St. John Valley area From our Files – Week of February 28, 2024

2 months ago

50 Years Ago — Feb. 27, 1974

  Van Buren stage band performs – Stage band of Van Buren District High School traveled to Fort Fairfield for a guest performance March 2, 1974, when the Band Boosters Assn. of Fort Fairfield presented a “Big Band Cabaret” at the Fort Fairfield Highs School Gymnasium. The “Big Band Cabaret” featured four hours of music for dancing and listening  under the direction of Richard Saucier. Music reminiscent of the Big Band Era, as well as sounds of the contemporary and rock era was heard.

25 Years Ago — March 3, 1999

Closing generation gaps – Spanning the generations were parents, grandparents and students of Helene Melvin’s second grade class at Dr. Levesque School in Frenchville. The special project provided parents and grandparents with an opportunity to work with their offspring in tracing their family histories. The genealogy afternoon provided participants with research material, technical assistance and a special souvenir of time together through the generations. 

10 Years Ago — Feb. 26, 2014 

Hooked on bait — For about 30 years, Pauline and Lucien Saucier have owned and operated a seasonal bait shop on Maine Route 11 in Wallagrass. Inside the bait shop, though, Saucier has her moose rack on display, and she is happy to talk about the “delicious meat” she got from that hunt as she is to chat about fishing. The couple began the operation in a small shed behind their home, but they have since built a larger shed at the end of their driveway. “It’s really her business,” Saucier said, referring to his wife, who likes to chat with visitors and show off the photos of customers with big fish they have caught on nearby lakes.