Just a Gal from Glidden: Appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it

BY KATE WINQUIST
kate@yoursouthwest.com

I can hardly believe that I have been writing this weekly musing for three months already! This coming weekend is, of course, Thanksgiving and I have so many reasons to be thankful.

First of all, I need to thank you, the readers who have given me lots of encouragement through the notes you write when sending in subscriptions, to the phone calls and Facebook messages. I genuinely appreciate them all, and they mean more than words can say. I can not list you all here, but 632 of you have purchased a subscription!

To the businesses and organizations that have shown the confidence in me to advertise their wares, thank you! Without your support, this newspaper could not exist on subscriptions alone.

To my new found friend, Joan Janzen, I am forever grateful. You are a gem of a human being! You have a gift of finding worthwhile things to write about, and your contribution to this newspaper has not gone unnoticed. Not to mention you bring me pumpkin lattes from Swirls Cafe!

Barry Malindine. The man behind the scenes. Barry is 74 years old (I hope he doesn’t mind me telling you his age). Barry has come out of retirement to help me with advertising sales. It’s not an easy job, and it can be very time-consuming. Even in just a casual role, your presence on the streets of Kindersley has been most welcome.

Every woman needs a “no matter what” friend. Someone that they can call no matter what. Someone they can vent to, no matter what. Someone she doesn’t have to explain herself to, no matter what. That friend, to me, has always been Trina Koska. Trina has been my rock for the past three months. You are such a strong, confident and intelligent woman. I have always looked up to you. Love you, girl!

Last but not least, to my husband, Robert, who has always believed in me. Thank you for letting me pursue my dreams. I don’t know too many men who would let their wife pick up and move three hours away to start a business from scratch in the middle of a pandemic! Hopefully, we will be together under one roof sooner than later.
I found a quote that I thought was appropriate to share.

“Make it a habit to tell people, ‘thank you.’ To express your appreciation sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.”

—Ralph Marston

Where the heck is Isham?

Going through some of my photo files earlier this summer, I came across a little video from an impromptu trip to Isham, Saskatchewan. Many of you probably know exactly where Isham is, but I’m betting most of you don’t! Located approximately 13 kms east of Eston and another 8 kms south, in the R.M. of Snipe Lake No. 259, the tiny hamlet was built along the rail line.

In its prime, Isham had a church, school and a general store (which is still standing today). In fact, the property is listed through a local realtor if you want to own a piece of history!

A stone cairn was erected in 1997 to honour the early pioneers of the area.

I had posted the video on our Facebook page, and Connie McConnell commented:

“Home ... my parents started our family in Isham. In fact, the stone for the cairn came from our farm when it was being planned.”

If anyone has photos or stories from Isham in its heyday, please feel free to contact me and we will keep its history alive.

Ralph Marston was right. Appreciate life. I have been blessed to be here.

Isham was once an active community. A large cairn was erected in 1997 to honour its early pioneers.

PHOTO BY KATE WINQUIST