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The Galloping Geezer
Jack Downey ~ The Galloping Geezer

"Photo Credit to Julie Ann Biggs out on the Mekong River, Cambodia Vietnam Border."

Jack Downey Comments on Canadian Issues to Inform and Amuse.




Picture compliments of Rosebud Country Inn
Putting a New Face on an Old Town



Many of today's prairie towns are suffering from the blight of redundancy. If the main highway has by-passed you, grain elevators are leveled and the young folk have to go to large centres to find meaningful jobs, the little towns implode. Alberta has few gravel roads to provide rural residents rapid connections to larger centers with their selection and availability of goods. The provincial government has chosen central towns as selected service centers. Schools and health care centers, where they can find MD's and teachers willing to live in "the sticks", have been centralized. Towns, like gardens, need fertilizer to grow, so the little towns wither and die.

Overcoming great odds, the hardy gardeners have fertilized the tiny town of Rosebud and have made their little rose garden blossom along the Rosebud River. Why is Rosebud (old Cree name Akokinskway) blooming while other towns are withering? Simply put, a few folks took a chance against odds and joined forces to transform Rosebud into a delightful heritage town that provides a service, without turning it into a garish tourist trap. They, guided by the leadership and foresight of LaVern Ericson, saw the niche for a quiet school of Fine Arts for urban High School youth. This new Rosebud started to bud in 1973 and is now rated as a full-blown College with a three-year degree program. Peripheral expansion has included a museum, several restaurants with real food (unfortunately there was no indication of Saskatoonberry pie.), a nine hole golf course, fishing in the river, two Bed and Breakfast homes, a very attractive Tea House, and the 14 room Rosebud Country Inn, which beckons young lovers and second Honeymooners to see the brilliant prairie moon cast it's soft light on the Wolf Willows and listen to the coyotes call from the surrounding hills. All of these amenities are handicapped accessible and within easy walking distance of each other.


None of this could have happened without the input and determination to save their town, of the few remaining residents in and around Rosebud. "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (without thorns)" was the battle cry. The amazing thing is that they persevered and are still improving, without downgrading this pretty little Rosebud with it's sparkling diamonds of morning dew ensconced under a brilliant prairie sky. Rosebud is a hop skip and jump away from the world famous Tyrell Museum, amidst Alberta's 300, million old dinosaur burial grounds, only an hour from Calgary via the Trans Canada or Provincial highway 9.

The owners of The Rosebud Inn (two couples) have set a high service standard and are using their investment as preparation for their retirement years. Julie, one of the owners and the gal who hosted us at lunch, certainly showed the spirit of adventure along with hard work and dedication to provide hospitable service. The people of Rosebud have not let the early settlers down. In fact everywhere you look, you see the pioneer spirit blossoming and Canadians opening a new frontier. One thing that could be added is an indication of the old Cree name for the town, Akokinskway. It would be nice to see this on the town signs, and on the hill laid out with white painted rocks to spell Rosebud, to add a touch of romance to the history of the area and to honour those who treasured it before the white eyes settled there. This task might be a public service for the Drumheller Penitentiary to consider for an inmate work program.

The huge Great Plains vistas found along the excellent roads to Rosebud shock the minds of travelers. There is a small town campsite by the river and you just want to cuddle and sing the old songs as the campfire sends sparks up to be lost among the stars that are so close that the ladies and girls put them in their hair. This is a place that renews the spirit and brings lovers and family so much closer together. Rosebud Alberta is a very large deposit in every visitor's Memory Bank. So take the time to smell the roses, you'll find them at or near Rosebud Alberta. Hopefully when you visit you will be able to have Saskatoonberry pie with your Rosehip tea. Both enhance the Honeymoon according to the Native Canadian Medicine women. I wouldn't argue with our Native Canadian experts. General Custer did and he and his men all got free Arrow shirts and haircuts along Rosebud Creek near The Little Big Horn just 200 Km. south of here!


© Jack C. Downey CD




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