Forty-eight years is a long time in our little town

Art and Shirley Rutter are Edmonton bound

They have lived, worked, and played in our little town of Summerland for forty-eight years. Let me repeat that number—forty-eight years! That’s a long time to live in one place, in any place. Such stability is rare in our fast-paced and increasingly mobile society. If still waters run deep, then life in Summerland—situated beside Lake Okanagan—has nourished the Rutter family for almost half a century.

But now, no more. First the kids left, one for Australia and the other for Edmonton, that great Northern Canadian city, the same metropolis which now beckons Art and Shirley to their next life adventure.

Not only have Art and Shirley been part of Summerland life. They have each been part of my own family life. Cameron worked with Art on projects around the church property; Hannah babysat their grandkids at Peach Orchard Campground during some summers. For most of their time here, they have been mainstays of St. Stephen’s Church. Shirley also kept the books for a number of small businesses, and Art was janitor in local schools for many years.

Neither would describe themselves as leaders; they were, however, always close to the action, whether that meant construction projects or fund-raising activities. In lighter moments, Shirley enjoyed quilting, and Art, well . . . cars.

As I arrived with Kathie at St. Stephen’s in November 1994, Shirley was my secretary and parish administrator. She combined a gracious personality with intuitive social insight. She directed me to the right people at the right time. She ran an efficient and responsive office. She integrated technology easily and effectively into her routines. She worked with no less than four treasurers before she took on the role herself. (Walt Disney once said that “if you want a job done right, you do it yourself.) She worked well under pressure and took a joke well. She even talked me down off an occasional political cliff or two. We were a great team.

Art was always there to help out. “Art’ll probably do it” was common parlance in the church office. He still has an infectious sense of humour and a keen desire to be with people—volunteering for projects, running the local summer campground, and playing cribbage. He has always been a team player, someone who will do what he is asked to do, without audible complaint.

As with a significant number of St. Stephen’s parishioners, the time has come for the Rutters to move closer to their kids. Lucky kids—us, well, not so lucky.

In token of their contribution to the life of our community Art and Shirley were presented with a framed photograph of our Thanksgiving altar display, itself created in part by Shirley. As Roger concluded his sermon yesterday with the words ”there’s a hole in our hearts” the organ postlude played hopefully “We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when.”

Kathie and I are not sure when, but we know that we will visit them in their new home in Edmonton sometime in early 2024. We encourage others to do likewise.

Bon voyage, and as Bob Hope sang: “Thanks for the memories.”