by Mark Weber
Eckville Echo

Good day everyone!
My name is Mark Weber, and for the next few weeks I’ll be helping Steve Dills, editor of the Sylvan Lake News.
I’m from the Red Deer Express (a sister paper) and am very pleased to be working here for a while to explore Sylvan Lake and Eckville and the local areas on the lookout for all kinds of community news and features.
Another Express reporter, Kirsten Palardy, will be lending a hand next month.
Although I’ve only been here for a few days, I’ve already enjoyed a very warm welcome from the staff at the News and residents of both communities who I’ve met so far.
And although Red Deer is by no means a large city, it’s been a welcome change to get in my car and drive west each morning.
I’ve enjoyed being reminded of how terrific it is to call Central Alberta home.
Driving home from Bentley the other day in the late afternoon, the sunlight provided a brilliant colouring over the fields and hills.
It’s sights like these that can be missed when a person lives in a city — even a relatively small one.
You drive to work in the morning, spend the day at your desk, run a few errands perhaps and then head home with a view that’s blocked by streets and buildings.
So it’s been a treat to see the local countryside again and, like I said, it’s a powerful reminder of the natural beauty we have been blessed with in this part of the province.
The other day, I took advantage of the mild weather and went for a walk along the lakefront.
I was struck by a couple of things — first, how Sylvan Lake never fails to offer a range of scenic views — no matter the season — that are unlike what I’ve seen before.
I also noticed how quiet it was.
Of course, that same area is completely different in the hectic summer months, but these days it offers a quiet, peaceful escape on a sunny, warm winter day.
Although I’ve been at the Red Deer Express for 11 years, I have worked in small communities including Ponoka, Barrhead and Lac La Biche.
I have lots of good memories from those experiences — I met people from all walks of life as I learned about the fabric of those communities and how passionate residents were about their towns and their respective histories.
There were countless stories to be told, and it was always a joy to bring them to a broader audience.
I was also lucky enough to check out the surrounding countryside of those communities on a regular basis.
That was something I never tired of — heading out to do interviews on quiet country roads and highways. It was a great season of my life — meeting fantastic people who were so proud of what their communities had to offer.
I never struggled to come up with ideas for stories — there were plenty of ideas to explore and write about at every turn.
I’m sure that’s the same case here.
Even though I’m only at the Sylvan Lake News temporarily, I hope folks will feel comfortable about approaching me with story ideas, as I’d be happy to hear them.
Drop by the office anytime, or give me a call at 403-887-2331.