August 7, 2019 Page 7A
l pOrter
#
By Diane Glidewell
news@mymcr.nef
Forsyth honored Glover
Smart on Monday by
naming the American
Legion Building on West
Main Street after him and
unveiling the plaque on
the iconic log building that
bears Smarts name. Stuart
has volunteered with many
community organizations,
induding the American
Legion, working to make
his community a better
place for decades.
The city held a reception
for him at the renovated
AmeriCan Legion building
with many of his family
members attending as well
as representatives of city
and county government,
Forsyth-Monroe County
Chamber of Commerce,
Monroe County Board of
Education, Gideon's and
Forsyth Lions Club.
"Thank you for being
here m celebrate this very
special day,' said Mayor
Eric Wilsom "This is one
of the most selfless people
I know:'
Smart, representing
American Legion Post 34,
came to Forsyth city coun-
cil in March 2016 and of-
fered to deed the building
back to the city because
membership and resources
had declined, and the Post
was not able to do repairs
and maintenance that the
building needed. The city
accepted, put a new roof
on the building in 2017
and completed extensive
renovations in 2018-19.
TOP: Mayor Eric Wilson and Glover Stuart in front of the new
plaque. BELOW. Four generations aflended the reception for Stu-
art at the American Legion Hall on Aug. 5. Pictured, left to right,
are Eli Stuart, Brandon Stuart, Glover Stuart and Stan Stuart.
many years in the future:' so that it could honor Stu-
Smart spent countless art at the American Legion
hours taking care of the Hall. The previous policy
building as part of his du- required that someone be
ties with the Legion. His deceased at least five years
grandson, Nathan Jackson, before the city named
said the building reminds something.
The city pledged to honor him of Stuart because of The American Legion
the buildings tradition of what an important partHall at 350 West Main
respect for veterans, of the community it has Street was built by the
The building also holds always been. He said when WPA (Works Progress
sentimental value for he was a kid it seemed like Administration) under
much of the community he was always in the build- President Franklin Roo-
as the place where school ing with his grandfather as sevelt and dedicated in
dances, family and class he was working on it. 1934. Stuart served in the
reunions, birthday parties, It is designated as the Korean War, shipping out
graduation parties, wed- Thomas Hollis Americanto Korea on his 23rd birth-
dings and other celebra- Legion Post, and Wilson day, Feb. 29, 1951 and was
tions have been held over emphasized that the city wounded twice.
the years, is not removing any name "It has served our com-
'Tklmost everybody in the that is already on the Post. munity well" said Smart of
community has a memory Rather, the city is adding the American Legion Hall.
of the American Legion Smarts name to the build- "Our kids in school didn't
Hall" said Wilson. "Hope- ing. The city changed its have another place to go
fully we will see it used for policy about naming city for a dance or whatever.
property a few months ago We tried to keep it in the
Hofcakes br Hatcher is Sat.
You can still get tickets for Hatcher, 17, the son of Kevin
Saturday's pancake supper for Davis and Pam Davis, suffers
Hatcher Davis on Saturday. from muscular dystrophy and
Tickets are for sale at the has been referred to hospice
Reporter, Southern Smiles and care.
the tax office for $8. Meanwhile Tax commissioner Loft An-
friends and family have donated drews is collecting silent auction
quite a list of silent auction items items. See a list of auction items
to raise money for the family, on page B4.
best state we could. I'm
proud tobe a part to it"
Smart has also served the
community well as a mem-
ber/volunteer of Gideon's,
Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Lions Club, Habitat for
Humanity, Exchange Club,
Kiwanis Club, First Baptist
Church Forsyth and a vol-
unteer in various aspects
for Monroe County Board
of Education and Cham-
ber of Commerce. He has
volunteered for Meals on
Wheels and was recog-
nized in March 2017 for
50 years of service to the
Monroe County Demo-
' cratic Party. The Forsyth-
Monroe County Chamber
of Commerce named
Smart Citizen of the Year
in ]anuary 2018.
Wilson said ]ackson said
his grandfather has always
told him that 'It's easier
to make more money, but
your time is your most
valuable possession. You
put your time in the things
you care about.'
Smart has lived 91 years,
but since he was born on
the Feb. 29 leap year day
he has had only a quarter
of that many birthdays.
His appearance and at-
titude reflect that youthful
age.
lr oor Track
- Group Fitness Classes
, S, tverSneakers
. Selective, Equipment
* Free Weigiht and
Bumper Plates
* Pemor |: Tr n ng
* Tanning * Saunas,
+ Chiidcare & MOREl!
Ch k Us Outon
TWO LOCATIONS
F Co Health, Club
4226 Hartley Bridge Road
FORSYTH
833 Patrol Road
HOURS
www, fitcoheatth lub,co+m
