LOOKING BACK - THE DEATH OF A DOWNTOWN

An old recipe book stirs memories from the past and

creates disturbing comparisons to today..
by
Art MacKay
Like many folks in Canada and the United States, I grew up in a small town. Mine was located
on the Maine-New Brunswick border. Actually there were 4 small towns all clustered around
the International Bridge ... St. Stephen and Milltown, NB in Canada and Calais and Milltown,
Maine in the USA. Each of these towns had their downtown ... a "main" street along the St.
Croix River where shops, businesses and services of all kinds clustered together and where
everyone in town and the surrounding rural areas came to shop, visit the barber, buy their gro-
ceries, get their vehicles fxed, acquire their livestock feed, purchase Christmas presents and
more ... everything the modern household in 1948 could possibly want. And almost all of these
establishments were owned by local families. It was a busy and exciting place to grow up. Ser-
vices were within walking distance everywhere.
Mind you, the downtown was a remnant from another era when 40 odd wharves served the burgeon-
ing forest industry that supplied the world with lumber. I remember the last of those many wharves
some of which are still represented today by the imprints in the mud made by their support timbers
and ballast rocks. Today all of the waterfront has been flled to provide parking and only one wharf ...
the so-called public wharf ... remains. But even in my day, ships still came in to the fertilizer wharf
and other remaining wharves along the shore, kids dove into the river off the International Bridge,
fshermen tended their eel traps and occasionally even cast their nets for herring that came up river
into The Cove. Alewife fshermen were everywhere and pollution had not yet destroyed all of the
clam beds.
That has all changed. Today no one swims in the river, there are no fshermen, the river remains pol-
luted and the downtown of St. Stephen, my hometown, is virtually empty of local retail establishments.
The stores are either empty or occupied by lawyers, customs companies, insurance companies and
other service industries, mostly from away as they say locally. And it is certainly not exciting! All of
the groceries and vital supplies now come from the big-box stores on the outskirts of town. We shop
there of course, since all of the corner stores, butchers and grocery stores are closed. If we are lucky
we may get to see the armored car roll in and truck our money away to God-only-knows where. And
no one comes to town on Friday night to firt back and forth during the weekly downtown promenade
or crowd into a booth at the Tally Ho or go to the Queen Theatre and cuddle with your date.
The other day I was sorting through some old fles and chanced upon a Girl
Guide recipe book that was produced in 1948 as a fund-raiser. It sold for 50
cents and was also supported by the advertising purchased by local busi-
nesses. Just for fun, I fipped through and read the ads. Most were family es-
tablishment that I remember. I put a digital X through those that are gone and
discovered that most have been closed. The few that were left included a drug
store, the local candy factory, the remnants of a fsh processing plant that is
teetering on the edge and a funeral home where we can still arrange our burial.
Oh yes one of the real estate companies is still there and an insurance com-
pany that can work with you to make certain that you have suffcient funds to
get buried.
Of course there are still many companies around these towns, but they tend now to be franchises and
service companies and the economies are microcosms of the national malaise in Canada and the US.
Very few are locally owned and most citizens either work for the governments or at low wage jobs at
the candy factory and a few other industrial operations. But its certainly not like it was. I wonder when
we will recapture of the spirit of community that once made these towns a great place to grow up?
Thats how I see it tonight.
#30
About Art MacKay
Forced to choose between his interest in art and natural history, Art chose the latter for his university studies
and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, N.B.
Canada in 1961 and carried out graduate studies at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec for 3 years.
He taught at McGill University, the University of Victoria, and the University of New Brunswick before establish-
ing a biological supply and consulting business on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick in 1964. His work has
included the collection and supply of living marine organisms for schools, universities and research establish-
ments around the world.
His consulting activities have been broad and range from the primary development of marine inventories from
Newfoundland to Maine, environmental monitoring and mitigation for nuclear power plants, oil refneries, gas
pipelines and other industrial developments. He is credited with establishing the frst successful commercial
Atlantic salmon sea farms in New Brunswick and Maine. His professional work has taken him to the United
States, Canada, Norway, Thailand and India.
Art has an extensive background in publishing, printing, graphic design and display construction. He has sold
numerous paintings and illustrations and has had several shows of his works.
This article contains approximately 650 words. Contents and images are Art MacKay 2012 and one-time
rights may be purchased by publishers. Additional information and images can be provided on request. Email
art @ bayoffundy.ca.
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PAINT AND WALL PAPER
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THE GUIDE

