Newspaper Gig

My gig at the Vegreville newspapers came at a time when I desperately needed it. I had just moved back home and well...I was broke. The job was a first-step in my university years paying off- but at the time i didn't see it as that.

I worked incredible hours, and put my entire soul into creating enjoyable stories/news/features for the readers- and I hope I did that!

I did, very much enjoy being able to write as much as I did, and take photos, and get the ins and outs on what was happening in and around town.

But, just as all things begin, they must end...

I had been looking for a PR/Marketing job and one finally arose- but not until October. I was interviewed in September, and didn't get word till over a month later that I had been selected for a job as PR/Marketing Manager for the Community & Industry Training Initiatives Department at Portage College.

My resignation at the paper came at a very difficult time, as the only other reporter at the paper had recently moved back to Ontario.

It is amazing how when things happen in your life you only see the bad...and that's what happened to me. When I worked at the paper I often found all of the wrong things about the job...- long hours, little pay, no thank-you's. Only now, after I've had time to think it over, do I actually see all of the many great things that I got to see/do/learn while at the paper.

They include, but are not limited to:

1.) Writing- I love to write, and when doing it I took that for granted because it came so easy to me.

2.) Photography- my second passion behind writing.

3.) The many people I met - I met an extraodinary number of incredible people, from business owners to 100-year olds, to horse trainers and town councillors.

4.) Growth- I learnt the many aspects of how a paper is created- an area which is already helping me in my career.

5.) The many readers - I had a large cohort of readers, who often picked up the paper every week to see what I had to say. That is an incredible feeling, to know that I did and have touched the lives of many, many people.

I have on many occasions since I've left the paper been told that I am dearly missed. Even a Town Councillor from Vegreville told me dad that, "I was the best reporter Vegreville has ever had!"

What an incredible compliment that is.

So, as I said in my closing letter the the great folks of Vegreville and area, I will say it on here as well.

Thank you, to everyone, for making my days as reporter for you so enjoyable, and thank-you for making me see that though some things are tough, and don't always seem good...there is always great things that come out of it!

The letter I wrote as my goodbye to the many readers of the Vegreville News Advertiser...

It’s been a blast!

Dear Editor,

I have spent the past ten months mingling with the great people of Vegreville and surrounding communities as a reporter for the News Advertiser and Vegreville Observer. It has been an amazing learning experience, and I wouldn’t change the last ten months for anything.

With that being said, with new experiences come new opportunities, and I have been given one. It is an opportunity I could not pass up.

I have been offered and accepted a position at Portage College in Lac La Biche as Promoter of Public Relations and Marketing for the Community and Industry Training Initiatives (CiTi) Department.

I have always wanted to further my career in Public Relations/Corporate Communications and so I am excited for this opportunity.

This letter is to thank the great staff I have worked with over the past 10 months, and the amazing readers who have come to me with their comments, concerns, story ideas and praise.

It has been an incredible journey.

Thank-you for making my job as reporter not feel like work. Thank you for making each day in the office or out and about such a blast.

Yours Sincerely,

Felicity Bergman

A long time coming...Amber & Ian Miller get married!

I've promised this post for pretty much six months now, but so much has happened since June that I just haven't had time. Now that things have started to settle down, I will have some time to write some...well actually...many new blog posts.

June 6, 2011

Four of us from Alberta headed out on June 6th, flying from Edmonton to Toronto. Two of Amber's bridesmaids, along with her mom were on this flight. My dad took us to the airport- this was an exciting trip, even more so for Sharon, as this was the first time she would ever be on a plane :)

The flight was exceptionally calm- it was the least turbulent flight I have been on in some time, so that was nice. Amber and Ian met us at the airport- it was nice to get hugs from them, as we hadn't seen either of them since they packed up all their stuff and moved four provinces away.

Amber and Ian picked up Norma, Ambers mom, as Sharon, Donald and I were staying an extra night/day so that we could do a little sight seeing (at Niagara Falls). I had not stopped at the Falls on my "Trip Across Canada" as I had made a note that it would be nice to do this with Sharon and Donald.

Donald & Sharon

The three of us picked up our rental car and then headed out to Niagara Falls. We had booked a room near the falls so that it would be easy to get to them the next morning. Once we had arrived at our hotel and settled in we wandered around a bit, had supper and then enjoyed the hot tub/pool in the hotel. It was a long day, so we decided to do that brunt of the Falls site-seeing on June 7th!!

June 7th, 2011

We woke up at a decent time, had some food, then headed off to see the many sites of Niagara Falls. Sharon had a sprained ankle, so we did not do a lot of walking, but i trudged off further down the walk to see more and caught up with Sharon and Donald a half our later or so. Because Sharon couldn't walk as well, we decided to do a few other sight seeing tricks. We went on the Niagara Sky Wheel, which gave a phenomenal aerial view of the Falls. We also ventured onto the Maid of the Mist, a boat which takes you right into the falls to get a close-up view of their magnificence.

