Jim Holman sets sights on retirement after 41 years

By Gwen Snell
Freelance Journalist

Jim Holman is retiring after 41 years of managing the Manors and Villas for Big Country Housing Authority. His positive attitude and outgoing spirit have been an asset to both his role with Big Country Housing and the community.

Holman's seen a lot of changes in the past 41 years, stating he "feels a great sense of pride in the role he's played in managing the Manors and Villas." He's played a part in three senior weddings, concluding, "My real talent is in matchmaking residents rather than just managing apartments. Who knew being a housing cupid was in the job description? In the past, we have also taken the Seniors on fishing and bowling excursions as well as bus trips to Banff and Medicine Hat to try our luck in the Casino".

Each year, during Seniors Week in June, Jim would host his annual Jumbo Jim's Hot Dog Day. In 2023, he recalls, "We feed about 140 seniors with Jumbo hot dogs, BBQ beans, chilli, potato and macaroni salads and washed it down with a cold beer … wow eh!"

Well known as a prankster, Holman loved April Fools Day. Borrowing some "for sale" signs from a local realtor, he placed 5 or 6 signs in front of the Manors and Villas. By noon, the rumours were thick, wondering, "What the Hell is the Government up to now?". Another classic Jim trick was about ten years ago when he sent invitation letters out for his retirement party, which was to be held at the local community centre and involved a free BBQ. "If they wanted to attend, they had to phone the Town of Hanna office to register. At 11:30 a.m.; he sent another letter out with a big happy face saying "April Fools."

While the prankster may lead one to believe it was all fun and games, his position was no small job. Big Country Housing Authority is a non-profit Management Agency for the Province of Alberta, providing our community with affordable, safe and subsidized housing for seniors and young families. "We started with 10 Duplexs and Parkview Manor 1 that houses 12 apartments, and today we have Parkview Manor 11 with 30 apartments and Parkview Villas with five duplexs and the Cereal Country Cottages we manage a total of 82 apartments."

Holman reflected, "It has been an incredible journey filled with valuable experiences and cherished memories, and believe me when I say I should have kept a daily journal from day one, and it would have been a best seller today."

His advice for a young person starting out is straightforward. "Find something you like doing. Driving an 18-wheeler, cutting and styling hair, singing in a band, teaching others, running the government? If you can sit back at the end of the day, smile, and say, "Wow, I like what I'm doing; I'm making a difference and having fun doing it,"…. You've probably found the right job….I did."

Jim and his wife Marion plan to do some travelling before he returns to start writing his memoirs, playing better Pickleball, ice fishing and getting his golf swing ready.

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