For many years I felt somewhat flummoxed when asked, “What’s new in Hedley?” Until recently, this was a head scratcher. My stock response has been, “You’re asking what’s new in Hedley? We don’t see much change here. Homes often don’t sell for years, and we almost never see a new one being built.”

Now, with the influx of a new breed of property owners, the winds of change are blowing. People are selling their homes in more pricey locations, especially on the west coast. Arriving in Hedley for a look, they’re delighted with the scenic mountains surrounding the town, clean air and more relaxed pace. Most come with creative ideas and some come with finances to implement them. I’ve at times heard them refer to their new home as “my little corner of Eden.”

Larry Bauman is one of this new breed. He “retired” after selling much of the equipment from his commercial and industrial contracting business in Alberta. Now at age 63 and having experienced a good measure of success, he probably could spend his days on the golf course. That apparently is not in his DNA. After buying a home in Hedley “because it has no stairs”, he also bought the property adjacent to it. The two story house on the second property encroached several feet onto his original parcel. Having stood empty and abandoned for years, it qualified easily as the most shabby, decrepit structure in all of Hedley. Located on a prominent corner lot, most people hoped Larry would bring in a wrecking ball.

What we didn’t know is that Larry has an unrelenting will to get things done, and he had an idea that would startle us. He brought in six long, massive beams at $350. each. When a puzzled neighbour asked about his plans, he said, “I’m going to move the building so it’s on its own lot. Then I’ll restore it. I weighed my options and decided it’s possible.”

It seemed a preposterous notion. Surely the age corrupted structure would crumble if it was disturbed. But Larry has plenty of experience with unusual challenges. “I’ve moved lots of buildings,” he explained matter of factly. Then added, “I once took down a three story concrete block bank building. I had a crane lift a machine onto the roof. When none of my crew wanted to go up and operate it to demolish the building, I did it myself.” It was an explanation, not a boast.

Larry removed the front verandah and a rear addition. Then he dismantled a portion of the back wall and replaced it with new lumber. That week he placed the massive beams under the house using his 3 cylinder, diesel powered bobcat. A couple of days later he shifted one end of the house several feet. I asked how he had managed this. “I applied lots of grease to the beams,” he said. “Without that the house wouldn’t move. I used a 20 ton jack to push it over.” He obviously had learned more than a few tricks in his contracting business. “I don’t want anyone telling me how to do it,” he continued. “I want to figure it out myself. I’m doing this to keep from being bored.”

Each time I check in, he has made progress. An inside wall is gone. There are new studs in the perimeter walls, a huge mound of wood and concrete debris has been removed from the yard. One day I helped him move half a dozen sheets of heavy plywood. He carried his end like a stevedore. Watching him, I felt like the 97 pound weakling I used to see in Charles Atlas advertisements on the back cover of comics when I was a kid.

My fascination draws me to Larry’s project almost everyday. On my late evening walk around town I take note of progress elsewhere. My neighbour Tap has constructed a gazebo that deserves a place in the centre of town. Terry Leonard has created a show piece from a former motel that had deteriorated into little more than a shell. Also, two new houses are nearing completion. This new breed is inspiring some longer term people to stir. I recently bought three gallons of paint and a brush. Yes, there’s a gentle wind of change blowing through our delightful little community. I now have an answer for “What’s new in Hedley?”