The next chapter

Riverbend

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/07/2024 (546 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fourteen years ago, I spotted an ad in the Winnipeg Free Press, inviting readers to apply for a position as a community correspondent. As a newly retired high school English teacher, I accepted the challenge and submitted my first article.

That first piece was about my observations of my daily walk around our Riverbend lake. I still remember my joy at seeing my words in print in The Times for the first time.

Over the years, I have written many articles about a variety of topics. I have written about seasonal events… the awakening of spring, the wonder of summer gardening, the beauty of autumn leaves, and the silence of winter.

There have been articles about community events at West Kildonan Collegiate, West Kildonan Library, Kildonan Park and the Riverbend area.

I have written about long waits in the emergency room and chronicled my own hip replacement surgery. One of my most heartfelt articles paid tribute to my mother-in-law Marie, who died from COVID-19 complications.

I’ve enjoyed writing about my travels to Barbados, Arizona, Switzerland, Hungary, France, Portugal, Spain, New England, and California. I have also written about our travels across our amazing country.

My favourite series of articles connected me with my Grade 4 teacher some 40 years after I was a pupil in her classroom.

One of the best surprises about writing was the connections I made with others. It still amazes me when someone approaches me in public to ask about my latest article. I have answered many emails about my travels and have reconnected with people from my past. My writing has connected me with my community. I want to thank my readers for their responses to my articles.

I also want to thank the Free Press Community Review and especially John Kendle for giving me the opportunity to express myself in writing for so many years.

I also have to thank my husband Jeff, who has been my photographer, editor, travel partner, and technical assistant over the years.

Writing has been a dream job for me since my retirement, and I have enjoyed creating each article. However, time passes, and, “to everything there is a season.” It is time for a change.

It is time for me to enjoy new projects. So, thank you again to my readers. Tonight I will take my walk around Riverbend lake at sunset and reminisce about that first article so many years ago.