As at least some of have noticed, I’m not in Estevan anymore. I am, once again, living in Alberta, and it’s not out of any hard feelings, so don’t worry about that.
I detest long, drawn-out goodbyes and all the associated rigmarole, so let me get straight to the point: I have had time to reflect on what I liked – and what I didn’t like –about the Energy City.
Consider this the valedictory edition of “Good Idea, Bad Idea,” because at the time of writing this, I am packing and feeling (almost) sentimental.
Pro: The Community
Even in hard times, Estevan punched above its weight. Volunteer support and any sort of fundraiser for any cause under the sun, got a surfeit of excellent funding that made it almost feel like the city and its people hadn’t been hit by a drastic economic slump for the last couple of years.
Estevan is packed to the brim with goodwill and good intentions, with organizations like Quota, the United Way, the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and its many church and community groups working tirelessly for the greater good.
Estevan is rightly dubbed the Energy City, in that it has a lot of benevolent, generous energy in how much people are willing to tirelessly help other people. Keep up the good work.
Pro: Social Circle
Pretty much everyone I befriended and/or worked with in Estevan has been very supportive, helpful and welcoming.
It would take far too long to list you all, and why you all have impressed me with your character, but suffice to say, you know who you are. Good on you.
Pro: Warm Welcome
I am keenly grateful to have been allowed to serve the Warm Welcome shelter – albeit for a only small interval of time.
I never had a lot of time to volunteer, and the folks with the shelter did what they needed to help create compatibility between my schedule and their own.
Con: The Roads
Let’s face it: Estevan’s roads are bumpy. From the rough ride that is King Street at the time of me writing this and the pockmarked state of many residential roads, to that weird intersection between 4th Avenue and Perkins that feels like it could shake your car apart if you were to go over it too quickly, the roads in Estevan have a lot of potential for a facelift.
I know it’s a lot to ask, and a crappy time to ask, especially with things being the way they are, financially and fiscally speaking, but you really want to do something about that.
My poor car’s suspension took a hell of a beating over the last year and a half– one that cost me a pretty penny to rectify.
Con: Noise Pollution
One of my biggest problems with life in Estevan can be lain at the feet of those who use loud aftermarket mufflers on their vehicles; those with giant lifted trucks who need to announce their forthcoming with engine noise, or every wannabe Vin Diesel peeling out in a low gear in their modified Honda or Hyundai with a spoiler on the back that makes their car look like a shopping cart.
You fellas need a better hobby.
Putting up with the abundance of noise you made, and the incessant attempts to cut me off when I’d try to cross 13 Avenue and dealing with your toxic behaviour in general behind the wheel, was one of the most odious things about life in Estevan.
I have no problem with people having an interest in an area of speciality –automotive, in this case – but again, most of you need to find something better to do with your free time.
Nobody is impressed that you can press a pedal down with your foot and…big surprise…it makes noise! You remind me of badly trained dogs that bark at their own shadow. And not big tough pit bulls, either – whiny, yappy little Chihuahuas.
Pro: Savour the Southeast
Another way Estevan punches above its weight. I probably won’t have the pleasure of attending this year’s Savour the Southeast, but last year’s inaugural festival was proof enough that even a smaller centre like Estevan can host a damn good time. The ability to pull together so many different vendors, musicians, and most of all guests, from across the southeast is a feat worthy of praise.
