50 Years Ago — May 24, 1973
Library telethon, a first for Van Buren — Dr. Philip Plourde and Robert Marquis anchored the live telecast soliciting funds for the Abel J. Morneault Memorial Library on a Monday evening in 1973. The telecast originated from the studios of CATV 5, located within the confines of the Van Buren District High School.
Pool sharks capture trophies — Collins Pool Room recently presented trophies to the winners of their long-year Skunk contest. Located in Frenchville, the pool parlor’s contest ran from June of 1972 to April 1972. The winner was Louis Paradis.
25 Years Ago — May 20, 1998
Frenchville church was blessed as year 2000 pilgrimage site — People from all over the St. John Valley and beyond packed Ste. Luce Church Sunday, May 17, 1998, to participate in the blessing of the jubilee doors. Fr. Angelo Levasseur, Fr. Claude Gendreau and Bishop Michael Cote led the bilingual ceremony. Parish Council President Norma Martin placed the plaque near the doors to signify it as the site of pilgrimages leading to the year 2000, which will be the anniversary of Christianity. Other sites are in Bangor, Damariscotta, Lewiston and Portland.
10 Years Ago — May 15, 2013
Moose guards new port — A new bronze sculpture of a moose now stands at the entrance to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Van Buren port of entry. The 1 and ¼ scale life-size bronze moose cost $145,000, according to Patrick Sclafani, public affairs officer with the Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, General Services Administration New England Region. The piece is a cast bronze sculpture titled “Grand State of Maine,” by New York-based artist Nina Katchadourian.
