The wildfires and recent upheaval in my hometown of Fort St. James evoke special and distinct memories.
I'll never forget hitting the Zoo Pub and the Cabaret for the first time and bustin' moves to the likes of Bob Seger, Boney M, Trooper and a discoed Rod Stewart (and I will finally admit, ABBA).
As I do recall, we did have our share of extra terrestrial visitors in the Fort back in the seventies when I was growing up. Reports of UFOs sometimes made the local and other papers. As I recall, the aliens seemed to have an affinity for zooming down Sowchea Bay Road, or hovering over Murray Ridge ski hill or Mount Dickinson. I've always wondered why the alien ship's fuel had the distinct odour of burning rubber.
The locals always packed the Fort Forum Arena to watch the men's hockey teams, The New Caledonia Blues and the Necoslie Chiefs, play incredible and exciting games of hockey. Sometimes they would play tournaments with teams from Prince George, Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, and other communities. Hockey has always been an integral part of the Fort, and many great players from there have since made it to the pro and junior ranks.
Over the years, the Fort has had it's share of great tragedy and it is in those bleak, dark moments I was so uplifted and proud to witness the people from all the communities in and around the Fort come together and chip in, and sacrifice of themselves to overcome our various sorrows, and hardship. To Matt, Kora, Barry, Johnson, Gordie, Daniel and all the other sons and daughters we've lost over the years, we love you and will always remember you. A great big thank you to the firefighters, first responders from home and abroad.
Fabian Teegee
Prince George
