Something to brag about

15 Oct 2011 6 Comments

by cvoysey in communication, rural, rural communication, Uncategorized Tags: Bow Island Alberta, Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek Alberta, Saskatchewan, Sparwood, Sparwood British Columbia, Swift Current

I recently travelled 1/4 way across the country, and landed in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. It’s my new home and it’s a “city”, by definition.

To be a city in Saskatchewan, you need more than 5,000 people. At first, I thought I’d have to drop this blog because I no longer live in rural Canada. My new city hosts about 16,000 people. However, my worries were quickly abated when it was explained to me “Oh yes! We are very central. We’re just two-and-a-half hours away from everything.”

I stared at her blankly. “Oh, ok.”

I’m still in rural Canada.

According to the province, if you are under the 5,000 mark in terms of population, you are demoted to town status. If your area of residence is under 1,000 people, you live in a village. And, if you live in a house by a granary, with maybe one other house, you live in a hamlet.

Someone explained this to me today. I thought she said “omelette” at first.

“No, a hamlet.” she said.

“An omelette with ham?” I said.

“No, a hamlet–a group of houses,” she explained.

“Oh, that’s good. I’d hate to live in an omelette.”

I digress.

As we drove across Western Canada, we went through many, many cities, towns, villages and hamlets. And the thing that struck me was this: Each city, town, village and even hamlet, had something to brag about.

For example, Sparwood, B.C., has the world’s largest truck.

The Titan--a lean, green, crushing machine and the world's largest truck.

Pincher Creek is famous for being one of the windiest spots in Canada.

There are large numbers of wind turbines in Pincher Creek. I think they are powerful and beautiful. However, not everyone thinks so. They can kill anything that flies, including endangered hawks. And they are very noisy. I still love them. Renewable energy is a good thing.

Bow Island, AB, is the Bean Capital of the West.

The town of Bow Island is well known for the dry edible bean industry. An 18-foot high statue of the mascot, “Pinto MacBean” greets everyone coming into town. Note the gun in his holster.

The hamlet of Burdett, AB, had one of Canada’s first irrigation pivots.

It's a sprinkler!

The world’s largest tepee is in Medicine Hat, AB.

Really?

The town of Eastend, SK, is known for its discovery of Scotty the TRex.

Ok. This is cool. Rumour has it that he was named after a bottle of scotch.

And finally, there’s Swift Current. “Where life makes sense.”

Makes sense? I left my home, my family, my friends and my permanent job. Nothing makes sense. But I'm all the happier for it!

What’s your city, town, village or ham omelette got to brag about? Inquiring minds want to know! Share it here today!