As 2019 comes to an end and a new year begins, it's a great time to take stock of the year behind and look ahead.
This week, Jaclyn Dacyk talked to Jasperites about their highlights of 2019 and their hopes and resolutions for 2020.
Dwaine Gilzene
The Spice Joint, Jamaican Cafe
In 2019 Dwaine celebrated his two year anniversary of Spice Joint being open and said another highlight was joining the Lions Club in town.
A New Year's resolution for Dwaine will be putting health and personal growth first.
Colleen Chalifoux
Elysion Florals
In 2019 Colleen was grateful for good health and an abundance of community support and growth in her business.
Her New Year's resolution for 2020 is to continue furthering growth in Elysion Florals and offer cool new products to the community.
Colleen will also be celebrating her six year anniversary of owning her shop this January.
Bradley Mackinnon
Bartender at Jasper Brewing Company
Brad has been living in Jasper since 2010. Looking back on 2019 some of his favourite memories are camping at Kinbasket Lake and the bike park in Valemount - also the white stout Jasper Brewing Company created was a highlight.
In 2020, Brad is looking forward to spring boarding and biking in the summer.
Bentley Fawcett
Student
Bentley’s born and raised in our mountain town, working summers in town and attending school for a diploma in forestry, having already gained a diploma in ecosystem management.
His 2019 highlight was meeting lots of new people and visiting new places.
In 2020 he's looking forward to keeping “the good times rolling.”
Neil Hall
Jasper Brewing Company
Neil has lived in Jasper for more than a few years now, his highlights in 2019 were climbing the famously known Old Man Mountain and taking a family vacation in Mexico.
In 2020 he hopes to get rid of any debt, buy some land and take a trip to Japan.
Ross Derksen
Operations Service Manager
Ross Derksen, born and raised in Jasper, said his highlight of 2019 was winning the Valemount baseball tournament with the Barley Kings.
His resolution for the year 2020 is to drop 50lbs.
Dom Meertens
Rentals Assistant at Marmot Basin
A highlight for Dom in 2019 was moving to Jasper for the first time with a working visa - coming all the way from the Netherlands.
In 2020 she plans to travel parts of South America for three months.
Max Hester
Sunhouse Cafe
Max coming from Adelaide, Australia said his 2019 highlight was having his first swim in Lake Annette through that crystal clear (cold) water as soon as the first day of sunshine came.
He's looking forward to riding lots in the summer and hitting more trails - his current favourite being Magic Ridge.
Robert Brown
Semi-retired
Robert, being a Jasper local for quite some time, reflected on his 2019 year saying his highlight would have been beating cancer. Congratulations Robert!
His New Year’s resolution is to consistently work towards a healthier lifestyle.
Eric Daniels
Northface Pizza
Eric, providing Jasper with tasty pizza and poutines daily, said his 2019 highlight was watching his young son Tommy grow everyday and become a part of the Jasper community.
His New Year’s resolution would be to learn to slow down every day life and enjoy himself more.
Jessica Van-De-Bogart
Wine Merchants
Jessica is also raised in Jasper and when asked about her 2019 year she said she was mostly thankful for an amazing crew to work with and keep her everyday job feeling less like working.
In 2020, she would like to travel and explore more of the eastern parts of Canada.
Darlyn Delatorre
Circle K
Darlyn works at Circle K in Jasper and has lived here since 2008. A highlight of 2019 for her was taking her family to Hawaii for the first time.
In 2020 she's looking for more stable growth and more family trips with her husband and two sons.
Laurie LeBron
SnowDome Coffee Bar
In 2019 Laurie moved to Jasper and has been here for almost a year now and fell in love with the town. Moving from one side of the country to the other was definitely her highlight and having so many adventures and gaining knowledge from the local community.
In 2020 she has a resolution to be ready for whatever new adventures come her way.
Elissa Cummings
Journey Bike Guides
In 2019 one of Elissa’s biggest highlights was achieving the treacherous Pyramid Mountain hike.
In 2020 her resolution is to be a good role model in the community and “send it more” with life in general.
Marc LeBlanc
Jasper Cabs
Marc stayed busy for the year of 2019 but he did have one special highlight: Helping Parks get a newborn owl rescued that was alone on a trail.
For resolutions for the New Year, he's still working on that - since he can never hold them.
