We moved from Vancouver to escape the unattainable real estate market and to be closer to family. One of my concerns was the loneliness and disconnection that intercity moves can create. I researched loneliness as part of my doctoral degree and learned that loneliness can create or worsen physical and mental health symptoms, which lead people to hospitals, increasing the workload in healthcare facilities.  One way to proactively address loneliness is to create opportunities for people to create meaningful connections. That is achieved through coordinated collaboration between individual and corporate partners in consistent ways.

The Quesnel Cariboo Observer has helped to create meaningful connections for my family. Here are some of the reasons why: 1) It is consistent. My father-in-law, who has lived in a Quesnel for over 50 years, mentioned that they deliver every Wednesday and that supermarket sales flyers are included. We stop by the box every Wednesday to get the sales flyers to save, plus it’s fun to browse through sales. 2) It shares community events to entice involvement. As some who facilitated community collaboration, partly to reduce redundancy in efforts, I think that having one place where people can read about events informs the community who does what and when, making it easier to engage. It acts like a menu in a restaurant.  3) It is accessible. I think one of the keys in the Quesnel Cariboo Observer is that it is printed and delivered. I noticed that there is a large population of older adults in Quesnel who still like to hold a newspaper and read. Many of them also have barriers to technology, so digital news is not one of their options. 4) It shares local stories. I can’t say enough about the connecting power of stories delivered to people. I worked through the Covid lock down in seniors homes and decided to print weekly newsletters that shared stories to continue the flow of connection between our seniors. The short stories became quick conversation opportunities during elevator rides, with comments like: “I didn’t know you grew up in Regina! I did too! Where did you go to high school?” These seemingly trivial details shared in our short stories created quick conversations and produced new connections between isolated seniors, who still read newspapers.  5) It is easy to share. When my new neighbors moved in, I shared the good news about this weekly free newspaper that comes with sales and local information. You can imagine what this family does every Wednesday now: They collect the newspaper and learn about what’s happening in Quesnel and where the sales are. 

Thank you, Quesnel Cariboo Observer, and all those who make the distribution happen. Your efforts keep us connected from the younger to the older generations, making Quesnel a good community to live in. 

Que encanto de gente!