Zoey Writes.

Having a job I enjoy is highly rewarding, but you know what? Awards are pretty rewarding too. A former coworker got in touch with me today to let me know that I am a finalist for three Canadian Community Newspaper Awards for stories I wrote during my internship last summer with the Fort Frances Times. My first though was something along the lines of “woohoo!”

I’ve written plenty of stories that I’m really satisfied with, but I won’t lie, this kind of recognition was particularly exciting. Here are the stories nominated, plus a little bit about each, should you be interested in reading them. All were nominated in the 4,000-9,999 circulation category; I believe the Times’ circulation is around 5,000. 

Best Feature Story: “Elderly in need of more care here” (June 8, 2011)

“My mom is going to die in Rainycrest. There’s no doubt about it.”

June Caul is heartbroken when she speaks about her mother. At 87, Mary Caul lives at the local long-term care facility after a series of strokes prompted her family to move her there three years ago.

I pitched this story after a coworker covered town council one day. A seniors advocacy group was suggesting to council that more assisted living options were needed for the aging population in town. There’s an overstressed nursing home and a hospital, but there wasn’t a transitional option for the people who needed a medium amount of help.

It’s the kind of story that, as a 20-something reporter, I initially couldn’t imagine myself being affected by. But once I began talking to people who were affected, whose parents were depressed in the nursing home or whose husbands were one ailment away from needing 24/7 care, it was impossible not to imagine a future where I might not be able to help out someone I love.

Best Historical Story: “Memories abound as Ukrainian Hall closes doors” (July 13, 2011)

Here’s a tip: If you’re ever in a small town and someone offers to take you to a perogy dinner at the Ukrainian Hall, say yes! Not only did I have the most delicious handmade perogies known to humankind (apologies to your mom and baba, and yes, I will accept dinner invitations to prove me wrong), but I learned the historic Ukrainian Hall was closing down and who was going to buy it. Small towns are great for rumours.

Best Business Story: “Out of the shop, into the sky” (May 18, 2011)

Months of careful planning and meticulously-kept spreadsheets have built up to this: the most fun time of the year for a local fly-in fishing company.

“All the work you’ve done during the winter is coming together,” noted Peter Giles, maintenance manager for Rusty Myers Fly-In Fishing and Hunting Outposts on Sand Bay.

“It’s like a juggling act.”

I was assigned this story a couple of weeks into my internship, and my editor told me it was a story he always meant to do at that time of year, when the float planes were all getting ready for fishing season. After me and a mechanic slogged through the technical side of things, I got to hang around the workshop a bit, but, alas, did not manage to wrangle a flight around northwest Ontario. The story is about more than the seasonal prep, though. That region of Ontario relies heavily on American tourists and increasing border restrictions, plus the high Canadian dollar have been tough on them.

The winners will be announced April 26 in Toronto!

When I finally managed to roll myself out of bed this morning, I immediately sent a pity-seeking text to my good friend Kaila. That woman is a goldmine of information, particularly when it comes to making a body function properly.

I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about at least a few things (like what is the most delicious kind of soy milk and how to put together IKEA shelves). But when it comes to sports injuries, my go-to (read: only) solution is to take a salty bath.

Thanks to Kaila’s advice, I spent 30 minutes applying a tiny bag of frozen peas, carrots and green beans to my agonized Adductor Longus. That made it possible to walk somewhat naturally.

From this hobbling experience, I have learned that spending an hour running/walking around the Bow River Pathway (yesterday’s afternoon merrymaking) may seem fun at the time, but it’s actually a terrible idea if you fail to stretch properly before and after. 

I also had a roller derby practice last night. I’m thankful now that it was a shortened practice, because it probably would have just wreaked more havoc on my already terribly shocked muscles. 

While it’s probably a good idea to add some running to my routine, I think I’ll be taking it a whole lot easier next time. I’m going to have to sit out today’s practice (or else risk making this painful situation worse), and I’ve been dying to get on my skates all week. Alas, this is better in the long term, I think.