The French Lesson
Sixteen-year-old Pat Fournier is growing up. In the thirtieth installment of his memoir, Memories of a Boy Growing Up in Blackville, Pat recalls an uncomfortable situation that occurs in Avila Colford’s grade ten French Class. The following story contains subject matter and language that some readers may find offensive. Reader discretion is advised. THE FRENCH…
Read MoreThe Paint Job
It’s a Saturday night in the summer of 1963 at Frenette’s restaurant where a local prankster is entertaining the crowd outside. But first, the twenty-ninth installment of Pat Fournier’s memoir kicks off in March 1958 as the same prankster is the star of the show at the annual St. Patrick’s Day concert. So who is…
Read MoreGrandpa and the Buttons
It’s the summer of 1963 and Pat Fournier’s Sturgeon grandparents are down from Dalhousie for a visit. In the next installment of his memoir, the sixteen year old boy recalls his Dad’s retelling of a story about Barry MacKenzie to his visiting family in “Grandpa and the Buttons”. GRANDPA AND THE BUTTONS Written by Pat…
Read MoreMemories of War: Byron & Ella Curtis
In late January, I was approached by the Blackville Womenâs Institute and asked to participate in their Heritage Day celebrations. Heritage Week is celebrated in communities throughout New Brunswick each year. This years theme was New Brunswick Remembers: 1914-2014, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War and the…
Read MoreHitchhiking Home
It’s the winter of 1963 and Pat’s father Sylvernus is working at the mill in Newcastle. In the twenty-seventh installment of his memoir, the fifteen-year-old boy recalls a cold January morning when his dad has just hitchhiked a ride home from work. HITCHHIKING HOME Written by Pat Fournier January 1963 â fifteen years old It…
Read MoreMeals on Wheels Program Available in Blackville
Are you unable to prepare meals for yourself or have a loved one in this situation? That is the reason Meals on Wheels is here. Freshly prepared meals are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of every week. To see if you are eligible for funding assistance for meals, please contact Social Development at 1-866-441-4246…
Read MoreNinety-Nine Bottles
It’s the summer of 1962 and fifteen year old Pat takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane in Ninety-Nine Bottles, the twenty-sixth installment of his memoir Memories of a Boy Growing Up in Blackville. NINETY-NINE BOTTLES Written by Pat Fournier August 1962 â fifteen years old The swing tree was the focal point in our…
Read MoreThe Slingshot
In this twenty-fifth installment of his memoir, Memories of a Boy Growing Up in Blackville, fifteen year old Pat Fournier learns a lesson in empathy after making a slingshot with his friend Gary Gillespie. THE SLINGSHOT Written by Pat Fournier July 1962 – fifteen years old My friend Gary Gillespie sniffled and rubbed the back…
Read MoreThe Paper Route
When the regular paper boy Terrence Walls leaves Blackville for college, fifteen year old Pat takes over his paper route in the next installment of his memoir, Memories of a Boy Growing Up in Blackville. THE PAPER ROUTE Written by Pat Fournier Early April 1962 – fifteen years old Terrence Walls had a paper route,…
Read MoreProvincial Government Invests in Blackville Municipal Park
The provincial government, along with the village of Blackville, is investing a total of $80,000 in improvements to the community park. âOur investment in the Blackville Municipal Park will continue to promote a healthy lifestyle for families and residents of the Blackville area,â said Premier David Alward. âInvesting in community priorities is an important part…
Read MoreIce Time
On a chilly winter evening in 1962, fourteen year old Pat Fournier walks the two mile trek to Morgan’s Rink for a night of skating that doesn’t quite go as planned. Ice Time is the twenty-third installment of his memoir, Memories of a Boy Growing Up in Blackville. ICE TIME Written by Pat Fournier February…
Read MoreWayne Curtis Recipient of 2014 Order of New Brunswick
The names of the recipients of the 2014 Order of New Brunswick were released as part of New Brunswick Day celebrations. The award honours current or former long-time residents of New Brunswick who have demonstrated a high level of individual excellence and achievement in any field, having made outstanding contributions to the social, cultural or…
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