Living in a rural community can be both fulfilling and problematic. From a community standpoint a small town away from the hustle and bustle of the city is a perfect place to lay down some roots. Unfortunately from a logistical standpoint things aren’t always so picturesque.

One of the main benefits of small town living is the peace and quiet. Life seems to move a little slower which makes it a great place to relax and get back to nature. It’s also a great place to raise children (it takes a village, as the saying goes). Knowing everyone (and we mean everyone) that lives in your community is definitely a bonus- especially from a safety standpoint. Small towns feel secure and reliable.

On the other hand, there are some struggles as well. Shopping can be problematic, our community does have a small grocery store but if you’re looking for any specialty food items or on the hunt for clothing you’re out of luck here. For those luxuries you’ll have to drive the 115 km to the nearest small city. Law enforcement, banking, and even vet services are also all out of town.

So what does this mean for the people living here? We have to work to keep the community thriving. We have to look out for each other. We are our own fire brigade, community planners and child care. If we want something to happen it’s up to us to make it happen.

And the best part is that we do make things happen. Though our village is small the people here still manage to keep the buildings running and put on fantastic events throughout the year. We are still home to the Longest Running Indoor Canadian Coyboys Association (CCA) Rodeo.

Our tenacity makes us strong and our community spirit is as strong as ever.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post about the importance of volunteerism in small communities!