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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
For all of the 31 years that Janie Hobart has lived in Fort Smith, she has constantly been involved in the community in one way or another.

Janie Hobart has lived in Fort Smith for more than 30 years. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

That included three years as mayor from 2009 to 2012.

"It was very interesting," Hobart said of her time as mayor. "You learn a lot about your community. It could be very rewarding at times and very frustrating at other times. The frustration came from the fact you wanted to do more and go faster, and that's not the way that politics works."

Hobart, 57, said being on council was a good learning experience. However, she admitted not being re-elected was initially difficult, but it didn't affect her desire to volunteer.

"I lived in the community for 30 years before and I was involved in the community then, so that wasn't going to change whether I was mayor or not," she said.

Since her time as mayor, Hobart has started a new property management business - Hobart and Mum Inc. (HMI) - with John Hobart, one of her two sons.

HMI has purchased the old dental clinic and renovated its upstairs into a one-bedroom apartment. The downstairs is being renovated into a two-bedroom bed and breakfast.

"There's a huge need for rental accommodation in Fort Smith," Hobart said.

She said the business also purchased a house two months ago, is renovating it into two two-bedroom apartments, and is also looking at buying other properties.

Hobart said she enjoys being in business, adding it helps keep her busy.

"I think it would be very easy to sit at home and vegetate and what have you," she said. "And that's not me."

In February, Hobart became president of the new Thebacha Chamber of Commerce, explaining it is in the foundational stage of policy development and increasing membership.

"I think from there, we can move forward," she said, adding it's interesting to talk to business people about their visions for Fort Smith.

She has also become treasurer of another relatively new organization, the Thebacha and Wood Buffalo Astronomical Society.

"The beauty of the sky, the night sky particularly, is quite amazing," she said. "But we don't always take the time out of a busy schedule to enjoy it."

Hobart is also on the organizing committee for Relay for Life, a June 15 fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society; was a volunteer with the Fort Smith Track and Field Society's tournament Fort Smith 5000 on May 25; is secretary of the new Fine Arts Council of Thebacha; and is secretary of the Mackenzie Recreation Association, which serves 19 communities in the South Slave, North Slave and Deh Cho regions.

In the fall, she will once again become involved in curling and serve on the organizing committee of the Lawrie Hobart Memorial Volleyball Tournament, named in honour of her late husband.

"I think that it's important to give back to a community that gives a lot to you," she said, adding she feels she has gotten a lot from Fort Smith. "I've grown as a person. I've met all kinds of interesting people and people who are willing to share their talents and their time with other people. And I find that quite incredible, and so I like to share my little tiny bit of talent as well."

Plus, she said volunteering helps her to keep busy.

"I think you get a general sense of wellness," she said. "All volunteers, I think, find that. You feel good because you're doing something that you think is important."

Hobart, who is originally from Edson, Alta., credits her involvement in the community to the example set by her parents, whom she called amazing volunteers.

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