Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who died Sunday at 96, was no stranger to Blair and Huntingdon counties as she often accompanied her husband Jimmy Carter during and after his presidency on visits to Wayne Harpster’s farm in Spruce Creek, Huntingdon County.

During an interview earlier this year, Harpster said the first time he met the president and first lady was in May 1979.

The Carters were avid fishermen, he said, and had heard about Spruce Creek, known for its fly fishing opportunities.

Harpster said he had less than an hour’s warning before the president’s helicopter landed on his farm, and the president and first lady disembarked already dressed in fishing gear.

Over the years, the Carters made a number of trips to the farm, staying in a cabin, fishing and becoming good friends with the Harpsters. The Harpster and Carter children played together, Harpster said, and the kids learned to fish, too.

When talking about the Carters, Harpster, a lifelong Republican, said the duo were pleasant, down-to-earth and just all around nice people.

They also weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, he said.

Known for their work with Habitat for Humanity, Harpster said the duo also helped build a covered bridge on his property, next to the cottage they stayed in while visiting Spruce Creek.

The couple last visited Harpster’s farm in 2019. Harpster said the last time he saw the couple was in 2021 during a party for Rosalynn and Jimmy’s 75th wedding anniversary. He remembers Rosalynn thanking him for coming.

“She was just the sweetest, gentlest lady,” he said.