The Street Lights Were My Curfew

Houlton, Maine, the Shiretown of Aroostook County, is a special place with special people. It, like most of America, has a past revered by many in the present generation. How many times have you heard, It ain't like the good old days, back when I was growing up, these kids don't know what hard times were like, back in the day, and so on. This anthology contains written reflections of folks who experienced the good old days way back in 1940 and 1950.
I hope you enjoy, and in some cases relate, to the tales, long and short, in this collection.* You will discover a new game played in the potato fields at the Cyr farm. A story written by John Leggett of Maine.* Join a young boy hitchhiking to Boston, experience the terror of the Winter of 98, written by Courtney Schools, a teacher in Maine.* Witness the progress of the devastating Bar Harbor fire* Sip a cherry coke at Frenchs Drug store, * Walk down Mechanic street wrapped in the smell of iron, burnt coal, and sweat wafting from Hawkins Blacksmith Shop* Play a round of eight ball at Browns Pool hall, * Experience a frightening dream by a young Maliseet (Wolesteqey) man, born in Maine, who Lives at Kingsclear First Nation, New Brunswick, (Patrick Polchies)* Spend days with hobos by the railroad tracks* Meet Meeko and Teko, two abandoned raccoons, * Learn about the famous McNally Camps on the Allagash, written by Maine author Leonard Hutchins.* Enjoy a lavish night out at the Elks Ball.* Stroll B Stream with a Maliseet girl harvesting herbal medicines, * Sit on the bank of Cooks Brook with a best friend watching the miracle of a May Fly hatch, * Experience the value of picking potatoes, written by Carol Morell of New York.* Enjoy a sailing adventure written by my sailor son, Mike.
You will discover many more tales between these pages. Some of this actually happened, some of it could likely have happened, and the rest of it is made up.