As the new editor of the Ponoka News, I wanted to take this opportunity in my first column for this publication to introduce myself to the community.
I’ve lived in central Alberta for over 10 years and came to Ponoka in 2015.
My family and I were drawn here by the level of services available, schools, stores and reasonable property taxes.
Ponoka is a town where you have ammenities of a larger centre and but can still enjoy a small town lifestyle.
Even living in town, it can feel more rural than urban, with quiet streets, large yards and parks.
There is a laidback feel here; the town motto of “Keep it Real” kind of says it all.
I enjoy the scenic, natural areas, the unique shops and boutiques and the agricultural spirit.
I cross the bridge on Hwy. 53 almost every day and I’m always struck by the beauty of the river banks and foliage, no matter the season.
As a family, we enjoy going to the Ponoka midway each year, visiting the farmers markets, and watching hockey games.
For the past year as I’ve freelanced for Black Press, my bylines have appeared in the Stettler Independent, Castor Advance, Sylvan Lake News, Pipestone Flyer, and Rimbey Review.
I’m now excited to be working in the community I live in and taking on this new role.
I got my Journalism Arts diploma with a major in print media from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and I’ve worked as a reporter in Rocky Mountain House and Lacombe.
For a number of years I worked as a self-employed digital marketing contractor, working with small businesses to promote them online using social media, online advertising and networking.
I’ve also had a lifestyle photography business since 2014.
I look forward to bringing all these skills to the editor position at Ponoka News and becoming more engaged in the community as I work to ensure a high standard of reliable, consistent reporting.
My hope is to build relationships of trust with community members as I demonstrate my ability to deliver accurate, unbiased and compelling news.
The stories that matter to you are the ones I want to tell.
A career in journalism appealed to me because of my belief that information that is important and relevant to people’s lives should be accessible to the people that will benefit from that information.
I believe that is what journalism is: a means of connecting people to services, events and stories that have an impact.
The stories I enjoy reporting the most are ones with true human interest and stories with helpful information for people in the community.
This could be stories about events, community services and service groups, councils and local governance, sports or information about community services and groups.
Some news is practical and are the stories people don’t necessary want to hear about, but are needful, such as serious crime, motor vehicle collisions or issues that arise in a community.
I look forward to serving the community of Ponoka and getting to know all of you better.
If you have news tips or events coming up, please let me know by sending a message to the editor’s e-mail, editorial@ponokanews.com, or by calling the office at 403-783-3311.
I’d also be happy to meet with you in person.
The door of the Ponoka News is always open.