Blackville Ball Park Upgrades Underway

Upgrades to the Blackville Ball Park are currently underway. The project, made possible by funding from the provincial government along with the village of Blackville, began late this summer. Last month, New Brunswick Premier David Alward made the announcement for the $80,000 investment, that will also provide improvements to the community park. “Our investment in…

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Blackville Singer/Songwriter Ted Lynch Releases New Music Video

Blackville singer-songwriter Ted Lynch has released a new music video for his single “His Boots”, from his album of the same name. The video for the song, written about the loss of his father, was filmed in the fall of 2013 and features members of Ted’s family. The boots, the simple possession that meant the most…

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The French Lesson

My French teacher, Miss Avila Colford

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…

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The 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…

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Grandpa and the Buttons

Dad, Granny, Grampa, Mom, Aunt Greta, me, and Aunt Patricia. The two little girls in front are my little sister Leslie, and Aunt Greta’s daughter, Colleen. Note the chamber pot that Dad’s holding in his hands. He went and got the pot to pose with before the picture was taken. And Granny laughed and laughed!

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…

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Memories of War: Byron & Ella Curtis

Byron & Ella Curtis

In late January, I was approached by the Blackville Women’s 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…

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Hitchhiking Home

A man hitchhiking on a dark snowy night

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 – fifteen years old It…

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Meals 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…

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Ninety-Nine Bottles

Patty ‘the acrobat’ on the back yard swing

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 – fifteen years old The swing tree was the focal point in our…

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The 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…

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The Paper Route

A canvas newspaper carrier bag, similar to the one I used to deliver the Telegraph Journal

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,…

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Provincial Government Invests in Blackville Municipal Park

Blackville Park announcement

The provincial government, along with the village of Blackville, is investing a total of $80,000 in improvements to the community park. “Our investment in the Blackville Municipal Park will continue to promote a healthy lifestyle for families and residents of the Blackville area,” said Premier David Alward. “Investing in community priorities is an important part…

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