Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
For Gladys Hart, Fort St. James will always hold a special place in her heart.
Just recently, the Mayor of Fort St. James, Rob MacDougall, awarded Hart with the Key to the City as well as an honorary membership to the Curling Club of Fort St. James.
Having arrived from Prince George 32 years ago to be with her husband who was already residing in the Fort, it didn’t take long for Hart to feel right at home.
“I love the lake, Hart says. “And the people, everyone is so friendly.”
Right from the start, Hart became involved with the community of Fort St. James.
She was the treasurer/secretary for the curling club for 31 years.
“I started curling with the club as soon as I arrived. I’ve seen lots of changes. I remember when the floor was made of sand. It was so bumpy. When the cement floor was put in, wow, what a change,” Hart said.
Hart has grown to love the game over the years.
“I love the game. I like the socializing and the challenge of the sport. And it’s great exercise.”
Hart, 69, has also held a dual membership at the Royal Canadian Legion for the last 22 years where she currently holds the position of treasurer/secretary.
And for the last 28 years, Hart has been a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
“My father was a vet. So, being involved in these areas is important to me. You see these people who have laid down their lives. We have to remember them and to keep it going. It’s important and it’s important that kids today know what they did for us,” Hart said.
Along with being secretary for the Seniors Association, Hart also has a love for ball and continues to play every season.
She has helped run the Ball Association of Fort St. James for the last 30 years.
But, Hart’s time in Fort St. James is soon coming to an end.
She has been on her own since her husband passed away 9 years ago and she now looks forward to a new beginning.
Having grown up in Mission, B.C., Hart is ready to head back to her roots to be with family.
“My family is there. I’ll miss Fort St. James but I’m happy to be going back home.”
Hart is already busily preparing for her move as her house is up for sale and plans for her new home are in the works.
“It’s been a long time but I’m looking forward to it.”
But what will Hart miss most about her time in Fort St. James?
“I’m really going to miss the lake. My husband and I used to have a cabin on the lake. I will really miss it.”
“And I will miss the people. Everyone has always been so friendly and so nice. I will miss the people in Fort St. James.”