ST. ANORt.""WS. N. 8.
ST. ANDREWS. N. B.
ST. ANDREWS. N. B.
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English Golf Jackets and Hosiery
Agent for Tip-Top Tailon
Sport Jackets and Raincoats
H. O'NEILL
E. B. STINSON . . . 1
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Made-ta-Measure and Ready-to-Wear CLOTHING
From Enrlisb, Scotch and Irish Cloths
Gent's Furnishings - Hats and Caps - Wool Togs
EnClisb Auto Hurl. _lIudion Bay Blankets - LU\su and Jaerer Sweaters
GoU' Hose :lond SQ(lks - Kaysl!r 1I05e
EST. OF V. B. COLLINS ST ANDREWS N B
THE JAEGER WOOL SHOP
Cockburn's Corner Drug Store _#
ESTABLISHED 1876 T
Seventy.Two Yean of Service
PHONE 2.50
PHONE 266
EST. 1823
JACK and .TILL STORE
'Ibis store Is open upeelally 1.0 .upply thl! J)ll,blic with much wanted Goods for
. Tols and Teens _ Special Lines are in slock for Ladies
Our C.O.D. Sen'lce is at the dlspos"l or the "Islanders"
Phone or Write l.o Us. then your will at once
Aa"er.l tor Brltlsb Knit _ Some Wool lrl, and Yard Good;\i on Ibe Way
WATER STREET TELEPHONE 237 ST. AN"I)RI::WS. S. B.
_ AT YOUR SERVICE
CAPT. ""d MRS. W. J. CHEEK X
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THE COOKING GUIDE
COMPLIMENTS OF
Jas. S. Neill & Sons, Ltd.
Fredericton's Big Hardware Store \ ,
SPORTING GOODS
-
Fishing and Hunting Equipment of All Kind.
Owners and Operators of Radio Station
C. F. N. B.
Lad ies-For a Tasty Dessert
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Brl1l and Graham Cracker and Apple Pudding
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Put layer ot chopped apples in the bottom
of a baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar and add
dash or two of nutmeg. Add generous layer
rolled Graham and Bra:l Crackers, Place dots
of butter on top. Add layer of chopped app1es,
sugar, nutmeg. Then layer of Graham and
Bran cfllckers dotted with butter on top. Place
in slow oven lind bake until apples are tender.
Serve with Vanilla Sauce or Cream.
BAKED BY
MONCTON, N. B.
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H. K. BONNELL
MEATS AND GROCERIES )(
FRUITS, ETC.
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Branches Throughout th" Province
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MAE V. MATTHEWS
MILLINERY
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AlL 'I'llI'; LATEST BOOKS at
WALL'S BOOKSTORE
ST. ~ T D ' H ~ N
MARCJ.!IT L JOHNSON, p,.....
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PRILUTSKY SHOE CO., LTO.-
CWTHING - SHOES lIEN'S FURN1SHIN(;S
KAYSER HOSIERY X
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PHO"E (is

ST. STEI'lIEN. N. R
ExrllLoive Mod"l, In Laoi,,' W.or
FOR COURTESY and ,;mRV](:E
DOW & McNEILL
Fashion Frocks, Ltd.
FLAGG'S HARDWARE
BALKAM MOTORS
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THE COOKING GUIDE

