David Carter sits with his new book on Thursday. The longtime Hatter was awarded an honorary degree from Medicine Hat College for his work in the region of the years.--NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
David Carter has just about been everywhere and seen everything.
Thursday he was able to add an honorary degree from Medicine Hat College to his list of achievements.
Carter has lived in the area for years and is well known for publishing around 20 books. In 1979 Carter was elected as MLA for Calgary-Millican. He also served as MLA for Calgary-Egmont for three terms. He was selected as Speaker of the Legislature twice.
Carter says the degree is an honour.
“I’m pleasantly surprised and really appreciative,” he said. “Our family moved here in June of 1949. Since then, we have considered Medicine Hat our home.
“With a number of my books being about Medicine Hat and prairie history, I see this award as an acknowledgement of that history.”
After retiring, Carter and his wife settled down in the Cypress Hills region. He worked to restore St. Margaret’s Church and Cemetery near Elkwater. In 2008 he received the City of Medicine Hat Cultural Award.
“It’s so comfortable here in Medicine Hat,” he said. “We have all of the services we need and it’s a great place to live.”
Carter says no achievement will ever top starting a family and watching it grow.
“Being a father, grandfather, great grandfather and being married has been a blessing,” he said. “Having so many people willing to be friends with someone as strange as me.
“I’ll always be proudest of that.”
Carter is working to publish a new book for kids. He is hoping it will be sold at the weekly farmers market in the coming weeks.
Carter will be honoured next June at the rescheduled convocation.
