The Arrow Lakes News invited former reporter Keith Powell in to fill a temporary staffing gap this week. As it happens, Keith is returning back to Ontario after spending the better part of three years in Nakusp. We asked him for his reflections on his stay. Here’s what he had to say:
Well everyone, it’s time for me to say goodbye.
I’ve been hiding out for the last little while. I would take a walk downtown and people would ask me how long I am back for, where I’d gone and so forth. It means a lot to have so many interested in my life and to be thinking about me.
It has been almost three years. My three-year anniversary is in July. I first showed up in Nakusp and started writing that day about the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program’s kokanee spawning initiatives, amongst other things. I was excited about that story. I was a young, fresh 21-year old in search of adventure and an education only being in the fray can teach.
A lot has been learned. I’ve become almost become an amateur historian on this area, and I’ve come to know and enjoy the company of many. Lori Benjamin is my dear friend, a freelancer and one of my mothers in Nakusp. When I was working late, she would bring me a dinner to the office to make sure I was getting along fine. Treating me with baked goods, too. To the ladies at Cut-Rite, we’ve had some great laughs, and I’ll miss coming in there and being coy and silly with you. Marilyn Boxwell for being my columnist and saving my hide more than a few times. Absolutely darling.
I could go on, but I really don’t want to miss anybody. The old fella at Meritxell Books, how I enjoyed our conversations. Walking downtown in the city takes longer because the streets are longer, the blocks further apart. In Nakusp, it takes longer because we all have people to chat with, and no one is in much of a hurry.
It’s splendid. Nearly my whole immediate family has visited me in Nakusp and they were immediately stricken with the area. Some people like the mountains of Kaslo, some New Denver, but if you’re into Nakusp, it’s just the end all be all.
There haven’t been many downs since I’ve been here. I have always been a fairly private fellow, and tried to keep my profile low outside of work. My friends Dan and Carma helped me achieve that with a second home.
I feel slightly remiss I haven’t spent more time with the people who made my time while working the best of my life. This was my first big adventure in life, driving out here (to Nakusp of all places) from Ontario, to where I will return a few days after you read this.
And so I will start another chapter. Hopefully it will include university, and perhaps an undergraduate in English to aid me with my journalistic and creative writing, but also leave doors open for teaching. If only I had a knack for something more lucrative.
I know I will be back in Nakusp at some point, but I couldn’t say when. But when I do, I will have a wide smile on my face and be relieved to be back to the most beautiful place, in scenery and heart, that I’ve ever been.
If you wish to keep in touch with me, email me at keithlp@hotmail.com. Otherwise, I’ll be seeing you when I see you.