Packed from uniform
f r e ~ h fish slightly smoked.
These Products of ~
Packed by
The World's Leading Brand of
sardines packed from fresh fiah
from the cold waters of the North
Atlantic.
"Connors' Famous Sea Foods"
are returning to your Grocer's shelves to meet your snack
and sandwich spread requirements.
Connors Bros./ Limited
Black's Harbour, N. B.
40
OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY
BRUNSWICK BRAND ~
Chicken and Finnan Haddies
P"p...d hom choice young II
Haddies. E:lCcellent for an evening
meal.
Prepared from mature
slightly smoked.
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CREAMED CHICKEN HADDIE
Add" an equal. amount of white sauce to one can of BrUJl5wick
Chit ken Haddie and place in buttered baking dish. Slice one hardboiled.
egg ~ v e r the top and sprinkle with buttered crumbs. Bake in Hot oven
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Connors Bros., Limited
Black's Harbour, N. B.
41
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THE COOKING GUIDE
OF
J. W. SAMPSON'S
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WATER STREET
Texaco Service Station
ST. STEPUEN. N. B.
Exclusive Agent
Ladies' Butterfly Smart Side HOSE
McBRIDE'S CLOTHING STORE
CLARK'S DRUG STORE X
PHONE 34 KIRK HILL CORNER
ST. STEPHEN. N. B.
JOHNSTON & JOHNSTON
Prescription Druggists
_ ALSO -
Souvenirs, Novelties and Gifts For All Occasions
THE ROSE STORE
Groceries !\Jeat - l'eed - Clofhing .- Foolwear
ST. STEPHEN, N. B. PHONE 538539
Clifford W. Hanley
MEATS and GROCERIES
ST. STEPuEN, N. B. KING STREET PRONE &9
CLARK'S GROCETERIA
GROCERIES - MEATS
Flour - Feed - Fruit - Confectionery
.I ':.BOSE U i KING STREET ST. STEPlH-;N, N. B.
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THE COOKING GUIDE
Quoddy Coal Co./ Ltd.
E. S. FINIGAN, Manager
DEALERS IN COAL and COKE
PHONE 351
SAINT ANDREWS, N. B.
JONES-SCHOFIELD-HATHEWAY. LTD.
Head Office, Saint John, N. B., Canada
I MPORTERS, EXPORTERS, MANUFACTURERS, CANNERS AN'O
DISTRIBUTORS OF FOOD PRODUCTS
Members of Assoe, of Food Distributors of New York
THE CHINA CHEST
SAINT ANDREWS, NEW BRUNSWICK
IMPORTERS AND DIRECT AGENTS FOR FINE ENGLISH
CHINA DINNERWARE AND GIFT ITEMS
- MAIL ORDERS SOLICITED-
GUY R. DAY & SON
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General Insurance - Real Estate
M o r t g a ~ e Loans - Bonds
Property and Estate Management
- TRAVEL AGENTS-
... ST. STEPHEN, N. B.
48
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FORD TRUCKS 'm! TRAITORS
FARM MACHINERY
ImpMUJ Oil Goodrich and All.. Tiros
FRASER MOTORS
Haley Lumber Company, Ltd.
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<77 _ PH01<[ _ <77
"NY PL...CE_ANY WMF:RF.
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THE COOKING GUIDE

The Finest in Men's Wear
STETSON HICKOK FORSYTH
JAEGER WOLSEY X
C. A. O'BRIEN & SON
ST. STEPHEN
COMPLIMENTS OF THE
ST.GEORCE
Nu-Style Ladies' Wear
Water Street. St. Stephen. N. B. X
COMPLIMENTS OF X
Garcelon Stamp Co.
WEDGWOOD SPODE
LUGGAGE
Imported Irish Linens
ALL WOOL BLANKETS
Bendix AutomAtic Home Laundries
Buchanan Bros.
EVERYTHINC FOR THE HOME

THE COOKING GUIDE

LOBSTERS
---l
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Conley's Lobsters Ltd.
St. Andrews, N. B.
Canada
Owners and operators of the
World's Largest Lobster Pound
I
" Specializing in Lh'e Lobsters and fresh Lobster meal
shipments to clubs, hotels and restaurants to
I all parts of the Lllilerl Slales
! No Customs Charges Whatever
We would be pleased Lo send information upon request
Price List Sent Weekly If Desired
-
Shipments Made Every Day ,n the Year
-.
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THE COOKING GUIDE
COMPLIMENTS OF
NASON & YARDLEY
High Class Groceries and Meats
WATER ST., ST. STEPHEN
THE QUEEN HOTEL X
Rooms with Private Bath - Rooms with Running Water
THE BEST PLACE TO EAT
CAMPBELL'S
WOOLENS BLANKETS LINENS
SIMPLICITY PATTERNS
SWINGS
W1\TER STREET P B O ~ ' E ZI9 ST. STErHEN, N. B.
WRY'S.-- .
CONFECTIONERY - LUNCHES
WATER STREET ST. STEPHEN
COMPLIMENTS OF
F. B. DOUGLAS X
ST. STEPHEN, N. B.
COMPLIMENTS OF
F. THOH.N'I'ON X
,_ , GROCERIES FEED FRUIT
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ST. STEPHEN, N. B.
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St. Croix Valley Brand
Brick Oven Steamed Baked Beans
Brown Bread
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