Part of the reason people decide to work in the forest industry is for the community that you become a part of. I grew up in a town of 6,000 people, so I understand what it’s like to feel like part of a community. My town was more of a farming town than a forestry town, but as I sit in the A&W and type this, I see a lot of similarities between Olds and Slave Lake.
1) Nobody is ever happy about the weather.
Farmers find a way to complain about the weather no matter what’s happening. “It’s too dry, nothing is growing”, “It’s too wet, I can’t get into the fields”, “The coyotes are chasing the cows around”, “There’s gopher holes everywhere” (Probably because of the large number of gophers multiplying with no coyotes for predators since you shot them all). I thought this was unique to farmers, but apparently in a forestry/oil and gas town the same sentiments are echoed. I can hear the guy two tables down talking about “too much snow” as I type.
2) Everybody knows something about the local sports team.
Hockey is kind of a big deal in farm towns and this seems to be similar in forestry towns, as the girls sitting at the table across from me are currently discussing how dreamy “Cole” who plays for “local team x” is. I played football and it made me feel like a B-list celebrity in Olds. Every time I went to the Burger Baron after doing something good in the football game, I got a free Double Special (double cheeseburger with fries). Forest and farm communities know all about the local sports teams and who’s on them.
My look-alike Zach Parise.
3) There’s a truck in every driveway.
This is probably just an Alberta thing. It’s also probably unnecessary for everyone to have a truck, but I wouldn’t trade the Work Wild “Minotaur” for anything. I love being able to drive through snow banks without worrying about getting stuck and jumping potholes like they’re not even there.
4) The teens are bored.
We talked about this in one class this week. When you’re nearing adulthood, all you want to do is get out of your small town. I felt the exact same way and I’m glad I left and went to University. As I say that though, all I want to do is go back to a community like Olds. You know how hard it is to go skiing when you live in Edmonton? You have to drive at least 4 hours just to see a moderate decline to bomb down. The fishing in the North Saskatchewan is also nowhere near as good as some of the trout creeks outside out of Sundre. It’s nice going to the store and seeing someone you know. I like being part of a small community. There’s really not that much more to do in the City. There’s more stores, and there’s more people, but getting anywhere is an ordeal. That’s about it. You end up doing the same thing in a small town that you do in the city. I’m guessing the teens here are bored because the same car with four aged 17ish guys seems to have driven by 4 times in the last half hour. Definitely lunch break in a small town. We used to hit the McDonalds drive through, order numerous cups of water, and drench good looking girls on nice days.
5) “Denim, Denim, Denim” (sang to the tune of the original Mario castle song)
There are jean jackets everywhere… and it’s awesome!!! The Canadian Tuxedo is in full force in both Olds and Slave Lake.
In summary, living in rural communities is sweet, especially if that’s the type of community you grew up in. You’re living there with other people who want to be there and have similar interests. The wilderness is in your backyard (probably eating your garden, stupid deer). You know a lot of people in town and it’s like having a huge family. Also, after being in schools in Edmonton and around the province, I understand the friendships that you can build in rural communities. I’m still friends with a bunch of people from high school and the majority of my friends in Edmonton grew up in rural communities.
Some of the greatest people I’ve ever met grew up in rural communities and go back to those communities. Also in those places, YOU GET FREE COFFEE REFILLS!!! Thanks Melanie at A&W Slave Lake!