This feature will attempt to renew some acquaintances with those who called Carman and area home at one time or another. I have randomly selected people to answer questions of their past and present so the readers can be brought up to speed on their lives.
Q. Firstly let’s get familiar with you again. When did you live in Carman?
I grew up in Carman, living there from 1989 – 2007.
Q. Did you attend school here?
Nursery school below the United Church, Carman Elementary and later Carman Collegiate.
Q. What did you do for jobs as a student?
I started at golf course cleaning clubs and carts, and eventually moved out to the grounds crew. Towards the end of school, I’d juggle the golf course in the mornings, and the Co-op gas bar in the evenings or on weekends.
Q. What activities did you participate in as a student?
I played quite a bit of hockey growing up but tried to balance it out with golf and badminton.
Q. Do your parents live here? Who and what do they do for a living?
Both of my parents are originally from the Miami area. They moved to Carman and raised a family. My dad, Bob, and his partner Joanne still live in Carman, and are active in the community and best known for their summer sweet corn. Mom, Kathy and partner Dale are retired and spend summers at the lake.
Q. Do you have extended family living here?
My aunt and uncle – Bob and Lynda Pritchard are in the Carman area. My stepsister, Brooke and her husband Mike Weir are still close by with their family. My brother, Martin is in Winnipeg, Grandma Orchard is in Miami, and I have other aunts, uncles and cousins scattered all over southern Manitoba, many of whom are still frequenters of the Carman area.
Q. What got you to leave Carman and where?
I pursued education in both Guelph, Ontario and Olds, Alberta. Eventually settling in Calgary, Alberta.
Q. What was your chosen career?
I spent a few years after university traveling while pursuing a career in golf course maintenance. Later on, I realized I could combine my creative side with the travel aspect to fulfil both desires. Eventually I landed a job with an American based golf course architect as a design associate/project manager.
Q. Did you move around lots in career or life?
I have a home and roots in the Calgary area now, but still spend 300 +/- days on projects in various locations around the world. I’ve been fortunate that my career has taken me all over the world to work in some interesting locations. Stops in (St. Andrews) Scotland, (Karuizawa) Japan, (Bangkok) Thailand and now Sydney are definitely highlights, but I’ve also managed to see nearly every nook and cranny of the United States, something I wish I could also say about my own country.
Q. What passes your leisure time? Hobbies? Sports?
I’ve taken up downhill skiing and hiking which keep me busy while I’m at home in Alberta. While I no longer play hockey, I still enjoy keeping up with the game over the Internet while I’m overseas working. HNIC on CBC reminds me of my roots, and a game I used to enjoy playing.
Q. Have you travelled for leisure and where?
I took a week in Scotland earlier this year for hiking, whiskey and golf. Another week in Tasmania for a bit of a wine, golf holiday, and I plan on getting to New Zealand this July or August to do some downhill skiing as well.
Q. Any future plans? Do you have a to do list?
I made a goal to see one new location in Canada every year from now on. Last year I spent several long weekends in and around Montreal, and this year I’d like to see Vancouver and the surrounding area.
Q. Do you ever return to Carman?
I stop by every now and then. Dad always has corn work to keep up with, and Syls is always worth a visit!
Q. What are some of your fondest memories of your Carman days?
Spending countless hours on the golf course with friends, summers at the pool, or open hockey at the rink.
Q. Any last words you wish to send to our readers?
Get out of town, see the world, and appreciate the community you’re a part of or grew up in. We’re very fortunate to call or have called Carman home.
