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Glory in the everyday experience

Nov 29, 2010 | 1:03 PM

This week I am going to begin by referencing Angela Hill’s last column – Tales from the Frozen Road.
As a panow.com editor – Angela has a wide array of topics to discuss, but this week talked about going out for a drive on the bald prairie.

It was riveting.

As a long term resident of this area, I was literally on the edge of my seat as she described her fears, anticipations and doubts about the drive – and the exhileration of not only surviving – but of having had an incredible journey.

We have all come across moments similar to this. Her column reminds us of our own experience and connects with something we all share.

The reason I reference this is because we are all interested in the everyday things that happen to everyday people.

This is why I am passionate about the good work that can come out of the Community Group News within panow.com.

In Saskatchewan – and many rural areas throughout the country – access to the opportunity to celebrate every day achievements and activities has become greatly diminished through recent years.

An increasing number of Saskatchewan towns no longer have a local news source at all.

I live and work in a rural town and have created a business here from going back to what people want to read about. It is true that people really, really want to know about the details of an accident or the kid that finally got busted for speeding through town. It is true that small town residents want to know about the controversies that arise out of Town Council minutes.

But I have created a business from providing people in my community with news which talks about the celebrations and the issues which are of interest to everyone here — what the kids are doing at school in academics, in arts and in sport, community teas (there is a fundraising tea every Saturday from now until Christmas and I will cover them all), the little kids playing hockey or soccer, weddings, funerals.

When the Legion Ladies have a cribbage tournament and eight people show up – Phyllis brings me her write up and I am happy to publish it. The best read articles are the submissions from the Jubilee Lodge – information about our seniors and the events they have, the volunteers who help, the guests who come to visit.

People want to know about these things and though Prince Albert is a city – the people which collectively make a city are still the same.

Prince Albert is made up of volunteers and students, athletes and musicians. They may not all be volunteer of the year – but their work makes a difference in the entire community. The athletes and musicians may not be the very best in Canada, yet, but they are very good and people want to know about them. The school plays are not Broadway, but they are produced by students and teachers who have worked very hard and who put on excellent productions.

Community Group News is not about earth shattering, ground breaking events unique to the human experience, but it is filled with interesting stories common to us all, celebrating who we are.

If you are in a community group, remember that people are interested in what you do and remember that because of panow.com what you do has a place to be celebrated. More than that, you are now provided with access to a very large audience, many of whom are looking for something else to do and be involved in.

Maybe it will be the Kinsmen that will strike a nerve with a viewer who is looking for a club to be part of. Perhaps there is a family looking for a church that can be a good fit for them. Somewhere there is a family in crisis that is looking for help.

Community Group News is the link between community at large and all your organizations.

Use this incredible tool that panow.com is providing you.

If you have a group which is not listed on the page – please contact me:

Karen Cay
Community Affairs Editor
panow.com
kcay@panow.com

Have a great week!