In this new series, The Citizen will be profiling locals who strive to make our little corner of Manitoba a better place. Each month, we’ll be featuring a person, family, or business that helps brighten the world in some way. If you have someone in mind for a future month, feel free to nominate them: jlavin@nivervillecitizen.com
Scott Stroh—perhaps better known to local social media users as “Scott Kermit”—grew up in Winnipeg and chose to make a career with the Canadian Armed Forces. He spent much of his adult life on the east coast of Canada but posted back to Winnipeg in 2011.
In 2013, he was released from the Navy and began to consider his next move.
By 2018, Stroh had fallen in love with Niverville and was enjoying a new career as an independent sports photojournalist. He is deeply involved in hockey and loves to photograph the game, especially Junior teams. He will be taking photos for the Niverville Nighthawks when they begin their inaugural campaign in September.
Stroh says he joined the Niverville Community Group on Facebook when he moved to town but rarely spent much time on the page. Earlier this year, though, the garbage pickup schedule in town changed and Stroh wasn’t sure of his pickup day.
So he asked about it on the group. The rest is history.
“Years ago when I lived in Halifax, I did some amateur comedy, opening up for a bigger act… and I find that making people laugh is good medicine,” he says.
Although most people offered kind and helpful advice in response to his question on social media, there were also a few who were critical of the fact that he didn’t know the new garbage schedule.
It occurred to him that the best way to defuse the situation would be to lean into his comedy roots and make light of the situation.
The next day, Stroh posted a short video showing him pulling his garbage bin along behind him, declaring that he was taking it to the Brady Landfill himself. Stroh got a lot of love for this video—and suddenly, Garbage Complainer Guy was born.
Since that time, Stroh has made many short videos and posted them to social media. The people of Niverville seem to really enjoy his light-hearted take on life.
“I feel Scott is a breath of fresh air for the town,” says local resident Dean Ross. “He’s an interesting, creative, and of course funny guy. Our town and the world, for that matter, could use more people like Scott to show us the lighter side of life and create a conversation for all to engage in. It helps bring people together.”
Carey Hawkins met Stroh at the barbecue competition held in Niverville earlier this summer. She found him just as funny and easy to talk to as she had expected.
“I enjoy his lighthearted videos,” says Hawkins. “The world could use more people like him!”
Bill Gordon feels that Stroh is a good ambassador for our town. “His posts brighten up our days and his humour on subjects often calm otherwise mean and negative people. He’s the Bob Newhart of Niverville!”
Multiple people on social media have asked if Stroh would consider running for mayor (he will not) and whether he is single (he is).
“I have a great deal of gratitude for the good citizens of Niverville who have a light heart and enjoy my videos,” Stroh says.
Stroh lives part-time with his six-year-old son and full-time with his service dog Sasha, his other dog Coach, his cat Smoky, and his rabbit Sargeant Bunzo.
