Estevan has taken its hits in 2013.
The shape of our roads has been a major source of consternation, anger and embarrassment; the vacancy rate remains at zero per cent and the incident at the recent MÖtley Crüe concert caused many outside our borders to snicker and point.
Unfortunately, issues such as these have created an abnormal amount of hostility through the first half of 2013. The long winter might also have been a factor but there is no getting around the fact we have been a grumpy city lately.
Perhaps the much anticipated arrival of summer will help cure the problem. If that doesn't, how about looking past the potholes to the incredible spirit of our community. We saw two impressive examples of that spirit this past week.
On Saturday, the Woodlawn Regional Park officially celebrated its return from the floods of 2011. To say it has been a long road back for Woodlawn is an obvious understatement. The campground along the river and other areas were devastated by the floods, so much so that it might have been easier to just move to another location and start over.
That might have been easier but it's not how we do things around here. A challenge was presented and because many people rose to the occasion, Woodlawn is fully back.
Coincidentally, a flood also led to the other event. Upon hearing a call for dresses so that students in High River, Alta., could celebrate the graduation they missed because of the floods, ECS teacher Tanis Savill put out a call to the city.
She was hopeful of collecting a dozen dresses. When all was said and done she had over 300. One person after another showed up at ECS with dresses in their arms so the students in High River could enjoy graduation. To see that many people donate dresses speaks again to the incredible generosity the people of this area show time and again.
At a time when morale seems to be low and angst is high, maybe taking a look at events such as these will help people realize what we have here. We have issues like anywhere else but this is a prosperous community of strong, charitable people. Many don't seem to realize but this is a city envied throughout Canada. If you don't believe us, take a look at the vacancy rate; the reason it sits at zero per cent is because people from around the world are trying to get here.
Since they are finally starting to blossom, perhaps we should take time to smell the roses. We might find they smell pretty good.
