NOW LUNENBURG COUNTY_MAGAZINE_56PGS_JUNE2018

ERIC and MARGARET POLKOWSKI
nova scotia
NEW GERMANY, LUNENBURG COUNTY
Tina Hennigar photo
a radical departure
BY TINA HENNIGAR
LUNENBURG COUNTY COUPLE
‘LIVING THE DREAM’
Eric and Margaret Polkowski packed up all they owned in their
camper and reluctantly left Fort McMurray, Alberta, bound
for Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. They knew they were in
for a lifestyle change. What they hadn’t anticipated was the
friendliness of the people, the abundant local food, community
breakfasts, and the proximity to fishing and hunting they’d find
here.
Eric and Margaret were doing meaningful work as engineers
when the aftermath of the Fort McMurray forest fires forced
them to buy a camper as temporary housing. That’s when they
decided it was time for a change. It was difficult to leave, but it
turned out to be the right decision for the young couple who are
working on Margaret’s family farm.
“It was not an easy decision to leave. We really loved it! We
especially loved the people. But we wanted to leave the office.
I really didn’t see myself doing that for the rest of my life,”
Margaret said. They penned a farewell email to their co-workers,
titled: Radical Departure, and then set out on an adventure
where Margaret would move back to her hometown and Eric
would make it his. “Our co-workers were super supportive.
‘Good for you guys! Living the dream!’” Margaret said from their
peaceful rented home surrounded by sprawling fields, lined with
trees and a clothes line.
The desire to live rurally is what brought them here. It’s the
sense of community that they hadn’t anticipated. Their eyes light
up as they talk about their new life and the experiences they’ve
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had in just the short time since moving here. “I’d been here
before, to visit. I just don’t remember it being this pretty,” Eric
said of his new community.
“We pick up bacon from the local butcher. We get fresh eggs
down the road. Our neighbours give us the garlic that they
grow in their garden.” Margaret said with a smile. “And the
community breakfasts,” Eric chimed in. “They’re amazing!”
The two have become regulars at the Parkdale Maplewood
Community Breakfast, insisting it’s the best breakfast they’ve
ever eaten.
“I’D BEEN HERE BEFORE, TO VISIT. I JUST DON’T
REMEMBER IT BEING THIS PRETTY.”
Eric Polkowski
Eric noted that he believes there is a fair bit of opportunity here.
“But it’s a lot of work too. We’ve always been active, but even so,
this new line of work [farming] is physically challenging.”
The young, newly married couple remarked on how close
everything is compared to what they’re used to. “Here you can
get from your office to your home in the country in around 20
minutes.” Margaret remarked how that might be a big selling
feature for young people tired of the long commute. And since
they like to fish, they’ve been exploring the many good fishing
holes close by. In Alberta they were known to drive hours to find
a good hole.
“We were really satisfied with our work, in Alberta.” The couple
insisted looking at each other with a sense of pride for taking
this leap and moving to Lunenburg County. “But we don’t miss
it.” They gazed out at the horizon and smiled. “Not at all.”