He appologised for the smoke smell and informed me he was burning brush. That explains why my house has been covered in a black cloud of ash the last few days. He lives just on the other side of the small group of trees across the road.
After giving me a tour of his other business and doing some interviews, we talked horses on the drive back. He says he has a few of his own and recently went on a trailride in La Crete with 50 other horses. How this happened and nobody told me about it or I never found out, is still a mystery. Anyways, we went back to HomeHardware and he showed me some photos of the horses and trailride and it seemed absolutely lovely.
After having a rough day, "Bob" sure had a way of bringing light to a dull day. Hope to see you around more, "Bob!"
Many Hats in a Small Town
Here's a column I wrote a few weeks back, and was published, but that I thought a few of you might enjoy back home who do not read the Northern Pioneer.
Enjoy!
Many Hats in a Small Town
Ashley Foley
In small towns, especially La Crete and Fort Vermilion, there are a lot of organizations, businesses and leadership roles to be filled and fewer people to fill them.
The solution: each person wears a lot of hats.
Usually, I interview business owners, councillors, RCMP Officers, or Fire Fighters, and in meeting them in that persona, would create a biased judgement based on their role.
However, in attending Get to Know You Night and other events and small business interviews, I have come to realized that I had made biased assumptions on these figures based on their roles. Most of these people actually play more than one role in their community.
For example, in attending council meetings in Fort Vermilion, I had always assumed each of the business people sitting around the table were intimidating.
However, after meeting with Ray Toews in Fort Vermilion as a multi-business owner and Canadian Ranger, I was introduced to a softer, more friendly and less intimidating side of him.
It is said that judgements are made within the first ten seconds of meeting someone, and that first impressions are everything. Perhaps I was too quick to judge people based on their roles, titles and uniforms.
These people are the exact same people in flesh and blood, but show completely different personalities depending on which role they are in.
It all depends on their hat.
Perhaps that’s the special part that I get to experience that my classmates back in Toronto are missing out on, the closeness and multi-personalities that come with a small town.
Though I too grew up in a small town, much smaller than Fort Vermilion, as a child I hadn’t realized or learned to appreciate different traits in people. The teacher was a role model, the video store owner rented movies, and the person with peacock farm was the strange one nobody knew well.
On the other hand, these northern villages are unique. I don’t believe I would have ever experienced so many personalities in one individual by staying in a small town in Southern Ontario, because the nearest city or town is only minutes away.
Here, on the other hand, there is more responsibility on each individual, and less reliance on cities and government run resources for the communities to run effectively. And they do so in a uniquely wonderful away.
But it takes a lot of hats.
Enjoy!
Many Hats in a Small Town
Ashley Foley
In small towns, especially La Crete and Fort Vermilion, there are a lot of organizations, businesses and leadership roles to be filled and fewer people to fill them.
The solution: each person wears a lot of hats.
Usually, I interview business owners, councillors, RCMP Officers, or Fire Fighters, and in meeting them in that persona, would create a biased judgement based on their role.
However, in attending Get to Know You Night and other events and small business interviews, I have come to realized that I had made biased assumptions on these figures based on their roles. Most of these people actually play more than one role in their community.
For example, in attending council meetings in Fort Vermilion, I had always assumed each of the business people sitting around the table were intimidating.
However, after meeting with Ray Toews in Fort Vermilion as a multi-business owner and Canadian Ranger, I was introduced to a softer, more friendly and less intimidating side of him.
It is said that judgements are made within the first ten seconds of meeting someone, and that first impressions are everything. Perhaps I was too quick to judge people based on their roles, titles and uniforms.
These people are the exact same people in flesh and blood, but show completely different personalities depending on which role they are in.
It all depends on their hat.
Perhaps that’s the special part that I get to experience that my classmates back in Toronto are missing out on, the closeness and multi-personalities that come with a small town.
Though I too grew up in a small town, much smaller than Fort Vermilion, as a child I hadn’t realized or learned to appreciate different traits in people. The teacher was a role model, the video store owner rented movies, and the person with peacock farm was the strange one nobody knew well.
On the other hand, these northern villages are unique. I don’t believe I would have ever experienced so many personalities in one individual by staying in a small town in Southern Ontario, because the nearest city or town is only minutes away.
Here, on the other hand, there is more responsibility on each individual, and less reliance on cities and government run resources for the communities to run effectively. And they do so in a uniquely wonderful away.
But it takes a lot of hats.
Jasper Photos
Okay, so I'm a huge liar and never posted photos from Jasper. However, my friend Kristin posted some in her blog, so check hers out, incase I never get around to posting pics myself.
http://kfeddema.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/an-albertan-thanksgiving-in-hinton-and-jasper/
I have no idea when my life became so busy! However, I love the business. Chris and I are both so busy, with him working days and me working evenings and weekends, that we hardly even get to see eachother! And then, of course, we see our Greg, the third person in our relationship you might say, almost every day. He's great and sure makes the darkening days light up.
Enjoy the photos on Kristin's blog post about Jasper, and I'll try to update you again soon!
http://kfeddema.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/an-albertan-thanksgiving-in-hinton-and-jasper/
I have no idea when my life became so busy! However, I love the business. Chris and I are both so busy, with him working days and me working evenings and weekends, that we hardly even get to see eachother! And then, of course, we see our Greg, the third person in our relationship you might say, almost every day. He's great and sure makes the darkening days light up.
Enjoy the photos on Kristin's blog post about Jasper, and I'll try to update you again soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)