The email arrived during the busy week of Canadian Western Agribition when I happened to be sitting with my editor at the show.
“Look at this,” I said to Mike Raine, handing him my phone.
“Is this for real? Or is someone pranking me?”
The subject line, Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan) Invitation, was similar enough to others inviting media to attend presentations that I might have easily ignored it. This one, however, didn’t come from the usual address.
Mike said it appeared legitimate, and I did have to agree.
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But why? I had no idea who had put my name forward. My family had some thoughts, including that for 30 years I have volunteered for a particular organization. Maybe that was it.
Even after I replied that I would attend the presentation, I still had questions.
The platinum jubilee medals celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne 70 years ago. Some provinces are awarding them throughout the jubilee year that began last February. In Saskatchewan, 7,000 medals will be presented to residents who have made a contribution to Canada, the province, a particular region or a community.
What exactly was my contribution?
It turns out others had those same questions when they opened their emails that day, but none of us put all the pieces together until we arrived at Government House in Regina Dec. 13.
The first person I saw in the parking lot was Agribition president Kim Hextall and her husband, Jack Hextall, who are both long-time volunteers in the cattle industry.
Then I saw more past-presidents, academics and researchers who all work in agriculture.
The list was impressive. And there I was on it, along with my long-time radio colleague, Jim Smalley, who will retire in April.
In fact, of all the agricultural recipients that day, he was the only one I had never interviewed for a story.
I’ve been a journalist for nearly 39 years, three-quarters of that time at The Western Producer.
I know a little about a lot of things and could never farm or ranch, but I can, and will, tell your stories. That’s how I can contribute.
I’m honoured and humbled to do so, just as I’m honoured and humbled to be recognized for it.