The Niagara Falls are spectacular!!!

From the Sky Wheel!

Make sure to check out many more phenomenal Niagara Falls photos in my Niagara Falls, June 2011 Photo Album or click here !!!

After we figured we had seen enough of stunning Niagara Falls, we grabbed all our stuff, jumped in our rental car and jetted off to Toronto. There we were meeting Ian (the groom) and his groomsmen as they were heading off for a bachelor party/camping trip. We were dropping of Donald to join them so he could spend time with the guys!!

Once we had met up with them, and dropped Donald off, Sharon and I headed off, once again to Picton, Ontario, where the Mille wedding was soon to be. With a mild hiccup (missing the 401) sign, Sharon and I took a minor detour, then made it back on the 401 where we were able to handle the six lanes of traffic and safely make it to Picton.

June 8, 2011

Because i've left this soo long, i've started to forget what happened next. If my memory (and photos) are correct, June 8th we had ourselves a lovely little shower for the soon-to-be-bride!!

We sat around having some great laughs, opened gifts and we got to meet ALL of Mr. Miller's wonderful family!!

Amber got so many lovely gifts from friends and family and I was her right-hand-(wom)-an writing down the list of who gave what.

June 9, 2011

Amber had informed me for a very long time (as I was her Maid of Honour) that she didn't want me to plan a great big shin-dig for her Bachelorette Party. All she wanted was a low-key event. Want then developed was some good old horsey-fun on a trail ride!!

The morning of June 9th we headed out to the trail where we all got to giggle and joke and ride some really quite horses. It was super fun!

Once that fun was done we then dashed off to prepare ourselves for the fun the whole family and wedding party would have during the Rehearsal Dinner.

This event was especially fun as it also coincided with my 23rd Birthday!

We all gathered at the venue and practiced our slow motion marches, and how we would all stand for the day of the wedding. Following that, we all headed of to enjoy a very, very enjoyable meal and celebration.

Amber and Ian gave the wedding part phenomenal thank-you gifts (something we didn't need at all) and that was a nice touch to the evening. Ambers bridesmaids all received rings, with their birthstone. The ring is a phenomenal keepsake, which I continue to wear today.

When all of those great details were taken care off, everyone who wanted headed off to the beach for a bonfire and bear. It was a low-key gathering where we could all hang out, and I could celebrate my birthday :)

June 10, 2011

The day before the wedding!!

This is when all the final touches went down. Ians family busily prepared final touches, decorations and details for the big day, and the rest of us helped out as much we could. The girls headed out to have a morning at the spa and some R&R!!

This is the day/night I also finished the Maid of Honour speech, which I was to present the next day at the wedding reception. Typical me for saying i'd do it "well-in-advance", then actually finishing it the night before...oops!!

June 11, 2011

The big day!!

We stirred rather early as we all had to get our hair/makeup and final preparations ready to go before the ceremony.

This was also when we dashed off to get supplies so that we could decorate up Amber and Ian's car with "just-married" material. They didn't have a limo or car that they were taking, as the ceremony/reception/and where they were sleeping was all on the same grounds- so we improvised.

Hope you liked it Amber! :)

Once we got our hair done at the salon, we then headed back to the cottage where Amber was staying. There, Ian's couison did our makeup and got us all glammed-up for the ceremony. When all of us were ready to go, we headed out to the venue, where we helped Amber get into her studding wedding gown.

Before we knew it, we were all walking down the aisle, celebrating with Amber and Ian.

It was a true honour for me to be Amber's Maid of Honour. I am so glad, Amber, that you wanted me to be it.

I got to sign on Amber and Ian's marriage certificate and that felt amazing.

Thank you Amber and Ian! :)

At the reception, we enjoyed a fabulous buffet meal, and then the families and wedding party said their speeches. It was a rather festive event!

I gave my maid of honour speech; it turned out extremely well, considering my night-before preparations!

Once again, a special thank you goes out to Ian's family who were so very welcoming, who surprised as with care packages at our cottages, and who made us feel as if we were at home the entire week we were out in Ontario!

Congratulations once again to Amber and Ian- two of my greatest friends!!

I love you guys, I miss you guys, and I'll be seeing you soon!!!! <3

To see all of the wedding photos from my camera, check out Mr & Mrs. Ian Miller's Wedding Week, or click here !!

My fave pic :)

June 12, 2011

The last day we were to be in Ontario!

We arose late morning at which point we dashed off to enjoy a brunch with the wedding party and family of the newlyweds. Not long after we had to say our goodbyes and head back towards Toronto Pearson, where we were flying out that evening.

It was a fantastic week, filled with some of the greatest memories I will ever have. Thank you Amber and Ian for including me in your special day!

I miss you guys!!