In 1944, when Nick Nicholson decided he was going to work instead of go back to school, he spent the summer on a neighbour's farm and earned himself a plow to help start his own farming career.ìThat was my initiation to farming,î said Nicholson, 80, of that first year.The original plow that Nick earned after his first long summer of work in the fields still sits in front of his house on his family farm in Dickson.Although the plough is now just a reminder of the past, it holds a welded sign that proudly reads: ìGrandpa's first plow.îNick and Doreen Nicholson and their family will be celebrating 100 years of farming and receiving their Century Farm Award this year.The land, located at NW 36-35-3 W5, was purchased by Nick Nicholson's grandparents Christian and Marie Enghauge on Oct. 10, 1910.To this day, Nick continues to farm that same land, which is located just south of the hamlet of Dickson.Nick and Doreen raised five children on their farm, Randy, Alvin, Wendy, Laural, and Tracy, who sadly passed away at the age of 17. Nick said he is proud of all his children and had their support over the years.The farm operated mostly as a mixed grain farm but did at one point house a feedlot and boys' dormitory for the school at Dickson, which was one of the only schools around at the time that offered classes up to Grade 12.The work was hard but Nick said that he enjoyed it and has often taken on work to help others.ìAt one time I took care of 1,600 acres, I don't know why. I just sort of fell into it,î laughed Nick, thinking back over the years.All of the land that the hamlet of Dickson currently sits on once belonged to the Nicholsons, including the four acres they donated for the county to build the Dickson arena.As community-minded people, Nick and Doreen said some of their best memories include the parties, the Christmases and the great neighbours.ìWe couldn't have asked to live in a better neighbourhood,î said Nick.Doreen took care of the never-ending housekeeping, cooking, and bookkeeping, said Nick, while he was happy to take care of the outside work.ìI like doing anything with my hands. I spend my evenings tinkering away and that's how I learned mechanics,î said Nick.One of his current projects is his 1923 Model T that is stored out in the garage.Nick said he plans on continuing to farm as long as he can.ìIt's as good a life as you can get. I had a choice, drive truck or farm and although I drove a little truck I still chose farming.î
