What an impact this vibrant little community has made on me! It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye and write this final piece for the Rossland News. Farewells can be difficult, especially when you find something that aligns to a lifestyle you cherish. While the snow has been lacking, the warm-hearted people certainly have not. It has been a pleasure to share your stories and be involved in this community. You certainly welcomed me in Rossland!
I hope the newspaper has given you something to look forward to each week as well as playing an important role in the social development of this wonderful community.
Most of you whom I spoke with quickly picked up that I spoke with a funny accent. I secured a sabbatical from my role in Australia commencing April 2014 and now it is time to return home. And no, I don’t have a background in journalism, (maybe that’s obvious) as many of you often asked, although I do have qualifications in interactive digital media and marketing communications and a passion for giving the community’s stories life in the weekly paper.
You can continue to contact my replacement using the reporter@rosslandnews.com email address. I am certain the Rossland News management will find someone who is committed to telling the community’s stories and will quickly adapt to the social task of interviewing the wonderful people who are making news in Rossland.
I adore the Kootenay culture — alive and well here in Rossland. Something I learned through my role was Rossland citizens take ownership to ensure things happen. Rather than sitting back and saying ‘they’ should do this or that, you get out there and take action. This is admirable and a great reminder as to why small communities are so charming.
Deadlines can often be a challenge but thanks to the cooperative community-minded people here, creating content was never an issue. Sometime organizations had fluid plans and print media meant it was impossible to change the message once Thursday’s paper hit the stand.
I have made so many memories here that I will cherish forever. I will definitely be recommending this place to others and hope to return for a short break when Ullr delivers the goods next winter.
Thanks for reading and supporting your community newspaper.
— Alicia Wallace