Harold Moore was born in Bancroft, Ontario in 1927, the third oldest out of nine siblings. His mother Mary (Mills) Moore was born in Scotland and his father Lawrence was a hard working family man who worked a farm in Ontario.

Harold arrived in Prince George in 1948 at the age of 21. He married Maisie Rosetti (deceased). Their only daughter, Melva worked for the school board and home schooled children who had learning difficulties.

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Prior to coming to Prince George Harold nearly lost his life in the cold waters of Lake Ontario. Here is what happened.

Harold was working as a fireman on a barge that was on its way from New York State to Kingston, Ontario via Lake Ontario. The barge was loaded with coal and while on its journey across the lake it began taking on water due to the weight of the coal and some very high waves. In other words it began sinking and at the very last minute Harold was forced to jump into the cold water or go down with the barge.

It took a while but eventually hatch covers from the barge floated to the surface. Harold was able to grab onto one of them; he pulled himself up out of the water and onto the hatch cover. He said that by this time he was so cold and near death that he didn't care what would happen next. In the meantime the operator of the tug boat that was pulling the barge was busy rescuing the crew. Harold said, "It was a scary experience and one that I won't likely ever forget."

It wasn't too long after this experience that Harold and a friend from Toronto decided to go west with Prince George as their agreed upon destination. Harold went along with a promise to pay for half of the gas to get there. Harold said, "I arrived in Prince George with ten cents in my pocket and a debt of $65 to pay for my half of the fuel to get us here.

"I settled down and started logging for Austin Mills, which is now Austin Road. I lived in an old bunk house across the road from where the Hart Highway shopping centre is today.

"Our logging equipment was a team of horses and a big chain. There were no roads in the logging areas so we had to use horses to drag the logs out. The land had to be frozen for this type of logging so we could only work in the winter. It was hard work but in 1948 there was very little work other than working for the saw mills that were just getting started."

Years later Harold purchased 400 acres of land at Pilot Mountain which is just past Chief Lake. He cleared the land and farmed it for the next 41 years along with logging for 25 of those years. He called his farm the 'Eagles Nest' and made a decent living with a cow, chickens and a big garden.

"Harold said, "I sold the farm when I was 72. Now I live in town, I am happy and I am busy with good friends and my carpet bowling activities. I had a stroke in 2006 and have been unable to use my right arm and leg like I used to, however I can still manage quite well."

Harold grinned when he said, "When I tell you my story it doesn't seem like very much of an exciting life but I enjoyed myself, I worked hard and I really had a great life. I am very thankful for all of it.

"As far as I know I have basically good health for an 88 year old senior.

"I look back and I have to say that I am glad that I was born poor because I certainly know the value of a dollar."

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The Gospel Singers at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre present: A Shelter in Life's Storms on Saturday, March 28th at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 29th at 2 p.m. at 1692 Tenth Ave., featuring vocalist Marie Moore, accompanied by Glen Callieou on guitar and the Synergy School Hand Bell Choir . Adults $10 children 5-12 years $5. Call 250-561- 9381 for information.

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Happy St. Patrick's Day: "May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go."