Rankin Inlet (Feb 01/06) - It may have taken him awhile to get here, but new Inns North manager John Paul is enjoying life in Rankin Inlet.

Born in 1975 in Glace Bay, N.S., Paul has spent a good deal of his life in the United States.

Inns North manager John Paul, centre, spends a few moments with hotel employees Josephine and Margaret Ussak in Rankin Inlet. Paul had been looking for a chance to move North for a number of years when the Rankin position became available. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

He was on holidays from his job as hotel manager in Rainbow Lake, Alta., when the urge to travel further North could no longer be denied.

"I decided to explore some other options and this opportunity came up in Rankin Inlet," said Paul.

"I'd always wanted to see more of the North and, to be honest, Rankin was really the type of setting I was looking for when I took the job in Alberta about a year ago.

"It took me awhile to find what I was looking for, but Rankin is the place for me.

"I'm content here."

Paul has been in Rankin for almost two months and finds the community extremely friendly.

He said he still has lots to learn about how things are done in the North, but the staff members and other people in the hamlet have been going the extra mile to make his transition a smooth one.

"There really hasn't been much of a change in my daily routine because I enjoy work and tend to spend long hours on the job.

"I am looking forward to exploring the many outdoor activities Rankin has to offer, though.

"In fact, I'm really looking forward to going out on the land and trying to do some hunting for the first time in my life.

"Growing up in Montreal and New York City, I just never had the chance to hunt before."

Paul struggled with the weather during his first two weeks in Rankin, but managed to adjust.

He said his first priority on the job is to make the hotel a fun place to work and come for a visit.

"I can honestly say we have one of the best facilities in the region here.

"My goal is to make Inns North the place everyone wants to stay when they're in Rankin.

"Whether they're staying at the hotel or just dropping by for a good meal, we'll do our best to provide the type of atmosphere people enjoy."