50 years ago today I arrived in Sedgewick to begin my teaching career thinking that I’d probably stay for a year or two. Half a century later, I’m still here!
I’ll never forget that day. That morning, I boarded a Greyhound bus heading for a little town of less than 1000 people. I’d accepted the job over the phone and couldn’t even visualize a town that small. My high school in Vancouver had had more students than that! The bus stopped in numerous little towns on it’s way across the prairie. Some looked promising and others, with boarded up buildings, looked downright dismal. What would Sedgewick be like and what would I do when I got there? Most of my household goods had been shipped out in advance and I knew that they were waiting for me in a furnished apartment across the street from the school, but I had no idea where that was or how I’d get there with more luggage than I could carry on my own. That was, of course, before suitcases had wheels. When the bus finally pulled into Sedgewick I was the only passenger who stood up to get off, but there was a man waiting at the stop. I remember feeling sorry for him because I thought his wife must have missed the bus. Imagine my surprise when I disembarked and he greeted me by name! He was the school principal. Not only did he know where my apartment was, but he also knew who the landlord was and where he lived! After stopping to pick up the key, he dropped me at my apartment and told me he’d be back to pick me up in an hour because his wife was making dinner for us! That was my introduction to small town living.
But what in the world kept me here for 50 years? A man, of course! Eleven days after I stepped off that bus, I met him at the first staff meeting of the school year and thirteen months later we were married!
2025 has been full of 50 year milestones. 50 years have passed since I graduated from university. It’s been 50 years since I moved to Sedgewick, 50 years since I met my husband, and 50 years since I started my teaching career, but there’s still one more 50 year milestone to come. In October it will be 50 years since I made the life-changing decision to follow Christ.
It’s been a half century of ups and downs, joys and sorrows. I’ve raised a family and welcomed 8 grandchildren. While I envy those who have their families close, we knew that there was nothing to hold our children here, so we gave them wings and watched them fly. We fly away from time to time too, but even after 50 years, Sedgewick still seems like a good place to come home to!
Then and now…
Following Augustine 
Milestones! 1975 is meaningful to me as well as it’s the year I graduated from high school. Love the then and now pictures. – Jeannine
I can’t believe how fast 50 years has flown by!
Oh my goodness, what a lovely story! The school principal and his wife were so gracious and welcoming and thoughtful. Congratulations on all of your milestones. Thanks for sharing your story.
He was only our school principal for two years before moving on to another community, but he and his wife have remained lifelong friends of ours.
Congratulations on so many milestones that you are able to celebrate at one time. Life is so full of wonderful things we all can be so greatful for only if we choose to be. We were so lucky as a community to have both you and Richard as teachers in this area for all these years. Thank you for your dediaction and everything you have done for our community over the 50 years.
Thank you for your kind words, Verna! It’s so nice to feel appreciated.
Wow, that’s a lot in one year! I don’t ever remember you having long hair.
I had it cut short during that first year of teaching, probably before you met me.
What an interesting post! A lot happened that year 50 years ago. I would be interested in hearing more about how you came to your decision to follow Christ.
I have been thinking about writing a post sharing how I became a follower of Christ.
I’d like to read that!
Milestone Memories are the best!
1975 holds a milestone for me as well, the birth of my first baby and we celebrated her 50th birthday last week! Part of that celebration was to look back to see how many world events happened 50 years ago…. We had to stop because suddenly she felt old. 😂
I’m amazed by all the changes that have taken place in the past 50 years. I still remember having my first microwaved meal in the fall of 1975 and, of course, there were no computers, internet, or cell phones. We played music on records and cassette tapes!
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Congratulations – what a great story!
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