Some of you in the communities of Fernie, Sparwood, and Elkford may have noticed a new face around town. In such a close-knit, friendly place it’s not easy to go unnoticed when you’re showing up at events with a camera and notepad in hand.
I moved from Vancouver to the Elk Valley last fall and found myself experiencing snow before Halloween and wildlife in my backyard I’d only ever seen on TV before. To say it was an adjustment would be an understatement, but after surviving my first real, Canadian winter I was hooked.
Living in Sparwood has opened up several doors that may have remained shut for years had I stayed in the beautiful, but very expensive, city of Vancouver. I’m now a homeowner, the proud owner of two dogs, and am excited to have just taken on the job of reporter at The Free Press.
Having studied broadcast journalism at BCIT my plan was always to become a journalist, whether it be for print, radio, or television. If I had remained in Vancouver, where I was working as a copywriter for a small communications company, I’m not sure the dream job of reporter would have come along as quickly as it did here.
The Free Press may be a lesser known paper when you compare it to a publication like the Vancouver Sun, but I believe it’s more connected to its readers on a personal level. I continue to find myself amazed at how people living in Fernie, Sparwood, and Elkford are genuinely interested and concerned with what’s happening in their communities. I’ve been given the opportunity to write about what’s important to the residents of the Elk Valley and am grateful to have it.
I’m coming up on the one-year anniversary of my move and having met many welcoming people in all three communities, I finally feel like I’m at home. Now with my new position at The Free Press, I’m looking forward to getting to know even more of my fellow community members.