Posts by Les McLaughlin
Blackville Students Recognized at Technology Awards
Four high school students at Blackville School received a CUTE award (Creative Use of Technology in Education) for their photo essay “Jessa the Jumping June Bug.” Tanisha Hallihan, Mackenzie Jardine, Amelia Underhill and Madison Gillespie were the recipients of this award on April 9 at the CUTE Awards Ceremony at James M. Hill Memorial High School…
Read MoreHildebrand Descendant Seeks Blackville Schoolhouse Photos
John Hildebrand is looking for photos of an early Blackville schoolhouse that his great, great uncle Otto taught in. He explains below: I am inquiring concerning an early Blackville schoolhouse. My great, great uncle, Otto Hildebrand, taught in Blackville from 1884 until 1891. In fact, his wife, Amelia, who was also a teacher, taught with…
Read MoreVickers Descendant Seeks Family History
Bruce Vickers, a descendant of the Vickers family of Blackville, is seeking information about his ancestors. He explains below. I am trying to trace the facts and story of ANNA MARGARET PORTER, born 04 08 1894, daugther of Jack Porter and Joan Brophey from Blackville, NB. She had a son with Mr. Albert Mann (from…
Read MoreMemories of Mama: A Tribute to My Grandmother
“Where should we start?” she asks while rocking in her rocking chair, sipping her tea, with both her dogs curled around her feet. “At the beginning, I suppose”, I reply. And so it begins. It was the spring of 1922; May 27th to be exact. At a little house near “The Forks”, where the Cains…
Read MoreMcCormack Descendant Seeks Family History
Fenton McCormack, a descendant of the McCormick family of Blackville, is looking for information about his ancestors. He explains below: “My father, Fenton D. McCormick (spelled at the time) was born in 1912 to Fenton S. and Mary McCormick (nee McLaughlin) in Blackville. He had a sister by the name of Elizabeth that disappeared in…
Read MoreBlackville Rec Council Hosts Successful Community Skating Party
The Blackville Recreation Council hosted their annual free skating party for local youth on Friday, February 13. Over 75 skaters braved the cold weather and hit the ice for a couple hours of skating and family fun. Throughout the evening, 50 prizes were given out, including gift cards and certificates that were donated by local…
Read MoreCommunity Rallies to Rebuild Shelter Destroyed by Fire
In mid-January, a warming hut on the Dungarvon River, Trail 58 between Blackville and Doaktown, was completely destroyed by fire. The Mitchell Brook warming shelter had been used by many snowmobilers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Chris Hennessy, president of Miramichi Snowgoers Club 22, and a Blackville village councillor, said that the structure burned down sometime…
Read MoreRenous Native Caitie McCabe Representing NB at Canada Winter Games
Team New Brunswick recently announced the final rosters of the 19 teams that will represent the province at the 2015 Canada Winter Games to take place February 13 to March 1 in Prince George, British Columbia. Among those selected is Renous native Caitie McCabe for female hockey. The grade 12 student currently plays on the…
Read MoreJosie Foundation Receives $5,000 Donation
For the past four years, the Rotary Club of Chatham have hosted their annual Dragon Boat Festival, with all proceeds going to area groups and organizations. This year, one of the recipients was The Josie Foundation, founded by Blackville resident and current Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin MLA Jake Stewart. The Josie Foundation is a non-profit incorporated foundation…
Read MoreBlackville Fire Hall Grand Opening
The grand opening of the new Blackville Fire Hall took place this past Saturday, December 13 at its new location at 54 Main Street. Mayor Andy Hawkes welcomed the group of about one hundred, and acted as the master of ceremonies. Christopher Sturgeon recited the firefighter’s prayer, and Jake Stewart, MLA for Southwest Miramichi /…
Read MoreBlackville Remembers
Nearly two hundred people attended the Remembrance Day ceremony held at Blackville School this morning. The crowd erupted in applause as soldiers from the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering at CFB Gagetown in Oromocto entered the school gymnasium. The ceremony began with Royal Canadian Legion Branch #49 President Boyd Underhill welcoming the crowd, followed…
Read MoreMemories of War Video Series Now Available on DVD
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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