You might know her as Twink-elle, the pixie-like clown with the pigtails and bouncy manner.
You might know her as the entertaining and energetic woman who reads stories and leads craft time at the local library. You might know her as the woman behind the camera with the huge smile that makes it almost impossible for you to not smile back. Or you might know her for her My Side of the Fence column where she examines almost any topic from small town life to bravely talking about her own struggles with depression.
In whatever incarnation you encounter Danica Lorer, Regional Optimist/ News-Optimist freelance reporter, she will leave an impression.
My first impression was, "Wow! She seems intriguingly determined."
That first impression came in response to an advertisement for a freelance reporter for the Maidstone Mirror. Digging up a new freelancer to cover the Maidstone beat was a frequent task on my agenda and when this petite woman came into the office on Main Street, carting along an infant in a car set, proclaimed to me, "I'm the one you are looking for," who was I to argue?
And I didn't. We negotiated an agreement that began a nearly decade-long association. The Mirror morphed, struggled and was eventually consigned to obscurity, but Danica remained a constant. We negotiated a new deal and she changed her alliance to the Battlefords News-Optimist and the Regional Optimist.
Throughout this association she kept her community on the map with exceptionally well-illustrated, timely and thoughtful presentation of events, news happenings and people.
But, I always say the only truly predictable constant in a newsroom is change and come the end of June, I will be facing another.
Danica and her family - husband Reg Bloski, son Kole Phillips and daughter Jazmine Bloski - are relocating to Langham, where they take possession of a new home in August. Jazmine, now an elementary school student, was the infant in the car seat when her mom embarked on her freelance reporting career.
Monday evening the community of Maidstone hosted a farewell gathering for the family. Cake and fellowship were shared and many hugs and well wishes were expressed. Visual tributes chronicled the family's contributions to the community throughout their years there.
Danica has often admitted she was never a small town girl. She grew up in the city, but through her freelance reporting, column authorship and many other pursuits she carved a comfortable niche for herself and those she cares about.
We know she will do the same in her new community, where she will be closer to family and closer to some of the activities and pursuits that interest her. You can still follow her thoughts and adventures through My Side of the Fence, which she says gives her an enjoyable creative outlet through which to hone her writing skills.
Her colleagues here at Battlefords Publishing wish her and her family all the best in their new location.
