Reflections by Bonnie Hutchinson

Feeling sunny

Sometimes–even when you do something stupid–a situation turns out so well you almost don’t believe it.

***

Back in January, I speculated that my less-thansunny mood might have been a result of many grey days. I was pining for sunshine. Friends recommended that I buy a sunlamp. Later that week, I was in one of those sell-everything drug stores (electronics, furniture, clothing, groceries, household goods and, oh yes, a pharmacy). Turned out that they did indeed sell sunlamps–in the pharmacy department!

A pharmacist helped me pick out a sunlamp–a small compact model that would sit unobtrusively on my desk and flood me with pretend sunlight.

Back home, it was not that simple. The sunlamp was compact, but the packaging was not. Eventually I unearthed all the components, assembled them and did my best to follow the instructions, but could not get the sunlamp to function. I did not feel sunny.

***

It took a couple of weeks before I got back to the sell-everything drug store. Armed with my sunlamp re-packed in the box, along with the instructions and my receipt, I stood in line behind people waiting to have prescriptions filled. At the front of the line, I explained my problem. The young woman had to search for a plug-in and consult one of her colleagues, but she figured it out. She gave me a tutorial about exactly what I had to do to make the sunlamp work. I tried it myself a few times before I left.

Back home, it worked. I did indeed bask in pretend sunlight. Since the sunlamp was now working, I threw the box and receipt into the recycle bin.

Then one day, the sunlamp stopped working. I followed the same steps, but it simply did not work. I regretted having thrown away the receipt.

For a couple of months, it was an irritation. It didn’t seem right to throw the sunlamp away (shouldn’t throw electronics in regular garbage), but without a receipt there was no point in trying to return it. Every time I noticed it, I did not feel sunny.

***

Last week, I was going to be near the sell-everything drug store so I took the sunlamp back. I didn’t think they could fix it, but at least they could dispose of it.

Again, I stood behind people waiting to speak with a pharmacist. At the front of the line was the same young woman who’d helped me the first time. (What are the odds?)

Again, she had to plug it in and again she consulted a colleague. He could make it work. She could not. The reason? He was strong enough to press hard enough on the power button. She was not strong enough. Neither was I.

I said I’d like to leave the sunlamp there, because there was no point in having it when I couldn’t turn it on.

To my surprise, the young woman said, “Let’s see if we can work something out.”

***

She called the store supervisor and explained the situation, including that I did not have a receipt. The supervisor said, “Do you know when you purchased it?” I said, “Sometime in January.” The supervisor checked some things and said, “It was probably January 4 and you probably paid $179 for it.” That sounded about right.

They found me another sunlamp with a switch I could actually turn on. I was thrilled. I thanked them and began to walk away, when they said, “Wait, there’s still your refund.” They calculated the price difference between the one I probably bought in January and the one they gave me. I walked out with a sunlamp that works, and a refund of $62!

***

Sometimes–even when you do something stupid–it turns out so well you almost don’t believe it. I’m basking and it’s not just the pretend sunlight!

***

I’d love to hear from you! If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, send a note to Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within one business day.

Murray Green, Camrose Booster

Students turned a friendly snowshoe outing into a race during the carnival. Nicholas Francoeur, Nathan Lizotte and Riley Sambey race for the finish in a fun event.

Francophone students enjoy winter carnival

By Murray Green

École des Fondateurs in Camrose celebrated the warmer weather with a winter carnival on February 26.

Students and teachers participated in events such as showshoeing, sack races and tug-of-war. After the games, they were treated to homemade maple syrup taffy in the snow and hot chocolate.

The activities were used to promote well-being of students, while building a strong connection with the Francophone culture.

“École des Fondateurs goes beyond the provincial education program by adding Francophone cultural elements. We respect our heritage and culture,” said Anne Albert-Fincham, principal of the school.

The school will offer kindergarten to Grade 9 next year. Learn more at https://df.centrenord. ab.ca/ or phone the school at 587-769-0144.

Murray Green, Camrose Booster

Parent volunteer Karen Dahlin pours maple syrup on clean snow to make taffy.