Five years ago I was given a camera, a notepad and a pen and headed off to my very first Loggers Sports event.
Back then, I had no idea of the difference between birling and hand bucking. And the butcher block chop? It sounded like a brand new meat-cutting shop.
Fast-forward five years and I can tell you the order, top competitors and description of every Loggers Sports event. I eventually understood that event and truly learned to understand and appreciate Squamish.
I’ve grown a lot in the past five years and so has the town, which makes it so difficult to say goodbye to Squamish. I’ve accepted a job with the Abbotsford News and start there this month but it’s been a great run for me in Squamish. I’ve made lifelong friends and have memories that will last forever.
We’re fortunate to live in this town and I’ve been so lucky to see these changes firsthand. I was front row centre for every Squamish Valley Music Festival, and I also witnessed the creation of the Sea to Sky Gondola, a handful of elections, the growth of Quest University and almost every sporting event.
When I arrived, it was a little overwhelming to see the variety of sports in which Squamish residents participate. There are the traditional team sports, sports on the water, on the trails, in the air and on the mountains.
I’ve always tried my best to reach out to people from all sports and all passions and bring their stories to the pages of this paper. I wanted to bring readers a little taste of what it’s like to compete or enjoy these activities. It wasn’t perfect, but I like to think I covered more things than I missed. Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer my questions.
I’m not sure I would have survived five years without great co-workers. Publishers Tim Shoults, Laila Michell and Darren Roberts always let me do my own thing. Editors David Burke and Christine Endicott helped shape my stories and gave me so much freedom. And fellow reporters Meagan Robertson, Rebecca Aldous and Jennifer Thuncher were always there to be a sounding board and someone to struggle alongside with during the tough times and laugh with during the silly times.
To everyone who criticized or corrected me – thank you. The passion for this local paper is so strong, people actually want to be in our pages and it gives us a lot of pride. We’ve punched above our weight since I’ve been here and I’m sure it will continue.
Well Squamish, as Boyz II Men once stated – we’ve come to the end of the road. But don’t worry, I’ll be back to visit, and please be as nice to the new person as you were to me.
