Sue O’Brien is the Station Manager for 610 CHTM and has been a Thompson resident since 1993. She started her career in broadcasting 30 years ago at CKX-TV in Brandon where she wrote, directed and produced TV commercials. Her next career move took her to CJME & Z-99 in Regina where she wrote radio ads, eventually becoming the Creative Director for the sister stations. It was also where she met her husband, Tom, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Sue brings her experiences and observations as a mother, wife, business owner, volunteer and resident of the north to her blog.
The Great White North
by Sue O'Brien,posted Feb 26 2011 10:39PM
Northern Manitoba might be missing a thing or two, but what it does have it has in abundance. Snow, trees, bugs, lakes, ravens, snow. Yes, I did mention snow twice. Thanks for noticing.
That’s because we seem to have an inordinate amount of the stuff.
If you’re a winter enthusiast who embraces all things related to snow, then you’re in luck. Snowmobiling, skiing, snow-boarding, snow-shoeing, ice fishing, skating and so on. There really is no lack of things to keep you occupied in northern Manitoba, that’s for certain.
I have learned to tolerate winter and, in turn, the snow. Not love it. Tolerate it. I know lots of snow in the winter will help keep forest fires at bay in the summer. The city and countryside look pretty all covered in snow and the hoar frost on the trees is as beautiful a sight as you can see anywhere. In fact, many people envy us our snow. Frankly, they’re welcome to my share.
Sorry, it’s just that at this point of the winter experience (into the fourth month and counting) I’m hitting the doldrums. I need sunshine and heat. I need my deck and my flowers. But as that’s about as likely to happen in the next two weeks as I am to sprout wings, I’ll just tough it out with the rest of you.
As it looks like we’ll be having a bit more winter yet, I think maybe it’s time to send out a gentle reminder to some of the young snowmobilers I’ve seen riding around lately. LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING THE ROAD!!!!!!
A couple weeks ago I was dropping my son off at the gym. As we were driving along, a couple young snowmobilers were riding alongside the road. Without warning and without the driver even turning his head to check on traffic, he crossed the road right in front of us. It must be women’s intuition because I knew it was going to happen. I had slowed down and because I did that young man and his passenger are alive and well. And, frankly, they’re probably totally oblivious as to how close they came to getting hurt.
Please, please, please....parents, make sure your young riders are well-versed in snowmobile safety. Lead by example. Ride with them and make sure you show them the clearly designated trails. Don’t let them cross the roads wherever, whenever. Be a little tough if you have to.
Make sure they’re wearing their helmets.
There’s still lots of winter fun to be had. Let’s just make sure that everyone enjoys it and is around to talk about it next winter.
