Caroline Soles

The Golden Star – Wednesday, January 18, 1978

Nostalgia

A Regular Feature of the Golden Star

I found her in the garden surrounding her beautiful old log home. The moment I met Mrs. A.H. (Gramma) Soles, I knew I would like her. As she guided me through her blooming garden and into the memory of her past, I found myself wishing that I’d be just like her someday.

As we visited and she gave me information for her story, I began to get a glimpse of the effect the Soles family has had on the community, but especially the part that Gramma (as she is lovingly referred to by those who know her) has played in realizing their dreams.

Mrs. Soles, Caroline to some, was born in Victoria, B.C. August 10the 1898. She was educated there, and attended the Victoria Normal School the first year it as open. She started teaching at Harrogate in 1916, the year after that school was built. It was a one room school which contained grade one through eight at that time. Her salary, a good one those days, was $70 a month.

Mrs. Soles told me during out interview, “If anyone wants to know why on earth I chose to stay here, just tell ‘em I fell in love with the mountains.” But we all know the mountains weren’t the only attraction. In 1920 she met and married Albert H. Soles, who was at the time Secretary of the Parson School. In those days getting married meant you had to give up your teaching job – it was automatic. So Gramma Soles began her new job as wife and mother.

Nice children and dozens of grandchildren later (19 granddaughters alone, plus numerous grandsons), Granna’s house still rings with laughter and music. “We have always been a musical family,” she says. I can’t read well enough now to play my piano, but I’m very lucky to have grandchildren who play for me. I guess that’s about the most frustrating part of growing old – my eyesight is not what it used to be.”

Some of her memories of “the good old days” include carrying water, melting snow in winter for water, chopping wood, making quilts from wool, no electricity, etc., and she can tell anyone who’s interested how to preserve anything that’s preservable. “Through the depression,” she said, “we did not suffer greatly. We always had food on the table. We had our garden, and we made a lot of our own things. We were never bored, and we were as well off as the town people. I’m ready to fight for anyone who says they don’t have the advantage the town people do!” I was glad at this point I was in the good side of this spunky Soles woman. It was obvious she possess the strength that most women of her day had, and most women today have only heard about!

What’s Gramma doing now? Everything! She still has the finest garden around. She makes cancer dressings with the Eastern Star once a week. She crochets (mostly baby afghans for her family) and collects Agatha Christie books. She enjoys listening to her classical recordings, and loves company. She claims she is living in the most beautiful spot in the world. Gramma, I have to agree with you there, but sometimes it’s the person who makes it beautiful, and not just Mother Nature.

I left her as I found her – working in her garden – and was glad I had not missed meeting this warm and lovely lady.

#goldenbc #thegoldenstar