“I have never been happier, more exhilarated, at peace, rested, inspired, and aware of the grandeur of the universe and the greatness of God than when I find myself in a natural setting.” – former U.S. President Jimmy Carter from his 1988 book, ‘An Outdoor Journey’
A Brief One from Doug Draper, reporter and publisher of the totally independent online news and commentary site, Niagara At Large
Posted New Year’s Eve, December 31st, 2024
Jimmy Carter, the former U.S. President and humanitarian extraordinaire who died this past December 29th, 2024 at age 100, was also a great lover of the natural world who advocated for renewable energy at a time, in the 1970s, when most everyone else was barely giving it a thought and who (as president) ushered in landmark measures to protect the environment.
My father, Doug Sr., who finished his life’s journey a decade ago, was also a lover of nature who passed that passion that fueled an urge to write about environmental issues on to me, was thrilled to briefly meet Jimmy Carter in 1988 when the former president was autographing his latest book ‘An Outdoor Life’ for people in a West Coast bookstore.
My father, Doug Sr. on the left side of this photo, having a copy of the book ‘An Outdoor Journal’ signed by the man who wrote it, Jimmy Carter, on the right side of the picture. The serious looking guy in the middle could be a secret service agent who continue to stand guard .after a U.S. president leaves office.
For those of us who share a love of the natural world and who do are part to protect and preserve it, here are a just a few words of wisdom from that book –
“Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political and social boundaries.”
“It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth and if we can teach our children to honour nature’s gives, the joy and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever.”
This New Year, let’s all pledge to continue doing everything we can to protect and preserve what is left of our natural heritage here in Niagara and elsewhere in this world from the forces of greed and narrow-minded, shortsighted-minded ignorance.
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All the best to you in the New York, Doug Draper Jr., Niagara At Large
(In Memory of my Dad, and of three dedicated voices for conservation and heritage protection in Niagara who left us in 2024 and will be sorely missed – Pamela Minns, Patrick Robson and Carlos Garcia.)
Also remembering Kay and Larry McKeever, two Niagara residents who established an Owl Foundation in the 1970s where they offered sanctuary on their rural property in Lincoln for orphaned and injured owls until they were ready to be set free. Jimmy Carter abd his wife Rosalyn paid their sanctuary a visit during one of their trips to Niagara.)
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
Niagara At Large 
Sarah and I too had a wonderful experience with President Carter and his wife Rosalyn when we had lunch together at the Oban Inn. At the time, we both had a teenage daughter and much of our conversation was about them. President Carter was fascinated about the view of Fort Niagara (at the mouth of the Niagara River in Youngstown, N.Y.) from the dining room window! He kept walking up to the window and pointing to it – of course, I was petrified that he was standing so close to the exposed picture window, and kept trying to get him to return to our table A very special couple and certainly a highlight for both Sarah and I – many fond memories. Gary Burroughs (Gary Burroughs is a Niagara-on-the-Lake town councillor and former owner of the Oban Inn. He was also a Lord Mayor of the town and later a Chair of Niagara’s regional government.)
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