When Linda Cymbalisty graduated from the high school in Canora, Saskatchewan in 1968, she did what many young people from smaller towns do – moved to the big city for further her education, or to work. In Linda’s case it was first a year at the University of Winnipeg, then a move to the University of Manitoba, enrolled in arts with a major in psychology.

That fall of 1968 she had met a young man from Grandview, Manitoba, Joseph Skomorowki, who had also moved to Winnipeg. Two years later they were married. Joe was apprenticing to be a plumber, and they decided what they really wanted, after a few years in Winnipeg, was to move back to a smaller town, set up their own plumbing business, and return to their rural roots. 

Part of that plan was a decision by Linda that she would quit university and become a plumber herself! As it turned out, that was easier said than done – much, much easier said than done.