A couple news items from the heartland this week serve to remind us about the advantages of rural life. Farming is not the most profitable occupation these days but it has unique lifestyle rewards that help mitigate the flawed economics.
A case in point was a Jan. 29 event in Empress, Alta. Don Gilham, an area farmer, was injured in a vehicle accident last September. To help Gilham and his family with expenses and with continued operation of the family farm, friends and family organized a benefit that raised $60,000 through participation by people in Empress and the surrounding communities of Jenner, Bindloss, Empress, Buffalo, Cereal, Oyen, New Brigden, Acadia Valley, Hilda, Burstall, Brooks and Czar. Details appear on page 19.
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Heide Bowyer sent us an account of the event that she also supplied to the Oyen Echo.
“There are times in this world when you get discouraged and let down but being there on Saturday and witnessing the purity of the friendship put forth truly restores your faith in human nature,” Bowyer wrote. “All was right in our corner of the world that day.”
Gilham came home for the first time since September for the gathering of about 500 people.
“Don expressed his gratitude for the event, saying he felt so fortunate to live in a community and surrounding area where he could stop for a coffee anywhere at any time and be welcomed,” wrote Bowyer.
Sounds like Gilham knows what rural life is about Ñ good neighbours, good friends and an encompassing sense of community.
The second news item arrived via a photograph that reminds us of rural life’s constant and deep connection with nature and its surprises.
Oliver Heppner of Waldheim, Sask., went out to the barn one morning and found a coyote sleeping among his chickens and ducks. Amazed at the find, he and his wife took a photo and sent it to the Producer.
Sure enough, the picture shows the coyote curled up with his nose under his tail, while seven feathered friends perch and peck around nearby. Photo quality prevents adequate reproduction here.
“He didn’t seem to know they were supposed to be food,” recounts Heppner. Given the coyote’s behaviour and abnormal lethargy, Heppner suspects it was ill, so a quick dispatch was prudent.
Unlike many of those involved in government policy, farmers including Heppner know you don’t leave a fox, or a coyote, in charge of the hen house.
Community spirit and nature’s variety: two reasons the rural lifestyle works.
