50 Years Ago — July 10, 1974
Swimmers sign up for lessons – A total of 186 students have registered at the Madawaska Pool for swimming lessons. Ninety-one are registered in the beginner course; 31 in the introductory to water; 31 in advanced beginner; 12 in intermediate; 14 in junior lifesaving; and seven in senior lifesaving course. A few adults also have been coming for lessons at night, and more would be welcomed. The slogan is “We can teach an old dog new tricks,” says Danny Madore, director, adding: “A person is never too old to learn to swim.”
25 Years Ago — July 14, 1999
Greetings from ‘Yaz’ to Carbo – Bernie Carbo, former Red Sox star, shook hands with Madawaska’s Fran “Yaz” Thibeault. Carbo spoke at the Madawaska Gospel Church on June 26, 1999. Carbo is president of Diamond Club Ministries and works with the youth nationwide. He plans to make a return visit next summer to Madawaska.
10 Years Ago — July 9, 2014
Radio Shack closes its doors — The Radio Shack on Fox Street in Madawaska closed its doors on June 27, 2014. According to co-owner Vern Labbe, Radio Shack had a presence in Madawaska for more than 35 years. Labbe and his son-in-law Jamie Voisine purchased the store in 2005, Labbe wrote in an email to the St. John Valley Times. The stores in Madawaska and Fort Kent currently have different owners, although Labbe said at one time both were under a single previous ownership. Labbe wrote that several factors went into the decision to close the store, but “it was mainly due to competing with Internet sales and big box stores.”
