The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
As I look back at 2007 through a reporter's lens, there are probably about a dozen stories that really stand out. Johnny's Confectionery closed, a once-unthinkable development that forever changes the identity of our great community. I still can't believe the iconic coffee bar and convenience store is gone forever. City Hall was gripped by intense debate over the location of a proposed animal shelter. I'll never forget the high drama of waiting to see how council would vote, knowing there were such profound feelings on both sides. Then there was the news from HudBay Minerals Inc. that it will spend $42.8 million on exploration in 2008, mostly in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake region. Sure there are no guarantees in mining, but with that kind of money on the table, don't be surprised if some exciting news comes down the pipeline. Those happenings were interesting to cover, to say the least, but the stories that hold a special place in my heart weren't necessarily the ones that made big headlines. One story that deeply inspired me was that of Sally McKay. Can you imagine leaving your home, a young child in tow, and landing in a strange new town where you spoke little of the language of choice? That's exactly what Sally did when she moved to Creighton from Deschambault Lake 14 years ago. Not only was her English lacking (she spoke Cree), she had just a fifth grade education. She wanted a better life, but her options were probably as limited as her schooling. Sally saw that the path to a brighter future was lit by education, so she enrolled at Northlands College. In the ensuing years, Sally would devote herself to her studies while raising her daughter and overcoming immense personal loss. It all paid off in 2004 when she graduated from the college's home care / special needs care course. Today Sally is proud to be the aboriginal coordinator at the Flin Flon General Hospital, helping First Nations patients communicate and arrange travel. The people at Northlands thought so highly of Sally that they put her picture and story on a motivational poster to hang at schools across Northern Saskatchewan. May her dedication lead others to a better life. Another uplifting story was that of Judy Eagle. At an age when most people can see retirement at the end of the tunnel, Judy is just getting started. The 53-year-old lifelong Flin Flonner opened her own law office, the culmination of years of study at Winnipeg's University of Manitoba. The next time you find yourself feeling that opportunity has passed you by, think of Judy. She refused to accept anything less than what she wanted for herself. I certainly hope more stories like those of Sally McKay and Judy Eagle await in 2008. Happy New Year! Local Angle runs Fridays.
