We are delighted to announce that the Dene Drum sign has garnered a first place finish in the Best of Canada’s Sign Industries Awards (BOCSIes) in the ‘Unusual’ category. This was a challenging project we finished early this year in partnership with Inkit Communications from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The massive drum was transported via ice road to the Acrtic Circle just before the ice melted in spring.
2021 BOCSIes finalist
We were pleased to be recently notified that one (or possibly more) of our projects is a finalist in this year’s BOCSIe’s awards. This national sign contest is sponsored by Sign Media Canada. We’'ll find out next Friday evening which signs are in consideration and whether we take first place.
Thinking of 'retirement'
This past weekend I was out in the workshop, puttering on various projects. It was a long weekend and the shop was quiet. I did a little work on paying projects and also on my pet pieces. I did a little cleaning of the shop and various other tasks which called my name. The weekend days were much like every other day in my life. I enjoyed every task I put my hand to. As I played quietly I was thinking of various family and friends, around my age, who had recently retired or were soon going to be. I was happy for them, for each had expressed a lot of joy at the prospect of not going to work any longer. Recently, I have been often reminded that I am of ‘retirement’ age and have been frequently asked when I will quit my job. The answer is ‘hopefully not for a very long time’. The reason I was in the shop ‘working’ this weekend was not because projects desperately needed to be done. there are no pressing deadlines. It wasn’t for the money. I was there to simply enjoy myself, to do what I enjoy so much. I retired from my ‘real job’ a very long time ago at the age of twenty-three. That was the last time I punched a clock, answered to a boss, or was away from home and family on a daily basis. Deliberate choices made back then instead allowed me to do what I loved, in our backyard with family close at hand. Forty-four years later not much has changed. I still ‘play’ in our backyard, with family members helping. I still do what I love to do every single day. If I was to cease doing ‘work’ for customers I would still head out to the shop daily and do similar projects just for fun. I get to have fun with the very best tools and have unlimited materials on hand. Family members and awesome employees help me out when I need it. The very best customers imaginable even pay me to travel far and wide. I am extremely fortunate to be afforded this opportunity and I absolutely love my version of retirement!
